Steel Phantoms Playing Secret Show Tonight
Steel Phantoms are going on at 2am for a late night secret set at Coco66 in Greenpoint. You should go! Unless you already have tickets for the secret Yeah Yeah Yeahs show...
November 06, 2009
Grizzly Bear "Ready, Able" Video
Happy Weekend!
Directed by Allison Schulnik
November 05, 2009
Tanlines "Game Two" Video Via Technology
Y'all already know we love Tanlines... But The Fader's description of this video just pulled on this girl's heartstrings (check out the last name, homies). Also, who doesn't love Google Earth and their iPhones!? For realsies, yo!
Jookabox
Just when you thought Halloween was done and gone, this little number shows up.
They're playing at Bruar Falls on Saturday. I hope they dress up.
Bishop Allen's "True or False" Video
These kids are working on a new album and will be playing some of their new jams on 11/20 at Union Hall and 11/21 at Bell House... I have to admit though, I can't really hear the song out of fringe dress envy...
Ticket Giveaway: Wolfmother at Terminal 5
Remember when everyone named their band after some kind of wolf? Well, Wolfmother is back with a new album, Cosmic Egg, that dropped late last month to the delight of all those rock howl obsessed.
You can buy the album here, OR you can just comment on our Facebook contest thread and hear the whole deal live because we've got a pair of tickets to their Sunday night show at Terminal 5 with Heartless Bastards.
Here's the spacey throwback video for "New Moon Rising", off the new album, via Pitchfork:
November 04, 2009
Download: Cold Cave's "Theme From Tomorrowland"
If you haven't heard of Cold Cave, you have no idea what CMJ is, and you've never read a blog in your life. I had the opportunity to see these kids perform a couple times during the music fuckfest and must say they were a bit hit and miss for me. They bored me to death at The Suffolk, but managed to redeem themselves a dozen fold at Market Hotel, where they rocked it even though there were some (typical Todd P location) sound issues -- as in the sound cut out more than once. Looks like I'll have to set my opinion in stone at their upcoming Terminal 5 show with Sonic Youth and Dinosaur Jr. on November 21st (total wtf lineup, huh?).
Either way, Matador is giving away a download of a bonus track off of their doped up dance move debut, Love Comes Close, in celebration of the label re-release. Listen to "Theme From Tomorrowland" here (right click to download). If you decide to buy directly from the label, you also get a copy of the 12" Death Comes Close which includes all three bonus tracks.
November 02, 2009
Girls "Lust for Life" Video: NSFW
In case you missed it, Pitchfork brought us a different cut of the video for San Francisco darlings Girls "Lust for Life" (aka theme song for the summer, gay porn edition) last week. The boys in Girls are apparently dealing with some lineup changes as well...
Check out the video for your daily dose of tits and mushroom tips. Again, not all that office friendly-- but in all honesty, not really that risqué, non?:
October 30, 2009
Tonight: Lightning Bolt & Black Dice
:: LIGHTNING BOLT
:::: BLACK DICE
:::::: Mick Barr -- mem Orthrelm, Krallice, Cromtech, Octis, Ocrilim
:::::::: TV Ghost -- http://myspace.com/televisionghost
| ABOVE THE AUTO PARTS STORE |
600 Bushwick Ave @ Jefferson St | Bushwick, Brooklyn
JMZ-Myrtle/Broadway, L-Jefferson | 8pm | $12 | all ages
Deer Tick Does Sex Pistols
If you're one of many planning on seeing Deer Tick play the songs of the Sex Pistols Saturday night at Brooklyn Bowl, we're told it's not yet sold out but will likely be soon. A limited number of costumed attendees will get in for free, but "only if you get there early!" So, don't think you can roll up in your ironic hipster grifter outfit at 9pm and expect to be let in. Doors are at 6, and honestly, tickets are only $5.
[photo via]
October 29, 2009
Solid Gold: Noisemakers with John Norris, CMJ Edition
Check out the rest of the interview & performances over at Noisevox!
October 28, 2009
Party in a Vintage Store
Best of CMJ: Caught on Tape by Ray Concepcion
The first night of CMJ, enjoying happy hour drinks at Music Hall of Wburg, I wondered why I was there so early. Spending an entire day bouncing around the Lower East Side, namely at The Music Slut & Sneak Attack Media's Pianos showcase, I needed a break from first day insanity (read: free Hornitos frozen margaritas). So in the quiet cavern below the stage, I waited for my (lack of a better word) date, and fellow music writer. After realizing I had caught Fanfarlo earlier that day, and have seen The Antlers a number of times, we ditched the Brooklyn Vegan party before anybody even got there (with semi-false intentions of returning) and mosied down to MonkeyTown for the unofficial Chocolate Bobka and Underwater Peoples showcase.
It stands to be my favorite show of CMJ-- and if you were following our twitter last week, you know we saw a lot of them. Fluffy Lumbers killing a solo set, Julian Lynch via video chat, the NYC premiere of seriously experimental and enchanting Africa Germany Germany..., and lovely ladies of Mountain Man, who filled in for Ducktails, closing out with a serenade of hauntingly raw echoes. Thank goodness Ray Concepcion was there to catch the magic, and major thanks for not including footage of me scarfing down a burger-- bc I know he has it:
Check out Surfer Blood at Piano's through Ray's lens after the jump...
Continue reading "Best of CMJ: Caught on Tape by Ray Concepcion" »
Florence and The xx "You've Got the Love" Video
Yes, The xx are all the rage right now. Yes, the album is awesome. Yes, they kinda make you wanna take a nap while you're watching them on stage- don't we all wish their live sets evoked the kind of dancing shown in the video for Florence and the Machine's (covered/remixed by The xx) "You've Got the Love"?
via GvB:
October 26, 2009
Pearl and the Beard
My friends at Goddamn Cobras just released a video for Brooklyn-based band Pearl and the Beard. I posted about their search for some shoot locations, and it looks like they succeeded.
Anyone have Will Smith's e-mail?
October 25, 2009
SATURj: Neon Indian, Cale Parks
Neon Indian - Roots Studio
Cale Parks - Roots Studio
More Photos After the CMJump!
Leonard Cohen Played at MSG on Friday Night
And it was spectacular. Songs like "Bird on a Wire," "Suzanne" and "Everybody Knows" percolated throughout Madison Square Garden for several hours, as Cohen demonstrated that you can still rock out with hat head and sing about naked ladies at age 75. The crowd was composed of about 3/4 people over the age of 50, and to be honest, hanging out with the bubbies was a welcomed alternative to the madness of CMJ that was going on downtown.
Far too many aging performers make their later tours all about huge commercial production standards and vivid on-stage distractions (see: The Rolling Stones, U2), but Cohen's set is still tacked to the essence of his music and poetry. The biggest diversions on Friday were manifested by his appreciative interactions with his backup singers and musicians, and the occasional wild outburst by one of the AARP members in the crowd.
Smiling at his audience, Cohen commented that "I don't know when it is our intention to pass this way again." It was foreboding, kind of sad and made me eternally grateful that I had the chance to see him perform. Read on to the extended entry to see my (somewhat shoddy) iPhone video of "Chelsea Hotel No. 2," for a fuller impression of this classy affair.
(image via EW.com)
Continue reading "Leonard Cohen Played at MSG on Friday Night" »
October 24, 2009
FRIj: The Dutchess and The Duke @ Public Assembly
October 23, 2009
Drive Car, See Girl Talk, Avoid New Jersey Teens
The Kia Soul Collective circus is in town this weekend and ready to rock your dirty socks off at a secret Girl Talk show going down at an "undisclosed location" (read: Pier 94 at 55th Street & The West Side Highway) It's free, open to the public, and "includes an opportunity to test-drive the all-new Kia Soul," that isn't necessarily an included opportunity but more like a pay-to-play requirement.
Yea, you have to test-drive Kia's hip new wheels machine in order to enter the premises. But between you and me, we both know that's not the worst thing you've had to do for tickets to a hot show.
And what for the drunks, unlicensed, and disabled Girl Talk fans out there who'd enjoy a beat or two on a Sunday afternoon? I'm told they'll be quietly ushered into the passenger seat and whipped around for a "check this car out bro" ride anyways, which does indeed count for entry.
So, we recommend you check this out. From noon to 7 tomorrow (Saturday), just swing by 151 Orchard Street and whip around in a Kia, and get the critical info to enter Girl Talk on Sunday from 2-7. This might be a rare shot at seeing the guy without a hoard of underage New Jersey mall rats wearing headbands climbing over the fences.
THURSj: The Antlers, Deloreans, Yes Giantesss
The Antlers - At The Delancey
Delorean - The Delancey
Yes Giantesss
More Photos after the CMJump!
