Though multi-instrumentalist/producer R.R. Perkins, a.k.a. Robert Ross Perkins, may lack any words in his music, which plays out like cinematic snippets, he certainly has no problem coming up with a few humorous ones in the latest interview for our Featured Artist(s) Poll Winner. You can check it out HERE, and catch him tonight at Ortlieb’s opening for Superhuman Happiness. R.R. Perkins will be kicking the festivities off this evening, and helping you to momentarily forget about the impending workweek just a little longer. (Photo by Lauren Thomas)

There is always an elusive, transcendent quality to any good psychedelic music that can be placed somewhere on the scale between body and head. Weekender find themselves decisively on the heady side of the spectrum. Their use of atmospheric pads and effects, woven together with fluid guitars and effortless melodies, makes the world briefly seem like an okay place. The instruments blend and whirl together (with plenty of help from reverb and modulation), producing astoundingly soft and nebulous textures that can’t help but draw comparisons to Slowdive and other shoegazing pioneers, who bring heavenly atmospherics to the big stage. These 90s shoegazers were probably also a large influence on some of today’s artists like Tame Impala and Temples, who conveniently fit nicely into the same vein of glazed over, impossibly poppy, happy-high psych rock that Weekender puts out. You can catch Weekender live this evening at Johnny Brenda’s when they celebrate the arrival of their new album Floaty, Feeling Blue (PaperCup Music), alongside Vanillalord (part goth, part gunk, part bad trip, 100% weirdo-rock) and dream-pop labelmates Little Racer, with the Suburban Living DJs spinning tasty vinyl throughout the night. Johnny Brenda’s, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 8pm, $10, 21+ – Bryce Woodcock

Mike Pays Heat’s full-length debut, Tape 1 Play, is officially out today, and available via Dead Medium Records. Tonight, a celebratory performance ensues at Mantua Yacht Club. The record catches a reflective tone, observing the tiny specifics that transplant one into a detailed time and place. While you’re there, the energy level fluctuates from slowed-down, stripped-away stills to accelerated, adrenaline-filled instrumental slices that shake you loose. It’s both delicate in a handle-with-care sensibility that gives rise to a well-rounded pop-punk sound, while capable of blasting through the bedroom walls in a freeing manner. Along for the ride is the booming, emotively-charged rock of Water Polo and the grimy joyous sound of Twin Pines to help set the stage. The instrumental exuberance of Virginia’s Manatree is intense yet carefree, inviting one to join in on the fun, New Brunswick trio Romp appears ready to tactically storm through any obstacle that stands in their way. Mantua Yacht Club (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) 8:30pm, $5, All Ages (Photo by Emily Scooby Dubin) – Michael Colavita

Nasty guitar shreds and patient drums make a charming frame for John Sharkey III’s solemn baritone vocals in Dark Blue‘s latest single "Vicious Romance." The track is another fine example of how the trio has been solidifying as a unit. It’s the A-side to the band’s forthcoming 7", which is now available via Austin label 12XU.

Local singer-songwriter Abi Reimold has a new album, Wriggling, coming out on January 26 via Sad Cactus Records. We already tasted its lead single, "Sugar," earlier this week, and now, she has shared her second offering from the forthcoming record called "Vessel." The take, found on Wriggling, is from a live session that was shot on a Philly rooftop by Jay Miller, which you can view below. Reimold will also be performing at Boot & Saddle on Wednesday, January 20 opening for Julien Baker.

Tonight’s lineup at The Fire is littered with local emcees. Among them, Harvey Cash exhibits a confidently cool demeanor in his delivery. Lyrically driving at high-speeds, the message remains smooth, never hitting a bump during transitions as his record Se7en suggests, shifting gears with a sense of swagger that grabs the wheel with no signs of letting go or pulling over. Finding the sweet spot where R&B meets a rapper’s delivery, Dave Amigo leaves the doors wide open with his unfiltered subject matter, while Camden’s Mir Fontane brings a composed even-keeled string of captivating storytelling. Theodore Grams sports top-billing on a night which also includes Badland Breez, Journell Pierre, and Eddie Madrid. The Fire, 412 W. Girard Ave., 7pm, $10, 18+ – Michael Colavita

Well, it looks like Mo Lowda & the Humble have shortened their name to simply The Humble. They also have a new album, titled Act Accordingly, coming out on March 11. It’s the trio’s first record in over two years. You can take a listen and download for free below the album’s first single, "No One Stops." The Humble will be heading out on tour for most of February in support of Act Accordingly, and will be back home for its release show on Sunday, February 21 at The Foundry with Commonwealth Choir and Pine Barons. (Photo by Phobymo)

The latest sneak peak into Lushlife’s highly-anticipated album Ritualize has emerged. Co-produced with CSLSX, “This Ecstatic Cult,” which you can stream over at The Fader, finds Lush in an invigorating rhyming exchange with Killer Mike. Amid the enveloping electro-soul backdrop, a pertinent message is delivered. Ritualize will be released February 19th via Western Vinyl. (Photo by Ebru Yildiz)

On three consecutive Wednesdays, beginning this evening, The Danger O’s can be found at Ortlieb’s. As the band works on a new record, it’s sure to sprinkle some fresh material. Their contagious brand of power-pop captures that warmed-over sensation as tightly coiled backend spring-loads the intimately open vocals. It’s casual in tone yet sealed in air-tight. That laidback, confident air, in which harmony is met with the reserved ability to unleash gritty command at opportune, elevating moments, makes these sticky songs potent. Tonight, Hold Down The Ocean will be in support for the first evening of the residency. The four-piece, which recently signed to Dullest Records and also includes The Danger O’s Dan Metzker as well as Joe Brown, Patrick Shannon and Steve Wiegand of All Else Failed, develop a marinated, pungent rockin’ sonic charge that gathers blistering force over time. Ortlieb’s, 847 N. Third St., 8pm, Free, 21+ – Michael Colavita

Garage-punk power trio Residuels stopped by WXPN to record a live session. The band also brought along a couple of vintage 16mm cameras to document the visit. Film is pretty damn expensive so the guys had to nail their performance in one take. "Enough" is an unreleased song off the group’s forthcoming debut LP, which was recorded with Jeff Zeigler at Uniform Recording. You can also catch Residuels live this Sunday, January 17 headlining Johnny Brenda’s.

Punk trio Telepathic (featuring Sarah Everton and Rob Garcia previously of Bleeding Rainbow) are self-releasing on January 18 their latest album, Time Release, on cassette. However, those in need of an early taste can now stream it below. Splitting vocal duties, the sound is parts eerily atmospheric as it is fuzzy aesthetic, which gets in one’s head and then stomps downhill, twisting melody and aggression. Telepathic plays a co-release show on Friday, January 22 with Honey Radar at Johnny Brenda’s. (Photo by Dominique Montgomery)