Philadelphia

The Deli at SXSW: My Final Chapter – SXSW Do’s and Don’ts

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I am happy to say that after a fairly massive delay in resplendent St. Paul, Minnesota and a drenched drive back to school, I have made it home. I am thoroughly exhausted. The trip was one for the ages, and I hope to recover in time to get back next year. I’d say it’s 40% at this point. Being a total SXSW n00b, I knew that I had some serious catching up to do. I wouldn’t say that I should be writing a travelers guide or anything, but after spending some of the most hectic and enthralling days of my life in Austin, TX, I thought that I might pass on some survival tips for those who think next year will be the year that they finally sack up and get down to the lone star. Here are some do’s and don’ts for ya!
 
 
Do’s
 
Do: bring around some attention-attracting device for those snippy male/female bartenders who “can’t see you behind all those regularly sized men” or “can’t trade a tequila shot for a cigarette”.  In my case, I brought around a finger puppet of a tiger that worked wonders.
 
Do: buy two drinks at a time all the time. Whether booze are free or not, the lines get massive, and if you are actually there to see some music, then you reduce your line time and look totally awesome rocking out while double fisting. 
 
Do: see Free Energy! I can’t say enough about their live show, and they are overall congenial dudes that are all about having a good time, and damn good at it. Jorts strongly suggested.
 
Do: eat at Bestwurst. The name says it all, and it’s open all night, but don’t be impatient. Once the bars close down and the penises with crew cuts flood the street, the place gets wild.
 
Do: check out Emo’s. It is a sight to be seen with a stage in nearly all of its 6+ rooms, and you can play DJ by running back and forth between rooms with a sweet pair of Technics headphones over an ear.
 
DO: WEAR EARPLUGS. I SEEM TO HAVE DONE A BIT OF DAMAGE TO MY AUDITORY SYSTEM. EITHER ALL OF THE VOLUME BUTTONS ON ALL MY VARIOUS ELECTRONICS SIMULTANEOUSLY BROKE OR I AM PRETTY FUCKED. MY ALARM CLOCK NOW CONSISTS OF PUTTING MY CELL PHONE ON VIBRATE AND STICKING IT BETWEEN MY LEGS SO I GUESS EVERY CLOUD HAS A SILVER LINING.
 
 
Don’ts
 
Don’t: take taxis. Traffic stays at a standstill, and they are generally dick-ish. 
 
Don’t: hang out with little Indian girls who are acting like hyenas and pouring you drinks.
 
Don’t: wear shoelaces. I tripped over mine in front of a bouncer and was denied entry because I “was too drunk and smelled like a brothel”.  I tried to get back in line and was turned away despite my line of “needing to get in because Mayor Hawthorne is my brother and he needs me”.
 
Don’t: drink Lonestar. That shit tastes on the way down like it does on the way up, and you don’t look nearly as hip as when you’re bear clawing a PBR like the rest of the mustached folks. Plus, you can get Shiner Bock equally as cheap, and it makes Sam Adams taste like Natty Ice.
 
Don’t: worry about being “too weird”, but definitely trying to stick out is futile. I met so many furies, men with breast implants and fire eating ventriloquists that I thought I was tripping even for the short time that I wasn’t. 
 
Don’t: try and get into all the bars you have heard of. The lines are ridiculous. The beer is horribly overpriced, and the bands are often underwhelming. 
 
Don’t: leave Austin without eating some TexMex. It is a phenomenon that your stomach will thank you for. Unfortunately, I can’t say the same for your asshole.
 
Don’t: pull on the catheter. Shit sucks.
 
 
Be merry, be safe, be hungry, be grateful, be my friend. That is all.
 
(Photo by Joey F.)
 
– Adam G.

