Over the last decade, the music industry has struggled to provide a reliable way to successfully support independent artists. The traditional method of saving money to make a record, playing a ton of shows and hoping that people buy your music just isn’t working. Now more than ever, the market is so saturated with great music that artists often struggle to break even, which is ironic because music is more accessible now than it has ever been. How can an independent artist “make it” in the digital age without signing a long term record deal?
Generally speaking we’ve stopped pirating our favorite music in favor of subscription based streaming services, only to learn that a small fraction of what we pay for these services is actually returned to the artists. As fans, we have loads of great music at our fingertips but very few ways to support the bands we love. Certainly the resurgence of vintage music mediums like vinyl and cassette tapes have opened new financial avenues for the independent artist, but what if there were a way for fans and artists to be more intimately connected?
Enter PerDiem,a crowdfunded music investment platform that is looking to breathe new life into the music industry.
Quite simply, PerDiem is an online platform that allows fans to act as record producers. By purchasing shares, PerDiem allows the public to invest in the success of their favorite artists.
Here’s how it works:
An artist determines how much money they need for their new project, i.e. making a new record or going on tour. Then the artist chooses a percentage of the money raised to give back to their investors. Finally, the artist asks fans to help them reach their financial goal by purchasing shares. As revenue from the project grows, the percentage set by the artist is returned to the project’s investors based on how many shares they’ve purchased.
In this model, an artist’s success is directly tied to the fan’s ability to promote their music. The more an investor promotes an artist, the more money that artist makes, meaning more money finds its way into the pockets of its investors. This model creates incentive for people to put their money into music while bringing fans closer than ever before to their favorite musicians, making PerDiem a potential game changer for independent artists.
Ahead of their Athens launch party last Friday, we got to ask founder Brandon Nelson a few questions about his vision.
Vinyl Mag: What made you want to start PerDiem?
Brandon Nelson: I was working in the music industry and saw bands having to work full time jobs and move in with their parents so they could simply afford to live. I watched bands not be able to release songs they loved because they wouldn’t sell or make it on the radio. I decided to leave the music industry because it was sad to see this happening. A few months later I was floating this idea of investing in music to a few friends and people started getting excited about it. Before I knew, I had people wanting to build out the platform and artists wanting to launch their music on it. It was like people were sort of forcing me to make it happen. Every time I would tell artists about the idea they would tell me “you have to do this”. Seeing how much of an impact music can have on people’s lives and the potential for this to make a difference, I knew that I had to do it.
VM: How is PerDiem different from other crowdfunding platforms?
BN: If an artist raises money on a traditional crowdfunding platform, the people are either “donating to” or “pre-ordering” their music. With PerDiem, you are actually investing in the music. So when revenue is generated from that music, part of the sales go back to the people who invested in it. We are able to do this by distributing the music and managing all of the technical stuff for the artists. This way artists can focus on just making the music and having a team of people who have a vested interest in making that music successful.
VM: Is PerDiem open and available to every band or artist, or are there criteria for gaining approval to start a campaign? Would PerDiem ever deny a band’s request to start a campaign?
BN: We welcome any artists to the platform! We work with the artists to make sure they fully understand the platform and are set up for success. It’s still early on so we are determining the best way to go about adding artists to it so that investors are protected, but we will never deny an artist based on genre or style.
VM: Is there a certain amount an artist must raise in order for the campaign to move to the next stage?
BN: Yes, an artist sets how much they are raising and must reach that goal in order to receive the funds.
VM: So my band wants to fund a record or raise money for our upcoming tour. What is the process for starting a PerDiem campaign?
BN: Go to the website (www.perdiem.rocks) and submit your information! We will reach out and get to know you a little better and walk you through everything.
VM: Like any good independent band, we have an entrepreneurial spirit. Can we use PerDiem to buy merchandise, fix our van, or get a new tattoo?
BN: Totally. There has to be an incentive for people to invest money into your band, so that would be tied to a song or album that you are creating. For example, you want to raise $20k to produce an album, you can use that money to fix your van, get a tattoo, and buy some merchandise – as long as you are able to produce the record with the money that you raised.
VM: What if the record doesn’t get made, or never gets distributed? What happens to the money that was pledged?
