Boy/ Girl pop duos have really taken off in the past few years. Off the top of my head there's Mates of State, Sleigh Bells, Matt & Kim, Phantogram, and that's just getting started. This latest one, called The Hundred in the Hands, is definitely a standout. The Brooklyn pairing of Jason Friedman and Eleanore Everdell combines the shoegaze hipstery of their counterparts with the tribal rhythms of Vampire Weekend and the Talking Heads. The first single I experienced was "Tom Tom," and while it's a simple groove, it is sure to make the stiffest hipster shake right out of his or her tightpants. The thing that will seal the deal for THITH (what the cool kids will be calling them) is that they have the underground following that will attract Sleigh Bells and Yeah Yeah Yeah's fans but a pop appeal that has potential to lure in fans that groove to La Roux or even Lady Gaga. Keep your ears peeled in discotheques for these cats and check out their debut EP "Desert" which is out now.
This whole electronic scene is really getting bigger than I ever imagined. It has transgressed its way into just about all of the popular genres from pop to indie to jambands. Whether you like it or not, we are certainly in the heat of a trend, but as with any type of music, it is fun to watch different bands grow, evolve, and come onto the scene. Boston seems to be one of the hotbeds for indie-electro music and one of the bands leading the charge is Mystery Roar. With a style that sounds as though it emanated from a single laptop, but a live set up similar to any other rock band, Mystery Roar brings an energy that is both funky and frenetic. Shunning any "disco is dead" mentality, these Boston boys bring a bass-heavy groove with a keyboard savvy that benefits the vocals as well the overall sound. Unlike favorites such as MGMT and Passion Pit, Mystery Roar takes a more techno approach, stacking several layers above a simple beat to create a style more comparable to Daft Punk or LCD Soundsystem. Similar to Passion Pit, however, Mystery Roar is tackling the nation's biggest college city, and come next fall, they will be the band that all of the cool kids are listening to. Sleigh Bells and the Bodega Girls may have the sweaty, drum n bass, girl-power danceoff thing working, but Mystery Roar is their male counterpart. It may not sound appealing, but it won't be long until you know what I mean.
Josh Lattanzi has always been part of a supporting cast. Whether it be touring and recording as a part of Ben Kweller's band or gigging with the likes of Albert Hammond Jr. or The Lemonheads, Lattanzi has been heard for years, but not sufficiently recognized. Now, with some free time on his hands, Lattanzi is the mastermind behind The Candles, a folk-rock outfit from New York City. Poppy hooks compliment heartfelt lyrics and twangy guitar licks that give The Candles a feel-good west coast vibe. Tunes like "Here or Gone" and "Let Me Down Easy" have the potential to be radio friendly but also stick to their roots by being drenched in organ and slide guitar, giving the final product a southern rock feel comparable to Ryan Adams or the Wallflowers. The Candles are currently amidst a winter tour supporting Evan Dando of the Lemonheads and are anticipating an official release in 2010. These guys are sure to serve up a slice of Americana that will resonate for summer days to come, so if you like what you hear on their site (they're currently offering a free download), be sure to catch them live and keep your eyes peeled for an album in the near future.
New York has been a pool of musical creativity in the past ten years or so as indie music has driven people to think as far outside the box as humanly possible. But what happened to honest fuckin' rock n' roll? Well The London Souls have your answer. This power trio is powerful indeed and is creating a mighty buzz in the northeast. After an impressive showing at 2009's CMJ festival, The London Souls have been one of the more talked about young groups in New York. A Hendrix swagger mixed with the sounds of Zeppelin, the band takes a classic sound and both modernizes and refines it, similar to the way trios like Earl Greyhound and Wolfmother have been able to do. A big selling point is the soulful scream of lead man Tash Neal, who is able to carry the group vocally while cranking out ample tasty licks on his axe. Drummer Chris St. Hillaire does a masterful job pushing the energy levels on the kit, but still maintaining a solid groove with bassist Kiyoshi Matsuyama. Soul, blues, garage punk; all of these elements are in there, but the music they create can be described no better than inspired rock n' roll, which is more of a rarity than it should be. The band has released "She's So Mad" as a single, which has received heavy play both on the band's website and on a number of independent radio stations. For now, they have yet to release their debut album, but they are currently in the studio prepping it. The chatter about The London Souls has been generated by their hard-driving, intimate live shows throughout New York City. You'll definitely be hearing a great deal about these guys in the near future, but beat the rush, impress all of your hipster friends, and check them out now!
