Category: Band of the Week

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Band of the Week

Band of the Week: The N Result

The N Result blend rock and hip-hop for a truly unique musical experience. Bringing to mind the Black Eyed Peas with their alternating singing and rapping style and catchy hooks, the six-piece band crosses multiple genres. Having opened for Ryan Leslie, Motion City Soundtrack and Pharrell Williams of N.E.R.D. and currently receiving quite a buzz by music fans and record executives alike, The N Result are well on their way.

Their soulful, danceable tracks demonstrate their versatility and it’s hardly a surprise to learn that lead guitarist Dan Bascom studies jazz while drummer Nate Sankary is a prolific classical musician. Not to mention, MC Chase Innis’ catchy rhymes have led him to share the stage with Grammy Award-winning hip-hop artist Speech of Arrested Development. And that’s only half the band.

Lead singer/guitarist Ross Lippencott has released three independent solo albums and currently studies music at Rutgers University while keyboarist Eitan Levine combines jazz and funk for a truly fun experience and bassist Bobby Tarantino doubles on acoustic upright bass at venues like the New Jersey Performing Arts Center and WBGO 88.3 FM in Newark, N.J. A band of All Stars isn’t too far from the truth.

The band’s debut album, Lines is a solid release of 12 high-energy songs. Starting off with upbeat track “On My Shoulders,” the listener quickly realizes the depth to The N Result. Singer Lippencott and MC Innis trade lines back and forth throughout the album at an enjoyable pace while each song mixes catchy beats alongside their vocals. Slower tracks like “Complicated” showcase the band’s continuing versatility while “So Unsure” has seductive Latin roots accompanied by light percussion, guitars and keyboard. Title track, “Lines” is undeniably catchy and will no doubt have the listener tapping along.

The N Result recently won a Taylor Guitars and Elixir Strings contest where they were awarded recording time at a marquee studio. Watch their video submission below and for more on The N Result, check them out on MySpace and catch their show this Saturday at 10 p.m. at Crash Mansion in New York! (Flier below)

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=foXlPwuwSng]

Related Links:
• Artist of the Week: Michael Nappi
• Artist of the Week: Akiva
• Artist of the Week: David Ryan Harris
• Artist of the Week: Jacob Vanags

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Band of the Week

Band to Watch: The Tor Miller Band

When The Tor Miller Band took the stage last Saturday at Don Hills, I quickly realized this is not your average high school band. Mixing up their set with originals as well as covers ranging from Ray Charles and Creedence Clearwater Revival to the Beatles and Tina Turner, the six-piece impressed all in attendance.

I can’t even count the number of people who came up to me after the show asking if the band had any CDs they could purchase. Pretty impressive for a group that formed just over six months ago. The way frontman Tor Miller worked the crowd energized the room and had many of my family and friends captivated. A 15-year-old kid who could make some of my 25-year-old friends swoon is a feat in itself. Move over Jonas Brothers, Tor Miller Band is here.

Special thanks to Wendy Hu for capturing the night on video. Watch a few videos below and for more, visit You Sing, I Write’s YouTube page here.

Tor Miller Band performing a cover of Ray Charles’ “What’d I Say”

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yBJXhkcIDfU]

“I’m Alright”

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-LwMe1rZReI]

Cover of Ray LaMontagne’s “You Are the Best Thing”

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J594jHHttKk]

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Band of the Week Concert Reviews

Band of the Week: Hotspur

With their arena friendly choruses and infectious vocals, it is no wonder that Hotspur recently won MTVu’s The Freshman for catchy single “Chandelier.” Currently in rotation on MTVu, “Chandelier” mixes high energy pop rock with polished musical interludes bringing to mind bands including Fall Out Boy and Boys Like Girls.

I caught Hotspur’s energetic performance at The Studio at Webster Hall last Monday where I met a few fans who drove three hours to witness their set, promising me a good show. The band impressed and despite the small stage setup, Hotspur are a band I expect to see selling out arenas in a few years. Whether it was frontman Joe Mach jumping off the drum kit or minute long instrumental breaks, those that stuck around long after midnight for their performance left the venue satisfied with the promise of another New York show in the near future.

While the majority of their songs include high energy and power pop tendencies, ballads such as “Heads/Tails” are a welcomed and unexpected change, proving Hotspur’s prowess as musicians and songwriters. In fact, it is the tales behind their tracks that leave an impact on the listener. Their storytelling includes vivid imagery and their lyrics exemplify pop songwriting at it’s best.

