Alessi’s Ark is bringing her British folk-pop flare to Philadelphia at Johnny Brenda’s tonight. As a budding artist, Alessi worked with  Mike Mogis and Nate Walcott (from Bright Eyes) to focus on her skills and organically grow her artfully beat-ridden, orchestral sound. Working with Andy LeMaster (from Azure Ray and Drive-By Truckers), Alessi recently launched her third album called The Still Life, this past April. Look for more information and tickets to tonight’s show here. Listen to “Tin Smithing” from The Still Life below.

Jackie Paper is playing at Ortlieb’s Lounge tonight. Priding themselves on their gritty, distorted, psychedelic, classic rock-riffy, sound, the band recently released Magic Box, a demo of their most recent work. Click here for more information and tickets for tonight’s show. Below, listen to the newest additions to the demo.

Philly indie rock outfit Little Big League will be opening for Titus Andronicus at Union Transfer, warming up for the release of their first LP, These Are Good People (out July 11th on Tiny Engines Records). Fun fact: Drummer Ian Dykstra used to play for Titus Andronicus a few years back! Find tickets and more information here, and check out their new song “Lindsey” below.

To celebrate his new album, A Miner’s Town, Philly-based folksy singer-songwriter Marc Silver is playing a record release show at Johnny Brenda’s with his band The Stonethrowers. He’ll be playing along with Pete Donnelly & the Wise Easy and Ross Bellenoit. Below, take a listen to a track off his new record, “All We Are,” which Silver says may be his favorite song on the album. Tickets and information can be found here.

Former members of Jefferson Airplane make up the core of bluesy classic rock band Hot Tuna, and their acoustic tour brings them to the Keswick Theater tonight. Their last album, Steady As She Goes, was released in 2011 – listen to Jorma Kaukonen and Barry  Mitterhoff perform “Things that Might Have Been” at Red House Records. Tickets and information can be found here.

Philly-via-Boston indie folk outfit The Gallerist play The Fire tonight, along with Gatherings, The People, and Hani Zahra. The Gallerist’s chillingly awesome guitar and banjo melodies mixed with lush, warm vocals makes for a great overall sound. Stream their album A Falling Waltz below, and find tickets and information here.

I’m a huge fan of The Love Language.  From the group’s first effort, I was in love with the raw desperation of Stuart McLamb’s songs of heartbreak and romance.  For the group’s third album, Ruby, McLamb moved beyond what had been mostly a three instrument project and chose to expand The Love Language’s sound by adding new instruments, including horns and a string session.  Today, he showed just how his new, fuller sound can be just as gripping as his previous efforts with the new song, “Pilot Light.”  The song features piano framing a large group of horns and strings, along with a breathtaking chorus.  Ruby may have grandeur absent from previous work, but The Love Language is just as enjoyable as ever.  Check out the single below and be sure to catch them at Johnny Brenda’s July 28^th.

When Steve Gunn and his band pulled up to WXPN on a sunny Saturday afternoon, he was at the tail end of a busy tour. Not only was the guitar virtuoso on the road opening for fellow Lansdowne native Kurt Vile, he also played in Kurt’s band The Violators – and their sets were averaging about two hours. (Read more about Gunn’s experience on the tour in Elliott Sharp’s Village Voice interview here.) Joined by bassist Justin Tripp and drummer John Truscinski, Gunn was in a unique spot when recording his Key Studio Session: extremely well practiced, but undeniably exhausted. We brought the lights down low, gave the players some space to relax and breathe for a moment, and let the magic happen. Gunn and the band launched into an expansive, exploratory set of songs from his new Time Off, being released on June 25th on Paradise of Bachelors Records. “Old Strange” stretched out for nearly ten minutes, “The Lurker” for almost eight. Along with the comparatively shorter “Water Wheel” (at five-and-a-half minutes, it’s Gunn’s “pop song”), we heard trilling acoustic guitar patterns bobing and weaving between the rambling drum-bass foundation. I use (probably overly so) descriptions like “vision quest” to talk about Gunn’s music, but that seriously is how it feels – like you’re on a journey with this man, the notes vibrating off of his six strings and the wearied but poignant words coming out of his mouth. Stream and download the session below, and catch Gunn on Saturday, June 22nd, when he headlines Johnny Brenda’s for the Time Off album release show, with openers Endless Boogie and Psalmships.