A little bit of Zeppelin, a little White Stripes, Austin's newest bluesman Ethan Kennedy draws many similarities to several familiar sounds, but is creating waves with his own unique approach. Kennedy's soulful tunes aren't exactly kosher when it comes to song structure and length, but he makes it work by adding several different grooves and paces within a complete song. A song like "Closer," for instance, starts out by exhausting a drum buildup, settles into a guitar-driven groove, then goes haywire (in a good way) as Kennedy contributes some Robert Plant moans and methodical riffs. Kennedy's first appeal is his voice. Both soulful and emotional, he and the band make every tune a journey of sorts into different musical realms and powerful climaxes. Kennedy shares most of the instrumental duties with drummer Aeran Shabi on the band's first full length release, Raucous. Live, the trio is rounded out by bassist Sam Calvert. Raucous delivers song after song of pure individuality, creating more than just one breath of fresh air. "Bonnie Mae's Blues & Greens" is one particular song thats instrumentally expansive, but achieves a simple enough groove that it is somewhat paradoxical. The band is just getting on their feet, but Kennedy's talent and grip on songwriting is a force not to be reckoned with. Keep your eye out for Raucous which is in stores now and be sure to catch these guys live when they hit the road.
Real Estate's debut self-titled album is like a modern day, east-coast Pet Sounds. Released in November, the album lacks the poppy harmonies of the Beach Boys, but is filled with sun-soaked jangly guitar, cheerful rhythms, and reverbed vocals. Real Estate screams Southern California, but the band resides in New Jersey and fits in unusually well with the surrounding indie scene. Their echoey eeriness draws similarities to Fleet Foxes and early My Morning Jacket, but is upbeat enough to possess a certain lightheartedness that continues throughout most of the album. The leadoff track, "Beach Comber" has already sprinted its way into regular rotation on college radio waves everywhere. A sun-drenched foot-stomper, the tune is a fine display of modern psychedelics and is the closest they come to a classic pop sound. Other tunes such as "Let's Rock the Beach" and "Suburban Dogs," maintain a summery feel while slowing the pace and putting more emphasis on the lyrical front. The album ender, "Snow Days" is another personal favorite, filled with beautiful acoustic progressions despite its cold and hollow sound. The band has certainly covered a wide spectrum of colors, sounds, and emotions on their debut album, but the future will tell whether Real Estate will achieve success on the road and in future songwriting efforts. Much of the appeal of Real Estate is from their nostalgic qualities. The band gets a classic sound reminiscent of The Clean, Skip Spence, and Dennis Wilson, which hits a sweet spot with today's psychedelic junkie or open-minded hipster. Keep an eye out for Real Estate in 2010 and be sure to pick up a copy of their new album, Real Estate, which is in stores now.
One thing I love about Boston's music scene is its diversity. For such a small city, it covers a very wide spectrum of musical tastes and varieties. For example, if you were to hear any track by Somerville's own The Gilded Splinters, you may initially think you were south of the Mason-Dixon. With twangy leads and sludgy warm grooves, The Gilded Splinters are the northern flannel rock response to a typically southern style. The lead vocals of singer/songwriter Josh Buckley fall somewhere in the realm of Chris Robinson and Neil Young, reminiscent of Brian Harding of the New York band Hymns. The band achieves a sound that sounds like Exile on Main Street era Stones on Vicodin (in a good way). A bit more mellowed out and much less in your face, the band still gets a very full and intricate sound thanks to the keyboards of John Carbone and the lead riffs of Jonas Kahn. The Gilded Splinters struck gold a couple of years ago when producer JP Bowersock, famous for working with such artists as The Strokes and Ryan Adams, attended one of their gigs and decided to produce their debut full-length album January. Tracks such as "Lisa Jack" and "Haunted Child" are upbeat standouts from January and have helped make the band a household name around the Boston area. The Gilded Splinters' touring schedule has been rather thin as of late, but they are also currently in the studio working on the follow-up to January, which as of now is set to release on March 1st. Be sure to give The Gilded Splinters a listen because they are a band that is making music that matters.
