Michael Johnson’s Ape School will be celebrating the release of his latest glimmering psych-pop LP Junior Violence (Hometapes) tonight at Johnny Brenda’s. It’s going to be a packed house of local music community favorites. Johnson will have his most excellent backing band, which is made up of members from Philly acts like Dr. Dog and The Extraordinaires. Joining him on the bill will be fellow maestro at the boards Jeff Zeigler building soundscapes with harpist Mary Lattimore, the dynamic duo of Norwegian Arms (our featured Choice/Cuts artists), and the delightfully oddball outfit Laser Background. You’ll also be treated to tunes being spun throughout the evening by Adam Granduciel and Dave Hartley from The War on Drugs with help from special guest friends. Sounds like a local music family affair that you don’t want to miss! Johnny Brenda’s, 1201 N Frankford Ave., 9pm, $10, 21+ – Q.D. Tran

Check out and download for free below the beautiful new remix by Seattle’s Beat Connection of Sun Airway’s “Close,” the first single from their upcoming album Soft Fall due out October 2. Sun Airway will be performing next on August 24 at the Museum of Art and Design in NYC for the opening exhibition of The Baby Castles Summit, a three-day series of talks, panels, bands, hands-on workshops and custom video game installations designed by Keita Takahashi, game designer of Japan’s Katamari Damacy. They’ll also be on tour this fall with M83. Enjoy!

Tonight in the basement of the First Unitarian Church there will be a good old-fashion rock show hosted by local indie noodlers Algernon Cadwallader. They’ve been on tour all August with NY buds Joyce Manor, so this homecoming show will probably be that much sweatier/louder. The last time Algernon played the Church they were in support of Hop Along’s record release show, but the band is still riding on their excellent Parrot Flies LP. Their jubilant, skittering punk rock has been gaining speed of late, so it is nice to see these mainstays get some more attention. Scranton, PA pop-punkers Tigers Jaw and Philly somewhat weird indie but still punk group Kite Party are opening the show, which is SOLD OUT, so sucks for you slackers.  First Unitarian Church, 2125 Chestnut St., 7pm, $10 (SOLD OUT), All Ages – Adam G.

MilkBoy Philly continues to bring its one-year anniversary celebration into the weekend. There is a certain authority, which Chill Moody brings to every song, a determination that he exudes with every turn of a phrase. As he weaves from one rhyme to the next, crafting stories, which move at the steady confident strides of his voice. With relevant razor-sharp lyrics that seamlessly transition compelling the pure undivided attention of every listener at all times, Chill Moody has a repertoire which exhibits the potential of prowess, when an artist takes his craft seriously, allowing talent and effort to combine forces at execution. Each song has a message and during his live sets, he has a backing band that pushes it to the forefront. Also bringing their mixture of Americana infused retro-pop rock, The Lawsuits find a way of combining the vocal interplay of Brian Dale Allen Strouse and Vanessa Winters with instrumentation that is polished with bluesy soulful grooves and simple guitar that highlight classic ingredients cooked to near perfection. Tonight’s bill will be rounded out by Gang and Johnny Showcase. Milkboy 1100 Chestnut St., 8:30, Free, 21+ – Michael Colavita

The first band to hit the Main Stage this year was Portland, ME standouts This Way. The vintage Americana group has been friends of KahBang for some time and never fail to bring the place alive. The revivalist, wandering lyrics and vocal delivery reminded us a bit of Willie Nelson, which is never a bad thing. Flushed out by great banjo playing and strong female vocals, the band set the tone for the rest of the evening.

Following This Way was another local favorite, The Mallett Brothers Band.  The Stetson-adorned, country-folk group were a nice mix between Old Crow Medicine Show and The Avett Brothers.  They had a total of 4 guitars on stage, and all of them, from acoustic to slide could play.

Late Cambrian played an impossibly catchy set over on the 2nd stage. Their music was power pop à la Mathew Sweet or Ozma. The energetic group could churn out a synthpop ditty as well as a disco-punk song one after another. They had a song called “Ryan Gosling,” and at one point, they played a snippet of “Blackbird,” which was pretty cool.

