Posts tagged mexicali live

One of the joys of growing up in New Jersey is its thriving music scene. Although it has seen a dip in open venues (RIP Bloomfield Ave. Café), it is undeniable that the Garden State’s most known spots have an abundance of loyal, lifelong followers. From the Wellmont Theater to the Meatlocker and the Stone Pony, there’s a place for people of all ages, musical tastes and economic standings. However, it seems my current fave is Teaneck’s Mexicali Live, where you can munch on burritos and get buzzed on margaritas while enjoying some of today’s most promising talent.

This past Friday, I decided it was time that I trek the sports and movie-loving boyfriend out to a show that didn’t include friends of ours on the bill. I figured what night would be better than to see Waking Lights, one of the tri-state area’s top up-and-coming bands. I’ve seen the indie/folk five-piece on a number of occasions in the past, and gave the group some coverage in William Paterson University’s Pioneer Times. After I heard their debut LP, The Rabbit Hole, I knew that they were an act to look out for. And as entertainment editor at the time, I strived to find talent in their prime – and in the least likely of places. But I digress – they were playing a show with girl-power trio Banditas and pop/rock troupe I Am Fighting, and I was more than excited to see what the night was going to hold.

Matt and Kyle of Waking Lights. Photo Courtesy: Henry Baum

As waitresses scurried around the room to serve drinks to the thirsty and down-to-party crowd, Hayley Thompson-King, Molly Maltezos, and Alec Tisdale aka Banditas took the stage. With an intriguing fusion of country harmonies and the grimy and chunky instrumentation of garage, the Bostonites stood their ground as concertgoers loudly made their way through the entrance. Thompson-King and Maltese hypnotized listeners with their harmonies as they belted out tracks from their debut opus Get Behind Us. Their cute outfits and petite frames were more than misleading as they belted tracks about shooting their men dead. Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned!

Next, the great wall of guitars that is I Am Fighting played a set filled with catchy guitar hooks and rhythms that could induce the need to head-bop in even the stiffest of characters. The Kearny, NJ band gave a grand performance in celebration of their new album Mesmerized, which was released today. Each member seemed absolutely enthralled in the performance as the crowd pogoed and sang along to every word through the set’s entirety. Although lead singer Joe Gehrmann admitted that their shows are few and far between, they’re definitely a band to check out live when they make their random stops around Jersey. Alongside Gehrmann is Dominick Gaglio who shredded on lead guitar, Dan Tretola on rhythm guitar, bassist Walter Dicristina, and drummer Joe Hughes.

Waking Lights’ Nicole jamming out. Photo Courtesy: Henry Baum

It was around 10 p.m. and I was still stabbing at my chicken burrito and slurping down my second magarita. As I began to sink my she-claws into my significant other’s half-full beer, it was time for us to experience Waking Lights in a packed house. This time the band was geared up with a smoke machine to give the crowd a performance filled with gritty passion and a distinct camaraderie that is only seen in the most rare of performances. The band, who humbly only go by their first names on their band bio – Matt (vocals), Dana (drums), Tommy (keyboards), Kyle (bass) and Nicole (violin) – played majority of their debut album, including the twangy “Where It All Began,” the sultry, R&B-infused “Never Meant to Hurt You,” and the harmonic indie gems “We All Die Alone” and “Lady in Rincon.” The band also previewed two new songs that will be on a new, currently unnamed, album. Each member of Waking Lights looked as if they were playing and singing with every bit of their strength. No one stole the show. Instead, they were one complete element, fueling each other until the very last note. Check out this great interview with the band and some bits of their set with the Aquarian Weekly’s Brian Schantz for the publication’s Project Greenroom and download The Rabbit Hole on iTunes.

It’s a rare occasion that I write about an article. Mainly because I find it to be redundant and overall pointless. People read articles to absorb information and form their own opinions about the given subject. But when it comes to pieces that try to give people a true glimpse of the music industry, I try to spread it around — because there’s a lot of things people don’t know. And when I saw this one posted on my friend and Drift Division drummer Corrado Rizzi’s wall, I had to take a stab at it.

AN ENDING FOR ENDERS

Alternative Press’s article “No Money, Mo’ Problems: Why Even Successful Bands Struggle Financially” follows the journey of Ace Enders as he begins to bow out of the independent music world. After the demise of his indie-pop troupe The Early November, Enders began his own project, I Can Make A Mess Like Nobody’s Business. His name didn’t do him justice. As he chugged on to “live the dream,” his touring and record sale profits never outnumbered the expenses, creating a financial mess of typical “starving artist” proportions. With a wife and young child, there’s only so long a man can put his dream above all else. On Dec. 21, Enders announced at his show in Teaneck’s Mexicali Live that it would be his last show until further notice.

This story is nothing new. Although the current economic status of our country isn’t the biggest help, the music industry has been hobbling around on its last leg for about a decade now. Torrents and download sites are replacing the record stores, and it seems like more people are looking to Youtube for their “live show experience” than the dive bars that many of us know and love.

However, this article hit me so hard because I was at the Mexicali that night. I saw the lighthearted boy get taken over by sheer gloom while he admitted that it was time to throw in the towel. It was evident and obvious that Enders was meant to be on stage. He had a sheer joy while performing that night, and had the stellar audience interaction to boot. So…why are talented, determined and somewhat successful people like Enders destined to suffer and quit their dreams for a life of monotony?

As AP’s article states, it depends on the artist. It depends on money spent on recording, touring, and designing and ordering merch. It also depends on the amount that other people spend. People meaning the fans. Sure, some people will pay 15 to 20 dollars to see a live performance. But will they buy a CD and/or merch too? This variable may seem small, but mixed with the number of expenses and “important people” to pay, it’s difficult for even the most successful artists, especially in the pop/punk/indie game, to make a substantial living. Say Anything’s Max Bemis, Eisley’s Sherry DuPree Bemis, and Thursday’s Geoff Rickley are examples of artists that were forced to work retail and other side projects to make a living.

THE GREAT SELL-OUT DEBATE

 Some of this year’s most beloved artists including the Black Keys and Vampire Weekend have developed publishing deals and plans to put their tracks in television commercials. Cue the “boo’s” from the peanut gallery. But in today’s industry, that is where the most money comes from and in essence, where the artist can get most control. They decide where their music goes, and they decide how much their music is worth (given the publishing deal they signed…but that’s another story). The Black Keys were nominated for six Grammy’s this year. Was it because their track was in a Zales jewelry commercial? Doubtful. In all actuality, it’s because they’re a talented group that pushed to the revive gritty swamp-rock sound that a lot of people were scared to touch. It’s really that simple!

At the end of the day, I can’t make anyone go to a concert, buy a T-shirt or an album. I may be the only one that salivates beyond control when I see a limited-edition tour poster for sale. But I know how there is nothing more perfect and indescribable than a good live show — and I know I’m not alone in this. Long story short, next show you go to, try and take the leap and buy a shirt or EP. You’d be surprised how much you’d be making their day.

I give endless amounts of credit to Rizzi and a number of my other friends that are fighting to keep their dream alive while striving to entertain anyone that will listen. There’s not only talent, but an unlimited amount of love and passion in every note sung and each snare hit. On that note (pun intended) the Drift Division EP is only 5 dollars! And you can download the Escape Directors’ debut album Ladders for free on their site.