Big Troubles is Ian and Alex, two guys from Ridgewood, New Jersey looking to give you a sonic shoulder rub if you can stand it. Just as their fellow Ridgewoodians Real Estate tend to dunk theirs underwater, Ian and Alex blanket most melodies in loads of fuzz and distortion. Lots of kids are doing it these days, few are doing it as well as these two. Check ”Freudian Slips” and “Drastic and Difficult” below.
Once upon a time, three dashing young lads waved their respective mini-guitars twice over a bathtub full of Budweiser and ice. The ice melted into sand and the beer bottles became tall palm trees. The boys then hopped on their guitars-turned-surfboards and rode the daydream wave they had just created without even a blink of an eye. And what were we doing while this was all happening, you ask? Mind your own beeswax Also: sit back, relax, and check out what really happened when Beach Fossils entered the Hotbox.
Contrary to what their psychedelic rock n’ roll music may suggest, Crystal Antlers are actually quite lovely. They are dream boats floating atop a bathtub lake of Budweiser and ice. Sound insane? Well, it’s true! Please find the proof in the puddin’ below, video gold of the Long Beachers visiting our Hotbox and setting sail on a bountiful Bob Dylan “It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue” cover adventure. But you know what? IT IS NOT ALL OVER NOW. It is only the beginning…
Dent May & His Magnificent Ukelele sure did steam up The Hotbox during last week’s CMJ events. We knew this guy was a charmer, but honestly who else can pull off a rhyme like “I’m going to love you for all time/ I’ll kiss you and I’ll hug you, that’s no lie?” Prettttty smooth. If we had a chance to make this video all over again, we would place lead-singer Dent May in the bathtub, make bubbles with the available conditioners, light some candles, and give him a tropical drink adorned with a little umbrella from which he might leisurely sip. And the ukulele? Well, that would just play itself in a corner safe from water and fire damage.
We had the pleasure of catching The Antlers a couple times during their whirlwind CMJ week. And one of the things we took away from it all was how much craft they put into their live act, meticulously retooling their songs for such a format and throwing some “Oh no they didn’t!” crescendos up in there a few times a set. Boy did the crescendos translate in the comforts of a hotel bathroom. Oh yes. They did. Check out “Atrophy” below.
