News: Jay-Z’s new record and Drake’s new tour
Jay-Z’s Magna Carta Holy Grail
It’s 2013. And in 2013, artists are trying their hardest to come up with new and innovative ways to release records. Kind of like a few years back, when Radiohead tried releasing their record on their own with a pay-what-you-will model, now pop musicians are trying all kinds of kooky app-related and smartphone-based marketing ploys. Try to hate the game if you want, but it’s probably going to be an uphill battle, and, really, can you hate the player? During Game 5 of the NBA Finals, Mr. Carter unleashed a whopper of a commercial (it’s practically a mini-documentary at three minutes in length) for his next banger, which’ll be available on June 24 to Samsung Galaxy phones via an app obtainable through Google Play, with a proper street date of July 4.
Aside from all of that capitalistic commercial business, the music sounds pretty hype. And no wonder: He recruited some of the biggest producers and some of his best friends, it seems, to get in on it. Rick Rubin’s here; so’s Timbaland, Pharrell, obviously—and Swizz Beatz. “Pretty much the album is about this duality of how do you navigate your way through this whole thing? Through success and failures and all this and remain yourself?” Jay asks. “We don’t have any rules. The internet’s like the Wild West, and we need to write the new rules.” Some of these beats and vibes sound super-fresh, and it’s actually pretty sweet watching Jay dialogue with the producers, tweaking and playing with sounds.
Can’t wait for July 4th now, but check the #magnacarta promo pronto. He and JT will be at Citizens Bank Park on August 13.
Drizzy’s Touring with Miguel and Future
In anticipation of his forthcoming Nothing Was the Same, Drake has announced a 41-stop national tour to support the new LP, and he’s dragging Miguel and Future along with him the whole way. BONUS! At this point, Miguel might be the more compelling performer on the tour, at least from our perspective. From commercial radio’s viewpoint? This is a big get. Drake’s never gonna shake my image of him in a wheelchair on Degrassi, while Miguel’s soulfulness knows no bounds. They’ll touch down at Wells Fargo on Saturday, Oct. 19, but tickets go on sale this Saturday, June 22, at 10am.
He’s shared the singles “Started From The Bottom” (62.5 million views in five months), and there’s a low-key, low-budget video for “5AM in Toronto,” but other than that, there aren’t a ton of details about the mysteriously-to-be-released new LP. It’ll certainly be out before the tour. See, we’re not so sure Drake’s got what it takes to last nearly as long as Jay has, but as confirmed by Drizzy’s appearance at Made in America last summer, it is confirmed that Philadelphia goes bizzonkers for the 26-year-old Canuck. So tickets’ll no doubt move quickly, and it might actually behoove you to snatch some up this weekend.
Bing, Bang, Boom: Three solid musical events to start your week on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday
From our calendar this week:
Monday, June 17
BLACK FLAG
“When bassist Dave Klein left Screeching Weasel in late March, the reaction of controversial frontman Ben Weasel—who recently got his punk outfit back together after an incident at SXSW 2011, in which he punched two women while on stage—could best be described as punk empathy. “Normally, when one departs the rolling hills and verdant meadows of Weasel Acres, whether voluntarily or with my assistance, the pastures on the other side are distinctly brown, but in this case, our man hit the jackpot,” Weasel wrote on the band’s Facebook page. “To wit: Black Flag came calling, and he answered the bell. And who can blame him? When Black Flag says they want to hire you, you suit up, give notice to the circus, and report for duty. You think I wouldn’t ditch this sideshow and start stocking up on black satin shorts and hitting the Nautilus if I got the call? Think again, chum.”