Continue reading "THURSj: The Antlers, Deloreans, Yes Giantesss" »
October 22, 2009
WEDNESj : Cymbals Eat Guitars, Real Estate, These United States
Cymbals Eat Guitars - Santos Party House
Real Estate - Santos Party House
These Unites States - Pianos
More Photos After the CMJump! !
Continue reading "WEDNESj : Cymbals Eat Guitars, Real Estate, These United States" »
October 21, 2009
Sexy CMJ Craigslist Round-up!
With CMJ comes an influx of young, wide-eyed musicians getting their first taste of big city rock n' roll, so it's only natural that they show up expecting bushels of sex and drugs too. But naturally, we live in an age of Craigslist personals, so some are skipping the effort and hunting digitally.
Like this 26-year old "sexy rocker boy on tour from Chicago," who's here on tour for CMJ. He wants "an attractive, clean, std free woman" to maybe keep him company at the Newark Holiday Inn.
Then there's this guy, who is "looking for cute hipster girls with whom to share my soul, or my CMJ PASS!!!!!!!!" What's it worth to you, cute hipster girls?
Or how about the guy recording PureVolume's showcase at Collective Hardware? He's looking for someone to "have a cozy time with."
And finally, do you need a place to sleep? Are you willing to exchange your company, "perhaps more" for it?
Craigslist is ripe with horny CMJ bros today.
Vice Late Nights
Vice's CMJ Late Nights start tonight with Cold Cave and Crystal Antlers. Tomorrow's Ume and CEG, and Friday's Harlem and Dutchess & The Duke. RSVP here.
Cymbals Eat Guitars visit Dirty Laundry
You can catch CEG in a million places this week. They play Oh My Rockness' CMJ Showcase tonight, Public Assembly w/ Vice tomorrow, Le Poisson Rouge on Friday, Brooklyn Vegan's party at Pianos on Saturday, and a Showpaper Benefit at Market Hotel later Saturday night. Then, they'll be sleeping for a fortnight before jetsetting off to Deutschland!
via the music slut
October 19, 2009
CMJ Is Upon Us, Let's Get Dead
Ok, here is a little FREEwilly CMJ guideline. This "list" includes bands we love and know are amazing live, others that are super hyped but we're not sure are any good, shows you cannot miss, free shows, shows to go to just for the free stuff, bands we've never heard of but will take a chance on, and so on and so forth. But we'll leave it up to you to decide which is which (comment thread, I'm talking to you!). Basically here's a rundown of the things we wish we had a time machine for, in no particular order, officially and unofficially CMJ.
Sadly, this music editor is only one girl, and I'll be trying to keep you posted on what's the shit, and what just smells like it, so follow us on twitter if you're in a stalking kind of mood and wanna buy me a drink. Now to leave you with the famous last words of last year's shenanigans, "Figuratively speaking, it's always CMJ in NYC"
Check out our picks after the jump...
October 16, 2009
Brooklyn Bowl Dr. Dog Tix On Sale
Tickets for the December 11th Dr. Dog show at Brooklyn Bowl went on sale today at noon and as of 5:00pm are still available. I know this because I just bought two. Dr. Dog rawks it.
October 15, 2009
Beyonce, Gaga Shoot Music Video in Greenpoint
Beyonce & Gaga allegedly shot a music video for "Video Phone" in Greenpoint this week. Reports from the scene say they both dressed all crazy -- Beyonce in a feathered dress and Gaga in, lord, who knows I'm guessing a giant light bulb? -- and the site was extremely secure.
On Thursday (October 15), a spokesperson for director Hype Williams confirmed to MTV News that that both Beyoncé and Gaga appear in the "Video Phone" clip, which Williams shot last weekend in Brooklyn's Greenpoint neighborhood.
October 14, 2009
New Chris Taylor (Of Grizzly Bear) 7"
Since we love all things Grizzly Bear, we'd feel negligent if we failed to share the 411 about Chris Taylor's new project. From Stereogum:
We were recently introduced to Chris Taylor's new label with Ethan Silverman, Terrible Records, via its first release Acrylics earlier this month. CT takes a production credit on that band's debut EP, as he has for Dirty Projectors (Rise Above), Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson (self-titled), and Grizzly Bear's Yellow House and Veckatmest. No surprise then that Taylor handles all facets of the release, recording, and production for the solo track "Ghosts," his first issue under the name Cant.You can sample a new track here. Prepare yourself for some reverb-drenched bliss with the haunting harmonies you've come to expect from Grizzly Bear and Department of Eagles. You can buy the 7" here.
October 13, 2009
Free Tom Waits Preview
We're huge Tom Waits fans, so we're of course excited to hear this free, 8-song sample from his upcoming live record Glitter and Doom Live. You have to enter a vaild email, but its well worth it:
from the website
Check out the first 8 songs for free, including a roaring version of “Get Behind the Mule” and a slinky reinvention of “Singapore,” and if you love the album as much as we think you will, you can pre-order it HERE. CD and LP include as a bonus the 35 minute disc/track “Tom Tales,” compiling between‐song banter from throughout the tour into a continuous monologue, and chronicling for the first time one of fans’ favorite parts of a Waits’ performance.[Thanks Kevin]
October 09, 2009
Interview: Steel Phantoms, Keeping Myspace Alive
Steel Phantoms; (from left to right) Adam Fisher, Yos Munro, Aaron Harris
There's a new band in Brooklyn, which comes to no surprise to any of us... At this point music and Brooklyn are pretty much synonymous, not mention, dare I say, redundant. With an overabundance of talent on the scene, one (read: me) could make oneself dizzy-- so what ingredients scream "we're awesome, pay attention to us"?
Ladies & gents, I bring you Steel Phantoms (known for about 5 minutes as the Brass Cups)-- two parts Islands, namely drummer Aaron Harris and the sound engineer from their last tour Adam Fisher (this time on bass), and vocalist Yos Munro channeling a young Jonathan Richman. If you made your way out to Art & Rock 2, you were probably one of the many super impressed peeps in the crowd, not only for the energy these guys evoke, but for a musical trick I've never seen (pulled off well at least, if at all)-- Aaron, on drums, and on lead vocals for about half of the performance... while drumming!
Steel Phantoms is a band to keep an eye on. Since they've only played a handful of what we hope will be tons of shows, we were sure to catch up with the guys earlier this week to see what they're all about. So, befriend the boys on their brand new Myspace page (just about the only thing the almost dead social networking website is good for nowadays)! They'll be playing at Ace of Clubs on October 21st as part of CMJ-- our list of must see shows will be out later this week ;)
Now, click on through after the jump to get to know you're new favorite band in their first FREEwilly exclusive interview...
Continue reading "Interview: Steel Phantoms, Keeping Myspace Alive" »
October 06, 2009
Jamie T exclusive interview, Kings & Queens out today
Kings & Queens out today!
Today UK cutie Jamie T's sophomore album Kings & Queens debuts in the states! His last album Panic Prevention hit #4 on the UK album chart, and promptly put Jamie on the map, drawing comparisons to heroes Bob Dylan and Joe Strummer. The album was nominated that year for the Mercury Music Prize, and at the 2007 NME Awards, the kid with the fuck-all grin was named Best Solo Act – beating Thom Yorke and Jarvis Cocker. Around these parts Jamie made his U.S. TV debut on Last Call With Carson Daly, his song “Salvador” appeared on the soundtrack to HBO’s Entourage, and the ultimate stamp of indie approval the cool folks at KEXP played the shit out of Panic Prevention.
Check out the video for "Chaka Demus" on YouTube. And if you dig it - buy the album on iTunes!
Click through for our exclusive interview with the man himself, rumor has it he might be moving to Williamsburg, so you might wanna learn a thing or two in case you run into him at the Levee.
Continue reading "Jamie T exclusive interview, Kings & Queens out today" »
October 01, 2009
Horny Andrew W.K. Will Not Rock Your Place of Worship
The "Bloody-nose rocker turned motivational speaker and TV personality" (his words, not mine) Andrew W.K. moved a few tour dates around because of what he's calling a "really intense personal experience" that now prevents him from performing at any religiously-named venue. This wasn't necessarily some kind of born-again religious realization, but rather looks to be more like a wet dream. Andrew, will you explain?
The best I can do to describe my experience, is to say that the world opened up to me, and I received it, as Spirit and Love and of course, a lot of fun and pleasure. It was a sexual feeling, and I just didn't feel right about bringing that onto a holy stage. My choice to move the venues is out of respect for this feeling, for myself, and my body, and for the alters themselves.
Luckily for NYC fans of this television personality, tomorrow's show at Joe's Pub is unaffected. That is unless he decides to receive Joe later tonight.
