Savoir Adore + Circadian Rhythms At Kung Fu Necktie

Savoir Adore & Circadian Rhythms took the stage at Kung Fu Necktie this week to mark and early start to my weekend. Circadian Rhythms has been on my list for some time now so I was pleased to finally be able to catch them. Unfortunately, their set left me a little underwhelmed. While I definitely heard the potential for greater things down the road they are still in need of a little refinement. Each song dabbled in a new genre from blues tinged alt country to psych pop and each had its strengths - a brave approach to percussive rhythms that would really shine if played with a little more confidence, for example; however, there lack a cohesiveness that suggests a sense of direction. Their instrumentals were complex and well thought out which made heavy leaning on Beach Boys phrasing and Ary Barroso's Brazil a little disappointing. CR certainly has the musical ability to create something distinct but they need to sit down and decide what that "sound" should be then build their music around that. With a little more focus and work I can see Circadian Rhythms really carving out their spot but right now they are in need of some tightening

Savoir Adore, a band that has received much love from TWIAPC, took the stage next and put on what was probably the best show I've seen them do. Playing songs primarily from their fall release In The Wooded Forest, they won over the crowd and pulled folks in from the bar. Sav Adore's fronters Paul & Deirdre have undeniable sonic chemistry. Her smokey vocals play well with his plaintive indie tuned croon, providing an allure to their pairing that is particularly noticeable in the live show. Their orchestral pop sound is built of deliberately placed synth effects and tight instrumentals. Hearing it live really makes the arrangements pop and the playfulness of the group's stage presence adds a true sheen to the full package. In the previous shows I've seen their only stumble was the flow of their set choices. On Thursday night each song melded well with the next and by the time they reached their final song, an extended version of Bodies, it seemed as if they had just begun. They're going to be out on the road quite a bit in the next few months please do make an effort to see them. Both live and recorded they are a superb use of your hard earned dollar.

We Talk Like Machines
Bodies

Start 2010 Off Right, Check Out Some Fantastic Live Music

Well, its a whole new year. In fact, its an entirely new decade. Lots to look forward to as TWIAPC rounds the one year mark; more music to share, interviews to do, horizons to expand and shows to see. Taking a gander at the concerts on the docket at Philly's venues for January leaves me optimistic at the many more that are to follow. You can find a whole bunch of Jan gigs on the TWIAPC calendar but there are a few I wanted to bring to your attention...

Rural Alberta Advantage (January 6th Kung Fu Necktie)

If you aren't already onto the path of Rural Alberta Advantage make them one of your New Years resolution. Effortlessly enjoyable indie-punkish-pop that will make a venture out of the house on a wednesday in winter well worth it.

Locksley (Month long residency at the M Room. Every Wednesday night) Just your standard "doo-wop punk" band these fellas are holding down a month long residency at M Room with a rotating cast of openers. They will be gathering a lot of attention this year so I'd say get (a lot of) them while you can.

River City Extension (January 14th North Star Bar)

River City Extension is one of my favorite local live acts. They give you plenty to watch and way more to listen to and all of it is incredibly enjoyable. On the North Star stage this will be a great show. Plus they're opening for the strangely fascinating Swedish band Movits.

Friend's & Family

We Are Scientists + Uninhabitable Mansions (January 20th Johnny Brenda's)

The boys of WAS are touting this as a show dedicated to rolling out new material from their forthcoming album. We're lucky to a stop on this mini album taster tour and it will definitely satisfy fans and newbies alike. Uninhabitable Mansions are the most perfectest group to get this show started.

Ape School + Savoir Adore + New Motels (January 21 Kung Fu Necktie)

This local-ish line up ( Sav Adore is from Brooklyn) is chalk full of promise and a whole lotta talent. Ape School brings good spirited indie psych rock, Sav Adore throws in a touch of synth-loving pop and New Motels contribute a surf rock flavor. This show will leave your ears totally satiated.  

Bodies

Fyfe Dangerfield (of the Guillemots) (January 25th World Cafe Live)

Better known as a member of Guillemots, one of my favs, Fyfe is releasing a solo effort this year and doing this little tour thang to support Fly Yellow Moon. It is an excellent endeavor and will surely be a fantastic show.

Freelance Whales (January 22nd Kung Fu Necktie)

Much hyped and for good cause. Freelance Whales are good. Real good. They're quickly ascending the indie rock totem pole and catching them at KFN will allow you to witness them in all their glory in the smallish surrounds. Don't miss this show!

CMJ in Pictures

CMJ was last week and since I was up in New York anyway I took in a little of what the famously chaotic week had to offer. There were so many incredible showcases it was difficult to choose and despite my best intentions there was no way I could catch everything on my list. I did get to hear a lot of fantastic music though and I'm excited to see these bands bring their show through Philly so I can give them due props.

I'm taking the visual approach to this review so enjoy the scroll...

