girl about town

Feature: Young@Heart Chorus' Helen Boston, see them live Sunday 04/12/09

Helen Boston, singing with Young@Heart Chorus live.

Speaking to Young@Heart Chorus' member Helen Boston is like having a sit-down with any good friend's cool mom. Helen is great with details, but like any proud mother; it's hard to get her to talk about herself, and her own many achievements. Helen and her family moved to Lancaster, PA after Helen had children (artistic twins Sylvia and Eugene among them "my youngest son taught me how to sing The Beatles, Joe Cocker, Spielberg, Jimi Hendrix....my kids were into all of that!")--and she grew up in West Philadelphia. Did she love music this much when she was younger? "Oh, I loved all of the Philadelphia soul songs from the era when I was growing up. We have so many new songs to learn now too with the Chorus and everything. And we'll be leaving for Japan soon also..."

A fall tour, and THEN Japan? That's right, the Young@Heart Chorus doesn't stop. Although a little nervous about heading to Japan for the first time, Helen takes 'away' concert tours all in stride, "my youngest son was stationed over there at one point, so I'm really looking forward to seeing Japan for myself."

Helen is a local through and through, although since moving she has made many new friends with her increased involvement in the Young@Heart Chorus including being part of the Chorus' very first documentary which was directed by Walker George and released through Fox Searchlight.

"I was born at Philadelphia General on 34th Street, and my twins were born at University of Penn Hospital. So much has changed since then. I went to school there [in Philadelphia], and when my twins were nine years old, we moved out to Lancaster County and they finished school there. When my kids were little, I used to take them to concerts and we would sing. It was a family thing. And now today, I'm just singing the songs that they used to sing around home." For those not familiar: the Young@Heart Chorus is a chorus that is made up of senior citizens who put a unique twist on songs that include everything from soul to pop, indie, and alternative rock, to experimental. But don't let the term "senior" fool you, because the people who are involved with the Young@Heart Chorus have the emotional energy of youth on their side.

Helen, who has been singing with the chorus since 2002, is emphatic about the opportunities these new relationships have brought to her over the years, "It's like a whole new life. My life has changed, and now it's like I'm living a whole new life. The group is like....another family, because my family is all grown up now, and they live in different places. When I come to rehearsal, it's like going to a reunion for people who want to know how I'm doing and what I'm up to. It's very interesting."

Although before and since joining the chorus, Helen has forged new relationships through acting and singing, she wasn't always this way. "I'm very comfortable with this lifestyle today--but I was always very shy, even after having children, but I would mingle because my kids would mingle. This group has brought a lot of that out. I can talk to people now. The chorus is one of my favorite things that I do now."

Any favorite songs to sing with the Chorus? "I love the song "Heaven". Music can allow you to reach out to so many different people, whether they're here or gone. The melody in "Heaven" takes me to a special place, and it makes you feel good inside when you sing it."

The Chorus is a tight-knit group who are based out of Northampton, MA. The group will be singing their hearts out this weekend in Horsham, PA as part of their "Alive and Well!" Fall Tour 2009. The performance which takes place on Sunday, December 4th, 2009 at the Hatboro-Horsham High School Theater, will feature an opening performance by the Hatboro-Horsham Choir. Online tickets can be purchased through following this link.

When asked about the programme that the chorus will be performing for the audience this tour, and how it has inspired her own family, Helen added this:

"The Chorus will usually perform two sets, and there are quite a few new songs. The first set will be really different, but I don't want to give away too much! My advice is to just sit, watch, and enjoy.

In most cases when people hear about us, my daughter would say to her brother Eugene, 'C'mon, let's go and see Mom play!' and Eugene would say, 'Well, if I fall asleep, don't say anything, but I'll go because it's Mom singing.' And Eugene was so blown away by the performance that he called his sister and announced that he was going to join a music group himself! It's encouraged so many people...!"

See the Young@Heart Chorus live this Sunday, December 4th at 3pm at Hatboro-Horsham High School Theater which you can see more details of here.

