Devil’s Work: Miike Snow at Terminal 5

Posted on April 26, 2012 by CenterOrch

What two acts go better together than penguins and snow?  Terminal 5 became that igloo Wednesday night at Swedish indie pop group Miike Snow brought their Happy To You tour to New York along with recently-opening-for-everyone Brooklyn-based Penguin Prison.  I’ve put a tail on penguins a couple times in recent months and just saw Miike Snow at Coachella, so I was excited to see them both perform longer sets.  Sadly I missed the penguins, but I did get snowed.

Miike Snow’s just cool.  A very masculine show end to end.  The stage was reminiscent of a space ship control room, or perhaps a joker’s lair even though I don’t know what that means.  I say that because they opened with “Enter the Jokers Lair.”  If that was the intent, apparently there are lots of strobe lights in that lair.  Up next was their latest single, “The Wave.” Others off the new album included “Bavarian #1 (Say You Will),” “Pretender” and best song title, “God Help This Divorce.”  But it was their main set closer that I loved most, “Devil’s Work.”  Something about a piano in a rock song that makes me happy.

I admit Miike Snow has grown on me with the new record, and it’s made me appreciate their first album more.  “Silvia” really is a great song, as is “Black and Blue” and “Burial.”  Other highlights were recent single “Paddling Out” and their best known hit “Animal.”   Hmm.  Paddling animals.  Made me think of penguins.

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Heaven: Emeli Sande at Music Hall of Williamsburg

Posted on April 26, 2012 by CenterOrch

Every now and then an artist comes along that stops you in your tracks, makes your jaw to drop to the floor and maybe causes you to pee in your pants just a little bit.  All that and more happened at the Music Hall of Williamsburg last night as the lucky few in attendance witnessed the U.S. debut of Scottish soul and R&B singer songwriter Emeli Sande.  Noted recently in Entertainment Weekly as the “next Adele,” I found it ironic that Sande’s full name is Adele Emeli Sande.  While the styles and personalities are miles apart, the purity and perfection of the vocals are on par.

“I don’t know how you know about my music, but I’m glad you’re here,” she said before she started nodding to the fact that barely any of her music has been released in the U.S.  “My set is acoustic because I love the lyrics and the melody,” she added.  With that comment I was in love with her before she even started singing.  But then she did — with the only single released here to date: “Heaven.”  Everything but the pee had happened to me by now.

Songs I’ve never heard before, but can’t wait to hear again included “Daddy,” “Suitcase,” “Where I Sleep,” “Clown,” “My Kind of Love,” and “Breaking the Law,” which she wrote for her sister.  That’s the song that conjured up a tear and maybe a little pee.  So beautiful.  I also loved “Mountains,” about the strength her parents gave her and her sister and the values they instilled in them.  It’s so refreshing to hear an artist sing about things other than boys and booze.  It was interesting to hear about how she got her break too.  She covered Coldplay’s single, “Every Teardrop is a Waterfall” with just her voice and an electric cello on video, which got the band’s attention and earned her an invitation to open their tour.

Aside from her spectacular voice, there were three things I took away that made me love her more:  1) the comfort and joy she conveys when telling the story of a song before she sings it; 2) the insightful, clear and honest intent of her lyrics suggests she’s a master storyteller in the making (and at just 24 years old); and 3) the restraint and control of her voice.  Anyone who hears her knows she could, if she wanted, unleash that voice to the heavens and above, but she doesn’t.  She holds back, takes you to the edge and pulls you back.  She makes you want to beg her for more, and that I did.  Now I have to wait until June 4.

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Lose Your Mind: The Big Pink at Bowery Ballroom

Posted on April 26, 2012 by CenterOrch
Fresh off two weekends at Coachella, British electro-rock band The Big Pink made an appearance at Bowery Ballroom Monday night before flying back over the pond.  I am a really big fan of their sophomore album, Future This, but as I wrote in my Coachella round-up, there’s something just a little off when they perform live.  Frontman Robbie Furze is a cool guy, with a Metallica tat on his arm and everything, but seemed not totally comfortable on stage.  He’s a got a great voice but as the kid next to me said after the show was over, “his guitar skills are suspect.”  Ha!
Still, they put on a good show, and I was again in awe of mad drummer Victoria Smith.  They opened with their first two singles off the new album, “Stay Gold” and “Hit the Ground (Superman).”  Other new songs included “Jump Music,” “Give it Up,” “Rubbernecking” and their one ballad, “77.”  Tracks off their 2008 debut album A Brief History of Love included “Velvet,” “Crystal Visions,” “Too Young for Love” and their biggest hit to date, “Dominos.”  They closed with the strongest song off the new album, “Lose Your Mind,” with a long, extended, satisfying guitar and drum jam.  Good stuff.