September 28, 2009
Julian Plenti Covers Horse With No Name
If you missed this show, I'm sorry. The folks over at the Guggenheim definitely know what they're doing. Next month's installment will be showcasing (drum roll please) Yeasayer. So get your tickets, dudes... As expected, the Wright rotunda delivered some serious magic. Check out the video, and see if you can spot your favorite music editor in the crowd...
September 27, 2009
Phoenix & Passion Pit, Summerstage 9/25 and 9/26
French phenom Phoenix brought the sold-out crowd and rocked Central Park both Friday and Saturday nights. The delightful surprise for the uninitiated few was Passion Pit's show-stealing opening sets.
Phoenix:
More after the jump.
Continue reading "Phoenix & Passion Pit, Summerstage 9/25 and 9/26" »
September 25, 2009
Wavves @ Santos Party House
Santos Party House hosted a loud, sweaty rager last night with the performance of the San Diego-based Wavves.
Nathan Williams a.k.a. Wavves, and his new drummer Zach Hill (of the noise-rock band Hella) started it off with their hit “I'm so Bored,” from the album Wavvves to get the show started right. The crowd was comprised mostly of testosterone, and as soon as the music started, a mosh pit formed in front and center. As the performance went on, the pit expanded to a point where everyone in the room was at least slightly involved.
To spare the audience from suffering through a dull moment, the band filled time between songs with screeching guitar noise. At one point, there was hardly a single person without cupped hands over their ears to filter out the harsh sound. “The ear is a tiny organ, it will heal,” said one devoted fan in the front.
If you’re bummed to have missed the show last night, don’t fret: they’re playing again this evening with Todd P. NYC and Ganglians at 8:00 pm.
More pics after the jump!
September 24, 2009
How Come No One Does On Ice Anymore?
Because everyone knows rock shows are always better when performed on ice:
Rick Wakeman's "King Arthur on Ice" - 1975
We want to see Grizzly Bear on ice. Mastadon on ice. Or how about the Pavement reunion on ice?
From Wikipedia
The Myths and Legends of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table is a 1975 progressive rock concept album by Rick Wakeman of Yes fame. The album tells the legend of King Arthur and is certainly among Wakeman's best works--as well as being a great favourite among his fans. Besides, this album includes some of the most popular and frequently performed Wakeman pieces, such as Arthur, Sir Lancelot and the Black Knight, The Last Battle, and especially Merlin the Magician. Also, the theme of Arthur has been used by the BBC since 1979 for its election night coverage (with the exception of the 2001 election).The tour in support of the album was a theatrical performance on ice, an expensive project which, despite being sold out, caused Wakeman to go bankrupt. [2] [3] The album enjoyed good reviews but the live show in support of the record was ridiculed over the years as being a bloated and overblown affair and considered as one of the most notorious failures in rock n' roll history (it made VH1s "100 greatest shocking moments in rock and roll" at number 79).
September 23, 2009
Interview: As Summer Comes To An End, Tanlines Won't Fade
Tanlines first popped up on our radar last year with a remix of Telepathe's "Chrome's On It", and shortly thereafter became an actual, well, band. This strictly production based project from Professor Murder's Jesse Cohen and Brothers producer Eric Emm (also of Don Cab and Storm & Stress fame) shortly became a conceptual music duo. It was only natural that once you got these two in front of a computer together, some original dance-y prog pop tunes (with a touch of calypso) would emerge from the collabo.
In addition to the remixes, from the Tough Alliance to Au Revoir Simone, you can catch up with Tanlines original tracks in video form over at what they've called "the best record label ever", YouTube. And if you love what they've been up to, be sure to check them out with our favorite LA noise rockers HEALTH at the Bowery tomorrow night. Tickets are $15 day of the show.
Jesse Cohen gave us some details on the upcoming EP on True Panther and his crash course in iMovie when we caught up with him earlier this week. Check out the rest of the interview, and some more YouTube goodness from the boys, after the jump...
So is the name Tanlines in reference to something specific?
If anything it's a reference to the necessity of working indoors to create music on a computer. And actual tan lines, as in the color.
Continue reading "Interview: As Summer Comes To An End, Tanlines Won't Fade" »
September 21, 2009
Kyp Malone's Rain Machine Record Release Party Tonight
Earlier this month, Pitchfork blurbed about Brooklyn's (can I say icons yet?) TV on the Radio taking a break, which of course made us a little weepy, but also pretty excited on the solo front. Guitarist/vocalist Kyp Malone kicks off his solo tour as Rain Machine tonight at the Bell House. The debut album will be released tomorrow on Anti Records. From what we've heard so far, we are LOVING it, as is everyone else who has ever heard of Malone.
Candles of Paradise and the lovely Sharon Van Etten open, so get there early. See what Sharon had to say about Kyp when we caught up with her in August. Doors at 7:30, Tickets $15
And, of course, we'd like to suggest that you greet Rain Machine with a sea of Paper Foldables...
September 20, 2009
Mid Day Lullaby Hour with Glass Ghost
Since Friday's video premiere of Glass Ghost's "Like A Diamond" over at The Music Slut, it has become the theme song to my uselessness this weekend. Now, press repeat and take a nap with us:
Mark your calendars and be sure to pick up the Glass Ghost debut LP, Idol Omen, from the good folks at Western Vinyl on October 27th. Sadly, there are no New York dates on their upcoming tour with White Rabbits, but you're in luck dear readers-- this Tuesday, Glass Ghost will be playing The Silent League CD Release Party at Union Pool. You want to go to there, I promise.
In Case You Missed It... Lady Gaga is Cher 6.0
At this point we've all seen Lady Gaga's outfits for the VMAs, and we've all questioned her gender and outrageous behavior. And like John Norris, I'm a fan of the indie scene and not so much, well, anything you'd probably see on MTV these days, but Lady Gaga is a force and I'd be a liar if I said that I've never busted out a "what's the name of this club?" in a non-ironic way. Here's Miss Gaga sitting down with Norris on Noisemakers:
Remember, keep a lookout every Thursday for the weekly installments on Noisevox-- next week, Deerhunter. Ok, so here it goes... From one New York girl to another... Lady Gaga, I think I love you?
September 17, 2009
It's Official: There Will Be Pavement
From Matador:
After years of speculation, the most important American band of the Nineties is returning to the stage with the lineup of Mark Ibold, Scott "Spiral Stairs" Kannberg, Stephen Malkmus, Bob Nastanovich and Steve West reuniting for dates around the world in 2010. Please be advised this tour is not a prelude to additional jaunts and/or a permanent reunion.Described in their own Wikipedia entry as having experienced "moderate commercial success," Pavement's catalog for the Matador, Domino, Drag City and Treble Kicker imprints has come to define in the eyes of many the blueprint for independent rock over the past generation. An evidentiary compilation release is planned to coincide with the touring sometime in 2010.
The first show announced is a New York performance on September 21, 2010 at Rumsey Playfield in Central Park. A pre-sale begins at 10:00 AM EDT on Friday, September 18, 2009 (tomorrow). The password for the pre-sale is ZOWEE and the ticketing link is http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/00004330A3C355DD. The general on-sale is slated for 10:00 AM EDT on Friday, September 25, 2009. Please note that tickets will be available without surcharges from the Nokia Theatre box office in Times Square and from Earwax at 218 Bedford Avenue in Williamsburg.
Please visit http://www.crookedrain.com for details on this on-sale as well as all Pavement news as it develops.
September 16, 2009
Grizzly Bear Fan Video Of 'Two Weeks'
We make like this even more than the official video:
[via]
Todd P Goes To Austin Streaming On The Internets
The lovely folks over at Pitchfork TV are streaming Todd P Goes To Austin in it's (16 part) entirety, so in the words of director Jay Buim... Please feel free to watch it from the comfort of your home or on your company's dime at work. Here's a clip from the awesome SXSW documentary adventure (after the jump).
Foaming at the mouth for more info on Jay and the Todd P project? Just check out the FREEwilly interview!
Now, head over to Pitchfork and watch the whole thing from the begining...
Continue reading "Todd P Goes To Austin Streaming On The Internets" »
September 15, 2009
The Indie Traveling Wilburys?
The debut record by folk supergroup Monsters of Folk—featuring Conor Oberst (Bright Eyes), Jim James (My Morning Jacket), M. Ward (She & Him), and Mike Mogis (Saddle Creek)—isn't out until next month, but its streaming on September 11, 2009
Keegan DeWitt @ Public Assembly
"Complicated" by Keegan DeWitt from Keegan DeWitt on Vimeo.
No Keegan DeWitts were harmed in the making of this video
This Sunday, September 13th @ Public Assembly (front room) you should go see Keegan DeWitt with Wakey Wakey & Parachute Musical. DeWitt goes on @ 8PM and it's $8.