Enough to make any girl swoon, on “$$$” Mach sings, “There’s not enough money in the world/To make me forget you girl/And nobody else in the world makes me feel like you.” Move over Fall Out Boy, Hotspur is well on their way.

Watch Hotspur’s video below for “Chandelier” and be sure to visit them on MySpace where you can download their entire catalog for free on Halloween.

Reccomended: For fans of Boys Like Girls, Fall Out Boy, Lights Resolve.

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Band of the Week

Band of the Week: The Hollows

Forming just six months ago, The Hollows have been packing venues throughout New York with their roots-based Americana and jam band style of music. The five-piece New York outfit is often accompanied onstage by additional guest performers with instruments as varied as an accordion, trumpet and banjo.

A few weeks ago I caught The Hollows performance at Fat Baby where they played to a standing room only crowd for nearly two hours. For a fairly new band, the fact that they even had enough original material to play for that long is impressive. Fans in attendance could be heard singing along and dancing in what little floor space was available.

While music fans seem to love their music, venues share similar sentiments. Pete’s Candy Store newsletter described their music as, “An amalgam of country blues, rockabilly and homespun folk that employs guitar, banjo, mandolin, piano, organ, harmonica, accordion and basses under tightly woven harmonies, carefully crafted melodies and smooth, fluid rhythm.”

I couldn’t agree more. While songs like “Sticks and Stones” and “Sycamore” have a classic and more rustic vibe, “How To Marry a Millionaire” is a tongue in cheek ballad at first, before the tempo picks up mid-song.

Watch the videos of previous performances below, and if you like what you hear be sure to check out The Hollows tomorrow night at Pete’s Candy Store. For more on them, visit MySpace and YouTube.

“How To Marry A Millionaire”

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RlSfTnSRn-E]

“The Wildlife” and “Sycamore”
If a nine-minute video is too long for you, start at 4 minutes for “Sycamore.”

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QExpK7HMkOc]

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Band of the Week

Band of the Week: Sherwood

Sherwood is indie pop-rock at it’s best. With their catchy music and arena-friendly choruses, it is no wonder that they’ve been selected to tour with Hanson and Hellogoodbye this fall.

While their last release, A Different Light received rave reviews and even garnered a top spot as a favorite independent release by music critics, their upcoming album is bound to do the same. Due in stores October 13, Que is Sherwood’s third release and will be distributed via MySpace Records.

What’s particularly enjoyable of Sherwood’s music is that it’s often unexpected. For example, a song like “Around You” starts out ballad-like before picking up mid-song. In fact, it’s hard to place Sherwood into one genre. With a mix of pop, punk, and rock, songs like “Maybe This Time,” have an anthemic feel with soaring guitar features and fitting percussion accompaniment.

While they’re not entirely reinventing a genre, “Song In My Head” brings to mind early 90s pop-punk bands like The Ataris and Jimmy Eat World with their wear-your-heart-on-your-sleeve lyrics and summer anthems. Additionally, Sherwood continue to leave room for the unanticipated. “Not Gonna Love” (see video below) features soft piano, taking a backseat to the percussion on the track with airy vocals.

For more on Sherwood, visit them on MySpace where you can listen to a full album premiere of Qu on October 12th. Meanwhile, watch a video of the making of “Not Gonna Love” below. Be sure to visit their MySpace every day until the album release as they’re revealing a new webisode each day!

Qu Video Sneak Peek Video #1 – Not Gonna Love
http://mediaservices.myspace.com/services/media/embed.aspx/m=63885272,t=1,mt=video

Recommended: For fans of Jimmy Eat World, Mae, The Ataris, Yellowcard.

Related Links:
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• Band of the Week: The Ramblers

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Band of the Week

Band of the Week: This Century

With their pop-punk choruses and fitting musical accompaniment, This Century is a band to keep on your radar. Having played for three weeks as part of the Vans Warped Tour, not to mention previous tours with Hellogoodbye, Secondhand Serenade and Lydia, This Century is well on their way.

In fact, the indie band has sold over 10,000 tracks since January 2009 without any label support. Additionally, This Century has also been featured on PureVolume’s front page twice and held the No. 1 unsigned CD on SmartPunk.com, among many other accomplishments. Not always an easy feat for an unsigned band.

