Hotel Fiction
Hotel Fiction:Hotel Fiction is an Athens, Georgia-based band comprised of Jade Long and JessicaThompson. Both women have been playing music for over ten years and began writing,performing, and playing together in January 2019. In August of that year, Hotel Fiction releasedtheir debut single “Astronaut Kids” which received a warm welcome from the indie scene, andwent on to amass over 2 million global streams.Hotel Fiction’s sound has often been described as genre-fluid, with indie, pop and rockinfluences. With Jade’s dynamic vocals and piano, and Jessica’s complementary lead guitar andharmonies, the two create a sound that invites listeners to settle in and stay a while. For HotelFiction, the no vacancy sign is never illuminated, everyone is accommodated here.During quarantine, the two finished recording their debut album Soft Focus which was releasedin the fall of 2021. The project was met with praise from Atwood Magazine, Early Rising, A1234,and We Are the Guard, and was placed on Spotify editorial lists Fresh Finds and Fresh FindsRock, where it spent eight weeks straight.Most recently, Hotel Fiction has supported Beach Fossils, Adam Melchor, flipturn and TheBrooke and The Bluff. The band released their new EP Enjoy Your Stay on October 28, 2022.Supported By:Air DeviAll shows at Dolphin Tavern are 21+
Solid Bronze
Solid Bronze – Groove-based, psychedelicly-tinged, jazz-informed, hazy funk. Hot off the heels of their sophomore album, Mt. Fuji, the six-piece live lineup brings it all to the stage from deep rhythm section grooves to meditative airiness. The Third Arrangement – In a blend of jazz, funk, rock, and even pop, the sounds range from warm and imaginative to jarring shuffles, which can be heard on their 2019 release Scarecrows up to their newest single “The Look”. Moustapha Noumbissi -Moustapha grew up a participant of many musical traditions, including West African drumming, American pop, and choral music. His latest recordings with producer Lee Clarke favor indie rock and psychedelic soul.
Scan & Dan
Dan Finnemore, one of the two founding members and original songwriters for Low Cut Connie, is returning to the US after 7 years back home in Birmingham, England. Finnemore is joined by his two old tourmates James Everhart (Cosmic Guilt and Scantron) and Will Donnelly (Low Cut Connie, Scantron, Lady HD) and an all-star band composed of members of Philly buzz band, Cosmic Guilt. Expect a night of pure garage rock versions of Finnemore, Scantron, and Cosmic Guilt songs as well as a deep selection of covers. Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 at the door. All shows at Dolphin Tavern are 21+
Moonshine
Depending on whom you ask, the esoteric effects of lunar cycles can be wide-ranging: good fortune, human fertility, ocean tides, werewolf prevalence and loss of sanity among them. For the like-minded musicians, DJs, dancers and visual artists who make up the Moonshine collective, the planetary satellite above all inspires their eponymous monthly event, driven by an inclusive ethos and a shared love for experimentations in dance culture.Since its founding in 2014, Moonshine has carved out an enviable niche in Montréal’s nightlife milieu by celebrating a wide range of fledgling local talents, championing Afro-futuristic, bass-heavy, electro-funk sounds, and bringing together communities that wouldn’t necessarily cross paths otherwise. As the name indicates, the lunar-based Moonshine recipe has the collective throw an all-night, sensory-soaked party on the Saturday after every full moon in ever-shifting, unpredictable locations across the city, always strictly disclosed via text messages. With fresh cuts supplied by resident DJs Pierre Kwenders, San Farafina, and AKantu, visual installations by Boycott, and a slew of live musicians and performers that have included Kaytranada, Dâm-Funk, Le1f, Venus X, Uproot Andy, Bambii and Branko, the parties have become a staple of the after-hours scene, in Canada and abroad, with appearances in NYC, LA, Paris, Brussels, Milan, Lisboa, London, Barcelona and Santiago just to name a few.“The essence of Moonshine came out of parties we used to throw in our kitchens,” recalls Kwenders. “We felt like we couldn’t go out and find what we had cooked up in that kitchen. It’s one of the reasons we started Moonshine: to share that with more people who felt just like us, and who didn’t have access to such sounds or vibes.” Still going strong four years on, Moonshine has also begun making use of the aesthetic, network and structure it established with the parties to promote affiliated artists, expanding its vision from ephemeral moonlit soirées to an expanding catalog of genre-busting music, art and apparel.Doors 9:30pmAll events at Dolphin Tavern are 21+
