On May 25, 2009, New York City’s Mercury Lounge became a melting pot of bands that attracted an international crowd. Brooklyn’s new-wave trio The Jaguar Club, pop-reggae Danes Five O’ Clock Heroes, sassy Swedish teens Those Dancing Days, and New York rockers The Dig, drew attendees from Europe and the U.S. The Big Apple’s very own The Dig (a name dug from a documentary on The Brian Jonestown Massacre and The Dandy Warhols) proved to be the main attraction and the singular reason for the crowd to finally move.
Three of The Dig’s members, David Baldwin (lead vocals/guitar), Emile Mosseri (bass/vocals), and Erick Eiser (keyboards/guitar), have been jamming together for half their lives, and as Berklee alumni, the trio’s training and 
practice shine through in recordings and live performances. Their creative essence, however, is not one taught in school but emanates from genuine musical camaraderie. Recently recruited Jamie Alegre (drums) adds the finishing touches on The Dig’s cohesive sound with tight-knit “digs” that unite the band’s infectious groove, as exemplified on openers “Already Gone” and “Two Sisters in Love” which pumped up the packed Lounge. Highlighted on The Dig’s recent 3-track sampler, available free at shows and for download on Myspace, “Penitentiary,” showcased Mosseri’s impassioned vocals which floated over ringing finger-picking and syncopated backbeats. Another new release “He's a Women” undulated with instrumental feedback and distortion, championing The Dig’s psychedelic inspirations tinged with their alternative rock 
upbringing. Equally evocative, the band's eerie and bassy “You Terrorize Me” contrasted with the harmonious and romantic “Carry Me Home,” and a sultry “She's Going to Kill That Boy,” track one on their demo. The latter tremored with a haunting guitar and trippy keyboard reverb, and erupted into a head-banging refrain. “Love Sick Women” from The Dig’s 2007 Good Luck and Games EP chugged along towards a tense chorus, while an unreleased “I Just Wanna Talk to You,” interspersed with crowd clap-along segments, oozed with bluesy seduction and a classic rock ‘n roll spirit. The song's final moments spotlighted Baldwin shredding away on guitar while the rest of the band shook, rattled, and rolled until Eiser’s keyboards nearly toppled over. After the band closed with “Look Inside,” another hard-hitting hit whose modulating 
keys reverberate over booming bass licks, the enthusiasm of the Mercury Lounge crowd escalated under the spell of The Dig’s unrestrained energy.
Fans looked somber when The Dig’s set was up. It was apparent that the audience (hate to say this) “dug it,” as they called out for one more song. Because the Mercury Lounge runs a tight ship, the well-received quartet was forced to bid farewell. Fans won't have to wait too long: The Dig return from touring alongside Ha Ha Tonka and Via Audio throughout this month, for a local reappearance on June 30 at The Bowery Ballroom, and will then head back into the studio for summer recording sessions. Meanwhile, keep digging deeper into The Dig on Twitter, Facebook, at www.thedigmusic.com and www.myspace.com/thedigisup.