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2012 Coachella Day 3: Santigold, Fitz & The Tantrums, Gotye, Calvin Harris, Florence & The Machine

Posted on April 16, 2012 by CenterOrch

Weather on the third and final day Coachella, Weekend 1, was perfect.  Eighty-two degrees and I barely needed a sweater after the sun set.  Got to the polo fields by mid-afternoon to catch Brooklyn-based Santigold.  A logistical disaster at the pat-down security station prevented us from seeing the first five songs of her set, but what I did see I loved.  In fact, I immediately bought tickets to her upcoming show in New York.   She was performing “Gifted” when we arrived and then she went into “Disparate Youth,” her latest single from her forthcoming album Master of My Make-Believe, then “Freak Like Me,” which featured horse nays and galloping.  Her dancers appeared in a two-person horse costume.  “That cow follows us from New York wherever we go,” she teased.  A fun song, “Brooklyn (We Go Hard)” followed and was dedicated to all the Brooklynites in attendance.  She closed with her recent single “Big Mouth.”

Stuck around the main stage for Fitz & The Tantrums, an LA-based indie soul pop group led by Michael Fitzpatrick, who sports an awesome skunk stripe in his hair, and the sassy and brassy Noelle Scaggs.  Great vibe and a lot of fun, Fitz and friends played songs off their debut album including “Breakin’ the Chains of Love” and “Pickin’ Up the Pieces.” I want to know what Fitz has against Gs?

The big meet up and the one act everyone could agree to see together was Gotye.  We speculated that he has blown up since he signed on to be at Coachella.  He was cool, but he gravitated to a lot of the slower songs on his new album, which didn’t bode well for a fiesty crowd.  Still, “Eyes Wide Open,” “Easy Way Out” and “I Feel Better” did the trick, but it was monster hit “Somebody That I Used To Know” that got all those damn girls around me screaming at the top of their lungs.  We got a pleasant surprise in the form of Kimbra, who appeared just for her one line.  Amazing.  Even though every girl was singing so loud you couldn’t hear her.  Oh well, I’m lucky I saw them both a couple weeks ago.  I love Kimbra!

Girl Talk or Calvin Harris?  That was the dilemma.  These are not big problems really, unless you’re a die hard music fan.  My friends wanted to see Calvin because there was rumor on the polo fields all weekend that a certain Barbadian may make an appearance.  Mr. Harris, the Scottish producer and DJ has made a big name for himself this year.  He’s worked with all my favorites — Kylie, Kelis, Sophie.  But it’s his collaboration with Rihanna on “We Found Love” that has propelled him into the dance pop stratosphere.  His set was great, and so were the lights.  I wisely witnessed the euphoria from the Heineken beer garden.  And for once, the rumors were true.  “eh, eh, eh…  RiRi’s in da tent!”  It was actually very, very cool for her to show up.  Rumors swirled that she’d been around the festival all weekend with bestie Katy Perry.  Never saw them of course.  Heard Jared Leto was around too.  But I digress.

While I technically stuck around for headliners Dr. Dre, Snoop Dog and special guest Eminem, I was tired, sitting on the lawn, and letting my friends squeeze the last minutes out of Coachella 2012.  My Coachella ended with the great Florence & The Machine.  The highlight of my weekend.  I love Florence and I have since Lungs.  About to tour to support Ceremonials, I was excited to see her perform new songs.  She slayed the night.  Bewitching and beguiling as ever, she opened with “Only If For A Night,” the lead track off the new album, and then went on to play the beautiful “What the Water Gave Me,” “Cosmic Love” off Lungs, “Spectrum,” “Rabbit Heart (Raise It Up),” the soaring “Never Let Me Go,” the resilient “Shake it Off” and her big one, “Dog Days Are Over.”  The best part of Coachella is that after an artist has performed their biggest hit, the non-loyalists bolt.  Happened again here, and it opened up the field and let us get up and personal for “No Light, No Light.”   Perfect ending to a perfect weekend.  I cannot wait to do it all again next year.

