Versatile pianist Marco Benevento will be playing at The Blockley tonight. Benevento utilizes an array of electric organs, pianos, and overall keys based instruments to obtain an eclectic sound. He is a member of the Benevento/Russo Duo who are responsible for a number releases, as well as member of other bands, and has various solo albums and recordings, with his most recent being TigerFace released in 2012 with The Royal Potato Family. Benevento will be accompanied by Everyone Orchestra with Steve Kimock, Matt Butler, and band members of the group Moe. at tonight’s show. Tickets and information for 21 and up show with Diamond Doves can be found here. Below, enjoy a live video of Benevento playing his song “Fireworks” at The Blockley last February.

California’s Suicidal Tendencies will be playing at the Electric Factory tonight to celebrate their brand new album 13, their ninth album. Formed in 1981, the band has been deemed a crossover thrash band, combining elements of punk, hardcore, thrash, heavy metal, and every genre that requires an individual to turn their clapping hands into horns to satiate the heaviness.  Suicidal has gone through many lineup changes, with Mike Muir the lead singer being the only permanent member. Their new album 13 marks thirteen years since the band has released a new LP. They started their Slam City Tour on April 11th that has dates all across the U.S., and will then venture to Mexico to play the Hell & Heaven Metal Fest 2013. Tickets and information for the all-ages show with Sick Of It All, Waking The Dead, and D.R.I. can be found here. Below, listen to a streaming on YouTube of Suicidal Tendencies’ new album 13.

Philadelphia native Andrew Gray will be playing Writers in the Round at Kennett Flash tonight. Gray, ex member/co-founder of Philadelphia’s folk band Hoots and Hellmouth, will be taking the stage to play some of his solo material. He has recordings of his songs available on his bandcamp as a name-your-own-price release which was streamed through XPN in August 2011. The songs are a minimal, but powerful, exemplifying Gray’s talent as a solo musician. Tickets and information for the all-ages show with Mike Cummings and Tim Celfo can be found here. Below, listen to Gray’s song “Sing Along, Sing Alone” off of his EP simply titled 3 Songs.

Photo by Seth Klinger

It’s kind of fitting that my voice recorder was (accidentally) on for the full half hour between the time I stepped out of work and the moment I met with Ron Gallo (Toy Soldiers‘ front man) and Seth Klinger (Toy Soldiers’ “intern” and documentarian). The two worked together to film Maybe Trails, a reality film about real people in a real band on a real tour. And, while it was real annoying to have to listen through over 20 minutes of my own trails (which sounded like a horse galloping around town in a pocket), in the end it was fitting.

Maybe Trails is about a bunch of self-proclaimed “maybe” boys on a tour that may be successful playing shows that warrant the same unknown. It’s really all up and down, clippity-clop, going through the motions and taking the steps and seeing where that takes you.

“You know, this is my first interview” says Seth Klinger, the 25-year-old behind the documentary.  He’s sipping a golden beer from a glass outside in the sun with his Ray Ban-ish glasses on looking like a pro, though. It’s Tuesday, three days away from what Klinger expects to be one of the most important nights of his life. This Friday, he’s premiering his first full-length documentary made to show what life is like on the road as a touring band. He followed Philly’s Toy Soldiers, a five-piece folk-soul outfit headed by Ron Gallo, on two almost identical tours (from Philly to Austin for the SXSW Festival) in two years.

But this film really isn’t about the band. “One of my major influences was something Ron showed me, it was a Jonny Corndawg video where it starts out with him stretching and he talks about how he likes to run on tour. It wasn’t really about the music, and that’s one thing I wanted to do was make it less about the music and more about being on the road.”

Stray Dawg from Sean Dunne on Vimeo.

It’s about being in a band and all driving, driving, driving that goes with it. It’s about playing a show, driving more, breaking down, and playing another show. It aims to show the truth about touring. As Gallo puts it,this film “will show what it’s really like. [We decided] let’s not make a documentary about our band, let’s make it about doing this and we happen to be the subjects of that. And thank God for the negative, really.” Negative which included speeding tickets picked up so as not to miss a show in Pittsburgh, a sentimental van scrapped for $200 down South after its final breakdown, the general weirdness that is the Midwest and driving eight hours to find out the venue you’re supposed to be playing misspoke and is actually closing in a half hour.

Klinger says, “When the van broke down, that was a joy, because I knew that would be the climax of the movie… there were a lot of negatives but, I think, this is what the film portrays is that [the band]  just moved away from it all and saw the positives in everything.”

“When those things happened, it was completely natural because I wasn’t even thinking about being on film. Especially the scene where [the van] actually does break down and is smoking and all that, I was so beyond that at that point and in shock like, ‘what the fuck are we going to do?’ that I didn’t realize [we were filming],” Gallo admits.

