For a third consecutive year at its present South Street Seaport location, the 4Knots music fest continues to highlight New York City’s free summertime music season. Taking place on Saturday June 29 from 1-8 pm, local homegrown talent is fully represented once again this year, with 3 bands (The Babies, Hunters and Parquet Courts) not too recently highlighted by The Deli as NYC Album of the Month.
Brooklyn’s noise rock duo Hunters are one of the most dynamic and exciting live bands out there. Guitar guru Derek Watson’s tonal quality and rhythmic style fluctuates between the tangled jungle stomp of The Cramps and all out mayhem of Sonic Youth. Lead vocalist Isabel Almeida twists and contorts her pliable limbs as she purrs and coos about deadbeats and acid trips.
Parquet Courts have come to embody the disenchanted vibe of today’s slacker generation. Their full-length LP “Light Up Gold” (blessed by a Pitchfork ‘Best New Music" tag) takes on the post-punk, indie rock vibe in a loose and jammy way. Tightly honed rhythms lay the groundwork for a more rambling style of guitar fretwork. Their lyrics skewer towards recognizable observation over obscure metaphors.
Brooklyn’s Heliotropes have been extremely busy over the last few months. Having just released their debut full length record “A Constant Sea” to critical acclaim, the band continues to play significant showcases, culminating with their appearances at this very festival. The heavier aspects of their sound has gotten a lot of deserved attention, however their album also reveals a softer side. Tracks like “Everyone Else” and “Awake” emphasize stark vocals with acoustic guitar accompaniment, as opposed to any kind of explosive guitar bombast. Deeper cut “Moonlite” features violin string textures.
The whole day event will be headlined by Philly’s own Kurt Vile & the Violators and will also include performances by other more established locals rockers The Men, The Babies and Marnie Stern. – Dave Cromwell