Philthy Mag
  • Live Events
    Djo plays sold out show at Franklin Music Hall on…
  • Band Interviews
    Alisa Xayalith: “With this project, I am beginning from the…
  • Band Interviews
    Anna Shoemaker Talks Sophomore LP and Joining Mallrat on the…
    Philthy Mag
      • Band Interviews
        • Alisa Xayalith: “With this project, I am beginning from the…
          Alisa Xayalith: “With this project, I am beginning from the…
        • Anna Shoemaker Talks Sophomore LP and Joining Mallrat on the…
          Anna Shoemaker Talks Sophomore LP and Joining Mallrat on the…
        • “No one will ever see the same Sir Woman show…
          “No one will ever see the same Sir Woman show…
        • Emily Sprague Talks Florist’s Last 10 Years and the Band’s…
          Emily Sprague Talks Florist’s Last 10 Years and the Band’s…
        • SASAMI Gets Back to Headlining (5/3 at Underground Arts)
          SASAMI Gets Back to Headlining (5/3 at Underground Arts)
        • Allison Russell: “We’re really leaning into the power of our…
          Allison Russell: “We’re really leaning into the power of our…
      • Music Reviews
        • The City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection KNOWS Katie…
          The City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection KNOWS Katie…
        • Lauren Mayberry’s Return to Union Transfer
          Lauren Mayberry’s Return to Union Transfer
        • Adrianne Lenker Brings the Bright Future Era to a Close…
          Adrianne Lenker Brings the Bright Future Era to a Close…
        • Orla Gartland, As Intimate as it’s Gonna Get
          Orla Gartland, As Intimate as it’s Gonna Get
        • Alice Phoebe Lou Drops “Better” as Clairo Tour Winds Down
          Alice Phoebe Lou Drops “Better” as Clairo Tour Winds Down
        • The Sisters Of Mercy @ The Met Philadelphia
          The Sisters Of Mercy @ The Met Philadelphia
      • Gavin Turek: “I’m really a live artist. I feel like I don’t live on the internet.” (8/11 at MilkBoy)

        izzy
        July 28, 2023
        “I hope fans just really enjoy being present with me, because I demand it… and dancing,” says disco/soul/funk/R&B singer/songwriter Gavin Turek, only partially joking.  “I’m a serious performer.  I demand a presence and a mutual respect for each other.  The audience is performing for me, just as I’m performing...
      • Kari Faux: “Just come and enjoy yourself! We’re gonna have fun!” (8/9 at The Foundry)

        izzy
        July 28, 2023
        Next week Kari Faux kicks off her first post-pandemic tour.  The headlining jaunt begins August 3rd in Atlanta, and includes a show at The Foundry at The Fillmore on Wednesday, August 9th.  The dates are in support of the Little Rock born and bred rapper’s latest full-length, REAL BITCHES...
      • Sweeping Promises Talk Pandemic Living, Sophomore LPs, and Cinema Studies (8/8 at JB’s)

        izzy
        July 27, 2023
        Earlier today Lawrence, Kansas punk duo Sweeping Promises – comprised of Lira Mondal and Caufield Schnug – dropped their recent Unacceptable Color performance.  Unacceptable Color is a live music channel produced by Mondal and Schnug, photographer and multimedia artist Shawn Brackbill, and engineers Rob and Ryan Pope (of The...
      • Yoke Lore: “I’m really making it my goal to make everyone feel like I’m there for them.” (8/19 at UT)

        izzy
        July 27, 2023
        Today Yoke Lore (AKA Adrian Galvin) released his latest single (and lyric video), “Hallucinate,” off of his upcoming debut LP, Toward A Never Ending New Beginning, which drops September 22nd on Yell House Records.  Additionally, the indie rock singer/songwriter is set to kick off The Holy Havok Tour on...
      • Jenny Lewis Returns to The Opera

        izzy
        July 27, 2023
        Although the humidity has been making the usually-slow summer concert season even snailier than usual, with a massive drought of shows and sparse audiences at those that are happening, last Thursday’s (7/20) return of Jenny Lewis to The Metropolitan Opera House produced a crowd of several thousand – including...
      • Sad Summer Festival at The Skyline Stage

