THE DEAN'S LIST 5/2, SANTOS PARTY HOUSE

The Dean's List have been spitting some sick rhymes over chill beats straight outta Boston for a while now. These guys are taking over NYC in two days. We've included our favorite old song (Dear Professor) for the nostalgia aspect/we love it way too much not to post it. But seriously check out their new stuff. It's gonna be a great time and this is a band that can get a crowd really going. Tickets
The Dean's List - YOUTH by Zimute.com
Take Shape by The Deans List
The Dean's List - Dear Professor by The Deans List

LIFE SIZE MAPS, 5/27 SHEA STADIUM (BK)

Life Size Maps brings us grungy, dark rock and roll. For a three person band they bring a LOT of sound. It's lo-fi, dirty music when you're just in the mood for noise. But somehow this band takes the noise-rock genre to more noise pop. This music has potential to just put you in a musical coma...it's otherworldly, kind of strange, kind of awesome music definitely worth checking out! Free download here 

HOODIE ALLEN, 4/24 HIGHLINE BALLROOM

Hoodie Allen is the greatest...and his new EP, "All American" has the catchiest songs we've heard in a while. We're talking this album is on repeat all day, every day. After giving a big F-U to labels, he self-released this new EP which topped the iTunes charts. It's clever rhymes over sick beats. And Hoodie isn't just your average artist. He's one committed dude...after he released his album, he created an honor system for people who bought his EP promising he would personally call and thank them. Shout him out on twitter, and there is a 95% chance he'll write back. This show is gonna be crazycrazycrazy.
  Hoodie Allen - Eighteen Cool by Shirley Smits
  Hoodie Allen - No Faith In Brooklyn by Shirley Smits
Hoodie Allen - No Interruption by Shirley Smits

INTERVIEW: BLONDFIRE

We've been obsessed with brother/sister duo, Blondfire for a long, long time and we were so excited to get the chance to ask Erica and Bruce a few questions about growing up in Brazil, how they get along, and future plans for the band. They have a few dates lined up in L.A, but we just couldn't wait til they play in NYC, so we are sharing this exclusive interview with you now. Enjoy :)

 Where do you guys find inspiration for your music and lyrics? 

 Erica: A lot of times we don't start out with a concept in mind. We just start playing instruments. Bruce will make a cool drumbeat, or start playing a great keyboard sound that will inspire a melody. Usually certain words start coming with the melody. It can happen really fast sometimes.

 Bruce: There's usually one core idea on both sides, the lyrical side and the musical side, from which the rest stems. We'll stumble upon a cool keyboard sound, guitar tone or drum beat that will lead to some form of a musical hook and then melodies will evolve on top of that bed of music and once we find the statement that is at the core of the song, for instance "Where the kids are" or "Walking with the giants" the rest of the lyrics come together quite quickly.


 What is it like being in a band and touring with a sibling?
 Erica: It's really fun. Musically I feel like we're on the same wavelength, which probably comes from growing up together. Also, touring is easy because we're already comfortable with each other. It's not like going on the road with a new band member and finding out they're not as cool as you thought they were once you're in a van together. :-) And, we're family, so if we ever have any disagreements we know it's all going to be ok in the end.

 Bruce: We grew up hearing our parent's record collection around the house before we were old enough to buy our own albums started us off in the same direction. They had stuff like Simon & Garfunkel, Beatles, Caetano Veloso, Bob Dylan, Rolf Harris, the New Christy Minstrels, and a lot of other Brazilian and classical records. Those melodies seeped into our brains, which was a good musical foundation. We work really well together because when we're writing it's not work. It's more like hanging out. It's easy and natural to come up with songs for us. We get along because we're family and we've known each other our whole lives. And not that we fight often at all, we don't, but it's actually a luxury to be in a band with someone you're able to fight with and get your point heard while still at the end of the day knowing that you're family and the water goes under the bridge. It's much less likely to tell the other person to fuck off in a damaging way.

Tell us about your experience living in Brazil.

 Erica: We've mostly spent time in the North of Brazil where our mother is from in a city called Bélém. It's a big city on a tributary of the Amazon, so it also has a bit of a wild side to it. I love the people, and culture so much, and of course the food. Also, Brazilian music is so amazing.

 Bruce: We spent almost every summer in Brazil as kids. That country, to me, is really unparalleled in the beauty it has to offer. Both within the landscape and the people. The city we've spent most of our time in is called Belém. It's in the north. Our mother is from there. Tall mango trees are all around, sunshine every day, beautiful, smiling, tan people, walking around everywhere and everyone is passionate about music. It's a really different environment to get used to when you're growing up in Michigan. I'm really thankful we were able to be exposed to both.


What is the significance behind the name Blondfire?

 Erica: Total and utter nonsense. When we had to change our original band name, Astaire, because Fred Astaire's widow threatened to sue us. After that experience, we wanted something that no one would have. We kept thinking of names we liked then we'd check online, and of course there would be some band already using it. So, we basically took two words and stuck them together. I wasn't sure about it at first, after being used to our original name, but now I think it works for us.

