Monday, June 28, 2010
California DIY musician Alex Kemp recently released a new EP, Rat D'Hôtel - Part I - Rat Walks into a Bar, with three more to follow. So, your resident quirky chick set out to find out about this project and what else Mr. Kemp was up to. You know what? He's witty and charming folks. Get the low-down on Alex Kemp below. And, there's an MP3 Grab at the end of the interview ... as if my brilliant interviewing skills aren't enough for you!
Quirky NY Chick (QNYC): First, things first, thanks for taking time to answ
er some questions.Alex Kemp (AK): You're very welcome. It was hard to find time between consulting with BP on how to stop the oil spill and trying to talk Kim Jong Il back from the brink of war, but hey- anything for QNYC.
(QNYC): Fans may know you from your work with Small Factory and Chicago electro rock band Assassins; you also do sound design if I’m not mistaken. But, for those that may be unfamiliar with your work, tell us a little about yourself.
(AK): Small Factory, Assassins, composing for TV and Film-- that's pretty much the deal! I've moved around a lot, though I live in Venice, CA now. I drink more coffee than anyone you know. And I like making music more than I like listening to it. I'm also in search of a really good tailor if anyone has any suggestions please let me know.
(QNYC): How you would describe your music?
(AK): Smoove, with hints of berry.
(QNYC): You’ve put together a series of 4 EP’s that you’ll be releasing throughout the year. The first, Rat D'Hôtel - Part I - Rat Walks into a Bar, is already available on iTunes and physical copies are available through your website. The EP’s chronicle a fictional character named Rat. Will you tell us a little about the project?
(AK): I'm really not sure what the fuck I'm doing. I'm working with a very specific group of musicians-- great people-- and that's what really informs the sound. But as far as Rat D'Hotel, and what that's all about, its a cluster of images that keep nagging me.... something about this kid, who's a bit of ne'er do well, a philanderer, and a cad. I love him deeply, he's so fucked up. And I want things to work out for him. So I'm singing about him, and also about me and my friends. Can we call it an exploration? Let's call it an exploration; that sounds very fancypants.
(QNYC): When you first envisioned the songs, did you plan to have a conceptual work or did it just grow into that?
(AK): The latter. I HATE rock operas. This is definitely not a rock opera, or linear story telling in any sense. But I am drawing a picture maybe. The same way that a cluster of stars don't really look like a dipper (big or small), but nonetheless that's the picture we see when we look up in the sky.
(QNYC): Why have you decided to release the works in 4 parts instead of as one record?
(AK): That was a very deliberate approach I wanted to take. I love EP's. And I love album
s, but they don't make the same amount of sense any more the way we listen to music... So doing 4 EP's that you could then put in a box and call an album seemed like a great way to invite people inside the process of making the album, and break up the usual 'gigantic opus' mentality that goes into making something as precious and all-consuming as an full length record. I guess I view these EP's as little notes I'm sending out, post cards, from where I'm at to where you're at.(QNYC): You’re releasing the EP’s on your own. Is this a complete DIY project or was there a producer and other musicians involved helping you express your vision?
(AK): No producer, though I'm really keen to find someone to work with. The musicians I'm playing with are amazing people, from a very different background who have great facility and play music with an effortless joy that amazes me constantly. They all happen to be from the contemporary Gospel and R&B scene, and it lends a very different perspective to the sound. It would be great to get a different perspective from the production side, too.
(QNYC): I know you probably like the control and freedom you have doing things yourself, but are there times you think you would like to have the benefit of a label?
(AK): Well, that's a tricky question. Like, if you were alone, wouldn't you want a boyfriend or a girlfriend? Sure, especially the idealized person you make up in your head, who's soooo attractive and kind.... Then you get into another crazy relationship with some unmedicated bipolar basket case and boom you're like "get me the hell out of this pronto!!" Um, I guess I have baggage.
(QNYC): Your website is creatively interactive and I’ve had fun clicking on all of the various bits. You have a background in art, don’t you? Aside from the website, how has visual art manifested itself in your music?
(AK): I can't take any credit for the amazing website other than that I asked "what if" a lot. The designers and Ludlow Kingsley do amazing work and I'm a huge fan as well as a client. Roxane Daner also did the artwork for the EP series. She rules. Here's their website: LUDLOW KINGSLEY
But, yeah, I did study painting at Rhode Island School of Design and that's also where I started playing music.
(QNYC): While we’re on the subject of visuals, will there be any videos for the Rat D’Hôtel series? I can envision b&w mini films.
