Harsh Vibes create a brand of psychedelic rock, but it’s certainly not the lovey-dovey, hippity-dippity kind that your parents might have grown up on. Instead, their noisy, introspective compositions may scare some acid-heads straight conjuring up a sense of not belonging which may be a reflection of what mastermind Ragnar Bergan might have felt when he decided to distance himself from the electronic/glitch "scene" that he was once a part of. Finding solace with his guitar and like-minded friends Kyle Reiff (guitar), Peter Sabatino (bass), John Titlow (drums), and Evan Raab (synth), Bergen created his own "scene"/vibe. You can hear what that sounds like live next Monday, July 25 when Harsh Vibes perform a free show at Kung Fu Necktie, but first, check out our interview with Ragnar Bergen HERE for when they recently won our Featured Artist(s) Poll as well as their track “Tripped by a Van” below.  

 

The Victorian Dining Room Series has been taking local area bands and stripping them down creating an intimate experience for you, the artists and their music. (And it’s FREE!) Well, tonight you’ll find yourself transported to another time and place when the Levee Drivers take the stage. Known for their rollicking performances and bluesy countrified rock that has drawn plenty of comparisons to The Man in Black, you’ll find that what really propels the Levee Drivers is the soulful, earnest vocals and heartfelt songwriting craftsmanship of their humble leader August Lutz. But for those who simply want to rock, you’ll get your chance when they crank things up this Saturday at The Fire to close the place down. North Star Bar, 2639 Poplar St., 8pm, FREE, 21+ – H.M. Kauffman

 

Jordan Burgis (formerly of The Furniture and Tiananmen Squared) will bring new 4-tracking 80s pop project Magnetic Dog to Danger! Danger! Gallery tonight. Accompanied sometimes by Folklore’s Jimmy Hughes, Scott Churchman, and/or other local players, Burgis will kick off the evening with his glammy Elliot-Smith-on-ecstasy rock. He delivers extremely catchy experimental power pop found in his DIY recordings of tunes like the quirky and clever “Predictably Callous Alice” and twangy Velvet Underground-tinged “Cut In Line” from his upcoming album Electric Worrier. His sound is an enjoyable clash of generations. Magnetic Dog will be supporting Atlanta’s Little Tybee and Grand Prize Winners From Last Year as well as Iowa’s The Poison Control Center. Danger! Danger! Gallery 5013 Baltimore Ave., 8pm, $10, All Ages – Jules Friedland

 

Tonight at the M Room will be the official debut of the band Cy Twombly, a new lo-fi, bedroom project from The Homophones’ Jason Ferraro. Originally named NOWHERE until he discovered that there was already a cheesy Swiss alt rock band with the same name, Cy Twombly is heavily influenced by his “reaction to this 90’s fetish that is going on in indie rock right now,” as well as copious amounts of weed. “It’s songs about a boy I love who doesn’t love me. And he only listens to the Pixies.” Ferraro recruited his buddies Jeff Schech (bass), Kate Fabrizio (guitar/vocals), and Ron Crawford (drums), who deejays at Mad Decent Mondays and has never drummed before. And they just go for it wailing on their instruments like they are kids again! “So it is a total break from overthinking. It’s fun. And since Cy Twombly just died and I love him so much and his work seems really sloppy but is actually very meaningful, I named this project after him.” They’ll be sharing the bill this evening with local pals Gang, Sgt. Sass, and Robai. BTW: Farraro also wants everyone to get realllll high!!!!! (I don’t think that I’ll have a problem doing that.) M Room, 15 W. Girard Ave., 9pm, $8, 21+ – Q.D. Tran

 

Two of underground hip hop’s most respected elder statesmen, Ill Bill & Vinnie Paz will be taking their hardcore rhymes to the stage as a duo tonight at The Blockley. The two emcees recently teamed up for their first full-length collaboration Heavy Metal Kings, after years of being featured on tracks from each of their respective groups (Non Phixion/La Coka Nostra and Jedi Mind Tricks/Army of Pharaohs), as well as on their solo LPs. The long-awaited joint LP from these lyrical heavy-hitters definitely lives up to the hype. Heavy Metal Kings’ tracks stay true to the album’s name, incorporating both emcees rhythmic lyrical delivery on the hip hop side of things, as well as the brutal lyrical imagery of heavy metal. Also on the bill are fellow hardcore emcees Slaine, Q-Unique, and Outerspace. The Blockley 3801 Chestnut St., $15 – $17, 9pm, All Ages – Dan Brightcliffe

 

