Tags archives: pop rock

  • While you wait for that new Taylor Swift album which is surely in the works given the artist’s recent break-up, here are a few songs to enjoy in the warm weather. No matter whether it’s more #endlesssummer or more endless bummer... 1. Stabwounds’ “Fragile Boy” Don’t let their name fool you. Despite the fact that their name makes them sound like a metalcore band, Stabwounds is more indie folk than -core. Together, bandmates Emma March Barash and Amanda Brooklyn form what they call “the sexually charged reincarnation of Simon and Garfunkel”. The duo crafts soft harmonies that drift likes breezes about heartache and relationships. Layered atop acoustic guitar or occasionally unaccompanied, they’re an easy listen. If you missed the chance to see the band live at their recent Pianos gig, they’ll be playing an upcoming show at The Manhattan Inn in Brooklyn on July 11th! 2. Modern Baseball’s “Wedding Singer” Although both Brendan Lukens and Jake Ewald share the duty of primary vocalist in Modern Baseball, this single off their new record Holy Ghost features Ewald alone and perhaps at his best. The video features a pink haired hearse driver (think a younger Kate Winslet in Eternal Sunshine of a Spotless Mind) coming to the rescue of a frantic young man, pacing the gates of a cemetery. The two drive around in the modified cadillac, eventually roller skating and karaoking. It’s like a four minute rom-com complete with all the will-they, won’t-they meaningful eye contact yo[...]
  • CMJ 2015 is in full swing. The festival takes its name from the College Media Journal, which was started by Robert Haber in 1978. Haber’s publication was aimed at college radio programmers and their audiences, a crowd which is still well represented at each year’s festival. This year the CMJ speaker schedule includes talks and workshops on the radio resumes, interviews and the history of student-run radio as well as the CMJ College Radio Awards. As much as the five day, non-stop marathon still honors its history in college radio, it also delves into the live scene. Well over a thousand bands with varying levels of exposure play venues all over New York. From the basement-like space of Cake Shop to the expansive Brooklyn Bowl, artists gather to play their best and celebrate music. This year’s line-up includes bands of every genre and size. Seeing all of them is infeasible, but here are about dozen acts that you can’t miss. - - - - - - - - - - T H U R S D A Y - - - - - - - - - - Glass Animals Genre: Indie Rock Set Time: Thu, October 15, 8:00 PM @ Terminal 5 Listen To: "Black Mambo" Girls with Brown Hair Genre: Indie Rock/Comedy Set Time: Thu, October 15, 8:06 PM > 8:16 PM @ The Unicorn Listen To: "Dad Rap" Panda Bear Genre: Experimental Set time: Thu, October 15, 9:00 PM @ Bowery Ballroom Listen To: “Boys Latin” off of Panda Bear Meets the Grim Reaper The Maccabees Genre: Indie Rock Set Time: Thu, October 15, 11:00 PM > 11:45 PM @ Me[...]
  • Beginning with the opening track off their debut album Throw Up Your Hands for One Night Stands, Freshman 15 played a short, but enthusiastic set at Chinatown's Santos Party House. The floor was dotted with young fans (and a few 21+s in wristbands) who had arrived early to see the one of the many openers that night. Before the Georgia pop rock band took the stage their statemates, Everybody Run, played an equally empty house. Despite the showing or rather lack there of, both bands played a high energy and spirited sets. Freshman 15 especially played a well-rehearsed, even choreographed show with intermittent, but well-timed stage jumps and similar stage antics. Lead singer and bassist Davey Fortner hoisted his instrument in unison with guitarist Mike Baker, showing a clear chemistry amidst the band. Despite being down a member and having to borrow Everybody Run's bassist Shaan Singh, they showed no signs of being  tired of the road or of one another. The Don’t Worry Be Happy tour they were on with headliners Carolina Kings and Survey Says was well underway, but even missing a bassist (Davey Hoogerwerf left the band in 2012), Fortner, Baker and drummer Leo Teran powered through. The earlier band's bassist meshed seamlessly with their energy and matched their goofy smiles with a grin of his own. There was a positivity to the set, as there was to their second album, that translated to their live show. "Our California Song", a sad tune with an upbeat and plenty of crunchy [...]