BN: There is always a risk when investing in anything. There is a chance that something could happen where they use the money and are unable to produce a record at all. As an investor, you are giving your money to an artist that you believe in to give them a shot at their dream. That is why it’s important to only invest in artists that you truly believe in. We try to make this very clear in our “Trust & Safety” part of the site.
VM: A band I love is on PerDiem and I want to help them make a record. How do I get involved?
BN: If you want to invest in a band you simply go to the artists page, select how many shares you want, and buy them. All of the information on how much they are raising, what they are raising it for, and how much they are giving back is all hosted on their page.
VM: The band is going to pay me a percentage of revenue from record sales?! Cool! So… how do I get my money?
BN: When a fan wants to “cash out”, we’ll deposit the value of those shares into your bank account. We are building out a much more comprehensive platform so this process may change a bit in the future to make it easier and more streamlined.
VM: This could be a game changer for the music industry. I see it not only as a way for fans to fund their favorite bands, but also as an opportunity for a fan or group of fans to essentially become an independent record producer. Have you thought about that at all?
BN: Absolutely. The amazing part of the platform is that it turns your fans into your marketing team. I see investors wanting to use their resources and talents to help the bands they are invested in. For example, a videographer could film a music video for a band they invested in, or someone with a recording studio could offer studio time to artists they have invested in as well. It creates an entire new industry of opportunity around music. I always have this dream of an inner city kid taking his $10 and investing it into an artist that he believes in. Then that $10 turns into $20, then $100, etc.. Next thing you know, he is a music curator that people look at to find new bands and he is making a living by finding good music. The possibilities are exciting!
VM: Why stop at records, tours, and merch? In theory, PerDiem could be used to fund things like festivals, benefits, or even music venues where a percentage of proceeds from the events are returned to its investors. Would you want your platform to be used in such a way?
BN: We actually get that question a lot and it’s definitely something that we are interested in. Right now we are focused on fixing what we believe is the biggest problem in the music industry, then using what we have learned to expand into other areas where there is a demand for it. We have a pretty big vision for PerDiem so I wouldn’t be surprised to see it expanding into other areas in the future.
VM: When is it going live and how many artists do you have lined up?
We did a test run with a couple artists to see how people would interact with the concept. In just a few days an artist named Nico Blue raised $1,000 to produce his first original single. So we know that people are willing to invest in music and use the platform. We’ve got some exciting artists in the pipeline and an incredible group of people supporting us. We’re planning to add more artists over the next couple of weeks and continue to build it into a platform that can support the next generation of music.
To find out more about PerDiem, type “perdiem.rocks” into your preferred search field, and stay up to date with their soon to be launched Twitter feed @perdiemmusic.
“The wheel ain’t broken. You don’t need to fix it, just trying to put some new rims on it.”
At CMJ this year, the first band on my must-interview list was Saint Pé, the newest project formed by Black Lips alum and current Diamond Rugs guitarist/vocalist Ian Saint Pé.
Backstory
As a not-born-but-bred Georgian, I’ve been a Black Lips fan since I switched Jack Rogers for Converse and mini skirts for skinny jeans back in the 9th grade. And then came college and post-college life in Athens, Georgia, where I was introduced to part-local supergroup Diamond Rugs. Dudes. This band is my joint, and I have been helplessly addicted since the release of their latest album Cosmetics back in February. Yes, that is nine full months that I have had D.Rugs in my constant rotation, and I’m nowhere near over it.
That being said, if Ian Saint Pé is involved with a band, I’m an instant convert. So when word reached my ears that he was forming a new band under his name, I was all kinds of psyched. And when I found out that the band was coming to CMJ, I snagged myself an interview with them so I could let my fan flag fly.
The Interview
We all sat down on the rooftop of Our Wicked Lady in Brooklyn before the band’s last of three shows at the fest, and as soon as the mic was on, Ian dove in, intro’ing us with our new slogan: “Vinyl Mag CMJ 2015. Pro gear, pro attitudes.” This turned out to be the first of countless ad-libbed one-liners throughout the interview, which he attributed to having a “lot of time in a van to think about things.”
When asked about his new direction away from the band that had built his career and on to a new self-titled project, Ian explained to me that sometimes, even the bands you love get a little stale (my nine-month Diamond Rugs binge might indicate that I have a higher tolerance than most for this phenomenon), and that after 10 years in the same band, things inevitably get a little redundant.
