In her performance at Bowery Ballroom, Ane Brun was able to balance minimalism with impact, creating stirring compositions that were enigmatic in their subtlety. This was evident from the first song, “These Days,” which she sang with controlled urgency, backed by soft organ and just enough percussion to push the pulse. This, and every one of her songs have lyrics worth listening to, but her vocal delivery surpasses that, along with her constant movement. Brun physically interprets her meanings as well, at times stomping with arms up like a matador of song, and at others simply swaying to the melody.

If she wasn’t dancing, it was because she had her hands full playing acoustic guitar, such as when she came back out for the first encore song with a solo acoustic cover of Arcade Fire’s “Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels).” She explained this was part of an effort called The Voice Project, which she filmed a performance for. Brun and her band ended on the stirring “The Light From One,” with her exiting the stage first, letting the band play out, and setting the crowd gently back down on the ground.

Opener Elin Ruth Sigvardsson also sat in with Ane Brun through her entire set, providing backup vocals and keyboards. Sigvardsson’s opening set was solo acoustic folk tinged with classic pop. She sang songs about yearning, and having what you want, with a powerful voice that showed she had the potential to be in an even more grand setting. She can carry her songs on her own without any hitches, but there is definitely room for a full band interpretation to further augment what she’s already emanating.

Gemma Ray was in the middle, playing some retro rockabilly. She fingerpicked, she strummed, she busted out her knife as a prop to slide and scratch the strings. It was all fit for a soundtrack to the next Tarantino film, except that her vocals was actually a little too polished. When she tried to put in some raspy emotion, it seemed to be a bit too contrived, like she hadn’t quite experienced the blues yet, the way her influences did. She had the catchy pop melodies down, though, such as on her single “Rescue Me,” a melodic little ditty that’s a nod to classic 60s pop and doo wop.

Ane Brun has many tour dates left in the US and on to Europe. You can check out all dates and listen to tracks on her Facebook. Gemma Ray will be right with her for many of those days; check her calendar. Guess who is also supporting Ane, at least up through Chicago? You got it – get news updates, watch some videos, and learn more about Elin on her website.

Emily Wells has long been turning heads with her unique songcraft. The performer, producer and songwriter trades in a striking mix of classical instrumentation, folk rawness and hip-hop production anchored by her haunting combination of voice and violin. Her burgeoning reputation owes as much to her hypnotic live show where, working a looping pedal, Wells becomes a one-woman orchestra, playing live drums, guitars, analog synthesizers and beat machines as well. Her new music is the same blend of deft composition and hand-wrought quality that deeply colors each of Wells' albums, and which also caught the attention of Partisan Records (Deer Tick, Sallie Ford & the Sound Outside, etc.), who ultimately signed her to the label. Wells' latest album, Mama, is set for an April 10th release date on Partisan, and the striking first single "Passenger" is available now for a free download. A handful of live dates have also been announced. They are:

Saturday, February 18th - Los Angeles, CA @ The Echo (Early Show, doors @ 6pm)
Wednesday, March 14th-Saturday March 17th - Austin, TX @ SXSW
Thursday, March 22nd - Indianapolis, IN @ White Rabbit (w. Echomakerdoors)
Monday, April 9th - New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom (Album Release Show)

Partisan Records
Emily Wells Official Site
Emily Wells Facebook
Terrorbird Press Page
Terrorbird

Monday 11/28: Austra w/Young Galaxy & Tasseomancy at the Empty Bottle in Chicago - 9:30pm - $12 - 21+

Tuesday 11/29: Cults w/Panthers Modern & The Can't Nots at The Met - Providence RI - 8pm - $15 - 21+

Thursday 12/1: Madi Diaz, w/Dashboard Confessional at Irving Plaza, New York City - 7pm - $27 - 21+

Thursday 12/1: Future Islands w/ Ed Schrader's Music Beat at Bowery Ballroom, New York City - 8pm - $14-16 - 18+

Saturday 12/3: Kurt Vile at The Bakery - Artrage Complex, Perth Australia - 7pm

Last night was Jens Lekman’s (above) third and final sold out show at the Music Hall of Williamsburg in Brooklyn, and his last show in the US. Actually, the majority of his US shows were sold out, so he’s definitely had a good run through. Last night was a magnificent end to his sweetly sentimental run, and a great show by the man who has perfected the art of repurposing pop songs with his own wit and worldly perspective.

But first, Luke Temple played a stark solo set with electric guitar, bathed in a blue spotlight. His songs were a little bit American Football, a little bit Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy, with a splash of Bon Iver thrown in. He plucked and strummed while singing soft and steady lyrics of love. Luke is also the frontman of Here We Go Magic, and his solo set was a lot like a paired down version of their slower songs, with folkier vocals and more thoughtful rhythm. On one song, he plucked a heavier, psychedelic melody that sounded like it could have been a b-side off The Beatles’ Revolver album. He began another that he forgot the last half to, saying it had been about four years since he’s played some of the songs. Then, he ended on a lyrically beautiful song that really showcased his songwriting and his voice.

