nycmusicnerd-blog

[nycmusicnerd-blog]

Revival

Gonna try to post here more often, I haven't really been on the ball due to job hunting and some other drama...but I have a lot to talk about on the music front so stay tuned or don't.

[nycmusicnerd-blog]

Kristin Trotta puts my favorite song on youtube, give it a peep :D

[nycmusicnerd-blog]

Listen Up!: Frankenpine

Another band began following me on twitter, and honestly it gave me the kick in my ass that I needed to get back on the whole posting front. All that was needed was a little research, and a brief bit of hope that the band in question (Frankenpine) would actually be good.

I was pleasantly surprised.

Frankenpine maintains a fresh sound even with an obvious bluegrass bent. File this one under the perfect mood music, because they happen to have one of those sounds that just seems to fit right into a beautiful day.

If you follow, you know I'm just better at linking than i am describing to a technical level...so why not just throw their website on in the background of your future browsing and enjoy?

[nycmusicnerd-blog]

Heads Up!: Stella's Attic Unplugged! 08/28/10

As you may be aware, I like to keep up with this group because I think they are worth seeing. If you haven't got a thing to do on Saturday afternoon, I'd recommend heading out to the Bowery Poetry Club to check these guys out.

WHO: Stella's Attic

WHAT: Acoustic Set.

WHEN: Sat. 08/28/10 at 3:30pm

WHERE: Bowery Poetry Club

308 Bowery (Houston and Bleecker St)

I've posted about their sound before, but think retro bluesy rock. Definitely something you should check out.

See ya there!

[nycmusicnerd-blog]

Listen Up!: Christina B

Recently I've been relying on the Deli to find new music to listen to, and coming upon Christina B was no exception.

The description of her music on Myspace is "emotronic", which only kind of encapsulates what I feel the sound really is. Some of the songs have a poppy, fun beat to them and some have a more mellow feel. The tie that binds, and keeps me listening, would have to be her slightly verbed, softly sweet voice.

I recommend "Gossip" and "Red Rover", both available to stream on her Myspace page, linked above.

[nycmusicnerd-blog]

Stuff On My Phone: The Suite Unraveling

Certain moods require a perfect soundtrack, and I hadn't really found the perfect sound for a long walk in the city in mid-afternoon until just recently. Now, thanks to the brilliant work of The Suite Unraveling, I am content that all future strolls I have will never be lacking in sonic inspiration.

The Suite Unraveling is a brilliant merger of avant, prog rock and jazz that just pulls you into its unique soundscape and won't let you go. Good music embraces you and fills you with emotions that you are unafraid to express to the world, which is a feat that this group absolutely manages to accomplish.

The work is brilliant, and I can only really describe it as the best of all its contributing genres. Actually, let me put it this way. I was sold the moment that I heard "Ether-not" and the brilliant explosion of a bright jazz sound from a somber guitar breakdown, and I will bet on you being sold too.

My recommendations, though I suggest listening to and purchasing all of their work, would have to be "Prelude in G" and "Ether-not", available for stream from their MySpace and digital purchase on CdBaby.

[nycmusicnerd-blog]

Listen Up!: Attack Release

Looking for something to inspire me this week and what do I chance upon but some pretty solid indie rock. Attack Release is a little hit and miss with my ear, but the songs I'm currently loving of theirs gives me an awesome classic indie vibe so I'm sure that there's a good chance some of you will like what you hear too!

Check out "Hair" and "Soft Drugs", available for stream on their MySpace.

[nycmusicnerd-blog]

Personal Update: MIA

I've been kind of bouncing around for a little bit, haven't really been able to get to the shows I've wanted to go to. Here's the deal though, I have so much planned for the blog that I hope everyone who reads and follows will bear with me for a little bit.

One thing that will help is the fact that I've picked up a new camera as a part of a new project with my other job. Yes, no more droid eris photos! I have a real people camera and can't wait to take it on my first test drive.

I also have a little more time that I will be spending on the island, so scheduling is going to be less of a problem.

If anyone needs tracks promoted, shows attended, or music reviewed don't pass me up! I'm glad to provide!

Til next time,

K

[nycmusicnerd-blog]

My buds from Stella's Attic cut together a promo video for their Mercury Lounge show tomorrow and I just wanted to quickly link to it here. These guys are just as fun and real as the video implies, check them out and I hope to see everybody at the show!

[nycmusicnerd-blog]

Listen Up!: Mobile Wash Unit

So, I've been a little remiss on my posting lately, and I feel bad about it. Especially when the Mobile Wash Unit twitter started following me like 4 days ago and I just now got around to writing up a post about it.

Yet another credit to the Brooklyn borough, Mobile Wash Unit combines a smooth, indie folk rock vocal with a variety of fresh instrumentations to create a very unique mood.

The running theme for me in MWU's music is the vocal. It's definitely more of a floating, yet slightly rough sound. Beyond that, the background can range from ethereal folk to ambient electro to pop rock. I can barely put my finger down on any one thing with this, and it's totally a good thing.

If your desire is to clear your mind and enjoy the moment, MWU's tracks are a great accompaniment to that venture. My personal recommendations are "2nd Glance" and "Hollowujah", both available for stream on the MWU MySpace.

