Dockument: Live First, Record Later.
Text by Beth Ann Downey. Images by G.W. Miller III.
The formation of electro-rock band Dockument was natural, almost anticipated. Frontman and guitarist Jarrett Zerrer, keyboard player Julian Wallace and bassist Patrick Lieberman have been jamming together since high school. They graduated from their childhood love of classic rock to a modern appreciation of EDM, now drawing on their background of playing guitar to create dance-friendly, improvisational, electronic-based music.
“We’re always saying, ‘Document that,’” Zerrer recalls as he and the other band members sit in a cozy booth at Spruce Hill’s Local 44. “That was kind of a running joke when we started with the band because we are such jammers. But a lot of our ideas just come on the fly like that and they’ve been getting fleshed out pretty well.”
Quasi and Jeffrey Lewis @ Boot & Saddle.
Text and images by Dana Lucchine.
When Jeffrey Lewis, opening act for Quasi, announced that the headlining band was selling a ‘zine commemorating their 20th anniversary, I was certain he had misspoken. Twenty years seemed like too long an existence for a band this explosive and fresh.
Brand New Video: Up The Chain’s “The Horse’s Course.”
Check out the latest track from Reed Kendall’s project, Up The Chain.
Their full-length album, Seeds & Thorns, officially dropped today but they’ll celebrate with a party at the Ardmore Music Hall on November 1. The album was produced by Bill Moriarty, and you can download the track from the video for free below.
Woodkid @ Union Transfer.
Text and images by Mina Lee.
Acclaimed musician Yoann Lemoine, aka Woodkid, kicked off his North America tour with a performance at Union Transfer last night.
Woodkid boasts a massive fan base and various awards for his work as director for music videos, including “Born to Die” and “Blue Jeans” by Lana Del Rey, “Teenage Dream” by Katy Perry and “Take Care” by Drake.
Halfway through the set, Woodkid paused because of seemingly endless cheers.
“I’ve got something to tell you, Philadelphia … America, in general,” he said. “I love you.”
“I love your French Ass!” a member of the audience responded.
Deltron 3030 @ The TLA.
Text and images by Chad Sims.
Deltron 3030, the hip-hop super group comprised of rapper Del the Funky Homosapien, producer Dan the Automator and DJ Kid Koala, visited The TLA Sunday night. The tour was in support of their second album, Event II.
NEW VIDEO: Wild Rompit Premieres The Acoustic Version of “The Last of The Cursed Ones.”
Check out the new video from Wild Rompit, the bluesy Philly quartet who dropped their debut full-length album, Spirit Moves, in August.
Find the new album here and catch the guys back in Philly next month at a Radio 104.5 Live at 5 session on November 8.
WIN FREE TICKETS: See Woodkid at Union Transfer Monday!
Want to see French songwriter/producer/director Woodkid at Union Transfer this Monday? The show is supposed to be wild. And his latest album is amazing (find it here).
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 “Woodkid” in the subject line).
If you want to play it safe and get your own tickets, find details for the show here.
Amanda X: All Girls, No Riot.
Text and top image by Jessica Flynn. Bottom images by G.W. Miller III.
Amanda X is the Kensington-based, bedroom-pop band made up of the three women sitting at the Aramingo Diner, joking about menu items, discussing the issues they face and commenting on the oldies coming through the stereo.
“We aren’t riot grrrl,” says vocalist and bassist, Kat Bean. “We aren’t even political! We just happen to all be women who want to play together.”
Read more…
WIN FREE TICKETS: See Mark Lanegan at Underground Arts Saturday!
Want to see Mark Lanegan, formerly of legendary grunge band Screaming Trees and Queens of the Stone Age, for free Saturday at Underground Arts?
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 “Lanegan” in the subject line).
If you want to play it safe and get your own tickets, find details for the show here.
Martha Graham Cracker: The Big Hot Mess (And Best Show In Town).
Text by G.W. Miller III. Images by Michael Bucher and G.W. Miller III.
“Don’t fuck with me, fellas,” Dito Van Reigersberg says into the microphone as he takes the stage at L’Etage. “It ain’t my first time at the rodeo.”
He hits the “fuck,” “fellas” and “first” really hard and then drags out “rodeo,” slowly stressing each of the three syllables, with the “o” lingering for an extra moment in the nearly empty venue. With his eyes wide open and his most menacing Joan Crawford glare, Dito dramatically cranes his neck to take in the whole room. The restaurant staff, who had been eating and chatting at the bar, now sit in rapt attention.
“That’s from Mommie Dearest,” Dito explains, referring to the famous 1981 movie about celebrity parental abuse that has inexplicably become a gay cult classic. “Yes, it’s going to be that kind of night.”
Then Victor Fiorillo starts pounding on the keyboard and Dito starts singing Prince’s “Let’s Go Crazy.”
It’s a surreal moment – Dito sports a pair of raggedy New Balance running shoes, white socks, faded purple shorts and a green T-shirt that reads, “I got ROLFED and all I got was this lousy T-shirt.” Yet, his face glows from a healthy dose of makeup and glitter. His eyelashes are long and dark, set against a silver-blue eye shadow. His cheeks are rosy and his lips are a luscious red.
It’s only rehearsal but Dito is prepared to become his alter ego, Martha Graham Cracker, the irreverent, pistol-quick cabaret goddess with hairy legs and an ever-growing army of loyal fans.
“Do I look like I’m melting?” he breathily asks no one in particular. “It’s so hot in my dressing room. I feel like I look like I’m melting.”
For nearly an hour, Dito then prances around the room while belting out Neil Diamond, Toto and George Michael songs in his husky, Nina Simone-ish voice. In between jokes with the band, Dito is all business, working on everything from his vocal range and dance moves to the facial expressions and between-song banter he will offer in less than two hours.
It’s after 8 p.m. by the time Dito and the band are done practicing. He dashes to the dressing room that has no air conditioning just as the doors to the club open. There’s a line to get in that is more than 70 people deep. Fans wrap around the corner, up 6th Street.
“I’ve been waiting for an hour,” says Tom Zerone, who is first in line. “Martha puts on the best show in town.”
Read more…
JUMP: The Philly Music Project 