BACHELORETTE, 3/4 CAMEO GALLERY

Remember one of the first scenes in "Almost Famous" where William Miller is handed some old records by his sister? He had this bewildered look on his face but he's excited for this new world of music that is completely foreign to him. That is Bachelorette. They are this undefined, mysterious force in music that seems... quite foreign. It's a sound that wouldn't have existed if the video-game fueled 80's and computer 90's didn't happen. It's a futuristic psychedelic trip going somewhere cool..and we wanna ride that train. Check them out at Cameo Gallery 3/4. Tickets


Bachelorette - Polarity Party by dhash
Bachelorette - Blanket by bangkokerror

STEPDAD, 2/28 SANTOS PARTY HOUSE

We have been waiting seemingly forever to write about Stepdad coming to town! Finally, that week has arrived. These Michigan boys bring incredible energy and bouncy beats to every songs they create. Listening to them is like living in an amazing videogame world, with all their synth creations and echoey vocals. They're playing 2/28 at Santos Party House. Seriously, GO!! It's going to be amazing. Tickets

EITCH, PIANOS 2/24

"Wake up, stop blinding one another - share ideas, grow your meals and move forward" into the cerebral, mystifying tapestries of lyrical electronic sound, courtesy of Eitch ("H"). Her organically poetic lyrics, complemented by the sonic equivalent of a celestial dance, are an exploration into the menagerie of oddities, questions and possibilities that permeate our psyches.  With a stellar balance of alternative, electronic and pop elements, Eitch easily flutters between the ether and the tangible to create her own "Altronipop". Traipse through her woven expanse of words and sounds (for free) at Pianos tonight at 8 PM. Details.

DIA FRAMPTON, HIGHLINE BALLROOM 2/22

Dia Frampton's voice is that reinvigorating Spring breeze that pulls you out of the glum winter blues into a world of feel-good, frolicky pop. A seasoned veteran after a sister-sister act and competing on The Voice, she's soaring solo with her newly released album, Red, that fuses her sassy, sweet vocals with an indie, pop-rock influenced sound that is simply and wonderfully refreshing. Check out her collabo with Kid Cudi below and Spring forward with her at Highline Ballroom today at 7:30 PM. Details.

ON OUR RADAR: INTERVIEW: CAPITALS

Edinburgh based band, Capitals, brings moody electronic music that fools you into thinking it's a pop song. It's addictive and catchy, the kind of music you leave on repeat for a few hours thinking deep thoughts and contemplating your next big life decision. It's deep, it's dark, and we really quite love it. We got a chance to ask Angus and Keir some questions, and these Scottish lads gave us some answers. 

What bands did you guys listen to growing up and did they influence this current album? 

 Angus: We actually started out having pretty varied tastes, and probably still do. The first music I really got into as a youngster was things like early Weezer and Radiohead, then later through my brother and sister weirder things like Tortoise, Kid Loco and Nick Drake. Somehow a lot of that more sombre stuff still influences my writing now. Some of our new songs have definitely drawn comparisons to Radiohead in the production which I do see, but I think we come from a different angle in songwriting. 

 Keir: I listened to a lot of "I.D.M" whilst growing up. Guys like Squarepusher, Aphex or Boards of Canada, were pretty influential in the way I write music today. As above, I'd say it was our mutual respect for bands like Radiohead Moderat probably had something to do with this double a side. 

 Have you ever been to the US? What are your favorite US Bands? 

Angus: Neither of us have ever been to the US actually, but it's weird how the influence of US music has filtered in. I'd put The Walkmen up there as one of my favourite US bands, I think they have an incredible knack of creating entire worlds inside their songs. I also have a lot of respect for Modest Mouse, Sun Kil Moon, David Bazan and more out there acts like Animal Collective. 

 Keir: I would love to go to New York, it looks like an incredible place. Difficult to choose my favorite US band cos there are so many! The first band that comes to mind is Telefon Tel Aviv, so I'll go with them!

 How did the band come together? 

 We're both originally from the north of Scotland, which is a pretty remote, often bleak place for youngsters. We both went to university a couple of years back, and I remember going to see a solo show Keir played with his old project Araya. I loved the music, it was like a glitch version of DJ Shadows Entroducing or something, and I knew after that I wanted to form a band, and then we got together in Edinburgh where we'd both moved. 

Pick one YouTube video that sums up the band.

This.

 How would you describe your sound? 

 Angus: There's some of the Warp Records/Border Community blueprint that informs core things in our production, but musically there's more going on now. I think our sound draws on a lot of genres, from IDM and glitch to indie rock and post rock. Whereas the music pushes in a lot of directions, I've always been influenced by quite a direct approach to lyric writing, and records like Nick Drake's 'Pink Moon' and David Bazan's 'Headphones' have been two big influences for me. I'd describe it as a meeting point between production-heavy dance music and something more organic. 

What are your plans for 2012?  

 Angus: We're getting ready to drop our first official single, a double A-side of 'Jealousy' and 'Sinking Ships' on March 12th. This will be the first of a series of three double A-sides to come out in the first half of 2012, and all will be available digitally through the usual sources, and physical copies direct from us. We've also pretty much finished our record, but are holding that back a little while. 

 Keir: I think all of the above, and a lot more shows! We'd both like to get back to Europe again, and ideally the U.S. For now we're just focussing on putting on these next few singles.

