by Jane Lambert

2010

Adam Weinberg * http://www.adam-weinberg.com

I don’t know what’s to be said on a band’s live performance compared
to their album itself. It’s all personal preference, and I guess varies
from group to group. Toro y Moi played two shows in New York on July 1st and 2nd. One at the Glasslands Gallery in Williamsburg, and the other at the Whitney Museum in Manhattan.

I was able to catch the Glasslands show, and it was the first time I got to see Toro Y Moi as a three piece band. They opened with “Blessa,” and while the crowd was ecstatic, the
tempo seemed awkwardly fast compared to the record. Even Chaz Bundick,the lead singer, bobbed like a human metronome to keep the beat. Every song was played at this accelerated pace that I was not expecting, and I’m assuming it was just a decision by the band. It did not live up to the “Chill wave” moniker this type of music has be labeled with, although when I had a brief chance to talk with the bassist and drummer they told me the name was a joke.

When they began to play “You Hid,” what I believe to be the chill anthem (there’s no better phrasing for it sorry) of the year, even that had a disappointingly fast beat to it.

That all being said, the venue was jam packed, and I still had a great
time. The music was still miles above most of what’s out there, and I’m
glad I got to see them before they headed off to Europe.

The band, for some reason, asked me not to talk about their clothes so
I’m gonna honor that.

Finally, on an awesome note, one of the band member’s parents were
there, and the mother informed me that she and her husband met through an ad in the Village voice. I thought that was cool.

-Joe Paolucci

06.30.10

by Jane Lambert

Jody Porter of Fountains of Wayne Talks Solo

Recently I caught up with solo artist, and guitarist for Fountains of Wayne, Jody Porter. Working with everyone from Albert Hammond Jr. to Jesse Malin, Porter is one of the most well known names in the rock and roll world.

MM: How does working with Fountains of Wayne and being solo differ for you personally, when it comes to writing songs, and crafting a piece of music?

Porter: I think my songs have a bit more flexibility while being cut in the studio. I like to allow things to happen spontaneously after bringing the song in see where it goes. A lot of times happy accidents can lead to some cool moments. Maybe my approach is less conventional than our approach in fountains,but there is still the same goal of making the song live up to what you hear in your head.

MM: You’ve worked with the likes of Albert Hammond Jr., Jesse Malin, Ivy and Juliana Hatfield. How did you decide to work with each of them? Are there any more collaborations you would like to do in the future?

Well they’re all pals and I’m not that hard to find around the village. Albert and Jules have my digits so it was really just guesting on some friends’ records. I’d like to work with Jesus if he ever shows up.

MM: Already being known for your work, before you released your solo material, does that put any pressure on you as an artist?

I don’t feel any pressure. I’m not trying to do repeat what I’ve done before musically or professionally. I just do it because I’ve been doing it all my my life and can’t help it.

MM: What inspires you to write a song? Not only musically, but lyrically.

Anything really. Some of my songs come out of personal experiences but I don’t think of myself as a “story teller”. There are enough boring songs out there about boring people. The best ones pretty much write themselves.

MM: How has your music personally evolved over the years?

I think the stuff I wrote in England with my first band was more complex. I was into the idea of making progressive music that wasn’t prog rock.Might’ve actually succeeded if I wasn’t so lazy but I think over the years I’ve realized simplicity in a song always wins. It’s what you can do in that 4 minutes that gives the artistic license to go outside of the box.

MM: What is your favorite part of being in the studio?

Like a second home to me. Being able to experiment with different places to take the song keeps things interesting.

MM: What is your favorite part about playing live?

I love the interaction with the audience and I like the girls at the after parties.

MM: How did you get involved with playing the Northside Festival this year?

Engine Room folks are cool and said how bout it.

MM:What is up next for you?

Making more hits. Another solo record is in the works as is staying around for a while.

