Posted: May 9th, 2008 | Author: justin | Filed under: art, philly | No Comments »
If you live in or were recently visiting Philly, you may have noticed a winding trail of white-washed lines travelling through Independence Park, bounded by Walnut St. on the south, Chestnut St. on the north, Fifth St. on the west, and Third St. on the east. The white lines cut across cobblestone sidwalks, through lightposts, benches, and parkland demarking the once vibrant flowing Dock Creek, long ago buried beneath the city in which it helped sprout into the metropolis it is today.
Dock Creek, in a sense, gave birth to Philadelphia. American Indians once traversed this pristine stream and William Penn later landed in a nearby cove where Front St. is located today. The first European settlers built their homes on the banks of the creek, which provided a gateway to the city. By the time Philly playboy Ben Franklin entered the picture in 1723, the once translucent creek had become an open sewer, much like most waterways, swamps, and marshes in developing cities. Tanneries, beermakers, slaughterhouses, and raw sewage were dumped into the creek making it one of the first of many polluted waterways in America. It soon became a public nuisance and after failed attempts by a young Franklin to clean it up, the once freely roaming Dock Creek was encased in brick and buried becoming a subsurface waterway. It has remained that way to this date.
In an evolving sculpture project conceived by artist Winifred Lutz, the spring-fed tidal stream breaks free of the grid imposed upon it hundreds of years ago. Lutz’s project brings the tidal stream back to life again with white-wash and lime flowing over grass, concrete, cobblestone, marking its course from the juncture of Dock and Third Streets where it splits into two branches. Permission has been granted by park authorities to allow the lawn between the white lines to grow into a river of tall grasses containing clover, dandelions, and wild strawberries. In September 2008, Lutz will “animate” the grass swale with nearly nine miles of vibrant blue elastic stretched from end to end, recreating in a sense, the waterway that once served this city.
The installation runs from now through September 27th and Lutz is currently looking for volunteers to complete the blue elastic waterway. More information on the project, including photographs can be found here and by calling the American Philosophical Society at 215.440.3427.
Check out more of Philly’s hidden streams at Philly H20: The History of Philadelphia’s Watersheds and Sewers.
Posted: May 8th, 2008 | Author: justin | Filed under: folk, philly, psychedelic, shoegaze | No Comments »
How many times have you gone to a show and see a werewolf pouring batter into a waffle iron on-stage? That shtick has been repeated time and time again, but for Aunt Dracula-sidekick Waffle Wolf that time has come to an end. Maybe he was getting too many of his coarse hairs into the waffle batter or maybe he mamed a soundguy because they were out of Aunt Jemima (waffle eating werewolves dig on Aunt Jemima, none of that Whole Foods Pure Maple Syrup shit, they live for high fructose corn syrup). I digress; I’m making myself hungry for waffles now and getting away from the point of this post, which is Philadelphia’s Aunt Dracula.
Aunt Dracula’s sound would be what Philly bands evolve into if global warming continues to raise southeastern Pennsylvania temperatures and turns the Delaware River into prime tropical beachfront. On their debut, Face Peel (produced by Jeff Zeigler, Swirlies/Relay), the Philadelphia trio crafts LSD-infused psychedelic folk à la Animal Collective infused with a heady mix of textured stuttering shoegaze guitars and tropical impulses. Songs awash in hippyish ambiguity tell tales of weirdo characters among paranoid shifts in tempo. Aunt Drac’s loyal followers, used to leaving live shows satiated, will instead have to fill up on the band’s spacey psychedelic nuggets, something I’ll take any day over waffles.
The group celebrates the release of Face Peel this Saturday at Johnny Brenda’s with an impressive lineup of local acts including Papertrigger and Hermit Thrushes.
[MP3]: Aunt Dracula ”Mongo”
Single, Self-Released; 2008
Posted: April 22nd, 2008 | Author: justin | Filed under: FRICTION, music, noise, nyc, philly, pop, rock | No Comments »
GET HYPE! FRICTION celebrates Cinco de Mayo with a lineup featuring Bristol, UK’s euphoria-inducing Fuck Buttons, along with Brooklyn noise machine Sightings, and Philadelphia’s unorthodox, polyrhythmic pop outfit Pattern Is Movement. Come out for this solid bill to celebrate Mexico’s initial victory over the French in the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. I can’t think of a better excuse to drink on a Monday. NYCs Still Hype DJs will be spinning in between sets.
Tix available now/ Doors @ 7pm / flyer, mp3s + more below
FUCK BUTTONS recipe for sound is one that seems to test the limits of throwing the most twisted ideas and sounds along with the most melodic and beautiful into one big brewing pot—euphoric chimes and pounding tribal rhythms with violent screams and spooky distortions, that sort of thing. [Pop Matters].
