Interstellar Blue, the forthcoming EP from Purling Hiss, is set to arrive on July 9 via Drag City. Mike Polizze and friends recently shared its lead single, “Useful Information,” an even-keeled, psych-blues sojourn. The track takes you on a languid, muggy stroll in the summer sun, as a bit of guitar-fueled heat blares down upon you. Purling Hiss will be performing next in Philly on Thursday, July 11, with support from Writhing Squares and Long Hots.

Krust Toons: "For the Rest of Us" 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.

After prolifically posting multiple releases over the last few years via his Bandcamp, Philly singer-songwriter Scotty Leitch, a.k.a. Shelf Life, has cleared his page, and shared FEARLESS, Leitch’s latest full-length album. The LP occupies an intimate, pensive, folk-anchored sound. However, within those contemplative melodies, there are experimental twists that create an intriguing, mysterious element. Keep them coming; please don’t quit making music, Scotty.

A reassuring, intimate openness wafts through the songs of Strawberry Runners. Delicate, clear-visioned recollections and imagery create a confidential, transportive quality to the songwriting. One floats through the ripples of melodies as the deftly painted details are enhanced by the composed yet resonating vocals. Tomorrow evening at Everybody Hits, Strawberry Runners will be joined by Comfy. Breezy melodies, reinforced by vocal harmonies, cultivate an at ease, bedroom-pop nature. However, that calm, coasting approach can be accelerated by some riff-fueled, enthusiastic, guitar work. They’ll be setting the stage for the garage-pop of Ontario’s Billy Moon and the pop experimentations of Mauno, whose forthcoming album, Really Well, is slated to arrive on August 2. – Michael Colavita 

Other places where you can chill at this weekend…

Everybody Hits (529 W. Girard Ave.) SAT Strawberry Runners, Comfy

Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.) FRI Scantron, SAT Witching

Boot & Saddle (1131 S. Broad St.) FRI Hound

Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) FRI Goddamnit, Hold Down The Ocean, SAT DJSC, SUN AyBe, Internal Rhyme, Bran Bav, Hashland

PhilaMOCA (531 N. 12^th St.) SUN Karl Blau

Underground Arts (1200 Callowhill St.) FRI No Option

Union Transfer (1026 Spring Garden St,) FRI Outer Heaven 

The Fillmore Philadelphia (1100 Canal St.) FRI So Far Gone: Dirty South Joe, Magglezzz

World Café Live (3025 Walnut St.) FRI (Upstairs) TIMBALONA, DJ Shango, SAT (Upstairs) Levee Drivers

The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) FRI Haxon, Dawn’s Divide, We Are One, SUN Bastion’s Wake, Frost Giant

MilkBoy Philly (1100 Chestnut St.) FRI Jackson Howard, SUN Local Smokes

Ortlieb’s Lounge (847 N. 3^rd St.) FRI Wormtooth, Bury Your Fish, Soft Idiot, SUN The Drowned God, Andross, Castor’s Hollow

The Barbary (951 Frankford Ave.) FRI Sheena & Thee Nosebleeds, Tiger Castle, Truant Minds, SAT Folklore

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

Fergie’s (1214 Sansom St.) FRI Live Band Karaoke, SAT Live Band Karaoke , SUN Rusty Cadillac

Bourbon & Branch (705 N. 2^nd St.) FRI Dot Gov (EP Release Show), The Pool Boys, SAT The End of America (7” Release), Kirby Sybert, SUN Anime Dessert Club

Connie’s Ric Rac (1132 S. 9^th St.) FRI Stolen Wheelchairs, Dive In The Box, SAT A Benefit for Sylvain Sylvain: Blessed Muthas, Mr. Unloved, Kiss Boom Bah, Decontrol, The Prisoners

Voltage Lounge (421 N. 7^th St.) SAT Wisdom In Chains, Guillotine, SUN Broken Rib, Sheena & Thee Nosebleeds

Morgan’s Pier (221 N. Columbus Blvd.) FRI DJ Beatstreet, SAT Kalicade, SUN Michael Thompson

Frankie Bradley’s (1320 Chancellor St.) FRI DJ Royale, SAT Ed Christof, SUN ASS YOU WISH: A Princess Bride Burlesque

The Tusk (430 South St.) SAT DJ Johnny Bats (The Bathaus) and DJ Robin your grave 1348

Century (1350 S. 29^th St.) FRI The Droogettes, Beer Me, Under 95, SAT Twin Beds, The Front End, Egocentric Plastic Men, Stay Loud

