Check out this gorgeously dreamy new music video for "Spider at the Gate" by Gretchen Lohse! It was produced by She Policeman, a.k.a. Michele Spano, with filming and lighting by Lucas Hardison. The track is from Lohse’s debut full-length album Primal Rumble.
Composed of former Catnaps’ frontwoman Adrianne Gold and bassist William Sallee, Tender Vision draws heavy influences from the early stages of 90’s alt rock, which is quite obvious with their homage to Kim Deal and The Pixies, “I Hate Change.” Echoing vocals and fuzzed-out guitars enshroud a lyrical confidence that builds through their songs, the group leaves listeners on a sadly hopeful note. Below is their spaced-out rendition of The Beatles’ “I Wanna Hold Your Hand” that the band just released today. Washington, DC’s very own, Humble Fire, will also be bringing more flashback alt rock to the upstairs of Kung Fu Necktie tonight, but add in a dreamier aspect with heavier guitar riffs. Kung Fu Necktie, 1250 N. Front St., 8pm, $7, All Ages – Shaylin O’Connell
Folk and R&B lovers unite! Simple but satisfying folky guitars tucked in Kwesi K’s lyrics like a blanket and the emotional words gilded by his soulful voice go down like sugar. In addition to wooing tonight’s crowd at World Café Live, he’ll also be taking over at WXPN’s “Free at Noon” series to warm up his voice and our hearts. Last Year’s EP Pronouns features four spotless love songs perfect for handholding and slow dancing. After Kwesi K, the sold-out room welcomes LA indie sad guy, Sea Wolf, the stage name of singer/songwriter Alex Brown Church. His solo set will feature music from his three increasingly successful albums including his most recent 2011 USA road trip of a folk album, Old World Romance. World Café Live, 3025 Walnut St., 8pm, Sold Out, All Ages – Maggie Grabmeier
Below is a new, heartwarming little ditty from Wilbur just in time for Valentine’s Day called "Violet." It serves as an introduction of electric guitar and bass by the band as well as drums played by Howe Pearson (Big Tusk). The track was recorded at The Boom Room, and mixed and mastered by Max "Prime" Morgan at SoundButter Audio. Wilbur will be performing next in Philly on Friday, February 21 at Connie’s Ric Rac.
Our Year End Poll for Emerging Philly Artists was – as usual – a painstaking (and somewhat excruciating) process, but we pulled it off with remarkable flair!
Kudos to Americana-rock youngsters The Districts (photo by Harrison Knowles and video by HotBox Studios) for winning the poll! It was pretty obvious that few if any local artists had a better 2013, and things don’t seem to be slowing down for the Central PA transplants.
Huge thumbs up to "sex pop" outfit Night Panther and heavy psych rocker Chris Forsyth for placing second and third.
Here is how it all went down: First, we let the local bands submit their music (for free), and got our Deli editors to pick the nominees. Then, we polled a list of 35+ Philly music community experts (our jury) and asked them to nominate 3 more bands of their choice each. Then, we polled our writers and readers. All were invited to participate.
If you’d like to geek-out to all the subtleties related to how this poll works, you can read its rules HERE (happy reading!). But if all you care about is the awesome new music Philly produced in the year 2013, then check out all the fine homegrown acts below. The talent and diversity in our city is astounding! Also, we’d like to give special thanks to our jurors for sharing their personal favorites with us. Enjoy!
