Tag Archives: Alternative Rock

The Top 3 Concerts at Summerstage 2013

22 Apr

Summerstage

While the cold air continues to linger over New York, one of the first signs of summer presented itself in the form of an e-mail this afternoon. The 2013 Summerstage calendar has been released. Summerstage, a product of the NYC City Parks Foundation, is a uniquely New York. From June 4 – August 29, Summerstage provides over 100 free music, dance, film, comedy, family and theater programs in 17 parks across all five boroughs of NYC. It is an ubiquitous city-wide arts fest and all are invited. The schedule, like in year’s past, is packed with several savory events, including a few premier cost events – like the ones I will discuss in today’s post.

While I urge you to check out the Schedule when you have an opportunity, I am going to preview three events I am most excited about, all occurring at the 69th St. & 5th Ave, Central Park location.

3.) Bobby McFerrin – Tuesday, August 20th at 7:00pm EDT

No, this famous song of sincere contentment was not created by Bob Marley. The song was released seven years after Marley’s death, and, last time I checked, Marley is not 2Pac. “Don’t Worry Be Happy” is the wise advice of Bobby McFerrin, and, in some form of twisted irony, this simple ditty of humorous happiness that is clearly his most known work suffers from authorship mistakes and does not do McFerrin justice. McFerrin is a tremendously talented musicians with a perspicacious musicality that shines through everything he creates. Although I am still trying to figure out the “Don’t Worry Be Happy” video that truly marks the song as one of the weirdest pieces to ever hit the top spot on the charts, I’m sure McFerrin will put on a very “happy” show in August.

2.) The Zombies/Django Django/Adam Green and Binki Shapiro/DJ Modest P – Saturday, June 15th at 3:00pm EDT

Wow. This is an eclectic mix of old/new musicians. The Zombies released Odessey and Oracle in 1968, and those who have listened to it can attest to it being one of the better rock albums of the 1960s. The band combined pop/rock with prog/psych to establish an intriguing blend of 60s genres. I saw them at a previous Hippiefest, and they were quite good.

Django Django released their self-titled debut in 2012, and it’s combination of electronic rock and indie influences is upbeat and poppy with Franz Ferdinand influences. Heck, there is even some embedded 60s pop in the music. Take a listen to “Hail Bop” below. Enjoy the odd video.

Of what I know about the other two performers, Adam Green and Binki Shapiro are folk/pop artists with a pull towards the 60s and DJ Modest P is a skilled New York spinner known for his long time Saturday night residency at the legendary East Village club Nublu. I’m interested to hear what kind of show this will be.

1.) Airborne Toxic Event – Tuesday, June 18th at 7:00pm EDT

I have had an itch to see the Airborne Toxic Event for quite a while. The Californian Indie Rock band – with a name alluding to my favorite Don DeLillo novel – saw well-deserved success with the release of their sophomore album, All At Once, and, by the time this concert rolls around, will be supporting their third release, Such Hot Blood, set for release in late April. Quite simply, this will be an awesome show. Perfect band for the Summerstage.

Those are my top three. Feel free to check out the schedule (above), and you can follow Summerstage on Facebook or Twitter

 

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Don’t Sleep on Sleeperstar

9 Apr

Sleeperstar

Let’s start with the basics; Sleeperstar will not put you to sleep. It’s more likely they will open your eyes. Hailing from Dallas, TX, the five-piece group plays a passionate blend of keys-heavy alternative rock that focuses on emotional vocal and instrumental crescendo. Like a good story, Sleeperstar is able to balance moments of inaction and quiet with well-placed melodic climaxes. Led by powerful vocals and Snow Patrol-like echoed harmony and percussion, the band is a must-listen for fans of Coldplay, Matchbox 20, and similar Alt/Rock bands.

Following the release of Sleeperstar’s first album, Just Another Ghost, in 2010, the band toured extensively with several dates throughout the United States before returning to the studio to record the most recent EP, Blue Eyes, which was released back in January of this year. Just Another Ghost will be a difficult album to follow. The incipient effort for the band featured songs that landed multiple major media placements, including the TV show “Vampire Diaries” and the movie “Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close.”

The band – which consists of Nick Box, Chris Pearson, Shaun Menary, Jake Lester, and Geoff Ashcraft – seems up for the challenge. The opening track on the new EP is sure to find its way onto a TV show or movie soon. Take a listen to “Replay.”

The rich vocals dance over wavy keys and sweeping percussion – giving off hints of OAR. The chorus hits hard with echo-driven, enthusiastic harmonies. The vocal precision of Sleeperstar is perhaps its greatest strength. The music itself is more than satisfying, catchy and potent, but the vocals are almost penetrating. Simply, the vocals stick with you.

Here is “Everything Must Find Its Place,” which was featured in “Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close.”

The song emits a 90s Brit/Alt pop feels with its focus on impassioned keys and heavy vocals. This permeates the song and helps it become more effective. Sleeperstar’s music goes down smoothly like a craft beer. It is satisfying, hearty, and well-made. I, for one, am looking forward to the next round.

Find out more about Sleeperstar: Facebook, Twitter, Website

Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

New Stuff – Peter Bradley Adams Free Download – Airborne Toxic Event New Album

5 May

Peter Bradley Adams Fighting the Good Music Fight

Peter Bradley Adams first caught my ears a few years ago, and he has graced them with his folky croon ever since. I am a sucker for talented singer-songwriters and PBA is a perfect example of that title. On June 14, he will release his new studio album Between Us and I strongly suggest that you check it out. I have a small treat from the new album to share with you, compliments of the man himself.

Free Download of “Full Moon Song”: http://www.peterbradleyadams.com/freedownload/

“Full Moon Song” is a great representation of Peter Bradley Adams’ music. His voice meshes perfectly with a lightly plucked acoustic guitar. He establishes kind harmonies that lead into haunting strings and keyboard that paint the background. These intricacies represent a growing maturity.

Here is one of my favorite PBA songs, “Los Angeles,” from his 2008 album Leavetaking:

—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Airborne Toxic Event Keep Pushing The Right Buttons

Let me premise this post by saying that recent Alternative Rock is very hit or miss with me. While I’m a big fan of the work of The Killers and Radiohead, I have trouble listening to Alt/Rock bands that have sunk into the trap of post-punk (and no the Killers are not post-punk). Airborne Toxic Event, however, is doing everything right. They maintain their label as Alt/Rock, but also delve into some creative Indie creations, and this is well represented in their second studio album All At Once, which was released on April 26.

The Airborne Toxic Event first tickled my fancy with their DeLillo-inspired “White Noise” name. I am a huge DeLillo fan and “The Airborne Toxic Event” section of “White Noise” is wonderfully symbolic and well-written. I’m an English major. This stuff excites me.

“Sometime Around Midnight” first drew me into the band. The song, which appears on the band’s first studio album, is excellently done. It, itself, is a rising crescendo and the alluring opening is excellent. You can actually hear this opening in the third track of the band’s new album. What?

Yeah, the song “Changing” features the first few notes of the song (in the video it is on the radio and turned off by band members) and this creative beginning is awesome. I love band’s that allude to past work in their newer songs (see the Beatles). “Changing,” therefore, is an apt name.

The song is carried by two guitars, rhythm and lead, that layer a fun, catch riff, until the verse begins. The verse is introduced by drums, but then travels to short chords after this neat breakdown with “I am a gentlemen.” Not convinced. At 2:37 the song features a step breakdown. Come on. That is so awesome and creative. That is some real “Changing.”

Tags: , , , ,

Newer Entries →