NYC Scene Report – Emily James, Carley Ridersleeve, & NONIGHT

This week’s NYC Scene Report features Emily James wanting to dine on a “Maraschino Cherry,” Carley Ridersleeve on the realities of being an “American Girl,” and NONIGHT wondering “Are You Out There?”

* If you’ve never had a maraschino cherry, they’re a very sweet fruit that, as far as I can tell, exists exclusively in bars, and is oftentimes added to alcoholic beverages. In the case of NYC-based singer-songwriter Emily James, however, her “Maraschino Cherry” tastes a bit different.

Off her recently released 3-song EP, The aFtErMaTh, she explained the flavor of her “Maraschino Cherry,” saying, “The song symbolizes someone seemingly too good to be true, and the internal conflict that it creates to either lean into the situation, or run from it. The production is dark and moody and mysterious to depict how overwhelming and confusing it can be when you start to open up your heart again after being hurt.”

While the song is dark, moody, and mysterious, Emily James’ vocals are absolutely gorgeous, making “Maraschino Cherry” a tasty alt-pop treat.

* The American dream is something singer-songwriter Carley Ridersleeve has some thoughts about, especially when it comes to the dreams she had growing up. This is what inspired her latest single, “American Girl.”

“I thought the world was my oyster when I was younger, and that anything was possible,” she said in a statement, “but over time I’ve come to realize the world is skewed against women in a lot of ways, and there’s no way to escape that reality. This song reflects the intense pressures of the internet, impossible standards for women, and the frustrations that come with navigating work environments.”

Thankfully for Carley, at least one of her work environments involves collaborating with her wife, Morgan Saint.

With harsh realities balanced against sweet vocals, “American Girl” is another winner from Carley Ridersleeve. Check out the video for the song, and then check out the interview I did with Carley and Morgan back in November (click here) to learn more about this indie music power couple.

* NONIGHT – an NYC-based synth pop group featuring members of Mercury Rev, The Silent League, Sleep Maps, and Pearl and The Beard – has a new album titled NN3, due out January 23rd, and on a recently released single from the project they’re wondering, “Are You Out There?”

Discussing the song in a statement, the band said, “With ‘Are You Out There?’ we tried to create a story of suspended loss – a moment that never fully materializes; the lingering ache of never hearing a goodbye, and carrying the painful question of whether they still care.”

With hints of classic Depeche Mode, “Are You Out There?” is a modern synth pop gem soaked in just enough nostalgia to cross generations.

It is current, it is retro, it is NONIGHT … and in contrast to the name of the band, it is a perfect soundtrack to just about any night.

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