The Underwater Sounds Farewell Show @ Underground Arts.
Text by Jennifer Granato. Image by Jessica Flynn.
The Underwater Sounds performed their final show on Friday after six years of playing together around the Philadelphia area. They went out on a high note, playing a lengthy set of tunes, all featuring their reggae sound and laid back vibes, before an eager and excited crowd that packed Underground Arts.
The band is made up of five musicians – Sonni Shine on vocals and rhythm guitar, Billy Campion on lead guitar, Dan Townsend on keyboards, Ken Shumski on the Bass and Sean Youngsman on drums.
Shine’s vocals are really what makes The Underwater Sounds stand out against other bands. Her voice is warm and the control she has over it allows over her to sing a variety of styles. At one point in the night, she even put down her guitar to venture into a few rap verses on stage.
Everyone who attended the show received a download card for their latest album, Visions of Love and Light Part 2, which the band played through almost in its entirety during the show. Along with the new tracks, they played older crowd favorites including ‘Airplane’ and ‘Become Mighty.’
The crowd was obviously feeling the band’s love for performing that night, so much so that a man proposed to his girlfriend on stage in the middle of the set (she said yes, if you were wondering).
The sound of the group overall, combining obvious reggae influences with jazz, funk, and psychedelic jam sessions, is really wonderful to listen to and even more exciting to see live. It goes without saying that they will be missed in the Philadelphia music scene.
The Snails and The Rosemary Fiki Band opened for The Underwater Sounds, hyping up the crowd with a mixture of soul, reggae and rock tracks.
The Bacon Brothers and Robbie Grote @ Union Transfer for the Reading Viaduct Project Fundraiser.
Text by Tyler Horst. Images by Chris Fascenelli.
Union Transfer saw a much more dressed-up clientele than usual last Thursday night. Many came out in their best suits and dresses to mingle amongst a catered spread, rub shoulders with a few faces from high places and enjoy an evening of music.
Why the high-class atmosphere?
Thursday night wasn’t just a rare opportunity to see the Bacon Brothers live in concert in their hometown of Philadelphia, but also a benefit for the construction of a Rail Park on the Reading Viaduct, the derelict railway hidden just out of sight above sections of Center City, a block away from Union Transfer.
“It’s based on the Highline in New York City but it’s going to be bigger and better and wider,” said emcee Pierre Robert of WMMR about the proposed Rail Park, receiving enthusiastic cheers from the crowd.
The benefit was organized by a collaboration of the Center City District Foundation and the Friends of the Rail Park. According to CCDF executive director Nancy Goldenberg, proceeds from the night’s event went to constructing phase one of the project, which includes the first quarter-mile segment from Broad to Callowhill.
The Bacon Brothers were brought into the mix thanks to their sister Hilda Bacon, a supporter of the Friends of the Rail Park. Also, according to Goldenberg, “We knew we needed a well-known Philadelphian.”
Robbie Grote opened the show with a solo set of songs written for his band The Districts, the young rockers who quickly became local darlings after moving to Philadelphia from Lititz two short years ago. As Grote sat and played through his beautifully subdued set, projected on the screen behind him were a collection of photos of the run-down Viaduct combined with conceptual images of the proposed Park.
The images showed manicured walkways, park benches, an amphitheater, and smiling families enjoying all of it. It’s a far-cry from the way the Viaduct looks now.
On the way in to the night’s show, concert-goers likely passed the words “Feel the Bern” yarn-bombed on the Viaduct fence above Spring Garden. The derelict, overgrown railway is already a landmark in its own right to intrepid urban explorers, graffiti artists and those fascinated by the city’s forgotten spaces. Like the Divine Lorraine before it, whispers of a renovation have been circulating for years. But now, a transformation of the decaying space is truly underway.
“I feel a little bit sad that it won’t be a secret spot anymore,” said concertgoer Noam Roth, who lives near one of the hidden entrances. “But it’s cool that the public is going to be able to use it.”
Thanks to the support of artists like the Bacon Brothers, the project continues to pick up momentum. And yes, the band features that Kevin Bacon.
