Beat Radio headline Union Hall tonight | Main | Pela album revealed, one track at a time
08:03 AM - Here it goes again
In the past few days I got a new job (which starts today), saw three of my favorite local bands play some of their best shows yet, and found out that a friend's band won a Grammy. It's been exciting. Though a lot has been going on, we're still talking about that Pela show the other night, wishing there were more cozy shows like that in this part of Brooklyn. Make it happen, kids. On Friday night, Beat Radio headlined at Union Hall. The first act, Cat Martino, was someone I'd seen there before. She does some interesting vocal looping, but it can get a little same-y. She's got a lot of potential and a great voice, but without a sympathetic crowd it doesn't really work. Though some friends were excited about them, I wasn't into Tall Hands, who played next. However if their keyboardist and drummer had a fan club I'd join it. Saturday began with an important show - Up The Empire's (NOT)release show for Light Rides the Super Major. Some of the tracks on it will be familiar to those who've been paying attention for the past couple of years at shows on on the internet, but you need to hear it all together. All the work they put into this record was worth it, and I can't wait to see what happens when it sees a proper release and promotion. As for their live show - they played hard and even brought a few friends onstage to help fill out the sound (as if it really needs that!) and to make it even more of a party for the packed Mercury Lounge. Nice work! 
Finally Beat Radio played and the songs from The Great Big Sea (and one fantastic new one) came through as perfectly as ever. They manage to play with a lot of energy and excitement but still get the sound close to that of their recording.
After their set we headed over to Sin-e to see Children of the Unicorn. Rob Holmes warned me that he didn't know what we'd be in for, and there's no way we could have been prepared for "Night Shark." Amazing. Dave Hill (the comedian who hosted the Brooklynvegan CMJ showcase I saw) is the lead guitarist (he totally shreds) and there's a serious D thing going on. It wasn't bad for a first show. I'm sad I missed Slaywhore though. Next time.