 

Philadelphia

Power Animal Celebrate People Songs at Kung Fu Necktie March 25

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I wrote a review about Power Animal’s Female Wrestler EP for our December CD of the Month 2009 pretty soon after I received the CD-R in the mail. Well, since then Power Animal has been picked-up by Waaga Records, an offshoot of indie label Lefse (Neon Indian, Tape Deck Mountain). You can download a Waaga compilation aptly titled Waaga Records Compilation from Pitchfork here. Tonight is Power Animal’s album release show for People Songs at Kung Fu Necktie, and they’ll be celebrating it with The Ruby Suns and Toro Y Moi. Check out Keith Hampson with his new live band. They are just amazingly awesome – definitely one of my faves in Philly! Kung Fu Necktie, 1250 N. Front St., 8pm, $10, 21+ myspace.com/poweranimalpa – Q.D. Tran

 

Philadelphia

An American Chinese Does Delivery to JB’s March 24

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Somewhere between 1990s Modest Mouse and Against Me!, Philly natives An American Chinese have a knack for crafting acoustic based tracks meshed with clever quips and snare. A quick listen to their EP, Panic Pilgrim, leaves listeners smitten with their hodgepodge mix of folk and indie-pop. The raspy beat of “No Not Like That” is easily danceable, laced with classic rock construction, bringing to mind Asthmatic Kitty’s Starlight Mints. “Blaine Wiggins Failed Magician” is swimmingly swoon-worthy, adding strings alongside cymbals and nearly whispered vocals. An American Chinese’s songs are daring but discernibly thought out, making “Metropolitan” and “Jersey Claw” experimental but enjoyable. With a sound evocative of their creative independence, An American Chinese defies convention while having fun, which is always admirable. I just wish they’d release their latest album Utopian Tree already. It should definitely be a fun evening with Cheers Elephant and The Bee Team also on the bill. Johnny Brenda’s, 1201 N. Frankford Ave, 9pm, $10, 21+ myspace.com/anamericanchinese – Dianca Potts

Philadelphia

Meg Baird Graces the First Unitarian Chapel March 24

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When she isn’t a part of the brilliance that is Espers or dishing out Appalachian style ditties with The Baird Sisters, songstress Meg Baird breathes life into her own acoustic ballads. As part of a band with her sister Laura, she’s been involved with the local scene for going on nine years now following in the footsteps of her great-great uncle, I.G. Greer. Now on her recent debut solo release, Dear Companion, she continues in the tradition on her own with melodic guitar strumming and soothing angelic vocals. When you hear her play at the center of the First Unitarian Chapel tonight, you’re sure to be filled with enchantment. First Unitarian Chapel, 2125 Chestnut St., 8pm, $10, All Ages myspace.com/pennsylvaniawildlife – Bill McThrill

 

Philadelphia

The Deli’s Best Philly Showcase Comin’ to Pilam April 24!

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Can I get a hell yeah!?! So we are thrilled to announce that the kind folks at Pilam will be hosting The Deli’s Best of Philly Showcase on Saturday, April 24th. It’s an honor to be part of the great history of sonic debauchery at this staple in Philly’s proud DIY landscape. We think this year’s lineup speaks volumes about the diverse and amazing music growing locally in our backyard. We wanted to thank our jurors (below) who proudly support Philly’s indie music scene everyday, all the readers/fans who voted for their favorites and our Deli writers who just plain rock!
 
The Deli’s Best of Philly Poll Jurors:
Grace Ambrose, Booker, Pilam
Abigail Bruley, Music Editor, two.one.five Magazine
Mikele Edwards, Booker, Silk City
Brandy Hartley, Booker, Johnny Brenda’s
Melanie Hoch, Vinyl Expert and Dancin’ Queen, Repo Records
Steven James, Booker, Kung Fu Necktie/R5 Productions
Jessica McGinley, Editor-at-Large, PopWreckoning
Ben Morgan, Booker, Millcreek Tavern
Gina Renzi, Executive Director, The Rotunda
Mark Schoneveld, Blogger, Yvynyl
Jon Solomon, DJ and Record Label Owner, WPRB/My Pal God Records
Tom Szwech, Blogger, Bag of Songs
Q.D. Tran, Associate Editor, The Deli Magazine
Bruce Warren, Program Director and Blogger, WXPN/Some Velvet Blog
Emma Zumberge, Blogger, The World in a Paper Cup
 
 
We’ll have the smoldering rockabilly blues of Levee Drivers (Fans’/Readers’ Poll Winners), musical shape-shifters West Philly’s own electronic rockers Grandchildren (Overall Poll Runner-ups), and last but certainly not least our psych-punk grand champions Reading Rainbow (Overall Poll Winners). Join us and some of Philly’s finest acts for an evening of chaos and pure bliss! Pilam, 3914 Spruce St., 8pm, $5, ALL AGES – The Deli Staff
 

 

Philadelphia

The Deli’s Lunchtime Escape This Friday at The Bellevue!

