The Wombats

I love this name. It's much cuter and cuddlier than a certain parasite. I was introduced to the Wombats by a dear friend who is currently residing in fabulous Los Angeles. But according to her, the city ain't all that fab. Only in my head. Let's keep it that way for now.

I love the Wombats like I love cookie dough. So questionable at first glance but so warm and gooey once you've taken the leap! The Wombats came together in 2003 and consists of 3 members from Liverpool, England. Matthew Murphy, Dan Haggis and Tord Øverland-Knudsen came out with their first single, Tales of Girls, Boys and Marsupials. No word if Taz was involved with this production.

Their debut album, "A Guide to Love, Loss & Desperation" came out in November of 2007. Oh, and it hit platinum status in the UK and gold in Australia! Figures why New Yorkers were just going about their day on there subway when the Wombats were performing "Backfire at the Disco." Blah, who am I kidding. I wouldn't care who showed up on the subway either. It takes long enough to get from Point A to Point B already without losing your sanity.

The song, "Kill the Director," from this album has such a morbid title. But you gotta give it a chance. It's hysterically true! Makes me do the Lisa Simpson crack laugh.
Sample lyrics: Here's another song about a gender I'll never understand / If this is a rom-com then kill the director, please

They came out with their second album, "This Modern Glitch," in April 2011. AND the Wombats will be performing at Webster Hall on October 19, 2011. Get your tickets ($16 advance/$20 at door)! Please, get your tickets and join me there. I'm still looking for some peeps to go with!

Here's "Backfire at the Disco" on the subway. Look at that guy busting some moves with his soda cup! He knows what's kicking. Wait. Is that my train line?

NLX - Find Love

When I think of NLX, I think of the trials and tribulations of a woman's heart. It can be breathtakingly beautiful or it can get very ugly. And you will most definitely feel it! Think I just done scared all the boys, haha. You can observe this below, which is also NLX's FIRST video!


Hope you enjoyed that! Anyways, I'm getting so distracted by the German tourists in front of me, the Italian tourists to my left and the couple hugging (I hope that's all they are doing) right outside the window. Hm. I need to correct myself. When I think of NLX, I think of the trials and tribulations of a man and a woman's heart. NLX's words captures many of the pains and healings that love provides so easily to us, but she also makes sure it does not go down without a fight to the ends of the Earth. If it does end, NLX closes the door and walks on, in her leather jacket (love it) and boots.

NLX, a native from Ontario, splits her time between Toronto and NYC. I saw her perform, in NYC, last week. I also witnessed her amazing voice seizing the attention of the whole room. Her strong and deep vocals accommodates the emotions of her songs perfectly.

NLX's latest album, Bitch Get Fit, came out in 2009 and is available on her website, www.NLXmusic.com, iTunes or Amazon (the link below). You should take a visit! NLX has stated that she is currently working on new material. Hopefully we'll get to hear it soon! As passionate and dramatic as her songs are about moving on, my (and also many others') favorite song is the one that describes how love can stop you in your tracks with its sweet and tender grasp. Good thing ABC thought so, too. NLX's song, Find Love, was featured in an episode of Brothers and Sisters in October of last year! Kitty!! Play and revel in it, here...

A Hsu-Nami is a comin'

I don't know about you but I can confidently say: THIS. IS. SO. COOL. Hsu-Nami is a New Jersey based rock band, that features an er-hu. An er-hu is an ancient Chinese instrument that is comparable to a violin but only has 2 strings. As a side note, I'd like to also point out that the er-hu is usually used in the soundtracks of soap opera series (!) that are set in ancient China. And I grew up watching these type of series! It's a pretty melodramatic instrument. So this is quite a rumble for the senses to see an er-hu as the lead in a rock band! I guess we can define this as "fusion."

When their name popped up on my radar, I knew I've seen them before. How many other er-hu rock bands are out there anyway. It took some digging but I found my old pictures from a dragonboat race. Voila! A picture of Hsu-Nami! I remember that I was walking away from the stage towards the food concession stands (hey, a girl has got to eat) when all of a sudden I hear an er yu with rock...

Hsu-Nami consist of band members, Jeff Hsu (er-hu), Brent Bergholm (lead guitar), Tony Aichele (rhythm guitar), Derril Sellers (bass), John Manna (drums) and Dana Goldberg (keyboard). The group formed in 2005 during their college years. Their first album, Entering the Mandala, came out in 2007. The Four Noble Truths, their second and latest release came out in 2009. The title song, The Four Noble Truths, is 10 minutes long and absolutely reminisces Vivaldi's The Four Seasons.

