For our latest installment of Apartment Stories, electro/hip-hop queen, art rocker and all-around wicked dancer Hesta Prynn entertained us with wine, a lesson in spontaneous human combustion, and an acoustic version of her song "Whoa Whoa," featuring beat master Chuck Brody.
The full band version of "Whoa Whoa" can be found on Hesta's recently released EP, "Can We Go Wrong." Get on it.
Soldout caught up with Canadian lovelies The Most Serene Republic last weekend, as they were wrapping up a headlining tour with shows in New York City and New Jersey.
After a rough night that included a performance at Brooklyn's Knitting Factory, the guys fueled up on a homemade brunch of scrambled eggs and coffee before gamely treating us to a rendition of "Pink Noise," off their recently-released EP, "Fantasick Impossibliss."
On a recent weekend afternoon, the five Canadians collectively known as Zeus crammed into the bathroom of a Brooklyn apartment and treated us to our first shower installment of our "Apartment Stories" series. Performing "Kindergarten," from their debut LP "Say Us," which was released in February, the Toronto residents proved that they don't need a large stage setting (though they did recently open a show for compatriots Broken Social Scene) to show off their musical chops.
Fun fact! The group got its start as the backing band for Arts & Crafts labelmate Jason Collett, but nowadays they appear to be comfortable having the spotlight to themselves. Even if, in this case, the spotlight is a showerhead.
Our favorite Aussies, Kate Cooper and Damon Cox (a.k.a. An Horse) sat down for an Apartment Story session with Soldout last week before kicking off their tour with Kaki King in New York City, performing their latest single, "Postcards." (And treating us to some hilarious impromptu banter.)
These guys have been blowing my mind for about two years now, but I continue to be amazed that such a powerful sound can come from a bare bones guitar and drum duo. Not to mention the fact that they can write a hook like nobody's business.
Cooper mentioned that they hope to head into the studio this summer to record their sophomore album, and I for one will be waiting with baited breath. In the meantime, we'll have to rely on "Postcards" to tide us over. Check out the video for the plugged-in album version, which also premiered this week.
allegra gellar is named after the lead character in David Cronenberg’s 1999 film eXistenZ, and yes, purposefully spelled differently by one letter. Jeremy Wilkins and Denver Bon began using the name after moving to Los Angeles, leaving behind a job at local movie-ophile favorite, Videodrome, and several Atlanta based bands that coincidentally sprinkled samples from titles only the hardcore film-buff would recognize.
Inspired heavily by bands like Death Cab for Cutie, The Red House Painters, and The Notwist, allegra gellar writes songs about destructive relationships and lost love. Throughout the years the band has become more of an ever-changing cast of players in an ever-changing variety of backdrops — the most recent lineup and geographical change occuring when Wilkins and the band's drummer broke-up. Everyone moved to Portland, except for the girlfriend, and allegra gellar became original members Denver and Jeremy once again (with former member George Lewis as a sometimes-member.)
However dramatic and hectic their history sounds, the lyrics and music they create is frequently fueled by such chaotic, life changing events. Take Even The Color Green Will Leave You — an exact quote from a band member's ex — or Sore Loser, a song with no lyrics and obscure movie samples that feels like it has a backstory you want to know more about.
Next up for the now three-man band is the secret plans of men, which can be downloaded from the band's website or iTunes. A number of tracks from previous releases can also be streamed at their Bandcamp page.
Hesta Prynn, 