DANIEL KNOX performs BLACK & WHITES live at 92YTRIBECA in New York City on January 25th 2012
Photography by John Atwood

Bizarre how a city situated in the middle of the United States can be one of vast extremes. Bold lines divide rich and poor, black and white, and summer and winter; Chicago is a city that prides itself on the endurance of its ups and downs. Through the marriage of sound and image, Daniel Knox and John Atwood communicate a perspective of Chicago deemed harsh, melancholy, and romantic. Their collaboration exceeds the simple blend of score over slide show. Rather, the piece feels a seamless performance, difficult to decide where the rolling photos end and the piano begins.

- Graham Savage Wasley

NIKI & THE DOVE perform THE FOX at Glasslands in Brooklyn on June 14th 2012

A flower child at a Donovan show in 68 peppered with a club kid dolled up for a long night at the Limelight – this was my first impression of Niki and the Dove, as the frontwoman emerged from backstage. It seemed impossible to predict what type of music I was in for, however, I was swiftly engulfed in the vibe which was both epic and fanciful. Magnus Böqvist commanded heavy rhythms behind the drums while Gustaf Karlöf crafted dreamy moods on the keyboard. Malin Dahlström’s vocals transitioned sharply between flirty screeches and unconditional war cries. The blend was natural and instinctive and at times, I felt like I was in a cathedral. Other moments, I was adventuring heroically through a dark and enchanted forest, machete in hand. Nikki and the Dove reminded me that there’s really only one reason that we all go to live shows – to get lost in the music.

- Graham Savage Wasley

LITTLE SCREAM performs THE LAMB live at The Rock Shop in Brooklyn on December 2nd 2011

Little Scream’s 2011 release, The Golden Record, is nothing short of outstanding. But live…she is sublime. “The Lamb” performed here, breathes a different color into a track that is otherwise ghostly and foreboding, yet stately. Not only does she lead her band mates in effortless three part harmonies- but she had the moxie to arrange her songs for live performance to include a BASS FLAUTIST! Pa POW! You’ll have to wait for her next tour her catch Little Scream; however…she’s currently on a well deserved break, probably painting. Is there anything Laurel doesn’t do exceptionally well?

- Meghan Currier

LAURA MARLING performs NIGHT AFTER NIGHT at McKITTRICK HOTEL in New York City December 11th 2011

Laura Marling is the calm and the storm. Her presence and her music are terribly beautiful. Haunting and honest, tragic yet magical, nostalgic, timeless. An old soul through and through, Marling enraptured her audience wielding only her guitar and her voice. Upon taking the stage, her admirers fell into a concentrated hush, hanging on to every note like a prayer. A spell was cast over the old and mysterious McKittrick Hotel (which couldn’t have been a more fitting venue). And as Marling sung into the lights like a lonely heroine, she spun tales like a bard, which were far more ancient than her 21 years suggest. This performance only reconfirmed Laura Marling as a true poet and performer. Watch this rendition of “Night After Night”, which is also featured on her most current release, A Creature I Don’t Know. Prepare to be bewitched.

- Meghan Currier

REVEREND VINCE ANDERSON & HIS LOVE CHOIR perform “GET OUT OF MY WAY” at Union Pool in Brooklyn November 7th 2011

The revival is alive and unlike the church you may remember from childhood.

One trip to see The Reverend Vince Anderson at Union Pool on a Monday night and you’ll understand why most folks around here have joined “The Church of The Holy Unruly.” Being a longtime figure in the Williamsburg music scene, along with his band, The Love Choir, Vince commands his congregation through two late night sets every week, praying to the gods of soul and reggae in what he calls ‘the dirty gospel’. This is it- feel good music, taste good beer (Sixpoint Brewery just honored The Rev with his own beer), and audience participation at unthinkable decibels for a school night.

Its time to get saved everybody!! We’ll see you at Union Pool.

