Over at Kung Fu Necktie, Arctic Splash will open for Creem Circus.  The Joey Sweeney-fronted band make soulful rock ‘n’ roll and it’s not hard to mistake Sweeney’s crooning for that of Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy.  The local outfit stopped by recently for a holiday-themed Key Studio session, during which they shared a few non winterized tracks as well – check out a great live version of “When You Say My Name” below and download the full session here.  Tickets and information for tonight’s 21+ show with Naked Heroes can be found here.

Local rock band Cold Roses headline MilkBoy tonight.   Though they’re from Philly, Cold Roses sound like they’re straight out of a Texas roadhouse with their old-style country rock / blues combo.  The four-piece released their debut EP The Georgia Fugue this month and have been celebrating with a string of hometown dates, including tonight’s with Dressed Like Stolen Cars and The Rivals.  Tickets and information for the 21+ show can be found here.  Stream “Lose That Man” from the EP below.

Brooklyn blog-favorites Parquet Courts will be at Voyeur for tonight’s Making Time Valentime’s Day party.   The indie rockers released their first proper full-length Light Up Gold last summer, an effort that followed up their true debut American Specialties (released exclusively on cassette and passed over by most).  Tonight, Parquet Courts come to town with Inc. for Making Time’s Valentime’s Day show with all the Making Time regulars including DJ Dave P and Sammy Slice and special guest DJ The Crystal Ark.  Tickets and information for the 21+ show can be found here.  Below, watch a live video of Parquet Courts performing “Borrowed Time.”

Benefiting Ladyfest Philadelphia, there’s a rocking cover band show happening tonight at Cha-Cha’Razzi in South Philly.   Featuring tributes to Blondie, The Breeders, B-52s and more, all proceeds will go towards the summer festival that celebrates art, music and culture in Philadelphia.  The event will also launch DIYPHL‘s new photozine highlighting a year in local DIY shows and happenings.  More information can be found here.  Watch a video of Fauxlectrelane covering “To the East” at the Sugar Town 10th Anniversary show below.

Grimace Federation‘s residency returns to Kung Fu Necktie tonight.  The “blisscore” outfit will be hosting their Popular Science evenings on the second Friday of each month beginning with tonight’s show featuring Sonkin, Wheez-IE, Yikes the Zero and Binary Bits.  In 2011 Grimace Federation stopped by for a Key Studio Session, recording a slew of songs following the release of On Velvet.  Tickets and information for the 21+ show can be found here; watch the video for “Ghosts In a Mirror” below and download the track for free here.

Local rock group The Cobbs breaks a long silence, opening for JJL tonight at Johnny Brenda’s.  Formed by brothers Ryan and Paul Cobb, the local five-piece has toured and recorded with BRMC and Kasabian.  Their spacey, dark brand of rock was lightened up a bit with melodic pop hooks on their most recent release, 2006′s The Cobbs Sing the Death Capades, which you can stream in full here (and grab a free download of “Say You Never Knew Me” here).  Tickets and information for the 21+ show with JJL and Mark Feehan can be found on XPN’s Concert Calendar.  Below, watch the video for The Cobbs’ song “Hold On.”

David Uosikkinen’s In the Pocket is at it again, this time celebrating the release of a new track at the Colonial Theatre in Phoenixville.  The “Essential Songs of Philadelphia” coalition, started by Hooters drummer Uosikkinen, chose to record The American Dream’s “I Ain’t Searching” this time around, taking the 1970 single to new heights with Hooters singer / guitarist Eric Bazilian, Smash Palace’s Steve Butler and singer-songwriter Cliff Hills.  Tickets and information for the show can be found here.  Below, watch the behind-the-scenes video for the song directed by Steve Acito.

Hot off the release of their sophomore album, New York’s Freelance Whales swim into Union Transfer tonight.  The pop band that brought us the indie gem “Hannah” on 2010′s Weathervanes charmed fans again with Diluvia and the catchy lead single “Locked Out” earlier this month.  Also performing is San Francisco synth-pop band Geographer.  Tickets are $15; with each online ticket purchase you will also get a download of Diluvia in its entirety.  Go here for more information.  The doors will open at 8:00 p.m. for the all-ages show.  Below, watch a backstage/rehearsal video for “Locked Out.”

Foot-stomping Americana band Spirit Family Reunion come to The Abbey Bar at the Appalachian Brewing Company in Harrisburg tonight.  Formed in New York City, the revivalist sextet has been receiving national praise for its debut LP No Separation, a reference to the band’s communal-style shows where the line between performer and audience member is often blurred.  Tickets for tonight’s 21+ show are $7 here; doors are at 8:00 p.m.  Below, watch the band perform around Bob Boilen’s desk for an episode of NPR’s Tiny Desk Concerts.

XPN welcomes Donavon Frankenreiter to World Cafe Live.  Tickets are $23 here for the all-ages show.  HEad over here for tickets and information.  You can pick up tickets here.  XPN also welcomes Shemekia Copeland to the Arden Gild Hall in Arden, Deleware.  Please note that Rickie Lee Jones‘ show at The Sellersville Theater has been postponed until Monday, November 12th, and the Fountains of Wayne show World Cafe Live at The Queen in Wilmington has been canceled.

WXPN Welcomes The Spinto Band May residency at Kung Fu Necktie every Tuesday in May starting next Tuesday, May 8th. Today, The Spinto Band release their new album Shy Pursuit and next week they begin their month long residency celebration with some incredible opening bands for each show. On May 8th Purples and Alec Ounsworth open; Nightlands and Via Audio open on Tuesday, May 15th; The Extraordinaires and Heyward Howkins have the honors on Tuesday, May 22nd and Cheers Elephant and Langor open the final show of the residency on May 28th. Go here for tickets and more information about the shows. The Spinto Band have compiled a free sampler of the bands playing the Kung Fu Necktie shows that you can download here. The band recently stopped by the XPN studios to record a Key Studio Session. You can download a sneak preview of it here.