The Bacon Brothers band was an optimal mix of Philly celebrity and lively music. The group played a solid mixture of folk, blues, soul and rock. Often reflecting the blue collar Americana aesthetic that unmistakably marks them as old-school Philly, but sometimes venturing into the avant-garde with pieces like the cello-tinged ode to a giant squid “Archie,” the Bacon Brothers rewarded the night’s donors with a great and far-ranging set.
They didn’t let the crowd forget their roots either. “New Year’s Day,” a song about the Mummers, had the crowd chanting a Mummers fundraising anthem.
Kevin Bacon also took a break between songs to hearken back to his days at the J.R. Masterman school, reflecting that he still remembers the “Masterman Hymn,” though he hated singing it as a junior high school student.
“Then I realized that if you tally up all the people that ever went to that school, more people know that song than any I ever wrote,” Bacon said from the stage. “So, I’m going to step back from my criticism of that song because that’s a hit.”
Thursday night was also a hit for Friends of the Rail Park board member Michael Garden, who helped emcee the event. According to Garden, phase one is expected to break ground in the summer thanks in part to an upcoming grant, but also because of the growing support gathered from events like the benefit concert.
“Tonight was definitely a success,” Garden said. “We brought people from the fringes of this project to the center.”
LOLO, Allan Rayman, Thee Idea Men and Mothers @ Milkboy.
Text by Chris Malo. Images by Magdalena Papaioannou.
Last Thursday, on a night that wasn’t sure if it was summer or winter, Communion Music touched down at Milkboy to give the audience a four-act-deep bill. The monthly installment of the UK-based record label/concert promoter/music publisher arranges small tours for independent artist to gain exposure and touring experience, with a diverse range that includes one local slot.
For their February showcase, Mothers, Thee Idea Men, Allan Rayman and LOLO squeezed upstairs at Milkboy to give fans a show.
First up, was Mothers, a four piece outfit out of Georgia. The crowd of 50 or 60 listened to the acquired taste vocals of frontwoman Kristine Leschper serenade the audience as she played guitar, backed my two other guitars and a drummer, producing a sound that flowed from delicate and soft to violent and chaotic, a la bands like Liars with an art/dance punk vibe.
Second to take the stage, Philly representatives Thee Idea Men. The four-piece band’s 2014 album, New Level Shoes, was recorded and mixed by Milkboy’s own Tommy Joyner. With a bluesy rock aesthetic, Matthew Jurasek took the growing audience through a set with cuts that included lyrics such as, “I don’t even know your name and I don’t care,” and “I didn’t want you to leave baby, I didn’t want you to go,” before playing a song he couldn’t remember the name to (“Bruce baby?”) and a new track, “I Think About It.” The heavy rock vibe wove through each song and the audience went for the ride, enjoying Jurasek’s banter and following his direction to get low to the ground during one song.
Next up was Toronto’s Allan Rayman. The performance was reminiscent of something often heard by old(er) heads in Philly music circles.
“I remember seeing Nirvana at Dobbs on South Street before they were big.”
“I was at Kung Fu Necktie when Odd Future filmed that thing for MTV right before they were big.”
Not suggesting Allan’s future has Nirvana stratosphere written all over it, but it wouldn’t be surprising to see him playing larger venues his next visits to Philly.
Hopefully you were in attendance the other night to see the performance. Because it was a performance. A small table, a chair, a bottle of wine and a candle. Songs were punctuated (or cut off) with a ringing telephone and occasional voicemail from a young lady. There is a story to tell and it was told in a gimmick-free narrative.
The storytelling voice was a bit raspy, with an ATL flow and a body draped in an oversized NYSE shirt and worn black hat. Allan gyrated like Janis Joplin with a vocal style somewhere between spoken word and rap, none of which feels contrived. With an arm draped over the mic and mic stand (half for support, half hidng his face), he delivered lyrics and a performance the crowd devoured. Silent in places to listen to the words, applauding with conviction after each song as he returned to briefly sit at the table on stage, it was easy to predict the long line at the merch table after his performance and women clamoring for an autograph and selfie.
A look at videos released for his last project shows he not only has an ear or an eye but a vision.
