| Live Review: Atlas Genius @ Webster Hall (4/30) |
 “The great moments of your life won’t necessarily be the things that you do; they’ll also be the things that happen to you.” -Ted Mosby I’m a firm believer in the idea that what happens to us is all part of a plan: a plan that makes sure that we’re exactly where we’re supposed to be, exactly when we’re supposed to be there. That when things go wrong, there’s a silver lining somewhere; that things went wrong only so that more amazing opportunities are to come. This belief system of mine —by way of How I Met Your Mother— came to life last night at Webster Hall in New York City. Opening act, Wild Cub, had all their instruments stolen and yet they were capable of putting on a great show. All seemed good in the world as Aussies Atlas Genius were playing when halfway through their sixth song, a speaker blew out. Words along the lines of “It’s burning!” were heard from drummer, Mike Jeffery, onstage as the catastrophic meltdown of stage equipment occurred. A nice 20 minutes later, despite the technical difficulties, guitarist and vocalist Keith Jeffery, was able to keep the crowd entertained with melodies and Beatles covers. In spite of the equipment failing, it was like a fairy godmother was in the venue because in both performances before and after the meltdown, Atlas Genius went on as if nothing ever happened. Atlas Genius took the shitty pumpkin seeds of the situation and turned it into a bad ass pumpkin carriage that even Jay-Z would be proud to ride around in. A speaker blew out. It happens. And through that, the crowd at Webster Hall was able to spend their night hearing beautiful acoustic renditions of “Trojans”, “Blackbird” (The Beatles), and “All These Girls”. We were all meant to be there, to experience the catastrophe, and to all come together to whisper along to “Trojans” as Keith Jeffery sang as loud as he could over the intimate and unmic’d setting. “This song is called ‘When It Was Now’ off our album, When It Was Now” Before the speaker blew out, Atlas Genius’ set was nothing short of spectacular. Each note was laced with energetic pop and had the crowd going crazy. The vocal delivery from this band is truly something to experience live. It was fresh and exciting simultaneously. This feeling was constant all throughout their performance. Even when it was solely Keith Jeffery left on stage towards the end of the show, the aura of the venue continued to stay fresh and exciting. Any oncoming restlessness from waiting for the sound to be amended was soothed by Keith’s quick decision to sing a Beatles cover of “Blackbird”, a cover that instantly brought on cheers and would have made any Beatles lover proud. Atlas Genius are true performers. They’re able to keep their cool at the drop of a hat, or even at the explosion of a speaker. Their planned set list was cut short but the alternatives played that night were even better. The album title, When It Was Now, was truly put to the test. We were all meant to be there in that moment, to experience it, to let it happen to us. Moments like these will become the great moments of our lives.                       
Atlas Genius is Keith Jeffery, Michael Jeffery, Kevin McPherson, Darren Sell. Set List: Tour Dates: Connect: |
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| Live Review: Wild Cub @ Webster Hall (4/30) |
 You know what’s cool? Being able to put on a show despite having your equipment stolen out of your van hours before doors. But you know what’s even cooler? Finding out that Wild Cub have a Daytrotter session! And that folks is the sole factor that I judge a band on; not their musical ability but whether or not they have a Daytrotter session. It’s a legitimate system right? “Consider this our unofficial start to our Kickstarter” All joking aside, despite this major setback of losing their instruments, Wild Cub were still able to put on a stellar show, even if their wallets also took a setback. (They sure made Guitar Center happy that day) Webster Hall was set ablaze by this Nashville based band with their unique brand of electro-pop. From the instant the took they stage, they started strong with striking melodies and clear vocals and they continued to play that way throughout their set. “Colour” particularly shined bright with its high impact drums and charismatic harmonies. “Wild Light” continued Wild Cub’s trip down the melodic end of the spectrum. Their fine tuned musical abilities and undeniable stage presence made for a great show. Wild Cub are the prime example that in times of strife, you can always make it through, especially if your credit card can handle the hit. Check out photos from their set below and listen to “Colour”!                   
