Some of my absolute favorite Philly acts are gathering tonight at The Khyber for what promises to be a block rocking good time (not to mention a quick hop for First Friday activities in Olde City). Be there, get silly and GET SLIMED.
Chang Chang
Kinda like watching a kid masturbate with his own tears in front of his mom. Some rapping may ensue but more than likely ending in a pissy stage. Every wonder who buys those expired stacker2’s from the dollar shore. Sold out.
Ruinit
Grind with your goth girlfriend while contemplating how you will kill your parents in their sleep. Dance your shit off, blogs can’t see you!
Man Like Machine
Never will you ever see more panties and bras be thrown on stage by girls who had no clue they just threw their panties and bras on stage. More rock band then you’re rock band. Don’t tell your parents you snuck out of being grounded.
Menya
Ever step inside of a bubble gum bubble then hot box it. Seeing them will be well worth your allowance. Cuter than puppies dressed as cats.
Deadly Technologies
These dudes do things behind robots that they can’t show on tv. Dance, laugh, write your pen pal in japan. Pay attention….they will be your ruler soon!!!
*Note I didn’t write these descriptions, that would be Jon Rehr, but hes pretty much spot on with every darn word.
I think its fair to say covers are the aural equivalent of comfort food; and, because it is tradition to kick off the holiday season with some indulgent noshing I wanted to share some musical nibblings with you. No worries about rocking the elastic waistband while enjoying these snacks. Simply pair with a nice white wine or IPA and no reheating instructions necessary as there will be no leftovers.
You’ve Got The Love (Florence and The Machine)- The XX
The Wolves Act I and II (Bon Iver)- Ellie Goulding
My Girls (Animal Collective)- Dappled Cities
I Do Not Hook Up (Kelly Clarkson)- The Gaslight Anthem
Psycho Killer (Talking Heads)- Cage The Elephant
Oh and thanks for tuning into The World In A Paper Cup. I’m endlessly thankful for your readership and support.
TWIAPC:In your solo work it is just you and the myriad instrumental lines you’ve created. How does performing to support this album differ from your other group effort?
TWIAPC: You clearly have a knack and a comfort level with a wide variety of instruments. Are there any in particular that feel more natural or, conversely, more unusual?
TWIAPC: There is a rather ruminative tone threaded throughout Year In The Kingdom. Was there any one thing or event tumbling around your mind while writing or, do the songs reflect singular moments or ideas?
TWIAPC: Both your solo work and that you do with Fleet Foxes falls safely in the chamberish folk portion of the genre spectrum. Are there any other “sounds” you’ve been curious to dabble in?
If you want to get tickets for sure head HERE
and to here is their new Acoustic EP
I’m long over due for a Remix Rehash but its been slow on the receiving end for quality material. However, there has been a but of really enjoyable electro music to be had so this remix rehash is more electro than remix but, regardless, I hope you enjoy!
Apple Jelly – Kissy Sell Out
This track is pure fun. Kissy brings out play in its full glory. Building from a base that is strictly 80′s sitcom montage score he pops it up with catchy lyrics and some tech-tastic loops. What really got me though, was the fact that his still manages to tell a story (with sound effects and all). Kind of makes me wish Perfect Strangers were still on TV cause this would be an excellent candidate for soundtrack.
Ctrl Alt Dance (Coulson’s Cheap Arcade Remix)- Max Justus
Seriously addicted to this song. It’s clean. It’s rooted in video game music tradition. It has inspired a few dance parties of one while on the streets of Philly. There is even a bit of funky rush tucked in there. Don’t over think it. Just sit back and let the music do its thing.
Killer Queen Bee – Downtown Harvest
These guys are outta Philly and, quite simply, you should be listening to them. They combines all of my factors from the previous two bits. Video game sample? Check. Montage quality? Check. Gets hips a shakin? Check. Tidy loops? Check.Funk factor? Yup. Unusual? You know it. I’m gonna make an effort to see what they have to offer live but this should satiate me until then.
