Lykke Li, also known as Li Lykke Timotej Zachrisson, is from Stolkholm, Sweden. A former dancer for Swedish TV, Lykke Li released her first album in the States, Youth Novels, this past May, 2008.
I find Lykke Li’s music to be captivating. Her speaky-singing voice, simple lyrics and catchy beats produce a light and enjoyable Sedish pop album.
“love is the harmony. desire is the key. love is the melody. now sing it with me.” And who could say no to that?
Lykke Li is playing at both the Music Hall of Williamsburg, October 20th, and Bowery Ballroom, October 21st. Both shows are sold out. If you have tickets I demand you come back here and give some feedback.
This husband and wife duo rock their tunes loud, hard and they rock ‘em well.
What I loved about the Handsome Furs was the fulfilling sense that absolutely nothing was missing from the duo. Dan Boeckner, vocals and guitar, and Alexei Perry, drum machine, possessed intense stage appeal and moving musicality, so much so that I considered eloping with the guy standing next to me (they make marriage seem like such a good choice.)
I thoroughly enjoyed seeing these guys play, especially since they couldn’t have been more into it (and rightfully so). I strongly recommend checking them out.. and I dare you to try and stop that foot from tapping.
Vampire Weekend was out in the daylight this 2008 season, kickin’ off the central park summer stage and so were the raindrops. Those who stuck it out through the thunderous downpour were left not only sopping wet and muddy but glad they were sopping wet and muddy. Dubbed the “Trust Fund Frat Rock” group by a fellow musician, these Afro-pop prepsters know how to get a crowd dancing. And once you start dancing and stop staring at the stage you forego the uneasy feeling that it looks like you are rocking out to a Disney World Collaboration. Vampire Weekend was a cheery rainbow worth the torrential agony of the stormy weather and prior performer.
True to her name, Kid Sister was annoying and quite intruding of an otherwise good time. Her vocals were bursts of noise through gasps of air and the poor thing was strangely placed in a show of young indie boppers. The Kid lacked stamina and the booing, practically tomato throwing, crowd was not aiding her performance either. The only drawing feature of her stage time were the live mannequins who posed robotically around the platform with their bleached fohawks and technicolor getups.
Before the puzzling performance of Kid Sister, the Born Ruffians took the stage to open the show. The three piece indie rock band from Ontario, Canada forged their toe-tapping tunes through the drizzle and served as a delicious appetizer.
Monday, September 29th, I went to see the Dodos at Spiegelworld.
Yes I agree, Spiegelworld is a weird name and although it sounds, and looks, like some sort of strange circus it is actually a pretty incredibly sweet spot to hang out. The view of Manhattan’s bridges is ridiculous and the options for activities at S-world are all good choices. A visitor to “the world of Speigel” could dance, eat, drink, sit and stare at the sites and/or attend a concert or theatrical performance depending on the night. Oh! and I cant forget to mention the comfy hammock seats they offer those who wish to sit and stare.
Au opened up for The Dodos. I had not heard anything Au had done before this eve and they blew me away. Au is the work of multi-instrumentalist Luke Wyland and an interchangable cast of musicians. Luke’s ear wrenching mixture of beautiful piano and leg thumping drums, coupled with his curious vocals (he sings any where from sweet sounding ballads to screaming and screetching) has made Au a very popular band in Portland, Oregon where Luke is from.
“We were worried about you guys getting your 20 bucks worth, but Au made sure of that just by showing up.” -Meric Long lead singer and guitarist for The Dodos
I have only been into The Dodos for a month and so I was very excited to see them live. Something changes a persons opinion when they see a band live, it basically makes or breaks their listening relationship with the band. My listening relationship with The Dodos is still intact. So very much intact that I want to listen to them until my ears bleed and I dream about their songs in the middle of the day. The duo killed it. I am a huge fan of heavy drums and clever lyrics therefore, The Dodos are right up my alley. I highly recommend checkin them out.
Walk through the gates, grab a free bright colored towel, and run for your life. If this sounds familiar then you have been to a concert at McCarren park pool. Sadly, this past year is supposedly the last year they are going to use the pool as a venue for live music, out door theatre, and movie spot and they are going to turn it back into a community pool. McCarren Park Pool is known for putting on some of the best concerts in the NYC metro area. Not only are a lot of the concerts rockin but (another perk of living in the city) tons of these shows are free.
Its sad to think about the pool actually being filled up with water instead of indie hipsters. This past summer had a ridiculous line up. Unfortunately I only made it to one of the Sunday Pool Party shows but, in my opinion, it was the best one.
The Ting Tings opened up and kicked some major tunes my way. At one point there were 3 young men jump roping on stage while Kate White, lead singer, played a large drum with a malet. It was impossible not to jump around and I was not the only one feelin it. After waiting about an hour for a storm to pass the Ting Tings were well worth the delay.
The Black Moth Super Rainbow hit the stage next with a super sleepy, extra short mix. By the time I came back from visiting the most disgusting port-a-potties in the world, black moth was playing their last song and I could not have been more excited about it. I do enjoy me some Black Moth but I prefer a bath tub and a glass of wine while they are playing rather than a rainy unruly crowd and a plastic cup of beer.
MGMT
To close out the show MGMT rocked my mind, body and soul. The band members all had on 70′s style outfits which helped get everybody into the groove before they even played. The show surpassed my expectations and my expectations were pretty high. As if it could get any better MGMT played Kids for their encore song. There is a small line between amazingness and so good I want to take my clothes off and jump around like a mad person, and I was ready to cross it.
“love is the harmony. desire is the key. love is the melody. now sing it with me.” And who could say no to that?
