"Love is Love/Alien and Strange" croons Baltimore-based Natural Velvet on their latest single, and though the band’s sound may be a bit alien and strange itself, we’re certainly in love. A post-punk act with a serious dash of psych and noise vibes, Natural Velvet invites listeners down a fuzzy, swirling, spacey, rabit-hole freak out with its thick instrumentals and dark vocals. Check them out for yourself, and stream Natural Velvet’s "Love is Love" below. – Olivia Sisinni
NYC
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Noah Kittinger releases new EP “Bloom”
Noah Kittinger has made a name for himself by crafting complexly textured music with a minimalist structure, and his lastest release, Bloom, further refines that sonic path. Showcasing his keen sense of depth and darkness, the EP prominently features Kittenger’s hazy, haunting vocals, which are contrasted against echo-y beats that almost feel as if they edge toward the void. It’s 7-tracks worth of layers to peel, and single N.Y.E. (streaming below) is a good place to start. – Olivia Sisinni
Philadelphia
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Weekend Warrior, December 2 – 4
Raw, eruptive, emotive vocals rage through, sprinting along the tenacious tidal wave of blistering instrumentation, and at others, those fitful, unfiltered flashes are tempered by somewhat calmer, melodic-surging grunge/noise rock tones. It’s a ferocious fury of feelings that takes hold and amid that shot of adrenaline quells with soothing melody. This Sunday, Mannequin Pussy celebrates its sophomore album Romantic (Tiny Engines), The Deli Philly’s November Record of the Month, at Everybody Hits. The altered states of The Spirit of the Beehive, whose heady shoegazing/grunge hybrid coasts and then oozes, helps to fuel the evening joining their labelmates, while the wondrously weird post-punk exploits of Beth Israel seamlessly shapeshifts, leading things off. Everybody Hits, 529 W. Girard Ave., 8pm, $8-$10, All Ages – Michael Colavita
Other places to be this weekend…
Everybody Hits (529 W. Girard Ave.) FRI The Whips, Brandon Can’t Dance, Throbbing Chakra, Decent
Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.) FRI Mercury Radio Theater, SAT Dylan Jane
Boot & Saddle (1131 S. Broad St.) FRI Strand of Oaks, SAT Strand of Oaks, SUN Strand of Oaks
Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) FRI Molly Rhythm, Dr. Beardfacé and the Spaceman/DJ Deejay, SAT The Mellowells, Past Life/Dear Friend, Lito and the Shepherds/Imposter, Shizz Lo, Gordon Bombay, HSNBRG, SUN The Parameters
PhilaMOCA (531 N. 12th St.) SUN Girls Rock Philly presents: Fall LRC Showcase
Underground Arts (1200 Callowhill St.) SAT The Tea Club
Union Transfer (1026 Spring Garden St.) SAT Celeste Giuliano’s Pin-Up Peepshow, SUN June Divided (Record Release), The Superweaks, PHNTMS
The Trocadero (1003 Arch St.) SUN Twin Symptoms, Get Killed, Mauled By A Bear, The Feral Hats, Brick Nova
TLA (334 South St.) SAT Code Red: Breaking the Silence, SUN Soraia, John Faye & Those Meddling Kids, The Captain -The Pilot- The Driver, Zymotic Flow, The Quixote Project, Sweet Eureka
World Café Live (3025 Walnut St.) FRI (Upstairs) Medusa’s Disco
The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) FRI Tasty Face, Kingfisher, Tucker Hill, SAT The Space Cats, Genesis Z & The Black Mambas, The Deadeyes, SUN Space Pizza, The Bad Tequila Experience
MilkBoy Philly (1100 Chestnut St.) FRI Among Criminals, Andorra, Alright Junior, SAT Black Horse Motel, SUN Secret Nudist Friends, Cardinal Arms
Ortlieb’s Lounge (847 N. 3rd St.) SAT False Tracks, Aster More, Secret Nudist Friends, SUN Steady Hands, Thin Lips, Cold Climb It, The Lame-O’s
Silk City (435 Spring Garden St.) FRI DJ Dav, Reed Streets, SAT DJ Deejay
Fergie’s (1214 Sansom St.) SAT Hired Guns Blues Band, SUN Rusty Cadillac
Connie’s Ric Rac (1132 S. 9th St.) FRI Railroad Fever, The Late Saints, Greg Sover, Jeremy Hollis, SAT The Disgruntled Sherpa Project (CD Release), Coal Mine Canaries, Readership, The Rothland
The Grape Room (105 Grape St.) FRI Hootsie, Rob Tomlinson, White Limo, Who Better You Bet, SAT Razor Boomarang, Heavensake
Bourbon & Branch (705 N. 2nd St.) FRI Ladybird, Brittany Tranbaugh, Vessna Scheff, SAT The Royal Noise, Tucker Hill Band, SUN American Dinosaur, Selfhelpme, The Heat Run
Ardmore Music Hall (23 E. Lancaster Ave.) FRI Hoots & Hellmouth, SAT Lima Bean Riot, SUN Sherwood Brothers
Wild Mutation Records (2223 Frankford Ave.) FRI Honey Radar
Vox Populi (319 N. 11th St.) SUN Ben Bennett and Michael Foster, Positive Movement Drill Team
The Rotunda (4014 Walnut St.) SUN Jack Wright, Neil Feather & Rosie Langabear, Bonnie Kane & Big Plastic Finger
Double H Ranch (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI Taiwan Housing Project, Control Top
Slime Time Live (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Downtrodder, Birthday Ponies, Moonroof
Glitter Galaxy (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI Empath, Eight
Harmonie Hall (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Falsa, Repelican
Baird Mansion Atrium (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Shimmer, Ursula, Deflector
Punch Buggy Brewery (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Swede, So Totally, Poor Devils
Toronto
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Os Tropies release sprawling debut album
Toronto is famous for its multiculturalism. It’s a place where the entire world can be found, even when it comes to music. Os Tropies are making a name for themselves as the city’s purveyors of Tropicalia, the unique Brazilian spin on psychedelia. Featuring Brazilian and African rhythms, rock and roll structures, and challenging soundscapes, their new album ‘The Soil’ is an exhilarating trip back in time to a moment of radical musical experimentation. But while their songs are steeped in history, the band still manages to sound current, blending modern lyrical themes and avant-garde textures into the mix. Get the album on Bandcamp. – David Levy
