Live Review: Dr. Dog @ 9:30 Club — 9/16/21

Posted on September 21, 2021 by Casey Vock in Live Review and tagged 9:30 Club, Dr Dog, neo-psychedelic, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, psychedelic.

Dr. Dog perform at 9:30 Club on Sept. 16, 2021. (Photo by Casey Vock)

“All good things come to an end” has to be one of the most extremely overused, inflated perspectives on any favorable scenario, especially relationships, and it seems that statement is most often inappropriately used to sum up the end of relationships built around music.

But, nevertheless, the proclamation does tend to be true, as is currently demonstrated by the Philadelphia-based band Dr. Dog, a group that sold out consecutive gigs at the 9:30 Club Thursday and Friday — its last shows in the nation’s capital on what has been announced as its last tour together. [Parklife has learned Dr. Dog does indeed have one more sold-out show at 9:30 Club on Oct. 1! — Ed.]

Song of the Day: “Lonely Christmas” by Wallis

Posted on December 16, 2020 by Parklifer in Preview and tagged Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Song of the Day, soul.

Wallis (Photo courtesy Michael J. Media Group LLC)

15 year-old Wallis, a heretofore unknown young singer/songwriter from Philadelphia, has continued to create and perform — despite the challenges of 2020 — by writing songs with her father.

“Lonely Christmas” is Wallis’ very first single, and the perfect tune for this unprecedented holiday season.

Live Review: The Districts @ 9:30 Club — 3/10/20

Posted on March 19, 2020 by Casey Vock in Live Review and tagged 9:30 Club, garage, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, roots, The Districts.

The Districts perform at 9:30 Club on March 10, 2020. (Photo by Casey Vock.)

Sometimes an album comes to life when a band needs it most, and the tour to support it is how the group actually reaps the spiritual, and financial, benefits of their work.

The Districts’ latest release — You Know I’m Not Going Anywhere — is said to have almost never happened: the band had nearly exhausted itself after an intense few years on the road and seemed to be searching for direction when founder and head singer Rob Grote isolated himself and put pen to pad to nurture the words that would comprise the newest LP.

Preview: The Districts @ 9:30 Club, 3/10/20

Posted on March 4, 2020 by Parklifer in Preview and tagged 9:30 Club, garage, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, roots, The Districts.

The Districts (Photo by Shervin Lainez)

Philadelphia’s The Districts hit 9:30 Club on Tuesday, March 10, in support of You Know I’m Not Going Anywhere, their new album available on March 13 via Fat Possum.

Live Review: Slaughter Beach, Dog @ Baltimore Soundstage — 2/8/20

Posted on February 13, 2020 by Casey Vock in Live Review and tagged Baltimore Soundstage, folk, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, punk, Slaughter Beach Dog.

Slaughter Beach, Dog performs at Baltimore Soundstage on Feb. 8, 2020. (Photo by Casey Vock)

Musicians naturally morph over the course of their careers — their tastes evolve, they’re shaped by their experiences, influences can come and go.

That change tends to be gradual and isn’t easily identified or documented. You can dissect only what the artist offers up for public consumption.

Snapshots: G. Love & Special Sauce @ The Hamilton Live — 1/30/20

Posted on February 3, 2020 by Ari Strauss in Live Review and tagged alternative hip hop, blues, G Love, G. Love and Special Sauce, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, R&B, The Hamilton, The Hamilton Live.

G. Love and Special Sauce perform at The Hamilton Live, Jan. 30, 2020. (Photo by Ari Strauss)

Eclectic blues/hip-hop artist G. Love was in DC recently with his band, Special Sauce, to play two shows at The Hamilton Live. The performances were part of a winter tour in support of his new album The Juice, which was released Jan. 17 via Philadelphonic/ Thirty Tigers.

Preview: G. Love & Special Sauce @ The Hamilton Live, 1/30/20

Posted on January 23, 2020 by Parklifer in Preview and tagged blues, funk, G Love, G. Love and Special Sauce, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, soul, The Hamilton, The Hamilton Live.

G. Love (Photo by Sarah Ewalt)

G. Love released The Juice, his latest studio album, on Jan. 17 via Philadelphonic/Thirty Tigers. G. Love & Special Sauce performs at The Hamilton Live on Thursday, Jan. 30.

Live Review: Son Little @ Rock and Roll Hotel — 11/30/19

Posted on December 2, 2019 by Mark Engleson in Live Review and tagged blues, David LaMason, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, R&B, Rock and Roll Hotel, Son Little, soul.

Son Little performs at Rock and Roll Hotel on Nov. 30, 2019. (Photo by David LaMason)

Philadelphia artist Son Little (the alias of Aaron Livingston), a sometime collaborator with The Roots and alternative hip-hop artist Rjd2, combines blues, soul, and hip-hop in his unique singer-songwriter style. Playing solo on acoustic and electric guitar, Son Little entertained a post-Thanksgiving crowd of music lovers at the Rock and Roll Hotel on Saturday.

Live Review: David Bromberg @ Sixth & I — 10/26/19

Posted on October 30, 2019 by Mark Engleson in Live Review and tagged blues, David Bromberg, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, roots, Sixth & I.

David Bromberg (Photo by Joe del Tufo)

Noted roots artist David Bromberg appeared in a big band format at the Sixth & I Historic Synagogue recently. His band included a horn section—trumpet, trombone, and sax — and strings — fiddle and banjo. But David honored his roots in the blues — he’s a protégé of the Rev. Gary Davis — growling and howling through numbers like his opener, which I think, was Robert Johnson’s “Walkin’ Blues.”

Live Review: Meek Mill and Future @ Jiffy Lube Live — 9/17/19

Posted on September 20, 2019 by shedrick pelt in Live Review and tagged Atlanta, DJ Mustard, Future, hip hop, Jiffy Lube Live, Meek Mill, Megan Thee Stallion, Philadelphia, rap, YG.

Meek Mill and Future perform at Jiffy Lube Live, Sept. 17, 2019. (Photo by Shedrick Pelt)

“Legends are made, not born.” Enter Meek Mill and Future — two of hip hop’s most powerful artists, crisscrossing the nation on a 20+ stop summer tour, that could only be done justice under the banner of Legendary Nights.