About the Writers

Kristen DeTroia

Kristen is a CNC Promotions/Booking intern and student at Emerson College. Studying Marketing Communications with a minor in Journalism. She hopes to use this blog to showcase the many artists that CNC represents.

2011

Montana Hauser

Montana is a CNC Music Business intern and student at Emerson College. Studying Visual and Media Arts with a concentration on Radio, she hopes to use this blog to showcase the many artists that CNC represents.

Local Highlights:

Midnight Snack

This seven-piece band from Berklee arrives with a whole lot of spunk and talent. Playing at All Asia on February 4th, 2012 the exquisite funk/jazz band made a personable impression on their listeners. Formed by two brothers Mike and Jack Johnson their music has been ever-evolving and growing over the years.

“It is going to be our one year anniversary as a group in March, so we're almost a year old,” Jack said. He also adds that their “influences range from indie rock bands such as Radiohead and Modest Mouse and artrock like Sigur Ros, to funk bands like Red Hot Chili Peppers, James Brown, and Lettuce. Also some reggae and jazz influence in there

Their live shows are full of energy and positive vibes. The band encourages everyone to dance and groove to their music. It’s a party up on the stage with Midnight Snack, and they love to translate that idea to their audience. Their music can also be comparable to that of Snarky Puppy. Rhythmic varieties are abundant as they take their music to enlightening levels of jazz beats, soulful grooves and catchy exhilarating vibes that leave you dancing through the entire song.

What is unique about this group is that they have more to give than just your average band set up of a drummer, guitarist and bass player. While having all of these elements they also combine keys, horns, two guitarists, beautiful female backing vocals and a ton of other percussive elements that they love to throw into the mix.

Looking into the future of Midnight Snack they are working hard on delivering more music and trying to get play as often as possible.

Jack states, “Currently we are working on our second EP titled "School of Thought", so our most immediate goal is to release that in late February/early March.  We're also juggling a few video projects for our songs at the moment.”

Their first EP was released September 1st; 2011 titled Avenue and is out for your listening pleasure. This four-track album holds all their original songs. Go to their band camp website and name your price for the wonderful music! Make sure to look for Midnight Snack at upcoming shows around the Boston area. http://midnightsnackmusic.bandcamp.com/album/avenew

by: Kristen DeTroia

Mod Gun

Indie psychedelic rock band Mod Gun has been towering the Boston scene for a few years now. These musicians are no strangers to the Boston area. Arising from the North Shore and Danvers Massachusetts, the band includes Paul Peters (Rhythm Guitar/Vocals), Jon Dyer (Lead Guitar), Kathleen Peters (Bass) and Trevor Rubin (Drums). Some of your very own New Englanders have been sent here to rock your face off and melt your brains with their mind bending, psych rock.

Their music doesn’t adhere to the overall average rock sound and structure. Peters vocals are enveloped by distorted heavy guitar and wavering echoes of trippy sound effects. Their sound possesses a very heavy and powerful punch to it without distorting the song itself. Mod Gun has found that perfect median of heavy distortion, clean, yet muddy vocals and colored guitar work. Mod Gun embodies the psychedelic rock genre while bending outside the elements, delivering electric sonic fragments and steady pulsating grooves. 

Their arrangements are extremely tight and well constructed. All their songs have involved dynamics so you will never be left with a lackluster feeling. Their live performance shows this band likes to have fun. Their energetic positive presence translates to the crowd instantaneously when they start to play. Between the intricate effects Peters conducts from his guitar, to whaling guitar solos by Dyer and the pulsating steady groove of Kathleen Peters and Rubin with bass and drums - they can thrash, rock out, and create unique experimental space in their arrangements. Catchy and rhythmically pleasing, Mod Gun inside and out is a indulgence to see and hear live.

Over the past few years the All Asia venue has become their home away from home. Playing last Friday Janury 27^th, 2012 at All Asia, the venue was packed as people kept filtering into the club. More eyes and ears were caught in a trance by this bands unwavering ability to deliver distorted rock and mind-expanding sounds to the audience.

