Wednesday, March 27
British songstress Kate Nash crowd-funded her latest record "Girl Talk" after splitting ways with her label over the albums more guitar-driven sound. The song "Death Proof" has a strong, almost Pixies-ish base line anchoring Rockabilly guitar licks. Needles to say, it's a pretty big departure from her cutesy piano indie-pop sound.
Check her out at The Studio at Webster Hall to see for yourself if her new, edgier sound works. She's also playing the Music Hall of Williamsburg on Thursday if you can't make this one.
Thursday, March 28
Australia's legendary rockers Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds just released their 15th studio album, "Push the Sky Away," in February. Many of the songs are darkly atmospheric and spare, with an underlying tension and feeling that things could explode at any moment.
Cave described the album this way on the band's website: “Well, if I were to use that threadbare metaphor of albums being like children, then Push The Sky Away is the ghost-baby in the incubator and Warren’s loops are its tiny, trembling heart-beat.”
The band is playing a three-night set at the Beacon Theatre, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
Also playing: Columbia University's own Vampire Weekend is set to release their new album "Modern Vampires of the City" on May 14. Get a preview of the album when they play the Gerald Lynch Theater at John Jay College.
Friday, March 29 The Breeders — formed as a collaboration between The Pixies' Kim Deal and Throwing Muses' Tanya Donelly — had one of the early-'90s biggest alt-rock hits with "Cannonball."
The band is playing their classic album "Last Splash" front to back at The Bell House.
Also playing: Chicago DJ duo Flosstradamus bring their big club sounds to Webster Hall.
Saturday, March 30 Brooklyn's Takka Takka released their follow-up to 2008's critically acclaimed album "Migration" late in 2012. The album contains the same African-inspired guitar playing as their first albums but adds some strings and horns, giving their complex sound even more depth.
Check them out at an intimate venue when they play Cake Shop.
Also playing: Martin Sexton combines a beautiful, soulful voice with masterful acoustic guitar. At City Winery.
Sunday, March 31 If a psychedelic-tinged, Spanglish-singing trio from Miami sounds interesting to you — and why wouldn't it? — then check out Arboles Libres at Left Field Bar on the Lower East Side.
Monday, April 1 The son of Crowded House' s Neil Finn, Liam Finn, is a musical force in his own right. He likes to show off his chops at live shows, often playing some of his melodic indie-rock by himself through looping guitars and drums.
He's sure to pull out his nifty tricks at the Knitting Factory.
Tuesday, April 2 If you think hip-hop has become stale and cliché, then check out Mykki Blanco, a transgender rapper whose rapid-fire style and outfits can make music feel truly transgressive again. At The Bowery Ballroom.
Also playing: Australia's electronic music producer Flume is at the Music Hall of Williamsburg.