Philadelphia seems to bare a regional weirdness. In the past few years, original bands like Dr. Dog and The Teeth have found success coming out of the Philadelphia area and the next one to make waves is Drink Up Buttercup. Psychedelic buzz rock is a good way to describe this band, who isn't exactly radio-friendly, but terribly catchy nonetheless. Drink Up Buttercup takes basic pop melodies and showers them with odd instrumentation and milky vocals. A more hole-in-the-wall Beatles sound, the band finds a good medium between the beautiful harmonies of Dr. Dog and the ferocious rants of Man Man. The choruses of songs like "Sosey and Dosey" and "Gods and Gentleman" are sure to rattle around in your brain long after your first listen. Despite occasionally nonsensical lyrics, Drink Up Buttercup brews up infectious hooks that resonate along with their complimenting catchy choruses. For a four-piece, the band gets an extremely full sound in the studio, which according to widespread critical praise, translates well in a live setting as well. Drink Up Buttercup was a big hit at this year's CMJ festival and left newly acqired fans highly anticipating a full length studio album. While the band is just getting on their feet, they have come out with a bang look extremely hopeful for 2010. Be sure to check out the singles that Drink Up Buttercup has released and don't miss them live if they come to your area.
We're changing the pace a bit this week for Perry's Picks in order to cater to your lingering tryptophan hangovers and cozy holiday moods. Sydney Wayser, a Los Angeles native turned New Yorker, is a 22 year old multi-instrumentalist and brilliant vocalist who is making a name for herself with two full length albums already under her belt. Artistic and bright, Wayser's vocals are traceable to the colorful indifference of Fiona Apple or Mirah while maintaining a vibrant jubilance reminiscent of Regina Spektor or Leslie Feist. Wayser's French-American roots shine through beautifully in her relaxed Sunday morning jazz styles, incorporating upright bass and creative percussion into her full band sound. Her vocals are smoky and airy, but do not lack the soul of a Chan Marshall or Madeleine Peyroux. Her latest release, The Colorful, is exactly as it is titled, containing a wide spectrum of musical styles and an overall animated approach. Wayser does not only shine in the studio, but rather radiates the same attitude in her impressive live performances where she is accompanied by a three-piece rhythm section. While on the surface her unique vocals are an immediate draw, her songwriting is both playful and complex. Drawing influence from anything ranging from Woody Allen movies to Nick Drake albums to toys, Wayser's way with words shows her youthful but sophisticated grasp on life and her ability to translate her outlook to song. With a background that expands beyond just a pianist and vocalist, Wayser's choice of instrumentation is open-minded and shows her ability to work well with producer and bandmate Blaze McKenzie. Her name is spreading well throughout the New York and Los Angeles areas thanks to praise from critics from NPR music, Daytrotter, and Smoke Music. While Wayser is quickly gaining momentum, she is asking for assistance from fans to support her "Sydney Wayser's Lonely Hearts Club Van" fund. She is depending on fan donations to help fund a spring and summer tour and in order to gain such donations, she is offering various prizes and incentives. To check out the campaign, take a look at her kickstart page. Sydney Wayser is a clear talent that should appeal to a wide array of listeners, so be sure to pick up her latest album The Colorful and check her out on the road if you have a chance.