-Bryan Cosgrove

JACUZZI BOYS perform “COOL VAPORS” & “GLAZIN” for the Hardly Art CMJ showcase at Death by Audio in Brooklyn October 21st 2011

The fire-code breaking capacity crowd at Williamburg’s Death By Audio exploded into a limb-thrashing, toe-smashing, beer spraying frenzy, when Jacuzzi Boys frontman, Gabriel Acala, struck the first powerful chords of ‘Cool Vapors’.
The Jacuzzi Boys breakneck, asthma inducing set had members of the crowd peeling off just to catch a breath and wipe the sweat from their brows. They should have been selling health insurance to this crowd, and towels, and maybe one of those 5-in-1 bath products.
The set served as a great portrait of Miami’s hottest band right now (fellow GEMS filmed Miami band, ANR definitely share mention as well). With their stellar, more pop-fueled follow-up LP, “Glazin“, and a 30 city tour on schedule, the Jacuzzi Boys are on their way to showing the rest of the country what kind of party a couple of sweaty Miami boys can throw. I highly recommend attending.
The Hardly-Art showcase was a nice break from the un-sound-checked melee of bands that makes up a good majority of the festival these days. The Jacuzzi Boys were the ass-kicking two scoops and a cherry on top of this sundae of a show. I fuckin’ love ice cream and I fuckin’ love this band. Now imagine eating ice cream in a jacuzzi. Go see these guys!! Best party I’ve been to all year!!

- Philip Quinaz

CHANCHA VIA CIRCUITO performs at Public Assembly in Brooklyn for the Damn Zun iBomba party April 29th 2011

More than just a DJ, breakthrough Argentinian producer Chancha Via Circuito embraces a native sound and tradition that has sparked a new movement in South American dance music, reimamgining traditional cumbia music. As this musical campaign spreads throughout the globe, Chancha, along with his mates on the ZZK record label had the chance to bring the tastes of their distant lands to Brooklyn’s Public Assembly. That mission was palpable in Chancha’s live set that evening. The synthesis of electronic percussion and melodic circuitry galvanized the crowd into a hypnotic state of hip-turning and head-nodding deep into the night. You can check out Chancha Via Circuito’s full set on this podcast he put together for XLR8R earlier this year. Stay tuned to the ZZK site for future releases and tours.

- Bryan Cosgrove

Here is a bonus video from the ZAKEE show we filmed our first season. His album, Assimilations, is now available on iTunes. For the latest on ZAKEE, keep up with him on twitter: @iamzakee

ZAKEE performs “SPOTLIGHT” Live at Public Assembly in Brooklyn for the Damn Zun iBomba Party April 29th 2011

Perhaps you’ve heard ZAKEE’s name before – Maybe you’ve caught one of his laced out, bass heavy, kuduro flavored dj sets. Most likely you’ve heard his superb production on tracks released by Rye Rye & MIA. Now. Forget all that. This performance is the first taste ZAKEE has offered of his newest project (and forth-coming album on Green Owl Records / Warner Music Group), ASSIMILATIONS, a showcase of his infallible beats & melodies, genius lyrics sang & spat. The show was a beautiful thing to behold, this particular song, Spotlight, is dream like; an urban lullaby, something I’ve heard referred to as “future soul,” an astute title for a divergence of reverberations— influenced & inspired. You’re gonna see ZAKEE out in the world soon & most definitely you’re gonna hear him.

- Jessica Flores

ANR performs “THE ENDLESS FIELD OF MERCURY” at Public Assembly in Brooklyn April 6th 2011
 

There are very few musical qualities that I am a sucker for: 1. men who sing really well in falsetto, and 2. lead singer drummers. I was totally slain by Awesome New Republic the first time I heard “Endless Field of Mercury” –check out the Miami duo’s extended rendition of the song performed live at Public Assembly in Brooklyn. These are two dedicated young men that serve up drama and intensity worthy of a teen movie, and I mean that in a good way.
 

- Meghan Currier