(AK): I'm DYING to do some videos. Anyone who has ideas and wants to help should reach out to me immediately!! I've been batting around ideas with a few friends and we're getting close to having some ideas that make sense. Cheap and cheerful is the goal.
(QNYC): Other than the Rat D’Hôtel series, do you have any other projects in the works?
(AK): Well, I recently scored a short film called "What's Coming Next" by the young French Director Thomas Leistenschneider, and I'm doing another film n
ow called "Psychosis" by Ian Christian Blanche. I also have a project with Norwegian composer Kristin Dyrud called Postulat that does very happy songs! We have some stuff on Myspace if you want to check it out. Plus I'm playing guitar with my friends' band called Capital Cities. So yeah, I like to keep busy.(QNYC): Now for the infamous “What was the last …” question.
What was the last
…song you intentionally listened to?
(AK): Chromeo doing Tenderoni with Daryl Hall on the webcast Live From Daryl's House
…record you bought?
Little Dragon "Machine Dreams"
…book you read?
Phantoms in the Brain by V.S. Ramachandran
…movie you watched?
Cyrus
(QNYC): In parting, is there anything you’d like to say to your fans?
(AK): I like you, too.
MP3 Grab: "On Your Side"
www.alexkemp.com
www.myspace.com/alexkempmusic
Tags:
Friday, June 25, 2010
He's coming back! Yes, good people of Internet-land, Adam Taylor is making
his way back to the fair city of New York once again. This time, he'll be at the cozy LES venue The Living Room for an early set, 7PM, on Wednesday, June 30. He's bringing with him, his band. So, if you missed them earlier this month, you should remedy that and catch this show! They'll skiffle, they'll rock, they'll jazz, they'll pop and, they might even get funky on you. One thing that's guaranteed, they will be good. But, you'll only have my word to go by if you don't go see the show and experience it for yourselves!
I'm personally hoping they'll do "Coffee" this time out ... just thought I'd put that out there!
his way back to the fair city of New York once again. This time, he'll be at the cozy LES venue The Living Room for an early set, 7PM, on Wednesday, June 30. He's bringing with him, his band. So, if you missed them earlier this month, you should remedy that and catch this show! They'll skiffle, they'll rock, they'll jazz, they'll pop and, they might even get funky on you. One thing that's guaranteed, they will be good. But, you'll only have my word to go by if you don't go see the show and experience it for yourselves!I'm personally hoping they'll do "Coffee" this time out ... just thought I'd put that out there!
adamtaylormusic.com
facebook.com/adamtaylormusic
myspace.com/adamtaylormusic
twitter.com/adamtaylormusic
Gerry Perlinski: June 24 @ The Delancey, New York, NY
Gerry Perlinski and his band, Dan Fabricatore (bass) and Chris DeRosa (drums), took the stage at The Delancey on Thursday night. I was there with my camera taking in the show of good ol' fashioned, straight ahead rock 'n' roll. Perlinski has been hard at work on a record, so visit his online homes to keep updated on that as well as upcoming shows. Check out the photos below.
www.gerryperlinski.com
www.myspace.com/gerryperlinski
Food Stamps: June 24 @ The Delancey, New York, NY
I was at The Delancey Thursday night. I walked in and the first act was stil
l on stage. All was well and good, the sounds I heard as I entered the room weren't bad. That's always a good thing! It seemed like a normal enough show until I looked up and saw a Trojan warrior. Yeah, you heard me! The band playing, the Food Stamps were on-stage doing their thing. But, on the floor in front of the stage was an older fella in platforms, g-string/cod-piece, Trojan helmet dancing around with a shield and spear. Seriously?! Yes, seriously. After being hit with a major case of WTF'ness and trying my damndest to get a decent shot of Trojan Man, I turned my attention to the duo on-stage. They were rather enjoyable. They have a record, Food Stamps EP. The record samples I listened to on iTunes don't do their live sound any justice.
l on stage. All was well and good, the sounds I heard as I entered the room weren't bad. That's always a good thing! It seemed like a normal enough show until I looked up and saw a Trojan warrior. Yeah, you heard me! The band playing, the Food Stamps were on-stage doing their thing. But, on the floor in front of the stage was an older fella in platforms, g-string/cod-piece, Trojan helmet dancing around with a shield and spear. Seriously?! Yes, seriously. After being hit with a major case of WTF'ness and trying my damndest to get a decent shot of Trojan Man, I turned my attention to the duo on-stage. They were rather enjoyable. They have a record, Food Stamps EP. The record samples I listened to on iTunes don't do their live sound any justice.