Klinger met Gallo and the rest of the group was an intern at Ropeadope Records years ago while Toy Soldiers was working on its Get Through the Time EP with the label. At the time, Klinger was a Temple University student studying film stuff and he knew wanted to get into the music industry in some form or another. The two became quick friends and decided to continue working together. Now, Klinger is basically the Soldiers’ in house videographer, shooting shows, music videos and other promotional material for the group.

The documentary covers the group’s last two trips to Austin’s South by Southwest festival, as well as periphery shows. Klinger tagged along both years, even choosing to put off getting a job so that he could be on this year. Now, he’s got a gig at a Baltimore radio station and two road trips under his belt. Going on tour and being the only non-band mate in the van and sleeping in bags and watching shows the group’s shows nightly taught Klinger how to “interview people and how to be on the road and how to be social,” he says.

Being the subject of documentary that spanned two years of his life on the road gave Gallo some insight, as well. He says (about touring), “I think a lot of people romanticize it, I know that I did the first time I went, and it’s funny because the first tour I did was all around great. Nothing really bad happened, every night was a magical thing, and I think that was kind of a naive perception of it all.”

And the difference between then and now?

“Going through it and realizing how stupid you [were]. It doesn’t get better, you get better and you just realize how to handle it better,” he says, “That’s where the title comes from, the ‘maybe trails,’ because nothing is ever certain. Maybe it will be good, maybe it will be bad. Everything is a gamble.”

You see, on one tour everything smells like roses and on the next you’re not finding enough “shittable” bathrooms in Austin. It’s an infinite open road the first time around and the second, your beloved van breaks down outside of New Orleans and your friends, The Kid Carsons, have to drive you eight hours to the next venue just so that by the time you get there, the space is closed.

Because it’s all up and down, the road is filled with maybe’s. It may be good and it may be bad and it will probably be a little bit of both and you just have ramble on and see where it takes you.

To see exactly where it took Klinger and Toy Soldiers, check out the video premier at Johnny Brenda’s this Friday, when the group plays with The Holy Ghost Revival. Also, get a sneak peek at Toy Soldiers’ newest album (due out this fall), which spans the soundtrack.

Gallo just today released a live EP to tide folks over while the new Toy Soldiers EP wraps up. It’s a recording of a set he played at Ortlieb’s Lounge on March 28th, opening for Pegi Young. It features some old Soldiers songs, some songs that I’m not sure if they’re new Soldiers or Gallo solo songs, and one Harry Nilsson cover. Stream it in the player below, download it over at Bandcamp, and check out a companion Bands in the Backyard video from the show after the jump.

Philly roots-blues outfit Toy Soldiers are the latest local group to step in to Fishtown’s HotBox Studio and perform for their cameras. Below, watch the boys rip through a take of “Throw Me Down” from their 2009 album Whisper Down the Lane. They play Johnny Brenda’s on April 19th to preview The Maybe Trails, a documentary about their time on tour; more information on that show (and film) can be found here.

Local roots-rockers The Lawsuits head out to Lancaster’s Chameleon Club tonight for a sure-to-be-rowdy show with Toy Soldiers, The Districts and People’s Blues of Richmond.  Taking a cue from Philly music leaders Dr. Dog and Man Man (just to name a few), The Lawsuits worked with local engineer Bill Moriarty on their forthcoming LP, following up November’s Numbers EP.  Don’t let the laidback and introspective nature of that recent release fool you though, The Lawsuits are just as loud and lively as always, as evidenced by their on-going collaboration with Philly hip hop outfit Ground Up.  Tickets and information for tonight’s 18+ show can be found here.  Watch The Lawsuits video for “Ebony Rose” below.

New York’s Double King play Kung Fu Necktie tonight.  Formerly of Philly band The Powder Kegs, Double King frontman Ryan Dieringer moved to New York after the band broke up and quickly started work on his new project, which released their debut self-titled LP on Kill the Messenger Records last September.  With a solid rock & roll sound, Double King take jaunts into the many facets of the genre over the albums eight tracks including the surfy “Runaway” and the twangier “Hurricane & Harriet.”  Tickets and information for tonight’s 21+ show with Cold Fronts and TJ Kong can be found here.  Below, watch Double King’s video for “Monsters.”

Double King – “Monsters” [Official Video] from Couple 3 Films on Vimeo.

Recent Run For Cover Records additions Modern Baseball play The Fire tonight.  Their 2012 debut LP Sports is getting the reissue-treatment by the new label and will be released on March 12th.  The local band also contributed to a benefit 4-way split for Topshelf Records this week along with Philly friends The Hundred Acre Woods, Maryland’s Julia Brown and Old Gray, with proceeds go to global anti-violence charity V-Day.  Tickets and information for tonight’s 21= show with Cayetana, Marietta, Smoother and Cool Points can be found here.  Watch a stripped-down version of “The Weekend” from Sports below.