“I’d say after 10 years … honestly, The Rolling Stones—that’s my favorite band, and there’s a good reason why—but I don’t even want to hear them for more than an hour, you know? And that’s a super good band. I mean, ’cause how much more can you say in that amount of time? So with that statement, I’m gonna move it on to records. I did seven records in 10 years. What more can I say? It was time to change it up. Love the guys, but I got more to say. I love them, and I love the records, but I’m ready to birth new children with new people.”
And so, Saint Pé was born. The band came together the way all bands do, through the local music scene—in this case, the scene of Atlanta, mainly. Most of the band members are based and/or met in A-Town, with the exception of “ivory tickler” (a.k.a. keyboardist) Paul Wierdak, who is based in Chicago. Ian, who had lived in Atlanta for 15 years, credits the bulk of his musical career to the city, saying, “It ain’t New York, but it was my New York. And no regrets, because unlike New York and L.A., I could have half a job and spend all my time playing music–and did it–rather than having to have three jobs and maybe play music … if you have a fall back plan, you’ll fall back.”
So what does Saint Pé have to say that hasn’t been said in any of Ian’s other projects?
“It’s always been eat, shit, sleep, breathe rock and roll,” Ian told me. “The wheel ain’t broken. You don’t need to fix it, just trying to put some new rims on it.”
The rims are fresh indeed. Though it was Saint Pé’s oh-so-familiar moniker that originally grabbed my attention, it was the refreshingly upbeat track “Street Lights” that made me a believer in the band. Premiered via Noisey back in April, “Street Lights” is one of four tracks off the band’s debut Secular Music EP.
“It’s just my story of never worrying about what could have been, because I always knew what was,” Ian said of the song. “And that was to play music. ‘Street Lights’ is basically the adaptation of my novel I haven’t written and the movie that hasn’t been made yet … because late at night, with the white line fever, the only thing that comes to your head is the lights, physically. That’s powerful to the eye, the light … basically about being on the road and getting something. [The line] ‘Got a country house, quiet as a mouse’—you know, I was able to get everything I wanted … that’s what ‘Street Lights’ is about. Just everything I was striving for, I got–which wasn’t much, but just to be happy and do artistic shit on my terms.”
Sounds good to me.
“Nothing’s changed,” Ian clarified. “I’m 38, still bleed 17. I want to continue to play music with friends of mine. The other Black Lips guys are still my friends, but I just want to change it up … I had to take two steps back to go five steps forward, and I have a bunch of my friends from Atlanta and Chicago that are participating in this project. I’ve got nothing but great expectations. I did six continents, but I haven’t done seven. This band will do seven.”
The Future
Saint Pé is Ian Saint Pé (vocalist/guitarist), Matt McCalvin (bassist), Ian “Mickey D” McDonald (guitarist), Paul Weirdak (keyboardist), and John Restivo Jr. (drums). They are currently on tour, set to play shows with Natural Child and T. Hardy Morris. Check out their tour dates below, and keep an eye out for more dates coming in January. These guys won’t be slowing down any time soon. Parting words from Ian: “Ain’t gonna stop ’til it’s broken, and I don’t plan on being broken.”
Tour Dates:
Thursday, November 12 – The Earl – Atlanta, GA w/ Natural Child
Saturday, November 14 – Georgia Theatre – Athens, GA w/ Natural Child
Saturday, December 5 – JJ’s Bohemia – Chattanooga, TN w/ T. Hardy Morris
Sunday, December 6 – The Basement – Nashville, TN w/ T. Hardy Morris
Thursday, December 10 – Isis Restaurant and Music Hall – Asheville, GA w/ T. Hardy Morris and Roadkill Ghost Choir
Friday, December 11 – The Earl – Atlanta, GA w/ T. Hardy Morris
Saturday, December 12 – Saturn – Birmingham, AL w/ T. Hardy Morris and Duquette Johnston
Once in a while, a person will walk into a bar, hear a live band, and fall in love instantaneously. For the lucky crowd at New York City’s Parkside Lounge on October 24, this was exactly what happened when Gretchen and the Pickpockets stole their hearts.