It’s true: Black Flag is back on the block with a Henry Rollins-less lineup put together by founding member Greg Ginn, who’s taking the singing role quite seriously as the foursome gear up for a summer tour, with tonight’s Union Transfer gig as one of its highlights. Disclaimer: Another band, calling themselves Flag, has also re-formed, featuring former Black Flag and Circle Jerks member Keith Morris (who led the group from 1976 to ‘79, before any studio albums) on vocals. They will also be touring, performing Black Flag songs. This ain’t them, weasel.” Randy LaBasso
8pm. $25. With Good For You + True Love. Union Transfer, 1026 Spring Garden St. utphilly.com
Tuesday, June 18
RASHAAN PATTERSON
“Rashaan Patterson’s a longtime underdog. The Kids Incorporated alum stands alongside Fergie, Shanice and Mario Lopez as a child actor of the ‘80s still tryna get a nut. Nearing 40, Patterson’s put out five LPs, all to lackluster sales. But that doesn’t really matter: He’s got to perform, and his voice is outstanding. A beautiful midpoint between Stevie Wonder and Raphael Saadiq, Patterson’s pipes are dipped in soul. Watching him perform “6AM” with Lalah Hathaway is like watching an acrobat contort. He and Hathaway spend the last couple minutes of the song batting one line back and forth, with dips and jumps in tone and pitch. Dude’s got real chops.
Typically accompanied by a badass band to flesh out his soulful funk, Patterson practices in the genre of Erykah Badu and D’Angelo, the openly gay songwriter steeped in improvisation, free form and off-the-cuff performances. He’s written songs for Brandy (co-writing her second big hit, 1994’s “Baby”) and Tevin Campbell and calls Ledisi a friend. Tonight’s show is sure to be a dynamic one; Patterson’s voice is kind of like Toni Braxton’s: capable of being soft and gentle, but also resonant enough to convey pain and sadness. One second, he bellows from his depths of his gut, and in the next, he emotes from the top of his beautiful bald head. No doubt, his vocal flips and tricks will be a spectacle tonight.” Bill Chenevert
8pm. $32-$36. World Cafe Live at the Queen, 500 N. Market St., Wilmington, DE. 302.994.1400. queen.worldcafelive.com
Wednesday, June 19
“THAT’S MY JAM” KARAOKE
“C’mon, everybody knows liquor and karaoke go together like peanut butter and jelly. Add happy hour and some game friends, and you’ve got a guaranteed good time. Sometimes a little liquid encouragement is all one needs to pick out a song, fill out that little paper slip, and step up to the mic, and luckily, the Painted Bride is the perfect place to flex those pipes at “That’s My Jam,” hosted by Sing Your Life Karaoke’s Sara Sherr. The stage in the Bride’s 250-seat theater will be yours for the owning tonight, and the audience is expected to be as friendly as it gets—you now, those game friends of yours, aside other fun-loving Philadelphians. Here’s hoping some legit talent turns out to earn bragging rights ’cause when you’ve got a stage like this, and you’re not mumbling along to the color-changing lines on a little dive-bar monitor, you better turn it out.
Ten bucks gets you in, plus a drink ticket, and there’ll be hot dogs from the Dapper Dog food truck on tap, too. Sherr’s 120,000-deep song catalogue should have a few of your favorites to slay live, and if your preferred track isn’t among them, have another drink, and I bet you’ll find something. Word to the wise: Start rehearsing now. No one—and I mean no one—wants to hear you butcher “Midnight Train to Georgia.”” B.C.
6pm. $10. Painted Bride Arts Center, 230 Vine St. 215.925.9914. info@paintedbride.org
Marc Silver’s record release party’s tonight at Johnny Brenda’s
We caught up with March Silver on the eve of his record release show tonight at Johnny Brenda’s and put it in the paper:
Every year, Marc Silver retreats to the woods with two artist friends for phone-free communion with Mother Nature. They go out to a cabin in Dushore, Pa., about three and a half hours from Philly (an hour from Wilkes-Barre) and not far from Ricketts Glen State Park. He’s the only musician of the three, but he writes, and they cook and drink wine. Upon their arrival, they hit up the local farmers markets to stock the kitchen, and it was there that Silver found the inspiration for his new album, A Miners’ Town. His fifth LP is a little less bluegrass and a little more darkness, due in part to the ominous nature of the situation out in rural Pennsylvania—and in loads of other parts of our state—where fracking is wreaking havoc.
Evoking a little Leonard Cohen and Johnny Cash, two touchstones for personal and bluntly bleak lyricism, A Miners’ Town’s songs are a mix of biographical, fictional and non-fictional tales, primarily ruminations on the effect of the shale mining industry. This batch of songs is gritty, gloomy and, quite frankly, angry. Silver’s frustrated and plagued with the burden of recognizing deception, theft and greed. Check his title track: “Every barrel is a tomb and another town left to die/Abandoned homes line the town’s main street/Bullets hit the windows and they shatter with a scream ‘tween the alleys/Old homes crackle in the smoldering fires/Burning all the things that were made from love inside.”