If you, like most of us, missed out on the super fast selling tickets for Mumford & Sons‘ show at Susquehanna Bank Center this weekend, have no fear.  Sit back and enjoy the British invasion event from the comfort of your home or car by tuning into WXPN 88.5 or streaming it online at XPN.org and sing along to favorites from 2012′s stand-out Babel and 2009′s debut Sigh No More.  Opening acts include LA sister trio HAIM and current BRIT Award nominee Ben Howard.  More information can be found here.  Below, watch Mumford & Sons perform “The Cave” live at Bonaroo in 2011.

Photo by Ricky Codio | rickycodio.com

After celebrating the release of his RFM LP with a sold-out crowd at The TLA a couple of months ago, local hip hop artist Chill Moody comes to The Blockley for another celebration – this time a celebration of love.  Moody will team up once again with Beano and Hank McCoy to perform the last installment in their Valentine’s Day mixtape Who Do You Love? in its entirety.  Tickets and information for the 21+ show can be found here.  Below, watch them perform a track from the mixtape live in Love Park.

Local hardcore punk buddies Pissed Jeans celebrate the release of their third LP Honeys tonight at Underground Arts.  The Key featured the Sub Pop band in this week’s Studio Session and it is quite the nihilistic rager (though the bandmates are extremely friendly people in real life).  With all four Pissed Jeans members holding down full-time jobs and families, Honeys comes four years after their last effort; read more about what went on during those years here.  Tickets and information for tonight’s 21+ show with Leather and Lantern can be found here.  Watch the video for “Bathroom Laughter” below and check out their Key Studio Session here.

Goodnight, Texas play Kung Fu Necktie tonight for The Swollen Fox‘s showcase. Described as a “transcontinental garage Appalachian collaboration,” Goodnight, Texas combines the musical talents of Patrick Dyer Wolf and Avi Vincour (The Stone Foxes).  The two met in San Francisco and started a long distance musical partnership that is geographically marked in the center by a town called Goodnight in Texas.  The band’s sound crosses the vast expanse of the country as well, blending dusty western ballads with southern folk instrumentation.  Tickets and information for tonight’s 21+ show with Toy Soldiers and August John Lutz II (The Levee Drivers) can be found here.  Watch Goodnight, Texas perform “I’m Going to Work on Maggie’s Farm Forever” below and get a free download of “Jesse Got Trapped in a Coal Mine.”

Also happening:
Pop-rappers Moosh & Twist make up for a cut-short First Unitarian show by headlining Union Transfer. XPN Welcomes singer-songwriter Mike Doughty The Abbey in Harrisburg, as well as other events during the Millennium Music Conference. And XPN Welcomes the Northern Liberties Winter Music Festival at The Fire.

Over a dozen local favorites are joining to together for a go at Song Reader: Twenty New Songs by Beck tonight at World Cafe Live upstairs.  As previously reported, influential music man Beck Hansen released his latest album in the (not so) traditional format of sheet music, intended for individual interpretation by those who wanted to hear the otherwise-unrecorded songs.  Tonight’s bill is a near-comprehensive list of Philly’s major players including Sean Hoots, Andrew Lipke, The Districts, Toy Soldiers and Kuf Knotz.  Tickets and information for the event can be found here.  For a full list of participating bands go here.  Below, watch local singer-songwriter Ben Smith perform his take of “Last Night You Were a Dream” from the Reader.

Elk Rhythms will perform tonight at the North Star Bar‘s New Music Showcase.  The folk project of Andy Ellison, Elk Rhythms’ audible influences on 2012′s self-titled EP range from The Grateful Dead (“Forty Days“) to Fleet Foxes with some unexpected Animal Collective playfulness thrown in (“Sleepwalking“).  Also playing tonight are Twenty Minute Tango, The Pretty Dittys and Devil’s Triangle.  Tickets and information for the 21+ show can be found here.  Below, stream and download Elk Rhythms’ “Gone Away.”.

Lititz faves The Districts are making their way to town for a rousing New Year’s gig at Fergie’s with Toy Soldiers. It’s been a huge year for this brand new band, from their impressive album Telephone to their Beta Hi-Fi win, their Key Studio Session and all the gigs they’ve played since. The 21+ party begins at 9 p.m., more info here. Below, listen to The Districts’ Key Session take on “Long Distance.”

• Long Distanceby The Districts from The Key Studio SessionsDownload

If you find yourself in a northwesterly direction of the city tonight (what’s up, Boyertown?), don’t overlook perennially great roots rock combo Frog Holler , who are ringing in the New Year at Union Jack’s Inn on the Manatawney. Information on the party is available here. Below, download “To Turn Back Now” from Frog Holler’s most recent LP Believe It Or Not.

• To Turn Back Nowby Frog Holler from Believe It Or NotDownload

And like the headline says, there are so many other shows going on tonight. The War on Drugs might be sold out, but you have your options cut out for you. Have fun, be safe, and happy 2013!