• Old Strangeby Steve Gunn from The Key Studio Sessions 06.12.13Download

• The Lurkerby Steve Gunn from The Key Studio Sessions 06.12.13Download

• Street Keeperby Steve Gunn from The Key Studio Sessions 06.12.13Download

Indie-rock duo The Dodos have released “Confidence,” a track off of their forthcoming album, Carrier. The album will be released by newly-signed-to Polyvinyl on August 27th. “Confidence” is at first a soothing tune, then charges into an energetic and melodic instrumental stretch halfway through the song. Good stuff – makes us excited for the whole album. The Dodos are also starting up a tour, and you can catch them at Johnny Brenda’s on September 28th with Dustin Wong.

Another album released back in March was In Love, the delbut LP from UK band Peace.  The group’s sound combines the psychedelic rock of the 60s with modern pop-rock sensibilities and a little grunge, to create a sound unlike any other band out there.  Tonight the band plays at Johnny Brenda’s along with Team Spirit and Weekender.  Check out the “Follow Baby” video below and click here for more information about the concert.

Legendary rap duo Mobb Deep head to Philly tonight for a show at The Blockley.  Known for their dark lyrics, Mobb Deep became rap icons in the 90s and, minus a brief breakup, have been making great music for the past twenty years. They are geared up to release a new album very soon.  Playing along with up-and-coming Philly rapper Mic Stewart, this is one Sunday show you can’t afford to miss.

If you’re looking for a little rock instead, Free Time are playing a set a Johnny Brenda’s along with Avery Rosewater and The Downtown Club.  The group formed in New York, but has members from Australia and sounds a bit like Philly’s own Kurt Vile.  This great melange of sounds combined with the fact that the group just released their self-titled debut last week is sure to make their set on Sunday a great one.  Check out a sampling below with their song, “Nothing But Nice” and grab tickets here.

And if you’re looking for something a little more mellow, acclaimed folk duo Arborea are playing a release show at The Fire Museum for their latest album Fortress Of The Sun.”  The multi-talented members of this group play numerous instruments to create layers of ambient psych-folk that could have found a cozy place for itself in the 60s folk scene.  For more information, click here and check out one of their new songs below.

L.A. psychedelic lo-fi main man Ariel Pink plays Union Transfer tonight. His most recent release was 2012′s Mature Themes and he’s joined by openers Kirin J Callinan and Purple Pilgrims. Tickets and information on the show can be found here. Below, watch the video for “Only In My Dreams.”

Photo by Abi Reimold | www.abireimoldphoto.com

Featuring members from The Weeds, Birdie Busch’s band and Buried Beds, Divers are about as local as a group of musicians can get. Their music falls somewhere in between folk, rock and a little country and can go from ambient tones to straight up rock in a heartbeat. They’re playing at Johnny Brenda’s tonight; for more information on the 21+ show, click here. Below, watch Divers perform “Take Me Back” for Kettle Pot Tracks’ studio’s On the Hill series.

The Tressels are an great local rock band playing at The Note. Along with Low Cut Connie, who did an amazing Free at Noon at World Cafe Live last week, it’s sure to be a great show. Falling somewhere in between 80s rock and country, The Tressels released their second album, American Midnight, last fall. Check out “Rock & Roll Dreams Come True” below and click here for more information about the show.

Hailing from Lancaster PA, Douglas Thomas creates his own unique brand of folk, that seem equal parts The Shins and Sea Wolf. Tonight, you can catch him in Philadelphia playing at World Cafe Live a long with a few other artists. Check out “Paulownia” from his debut EP Trimmings below. More information about the show can be found here.

