Often compared to The Smiths, The Isles have been creating original music in New York since 2004. After producing and recording their first album, Perfumed Lands, they were signed to the indie label Melodic in Manchester, England. The record was well received and The Isles were written up in Magnet, NME, The Guardian, and All Music. While The Guardian noted the strong British influence, the publication wrote, “Strangely, The Isles are from New York. Stranger still, this album works.” The group went on to make two music videos which were seen on MTV Europe. But after touring overseas in Europe and hitting the festival circuit at SXSW and CMJ, the band has proven you can indeed go home again. They’re currently back in the New York groove at work on their follow-up album, tentatively titled Under the Cover of Paradise. When not playing shows, you’ll find The Isles kickin’ back in their Long Island City pad, affectionately known as “Action Jackson.” CiNYC Style Decoder Hitha went for a ride through a few Queens zips with these local rockers.

Check out “Justine,” a brand spankin’ new track from The Isles!

Justine

www.theislesnyc.com

Listen to more Vocal Code right here.

Who are some of New York’s best local bands?

Post a comment and give us some lip about the city’s music scene.

Though he currently hails from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, Butta Verses (a.k.a. John Cullen), is New York through and through. A “lyrically conscientious” rapper, Cullen was raised in the Boogie Down Bronx, in 10465 – where he picked up hip-hop from freestyle rap battles and local ciphers. Uncertain if this was the life he wanted, Butta relocated to Florida – to pursue surfing. As fate would have it, Cullen fell in with local MCs and realized he could no longer battle his destiny. He banded together a collective of prospective artists and DJs, who christened themselves the “Glee Club Detention” and got a mix tape to DJ Maseo of De La Soul. Maseo was so impressed he signed Butta to his Bear Mountain Records label. “As a kid that’s what I used to say to myself,” explains Cullen. “If I could be in any crew, I would be in Native Tongues with De La and Tribe.” Butta’s official debut came in 2004, on the track “No” for De La Soul’s “The Grind Date.” Following this success, things became smooth as you know what. Butta began opening for John Legend, Common, and of course, De La Soul. His career has been steadily picking up steam ever since. With the new single “Jones in Ya Bones” in his pocket and De La Soul’s endorsement under his belt, Butta’s verses are likely to be heard for some time.

www.buttaverses-online.com
www.beatsandrhymesonline.com

Check out more of New York’s music scene at coolinyourcode.com/category/segments/vocal_code

Spit us a verse! Post a comment below tell us your rhymes!

The secrets of spinning are revealed at the Scratch DJ Academy in 10011. The founders of Scratch believe that the skills needed to be a DJ are indeed an art form that should be made accessible to all music enthusiasts. Classes cover everything from mixing and blending, to scratching and beat juggling, with many taught by world famous DJ instructors. Is all this scratching making you itch?

www.scratch.com

The roots of hip hop can be traced back to the South Bronx where a handful of influential artists created a sound revolution. Grandmaster Caz was in on the action at an early stage and his contribution to the music genre can be heard throughout music today. Caz created a sound unlike any other and worked with some of hip hop’s finest along the way.

Hip Hop’s granddaddy is a DJ by the name of Kool Herc. Born Clive Campbell in Jamaica, Herc’s eventual migration to the US led to a cultural revolution. Grandmaster Caz was so influenced by Her c that he picked up the mantle and helped create the world of hip hop. Caz was the first to rhyme and cut simultaneously and his work with the Cold Crush Brothers set the foundation for many of today’s hip hop phenoms. “Herc showed us the way, he brought the party to us, to you. A whole new world opened up,” says Caz, “We could laugh and we could dance. That’s what hip hop is all about.” Herc began to DJ with his father’s sound system and developed new techniques that sampled sounds and mixed existing records. Grandmaster Caz recounts, “There were DJs around at that time, but they were all playing disco. That was the music of the day. Most people in The Bronx couldn’t identify with that, so we wanted to have our own little disco.”
Caz pays homage to his legacy and The Bronx with the Hush Hip Hop Tours, which brings New York natives and tourists alike to the Boogie Down to learn about the humble beginnings of what is today a billion dollar industry. “We need people to celebrate the fact that this culture was born here.” Cedar Park in 10453 was the epicenter of the phenomenon that still reigns supreme today. Says Caz, “Segewick Ave and Cedar…this is where the magic happened. It’s the birthplace of hip hop. Herc brought the music outdoors, here, so that more people could listen to and experience it.” To recognize his achievements, Hush Tours is working with the City of New York to dedicate a bench to Kool Herc in Cedar Park. “It’s time to pay some respect to our history.”

