Penrose are off to a good start in 2012 with the release of a live performance album. The 7-song EP Live From Bleecker Street offers up a suitable preview of the upcoming studio album that the Brothers Murphy are recording with Bill Moriarty, and it also features covers of Modest Mouse’s “Bukowski” and the Tallest Man on Earth’s “Love is All.” The band has something special lined up for their performance at World Café Live tonight because they’ll be debuting a new unplugged set that will be giving their charged up rock tunes a whole new interpretation. Penrose will be joined by Indieonthemove.com founders Zelazowa and the neo-psychedelic rock of Flux Capacitor. World Café Live, 3025 Walnut St., 9pm, $10 (+ processing fees), All Ages – Bill McThrill
After a copious amount of listening to music, emails, data entry and simple math, we finally have the overall results of The Deli’s Best of Philly 2011 Poll for Emerging Artists.
Congrats to Creepoid for taking home the honors this year! After placing third last year in our poll on the strength of their impressive debut EP Yellow Life Giver and buzzworthy live performances, it might not have been hard to predict for some that the grunge-y psych folk four-piece would be found at the top of our list, especially after they kicked off 2011 with the much-loved full-length Horse Heaven, were handpicked by R5’s Sean Agnew to be recorded and filmed in their own episode of Weathervane Music & WXPN’s “Shaking Through,” and featured on NPR’s “World Café: Next” as well as numerous other memorable moments throughout the year. It is easy to understand how the band received a record amount of votes from our jury of Philly music lovers and scene makers to nail down the victory from the early stages of the poll. (Creepoid Photo by Michael James Murray)
Kudos, also go out to the prolific smooth-fi/sedative-wave outfit Work Drugs for snagging the runner-up spot in this year’s poll! The band has been captivating the interweb with their seductive sounds and dreamy videos right out of the gate, which has led to the duo of Benjamin Louisiana and Thomas Crystal needing to put a live band together after receiving an invitation to hit the road with Two Door Cinema Club in their infancy. Having only been around a little more than a year, you can expect to hear more from Work Drugs in 2012 as they continue their mission of “dancing, boating, yachting, sexting and living.” They’ll be doing weekend run next week opening for Umphrey’s McGee, which will be making a stop at the Electric Factory on Saturday, February 11.
And we can’t forget about the badass monster jams of noisy psychedelic garage rockers Purling Hiss, who placed third in this year’s competition. Mike Polizze, Kiel Everett and Mike Sneeringer continue to impress audiences the old fashion way – by bringing the heat every night. Their fearless, reckless abandon on stage is a good reason why the Hiss has been signed by such well-respected indie labels and booked to tour with many stellar acts. They are currently on the road right now with hometown faves Dr. Dog. (Purling Hiss Photo by Tim Bugbee).
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Please take a moment and check out the rest of our list below. We hope that you discover your next favorite artist.
PO PO premiered a creepy new music video that turns strangely romantic today via Stereogum for the tracks “Teen Dreamz” and “Let’s Get Away.” However, it seems like the story doesn’t end there. The video was directed Clayton Vomero. PO PO’s album Dope Boy Magick will be released February 28 via Mad Decent.
It’s hard not to be drawn to Tutlie’s track “Giantess.” The song’s tranquil xylophone sounds gently seep into your subconscious as Jessie Radlow’s seductively beautiful vocals and wandering, come-hither lyrics takes you on a liberating, joyous journey. Coupled with Christina Klaproth’s harmonies creating a one-two punch that you’d gladly take without putting up any defenses. They are also joined by a fine band of musicians with Josa Lazas (Golden Ages, Strand of Oaks), Tony Rossi (Streaks of Light), and Asher Brooks providing the well-orchestrated sonic backdrop. Now, I know that you are probably over the whole Kickstarter-type thing with the bazillion projects begging for your funding. However, take a listen to “Giantess,” and hopefully it will inspire you to help make Tutlie’s album Young Cries come to life by donating HERE. You can also catch them live tomorrow night at Kung Fu Necktie when they open for White Birds and Univox. – H.M. Kauffman
Here is a new music video for Corey Regensburg, a.k.a. Moon Bounce, Philly’s own sound collage Wunderkind who is currently working on his much-anticipated debut LP. The video for “Telephone” is a surreal, crisp experience that utilizes a seemingly mundane set-up of a “murdered out” Regensburg with nothing but a touchtone phone and a blurry female. The song bends and grinds in all its post-R&B glory. The clip was created by Kyle Stetz a.k.a. there is a mountain (look out for him), Kerry Gilbert a.k.a. Science Fiction Fantasy (ditto), and Michael Boyce. Enjoy and keep an ear out for more releases!