 Bruce:. The only thing a Google search turned up was a porno of a similar name, so we went for it. 

What do you have planned for 2012?

 Erica: Putting new music out in the world. We have a lot of songs that we can't wait for people to hear.

Bruce: In 2012 we'll finally get our full length LP out. We've got about 400 unreleased songs that are just sitting on hard drives collecting dust. It'd be nice to release those, maybe not all in 2012 - Blondfire overload! - but we've got enough music to keep releasing it until we're in our 70s. Okay, maybe not that much, but we'll keep putting our tunes out into the world and seeing if people are interested in hearing more.
  01 Hide And Seek 12.20.11 by Blondfire
Walking With Giants by Blondfire
WHERE THE KIDS ARE by Blondfire

WAZU, 4/29 CAMEO GALLERY

Wazu, originally an Australian band that is now in NYC, is full of mystery and darkness. They are moody, dangerous, and pretty fun to listen to. It's tripped-out darkwave, and if the video above is any indication, they'll be putting on a killer show. (No pun intended) Check them out 4/29, be prepared for some very cool people and very cool music.

Murder 1 by WAZU

Happy Endings by WAZU

ON OUR RADAR, INTERVIEW: WORK DRUGS

We've been fans of Work Drugs for a while and are excited to officially add them to "On Our Radar." Tom and Ben create super chill music best for relaxing on the beach with friends. Lots of dreamy lo-fi reverb make these the best songs soundtracks for a calm mindset. We got a chance to catch up with these Phillie boys, check it their awesome answers below!

Rumor is you live on an abandoned pier?!
Well Hurricane Irene did a number on the pier last year. We've been told that the city of Philadelphia might come over and tear it down any minute, but we've been able to hold off their advances with the sweet sounds of Hall & Oates blaring from the roof deck. No one messes with Hall... or even Oates in these parts.

On your twitter page it says: "Philly's premier Bat Mitzvah party band" We need the full story on this one...

Well this whole Work Drugs thing started out as a Bat Mitzvah and Quinceanera party band. We can really nail a good cover of 'The Electric Slide' and 'Who Let the Dogs Out.' One day the kids requested "Private Eyes" and they fell in love with our version. From that date we decided to write our own smooth Philly induced tunes.

Ok, you are given a massive Yacht for a weekend but only allowed to invite five guests. Who would you invite and why? 

Michael McDonald - How could you not invite the king of yacht rock?
Jimmy Rollins - He just looks like he'd be a fun guy to hang out with.
Mark Cuban - He'd probably own the yacht.
The Ghost of Osama Spin Laden - One of our favorite Brooklyn based DJs spinning all the hits.
Wade Wyllys - It isn't a party without Wade.

What is the songwriting process like for you guys? Where do you draw your inspiration from?

The songwriting process is Ben and I sitting on the roof deck drinking one too many cans of Becks and composing base tracks on the acoustic guitar. From there we take the rough outlines of the tunes to the beat laboratory for the finishing touches. Other than the obvious yacht rock influences, I think Sting has always been a big inspiration for us.

What are your plans for the rest of this year?
Hmm... a few weeks down the inter-coastal waterway.... maybe a few shows here and there... lots of writing and recording... just staying smooth.

ON OUR RADAR, INTERVIEW: JETSI KAIN

Chill out to the euphonic, reggae infused 60s new wave pop sounds coming to us fresh out of Denmark - Jetsi Kain. Their new single, "I'm In Control" transports us to the Caribbean shores, coconut in hand and soaking up rays of sunshiny synths to harmonic medleys. Get to know these guys in our interview and check out their acoustic session below!

Tell us about Jetsi Kain - how did you meet and come to make music?
We went to the same highschool in 2006, and right from the beginning we were talking about starting a band. A few days after we met each other, we were spending all the breaks making new songs.

Is there a story behing your namesake?
"Jetsi Kain" is a sort of legend. It was the nickname of a criminal gang leader in california in the beginning of 1800.

What are the elements of your sound and what are the ideas/concepts behind it?
The only "concept" in our music we are really concerned about is that you should never be bored. When we made the album we didn't have a frame that our songs had to fit into , so we made all the songs without thinking too much about the rest of the songs. We are not thinking about what genre we are playing it's just what comes naturally when we're playing.

What are some of your musical influences, both Danish and foreign, and how have they inspired you and/or your sound? Tell us a little about Danish music and where your music fits, or doesn't, within that scene. 
We really like a lot of Danish music, and it has been a big influence when we made our record! This a list of some of the artist we have been listening to for the last couples of months: Oh No Ono, Treefight for Sunlight, Kala-OK, Ice Cream Cathedral, Choir of Young Believers, and Ulige Numre.
I think it is easy to see a connection between these acts and our own music. But our songs are generally more traditional than the above-mentioned. Our songs can easily be played with an acoustic guitar and still have the same vibe.