Meg Baird is coming out to perform tonight under her solo songstress exterior at the newly located Little Berlin. She has a highly-anticipated new album on the way titled Seasons On Earth, the follow-up to her 2007 debut Dear Companion, so hopefully we’ll be treated to some new songs from the guarded upcoming album. Its scheduled release date is September 20, 2011 via Drag City. In the mean time, Baird has been entertaining herself behind the skins in former Clockcleaner Richie Charles’ punk band Watery Love. Joining Baird this evening will be Chris Forsyth’s Paranoid Cat Duo exuding riff-tastic ‘60s folk while permeating an electrical psychedelic sound, yet giving off a dash of that hillbilly twang, as well as Chicago native Jaime Fenelly’s Mind Over Mirrors with his solitary, supernatural, hiss-crackled din. Make sure to seek some solace and sanctuary with this collection of folk and delectable noise masters. Little Berlin, 2430 Coral St., 8pm, $6, All Ages – Brandi Lukas

 

Now Brooklyn-based electro-pop group, Snakes Say Hisss, featuring Philadelphia natives Jamie Ayers and Sam Skarstad will be bringing their brand of feel good, danceable synth-pop music to The Troc’s balcony stage tonight. Aside from being a homecoming of sorts for the former Philly residents, this evening’s show is also Snakes Say Hisss’ local area release show for their latest 7” Right Behind You via Famous Class Records. Their latest offering ends the group’s 4 year gap between releases. “Right Behind You” finds Ayers channeling his inner Prince for his falsetto vocal delivery over the danceable synth backing track. While B-side, “Comes and Goes” is an upbeat dance track that would fit nicely in any school dance/prom or makeover scene from your favorite ‘80s movie. Be sure to pick up their limited edition clear vinyl 7” (only 150 copies). The Trocadero, 1003 Arch St., $10, 11pm, 21+ – Dan Brightcliffe

 

The Philadelphia Orchard Project’s mission is to plant orchards in the city of Philadelphia that grow healthy food, green spaces and community food security. They work with community-based groups and volunteers to provide useful and edible plants. These orchards are planted in formerly vacant lots, community gardens, schoolyards, and other spaces targeting low-wealth neighborhoods where people lack access to fresh fruits. If this sounds like a worthwhile cause to you, then you can do your part today by attending their 3rd Annual “POP” Music Fest. This year’s fundraiser at Liberty Lands Park will feature local acts Faux Slang (check out our review for their latest self-titled EP HERE), Eric Carbonara + Jesse Sparhawk, Zillions + Blood Like Mine, The Old Fashioneds, and Pile of Girls as well as the Fish n’ Chips DJs who are all generously donating their time and talents. There will also be beer provided by Philadelphia Brewing Co. and food from Honest Tom’s Taco Truck, Dapper Dog, and Buttercream Cupcake. So take advantage of some nice weather and come out to help beautify Philly (God knows we need it)! Liberty Lands Park, 3rd St. between Poplar St. & Wildey St., 2pm – 8pm, $15, All Ages – H.M. Kauffman  

 

From "This Isn’t a Good Night for Walking" to "It Won’t Take Long," Arches full-length debut concept LP, Wide Awake, is a reverb-soaked collection of soft ethereal pulses, wispy come-hither melodies, and abstract vocal echoes that swell into a swaying dream-like atmosphere. (You can check out our review of the album HERE.) And on Saturday, the local four-piece–founded by former college mates Tom Herman Jr. and Julien Rossow Greenberg (whose solo EP, You’re With Me, is out now and available HERE)–will compact that intrinsic sound on Johnny Brenda’s stage in honor of Wide Awake’s vinyl release. Also on the YVYNYL-presented bill is fellow hometowner Andrew Balasia, a.k.a Gracie, who’ll debut his eccentric electro-lounge pop for the first time on stage, as well as handpicked out-of-towners Brooklyn-based Holy Spirits and Richmond, VA’s Whit Laces. So, when you make your way to the show this Saturday night (and you will), you’re in for quite a treat. Johnny Brenda’s, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 8pm, $8, 21+

 

There should be some fine weather this weekend so here are some other fine things to do…

 

Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) FRI Empress Niko & Lion’s Paw and Stereo Cynics, SAT Psychic Teens, SUN Doomed to Obscurity

 

North Star Bar (2639 Poplar St.) FRI Baby Flamehead and Oldermost, SAT Paper Cat and The Revere

 

The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) FRI Kanu and The Mighty Flipside, SAT Prophets In Stereo and Venetian Aircraft

 

M Room (15 W. Girard Ave.) SAT Gang, Sgt Sass, Cy Trowbly, Robai

 

