Tom Gallo is the host of Look at My Records on Radio Free Brooklyn
Radio Free Brooklyn and Bushwick Daily are proud to announce a new weekly local-music column that will focus on artists that call Bushwick home. Each week, a Radio Free Brooklyn personality will pen a record or performance review of a different Bushwick based artist, with a curated selection of the best upcoming local gigs in the neighborhood for the following weekend.
Rising from the ashes of local psych-rockers Spires is Jane Church, a new project from Queens-based songwriter, Matt Stevenson. Formed in 2017, the group just released their debut single, “Presenting… Jane Church,” which features two infectious songs that are jam packed with delightful hooks, snarky guitars, and poetic lyrics. If you were a fan of Stevenson’s previous band, Spires, then these two tracks will not disappoint, as Jane Church channels
a similar sounding retro-inspired psychedelic feel, but with a big step forward in terms of the refinement of their sound. The guitars are driven and focused, while the lyrics paint vivid portraits of life in New York City. Though some of the lyrical content may be more serious, “Demolition U.S.A.” and “This Here City” are both sunny sounding power pop gems with strong melodies that espouse an almost aching evocation.
In a recent interview, Stevenson revealed that he got the name Jane Church after listening to a demo of the same name by American art-pop visionaries, Sparks. Listening to these two songs, this choice appears to quite fitting, as Jane Church’s sound is reminiscent of the early Todd Rundgren produced Sparks’ output. Whether that was intentional or not, it’s certainly a warmly welcomed coincidence.
If you’re eager to hear more from Jane Church, don’t fret! You won’t have to wait much longer. The group’s first full length, “Calimocho Molotov,” is schedule for release this fall on Greenway Records.
You can purchase “Presenting… Jane Church” on vinyl via Greenway Records.
August is here and the live music options in Bushwick continue to be plentiful. Here are my picks for the best gigs this week:
Time, Alice Cohen, Flossed In Paradise at Trans-Pecos
Wednesday August 1st, 2018 8 p.m.
Wednesday night at Trans-Pecos features several excellent experimental pop acts. Synth-pop duo Time is in town from the swamps of Florida and their eccentric live act has been described as “taking the concert experience toward something like ceremony.” Joining them is New York City music legend Alice Cohen, who plays multi-layered, electronic “outsider pop.” Flossed In Paradise released “Loss Leaves You” last year, a dreamy, synth-driven song that will appear on their soon to be released 2nd EP, “OFFWORLD.” Arrive early to hear some more tracks from thisreleased album!
Lola Pistola, Ladrones, Lilith Velkor at El Cortez
Thursday August 2nd, 2018 7 p.m.
El Cortez plays host to two artists with musical ties to Puerto Rico on Thursday night. Brooklyn-based Lola Pistola, a Puerto Rican native, released her debut solo album “Curfew” late last year. It’s a fierce 10-song collection of noise-pop with a serious grunge-y edge. Ladrones, who call San Juan home, recently embarked on a multi-city U.S. tour to showcase their high-energy, Spanish-language punk rock. Rounding out this triple is Lilith Velkor, a local three-piece whose brand of melodic punk will kick off the festivities on Thursday.
Palmas, Plastic Waves, Absolutely Yours at Elsewhere
Friday August 3rd, 2018 6:30 p.m.
Philadelphia based surf-rockers, Palmas, have spent the last few year touring as support for some big name acts including Whitney and Twin Peaks, among others. The band is currently in the studio recording their next album, which is set for release in 2019. Plastic Waves, the moniker for the psych-pop project of Andre Bellido, just released a brand new, electronic-based single entitled “Drift,” the project’s first release since 2016. Absolutely Yours, local dream-pop wizards, just released an absolutely stunning EP, “IMPOSSIBLE BOUQUET.” So, make sure you arrive promptly to hear some great songs from this brand new release.
Corey Flood, Trace Mountains, Fits at Alphaville
Saturday August 4th, 2018 8 p.m.
Another great Philadelphia band graces the stage of a Bushwick institution this week. Philadelphia’s Corey Flood, who released their excellent debut EP on Fire Talk Records this past February, “Wish You Hadn’t,” will be joined by Trace Mountains, who also just released a new album, “A Partner To Lean On,” which earned praise from Pitchfork and Noisey. Local power-pop foursome, Fits, will go on first. The band plays songs filled with catchy hooks and loud guitars, as evidence by their most recent release, “All Belief Is Paradise.” This is a triple bill that you won’t want to miss!
