The Key

Philadelphia’s music scene doesn’t get up early enough for a morning roundup. While the rest of the world is sipping on their lattes and reading about international affairs, we’re nursing our hangovers and trying to shake the ringing out of our ears. But that doesn’t mean we don’t like to (eventually) stay informed. Snooze Alarm presents Philly’s most important local-music-related news, whenever the scene finally gets around to making it (and the rest of us are ready to read it).

First Listen: John Legend And The Roots, ‘Wake Up!’ “During the past 18 months, Legend spent his spare time collaborating with ?uestlove and The Roots on covers of politically motivated soul music from the 1960s and ’70s. What started as a potential single turned into Wake Up!, 11 vintage songs which are at turns optimistic and frustrated about the times that birthed them.” Younger fans of Legend’s bedroom shtick are about to get a serious history lesson. (Roots fans, not so much.) (NPR)

Gamble & Huff Arsonist Sent To Prison “The saga of the fire that gutted Gamble & Huff’s legendary Philadelphia International Records headquarters in Center City back in February has come to a conclusion (legally speaking, anyway) with the sentencing of the drunken arsonist. Christoper Cimini of South Philly—who pleaded guilty to felony arson, criminal trespassing, and other charges back in July—has been sent to prison for one-and-a-half to 10 years, and must pay $11,000 in restitution.” (Make Major Moves)

Sisterly Love Block Party, celebrating rad girls in Philly “Sisterly Love is an event that is going to bring together an amazing group of strong women who are active in the Philadelphia’s creative community. It’s a day dedicated to celebrate girls talents and passions all in a full day of fun. There will be some rad live performances by Club Lyfestile, My Father Born, Maggie & the Hat, E603ina, Suga Shay, and Slutever.” (Phrequency)

Dismemberment Plan to embark on reunion tour (performs 1/27/11 at Starlight Ballroom) “Breaking news from the greater Washington indie-rockosphere! Local post-punk heroes Dismemberment Plan will reunite in January to support the vinyl reissue of its beloved 1999 album ‘Emergency & I.’ The D.C. quartet has plotted a short, five-gig trek up the eastern seaboard.” (Washington Post)

The Way We Were: “What’s The Best Part About Working At CDNow?” “A couple of years ago, when Philebrity did Philly Internet History Week, it went without saying that CDNow — one of the web’s first major music retailers, based in the area—was a huge part of the story. In just a few years, CDNow went from a garage-band type business to being an object lesson in dot-com 1.0 bubble-ry. This video, we can fairly assume, is emblematic of the latter era.” (Philebrity)

The Antlers announce Philly show (@ First Unitarian Church) “Less than 24 hours than I wrote here that I had no idea when The Antlers were returning to tour the U.S., they announce a headlining show at the First Unitarian Church on December 2. Tickets are already on sale for just $13. So get your tickets now, this is a show you do not want to miss.” (The Swollen Fox)

Bert Jansch Philly Show (And Entire U.S. Tour) Canceled “Iconic 66-year-old Scottish folk guitarist Bert Jansch has been forced to cancel his October 9th show at Johnny Brenda’s — where he was to play with Pegi Young (Neil Young’s wife)—because he has to undergo an immediate operation due to complications from his recent bout with lung cancer. We certainly wish Bert well and hope for a speedy recovery so he can get back to Philly soon, as we were really looking forward to the show.” (Make Major Moves)