Little Berlin welcomes you to explore the interstellar musical limits tonight with a bill that includes a pair of hometown heavyweights Spacin’ and Chris Forsyth. Fronted by Birds of Maya bassist Jason Killinger, Spacin’ offers a funk-infused sonic explosion that launches off a classic blues rock platform incorporating powerfully raw and raunchy fuzzed-out guitar licks while utilizing a tight rhythm section (which is held down by Killinger’s wife Eva on the kit and Acid Kicks’ Sean Hamilton on bass), allowing the group to stretch out and delve deep into the sonic stratosphere. Spacin’ runs like a well-balanced relay team each instrument carrying its own weight, relying on each individual piece in producing a complete overall sound that seems to move at optimal speed from the second they hit the stage. They’ll be joined by drone guitar maestro Chris Forsyth, who is known for his unique guitar playing that pushes the boundaries taking listeners on a finessed sojourn beyond the outer limits. This edition of the Dream Oven Music Series also includes Chicago’s Bitchin’ Bajas. Little Berlin, 2430 Coral St., 7pm, $5 - $7 Donation, All Ages - Michael Colavita
It’s Mother’s Day tomorrow. Have you gotten her a gift yet? Luckily, there’s the Spring 2013 Art Star Craft Bazaar happening all weekend at the Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing, where you’ll find over 100 local and national artists setting up shop with their handmade goods to save the day. But it’s also a good time to take in some fine performances from locals acts such as Arrah and the Ferns, The Bailey Hounds, TJ Kong and the Atomic Bomb, and much more. (You can check out the full schedule of musicians above.) And don’t forget about the tasty food options and demonstrations for the kiddies. Hopefully the weather won’t dampen everyone’s fun. Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing, Columbus Boulevard between Market and Walnut Sts., 11am - 6pm, Free All Ages - H.M. Kauffman
We’re getting closer to Memorial Day Weekend, which is traditionally considered the beginning of summer and trips to the beach. Well, tonight you can party like you’re taking a summer vacay at Underground Arts for Vacationer’s Nude Beach Party. The dream-pop crew will be headlining their continuing event as well as spinning some tunes once again this evening, and they’ve assembled a truly rad lineup with rising Deli Philly fave sex-pop outfit, Night Panther, and former Deli NYC cover guys and gal, Body Language, providing the type of jams that will get the crowd shedding off some clothes and showing some skin. It’s definitely a party weekend, and now, you know where to start it off right! Underground Arts, 1200 Callowhill St., 9pm, $8 adv/$10 door, 21+ - Q.D. Tran
Other things happening this warm and possibly wet weekend…
Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.) FRI Little Big League, SUN Lockets, Acres of Diamonds
Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) FRI (Upstairs) The Mighty Paradocs, Revolution, I Love You, RoseMary Fiki, SAT (Downstairs) The Whips, (Upstairs) Ape!, The Cloth, Tile, Killer of Sheep, SUN Le YIKES Surf Club, The Eeries, Mike Bell & The Movies
Underground Arts (1200 Callowhill St.) FRI Vacationer, Night Panther, SAT Boris Garcia, Reverend TJ McGlinchey
Union Transfer (1024 Spring Garden St.) SAT The Ocean Blue, Riverisde, Don Peris
Art Star Craft Bazaar (Penn’s Landing) SAT Gretchen Lohse, Kwesi Kankam, Grubby Little Hands, Joey Sweeney & Long Hair Arkestra, The Bailey Hounds, Arrah and the Ferns, SUN The Spinning Leaves, Cherokee Red, All Boy All Girl, Katie Frank & The Pheremones, The Fleeting Ends, TJ Kong and the Atomic Bomb
North Star Bar (2639 Poplar St.) FRI Good Graces, Pulling Punches, Only On Weekends
The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) FRI A Day Without Love, Parple, Last Full Measure, When Ships Collide, SAT Gianna's Sweet Debut, No Stranger' Griz, Hatchets & Hammers, Vilebred, Highkick, SUN Milhaus, The Electric Menace
MilkBoy Philly (1100 Chestnut St.) FRI Cabin Dogs, SAT Center City Jazz Festival
Ortlieb’s Lounge (847 N. 3rd St.) FRI Needle Points, Bridge Underwater, Ang & The Damn Band, SAT (Early) The Bigness, (Late) Barakka
Little Berlin (2430 Coral St.) SUN Spacin', Chris Forsyth
Golden Tea House (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Captain, We're Sinking, Adult Braces, Crybaby, FRI Naptakers, Grower
Beaumont Warehouse (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI West Philly Waste Benefit w/Mohawkton, Dopestroke, Population Zero, Knucklehead
Hausu (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI Ghost Light, Vintage Kicks, Ratburn
The Pariah (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI Hivelords, Sadgiqacea
There’s a big summer brewing for Post Post alums Little Big League, who recently announced that they will be part of the Tiny Engines (Restorations, Tigers Jaw, Dikembe) lineage and that the indie label will be releasing their debut LP These Are Good People, which was produced by Craig Hendrix. And if the single My Very Own You is any indication, things should be heating up for the local four-piece. Tonight’s show at Johnny Brenda’s will be a great time to catch the band and preview some new tunes, especially since they’ll be opening for shred queen (and rock 'n' roll crush to many) Marnie Stern. Johnny Brenda’s, 1201 N. Frankford St., 9pm, $12, 21+ - Bill McThrill
Local rock trio Sherman recently dropped their new album Ghosts on Grass. With each spin, we are hearing elements of Dire Straits, Pink Floyd, The War on Drugs and a whole bunch of other artists that you'll most likely find in our collections. So obviously, we're digging it! Take a listen for yourself below.
