Chicago singer-songwriter and Pitchfork darling Angel Olsen plays a Folkadelphia presents show at Studio 34 in West Philadelphia tonight. Olsen recently released her acclaimed debut Half Way Home on Bathetic Records. Joining her tonight is Philly space rock explorer Brendan Codey, and haunting singer-songwriter Meg Baird, playing her last show as a Philadelphia resident before moving to San Francisco (read our exit interview with Baird here). The show begins at 8 p.m., tickets and information can be found here. Below, watch Olsen’s music video for “Acrobat.”

The Tuesday Tune-Out continues at PhilaMOCA tonight with November’s curators, JUMP Philly Magazine, bringing Southwest Philly hip-hop collective The Astronauts to the gallery, along with a screening of the locally-produced documentary Tailor Made: The Bucky Davis Story. The all-ages show begins at 8 p.m., tickets and more information can be found here. Below, watch the music video for “High Top Fade,” a song they collaborated with Chill Moody on.

From indie rock goddess to disco siren, Mirah has covered a lot of ground in her twelve-year career (get an overview in our interview here). Recently relocated back to the east coast, she plays Johnny Brenda’s tonight with Mount Moriah. The 21+ show begins at 9 p.m., tickets and information can be found here. Below, watch Mirah’s 2010 music video for “The Forest.”

Long-standing Canadian five-piece The Tragically Hip return to Philadelphia tonight for a performance at The TLA. The band is touring in support of Now for Plan A, released in October. The all-ages show begins at 7 p.m., tickets and information can be found here. Below, watch the band’s clever video for “The Lookahead.”

Photo by Aaron Igler | www.igler.net

“One thing that I love about Philly is that people aren’t very careerist here,” says Philly songwriter Meg Baird, Saturday afternoon over coffee at South Street’s OFC. “In cities like New York or L.A., I feel like there’s a greater pressure to present highly complete work. But here people are happy to hang out with your cocktail napkin work. They enjoy your sketch-y stuff, and I think they like being in on the process a little, where they see you play something that maybe you don’t really have worked out quite yet. It’s something people say is true in San Francisco too, so I’m kinda hoping that will be a nice segue, to help me feel comfortable.”

She pauses to sip her coffee. Almost two decades after moving to Philly from South Jersey, Philly’s honey-tongued songstress will be leaving the City of Brotherly Love for San Francisco, where her boyfriend lives. It’s an exciting but bittersweet time—while she’s eager to delve into the city’s long folk history (“there’s this band from San Francisco called Icky Boyfriends that really played a big role in my formative musical years,” she says. “I actually got to play with them last week in New York City which was incredible”), she knows for sure she’ll miss her family and friends, not to mention the community of musicians and music-lovers.

A Philly resident since ’95, Baird has remained close to the local folk scene pretty much ever since. The great great-niece of famed Appalachian composer I. G. Greer, she quite literally has music in her blood, and grew up singing and playing guitar and piano. After graduating from college, she admits she considered moving to NYC, but found Philly more manageable and affordable.

“A room opened up in a big house in Washington Square—this is way back when everyone lived downtown for $400—so it was a good situation,” she recalls. “It was certainly much more appealing than heading up to New York and cramming into a box on the Lower East Side or something.” She pauses. “This was of course before everyone lived in Brooklyn—living in Brooklyn at the time seemed insane.”

It turns out Philly was a good match. A few years later in 2002, Baird became a founding member of acclaimed folk band Espers, who won fans with their haunting melodies and enveloping soundscapes. Baird describes the band’s formation as a particularly memorable moment in her career: a brief but serendipitous time where friends came together to create something larger. “It was one of those moments that worked so well because it was brief,” she says with a laugh. ”That kind of thing isn’t sustainable.”

Of course, Espers is not Baird’s only successful endeavor: her two solo records, Dear Companion (2007) and Seasons on Earth (2011), are strong and seductive offerings, which paint Baird as an incredible, emerging talent. She’s also collaborated with Kurt Vile, Bonnie Prince Billy, and Sharon Van Etten—to name just a few—and has toured with Bert Jansch and James Blackshaw. But Baird has never considered herself even as much as a local celebrity.

“I know that there are people out there that enjoy my music, but it’s never like, you know—I’ve never had one of those awkward moments where someone is like ‘Wow, you’re here! You’re really great!’” She giggles. “It always surprises me when someone I don’t know has heard of my music. I think the level of notoriety is so small—when I do run into someone who is familiar with my work, it’s always a pleasant surprise. More likely, we end up having something else in common. Like, ‘oh, you live on that block? I used to live on that block!‘ Or we shop at the same farmer’s market or something.”

