Backyard Superheroes – Most of All

Backyard Superheroes debuted a new song and video last night during the 7+ hour Supernova Ska Festival: Quarantine Edition. There have been a lot of socially distanced music videos popping up during quarantine, and I have loved seeing what people come up with to make up for the fact they can’t be in a room together. This one was no exception.

First off, I love how it starts with the introduction proclaiming them “the 7th best ska band in New Jersey”. I also love all the background items and in general getting a tase of members’ individual styles. From a Captain America shield on one wall to another wall covered in Funkos, there’s lots of fun nerd stuff to spot. (The tiny Devils helmet was my personal favorite, as I’m originally from NJ and am a huge Devils fan). 

I would be remiss if I focused too much on the video and didn’t talk about the song itself. At just over 3 minutes it’s a fast-paced number about all the things they miss in quarantine – but especially their friends. It’s a sentiment I think we can all understand, packaged in a song I could easily listen to on repeat a few times.

The video closes with the announcer proclaiming, “Wasn’t that something with the horns and the beards”

Yes, sir, It was quite something.

Most of All is available to purchase on their Bandcamp. All proceeds are being donated to the ACLU.

LaLa DANCE

I mentioned back in May about a new Kids of 88 album to look forward to and gave you a video to hold you over until review time. We’re not quite there yet (Oct 5th is the scheduled release date), but here’s another sample to keep you going till then. The song is “LaLa” and will have you up and dancing in your cubicle or living room in no time.

You can find more information about the band and their happenings at the usual places, including their website and Facebook.

Florence + The Machine – Shake It Out

Florence + The Machine saw the debut of the video for “Shake It Out” yesterday. I swear, I get more and more excited with each new update from this rhythmically proficient artist. The new song is great, and the video features some wonderful costumes. I’m really looking forward to the album’s debut in November.

Florence + the Machine – What the Water Gave Me

If you were worried that Florence + the Machine would not be able to duplicate the amazing sounds of their first album, then “What the Water Gave Me,” the first single of the new album due in November, should prove you wrong. The song is exactly the quality level you would expect from the band that blew us away with their debut “Lungs”. Don’t take my word for it, though. Here is the video for “What the Water Gave Me”

Jukebox the Ghost/Wakey Wakey Tour

Last week I was lucky enough to make it to both the Brooklyn and NYC dates of Jukebox the Ghost tour with Wakey Wakey. The Brooklyn show was at Rock Shop, and the other was at Bowery Ballroom. This was my first time at Rock Shop, and it might be one of my new favorite venues. It was a nice space with good sound and just enough room to dance. Highlights from this tour included a very memorable fan at this venue and three new songs performed by the band (two new songs + a tasteless cover). The cover was of Huey Lewis’ “The Power of Love,” which fans seemed to respond well to. The two new songs sound great, and have me very excited for future new material and hopefully a new record. There’s eight videos from the Rock Shop on my YouTube page, but I will post the new stuff below.

Here are the two new songs:

and the tasteless cover:

Like I said, I love the new stuff, and I even caught myself singing them after two nights in a row of seeing them performed live. The complete set list was as follows:

Mistletoe
Half Crazy
Hold It In
Interlude/The Stars
Empire
Summer Sun
new song
Nobody
new song
Good Day
Static
Power of Love (Huey Lewis cover)
Schizophrenia

Be sure to check out the other videos I took, as well as a few pictures from the two shows.

Matt Lowell – New Song + Upcoming Date

Matt Lowell is a local NYC musician who just released a new EP March 8th.  You can listen to and download the song “Swan Lake” from Paste Magazine. He also has a show tomorrow night 6:30pm at Mercury Lounge.  Hope to see you there (I’ll be the one in the front with her shiny new camera).