        Kate
        July 22, 2023
        Last Saturday, July 15, Sad Summer Festival returned to Philadelphia for it’s fourth annual day of early 200os emo shows. This years lineup featured headliners Taking Back Sunday and The Maine, along with performances from PVRIS, Head Automatica, Hot Mulligan, Mom Jeans, Stand Electric, and Sincere Engineer. Taking Back...
      • Sparta’s Wiretap Scars: “This record has been part of people’s lives for 20 years now.” (8/1 at Underground Arts)

        izzy
        July 19, 2023
        When Wiretap Scars – the debut LP from Sparta, an El Paso-based post-hardcore outfit comprised of 3/5ths of the recently disbanded At The Drive-In – dropped, I was about to start my senior year of high school.  The Spectrum, North Star Bar, and Trocadero still remained, Franklin Music Hall...
      • Flashing Back to 2021 with Indigo Sparke (7/21 at UT w/ Nanna)

        izzy
        July 18, 2023
        This May, Nanna – co-lead vocalist, songwriter, and guitarist of Icelandic indie folk outfit Of Monsters And Men — performed a midday, Free At Noon mini set at World Café Live as a part of this year’s NON-COMM.  The performance was on the eve of the release of her...
      • YUNGBLUD, The Regrettes and Sophie Powers at The Met

        Kate
        July 13, 2023
        June 30th English artist YUNGBLUD brought his family of fans to The Met Philadelphia in full force for a night of jumping, moshing, and screaming.  It was the fourth stop on the North American leg of his current world tour, which featured supporting sets from The Regrettes and Sophie...
      • Louise Post on Writing Solo, Bonding with Fans, and 21st Century Pop (7/13 at The Foundry)

        izzy
        July 12, 2023
        The City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection will always have an extra special place in its gritty little heart for Louise Post, who managed to namedrop us in a song about the breakup of Nick Cave and PJ Harvey…  on top of everything else she did throughout three...
      • Lauren Monroe: “It’s like a TED Talk meets a rock concert, with some folk intentions.” (7/19 at City Winery)

        izzy
        July 11, 2023
        “I lead from being a healing artist, so that’s my focus all the time.  It’s always about creating that healing environment,” Lauren Monroe tells me during a recent phone chat.  In addition to being a healing artist – and an advocate for mental health awareness, PTSD therapies, Suicide Prevention,...
      • Esther Rose: “I’m just trying not to do anything that I’ve ever done before.” (Tonight at MilkBoy)

        izzy
        July 11, 2023
        This April Americana singer/songwriter Esther Rose dropped her fourth studio LP, Safe to Run, courtesy of New West Records, home to PHILTHY phriends Aaron Lee Tasjan, Caroline Rose, and Emily Nenni, among others.  The album – whose title track features Hurray For The Riff Raff – was written over...
      • The Revivalists: “We’re cooking up some good stuff for you guys!” (7/12 at Skyline Stage w/ The Head and the Heart)

        izzy
        July 9, 2023
        Last month 8-piece roots rockers The Revivalists released Pour It Out Into The Night, their first LP since 2018’s Take Good Care.  Associated Press said of the release, “The Revivalists return with their fifth full-length album, promising more of their spicy gumbo of horn-accented alt-rock, blues, folk and gospel....
      • 5 Reasons to Come See Metric Next Friday (7/14) at The Mann

        izzy
        July 6, 2023
        Next Friday, July 14th, TD Pavilion at the Mann will be hosting Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds and Garbage for the local stop of their double-headlining tour.  However, opening the show is nearly as renowned (and longstanding) indie rockers Metric, who have been kicking out synth-heavy new wave jams...
      • Grocer Talks Johnny Brenda’s, Algorithms, and “exploring the trio thing.” (7/13 at JB’s w/ Washer)

        izzy
        July 6, 2023
        Next Thursday, July 13th, Philadelphia’s own Grocer and Brooklyn’s Washer will be double-headlining Johnny Brenda’s, a gig that I find out, during a recent chat with Grocer, has been in the works for quite some time: “We like Washer, and our last show before the pandemic and their last...
      • Get to Know Divine Sweater at Their Second Biggest Show Ever!!! (7/15 at The Foundry)

        izzy
        July 5, 2023
        “A lot of fans have been telling us that ‘Waking up Alone / Julia’ is our most moshable song, and, ‘Can we have some more moshable songs?’  I didn’t know that’s what Divine Sweater fans wanted…” says Sean Seaver, lead guitarist and producer for Boston indie pop band...
      • Eilen Jewell: “I’ve had people say they think it’s my strongest record so far, and I think they might be right.” (7/6 at WCL)

