NYCSmoke Musique Noir CD Release with Dragonfly

Lower East Side rock quintet NYCSmoke has just emerged from the studio with their most compelling and sonically striking record to date, Musique Noir. Recorded last fall at Motherwest and M Music Studios, Howie Statland and his co-horts – Kevin Haley, Kim Henry, Jesse Sourian and Matt Lewis – emerged with 14 heart-pounding palm-slippery tracks that cover the lyrical terrain of Howie’s uniquely vivid orbit. This collection rounds out their previous two acclaimed releases, For the Posers and Hearts & Stones, both independent records.

Musique Noir is named after Statland’s favorite Film Noir style. “I like to think of this record as a black-and-white movie, telling a story frame by frame,” he explains. “I want it to tell the whole story, convey some sort of truth.”

The stellar track, “Stay,” is a tale of two people who can’t handle more than one-night stands, so they make a wager to stick around. The track pounds relentlessly building in musical and lyrical tension and swells to its ultimate, and curious conclusion. “I Can’t Hardly Wait” is a sardonic and bleak look at club life, but the black humor, contagious melody and slappy backbeat simply melt away the desire to take that world so seriously. The entire record has a super muscular rock-and-roll feel, and even the ballad “Secret Machines,” with its electronica overtones, gives an emotional punch to the chest as the band takes you on that ride.

Known for their intense and expressive live shows, NYCSmoke has shared the stage with the New York Dolls, They Might Be Giants, Franz Ferdinand, Interpol, Jet and many other great bands.

NOTE: Purchase of tickets does NOT guarantee a table reservation; you must call to reserve seats. Seating, as well as standing-room, is available only on a first-come, first-served basis for all shows without a dinner reservation. Two drinks or $12 food minimum per person is standard. For table reservations call 212-539-8778.