Guest VJ Kevin Kennedy previews The Swollen Fox’s Tuesday Tune-Out Lineup series (kicks off at PhilaMOCA tonight)
As we ease our way into autumn, another month of Tuesday Tune-Outs at PhilaMOCA begins tonight. October’s curator is our man Kevin Kennedy, the founder and main blogger over at The Swollen Fox.
When it comes to covering Philly’s live music scene, Kevin is a machine – he runs what’s arguably the most comprehensive concert calendar in the city, and when he’s not listing or announcing shows, he’s attending them, keeping meticulous setlists, and generally being a consummate concert-watcher. (He’s also a fun dude to hang with at shows, trade his Bonnaroo stories for my South By Southwest stories, and nerd out over craft brews.) I’m happy to invite Kevin to our corner of the internet to give an overview of what he’s got in store for the five Tuesdays of October. All events are at PhilaMOCA (531 N. 12th Street), start at 7:30pm and are $5.
From Kevin:
When I first heard about PhilaMOCA’s Tuesday Tune-Out series back in June, I was very excited about the idea. Music and film are a great combination, and I thought it was especially cool that the musicians would be selecting the films. When Eric Besler asked me to curate a month, I was both honored and excited. It was a new and fun experience to put together October’s lineup, and I’m very excited for what’s in store this month. I’m also grateful to John Vettese for asking me to Guest VJ and let The Key’s readers know more about this month’s lineup. So without further ado, here are some videos and thoughts.
Tuesday, 10/2:
August John Lutz II (of Levee Drivers)
When putting together the lineup, October 2nd was the last date left to fill, and I was so excited when August John Lutz II agreed to solidify the lineup. His band, Levee Drivers, have been around the Philly music scene for a few years now, deservedly gaining recognition after winning the 2009 Beta Hi-Fi Festival and The Deli Magazine‘s “Best Philly Emerging Artist” poll in 2010. We’re excited to see him kick off our month tonight with a solo set and a film by a recently-departed English director.
Tuesday, 10/9:
Ron Gallo (of Toy Soldiers) & Thom McCarthy
When I started to think about who I wanted to invite to play this series, Ron Gallo and Thom McCarthy were two of the first artists to pop into my head. I had seen McCarthy open for Gallo’s Toy Soldiers not long before and was completely blown away. He is truly one of Philadelphia’s best kept secrets, an amazing writer and performer. His friend Ron Gallo is another one of Philadelphia’s finest singer-songwriters (and tireless workers) and we couldn’t be more excited to have these two fantastic entertainers on the same bill. The film these two chose or may not be directed by (and starring) a legendary silent-film era comedic star.
Tuesday, 10/16
DRGN KING
I first saw DRGN KING this past February at Johnny Brenda‘s. They were the first opener on a bill that included Fort Lean and NICOS GUN, and they didn’t take long to convert me into a fervent fan. In a crowded music scene both in this city and on the internet, DRGN KING stand out as a truly original band with a great sound and fun live performances. They’ve also often had a projected visual component to their live show, which was one of the reasons I thought to ask them. The band’s film selection may or may not have been scored by Neil Young.
Tuesday, 10/23
The Lawsuits
As a music fan, I’ve always been drawn most to talented singer-songwriters and front men and women. While I love many different genres, my resting pulse is in the americana/folk/rock arena. The Lawsuits are another band with a great songwriter leading the way, Brian Dale Allen Strouse. It doesn’t hurt that he’s got a talented band joining him, and together the group knows how to put on a great show. They also know how to pick a movie, which we can only tell you features one of the 80s most beloved characters (who may or may not wear a bowtie).
Tuesday, 10/30
The Bailey Hounds
When I was putting together this series, it somehow failed to dawn on me that the final Tuesday of the month fell on the night before Halloween. Luckily, this detail did not make it past The Bailey Hounds, who immediately jumped at the idea and suggested a Halloween-themed show. We’ll be decorating PhilaMOCA for the show and showing a classic 70s horror film that was remade almost 10 years ago. Don’t worry, we’ll be screening the original.