FREE Williamsburg was lucky enough to interview him the other day - peep on for more reasons to check him out Sunday (other than us being there, duh). DeWitt talks about working with Aaron Katz, playing with Sigur Ros and Nashville vs. Brooklyn. Here is an MP3 of "Telephone" for your listening pleasure & my fave is his soundtrack to Quiet City which you can download on his website for FREE.
Lady Magma and Pass Kontrol at Bruar Falls
This weekend our neighborhood is serving up an almost overwhelming amount of cultural goodness. The Cult of MJ Chapel opening tonight, the TROUBLE Maze at Death By Audio, Bushwick's new Castle Braid space and the Brooklyn Artillery Fall Kickoff, and Brace For Impact at the Front Room Gallery are particularly on our radar.
And oh yea! There's also a free show going down at Bruar Falls on Saturday night. Brooklyn's own Lady Magma, Pass Kontrol and the Nasties are playing. The sets start at 9 pm, and there will be a down 'n dirty dance party afterwards.
September 10, 2009
Pearl and The Beard
Brooklyn's Pearl and the Beard just posted this cute little temptation to their Myspace:
ATTENTION! ATTENTION! CALLING ALL PEOPLE WHO'VE ALWAYS WANTED TO BE IN A MUSIC VIDEO OF DYNAMIC PROPORTIONS!!!
Dear PatB bestest friends ever (Are you still wearing your necklace? Because we are.),
We are filming a music video for our WILL SMITH MEDLEY in collaboration with the Goddamn Cobras, and we need your help!
In our song, dedicated to the artistry of dear Mr. Smith, we include 8 of his most beloved and well-known songs. We need 8 different locations to perform this song live to 8 different groups of people. Filming will take place in one day, guerrilla style, on Saturday, September 19. Think of it as a Will Smith Medley Musical Scavenger Hunt.
We are asking you, our most trusted allies, to choose the 8 locations at which we will perform and film the video. Does your workplace need a 15-minute Pearl and the Beard break? Do you know a group of fireman desperately in need of a cameo? Does your boss' birthday party need a surprise pick-me-up? Be creative! Not only will your idea be chosen if it's totally awesome, but you, your grandma's bridge class, your marching band troop, your co-workers, or your pack of Chesapeake Bay Retrievers will get to be in our music video! It doesn't matter if people know Will's work or not; in fact, it makes it more interesting if they don't!
Your submission must have the following:
1. Name of location and address/description of location.
2. Contact name and phone number.
3. If your location is time sensitive (i.e., building availability, synchronization with crashing a pre-planned event, etc.), please include a specific time preference.
4. Tell us about your location choice, and why you think we should choose yours over someone else's.
5. Send your responses to pearlandthebeard@gmail.com
The Rules:
1. It's got to be legal (sorry, kids).
2. It has to be on the island of Manhattan (sorry, Brooklyn).
3. Be creative! Want to wear wigs? Sport all blue? Choreograph a dance routine with The Rockettes? Bring your favorite Will Smith memorabilia? Teach a group of kindergartners the songs? It's up to you!
4. Our rule: Pearl and the Beard has to perform our Will Smith Medley at all 8 locations within the course of the allotted time frame! Give us a challenge. Make us sweat!
-LISTEN TO THE WILL SMITH MEDLEY HERE!
Alright, get brainstorming!
The last day to send us your submissions is September 15th, next Tuesday!
With so much love it's gross,
Pearl and the Beard
September 05, 2009
Monster Island Block Party 2009
Today!
| Golden Triangle
|| K-Holes
||| Knyfe Hyts 81
|||| Cult of Youth
||||| Barry London and Brad Truax
|||||| Georgiana Starlington
||||||| X-Ray Eye Balls
|||||||| DubbKnowDubb
||||||||| Trilateral Commission
|||||||||| Buckets of Blood
||||||||||| Bezoar
|||||||||||| TRYCRYTRY
||||||||||||| Andrew Deutch
|||||||||||||| Psychothriller/ Big June and the Supple Moon
||||||||||||||| Advaita Vera
|||||||||||||||| Knives Everywhere
||||||||||||||||| Backoff Track
|||||||||||||||||| the Yes Way
||||||||||||||||||| Lionshare
|||||||||||||||||||| Le Rug w/ Fiasco
||||||||||||||||||||| Animal
|||||||||||||||||||||| special guests and more
|| dj Hairwaves, Artur, and Matt Mikas
|| 2 ART OPENINGS OUTDOOR INSTALLATIONS ALL DAY BBQ
| MONSTER ISLAND |
210 Kent Ave @ Metropolitan Ave | Williamsburg, Brooklyn
L-Bedford, G-Metropolitan, JM-Marcy | free | all ages | 3pm-midnight
[pictured: Cult of Youth]
September 04, 2009
Yacht Playing Surprise Show Tonight
Yacht is playing a (secret?) surprise show tonight at Glasslands (289 Kent Ave). They go on around 10:30. The band is in town after filming an upcoming episode of Dinner with the Band for IFC, shot out of a converted loft somewhere in this fine city.
September 02, 2009
Solidaridad, Brooklyn!
As opposed to "spiritedly competing," Bowery Presents and Williamsburg's upturned collar the Brooklyn Bowl have "mutually realized that [they] should work together, rather than compete against one another." This brings the venue into the same party tent as the Bowery Ballroom, the Music Hall of Williamsburg, the Mercury Lounge, and Terminal 5. Josh Moore, the Music Hall's promoter, will now be the lead talent booker at BB. Their release is after the jump. But, before you go, this isn't such a bad thing.
Brooklyn Vegan notes it "will continue to occasionally program its own events too, and continue to work with various promotional partners (for instance partnering with JellyNYC to make the bowling alley / music venue the official afterparty location of the Pool Parties this summer)."
So Jay-Z, Why Were You at Grizzly Bear on Sunday?
Well, because he likes them! And he wants to "push hip-hop," as he tells MTV:
"They're an incredible band," he said. "The thing I want to say to everyone — I hope this happens because it will push rap, it will push hip-hop to go even further — what the indie-rock movement is doing right now is very inspiring. It felt like us in the beginning. These concerts, they're not on the radio, no one hears about them, and there's 12,000 people in attendance. And the music that they're making and the connection they're making to people is really inspiring. So, I hope that they have a run where they push hip-hop back a little bit, so it will force hip-hop to fight to make better music, because it can happen, because that's what rap did to rock."
Ok, that's all fine and dandy. But my, such great timing with The Blueprint 3 Jay. Well played, sir. Well played. I really like Ghetto Techno, and I can't say for sure that I would've streamed it without seeing you on Sunday. But, I woulda heard it somewhere. Can't avoid these things, can we.
photo c/o Michael Rusch
September 01, 2009
New Old Q-Tip Coming Soon
And you can check out four tracks here. Sounds solid, but not all all what you'd expect. (He sings on the first track!). Start with the fourth song, "Feelin'." We can't wait to hear the whole record. From Pitchfork:
Kamaal the Abstract, the Q-Tip album that J Records refused to release in 2001, is finally coming out. On September 15, Battery Records will release the heavily experimental mindfuck of an album, which is more of a squelchy jazz-funk record with occasional rapping than an actual rap album. That's the cover above. Tip, evidently, is very proud of his drapes.
August 30, 2009
Sunday's Pool Party: Grizzly Bear & Beach House
Grizzly Bear - "Two Weeks"
It's been a pretty amazing series, but alas the 2009 Pool Parties come to a close this Sunday with Beach House and Grizzly Bear. Uh, wow! After last week's dance party with Girl Talk—8500 people attended—the line-up for Sunday promises to be a much more mellow scene, but that doesn't mean it won't be packed. Get there early if you want to get in without the hassle of waiting in a ridiculously long line.
4pm - Vega
5pm - Beach House
6:15pm - Grizzly Bear
More information at http://www.freewilliamsburg.com/h2oshows.
Beach House - "Master of None"
August 29, 2009
Sunday: Lightning Bolt!
There's just too much good much going on tomorrow. This Todd P show that just came to our attention promises to be pretty amazing. Damn you Todd P. We love you, but how could you make us decide between Lightning Bolt and Grizzly Bear?
:: LIGHTNING BOLTIf you haven't grabbed it, a new track is available here from their forthcoming album Earthly Delights.
:::: Teeth Mountain
:::::: Talk Normal
:::::::: Hot Boxat the Broadway Backyard
979 Broadway, btwn Myrtle Ave & Ditmars St | Bushwick, BrooklynNOTE: this show has an 8PM curfew, so don't be late!
JMZ-Myrtle, L-Jefferson, G-Myrtle-Willoughby | DOORS --2:30PM-- | $12 | all ages
RAIN OR SHINE
August 25, 2009
Mix: Weird Summer
Aquarium Drunkard sent out a "faded out late summer mix" called Weird Summer today, and while I can't comment on it yet b/c it's still downloading (shakes fist at slow internet), it does have some great bands packed into its 80mb. Track list below the jump and download link posted at GvB.
