Philadelphia

Fursaxa for Sure at Highwire Gallery June 17

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Philly native, Tara Burke’s freak-folk project Fursaxa started back in 1999 after her previous band UN broke up. Since then, Burke has released 8 albums worth of material on various independent labels as well as self-releasing five more albums. Each of Fursaxa’s songs has a haunting, alluring quality which puts listeners into a hypnotic trance. Burke’s unique sound comes from her heavily layered vocal tracks, which combine beautifully with acoustic guitar and minimalist keyboards. Aside from her solo work with Fursaxa, Burke has also collaborated with fellow Philly freak-folkster and Espers’ band member Helena Espvall in the duo’s Anahita as well as British singer-songwriter Sharron Kraus in the dark folk project, Tau Emerald. Kraus is also on the evening’s bill, along with Weyes Blood and Laughing Eye Weeping Eye. Highwire Gallery, 2040 Frankford Ave., $6, 8pm, All Ages – Dan Brightcliffe
 
Philadelphia

New Music Video: “I Can’t Sleep at Night” – Dry Feet

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Below is new music video from surf punk trio Dry Feet for “I Can’t Sleep at Night” from their 7”, which was released in April via Evil Weevil. The footage was shot and edited by Eddie Austin (of Philadelphia Beach). Now, we know that you are going to want to steal their nifty dance moves for the club, but all rights are reserved by Dry Feet. Enjoy! – The Deli Staff
 

Philadelphia

The Deli’s Featured Artist(s) Poll Winners: Cold Fronts

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The band Cold Fronts is proof that music has the power to bring old-time rivals together in harmony. And though their name might hint at a darker sound, their bright, catchy indie pop tunes might be a good way to bring a ray of sunshine through dismal, cloudy days and possibly incite spontaneous sing-alongs. The house show lovin’ crew recently won our Featured Artist(s) Poll so we had chance to throw our get-to-know-you questions at Cold Fronts’ Craig Almquist, which you can check out below. You can also catch them live this Tuesday, June 21 at Kung Fu Necktie.
 
The Deli: How did the band start? 
 
Craig Almquist: We’ve known each other since high school, but were in rival bands. Also coincidentally, we kind of hated each other because most of us also dated/stole each other’s girlfriends. It actually really only formed in January after we ended up all living in Philadelphia, and we decided to drop our beef.
 
TD: Where did the band name Cold Fronts come from?
 
CA: Thought it was a cool name. Plus Philly be cold.
 
TD: What are your biggest musical influences?
 
CA: Planes and trains, partying, movies, taking it to the next level, women, the weather, being poor… This list could go on for pages.
 
TD: What artists (local, national and/or international) are you currently listening to?
 
CA: The Powder Kegs, Odd Future… We listen to a lot of classics like Gang of Four, Wu-Tang, Bruce Springsteen, Sam Cooke, and The Beach Boys.
 
TD: What’s the first concert that you ever attended and first album that you ever bought?
 
CA: Our guitarist, Shaky Jake, once saw the Grateful Dead when he was only six weeks old. And unfortunately, the first record I bought was probably Astro Lounge (The Smash Mouth album).
 
TD: What do you love about Philly?
 
CA: Ed’s Pizza, weather, the house shows, bike lanes, The Rathaus.
 
TD: What do you hate about Philly?
 
CA: Biddies, weather and the public transportation, beer distributer hours, our jobs. 
 
TD: What are your plans for 2011?
 
CA: Drop a trail of 7"s and play a lot of fun shows, start a bidding war between Rough Trade and Sub-Pop.
 
TD: What was your most memorable live show?
 
CA: We’ve had too many unforgettable stunts to pick just one show. When we debuted at our practice space the RATHAUS, Craig chipped his tooth on the first song. At the final Flop House show the crowd rushed the stage as we started the set and knocked all three amps and the cymbals on the ground. There was a RATHAUS show where Shaky Jake launched off stage and crowd-surfed. We love playing live shows.
 
