NYC Scene Report – Levy & The Oaks, Jay Pray, & more

This week's NYC Scene Report features the indie folk/Americana of Levy & The Oaks, some synth pop from Jay Pray, a new music video from indie rockers Forth Wanderers, and the singer-songwriter stylings of Cassandra Kubinski.

* You might not think of Asbury Park, NJ, as a hot spot for indie folk/Americana, but that's where the trio of Levy & The Oaks hail from. Their brand of indie folk/Americana is unique in that it transcends genres, and can also be appreciated by fans who like pop, and indie rock.

To hear what I mean, check out their latest single, "Slowly In The Water." The melodic song is off of the band's upcoming self-titled album, due out October 21st, and the video is a live clip, which is apropos, as Levy & The Oaks will be hitting the stage at The Studio at Webster Hall on October 28th.


* If you like synth pop, Brooklyn, by way of Connecticut, artist Jay Pray has something that will make you "Smile." "Smile" being the name of his latest single, which is off of his upcoming self-titled debut album, due out October 21st.

The dreamy track should be a hit with fans of both modern, and '80s, synth pop, as well as listeners who are simply into great pop songs, as it’s easy to imagine “Smile” as part of just about anyone's late night soundtrack.


* Back in August I wrote about the title track from Forth Wanderers' upcoming debut EP, Slop, and this week I'm happy to announce the indie rockers from Montclair, NJ, now have a video for the song!

The band recruited two friends, Grace Rossi-Conway and Theo Schiller, to direct the video, which was shot entirely in Forth Wanderer's hometown. So let’s enjoy a grand tour of Montclair, as we eagerly anticipate the November 11th release of Slop.


* NYC-based indie singer-songwriter Cassandra Kubinski has a heck of resume, having worked with the likes of John Rzeznik (Goo Goo Dolls), Mary Ramsey (10,000 Maniacs), and the legendary Billy Joel. Her latest solo project, an EP titled Onward, is due out October 28th, and she's launched a PledgeMusic campaign in support of it that features everything from copies of the EP, to voice lessons, to Skype sessions.

For a taste of Kubinski’s work, check out "Not So Different," a song she wrote, and released, in 2013, with 100% of the proceeds benefiting Autism programs, services, and research.


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