The Boy Least Likely To Announces Warm-Up Shows

Catch the band sampling brand new tunes at:

3/2: Southampton: Joiners
3/6: London: Water Rats Theater

Purchase tickets here.

Their new LP is scheduled for release this spring.

MP3: TBLLT - Be Gentle With Me [alt link]

Boy Least Likely to...@ Knitting Factory 6/13: Summer Lovin'

Last week, on my tour of NYC concert venues, I saw one of my favourite live acts, the Boy Least Likely to... It was the last show on their North American tour and was recorded for KCRW (you can listen to it here).


I tried to explain to my friend, who didn't know anything about the group but came with me anyway, what Boy Least Likely to sounded like and the closest comparison I could come up with was that they are a mixer of those old folk kids records that you used to listen to before bed when you were little together with some country rock thrown in. I do enjoy BLLT's album but I don't know whether it's actually their music or their live show that makes me love them as much as I do. All I do know is that I would never pass up an opportunity to see them. The banter between lead singer Jof and guitarist Peter is more clever and endearingly funny than most sitcoms and stand-up comedians could ever hope to be. My mate thought that Peter was actually rather annoyed at Jof for chatting so much but I didn't see that- they act like brothers taking verbal jabs at each other. The funniest bits of the show came when Jof realised that the boys in front of the stage were only 13 and that they should probably keep the show clean, not least of all because it was on the radio. Whilst on their tour in Portland, the band found a shop that sold trophies and bought up a bunch to give to the best audience members on the road. That night, the trophy was especially given to the 13 year old jumping around like a mad thing and requesting 'My Tiger, My Heart.'


You can download the new song (well it's not on the album anyway) 'Rock upon a porch with you' on their MySpace The tune is immediately catchy and a little bit danceable. It embodies just about everything this band is about: being happy with simplicity and nostalgia for things they have yet to experience. Jerry also has a review up with an mp3 of BLLT's cover of 'Faith.'

Band Most Likely To Play The Same Day As That FREE Eels/Smoosh Show

BOY LEAST LIKELY TO just announced plans to come to knitting factory!

TICKETS ON SALE FRIDAY 11:55 AM

I'm thinking that Eels/Smoosh show will end early and god knows nothing starts on time at the Knit, so perhaps we can all attend both?

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.