Philadelphia
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Strand of Oaks’ Winter Classic 2016 at Boot & Saddle Dec. 2 – 4
After a tumultuous year and half of touring the country in support of his heavily lauded LP Heal, Strand of Oaks returned to Philly last December for an intimate Winter Classic series at Boot & Saddle. The event was two nights of anything goes, which allowed Timothy Showalter the chance to unwind among friends and perform extended cuts of songs, do an assortment of covers, and even try his hand at some comedy. The end result was so successful that the local area singer-songwriter will be coming back to the South Philly venue for the Winter Classic 2016, and it will now feature three nights of shows under the same format. Showalter also just announced that he will be releasing a new album, Hard Love, on February 17 via Dead Oceans, and shared its lead single, “Radio Kids,” so expect him to be heavily armed with new tunes. Strand of Oaks will be supported each night by the rock ‘n’ roll show review stylings of Jason Anderson. Boot & Saddle, 1131 S. Broad St., 8:30pm, $15, 21+ (Photo by Alex Crick) – Bill McThrill
Philadelphia
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New Myrrias LP Available for Streaming & Purchase
Spectra, the new full-length album from Myrrias, is officially out via Jeff Zeigler’s new record label Soft Dystopia. Co-produced with Zeigler, the album canvasses a refreshing, heady psych/dreampop duality. Deep-churning, precision rhythms lead the way, cushioned by the magnetizing balance of vocal harmonies, as shards of instrumentation etch well-crafted sonic shapes that while polished, exhibit-invigorating edges. Embrace the weekend, and wrap yourself in this cleansing psych dream. Catch the band’s record release show on Wednesday, December 7 at Johnny Brenda’s, alongside labelmates Valley Exit (who will be celebrating a self-titled release of their own), as part of a lineup that also includes Long Spells and a DJ set from Suburban Living! (Photo by Theo Constantinou)
NYC
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Great Good Fine Ok announces seven-track EP ‘III,’ performs at Irving Plaza on 1.6
NYC’s synth-pop duo Great Good Fine Ok, whose catchy tracks have earned millions of listens on Spotify, has announced the coming of their seven-track EP ‘III’, scheduled for release on the 6th of January. “Get Away”, the first single off ‘III’, contains enough pulsing beats and synthy fervor to get your body going. Underlying this energetic, dancey atmosphere the single expresses the sentiment of beginning the life-changing journey to find your true self. Come celebrate the release of ‘III’ at Irving Plaza on January 6 before they get away on tour in November 2017. Check out "Get Away" down below. – Ashley Muniz
NYC
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Rodney Tennor celebretaes release of debut EP ‘Smother’ at Rough Trade on 12.05
Rodney Tenor’s music embodies the same personality as Vince Vaughn’s character in the indy-comedy classic "Swingers." His two tracks to date emit that same cool, suave confidence that approaces the line but never crosses over into offputting arrogance. On "Prognosos Hypnosis," Tenor sings sweetly over a funky, Neptunes-inspired beat, displaying the kind of range and poise requisite for any true RnB artist. His lyrics don’t embody any sort of deep meaning, but contain vibrant emotional undertones that will resonate with all those who have suddenly found themselves "glowing up," as the kids say these days. Tenor has exhibited all the indicators of talent and potential on his limited offerings to date, and he will hopefully deliver on them with the release of his debut EP ‘Smother’ on 12/5, whose release will be celebrated that same day at Rough Trade. —Henry Solotaroff-Webber
Philadelphia
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The Districts Benefit for Standing Rock Release Available for Streaming & Purchase
Protesters have been gathering for months near Standing Rock Sioux reservation to protest the Dakota Access Pipeline, which poses a threat to water resources and sacred Native American sites. With state officials ordering activists to vacate the area and an incoming President financially invested in the 3.8 billion dollar project, the thousands camped in the snow and freezing temperatures certainly could use any help possible battling the odds and greed of Corporate America. The Districts recently posted a couple of demos ("One to Another" & "Alice"), which you can stream and purchase below, with all proceeds going to the Standing Rock Medic & Healer Council. Please donate.
Philadelphia
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New Track: “Be Like Mike” – The News
"Sophisti-pop" outfit The News seduces with its latest single, "Be Like Mike". At first, the instrumentation comes off as seemingly innocent and playful. However, the throwback track eventually encourages you to grab that friend, who already has a significant other, and explore where an evening alone together could take you. "Trying hard to recreate love – how you remember."
Philadelphia
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New Music Video: “Reality TV” – Sports
Ohio transplants Sports are reissuing their second album, All Of Something, on cassette via Father/Daughter Records. Below is the new music video for their single, "Reality TV," which was directed and edited by Nick Nazmi. You’ll find the group sadly but fondly watching friends partying around them and giving the gang love on their own SportsTV channel. Its ending feels rather bittersweet, but Sports have some more good news for their friends and fans with the release of their debut, Sunchokes, on tape, as well as digital streaming services like Spotify and iTunes. (Photo by Jess Flynn)