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May 14, 2013 | 11:59 AM | By

New Music: City Rain “The Optimist”

City-Rain-The-OptimistWith their new single “The Optimist” due out for download later this month, Philly electro-pop project City Rain premiered the song today on the blog Sunset in the Rearview, where not only was the new music showcased, but the background behind the song is shared. From the blog:

“The Optimist” tells the classic tale of personal tragedy leading to spiritual triumph. After losing the love of his life, losing two of his close friends, and struggling with unemployment in an unforgiving recession, Runyan met Scott Cumpstone, a fellow Temple University graduate and working musician. … In the band’s own words, “While every man has the capability to create his or her own personal hell, there is inversely their capability to manifest redemption. ‘The Optimist’ is the story of the way back.” As this song begins, it immediately thrusts you into a realm of ferocious positivity and daring realism behind synths that build stadiums and tear them down in a single powerful wave. It is music that makes you feel things and see paint splashing against a blank canvas.

Listen to “The Optimist” below, and look for a special low-key release appearance at North Star Bar‘s Victorian Dining Room series on Memorial Day. The full album is due out in the fall.

FILED UNDER: Artists, Concert Previews, Events, Recordings, Citt Rain, North Star Bar
May 11, 2013 | 11:30 AM | By

Tonight’s Concert Picks: James Blake at TLA, Todd Rundgren at Trocadero, Geoff Rickly at North Star Bar

james-blake-500Electronic singer/songwriter James Blake stops by the Theatre of Living Arts tonight. In April, Blake released his sophmore album Overgrown. The new album brings back Blake’s beautiful voice and rhythmic electronics. Tickets and information for the all ages show can be found here. Below, check out the music video for “Retrograde” off of Blake’s new album Overgrown.

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FILED UNDER: Artists, Concert Previews, Events, News, Scene, Geoff Rickly, James Blake, North Star Bar, Theatre Of Living Arts, Todd Rundgren, Trocadero
May 7, 2013 | 8:34 AM | By

Tonight’s Concert Picks: Hayes Carll at Sellerville Theater, He’s My Brother, She’s My Sister at North Star Bar, Telekinesis at Johnny Brenda’s

JRM_Gpub_181891_C16_002_300rgb.jpgCountry music staple Hayes Carll will be passing through Sellerville Theater tonight, along with opening act Warren Hood & the Goods. Carll hasn’t released a new record since 2011’s KMAG YOYO, but that hasn’t stopped him from touring as much as he can. The Texan singer/song-writer will take his rootsy country tunes down the east coast before playing a handful of shows in his home state. You never know when an act like this will be coming back around, so don’t miss your chance to see this award-winning country crooner in the lovely Sellersville Theater.

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FILED UNDER: Artist Profiles, Artists, Concert Previews, Events, News, Hayes Carll, He's My Brother She's My Sister, Johnny Brenda's, North Star Bar, Sellerville Theater, Telekinesis
May 4, 2013 | 9:59 AM | By

Tonight’s Concert Picks: Parquet Courts at PhilaMOCA, Sir Sly at Johnny Brenda’s, Alo Brasil at Underground Arts, Lentil Fest at The Fire and more

parquet courts

Post-punk quartet Parquet Courts headline an eclectic line-up at PhilaMOCA tonight.  Back in Philadelphia for the third time this year, Parquet Courts continue to tour in support of their debut full-length Light Up Gold, which just got a proper label release through indie label What’s Your Rupture.  Tickets and information for tonight’s all-ages show with Scott & Charlene’s Wedding, Amanda X and Household can be found here.  Watch Parquet Courts perform “Master of My Craft” and “Borrowed Time” live on WNYC below.

One of the stand-out bands at March’s SXSW, Sir Sly make their way to Philadelphia tonight for a show at Johnny Brenda’s.  With an EP plus a few more tracks released, the band has quickly made it clear that they will operate in the realm of expansive, catchy pop hooks.  Tickets and information for tonight’s 21+ show with JMSN and The Last Royals can be found here.  Watch a new video for “Found You Out” below and download “Gold” here.

Local Brazilian band Alo Brasil plays Underground Arts tonight.  More than just a performing band, Alo Brasil features an interactive live show influenced by African rhythms like samba, maracatu and more.  Though often accompanied by costumed dancers, for their recurring “Underground Sessions” Alo Brasil has a refreshed line-up of musicians.  Tickets and information for tonight’s 21+ show can be found here, or on the Facebook event page here.  Watch a promo video for Alo Brasil below.

