photos by Ryan Muir; words by Bill Pearis

Highasakite @ Glasslands, 3/21/2013

Last night (3/21) at Glasslands was a solid line-up of new music, featuring two overseas bands on their way home from SXSW and one live debut. UK act Wall, who played Rockwood Music Hall earlier in the week, started off the night. While Lyla Foy's songs are, at their core, in the folk/pop tradition, she favors distorted keyboards and effected vocals to keep things a bit more interesting. She's an engaging performer, too, with genuine stage presence. It will be interesting to hear more from her.

Up next was the live debut of Luxury Liners, the new moniker of onetime Lower Dens member Carter Tanton. Along with another keyboardist, the songs -- most of which are on LL's debut, out next month on Western Vinyl -- were decidedly more beat-heavy than on the album. Tanton was clearly into it, but it was maybe a little early in the evening for the crowd (who haven't heard the album) to let loose.

Finally it was Norway's Highasakite who dressed the stage in lights and feathers and whose music was equally adorned with extras, like autoharp and coronet. But unlike, say the grand drama of Of Monsters and Men, the songs stayed more in the pop realm, like on "Son of a Bitch" from their new EP. That's a far more appealing sound to these ears. This was the second NYC show for the band who had played Mercury Lounge the night before (3/21).

One other thing to note: Glasslands, who co-presented our Wednesday day party at SXSW last week, was closed most of last week so they could renovate their bathrooms. For those who weren't crazy about the less-than-private stalls they've had for a while, those are now gone and have been replaced by three separate bathrooms each with their own sink. Thought you'd want to know.

More pics from last night's Glasslands show are below...

Continue reading "Highasakite, Luxury Liners and Wall played Glasslands (which got new bathrooms) (pics, review)"

by Andrew Sacher

As mentioned, WALL (aka London singer/songwriter Lyla Foy, not to be confused with hardcore band Walls) came to the US for some shows, including SXSW, and she'll be stopping in NYC this week before heading home. We already discussed her show this Wednesday (3/20) at Rockwood Music Hall and she's since announced that she'll stick around to support Norway's Highasakite at their previously mentioned Glasslands show on Thursday (3/21). Luxury Liners are also on that bill and tickets are still available.

WALL's debut EP, Shoestring, is due out April 2 and after releasing the title track, she's since released another, "Left To Wonder." Like on the title track (and the rest of the EP), Lyla sounds like a loner folk singer (it makes that she's covered Karen Dalton), but instead of singing over bare acoustic guitar, she sings over raw downtempo production. It's pretty interesting and a little Julia Holter-esque. You can stream both tracks below.

Continue reading "WALL adds 2nd NYC show (listen to another new song)"

London resident Lyla Foy records under the name Wall and makes intimate, delicate songs like "Shoestring," which is the title track from her first EP, out April 2 on Big Picnic. You can stream it below.

Wall will be crossing the Atlantic next month for SXSW and will stop in NYC on the way home, playing Rockwood Music Hal on March 20. No advance tickets for that just yet. Before her visit to America, Wall will be on tour with Local Natives in Europe, and all upcoming dates are listed below.

Continue reading "London singer Wall releasing debut EP, touring Europe with Local Natives, playing SXSW and NYC (dates, stream)"