Sweet Juice Fundraiser
Mister Right: THE bruno mars of Philadelphia! Mister Right has only been doing drag for a year and a half but is taking this city by storm! He’s got the moves/looks/ and the voice. You can never go wrong with Mister Right. Popcorn Daddy: Popcorn Daddy is a pop-folk duo created by Melina Harris and Shona Carr. With an immense appreciation for harmony, these two artists mix earnest, vulnerable songwriting with tongue in cheek social commentary to develop musical performances that are both deep and whimsical. Through their engaging and catchy tunes, Popcorn Daddy aims to share the chemistry and passion of their friendship – or their ‘poppity-pop’ as they like to call it – with audiences everywhere The Lunar Year: The Lunar Year is a rock and roll band from Philadelphia and Katie Hackett is the psychedelic rock and roll poet of The Lunar Year. Hackett was first drawn to songwriting and poetry as an escape from her fundamentalist childhood. After leaving religion in 2016, she entered into a period of reclusiveness, releasing her first two albums in the indie folk/post rock genres (Herodias, 2017) (katie bird, 2020). The project was reborn in 2022 in its current form: an art rock band exploring queerness, environmentalism and the surreal. The band went on 3 full length tours in 2023 in support of their new single Don’t Kiss Strangers. Sarah Knittel Sarah Knittel is a theater artist, festival co-founder, event producer, and clown. She helped found Free Fringe Philly festival, which creates accessibility to Fringe work in Philadelphia by eliminating costs and ticket prices while supporting the artists. Free Fringe Philly won a coveted arts spot on the Best Of 2021 list from Philly Magazine. Sarah on a stage has been described as “totally engaging” and “the work of a pro, fearlessly engaging the audience from start to finish, until we are all practically co-stars, or at least co-conspirators.” (Broad St Review) Hailed “Philly Actors Who Are Better Than You (at acting)…” (Phindie) The creator of Ben Franklin Sex Party and NIGHTMARE FUEL, a brutal clown show, which won the “Spirit of the Fringe” award in 2019 at Cincinnati Fringe. It was also one of the recipients of 1812’s Jilline Ringle Fund. It garnered four stars in Edinburgh Fringe and was lauded as “a quintessential niche fringe experience” by the Wee Review. She produces a multitude of events throughout Philadelphia including a monthly variety show called HELLRIDE, Mischief Night, and Hellride Freak Mic (the only alt mic in Philly). doll.redacted Although DJ doll.redacted has only been on the scene for a year and a half, he has quickly become one of the go-to house selectors in the Philly underground scene. While he considers disco his first love, his speciality is combining his love for house, techno & pop to create powerful & playful dancefloor moments. When doll.redacted is in control of the dancefloor, you can expect heavy 90s house vocals, cheeky pop edits, disco classics, lush techno and more. He runs a monthly party, Diva Worship, at Dolphin Tavern first Thursdays of the month, which focuses on Femme-Forward dance music. Sug Daniels Sug Daniels is a Delaware born, Philadelphia based, singer-songwriter story-teller, and producer who is using the tools around her to capture the emotions of an era. Daniels’ work is as colorful, vulnerable, and charismatic as her personality. She thoughtfully combines elements of folk, R&B, and soul alternatives to create personal and tender music interlaced with messages of truth and positive change.
