Krust Toons: "Solo" by Tedd Hazard – please feel free to drop him a line at teddandthehazards@gmail.com if you dig or have any funny ideas. You can also check out more of his illustrations and animation shorts HERE.

Philly’s Blowdryer released a new full-length self-titled tape today, and this evening, they’ll be celebrating its arrival at Everybody Hits. Acknowledging present circumstances in direct lyricism, keenly cutting to the points, the band melodically maneuvers with exuberant ends, highlighting observations & issues on the individual (micro-level) that can be applied on the larger scale. The post-punk trio creates something that’s fun and catchy, while touching on the shortcomings of living in our own self-contained bubbles. Tonight, Sarah Everton (Telepathic, Bleeding Rainbow), Robyn Campbell (Permanent Body), and Dominique Montgomery will be supported by noise-punks Chronic Anxiety and the quartet of Soft Crime, which is made up of Jason Killinger (Spacin’), Jenna Robb (Louie Louie), Colin Pate (Total Discharge) and Emily Burtner (Marge). – Michael Colavita

Other haps this Memorial Day weekend…

Everybody Hits (529 W. Girard Ave.) FRI Blowdryer (Tape Release), Soft Crime, Chronic Anxiety

Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.) FRI A Benefit for Suzie Rapp and Cody Ferdinand: The Cobbs, A.M. Mills, Fox Bay

Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) FRI DJSC, SAT The Fleeting Ends/Fame Lust, SUN Kohn, Matty Moonshine, Internal Rhyme, Shon Goner, Ikechukwu, Chedda Bandz, Bino Da Singer/Bryant Eugene Vazquez, Smellco, Sad Actor

PhilaMOCA (531 N. 12^th St.) SAT The Divine Hand Ensemble present The Music of Frank Zappa, SUN Mary Lattimore

Underground Arts (1200 Callowhill St.) SAT LCD Soundsystem vs Daft Punk Tribute Night

World Café Live (3025 Walnut St.) SAT (Upstairs) Ellen Siberian-Tiger, Queue, SUN (Upstairs) Joshua Park (Record Release), Hinton, Bower, Jones

The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) SAT Krooked Youth

MilkBoy Philly (1100 Chestnut St.) FRI Lör, SAT Tiedye Ky

Ortlieb’s Lounge (847 N. 3^rd St.) FRI Gene Wildest, American Letters, SAT Blood Sound, SUN Knightlife, Weller

The Barbary (951 Frankford Ave.) FRI Beasters, Total F*cking Destruction, SAT Death By Bong, SUN Pete Hill

Silk City (435 Spring Garden St.) FRI DJ Aktive, SAT DJ Deejay, SUN Brendan Bring ‘Em

Fergie’s (1214 Sansom St.) SAT David Cope

Connie’s Ric Rac (1132 S. 9^th St.) SAT Nazeer Art’aud, Allan Moor, Mason

Bourbon & Branch (705 N. 2^nd St.) FRI Parlour Noir, SAT Mesén Around. SUN Frank Porter, Tanner Gerard King

Morgan’s Pier (221 N. Columbus Blvd.) FRI DJ Beatstreet, SUN DJ Lean Wit It  

Frankie Bradley’s (1320 Chancellor St.) FRI Philly’s Foxes/DJ Chris Urban

The Grape Room (105 Grape St.) FRI Breathing, Countdown From Ten, SAT The Dispersions, Uncle Dan/Caleb Michael, Hayley Dare

Ardmore Music Hall (23 E. Lancaster Ave.) FRI Crosstown Traffic, SAT Flannel

The Rotunda (4014 Walnut St.) SAT Break Free Fest: Soul Glo, Sour Spirit, SUN Rare Form, Black Urn, Complex

University City Arts League (4226 Spruce St.) FRI Basquiat Blues, Durian Brow, Kyle Press

The Pharmacy (1300 S. 18^th St.) FRI Knightlife, The Stone Eye, SAT Point Breeze Country Club, The Extraordinaires, Nick Millevoi & Brian Osborne Duo / Great Time, Punk Hands

The Sound Hole (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Rope Trick, Kohoutek

The Waiting Room (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI Swim Camp, Fred Beans, Little Stray

New music seemingly arrives from Dani in Public monthly; the latest being Has It Has It Happened Yet. Revealing one’s emotive inner-workings with an even-keeled, smooth-talking precision, there’s an innate movement in these low-key, infectious electro-grooves. Seamlessly switching between spoken and sung lines, while stretching and synching with the beat, a soulful openness is unlocked.

