Lushlife, a.k.a. Raj Haldar, has been way too quiet for me. I'm just hoping that it's the calm before the storm. I've been waiting patiently for the release of his collaborative album with CSLSX, but I recent learned the other night that the fate of the electronic group is suspect. I'm really hoping that isn't true for many reasons. However, Lush did share that he just wrapped up work on a new album, and will be taking the stage with some "new jams" this evening at Johnny Brenda's when he opens for Stones Throw's talented wordsmith Homeboy Sandman. It's going to be a welcomed night of cerebral hip hop in Philly. Johnny Brenda's, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 9pm, $15, 21+ - Q.D. Tran

Ever since 2009, producer Brian McTear and his longtime friend Bill Robertson have been using their non-profit organization Weathervane Music as an outlet to create projects to advance independent music and the community that supports it. And its biggest accomplishment through those endeavors has been the Shaking Through series, which documents several artists as they share every process that goes into the birth of one of their songs. And over the years, it has featured a healthy dose of Philly artists such as Creepoid, Strand of Oaks, The Districts, Reading Rainbow (now Bleeding Rainbow) and more. 2014 marks their fifth year of production, and the crew are all set to celebrate with a launch party and Weathervane benefit at Johnny Brenda’s tonight. The evening will feature buzz-worthy former alums dynamic emcee/producer/multi-instrumentalist Lushlife, whose Toynbee Suite was a major highlight of Season 4, and Brooklyn pop-punk outfit The So So Glos. And the fact that acclaimed singer-songwriter Torres is also on the bill may be a hint of what will be coming up for next season. Johnny Brenda’s, 1201 Frankford Ave., 9pm, $8 - $12, 21+ (Photo by Phil Bradshaw) - Bill McThrill

DJ/producer/multi-instrumentalist/record label owner rjd2, a.k.a. Ramble John “RJ” Krohn, skyrocketed to fame and hip-hop credibility thanks to his debut LP Dead Ringer and 2004’s critically acclaimed Since We Last Spoke. None too shabby for a virtuoso who records, arranges, and produces all of his songs in the comfort of his fully furnished basement studio. The Renaissance man is back with his latest sonic journey More Is Than Isn’t, and his homecoming at Union Transfer tonight should be a real throwdown, especially with another Deli favorite, emcee/producer/multi-instrumentalist Lushlife, a.k.a. Raj Haldar, in tow. Lush has been making waves since his head-turning (and bobbing) 2009 mixtape Cassette City. So tonight will be an opportune moment to see him in his element, especially since he’s been crafting a lot of new material that we’ve been patiently waiting for him to unleash. Check out the collaboration that Lushlife did with rjd2, Dave Hartley (The War on Drugs, Nightlands), YIKES the ZERO, and many others for Weathervane Music’s Shaking Through below! Union Transfer, 1026 Spring Garden St., 9pm, $20, All Ages - Bill McThrill

Check out the epic composition that Choice/Cut alumnus Lushlife created for Weathervane Music's Shaking Through called "Toynbee Suite" below! It's a four movement, 10+ minutes hip-hop/orchestral masterpiece that features contributions from rjd2, Dave Hartley (Nightlands, The War on Drugs, etc.), YIKES the ZERO, Ricardo Lagomasino (Many Arms), Joshua Stamper and many others. You can also learn why and how it was created in the video as well. So dope - so proud of our man, Lush!