Suicide Bong Tapes recently shared Philly Sampler 2012 – 2018, a collection of songs from the artists featured on the label’s releases. A diverse range of sound/style is distributed. However, the common ground of local/community unifies. It’s an excellent entry point for those looking to survey the sonic landscape and possibly retrace one’s steps, delving deeper into the original releases.

Versatile musician, producer, singer Tiffany Majette, a.k.a. Orion Sun, recently shared a side-long sonic quilt, entitled “Test:Experimental Tape”. Fusing familiar hip-hop fragments from such staples as Redman’s “Can’t Wait,” A Tribe Called Quest’s “1nce Again,” Lauryn Hill’s “Doo Wop (That Thing),” the mix weaves unreleased songs, and remixes ones left off next year’s forthcoming album, serving as a teaser of sorts. There’s a delicate singer-songwriter/R&B vibe as subtle keys and beats intermingle. That ability to intertwine fabric from the past with ones own originality as both an acknowledgement/tribute and origin story is a difficult needle to thread.

The quartet of Buddie has a new single, “Sink,” and its accompanying video. The song exhibits a relatable sense of isolation and awkwardness, even when surrounded by friendly faces. That self-aware nature of seeing yourself from the outside looking in amid social settings flips the track into an anthem. Depicting the characters mentioned in the songs chorus, while sitting around a fire and relaxing, the video, directed by Andrew Silverman (Bigmouth Philly), is a humorous take on those moments when one becomes entrenched in their own insecurities. Buddie is set to perform this Saturday, December 8 at No Face Studios, with Twiin, LunchBox President, and Reaux Freeman.

“A song cycle about the first Jewish American matador, Sidney Franklin,” Bullfighter, the forthcoming EP from Eric Slick, was co-produced by Michael Johnson (Ape School), and is slated for release via Boiled Records on January 18. Strings, piano, and percussion collide in an ominous illusion, breaking reality on its lead single, “Nothing Is Real”. Those menacing tones are realized in the song’s video, which was animated and directed by Slick. There’s a dramatic grace to the imagery, with its impending implications hanging in the balance, seen from various angles. You can catch Eric Slick at Johnny Brenda’s on Sunday, January 6, as part of a lineup that also includes Mdou Moctar and Skyler Skjelset.

R. Sims Hardin (Dark Web, JUICE) recently shared a new single. “Endless Serpent” advances in an urgent, krautrock march. A psych spin and pulsating bass create a hypnotic composition. Dispensed from high above, the muted vocals play into the sonic mystery.

Something Merry recently released EMO-TION, a tribute to Carly Rae Jepsen’s album EMOTION. All proceeds from the compilation will be directed to Immigration Equality, "the nation’s leading LGBTQ immigrant rights organization". The Superweaks are one of fifteen artists included on the album, contributing their take on “Gimme Love”. The song retains its tranquilizing, emotive vocal power; however, a quaking backend and the soaring, twin-lined guitars bring it home. (Photos by Scott Troyan)

Below is Grandchildren‘s new single, "Zuni," which shares the name with the band’s 2015 full-length release. Recorded a couple of months too late to make their last record, it ending up serving as a "musical compass" for the group’s forthcoming self-titled LP, with its more sparse, acoustic arrangements and concentration on harmonies. The album was recorded at beloved but now defunct West Philly DIY space Danger Danger Gallery. It is scheduled for release next year via Ernest Jenning Record Co.

Krust Toons: "4 Hours of Recording Time!" 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.

JUICE is a fledgling outfit of “four freaks freakin’,” featuring members of Louie Louie, Dark Web, and Ursula. What originally surfaced as demo recordings has now turned into the band’s debut label release, 100% (Get Better Records), and The Deli Philly’s December Record of the Month.

A menacing bass rumbles before the snap of snare and clamor of guitar intermingle with warbly, spooky accents of keys to form the blood-racing, heart-pounding backdrop of “Body Machine”. The unrelenting, instrumental combination instantly induces one to gyrate uncontrollably, before its mantra-esque vocals are injected into the mix. The EP’s opener hits quickly, leaving a lasting impression as it rushes to an abrupt demise, crackling into “For Plants Hanging”. Keeping the raw, primal beat, we are once again off to the races as angular guitar riffs morph into a more danceable groove, a kin to legendary music pioneers Devo, toeing the line between basement punk outfit and post-punk art-rockers.

“Headache” builds off its slow, military march of drums and the sludgy ring of chords, making way for a chaotic melee of gang vocals to ensue, inviting you to join in. A doorway to the underworld is unlocked, pulling you down beneath the surface. A last ditch attempt is made to escape, which doesn’t seem to end well. Wading in the muck and mire of uncertainty, “Highway” captures the desolation of the road, with our journey ending in a fade out of feedback and noise.

Clocking in at approximately fifteen minutes, the brief introduction to JUICE is a memorable and enjoyable one. Now, the wait begins to hear where the “freaks” will take us next. – Alexis V. 

A new EP, Probably Never, is out now from the Philly quartet of Dulls. Silence precedes sound in the first track, “Another Kind,” as the album gradually opens. Grit and clarity converge in an ethereal, sonic capsule. The white-hot, searing tranquility is paced rapidly yet appears in a hazy vortex. Everything is rushing around in real time, but the objects seem to be moving in slow motion.

