Dartmouth Soundoff: New York Artists
Those who know me personally know that I've called New York home for the past six months, and I can't believe that will come to an end in two short weeks, bringing me even closer to my return to Dartmouth. (From what I read online, I feel like now could be a weird time to come back, but I'll save those thoughts for a place that isn't my music column.) I realized that I was about to leave here without really using New York for column material, save for a few concert reviews this fall, so I guess here's my chance.
But where do I even begin? New York is the largest metropolitan area in the U.S., the financial capital of the world and arguably the cultural center of our nation, so its thriving music scene goes without saying. Do I touch on the classics of our parents' generation likeThe Velvet Underground or the Ramones? Do I get into the foundations of East Coast hip-hop and discuss Run-D.M.C. and Public Enemy? Do I even dare mention chart-toppers Lady Gaga and Jay-Z?
Instead of going into a specific New York music community or even investigating some current city-specific niche – like the Brooklyn rave scene or the best of buskers – I'll go through some must-listens if you want to know anything about current New York music . About half of this list has transcended the level of community celebrity and entered the land of universal recognition, but a few of these artists are still getting there. But hey, if you can make it in New York, you can probably make it anywhere.
Who's new: Ian Isiah
Named one of Spin's five best new artists in December, Ian Isiah released his debut album “The Love Champion” last year. Isiah is definitely in the thralls of the New York hip-hop and R&B scene, and teamed up with fellow New Yorker Mykki Blanco in "That Body."
Who blends old and new country:Gogol Bordello
New York has long been known for its immigrant communities, and Gogol Bordello is a prime example of what happens when you take a Roma-Ukranian and drop him in the mid-90s Lower East Side music scene. The band’s music is not for everyone, but Gogol Bordello occupies the "gypsy punk" niche.
Who’s wrapped up in their "aesthetic": NewVillager
New York has a breed of people who are really into cultivating their aesthetic – visually, aurally and conceptually. To a newcomer it may seem trendy, but the bougie gimmick can grow tiresome after a while. NewVillager is one of those bands that's trying to develop some sort of multimedia aesthetic, something you can't fully experience when just listening to it as you walk down the street. On a stand-alone basis, I guess that whole notion is pretty cool, but I'm glad that their sound is good enough for me to just pop in my earbuds and listen to without the whole package.
Who Christina Aguilera blew up: A Great Big World
Basically, "Say Something" is a nice run-of-the-mill indie pop ballad that Xtina heard and decided she dug, so naturally she got A Great Big World to re-record the song featuring her as a vocalist. I mean, that's what I do when I really like a song. Also, Aguilera was born in Staten Island, so bonus points for this entry.
Who's had the most critically acclaimed hip-hop debut: Nas
The on-again off-again Jay-Z rival released what is arguably the most important hip-hop record of the decade, “Illmatic,” in 1994. I refrained from including "N.Y. State of Mind" in my playlist, but I guess 20 years ago that reference wasn't a cliché — at least not to Nas.
Who's trying to make the subways better: LCD Soundsystem
You haven't mastered the subway until you can swipe your metro card at the turnstile without breaking stride. Swipe too fast and you see the dreaded "Swipe Again" message along with a beep chiming in dissonance with the other turnstiles. Fortunately, former LCD Soundsystem frontman James Murphy has a plan to revamp the city’s 3000-plus turnstiles into a "Subway Symphony," with chimes harmonizing with each other. Murphy was unable to get a meeting with former Mayor Michael Bloomberg, but he's hoping for better luck with Mayor Bill de Blasio, Rolling Stone reports.
Who you've probably never heard of: DIIV
New York has a ton of bands that don't reach the mainstream American demographic and probably never will. They may become moderately successful in the local circuit, but not everyone can be The Strokes. DIIV is one such band navigating this frontier. The dream-wave band's debut album in 2012, “Oshin,” made Stereogum and Pitchfork’s year-end lists , so the band is doing something right, and a place like a big city has a critical mass of niche-genre fans to support the act.
Who you probably should've never heard of: Yeah Yeah Yeahs
A classic girl-from-Oberlin-comes-to-the-big-city story. Wait, isn't that the premise of HBO's “Girls”? Well, yes, but Karen O was first and Lena Dunham has yet to transform Hannah into a gritty garage-punk star. In a sea of weird, artsy New York bands, Yeah Yeah Yeahs managed to rise to the top with Grammy nominations and international tours often reserved for acts that are more, well, normal. About what I said earlier ("if you can make it in New York, you can probably make it anywhere"), I take it back. The Yeah Yeah Yeahs wouldn't have made it without New York.
Who is my synthpop band this week: HAERTS
Chvrches. Savoir Adore. Even late Tegan and Sara. There's a theme here beyond being among my most played in recent months. This is my most self-indulgent entry, but HAERTS is from New York and the EP “Hemiplegia” was produced by fellow Brooklynite St. Lucia (Jean-Philip Grobler). Not a coincidence.
Who showed up to your freshman year pregame:Sleigh Bells
Remember when there was no better way to attract a knock on your door from a well-intentioned UGA than blasting "Crown on the Ground"? I'm not going to blow up your ears with the once ubiquitous and always lo-fi hit, but here's another widely recognized track, "Rill Rill."
Who's "made it":Vampire Weekend
From a battle of the bands at Columbia University to earning the title of the whitest band in the world after entering the public eye, we learned that nothing kills a rags-to-riches success story like starting in the Ivy League. Now the band is selling out stadiums and just won a Grammy for its third album, “Modern Vampires of the City.” A couple of weeks ago, my roommate said he passed lead singer Ezra Koenig in the East Village. God, I love this city.