www.myspace.com/foodstampsThursday, June 24, 2010
Hank & Cupcakes have released a video for their cover of Joy Division's "She's Lost Control." The video was directed by Casey Randerson. I'm loving this cover. Check it out below.
hankandcupcakes.com
www.myspace.com/HankandCupcakes
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Anna Rose: June 21 @ Bowery Electric, New York, NY
Monday night, songstress Anna Rose took the Bowery Electric stage to celebrate the recent release of her full-length debut record, Nomad. The tiny power 
house with the crystal voice led her terrific band through an 11 song set, nine of which were from Nomad. Rose has a bit of a twang to her voice but interestingly enough when she got to her encore, Dolly Parton's "Jolene," there was still a bit of a twang but the legendary country song took on a funky rock vibe with enough bass and dirty guitar to have you thinking about a dance floor. Her other cover of the night, "Manic Depression" ... that one could have used a longer jam! The highlight of the night for me was "The Four Corners" which you can watch below. Rose wrote it about when she and her friends began scattering to different parts of the globe to start their own lives; it's something we've all experienced. Check out photos from the gig below. Additional photos on the QNYC photo page, HERE.
house with the crystal voice led her terrific band through an 11 song set, nine of which were from Nomad. Rose has a bit of a twang to her voice but interestingly enough when she got to her encore, Dolly Parton's "Jolene," there was still a bit of a twang but the legendary country song took on a funky rock vibe with enough bass and dirty guitar to have you thinking about a dance floor. Her other cover of the night, "Manic Depression" ... that one could have used a longer jam! The highlight of the night for me was "The Four Corners" which you can watch below. Rose wrote it about when she and her friends began scattering to different parts of the globe to start their own lives; it's something we've all experienced. Check out photos from the gig below. Additional photos on the QNYC photo page, HERE.
Set List
- Walk Away
- Picture
- The Four Corners
- Whispers
- Overtone
- Wilshire Blvd.
- Gillian
- Manic Depression
- I'll Be Gone
- You Got It For Free
- Jolene
www.annarosemusic.com
www.myspace.com/annarosemusic
www.facebook.com/annarosemusic
Monday, June 21, 2010
Kimberly Nichole: June 18 @ Joe's Pub, New York, NY
This past Friday night, I made my way down to Joe's Pub to catch a performance by songstress Kimberly Nichole. Until earlier that week, I hadn't been in th
e know when it came to Nichole. Monday and Wednesday of that week, she helped UK band The Heavy kill it at The Bowery Ballroom. So, when I was hipped to who she was and that she had an upcoming show, I had to check it out!
The pub was packed and there seemed to be a genuine buzz of excitement in the room. Nichole, whose tag line is "the puffy-haired tower of power," was introduced. Out she walked wearing a tutu with a matching hat. I thought to myself, "ah hell, we're in for something now!" Tower of power is an understatement. The lady is like a little stick of dynamite. She blew the roof off the joint. Not long into her eleven song set I was wondering why I was just now finding out about this woman!
She sang her butt off all the while striking dramatic poses and contorting her body to the rhythms of the music. Nichole is a big star on a small stage. She was one part diva, one part down-to-Earth girl next door, mixed with a good dash of cheekiness playfully lifting her tutu to show off her granny panties.
Not being in the know about Nichole, of course I wasn't familiar with her songs. That didn't matter. You didn't need to know them to be drawn in and entertained. She did do
three covers that I recognized, The White Stripes "Seven Nation Army" which frankly she does better than Jack White ever could. Michael Jackson's "Dirty Diana" had the audience up on their feet, dancing and cheering her on. It was an electric performance. She closed with her cover of Gnarls Barkley's "Crazy" which again had people on their feet. Other than her scorching version of "Dirty Diana" I was grabbed by "Crash & Burn" a song that can be found on her record YBJ Reloaded. Oh, the show by the way, was a re-release party for the record.
Somebody slap some diva wings on her tutu because she put on a show that easily blows the current roster of diva's out of the water. I was blown away by her performance. I generally enjoy the shows I go to; but, once in a while there's a show that makes me say to myself, "I'm really glad I went." This was one of those shows.
e know when it came to Nichole. Monday and Wednesday of that week, she helped UK band The Heavy kill it at The Bowery Ballroom. So, when I was hipped to who she was and that she had an upcoming show, I had to check it out!The pub was packed and there seemed to be a genuine buzz of excitement in the room. Nichole, whose tag line is "the puffy-haired tower of power," was introduced. Out she walked wearing a tutu with a matching hat. I thought to myself, "ah hell, we're in for something now!" Tower of power is an understatement. The lady is like a little stick of dynamite. She blew the roof off the joint. Not long into her eleven song set I was wondering why I was just now finding out about this woman!
