Kate Faust Eros (self-released) Greek mythology portrayed Eros, the god of love, with none of the impishness or immaturity that has characterized most modern depictions of his Roman counterpart, Cupid. Instead, the O.G. Eros had an intimidating capacity for mind…

Sameer Rao Hop Along Sameer Rao Hop Along Sameer Rao Hop Along Sameer Rao Hop Along Sameer Rao Hop Along Sameer Rao Hop Along Sameer Rao Hop Along What did you do for your mother this Mother’s Day? Whatever it…

Hillary Petrozziello Architect Joel Spivak in his South Philly workshop, attaches pinwheels to this year’s derby entry. Few public spectacles in Philadelphia match the awe and fascination generated by the Kinetic Sculpture Derby, scheduled this year for May 16. Elaborately…

Hillary Petrozziello Ariell Johnson of Amalgam Comics & Coffeehouse Ariell Johnson doesn’t love just comic books — she obsesses over all aspects of geekdom. But that’s not quite what separates the 32-year-old founder of Amalgam Comics & Coffeehouse from the…

Sameer Rao Wrong Sameer Rao Nothing Sameer Rao Nothing Sameer Rao Nothing Sameer Rao Nothing Sameer Rao Nothing Sameer Rao Nothing The recently-renovated, sleeker Underground Arts played host to three of the heaviest, sludgiest bands in contemporary music. Torche headlined…

Maria Pouchnikova STRANGER THAN FICTION: Asali Solomon, author of the new Philly-based book ‘Disgruntled.’ Maria Pouchnikova Maria Pouchnikova In her debut novel Disgruntled (Farrar, Straus & Giroux), West Philadelphia native and Haverford College professor Asali Solomon makes the past relevant…

Hillary Petrozziello Blew Kind promises biscuits and grits every day at the soon-to-open Franny Lou’s Porch. Hillary Petrozziello “I want this to feel like a grandma’s coffeehouse,” says Blew Kind, pictured with son Gibran. Hillary Petrozziello Franny Lou’s Porch is…

“I make my music strictly for the purpose of driving at nighttime.” That’s what Drake told now-disgraced Canadian broadcaster Jian Ghomeshi back in 2013. A simple statement, but it speaks volumes about one of hip-hop’s main (male) punching bags. Drake’s…

Neal Santos Right now, DRGN King appears to be in the middle of a metamorphosis. Over the past four months, the Philly quartet released the acclaimed Baltimore Crush (Bar/None Records), upended their lineup and completed a 20-stop tour. Now, they’re…