For any up-and-coming band hoping to build their notoriety and marketability, there are some very specific and non-negotiable components in order to achieve any kind of success. First of all, a band simply must be good; regardless of genre, they must have a sound that people can both recognize and enjoy. Furthermore, they must have a very memorable member of the band, whether it’s the lead singer, lead guitarist, or sometimes even the drummer; someone to be the face of the band to their fans and to the media. And finally, a band must play and tour regularly, beginning in their city of residence and eventually covering their state and/or region, in order to increase their viability as a worthwhile touring act. Because if there’s anything that loyal fans and marketing executives at record companies both love, it’s the beautiful triumvirate of Quality, Marketability, and Visibility.
Brooklyn-based Zigmat has all three attributes in spades, and displays them in bulk on its self-titled, independently-released debut album. Zigmat pulses with a thick, driving, and infectious dance rock groove, best evidenced on tracks like “Turn Out” and “Light of the Moon.” Furthermore, the lovely Monica Rodriguez fronts this 5-piece and she does so by bringing her spitfire Latina attitude and lyricism to the fore on “Glowstick” and “Discosuave.” Lastly, the band has cultivated some monster performance chops, as they spent Fall 2006 with a weekly residency at Piano’s in NYC and followed that gig up with regular appearances at Nublu, The Mercury Lounge, and Nacotheque. Zigmat is a well-crafted initial offering from a high-energy band that hopefully will soon have the opportunity to spread their love for music-making beyond the confines of the Big Apple.
-- Adam P. Newton
