What You May Have Missed: Jump Into The Gospel at Pianos

Jump Into The Gospel: October 12 @ Pianos, New York, NY

When last I'd seen Jump Into The Gospel, they were finishing up a residency at Pianos about four months ago. Earlier this month, I was at the same LES venue to see the fellas once again. What do you get when you toss a bunch of adorable skinny guys on a stage with instruments and amplification? You get one happy me! The rest of the audience was equally happy.

In a compact set, they did what they do best, worked the crowd into a dance party that had folks wanting more. They've tightened up performance wise which gave them a bit of a harder sound, more edgy. They also look different. Body languages have changed. They look more rock star now. No, it's not the white outfits, those just make me crave ice cream. The rhythmic instrument guys, Chris Stein (drums), Erik Tonnesen (keys) and Lakis Pavlou (bass) had a laid back coolness about them and a subtle power that demanded you dance. Guitarist Ben Vescovi has stepped things up a notch. He sounded more streamlined, more precise. And visually, he has achieved that pretty, slightly vacant, 70's rock star look. Hm, he may take issue with that description! Front-man Louis Epstein is evolution. He is working the stage more and frankly, there were several moments that I got that larger than life feeling while watching him perform. At this rate, there will soon be too much Louis for the smaller stages; he'll need a grander setting. At one point, I was perched precariously on the steps beneath Epstein. I looked up, the lights were framing him and thought to myself, rising star. In all of the time I've been going to see their shows, Jump Into The Gospel have never sounded or looked so complete.

More photos HERE

Setlist (to the best of my memory)

• Flagship
• St. John
• Start A Following
• My Man
• Humvee
• 2012

What You May Have Missed: Hank & Cupcakes at Mercury Lounge

Hank & Cupcakes: October 8 @ Mercury Lounge, New York, NY

Earlier this month I was down at Mercury Lounge. On the bill that night, New York based duo Hank & Cupcakes. Until now, they were one of those bands that I kept missing. Something always came up when they were playing around town. I must say, it has been my loss and I'm happy to have finally rectified the situation. I already knew I liked their music. In fact, if I'd been spinning vinyl, I would have worn the grooves off their self-titled EP. Luckily for us, they've just finished recording a new record so we have that treat to look forward to.

Hank & Cupcakes put on a fun, funky, sexy, infectious, "ah hell, it's a party up in here!" show. The audience was in party mode, cheering them on, singing along and dancing up a sweat. If you don't have fun at one of their shows, seek therapy immediately! They're are a must see. Do yourself a favor and go see them up close and personal before they blow up to Gaga status and you're in the nose bleed section at Madison Square Garden watching the fun.

More photos HERE

Video of the Day: Some Velvet Morning - "Don't Think"

Today we have for you, "Don't Think" the latest video from UK band Some Velvet Morning. The single comes out in the UK on October 30. Check out the video below.

Upcoming: MyNameIsJohnMichael at The Living Room, 10/21

New York, head on down to The Living Room on Friday, October 21 and get your groove on! MyNameIsJohnMichael is coming back. The show is at 11:30PM and it’s FREE! That’s right folks, hot New Orleans flavor for free, what more could you ask for?

What You May Have Missed: The Broadcast at Mercury Lounge

The Broadcast: October 8 @ Mercury Lounge, New York, NY

When last I saw The Broadcast perform, it was at Mercury Lounge, they were still New Yorkers and they were rockin' a filled audience with earthy soul based music. Since then, they've left NY for Asheville, NC to do the full-time musician thing and released a new record, Days Like Dreams. I had a chance to catch The Broadcast, once again at Mercury Lounge. It's been two years since I've seen them. Excuse me, what? How did that happen? I need to get out more!

The band took the stage to an enthusiastic audience. Front-woman Caitlin Krisko has gone from soulful bohemian to rockin' soul. The band launched into a set that had the audience cheering them, singing a-long and dancing. You can't help but feel good at one of their shows. One of the first things I noticed was that their sound has gotten edgier, more funky. They sound more Memphis soul now. Krisko, in a pink and purple shimmy dress, started out in platform pumps which gave way to bare feet, all the better for dancing which she does a lot of. She has gained a richness to her voice allowing for a deeper sexier sound.

While Krisko has killer pipes, she is surrounded by suburb band-mates that you have to see live to fully appreciate. The tight rhythm section, Rich Brownstein (keyboards), Matthew Davis (bass), Tyler Housholder (percussion) and Michael Davis (drums) cook with gas. If they can't make you dance then, well, you probably have issues you need to deal with. Y'all know I'm a guitar fan and well, the new face on stage (new to me!), guitarist Aaron Austin was scorching. The dude tore it up...damn. They play the small stage like they're playing an arena. They play it with lots of energy, sweat, passion and heart filling the room like they know we're not promised tomorrow so they give it all they've got.

Check out the video footage at the bottom of the post for a taste of what you may have missed. Oh, and please excuse the dodgy camera audio!

More photos HERE

What You May Have Missed: Robbers On High Street At Mercury Lounge

Robbers On High Street: October 7 @ Mercury Lounge, New York, NY

Brooklyn based Robbers On High Street have released their excellent third record, Hey There Golden Hair, which was produced by front-man Ben Trokan with engineer Matt Shane. So, what does a band do when they release a new record? They toss a record release party!

Robbers On High Street took the audience on a ride filled with catchy, hook filled songs. The band were impressively tight capturing their modernized throw back sound superbly. They were joined for several songs by a horn sections which kicked an already great set up a notch.

If you haven't already, give Hey There Golden Hair a spin, you'll enjoy it. And, treat yourself to a show when they're playing near you; there will be no regrets.

