I hope everyone is embracing the joy and the refreshing newness of Spring. A season that has long been synonymous with fertility and rebirth, it seems only fitting that Origivation dress to complement its welcome arrival. Within this month’s pages are items that are sure to please everyone. The sounds, shows and streets are in full bloom with new musical life and vitality.

To begin with, Origivation sits down with A Silver Mount Zion’s Ian Ilavsky and explores the meaning of music as it relates to independence, corporate interests and old age.

Katie Gray delivers another fine feature, this time on the multi-national super group, Gogol Bordello’s Eugene Hutz. So if you ever wanted to know what the deal with GB is, now is your chance.

In an interview that I’ll not soon forget, Kimya Dawson comes at us full-force to discuss, lo-fi recordings, her new project, collaborative music and tollbooth operators’ odd thumbs and resemblances to pop stars.

On the local front, Black Landlord comes to the TLA to collect the rent with Grimace Federation as their enforcers.

Last but certainly not least on the agenda is an interview with garden-state songsmith, Jeffrey Gaines as he discusses humble beginnings and promising ends. All this plus so much more in the Spring edition of your favorite local rockrag. Aren’t we good to you? Keep supporting original music.

The streets are alive with sumptuous melody and refreshing song. But music isn’t the only game in town this month. Tattoos and music have always gone to together like rebellion and teenagers. It might interest all to know that this weekend is the Philadelphia Tattoo Arts Convention. The event, which will be held at the Sheraton City Center at 17th and Race Streets, is sure to be a gluttonous display of the countercultural. For a nominal cost-$15 for the day, $35 for the weekend-inked-up indie rockers and their friends can get an eyeful of some of the most creative new developments in body art. Children under 12 get in free, seriously.

Shifting gears back to the sonic, possibly the most important show in May will be A Silver Mount Zion at the Church on the 22nd. I can’t encourage you enough to go check it out. They are featured in this month’s issue, but you should really find out for yourself.

Once more on the local front, Origivation will be celebrating its relationship with Brownie’s 23 East in Ardmore in a whole new way. Those close to us know about the weekly funfest of “New Music Tuesday”. May 27th will feature a gangbusters, ten-band extravaganza at the storied Lancaster venue. This will easily be our biggest and most exciting collaborative endeavor. The event, which is officially titled the All-star New Music Tuesday Showcase, will be a riotous romp into which all are encouraged to rush with vigor and enthusiasm. That’s all for now Philly friends. Enjoy the flowers and the showers.