If I Dropped By.. with Spencer Miles of Space Fight

This week, I posed my “If I Dropped By...” question to Spencer Miles of Space Flight. With them having a show coming up at Mercury Lounge this Saturday, December 21 at 10:30PM; $10 adv / $12 dos (full details below) and a catchy song that landed in my inbox in the form of the video “Who Do You Think You’re Foolin’?” from their album All Systems Wait, of course, curiosity got the best of me. Well, my people talked to his people which led to our hypothetical visit.

Quirky NY Chick (QNYC): ... and brought a friend who didn't know your music, what song of yours would you play for them and why?

Spencer Miles (SM): "Who Do You Think You're Foolin." It gets to the chorus in under 30 seconds, and people tell me it's very catchy. I think it's important to not bore the listener the first time they're hearing you. I would also show you the video, directed by Joey Palestina, the frontman of the band Thing One, who we're playing with at the Mercury Lounge this Saturday.

We Are The In Crowd - “The Best Thing (That Never Happened)

We Are The In Crowd are scheduled to release their album Weird Kids on February 18.

Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings Release Video + NYC Show

Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings released a video for their track “Ain’t No Chimneys In The Projects” this week.  After performing the song during the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, they decided to make an official video.  The clip was directed by Ryan Louie.

Also, their latest album, Give The People What They Want is scheduled for release on January 14.  The album release and supporting tour had been put on hold when Ms. Jones was diagnosed with cancer.  After taking time off for treatment, she is back. Yay!

For those in need of a live Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings fix, they will be at the Beacon Theatre on Thursday, February 6.  If you for some odd reason you haven’t seen them live, then get thy booty to a show and shake it.  See below for show details.

Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings

Thursday, February 6

Beacon Theatre

2124 Broadway

New York, NY

Doors: 8PM

Tickets: $35 - $60

Dr. Dog Release Christmas EP + NYC Show

Earlier this month, Dr. Dog released their Christmas EP, Oh My Christmas Tree.  All of the artist proceeds from the EP will be donated to Feeding America check it out and in the spirit of giving, show your support.  

Dr. Dog will be taking the stage at Terminal 5 on Saturday, January 25.  See below for show details.

Dr. Dog

Saint Rich

Saturday, January 25

Terminal 5

610 W 56th Street

New York, NY

Doors: 8PM / Show: 9PM

Tickets: $30

All Ages

In keeping with the holiday spirit, 100% of artist proceeds from this digital only benefit EP will be donated to Feeding America, the nationwide network of food banks that feeds more than 37 million people, including nearly 14 million children, and leads the nation in the fight against hunger www.feedingamerica.org 

 

As Dr. Dog's Scott McMicken explains “Last year, in 2012, I wrote these songs and recorded them in two different kitchens over the course of the two weeks leading up to christmas. I made them with the intent to mail them to some of my friends and family as a christmas present. It wound up being a great gift to myself! The experience definitely showed me once again that stopping to pay closer attention to what things mean, even seemingly familiar things, always brings an added depth and beauty to life. And always in a surprising way. Christmas music can be so playful and fantastical but it can also be very melancholy and foreboding. To me thats the best. The spirit can guide you to balance and the spirit can be found anywhere you choose to look. In the cartoons and in the cold blood. In the wild imagination and in the strictest tradition. These four songs will ultimately live as that reminder for me and hopefully they serve you in some way too. You, the child of wonder. You, of age and grace. Peace be with ye.”

 

For more information on Feeding America and how to help, go to: www.feedingamerica.org.

Love Crushed Velvet - “It’s A Holiday, Come Over!”

So, I’m not big on holiday songs but a few have landed in my inbox lately.  So, tis the season to share!  

Love Crushed Velvet released an animated video that chronicles a reindeer alone during the holidays and missing his woman.  How could I not like this video?!  Check it out below.

Love Crushed Velvet released their EP Delusions in September.

The highly anticipated release of Delusions cemented the band's place in the world of dark, melodic rock. Driven by lead singer/songwriter A.L.X., Love Crushed Velvet shows off exceptional emotional and stylistic range in lyric and musicality. Reminiscent of the glory days of rock and roll, Love Crushed Velvet has carved out a unique place in today's music world, paying homage to the past while remaining firmly grounded in the present.

Delusions is a powerful force that touches upon the complications of love, fame and our global society. The EP begins right at the apex, with its premiere single "Revolution Time", capturing an unyielding spirit of upheaval inspired by the personal experiences and perspective of A.L.X.. Love Crushed Velvet maintains the unwavering strength of a revolution high throughout the entirety of Delusions.

Nicole Atkins - “Girl You Look Amazing”

 

Nicole Atkins debuted her new single, “Girl You Look Amazing” this week.  The track is from her upcoming album, Slow Phaser.  The album is scheduled for release on February 4 via her own Oh’ Mercy! imprint.  Slow Phaser is on a short list of upcoming albums I’m looking forward to.  

