Frequency New York

The Early November's Reinvigorating Reunion

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 13:29:50 -0500

Nostalgia is a powerful, inexplicable beast. Images, movies, and even words can instantly take you back to the most memorable portions of your life in vivid detail, evoking just about every type of emotion. And while Saturday night at Starland Ballroom looked and sounded as it did during any other musical evening at the venue, the screams, chills, and tears of everyone present for The Early November’s reunion show proved just as vital to the night's energy as the band's own sounds and words.

The night began with a diverse bill of opening bands who all fit nicely into the musical realm that The Early November were once at the forefront of. The folky, honest pop-rock of Young Statues held the crowd’s attention just as much as the progressive, dazzling indie of A Great Big Pile of Leaves. Ohio pop-punkers Hit the Lights have been a staple in their scene for years, and the audience’s shouty reaction to their material old and new proved that they still are.

It was then time for the men of The Early November; frontman Ace Enders, guitarist Joe Marro, guitarist Bill Lugg, bassist Sergio Anello, and drummer Jeff Kummer, to take the stage for second time in five years. As soon Enders let the first words of “Baby Blue” escape his throat, the floor of Starland Ballroom erupted as if those five years never passed, trapping the room in a time when auto-tune wasn’t abused, Facebook didn’t exist, and having a band Myspace meant something. Enders dove into the crowd during the song’s dramatic ending, proving that at a year shy of 30, he has yet to lose the childish spark that first inspired him to emote to the world.

The set remained in this captivating, high-energy format that restored old memories to make new ones. The band covered a massive amount of territory within their discography, performing no-brainers such as the one-two punch of “Something that Produces Results” and “The Mountain Range in My Living Room” as well as oldies like “I Want to Hear You Sad” and “Ashala Rock.” The band played a handful of songs from their massive 2006 triple album The Mother, The Mechanic, and The Path, though those tunes took a clear back seat to those from their 2003 breakthrough The Room’s Too Cold, an angsty, imperfect collection of emo anthems that The Early November fans are most tethered to. Highlights included the explosive, oft-neglected “The Course of Human Life” and the first-ever live performance of the acoustic “Dinner at the Money Table,” which had several attendees in tears.

The entire band, well into their adult lives, acted as the same endearingly dorky and endlessly grateful musicians as they did half a decade ago. Enders often thanked the crowd for being present, complemented by his reminiscing of the days when him and Marro worked at McDonalds together and decided to start a band. Anello has always been the band’s source of silly banter and unfettered energy, while the stoic-yet-beloved Lugg acted as his chilled counterpart. They both stayed true to their former selves.

To top off the flawlessly-performed, emotionally-charged set, Enders prompted the crowd to get their camera phones ready just before announcing that the band are getting set to release a new album. Barely giving the audience a chance to take in the news, they immediately exploded into their staple finale “Every Night’s Another Story,” sending the room spiraling in a whirl of nostalgia for the past and hope for the future. Enders often stopped that night to say “I honestly can’t describe what I’m feeling right now.” I think we were all right there with him.

5 New Tracks To Get You Out of the Thanksgiving Rut

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 11:57:00 -0500

We know you’re still recovering from the stress of a trying weekend. The comatose turkey naps, the awkward in-laws, the exhaustion of sifting through Black Friday deals on your MacBook until you find the perfect 32-inch TV. Welcome back to the real world. Here are five sweet tracks to cure your holiday edition case of the Mondays.

Drake – “Take Care”

Already making “Headlines” with his swaggering, finger-raising first single, the title track of Drizzy’s newest effort shows the softer side of Mr. Graham. Aided by the intoxicating croon of Rihanna (whose new music you can read about below), Drake delivers an honest, imperfect love story over a bouncy, club-ready beat.

Taking Back Sunday – “You Got Me”

The second single off of Taking Back Sunday’s invigorating self-titled effort, “You Got Me” is a blazing, infectious romp that takes the endearing emo sound of their 2002 classic Tell All Your Friends and presents it in a mature, concise, 30-year-old fueled package. While the track is a lyrical tale of being caught in a forbidden romance, the video is pure fun, showcasing nothing but guitarist Eddie Reyes dropping his axe in favor for some sweet dance moves.

Rihanna – “You 'Da One”

Rihanna’s chart-topping new record Talk the Talk proves she can also walk the walk, and her addictive new single “You Da’ One” just serves as some extra evidence. A straightforward, mellow love song, “You Da’ One” is an example of one of the many musical styles that Rihanna’s sultry voice makes instantly arresting.

