Live Review: Look Mexico, Dear & the Departed, and Gabriel the Marine @ The Studio 3-10-10

“You Stay. I Go. No Following.” The song began like most Look Mexico songs, quiet, before picking it up sonically with their musical prowess. This was the first song the 5-piece played at the Studio of Webster Hall on Wednesday night. The song goes "Thank you, I thank you, thank you for absolutely nothing." The song is one of the band's latest and seemingly their lead 'single' off their new album. A little mathy, a little dancey, some pop/rock and a lot of melody, the now based in Austin band  who are originally from Tallahassee, delivered a nice 45 minute. They mixed in songs from their new album To Bed to Battle (out on March 23) and previous releases. At one point singer Matt walked off stage to sit on the floor, amongst the crowd, and played guitar while the other members stayed on the stage, but were also sitting. It was great seeing the band in a basement, but not just any basement a really nice one at Webster Hall,with phenom sound, for the third time. I think this was their best one.

Also on the bill was Gabriel the Marine from Long Island, who had a pleasant violin-driven rock sound. They played songs off their Your Friends and Loved Ones EP, as well as new ones. Vocalist Dylan reminds me of Circa Survive's Anthony Green. On “Heaven Only Knows” the singer tried to sing really high but didn't quite make it there. The song itself it pretty sweet. The crowd cheered for one more, so they played a  quick new one that sounded awesome. There was a sweet bass line and the song was quite rockin'. A tad different from the main set GTM had played, which seems to be telling of the band's new music.

Look Mexico New Album Pre-Order, Tour Dates, and Giveaway

Look Mexico are touring in support of their upcoming release, To Bed To Battle out March 23 via Suburban Home. The album will be pressed on LP, CD, and available digitally. LP and CD orders come with a coozie and button. You can place your order here. 

The band is coming to The Studio at Webster Hall on March 10 with Gabriel the Marine and the Dear & The Departed. Doors are at 6:30pm. Then on March 11 they play at Court Tavern in New Brunswick, NJ with Let Me Run, Makeout Party, and My Love for Danger.

*Giveaway*: We have a pair of tickets for one of their upcoming dates. You can pick either March 10 at The Studio at Webster Hall or March 12 at Court Tavern. You must be 21 or order to win the tickets for the Court Tavern show and 19 or older for the Webster Hall show. 

To enter send your full name, location, e-mail address, age, and which show you want to go to (Webster Hall or Court Tavern), subject "Look Mexico Ticket Contest" to us. 

CMJ 2009 Day 3 Photos: Red Collar, Look Mexico, Bridge & Tunnel, Bodega Girls, and more

All photos by StarBeat

Red Collar

October 22, 2009

Red Collar are one of the most intense live bands I've see. The way this 4-piece North Carolina band get into the music and interact on stage is amazing. So energetic, so fun to watch, and so passionate. This how a band should perform. Despite having a drummer with an injured hand, they still played and they still managed to sound great. This band knows how to rock with their catchy songs and heartfelt lyrics. Mike Jackson, Beth Kutchma, Jason Kutchma, and Jonathan Truesdale, bravo. Thanks for a kickass show.

Look Mexico


Bridge and Tunnel

The band played as part of the Syndicate/ Punknews.Org showcase. I also caught Look Mexico and Bridge & Tunnel who sounded great. I finally bought Bridge and Tunnel's bicycle t-shirt (see below) and got a sticker to. It was great conversing with Beth of Red Collar and Rachel and Tia of Bridge & Tunnel. The sound was excellent at The Studio. One of the coolest things was when Matt of Look Mexico got off stage during the set and sat on the floor, playing guitar and then slowly more people sat around him, including Rachel of Bridge & Tunnel and one his players. It was really great seeing an awesome set of bands!


Next, I headed to the Beyond Race Magazine showcase to see Bodega Girls and JEFF the brotherhood. Bodega Girls killed it again. This band know how to get people dancing. "Combat Zone" was awesome. They definitely put on a show. JEFF the brotherhood sounded great to with their garage rock sound. After, I headed to Music Hall of Williamsburg to see Mumford and Sons, an indie folk band from London with some great songs. I easily got into "The Cave." It's such a hopeful song: And I'll find strength in pain/ And I will change my ways/ I'll know my name as it's called again. It was great hearing banjo in their songs and boppin' about. After their set I ran to Glasslands Gallery for the Death+Taxes party that Real Estate was also on. The Vancouver garage rock duo, Japandroids would be performing. They played a great mix of songs off Post-Nothing including "Heart Sweats," "Crazy/Forever," and "Young Hearts Spark Fire." It was a fun night. I also grabbed of Dave's drum sticks that landed close to the stage.

See below for more pics with Red Collar, Look Mexico, Bridge & Tunnel, JEFF the brotherhood, Bodega Girls, Mumford & Sons, and Japandroids.


Red Collar @ The Studio at Webster Hall









Look Mexico @ The Studio at Webster Hall




Bridge and Tunnel @ The Studio at Webster Hall







JEFF the brotherhood @ Crash Mansion




Bodega Girls @ Crash Mansion



Mumford and Sons @ Music Hall of Williamsburg







Japandroids @ Glasslands Gallery

CMJ 2009 Day 2 Photos

Today I saw Look Mexico, Good Old War, and Orenda Fink at the studio at Webster Hall, Bodega Girls at Piano's, and Emilyn Brodsky at The Living Room. The day started with some lighter tunes from folk inspired musicians, then moved to some dance goodness by Bodega Girls, and an unexpectedly awesome performance by Emilyn Brodsky .

Look Mexico @ The Studio at Webster Hall











Look Mexico have a big sound. Their folk/punk sound was a bit too loud for the small studio of webster hall and something seemed off, but I think it was more the venue than the band. They made up for it the following day when they played the punknews showcase but here they did play with such sincerity and the song came through well, even if too loud. The little intricacies in the music is what makes me pay attention to this band. You'll hear a little guitar squeal or a keyboard part that really makes the song stand out. It's quite neat.

Good Old War @ The Studio at Webster Hall

Good Old War put on a nice set playing songs off Only Way to Be Alone in an intimate and soft setting with their acoustic sound. The ended with "Coney Island."

Orenda Fink @ The Studio at Webster Hall











Orenda Fink is a serious singer. Her songs come though light and lovely, though lyrics might say otherwise. She played with a guitarist? (excuse me for not knowing what the musician was playing) and accordionist. Orenda commented that the day before she got stuck in traffic because President Obama was at Hammerstein Ballroom, so she got delayed from going to practice. Then someone in the crowd commented about how he didn't deserve the Nobel Peace Prize. Sadly, there weren't many people in attendance for this showcases, most had left at Good Old War it seemed.

Bodega Girls @ Piano's



















I heard Bodega Girls killed it when they played Cameo just a few before ago, so I was looking forward to seeing them at CMJ. They were definitely fun. The groups dances around and jams out. Enjoyed them so much I saw them again on Friday. If you want to dance, check this band out. They play at Glasslands on Oct. 30.

Emilyn Brodsky @ The Living Room









Emilyn Brodsky and her band consisting of Emily Hope Price on cello, Brian Viglione on drums, and Anthony DaCosta on bass performed a great set at Living Room. Emilyn's folk ukulele songs were brought to life. Brian's drums were heavy and the the band sounded great. Of course, Emilyn was entertaining with her wit. Her mother was in the audience to. She explained what her songs meant and had a great personality. Top notch.