More Photos HERE

Upcoming: Surprise Attack! CMJ Showcases

Mark your calendars, Surprise Attack! Management will be presenting three CMJ showcases. The first will take place at the Studio at Webster Hall on October 18, doors are at 6PM and it'll cost you $10. The second showcase is at Spike Hill on October 20. Doors are at 7PM and it'll cost you $7. The third showcase is at Lit Lounge on October 22. Doors are at 8PM. Check out full details below.

October 18th, 2011 (Tuesday)-
Studio at Webster Hall (6PM Doors) $10

Edelweiss (1st)
Wild International
Mainland
The Click Clack Boom
The Rassle
Night Fevers
The Twees
Black Taxi
The Death Set

October 20th, 2011 (Thursday)
Spike Hill ( 7PM Doors) $7

Beast Make Bomb (1st)
Wild Palms
Balkans
The Twees
Hollerado
Chappo
Chateau Marmont
Chad Valley


October 22nd, 2011 (Saturday)
Lit Lounge (8PM Doors)

Wild International (1st)
Grand Rapids
Edelweiss
Shapes
The Venetia Fair

Upcoming: Bang This! CMJ Showcase, 10/19

Guitar fans, mark your CMJ calendars! If you like things on the guitar rock side of things, the Bang This! CMJ Music Marathon show is the place for you to be. Swing by Bowery Electric on October 19 to catch a rockin' line up. Details are below!

TAB THE BAND
THE DEAD EXS * THOSE MOCKINGBIRDS
LOST ROMANCE * INVISIBLE LINES
MARVIN GLOVER
October 19, 2011
Bowery Electric
327 Bowery, NYC
2PM - 7PM
$7/FREE WITH CMJ MUSIC MARATHON BADGE
21+

BANG THIS! A DIT (Do It Together) self-organized collective of Tri-State Area labels, bands, and music media outlets will be held on Wednesday, October 19th 2011 at the Bowery Electric in New York City in tandem to the CMJ Music Marathon & Film Festival. BANG THIS! celebrates the DIT “strength in numbers” credo helping new bands to spread the new roots of alternative rock & roll by teaming together and embracing the return of the glorious guitar that still champions the world of rock!

There will be a total of 5 solid hours of music from revivalist garage blues to modern alternative rock at this rock & roll matinee.

Video of the Day: Florence + The Machine - “Shake It Out”

Today we have for you the newest video from Florence + The Machine. It’s from the upcoming release Ceremonials which will be released October 31 in the UK and in November here in the US. Check out the video below.

Upcoming: Mr. Gnome at Union Pool TOMMOROW, 10/6 + MP3

Cleveland duo Mr. Gnome will be over in Brooklyn TOMORROW, October 6 at Union Pool. The show is at 9PM and it'll cost you $8. Swing by and show them some love.

Also, Mr. Gnome will release their third record, Madness In Miniature on October 25. Check out the first single from the record, "Bit of Tongue" at the bottom of the post.

Singer/guitarist Nicole Barille and drummer/pianist Sam Meister bring an unfiltered approach to their craft, allowing for emotional and sonic variance. The duo's mood swings are mirrored by the band's surreal album artwork, and forthcoming music videos, all created by Barille and Meister themselves. Madness in Miniature twists from soft lullabies to interstellar chaos, represented well by "Bit of Tongue." The intricately woven musical tapestries and hallucinogenic interludes pounded out by the duo represent an expansion and perfection of the stylistic character Mr. Gnome had previously become synonymous.

Mr. Gnome
Wednesday, October 6
Union Pool
484 Union Avenue, Brooklyn, NY
9:00PM
www.union-pool.com
$8

MP3 Grab: "Bit of Tongue"

Upcoming: New Zealand at CMJ, 10/18

New Zealand has announced it's CMJ showcase! It will take place on Tuesday, October 18 at (le) Poisson Rouge. Doors are at 5:45PM and is free with your CMJ badge or RSVP (see details below). The event will feature Princess Chelsea, Pickachunes, Popstrangers, The Golden Awesome, Street Chant, Andrew Keoghan, and Cairo Knife Fight.

An exciting line up of bands from Aotearoa will once again grace the stage at this year’s 2011 CMJ Music Marathon festival in New York. The NZ@CMJ Showcase is one of CMJ’s opening night events and is hosted by the New Zealand Music Commission. Joining them for the evening will be long time supporter’s 42BELOW who will be providing complimentary Vodka cocktails, DUB Pies who will be providing food with those small pastry cases of goodness, and partners NZ On Air.

NZ@CMJ 2011
Tuesday, October 18
Princess Chelsea, Pickachunes, Popstrangers, The Golden Awesome, Street Chant, Andrew Keoghan, and Cairo Knife Fight
(le) Poisson Rouge
158 Bleecker Street, NYC
Doors: 5:45PM; Show: 6:00PM
Entry: Free with a CMJ badge or RSVP to international@nzmusic.org.nz
(RSVPs are valid for one person per unique email and admittance is granted on a first come, first served basis.)

Upcoming: Blackbells at Mercury Lounge, 10/12

New York, Brooklyn's Blackbells are celebrating the release of the new EP IxI which will be released on October 11 and is available for pre-order now. They'll be on the LES at Mercury Lounge on Wednesday, October 12. It's the early show, doors are at 6:45PM.

This new collection of songs features a more mature, refined sound for Blackbells, and sees the band structuring dense, layered guitars awash with reverb against heavy driving rhythms and cavalier vocals. The musical progression and growth between Blackbells’ first eponymous EP and IxI is obvious— showcasing an open-mindedness that gives way to a supersonic powerhouse of a release.

Blackbells
Wednesday, October 12
Mercury Lounge
217 E Houston Street, NYC
Doors: 6:45PM
$10
www.mercuryloungenyc.com
21+