Last month, Patty Griffin released her seventh studio album, American Kid, which was inspired by the life of her father, to much critical acclaim.  Tonight, you can hear her unique brand of country at The Kimmel Center.  For tickets and information, click here.  Check out the video for the single, “Ohio” off of the album below.

Guitarist / singer-songwriter Steve Gunn and his band took to Brooklyn’s Atlantic Sound Studios to record a live session video of “Lurker” from his upcoming Time Off LP (via Paradise of Bachelors).  With John Truscinski on drums and Justin Tripp on bass, the song’s lyrics recount observations of Brooklyn denizens while Gunn’s American primitive / Indian raga influenced fingerpicking elevates the story to hypnotic levels.  The band will celebrate Time Off‘s release with a show at Johnny Brenda’s on June 22nd; tickets and information can be found here.  Steve Gunn will also be re-pressing his 2009 full-length Boerum Palace on purple vinyl through Three Lobed Recordings; more information on that release can be found here.

One of the myrid projects of fearless musical adventurer Mike Patton, Tomahawk headlines Union Transfer tonight. The band released its third album, Oddfellows, in January and it furthers the scope of the band’s heavy, groove-based rock mixed with Patton’s evocative, boundary-pushing vocals. Fellow sonic experimenters Buke & Gase open, tickets and information can be found here. Below, watch the music video for “Stone Letter” from Oddfellows.

Free Time is a new NYC-via Melbourne band with a wispy, alternative, slightly pop-ish, classic indie-rock sound. The band formed about a year ago, when singer-songwriter Dion Nania (of Australian band Panel of Judges) moved to New York from Melbourne. Nania played and toured with bands Scott and Charlene’s Wedding and the Twerps before forming his own band.They finished recording this winter, and the digital version of their first self-titled album dropped on May 28th (physical copies will be available on June 11th).

“Nothin But Nice,” a track off of their first album, doesn’t lie -  it’s actually really nice. Melodic and soothing with a side of raw, it sets a pretty good bar for the rest of their LP. Check out the track below. Free Time is playing at Johnny Brenda’s on June 9, along with locals Avery Rosewater and The Downtown Club. Tickets and info can be found here.

After breaking up in 2006, This Radiant Boy is reuniting on the stage at Johnny Brenda’s tonight. With members went on to form bands like Faux Slang and Run Runner, This Radiant Boy will bring back their energized power-pop sound to their hometown for just one night. Tickets and information about the show can be found here. Their music is available to download as a name your own price download here.

Bringing their dance-pop alt-rock sound to Philadelphia, The Dandy Warhols will be playing at the Trocadero tonight. Taking a new spin on their album Thirteen Tales From Urban Bohemia, The Dandys will release a remastered version 13th anniversary edition of the album on June 11th. The expansion combines early demos, outtakes, and alternate mixes into a 2 CD or digital audio format. Find out more information about the new release here. Check out more information about the Philly show and buy tickets here. Listen to opening track, “Godless,” below.

Photo by Dominic Neitz | blackbookmag.com

“Life is too short”…a line that many have used to validate being a bit carefree in the midst of pending deadlines, continuous updates, and living constantly on the go.

Dave Hartley, frontman of Nightlands (and bass guitarist of The War On Drugs), seems to use it as a way of life.  Experimenting with sounds, vocals, and vibes, Hartley admits, “I kind of have a fear of being normal…life is too short to be boring.”

The day after kicking off a U.S. tour at the Mercury Lounge, the soft-spoken, humble, yet confident artist spoke over the phone while on his way to Washington D.C. about his creative process and the changes he needed to make in order to bring his sound to the stage.

Refusing to place limits on himself while in the studio recording his new Oak Island, Hartley thinks outside the room to recreate that sound in a live setting. To do so, he has called in some backup, and rearranged the songs to make performing more feasible on stage. “I wouldn’t want to see a band that sounds exactly like the album.”