 Mumford & Sons @ The Mercury Lounge

Little Lion Man

The Answering Machine @ The Cake Shop

 

 

Drink Up Buttercup @ The Delancey

At Johnny Brenda's Nov 11

 

Javelin @ Mercury Lounge

At Johnny Brenda's Nov. 3 w/ The Very Best

 

Lovvers @ Brooklyn Bowl

Wasted Youth

 

Kaiser Cartel @ The Living Room

 

 Savoir Adore @ Brooklyn Bowl

We Talk Like Machines

Check out the rest of the photos fom the week at TWIAPC's Flickr Page

Northside Festival "Best Of"

The first Annual Northside Festival spread itself over all things Brooklyn this past weekend. As I have been staying in Greenpoint during this phase of my Wandering Summer of '09 it was almost too easy to dip in and out of the numerous shows being hosted as part of this event's pilot year. L Magazine pulled together a slew of venues and they, in turn, pulled in the acts. For a first year it went relatively smoothly. Since I am not a NY blogger, and wouldn't imagine competing with the fine review work to be found Here > Here > Here > Here (amongst others) I am simply giving you a taste of the best acts I saw.Savoir Adore - This duo+ came to my attention due to some good buzz after SXSW. Its all true folks. They're great. So much so I saw them twice. A little glam rock vibe with solid bass lines and a lot of fabulous guy girl harmonies.
Bodies
(Download their EP too)
photo courtesy of Hannah Bergqvist
Xylos - These guys could easily provide the soundtrack to a summer at the beach. Their lyrics are good from the start and the whole package gets better the more I listen to them. They're currently recording their full length so keep an eye out for that this fall as well as a little more tour action to support the effort. I have a feeling we'll see a bit of them in Philly and of course I'll keep you posted.
This House We Built
(EP action here)Anamanaguchi - What do you get when you take a old school nintendo + electronic music and put it in the hands of knowledgeable tech heads? You get Anamanaguchi. This group had one of the most visually appealing sets we caught. They play the video games behind them as they provide a the live music (all out of a high jacked nintendo game system.) My picture doesn't do its awesomeness full due it looks like they'll by in the Philly-dom this summer so you'll be able to experience it yourself.
Dawn Metropolis

Pink Skull - This Philly act has appeared on TWIAPC before so its not entirely a new introduction to their brilliance but their show at Death By Audio was such an exciting suggestion of whats to come on their fall release that I can't help but start to build your anticipation for this dance friendly group. they'll be at Schmidt's piazza this Saturday as part of the 2nd St Festival go and be ready to groove.
Get Inside (My Tiny Pyramids)

photo courtesy of Steve Harmon
Laura Gibson - The final show we saw was Laura Gibson at Studio B. I've seen her before but she too displayed incredible growth of some already wonderous talent. Hers is a sweet vice with a little twist of, well, a life actually lived and felt...genuinely. Her backing band was also a sight to behold. Passing a variety of instrument tween the two of them and also contributing a grand addition to Ms Gibson's beautiful lead.
Spirited

Very Honorable Mentions:
Screaming Females
Acrylics
Sisters

Remix Rehash: E-Six + Mikey Mic + Skinny Freidman + Tom Ato + Dirty Disco + Database

Haven't posted a remix rehash in a while but I figured it was the best way to ease us all back into the work week after the long holiday weekend. This one has a lot of layers suit your needs, from chair dance party to "one hour to go" amp up, doownload and get back to work!

Skinny Friedman, one half of local dj duo Philadelphyinze, gives a subtle tweak to this XX track. Its smooth with just a skotch more bump to amp the sex appeal. Wonderfully complementary to the original track.   
Stars (Skinny Friedman Edit)

E-Six (The Crossfader King) has some skills that unfailingly leave me with remixes that are smile inducing and perfect for ripping me from the clutches of a bad mood. This is my new favorite iPod head bopper. I threw in the equally fantastic (but def. more serious) Won't Go Quietly mix for good measure.
My Boy Lollypop (E-Six Remix)
Won't Go Quietly (E-Six Dub remix)

Tom Ato's work came to me via Music Ninja's year end smorgasbord. He slaps a synth rich disco feel onto the Band Of Horses tune. Pushing the measured plodding of the base track to much more danceable levels Ato gives new life to the indie dirge.
The Funeral (Band Of Tomatoes Remix)

Dirty Disco has the music for you to crank when making a getaway. This spin has thread hollowness that definitely reminds me of the potential to feel alone on the dance floor. Yet the rest of his machinations swell up to suck you into the comfort of the trance-ish beat.
Loud & Clear (The Dirty Disco Remix)

Database , a Brazilian tag team, take this Savoir Adore track and add just enough digital pep to make it even more addictive. Their additions create a new propulsion the pops and whirs in time to the vocals. 

MERP (Database Remix)

 

Mikey Mic

 is a Swedish dj who, in a rather bold move, has chosen to tackle Marvin Gaye' s Ain't No Mountain High Enough. While the original is far too deep in my heart to lose preferred status this is an interesting new approach to the R&B classic.  Lets call it a thinking piece.
Ain't No Mountain High Enough (Mikey Mic Remix)