New York – CMJ Music Marathon marches sleeplessly on in Gotham, and on Wednesday hit what was possibly the extravaganza’s pinnacle performance. Event organizers had preempted the Webster Hall concert with caution, a sort of this-night-will-be-packed-so-don’t-expect-entrance-is-a-given kind of mentality. And though they said it couldn’t be done, CMJ badge holders turned out in droves to
Nashville – The Twilight Sad is a band that seems to have trouble fitting in. Critics and listeners give their music broad generic labels such as “post-punk” and “indie rock” that really tell nothing of their mature sound and their growing following. Ever-gaining popularity on both sides of “the pond,” this Scottish trio is back
Los Angeles – This past summer, Philadelphia-based band Vacationer released their sophomore album, Relief. Their unique sound has been described as “Nu-Hula/ World Wave.” Relief is an appealing, earnest, and utterly joyous record. The laidback electronics booted with the dreamy guitars bestows a pleasant summer feeling we wouldn’t mind experiencing all season. It sheds light
San Francisco – This year’s Treasure Island Music Festival boasted one of the most interesting lineups of the year, promising sets from a lot of seasoned veterans across a multitude of genres, including OutKast, Massive Attack, TV on the Radio, and The New Pornographers, just to name a few. The festival’s two stages—named the Bridge
Chicago – Last week Foxygen took the Windy City by storm. The LA psychedelic rockers sold out two shows at Lincoln Hall, and their performance on Chicago’s WGN Morning News was the talk of the town. Even English rockers Temples swung by Lincoln Park to watch frontman Sam France put “the LA in Chicago.” With
Brooklyn – Wednesday night at the Music Hall of Williamsburg boasted a sold-out bill and a whole heap of alt-folk rock lovers, some still drenched from the night’s rainy temperaments. On deck to ease the mid-week blues was Sydney’s own Boy & Bear, supported by Nettwerk Music Group label mates Run River North. The night
Chicago – If you haven’t heard of Toronto punk band PUP, it’s time you have. The four-piece has been receiving praise from critics for their wild live shows and their recently released self-titled debut album on SideOneDummy Records. The chemistry between these childhood friends is amazing, and their genuine love for what they do shines
Austin—Another weekend of ACL brings another weekend of Late Night sets. This time I wound up on 6th Street west of I-35 to see Poliça, the Minneapolis electronic group that has been releasing music for two years, starting with 2012’s Give You the Ghost and following that up with last year’s Shulamith. Their music is
New York – Indie folk rocker Courtney Barnett and her band are beginning a month-long North American tour, co-headlining with avant-garde outfit San Fermin. Hot off the heels of a sold-out run of shows in her native Australia and New Zealand, the singer-songwriter will be playing songs from her critically acclaimed release, The Double
Seattle – “Sunday night!” artists kept shouting onstage at Chop Suey on a recent weekend. It was the running joke all night long and those who made it to the Capitol Hill venue on a brisk Sunday evening were fortunate to take in great music by three Pacific Northwest indie bands. Headlining the night was