Camera Cult, Hank & Cupcakes, Say Girl Say, Sphynx Houston House of Creeps February 27, 2015

It's not every day that you get to catch the first-ever live performance of what could be Houston's next big act, but I was lucky enough to see Camera Cult's debut on Friday, February 27 at House of Creeps. The trio, who formed on New Year's Eve 2014, opened the night with a 30-minute set in what would end up being the tamest HHOC event I've ever been present for.

However, despite the blistering cold, the main room was packed full of people dancing and bobbing their heads to music that they've likely never heard, and it was pretty damn impressive.

Camera Cult is composed of David Gonzalez, Nicco Martinez and Ricky J. Vasquez, whom you might know from his work with Houston's own RIVERS. When glancing at these young men's fresh faces, you might not anticipate how smooth they are. However, the trio has managed to tether together an interesting sound that oozes the dance vibes of Chromeo, the self-assuring funk of James Brown and the poppy synth compositions from all of your favorite John Hughes soundtracks.

This might be why, at the end of the set, the room was full of the kind of smiles and cheers you might witness for a band with more mileage and a bigger following. Regardless of the why, it's been awhile since Houston was introduced to a fresh act that can hold the attention of a room full of strangers as well as Camera Cult was able to.

Directly following Camera Cult, Hank & Cupcakes began setting up and handing out 3-D glasses to everyone in the crowd. When asked why the glasses were needed, drummer and one-half of the act Sagit "Cupcakes" Shir replied, "We're kind of a 3-D band."

Shir and her husband, Ariel "Hank" Scherbacovsky, are an electropop bass-and-drum duo based out of Brooklyn, but they hail from Tel Aviv, Israel. Because I wasn't aware that the two were married at the time, watching them interact was every synonym I could think of for "adorable" and "fun," and the name Hank & Cupcakes felt so insanely appropriate.

At times, Hank would walk over to Cupcakes and kiss her on the cheek, while at others their energy was simply so electric that one couldn't help falling in love with everything they had to offer. The duo's sound and style are curated in ways that match one another, yet never felt forced or disingenuous.

Performing tracks off their new album, CA$H 4 GOLD, Hank & Cupcakes feel like the perfect balance between the Ting Tings and Matt & Kim, plus all the latter's edge and endless positivity.

Story continues on the next page.