Another great aspect of this band is that you can download all our albums for free. “You can feel good about stealing something” lead signer Paul Peters gestures to his audience at the last All Asia show. As a fan of music, the words “free” and “music” are hard to find when you want to hear a good band. Mod Gun is a modest and friendly group of musicians and they are always happy to play for anyone and everyone. 

With two albums out now you can go to their Bandcamp website and download both of them in their entirety for free. http://modgun.bandcamp.com

By: Kristen DeTroia

Naukabout Festival August 6th

This is the fourth year running that Cape Cod will host to the Naukabout Festival. A solid line-up of New England's favorite local artists is sure to provide attendees with what will be a highlight of the summer.  Artists taking the stage include the Ryan Montbleau Band, a group that fuzes together rock, blues, jazz, soul, funk, americana and more, creating an undefinable but smooth and strong jam-band aesthetic. The sextet have delighted crowds both in Boston and nationally, live shows being the definition of a good time.  Also performing at the festival is the Adam Ezra Group, roots rockers with rich sound and an energy on stage that is absolutely mesmerizing. Will Dailey is another artist worth checking out, the singer-songwriter has worked hard over the years, winning a Boston Music Award for Best Male Singer/Songwriter, his authentic heartfelt tunes are an ideal addition to any summer day. These three artists, what I like to call the ‘local power trio’ are among Boston’s best. Naukabout is the perfect summer festival to check out these great musicians plus a slew of others on August 6th, for the full line-up and all the best Naukabout info, head to their website:http://www.naukabout.com/

By: Montana Hauser

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BOSTON SCENE:

It's not like Boston is on any of the“top ten” lists. Well, at least none of the lists my reliable search engine provided for me. Really, there isn’t much talk about what the music scene is like around here, unless, well, you're from here. And Boston patriotism is unlike any other. Whether it’s sport teams, schools, or musicians, if you've found something in Boston you like, you’re pretty much sworn faithful. Unfortunately, when people think of the Hub, its music community isn't the first thing that comes to mind but what they fail to realize is that Boston's music scene is thriving; it has its own pulse. Sure, there's the constant influx of students that provide a never-ending surge of new ideas, but there’s still those locals with unwavering work ethics and a dedication to the scene that is incomparable. This combination creates a diverse selection of genres and styles, and hey, they sound good, too! Dropkick Murphy's, The Pixies, and Mission of Burma all have roots in Boston, but there are countless artists making their way through the trenches now, playing show after show so that more people will see how vital Boston is as part of the national music community. Since moving here, I've found that being a part of the scene a privilege. Sure, I've seen shows in the big cities of New York and Philly, but they pale in comparison to the energy that the Bean brings. I've swayed, bobbed, moshed and surfed through venues big and small, have seen some good bands, some incredibly good bands, and let me tell you, this town isn't to be missed.

Working at CNC Music Production and thus booking All Asia’s Indie Music Marathon has given me the chance to further my Boston Music knowledge. Talking to seasoned scene veterans, fresh newcomers, and touring outsiders, they too can see great things are cropping up left and right. Especially with the crowd at All Asia, always welcoming of the artists we bring through, stoked to give up-and-comers a place to showcase what they're capable of. One of our faithful artists, singer/songwriter Andrew Mitchell, has played with us a few times, from an artists perspective, he seems to feel the same way about the Bean and it’s music scene: “Boston is a great place for musicians. I've met a lot of fantastic people through playing at open mics and venues like the All Asia. There were a lot of great bands both back in the day, and today. The music is still happening and more people should be aware of it!"

It's time people took notice, because the talent is only growing and sooner or later they won’t be asking kindly for your attention. So check out what's coming up, not only at All Asia, but all the venues across Boston because there’s nothing better than hometown pride.

