Wednesday's Sound

Known as the city of dreams, New York attracts thousands of aspiring artists, writers, and musicians to its night lights. You don’t need to go far to hear world-class music or brilliant song writers. It seems like no matter where I am, the sound of street performers fills the air. Whether it’s a teenage guitarist with visions of becoming the next John Mayer or a retired saxophonist looking to get some money on the side, the music of New York at night is one my favorite things. This is why I have decided to feature the famed jazz club called "Cleopatra’s Needle" as this week’s Sound.

Cleopatra’s Needle offers guests delicious Mediterranean fare and the chance to hear local jazz performers play their stuff for free. When I wandered in with a friend last Tuesday night for drinks, we immediately loved the rustic décor, laid back lighting, and of course, the happy hour special with half off martinis and wine.  When a local New York Jazz trio started to play, it only made our experience that much better.


The trio played original tunes as well as Jazz standards. At one point, a local woman in the bar approached the mic and asked to sing. The musicians loved the idea, and right there on the spot, she and the band serenaded the audience with Gershwin’s “Summertime” as if they had been practicing together for years.

Cleopatra’s Needle “has attracted both the up-and-coming and the well known stars of the jazz world”. They even offer a weekly open mic night for musicians to show their skills. The bar is welcoming to music lovers of all kind, ranging from those that know jazz music well to those that have no musical background at all.

The restaurant has been featured on Food Network’s hit series “$40 a day”, and has even been ranked among the “100 Great Venues to hear Jazz”. Cleopatra’s Needle is a real New York gem, so whether you’re looking to hear some great jazz music for free or just to indulge on the “half-off happy hour”, I suggest you spend a New York night wandering to the Upper West Side. Chances are you’ll end up here.


XX MC

http://www.cleopatrasneedleny.com/

Wednesday's Sound: The Neeks

Fellow Bowdoin students Mike Powers, Stephen Sullivan, and Robbie Zhang-Smitheram have made quite a name for themselves amongst the NESCAC music circuit, so it comes as no surprise that we are featuring them as this week’s “Wednesday Sound”.

These three Polar Bears and their band, The Neek's, have managed to create a unique sound that has the potential to rock not only the Boom Boom Room of the Crack House basement, but the likes of New York’s most popular post-grad hangouts. The band’s motto - we’re Neek's, that’s just what we do.

The Neek's’ newest song “Party.edu” recently hit the cyber waves with wide acclaim, and has undoubtedly upped the fun-level (and these guys social capital) at college parties across New England. Bandmate Mike Powers spoke about the song in a recent interview, claiming, “We wanted to make something where we could throw it on at a party, feel the energy, and have everyone just go wild”.

So, New Yorkers, next time you’re at Phebe’s sipping on a concoction and enjoying the scene, don’t be surprised if you hear “Party.edu” stream across the dance floor. And definitely don’t be surprised if you see me and some Razz girls singing along.

The Neek's "Party.edu"

MC

Wednesday's Sound

Take everything good about 80's pop music - Fleetwood Mac, reverb overload, cassette tapes blasting in a red Camaro. Let it ferment twenty years, and what do you get? Francis and the Lights.

Francis and the Lights-- Knees to the Floor

This band, formed by two Wesleyan alums, is reawakening the sound of a late-- but great pop movement. Obvious influences like Steely Dan and Phil Collins seep through the sound of Francis and Lights. The synthetic bass of "Knees to the Floor" or "Tap the Phone" feels directly influenced by Bowie's "Under Pressure" and Prince's "I Wanna be your Lover". Francis and the Lights pays homage to a dead era of jean jackets and Footloose; you can't help but feel good when you listen this music.

http://francisandthelights.com/

The band is also moving 21st century pop music in a new direction; rarely heard or appreciated on a mass scale before. They are even going on tour with Ke$sha in a few weeks (if you can stand her talk-singing I recommend getting tickets). Whether you consider Francis and the Lights to be nothing more than an 80's tribute band or the defining musicians of a neo-pop, 21st century song movement, take a listen to their album It'll Be Better. You'll be honored to say, "I was born in the 80's".

Where am I listening: Besides their live concert this Friday, 12pm at the Mercury Lounge, I am here: Driving to Chatham in a jeep. Windows down. Feeling unbelievable.