Sad to say I don’t get out to as many smaller shows as I’d like to anymore but when I do, it is for an expected banger of a show. This past Friday, June 13, 2025, Indie Band Guru was invited to check out The Baxbys and Camisole at Pianos’ Showroom in New York City’s Lower East Side. The intimate, back room was the perfect backdrop for the bands infectious blend of indie rock, garage-punk, and soulful swagger.
When Charlotte, North Carolina’s Camisole came out we all knew we were about to see some energy. Lead singer Briella Violet has a presence that commands the stage. Their emotional hit “Dust Mites” early in the set showed off guitarist Justin Thompson’s delicate melodies. The pop punk sound was strong throughout the set connecting with an energetic crowd. Briella made sure that everyone in the audience knew the band’s name. She even asked them to repeat it back to her, lol. Great marketing practice for a new band.
Camisole Rocking The Pianos Stage
A solid cover of Paramore’s “Misery Business” showed where the band gets a lot of their influence. Camisole closed their set with the song I was waiting to hear “Flesh.” The crunchy 90’s grunge vibe came through well with plenty of energy. If I had to nitpick, there was a little too much echo on the vocals drowning out some of the lyrics. Solid set though for a band with some real potential.
From the moment The Baxbys hit the stage, their chemistry and fan magnetism was undeniable. The room was packed and the crowd were given a set that crackled with smooth energy. They opened with the jangly guitars of “The Driving Song” and the unique vocal delivery of lead singer Alex Nordlund. The crowd was locked in and eager for a fun night.
The Baxbys (James Miller – guitar, vocals, Alex Nordlund – lead vocals, guitar, Spencer Rosenfeld – bass, keyboards, and Chris Sciucco – drums) have been a major draw in their local MA/CT scene so it was great to see a solid crowd out in NYC to check them out. And even more impressive when the pretty girl next to me asked what the name of the band was. That ability to draw in new fans upon first listen is a great sign of a band on the rise.
The setlist pulled from their growing catalog, blending tracks from their 2022 debut EPs like “Junebug” and “Autumning In Love” with brand new song “Masses in Glasses” which was just released yesterday. The latter is a groove heavy feast that was led by Spencer Rosenfeld’s bassline and atmospheric keyboards.
Pianos’ sound system, known for its clarity and Funktion One Soundsystem, did justice to the band’s raw yet polished sound. The crowd hung on every note, proving The Baxbys can hypnotize as much as they can ignite. If there’s a critique, it’s that the 40-minute set felt too short, leaving fans hungry for more.
For those who caught The Baxbys at Pianos, it was a night to remember—a snapshot of a band on the cusp of something big. If you missed it, check their WEBSITE or INSTAGRAM for upcoming shows and grab a ticket fast. These guys are dancing on the edge of breakout status, and you’ll want to say you saw them when they were still playing these smaller rooms.
*Camisole picture provided by @alix35mm – *Baxbys photos by @iframevia
