The Summer of Sound: Bands You Need To Know
Written by Kristina Weise
Photographed by Evan Sung
(Opposite - Diamond
Nights)
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Over the past few months New York City has opened its loving arms and embraced numerous bands that have graced its stage and provided perennial happiness to the ears of adoring fans. New York Cool’s Evan Sung and I had the opportunity to attend a lot of concerts this summer including the most recent CMJ showcase. Artists that are established, on the brink, and emerging, basked in the glow of the 45 minute spotlight and left crowds craving more.
What a nice way to end the summer and ring in the New Year than by doing so with Clap Your Hands Say Yeah. They are playing at Irving Plaza on December 31 st starting at 9:30 P.M. with special guests still to be announced. Clap Your Hands consists of five members from Brooklyn blazing the way for indie rock. They have an amazing line-up of shows stretching from Canada to Texas, so if you missed them this summer, get ready to ring in 2006 with some great music.
She Wants Revenge played at CMJ and was nothing short of sweet. Electronic percussion amidst serious synth, guitars, and dark vocals pulsed through Pianos in the Lower East Side. She Wants Revenge delivers where our favorite bands of the 80’s (The Cure, New Order, etc. etc.) left off. They are taking us into a new age of music, but doing so by remembering the greats, and adding a sound that is distinctly them. http://www.shewantsrevenge.com
One of the most surprising concerts
took place at Irving Plaza featuring Estheroand
The Brazilian Girls. These two groups offered a
melodic mix of funky beats (I reference Esthero’s
‘Wikked Lil’ Grrrls’) and the
laid-back grooves of the band not actually from
Brazil. ‘Don’t Stop’ by The Brazilian
Girls is a mellow track that can’t get any
better until you hear lead singer Sabina Sciubba
ignite the crowd by singing, “ Lets drink
some tea and smoke some herb.” Check out:
http://www.braziliangirls.info/ and
http://www.esthero.net for more information.
The Brazilian Girls
Jason Collett performed at Hiro
Ballroom and presented rock and pop songs eerily
similar to Dylan - playing acoustic and electric
while never ignoring the importance of lyrics. The
former Broken Social Scene guitarist started out
as a solo performer and has returned to his roots.
‘We All Lose One Another’ is a beautiful
ballad featuring a haunting violin and showcasing
the depth of Collett’s writing abilities.
For more information please visit:
http://www.arts-crafts.ca/jasoncollett/index2.html
The Switch is a five-piece striking a delicate balance between computerized beats and the youthful freedom of pure rock 'n roll energy. Igniting the crowd with their original sound and total sex appeal, they offer a universal indulgence to any listener. Mixing keyboards with drum pads, beautiful vocals, and gutsy guitar riffs, it was no surprise that everyone in attendance was dancing along with the lead singer. For more information visit: www.switchedmusic.com.
Tarantula A.D.
Tarantula A.D. is a group of classically trained musicians playing cello and violin while performing head banging metal instrumental. “Book of Sand” Tarantula A.D.’s upcoming full-length CD is set for release on November 1 st and you can catch them that night at Joe’s Pub. I cannot think of any bands that carry the same unique sound as Tarantula A.D., but my one attempt is to reference Mogwai and New Radio. For more information, please visit: http://www.tarantulamusic.com/ |
