Ali Awan is a singer, songwriter, band leader and guitarist from Philadelphia who has been featured in The Philadelphia Inquirer, on the cover of Philly Weekly and XPN’s Artist of the Month. His “Butterfly” EP was released in 2019 and his latest song, “Brothers and Sisters” was released earlier this year.
Dispatch From Ali Awan
What’s the best thing you’ve binged? Ramen. The Midnight Gospel and Ozark season 3 are pretty great too.
Which Philadelphia restaurant should we get takeout from? All of the ones that are doing it safely like Johnny Brenda’s, Mom Mom’s, Murph’s, Green Rock Tavern, Fergies Pub, Tattooed Mom’s, Blackbird Pizza, Dim Sum Garden, Loco Pez…make sure you look up their Instagram/social pages to stay up to date as things are fluid during quarantine…the list goes on and on.
Which Philly bands should we be listening to? Uh, all of them…
- Barney Cortez
- Grocer
- Broke Body
- Stoops
- Fast Car Slow Car
- Dark Web
- the Dawn Drapes
- Khalil Ali
- Lil Bambinos
- Astronaut Jumpshot
- The Vernes
- Party Muscles
- Slomo Sapiens
- Matt DeCaro
- Matt Kelly
- Sixteen Jackies
- Pouring Silver
- Mirror Signs
- Heaven Man
- Ecstatic Vision
- RFA
- American Trappist
- Dominy
- High Reeper
- Sleep Monster
- Bohemian Mule
- Ruby The Hatchet
- Electric Candlelight
- Elison Jackson
- this list also goes on… Check out the “Fuel the Fight” compilation that was put together by Madalean Gauze, it’s raising money to help frontline and essential workers and includes a shit ton of Philly music.
Which Non-Philly bands should we be listening to?
Divino Niño, Ryan Laeteri, Coco Verde, Jane Church, Bodega, Earth Girl Helen Brown, Amanda Stone, Fresh Basil, the Minks, Drab City, Fly Golden Eagle, Grace Vonderkuhn, Kal Madsen, Les Lullies, Destroyer, girl in red, Sohail Rana, Oasis lol… So many more…
When this is over, who do you want to play a show with?
Everyone.
First public place you want to go to after quarantine? Everywhere. Can’t wait to tour again. Philly specific, dollar tacos at Loco Pez and Murph’s for Italian with my buds and then JB’s for the usual nonsense.
First activity you will do after quarantine? Performing in public. Hugging my friends. Touring. Crop dusting rude people. Harassing the PPA. Playing ding dong ditch for old times sake. Going to shows no matter where they are. Partying until I remember why I shouldn’t be partying that much again, thinking about getting a metal detector and becoming that guy. Digging holes for no reason, but I guess I could do that now. Oh sorry you said “first”. Rambled a bit.
Have you embraced cocktail hour? What’s your favorite cocktail? I know of 24 cocktail hours and they’re all pretty good. My favorite cocktail is affordable.
Where should we be donating our dollars to help out our fellow Philadelphians? Support local bars/restaurants/venues anyway you can. Virtually tip/support the artists who’s work you love and enjoy, every bit helps. There is no amount too small…rescuing pets right now is a great way to help shelters cut down overhead costs and does wonders for mental health…just do your research and donate when and where you have the means, but don’t throw your money around without research, times like these bring out the best, and worst in people. America loves a good scam artist. The cause I mentioned earlier that helps frontline/essential workers.
Fuel the Fight. —
What’s your favorite jawn? What?
Cheers Ali 🥂
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