Artists from New York are known to be witty, sarcastic and tough. Why? Because the streets are flooded with performers awaiting their big break, groupies who want a piece of the action and enough alcohol to float the Titanic . . . again! Here are three new artists from New York that although you may not have heard of, are better than what you know.
The Break-Up
The Break-Up, is a five-piece Brooklyn based band. Made up of, Jamie S. – vox, Jeff M. – guitar, Jay H. – bass, Allie L – keys, and Greg A. – drums, they are full of driving riff-loaded songs with witty yet oh-so trashy lyrics. Their new five-song e.p., She Went Black, is filled with stellar songs to rock out to before or after a long night of drinking. Though seeing them live may be your best cure.
How did The Break-Up form?
Out of the ashes of lesser bands and broken relationships. We were all on a booze cruise for Rob Clinton (NY State Senate hopeful), when we traded stories of our unhappiness with both significant others and our current musical situations. We all played together at one time or another and knew that we clicked, so we decided that the only thing to do was to end all that heartache and start over together. We also had certain ideas in common, about what we wanted to do with our music. Of course, we formed that band and many of us have moved on to good relationships, so I don't know how appropriate the band name is anymore, but at the time...
How would you describe what you sound like to someone who’s never heard your music?
We get all kinds of comparisons, but my favorite, however accurate it may be, is from a reviewer named Stephanie Coplan. She said we're "influenced by 60s psych-rock, British '80s pop like The Cure and The Smiths, and a little bit of Motown." I think it gets heavier than that, but overall I'm happy with that description. It certainly fits my taste in music.
If you could meet a celebrity or musician (dead or alive), who would it be and what would you drink?
Tracy Pew (the late, great bass player of The Birthday Party.) Probably gasoline or something worse, I don't know.
Tell me one of your favorite albums?
James - Dirk Wears White Socks - Adam and the Ants
Jeff - Nowhere - Ride
Allie - The Last Waltz - The Band
Jay - In The Flesh - Johnny Thunders
Greg - Here Come The Warm Jets - Brian Eno
You guys have played all over New York City, and toured the Midwest and California. Do you have a funny tour or gig story?
Yeah, our rhythm section had a gross threesome with this really ugly girl in New Orleans, and they won't fucking shut up about it. Ha-ha, very funny.
Why should anyone listen to your new e.p. “She Went Black?”
Because German girls like it and get drunk and dance around their room to it. I know this to be true, and while I don't know many Germans, this seems like a good sign that it makes Germans dance around a room. They're usually so dour. Also, you can learn the words by singing along with songs at our shows. And just when you are starting to want more songs we'll be done with our new full-length.
The Vitamen
Manhattan based, The Vitamen, blend melodic harmonies, catchy pop and deeply revealing lyrics that are quirky and fun. Jesse Blockton – vocals, Matt Hyams – guitar, and Dave Rozner – drums, have acquired a following for their off-the-cuff humor, dry wit and an entertaining live show that doesn’t suck.
What exactly are Vitamen, and are they chewable?
Jesse – The Vitamen are three guys in a band called The Vitamen. You can chew on their balls & it makes them giggle.
How would you describe what you sound like to someone who’s never heard your music?
Dave - Something about our song writing is very American, though I can't put my finger on it. We have a vast assortment of song styles, and arrange a lot of three part harmonies and two part backing vocals behind a lead vocal. The biggest influence on those arrangements would be the Beatles.
The lyrics to your songs range from ridiculously revealing to sarcastic to blush-worthy just hearing. Example: “Is every girl on earth molested or am I just bad in bed?” from the song, Molested on the album FUN. Where do you come up with these lyrics and do you get embarrassed on stage singing them?
Jesse - Our first batch of songs was very penis-oriented. I think we've either gotten the penis songs out of our system, or exhausted every possible penis avenue. The only song that embarrasses me now is Roommate (from the first album) about ripping the skin off my dick because of masturbating too much.
We don't play that one anymore & I'm happy about that. The lyrics to the newer songs are still pretty revealing but I don't really get embarrassed for some reason. I think Matt & Roz are the same way with their lyrics. Lyrically, we're just three simple, working class guys from around the way that you might be sitting next to at a minor league baseball game or seized automobile auction.
Tell me one of your guilty pleasures?
Jesse - the recreational use of cocaine.
Dave - sex in the office place.
Matt - paying girls to be unresponsive when they fool around with Jesse. It's for the music.
Why should anyone listen to your new album?
Jesse - I think everybody should listen to our new album. We're really excited about it. We went to a house in Cape Cod for a week with a lot of instruments & had a very good time making it. I recommend this to any band deciding how to record something. Borrow some equipment & go to an empty house for a few days. As strange as some of the songs sound instrument wise, the whole thing has a nice, loose, live feeling. It sounds like a house.
Emily Curtis
The best singer/songwriters usually write from a place that’s a little left of the heart. Namely, that area that is a little tough from bad experience and the wear and tear of relationships. Emily Curtis comes to mind as her music, especially her new self-titled album, delves head first into the twists and turns of being in, out and sick of love, while having great upbeat melodies that act more as a silver-lining than a heartfelt goodbye.
You write a lot of songs about bad relationships. What’s the deal?
Isn't it disgusting? I used to write more abstractly, trying to avoid lyrics about love and relationships like everybody else... I mean how many ways can you basically say the same thing? Love, love, love, blah-blah-blah. However, I had a lot of feelings bottled up from many years, and when I sat down to write they all came out. I guess the record could have been more balanced out with some important songs about the state of the world and things like that. But at the time I felt that the only thing I'm an absolute expert on is me, so that's what I did. My next one will be about rainbows and puppies.
Are you influenced more by male or female musicians? Which ones?
I like guys with a high voice like Jeff Buckley or a chick who can rock like Julianna Hatfield or Liz Phair.
What influences the way you write songs?
Usually the melody dictates everything. That influences the whole song.
How would you describe what you sound like to someone who’s never heard your music?
Pop alternative story-telling folk with an edge?
Why should anyone listen to your new self-titled album, Emily Curtis?
Because you're tired of listening to the same 10 songs on the radio. Because you want to support a new indie artist. Because you need a cool present for your girlfriend. Because you're not afraid...
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