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.

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

Photo by John Vettese

In terms of personnel, instrumentation and sheer sound, Philadelphia-based traditional Brazilian ensemble Alô Brasil might be the biggest band we’ve recorded for The Key Studio Sessions. The photo above gives you a sense of just some the stuff they brought to WXPN the other night: multiple percussion instruments, including the conga, the timbau, the pandeiro and the quinto. Melodic accompaniment including guitars, cavaquinho, keys and horns. Eleven players – including band leader Alex Shaw – weaving in between the instruments to create a massive, emotional eruption of body-moving sound. The opening song below is a medley of songs in the Brazilian capoeira tradition – a mix of music and martial arts that evolved under the era of colonial slavery, and employs the sonically singular berimbau (a musical bow). Other moments dipped into samba, reggae, batucada and even carried a hint of jazzy looseness and improvisation. Listening to their set is like a cultural education, especially when Shaw explains each song’s background and significance – as he does with children in the Live Connections series at World Cafe Live. Seeing the band live is even more of a multi-sensory experience, with dancers and much pagentry. Which is to say you’ll love seeing them when they kick off the City Hall Presents series on May 29th, and you’ll love them even more at this summer’s XPoNential Music Festival. Below, download “Capoeira Medley” below, and stream the other songs – new arrangements of contemporary and classic 20th century Brazilian songs.

• 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

Photo by Kate McCann | www.katemccannphotography.com

I knew as soon as I heard last fall’s Pack Light but Bring Everything that Philly’s Ryan Tennis would be recording in our studio in the not-too-distant future. What I didn’t know was how many folks he’d have in tow. I figured singer-songwriter, plus backing players, would equal what – three people, four tops? As we were swapping emails to coordinate plans, he sorta casually mentioned “Yeah, I’d like to bring in my nine-piece band, hope that’s cool.” NINE players?! Once the surprise wore off, and I got everyone loaded into our studio, I realized how essential the large group was. They’re called the Clubhouse Band, and it’s a testament to the community vibe of their South Philly HQ, the spot they have regular and freewheeling house concert group jams. These folks were riffing full-tilt on a rootsy chord progression with vocal harmonies, trumpet and bongo percussion before I even had all the mics plugged in. In our session we get a few different sides to Tennis’ crew – the quiet-to-exhuberant swell of “Madeline,” the contemplative “Walk On” the cathartic “Fight Song” – with local MC Max MilLionz spitting a verse – and the very introspective, pleading closer “Best for You.” Listen and download the tracks below, and look for more local live music from Tennis and the Clubhouse Band this summer.

• Madelineby Ryan Tennis from The Key Studio Sessions, April 24, 2013Download

• Walk Onby Ryan Tennis from The Key Studio Sessions, April 24, 2013Download

• Fight Songby Ryan Tennis from The Key Studio Sessions, April 24, 2013Download

• Best For Youby Ryan Tennis from The Key Studio Sessions, April 24, 2013Download

The music fit the scene outside – an intense torrent of hammering drums and swirling guitar riffs, with Jillian Taylor’s powerful vocal booming above the fray. It’s not music that celebrates aggression or destruction – just like a storm doesn’t necessarily have anything against you personally when it causes your basement to flood or makes trees fall on your roof – but it more provides a reflection of natural forces at work in an occasionally difficult world. But these are artists that can see the positive side too; the album I had cranked that September night, Ouroboros, takes its title from the mythological dragon eating its own tail, which metaphorically speaks to life moving in cycles. And for its part, Ruby the Hatchet donated proceeds from the record to Hurricane Sandy relief.

We have them in studio this week playing two amped up songs from Ouroboros – “Wicked Ones” and “The Lean” – as well as a brand new number, “Paralyzed,” a rager with a raucous Dead Weather / Motorhead drive to it. Check out the music below, and see a video of the band playing “Paralyzed” in our studio shot by Jeremy Quattlebaum and Sean Bolton of The Angry Mountain. As the band prepares its followup LP, you can catch them in concert next Thursday, April 25th at Kung Fu Necktie opening for the like-minded LA troupe The Warlocks. Tickets and information on the show can be found at the venue’s website.