In the past, Hartley told The Key that he has a very “autocratic” approach when recording music. But when bringing it to the stage, he says the approach is just the opposite. “I choose people that I like to be around because life is too short to be around people that you don’t.” He goes on to say that he hand picks members that he trusts to aid in creating an organic performance.  “Recording is like science,” Hartley says. He compares a studio to a lab, where one can record parts over and over, fixing all the elements to create the perfect sound. But performing, he says, “is like sex, or a relationship. You’re very much in the moment.”

Tonight at Johnny Brenda’s, Hartley will be joined by his three-piece band: Anthony LaMarca on the trap kit, Jesse Moore on synth (he also plays in Auctioneer and Our Griffins), and Eliza Hardy Jones on the Wurlitzer (lead singer of Buried Beds and a singer on Nightlands’ Oak Island).

In addition, tonight’s Nightlands will feature a 5-member chorus, including April Harkanson (who sang on Nightlands’ new single “To The Moon”), Rebecca Marie Miller, Todd Starlin (member of Silver Ages), Brandon Beaver (member of Silver Ages, Buried Beds and a contributor to Nightlands’ first album Forget the Mantra), and Charlie Hall (coach of Silver Ages); all of which are friends from around the area who Hartley respects as vocalists and musicians. The choir joins Nightlands exclusively for the New York and Philly shows to create layered melodies and varied voices.

Featured in the set will be a cover of Fleetwood Mac’s “That’s All For Everyone.” Although he considers their rendition a work-in-progress, Hartley chose the piece because it is in an octave that he does not get to explore much. Another cover featured may be Art Garfunkel’s version of Albert Hammond’s “99 Miles From LA” because the lyrics are simple, but deep and Garfunkel’s his favorite versions of the song.

Starting his project a couple of years ago, Hartley’s first album, Forget the Mantra, dove into a deeper understanding of dreams. “I believe it is a time when your brain is unfiltered,” he mentions as he explains his process. Hartley would wake up and try to utter nonsensical lines into a beside audio recorder as he tried to recall the dream as vividly as possible. Listening to the multi-layered, echo-voiced tracks, one can get a sense of the distance and wonder evoked by the melodies mixed with the estranged poetic-ness of his lyrics.

For Oak Island, Hartley admits to be “a little more awake with my stream of consciousness.” Treating his studio like a lab, Hartley works for hours at a time to write his music, during which he uses the same process of layering sounds and voices, but then works hard to create more space in his pieces by stripping some sounds away and starting again with that. He says that the songs on this record are “simple, but very thick.”

Drawing from bands he enjoys and the serenity of recorded chants, Hartley’s biggest influence is the instruments that are are at his fingertips. “It’s not being afraid to let the path take you.” He goes on to explain that if he finds a pair of bongos in the trash, he’ll use them, or if he is nearby a synth, he’ll explore on it. Some of the songs on Oak Island are heavy with Latin beats simply because someone gave him a house organ that had many different rhythms built into it. Trying to create and experiment with vibes and emotions, Hartley embraces this randomness to create something that is truly beautiful.

Nightlands play at Johnny Brenda’s tonight at 9:15pm. Tickets for the 21+ show are $12; more information is available here.

Hotly tipped UK act Peace make their Philadelphia debut at Johnny Brenda’s on June 10th.  The young four-piece from Birmingham won over the likes of NME, BBC and The Guardian last year with their fun, psych rock-y Delicious EP, being named “the future of Indie” by The Guardian and nominated for the BBC Sound of 2013 poll.  Peace are now touring behind their recent full-length Love Now, showcasing a WU LYF-esque penchant for tribal grooves and kaleidoscopic arrangements that are a perfect way to kick-off summer.