When Baird is not busy composing songs, she works full-time at the Wagner Free Institute of Science in North Philly, a Victorian natural history museum whose collection has remained pretty much unchanged since the death of its curator and founder William Wagner in 1885. Baird describes it as a unique trove of Darwinian science, adding that “it’s a beautiful place. I’m gonna miss it like crazy.”

Working full-time and composing is a necessity, but Baird doesn’t mind it too much. “The only thing I don’t like about working full-time and writing music,” she says—”is that I feel like I end up watering both down, which is frustrating. And it’s hard to give a lot of energy to my work, because then the music suffers, or vice versa.”

So does that mean she’ll work less when she moves to San Francisco?

“I’ll get away with what I can,” she says laughing. Other plans include spending more time recording (“I’ll have a lot more resources out there, so that might help a little,” she explains), and hopefully working towards a new record in the coming years. “I’m trying to speed up my recording process a bit,” she says sheepishly, sipping her coffee. “Generally it takes me 3 to 4 years to record an album. I’m looking to cut that in half.” She’ll also have her own recording space for the first time in years, which will allow to her expand creatively.

“Right now, I do most of my recording from my apartment,” she says. “And I like working in my apartment…but there are definitely certain sounds and textures you can’t get working from home. It’s just too obnoxious. I couldn’t do that to my neighbors!”

Baird will play one more show before heading out to the West Coast—at West Philly’s Studio 34 with Angel Olsen and Brendan Codey. But don’t expect this to be the last you’ll see of her. “I hope to visit often,” she says. “I’m looking forward to it, but I know I’ll be homesick.”

Meg Baird plays Studio 34, 4522 Baltimore Avenue, Tuesday, November 13 with Angel Olsen and Brendan Codey. The all-ages show, sponsored by Folkadelphia, begins at 8:00 p.m. and admission is $8; more information can be found via Facebook. 

American descendant of Panamanian parents, Aloe Blacc grew up in Los Angeles and became invested in the California hip hop scene. He worked in troupes such as Emanon and Jazz Liberatorz, and began his solo career in 2006. He has released two LP’s that evoke his R&B style underneath his eclectic singing and rapping skills. He plays tonight at the TLA at 7 p.m. Tickets to this all ages show are $20. Below watch Aloe Blacc’s video for “I Need A Dollar”.

Philadelphians Oldermost produce beautifully-crafted melodies drizzled with soft-spoken vocals, delicate piano strokes and steady rhythmic drumming. You can listen to their EP Lose Your Mind on their bandcamp page. Their warm energy will be flowing tonight at Johnny Brenda’s, along with Capewrath and Daniel Ryan Belski. Tickets to this 21+ show are $10, grab yours here. Doors open at 8 p.m.

The Candlight Concert for Epilepsy Awareness is a concert series taking place in Pennington, NJ. It is a chance to raise funds and awareness about the effects of epilepsy. Tonight’s feature is righteous soulful singer Sharon Little. She recently released her sophomore album, Paper Doll. Catch her tonight at the concert while donating to a worthy cause at the same time. Doors are at 7 p.m., show at 8; tickets are $15. And if you can’t make it out to the show, you can stream it live on StageIt.com.

WXPN welcomes The Spring Standards CD Release Show to World Cafe Live at the Queen in Wilmington, DE. They released their double EP Yellow // Gold, and it reflects their memories of growing up as folksinger children and provides a snapshot living life today in the big city. Also playing tonight is Wilmington’s own, The Spinto Band. The show starts at 8 p.m, tickets are $18-20. Below watch The Spring Standard’s official video for “Heavy Home” off the EP.

Sharon Van Etten first hit our radar as the inaugural artist in Shaking Through, the video and audio collaboration between Philly’s Weathervane Music and WXPN. In many ways, the seeds of her recent acclaim were born in that session for Shaking Through at Brian McTear’s Miner Street Studios in Fishtown in December, 2010. The song she recorded, “Love More,” was included on her gorgeous and intimate October, 2010 release Epic. Since then, Sharon’s career has grown significantly, solidified by an extensive touring schedule and her February 2012 release, Tramp on Jagjaguwar Records. Over the past couple of years Sharon has released hushed, indie folk tunes that reveal intimate truths; easily making audiences swoon. Tonight WXPN welcomes her along with Meg Baird to Union Transfer at 9 PM; purchase tickets here.

