Erin and Her Cello

August 31, 2015 Scrimshaw Collective

Anyone who has ever lived in New York City can relate the the love-hate relationship you can have with it on a daily basis. Meeting and listening to Erin Hall sing and play her cello, was a day that I was thankful that this amazing city allowed our paths to cross.

Erin Hall is the lead singer and cellist, of Erin and Her Cello. Her music is unique, lyrically creative, fun, and beautiful. The sound ranges from jazz, to blues, to French pop, to 60's girl group rock, all with a dash of humor. Erin's music can appeal to the masses where her songs allow the native New Yorkers to really connect with her lyrics, while other songs make you wish that you eating a croissant at a French coffee shop. Erin is charming and whitty, which shine through in her music allowing the smooth cello to combine with her quirky lyrics that make you want to smile and dance.

Erin and Her Cello are playing at Joe's Pub at the Public Theatre at 9:00 on Sept 8th. Also, listen to her recent album Petits Bisous, you will be tapping your foot and putting songs on repeat, guaranteed. If you find yourself craving some visual creativity, then her music videos are a must see!

Daybreaker NYC: A Revolutionary Kickstart to Your Morning

August 26, 2015 Scrimshaw Collective

Arriving outside the Highline Ballroom at 5:40 AM was a bit surreal as we were the only souls on the street apart from a nearby food truck delivery crew. We weren’t cruising by on an early morning run, and no we didn’t leave our card there the night before. We were actually about to participate in a morning movement that would start our day unlike anything else; a little something called Daybreaker. Last Wednesday, we ditched the Keurig and started our Wednesday with a well-deserved dosage of a 6 AM deep house yoga followed by a monstrous dance party. Daybreaker is a new routine sweeping the planet, fueled by dance moves and a special camaraderie that unites morning enthusiasts like no other.

The basic premise is that a group of New Yorkers, thought - why not change up the way millennials start their morning. So it was decided to gather as many people as possible in a unique venue for an hour yoga class (starting at 6 AM) accompanied by deep house music, followed by an outrageously rowdy rave from 7-9 AM. DJ spinning electronic music with fist in the air (i.e. not Zac Efron): check; coconut water and USDA organic bottled cold brew: check; scantily clad dancers hanging from the ceiling and twirling fire on stage: check; and leaving for work a little sweatier than anticipated; double-check.

The sunrise celebration was an East Coast pregame for the West's favorite desert gathering, Burning Man. Tens of masked performers energized the crowd abound the stage, dancing around the 11-year-old act, DJ Kai Song, who kept our bodies grooving. This roundup isn't for your parents (...well at least not ours), and is very much for that liquefied kale chugging, downward facing dog stretching, EDM listening individual that wants to start their hump day with a smile on their face while meeting new dance partners in the process. Tickets for both the yoga class and dance party start at $40 USD, and the dance session alone costs $25 USD. Daybreaker happens across the globe, so check out their site to see where the next one will be near you! The next one in New York City will be at September 16, 2015 at Space Ibiza NYC – see you there for sunrise salutations and shenanigans.

Pepper: True Ohana

August 12, 2015 Scrimshaw Collective

Ohana is a word and a lifestyle that stems from Hawaiian culture referring to the bond of family. The band Pepper, formed in 1996, has their own Pepper Ohana, which is embodied by the three-some – Bret, Kaleo, and Yesod.

Scrimshaw Collective was able to sit down one-on-one with the band before their show at Pier 97 for JBL Live, as part of their Dirty Dozen VIPs, to talk about their tour. To Pepper, this tour is their vacation from the West Coast, and they wanted to spend it performing for their fans. Upon meeting the band, they dapped me up and gave hugs all around as if we had known each other our entire lives. Their vibe was cool, electric, and inviting as they constantly threw up the infamous shaka to convey their aloha spirit.

The band has been friends since they were groms, and it’s easily seen with their fluidity in conversation and their presence on stage. After giving Scrimshaw a shout out, we parted ways so the band could physically and mentally prepare for their show.

As they walked on stage, the loving fans cheered and small clouds of smoke filled the air. Their energy within the first note was carried throughout their entire show. The sound was crisp, the sun was shining, and Pepper left everything they had on stage. The concert was nothing short of amazing and ended as Pepper saluted New York by saying, “We may not be the best band, but we want to be your favorite,” allowing everyone who just shared the experience to be part of the Pepper Ohana.

SummerStage Series: Milky Chance feat. X Ambassadors

July 27, 2015 Scrimshaw Collective

The SummerStage Series in Central Park really rocked it last Wednesday night featuring the uber popular German group, Milky Chance. The original duo, comprised of DJ Phillipp Dausch and singer/songwriter Clemens Rehbein, can be classified as electronica pop heavily influenced by folk and reggae styles. More recently, the guys brought on a third musician, Antonio Greger, who wails on the harmonica adding another funky component to their unique style. Opening for the European musicians was the Ithaca, NY based quartet, X Ambassadors who started off the night energizing the crowd.

Nestled in Rumsey Playfield, the SummerStage crew knows what they're doing. Celebrating their 30th season, the venue was extremely well laid out, designed in a very friendly and open format. The stage was clearly the center point of the area, but it didn’t completely dominate the grove. The area’s perimeter was constructed by a plethora of food and beverage vendors, featuring collaborations from Brooklyn’s trendy Smorgasbord food fest, STAND Coffee, ASIADOG, plus a ton drinks including Sierra Nevada, Lagunitas, and a refreshing Swedish canned-cider, Rekorderlig.

