Tonight, a pair of excellent new releases are commemorated. Heartfelt harmonious songs that explore personal narratives in an emotively expressive, warm way, Queen of Jeans’s new album, If you're not afraid, I'm not afraid (Topshelf Records), will be celebrated this evening at Boot & Saddle. The songwriting and graceful air of the vocals invite you along for a ride, utilizing delicately detailed instrumental elegance to reinforce the mood with a refined rhythmic drive. 

You can also find Underground Arts hosting Curtis Cooper’s record release celebration, as part of The House Key Showcase, presented by House Cat & The Key. The album holds true to its name, Graceful, as Cooper taps into vulnerability across a diverse musical landscape, which resonates in its authentic, interconnected, ethereal through lines, harnessing a passionate power and precision. (Queen of Jeans Photo by Bob Sweeney) – Michael Colavita 

Other places where you can fall into this weekend…

Boot & Saddle (1131 S. Broad St.) FRI Queen Of Jeans (Album Release), Gladie, SAT Bells, Everywhen, SUN Elison Jackson

Underground Arts (1200 Callowhill St.) FRI XPN Welcomes: The House Key Showcase: Curtis Cooper (Record Release), Amanda X (European Farewell Show), Jacqueline Constance

Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.) FRI West Philadelphia Orchestra, Tubular

Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) FRI DJ Deejay, SAT  DJ Aktive, DJ AMH, SUN Tiny Hueman, Droopies

PhilaMOCA (531 N. 12^th St.) Crypt Sermon (Record Release), Plague Dogs, SAT The Divine Hand Ensemble (10th Anniversary Celebration)

Union Transfer (1026 Spring Garden St,) FRI Soul Glo

The Fillmore Philadelphia (1100 Canal St.) FRI So Far Gone: Dirty South Joe, Magglezzz, SUN Simply Christopher

The Foundry (1000 Frankford Ave.) FRI Goalkeeper, SUN Anthony Green

World Café Live (3025 Walnut St.) FRI (Upstairs) Conjunto Philadelphia

The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) SAT Scarlet and the Degenerates, Socko/Big Mind

MilkBoy Philly (1100 Chestnut St.) FRI Creem Circus, Ruby Dear, SAT CHOP Benefit: Greg Sover Band, Blues Reincarnation Project, Mighty Joe Castro & the Gravamen

Ortlieb’s Lounge (847 N. 3^rd St.) FRI Philip James, Hannah Krupa, Stillwatcher, SAT The Classic Hunt, Rocky Kaminski, Yeenar

The Barbary (951 Frankford Ave.) SUN Bad Heaven Limited, Highnoon, Very Bad Vibes

Silk City (435 Spring Garden St.) FRI DJ Day, Reed Streets, SAT DJ Deejay

Bourbon & Branch (705 N. 2^nd St.) FRI Pizzle and the Sizzle Sisters (Album Release), Euphonious, My Funky Brethren, SAT Stone Cold Grace, SUN Matthew Schuler, Grant Owen, Just Shad 

Fergie’s (1214 Sansom St.) FRI Live Band Karaoke, SAT The Paul Green Rock & Roll Brunch, SUN Rusty Cadillac 

Connie’s Ric Rac (1132 S. 9^th St.) FRI Reverend TJ McGlinchey, The Wonder Bars, Jack Shoudy, SAT Wolves Can't Dance, The Side Chicks, Rabbit Heart

The Tusk (430 South St.) FRI Overcoming Gravity, Ketosis, Loafass, Primadonnaz, SAT The Tone Bandits, Lust for Nothing, Burned In Effigy, Live Not On Evil

Century (1350 S. 29^th St.) SAT PLOT (Tape Release), Nowhere, Body Spray

Voltage Lounge (421 N. 7^th St.) SAT Here/Now, Vague Advice

Morgan’s Pier (221 N. Columbus Blvd.) FRI DJ Beatstreet

The Grape Room (105 Grape St.) FRI Rebecca & The City, Curtis Jr., SAT Pet Lizard, The Smoking Lightbulb

Ardmore Music Hall (23 E. Lancaster Ave.) FRI Spaga, Grimace Federation, SAT AM Radio Tribute Band, Idlewild South 

First Unitarian Church (2125 Chestnut St.) SAT Ramona, Hurry

The Pharmacy (1300 S. 18^th St.) FRI Mike Kennedy, Brushstroke, Shoot the Messenger, SAT The Magnificent Shit Hawks Of The Greater Northern Americas, Manikineter, The Plibmen, Gristmill

Warehouse on Watts (923 N. Watts St.) SAT PiERSON, Jabair .

Anthorna Gallery (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI Noera, Georgey V, Emospacebird

Haus of Yarga (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI Schotzi

Tide Pool (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Yahnboi, Slowsie, Telyscopes, City Dressed

Topshelf Records recently released Queen of Jeans's new LP If you're not afraid, I'm not afraid. Serene, personal narratives reveal intimate, inner workings with a resounding clarity. One becomes swept up by the breezy, beautiful atmospherics. On Friday, September 6, Boot & Saddle will host the trio’s album release celebration, with support from Gladie. (Photo by Bob Sweeney)

Queen of Jeans's forthcoming album, If you're not afraid, I'm not afraid, is slated to arrive on August 23 via Topshelf Records. The trio recently shared a new video, co-directed by Miriam Devora & Bob Sweeney, for its lead single, “Get Lost”. It appears to also mark the departure of Nina Scotto from the group. (You can check the debut single, "Time Is Right," from her new project Pouring Silver HERE.) Addressing feelings of isolation and sadness and coming to terms with them through personal strength and acceptance, the band's latest track gathers anthemic momentum. It's an absolutely lovely sampling of what's to come. You can catch Queen of Jeans headlining Boot & Saddle on Friday, September 6. 

