Under the none stop rain that has been pounding this city for the last nine days there were some amazing musical antics going on in Philadelphia.
Wednesday, the quality options were spread like buckshot through the regular venues. The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart, Fischerspooner & Junior Boys were all in town, and I’ve heard good things about all of their shows, but I took path less travelled by and oh what a night it provided.
First, I caught the early show of the Rit Mo Collective’s double header at Chris’s Jazz Cafe in honor of their CD release. It was a brilliantly orchestrated jam session led by the group’s main arranger/composer Chris Farrell. Having spent a little time with Chris discussing his inspiration and the process behind this work I was not at all surprised to hear suggestions of jazz, funk, international, jam and lyrical scoring on the demo I received. The assembled crew [Wesley Rast, Dan Barman, , Baba Joe Bryant, Will Martina, Kaveh Saidi and Lee Clark] played a few pieces not on the album before launching into the three movements that make up Arianna’s Thread. The three pieces weave together pushing and pulling each other to tell a very haunting and beautiful story. The cello’s line throughout all three pieces really anchors the ethereal violin, percussion and guitars that establish the emotion. This could easily be the score to Michael Gondry’s next movie the entirety of Arianna’s Thread lasts a little over ten minutes but stays with you much longer. The group went on to play some of the more Indian and funk rooted pieces off of the CD. They’re clearly very comfortable with each other and the music Farrell has crafted for them and it is felt in their playing. They closed the first set with Knevelled which has a strong bass hum to start off and proceeded to totally funk out (an essence not fully captured on the recording). That evening tucked away at Chris’s would have been complete, especially if I had caught the more free flowing second set, alas I was on to the next stop.
It was up to Johnny Brenda’s to see Buck County’s own Illinois. Yes, a band from PA named IL is a little confusing but its actually the lead singer’s grandpa’s name. I really had no idea what to expect ’cause nearly everything I’ve heard from the group has defied genre-lization. They came on, Chris “Arch” Archibald was wearing a blond wig naturally, and blew up the stage with what I can only describe as The Gourds, Mark Mallman, Beck with a touch of Ryan Adams. Drawing inspiration like an ADD kid in a arcade from the smarter end of the “who’s who” in alt music making in the last five-ish year they went from the “only nice song” they have to some tight country rock to funk driven rap. The hometown crowd rocked out right there with the group, who have an infectious chaotic fun stage presence you can’t help but dig in to. Arch seems to enjoy throwing sharp left turns into the set list. I most enjoyed the introduction of a banjo put to fine use on the rough and tumble Big Country. His crew most definitely has the chops to deliver the goods. There were a few guitar riffs in there that stood totally on their own. And the bassist, man there was a gnarly deep pull to his playing that put a fresh dimension to the live show that isn’t really conveyed on the groups EP’s. At one point Arch slowed it way down in honor of a friend’s birthday playing the honest ballad Missing Piece solo on the piano. By the end of their set, to be honest with you, I’m not sure I’m was any closer to figuring them out but that may very well be a big part of the appeal. I can say for certain its a group I will be seeing again.
Skinny Friedman (one half of Philadelphyinz) & Sammy Bananas are beginning a run of regular appearances the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month at Piano’s in New York. In their utter excitement over the kinda jams they will be bustin they crafted a 30 mash up of “cuff links music”
It the perfect kick off to a weekend I hope to be spent dancing away the last 9 NINE days of rain.
Enjoy!!
I just wanted to call your attention to some new additions to the show list and blog roll…
The next month or so is going to be a doozy on the quality concert front. Some of the shows I’m looking forward to include, but are not limited to:
The Papercuts + Jana Hunter – KFN May 8th
Animal Collective – Electric Factory May 12th
Pomegranates – KFN May 12th
The Thermals + Shakey Hands MAY 12th
There’s a grip of other shows you should know about and attend just take a gander to the left (and check back regularly).
Also there some new additions to the blog roll. The Twitterverse has brought some excellent bloggers to my attention and I now bring them to yours…
Sheenabeaston
Together In Digital Dreams [fellow Philly bloggers]
Cream Team
Tastes Like Caramel
Muuse
Ryspace
Crawdaddy
The Music Slut
The Culture of Me
And to send you off to the rest of your Thursday, some Daytrotter Session gems from two Philly acts I have big love for
Crazy In Love (Beyonce cover)- Pattern Is Movement
Lovers Play Dead – Drink Up Buttercup
On Tuesday night the Takeover UK busted through the Khyber. They are a quartet out of Pittsburgh with a sound you would expect out of a blue collar steel town. They come on pretty brash with some harder rhythm and percussion lines but soften the whole package with a vocals that are at times playful and pop-esque and at others a volleying duet. They threw down some interesting syncopation’s that didn’t break the rhythm of their set however, I’m not sure it contributed much either. These four guys had a lot of fun up on the stage and a little brooding edge that infused their pop tunes with a appreciable grit. The old city bar was the perfect setting for the danceable show and I was happy to see the crowd was actually feeling it.
I have spent a lot of time in kitchens. It would be safe to say I work out most of my issues while mixing up something tasty (hopefully) and grooving along with the most appropriate mix for the matters at hand. If its been a good “session” the outcome looks a little like this >
Kathryn Ostenberg singer/songwriter just starting out in LA whose best work comes from her kitchen recording sessions. Her offerings take this form:
Now, I get a lot of singer/songwriter’s demos and while I have nothing but respect for their dedication to their dream there are only few I think may have something distinct to offer to the muddled s/s fight. When I first watched a Youtube video of one of her college era performances there was a raspy charm to her vocals. She didn’t lapse into a baby-like coo when trying to be sweet nor force her range into Susan Tedeschi mode in an attempt to grab attention. Instead, she has taken what comes naturally and begun to really explore its potential.