T.I. –“Pyro”

It’s been a while since the King has been in our radar, so it only makes sense that his new single “Pyro” is appropriately incendiary. Enduring multiple jail stints and the attached drama, T.I. announces his return to the game with the opening line “I got a corkscrew swag, they see me and get it poppin.” T.I., you are not a bottle of wine. But thanks for coming back.

The Wonder Years – “Came Out Swinging”

This rising pop-punk outfit have always been a step above their peers lyrically, and the hilarious-yet-poignant video for their new single “Came Out Swinging” is further proof of this. A never-give-up anthem for the trying touring life of young bands, “Came Out Swinging” finds the Philly six-piece reflecting on moving back home, overdosing on fast food, and finding a purpose; themes that are all reflected beautifully in the video.

Grade A Partying with A-Trak

Fri, 25 Nov 2011 17:30:00 -0500

Arriving late Thursday night to a long line outside of Lavo, hand picking attendees to join in on the festivities. Making my way inside to the dance floor was a feat in itself, as the club was packed to the rims with the hottest hipsters New York City has to offer. One more trendier than the next, I slithered through the already toasty crowd, all donning a mixed drink in hand. All dressed to impress, party goers were dancing so wild there was barely an inch to move anywhere in the club.

Almost as if it were a cult following, all eyes turned to the DJ booth around 1am when the 1997 DMC World DJ Championship winner, A-Trak opened his set. Never disappointing, the turn-table genius gave the crowd an energetic and diverse tracklist that kept Lavo's walls pulsating until the wee hours of Friday morning. Playing remixes of songs by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Kid Cudi, along with a nod to mega DJ Avicii playing his 2011 club anthem Levels layering vocals by hip hop artists Rick Ross and Lil' Wayne kept the crowd guessing all night long. It didn't matter which track A-Trak decided to throw into the mix, the crowd jumped and sang along to every one.

As if the LED light donning dancers spraying Co2 at the champagne spraying crowd didn't make the party crazy enough, when the beginning chant of the 2010 Duck Sauce hit Barbara Streisand began to play, the club became mayhem as everyone whistled along. The track, created by the Duck Sauce collaboration of A-Trak and DJ Armin van Helden received mainstream popularity throughout this past year, including a vocal cover of the song on the hit TV series Glee!

Throughout the course of the night, the howling chant of "Fool's Gold" reigned prominent through the DJ set, promoting his popular record label. The Fool's Gold label, founded in 2007 with A-Trak and DJ Nick Catchdubs, brings the worlds of hip-hop and electronic music together. The independent music powerhouse label recently opened up a pop shop in Brooklyn for Fool's Gold clothing, due to popular demand. For fans who couldn't get behind the velvet ropes at Lavo last Thursday, it has been officially confirmed that A-Trak will be returning to New York's Webster Hall on January 13th for Girls & Boys Night! Stay tuned for details!

Some Sweet Black Friday Music Deals

Wed, 23 Nov 2011 13:56:00 -0500

The annual celebration of violent consumerism...er...Black Friday is only two days away! Whether you're going to be surfing through crowds in the streets of Manhattan or shopping from the comfort of home on the heels of your Turkey-induced coma, there's no shortage of sweet deals for the music obsessed.

As they typically do year-round, Amazon has some excellent savings this week. Ranging from $5 digital CDs to deeply discounted box-sets, there is a ton of cheap tuneage to sift through. Amazon's "lightning deals" are changing by the hour, so be sure to check the site frequency!

For those more interested in stocking up on great gear, Guitar Center has compiled all of their deals into a convenient digital catalogue. Some highlights include an Epiphone Les Paul for $100, as well as an all-in-one producer pack for just under $200.

Apple is promising Black Friday savings in both its retail and online stores, but you'll have to wait till the 25th hits to check out the deals. If you've been waiting to nab yourself a new iPod, Friday might be the day.

Of course, these retailers are just a small spec in the furious galaxy of shopping that we will be indulging in on Friday. Explore, have fun, be safe, and enjoy the savings. And for you couch shoppers, go easy on mom's stuffing. Seriously.

Five of the Best Music Blogs on the Web

Wed, 23 Nov 2011 13:00:00 -0500

Magazines? What are those? While nothing can quite top the satisfaction of the day your found your new favorite grunge band in the 90s by means of stealing your big brother’s SPIN, virtually everyone gets their daily dose of tuneage from the web nowadays. And while every hipster and their equally-ironically dressed mother has a blog, the top-tier music websites out there do what paper can’t, supplying a day-long stream of high-quality news, visuals, and music so that we’re never out of the loop. Here are some of the web’s very best music blogs, ready to be “followed” and attached to your RSS feed forever.

