Jukebox The Ghost & A Brief Smile & Hymns @ Union Hall

It was just under a year ago that I first saw Jukebox The Ghost in the flesh at NYC's Pianos. On that evening, they performed to roughly two dozen ardent attendees with poise, precision and passion. Fast-forward to last night's sold out gig at Brooklyn's Union Hall and it's painfully obvious to see that JTG's journey has translated into a bona fide indie success story. The DC-based trio has garnered a healthy (and spry) fanbase thanks to a bevy of blog love, repeated plays on WOXY and ridiculously positive word of mouth. It's rare that I make bold predictions, but if Jukebox The Ghost isn't on the tip of everybody's tongues by Independence Day, then there is simply no justice in this world. Learn all about the band's forthcoming debut LP, Let Live & Let Ghosts, here. Visit JTG at their MySpace page.

MP3: Jukebox The Ghost - Fire In The Sky [alt link]

Last night marked my fifth time experiencing the magic that is A Brief Smile's live show. As intense, immediate and feral as ever, the quintet put on a damn near perfect set highlighting tracks from their full-length, Now We All Have Horns. Read my extensive interview with A Brief Smile (circa 2006) here. Visit the band at their official site.

MP3: A Brief Smile - Never Have The Time

I was first introduced to Hymns sometime late last week. The band's sound can be summarized as a grand amalgamation of indie pop, alt country & neo folk, with an unambiguous Southern tinge. Highly enjoyable. Learn more about Hymns on MySpace.

MP3: Hymns - Brother/Sister