The Menzingers (Photo by Madeleine Lesperance)
The amount of news that surfaces in a 24 hour period is astronomical anymore; multiplied by 365, that’s an onslaught of information we present you with during the calendar year. But some items always rise above the fold and prove to be something bigger. Here are the ten stories from The Key that drew your collective attention (and eyeballs) in 2012. Continue reading
Swedish pop pair Icona Pop released their debut EP Iconic this week, which you can stream now through PrettyMuchAmazing here. The album features guest Charli XCX on the track “I Love It” and the hit “Manners,” which was sampled by Philly rap duo Chiddy Bang. Icona Pop will be opening for Marina and the Diamonds at Union Transfer December 4th; ticket information for that show can be found here. Below, check out the video for “I Love It.”
Cold Graves, the brainchild of former Chiddy Bang member Zach Sewall and Philly alt group Cold Fronts, released a download of their latest single early this morning via SoundCloud. “Svntn” is consistent with the same synthrock elements as previously released tracks, including “Use U” and “Keep It One Hundred.” Cold Fronts will be playing with City Rain at Underground Arts this Friday, opening for Vacationer. Find more information on that show here and download “Svntn” below.
The Under the Influence of Music Tour is coming to the Susquehanna Bank Center this Friday. The tour features performances by hip-hop artists Wiz Khalifa, Mac Miller, Philadelphia’s own Chiddy Bang, Kendrick Lamar, Schoolboy Q, and Chevy Woods. The show starts at 5:30PM and tickets range from $20 to $65. Click here for tickets and more info.
Get pumped for the show and listen to Wiz Khalifa’s latest album, Work Hard Play Hard, in the player below.
Philly rock band Cold Fronts recently collaborated with Zach Sewall (formerly of Chiddy Bang and No Diavolo) on a new track. Sewall releases music under the name Grave Goods, so when he teamed up with Cold Fronts they decided to call their collaborative project Cold Graves. Their song, “New Face,” combines Cold Fronts usual rock aesthetic and vocals with Sewall’s electronic vibe, which makes for a cool-sounding lo-fi track.
Cold Fronts will be going into the studio in August and plan to release some new songs in September. In the meantime, catch their set on August 9th at PhilaMOCA with City Rain, The Mendles, and comedians Lisa Yost, James Hesky, and Alex Grubard. There is an $8 donation charge at the door and a portion of the proceeds will benefit the organization “To Write Love On Her Arms.” For more information visit the event page here.
Listen to the new Cold Graves track below or download it on their Soundcloud page here.
British pop musician and singer-songwriter Ellie Goulding recently recorded a cover of “High For This” originally recorded by Toronto R&B & hip-hop musician The Weeknd. The song was produced by Xaphoon Jones of Chiddy Bang. Download the song below.
Chiddy Bang are releasing a new single tomorrow, “Mind Your Manners,” featuring Stockholm’s Icona Pop. Below, watch the “lyric” video for the song (and if you’re so moved, you can sing along with the lyrics.)
