Olivia Jean @ Mercury Lounge

Olivia Jean @ Mercury Lounge

Olivia Jean at Mercury Lounge (photo by Kevin McGann)

 

Olivia Jean rocked NYC’s Mercury Lounge last week in support of her latest full-length, Raving Ghost (Third Man Records) that was released on May 5th. Her third solo album, it continues and builds on the sound Jean has developed as a solo artist as well as her work with The Black Belles, that perfect marriage of garage, goth, surf, and punk rock that she first started writing and recording back in her Detroit days and later perfected in Nashville.

 

Whether by design or pure coincidence, Mercury Lounge set the tone with all red lighting to kick off the show which added to the goth rock feel with Jean’s trademark bouffant in silhouette. From the first strum of set opener “Ditch” from Ghost, with its surf tones and B-52’s reminiscent keyboards, the band was in full swing. From there they rocked through a set that revisited older hits like  “Shut Your Mouth,” “The Wrong Door” (The Black Belles), “Green Honeycreeper,” and “Rhinestone.” And of course, new songs like “Spider,” title track ‘Raving Ghost,” “Trouble,” and a rocking cover of Enya’s “Orinoco Flow.”

 

 

Backed by a tight band, Jean was having a great time whether feeding off the bass lines and beats or off shredding on her own. Despite some sound glitches that persisted throughout the first half of the set, she never lost her cool and rolled with the punches. I’m sure having an NYC crowd that was all in and there to rock didn’t hurt, and by mid-set the sound was solid and they really let loose.

 

With the album out less than two weeks and the tour just getting underway, I’m hoping there will be more chances to catch Jean and crew in the NY tri-state area. And if this show rolls into your town make sure to grab a ticket, and check out Raving Ghost.

 

Scroll down for pics of the show (photos by Kevin McGann)

 

OLIVIA JEAN

Olivia Jean performing

Olivia Jean performing

Olivia Jean performing

Olivia Jean performing

Olivia Jean performing

Olivia Jean performing

Olivia Jean performing

Olivia Jean performing

Olivia Jean performing

Olivia Jean performing

Olivia Jean performing

Olivia Jean performing

Olivia Jean performing

Olivia Jean performing

Olivia Jean performing

Olivia Jean performing

Olivia Jean performing

Olivia Jean performing

Olivia Jean performing

Olivia Jean performing

Olivia Jean performing

Olivia Jean performing

Olivia Jean performing

Olivia Jean performing

Olivia Jean performing

Olivia Jean performing

Olivia Jean performing

Olivia Jean performing

Olivia Jean performing

Olivia Jean performing

Olivia Jean performing

Olivia Jean performing

Olivia Jean performing

Olivia Jean performing

Olivia Jean performing

Olivia Jean performing

Olivia Jean performing

Olivia Jean performing

Olivia Jean performing

Olivia Jean performing

Olivia Jean performing

Olivia Jean performing

Olivia Jean performing

Olivia Jean performing

Olivia Jean performing

 

 

Country Westerns, Liquor Store, Ill Angel @ Union Pool

Country Westerns, Liquor Store, Ill Angel @ Union Pool

Country Westerns at Union Pool (photo by Kevin McGann)

 

Nashville’s Country Westerns brought their distinct brand of hard-hitting garage rock to Brooklyn’s Union Pool earlier this month to a packed house. The trio of music veterans, including front man Joel Plunkett on guitar and vocals, Brian Kotzur who is an absolute beast on drums, and newest addition Jordan Jones on bass, bring a punk feeling to their sound and marry it with a more traditional singer songwriter lyric sensibility. Songs that conjure images of life on the road, on the stage, or just hanging at the bar—all of which made their 2020 self-titled debut album one of the most critically acclaimed albums of the year.

 

Of course, 2020 was also the year that live music died, so for a while all anyone could do is envision those songs played live. And for those who hadn’t seen them yet since the gigs resumed in the last year and a half (see FTA coverage for their opening slot on the Titus Andronicus gig at Elsewhere here), Country Westerns returned to promote their latest full-length banger, Forgive the City. Once again produced by fellow music veteran, Matt Sweeney (Skunk, Chavez, Zwan), they were joined onstage by Sweeney for a few numbers that had those in front of the stage dancing out of their cowboy boots.

