NYC Scene Report – Rubblebucket, Alexander F, & more

This week’s NYC Scene Report features something that will make you move from indie sweat-pop band Rubblebucket, one of Rubblebucket’s members going indie rock for their side project, Alexander F, indie pop band Stargroves going Hollywood with “Movie Stars,” and Aly Tadros serving up a tune that is “not yo mama’s folk music.”

* Brooklyn-based band Rubblebucket describes themselves as an indie sweat-pop band. Have no idea what that means? Well, judging by their latest single, “Donna,” the sound of indie sweat-pop is an unbelievably fun mixture of disco, funk, and pop.

The beat immediately makes you want to get on the dance floor, and when the horns come in an element of funk is added that makes “Donna” an even more ridiculously awesome track.

“Donna” is off of Rubblebucket’s upcoming EP, If U C My Enemies, which is due out in early 2017, and the fivesome of Alex Toth, Kalmia Traver, Adam Dotson, David Cole, and Ian Hersey, will be on tour from December 1st through January 28th.

While we wait for both their EP, and tour, let’s get to know “Donna.”


* Pulling double duty in this week’s NYC Scene Report, Rubblebucket’s Alex Toth has another project coming out in early 2017 – his debut offering as Alexander F, which will be released in February of next year.

According to Toth, the idea for the indie rock project came to him while he was on an 11 day silent meditation retreat. He says of the content of the album, “The songs are about freedom from self, and freedom from the illusion that we're separate entities. Freedom from being so lost in thought that we hurt ourselves and those around us.”

The music sounds nothing like his work with Rubblebucket, as he notes he had a unique set of inspirations for this project, including meditating daily, reading the Tao Te Ching, and listening to Pixies and Fugazi.

Check out the single, “Swimmers,” and dive into Alexander F.


* Stargroves, the NYC-based retro pop band founded by lead singer and songwriter Teddy Watson, is going Hollywood with their new single, “Movie Stars.”

The song, which will on the band’s upcoming album (release date TBD), features a vibe that will take you back to the ‘80s, as it’s reminiscent of the Spandau Ballet classic “True.”

Give “Movie Stars” a spin. There’s a good chance it could land Stargroves a leading role in your playlist.


* Brooklyn, by way of Texas, singer-songwriter Aly Tadros describes her music as “Not yo mama’s folk music.” The self-taught musician explains she “love(s) pulling from Latin, Middle Eastern, and American pop – all at once,” adding, “I also appreciate a well-placed F-bomb.”

Tadros recently raised 120% of her goal for her PledgeMusic campaign, and with that, she’ll be releasing her third album, Hungry Ghost, on December 2nd.

The songs of Hungry Ghost are reportedly inspired by, among other things, relationships, overcoming alcoholism, and the death of her father. To hear a sampling, check out “Silence of The City,” and hear why Tadros has drawn crowds for over 800 performances worldwide.


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