Tracks like “Battling a Heavy Heart” and “No Way Out” have a familiar sound, at times bringing to mind bands like the Plain White T’s. With their catchy lyrics (“‘Cause I’m a lover/Not a fighter”) and arena friendly singalongs (take their endless whoa-oh’s throughout “No Way Out”) it is no wonder how this band has been impressing audiences throughout their countless national tours.

Piano infused tracks like “Hard To Get” portray an older side of the band while frontman Joel Kanitz’s vocals are warm and endearing. An accurate description, their music has been referred to as “dreamlike and melodic, at times fast-paced and captivating.” Once you take a listen, I think you’ll think the same.

For more on This Century be sure to visit them on MySpace and catch them currently on tour.

Recommended: For fans of Plain White T’s, Parachute and to reminisce some of your favorite Warped Tour memories.

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Band of the Week Concert Reviews

Band of the Week: Only Living Boy

This past Friday I caught Only Living Boy‘s performance at The Court Tavern in New Brunswick. Performing a 45-minute set, the Jersey-based band impressed with their ear-grabbing guitar riffs and infinite energy. In fact, I can’t remember the last time I’ve been at a show when a band’s improvisation was so captivating.

The three-piece, which consists of frontman Joe Cirotti on guitar, bassist Eric Curley and drummer Trevor Newcomb, had the room packed as they played songs from their self-titled debut release. While their alternative rock brings to mind classic 70s acts, it is perhaps no wonder that their name was inspired by Simon & Garfunkel’s 1970 song “Only Living Boy in New York.”

Not new to the music scene, Only Living Boy has been playing together in various forms, perhaps most familiar as Rabid Roy. About to embark on an East Coast tour, the band has shared the stage with notable acts like the New York Dolls.

Only Living Boy has a sound that stands out from other up-and-coming acts today. Niki Coate of WNTI described it best: “a combination of the psych rock inherited from their parents’ vinyl and the alternative rock of their own MTV adolescence.”

“My Friend,” a song Cirotti said is about his dog, brings to mind the Woodstock era and guitar-centric jams of legends like Jimi Hendrix and Carlos Santana while “My Heart Is Burning” has an edgy, almost country rock vibe to it. Cirotti’s vocals are captivating as the accompanying percussion and guitar interlude portrays his ongoing angst told within the story of the song.

Additionally, tracks like “How Lovers Have a Ball” continue to exemplify the band’s versatility and timelessness. While some songs transform the listener to another era, others maintain a certain charm and relevancy, continuing to keep Only Living Boy on the cusp of a constantly changing music industry.

For more on Only Living Boy and upcoming tour dates be sure to visit their MySpace. To listen to a stream of current single, “Worthless,” click here. To listen to “Homesick,” click here.

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Band of the Week

Band of the Week: The Ramblers

Their music takes the listener on a journey. While some songs have that classic jazz feel with piano accompaniment and soulful harmonies, others embody more of a laid-back country vibe. They refer to their music as American roots, or for a more descriptive explanation, Jim Croce backed with Booker T. & the M.G.’s. An interesting comparison, but after listening to them I think you’ll agree.

Having been compared to The Band in many press reviews, Brooklyn-based band The Ramblers are well on their way to making a name for themselves. It can’t hurt that they were selected to open for Levon Helm either.

I caught The Ramblers’ performance last Thursday at Joe’s Pub where they featured songs off their debut release as well as some new numbers. The captivating four-piece wowed all in the venue with their versatility as many around me could be seen dancing in their seats.

First track, “Ride This Storm,” a classic and memorable rock ‘n’ roll song, was just a glimpse into what the rest of the night would bring. Playing just under an hour, vocals alternated well between guitarist Jeremiah Birnbaum and pianist Scott Stein while the band was rounded out by Shawn Setaro on bass and Steve Purcell on drums.

While Birnbaum’s guitar interludes captivated concertgoers, Stein’s soulful and jazzy vocals gave each track a new, and at times ethereal feel. The way the band segued from heavier rock ‘n’ roll to soul, country and folk was impressive. One moment the listener felt he was in a small, New Orleans jazz club and the next, Nashville at a dirt-filled honky tonk — no small feat for a band.

