What we're checking out this week!
Friday, November 14: Ground Up
Ground Up is Azar (Alexander Azar), Malakai (Malcolm McDowell), and Bij Lincs (Bijan Houshiarnejad) — three friends who craft warm, engaging rap — and who pride themselves on their "skill over swag," DIY mentality. Formed more than a half decade back when MCs Azar and Malakai joined forces freshman year at Temple University (with producer Bij Lincs comes aboard soon after) — the group won fans with smart rhymes, sultry vibes, and several high-profile performances — including opening slots for Wu-Tang Clan, Asher Roth, and Rick Ross — all booked DIY style, by the band and their "staff" of friends and family. Along the way, they also dropped dozens of killer mix tapes, and boast the rare ability to make Bucks County seem like the most bad-ass place on earth. But what we really love about these guys is their live chops, and their ability to turn any night into a killer party. They headline Union Transfer this Friday; check out new single "Wrath of God" to get psyched … then consider scooping up your tix early, as this one is likely to sell out.
8:30 at Union Transfer, 1026 Spring Garden St., $15–16. Tickets available here.
Saturday, November 15: Lauryn Hill
How strange it must be to be Lauryn Hill in 2014. It's been 16 years (yes, really) since the release of her epic, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill … which pretty much blew my and everyone else's mind when it dropped. Since then however, Hill's story has been less impressive — she suffered a much-publicized mental breakdown; toured with The Fugees, only to be blamed for their demise; and served 3 months in prison for tax evasion. Her handful of scheduled performances have been peppered with cancellations, late arrivals, and unpopular songs sung without conviction; a popular Medium post even circulated titled "It's Finally Time to Stop Caring About Lauryn Hill." Which of course begs the question: why should we care? It might be a hard sell, but the fact remains that Hill is capable of delivering stunning, memorable performances … and the very fact that she's touring again hints at a return to form. But perhaps more intriguing to me is the chance to catch an artist at their most vulnerable, to really understand the strange and twisted forces behind the music. This is why we go see bands like Neutral Milk Hotel, and this is why we should go see Lauryn. It might be a complete sh-tshow … but that's a risk we're willing to take.
8:00 at the Electric Factory, 421. N. 7th St., $59.50–100. Tickets available here.
Saturday, November 15: Restorations
Restorations hail from South Philly, land of hoagies, dive bars, and blocks upon blocks of row homes (including my own!) If someone asked me what South Philly sounds like, I'm not sure I could answer … except for maybe the cheers of football fans every time the Birds score. But if I thought about it some more, I might say "like Restorations" — a band difficult to categorize it its own right (they joke that "everyone has a different view") — but who effortlessly capture the energy and grit and wily hope of South Philly through racing guitars and gruff, cathartic vocals. Formed in 2008 by Jon Loudon and Dave Klyman, Restorations began as a low-key side project and grew gradually into the sprawling force they are today, thanks to a little buzz and an explosive live show. Along the way they released two records, and now celebrate their third. Produced by Jon Low (Kurt Vile, Sharon Van Etten) at Miner Street Studios, the record — titled, appropriately, LP3 — tackles big subjects like uncertainty and wasted potential while still being totally fun to rock out to. They bring it to life this Saturday; go hear what South Philly sounds like.
8:00 at the First Unitarian Church, 2125 Chestnut St., $13. Tickets available here.
Monday, November 17: TV on the Radio
When TV on the Radio first burst out of Brooklyn and onto the scene, like fired-up ions looking to react — it couldn't have come at a better time. It was the early 2000s and the post-punk revolution was underway; TV on the Radio split the difference between moody rockers and glitchy, dance-punk, resulting in something that felt intimate and honest but you could still totally dance to. Then, when many of the others bands that populated that same moment fizzled out or became lame — TV on the Radio kept going strong (even their side projects were awesome). Yet I always personally felt that TV on the Radio were more than the sum of their parts. There's something urgent and slightly ragged about Tunde Adepimbe's vocals that always makes me feel like he's singing these songs because he needs to — and coupled with Dave Sitek's beats, songs take on an oddly cathartic quality. These days, the band is touring behind new record Seeds, due out the 18th — but will treat fans to an early listen the night before, as a special reward for going out on a Monday.
8:30 at Union Transfer, 1026 Spring Garden St., $30. Tickets available here.