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We are very excited about The Deli’s Lunchtime Escape this Friday, March 26th at The Bellevue! We always aim to bring fun and interesting showcases that you might not normally get a chance to see or hear or would think that you’d enjoy. We grew up loving MTV’s Unplugged so we love the idea of artists performing stripped-down versions of their tunes. We will be joined this week by Lux Perpetua (a.k.a. Justin Wolf – formerly of The Extraordinaires), Hair Rocket and The Armchairs’ Andy Mulholt
 
Lux Perpetua creates melodic garage/folk rock that gets your head bobbing and your body moving. Don’t let his scruffy bearded exterior fool you! His tunes have a warmth and heart that will surely come out in this stripped-down setting. Hair Rocket always leaves it all on stage. Led by Berklee dropout Chris Blasucci, their songs are like any good breakup. It’s equal parts dark, mysterious and bizarre, but cathartic. Despite the deeply personal nature of his lyrics, the songs are no less relatable and universal. Lastly but certainly not least will be The Armchairs’ frontman Andy Mulholt. His positive energy simply forces you to gravitate towards him. You never know what will happen at one of his performances. Like true art, Mulholt aims at each performance to bring out emotions from you (whether good or bad) that you weren’t sure existed. This intimate setting is sure to give you a glimpse into the world of some of Philly’s most talented emerging artists so we hope to see you there! The Bellevue (food court area), 200 S. Broad St., 12pm – 2pm, FREE, All Ages (Photo by Mike Persico) – The Deli Staff

 

Philadelphia

The Deli at SXSW: Part 4 – IHEARTCOMIX+JELLY+MAD DECENT CARNIVALLE

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So yesterday I really started feeling all my breakfast beers and constant music and schmoozing. The good news is that I’m getting a keen eye for picking out jaded hipsters from plain old dirty hipsters. Also all these mustaches are making me feel like I’m at The Stonewall Inn circa 1969. I was finally able to eat some awesome BBQ until I was sweating barbeque sauce at a place called Iron Works Barbeque. The majority of my day was spent yet again at the IHEARTCOMIX+JELLY+MAD DECENT CARNIVALLE.  The lineup was eclectic and sweet smells of funnel cake wafted through the air. Rye Rye brought her M.I.A approved booty shaking party jams all the way from Baltimore. After her was spastic NY rap group Ninjasonik led by Reverend Mcfly and Telli Federline.  They bounced around the stage spitting rhymes about PBR, skinny jeans, taking drugs and fucking, lots and lots of fucking. Their set was highlighted by their remix of Matt and Kim’s “Daylight” that showed off their rapping skills and wide range of influences. The Very Best came on and breezed through their summer jams and ushered in the only rays of sunshine of the day, quite appropriately. They also had to show up everybody by singing in five different languages throughout their set. I don’t see what the big deal is, I could be the next indie sensation if I picked up a hype man and a couple copies of Rosetta Stone. But seriously, that is some impressive shit. To close the night oout, Philly hero Diplo jumped up on stage right after The Very Best to start off the headlining Major Lazer set. After warming the crowd up for a bit, crazed hype man Skerrit Bwoy and contortionist/presumed sex-goddess Mimi bombarded the stage and brought the house down.  The crowd was treated to extended versions of “Hold the Line” and crazy dub-step freakout “Pon De Floor” while Skerrit Bwoy dry humped to the beat like the future of our time on earth depended on it. Diplo and Switch sat back modestly and let the antics of Skerrit and Mimi take center stage. At the after party, I tried to get a few words from Diplo, but it was hectic so all I remember him saying was that he likes the vegetarian subs from Subway. (Hear that Subway – you have an in with all those dance crazy vegan hipsters.) All in all – it was an appropriately sloppy albeit chilly end to my time here at SXSW. I have never looked more forward to sitting on a plane in my life. Philly, Honey, I’m comin’ home! I hope that you enjoyed reading about my journeys, and please don’t hate that I had a much, much sweeter time this week than you. I already know that the rest of The Deli staff is a little green. (Photo by Joey F.) – Adam G.

