Author Archives: Laura Jane Brubaker

August 29, 2012 | 11:35 AM | By

Today’s Concert Picks: Strapping Fieldhands and Spinning Leaves at Rittenhouse Square; West Philly Orchestra @ Penn Museum

It’s a good day for good music in the City of Brotherly Love, and we’ve got the run-down on two little shows especially worth checking out. First up is the last installment in Philadelphia Weekly’s annual Concerts in the Park series. Local indie rock staples Strapping Fieldhands will take the stage at Rittenhouse Square, joined by Philly folk rockers The Spinning Leaves. The show is free and starts at 7p.m.; more information is available here. Below, stream “The Promontory Wind” from The Spinning Leaves’ album Love.

And the righteous and riotous Balkan-meets-tango-meets-the-world dance tune dudes and ladies in the West Philadelphia Orchestra will be taking to the garden at the Penn Museum for a night of boisterous, jubilant back-in-the-old-country jams. Don’t miss it, and don’t forget your dancing shoes. Admission to the all-ages performance is $5, which includes museum admission. The event runs from 5 p.m. to 8; more information is available here. Continue reading →

FILED UNDER: Concert Previews, Events, Strapping Fieldhand, The Spinning Leaves, West Philadelphia Orchestra
August 27, 2012 | 9:30 AM | By

Today’s Concert Picks: Chris Harford, Oh! Pears, Toy Soldiers at JB’s; Kevin Killen at North Star; Gemini Wolf at Silk City

Local orchestral rock favorites Oh! Pears will play their last hometown show before frontman Corey Duncan ships on out to the west coast. His band — along with soul rockers Toy Soldiers — will open for Princeton-based singer, songwriter and visual artist Chris Harford and his Band of Changes (which features members of Ween and Dr. Dog). Doors at Johnny Brenda’s open at 8 and the show starts at 9; tickets to the 21+ event are available for $10 here. Below, stream “The Sounding of the Earth” from Oh! Pears European Tour release.

Philly americana artist Kevin Killen will serenade the night away with a free show at the North Star Bar Victorian Dining Room. He’ll be opening for Elkins Park artist Christopher Michael, who has played for a number of Philly area hard-indie bands but has recently taken the folky road himself. The 21+ show is free and starts at 8pm (more information is available on the Facebook event page). Below, stream Christopher Michael’s “Home.”

Finally, glitchy Philly psych-pop duo Gemini Wolf will rock Silk City tonight with local psych-rock team A Study In Terror. Get your fill of psyched-out vibes presented by BITBY, who are also hosting DJs to round out the set. Admission to the 21+ event is $7; show starts at 9. Below, stream Gemini Wolf’s “Thirst” from their album Infinite Sand Dunes.

FILED UNDER: Concert Previews, Events, A Study in Terror, Chris Harford, Christopher Michael, Gemini Wolf, Kevin Killen, Oh! Pears, Toy Soldiers
August 25, 2012 | 1:09 PM | By

Jam out today at this year’s Philly Naked Bike Ride

As if you needed another reason to attend this year’s highly-anticipated Philly Naked Bike Ride, here’s one: live music. This year, pre-ride entertainment will be provided by the local blues smooth-jammers in the George Urgo Band plus an acoustic set from Philly rockers Music Box Dynamo. Let these fine gents provide the soundtrack to your gearing up and getting out in support of sustainable transportation and bicycle rights. The PNBR will start at 4pm and pre-ride festivities will begin a bit before. To find out where to go, sign up for the Ride’s email newsletter here. Below, listen to “Stay All Night” from the George Urgo Band’s demo.

FILED UNDER: Events, George Urgo Band, Music Box Dynamo, Philly Naked Bike Ride
August 24, 2012 | 4:30 PM | By

Johnny Brenda’s bike corral plan wins community approval

Following Tuesday’s community vote, residents of Fishtown voted in support of a plan to install in-street bike parking at Johnny Brenda’s. This vote follows South Kensington residents’ approval of a similar endeavor at Kung Fu Necktie last week. The Mayor’s office of Transportation and Utilities initially offered installation of these bike corrals (which consist of 6 U-racks in a row) to 10 interested businesses, free of charge. Now that both venues have secured community approval, the project moves under the consideration of City Council president Rep. Darrell Clarke, in whose district the venues reside. According to City Council Communications Director Jane Roh, once City Council receives official word on the votes from the neighborhood civic associations, City Council will move forward with green-lighting the project.

FILED UNDER: News, Johnny Brenda's, Kung Fu Necktie
August 24, 2012 | 12:10 PM | By

Watch a video for “Only In My Dreams” from Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti (playing Union Transfer 9/15)

Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti has just released the first music video from their latest album, Mature Themes. Directed by Travis Peterson, the VHS-vibe music vid is awash in a heavy suffusion of late-80s SoCal kitsch (it’s a surprise that a young Christian Slater never boards through the frame), paired with the lo-fi Byrdsy sound that makes up the song itself. Pink’s homonymous bangs get heavy screentime, and the song and video together excel as a brief testament to the fleeting eclipses of young love. Below, watch Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti’s video for “Only In My Dreams.” Don’t miss Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti playing Union Transfer on Saturday, September 15th. Tickets are available here starting at $16.

FILED UNDER: Concert Previews, Events, News, Ariel Pink, Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti
August 23, 2012 | 4:45 PM | By

Check out Chill Moody at MilkBoy and in New York on #nicethingsTV

In the latest episode from Chill Moody’s #nicethingsTV, the Philly hip-hop star takes us on tour to play a show at NYC’s SOBS. The video also features footage from the MilkBoy 1-year anniversary show. Watch the video below, and don’t miss Chill Moody performing this Saturday at the Hybrid Festival at Black Diamond Skatepark, from noon to 7p.m. (more information is available here), and later at the NAACP’s This Is My Vote Unity Music Fest, which takes place Saturday at the Philadelphia Museum of Art on September 29.

FILED UNDER: Artists, Events, Chill Moody
August 23, 2012 | 2:43 PM | By

Watch a new video from Major Lazer for “Get Free”

Local-boy-gone-L.A. Diplo teamed up with former Major Lazer-mate Switch and The Dirty Projector‘s Amber Coffman for his latest single, “Get Free.” The group worked with director SoMe to produce a new music video for the song, which is notable for its low-key vibes and laid-back flutey tones. “Get Free” is featured on Major Lazer’s forthcoming album, Free the Universe, out November 6th on Downtown/Mad Decent. Watch the video for “Get Free” below.

FILED UNDER: Artists, Recordings, Diplo, Dirty Projectors, Major Lazer