See this story at BrooklynDaily.com.
By Danielle Furfaro
Brooklyn Daily
What’s French for “explosion?”
Le Boum, which is also an old-fashioned term for a party, is a four-piece indie band that channels French pop, Motown, and synthpop, bringing to Brooklyn both a party and an explosion.
Think Metric meets Nada Surf, or Phantogram meets Superchunk — or call it blue-eyed soul for the 21st century.
The band, formed in late 2010, is throwing a bash to celebrate the release of its first EP, “Say Hello,” in Williamsburg.
Bandleader Julian McCarron has a lengthy history as a side henchman, spending years offering bass chops and backing vocals to other people’s bands. She loved playing second fiddle, but McCarron wanted a project of her own where she could explore her songwriting chops and have creative control.
Of course, that also comes with all the other duties of running a band, like booking shows and studio time.
“It’s a big adjustment. It has forced me to look back on all the numerous projects I was in and give them a lot more credit,” said McCarron. “I have a lot more sympathy and compassion for them.”
McCarron found her band mates through a series of Craigslist ads and tryouts — and she wasn’t easy on the applicants.
“I’d write some really cryptic ads to weed out people who wouldn’t be a good fit,” she said. “I wrote one that said ‘band seeking an Aquarius piano player.’ What I got back was a Taurus synth player. It was not what I anticipated, but it’s actually better.”
Since McCarron is a bass player, most of Le Boum’s songs start with bass-heavy hooks, and then layer on the beats, synths, and guitar solos.
The lyrics are confessional and wind up sounding like frenetic, youthful Brooklyn evenings.
For now, McCarron wants to book as many New York City dates as possible, and Le Boum might take a national tour this summer. After that, the band might go back into the studio for a full-length.
“Our immediate goal is to get heard by as many people as possible,” said McCarron. “Then we can go out into the world.”
Le Boum at the Gutter [200 N. 14th St. between Nassau and Wythe avenues in Williamsburg, (718) 387–3585, www.leboummusic.com]. Jan. 12, 8:30 pm, $5.
Reach reporter Danielle Furfaro at dfurfaro@cnglocal.com or by calling (718) 260-2511. Follow her at twitter.com/DanielleFurfaro.