February 7, 2013 | 9:15 AM | By

Tonight’s Concert Picks: The Gallerist at North Star Bar, Laser Background at Kung Fu Necktie

FILED UNDER: Artists, Concert Previews, Events, Kung Fu Necktie, Laser Background, North Star Bar, The Gallerist

The Gallerist’s Mike Collins boasts Boston roots, but he sounds more Blue Ridge Mountains or the Mississippi delta than Bean Town.  Collins writes sinewy, textured bluegrass.  He’s not a musician with a lot of tricks or frills, and his resulting recordings are sparse in a way that allows their lyrical and emotional content take the spotlight.  Collins has relocated to Philadelphia in recent years, and will be taking the literal spotlight at North Star Bar tonight.  He’ll be playing with Moon Palace, Bombadil, and Mostly Maybe.  Tickets and information for the 21+ show are available here.  Below, watch the video Collins made for Kickstarter in 2011 in which he explains his recent work and upcoming project.

Laser Background tags itself as “pop candy dream magic psych Philadelphia.”  That sounds about right.  The project has an aesthetic straight out of the Twilight Zone and a sound that could have been used as theme music for Lost in Space if the series were turned into an arcade game.  The man behind the lasers is Andy Molholt, formerly of The Armchairs.  This local Philly talent is touring the East Coast in the next month, so be sure to catch him before he hits the road.  Laser Background will be at Kung Fu Necktie tonight with Spanish Prisoners and Avery Rosewater.  Tickets and information for the 21+ show are available here.  Below, watch a video we recently shared for Laser Background’s “Weird Conscience.”

Laser Background – Weird Conscience from Laser Background on Vimeo.