The lights are present only on stage and a twinkling disco ball spins overhead, centering Gretchen perfectly at the microphone. She steps up and with a steady inhale, dives into the first phrase of “Sweet, Sweet Love,” a Gretchen and the Pickpockets original. Her voice is clear and rich with an alto tone that cuts through the center of the room. She glides from note to note and her sound bounces off the rat-a-tat-tat of the drums and swoon of the horn. The blend makes its way to the deep and full bodied sound of the base and rounds off with the metallic strum and pluck of the guitar.
The band of five – singer Gretchen Klempa, bassist and brother of Gretchen, Mike Klempa, Tom O’Connell on drums, Richie Smith on guitar, and Ryan O’Connell on trumpet – calls the New Hampshire seacoast their home base but have no problem taking the New York music scene by storm. Their sound is original, refreshing and – in the endless circling of synthetic pop songs in modern music – a welcome chance to revisit the real heart and soul of music.
Described by band members as “alternative rock with jazz” the G&P sound is one that leans heavily on the wails of smooth jazz trumpet paired perfectly with the pep of classic rock guitar. Their songs, such as the signature “Sweet, Sweet Love” and “Break a Sweat” offer lighthearted energetic beats while “Confident,” “Don’t Let Go,” and “Swimmin’ In The Sea” show a more mellow side of the group, treading in lower tones and building to mid-song breakout crescendos.
Kick-starting their music career three years ago, the then group of University of New Hampshire students found common ground in their dorm building’s common room where they would gather to cover their favorite songs. Eventually covering turned to writing and the common room turned into a stage.
“It kind of just happened,” said Gretchen. “It was me and Mike’s idea to start the band and then we kind of like rang in these hooligans,” motioning over to the rest of the guys.
“We wrote some crappy songs and then Ryan came in and fixed them,” added Mike.
There’s a playfulness and ease to the group that shows through in their presence on stage and can be heard directly influencing the sound they seem to so effortlessly create.
Their sound, something fans would be hard pressed to find anywhere else, is pulled from a smorgasbord of inspirations, ranging from punk rock, hip-hop (both 90s and modern) and jazz, to name a few. The proclaimed favorite as far as other bands are concerned is D’Angelo and the common ground for favorite genre is soul music and R&B.
“It’s just a culmination of everything that we like, you know, we all have different backgrounds,” said Richie. “It’s so hard to pinpoint exactly where this comes from because we all have so many different interests.”
“We even had a keyboard at one point,” he added.
“Yeah … for like a week,” Gretchen tacks on with a hint of wit.
Something that stuck a bit more permanently than the keyboard, however, is the band’s name. Keeping on track with originality Gretchen and the Pickpockets as a phrase is just as catchy and unforgettable as Gretchen and the Pickpockets as a tune. The name can be attributed to Gretchen and Mike’s upbringing on Pickpocket Road where they held band practice and their father’s persistence when he heard a good thing.
“For like a year their dad was like, ‘You should be The Pickpockets,’” said Ryan.
Three years later, and here they are.
The future of Gretchen and the Pickpockets is one that, just like the range of inspirations, fans and notes in their songs, has no limits. According to the band, their sound will continue to develop and their reach will continue to grow.
As for the sound, Ryan has high hopes to “experiment with bigger horns sections.”
“In some of our locals shows our friends will just jump up on stage with us and we’ll have like a six part horn section and it sounds really cool,” he said.
“We would just bring, at first cover songs we all liked then we kind of figured out what kind of music we wanted to play,” said Mike.
As for location, the group is hoping to do a Southern tour in the near future but for now is content with their native region of New England.
“I think you can make it big wherever you are if you have talent and know the right person. It doesn’t really matter where you are, to me. We want our hometown to be Boston,” said Gretchen.
The band currently holds the title for “Best Band in New Hampshire” and it’s inevitable that this is just the beginning.
“It’s like you know being in this band, I feel so lucky. Like, these are cool people, and they’re kick-ass musicians so like, you know, you couldn’t ask for a better way to be creative, said Richie, “I’m just happy to be in this group. I think what’s cool about being in this band is since we all really dig jazz and that sort of thing, there’s a lot of room to improvise but even though we have our set song forms, we can push it a little bit. If we want to change tempo a little bit, we go into a different harmony, everyone’s really good at listening and really goes with it.”
“We’ve all invested a lot of time the last few years and we’re all ready to invest a lot more time too,” added Mike.
The hard work is in no doubt paying off. With fans in New Hampshire, Boston, New York and even a “small cult following in Milwaukee” (Richie would like to give a shout-out to Reggie), there’s nowhere for this down to earth band to go but up.
