Photo source: Flickr

The Antlers, The Shins, Real Estate, St. Lucia, Haim, and Andrew Bird are just a few of the great artists in town this week.  The first of many New York City indie music festivals hits with Crossing Brooklyn Ferry at/produced Continue Reading

This installment will examine a trio of artists who have all worked together in the past and all released exemplary records in 2011, each rooted in a similar sonic landscape. All three albums relied heavily on a consistent vibe of textural, layered, and interlocking guitar melodies, often soaked in a smoky, reverb-laden haze. I’ve always been drawn to records that sound cohesive and timeless — this threesome nailed that concept.

Jesus Fever – Kurt Vile // Buy

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Kurt Vile (@therealkurtvile) has been a key cog in the Philadelphia indie rock scene since the mid-2000’s, releasing records primarily rooted in garage rock with a nod to the classics (Springsteen, Petty, etc). Following this initial local success, his profile took a significant upturn in 2009 when he signed to Matador and released Childish Prodigy to critical acclaim. 2011’s Smoke Ring For My Halo, though, was what truly helped him make the leap. I remember hearing that Vile would be doing an in-store at Academy Records in Brooklyn on the day the record dropped. I sauntered over expecting to hear a loud, muddy set through a bad PA system. Boy, was I wrong. It was just him with an acoustic guitar, delicately finger-picking gorgeous melodies beneath poignant lyrics. I immediately bought the record, which would soon become my favorite of the year. The guitar work throughout Smoke Ring For My Halo is masterful. Check out a Take Away Show clip of “Baby’s Arms” to feel the song’s hazy warmth with layer after layer of pleasant guitar melodies. This collection of songs feels tied together in perpetuity, which is a damn good quality for a record to have.

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that Kurt Vile was a founding member of another great Philadelphia band. What band you ask?

Baby Missiles – The War On Drugs // Buy

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The War On Drugs (@warondrugsjams) was formed by Philly natives Adam Granduciel and Kurt Vile over a shared love of Bob Dylan. While beloved on the regional scene, the band was reluctant to tour and thus had difficulty gaining national attention. This didn’t prevent them from getting signed to a respected indie label, though — Secretly Canadien inked the band and released their debut record Wagonwheel Blues in 2008. The band has always consisted of several shifting members, and this trend continued when Kurt Vile left to pursue a solo career. Granduciel kept the spirit of the group intact, though, which brought us their 2011 album, Slave Ambient. I would be hard-pressed to find two albums by two different artists that sound so sonically similar yet triumphantly unique as TWOD’s Slave Ambient and Vile’s Smoke Ring For My Halo. Tracks like “Brothers” (video below) display just how closely these groups are intertwined. The War On Drugs are a phenomenal live band as well, having stolen the show when they opened for The National at The Beacon Theatre in December.

It’s Real – Real Estate // Buy

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Out of Tune – Real Estate // Buy

Real Estate (@realestateband) shares some tangential connections to the artists above, having released content, along with Vile, on the imprint Woodist and toured as his support. The reason they’re present in this Monday Threesome, though, is the sound of their most recent release Days. I was familiar with the band after their critically lauded, self-titled 2009 debut, but I felt largely indifferent towards them. It wasn’t until a lazy afternoon spent browsing at a record shop that they caught my ear in a good way. I actually thought I was hearing an unreleased instrumental b-side from Smoke Ring over the store’s speakers. I’ll admit, the album hasn’t moved me as strongly as those of the aforementioned projects, but few have, and this is still a fantastic record. The layered guitars that swirl and double back are expertly arranged, and the percussion stands out as simple yet remarkably refined. The instrumental that I heard in the store is called “Kinder Blumen”, and most definitely fits the vibe of this threesome. Another gem from this Ridgewood, NJ outfit is “Out Of Tune”, with the intricate layering of guitars, both strumming and finger-picking. There is a resonance to Days’ sound that contributes to the cohesiveness of the album and puts them in some great company.

Photo source: Facebook

What’s going on in the world of indie music here in New York City this week?  After a recent opening gig for with Girls, Real Estate is playing a $5 show near their home across the Hudson in Jersey, both Chairlift and Cloud Nothings are both playing in support of their new records (not the same place/time), and, among other Continue Reading

Photo source: Girls

As you might be able to tell, we’re back from an extended blog-holiday!  It sure feels good especially with the slew are rocking concerts hitting New York this week.  Girls, Real Estate, and buzzier-than-thou King Krule all hit the same stage on Saturday Continue Reading

Though it’s not a very busy week for live music here in New York City, the artists visiting are all pretty big names.  In fact, all three of our pre-Thanksgiving picks are sold out shows, so you’ll have to click on the link to Continue Reading

This week’s picks for top new releases have us up to our elbows in synth Continue Reading

Whether or not the weather agrees with us, it’s October.  And with the changing of the leaves comes an onslaught of wildly amazing fall tours.  This week, New York welcomes Iron and Wine, Stars, Jens Lekman, Dominant Legs, and more Continue Reading

Two years ago Anna Wintour, in all her evil genius, hoisted upon the unsuspecting masses Fashion’s Night Out — A night where we normals get to pretend to be important by mingling at high fashion stores we would never otherwise walk into and get shitfaced so we can more easily spend our hard earned money on things that will make us feel pretty.

Personally, I love it. If the pretty people, free booze and sales on jeans and shoes don’t convince you to spend today wandering around the consumer hubs of our great city, maybe the list of bands playing Continue Reading

Hurricane Irene came and went, canceling nearly every single concert in New York City in its path.  What’s the best cure for the cabin fever inflicted on us from the Continue Reading

Times New Viking opened this past weekend’s Celebrate! Brooklyn Free Concert Series in Prospect Park. The trio of midwesteners played a short set with offerings from thier newest Continue Reading