August 24, 2009
Wilco Gets The CBS Sunday Morning Treatment
GIRL TALK Waterfront Party Pics 8/23/09
Girl Talk
Though the concert itself was amazing, it was the fun people of the crowd who made the event so epic. By far the largest Pool Party of the season. There were so many people on stage during Girl Talk, the stage actually collapsed. (Thankfully no one was injured as far as we know). Halfway through Girl Talk's set, a light rain began to fall. It was a welcome sight given the heat and sweaty bodies.
This was our favorite overheard pool party conversation: 'is Girl Talk really rocking a Dell? Fuck that. This is bullshit.'
We also loved this tweet via @saveassistants: Girl Talk was awesome, but watching ppl arrested for climbing over port-a-potties to sneak into a free concert was better'
We hope you didn't miss it. This was the biggest and best party of the summer.
Next week, Grizzly Bear and Beach House.
Photos include: DJs Gavin Royce + Stephen Pandolfi, Max Tundra , Wiz Khalifa , Girl Talk
CONTINUE FOR MORE PHOTOS
Continue reading "GIRL TALK Waterfront Party Pics 8/23/09" »
August 23, 2009
3rd Ward Bluegrass BBQ
For those who don't feel like battling the crowds at Girl Talk:
Sunday, August 23, 4 to 9 p, FREE Admission
FREE Colt 45 - 4 to 5 p, Cheap Eats & Drinks
An afternoon of Bluegrass music and BBQ! Featuring Chef Jeremy Spector and local Bluegrass bands Melody Allegra & Friends, The Strung Out String Band, Jefferson Hamer & Stephanie Coleman and Free Advice. Bluegrass musicians come armed and ready to play! At 8 p we'll turn the stage over to an open blugrass jam hosted by Melody Allegra. We'll also have apple bobbing, horseshoes and everybody's favorite - the photobooth! Plus, our friends from the Band of Bicycles will be on hand with bike blended libations and song. Whether you're a musician or you just like to have fun, throw on your overalls and head to 3rd Ward!RSVP events@3rdward.com
August 21, 2009
Gorilla vs Bear's Top Records Of The Decade
The first in what will be an endless cycle of lists, this is what Gorilla vs Bear came up with:
01 panda bear | person pitch (2007)
02 the strokes | is this it (2001)
03 ghostface killah | supreme clientele (2000)
04 outkast | stankonia (2000)
05 radiohead | kid A (2000)
06 j dilla | donuts (2006)
07 sufjan stevens | michigan (2003)
08 burial | untrue (2007)
09 joanna newsom | the milk-eyed mender (2004)
10 m.i.a. + diplo | piracy funds terrorism vol. I (2004)
11 sigur ros | Ágætis Byrjun (2000*)
12 the arcade fire | funeral (2004)
13 white denim | fits (2009)
14 animal collective | feels (2005)
15 the streets | a grand don't come for free (2004)
16 grizzly bear | veckatimest (2009)
17 clipse | hell hath no fury (2006)
18 beach house | devotion (2008)
19 madvillain | madvillainy (2004)
20 the knife | silent shout (2006)
We guess it's time to figure out our own list now. In case you missed it Gorilla vs Bear has an foreward by, who else, Carles.
August 20, 2009
Hymns on Noisemakers with John Norris
If you don't have Hymns Appaloosa you're missing out on one of our recent favorite releases. And boys, since you're not down with us blogs calling you "southern fried", I'll quote myself when asked what I thought of "Wedding Day"-- sounds like Bowie singing on a Phoenix record. Only after listening through the entire EP did I realize that I was wrong, back peddling a bit and replacing Bowie with Elvis Costello.
Check out the rest of the interview on Noisevox, who's installment of Noisemakers following next week's HEALTH is both exciting and confusing... Keep a lookout for that the first week of September.
Hymns performing "Wedding Day" at Pianos after the jump.
Cory Chisel's "Born Again"
The first single off of the upcoming debut album from Cory Chisel & The Wandering Sons, Death Won't Send a Letter, "Born Again" is co-written by Brendan Benson who, along with his Ractonteurs, join in on much of the album's collaboration. Benson (who spent yesterday out in Rock Island recording for Daytrotter.com), joined in to multiply the warmth along side Chisel and backup songbird Adriel Harris, all while his newest solo album My Old, Familiar Friend has been doing a lot of it's own full steam ahead.
We're seriously looking forward to the September 29th release on Black Seal Records, especially since I've basically burned a digital hole through 2008's Cabin Ghost EP. If you're a fan of karma, these are definitely the kind of peeps you want to wish great successes upon-- again, just real salt of the Earth goodness. The variety Bruce Springsteen would be proud of... sexy young good-hearted Bruce, not cranky wrinkly Bruce.
Morning Lyrical Zen: Asher Roth
Just realized how embarrassed I was when Asher Roth came on random shuffle this morning. I glanced around, making sure no one heard, and quickly changed the song. His lyrics are like poetic poo, something 8th graders would dream of if they only knew how to rhyme words like "eat" and "seat."
Here's your zen, to remind you that you can do better, in whatever you are up to today.
"It's already 11:20 and I'm ready to sleep but instead
I end up sitting in the 27th seat,
An isle seat, fine by me but the guy that's insides always trying to pee.
With a wild child behind that's crying and keeps flipping out and kicking
At me while it violently screams
So I silently plead "Oh God, please let there be a hunny sitting 27B"
But of course a morbidly obese beast
Is in the seat that weeses when it breathes dude sitting D
Is at least three deep and he keeps telling me what is wrong with his knees
Alls good slaughter,
Just need water but for a bottle they charge two dollars
And when I thought that it couldn't be worse, I forgot my iPod.
Onward!
August 18, 2009
TONIGHT: Cale Parks & Lemonade @ Santos Party House
By now you know that we're loving Cale Parks. And you've probably been chipping your manicure just waiting for the interview with the man himself. You're also probably really excited for TONIGHT's show at Santos Party House, which kicks off his next US tour with Lemonade. I know I am. Especially since I just realized that the first single, "One at a Time" reminds me a lot of this guy, and that can't be bad.
See below for what Cale had to say about stage moniters, Brooklyn, and the new album, To Swift Mars, out on Polyvinyl now. Also, check out the video premiere of "One at a Time" HERE.
FREEburg: There's a certain satisfaction that comes with wailing on an instrument, like playing drums with Aloha and White Williams for instance. How do you describe the transition to drum machines and synth?
Cale Parks: There was no transition, just a simple logistical issue that I couldn't play the drums and make the music I wanted to make. I love drum machines and synths. There's a specific type of satisfaction you experience when you tweak a drum sample or synth chord in the perfect way that you just can't compare to getting all choppy on the drumset and vice versa. I've been doing the solo thing exclusively for almost a year now, but I'm really, really missing sitting behind a kit. I guess this is why Phil Collins jumps behind a second drumset for a solo or two on every solo show.
Continue reading "TONIGHT: Cale Parks & Lemonade @ Santos Party House" »
August 16, 2009
Waterfront Party Pics 8/16/2009
Del the Funky Homosapien | Prince Paul (DJ set) | DD/MM/YYYY | Gravytrain!!! | Kenan Bell*
SOOOOO much more after the jump!
It Came from Brooklyn: August 14, 2009
Last Friday was the first of a new series It came from Brooklyn music shows at the Guggenheim museum. The event was packed with loyal Brooklynites who trekked out to support their neighbors including: The Brooklyn Steppers Marching Band, High Places, The Walkmen, Colson Whitehead and Leo Allen. For more information on the event and future shows, click here.
More photos after the jump.
August 14, 2009
TONIGHT: Alela Diane & Sharon Van Etten @ Union Hall
Tonight at Union Hall, supporting the lovely Alela Diane, is Bushwick's own Sharon Van Etten. Her hauntingly subtle video for "For You", the first single off of debut album, Beacuse I Was In Love, has been running in a loop through my head for the last few months. Shortly after being first dumbstruck, I was blown away by her live performance at Union Pool for the Northside Festival.
We got a chance to catch up with Sharon in her 'hood about Richard Brautigan, love in the past tense, and good coffee. Take a look at the interview after the jump.
Don't be dumb, this is a show you don't want to pass up.