She sang her butt off all the while striking dramatic poses and contorting her body to the rhythms of the music. Nichole is a big star on a small stage. She was one part diva, one part down-to-Earth girl next door, mixed with a good dash of cheekiness playfully lifting her tutu to show off her granny panties.
Not being in the know about Nichole, of course I wasn't familiar with her songs. That didn't matter. You didn't need to know them to be drawn in and entertained. She did do
three covers that I recognized, The White Stripes "Seven Nation Army" which frankly she does better than Jack White ever could. Michael Jackson's "Dirty Diana" had the audience up on their feet, dancing and cheering her on. It was an electric performance. She closed with her cover of Gnarls Barkley's "Crazy" which again had people on their feet. Other than her scorching version of "Dirty Diana" I was grabbed by "Crash & Burn" a song that can be found on her record YBJ Reloaded. Oh, the show by the way, was a re-release party for the record.Somebody slap some diva wings on her tutu because she put on a show that easily blows the current roster of diva's out of the water. I was blown away by her performance. I generally enjoy the shows I go to; but, once in a while there's a show that makes me say to myself, "I'm really glad I went." This was one of those shows.
More photos on Flickr, HERE.
Set List
- A Rage in Harlem
- Johnny Come Lately
- Seven Nation Army
- Little Girl New
- Peace of Mind
- Crash & Burn
- Dirty Diana
- Disconnected
- Fire
- The Yellow Brick Journey
- Crazy
www.theYellowBrickJourney.com
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Hot Seconds return to the Mercury Lounge stage on Thursday, July 1. So, head up, down, over or across to the LES and rock out with the boys. They've got some seriously heavy new songs that you're going to wanna check out or hear again as may be the case. Y'all know that's just days shy of Independence Day; start your partying a little early. Swing by and show 'em some love.
www.hotseconds.net
Matt Powers: June 17 @ Parkside Lounge, New York, NY
This past Thursday, I made my way to the Parkside Lounge to catch singer/songwriter Matt Powers do an acoustic show. This was the first tim
e I'd had the chance to see Powers since we discovered each other via Twitter.
Powers is a personable performer. His laid back demeanor and wit made you feel like you were hanging out with a friend. Well, that is if you have friends who write good songs and can sing. He was fighting off a cold and was concerned his voice wouldn't hold up but, he need not have worried. Armed with a cache of intelligent songs he proceeded to work his way through a ten song set that ended all too soon. His set list consisted of two pages of song titles that he chose from as he went along. My favorite song of the night was "All The Ghosts" which you can check out below along with "Listening." He also did a nice cover of The Kills "Black Balloon" that can be found HERE.
It was an enjoyable show and I'm glad I got a chance to check him out in-person. Sadly, Powers doesn't do many shows on the East Coast these days so we'll have to wait awhile before we have the pleasure again.
e I'd had the chance to see Powers since we discovered each other via Twitter.Powers is a personable performer. His laid back demeanor and wit made you feel like you were hanging out with a friend. Well, that is if you have friends who write good songs and can sing. He was fighting off a cold and was concerned his voice wouldn't hold up but, he need not have worried. Armed with a cache of intelligent songs he proceeded to work his way through a ten song set that ended all too soon. His set list consisted of two pages of song titles that he chose from as he went along. My favorite song of the night was "All The Ghosts" which you can check out below along with "Listening." He also did a nice cover of The Kills "Black Balloon" that can be found HERE.
It was an enjoyable show and I'm glad I got a chance to check him out in-person. Sadly, Powers doesn't do many shows on the East Coast these days so we'll have to wait awhile before we have the pleasure again.
More photos on Flickr.
"All The Ghosts"
"Listening"
Video of "Tonight" can be found HERE.
Set List (not in order of play)
- Gold Lion
- Black Balloon
- Gravity
- Tonight
- Listening
- The Hero
- Blasphemy
- Not Enough
- All The Ghosts
- I Believe What I Say
www.myspace.com/mattpowers2
Thursday, June 17, 2010
The Heavy: June 16 @ Bowery Ballroom, New York, NY
The Heavy played their second night at The Bowery Ballroom on Wednesday night. The show was sold out and NYC let it all hang out. I hadn't really intended on writing about this show. I wasn't wearing my blog mistress hat, I was wearing my, "this chick came to party hard" hat. I went in only armed with my pocket camera which was quickly abandoned after a handful of questionable shots!
