10 in 10

In the past 10 days we have held 10 sold out events–ranging from quizzos to benefit shows, and performances of all different genres in between! To thank you for keeping us so busy, we’re giving one lucky winner a 10 SHOW PASS! But first, a look back at our 10 monumental events…

2/18: Flor

Despite using their songs to explore feelings of longing, heartache, anxiety, and self-doubt, flor‘s synth-driven, alt-pop flooded Upstairs with positive energy as the audience bounced and sang along in unison.

2/18: Office Quizzo (2 sessions!)

 

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Not once, but twice in one day were people lined up all the way down to 30th Street for “The Office” Quizzo. We never anticipated this kind of response, and are so positively overwhelmed. Stay tuned for details regarding our next quizzo: “Parks and Recreation.”

2/20: Gin Blossoms

For more than two decades, Gin Blossoms have defined the sound of jangle pop. This year marked the 25th anniversary of their hit record, New Miserable Experience, and their celebratory performance just goes to show how timeless the tracks really are.

2/21: Phoebe Bridgers

 

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L.A.-based, folk-rock artist, Phoebe Bridgers, brought together people of all ages for a truly one-of-a-kind evening–twinkle lights warmly glowing as Bridgers captivated the audience with her songs of mourning, intimacy, and loneliness. Be sure to check out our recent interview with the rising star, as well as Time Out Philadelphia’s recap of Wednesday’s show.

2/22: Rhett Miller & Evan Felker

 

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On Thursday, Rhett Miller of Old 97’s and Evan Felker of Turnpike Troubadors joined one another on the Downstairs stage for a unique, acoustic song swap–playing stripped down versions of some of their bands’ popular songs as they both first envisioned them. In case you missed out, find out more about the evening via Time Out Philadelphia.

2/23: Travis Greene

Photo by: @jordanaytch

Growing up with a mother who was a minister and choir director, Travis Greene says that gospel music “was like oxygen in our house, always part of my life.” Likewise, Greene’s masterful fusion of music and ministry filled the air Downstairs on Friday night.

2/24: The Miners Breast Cancer Benefit

The Miners, Ballard Spahr Galactica, and Solar Plexus packed the Upstairs for Saturday’s Living Beyond Breast Cancer Benefit. It was really special seeing so many people come together to support such an important organization, as well as local artists.

2/25: Kids Rock Philly

The inaugural Kids Rock Philly brought together 400 kids from five regional Schools of Rock in a six hour festival-style concert across both our Upstairs and Downstairs Live stages. All proceeds went to the nonprofit in residence LiveConnections, which helps under-resourced schools in the area. Check out a video recap from 6ABC!

2/27: Tyler Childers

 

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People from all over came out for a care-free evening with Kentucky singer-songwriter, Tyler Childers, with Nashville’s Kelsey Waldon.

+ Bonus Sellout! Did you know that WCL also presents rising and national acts at other venues in the region? We were proud to bring the definitive Allman Brothers Tribute Band, Live at the Fillmore, to the Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center in West Chester on Friday, February 23rd to a sold out crowd.

Whether you made it out to one of these 10 events, or you’ve joined us in the past for a concert, beer fest, quizzo, benefit show, live podcast, poetry reading, and beyond – THANK YOU!

Tag a friend in our recent Facebook post for your chance to win a 10 SHOW PASS–allowing you and a guest to attend any 10 WCL shows through the end of the year for FREE!

In The Spotlight: Stooges Brass Band, The Crooked Vines

By Tate Kamish

After our second ever World Cafe Live Spotlight Artist show, we are confident that  The Crooked Vines and The Stooges Brass Band  will soon be household names for fans of funk, jazz, and so much in between.

In the spirit of Mardi Gras, The Crooked Vines started off the evening with a funk-fueled, pop set, after which one enthusiastic woman told me we “should definitely have this band back!”

The Stooges Brass Band has earned their rank as one of the elite brass bands in New Orleans. The band consistently provides a welcome blast of true New Orleans spirit, engaging audiences with their innovative blend of traditional New Orleans brass sounds, contemporary jazz and hip-hop beats.

Friday’s performance proved to be no different in that the room was flooded with energy, bringing out a diverse crowd with one thing in common: everyone came ready to dance–mirroring The Stooges’ steps the whole time.

Next up under the World Cafe Live Spotlight are local artists, Kingsley Ibeneche & Taylor Kelly on March 28th, followed by Motel Radio with Quiet Hollers on April 19th!

Although the events are FREE, we ask that you please RSVP ahead of time. We hope to see you then!

Local Lineup: Ceramic Animal + Sixteen Jackies

By: Tate Kamish

In preparation for Saturday’s show with Dr. Danny (of The Lemon Twigs), we wanted to get to know our local artists, Ceramic Animal and Sixteen Jackies, a little bit better. Read on to find out more about some of their favorite places to go in Philly, pre-show rituals, dream reality TV shows, and more! For tickets, click here.

