The Shivers; Affectively Charged Set @ Rockwood Music Hall

There were many hindrances. The 18' by 18' room, the mini stage that just fit the grand piano, leaving the drums on the floor; the folks "just trying to get through," the peep-show reminiscent red light above their heads, the nine dollar rail whiskey. Through all these obstacles, including the strict 45-minute set restrictions implemented by the Rockwood Music Hall, The Shivers valiantly and deftly jumped through the hoops.

The duo opened with a guitar and piano only version of "Love is in the Air," a track off frontman/songwriter/master-dancer Keith Zarriello's debut solo album, Truants From Life. With Jo's piano taking the melody, Zarriello slowly and methodically sang the first verse, but at the song's climax, "love doesn't care, if you prance around in your underwear, in your underwear, you're in your underwear," his face was riddled with emotion, excitement and an undisclosed manic glee that stayed hidden on his face throughout the show. Including one song on her own, Jo's thunderous piano exists as the structure of each song played, teaming in perfect harmony with Keith's sharp yet minimal guitar picks and the occasional marching band drumbeat.

I can't tell you the rest of the setlist, I can't tell you how many songs they played, all I had written on my hand at the end of the show was "LIITA," detailing the opener. It wasn't that I necessarily forgot to write as the show went along, it was that I couldn't bring myself to do anything but stare. Enthralling, rapturous, magnetic, these words don't make the cut in my memory. I remember his face, I remember her face, I remember their cues to each other, I remember hearing the bartender telling people to "wait a minute," because she couldn't stop watching either.

There are so many musical references you can tally up when describing The Shivers' sound (The Velvet Underground being the biggie), but they transfer so well between all their influences that it creates something only them, making a list pointless. If I must create a profile for your imagination, think the intensity of Mick Jagger, the emotional outbursts of Mark Hollis, and all wrapped up in a similarly-sporadic David Byrne. It's just so damn entertaining, and these are not happy songs! This is (apparently) not a happy man, and he's letting you know this, which becomes extremely admirable as you witness his disappointment manifest on stage.

And while contained in each song may lie a story of unrequited love, depression, or hatred, the path one travels through a Shivers live show is not one of heartbreak but one where you take desperate stabs at trying to attain that eternal glee disguised on the face of the performer; and at least this audience member was ecstatic to be allowed that attempt.

The Shivers are Keith Zarriello and Jo Schornikow; they are taking a hiatus from New York City, Zarriello stating, "I forgot there were places with…trees. I gotta get out of the city for a while.”

Pulse Films Weird Hero 'Documentary' Director D.A.R.Y.L. Here

Elias Necol Melad is my first guest contributor. He is an avid and knowledgeable music fanatic with exceptional taste, a visual artist who also can complete the Times Sunday Crossword Puzzle with a pen in record time.

Crazy Over Brian Newman @ Duane Park Live Review

Been meaning to go to Duane Park to see the Brian Newman Jazz Trio After Dark at Duane Park for a while. They perform there every Friday night with a rotating cast of beautiful burlesque performers.

Brian Newman's singing voice is impeccable reaching gorgeous high notes while adding his own spin to classic jazz standards. As a trumpeter, his trumpet is an extension of his being. Somehow he finds enough air to dig in and blow improvisational bursts between lyrics.

Dressed to please the svelte dapper, Newman visually pulls out all the stops as the quintessential master of ceremonies. With his cool demeanor and awesome showmanship, he worked the room like a fast-witted vaudevillian comic adding enough spice and a little grit without losing his classy flair.

The clanking of glasses, endless chatter and lively bar action added to the atmosphere, but I would have preferred a quiet room to fully take in the marvelous music.

Earlier this month, Brian Newman made his television debut with Lady Gaga on the Today Show. His underground reputation with fellow musicians as someone to collaborate with is now out of the box. A much-deserved career boost.

It was sweet to see a few new fans at Duane Park who came to listen last Friday.

