Body Meat is the musical alias of Christopher Taylor, whose newest release Truck Music represents a radical departure in vision from their earlier rock-oriented works. Backed by an evolving cast of players, the most recent iteration of the project features Mathew Anderegg on percussion. The constant volley of rhythmic samples and synths hammer the listener with the driving force of post-punk played out through an R&B lens. On the whole, Truck Music is more groove than grind – the momentum behind each track favors danceability over thrashing. Recordings like “No Garden” eek out traces of James Blake’s early works, reconfiguring sounds from the post-dub movement of the early 2010’s into music that is absolutely refreshing. Truck Music feels progressive, in that it is creatively expansive with little regard for boundaries, and yet the new direction feels wholly intuitive and natural. (Photo by Daniel Brennan) – Josh Kelly
Beers in your face on Cal Rifkin’s “Sleeper Hold”
The Replacements, $3 malt liquor, summer vacation, Cal Rifkin‘s music conjurs sounds and memories, a commendable accomplishment. All the ingredients for success are there and are intuitively executed. The driving, lo-fi rock sound, the sentimental lyrics, the secretly sick guitar solo, oh the fond memories that I’m sure it would evoke in me if I had any fond memories of high school and college parties. Rifkin has the basics down, and the result is music made with passion; music that can satisfy the short-attention spans of the inebriated; music that can engage you while also secretly helping you to achieve catharsis. To this I say well done sir!
-Mike Dranove
Johnny Darlin debuts music video for “Way With Words”
The lush vocals of Brooklyn, NY musician Johnny Darlin slip into the eardrums of the listener early on in his single “Way With Words,” and with the assistance of sixties-styled vocal harmonies, delayed guitar licks, and a groovy drum beat create a sedating listening experience. The lounge-pop sound of Johnny Darlin is intriguing enough as it is, and yet the accompanying music video to the single adds another layer of interest for the listener—the setting of an Arkansas church, where Darlin entertains the devotees, is transformed into a bubbly dance dream to the sound of his baritone voice. The video for “Way With Words” was released last month, and the song is available in his 2018 EP of the same name. Johnny Darlin knows how to tell a good story, see it for yourself here. – Rene Cobar
Weekend Warrior, April 19 – 21
The Madalean Gauze Band commemorates its latest release, Nothing Feels Beautiful Anymore (The Deli Philly’s April Record of the Month), with a fantabulous show this Saturday at Boot & Saddle. The all-female outfit unites an enchanting/tumultuous resound – one that taps into deeply personal songwriting, while retaining a playful, psych approach. That ability to acknowledge life’s pleasantries and pitfalls, as part of a larger learning experience, is encapsulated in beguilingly memorable tunes, which will be brought to life at one of our favorite Philly listening rooms. The femme fatales will also be supported by the fantasy daydream of Tim Meskers’s Garden Gate and the Jo Kusy-fronted four-piece Pouring Silver. So for those of you who are looking for a bit of 4/20 weirdness, you now know where to go. – Michael Colavita
Other places where you can escape your family this Easter weekend…
Boot & Saddle (1131 S. Broad St.) FRI Rat Daddy, Dreamswell, Cody Cody Jones, SAT The Madalean Gauze Band (Album Release), Garden Gate, Pouring Silver
Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.) SAT DJ Mike Nyce, Mr. Sonny James: Philly Loves Prince
Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) FRI DJ Deejay, SAT Shitty Wizard, Seeing Snakes/DJSC, SUN Nightfall, The Brood, Arseholes
Underground Arts (1200 Callowhill St.) FRI Control Top, SAT Sixteen Jackies, SUN Year of the Knife, Kaonashi, Simulakra
The Trocadero (1003 Arch St.) SAT Four Twenty Fest: Dawns Divide, Near Nightmare, Big Handsome, Black Melanite, Knolling Bones
TLA (334 South St.) SUN Bry Greatah
The Foundry (1000 Frankford Ave.) SUN Varials
World Café Live (3025 Walnut St.) SAT (Upstairs) Gigantic (A Pixies Tribute), DJ Alex Vance/(Downstairs) Splintered Sunlight, Jah People
The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) FRI Dead:Stop (Acoustic), Groundwork, SAT Famous & Fallen, Night Mission
MilkBoy Philly (1100 Chestnut St.) SAT The Donuts, SUN Jamaaladeen Tacuma
Ortlieb’s Lounge (847 N. 3rd St.) SAT Levee Drivers, The Valets
The Barbary (951 Frankford Ave.) SAT Welter, Mr. Lisp
Bourbon & Branch (705 N. 2nd St.) FRI Tim Timur, Kevin Schultes and The Wild Dogs, SAT Dappa, Lil’ Blanco, Jaded
Silk City (435 Spring Garden St.) FRI Bo Bliz, SAT DJ Deejay
Connie’s Ric Rac (1132 S. 9th St.) SAT October Black
Voltage Lounge (421 N. 7th St.) FRI DJ Mighty Mike Saga, Elijvh Vrms
Century (1350 S. 29th St.) FRI Los Gueys (Tape Release), Trash Boy, Roadkiller, Total Whine, SAT The Magnificent Shit Hawks
The Tusk (430 South St.) FRI Bunny Savage and The Plibmen, Under 95, Gozer, SAT Punk Rock Karaoke
The Grape Room (105 Grape St.) FRI Los Festingos, The Classic Hunt, El Dwellers, SAT Dot.Gov
Ardmore Music Hall (23 E. Lancaster Ave.) SAT Friend’s of the Devil’s Lettuce: Aron Magner
Rusty Nail (2580 Haverford Ave.) FRI Luminous Fins
Frankie Bradley’s (1320 Chancellor St.) FRI Ben Aire, SAT Ed Christof
Creep Records (1050 N. Hancock St.) SAT Youthfool
No Face Studios (5213 Grays Ave.) FRI Mattress Food, Johanna Baumann
Warehouse on Watts (923 N. Watts St.) FRI Winkdown, SAT Matthew Law presents Friends & Fam
Pickle Rehearsal Space (5213 Grays Ave., Unit B14) SAT Darlingtyn, Hambone Relay, Erik Kramer
The Music Ward (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI Church Girls, Grayling, Soupy, SAT JamL
Cousin Danny’s (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI Taiwan Housing Project, Chronic Anxiety, Mute Host
New Sun God EP Available for Streaming & Purchase
The quartet of Sun God has a new EP out, titled Life Skills. A breezy ease creates a composed yet energy-charged, melodic motion. Proximity with a sense of cohesive precision, the record retains a personal, polished dynamic. Sun God will be performing this evening at Anthorna Gallery, joined by locals Cherry, Bleary Eyed, and New York’s RNIE.
