Category: All Posts

Any and all content created by WKDU DJ’s (includes album reviews, show reviews, personal lists, opinion pieces, etc)

Concert Review: Sun Ra Arkestra @ Johnny Brenda’s (May 25, 2013)

Courtesy of Ars Nova Workshop // Ryan Collerd
Courtesy of Ars Nova Workshop // Ryan Collerd

By Nick Stropko

Last Saturday, I stood on the balcony of Johnny Brenda’s, watching a pretty unusual setup—a couple dozen old men, adorned in sequin-covered outfits and strange hats, setting up chairs, music stands, and sheet music on the cramped stage. As they continued to stick chairs in an increasingly claustrophobic-looking formation, musicians actually began setting up beside the stage, lining the floor with percussionists, the keyboard player, and a dancer. Yeah, it was pretty bizarre. However, it was also a fitting tribute to Sun Ra, the namesake and deceased former leader of the Sun Ra Arkestra.

See a full gallery of pictures after the break

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Concert Review: Deerhoof @ Union Transfer (April 15, 2013)

Image courtesy of Four Paws
Image courtesy of Four Paws

By Kirsten Becker

Deerhoof played the last show of their tour right here in Philadelphia at the Union Transfer. Known for their bombastic, jarring, noisy sound, Deerhoof performed a very distinct set, living up to the playful and weird image they’ve created for themselves over the course of their 19 years as a band.

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Song/Video Review: “Stare At The Sun” by Eleanor Friedberger

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74-iyAoMa6Y]

By Shannen Gaffney

Eleanor Friedberger is back with a new single, titled ”Stare at the Sun”! It’s an upbeat springtime track that will make you want to ditch your work and go play frisbee with someone’s dog. Friedberger’s unmistakable voice will likely be stuck in your head for awhile after listening, but you probably won’t mind. The funny video seems to be mocking typical hipstery video production of late (in a loving way, of course). As she sings, “If that was goodbye, then I must be high / You know I’ll be seeing you soon,” a cute teenage girl loosely translates in sign language, then plays air guitar in between verses. I’ll definitely be adding this song to my ‘Wake Up’ playlist!

Friedberger has a pretty extensive tour planned for the month of June (though sadly there are no dates in Philly), along with her second solo album, titled Personal Record, coming out on June 4th.

Song Review: “Golden Age” by Grandchildren

Grandkids

By Shannen Gaffney

So obsessed with this song right now. Grandchildren are a Philly-born pop electro band who also incorporate acoustic elements into their music. They’re on the Brooklyn-based independent label Ernest Jenning Records and their latest album Golden Age came out just a few weeks ago. Sheer pop rock perfection. 

Concert Review: TNGHT @ The Starlight Ballroom (April 10, 2013)

Image courtesy of The Windish Agency
Image courtesy of The Windish Agency

By Kirsten Becker

There has been quite a bit of buzz surrounding TNGHT, the electronic duo comprised of Hudson Mohawke and Lunice. With just over a year of performing as TNGHT, they have become wildly popular for their unique blend of trap music. Despite having only released one EP, their self-­titled debut which came out last year, they embarked on a massive worldwide tour. To kick off the United States portion, TNGHT stopped by Philadelphia’s Starlight Ballroom on April 10th. This show was one of only four stops they would be making in the States.

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Concert Review: Wavves/FIDLAR @ Johnny Brenda’s (April 9th, 2013)

By DJ Honeybear

Okay so I’ll be honest, I did not catch Cheetahs set because the season premiere of America’s Next Top Model (College Edition) happened to come on my television at 9:00. But when I eventually got off my couch and walked down my block to Johnny Brenda’s, I entered just as LA’s FIDLAR (FUCK IT DOG LIFE’S A RISK) was setting up. Continue reading “Concert Review: Wavves/FIDLAR @ Johnny Brenda’s (April 9th, 2013)”

Album Review: Langsom Dans by Gliss

Gliss_LangsomDans

By Shannen Gaffney

Victoria Cecilia and Martin Klingman of L.A. band Gliss have created something truly beautiful with their third studio album, Langsom Dans. A sort of middle ground between the straight-up pop melodies of a Dum Dum Girls hit and the harmonic fullness of a Beach House song, Langsom Dans is filled with a mix of attention grabbing drums and synths on the first two tracks, and moves to more calming waves throughout the bulk of the album. The blending voices of Cecilia and Klingman is seemingly effortless, both singing lead vocals on different tracks. Klingman’s voice on the heartfelt ballad “Waves” evokes a theme of helplessness, while “The Sea Tonight” is an uplifting pop song about hanging out by the water. Still, the most captivating song is “A to B,” with swirly synths and bouncy keyboards as well as heavy bass. Cecilia’s vocals here are reverb-covered, yet desperate and very human all the same as she sings, “I’m standing here naked, with doubts on my mind.” Neither of these songs are the single, which speaks to how good the album is as a whole. The single, “Hunting” is an addicting dark pop tune, Cecilia’s voice reminiscent of a more subtle Shirley Manson. Langsom Dans is definitely an album to check out this month, recommended for fans of shoegaze and dream pop.