Here’s TLD Contributor Flora Theden’s weekly run-down of the best live music on the Lower East Side.
Thursday – Fat White Family
One of the coolest bands we’ve heard in a while. The South London-based rock ‘n’ roll/post-punk band released their first album in 2013. It garnered critical and public buzz for the unique scuzzy sound that can be compared to the likes of the Butthole Surfers and Charles Manson. Their sound is reminiscent of a dark, dirty basement in 1960 where you should be afraid to sit on the plastic covered orange and yellow patterned sofa.
Listen to: Touch the Leather
Mercury Lounge // April 2nd // 9:30pm // $15
Thursday – May
A pop singer-songwriter, May is a little more interesting than most in that genre, considering she’s a self-taught musician who writes by ear. Her career began in Benelux, based on a critically acclaimed song written at the age of 16, then May moved to NYC’s East Village. She works with producer Sterling Fox, who’s worked with Avicii, Madonna and Lana Del Rey.
Listen to: Sunday Night
Rockwood Music Hall // April 2nd // 9pm // Free
Friday – The London Souls & The Skins
Soul + Rock ‘n’ Roll. Get ready to dance, head bang, sing along, and leave sweaty and exhausted from this high-energy show. The Skins are an infectious Brooklyn-based rock band consisting of band members ages 15 to 21, but you’d never guess that from their complex sound.
The London Souls’ unique reinterpretation of classic hard-hitting rock and roll formulae recalls elements of the past with an ever-present boundless energy, fit to cement their place in the future.
Listen to: Dead Hands by The Skins
Bowery Ballroom // April 3rd // 9pm // $15
Tuesday – New Carolina
A New York City based Folk Rock/Americana band with members hailing from New Jersey and North Carolina, the band’s catalogue of songs stem from the combined forces of three independent singer/songwriters. Influenced by genres such as roots rock, folk, country, blues, and bluegrass, their sound is peaceful, harmonic and sultry. Just listen to the song below and see if you don’t end up with it on ‘repeat’. Plus, their album is named South of Stanton. Gotta support the L.E.S. shout-out!
Listen to: Amazing Grace
Piano’s // April 7th // 9pm // $8
Wednesday – Spires
Brooklyn-based psych-pop at it’s best, Spires is led by singer and guitarist Matt Stevenson. Breathy vocals mixed with synth, catchy guitar, and a psychedelic brit-pop vibe (complete with the long-haired, sad-looking guys in leather jackets) come together for a sound that will make you want to sing along and dance in the crowd – after your second PBR of course.
Listen to: Candy Flip
Mercury Lounge // April 8th // 6:30pm // $10
Flora Theden lives and works in the Lower East Side. She is an Account Executive in the Hospitality Division of Brandsway Creative, a Public Relations, Marketing and Branding firm.
