The guys of Market East clearly have a thing for the warmer months of the year. There was “Marielle,” the rhapsody over cherry red lips and beach afternoons that opens their debut EP (check it out performed for Out of Town Films here). There are the languid, easygoing arrangements and breezy Brian Wilson-style vocal harmonies that pepper their songs. And now their is Children of Summer, their new EP and a sonic step forward for the trio of Kurt Cain-Walther (vocals), Max Perla (vocals, drums) and Vincent John (vocals, guitar). The EP gets its official release next month and celebrates on June 8th at MilkBoy with a stacked lineup; Joey Sweeney and the Long Hair Arkestra, Night Panther, Mohican and Former Belle. Last week, while the Non-COMMvention was raging at WXPN HQ, we took the Key Studio Sessions on location to Studio A in South Philly to record a few live tracks with Market East. Two of the performances you hear below are new tracks from the forthcoming EP – you’ll recognize “Evergreen” from our premiere the other week – and one is a cover that needs no introduction. Listen to the tunes below, and get the details on Market East’s album release show here.

Photo by Abi Reimold

Philadelphia-via-Austin outfit Literature open for Pet Milk at MilkBoy tonight.  The psych / pop quartet released their debut album Arab Spring in January 2012 and followed it up with a 7″ single “Tie Dye” a year later.  For their recent Key Studio Session, Literature recorded the single alongside four new songs – check out the full session here.  Tickets and information can be found here.  Below, stream the title track to Arab Spring.

XPN welcomes Charles Bradley to Union Transfer tonight.  The “Screaming Eagle of Soul” entertained the crowd during a recent Free at Noon performance with his exuberant showmanship and knock-out funk / R&B songs.  Following up his 2011 full-length debut, the 64-year-old crooner released Victim of Love earlier this year.  Tickets and information for tonight’s show with Paul & the Tall Trees can be found here.  Watch the former James Brown impersonator perform “Why Is It So Hard?” live on the Public Radio Rocks stage at SXSW below.

Morning River Band celebrate the debut of their new album at MilkBoy tonight.  The Philadelphia-based country group recorded To Suzie at Gradwell House in New Jersey and will release it on May 21st as the follow-up to 2011′s Between the Ocean and the Blues.  Tickets and information for tonight’s 21+ release show with The Miners and John Train can be found here.  Stream “Lefty’s Last Blues” below and check out their Folkadelphia session here.

XPN welcomes Mary Chapin Carpenter to the Keswick Theatre tonight.  With her long-time friend and cohort Shawn Colvin by her side, Carpenter continues to tour in support of her 2012 LP Ashes and Roses.  The singer-songwriter made a name for herself with a string of of successful country / folk crossover records in the nineties and five Grammy Awards over the course of her career, resulting in her induction into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame last October.  Tickets and information for tonight’s show can be found here.  Below, watch a performance of “Chasing What’s Already Gone.”

MAD Dragon Records caps off its 10th anniversary festivities with a show at The Trocadero tonight.  The Drexel University label has been celebrating all week with block parties, free live music and a special 10th anniversary compilation featuring bands that will be performing at tonight’s event.  Among those scheduled are Cheers Elephant, Wild Rompit and Matt Duke.  Tickets and information for the 18+ concert can be found here.  Check out the compilation here and watch Cheers Elephant’s video for “Doin’ It, Right” below.

On their way to SXSW in March, Philly’s Thee, Idea Men stopped by WRVU in Nashville, TN with tourmates Katie Frank & The Pheromones, Dan Orlando and WC Lindsay.  The group of local musicians performed a cover of Amy Winehouse’s “Valerie” live on the Vanderbilt University radio station, with Orlando on keys and Lindsay behind the camera.  Check out the footage below and see Thee, Idea Men live at MilkBoy on June 13th.  Dan Orlando will be at Kennett Flash on June 1st.  Tickets and information for both shows can be found here.

