NYC Scene Report – B Boys, Shura, & more

This week’s NYC Scene Report features B Boys feeling “Pressure Inside,” Shura finding “religion,” Carol C of Si*Sé going solo with Seven, and EXNATIONS recording their own “John Hughes Movie Soundtrack.”

* While the name B Boys may conjure up images of ‘80s hip-hop, the Brooklyn-based trio are actually a rock band who’s latest offering, “Pressure Inside,” features classic punk influences, and shout-able lyrics.

Like a powder keg on the verge of exploding, “Pressure Inside” is pure energy, and it’s an energy people will be able to experience live, as the band – which consists of Andrew Kerr, Brendon Avalos, and Britton Walker – will be hitting the road from July 24th through October 19th.

The tour is in support of their sophomore effort, Dudu, which due out on July 26th, via Captured Tracks.

While we wait for the full offering, you can check out the video for “Pressure Inside” right here.


* Take one listen to Shura’s gorgeous voice and there’s a chance you’ll find religion … and I’m not just talking about the Brooklyn-based soul artist’s latest single, “religion (u can lay your hands on me).”

“religion (u can lay your hands on me)” is off Shura’s upcoming sophomore album, forevher, which is due out on August 16th, via Secretly Canadian.

Shura wrote the song – which is a sexy mood setter – about her first date with her current partner, shortly after which her newfound love found herself living on the opposite side of the world. Unable to physically be with each other, they stayed together through texting and phone calls.

In a poetic twist, Shura will be the one on the move this fall, with a bevy of North American tour dates, and shows across Europe, including an appearance at this year’s Glastonbury Festival.

Her “religion” is one that I’m sure sounds amazing preached live.


* Speaking of music that sets the mood, Si*Sé has been known throughout the city for years for their electro-soul grooves, and now their lead singer and co-founder, Carol C, is readying the release of her first solo album, Seven.

A collection of brand new originals, and reworked favorites from her personal catalogue, Seven is due out this summer.

Carol C recently gave listeners a taste of Seven – which also feels like a taste of Heaven – with the sultry electro-soul gem “All My Love.”

Check it out, and get into the groove with Carol C.


* Iconic filmmaker John Hughes – who created of some of the most memorable films of the ‘80s – passed away ten years ago, so how could it be possible that Brooklyn-based band EXNATIONS just created a “John Hughes Movie Soundtrack”?

The band’s vocalist, Sal Mastrocola, explains, “Since we started EXNATIONS, several friends and fans have told me our songs sound like something out of a John Hughes movie, so we decided to lean into that compliment, and to get even more meta with it – we spun a story of a protagonist longing for a past that never existed, hiding away in detention with the kids from The Breakfast Club, and the lovebirds of Sixteen Candles, when the real world beats her down.”

The song, aptly titled “John Hughes Movie Soundtrack,” is off EXNATIONS’ recently released Pink Haze EP, and you can give the ‘80s inspired tune a listen right here.


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