grooveguide

In a musician’s world, years of different genre iterations make originality difficult to achieve, but through authentic self-expression, embracing imperfections, exploring diverse influences, and experimentation, artists come alive and bring brand new styles and spirit to songs. This is exactly what Kitchen Dwellers brought to Brooklyn Bowl on Saturday night as they continued their North American Tour to promote their new album, Seven Devils. The EP toggles between the current human experience and the trajectory of self-realization, acceptance, and accountability found within the story of Dante’s Inferno, making for some enlightening interpretation and incredible live performances.

If you’re not familiar with Judith Hill’s name, you’ll certainly recognize her voice. Before she became a standout favorite on “The Voice” in 2013, she had already solidified her reputation as one of the most iconic backing vocalists of our time, collaborating with legends like Michael Jackson, Prince, Elton John, and Stevie Wonder. She was also prominently featured in the acclaimed documentary “20 Feet from Stardom,” which delved into the lives and careers of backup singers in the music industry. In the film, Judith talks about her aspirations for a solo career, aiming to use her vocals to convey her personal narrative. Her upcoming album accomplishes just that, crafting a biography that addresses the media scrutiny she has faced and her resilience in the face of it, while also celebrating moments of joy amidst the challenges.

So who is Eggy? Some say they’re the next Phish. Others say they’re the next Goose. In our opinion, they’re all wrong. Eggy is 100% their own experience, putting a fresh stamp on the scene with a unique sound and a virtuosic questing jams that rival the best in the business.

For those who have been following Eggy for a while (hello to the Yolk Folk out there!), this show will likely mark a threshold in their memories for the band. Already this year, the group has been on a tear that is turning heads and pulling others into “the carton.” But this evening saw the band ascend to a new level that left more than a few of us brimming with excitement for their future.

Hannah Wicklund is a female artist who does it all; playing electric guitar with powerful riffs and intricate solos, all while wearing a tiara. Her latest album titled, The Prize, was released on January 12th and she began her Hell In The Hallway World Tour tour just a month later on February 20th, beginning in North Carolina, and will be touring through June. We were able to catch her on her New York City stop at The Mercury Lounge on February 28th. 

It’s not every day you get the pleasure of seeing a multi-platinum, Billboard Top 100, heat-seeking rock group. However, it was Brooklyn Bowl’s lucky night, where the critically acclaimed Spin Doctors put on a vintage home-town throwdown with. Formed in New York City in the late 1980s, the band gained mainstream success in the early 90s with their debut album Pocket Full of Kryptonite. The record was a commercial success propelled by hit singles like “Little Miss Can’t Be Wrong” and “Two Princes,” a song you may recognize from several movies and TV shows from the 90s and 2000s. The crowd was packed with everyone from old jam heads to staunch and prideful New Yorkers who were ready for a night of radio wave flashbacks.

Hip hop group Slum Village put on a passionate rap performance defined by a fusion of experimental sampling, funky basslines, and conga drums at Blue Note. The groovement had the pleasure of experiencing their sonically innovative and electric stage presence during a tribute performance for the group’s founder, legendary Detroit rapper and producer Jay Dee a.k.a. J Dilla. The group, consisting of Dilla and rappers Young RJ and D3, grew up together in Detroit and brought their own musical chemistry and unique Detroit sound that has emerged from the city’s underground hip hop scene, to the world through their hit records “Tainted” and “Selfish.” Honoring Dilla’s legacy on the anniversary of his death, the duo paid homage by incorporating live sampling and layered percussion through Chris Rob’s dynamic music direction, synth piano and buttery vocals.