DRGN KNG Photo by Nicky Devine

Who’d we forget? Probably dozens more. Our apologies if we left you out. We hope you get the point though; these days, Philly is miles deep and miles wide with talent and creativity. If 2012 was a “ten,” here’s 15 reasons why Philly’s music scene is about to go to 11 in 2013.

1. The highly anticipated Kanine Records debut from power punk rockers Bleeding Rainbow, Yeah Right, out on January 29th.

2. Not wanting to be out powered by their noise brothers and sister – Bleeding Rainbow – Purling Hiss tear the blisters off their fingers when they release Water On Mars on Drag City on March 19th. Hiss guitarist Mike Polizze redefines the concept of “shredding.”

3. Not from the old school or from the new, rapper GrandeMarshall is from his own trippy, ethereal school of hip-hop. Recently signed to Fool’s Gold, his 800 mixtape was one of the best of ’12, and there’s more to come in the one-three.

4. The recent return of Reef The Lost Cauze with Reef The Lost Cauze Is Dead.

5. Don’t call it a comeback he’s been here for years: William Hart, lead singer of The Delfonics is back with the sounds of symphonic soul with Adrian Younge.

6. Roots collaborators Greg Porn and Truck North are in serious music making mode.

7. Dr. Dog drummer Eric Slick and singer-songwriter Brendan Mulvihill, aka Norwegian Arms, release their new Wolf Like A Stray Dog album on January 15th. It’s a collection of wonderful wierdworld indie-folk.

8. Pattern Is Movement will release its new album, There Will Be, next year. PIM performed new material at this show recently and by all indications the new jawns are mind blowingly funky and right on time. Rumour on the street is that new record was inspired by drummer Chris Ward and keyboardist Andrew Thiboldeaux listening to thousands of hours of Frank Ocean’s Channel Orange. When they hear the new PIM album, the Dirty Projectors will attempt to make a record like Drake’s Take Care and fail.

9. We’re pretty certain that Work Drugs will continue to release at least one new song a month. If not, we’ll be disappointed.

10. Not familiar with the mind blowing pianotechnics of jazz pianist Elew? Well you should be. This past summer he released Elew Rockjazz, Volume 2, and we’re just saying that his takes on rock classics will take you to another planet, which is a good thing. Originally from Camden, NJ and a graduate of Overbrook High, Elew is Eric Lewis. He’s toured with Wynton Marsalis, Josh Groban, Cassandra Wilson and many others. His musical world Is a planet where Thelonius Monk, Keith Jarrett, Michael Jackson and The Killers all make sweet music together. Don’t lose sight of this guy.

11. The Fleeting Ends is a trio who release their second album, Our Eyes Are Peeled on January 29th. Their attention to pop detail, songwriting and arrangements is frighteningly good, bordering on obsessive. Oh yeah: string arrangements by the legendary Larry Gold.

12. Dominic Angelella and Ritz Reynolds are DRGN KNG. The geniuses at Bar None Records were smart enough to sign them and are releasing Paragraph Nights on January 22nd. Oh yeah, did you catch that nice little writeup in Rolling Stone?

13. Ron Gallo and his band of merry ramshackle roots rockers Toy Soldiers release their new album next year. Produced by Bill Moriarty, Maybe Boys promises to deliver on their fun live performances and Gallo’s knack for writing songs that bring to mind a Sun Records meeting of The Band.

14. Our pals Free Energy unleash their new collection of bubblegum indie-rock, Love Sign, on January 15th. More infectious than The Cars and the Ohio Express.

15. When he’s not bassing it up for The War On Drugs, Dave Hartley, has his own groovy musical project called Nightlands. Hartley releases Oak Island on Secretly Canadian on January 22nd. While we are certainly amazing by his musical talents, Hartley is also a pretty sharp basketball fan and shares his insights with us in his basketball column for us, Top Of The Key.

Cozy Galaxies, Toy Soldiers and The Slackwater News perform at the Chameleon Club in Lancaster, PA. This indie/blues/folk shakedown features three up and coming bands from the Philadelphia area who write catchy songs that hearken back to soft, rootsy jams–but with a modern twist. Both Toy Soldiers and The Slackwater News have put out releases in the last year, as well as multiple videos. Watch the video below for The Slackwater News’ song “Ghosts.”

Alt-punkers Scuzbot play The Fire with guests Barncat, The Delaware Riviera and White Hot Noise. Scuzbot, who released their first EP entitled Shapes and Trends last year, recently released an acoustic performance of the song “Washed Up” from their EP. Below is a video for the White Hot Noise track “Let It Out,” which was a one-take recording of the band recording in the studio.