Paper Scissors Media in conjunction with Good How Are You Records present Great How’ve You Been Fest 18 this weekend. Split between Tralfamadore and Pleasure Mountain Ballroom on Saturday and Sunday respectively, the event assembles a large contingent of local talent. Saturday’s slate includes the down-to-earth, figuring-it-out-as-it-goes, melodic, pop-punk narratives of Yeenar. Conversely, Francis Ponton, a.k.a. Overwinter, smoothly simmers into the void on a multifaceted electro/synth-pop vessel. With another new EP, There’s Nothing More I Can Do, due out tomorrow, Dani in Public lays word-weaving, introspective lyrics over neon-lit, electro-experimenting beats, wrapping the listener in a vulnerable groove. Among those featured on Sunday are the quartet of Blushed, who mesh ethereal, head-in-the-clouds dreampop with turbulent groundswells in surf-garage hybrid. Riding a rhythmic wave, the rambunctious alt-rock of Full Bush invites you into a rowdy release of energy, while garage-psych rockers Secret Nudist Friends captivate with their rippin’ jams. You’ll be feeling just fine at Great How’ve You Been Fest 18 this weekend! – Michael Colavita 

More places where you’ll feel fine this weekend…

Tralfamadore (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Great How’ve You Been Fest 18: Kelsey Cork & the Swigs, Overwinter, Dani in Public, Canine 10, Busy Bee Project, Yeenar, Erik Kramer, Elissa Janelle Velveteen 

Pleasure Mountain Ballroom (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SUN Great How’ve You Been Fest 18: Full Bush, Trash Boy, Blushed, Secret Nudist Friends, Puppy Angst, Rebecca Zimmerman

Boot & Saddle (1131 S. Broad St.) SAT Beggars (Record Release), Deadfellow

Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) FRI The Last Generation On Film, Keely Sibilia, Josh Agran/DJ Elijvh Vrms, DJ Richard Reich, SAT DJ Cousin Mike

Underground Arts (1200 Callowhill St.) FRI Ellen Siberian Tiger, Hemming, Camp Candle, SAT Luxe

The Trocadero (1003 Arch St.) FRI FRI (Balcony) Matty Moonshine, Alex Catrambone, Nicky Bruh, Lil Zip & JGriff

The Fillmore Philadelphia (1100 Canal St.) SAT Circa Survive, Queen of Jeans

World Café Live (3025 Walnut St.) FRI (Upstairs) Birthday Boy, Past Life, SAT (Upstairs) Strawberry Runners, Grayling

The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) FRI Philly Alternativo 1st Annual Benefit Concert, SAT JW Farrell, Rare Spirits

MilkBoy Philly (1100 Chestnut St.) SAT PanSong

Ortlieb’s Lounge (847 N. 3^rd St.) FRI William H. Travis, Birdie Busch, C. Hundreds, SUN Knightlife, Medium Rare, Jac with No K

The Barbary (951 Frankford Ave.) FRI The 1940s, Lovebuckle, Erik Kramer/High Reeper, Green Meteor, Thunderbird Divine, Ritual Earth, SAT RunHideFight

Bourbon & Branch (705 N. 2^nd St.) FRI Hannah Krupa, Dylan Jane Band, SAT J Solomon, SUN Butter Queen Sister, The Cheddar Boys

Silk City (435 Spring Garden St.) FRI Rich Medina, SAT DJ Deejay

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

Frankie Bradley’s (1320 Chancellor St.) FRI Craig Dash, SAT Ed Christof

Connie’s Ric Rac (1132 S. 9^th St.) FRI Jeremy Adam, Crooked Ways, Matthew Trexler, Ashton John, Christine Irizarry  & The Foolhardy, SAT Mr. Unloved, The Mojo Machine, The Prisoners

Voltage Lounge (421 N. 7^th St.) FRI Bok Nero, Shizz Lo, Swizzymack, DJ Lean Wit It, Rob Diioia 

The Tusk (430 South St.) FRI The Sixth Year, Popular Creeps, Snakes & Vultures

Century (1350 S. 29^th St.) FRI Felipe Pupo, The Magnificent Shithawks of the Greater Northern Americas, Thyla, SAT Thee Minks, The Tone Bandits

The Grape Room (105 Grape St.) FRI The Barker Brothers, Stargazer Lily, SAT Local Smokes(CD Release), Slomo Sapiens, The Tisburys, Tulpa, Whackbat

Ardmore Music Hall (23 E. Lancaster Ave.) FRI The Urban Guerilla Orchestra

The Pharmacy (1300 S. 18^th St.) FRI Heavensake, Last Minute Hero, The Drowned God

The Mothership (602 S. 52^nd St.) SUN Stinking Lizaveta

Super Wimpy (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Knifeplay, Sitcom

Electro-folk artist Tamar Dart, a.k.a. Little Strike, recently shared her new EP Beyond Things. Dart’s vocals exhibit a gentle, pensive nature, even while addressing complex societal issues – both from a micro and macro perspective. Brought along for the journey, there’s a peacefulness in the intricate atmosphere of production, which retains a feathery quality despite its complexities. Putting personal poetry into organic motion, these songs appeal to a universal audience.