The saddest part of the evening was LOLO’s performance. Heartbreakingly sad. Not because it was bad but because it was brilliant, yet nearly everyone had left before she donned her fur coat and took the stage.
The phenomenally talented LOLO (who not only appeared on Panic at the Disco’s Miss Jackson, but co-wrote 8 songs on their new album) was a force on the stage. While Allan moved like Joplin, LOLO embodies and channels her. The soul music within her small frame exudes through her powerful vocals. Her experience performing in the the Broadway musical Spring Awakening begins to make perfect sense.
Much of the above regarding Allan’s future could also be said again about Lolo. Her talent is undeniable (which I realize begs the question: Why did everyone leave? I have no fucking idea.) It is impossible to not imagine her at The Fillmore soon.
There’s something to be said about shows not at major or corporate venues. Just because Ticketmaster isn’t the entity selling the tickets or just because you may not have heard of an artist, doesn’t mean there are promotors out there putting together shows and tours that the focus isn’t just ticket sales but super talented artists.
The Communion residency returns to Milkboy March 3 with Stephen, Eryn Allen Kane, Misun, Axel Flóvent and Hemming. You may not be familiar with all the acts (yet), but it should be a fun night and $8 well spent for the chance to see.
Muse @ The Wells Fargo Center.
Text and images by Brianna Spause.
“You are now about to witness the strength of street knowledge,” boomed from the sound system as the lights went down on the Wells Fargo Center last weekend. An uncensored version of NWA’s “Straight Outta Compton” opened the show as line of drones sporting foreboding blue eyes took post around the stage.
British rock band Muse spared no expense on their theatrical performance as they stopped through Philadelphia on their Drones world tour. Spotlights scanned the audience and large glass drones floated closely overhead while a dynamic light show danced about the stage.
From start to finish, the band pulled in outside influences to complement their set. The opening guitar riff of their single “Psycho” was mixed with a recording of President John F. Kennedy’s 1961 “Sphere of Influence” speech, warning everyone of the dangers of conspiracy.
The show continued in grandeur as riffs from Led Zeppelin’s “Heartbreaker” and AC/DC’s “Back in Black” were looped into “Hysteria,” one of the band’s signature hits. Front man, Matt Bellamy, exhibited a feat of incredible energy as he ran from one end of the 360 degree stage to the other all night. It was a rare moment to catch him standing still.
And because it never hurts to go out with a bang, Muse ended their two-song encore like any mainstream rock band might – with vast confetti explosion. Thin, white, paper drones continued to rain from above as the subdued crowd left the venue in a mass exodus.
WIN FREE TICKETS: See Pusha T @ The Troc on March 25!
Pusha T will celebrate the release of his second solo album on March 25 at The Trocadero and we’re giving away tickets. The former Clipse member is now on Team Kanye, so you know anything could happen at the show.
Like us on facebook and email us at FreeJumpStuff@gmail.com to enter to win a pair of tickets (give us your name and put “PUSHA T” in the subject line).
If you want to play it safe and get your own tickets, find details for the show here.
WIN FREE TICKETS: See Biz Markie @ The TLA on March 18!
Biz Markie made one of the most entertaining rap tracks ever and he’s been riding that glory for more than a quarter century. More recently, he’s been DJing and hosting shows, like he will be at the TLA on March 18. We’re giving away tickets to his 80s & 90s party, featuring live performances from The New Romance and Here’s To the Night.
Like us on facebook and email us at FreeJumpStuff@gmail.com to enter to win a pair of tickets (give us your name and put “BIZ” in the subject line).
If you want to play it safe and get your own tickets, find details for the show here.
9th Annual Roots Picnic Lineup Announcement
The lovely ladies of Broad City, Ilana Glazer and Abbi Jacobson, announce who will be playing this year’s picnic on Saturday, June 4.
And it is a pretty great lineup.
Tickets go on sale this Friday at noon. They won’t last long.
WIN FREE TICKETS: See Cherub @ The Troc on Saturday.
Nashville hip hop duo Cherub will perform at The Trocadero on Saturday and we’re giving away tickets. Gibbz and Mike Floss will open.