We’ve also got the details of the aforementioned special guests of the June 8 release show at MilkBoy, and it’s quite the lineup. Joining Market East will be Joey Sweeney and the Long Hair Arkestra, Night Panther, Mohican and Former Belle. Tickets and information can be found here, and you can check out the rather pretty show flyer after the jump.

Retro rockers Sallie Ford & The Sound Outside have announced a summer tour that swings them through MilkBoy on July 17th.  Continuing to travel in support of its latest LP Untamed Beast, the Portland band was recently in town supporting Thao & The Get Down Stay Down and will perform a set at Non-COMM later this week.  The Sound Outside walks the line between bluesy rock and old-school country, with Ford’s vocals having been compared to Ella Fitzgerald and influences ranging from Tom Waits to Cat Power.  Tickets and information for the 21+ show will be available here.  Below, watch a video for “Party Kids.”

• I'll Stayby Liz & The Lost Boys from The Key Studio Sessions, May 1, 2013Download

• The Forest and the Farmerby Liz & The Lost Boys from The Key Studio Sessions, May 1, 2013Download

• Cocoonby Liz & The Lost Boys from The Key Studio Sessions, May 1, 2013Download

• So Silentby Liz & The Lost Boys from The Key Studio Sessions, May 1, 2013Download

Rhett Miller, playing tonight at World Cafe Live

Singer/songwriter Rhett Miller stops by World Cafe Live tonight. His fifth album, The Dreamer, was released last year in June. Miller is also the lead singer for the Dallas alternative country band, Old 97′s, and plays in Serial Lady Killers, which you can watch a video of the band performing “Singular Girl” at last year’s XPo Fest here. Tickets and information for the all ages show with Cliff Hillis can be found here. Below, watch Miller perform “Lost Without You” from his album The Dreamer for an American Songwriter session.

Portland’s Akron/Family plays Johnny Brenda’s tonight. The band plays a combined style of rock/folk, with added psychedelic elements. Their new album, Sub Verses, will be released April 30th through Dead Oceans. Tickets and information for the 21+ show with Chris Forsyth & the Solar Motel Band, and M Geddas Gengras can be found here. Below, watch the official video for “Until the Morning” off the new record Sub Verses.

Roots rockers Sons of Fathers plays MilkBoy tonight. They were featured as a My Morning Download on April 15th with their song “Roots & Vine” off their sophomore album Burning Days. Tickets and information for 21+ show with Maitland can be found here. Below, download “Roots and Vines”

• Roots & Vineby Sons of Fathers from Burning DaysDownload

Jamaican Queens return to Philadelphia tonight for a show at Little Berlin.  The Detroit based trio has acquired a swell of grassroots support for their debut LP Wormfood, which was released in early March is available as a name-your-own-price download on their Bandcamp.  With lyrics that recount experiences with relationships, parties and urban violence, the band’s intrigue runs much deeper than the initial hook of the album’s beat-driven, synth-laden sound.  Jamaican Queens will be joined by locals Banned Books and Avery Rosewater.  More information can be found on the Facebook event page here.  Below, watch the video for “Water.”

New York’s The Virgins will be playing at Johnny Brenda’s tonight alongside Philly band Shorty Boy Boy. The Virgins are a rock band, reminiscent of bands such as the Smiths, and have just released their newest album in March entitled Strike Gently on Cult Records Records. Not only has the album been released on Cult Records, but the band has also announced that they have signed to the record label. Accompanying the Virgins, indie pop band Shorty Boy Boy will be taking the stage as well. The band is currently working on a full length record, and will be releasing singles off the new record sometime in the near future. Tickets and information for the 21 and up show with Har Mar Superstar can be found here. Watch a music video for The Virgins’ “Flashbacks, Memories and Dreams” off their new record Strike Gently in the below link.