Langhorne Slim @ Brooklyn Bowl

It has been a joy following and writing about Langhorne Slim for the last four years. The band has always been able to stir a crowd with its infectious music and Slim’s charismatic showmanship. So what’s been changing? There is a different feeling in the air. People are finding out about the group from various sources and coming out to see for themselves. The power of exposure. But music, generally, can’t be supported by a simple download. It is when a fan makes a commitment to see a band live.

One such patron was upfront with her camera, ready to hear the song that brought her to the show. She was visibly overwhelmed with the power of the live show. Although unfamiliar with most of the set chronicling their discography, she will ultimately be a true supporter of the band and its output.

At the Brooklyn Bowl, the popularity of the group was apparent. Slim did not have to win the crowd over they were already there hanging on every word, dancing and singing along. Even with an adoring crowd, the band does not take anything for granted they bring it on more. All the roadworthy experience has catapulted this group into another category. The momentum is building, and for Langhorne Slim, stardom is right around the corner, and they are ready.

Flickr Set

The Woes and The Defibulators @ Ars Nova

The Woes have been on my radar only through word of mouth among the bands I write about, like Langhorne Slim, o'death, Sgt Dunbar, and the Hobo Banned. I met Osei Essed at Brooklyn Bowl at the Langhorne Slim show and realized we’ve crossed paths at other shows. It sometimes takes me a while to dot the i's. So, I made it a point to go uptown to Ars Nova.

The Woes bring an all-one approach to their music, combining genres of soul, punk gospel, blues, early folk, and jazz with impressive attention to detail. With the exuberance of a funeral marchin jubilee, they played jazzy segments on saxophone, trumpet, and french horn with bluesy riffs on guitar and banjo and rev-ed up action on the peddle steel guitar.

All the great musicianship centers around the deep vocals of Osei Essed. His soulful straightforwardness, blended and angst-ridden thickness from below the diaphragm creates an urgency of quick, tight upheavals of rising howls, whoops, and groans. The jubilant chorus of shouters from the brass section belts it up between blows, adding to the lively mix.

What was great for me was to really get a chance to hear their music in a venue that cares about sound. So I could fully appreciate their live set's clarity and tight framework.

The Defibulators from Brooklyn bring tongue-in-cheek Hee Haw antics and references to redneck country, pickups, and truck stop a go-go to their blend of rockabilly homegrown country rock. The six-person group played a lively, theatrical, and friendly set with excellent instrumentation and the outstanding voice of Erin Bru, their only female member. All in good fun, they played with a bit of help from their comedic puppet Buddy, a “human” version of Triumph the insult comic dog as the master of ceremonies. The Defibulators brought out all the stops, including a comedic movie short about tour stash and the cops on the take looking for the shit.

Ars Nova is a small venue that cares. This was my second visit to the small intimate venue, but a few of the groups I’ve featured on this site, like Langhorne Slim, Geo Wyeth, and Max Vernon, have played there. Ars Nova provides a hub for emerging music, comedy, and theater talent. Getting the word out about this diamond in the rough should be paramount.

The Woes Flickr Set

The Defibulators Flickr Set

Drink Up Buttercup; Hot @ Northside Festival

Drink Up Buttercup cools the heat on a hot night at Berry Park in Brooklyn, leaving their garbage cans behind and clearing the air for the sound of upgraded instruments and urgent harmonies. DUB clicks on the refresh button playing their familiar songs from their release Born and Thrown on a Hook with a refreshing twist making a live experience never stale and full of surprises.

I like to document the band's visual sets, and new additions are optical illusion amps and the colorful use of duct tape. The mannequin's mouth was covered with duct tape masking a human expression from an inanimate object. But no one there was expressionless, and this blogger, as usual, could not be contained.

My Flickr Set

Spending time with photographer Maryanne Ventrice is always a treat, her shots can be seen here at the Brooklyn Vegan, and below is the flyer for her gallery show this week.

