I Ate Your Microphone

From Portland, Oregon – the stylings of Brightwood!

This northwest group is, at first taste, easy to listen to. "Wake" features clear, upper-range vocals similar to several other groups of the century’s first decade. But Brightwood seems to separate itself from other groups with interesting drum touches, vocal echo and a softness that is youth under control.

Listeners who are unfamiliar with this group will benefit from listening to "Swan Song," as the players cruise for about a minute than break loose a bit. However, "In Memory" ( The Love Antidote 2006) probably goes further in highlighting what there is about this group that is different. Roll through the selections from Brightwood and the listener will see that young musicians can indeed play several ballads, at a reasonably slow pace, then offer a tune or two at increased speed, so that their CD is not a musical blur. Check out "Surefire" from The Love Antidote to hear a bit more of the interesting drumming that supports Brightwood’s melody.

It should be no surprise to followers of Portland music that Brightwood stood out, even in that musical proving ground. With EP sales in the thousands anda million plays on www.myspace.com, Brightwood became one of the MySpace Top 100.

Brightwood at MySpace

Tags: indie music, indie, independent music, music, brightwood

A progressive jazz group among the pop/screamo/teen rock groups on indie labels – what a nice surprise. The Reign of Kindo reaches listener ears from Buffalo, New York, a city that consistently amazes those who visit. With dozens of music and cultural venues, this upstate New York city has spawned some talented and interesting individuals.

Reign of Kindo’s new Web site lists Joseph Secchiaroli (guitar/vocals), Steven Padin (drums/vocals), Kelly Sciandra (piano/rhodes/trumpet), Michael Carroll (guitar/sizes) and Jeffery Jarvis (bass/vocals) as the factors in this jazz equation. The group shows its sense of humor by listing Nintendo, winners, food and wild animals as major influences. Could be worse!

From the first keyboard notes of "Hard To Believe" on the band’s EP (One Eleven Records 2007) jazz and piano aficionados will be pleased. Then, to paraphrase another song, bring in the horns. Nice change of pace in the middle stages of the tune – energy without being overbearing. As one music critic likes to say, this is very tasty music. The vocals fit, which is not an easy thing to do in progressive music such as this. There is even a taste of pop/easy listening done with style.

"Needle and Thread" has some interesting guitar interplay at the beginning, with Sciandra’s piano moves almost pulling the listener’s attention away from the strings. But there is no competition here, so much as there is young guys just getting started. "Just Wait" is aptly titled. I’d expect to hear much more from this quintet.

The Reign of Kindo at MySpace

Tags: music, indie music, the reign of kindo, indie, independent music

The name of this group grabs the listener right away. The beginning of "Into The Flood" (East West/TCR 2007) does nothing to change this positive feel. The group seems to want to set a mood and then break into some rock and roll. But the dynamics of the song won’t allow anything unplanned. Excellent vocals and, my gosh, real pace and atmosphere changes within a song. Why don’t other bands get this? Great use of keyboards by this group as well – "Love, Love, Love, Love" and "Ghost of York." This last one is a sweet song that newcomers to As Tall As Lions may want to experience.

As Tall As Lions will be in the Land Down Under in February and March, with concerts in Brisbane, Sydney, Surrey Hills, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth. May 4 will find the group back in the U.S., with a gig at Giants Stadium – East Rutherford, New Jersey.

As Tall As Lions was first composed of Dan Nigro (vocals, guitar, piano); Saen Fitzgerald (guitar, drums); Cliff Sarcona (drums). Hailing from Long Island, New York the group has been playing under the current name for about five years. The current lineup includes Julio Tavarez. Brian Fortune was a former member who contributed guitar and piano.

As Tall As Lions on MySpace

Tags: independent music, music, as tall as lions, indie, indie music