The members of The Rosewood Thieves first met at a California boarding school in the early ‘00s, began playing music together in New York in late 2005 and have spent the past few years figuring out how to mesh their laidback, country-rock roots with the hip, indie-rock swagger of their current Brooklyn address. “For some reason, I’m drawn to the older music of my parents, like T.Rex, The Beatles and Solomon Burke,” guitarist/ vocalist Erick Jordan says. “We try to stay true to the way music was meant to be played. We record our songs live, trying not to do too much and trying not to do too little.” Since the beginning, the quintet’s approach has been persistence and patience: Recording in bedrooms and barns, releasing a series of well-received EPs, hosting a Levon Helm-style musical ramble for peace and eventually releasing its first album, Rise and Shine. “We are always playing music at all times of the day,” Jordan admits. “And, sometimes, the best experiences are in someone’s living room at 3 a.m..” www.rosewoodthieves.com
Drummer John Morgan Kimock may only be 18, but he’s figured out how to blend his modern influences (The Benevento/Russo Duo, Tokyo Police Club) with some of his father Steve Kimock’s own inspirations (Herbie Hancock, Miles Davis). At a turning point after juggling numerous projects (including a stint in his father’s band,Zero), the younger Kimock will release an album in 2008 with his group The Octave Below. “We’d like to mix it with some old-school music,” the drummer explains, “and the Jazz Nazis.” Indeed, the trio, which also features Peter Fritz (bass) and Angelo Miraglia (keyboard and organ) sounds like an inspired generational mashup. “I love improv and all that, but I just like to make sure everything is laid out. Zero was cool because it was a good learning experience for me. It was more of a happy, hippie vibe.” And that aspect of his playing is no doubt a direct DNA link. “[My father] is truly into his shit and he doesn’t compromise it for anything. I’m glad I have that influence because I want to be just as focused in different ways.” www.myspace.com/theoctavebelow
Instead of namechecking a bunch of different bands when asked about their influences, the members of Dead Confederate believe three specific albums embody the music they make: Neil Young’s On the Beach, Pink Floyd’s Meddle and Nirvana’s Bleach. “Those are all seminal records for us and represent what we’re doing as a band,” frontman Hardy Morris says. “They all have a little bit of grit and angst, but with solid songwriting and a psychedelic side.” Formed in 2006, Dead Confederate has built a name for itself in the always-active Athens music scene based on its primal live shows and dark, Southern Gothic rock vibe. They’ve also scored props from a handful of local heroes, including Widespread Panic’s Dave Schools, who named the group his “band to watch” in 2008. In 2007, the quintet released a five-song EP and recently returned to the studio with producer Mike McCarthy (Spoon) to hammer out a full-length album. “Vibe-wise, it will be similar to the EP,” Morris promises. “I want it to be dynamic, exciting and raw. I like it when it sounds like we’re crawling all over one another.” www.deadconfederate.com
Nico Vega frontwoman Aja Volkman might just be the next Richard Simmons. “Being onstage is the craziest
workout,” she gushes. “It’s amazing what you can condition your body to do. It would make a great workout
video!” Backed up by guitarist Rich Koehler and drummer Dan Epand, Volkman purveys the sort of angstlaced, blood-pumping rock that makes a heavy foot tap all but impossible. With her raw, husky growl and less than shy, leotard-clad stage persona, she is equal parts sultry vixen and nerdy best friend. And while similarities to the Yeah Yeah Yeahs have been drawn more than once, Volkman welcomes them as flattery. “I’ll always have the most tremendous respect for Karen O. She just has a way with melody that is so unique and rare.” But unlike some of their contemporaries, the members of Nico Vega are never too cool for school. “We’re definitely not the ‘cool band on the east side,’” she laughs. “We don’t have an audience made up entirely of hipsters.” www.nicovega.com
Grimace Federation guitarist Wes Schwartz jokingly classifies his band’s sound as “demon-prog-slasher-jazz”
and he’s not too far off. Since forming in 2003, the mix of vibraphone, keyboards, guitars, bass and drums creates a symphonic, kinetic sound that has helped the group score collaborations with everyone from Aesop Rock to Antibalas. Grimace Federation has also made waves in the livetronica scene thanks to marquee spots at Camp Bisco and The Echo Project. Yet the group is hesitant to fully embrace the J-word. “We’re not a jamband because there’s no real jamming, but lots of subtly tweaked sections, tones, textures and layers,” Schwartz says. “We’re pulling from everywhere.” As a cool visual trick, Grimace Federation also places its two-man drum team at the front of the stage facing each other during most performances. “We don’t really care what it’s called as long its fresh, original and heavy.” www.grimacefederation.com
Daniel Snaith (aka Caribou), began recording his take on "psychedelic crunch" around the age of 14 and has since become quite prolific with 11 self-recorded albums, two live CDs and a DVD. "I'd probably use the word 'dense' to describe my music," he explains. "I get so excited I can't leave any space unfilled." The experimental group also often enhances its dark, indie-psychedelic show with projectors and other visual gimmickry. Caribou's creative output is matched by its touring ethic, and the band (rounded out by Ryan Smith, Andy Lloyd and Brad Weber) has played as far as China and Taiwan. "At one of the shows we were so loud that one of the old communist speakers caught fire and started shooting flames during the show," says Snaith. "I love doing shows and traveling the world, then coming back to the studio to record a new album. To me that's the best of both worlds." www.caribou.fm
RAMBLING ON WITH A BI-COASTAL VIBE
LIKE FATHER, SORT OF LIKE SON
SOUTHERN GOTHIC ROCK
DEMON-PROG-SLASHER-JAZZ
EQUALLY PROLIFIC AND PSYCHEDELIC
