Its raining for the fourth day in a row here in Philly. I'm more than ready for the high temps of last week to return. Alas, I have very little control over that so I thought I'd use the inside time (and feed the procrastination beast) to share some of the highly enjoyable new music I've been listening to lately. Created From Silence This group from Scotland was assembled via Myspace Ad in 2008 and in the short time since has carved out a rock/pop sound [...]
The Photons, a fabulous octet out of San Francisco has just kicked off a grand CD release project. Its a multimedia extravaganza, which is quite appropriate for a band that uses anything they can get their hands on to make their music, they will be unleashing three EP's starting with a limited release of Glory on May 12 via insound (it will go wide on June 23rd) and two others later in the year. The neat part is the "We Are Photons" comic book that will be packaged with each EP. The groups ring leader Calvin Liu is [...]
The Love Language "Sparxxx" Such a great video. The Love Language Playing For Change | Song Around The World "Stand By Me" from Concord Music Group on Vimeo . According to my insider sources there will be a CD released soon to support this project. I am really looking forward to hearing it.
There were some delicious remixes that came out of the in-box shake this week. Here they be for your head bopping enjoyment. DTF(edit) - Terror Dactel Subdrive made a huge announcement this week. They are starting their own open-source digital record label. This track from Terror Dactel is their first release and if this is the standard I look forward to hearing what else Subdrive pushes out. Read all about it here> Subdrive Media [...]
There is a dance party institution in Philadelphia known as Making Time. Depending on who you ask, the history varies but, the gist of the thing is that whenever the powers-that-be have a act they feel like organizing a huge dance-beat-tastic night around they claim a venue and put out the word. In my short Philly tenure I have seen CSS [crazy rowdy intense fun] as well as N.A.S.A. [better off listening to the album] and like many hyped regular-ish dance parties it can be a tough call whether or not it will be the best way to pass a [...]
Wednesday night I hauled all the way up to one of Philly's newer consistently quality music venues Kung Fu Necktie to see The Love Language and Headlights (I will confess to a bit of poor reviewer performace...I missed their set due to a previous obligation but I hear it was v. good). Local act The Robes opened which I was looking forward to because they are involved in a little project I have in the works with some other Philly music kids (more on that to come....). Their sound has a crust [...]
I had a moment of total brilliance today. For those of you who don't know me personally I should disclose I am pretty much running on all cylinders at all times. On top of doing TWIAPC I am also a partner in a consulting firm so I usually have an email I should be reading, a call to return, an article to write, a blog entry to do....you get the idea. If I didn't love it all believe me I wouldn't do it. But I'm lucky enough to be one of the few people who gets [...]
I took a break from the spring induced desire for all things dancey and light to appreciate the more introspective side of the musical spectrum by catching William Fitzsimmon's show at the Tin Angel this week. The lovely Rosi Golan started the evening off very right. If you're not familiar with her (and haven't already clicked the link above) by name you'd probably recognize her from the soundtrack of those TV shows you're less than willing to openly admit to Tivo - ing every week cause [...]
Its been a mixed up kinda week here in Philly and in one of those weird twists of coincidence a number of fantastic, or at least interesting remixes have crossed my path. There's no rhyme or reason to this assortment other than quality. These are all tracks assembled, crafted, shaped (whatever word you prefer) by people who have an ear for detail and a gift for weaving them together. I have nothing but awe and appreciation for their ability to make you respect the potential of reconsidering beats, werds + technology. Help I'm Alive (the Twelves [...]
Saturday night I had the pleasure of seeing DC's Middle Distance Runner and Philly's Drink Up Buttercup. The evening was slow to get going. We had to wait for three rather tedious singer songwriter acts to do their thing before these two acts stormed the stage. Middle Distance Runner First up was Middle Distance Runner. Riding a cheese steak / cheap booze high the five fellas plowed straight into their set. I feel compelled to point out that on this particular evening it appeared as though Keanu [...]
Its been a distracting week here at TWIAPC. iTunes got all mussed :-/ As a result I was lured into reorganizing my absurdly large vault of music which led to uninhibited ADD web wandering in pursuit of all things music and away from the work that actually pays me. This snowballed into a getting behind on two big projects and a noticable up tick in stress. On the plus side, I rediscovered some quality forgotten tunes. Thankfully its a relatively low key weekend with everyone clearing out of the city for the holidays so I'm tackling a mess of [...]
