NYC Scene Report – Late Again, Cillë, & Car Culture

This week’s NYC Scene Report features Late Again falling in love with “Chick’n Tenders,” Cillë being a “Neon Trooper,” and Car Culture letting us “Rest Here.”

* You may think you love chicken tenders, but no man, woman, or child loves them as much as Brazilian-born, Brooklyn-based artist Late Again, who recently released an ode to the fried delicacy.

Titled “Chick’n Tenders,” Late Again says the dream pop / shoegaze song actually has multiple meanings.

“‘Chick’n Tenders’ is an ironic uplifting love song written to chicken tenders. It’s also a song about unrequited human love while being an expat who’s feeling like he doesn’t belong anywhere on a gloomy Sunday evening. Mostly, it’s an ode to fried chicken, though.”

He added, “I think it’s funny how chicken tenders taste exactly the same no matter where you are in the world, and how sometimes that’s all you need to feel at home for a second when nothing else can fill that void.”

“Chick’n Tenders” is off Late Again’s just released EP, Clearly It’s All Staged, and you can get a taste by clicking play on the video right here.

* Staying with local expats, Danish-born, NYC-based artist Cillë recently released her debut EP, , but you can call me silly!, which she describes as “my fun songs for the end of the world.”

The project is one Cillë wrestled with for a bit.

“I think I’ve been questioning if this collection of songs makes light of life in a way that doesn’t meet the moment. Is escapism enough right now? As I continue to ponder that question, I decided to share exactly where I’m at. Yes, some of these songs literally sound silly, but I also hope that some people will find themselves in the lyrics, and the sound.”

First up is the uplifting chiptune influenced pop-rock song “Neon Trooper,” which has a lyric video that looks like the credits from an NES game!

If any video game developers are reading this, please link up with Cillë, and give us a “Neon Trooper” video game to match the song. It would be truly awesome.

The rest of us will simply enjoy the tune, and sign up to be a “Neon Trooper.”

* Moving from 8-bit visuals to 16-bit visuals, Queens-based artist Car Culture – which is the alias of Daniel Fisher, who is also known as Physical Therapy – will be releasing his sophomore album, Rest Here, on October 9th via NAFF Recordings, and the visualizer for the title track looks like something out of an SNES, or classic PC, game.

In addition to looking cool, the feel of the downtempo song is exactly what you’d hope for from something titled “Rest Here.” It’s nearly four minutes of calm inducing, anti-anxiety, chill vibes, and I can’t imagine anyone who couldn’t use that.

Do the kids still say, “It’s a vibe?” If so – it’s a vibe.

Click play, and drift off for a bit. You’re allowed to “Rest Here.”

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