The evening kicked off with Mount Carmel from Ohio. I'd never heard of them but they played some seriously tight blues rock ... think Cream and original Fleetwood Mac. They were good, real good and got an excellent reception from the audience. The guy next to me commented that he thought they had blown away The Heavy before they even hit the stage. I told him, if Monday's show was anything to go by, not a chance!
It seemed to take a while for The Heavy to come out after Mount Carmel left the stage. The incense were once again lit ... with the amount of smoke they caused it looked like every incense in NYC was being burned! As the band, Kelvin Swaby (vocals), Dan Taylor (guitar), Spencer Page (bass), Chris Ellul (drums) made their way on stage along with Myoshi and Kimberly (background vocals), Ian, Justin and Chris (horns ... think I got their names right) the audience started screaming.
The first song in, it was apparent that this show was going to be a party. Monday's crowd was loud but Wednesday night the audience roar was deafening. The set was the same as Monday minus "Girl." The band seemed to be in really high spirits too. As the second song rolled around, the phrase "go hard or go home" sprang to mind. The Heavy went hard, damn did they go hard.
The guy beside me amended his comment and decided that Mount Carmel, while good, didn't blow the The Heavy away. At some point, probably around the time they played "Sixteen," (maybe even before then) I lost my damn mind and was flailing around like a mad woman and continued to do so for the rest of the evening. Between the flailing and off-key singing, I feel pity for those who were around me! I was such a hot sweaty mess by the end of the show.
The show ended with Swaby leaping from the stage to approximately the third row to hug and kiss a young lady, a friend perhaps? I could have gone for a few more songs. While the show was brilliant, it would have been nice to switch it up a bit more than one song for those of us who came out for both shows. The Heavy are a band you need to see live, seriously, you need to. And, what have I been telling you? I've been telling you they're bad-ass, hot stanky fun! Bad enough and stanky enough to make a girl lose her damn mind up in there. Yeah, they're that damn good! Can you kill a place twice? The Heavy certainly did. They tore it up in there y'all.
The evening kicked off with Mount Carmel from Ohio. I'd never heard of them but they played some seriously tight blues rock ... think Cream and original Fleetwood Mac. They were good, real good and got an excellent reception from the audience. The guy next to me commented that he thought they had blown away The Heavy before they even hit the stage. I told him, if Monday's show was anything to go by, not a chance!
It seemed to take a while for The Heavy to come out after Mount Carmel left the stage. The incense were once again lit ... with the amount of smoke they caused it looked like every incense in NYC was being burned! As the band, Kelvin Swaby (vocals), Dan Taylor (guitar), Spencer Page (bass), Chris Ellul (drums) made their way on stage along with Myoshi and Kimberly (background vocals), Ian, Justin and Chris (horns ... think I got their names right) the audience started screaming.
The first song in, it was apparent that this show was going to be a party. Monday's crowd was loud but Wednesday night the audience roar was deafening. The set was the same as Monday minus "Girl." The band seemed to be in really high spirits too. As the second song rolled around, the phrase "go hard or go home" sprang to mind. The Heavy went hard, damn did they go hard.
The guy beside me amended his comment and decided that Mount Carmel, while good, didn't blow the The Heavy away. At some point, probably around the time they played "Sixteen," (maybe even before then) I lost my damn mind and was flailing around like a mad woman and continued to do so for the rest of the evening. Between the flailing and off-key singing, I feel pity for those who were around me! I was such a hot sweaty mess by the end of the show.
The show ended with Swaby leaping from the stage to approximately the third row to hug and kiss a young lady, a friend perhaps? I could have gone for a few more songs. While the show was brilliant, it would have been nice to switch it up a bit more than one song for those of us who came out for both shows. The Heavy are a band you need to see live, seriously, you need to. And, what have I been telling you? I've been telling you they're bad-ass, hot stanky fun! Bad enough and stanky enough to make a girl lose her damn mind up in there. Yeah, they're that damn good! Can you kill a place twice? The Heavy certainly did. They tore it up in there y'all.
Mount Carmel
Set List:
- Short Change Hero
- What You Want Me To Do
- Big Bad Wolf
- Sixteen
- Cause For Alarm
- Coleen
- Love Like That
- In The Morning
- That Kind Of Man
- No Time
- Brukpockets Lament
- How You Like Me Now?
- She Got To Go
- Oh No! Not You Again!
twitter.com/theheavy
www.myspace.com/theheavy73
www.myspace.com/mountcarmel1
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