Lemonade

Diver

True Panther

This is pleasant enough to listen to, but there isn’t a lot of substance here either. The way the band uses 80s/90s R&B is enjoyable musically and lyrically. It’s also a sound that has been done to death, and there isn’t enough of their own sound in the mix to really define them as anything more than an update, one that could have had more heft and originality. So, something good for playing in the background, for dancing, but not so good for anything that requires a lot of thought. http://www.facebook.com/lemonadetheband

Andrea Weiss

Check Yo Ponytail 2

Light Asylum Chelsea Wolfe, Tearist, Violet Tremors and Slow Motion DJS.

Self-Released

The latest mixtape from Light Asylum features these bands/DJs, and it moves from early 80s new wave disco, through late 80s electronica, the 90s with a great reimagining of NIN’s Sin, to Bauhaus like goth at the end. The pace is fast and frenetic, a full 33 minutes of everything-and- the-kitchen-sink dance music, perfect for clubbing, and for getting anything done that needs to done fast It’s a lot of fun to listen to, and the energy will leave anyone feeling refreshed and ready for whatever comes next.

Andrea Weiss

.LIGHT ASYLUM http://www.lightasylum.com/ CHELSEA WOLF http://www.chelseawolfe.net/TEARISThttp://www.facebook.com/pages/TearistVIOLET TREMORS http://www.facebook.com/Violet.Tremors2

The Dig

Midnight Flowers

Buffalo Jump Records

This New York band seems to be taking the Arcade Fire’s The Suburbs as their starting point. Not as a clone band, but for their own music, warm mellow pop. They are wise about relationships, and they know themselves well. They are calm on the surface, but below that disquiet, mostly about the vexing situation they’ve gotten themselves into. The music reflects that, while highlighting their gentle quirks, and idiosyncrasies. A very good debut, full of promise for a great young band.

Andrea Weiss

https://www.facebook.com/thedig

MEN will make you dance. Their melodic, very catchy music instantly gets me shimmying around whatever room of my apartment I’m in. They will also make you get active--about feminism, G/L/B/T/Q rights, and many other issues. That makes them a favorite of mine.

Recently, I had a chance to interview JD Samson, leader of MEN, gender outlaw, and a very cool person. I thank her very, very much for answering my questions.

Andrea Weiss: This is really good feminist dance/rock. Do you feel like you’re carrying feminism onward?

JD Samson: I’m really happy to be involved in another wave of feminist art. I think I'm a carrier of the movement. Not the only carrier. But I have my hands on things for sure.

AW: Do you want to make people think as well as dance?

JD: I want people to use their brains while they do everything they do. I want artwork to always be conceptual. Not everyone has to understand, but the work I do is important in my own soul because it has multiple meanings and it is a way to express interest in what goes on around us as human beings.

AW: How do you feel music has changed since the 90s, especially for out artists?

JD : In the 90s I think people were actually talking about things in music. REM, B52's, Nirvana, these bands ruled the airwaves, and their music was self reflective and it was political. Nowadays I think we are lacking that sense of humanity. we are looking at music as a shallow background thump. An avenue of which to get us somewhere simple. Not complex. I think that goes for out artists as well. We are trying to fit in to the mainstream. Even I can admit I try. But then in the end i come out feeling like I need to be me. That's what is important.

AW: MEN is one of the most visible out bands. How do you feel about L/G/B/T/Q issues moving into the musical mainstream?

JD: Like I said I hope for LGBTQ artists to be able to maintain their own spirit and selves while being respected for who they are.

AW: Who are your influences.

JD: Tribe-8. Talking Heads. Young Jean Lee.

AW: What comes first, music or lyrics?

JD: Depends on the song. Every one is different. Sometimes I write words and then sing them to melody. And sometimes melody happens with words that don't make sense. And then I fill it in.

AW: Do you feel your music is making a difference, as in making people inspired to get active?

JD: I hope that people see someone who cares about the future. That people are inspired to move around and start thinking about how we can change. that we are all inspired to think about art together in a room. All of this I wish I can do.

AW: Are you happy with Obama on L/G/B/T/Q! rights?

JD: I think Obama has done more than a lot of other presidents in terms of LGBTQ issues and I hope he will do more in his next term.

AW: Any good music we should we be keeping an ear out for?

JD Kimann Foxman, Creep, Anika, Light Asylum, Venus X

Andrea Weiss