Filed under: Calvin Harris, Fitz & The Tantrums, Florence & The Machine, Gotye, Kimbra, Rihanna, Santigold | Tagged: , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

2012 Coachella Day 2: Dragonette, Azealia Banks, The Big Pink, Feist, The Shins, Miike Snow

Posted on April 16, 2012 by CenterOrch

Lesson learned at this year’s Coachella: get out there early.  Sure,easier to act on when its 70 degree weather versus 100, but it’s a travesty about the music you miss when you come out late.  I got to the fairgrounds at 1 p.m. Saturday to see my beloved Dragonette.  Context:  on the Monday before Coachella my fabulous and beautiful friend Marianne invited me to SoHo House to see Dan, Joel and Martina perform, but it was an awkward set.  I ran into Martina before the show and she was worried it was going to like dinner theater.  I told her, “it’s SoHo House.  Everyone’s cool.  Don’t worry.  You’ll be great.”  And of course, they were.  But the setting was all wrong.   Cut to Coachella.

My friend Currey gave me permission to jump out of the car in the parking lot and sprint (with a bad ankle) to the Mojave tent to see Dragonette‘s debut at Coachella.  Parking was a bitch on Saturday.  I missed “Hello” but got there just in time to hear my favorite new tracks, “Live In This City” and “My Legs Go Out Late.”  This was Dragonette’s crowd.  Jumping, dancing, arms flailing.  Yes, the crowd’s response from this outstanding and painfully underrated band put a grin on Joel, Dan and Martina’s face the entire set.  I was so happy for them.  “Pick Up the Phone,” “Fire In Your New Shoes,” “Fixin’ to Thrill” and new single, “Let It Go” were all big crowd pleasers.  I even got my own self-gratification as Martina spotted me in the crowd, mimicked my arm waves and gave me a big smile.  They were the buzz of the festival all day Saturday.

Currey suggested we check out American rapper Azealia Banks at the Gobi tent before The Big Pink.  Wow.  This girl meant bid-ness with her pink weave, “can’t miss me” black and white stripes, and matching back-up dancers.  The Harlem native was making her first appearance at Coachella and she threw down the gauntlet early with her breakthrough hit “212.”  But it was her power vocals not rapping prowess that stopped me in my tracks.  Just sampling a few verses from Amy Winehouse’s “Valerie” made me lust for more.  Beautiful.   While a gifted rapper she is, it’s remarkable she’s not marketing that voice more.  Will be interesting to see if she does.

One of the acts I was most excited to see coming into the festival was The Big Pink from the U.K.  Comprised of guitarist and vocalist Robbie Furze and synth/keyboardist Milo Cordell, their music is described as electro-rock, but seeing them for the first time, it felt more rock than electro, but I loved it nonetheless.  Opening with “Stay Gold” from their new album Future This, it seemed they were a little uncomfortable on stage.  They pulled big black curtains at the back of the stage to make it feel more like a dark club, and Mr. Furze performing mid-afternoon seemed like a fish out of water, in a dry, dry desert.  But they pulled through.  “Jump Music,” “Velvet” and their latest single, “Hit the Ground (Superman) got them into their groove as well as the crowd.

But it was drummer Victoria Smith who stole the show.  She was like a zombie drummer who would come in and out of a still-faced coma to grimace at their “suck my discotheque” t-shirt-wearing roadie or to kill a drum solo.  I was sort of obsessed with her.  I discovered she used to play drums for a band called Ipso Facto, described as a goth-inflected, melodramatic psychedelic rock band.  Yep, that sealed the deal.  I love her, and her mad drumming talent.  Can’t wait to see them again in New York.   “Give It Up,” “Rubbernecking” and their best known song “Dominos” wound down their set.  They left us on a high note with “Lose Your Mind.”  And I about did.  So good.

Brief highlights of other acts I caught include “Undiscovered First” by Feist on the Outdoor Stage and “Australia,” “Simple Song” and “Bait and Switch” by The Shins on the Coachella Stage.  Saturday was too packed full of acts to see their entire sets, but catching a few by each was worth it.  Feist featured three back-up singers who seemed to be scared to death of her.  I’m sure she’s lovely, but they would sing into one mic and pay close attention to the quirky Canadian singer with eyes bugged out in fear.  Perhaps the Heineken Lights were kicking in?  I don’t know.  Still, she sounded great.