• Paralyzedby Ruby the Hatchet from The Key Studio Sessions, April 17, 2013Download

• Wicked Onesby Ruby the Hatchet from The Key Studio Sessions, April 17, 2013Download

• The Leanby Ruby the Hatchet from The Key Studio Sessions, April 17, 2013Download

Ruby The Hatchet “Paralyzed” from The Angry Mountain on Vimeo.

Relatively new faces in the Philly DIY scene, Cayetana crafts focused, passionate indie-punk nuggets exploring a broad spectrum of subject matter – from city living to old age. “South Philly” is an incisive, observational look at rowhome life that’s a world away from the trendy Passyunk Ave strip; “Miss Thing,” a nod to singer-guitarist Augusta Koch’s grandmother, is a moving reflection aging (the lyric “at the end of your life all you’ll eat is ice cream” is at once humorous and heartbreaking). The band just signed to Tiny Engines Records and is looking to release its debut full-length later on this year. This weekend, it plays a benefit show for Ladyfest Philly at Little Berlin featuring Bad Braids and the Girls Rock Philly allstars. Information on the all-ages show can be found here; stream and download this week’s Key Session below.

• South Phillyby Cayetana from The Key Studio Sessions, April 10, 2013Download

• Miss Thingby Cayetana from The Key Studio Sessions, April 10, 2013Download

• Hot Dad Calendarby Cayetana from The Key Studio Sessions, April 10, 2013Download

• Mountain Kidsby Cayetana from The Key Studio Sessions, April 10, 2013Download

• Old Habitsby Modern Inventors from The Key Studio SessionsDownload

• Goodbye, Northbrook Driveby Modern Inventors from The Key Studio SessionsDownload

• This Signby Modern Inventors from The Key Studio SessionsDownload

• The Deep Endby Modern Inventors from The Key Studio SessionsDownload

• Selfish Generationby Modern Inventors from The Key Studio SessionsDownload

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.

Canadian-born singer-songwriter Anjuli Josephine has been making music out of Philadelphia for a couple years now, and just released her whimsical self-titled debut EP. With mix of emotional, introspective lyrics and a poppy sensibility, Josephine fondly recalls performers like Regina Spektor, Ingrid Michaelson and Fiona Apple, and her backing players – Karl Rieders on bass,
Al Daniels  on keys, and Nate Kowalski on drums – are top notch. The band plays The Tin Angel this Saturday, March 30th, and gave us a taste of the set they have in store in this week’s Key Studio Session. Check it out below – it’s a wide-ranging set, from the bopping “Can’t Keep Up” to the drifting, lilting closer “Heart Heart Heart Hurt” – and get more information on the show here.

• Can't Keep Upby Anjuli Josephine from The Key Studio SessionsDownload

• Starvingby Anjuli Josephine from The Key Studio SessionsDownload

• Bby Anjuli Josephine from The Key Studio SessionsDownload

• Tigerby Anjuli Josephine from The Key Studio SessionsDownload

• Heart Heart Heart Hurtby Anjuli Josephine from The Key Studio SessionsDownload

Simply put: Slingshot Dakota are two of the most positive people to set foot into our studio. It’s not just the music that drummer Tom Patterson and siinger-keyboardist Carly Commando make – uplifting, piano-driven, punk-informed pop songs – but also their outlook. Their current album Dark Hearts, released in the fall on Topshelf Records, deals a lot with getting through hard times, the loss of loved ones, coping with grief and struggles. But it channels those feelings into singalong refrains, bright melodies, danceable tempos; stuff that sounds as great when they played it live for us as it does on the album. Add on the fact that Patterson and Commando are two uber-friendly outgoing souls, and just fun people to record, and you can draw a connection directly through their sound, their philosophy and them as people. They play the First Unitarian Church tomorrow, opening for Owen; you should totally stop by the merch table after their set and say hello.