 

Philadelphia

Serena Maneesh Ticket and Album Giveaway!

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We’re big fans of 4AD and their roster of indie darlings! That’s why we’re happy to announce a ticket giveaway for their latest export (or should we say import) Serena Maneesh. These Norwegian shoegazey alt-rockers from Oslo recently spent SXSW fuzzing out audiences at prestigious showcases and parties like Brooklyn Vegan, Filter Magazine and PureVolume. They’ll be making a stop in our music-friendly town on Tuesday, April 6th at Kung Fu Necktie. If you’d like to win a pair of tickets and their upcoming sophomore full length Abyss in B-minor, which will be available in the U.S. this Tuesday, March 23rd (you can also check it out streaming in its entirety here), then send us an e-mail at thedelimagazinephiladelphia@gmail.com. Like the saying goes, you can’t win, if you don’t enter! – The Deli Staff
 

 

Philadelphia

The Deli at SXSW: Part 3 – GRANDCHILDREN and MAN MAN!

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Well, another day another awkward sunburn – yesterday was an extremely eventful day that had me rushing all over town to get my show on. The day began like any other since I’ve been here shoving pulled pork into our mouths while trying to get into the popular (and rightfully so) NPR day show. The lineup included The Smith Westerns, LA’s Local Natives, Alabama conscious rap group G-side, feel good rockin’ Surfer Blood, and spastic, electro-rock duo Sleigh Bells whose closing set was wrought with technical difficulties, but epic nonetheless. Quite frankly, I was happy for the difficulties because it allowed me to hear their ever too short set multiple times. And as if the show needed to be better it was hosted by PBR so I felt right at home drinking the free beers. I was feeling pretty un-American so far with all those Modelos. But again I digress. After checking out the IHEARTCOMIX + JELLY + MAD DECENT CARNIVILLE where I watched The Walkmen kill it while riding on an anti-gravity machine. From there my night full of Philly bands just got better when I headed front and center for Grandchildren’s showcase set at The Beauty Bar. They played behind some hallucinogen-inspired projections that only enhanced their driving, layered soundscapes. Grandchildren opened with pulsating “Cold Warrior” that brought in many curious listeners who, by the end of the set, were total fanboys. They blasted through the rest of the set breaking only to sip on their beers, and went out with a bang with trippy, soaring electro-folk tune “Toss and Turn”. 

 
Grandchildren’s Roman Salcic was kind enough to answer a few questions for us after the show. 
 
The Deli: When you become a grandfather, what do you want your grandchildren to call you?
 
Roman Salcic: Deda
 
TD: Chicken BBQ or Pork BBQ?
 
RS: Definitely Pork
 
TD: Favorite Philly Venue?
 
RS: Johnny Brenda’s
 
TD: What is your favorite deli in Philly (besides us, of course)?
 
RS: Italian Market
 
TD: What do you miss most about Philly?
 
RS: West Philly
 
TD: Who is your Indie rock dream girl?
 
RS: Kim Gordon
 
The night ended with an unsurprisingly raucous Man Man show at the Billboard Bungalow. I forgot how good Honus Honus looks in a dress, but I think his crotch will forever be burned into my retinas. Somehow I ended up at a Steve Aoki show and for every high five I wanted to give Steve, I wanted to give two ball taps to the lame ass crowd. I am super excited for the rest of the week, and can’t wait to catch back up with you darlings – until next time.
 
(Photo by Joey F.)
 
– Adam G.