Ceramic Animal

How long have you been playing together as a group?

Warren, Elliott, and I are brothers, we have been playing together since we were squirts. We started playing out together maybe 4 or 5 years ago doing covers. Then Ceramic Animal came on about 2 years ago. Our first bassist left the band, so our friend Dallas hopped on board about 6 months ago which has been great. – Erik

Do you have any pre-show rituals?

We first show glory to the Gods by exhibiting our strength and endurance. We do this by seeing who can lift Erik the highest off of the ground. Dallas is the current record holder but he has the height advantage and also the longest arms. Elliott almost had him beat but the grip in El’s left hand is much weaker than his right – this made the initial heave lopsided and upon reaching apex, Erik’s right foot was lower than his left (the lowest portion of Erik’s body is the official result). After that we participate in the ceremonial Purgato Vestimenta Sua or “The Steaming of the Suit”. This is where we steam out the wrinkles in our handsome suits. We do this for 30 minutes in absolute silence. We then slue some swill and I change my strings. – Warren

What are some of your favorite things to do/places to go in Philly?

We usually kick around Northern Liberties or Fishburgh. I like Ortlieb’s because that is where me and my best cronies go. – Warren

How do you think Philly has shaped you as a band–if you think it has?

Well, we used to say we were a band from Doylestown but now we trick everyone by saying we are a band from Philly 🙂 – but really much of what I write about stems from experiences I’ve had here. We have also met a lot of good cats that have guided us with advice and shows when we were first kicking off. – Warren

What kind of experience do you want to create at your shows?

We want to bring energy, we want to expand the album tracks and make sure that the songs feel live. I have always dug the idea that the record and the live set are two unique experiences. There are also a few distinct original songs we only play at our shows. – Warren

Congrats on qualifying for SXSW. How do you feel about that?

It’s a real treat, something we have been looking forward to for a while. There are a lot of bands we want to see, as well as supporting our Philly m8s. We really just want to soak as much in as possible. – Warren

Given that your name is Ceramic Animal, what do you think the “spirit animal” of the band would be?

Probably the Ouroboros. – Erik

Ceramic Animal’s second album is due out this spring. In the meantime, you can marinate in their dreamy single, “So Familiar,” below:

Sixteen Jackies

Questions answered by lead singer, Joey DeMarco–pictured on the far left. 

How long have you been playing together as a group?

We’ve been playing together since May of 2016 but before that all of us have had previous projects with Ian (our drummer) over the years. You can still find two of them, Teenage Mysticism and The Plums, here and there on the internet.

Are you all from Philly?

Everyone in the band besides me is from York, PA. I’m from Fredericksburg, VA but I lived in York back in 2012 which is when I met all of them.

What are some of your favorite spots in Philly?

To be honest my personal favorite spots in Philly are the three Ritz theaters in Old City. They’re basically my church.

Who would your dream collaboration be with? Dead or alive…

My dream collaboration would be with Brian Eno as a producer in the mid 70s, around the time he was working with Devo, Bowie and countless others. He truly was a wellspring of shocking and fun ideas that still seem inventive 40 years later. Collaborating with Bjork or Kanye wouldn’t be too shabby either…

I heard you are a big fan of horror movies… What is your favorite horror movie? Why?

My three favorite horror movies (a.k.a. my favorite movies) right now are Whatever Happened To Baby Jane (1962), The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974), and Black Christmas (1974) but if you really twisted my arm I’d say Texas Chainsaw is my favorite. I love the gritty camerawork and am floored by the level of savagery Tobe Hooper was able to conjure so early on in the development of “the slasher film” as a genre. There are a ton of interesting ideas at play and the last 30 minutes couldn’t be more sonically abrasive and horrifying. The last song off of our upcoming EP is called “VHS #2 (Masks)” and I pulled all sorts of images and actions from TCM for the lyrics.

How do you want the audience to feel at your shows?

If they’re a stiff type of person that isn’t into the idea of seeing a performer in drag or in general is just too easily shocked, I’d like to be the hand that pushes them out of their comfort zone, encourages them to let their freak flag fly, and hopefully gets them to move their hips a little. As for all the weirdos and freaks out there I just want them do be hyped on what we’re doing and I want to be a voice that emboldens their creativity and willingness to stand out in the crowd, like what Bowie was for teenagers back in the day. I know I’m not that voice yet but, y’know… hopefully someday.

Describe your music in one word.

Saucy.

What was your AIM username?

What’s funny is I used AIM every single day of my like back when I was 14 and 15 and I have no idea what my username was.

If you had to come up with a concept for a reality TV show, what would it be?

