At times noisy and at times more introspective, there’s something psychedelic about the music of Philadelphia band Blue Smiley: the electric guitar’s lo-fi, high-energy distortions sound as if Johnny Marr were on hallucinogens while playing with The Smiths. Meanwhile, the vocals are barely audible above the din, embedding in the instrumental texture rather than asserting […]
Daniel J. Kushner
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CLASSICAL | Alexander Kobrin
Eastman School of Music doesn’t just attract some of the most gifted student musicians from all over the world, it also brings professors who are supremely talented performers to Rochester. Russian-born pianist Alexander Kobrin — who joined the Eastman faculty earlier this year — is one such musician. A 2005 Van Cliburn Gold Medal winner, […]
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INDIE POP | Thelma
Thelma frontwoman Natasha Jacobs is a veritable chanteuse whose evocative voice brings to mind a kind of modern-day, indie dith Piaf. With the moody set of seven songs that make up the Brooklyn band’s atmospheric self-titled album, Thelma puts out a sound that’s an irresistible amalgamation of indie pop band Eisley, folk singer-songwriter Basia Bulat, […]
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Album review: ‘Polka Dot Swing’
Yarms “Polka Dot Swing” Self-released yarms.bandcamp.com On his new solo album, “Polka Dot Swing,” Ryan “Yarms” Yarmel comes across less as a singer-songwriter and more as a straight-up storyteller. And that’s a good thing. Rather than cling to the conventions of indie folk, Yarmel reaches back into the archives of American music, drawing from jazz, […]
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Album review: ‘Unraveling’
Maybird “Unraveling” 30th Century Records/Columbia Records maybirdmusic.com Earlier this summer, Maybird released “Unraveling,” a brisk, four-song EP produced by The Black Keys’ Patrick Carney. “Unraveling” further establishes the rock group’s existing sound while bringing it to a wider audience via Danger Mouse’s 30th Century Records. The layered, folk-psychedelic sheen on which Maybird has built its […]
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PUNK | Whoopi Sticks
The deliciously unhinged Boston-based punk band Whoopi Sticks pulls no punches whatsoever on its new EP, “Surprising Squirts.” The music is unapologetically brash, loud, and foul-mouthed — and that’s just the contribution from drummer and lead shouter Lindsey Warning. The sound is so lo-fi, the guitars are as crude and noisy as rusty hacksaws. Whoopi […]
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BLUEGRASS | Billy Strings
Under the apt moniker Billy Strings, 24-year-old William Apostol plays the kind of bluegrass you are meant to move to at music clubs. On his six-song EP from 2016, Strings gives listeners uptempo, locomotive rhythms and soulful country vocals that resonate with Southern flair and urgency. The lively “Slow Train” is anything but pokey, and […]
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POP | Declan McKenna
English pop-rocker Declan McKenna writes the perfect songs for summer. His music has an indelible catchiness that’ll have you bobbing your head instantly. At times, McKenna’s voice recalls the nasally, angsty Liam Gallagher of Oasis. Elsewhere, the sound is akin to that of fellow fresh-faced Brit Jake Bugg. McKenna’s debut full-length album, the expertly produced […]
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INDIE ROCK | Jake Bellissimo
Rochester singer-songwriter Jake Bellissimo specializes in lo-fi, bedroom indie music that is earnest, charming, and unassuming. With chamber pop orchestration added to the mix, what you’ve got is damn-near irresistible. Bellissimo — who has also gone by the moniker gay angel — will bring his well-crafted songs to Vineyard Community Space this Saturday as part […]
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CLASSICAL | ‘Dulcemelos’
As part of its “Summer @ Eastman” program, the Eastman School of Music will present a rare concert on Thursday, highlighting Mexican music written for the salterio, or hammered dulcimer. The featured performers include the salterio group Duo Dulcemelos — Alejandra Barrientos and Hector Larios — along with their two sons, pianist Mitzie Collins, and […]
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INDIE ROCK | Pale Lungs
This Saturday at the Bug Jar is practically a holiday: it’s Tim Avery’s birthday show. The Rochester impresario will be celebrating in style with a full lineup featuring touring acts Charmer and Pale Lungs as well as local bands California Cousins and Barbarossa. For those of us who listened to emo growing up, Pale Lungs […]
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INDIE ROCK | Cherry Glazerr
In 2017, the female-fronted rock band is still all too rare an entity on the popular music landscape. Fortunately, Cherry Glazerr of Los Angeles follows in the footsteps of bands like Blondie, The Runaways, and Sleater-Kinney, with an effortless cool and covert edginess. On its new album, “Apocalipstick,” the band sets singer Clementine Creevy’s grimy […]