Continue reading "TONIGHT: Alela Diane & Sharon Van Etten @ Union Hall" »
Gentlemen Broncos Trailer
It's the latest from the directors of Napoleon Dynamite, Jared and Jerusha Hess, and if it's as awesome as it looks, we'll forgive them for releasing Nacho Libre. Gentlemen Broncos stars Sam Rockwell and Jemaine Clement—both major pluses—and has a pretty hilarious premise:
Gentlemen Broncos tells the story of a homeschooled teenage outcast and aspiring fantasy writer. He attends a fantasy convention to show off his work and finds his idea, Yeast Lords, becomes ripped off by acclaimed novelist Ronald Chevalier, who has turned desperate for ideas.Now we don't know which comedy to be more excited about, Gentlemen Broncos or Mike Judge's upcoming film Extract.
Check out the Extract trailer after the jump.
Tonight: Bushwick Film Festival Pre-Party
With the 2009 Bushwick Film Festival just two weeks out, its organizers are throwing a fun fun fundraiser tonight at Brooklyn Fireproof (119 Ingraham St., off the Morgan L) with DJs, a BBQ, and live music by Jupiter One, The Naked Heroes (which my brain keeps reading as The Naked Horses, oops), Russian Vogue, Nobody Can Dance, and Abby Rock. It kicks off at 8pm and goes late. Last year's festival was a success, with sold out screenings at Goodbye Blue Monday, Lumenhouse, and Market Hotel, so let's arm these guys with more ammo to top that.
This year's Bushwick Film Festival is August 28th - 30th at Lumenhouse. Stay tuned to BushwickFilmFestival.com for more info.
August 13, 2009
Mugison Project - 5 Boroughs 1 Day
Next week Icelandic musician Mugison will be performing in all of the NYC boroughs in one day (a record breaking event). The undertaking is a partnership with Amnesty International’s Music for Human Rights.
His shows are known for being rife with boozed-infused sentimental rowdiness, and no doubt this marathon will be worth checking out (Mugison blew us away when we saw him last September at Union Pool). But just in case you won’t be in the Bronx on Tuesday, we’ve got good news: two of Mugi’s sets will be in our area, one at Silent Barn, and the other at Pete’s Candy Store.
Schedule for Tuesday, August 18:
12:00pm : Staten Island | Museum of Tibetan Art
2:00pm : Queens | The Silent Barn
5:00pm : Bronx | Bronx River Art Center
8:30pm : Manhattan | City Winery
11:00pm : Brooklyn | Pete's Candy Store
A Capella Pet Sounds
Hear 'em all. Wow. We love Brian Wilson.
RIP Les Paul
Christ.... who else is going to die this summer?
From Wikipedia:
Lester William Polfuss, known as Les Paul (June 9, 1915 — August 13, 2009) was an American jazz guitarist and inventor. He was a pioneer in the development of the solid-body electric guitar which "made the sound of rock and roll possible." His many recording innovations included overdubbing, delay effects such as "sound on sound" and tape delay, phasing effects, and multitrack recording. He is often credited as being the 'father of modern music'.
August 12, 2009
Get On The New Obsession Train, And Ride It
[Thanks Pomp! xoxo]
August 11, 2009
Radiohead: Making Another Record Would "Kill Us"
From The Guardian
"None of us want to go into that creative hoo-ha of a long-play record again," he said. "Not straight off ... It worked with In Rainbows because we had a real fixed idea about where we were going. But we've all said that we can't possibly dive into that again. It'll kill us."The problem isn't the format – "obviously, there's still something great about the album," Yorke said – but with the scale and consistency of vision that is required. "In Rainbows was a particular aesthetic and I can't bear the idea of doing that again. Not that it's not good, I just can't ... bear ... that."
August 05, 2009
Best Music Site We've Found In A While...
Sure, we love Pitchfork, Stereogum, and Brooklyn Vegan but sometimes it's nice to find a great blog that specializes in the vintage. El Diablo Tun Tun has been blowing us away. Lots of great album and cd rips for fans of vintage Country, Blues, Old Time, Calypso, Rag Time, Bluegrass, and much more.
Our favorite finds thus far are Scat Singing - The Art of Vocal Jazz (1927-1949) and Voodoo Blues - Hoodoo & Magical Practices . But there are hundreds more to choose from. Check out the full list at El Diablo Tun Tun. [via WFMU]
Blind Item: "What Pitchfork-magazine indie-music darling..."
A blind item! From CDaN, via Defamer "What Pitchfork-magazine indie-music darling swears he doesn't drink, but was seen in Brooklyn Friday night downing martini after martini? Of course, he's also said he's following up his 2005 hit album with 48 albums more along the same theme and that hasn't exactly come to pass either."
Well, here's Pitchfork's top 50 albums of 2005, so have at it...
Commenters think his initials are SS because of the whole "50 states project" thing, which seems like a good guess to us. Any other candidates?
August 04, 2009
Rural Alberta Advantage Free at Music Hall Tonight
The Rural Alberta Advantage (or the RAA, if you're into acronyms) is playing a free show at the Music Hall tonight. Doors are at 8. The RAA are in town following the successful official release of Hometowns in July, their full-length debut that's been making the rounds at their shows since 2008.
August 03, 2009
Girls and Los Campesinos! Secret Show Tonight
Girls and Los Campesinos! are playing Union Pool tonight before kicking off their tour at Webster Hall tomorrow. $10 at the 8pm doors...Girls at 8:30.
All Points West '09, Recap
It already feels like APW happened a week ago. Three days of getting simultaneously sunburned and rain soaked, traveling home on the L train at peak weekend sexy hours covered in mud, and funnel cakes topped with meat and cheese. Moral of the story-- my body hurts and brain won't work, but for all the right reasons.
If you'd like actual commentary on the Liberty State Park festivities, check out our Twitter page. But if you're being lazy, like me, just take a look at the pretty pictures after the jump.
August 01, 2009
All Points West '09, Day One
The rain, which began as an epic mood setter for the crooning Fleet Foxes, seemed to have something to prove on our first day at Liberty State Park. And although my shoes, purse, camera, and so on were basically ruined, my ears were not in the least bit disappointed-- a pleasant surprise from a festival that I was, quite honestly, meh about.
We'll try our best to live tweet it up tomorrow (if the weather complys), as the highlights of the day now seem to have happened days (not just hours) ago. Personal fave was definitely Jay-Z opening with a "No Sleep 'Til Brooklyn" cover, not to mention the Get Well MCA band around Karen O's arm. And in case you didn't get the memo, APW has announced that anyone with ticket stubs from Friday can enjoy an extra day of musical festivities, since that heavenly downpour was such a pain in our water logged fingers.
Lots more photos after the jump...
July 30, 2009
Yacht Filming P4k TV at 6, Audience Needed
"I Got That Mother of Pearl Oyster Fork, Fo' Sure"
Simian Mobile Disco, you make me wanna stop being producitve and have a dance party on my bed. As if the video and Chris Keating's (of Yeasayer fame) lyrics weren't enough to get you moving, there's always the reeeeeeeeemix. Yeah, that's right I'm Funk Master Flex-ing it.
The new album, Temporary Pleasure, drops on August 18th and you should be excited. With special contributions from The Gossip's magnetic Beth Ditto and Hot Chip's fellow dance master Alexis Taylor, there's a simple way to make your Pleasure a little more permanent-- just press repeat.
Download "Audacity of Huge" (Naum Gabo Remix) here (you're just a right click away) and get the fever.
Luke Temple's Here We Go Magic on Noisevox
Noisevox on Noisemakers, our newest platform to watch John Norris wax poetic on music, has been keeping us up with some of our current favorites on the scene. With the likes of Animal Collective, Dan Deacon, and The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, this week's sit down with Brooklyn based Here We Go Magic explores touring with Grizzly Bear, becoming an actual band, and what to expect on the next record.
Check out the South Street Seaport rendition of breakout hit "Fangela" after the jump. And catch up on past and future interviews on Noisevox here.
Continue reading "Luke Temple's Here We Go Magic on Noisevox" »
July 29, 2009
Video: Woods - “Rain On” (Live at the Whitney)
It's pouring out, so it's fitting that this wonderful video of Woods' "Rain On" performance at the Whitney just hit my radar. It was performed there as part of the Dan Graham: Beyond live music series. After the jump, enjoy No Name a new song they played called "Blood Dries Darker," shot by the same filmmaker.
Filmed in one continuous shot on July 24, 2009 at the Whitney Museum of American Art. All visual effects were done in the camera, as I was shooting. The architecture inspired me to try different things, like turning the camera 45 degrees clockwise to capture a vertical image
Continue reading "Video: Woods - “Rain On” (Live at the Whitney)" »
M.I.A. On Keep Watch Vol. X: Major Lazer; Also Venable
Via Pitchfork
Early reports on Diplo and Switch's Major Lazer project mentioned that M.I.A. would make a guest appearance on the album. Then the official tracklist came out-- and M.I.A. was, well, not on it.Download the mix here.But now, the influential rapper-singer-firebrand has shown up on a new Major Lazer mix, created for Mishka's Keep Watch series. (Via Gorilla vs Bear.) Her verse easily overshadows everything within a 100-mile radius.