Ok so get this, a celebrity murder-mystery dinner party type thing with John Waters as the host. Famous people getting “killed off” one by one while the remaining contestants try to find the killer. Some ideas for guests on the first episode: Nicole Kidman, Uma Thurman, Crispin Glover, RuPaul, and Nicholas Cage. I dunno, I’d watch it.

Sixteen Jackies just released their first EP, Movie Was Bad , this fall, and will be releasing their debut LP this spring via Born Losers Records.

 

Beats, Brews, & BBQ 2018

This past December marked the 10th annual Winter Beer Fest. Guests enjoyed samples from a variety of breweries both near and far as well as delicious food prepared by our Executive Chef, Rob Cottman. Plus, the beloved Whiskeyhickon Boys performed not one, but two sets!   

Photo by: Jonathan Pearson

Bummed you missed out on all the fun? Eager to do it again? We’ve got you covered, and this time with 4x as many tables of beer! Our 14th annual Beats, Brews & BBQ is happening on February 24th. Starting at 1pm, we will be pouring beers from over 40 breweries, including year-round offerings, seasonals, and rarities.

Photo by: Jonathan Pearson

“We are really trying to put together a nice mix of larger national and international craft breweries as well as up-and-coming local and regional breweries, including stuff that is new to the market,” explains our Bar Manager, Shane Flanders, “There will be something for everyone.” 

Tickets include 3oz. samples of all the beers, the best of barbecue, and a performance by the Bob Lowery Band. Plus, brewery reps will be present to answer any and all questions you may have about their products! 

Pretty sweet deal, right?

It gets better.

By upgrading to a VIP ticket, guests will be able to enjoy all beers plus a few VIP exclusives–including the legendary imperial, Molotov Surprise, from Evil Twin Brewing. For tickets and more information, visit our website.

P.S. Don’t drink and drive! World Cafe Live is conveniently located just two blocks from 30th Street Station, and on the route of several SEPTA bus lines, allowing you to enjoy sampling several beers without the worry of driving home afterward.

Phoebe Bridgers on her songwriting process, biggest inspirations, 2018 goals

By: Tate Kamish

Over a cup of coffee on a snowy afternoon, I had the pleasure of chatting with Los Angeles-based, folk-rock musician, Phoebe Bridgers. Well, she was making coffee as we spoke on the phone just a few days before embarking on tour. Although the 23-year-old has already toured with a handful of notable artists, including Julien Baker and Conor Oberst, this will be her first tour where she is headlining–with the exception of a couple of dates supporting Bon Iver.

“I’m actually really curious to see who comes to these shows,” she says with excitement in her voice, “I don’t really know what my demographic is or if my shows are loud or quiet… that sorta thing.”

Reflecting on her last tour with Conor Oberst, Bridgers has nothing but positive remarks: “He’s the best. Truly. I was on the bus by myself one time with him and 13 of his friends, and everybody was so nice to me to the point where they were buying me all this chocolate like, try this one; try this one!” She adds, “And I love chocolate.”

People often say, don’t meet your heroes, for fear of being disappointed, but for Bridgers, it seems to have worked out perfectly. Growing up, she really connected with the music of Oberst and Elliott Smith, who were inspired by Joni Mitchell, Jackson Browne, and Neil Young–some of her favorite artists as well.

“My first concert was Kelly Clarkson; I was obsessed. Then I saw Neil Young the same year,” she laughs before adding with confidence, “That tells you more about me than any other question will.”

Bridgers’ debut LP, Stranger in the Alps, is a collection of hauntingly beautiful, intimate songs about loneliness, relationships, and death. On her songwriting process, Bridgers explains, “I have an ongoing note on my phone of weird stuff that I feel like would make it into a song. Basically I tweet at myself all day, [or] I’ll have a melody in my head and the words will just come naturally.” She pauses, “A lot of times I’ll write from the inside out.”

Despite her songs having a dark overtone, Bridgers seems to have a very bright disposition. She reveals that she is  happiest when outside, naming the Griffith Observatory as one of her go-to spots. In fact, one of her favorite parts of touring is seeing aspects of nature that she has not yet experienced, and asking locals about their favorite hikes and trails.  

Likewise, Bridgers deeply values connecting with her audiences: “I’ll have amazing conversations with audience members. I like that people bring themselves and their lives to my shows.” With each performance, she wants to inspire more women to write songs of their own. 

Bridgers is also itching to record again, hoping to simultaneously find some studio time and “still love touring,” by the end of the year. Until then, she will continue the ongoing stream-of-consciousness on her phone, maybe even including some of her most-used emojis–

WXPN welcomes Phoebe Bridgers and Soccer Mommy to the World Cafe Live stage on February 21st. For tickets and more information, visit our website.