Laura Veirs has an incredibly honest voice, one that avoids the baby coo- slurred words trap that so many female singers fall into. Throughout her show last week at World Cafe Live I couldn’t help but be notice how striking, not to mention rare, it is to hear that level of vocal purity.Having originally come to music via Minneapolis’ mid 90′s punk scene it makes perfect sense that she has maintained a distinct level of straightforwardness even though her solo work is anything but punk. Paired with her nerd-tastic lyrics (she sings of constellations, politics and spelunking) there was really no other option but fall further in love with Ms. Veirs.
Laura and her musical menagerie played primarily from their new album due out in January. The songs from July Flame are a from a wiser place than her previous work and it’s sincerity is palpable in her live delivery. When washing through a beautiful track like When You Give Your Heart the group played it delicately yet when the flair of a song like Galaxies dictated it they stepped up the pace and got a little more rock ‘n roll. Regardless of the pace though Veirs voice was unchanging in its quality. Maintaining that degree of dynamic range is something those just beginning to explore their vocal potential should study and strive for. Meanwhile, Veirs continues to create one smart and delectable album after another each proving she is also considering her potential with each release.
Put July Flame on your list of albums to buy and try to catch Veirs on this lengthy stint on the road. She’s expecting a baby next spring so I’m guessing it will be a while before she is back out on the road.
It was a family affair Wednesday when J Tillman, his brother Zach and a trio of equally ripe musicians held court in the teeny tiny chapel at First Unitarian Church. Zach warmed the small but packed room with his brand of crisp conversational songwriting. A folkie who isn’t afraid of dabbling in the some Morricone like soundscapes. Playing his guitar solo Zach’s short set help both tender and slightly more raucous moments. It set a very relaxed vibe perfect for the lush set J had on deck.
J is touring to support Year In The Kingdom a beautiful but solemn album of honest observations. A live rendition of the album would have suited me just fine. The cozy venue, early dusk and intense preceding days left me wanting to just sit and enjoy fantastic music. The moment J’s breathtaking pure raw voice began though I knew it was going to be far more nourishing show.
To start the set he kept to the path laid out by YITK except when played live by five folks (as opposed to the solo process Tillman used while recording of doing everything himself) the music is much richer and more dynamic. The high carved wooden walls shaped deep tones that Tillman’s voice smoothly threaded through. Broken only by a few moments of witty not-suitable-for-church banter the full hour and 25 minute set was intentionally crafted to build as Tillman and his crew pushed the borders of the songs becoming more and more lively.
Deep into the set the reserved nature Tillman et al. had begun with has been abandoned for a more classic rock energy. Never once challenging the skill of the other players this septet played so well together it left me free to watch the how they all fit in instead of being distracted by a solo riff. Tillman led his crew into quite the frenzy at one point kneeling on the ground and letting himself really feel the more vigorous jam and building up a pace that gave new breath to the recorded versions. Tossed in for good measure and was a nice bit of hand clapping and key chain percussion. The music brought me to the edge of my seat more than once during the concert and truly took my breath away with a sparse rendition of Though I Have Wronged you to finish things.
I can safely say this is a show you should really really get yourself to if at all feasible although the perfect alignment of time, company and location will make this a difficult experience to replicate.
The White Rabbits have been laying tracks all over the US this fall and Glass Ghost has been priming the audiences along the way. So, after spending all that time together, it isn’t surprising that when asked what band deserved more praise, love and attention they pointed in Glass Ghost’s direction. They just released the fantastically surreal Idol Omen which plays like a trippy spin through vividly crisp fall day in a big city. The influences are many, coming from Eliot and Mike’s previous dalliances in the funk, hip-hop, jazz and rock worlds. While the tracks stand alone in their refreshingly curious arrangements their true magnificence surfaces when the entire album is taken in one sitting.
Glass Ghost’s music represents layer upon layer of unexpected musical combination’s that ripple across your consciousness so every time you listen to them you notice new parallels. After having passed it tween my ears more than a few times now I get a very playful sense of anticipation when I try to remember what exactly comes next. My only request is that they get themselves back to Philly so I can catch the live version.
Here is a track but as I said you really need to hear the whole thing so go get your self a copy of Idol Omen.
Mechanical Life