DOWNLOAD: Cale Parks - One at a Time (MP3)

photos by Andrew Frisciano, words by Benjamin Lozovsky

On Saturday October 24, a night full of swirling electronica, booze-soaked theatrics, and plenty of limey-infused glamour came together at the Topman CMJ Party at Roots Studios. The British urban fashion superstore hosted an RSVP only show at the massive studio space in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, which included performances by The Almighty Defenders, Neon Indian, and Cale Parks, along with DJ sets by X-Wife, Finger on the Pulse, NROTB, and Designer Drugs.

To the dismay of some concert-going hopefuls waiting in the rain outside the venue, CMJ badges weren't accepted at the event. That didn't stop the cavernous white rooms of Roots Studios from filling up to capacity with an eager, talkative, and ultra-fashionable crowd. Their anticipation was rewarded with a uniquely curated event that had free drinks spilling forward everywhere from the Svedka-sponsored open bar to the front of the stage.

The first performance was by Cale Parks, an indie scene veteran better known for his role as a multi-instrumentalist in Aloha and as a the drummer for Brooklyn-based electronic musician White Williams. His own music expands on the styles of his other gigs, melding a tightly controlled, polyrhythmic, shadowy electro experience with an undeniable layer of heart-felt sincerity. Performed songs like We Can Feel It and One At A Time demonstrated his prowess for accentuating the emotional quality of his music over a layer of hard-hitting percussion and rising and falling synth stabs. Parks' direct and plaintive vocal lines seem to balance perfectly between cozy and unsettled, as they found their place amongst the subtly subversive electronic textures he and his band construed.

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Continue reading "Neon Indian, The Almighty Defenders & Cale Park @ Roots Studios during CMJ - review, pics & video "

DOWNLOAD: Neon Indian - Terminally Chill (MP3)

Neon Indian (aka Alan Palomo)'s tour dates have been updated since August. Alan (pictured above) can currently be found down South enjoying the warm weather in Florida and will then make his way up to NYC in time for at least two shows over CMJ weekend. The first is a free-with-RSVP (topman@jellynyc.com), Topman-sponsored, JellyNYC-produced show at Root Studios in Brooklyn on Saturday night, October 24th with The Almighty Defenders, Cale Parks and a bunch of DJs: X-Wife, Finger on the Pulse, NROTB, and Designer Drugs. Flyer below.

The second Neon Indian show is the next afternoon with Real Estate at The Living Room (kids only!). Real Estate are also playing the Mexican Summer showcase at Music Hall of Williamsburg unlike Washed Out who is only playing a pre-CMJ NYC show at Santos... which Finger on the Pulse are also DJing.

As you know, The Almighty Defenders is new VICE-signed group that combines King Khan, BBQ, and The Black Lips into one big band. This NYC show is one day before they play Maxwell's in Hoboken. Tickets are still on sale for that.

Neon Indian's debut album Psychic Chasms is out today (10/13) (vinyl available October 27th). Pitchfork gave it Best New Music. "Terminally Chill" from that CD is available for free download above.

All Neon Indian dates and a Topman show promo video and flyer, below...

Continue reading "Neon Indian on tour, playing free Topman show w/ The Almighty Defenders & Cale Parks during CMJ (2009 dates) "