Theophilus London was born in Trinidad and raised in Broolyn, which is perhaps why the MC isn’t tied down to one genre. He makes abstract rap music with friends, the kind that dabbles in pop, R&B, soul and electronica. He’d already released several mixtapes, but it was last year’s Lovers Holiday EP and Timez Are Weird These Days LP that really put London on the map and found him playing big festivals and making TV appearances. And while he now travels the world, London still has love for NYC. Show your love for him (above, doing “Last Name London” for billboard.com) next Thursday at Webster Hall.
The three musicians in La Big Vic have diverse backgrounds. Violinist-lead singer Emilie Friedlander was—and actually still is—a blogger, before moving here from Japan guitarist Toshio Maduda was in a J-pop boy band and he produced hip-hop and commercials and keyboardist Peter Pearson apprenticed as a sound producer. But when the trio makes music what comes out is an amazing stew of beats, hooks, trip-hop and ambiance. This isn’t a case of being different just to be different. No, it’s a unique kind of music, which you can see for yourself when, alongside Alex Bleeker and the Freaks and Family Portrait, La Big Vic (above, doing “Musica” for newtownradio.com) plays Mercury Lounge on Saturday night.
In the past couple of years the ridiculously young guys in the band Smith Westerns have nailed the lush, dreamy sounds of Ziggy Stardust Bowie way beyond their age. They grew up in Chicago, not known for its glam scene. Nonetheless, they built on the strong, albeit fuzzy, foundation of their self-titled debut and have since delivered a fully formed and blindingly gleaming second album, Dye It Blonde. In the process, they traded a lo-fi, distanced sound for lush instrumentation without relying on glam’s historically theatrical getup. But don’t just take our word on it—discover for yourself. Check out Smith Westerns, above, doing “Weekend” for KEXP FM and then go see them play live at Webster Hall next Tuesday. —Jason Dean
Musically speaking, Alex Toth (trumpet) and Kalmia Traver (vocals and sax) have been together for a while. The two met as music majors at the University of Vermont and upon graduation they joined the reggae outfit John Brown’s Body. Eventually they decided to go in a different direction, more along the lines of a mash-up of psychedelic pop and dance music with layered rhythm and melodies and arrangements by Toth. Craig Myers (percussion) was the first to join the effort, but now the Brooklyn-based Rubblebucket (above, doing “Triangular Daisies” for Audiotree Live) performs with an array of instruments and as many as nine musicians. And when they play live, they bring it. So bring yourself to The Bowery Ballroom on Saturday night and be prepared to shake it.
The talented singer-songwriter John Roderick is a busy guy. As guitarist and lead singer, he fronts the Long Winters, plus he’s been a touring member of Harvey Danger. And to keep busy he often appears on other bands’ albums, like with Nada Surf, the Decemberists and Death Cab for Cutie. And he’s coming our way for two shows this weekend. Roderick (above, doing “Not Moving to Portland”) opens for Aimee Mann on Friday at Music Hall of Williamsburg, which is sold out. But you can also see him—and hear him because, let’s face it, he’s just got one of those voices you could listen to all day—play the early show at Mercury Lounge on Saturday.
Singer-songwriter Cass McCombs’ calling card is his distinctive voice, both lyrically and aurally. Prior to actually releasing any music, his dark, funny stories earned him a slot touring with Palace (a Will Oldham—of Bonnie “Prince” Billy fame—band) and the Oxes, which eventually led to McCombs putting out his debut EP, Not the Way, in 2002. Two LPs, and stints in the Pacific Northwest, England and Baltimore, followed before he found himself on the road with Modest Mouse. Not one to rest on his laurels, McCombs (above, doing “Prima Donna” at last year’s SXSW) released not one but two well-received albums last year, Wit’s End and Humor Risk. And with a pair of new discs to promote, he plays The Bowery Ballroom tomorrow night.
Allentown, Pa., sludge-noisemakers Pissed Jeans have been making anti-authority music, while channeling ’80s punk, ’90s hardcore and their hardscrabble hometown, for more than six years. The foursome—Bradley Fry, Randy Huth, Matt Kosloff and Sean McGuinness—has put out three LPs and three EPs, and while the recorded music is somewhat slowed down, in concert it comes frenziedly alive. Because these guys put all they have into each performance, which you can experience when they play Music Hall of Williamsburg on Sunday.