TD: What’s your favorite thing to get at the deli?
 
CA: Beer and cigs.  
 
– The Deli Staff

 

Philadelphia

Your Children is Beautiful, Synth Sircus, and More at Millcreek Tavern June 16

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It’s been pretty quiet in the Your Children is Beautiful camp. Maybe it’s because they are busy working on a 15+ song album entitled DIE COOL or it could just be that the scraggly crew’s chilled-out, gentle indie pop is generally not that loud in the first place. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t make some noise when they take the stage tonight at Millcreek Tavern armed with plenty of new tunes. And from improvisational progressions and sonic frequencies to talking computer and classic video game consoles, Synth Sircus is one of those collectives that you can’t exactly figure out until you experience them live. To a point, even they don’t know sometimes since their musical collage is often designed as they play along. Debuting in 2010, the analog sideshow has featured members of Agent Moosehead, Grimace Federation, Music For Headphones, Aunt Dracula, and a whole host of other performers so expect the surprises to continue. Also on the lineup are Cannons, who will be injecting some rock into the evening of chillness. They recently released their new EP Cuddled By Giants (which you can take a listen to and purchase HERE) so there should be plenty of new material circulating among the bands. Add in the one-man synth project of Time Ghost and New York’s You Bred Raptors?, and you now have a reason to swing by the Millcreek to grab a drink or ten. Millcreek Tavern, 4200 Chester Ave., 9pm, $5, 21+ – Bill McThrill
 

 

Philadelphia

Free Download: “Same Mistake” – Clap Your Hands Say Yeah

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Clap Your Hands Say Yeah just made their first track “Same Mistake” from their upcoming third album Hysterical available for free download (in exchange for your name and email address). You can stream it and grab your copy below. Hysterical will be self-released on September 20 in the U.S. and September 12 in the UK, Europe, and Japan. It’s their first album in four years. Enjoy! – The Deli Staff

Philadelphia

Recap and Photos: Dock Street Brewery’s 3rd Annual Philly Beer Week Music Festival

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Dock Street Brewery hosted its third annual Philly Beer Week Music Festival this past Sunday. Sponsored by yours truly (The Deli Magazine), Subaru, Drink Philly, two.one.five Magazine, Mariposa Food Co-Op, and more, the free festival had three very simple ingredients that make for a good time: tasty beers, pizzas and live music. There was no better way for me to end Philly Beer Week and enjoy the summer weather than relaxing outside with Dock Street’s Summer Session brew and a slice of vegan pizza while taking in several talented local acts. West Philly natives, Citywide Specials, kicked off the afternoon – short three members – with some sweet bluegrass tunes. You can catch their made-for-drinking-and-hanging-out sound every Thursday night at Fiume. Cranking up the blues dial and adding some good ole’ rock to wake up the lazy Sunday crowd, TJ Kong and the Atomic Bomb took over the stage performing some of their favorite little ditties which included a cover of Tom Waits’ “Way Down in the Hole” – despite minor technical difficulties. Respect was given to legendary psych rockers Bardo Pond who easily drew the biggest audience of the day (which I later found out contributed to be the largest attendance ever for the short-lived yearly event). And as always, Da Comrade! shocked innocent bystanders with their frenetic sound while delighting their faithful fans and friends. You can check out my pics from the event HERE.

Philadelphia

Far-Out Fangtooth and Creepoid Open for R. Stevie Moore & Tropical Ooze at JB’s June 15

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Lo-fi will be the theme tonight at Johnny Brenda’s when Far-Out Fangtooth and Creepoid open for “the godfather of home recordings” R. Stevie Moore, who is on his first world tour ever at age 59 backed by Brooklyn’s Tropical Ooze. Gothic psych garage rock outfit Far-Out Fangtooth plan to do a limited amount of shows until the fall as they prepare for the release of their new album in October so you should probably get to JB’s early because they will be opening the evening. And their local pals Creepoid will be having a busy summer on the road as they take advantage of singer/bassist Anna Troxell’s time off from teaching art at LaSalle University. Creepoid’s first tour this summer will kick off next Thursday, June 23 at Kung Fu Necktie when they perform at long-time buddies Nothing’s Suns and Lovers Record Release Show, who will also be joining them on tour again. Johnny Brenda’s, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 9pm, $10, 21+ (Far-Out Fangtooth Photo by Bill Snyder) – Alexis V.
 

