With their debut, self titled LP, The Gradients have already forged a very strong sonic identity, one which can't be easily labeled. The record takes us back to the days when XTC was still little more than a punk band (1979 circa), but already displayed all the talent in place to become what it became: one of the edgiest pop bands of all times. Like the British duo, The Gradients feature dual vocals (bassist Charlie DY and guitarist Luca Balser) with contrasting tones, and a songwriting attitude that privileges clever song developments, melodies and instrumental parts over familiar ones. Their album's incredible consistency is the most promising asset here, which bodes well for their future; whatever alchemy they have in place right now should be nurtured and cherished. The band will be kicking off a US tour at Palisades on July 3rd - dates here. They will be joined by Brooklyn freak folk band The Cradle - another interesting group we'll be blogging about soon.

We added this song to The Deli's playlist of Best songs by emerging NYC artists - check it out!

As you may have noticed, our blogger Jake tends to favor bands with a DIY punk philosophy and an unpredictable, often uncompromisingly noisy sound. And that's what you are going to get at the show he organized - under the moniker "The Colonel Presents..." - at Palisades on October 2nd.  The show is headlined by noise rockers Honduras and The Gradients (check out album opener 'Growing Pile,' streaming), who are actually not that noisy, but play a brand of poppy post punk that's as good as (and in part reminiscent of) that mind blowind phenomenon that was early XTC. On the bill also macabre Brooklynites Show Me The Body (pictured, check out their bizarre but engrossing track 'One Train' below) and fast paced fuzz pop quartet Heeney. 

As The Gradients are gearing up for their debut LP, they've been pumping out singles which have tickled our fancies.  Their latest release is "Shelf", another indicator of the band's continued development.  One of the interesting things about this band is how accurately they depict the anxieties of an age not just lyrically, but musically.  The attention deficit riffs and melodies come from multiple directions at once, and provide consistently compelling and unexpected structures. They sing about an age and a situation where nothing is certain, and often times the only place to look for support, recognition, and reassurance is in others around you.  "Am I the only one?" is the line that rings out from this track, and it's a question that everyone is oh so familiar with. East coasters will have the chance to see The Gradients live as they tour those lands next week (dates here). Last date in NYC at the Studio on 08.15 - Jake Saunders

We added this song to The Deli's playlist of Best songs by emerging NYC artists - check it out!

There is a growing connection between the up and coming grunge rockers out of New England and a select few New York City bands.  Artists like Krill, Ovlov, and Pile have been taking and doling out influence from and to NYC bands like Bluffing, Big Neck Police and the focus of this review, The Gradients.  The last time I saw The Gradients was at the Living Gallery in Brooklyn last summer, so when I witnessed the solid crowd of followers that the band had amassed at Hot 97.4 this past weekend I was excited to see how their sound had evolved.  Indeed The Gradients have come a long way; their songs contain powerful, driving melodies complete with an exciting, New York City-themed frustration.  Their use of lazy harmonies is especially effective on their new single, "Growing Pile," where the chorus becomes layered in raspy vocals of that good, sweet teenage angst we all know and love.  You can check out The Gradients next week on July 29th at Palisades with Washer, Palm and The Doozies.  - Jake Saunders

It looks like the 1.21 Gigawatts crew managed to grab every single decent to good to great indie rock band that’s up and coming in Brooklyn today for their upcoming 4 day yearly festival at Radio Bushwick on July 17-20: Bluffing, Big Neck Police, Infinity Shred, Sunflower Bean, Shark?, Tonstartsbandht, Celestial Shore, The Gradients, hell they even got Fiasco on the bill?! I remember listening to Fiasco in high school wishing I was cool enough to go to their shows, but back then I wasn’t in it for the music as much as trying to find an identity in this fucked up city we call home (calling all high school indie rockers: don’t be ashamed, you may not be old enough to drink yet but you are allowed to fuck up as many times as you want, so go to these shows, maybe you’ll get lucky and they won’t draw the X’s on your hand too deep!)

There will be also teen indie folk talent and recent Deli Record of the Month Frankie Cosmos. I could keep going, but the bottom line is that 1.21 Gigawatts is having a fun party with lots of talented NYC artist - I'll be there! - Jake Saunders