Here are musician Ken Beasley’s top music picks on the Lower East Side this weekend:
ETHAN LIPTON – Friday, Jan. 7 | 9PM at Rockwood Music Hall
Musically, Ethan Lipton is all over the place. One second he’s honky-tonkin’ through a tune about aged people’s loss of hearing, and the next he’s singing a soft Brazilian samba about a woman’s need for a man to serve all her utilitarian desires. Lipton might swing from genre to genre, but it really, really works. Especially when it’s anchored by his cool wit and dynamic supporting band. FREE // 196 Allen St.
THE DANCE PARTY – Saturday, Jan. 8 | 10:30PM at The Mercury Lounge
Washington D.C.’s The Dance Party moved to L.A. to fulfill their destiny of living the late-night booze-and-babes rock n’ roll lifestyle – and they’ve done it. But somewhere along the way, they managed to write some solid, hook-laden retro-rock songs. Claiming to be inspired by the iconic hair metal bands of the 80’s, their sound seems to pay just as much tribute to the likes of The Cars and Kajagoogoo. What could be wrong with that? $10 // 217 East Houston St.
TIM ROBINSON – Sunday, Jan. 9 | 9PM at Rockwood Music Hall
Singer/songwriter Tim Robinson’s last album “Money in the Woods” brought in heaps of well-deserved critical praise. He’s now put the finishing touches on his latest recording, “Helena’s Radio,” which is set to come out in the next few months. Robinson’s early influences include heavy hitters like John Prine and Greg Brown, but what he’s been turning out in the last 10 years, is his and his alone. Understanding his own limits and strengths, he leaves the crooning to the crooners, the virtuosity to the virtuosos, and instead writes songs that pack in so much heart, grit, and poetic imagery, he’s virtually painting in 3-D. FREE // 196 Allen St.
Splitting his time between performing and producing, contributor Ken Beasley primarily plays with his own roots/rock band, Ken Beasley & Co. (in fact you can catch them playing at Rockwood Music Hall this Sunday at 9:30pm!), as well as the power punk outfit Missy Sport, while also curating the Underground at the Abrons music series on the Lower East Side.