        izzy
        July 4, 2023
        Surely most of our readers are well aware that today has far greater significance than simply being the fourth day in the seventh month of our year… It’s Alice in Wonderland Day!  July 4th was the day that Lewis Carroll first told Alice Liddell his most famous story!  Fittingly,...
      • Thelma and the Sleaze: “I love everything Rock N’ Roll!” (7/23 at KFN)

        izzy
        July 1, 2023
        “When you get to be the lead singer of the greatest all-female, queer Southern Rock DIY band of all-time, you’re excited about it every day,” says Lauren “LG” Gilbert, the mainwoman (and only constant member) behind Thelma and the Sleaze, during a recent phone chat, which just happens to...
      • Skating Polly’s Peyton Bighorse on Chaos County Line: “I really think it’s the best music we’ve ever written…” (7/7 at KFN)

        izzy
        June 28, 2023
        Just yesterday, one of our favorite bands, Skating Polly, debuted a music video for recent single, “Tiger At The Drugstore,” directed by our very favorite singer/songwriter, Kate Nash.  The self-branded “ugly pop” trio — comprised of step-sisters Peyton Bighorse and Kelli Mayo (who started the band when they were...
      • Puppy Angst Make Their Johnny Brenda’s Debut, This Saturday (7/1 w/ So Totally and Well Wisher)

        izzy
        June 28, 2023
        “I’m putting the shoe in shoegaze,” jokes Alyssa Milman, vocalist, guitarist, and founder of local D.I.Y. act Puppy Angst, while discussing their potential wardrobe for the band’s Johnny Brenda’s debut this Saturday, July 1st: “I’m wearing insanely high shoes that I don’t know if I can play in yet! ...
      • Protomartyr play two sold out shows at Johnny Brenda’s

        Morgan Kelley
        June 22, 2023
        Detroit post-punk band, Protomartyr, played two sold out shows at Johnny Brenda’s on 6/17 and 6/18, during their tour for their sixth studio album release, “Formal Growth In The Desert.” Protomartyr has been a favorite band of mine for a few years so I’m happy to have had the...
      • Wednesday at Their “home away from home.”

        izzy
        June 20, 2023
        “Philadelphia has always showed up for us, which is crazy, because we’re not from here, but this is our biggest show ever, I think.  It’s like our home away from home,” says Wednesday guitarist, vocalist, frontwoman, and founder Karly Hartzman after opening their June 17th headlining set at Union...
      • Zolita Talks Playing Live (6/20 at The Fillmore w/ Bebe Rexha)

        izzy
        June 19, 2023
        This Tuesday, June 20th, pop mega star Bebe Rexha is bringing her Best F’n Night of My Life Tour to The Fillmore.  And while we’re plenty excited for Rexha’s return to the City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection, we’re even more excited for the return of alt-pop singer/songwriter, filmmaker,...
      • Zella Day: “I’m grateful that my return is being embraced so lovingly by my audience.” (Tonight at The Foundry)

        izzy
        June 19, 2023
        We first met singer/songwriter Zella Day in April of 2015, a few months prior to the drop of her major label debut, Kicker, which propelled her to performances at a plethora of A-list festivals over the next year-and-a-half: Shaky Knees, BottleRock, Firefly, Lollapalooza, iHeartRadio, Coachella, Summerfest, Bumbershoot.  However, she...
      • Get Intimate with Wallice, 6/28 at WCL

        izzy
        June 17, 2023
        February of 2022 saw Los Angeles-based indie pop singer/songwriter Wallice wow a group of young fans (My Drexel students can confirm.) at Franklin Music Hall while opening for Still Woozy.  And, earlier this year, she handled support duties for JAWNY at Theatre of Living Arts.  However, on Wednesday, June...
      • feeble little horse, Back in the 215 (TOUR CANCELLED)

        izzy
        June 17, 2023
        *Update: Unfortunately, feeble little horse has cancelled their tour, including their stop at Johnny Brenda’s, originally scheduled for 6/27. Last week, prior to hometown opening night of their current tour at Thunderbird Café & Music Hall in Pittsburgh, a friend texted me, “If feeble little horse were born in...
      • Love And Rockets at The Fillmore

