by Jane Lambert

Catching Up with Harper Blynn

Harper Blynn (Formerly Pete and J) isn’t your average band from New York City. In a time where it’s hard for groups to set themselves apart in the ever growing NYC/Brooklyn scene, rockers Harper Blynn are able to do it perfectly with their own brand of indie rock. We caught up with the Peter Harper and J Blynn recently, who are slated to play at the Northside Festival this weekend. It’s their first time playing the fest, and it won’t be their last we’re sure.

Modern Mystery: With the heavy amount of bands that are always coming out of New York City, what makes Harper Blynn stand out from the rest?

For starters, we have no animals or trees in our name. As far as the music goes, we are heavy on the singing and harmonies, and we are trying to write and perform music that could have come from anywhere at any time. There has always been a ton of music coming out of New York, and we’re trying to do something all our own.

MM: Who are your influences? What bands and artists inspired you to play music?

We are influenced by all types of music. To name a few, Otis Redding, The Police, Wilco, The Cars, The Killers, Paul Simon, Gillian Welch, and anyone who writes great songs.

MM: Is this your first time playing the Northside Festival? How did you get involved this year?

This is our first time, we are Northside virgins! The lovely folks at Engine Room asked us to do it, and we said YES!

MM: Loneliest Generation took only 10 days to record. How did you make the record so fast?

We are a live band first and foremost, and we believe strongly in road-testing all of our songs before recording them. As a result, a lot of the arrangement work was already completed, so it never took more than 2 takes to get the live band tracks.

MM: When writing songs, is it a collaboration between the band members?

Pete and J collaborate to write all the music for the band, and that process has a wide range. Sometimes we come to each other with a finished song, and we’ll work out small kinks and details. Sometimes we start from scratch and write a song completely together. The point is, everything goes through the two of us before we bring it to the band. Once we bring the music to the band, we all arrange the songs together.

MM: What is your favorite part about performing live?

Winning over every person in the room and making them fans of Harper Blynn!

MM: At what point in life did you decide you wanted to become a musician for a living, or did the music chose you?

Most people we’ve met in the music business pretty much NEVER recommend anyone getting involved, and especially these days, you better be 100% convinced that music is your only option. Otherwise, you will be eaten alive.

MM: After the Northside Festival, what is up next for Harper Blynn?

After the festival, we’ll probably grab a couple beers. After that, we’re home for about two weeks, and then we’re hitting the road opening for Greg Laswell and Cary Brothers and playing as their band. So we’ll be on stage all night, playing 3 sets! We’re pumped.

Sunday, June 27th
Public Assembly
70 North 6th Street, Brooklyn, NY
Doors are at 2pm and the show will be free to Northside Festival badge holders. Individual admission is $5 and the show is 21+.

Lineup:

2:30pm – Madison Square Gardeners
3:30pm – The Art Of Shooting
4:30pm – Harper Blynn
5:30pm – Jody Porter
6:30pm – The Canon Logic

06.14.10

by Jane Lambert

Ryan Adams To Release Two Unheard Albums

Ryan Adams. Oh where do we begin. Since ‘retiring’ early last year, Adams has not been out of the spotlight one bit. With book tours and pressing an album with his ‘metal’ project, Orion, if anything, he’s more in the spotlight than ever.

News came this morning that Mr. Adams will be releasing two unheard albums from the vault. Though when they will be put out is unsure yet, in great Ryan fashion, we’ll sure not only will it be soon, but it will be without much notice. The first will be a double LP that he recorded with The Cardinals called III/IV and the second is called Blackhole which was written during the Love is Hell era which he said took him four years to make. I have a feeling this is only the beginning of the Adams’ back issues.

Ryan Adams – “Go Ahead And Rain” by modernmysteryblog

06.11.10

by Jane Lambert

The Morning Benders “Big Echo”

Why did it take me so long to review this album? Well I was too busy enjoying it, that’s why.

The Morning Benders have taken a new approach on their sophomore record, Big Echo (+1/Roughtrade). With producer and Grizzly Bear cohort Chris Taylor in tow, the band went into the studio last year to record an album that has finally launched their career into the spotlight.

While their first record Talking Through Tin Cans (+1) brought out the sweet, sugary, indie pop side of the band, this time they are headed in a different direction. This is indeed four guys who have grown up drastically since the last time they went into the studio. The songs show a more mature side of the group and it seems natural and effortless.

The album opens up with the first two singles, “Excuses,” and “Promises.” Both are only the beginning of what is to come on this record. If you were lucky enough to catch singer Chris Chu’s solo performance at CMJ 2009, you were able to see some of these songs including a special teenaged filled background vocal performance of “Excuses.”

“Wet Cement,” brings a bit of the first record in with it. It’s a very mellow and adorable song to say the least. One thing that stands out even more on this album is Chu’s voice. It is dreamy, smooth and flawless. This is more often than not hard to find these days. It’s as if his voice has the capability to bring you back into the 60’s. One of my personal favorite tunes on the record is “Cold War (Nice Clean Fight),” which clocks in under the two minute mark. This is a stomp your feet, clap your hands along song with it’s infectious beat.

“Pleasure Sighs,” “Hand Me Downs,” and “Mason Jar,” bring out a more experimental sound in the band. A little pyschadelic if you will, which the band has never really hit on before. Though somehow it fits and they manage to pull it off. You can really see Taylor’s influence in these songs.

