A Regional Holiday: Hoots & Hellmouth

Today is Winter Solstice. Fittingly, the next selection in our regional holiday music series comes from Philly's Hoots & Hellmouth. They have a track called "A Song For Solstice," that was a part of XPN's 12 Days of XPN Local Music.

mp3: A Song For Solstice

A Definate Treat: O'Death and Hoots for Halloween

O'Death and Hoots & Hellmouth. Scaryish names, not so scary music. They are playing back-to-back shows at Johnny Brenda's for your Halloween pleasure. Don't worry about the 70's freaks downstairs, unless you are one of them (yeah, 70's costume party Friday). The good stuff is happening upstairs. Friday, Hoots is headlining the show, then the switcheroo happens for Saturday with O'Death closing out the night. Each night also has a different opener. Friday, Pepi Ginsberg is slated to start of the holiday activities. Saturday, The Extraordinaires make sure the post-candy hangover is completely shaken off.

mp3: O'Death - Lowtide
mp3: Hoots & Hellmouth - Rattle These Bones
mp3: Pepi Ginsberg - In My Bones (Daytrotter)
mp3: The Extraordinaires - The Chicken The Egg or The Song

Homegrown Daytrotter Sessions

Over the past month or so a few local acts made the trip out to Rock Island, Illinois and recorded a few songs for the fine people at Daytrotter. If you don't know about Daytrotter, here's the deal. Up and coming artists and some well-established acts record usually a four song studio session, some songs off of their albums and some rare gems of covers and unreleased material you can only find there. The songs are then posted for the entire world to enjoy along with a well written piece on the band and some great artwork.

Illustration by Johnnie Cluney

Baltimore's Wye Oak made the stop recently, recording two off of the great album If Children, and two unreleased songs not found on any album. The first song, "Mary Is Mary", was written after a body was found behind the band's house in Baltimore. The second unreleased track, "Remember, Above", written right before the session, includes flood-inspired imagery after an aborted attempt to get into an underwater Iowa City. The album tracks include a great version of "Family Glue" and "Archaic Smile", usually not heard live on the road. (Session link)

mp3: Mary Is Mary (Daytrotter)

Illustration by Johnnie Cluney

DC's These United States had already done a session back in 2007. While on the Crimes release tour this fall, they made another trip to the studio during one of their midwestern swings. Putting down two from A Picture... and two from Crimes, it was a perfect balance of new and old. "Burn This Bridge" and "First Sight", a song used in the first session, but this time with a full band, are excellent versions. The new album tracks recorded include "West Won" and "We Go Down to That Corner". (Session link)

mp3: West Won (Daytrotter)

Illustration by Johnnie Cluney

Philly's folk-jam heroes Hoots & Hellmouth also ventured westward early this fall and put together a great four-song set. Three tracks come from their self-titled album, while the fourth is unreleased. Forks & Knives kicks off the set, then rolls into Home for Supper. Rattle These Bones, one of the earliest H&H creations, is the third song in the rotation, followed by an unreleased song, You and All Of Us, which tells us "Wherever you go, there you are…and so’s the rest of us! Embrace your community, wherever it may be and whomever it may include. To borrow a phrase, “Dismantle globally, renew locally.”" (Session link)

mp3: You and All of Us (Daytrotter)

The Area Weekend

Black Kids (photo from band's myspace)

The weekend is finally here and it is loaded with shows to see.

Rachael Yamagata is set to release a new two part album A Record in Two Parts: Elephants…Teeth Sinking Into Hear. After playing a few shows in the area recently, she is at the World Cafe Friday for XPN's Free at Noon.

Weezer is back on tour for the Red Album. Opening is Canadians Tokyo Police Club. Friday they are at the Borgata in Atlantic City. Maybe after the show you can catch them on the gaming floor. Saturday, they make the short trip to Camden and the Susquehanna Bank Center.

mp3: Tokyo Police Club - In a Cave

Three cities, three shows, Black Kids don't stop. Joined by The Virgins and Magic Wands, they are playing Black Cat Friday, Ottbar Saturday, then First Unitarian Church Monday.

mp3: Black Kids - Hurricane Jane
mp3: The Virgins - Private Affiars (Daytrotter)

Local folk-jam band Hoots and Hellmouth head west to the Capitol Theater in York for a Friday night show, then head back home to Philly for a Saturday show at Johnny Brenda's with troubador Jim Bianco.

mp3: Hoots and Hellmouth - It's Close, I'm Undone

Friday

Geek rock is alive and well and the high priests They Might Be Giants are still going strong. I believe they have some of the most entertaining shows around. Catch them at The Chameleon Club in Lancaster.