        Morgan Kelley
        June 16, 2023
        Beloved 80s English post-punk band Love And Rockets returned to Philly for the first time since 1999 to perform at The Fillmore on 6/10 as a part of their first tour in 14 years. This is a band I was never sure I’d be able to see live, so...
      • Cub Sport’s Tim Nelson: “I feel like there’s more joy and energy in the set, and it feels really good!” (6/25 at MilkBoy)

        izzy
        June 14, 2023
        Indie rock icon Ben Lee recently tweeted a string of pretty profound statements after attending the first night of Cub Sport’s Jesus At The Gay Bar Tour of North America (Read it in all of its social media glory here.)  It began with, “Hey just saw @cubsportmusic live they...
      • Enter the World of The Haunt, 6/29 at Silk City (w/ Starbenders)

        izzy
        June 14, 2023
        Those in attendance for dark trap rocker Mike’s Dead’s show late last month at Warehouse on Watts were treated to a deliciously devious set from immediate support act The Haunt, a brother/sister band – who have been making music together for a decade, originally as AnastasiaMax, before transitioning to...
      • JOSEPH: “People should come prepared to feel feelings!” (6/23 at WCL)

        izzy
        June 14, 2023
        “It’s gonna be a banger of a night,” says JOSEPH of their current headlining tour, not quite a sentiment often associated with shows at World Café Live (They’ll be playing The Music Hall of the singer/songwriter haven on Friday, June 23rd.)  The Portland-based folksy indie pop trio of sisters...
      • Get Moody with Glove (6/22 at MilkBoy)

        izzy
        June 12, 2023
        “It’s always moody.  Expect a moody set, and some mood swings,” says Brie Deux of Tampa-based post-punk trio Glove while we’re discussing their current batch of headlining dates, which will have them at MilkBoy on Thursday, June 22nd.  We first met the group – which also includes Rod Wendt...
      • Tarja: “These shows are emotional, rocking, and I am sure we are going to have an amazing time together!” (6/14 at TLA)

        izzy
        June 12, 2023
        Next Friday, June 23rd, will mark the release of the self-titled debut LP from Outlanders, the project of Finnish symphonic metal legend Tarja Turunen (best known simply as Tarja) and German EDM producer and composer Torsten Stenzel.  The album, which is more than a decade in the making, features...
      • grandson, K Flay and Jack Kays at Franklin Music Hall

        Kate
        June 9, 2023
        Canadian-American musician grandson is currently on his “I Love You, I’m Trying” world tour for his most recent album of the same name. He played Franklin Music Hall in Philadelphia Sunday night with an opening performance from Jack Kays and support from K Flay. grandson played a 23 song...
      • Catching Up with mmeadows (6/21 at JB’s w/ Bayonne)

        izzy
        June 9, 2023
        “We are currently 974 miles into the tour, driving out to the first show in Denver,” jokes Cole Kamen-Green during a recent phone chat, while looking at his odometer.  Cole is one-half of experimental pop duo mmeadows, alongside partner (musical and life) Kristin Slipp.  Cole is an in-demand instrumentalist,...
      • The Next Chapter of The Sisters Of Mercy: Live at The Fillmore

        izzy
        June 8, 2023
        This past Saturday, June 3rd, post-punk legends The Sisters Of Mercy played their first show in the City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection since Halloween of 2008.  Their 80-minute, 21-song set included 9 brand-new songs (The band hasn’t officially released new music since 1993.) interspersed with classics from...
      • Declan McKenna and the Oracle Sisters at Union Transfer

        Kate
        June 8, 2023
        English singer-songwriter Declan McKenna is currently touring North America on his 46 stop “The Big Return” tour. He played a sold out show at Union Transfer in Philadelphia with support from the Oracle Sisters for the 6th night of the tour. Playing songs from his two albums What Do You...
      • The Return of Love And Rockets (6/10 at The Fillmore)

        izzy
        June 7, 2023
        The first half of 2023 has been a pretty momentous period for goth/industrial legends in the City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection.  Skinny Puppy brought their farewell tour to the 3,500-capacity opera house; Ministry, Gary Numan, and Front Line Assembly produced a night for the ages at Franklin...
      • Sarah Kinsley Talks TikTok, Cocteau Twins, and Perfectionism (Tonight at WCL)

        izzy
        June 7, 2023
        Tonight, The Lounge at World Café Live is hosting a sold-out show from singer/songwriter Sarah Kinsley, a young (but lifelong) musician who scored a 2021 viral hit on TikTok with “The King,” the title track of her sophomore EP.  Kinsley grew up performing classical music in youth orchestras, before...
      • “What’s Yr Take on Opening Night of Le Tigre’s Reunion Tour”

        izzy
        May 31, 2023
        The first time I ever saw Le Tigre was in 2002 at The Black Cat in Washington DC.  It was opening night of the band’s tour behind Feminist Sweepstakes, and their first show to ever utilize their DVD player (used to convert their famous manually operated slideshow into the...
      • SYSTEMIC: A Retrospect of Americana Artwork by Leta Gray (June 1st-30th at PhilaMOCA)

