Dan Smith (Low Dose, ex-Fight Amp), Matt Weber (Young Statues, The Ages), and Josh Taylor creatively combine to form Sleep Tactics. The power trio recently released its self-titled debut album. The precise power of the instrumentation merges with the insightful ebb and the flow of the vocals, creating a dense, dynamic force. The band is all set to hold its record release show at Boot & Saddle on Friday, August 30, supported by Savage Dads and Timelost.

Sussing, the debut EP from Weekend Athlete, is a multifaceted, captivating release. Earnest, unfiltered songwriting draws the listener to an intimate, vulnerable distance. A mercurial, instrumental atmosphere aids in developing a sense of tense friction. Pensive, penetrating lyrics and rough-around-the-edges guitar and drums combine to create a haunting heaviness that resonates on a personal level. This Saturday at Boot & Saddle, Weekend Athlete lays the foundation for Aster More’s final performance, which also serves as the record release show for their new album Dog-Eared. The affecting, absorbing narratives of Gladie will also bridge the gap. – Michael Colavita

More locals at play this weekend…

Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.) FRI Northern Liberties (Record Release), Evil Sword, Sour Spirit, SAT Bahamadia, Ursula Rucker, Reef The Lost Cauze, DJ Mike Nyce

Boot & Saddle (1131 S. Broad St.) SAT Aster More (Album Release/Final Show) Gladie, Weekend Athlete 

Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) FRI Grave Bathers, Yuckmouf/DJ Deejay, SAT DJSC, FRI Philly Dell, Tripel AAA, DJ Digital Crates

TLA (334 South St.) FRI Marsha Ambrosius, Johnny Popcorn, SAT Reef Royalz, Leaf Ward

The Foundry (1000 Frankford Ave.) SAT Beano French, Dayne Jordan, Just Frenchie, AIME, Eli Capella, Seraiah Nicole, DJ HVNLEE, SUN School of Rock Philadelphia Summer Season Fest

World Café Live (3025 Walnut St.) FRI (Upstairs) Brother Martin, Flat Mary Road, SAT (Upstairs) Adam Travis & The Soul, Tree Rats

MilkBoy Philly (1100 Chestnut St.) FRI The Bul Bey, Cult Objects, SAT Yeenar, All This Huxley, SUN Wexler & the Better Humans, Mr. Smith, Bright Yam Suns, Nicole June, Cop Jokes, Digital Rot

Ortlieb’s Lounge (847 N. 3^rd St.) FRI Love? said the Commander (EP Release), The Naked Sun, SAT City Dressed, SUN Sophie Coran 

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

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

Connie’s Ric Rac (1132 S. 9^th St.) FRI The Ancient Mariners, Frost Giant, SAT The Grip, Future Victims, SUN Reef the Lost Cauze, Space Kamp, 3T3N, DJ Kirsh

Voltage Lounge (421 N. 7^th St.) SAT The Droogettes, Illusions Of Grandeur, Atomic Cretins, The End A.D., THE WORKHORSE III, Voodoo Death Cult, Vixen77, Trash Knife, Erin Incoherent, Less Dead, Disoriental

Bourbon & Branch (705 N. 2^nd St.) FRI Ryan Tennis, SUN Afton Live presents

The Tusk (430 South St.) FRI The TC Cole Riot, Live Not On Evil, 7th Victim

Century (1350 S. 29^th St.) FRI Quantum Zoology, SAT King Azaz, The Invasive Species, Beloved Binge

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

The Grape Room (105 Grape St.) FRI Jac with No K, SAT The Cluster Flies, Knightlife, Jumping Juvies

Ardmore Music Hall (23 E. Lancaster Ave.) SAT Splintered Sunlight, SUN Lady Alma

Everybody Hits (529 W. Girard Ave.) FRI Trash Boy, Secret Nudist Friends, Meat Sweats

Creep Records (1050 N. Hancock St.) FRI AM0RA, The Classic Hunt, SAT Youthfool

Warehouse on Watts (923 N. Watts St.) SAT Sideswipe, Backpack/Matthew Law presents Friends & Fam

Tralfamadore (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more information.) SAT Rebecca Zimmerman, Hoochi Coochi

Couchtown (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Brackish, Harmony Woods (solo), Alenni 

House of Yarga (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Bad Sleeper, Lucky House, Marcelyn

The Buffalo (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SUN Coffin Dust, Covered In Sores

