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.
Hypoluxo garnered the attention of many this past year, as their brand of sun-soaked, new wave-inspired dream pop earned them a spot on Paste Magazine’s 15 Young NYC Bands You Need To Know. The group rode into 2018 on the strength of their magnificent 2017 EP, Taste Buds, and are now heading into the
final stretch of the year with the release of their impressive second LP, Running On A Fence. As with their prior EP, this young band sounds anything but youthful, as their refined, polished sound and a penchant for the atmospheric produces a set of solidly constructed songs that borrow from many influences without sounding generic.
On Running On Fence, Hypoluxo avoids the sophomore slump by resisting any wholesale attempts to redefine themselves, opting instead to focus on refining their already eclectic sound. The guitars shimmer brightly throughout with a not-so-subtle jangle that’s defined many of their chillwave contemporaries, but Hypoluxo shows a true mastery when it comes to mesmerizing interlocking double guitar work. This creates a breezy wistful feel on songs such as “Midnight Snack,” “Huckleberry,” and “Trust Fall,” in spite of the sometimes darker lyrical content that the group unabashedly embraces. What listeners are likely to find most endearing is lead singer Samuel Cogan’s powerful, evocative voice. From cover to cover Cogan’s very distinct, deep, Ian Curtis-like bellow leaves a lasting mark and in combination with other sonic elements, gives these songs a very hypnotic feel.
The band’s namesake is a sunny town on Florida’s Gold Coast, but by all indications, you definitely shouldn’t judge this book by its cover. A deeper understanding of Hypoluxo reveals that they’re not your average band and with a powerful second LP in Running On A Fence; they’re poised to bust out.
You can purchase Running On A Fence via Bandcamp. The band is on tour for the remainder of October in support of the new record.
You absolutely do not want to miss some of the incredible shows going on in Bushwick this week. Get to the gigs:
Mark Sultan with The Mystery Lights, Miranda & The Beat, The Elevator Operators at Our Wicked Lady
Wednesday October 10th, 2018 at 8p.m.
Garage rock king Mark Sultan is making a rare appearance with a backing band on Wednesday night at Our Wicked Lady. Locals The Mystery Lights will back Sultan for a full set and Sultan will also perform one of his infamous solo sets. Also performing are two other 60s tinged acts, Miranda & The Beat and The Elevator Operators. Hailing from sunny California, Miranda & The Beat just released a sun-drenched double-sided single, “Don’t Play Me/Confession.” The Elevator Operators, who draw heavy inspiration from British mod groups and American garage bands like The Flamin Groovies, are in the process of recording their debut EP.
Kite Base, Jackie Mendoza, Verdigrls at Elsewhere
Thursday October 11th, 2018 at 8p.m.
Kite Base, the London based project of Savages’ Ayse Hassan and Kendra Frost, are making their New York City debut on Thursday at Elsewhere. The duo’s music is heavily bass driven with a beat-heavy industrial edge. They’ll be joined by locals Jackie Mendoza and Verdigirls. After releasing a highly touted album with her group Gingerlys, Mendoza has spent most of 2018 performing as a solo act. She’s recently released some certified electro-pop gems, including “La Luz” and “De Lojos.” Playing first are Indie-pop duo Verdigrls, who most recently released an absolutely delightful cover of Mariah Carey’s “Touch My Body,” and are currently in the midst of recording their latest EP.
Friday October 12th, 2018 at 8p.m.
Kiwi four-piece The Beths released arguably one of the most impressive albums of the year back in June when they shared Future Me Hates Me with the world. Since then, many, including this columnist, can’t get enough of their catchy power-pop hooks. The band made their New York City debut back in June at Alphaville opening for Peach Kelli Pop. They’ll be back on Friday, this time in the headlining spot! If you can’t make it out on Friday, the band also added a show at Mercury Lounge on Thursday night due to popular demand.
Bat House, Jelani Sei, Blasteroid at Alphaville
Saturday October 13th, 2018 at 8p.m.
Boston based post-hardcore band, Bat House, headlines an eclectic Saturday night bill at Alphaville. The group is currently on the road in support of Bat House their brand new six-song EP entitled Stop Dying. They’ll be joined by Jelani Sei, an impressive group who plays a highly unique hybrid of emo, post-hardcore, and soul that they describe as “progressive R&B.” Rounding out the bill are Blasteroid, who released their infectious “If I Could Show You / Triple D” single earlier this year.
In Case You Missed It!
This week, Bushwick Bandstand is happy to welcome local photographer Kevin Hoopes to the fold. Kevin will be documenting some of the shows featured in this column, so you can get a snapshot of the action if you missed out on attending. Last week, Kevin dropped by the Corridor, Petite League, Sic Tic show at Alphaville on Friday, October 5th:
