Author Archives: Matt Kelchner

Valentine’s Day or no Valentine’s Day, the weekend is here and there is more than enough going on to make it worth getting out of your house

I know I have said it before and I am going to say it again now, Philly somehow has these weekends that are just packed with so many great concerts that you wish you had a clone to make it to all of them. This weekend is one of those. From a local band’s record release show for a highly anticipated album to a newly crowned Grammy award winner’s victory lap, there’s a little something for everyone this weekend!

Friday, February 15th | There is really only thing that should be on your radar tonight. Local noise punks Pissed Jeans have been creating quite a stir with the release of their new album, Honeys, earlier this week. It’s been gathering great reviews from local weekly papers all the way up to major publications. Tonight at one of Philadelphia’s newer venues, the Underground Arts, they celebrate the release of their album as they prep for a US tour in April. Other locals Leather and Lantern round out the bill. For as good as Pissed Jeans sound recorded, witnessing them perform live is one act you do not want to miss!

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On February 19th inc., brothers Andrew and Daniel Aged will share their ’90s R&B infused record, no world. 

A few years back in a small basement in New York during CMJ, I found myself at a late night showcase. After a busy day full of bands coming and going, I was more excited to relax and grab a couple of drinks than to see even more music. For a while each song began to sound more like the last, and then a shy group of younger guys came to the stage. After their first song was over, my undivided attention was on them—as was every other person’s in the room.

That band was called, Teen, Inc. Years later, they’ve dropped the “teen” and are now simply, inc. Daniel and Andrew Aged are the masterminds behind the project, both former studio musicians (for a very impressive list of artists) who are coming forth and writing their own music. With a three song EP under their belt, the duo have been hard work since the winter of 2011 on their debut full length album.

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One of Philadelphia’s hardest working and most well-known groups celebrates the beginning of Summer again this year.

For six years now The Roots have been helping Philadelphia kick off their Summer along the Delaware river by bringing together a well-balanced lineup of hip-hop and indie acts, both young and old, to Festival Pier. Aside from headlining their own party every year, The Roots also lend themselves to many of the artists as the house band. This generous offer results in some special, unique, and one-time-only performances.

After expanding to 2 days last June, The Roots Picnic is back to just a single day this year. June 1st The Roots bring together another group of artists to make up for one of the most well-rounded lineups to date. It has a little something for everyone. From newcomers such as one of New York’s fastest growing talents Joey Bada$$ and producer turned rapper Hit-Boy, to legends like Naughty By Nature and DJ Premier, the hip hop portion of the festival is very deep. Others include the Seattle’s Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, who currently own the number #1 on Billboard’s Hot 100 list, and the man behind “All Gold Everything,” Trinidad Jame$.

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As we inch closer and closer to the Super Bowl, a bunch of great acts make their way to the city for a weekend full of great shows. 

It’s been a wild week. Starting off with a lovely wintry mix, to spring time temperatures and thunderstorms storms mid-week, as we work our way into the weekend, things are beginning to settle back into their typical winter-like conditions. But there are a ton of reasons to get around Philly this weekend—and just like every other weekend packed with shows, there’s a little something for everyone.

Friday, February 1st | There are two great shows that couldn’t be on more opposite ends of the musical spectrum. In one corner there are remix titans RAC playing over in West Philly at The Blockley. Joining them will be Stock Footage and Disco Sucks. Reading through the list of artists that RAC have contributed remixes to is like thumbing through a list of who’s who in the indie spotlight—names include the likes of Chromeo, Washed Out, and Phoenix.

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Philadelphia’s noisy Arcade Fire meets Pavement combo returns for their first show of the new year. 

Goodnight Lights came to be in 2007 when the quintet began writing songs that would become their first album. Since then, they have self-released three full length albums and one live album. Each record was produced by the band themselves, and the band has had a hand in recording each release as well.

Starting off the new year with the release of their live record Say What You Want, Goodnight Lights have continued their momentum by getting back into the studio. The group will be working on the follow up to 2012’s studio album, As Far As The Moon.