North Highlands Kick off Sound Bites Music Series

With scenic views and a breezy tempo Sound Bites, Bill Pearis kicked off his curatorial gig by booking bands for the South Street Seaport's festival summer season. Every Wednesday in June, starting at noon, Pearis will put on his DJ hat for an hour of tunes, followed by the scheduled band. Its formal title is Sound Bites Lunchtime Series, and it's free!

This Sunday during Memorial Day weekend, North Highlands, a Brooklyn quintet fronted on keys and lead vocals by Brenda Malvini, graced the stage. They played accessible and contagious music that was bouncy, poppy, and dreamy. The folk instruments like the mandolin and violin were delightfully integrated into an orchestral mix of keys, drums, and electric guitar. The drumming was especially awesome.

Brenda's voice has a smooth tonality with playful breathy aspects that are immediately endearing. When the band revs up in intensity, her voice and mannerisms animate to engage the audience. North Highlands is a tight and spunky band that has lots of heart. I loved them.

The line to buy North Highlands EP "Sugarlips" were longer than I expected. It was nice to see random passersby willing to shell out the dough for an unknown band.

If you can, don't miss June 2nd, Air Waves, June 9th, The Austin McCutchen Quartet, June 16th, Ribbons, June 23rd, The Beets, and June 30th, Toys, and Tiny Instruments Band.

Flickr Set HERE

Jive Grave, Geo Wyeth's current project Live @ The Rockwood

I will follow the talented Geo Wyeth and any name, project, or direction he chooses to create. Going it solo for the past two years as Novice Theory, Geo has assembled a line-up of talented musicians to bring his ideas to fuller fruition with Jive Grave. His incredible skill as a solo performer is not lost in collaboration.

Wyeth is an accomplished pianist but has taken up the guitar with remarkable results. Hitting the strings instead of the keys and combining notes and chords with original results. The night at the Rockwood Music Hall on April 28th, the guitar was featured. Bravely he coordinated looping and brought out the nylon string guitar and harmonica for a folk song dedicated to his father.

The band of sax, flute, bass, and two drummers created a dynamic mix of Wyeth's original songs with a fusion of Jazz, rock, and folk. It was the unexpected that made the set such a delight to hear.

Don't miss Jive Grave at Arlene's Grocery this Tuesday, May 18th, and other NY dates are listed HERE.

Max Vernon and Dan Fishback Share the Spotlight @ Joe's Pub

It was a night of firsts for musicians Max Vernon and Dan Fishback, who are about a decade apart, sharing the bill for their Joe's Pub debut. They have different music styles, but both are clever songsters and have the Charm factor sewn up.

Max Vernon rolled out a more poppy set than usual, playing solo on the piano, guitar, or keys and featuring the band in groupings or as a whole. It was an assemblage of diverse parts, whether acoustic, synth, cool backup vocals or the bow cello percussion it was smart-ass planning. In prime form were Vernon's magnificent vocal talent, smart as-hell songwriting, and piano chops that ease across the keys. He was so relaxed that he shared stories behind the songs. They were poignant, topical, or downright sassy. When he played his only slow song, "Pastels," fans in the rafters were cooing, and he replied, "I guess I got a hit." "Sirens" sounded great with the full band, and he strutted his tall frame at the keys with another new one, "The Morning After," with a little cool splice of Lady Gaga's "Just Dance." Max Vernon is spectacular to look at. His long, lean six-foot-three-inch frame is always styled to delight. Eye Candy, yes, but what really shines is his sincere and charmingly awkward way. Case in point as he entered and left the stage with a goofy wave. He could have soaked up the adoring attention and milked it with a long-deserved bow. Talent like his does not come around too often, and at twenty-one, his ability and determination will bring him a successful, long-lasting career. I'm just happy to be able to witness and document it from the beginning.

Dan Fishback's very high voice is pitch-perfect, clear, and pristine. He is proudly gay, reflected in his songwriting, and usually performs alone with his acoustic guitar. But for this performance, he pulled out all the stops with a very tight accomplished band featuring guitar, piano, and drums. In stark contrast to the serious side of the instrumentation were his comedic and witty lyrics. One example was the song "Make Out"/ I'm going to make out with everybody who philosophically disgusts me /.