 

Opening the night was Brooklyn’s Ill Angel, led by songwriter, and producer/engineer at Metropolitan Sound, John Epperly. Joined by fellow Metropolitan alumni Murat Aktürk (guitar for Daddy Long Legs), Epperly led the four-piece through a rocking, yet melodic set.

 

Following Angel was Liquor Store who are a return to great ole rock ‘n roll blasted from your muscle car as you’re speeding down the highway. The guys were having a great time, shredding some guitars and joking about it being their first ever show.

 

Make sure to catch Country Westerns on the Forgive the City tour and check out the album while you’re at it.

 

Scroll down for pics of the show (photos by Kevin McGann)

 

ILL ANGEL

Ill Angel performing

Ill Angel performing

Ill Angel performing

Ill Angel performing

Ill Angel performing

Ill Angel performing

Ill Angel performing

Ill Angel performing

Ill Angel performing

Ill Angel performing

Ill Angel performing

Ill Angel performing

 

LIQUOR STORE

Liquor Store performing

Liquor Store performing

Liquor Store performing

Liquor Store performing

Liquor Store performing

Liquor Store performing

Liquor Store performing

Liquor Store performing

Liquor Store performing

Liquor Store performing

Liquor Store performing

Liquor Store performing

Liquor Store performing

 

COUNTRY WESTERNS

Country Westerns performing

Country Westerns performing

Country Westerns performing

Country Westerns performing

Country Westerns performing

Country Westerns performing

Country Westerns performing

Country Westerns performing

Country Westerns performing

Country Westerns performing

Country Westerns performing

Country Westerns performing

Country Westerns performing

Country Westerns performing

Country Westerns performing

Country Westerns performing

Country Westerns performing

Country Westerns performing

Country Westerns performing

Country Westerns performing

Country Westerns performing

Country Westerns performing

Country Westerns performing

Country Westerns performing

Country Westerns performing

Country Westerns performing

Country Westerns performing

Country Westerns performing

Country Westerns performing

Country Westerns performing

Country Westerns performing

Country Westerns performing

Country Westerns performing

Country Westerns performing

Country Westerns performing

 

 

 

Nation of Language, Gustaf @ Brooklyn Steel

Nation of Language, Gustaf @ Brooklyn Steel

Nation of Language at Brooklyn Steel (photo by Kevin McGann)

 

Nation of Language brought their 80’s infused synth pop goodness to Brooklyn Steel last week for a fun night of music that included fellow New Yorkers, Gustaf. Between the open uncluttered setup and Steel’s wide stage, it really let NOL’s lead vocalist Richard Devaney take advantage of the space and dance his way through their growing catalog of alt dance pop gems. Bookended by Aidan Noell (synths) on stage right and Alex MacKay (bass) on the left, Devaney led the trio through a tight set that featured songs from their brilliant 2020 debut, Introduction, Presence, to their sophomore album, A Way Forward, to tracks from their upcoming third album, Strange Disciple, to be released this September.  

 

Opening the night was another group of Brooklyn faves, the art punk band Gustaf. With their unconventional style, and singer Lydia Gammill’s distinctive talk-sing style, their music is as creative and unpredictable as the Café Bustelo coffee can co-vocalist Tarra Theissen uses for percussion. Ever since their inception, and especially since the release of their debut album Audio Drag for Ego Slobs, the NYC quintet has been generating buzz around their live show, which is a propulsive, rhythmic, dramatic representation of their music. Last Friday’s show was no exception and the NOL crowd was loving every finger lickin’ rubber chicken moment of it.

 

Scroll down for setlist, pics of the show (photos by Kevin McGann)

 

Setlist: On Division St., Weak In Your Light, A Different Kind of Life, This Fractured Mind, From The Hill, Automobile, Stumbling Still, The Grey Commute, September Again, Tournament, Too Much Enough, Wounds of Love, Sole Obsession Encore: Former Self, Across That Fine Line, The Wall and I

 

GUSTAF

Gustaf performing

Gustaf performing

Gustaf performing

Gustaf performing

Gustaf performing

Gustaf performing

Gustaf performing

Gustaf performing

Gustaf performing

Gustaf performing

Gustaf performing

Gustaf performing

Gustaf performing

Gustaf performing

Gustaf performing

Gustaf performing

Gustaf performing

Gustaf performing

Gustaf performing

Gustaf performing

Gustaf performing

Gustaf performing

Gustaf performing

Gustaf performing

Gustaf performing

Gustaf performing

Gustaf performing

Gustaf performing

Gustaf performing

Gustaf performing

 