Lancaster's Kheris heads across the river with The Thrives for a show at the Harp & Fiddle in downtown York.

Danger Danger Gallery has an interesting line-up featuring Virginians Hot Lava joined by Philly locals Gang, Reading Rainbow and Hermit Thrushes.

The district's own Five Four is playing a hometown show at DC9.

mp3: Hot Lava - Blue Dragon
mp3: Five Four - Crazy

Saturday

Dressy Bessy just released a new album, Holler and Stomp and is out on tour. Opening for them is Squaaks at the Talking Head in Baltimore. Hot Lava joins the line-up for a Tuesday show at the Black Cat.

Robert Pollard's Boston Spaceships and The High Strung join forces for a show at the Black Cat. Philly fans, you can catch them Monday at Johnny Brenda's.

Chicago-based The Interiors is in the midst of an East Coast swing. They make a stop at The Red & The Black. The North Star in Philly has the honors on Wednesday.

mp3: Dressy Bessy - Just Once More (Daytrotter)
mp3: Squaaks - Fire
mp3: The High Strung - Beautiful Summer (Daytrotter)

Sunday

Indie hip-hop is a breath of fresh air into a genre that has become way too corporate. Sunday, The Fire in Philly is guaranteed to be raucous when Mr. Lif takes the stage.

Kerr Park in Downingtown is hosting Karmafest. What is karmafest? Don't ask me, check out the website for more answers. Anyway, Philly's musical siblings Sisters 3 and the always playing Cheers Elephant just so happen to be performing.

Later that evening, Cheers Elephant makes another appearance, this time in Fishtown at the Manhattan Room. Creeping Weeds and Butane Variations add to the fun.

Down in Baltmore, The Dodos are playing Sonar with Au and local darlings Wye Oak.

Prabir & The Substitutes are in Arlington at Galaxy Hut.

mp3: Sisters 3 - Bermuda Triangle
mp3: Cheers Elephant - Wide Eyed
mp3: Creeping Weeds - Long Way Down
mp3: Butane Variation - Jackie
mp3: The Dodos - Fools
mp3: Au - Are Animals
mp3: Wye Oak - Warning
mp3: Prabir & The Substitutes - Slow

And be sure to check out the other posts about those playing this weekend

Theresa Andersson
Throw Me the Statue
Multiple Shows

A Hot Weekend

The mercury is going to be high, as is the humidity, this weekend. Don't let that deter you from checking out some shows.



A couple of festivals are happening this weekend. In Baltimore, the all weekend party known as Whartscape is going on with the likes of Celebration, The Mae Shi, Black Dice and Beach House, just to name a small few. Elsewhere, in Arden, Delware is a more laid back festival, Arden Music Fest, sporting acts like Hoots and Hellmouth and The Spinto Band.

mp3: Celebration - Heartbreak
mp3: Beach House - Home Again
mp3: The Spinto Band - Oh Mandy

If you aren't up for a scorching outdoor concert, you can catch some festival artists at other locations in the area. Hoots and Hellmouth are at Jammin Java Friday night. Black Dice is paired with The War On Drugs on Saturday and The Mae Shi are joined by Skeletonbreath on Sunday in Philly at The Barbary.

mp3: Hoots and Hellmouth - Want On Nothing
mp3: Black Dice - Kokomo
mp3: The War On Drugs - Taking The Farm
mp3: The Mae Shi - Lamb and Lion
mp3: Skeletonbreath - Louise

Someone Still Loves You Boris Yelstin is back on tour and hitting the IA area this weekend. With them is their Springfield, MO neighbors Ha Ha Tonka. You can also see our friends Bellman Barker at the DC show.

7/18: Philly @ World Cafe
7/19: DC @ Black Cat

mp3: Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin - Think I Wanna Die
mp3: Ha Ha Tonka - 12 Inch 3 Speed Oscillating Fan (Daytrotter)

As for the rest of the weekend, it shaped up like this:

Friday

Junior League is at the Rock & Roll Hotel and J Roddy Walston and the Business is across the Potomac at IOTA.

mp3: Junior League - Puppeteers
mp3: J Roddy Walston and the Business - Used To Did

Saturday

It's a CD release party for Philly's own The Silence Kit and their new disc A Strange Labor at The Manhattan Room. Their influence list is a who's-who of post-punk royalty and their sound attests to that.

Speaking of new albums, Dr. Dog has a new album dropping on Tuesday. You can catch some of the new songs plus all of your favorites at The Chameleon Club in Lancaster.