AbsolutePunk

While AbsolutePunk started out as a humble Blink-182 fansite by webmaster Jason Tate, the site has evolved over the past decade into one of the best sources for punk and alternative news. AbsolutePunk frequently hosts exclusive song streams, interviews with punk’s biggest names, and has turned many a basement band into a household name thanks to its massive readership.

Brooklyn Vegan

Literally founded by a music-loving vegan in Brooklyn, this site has become one of NYC’s most popular sources of news and new tuneage. Brooklyn Vegan is one of the best destinations for live indie music on the web, with recaps and previews of the best shows in NYC popping up frequently. If you’re feeling hip and want a constant ear to the city’s underground pulse, look no further.

Stereogum

One of the first mp3 blogs on the net, Stereogum remains as one of the highest-quality and most-read music sites around. Famous for putting buzzing bands on the map, Stereogum’s steady helping of news and media is read by fans, industry veterans, and top artists alike.

Rap Radar

Rap Radar is your gateway to the hip-hop world, with a heavy emphasis on commentary-backed video and mp3. Whether you want to see how Drake’s new record sold, sample some sweet mixtapes, or are just dying to see Lil’ Wayne’s latest television performance, Rap Radar is your one-stop blog.

Hype Machine

Hype Machine is more of a blog aggregator than a formal blog itself, but there’s no better way to instantly hear the hottest new music on the web without jumping from site to site. It funnels the most popular tracks from all around the blogosphere into one neat webpage, turning it into the Costco of music; You’ve got it all, simply take what you like.

Of course, if these aren't enough for you, there's always Joonbug's Frequency blog, a top-notch source of event coverage, new tracks, and exclusive interviews. But you should know that, considering you're, um, reading it right now...

Behind the Scenes with Dion Roy

Wed, 23 Nov 2011 12:14:01 -0500

Last Friday, November 18th, non-profit organization Rock the Schools held a concert to benefit NY State public school music programs. There have recently been some major budget cuts and many schools are in jeopardy of having their music programs cut altogether. Performing at this concert were artists Dion Roy, Tyler Hilton, Bryan Greenberg, Ryan Cabrera, and special guest Val Emmich. The event was hosted by Lauren Berger, the Intern Queen and Z100's Trey Morgan. Now it's time to go behind the scenes with Dion Roy and find out why he got involved in this concert, what's next on his agenda, and some of his super secrets!

How did you get involved in Rock the Schools and this concert?

A mutual fan of Tyler Hilton and I that I had met while on tour messaged me that she saw Tyler was playing in my hometown of NYC and if I was playing the show as well as she had seen both of us half a dozen times together last year. I thought it would be a great idea, and I didn't have a show set for the release of the new single "Hey My Love" so the stars just aligned, and a great night was born.

Why is this cause important to you?
When I was in high school, I was in choir and band all 4 years. It exposed me to so much music, and I also made some of the best friends of my life. Without access to music programs in school, so many kids wouldn't even be able to discover their talents or even their love of music. I am thankful for the opportunities I had, and I would like to help others have access to them and if I have the power to do so, I would like to.

What are your next endeavors as an artist?
I have spent the past month or so writing. I'm in a good writing groove right now, and after spending so much time on the road supporting my last EP "Welcome Home" it's actually a relief to be home a little bit and writing. I almost forgot what my apartment in NYC looked like, and I almost forgot about the bad weather! The next couple months I will be back and forth in LA writing, recording, and finding amazing taco spots in Santa Monica. Priorities.

Can you tell us something about yourself that no one knows?

I'm a wear my heart on my sleeve kind of guy, so most of my fans know all of my nerdy obsessions - cartoons, tacos, video games - but I suppose most people don't know that I'm actually African American. I was born in Windhoek Namibia - and grew up in a town called Welkom. That's actually where the title of my last EP came from - "Welcome Home" was going to be "Welkom Home". Secret revealed! This message will self destruct in 30 seconds!

What's next on your agenda?
The next week or 2, I am going to be writing and writing and writing. I have a co-writing sessions scheduled in LA with David Hodges (who's written for Kelly Clarkson, Evanesence, Daughtry, Arrows To Athens), so I'm really psyched to see what comes out of that! I'll be posting all the updates on my twitter over the coming weeks.