Philadelphia folk-rock band (and returning Key studio session buddies) The Naked Sun will be performing at The Fire tonight. The band will also be welcoming the release of their brand new EP out just this month. They take their name from the Isaac Asimov novel and their “honest rock” sound is a lively take on the genre, as can be heard in their new EP, Space, Place and Time. Tickets and information for the 21 and up show with Red Sammy can be found here. Below, listen to “Cosmic Winds” off of The Naked Sun’s new EP Space, Place and Time. You may also check out the The Naked Sun’s studio session with the Key here.

Dangerous Ponies | Photo by John Vettese

We had a blast catching the excellent Philly pop troupe Dangerous Ponies in Austin, Texas last week for the MilkBoy / Bonfire Philly-centric SXSW showcase. They’re lively as ever, the new tunes are sounding great, and it’s always impressive to see how they squeeze their many members onto stages of various sizes. With their new Tender Heart 7″ in heavy rotation, we’re excited for their return to Philadelphia next weekend when they play MilkBoy for an EP release show.

Equally awesome is the opening set from power duo Slutever, who were also out on tour this winter and home just in time for the gig. The duo has been working up new material since their Pretend to be Nice 7″, and in the meantime treated us to their raucous cover of Hole’s “Violet” in a free download. With inbetween sets from touring bands from Utah and NYC, it’s sure to be a solid night of Philly-centric lady-centric rock and roll, and we’ve got a pair of tickets for you. Just comment below and you’ll be entered to win; we’ll choose a winner next Thursday. To get your pumped, listen to “Sparks” from the Tender Heart EP and Slutever’s “Violet” cover.

Murchant – AnnaChristie Sadler from Luciana Botelho on Vimeo.

Les Professionnels bring their sonic space journey to terra firma tonight for Indian Summer: An Acid Western Experience at MilkBoy.   With accompanying visuals by Brooks Bell, Indian Summer is “a psychedelic journey through time and space exploring the inner psyche through sound and vision.”  The recent Philly Local Show guest hosts have worked with Passion Pit, Philly rapper Gliss and had some big names (Lushlife, Eliot Lipp) remix tracks for last year’s Move! EP.  Tonight’s opening set will be performed by Philly electronic artist Telequanta.  Tickets and information for the 21+ show can be found here.  Below, stream and download the original mix of “Move.”

Local bands Lockets and Turning Violet Violet team up for a house show at Safety Meeting in West Philly tonight.  Lockets pairs acoustic / pop singer-songwriter Dani Mari with former punk rocker Todd Mendelsohn in a collaboration that stretches outside the boundaries of both performers’ previous work.  The trance-y, drifting compositions of their 2012 debut Camera Shy LP are gauzy and elusive, with just enough synth structure to keep from floating apart.  Chamber pop / rock outfit Turning Violet Violet released their debut full-length Double Cure last year as well.  More information for tonight’s house show at 51st and Willows Ave with Castellan can be found here.  Below, watch Lockets’ video for “Bitter Teeth.”

Singer-songwriter / fiddler Sara Watkins plays the New Hope Winery tonight with Field Report.  Previously a member of bluegrass trio Nickel Creek along with her brother Sean and mandolin player Chris Thile, Watkins has since launched a solo career that presented her self-titled debut in 2009 and the critically acclaimed follow-up Sun Mindnight Sun in 2012.  Tour mates and XPO Fest alums Field Report also released a stunning self-titled record last year, with their single “I Am Not Waiting Anymore” jsut breaking into XPN’s Year in Review list.  Tickets and information for the show in New Hope can be found here.  Below, watch Watkins’s video for “When It Pleases You.”

Local rapper Chill Moody headlines Hard Rock Cafe for Welcome to Talent Island tonight.  Hosted by Hank McCoy and Ashley Coleman, the event will showcase the roster of Talent Island with performances by Beano, Suzann Christine, Teff and Tye James.  Moody, still riding high from the release of his recent RFM LP and a nod from MTVU, shared a brand new video for the title track to RFM earlier this week in which he takes on the roles of both the wise man and the bartender.  Tickets and information for tonight’s 18+ show can be found here.  Watch the video for “RFM” below.

Folk-influenced Philly five-piece Black Horse Motel celebrates the release of its full-length debut Red Summer Spirit tonight at Kung Fu Necktie. The album comes after two years of revamping and reinvention for the band, which began when singer / guitarist / banjo player Josh Cradic came into the fold in fall of 2011, immediately gelling with the other players. A whirlwind of writing, shows an a successful Kickstarter campaign followed. Tonight the band will be joined by Hezekiah Jones and The Bailey Hounds; tickets and more information can be found here. Below, listen to “Miles for Days” from the new album.

Up the Chain plays MilkBoy tonight. The project of singer and multi-instrumentalist Reed Kendall is a cinematic collusion of styles, from folk to jazz and Brill Building pop. The band released the album Holy, Open, Drying Road in 2011, and just a couple weeks ago released a music video for a song from the album called “Here I Haven Meet.” Check out the video below; get more information on the show here.

Also tonight, Waxahatchee celebrates the release of its album Cerulean Salt at Golden Tea House (download their Key Studio Session here and look for a new video later today); XPN Welcomes Keepers opening for Cheers Elephant at Steel City Coffee House (read our Keepers / Cheers interview here), and XPN Welcomes Foxygen and Unknown Mortal Orchestra to the First Unitarian Church (read our UMO interview here).

Leagues combines the talents of three Nashville rock scene veterans.  The group, comprised of Thad Cockrell, Tyler Burkum and Jeremy Lutito, recently released an EP of jangly pop rock.  They’ve opened for the likes of The Fray and Matt Kearny, but they’re headlining their own shows as they tour the country for the next month.  Tonight’s show at MilkBoy promises to be a dance party.  On the band’s website, it boasts music so joyous, it actually provokes laughter.  Tickets and information for the 21+ show are available here.  Below, watch the music video for their song Spotlight.

Adam & Dave’s Bloodline, the curiously named project of five local Philadelphia musicians (only two of whom are referenced in the band name, and none of whom are related), has a catalogue that suggests a heavy beach rock and shoegaze influence, but possibly also heavy sedatives. Their music is relaxed to a point of sounding like, as is written on the Adam & Dave’s Bloodline Bandcamp page, “bloozy, boozy, guitar-driven psych-washed burners.” Their show tonight centers on the release of a new EP, 2×2.  Tickets and information for the 21+ show are available here. Below, stream two tracks from their upcoming EP.

When Buddy Miller and Jim Lauderdale came together to write and record Buddy and Jim, the only surprising aspect was that they hadn’t made this album already. They’re two country veterans and good friends who created good, old school country music, and they are now on an album tour. You can catch Buddy Miller and Jim Lauderdale at the Free at Noon today, or this evening at World Café Live. Tickets and information for the all ages evening show are available here.  Below, watch Buddy Miller and Jim Lauderdale perform “It Hurts Me” from their album.

Los Angeles indie rock duo Broken Anchor play MilkBoy tonight.  With sing-a-long melodies and dusty percussion, Broken Anchor’s debut EP Broken Anchor Vol. I was described as “Budweiser tallboy music, best heard coming from the stereo of a used Cadillac.”  It’s true that the three tracks on the EP recall blue-eyed rock ‘n’ roll of the golden days refocused through a folk lens, but its polished production gives the overall sound the depth and atmosphere of modern recordings.  Information on tonight’s 21+ show with Heyward Howkins, Stone Cold Fox and Sunset Recorder can be found here.  Below, watch Broken Anchor’s video for “Leave the Light On.”

Photo by Jonifin Marvin

Over at Kung Fu Necktie, Arctic Splash will open for Creem Circus.  The Joey Sweeney-fronted band make soulful rock ‘n’ roll and it’s not hard to mistake Sweeney’s crooning for that of Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy.  The local outfit stopped by recently for a holiday-themed Key Studio session, during which they shared a few non winterized tracks as well – check out a great live version of “When You Say My Name” below and download the full session here.  Tickets and information for tonight’s 21+ show with Naked Heroes can be found here.

