NYC Scene Report – Mother Feather, Glass Gang, & more

This week’s NYC Scene Report features the “pop cock rock” of Mother Feather, a Chinatown karaoke inspired new single from synth rockers Glass Gang, an all out Kamikaze from punk rockers The So So Glos, and some “Easy” listening from alt-pop band Heliotropes.

* When a band describes itself as "pop cock rock" one can't help but want to hear what they sound like. In the case of "pop cock rock" band Mother Feather, they sound pretty damned awesome. The NYC-based band will be releasing an eponymous album via Metal Blade Records on May 13th, and if it's anything like the single "Living, Breathing," it's going to be quite the loud, hook laden, ride.

In a statement, Mother Feather lead singer Ann Courtney said of the album, "I want to make the kind of music that makes hearts explode. The feeling when you're fifteen and you want to hear that song on repeat turned up as loud as the stereo will go, and sing at the top of your lungs, and thrash around your bedroom. I don't want to put any music into the world that isn't going to save someone – mostly me."

Mother Feather will be heading out on Warped Tour this June, and you can hear "Living, Breathing" right here.


* If you're looking for some synth rock goodness, look no further than Brooklyn's Glass Gang, who've spent the past year writing new material, and testing it out while opening for acts like Shura, Lapsley, and Young Fathers. Now connected with producer Sonny Diperri (Animal Collective, Warpaint, M83), the band have perfected their sound, and released "Outside Your Love," the first of two new singles.

Speaking on the inspiration behind the new music, Glass Gang said in a statement, "We went to a karaoke birthday party in Chinatown and no one was singing any songs that'd come out in the last ten years. We met up the next day, threw out everything we were writing for our first album, and started writing songs that you can sing along to."

Who’d have ever thought karaoke could lead to good music? Check out "Outside Your Love," and hear Glass Gang achieve this feat.


* Veteran NYC punk rockers The So So Glos are ready to dive headfirst into listeners with their forthcoming full length effort, Kamikaze, due out May 20th via Votiv Music.

So So Glos frontman Levi Zaru (Aleksander) says of the album, "Kamikaze is about using our self-imposed weapon, which is music, which is art, which is freedom of expression, which is respect for the individual ... all that is a weapon." He adds, "(The) concept of self-awareness, acknowledging it in order to combat the problems you see in yourself and the world, is a theme that runs through a lot of our music, and our message."

Check out "Missionary," the blistering lead single from Kamikaze, and rock out to The So So Glos.


* With melodic vocals, and a classic indie alt-pop vibe, Brooklyn-based Heliotropes are looking to make things "Easy" for listeners with their latest effort.

Their new single, titled "Easy," is off of their upcoming album, Over There That Way, due out June 17th via The End Records. Heliotropes' founding member, songwriter, and vocalist Jessica Numsuwankijkul says of “Easy,” "I wrote the song as a tribute to a '70s easy listening band from Canada called April Wine."

So what happens when '70s Canadian easy listening meets modern alt-pop, and a hint of '90s alternative is thrown in for good measure? Something "Easy" that you're gonna love.


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