This was my first time seeing them live and I was really impressed. It’s amazing how much energy their performance had considering how old they are. Shot for Time Out NY.
Read MoreMusic
Here’s a roundup of my favorite CMJ 2011 bands.
Trash Talk | ANR | Gotye | Electric Guest | The Stepkids | Walk The Moon | Fort Lean
Read More
CMJ was Gotye‘s first time performing in New York, and the room was packed the two times I caught him. The Australian pop star had to strip down his set, and visuals, to fit in NYC’s smaller clubs, and the results were very special and intimate performances. Shot for Time Out NY and Purevolume.
Read More
Electric Guest‘s clean and soulful sound is reminiscent of Rome, Danger Mouse and Daniele Luppi’s project. The room started buzzing when Danger Mouse entered with Julian Casablancas to check out Electric Guest at the All Things Go showcase. Shot for Time Out NY and All Things Go.
Read More
I saw Trash Talk during SXSW when they tossed around garbage cans after a peaceful James Blake set, but what made their CMJ shows special was their unusual hype. With publications like Spin, the Village Voice and others billing them as the band to see, kids showed up not expecting a hardcore band from Sacramento. As Lee let out the first scream, and the heavy bass popped with the cymbal, most of the crowd ran away from the stage and things got chaotic, in the best way possible. Shot for Time Out NY and Pitchfork.
Read More
Similar to ANR, The Stepkids are the full package; talented musicians with a tasteful creative vision. I’ve seen them three times and it keeps getting better. They were bummed they couldn’t use their projector because of the sunlight, but I think the NYC skyline is tough to beat. Shot for Time Out NY and Purevolume.
Read More
I saw them for the first time during SXSW when they had longer hair, and it’s their danceable stadium sound that leaves me wanting more. These photos are from the Fader Fort by Fiat and Neon Gold’s showcase. Shot for Time Out NY.
Read More
Fort Lean‘s music will seem fun and bubbly at first glance, but if you look a little closer, you’ll hear the beautiful lyrical irony that makes them so awesome. They played Neon Gold’s showcase at Santos’. Shot for Time Out NY.
Read More
Miami-based ANR truly blew me away with their powerful vocals and fun, catchy songwriting. Most CMJ artists aren’t true musicians, and it’s special when a band knows what they’re doing on a musical and creative level. I had to see them twice. Shot for Time Out NY and All Things Go.
Read More
“Lying Around” is that perfect summer jam we’ve all been waiting for, but there’s better news, this is the lead single from the Magic Bullets‘ self-titled album, out on June 15th through Mon Amie Records. So cut back and get into these warm tones and shimmering rhythms, it’s good for you. Read More
Portland based Typhoon rolls 10 members deep, creating tracks rich in texture and instrumentation, a grab bag of sounds of sorts, while leaving plenty of room for the breathy vocals of Kyle Morton to shine. “Starting Over (Bad Habits)” is a song about breaking old ways to start anew, building musically with its message, sliding into a crescendo of harmony as Kyle crows his resolution to “kick you like a bad habit.” Their latest album Hunger and Thirst is out today on Tender Loving Empire.
Typhoon – Starting Over (Bad Habits)
Read More
I just downloaded I Want You, his mixtape that dropped today, and realized how brilliant his moves are from a business perspective. I’m not talking about his music (whether you like it or not), I’m talking about his success as an artist. Read More
I like Bok Bok because he’s breaking the rules of club music; trading in rudimentary “four-on-the-floor” rhythms for jumping tribal slams, giving Diamond K & Al Ripken Jr‘s hype-man style raps the ultimate vehicle. If you’re into this cut you can purchase the entire release, out on Top Billin, with remixes from Lunice, Cobra Krames, and Trusta.
Diamond K & Al Ripken Jr – Hands In The Air (Bok Bok Remix)
Read More
Kamei gives Ozzy Osbourne’s “Mr. Crowley” the french touch, and the result is a silky ride through the joys of filters, chops, and bass-laden grooves.
Ozzy Osbourne – Mr. Crowley (Kamei Remix)
Read More
Esteemed beat maker RJD2 gets reworked by Alan Wilkis, who turns the original piano-backed Motown shudder into a funky, bass-driven strut. Vocals are served up courtesy of Little Brother’s Phonte, a dope lyricist in his own right.
RJD2 – The Shining Path (Alan Wilkis Remix)
Read MoreI’m a big fan of ambient music and visual imagery. Artists like Sytnaks and others from Ghostly records are daze-inducing in such a relaxing way. Hammock created something equally as beautiful with “Mono No Aware,” the single from Maybe They Will Sing For Us Tomorrow, out on Darla Records.
Read More
Oddisee is a D.C. based rapper and producer, and unlike the thousands of other dudes who do this, he’s good. His beats are built around crate-dug soul samples, furnishing that organic sound our ears yearn for. Below are two cuts from the Mental Liberation EP, “Hip Hop’s Cool Again” and the instrumental of “Cold For That.” He also recently dropped a 24-track instrumental album that’s a must have for any hip-hop fan.
Oddisee – Hip Hop’s Cool Again
Oddisee – Cold For That (Instrumental)
Read MoreThe White Rabbits always wow me, and their sold out show at the Bowery Ballroom made me feel like a teenager at my first concert. All of their tunes are highly recommended, and you can purchase them on iTunes or download some for free from RCRD LBL. Photos are on behalf of RCRD LBL.
Get the flash player here: http://www.adobe.com/flashplayer
Read More