LUNACY
BLOODSTREAM Presents:LUNACYShanghai BeachChains of DesireThe Dolphin Friday, August 16$12 Advance, $15 Door21+ LUNACY LUNACY, a dystopian shadow figure located in rural Pennsylvania – which is a character set in the empty corroded future that focuses on themes of loneliness, emptiness, and mental illness. A character that often fits the description of late 80’s and early 90’s post-apocalyptic films. The project rose to the surface in 2016 releasing a set of 4 track demo recordings and consistently released material every 6 months until the release of the debut album “Age Of Truth” on Third Coming Records in Winter 2019. All releases have always been based around art and design of a specific release and have always been released in limited colorways, always selling out quickly. The project often described as lo-fi, noise and ambient explores different elements of shoegaze, minimal synth & post punk while developing a sound unique and identifiable to the project. https://lunacy.bandcamp.com/ Shanghai BeachShanghai Beach is the dark minimal synthpop solo project of Brooklyn-based Steven Salazar. With influences running from obscure 80s minimal synth music and noir style films, Shanghai Beach creates a cinematic environment for your ears. He has been a staple in Brooklyn’s dark underground scene for the past several years and has toured extensively in the US. https://shanghaibeach.bandcamp.com/ Chains of DesireChains Of Desire is a Columbus, OH based solo project of Jonathan Thompson (Child of Night). The sound is an amalgam of synthpop and industrial that channels the sounds of decay.https://chainsofdesire.bandcamp.com/
Scorched Koser Bee Monsters
KOSER is an award winning fun and frisky five piece, with Thin Lizzy guitars and Amy Winehouse vocals. KOSER swims in the alt rock pool, diving deep into the galactic glitter grunge side. KOSER is known for their infectious stage presence, punchy hook writing, and impressive genre melting. If you’ve ever wondered what a two-headed sax man looks like, come to a KOSER gig and they’ll show you. Scorched Waves, is an indie rock sensation hailing from Stevens Point, WI. Self described as “Groove-Punk” The quintet has comparable sounds to the likes of Arctic Monkeys, The Killers, The Bravery, and The Kooks offering a unique blend of Indie/Alternative Rock, Post Punk, and Pop Punk. BEES! is an Arcade Rock band from Philadelphia. It’s not like they’re the bees; it’s more like you’re in a horror movie being chased by giant radioactive bees, screaming “BEES!” Inspired by The Presidents of the United States of America, Queens of the Stone Age, and the music from Super Mario World, a BEES! show feels like you’re back in a 90s arcade. Sacred Monsters bring forth a unique blend of raw emotion and unapologetic energy, crafting what they proudly dub as “sad girl rock.” Drawing inspiration from the grunge-infused sounds of Veruca Salt and the Breeders, while also tipping their hat to the infectious hooks of Weezer, Sacred Monsters carve out their own sonic niche in the Philly indie rock scene. ALL EVENTS AT DOLPHIN TAVERN ARE 21+
Puppy Angst
Puppy Angst Puppy Angst is a gazy dreamy fuzz pop band from Philadelphia started by Alyssa Milman (guitar, vocals). Alyssa’s songwriting combines raw, diary-like lyricism colored by the biting introspection of adulthood with shoegaze and dream pop influences, resulting in tracks that tell a noisy and unapologetic coming-of-age story. Dan Leinweber (guitar, vocals), John Heywood (bass), and Eric Naroden (drums) round out the rest of the band. As of February 2023, Pauli Mia has joined on synth and backing vocals. Alyssa previously toured with fellow Philly pop outfit Kississippi, and their past projects include Past Life and Blushed, in which they were a founding member. Dan played lead guitar in Blushed alongside Alyssa, and currently also creates music under his projects Greenspace and Radial Gradient. John plays bass in Alex G, Eric is the frontman of In Lieu of Roses, and Pauli is the frontwoman of Twin Princess. Creeping Charlie (MN) Creeping Charlie “makes music for cool older sisters” extending from sublime ballads to indie and punk rock. Comprised of sister duo Julia (lead singer/ guitarist/ songwriter) and Esmé Eubanks (bassist), later incorporating Jack Malone (drums) and Harry Miles of Atomic Cafe (guitar), the band released their debut EP Asymmetrical in May, 2020, and it landed high on the NACC radio chart, tying with iconic acts like Car Seat Headrest and STRFKR. Inspired by the likes of Mazzy Star, Built to Spill, and Nirvana, be prepared to both cry and get sucked into a