Check out Dion's website and Twitter page!

Thrice and Thursday, Two of Underground Rock's Biggest Names, Call It Quits

Wed, 23 Nov 2011 11:25:24 -0500

It's been a sad week for anyone who spent the early 2000s as a wide-eyed showgoing teen in the basements, clubs, and eventually stadiums of the world. California's Thrice announced their hiatus two days ago, while New Jersey's Thursday posted a message to fans yesterday that they were calling it quits.

It's both ironic and fitting that these two seminal bands revealed their gradual departure from the music world only a day apart. The two post-hardcore heavyweights have both been active for 13 years and have a long history of friendship. They're two among a handful of bands who, despite being lumped into the "punk" and "screamo" categories early in their careers, continued to make creative and challenging records that shattered any genre expectations. They're true artists in a world where most are content to be entertainers, which has left both bands with a legion of loyal listeners.

Thrice's looming hiatus is largely the cause of the shift into adult life for its members, who are all in their thirties. Frontman Dustin Kensrue posted an honest and grateful statement on the band's blog, saying "I have three little girls now under the age of 5, and it is a huge strain on my family and I when I’m away for several weeks at a time. The way we’ve been doing things for a while is simply not sustainable for me anymore." Kensrue made it clear that the band are still as close as ever and that they will still create music together in some capacity.

Thursday's official statement was more vague but equally genuine, as frontman Geoff Rickley stated "Underneath it all, the personal circumstances involved make it impossible to continue Thursday in the spirit that has made it special. So, we stop. For now, at least."

Thrice and Thursday are famous for how interactive and generous they are with their fans, and they've made no exceptions as their twilight days draw near. Thrice promised a spring tour in which they will be dusting off some rarely-touched classics that span the band's discography. Thursday posted a slew of dates on their aformentioned blog post, culminating in a Dec. 30th finale in Philadelphia, a short distance away from the New Jersey basements that the band owe their musical careers to.

Naturally, Thrice and Thursday fans are experiencing a range of emotions this week. However, in the wake of two bands who graciously provided the world honest musical art for over decade, and in the spirit of tomorrow's holiday, "Thank You" should be the first thing on their tongues.

Lucas Field's Debut Album 'Conquest of Happiness' A Huge Success

Wed, 23 Nov 2011 11:20:00 -0500

With “Conquest of Happiness,” Lucas Field (formerly of Low Vs. Diamond), has done what many front men have tried to do and made lackluster effort with: successfully put out a well structured album on his own without the band he’s known for.

The electric piano is a prominent instrument in almost every song and compliments Field’s voice immensely. “Conquest of Happiness” is a unique blend of R&B, pop and a little indie rock. More refreshingly however, this album manages to keep the sound consistent but still give each track a little special something to avoid every song sounding the same.

“Let it All Begin,” an uplifting melodic tune where Lucas croons “love begins with the beat of a heart” is the perfect opening track and sets the tone for the rest of the album. It’s an indicator that the listener is in for fresh music and a voice that sounds made to sing the songs.

Other stand out tracks are “Hold Her Tight” and most notably, “Fate” – where Lucas interviewed his Drummer Anthony Burns and put Burns’ stories about living in Seattle to music, with Lucas occasionally singing over it. The stories from the interview are so interesting that you feel like you’re sitting in a room as Burns is talking. Considering how personal and honest this album sounds, it only seemed right for “Conquest” to end with a legitimate conversation set to the same soulful that’s strung throughout the entire album.

“Conquest of Happiness” is a tribute to Lucas Field’s raw talent that is going to blow up; music magazines should be drooling over him right now. Just in time as 2011 starts coming to an end, Lucas Field has produced one of the best new albums of this year.

-----

You can check out two of Lucas's new tracks, "Just How It Goes" and "Giving It All You Got" on SoundCloud.

The Music Lover's Holiday Gift Guide

Mon, 21 Nov 2011 12:42:00 -0500

With Black Friday and the subsequent weeks of holiday shopping madness on the horizon, it’s time we took a look at the best gifts for the music heads in your life. As per usual this time of year, new music gadgets are hitting stores every week, even though classics like iPods and a trusty set of speakers never fail to be a great gift (unless you own said iPod and set of trusty speakers, that is). From guitar games to mini studio setups and beyond, here are some awesome items to stick in the stockings of your music-addicted friends.