        izzy
        May 31, 2023
        This past Friday afternoon I found myself hanging with local artist Leta Gray at The Woodlands cemetery in West Philthy.  Although perhaps best known as a tattoo artist and musician, this June (1st-30th) PhilaMOCA will be hosting SYSTEMIC: A Retrospect of Americana Artwork by Leta Gray.  This Thursday, June...
      • Babygirl: “Pop music is the best!” (6/15 at The Foundry)

        izzy
        May 30, 2023
        The last time we caught up with Toronto duo Babygirl – comprised of Kiki Frances and Cameron Bright – was in November of 2021, when they were on the road supporting Jeremy Zucker, which included a stop at TLA where Babygirl stole the show.  During our chat I discovered...
      • K. Flay: “One of the things I’ve always experienced in Philly is the intensity and the passion!” (6/4 at Franklin Music Hall)

        izzy
        May 23, 2023
        “This next body of work is, I think, the strongest body of work of my career.  I created it in the wake of enormous change, and I was set free in a lot of ways, and untethered myself from a lot of expectations,” says multi-platinum, two-time GRAMMY-nominated artist K....
      • Getting to Know Moon Walker (5/31 at KFN)

        izzy
        May 22, 2023
        “I don’t care about surprising people.  I don’t care about anything other than having a song in me and getting it out that day,” says Harry Springer, the composer, producer, and performer behind Brooklyn-based Moon Walker, his alter-ego, who has already released two full-lengths since the start of the...
      • Flashing Back with Indigo De Souza (5/23 at UT)

        izzy
        May 17, 2023
        Next Tuesday, May 23rd, Indigo De Souza will make her fourth attempt at headlining Union Transfer, after shows in January, May, and October of last year were postponed…  Although the previous three dates were to have the Asheville-based singer/songwriter supporting her sophomore LP, Any Shape You Take, just last...
      • The Sisters Of Mercy’s Ben Christo: “I’m very excited for people to see this show that we’ve put together.” (6/3 at The Fillmore)

        izzy
        May 16, 2023
        The last time I encountered Ben Christo, guitarist and bassist of legendary post-punk outfit The Sisters Of Mercy, was in April of 2006 at the 9:30 Club in Washington DC, a gig which Christo tells me he has both fond and slightly embarrassing memories of, during a recent phone...
      • Halocene’s Addie Nicole Amick on, “Outsourcing our decision-making to our fans.” (6/5 at KFN)

        izzy
        May 15, 2023
        “We don’t have a label.  It’s like our fans are our record label!” says Addie Nicole Amick, vocalist for metalcore trio Halocene, alongside husband and guitarist Bradley Amick and drummer Joseph Polizzi.  The band, whose Maleficent EP drops this Friday, May 19th, have been making music since 2008, but...
      • Cobra Man: “Expect mayhem.” (5/13 at Underground Arts)

        izzy
        May 12, 2023
        There are a lot of big concerts this Saturday night in the City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection, but I seriously doubt that anyone else will be able to bring the party quite like LA-based Power Disco 7-piece, Cobra Man, led by Andy Harry and Sarah Rayne, who...
      • PONY: “I think you can expect that we will all look really cute and we will put on a great show!” (5/20 at UT w/ Superheaven)

        izzy
        May 12, 2023
        Next Saturday, May 20th, local contemporary grunge heroes Superheaven will be playing a SOLD-OUT show at Union Transfer to celebrate the 10th anniversary of their debut LP, Jar.  However (I probably shouldn’t say this…), we at PHILTHY are even more excited about self-proclaimed “glitter power pop” duo PONY, who...
      • MUNA Get Gayotic in Philthy

        izzy
        May 11, 2023
        Yesterday MUNA announced the new season of their podcast, Gayotic, with an episode in which Katie, Naomi, and Josette chatted with queer icons Tegan and Sara about, “sharing hotel rooms during tour, secret high school girlfriends, feeling like the Phantom of the Opera, and, of course, our therapists and...
      • Taleen Kali: “I love punk as much as pop and goth as much as psych…” (5/16 at KFN)

        izzy
        May 11, 2023
        Taleen Kali and I have been Twitter buddies for a few years now, so I was super bummed to have to miss her debut performance in the City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection when she played Ortlieb’s last October…  However, she and her band will be back in...
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