This week’s New Music Friday is a genre-jumping joyride for Sept. 12, 2025. Ed Sheeran surprises fans with “Play,” an experimental project that steps outside his usual singer-songwriter territory. Spinal Tap returns with tongue-in-cheek rock […]
Author: Shaun Smith
Haim Rocks Philly with Thunderous ‘I Quit’ Tour Kickoff at the Mann
After the drum intro to Haim’s “The Steps,” my wife grabbed my arm and asked, “Is the floor shaking?” The balcony of TD Pavilion at the Mann Center for the Performing Arts in Philadelphia was […]
New Music Friday, Sept. 5, 2025
September kicks off with a stacked slate of new releases for New Music Friday, Sept. 5, 2025. Big Thief deliver “Double Infinity,” their most ambitious record yet. Grandson pushes boundaries with the intense and urgent […]
Philadelphia Folk Festival Celebrates 62 Years of Music, Stories and Community
Some things really don’t change and that’s a good thing when talking about the Philadelphia Folk Festival. Aug. 14-17 at the Old Pool Farm in Upper Salford Township, Pennsylvania 2025 marked its 62nd year carrying […]
New Music Friday, Aug. 29, 2025
As August winds down and we say goodbye to summer, this week’s New Music Friday, Aug. 29, 2025 feels like one last sun-soaked playlist before fall takes over. The Beths keep their streak of smart, […]
New Music Friday, Aug. 22, 2025
This week’s New Music Friday for Aug. 22, 2025 brings a beautiful mix of nostalgia, experimentation and raw emotion. Mac DeMarco continues his lo-fi evolution with “Guitar,” a dreamy, melodic exploration of tone and texture. […]
Episode 46 – John Brancy
On this episode of The High Note, I’m joined by Grammy-winning baritone and New Jersey native John Brancy. Called “remarkable” by the “Financial Times” and “powerful” by the “Telegraph,” Brancy has built a career that […]
New Music Friday, Aug. 15, 2025
This week’s New Music Friday for Aug. 15, 2025 is packed with heavy hitters and inspired new voices. Grammy-winning bluegrass phenom Molly Tuttle delivers “So Long Little Miss Sunshine.” Cass McCombs unveils “Interior Live Oak,” […]
Episode 45 – Jayne Toohey
On this episode of The High Note podcast I’m joined by Jayne Toohey — photographer, author and the press contact for the Philadelphia Folk Festival. Jayne is the creative force behind “Smiling Banjo: A Half […]
New Music Friday, Aug. 8, 2025
The summer soundtrack continues to heat up on this week’s New Music Friday for Aug. 8, 2025. Ethel Cain delivers a hauntingly beautiful Southern gothic tale with “Willoughby Tucker, I’ll Always Love You,” her most […]