some INSANE photos from the Lord of the Lost/Fashion Bomb/Murder FM show March 16 at The Paper Box!

first 5 from Megan Costello

second 5 from Steven Trotman

e-mail us at info@paperboxnyc if you'd like to get in touch with the photographers!

Kodacrome has been one of my favorite NYC outfits recently, a synth-pop duo comprised of Elissa and Ryan, artists, collaborators, lovers.  The beauty of their relationship shines through in their complex and edgy pop songs, framing Elissa as the narrator for tales in pop trappings.  This duo is poised for great things in music, and I’m honored and proud to have them join the line-up at Tropical Paradiso. Check them out at The Paper Box for Kaiotic Music's showcase Tropical Paradiso.  Wednesday, January 29th.

8 PM // $5

The Ophelia Featuring Theodore is an amazonian woman fronted duo writing and producing otherworldly R&B that transports listeners from a smoky manhattan nightclub to a beach in the 80s- from city chic to tropical funk.  It’s abstract at times yet approachable over all, with lyrics that clearly come from a lady locked in a room with her feelings begging for release, and production that is finely in tune and on the pulse of what’s trending in retro electronic soul.  Think Jessie Ware with more edge and a touch of ethereal, and think model/singer/future world dominator.

Check her out at The Paper Box for Kaiotic Music's showcase Tropical Paradiso.  Wednesday, January 29th. 8 PM // $5

 Matthew White is a student at Colombia, A member of an acappella group, and a young NYC transplant.  Oh wait, he’s also putting out some incredibly nuanced, sexy, romantic and UK influenced Electronic Soul and R&B under the moniker Mattheu, and it forces us to beg the question- how do you find the time?  Breakout track Sanguineis what really placed Mattheu on the blog circuit, and I’m proud to have his Brooklyn debut at The Paper Box.  Come see this fresh face before his stocks start skyrocketing.  Oh also, check out his cover of Rihanna’s Diamonds to feel his stunningly sexy vibrato as he gives the track a Sade remake. Check him out at The Paper Box on Wednesday January 29th as part of Kaiotic Music's showcase Tropical Paradiso. 8 PM // $5 

Kodacrome’s style lies somewhere between electro-clash, pop, and garage rock, bringing along with their synths and synchronized light show name placard a down to earth sensibility that will surprise and entice you.  The emotions shared between the two members of the band are felt shivering in every rumbling bass note and glimmering synth melody, unintentionally (yet beautifully) alluding to a deeper tale (not to mention Elissa's richly mysterious voice).  Don’t miss this fantastic duo, and be prepared to have an emotional mini dance party.  Aren’t those the best? Thursday, December 5th at The Paper Box.

8PM // $10 // 21+

Aeon Rings are a dark escape, a rummage through a punk back alley with neon lights.  While their music promotes synthesis, their attitude encourages disconnect, and their intense and poised instrumentation precisely strikes an arena rock chord.  Don’t try to connect here; instead try to disconnect, and allow the waves of a dismal typhoon to absorb your soul- think Sandy on acid.   Thursday, December 5th at The Paper Box. 8 PM // $10 // 21+

Synth-wave connoisseur Com Truise is closing out his residency at The Paper Box with an awesome live set.  If you enjoy escaping into a hologram of the future that incites a dreamscape of sound waves, invigorated by the real-time pulses of well-trained fingertips, then this is the show for you.  A self proclaimed future primitive, championing the sounds of the past’s future in today’s synth infested musical ethos, Com Truise is anything but outdated- don’t miss the opportunity to be transported to a Miami Vice night, and come dressed in flashy suits (porn staches couldn’t hurt either).   Retro-fying The Paper Box on Thursday, December 5th.  