“I think we sort of go by the mantra of, you know…don’t be a jerk” said, Mike. “Be nice and don’t suck.”
To top it all off, G&P are avid food lovers, with a specialty in tacos. As if it couldn’t get any better, fans can follow the band’s food escapades on their website and Instagram.
And so, tacos in tow, G&P left New York for the New England soundscapes once again. On Nov. 5, they will open for Low Cut Connie at Great Scott in Allston MA and plans for a full album are in the works.
For Gretchen and the Pickpockets, there are no signs of slowing down. We couldn’t be happier.
To catch Gretchen and the Pickpockets, check out their upcoming show dates and venues:
Sometimes I hear an album I genuinely enjoy, yet for some reason, it slips my mind until months later when I rediscover it with renewed enthusiasm. Porches’ Slow Dance in the Cosmos is one of these albums. I first heard of Porches back in February. I didn’t find the album particularly appealing at first. Aaron Maine, the front man for Porches, fence-sits when it comes to genre; some songs entertain a more indie rock feel while others are rooted in chiptune inspired eighties throwbacks.
Nonetheless, the genre ambiguity wasn’t what turned me off from Porches; it was Maine’s voice. I found it annoying and wavering, as though Maine was riddled with insecurities and self-doubt regarding his abilities as a musician and his qualities as a human being, but not in the eclectic, artfully disheveled manner of indie superstars like Conor Oberst or Stephen Morrissey. After a few listens on late-night Megabuses to Atlanta to see my ex-girlfriend, I set the album aside. I didn’t think it was worth listening to any further, and it didn’t seem to be growing on me. I meant to write up a review back in March, but the album was already two years old at that point so I didn’t think there was much of a point. I was very mistaken.
Six months later, I started listening to Slow Dance again after discovering that Aaron Maine’s girlfriend is none other than the fabulously adorable Frankie Cosmos, whose album 2014 album Zentropy found its way into the hearts of indie lovers and Kevin Kline aficionados everywhere. Cosmos, aka Greta Kline, is also the female lead vocals in Porches as well as the bass player. Likewise, Maine plays drums in Frankie Cosmos’ backing band under the alias of Ronnie Mystery, an homage to his persona Ronald Paris in Porches. My thoughts on Slow Dance underwent a complete shift. I found myself unable to stop listening to it. Maine’s voice, once thought to be grating, became oddly warm and honest.
Perhaps the circumstances under which I first heard Slow Dance left a bitter taste in my mouth, but now, months later, I find comfort in the forthright attitude Maine expresses in his songs. He’s honest, much more than the aforementioned Oberst and Morrissey. His songs aren’t full of false expressions of love or individuality or intellect. He sings how he feels and it’s incredibly refreshing, especially with Cosmos backing him up. You can hear the intimacy in the music they’ve created together.
Specifically, I cannot pick a favorite track. If I were ever to label an album as “complete,” I’d be hard-pressed to find a better candidate than Slow Dance in the Cosmos. From the opening track of “Headsgiving,” an odd sexual ode that deals with mental health, isolation, and love to the final track “The Cosmos,” the album never misses its mark. Stylistically, the songs are as various as they come. “Headsgiving” is clearly more of a progressive indie track, but its follow-up, “Jesus Universe,” is full of synthy cascades and gritty metaphors. But other tracks, like “Xanny Bar” and “After Glow” are significantly different than other tracks; the former being a slow, unplugged acoustic song about a sad sap drunk that runs across a girl in a bar that’s just as much of a sad sap as he is and Maine’s lyrics provide the dialogue between the two characters, Ronnie and Edith. “After Glow” captures the simultaneous beauty and sadness of isolation and loneliness, perhaps most emphasized through its juxtaposition against the cityscape setting described in the opening line. However, “Fog Dog” is perhaps the most complete track, with competing lines and harmonies between Maine and Cosmos. It’s almost balladic with its instrumental and vocal building, with Maine utterly dominating his place as the front man and solidifying his confidence as an artist, yet still holding on to some reservations as any artist in his mid-twenties would do.