Not familiar with his music, the first thing that came to mind was John Darnielle of the Mountain Goats, reflecting a certain rhythm and ongoing dialogue tied together with a great melody. A delight was the guest appearance by Sammy Tunis of the band The Lisps joining Dan for an acoustic duet. He ended the set with a proud anti-folk chorus contingent who joined him on the stage for the finale. His cutest remark of the night was when he said, "he didn't have time to write any new material because he was happily in love." His charming, sweet demeanor and cool geeky exterior were beyond endearing and a delight.

Photo tragedy: Dropped my camera, and the memory card fell out! So hopefully, the other photographers there will publish the real event. Max Vernon shot is a Faux Photo. Damn, I had some great shots now enclosed forever in a vacuum bag.

Sgt Dunbar and the Hobo Banned Muscular Live Sound @ Pete's Candy Store

On Saturday night, Sgt Dunbar and the Hobo Banned pulled out all the punches with their muscular sound and street-savvy creds at Pete's Candy Store. Clearly, their new material had more might and less folk. The heavy brass metal mash, double percussion, and a slew of hefty instruments trumped up the acoustic guitar, banjo, and violin to make way for an evolving new direction. Sgt. Dunbar brings the street into the venue, making music that is alive, at the moment, and vibrant. Busking has raised their stamina and connectedness. They are energized to perform for each other. The beneficiaries are the listeners. This was their eighteenth show and the last stop of their tour to SXSW and back. All eight members orchestrated instrument changes with ease and precision. No easy task to accomplish, especially on a small stage. I'm just stating the obvious,  but this takes practice and planning. They might call themselves Hobos,  but this outfit is a disciplined crew.

Hobo News on the horizon: Bob Boilen interviews Sgt. Dunbar and the Hobo Banned at the Studio SX. They were also interviewed by New York Times, so be on the lookout! Awesome Flickr Set

Rockers Delight Festival; Liberate @ Ace of Clubs

A Nor'easter in March couldn't deter the ardent fans from coming to hear Rockers Delight @ the Ace Of Clubs for a queer heavy mostly female line-up to benefit V-Day: A Global Movement to End Violence Against Women. This night women musicians ruled regardless of age. The rocker community had open hearts and welcomed the music with an outpouring of love and enthusiasm. I managed to stay for only three sets out of six. The venue had gigantic speakers, and the mix was loud, leaving little in the way of subtlety. Vero's set was the first in the line-up and my reason for being there. I recently reviewed Vero @ The Rockwood and was thoroughly impressed. Tonight the staging gave the band and Vero a chance to loosen up. The band debuted a new song with an urban cowboy vibe and a folk-rock twist. The trotting hammered bass notes on the guitar while the percussion kicked up dirt, leaving the delicate guitar leads settling in the dust cloud. Vero's sultry voice picked up every nuance adding just the right mix of enthusiasm at its peak. This set showed off Vero's versatility as a songwriter and performer. She is not genre specific, making her music so intriguing. Her awesome bandmates ice the cake with intelligent playing.

 

Hooray For Goodbye is a power-pop outfit with kick-ass rapper rocker front woman Genny Slag. Her small stature was deceptive because, on stage, she is a powerful master of energy leading the band's segments of loud thrashing and sonic movements. The band's fluidity is driven by guitarist Sora An and is layered between expansive leads and power chord distortions, giving Slag a chance to recover and come on like gangbusters. Very engaging band.

 

Karyn Kuhl was billed as old school's finest badasses. The skilled line-up of players championing the power of confidence to play regardless of age. Karyn Kuhl is an accomplished guitarist with a voice that is a bluesy mix between Janis Joplin and Pati Smith. She was accompanied by saxophone lead guitar, bass, and drums playing a loud, feisty set full of conviction. I wrote Karyn's colloquial banter designed explicitly for the audience with some eyeliner on a piece of paper that I clearly can't find, but trust me, they were good.