NIKI & THE DOVE, KNITTING FACTORY 3/10

At long last Niki & the Dove is coming stateside and if you haven't already boarded the Scandanavian train, rest assured it will be a show you do not want to miss. This Swedish electro-pop duo stormed into the eardrums of the populous with ethereal vocals and tribal, primal sounds inspired by sundry things from keys on bottles to any sound this oyster of a world concocts. And these inspired, innovative musicians listen, hear and remind us that creation is losing control, accessing the inexplicable darkness that permeates and chiming in with a new wave of pop-influenced, richly textured vision that awakens our bodies. Niki & the Dove unsettles, grounds, lifts and connects us as humans, so you might want to take advantage and experience their unique and unforgettable performance at Knitting Factory on 3/10. Mark your calendars and get your tickets now here.

THE LIBRARY IS ON FIRE, BROOMIES 2/18

Harmonies. Sweet, beautiful harmonies fill your eyes as you listen to the Library is on Fire. This Brooklyn band sounds vaguely retro, like a cute 50's band catapulted to 2012. No strangers to mean guitar riffs, they temper sweet vocals with hard rocking basslines that get your feet tapping and your head nodding. Their album is full of hard-rocking songs, but the occasional folk sound makes you stop in your tracks. Check out their show on 2/18.

 

K.FLAY, SANTOS PARTY HOUSE 2/16

You have to admit at some point the thought, "Wouldn't it be sick if I could spit a nasty flow?" crossed your mind. It would be pretty nice to be that sharp-witted and/or rhyme with rhythm and substance. It would also be nice to have a double degree from Stanford under our belts, but hey, we can't all be like K.Flay. With her newly released EP Eyes Shut (download here) this Chi-town native/Bay-area hip-hop and indie influenced badass chick is bursting onto the scene with her swiftly crafted vernacular on apathy and perfect dose of edge. We'll be trying to take a cue from this wordsmith as she spits the freshest words in circles around us at Santos Party House on February 16 at 8PM. You should join. Details.

GHOST BEACH, GLASSLANDS 2/18

 If you haven't heard Ghost Beach by now, you are missing out on a whole new world. This band is our synth heaven, our happy place.With 80's influences and a magical upbeat tempo, this NYC band is what gets parties started! Plus, just look at them. They're prettyyyy cool....Party with them February 18th at Glasslands. Tickets

  Ghost Beach - Too Young by Crazy Heart Records
Ghost Beach- Crazy Heart by Crazy Heart Records
Ghost Beach - Now or Never by Crazy Heart Records

ST. LUCIA, PIANOS 2/14 & 2/21

Love is in the air for the smooth cascading synths of St. Lucia that melts any frigidity and conjures a cool, mellow breeze that placates and pacifies all within its reach. Unsurprisingly, this South African native and co. have dropped in and are riding a massive wave onto the Spotify jamlists and hottest band lists of the year. Luckily, they've got a few more shows off their NYC residency at Pianos before they kick it on tour with The Knocks and Savoir Adore in March. Groove with them on 2/14 and 2/21, and check out our favorite fabulous St. Lucia mixes below. Details.

PAPA - I Am The Lion King (St. Lucia Remix) by St. Lucia
We Got It Wrong (Xaphoon Jones Remix) by St. Lucia
Foster The People - Don't Stop (St. Lucia Remix) by St. Lucia

KISHI BASHI, SPIKE HILL 2/8

Far, far away from the NYC winter and under a mosquito net in a beautiful village en la Republica Dominicana, the power to apparate back just to see Kishi Bashi make art has never seemed so desirable. You may recognize Kishi Bashi from of Montreal, but this one man band need only his Japanese yodels, loop pedal tricks, violin acrobatics and oh, just throw in a bit of beat boxing, to create an avant garde, whimsical pop-orchestra spectacular to which prancing on clouds seems only fitting. His masterpieces of sonic composition are wholesome, ecstatic, uplifting and liberating. Do yourself (and me) a favor and find a way to Spike Hill on 2/8 at 10 PM, and prepare to have your mind blown.

SAVOIR ADORE, PIANOS 2/7

Guy-girl duos know exactly how to tame our earnest ears with some unfailingly solid, harmoniously dialectical wonders of sound. Just think Matt & Kim or The XX, and Savoir Adore is another that have got that magical dynamic. Self-coined as "fantasy-rock", the galloping guitar riffs, shimmering synths and captivatingly interwoven vocals create a rhapsodical tale that pretty much leaves you awestruck. This Brooklyn-based team are hitting their stride this year as they team up with some of NYC's hottest up and comers, St. Lucia and The Knocks - if you can still call them that, over the next couple of months. Catch this lady and gent at Pianos tonight at 10:30 PM. Details.

NICK CAMILLO, 1/3 SIDEWALK CAFE

BYD favorite, Nick Camillo, is playing again in New York. For those of you who missed his show at Arlene's last month, it was beautiful. He is one of the rare artists that actually sounds even better live; his shout-outs to the Reddit crowd ensured an even more dedicated group of fans. (Insert Reddit gang sign joke here.) And in case you missed our interview with him last month, you can read it here. Check it at Sidewalk Cafe 1/3 at 7pm. 

Used To Be by NickCamillo
Beat of the Drum by NickCamillo

FRENCH HORN REBELLION, 1/2 SANTOS PARTY HOUSE

 
It's no secret we love dance-y synths and pop music. French Horn rebellion delivers tunes that get you in the mood to take over the dance floor. And yes, they really play horns. They're playing 1/2 at Neon Gold's popshop at Santos Party House Tickets

French Horn Rebellion - Brasilia Girl by pdis_inpartmaint
  The French Horn Rebellion - What I Want by INgroovesmarketing
  French Horn Rebellion - This Moment by pdis_inpartmaint