Also tonight:

PhilaMOCA Summer Solstice Ice Cream Social with performances from Arctic Splash, The Really Cooks, Attia Taylor, Shorty Boy Boy, and MC Juliet Hope Wayne. Tickets to the all ages show will be sold at the door and are $8. Doors open at 6 PM.

And over at World Cafe Live, previous singer of the late, great Ween, Aaron Freeman performs songs from his new Ben Vaughn produced album, The Marvelous Clouds. The 8 PM show tickets are $20

The Silver Ages

Also tonight: Pissed Jeans performs with Blues Control and Veiled at 9:15 p.m. at Johnny Brenda’s; tickets to the 21+ show are $10–$12; Negative Department + The Only Ghost in Town, Pray For Polanski, Sure Juror at The Level Room (8 p.m., 21+, $8); New Sweden + KeN, Lettuce Prey at Milkboy Philly (9:30 p.m., 21+, $8–$10);

Psychic Teens

This week, we’ll be taking a look at several WXPN/XPN2 staff members’ Best Of 2011 lists. Today, The Key editor Matthew Borlik’s five favorite local albums of the year.

1. Psychic Teens, Teen (Golden Voyage Records) Listen to Psychic Teens’ Key Studio Session

2. Meg Baird, Seasons On Earth (Drag City)

• The Finderfrom Seasons On EarthDownload

3. Creepoid, Horse Heaven (Ian Records) Listen to Creepoid’s Key Studio Session

4. Arches and Banned Books, Split 10″ (Magic Death Records) Listen to Arches‘ Key Studio Session

5. White Birds, White Birds EP (self-released) Listen to White Birds’ Key Studio Session

Honorable Mentions:
Break It Up’s self-released single “Excavate,” which the band posted on Bandcamp earlier this year and is easily my favorite local song of 2011. Had it received an official release this year (either as a 7-inch or on a full-length), it definitely would been included on my list. Unfortunately, it looks like we’ll have to wait until next year for the band to release its debut. Listen to Break It Up’s Key Studio Session

Lantern and Dirty Beaches’ self-released live album, Live At Glasslands—because live albums don’t count. Listen to Lantern’s Key Studio Session

This week, we’ll be taking a look at several WXPN/XPN2 staff members’ Best Of 2011 lists. Today, XPN2′s John Vettese—who records and produces our Key Studio Sessions—tells us his five favorite local albums of the year. 

1. The War On Drugs, Slave Ambient (Secretly Canadian) Listen to The War On Drugs’ Key Studio Session

2. Creepoid, Horse Heaven (Ian) Listen to Creepoid’s Key Studio Session

3. Zakee, Assimilations(Green Owl)

4. Meg Baird, Seasons On Earth (Drag City)

5. Saturn Never Sleeps, Yesterday’s Machine (self-released) Listen to Saturn Never Sleeps’ Key Studio Session

Meg Baird’s “The Finder” from Naomi Yang on Vimeo.

Popped! is at the Liacouras Center at 1776 N. Broad Street on Temple’s campus. Doors open at 10:30 a.m. Lineup for Popped! is:

Nikki Jean 11:25am
Anamanaguchi 11:50am
Patty Crash 12:15
Black Landlord 12:40
Zee Avi 1:05
Mates Of State 1:35
Cults 2:15
Sun Airway 2:55
Budos Band 3;35
Charles Bradley 4:15
Titus Andronicus 4:55
Rakim 5:35
Kreayshawn 6;15
Foster The People 7:00
Girl Talk 8:00
Pretty Lights 9:30

Today’s Philly F/M Fest highlight is the two stage Riot Fest at Festival Pier. Gates open at 11:30. Purchase tickets here.

Riot East Stage
12:00 p.m. – The Heels
12:40 p.m. – Brothers From Another
1:40 p.m. – Population Zero
2:40 p.m. – The Holy Mess
3:40 p.m. – The Menzingers
4:40 p.m. – Samiam
5:40 p.m. – 7Seconds
6:40 p.m. – Suicide Machines
7:50 p.m. – Hot Water Music
9:10 p.m. – X (plays “Los Angeles”)

Riot West Stage
12:20 p.m. – Lionize
1:10 p.m. – The Claw
2:10 p.m. – Larry And His Flask
3:10 p.m. – Shot Baker
4:10 p.m. – Weston
5:10 p.m. – Excitebike
6:10 p.m. – Naked Raygun
7:10 p.m. – Plow United
8:30 p.m. – Dead Milkmen
9:50 p.m. – Descendents

