NYC Scene Report – Mainland, Born Cages, & more


This week’s NYC Scene Report features Mainland moving towards a punk sound, new synth-rock from Born Cages, a dream pop tune from Retail Space, and a daddy-daughter hip-hop collaboration from Ciphurphace and Selena Rivers.

* NYC indie rockers Mainland are back with a new single, titled “Dummy Test,” and they’re cranking up their punk influences with this one.

I have no idea what this single is leading to – an album, an EP, a tour? Literally all I received was a link to the stream. Wait, is not knowing what it’s leading to the “Dummy Test?” Man, I hope not! Regardless, enjoy this fast-paced rock song. It’s another winner from this up and coming band.


* Two years ago NYC indie synth-rock trio Born Cages debuted with a bang, releasing their first album, I'm Glad I'm Not Me, and hitting the stage at both Warped Tour, and SXSW. If you thought they were going to stop there, it “Ain’t Gonna Happen.”

“Ain’t Gonna Happen” is the lead single off of Born Cages forthcoming EP, Exit Signs in a Burning Building, which is due out in April, and it’s filled with synth-rock goodness.

Click play, and rock out to this one.


* It’s only the second week of January, but Brooklyn-based psychedelic dream-pop duo Retail Space may have already locked up album title of the year with their sophomore effort, You Can Catch A Lobster With Eggs But Not Egg Salad, due out February 10th.

Retail Space’s Isabelle Burnet and Jacob Rosse describe the album saying it’s about the tumultuous relationship they’ve had with their home of Brooklyn – most notably the borough’s ability to be magical one day, and impossible the next – comparing it to water’s ability to drown, or strengthen.

The first single off of the album, which was produced entirely using an 8-track tape machine, is “Don’t Ask Me Why.” Check out the beautifully airy track.


* NYC-based hip-hop artist Ciphurphace has found the perfect collaborator – his eight year old daughter, Sela Eunae, aka Selena Rivers.

The two hit the studio together for Ciphurphace’s latest single, “Same Old Flows,” which uses the beat, and an interpolation of the hook, from Selena Gomez’s “Same Old Love.” He says of his daughter’s contribution to the song, “She pretty much knocked out the hook in 1-2 takes. She's a natural. I was crying tears of joy. I was the happiest, and proudest, father alive.”

The effort wasn’t a surprise to the proud papa, who says, “Since my daughter was two years old she has been singing and dancing. She loves music wholeheartedly. Her mother is a singer/songwriter/recording artist. It was only a matter of time before the magic would be manifested in the form of a father and daughter collaboration. It was written. It runs in the family. It was destiny.”

Check out “Same Old Flows,” and the daddy-daughter hip-hop connection.


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

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