Posts Tagged ‘Pennsylvania’

The AFTERGLOWS – ” The Afterglows “

Posted: August 28, 2016 in MUSIC
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Philadelphia duo The Afterglows have released a self-titled album of lo-fi indie rock that has nods to power-pop, punk and a kind of warped, mournful Americana.

Philadelphia power-pop songwriters Sam Cook-Parrott and Michael Cantor each helm their own bands: Cook-Parrott is the force behind Radiator Hospital, and Cantor’s main project is The Goodbye Party. Both write songs that range from sparse and intimate to lush and joyful, driven by DIY aesthetics and thoughtful lyrics. Now, they’re collaborating under the name The Afterglows, Cook-Parrott says the project came together slowly over the past two years, while he and Cantor were living together and working on records for their respective bands. After realizing how similar their sonic and aesthetic tastes were, they decided to record a stripped-down album of new songs and “a few strays” from their other bands. The resulting album is atmospheric and melancholy; it’s less immediately poppy than the duo’s other projects, but similarly easy to get lost in, anchored by the interplay between Cook-Parrott and Cantor’s voices.

“Angels In The Sunshine Hotel” is the first track the duo is releasing from the new album. It relies on layers of sound that build and coalesce around aching vocals, all built on the repetitive riff lying below. Cook-Parrott and Cantor’s carefully executed harmonies help balance the song’s bright moments and moody overtones.

Cantor explains in an email that the song was inspired by a story he heard about a tenant in a New York City flophouse called The Sunshine Hotel. The tenant moved to New York to study philosophy and answer life’s eternal questions, but an insistent focus on his metaphysical journey made him lose his grip on reality. He ended up penniless, living in the hotel. “There’s this idea that as a musician, if you’re serious enough about what you do, you’ll eventually quit your day job and just try to make it work,” Cantor says. “I guess this story was just a dark reminder that it’s easy to end up sacrificing too much if you aren’t careful.”

Available on a  pay-what-you-want deal from Bandcamp, it is a fine listen that we’re thoroughly enjoying. Grab it here or listen to a couple of tracks below first, Spitting Blood and Punks From The Past.

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HAGGERT McTAGGERT – ” Haggert Mctaggert “

Posted: August 26, 2016 in MUSIC
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Haggert McTaggert | photo by Casper Rudderow

There’s so much to love about the complex dream that is Haggert McTaggert‘s self-titled debut. Haggert Mctaggert is the songwriting outlet of Braden Lawrence. While he plays drums in The Districts and sings and plays guitar in Straw Hats, his unique style of creativity is most vulnerably expressed in this particular project. For the album, Lawrence combined with the endlessly imaginative brain and performance/production talents of Pine Barons  Keith Abrams. Together, the pair transformed eight love confessions and life ruminations into a sparkling landscape of mid-tempo pop.

Every sound on the album was carefully chosen, whether it be from an object traditionally considered an instrument or not. Bubbles percolate amongst the wavering “Annie Hall” while the galactic synths of “Home Rule” fit suitably as a dampening backdrop. No song is swallowed by the cushion of accouterment but rather enlivened. “2ndDoorFloor” expands gradually from a structured acoustic guitar riff to include guitars pinging from all directions, swelling harmony, and even a little bit of saxophone.

The album’s layers of tinkering build triumphantly and fade gracefully around the core: a constant sense of gilded isolation. In “TBS,” Lawrence’s weary voice straddles soft reflective verses and a howling chorus all stuck in the same enveloping tedium of his daily routine. Fighting the odd balance between distance and intimacy, Lawrence’s thoughts are personified in distorted echoes and unexpected bursts of fervor. “Landmines” is a slow welcome home with a haunting refrain that is the antithesis of the barreling whirlwind of “Tick.” As a whole, Haggert Mctaggert blossoms into an enchanting world of pop ideal for escaping the monotony and heartache that inspired it.

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DAR WILLIAMS – ” Folkadelphia Session “

Posted: June 30, 2016 in MUSIC
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Photo courtesy of the artist.

Dar Williams is something of a legend. Placed in a special reserved space in my music heroes, occupied by few, whose names are said with inherent pride, whose music is deeply coveted, and whose work is held up as an example for all. In my case, this mostly plays out on regular basis that when I hear “Dar Williams, such and such,” I think, “Man, Dar Williams is great,” or, if I see news or a link to her music, I’m very inclined to click. Small, but significant gestures in an ordinary life. I think many people out there are right with me in my Dar Williams’ feeling.