We have a pair of tickets to give away for their June 10th show with Weekender and Team Spirit at Johnny Brenda’s.  Leave a comment below with a summer activity that would be well accompanied by the sounds of Peace (hammock-ing, eating watermelon, etc.).  Make sure to include your full name and an email address with the comment so we can contact you if you win (email address will not be made public).  Tickets and information for the 21+ show are available here.  Watch their video for “Bloodshake” below.

Nightlands play a hometown show at Johnny Brenda’s tonight, backed by a choir and supported by local bands Ape School and Our Griffins.  Dave Hartley’s “dream science” solo project released its latest LP Oak Island earlier this year after he closed out a multi-year tour with his main band The War on Drugs.  For tonight’s show, he’ll be performing with choral group The Sighborg Singers, who were featured on Oak Island as well.  Tickets and information for tonight’s 21+ show can be found here.  Below, watch Nightlands’ new video for “Born to Love.”

Local folk duo The Sun Flights play MilkBoy Coffee in Ardmore tonight.  They released their debut self-titled EP last November, available as a name-your-own-price download on their Bandcamp page here.  With their finger-picked guitar playing and intricate harmonies, The Sun Flights walk the line of Mark Kozelek and folk rock staples The Decemberists.  Tickets and information for tonight’s show with The Phoenix Veil, Jerry Hionis and Michael Batchelor can be found here.  Listen to “I Am a Robot” from the EP below.

Delaware’s Mean Lady play a show at Mojo Main tonight.  The trio is making the transition to the record label world from the independent world quite nicely, having been picked up by Fat Possum last fall and releasing their label debut Love Now in July.  If “Far Away” is any indication, the album will be a great summer record with hints of Lily Allen fun and breezy arrangements that border on tropical.  Tickets and information for tonight’s show in Newark, Delaware can be found here.  Below, stream “Far Away” from the upcoming album.

In the Pocket sing their essential songs of Philadelphia at Ardmore’s 23 East tonight.  Revisiting the old stomping ground of his band The Hooters, David Uosikkinen and his Philly-centric supergroup are celebrating the release of a 10-track CD featuring songs they’ve recorded since the project’s beginnings.  Tonight’s show will feature appearances by Tommy Conwell, Richard Bush, John Lilley and several surprises.  Tickets and information for the show can be found here.  Watch their video for “I Ain’t Searchin” below.

They’re a band made up of seasoned Philly scene vets, but thankfully for Divers, “seasoned” doesn’t rule out cranking their amps and having fun. First, let’s take stock of who’s who. On bass is Todd Erk – he plays in Hoots and Hellmouth, Auctioneer and many others. On drums, there’s Thomas Bendel of Buried Beds, and occasionally of Lauryn Peacock’s band. Ross Bellenoit does the lead guitar and backing vocal thing, and you’ve probably heard him a billion places – even if you don’t realize it. He’s backed Birdie Busch, Aaron and the Spell and Ali Wadsworth, he produces records, and has a solo discography as well. Fronting the group is the lively and charismatic Emily Ana Zeitlyn. If you’ve been paying attention to Philly music for a few years like we have, you’ll recognize her haunting, emotive voice from The Weeds – who, sadly, released their final album in January after a long hiatus (and the tragic loss of a key bandmate). Her vocal style is a warm and expressive alto, sometimes reminiscent of Nico, sometimes of Amanda Palmer, sometimes Nina Simone – and dang if its phrasing doesn’t make “Eggshels” one of the catchiest tracks I’ve recorded this year. The power trio configuration works wonders with their selections: Bellenoit’s lively space guitar interlocking with Erk’s bass on “When We Met,” Bendel’s wild drumming on “Wild Things.” And on the playful “Will You Still Love Me?,” I can’t help but notice melodic traces of Busch, Zeitlyn’s friend and occasional collaborator. Check out this batch of songs below – most of them are as-yet unreleased – and see Divers live when they play Johnny Brenda’s on Thursday the 6th of June. Tickets and information for the show can be found here.