As I was leaving, I realized how marginalized, and over-sexualized women of rock are depicted in the hetero culture. Having lived all my life within the confines of a straight culture left me wondering how different everything could be if I just didn't give a shit what anyone thought. For women buying into cultural constraints is an inhibitor of what is possible. I left the Ace of Clubs feeling liberated.

others performing after I left were: GSX and Sophia Ramos' Swear on Your Life FLICKER SET!

Drink Up Buttercup Record Release @ Piano's review

Explosive and Strong like duct tape!

Drink Up Buttercup's record release show set at Piano's was strong, flexible, and explosive. The effect is long-lasting, much like the pink duct tape used last night to coordinate their makeshift setup. Duct tape on the run.

Drink Up Buttercup has muscle and flexes it with experimentation creating an urgency of sound. The guitars were amped up, the bass notes held down to contort and extend beyond recognition, and James Harvey proved that his thoracic diaphragm can scream, do opera and harmonize simultaneously.

The rain didn't put a damper on the enthusiastic crowd who waited till 12:00 for the lively set.

How they sustain this energy for all eleven dates at SXSW will be a testament to a band that could. I'm sure they will prove their might. I wish them well!

The official release date for Born And Thrown On A Hook on Yep Rock Records is March 23rd, but you can pre-order here and get two bonus tracks.

Flickr Set

Read all my Drink Up Buttercup write-ups literally from the beginning till the present Here

The Accident That Led Me To The World @ Rockwood Music Hall

The Accident That Led Me to the World is an all-acoustic chamber modern folk band that stays true to their music, unwavering in their formal presentation at the Rockwood Music Hall. What a treat. It had the feel of music that was planned, rehearsed, and arranged to perfection. As flawless as each note sounded, the emotional quality of the singing created a dynamic urgency.

Their intimate set quietly expressed the subtle tonality of the nylon guitar, clarinet, banjo, and stand-up bass. The power punch came in the way of harmonies to die for!

Mark Mandeville's guitar /banjo and lead vocalist has such a distinct voice. It's raspy without sounding hoarse and exudes conviction. He was joined by Raianne Richards's guitar/clarinet, who added mirroring vocal harmonies, and Zack Ciras with the most perfectly edited bass accompaniment. This wasn't your finger-picking fare but more like a dialogue of chords and notes between the guitars.

I've been following their music and always looking out for NY dates. The band is from Webster/Dudley, MA, and plays more of the New England circuit of festivals, venues, and house shows, where the booking scene is curated and more friendly. Unfortunately, in NY and most venues, it is in and out and onto the next group.
I was so pleased to get my hands on their 2008 release Island Gospel and was blown away by the beauty and quality of the recording. No shakers, or bells and whistles, just straightforward instrumentation, great storytelling, and awesome harmonies.

The Accident That Led Me To The World is a solid outfit whose mere presence defies the fickle taste and fast-paced music buzz agenda of the latest thing and rises to a higher level.

That said, it is unfortunate that a band of this caliber has not garnered more recognition that should change!

Flickr Set

Lofty Music Performances In SOHO live review

Yo Yo a private loft performance space in SOHO, hosted a fabulous night of music and performance art, welcoming Omnivore, Liz Isenberg, Vio Mire, based in Providence, and Dan Fishkin from Pennsylvania / NYC. It was a night to be receptive to the unknown and the folksy delight of Liz Isenberg and the disarmingly beautiful music of Vio Mire.

When art and music coexist, the music becomes the vehicle for the art. Daniel Fishkin and Omnivore utilized that concept in very different and provocative ways.

Dan Fishkin, AKA Dandelion Fiction set up, was complicated for a solo set. Below his feet was a full lineup of connected circuitry and an assortment of instruments. The daxophone, a wooden instrument Daniel made wedged between his legs, created a string clank sound that he looped. His punked turrets train of thought vocals projected a veracity of nervous energy.