Nicole had this to say of the song; "This song actually came to me in a dream. It was being played in a big dance club and David Byrne was singing it. I woke up and recorded it into my phone. It took a while to figure out what "girl you look amazing," could mean as I've never been one to be that positive. So I wrote it about a girl who is the last one to shut the party down. Who's life is just an absolute mess. She might look amazing but she misses all the real things that used to make her happy." 

About Slow Phaser: A neon noir tour de force of hi-def late-night pop, Slow Phaser marks Nicole Atkins’ most ingenious and indelibly modern collection to date. Produced by Tore Johannson – with whom she partnered on her now-classic 2007 debut, Neptune City – the album is a milestone for the acclaimed singer/songwriter, her restless creativity fully realized via the addition of some surprising colors to her already diverse paintbox. Songs like the poptastic “Girl You Look Amazing” and the sultry “Red Ropes” positively swirl with day-glo danceability, the bright hues setting Atkins’ distinctive creative voice in a brilliant and undeniable new light. Bittersweet yet life affirming, Slow Phaser is Nicole Atkins at her confident and unpredictable best – spirited, sexy, and determinedly forward thinking.

Upcoming: Indyns at Pianos on 12/16

Indyns

Dear Criminals / The Headlocks

Monday, December 16

Pianos 

(in the Upstairs Lounge)

158 Ludlow Street

New York, NY

Doors: 7PM / Show: 8PM

Free

21+

Check out “How Did We Get From Sex To Gambling” below.  The track is from their upcoming record Teen Night which is scheduled for an early 2014 release.  

Singer Billy Muncy's (vocals/guitar/synths) vocals on the track are raw and charismatic as his voice haunts and resonates throughout. With the combination of Ron Boling (Bass/synths/beats), their impeccable songwriting is laced with gorgeous synths and scratchy harmonies that fit perfectly within each other.

Night Panther - “Queen Bitch”

Check out “Queen Bitch” from Night Panther.  The track (no, not the Bowie song of the same name) comes from their album Night Panther which was released at the end of July.  

"Sex Pop" trio Night Panther is offering an exclusive download of their track "Queen Bitch" on ARTISTdirect! The song was released on their self-titled album, which has taken the tastemaker scene by storm. Recorded by lead singer Farzad Houshiarnejad, Night Panther's debut album dropped on July 30th of this year. The Philadelphia trio shares a love for Freddie Mercury's harmonies, early 80's pop melodies and synthesizers, and the heavy drum and bass grooves of the late 70's NYC disco era. 

In the summer of 2012, best friends Farzad Houshiarnejad (keyboards, vocals), Michael Cammarata (bass), and Christopher Radwanski (guitar, keyboard) formed Night Panther. While lust and heartache are the inspiring byproducts of their creativity, there stands no room for despair sonically. It takes a few listens through their debut LP to realize they wear their hearts discernibly on their sleeves. Disguised as a glamorous synth-pop group, Night Panther strays the listener from dramatic and heavy themes, to late night carousing and sexual innuendoes. 

Pravada - “Someone Else”

Pravada released a video for their song, “Someone Else”.  The track is from their album, Dirty Looks, which was released this past November.  Check out the clip below.

“Someone Else,” evokes elements of The Cars and The Faint. The piece masterfully interweaves staccato guitar licks with a danceable beat, brought to life by Lee's deliciously sweet, yet distorted vocals. A spiral of guitars, drum and bass provide the song with an over-the-edge punch as Lee’s voice accumulates a raw indie rock power and emotion. The video proves to be a real page turner with mystery and suspicion around every corner. A case of a cop gone bad, using criminals for his own gain, “Someone Else,” will instantly draw your attention.

 

Pravada is the musical creation of Jesse Lee (vocals, guitar), Casey Tennis (drums, keyboards), and Hubert Glover (horns, bass). The trio had spent the earlier half of the 2000s playing in Margot and the Nuclear So and So’s before branching out on their own with Pravada. Unleashing their newest effort, Dirty Looks, just last week, the gorgeous record is filled with 10 electrifying and glorious songs that will stop you dead in your tracks.  The record is a vibrant burst of electric melodies alongside an enthusiastic rhythm section. Jesse Lee's voice switches between smokey and gorgeous and raw and boisterous, creating an intriguing combination. 

Beck Teams Up With Warby Parker

Beck has collaborated with Warby Parker for a pair of limited edition frames.  The Beck frames have been dubbed the “Carmichael” and like all Warby Parker frames, start at $95.  So, basically, you can achieve the look above with the help of these reasonably priced frames.  

The collaboration is a celebration, so to speak, of Beck’s Song Reader project.  Check out the frames below and for more information, visit the Warby Parker site.