List of Jurors: Dan Bisogno (Y-Not Radio, VICE, AEG Live), Jeff Blinder (Spazz Presents), Gabrielle Bonghi (Philly.com), Kate Bracaglia (Philly.com, The Key), Eric Bresler (PhilaMOCA), Zac Camagna (The Styrofoam Drone), Jessica Craft (Rock to the Future), Ryan Crump (Philly Drum Project), Mikele Edwards (Silk City), Nick Fanelli (The Fire, Guild Shows), Stacie George (Live Nation), Kevin Horn (Underground Arts, Bonfire), Ellei Johndro (Shadowscene), Marshall Kavanaugh (Dream Oven, Little Berlin), Kevin Kennedy (The Swollen Fox), Colin Kerrigan (Out of Town Films, Philly.com), Fred Knittel (Folkadelphia, The Key, WXPN), Josh T. Landow (Y-Not Radio), Carolyn Lederach (Sofar, Communion), Barrett Lindgren (Independent Promoter, Johnny Brenda’s), Jesse Lundy (Point Entertainment), Gordon Mays (MilkBoy Philly, Bonfire), Brian McTear (Weathervane Music), Jeff Meyers (The Boot & Saddle, Guild Shows), George Miller (JUMP Philly), Andy Molholt (Independent Promoter), Mark Schoneveld (YVYNYL), Stephanie Seiple (Tri State Indie), Matt Smith (HotBox Sessions), Jon Solomon (WPRB), Q.D. Tran (The Deli Magazine), Pat Troxell (Kung Fu Necktie, Bonfire), John Vettese (The Key, WXPN, City Paper), Nikki Volpicelli (The Key), Chris Ward (Johnny Brenda’s), Bruce Warren (WXPN, Some Velvet Blog, The Key)
BEST OF 2013 POLL FOR EMERGING PHILLY ARTISTS
****** FINAL RESULTS ******
Here’s a new self-produced track from rising emcee/producer GrandeMarshall called "Open," which seems the opposite of today’s theme. But it’s still your perogative to spark up and bump this loud at home. The single is off his upcoming album My Brother’s Keeper, which is scheduled for release thing spring via Fool’s Gold.
Prolific songwriting Michigan transplant Sam Cook-Parrott, who records under the moniker Radiator Hospital, always seems to so nonchalantly drop little nuggets of goodness on us. He most recently released a split cassette, Total Request, with Kyle Kaos via Already Dead Tapes. You can stream and download Radiator Hospital’s side below. "These songs were written and recorded upon request from Mr. Kaos." Keep warm, and enjoy!
It seems that the Northern Liberties Winter Music Festival has brought with them more winter this week. Last night, things kicked off with The Grizful Dead, a tribute to the Grateful Dead led by local musician Griz (a.k.a. Chris Grunwald). Tonight is the start of the original music portion with local area up-and-comers Americanan-rock four-piece Pine Barons, alt rockers Family Vacation, indie-outfit Rosu Lup, indie rockers Keepers, and singer-songwriter Chelsea Mitchell (of Dirty Dollhouse). Nothing like tunes and booze to get past another storm. Cheers! The Fire, 412 W. Girard Ave., 8pm, $8, 21+ – H.M. Kauffman
I am always happy to say that psych rock is alive and well in Philly. And I’m excited about one of its young torchbearers Needle Points. When I say “young,” I mean that the band is relatively new, having only been together about a year or so, but their players are seasoned vets that have been kickin’ it around the Philly music scene for years. Their debut album Bom Tugangu was a welcomed surprise last year, becoming one of my favorite local releases of 2013. I’m looking forward to hearing more from Needle Points in the coming years. They’ll be opening this evening for D.C. stoner-rock crew Dead Meadow at Underground Arts. Also joining the herbal-friendly bill is garage-psych guru and hilarious host of one of my favorite web series Trippin’ Balls, Brother JT. You know what to do! Underground Arts, 1200 Callowhill St., 8pm, $15, 21+ – Q.D. Tran
As everyone gets ready to bear down for the storm coming our way, we thought that Psalmships‘ new live EP My Endless Black might make a nice soundtrack as you watch from your window the falling snow and sleet. The session was recorded by Fred Knittel’s for Folkadelphia in 2012 at WXPN, and includes songs from Kronotsky, Songs For a Red Bird, and more. You can stream and download the record for free below for a limited time.
Nicos Gun have a new music video for "Precious," a track off their new album Dream Vacation where they continue to explore their inner Prince. It features Lady Gaga drummer George "Spanky" McCurdy, Aaron Draper on percussion, and CJ Branch on keyboards. The video was directed by Brian Lipko. Nicos Gun will be performing this Thursday, February 13 at Johnny Brenda’s with Johnny Showcase & The Mystic Ticket.
We already knew that Sean Hoots (of Hoots & Hellmouth) has a lot of soul in him. Well, here’s some more proof of it. Check out his rendition of "It’s So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday" by G.C. Cameron, which was popularized once again in the 90s by local legends Boyz II Men, for Root Down in the Shadows‘ Cover Club. Get your lighters ready, and enjoy!