Old Pool Farm (Philadelphia Folk Fest) THURS-SUN: Bethlehem and Sad Patrick, Charlie Frey’s Blue Plate Specials, Dan Blacksberg, Dave Fry, Driftwood Soldier, Emily Drinker, Great Time, Homestead Collective, J Solomon, Jackson Howard, Jackson Pines, Joshua Fialkoff, Julia Levitina, Last Chance, Lolly & YoYo, Marion Halliday & Trickster Sister, Matthew Gordon, Meghan Cary, Michael Braunfeld, Michael Spear Duo, Nina de Vitry, North Star Puppets, Rachel Andie & The Fifth Element, The River Drivers, Sharon Katz & The Peace Train, Stella Ruze, The Carryons, The Cornerstones, The End of America, The Jayplayers, John Byrne Band

Featured on their EP The Guide to Oversharing, an adorable, new video for “The Truth” by Riverby has emerged. Directed by Bob Sweeney, the footage captures its cast of characters, adorned in ears and antlers, enjoying drinks at a bar and later battling it out with water guns. The narrative of a relationship reaching its conclusion, because one side falls out of love, while the other tries to hold on, aches while retaining an optimistic outlook. Riverby will be part of a lineup that also includes Camp Candle and Bridal Party on Wednesday, October 2 at The Pharmacy.

Field Mouse‘s new full-length album, Meaning, is out today via Topshelf Records. The band’s latest collection of recordings navigates and negotiates individual existence, within a world of disorder. Peaceful vocals provide the vehicle to explore personal and societal problems and pleasures in radiant, melodic eruptions. The LP was produced by Field Mouse bandmates, Andrew Futral and Rachel Browne, and Kyle Gilbride (of Wherever Audio). 

Dr. Doper, a.k.a. the pairing of Michael Do and Brett Coper, recently shared its debut single. “Goodbye Johnny” taps into a sense of longing in a breezy, melodic manner. There’s a desire to reconnect over unanswered questions in an optimistic, upbeat fashion. Let’s hope that we hear back from Dr. Doper sooner than later.

The duo of Kate Hall and Chris Bishop, a.k.a. Love? said the Commander, recently released their debut EP A Million Miles Away, which was produced by Dave Downham at Gradwell House Studio. Hall’s vocals have an authoritative, graceful presence, and when combined with guitar, violin, etc., they illuminate a detailed path. A singer-songwriter tone, with a sense of friction and force that expands in fiery, focused instrumental runs, the EP leaves a cathartic imprint. The pair will be holding their EP release show tomorrow night at Ortlieb’s, supported by The Naked Sun and Rah Blow.

Pulgas, the duo of Simon Martinez and Zane Shields, have announced their new effort, titled Or Best Offer, which releases on September 13 via Astro Nautico. Back in 2017, the group shared its self-titled debut on Boiled Records, a world of lo-fi sorcery, filled with dastardly grooves that provided the footing for a stunningly agile and colorful, melodic accompaniment with vocals that were lolled out – smooth and saccharine. Martinez and Shields recently shared the first single from their forthcoming EP. “Largemarj” is a soulful track that swings in a soft shuffle, an impassioned sense of decadence with a touch of melancholy. – Josh Kelly

Featured on their 2018 EP Worlds, Brackish recently shared a new video for the track, “Sincerely”. Director Ricardo Lorenzo weaves a web of found footage, providing a sense of context, while also tapping into a sense of nostalgia. One can passively observe or alternately place oneself in those moments. Brackish are currently working on a full-length album, but you can catch them this Saturday, August 17 at Couchtown, with Harmony Woods (solo), Alenni (solo), and New York’s Tiny Blue Ghost.

Piano (Honeymoon) is the latest release from Philly quintet Joy Again. The seven-song selection delivers bright, bubbly, slightly-twisted pop-rock. A silky, fluid sound comfortably wraps around your ears. Take it for a spin, and enjoy!

Before the summer begins its gradual fade, Man Man has surprisingly dropped a pair of new songs, “Beached” and “Witch,” via Sub Pop Records. The band fuses its custom brand of quirky, catchy, melodically-rich tunes, in joyous fashion. It’s a unique, almost off-the-rails perspective that lifts your spirits, hitting home like comfort food. The beloved Philly indie-rock elder statesmen are back, and will be performing on Saturday, September 28, as part of Philly Music Fest 2019 at World Cafe Live.

Krust Toons: "Wait…" 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.

Party Muscles recently released their debut full-length album, Does It Even Matter. Crisp, melodic tunes stretch out exemplifying white-hot, guitar work, without losing touch with the groove. Uptempo with an energetic yet composed manner, the quartet flexes its charming, retro, songwriting skills. You can join the party this Thursday, August 15, at Ortlieb’s, where they’ll be throwing down with BYRH and Night Windows.