Intern Matthew’s Weekend Picks: From Psychedelic to Metal, and Everything in Between.

Hey there boys and girls. I’m Matthew Albasi, JUMP’s newest intern. Every week I will bring you all the shows I wish I could go to. Since Geo doesn’t pay me, I have to bartend to pay the bills. That means every weekend I’ll be living vicariously through you. So here are all the shows I wish I could be hitting up this weekend.

FRIDAY

William Elliot Whitmore and Samantha Crain at Underground Arts

Underground Arts will be awash in beautiful folk music Friday night, with William Elliott Whitmore channeling the not-so-dead ghost of Tom Waits and Samantha Crain, crooning like the long-lost sister of Woody Guthrie.

John K Band and Boris Garcia at The Blockley

In the mood for something a little bit more 70s than 30s?

John Kadlecik steps away from Further to play his psychedelic-solo music at The Blockley on Friday. Also playing is Boris Garcia. This local band has a lot of talent and always puts on a good show. They manage to blend Americana and bluegrass into a perfect mix. (Image of Jon Kadlecik by Andrew Mendelson).

SATURDAY

Swift Technique, Cheers Elephant and Orbit to Leslie at Johnny Brenda’s

The afterparty for The Dude Hates Cancer Benefit rages at Johnny Brenda’s with a lineup of a few JUMP favorites. Swift Technique (above, in a photo by Ashley Hall) leads the party with their crazy costumes and all-instrumental funky jams. Philadelphia favorite Cheers Elephant (right) will bring their danceable indie to the stage as well. Orbit to Leslie fills out the roster with their percussion heavy genre blending tunes.

Problem Solving, The Dirty Cut, Evergreen, and Motive at North Star Bar

So, I’m not terribly familiar with any of the bands on this ticket but there’s a few reasons to go. First of all, the North Star Bar is one of my favorite venues in the city. It’s always a good time no matter who is playing. While I’m not familiar with all their work, everything I’ve heard from Problem Solving is pretty awesome. They’re a mix of a little rock n’ roll, a bit of shoegaze with just a touch of The Smashing Pumpkins. Finally, I’ve never heard of The Dirty Cut but I want to. They publicized this show on their Facebook by saying “We are not a four piece rock act but we might make you throw up.” If that doesn’t make you want to come out I don’t know what will.

SUNDAY

Bon Iver with Anais Mitchell at the Mann Center

This is the big show for the weekend. Bon Iver, forever making women swoon and men jealous, will be playing the Mann Center. I don’t need to describe his sound, you have all heard him. The real attraction at this show is the slightly less legendary Anais Mitchell. She’s a girl with a guitar and a broken heart and she kills it.

Nightwish and Kamelot at the Electric Factor

If you’re feeling less “gooey heart” and more “melt-y brain” than go see Nightwish and Kamelot at the Electric Factory. Nightwish is a Finnish metal band with a female lead singer. They strike a nice balance between chest thumping screams and melodic singing. Kamelot will bring their symphonic and demonic metal to the stage as well. Remember, this show is BYOVS (bring your own virgin sacrifice).

See you all next week. Enjoy the shows.