 

Philadelphia

Levee Drivers Roll Into The Khyber March 20

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For those who need a reminder, Levee Drivers won our Best of Philly Fans’ Poll this past year, and were overall top performers as well. It was certainly justified, as it’s hard to deny that these guys are the perfect soundtrack to this early summer we seem to have on our hands (how ’bout that, eh?). Drawing a great deal from old-timey country and blues in a Johnny Cash vein, they whip up something that sounds like driving at night with the windows down on that proverbial country road. "Quarter to Three" swells with a lovelorn harmonica, while "Leavin’ Town" brings a rock swagger to the mix. They’re joined at the Khyber tonight with rustic yelpers Rev. Peyton’s Big Damn Band. The Khyber, 56 2nd Street, 9 pm, $10, 21+ myspace.com/hentaimusic – Joe Poteracki

 

Philadelphia

Weekend Warrior, March 19 – 21

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We’re interested in checking out Ghost Stepper tonight at the North Star. It’s comprised of a few the Lotus guys, one of our favorite drummers Mike “Greenie” Greenfield (formerly of Penn band The Ally which spawned future members of Yeasayer, Illinois and Xylos) and our favorite Mennonite musicians/brothers Jesse and Luke Miller. We can’t think of a nicer trio (well, except when the bros can’t find a headie beer that they can drink – beer snobs). We were told that “they sound better than Lotus – more dubby” so we wanted to see what that’s all about. Also they’ll be joined by one of our favorite local post-rockers Grimace Federation, whose lead guitarist Wes Schwartz is all about Metal and obscure Hip Hop, so be ready for a heavy night of guitar riffs and hot beats. Ghost Stepper sold out their debut performance at Silk City for their Haiti Relief Benefit, and Grimace Federation certainly has a local following of their own so expect a crowded and sweaty dance party on this fine, fine evening. Or just a bunch o f people like ourselves gettin’ way too fucked up and tryin’ to figure out how the hell do we get home from the North Star. North Star Bar, 2639 Poplar St., 9pm, $10, 21+
 
Here are some folks to check out that didn’t head down to SXSW this week…
 
Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.) FRI The Stuffed Animal Project featuring The Nite Lights, Northern Liberties, Mondo Topless, SAT Far Out Fangtooth
Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) FRI Ground Up
The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) FRI Jawnzap7, SAT The Donuts and The Yarrows, SUN Lighten Up, The Holy Mess
M Room (12 W. Girard Ave.) FRI Dangerbird, SUN Banned Books
 
Tritone (1508 South St.) SUN Hollow Bones w/ G. Calvin Weston and Elliot Levin
Danger Danger Gallery (5013 Baltimore Ave.) FRI Kill You in the Face SAT Mirador
Pi Lam (3914 Spruce St.) FRI Ravens and Vultures, Ape School, Ghost/Light
JR’s Bar (2327 S. Croskey St.) FRI Loafass and Fuck Attack
 
Cha-Cha’ Razzi (1918 S. Bancroft St.) SUN Pony Pants and Da Comrade!
Philadelphia

The Deli at SXSW: Part 2 – Free Energy at Paste Party

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This being my first time at SXSW I truly had no idea what I was getting myself into. I have been to festivals, but I have never seen a town taken over in such mass and fervor as Austin, Texas is during these weeks of mayhem. On my way to Paste’s unofficial day party at Galaxy. I was asked for a hug instead of change from a homeless couple and met THE lizard man (check out full body tattoo, eyebrow implants and tongue augmentation below). I made my way in to the show just as Philly’s own Free Energy were taking the stage to get the week long party started. Their incessant energy, power stances, soaring guitar riffs and fantastic heads of hair immediately captured the crowd’s attention. They charged through their time-capsule rock n’ roll while front man Paul Sprangers sang of good women, good times and joyrides that fully captures the essence of this festival. They played much of their new album including early single “Dream City” and anthemic track ‘Free Energy’ before closing with the explosive (no pun intended) “Bang!” As their set ended and both the crowd and the band took a chance to catch their breath and wipe sweat off their brows, Sprangers left the stage saying, “Let us know if you find a secret hot tub and we’ll be there, actually if you find a secret hot tub we’ll probably already be there.” After such an unapologetic and electric set from these rising locals (who were recently named Best New Powerpop by Rolling Stone and #1 Artists to Watch in 2010 by Spin), I could not agree more. Don’t worry if you missed these guys yesterday though, before heading over the pond they will be playing seven, count ‘em, seven more shows over the next three days. (Photo by Joey F.) – Adam G.