Find out how to enter at the end of this post, but for a bit more about the show: Bright Light Bright Light will be playing a solo piano set that will, in all likelihood, be amazing. I saw Rod in a similar set-up last year and while there’s no doubt that his full production stuff is brilliant, the stripped-down set was really special.

One of my favorite things about what Rod’s done with Bright Light Bright Light is that he manages to strike that perfect balance between thoughtful lyrics and pop melodies, and this is a great chance to hear the songs in a different light.

The show will features songs from his upcoming debut album Make Me Believe In Hope and will double as a launch for his new EP Blueprints 1. The EP has four tracks from the album in a quite beautiful solo piano rendition with guests vocals from people like Stefan of The Sound of Arrows, so if you like the show (or can’t make it but like this sort of thing) it’ll be available to purchase from the 23rd.

Blueprints 1 will include:
Blueprint [with Sunday Girl]
Debris [with Allison Pierce]
Cry At Films [with Del Marquis]
Disco Moment [with Stefan of Sound Of Arrows]

While he’s in New York, Bright Light Bright Light is also DJing on January 25th at Eastern Bloc.

For a chance to win a pair of tickets to Bright Light Bright Light’s show at the Cake Shop on January 23rd (doors are at 8:30pm) email me at amanda@papertrailmusic.com by January 15th with the subject line “BLBL Ticket Giveaway”. I’ll randomly choose and email a winner on the 16th. Best of luck!

http://www.brightlightx2.com/
http://www.facebook.com/brightlightx2

My love affair with Philadelphia-based indie-folk trio Good Old War began back in 2009, while accompanying a friend to Manhattan’s old Knitting Factory to see Straylight Run, for whom they opened. Never before was I so taken aback, and pleasantly surprised, by an opening band – especially one I had never had the pleasure of hearing before. Flash forward to December 14, 2011 and Good Old War is headlining a sold-out gig at Maxwell’s in Hoboken.

Before I get into the knitty-gritty of Wednesday night’s show, I must first divulge a bit about Maxwell’s itself. Having been there once before, I knew what to expect in terms of beer selection and overall ambiance, but I had never ventured into the performance space itself. Upon walking into the back venue, you are greeted by a small bar to your left (and a very pleasant ticket man to your right). Curiously tucked away around a corner is the stage set in an alcove of sorts. The room’s layout makes for a very intimate musical experience.

Free-spirited and energetic are words I think best describe the atmosphere at any given Good Old War show. As soon as the first acoustic guitar string has been strummed and tambourine shaken, every plaid shirt-wearing crowd member has begun merrily keeping time with the music. Good Old War is a collaboration between Keith Goodwin (vocals, guitar and keys), Tim Arnold (vocals, drums, keys and accordion) and Dan Schwartz (vocals and guitar), and they have been creating beautiful harmonies together since 2008.*

The trio started the night off strong with the hopeful, flirting-with-romance-inspired “Looking for Shelter,” and the upbeat, perfectly harmonized “Just Another Day,” both off of 2008’s Only Way To Be Alone. Goodwin’s crisp vocals were accented by those of Arnold and Schwartz, lending a well-rounded depth to their sound. Additional selections off Only Way To Be Alone included “Window,” “We’ve Come A Long Way” and the Greater-New-York -Area-favorite “Coney Island.”

Good Old War’s knack for fusing smart, heartfelt lyrics with solid harmonies is only exceeded by their impressive technical abilities. One such moment that stands out in my mind’s eye took place during “Weak Man.” In a bluesy interlude towards the end of the song, Schwartz – while wearing the just-played acoustic guitar that was strapped across his body – played the hell out of an electric guitar that was propped up on a guitar stand in front of him. Two guitars at once! Outrageous. Also noteworthy, during “My Own Sinking Ship” from 2010’s self-titled release, Arnold emerged from behind his drum kit and went to work on his accordion, which, in my opinion, is underutilized in today’s music. It offered a soothing quality to a song whose message about love offers a disheartening interpretation. Good Old War’s introspective track “My Name’s Sorrow,” while sad in context, was performed beautifully.

One particularly memorable aspect of the show occurred during “That’s Some Dream.” As soon as the inspiring mantra “I’m gonna live I’m alright, I’m gonna die it’s alright, I’m ok” sprung from the bands’ lips, everyone began jiving around in unison. (In a rendition of “That’s Some Dream” at Webster Hall in 2010, the band jammed to this ditty acoustically, while standing among the audience. It was that “we’re all in this together” mentality that really struck a nerve with me.) Another crowd-pleaser was offered by way of the twangy, tightly-strummed “Woody’s Hood Boogie Woogie.” How could a song advising to live life your way – after a healthy does of “Let’s go drinking” – not please?

