Monday, February 26, the indie/pop music duo
The Bird and the Bee performed live at Joe’s Pub in New York City. The duo from Los Angeles consist of Inara George ‘Bee’, singer and bass, and Greg Kurstin, ‘Bird’, the keyboardist, who has also worked with greats such as Beck and Red Hot Chili Peppers. Kurstin is also a member of the band Geggy Tah.
Inara’s sweet voice mixed with electro pop gives the impression of Bossa Nova with a jazz influence. The Bird and the Bee are promoting their debut album, which was released in January 2007, on Blue Note Record.
February 27th, 2007
The Magic Numbers literally prove that it is possible for siblings to exists in perfect harmony. The Ealing based band consisting of the two brother and sister pairs Sean and Angela Gannon and Romeo and Michele Stodart, released their first self named and critically acclaimed album in 2002. In their new album “Those the brokes”, the band enhances the old fashioned American soul and R&B influence that they established in their first album and merge it with poppy melodies and harmonious vocal background tracks. While their first album set the tone for what the magic numbers stand for, the dreamy and lyrical melodies, the warm voice of Romeo Stodard combined with the light girlish vocals of Michele and Angela makes for a full and round sound in the second album that thrives beyond the simple guitar rock and roll that has been so prominent in British Indie music. The lyrics follow this musical complexity and reflect the newly gained consciousness that the band has secured of it’s own unique sound. (This is a song and these are the words/ I don’t wanna hear it/ Don’t wanna hear it.)
-Judith Goudsmit
February 4th, 2007
This past fall, Peter Bjorn and John’s ridiculously addictive “Young Folks” became the indie-rock anthem for 2006, thanks to a small appearance in the Fall 2006 Marc By Marc Jacobs runway show and then again on Grey’s Anatomy. Their third album, Writer’s Block (currently only available as an import) is loaded with sweet melodies, foot-tapping beats and heavy guitar that result in a sound reminiscent of Jesus and Mary Chain and Belle and Sebastian.
The Swedish trio recently performed 3 night’s in New York. The first night was a “secret show” at Union Hall in Brooklyn; the second was a sold-out show at the Mercury Lounge followed by another sold-out performance at the much larger Bowery Ballroom. I was able to catch them for their final night in New York. As soon as PB&J played their first note I was enthralled. After a few songs they introduced themselves (in the cutest Swedish accent possible) “I’m Pee-tah, this is Bjorn and that’s John.” Peter (guitar) was full of enthusiasm and clever dance moves, sprinkled with a heavy dose of jumps and head thrusts. John (drummer) also played an important role in completing the experience with his charming vocals on Start To Melt. The only downfall in the evening was when Bjorn (bass) forgot the lyrics to Amsterdam. After attempting the song a couple of times he grinned and finally got it right. For a New York audience everyone was very patient and forgiving. I blame it on the group’s Swedish charm.
Overall, the evening included a guest appearance by Victoria Bergsman, a dedication to Peter’s girlfriend, and one (super) long encore. I think this is the beginning for PB&J. Their brief stop in the US consisted of only New York and Los Angeles. Clearly this is just the beginning and more is sure to come once their album, Writer’s Block, is released in the United States.
- keith Gulla
Image via www.brooklynvegan.com
February 3rd, 2007