Philadelphia

Eliza Jones Helps Celebrate All Creatures at Green Line Cafe Jan. 15

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Local songbird, Eliza Jones, will be performing this evening at Green Line Café to celebrate the release of All Creatures, which you can download for FREE here. The compilation commemorates 10 years of Sherman Arts and features over a dozen local artists who have performed at Green Line over the past three years including Power Animal, The Armchairs, and Jones’ band, Buried Beds.  Jones’ lush croon drifts between Fiona Apple’s lovely melancholy to Regina Spektor’s airy hummingbird, pulling at your heartstrings from the first listen. On “Camellia”, a delicate track with the production feel of Jon Brion, it’s easy to believe Jones as she sings, “I would follow you down so far/watching you/tracing a thousand footsteps/which one will bring you closer to me”. The Philly music community certainly has been listening, and Jones’ voice has taken her onstage with the Pig Iron Theatre Company and in the studio with Man Man, Dr. Dog, and Me Without You. Green Line Café, 4426 Locust St., 8pm, $5, All Ages  myspace.com/buriedbeds – Jaime Pannone

 

Philadelphia

Alec Ounsworth and Special Guest at JB’s Jan. 14

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Former Clap Your Hands Say Yeah frontman Alec Ounsworth had a busy 2009. On October 20th, he released his first full length album, Mo’ Beauty, with a whole new lineup of musicians. He also unveiled Skin and Bone on August 11th with his all-star side project Flashy Python.  The new year brings a bunch of newly added dates supporting indie darlings the Cold War Kids, and far more dates after that. Needless to say, with all of the positive attention he has been getting, Ounsworth’s music is worth a listen or two, or seven. His lively folk-pop is aglow with layers of vocals and glossy guitar. Horns punch through, helped along by surprisingly propulsive drumbeats. Although many things seem out of place in the music of Mo’ Beauty, everything is tied down expertly by Ounsworth’s brilliant song crafting. The best song is the uplifting “That Is Not My Home (After Bruegel)”, filled with a reverb-drenched chorus and sporadic brass instruments that provide a wall of splendid pop sound. Catching your ears and nailing them to your headphones, Ounsworth takes you through the mind of a maestro, and you return from the journey with more than your money’s worth. Catch him at Johnny Brenda’s tonight with special guests Meth Beach and Jamey Robinson (of Buffalo Stance). Johnny Brenda’s, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 9pm, 21+ myspace.com/alecounsworth – James Sanderson

 

Philadelphia

Cheers Elephant Havin’ Fun at North Star Bar Jan. 14

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Cheers Elephant provide a menagerie of psychedelic folk sounds filtered through rock drains and poured into the bodies of four talented young artists. Recognizable by their Brit-pop sound, Cheers Elephant has been making the rounds at all the local hot spots and churning up compliments all along the way. Their live sets channel a raucous party where bass lines carry your body through each song into the next without ever missing a beat as you travel through time, across genres and far and away from where you began. When you consider that they have been compared to The Kinks and Jefferson Airplane it is no wonder that Cheers Elephant is causing such a stir in our happy little town. If you love a good melody, a crazy jam session and are ready to watch four musicians have more fun on stage than you thought humanly possible, then Cheers Elephant is just the ticket. Don’t be fooled when you check out their tracks on the band’s MySpace page. They are not as sweet and innocent as they appear; a Cheers Elephant live show is full of rock show chaos. They’ll be joined by Sweden’s Movits! and NJ’s River City Extension, a band that we wish would move to Philly already so we can write more about them. North Star Bar, 2639 Poplar St., 9pm, $10, 21+ myspace.com/cheerselephant – Meaghan McCafferty

 

Philadelphia

Things to Look Out for from The Deli in January!

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We’re super busy here at The Deli in January, but in a good way. We wanted to let you know about all the fun things that we’ve planned and put together for you. Of course, there is The Deli’s Best of Philly Emerging Artist(s) Poll going on until midnight Friday, January 15th. Vote!!! It’s your right! And to celebrate the end of this exhausting process, The Deli staff is ready to throw down hard this Friday night when we present (our January CD of the Month) Orbit to Leslie’s CD Release Party at Johnny Brenda’s with our favorite why-the-fuck-aren’t-they-signed-yet-band Aderbat (they’ll also have a surprise for you about a new project that they are working on), post rockers who have been turning into balls-to-the-wall rockers as of late Grimace Federation, and most excellent experimental popster Power Animal. If you’ve ever seen these bands live, then you know why we are all so excited about this show! We almost can’t believe that this sweet, sweet bill is really happening!

