After taking the 2009 CMJ by storm, the New Collisions are back in New York, highlighting tunes from their upcoming debut album at the Mercury Lounge on September 13 (photo by twi-ny/mdr)
Mercury Lounge
217 East Houston St.
Monday, September 13, $8, 8:00
www.myspace.com/thenewcollisions
www.mercuryloungenyc.com
We’ve been singing the praises of the Cambridge-based New Collisions since we first heard the opening notes of their exciting 2009 debut EP, INVISIBLE EMBRACES, which features such fabulous forays into ’80s new wave as “Beautiful and Numb,” “No Free Ride,” the eminently groovy “Parachutes on the Dance Floor,” and the gorgeous ballad “Afterglow.” Then we saw them at last year’s CMJ Festival, where they blew us away with their infectious charm; we weren’t the only ones to name them one of the best of the fest. Formed in the spring of 2009 and already declared Best Boston Band twice, lead singer Sarah Guild, guitarist Scott Guild, bassist Alex Stern, and drummer Zak Kahn are now ready to release their next outing, THE OPTIMIST, on October 5. Produced by Sean Slade and Paul Kolderie and recorded live in less than ten days, the album is another nonstop collection of triumphant rave-ups, nine killer tunes that speed by in less than thirty minutes but will leave a lasting impression, your body still moving to the synth groove of “In a Shadow,” your head still buzzing with the “Wa-ah-ah wah-ah-ah-ha wo-oh-oh” of “Over,” which you’ll not want to end. On “Seven Generations,” Sarah asks, “Are we happy yet?” Oh yeah, we’re happy, especially with the band coming to the Mercury Lounge on September 13 for an industry showcase gig at 8:00. (Also on the bill are Pablo Sebastian at 7:00, Analog Fire at 9:00, and Pie Boys Flat at 10:00.)
The New Collisions are so excited about their return to New York City that Scott and Sarah have contacted us directly, generously offering to give away a pair of tickets to the event to twi-ny readers. To be eligible to win, send your name and daytime phone number to contest@twi-ny.com by Friday, September 10, at 12 noon. All entrants must be at least twenty-one years of age, and the winner will be chosen at random. See you there!