Mission of Burma began in Boston in 1979 when a group Clint Conley (bass) and Roger Miller (guitar) had been in disbanded. So they started practicing together, and soon after adding Peter Prescott (drums) the trio played its first show. Weeks later Martin Swope (tape manipulations and sound engineer), who had previously worked with Miller, filled out the band’s roster. Mission of Burma became known for solid songwriting, a unique punk-tinged sound and extremely loud live shows. The quartet’s first album, Vs., came out in 1982, and with the positive reviews it seemed like nothing could stop the band. But alas those loud shows paid a toll: Miller developed tinnitus, and after one more tour, Mission of Burma broke up in 1983. Despite only lasting four years, the band went on to deeply influence others for decades. And that would have been where this story ends, but, seemingly out of nowhere, Mission of Burma reunited in 2002—with Bob Weston replacing Swope—and went on to release several more albums (including 2009’s well-received The Sound the Speed the Light). Find out for yourself why this band has been so influential tonight at Music Hall of Williamsburg.
Growing up in North Carolina, Jonathan Wilson was often surrounded by music, especially since his father was a musician and bandleader. By his early 20s, Wilson had become a musician himself, playing guitar and keys, and he formed a band with a friend. The group broke up, as most do, and Wilson wandered, living in California, Georgia and New York City before returning to California to live in the famed Laurel Canyon neighborhood. He opened a studio and produced and worked alongside the likes of Jackson Browne, Chris Robinson, Bonnie “Prince” Billy and Dawes, plus he was known for hosting jam sessions at his house. But he still had songs in his head so Wilson produced his own album, Frankie Ray, in 2007, but it was never officially released. Still, the singer-songwriter was undeterred and a second disc, Gentle Spirit (which you can stream below), backed by a full band, came out last year. And now Wilson (above, playing “Gentle Spirit”) has taken his act on the road and you can see him play the early show at Mercury Lounge on Thursday and the late show on Friday. Latest tracks by jonathanwilson
When you think about it, most musical genres really cover more than one type of music. But people are still quick to apply labels, so country-tinged music that delves into rock and punk somewhere along the way became alt-country or, even better, y’alternative. Think Gram Parsons or Uncle Tupelo, which begat Wilco and Son Volt. Along those lines came Scud Mountain Boys, out of Northampton, Mass., blending country music with ’70s rock. The band’s first album, Pine Box, came out in 1995. And despite it only being released on cassette, the quartet—Joe Pernice, Stephen Desaulniers, Tom Shea and Bruce Tull—began to gain some attention. But it wasn’t meant to last. By 1997, after releasing two more LPs, the group had broken up with each band member going his own way. Pernice, who went on to form Pernice Brothers, says the bandmates “hadn’t spoken a single word between us in 14 years.” But following the death of a friend he reached out and a reunion show of sorts occurred last summer in Boston. And now the whole band is back together and you can see Scud Mountain Boys (above, doing “”) tonight at The Bowery Ballroom.
The Pierces—sisters Allison and Catherine—come from an artistic family. Their father was a guitarist and their mother was a painter. So it should come as no surprise that the two had arty endeavors. They each became accomplished ballerinas before deciding the kind of stage work they wanted to do was of the musical variety. They began writing songs and a friend helped get them in an in with a Nashville recording company. An album, The Pierces, followed but it never really gained much ground. Undeterred, the talented sisters moved on, literally, to New York City, where they’ve found more success, releasing three more albums—the most recent of which, You & I, came out last year. But the real way to experience the Pierces (above, playing “Love You More” on Later … with Jools Holland) is in person, which you can do tonight and tomorrow at Mercury Lounge. But you’d better act now because tickets are going fast.
The holiday season—from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day—is quite possibly the best time of the year, filled with friends, family, presents and parties. And then one day you wake up and it’s just winter. And it’s freezing. And you think how long will this last? What you need is to get out of town and go where the weather is hot and the music is cool. That’s right, starting on FridayHoly Ship!, a three-day cruise sets sail from Fort Lauderdale to the Bahamas and a private island (with a beach party and music by Fatboy Slim, above) filled with some of the world’s hottest electronic-music makers, like Diplo, A-Trak, Skrillex and plenty more. The ship has five venues and music around the clock. Plus there’s a casino, spa, yoga, all-you-can-eat dining and a special burlesque performance by Dita Von Teese. What are you waiting for?
