Author: admin

Backyard Brunch Sessions Presents Brunch After Dark 2

Post author By admin
Post date February 5, 2011

In August, I covered a concert in Williamsburg hosted by David Chaitt called Backyard Brunch Sessions. Every few weekends in the summer he invited friends and music industry enthusiasts to his apartment in Brooklyn for homemade breakfast and an unplugged set of music. Since the weather is a little cold for an outdoor concert, he’s moved his show to Brooklyn Bowl next week.

Brunch After Dark 2 will feature two of the bands who performed over the summer, Pearl and the Beard and The Loom (videos below) as well as Team B. The show starts at 8PM at Brooklyn Bowl Wednesday, February 9. Full set is as follows:

Doors – 6PM

DJ Alex Mann – 7-8:15PM (and in between sets)

Team B — 8:15-9PM

Pearl and the Beard – 9:30-10:15PM

The Loom — 10:45-11:30PM

Watch The Loom perform “Helen” below.

Watch Pearl and the Beard perform “Hot Volcano” below.

Song of the Week Videos

Song of the Week: "Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not"

Post author By admin
Post date February 3, 2011

While researching country pickup lines for my recent article, “10 Best Come-On Lyrics in Country Music” for The Boot, a friend suggested Thompson Square’s single, “Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not.” I instantly fell in love with the song and haven’t been able to stop listening since. I don’t think I’ve had a song on repeat this much in years.

Watch the video for it below and if you’re in dire need for some pickup lines for this weekend, check out my writeup on The Boot. I’m planning on trying the cheesy, “Are you from Tennessee?/’Cause baby, you’re the only 10 I see.” I’ll be sure to let you know how that goes…

Artist of the Week Band of the Week

Band of the Week: The Vinyls

Post author By admin
Post date February 2, 2011

Photo Credit: Jose Podesta

New Jersey’s own The Vinyls impressed a packed crowd at Maxwell’s recently. Though the first band showcased on a Saturday night, the quintet’s high energy set kept concertgoers engaged.

With familiar vocals, a driving drum beat and powerful guitar riffs, the Jersey boys’ set ended too soon. Drew Duddy’s stage presence captivated as his animated facial expressions provided a story that accompanied each song. Though an apt frontman, the musical accompaniment propelled the band from simply an opener to a memorable act.

Catchy tracks like “My Good Name” combined a forceful drum beat with solid guitar rhythms and relentless vocals.

“Feel free to move around. I know it’s not the venue for a circle pit, but this would be the song,” Duddy said. “This song’s called ‘My Good Name’ and it’s about starting over.” Girls in the front of the room danced along to the fast-paced track while the guys in the crowd raised their beer cups in the air.

“Loner” demonstrated The Vinyls more serious side. Despite a sordid tale at the song’s start, the storyline picked up mid-track to reveal a distinct optimism.

Current single, “American Dream” embodied a tale many can relate to. With fitting musical accompaniment, Duddy sang, “Every mark we make is a sign of change/I’m not alone in this American dream…I don’t need another let down.”

Hopeful, yet realistic, The Vinyls down to earth roots and relatable lyrics combined with their memorable music and energetic stage presence prove they won’t be an opening act for long.

For more on The Vinyls, be sure to visit them on PureVolume.

Song of the Week Videos

Song of the Week: "Come Together"

Post author By admin
Post date January 28, 2011

I haven’t been able to stop playing this song ever since Fifteen Fleeting covered it last Saturday night. A timeless classic, watch as the Beatles perform it live below.

Concert Reviews

Fifteen Fleeting Celebrate Album Release

Post author By admin
Post date January 25, 2011

Photo Credit: Jose Podesta

Maxwell’s was packed to capacity Saturday night as fans anxiously waited for Fifteen Fleeting to take the stage. With many in attendance sporting 15 F t-shirts and glow stick sunglasses, the room lit up in a distinct green and yellow blaze.

“If you have glasses, put them on. It enhances your vision – Fifteen Fleeting vision,” said frontman Vinny Belcastro.

With a driving drum beat and soaring guitar and vocals, the band had the entire room clapping along to set opener “Streetlamp Limelight.” As the song ended, Belcastro waved his arms in the air, asking for more applause.

“Hoboken, let me know you’re alive out there,” he screamed. The animated frontman continued to grab concertgoers’ attention with his high energy and strong stage presence throughout their nearly 90-minute set.

“We basically gave birth to a child,” Belcastro continued. “This child is called Presents and we want you to all go home with a copy and play it in your car and for your friends,” he said of the band’s first full-length release.

For the complete review, visit Hoboken Patch.

Tags Fifteen Fleeting, Hoboken, Maxwell's, My Chemical Romance, The Gaslight Anthem

Freebies

Fifteen Fleeting's New Album

Post author By admin
Post date January 25, 2011

Fifteen Fleeting’s new album

Download a copy of Fifteen Fleeting’s debut full-length, Presents.

How: Visit http://fifteenfleeting.bandcamp.com

Artist of the Week Band of the Week

Band of the Week: Intimate Stranger

Post author By admin
Post date January 20, 2011

Photo Credit: Jeremy Gordon

Last year, I interviewed Intimate Stranger before their appearance at SXSW. Currently on tour and gearing up for a few showcases at this year’s SXSW I caught the band’s show Friday night at Brooklyn’s Knitting Factory. Formed in Santiago, Chile, in 2005, Intimate Stranger has critics and music lovers alike raving about their live show.

Frontwoman Tessie S-Woodgate has been named one of the “Leading Ladies of Rock” by Rolling Stone Chile and last Friday she demonstrated just why. With powerful stage presence, her vocals immediately grab the listener. Her singing combined with atmospheric guitar effects, soaring synth melodies and solid drum rhythm had concertgoers energized and dancing along.

Last year, S-Woodgate said Intimate Stranger’s music “has elements of melancholy and a calm motivated energy.” Opening track “Moments” fully demonstrated this energy. With a pounding drum beat and S-Woodgate’s seductive vocals, the band impressed. Their energy never wavered throughout their set as the band segued from one high energy track right into the next.

Songs like “Undone” showcase a darker sound for the band while “In the Black” lightened up the mood and consequently, had the entire venue clapping along during a minute long instrumental breakdown. Complete with guitar distortion and deeper vocals, the song was a welcomed change.

Performing just under 45 minutes, the band closed their set with the fast-paced “Beastie Queen.” An adequate track to end their show, I’d be surprised to learn of any concertgoers who didn’t have the song stuck in their head long after the last note was played.

For more on Intimate Stranger, be sure to visit them on MySpace and catch a show when they’re in town.

Song of the Week Videos

Song of the Week: "Walking In Memphis"

Post author By admin
Post date January 19, 2011
1 Comment on Song of the Week: "Walking In Memphis"

Photo Credit: Wendy Hu

When reviewing an album this weekend, a track reminded me of Marc Cohn’s moving song “Walking In Memphis.” A powerful ballad, I remember having the song stuck in my head my first visit to Memphis two years ago. After watching the video below, you just might be singing the song all day as well.

Articles

Photo of the Week: Imagine

Post author By admin
Post date January 18, 2011

I thought this photo was fitting for this week in celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and those who have fought for equality and peace, John Lennon being just one example.

This photo was taken a few days after the 30th anniversary of Lennon’s death in Central Park’s Strawberry Fields on my Blackberry and I’ve had it as my phone’s wallpaper ever since. You can see the flowers and candles surrounding the Imagine mosaic left by fans in his memory.