Browsing: Features

Live Interview with Billy McCarthy of NYC band Augustines is now up: http://gabellostudios.smugmug.com/Other/Augustines-Interview/37943928_wssz8N#!i=3134403489&k=KvnjRRS

Pryamid Vritra, aka Hal Williams, a member of West Coast’s dominant rap group, Odd Future, wants to step out of the shadows and start flying solo. “I can’t be fully creative with Odd Future”, says Vritra.  Williams wants to branch off and do his own thing, creatively speaking. With his new album, Indra, he’s doing exactly that. Indra, due out February 8, explores space-age, avant-garde beats that surpasses nothing like I ever heard. I recently sat down with him to talk Odd Future, his solo career, and his thoughts on Kanye West and the critically acclaimed Yeezus. Read on. How did…

The psychedelic all female foursome Warpaint has the music industry a buzzing with their new self titled sophomore album. Critics are calling it sexy, but restrained in a lot of ways. You can listen to the entire album here before it is released on Monday. Tonight the band plays a surprise gig in Brooklyn at Union Pool and comes back to NYC to play Webster Hall on March 21.

Brooklyn based band of siblings and friends, The Skins, are a soulful quintet with some rock chops. Together they make up a young rebel rock act that is ready to be heard. Their self titled EP was released back in January of 2012 and now the rock act is taking their talked about sounds on the road. The band is currently working with world renown producer Rick Rubin (Jay-Z), their music has been featured in The Australian World Open on ESPN and now the band will be hitting the road with Island/Def Jam recording artist Jake Bugg. Take a look…

Three new artists that will be making their entrance onto the music scene in 2014 are a rapper and two bands that you need to take a listen to…. The next hottest rapper to emerge from the Odd Future Crew will be 22-year old, Los Angeles based Pyramid Vritra. If Kanye West set the standard of rap music with Yeezus in 2013, be prepared for Hal Williams, aka Vritra, to bring it to the next level in 2014. His debut album Indra is set to be released next month. His rhymes and obscure beats on his debut album will turn…

Americana trio, The Augustines, is shaping up to have a big 2014. Their self titled album is set to be released on February 4 with a tour to follow. The Brooklyn born band has true bred rock songs that echoes where Jacob Dyan and the Wallflowers left off. The single “Cruel City” incorporates some soul and a lot of heart and is available for stream below. The guys are going on a headlining tour next year and the dates are as follows. AUGUSTINES HEADLINE TOUR 2014 FEBRUARY 5 – Vancouver, BC @ Venue 7 – Seattle, WA @ Neumos Crystal…

Australian alternative act, The Griswolds, are set to play Brooklyn Bowl tonight. The band can be best be described as a cross between Walk the Moon and Vampire Weekend. Their EP, Heart of a Lion contains high energy pop hits and melodic hooks. Their single for “The Courtship of Summer Preasley” is out and so is the provocative video for it. Check it out below. Their debut album will be out in 2014. Enjoy.

Singer Sky Ferreira helped with grand opening festivities at Rough Trade record store in Williamsburg, Brooklyn last Monday. The store, itself, has been a long time coming for music lovers everywhere. Many naysayers say what’s different from a regular record store? Why resurrect something in already dying industry? From Vinyl to CDs to books, you name it Rough Trade has it–including something different—a  live performance intimate concert hall, which is an extension to the store, which already showcased a big talent opening night of the store–Sky Ferreira. The store has a fierce line up in weeks to come. Check out their…

First look at Smokey Jones, you might think she’s another Britney Spears or Jessica Simpson. Looks can be deceiving. Island Def Jam held a listening session for the newly christened singer and once she opened her mouth, a different story is told. Husky vocals and top-notch vocal range—Smokey can be compared to the style of Adele. Her breath control was spot on especially during the cover of Kings of Leon’s “Use Somebody”. Her songs “Naked” and “Bumps and Bruises” illustrates her foray into the music world. Her soulful ambition is easily recognized as humble and eager to continue to carve…

Meet the edgier Tori Amos: Jillette Johnson. Johnson is beyond her time of today’s pop music. Astounding and surprising vocals left the audience at Joe’s stunned. Johnson is classy and leaves an emotional mark with her exceptional lyrics. Sporting an all leather rock star ensemble Saturday night at Joe’s Pub made you think she was the next Sheryl Crow, but she evoked emotion with her epic piano playing backed with her breathtaking band featuring a cellist, drummer, guitarist, and keyboardist. Known for her breakthrough single, “Cameron”, Johnson played to a full room that connected to every single song. Johnson’s debut…