At LocalBozo.com, we travel New York City from borough to borough bringing our readers the best in live music coverage, from shows at the Barclays Center and Forest Hills Stadium to Irving Plaza and Terminal 5.  But we also like to expose you to some artists that you probably haven’t heard from- perhaps some up and comers on the Indie scene.  And here now, is our latest entry into LocalBozo.com’s “Indie Music Spotlight.”

Kendra Morris
Rockwood Music Hall, New York, NY
April 21, 2011

 

LocalBozo.com was pleased to introduce you to a very talented New York City singer/songwriter Kendra Morris with our ongoing video series, “One Artist One Lens.” Morris performed an acoustic version of her song “Seaside,” which you can check out here.  Besides recording new material, Kendra is always staying busy playing shows all around town. In recent months Morris has been signed to the Wax Poetics record label and even played the popular annual SXSW Festival in Austin, Texas.

If you like any performer it is your duty to hear them live. There is only so much a recording can provide you with and since you live in the music capital of the world (Not a proven fact, but go with me on this) there is really no excuse. This past Thursday, Kendra Morris, accompanied by her band, played the late show at the lower east side, Rockwood Music Hall. It was our first time inside the venue and we were blown away by the space’s potential. The venue has two stages which allows multiple acts to perform at the same time, but in two different spaces. Blessed with an intimate feel, the club can also certainly pack in a nicely sized crowd. Tables for waitress service line the stage, giving the venue an old time cabaret look. Last but not least, the sound inside is incredible and the bar is located right near the stage and delivers some excellent service.

Photograph Courtesy of © Grayson Dantzic www.graysondantzic.com

Morris took the stage shortly after 11pm with her band and you could tell right away that she was excited to play this gig. She was all smiles. The packed, engaged house gave the love right back as she started to rip through her tunes. Some of our favorite set highlights included “Here” and “Pity,” which can be found on her digital album onsale at her site. Her set blew away the crowd and made fans of first time listeners.

Along with Morris’ catalog played throughout the night, she pulled out a very creative cover of the ’90s one hit wonder The Proclaimers, and a version of “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)”. She was joined on stage by Godforbid, the lead singer of another excellent NYC group, “That Handsome Devil.” Both Kendra and Godforbid reworked this poppy tune into their own and it paid off as the crowd was digging it, singing a long to each lyric, with huge grins. The show was excellent with Kendra looking like a seasoned veteran and the Rockwood Music Hall being a venue you need to head over to for great live music in lower Manhattan. Make sure to check her out at kendramorrismusic.com and on Twitter @kendramorris for upcoming dates and news.

- Alan Smithee