Studio 34 Presents: Sweet Sound of Music
Saturday, December 3 @ 7:30p
$10 suggested donation ~ hot spiced cider on us!
This December will mark the 2nd anniversary of the Sweet Sound of Music shows, and we can’t think of a better way to celebrate than with an all-Philly line up of incredible music-makers! West Philly’s own Buried Beds (recent tours with Dr. Dog and Murder By Death) will bring you a scaled-down version of their dreamy, poetic and quirky sound. Joshua Marcus returns with an all ukulele set, playing tunes from his latest album, “Uke Yr Illusion,” and Heyward Howkin brings his soulful pop sound all the way from South Philly.
Come to what has become the coziest music-listening and loving experience around, curl up on a couch or cushion, sip some cider, and prepare to be carried off by the sweet sound of music!
The story goes that during the yellow fever epidemic back in the early days of Philadelphia, the city made everybody bury their bed to curb the spread of the disease. Meaning essentially, Philadelphia is built on buried beds. Inspired by this odd, historical bit, Philadelphia-based chamber-poppers, Buried Beds, craft upbeat and off-kilter songs that are as heavily percussive as they are nimbly orchestrated; rife with strange and imagined histories.
Eliza Jones and Brandon Beaver formed Buried Beds as a duo a few years back. Since then, the band has grown into a five-piece featuring a raucous mix of big drums, electric guitars, viola, piano, and heavy doses of three-part harmonies that mesh together with a mesmerizing and palpable chemistry. The band’s debut album, “Empty Rooms,” won them many fans and accolades, including Best Band in Philadelphia Magazine and a spot on Believer Magazine’s yearly music compilation.
Buried Beds recently put the finishing touches on their sophomore album, “Tremble The Sails.” Recorded by Beaver and Jones and mixed by the Spinto Band’s Nick Krill, Tremble trades their previous album’s delicate banjos for dueling guitars that create a landscape where love, death and your future-self throw a party. Tremble The Sails is filled with pop ecstatics that harken back to the Athens bubble gum psych revival of the 90′s with the occasional nod to Jeff Lynne. Joyful songs like “Breadcrumb Trail” and “Ivory Towers” will transport you, toes-tapping, into visions haunted by regal ancestors, hollow earth, and mystical creatures that give a general feeling that the world is a dark and beautiful place.
This year has been an exciting one for the Buried Beds, including tours with Dr Dog and Murder By Death, as well as, the release of their latest album, “Tremble The Sails,” on March 1st, 2011 via Admiral Byrd Records!
Joshua Marcus performs “Uke Yr Illusion,” his new collection of six arrangements built around simple ukulele tunes. “Uke Yr Illusion” is a refreshing return to simpler songs for Marcus, after a few years performing the complexities of “Reverse the Charges” and seriousness of “This Land” on the banjo. As always, expect a peppering of crafty lyrics and syllabic phrasings, as well as a handful of Joshua’s friends to flush out these tunes on the recording. Tonight he’ll be performing with a band of friends.
After getting his start playing guitar in Philadelphia’s The Trouble with Sweeney, Heyward recently embarked on a solo career. Heyward is currently recording a debut release with a full band and innovative production from the esteemed Chet Delcampo.
Heyward crafts smart, soulful pop music–equal parts British tweed (see Nick Drake, John Cale, The Kinks) and backwoods American (see Bon Iver, M. Ward).
Heyward also sings first tenor in the a capella supergroup Silver Ages with members of The War on Drugs, BC Camplight, Windsor for the Derby, Nightlands, National Eye, Buried Beds, Dr. Dog, Spinto Band, and The Capitol Years/Sweetlights.
Debut LP forthcoming: Winter 2012.
