“Observatories” is the latest collaboration between Jeff Zeigler (Valley Exit, Inlets, Arc in Round) & Dash Lewis (Gardener). Synth-fueled atmospherics envelope as one explores a pensive, pacifying state. The rhythmic, percussive motion steadies as the soft, bright touches of keys accent. Take it all in - just a little somethin' to help ease ya into your day. You can also find them opening for Meg Baird & Mary Lattimore this Monday, April 29 at Johnny Brenda's.

This year’s Deli Philly Best Emerging Artist in Indie Rock, The Retinas, will headline a three-layered billing of Philly up-and-comers this Saturday at Ortlieb’s. Fuzzy, humid garage-punk permeates, as the loose, hazed-over relatability ricochets between the band and its audience. While employing a casual air, revealing lyricism invites you in. Then, those simmering, suburban storyboards reach a tipping point and scorch. Melding rubber-burning, fuzz-filtered fury with relaxed, melodic grooves, Tangiers zigzags the threshold of intensity, while relative newcomers, Lally, exhibit an inherently gritty, infectious batch of rock.

Also, this Sunday at the NoLibs watering hole, the adventurous psych/jazz guitar exploits of Nick Millevoi tear into the  underexplored, aided on the billing by the perception-altering, sonic-wanderings of Chicago trio Mako Sico and the ever-evolving, investigative musicality of Jeff Zeigler. – Michael Colavita

Uniform Recording’s Jeff Zeigler has built an impressive reputation as one of the premier, go-to producers in Philly. His talents have assisted in sculpting critically acclaimed albums for lauded local artists such as The War on Drugs, Kurt Vile, and Nothing just to name a few. Zeigler has also earned praise for his musicianship and collaborative work with indie harpist Mary Lattimore, and this Friday, he plans to release the self-titled debut LP for his latest project, Valley Exit, a solo effort that has expanded to a full band with the additions of Josh Meakim (A Sunny Day in Glasgow, The Fantastic Imagination) on guitar, April Harkanson (Myrrias, Downtown Club), and Steven Urgo (The War on Drugs, Chris Forsyth & The Solar Motel Band). And what has been about a decade-long idea, knocking around in his head, has recently come to fruition. Jeff has started his very own independent record label Soft Dystopia, a name inspired by the works of writer/designer Richard Littler. The label released its first album, Spectra, from dream-pop outfit Myrrias last week, and Zeigler and his band will be holding a joint record release celebration with them tomorrow night at Johnny Brenda’s so you definitely want to hit that. We also have new single from Valley Exit to share with you, called “What Pulls Us Through,” off their forthcoming album, and check out our interview with the man himself, Jeff Zeigler, HERE! 

Guitar maestro Chris Forsyth has been creating killer jams, and receiving some nice press with his group The Solar Motel Band. This evening at Johnny Brenda’s, he’ll be going back to his solo roots opening for Circuit des Yeux, the meditative project from Chicago/Thrill Jockey artist Haley Fohr, who is currently on tour in support of her latest album In Plain Speech. They’ll be joined by Jeff Zeigler, who will also be on his own tonight after recently coming back from a European tour with his musical partner, harpist Mary Lattimore. Come and embrace the vibes! Johnny Brenda’s, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 8pm, $10 - H.M. Kauffman