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After a pair of solid EPs, Baltimore’s Secret Mountains are set to share their first full length record with the world.

Whether you’ve noticed it or not, the music scene in Baltimore has grown to be one of the strongest on the East Coast. With acts like Animal Collective, Beach House, and Dan Deacon blazing a trail, a number of young and extremely talented bands look to follow in their footsteps. One of those bands who is right on the cusp of breaking out onto the national spotlight is Secret Mountains.

Mixing hauntingly beautiful psych with sprawling dreampop, the six piece have been crafting their unique sound for the past several years. After releasing “Kaddish” and “Rejoice,” a pair of EPs released in 2009 and 2010 respectively, the group began work on their first LP. The result of their months of hard work is Rainer. Out on Baltimore label Friends Records on February 26th, the release will include a limited pressing of 500 copies on all black vinyl—and can be pre ordered here.

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Philadelphia native Dave Hartley, aka Nightlands, celebrates his second release on Secretly Canadian today and plans to take it on the road across America. 

Back in late November we touched briefly on Nightlands and their new album when we highlighted their special, one-time-only performance of the complete original score to 2001: A Space Odyssey. Since then it’s been one big, snowballing promotion for Dave and company as they inched closer and closer to the album’s release date. Today marks the day Oak Island is finally available to the public.

The album, clocking in just shy of 35 minutes, takes the listener through a genre-blending trip to a warm, hazy land. Mixing elements ranging from classic rock to bedroom pop, folk, and sci-fi evokes a certain nostalgic feel thanks in huge part to the unmistakable laying of vocals.

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Things have been a little quiet these first couple of weeks here in Philadelphia, but this weekend looks to set things off! 

Somehow we’ve made it half way through the first month in 2013 and already there have been some amazing new tunes from bands young and old released. In terms of live music however, little has transpired. All that changes this weekend—and there is a little something for everyone too.

Friday, January 18th | Wednesday night, up-and-coming British soulful singer/songwriter Jessie Ware made her national debut on American television as she performed her hit single “Wildest Moments” on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. This comes in the middle of her first tour of the United States. It’s a short trek, only hitting six cities, and thankfully Philadelphia is one of them. She makes her way to Union Transfer tonight, along with opener Rochelle Jordan.

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Allentown, PA four piece Pissed Jeans will be releasing Honeys, their follow-up to 2009’s excellent breakthrough record King Of Jeans, on February 12th via Subpop Records. 

Back in November, noise-punks Pissed Jeans announced they would be releasing their fourth full length album in the beginning of 2013. It would be their third on Subpop Records and the first new music since Your Life Is Worth Pissed Jeans, a 7″ released in 2010.

As the year inches closer to February the group has already shared two tracks to preview, “Bathroom Laughter” and “Cathouse,” and it’s clear that despite not releasing anything for nearly two years, the band has not skipped a beat. If anything, their explosive, chaotic sound has been building and is finally being released to the world.

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Celtic punk pioneers Flogging Molly set out again for their yearly country-wide celebration leading up to St. Patrick’s Day.

Beginning in 2004, Los Angeles natives Flogging Molly have toured the country during the weeks leading up to St. Patrick’s Day. 2013 will be no different for them as they will head out on the road again for their 9th consecutive year showing the major cities of the United States just how to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.

The tour begins January 24th in Grand Rapids, MI and wraps up March 17th in Phoenix, AZ. Flogging Molly make their Philadelphia stop quite early on their journey; coming to the Electric Factory on January 31st. Opening the show will be Skinny Lister and Dave Hause (of The Loved Ones). DoNots, Mariachi El Bronx, and Pepper open select dates as well.

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Welcome to the first weekend of the new year! Are you ready to prove that 2013 really is going to be your year?