Tasting our way across the vendors, we settled in the very middle of the audience for the start of X Ambassadors. The sun was still shining high as the band kicked off the evening. Unfamiliar with their work, their pop-rock songs really got the crowd moving – and singing! During their forty-five minute gig, they debuted songs from their first full-length album, VHS, including the popular, “Jungle”, “Renegades”, and “Gorgeous.” Lead vocalist Sam Harris swooned the crowd with some summery saxophone solos as the sunset began its daily descent. The saxophone and short-sleeve button-downs may be rivaling for Summer 2015’s trendiest already existing phenomenon. Cool Tommy Bahamas dads and Lisa Simpson better watch their backs…

After the openers wrapped up, a crew took to the stage and had Milky Chance on in just under 20 minutes. From the very beginning of their set, the now trio had a full house on their feet and belting along under the clear evening night sky! Their first full-length album, Sadnecessary, is stacked with hits. Arguably their most popular tune, “Stolen Dance” has been played more than 210 million times on Spotify (now there’s something to be said there). Each track has a similar vibe, but very individual lyrics that make them stand out on their own. Ripping tracks like, “Flashed Junk Mind” and “Down By The River”, when they jumped into “Stunner” everyone was singing their hearts out! Rehbein and Dausch’s lyrical and instrumental fusion resonated over The Park, as Greger got real bluesy with his talented harmonica skills. The three of them really owned the audience, and entranced all with their fun shoulder-shaking beats. If you can make sure to get to a concert of theirs if at all possible, you’ll be happy you did. But in the meantime, check out SummerStage’s website to experience some great music under the summer evening skies.

The Wood Brothers @ Lowdown Hudson

July 16, 2015 Scrimshaw Collective

The Wood Brothers perform live at The Lowdown Hudson Music Fest (L to R: Chris and Oliver Wood, and Jano Wix).

Attending a free outdoor concert on a Wednesday evening was just the trick to get over yesterday’s hump day blues. We recently dropped by the Lowdown Hudson Music Fest http://artsbrookfield.com/event/lowdown/ (sponsored by Arts Brookfield), down on the southern tip of Manhattan behind Brookfield Place off Vesey Street. The first day (of the two-day festival), both Ryan Bingham and the rustic-rock group O.A.R. performed, while the second night featured the incredibly talented Wood Brothers, who opened for a supergroup called The Word, made up of Robert Randolph, John Medeski, and all three members of the North Mississippi Allstars. Unfortunately, we had to dip out and missed The Word, but we caught the Wood Brothers and their set was truly electric (in the most acoustic-meets-electric way).

The Wood Brothers brought their folk-Americana hustle to the Big Apple, and its exactly what the crowd was looking for. The trio, made up of Oliver (guitars) and Chris (upright bass) Wood, plus the ever versatile musician Jano Rix, started off strong and kept going ‘til the last applause. Pumping out some heavy vocals, Oliver gave an interim shout out to NYC saying, “This goes out to all our friends here in the city who have crappy bar gigs tonight! It’s all relative guys.” These three men jammed for nearly two hours and really brought the heat, which was refreshingly complemented by a slight breeze off the Hudson. Their feel good vibes and boot stomping melodies had the venue dancing the night away. Into their latter hour of performing, Oliver reaffirmed the swaying fans that it was alright to move their feet, explaining: “It’s ok if its 7:15… you can still dance!” The Bros played quite a selection performing tracks from a variety of their albums including some highlights such as: “Shoofly Pie”, “When I Was Young”, “Who The Devil”, “Luckiest Man”, “Honey Jar”, and “Postcards from Hell.” Heartfelt lyrics resonated as they masterfully owned their selected instruments. The sound oozed over the stage and into the attendees like a sweet musical honey. A washboard, harmonica, standing bass and unplugged guitar make for a quintessential sound, and The Wood Brothers have mastered that. And word is they’ve got a new album in the works for this fall, so stay tuned by following along on their Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for updates.

In addition to the soul soothing vocals and an eclectic blend of instruments, it was also pretty monumental the gig was free of charge! All you needed was a handstamp from the merch tent, and you had access in. As the sun set to set over the waterside venue, you almost felt you had been transported to a countryside riverbank. Yet the colossal One World Trade easily reminded us that in fact we hadn’t left New York at all. Overall the show was out of this world, and had always been a dream to see them live. NYC was the last place I expected to catch them, but I’m sure glad I did.

Liza Colby Sound

July 2, 2015 Scrimshaw Collective

In a day where bands can play their whole set from a Macbook, it’s refreshing to see talented musicians give everything they have on stage to give the audience the performance of a life time.

This is what you get with The Liza Colby Sound. Lead Singer, Liza Colby, grew up in a family filled with talented musicians and yet paved her own way in the industry with a mix of current sounds and late 60’s rock and roll infused with a lot of soul. When Liza steps on stage, she commands attention. Liza owns the stage with her beauty, her vocals, her outfits, and her amazing hair, reminiscent of a young Tina Turner. She’s surrounded by a seasoned trio of talented male musicians who shine in their own way, while elevating Liza to the next level.

While interviewing Liza it was easy to see that her energy was not limited to the stage. She was eager to speak about her music and her band. It was awesome to listen to someone so passionate about her craft and fully commit to a dream.

As a longtime resident of the Lower East Side, we wanted Liza’s take on some of her favorite local spots. With her usual energy and enthusiasm, she shot off countless places, and eventually gave us her “staple” order at Odessa - rye bread grilled cheese, with mozzarella, swiss, bacon, and tomato, with mustard and onion rings on the side. She adds, “I’ll also milkshake it, and also get chocolate milk. I need to do sweet and savory so I’ll probably also throw in pancakes. I love to eat, I’m not one of those girls who is like, let me have a salad, no, I’m like, Let’s Fucking Eat.”

Liza is one who puts passion into everything - her food, her band, and her craft. The Liza Colby Sound is definitely a must hear and a must see.