Baseball, after music, is a full on obsession with my family. One of my earliest memories was chasing Gary Gaetty down at the local mall (my mother pushing my little sister in her stroller) to get his autograph. He was the nicest guy, not only did he give us the autograph but also helped us choose a cologne for my dad for Father's Day. As I grew up I fostered true adoration for some of the greats that passed through the Twin's dugout. Dave Winfield personified power and class and Paul Molitor was a regular topic at [...]
There has been an unexpected mad influx of demos and promos in my in-box over the last week. Even more unexpectedly there are some very solid offerings in the bunch. I am still working through all the emails and songs but these are three that have floated to the top early... Lemonwilde The guys of Lemonwilde are some of the nicest guys I've encountered in the self promo game that is a big part of music blogging so when I first listened to Red [...]
Vacation is technically over but with the music happenings on the horizon in Philly and the surrounds it will still trickle through the next weeks. A little less beachy but still v. much enjoyable. I thought I'd call attention to the new adds to the concert list : Plushgun @ North Star Bar April 19th Headlights & Love Language @ Kung Fu Necktie April 22nd The Takeover UK @ The Khyber May 5th Pomegranates @ Kung Fu Necktie May 12th The Thermals @ Johnny Brenda's May 12th St. Vincent & Pattern Is Movement @ First Unitarian May 21st [...]
I had the loftiest of goals to use some of my time on vacation to write more often. However, the sun (and numerous cervezas ) seem to have tapped my energy. That isn't to say I'm not listening and ponderin musics. In fact, I will have reviews of some new acts you should be aware of as well as some soundtrack moments from my quick Mexican jaunt. So, don't worry there will be some fresh writing soon and to prime the audience I offer you a few beach worthy ditties: Harlem Shakes [...]
As things have begun to warm up here in Philly the signs of Spring are v. noticeable; water ice has reappeared, as have short sleeves and skirts not to mention the option for outdoor dining and once again relying on mah bike Finn to get me everywhere. And while no one is more excited to put away the coat, break out the picnic blanket and usher in the inevitably balls hot sweaty summer heat than this girl I feel as though there needs to be a momentary pause to reflect on the chaos and [...]
I'm about to dive into my taxes which will undoubtedly be a depressing process but dems da breaks for consultants. The few things that are going to get me through: knowing that next year I'll hopefully get breaks as a small business owner (thanks Obama), the supply of bevies in the fridge, the fact that tomorrow the weekend unofficially begins with Metropolis at the Barbary followed with Pink Skull Friday at Transit and finally the playlist of new to me tunes I'll be listening to as I shuffle through all these papers, ugh. I thought I'd [...]
Spring is in the air and the number of quality shows passing through town are once again picking up. The concert calendar got a surge of energy on Thursday with Bishop Allen's show at the First Unitarian Church. I missed the first opener but arrived just in time to see Mt St. Helen's Vietnam Band take the stage. I had streamed their new album earlier in the week before realizing that they were opening the BA show. To be honest the album seemed a little disjointed as a whole but has some very strong singles (Albatross, Albatross, Albatross & El [...]
I'm a rabid supporter of small local businesses. I was raised in an independent bookstore and have always patronized at the stand alone shops when its an option. I was really jazzed to see the small record stores are banding together to draw attention to their cause. April 18 independent shops all over the country will be hosting in store performances, sales and other crowd pleasing events to celebrate the contribution record stores have made to music. The Record Stores that hold a sweet spot in my heart... Rockin Rudy's - Missoula [...]
One of the reasons I chose to move to Philadelphia was the local music scene. Leaving Minneapolis' well of phenomenal acts ( LifterPuller , Atmosphere , Tapes n' Tapes, Prince, etc. etc.) was rough but Philly's equally rich and underrated musical culture made it an leap I was eager to make. Never would I imagine its offerings would continually awe me. What makes is even more fantastic is the affordability of shows and quality small venues. I have had the pleasure of catching some of the better known native acts ( The Roots, Dr. Dog, These United States [I [...]
The World In A Paper Cup
Avicii – Two Million
Scissor Sisters’ “Baby Come Home” Video: Watch The Band Get Animated
Yellow Magic Orchestra edit from Chrome Canyon
Beck – I Just Started Hating Some People Today