The Grape Room (105 Grape St.) FRI Jac with No K (EP Release), The New September, Kennel Club, Sock Revival, SAT Stellarscope,  Sonny Knockout, Chaos Theory, Minerva

The Pharmacy (1300 S. 18^th St.) FRI Wild Dust, SAT Brad Rau and Bobby Waterman, SUN The Lot, Those Troublemakers,

Creep Records (1050 N. Hancock St.)FRI Hivelords, Vulturepeak, Night Raids, Desperate Living, LMI, SAT Absinthe Father, Midfield, Nonfiction, Tonks

Vox Populi (319 N. 11^th St.) SAT Kohoutek, Pure Enchantment

No Face Studios (5213 Grays Ave.) SAT Body Spray

Warehouse on Watts (923 N. Watts St.) FRI DJ Matpat, SAT Matthew Law presents Friends & Fam

Lizard Lounge (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Blame Jakob, Chloe Likes Olivia

Haus Of Yarga (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI Overwinter, Gorpho, Noera

Tundra Dome (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI Brackish, Cave Weta, Spellbinder, Bleary Eyed

Pat Cassidy (of The Districts) recently released a new solo single, “Mid Life Elation”. Lyrically, the song attempts to assess one’s place, purpose, and options. A steady, synth-steeped progression is laid down to form the track’s foundation. Cassidy’s vocals enhance and actualize a clarity of thought. It’s an illuminating, honest, serene approach to the dynamics of age. (Photo by Jeremy Zimmerman)

Wrecking Crew member Zilla Rocca rewinds it back to Allen Iverson’s rookie campaign with his new album 96 Mentality. With smooth/grimy grooves, the Philly emcee/producer exudes confidence and wit through interconnected, layered storytelling. Reminiscing while remaining in the present, the tracks capture an up close & personal, street-level sound, with a dramatic, cinematic edge. The LP also features collaborative efforts with Curly Castro, YIKES the ZERO, PremRock, Vic Spencer, and many others.

Philly singer-songwriter Greg Mendez has a new EP, entitled Heavy Metal High. Lo-fi, key-oriented instrumentation creates lighthearted feels that allow the touching sensitivity of the lyrics to shine. Endearingly relatable, you can feel free to find a bit of solace in his songwriting. Mendez is slated to perform at Bourbon & Branch on Wednesday, July 24, alongside Josh Levinsky and Thin Lear.

Honey Radar recently dropped the lead single featured on its forthcoming album, Ruby Puff Of Dust, which is scheduled to arrive via What’s Your Rupture?. Contrasting the immediate grit and fire of guitar with the composed chillness of the vocals, “Kite Balloons” takes us on a heady excursion. That fuzzy, foggy combination is just the right complement for when you’re lost in the clouds. On Tuesday, June 28 at Boot & Saddle, you can catch Honey Radar on a rad lineup, presented by WKDU, that also includes Control Top & Lithics.

Gold & Grey, the fifth album from Baroness and first with Gina Gleason (on guitar and backup vocals), officially arrives on Friday, June 14 via Abraxan Hymns, but it’s available for streaming now via NPR’s First Listen. A calculated, explosive sound provides a melodic heaviness that stretches the parameters. Some songs capture an anthemic aura; simultaneously, others bring you in close in a pensive, personal manner. It’s a sonic journey of epic proportions.

Bethlehem-based quartet Service Dog recently shared a new single, “Coasters”. The recording captures a confessional, personal-note tone. Guided by acoustic guitar, a sense of regret/disappointment is expressed as lingering communication breakdown is felt. The isolated feelings are intensified by the use of harmony in the chorus, which is further elevated by the tightly woven guitar patterns. The song appears to let go and move forward, but the emotive pain resonates.

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Lonesome Light, the debut EP from Number One Lovers, is now available for streaming and download as well as on cassette. The delicate interplay of guitar & keys is lifted by tasteful accents of horns. There’s a laidback, smooth, R&B/soul element that you can easily refamiliarize yourself with. Cole Berggren & company, which also includes Matty Terrones (Neutral Shirt) and Alyssa Milman (Blushed, Puppy Angst, Secret Nudist Friends), cultivate an intimate yet at ease environment that you’ll never want to leave.

Philly’s Line Leader recently shared its new, full-length album, Houses of Water. One enters a multifaceted, mysterious, head-trippy, musical mission. An array of sonic textures creates a fluid, ever-evolving atmosphere – one that floats in a dreamy manner at one moment and then transitions into a more volatile, urgent heaviness in the next. That unpredictable, shape-shifting nature compels the listener to remain alert around each and every bend. (Photo by Kayla McCaney)