• Intro / Maydayby Slingshot Dakota from The Key Studio Sessions, 03.20.13Download

• Rasta Baccaby Slingshot Dakota from The Key Studio Sessions, 03.20.13Download

• Lightby Slingshot Dakota from The Key Studio Sessions, 03.20.13Download

• Gossipby Slingshot Dakota from The Key Studio Sessions, 03.20.13Download

• Lehighby Free Range Folk from The Key Studio Sessions, March 13, 2013Download

• Father's Dayby Free Range Folk from The Key Studio Sessions, March 13, 2013Download

• Bubblin'by Free Range Folk from The Key Studio Sessions, March 13, 2013Download

• Seraphim Moonbeamby Free Range Folk from The Key Studio Sessions, March 13, 2013Download

On the one hand, The Lawsuits are solidly part of the well-established Philly roots music scene. Their guitars twang, their vocals harmonize, and they gig more often than not with their like-minded bretheren in The Levee Drivers, Toy Soldiers and of late, The Districts. On the other hand, they’re a lot more, interweaving elements of reggae, a 60s pop flair, 80s rock anthemic refrains, highly literate lyrics and swelling arty crescendos. It’s a heady, eclectic blend that gets its first full-length showcase in the record presently wrapping up at producer Bill Moriarty’s East Falls studio, and in this week’s Key Studio Session, we get a taste of the progression the Bucks County band has taken since its uber-country Hot Love EP. For instance – compare the sparse and folky version of “In Deep With the Queen” from the Numbers EP with the swelling rocker we hear below. “Onion” and “Long Drive Home” are unreleased new ones that we’ll hear in their proper, finished versions on the album. We’ve even got some bonus footage of “Long Drive” care of Philly videographer Matthew Smith. Check it all out below, and catch the band in concert at Triumph in New Hope on March 16th.

• Onionby The Lawsuits from The Key Studio Sessions, March 6, 2013Download

• In Deep With The Queenby The Lawsuits from The Key Studio Sessions, March 6, 2013Download

• French Roastby The Lawsuits from The Key Studio Sessions, March 6, 2013Download

• Long Drive Homeby The Lawsuits from The Key Studio Sessions, March 6, 2013Download

Photo by Rachel Del Sordo

Going acoustic and pulling it off is one of those marks of a great songwriter. A piece of music, you’ll hear quite often, should be able to stand alone, unadorned, without full-band bombast or lush orchestrations – those things can accent a song, but shouldn’t define it.

Katie Crutchfield took the opposite approach with her band Waxahatchee. She started alone, and then built up. Her buzzed-about 2012 LP American Weekend led to this year’s Cerulean Salt, being released next week on Don Giovanni Records, and the lo-fi acoustic calls of the first one answered with a more band-oriented sound this time around, peppered with hints of Rilo Kiley and Built to Spill. The record sounds great – hear it for yourself via NPR’s First Listen series – and we’re excited for its release party at Golden Tea House in West Philadelphia on Friday (Crutchfield’s twin sister Alison opens the show with her band Swearin‘; as does her bassist, Sam Cook-Parrot, with his band Radiator Hospital). But we’re also excited to present you with a set of stirring, solitary performances in this week’s Key Studio Session.

“Blue Pt. II” is particularly haunting in translation, while “Noccalula” is as much a heart-wrencher here as it is on American Weekend. For a bonus, watch video of Crutchfield performing the 1950s country tune “Dark Moon” – written by Ned Miller and popularized by Loretta Lynn, Elvis Presley and others.

