Avidya and the Kleshas comes at you with a series of well-timed explosions. With her big band in tow (including rhodes, wurlitzer and all kinds of percussion), Avidya manages to attack life's dissatisfactions with a torrent of folk-jazz truth, all in the pursuit of her unique spiritual journey in tracks like 'Mother and God' (streaming) and 'Body of Lead.' With new record in tow, the band's set to release debut 'Tree of Series' June 5 at Rockwood Music Hall. - Mike Levine (@Goldnuggets)
It's been quite a bit since we've received any original material from Psychic Teens after loudly bursting onto the Philly music scene. The gothic post-punk outfit recently shared an explosive new track "RIP" from their upcoming release COME that is scheduled to drop on August 13 via local area label SRA Records. You can catch the power trio at Kung Fu Necktie this evening opening for No Joy. (Photo by Greg C)
Tonight YVYNYL (a.k.a. Mark Schoneveld) continues this month’s curation of Tuesday Tune-Out at PhilaMOCA with Jesse Sparhawk. Though Sparhawk is a multi-instrumentalist, he is probably best known for his nimble plucks on the acoustic guitar. The gifted musician has worked with a diverse list of artists throughout the Philly music community so the billing of “Jesse Sparhawk and friends” should gather an array of talent to help him perform live scores over recorded footage. Expect a peaceful calm to takeover the multi-purpose art space this evening. PhilaMOCA, 531 N. Front St., 8pm, $5, All Ages - H.M. Kauffman
Desert Stars might have an unwavering penchant for Beach House and their ilk, but don’t mistake that for the entirety of their sound. These Brooklyn upstarts have been bringing their shoe-gazing pop to the masses since 2008, plenty of time to refine a particularly hooky and accessible take on the style. The band is currently mixing their new album, and recently released promising single "Past in the Trash" (streaming). The Stars’ Thursday, May 25 date at Cameo Gallery with Howth isn’t one to miss — they might not have such intimate performances before long, and the show’s great lineup is sure to make for a good time. - Zack Kraimer
You may have caught Arrah Fisher of Arrah and the Ferns at work last night on The Food Network's Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. Well, here she is working hard at rocking out the first single from the band's forthcoming LP Make Your Mind called "Go Back." Arrah and the Ferns will be celebrating the release of their new record on Friday, May 24 at PhilaMOCA, which will be the group's last show "indefinitely."
The Boxing Lesson has not released a full length album in almost five years, but I promise you the wait has been more than worth it. The trio’s newest offering, Big Hits!, opens up with a psychedelic nine minute journey into a world of ethereal noises, spacey guitar, dark vocals and a slow, steady drum beat that holds it all together. As much as the epic opening track is reminiscent of Pink Floyd and David Gilmore’s echoing guitar work, don’t be fooled. The Boxing Lesson proves to be a diverse band that knows how to blend punk rock, classic rock n' roll and psychedelia into a fluid and well-calculated album. Check out their opening track, “Endless Possibilities”. -- Written by Jodi Lang
Philly emcee Gliss just premiered a new single earlier today via VIBE called “Inner Visions,” which was produced by Chigz. The track will appear on his forthcoming LP High on a Weekday due out this summer, but you can listen to and download it for free below. We’d also like to congratulate Gliss on his recent nuptials this past weekend - wishing him and his lovely wife Tiara all the best! Cheers!
Preston Spurlock and Neil Kelly make experimental electronica under the moniker Tunetown Philharmonic, regularly uploading scattered tracks complete with Windows Media Player-esque swirling visuals directly to their Facebook page. The duo’s work has been somewhat ramshackle in nature thus far, but their finest and most fully realized composition to date is the haunting and futuristic ‘A Suckers Saturday’ (orange alert for those of you who are at work or with their ladies: more than some nudity after minute 2) which Kelly uploaded to YouTube as an alternative soundtrack to The Prodigy’s famous ‘Smack Your Bitch Up’ video. The band placed 73rd in our latest Best of NYC Poll for Emerging Artists. - Dean Van Nguyen
If you’re a fan of TJ Kong and the Atomic Bomb’s garage folk-blues and Bukowski- esque tales, then you definitely should come out to Johnny Brenda’s tonight. The band will be performing two sets this evening so you know that they’ll be leaving it all on stage to help raise funds for Brat Productions, “a theatre company that produces both contemporary material and re-envisioned classics, working with new artists, working in non-traditional venues, and working to keep ticket prices low.” The Brat Cabaret will be on hand displaying their unique theatrics with a drag performance and two rock medleys, and Andrew Bird-inspired Brooklyn outfit Isadora will also be donating their time and talents. Help keep art alive and weird in Philly! Johnny Brenda’s, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 8pm, $12 - $30, 21+ - Alexis V.
The Brooklyn based Indie duo that is now Steel Phantoms (the band lately went through some line up changes) has just announced that they are set to self-release a new 7-track EP on July 16th. Former Islands drummer Aaron Harris pairs with Jessie Newkirk to bring you a special sect of Post-punk/Indie Rock that plays back like a catchy flood of dissonant guitar riffs, pleasant vocals and an ironically balanced composure. Listen/download the song “Curtain Call” (not an Eminem cover) from their upcoming EP below. Check them out at Muchmores on the 18th and Cameo Gallery on the 31st. - Michael Haskoor (@Tweetskoor)