“It became apparent what was happening in the region, and you could see that there was a lot of drilling, pipe-lining and a lot of drump trucks,” he told PW. “So, for this record, I ended up doing a lot of research into testimonials of farmers and their stories of people getting sick and their wells getting poisoned.”
The Missouri native and University of the Arts graduate is 37 now, a veteran of the Philly gigging scene. He’s been performing with his band, The Stonethrowers, around town for years, but this latest record is a testament to his growing and evolving songwriting skills. But life isn’t always so rosy. Silver’s got a day job teaching music to kids at the Shipley School, and he often dishes out his own money to put on a show. “I’m in the habit of paying my band,” he says. If only those frackers would cough it up for the damage they’ve done.
Doors are at 8pm and the show kicks off at 9:15pm with Ross Bellenoit and then Pete Donnelly & the Wise Easy opening. Tickets are $10.
Photos: Drexel’s Annual Senior Fashion Show
On Saturday, friends, family, educators and fashion enthusiasts packed into the Urban Outfitters Corporate Headquarters at The Navy Yard for Drexel’s Annual Senior Fashion Show, presented by the Fashion Design & Design & Merchandising programs in the Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design.
As always, the show presented select garments from its sophomore, junior and graduate fashion design students, as well as the collections of 24 graduating student designers, many of whom have received awards for their work.
This was my second year attending the event, and I must say, it continues to be one of the most enjoyable fashion presentations I’ve seen in this city. This has as much to do with the level of featured talent as it does with the array of apparel categories showcased, including evening wear, men’s and women’s sportswear, lingerie, bridal, swimwear and best of all, children’s wear.
If there’s one thing I could say about the show as a whole, it’s how impressed and surprised I was to find that many of the designers constructed their looks from head to toe, making their own jewelry, accessories, prints and various accents.
Here are a few of the many noteworthy creations that came down the runway:
Tricky couldn’t get his Visa game straight, so tomorrow night’s show has been rescheduled
What’s goin’ on over there, Tricky? You saw this tour coming, and you couldn’t get your Visa act together, hunh? Well, we were pretty excited for your show this week, and we put it in the paper’s Philly Now calendar:
“Tricky put out two records in the ‘90s that were mind-blowing: 1995’s Maxinquaye and 1996’s Pre-Millenium Tension. Of course, he’d been an integral part of the groundbreaking Massive Attack until then, but these two LPs felt like achievements—complete, brilliant artistic statements. The 45-year-old Bristol, U.K., native’s a pretty odd duck, so it feels only appropriate that he made his big-screen debut in 1997’s The Fifth Element. But some of the weirdest dudes on earth have proven to be some of our most inspiring and game-changing musicians.
And with this brand new and fresh False Idols, Tricky says he found himself again. Luckily for us, it’s an incredibly strong LP, harkening back to those debut solo LPs, and reflects the Tricky Kid we’ve always known and loved. Sure, there’ve been some discs in his deep catalogue that weren’t homeruns, but the man’s a legit legend in the trip-hop world. His grimy, gravelly rumbles over blissed-out beats are one of a kind, and he has a real ear for tapping angelic young female vocalists to flesh out his visions—or night terrors, same diff. The fact that Philly’s one of his 10-date domestic tour destinations is truly celebration-worthy. Trip-hop fans rejoice, and get your asses to Union Transfer for a really memorable occasion.
8:30pm. $20. With Royal Canoe. Union Transfer, 1026 Spring Garden St. 215.232.2100. utphilly.com”
The show’s been moved back to October 1st. This came over from his publicist (and the man himself):
“Due to unforeseen US Visa issues preventing from him entering the country, Tricky is postponing his upcoming US tour dates in support of his new album False Idols. The rescheduled dates will take place in October, when Tricky is in the US to play Treasure Island Music Festival and Mountain Oasis Electronic Music Summit.
All tickets for the postponed June dates will be honored for re-scheduled dates in the same city (even if venue has changed). In the case that the re-scheduled date is not an option, refunds will be available at point of original ticket purchase.”