• Noccalulaby Waxahatchee, from The Key Studio Sessions, Feb. 27, 2013Download

• Blue Pt. IIby Waxahatchee, from The Key Studio Sessions, Feb. 27, 2013Download

• You're Damagedby Waxahatchee, from The Key Studio Sessions, Feb. 27, 2013Download

Waxahatchee “Dark Moon” – Key Studio Session at WXPN from WXPN FM on Vimeo.

Philly garage rock trio St. James and the Apostles have a big sound for just three guys. You can attribute some of that to Mike Kiker on keyboards, who plays Ray Manzerek style, juggling both bass lines and higher-end lead parts. Certainly Jeff Castner’s thundering drums are another component, as well as frontman Jamie Mahon, whose voice bellows and guitar rips. The guys were in our studio this weekend to record a session of tracks from across their discography – traditional closer “St. James Infirmary Blues” can be found on their 2012 LP Baphomet, while “Gimmie Some” and “Siobahn” can be found on some of the band’s early live releases. “Friend In Jesus,” from what I can tell, is a new one, and with its take on redemption and the rock and roll lifestyle, it neatly sums up the Apostles’ perspective. They’re part Doors, part Supergrass, part spiritual. Dig in, listen and download below, and catch the band live at Johnny Brenda‘s this Friday when they open for Adam and Dave’s Bloodline.

• Gimmie Someby St. James and the Apostles, from The Key Studio Sessions, Feb. 20, 2013Download

• Friend In Jesusby St. James and the Apostles, from The Key Studio Sessions, Feb. 20, 2013Download

• Siobahnby St. James and the Apostles, from The Key Studio Sessions, Feb. 20, 2013Download

• Saint James Infirmary Bluesby St. James and the Apostles, from The Key Studio Sessions, Feb. 20, 2013Download

It’s kind of astounding, actually. Four mild-mannered, friendly guys walked into WXPN studios this past Sunday, gathered around microphones and set up their instruments. And then, like as if I’d gone and flipped a switch or something, Philly punks Pissed Jeans suddenly became total freaking demons. Brad Fry started off, coaxing a half a minute of mind-bending sounds out of his guitar amp and effects pedals. Sean McGuinness followed, pummelling away at his drums, backed next by Randy Huth, hammering away at a searing, fuzzy bassline. Enter Matt Korvette, safely ensconced in a vocal booth (pictured) – he’s somewhat soft-spoken in conversation, but once the music got moving, his voice took a total Captain Beefheart by-way-of Jesus Lizard departure. But it’s all part of the classic, thrilling tension-and-release that’s at the core of Pissed Jeans’ music. You can dig further into that mindset a few different places this week – Brian Wilensky interviewed McGuinness for The Key on Monday, and Elliott Sharp wrote a cover story on the band in last week’s City Paper. Pissed Jeans released its fourth LP, Honeys, on Sub Pop Records on Tuesday, and it’s a rager. Four of the songs they performed in our studio are drawn from it – “Pleasure Race” dips back to 2009′s King of Jeans. Grab a download of the wrecking ball of an opener, “Bathroom Laughter,” and stream the rest of the set below. And to join in on the catharsis in an active kind of way, the band celebrates the release of Honeys at Underground Arts this Friday night. Get amped.

Last summer, South Jersey five-piece The Naked Sun stormed the World Cafe Live stage with a rousing set of rambling rock and roll tunes at the Beta Hi-Fi Competition. Seriously; I had their song “Holdin’ Back The Heart” stuck in my head for days. Since then, the band has played a bit more to the subdued side of the musical spectrum – the show and BITBY video at the Fleisher Art Memorial is breathtaking but kinda tragically quiet – so I was quite happy when drummer Dave Gladney informed me they would be in full rock mode for the Key Studio Session they recorded last weekend. A trumpet player and saxophonist backed up the group, adding to their richly-arranged new songs. The set drew mostly from the EP they plan to release this spring: an appearance with The Lawsuits at The Field House (yep, the bar in Center City near Market East Station – they started booking shows this winter) slated for April 12th. Let the simmering build of “Debby Diest” carry you into the session.