Lancaster, Pennsylvania’s Chameleon Club will be hosting the punk/orchestral group World/Inferno Friendship Society. The Brooklyn based circus punk outfit, fronted by Jack Terricloth, currently has seven active members including guitar, bass, alto saxaphone and piano. This all ages event will also feature the New York alt-country group O’Death. Check out the short documentary for World/Inferno Friendship Society below. For more information on the event visit the Chameleon Club page located here.

Philadelphia rock group Kalob Griffin Band will be playing his annual holiday concert at World Cafe Live. Along with the Americana rockers will be Toy Soldiers, Sean Hoots (from Hoots and Hellmouth) and Ali Wadsworth. Below is the video for their song “The Winter Blues” which was filmed throughout one day in Philadelphia. For more on Kalob Griffin Band, read The Key’s interview here.

Brooklyn lo-fi/garage group The Babies will be headlining a show at Kung Fu Necktie. The band will be supporting their newly released album, Our House on the Hill. This 21 and over event will also feature the Brooklyn punk rock band Swearin’ who has been touring the country with Canadian indie-rock group Japandroids. Tickets and more information can be found here.

Sellersville trio I&I stopped recently by for this week’s Key Studio Session, recording five impressive tracks (and creating their own horn section). The reggae/hip hop fusion band boasts Imani Williams on vocals, Ryan Chud on drums (and trumpet) and Daniel Faga on guitar/bass.  Listen back to full session here and download “Triumverate/Nouns & Verbs” below.

• Truimverate / Nouns & Verbsby I&I, from The Key Studio SessionsDownload

Some Distant Moon is Radiator Hospital‘s eighth release since in 2010 (and its fourth this year).  Recent Philly transplant Sam Cook-Parrott sings of loneliness and love on the EP’s four tracks but the contemplative, introspective lyrics are masked in a musical overlay of upbeat tempos and catchy riffs.  Watch the video for “Andy Griffith” below and head over to Radiator Hospital’s Bandcamp to download the full EP.

ANDY GRIFFITH (Official Music Video) from JK/JVW on Vimeo.

On Wednesday, we were proud to premiere Heyward Howkins‘ new song “Praline Country.”  The track comes in anticipation of Howkins’ upcoming sophomore release, following up this year’s sublime debut The Hale & Hearty.  Heyward Howkins plays PhilaMOCA on December 6th with Birdie Busch and Casey Neill; more information can be found here.  Stream and download “Praline Country” below.

Wednesday’s My Morning Download featured Florida folk-roots group Roadkill Ghost Choir.  The Orlando-based six-piece released their Quiet Light EP in September, but free download “Beggar’s Guild” is far from quiet.  Grab a copy of the track below, and check out the full EP here.

The Dead Milkmen will take the stage at Union Transfer for a Halloween show with Psychic Teens and MC Lars.  The Philadelphia-born band has been working on a new album at Miner Street Recording Studio and you can check out teaser clips on their website.  Tonight’s show is also the first in the Philadelphia Poster Guild’s lineup with a festive poster designed by Thom Lessner, which you’ll be able to pick up at the concert.  Tickets are $25 for the all-ages show and doors will open at 7:00 p.m.  Listen to some spooky vibes from the band’s recent recording sessions below.

Over at The Fire, it’s A Tribute to Halloween with members of Polar Ice Cap, The Stammer, The Best Westerns, The Extraordinaires, The Really Cooks and Dangerous Ponies.  The bands will be undercover as they perform cult favorites from The Rocky Horror Picture Show, The Pixies, Joy Division and more.  Tickets are $5 for the 21+ show here.  Doors will open at 8:00 p.m.  Stream Dangerous Ponies’ track “Ghost” below.

Get your Halloween hip hop on with Kuf Knotz’s BoomBox Collective at World Cafe Live.  Featuring soul singer Brian Owens, tonight’s event will have live music, dancing and a costume contest.  The party will begin at 8:00 p.m. and is free for all ages.  More information can be found here.  Meet Brian Owens in the promotional video below.

Photo by Ali Wadsworth

Coming off of a rocking appearance at Bloktoberfest this past weekend, local blues-rock boys Toy Soldiers will be hitting the stage at The Gild Hall in Arden, DE on Friday as they open for The Felice Brothers (a show that was originally scheduled for October 13th).  Ron Gallo and his troops are putting the finishing touches on their debut full-length record (engineered by Bill Moriarty), an effort that has been a longtime coming for the tirelessly-touring outfit.  Tickets to Friday’s show are $28 and doors open at 7:00 p.m.  Below, stream and download Toy Soldiers’ single “Been Here All My Days” for free.

Post-punk band Swans will be performing tonight at Union Transfer. Swans, formed in 1982 by frontman Michael Gira, took a hiatus from 1997 to 2010. Since then, the band has released two new albums, 2010′s My Father Will Guide Me Up a Rope to the Sky and The Seer, which dropped in August. The all-ages show starts at 9; ticket information can be found here. Watch their cover of  Joy Division‘s “Love Will Tear Us Apart” below.

