CITYSTATIC

___________________________________________ Welcome to City Static! CITY STATIC is a music blog written by a former Brit/radio show producer from Boston. CITY STATIC is a side project highlighting shows, reviews, and interviews of underground bands who deserve your utmost attention. ___________________________________________ (function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){i['GoogleAnalyticsObject']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){ (i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o), m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m) })(window,document,'script','//www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js','ga'); ga('create', 'UA-47207411-1', 'citystatic.com'); ga('send', 'pageview');

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The Hudson Project: Music, Mud, and Madness

I had a once in a lifetime opportunity to attend the first-ever Hudson Project last week, a three day 20,000 person music and arts festival located in Saugerties, New York. If you didn’t have a chance to make it out, take a peek at this unforgettable adventure of Day 1. 

Dr. Dog

Bro Safari

Stayed tune for Day 2 and a festival recap of Day 3!

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Vundabar at Les 3 Elephants Festival

I can't even begin to render my love for the vundaboyz. Vundabar is an up-and-coming bluesy indie surf hi-fi rock band straight out my favorite gritty ‘hood, Allston Rat City. They’re different than the standard thrash punk bands that we’re all used to, but their sound is a unique yet ubiquitous taste of where indie music is heading towards. Their controlled erratic and caffeinated tune has had basement-dwellers and small dancing throughout the East Coast, especially Boston. 

Vundabar on their recent tour. © Zaji Zabalerio

These boys are taking a huge step this coming summer and I could not be more proud to announce that they are flying to France for the Les 3 Éléphants 2014 Festival from May 23 to May 25. Yeah, you heard that right. These guys are flying out to play in France, and they'll be touring around Europe this summer to play a couple gigs. Their tour dates and locations aren't posted up yet, however, I will let you guys know as soon as I can.

© Les 3 Éléphants Line Up

Why is Vundabar so alluring? Is it Brandon's effortlessly vocals surfing along the bass line? Is it the hi-fi lo-fi guitar notes that tease you into believing that you're laying in a field of wild flowers? Whether it's at a Pizzeria Regina or at the Middle East in Boston/Cambridge, these guys will hypnotize you with their bluesy charm that we're not used to.

Vundabar at Bard College with former band Betty Nico. © John Canny

I can't wait to play their tunes on my way to the beach in Brighton. Their sounds make for some some dope beach tunes, but they don't bore with standard over-repeated indie riffs. I'm pretty damn proud with how far these guys have come, and you Europeans won't be disappointed.

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As much as I love London, my heart will always be with Boston. I miss the accent. I miss the rats in Allston and complaining about MBTA

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East India Youth

The softness in the beginning wind chime momentum instantly whisks you away into a hypnotic state of relaxation. The tempo begins to pick up as a psychedelic tune creates a confined confusion towards deciding whether you're present-time reality or confined to the recurring nostalgia of being a child again. East India Youth is one of London's up-and-coming electro-pyschedelic indie noise one-man-band that has the local streets howling and scrowling for more. I mean, how many genres can you really make up for this?

He just dropped his new album, Total Strife Forever, this past Monday, which includes gems such as "Dripping Down" and "Midnight Koko". You can get the debut LP at Rough Trade on Brick Lane or download it through iTunes.

If you're looking to vibe for slow-noise-Pet-Shop-Boys-esque tunes, turn this up and rejoice. East India Youth knows how to relax/chillax/max while creating a spine-tingling sensation that will make you crawl for more. His choice of noise slices through any electro-transition I've heard in a while, and I can't wait to see what else he has in store.

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London

From the eye-popping fluorescent lights in Leicster Square to the alluring art clubs and pubs in Shoreditch, you will never be bored for a second. I always thought that London would be an experience on another level, but the adventures that I've encountered so far have been reckless, young, and beautiful. I've met strangers who are changing my outlook in my life one day at a time. I've learned to forgive. I've learned that being nineteen shouldn't mean a quarter life crisis. I've learned that life doesn't have to end up in a constant draining routine. I've learned to live.

© Tori Hilshey 2014

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Krill - Steve Hears Pile in Malden and Bursts into Tears

Where there's a Krill, there is a way.

Cold chills. Doe eyes. A boggled mind. No, I don't have typhoid fever. These are the three first reactions I had when my favorite Jamaica Plain kingz exploded through my ears. It wasn't so much a reaction to fear after hearing the first thirteen seconds of the song as it was a a reminder that Krill was at it again. Steve Hears Pile in Malden and Bursts is a breath of crisp air my life was missing. It felt like that first five seconds of exhilaration your heart feels after bridge jumping. If you crazy kids are into to that sort of things. After the initial beginning of the song, Jonah's voice imitates a patient comfort creeping right into your soul.

The song softens up into a spine-tickling iconic drum beat with a gradual climbing-up-and-down of the guitar's loose-lifting scale. Impressive enough, the stereo of my shitty work computer does not do justice to the sweat that is protruding through each second of the song. Krill is just slowly swelling and spilling their musical guts into this Steve Hears Pile in Malden and Bursts. The witty references emerge and represent the roots deeply connected in our community. If we can't have fun poking at each other, then how can ever truly call ourselves punk rock?

The fusion of the daisy-thin moments while Jonah is singing with the combination of the power chords bleed into a whole 'nother expectation. Never underestimate what this trio can do, especially with gracefully executing the tight rope that can make or break anyone.

This new album will not break expectations. Instead, it'll put any soulful being to shame by being in the mere presence. Check it out below.

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