We're slowly, but surely finding our way back to normal. Hopefully we'll be all caught up sooner than later. Below is a new video of an in-studio performance by Laser Background for Brighton Sound Sessions of an unrelease song called "Magic Dust" that will be appearing on their upcoming LP Super Future Montage. You can catch them live tonight at Johnny Brenda's opening Grandchildren's album release show.
Check out an in-studio performance of a new song from Laser Background called "Fizzy Lifting Drinks"! It's from their upcoming full-length album, Super Future Montage, and was recorded for the Brighton Sound Sessions by Seven Knots Productions.
Laser Background mastermind Andy Molholt recently returned home after touring down to SXSW and back with his other project Norwegian Arms. Tonight he’ll be going underground, well, to Underground Arts - that is, when Laser Background opens for Secretly Canadian’s Here We Go Magic. I’m sure that Moholt will be plenty hyped up to play his own tunes and share some of his new material from his upcoming full-length album. So be prepared to match his intensity! Underground Arts, 1200 Callowhill St., 8pm, $14, 21+ - H.M. Kauffman
Oh yes - we’re back again today with another ticket giveaway! Enter to win a pair of tix for this Thursday’s show at Underground Arts with Here We Go Magic (Secretly Canadian) and Laser Background. Just send us an email at thedelimagazinephiladelphia@gmail.com with the subject line “It’s Laser Magic Time!” Please also include your cell number in the body of the message (in case of an emergency). Good Luck!
Andy Molholt’s quirky musical exploration Laser Background headlines Kung Fu Necktie tonight. The band’s music has an “everything is not as it appears” vibe to it. Initially, it might seem as though one has entered into some twisted spacey combination of a haunted house and circus, but if you wait a moment - catch your breath and reevaluate your surroundings - the true nature of the music comes to the forefront. It has a dreamy calmness that counters a subtle enjoyable rhythm, which balances the moments of unadulterated freaky chaos with the lyrics grabbing you for better or worse. The hazy pop-rock of Avery Rosewater, the project from Julien Rossow-Greenberg (ex-Arches), whose name is derived from the Kurt Vonnegut novel God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater, serves as this evening’s opener, while DJ Set (Eric Slick & Nicky Devine) also factors into the equation. Kung Fu Necktie,1250 N. Front St., 8pm, $8, 21+ - Michael Colavita
The Norwegian Arms/Laser Background Philly house venue residency tour continues this evening at University City DIY staple Pilam. The guys are reliving their college days camped out in a couch fort, and they may or may not still be trippin’, but they’re ready to entertain some rowdy college kids. They’ve also brought along DRGN King, who was recently signed to Bar None Records, and Ladies Auxiliary to keep the party vibes going. It’s back to school time, y’all! Just don’t try a “Triple Lindy” off the stage tonight. Pilam, 3914 Spruce St., 8pm, $1 - $5 donation, All Ages - Alexis V.