Young@Heart Chorus - web site

ETHEL CEE Presents SPREAD, A Benefit for The Philly AIDS Fund

Girl About Town spoke with emcee Ethel Cee this afternoon in a quick chat over email regarding a special homecoming event that should have Philly excited to support. From the young lady who is "Deftly combining drum'n'bass, house, and hip-hop and a resume getting longer by the minute, her rhymes about everything from love and loss to politics are sure to position her as the girl "who's got next" in the hip-hop/dance scene." Ethel Cee (real name, Kamilah Clarke) is the perfect person to throw this event together and put a group of starring individuals on stage in support and remembrance of an important cause: World AIDS Day which took place today, on December 1st, 2009. Come out in support of Ethel Cee's event: SPREAD, A Benefit for The Philly AIDS Fund which takes place at Marbar (above Marathon Grill on 40th and Walnut in Philadelphia) on Friday December 4th, 2009.

Girl About Town: What can you tell me about the Philly AIDS Fund and which services this fundraiser will help to provide?

 

Kamilah Clarke a.k.a. emcee Ethel Cee: This is directly from the website: "The Philly AIDS Fund, supports HIV/AIDS education, prevention, and services in the Delaware Valley by raising dollars and increasing public awareness about the impact of HIV on our communities. Currently, 30 partner organizations are receiving funding as a result of AIDS Fund’s activities to provide critical HIV prevention education and care services." I couldn’t word it any better if I tried! All the proceeds from my event will go to the Philly AIDS Fund. From there, we will discuss how the money will be allocated. I’m looking forward to giving the majority of it to a program servicing Black women, since it is that demographic that is being infected at the highest rate right now. Being a Black female, myself…it just hits home.

 

How long have you been organizing events and which of your past events stand out to you?

 

Honestly, this is the first event that I have put on myself in YEARS. I am an emcee, so I’ve performed at countless venues and hosted several parties in Philadelphia throughout the years. It’s hard to pick a fave, but I will say that it is nice to see party-type events with a philanthropic agenda. Stacey “Flygirrl” Wilson does an event called “Dancing in the Streets” centered around National HIV Testing Day in June. It’s an outside event that features vendors, DJs, and mobile testing. That’s the way to do it. You pull people in with fun in the sun and music or booze and then once you reel them in it’s like, “So…have you and/or your partner been tested for HIV?” LOL. But I have several friends who are party promoters and it’s been quite an educating experience watching the ups and downs of being in charge of something such as this.

 

What is your advice for women who are trying to break into event planning when it comes to music?

 

For any event, you must know who your target audience is. That will help you prioritize when and where you should promote. Stand your ground and be aggressive if need be, but not bitchy. People will sometimes try to walk all over you or take advantage of a good thing, but stay professional and don’t burn bridges if you can. Also, it helps having a network of friends who are willing to help you get the word out and co-sign what it is you are doing. I owe the pre-hyped success of SPREAD to everyone that offered to contribute.

 

How has planning this event inspired you, and what can you tell us about the artists and people involved?

 

Planning this event has helped me see the truth in the saying, “ A closed mouth doesn’t get fed.”  I would have never imagined I could get all these incredible artists on the same stage for a cause like this. I started to not ask some of them, but something just said to go for it. I consider many of them to be good friends of mine or even solid colleagues, but in my mind that didn’t equate to “Yeah, they will DEFINITELY do this.” Bahamadia and DJ Statik doing the show is a total blessing. They’ve traveled and toured all over the world and back and have an amazing history in music. It really speaks to the cause and how it important it is that I could get an act like them, like Invincible (who heard about the show in Detriot and offered to perform while in town), like Hustle Simmons (an act with some of the biggest buzz in Philly right now), like Tuphace (a guy who has had ENORMOUS success over the years and has a huge fan base in every scene of music ), Zap & Castro (two very talented emcees that were so eager to be a part of this in anyway that they could), Ultraviolet and Afrodjiak (two DJs who I know are going to get the crowd going and keep the event upbeat), then Flygirrl (a woman who is no stranger to event planning/party promoting) is sharing her art with us live throughout the night. Not to mention all the sponsors that are helping get the word out. I’ve said all that there is to say; everyone involved is amazing, and I couldn’t be more pleased with how available they have made themselves to helping SPREAD be a success.

