
Photos of Hospitality at WIRED Store in New York, NY on December 6th, 2012
Photos of Hospitality at 2012 4Knots Festival in New York, NY
Photos of Hospitality at The Bishop in Bloomington, IN on May 16th, 2012
Photos of Hospitality at SXSW 2012 in Austin, TX
Photos of Hospitality at CMJ 2011 in New York, NY
Photos of Hospitality at 2009 After the Jump Fest in Brooklyn, NY
Photos of Hospitality at Starr Space in Brooklyn, NY on April 23rd, 2009
Photos of Hospitality at Union Hall in Brooklyn, NY on February 24th, 2009
Well before they signed to famed indie imprint Merge Records, Hospitality were already a favorite among bands in their native Brooklyn. With their self-titled debut, it’s easy to see why. They deliver a nice slice of indie-bop on Hospitality, even if it never quite overwhelms.
Centered on singer/guitarist Amber Papini (but also featuring bassist Brian Betancourt, also of White Rabbits – QRO spotlight on), Hospitality are at their best when they up the bop to catchy levels, such as on “Friends of Friends”, “The Right Profession”, and other tracks. The cheeriness is winning without being winsome, and nicely contrasts Papini with all the sad alt-folk ladies that Brooklyn has to offer. The sadder side of Hospitality isn’t as impressive, as it’s a bit forgettable on some tracks, but there is the world-wise & -weary “Sleepover”, and better indie-sway “Liberal Arts”.
Hospitality isn’t going to bowl anyone over like a breakout debut supposedly should. But it will please anyone who hears it – and a lot more people will be hearing Hospitality now.
MP3 Stream: “Friends of Friends“