An assemblage of local artists unites on a new compilation benefitting FONE (Friends of Neighborhood Education). All the songs featured on Equal Loudness Vol​.​1 – Music to Benefit Philadelphia Public Schools were recorded at Miner Street Recordings, and released in collaboration with Weathervane Music. American Trappist, Cayetana, Square Peg Round Hole, Julia Rainer, and Bitter Bitter Weeks are among the cavalcade of contributors whom hope to raise awareness and funds for schools. This is an excellent example of musicianship paying it forward/back to the future by providing much-needed aid to education.

Sparse acoustic guitar accompanies earnest lyricism “On Self Respect,” the new single from Anika Pyle, a.k.a. Nika Nika. An older ditty that was written "after watching one of the greatest films of all time – Flashdance – and connecting the film to Joan Didion’s essay ‘On Self Respect,’" an honest self-evaluation speaks to the idea of following ones dream’s and aspirations, while navigating the perceptions or judgments of the outside world. Balancing one’s goal against the weight/pressure of the outside world can be a tricky endeavor. Be true to yourself.

"To give us back to ourselves–there lies the great, the singular power of self-respect" – Joan Didion

Em Boltz (Corey Flood, Mallrat), Emily Lyon (Wilt), Madeline Rafter (Snake Boy Gang, The Original Crooks and Nannies), and Rachie Weisberg (Yeah, Baby) creatively combine as Sieve. Three Secrets, the debut EP from the quartet, was recently released via Fire Talk Records. Twisted, interlocking gears form unexpected, timely grooves at abrupt angles, unifying unique pieces. Those abbreviated mischievous carnival visions showcase a playful darkness.

Recorded live at the their practice space, Forever Vista recently dropped their new single, “Part of the High is the Chase Itself”. It’s a fuzz-fueled freight train that comes at you hard and fast. But don’t fret – enjoy the high! The Philly quartet is scheduled to race through Ortlieb’s on Sunday, June 10, rounding out a bill that also includes The Mojo Machine and People Like You.

Look into Crystal Balls, the new EP from Whaler, and listen. Set sail on the surf/shoegazing vessel. The sway of the water dynamically alters between pleasantly adrift and treacherous tides. One can find a temporary home in the melodic haze, but remain alert of the humbling hazards.

Philly punk outfit Dark Thoughts is getting ready to release a new full-length album. The band recently stopped by Drexel University’s WKDU on April 1, 2018 for a live performance/recording session. The trio surprised the station’s listeners with a little preview of its forthcoming LP, Dark Thoughts At Work, pounding out four new songs – "Anything II," "Psycho Ward," "I Wish," and "Gimme Soda," which you can stream and download below. And if you still are thirsty for more, Dark Thoughts will be performing next in Philly at Common Beat on Sunday, June 3 with Cult Objects, as well as Boot & Saddle, on Sunday, July 29, opening for Iron Chic. 

Exploring newly-discovered terrain with the comfort of a dance-enriching backdrop, Black Zone Myth Chant’s new release, Black Zion Mystic Chant, hints at the familiar, while delving into the unknown. Stacking instrumentation into unexpected, free-associating shapes, the innovative sound sculptor creates a trippy, futuristic headspace, as elements zip and zap by. Pausing in points of animation, one simultaneously notices the push and pull of airy intensity. The ability to dig deep into these sonic caverns is a mind-warping gift.

Krust Toons: "Yanny or Laurel?" by Tedd Hazard – please feel free to drop him a line at teddandthehazards@gmail.com if you dig or have any funny ideas. You can also check out more of his illustrations and animation shorts HERE.

A pulsating, electro-percussive rattle sends shivers up one’s spine on “Inanna,” the new single from coldwave duo Nylon. Featured on their self-titled EP, the track captures an isolated infatuation. With haunting poetry marching forward, the inherent darkness of the instrumentation casts a shadow. One wonders whether the lyrics are intended as a letter or rather directed at oneself in evaluating the roles within a relationship.