www.hushtours.com

When you’re looking for a party, just head to The Bunker. For the past five years, these merry makers have been driving the dance floor for folks from all over the city. Their regular Friday night gig at 11211 cultural hub Galapagos has become the city’s “it” party with world-renowned international artists taking the tables. This group knows how to bring the heat. The Bunker host, Bryan Kasenic – aka DJ Spinoza – says, “On New Year’s Eve we had a 19 hour party with 600 people.” Along with DJ Derek Plaslaiko, DJ and soundman Naudio, and hostess Seze Devres, Kasenic appreciates the NYC scene. “We are blessed to be in New York City where many popular DJs from around the world come to visit and then stop by to play for the The Bunker.” Next time you feel like dancing, pop over to Galapagos to get your groove on.

www.beyondbooking.com/thebunker

Singer-Songwriters never go out of style and emerging artists of this genre are a plenty in New York City. One such artist is Chana Rothman whose earthy, bilingual pop album, We Can Rise, releases tomorrow. We sat down with this soulful songstress to find out what life is like for an up and coming musician.

When did you start playing music?
I’ve been studying music since I was 8. I started with the recorder and then studied flute pretty seriously. I actually learned guitar by accident. I was at a classical music camp for flute and I signed up for a guitar class and was hooked.

I’ve always been really good at self-expression through music. I’m classically trained but that’s not really for me. Being a singer/songwriter is a lot of work but I really love it. My music is an expression of how I see the world and what I think is important. It’s also an amazing way to reach people

How did you decide to pursue a music career?
Before I decided, when I’d go to my friend’s gigs I’d always feel sad that it wasn’t me up there. I used to write songs in secret and sometimes I’d call up my friends and play them a song. Afterwards I’d always thank them for listening and they’d say ‘Are you kidding? Thank you!’ I realized that it’s now or never and New York is the place to do it.

Describe your music and your new album.
Some adjectives I would use to describe my music are honest, earthy, lyrical, and rhythmic. It’s sort of a mix of folk and progressive worldbeat with some reggae and hip-hop mixed in. The album is called We Can Rise because I believe that it’s not about me or you but about all of us collectively empowering ourselves and one another. The album is a journey of the sights and sounds of the city.

How has New York influenced you?
Immeasurably. New York is completely interwoven into how I experience the world. As an artist my eyes and ears are always open. Things like music from passing cars, snippets of people’s conversations, or even graffiti make there way into my songs.

One of the songs on my new CD is called Gates of Justice and is completely inspired by the subway. It’s sort of a love song to the subway. The train is such a unique space that offers unbelievable insight. One of the lines of the song is, “the truth is about to give way on the subway.” I really believe that, it’s just such a unique window into life.

One of the biggest influences is hearing all the different languages people speak. I’m bilingual and sing in both Hebrew and English, so I find it inspiring to hear so many different languages throughout the day.

How does the bilingual thing play into your music?
I think it adds another dimension. I’ve been told by many people that they connect with my music whether they understand Hebrew or not. I think other languages bring another way to look at the world and any music done with honesty and integrity has the potential to hit home.

How has New York helped you as an emerging artist?
New York is full of so many opportunities as an artist; Opportunities to learn and collaborate and gain exposure to so many different things. One program, that sadly is no longer functioning, offered classes at the New School in their continuing education program. There was a class called Women in Rock. It was run by this amazing, experienced woman who taught me how to have confidence in my abilities. The class was also filled with so many diverse and talented people all helping one another realize their vision. I’m sad the classes are no longer offered.

What advice would you give to aspiring singer-songwriters?
I would say stick with it. The competition is brutal yet if you work your ass off you can make it happen. New York City is still this destination city where people from all over pilgrimage to, so the opportunity for new artists is like no other place. People in New York seem to understand and accept that people come here to pursue their dreams and as a result there is this constant energy and momentum.

