Heavy Temple’s High Priestess Nighthawk, Archbishop Barghest, and Sister Tempestas bring “evil honey from a magic mountain,” and proudly wave the flag high for the lineage of rad Philly psych rockers. The power trio builds patient, epic jams on its debut self-titled EP, and has plans to share its sophomore effort, Chassit, in the coming year. Before that and 2016 arrive, check out our latest Featured Artist(s) Poll Winner interview with the holy ones HERE!
Philadelphia
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Final Ma Jolie Show at KFN Dec. 30
From the ashes of indie-pop outfit Frost Watson, vocalist/guitarist Mike Stoloski and drummer Jeff Myers have forged a strong friendship and musical bond. But it was when they joined forces with bassist Frank Abruzzo to form Ma Jolie that they played the fast-paced, hard-hitting melodic punk that put them on the map. Since 2012, the band has released two impressive full lengths and a 7", played jam-packed DIY shows, and gone on big tours with the likes of The Menzingers and Cayetana. But right before 2015 comes to a close, the power trio will be playing their final show at Kung Fu Necktie tonight. Joining them on their last hurrah will be some of the bands that they’ve made key friendships with on their journey: This Is Jazz, The Joint Chiefs of Math, and Banquets. Kung Fu Necktie, 1250 N. Front S., 8pm, $5, 21+ – Bill McThrill
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Weathervane Music Residency Feat. Steady Hands & Museyroom at Boot & Saddle Dec. 29
The robust W.C. Lindsay/Modern Baseball hybrid, known as Steady Hands, rounds out Weathervane Music’s month-long residency at Boot & Saddle this evening. Marrying folk and punk, the songs harness closely-viewed storytelling mechanisms. Genuine, personal-spun narratives soaked in a travel-worn sincerity that meshes youthful energy and experience, this band naturally takes hold. With their debut album, Pearly Whites, due out March 25 via Grind Select, the easily assimilating psych-pop of trio, Museyroom, welcomes you to start the proceedings. Boot & Saddle, 1131 S. Broad Street, 9pm, $10, 21+ – Michael Colavita
Philadelphia
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Where the Locals Are Going in Philly This NYE
Nice job, Philly! What looked a little scarce with local representation for New Year’s Eve has filled out into a variety of sweet shows that will have folks spread out all over Philly. Kat Kat Phest, in its fourth and final year, will be auld lang syning away at Everybody Hits with Creepoid and The Spirit of the Beehive, two bands that definitely deserve more of that national/international love and attention in 2016. A Sunny Day in Glasgow, Captured Track’s EZTV, and Mercury Girls have the indie-pop goodness on lockdown over at Johnny Brenda’s. The dancin’ fools can be found with the Making Time crew at Union Transfer, West Philadelphia Orchestra, Johnny Showcase & The Mystics, and Ill Doots at Underground Arts, and LOUDS and Cheerleader, at Ortlieb’s this year. Unfortunately, Nothing at Boot & Saddle is sold out, as you should’ve known that it would, but I’m a firm believer that you can get into any show that you really want to. You just need to get crafty. Maybe unlawful sometimes, but it’s all in the name of the rock gods. Hope to see you out and about this NYE! – Q.D. Tran
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Krust Toons: “Used Gear” by Teddy Hazard
Krust Toons: "Used Gear" by Teddy 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.
Philadelphia
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New Video: “Brite Boy” (Live – Feat. Girlpool) – Alex G
A couple of this year’s Philly standouts joined forces at SPIN‘s Year in Music showcase in Los Angeles. Check out an adorable live performance of Alex G‘s "Brite Boy" with guest vocals and improv dancing by Cleo Tucker and Harmony Tividad, otherwise known as Girlpool. Alex G will be back in Philly on Thursday, April 14 at Union Transfer with Porches.