 

What is your favorite thing about Philadelphia?

 

Our attitude. Admittedly at times it is inappropriate, but you gotta love it. Big city a with a small town feel.Like New York, but on sale. ;)

AIDS Fund Philly - web site

Ethel Cee - bee eater records / myspace

Local Album Feature: Br'er - Filled With Guilt and Diamonds (Edible Onion)

Filled With Guilt and Diamonds by semi-Philadelphia-based group Br'er is a revival release of the same-named EP by the group. The first, was released in cassette format with only 100 made in 2008, and the most recent version of the album EP comes pressed on vinyl hand-numbered and in limited edition also. As an Edible Onion release, each album is hand-sewn, and the art-house collage style of the printing is worth the buy alone. It's a beautiful and interesting album to look at and listen to.

Br'er's music is the product of lead songwriter Benjamin Schurr and includes musicians Christian Mirande, Darian Scatton, Luis Angel Cancel, Roger Martinez, Nat Baldwin (Dirty Projectors), Ross Lipton, Jan Blacksburg, Jim Krull, Sean Ali, and Charles Cohen (of Espers). The sound is something out of a storybook and paints a drastic dreamscape taking elements from psychedelic all the way to dream-pop and dark, neo-folk.

Girl About Town: What can you tell us about the newest release of the Br'er release and where its inspiration comes from?

Benjamin Schurr: The new Br'er album is a document of things that I went through in the winter of 2007, having just come out of a five year relationship, and just gotten off of a tremendous amount of medication a few months prior. It was partly a coping mechanism for feeling really lost and powerless. Most of the subject matter is trying to make sense of dealing with losing a lot of of people in a short amount of time, and trying to make sense of it.

Yourself and Benjamin created the artwork, how much work went into it, and how many copies were made--and is there any special meaning behind the design (both 'ball-buster' and 'nutcracker' come to mind here) or were you just looking for a stand-out image? I might even say it was a bit like a Hipgnosis design....

I came up with the idea for the cover artwork, which is inspired by gender issues that are most prevalent in the song "Painted Lady." They are also some of the main subjects of Br'er's music. The body shape is sort of an "X," while the bolt cutters are a "Y," so it shows the male chromosome and the act of what the body is doing shows the destruction of such things. It's an adaptation of a photo I saw a few years back which always stuck with me, and was something I thought fit the feelings/vulnerability that I was feeling at the time and that the record still exudes. The inner artwork and back cover was designed by Darian which is a hand drawn vine design which captures the more beautiful aspects of the record. There is a lot of symbolism within that and the back. The artwork is supposed to show the dichotomy of the dark and the light, which is another constant on the album.

What can people expect from a live Br'er show with so many people in one band, are there particular songs that people usually request to be played?

Br'er's live performances ALWAYS vary. It's been a goal since day one to make sure that every Br'er tour is completely different. Since there is so much going on in the record, it would be pointless to mimic it. So much of the Br'er recordings are just me making weird noises and adding track after track. It would be too idiosyncratic to try to replicate that with other people. What we like to do is find the core of the song and interpret it for however many people are in Br'er at the time. We've done shows with as little as two people and as many as seven. Our last tour was almost completely acoustic and currently we're touring with all new songs. I would say the best thing to expect is nothing since it always changes.

What is your favorite thing about playing to a hometown crowd for a live show?

As for the hometown crowd... I have conflicting feelings. I recently moved to Asheville, North Carolina from Philly because I felt so incredibly alienated in Philly. Since I've left though, I've played two incredible shows with Br'er at The Danger Danger Gallery that have changed my view a bit. What's really nice for us is that people tend to be super receptive and quiet, which is definitely not a common thing in Philly. There's always new people who I've never met that come out because they've heard really positive things and that really means a lot to me. I have always felt like Philly is one of the hardest places to permeate and when we make an impact of any degree that always feels great.