• Debby Deistby The Naked Sun from The Key Studio Sessions, Feb. 6, 2013Download

• Holdin' Back the Heartby The Naked Sun from The Key Studio Sessions, Feb. 6, 2013Download

• Rowhomesby The Naked Sun from The Key Studio Sessions, Feb. 6, 2013Download

• Ash Street Harmony Bluesby The Naked Sun from The Key Studio Sessions, Feb. 6, 2013Download

• Cosmic Windsby The Naked Sun from The Key Studio Sessions, Feb. 6, 2013Download

Illustration by Keith Warren Greiman | keithgreiman.com

It’s like our friend Fred Knittel at Folkadelphia likes to say: there are many definitions of folk music. Among the current crop of young, up-and-coming practitioners, it runs the gamut from XPN favorites The Lumineers and The Avett Brothers – who use rootsy instrumentation to inform pop songwriting with broad appeal – all the way to Lancaster trio The Stray Birds, who are folk in a more traditional sense. Their preferred method of performing is non-amplified, non-percussive, standing around a single microphone. They blend vocal harmonies and fiddle harmonies. Heck, they closed their Key Studio Session with a dang-near six minute Appalachian-style fiddle medley that cartwheeled and raced laps around our studio. The trio of Maya de Vitry, Charles Muench and Oliver Craven got some national attention from NPR Music last fall, and return to Philly tomorrow night for a show upstairs at World Cafe Live. Below, download the five songs they performed in our studio, and check out a gallery of photos from the session.

• No Part of Nothin'by The Stray Birds, from The Key Studio SessionsDownload

• Railroad Manby The Stray Birds, from The Key Studio SessionsDownload

• Dream In Blueby The Stray Birds, from The Key Studio SessionsDownload

• My Horses Ain't Hungryby The Stray Birds, from The Key Studio SessionsDownload

• Give That Wildman A Knife / Bellows Falls / Waitin' On A Hannahby The Stray Birds, from The Key Studio SessionsDownload

• All Around The Riverby Gretchen Lohse, from The Key Studio Sessions, Jan. 23, 2013Download

• Two Travelersby Gretchen Lohse, from The Key Studio Sessions, Jan. 23, 2013Download

• Spider At The Gateby Gretchen Lohse, from The Key Studio Sessions, Jan. 23, 2013Download

• Primal Rumbleby Gretchen Lohse, from The Key Studio Sessions, Jan. 23, 2013Download

• Twisted Applesby Gretchen Lohse, from The Key Studio Sessions, Jan. 23, 2013Download

Philly emo four-piece Everyone Everywhere might move at their own pace – touring Europe when their new record came out, then waiting nearly six months to play a hometown album release show – but that’s okay.  These dudes are strong enough players and stirring enough songwriters that I’m totally along for the ride. Whether you’re listening to their album, watching their creative music videos, or digging into their performance in this week’s Key Studio Session, you can tell they’re doing it because they love it, and don’t want to ruin that enjoyment with careerist distractions. “Let’s rip, guys!” Brendan McHugh cheerfully urged as their performance started off. You can hear that he means it – you can tell that the three guys playing with him aren’t just bandmates, but also friends. Stream and download their session below, and catch them in concert this weekend when they play an all-ages show at The Barbary with Band Name, Glocca Morra and Slingshot Dakota.

• I Feel Exhaustedby Everyone Everywhere, from The Key Studio SessionsDownload

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

• $1,000,000,000by Everyone Everywhere, from The Key Studio SessionsDownload

• Big Hatby Everyone Everywhere, from The Key Studio SessionsDownload

• No Furnitureby Everyone Everywhere, from The Key Studio SessionsDownload

Photo of Joey Sweeney by John Vettese

Today’s My Morning Download is by the local rock and roll band Arctic Splash. Fronted by Philebrity editor Joey Sweeney, the Splash recorded a Key Studio Session last month – mid-December, 2012 – and the song “When You Say My Name” is on the recent Key Studio Sessions, Volume 6, featuring performances from 17 bands including Kingsfoil, The Districts, Ape School, and others. You can download the entire collection here. Below, grab the aching, Dylanesque “When You Say My Name” by Arctic Splash.

