BTRtv // BreakThruRadio

Last night at Bowery Ballroom, a trio of buzzed bands that we’ve been been loving lately took the stage. Bleached (who seem to be quickly outshining the specter of the Clavin sisters’ excellent previous band, Mika Miko) is the tour’s headliner, with their new BFF’s (that’s what they said) Hunters tagging along for the fun. For this show, they were joined by locals Ex-Cops.

Ex-Cops started things out on the mellow side, but by the time Hunters hit the stage, the explosive energy of frontwoman Izzy just tore the room up, igniting a mosh pit that only intensified through the rest of the night, further fueled by Bleached’s headlining set.

Check out the full photo gallery from the night here: Bleached / Hunters / Ex-Cops @ Bowery

Photos by Bryan Bruchman.

Bleached w/Hunters on tour:
4/24 @ II Morte / Montreal
4/25 @ The Silver Dollar / Toronto
4/26 @ Subterranean / Chicago IL

RACES - BTR Live Studio [ep127] (by btrlivestudio)

Based out of Los Angeles, RACES (formerly Black Jesus) blends bits of psych-rock, indie-pop, and even a little country twang for music that’s one moment guitar-driven and rollicking, and the next brimming with intense emotion and poppy hooks. The wild, but charming songs on the band’s Frenchkiss Records debut, Year Of The Witch, are further highlighted by frontman Wade Ryff’s raspy-textured, yearning vocals. /// Featured song: “Hope And Gloom” /// Year Of The Witch is the latest album by RACES. /// Complete radio broadcast and playlist: http://b-t-r.co/LOIWDh /// Official website: http://racestheband.com /// Twitter: @RACEStheband

JBM - BTR Live Studio [ep126] (by btrlivestudio)

Jesse Marchant, or JBM as he’s more commonly known in the music world, creates delicate, subdued and moving indie rock. Written mostly on an acoustic guitar, his songs are sparse, though never simplistic — he’s classically trained on the guitar and quick with his fingers — and overall the music often conveys a haunting, yet beautiful emotional quality. He’s shared the stage with well-known acts like St. Vincent and The Tallest Man On Earth. /// Featured song: “Moonwatcher” /// Stray Ashes, the sophomore album by JBM, is out via Western Vinyl. /// Complete radio broadcast and playlist: http://bit.ly/Ji5DP5 /// Official website: http://www.jbm-music.com

This Is the Kit - BTR Live Studio [ep121] (by btrlivestudio)

This Is The Kit is the project of English-born singer-songwriter Kate Stables. Based out of Paris and often accompanied by longtime collaborator Jesse Vernon, she plays folk-rock that is sparse, stripped-down, and marked by a captivatingly tender and calm ambiance. Sables has been lauded by artists like Sharon Van Etten, and she is currently signed to Brassland Records, the label co-founded by The National’s Aaron and Bryce Dessner. /// Featured song: “White Ash Cut” /// Wriggle Out The Restless is the latest album by This Is The Kit. /// Complete radio broadcast and playlist: http://bit.ly/J9xyGs /// Official website: http://thisisthekit.co.uk /// Twitter: @thisisthekit

Ravens & Chimes - BTR Live Studio [ep119] (by btrlivestudio)

Marked by beautiful, lush orchestration and impassioned, whispery vocals, Ravens & Chimes’ indie rock is enthralling and emotionally compelling. The Brooklyn five-piece has opened for bands like Billy Bragg and Tim Fite, and their honest, heart-on-the-sleeve songs — three of which have been featured on MTV’s Skins — have earned praise from musical icons Leonard Cohen and Jeff Mangum. Just recently, they were listed as one of The L Magazine’s “8 Bands You Need To Hear.” /// Featured song: “Past Lives” /// Holiday Life is the sophomore album by Ravens & Chimes. /// Complete radio broadcast and playlist: http://bit.ly/Jh2Ab2 /// Official website: http://ravensandchimes.com /// Twitter: @RavensandChimes

Should Horse Carriages Be Banned? - BTR Pulse [ep51] (by btrpulse)

On this week’s episode of BTR Pulse, we take a closer look at the controversy surrounding New York City’s horse-drawn carriages. Over the years, many have sustained serious injuries and even died, but the debate seems to have reached its boiling point after two horses collapsed in just the last two weeks. We hit the Central Park area to talk to protesters about their campaign to ban horse-drawn carriages in the city and to gauge what locals thought about the matter. /// Featured Song: “Get Free” by Electric Guest

Also on Vimeo and YouTube:
http://vimeo.com/31885023
http://youtu.be/a4LtgCYNK80 

Favorite NYC Movies and TV Shows - BTR Pulse [ep47] (by btrpulse)

Below the colorful marquees of Time Square, BTR Pulse host Jess Westberg asks folks what movie or TV show best represents the Big Apple! /// Featured Song: “Kilometer” by A-Trak

Also on Vimeo and YouTube:
http://vimeo.com/30461377
http://youtu.be/-OxB8q4RxEg 

Wall Street Occupation - BTR Pulse [ep45] (by btrpulse)

A group calling themselves “Occupy Wall Street” has taken over Zuccotti Park in the financial district with hopes of bringing attention to an array of causes and issues. And after a weekend that included NYPD use of pepper spray and, allegedly, other tactics some might deem questionable, we headed down to ask some of the occupier and bystanders about the goals of the protest and the tactics they’re using and having used against them. Featured song: “Stop” by Twin Sister

Also on Vimeo and YouTube:
http://vimeo.com/29789110
http://youtu.be/Op3K3YkMn38