Addressing the issue, Tricky himself stated:
“I’m really sorry to have to tell you that I have to postpone the forthcoming US dates. It is a situation that is compeletely beyond my control due to a US Visa issue. All I can do is go through the proper channels and secure the right visa. I hope you’ll bear with me, and I’ll make sure that the rescheduled shows are worth the wait. All tickets will be honored for the re-scheduled dates.”
Alright, then.
10 things we saw, heard and learned at the Mann’s season opener Friday night with The National
Friday night was the Mann’s big summer seasonal premier. The Dirty Projectors opened for The National, and it was one of the most memorable shows we’ve caught in Philadelphia in recent memory.
1. The Dirty Projectors are a peculiar band. Quirk is their thing. Their melodies and harmonies are unconventional, and to the untrained ear, one’s reaction might actually be something like “What the hell?” But for a fan who’s been listening since 2007’s Rise Above, their weirdness isn’t that weird anymore. However, their newest material seems to push the limit more than their earlier LPs; Swing Lo Magellan’s a bit of a challenging listen, not nearly as palatable as 2009’s Bitte Orca. It seemed so clear Friday night: Older stuff sounded more straightforward and listenable, and newer stuff sounded more cuckoo and avant gard (if you want to be nice).
2. The DP’s set was not very visual. They played with a black backdrop without much flash. But after they got off stage, the National’s visuals started getting built. And they were stellar. The grid of lights that ran along the walls were multi-colored and bright; the projections were on point, alternating between tweaked live footage and artistically-imaginative animation and photographic, documentary-style imagery.
3. The new one from them, Trouble Will Find Me, is still fresh in every National fans’ heart ; it came out only a few weeks ago. For this fan, the two records that matter most are Alligator and Boxer. So while I was most excited for anything from those two (because they feel the most rock ‘n roll), I was really impressed with the performance of the new tracks, too. Trouble feels very hushed, calm and somber, but live, all bets are off. Nothing on the record sounds like it does live, and there was very little that was quiet and somber about this night.
4. Lead vocalist Matt Berninger joked, early on, “We’ve played her before, and we had a blast,” he said. “Was it with R.E.M.?,” he asked, to which the crowd responded “Yeah!” in unison. The crowd was really into the band despite the wet and chilly conditions. Under the bandshell, everyone was mostly dry, and at a few points during the show, it sounded like 75 percent of the crowd was singing along. It was here that they did “Mistaken for Strangers,” and it was excellent.
5. Doing the title track of their newest, it dawned on me that one of the National’s strongest assets is their drummer. They have just enough personnel on stage to pull off the sound that, at this point, has become characteristic: Matt’s instrument is his voice, and his playing the role of lead singer is just right, especially when he screams so hard it sounds like he wouldn’t be able to talk the next day. With a solid gold guitarist, bassist, pianist, drummer and brass on stage, their sound was full and warm. Without glasses, it seemed like they were working with a french horn player and a trumpeter, and the brass was one of my favorite aspects of their performance.
6. They did “Demons” and “Humiliation” from the new LP, and here was more evidence of the outstanding instrumental support Berninger benefits from via some killer piano and guitar solos. At this point in the show, we started to hear a drunk young man shouting “Move to Philly!” enthusiastically. His heckles became more unintelligible as the night went on, but, we could swear, during one of the more singalong moments later in the night, he calmed down and sang like an angel.
7. “I’m Evil” was great, especially with the aforementioned horns, and “Squalor Victoria” was everything that I’d hoped it would be. But aftewards they did “a love song” called “I Need My Girl.” It was arresting. Berninger said he wrote it for his wife, and it was a touching, sensitive moment in the night, a calm, emotional break for couples and dates to share a look or a kiss. This one and “This is the Last Time,” two tracks that feel stronger than before I heard them live, are now two standouts on Trouble Will Find Me.
8. A stirring version of “Sons and Daughters of the Soho Riots” seemed to signal, perhaps, the near end of the show. Here’s a song that yields one of my favorite all-time National lyric paragraphs: “How can anybody know / How they got to be this way / You must have known I’d do this someday / Break my arms around the one I love / And be forgiven by the time my lover comes / Break my arms around my love.”
