Square Zeros Square Zeros

Few musicians tell a story like Jamie Frey. His attitude and honesty make him a true pleasure to listen to, and as a native Brooklynite he offers a rare perspective on the city's music scene. In this episode, we talk with Jamie about how his experiences as a kid in Kensington informed the music he makes now as the frontman of NO ICE and The Brooklyn What. (This episode opens with "Summer Bummer" by NO ICE and closes with "We Are The Only Ones" by The Brooklyn What. Photo: Square Zeros/CC.)

"It was just a shit show man. I think our biggest influences in that band were Rage Against The Machine, Every Time I Die, and, like, Wu-Tang Clan." Stefan Mersch and Carlos Francisco of the New York garage-psych outfit Sun Voyager tell the story of their first attempt to forge a band together.

The Village Voice recently named Brooklyn noise punks Low Fat Getting High the best rock n roll band in the city — and there's hardly a band more worthy of the title. Low Fat delivers an un-fuck-with-able blend of grunge, fuzz, and shrieks that's unlike anything around. Frontman and guitarist Michael Sincavage sat down with us recently and gave us a taste of where it all came from. (This podcast opens with "Don't Believe You Anymore" and closes with "Start All Over Again" from Low Fat Getting High's self titled LP, out now on Money Fire Records.)

In a recent column for Square Zeros' ongoing In Defense Of series, Brooklyn-based writer and poet Alexandra Smyth wrote a thoughtful argument on behalf of Dashboard Confessional, wherein she challenged us to look upon one of emo-pop's poster children with a little more sympathy. Alexandra's piece excited such debate on social media that we decided to bring her on the podcast to elaborate on what she appreciates about Dashboard's music and to reflect on the legacy of the genre most of us call emo. If you were a teenager at any point between 1998 and 2005, you don't want to miss this one. (Pictured: Emo Alexandra Smyth, circa 2002. This podcast opens with two non-emo songs: "Striking Distance" by Faux Ferocious, and "Slug Shake Armageddon" by The Mad Doctors.)

You might know Brian LaRue as the Telecaster wizard in the indie rock outfit The Planes, which you’ll find playing scruffy pop tunes all over the north Brooklyn circuit. Or maybe you recognize him as the crooner at the front of the more aggressive four-piece Shelter Dogs or the bassist in brooding post-punkers Dialogue From A Silent Film. Have you been to a show at Pet Rescue, the cozy, off-the-grid DIY space by Cooper Park? Brian’s the brains behind that. And if you’re really lucky, you might have caught him performing a solo set as Women’s Basketball. He’s also a hell of a good writer, especially when it comes to music.

If there’s a way to package all that, it’s this: when Brian leaves his stamp on something, it’s unmistakable.

The frontwoman of riffy indie rockers Slothrust shows some very cool and truly bizarre solo recordings she made with some basic recording software and a Casio keyboard.