The one and only Robert Glasper Experiment will be playing at World Cafe Live this evening. The jazz pianist and his band released their fifth album, Black Radio in February. The show tonight starts at 8; more details can be found here. Below you can stream his song “Afro Blue” featuring Erykah Badu.

XPN Welcomes alt rocker Mike Doughty to World Cafe Live at the Queen tonight. Doughty’s new album of covers, The Flip is Another Honey, will be available November 6th, and features guest singer Roseanne Cash on Johnny Cash’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads.” The show tonight begins at 8; more ticket information can be found here. Listen to Doughty’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads” with Roseanne Cash below.

Shout out to the Royal Potato Family! XPN Welcomes experimental pianist Marco Benevento will be rocking out at The Blockley tonight! Benevento’s fourth full length record, Tigerface, was released in September. This 21+ show begins at 9 PM; more details can be found here. Check out Benevento’s video for “Limbs of a Pine” below.

When it comes to covering Philly’s live music scene, Kevin is a machine – he runs what’s arguably the most comprehensive concert calendar in the city, and when he’s not listing or announcing shows, he’s attending them, keeping meticulous setlists, and generally being a consummate concert-watcher. (He’s also a fun dude to hang with at shows, trade his Bonnaroo stories for my South By Southwest stories, and nerd out over craft brews.) I’m happy to invite Kevin to our corner of the internet to give an overview of what he’s got in store for the five Tuesdays of October. All events are at PhilaMOCA (531 N. 12th Street), start at 7:30pm and are $5.

From Kevin:
When I first heard about PhilaMOCA’s Tuesday Tune-Out series back in June, I was very excited about the idea. Music and film are a great combination, and I thought it was especially cool that the musicians would be selecting the films. When Eric Besler asked me to curate a month, I was both honored and excited. It was a new and fun experience to put together October’s lineup, and I’m very excited for what’s in store this month. I’m also grateful to John Vettese for asking me to Guest VJ and let The Key’s readers know more about this month’s lineup. So without further ado, here are some videos and thoughts.

Tuesday, 10/2:
August John Lutz II (of Levee Drivers)

When putting together the lineup, October 2nd was the last date left to fill, and I was so excited when August John Lutz II agreed to solidify the lineup. His band, Levee Drivers, have been around the Philly music scene for a few years now, deservedly gaining recognition after winning the 2009 Beta Hi-Fi Festival and The Deli Magazine‘s “Best Philly Emerging Artist” poll in 2010. We’re excited to see him kick off our month tonight with a solo set and a film by a recently-departed English director.

Tuesday, 10/9:
Ron Gallo (of Toy Soldiers) & Thom McCarthy

When I started to think about who I wanted to invite to play this series, Ron Gallo and Thom McCarthy were two of the first artists to pop into my head. I had seen McCarthy open for Gallo’s Toy Soldiers not long before and was completely blown away. He is truly one of Philadelphia’s best kept secrets, an amazing writer and performer. His friend Ron Gallo is another one of Philadelphia’s finest singer-songwriters (and tireless workers) and we couldn’t be more excited to have these two fantastic entertainers on the same bill. The film these two chose or may not be directed by (and starring) a legendary silent-film era comedic star.

Tuesday, 10/16
DRGN KING

I first saw DRGN KING this past February at Johnny Brenda‘s. They were the first opener on a bill that included Fort Lean and NICOS GUN, and they didn’t take long to convert me into a fervent fan. In a crowded music scene both in this city and on the internet, DRGN KING stand out as a truly original band with a great sound and fun live performances. They’ve also often had a projected visual component to their live show, which was one of the reasons I thought to ask them. The band’s film selection may or may not have been scored by Neil Young.

Tuesday, 10/23
The Lawsuits

As a music fan, I’ve always been drawn most to talented singer-songwriters and front men and women. While I love many different genres, my resting pulse is in the americana/folk/rock arena. The Lawsuits are another band with a great songwriter leading the way, Brian Dale Allen Strouse. It doesn’t hurt that he’s got a talented band joining him, and together the group knows how to put on a great show. They also know how to pick a movie, which we can only tell you features one of the 80s most beloved characters (who may or may not wear a bowtie).

Tuesday, 10/30
The Bailey Hounds

When I was putting together this series, it somehow failed to dawn on me that the final Tuesday of the month fell on the night before Halloween. Luckily, this detail did not make it past The Bailey Hounds, who immediately jumped at the idea and suggested a Halloween-themed show. We’ll be decorating PhilaMOCA for the show and showing a classic 70s horror film that was remade almost 10 years ago. Don’t worry, we’ll be screening the original.