• Eggshellsby Divers from The Key Studio Sessions, May 29, 2013Download

• When We Metby Divers from The Key Studio Sessions, May 29, 2013Download

• Wild Thingsby Divers from The Key Studio Sessions, May 29, 2013Download

• Will You Still Love Me?by Divers from The Key Studio Sessions, May 29, 2013Download

With their new LP Michael Boyd ready for release, Our Griffins have shared a new video for their song “Come and Wake Me Up.”  The song is the first taste of the upcoming album from Easton, PA’s DJ Brown and is available as a free download on Our Griffins’ Bandcamp.  With hushed vocals and prominent percussion, the song wanders and floats through a gradual crescendo of trembling guitar chords, mirroring the girl wandering through the woods in the accompanying video directed by Brad Kunkle.  Our Griffins will open for Nightlands at Johnny Brenda’s on May 31st; tickets and information can be found here.  Watch the video below and download the song here.

Philly metal band Surgeon will release their new album tonight at Johnny Brenda’s Kung Fu Necktie (the show was moved due to a water main break).  Chemical Reign has been a long time coming for the local four-piece: we first got a sample of the new songs back in 2011 when the band stopped by for a Key Studio Session, a few years after their 2008 debut Angry Guest was released.  Tickets and information for tonight’s 21+ show with Swarm of Arrows, Ominous Black and Skeleton Hands can be found here.  Below, watch a live video of Surgeon performing “Greed.”

Surgeon “Greed” from The Angry Mountain on Vimeo.

All photos by Abi Reimold | Abireimold.22slides.com

About a year ago, the snappy and warped psych-pop band Literature relocated to Philadelphia from Austin, Texas with an awesome LP called Arab Spring in tow. Hard tourers, sharp dressers and a buzzing name on the indiepop circuit, they specialize in a sound that’s a bit more direct than the washed-out hazy dazy Pain of Being Pure At Heart aesthetic of a few years back. There’s a lift to their sound (though still a reverb’d surface) and a galloping-out-the-gate energy (with some oddball lyrical diversions).  For their Key Studio Session, Literature recorded four new “barn burners” in the words of guitarist Kevin Attics, including their latest 7″ a-side “Tie Dye” and a couple unreleased numbers. “Grifted” slowed down the pace and dipped back to their LP, but kept the momentum going enough that it may as well just plow straight into the Johnny Brenda’s show they’re playing (and KDU is hosting) next week. They’re opening the night on May 22nd, with Key Session alums Pet Milk headlining; tickets and information can be found here, while the session is available for your streaming and downloading (and bopping around the room) pleasure below.

• Court Dateby Literature from The Key Studio Sessions, May 15, 2013Download

• Jimmyby Literature from The Key Studio Sessions, May 15, 2013Download

• Tie Dyeby Literature from The Key Studio Sessions, May 15, 2013Download

• English Soft Heartsby Literature from The Key Studio Sessions, May 15, 2013Download

• Griftedby Literature from The Key Studio Sessions, May 15, 2013Download

TJ Kong And The Atomic Bomb

Frank Cervantes Band comes to World Cafe Live tonight to play “The Only Light” Charity Show, where proceeds will be used to by instruments for struggling music programs in the Philadelphia school district.. The indie artist released a new three-song EP, The Only Light, back in April. Cervantes is also a part of the duo The City Music Project. Tickets and information for the all ages show with Post Departure, Sarah Kane, and Andrew Charles can be found here. Below, watch the music video for Cervantes’ “Keep the Line Drawn” off of his album Forgotten Summer.

Rapper Ghostface Killah brings the beats to The Blockley tonight. Ghostface Killah’s career is expansive, having a number of solo albums, as well as being apart of the legendary rap group Wu-Tang Clan. The rapper celebrates his newest solo album Twelve Reasons To Die; tickets and information for the 21+ show with Chill Moody, Voss and Grand Lux can be found here. Below, check out the music video for “Rise of the Ghostface Killah” off his new album Twelve Reasons To Die.