Other highlights:
Meg Baird + Glenn Jones, Watery Love at Johnny Brenda’s (9:15, 21+, $10); Andrew Lipke And The Azrael Quartet at Tin Angel (10:30 p.m., 21+, $10); Ted Leo And The Pharmacists + Dry Feet at Johnny Brenda’s (1:30 p.m., all ages, $15); Black Landlord at Milkboy Philly (9 p.m., 21+, free); Revolution, I Love You (record-release show) + Penrose, Panic Years at World Cafe Live (8:40 p.m., 21+, $11)

Photo by Jeff Elstone

This week, we’ve got a pair of tickets to give away for Meg Baird‘s record-release show at Johnny Brenda’s on Saturday, September 24th. The performance will be in celebration of the release of Meg’s new album, Seasons On Earth, which will come out on Drag City on September 20th; Glenn Jones and Watery Love will open. For a chance to win the tickets, all you have to do is leave a comment below by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, September 21st. We’ll select the winners at random that evening and notify them via email; once you’ve confirmed that you and your guest will be attending the show, your names will be added to the venue’s guest list. (Just make sure to use a valid email address when posting your comment; we promise not to sign you up for anything—we just want to be able to get in touch with you if you win.)

Photo by Jeff Elstone

From NPR Music:

On her new album Seasons on Earth, out Sept. 20, Philadelphia songwriter Meg Baird stokes that sonic campfire, using its heat to draw listeners near to her thoughts and observations. These are songs about transitions: growing up, growing away, searching for a place to be and a way to love. But while Baird’s lyrics may be about changes and uncertainties, she sets them to music that offers a sense of reassurance by connecting her audience to old traditions in new ways.

In “Stars Climb up the Vine” and “The Finder,” Baird’s finger-picking shares common ground with the meditative musical patterns of minimalism. There’s a discursive, unhurried quality to the way her songs unfurl, transcending the usual shape and size of folk songs. Baird’s singing — familiar to some listeners from her work with the band Espers — is both fragile and robust. There’s a sense of authenticity to this music: It’s authentically felt and expressed, authentically new, and authentically part of an ancient tradition.

You can read the full write-up and listen to the album in its entirety here, courtesy of NPR Music’s First Listen.

• The Finderby Meg Baird from Seasons On EarthDownload

Black Cab Sessions USA from Black Cab Sessions on Vimeo.

Also playing: Meg Baird + Kath Bloom, Ember Schrag at Kung Fu Necktie (7:30 p.m., 21+, $8)

• Falling Together Coming Apartby The Powder KegsDownload

Kurt Vile photo by Shawn Brackbill

Announced earlier this afternoon at Matador Records’ Matablog:

In what’s likely to be one of the hotter tickets of Summer 2011, Thurston Moore and Kurt Vile & The Violators are hooking up for 7 North American dates this July in support of both of their most recent album, the former’s upcoming ‘Demolished Thoughts’, and Vile’s wildly acclaimed ‘Smoke Ring For My Halo’.  Additional dates for both — sadly, only playing in tandem from July 18 to the 30th — are listed below.

The dates for Kurt Vile’s week-long tour with Thurston Moore are posted below, as are a handful of additional Kurt Vile shows (including a performance with Pissed Jeans and Meg Baird at First Unitarian Church on June 12th).

Thurston Moore / Kurt Vile And The Violators / Hush Arbors dates:
7/18 Minneapolis, MN – Varsity Theatre (tickets, on sale April 29, noon)
7/21 Vancouver, BC – Rickshaw Theatre (tickets, on sale April 29)
7/23 Portland, OR – Alladin Theatre
7/26 San Francisco, CA – Great American Music Hall
7/28 Los Angeles, CA – Troubadour
7/29 Los Angeles, CA – Troubadour
7/30 San Diego, CA – Casbah

Additional Kurt Vile And The Violators dates:
6/11 Bowery Ballroom, NYC (with Pissed Jeans and Meg Baird)
6/12 First Unitarian Church, Philadelphia PA (with Pissed Jeans and Meg Baird)
6/25-6/26 Sled Island Festival, Calgary, AB
7/11 Brighton Music Hall, Boston MA (with Woods)
7/12 Le Salsa Rossa, Montreal, QUE (with Woods)
7/14, The Grog Shop, Cleveland, OH (with Woods)
7/15 Russian Recording, Bloomington IN (with Woods)