"I say where's the daddy?" she repeats over the autotuned "Baby" riddim from the Major Lazer album before dismantling male dominated culture and paternal negligence like only she can. "Look at all the babies growin' up in the muck/ Lookin' up at the fucked up men like, 'Yuck'." If anything, motherhood has only made her more fierce. "I ain't gonna raise my son like that, 'cause this is a woman's world and he knows that," she concludes.
The M.I.A. tracks is at 11:20 and it pretty much rules. More info about the mix at mishkanyc.com.
In other FREE music news... check out this aptly-titled release by Venable, "Where's the Happy." It's melancholy, like early Cat Power or Gillian Welch, but in a beautiful way. Highly recommended. [Thanks GD]
July 26, 2009
Waterfront Party Pics, 7/26/2009
The Black Lips
Health
More Pics after the Jump!
HEALTH Interview; Play Waterfront TODAY
Los Angeles based noise rockers, HEALTH, love New York crowds, so let's show them what we're made of at the Waterfront today. With their battle cry drums and synth charged vocals, this darker and more polished version of Brooklyn's comparitive Aa just simply rocks. And in good faith, I'm going to suggest that the probable thunder and rain we might experience today will play as the perfect backdrop to their rumbling sound.
And although these guys love to rock, the slew of danceable remixes out there transform their technologically advanced thrash into a male enhancement answer to the likes of Chromatics and Glass Candy. In this sense, the band acts a bit like an interesting contradiction to itself-- metal inspired riffs you can dance to? Sounds like the things I actually like about LA, not to mention the band's Deep V merch shirts. Yummy.
Our very own Lisa Baldini caught up with frontman John Famiglietti about larger venues, playing songs from their September 8th release Get Color, and how Brooklyn crowds are the best. Check out the interview, along with a zoothorn heavy video of HEALTH, after the jump.
And remember, gates open on the Waterfront at 2pm. So get there early to catch the guys with Grupo Fantasma, The Black Lips, and Trail of Dead. I expect lots of dudes there.
Continue reading "HEALTH Interview; Play Waterfront TODAY" »
July 24, 2009
Bring Me to the Motel Motel
Motel Motel, the alt-country indie gem that have been circulating on my good morning alarm clock mix for the last year, debut the video for "Coffee" of the New Denver LP. When the Village Voice asked the band about the video, Mickey Theis had this to say:
"Matthew [Murphy, the director] had told us that we were going to shoot it on the property of his childhood home. What he didn't tell us is that he hadn't cleared it with the family that is currently residing there."
I hope this plays out like part of some mystical role play dream Murphy had as a child a la Where The Wild Things Are, except instead of monsters-- beautiful ladies.
Download "Coffee" here.
And in case you missed it, check out MM's Daytrotter Session which includes two unreleased tracks!
Shopping with the Vivian Girls
[photo c/o flavorwire]
Flavorwire's Stelios Phili went shopping at Beacon's Closet with the Vivian Girls, and documented his brave transition to Vivian Man.
By the time I went through my different photo shoot ideas - a) make me a Vivian Boy, b) the ideal Vivian Man, c) their backup dancer, d) a Vivian Girl — they were already excited. Every 5-year-old girl’s dream is to clothe their male best friend, and every 5-year old male plays along, because high heel shoes seem pretty sweet at the time. Whether or not I was the manifestation of their preschool nostalgia, the Vivian Girls were ready to have fun. Allowing oneself to be the human male mannequin for the Vivian Girls is not a sacrifice, no, it is an honor.
Here's the photo gallery. When they've run dry of their will to play dress-up games with neighborhood bloggers, the Vivian Girls will be playing the Whitney Museum with These Are Powers on July 31st before shipping out to Sweden and Finland in August. They'll then be back on home turf come August 25th at Death by Audio. Their sophomore album Everything Goes Wrong drops September 8th.
July 23, 2009
Got 99 Problems, But APW Ain't One
Love him or hate him, Jay-Z will be taking over the sadly canceled Beastie Boys slot on next week's opening night of All Points West.
Personally, I've got isses with Mr. Cocky himself (I happen to be a Nas fan), but that doesnt mean I won't be all sorts of hands up happy when one of New York's finest takes the stage. Did I mention this is going to be the hip-hop icons US festival debut?
Can I get a...
July 22, 2009
The Phenomenal Handclap Band at Joe's Pub
NPR Music hosted a splendid showcase last night at Joe's Pub featuring Lee Fields, Fight the Big Bull, and The Phenomenal Handclap Band.
We caught Richmond, VA's Fight the Big Bull first. Their performance was wrought with experimental jazz fusion, but fortunately it was the mirthful kind. The all-instrumental performance incorporated a seven piece brass section, double percussion, as well as plenty of laughs and facial hair.
The evening's biggest draw was The Phenomenal Handclap Band, who have been designated by many critics as the premiere dance-rock collective of 2009. Their stylized electro-funk/rock is reminiscent of '70s psych and soul, but also smacks of the same kind of exotic indie flair that makes imports like CSS and New Young Pony Club so irresistible. The group's repertoire is a bit limited at the moment, and the audience heard most of their just-released self titled debut LP - including fan favorites "15 to 20" and "You'll Disappear." While we couldn't quite detach ourselves from the sexy tambourine-wielding girls in the group (wonder if they ever fight about who has the chicest outfits?) the evening was an intimate and enjoyable affair.
And best of all? You can stream the concerts here if you missed out. More photos after the jump...
Continue reading "The Phenomenal Handclap Band at Joe's Pub" »
Mayer Hawthorne at Santos Party House
Image c/o PSFK
Last night, I was able to head down to Santos Party House to check out the latest gem from Stones Throw Records LA-based Mayer Hawthorne. Easily, Hawthorne's music echoes the Motown era soul of his birthplace--a fact that he doesn't deny. However, unlike many acts whose retro revival feels like wearing your influences on your sleeve, Hawthorne is charismatic enough to pull it off--with a tight backing band to boot. His stage presence is still a little stogy between songs, but those moments were few and far between as he churned out one potential hit after the next.
Mayer Hawthorne has yet to drop his full-length album, so I am sure it will be awhile before New York sees him again, but when he does, it's not one to miss.
Wild Light Fan Video Contest
I've been missing California a bit lately (i.e. here, and here), but all it took was a little Northeast quartet called Wild Light to remind me how I really feel.
Currently on tour with Stellastarr* (although mostly in California!?), the guys are giving you a chance to show them how you feel via a fan uploaded music vido contest. Details after the jump...
Video: Deer Tick
Deer Tick's in town on the heels of the release of their fantastically gruffy sophomore album, Born On Flag Day, playing at the Ballroom this Friday ($13/15). Time-straddling musicians like front man John McCauley III only come around so often. Clear your schedule and grab a ticket. Here's a great little video session shot recently in Houston, TX:
Via Laundro Matinee, which also has full mp3 downloads of the session.
July 20, 2009
Get Well, MCA
Fight it, man. You've got the support of millions of us fans worldwide.
"So it's a little bit of a setback — it's a pain in the ass — but this is something that's very treatable, and in most cases ... they're able to completely get rid of it, and people don't have continuing problems with it, and they've caught it early and it's not anywhere else in my body. So, that's the good news."
To allow time for treatments and what not, The Beastie Boys won't be playing at All Points West Festival next week.
July 18, 2009
Japanther, Ninjasonik Help Unveil India Street Mural Project TODAY
From 2-6pm later today, the North Brooklyn Public Art Coalition will unveil the India Street Mural Project, located on India Street between West Street and the East River. Japanther, Ninjasonik, Dilian, Small Black and Behavior will perform, and the artists Ali Aschman, Joshua Abram Howard, Robert Seng, Chris Soria, Skewville, and Eve Biddle & Joshua Frankel will be on hand to "flaunt their goods." There will be food, "dodgeball, chalk muraling, and lots of jumping, dancing, and prancing." And of course, the neccessary afterparty at t.b.d. with drink specials from 6-8pm.
Photo via.
July 17, 2009
Tomorrow: Siren Festival
It's that time of year again. The Ninth Annual Siren Festival is tomorrow at Coney Island and as usual, the line-up is pretty solid. Built to Spill, Spank Rock, The Raveonettes, Frightened Rabbit, and many more. We're most excited to see Micachu & the Shapes. Full schedule below.
In other outdoor concert news, The Yard is hosting a dubtastic picnic with a "very special guest," and tonight Superchunk and Versus are playing a free show at the South Street Seaport.
