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.
Since its opening in November, Webster Hall’s Studio has become a hot joint. Friday nights at the Studio are filled with indie dancing fiends and February 20th was no exception. Operahouse, an indie-alt band from London, opened up the night setting the tone for Brooklyn’s own Tigercity. Fans were plenty and the band’s guitar-driven, electro-pop tunes were met with liveliness. ”Powerstripe”, “Fake Gold”, and (finally!) “Are You Sensation” were and are a sure guarantee that your “body keeps on moving”, whether it’s a full out dance off or an uncontrollable eye brow twitch.
The Tigercity tour stretches across the U.S. of A. and will end mid April, for their first European show, in Poland. Bill Gillim, the lead singer and the wearer of one intense beard (one that grows longer and fuller at every appearance), was kind enough to answer a few questions before the band hit the road.
How did you guys come up with the name Tigercity?
“The name comes from a dream that Andrew had about being held as a sex slave in a city run by gay cat people. “
What were you guys doing before Tigercity?
“Joel and I were living in western Massachusetts. I was playing in a band called Bears, Joel was in a band called The Debras. Andrew was in Chile eating hotdogs covered with guacamole and mayonnaise and playing in a metal band. And I think Aynsley was touring around Europe with his dad’s band Wishbone Ash.”
Hailing from Brooklyn, do you have a favorite hot spot?
“My favorite place to eat a hamburger is Roebling Tea Room.”
Do You have a favorite Venue to play in?
“I love playing Bowery or Williamsburg Music Hall. They sound awesome, and the people who work there are always really good to us. We played The Studio on the first night it was open, and it was great.”
Any noteable band routines before a show?
“Pretty much the only constant before a show is drinking whiskey. Though, I’ve cut way down on that ever since a show in Austin where I was too drunk and couldn’t remember the words or tune to the first song, and then ended up hiding behind my keyboard in shame. The other guys are a little better at handling the whiskey routine.”
How is the new album coming? Last time we saw you at The Studio you were taking suggestions from the crowd for a name, have you nailed one down?
“The new record is finished. We’re really happy with it. We’re still working on a title, but I can guarantee that it won’t be called “Sexual Dad” (no matter what our producer says).”
Should we expect the same vibe from Pretend Not to Love to be on the new album and when will it be out for the public?
“The new record is pretty different from Pretend Not To Love. I would say it’s darker and louder. It’s still got a lot of the same feel as the ep, but we worked with a different producer (Chuck Brody), who helped us expand our sound. You can still dance to most of it though.”
“Not sure exactly when it will come out. We’re still deciding whether we’re going to work with a label or release it on our own.”
The Great Lake Swimmers are set to release their fourth album on the 31st of this coming March andwill begin their North American tour around the same time, working from eastern Canada to the west coast and then down through the United States. Tony Dekker, singer/songwriter, and company played a few pre-release shows in Brooklyn and Manhattan this past week.
The Bell House, an old printing press turned shipping company turned music venue, hosted The Great Lake Swimmers January 9th along with Haley Bonar and Daniel Martin Moore, who both possessed a stage presence worth paying attention to. Daniel Martin Moore is a lyrically angelic folk singing gem who just released his debut album Stray Agethis past October. The adorable Haley Bonar performed a solid acoustic set with an endearing humility that engaged the crowd. Both made for a perfect appetizer just before the main dish.
The Great Lake Swimmers appeared on stage and the venue swelled with cheers of excitement. Tony Dekker met the fans with an almost shy sincerity, his songs thoughtful and moving. ”Your Rocky Spine” was a sure crowd pleaser, “Changing Colors” resonated through hearts, and “There is a Light” ended the show with a powerful hush.
Kevin Barnes, the lead singer and and song writer for Of Montreal, and Andrew Van Wyngarden, one of the masterminds behind MGMT have joined creative forces. The duo hopes to release an LP under the name Blikk Fang in early 2009. The LP should be a wonder of grand, theatrical proportions. Keep an eye out for Blikk Fang in the new year.
What band refuses to cooperate with the media, answer requests for interviews, and up until recently, refused to perform live? How did you guess? Its The Knife. The swedish siblings, Karin Dreijer Andersson and Olof Dreijer, shake a fist at the “man” and make music for music’s sake. Formed in 1999, the duo stayed off the stage until 2005 when they played their first live performance at London’s ICA. In 2006 The Knife took the act on the road bringing their electro hotness to sold out shows across the world.
Three years after their last album release, Silent Shout, The Knife is back in action and this time they are working on an opera. Set to release in September of ’09 “Tomorrow in a Year” celebrates 150 years since the publication of Darwin’s Origin of Species. With musical compositions from The Knife, choreography by Japanese choreographer and dancer Hiroaki Umeda, and the father of evolution as the main inspiration, this will be one for the books.
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.”
“Feel Good Lost” was released in 2001 as Broken Social Scene‘s debut album. The instrumental album suits its name perfectly as it does make you feel good getting lost in the tunes. There was one problem with this, when it came time to play it live it was difficult to create an interesting show with the instrumentals.
The band pulled together some of their Toronto friends from the Indie music scene to create a more bangin live performance. The collaberative line-up included Leslie Feist, Amy Milan, from the Stars, and James Shaw, from Metric(to name a few.) The creative group came back to work on Broken Social Scene‘s second album “You Forgot It In People”, adding lyrics to their already groovy sound.
Lesson: Sometimes it takes 14 people to get the sound you are looking for. Broken Social Scene is rockin out on tour this season and you can see them at The Brooklyn Masonic Temple on October 24th, 2008
Since its opening in November, 
Three years after their last album release, Silent Shout, The Knife is back in action and this time they are working on an opera. Set to release in September of ’09 
Lesson: Sometimes it takes 14 people to get the sound you are looking for. Broken Social Scene is rockin out on tour this season and you can see them at The 