Beausoleil brings their medley of sounds to the stages of World Cafe Live tonight. Their Facebook page says that the group “take the rich Cajun traditions of Louisiana and artfully blend elements of zydeco, New Orleans jazz, Tex-Mex, country, blues, and more into a satisfying musical recipe.” They released their new album this year entitled From Bamako to Carencro. Tickets and information for the all ages show can be found here. Below, enjoy a video of the group performing “Theogene Creole”.

Singer/songwriter Boz Scaggs comes to Keswick Theatre tonight. Scaggs has played with the Steve Miller Band and has released a number of albums, including his newest, Memphis, which came out in March on 429 Records. You can read more about Boz here. Tickets and information for the all ages show can be found here. Below, watch Boz Scaggs perform his song “Cadillac Walk” on the Jay Leno show.

All photos by Chris Sikich | countfeed.tumblr.com

Shredding the night away, Marnie Stern and her crackling band headlined a night of indie rock awesomeness at Johnny Brenda’s on Friday. The tightness of the openers — phenomenal Philly locals Little Big League and the hard-rock stylings Barren Girls — readied the crowd for the entrancing guitar riffs and sweet yet edgy vocals of Stern, who was joined by bassist Nithin Kalvakota and drummer Joe Wong. By the second song, Wong’s shirt was off and the crowd was thrashing about, tossing their shirts onto the stage and hanging onto Stern’s every shred and her frequent references to her vagina. Though brief, her set, clocking in at under an hour, blasted through exuberant numbers from The Chronicles of Marnia, including the title track and a spirited “Year of the Glad.” And with a flourish of rock mania, the show — her last of the tour — came to a close with guitar theatrics and a drumstick flying at this reviewer’s mouth. After a brief taste of blood, all teeth remain — as well as memories of rock heaven, Marnie Stern-style.

Described as “stately” and “gorgeous,” the new video for Hiss Golden Messenger‘s song “Busted Note” quilts monochromatic images of dunes, cliffs and the rushing current of a river into an abstract parallel to the song’s lyrics.  “Busted Note” comes from the North Carolina country / folk rock projects latest record Haw, which was released on Paradise of Bachelors last month.  Hiss Golden Messenger will open for Daughn Gibson at Johnny Brenda’s on August 16th; tickets and information can be found here.  Watch the video, directed by Joseph Kolean and Joshua Van Wynen, below.

Local electro dream / pop duo Lockets are at it again, this time with a new release and a show at Johnny Brenda’s coming up soon.  “Surrender” is Dani Mari and Todd Mendelsohn’s first offering of new material since their 2012 debut LP Camera Shy and will be included on a 7″ being released this summer via London’s Beautiful Strange.  Vibe-ing on some galactic synth sounds and vocals that hint at Dido or Natalie Merchant, “Surrender” is a dreamy, hazy song that could turn any environment into a luxurious rooftop lounge on a warm summer’s night.  Lockets will open for Twin Sister at Johnny Brenda’s on May 12th alongside Acres of Diamonds.  Tickets and information can be found here.  Stream “Surrender” below and buy it at Bandcamp.

Philadelphia native / New York resident Steve Gunn is coming home to celebrate the release of his new LP at Johnny Brenda’s on June 22nd.  Having worked with several duo / trio line-ups over the years like GHQ and the Gunn-Trucinski Duo, Time Off marks the guitarist’s return to solo material (though several of his friends appear on the album as well).  With a playing style that has been likened to John Fahey and inspired by Jack Rose, Gunn is at the forefront of the modern acoustic guitar music world and was recently signed to Asheville, NC label Paradise of Bachelors (which, like Gunn, has roots in Philadelphia).

Tickets and information for the 21+ show will be available here.  In the meantime, catch Steve at Union Transfer on May 18th where he’ll perform a solo set and back-up Kurt Vile.  Information for that show can be found here.  Stream “Water Wheel” from Time Off here and watch a performance of “Old Strange” for Fader TV below.