Jens Lekman’s intro music was like that of a child’s music box. He and his new drummer entered stage right to wild applause, but the second he spoke and began “Every Little Hair Knows Your Name,” the venue became immediately silent. Only Jens Lekman fans are this intent and respectful. This opening of Jens on solo acoustic guitar reminded me of something he does really well – making his performance a personal, intimate experience, like we’re all friends watching him perform in his living room…with amazing acoustics and hi-tech stage lighting. The second song picked up with the drummer coming in on crowd favorite “I Saw Her in the Anti-War Demonstration.”

Equally as entertaining and interesting as Jens’ songs, if not more so, are his stories between songs. He offered fun details like the premise for a couple of his songs, telling us he wanted to take us into the courtroom of his mind when he was traveling in Australia and wrote “An Argument With Myself.” He also told the story of when he friend informed him that Kirsten Dunst was in town, so he had to “manically stalk her through the night” and wait at the club he knew she would be at, except that ironically, she was turned away at the door. Then, as he sang the true story in the lyrics, “That in Gothenburg we don't have VIP lines/In Gothenburg we don't make a fuss about who you are,” it was easy to understand how, despite playing numerous sold out shows all over the world, Jens remains unpretentious and humble as ever. After he finished playing his classic “Black Cab,” he said, “That was beautiful the way you all sang along to that song.” Of course, he gets what he gives.

Anyone can write a pop song, but not everyone can write a pop song as original and refreshing as Jens, while still hitting home in the deepest and most honest way. After his set ended, my friend turned to me and told me she had just let go of a past love during “Cowboy Boots,” because it said everything she had needed to hear but hadn’t processed for years. That is what Jens does to people. He’s like a musical healer.

Jens Lekman is off to Europe, where his tour ends at the Pitchfork Festival in Paris. His new EP An Argument With Myself is currently available on Secretly Canadian. Luke Temple has a handful more shows, including Bowery Ballroom on October 25th with CANT.

All photos (c) Kelly Knapp

Picked By: Daniel Kohn

Who: Theophilus London

Where: The Troubadour, West Hollywood, CA

When: Monday, July 18th at 8pm

Cost: SOLD OUT

Age Restrictions: All Ages

Picked By: Daniel Kohn

Who: Yael Naim

Where: The Hotel Café, Los Angeles, CA

When: Monday, May 16th at 8pm

Cost: $20

Age Restritions: 21+

Start your weekend off with a selection of music from artists featured this week on BestNewBands.com

Last week, for the first time, in New York's Bowery Ballroom, I watched MEN in costumes dance. I watched MEN sing. I watched MEN jam.

Wait, I paid to watch dudes?

I kid, of course (and to the readers, I apologize, I usually try to avoid bad puns). The Brooklyn-based disco-funk dance trio, fronted by JD Samson and joined by Ginger Brooks Takahashi and Michael O'Neill, sold out the Bowery Ballroom. MEN are now joined by Tami Hart (who you can see in the above photo). Tami replaced Ginger (more on that below), and is now the permanent bassist/2nd guitarist for the project.

So what does it take to be as cool as JD Samson, how does he really feel about labels, and what is the symbolism of a large banner that hang behind them onstage posing the question, “Who Am I To Feel So Free?”

Kristina Villarini: JD, how did you feel about the NYC tour kickoff show?

JD Samson: It was fun. I mean, it's always stressful to play in New York. Every New York show is a high-pressure show. The sound on the stage could have been better, but what can you do?

KV: You can let me know if this is an appropriate question or not, but what happened to Ginger, and what can you tell me about Tami, who rocks a mean left-handed bass?

JDS: Ginger left the project to pursue her visual arts work. Tami has already brought so many things to the project. I first met Tam when I was 20 and she was 18, in North Carolina. I was working with Le Tigre and we were on the same label. So, we've kept in touch for a long time and now we're getting the opportunity to reconnect.

Last month, I reviewed the debut album by Brooklyn-based, electronically-rooted but every other genre but country-fused band MEN, which you can read HERE. Talk About Body is a very accomplished debut for a trio of individuals who have an accomplished musical lineage. JD Samson, of celebrated band Le Tigre has created a robsut combination of musical flavors with every song, along with Ladybug Transistor’s Michael O’Neill and Ginger Brooks Takahashi.

On March 9^th, the band will kick off their North American tour with a stop at the Bowery Ballroom before ending with a stop at Indio, California's musical festivus: Coachella. Supported by various artists throughout the schedule, the trio will be joined by psychedelic, multimedia pop act NewVillager and I.U.D at the Bowery Ballroom show. MEN are touring in support of Talk About Body, which was propelled by the single, “Off Our Backs.”