One of the musical highlights of this decade has been the resurgence of vintage soul singers in popular music. Names like Amy Winehouse, Sharon Jones, and Raphael Saadiq were all able to bring music fans back to yesteryear with their throwback hits and killer backing bands. The latest talent to dip his pen in the nostalgic ink is Boston's own Jesse Dee. Following in the footsteps of fellow Boston golden boy Eli "Paperboy" Reed, Jesse Dee's feel-good vibe and soulful swagger are dragging even the most flat-footed folks out on the dance floor. With a voice that is traceable to R&B classics such as Sam Cooke, Arthur Conley, and Al Green, Jesse Dee does an exceptional job modernizing his sound just enough so that it constantly sounds fresh and doesn't feel as though he is simply milking the nostalgia factor. His slick set of pipes are finely complimented by his greasy G. Love guitar licks and his very solid backing backing band. Live, he is backed simply by 3 other musicians, but is able to produce a full and explosive sound. In the studio, Jessie Dee is assisted by a large collective of horn players, backup singers, percussionists, and other various talents. His latest release, Bittersweet Batch, has turned heads both locally and internationally. He does a great Marvin Gaye on cuts like "Yet To Come," while the simplicity of acoustic guitar in "Slow Down" helps to add shine to his already polished vocals. Jessie Dee is achieving quick success and rapidly gaining a heavy fanbase worldwide. He has opened for the likes of Al Green and Etta James and is currently up for a Boston Music Award for R&B Act of the Year. Jesse Dee also just released a holiday tune called "Underneath The Christmas Tree" which is sure to liven the spirits this season. Be sure to pick up Jesse Dee's Bittersweet Batch and if you have the chance, don't miss seeing him live as well.
Psychedelics, mullet-rock, hair-metal, and southern twang are four very different terms that you might use to describe Township. Hailing from Boston Rock City, these four dudes could be the manliest rockers to represent The Bean in a long time. Township definitely have a nostalgic appeal, but it hard to pin their sound to a specific decade. They possess the in-your-face inventiveness of The Who, the southern seventies scream of The Faces, and the sweaty glamor of Jane's Addiction, while adding their own modernized feel. Drawing similarities to other local sounds, Township trip over to the psychedelic realm of Apollo Sunshine while maintaining the burliness of Boston brethren Bang Camaro. Their latest self-titled released contains track after track of edgy rawk thats driven by fuzzy bass grooves and husky, stomping drum beats. Face-melters is the description that best fits the fiery guitar solos that help complete the puzzle. Bearded and mustached, the Township personality reeks of manliness, especially with song titles like "Beaver Fever" and "Summer of Dudes." The buzz around Township is quickly leaking outside of the northeast, hinting that the boys might be on-deck to be Boston's next rock representatives. Critics have lauded both Township's studio work as well as their live performance, exaggerating the fact that the whole Township package is soaked in originality. Be sure to check out their latest release, Township, and for a full experience, get out and see these guys live.
Massachusetts' latest contribution to the jam scene is a five-piece funk rock outfit called Mondo Gecko. With a strong emphasis on live improvisation, the group features driving lead guitar similar to Umphrey's McGee contrasted with the funkier clavinet and keyboard lines reminiscent of Phish's Page McConnell. Also similar to Phish is Mondo Gecko's grassroots approach of playing local venues, building upon a dedicated fanbase, and involving friends and family with street team, merchandise, and touring assistance. The group has played all over the northeast and it would not be surprising if they started to tour nationally within a short period of time. Musically, Mondo Gecko is not restricted by a single genre, but rather fuses elements of rock, jazz, funk, and reggae among other musical styles to make for a live experience that covers all cylinders. Each member is well-seasoned, having played in other local groups previous to Mondo Gecko, so they all bring a unique personal style to solos as well as to the band's sound as a whole. Their story-like songwriting nicely compliments the full instrumental groove that backs them. The glue of the group is the interlocking groove of bassist Andrew Walley and drummer Aaron Morey, who together provide a catapult for guitarists Brad Garone and Luke Stratton to contribute explosive solos or share in the groove with funky rhythm licks. Weaving in and out of the guitar is keyboardist Eric McEwen who lends a whole different perspective, taking many different tones and lending a unique attitude to every song. Mondo Gecko are still getting on their feet, but thanks to a constantly loaded gigging schedule, their name is spreading like wildfire throughout the jam community. Their open taping policy has created plenty of opportunity for new listeners to hop aboard, but to get the full experience, you must get out and see these guys live.
Here's a taste of some live Mondo Gecko with the 2-part tale of "Poncho."
