Introducing Danny Ross - Album Release 6/30 @ 8PM - Bitter End

During day light hours, Danny Ross is the most unlikely musician. By day the up and coming piano rocker is a congressional staffer for Congressman Jerold Naddar.

By moon light, Ross is on the road to being the real deal. Bringing a heavy blend of piano and traditional rock instruments and lyrics in the vein of the best of pop-rock, Ross' music is most closely compared to other budding virtiousos such as Jamie Cullum and Sondre Lerche.

That is to say a musician ripe for mainstream success, and the talent to ensure that a big break wouldn't be a waste.

Next week, Ross will be hosting a release party for his first album Introducing Danny Ross on Saturday, June 30th @ 8 PM at the Bitter End.

In addition to being an album release party, the singer/song writer will be on hand to perform cuts from the album as well.

For more information visit the following sites :

Myspace
Artist Website

ARCHITECTURE IN HELSINKI @ Fillmore NY (Irving Plaza) – 6/8

With a band and stageshow as large as their name, Architecture in Helsinki delivers an exciting night out for everyone and will be playing at the newly renamed Fillmore NY at Irving Plaza. The Melbourne, Australia octet blends horns and synths and other various instruments to embellish what is, at its core, an indie pop sound. Their last two releases have been critically acclaimed and their fanbase has grown to include the likes of David Byrne and Clap Your Hands Say Yeah. You’ve got a chance to check them out tomorrow. Now what is it about the architecture in Helsinki anyways?

RIYL: Broken Social Scene, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Enon, Oppenheimer

The Clientele @ Bowery Ballroom, Fri 6/8

Usually I adhere pretty closely to the old piece of wisdom that says: if you’re in a band, and you sound at all like the Monkees, it’s probably about time to hang up the old tambourine.

Enter The Clientele. These cheery British balladeers, who may evoke a little Davy Jones from time to time, do it only in the most tasteful and unapologetic of ways. Blending pure pop with more than a touch of the psychedelic, The Clientele are a blast from the past and a breath of fresh air all at once. There’s no pretension here, and the lack of angst is as refreshing as you'd think it would be.

Wistful, sincere, and definitely cheesy- The Clientele do it all, and while they may not become your favorite band of the year (although they just might), these indie vets have a style not often heard these days, and are definitely a great act to catch live. Tickets are only $15, so start your weekend off with a little British invasion and you’ll be feeling groovy before you can say bloody fantastic. Myspace | Website

Beach House @ Mercury Lounge 3/5

Baltimore's Pitchfork-approved Beach House are playing a slew of NYC shows next week. They are opening both sold-out Grizzly Bear shows at Bowery Ballroom on Tuesday and Wednesday. If you dont have tix for that, scope them at Mercury Lounge on Monday evening.

I first came to know of this band when seeing them open for Avey Tare & Kria Brekken back in November; they blew me away. Beach House is a duo comprised of Alex Scally on guitar and organ, and Victoria Legrand on keys and vocals. Together, with the assistance of prerecorded drum loops via laptop, they make (delightful) dreamy pop songs. Listen here. Buy tickets here.

RIYL: Spiritualized, Mazzy Star, Azure Ray, Nico

The Fiery Furnaces @ Northsix 1/5

NYC-by-way-of-Illinois-based brother/sister indie rock outfit The Fiery Furnaces are playing in Brooklyn this Friday night, and are not to be missed. Matthew and Eleanor have certainly kept busy these past few years, releasing 4 albums (5 if you count Matt's solo record) & an EP since their 1st one dropped in 2003. These siblings have a wonderful ear for music, adopting everything from pop, indie rock, electronica, and even showtunes into their idiom - creating somewhat disjointed yet cohesive mega-albums.

However, let it be known that the group makes no effort to have their live songs resemble their recorded counterparts (i.e.: playing all the keyboard parts on guitars, having Eleanor sing Matthew's vocal parts, cutting sections out of songs, playing songs at different speeds, etc.). This, by the way, is not a bad thing. Go and see for yourself.

tix

HIDDEN CAMERAS w/ Spiral Beach @ Bowery Ballroom – Wed. 11/15

The Hidden Cameras mix upbeat and poppy music with a strange variety of lyrics that the average listener would not notice upon first listen. Their lyrics range from singing about pissing on someone to singing about pooping on someone, all with a cheeky smile and guitar. The real golden shower about this band, however, is the live show, which includes anything from puppets to slideshows to strippers all with a lot of audience participation.

Come for the songs; stay for the go-go dancers!

No word if Cleveland is steaming.