As a whole, Slow Dance in the Cosmos is in a class of its own. It’s complete, but unlike any other albums I’ve heard that I regard as such. I love every facet of it. I honestly cannot get enough of it. Every time I listen to it, I find something new. Maine’s presence is prodigious and intimidating. Porches, in my opinion, falls in with the candid honesty of bands like Modest Mouse, Bright Eyes, The Smiths, and others without compromising its own identity. Porches does not emulate its sound, but creates it.
As the crisp air of October approaches, so does the craving for new bands and new sounds. CMJ 2015 is kicking off it’s 35th annual trek across some of New York’s hottest live venues. From major stars to ones just emerging, CMJ represents some of the hottest talents from around the world. Taking these talents into account, we’ve compiled a list of the top 20 acts you don’t want to miss this year.
20. Mail The Horse
This Brooklyn-based quintet has a captivating folk-rock sound. Their newest record joins instrumentation of the late ‘60s with early ‘00s garage rock, making it an act you won’t want to miss.
Described by the A.V. Club as the “Southern Sigur Rós”, this psychedelic alt-rock band hailing from Atlanta is known for exploring themes of alchemy, mystery and the occult. Their unique sound will leave you wanting more.
If you’re looking for a way to wind down as you weave your way through NYC, then The Album Leaf is for you. Founded as a solo act by Jimmy LaValle, The Album Leaf is known for the use of synthesizers, electronics and Rhodes piano.
This pop rock band from New York has a fun and upbeat sound that captures the innocence of adolesence. Their catchy lyrics will be sure to put you in a positive mood.
The carefree name of this indie rock band speaks for itself. Despite the cool fall air of NYC, the punk-infused pop sound of Eternal Summers will leave you feeling warm and sunny.
Founded as a solo project by frontman Will Toledo, Car Seat Headrest has since released 11 albums. With the band’s indie rock sound quickly gaining interest and acclaim, they are definitely one to check out at CMJ.
This unlikely duo from Wales brings a unique sound to the stage. With just the right amount of weirdness to be addicting, this is one act to add to your list.
With the recent release of their third album, The Agent Intellect, Protomartyr is a must to check out. Their interesting post-punk sound has a raw sensibility that can only be described as truly genuine.
You will find yourself immersed in the lyrics as Fraser A. Gorman weaves his way through catchy, folk-inspired tracks. His wry charm and offbeat storytelling brings a personable element to the stage that will leave you in a trance.
This English indie rock band brings a sound that is intelligent and inventive. One of the bigger acts at CMJ, they will leave you marveling at their brilliant techniques.
Mercury Rev is an American alternative rock group from Buffalo NY. With their newest album, Bella Union, released in September, the band is sure to bring some fun new sounds to the stage.
Noted as having songs heavily focused on lyrics, Ezra Furman brings a raw, sentimental sound to the stage. His genuine sound brings a refreshing element to the stage.
Singer/songwriter Tobias Jesso Jr. brings a laid-back atmosphere to the stage. As he winds his way through each song, you will be left to contemplate and absorb his heartfelt lyrics.
An act that attracted fans through D.I.Y. gigs in car parks prior to shows, Catfish and the Bottlemen has finally made their way to a bigger stage at CMJ. The catchy indie rock band is an act on the brink of great success.
If you love Washed Out, then you will find common ground with Neon Indian. With electronic and synthesized sounds, this act brings an upbeat, danceable sound to the stage.
Successful openers for bands such as the Editors and Passion Pit, The Joy Formidable has been building a buzz since 2008. Be sure to catch the “darkly joyous” sound they bring to the stage.
The shimmery electro-pop of Smallpools brings an infectious sound to the stage that you can’t help but dance along to. A band that’s quickly rising to the top, Smallpools is definitely one to add to your list.
Falsetto-driven Garret Borns brings a dreamy sound to the stage that marries glam rock and folk. His catchy tunes and captivating lyrics make this an act to add to the top of your list.
Weekend 2 of Austin City Limits kicks off tomorrow, and I’m going to be on site for VM chatting with some bands, snapping pics of the crazies, and trying my best to see all the things at once while not losing my mind or dignity (yeah, wish me luck).
To get you (and myself, cause I need the motivation) ready for the weekend, I put together a playlist of some of the acts I’m excited for. Let us know in the comments who I missed so I can come high five you for introducing me to something new.