Is this album the tip of the iceberg for Br'er--how often do you write new material, and do you think you've evolved from the original style and ideas of the music that you began with [when Br'er began]?

Yes, I would say this is the tip of the iceberg. We released an album called "Of Shemales & Kissaboos" before this, on a label in Austria that was a means of figuring out what Br'er was musically. "Filled with Guilt & Diamonds" was a more solid idea within the confines that the first album set. In the same respect, it was also a very specific document of a certain time of my life. Many of the musicians involved are no longer working with Br'er, and since completing it, we've released two singles, a tape, and a new EP. I am currently working on our next album, two more singles, and a Magnetic Fields cover. Br'er is pretty much my life and I'm always working on it, trying to explore new sounds and timbres, and trying to make sure it stays exciting to me and the people who I'm working on it with.

Br'er - band site / edible onion / myspace

A Week of Twee & Pop + Happy 20th Anniversary Slumberland!

For twenty years, US label Slumberland Records has dedicated themselves to putting out the best in new dream-pop, shoegaze, independently twee and wonderful new acts. Since the late 1980's Slumberland has been the sole home and host to well-known acts such as Velocity Girl, Stereolab, Lilys, Swirlies, Boyracer, The Softies, The Aislers Set, (so, so many more) and most recently; up and comers The Crystal Stilts, Pains of Being Pure at Heart and of course, Philly's own: Brown Recluse to name only a few...and we really are under-listing here!

In the coming days, we've rounded up some great interviews and articles to celebrate the wealth of material from this great label and the current and past bands that are playing the music that celebrates the spirit behind it. We'll have interviews with aritists such as Gregory Webster of Razorcuts fame, Cheap Red (former members of Boyracer), as well as reviews of a few of Slumberland's latest releases including Summer Cats LP, the latest single from POBPAH, an interview with Philadelphia's DJs England Belongs to Twee (now featuring Herbie of Brown Recluse) and so much more in the spirit of pop: including a recent interview done with the master platter-pusher himself; Mike Schulman, who gives us his responses to our most dear questions.

This week will also include recent interviews with bands in the same spirit of the music of Slumberland with interviews and articles on Northern Portrait (Matinee), and The Mary Onettes (Labrador) on feature, and local group Br'er chiming in!

Happy Anniversary Slumberland:
Cheers to 20 Years and counting!

November 13, 2009 @ The Black Cat // Washington DC
Tickets: http://www.ticketalternative.com/Events/8171.aspx

Crystal Stilts
Brown Recluse
Pants Yell!
Frankie Rose and The Outs
The Ropers
Nord Express
Lorelei

November 14, 2009 @ The Bell House // Brooklyn NY
Tickets: http://www.ticketweb.com/t3/sale/SaleEventDetail?dispatch=loadSelectionData&eventId=2936044

Crystal Stilts
Brown Recluse
Pants Yell!
Frankie Rose and The Outs
The Ropers
Nord Express
Lorelei
The Pains of Being Pure At Heart

Slumberland Records - web site

Local Album Feature: Toy Soldiers - Whisper Down the Lane (Independent)

Cover art by Kate Egan (eganart.blogspot.com)

In 2007, two friends sat in their basement in South Philly and started recording some very wonderful and crude joke songs in the style of Roy Orbison and Buddy Holly. Through coincidence and the hand of God they began playing out as Toy Soldiers, and in about a year's time, got serious enough to get themselves (by then a trio) into the studio at The Fire in Fishtown. But, when it came to the making of this record, bandleader Ron Gallo knew he was ready for a bigger sound. So he called up some friends and within a few months time, Whisper Down the Lane was recorded and the band was transformed. Since then, the band that was thrown together for the recording has tripled in size and has now become the Toy Soldiers you'll see at most every show. 