06.27.10

by Jane Lambert

Matt Pond PA “Starting”

Tonight I am going to see one of my favorite bands, Matt Pond PA. Here’s my little secret. For some reason I have NEVER seen MPPA live. This is beyond wierd isn’t it? I’m not exactly sure how this has happened, being I live in New York, as does the band, but we have unfortunate incidents, that every time for the past 5 years, when MPPA took the stage I either already had tickets to another show or I was on vacation. It seemed to be working against me. Good grief Charlie Brown.

I still remember the first time I discovered Matt Pond PA. It was 2005 and I was interning at big record label in Manhattan. Someone got fired, and as the intern I was, I got to clean out their cd collection, and keep what I wanted to, and put the rest in the trash. Nothing caught my eye but this mix someone had made the person oddly titled “Sunsetting.” Looking at the tracklist, I saw the good Matt Pond PA name on there, noticed it being familar, and took it. The song that was on there was “The Butcher,” and in my ever mess of a room, I didn’t listen to the mix for almost two weeks. It wasn’t until Sunday night two weeks later when I was watching Subteranean on MTV2, that they showed the MPPA video for “Closest (Look Out).” I’ve been hooked ever since.

Well tonight is the night that I get to experience first hand, MPPA at the Bowery Ballroom. With the recent release of The Dark Leaves (Polyvinyl), and some of the strongest songs Pond has ever written, it is sure to be an amazing night. Plus I am going to experience it with someone who I love dearly. I think it was all meant to happen at once.

Recently MPPA released the first video for the record, “Starting,” which features the new-ish lineup featuring the lovely Miss Leslie Sisson of the Wooden Birds (which she plays with Pond and Andrew Kenny formerly of American Analog Set), running away from a slow swerving car with glowing orbs. It MPPA fashion, it’s beautiful.

Matt Pond PA “Starting”

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

Robbers on High Street Tour Dates

June 10 – Philadelphia, PA – The M Room – 9pm – w/ The Bloodsugars, The Fleeting End

June 11 – Washington, DC – Velvet Lounge – 9pm – w/ The Bloodsugars, Kaiser Cartel

June 12 – Brooklyn, NY – The Knitting Factory – 8pm – w/ The Bloodsugars, Israel Darling

June 13 – Boston, MA – TT The Bears – 8:30pm – w/ The Bloodsugars, Israel Darling

05.26.10

by Jane Lambert

Hot Hot Heat @ Public Assembly – Brooklyn, NY – May 19, 2010

Hot Hot Heat never seem to cool down….as a band that is. The indie synth dance punk pioneers have been taking the stage every Wednesday night this month at Public Assembly in Brooklyn to sold out crowds of eager fans. Catching the band on the third show of their residency in this charming little neighborhood, HHH sure knows how to put on a show.

Oddly enough I have never seen the band live though I’ve been a fan since Make Up the Breakdown (SubPop) was released in 2003. This was about three record labels ago and a slight change in lineup. One thing is for certain though, the band hasn’t lost the energy that makes them a great group to begin with.

Hot Hot Heat will release their newest record Future Breeds (Dangerbird) on June 8th, and from the sound of it, the guys somehow managed to top their previous efforts. My personal favorite new song of the night was the first singlem “20 @ 12,” which was about them being with a friends of their’s who was turning 21 and midnight. This is only a tastes of what Future Breeds have to offer.

I must admit that I went into the show thinking that only new songs would be played. I was mistaking. Though several new tracks were played, they were blended perfectly with our old favorites. Songs like “Naked in the City Again” and “Bandages,” brought back college memories of listening to the band while studying. The guys are not old by any means as they are only in their early 30’s, but it seems like they have been around forever.

This shows especially on the stage as they are old pros at the game of charming an audience. Frontman Steve Bays rocks his keyboard stand back and fourth on an angle, while playing mind you! He doesn’t miss even the slightest note. Heading directly into the face of the crowd several times, you can tell the fans were really eating it up in this most intimate venue. You can see that Hot Hot Heat was eating it up as well. There was plenty of dancing going on in the place and everyone, and I mean everyone, was having a blast and singing along to the classics, hoping to soon learn the new ones.