Philadelphia
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Weekend Warrior, December 24 – 26
The fourth and final Kat Kat Phest kicks into gear this Sunday with a pair of proceedings at Kung Fu Necktie. Over the course of six days, numerous bands from both near and far will showcase their skills, and this first night is a strong starter. The instantaneous surge of emotive pop-punk trio Hightide Hotel makes a swan song performance, balancing impassioned melodic vocals with momentary, speedy bursts of tight instrumentation. Similarly, Marietta’s sound begins from a pensively private place before stretching out instrumentally, pushing the pace and maintaining a honed in collaboratively united feel that ups its power while also staying loose in energy. On the heels of releasing their new LP Awkward Pop Songs last month, Jank uncorks their nerve catching jams. This event traverses both levels of KFN with a separate lineup upstairs that includes Mumblr, who weave in and out of dreary, soft, contemplative corners and roaring jams. Kung Fu Necktie, 1250 N. Front St. (Downstairs) 7pm, $10, All Ages, (Upstairs) 8pm, Free (w/admission to downstairs), 21+ – Michael Colavita
Merry Xmas & Chill…
Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.) SAT Philly Loves James Brown: DJ Mike Nyce
The Boot & Saddle (1131 S. Broad St.) SAT The City & I, Pocket, Seismic Thrust, Broken Beak
Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) SAT The Quixote Project, SUN Kat Kat Fest: Hightide Hotel, Clique, Marietta, Jank, Christopher Walking/Mumblr, Howlish
Underground Arts (1200 Callowhill St.) SAY WNOC: Christmas Show
The Trocadero (1003 Arch St.) SAT Shane Henderson
World Café Live (3025 Walnut St.) SAT (Downstairs) John Faye (Record Release), Dr. Beardfacé and the Spaceman, The Captain, The Pilot, The Driver, Molly Rhythm/(Upstairs) Ben Vaughn Quintet (Record Release), SUN Winter Beer Festival: The WhiskeyHickon Boys
The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) SAT Shy Boyz, Dirty Soap Blues Band, QQQ, Whitebearbrownbear, Svvje, SUN Beatles Tribute: Kevin Killen, Hezekiah Jones, Looseleaf Trio, Chelsea Mitchell, Red Skiles and the Country Ramblers, Vilebred, Aaron Van Allen, Cowmuddy, A Fistful of Sugar
MilkBoy Philly (1100 Chestnut St.) SAT The Once Was, Something Like A Monument, Are Too
Silk City (435 Spring Garden St.) SAT Dj Deejay, SUN Mast, Nommo, DJ Lil Dave
Fergie’s (1214 Sansom St.) SUN Rusty Cadillac
Connie’s Ric Rac (1132 S. 9th St) SAT Clashing Plaid, SUN Travis McDaniel, Matthew Leuzzi
The Grape Room (105 Grape St) SAT Flathead, Pocket Dial, Overcoming Gravity, Haywood Trout, Thomas G Waites Project
Bourbon and Branch (705 N. 2nd St.) SAT Uptown Ezy, DJ NoPhrillz, SUN Reece Stacks, Scottie Kash, ThisIsInfinity, Skills Gates, Wyo Jair
Ardmore Music Hall (23 E. Lancaster Ave.) SAT Electron, American Babies, Blendmode, SUN Dave Patten, Michele Karmin, Danielle and Jennifer
The Pharmacy (1300/02 S. 18th St.) SUN Walla Fest Mantee, Boog, Roof Doctor, Abi Reimold, Straw Hats
Cha-Cha’razzi (1918 S. Bancroft St.) SAT Shadow Band, White Crayon
Philadelphia
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New Track: “Hey, You’re Mine” (The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart Remix) – A Sunny Day in Glasgow
As we get ready to take it easy this holiday season, there is something that feels right about injecting a remix from the beautifully oddly titled A Sunny Day in Glasgow double EP Planning Weed Like It’s Acid/Life Is Loss into your lives. The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart provided their take on the single "Hey, You’re Mine," which you can stream HERE. The bi-continental sextet will be ringing in the New Year next week at Johnny Brenda’s, alongside Mercury Girls and EZTV with Jeff Zeigler spinning far-out tunes throughout the evening.
Philadelphia
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New Track: “Delco Runts” – Dark Blue
Dark Blue‘s John Sharkey III shares his experience of living in the "post-industrial landscape" of Delaware County in the group’s latest single "Delco Runts." From a press release to Stereogum, Sharkey states, "It’s a place that toughens you fast. Far harder to succeed than Philadelphia proper. The peril is real but unassuming to the initiated. It’s crushed your chances of being a real person before you even know it." The latest track is the B-side to the trio’s forthcoming 7" that will be available on January 15, 2016 via Austin indie label 12XU Records. Dark Blue is set to open Nothing’s sold-out show this NYE at Boot & Saddle.
Philadelphia
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New Track: “Murder Art” – King Shampz
King Shampz is at it again on his latest latest single “Murder Art.” The track, which is available via his own imprint Dead Wrong Records that he co-founded with producer Azzan, raises the thermostat bringing a lyrical delivery that flows like fire. Stepping into a down & dirty soul beat, Shampz spits with a determination to paint mental images that leave a lasting impression showing the grim force of the streets as “paint brushes turn to hammers.”
Philadelphia
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Hot Tears Warm the Heart at Boot & Saddle Dec. 23
Hot Tears, the ambient rock duo of Molly Fischer and Erica Freas, mesmerizes with contemplative lyrics and the tantalizing use of the underappreciated cello. Finding spaces that inhabit the sonic regions of such artists as Beach House and Best Coast, their minimalist approach to songwriting still manages to sound lush and inviting. Unfortunately, headliners The Shondes had to drop off the bill due to illness. However, Hot Tears will still be joined by Callowhill, which features members from Trophy Wife and Make A Rising, and Moor Mother Goddess has also hopped on in the eleventh hour. Boot & Saddle, 1131 S. Broad St., 8pm, $10, 21+ – Bill McThrill