Once upon a time, Juston Stens was drummer for Philadelphia’s Dr. Dog, before striking out on his own with The Get Real Gang a few years back. His solo songwriting, and the band in general, is also rooted in Abbey Road-esque classic rock tradition – though a bit more smooth and soulful – and last year it released a great LP called Trash or Treasure. We got a nice sampling of that record in the Key Session the band recorded, as well as an unreleased rocker called “Blink of an Eye.” Listen and download the set below, and catch Juston Stens and the Get Real Gang in concert at one of the shows they have coming up this winter – January 18 at the Elks Lodge Ballroom in Lancaster with The Districts, February 9 at World Cafe Live at The Queen with Can You Canoe, or March 1 at Johnny Brenda’s with Daniel Ryan Belski.

• Lonely, Lonely Nightby Juston Stens and the Get Real Gang, from The Key Studio Sessions, Jan. 9, 2013Download

• Colliderby Juston Stens and the Get Real Gang, from The Key Studio Sessions, Jan. 9, 2013Download

• Don't Let Goby Juston Stens and the Get Real Gang, from The Key Studio Sessions, Jan. 9, 2013Download

• Blink Of An Eyeby Juston Stens and the Get Real Gang, from The Key Studio Sessions, Jan. 9, 2013Download

• Deep Pocketby Glocca Morra from The Key Studio Sessions, Jan. 2, 2013Download

• Why Am I Not Going Under Walterby Glocca Morra from The Key Studio Sessions, Jan. 2, 2013Download

• The Voidby Glocca Morra from The Key Studio Sessions, Jan. 2, 2013Download

• Kasper Hauser Liedby Glocca Morra from The Key Studio Sessions, Jan. 2, 2013Download

• For Lauren Leeby Glocca Morra from The Key Studio Sessions, Jan. 2, 2013Download

The close of the year is the ideal time for quiet contemplation, and of everybody we’ve recorded for The Key Studio Sessions these past twelve months, few do it quite as well as Easton native DJ Brown. Recording and performing as Our Griffins, he released a stunning EP called Conversations late last year and made a handful of regional appearances in support of it. After recording with us in the spring, Brown / OG went into a period of hibernation with a handful of song-sketches (we hear one, “Stand Alone,” close out the session), but a recent appearance at The Living Room in New York indicate that he may be ready to re-emerge and take the next steps along his musical path. Download his Key Studio Session below – you’ll hear hints of Nick Drake and Catherine Wheel in its warm, haunting tones – and keep tabs on Brown’s appearances on his Facebook page.

• Conversationsby Our Griffins from The Key Studio Sessions, Dec. 26, 2012Download

• He Knows The Storiesby Our Griffins from The Key Studio Sessions, Dec. 26, 2012Download

• Blood On My Shoulderby Our Griffins from The Key Studio Sessions, Dec. 26, 2012Download

• Stand Aloneby Our Griffins from The Key Studio Sessions, Dec. 26, 2012Download

You could tell right off the bat that Arctic Splash was serious about this holiday vibe. When the band showed up at WXPN last weekend for its Key Studio Session, guitarist Jeff White broke out his cranberry-red Fender, remarking that it was picked specifically for the occasion. It played nicely off of his pine-green flannel, while frontman Joey Sweeney (also known as editor of Philebrity and resuscitator of the 215 Fest) wore a bright red winter cap with the Spectrum logo emblazoned across it. Sure, he probably would have been wearing the hat anyway, but it all just felt so right. The mission at hand was a Christmas-themed Arctic Splash session, guest engineered by World Cafe’s Chris Williams and the set a ran a gamut of moods and sounds. It went from the biting, twisted and cynical (but insanely poppy) “Don’t Kill Yourself At Christmas,” to the generally wintery rocker “Beware of the Black Ice”, all the way to an absolutely sincere, touching rendition of “Silent Night.” In the mix there as well are a couple other Splash originals, “When You Say My Name” and “Baptized In Vibe.” Stream ‘em and download ‘em below, and get ready to sing along when Arctic Splash performs at tonight’s Philebrity Awards at Johnny Brenda’s.

