Laurel Halo
The day I visited Laurel Halo at her East Williamsburg apartment it was literally raining ice in the streets. Falling, sparkling shards is a strangely appropriate image under which to address Halo, who is 25 and released her first EP, King Felix, on Hippos in Tanks in the US in November of 2010. (More …)
Penguin Prison
Pop music is a fickle thing. As soon as someone becomes popular, or well regarded, or critically acclaimed, the next artist is hot on their tails, ready to snatch the proverbial crown straight off their heads. Contrary to popular opinion, being a pop star puts quite a strain on one’s creativity. Pop artists constantly have to declare themselves one step ahead of the curve, if only to survive the next culture-gripping trend wave. New York-based outfit Penguin Prison churn out brilliant, scintillating, ’80s-inspired pop hits with the edge of an indie band whose been honing their craft for years. The songs burrow into your brain and hatch into a million earworms, feeding off your endorphins until you realize you’ve memorized every lyric and you’ve been dancing for a solid hour. (More …)
Hundred in the Hands
With the NYC rock scene in a bit of a shambles due to severe stylistic stratification – you’re either part of an electronic act or an über indie unit – it’s refreshing to find a band like the Hundred In the Hands who successfully cull together the best of both words in a sincere and deeply engaging manner. (More …)
The Drums
Chalk the Drums’ music up as another argument for the dissipating notion of a regional sound: When 20-somethings who grew up in west New York and central Florida get together to form a rock band leaning heavily on the California-born surf rock of the ’50s and the pop sensibilities of the ’60s (with some new wave dashed in also), any attempt to logically tie the Drums’ sound together falls apart at formation. But what’s so fun about the Drums’ music is that it’s so sharp, straightforward and instinctive that it precludes thought. (More …)