9. One of the coolest things I didn’t see coming, at all, happened when they did “Mr. November” to close out their proper set. Berninger came out into the crowd and walked up the aisles, and as he did, kids starting swarming him down in the walkway between the orchestra and the lower-level seats. Then he jumped up on the wooden beams that separate the boxes in the lower level, and from 30 feet away, it looked as if he was walking across the tops of chairs or on people’s shoulders as he sang. He was in a huddle toward the end of the song, repeatedly screaming “I won’t fuck us over / I’m Mr. November,” and he got help from a couple dozen super-fans on that part.
10. The band did a four-song encore and started it off with the beautiful opening track on Trouble, “I Should Live in Salt.” It was stunning, and it made new fans of the new record who were, until then, just keen on the band and their back catalogue. This one’s going to be fun to grow into.
Philadelphia Folk Fest announces headliners; tickets now 20 percent off with early-bird rate
Yesterday afternoon, the Philly Folk Fest powers that be announced their three headliners: Todd Rundgren, David Bromberg and Asleep at the Wheel. Details are pretty finite now, and eager folk fans can snatch up tickets at a pretty sweet 20-percent-off rate right now. On the third weekend in August (the 16th, 17th and 18th), Old Pool Farm in Upper Salford Township (near Schwenksville, PA) turns into the chillest 40-acre living room in Pennsylvania. Approximately 35 miles northeast of Philadelphia proper, the venue’s about a 45-60 minute drive from Center City. And in its 52nd year of consecutive festivaling, this one’s, maybe, their biggest and best yet.
With a Saturday that’s exceptionally Philly oriented, Philadelphians should maybe consider Saturday as their one day for that one-day ticket if going that route’s under consideration. Indeed, you can buy day-specific tickets, all-weekend passes and, of course, go for the whole weekend and camp under the stars with a camping pass (which includes a Thursday night concert).
From the press release:
“We are really excited about this year’s line up. One of the highlights for us is being able to put together a really ‘Philly-centric’ Saturday show,” said Richard Kardon of Point Entertainment. “David Uosikkinen’s In the Pocket: Essential Songs of Philadelphia presents the soundtrack of the past several decades in Philadelphia. It’s a veritable ‘Who’s Who’ from the Philly music scene.”
Slated to perform are the following acts:
Richard Thompson Electric Trio – The Mavericks – Asleep at the Wheel – Carolina Chocolate Drops – Jake Shimabukuro – David Uosikkinen’s In the Pocket – Black Prairie – Luella & The Sun – Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band – Sierra Leone Refugee All Stars – Spirit Family Reunion – Sleepy Man – Banjo Boys – The Stray Birds – Star & Micey – Otis Taylor – Caravan of Thieves – Amy Helm – Jeffrey Gaines – Gabe Butterfield – Ellis Paul – Del Barber – The Como Mamas – Burning Bridget Cleary – Andy Statman Project – Ben Vaughn – David Francey – Frank Fairfield – Joe Crookston & the BlueBird Jubilee – The Toy Hearts – Howmaw – Runa – Burning Bridget Cleary – The Amigos Band – Mike ‘Slo-Mo’ Brenner – XPN Philly Local with Helen Leicht featuring Ali Wadsworth, Juston Stens and the Get Real Gang, Modern Inventors, Ginger Coyle – Aereo-Plain – The Lawsuits – Toy Soldiers – Gene Shay – Great Groove Band – Dennis Hangey – Give and Take Jugglers.”
Gene Shay will emcee, again, in his 52nd consecutive year doing so. The man’s been playing folk music on WXPN on Sunday nights for decades and is largely considered the godfather of Philadelphia folk.
Lastly, a few specifics on tickets: This is a totally kid-friendly affair with child-specific programming for kids under 12 each afternoon (and kids up to 11 get in free; there are youth ticket rates for 12-17 year-olds). But here are few more ticket deets: “Individual daily tickets start at $43.60, including the 20% Early Bird Discount, or attend for all three days for $118.40; add tent camping and you get an additional concert on Thursday night for $158.40 total! The campground at the PHILADELPHIA FOLK FESTIVAL is considered the ultimate Folk Festival experience.”
Tickets are on sale at http://www.folkfest.org/ or call 800-556-FOLK.