Weekend Picks: Lovedrug at North Star Bar, Cheers Elephant at Kung Fu Necktie, Tin Hat at World Cafe Live

FRIDAY, APRIL 13th
Back in March, the Canton, OH-based indie-rock quartet Lovedrug released its fourth full-length album, Wild Blood, but the road to the record’s release was a rocky one. After the band’s label, The Militia Group, folded, the band created a fan-driven PledgeMusic campaign called “I AM LOVEDRUG”  to help fund a 2011 album. Thankfully, its monetary goal was reached within just a few short months. It’s no wonder listeners were eager to help; Lovedrug’s sound is consistent and expressive, combining carefully placed major and minor tones with shy vocals that when combined create a rich sound with a splash of sorrow. Lovedrug fans needn’t worry, as not only does the band have talent but maintains an optimistic, goal-achieving outlook on its future. Lovedrug performs with The Last Royals and Talain Rayne at 9 p.m. at North Star Bar; tickets to the 21+ show are $10 – $12. —Lisa Henderson

Also Playing: Bad Veins + The Fleeting Ends, Cold Fronts at Milkboy Philly (9:30 p.m., 21+, $8); Blayer Pointdujour at Kung Fu Necktie (10:30 p.m., 21+, $5); Chain And The Gang + Bleeding Rainbow, Coasting at PhilaMOCA (8:30 p.m., all ages, $10); Converge + Pianos Become The Teeth, Loma Prieta, Git Some, Birds In Row at Union Transfer (7:30 p.m., all ages, $15); The Ting Tings + MNDR at The Trocadero (8 p.m., all ages, $23)

SATURDAY, APRIL 14th
Cheers Elephant has never been good at staying still. The psych-pop quartet is known for jumping around and dancing on stage—and the band’s new music video for “Doin’ It, Right” encompasses the spirit of their live shows. The video features the members running around Philly, and includes a curious dance number on the Broad Street Subway. The track comes from the band’s new album Like Wind Blows Fire, which will be released April 24th. Continuing in their refusal to sit down, Cheers Elephant will be playing a string of concerts around the city on Record Store Day to promote the album. Cheers Elephant performs with Conversations With Enemies, Plumes and Vintage Kicks at 2:30 P.M. at Kung Fu Necktie; tickets to the all-ages show are $10. —Nicole Soll

Through use of accordion and aged-wood acoustic string instruments, the San Francisco-based chamber-music group Tin Hat creates music reminiscent of jazz, folk and classical combined. Carla Kihlstedt adds elegance to the dark tone of most Tin Hat songs with breathy soprano vocals, though some pieces are wordless, contributing to the clandestine feel. Tin Hat has discovered the perfect formula for keeping listeners guessing and wondering what’s to come. Tin Hat performs at World Café Live at 8 p.m.; tickets to the all-ages show are $22. —Lisa Henderson

Also Playing: Attic Dancers + Ruby The Hatchet, Paper Masques at Kung Fu Necktie (7:30 p.m., 21+, $8)

SUNDAY, APRIL 15th
Crystal Stilts + Poor Moon at Johnny Brenda’s (9 p.m., 21+, $10–$12); Say Anything + Kevin Devine And The Goddman Band, Fake Problems, Tallhart at Theatre Of Living Arts (6 p.m., all ages, $18)