This album, which could most accurately be compared to "Joe Cocker at Woodstock," is full of wonderfully catchy rock 'n' roll tunes like "Love Ya Like I Love Ya." It even has a few "positively 4th st"-esque sassy tunes ("The Wretch"), as well as some swampy stompin' blues ("Throw Me Down") which hit you right away, and stick to you.

And the live show, I must say, is quite a spectacle.

Photo by Jordan Sheftel (jordansheftelsphotography.shutterfly.com)

OH ME OH MY!
Yes, I know the scoop and I could probably make a Sundae with it… but I decided to sit down with band leader Ron Gallo and dig into his feelings about the record and the newly supersized band.

Girl About Town: If you could describe the feeling of releasing this album and compare to any other event you’ve experienced, what would it be?

Ron Gallo: As a male, giving birth to a child. A beautiful, healthy child that I went through some time and hard work for, that I will love and watch grow.

What's your favorite and least favorite track on the album and why?

I can’t pick just one, I can only pick two mainly due to different reasons. I love “Throw Me Down” because I feel like every note on that track couldn’t be better and it spotlights all the singers, it’s really the only time they take a lead vocal role, it’s the track I like to show people for the first time. I also love “Which Way Waltz” because I feel like it speaks more for what is to come and is most in-tune with what I would enjoy most if I didn’t create it. I like to consider it the bridge to the future of Toy Soldiers. My least favorite track is “Wrecking Ball” because of opposite reasons for why I chose my favorites.

When people start to integrate this album into their lives, where do you think it will fit (i.e… love-makin soundtrack, bad-day pick-me-up)?

I consider this album a house-cleaning album, a countryside car driving album, a sunny day city walking album. It’s alive, energetic--you’re going to make it the soundtrack to movement, progress, dancing, traveling, fun. It’s a good ol’ time album. However, I feel like a few specific songs could be integrated individually. “Morningbirds” is when you wake up on a sunny day, lazy, tired, joyfully punch-drunk, and soon as the drums hit you realize you need to get moving. “Wrecking Ball” is what you’d listen to in a car chase or driving through a city at night. “Love Ya Like I Love Ya” is a just a lighthearted, fun walking song. The soundtrack to motion.

Who, in your opinion, is the best dressed on stage?

In terms of “Toy Soldiers aesthetic” I enjoy most how everyone is themselves. The ladies always look so beautiful in their 'purdy dresses. You and Vinchelle are just classy ladies. But, I must say everyone is overshadowed if Josiah joins us for a show. That kid’s got style, like no other. Talk about thinking outside the box, Josiah is always wearing amazing things, often including face paint, not to mention his pet minks that rest on his shoulder during performance.

What have been the pros and cons of tripling the band in size... logistically, musically, communally, etc.?

The pro’s are that it conveys that sense of community that I love. What better thing can people relate to than a big group of people? We are just like a big band of gypsies now, and it’s comforting and just plain fun to be involved with so many people. Musically, I get to relax a bit more instead of having to cover a lot more space and also it just adds an entirely different sound.  Bare bones to flesh and skin and clothes. Musically it’s what I’ve always wanted, and everyone in the band is brilliant in their own way. Now! On the other side of the fence rounding up 7, or 8, or 9, or 10 people, has got to be one of the most stressful things to do, sometimes it’s impossible, and sometimes it works just fine. Though the more the merrier, it’s also; the more there is to handle. Then there’s always the little things: like space in cars, and sleeping arrangements, and on stage--but that’s the beauty of it all, working with what we got for the better.

How do you think you will feel about the record in five years?

I already look back on this album as the last one of its kind. There probably won’t be a Toy Soldiers album like it again, in terms of one that is this fun. It will always be a first album so it will always be important to me and some of these songs have become staples to Toy Soldiers as a band. I think I will probably feel the same way that John Lennon felt about Please Please Me. Yes that was fun, but I’ve moved on to a more weighty approach to my songs, just as any would: as they grow older, see more, learn more, etc. But, I will always remember and relate to their sentiments. The songs I write on my own, and usually perform solo--are far more thoughtful, emotional, and lyrically driven. They’ve become possibilities now in this big band because we have people who are into it and willing to make diversions and try new things, add layers, sing along, etc.