I love this playlist. Seriously. It was fun to put together, and the songs are good. Pats on the back to ACL and myself. But I know some bitches gonna be throwing shame. SO, please see the following things I will not apologize for:
1. That Nero song makes me want to do backflips, so shut up.
2. Yes, Brand New is on there. Don’t judge. You remember high school, too.
3. Also yes, the Jose Gonzalez song I chose is The Knife’s “Heartbeats” cover. I know you’ve heard it, and I know it won’t be on the set list. Don’t care. Enjoy it again.
4. If you don’t like Billy Idol’s “Dancing With Myself,” go home.
5. The Weeknd is famous now, I understand. And “Can’t Feel My Face” might be the next good song that turned pop, got overplayed, and becomes annoying, but it’s not quite there yet (for me at least).
6. PSA: Deadmau5, pronounced: dead-mau-five (duh)
7. Did you guys know Halsey was bi? That makes me like her more and therefore, she made the playlist.
8. There is no Drake song included, so no comment.
It’s not often the three best things in life come together seamlessly under the same roof, but when music, sizzling tacos and camaraderie meet, an unforgettable night is born. PALMAS, a five-man band hailing from the musically booming Philadelphia, brought all this to life in the bustling kitchen of a third floor walk-up in Brooklyn, New York.
It is the kind of Monday that feels more like a Friday, and the summer heat leaks through the kitchen windows and crashes full-throttle into the stovetop steam. Adam Cantiello, the band’s guitarist and chef of the evening, stands over the front burner flipping chicken breasts while Pat Degan, PALMAS drummer, slices limes. Eric Camarota, bassist, grabs a Modelo from the fridge full of Mexican beers, and Kurt Cain, singer, follows suit. Matt Young, guitarist, keen to create an authentic atmosphere while feasting on homemade guacamole and tacos, makes quick use of Pat’s limes and pours out tequila shots. And so, dinner with PALMAS begins.
“Just so you know, I blindly poured five of them, so you can just pick which one…” Matt warns the group gathering around the tequila and limes.
A quick cheers and universal grimace later, all is down the hatch, and tales of band origin and college parties past are flowing.
“I mean, they’re all awesome,” says Pat of his bandmates. “[Adam] asked me like, ‘hey, I’m jamming with these guys, and they’re all very talented players; you should come out and jam with us,’ and I was like, ‘yeah, cool, sure!’”
Adam pours the taco sauce into the skillet full of chicken. A few minutes later, the chicken is finished, and a hearty helping of tofu takes its place. What’s a PALMAS taco night without a vegan option?
Ten minutes later – who knew tofu was a slow-cooker – dinner – or, la cena – is served, and it’s every man for himself in the taco assembly line. The band grabs plates, and the taco assembly begins. Tortillas, chicken (or tofu), toppings goes the order. A side of homemade guac is mandatory.
One by one, they fill their plates and make their way into the living room. Personal photographs hang on the wall above a couch and coffee table. A tall shelf full of records stands in the corner, and a record player spinning Elvis holds the throne on top. Adam plops himself at the end of the couch with Matt to his left. Pat takes a seat on a stool to the right, and Kurt sits to the right of him. Eric makes himself comfortable toward the doorway, and just as if they were on stage, PALMAS takes their shape.
The tacos are devoured within minutes – our compliments to the chef – and conversation morphs into the serious kind that only happens when you get musicians talking about their music.
“We started this band for fun, not to make money,” says Adam.
“Basically, we all knew each other through the Philly music scene; we all played in bands in the Philly music scene,” said Kurt.
Philadelphia is a true hot bed for music and musicians, breeding artists and groups such as Joan Jett, Dead Milkmen, mewithoutYou, and Dr. Dog…not bad company to be in.
“I don’t know if I can speak for the other guys, but I think this is truly the very first time in my life that I started music for fun,” Matt says. “This was the first time that it was like, purely for fun, and I think that ended up being the best thing ever.”
“Eric, Adam, and I started jamming, and we went through a couple singers and a couple drummers,” continues Matt. Kurt chimes in right on cue.
“Really? A couple singers? I didn’t know there were others… Two singers? I didn’t know that,” he says, poking fun.
Matt continues.
“And then I knew Kurt and Adam had known Pat, and we were like, ‘let’s do this,’ and in the first practice we wrote three songs. We wrote ‘Without You,’ ‘Stay Away,’ and ‘You Were My Girl.'”
