Come stomp your feet to Gangstagrass this Saturday at Mercury Lounge. This truly unique band utilizes a fine mix of classic bluegrass instrumentals and rowdy rapping to promote a paradigm shift towards miscegenation, the idea being that fans of both genres can party together. Their album, Rappalachia, collaborates with artists from both genres such as T.O.N.E-z, R-Son, Aint No Love and Dead Prez, rapping about the rambler’s life and stompin’ people out. Their fearless lyrics and soulful style are sure to throw down. The “Two Fisted Tales of Twang” show starts at 7:30 and will also feature The Newton Gang, another Brooklyn band brandishing their signature “outlaw country” sound.
So from melody driven bands carrying the essence of psychedelia and the spirit of California, we will shift gears to bands whose psychedelia is more overt, heavier and darker. The first time I posted about Sleepy Sun, the song was one of their lighter, more acoustic based tunes, that definitely draws from the same vibe as Devendra Banhart’s freak-folk. Unlike Banhart, who primarily stays in that zone, Sleepy Sun leans more on rock, yet it differs from Howlin’ Rain, Blitzen Trapper and The Mother Hips as it’s ties to blues and other roots styles is much less direct. The sound is obscured by more stylistic use of effects and darker tones.
Below is a trailer that shows the band hard at work in a studio in the iconic desert near Joshua Tree. They are gearing up to release their third studio album, Spine Hits, on Tuesday, April 10th. I heard about this first from the nice folks over at Relix. From what we hear in this brief clip, it sounds as if the band is pushing their sound in slightly different direction. It will be really interesting to see if it retains enough of their core, while incorporating enough new ground to be a success.
The band will be touring the country in anticipation and support of the new album. Here are some dates in the Northeast:
With the rise of Indie Rock over the last decade there has been a revival of many styles of music that fall into the Indie aesthetic. Everything from the Garage Rock heard in The Strokes to the more Punk inspired songs of The White Stripes, to the Post-Punk (albeit with a Chamber Pop twist) heard in bands like Arcade Fire and Vampire Weekend. Then of course there is the Synth Pop heard on MGMT‘s major label debut masterpiece, Oracular Spectacular.
It is more along those last two threads that I want to focus on. An entire sub genre has risen fronted by bands like LCD Soundsystem, The Faint, The Bravery and Bloc Party. Disco-Punk or in some cases Electro-Punk has become a major force in the underground music scene that seems to once again be receiving an adrenaline shot to the heart by the yet to break supergroup known as New Build. Boasting members of Hot Chip and LCD Soundsystem, this band’s pedigree has them poised to make a big splash with the release of their debut album Yesterday Was Lived And Lost on Tuesday, April 3rd here in the U.S.
They will tour in anticipation of this release through March, but it will be primarily in Europe. For those fortunate enough to live in NYC, they will be making two appearances, back to back at Mercury Lounge on Tuesday, March 13th and Wednesday, March 14th. That is to say fortunate enough to have already purchased tickets, since it’s SOLD OUT! For those of us who can’t be there, listen to their lead single “Do You Not Feel Loved?” below and have a dance party in your bedroom. After all, it is much more introspective than traditional dance music you would listen to out at a club in the city.
Alright guys, one last push before Buy The Sky‘s debut at Mercury Lounge tomorrow night. The band is going to come out strong after a two and a half month hiatus, with new keyboard player Luke Palmer. There are rumors of a possible new song being added to the live repertoire, but I guess we’ll have to wait and see if that transpires. To amp you up before stepping into the hallowed back room of Mercury Lounge, watch the band perform one more staple from their Arlene’s Grocery show back on 6/15/11. This is the fan favorite “Shoebox”.
Remember to grab your tickets in advance here. You can also check out a few other great cuts from this same show, which we featured over the last weeks. Click here to listen to “Turn Up” and get some additional information about the other two acts on the bill. Click here to listen to “Squilson” and just jam out with the band.
Here is a follow up on Buy The Sky. One more song to convince you that attending their debut show at Mercury Lounge next Wednesday, February 1st is a necessity, not an option! Watch a funky take of “Squilson” below, recorded live at Arlene’s Grocery on 6/15/11. Purchase your tickets here, and we’ll see you at the show.
Make sure you get out to Mercury Lounge in two weeks to catch Buy The Sky‘s debut show at this legendary venue! The band will perform at 7:30pm, being sandwiched in between two great acts that are friends with the members of BTS. Show up early to catch the Experimental Pop of Public School at 6:30pm, and make sure to stick around after Buy The Sky to watch an upbeat set of Blues and Pop inflected Alternative Rock from the Philadelphia band D & M. This is guaranteed to best thing going on in New York City on any Wednesday night.
You can check out the details and purchase tickets in advance here.
Here is my personal favorite song by the band to whet your appetite. This show was recorded live on Wednesday, June 15th 2011 at Arlene’s Grocery.