The group did a short encore as Bays came out saying “I think we’re running out of time,” which was the perfect cue for them to play “Running Out of Time.” To make a perfect ending of the night the band ended the set with “Goodnight Goodnight,” which couldn’t have been any better. We didn’t want them to go, but we all know there is one more night we can relive it in New York.

Hot Hot Heat plays the last night of their Public Assembly residency tonight, Wednesday, May 26th, before heading to play a month in Los Angeles in June. My word of advice to L.A. residents, is to get your tickets while you can, because these shows are selling quick, and it is truly an amazing experience.

Hot Hot Heat are on fire!

Check back to Modern Mystery in the next few days for our exclusive interview with the band!

Look at More Pictures from the Show HERE

05.02.10

by Jane Lambert

Miniature Tigers w/ The Grates, The Stationary Set @ Knitting Factory – Brooklyn, NY – 4/21/2010

With the spring breeze in the air on an early night in Willimsburg, Brooklyn last Wednesday, fans packed the Knitting Factory to see the Miniature Tigers play their first show EVER in the BK area. Four of the nicest guys took time out to greet friends and fans that they passed throughout the night.

Hitting the stage first was The Stationary Set. The room was already starting to get packed for this indie buzz band. Trading instruments like something you would see at a Sloan show, and seperate precussion that you would experience while seeing Pavement, were both driven throughout. Lead singer (most of the time at least), Andrew Lutes, has one of the most poppiest voices I’ve heard in a long time. Though these boys may be on a small label they certainly have a big label sound and potential. I can only imagine we will be hearing more about The Stationary Set in the coming months.

The next to take the stage was Australia’s own, The Grates. The quintet led by charasmatic and energenic front woman, Patience Hodgson, literally blew the crowd away (even down to her golden chucks). What we were in for, and I’m sure no one was aware, was a 45 minute set of pump-your-fist-dance-your-ass-off music. If you didn’t look like you were having fun Hodgson got in your face and made sure that you did. And who could resist? The Grates play amazing indie pop tunes with a dab of Gwen Stefani style. Heading into the crowd several times, she really won the whole crowd over, leaving a once skeptical audience wanting more.

Around 10pm, the Miniature Tigers took the stage with big grins on their faces. Rick Schaier’s signature moustache is noticably gone, and I couldn’t help but think of the fresh faced CMJ newcomers I had originally met in 2008 and interviewed in a diner. It’s amazing how far they’ve come since their first New York City trip.

Most of the night was filled with upcoming material from their second record, Fortress (ModernArt) that is due to be released this summer. Produced by musician/friend/tourmate Chris Chu of The Morning Benders, you can really feel how the group has crafted their songs further from the early versions they have been playing recently on their last couple of tours.

New tracks like “There’s a Japanese Woman in My Closet,” and “Bullfighter Jackets,” were amazing to hear live on stage and really started to give the audience a glimpse of what the new album is going to sound like. Singer Charlie Brand’s voice is more brilliant in tone than ever. For a few songs, the band switched it up a bit as Schaier
took to the keyboard and synths and guitarist Algernon Quashie went behind the drums. Though I am not sure of the title, Rick took the lead vocals on one track that was very un-Mini T’s like but it was incredible nonetheless how it switched things up.

Brand also came out from behind the guitar and went mic-stand solo for a track as well. The band has become quite popular with fans and fellow musicians alike as there was some giggling high school girls in the corner, and you could see Tim Or of The Morning Benders and Christian Rudder of Bishop Allen watching the show from the center of the crowded room.

Everytime I see the Miniature Tigers they get better and better. I’m not sure how it’s possibly but they manage to pull it off flawlessly every single time. Watch out for Fortress this summer, and the band will most certainly be on tour thereafter. Be sure to check them out when they pass by your fortress!

FOR MORE SHOW PICS CLICK HERE