Krust Toons: "Back in Black" 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.

Baltimore has its Beach House, and now, Philadelphia has its own Beach Cabin. Singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Jen McGrath inhabits this space with her array of instruments, creating vivaciously radiant indie pop with somber undertones, as she cathartically struggles through the pitfalls of her relationship issues. You can now bop around on this sunny, fall day to her debut EP Don’t Let Me Go below.

Experimental sound sculptors Ada Babar recently popped up on our radar, dropping their split release, Nino Tomorrow (Favourite Tapes), last month with Palm frontman Kasra Kurt. Well, Babar are already back, appearing on another "wild ass" collaborative project with boundary-pushing Philly music brethren NAH, a.k.a. Mike Kuhns/Michul Kuun. Setting up a lot of midi equipment, "we went nutz on the jam session." And what they ended up laying down is an expansive ten-minute track that they’ve titled "Cassette Jam One," which is now available via Ranch Records. Kuhns also surprised us last week with another random EP Necessary Moods Vol. 1 that you can "pay what you want" and download HERE.

Passionately personal songs, which complimentarily cross between the traditional country/folk realms, exploring modern ambiance, Shock Out Of Season (Orindal Records), the new album from Friendship, delves into personal depths. Dan Wiggins’ vocals subtlety drip with emotion, as the scenes presented, seem stitched into one’s consciousness, presenting an image and then digging into its layers of meaning. The reverberating tightly woven instrumental fabric allows those words space to breath as one collects their thoughts. Tonight, Friendship celebrates its arrival at Everybody Hits, where Power Animal will also be commemorating a fresh, new album, Good Wind Pt. 1 (Human Kindness Overflowing), which inhabits a close, lyrical proximity that simultaneously pedals toward the future. Engaging tones and tempo line the periphery, while sensitive, soothing, stacked vocals unite in illuminating harmony. The co-headliners will also be joined by the invigorating storytelling of Free Cake For Every Creature, setting this billing up as one whose candle burns from beginning to end. (Friendship Photo by Michelle Goodwin) – Michael Colavita

More places to hang this weekend…

Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.) SAT Church Girls, The Vernes, Grayling, SUN Rosali

Boot & Saddle (1131 S. Broad St.) SAT Summer Fiction

Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) FRI Bardo Pond/DJ Deejay/Brian Creswell, SarahCuda, DecoSoul, SAT Hurry/Entellekt, A.Rob, Corey Lee/Matthew Law,DJ Hvnlee, SUN Shawn Kilroy, Lightninging

PhilaMOCA (531 N. 12^th St.) SAT RFA

Underground Arts (1200 Callowhill St.) FRI Back to Black: A Philly Tribute to Amy Winehouse, SUN Tiedye Ky

The Fillmore Philadelphia (1100 Canal St.) FRI Mt. Joy

World Café Live (3025 Walnut St.) SAT (Downstairs) Dee Dee Sharp

Bourbon & Branch (705 N. 2^nd St.) FRI The Captain The Pilot The Driver, Commonwealth Choir, Slomo Sapiens, SAT Davey and the Chains, Haunted Homes, The Fantastic Imagination, Mr. Unloved, SUN Lady Parts (Album Release), Brackish, Brother Martin

The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) FRI Chris Gennett, Lucida, SUN Slenko & McKeys, The Russells, Tapes & Tubes

MilkBoy Philly (1100 Chestnut St.) FRI The Funky T, Walt Lafty, Judah Kim & The Assassination, SAT The Core, Brown Sugar, SUN Catullus

Ortlieb’s Lounge (847 N. 3^rd St.) FRI Wolf Dem, Teknacolor Ninja, KT Caustic, SAT A.M. Mills, Mark Lanky, SUN Kirby & the VibeTribe, Scantron

The Barbary (951 Frankford Ave.) SAT Gene Wildest, Lucida, Ronald Reagan? The Actor?/Behind The Grandstand, Swwik, Sonny Knockout

Frankie Bradley’s (1320 Chancellor St.) SAT Philadelphia Burlesque Academy Student Showcase

Silk City (435 Spring Garden St.) FRI Bo Bliz, Low Budget, SAT DJ Deejay

Fergie’s (1214 Sansom St.) SAT Cabin Dogs, SUN Rusty Cadillac

Connie’s Ric Rac (1132 S. 9^th St.) FRI Holy Smoke, The Age Of Truth, Moons, SAT Live Not On Evil, The Droogettes, Cowbell Superstar, Lonesome Crow, The Pink Angels

Century (1350 S. 29^th St.)) FRI Hellrad, Traitor, Night Raids

The Grape Room (105 Grape St.) FRI Common Ground, SAT Cookie Rabinowitz, Haywood Trout (CD Release), The New Peter Fonda Experience, Paul Keen

