The trio of Dear Forbidden recently shared a new five-song EP. Dynamics are on display in Slow Beat. Altering tempos to develop a personal narrative, the band slows down for the endearing zoom in, and then blasts ahead, leaving the void in a feat of haunting strength. Between grungy peaks and valleys, a melodic middle serves as the through-line connection.

There’s a thin threshold between lovesick and downhearted. “I’m Blue,” from Blue Velvet, threads multifaceted harmony with persistent acoustic strums to find that space. With an aching plea that is delivered through a vintage 60’s pop framework, the song runs through an emotional spectrum. As romantic optimism transitions/moves on, the vocals lift one through the blues.

Geeta Simons (Rockula, Swisher) packed away the guitar and amp to finish up her education, get married, and eventually raise two girls. However, she began to get what Jo Anne from Thorazine described as "The 7 Year Itch": "That hunger that hits when our children are old enough (7 years old) that they don’t mind if Mom stays out late to turn up to 11." Simons decided to take over the kids’ playroom for a little me time and record an EP of blistering garage-rock demos under the moniker of RunHideFight, with help from Hot Snakes’ Jason Kourkounis on drums and Otherworld Traditions’ Jay Demko on bass, as well production duties. You can stream it below, and catch Simons scratching that itch tonight at Johnny Brenda’s, where she’ll be backed by Deli fave Brother JT, Stinking Lizaveta‘s Cheshire Agusta, and Christine Weiser (of Mae Pang and Suffacox). They’ll be opening for legendary Cleveland rock outfit Pere Ube and Minibeast, which features Peter Prescott (Mission Of Burma, Volcano Suns).

Krust Toons: "Fest" 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.

Sarah Schimeneck (Mercury Girls, Pet Milk) has teamed up with Jeff Zeigler (Valley Exit, Arc in Round) to record under the moniker of Inlets. With “The Last Dog,” the duo casts a cinematic cloud. The two-headed combination of piano and synth looms, generating an ominous, windy stir that is further highlighted by the trailing echo of Schimeneck’s vocals. That elegant, isolated openness is beautifully dangerous.

We were surprised and saddened to hear that folk-pop outfit The Lawsuits are calling it quits this weekend due to “unforeseen circumstances”. We’ve had the opportunity to watch the band mature as musicians and songwriters, and are sure that Brian Dale Allen Strouse, Brendan Cunningham, Vanessa Winters, and Josh Friedman will continue to stay active and share their talents with the Philly music community in one way or another. They are a bunch of kind folks, and you can show them some love at their farewell performance this Saturday at Underground Arts. They’ll be surrounded by friendly faces and music pals Chris Kasper, Dirty Dollhouse, and Sun Parade. Join in the good vibes!

We also suggest for you to get out to Great How You’ve Been Fest this weekend, where you’ll find local up-and-comers like Julia Rainer, Gender Work, and Secret Nudist Friends. The three-day festival will be taking place at DIY spaces Tralfamadore, Slime Time Live, and The Woods. Good people will be opening up their homes to us so be respectful. – Alex G.

Other places to hide out from the chill this weekend…

Underground Arts (1200 Callowhill St.) SAT Chris Kasper, The Lawsuits (Farewell Show), Dirty Dollhouse

Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) FRI Void Vision, Dentana/Dev79, Sideswipe, SAT The Rectors/Fame Lust/Night Sweats, SUN The Naked Sun, Dave Bakey, Ross Bellenoit/Devil Master, Moros

PhilaMOCA (531 N. 12^th St.) SUN Dark Blue

The Trocadero (1003 Arch St.) SAT Venteur, Drag County Speed Queens, Ryan Kilo, Haxon, Groundwork

World Café Live (3025 Walnut St.) FRI (Upstairs) Philly Gumbo, SAT (Upstairs) Minas

The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) FRI Pravda, E. Joseph and The Sparrows, SAT Elissa Janelle Velveteen

MilkBoy Philly (1100 Chestnut St.) SAT Berdmajik

Bourbon & Branch (705 N. 2^nd St.) FRI Alekander Martray, Blair Ollendorf, Dylan Jane, Josh Pannepacker, SAT Matt McAndrew, SUN Norman Taylor, Jessica Graae

Ortlieb’s Lounge (847 N. 3^rd St.) FRI Caracara, SAT The Mysteries, SUN Steve Layman, Cabana Wear

The Barbary (951 Frankford Ave.) FRI Voltheque, The One2s, Buddie

Silk City (435 Spring Garden St.) FRI DJ Sylo, Astro 8000, SAT DJ Deejay, SUN Francisco Collazo

