Posts by Jeff Demars

Sunday marked the second and final day of Treasure Island Music Festival 2015, and with a lineup stacked full of household rock and indie rock names, it did not disappoint. On a windy but warm afternoon, concertgoers packed the festival grounds for a day of energetic and electrifying performances. Swedish singer-songwriter Jose Gonzalez took the […]

2015’s Treasure Island Music Festival kicked off with a bang on Saturday, featuring a wide array of talented artists from across the electronic and hip-hop genres. While festival newcomers like Baio and Shamir wowed audiences with their fervor and fresh tunes, seasoned artists like Run the Jewels and deadmau5 anchored the Saturday lineup and brought […]

Over the course of nine years, Treasure Island Music Festival has built itself up as an alternative yet accessible mid-autumn event specifically tailored to the musical tastes of San Franciscans. This year will be no exception, as the festival returns next weekend boasting an exciting lineup packed with both established and up-and-coming acts, as well […]

Brandi Carlile is on top of the world, and nowhere was this more apparent than on stage at the Music Hall of Williamsburg last Wednesday night. Carlile took the intimate venue by storm after finding out her newest studio album, The Firewatcher’s Daughter, broke into the top ten on the Billboard 200. In a genuine […]

The week of CMJ Festival in New York City is one of discovery and excitement, as independent and promising young artists from throughout the world take the stage to put their talents on display. It was thus fitting that Here Lies Love, an off-Broadway musical production by David Byrne and Fatboy Slim (Norman Cook) held […]

While the road to success is long for many independent artists, “Forget,” the first single from Home Video’s new album, indicates that the band is focused and on the right track.

New York City’s Apollo Theater has undoubtedly heard many a sad song from musicians legendary to obscure, but perhaps never has the storied venue experienced such a devastatingly brilliant and emotionally gut-wrenching performance as that of Lykke Li.

Goodnight Tender is a gutsy, creative, and complete effort that showcases a developed and mature sound, honest, meaningful lyrics, and a more personal side of Ray that will undoubtedly please her followers and open their ears to new realms of music.

Between its solid songs, strong production, and varied, original pop music sound, Days Are Gone is an album for anyone who truly appreciates well-written and meaningful pop music.

From the band’s established singles to their fresh debuts, Kate Boy’s energetic and hip brand of electro-pop delighted and showed-off their ability to write and perform evocative and quality music distinctive from that of other Swedish electronic groups.

Make a resolution to see them in a live setting soon, because before long Geographer will undoubtedly be selling out venues of all sizes for years to come.

Phoenix leapt onto the American music scene in 2009 with Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix, an album that garnered the band their first Grammy Award and facilitated their meteoric rise. After a multi-year quest to redefine and, in typical French fashion, revolutionize their distinctive sound, the Versailles-based alternative rock quartet returned in April with a new album, […]

[rating=7] Hockey first made their mark in the alternative rock world in 2009 with the infectious, upbeat singles “Too Fake” and “Song Away.” Following the success of their debut album, the band traded their cozy hometown of Portland, Oregon for the rural forests of upstate New York, where they spent months writing and revising over […]

With Black Horses, Adam Franklin & Bolts of Melody succeed at creating an album of depth that can be enjoyed repeatedly from start to finish. The evolution of this seasoned musician and his supporting group will undoubtedly continue to intrigue as they bring Black Horses on the road in the near future.

On Saturday night, Sanders Bohlke closed out his tour as special guest on Rachael Yamagata’s “Dealbreaker Heart Tour” with a bang, stepping onto the stage at the Bowery Ballroom, capturing the undivided attention of several hundred strangers, and lulling them into a state of wonder and amazement with his music. This was undoubtedly a common […]

Over the course of the night, Gnecco and the rest of OURS rarely missed a note, and their near perfect show served only to draw the audience in even more.

Though Fever Dream slows quickly following its title track, as an overall effort it transcends its flaws, standing as a promising EP from a young band with the capacity to wrap emotional, heavy lyrics inside a catchy accessible synth-pop casing.

Ferrick’s performance at Rockwood Music Hall ultimately demonstrated why she continues to succeed after two decades in the music business. Alongside her performance, rife with raw energy and witty banter, her new album the truth is exemplifies her natural evolution as an artist.

MS MR’s full-length debut Secondhand Rapture (out now on Columbia Records) features a rich, consistent and at times addicting sound that reveals the band’s tremendous potential across twelve tracks.

Currently touring in support of the recently released Bodyparts, Martina Sorbara and her band brought their talents to New York City on Wednesday night, taking Terminal 5 by storm and wasting no time at turning the venue into a dancehall.