• Don't Kill Yourself This Christmasby Arctic Splash from The Key Studio Sessions, Dec. 19, 2012Download

• Beware of the Black Iceby Arctic Splash from The Key Studio Sessions, Dec. 19, 2012Download

• When You Say My Nameby Arctic Splash from The Key Studio Sessions, Dec. 19, 2012Download

• Baptized In Vibeby Arctic Splash from The Key Studio Sessions, Dec. 19, 2012Download

• Silent Nightby Arctic Splash from The Key Studio Sessions, Dec. 19, 2012Download

If you didn’t already know, South Jersey is a hotbed of pop-punk talent. Today’s Key Studio Session guests, Aspiga, just released their second full-length, Every Last Piece, via Florida label Paper and Plastick Records, and spent the last month on tour, playing DIY shows in basements along the east coast (as well as proper shows at more formalized venues) in support of it. The band has a sound that’s at once melodic and accessible like 90s favorites NoFX, but also jagged and aggressive, a la Hot Water Music. In other words, if you spent any amount of time going to see suburban VFW hall shows with lineups of a half-dozen bands selling pins and 7″s, Aspiga is right up your alley. The band is playing its belated album release show for Every Last Piece at Studio Luloo in Oaklyn, NJ on December 22; more information on the show can be found here. Below, dig into the five live recordings Aspiga made in our studio – one song from each of their releases.

• Head To Curbfrom The Key Studio Sessions, Dec. 12, 2012Download

• Blank Pagesfrom The Key Studio Sessions, Dec. 12, 2012Download

• Tensefrom The Key Studio Sessions, Dec. 12, 2012Download

• On The Defensivefrom The Key Studio Sessions, Dec. 12, 2012Download

• Thanks, But I Can Throw Myself Outfrom The Key Studio Sessions, Dec. 12, 2012Download

• Strange Architectureby Cold Fronts from The Key Studio Sessions, December 5, 2012Download

• Jackieby Cold Fronts from The Key Studio Sessions, December 5, 2012Download

• Sum Girlsby Cold Fronts from The Key Studio Sessions, December 5, 2012Download

• Primetimeby Cold Fronts from The Key Studio Sessions, December 5, 2012Download

Innovative Sellersville three-piece I&I has a knack for crossing boundaries. At the front of the band is Imani Williams, a rapper with a bold delivery and lyrics that range from lighthearted (“House Party”) to philosophical (“Una Mas”). Drummer Ryan Chud propels her rhymes forward with punchy reggae rhythms, while guitarist / bassist Daniel Faga enhances the vibes by building and manipulating loops of sampled sound. At one point during their Key Studio Session, it sounded like there was a full harmonizing horn section backing I&I up, but no. It was really just the three of them, embracing possibility  to spectacular ends. Download the five tracks they recorded below, and catch them in concert this Friday, November 30, when they play The Fire with Blayer Pointdujour and the Rockers Galore.

• Una Masby I&I from The Key Studio Sessions, Nov. 28, 2012Download

• Double Iby I&I from The Key Studio Sessions, Nov. 28, 2012Download

• House Partyby I&I from The Key Studio Sessions, Nov. 28, 2012Download

• Fugaziby I&I from The Key Studio Sessions, Nov. 28, 2012Download

• Triumverate / Nouns & Verbsby I&I from The Key Studio Sessions, Nov. 28, 2012Download