Check out Chana Rothman’s CD release tomorrow night at the Knitting Factory, 9pm

or www.chanarothman.com

Click To Play

Long Island City isn’t necessarily known for its music scene, but during a trip out to 11101, CiNYC discovered that the area has a definitive sound of its own. While Brooklyn is becoming a mecca for indie rock and the Bronx is known for hip-hop, LIC is developing a unique retro scene thanks to bands like the Lascivious Biddies and The Big Daddy Project. Both groups take the best of ’80’s music and marry it to a vintage rock sensibility to create music that sounds totally new.

The Lascivious Biddies are a female quartet delivering part pop, part jazz cabaret. They’re genre bending music is witty and playful and never fails to delight. Sound check their harmonies at www.biddiesmusic.com

The Big Daddy Project had its humble beginnings as a basketball team, but now cranks out a blend of rock and funk. This group of “Big Daddies” doesn’t fool around when it comes to serious music making. Check them out here.

La Bruja , or “The Witch,” is a fierce, passionate and articulate artist with a message behind her music. A Bronx resident and renaissance woman of pop culture, she has a hand in just about every performance medium while also being an activist, community organizer, and mother of two.

“We all have magic,” La Bruja explained. “It’s about believing in everything you are and putting it out there fearlessly.” La Bruja is a master of mixed genres. She began with spoken word and a stint with Def Poetry Jam before going on to her one woman show Boogie Rican Boulevard. Most recently, she released the album Brujalicious. At once Latin, hip hop, and Reggaeton, the album also incorporates elements of poetry and characters from her show. Brujalicious is an amalgamation of all that La Bruja has been and a foreshadowing of where she is heading.

La Bruja is also a dedicated activist. She reaches out to the community through writing workshops and performances in unlikely locations, such as hospitals and prisons. “Anybody that does something positive for someone else,” she mused, “that’s activism.” La Bruja hopes to inspire people from all walks of life to tap into their own creative side and to act positively in their communities. She played an active roll in the “Stop the Bombs” campaign and contributed to the “No More Prisons” campaign album.

With so many diverse interests, this diva must prefer one genre to another, right? When asked, she refused to choose a favorite. “It’s like choosing a favorite finger, it’s hard to do because you need them all to pack a punch.”

Find more Brujaliciousness at:
www.labrujamusic.com

261 Driggs Avenue between Leonard Street and Eckford Street, Brooklyn
www.warsawconcerts.com

CBGB’s closed, R and R and Sin-e are done, and The Continental is no longer band-friendly. Underground music is becoming more and more, well, underground. One Village venue still delivers- Club Midway. Walk through the upstairs lounge to descend the narrow back staircase, and you’ll find yourself in rock reverie. The ceiling is low and the simple stage is barely raised above the floor, putting you eye-to-eye with the musicians. The mostly-standing room capacity is less than 100, guaranteeing an intimate show every time. Check out their website for a full line-up of bands to come.

25 Avenue B, between East 2nd and East 3rd Streets
www.clubmidway.com

EXTRA: The Best of New York City’s Local Bands

New York City is a breeding ground for the musically-inclined. If you’re in the mood for some homegrown talent, check out these local acts that are totally worth the cover.

Semi-Precious Weapons
SPW’s fusion of glam and garage rock paired with front man Justin Tranter’s “queen” attitude and stage antics make for an unforgettable show every time. Fans eat it up.
www.semipreciousweapons.com

Death of Fashion
These guys set the standard for hipster chic, and are adored by fashionistas and the art crowd alike. Originally from Indiana, these guys are settled in New York City now. Hey, everyone has to come from somewhere, right?
www.deathoffashion.com

The Pervs
These rockers are bringing punk back to its truest form, and aren’t afraid to “get pervy” with their crass lyrics and writhing dance moves.
www.thepervsnyc.com

Au Revoir Simone
This all-girl group is fast making headlines with their blend of indie and electro. They’re touring the world in the summer and fall of 2007, but will be back home in New York City for a few select shows.
www.aurevoirsimone.com

La Bruja
This Renaissance woman of pop culture combines poetic elements with Latin, hip hop and Reggaeton on her album, Brujalicious.
www.labrujamusic.com

Northern State
The female version of The Beastie Boys, this all-girl trio has been making beats and dropping rhymes since 2000. With their intelligent, political, and often whimsical lyrics, they are redefining what it means to be a hip hop group.
www.northernstate.net