Local rock band Cold Roses headline MilkBoy tonight.   Though they’re from Philly, Cold Roses sound like they’re straight out of a Texas roadhouse with their old-style country rock / blues combo.  The four-piece released their debut EP The Georgia Fugue this month and have been celebrating with a string of hometown dates, including tonight’s with Dressed Like Stolen Cars and The Rivals.  Tickets and information for the 21+ show can be found here.  Stream “Lose That Man” from the EP below.

Brooklyn blog-favorites Parquet Courts will be at Voyeur for tonight’s Making Time Valentime’s Day party.   The indie rockers released their first proper full-length Light Up Gold last summer, an effort that followed up their true debut American Specialties (released exclusively on cassette and passed over by most).  Tonight, Parquet Courts come to town with Inc. for Making Time’s Valentime’s Day show with all the Making Time regulars including DJ Dave P and Sammy Slice and special guest DJ The Crystal Ark.  Tickets and information for the 21+ show can be found here.  Below, watch a live video of Parquet Courts performing “Borrowed Time.”

Benefiting Ladyfest Philadelphia, there’s a rocking cover band show happening tonight at Cha-Cha’Razzi in South Philly.   Featuring tributes to Blondie, The Breeders, B-52s and more, all proceeds will go towards the summer festival that celebrates art, music and culture in Philadelphia.  The event will also launch DIYPHL‘s new photozine highlighting a year in local DIY shows and happenings.  More information can be found here.  Watch a video of Fauxlectrelane covering “To the East” at the Sugar Town 10th Anniversary show below.

Vacationer bring their inaugural monthly gig to Underground Arts tonight.  The electronic dreamscape creators released their full-length Gone last March.  And though the production is totally 21st century, the album crackles and pulsates with a golden-aged nostalgia for childhood summers and excursions to exotic places.  Also playing tonight are Robert Delong and Cruiser.  Tickets and information for the 21+ show can be found here.  Below, watch Vacationer’s video for “Trip.”

Local pop-rocker Shorty Boy Boy plays MilkBoy tonight.  After releasing 2006′s LP Kicking Your Ass, Then Smoking Your Grass, Shorty Boy Boy’s Josh Pannepacker announced his retirement from music “to focus on getting paid.”  The retirement eventually proved tiresome and Pannepacker was back in action in 2010 with a second LP titled Tru Luv in the works (expected out this spring).  Tickets and information for tonight’s 21+ show at MilkBoy Philly with The Quelle Source and Seamus Browning can be found here.  Watch the video for Shorty Boy Boy’s “Closer” below.

If you were at yesterday’s Free at Noon, you know this already: it is impossible to not smile at a Free Energy show.  The dudes know how to get the crowd dancing with their catchy pop / rock songs.  If you don’t believe me, just listen to their recent full-length Love Sign and see how many beats it takes before you’re on your feet singing into a hairbrush.  Or you could check them out tonight at the Arden Gild Hall when they play with local shoegaze-inspired punks Bleeding Rainbow, who also have a brand new record out called Yeah Right.  Tickets and information for the all-ages show in Arden, DE can be found here.  Below, watch Free Energy’s video for “Girls Want Rock” and listen back to their Free at Noon performance here.

Free Energy – Girls Want Rock (Official Video) from Free Energy on Vimeo.

Philly’s Ape School and The Interest Group join forces tonight at Johnny Brenda’s.   Ape School is the brutally honest, relentlessly sarcastic and incredibly infectious project of man-about-town Michael Johnson.  In addition to recording LPs under that moniker, Johnson has played or recorded with a continually expanding list that currently includes Lilys, Kurt Vile, Nightlands and The War on Drugs.  Most recently, Johnson released his excellent second LP as Ape School called Junior Violence.  Meanwhile, The Interest Group will be premiering a new band and new songs at tonight’s 21+ show with Ramona Falls.  Tickets and information can be found here.  Watch Ape School’s video for “Weak in the Teeth” below.