Fergie’s (1214 Sansom St.) SUN Rusty Cadillac

Connie’s Ric Rac (1132 S. 9^th St.) FRI Rogue Methods, Hannah Beth Savage, SAT GLTY, SUN Gibbous Moon, Thunderbird, Brown Sugar, Stepping Razor, Los Bomberos De la Calle, The Charley Few

Voltage Lounge (421 N. 7^th St.) FRI Goddamnit

Century (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Welter, Mr. Lisp, Readership, A Ship Named Beagle

Frankie Bradley’s (1320 Chancellor St.) SUN Bumps & Grinds

The Grape Room (105 Grape St.) FRI Tiger Castle, Andrew Huston, SAT The Parameters, Palatine, Jasmine Seapoe

Ardmore Music Hall (23 E. Lancaster Ave.)  FRI Swift Technique, Kuf Knotz, Johnny Showcase, Dick Rubin, Chris Wood, SUN Philly Really Loves Petty: Alec Ounsworth, Flightschool, Illinois, Jim Boggia, Walt Lafty, The Big Jangle, Bird Watcher, Dan Reed (with Travel Lanes), Grady Hoss, Katie Frank, Kevin Monko, Matt Sevier, Nik Everett

Creep Records (1050 N. Hancock St.) SAT Crossed Keys (EP Release), Sneakers Award

First Unitarian Church (2125 Chestnut St.) SUN Soul Glo, Clique, Eight

Everybody Hits (529 W. Girard Ave.) SAT Taiwan Housing Project

The Pharmacy (1300 S. 18^th St.) FRI Tubey Frank, Space Pizza, The Bad Larrys/Common Icon, SUN Carroll, American Trappist/A Minor Error, Watchparty

All Nite Diner (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Florry

Hole Foods (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Narra, Bat Boy, Bronco

Tralfamadore (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Great How’ve You Been Fest: Kelsey Cork & the Swigs, Honeytiger, Julia Rainer, Busy Bee, Doggo, yeenar, StateSchoolGirl

Slime Time Live (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SUN Great How’ve You Been Fest: Blushed, Tarintino, Mavis the Dog, Gender Work

The Woods (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI Great How’ve You Been Fest: Little Sister, Very Bad Vibes, Secret Nudist Friends, Trash Boy

Doctor Molotov’s Gallery of Portals, the third full-length album from YIKES the ZERO, is now available via Extra Lovely Records. The emcee weaves through a mysterious jazz backdrop. That chaotic, trippy clash of sound develops an ambiance that’s difficult to pin down, but intriguing to explore. Once in its midst, you’ll want to wander its depths for a while.

100% of the proceeds from Kings Of Freon‘s new album, Fridge Over Troubled Water, will go to United for Puerto Rico. The "fridgepunk" tandem crafts catchy, sonic recipes. Bridging the gap between bizarre lyricism with a strong instrumental punch, the duo packs a fresh batch of fun tracks in the old ice box. Haha… "Whatever that means!"

“Lit With Love,” the new single from Masie Blu, is soulful hip-hop track that makes one feel like groovin’ all night. Chase of Nazareth creates a slowed-down, sweltering beat, which Blu uses as a canvas to pen a letter of affection. An eternal flame of optimism beckons. Turn the lights down low, and float into the future.

All proceeds from Haggert Mctaggert‘s new single, "Heaven Seems So Easy" (feat. Satan), will go to the United for Puerto Rico effort. Braden Lawrence teams up with Straw Hats brethren Rob Grote and Breshon Martzall, orchestrating a twinkling but off-kilter track. A steady, percussive march and the communal vocal approach instill layers of coziness, while creepy keys and guitar put one on cautious ground. That juxtaposition of eerie-acquaintance makes for an oddly memorable and enjoyable song. (Photo by Casper Rudderow)

EP1, the debut album from indie-rock quartet Wax Wav, recently popped up on our radar, and will be getting a physical release in January via local imprint Aqualung Records. Featuring members of The Danger O’s, Abe Koffenberger, Justin Johnson, and Nick Palmer, with Andrew Krause, the band rouses with a sound that’s melodic yet not afraid to exhibit a bit of a snarl. Hardwiring into a familiar desire to break loose, while simultaneously fighting to hold it together, the group feels akin to such acts as The Replacements or local stalwarts Beach Slang. One easily plugs into the emotively-charged call to action, as potential anthems are built.

Barney Cortez (Minka, Nicos Gun, Rich Mystics), a.k.a. BARNES as a solo entity, recently put forth a new single. “Better Leather” occupies a loose, pop-rock melody, while revealing a contrasting narrative of poor self-image and confidence. Set on a tennis court, its video, which was co-directed by John Welsh, projects those insecurities, created by comparison in caricature form. BARNES will be taking the stage at South Philly’s Boot & Saddle on Thursday, December 7 with Goodnight Lights and QTY.