“All Day Day Light,” contains a bit of an 80’s meets 60’s vibe to it. Take that for a leap of decades, right? It flows perfectly and trust me, it will not be leaving your head anytime soon. This is one to put on repeat. The album ends with the breezy “Stitches,” and “Sleeping In,” which appears to draw influences from the Beach Boys in the most flattering way.

Big Echo has launched The Morning Benders from small time indie band to full time buzz band. There is bound to be a lot more where that comes from so be on the lookout. If you haven’t checked out this record yet, do not hesitate. It has the makings to be an indie classic.

The Morning Benders – “Dreams” (Fleetwood Mac Cover) by modernmysteryblog

06.10.10

by Jane Lambert

Patrick Park – “Come What Will”

I remember discovering singer/songwriter Patrick Park in 2003 when I worked at a local record store and seemingly became obsessed with his record Loneliness Knows My Name (Hollywood). Somehow my singer/songwriter phase left me, but Park amongst a select few, was one to always stick out in my head. I didn’t want to leave him behind.

Fast forward to 2010, and Park has a new album out titled Come What Will (Badman). Leaving his Hollywood label, he reunited with Badman Records for this release who put out his first EPS.

Only a few seconds into the first song, “You’ll Get Over,” it is obvious that he has grown as a songwriter. Overall there is the feel of a little Ryan Adams twang, to the whole record, musically speaking. This is by no means a copy cat situation, and if anything, it just sends chills down your spine.

One thing that has always intrigued me about Patrick Park is the fact that he can turn the simplest of songs and make them complex. Take his voice on “The Lucky Ones,” as it manages to overshadow everything. It’s not that his voice is strong, but more along the lines of honest. The accompanying slide guitar sound adds to the flavor of the already delicious track and most importantly, it does not overpower the vocals.

Not everything is dark on the album as expected. Tracks like “You’re Enough,” provides you with a little country beat to tap your foot to. Songs like “Starry Night,” and “Time Won’t Wait,” sound like they could be used in a TV show like Gossip Girl, which, quite frankily isn’t a bad thing.

The title song “Come What Will,” is haunting with lyrics like “The silence doesn’t seem so broken when there’s nothing left to love.” The ongoing theme of the record seems to be underlying sadness, and it works for Park. With “Silence and Storm,” he seems to perk up a little bit, but not for long. The strings come out of this one and melt perfectly no matter how subtle they are at times. It shows a different side of Park that only makes one appearance on the record.

What Park has made is not a diverse record by any means. Come What Will tells a story that flows perfectly from one song to the other. If any of the tracks were to deviate even slightly, it would not work as an album. Somehow Patrick Park manages to keep it interesting, and I find the thing I look for the most in each song is his beautiful, harmonious voice that leads the record into perfection. Yes, his guitar playing is amazing as well, but the thing that sticks out with every listen is his glorious voice. It’s a rare find.

06.09.10

by Jane Lambert

BKLYN Yard is Shutting Their Doors

BKYLN Yard, one of New York’s finest places to ever see a show, have just announced that they have officially closed their doors.

The venue, which has been around for about four years, has put on shows with everyone from Dan Deacon to Jose Gonzalez. BKYLN Yard wasd also famous for it’s Sunday Best dance series, the Gowanus Harvest Fest, the BK County Fair, Score! Pop-Up Mega Swap, Parked: Food Truck Festival, as well as more lobster bakes, pig roasts, and BBQs than you can shack a stick at.

Recently putting on a Memorial Day picnic, the venue showed off it’s new renovations including a bocce court and an updated bar. The landlords of BKLYN Yard’s space did not allow them to renegotiate the contract, and told them to hit the road. The chances are you’ll see the venue back in action though, just in another location. It may take some time but we hope to see them back soon.

For more information about BKLYN Yard’s closing, visit their website, HERE.

06.07.10

by Jane Lambert

Robbers on High Street Release New Single, “Electric Eye.” Prep New Album and Mini Tour

Robbers on High Street are a New York staple. Anyone who’s anyone knows the name. The Brooklyn band first hit the scene a few years ago with their debut album Tree City, and then with Grand Animals, that was released nearly 3 years ago.

Robbers are back in full action now, prepping a new album in which the name has not been released yet. The band has been playing new songs from the record since the Summer of last year, and when I talked to them last July, they seemed to be really excited to get started on it. The result that we’ve heard so far, seems to show a more mature side of the band and one that draws a bit more from their 70’s influences. This is going to be one of the lookout records for 2010.

Robbers on High Street have just released the first single from the record called “Electric Eye,” which seems to bring out the spirit of the new songs. Singer Ben Trokan’s voice is better than ever, envoking such passion, and doing it smoothly. Robbers on High Street are one of the greatest rock and roll bands of our generation, there is no doubt about that.

The single for “Electric Eye” will be released on vinyl tomorrow, with the digital single being released on June 22nd. The B-side will be another new tune titled “Face the Fog.”

In celebration of the new album, Robbers will be going out on a few dates this week in support of the new single. They’re bringing labelmates The Bloodsugars along with them. If you’re in New York, they’ll be playing the Knitting Factory in Brooklyn on Saturday night. Don’t miss out on this show. It’s going to be incredible (like always!)

Download and Stream “Electric Eye”
Robbers on High Street – “Electric Eye” by modernmysteryblog