We continue our "Best of NYC Countdown", covering every day one of the artists that made our Year End Best of NYC list (a chart compiled by a jury comprised of local bloggers, music writers, promoters, record store personnel and DJs).
After hearing Hospitality’s soundcheck, singer-songwriter Karl Blau offered to record the trio’s music in exchange for serving as his backing band for a few shows. The result of this unusual barter is the band’s self titled EP, which features six poppy, captivating songs recorded on a 4-track. It’s difficult not to fall for Hospitality’s charms.: the lo-fi songs project such warmth through Amber Papini’s tender vocals and charismatic melodies, that bear a hint of ‘60s nostalgia. Although their songs are infused with a darling amount of sweetness, their roughness in the recording department balance things out – they recorded some tracks using the telephone as their only microphone! (That’s what we call "no-fi".) Well, those tunes still sound surprisingly awesome. – Nancy Chow