If free is more your thing, Thrushes is at Metro Gallery with The Go Station. Let them know you heard about it here. This is part of Baltimore's even bigger, Artscape Festival.

And at IOTA, Cobra Collective and Pittsburgh band Triggers take the stage.

mp3: The Silence Kit - A New Dissapointment
mp3: Dr. Dog - My Old Ways
mp3: Thrushes - Heartbeats
mp3: Cobra Collective - Legionnaire

Sunday

If you are at the Jersey shore, get into Atlantic City and go to the House of Blues for one of the greatest soul singers, The Reverend Al Green. Down in DC at DC9, Icelandic artist Olafur Arnalds performs.

mp3: Olafur Arnalds - Fok

Hoots and Hellmouth Are Everywhere!

Philly based roots, jam, funk and kitchen sink band Hoots and Hellmouth are playing a number of shows in the region over the next few days. Their live shows have been labeled as a 'religious experience'. If you haven't seen them before, I highly recommend going.

5/1: Baltimore @ 8X10 Club
5/2: Wilmington @ Baby Grand
5/3: DC @ DC9
5/4: Philly @ Headhouse Square Farmer's Market (early show!)
5/7: Grantham PA @ Messiah College

It's Close, I'm Undone
Want On Nothing

A Weekend of Choices

Many, many options this weekend in the area to catch your favorite music. Every night has something definitely worthwhile, all over the region.

Friday

Imperial China is having a CD release party and they want you there! They are with Double Dagger, Zulu Pearls, and the Black & White Jacksons. Catch them at the Rock and Roll Hotel in DC.

One of my picks for Best of Philly '07 (and in serious contention for it this year too), Papertrigger is at World Cafe. They are joined by Drink Up Buttercup, who seem to play somewhere every night.

Also, Gang Gang Dance livens it up at Johnny Brenda's in Philly.

Imperial China - There Is No Translation
Double Dagger - Camera Chimera
Zulu Pearls - Half Hearted
Black & White Jacksons - Racing Horse
Papertrigger - We Are Nations Now!
Drink Up Buttercup - Young Ladies
Gang Gang Dance - Nomad For Love (Cannibal)

Saturday

Hailing from the Twin Cities and supporting a new album, Cloud Cult swing through DC with New Yorkers The Forms and locals Exit Clov and The Beanstalk Library. Catch them at the Rock and Roll Hotel.

Joe and I are heading down to Dewey Beach for Popfest. Really, we are going to see Telograph and The April Skies. All others are new to us. Come on down, it is going to be a great weekend.

Elsewhere:
Hoots and Hellmouth in Harrisburg @ Gulliftys
Birdie Busch/The Weeds/Cowmuddy in Philly @ The Fire

Cloud Cult - When Water Comes To Life
The Forms - Red Gun
Telograph - Eye For An Eye
The April Skies - Long Way Down
Exit Clov - Moving Gaza
The Beanstalk Library - Fake It
Hoots and Hellmouth - It's Close, I'm Undone
Birdie Busch - Mystical
Cowmuddy - On Your Star

Sunday

The Constantines and Oakley Hall are coming through the area. Sunday they are in Philly at Johnny Brendas and spilling over into next week, Monday you can find them at the Rock and Roll Hotel in DC

Elsewhere:
The Shots/Murder Mystery/Canadian Invasion in Philly @ Manhattan Room
Greenland/Prabir and the Substitutes in DC @ Black Cat
Brandon Butler/Revival/Rose in Arlington @ IOTA

The Constantines - Trans Canada
Oakley Hall - No Dreams
The Shots - Do Me Wrong
Murder Mystery - Honey Come Home
Canadian Invasion - Nikita
Greenland - Forward Frame to Frame
Prabir and the Substitutes - Slow
Brandon Butler - Sparks
Revival - Fog Rolling In
Rose - Another Sad Song

The Regional Weekend

It's a good weekend in the IA region. I've already mentioned the Northern Liberties Winter Music Festival. Here's what going on elsewhere.

Friday


Joe and I will be heading to Harrisburg, PA Friday night to The Abbey checking out the best thing to come out of Chambersburg probably ever, The Shackeltons and one of my Best of Philly 2007, Papertrigger. They are joined by two other Philly bands, Jotto and Univox.