He started a song on a banjo with just a few notes, and a fellow band member got up and joined him in the middle of the space in an acoustic serenade singing through the skin of the banjo. Another song, something to the effect of "I Was Playing with Myself," started out alone, and scripted musicians rose from the audience with a trombone, violin, and guitar to sing the chorus.

His surprising antics are reminiscent of the late Andy Kaufman. He challenged the audience’s perceptions by being both aggressive and tender. The tension between the hysterical and the uncomfortable made the performance something to savor.

Omnivore, AKA Glenna Kay Van Nostrand, a tall, striking blond, set up a couple of princess phones wired on a round table. Casually sitting at her little table, she picked up her phones to talk/sing and loop. She often started with a few choice words and cascaded the conversation into the loop.

The old-fashioned phone, unlike the cell phone, is a private experience. So watching her created a tension that was both seductive and voyeuristic. Her sexy vocals lopped and filled the space creating a feeling of overhearing private thoughts in a public setting.

Below is a Video from a Beautiful site One Nite Music

Liz Isenberg has a fan base, and that is obvious when she sings they spontaneously sing along with her choruses. She is a delightful mix of folk with an edge. Her gorgeous voice warbles softly and comes on strong for emphasis, and her guitar playing also mirrors that effect. Her quirky lyrics and personality shine

through her music, creating an appealing factor that can’t be denied. I loved her from the first note.

Something to note is her co-writing and added vocals on Deer Tick's latest release Flag Day "Friday the 13th," which was picked by Rolling Stone as his best track and featured their video duet on Rolling Stone's Smoking Section.

Vio Mire, AKA Bendon Glasson, floored me. Where the fuck have I been? Vio Mire's lush folk pop beckons attention and exposure. His tenor vocal range whispers, hushes, lulls, and then fully open to relay his written stories in song that hold deep resonance. They ebb and flow between cliff-hanging whispers and timing. Brendon played the classical guitar while his touring mates on keys and bass did backup vocals. The guitar added warmth to the intimate acoustic set.

Unfortunately, only a few in the know have heard of him. Music so deeply beautiful is rare, I only wish I had found him sooner Both Liz Isenberg and Vio Mire will be playing SXSW party put on by Deer Tick.

A party of artists who are friends and friends who are artists and everyone in between

Time:12:00PM Friday, March 19th

Location: Threadgills South

Full US tour Dates Here:

Flickr Set

The Charismatic VERO @ Rockwood Music Hall

Vero!! Pronunciation: Emphasize a long roll of the R and add Spanish flair. Formally Mahogany and now Vero! Only one name is fitting for this charismatic performer.

Vero, AKA Veronica Sanchez, is a singer-songwriter whose sultry voice is downright full of feeling. Switching between guitar and ukulele, Vero was backed by an acoustic band of folk/rock supports; Josh Miller’s gorgeous guitar leads, the attentive feisty drummer T, and Wilson Novitzki on bass.

Vero’s songwriting is like an urban Loretta Lynn with a lesbian twist, Spanish spice, and street rap. She delivers her heartfelt stories with passion and authenticity.

Especially effective was a reassuring song to her father about her lifestyle. When she sang the song “Kissed,” it was so sexy I was ready to switch sides. We were treated to an Argentinean folk cover that was emotional and powerful. Fuck English, she made her roots shine! I felt every nuance.

The set ended with an awesome spontaneous rap spar with an audience member. Plant maybe? But when she handed over the mic, they went at it. It was crazy fun and had a perfect ending. A Vero set is a bit of everything. What emerges is a confident performer with a striking physical presence and awesome tats, whose glowing personality is the vehicle of her music.

Chosen word of the night was obsessed! Her fans and friends are obsessed, and I can see why. Thanks to friends David Achelis and his wife Andrea for the great hang and nightcap at Milano's. Special shout out to Carlos and pal!! Nice to meet you!

Flickr Set!

Be on the lookout for more "Tinta Sangre"nights @ The Rockwood Music Hall. Vero presents a lip smackin, tear jerkin, show stoppin showcase featuring NYC’s best female fa tale fronted bands!!!