By: Montana Hauser

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CNC Music Productions

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    Known for its raucous karaoke, The Limelight recently hosted CNC Music Productions Indie Music Marathon. I had the chance to head over and check out the installment that was presented on June 2nd.  The night began with the confident acoustic rockings of Theresa and the Exes.  Theresa and her guitarist pulled out a few covers themselves, Theresa clearly comfortable on stage and eager to perform. 
    Next up, three out of four of the Lesser Knowns took the stage.  Down a bassist, the group was none less stoked to play a show. Having recently completed their EP, these locals are about to move to LA (following their already departed bass player) to embark on the tough but gratifying task of completing a full length album. Out of the studio and on stage the guys looked and sounded like they could jam together forever. Incredibly loud, the band had such spirit and enthusiasm they couldn’t be contained to the stage, guitarist Dan McMahon jumped from the stage into Limelights window giving a show to anyone passing by on Tremont Street. With such a fire, we wish the guys best of luck with their journey and career on the left coast.
   New York’s guitar and drum duo, Kill Kurt Reifler, rolled right through their set.  A good pair, the drummer and guitarist, with a crisp and well organized sound their lack of stage presence drew attention away from their performance. Styling inspiration from the White Stripes, the band could use the versatility that more members would bring to the outfit.
    Soul rocker Jess Ross and her five piece accompaniment was next on the bill. With such a big group, the expectation being an equal size musical output. I was saddened to hear that the number of people on stage contributed to the drowning out of their fellow bandmates. So undefined, it was especially disappointing that Jess Ross didn’t have space to be individually showcased. A cover of Radiohead’s “Karma Police” proved to be most cohesive.
    For each band an almost hour set gave them plenty of time to pull out all the stops, Theresa and the Exes and the Lesser Knowns were the only who really took this opportunity to give it all they had showing both variability and gusto.  To check out more live performances for yourself, head on over to All Asia where CNC Music Productions hosts Indie Music Marathons every weekend.

By: Montana Hauser

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This Weeks Show Spotlight:

Seth Cronin & The Economists: Smooth and with a purpose Seth Cronin's lyrics allow anyone to follow and relate. He brings you into his songs like you're a close friend who has experienced these scenes right along with him. This is what Seth Cronin does, his history becomes your history. Cronin has the ability to soothe your senses and takes you on a tranquil ride. His singing style is more rhythmic talking, but its in no way mundane, especially with strong instrumental hints of those folk instruments you'll definitely love, harmonicas and banjos included. For a diverse taste of what Seth Cronin can do check out Public Transportation and No Place To Raise Your Kids and see him play Thursday May 26th at All Asia!

Nevermind: The thing is, I didn't want this write up to be solely on the fact that Nevermind is a young band. I don't mean young like, they've only solidified their line-up a few months ago, I mean young like, these kids are in high school. And you see, the only reason Nevermind hasn't already swept the Boston scene is because they are so new. If these guys were, say, 5 years older they'd be ripping through venues all across the east coast. However, since the members are still high school aged its hard to find the time to tour. Now that it's summer, this means they are given the chance to truly take their shows to the next level. The rough effortless rants of lead singer Ella Cadena and the hard guitar of Jesse Santossuosso result in the perfect grunge amalgamation, not to be missed. From whatever experience these guys and gal draw from they really bring it with their renewed harsh grunge style. Give this band a month on the scene and they're likely to rip you to shreds. See them Friday May 27th at All Asia!

The Pushovers: It's a beautiful thing when individual artists come together to form a larger group project. Why beautiful, you may ask? Well, as the old saying goes, two heads are better than one, and in the case of The Pushovers, it's three. Although these ladies can hold their own on their own, their three talents provide a smart and intriguing singer-songwriter group dynamic. Mara Levi, Nancy Eddy, and Liz DeRoche are the trio that make up the folk pop harmonies that guide you through each of their songs. Levi, Eddy, and DeRoche have voices that flow together with stunning smoothness and instruments to match, everything meshing for an enchanting 4 minutes. For the perfect example check out Drink It Down to hear the effortless bass, acoustic guitar and drum triplet these sensitive and committed artists have to offer. Coming up to Boston from the DC area, this all-girl band is playing All Asia Friday, May 27th.

The Melissa Savcic Band, a group with an enchanting, ethereal sound that blends sweet acoustic melodies with catchy indie-pop hooks, will play All Asia’s Indie Music Marathon on November 19 at 7 p.m. An incredible lineup of talented bands follows the Melissa Savcic Band: Heiress, Corey Amaral and the Interpretation, Forgotten by Friday, Jamie Simons and finally, The Bridgebuilders go on at midnight.

