Monday, February 27, 2012

Recent Deli Mag Features: Catching Up with The Pierces/White Hills/Amen Dunes and More


Nearing the end of February, presented here are the most noteworthy recent features I've had published in The Deli Magazine.  The soundquality and performances these musician deliver make for essential listening.

First up - The Pierces
Having resided in New York City for the better part of ten years now, it was a triumphant homecoming for the sister duo known as The Pierces as they played two sold out shows at The Mercury Lounge last week. Allison and Catherine Pierce (and their band) presented a set that was weighted more heavily with songs from their most recent release, "You & I." Sprinkled amongst those, however, were a number of classic tracks from earlier albums as well. Opening Thursday's show with Catherine's "Love You More," they hit the ground running, delivering those trademark harmonies on the rising chorus. Working their way through an hour long set, other highlights included Catherine's "Drag You Down," which weaves a lyrical tale of excessive weekends, poorly matched lovers and "just another role that you do." Allison introduced her heart tugging song about "dating another musician" stating that "we don't really recommend that" which elicited audience chuckles - before launching into the stark, haunting, acoustic guitar driven "I Put Your Records On." Naturally the co-written single "Kissing You Goodbye" was very well received, as was their Pretty Little Liars TV show theme song "Secret." For the two song encore, the singers took the stage minus any instruments at all and delivered a perfect acapella version of Simon & Garfunkel's "Cathy's Song," which they stated they've been singing together since their early youth. They followed that will a full band version of the vampish, going-out-on-the-town but nothing satisfies showstopper "Boring." A fitting, if somewhat inaccurate closer, as these artists are anything but that.


http://nyc.thedelimagazine.com/node/8407

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White Hills

Space rock appears to be coming back in a big way, and bands like Brooklyn's White Hills are at the forefront of this movement. Their latest album "Frying on this Rock," (scheduled for release on March 20th) is a riff-heavy tour-de-force of epic psychedelia. The album was recorded by legendary NYC producer Martin Bisi (Sonic Youth, Brian Eno, Swans, Herbie Hancock, Boredoms) and features five jam-heavy tracks, with "I Write a Thousand Letters (Pulp on Bone)" clocking in at nearly 12 minues in length. That song presents clever use of distant conversational voices contributing to dreamlike texture as it weaves through industrial sounding guitars and a hypnotic drum patterns. Subsequent cuts emphasize sonorous power chords, rhapsodic guitar solos and and swirling synth tones. The band will be debuting tracks from the new album live at The Mercury Lounge on January 24. Special guests MOFO, which feature ex-members of A Place To Bury Strangers, will also be playing that night

http://soundcloud.com/white-hills/visions-of-the-past-present



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Amen Dunes


http://nyc.thedelimagazine.com/8627/amen-dunes-plays-w-will-destroy-you-285-kent-on-0223







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Ancient Sky / Exitmusic




http://nyc.thedelimagazine.com/8578/live-reviews-ancient-sky-cd-release-death-by-audio


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Xray Eyeballs




http://nyc.thedelimagazine.com/node/8763





The XRay Eyeballs interview:

http://www.thedelimagazine.com/band-interview.php?artist=xray-eyeballs

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Snowmine



http://www.thedelimagazine.com/FeatureView.php?artist=snowmine


Lots of great music to listen to and plenty of Crom-words to read at the links listed under each band.




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12 comments:

  1. AnonymousFebruary 27, 2012 at 4:27 AM

    Great ones Dave! I quite like the song by The Pierces that you posted there :)

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  2. DaveCromwellFebruary 27, 2012 at 4:28 AM

    They are quite heavenly, aren't they?

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  3. Patricia MenaFebruary 27, 2012 at 10:23 AM

    Great job Dave! I'm in love with "Kissing you Goodbye" what a lovely song...(I flew through the sky).

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  4. DaveCromwellFebruary 27, 2012 at 10:48 AM

    I knew you would like that one, Paty. There is much goodness to find in their music, if you start digging deeper.

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  5. WilliamFebruary 27, 2012 at 11:12 AM

    Very nice work as always Croms - glad you dig the Pierces as I do, but when pretty ladies make awesome music its hard not to- i enjoyed readin about the other bands too!

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  6. DaveCromwellFebruary 27, 2012 at 11:22 AM

    If they had a place in a Big Book somewhere - with the description "Pretty Ladies Making Awesome Music" - I don't think anyone could argue with a picture of The Pierces there ;-)

    Glad you like some of the other stuff too, Will.

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  7. Mr SmorkFebruary 27, 2012 at 11:41 AM

    seems you been busy on reviewing bands and attending some gigs, dave.
    nice entry, and i like that video fits in to frames. ;)
    as for bands i got to say that there is 2 that actually stuck in my head:
    "ancient skies" is sort of my taste. heavy guitars with "dreamy" "slow tape playin'" singing sounds alright. and their music is something that intrigues me.
    "the pierces" sounds (and looks) great as well. to me they are like "simon and garfunkel" or girls :) they got that old style look. and a mixture of sound singing unison like "s an g" did. :)
    i like their song "i put your records on". this was the song i hooked this band with. :)
    all in all. nice entry.

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  8. DaveCromwellFebruary 27, 2012 at 12:19 PM

    Yeah, there is definitely a Simon & Garfunkel vibe with The Pierces. Female version of course. I would say The Every Brothers too (because of the sibling factor) - but that comparison better fits a long-time fave of this blog - The Raveonettes.

    Happy to hear you also note Ancient Sky as a standout band for you.

    That's why I often like to bundle a number of my features together here. You never know what different group people will take a liking to.

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  9. AnonymousMarch 3, 2012 at 10:24 AM

    Although most of the bands here are quite interesting I'll skip to the one I've found the most interesting - Snowmine.

    It's not that easy to put their music into words but it's very memorable. Their lightness reminds me of Dave Matthews Band (as do the vocals), the use of caribbean melodies and percussions in a few tracks echoes the 80s King Crimson line up and there's also a bit of Tears For Fears-like sounds here. Light, elegant, far from being sweet, creative and innovative band.

    Great entry.

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  10. DaveCromwellMarch 4, 2012 at 7:28 AM

    I'm always curious to hear about which bands make the most impression to certain individuals, eagle. So, it's cool that you single out Snowmine as the one who impressed you the most. Although I hadn't thought of it before, you are right in referencing the classic band Tears For Fears as one reference point.

    Well stated.

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  11. Andy Von PipMarch 4, 2012 at 12:08 PM

    Yeah The Peirces are getting good press over here too.

    they certainly are "photogenic" too

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  12. DaveCromwellMarch 4, 2012 at 12:57 PM

    I think The Pierces may actually be more popular on your side of the pond, Andy. At least that's one impression I've gotten simply by viewing all the great video interviews with them on Vimeo and YouTube.

    They've certainly played a lot of festivals and done a lot of UK radio. Great to see too.

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