In the world of music, nothing really matches honest rock and roll. While recent times have given the spotlight to hip-hop, indie, pop, and electronic, one of the men reviving rock is Jamie McLean. McLean and his band bring experienced fundamental rock, but use it as a springboard for McLean's explosive and innovative guitar solos. Channeling the guitar sounds of Warren Haynes and Luther Dickinson and mixing it with his dynamic vocals that shadow Johnny Lang and Chris Robinson, McLean is the full package frontman. McLean got his start as the on-and-off guitarist for New Orleans' legendary Dirty Dozen Brass Band. He has shared the stage with many of rock's prominent names, but is also in high demand in the studio, working with artists that range from Norah Jones to Chuck D. Now that he has formed his own band, however, McLean has made quite the leap from sideman to frontman. His originals are robust and guitar-heavy, but leave breathing room for his cleaver lyrics to peek through and to let supporting band members like drummer Carter McLean (Jamie's brother) to show their skills. I had the pleasure of seeing The Jamie McLean Band open for Blues Traveler a few weeks ago and they did more than a fine job warming up the crowd. Tunes such as "Garden of Thieves" and "Can You Hear Me Now" stuck out as gems. Heads began to spin, however, when McLean took the stage with Blues Traveler later in the night and traded licks with John Popper. By the look on Popper's face and the electrifying energy that the collaboration created, it was clear to all in the crowd that McLean is the real deal. The band tours regularly and circulates many festivals, so if you have the chance to see them, you'll be in for a night of solid, soul-pounding rock. Also, be sure to pick up the band's latest album, American Heartache, which has been well-received from critics and fans alike.
Drummers take on many different personas in a band. Some look at them as the badass or the wildman like a Keith Moon or a John Bonham. Others see them as the modest metronome that sits in the back of the stage as others take the spotlight. Regardless, drummers have never been the most notable name in a band (Levon Helm, but not many more come to mind immediately). Well those days are over, because Drummer is a new band that consists of only drummers. Now wait, before you write them off as just a novelty act you must know that they are all drummers by trade, but in this particular group, they all play different instruments. The group was a product of the mind of Black Keys drummer Patrick Carney, who decided to create the group when fellow Black Key Dan Auerbach took some time off to do a solo album and tour. Carney plays bass for Drummer and reunited with friends throughout the Akron, Ohio area who also happened to be drummers for their former bands. The Black Keys, who play riff-heavy blues, shine through very little in Drummer's music, which could much more easily be compared to Built to Spill. The band molds very well and the fact that many of them are not playing their primary instument shows their tremendous versatility. The vocals tend to be very echoey and spacey, but the band rides on the solid guitar riffs of Jamie Stillman and Jon Finley that shadow the likes of Jonny Greenwood. The band just released their debut album, Feel Good Together, on September 29th. The album provides some of 2009's most creative and consistent indie rock and has already recieved high praise from music critics. Drummer is currently in the middle of a fall tour with The Royal Bangs, another band on Carney's label Audio Eagle. If you have the opportunity, go see Drummer live on tour, but be sure to check out their debut album Feel Good Together, available now on Audio Eagle.
I'm also loving the music video for the single of of the album, also titled "Feel Good Together."
Bands today keep getting weirder and weirder. But sometimes with that weirdness comes a great appeal that makes a band seem unbelievably cool. Take the Flaming Lips, Arcade Fire, and the Partridge family, blend them together, and you may get somewhere close to the strange collective known as Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros. Consisting of 10 members both male and female, the mastermind of the group, Edward Sharpe, is actually Alex Ebert, formerly of the group Ima Robot. The loss of his major label and a spark of love with fellow Magnetic Zero Jade Castrinos inspired Ebert to create this new group of freak-folk hippies and nomadic personalities. In the studio, the group accomplishes the same vintage sound of Dr. Dog and Drug Rug, but also experiments with synthesizers, horn sections, strings, and handclaps for an odd but seemingly natural sound. While only a handful of songs have been released by the band, they are at their best on the single "Home," which displays a hefty dose of whistling only to set up the wonderfully warm love lyrics including a chorus of "home is wherever I'm with you." The group may have already shown some strength in the studio, but the Edward Sharpe experience can only truly be had during a live show. Just as Wayne Coyne of the Flaming Lips crawls above his crowd in a human bubble and the Polyphonic Spree strangely impersonates a Jesus-Freak cult, Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros bring extraordinary aspects to their concerts. Often shirtless, the dreadlocked Alex Ebert orchestrates his group of ten in an odd manner, incorporating theatrics and interacting with the audience. As Ebert may be strutting around stage like Mick Jagger, Castrinos may be tossing flowers into the crowd, but always evident is the love connection between the two, which is another aspect that helps to convey the "free love" attitude that is so strangely portrayed. This group is just getting on their feet, but are already receiving unbelievable praise from just about every source that has caught wind of them. The Magnetic Zeros have just embarked on a gigantic fall tour that will bring them all around the states, so if you have the opportunity, catch them while they're still playing small clubs.