[MP3]: “Sweet Love for Planet Earth”
The sound of
SIGHTINGS is the sound of civilization in reverse. Its 11-year, six-album career is one long sayonara to the 20th century, a fulfillment of rock and punk’s broken promise to unravel everything—language, shape, unity. Sightings’ songs give impressions not of sweaty stages and cheesy lights but of battlefields erupting and factories collapsing. Inside the wreckage, swirling within the sonic violence, the human presence of drummer Jon Lockie, bassist Richard Hoffman and guitarist Mark Morgan barely registers. [Indy Weekly].
[MP3]: “Debt Depths”
The combination of Thiboldeauxʼs swooning, near-operatic singing style and Wardʼs fierce yet deconstructive drumming,
surrounded by flurries of shimmering keys and sometimes strings, makes
PATTERN IS MOVEMENT more unusual than ever. The only band one could rightly compare them to is Radiohead, what with the jaunty song structures and
opaque, repetitive lyrics. [Philly Weekly].
[MP3]: “Right Away”
In part with:
Posted: April 21st, 2008 | Author: justin | Filed under: events, music, philly, popped! | No Comments »
I’ve mentioned before on this site about my involvement in planning the 2008 POPPED! Music Festival, happening this summer in Philadelphia. It’s been a long time coming, but we’re ready to announce the lineup for this year’s festival, taking place over three days, June 20, 21, and 22, highlighting assorted venues across Philly. In its second year, POPPED! has grown from basement shows to a three-day event with a focus on diverse talent and sustainability, while remaining dedicated to bringing national attention to the City of Philadelphia and its burgeoning music scene.
POPPED! kicks off with iconic rapper Slick Rick and a full band on Friday June 20th at the historic Trocadero Theater, centrally located in the Chinatown district. In addition to Slick Rick, the Friday night Kickoff Party will also feature DJ Steven Bloodbath and White Ts & White Belts DJs. Saturday will see the likes of indie darlings Vampire Weekend, gypsy punks Gogol Bordello, indie-pop duo Mates of State, and more performing on an outdoor stage in a festival style-setting on the campus of Drexel University. Counter-culture genius singer/songwriter, Daniel Johnston with The Capital Years, O’Death, and many others close out the festival on Sunday at World Café Live across the Schuylkill River in University City.
For FULL details visit poppedphiladelphia.org. Tickets for Saturday’s portion of POPPED! are ON SALE NOW!
[MP3]: Slick Rick ”Behind Bars”
[MP3]: Vampire Weekend ”Campus”
[MP3]: Daniel Johnston ”Live In Vain”
Posted: April 14th, 2008 | Author: justin | Filed under: garage, music, philly, psych, rock | No Comments »
This list of April favorites stands in stark contrast to what I was listening to last year around this time. If I remember correctly, it was all about The Field, Gui Boratto, Pantha du Prince, and other electronic acts keeping me company as I packed for my move to Philadelphia. A year later and the songs below show a turn toward more organic sounds, mostly psychedelia, folk, and some blues. Maybe it’s the change of scenery, with New York representing the minimal electronic sounds that fit its cold, stark landscape and the fact that Philly feels more in touch with the natural world. This city has its fair share of greenery and I don’t have to climb to my roof or traverse to the bikepath along the Hudson to catch a glimpse of the sun and sky.
FLEET FOXES
Fleet Foxes, Subpop; 2008
[MP3]: “White Winter Hymnal”
This record was the perfect listen on Saturday morning as I pulled myself together from the previous night’s haze. I sat on my bed soaking up the sun that poured into the room sipping on a coffee and kicking back some much needed Advil, this, of course, after spacing on Radiohead tickets.
THE WAR ON DRUGS
Wagonwheel Blues, Secretly Canadian; 2008
[MP3]: “Taking the Farm”
The War on Drugs were one of the first bands that I was introduced to after moving to the City of Brotherly love. I wasn’t initially thrilled on the first few spins of their Barrel of Batteries EP, as it took a few listens to adjust to Adam Granduciel’s Dylan-esque vocals. Eventually, the band won me over and the impressive
Wagonwheel Blues further cements them as one of my favorite bands in Philly.
DOMINIQUE LEONE
Dominique Leone EP, Feedelity; 2007
[MP3]: “Duyen”
Dominique Leone was the first act to be signed to Strømland Records, the imprint started by the people behind Norway’s Smalltown Supersound and Lindstrøm. On his genre spanning self-titled EP, the San Francisco-based Leone pulls together the best of both April’s for me with minimal beats stacked against sunny psychedelic pop, oddball samples, and classical arrangements. Stunning.
THEE OH SEES
The Master’s Bedroom Is Worth Spending A Night In, Tomlab; 2008
[MP3]: “Ghost in the Trees”
Another San Francisco-based act, Thee Oh Sees, follow 2007′s
Sucks Blood with
The Master’s Bedroom Is Worth Spending A Night In. The LP treds somewhere between the band’s supposed goo-rock and garage rock. John Dwyer (Coachwhips) is now supported by a three piece who pack catchy driving melodies, catchy background harmonies, heavy feedback, and pounding drums into this fifteen track LP.