Psychedelic electro glam rockin’/Prince lovin’ crew Nicos Gun will be headlining Johnny Brenda’s tonight. The gang said goodbye to a successful 2011 and welcomed the New Year with their first full-length album Plush. They recently had to cancel an appearance earlier this week at Lit Lounge in NYC due to illness so let’s hope what was ailing them is over and send some positive vibes for all to be well. This will be Nicos Gun’s last show in Philly before they make the big move to Los Angeles so catch them while you can because who knows when they’ll be back. Oh LA, you seductive siren. How many more of our artists are you going to buy from us with promises of fame and fortune? Well, tonight is your chance to give Nicos Gun a proper sendoff. They will be joined by Drgn King and Brooklyn’s Fort Lean, who will be making their debut in Philly. Johnny Brenda’s, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 9pm, $10, 21+ – H.M. Kauffman
Being a band with a “thing” or a “shtick” can as easily work against you as it can for you. For The Kominas, their radical Islamic punk ideology was picked up by various notable publications that focused mostly on the disparate image of the defiant Muslims rather than discussing the music they were making. People say that there is no such thing as bad press, and ultimately The Kominas succeeded in opening eyes, rejecting preconceptions and fueling the Taqwacore scene, but writers and critics seemed more concerned with the idea of the band than the actual execution of their music. Now, after a bit of a lull, the band has “reinvented” itself (in a way) on its latest full-length Kominas, and enmeshed itself in the Philly music scene with the addition of Hassan Ali Malik a.k.a. Sunny Ali. With the new line-up, comes an arguably more casual agenda with less direct protest as much as tongue-in-cheek cynicism. They have the same goals; they are just taking a different route.
The album’s opener, “Aviation,” is an instrumental interlude that is punk and anthemic, down to the drum corps-style snare work. It is playful and full of attitude, much like the rest of the album. “Tahrir Square Dance” kicks the album into gear with reckless abandon and plays on the “Walk Like an Egyptian” trope in a way that actually makes the original song seem kind of racist. The following track, and my personal favorite, is “Disco Uncle” which is effectively a song long metaphor about the death of an “era.” The tune, along with the rest of the album, will remind most people of The Clash both lyrically and musically, especially the chorus that sounds like the long lost brother of “Rudie Can’t Fail” and includes the memorable lyrics: “Uncle took us to the show/He even got us blow/Now he’s spinning on his head/Uncle Disco’s dead.” The LP continues in a similar infused punk style with the skittering disco-punk “Left, Right Left” and the rollicking surf rock tune appropriately titled, “No One Gonna Honor Kill My Baby (But Me),” another flash of humor and arguably the best title on the full-length.
The album succeeds by keeping things loose, but making poignant statements within all the mockery and wit. The band is punk with or without the music, so even the more psychedelic backend of the album including “Nafs Said” and “My Friend, My Friend” have jagged edges. The closer, “Bhung Ho,” leaves the album on a clamoring but somewhat serene note. It ambles, it patters, it crashes, it squeals, and it dissolves. Kominas is gone as quickly as it came leaving behind a trail of inflammatory statements and battered eardrums. Once the ringing in your ears subsides though, hopefully some of the message will persist. You can download Kominas for free HERE. – Adam G.
Gerhardt Koerner will be performing tonight at Kung Fu Necktie. You may know his genteel, wafty vocals from his work with HiSoft where he was their lead songwriter. Koerner also spent a stint with the Lilys and as of recent with local psych rockers The Sound of Kaleidoscope. His minimalist compositions simply with an acoustic guitar and vocals are impressive as he effortlessly pulls you into a floating, dream-like state with his cinematic tunes making it easy to swoon and sway with your initial listen. Do yourself a favor and come check him out this evening. Kung Fu Necktie, 1250 Front St., 9pm, $5, 21+ – H.M. Kauffman
Below is a backstage performance from fledgling acoustic trio Market East at their record release show on January 27, 2012 at Kung Fu Necktie. The band treats us to a “casually inspiring” rendition of the song “Elena” off their debut self-titled EP. Special thanks to BITBY for sharing.
One of our faves, Power Animal, debuted today the title track from their forthcoming tape Exorcism via No Fear of Pop. The album will be co-released by Crash Symbols and the band’s own label/charitable non-profit organization Human Kindness Overflowing on February 21. All profits from digital sales will be donated to Philabundance, a local charity organization that provides food to the needy in the area. You can take a listen and download the song “Exorcism” below. Enjoy!
Below is a hypnotic new track and music video from Gracie called “Southern Place.” The song will appear on his upcoming EP Treehouse (due out February 7 via Small Plates Records). The video was directed, shot and edited by Brendan Canty and Conal Thomson of Feel Good Lost. Gracie will be performing this Friday at Johnny Brenda’s with Snowmine and Tours for WXPN’s Philadelphia Bandcamp Hunter Series.
Congrats to Philly-raised emcee Asaad for winning our Best of Philly 2011 for Emerging Artists Fans’ Poll! Living by the motto “both feet on the ground, touching the sky,” the “peaceful warrior” has battled his way to the top repping the #DIRTYMIDDLECLASS, which is his new album that you can download for free HERE. Also look out a new EP coming soon!
Our polls are designed to help indie artists gain more exposure, and electro acoustic pop duo Great View of the Moon came out of nowhere putting themselves on the radar. The group is made up of Ryan Stapleton and Ian Miller, and they succeeded in the difficult task of winning over our Deli Editors to advance past the Open Submission phase and rallying their fans to take runner-up. Kudos!
Chipocrite a.k.a. Paul Weinstein (former bassist of local jamtronfusion outfit MJ Project) came in a very close third this year. The 8-bit advocate represented his genre proudly in 2011. We expect to hear much more from the Game Boy-obsessed sound artist in the future.
Thanks to all who participated! Look out for the overall results of our Year End Poll (which includes Jurors’ and Deli Writers’ votes) coming very soon so stay tuned!