Tritone (1508 South St.) FRI G Calvin Weston w/Vernon Reid, SAT Levee Drivers, Ron Gallo, Cold Roses

 

The Trocadero (1003 Arch St.) FRI Razorblade Skijn, SAT (Early) Dirty Bird, Saturday (Late) – Pajama Party, Snakes Say Hisss

 

The Blockley (3801 Chestnut St.) SAT ILL BILL & Vinnie Paz are "Heavy Metal Kings"

 

Danger Danger Gallery (5013 Baltimore Ave.) SUN Magnetic Dog

 

World Café Live (3025 Walnut St.) SAT City Music Project, Lady, Swift Technique

 

Millcreek Tavern (4200 Chester Ave.) FRI With Our Teeth

 

Green Line Café (4426 Locust St.) FRI Lion Versus

 

The Rotunda (4014 Walnit St.) SUN a stick and a stone

 

The Legendary Dobbs (304 South St.) FRI Lamagier and Big Fat Marker, SAT La Violencia, Flux Capicator, The Parsnip Revolt, SUN My Parasites and The Divided

 

Triumph Brewery (117 Chestnut St.) SAT Dirk Quinn Band and Agent Moosehead

 

Bookspace (1113 Frankford Ave.) SAT City Rain, SUN Kickin Bear and West Philadelphia Orchestra

 

JR’s Bar (2327 S. Croskey St.) SAT Clamfight and Bitchslicer

 

First Unitarian Church (2125 Chestnut St.) FRI Gods and Queens

 

Connie’s Ric Rac (1132 S. 9th St.) FRI Live Music [All Bear Bands(?)], SAT The Absolute Zeros and The Sobriquets

 

The Station (1550 McKean St.) SAT The Laroquettes and Jukebox Zeros

 

Little Berlin (2430 Coral St.) SAT Meg Baird and Chris Forsyth’s Paranoid Cat Duo

 

The Olive Garden (Please contact one of the acts for details.) FRI Cousin Brian and Deergear

 

Hong Kong Garden (Please contact one of the acts for details.) FRI Leather and No Coffins

 

The Banana Stand (Please contact one of the acts for details.) SAT Black Coffee, Ceasefire, Heidigger

 

The Dream Oven (Please contact one of the acts for details.) SAT Void Vision and Hot Guts

 

The Philadelphia Orchard Project (POP) Music Festival (3rd Street between Poplar & Wildey Streets) SAT Faux Slang,Eric Carbonara & Jesse Sparhawk,Zillions & Blood Like Mine,The Old Fashioneds,Pile of Girls

 

There is a distressing artistry to Lion Versus’ latest album, Five Hearts. Released in April, the 7-track album from the local alt-folk outfit can take you on a maddened instrumental ride at a deranged carnival ("The Birds Still Sing"), through the overgrown bittersweet stalks of rustic, bereaved pastors ("I Am [The Springtime]"), and playing along with the bone-bare plucks of jubilant vulnerability ("Flood and Dew"). And this old world beauty will be brought to the intimate space of West Philly’s Green Line Cafe tonight, transporting you from the cracks and sirens of the city to the quiet and expansive stretches of the rural backwoods. Toto, I’ve a feeling we’re not in Philadelphia anymore. Green Line Cafe, 4426 Locust St., 7pm, $5 – $10 donation, All Ages – Annamarya Scaccia

 

Just wanted to give everyone a heads up that tickets go on sale tomorrow at noon for the very first set of shows at Union Transfer!  You can purchase them online via utphilly.com and r5productions.com. They are also available at the R5’s box office at AKA Music (27 N. 2nd St.) – no fees or surcharges for tickets purchased in person, however, CASH ONLY!

 

The first few shows include: Clap Your Hands Say Yeah (9/21), Mogwai (9/28), Shellac (9/29), RJD2 (10/14), Wild Flag (10/19), Gillian Welch (10/20), CSS / Men (10/21), Dum Dum Girls (10/23), Friendly Fires (10/25), Boris / Asobi Seksu (10/28), We Were Promised Jetpacks (10/29), World Inferno Friendship Society (10/31), The Sea & Cake (11/9), Trampled By Turtles (11/19) and The Radio Department (11/21). – The Deli Staff

 

Secretly Canadian just posted another song “Come to the City” from The War on Drugs’ long-awaited upcoming LP Slave Ambient, which will finally be available August 16. You can check out the track and download it for free below. The album is now available for pre-order HERE with a limited edition ruby red vinyl version going to the first 75 orders, and there are also some nice War on Drugs bundle deals if you happen to be interested. Enjoy! – The Deli Staff