Philadelphia

The Deli Philly’s Halloweenniversary Partay Deets!

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It’s October – our favorite month of the year! Why? Well, it means Halloween, the bestest holiday ever is just around the corner, and it’s also The Deli Philly’s birthday month so we have plenty to celebrate. And we’ll be doing so on Friday, October 26 at PhilaMOCA for our Halloweenniversary Partay! We simply had so much fun dressin’ up and throwin’ down at the old Mad Decent mausoleum last year that we just had to do it again, and we also decided to combine the bash with our anniversary celebration to really make it another night to remember. As always, we’ll be bringing you some fine music acts to keep us all entertained throughout the evening. Who will be gracing the stage this year? Well, we are proud to have experimental electro-acoustic-pop outfit Grandchildren headlining the evening. If you’ve ever caught one of their live performances, then you should already know why you need to come. The ultra-rad West Philly six-piece will have plenty of mind-melting new material as they gear up to release their sophomore full-length album, and old favorites will also be in tow to drive the crowd into a frenzy. Grandchildren will be supported fellow locals Ghost Light, who put out a wonderful EP Awful Feelings earlier this year via Single Girl Married Girl that was our July Album of the Month, and ex-Armchair Andy Molholt’s latest psych-pop project Laser Background, who also recently released their strangely intoxicating self-titled debut EP via UK label Stroll On Records (Ku Klux Glam – the collaboration of Ariel Pink and R. Stevie Moore). Plus as a very special guest and treat (certainly not a trick), kick-ass San Francisco psych rockers Sic Alps (Drag City, Siltbreeze, Slumberland, Woodsist) will also be getting friggin’ weird with us. And of course, we’ll have plenty of party favors to help us all do that. Yeah, it’s going to be a dope time so mark your calendars, punch it in your iPhone or do whatever you need to do to remember to show up!
 
Much love,
The Deli Staff
 




Philadelphia

The Deli Philly’s October Album of the Month: Soft Fall – Sun Airway

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Versailles and French Surrealism are cited as influences for Sun Airway’s sophomore full-length album, Soft Fall. Yeah, pretty much: with lush arrangements and massive textures of sound, Soft Fall, is a giant, gorgeous record decked with chopped-up classical music samples and hooks that envelop the listener. Sun Airway’s all-encompassing sense of maximalism echoes what M83 did last year on Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming, making the familiar, comfortable turns of pop music vibrant and fresh by infusing some reverb and a soothing synth-tone. The result is a record that feels safe – not safe in the sense that it’s dull and afraid to take risks, but safe in the way that home feels safe, in the way you know the roads, the haunts, the people, and intrinsically understand that you’re not in any danger.
 
Yep, we’re in dream-pop territory, and Sun Airway’s Jon Barthmus plays admirably to the genre’s strengths. Guitar and keyboard lines come together like coast and tide – the line definitely there but impossible to define. Governing it all is Barthmus’ smooth, breathy baritone, which is seductive without flair for dramatics. On album highlight “Close,” he sighs “you’ve never known loneliness before/I tried to get close to you,” which sounds pretty glum, but the song itself is practically ecstatic. The work on that is done by breakneck drums, an impressionistic Cure hook and a guitar occasionally squealing gleefully in the background. Barthmus’ understated vocals give the song room to soar, and soar it does; it’s an absolutely killer tune. Instrumental interludes are scattered throughout the LP guiding you to and from other standouts on the record like “Wild Palms” and “Symphony In White No. 2” (that also appeared together last year on the 7” vinyl single that followed the band’s beautiful debut Nocturne of Exploded Crystal Chandelier).
 
As is often the case with dream-pop, the sonic palette that washes melodic lines together eventually extends to the songs themselves, and while Soft Fall is never boring, the distinctions between individual tracks become less and less vital as the album gels into one solid artistic statement, which makes Soft Fall a perfect little record to escape with. It’s a great way to drop menial anxieties for nearly 45 minutes and enter a pleasant state where nothing will frighten you and you’re comfortably safe as can be making any fall more enjoyable as you take in the sights from above. Soft Fall officially drops tomorrow via Dead Oceans. – Adam Downer
 

Philadelphia

Badmaster Records Releasing DOPESTROKE EP on 7” Vinyl

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Badmaster Records just announced that they’ll be releasing fledgling Philly punk outfit DOPESTROKE’s 5-song self-titled EP on 7” black vinyl (300 pressed). The record is the local label’s 25th release. Below is what Badmaster had to say about their new family member.
 
DOPESTROKE has been tearing up Philadelphia and beyond for a short while now and we are stoked to emblazon their style of nihilist punk in a thick platter of black wax. Channeling the unrepentant anger and hardcore speed of Rudimentary Peni and Dissucks, DOPESTROKE draws influence from the classic buzzsaw guitar melody of The Freeze all the while taking ques from bands of the East Bay area, like Grimple and El Dopa. Live shows have been compared to Out Cold, Void, and Easy Action. Go see them when they visit what passes for your local, flea-ridden, basement "venue".