NATION OF LANGUAGE

Nation of Language performing

Nation of Language performing

Nation of Language performing

Nation of Language performing

Nation of Language performing

Nation of Language performing

Nation of Language performing

Nation of Language performing

Nation of Language

Nation of Language performing

Nation of Language performing

Nation of Language performing

Nation of Language performing

Nation of Language performing

Nation of Language performing

Nation of Language performing

Nation of Language

Nation of Language performing

Nation of Language performing

Nation of Language performing

Nation of Language performing

Nation of Language performing

Nation of Language performing

Nation of Language performing

Nation of Language performing

Nation of Language performing

Nation of Language performing

Nation of Language performing

Nation of Language performing

Nation of Language performing

Nation of Language performing

Nation of Language performing

Nation of Language performing

Nation of Language performing

Nation of Language performing

Nation of Language performing

Nation of Language performing

Nation of Language performing

Nation of Language performing

Nation of Language performing

Nation of Language performing

Nation of Language performing

Nation of Language performing

Nation of Language performing

Nation of Language performing

Nation of Language performing

Nation of Language performing

Nation of Language performing

Nation of Language performing

Nation of Language performing

Nation of Language performing

Nation of Language performing

Nation of Language performing

Nation of Language performing

Nation of Language performing

Nation of Language performing

Nation of Language performing

Nation of Language performing

Nation of Language performing

Nation of Language performing

Nation of Language performing

Nation of Language performing

 

 

Covet, Scarypoolparty, Altopalo @ Brooklyn Bowl

Covet, Scarypoolparty, Altopalo @ Brooklyn Bowl

Covet at Brooklyn Bowl (photo by Kevin McGann)

 

Last week, California’s Covet played Brooklyn Bowl as part of the current tour in support of their new album, catharsis (Triple Crown Records). And for fans of math rock, it was an epic night of guitar virtuosity compliments of Yvette Young who’s endured a lot the past few years and only seems to have come out of it stronger.

 

Released on April 7th, catharsis is Covet’s third full length release and the first since the events of 2022 when Young parted ways with then rhythm section of bassist David Adamiak and drummer Forrest Rice and the band’s van was stolen. Rather than pack it in, Young hit the road shortly after on the Rebirth tour, armed with new songs, new members, and a renewed sense of purpose. One of those tracks, “firebird,” made the new album and was a highlight of the night along with “bronco”and opening track “coronal.”

 

Joining Young on stage were Brandon Dove on bass and violin and Jessica Burdeaux on drums. And like some of my favorite 70’s prog rock trios (hello Rush and Emerson, Lake & Palmer), the members of Covet put on a show that was musically complex, adventurous, but also fun. There were so many points where Young’s fingers were flying up and down the fret board to an ever changing time signature, yet she would look up and just flash a smile to the audience like “piece of cake.” Equally impressive were Dove and Burdeaux who laid down a solid foundation for the songs to come alive, especially on older tracks “atreyu” and “shibuya” as well as “smolder” from the new album.

 

 

Opening the night was New York’s Altopalo. Their set was a mix of songs from their almost decade long career and featured songs from their stellar 2022 album frenemy (Nettwerk) which garnered them praise from a number of outlets for its fluid mix of sounds and styles. Made up of Rahm Silverglade on lead vocals and keys, Jesse Bielenberg on bass, Mike Haldeman on guitar, and Dillon Treacy on drums, the longtime friends and seasoned musicians put on a solid show that flows between electronic, indie rock, R&B, jazz and beyond.

 

Next up was Alejandro Aranda AKA Scarypoolparty who literally had jaws on the floor with his insane acoustic guitar work. Probably best known for being the runner up on the 2019 season of American Idol, where he also displayed his prodigious piano playing, Aranda is unlike anything I’ve seen in years. Music so complex it would be hard enough to just play it for most, but then also unleash some fierce vocals on top of it. I cannot wait to see what lies ahead for Scarypoolparty.