One year later, and here they are.
“At first when we started playing – all of us together, as it is right now, this band – we didn’t make anything of it besides, ‘lets do this every Sunday if we’re all free, and that’s what we’ll do, just for fun.’” says Eric. “And then we just started going and decided, ‘hey this is fun, let’s keep doing it every Sunday,’ and then we decided still, ‘hey why not do a show? What have we got to lose?’ First show we played sold out.”
By 10 p.m., plates have been swapped for after-dinner beers, and Elvis has been traded for the surf-side rock, nostalgic sound of PALMAS. Their newest tracks circulate the sound waves of the room, and each band member is set into motion, each their own, fully present and alive. They sit in silence, but not a body is still as the rhythm moves through them like a heartbeat moves through a newborn child, inhaling for the first time. They’ve heard it a million times before, it’s played in their minds and through their fingertips, but each time it rings in their ears, it’s like the first time all over again.
The sound is familiar, echoing that of a 1960s rock hall filled with swinging guys and gals. It’s a sound that feels warm and steady in the bones, speckled with an electric edge. It’s crooning meets quickness, mellow meets passion in an era where repetitive pop beats and Auto-Tune have drowned out what it really means to sing, play guitar, or keep a beat on drums. PALMAS is a rocker’s past meets California future.
Their wish for this sound the world so desperately needs?
“I would like for us to write an album that is actually timeless,” says Kurt.
Matt, on the other hand, wants to be featured in a Quentin Tarantino movie soundtrack. Judging from the sound coming from the speakers, neither of them are far off.
PALMAS’ new album To The Valley will drop November 13, 2015 via Lost Colony following a New York live showing at the Elvis Guesthouse on October 9, 2015.
To keep up with PALMAS and experience their tacos first hand, check out the recipe below (written by Chef Adam himself), and follow them on Facebook for updates.
Palmas Taco Recipe:
1. Modelos, tequila, and limes. Lots of ’em. Now start drinking.
2. Grab a bunch of chicken breast. Trim the fat.
3. Heat up a pan with oil, let it get real hot, then add in chopped onion and garlic.
4. Add in full chicken breast until it’s no longer pink.
5. Heat up a pot with water and a pack of taco seasoning and bring to a simmer. Add in some beer, limes, garlic, hot pepper, and a shot of tequila.
6. Shred the chicken breast with two forks and add the shredded chicken into the simmering sauce.
7. Let the chicken soak in all those juices.
8. Preheat the oven and warm up flour tortillas.
Serve with sour cream, chopped tomatoes, radish, onion, and fresh salsa.
Today, a rare cultural event will combine a performance by super hot band Unknown Mortal Orchestra, a confluence of local businesses and a showcase of ‘Dreamers + Doers’ in Athens.
For the grand opening of Urban Outfitters downtown, the company has taken a unique and localized approach to herald their arrival in Athens and highlight the new store on Clayton. UO has worked with local promoters Slingshot to organize a free event at Creature Comforts brewery and also exhibit some of the town’s creatives in a gallery setting.
The ‘Dreamers + Doers’ showcase inside the brewery will feature a cross section of those in Athens that fit the description, such as:
Double Dutch Press
Suds and Lather
Appaloosa Designs
Condor Chocolates
Forged & Found
Piedmont Provisions
Oneta Woodworks
Smokey Road Press
There’s more! Drinks will be complimentary. An optional signature glass will be for sale, proceeds of which will go to the musician non-profit, Nuci’s Space. In addition, there will several local foodtrucks on the scene for food on the spot.
Combined, this is by far the most localized overture from any of the national stores that have moved into Athens over the last few years. It’s probably worth mentioning here that the event is ticketed but free, if you flash that you have the UO app at their store they’ll give you a ticket.
If you’re not yet turned on to Unknown Mortal Orchestra, the Portland/New Zealand band has been intriguing slipstream, mainstream and critics alike since their first self-titled album in 2011. Their recent album Multi-Love continues their buzzy-warm, yet edgy, style bringing to mind the sultry wistful days of Sly and the Family Stone, without the innocence. These are eyes-wide-open times. Kinda perfect combo for a summer hang. Being alive in twenty-oh-five.
Come soak up the peak of the season! Go to the New local events app, Townie., for details or directly download the UO app and flash it at the counter in their new store for your free ticket.
