Standing Around

“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

“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

“Dreams (Fleetwood Mac Cover)”/”Errand of Tongue” (Live at Cameo Gallery 08.29.09) - Holiday Shores

Recorded by Matt R. for Standing Room

via musicremedy

Mother Nature may be telling us that summer is over, but the appropriately-named Holiday Shores brings us music that will let us hold on to the season for the rest of the year.  Since I was introduced to Holiday Shores by Chocolate Bobka months ago, it only seemed fitting that I see the band at a Chocolate Bobka presents show.  I suspected that Holiday Shores would be a great live band, and they didn’t disappoint. They sounded great at Cameo Gallery, and I don’t remember the last time I had that much fun at a show. Their songs are infectious to begin with, and Holiday Shores give their live show a huge kick by really giving it their all onstage. The band was killing it, and I’m glad that I was able to make it to the last show on their mini-tour. Requests of Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams” were yelled out, and Holiday Shores indulged their audience before going into “Errand of Tongue.”  Apparently, all good bands cover Fleetwood Mac.  Be sure to check back at Standing Room for the rest of Holiday Shores’ set, which will be up soon.

-Mimi