Camera2/Spacehog
Mercury Lounge
February 26, 2013
Not gonna lie. As a kid, I spent WAY too many hours in my room, in front of a mirror, playing air guitar and lip syncing into just about anything that resembled a microphone. I was mesmerized by music and convinced that I was going to be a lead-singer in a huge band. The 90s is completely to blame for this. I absolutely adored everything I heard and couldn’t absorb the bands I was discovering fast enough.
Naturally, when I saw Spacehog was playing at Mercury Lounge I HAD to go.
They took the stage in true Mod fashion, with each member wearing a solid green, blue, red or orange blazer. A little Austin Powers-ish, but classy nonetheless. Covering the essential hits “Mungo City,” “Zeroes,” “I Want To Live,” and “In The Meantime,” the band also played a few tracks off of their new album, As It Is On Earth – my favorite being “Try to Remember.” Anchored in a simplistic, yet throbbing guitar line, this gentle and sincere song’s lyrics steer us through Langdon’s pain as his marriage is falling apart. The all-so-relatable emotions of love, regret and fear of what lies ahead are rather comforting, as Langdon sings:
Do you remember who you think you used to be? / Now, you’re lost in memory. / Do you remember who you used to think you were? / I need a reminder cuz I’m not entirely sure./ Was it all in my head?
Brooklyn’s Camera2, whose music I had just been introduced to, preceded Spacehog’s quirky and nostalgic set. There’s so much to love about this group of industry vets (members have been associated with such acts as Juliana Hatfield, Smashing Pumpkins, Stellastarr*, Teenage Kick and Teddybears). Though this was their 1st NYC show, their polished sound and melodic structure are too alluring not to take notice. Rather than release the album all at once, they made the unconventional decision to film 9 music videos for each song on their debut EP, Just About Made It. A new video is released every Tuesday followed by a ‘making-of’ documentary that following Thursday. Great marketing idea. Just brilliant.
Since all but one song was unreleased at the date of the show, there were no song titles to refer to, but there were several gorgeous lyrics that vocalist, Andy Chase, crooned and I swooned over:
“You are my favorite secret.” “Time can’t erase the meaning of you.” “How does it feel to be known for the chances you wasted…all you want is just the chances you’ve wasted.”
Check them out soon. I have a feeling about this band.
Sky Ferreira
Bowery Ballroom
March 20, 2013
Coming off what could only be a brutal run at SXSW, Sky Ferreira put forth a valiant effort and pushed through her show while being terribly ill. Profusely apologetic – to the point of jokingly offering to handwrite IOUs – she powered through a short, but enjoyable set, beginning with “Lost in My Bedroom” off of her album Ghost. Of course this catchy synth-pop number didn’t have the same energy onstage as on the album, but it’s impossible to criticize given the situation. This night definitely wasn’t a reflection of her true potential as a singer or performer, but holy hell is this 20 year old everything I want to be: super cute, young and talented.
It was quite an adorable moment of camaraderie during “Bad Dream” and “Ghost,” when the crowd joined in singing as Ferreria’s voice was unable to hit certain notes. Fortunately, she made it through to “Everything’s Embarrassing,” which is quite possibly the best song of last year.
I appreciate the fortitude.
Laura Sisul can be reached at misssisul@gmail.com.