Standing Around

“Panda” (Live at Cake Shop 10.20.09) - Motel Motel

Recorded by Matt R. for Standing Room

Without doubt, Motel Motel is meant to be enjoyed live.  My first introduction to the band was “Coffee Coffee,” and the live rendition was so beautiful that it sent chills down my spine.  But, Motel Motel is not a one-album pony.  They played mostly new songs during their short set at the CMJ showcase presented by Pop Tarts Suck Toasted, and they did not disappoint.  We’ve posted our favorite here, but head over to Standing Room to hear the rest.  These new songs all have working titles, so don’t be surprised if they change in the future.  Go here for information on purchasing their music.

-Mimi

“Floating Vibes” (Live at Pianos 10.21.09) - Surfer Blood

Surfer Blood was the buzz on everyone’s lips during CMJ. Playing a total of 13 times over the course of 7 days in NYC, Surfer Blood made sure that they could be seen and heard by everyone. Standing Room was there twice, and we bring you their set from Force Field PR’s day party at Pianos. Surfer Blood is too fun to resist, and I have to admit that I’ve fallen hard for their music. These days, I rarely see bands who are really truly excited by their music and having the opportunity to play. Maybe it’s due to the overall nature of CMJ week, but the raw energy of Surfer Blood made me remember why live music is so thrilling in the first place. No worries if you haven’t been able to see this band yet. Head on over to Standing Room to hear the rest of the set.

-Mimi

“Parallel July” (Live at Cake Shop 10.20.09) - Dinosaur Feathers

Recorded by Matt R. for Standing Room

Dinosaur Feathers is a band that we’ve been wanting to check out ever since we heard “Know Your Own Strength.” Lush vocal harmonies, backed with tropical beats and strums, serve as a focal point of their music, and it’s a refreshing change from the bands who turn up the vox reverb to the muddled maximum.  From their most recent EP, “Parallel July” was one of our favorites from a short set at the CMJ showcase presented by Pop Tarts Suck Toasted. You can grab the EP for free here, and head on over to Standing Room to hear the rest of the set. Dinosaur Feathers is currently working on wrapping up their new album, and we can’t wait to hear more experimental pop at its best.

-Mimi

“Anne Marie” (Live at Cameo Gallery 10.08.09) - We Are Country Mice

Recorded by Matt R. for Standing Room

It’s impossible to get a decent photo at this venue sans flash.

We Are Country Mice may be based in Brooklyn, but they wear their Midwestern roots on their sleeves.  Ear Farm describes We Are Country Mice as Motel Motel meets Suckers and, after seeing the band play a set at Cameo Gallery last week, we can see where that comparison comes from.  A first listen to WACM would classify the band as alt-country, but it’s their experimental edge that makes them a rising band to watch.  Delightfully catchy melodies tinged with artful noise, including some from a megaphone, make WACM a listen that I can’t seem to get out of my head.  We’ve posted “Anne Marie” above, and be sure to go over to Standing Room for more from We Are Country Mice’s set at Cameo Gallery.  Definitely check out a WACM show if you’re in need of some unpretentious fun.  Just don’t blame us if find yourself humming some of their songs as you wander around town.

-Mimi

“You” (Live at Cake Shop 09.24.09) - Essie Jain

Recorded by Matt R. for Standing Room

via cameraphonic (not from the show)

Essie Jain may be a Brooklynite nowadays, but she hasn’t shaken off her British charm one bit.  Although she’s been described as being simple and sweet, her minimalistic music is anything but forgettable.  As our audio recordist says, Essie Jain is meant to be enjoyed live.  The otherworldly serenity of her music is almost haunting, and Standing Room brings you one of her songs from an intimate performance at NYC’s Cake Shop.  Enjoy!

-Mimi

“Bell” (Live at Death By Audio 09.26.09) - Screaming Females

Recorded by Matt R. for Standing Room

via Tiny Mix Tapes

I missed Screaming Females at Northside Festival, and I was pretty upset with myself. My Twitter feed basically told me that I missed one of the best (if not THE best) act of the festival. Thankfully, Standing Room recordist Matt is a big fan of Screaming Females, and they were nice to help us bring their entire set from a recent show to you. As you can tell by this live version of “Bell,” Screaming Females seriously rock. I’m going to let the wild guitar ripping and shrieking Marissa Paternoster speak for how awesome this band is and why you should rush to their shows. You can head on over to their band page to hear the rest. DIY punk from New Brunswick, NJ?  HELL YES!

-Mimi

“I Guess The Lord Is In New York” (Live at Mercury Lounge 09.27.09) - Makeout Videotape

Recorded by Matt R. for Standing Room

Makeout Videotape has been touring with Japandroids, my favorite act from Pitchfork Music Festival ‘09, and we were lucky to catch them. Like Japandroids, Makeout Videotape is a two-piece hailing from Vancouver, and they’re apparently signed onto the same Canadian label, Unfamiliar Records. According to BeatRoute Magazine, singer and guitarist Mac DeMarco recently finished high school, and I would assume that it’s the same case for drummer Alex Calder. But, don’t expect Makeout Videotape to sound like a typical high school garage band. If anything, Makeout Videotape only show their age through their genuinely easy-going nature, which I find to be a captivating characteristic for any band.  ”I Guess The Lord Is In New York” is currently my favorite Makeout Videotape song, but be sure to head over to Standing Room to hear the rest of the set.  Don’t miss Mac’s killer Kurt Cobain impression.

-Mimi

“Death to Fame” (Live at Mercury Lounge 09.20.09) - Golden Triangle

Brooklyn’s Golden Triangle has toured with Deerhunter, King Khan & the Shrines, and the Intelligence, and they could have easily closed out this night at Mercury Lounge.  Even though there was a sparse Sunday evening crowd, it didn’t seem to phase Golden Triangle one bit.  Standing Room brings you a small piece of their energetic set with the recently renamed “Death to Fame.” The two singers of Golden Triangle make shaking the tambourine look so fun that it makes me want to run away and join a band.

-Mimi

“Mega Secrets” (Live at Cameo Gallery 08.29.09) - Family Portrait

Recorded by Matt R. for Standing Room

via Camp Revival (not from Cameo Gallery show)

“We’re Family Portrait, and we’re here to melt faces.”

At the same show that we saw Holiday Shores, we also caught Family Portrait, the house band of the spectacular Underwater Peoples Records.  Melting faces is their specialty, but I was rather romanced by the band’s lovable stage presence and breezy, hypnotic tunes.  Oh, and I love that they list psychobilly as one of their genres on their MySpace. Listen to “Mega Secrets,” watch the official music video with flamethrowers, and vote it to SXSW.  Head on over to Standing Room to hear the rest of the set.

-Mimi

“Lightning” (Live at Brooklyn Yard 08.29.09) - Air Waves

Recorded by Matt R. for Standing Room

via forklift

I think Dan Deacon describes Nicole Schneit’s music perfectly: “The music she writes is like a favorite blanket wrapped around you.”  With that kind of praise, Standing Room had to check out Air Waves’ set at Impose Magazine’s Brooklyn Yard party. We share a piece of that set with you here with “Lightning,” a song so delightfully soothing that it’s very much like a favorite blanket. Head over to Standing Room to hear the rest of the set.

-Mimi