Photo by SVEN HARAMBASIC
Boy Harsher is a nouveau neo-Cold Wave duo comprised of spooky siren Jae Matthews [pictured, above] and beat architect Augustus Muller fusing goth sonic tropes with industrial electronic rhythms. Originally dubbed Teen Dreamz, the group began as a series of short stories narrated by Matthews’s reverb-drenched voice swathed in dark, moody synths and electro drum beats sculpted by Muller. In due time, Teen Dreamz morphed into Boy Harsher, coming of age with their debut LP, Yr Body is Nothing, a disorienting high-velocity night drive on a lost highway for the ears. Matthews and Muller’s mutual background in film is evident in their cinematic live performances marked by a dissolution of time and a binding dancefloor hex in a shrouding red mist. The dynamic duo are coming to Union Transfer this Thursday to show Philly their spellbinding new album, Country Girl Uncut. As a merciless skeptic of live electronic performances, I feel obligated to invite others to give Boy Harsher a shot; I was floored by their show at Johnny Brenda’s last year – it’s only appropriate for them to take over Union Transfer next. — KYLE WEINSTEIN
BOY HARSHER + OLIVIA NEUTRON BOMB @ UNION TRANSFER SEPT. 19TH