Combine The Police, Prince and Roxy Music and you have Tigercity. Formed in the Fall of 2004, Tigercity has quickly become a hot ticket. Their distinct sound has been known to “move even the spazziest of rock nerds to shake their booties(Rolling Stones).”
Bill Gillman, lead vocals, and Joel Ford, bassist, met during their college experience in Massachusetts in the fall. By winter of 2005 they had created their first demo. Pretend Not to Love was released in 2007 and is an incredible sensation of smooth electro synthesizer beats bringing back that 80s sound we all embrace.
On October 21st The Studio, in Webster Hall, opened up its first night with a free show from Tigercity. After several minutes of mic checks and equipment set up the band was ready and so were we. Squeezing in a handful of songs off the 2007 EP and two freshly recorded songs from their not yet named album, Tigercity filled up the small Studio underneath Webster Hall with music induced flailing, head knods, and lots of tapping feet. Great show, good band, my only complaint: no time for Tigercity to play “Are You Sensation?”
“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
Does You Inspire, released in November, 2008, is Chairlift‘s first album. The band began playing in 2006 in Colorado where they found themselves rocking a “new breed of pop” with their mystical, somewhat spooky tunes. Chairlift created a lot of buzz when their single “Bruises” was featured in a recent Ipod commercial.
Caroline Polachek, Aaron Pfenning and Patrick Wimberly, make up the Chairlift this awesome trio, and I suggest you check them out on October 18th @ Bowery Ballroom, or October 21st for the CMJ Music Marathon.
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.
One of my friends recommended I check out this band called Minus the Bear, a rock band from Seatle with, apparently, 6 albums under their belt. Upon first listen you think “hmm ok maybe this is something I could be into.” Then the track called “Hey! Is That a Ninja up There?” starts to play. The sound quality of Minus the Bear resembles a CD one could record in their very own basement. Perhaps I’ll give them another listen, perhpas not. Maybe I’m just not that into rock? Nah. You can check them out for yourself as Minus The Bear is on tour this fall. October 25th, Webster Hall, 6pm.
Its a tough job trying to sum up their music in less than 5 genres, but Gang Gang Dance brings them all together flawlessly. African rhythms are mixed up with experimental dance music, middle eastern sounds, and a little bit of indie rock. Raw War is the bands latest release with 3 songs making up their 2007 EP. You can see them play October 24th for the CMJ Music Marathon.
Small plastic animals were being thrown into the crowd from a paper bag held by a scruffy looking man wearing a top hat. It was during the set up of the upcoming band, so I, along with friends, assumed he was a quirky part of the crew to keep the crowd alive and entertained. As time went on and Les Savy Fav began to play I was still convinced this man was not a member of a band, but rather slightly disturbed. Tim Harrington just might still be slightly insane, but along with that insanity comes a brilliant stage performer who puts on one of the weirdest, intriguing shows you could ever set your eyes upon.
Mr. Harrington has the element of surprise in his favor. One minute he is feeding cake to the crowd, the next he is climbing up the rafters of the stage in a skin tight belly shirt, and for the grande finale he sports a seemingly clear body suit, that was painted with human organs in their perspective places on Tim Harrington’s body.
Les Savy Fav is a little bit of rock and a little bit of roll, definitely one of those bands you want to listen to with the volume turned up. Keep an eye out for their new album INCHES; it is supposedly the album they have been writing since the band’s inception in 1995. Les Savy Fav will be playing this sunday, 10/12/08, at The Music Hall of Williamsburg. I highly suggest going to this show, the last thing you will be is bored.
The CMJ Network provides music fans, musicians, and professionals an up to date “discovery service” as they call it. CMJ hosts the longest running event of its kind, the Music Marathon is going on its 28th year in business. The Marathon brings over 1000+ artists to over 50 venues throughout the city drawing more than 100,000 listeners, other artists, and music pros to the shows. Magnet has come up with a hot 15 list for your viewing pleasure, but please check out the extensive list for more. CMJ has not posted a schedule so dates/venues are tentative.
Music Mararthon hits New York City March 21st-25th
“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.
Combine The Police, Prince and Roxy Music and you have Tigercity. Formed in the Fall of 2004, Tigercity has quickly become a hot ticket. Their distinct sound has been known to “move even the spazziest of rock nerds to shake their booties(Rolling Stones).” 
Pretend Not to Love was released in 2007 and is an incredible sensation of smooth electro synthesizer beats bringing back that 80s sound we all embrace.
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 
