We’re getting excited for The Lo-Down’s CMJ Showcase at Fontana’s October 18th — and you’re all invited! We’ll be kicking off the annual music festival with a great Lower East Side-centric evening curated by Ken Beasley, TLD’s music editor. One of the things we’re passionate about is supporting this neighborhood’s amazing creative community. Our CMJ Showcase is a great opportunity to celebrate their artistic contributions. Here’s the lineup:
Just this week, IFC called LES resident Boshra al Saadi an “indie electro goddess.” A CMJ veteran, this Syrian-born singer-songwriter has been part of the downtown music scene for 15 years — since she was 17. The eccentric, experimental artist says her diverse influences include: Bob Dylan, classic 80′s synth pop, traditional Arabic music, punk rock, Nigerian music and Brian Eno. Check out Saadi’s new video – “Bad Seeds” (The Soundmen Remix).
If you hang out in Lower East Side music venues, you probably already know Andrew Vladeck. The singer-songwriter with deep New York City roots plays alt-folk, post-Americana rock. Vladeck is a former urban park ranger. A fascination with the interplay between nature and the big city is evident throughout his music. Vladeck’s latest EP, Passing Knowledge, is a mix of lyrical-oriented songs and finger-style instrumentation. His great-grandfather was legendary labor leader Baruch Charney Vladeck (the Vladeck Houses were named for him).
Frequent Mercury Lounge rockers “Less the Band” features theater and film veterans Adam Rapp, Paul Sparks, Rob Beitzel, Ray Rizzo and Michael Chernus. Since 2004, these guys have been writing as a collaborative. On any given night, “they could blah-blah like Pixies… shig-dig like Modest Mouse, or … ring-ding like My Bloody Valentine…” Earlier this year, they released their album, Robot, on ITunes.
And finally, as previously announced, guitar crunching rock band Desert Sharks are the winners of our “open call!” Bust Magazine recently described them as, “four tough gals with tons of swagger and a heavy sound that any fan of amped-up rock ‘n’ roll will love.” Listen to their music here.
We can’t wait to hear all four bands and to see you on the 18th, at Fontana’s, 105 Eldridge. (only $10 for the whole night!) Head over to our Facebook event page for more info.