Well you’ve made it. You survived another New Year’s Eve. You also managed to survive another New Year’s Day filled with parading Mummers and the debauchery that follows on 2nd street. Thanks to the new year coming on a Tuesday, there were only three measly work days until the weekend. Concert wise, it will be a relatively quiet weekend with the exception of a few great local shows. What better way to begin the 2013 than with Philadelphia demonstrating its rising music scene?

Friday, January 4th | Seemingly arriving overnight, Philadelphia’s newest concert venue Soundgarden Hall has quickly become the go to stop for many of the best DJs touring across the country. Tonight New York’s Designer Drugs makes the trip down I-95 to make an appearance at the Steez Promo sponsored Bass Nation night. Joining them are Butch Clancy, Two Fresh, and Run DMT. Little known fact, Designer Drugs got their start in Philadelphia and hosted a number of their parties at the Barbary.

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Assuming the Mayans were wrong and we’re all alive and well, there are a number of great shows happening this weekend to whisk you away into the holidays next week. 

There’s a little bit of something for everyone this weekend. Great local shows? Check. One of hip-hop’s newest and youngest players? Check. DJs to get down to? Check. Hopefully all the holiday shopping is done and you will not have to go out into the retail doomsday that is the weekend before Christmas. If you like to wait until the last minute to get things done then one, I’m sorry, and two, better find time to rest up because you do not want to be sleeping at 7PM and miss out on all these great concerts!

Friday, December 21st | Do you remember what you were doing when you were 17? If you’re like most, I’m sure you were not touring major venues and clubs across the country behind your debut release on a major label. Chicago’s Chief Keef however is doing just that. Say what you will about his lyrics and image, the kid has built up quite the following. Just days after his album Finally Rich came out, he makes his way to the TLA.

Out in West Philly, Fools Gold Records’ Treasure Fingers comes to the Blockley to throw an end of the world party. Joining him is Wyllys and Jayo.

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The Philadelphia retro-futuristic production trio, Les Professionnels are spreading the holiday cheer with their brand new remix of Passion Pit’s catchy new single “Carried Away.”

“‘Twas the week before Christmas and all through the house/ Our new remix will band with just a few clicks of your mouse/ The liquor’s been bought for your parties with care/ And we’ve got something for the soundtrack that takes you there.”

This little holiday poem was arrived with Les Professionnels’ latest remix, and the timing could not be more appropriate. With office parties in full swing, friends and family coming together for the holidays, and the New Year quickly approaching, this remix will fit in perfectly with any holiday playlist.

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Philadelphia’s self-proclaimed premiere Bar Mitzvah and Quinceanera party band turn two this winter. As a present to their fans, they share a completely new song free.

It’s difficult to think of a harder working band than Work Drugs. Since their start in the winter of 2010, the band has released an impressive five albums. Out of those five, four were recorded completely on their own.

Work Drugs recently released, Delta, their latest album and first to come out on vinyl. It features polished, mastered versions of tracks from their previous efforts, as well as a few unreleased tunes.

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Black Moth Super Rainbow made a big splash earlier this year with the release of their latest album, Cobra Juicy. The record garnered great reviews and the was group’s first effort since 2009’s Eating Us.

The band just wrapped up their headlining tour this past weekend in Washington, DC., but before they went out on the road, I was able to chat with band leader Tobacco, aka Tom Fec, to reveal the stress behind the Kickstarter campaign for the album, the influences behind his most lyrical album yet, and the future of Black Moth Super Rainbow. 

What were your influences while you were writing Cobra Juicy?

Um, not a whole lot. I was definitely trying to keep stuff more classical, like Bob Serger almost. I was trying to perfect what I was doing with something a little more normal, in terms of the songwriting.

What kind of added pressure came up once you saw how successful the Kickstarter campaign was?

Well, in the fact that I don’t have a label and we had to do 2,000 orders plus with the website, we had a ton of orders up there too; it was really, really stressful just trying to get everything ready before the tour. We left on the 26th of October and we wanted to make sure everyone got their shit in time. It was really intense. We were literally like floor to ceiling in three or four rooms.

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