 

Make sure to check out Covet’s brilliant new album catharsis and catch this tour while you can. You don’t need to be a music geek to appreciate any one of these bands but if you are, expect to be blown away.

 

Scroll down for pics of the show (photos by Kevin McGann)

 

ALTOPALO

Altopalo performing

Altopalo performing

Altopalo performing

Altopalo performing

Altopalo performing

Altopalo performing

Altopalo performing

Altopalo performing

Altopalo performing

Altopalo performing

Altopalo performing

Altopalo performing

Altopalo performing

 

SCARYPOOLPARTY

scarypoolparty performing

scarypoolparty performing

scarypoolparty performing

scarypoolparty performing

scarypoolparty performing

scarypoolparty performing

scarypoolparty performing

scarypoolparty performing

scarypoolparty performing

scarypoolparty performing

COVET

Covet performing

Covet performing

Covet performing

Covet performing

Covet performing

Covet performing

Covet performing

Covet performing

Covet performing

Covet performing

Covet performing

Covet performing

Covet performing

Covet performing

Covet performing

Covet performing

Covet performing

Covet performing

Covet performing

Covet performing

Covet performing

Covet performing

Covet performing

Covet performing

Covet performing

Covet performing

Covet performing

Covet performing

Covet performing

Covet performing

Covet performing

Covet performing

Covet performing

Covet performing

Covet performing

Covet performing

Covet performing

 

Wild Child, Proxima Parada @ Racket

Wild Child, Proxima Parada @ Racket

Wild Child at Racket (photo by Kevin McGann)

 

Last week, Texas’ indie folk-pop darlings Wild Child brought their End of the World tour to NYC’s newest concert venue, Racket. The tour, named after their first new album in five years, End of the World (Reba’s Ranch Records), finds Austin natives and founders Kelsey Wilson and Alexander Beggins reuniting after exploring some side projects. While some time has passed, you’d think they’d been jamming all along based on their performance that night, backed by some incredible musicians/friends for the tour.

 

Wilson was clearly having a great time, taking advantage of the stage as she walked it (barefoot) from side to side making sure everyone in attendance was having a good time. Just to be sure, she took the show in to the crowd where she joined the audience on the floor and treated them to a truly intimate mid-show interlude. Beggins and the band put on a solid set that was fun and upbeat and explored songs from their previous album, Expectations and as well as the rest of their catalog. Highlights included the title track to their 2011 debut Pillow Talk, as well as “Sinking Ship,” “Alex,” and a poignant “The One” as they simultaneously sang, “You’re not the one for me, you’re just the one that I choose.”

 

 

Opening the night were the California natives and college friends that make up Proxima Parada. And like their home state, they brought the sunny vibes and feel-good grooves of their distinct brand of R&B and soul. Lead singer Nick Larson, who has a smooth voice and goes between keys and guitar, radiates good vibes. So, it was no surprise that he was a high school Spanish teacher who left it behind to pursue his dreams of music. And apparently, it’s paying off as the audience was there for them, singing along to every song in what was one of the best pairings of opener and headliner I’ve seen in some time.

 

This tour takes Wild Child and Proxima Parada all around the States so try and catch a show so you can forget your worries for a few hours and enjoy the good vibes of both bands.

 

Scroll down for pics of the show (photos by Kevin McGann)

 

PROXIMA PARADA

Proxima Parada performing

Proxima Parada performing

Proxima Parada performing

Proxima Parada performing

Proxima Parada performing

Proxima Parada performing

Proxima Parada performing

Proxima Parada performing

Proxima Parada performing

 

WILD CHILD

Wild Child performing

Wild Child performing

Wild Child performing

Wild Child performing

Wild Child performing

Wild Child performing

Wild Child performing

Wild Child performing

Wild Child performing

Wild Child performing

Wild Child performing

Wild Child performing

Wild Child performing

Wild Child performing

Wild Child performing

Wild Child performing

Wild Child performing

Wild Child performing

Wild Child performing

Wild Child performing

Wild Child performing

Wild Child performing

Wild Child performing

Wild Child performing

Wild Child performing

Wild Child performing

Wild Child performing

Wild Child performing

Wild Child performing

Wild Child performing

Wild Child performing

Wild Child performing

Wild Child performing

Wild Child performing

Wild Child performing

Wild Child performing