I’M OUT, PHILLY! I’M OUT! HERE ARE SOME TRACKS I DIG.

Your pal DJ Es here – and I have some important news.

I’m moving out this week. I’m headed back to where I came from. I’m looking forward to full-time employment, no more homework, and even longer bike rides. Living with my parents until I can find a place of my own. Rummaging in the men’s section at Goodwill and finding middle school lacrosse jerseys from the kids who used to make fun of my name. You know, all that good stuff that comes with the next stage of life.

Despite all this hope for the future, it hits me. I’m. Leaving. Philly. My home for the last 5 years. And, since my record collection has quadrupled in size in that timespan, I figured I’d round up a handful of my favorite Philly cuts. Where you live influences what you like, after all….

Panic Buttons – O Wow

First heard on The Philly Sound Get Down – a CD comp put out by Funkadelphia Records. Dug the original 45 at Sit n Spin Records.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9R2vqUucFUg&w=1280&h=720]

This is an incredibly LOUD 45. Funky horns and chicken-scratch guitar. Currently getting my saxophone out from under my bed and playing along.

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Interview: The Body

“No, no, yes, maybe, no, no, all humans are despicable. Peace.”

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The Body will always hold a special place in my heart because they were the first band I heard who showed me that “metal” or “whatever” isn’t limited to fast minor guitar riffs and double kick pedals (no offense intended to the proponents of aforementioned). I got the chance to ask Chip King and Lee Buford a few questions after their most recent show in Philly, which diverged from their past guitar-and-drums sets into borderline harsh noise territory, which was SICK despite a thoroughly ambivalent response from the blackgaze crowd waiting to see Alcest. This is also the first time I’ve ever tried to interview a band so I apologize for any weird stammering below.

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Creepoid Comes To Underground Arts This Friday

— By Carolyn Hanes

 

Psychedelic fuzz wall of sound hypnotic blah blah blah. Common descriptors for many of the records and bands I love. But maybe it’s not enough for you. Maybe you need more than a general idea of psych rock. Of face melting fuzz. But that’s why the unique aspects of these bands, Creepoid, Ecstatic Vision, Purling Hiss, Spirit of the Beehive – I mean have you seen Kurosawa’s “Dreams”? Dreams, magical realism, one man’s imagination – You follow the path these dreams take you on and yet all are so wildly unique and extreme.

These bands draw you in, they blend comforting elements of these psychedelic fuzz genres with such unexpected punches of rage, voids of silence, lyrical daggers, haunting harmonies. There’s what you know, and what you don’t know. And to see these bands all in one show, it’s hard to imagine where the experience will take you. So don’t assume. Just let the dreams take you.

 

This post will be expanded with images and commentary from Friday nights show.  Stay tuned!

WKDU Feature: Kevin Garrett

— Interview by Ryan Stone

 

You may not have heard of him yet but you probably will soon.

Kevin Garrett, a singer-songwriter/multi-instrumentalist from Pittsburgh by way of Brooklyn, has had quite an impressive few years, from getting cosigns from Sam Smith & Katy Perry to songwriting and producing for Beyoncé – and all off the strength of one EP and handful of singles.

Just last month (February), Garrett dropped his awaited sophomore project, another EP entitled “False Hope.” To support the album, Garrett embarked on his first headlining tour with openers A R I Z O N A.

Before his sold-out show at World Cafe Live on Friday, March 3rd, I had the opportunity to speak with the budding “odd soul” artist to see how his new music is coming along and much more.

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