Lentil Fest continues at The Fire tonight, with performances by Kuf Knotz, Nicos Gun, Reef the Lost Cauze, Mike “Slo-Mo’ Brenner, Gedeon Luke and Brady & the Bear.  In support of Lentil the french bulldog (born with a cleft pallate), all proceeds will benefit the French Bulldog Rescue Network, Street Tails Animal Rescue and ccakids.org.  Tickets and information can be found here.  Watch Kuf Knotz perform at the 2011 XPoNential Music Festival below.

Also happening: XPN welcomes The Smithereens to The Sellersville Theater; XPN welcomes Free Energy to the North Star Bar.  Tickets and information for both shows can be found on the XPN Concert Calendar.

FILED UNDER: Artists, Concert Previews, Events, Alo Brasil, Amanda X, Brady and the Bear, Free Energy, Gedeon Luke, Household, JMSN, Johnny Brenda's, Kuf Knotz, Lentil Fest, Mike "Slo Mo" Brenner, Nicos Gun, North Star Bar, Parquet Courts, PhilaMOCA, Reef The Lost Cauze, Scott & Charlene's Wedding, Sir Sly, The Fire, The Last Royals, The Sellersville Theater, The Smithereens, Underground Arts
April 16, 2013 | 11:00 AM | By

Tonight’s Concert Picks: Farquar Muckenfuss (and The Monkees’ Head!) at PhilaMOCA for Tuesday Tune-Out, Oh Bree at North Star Bar

FMPsych pop absurdists Farquar Muckenfuss play PhilaMOCA tonight for Cinedelphia’s ongoing Tuesday Tune-Out series. Featuring members of Mercury Radio Theater and The Dead Milkmen, the band will perform backed by footage from The Monkees footage, followed by the cult favorite Monkees film Head. Admission to the all ages show is $5 at the door, more information at the venues’s website. Below, watch Davy Jones in the famous “Daddy’s Song” dance scene from Head.

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FILED UNDER: Artists, Concert Previews, Events, Farquar Muckenfuss, North Star Bar, Oh Bree, PhilaMOCA
April 11, 2013 | 10:15 AM | By

Tonight’s Concert Picks: Caveman at Johnny Brenda’s, Bonobo at The TLA, Young Man at North Star Bar, Tylan at World Cafe Live

CavemanCaveman headline Johnny Brenda’s tonight in support of their self-titled sophomore effort.  The Brooklyn band turned heads with their 2011′s CoCo Beware debut, an album that displayed an affinity for theatrical synths and instrumental phrases threaded and revisited throughout the tracks.  The four-piece employs that cohesiveness again on the new LP, with guitar riffs in lead single “In the City” being reprised in “Over My Head” and even echoing hooks from CoCo Beware standout “Old Friend.”  Tickets and information for tonight’s 21+ show with Son Step and Pure Bathing Culture can be found here.  Stream “In the City” below.

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FILED UNDER: Artists, Concert Previews, Events, Bonobo, Caveman, Gemini Wolf, Johnny Brenda's, Mike Bruno, North Star Bar, Peace Arrow, Pure Bathing Culture, Shigeto, Son Step, The TLA, Tylan, World Cafe Live, Young Man
April 4, 2013 | 11:30 AM | By

Stream Young Man’s new album Beyond Was All Around Me via Rolling Stone (playing North Star Bar on 4/11)

YMAhead of its official release next Tuesday, Young Man‘s Beyond Was All Around Me (Frenchkiss Records) is now streaming on Rolling Stone.  The 11-track full-length is the last piece of frontman Colin Caulfield’s trilogy of albums, following up 2012′s Vol. 1 and 2011′s Ideas of Distance.  According to Rolling Stone, it is also the last recording he’ll release under his current moniker.  Young Man plays North Star Bar on Thursday, April 11th with Peace Arrow, Gemini Wolf and Mike Bruno + the Black Magic Family Band; tickets and information can be found here.  Below, watch the video for an alternate take of album single “In a Sense” and stream Beyond Was All Around Me in full here.

FILED UNDER: Artists, Concert Previews, Events, News, Recordings, Gemini Wolf, Mike Bruno & The Black Magic Family Band, North Star Bar, Peace Arrow, Young Man