RIYL: Magnetic Fields, Mosquitos, Belle and Sebastian, Jens Lekman

THE FORMS @ Sin-E, Monday 10/30, 8pm

I guess you could say The Forms let it all hang out, though not with the kind of swagger you’d expect. In fact, everything these guys do seems to be a bit understated, often letting drums and reverb-heavy guitar patterns guide the way as each tune works its way to a blistering high-point before receding. Vocals blend in like an instrument at times, putting texture and overall arrangement ahead of all else. Even so, even in 4/4 these guys put together complex rhythmic patterns that keep even the mellowest of songs alive with energy and momentum.

Not quite emo, but a fair comparison might be to the loosest parts of a Death Cab for Cutie song, or maybe Copeland.

Either way, these guys are definitely worth checking out live at Sin-E on Monday, 10/30. You’ve got a long week ahead- better de-stress early with some great mellow music on a Monday night. (listen)

LOVE IS ALL @ Knitting Factory main stage, 10/27

Straight out of Sweden, Love is All has all the energy of a pack of mentos dropping into a Coke bottle, taking a decidedly upbeat and fun twist on the post-punk scene. Even so, this quintet’s sound is anything but naïve.

The four guys- Nicholaus, Fredrick, Markus, Johan (yes, they’re REALLY Swedish), and female lead singer and keyboardist- Josephine Olausson (she’s Swedish too) churn out steady-bopping baselines and sing-along choruses, but even so, there remains a thread of the uncertainty and angst that lends a sense of credibility and know-how to every shining-happy note.

These guys had some serious buzz building up earlier this year after a substantial tour, and now’s your chance to check them out again in New York. They’re at the Knitting Factory main stage this Friday with Cause Co-Motion! and Devastations. (listen)

HELLO STRANGER @ PIANOS - 10/10, 10/17, 10/24

Feed your need for some 80’s pop and get more for your buck because if you like Hello Stranger then you’re in luck. The LA rock group is playing six shows in NYC between now and November 2nd as their tour takes them up and down the east coast and eventually back out west. So if you haven't seen or heard them then now is the time. They will mix it up so that you'll get those 80's rhythms but also some funky vibes and Spanish lyrics. Check em out! The band is made up of female vocalist, Juliette Commagere, guitarist/keyboardist Jared Smith, Ben Messelbeck on bass and Joachim Cooder on drums. Their album, produced by the drummer’s dad, Ry Cooder, is “an auspicious debut” (Prefix Magazine).

CSS & LADYTRON @ Webster Hall - 9/27 & 9/28

CSS is a SEXtet who met on the internet and their name, which is an abbreviation for “cansei de ser sexy” means “tired of being SEXY.” Interestingly enough, their lead singer is Lovefoxxx and she sings over uptempo, hypnotic beats that will definately urge you to dance.

The following act, Ladytron, is bound to take the indie-electronic vibe to an even higher level of intensity with their disco robotic beats and dreamy pop vocals. The UK quartet has already cut five main albums and toured extensively this year rocking venues all over the world. CSS and Ladytron have been booked for two nights, so strap on those kicks and go see how hot and tired of being sexy these bands really are.

LINKS TO COME SOON

Phoenix @ Webster Hall - 9/12

I can still remember the exact place I was when I first heard Phoenix, which is saying something, since sometimes I can’t even remember my own mother’s birthday. (Since my mom sometimes reads my blog, I’m going to go on record saying I have not had one of those times in a long while). Ok, so I know my priorities are all sorts of messed up, but this blog isn't about my problems, it’s about music…and my point, after all that rambling, is that more than two years ago Phoenix grabbed my attention with the track “If I Ever Feel Better.” Well before the release of their latest album “It’s Never Been Like That.” Well before Sofia Coppola placed their music in “Marie Antoinette.” Well before they played Coachella. And well before YOU. But it’s ok, cause my job is to let you know about the band before you’re like “oh Shit, why haven’t I heard about this band.” So don’t have an OH SHIT moment when you hear about their kick ass sets from Austin City Limits 2006 - go see their concert live at the Mercury Lounge.

Website | Myspace | Venue | Download | BuyCD | Bid

Lolita Bras @ Union Hall - 9/7 - 8pm

If you haven't heard of up this up-and-coming New York outfit yet, it's time to get on board. Calling on influences from the Smiths to Joy Division, Lolita Bras blends the new with the familiar to create their own blend of foot-tapping, slightly neurotic anthems on their 2006 EP "Caught in the Open Too Deep". The single, "Her Own Conversation," is bound for iPods everywhere before you know it, and the rest of the album belts out an honesty and energy that can't be ignored. Check them out this Thursdsay at Union Hall with IO. These guys are the shit, but don't take my word for it, go check them out... they're even better live.

Website | Myspace | Venue