On her ninth album, Emerald released last year, Williams continues to be a songwriter of incredible quality. Of course, this is reflected in what she sings about and what is presented on her albums, but also what she stands for and chooses to do with her creative energies. For Emerald, Williams moved on from her long-standing record label business relationship to pursue an independent route, more than successfully dealing directly with her fans and supporters via a Pledge Music campaign. Emerald is also insanely collaborative featuring a wide range of artists like The Milk Carton Kids, Richard Thompson, Jill Sobule, members of the Hooters, and that’s only naming a few. The result is a record of power and musing,.

Fresh off her album release, Dar Williams, accompanied by another excellent songwriter Jill Sobule on “FM Radio” (a song they co-wrote), brought the music of Emerald to the WXPN Studio for a Folkadelphia Session.

Dar Williams – vocals and guitar
Jill Sobule – vocals on “FM Radio”

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SWANNING – ” Sleep My Pretties “

Posted: May 9, 2016 in MUSIC
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Swanning, “Sleep My Pretties” (Salinas Records)
Cynthia Ann Schemmer might be best known for her involvement in Philadelphia indie-pop project Radiator Hospital, but it’s not her only extracurricular: She’s also an editor at She Shreds magazine, and singer and lead guitarist of the recently formed pop-punk project Swanning. “Sleep My Pretties,” from their forthcoming Drawing Down the Moon EP, presents some tough subject matter (Schemmer says it’s about grieving her deceased mother), but her impossibly buoyant vocals keep the sunny-sounding track afloat.

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New project from Cynthia Schemmer, who has played guitar for Radiator Hospital, some of whose members also played on this recording. l’m looking forward to this Philadelphia group’s 12″ EP due in May of 2016 on great label Salinas Records.

WILLIAM FITZSIMMONS – ” Hear Your Heart “

Posted: March 23, 2016 in MUSIC
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“Hear Your Heart” appears on William Fitzsimmons’s new album titled Charleroi – Pittsburgh Volume 2, out in North America, Europe & UK on April 1st, which explores the loss of the grandmother he never knew, following his 2015 EP Pittsburgh about the one he did.Brought up on the outskirts of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, William Fitzsimmons has been creating records of an almost-uncomfortable intimacy for the past 11 years.

Fitzsimmons says of the song: “It is simply meant to address the question: ‘How long does the echo of those we have lost last?’

“I remember being very affected the first time I read Poe’s ‘Tell Tale Heart’. Instead of being mortified by it, the idea that the dead can communicate with us from beyond the grave was somehow comforting. While Poe’s intent was meant to be one of warning, I wanted to apply the idea to a feeling of hope. A wish that perhaps regretted words spoken could be undone, or unsaid words could eventually be said.

“As we are drawn back into the memories of our dearly departed, in words and images, we imagine that perhaps there is a chance the lines of communication are not totally lost and may someday be reopened.”

You know we’re huge fans of William Fitzsimmons and this is another amazing song

MATT POND – ” Folkadelphia Sessions “

Posted: February 15, 2016 in MUSIC
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MP3 Sean Hansen

Back in 2005, I started to hear a lot about this guy Matt Pond and PA, which I guessed was the state he was living in. Ever the curious listener, I decided to find out what kind of music he was making, what the talk was all about, so I picked up the new album, Matt Pond PA‘s . For me and many others, this album became the gateway into the rich and textured imagination of Pond. Perfectly crafted melodies, a glimmering sheen around the instruments, and an undeniable energy that keeps you listening (and often dancing) from track to track. It also feels seasonal – we start in the autumn with “Halloween” and end up with the hope of promise of warmer weather in “Spring Provides.” There’s no doubt that throughout the years this album has helped me to inject a modicum of brightness and color into the eternal grey of mid-winter. Thank Pond.

Since, Matt Pond has put out tons of excellent LPs and EPs, the latest of which is last year’s The State of Gold. What remains constant throughout Pond’s catalog is that deep, distinguished imagination, speckled with diverse hues, composition, and makeup. Plus the guy really knows how to write a melody. The State of Gold is just the latest release in a rich catalog that shines and shimmers so brightly that you soon yourself hooked.