Like us on facebook and email us at FreeJumpStuff@gmail.com to enter to win a pair of tickets (give us your name and put “CHERUB” in the subject line).
If you want to play it safe and get your own tickets, find details for the show here.
Things will heat up at The Barbary next week as New Orleans hip hop artist Pell (aka jared Pellerin) will stop by on his “Only In Your Dreams” tour. We’re giving away free tickets … see details here.
Our Brianna Spause spoke with Pellerin, who will be swinging through Philly as one of the first stops on his nationwide tour, about growing up down South and being an artist in the age of the Internet.
The name of the tour is “Only In Your Dreams,” and you’re running around with Daye Jack from Atlanta. How are you guys bringing the sounds of the South up North?
Our influences that we had as kids, I’m sure, made their way to the music that we create. But we’re just bringing a fresh, new sound of the South up North. It’s going to be crazy. There’s going to be a lot of vibes and experimental hiphop going on.
Your style is pretty laid back, with an emphasis on ambient sound. How do you connect with your music and the idea of experimental hip hop?
I feel like I try to make sure that I find an equal balance between being laid back and also being a little bit more progressive and up-tempo, especially with the recent music that I’ve been making.
As an artist, you have to constantly reinvent yourself because that’s what the greats do. I always wanted my approach when it comes to making music to not filter out influences that I’ve had when it comes to making my own tracks. I’ve always wanted my stuff to be experimental in the sense that anything can happen.
When you dropped Limbo in November, was that a means of reinventing yourself?
Oh, definitely. I’ve been given the gift of having this title that you would call indie, so I can show different sides of my character to a fan base that is going to be loyal to me and actually care what I’m putting out. I have the benefit of being able to experiment with my own music.
You’re heralded for your creativity when you’re on a certain platform. When you’re only on the Internet, it has to be something that the Internet hasn’t heard. There are so many different sounds. If I was using the radio, I would be trying to tailor it to specific things that fit the mold. But the fact that you’re able to create on a blank canvas, you gotta take advantage of that while you have the chance.
What are you looking forward to most on the tour?
The good food and the good people, honestly. I try to make sure that I get a little piece of culture out of every city that I go to, not just do the sightseeing.
What do you think you’re going to hit while you’re in Philly?
Here’s the thing, I’ve been to Philly twice so I’ve been to Geno’s and Pat’s, so I need to think about that. What’s the next one I need to go to?
Probably Ishkabibbles on South Street.
Yeeaah! Ishkabibbles is what I have to try next. I’m excited about that one.
What is the statement that your new album makes?
Limbo is an album about self-discovery and experiences. Limbo is about life.
Making music, getting out, touring; how do those things help you along as a means of self-discovery?
Being able to travel has helped a lot to know where I sit in the world, where I fit in with the whole population. It’s just crazy because I think that has helped me discover who I am. A lot of my time last year was spent in transition. Constantly, every day, I was experiencing things at a rapid pace because I was completely out of my comfort zone. I moved to California, took on a new relationship and a lot of things I had never done in my life definitely helped shape my view of life.
Jack’s Mannequin @ The Electric Factory with Leisure Cruise.
Text and images by Sydney Schaefer.
Everything In Transit is a legendary album that’s been the soundtrack to nearly every emo kid’s life for an entire decade now, and on Saturday, Jack’s Mannequin played the album in full to a sold out Electric Factory audience in honor of its 10 year anniversary.
The 10 Years In Transit tour kicked off on New Years Eve in Anaheim, CA. Although this wasn’t a full tour, the show did stop in major cities across the country, with a total of 10 dates.
Opening up for Jack’s Mannequin was indie pop band Leisure Cruise, from Brooklyn, NY. The band got the crowd going early on in the night, pumping everyone up for Jack’s Mannequin.
When the lights went out and the headliners finally came out on stage, the crowd went absolutely nuts. They kept that same energy alive throughout the entire set. Every word to every song echoed throughout the Electric Factory, for the entire night.
Everything In Transit was played in full, followed by some Jack’s Mannequin favorites.
It was an emotional night for many considering the memories this album holds. It was definitely a show to remember.
JUMP: The Philly Music Project 