NYC Scene Report - The Gantry, American Darlings, & more

This week’s NYC Scene Report features a wide variety of indie rock goodness from The Gantry, American Darlings, Spirit Plate, and Sunset Diver.

* Every group of friends has experienced at least one moment when they're having a few drinks and someone blurts out, "We should start a band!" Most of the time, the idea disappears as quickly as the next beverage. However, in the case of NYC friends Kevin Goldhan, Jeff Kay, Tim Cornish, and Adam Knobloch, they actually followed through, and became The Gantry.

On November 6th the indie rock foursome will be releasing their second full length album, Crosses, and tonight they have an album release show at The Knitting Factory in Brooklyn. For a sneak peak of what's in store, check out the single "Zombies." Don't worry, these “Zombies” won't kill off a beloved character (yes, I'm still mad at you, The Walking Dead!).


* I first wrote about American Darlings back in the summer. They have an old school pop-rock sound that you could easily imagine fitting in perfectly on a jukebox in just about any era. The band has the cool of The Fonz, while still being modern enough to sound great in your current indie rock playlists.

There's a real joy to the music of American Darlings. Their latest single, "Let It Ride," is a perfect example of this. It's a feel good pop-rock tune that will put a spring in your step, and a smile on your face. Sometimes, that's what we really need from a song.


* In another return engagement, Spirit Plate are back with a video for "Under the Night Sky," which is the latest single off of their 2015 self-titled album.

The clip is a strangely patriotic one, as the Brooklyn band showcases a small beach community's tradition, which borders on obsession, with the American flag, and riding around on bicycles. Spirit Plate's lead singer, Brian Russ, appears in the video with his wife Lauren, and one-and-a-half-year old son, Simon.

Although we’re in November, this one would be perfect for the fourth of July.


* If you're unhappy about the cold temperatures that are fast approaching, I have a five minute cure for what ails you in the form of a new single from Sunset Diver titled "Tag Along."

The Brooklyn psych-beach-pop group describes their music as "tropical reveries from another dimension," and as soon as you click play on "Tag Along," which is off of Sunset Diver's just released EP, Year of the Horse, you'll instantly be transported to the shores of your favorite beach. If you're lucky, maybe you'll even find a nice beverage in your hand. Hey, music can be a powerful thing.


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