At a Postmodern Jukebox show, time periods collide. Flapper dresses shine under the stage light, Old-Fashioned cocktails are flowing and smartphones record sounds both modern and of the past and present.

The group, also referred to as PMJ, is largely recognized for the way they stylize chart-topping pop songs with musical genres of the past. The group’s fans have embraced this amalgamation of the old with the new. On Jan. 21, PMJ will be performing at the Palace Theatre.

For their live shows, performers often wear vintage attire and costumes, and oftentimes the fans arrive more dressed up than the band. According to featured singer Sara Niemietz, “It really is a musical time machine.”

The group is officially known as Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox. Bradlee, a pianist and arranger, founded PMJ in 2011. What started with YouTube videos shot in his living room evolved into a large collective of performers, over 15 albums, merchandise and international tours.

Niemietz sees PMJ exposing crowds to a style they don’t often see.

“I know that Scott really appreciates that art form, and it’s been a really great platform for getting (tap dancing) kind of more out, you know, in the public eye,” Niemietz said.

Some of their covers include a blues version of Charlie Puth’s “Attention,” a doo-wop arrangement of Miley Cyrus’ “We Can’t Stop” and a jazzy performance of Radiohead’s “Creep,” which has racked up over 42 million views on YouTube.

PMJ’s viral social media videos scored them an invitation to perform at the Kennedy Center and a PBS documentary that aired last year. Before that, Scott Bradlee gave a TEDx Talk in 2014. Their cast of performers includes American Idol alumni, Broadway stars and singers and dancers they’ve found through social media casting calls.

While many of PMJ’s restyled arrangements come about collaboratively, Niemietz considers Bradlee to be the driving force behind the arrangements and vision of the group.

Two years ago, Niemietz emailed him a video of her singing. Along with the video was a message expressing her appreciation of their work, and asking if Bradlee wanted to “try getting together and jamming sometime.” He agreed, and Niemietz began recording online music videos and touring with his group.

Along with the live music and vocals, several PMJ arrangements include a dance element, something Niemietz finds unique about the group.

“I’ve gone to a lot of concerts and I don’t think I’ve ever seen one where there’s a tap dancer,” she said.

Plus, the dancers encourage the audience to get on their feet. “It’s very much a party,” she said.

In her experience, even at venues with seating, after a few songs the audience winds up on their feet.

“You’ll see people in their 80s that are dancing because they love the music and it reminds them of an earlier time in their life,” Niemietz said. “But then you’ll also see people who are much younger and maybe don’t have as much jazz knowledge, but they know all the lyrics to The Chainsmokers’ song and they’re dancing to that.”

That particular scene is especially likely to play out when the group comes to Syracuse, where The Chainsmokers’ lead singer Andrew Taggart attended college.

Because Postmodern Jukebox is composed of a rotating cast of performers, the members of each tour vary, but Niemietz estimates that the “PMJ family” has grown to more than 70 singers, musicians and dancers. On this upcoming tour, Niemietz said there’s also a couple of people she hasn’t even met yet.

“It’s never really the same thing twice,” Niemietz said. “It’s kind of always changing based on new arrangements that are coming out, different singers that are on the road at that time.”

Niemietz suspects the combination of old and new is what appeals to so many performers and audience members.

“I think it’s kind of an opportunity to escape from the day-to-day and kind of feel like you’re in a different time,” she said.

Tickets range from $30-$100 and are available at postmodernjukebox.com/tickets.

Published on January 16, 2018 at 10:01 pm

Contact Erin:
ekgavle@syr.edu