Interlude: Represent!

Publicity is an ironic profession. The sad reality is, despite being intimately involved with a particular artist – contacting media outlets on their behalf, packaging their CDs or finding paths to success – it starts feeling like a grind, rather than a celebration of their music. Over the summer, I’ve been interning at Astralwerks, a pioneering label in electronic music. However, it’s fair to say that the glory days are past, and much of the current roster just isn't that innovative. Anyhow, one of our bands, We Are Scientists, played a few weeks ago here, and despite burning their CDs and organizing their press clips, I wasn't not entirely familiar with their sound. The live setting was an opportunity to remedy that, and I must say it's easier for me watch a set than to play out an album.

Apache Beat

There seem to be an overabundance of rhythmic, danceable, female-fronted indie rock groups (usually with synthesizers). It's a setup that rests on the powerful stage presence of said female, in this case Ilirjana Alushaj's pipes, and she did a fine job. The nocturnal lighting was the ideal backdrop for Apache Beat's druggy beats, and although they don't have a full length due until next year, it was a very complete performance.


MP3: Apache Beat - Tropics (CFCF remix)
MySpace: Apache Beat

Oxford Collapse

Oxford Collapse – whom I had seen about a year ago at the Knitting Factory – was on the brink of releasing their new album, Bits. My former opinion of the band was relatively uninspired. Although they rock out, there was a homogeneity that made each song sound like the next. Perhaps the newness of the new material made it more interesting, but I think they’ve made some innovations on this new one, and perhaps tightened up a bit as a band. While still inclined to repetition, there was a little more breathing room in the material, and a more compelling dynamic between the singers. Essentially, same methodology (fast guitars, punk-skewed vocals), but better execution.


MySpace: Oxford Collapse
Official Site: Oxford Collapse
MP3: Oxford Collapse - Please Visit Your National Parks

We Are Scientists

We Are Scientists seemed to embrace the nerdy side that their name implies, with a stage presence that seemed intentional awkward. At times, the duo seemed to be ignoring the audience entirely, delighting themselves with inside jokes and chatter. But the hometown crowd loved their jerky, post-punk aesthetic, and the enthusiasm was infectious. When singer Keith Murray jumped into the crowd, the energy level shot even higher. Their new one, Brain Thrust Mastery, has some appealing hooks to go along with the rhythm, with singles like “After Hours” aspiring towards anthem status. It's really nothing mind-blowing, but for a moment there, it was pretty great.


MP3: We Are Scientists - Inaction
MySpace: We Are Scientists
Official Site: We Are Scientists

Interlude: Surprise, Surprise

Whenever I go to a show, I'm hoping for the unexpected. There are hits and misses, but generally if something unusual happens, that's a good thing. Since my iPod is busted and I'd rather be outside than attached to computers speakers, exposure to new music has been primarily through shows this summer. I think that's often the best way, as the live setting really allows an artist to inject some personality into their art, and sometimes a band's mannerisms are as compelling as the music. The summer is quickly coming to an end, but the shows keep coming.

Akron/Family - Castle Clinton, July 24th

We returned to Castle Clinton for Akron/Family, who called their music for "a thousand to ten thousand people." The crowd wasn't quite that large, but the sense of community was intense. It's always a welcome sign when a crowd is urged from their seats and subsequently move up close to stage, although it isn't that comfortable. The band meandered through the early part of their set, all hushed vocals and atmospheric twang, and I was ready to write it off as just another rock show. That was, until they launched into a solid extended jam, parading a bunch of songs without stopping. It was a blur, but I remember a lot of jumping, clapping and singing along. The set ended with the lines, sung in unison, "I wanna live in Woody Guthrie's America." With all respect to that man, I'd like to check out Akron/Family's idealized America first.


MP3: Akron/Family - Gone Beyond
MySpace: Akron/Family
Official Site: Akron/Family

Atlas Sound - South Street Seaport, July 25th

It was another familiar destination on Friday: the South Street Seaport. I caught Deerhunter there a year ago, and frontman Bradford Cox returned with his other project, Atlas Sound. Although the band involves other musicians, Bradford set up alone. It's daunting for a single person to command the attention of any crowd, never mind one as big as the Seaport's, but he was up to the task. What was immediately apparent was how nice his voice is - liberated from layers of guitars, it floated sweetly over the mix. The rest of the sound was samples, loops and the occasional strummed guitar, and while it was far sparser than the usual band, it was quite interesting. I'm going to make a point to listen to Let the Blind Lead Those Who Can See but Cannot Feel.


MP3: Atlas Sound - River Card
MySpace: Atlas Sound
Official Site: Atlas Sound

MGMT - McCarren Pool, July 27th

I had some impression that MGMT was quite large, as evidenced by the much aggregated blog hype surrounding them. Add in a robust marketing team at Columbia Records, an appearance on various TV shows and some remixes, and you've got yourself a sensation. Of course, nothing magnifies buzz like a free show in Williamsburg, and despite some rain (what else is new?), there was an absurd line snaking around the park. After a wait, we finally got in, but unfortunately missed all of the Ting Tings and most of Black Moth Super Rainbow. Honestly, this wasn't devastating - I've unfortunately hit what resembles a saturation point, where more sets doesn't necessarily equate to more excitement. So, I was hoping for quality over quantity here.