So, girls and guys about town… there you have it. Whisper Down the Lane, the very first Toy Soldiers album… coming to a venue/indie record store/itunes near you. Enjoy!

* See Toy Soldiers LIVE at World Café live Downstairs on October 28th with Andrew Lipke & the Prospects, Lady, and TJ Kong
* Purchase Whisper Down the Lane online here.

Toy Soldiers - band site / myspace

The Sky Drops drop new video, announce new LP: BOURGEOIS BEAT (out Aug 11/09)

After a few weeks of hearing about the video and new LP being worked on with The Sky Drops' Monika Bullette, and Rob Montejo (formerly of Smashing Orange), we couldn't wait to see and hear the results! The exciting new LP, which has been titled Bourgeois Beat, will be released on August 11th, 2009 and has the duo setting off on a few tour dates in PA, Michigan, and Delaware in support of its release. If you live in Philadelphia, the best date to make it to will be their Mojo 13 date featuring Matador's Dead Meadow, plus Philly's Three 4 Tens and The Empty Shapes on Friday September 18th, 2009. Three of the tracks from their upcoming album (Heavy Penny, Swimming With Fishes, and Bourgeois Beat), can also be heard on their myspace page as a preview, and we have one of their upcoming tracks from the album that can be downloaded here:

 
The Sky Drops - Swimming With Fishes

For the "Truth Is" video (a song that swoons into a veritable summer sunset of shoegaze; definitely twisting a little MBV into our veins in this Sky Drops' low-anthem beat), the duo used good friends and local photographer and artists' Justin Clowes and Joe Castro. Clowes, and Castro (who also played with Bullette in local band NERO), came together to make the brand new video with the duo; a mixed result of artistic footage shot on Super 8mm film, and with its late 70s split-screen action, Bullette and Montejo pull off a job, looking like agents dropping off the goods for Rob's twin, or is it? Watch their new video "Truth Is" below:

The Sky Drops - band site / myspace

Mighty Joe Castro @ Studio 27.28 - 06/06/09

Photo of Joe Castro by Justin Clowes, 2009

Girl About Town is happy to support local artist and musician Joe Castro for his opening art exhibit at Studio 27.28 with artist Mike Travato between 6 and 9 p.m. on Saturday, June 6th. "Mighty" Joe Castro's painted works are often set in a World filled with intense colors; intelligent and brooding, with scenes where the subjects are often just a little-bit skewed--leading you to take a deeper look into the haunted scenery of the image itself. Joe Castro is a local artist who was a vibrant member of Philly and Delaware's music scene; playing guitar for a number of acts over the years, including Nero, Swingline, and The Situation. Come to the exhibit to meet or say "Hi" to the artist and talk new music and art, and then head over to BAR ERA afterwards to hear tunes spun by Girl About Town's Carly (DJ Sally Cinnamon - spinning soul, indie, and rock favorites) accompanied by DJ Mod Revolve (Baggy, new wave, and Brit-pop classics); the songs begin at 9pm at Bar ERA and continue on throughout the evening.

Saturday June 6th, 2009 - Joe Castro & Mike Travato
6-9pm @ Studio 27.28 - 2728 Girard Avenue, Philadelphia PA
9-close @ Bar ERA (after party) - 2743 Poplar Street, Philadelphia PA

Joe Castro - web site

Hello! Girl About Town here, leave a message after the tone....

"Really?!? No. Way." Photo by K. Brimhall

Girl About Town is still on summer holiday! After much discussion, our wonderfully talented Royce Epstein will be stepping down to take a much needed breather while Girl About Town's Carly continues in her absence. The site will definitely be back soon, with new writers, some interesting artist collaborations and a few changes. No need to worry; we still want the same thing as back when we started: entertaining and informative writing, girl-style on; pop culture, music, and beyond. Stay tuned for further exciting developments. In the meantime, we hope to keep hearing from you and we wish you the absolute best during these hot summer days and into the coming September...