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It was around the release of The State of Gold and the tenth anniversary of Several Arrows Later that we at Folkadelphia were privileged to record this live session with Matt Pond PA. The band had recently been robbed of precious musical equipment while on tour, but still came out to hang with us for a while. I thank them from the bottom of my heart for doing that.

Special thanks and acknowledgment is due to Drexel University’s Music Industry Program for graciously letting us use their recording studio and gear, as well as helping wrangle interested, enthusiastic, and capable students to assist. I’d like to single out Brian Goehrig and James Clark Conner, Folkadelphia’s regular audio engineers for their leadership and hard work throughout our stint at the university.

Matt Pond – vocals, guitar
Shawn Alpay – cello, vocals
Chris Hansen – guitar, vocals
Kyle Kelly-Yahner – drums
Tierney Tough – bass

ANOMIE – ” Anomie EP “

Posted: January 17, 2016 in MUSIC
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Anomie is the solo moniker of Philadelphia, PA-based Rachel Browne, current Field Mouse vocalist/guitarist and forever alt-pop songstress. The four songs on Anomie’s self-titled EP, available February 10, 2015 (Father/Daughter Records) were written in California over the span of a week where Rachel escaped to think during a difficult time. What emerged was a time capsule for the experience — the music functioning as a therapeutic means to alleviate the heartache Rachel felt in the moment. An EP that bursts into sparkling life on the summery opening track ‘So Long’ then twists it’s way through the seasons to Winter over the remaining three tracks. Our original review stated this is easily accessible and fun and yeah, we’ll stick by that. Bonus points for Anomie being Rachel from the wonderful band Field Mouse.

released February 10, 2015

Guitars: Rachel Browne
Bass: Andrew Futral
Drums: Eric Slick

All songs written by Rachel Browne

great moody dream pop, you’ll be won over within seconds of the opening track. a great little gem of an ep! Favorite track: So Long.

Father/Daughter Records is already killing it this year. Earlier this week, Anomie. The name might sound unfamiliar, but it’s the solo moniker of Rachel Browne, who’s the vocalist and guitarist of dreamy pop band Field Mouse. Anomie shows Rachel going in a new direction, and it’s one that I already can’t get enough of.

“So Long” is the first of four tracks on Anomie’s EP, and it rips and roars like nothing Rachel’s done before. There’s a visible urgency to the song, like Rachel has something she needed to get off her chest RIGHT NOW. The following track follows suit until Rachel slows it down for the latter half of the album, exploring the range of emotions and feelings that come from heartache. The album officially comes out on February 10th

VICKY SPEEDBOAT – ” Two Years No Basement ” EP

Posted: January 10, 2016 in MUSIC
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Will Lindsay (W.C. Lindsay, Steady Hands) and Sean Huber (Modern Baseball, Steady Hands) are the bright-eyed Philadelphia pop-punk outfit Vicky Speedboat. The duo’s debut EP Two Years No Basement is a cathartic explosion of rock n’ roll storytelling. This music swells with heart; The Hold Steady and Springsteen are obvious comparisons for their combo of bristling physicality and wistful yarns. Vicky Speedboat’s first EP showcases Lindsay’s and Huber’s musicality and talents for songcraft, but there’s more to it than that. Two Years No Basement is a document of their friendship and shared sensibilities: wanderlust, a taste for reflection (and for beer), and the desire for transformation.

MODERN BASEBALL – ” The Perfect Cast ” EP

Posted: December 3, 2015 in MUSIC
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The Perfect Cast may not be treading any new ground — it’s six catchy punk songs from a band that has already proven over two albums that they’re great at constructing them — but it’s so relentless in its hook-filled approach that it’s impossible not to smile and nod along. Even when Modern Baseball deal with heavy topics like depression and anxiety and feeling like you’re not always all there, they do so with curiosity, verve, and breakneck lyricism. “Can you sing it with your friends, or alone?” they ask in a particularly bitter moment. The answer is both, and thank the Holy Ghost for that.

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The Philly band’s new EP was merely supposed to be a surprise and now it’s become a decorated trailer for LP #3. Over six songs, Modern Baseball take on grey days (“…And Beyond”) and greyer weeks (“Infinity Exposed”), but it’s the way they deal with it all — cornering the heavy topics so they can be outfitted with hooks, verve, and a comforting sense of purpose

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