When it comes to conflicting shows- you’ve gotta ask, do I want sesame street experimental jams, or bluesy honky tonk country. (These are real genres) It’s not all that black and white- you see. Dan Auerbach, Justin Townes Earle and Jessica Lea Mayfield OR The Fiery Furnaces, Dent May and Cryptacize? Tough call. Let me weigh it out:

On Saturday, The Fiery Furnaces, Cryptacize and Dent May & Hist Magnificent Ukele will be playing at the El Mocambo- all have that tropical island feel, all are a little bit silly. The Fiery Furnaces are a brother-sister group who play experimental pop, Cryptacize is signed to Athsmatic Kitty (Sufjan Steven’s label) and were recently tourmates on his previous tour, and and Dent May plays with a ukele, which has a magnificent ability to make anyone feel better.

The Fiery Furnaces- Spaniolated

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Dent May & His Magnificent Ukele- Meet Me In The Garden

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Cryptacize- Tail and Mane

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Dan Auerbach’s music is described as fuzzed-out blues. He’s also half of the Black Keys. He’s got that raw southern rock sound that can just as easily swoon you with a country acoustic ballad like ‘ Trouble Weighs A Ton’. Jessica Lea Mayfield was taken under Auerbach’s wing when he produced her album in ‘08. She’s got that soulful blues, and writes some of the saddest songs I’ve ever heard.

Justin Townes Earle is soo honky tonk country. It’s so endearing to hear him sing about his South Georgia sugar babe, self- proclaimed, “hill billy music” and other lonely ghosts of the South. They’ll be playing at the Phoenix.

Dan Auerbach-The Prowl

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Jessica Lea Mayfield- Call Me

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Justin Townes Earle- Ghosts of Virginia

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 lykke li

Aftering mildly experiencing the symptoms of tour-life, specifically that of credibility on the road, I have a deep respect for women in the industry. It’s difficult, whether you’re recognizing your own femininity or not, the dudes do. Such standards are magnified for women musicians, as it has been the hyper-girliness that has prevailed in the past months that has either further perpetuated the stereotypes that all girls want to sing about is dancing, and all their voices are synthesized and all they want to do is dj and wear unitards. Or it may give women a level playing field, proving they can hold their own, but for how long? Specifically, I’m talking about the rise of Yelle last year, a French pop singer whose suggestive lyrics were buried under French, which made songs about magazines and jogging sound sexy. Then there was the wildly popular Lykke Li, a Swedish blonde with a baby voice who gave us ‘Dance Dance Dance’ and the cover of ‘Knocked Up’ by Kings of Leon. Now there’s La Roux, who sings 80’s inspired British electro pop who broke out opening for Lilly Allen this year. Then there’s also Little Boots, who is of course, also British electro pop etcetc, Oh right, then there’s Bat for Lashes who is also British.. and has garnered praise from the likes of MIA, Radiohead and Ringo Starr. Oh, and Florence and the Machine, British, of course.Then there’s Newzealander, Ladyhawke best known for her single, ‘Paris is Burning’. Who else- Lights, Amanda Blank, Jessica Lea Mayfield, Cryptacize, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, etc etc.

They mostly fall under the category of electro-pop music, which I don’t dislike, however I’m wondering about the longevity of their careers and if there is much evolution of their music long after their club days end and it’s no longer cool to wear headbands. Either way, here is a sugary playlist of all those mentioned above. Enjoy!

Yelle- Je Veux Te Voir

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Lykke Li- Dance Dance Dance

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La Roux- Growing Pains

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Little Boots- Ghost

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Florence and the Machine- Kiss With a Fist

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Bat For Lashes- Whats A Girl To Do

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Ladyhawke- Back of the Van

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