     Melissa Savcic, 25, has one of the most genuinely sweet voices around. Savcic’s crooning vocals are so soothing that it’s nearly impossible to not empathize with the Venezuelan songstress, who has been writing songs since she was fifteen and divvying her time between the school choir and her then-boyfriend’s heavy rock band. The practice has certainly paid off—her lyrics are beautifully written, and reminiscent of some of her acoustic singer-songwriter idols (namely artists like Jewel, Alanis Morissette and Sarah McLachlan). When Savcic moved from a tiny town in Venezuela to Houston, Texas and met bandmates Chris Gerver, Craig Nelson and Andre Berry, her musical style evolved completely; supplementing the soloist’s sound with bass, guitar and drums provided it with texture and complexity. Today, the Melissa Savcic Band is comparable to groups like Florence and the Machine, Regina Spektor, and Marina and the Diamonds.

     “I want people to relate to my songs. Everyone has different tastes…[but] I am not the only person having issues in a relationship, or enjoying being single, so people have related to some of my songs that spell out their own experiences,” said Savcic. Savcic's newest song, “Dame Mas” (Give Me More), a depiction of Venezuelans fleeing from the present political climate in their homeland, illustrates how relatable her music is. “There is a big population of Venezuelans in Houston, and I’ve gotten a lot of good feedback on how the song speaks to them,” she said.

     The band’s debut album, Walking into the Sunset, is a creative and poignant fusion of alt-rock and acoustic pop. Some of the most notable songs on the album are “Losing It” and “I’m Not That Girl,” catchy, captivating tracks that warrant mainstream attention.

     “It’s always about how I am feeling about something at the moment. If I’m feeling nostalgic, super happy, sad, angry, humorous… I grab my guitar and make up a song about it,” said Savcic about Walking Into the Sunset. “I am very transparent. If you impact my life in some way, I’ll write a song about it.” 

     The Melissa Savcic band will perform at All Asia, 334 Mass Ave. in Cambridge, on November 19 at 7 p.m.  Don’t miss out on what is sure to be a moving performance by this uniquely talented singer and songwriter.

Written by Jennifer Guay

On Saturday, October 16th, Stroamata will host its record release party at All Asia. Their LP, The Phoenix, is an ethereal indie-rock album that exceeds expectations. My Politic, Offiong Bassey, Bad Trick and John Doney will accompany Stroamata, who will play two sets—one at 10 p.m., and one at 12 a.m.

     Harrowing, ethereal vocals, deep, pounding bass, and moody electronic reverberation are what one takes away from Staomata’s sound upon first listen. By juxtaposing indie electro-rock with orchestral pop, Stroamata achieves a plateau of sound unique to today’s scene. Lead singer Dara Eagle’s lyrics are dramatic and haunting, and her voice is unwaveringly graceful. Instrumentalists Akil Marshall, Rob Morrison, Alexander Markowitz and Josh Cohen create complex, elaborate arrangements by layering sounds and textures. Stroamata’s songs evoke emotions across the spectrum, from despair and longing to ecstasy and passion. Their intensity never fails to captivate, creating a strong bond between band and listener. Stroamata’s songs are so harrowingly intimate that while listening, one truly feels as though he or she is plunging headfirst into Eagle’s psyche. The band’s sound is comparable to that of bands like Air, Portishead, and Metric, but Stroamata cannot be completely characterized as one type of band, or pigeon-holed into one genre. Instead of succumbing to trends, Stroamata turns to something completely different, and succeeds in doing so. All of the songs on their EP, The Phoenix, are phenomenal: some violent, some ethereal, some even supernatural. See for yourself: The Phoenix is available for free download on the band’s website, stroamatamusic.com Come out to see Stromata on Saturday, October 16th, at all Asia for their record release party!

Written by Jennifer Guay

Kenny Mehler and Kevin Howard: Scorpion Bar regulars revamp country-rock.

     Although we typically spotlight Indie Music Marathon artists playing at All Asia on the CNC blog, this week we’re introducing another venue with a completely different sound: Scorpion Bar, located in Mashantucket, Connecticut. Scorpion Bar is a traditional Mexican tequila cantina with a unique twist – it is also a rock bar, with an intricately-designed décor heavily shrouded in black and red tones, giving it a deeply gothic feel. In addition to the mesmeric interior, authentic Mexican cuisine and wide selection of tequila and other liquor, Scorpion bar hosts bands and DJs regularly. Two recurrent acts are Kenny Mehler and Kevin Howard, both talented musicians that play a medley of original and cover songs.

