Still riding high from the release of their debut full-length a few weeks ago, Philly’s Bleeding Rainbow headline Johnny Brenda’s tonight.  The duo-turned-quartet signed to Kanine Records last fall and though the release date was pushed back several months, the noise-punk band put out their gloriously shoe-gazey Yeah Right LP in January.  Yeah Right is The Key’s featured album for this week’s Unlocked series, which means you can dig into it with a review here (and an interview later today).  Tickets and information for tonight’s 21+ show at Johnny Brenda’s with Pet Milk and Ghost Light can be found here.  Watch a new video for “Waking Dream” from Yeah Right below.

On the other Kung Fu Necktie stage tonight, you’ll find local harpist Mary Lattimore performing with Jeff Zeigler. This collaboration is but one on each musician’s long list of projects, Lattimore’s including work with Thurston Moore, Kurt Vile and Meg Baird and Zeigler’s expanding with his band Arc in Round and production work for The War on Drugs, Ape School and others.  When the two pair up for nights like tonight, though, the result is about as far away from those other projects as possible.  Lattimore’s dreamy harp compositions and Zeigler’s warpy but gentle synth layers froth with emotion and understanding.  Tickets and information for tonight’s 21+ show with Trummors, Fred Thomas and Morning River Band can be found here.  Stream Mary Lattimore and Jeff Zeigler’s improvised Folkadelphia session below and learn more about Lattimore’s debut full-length The Withdrawing Room here.

Philebrity and BITBY.TV have teamed up to bring you the hoppin-est Valentine’s Day variety show in town at Underground Arts tonight.  WIth love-themed sets by Juston Stens & The Get Real Gang, Blayer Pointdujour, Katie Frank & The Pheromones, J.M.M. Sweeney Jr. (Mr. Philebrity himself) and others, the event lays claim to being “the city’s only destination for old school-style slow dancing,” with the groove being set by DJ Langor.  More information for the 21+ show can be found on the Facebook event page here.  Stream and download “Strange Love” by Juston Stens & Jessica Lea Mayfield (part of the With Love, From WXPN Philly Local sampler).

Also happening:

XPN welcomes New Jersey rockers The Smithereens to World Cafe Live in support of their 2011 self-titled record.  At The Sellersville Theater, XPN welcomes long-standing rock ‘n’ roll act Soul Asylum.  And finally at The Fire, XPN welcomes the Northern Liberties Winter Music Fest with American Babies, The Fleeting Ends, Ross Bellenoit, Joe D’Amico Band and Miz.  Tickets and information for all shows can be found here.

Photo by William Richards

Legendary reggae group The Wailers will perform Bob Marley’s 1979 album Survival in-full at World Cafe Live tonight.  The release of Survival followed criticism of Marley’s previous record Kaya for being too easy-going and non-influential in subject, which may have played a part in Survival‘s unmistakable call-to-action message for African unity.  Since Marley’s death in 1981, The Wailers have performed with Sting, Carlos Santana, Stevie Wonder and others, with bass player Aston “Family Man” Barrett leading the group alongside singer Koolant.  Tickets and information for tonight’s all-ages show with special guest and Wailers historian Roger Steffens can be found here.  Below, watch The Wailers perform “Zimbabwe” from Survival with Bob Marley.

Philadelphia roots / rock outfit American Babies play Johnny Brenda’s tonight.  The four-piece band is the musical vehicle for singer-songwriter and guitarist Tom Hamilton of electronic / rock group Brothers Past.  After becoming disillusioned with the inner-workings of band life, Hamilton struck out on his own and surrounded himself with a group of like-minded musicians to record American Babies’ self-titled debut in 2008.  In more recent years, he has found a steady band line-up with local friends and recorded the noteworthy 2011 record Flawed Logic.  Tickets and information for tonight’s 21+ show with headliners Jesse Malin & The St. Marks Social can be found here.  Watch American Babies’ video for “Dance All Night” below.

The nitty, gritty boys from Alabama Low Cut Connie are moving east for a show at North Star Bar tonight. They released their debut album Get Out the Lotion last year, giving a glimpse to their gritty lyrics and having an “explicit” label on the purchase page. Nonetheless, they bring a fun vibe to the stage with their indie rock 1950′s styled jams. Tonight’s show is 21+ and tickets are $12. Show kicks off at 9 p.m. Below listen to the catchy song “Rio” off the album.

In the early 2000′s, Tom Hamilton spent the majority of his musical days producing electronic beats in the band Brothers Past. After a little while he chose to go on a different path and slowly ascended into creating a new raw style of music with friends that surely became American Babies. Philadelphia homebodies, the babies toured for a while and came back to Philly to record their second LP, Flawed Logic with Bill Moriarty (Man Man, Dr. Dog). They play tonight at Kennett Flash, doors open at 7 p.m. and tickets are $12 in advanced, $15 day of show.

The trouble with LAKE’s previous album, Let’s Build A Roof, was that it wandered dangerously close to Jimmy Buffett territory. The tranquil tone and subtle apathy suggested something only meant to be listened to at a summer barbeque or on the beach with friends—music for a relaxed party. Fortunately, the sepia melodies and a strong rhythm gave the record depth; it’s relaxed party music you can be proud of. The new record, Giving And Receiving (released earlier this month), is similar to the previous album, but it has a little less sunlight. (Perhaps the barbeque was moved indoors due to inclement weather?) The music’s social vibe must come from the fact that LAKE is as much a tight-knit community as it is a band. Two leading members, Eli Moore and Ashley Eriksson, are married. And LAKE’s website (which refers to the members only by their first names) explains that the band originated in order to play a friend’s birthday party in their hometown of Olympia, Washington. LAKE performs with AgesandAges (today’s My Morning Download on the WXPN site) and Royal Shoals at 8 p.m. at Kung Fu Necktie; tickets to the 21+ show are $7. —Dave Simpson

Also playing: Titus Andronicus + Dinowalrus, Frost Watson at First Unitarian Church (8 p.m., all ages, $12); Camplight + Illinois at Johnny Brenda’s (9 p.m., 21+, $10-$12); Balkan Beat Box + Uproot Andy, Joro Boro at The Trocadero (8 p.m., all ages, $21); American Babies (record-release show) + Mason Porter, Former Belle at World Cafe Live (8 p.m., $14)

Want to hear more? Click here to listen to the full sessions by all 17 local acts. You can also download The Key Studio Sessions Compilation, Volume One in its entirety as a .zip file.

• Dance All Nightfrom The Key Studio Sessions, 4/27/11Download

• Restless Heartfrom The Key Studio Sessions, 4/27/11Download

• Streets Of Brooklynfrom The Key Studio Sessions, 4/27/11Download

• Swimming At Nightfrom The Key Studio Sessions, 4/27/11Download

• Weight Of The Worldfrom The Key Studio Sessions, 4/27/11Download

• Winter Wargamesfrom The Key Studio Sessions, 4/27/11Download