The band has been busy lately with performances in cities all over the country...actually, technically the North Eastern States. But hopefully that will change in the future! One of Hsu-Nami's major successes was having their song, "Rising of the Sun," represent the Chinese National Basketball Team during the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Nicely done.

Hsu-Nami will be performing on March 13, 2011 at Arlene's Grocery. Hope you'll pop in if you're in the area!

Imogen, hey old friend.

The last time I've heard Imogen's music was a sampling of one of her songs in Jason Derulo's "Whatcha Say." Yes, I really like his song as well. It took a long time to tell people that the catchy hook was from Miss Heap! That was a tad annoying. But as long as people enjoyed the music, I guess. And frankly, I think the mass public does not have the patience to listen to the actual song, "Hide and Seek." I'm drinking my salted hot caramel chocolate(!) at Starbucks as I listen to this song. It's slow, like she's talking to you and expects you to listen to every one of her words. The song is just beautiful.

I was at a photography event last night that was celebrating the winners and runner ups of an annual photography book contest. Do they know how to throw a party or what. Open bar and endless shrimp! Anyways, one of the books I picked up showcased artists (musicians, actors, artists, etc.) in their own comfort. On these pages, i saw Janelle Monae, some of the cast of "Heroes" (I loved it before the series whacked out), and Imogen Heap. It's like being reminded of an old friend. Her words and songs were my comfort through some rough times and also now, while I'm in good times.

"Say Goodnight and Go".

Oak & Gorski - Cello Rock

This past weekend my friends and I gorged ourselves with fresh oysters and all sorts of seafood until our stomachs (but mainly our wallets) told us to stop. We were enjoying the beautiful weather and being in the presence of other foodies at Asbury Park's Oysterfest! It's a good way to round off the summer. =D

On the car ride back, one of my friends asked if we've heard of Ken Oak. She's a big fan and wanted us to check him out...after we recover.

Ken Oak, cellist and singer, started his journey after he graduated from music school in 2001. He met Ed Gorski (at a Halloween party!) a few years down the road and both have been playing together since 2004. This 2-man band has played in (also their hometown) L.A.'s Street Promenade for years. Ken Oak and Ed Gorski started out as the Ken Oak Band. But after their first album, the band changed to Oak & Gorski (<= link). Their songs are very mellow pop rock. A bit of Daughtry, a lot of Lifehouse and some parts Apocalyptica (another strings band!) with the seriousness of the hair. Oak & Gorski has been making their way through college campus gigs and from their schedule, are headed to Singapore for the next few weeks! Ken and Ed's efforts and dedication to the band didn't come easy. But let their blog tell you.

One of my favorite songs from them is Analog Girl. The video above is Summer's Kiss. Maybe I can request them to play in NY. Oak & Gorski's next and third album as a duo, Love Destroyer, comes out December 2010. Enjoy!

Hard To Say - Vonnegutt

Here's one of Vonnegutt's songs. The beginning sounds like a squeaky Linkin Park. But they're not trying to be anything but themselves. Then it gets pretty mellow...well, my version of mellow. I like them. =)

The Like, The Offsprings

The Like - June Gloom


Around 1:30 a.m.-ish, on a random night, I was eating meatballs and sipping on a glass of sauvignon blanc. Yeah. I don't get the meatballs, either. I was waiting for CSI: Miami to come back from commercial. So I did the flip and landed on some channel that was interviewing a British band, "The Like." Well, I heard Brit accents and I assumed they were. But they originated in Los Angeles. Then I flipped back to Lt. Horatio. And finished my meatballs.

The lead vocal of the band, Elizabeth Berg, is American and daughter of big music honcho, Tony Berg. Tony has been a staple guitarist for many bands like, Air Supply. Elizabeth started the band back in 2001. Avaerage age is around 25. Now, with a new addition to her band (from 3 to 4 members), they've been hitting more circuits in the U.K. What's up with the U.K. connection? That accent I heard was from Tennessee Thomas, the drummer of The Like. She's also Pete Thomas' kid. FYI, Pete Thomas is the former drummer for Elvis Costello and one of the best and most wanted drummers in the field. If you've got the connections, why not use it? Especially when you're the offsprings! And I guess it helps to write your songs since its in your blood already, haha.

Their new album was released in June 2010, entitled Release Me. It's quite a catchy song. I like this latest album better than their first one, Are You Thinking What I'm Thinking? (circa 2005). They're a bit more grown-up now. And then I find out they actually toured with Muse. ?? MUSE!! Oh, connections or talent related? Heck, if you both, use them!! Awesome. And just a note, I heard of Muse and listened to their songs waaaaaay before that tweeny cheesy Twilight explosion.

I am surprised by how much I like their songs, though. Indie catagory, again. I'm not even a hipster!