The problem is, aside from the bombastic "Time To Pretend" and, just recently, the synthy-slide of "Electric Feel," MGMT haven't really done it for me. That makes me in a bit of a hole when it comes to appreciating them, granted, but I approached the set with open ears. By the end of it, I was baffled. This band is far from exceptional, which implies that the massive crowd in attendance was more a credit to strong publicity and less about strong material. That bothers me. People are, of course, free to gravitate to whatever appeals to them, and I consider all forms of media as tools to discover that "whatever." But unlike the vast majority of shows I've been to, this one felt forced. There wasn't enough going on stage to justify the packed venue - this was by far the most crowded Pool Party, and the line was still there at the very end of the set, a gratuitous eight minute encore. Ultimately, I have to name-check another band that formed in a college in summing up my feelings: Why?

MP3: MGMT - Time To Pretend
MySpace: MGMT
Official Site: MGMT

Interlude: Siren

My first impressions of Coney Island go back to the film A.I. Near the end, Haley Joel Osment's character enters a submerged theme park in the future, equal parts spooky and exciting. I finally got a chance to visit, unfortunately on what was probably the sweatiest weekend of the summer. The reality of real estate means the park might be replaced by condos in the near future, but this day, it was all about the music. The Village Voice has been putting on Siren Festival for eight years, and it was my first time attending. It's a long subway ride and a long day, but an experience that isn't easily duplicated, even in a city as inundated as New York.

These Are Powers

It was jarring stepping into the scorching sunlight, and equally unsettling listening to These Are Powers. The trio sways into decidedly avant garde territory - using funky percussion, warbling vocals, and even coughing on "Chipping Ice." There's nothing wrong with being weird, but I can't help but think that some good ideas are buried under all the experimenting.

MP3: These Are Powers - Little Sisters of Beijing
MySpace: These Are Powers
Official Site: These Are Powers

Film School

Nostalgia is powerful. Film School continue the shoegaze revival, and they do the genre great justice. The band entwined guitar crescendos, searing feedback and soporific vocals - a combination that was overwhelming. My ears were aching after this set, but it was worth it; this was intense catharsis.


MP3: Film School - Lectric
MP3: Film School - Compare
MySpace: Film School
Official Site: Film School

The Dodos

Tough crowd - perhaps not for the band, but the mass of people at the Main Stage meant that getting a satisfying listen of the Dodos was difficult. Adding the fact that it's a mostly acoustic duo, with occasional help from another percussionist, and you've got a less than ideal situation. It's a shame, because Visiter has some great, appealing songs, which really stretch one's expectations for what two people with two instruments can do. Alas, the setting just didn't work.

MP3: The Dodos - Fools
MP3: The Dodos - Jodi
MySpace: The Dodos
Official Site: The Dodos

Times New Viking

After the too-quiet came the screeching, noisily jubilant Times New Viking. While fully condoning bands rocking out, I was taken aback by the sheer lack of restraint. The trio went through their set like a wrecking ball - singing was superfluous under the smashing of instruments. It was so loud that it was almost - almost - gratifying.


MP3: Times New Viking - (My Head) / R.I.P. Allegory
MySpace: Times New Viking
Official Site: Times New Viking

Ra Ra Riot

So happy for these guys. From opening for Editors to trouncing Bowery to playing in front of a huge crowd here, Ra Ra Riot have done great things in the last year. While this set didn't have quite the intensity of the last time, it was close. Wesley Miles' enthusiasm and earnest croon, the sublime string flourishes and the strong sense of community made for an expectedly wonderful set. Their debut full length, The Rhumb Line, comes out in a couple weeks, and hopefully they'll get huge.


Ra Ra Riot play Music Hall of Williamsburg on October 17th.

MP3: Ra Ra Riot - St. Peter's Day Festival (Daytrotter Session)
MP3: Ra Ra Riot - Each Year (Daytrotter Session)
MP3: Ra Ra Riot - Suspended in Gaffa (Daytrotter Session)
MP3: Ra Ra Riot - Dying is Fine (Daytrotter Session)
MySpace: Ra Ra Riot
Official Site: Ra Ra Riot

Islands

Islands were greater than the sum of its parts - a trash can, sparklers and an arsenal of instruments. Like their Toronto neighbors, the band operates as an ensemble, with members multitasking. The result is a full, sometimes deafening sound, all the more impressive as someone who hadn't given their records much of a chance. A rough gem, indeed.


Islands play a BBQ Party on August 23rd.

MP3: Islands - Creeper
MySpace: Islands
Official Site: Islands

Broken Social Scene

High expectations generally end with two extremes. Sadly, this was a disappointment, but I probably would've felt the same about anything less than perfection. As it was, we heard a solid hour of most (but not all!) of the hits, and a smattering of solo tracks. The last minute addition of a lady named Audrey on female vox meant that "7/4 (Shoreline)" was played, but that was unfortunately the extent of it - no "Anthems" or "Lover's Spit" was heard. Nonetheless, the band was tight, if somewhat diminished from far back, and it's a marvel to hear all those instruments somehow sync up. I love this band to death, but I'm hoping for a fuller experience next time. They'll be at Brooklyn Masonic Temple on October 24th.


MP3: Brendan Canning - Hit The Wall
MySpace: Broken Social Scene
Official Site: Broken Social Scene