It feels good to dance even if you aren’t particularly gifted in it or if you have unsightly rhythm, and there is no better group to get you in the mood than Australia’s own Cut Copy. The electropop sensation played to a sold out show at Terminal 5, March 21st. Their energy was ecstatic and the crowd was out of control wild with excitement. ”Heart On Fire”, one of the groups 2007 singles, started out the set and while the groups well-loved hits were of no disappointment, “Sands of Time”, a song worked on during the second record but not on the album, appeared as an unknown gem, proving to the masses that there is more, so much more, to come for these creative gents.
The New York Times claimed The Garden of Earthly Delight “ one of the most eerily hypnotic spectacles of flesh in motion ever put on a New York stage.” Martha Clarke brings Hieronymus Bosch’s painting to life. Through dance, theater, and music the cast of The Garden of Earthly Delight tells the story of creation, sin, damnation and salvation. This show is an experience you don’t want to miss. Closing night is March 1, 2009.
Amazing Baby was started last Jan. with former band members from Diamond Nights, Lions and Tigers, Nebula, Heavy Hands, and Stylophone. Their noise is indie rock all the way, if David Bowie were dead this Brooklyn based band could resurrect him with their tunes. The band’s single Pump Your Breaks was sitting at number 2 in Spin’s August 2008 issue one of the “Songs You Must Download Now.” As it turns out you can download the Amazing Baby’s entire debut album for free on their website.
Do your stretches, and get ready for some dance inducing, fist pumping music, Amazing Baby plays at The Mercury Lounge Saturday, November 29th with Tigercity, you do not want to miss this show.
“Krautrock” is a, not so popular, musical genre that originated in Germany in the 1960s. The term “Kraut” is an ethnic slur used to describe a German person during World War II, and the “rock” is psychedelic, progressive music mixed with ideas from contemporary experimental classical music. If “Krautrock” were made today it would fall under a more familiar genre, ambience.
Combining this idea of “Krautrock” with some 90′s electronic music Fujiya & Miyagi have created a buzz-worthy sound. Contrary to what their name might imply(Asian?), this band was formed in Brighton, England. The ambience sound, combined with David Best’s whispering lyrics creates a very fetching consonance.
Fujiya & Miyagi released their 3rd album, Lightbulbs in September, 2008. The band-mates are currently touring Europe, so far no dates for visiting US, but no doubt you will hear their tunes at your local indie dance parties.
Grab some rhyme filled lyrics, a touch of techno bopping, beat boxing, rock guitar solos, with a splash of neon colors, for good measure, and you have yourself the Bumblebeez. Chris Colonna, the bands captain-n-chief and only permanent member, explains their all encompassing sound is due to the fact that “we’ve never really known who the (insert f-word) we are.”
The electro rock roller coaster Shiny Toy Guns takes you on is one ride you don’t want to miss. If you sit down and listen to a Shiny Toy Guns album from first to last song you will think that you are listening to several different bands. At times their tunes are strictly dance floor material and then the track changes and its punk rock all the way. It is their versatile sound that gives them a unique appeal to music fans.
Strap yourselves in, throw your arms up and take a listen to their new album Season Of Poison out today.
Even for you off beat folks, this band can lead you home, a step in time.
Shout Out Out Out Out‘s unique sound relies on 2 drummers, 4 bass players, 5 synthesizers, a handful of cowbells and other gidgets and gadgets. These west coast foreigners, Alberta, Canada, leave the crowd in a sweaty dancing fever. It is a sight unlike any other and one I highly recommend you see. Keep a look out for upcoming tour dates, and keep your fingers crossed for a swift return back to NYC. The new Shout Out Out Out Out album isn’t expected to be released until March, 2008. In the meantime check out their new single “In the End Its Your Friends.”
It was roughly 4 am when I first caught this band’s tunes floating through my external acoustic meatus (ear canal.) It was one of those songs that stops you mid-dance twist to hear more, “I got a gnome in the backyard, I put him right on the x mark, he’s supposed to show me where the money is, hey wont you show me where the money is.”
The Spinto Band has been pushing out handfuls of indie pop-ish tunes since I was (ahem) 12. They are back on the road promoting the latest album, Moonwink. Check them out on Saturday, October 18th, 2008 at The Music Hall of Williamsburg, the show is guaranteed to get your tail feather shaking, you might even just catch yourself clapping along.
“Like O, Like H in your gut.” It felt like I waited a lifetime for this concert to arrive. I had anticipated seeing them play live ever since the first time I heard “Where does the Good Go.”
They have a gift. A gift that not every talented musician has. They make me want to cry. There are those who are great at playing their instruments, singing, and putting on a good show and then there are some that have all the aforementioned characteristics plus they write music that tears at your soul.
Tegan and Sara make me want to lay on the floor and pound my fists into the wall to every word they sing. When I listen to them it feels like they have been inside my heart these long 24 years and now finally someone is telling my story. ”when I was 8 I was sure I was growing nerves.”
On their latest album, The Con, Tegan and Sara take you to a strange place. Their songs are catchy enough to want to dance to but when you pay attention to the lyrics it stops you in your tracks, but only for a second. Their lyrics stir up my emotions, every single one off The Con pings me in one way or another. The music they play takes me to a whole different place. I could be on the subway and 5 minutes later realize I have just been pounding the ground with my foot to the drums in “Nineteen”. Its so good I dont even mind infringing on my neighbors space. Not only is their music bananas but their style is too.
It is well known, if you are a Tegan and Sara fan, that seeing them live is a truly unique, mirthless, perhaps life making, time. You are provided with comic relief in between songs as the Canadian born twins recall certain stories from their past, and its only fair that they try and make us laugh after they play song after song of tear invoking tunes. I saw them this past May and it is still the best concert I have ever been to. Their stage presence is ridiculous. They interact with their crowd and are hilarious while doing it. It was once said in an interview that they dont play any of their old songs that they don’t feel are relevant to them today, and it shows. Tegan and Sara are back in town today and tomorrow at Terminal 5, go see them if you have the chance.
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.