Philadelphia

What’s This?: Tin Horses

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It’s pretty hard not to find the similarities between Tin Horses and Neil Young & Crazy Horse. Of course, there is the obvious use of the word “horse” in their names. You’ll also hear the twangs of Americana behind the down home melodies and non-traditional vocals that seem to just naturally fit. And either bands are certainly not afraid to start some raucous with their electric guitars. Well, Tin Horses are a relatively new band that follows in the fine footsteps of other local acts like The War on Drugs and Kurt Vile who have been garnering plenty of accolades on the national/international music scene lately with their tracks that feel more like they should be coming out of the heartland than our gritty City of Brotherly Love (if they didn’t possess the Philly weirdness that is infectious among our artists). Tin Horses recently released their debut EP American Radiance in March that you should check out and purchase HERE, especially if you already own the works of the previously mentioned artists. Or if you are like me, go see them live at Johnny Brenda’s tonight when they open for Nashville’s Those Darlins before dropping your hard-earned cash on some recordings. – Q.D. Tran
 

Philadelphia

Birds of Maya Headline at KFN June 14

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Birds of Maya are headlining Kung Fu Necktie tonight which is exactly how you should experience them. With speakers turned up to do some auditory damage and without the time constraints that an opening act might have (which would maybe get you three monster jams from the heavy-riffing garage rock power trio), you’ll feel bruised and battered by each note and drumbeat when this evening’s set is done, but that’s how you like it, right? Why else would you be at a Birds of Maya show? Helping to guarantee the need for hearing aids in your future will be Milk Music and Home Blitz. Kung Fu Necktie, 1250 Front St., 8pm, $8, 21+ (Photo by Dan Cohoon) – Alexis V.
 

Philadelphia

Free Download: Fuel/Friends Chapel Session – Strand of Oaks

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Colorado-based I Am Fuel You Are Friends blog recently posted their Chapel Session with Strand of Oaks (a.k.a. Tim Showalter). If you’ve taken a listen to his stellar album Pope Killdragon, then you know that the beauty and power of Showalter’s music and voice belong in the hallowed halls. You can listen and download the session for free HERE, which includes “Kill Dragon,” Leave Ruin’s “End in Flames,” and a cover of Beck’s “The Golden Age” that you can check out below. Enjoy! (Photo by Heather Browne) – The Deli Staff 

The Golden Age (Beck Cover) by Strand of Oaks

Philadelphia

Cloud Minder Open for Earth at JB’s June 13

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It’s really great to see Cloud Minder back and performing on Johnny Brenda’s stage tonight. The guys had taken a two-year hiatus after guitarist Dave Sommer began his battle with brain cancer. I hope that this is a good sign of how things are going. The post-rock four-piece creates patient, dark, brooding instrumental compositions that could sonically explode at any moment, but in their latest psychedelic adventure for the video “Two” (below) from their most recent album Reminding You of Everything Remembered, it’s the gentle calmness of the track that sucks you in giving you that constant joy of tantric sex that Sting is talking about. Well, maybe it won’t get you to Sting’s sexiness levels (BTW: that is sarcasm for those who take everything that they read literally), but it makes for fine music to add visuals to and/or sit alone with your thoughts. And probably have sex too. Nice – it’s a multi-purpose track for you to enjoy! Do what you have to do and get to JB’s early because Cloud Minder will be opening the evening for musical brethren Earth and O Paon. Johnny Brenda’s, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 9pm, $13, 21+ – Alexis V.