» The Strokes

Jul
9th‘Gimme Gimme Gimme’ The Royal Concept!

For the better part of three decades, the Swedish music scene was generally represented by the schmaltz of ABBA, the four-hit-wonder appeal of Ace of Base, and the incomprehensible ramblings of The Swedish Chef. But, something happened a few years ago. Indie pop rock acts like Peter Bjorn & John and Lykki Li broke through to the mainstream, while house hunters Swedish House Mafia invaded dance clubs worldwide. The latest band to come out of Nordic country – The Royal Concept – seem poised for stardom as well. A cross between The Strokes and Phoenix (and yes they’re totally fine being classified as such), the quartet recently dropped their five-song EP, and single “Gimme Twice” has more hooks than Heidi Fleiss and is already heating up on alt-rock stations – at least the one I listen to (SiriusXM’s Alt-Nation). On a recent balls-hot Thursday afternoon, David Larson (vocals), Filip Bekic (guitar), Magnus Robert (bass) and Frans Povel (drums) stopped by the Music Conservatory of Westchester in White Plains, NY for an interview and to perform two songs for “A-Sides.” The interview and “Gimme Twice” can be seen below, while their live version of “Goldrushed” can be viewed exclusively at asidesmusic.com Watch the interview, love the song, and grab the infectious EP. As a matter of fact, I dig the EP so much, I’ll give away five copies for five random people who comment below or on the asides site. Interview [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-w3kjhY2Po&w=560&h=315] “Gimme Twice” [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6HiPo7r0Zvo&w=560&h=315] “Goldrushed” [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2cnowC9o7PY&w=560&h=315] About [...]
Apr
4thFoxy Shazam “Likes It”; Hey Rim Jeon Plays It

It seems the music industry — charts and award shows anyway — are too focused these days on Adele, her majesty’s clones, auto-tuned hip hoppers and tween artists that appeal to the Twilight generation. Frankly, it all kind of sucks. I mean Adele is unquestionably amazing, but what ever happened to good old fashioned rock and roll? That’s the question Cincinnati rockers answer with their fourth album The Church of Rock and Roll. Rock is very much alive, and this band — who have been opening for acclaimed artists for years — from Hole to The Strokes to The Darkness — are more than ready to have as many parishioners as humanly possible. The band (Eric Sean Nally, Loren Daniel Turner,Daisy Caplan, Schuyler Vaughn White, Aaron McVeigh and Alex Nauth) stopped by to perform their new single “I Like It” followed by a brief chat at the Music Conservatory of Westchester for an A-Sides music session. Enjoy the music (and their hats) below: Foxy Shazam “I Like It” [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1f6w_dty5b0&w=460&h=315] Foxy Shazam Interview: [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHxzxattIXU&w=460&h=315] Hey Rim Jeon World-renowned pianist, composer and educator Hey Rim Jeon has little in common with Foxy Shazam. The pairing of the Korea native with that quirky band for this week’s A-Sides is a wonderful non sequitur, but that’s the point. My series showcases artists making their art — no matter what kind of art or artist it is. Anyway, both Foxy and Jeon thrive in their respective genres so it’s not completely off base. [...]