Bummer Presents… recently released The Yellowhammer Fund, a compilation that aims to raise proceeds for its namesake. "The Yellowhammer Fund provides funding for anyone seeking care at one of Alabama's three abortion clinics and will help with other barriers to access (travel, lodging, etc.) as well as able." The nineteen-song collection includes contributions from Philly's own Coping Skills, Big Nothing, and Queen of Jeans, as well as New Jersey's The Carousers covering Modern Baseball's "Your Graduation". Take a listen to a variety of artists below with the added benefit of supporting an excellent cause in the process!

Today, via Topshelf Records, Dig Yourself, the new album from Queen of Jeans, surfaces, and tomorrow evening, Underground Arts will be hosting their record release show, with support from Katie Ellen and Harmony Woods. The album is one that’s layered waves of sound continuously wash over you, gaining personal traction with each additional spin. Much like the ocean’s edge, where the band’s melodic, daydreaming, surf-pop haze transports one’s headspace to, these songs retain a personal warmth and refreshing aesthetic. Exploring the full arc, ranging from the beauty of beginning love, through the dangers of losing your own identity in the process, to the breaking up point, there’s an elegant, charming openness of emotion. An infectious, alluring backbeat and the heart of vocal harmonies breathe life into one’s lungs. Whether it’s marking the highs or lows, there’s a passionate, musical perspective that sticks throughout. In the ongoing evolution and evaluation of yourself, there’s never a bad time to dig in. – Michael Colavita

Other places where you can hide out from your family this Easter weekend…

Underground Arts (1200 Callowhill St.) SAT Queen of Jeans (Record Release), Katie Ellen, Harmony Woods, SUN Jesus Piece, Year Of The Knife

Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.) FRI Carroll, SAT DJ Emynd, Bo Bliz

Boot & Saddle (1131 S. Broad St.) FRI Mutlu, Aaron Parnell Brown

Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) FRI A Victim of Good Times, Your Ghost, The Age Of Truth/DJ Mighty Mike Saga/Philly Soul Syndicate, SAT Wax Wav, Breaklite/Atomic Cretins, Urban Resist/Billa, Diamond Girl, Lisa/DJ Phsh, DJ Hvnlee, SUN B-roc The Prophecy, Normal Gene/Black Urn

PhilaMOCA (531 N. 12^th St.) FRI 5G, 9K,RIP Eternal, Reece Night

The Trocadero (1003 Arch St.) SAT OT The Real, Alex Catrambone

TLA (334 South St.) FRI The Dean Ween Group

The Foundry (1000 Frankford Ave.) FRI Coffin Dust, Fame Lust

World Café Live (3025 Walnut St.) FRI (Upstairs) Rusty Blue, Endless Taile/(Downstairs) Oblivion Her Majesty, Vital Stats, The Off Switch, Ariel, SAT (Upstairs) Butch Zito & The Prine Time Players

The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) FRI Hooded Leaders, StateSchoolGIrl, SAT Please Die/The End A.D., Decontrol

MilkBoy Philly (1100 Chestnut St.) FRI Ill Fated Natives, Ill Doots, SAT Milton, Cypher Clique

Ortlieb’s Lounge (847 N. 3^rd St.) FRI Honeytiger, SAT Oolala, Jacopo De Nicola, Dirty Soap Blues Band / Suburban Living (DJ Set), SUN Knightlife, Brick Nova

The Barbary (951 Frankford Ave.) FRI Pray To Keep, Children’s Books, SAT Karmalatta, Nothing Vital

Bourbon & Branch (705 N. 2^nd St.) FRI Trap Rabbit (EP Release), Darla, SAT Josh Miller, Marc Silver, Nicky P

Silk City (435 Spring Garden St.) FRI Rich Medina, SAT DJ Deejay

Fergie’s (1214 Sansom St.) SAT David Cope, SUN Ben Vaughn Quintet/Rusty Cadillac

Connie’s Ric Rac (1132 S. 9^th St.) FRI Lonesome Crow, Old Fezziwig, T.C. Benjamin, Paul Kurrey, SAT Riverside Odds, Audio Impulse, Roxy Rollz

Voltage Lounge (421 N. 7^th St.) SAT One Take Dave, Alexis Marche, Dahi Divine, C.Jae, Suzanne Sheer, Chill Moody

Frankie Bradley’s (1320 Chancellor St.) FRI Shawn Ryan, SAT Craig Dash

Coda (1712 Walnut St.) FRI Instupendo

The Grape Room (105 Grape St.) FRI Chad Jenkins Band, 46 Shermans, Knightlife, SAT Wolf Accent, The Local Smokes, Cookie Rabinowitz

Ardmore Music Hall (23 E. Lancaster Ave.) FRI Hardwork Movement

First Unitarian Church (2125 Chestnut St.) SAT Moor Mother

The Pharmacy (1300 S. 18^th St.) FRI Big Nothing, Kinda Alright, SAT Jesse Gimbel, Adventure Lost/Greg Mendez, Puppy Angst

The Sound Hole (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI Los Ricos

The Loft (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Kate Dressed Up, Wack Cheddar, Rachel Andie & The V Element