Wild Cub is Keegan DeWitt, Jeremy Bullock, Dabney Morris, Harry West, Eric Wilson. Set List: Tour Dates: Connect: |
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| Is This Real Life? Tennis’ Website |
DO YOU WANT TO SEE THE MOST MAJESTIC, PROBABLY BETTER THAN SEEING A UNICORN BEING BORN, AMAZING THING YOUR EYES WILL EVER SEE IN THEIR ENTIRE EXISTENCE? ARE YOU READY FOR THIS JELLY? NO I DON’T THINK YOU’RE READY. OKAY, OKAY. I SHALL RELENT. GO TO TENNIS’ WEBSITE, NO SRSLY, GO: http://www.tennis-music.com/ Tell me that is not the coolest fucking thing you’ve ever seen! IT’S SO COOL! Anyways, I have loved Tennis ever since I heard them on Daytrotter and when I randomly came upon their website, I actually thought my computer broke. It was like a time warp into the 90s. It was only when I saw the embedded YouTube video that I realized it was just a genius website from a genius band. Now real talk, listen to “Deep In The Woods” because it’s awesome. While you enjoy that, I’m going to continue to geek out on Tennis’ website. Speaking of jelly, to my fellow How I Met Your Mother watchers, what’s the difference between peanut butter and jam? Connect: |
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| mp3: City Riots: “Wait For You” |
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Let’s welcome Aussies, City Riot, into the rather Northern Hemisphere centered music mindset of mine. Their layered dream pop sound is endearing and fun. Although it’s more than you would expect when you simply read the words “dream pop”. City Riots’ sound isn’t of the frivolous nature. It has a mature quality to it like it’s been through the trenches of life and has lessons to teach us all —if we’re willing to sit and listen. “Wait For You” sounds like it would be something the little brother to Phoenix would make. It’s refreshingly light and will pull you down under their musical grip for sure. Connect: |
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| mp3: Oberhofer: “Earplugs” |
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Oberhofer have just released their new EP, NOTALGIA via Glassnote. It’s a five track EP full of the band’s signature indie pop goodness. The EP overall is great and it’s helping me cope with my oncoming finals. NOTALGIA is powerful and loud and everything you’d expect from Oberhofer. Tracklist: Tour Dates: * with Celestial Shore Connect: |
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| Is This Real Life? Phoenix “Entertainment” Remixes |
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With Phoenix’s long awaited return with their new (and freaking awesome) album, Bankrupt!, the world was just itching to take their own spin on “Entertainment”, the blast of energy that is Phoenix’s latest single. Dirty Projectors took their own spin on the track and the results are spectacular. Grizzly Bear also went crazy with the track below. “What I once refused to be, Is everything they long together, I’d rather be alone” BUT THE MOST AMAZING THING THE WORLD HAS EVER PRODUCED WAS CREATING A REMIX OF “1901″ AND R KELLY’S “IGNITION”. Not to mention, R. Kelly performed with Phoenix during their set at this year’s Coachella. So naturally, the world’s greatest remix of a song came to be. The above remixes cannot compare with this R. Kelly greatness. Give it a listen and prepare for an ear drum EXPLOSION. Babies are being made to this remix around the world right now. Phoenix is Christian Mazzalai, Deck d’Arcy, Laurent Brancowitz, Thomas Mars. Connect: |
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| Video: Little Green Cars: “Big Red Dragon” |
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I’m an incredible snob when it comes to music videos. Oftentimes I find myself leaving my mouse at the X for a quick escape from the tab with the horrid music video playing. I don’t really have a reason for why I act like this when it comes to music videos. I don’t know the first thing about video editing so I’m no one to judge the quality of a video. But there’s something universal about a “good” music video. The good ones have an endearing, likable, almost tangible feeling to them. They have a gravitational pull almost. That’s what I felt from Little Green Cars’ music video for “Big Red Dragon” off of their album, Absolute Zero. The great song behind the video is of course a giant factor in whether or not people will like the video but there’s just something about it. This particular video makes me want to know more about Little Green Cars. It makes me want to spend the rest of my Saturday reading up on this Irish band. And that’s what all music videos should do, make the watcher want to know more. Little Green Cars is Stevie Appleby, Faye O’Rourke, Adam O’Regan, Donagh Seaver O’Leary, Dylan Lynch. Connect: |
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