Review: A Night at Bowery Electric With Notorious Noise

MusicReview

May 18

☆ BY SHARON LAZO ☆

ON A GLOOMY DAY IN NEW YORK CITY — PR agency Notorious Noise brought the East Village to life with their intimate yet lively gig at the Bowery Electric featuring artists such as Taphari, Kevin Holliday, and Jame Minogue. Each with their own genres and flares, they came together with the help of none other than Sam Rosenthal, the founder of Notorious Noise, and co-producer Isaac Weiss-Meyer, who together put together an amazing event to showcase these vibrant artists.

Walking in and seeing the Bowery Electric’s neon lights looming above the stage as the DJ played some awesome tunes, the crowd approached the stage to get ready for the opening act. Kicking off the show was Taphari, better known as “Brooklyn’s Best Rap Alien,” an eccentric, sassy, effortlessly cool artist who showed up on stage with white-rimmed glasses and a stylish motorcycle jacket, instantly capturing the attention of the audience. His on-stage presence exuded confidence, refreshing both on and off stage, including the way he prepared himself backstage by adding the final touches to his makeup.

The two sides of Taphari were wonderful to experience, as he got the crowd to dance along with him, teaching new moves and stepping off the stage to dance with the audience who graciously enveloped him. He ended his set with “Cost You,” in which he surprised the crowd with unexpected (fake) blood bleeding through his shirt, a total 2009 VMAs Gaga moment. Taphari made a lasting effect on the audience that night, proving that there is no one like him in the music industry and the underground rap game — he is truly one of a kind.

Following up was Jame Minogue, an LA-based indie artist who adds a Latin flare to his music. Meeting him backstage, he told us his goal is to construct a gap and merge two cultures and that he would be doing so that night with a band that included live instruments to always give the full experience to his audience. Stepping onto the stage, Minogue showed up in a beige fur coat and red fiery pants, strapped with his electric guitar carrying on the torch of stylish fits that Taphari started the night off with. He promises that he’ll never make music just because, instead creating pieces to make people feel understood and heard. His sound, stage presence, and love for his culture makes Minogue necessary in a time in which being Hispanic and knowing more than one language isn't something to be ashamed of but is celebrated.

Minogue’s setlist showcased not only his bright voice, dreamy music that blends pop, indie, and elements of R&B, but the whole production value of his set, including his wicked band. He performed a brand new song, “Tu Me Ha Cambiado,” which will be on his upcoming EP that he told us he’s very excited about. The track itself is lighthearted, speaking of love and its healing powers and remembering to live in the present in order to love deeply and enjoy the ride. The audience absolutely adored Minogue and begged for an encore, which he gladly provided to end his set.

Last but not certainly not least it was Kevin Holliday’s turn on stage. Waltzing onto stage, his energy was nearly tangible, a total rockstar. Once his set kicked off, the crowd instantly bopped with his sound, which fuses a blend of indie alternative R&B that flows effortlessly.

With funky beats from his instrumental band, song after song Holliday gave an absolute show to his audience. He performed his latest release, “Put It Down,” which despite the fact that the song had been released that week, the crowd reciprocated its energy back to him. Once the funky beat of the track began, the audience was just as pumped to hear it as Holliday was to perform it. The song’s infectious beats were so contagious that it’s easy to forget that the lyrics themselves are based on a back and forth that’s gotten repetitive, but to break away from the cycle is to lose that person. At the end of his set the crowd cheered for an encore, which he warmly accepted, and the band picked up their cue and gave us an impromptu performance of “Tennis Courts.”

The night’s atmosphere was spirited as the artists' energies blended smoothly together to create a truly a successful night with the support of Notorious Noise’s founder, Rosenthal. It was an engaging experience to see how the audience reciprocated effervescence and energy as the musicians themselves. Be sure to keep up with Taphari, Jame Minogue, and Kevin Holliday for any upcoming releases that are sure to be on the way.

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