Spring in NYC

Despite all the traffic heading into the city last night, I couldn't help but be filled with utter contentment. The day was warm, the sun was setting, my windows were down and I was listening to the perfect music for a Spring day, Sondre Lerche. It was bliss.

I was set to meet Laura at 7pm in front of Housing Works Bookstore, a non-for-profit shop that raises money for homeless people living with AIDS. Every month, Housing Works puts on a benefit concert and last night was Sondre Lerche supported by Paul Brill. I arrived at the bookstore precisely at 7pm and found a parking spot right in front. More bliss.

First off, Paul Brill. It pains me to write something bad about someone but it also pained me to sit through this set so I am going to be very critical. Paul Brill is sort of like the homeless-and-half-dead man's Bright Eyes. Imagine Bright Eyes without the heart, neurosis or cleverness. The tunes were decent, in fact he just wrote the instrumental score for the HBO documentary The Trials of Darryl Hunt, but his lyrics were abysmal. It was as if he was just putting together random words simply because they rhymed. His singing wouldn't have been bad, if only he hadn't written in tons of high notes that he just couldn't reach. Perhaps he kept closing his eyes while he sang so he wouldn't see the people snickering- honestly.

But then Sondre came on and all was bliss once more.

Either Sondre had a couple of red bulls before he hit the stage, or he has ADHD, because the boy couldn't stop shaking his leg. It was endearing though, as was his little banter throughout the show. In fact, he chatted so much that towards the end of the set he had to curb it because he wasn't going to finish all his songs in time.

Sondre's songs feel like wearing a sundress on a warm spring day while strolling through the park. He pairs cute lyrics with peppy and trolling tunes which are perfectly accompanied by his jazzy voice.

He sang the stand out song 'Minor Detail' from the new album, Duper Sessions, as well as some old favourites like 'Faces Down', 'You Should Know So Well' and 'Two-Way Monologue'.

The new album, Sondre Lerche and the Face Down Quartet: Duper Sessions hits America on March 21st and doesn't have a UK release date though it is already out in Europe. Unsurprisingly, it is already the number one downloaded song on itunes Norway.


After the show, we headed over to R&R in the Meatpacking district to see Boy Least Likely to. I hadn't heard much about them, or any of their music, so I went in with a completely clean slate. I'm glad to report that I was blown away. This group of friends, from the wee village of Wendover in Buckinghamshire England, make happy music with thoughtful lyrics. If Sondre is Spring, then this band is Summer. The good vibes given off from the band soon spread to the audience. People were blowing bubbles, the band starting handing out cupcakes and everyone was dancing. It was like a big kids birthday party- expect I almost beat up a girl from Manchester who kept shoving me.


Their music can be described as indie-folk. Stand out tracks on the new album, Best Party Ever, are 'Monster', 'Paper Cuts' and 'Apple Wagon.' The Independent recently gave this album five stars and Pitchfork even gave it an 8.5 (if you care at all what they think). You can download 'Monster' here and stream a bunch more songs from their website and their MySpace. Unfortunately, they won't be touring alone any time soon. The band is supporting James Blunt on his tour.