NYC Scene Report – Khodara, The Falling Birds, & more

This week’s NYC Scene Report features the retro soul-pop of Khodara, folk music with blues and punk influences from The Falling Birds, a basketball themed video from indie rockers Hypoluxo, and some kick ass hard rock from newcomers Supermassive.

* If you’re looking for some soul-pop with a distinct retro feel, look no further than NYC’s Khodara.

Khodara’s latest single, “Billie,” has a vibe that’s a little bit ‘60s, and a little bit today. Oscillating between being fit for a slow dance in an era that would be filmed in black and white, and being just right for a current soul playlists, “Billie” is the title track of Khodara’s upcoming EP, due out March 17th.

While she may not be crazy about Billie when Billie acts crazy, after just one listen, you’ll be crazy about Khodara.


* On February 17th, NYC indie folk-rock duo The Falling Birds will be releasing their latest effort, an EP titled What Is There to Talk About, and in anticipation of this they’ve released a video for the single “Cinders In The Breeze.”

With a foundation in both folk, and blues, while also having punk rock influences, The Falling Birds, who are made up of Stephen Artemis (vocals, guitar, harmonica) and Dave Alan (drums, percussion, keys), are equal parts melodic, and aggressive. If you’re having a tough time putting all of those musical concepts together, think of an Americana version of Frank Turner.

Now that you’re intrigued, click play on “Cinders In The Breeze,” and get to know The Falling Birds.


* I will openly admit I don’t know much about Brooklyn indie rock foursome Hypoluxo, but what I do know is when a band describes themselves as “experimental bedroom pop death drone Kanye West lo-fi shoegaze weird pop,” I’m going to be curious enough to give them a spin.

Hypoluxo’s latest is “Fronts,” the video for which features a skinny man in a Phoenix Suns Penny Hardaway jersey attempting to shoot hoops in his driveway, and failing miserably, until, just as the day turns to dusk, he is finally triumphant.

As an aside, as a Knicks fan, I can respect his Phoenix Suns fandom, which is a rarity in Brooklyn, and in life in general.


* If you travel about four hours upstate from NYC you’ll find Elmira, NY. It’s not a town known for its music scene, at least not that I know of, but they’re home to one of NY’s most exciting new rock acts – Supermassive.

Ironically, Supermassive does not have a supermassive lineup, as the band consists of two members, Cliff Hodson, and Jeff Siptrott. This, however, in no way limits their sound, which is pure, kick ass, hard rock, that’s influenced by ‘90s era grunge.

Supermassive’s debut single is “Hollow Days,” and while there’s no release date, as of yet, for the band’s first EP, this is one song we’ll be rockin’ out to for quite a while.


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