When Tara Murtha’s now husband Jesse Lundy first played multi-faceted Mississippi-born Bobbie Gentry’s 1967 debut LP, The Ode to Billie Joe, eight years ago, she became obsessed. And as she began to research the singer’s life, Murtha became intrigued by her rise to fame, elaborate stage presence, inspiring music, and her eventual disappearance from the pop music scene that has led to a life of seclusion. The obsession led to Murtha earning the right to write a book about her muse that is set to be published and released by 33 1/3. And for the book release party, there will be a concert that features the world premiere of The Lower 40, a collaboration of Philly musicians led by Murtha’s friend, bassist Phil D’Agostino, who will be playing the classic songs of Bobbie Gentry at Underground Arts tonight. The project features seasoned musicians like Birdie Busch, Brad Hinton, Alison Wadsworth, Ross Bellenoit, Alison Polans, and more, and they are all ready to deliver a stellar tribute. Underground Arts, 1200 Callowhill St., 8pm, $12 ($25 w/ signed book), 21+ – Bill McThrill
Other places to escape the chill this weekend…
Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.) FRI Low Cut Connie, Ron Gallo, SAT Frog Holler, Ataloft, Ike Wilder
The Boot & Saddle (1131 S. Broad St.) FRI A Work Drugs Christmas Spectacle, Vita & The Woolf SAT Sunburster
Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) FRI Nark, Thee Idea, Satellite Hearts, Solus Rex/Tinmouth, Timbers/Die Choking, SAT Atomic Sky, Black Rue, Shadow Souls, The Late Saints, SUN HR (Of Bad Brains), Chuck Treece/ The Diaphone
Union Transfer (1026 Spring Garden St.) SAT Celeste Giuliano’s Pin-Up Peepshow
The Trocadero (1003 Arch St.) SUN (Balcony) DR3W, Prin$e Alexander, D.O.T, Mike Crump, Shizz Mac
TLA (334 South St.) FRI The Terribles, SAT 2014 Philly Hip Hop Awards
World Café Live (3025 Walnut St.) FRI (Upstairs) Philadelphia Ukulele Orchestra, John Train/ (Downstairs) Birds Over Arkansas, SAT (Downstairs) Stone, Dirty Purple, Anthony Pergiovanni, Corners of Sanctuary
First Unitarian Church (2125 Chestnut St.) FRI (Side Chapel) Madalean Gauze, Wld Orphan
The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) FRI E. Grizzly, Adot Wake, Carl Kavorkian, Rockie Reyes, Sick Sinatra, SAT Adlib, 30 and Over League, J.O. The Last Man, SUN Monica Lynne Chase, Julia Rainer, Joe Reno
MilkBoy Philly (1100 Chestnut St.) FRI Marah presents Mountain Minstrelsy
Ortlieb’s Lounge (847 N. 3rd St.) FRI Glitter/Come as You Are with DJ Brandon Setta (From Nothing)
North Star Bar (2639 Poplar St.) FRI Those People (EP Release), Coral Teeth, When Ships Collide, SAT Audio Impulse, Mesmeria, Stealing Fame,
Silk City (435 Spring Garden St.) SUN QQQ, Blood Sound, Lapses
Tin Angel (20 S. 2nd St) FRI Three Stories High w/Vanida Gail & Jackie Murphy (of June Rich), SUN Todd Fausnacht
Fergie’s (1214 Sansom St.) FRI Hired Guns Blues Band SUN Rusty Cadillac
The Legendary Dobbs (304 South St.) FRI The Butter Guns, Drown the Silence, Lisa Chosed, Steve Marchion/Tommy Stars, Hazie Blue, Tiani Victoria, Na’Sheed, Fonte Cruise, Briana Cash, Jus O, Chris Vance, SAT The Madeleine Haze (CD Release) Burnout Star, Risen Resilient, Fate 88, Beyond Eden
Connie’s Ric Rac (1132 S. 9th St) FRI Wild By Law, Stereoma, Preston Hull, SAT Haethen, Dumal, SUN Xmas Xtravaganza presented by Lover’s League
The Grape Room (105 Grape St) FRI The Skis, The Great Endangered SAT The Swimstones, Memphis Hat
Bourbon and Branch (705 N. 2nd St.) FRI Dirt Dollhouse, Brian Dale Allen Strouse, SAT Pete Hill (Album Release), Levee Drivers, Neighbors on the Moon, SUN Power Animal, I I’m Eye My
Chill Collins Art Space (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info)FRI Old Scratch, Ordinary Lives, Dreambook, The Morelings
XO Lounge (1437 South St.) FRI Lady Parts, Truong Ta & The Stellar Jays, Science Club, In Place, Grand Strangers
Kat Frat (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info) FRI Radiator Hospital, Pinkwash, Loose Tooth
Pageant Soloveev Gallery (607 Bainbridge St.) FRI Jack Wright, Zachary Darrup, James Wadsworth, Loren Groenendaal, Unguent, Sebastian, Darkly Petsu
The Church of the Holy Baby (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info) FRI Sandcastle, On the Water, Dead Tenors, Max Power
The Pharmacy (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info) FRI Crescent, Ruby Ruff
The Nest (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info) SAT What Nerve, Stellarscope, Scuzbot, Pill Friends
Siren Records (25 E. State St., Doylestown) SAT Sic Bacchus, Tanks Disinterest