 
But there is no rest for the weary because we’ll be bringing our drunken crew of misfits out next week to join one of our favorite psych-folkers Michael Johnson’s Ape School, The Deli’s January Band of the Month The Circadian Rhythms, good time boys and former "Tunes Whiz Wit" performers New Motels and Brooklyn buzz outfit Savoir Adore on Thursday, January 21st at Kung Fu Necktie. As if all this wasn’t enough for you, we will be debuting our mostly acoustic concert series of local emerging artists called “The Deli’s Lunchtime Escape” at The Bellvue Hotel – swanky. Yes, who would’ve thunk it? The Bellvue came to us about putting on a live concert series every last Friday of the month at noon to entertain the hoards of 9-to5ers that they get in their food court area, but all you unemployed Deli readers shouldn’t feel bad about swinging by and escaping with us. On January 29th, you will be treated to performances by one of the world’s premier Hang drum masters and YouTube sensation with performance videos receiving well-over 2 million views Dante Bucci, the captivatingly earnest vocals and storytelling of Andrew Conly from Holcomb Family Band, and the female reincarnation of Woody Guthrie, Spirit and Dust. Does all this sound like a lot for just the first month of 2010? Well, it is, and it’s all for you. We hope that you can make it out to enjoy! – The Deli Staff

 

Philadelphia

The Deli’s January Band of the Month: The Circadian Rhythms

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From The Beatles to Beck to Olivia Tremor Control, the Deli’s January band of the month, The Circadian Rhythms, let us in on what makes their intricate musical body clock tick. Check them out live at Kung Fu Necktie January 21 and February 13 at Bordz Skatepark in Southampton.

The Deli: When did you start playing together?
The Circadian Rhythyms: Sometime in the summer of 2005. I believe the very first time the four of us made music together was in our friend Tony’s parents’ basement. I probably have a CD of that recording still lying around somewhere, and it’s probably awful.

TD: What are your biggest musical influences and what bands are you currently listening to?
TCR: The Beatles are #1 always for us. Ringo’s a big influence on our drummer’s playing, and Beatles Rock Band is helping him rip Ringo off even more recently. He just found a sweet record of them playing at some club in Hamburg in 1962. Its great because their harmonies are a little off, it’s almost entirely covers, and the crowd sounds like they could give a shit. Other than that, we listen to lots of different music such as the Elephant 6 collective bands (mostly Olivia Tremor Control and Circulatory System), Parliament, The Kinks, Raymond Scott, Parliament, Fats Waller, Mulatu Astatke, The Beach Boys, Franz Liszt and so much more. As for local acts we are super into The Armchairs, Make A Rising, Da Comrade!, and Hermit Thrushes!

TD: What’s the first concert you ever attended and first album you ever bought?
Chris: Pop Disaster Tour ’02 or something, the one with Blink 182 and Green Day. Sorry for that.
Jim: The first album I ever bought was Beck’s Odelay. I still love that album.

TD: What’s your take on the Philly music scene?
TCR: There are a lot of really great bands in Philly right now. I heard myself tell someone that Grandchildren was the best band in the city like two days before I saw they won your Open Contest. Weird. 

TD: What are your plans for 2010?
TCR: We will be releasing an EP on EarSnake (Gemini Wolf, Paper Masques, and more) and hopefully recording a full-length album and playing a bunch of shows. January 21 we are at Kung Fu Necktie and February 13 at Bordz Skatepark in Southampton for the Orange Apples Record Release. Dangerous Ponies are supposed to be there too so it should be super fun! We are trying to plan a tour for July and other than that, just chillin.

TD: What was your most memorable live show?
TCR: This past Halloween was crazy! We played Jim’s friends’ basement in South Philly, dressed as various animals. I was just a regular lion but I was mistaken for Barf from Spaceballs and a gay lion. I don’t see how super short shorts with fur trim automatically make you a gay lion instead of a regular one. Anyway, the place was packed and we played two sets full of every song we know how to play. Super awesome.

TD: What’s your favorite order at the Deli?
TCR: Pierogies and chocolate cake.

myspace.com/circadianmusic

– Jaime Pannone

 

Philadelphia

Artist(s) Who Deserve Your Friendship: Vilebred

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This week’s featured artist(s) is Vilebred who is led by Sam Vile on guitar, keyboards and vocals. Yes, there is another Vile on the Philly indie music scene. Sam is Kurt Vile’s little brother, and the apple doesn’t seem like it falls far from the tree. He’s young with plenty of raw talent. His songwriting shows a lot of maturity for such a baby-faced kid, and his passionate vocals and catchy, interesting lyrics make me believe that we’ll be hearing plenty more from him in the future. (It also looks like he’s inherited the long, wavy Vile rock n’ roll locks.) myspace.com/vilebred – Q.D. Tran

 

Philadelphia

Satanized Releases a Limited Edition Split 7” with Aids Wolf

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From the depths of Hell (well, actually the headquarters of Badmaster Records in W. Philly), Satanized brings us a limited edition split 7” with the Canucks from Montreal Aids Wolf. Side B features one long track by Satanized called “Hope Is Lack of Information” that Badmaster says sounds like “a 24 hour shift at a steel mill turned mental institution that only employs the criminally insane. Lots of blood everywhere on this one. Brutal sonic violence. Satanized produce a truly great recording that captures everything that makes this band so awe-inspiring in a live setting. This 7” will leave you holding your lover a little bit closer at night and questioning the morality of bringing a child into this uncaring world.” Hmm…maybe this did come from the depths of Hell. Well, you can also purchase it at http:///www.badmasterrecords.com/. myspace.com/stnzd666 – H.M. Kauffman

 

Philadelphia

Cold Cave and A Sunny Day in Glasgow on Pitchfork.tv!

