Lantern @ Johnny Brenda’s.
Text and images by Katie Harrold.
Last night at Johnny Brenda’s, a true rock ‘n’ roll band laid down a grungy, dirty and exciting set.
Lantern, the collaboration of Zachary Devereux Fairbrother and Emily Robb, is a Philly-based band though Zachary is originally from Montreal.
The American and the Canuck met in a music class and from there began the gradual transformation from two educated and trained musicians into one kickass garage rock band. Inspired by musicians like the Rolling Stones, Bo Diddley, the Velvet Underground and the Stooges, their music has a classic American rock and punk sound to it. Read more…
Rob Thomas will perform on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at sold out shows in Atlantic City. If you are bummed because you’ll miss that action, you can stop reading this now. You suck. And it’s not 1998 anymore.
This weekend, we have some really great local music, at great venues here, in Philadelphia. Why be anywhere else? Read more…
Abyssinia & Fiume: The Hipster Hotspot And The Ethiopian Joint.
Thad Suzenski, from PhillyPhoodie.com, eats with his hands downstairs at Abyssinia, and then jams upstairs at Fiume. Photos by Gabrielle Lavin.
Ethiopian food has a cult-like following. It’s safe to say that Washington D.C. is the North American hotbed of this cuisine, with an unofficial estimate of five-sixths of the Ethiopian-American population residing there. That said, we have our own population in Philadelphia that is dedicated to the flavorful fare.
In our fair city, it is well known that West Philly is the Mecca of Ethiopian culinary establishments. Abyssinia/Fiume in particular stands ahead of the pack, notable for its interesting combination of hole-in-the-wall music joint upstairs and authentic Ethiopian restaurant downstairs.
You are greeted with two completely different operations under the same roof and same ownership. Read more…
WIN FREE TICKETS! Ultraista @ Underground Arts.
London-based electronica crew Ultraista will turn Underground Arts into a giant dance party next Wednesday (January 23) and we’re giving away tickets to the show.
Email us at FreeJumpStuff@gmail.com to enter to win a pair (give us your name and put “Ultraista” in the subject line).
If you don’t want to take a chance, you can purchase tickets here.
Anessa LaRae: Reborn In Philly.
Text by Aneesah Coley. Image by Sharon Calvin.
Rocking an afro puff, jeans and a black crop top along with heels that make her appear taller than the five feet and one inch she admits to truly be, Anessa LaRae takes the stage at Warmdaddy’s.
As it pours rain outside, the 23-year-old singer/songwriter starts the set with an original song called “Dance in the Rain.” Throughout the restaurant, heads begin to nod rhythmically. LaRae seems at home on the stage.
“It’s something I’ve been honing for literally 20 years even though I’m really young,” she says. “I normally am a little bit of a nutcase before I perform. I’m all about energies and vibes.”
She hates feeling like a diva but certain things are necessary before she performs, like sipping blackberry brandy to help open her throat and keeping room temperature water handy. Meditation, crystals and chakra-opening stones are also things she’s into.
LaRae was born to military parents. She moved here five years ago to attend Drexel University, where she studied music industry and concentrated in entertainment law.
“I’m a Philly transplant,” she admits. “I was reborn here.”
Her first album, Apocalyptic Genesis, released in May 2011, was actually her senior project at Drexel. Though classified as eclectic rock ‘n’ soul, she says she wasn’t fixated on what genre the project would fit in. Her music style varies and she doesn’t limit herself.
Right now, she says she’s trying not to rush her art but she will create something new soon. The mantra of her next project will be love, peace and everything in between. She wants to be able to reach people.
“I want people to be touched by the music,” she says. “Music is the soundtrack of life.”
Cam’ron @ The Blockley.
Cam’ron, by Rick Kauffman.
Cam’ron, founder of The Diplomats, came to Philly for a rare performance on Saturday at The Blockley and he was greeted by a jam-packed audience and surprise visits from some of Philly’s hip-hop greats. Read more…
The Weathervane Music Showcase at Johnny Brenda’s, Featuring Ava Luna, Steven A. Clark and Twin Sister.
Text and images by Kyle Bagenstose.
Weathervane Music kicked off season 4 of its Shaking Through series at Johnny Brenda’s on Saturday night, featuring a trio of performances from artists who have recorded with the project and guest appearances from members of Philly regulars like Dr. Dog and The War on Drugs. Read more…
The Walkmen @ Union Transfer.
Text and images by Grace Dickinson.
“Too much spaghetti,” said Hamilton Leithauser, the lead singer of The Walkmen. “Ooph.” Read more…
DJ PHSH Wins the Red Bull Thre3Style DJ Competition.
West Philly’s DJ PHSH walked away with a cool $5,000 and a glass trophy after winning the regional qualifier round of the international Red Bull Thre3Style DJ competition last night at The Trocadero.
He’ll also advance to the East Coast regional round, which will take place on February 7 here in Philadelphia. The national round will take place in April and the world championship will be held in December.
PHSH bested four other Philly DJs – Bo Bliz, Gianni Lee, DJ Royale and PHSH’s good friend Suga Shay. Royale was awarded second place and Suga Shay came in third.
DJ Aktive, Lee Jones and last year’s world champ Four Color Zack acted as judges, though the packed crowd’s reactions really declared the winners.
The event was hosted by Mic Stew, the winner of the 2012 Red Bull EmSee freestyle competition.
PHSH and his Illvibe Collective crew also won another recent Red Bull competition, the Public Assembly party, in December.
Weekend Music Picks: It’s Springtime in January!
January is historically a slow time for concerts but there are a few humdingers this weekend. And it’s supposed to be pretty warm. So break out the short pants* and sunglasses and get ready to bike to a world of fun this weekend.
FRIDAY
This will be an interesting night of computer-influenced, psychedelic, jazzy, danceable jams, presented by Philly’s always evolving Grimace Federation and Brooklyn-based Sonkin.
The Walkmen with Alec Ounsworth from Clap Your Hands Say Yeah at Union Transfer
All your Pitchfork-loving, super-cool friends are going to this show anyway, so you might as well go too.
SATURDAY
Every month, super-producer Brian McTear and his crew record a band a create a video, helping to propel these bands in the Internet age. They’ve worked with a bunch of Philly bands, including The Man Suits, Hezekiah Jones, Creepoid, Strands of Oak, Purling Hiss and Reading Rainbow (now Bleeding Rainbow). Your $15 ticket will help support the project. It is a worthy cause, for sure … and you’ll get to see a few amazing bands. AND they are expecting friends of the project – members of Purling Hiss, The War on Drugs, Dr. Dog, Man Man and more. This will be a bigger indie rock scene than the Eric Slick show at PhilaMOCA on Tuesday.
Cam’ron at The Blockley with Voss, The Astronauts and more
The word is this will be Cam’s last time in Philly. The Dipset founder and firm believer of not snitching will surely pack the house. This is a huge line-up for the Southwest Philly-based crew, The Astronauts – Mont Brown and Pace-O Beats (right). We’re pretty pumped for them to play in front of a massive crowd.
SUNDAY
The Big Horn Jazz Band at Johnny Brenda’s
Ever seen a 15-piece ensemble? This crew of mostly locals pays tribute to the late, great jazz trumpeter Maynard Ferguson.
Stolen Girl, Hard Nips, Jackie Paper, Chit Chat and Hard Bodies at Kung Fu Necktie
This is a lot of garage rock and shoegaze stuff for only $8. You should go, if only to hear Philly’s own Jackie Paper.
* Don’t wear shorts this weekend, people. Global warming hasn’t been that effective.
JUMP: The Philly Music Project 