Yeasayer/MGMT/Fang Island @ Johnny Brendas SOLD OUT!
Hoots and Hellmouth @ Jammin' Java

The Shackeltons - The Breaks
Papertrigger - Fox Hunting
Jotto - Backyard Circus
Yeasayer - Sunrise
MGMT - Time To Pretend
Fang Island - The Landing
Hoots and Hellmouth - Want On Nothing

Saturday


The big show is at The Fire for the Music fest, but if you can't get in there A.K.A.C.O.D., featuring former members of Morphine, are at The Red and The Black. Imagine the same Morphine you knew and substitute feminine lead vocals.

Drug Rug/The Bye Byes/Movable Type @ North Star
Hello Tokyo @ DC9

A.K.A.C.O.D. - Trouble Part 1
The Bye Byes - Brass Tacks
Movable Type - Edward Said
Hello Tokyo - Radio

Sunday


Local faves finish off the weekend in two separate shows. Our friends Bellman Barker are joined by Tereu Tereu at The Lab and Exit Clov share the stage with Pash at The Recher.

De Novo Dahl @ Velvet Lounge
Scary Monster/Dan Malloy/Papertrees/Rarebirds @ The Khyber (Benefit for Action AIDS)

Bellman Barker - Two Bees
Tereu Tereu - Lion Bear
Exit Clov - Violent Berries
Pash - ABCD
De Novo Dahl - The Funk
Scary Monster - Gold
Dan Malloy - Things Are Looking Brighter
Rarebirds - Wishing Well

Philly Finds: Volume I

It has been almost a full year since I moved from the ultra-saturated music scene of Austin, Texas to the Philadelphia area. I will admit that the musical selections of this area are somewhat lacking in comparison to my former residence, or even the Baltimore/DC region that Joe has cultivated so well over the past year or so, but that is not to say that the Delaware Valley is totally bereft of anything worthy. Since the shows are slowing down for the winter, I will write some occasional features on the best of the region. Some of these bands have been mentioned on the site before and some haven't. For the first installment, I'll hit on a couple of my personal favorites.


Let's start with Hoots and Hellmouth. Local through and through, they are straight out of West Chester, PA. They cross elements of folk music, with gospel and Jeff Buckley influenced indie. Joe's wife actually found these guys first, when they were at one of the Dewey Beach music fests in 2006. Their live shows are always a raucous good time, with lots of stomping and clapping. They have been known to go out and play in the middle of the crowd and have everyone stomping along, making it an almost religious experience. XPN loves them, I love them, check them out.

Want On Nothing
It's Close, I'm Undone


Another band that I have come to enjoy is Creeping Weeds. Joe stumbled upon them earlier this year and included them in his indie at the abbey series. Take what you know of The Shins, Pavement, earlier Modest Mouse, and anyone else you can think of in that ilk, blend them all together, shake them up, and viola, there you have Creeping Weeds. They capture the best of the poppier side of indie-rock without becoming too sugary and obnoxious. A couple of great examples are their cover of BOAT's "(I'm A) Donkey For Your Love" and their excellent single "Billy Pilgrim.". They recently have been recording new music, so expect to hear a lot more from them in the future.

Billy Pilgrim
(I'm A) Donkey For Your Love (BOAT cover)

Big Friday In Philly

Lots of good shows to kick off the weekend. So get out there and check them out!


The big ticket item Friday is violinist Final Fantasy, fresh off the Arcade Fire tour and supporting his new album. With him is Alberta native rapper-producer (a Canadian rapper?) Cadence Weapon. Don't let the north of the border thing fool you. He has quite the musical heritage. You can find them at the First Unitarian Church.

Final Fantasy - This Lamb Sells Condos
Cadence Weapon - Sharks
Bonus: Final Fantasy w/ Cadence Weapon - Paris 1919


Up at Johnny Brendas, the always entertaining Hoots and Hellmouth take the stage. Keeping the local flavor together, they are joined by Frog Holler, a folk-roots-country-rock fusion group from Virginville (yes, that is a real place), and all-star Philadelphia band Bitter Bitter Weeks.

Hoots and Hellmouth - It's Close, I'm Undone
Frog Holler - Berks County Boy
Bitter Bitter Weeks - Danger In The Halls

Over in Old City at The Khyber, Philly band Jotto is having their CD release party. Celebrating with them is locals RunRunner and Papertrigger.

RunRunner - Bad Timing
Papertrigger - We Are Nations Now!

Hoots and Hellmouth

Hoots and Hellmouth is out and about again. If you have not seen these guys yet, you have no idea what you are missing. This is one of the Philly area's best acts... add a little bit of gospel, shake in some folk, sprinkle some bluegrass, and top it off with a sweet indie flavoring. An XPN artist to watch, they will have you dancing in a matter of seconds.