CIRCULATORY SYSTEM
TBA; 2008
[MP3]: “Tiny Concerts”
Circulatory System are back with three new songs after a seven year hiatus. No one’s really sure if these hazy, lo-fi, jazz-infused psychedelic numbers are the beginnings of the new record, slated for a fall release. Here’s to hoping.
Posted: April 9th, 2008 | Author: justin | Filed under: FRICTION, electronic, life, music, philly | No Comments »
Damn you Woody’s and your stiff drinks! I got a late start today (read: I woke up on the couch with my clothes, shoes, and coat still on) and totally missed the Radiohead presale on Waste. Don’t bother, the site is fucking clogged to shit and the presale is sold the fuck out. Not to mention, my waking call was a friend rubbing it in my face that he got three tickets to for Radiohead’s Camden show. Three? Why not get the max of four? Ugh.
Anyway, a couple of quick things. Gui Boratto was brilliant last night at Woody’s in Philly, it was great to finally see/hear him live. If you can make it out on Saturday to see him at Studio B, definitely do so, he spun and incredible set with a whip cream topping of “Beautiful Life,” sending us off into the early morning streets of Philadelphia happy.
Philadelphia faves and friends The War on Drugs are giving away their Barrel of Batteries EP. Get it here FREE of charge. The psych/country/shoegaze outfit will be releasing their debut full length, Wagonwheel Blues, via Secretly Canadian later this year. Catch them tonight at the North Star Bar in Philadelphia.
FRICTION alums HEALTH are set to drop a remix album titled HEALTH/DISCO, which sees their debut remixed by the likes of CFCF, Curses!, Philly’s Pink Skull, and more. Full details here.
Lastly, I’d like to say happy birthday to my little beast, Ms. Shelby, who turns seven today. I know she’s not much of a blog reader, but I hope she sees this.
[MP3]: Gui Boratto ”Sozinho”
12″ Single, K2; 2006
Posted: April 3rd, 2008 | Author: justin | Filed under: live, music, noise, philly, tribal | No Comments »
An explosive, chaotic, hypnotic, and relentless rhythm rave is what Japanoise band Boredoms brought to Starlight Ballroom last night in Philadelphia. Their nearly ninety-minute set ranged from minimal beats and ambient washes to a full on aural assault of thundering tribal percussion and crushing primal noise.
Frontman Yamatsuka Eye opened the set on a pitch black stage swinging around a pair of trippy MIDI controlled light orbs that produced growling electronic feedback every time they were shaken. The noise produced by the glowing orbs steadily matured into a consistent thump, gaining intensity that culminated when the lighting was switched on and the triple drum attack of Muneomi Senju, Yojiro, Yoshimi P-We was unleashed. Eye threw the orbs to the floor and tore into the “Sevena,” a seven necked guitar that he played percussively with an array of baton like drumsticks. A dizzying stampede of flowing rhythms and sonic layers blasted from the stage setting the tone for the rest of the show.
Perhaps most impressively, the trio of drummers performed non-stop, like clockwork at times rising off their seats to pound on their snares, toms, and cymbals. Equally amazing is that they had unbelievable endurance, finishing the set and encore stronger than when they began. Eye was like a torrent on the stage and had a seemingly relentless amount of energy. He rotated between wailing on the Sevena with various sized “drumsticks,” producing melodic drones and creating blankets of noise on a joystick controlled synth. Between his duties on the synth and Sevena, he would let out indecipherable shrieks and exclamations like “Ha. Ha. Bia! Bia! Boog boog boog. Bia! Eeeeeet!” If I weren’t witnessing it first hand I would have assumed there was a pterodactyl on stage when Eye hit his “Eeeeet!” notes. Much to the dismay of the roadie/soundguy who tuned the seven-neck guitar throughout the set, Eye managed to break many of the strings on the upper necks during the final song.
Toward the end of the set, my ears were absolutely pummeled and I made my way toward the back of the crowd where I learned that Eye had a broken foot and was wearing an air cast the entire show. I went into the show being a more casual Boredoms listener, not super familiar with the band’s catalog, but I can see myself delving deeper into their records following last night’s torrent of a live show.
Live, Boredoms sound is nothing short of IMMENSE. I left the former roller skating rink, turned club, halfway through the encore, ears ringing as the band, never tiring, sent blasts of noise pouring into the gritty desolate streets around me.
Boredoms finish up their U.S. tour tonight at the 9:30 Club in Washington, DC.
NOTE: The picture accompanying this post is from Trent Wolbe, the band had asked not to be photographed during their show last night.
[MP3]: Boredoms ”B For Boredoms”
Chocolate Synthesizer, WEA/Reprise/Very Friendly; 1994