The video below, set to the instrumental of their tune "Up From Below," gives a nice sense of their vintage qualities.
Here's a live take of "40 Day Dream" from the Regent Theatre.
This week's Perry's Pick goes to Brooklyn's newest funkmasters, the Pimps of Joytime. Formed in 2005, the Pimps of Joytime's multi-ethnic lineup fits perfectly with their diverse mix of musical styles and their indescribable blend of genres. Drawing obvious comparisons to Sly & the Family Stone, Jamiroquai, and Fela Kuti, the Pimps have the ability to break barriers between funk, latin, and afrobeat to create music that touches the soul and induces dance. Brian J, the lead singer and guitarist of the group, leads with a Prince-like attitude, often taking various ambitious vocal tones while plucking James Brown funk licks on the high end of his guitar. Backing Brian J is a percussion-rich collective including Chancey Yearwood on congas and backup vocals and Mayteana Morales who pulls the band into an electronic realm by contributing samples and additional percussion. Rounding out the lineup is drummer Eric Kalb formerly of Deep Banana Blackout and bassist Hagar Ben Ari whose extreme talent and musical background help her lay down a groove that the rest of the group can easily spring off of. Their latest release, Funk Fixes and Remixes, features remixes of old fan favorites from their first album High Steppin' such as the Latin groove influenced "Bonita" and "Street Sound," as well as a few new tracks including the super-funky "Joytime Radio." As a live band, the Pimps of Joytime open up their tunes to include jam room for Brian J's guitar as well as percussion solos that let Yearwood and Kalb flex their muscles. The Pimps have toured all over the country and have been featured at festivals such as High Sierra, Gathering of the Vibes, and Mountain Jam. Look for this group on tour as they electrify clubs across the country and remind Americans what real dance music should sound like. Check out the video below of the Pimps of Joytime performing their hit, "Joytime Radio."
This week's Perry's Pick goes to a band called Ha Ha Tonka from the Ozark region of Springfield, Missouri. Named after the popular Missouri State Park, these boys definitely carry a heavy southern influence, but blend it well with a northern indie flavor. While their songs touch upon dark themes, the force that lifts these songs up and gains immediate attention is the voice of lead singer Brian Roberts. Sounding very similar to Caleb Followill of the Kings of Leon, Roberts isn't the only one emulates this band, as many of their tracks have the same feel as tunes off of the Kings' first couple albums. While Roberts takes the forefront vocally, he leaves room for harmonies from the rest of the band and big hooks from lead guitarist Brett Anderson. With masterful care to detail in the studio, their latest release Novel Sounds of the Nouveau South features many indie footstompers that start off soft and acoustic and crescendo into booming anthems by the end. The band has been lauded by Rolling Stone, SPIN Magazine and Jambase just to name a few and are sure to turn heads with the release of their new album and a large string of shows this fall. Having toured with the likes of the Old 97's and the Meat Puppets as well as landing spots at Lollopalooza and the Sundance Film Festival, look for Ha Ha Tonka to be on the rise in the coming year. Friday kicked off Ha Ha Tonka's massive fall tour which will take them all over the states. Be sure to check them out on tour and pick up their latest album Novel Sounds of the Nouveau South. Watch the video below to get a taste of what went into the making of Novel Sounds of the Nouveau South.
