College Music Journal

We send our new Gotryke correspondent photographer/blogger Priscilla Vazquez into the depths of CMJ shows armed with her ears and eyes:

I couldn’t help but be reminded of my Great Aunt’s living room upon entering Cake Shop (152 Ludlow St). As the scent of stale beer and floor cleaner filled my nostrils, my eyes took in the wooden paneling on the walls, the record bins at the entrance and I made my way to the basement door. I paid the $8 cover and was told not to worry I was supporting the bands. “I would have rather bought an album,” was all I could think. Subbacultcha, along with Pukekos and Viva Radio, was hosting a showcase of mostly Amsterdam-based artists. They were promoting their analogue issue, a tribute to vinyl and cassettes.

I arrived just as Hospital Bombers was doing their sound check. Their soft rock sound mixed with folksy strings guided me to the front and I sat down to enjoy the show. Next up was Best Coast, a duo based in LA. Smooth, low-key vocals accompanied their fuzzy, surf rock guitar sounds. Their song “The Sun Was High (So Was I)” was one of my favorites that night.

The Moi Non Plus followed with their much heavier rock sound. They put on a much more energetic live show than the previous bands (and the following ones for that matter). Drummer Leon Caren is the founder of the underground Collective SUBBACULTCHA! [click to continue…]

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