Lady Lamb The Beekeeper finished off the 2nd stage with a bang. Backed by The Milkman’s Union, she performed one of the most blistering sets of the festival. Aly, a.k.a. Lady Lamb, makes manic, angular indie rock that perfectly compliments her powerful voice. She may have had a small, unassuming stature, but their sound was huge. She would chirp and then scream through her paranoid, asymmetrical tracks, leaving the listener to just sit back and admire. Her set was wayyyyy too short, but she finished it with an amazing rap that made mince meet of Missy. She has a new album that is already recorded and just waiting for a release date, so make sure to keep an eye out for that.

Check out a bunch more PHOTOS from KahBang right HERE. – Adam G.

Here’s a beautifully done music video from Turning Violet Violet for their standout track “Cold Bread.” There is some eye-catching acrobatic work provided by Philadelphia School of Circus Arts’ Niff Nichols. Turning Violet Violet will be performing tonight at Kung Fu Necktie with The Sky Drops and Birthmark (featuring Nate Kinsella from Joan of Arc).

Tonight is the kick-off to MilkBoy Philly’s one-year anniversary celebration run. Since expanding from Ardmore, they’ve also moved their studio work to Philly taking over the fine space that used to be Larry Gold’s The Studio. The fledgling Center City venue has invited New Jersey songwriter Pete Donnelly, local Americana rock five-piece The Kalob Griffin Band, and Reed Kendall’s Up the Chain to get things rolling this evening. All the shows that are part of the anniversary celebration are free so swing on by and toast to what has already been a good beginning. Cheers! MilkBoy Philly, 1100 Chestnut St., 9pm, Free, 21+ – H.M. Kauffman

The Milkman’s Union, for us, was possibly the best “discovery” of this KahBang, by not only backing some of the most anticipated acts of the fest, but also delivering one of the more captivating sets of music we have seen in a while. When they were on stage, there was a nonchalance and introverted swagger to the group, while their intricate folk songs showed a deep knowledge and appreciation for the music they make. Frontman Henry Jamison writes thoughtful, naturally steeped laments. The lyrics are barrel-aged, romantic. His voice is various shades of blue. Their music is loosely labeled as fingerpicking folk, but it utilizes their large range of influences. We saw their set at the Think.Maine Stage on Friday at KahBang as well as the night before at Sea Dogs Brewery. They killed it both times, and had Aly Spaltro a.k.a. Lady Lamb the Beekeeper join them both times to perform their most recent single “Texas Hold Me” which featured Spaltro on vocals, obviously. Ever since their jarring, beautiful rendition of “Bright and Future” on Friday, we haven’t been able to stop listening to them. Check them out, and we imagine that you’ll do the same.

We caught a few songs by Aloud from Boston. They, as their name depicted, were loud-as-shit, guitar-driven rock.  The female-fronted act featured powerful vocals and rollicking roots rock guitar. 

Over on the 2nd Stage, we caught a great set by Darlingside. The globetrotting string-folk collective utilize unintimidating instruments to make, at times, surprisingly hard-hitting music. Made up of individual songwriters each with their own flair, the classically-trained band creates layers of harmonies and laced melodies. The violin playing was especially impressive, though they could all play.  In my notebook, I wrote down “Blow the House Down” so that song was apparently especially good, but also the hanging speakers were blowing a precariously large amount, so I could have just been nervous.

Keep an eye out for more coverage soon!

Check out our photos from Day 1 right HERE. – Adam G.

Yeah, we were going to write you a reminder about Grimace Federation’s bimonthly residency “Popular Science” happening tonight at Kung Fu Necktie with Damn Right!, Beard o Bees (the solo project of Jesse Miller from Lotus), Sonkin and DJ Thibault, but they provided us with a much better promo video than what we would have come up with. Shit starts at 9pm so get your “great ass” over there!