Last year, Japanese Breakfast recorded a couple of tracks using a Tascam recorder as part of Polyvinyl's 4-Track Singles Series, which was previously only available on vinyl. You can now listen to "2042" and "Posing in Bondage" below via Spotify. The songs harken back to Michelle Zauner's earlier lo-fi, solo demos, before she settled on releasing material under her current moniker. Japanese Breakfast will be doing a three-night run at Johnny Brenda's to close out 2018, and for those who can't wait that long and are willing to take a mini road trip, Zauner and friends have a free performance scheduled on Friday, November 16 at Dogfish Head's 8th annual Analog-A-Go-Go festival in Milton, Delaware.

Michelle Zauner, a.k.a. Japanese Breakfast, just shared that she'll be working on the soundtrack for another video game called Sable. (Last year, Zauner posted an online roleplaying game that she named Japanese Breakfast.) Her latest project is "a coming-of-age tale of discovery through exploration across a strikingly rendered open world desert." Below is the video for Sable's announcement trailer, which also contains the soundtrack's lead single, "Glider". The animation was provided by Micah Holland. The video game is scheduled for release in 2019 for PC and console.

For better or worse, we’ll always associate The Cranberries' “Dreams” with a scene from The Next Karate Kid. Known for including the 90’s staple in their live sets, Michelle Zauner & her Japanese Breakfast brethren recently recorded the song (paired with “Road Head”) as part of the Spotify Singles Series. An homage to the late Dolores O’Riordan, the group embraces the head-clearing climbs, with a bit of raw guitar thrown in for good measure, creating a powerful performance. You can catch Japanese Breakfast on Sunday, June 3 at Union Transfer, supported by Radiator Hospital and LVL UP.

In the midst of this deep freeze, one may be eyeing warmer climates. In that vein, Japanese Breakfast recently re-imagined The Mamas & The Papas' classic “California Dreamin” as part of a SiriusXMU session. This take hauntingly awakens, accompanied by synth, before the beat hits. Then, a sleek groove takes over, and vibrant guitar sets it off as the warmth and reassurance of vocal harmony warms the soul. Japanese Breakfast is scheduled to return to Philly on Sunday, June 3 at Union Transfer.

September has arrived, and with it, comes the ceremonial conclusion of summer. However, before the sun-kissed season draws to a close, Ben Franklin Parkway plays host to a recently vested (6^th overall) tradition Made In America. While an assortment acts will grace the various stages over, the 2-day event, the local contingent continues to grow. This Saturday includes the silky, serenading electro-pop of Marian Hill, the retrofitted, harmony-harnessing Queen of Jeans, the devastatingly tenacious, melodic whirlwind of Mannequin Pussy, and experimental instrumental textures meets sincere Americana-folk songwriting of (Sandy) Alex G. And Sunday’s slate begins with PNB Rock, before a consecutive tandem that includes the heart-rendering, earnest elegance of Japanese Breakfast (whose Soft Sounds From Another Planet was our August Record of the Month) and the gritty, grab-the-wheel-and-drive indie rock of Beach Slang. Of course, the streets of Philadelphia will also be filled with bangers from Hova, Solange, Run the Jewels, Little Dragon, and many others. Hopefully the weather will hold out so that we can all enjoy a rad Labor Day Weekend in Philly! – Michael Colavita

More places where you can say goodbye to summer this weekend…

Made In America (Ben Franklin Pkwy) SAT Marian Hill, Queen of Jeans, Mt. Joy, Mannequin Pussy, (Sandy) Alex G, SUN PnB Rock, Japanese Breakfast, Beach Slang, Tigers Jaw

Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.) SAT Night Raids, Barakka, SUN DJ Lil Dave

Boot & Saddle (1131 S. Broad St.) FRI Hawk Tubley & The Ozymandians, Jason Ager (Trio), Rachel Eve, SAT Goodnight/Goodluck, Wax Wav, Cologne

Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) FRI Devil's Grippe, Truant Minds, Punkes/Gravers Lane ImHul/DJ Deejay, SAT Drones for Queens/Wolf Dem, KT Caustic, Teknacolor Ninja/Lunacy, SUN Sublaymen, Yeenar/Disinhume, Descendency, Depletion

PhilaMOCA (531 N. 12^th St.) FRI The Improbables, SAT A Virgin

World Café Live (3025 Walnut St.) FRI Conjunto/Massive, Denelle Anderson, K-Soul, Rico Anderson, SAT (Upstairs) Steve Cal Quartet, Mike Kennedy

The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) SAT Of the Archive (EP Release), Shy, Mage Hand, SUN Luxe

The Barbary (951 Frankford Ave.) FRI Maggie Mae, Sonni Shine, Miss Cantaloupe, Granz

MilkBoy Philly (1100 Chestnut St.) FRI dot.gov, Dave Bakey, SAT Nicky P & Friends, Doug Wartman, Jeremiah Tall

Ortlieb’s Lounge (847 N. 3^rd St.) FRI Shaky Deville, U.S. Lawns, SUN Langor, Circadian Rhythms

Silk City (435 Spring Garden St.) FRI DJ Dav, Reed Streets, SAT DJ Deejay, SUN Astro 8000

Fergie’s (1214 Sansom St.) SAT Alec Stewart, Bryant Eugene Vazquez, I am not the Universe, SUN Rusty Cadillac

Connie’s Ric Rac (1132 S. 9^th St.) FRI Project 28

Voltage Lounge (421 N. 7^th St.) FRI Bad Luck 13 Riot Extravaganza

Morgan’s Pier (221 N. Columbus Boulevard) FRI DJ Beatstreet, SAT Menace Cartel

Frankie Bradley’s (1320 Chancellor St.) FRI DJ Chris Urban, SAT Ed Christof

The Grape Room (105 Grape St.) FRI Christian O’Connor Band, Calla Bere & The Attitude, SAT Take Cover

Ardmore Music Hall (23 E. Lancaster Ave.) SAT Eat Your Beats

First Unitarian Church (2125 Chestnut St.) FRI S-21 (Last Show)

The Pharmacy (1300 S. 18^th St.) SUN My Name Is Tom, MON Matt Kelly, Old Scratch

Beautiful World Syndicate (1619 E. Passyunk Ave.)  SAT Dark Web