[nycmusicnerd-blog]

Extra Photos From Brooklyn Bowl Show 07/30/10

[nycmusicnerd-blog]

Recap: Nomi, Home Video + Midnight Magic @ Brooklyn Bowl 07/30/10

I just woke up from my night out at Brooklyn Bowl, and that almost says it all.

Originally, I had thrown up a quick post about Midnight Magic, who was going to be playing last night. However, thanks to either the venue or my own inattention to detail, I completely missed the rest of what was supposed to happen. When I arrived at around 8:30 I was informed that not only would there be 2 or 3 DJs that night, but a whole other band as well.

The night was totally worth sticking around for.

First to hit the stage was Nomi, (for the music nerds in all of you, she was a member of Hercules & Love Affair at some point, couldn't you just die!?) who spun an interesting selection of what sounded to me a lot like vintage chicago/detroit house style tracks. Personally, I have a soft spot for that sound so I was in love from the minute that Jungle Brothers - "I'll House You" dropped. Her transitions and mods are pretty clean, and the selection to me was mint, even though it's sometimes hard to fill a dancefloor by playing vintage sounds these days. Who cares though!? Any DJ who will rep the classic tunes is a keeper in my book! She will be performing on the reg on Mondays in August at NuBlu, so be sure to check that out.

Next up was a kind of...trance/electro-style rock act by the name of Home Video. I can't claim that I was the first to relate these kids to Radiohead because I'm absolutely horrible with Pandora-esque musical comparisons, but I will say that once I heard someone make the comment outside I thought it was very apt. The instrumentation was wonderful, smart progression work, and just an all around excellent mood created with a wise use of filters and electronic drum pads. Peep their MySpace, they are well worth your time.

Finally, Midnight Magic hit the stage and to be honest, It was nothing like I thought it would be. First of all, they are the kind of performers who really give you energy to feed off of. The whole show was a very well put together and fluid set of dancey, funk style songs that got the crowd grooving from the very beginning! To be honest I was a little thrown by the use of "real" instruments as my funk/dance house faves are all gloriously produced and processed, but I could really appreciate the throwback aesthetic coupled with the pure energy of these performers. Check out a couple (literally) of their tracks streaming from their MySpace.

Again, props to Brooklyn Bowl for being an awesome venue.

Until next time,

K

[nycmusicnerd-blog]

Midnight Magic @ Brooklyn Bowl: 07/30/10

Came across this on Oh My Rockness! NYC and want to quickly rep it here. I'm already sold on the venue, Brooklyn Bowl has a great atmosphere, large stage and friendly staff so if they hold anything that I want to see I'm already there.

Midnight Magic's MySpace bills them as a Disco House act, which from their streamed music seems to be relatively accurate except they have a more organic style as far as I can tell.

Doors: 6p Show: 9p. Tickets are 5$ and can be purchased here.

Hope to see you there!

[nycmusicnerd-blog]

Heads Up: Stella's Attic @ Mercury Lounge 08-08-10

Stella's Attic, as I have said before, have a stage presence and personal confidence in their music that really makes for a great live experience. The sound? An authentic throwback Rock 'n' Roll vibe in the modern day.

I was recently told about their next scheduled gig, so I thought I'd put it up here. I'll be there, hopefully you will too!

The Breakdown:

Where: Mercury Lounge 

When: Aug. 8th, 2010

Expense: 8$, No advance sale.

Catch up on their stuff with the following links:

Youtube Playlist

Main Site

[nycmusicnerd-blog]

Listen Up!: HolidayHoliday

On the Deli magazine site today, looking around for something to really get me out of my posting slump. I needed to find something that would really catch my attention, and suddenly there was HolidayHoliday.

This Brooklyn band caught me with their fantastic piano work and smooth vocals. Lyrically, the songs are quite playful and fresh regardless of the mood, and I found myself singing along after only a few replays.

Check out "Hiccup" and "Everytime I Look At You", available for stream on their Myspace

[nycmusicnerd-blog]

Listen Up!: Kristin Trotta

NYC-based singer/songwriter Kristin Trotta recently requested for myself, among others, to check out her cover and original work on MySpace and Youtube. Honestly...I am not terribly impressed by cover work usually (especially on youtube), but she does bring a lot of her own soulful style to them so I can't really fault her there. My interest was piqued, ultimately though, by her original work.

I'm going to go out on a limb and say that one of the greatest things that a soul, RnB, or any powerful vocalist can do is make you feel as though an original work is being sung in the exact manner in which it should always be sung. It gives you the feeling that you're being serenaded by a classic rather than a modern work, and sets the perfect mood for the genre. There are definite moments in Kristin's original tracks that you begin to feel this way, so I'm putting her up here as someone you should probably keep track of.

My personal recommendation is "Better Without You" from her Myspace page (linked above, track 3).

[nycmusicnerd-blog]

Stuff On My Phone: Gordon Voidwell

This Bronx-based new wave/funk artist is a definite transit playlist staple for me. I'm personally in love with the mix of tongue-in-cheek lyrics from a great vocal talent with an almost subdued electrofunk production. I recommend the tracks "White Friends" and "Ivy League Circus", both of which are available for stream on his myspace: Peep it!