Powerhouse Philly singer Ali Wadsworth just released two rocking new songs from her forthcoming full-length solo album, just in time for her free show at City Hall tomorrow. The songs feature Tim Arnold of Good Old War on drums, Jaron Olevsky of Amos Lee on piano/organ, Toy Solders’ Dominic Billett on congas and percussion, as well as fellow local musicians Phil D’Agostino on bass, and Dan Schwartz and Joe Bisirri on guitar. Below, listen to Wadsworth’s new tracks and, if you like what you hear, make sure to RSVP for her City Hall Presents performance tomorrow night. The show runs from 5:30PM to 6:30PM at the Mayor’s Reception Room (City Hall, Room 202). RSVP ahead here, as seating is limited.

Randy Newman (left) and Harry Nilsson

Fans of snappy piano pop would do well to head to Fergie’s Wednesday night, when Toy Soldiers frontman Ron Gallo hosts a tribute to 70s songwriters Harry Nilsson and Randy Newman. Admission to the show is free, and music gets underway starting at 9 p.m. It’s the first installment of the new weekly “Ron Gallo Revue”, and features an impressive list of local collaborators: Ali and Claire Wadsworth, Tim Arnold of Good Old War, Thom McCarthy, Ross Bellenoit, Gretchen Lohse of Yellow Humphrey, Jerry Bernhardt of The Get Real Gang, Aaron Brown, Modern Inventors and Gallo himself. With so much talent in the room, we couldn’t help offering a few suggestions / challenges from the Nilsson / Newman repertoire that we’d love to see these folks perform. For instance, Nilsson’s iconic 1971 hit “Without You” – re-popularized by Mariah Carey in the 90s – would rock so hard coming out of one or both of the powerhouse vocalist Wadsworth sisters. And Aaron Brown’s voice already has the husky smoothness of Newman’s – he’d tear up “I Think It’s Going To Rain Today.” Check out our picks below, and get more information on the tribute at its Facebook event page.

Philly americana artist Kevin Killen will serenade the night away with a free show at the North Star Bar Victorian Dining Room. He’ll be opening for Elkins Park artist Christopher Michael, who has played for a number of Philly area hard-indie bands but has recently taken the folky road himself. The 21+ show is free and starts at 8pm (more information is available on the Facebook event page). Below, stream Christopher Michael’s “Home.”

Finally, glitchy Philly psych-pop duo Gemini Wolf will rock Silk City tonight with local psych-rock team A Study In Terror. Get your fill of psyched-out vibes presented by BITBY, who are also hosting DJs to round out the set. Admission to the 21+ event is $7; show starts at 9. Below, stream Gemini Wolf’s “Thirst” from their album Infinite Sand Dunes.

Poster designed by Ryan Psota

Local singer-songwriters Dani Mari and Reverend TJ McGlinchey have teamed up to host a monthly concert series in a popular South Philly park this summer. The FDR Park Summer Series kicked off on June 8th with performances by Griz and Kevin Killen, as well as sets from the hosts. The next concert in the series is this Friday featuring Toy Soldiers and Thom McCarthy. I sat down with Dani Mari and Reverend TJ McGlinchey to chat about the FDR Park Summer Series, what they’ve been up to, their new band, Lovers League, and the pair recorded a couple of acoustic songs for us.

McGlinchey and Mari first met about seven years ago through the local open mic scene and  reconnected in 2010 when Mari was the featured artist for Hezekiah Jones‘ open mic at JD Mc Gillicuddy’s in Ardmore. Since then, the pair have collaborated on recordings and performances: McGlinchey had Mari open for his CD release show at World Cafe Live in January. Now, in addition to hosting the FDR Park Summer Series, they are getting ready to record an album for their band, Lovers League.

Mari explains how the FDR Park Summer Series came about when she met Greg Jacovini, a member of the FDR Park Board. “He mentioned that they’re looking to have more live music there. I told him I had hosted a couple of festivals on the roof of Whole Foods a couple years ago. We were talking about it back and forth and finally decided to move forward and try to put something together for the summer.” They decided to put on a show once a month in the park. Mari contacted McGlinchey to co-host the concert series with her and he brought in his connections.

“Both my brothers are audio engineers,” he explained. “So it was easy to get sound. My little brother is doing the sound for it and bringing the PA. And just hanging out in the Philly scene I got to know some of the better musicians and had some connections to use there to get some good headliners.”

When asked about the vibe they were going for, McGlinchey laughed and responded, “Not heavy metal.” Each show will have a solo acoustic opener, followed by a set by Dani Mari and her band. McGlinchey will join her for a couple tunes, then McClinchey and his band will play a set, and a full band will close out each show, with the pair introducing each act. When asked about their hosting style, McGlinchey responded, “We have slightly awkward stage bits that we do. Mostly we kinda look at each other funny and go ‘uhhh..what?’ It’s a bit of a schtick.”