“To err is human, to forgive is divine” is how the saying goes. That’s probably partially how instrumental psych rock outfit Air is Human came up with their name - we guess. But for the real answer, you’ll just have to ask them personally. However, we do have a few other truths from our recent Featured Artist(s) Poll Winner. You can read what the duo had to say HERE.
The Deli Philly's Featured Artist(s) Poll Winner: Air is Human
- by Alexis V.
“To err is human, to forgive is divine” is how the saying goes. That’s probably partially how instrumental psych rock outfit Air is Human came up with their name - we guess. But for the real answer, you’ll just have to ask them personally. However, we do have a few other truths from our recent Featured Artist(s) Poll Winner. You can read what the duo had to say below.
The Deli: How did you start making music?
Air is Human: We (Jeff Lucci and Josh Aptner) met in 2010 and bonded over a strange parallel in our tastes in music. Despite having very different musical backgrounds, we knew that we should keep playing together because something original was bound to happen.
TD: Where did the name Air is Human come from?
AiH: To find the honest answer to this question, you would have to ask us personally. Just remember to breathe, and that to forgive is divine.
TD: What are your biggest musical influences?
AiH: Talk Talk.
TD: What artists (local, national and/or international) are you currently listening to?
AiH: Our homies in the Philly band Mohican are killing it right now. We just picked up the new Atoms for Peace record. As far as international acts, anything coming out of the Scandinavian countries is dope.
TD: What's the first concert that you ever attended and first album that you ever bought?
Josh Aptner: Matchbox 20 w/Semisonic was the first concert I went to. Green Day’s Dookie was the first cassette I bought.
Jeff Lucci: Kind of ashamed to say this, but Britney Spears was my first concert. Officially, the first album I ever bought with my own cash was Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) by Wu-Tang Clan.
TD: What do you love about Philly?
JL: Great sandwiches.
JA: It’s a dual-edged sword, but after traveling a little, I appreciate the people here because they stand their ground with their opinions. I’ll take a hard-headed pretentious asshole over some lackadaisical pacifist any day of the week and twice on Sunday. I also think the sandwiches are top notch.
TD: What do you hate about Philly?
AiH: People seldom take a chance on something new. The artistic community seems a bit jaded, but that might everywhere - who knows?
TD: What are your plans for 2013?
AiH: We have a lot of big plans for the remainder of 2013. First and foremost to continue playing live. The tracks for our new album have been selected, and we anticipate beginning the recording process very soon. We are also working on a full arrangement of the Radiohead album Kid A. The goal is to perform the album live in its entirety with eight musicians sometime in August.
TD: What was your most memorable live show?
AiH: September 30th, 2012 at The Fire. Our friends from King Orchid (a band that sadly is no more) hit us up to play a show as they were touring down from Boston. We had just finished our first record, and had no idea how we could pull it off live as a duo. Despite this, we agreed to play the show. The turnout was massive, and both King Orchid and Mohican murdered their sets. It gave us faith that the community surrounding instrumental music was still alive and well, and sparked a fire under our asses to keep playing live.
TD: What’s your favorite thing to get at the deli?
JA: From Landolfi’s in Langhorne, “The Capisce” (Sliced honey roasted turkey, fresh mozz, basil pesto on Italian roll).
JL: My Deli game is too eclectic to provide a single answer to this question.
Lucy Stone is a young talent who currently attends Drexel University enrolled in their Music Industry program. The singer-songwriter has been performing in the local area with numerous bands since the age of 14. She is a former Deli Philly Featured Artist(s) Poll Winner who has already recorded and toured with Rusted Root as well as opened for Dirty Projectors. Stone will be headlining the bill tonight at PhilaMOCA where she’ll be supported by the Bright Eyes-esque indie folk of Former Belle and the beach-ready jams of Cruiser. PhilaMOCA, 531 N. 12th St., 7:30pm, $10, All Ages (Photo by Jamie Lozoff) - H.M. Kauffman
Check out the latest episode of Trippin' Balls with Brother JT! We love this show. Kind of gives that hilarious but strange out there feeling that we used to get from watching Wonder Showzen. This video features an interview and jam session with Mike "Slo-Mo" Brenner, who recently came back from a month-long adventure to Kolkata (or Calcutta), India where he went to study Hindustani slide guitar. Guess that this would be a good wake n bake type of day.
We have a pair of tickets to giveaway for what is sure to be a rager this Friday at Underground Arts. Vacationer is returning with their Nude Beach party, and they've brought along Body Language and Night Panther for everyone to get their grind on. To enter for a chance to win, send us an email at thedelimagazinephiladelphia@gmail.com with the subject line “Calgon, Take Me Away!” Please also include your cell number in the body of the message (in case of an emergency). Good Luck! (Photo by Nicky Digital)