Philadelphia

L.U.N.A.R. Revolt Invasion at JB’s Oct. 1

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L.U.N.A.R. Revolt is invading the stage at Johnny Brenda’s tonight opening for Big Business (ex and current members of Karp, Murder City Devils, The Melvins, etc.) and House of Lightning (ex-members of Dove). The local trio dropped an album earlier this year via No Man Records that was recorded partly with Jeff Zeigler at Uniform Recording and at the group’s own Stewd Studios entitled Mind Losers, which features intergalactic psych rock possessed by bruising rock and metal. Prepare to find dudes who want to get stoned, party and rock this evening so you should be ready to do the same. Johnny Brenda’s, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 9pm, $12, 21+ – Alexis V.

Philadelphia

Free Download: “Song Twenty-Two” – Streetwalkers

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Streetwalkers just released a new scuzzy, lo-fi track called “Song Twenty-Two” yesterday. You can listen to and download it for free below. They’ll be performing next in Philly on October 9 at Johnny Brenda’s opening for recent Dead Oceans signee and heavily buzzed-about Night Beds.

Philadelphia

Liz & the Lost Boys Opening for Mice Parade at KFN Sept. 30

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If the internal dialogue you have between your ears spilled out onto the street when taking a walk to clear your head, I would hope that the conversation sounded like Liz & the Lost Boys. Liz Ciavolino’s voices projects in a theatrical fashion as she sings confessions sharing her wishes, desires, failures etc. The jazzy singer-songwriter’s musical accompaniment like keyboards or light twirling strings (guitar/harp) play off her vocals to accentuate a sense of the pensive tug and pull. Each word grabbing onto the next in an uneven chain that describes the pace highlighting the poignant moments by giving them just a little more time. She and her boys will be opening tonight at Kung Fu Necktie for Mice Parade and Floating Action. Kung Fu Necktie, 1250 N. Front St.,8pm,$12, 21+ (Photo by Fran Avendaño) – Michael Colavita

Philadelphia

Ground Up Mixtape Release Show w/The Lawsuits at TLA Sept. 29

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Tonight on South Street, local hip hop collective Ground Up return to the Theatre of Living Arts to celebrate the release of their latest mixtape, Supernatural. The tape dropped online last week and features collaborations with Philly artists Reef the Lost Cauze, Patty Crash and Chill Moody. Emcees Azar and Malakai and producer Bij Lincs will be joined on stage by their friends, Bucks County indie-folk outfit The Lawsuits, as their backing band. If you’re confused as to how a hip hop group and folky indie band would sound together, don’t worry it sounds great. If you don’t believe me, just check out the video of their HotBox Session below. Be sure to get your tickets for the show ASAP because when Ground Up came to the TLA last March, it was a sold out performance that you would not want to miss again. Theatre of Living Arts, 334 South St., 8pm, $12, 21+ – Dan Brightcliffe

Philadelphia

Grubstake Vinyl Release Show at MilkBoy Philly Sept. 29

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Touching on a musical variety that places their footprints in garage, blues, folk, grunge, etc., Grubstake has created a house-blend, which has been battle-tested over the past decade or so. The band has the ability to stampede the stage playing steady-rolling unadulterated straight-ahead blues complete with PW McHugh’s vocal growl, while being able to turn on a dime to showcase rootsy folk with the authentic touch of violin. It’s a bit of this and some more of that and the final product comes out with a thud and a whiskey grin. Grubstake will be celebrating the vinyl release of Anyhow tonight at MilkBoy Philly. Also joining the festivities are psych-rock power trio Satellite Hearts and indie popsters Early Ape. MilkBoy Philly, 1100 Chestnut St., 9:30, $8, 21+ – Michael Colavita
 
Philadelphia

Guess Who’s Turning One? at The Boom Room Sept. 29

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Multipurpose Fishtown community music space founded by producer/drummer Gary Dann, The Boom Room, is celebrating its one-year anniversary today with all-day party. The event will feature performances on the outdoor stage by Grimace Federation, The W.E. (featuring Jaguar Wright), Kuf Knotz, Edison, Camp Lo, and much more. DJs will be spinning throughout the night inside, and aerial acrobatics and fire performances by Wei-Wei and Rae-Mae (of Funtown Productions). There will also be complimentary beverages and food provided by Pabst, Vitamin Water and Local 215 Foodtruck as well as a cash bar by Kung Fu Necktie. (BTW: Also feel free to swing by The Boom Room’s Sunday Night Music Church, which is a weekly collaborative songwriting workshop and jam session designed for artists to meet and develop their ideas.) The Boom Room, 1300 N. Front St., 1pm, $30, 21+ – H.M. Kauffman
 
Philadelphia

The Walkmen Cancel E Factory Show on Oct. 6 “For Some Dumb Reason”

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Bad news from The Walkmen camp – the band just posted on their Facebook page that their show at the Electric Factory on October 6 with The War on Drugs has been cancelled “for some dumb reason.” You can check out their message below.
 
Hi everyone. We’re really sorry but we are going to have to cancel our show at the Electric Factory in Philadelphia on October 6th for some dumb reason. We’ll be back there soon to make it up.