Okay we get it; it’s hot in the summer, sharks love surfboarders, and this presidential election is going to be a doozy. Distract yourself from the son of Jaws swimming along our shores, and the fact that The Donald is leading some polls – with some good live music. Check out our Pancake Picks; the best shows of the week here in NYC.
Monday
Nude Beach @ Baby’s All Right – More lifestyle/apparel brands seem to be throwing their hat into the concert promotion ring, as Brixton will be co-promoting Nude Beach. The indie guitar band’s catchy, jangly, guitar sound can be captured in their 18-track 2014 album 77.
Tuesday
Hoodies For The Homeless featuring Pushmethod @ Brooklyn Bowl – Hoodies for the Homeless is the creation of PushMethod frontman Tavis Sage Eaton, and was born out of a lifelong desire to make a measurable difference in the lives of those he’d witnessed struggling to survive on the streets of the city. The movement’s mission is “to help provide warm clothing for the less fortunate and displaced and to deliver hoodies to shelters across the city.” Hoodie donations are encouraged with admission, and there will be a drop off station in the venue.
Phases @ Webster Hall Studio – Phases brings that classic 80s synth-pop sound with their Blondie-esque foursome. Their use of a variety of electronic instrumentation mixed with funk and disco elements finds them right in the middle of a rebirth of funk artists like Chromeo and Jungle re-introducing the great dance genre style music to a new generation.
Wednesday
Diane Birch @ Joe’s Pub – Starting out her three-month residency at Joe’s Pub, Diane’s adult contemporary sound mixed with pop elements makes her sounds truly diverse and unique. Finding a sound somewhere between Florence Welch and Madonna, you’ll also hear Christine McVie and Joni Mitchell in songs like “Rewind” and “Nothing But A Miracle.”
Twin Guns @ Palisades – The Brooklyn rock trio brings a noisy, fueled mixture of ambient garage rock. Their style of music finds hints of various genres including dirty, bluesy guitar riffs and styles found across 60s and 70s bands like the Rolling Stones in songs like “Carry On” and “Never Satisfied.”
Thursday
WET @ Baby’s All Right – Electro-pop trio WET, melts right into that scene, coming out with great beats and strong female vocals as a perfect top layer. Reaching deep into a bad of ambient styles and influences, you hear a wide range of song arrangement and instrumentation styles coming out of these guys, and girl.
Joe Marson @ Mercury Lounge – Joe Marson is someone you should already know about, his live shows are unique and amazing. He brings a fresh soulful vibe to everything he touches.
Friday
Wild Adriatic @ Rough Trade – This trio from Albany brings a machine of funky, soul rock, picking up right where James Brown left off when he was getting ready to start a rock band.
Creepoid @ Music Hall Of Williamsburg – Touring off their newest record, Cemetery Highrise Slum, due out this week – Creepoid fills it out with fuzzy guitars and a touch of alt-rock to the party.
Saturday
Woodsman @ Palisades – I’ve always been a huge fan of artists and bands that don’t require lyrical bullshit filling spaces between solos. Woodsman brings their instrumental-based songs and use so many different effects, dissonance, dynamics, and everything else to do all the singing and musical expression for them.
Ryn Weaver @ Music Hall Of Williamsburg – One of the premiere singers in the emerging pop scene, Ryn Weaver is one of those artists on the verge of breaking into the limelight. Ryn had one of the better performances at Bonnaroo, so catch her in a small room while you can!
Sunday
They Might Be Giants @ Music Hall of Williamsburg – Having released six full albums in the past five years, the duo makes unique singer-songwriter style via electronic makes them one of the truly unique artists in music today.
Big Daddy Kane & Whodini @ Sumerstage – Strap on your Adidas’, pull out the bucket hat and head over to Central park Summerstage to get your old-school, hip-hop game on. The Rock Steady Crew is celebrating their 38th anniversary, so bring all your friends as it’s a free show!
Article: Tom Shackleford + Shayne Hanley