8 PM // $10 // 21+

Charly & Margaux are nothing short of stunning.  Sensual string performances are paired with their astounding beauty and style- it’s an out of body experience.  It’s also refreshing to see a classical instrument being played like it’s the temptress’ tool during foreplay in the privacy of a bedroom- watching feels like an invasion, listening feels like absorption of physicality.  I know, this sounds douchey but seriously.  It’s that good.   The Paper Box, Thursday, November 14th. 8 PM // $10 // 21+

Raye 6 is completely surprising.  The name implies a strange sort of modernism or futurism- is it a reference to the standards singer and actress of the 50s and 60s or is it the French word for scratching or scraping (away the past?).  No matter what this is an artist who is throwing back to the classic singers of the early 20th century and exuding an allure of femininity that is intoxicating.  But she isn’t just the vixen of the past; she is also a Jennifer Hudson contemporary, blaring that powerful and controlled voice over Pop/R&B tracks.  This one is a star. Come revel in her reverb at The Paper Box on Thursday, November 14th. 8 PM // $10 // 21+

TECLA is forging genre-defying music and cheeky relevant lyrics full of lines perfect for a hashtag obsessed culture.  The afro-Caribbean and Tropicalia influences are infectious; almost Sean Kingston radio blazing ready, but it doesn’t stop there.  Sick production and the kinds of beats Britney Spears would be lucky to steal are all a product of Tesla herself- songwriter, producer and mistress of style, she’s like a whirlwind and all I can do is hope I can get caught in it.  Check her out at The Paper Box on Thursday, November 14th. 8 PM // $10 // 21+

Listen to: What's The Use? (ALRN052) by The Use 

From the sounds of crickets & nursery rhyme bells we’re suddenly introduced to a mysterious world of beats and grinding bass that contrast so vividly with the lightness of many other elements in The Use’s sound that it makes perfect sense.  If you allow for full immersion then you should have an ethereal experience.  I’d say you’d better be in attendance if you tend to close your eyes and roll your shoulders on your own at shows.  Also, bring your glow sticks. At The Paper Box on Tuesday, November 26th. 8 PM // $7 // 21+

Dubstep is over you might say, and I’ve said so myself too.  I think the real statement isn't that dubstep is over, but it’s just not enough on its own.  In order for Dub to continue evolving and remain relevant it must be experimented with, and new elements must be introduced.  Stranger! Danger! is having a lot of fun with drum and bass & synth and incorporating dance and jazz.  If nothing else, it's a great time. Come decide for yourself if Dub is dead. The Paper Box on Tuesday, November 26th. 8 PM // $7 // 21+

Listen/purchase: Tiny Hazard by Tiny Hazard

Tiny Hazard is the ultimate haunting and ethereal experimental pop experience.  It’s been a while since such a surprising and overwhelmingly emotive new pop outfit has surfaced; every diverse element is perfectly in sync.  Gorgeous, emotional, and eccentric vocals are combined with simple and intriguing piano lines, experimental sounds, and traditional instruments.  Serene yet invigorating, it’s as if St. Vincent and Bjork had a love child, with more angst, ambition, and tact than both of them combined.  Playing at The Paper Box on Wednesday, November 20th. 8 PM // $7 // 21+

Listen to: Proof by Names of War

Sweeping Americana with Mumford-esque vocals and striking imagery spirals upwards from the souls of Names of War and into the hearts and minds of their listeners.  There are some really special moments here; like when lead vocalist Andrew Carlson holds his notes longer than expected, and then takes them to new places.  Or when the simple strumming and drumming suddenly turns into an enveloping storm of guitars and wails that may or may not give you chills. Emotional cascades abound at The Paper Box on Wednesday, November 20th. 8 PM // $7 // 21+

Listen/purchase: The Signs That Mock Me As I Go by Relatives

The Relatives would sound at home picking banjos in rocking chairs on your grandmother’s back porch overlooking the Appalachian mountains; barefoot and drinking moonshine.  At the same time they could be playing a backyard show in Brooklyn with hot pepper lights strung around and Miller High Life overflowing from Styrofoam coolers.  This duo is romantic yet platonic, country yet city; like The Civil Wars if they were more Asheville than Nashville, and more subdued than emotional.  Wednesday, November 20th at The Paper Box. 8 PM // $7 / 21+

Listen/purchase: You and I in Heaven by Tyburn Saints 

Dredged in moody guitars, Tyburn Saints draw heavily on revered influences to produce beautifully written songs.  The comparisons are easy to make, predominantly Nick Cave & The Cure; at its lightest its Goth-Pop, at its darkest Death Indie.  There are moments as relatable as The Killers, at their Prog-Rock best.  I shy away from pigeon holing Tyburn Saints as some dark band, because while their lyrics blur the lines between cynicism and death, they leave me feeling alive. 

 They'll be dealing some moodiness at The Paper Box on Wednesday, November 20th. 8 PM // $7 // 21+