     Kenny Mehler is a country/rock/folk singer with a smooth, twangy voice and a great command of feel-good music. Mehler works with five other musicians, and together they tour the east coast, playing over 300 shows a year. With over 2 million MySpace hits on his debut Now, Mehler’s music has been spreading like wildfire online. “R&R” is one of his most memorable songs; its compelling lyrics and great hook are infectious. “8th and 10” and “Better Than That” are also great indicators of the type of sound Mehler projects: acoustic country with a uniquely funky, rock edge. Mehler performs at the Scorpian bar every Thursday night.

     Kevin Howard plays soft, catchy songs that are very clearly wrought with great meaning. Howard sings with soul, and his voice is deeply commanding. Whether he’s earnestly pleading for love on “Anyway” or tortured and sorrowful on “These Four Walls”, Howard pulls his songs off perfectly. He has been studying music most of his life, both as a soloist and in collaboration with other Connecticut and New York musicians. His style ranges from hard rock to soul to folk-Americana, and his recent release, “Far From Grace” reflects these divergent music interests. See him at the Scorpion Bar every Friday night.

Written by Jennifer Guay

Harpers Ferry, a longtime supporter of independent music and CNC collaborator, will host its final show on Halloween

     After forty years as a landmark of the Allston music scene, Harper’s Ferry will close its doors at the end of this month.

     CNC Music Productions and the Brighton-based nightclub had a longstanding relationship producing the popular Indie Rock Parade together. Harper’s Ferry has a reputation for putting on great shows with all types of bands, ranging from niche local outfits to major acts like Aerosmith, Fall Out Boy, Maroon 5, The Dropkick Murphys and Bo Diddley. The club also hosted the well-attended indie/electro 18+ dance night, Paper. Harpers Ferry has served as a haven for Boston’s music aficionados, as well as its expansive sutdent population, since 1970.

     General manager Andrew Wolan announced days ago that the club’s lease had not been renewed by its landlord, and will host its last show on Halloween.  “He didn’t want us there anymore,” said Wolan about landlord John Corey, who also owns Blanchards Liqours.

     Wolan was working on keeping Harpers Ferry open, but time constraints have rendered it impossible. Although the club had bands booked until December, Halloween will be its final showcase.

     The closure of Harper’s Ferry is undeniably a detriment to Boston’s music scene, particularly for lesser-known bands. “Harpers was that in-between [sized] venue for bands to further themselves. It’s one less venue, one less place to play and obviously less exposure and development for artists,” said Wolan.

     In 2008, Harpers Ferry hosted a benefit for United Cerebral Palsy in conjunction with CNC Music Productions founder Christie Leigh Bellany. The benefit, which featured the Pat McGee Band and the Adam Ezra Group, raised $3000 for the cause.

     The club will close its doors on October 31, after New Orleans’ Soul Rebels Brass Band performs the final show. Harper’s Ferry, an icon of the Boston music scene, will be sorely missed by local music lovers.

Written by Jennifer Guay

On Friday, October 1st, All Asia’s Indie Music Marathon presents Christie Leigh, a Boston-native acoustic-pop vocalist with a unique take on the genre. The Red Trio and Nicole Alexandra will play before Leigh, and Hannah and the Moose, Sidewalk Dave and the Boston Molasses Disaster will follow.

     “Day turns into night, what happened to blue skies?/You never see the light/You run around like crazy and wonder, who will save me?/If I never win this fight,” sings Christie Leigh on “When You Need a Moment,” a song about taking pause to just be in a crazy, whirlwind world. Leigh, an acoustic pop chanteuse with a country edge, has honed the art of catchy hooks. Her voice is strong but smooth, and her lyrics are coated with a veneer of audaciousness.

     Leigh’s talent has paid off: “When You Need A Moment” earned her a place as a finalist out of 25,000 entries in the 2007 American Idol Songwriter competition, as well as an Honorable Mention in the 2007 Billboard World Song Contest. “Appealing theme and groove…nice chorus with hook,” said the judges.