What are your upcoming plans?
The album release (Pinlig Tavshed) has been pushed to the fall but we have some other exciting things coming up. We are going to release a remix EP soon, and after that we'll release a new single that is not going to be on the record. So there is a lot of things planned in the near future.

If you could perform anywhere, with anyone, where would it be and who would it be with?
Our overall favourite band has to be The Beatles, and I love New York. So the most crazy dream would be to play with Paul McCartney in Central Park!

RADAR REVERB: FEVRPITCH

We got to know the multi-genre infusing, LA based collaborative trio, FEVRPITCH, back in January (byd interview here). Once again, they're blowing our minds with a fresh new track featuring none other than Wiz Khalifa. Simply put, it's dope. Hitting a stride with their genre-defying mastery of blending electro-drumstep, downtempo R&B soul and rock elements, Wiz's chill-vibing hip hop flow elevates FEVRPITCH's sound to slick perfection. Relish the demure, yet emphatic piano instrumental. Absorb the impressive fusion of John Legend's soulful depth and Rock's heavy edge in Marty Rod's vocals. It's almost too much greatness to handle. Download the track (for free!) below - you'll want to turn those speakers up for this one.

TANLINES, 4/12 BOWERY BALLROOM

So if you've read any music blog recently, you know Tanlines is pretty much...everywhere. And for good reason. This duo hails from BK and creates stunning anthems that stay with you even after you're long done listening to their catchy songs. Even though they're city kids now, their music pulls you out of these streets and into the islands with their fitting beachy synths and island drums. Feel the island love on 3/12 at Bowery. Tickets. 

Tanlines "Brothers" by tanlines
13-Tanlines-Real-Life by blameme
Tanlines - Z by iamyourmum

LOVEDRUG & THE LAST ROYALS, 4/12 BOWERY ELECTRIC

As long time fans of Lovedrug, we are so excited for them to play in NYC.  Singer/Writer, Michael Wild elaborates on their new album, Wild Blood is the poster child for what we want to be and what we want to give to people with our music.  It's about not giving up, overcoming the odds, and beating back the bully, both in ourselves and around us." The music is a perfect representation of that quote, urgent, endearing, and most importantly inspiring. Vocally, it's still the same innocently seductive sound and the music perfectly caters to the moving lyrics. We cannot stop listening! 

Lovedrug - Wild Blood by butr

 Opening for Lovedrug is The Last Royals, NYC dudes that we can't get enough of. Their cover of "Nothing Compares 2U" is our favorite cover we've heard of that song...now we can play that song and actually sound cool. They are classic foot tappin', head nodding indie rock fun right on first listen, and have enough style and substance to stand out in the crowded music world. 

Hats off to Bowery Electric, who is hosting these amazing bands. Check it out!

OF MONSTERS AND MEN, M. H. OF WILLIAMSBURG 4/5

There must be something in the uber pure water in Iceland, because the musical talent flows fierce, from the language barrier-breaking genius of Sigur Ros/Jonsi to the wonderfully wholesome Of Monsters and Men. Carrying the same orchestral grandeur as Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros or Arcade Fire, this folk-pop six piece narrate fantastical tales of life's adventure through charging accordion and brass melodies, patient guitar progressions and exquisitely intertwined vocals. Theirs is a sound that cradles our doubts and pours into the voids within our souls, and they'll be doing just that at Music Hall of Williamsburg tonight and Webster Hall tomorrow night.

DWNTWN, WEBSTER HALL 4/5

Word to the wise: DWNTWN > depressing breakup songs. There's nothing like a dance-a-thon to words like, "What did you think? That we would always stay together?" to get your groove back. This LA based electro-pop duo flutter vocals over oozing, undulating synths and hard-hitting hip-hop beats to create what the 'YOLO', SoCal free spirit-vibing version of The XX and Kaskade might sound like. It's been since CMJ week and the city's long overdue for the return of Jamie and Robert's wild, goofy adventures, so hurry and get your tickets before it's too late. They're playing at Webster Hall this Thursday night.

CHILREAR, WASHINGTON SQ. PARK 4/1

[Ed. Note, 4/2: April Fool's!!] Chilrear. How would one describe the sound emanating from this peculiar group? The opening track-- Is it singing? Is it murmuring? Or a recording of a falling baby bird? Whatever zey (non-gender biased pronoun loosely based off of the pronoun they) may be, whoever zey are, we are digging (although not grasping) their sound. What can we say? We are lapping the Kool Aid. Beautiful stammers vibrate on “Barley,” which guest feature the sounds of a clunky elevator overlapping South American missionary chants and one of the Chilrear’s vocal sounds. The five minute long “No Exit” (inspired by Sartre’s famous play perhaps?) of a keyless latchkey kid’s hopeful knocks on neighbor’s doors to no avail pulls at your heart strings, even though you may be looping your face in that “what the hell is going on with this song” way while riding the subway. Instrumentally, Chilrear is simple. Wooden blocks, rattles, the saw and one synth (but no guitar) manage to knit together a totally fresh sound. They're performing at 11:59 PM in Washington Square Park.