A percussive beat embeds itself alongside steadily pumping keys/synths establishing the ethereal playground in which Dani Mari’s formidable vocals are set free. Lockets‘ musical landscape is widespread erecting mood-driven sonic settings that are set off by the haunting use of keys or Todd Mendelsohn’s menacing guitar that lurks in the background emerging at opportune times to flex its muscle. Throughout this fluid saga, Mari’s ever-alluring siren-like vocals stand front and center. Lockets will be opening for Brooklyn-based rock duo Molly Hamilton and Robert Earl Thomas, otherwise known as Widowspeak, whose sophomore album Almanac was just released yesterday. Kung Fu Necktie, 1250 N. Front St., 8:30pm, $10, 21+ – Michael Colavita

Philly’s own DRGN King grew from hours of late night recording sessions with guitarist/singer/songwriter Dominic Angelella and hip-hop producer Brent “Ritz” Reynolds (The Roots, Wale, Mac Miller, etc.) to a full-blown rock band. It feels like forever ago when the fruits of their labor first began to surface, but then disappeared again. However, we have remained patient. Well, the wait is finally over because the group’s debut full-length album Paragraph Nights is officially out today via Bar None Records. We had a chance to discuss with Angelella about the evolution of the new record, his music education, his hometown Baltimore music roots, and much, much more. You can read our interview with the red-haired, Jesus look-alike guitarist HERE. 

Below is a new music video from Nightlands, a.k.a. Dave Hartley, for the track "I Fell In Love With A Feeling," which is off his new album Oak Island (Secretly Canadian) that just dropped today. The video premiered earlier via Pitchfork, and was directed by David Kessler. Hartley will be celebrating the record’s release this Saturday, January 26 at Kung Fu Necktie, and opening the show will be a solo set by Sun Airway‘s Jon Barthmus.

Check out the rad new remix from production/DJ crew Les Professionnels of Vacationer‘s "Good As New"! It appears on the band’s latest remix EP that also contains other reworked versions of the track from Geographer, Data Romance, Ghost Beach and more. Enjoy!

Here’s the debut track from Forever Evers called "I Could Stay," which premiered earlier today via YVYNYL. The new project is made up of former Drink Up Buttercup/White Birds members James Harvey and Farzad Houshiarnejad. You can listen to and download the song for free below.

After coming across Pitchfork‘s review last night of Bleeding Rainbow‘s Yeah Right (due out on January 29 via Kanine Records), we kind of had a feeling that there would be a response to it via the band’s Twitter account (because that seems to be how everyone does it these days). Well, it’s always interesting to see exchanges between artists and critics, especially when they don’t exactly see eye to eye. Basically, it comes down to what we’ve always believed everyone should do: Listen, and decide for yourself! You have the opportunity to do so right now because Yeah Right is currently streaming in its entirety via Pitchfork’s Advance.

It was just announce that the 6th annual Roots Picnic will be returning once again to the Festival Pier at Penn’s Landing for one day only this year on Saturday, June 1. The lineup was also revealed with Lushlife and (of course) The Roots representing Philly so far. Other acts already confirmed on the bill include Grimes, How to Dress Well, Gary Clark, Jr., Naughty by Nature, Solange, and more, which you can check out on the flier (above). Tickets go on sale this Friday, January 25 via Ticketmaster with a limited supply of Early Bird Special ones.

Barney Cortez (Nicos Gun, Rich Mystics, ex-Cortez! Cortez!!) gets freaky deaky on his latest solo effort "The Holy Juice," which was produced by Field Tripz. The downtempo psych-funk elixir reminds us of something that Prince might slip you during a late night hang back at his crib before serving up some pancakes in the morning as you get ready for your walk of shame home.

Pink Skull just dropped a new 5-track EP today titled My Definitive Gauze via My Favorite Robot Records. You can stream the record in its entirety below.

Asaad is back with a new track "MLKRIP," which was produced by Quiet Explosion. Now, we highly doubt that this most recent offering would really be considered a homage to Martin Luther King, Jr. by most. However, the unique, raw verses and flow are certainly what we’ve come to expect from the prolific and controversial North Philly emcee.

PhilaMOCA just announced their Tuesday Tune-Out lineup for February. Curating the month will be 8static, Philly’s internationally-recognized monthly showcase of chiptune music/visual arts. This month, all musicians will perform thematic sets based on their films of choice, and you can check out the schedule below. [BTW: Guest curators for the upcoming months will be Philly Music Showcase (March) and Cinedelphia Film Festival (April).]