Here are musician Ken Beasley’s top music picks on the Lower East Side for this weekend:
ABBY AHMAD – Fri, Sep 30 І 7:30PM at Rockwood Music Hall
Abby Ahmad brings a hyper fresh musicality to her songwriting. Blessed with a naturally strong, clear voice, the dexterous Ahmad also has a knack for the feisty, percussive guitar style that leads most of her songs. Not afraid to surprise the listener, Ahmad is happy to break with convention and fill out her arrangements with everything from a trio of thumping field drums to full 60’s-Spy horn sections. FREE//196 Allen St.
SARAH AND THE STANLEYS – Sat, Oct 1 І 3PM at Rockwood Music Hall
She might not look like a Gregory Brother, but Sarah Gregory, who has been part of the family for years through marriage, has not only been a core contributor to the Gregory’s viral sensation Auto-Tune the News, but also to a slew of other bands and musical outfits. This outing sees Sarah stepping out for a lovely afternoon set with her stellar group Sarah and the Stanleys, singing hot soul numbers with plenty of dancing high-hat, groovy horns, and her own extraordinary vocal talents. FREE//196 Allen St.
RADAR FICTION – Sun, Oct 2 І 9 at The Mercury Lounge
Fast, aggressive, utterly indifferent…just a few of the reasons why you shouldn’t miss Radar Fiction’s show at the Mercury. I say “indifferent” in the sense that they do what they do, at the frequency at which they do it, and that’s simply the way that it is. That exactly how a rock band SHOULD be. It’s been a slow burn for the band when they first formed, but in the last 2 years, they’ve released 2 EPs, “1.1.2.3.5” in 2009, and last years “Danger Lady”, both equally harsh and satisfying. If you like punk, post-punk, or whatever the hell it is that people are calling it, you should be at this show. $8// 217 E. Houston St.
Splitting his time between performing and producing, contributor Ken Beasley primarily plays with his own roots/rock band, Ken Beasley & Co., as well as the power punk outfit, Missy Sport, while also curating the Underground at the Abrons music series on the Lower East Side