After more Heineken Lights and a piece of spicy pie, I caught Swedish indie band Miike Snow on the Outdoor Stage.  About to embark on a huge tour to support their new album Happy To You, they opened with their new single, “The Wave.”  A quick note about the video editing skills of the Coachella staff:  Seriously smart and nimble, cutting from all angles — in real-time.  The screens on every stage were live action music videos.  Kudos to the producers for pulling together such a crack team, it was very impressive.  That said, Miike Snow used the video screens to project cool imagery and their iconic rabbit/buck symbol.  Front man Andrew Wyatt led the way with “Cult Logic,” “Pretender,” “Silvia,” “Black & Blue,” their wildly catchy “Paddling Out,” “Black Tin Box” and closer and fan favorite “Animal.”   Will see these guys again in New York in a couple weeks.  Looking forward to a longer set, hearing my favorite new track, “Devil’s Work” (sadly absent from the set list) and seeing Penguin Prison open up for them.

On top of all those great acts, I caught four DJ sets, or at least parts of them.  First was Jacques du Cont, the French alter ego for the DJ work of superstar producer Stuart Price.  Slick and sexy, du Cont had legions of mid-afternoon kids on ecstasy reaching the rafters early, culminating with his stellar remix of The Killers “Mr. Brightside,” one of my all-time favorites.  French maestro Martin Solveig also had a relatively early time slot and he did not disappoint.  I’m partial because he sampled “Big in Japan” and “Boys and Girls” featuring Dragonette, and closed with his monster smash from last year, “Hello” (also featuring Dragonette).  David Guetta sort of bored me.  Despite opening with his amazing single featuring Sia, “Titanium,” this set was all about David Guetta.  Even the graphics and light show featured only his name.  As SNL’s Judy Grimes would say, “I give it two ‘Mehs’ and one get over yourself, man!“  Finally, there was Kaskade.  Ah, Kaskade.  They are classy with a C.  If there was ever a definitive class act DJ, it’s Kaskade.  So polished, so lush, so perfect.  I still love “Angel on my Shoulder” to this day.  How could Sunday possibly top Saturday?

Filed under: Azealia Banks, David Guetta, Dragonette, Feist, Jacques du Cont, Kaskade, Martin Solveig, Miike Snow, The Big Pink, The Shins | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment »

2012 Coachella Day 1: The Rapture, M83

Posted on April 16, 2012 by CenterOrch

Apparently I’m a rare bird.  I already know that, but it’s nice to get validation from time to time.  On my way to the 2012 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, I read there are seven types of people who attend: hopeless drug addicts, industry a-holes, bro’s, dirty hippies, kids on ecstasy, people with babies and the rarest of birds:  music lovers.  I saw the six former in all their glory, but I’m a proud to be an endangered species.  This was my second Coachella and I loved it even more this year, despite a cold and slightly damp Day 1.  I returned with my pals who I shared the experience with last year, and brought more friends from New York and San Francisco to make up a big fun-loving group of music lovers just like me.  It was perfect and so much fun.  I love my friends.

My first band of the weekend was The Rapture from my town, New York City.  I was a fan of “Sail Away” before seeing them and wanted to hear more.  They reminded me a lot of Hot Chip, sort of quirky, dorky, non-apparent rock dudes.  But they stole my heart when they introduced this song with gumption:  “Whoo! Alright.”  It made me smile all weekend.  Other tracks I liked were “Pieces of People We Love” and “Get Myself Into It.”  Amen, brother.

Up next and highlight of the day for me was French band M83 led by the sexy Anthony Gonzalez.  Their new album Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming has been spotted regularly on my Spotify account driven primarily by their single, “Midnight City.”  Their set included “Intro,” “Teen Angst,” “Reunion,” “Sitting,” “We Own The Sky,” “Steve McQueen” and “Couleurs.”  I would have enjoyed this set so much more had I not been freezing my ass off.  Fortunately, I have tickets to see these guys again in Central Park in the dog days of summer when it will be as caliente as Mr. Gonzalez himself.  Day 1 was sort of a bust thanks to the weather, but it was all up hill from there.

Filed under: M83, The Rapture | Tagged: , , | 1 Comment »

Let It Go: Dragonette at Bowery Ballroom

Posted on April 8, 2012 by CenterOrch

Dragonette, the little Canadian electro group that could, is seriously gaining steam.  Since they released their 2009 sophomore album Fixin to Thrill, they’ve toured extensively and collaborated with the likes of Don Diablo, Kaskade and most notably, Martin Solveig, who’s 2011 smash “Hello” has made the dazzling vocals of Martina Sorbara a ubiquitous staple on radio and dance floors around the world.  So with their own new material beginning to surface, I was fixin’ to be thrilled again when they landed in New York to play the best venue in town, Bowery Ballroom.