mosh pit at their shows. Julia Eubanks draws from a broad palette of influences, blending a Patti Smith early punk ethos through a guitar-driven 90’s Seattle pastiche, interweaving sonic experimentation with irresistible hooks. The 10 tracks on How to Kill Creeping Charlie— ranging from quietly reflective to all-out rocking— paint a vivid picture of youth and the alienating times we live in, and how to find redemption. Since its recent origin, the band has taken the Minneapolis music scene by storm. creeping charlie is bigger than the recordings— it’s invasive and everywhere. You may be wondering How to Kill Creeping Charlie; you can’t. Spirit Weak If Drug Church, Pup and The Menzingers walked into a bar, Spirit Weak would be the punchline. Spirit Weak is a South Philadelphia punk adjacent band. Before becoming a full fledged band, Spirit Weak was a solo recording project spearheaded by Mazz Cardone , who began booking and playing punk shows in Philadelphia in his early teens. In March of 2023 Spirit Weak assembled as a full band, and had two months to write a set for their first show. Spirit Weak played their first show on May 16th 2023, with Dead Bars; and they hit the ground running. Since, Spirit Weak has been booked with Off With Their Heads, New Junk City, Dead Bars, Timeshares, Mercy Union, Dosser, Sekunderna, Friend, Froggy, Church Girls, Heavy Lag and many more! In Lieu of Roses In Lieu of Roses worked quietly and diligently in Philadelphia from their start in 2019 before releasing their first offering some two years later, a single to prelude their new self-released EP. The single, an organ-led indie blues song called “Side by Side,” dropped in April. That EP, called Please Send, came in June. 2022’s Please Send is largely characterized by that initial blues rock style, with singer/guitarist Eric Naroden stepping between croons and howls akin to Modest Mouse and Bon Iver. Each song on Please Send swings, but also has a heavy indie rock feel and dynamic control that usually only acts with many years behind them can create. A year later, In Lieu Of Roses returns with For Eternity, another self-released EP designed to show a different side of the group.
KulfiGirls
KulfiGirls are a Philly based band whose style is a cross-cultural tapestry marked by prominent use of the Saraswati veena. Front woman and veena player, Abi and Joan, the guitarist, fuse melancholic harmonies and aggressive distortions of various Western influences with Abi’s Carnatic roots. Underpinned by Adesola’s relentlessly in-your-face rhythms and the wide-spanning multi-talent Stephanie, the Kulfi Girls are one of Philadelphia’s most dynamic, evocative, and diverse new groups on the music scene. Their debut album “Divinity” from earlier this year combines classic rock elements with an experimental ensemble of instruments. https://www.kulfigirls.com/ Scuzzy-indie-glitter-rock from Brooklyn! Big Girl’s performances are surreal, heavy-hitting, and high-energy, with angular melodic guitar parts, ferocious vocals, and over-the-top onstage theatrics. The result is their own blend of biting punk mixed with intimate Mitski-like lyrical authenticity. It’s campy, it’s fun, and it feels like friendship. Liable to make you dance, cry, and maybe even quit your job. Instagram The Noisy is a dream pop/synth soft rock band based in Philly, originally formed in Knoxville, TN, where frontperson Sara Mae studied poetry. They released The Secret Ingredient is More Meat, their debut LP, spring 2024. For fans of Japanese Breakfast and Jay Som, with a touch of Chappell Roan. The Noisy is currently working on LP2, and is releasing a deluxe album, The Secret Ingredient is Even More Meat, with Audio Antihero in the fall of 2025. Instagram All events at Dolphin Tavern are 21+
Jennifer Vanilla
Jennifer Vanilla w/ Cheeky and Trans Zimmer Described by fans as “Madonna meets Hey Arnold meets Michael Alig meets Grace Jones meets infinity,” Jennifer Vanilla is the persona-driven fantasy vessel LARPed into reality by performance artist Kye Grant (once a longtime member of NYC indie outfit Ava Luna). Known for their dynamic interactive performances, Jennifer is an ecstatic hypist brought to life inside the temporary collective formed during their live shows. Their new album Castle in the Sky—”an addictive morphine drip of synths and art pop” (Nylon) inspired by the likes of Deee-lite and Will Powers— is out on Sinderlyn Records with remixes by musclecars, Jerry Paper, and Love Injection. This performance will be a special live set with collaborator Brian Abelson on the decks. All events at Dolphin Tavern are 21+