Rocksmith (Xbox 360, PS3, PC) - $80

We’ve all been playing Guitar Hero and Rock Band for years, enduring heckles from snooty musicians asking “why don’t you play a real instrument?” Ubisoft’s Rocksmith lets you do just that, as aspiring shredders can drop the colorful plastic toys in favor of an actual electric guitar. Whether you’re looking for a fun way to learn the instrument or simply want to see how your shredding prowess holds up in the virtual world, Rocksmith is a cool new step forward in the world of music gaming.

M-Audio Pro Tools Recording Studio - $50-$150

Does your best friend or loved one keep you up at night, yelping Bright Eyes covers into an old 4-track over and over until they get the perfect take? Or do they go around telling everyone they’re the next big producer, when they actually spit lame freestyles over Garageband beats? Either way, the M-Audio Pro Tools Recording studio lets them easily document their creations in a professional and user-friendly manner. The M-Audio interface allows any real instrument to be connected to your computer, while the included Pro Tools Essential software is a beginner version of the program used to record today’s biggest hits.

HTC Rezound - $300

HTC’s newest Verizon phone is being touted for its musical features more than its ability to, you know, make calls. You may have noticed the sweet new commercials for the smartphone where a dude walks around with the included Beats Audio headphones while the entire city around him explodes in a moment of violent musical bliss. While we can’t guarantee your Rezound will cause civic destruction, we can recommend it as a great buy for anyone who likes a whole lotta Mp3 player in their cell phone.

Skullcandy MixMaster Headphones - $300

While Skullcandy has a full range of affordable, high-class, and stylish headphones, their brand new Mix Master series is aimed for DJs who are serious about their spinning. Approved by Mix Master Mike, these premium headphones are packed with club-ready features, such as articulating earcups, dual cable inputs, and tons of other technical specs that will make the aspiring Tiesto in you swoon. Of course, the headset is great for everyday use, so there’s no need to take them off when you want to stop imitating your favorite DJs and start listening to them.

Apple iPod - $50-$400

They’ve been around for nearly a decade, but Apple’s iPods have evolved into a suite of top-shelf entertainment devices for all types of music lovers. The lower-priced Shuffle and Nano are great for on-the-go and workout playlists, while the ever-improving iPod touch is essentially a computer in your pocket. If you’re buying someone an Mp3 player this holiday season, there’s no reason not to go with the best.

-----

Of course, if these items are too niche or pricey for your shopping list, there’s always the trusty iTunes or Best Buy gift card. Nothing says “Happy Holidays” like giving your loved ones the freedom of choosing any Justin Bieber record they like. Nothing.

Dirty South Gets Dirty at Pacha NYC

Mon, 21 Nov 2011 11:40:00 -0500

On a night in which everyone deemed as a "once in a lifetime day", the date 11/11/11 is certainly one for the record books for Pacha NYC. Headlining the night was Australian DJ sensation Dirty South. Accompanying him on the line up for the evening was an opening set by Carl Kennedy and house DJ duo Sunnery James & Ryan Marciano, who have been blowing up through the electronic music scene over the past year.

Walking into Pacha NYC that night, I caught a glimpse of the opening set by DJ Carl Kennedy who started the party off properly with an array of dance floor hits. Wall to wall covered with people, Pacha was flowing with Champagne and bottle service attendants all leaning over the mezzanine awaiting for the man on the night. Chants of "Dirty South" filled the air, as the DJ born as Dragan Roganović entered the booth of the Midtown hotspot. Dirty South came prepared with plenty of dirty beats, keeping the at-capacity crowd mesmerized by his every move. Playing some of his latest hits including one of his new singles, "Walking Alone" that proved to be a dance floor destroyer, fully equipped with tons of CO2 smoke and LED lights. On his official twitter account, Dirty South had announced to fans that he would premiere his latest track with Thomas Gold and Kate Elsworth, and as promised "Eyes Wide Open" made the crowd go wild. At the end of his set, it is safe to say the crowd was left wanting more.

In the wee hours of the morning, Sunnery James & Ryan Marciano took over control of the crowd keeping the party crazy until 7am the next morning! Opening up with their own song, Tribeca, the duo mashed up the track with vocals from Adele's hit Rolling in the Deep. Their transitions from mash ups to popular remixes including their remix of Kaskade's Dynasty track had everyone singing along as if it were a karaoke night. The epic night jam packed with memorable DJ sets left partygoers speechless leaving as the sun was already risen that next morning.

Here is a video of Dirty South premeiring his latest single, "Eyes Wide Open" with Thomas Gold and vocals by Kate Elsworth.