Kathryn’s talent is still fresh but she is digging into every opportunity she can find to play and play in LA’s music scene. Joining forces with fellow artists when the opportunity arises and seeing where they take her while still refining her solo work. You can find her gigging around town at venues such at Room 5 and Genghis Cohen and I would encourage you to catch her while you can. She’s currently in the process of organizing a non-kitchen recording session and I can’t wait to hear what comes about. But I will always have a fondness for her kitchen work.
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 with a hint of country. The presence of an organ in their work contributes nicely to separating them from similar acts. The track Strong, in particular, is well written and tightly performed. With a little more time and group experience I think the fella’s of Created From Silence could push themselves towards an even more distinct sound.
Melanie Fiona
Ms. Fiona delivered the touch of soul and Motown I found myself craving earlier this week. She has crafted her first album The Bridge (due out this summer) from a wholly listenable mix of soul, hip hop and Motown both new and old. She more than suggests a more international (not surprising considering her Guyanese parents raised her in the melting pot that is Toronto) Lauryn Hill or Jill Scott. I am really excited to see what she will be bringing to the scene as her album begins making its rounds. This video of her riffing is an excellent intro to her style and ability. Her first single Give It To Me Right is available now.
Melanie Fiona Give It To Me Right with Human Orchestra
Rosie & Me
This act hails from Brazil (I am just now realizing this post is almost entirely foreign, which is pretty awesome) and draws a lot of inspiration from Stars and The Weepies. The guitars carry sweet harmonies giving voice to simple lyrics. Its not a complex arrangement but it doesn’t need to be.
Ten & Six
Ten and Six is what happens when a college band doesn’t give up they just get better. Having apparently gone through a number of “phases” along the way lead singer Even Moran has managed to take the best of each and built a comfortable mix of folk, bluegrass and rock. The years of development are noticeable in the intricate instrumentals, the drip drop of the glockenspiel on Bedside Regiments for example. He doesn’t force his voice instead their is a true balance between all the contributing factors on the recently released self titled EP. Its a consistent and intelligent effort hinting of even more promising work in the future.
Update: Ten and Six want you to know you can download the album for free or buy a CD here
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 also a comic strip artist and has combined his two loves to bring fans a highly enjoyable package of sights and sounds.
I first stumbled upon the Photons when I was given a mix that included Animals (from their 2008 self titled EP). This group of buddies first got together in 2008 as part of an effort to encourage each other to learn a new instrument. What has resulted is a fun exploration of “instruments” ranging from electro-harp to soda bottle percussion to the bulbul tarang (Indian banjo). The four tracks on Glory are proof that they are maturing into a chamber-ish folk rock sound, suggestive of Arcade Fire. Their lyrics are taut and witty while managing to stay on non-annoying side of the twee divide. The first single Where Were You Last Night demonstrates an impressive leap from last years work. Each instrument contributes a unique cog in this machine. They push and pull each other while supporting the call and answer group vocals helmed by the rasp-tastic James Parrish. Its already got a locked spot on my summer play list.
And the comic book you ask? Its a nice look inside the drama and politics that is the Photons with foot notes none the less! Today is Free Comic Book Day btw. so drop into and support your local shop. Then take a second to relish in the simple joy that are The Photons.
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
Two Weeks of Hip Hop - Hood Internet
This tasty little gem comes from Chicago’s Hood Internet. I keep finding myself hitting repeat like a coked up lab mouse hitting the feeder bar. Yeah, its that good.
Play That Shit Olli Ple Ft. McNasty -Right Handed Barber Mix
Given the endorsement of IAMXL I was biased from the get go. Its got a bit of jock jams reving that has earn it a spot on the iPod “kick your ass in gear” playlist.
Your English is Good (Tokyo Police Club remix) - K-Os
There are a lot of things that I like about this one. It is dynamic enough to intrigue, smart enough not to over do it and lyrically tight.
Little Miss Star - Forcefield Kids
Forcefield Kids are a Newcastle UK “leftfield/lo-fi UK hip-hop act” whose EP comes out on July 6th. There is a bit of The Streets in their delivery and I’m still undecided whether they’ll crawl out from under that comparison but I an certain they deserve your listen.
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 night. However, when they announced that Simian Mobile Disco would be “headlining” their next effort I figured that unless they canceled (a problem that has been plaguing Philly as of late) it would be well worth my $$ to see SMD at least once.
A slew of local DJ’s warmed up the crowed until 12 when SMD took the stage. It wasn’t a subtle entry by any means. Lights went out. Then a mass of flood lights on stage lit the whole of Pure up like the surface of the sun. Aaaaaaaaaand we were off. The James’s worked their tables in a dance choreographed more out of familiarity than great intentional planning (one of the nice parts of being a 5’11 chick is that in heels I can usually get a nice view of the stage from anywhere in the crowd). While they spun their DJ magik one of the tightest light shows of extended memory pushed their beats and carnal bass rhythms to unexpected levels. The crowd was feeling it all the way. Undulating in the trance that good electronic music induces for the entire 95 minutes they were on stage. I’m not often compelled to review electronic shows as they tend not to put much effort into creating a unique experience (ie you would probably have more fun playing their remixes at home with your friends while paying a lot less for booze and cabs). But after witnessing SMD clear gift for entertainment I couldn’t help but give them a little love. And you should too. Check out the rest of their tour dates here…
Side note- Another Philly dance party habit you should get into is Live Forever at the Barbary. It took over my Saturday night in high Mummer style (seriously check the photos to get the vibe of these events). After a weekend like this my feet are killing me but the pain is oh so worth it!