This band of brothers puts on a well-executed, fun show with catchy folk-inspired rhythms. It’s as simple, and complex, as that. I look forward to Good Old War’s upcoming March 6 release, Come Back as Rain, and after hearing the plucky single “Calling Me Names,” it seems their knack for spirited live performances has been translated into a promising recording once again.

* Note the subliminal placement of the bolded letters.  Good Old War

Later this week London-based duo Monarchy are set to play two US shows – one in Washington, DC and another in New York.

We’re a bit late with the mention, but these concerts are of the ‘entirely recommended’ variety. Their debut London show was my favorite gig of 2010 and I imagine they’ve gotten only better with time.

Last summer the still sort of anonymous pair released their debut album Around The Sun, a sleek, well-produced affair and one of the more noteworthy electropop releases this year, so good things will be on order at the shows.

Monarchy’s latest release is You Don’t Want To Dance With Me, a song off the album that was turned into a duet with Britt Love, formerly of Mini Viva. Watch the rather understated video for that and check out the show info below.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Monarchy will play:
December 8 – U Street Music Hall, Washington DC
December 10 – Highline Ballroom, New York

http://www.monarchysound.com/
http://www.facebook.com/monarchysound

Lo-Fi-Fnk are playing US shows! Edit: According to their Facebook they’ve encountered problems getting into the US, and won’t be here until Thursday, so their first show will be on 11/10 in Miami. Check Facebook for more info.

They announced these dates supporting Architecture In Helsinki and DOM a while back and we figured we’d wait till they were closer, then forgot about it for a bit. But now the New York show is less than TWO WEEKS away, so it’s about time everything is posted.

The Swedish duo, as you possibly already know, released their second album The Last Summer earlier this year and it is sufficiently amazing. Lead single Boom leans heavily to the electronic side of pop with some Daft Punk-like melodies and well, it’s very, very good. Listen to it here.

Their US dates are posted below, but first, watch this short video the pair made for the shows, which features some footage of them performing:

Click here to view the embedded video.

http://www.lo-fi-fnk.com/
http://soundcloud.com/lo-fi-fnk

EDIT: As they’re sometimes subject to, Yuksek’s CMJ schedule has changed. The latest info, as found on his Facebook:
- Wednesday LIVE @ Fat baby / CANCELLED
- Thursday LIVE @ Santos party house / midnight
- Friday LIVE @ Cameo / around 7 PM
- Friday DJ SET @ Le Bain /midnight

YUKSEK IS PLAYING SHOWS IN NEW YORK!

These CMJ sets appear to be his only US dates for the foreseeable future, so it’d be entirely wise to go see him – the French electro pop producer’s album Living On The Edge Of Time is easily one of the best of 2011 and I imagine he’s amazing live.

Yuksek has been pretty prolific this year between that album, a collaboration EP with Belgian producer The Magician under the name Peter & The Magician (which is brilliant) and a variety of remixes. And a tour, of course.

His CMJ dates can be found in the main image of this post or below, but first, check out the video for his newest single “Always On The Run.”

Click here to view the embedded video.

At CMJ Yuksek will play:
10/15: Creators Project, Tobacco Warehouse (Live)
10/19: Great Escape Showcase, Fat Baby (Live)
10/21: Le Bain (DJ Set)
10/21: Cameo (Live)

http://yuksekmusic.tumblr.com/
http://www.facebook.com/yuksek

While this obviously isn’t the first time it’s been reported that an artist will perform at Occupy Wall Street, given the official confirmation, we’re confident it’ll take place (unlike that Radiohead concert that never was).

For those who want to take part, find out all the details on Penguin Prison’s Facebook, but for a quick summary: Chris Glover – Penguin Prison – and video director Jake Sumner will be meeting protesters/fans on the corner of Maiden Lane and Broadway at 8am (one block north of Liberty Plaza). From there Glover will lead everyone on a march and perform. Afterwards, the plan is to join the uptown march to Times Square at 11am.

The goal with this of course is ’strength in numbers’, so they’re encouraging everyone to head down.

Listen to the song here if you want to get familiar with it for tomorrow. Or if you just want to hear it, really. ‘Don’t F**K With My Money’ is amazing piece of pop music and I’m sure we’re all happy it’s finally getting an official release. Also, while on that site, be sure to grab a free Penguin Prison club remix of the track as well.

http://www.dontfuckwithmymoney.com/
http://www.penguinprison.com