From one of my newfound favorite hip-hop acts, DistantStarr, comes an amazing remix compilation of his latest release, Seekers.
The City of Brotherly Love, a location so rich with collaboration, is home to Nex Millen and DistantStarr who have really let their love of production and hip hop shine in Seekers Remixes. Each track we get a taste and break down of an already smooth flow, adding just the right amount of flavor to DistantStarr’s already ill content.
Stream below, and be sure to support these certainly hard-working locals.
Maybe Hopalong has been culminating for awhile now, friends who went to rural suburban high schools and decided to make the plunge and move to the city.
But to me, they’ve fantastically sprung onto my radar just a few months ago. After hearing Frances Quinlan’s distinct voice on their first single, “Tibetan Pop Stars,” I was absolutely struck. Such command, and I completely dig the strong instrumentation backing her up. To pre-order their first full length, Disowned, was really no question at all, even though they had no other tracks up for stream.
I’m thrilled these guys are establishing themselves in Philadelphia, because after giving this album listen upon listen I’m only more convinced they’d truly put on a great live show. “Diamond Mine” is an incredible soft-to-loud song the layers in ways I would have never guessed, one of my favorite tracks so far. The rest of the album shows off a lot of potential, and I wonder what their next album could sound like.
Listen to its entirety below, and be sure to grab your vinyl copy through Hot Green Records. I can’t wait until mine shows up.
Earlier in the month we traveled an hour outside of Philadelphia to shoot a music video for local act, Peasant, which is near to complete. The guys from Darlingside were also kind enough to participate in our In The Neighborhood series before their show in the city this past week. Almost ready for posting, how about you check out some pictures in the meantime.
And here’s my (rare) social network plug that you can always see on the right-hand side of our site:
It’s all about the rhythm. Glitchy beats that meld together in such a classy style, it’s hard to believe Moon Bounce (aka Corey Regensburg) is based out of the gritty Philadelphia.
From the opening track, “Whipped,” I’m floored. I love the impressive flow with the simple piano. Regensburg opens up another dimension in sound with all of the different effects he manages to fit in the mix, all the while keeping calm and collected control.
One song that truly takes hold of my ears is “Sleeper’s Quarrel” which is a myriad of sounds from dogs barking to a very smooth guitar cadence that guides you. Darn Your Best Frock was dropped last May but I think it’s extra fitting for some weekend moods, don’t you?
It’s been quite a year for the local group, The Chairman Dances. From debuting a full 15-track album last summer to returning less than a year later with new music (this time being a conceptual album), they have seen some exponential growth.
A Promise fills me up with a myriad of emotions, and that’s the group’s main focus. From track to track, lead singer Eric Krewson sings the tale of two married couples at two different parts of their lives and relationships. For fans of Death Cab for Cutie, the Weakerthans, and even The Decemberists, I’d say you’ve got quite a match for your taste in music (especially in “A Family Waiting”).
Beyond the involvement you have as a listener, being carefully guided by Krewson’s selection of words, you can’t deny the tight instrumentation keeping all of this together. The band themselves are relaxed with their instruments which I had the opportunity to catch live. Friends first, you could tell they were having a great time performing and that’s what I love to see.
A couple of weeks ago we released a video of an outdoor acoustic session we had with Eric who kindly sang “A Voice In The Night” for us and the neighborhood, all of which you can check out below.
Be sure to grab A Promise, due out May 22nd. After plenty of thorough listens, I can definitely say it’s an album from the Philadelphia scene you don’t want to miss.
This is what I needed. I really love Heyward Howkins’ intonation, using his own voice as an instrument among his folky melodies.
After spending time among various artists in the Philadelphia music scene (even nationwide success with his previous band), Howkins will be emerging solo this year with a debut album titled, The Hale & Hearty, set to be released June 26th.
Check out his bandcamp page where Howkins has a few of the tracks up streaming, my favorite so far is “Spanish Moss.” His strong voice carries the song yet the addition of female accompaniment is almost too perfect.
And watch his official video for, “Sugar Sand Stitched Lip.”
How have I not heard of this local before? I’ve got plenty of love for Rise’s label,Free Form Records, where this gentleman’s smooth flow calls home but this is the first time I’ve caught wind of DistantStarr.
He’s got a laid-back style, hints of the golden-age with a contemporary spin on his beats and I’m just digging all of it. Wake up Philadelphia, this guy is in our backyards – open your ears. Listen to his latest 4-track album, Seekers, below and keep an eye on him, I hope this is only the beginning.
The Chairman Dances will be playing tonight on the west side of Broad at the renowned North Star Bar for its New Music Series. Doors open at 8 and general admission is a mere $7. My suggestion is to drop in at nearby Era for a couple of cheap specials and you can run your night for under $20 (perhaps I’ll see you there).
Anyway, the guys are back and armed with plenty of new music. With their last album, Long Lost / A History of Intiquity, being supported by UPenn Libraries I was extremely curious to hear what their newest response would sound like. A Promise, slated for a late May release, will keep your attention with its dual-storytelling of two separate married couples. They have already released their first single titled, “Sarah,” which you can download for free over at their bandcamp.
Last week I shared an album of photos I took of lead singer and songwriter, Eric Krewson, who was kind enough to come hang out in my neck of the woods (er..city) and play a couple of acoustic songs. Watch Krewson as he strums along late afternoon and performs the third track from the album, “A Voice In The Night (Natalie’s Husband).”
And keep an eye out, we’ll be soon featuring more artists and bands who happen to be in the neighborhood.
