Omar Rodriguez-Lopez will bring his current project back to Philadelphia on July 13th for a show at Underground Arts. Bosnian Rainbows appeared after the Texas-based musician announced the disbandment of his former band The Mars Volta, though Volta drummer Deantoni Parks stuck with Rodriguez-Lopez the new venture alongside Teri Gender Bender of Le Butcherettes and Nicci Kasper. The experimental / alt-rock group will release its debut self-titled album through Sargent House in June, following two singles that were released earlier this year. Tickets and information for the show will be available on the XPN Concert Calendar. Stream “Torn Maps” and “Turtle Neck” below and check out photo’s from Bosnian Rainbows’ February appearance at the First Unitarian Church here.
You know boundary-pushing sax player Colin Stetson, even if you don’t realize it. As a performer, he’s best known as a player with Bon Iver and Arcade Fire; as a studio musician, he’s sat in with Tom Waits, Godspeed You! Black Emperor and countless others. His latest solo record, New History Warfare Vol. 3: To See More Light, came out last week, and tonight he plays World Cafe Live on tour in support of it. The all-ages show with Sarah Neufield begins at 7:00 p.m., tickets are available here. Below, watch the music video for “In Mirrors” + “And In Truth.”
Local singer-songwriter Lucy Stone performs at PhilaMOCA tonight. The Drexel University student has had busy year, recording and touring with Rusted Root last fall, working on her own new full-length currently and accepting accolades like The Deli’s Artist of the Month last year and and an Independent Music Awards nomination for her Would You? EP earlier this year. Tickets and information for tonight’s show with Cruiser and Former Belle can be found here. Below, watch an acoustic performance of “Out of Time.”
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.
Oxfordian Oxonian folk / pop group Stornoway headline Kung Fu Necktie tonight. Following up their 2010 debut Beachcomber’s Windowsill, the academically-minded quartet (led by an ornithologist) released Tales from Terra Firma earlier this month. Field Report continue to tour in support of last year’s self-titled debut. Tickets and information for tonight’s 21+ show can be found here. Watch Stornoway’s video for “Knock Me On the Head” below.
West Philadelphia Orchestra brings their monthly Balkan dance party back to Underground Arts tonight. As a collective of Philadelphia musicians, WPO blends traditional Eastern European influences withe modern jazz and classical sensibilities. Tickets and more information for tonight’s 21+ show with Johnny Showcase and the Lefty Lucy Cabaret can be found here or on the Facebook event page here. Watch West Philadelphia Orchestra perform “Burkan Cocek” below.
In conjunction with Philly Tech Week, WXPN and Little Giant Media present The Intersection of Music and Technology at Underground Arts. The free event will feature live performances by Lushlife (pictured), Khari Mateen and POW POW (Chris Powell of Man Man), DJ sets by DJ PHSH and Making Time’s Dave Pianka and a panel discussion / Q&A with Questlove and XPN’s Bruce Warren. More information for free 21+ event can be found here. Below, watch Lushlife’s video for “Magnolia.”
At World Cafe Live, it’s An Evening with Kaki King. The guitar virtuoso has embarked on a retrospective tour, commemorating the 10th anniversary of the release of her debut album Everybody Loves You. Recently, King released Glow, an instrumental record on which she collaborated with string quartet ETHEL. Tickets and information for tonight’s all-ages show can be found here. Below, watch her video for “Glow” and revisit her set at the 2012 XPoNential Music Festival via Archive.org here.
Buried Beds headline Kung Fu Necktie tonight with support from Auctioneer and Great American Canyon Band. Bridging the gap between their most recent release Small Stories and an upcoming as-yet untitled release, local indie pop band Buried Beds have been detailing their recording experience with video clips and updates, including this one in which the members filmed a “huge drums” session. Tickets and information for tonight’s 21+ show can be found here. Below, watch Auctioneer’s Shaking Through episode.
Floaty electronic pop band Vacationer just debuted a new music video for their song “Farther,” a bobbing and bass-heavy cut from their 2012 record Gone. With footage of mountains, plains and other vistas surreally blending with performance clips from the band’s recent tour, it pretty much nails their easygoing, exploratory vibe. Check out the video below. Vacationer headlines Underground Arts on May 10th for the second installment of its Nude Beach party series; tickets and information on the show can be found here.
Floaty electronic pop band