This Friday local singer-songwriter Thom McCarthy will open the show and the band Toy Soldiers will close out the night. McGlinchey says of Toy Soldiers, “They’re really good… it’s upbeat, dancey, and that’s what I go for [to] get the crowd going.” To make it more of an event, the pair have booked artists to show their works and the South Philly Food Co-Op will be participating for the concert this Friday. Since the series is free and open to the public, McGlinchey says, “there’s no excuse not to go.”

The August Summer Series show features opener Johnny Miles and headliner Ben Arnold. McGlinchey booked Ben Arnold, who he knew from hanging out in Manayunk and Rocksborough (and from opening for Arnold’s band US Rails). Mari brought in Johnny Miles, who she knows from the local music scene, to round out the line-up. For the September show, the pair booked local singer-songwriter Andrew Lipke and Philly folk rock band Railroad Fever. McGlinchey recorded his new album, Tell Me to Stay, in Lipke’s basement. As for the other bands, McGlinchey explains, ”a lot of people I know in the [Philly] folk scene I met through Raph in Hezekiah Jones…He used to do a lot of living room shows, so I’d go there and meet a ton of people and not really know who was who until I started going out and playing. But Railroad Fever is one of those bands.”

The pair also hope to put on a second FDR Park Summer Series next year. McGlinchey says “I’m hoping we make an impression this year and then next year they’ll recognize that we’ve done a good job and we can expand.” McGlinchey mentioned doing a longer show or extending the event and adding a punk rock stage at the skate park in FDR Park.

McGlinchey came to the interview on Tuesday with some pretty exciting news of his own. The musician had just found out that morning that he had been selected by the Philadelphia Folksong Society to play the main stage at the Philadelphia Folk Festival. McGlinchey explains, “I won a contest. It was called the Unsung Heroes Competition, it’s for campers and volunteers. They pick ten bands all together and then two out of that. So I get a spot on the main stage…I’m also gonna be playing keyboard with Griz that weekend so I’m gonna be busy. It’s the first year in maybe fifteen years that I’m not volunteering. I’ve been going my whole life so I’m really really excited. I think I have a built-in crowd just from camping.”

The pair were nice enough to record two songs they’ve been collaborating on while in our studio at World Cafe Live. The first, “That Man,” is off of Dani Mari’s album, Impulsive, and the second track is called “If You See Her”  off of Reverend TJ McGlinchey’s album, Tell Me to Stay. You can listen to and download both tracks below. Check out the free FDR Park Summer Series this Friday, July 27^th with Toy Soldiers and Thom McCarthy, August 31^st with Johnny Miles and Ben Arnold and September 28^th with Railroad Fever and Andrew Lipke.

• That Manby Dani Mari and Rev. T.J. McGlinchey, Acoustic at The KeyDownload

• If You See Herby Dani Mari and Rev. T.J. McGlinchey, Acoustic at The KeyDownload

Check out our coverage of Good Old War at this year’s XPoNential Music Festival here, and watch their video for “Amazing Eyes,” from their latest album below.

South Philly native Lushlife will bring his beat-making swagger with him to Milkboy Philly tonight. Having made a stellar name for himself over the past year, Lushlife blends experimental production and live rapping together into one nuanced sound. Also performing is funky psychedelic duo THEESATISFACTION and indie electronic artist Mast. This show is 21+, doors open at 8 PM. Go here for tickets.

Bucks County native Alec Gross has been making a name for himself in the New York City singer-songwriter scene, but he returns to the region tonight for a show at the Abington Arts Center. The lushly-arranged songs on his album Strip the Lanterns are both introspective and anthemic, recalling Josh Ritter and Bruce Springsteen – you can grab a download of his single “If You Don’t Mind (Baby Go Ahead)” below. The Abington Art Center is located at 515 Meetinghouse Road in Jenkintown. Admission to the all ages show is $5 and music begins at 7 p.m.

A band from California who calls themselves The Growlers will be playing tonight at Johnny Brenda’s. The group experiments with different sounds ranging from psychedelic to classic rock to hip hop. Also playing will be Philadelphia psych rock boys, Mountjoy who just released their Naked Lake EP. To purchase tickets to this 21+ show go here. Doors open at 8PM.

WXPN Welcomes Bonnie Raitt to the Academy Of Music with special guest Mavis Staples. 8PM; tickets are $45.50-$85.50

WXPN Welcomes Keane to the Merriam Theatre with special guests Mystery Jets. 8PM; tickets are $35-$45.00

Birdie Busch with Adam & Dave’s Bloodline at Morgan’s Pier. 5PM; the show is free but you must be 21+.

Goodnight Lights with The Quelle Source and The Bailey Hounds at Johnny Brenda’s. Doors at 8PM; Show at 9PM; tickets to the 21+ show are $10.

Chill Moody at The Fire. 9PM; tickets to the 21+ show are $10

Toy Soldiers at World Cafe Live. Doors at 7PM; Show at 8PM. Advance tickets are $10 + processing fee in advance; $15 + processing fee at the door.