My question on how they would incorporate their collaborations was answered immediately.  They opened with “Hello.”  Why not?  I thought it was a stroke of genius to kick off the night with a song they’re likely most famous for, but honestly, not the track for which they should be best known.  It was the perfect bridge from their recent success to the future.  And the future is not only promising, it can’t get here soon enough.  I can’t wait for new track “Live In This City” to be released because it’s musical cat nip.  Indelibly intoxicating and irresistible.  Dragonette just keeps getting better, better.  Up next was “Liar” from their last album, Don Diablo’s “Animale,” and “The Right Woman,” featured on Diane von Furstenberg’s third installment of the compilation album, Proud to be a Woman, which celebrates International Women’s Day.  Then they played another new track, “My Work is Done,” but it was the pumped up mix of “Pick Up The Phone” that got my toes tapping, as did Kaskade’s “Fire In Your New Shoes.” “My Legs Go Out Late” was the fourth new track performed, followed by my favorite Dragonette song, the easy breezy “Easy,” written by drummer Joel Stouffer.  That song gets me every time.

I pause now for a few thoughts as I reflect on the night.  I’ve seen Dragonette four or five times in the last few years.  They’re always infectious, always fun.  But something felt different this time.  They’re stronger, more confident and polished.  Martina did all the talking too, which I thought was interesting.  After the show I was fortunate to get to “say hello” (wink) to each of them separately — Martina, Dan and Joel.  I have a big fat crush on them all, and they look terrific, rested and ready to rule the world.  But most important, I genuinely like these guys.  I think the music they make and chemistry among them is special.  They are so underrated and deserve so much more attention.  I can’t help but root for them.

Four fierce tracks rounded out their main set.  An epidemic is sweeping the Big Apple and it’s Spring fever.  A pair of “Big Sunglasses” and “Our Summer (of sex!)” was our cure.  But “we don’t need a cure for the weight of the world.”  If you’re even remotely a fan, you know I’m eluding to lyrics from their sensational new single, “Let It Go.”  We have a summer song contender here.  I don’t know what to say other than it’s quintessential Dragonette:  synthy, hooky, peppy, happy.  And I can’t get enough. They ended their set with the head-bobbing and pogo-dancing “Fixin’ to Thrill.”

For their encore, Martina welcomed Tegan and Sara pal Sara Quin on stage to perform “Okay Dolore,” which was penned by Quin though the two had never performed it together on stage until tonight.  That song’s a guilty pleasure for sure.  They bid us farewell with “I Get Around,” their 2007 breakout single and the only song of the night off their debut album Galore.  As the following images prove, they just may be the most colorful band in pop music today.  See you at SoHo House and Coachella!

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Penguin Prison & The Temper Trap at Music Hall of Williamsburg

Posted on April 1, 2012 by CenterOrch

Early and obvious loitering around the doorman at the Music Hall of Williamsburg scored me a cheap ticket to join friends for a night of alliteration: Penguin Prison and The Temper Trap.  The former I’ve written about before and will again.  Chris Glover and his band seem to be opening for every act in town lately, and I’m not complaining.  Chris Glover is a New York native who studied voice at performing arts schools with contemporaries Holy Ghost and Alicia Keys.  Hope he’s finally getting his due.  All the best from the album were played: “A Funny Thing,” “Golden Train,” “Something I’m Not,” “The Worse It Gets,” lead single “Don’t Fuck With My Money,” my favorite track “Fair Warning” and  set closer “Multi-Millionaire.”  I march to the beat of these penguins.

The Temper Trap is an Australian band I’m just getting to know though made its mark in 2009 with Conditions.  They’re about to embark on a big tour to support their eponymous sophomore record.  Indonesian-born front man Dougy Mandagi appeared wearing a bright blue floral shirt and started with a new song “Repeater” and their newest single, the awesome “Need Your Love.”  “Love Lost” was next followed by two new songs, “Rabbit Hole” and “Happiness.”  I can’t wait until their new album comes out as I think I’m going to be a big advocate for them.  I feel very lucky to have caught them before they play bigger venues this summer.  It was their closer and best known single “Sweet Disposition” that proved to be the biggest crowd pleaser.  I was certainly pleased; however, my girls got the last Sanderson Sisters cackle.  They met a penguin on their way out the door.  Where was I?  They’d love to know.

Filed under: Penguin Prison, The Temper Trap | Tagged: , , | 1 Comment »

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