Today’s golden ticket? The flyer announcing the line up for Making Time’s Anniversary show! The Philly Dance Party institution will be 9 and to celebrate they’re bringing in the big guns…
Its going down Friday May 22nd at Pure Tickets $10 pre $12 door. Gettem at Last Drop Coffee House or a www.IGETRVNG.com
*Note the info isn’t live on their site yet but I’m sure it will be up soon. That’s right kiddos, you heard it here FIRST!
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.
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
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:
Rootbeer - Pink Limousine
The Ark - This Piece of Poetry Is Meant To Do Harm
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 MT • Electric Fetus – Minneapolis MN • AKA Records – Philadelphia Fifth Element – Minneapolis MN •
The site has gathered quotes from artists about what record stores mean to them…
“Immersing yourself in the environment of a real record store where music is celebrated and cherished adds real value to the experience of buying music. In some ways, that retail experience is as important as the music.”- John Mellencamp
“I’ve always enjoyed the record shops…they gave me a reason to leave my house.”- Pete Yorn
“well it’s pretty simple…..record stores have people in them. actual people. people working. people shopping. people listening. people eating. people dancing. people smoking. people laughing. people drinking. sounds pretty cool to me.”- Aaron Espinoza (Earlimart)
“Record stores have a magic about them that’s totally unique. They are a place where you can come across music and culture that you’re not open to in any other way, often by accident. I love that hands-on experience of browsing and buying music, and so I wish the Record Store Day every success “- James Morrison
I have always wanted to have large scale dances break out at various points in my life. I’m talking stuff like the Thriller Dance in 13 Going on 30 or the David Bowie Dance Along in A Knights Tale I came very close at my senior prom when Follow The Leader was played and a bunch of us who had learned the dance broke out together. But it lacked a sincere level of group commitment. When my sister sent this to me my first thought was this sort of thing needs to happen MUCH more. And with so many people idle (cough, unemployed) out there I say the time is now! I personally would have exploded with glee were this to happen around me.
A few other videos to check out as apparently this week my mind is on dancing…
The Ark – Worrying Kind
The Ark – One Of Us Is Gonna Die Young
I got this video from my roommate yesterday
and it inspired today’s song selection. I think dancing is one of the best things you can do with that special person (besides the obvious — see yesterday’s post)Even if it involves a little treading on the toes or the basic middle school sway two people taking the time to get close and move to a rhythm is a beautiful thing.
These are a few good ones to put on the stereo, kick off the shoes and do a little slow dancin…
Wonderful Tonight – Eric Clapton
Cliche? Yes but for a reason. Its slow sweet and sexy.
At Ease In The Arms Of A Woman – Amos Lee
This song just gets me. A wee bit on the sweeter side of blues but given real character by the country/jazz/soul influence Amos Lee is so good at.
You’ve Really Got A Hold On Me - Smokey Robinson & The Miracles
This classic is ideal for a little flirtier old school dancing. The kind I imagine would happen a lot more if life were more like Dirty Dancing.
And for a little bonus…
Slow Dancing In A Burning Room – John Mayer
