It’s only been a week since catching Ava Luna at Mercury Lounge, and I’ve been jamming out to them ever since. As witnessed during that show, the band seems to have found a great combination of friends and influences to really be a best new and emerging band. Ava Luna is Carlos Hernandez on vocals
Recently, I got to talk with Jason Hammel from Mates of State, while they were in the studio in Bridgeport, CT, working on new stuff and recording their very first song since Mountaintops. I first heard about these guys circa 2003, when “Proofs” became my jam. Years later, they’re still going strong, improving, and expanding.
Amoral is a metal band from Helsinki, Finland, who classify their sound as being “Classic Rock For The 21st Century.” Since the band’s beginning in the late ’90s, their sound has evolved from death metal to more power rock by adding Finnish Idol winner Ari Koivunen on vocals, as well as the evolution of founding
North Highlands, named after the hometown of singer Brenda Malvini, is a Brooklyn-based band made up of transplants. Guitarist Mike Barron, drummer Jasper Berg, bassist Andy Kasperbauer, and multi-instrumentalist Daniel Stewart are all from elsewhere, but their band bases them in Brooklyn. They’ve had a good year, with the recording of their first full length,
Ohbijou is Casey Mecija, her sister Jenny Mecija, James Bunton, Ryan Carley, Anissa Hart and Heather Kirby. They had me at their song, “Niagara,” and then their dreamy, atmospheric show at The Rock Shop sealed the deal. But in between, I sat down with the sextet before their last show in NYC, who all turned
Danish electronic artist and multi-instrumentalist Trentemøller has sold out tours around the world, been nominated for a U.S. Grammy, and has earned a reputation as being one of the hottest producers and in-demand remixers in the last few years. He also has great taste in music. This is an artist who already has a solid
Humans are Peter Ricq and Robbie Slade (Image by Justin Tyler), who are two guys who make music to dance to. You could meet your next significant other at one of their shows, or you can just re-discover one of the first things humans learned how to do – party. Robbie and Peter come from
Before Grave Babies’ show at Death By Audio, I sat down with songwriter Danny Wahlfeldt, Tyler Robinson, Keith Whiteman, and Mitch Saulsberry, who regaled me with stories about everything from their beginnings in a basement to the best way to end their Farewell Tour 2011. Kelly Knapp: Tell me about Grave Babies. Danny Wahlfeldt: Grave
Daniel James of Canon Blue Canon Blue is one of those bands that you need to let the music sink in and really permeate to fully appreciate it. Having done collaborations with amiina, Sigur Rós’ string section, and Efterklang, their compositions reflect layered and thoughtful sensibilities, like the kind that are best experienced when you
Rabble Rabble Before their show at Glasslands that has now become one of my favorite shows that I’ve been to this summer, Ralph Darski and Matt Ciarleglio of Rabble Rabble sat down with me over 2 for 1 beers at Williamsburger for what has become one of the more fun interviews I’ve done as well.