Photo by Josh Anderson

Nashville singer-songwriter Caitlin Rose‘s new single “I Was Cruel” is a sweetly presented confessional song with a swinging groove thanks to some twangy steel guitar lines and a reflective coda.  Rose will release her sophomore record The Stand-In on March 5th through ATO Records and plays MilkBoy Philly on Wednesday, April 3rd; tickets and information for the 21+ show can be found here.

Philly’s Everyone Everywhere stopped in for this week’s Key Studio Session, recording five songs from their latest self-titled full-length.  Though the album was released last summer, the charming emo quartet just celebrated the record last night with a hometown show at The Barbary.  Stream and download “Queen Mary II” below and go here for the full session.

• Queen Mary IIby Everyone Everywhere, from The Key Studio SessionsDownload

This week on World Cafe, host David Dye delved into the musical history of Memphis for his Sense of Place travel series.  Between tours of Memphis’ historic recording studios and excursions to the city’s most famous landmarks, Dye sat down with some of the country’s top musicians to record World Cafe episodes.  Included in those sessions is blues musician Rev. John Wilkins, who recorded a version of his father’s “Prodigal Son” for the Cafe – stream and download it below, then listen back to the full World Cafe session here.

Local rock and roll band Arctic Splash were the featured band for Monday’s My Morning Download.  The Joey Sweeney-fronted outfit recorded a Key Studio Session last month and their track “When You Say My Name” is included on the latest Key Studio Sessions, Volume 6 compilation alongside contributions from Bad Braids, Aspiga and Nothing.  Download the full collection here.  Arctic Splash will open for Creem Circus at Kung Fu Necktie on Saturday, February 16th; tickets and information for the 21+ show can be found here.

Everyone Everywhere have returned home for an album release show at The Barbary tonight.  Their eponymous record came out last summer but the Philly emo outfit promptly hit the road for Europe.  The new effort sees the four-piece shifting its gaze from the small-time concerns of 2010′s (also) self-titled debut to the larger-than-life philosophical queries of tracks like “Wild Life’ and “Big Hat” on 2012′s.  Tickets and information for tonight’s 21+ show with Glocca Morra, Slingshot Dakota and Band Name can be found here.  Below, watch Everyone Everywhere’s video for “Queen Mary II” and revisit their Key Studio Session from this week here.

Mississippi’s The Weeks will play MilkBoy Philly tonight.  Led by twin brothers Cyle and Cain Barnes, The Weeks sing autobiographical songs about life in the Delta against a backdrop of influences ranging from Bruce Springsteen to Wilco to At the Drive In.  2012′s Gutter Gaunt Gangster EP has a refreshingly punk take on Southern rock, a blend of genres not unusual for the band – since their formation in 2006, The Weeks skittered the lines of folk before settling in with the Nashville punk scene.  Tickets and information for tonight’s 21+ show with Shark Tape and Junior Astronomers can be found here.  Below, watch The Week’s video for “The House We Grew Up In.”

Roots rocker JD Malone performs at Burlap and Bean tonight.  The Vermont native relocated to Phoenixville and became active in the Philadelphia music scene, recording with producer and musician Pete Donnelly and winning a Philadelphia Songwriters Association contest.  Most recently, Malone and his band The Experts released 2011′s Avalon, engineered by famed Butcher Bros. producer Phil Nicolo. Tickets and information for tonight’s show with Leo DiSanto can be found here.  Watch JD Malone perform “For You and I” below.

XPN welcomes Lee Fields & The Expressions to World Cafe Live tonight.  The soul phenomenon got his start just over 40 years ago with his debut in 1969 and hasn’t let up since.  Fields released a new record in 2012, Faithless Man, on Brooklyn’s Truth & Soul Records and continues to inspire a new generation of R&B artists with his James Brown-esque funk and suave stage presence.  Tickets and information for tonight’s show with DJ Shawn Ryan can be found here.  Watch a video of Fields performing “Faithful Man” for Yours Truly below.