Other entertainment as fall comes upon us this weekend…
Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.) FRI BITBY One Year Birthday Bash w/Faux Slang, Turning Violet Violet, Heyward Howkins, SAT Hermit Thrushes
Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) SAT (Early) The New Connection, (Late) Dear Althea, The Pretty Greens, Kate Ferencz, SUN Liz and the Lost Boys
North Star Bar (2639 Poplar St.) FRI Sunburster, Skeleton Hands, SAT On Top, Clashing Plaid
The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) FRI I Yahn I Arkestra, dub-for-light, ANDtheNAMELESS, SAT Shortbread, Squalor Folk, SUN Mohican, Bengali Cockfight, Air Is Human
Silk City (435 Spring Garden St.) SUN Sparta Philharmonic
Tin Angel (20 S. 2nd St.) FRI Katie Barbato, Ella Dars
The Trocadero (1003 Arch St.) FRI Liz and the Lost Boys, SAT The 2012 Philly Zombie Prom w/Live Not On Evil, The Young Werewolves
Fergie’s (1214 Sansom St.) FRI (Early) John Train, (Late) Aaron and the Spells, Sonja Sofya, David Cope, SAT Sylvia Platypus, SUN Rusty Cadillac
TLA (334 South St.) SAT Ground Up, The Lawsuits, Mazon
The Grape Room (105 Grape St.) FRI The Beta Phase, Phantasm, Last Hour Battle, Scott Radway, SAT Long Walk Home
The Boom Room (1300 N. Front St.) SAT One Year Anniversary Party w/Grimace Federation, The W.e. Feat. Jaguar Wright, Kuf Knotz, Twister Baby, Cultureal, Edison and More
Cha-Cha’Razzi (Please contact one of the acts or the venue for more deets.) FRI Gypsy Death and You EP Release Show w/True Gold, Great Red Spots
Below is a stripped-down performance by Laser Background of the song “We Trust,” which is the opener to their self-titled debut EP. The session was recorded on the roof of their Port Richmond practice space by BITBY. They'll be performing this Friday at Johnny Brenda's for the Ape School LP Release Party.
When psych-pop outfit The Armchairs decided to part ways after throwing down for their best show ever, there was no doubt in my mind that Andy Molholt would be back performing on stage again. The singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist has returned with his even quirkier (in a good way) solo project Laser Background. Molholt will be celebrating the release of his self-titled debut EP at Kung Fu Necktie tonight. The new album is available on UK label Stroll On Records (which houses work by Ku Klux Glam - the collaboration from oddballs Ariel Pink and R. Stevie Moore) and his own imprint. He’ll be bringing the freakiness this evening backed by a recently assembled full band, and will also be joined by pals Arrah & The Ferns and Circadian Rhythms. Good times and vibes will surely be filling KFN so don’t miss out! Kung Fu Necktie, 1250 N. Front St., 8pm, $5, 21+ - H.M. Kauffman
Here’s a new odd-ball, psychedelic video (but we'd expect nothing less) from Laser Background (the solo project from The Armchairs’ Andy Molholt) for the track “Weird Conscience.” It was directed by Anthony Zagarella. The song will appear on his self-titled debut EP out next week via tape label Stroll On Records (who released the work of Ku Klux Glam - the collaboration from Ariel Pink and R. Stevie Moore) and Molholt’s own imprint. He’ll be celebrating the albums release on Thursday, July 19 at Kung Fu Necktie with pals Arrah & the Ferns and Circadian Rhythms.
After The Armchairs called it quits, Andy Molholt found himself discovering his own sound and recording a new project with former bandmate Michael Chadwick. The end result is the odd sonic beams (and homage to bad 80’s yearbook photos) of Laser Background, and this evening will mark the projects live debut. He’ll be performing his set solo, but we’re told a band around him is forming, and there is also interest from London-based label Stroll On Records (who recently released R. Stevie Moore and Ariel Pink’s bizarre collaboration Ku Klux Glam) to distribute his latest work. White Birds picked up right where Drink Up Buttercup left off by launching into a tour with Asobi Seksu and releasing the effervescent full-length album When Women Played Drums. And they’ll be right at home bringing their eerily beautiful harmonies to the former mausoleum. In their heyday, The Armchairs and Drink Up Buttercup were both interesting, artistic bands who knew how to give indie rock a fresh energy boost. One of the many bittersweet things about the bands coming to such an early demise in their careers is the fact that they’ve hardly performed many shows with each other, which makes it pretty cool that the newest projects from members of each band will be coming together tonight at PhilaMOCA. They’ll also be joined by Brooklyn’s Dinosaur Feathers and Busses, who were just added to the bill. PhilaMOCA, 531 N 12th St., 8:30pm, $7 - $10, All Ages - Bill McThrill
Update: Sorry folks, White Birds dropped off the bill - bummer. That is why Busses was added.