     Such achievements are no stranger to Leigh. She not only founded and runs CNC Music Productions, but is also the Director of Marketing and Sales of Big Night Entertainment Group, which owns New England’s most popular nightlife venues. Leigh has been fostering a passion for music since she was a little girl participating in local theatre groups and choir in her hometown of Franklin, Massachusetts. Listening to her father’s rock ‘n’ roll band rehearse shaped her appreciation of a diversity of musical styles, including country, rock, and blues.

     This early exposure to variant genres is reflected in Leigh’s music; her songs are anything but one-dimensional acoustic melodies. Her unique sound thrives on an intense, constantly varying tempo, exemplified by songs like “Deep Down Damned,” an overwhelmingly passionate track about desire, and “Quittin’ For Good,” a song about a mother plagued by addiction. With an immensely catchy hook (“I’m fine/I’m walking in a straight line”) accompanied by a slowed drum tempo, this song is one of Leigh’s best. “And then she’ll call again next Tuesday, and swear she’s quittin’ for good,” she sings, in a deep falsetto, at the song’s close.

     By crafting lyrics that are unique; some world-weary and vulnerable, others grateful and inspired, Leigh’s discography, which includes acoustic albums The Viper Sessions and Live at Perks, as well as EPs Strange Little Story and When You Need a Moment, are multi-faceted and attention-grabbing. Leigh will play an 8 p.m. set at All Asia this Friday – be sure not to miss it!

Written by Jennifer Guay

On Friday, September 24th, All Asia welcomes Gigantic Ant, a Boston-based instrumental fusion rock band, to the Indie Music Marathon lineup. Gigantic Ant goes on at midnight, following Natalie Flanagan, The Mike Travers Band, Corey Amaral and the Interpretation, APB and Bucky O’Hare.

     Gigantic Ant’s music is just as intriguingly eccentric as its name. Their long, multilayered instrumental meanderings are smooth, highly listenable fusion rock with a jazz-funk twinge. The most interesting thing about nascent quartet Gigantic Ant, though, is that in the space of one song, their sound can go from dark and murky to bright and jovial.

     “Most of the songs follow this ‘tragic/comedic fugue’ kind of formula, where things change constantly and its funny and sad and foreboding and nonsensical all at once,” said Jared Howell, the band’s keyboardist.

     Howell and his drummer brother Donovan Edelstein envisioned forming a band like Gigantic Ant long before meeting the rest of their bandmates. Donovan was introduced to Gigantic Ant’s guitarist Balaji Mani at a party at his apartment while the brothers were still playing as a duo under the name Piano Bastard. Edelstein and Mani bonded over a shared love for bands The Bad Plus and Phish, and arranged to play together. While re-tooling Piano Bastard songs, the three musicians, plus former bassist Jared Ball, realized that they had great musical chemistry. When Ball left the band, they played and practiced as a trio until Zach Colton moved to Boston and replaced him, rendering Gigantic Ant complete.

     The group’s first gig was at the Oberon Theatre in Harvard Square, during which Mark Wood form the Trans-Siberian Orchestra opened for them -- quite the coup for a newly formed band. Their repertoire is entirely instrumental, and with song names like “Real Bear Has Bones” (a line from a blooper reef of a Muppet’s movie) and “Good Point, Mr. Wolf” (a reference to quantum physicist Fred Alan Wolf), entirely memorable.

     “If you can say everything you need to say without words, then lyrics seem unnecessary. So far, we’re been making our point with just music,” said Mani, who added that if a particular song necessitated it, he could see the band working with lyrics in the future.

      Even though their songs are entirely without words, the band’s intent is to tell stories with their music. “We try to have funny song titles, we try to have a good 'hook' at the beginning and keep things moving at a good pace, we try to be unpredictable, and we try to have satisfying, thematic endings. To me, they are similar to film scores without films, so a serious piece of music with an absurd title is ideally something that's just conflicting and interesting enough for listeners to even want to try to make sense of it, and hopefully they interpret it in a meaningful way,” said Howell.

     Their sound is very experimental, and dominated by swift melodic turns and odd meter, which Frank Zappa’s music played a part in influencing. "I like how his songs have tightly orchestrated parts but there is still a sense of looseness.  I think it helps the music breathe. And I am generally fascinated by things that breathe,” said Edelstein.

