NYC Scene Report – Pill, Starchild & The New Romantic, & more

This week's NYC Scene Report features indie rockers Pill introducing us to a “Vagabond,” a soulful cover from Starchild & The New Romantic, something in "Slow Motion" from indie pop duo HEIRSOUND, and a great synth-pop tune from Jay Pray.

* Brooklyn indie rockers Pill gave us a dose of "Medicine" back in June, and now they're back with the follow up, titled "Vagabond." Both songs are off of the band's upcoming debut LP, Convenience, which is due out August 19th on Mexican Summer.

Fronted by Veronica Torres, what makes Pill unique in the indie rock scene is that they mix modern indie rock with 90s alt-rock, and have a killer sax that adds an extra musical layer to all of their work. Click play on "Vagabond" to hear what I mean.


* Starchild & The New Romantic, who released his debut EP, Crucial, earlier this year, has been taking on some covers in recent months. Previously, he hit listeners with a cover of Charelle's 1984 classic "I Didn't Mean to Turn You On," and now he’s followed that up with a cover of Brooklyn band Porches' "Mood."

Even if you aren't familiar with the original, Starchild & The New Romantic's soulful cover is a must-hear. Filled with passion, and a huge nod to '80s synths, it’s sure to suit just about any "Mood."


* There's no two ways about it, I'm getting addicted to the music of NYC duo HEIRSOUND. Their latest, "Slow Motion," which is off of their just released EP, Merge, has a pop-punk ballad type of vibe, and is all about chasing one's passion in life.

The video for “Merge” was shot and produced by HEIRSOUND's Alexa San Roman, and stars her sister. San Roman says of the clip, "My sister was going through a transition in her own life at the time, and I felt like she was the perfect subject for our video considering its message, so we just rolled with it. She is a photographer, and I wanted to make the video as real as possible, so I basically just followed her around while we went on trips around the US."

Check it out.


* If you're a sucker for good synth-pop, you're going to want to check out Brooklyn's Jay Pray.

Set to release his eponymous debut album on October 21st, Jay Pray recently hit listeners with the single "I'd Go Anywhere (Do Anything)." A body movin' track, "I'd Go Anywhere (Do Anything)" is a perfect soundtrack for a good time.

While patiently waiting for Jay Pray’s album, keep this song on repeat. Actually, if you do that you may spend the next two months dancing. Hey, at least you'll be really fit for the fall!


For more of the best of NYC’s indie music scene, come back next Wednesday, and check out the archives for previous columns.