Smoosh/The Postmarks @ World Music Cafe

700th post. Boo-yah!

I started my two part Philadelphia concert day at the World Music Cafe at the WXPN Studios. WXPN is operated by the University of Pennsylvania and it's the city's public radio station. It's a super cool, relaxed venue akin to Joe's Pub in NYC. Although, I do find it weird that you can have a lunch/dinner while rock bands are playing in front of you. Also, if you're cheap, you can watch the show from outside the window or listen to it on NPR.

So the afternoon show of Seattle's Smoosh and Miami's The Postmarks was a good relaxing start to my day. Have a seat at the bar, have a pint, eat some fries and enjoy two fun bands.

I'm sure you are already aware, since you do following music, that Smoosh is comprised of 15-year old lead singer/keyboardist Asya and 13-year old drummer Chloe. They don't play kid's music, even though the fan base has a good kid contingent. Having been taught the ways of the indie rock force by Jason McKerr of Death Cab for Cutie, the sisters' fanbase includes people like you and me. It was pretty interesting to see families bring their kids to show. I think it's a great introduction to alternative forms of music -- way better than that Kidz Pop malarkey.

Being that you're watching two kids play rock music, you kind of have to separate the gimmick of two kids playing music usually performed by adults from their style of music. The drummer and keyboard style, as also done by Mates of States and Matt & Kim, lends itself to a stripped down form of pop rock. I think the fact that it's basic makes it so appealing and uncomplicated.

For being 13 and 15, they know what the heck they are doing. It doesn't sound like a bunch of kids. They even brought along their younger sister to play bass of a few tracks. Its crazy how good they are. I said to myself, "I wasted my youth playing saxophone. I should have played keyboards." I'm buying my niece a drumkit for her birthday.

The question remains, when they become 21, what will they sound like or will they continue in some capacity? By then, they'll be jaded by the world like the rest of us.

And here's the coolest thing you'll see today, Smoosh covers Bloc Party's "This Modern Love"

To be honest, I wouldn't have seen Smoosh if The Postmarks weren't opening up. I do give props to Smoosh, but afternoon, indoor concerts? -- pretty strange. The band, making their Philly debut, has really struck a chord with me because they remind me of parts of the now defunct The Sundays mixed with 60s pop music via Burt Bacharach. Think The Bird & The Bee without the electronic flourishes. You have lead singer Tim Yehezkely singing lounge pop songs about heartbreak, but making it sound cool and relaxing. Their debut album, produced by Andy Chase of Ivy, is a perfect soundtrack for a summer sunset. Although, will we ever see summer with this weather?

Anyway, Tim, being the trooper that she is with a busted foot, transfixed me with her sad, little woman voice. You can feel the disappointment in a voice in songs songs like "Goodbye," "Looks Like Rain" and "You Drift Away." Others songs "Weather the Weather" or "The End of the Story" have the feeling of broken merry-go-round in an abandoned amusement park. Although, that's the resounding theme to band's work, they pull it off without being tiresome.

In the end, who'd ever thought one of best new bands of 2007 would come from Miami, home of the Miami base sound? Smoosh and Postmarks play Monday at Knitting Factory NYC and Postmarks hit up Union Hall on Thursday. They are also touring with Memphis and The Frequency so please do check them out.

As a side note, if you're in town, the Triumpth Brewing Co., good micro-brew beer and amazing burgers. Probably the best I've had in the city.

Comments

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[oyunlar]

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