NTHNL’s introspective and exploratory new single “Away We Go”
Music doesn’t have to be confrontational, hammering away or building tension, in order to convey to the listener a sense of gratification. NTHNL has chosen a path of escapism rather than digging into gritty details on “Away We Go,” opting for broad synths and effervescent vocals that lift the track to a headspace that is both introspective and exploratory. Drifting up and down doesn’t mean the production is aimless, however; the seemingly skeletal nature of the song traces the miniature climaxes that occur with every chorus. It’s a delightful soundscape, perfunctory yet powerful. “Away We Go” is the second single off NTHNL’s upcoming album and you can stream it below. –Tucker Pennington
Beauty Queen stakes a vibe that is all her own on “Sold You Out,” new EP out 4/19
Kate Iannitello, the artful mind behind Beauty Queen, is set to release her new EP, Out Of Touch, tomorrow. And with two singles already released, we were blessed with her latest drop, “Sold You Out.” Although her sound might be familiar to that of Beach House and Jack Antonoff’s Bleachers, she has staked a vibe that is all her own. Sending dreamy pop sensations up and down her listener’s spine, Iannitello is an instant starter pack to your beach day.
Out of Touch is out tomorrow, April 19 via Sleep Well Records. Kayla Hay
No Beyond by Bound is legit post-rock
I didn’t know it was possible to make good music with even more reverb than Mogwai, but Bound does it, quite well I might add. Nuthin like a good ol fashioned post-rock buildup into climax to make an impact on your overloaded senses. As Ronald Reagan once said, “One thing ’bout music when it hits you feel no pain.” And you gotta appreciate the thought and effort they are putting into the tracks; this is some primo sound design, expense not spared here. Seriously, I listened with headphones and I was basking in the tone quality. Even if you don’t love post-rock, check this out.
Stand out tracks: Current, Hold
-Mike Dranove
Malibu Blackout release single “Addy” on 04.26; play Springwater Supper Club 05.16
Malibu Blackout brands themselves online as "//fuzz//rock//pop//dance//move//yo//ass", which seems accurate, considering their first two singles "What I’ve Done" and "For The World" have a sizable funky dance rock vibe for a rising band. The trio’s new single "Addy" will drop on April 26th, and from snippets on Facebook, it sounds like it’ll pack quite a punch. If you want to catch Malibu Blackout live, you can see them perform at Springwater Supper Club on May 16th along with Boston-based visitors Blindspot and fellow local acts Pickup Sticks and The Down Squad. Until then, and until "Addy" drops, jam out to "For The World" below. – Will Sisskind
Fauvely “What the Living Do”
Fauvely has released a new single called “What the Living Do” via Diversion Records. This is primarily the work of Sophie Brochu, and this is the first single from her upcoming EP which is due out on May 17th. On this project Sophie is joined by Dale Price, Scott Cortez, and Dave Piscotti.
You can help Fauvely celebrate the release this EP on May 20th with a free show at Empty Bottle with Uma Bloo and Star Tropics.
Photo by Rachel Winslow
Divino Niño “Maria” Video
Divino Niño have released a video for their latest single “Maria” which is taken from their forthcoming LP, Foam.
The album is due out on June 21st via Winspear, and can be preordered here.
You can catch Divino Niño on May 2nd at Thalia Hall with Crumb.
Gina Biver’s “Mirror” is 2spooky
The Fuse Ensemble achieves full spookiness on “Mirror” from The Music of Gina Biver. The track features a discordant string/piano thing with Gina Biver intoning, “something looks back each time I move, oh demon mask, sad, turned down mouth” from American poet Colette Inez’s poem “Empress in the Mirror.” In all, the creative mixing and pleasantly random improvisation is able to get the spooky sound, or as the liner notes put it, “awakening new shapes and realities while the repetitive nature of the Biver’s electric guitar maintains an underlying continuing, eternal presence.”
I could see some cool audio/visual collab on this one.
-Mike Dranove