Mercury Radio Theater, is one of the geekier bands in Philly, fueled by comic books, animation, and sci-fi. Their shows are presented as episodes, and they have compiled different “episodes” over the years through their “Monster Trilogy”. Their new album Kilroy is set to release on September 3rd, and I had the pleasure of listening to it before fans could get their hands on it.

This album is a unique option for music fans in Philadelphia. The sound is chaotic, yet–while listening to it—you can tell that every decision is delicately made. Mercury Radio Theater’s music defiantly has a “theatric” feel to it. Imagine being thrown onto Coney Island in 1945, and all of the music is being amplified by guitar and sped up into a post punk paradise. Throw in some darker Tim Burton and Stolen Babies elements, and you’ve got a killer album. In other words, you’ve got Kilroy.

One brave choice that Mercury Radio Theater makes is that there are no vocals in their album. Yes, Kilroy is mostly music, but it is so strongly structured so that you don’t need lyrics understand what’s happening. You hear it through the music, but this also makes me want to check out a live show! The animation used in their live shows illustrate alongside Mercury Radio Theater’s music.

I was able to sit down with Mercury Radio Theater to ask them a few things about the band and Kilroy. They were very enthusiastic about sharing their musical vision. (more…)

WARNING: Awesome new exhibit includes futuristic greenhouse, experimental music, an original French farce about botany, gastronomic podcasts and GPS treasure hunt.

If First Friday hasn’t been fulfilling your geeky horticultural needs as of the late, hold out an extra week. The American Philosophical Society Museum is going green(house) by presenting a series of five inter-related public programs called “The Greenhouse Projects,” beginning on Friday, September 9, 2011.

Inspired by a current exhibition, the centerpiece is a sustainable greenhouse, designed by award-winning architect Jenny Sabin, that will be installed in American Philosophical Society’s Jefferson Garden (on 5th St between Chestnut and Walnut Streets). The greenhouses are entirely designed/ fabricated using new technologies and recycled materials, funded by a grant from the Heritage Philadelphia Program.

On opening night, volunteers will explain how this ancient way of controlling climate and growing vegetables and flowers out of season can be done, in even the tiniest Philadelphia garden.

Other projects include a sound installation in the greenhouse by composer Kyle Bartlett, a comedy that somehow mixes botany and utopian dreams (presented as part of the Philly Fringe), podcasts on the history of French gastronomy (remember, cooking is a science) and a GPS-guided expedition through the gardens and landmarks of Philadelphia 200 years ago.

Awesome exhibition shall be awesome.

The Greenhouse Projects @ American Philosophical Society Museum
Friday, September 9th
www.apsmuseum.org/greenhouse-projects