MERCURY LOUNGE
Coming all the way from the UK, musical comedy act The Midnight Beast made their first international debut during New York City’s very own CMJ Music Marathon. The trio kicked off their series of NYC shows at Studio at Webster Hall on Friday, Oct.19th.
If you don’t know who The Midnight Beast are, read our interview with them here or just know that they’ve been selling out 2,000 capacity venues for awhile in the UK. Needless to say, The Studio’s 200 capacity basement-like atmosphere was humbling for the band.
Artistic expression manifests in myriad forms. Music, in particular, is an amorphous beast at best—ranging from shuddering dub-step bass drops, to stripped-down acoustic folk numbers—variety is inherently enmeshed within the medium. With a surplus of musical diversity comes an equally ravenous following of enthusiasts. While some may confine themselves to one genre, there are the pioneers out there—those who thrive in the poly-rhythmic chaos of aural variety.
For those desirous of venues with a multiplicity of musical options, look no further: here are 5 spots that range the spectrum—providing the panacean sounds of your choice!
Feeling musically starved? Need a concert fix? We've got you covered. Here are some incredible shows coming up in the next few weeks.
(p.s. If you got Kraftwerk Tickets, you suck.) (p.p.s. If there are any shows/artists you want us to add, comment below!)
3/28
Cloud Nothings/A Classic Education/Crinkles (Glasslands)
The name Grimes is a secret. She simply won't say. And although work ethic comes from a background in ballet, with obvious familiarity to spandex and that powers of femininity that be, sex appeal won't be hiking this one to the top; it's an aspect of the art she thinks too dark. She's described as anything from the Montreal artist from the DIY post-Internet scene, to the methodically slow-burned indie "it" girl who's become “the marriage between the voice of a human and the heartbeat of a machine” (Bullett Magazine). Grimes is Claire Boucher. And yes, a Canadian pop-singer with twinkly-light and layered vocals; with moody, chaotic, if misunderstood lyrics, and a level free time one can only imagine as nill, as she's cranked out four consecutive albums (-esque) since 2010. Two of such, Gedi Primes and Halifaxa (2010), were Internet-dispensed gratis efforts, though regarded highly, while she churned out singles on side A of Darkbloom in May 2011, along side hip hop experimentalist D'eon, the latter).
'Tis the season for family, reflection, and hours of stressful shopping. Of course, if you're in New York City and need an escape from the glowing wreaths and alluring holiday sales on every corner, there's no shortage of great concerts this December. Whether you want to see the best in indie, pop, or even want to test your own skills on the mic, here are some of your best musical options for escaping the frigid air.
The Hood Internet @ The Knitting Factory - Dec. 3rd (tickets)
From one of electronic music's biggest acts to a two-night affair with one of the most enduring outfits in alternative rock, there's no shortage of live entertainment to be found throughout October. Here are some marquee names and rising superstars that will be hitting the Big Apple's best venues in the coming months:
10/4 through 10/9 - Deadmau5 @ Roseland Ballroom
Love deadmau5? Well, here's your chance to see him six times in a row! The world-renowned electronic artist will make history when he brings his Meowsington Hax experience to Roseland Ballroom for nearly a full week. Named after his cat Professor Meowingtons, the Meowsington Hax show is a combination of arresting visual production and deadmau5's signature blend of original music and remixed classics. Judging by this clip from Lollapolooza, NYC fans are in for one heck of a sense-jarring treat. Though six consecutive nights of those flashy lights can't be good for your eyes...
It’s the Mercury Lounge, May 25 2011. Approximately 11PM EST. You’re standing at the front of the stage. Shocked and overwhelmed by the performance Austin’s Bright Light Social Hour just bust out with. Thinking your musical experience for the night must have peaked. There is no way anyone can match the magic that just happened.
Suddenly, a shimmering vision graces the stage and you realize how wrong you could be. Shirtless, glittery, lithe limbed and curly locked. Why, it must be Ezra Huleatt of the BLACK TAXI quartet gearing up to rock your socks off, and inflict upon you a serious case of glitter envy.
Isn't it such a drag when you finally see a band live and all you get is them standing around, playing their disc verbatim? You could have just as well sat at home, popped in their album and stared at a picture. At least then you wouldn't have to wait in line for the bathroom...
The Mercury Lounge, NYC, saw no such performance when The Bright Light Social Hour took to the stage. The eruption of energy that surged from the stage was suited more for a tripped out jam band concert than a rock show. Almost every track was strewn with solos and anticipatory build-ups, turning the atmosphere in to a vibrant dance party and sweat-fest. Bassist, Jack O'Brien, held down the funkiness every step of the way with popping grooves reminiscent of the Rapture mixed with a bit of John Paul Jones.
Blip Blip Bleep is a indie electro-pop trio from Brooklyn. The band will be performing at the Mercury Lounge this Thursday, September 9th with Team Genius, Deadbeat Darling, and Tenderbox. I recently talked to bandmembers Sean and JoJo about their upcoming show at the Mercurly Lounge, shooting the video for their single, "Freak You Out," and their CMJ showcase on October 23rd.
How did you guys come up with the name Blip Blip Bleep?
Sean: Our music is pretty electronic and people often use terms like “blip blip bleep” to describe the sound of that kind of style and after months of coming up with the worst possible names, we were like, 'Well, what if we just do something simple?' And I came up with Blip Blip Bleep. It was catchy enough and I was like, 'This could work.' It just stuck.
There I was again in a small, dark and, for lack of a better term, dead Mercury Lounge. Used beer cups were thrown about and as you walked your shoes were grabbed by alcohol or whatever else was spilled during the previous show.
I could have stood anywhere, but I chose to stand in the back to have panoramic view of the scene as members of Turkuaz scurried around putting the final touches on their instruments. One after another they came out - 1, 2, 3, 7 and finally the count was up to 11. They stood on a crowded stage where there was barely enough room for them, but as I would soon come to find out, they couldn't care less.
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