Alternating from soulfully emotional “Hard To Love” to country-esque, “Whiskey Blues,” The Ramblers had much to offer their audience. Whatever music you favor, The Ramblers are sure to please one of your desires. Watch below as they play “Always Another Way to Be Gone” live at Joe’s Pub.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_hz4dgw0Is]

For more on The Ramblers, be sure to visit them on MySpace and stay tuned for my interview from Thursday’s show.

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Band of the Week

Band of the Week: Mourning District

If single, “Bullet and a Bright Side” is any indication of the future for Mourning District, the band is bound to sell out concert venues in no time. It doesn’t hurt that their arena friendly pop-rock brings about comparisons to Jimmy Eat World and The Ataris (probably because most in the band were former Ataris members). Sure to garner attention from indie lovers everywhere, my bet is for this band to become huge within the next few months.

“Bullet and a Bright Side” does what the first song on every album should do — beg the listener for more. Paul Carabello’s vocals have that familiar quality as he easily captivates his audience. Mid-track includes a solid instrumental buildup to the close and fadeout of the song. After just one listen, it’s hard to imagine why this band hasn’t blown up yet.

Whether they’re blending electric guitar features or pounding on the drum kit, Mourning District brings a fearless energy that I haven’t seen in many releases this year. With songs this good, one can only imagine what they’re like live.

“Say It’s Alright” encompasses solid guitar playing and percussion beats blending well with Carabello’s vocals, never overpowering, but remaining to leave a mark of it’s own. “Pont Rouge” is a slower track with emotional lyrics. “Fall is over/I look back at nights I created/Through an aching smile/Under snowfall I stare at the lights/Willing them to turn into blue eyes/Into another moment/I’m on your side/Under pont rouge lights.” A nice breakup from the more energetic tracks, Mourning District proves they’re able to switch gears without losing their signature style.

Displaying just four songs, the band’s MySpace is a glimpse into their forthcoming debut, due out this winter. And, if these four songs are any indication, Mourning District just may be New York’s breakthrough band of 2009.

To listen to “Bullet and a Bright Side” click here. If you like what you hear, you can download the single for free on SendSpace and be sure to visit Mourning District’s MySpace for upcoming tour dates.

Recommended: For fans of The Gaslight Anthem, Jimmy Eat World, The Ataris.

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Band of the Week

Band of the Week: The Throwbacks

I met up with Boston-based Hip-Hop group The Throwbacks last month in Bryant Park. Rappers Ryan Evans and Aviator filled me in on their music, performing in New York and overcoming people’s rap stereotypes. Playing multiple shows around NYC, The Throwbacks were well received at many gigs and their pure dedication and DIY approach to music is nothing short of inspiring.

Throughout their stay in New York, Ryan and Aviator performed around Union Square while passing out their music. Definitely unique, the band’s CD could be found within paper lunch bags with hand drawn artwork and song titles written on the inside. Extremely grassroots, if their dedication and hard work is any testament to their music, The Throwbacks will be taking the music scene by storm in no time.

Their DIY CD mix includes 10 songs (five of theirs and five of fellow Base Trip Records artist, Rapper Steph), showcasing catchy beats with even tighter hooks as their talent is undeniable. Each lyric is intelligently thought out and although distributed via paper bag route, the listener would have never guessed it as their five tracks are mixed well, sounding like a professional release.

On “Targets,” The Throwbacks rap, “Know that it’s so much more than the rap/The Throwbacks are a new genre/We stack cheese like lasagna.” And, I have to agree. The Throwbacks have, in fact, created a new genre. Taking beats from previous Hip-Hop, indie, and rock tracks, if there was a genre called intelligent rap, they would be the leaders of the pack. Whether it’s name dropping pop culture icons or referencing current politics, one thing is certain, The Throwbacks tell it like it is.

“We got 40 plus tracks you can burn through/Plus a whole CD you can peruse … When push comes to shove/We make the shit that you love/So throw your hands up/Turn your speakers up/And let us be,” The Throwbacks rap on “Targets.”

Stand-out tracks like “American Phenomenon” are descriptive and leave an impression for it’s out-of-the-box lyrics. Each time the listener hears the track, there is a new line that jumps out. Take a listen and see for yourselves. Watch The Throwbacks below rapping “American Phenomenon.”

For more on The Throwbacks, be sure to visit them on MySpace and stay tuned for my full interview with Ryan and Aviator.