Please email carly[at]phillygirlabouttown.com for further information on becoming a contributing member at Girl About Town! We are always looking for monthly or weekly contributors and artists.
 
Thanks, Happy Summer, and see you soon.....

Twee Pop Festival Season In Full Swing - NYC and SF Popfests 2009

Hot on the heel of Winter's chill, is the opening season for budding librarians, ornithologists and future twee biologists, psychologists, and rocket scientists everywhere....it's popfest season! For those of you not in the know, May is the spring of "twee pop content" (think 'the feeling,' and the 'peanut butter, honey, and banana in the sandwich'). In mid-May, NYC will host its annual pop festival which has previously hosted breakout bands such as The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, Boy Genius, and The Baskervilles. This year is no exception, and with the lineups being held at tried and true venues like NYCs The Cake Shop, Don Hills, and fancy-pants venues such as The Bell House--these evenings out will surely become memorable nights. Highlights for this year's pop festival include Liechtenstein (a brand new girl group from Sweden--say "Hi" to Philadelphia's own Herbie S. from Brown Recluse Sings, who will be making sure all of the girl's destinations are made on time), Philly visiting crowd-faves Eux Autres, The Radio Dept., The Icicles (Say "Yes" to Michiganders!), The Secret History, and Rose Melberg (swoon! for girls and boys alike). There will be a full NYC-based showcase night of acts on the opening night of May 14th featuring exciting newcomers The Ballet, with the nights that follow showcasing acts from across Europe (Finland's Cats On Fire and The Burning Hearts take part) and across the US. For a full lineup featuring the dates, venue locations, ticket information and a list of who's-who, access their web site by visiting www.nycpopfest.org

NYC Popfest - web site

San Francisco will also be hosting its annual fete (May 21st to May 24th) for the pop-loving masses, and Girl About Town will be on-hand to help them celebrate this year's lineup! We can't wait for the warmer weather and for some really fantastic bands to watch that are included on the annual popfest list this year, and, who will no doubt be debuting to a US audience. Highlights include Denmark's Northern Portrait, Cheap Red from the UK (boasting members of Boyracer and Kanda), The Hidden Cameras (the Toronto natives will be hosting a special solo performance at the SF festival only), and what looks to be (sadly) one of Tullycraft's last live performances (ever!). If you're looking for warmer weather, or just have friends who you think might love to find out more about both festivals; pass on the information. The bands playing these have usually traveled very far, and both festivals are put on by independent promoters who are counting on the audience for their support--the support of new and live independent music. You can find out more, including lineups, special DJ hosted events, and more by visiting the SF Popfest web site at www.sfpopfest.com

SF Popfest - web site

For Jack: A Tribute to Christopher Tucker

THIS FRIDAY!  Please come out and support a wonderful event that will in turn support Jackson Tucker. the young son of our friend Christopher who passed away this summer.  Six area bands will play at the North Star Bar in Philadelphia to honor Chris and his music, all while raising money for an educational fund for Jack.  A $10 minimum donation will be requested at the door, advance tickets are now available via North Star Bar and Ticketweb.  Girl About Town is also hosting a silent auction at the event where some very cool items will be sold to the highest bidder.  Here's a highlight of some of the fantastic stuff that we will have on hand, donated by some very gracious friends of Christopher:

Recording Studio time, paintings, drawings, Please Touch Museum membership, photographs, concert tickets galore, Silk City and North Third gift certificates, Philly Roller Girl merchandise, Spindrift merch package, a "Herc" custom made guitar, Black and Brew gift card, World Cafe tickets, Filter magazine subscription and CD package, VIP tickets for Terror Behind the Walls at Eastern State Penn, gift certificate to Sweet Jane Vintage, Fringe Salon gift certificate, AKA Music gift certificate, designer sunglasses, custom handmade jewelry, gift certificate to National Mechanics, and much much more.  Thank you and see you there!