Pinhook, on West Main Street, hosted a benefit for the worthy label this past Saturday.  Here’s what the night looked like.

Midtown Dickens rockin’ out with their bluegrassy delightfulness.

Mount Moriah. Definitely worth checkin out.

John Darnielle from The Mountain Goats played solo.  I think Darnielle summed it up when he said, “On any given night being in Durham, North Carolina is the best thing in the world.”

Summertime is well on it’s way in North Carolina with the heat refusing to let up, but this didn’t stop the masses from coming out to enjoy some of their favorite local bands this past Thursday night on the rooftop of the Rosemary street parking garage in Chapel Hill.  Beers from the Carolina Brewery were passed around, sandals were tossed to the side, and the crowds were soaking in the music.

Ryan Gustafson and his crew started the night off.  The open air was filled with brilliantly moody melodies rooted deeply yet possessing a sort of grace that softened the somewhat secretively hidden yet dark lyrics. Ryan’s band is part of the Drughorse Collective, a group of local musicians whose members mingle and mix including Max Indian, Light Pines, The Love Language, among others.  The collaborations all possess their own strengths but  I want to say thank you to the fact that we get to hear Ryan’s incredible vocals as he pulls on the heartstrings of all in ear’s length.  Ryan explained that he started this project because “this was me learning to write music”, and it’s obvious he’s on to something.

Ryan Gustafson will be playing a show in August (check his myspace for details) and is also a part of the Hopscotch Music Festival in September.

At this point in the evening the sun had set, the breeze had set in, which only meant conditions were perfect for the headliner, The Old Ceremony and the fans were psyched to get them on stage and it’s clear why.  Each member seems to be made for each other, with each part being distinct and feeling almost freeform yet completely controlled and together. It’s apparent that these guys have been playing together awhile.  Their music gathers from a wide range of styles and sounds, from post modern pop to hard blues rock and the guys can more than jive with all of it.  Django, the lead vocalist/guitarist, has a voice of true power.  Whether ballad or  a heavy up-tempo, his voice is solid and never seems forced. Honestly, after listening to songs like “Reservations” and “Get to Love” you will have surely developed a new music crush.

The Old Ceremony has a new album coming out titled Tender Age and will be having their release party at the Cat’s Cradle September 17th.  Check them out and I’ll see you there!

Check out ” Ad Rads” newest single “I Heart California.”

Check her out on Monday, May 9th!!!

The Plyamorous Affair release their first diddy off their self-titled sophmore album.   White Hot Magic, falls right in line with the rest of their tracks minimal lyrics, and a badass beat on repeat.  Some how they still remain catchy and fun, perfect for background party tunes.

THE POLYAMOROUS AFFAIR – WHITE HOT MAGIC from Charlie Rose on Vimeo.

FEND can’t be in all places at once, but we can sure as hell try.  To cover situations like the following we sent a writer to Toronto, Canada.  You say party! We say die!, from Vancouver, played Friday night in Toronto at the Phoenix.  The full band is not allowed to make any American show dates until 2011. Why? It appears that one of the members “mis-represented the truth” while trying to cross the border a few months back in attempt to share their indie glory with Canada’s yankee comrades (don’t worry, they have a lawyer from Vermont on the case).

Becky Ninkovic entered the stage wearing a red body suit with fabric connecting from her wrist down to her waist. She looked like a beautiful butterfly or dragonfly with the lights illuminating her radiance from behind.  YSP! WSD! played an exceptional show for a, surprisingly, not sold out show.  The audience was on their side, dancing and singing along much to the credit of the Montreal band they have been touring with, Think About Life.

Think About Life has been making the kids shake their rumps and pump their fists uncontrollably on the Montreal scene for some time.  Damn, I want to dance just at the thought of it.  The bands stage presence was exemplified through their continuity, I thought they might even be having a better time than the adoring fans.  They brought their own glitter and balloons to evoke further kick ass chaos.  A video was posted here of the ass shaking and rump kicking that was seen.  Also, check out front man, Graham Van Pelt’s, other project Miracle Fortress.

The first opener must have taken memos from bands like women and girls in the ungoogleable name department.  The “shitgaze” trio of Little Girls, from Toronto, started out the night.  Much promise, but the lofi goodness wasn’t in effect on Friday.  However, the tunes on their myspace do have the droning goodness we are seeing and enjoying a lot of recently.

With a full five member band and a long beard, Tillman started with a song featuring his voice and acoustic guitar joined later with Fleet Foxes inspired layers of melodic guitar riffs and a folkish drum beat. Each song held its own story or meaning. However, the night’s climax came when Tillman sang, Master’s House, welcoming all, no matter good or evil, to a place of no pain or struggling. Soon after, Tillman led his band in a noise infused melodic jam session, strikingly different than I imagined his live music to be.

After almost 2 hours of religious infused vocal harmonies, layered finger picking guitar leads, and inspired drumming, the audience was in full support of Tillman’s efforts. Impressively honest and vulnerable, the Tillmans brought emotion, serenity, and, well, brotherly love to Philadelphia.