Music
Interview: Local Natives
We couldn’t be more excited for Local Natives to hit Penn’s campus. Hailing from Silver Lake, CA, the band made waves last year for their globally-inspired indie–folk sound on Gorilla Manor.
Deja Vu: Addams' Hands And Labyrinth
Labyrinth may be the scariest children’s movie ever made — what better inspiration to draw from when designing your gates, Charles Addams Fine Arts Hall? Prepare to be transported back to the film that gave you nightmares when you were six as you pass through the gates of Penn’s most smoker–friendly facility. As you no doubt fondly remember, our heroine Jennifer Connelly finds herself in quite the pickle in the 1986 flick when she falls through a trap door and is greeted by the “Helping Hands” — disembodied digits who “save” her from plummeting to her death. “Up or down?” they innocently ask, feeling poor Connelly up under the guise of rescuing her. Fears of molestation may grip one as they enter Addams.
For Your Ears Only
We know how confusing music tech can be — it mostly consists of terms that only a handful of people could possibly understand.
One Track Mind: "Rocketeer," Far*East Movement ft. Ryan Tedder
“Like A G6” is one of those songs that crept up on us. Seemingly coming out of nowhere, the Auto–tune–soaked track shot up the Billboard charts, and is currently sitting pretty at number two.
Venues N' Shit: The Trocadero
The key to the Trocadero is in the details: the way the parquet floor seems to wobble slightly as the crowd jumps up and down, the intricate red design on the decorative curtain, the Christmas lights that hang from the side balconies.
Review: Age Of Adz, Sufjan Stevens
Stevens’s goes bigger on his latest LP, with less interesting results. It is undoubtedly a statement to release a one–hour–and–fifteen–minute–long record — it implies a burning need to be heard, or at the very least an abundance of musical ideas.
One Track Mind: Kings Of Leon, Radioactive
“Radioactive,” the newest effort from the reigning Top 40 champs Kings of Leon, isn’t a radical departure from their tried-and-true musical style, but it does reflect the aspirations of a band clearly energized by their status.
Review: Neil Young, Le Noise
On Neil Young’s latest studio album, appropriately entitled Le Noise, he reminds us of where he’s been and where he can go.
Our American Idols
Last week, super-diva Jennifer Lopez, wacky rocker Steven Tyler and music industry vet Jimmy Iovine were announced as the new American Idol judges, joining longtime Idol kingpin Randy Jackson.
One Track Mind: "White Moon," Beach House
It was easy to miss the release of “White Moon,” even for discerning indie fans: the track was snuck in the middle of an iTunes Session EP that came out a month ago.
Venues N' Shit: TLA
Stemming from the off-brand glamour of South Street, the TLA has come into its own as one of the city’s most venerable music venues.
Review: Mark Ronson, Record Collection
As one of those rare producers who become visible stars, Mark Ronson is constantly setting high expectations.
Defibrillator: Ted Leo & The Pharmacist, "Timorous Me," (2001)
As a teenager, I had a minor love affair with Ted Leo. His pop punk anthems soundtracked my learning to drive, I never missed one of his frequent D.C.
Interview: Broken Social Scene
Street: How has the tour been going? Charles Spearin: Good. It seems like a never ending tour.
Guilty Pleasures: R. Kelly's Discography
Most guilty pleasures are more “embarrassing pleasures,” but I really do feel guilty for liking R.
Review: Wake Up!, John Legend And The Roots
Wake Up! sounds like a match made in heaven: alumnus crooner John Legend got together with Philly favorite The Roots for a politically driven covers album.
Venues N' Shit: The Electric Factory
Every issue, we’ll be giving an in-depth look at a different Philadelphia music venue. This week, we start with one of the city’s most iconic: The Electric Factory. Philadelphians are a group prone to repurposing: they’ve successfully recast a simple meat sandwich as a nationally renowned icon (cheesesteaks); made existing near one of the world's biggest cities as a cause for celebration (being 90 miles from NYC) and turned a handful of otherwise grungy city blocks into one of the nation’s most beautiful college campuses (your future alma mater). So it makes sense that one of the city’s most beloved (and well-known) musical venues is The Electric Factory, which used to be, well, an electric factory.
In The News
M.I.A. has announced the dates for her latest tour. She’ll be stopping at the Electric Factory on Sep.
Defibrillator: LFO, "Summer Girls" (1999)
Music has had myriad purposes in my life, but only one song has ever turned me onto a clothing line.