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Just wanted to send out some love to a couple of local bands blowing up on the national scene and doing Philly proud. Below are live performances from Cold Cave and A Sunny Day in Glasgow courtesy of Tunnelvision on Pitchfork.tv. The first video is Cold Cave from November 11, 2009 at Bottom of the Hill in San Francisco performing “Life Magazine” from their debut full length Love Comes Close, and it is followed by A Sunny Day in Glasgow from December 13, 2009 at Le Poisson Rouge in NYC performing “The White Witch” and “Failure” from their latest release Ashes Grammar. We hope that you enjoy them!

– The Deli Staff

Philadelphia

The Extraordinaires Bring Their Madcap Hijinx to JB’s Jan. 9

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Words fail a writer somewhat when trying to classify a group like The Extraordinaires. Are they folkies? Are they old-timey, boogie woogie saloon music? Are they Beatles-esque, 60’s pop? All of these things are accurate to some extent, but you can’t help but feel a little guilty after saying each of them because it’s quite clear that The Extraordinaires occupy their own oddly familiar universe. However, one thing that’s constant is their theatrics and off-kilter sense of humor. They have a song called "Hi Five the Cactus" (about a cactus fellow named Hi Five who enjoys giving hi-fives…seriously). Their albums are released as conceptual, hand-made storybooks. But there’s a distinct difference between nonsense and gimmickry, and The Extraordinaires certainly aren’t gimmickry, as their fun melodies and memorable lyrics attest to. And fresh off a stint of shows with gypsy-punk pioneers Gogol Bordello, they show no signs of stopping. Enjoy them tonight at Johnny Brenda’s when members of The Armchairs join Jay Purdy and Matt Gibson on stage as part of their madcap band with opener New Jersey’s Real Estate! Johnny Brenda’s, 1201 N. Frankford Ave, 9 p.m., $10, 21+ myspace.com/theextraordinaires – Joe Poteracki

 

Philadelphia

Levee Drivers Ready to Kick Some Ass at North Star Bar Jan. 9

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After such a strong showing in our annual Best of Philly Emerging Artists Open Contest, it’s nice to see that we’ll already have a chance to hear Levee Drivers perform live in 2010. It seems like this band “born in the wrong era” is beginning to make their mark on the present landscape of the local indie music scene. Count on their sound to emulate artists like The Man In Black and Wilco when they rock out tonight at North Star Bar. They’ll be joined by Yardley’s powerpopsters Run To Sandy. North Star Bar, 2639 Poplar St., 9pm, $8, 21+ myspace.com/hentaimusic – Bill McThrill

 

Philadelphia

Da Comrade! Ist An Tritone Jan. 9

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It is still kind of sad to see the house show spot Chernobyl no longer hosting events. But ever since Da Comrade! moved on from their venue/home, they’ve continued to blow it up like the disaster that it was named for! The War From Your Living Room was another favorite release of mine last year. Everything from the recording to the design of the album cover was a full blown group effort by the band and their Chernobyl Collective. Catching their live performance usually adds up to seeing them painted up and doing something quite unexpected on top of their incendiary music. That’s why catching them at Tritone tonight might just have to be your prerogative. They’ll be joined by Tongue Sculptors whose music seems to echo everything from lo-fi garage to Tom Waits. Tritone, 1508 South St., 9pm, $5, 21+ myscape.com/dacomrade – Bill McThrill

 

Philadelphia

Weekend Warrior, January 8-10

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Sure, he recently signed to Matador, rung in the new year with The Black Keys, and is heading out on tour with Dinosaur Jr. and Fucked Up. But Kurt Vile’s notable success in 2009 still takes him back to his Philly roots. Tonight Vile brings his signature lo-fi croon to Johnny Brenda’s.  He’ll be joined by minimalist psych-folk rockers Strapping Fieldhands and Princeton-based indie garage outfit, Home Blitz. Johnny Brenda’s, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 9pm, $10, 21+ myspace.com/kurtvileofphilly, myspace.com/strappingfieldhands

Also this weekend…

Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.) SAT The Extraordinaires, SAT and SUN Paul Green School of Rock Presents :URGH! A Music War
 
Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) SUN Decontrol, Violent Society
 
North Star (2639 Poplar St.) SAT Levee Drivers

Tin Angel (20 S. 2nd St.)  FRI Dante Bucci

World Cafe Live (3025 Walnut St.) FRI The Hustle, SAT Drink Up Buttercup

Tritone (1508 South St.) SAT Da Comrade! and Tongue Sculptors

(Photo by Sarah McKay)