10/12/07: Gullifty's, Harrisburg, PA
10/13/07: The Fire, Philly
10/18/07: Jammin' Java, Vienna, VA

It's Close, I'm Undone

Tuesday

Wow, it's only Tuesday. Yet, tonight's regional concert slate is loaded. No matter where you are, there is something worth seeing.


At Sonar in Baltimore, you have a fantastic show. Scotland's The Twilight Sad has been taking America by storm and they will be in town tonight. Philly's Relay will be joining them.

The Twilight Sad - That Summer, At Home I Had Become The Invisible Boy
Relay - Context


Ottobar has the rescheduled date of last month's postponed Voxtrot show. The support slots read like a who's who of Baltimore bands. Two if by Sea, The Heavycoats and The Jennifers are all playing a set tonight.

Voxtrot - The Start Of Something
Two if by Sea - High Water Mark
The Heavycoats - Sea Song
The Jennifers - Oh Caroline


Down in DC, there is an excellent show at Black Cat. Canada's The Besnard Lakes and Brooklyn's Dirty on Purpose will both be in town tonight.

The Besnard Lakes - And You Lied To Me
Dirty On Purpose - No Radio


DC9 also has a fantastic show. My friend's The Jaguar Club and San Francisco's Scissors For Lefty are both on the bill. This should be a nice early week indie dance party.

The Jaguar Club - World Gone By
Scissors For Lefty - Ghetto Ways


Finally, IOTA also has a great show. Local favorites Junior League will be joined by the fantastic Hoots & Hellmouth. Gringo Star is also on the bill.

Hoots & Hellmouth - It's Close, I'm Undone
Junior League - Chess Records
Gringo Star - No Reason

The 4th fireworks and beyond

It's shaping up to be a good holiday here along the Delmar beaches. So wherever you are, enjoy the lights from above and check out these bands.

If you are in the Delaware beaches for the holiday, check out lower case blues at the Rusty Rudder Wednesday. Then stay at least until Saturday morning so you can jam with Hoots and Hellmouth at Dogfish Head Friday night. And of course, there is always Love Seed and all the cover bands you can handle. Enjoy the holiday!

lower case blues - Broke as a Joke

Hoots and Hellmouth - It's Close, I'm Undone

Oh Glorious Weekend

This has been one of those weeks. Finally, the weekend is here and there are a lot of shows worth seeing...

SATURDAY


The Kooks are invading America and DC is next on their agenda. They will be playing 9:30 Club along with the really good Pennsylvania band, Illinois.

The Kooks - Naive
Illinois - Alone Again


A trio of Philly bands will be playing the Rock and Roll Hotel. Dr. Dog, The Teeth and Hoots & Hellmouth are all on the bill. I can't speak for the other bands, but I accidentally caught Hoots & Hellmouth last September and they gave one of the most vital performances that I have ever seen. It was quite spiritual.

Dr. Dog - Worst Trip
The Teeth - Ball Of The Dead Rat
Hoots & Hellmouth - It's Close, I'm Undone


New York's The Orion Experience bring their indie pop sound to The Red and The Black.

The Orion Experience - There's No Love In February


DC locals Lejeune and The Antiques will release their long awaited new albums at IOTA. Julie Ocean will be providing support. This is pretty much the only big local show this weekend, but it's quite a good one.

Lejeune - Bizarre Histrionics
The Antiques - Bedsit Bones


Heading up to Baltimore, Elvis Costello brings his never ending supply of great songs to Ram's Head Live.

Elvis Costello - Pump It Up


If you are up for a short road trip, there is a nice show happening in Harrisburg, PA. Appalachian Brewing Company is having their 10 year anniversary. To celebrate, they booked bands for the entire day. They will cap it off at night with a free concert that is headlined by The Hold Steady. Hershey, PA's The April Skies will be opening.

The Hold Steady - The First Night
The April Skies - My Love Is In This House

SUNDAY


The very popular LCD Soundsystem is coming to 9:30 Club. The always eccentric YACHT is opening.

LCD Soundsystem - All My Friends
Yacht - See A Penny (Pick It Up)


Silversun Pickups are playing a show at Recher Theatre in Towson. Sea Wolf is also on the bill.

Silversun Pickups - Well Thought Out Twinkles
Sea Wolf - You're A Wolf


There is a Canadian Invasion in DC. Toronto bands Sloan and Small Sins will be bringing their brand of rock to Black Cat.

Small Sins - Stay
Sloan - Before The End Of The Race