     Edelstein’s characterization is also largely descriptive of his own band’s music: it seems to surge upward, then gradually slow, conjuring an impression of sound as living, breathing thing. Gigantic Ant describes their songs as including an “element of surprise,” which could not be more true; their sound thrives on the tension of anticipation.

     What’s in store for Gigantic Ant in the future? “I hope we can play the Super Bowl Halftime Show when we’re in our fifties,” said Jared, while Donovan’s dreams are a bit more modest: “I’d like to record an album of the songs that we have thus far. And it would be great to tour around so we can see how different people react to our music.”

Check them out live at All Asia this Friday – just in case Super Bowl tickets are difficult to come by.

Written by Jennifer Guay

Friday, September 17th, is guaranteed to be a night of great music at All Asia, punctuated by the appearance of Swift Robinson, an alt-rock band with heart, soul, and a rousing social awareness reflected in their lyrics. Joakim Breicha Quartet, Gabor Lesko, Nikolas Metaxas Band, Hoodless and Voda will accompany them at CNC’s Indie Music Marathon.

     Swift Robinson’s sound epitomizes the ideal for an indie alt-rock band. Their music is catchy and highly accessible, but diverges from the norm with poignant, politically aware lyrics. South Carolina natives Ben Robinson, Casey Bennett, Eddie Williams and Sonny Hopkins strike a great balance in their songs: there is just enough give and take between the hard-hitting drum beats accompanying dominating guitar riffs and the highly listenable, harmonic vocals. Swift Robinson is comparable to bands like Audioslave and Incubus, but can run as heavy as Rage Against the Machine to as ethereal as Wilco. Even still, they manage to omit the whiney, convoluted drivel less talented alt rockers manufacture (read: Nickelback). From the first listen, songs like “Settle Down” and “Synergy” will have you tapping your feet, but most importantly, their lyrics aren’t derivative or shallow—Swift Robinson wants to send a message to the masses, and manages to do so with catchy hooks. The band is steadily climbing through the ranks of the music scene. They started with small shows at their alma mater, Clemson University, evolved into a staple of Clemson’s nightlight scene, and are now on a tour stretching along the Eastern seaboard. With their talent, drive, fast growing following, and newly released full-length album, Miles and Miles, this group is sure to find success. See them, along with five other acts, at All Asia this Saturday. Entrance is $6 ($10 if 18+, and venue is 21+ only after 10 p.m.).  

Written by Jennifer Guay

This Friday at All Asia, New York natives Broverdose will take the stage at 9 p.m., following Sun-Dried Alibi at 7 p.m. and Phillip Noss at 8 p.m.  APB will go on at 10 p.m., Polski Fiat at 11 p.m., and Renee Marcou will close out CNC’s Indie Music Marathon at 12 a.m.

     Although they label themselves as “retro-psychedlic-folk-indie-pop,” Broversdose’s band members have tapped into something many young musicians overlook: the power of simplicity. Nick Bodnar, Chuck Yovino, Brendan Plesha and Brendan Dunn are all only twenty-three, but exude a musical maturity beyond their years. The band members execute their aim—to return to the “pure” form of rock—extremely well, especially considering their short life span as a group. Broverdose manages to seamlessly infuse the sound of contemporary indie rock outfits like Fleet Foxes, Vampire Weekend and MGMT with a sweet Beach Boys/early Beatles twist. As seniors at Binghampton University in New York, their lyrics are clearly influenced by college life, illustrated by tracks like “Weird and Good Things” (also the title of their EP, released last year). Other songs, like “Babbling Creek” are simply beautiful, while “Slow Down” is eclectic and infectious. Broverdose is essentially a group of regular college guys that plays remarkably good music. They are refreshingly unpretentious and don’t take themselves too seriously, as evidenced by the band’s name. In addition to being a Binghampton University favorite, Broverdose has played shows at Syracuse University and locally, at Boston University. See Broverdose and four other outfits at All Asia Saturday night for $6 ($10 if 18+, and venue is 21+ only after 10 p.m.).

Written by Jennifer Guay