Uniform Recording’s Jeff Zeigler has built an impressive reputation as one of the premier, go-to producers in Philly. His talents have assisted in sculpting critically acclaimed albums for lauded local artists such as The War on Drugs, Kurt Vile, and Nothing just to name a few. Zeigler has also earned praise for his musicianship and collaborative work with indie harpist Mary Lattimore, and this Friday, he plans to release the self-titled debut LP for his latest project, Valley Exit, a solo effort that has expanded to a full band with the additions of Josh Meakim (A Sunny Day in Glasgow, The Fantastic Imagination) on guitar, April Harkanson (Myrrias, Downtown Club), and Steven Urgo (The War on Drugs, Chris Forsyth & The Solar Motel Band). And what has been about a decade-long idea, knocking around in his head, has recently come to fruition. Jeff has started his very own independent record label Soft Dystopia, a name inspired by the works of writer/designer Richard Littler. The label released its first album, Spectra, from dream-pop outfit Myrrias last week, and Zeigler and his band will be holding a joint record release celebration with them tomorrow night at Johnny Brenda’s so you definitely want to hit that. We also have new single from Valley Exit to share with you, called “What Pulls Us Through,” off their forthcoming album, and check out our interview with the man himself, Jeff Zeigler, HERE! 

Sun Airway delighted listeners with their 2010 debut LP Nocturne of Exploded Crystal Chandelier (Dead Oceans), so much so that it earned them The Deli Philly’s Artist of the Year honors. However, after their 2012 follow-up Soft Fall (Dead Oceans), from our talks with frontman Jon Barthmus, it sounded like he was ready to leave behind the life of a struggling musician on the road for a simpler one at home, after all he had already spent years fronting his previous band Vagrant Records’ The A-Sides. Thankfully, it didn’t mean that he completely stopped recording music. Though Barthmus would now prefer Sun Airway to be strictly a studio project, we are very excited to hear the first single, "FOAM" (below), from its upcoming release Heraldic Black Cherry, which is currently scheduled to be self-released early next year.

Krust Toons: "Stacked Like Pancakes" 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.

The trio of Tinmouth recently issued the concisely titled EP A Letter From Home. As the band traverses the east coast with Batty, Auxiliary Mammals, and Sister City, this pair of sonic postcards plants the seeds for next year’s full-length record. Ruminate in the songs’ stirring, gritty melodies, anchored in rumbling, escalating backend that cruises and then accelerates toward the limits.

Cayetana toured Down Under for the first time earlier this year with Melbourne trio Camp Cope. The ladies bonded on the road, which has led to plans for a joint 7" on hot pink and splattered color vinyl. The split release is due out on January 20 via Poison City Records, but you can take a listen to Cayetana’s contemplative new single, "Trails," below. The Philly gals will also be performing at the First Unitarian Church on Saturday, February 18 with Lemuria (who are celebrating the 10th anniversary of Get Better) and Mikey Erg.

Steady Hands, a.k.a. Sean Huber of Modern Baseball, is getting set to release a compilation of his first four EPs. The Rude Boys Of Bar Rock double LP will be available on December 9 via Lame-O Records, but if you’re already jonesin’ to hear his catalogue of folk-punk tunes, get your fix this evening at Steady Hands’ hometown record release show at Ortlieb’s. They’ll be rockin’ the bar with hard-riffin’ pals and labelmates Thin Lips, as well as Cold Climb It (featuring Matt Brasch of The Wonder Years) and The Lame-O’s (which I am guessing is an amalgamation of artists and friends associated the beloved Philly record label). Huber will also be performing a very special solo set tomorrow night in Brewerytown at Smokey’s Regal Estate, where he’ll be sharing the bill with Fred Mascherino (Taking Back Sunday, Terrible Things), Pray To Keep, and West Virginia’s Mange. (All agers, you were not forgotten.) Ortlieb’s, 847 N. 3^rd St., 8pm, $10, 21+ (Photo by Punks in Vegas) – Alexis V.

Philadelphia-based booking collective All Mutable continue to organize noteworthy shows in town, and this weekend’s event is no exception to this trend. Shimmer’s lineup consists of four artists who are each arriving from projects that have become distinguished for their potent blends of musical precision and tonal experimentation. Ani and Nina perform together in Palberta, Paco plays in Big Neck Police and releases solo material under the moniker The Cradle, and Simon plays in Cloud Becomes Your Hand and Tredici Bacci (who recently toured with Gary Wilson as his backing band). The resulting sound is something akin to transcendental no-wave sludge swinging on a pendulum. Find out for yourself what will come of this rare melding of talent on tonight at Baird Mansion Atrium, where they’ll be performing with Philly artists Ursula, Deflector, and Boston-based Pucker Up. Baird Mansion Atrium, (Please contact of the acts or venue for more info.), 7pm, $8, All Ages – Josh Kelly

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)

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.

"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."