Ardmore Music Hall (23 E. Lancaster Ave.) FRI Darla, SAT Tommy Conwell and the Young Rumblers, Dynagroove, SUN The Whiskeyhickon Boys, Hannah Taylor and the Rekardo Lee Trio/The Urban Guerilla Orchestra

Everybody Hits (529 W. Girard Ave.) FRI Friendship & Power Animal (Record Release), Free Cake For Every Creature, SAT Petal, Tombo Crush

The Pharmacy (1300 S. 18^th St.) FRI Rasan In The Heyday, Pro Post Time, Ganou/Earth Telephone, SAT Madam Data, Michael Bailey

Tralfamadore (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Flamingo Chicks, S.R. Frost, Rachel Andie

Double HH Ranch (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI Molly Rhythm, Sun Hat, Secret Nudist Friends, Mavis The Dog

Planet Phitness (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI AllegrA (Record Release), Tombo Crush, Snake Boy Gang, SUN Yowler, Florry

Inconvenience Store (Please contact of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Jesse Bark, Rentboy, Chloe Likes Olivia

The Lighthouse (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI Pilkington, Spelling Reform, Twin Beds, Buddie, PeakXV

On Halloween, Dub Sum released a plethora of new material, including Your Doomed, the latest album from the Tim Jordan-captained musical vehicle, Sun Organ. With the help of Dan Angel, Josh Mackie and Zack Robbins (both of Dark Mtns), as well as Maura Adams and Julia Peters, the project finds an enticing blend of discovery-oriented ambiance and heavier fuzz-forward melodies. An otherworldly atmosphere permeates, while one wanders further into the unknown specks of familiarity shimmering in the sand. Soak in the sounds, and reorient to the surroundings. (Photo by Jersey Boy Photo)

The self-titled debut full-length album from Pittsburgh transplant AllegrA was recently released via Sad Cactus. There’s a delightful balance of casual-swaying instrumentation, fortified by poignant lyricism, which is focused but not forced. Allegra Eidinger’s vocals exude an air of reassuring confidence, while inhabiting a cozy space. They’ll be holding their record release show tonight at Planet Phitness with Tombo Crush and Snake Boy Gang. (Photo by A.W. Klass.)

Shawn Kilroy recently shared an eclectic EP, entitled Cheap Sneakers. Interlacing elements of folk, jazz, funk, psych, etc., the collection of tracks touches down across multiple landscape, taking root. That variation/unpredictability demonstrates refreshing depth and flexibility. Kilroy is slated to perform this Sunday, November 19 at Kung Fu Necktie, on a bill that also includes locals Lightninging and Shilpa Ray.

After releasing his debut EP Shadow last spring, Zack Krall is back with a new recording. The first single off his forthcoming LP, “Cannonball,” casts a vision of rebellion. Krall narrates a tale of traveling from town to town to spread his words of protest via music. We’re sure that it’s a much-needed coping mechanism to help him make it through this current dystopia, living under the Cheeto-in-Chief.

Vacuums, the new album from Orlando transplants Vivian K., is saturated in sincerity. Strumming their way through a series of narratives within one’s personal map, these momentary reflections catalogue a range of contemplations. Retaining a universal appeal within their vulnerability, one is drawn into the raw exposure. That episodic folk-punk feel reaches out in a sing-along way that grabs your collective hand.

Messy, the new album from Curtis Cooper, was recently unearthed. A transfixing torment registers throughout this collection of songs. Encircling lyrics of solitude will engulf the mind, creating a canvas of beautiful despair. Enlisting Scott Stitzer (of Mumblr) to produce and play an array of instruments, with Jack Zaferes occupying bass duties, these tracks creep into your head and take up temporary residence. It feels like a deeply personal release that pushes toward detonating grunge instrumentation at points, while still showcasing a folky feel, at others. Johnny Brenda’s will play host to Cooper’s record release celebration on Friday, January 19, where they’ll be supported by Laser Background and Coping Skills.

Julia Rainer began her music career in a puppet band at the age of 10, and “after hours of listening to Hank Williams and Leonard Cohen,” taking what she absorbed, and fine-tuning her songwriting skills on earlier EPs, the burgeoning Philly singer-songwriter beautifully pieces together a lifetime of experiences and emotions into her deeply personal first LP, a release “about the people, places and things you carry around with you.” Admittedly, Rainer was kind of on our periphery before, but with Spirits (Creep Records), she totally has our attention, and deserves yours as well. Dig into her latest below, and take a moment to learn more about our Featured Artist(s) Poll Winner HERE.

Scott Daly, a.k.a. Aunt Dracula, is at it again with the newly unveiled full-length album Freaker. A bombardment of mesmerizing, menacing, experimental beats takes one into a twisted tent of fantastic strangeness. Assimilate to the alternative reality, as dance-pulsating grooves and the murky vocal arrangement fade into a dense sonic forest. Leave a trail of crumbs behind though, so that you can retrace your steps.