July 16, 2009
Dancing About Architecture With Ponytail
Ponytail, with their infectous experimental pop, have been steadily winning our hearts with each live performance. This past Sunday, at the waterfront kick off to the Pool Parties, was no exception. Whenever this band comes to mind, I always find myself using the same adjective-- primal. While collective tongue-roll, wail, and yelp are not what one usually considers as vocals, Molly Siegel, echoed by Dustin Wong, contorts her sound in a most transfixing sort of way.
Backed by clangy guitars and flooded by cymbals, Ponytail's natural vibrance seeps through it's own medium, feeding their audience with raw energy. If you've been in the crowd, you know exactly what I'm talking about. This is the kind of noise rock that, rather than the lyrically thought-provoking prod of neo-folk, induces physical emotion. Just really good fucking stuff, period.
We caught up with Molly about her primal honesty, Fleetwood Mac, the importance of downloads, and most importantly, our longing for the next LP... Check out the interview after the jump...
Continue reading "Dancing About Architecture With Ponytail" »
July 14, 2009
Reminder: Dirty Projectors at the Waterfront
I haven't been able to stop watching this video for about two weeks now. And I just got super excited for this Sunday's Pool Party with my dear sweet Magnolia Electric Co. and, after a last minute bail by White Denim, Crystal Antlers. This might be my favorite line-up of the summer? What do you guys think!?
Win A Pair of All Points West 3-Day Festival Passes!
It's giveaway time! Thanks to the kind folks at All Points West, we've got one pair of 3-day festival passes to give away...to you. Just head on over to facebook.com/freewilliamsburg and leave a comment on our most recent status mentioning the giveaway (this one).
Here's the line-up, and you can still buy tickets, here. They're going for $219.00.
Below the jump, behold! A widget! It's got all sorts of nifty APW festival information.
Good luck!!!
ENTER THE CONTEST AT FACEBOOK.COM/FREEWILLIAMSBURG
ENTER THE CONTEST AT FACEBOOK.COM/FREEWILLIAMSBURG
ENTER THE CONTEST AT FACEBOOK.COM/FREEWILLIAMSBURG
ENTER THE CONTEST AT FACEBOOK.COM/FREEWILLIAMSBURG
And p.s. follow us on Twitter for all sorts of smaller ticket giveaways every week: twitter.com/freedubya
Continue reading "Win A Pair of All Points West 3-Day Festival Passes!" »
July 13, 2009
This LANDy is your LANDy
Adam Goldberg makes music we actually want to listen to
So we posted the video for "BFF!" a little while back...and then we scored an interview with the man himself on LANDy. Check out excerpts from a chat on going from being overwhelmed by years and years of drives of music to working with Steven Drozd from the Flaming Lips and Aaron Espinoza from Earlimart on Eros and Omissions (in stores now).
July 11, 2009
O'Death + Terror Pigeon Dance Revolt @ Brooklyn Bowl
Photos by Yoon Kim
Last night at Williamsburg's new Brooklyn Bowl, Flavorpill hosted the first ever concert bowling extravaganza featuring O'Death and a band I've been dying to see live, Terror Pigeon Dance Revolt. Pleasantly surprised by our dear CMJ and SXSW staple, the Ice Cream Man, I entered the glowing space shortly after consuming my cherry flavored Powerpuff Girls pop.
The space was overwhelmingly huge, finished with stained wood and dark leather couches. I had heard of its extravagance, but Brooklyn Bowl really took me by surprise. Around each corner, there was more... but all with the looming notion of "is this really neccessary?" I'm not a bowler, so maybe I don't get it-- especially since, well, don't we have the Gutter (just a few blocks away) already? After some time in this new almost waterfront paradox, I was ready for some music...
Continue reading "O'Death + Terror Pigeon Dance Revolt @ Brooklyn Bowl" »
Williamsburg Waterfront Shows Begin On Sunday
Ponytail
This Sunday, JellyNYC's Pool Parties debut at their new location on the Williamsburg waterfront. Here's the line-up:
Mission of Burma | Fucked Up | Ponytail | Jemina Pearl of Be your Own Pet
Gates open at 2pm and best of all it's FREE. We've got directions and the full schedule for all the pool parties at www.freewilliamsburg.com/h2oshows.
Tonight: Mikroknytes at ParisLondonWestNile
The Mikroknytes will perform at Paris London West Nile as part of the Brown Wing Overdrive night with Hiccup (Chuck Bettis, Luke Calzonetti and special guest Oran Canfield) and Mikey IQ Jones. The show starts at 9pm with a $5 donation. The set will include the debut of a new video work Esotear by Derek. Mikroknytes have been known to create a heavy dose of euphoric drone that open all your chakras.
HICCUP
(Luke Calzonetti - electronics / Chuck Bettis - electronics & throat + special guest Oran Canfield - drums)
Hiccup is usually a duo, birthed during BWO, of Luke & Chuck; but this night the are joined by another Child Abuse member, Oran. They specialize in high-octane,trance-inducing energy.
MIKEY IQ JONES
(Mikey - electronics, drums, voice)
IQ has been rocking the solo thing pre-BWO and is putting the finishing touches on his solo record. His gig @ Roulette blew some minds and this night will probably repeat such an affect.
Come join the ritual!
@ WEST NILE
285 Kent (btwn south 1st and south 2nd street)
Brooklyn, NY
9pm
More information: www.shinkoyo.com/parislondon/
[image: Mikroknytes - Velvet Bank Album Cover]
July 10, 2009
Video: Matt & Kim Play Jesse Jane and Day Light at Pier 54
Matt & Kim playing Jesse Jane and Daylight at Pier 54 July 9th for Hudson River Park's "River Rocks" show. Shot by unARTigNYC, soundtrack by Aa.
July 09, 2009
Secret MGMT Show at Glasslands
MGMT celebrated America's birthday by putting on a show - enjoy photos by Yoon Kim!
Ticket Giveaway: Chris Garneau's CD Release Party TONIGHT
Tonight at Le Poisson Rouge, Chris Garneau celebrates the release of his highly anticipated sophomore album, El Radio-- and we've got a pair of tickets for one lucky reader to join in the fun!
Much like Michigan has Sufjan Stevens, Brooklyn's Garneau holds up his melodic quirkiness like a flag against a windy sea current. His trembling heartfelt lyrics had me at 2007's Music for Tourists. Some of the gloom from the previous album has lifted, and been replaced with a sort of playfulness. The seamless transition of these two sounds is best showcased between the meloncholy Cat Power-esque piano of "Hands on the Radio" to the sweeping horns and marching drums on "No More Pirates". Rarely do you see this kind of talent have fun with their work, and you can feel the sentiment in the tapping of your own toes-- or in the obsessive repeat cycle I currently have ballad "Hometown Girls" in.
Navigate your way to our Facebook page and comment on the contest thread for your chance to score a pair of tickets to the show tonight. And if you see Chris, be sure to thank him for bringing forth some honest melodies for us to set our heart's ticking to.
Winner announced at 4pm, so hurry up and get some! Winner, winner, chicken dinner!
July 08, 2009
NJ's Ducktails + Julian Lynch Split 7"
Underwater Peoples, the folks who got us longing for the sunshine with the perfect summer mix, will be releasing a split 7" record on Monday, July 13th. And who will be delivering the musical goods, you ask? Well none other than New Jersey's finest-- on Side A, Ducktails' tour de force, "Parasailing" and on Side B, the 7" debut of hometown pal, Julian Lynch, bringing the mystical lo-fi sound one could only expect from this crew, with "Topi" and "Garden 2." Plus, the cover art was made possible by fellow Real Estater Martin Courtney.
And that's not all! With your $7 purchase of the record, you'll get a DVD including two Richard Law videos that will be making their way to YouTube shortly. So email the guys at underwaterpeoples@gmail.com to get your copy-- before they're all sold out!!
The best marketing tactic ever, after the jump...
July 07, 2009
Giveaway: Handmade Fanfarlo Box Set
From the studio of Interpol and The National producer Peter Katis, as well as their own bookish depths of musical charm emerge Fanfarlo. This whimsical quartet of string, horn, and backyard folk vocals, is the perfect mix of meloncholy Devotchka with a happier pop core, like local faves Motel Motel. In addition to their already long list of musical talents, they seem to be quite crafty too! From KEXP:
Fanfarlo not only released their debut themselves, but they also handcrafted 500 limited editions of the album — housed in special foil-blocked, embossed linen-covered dvd-shaped box, packed with an exclusive set of heavyweight letterpress printed postcards featuring the band’s artwork and lyrics — themselves! They set up a production line in their own living room and handpacked each one[...]The sets were originally available through Rough Trade but are long gone by now
And just when you thought you were out of luck... FREEburg is giving away a Fanfarlo Box Set to one lucky reader! Just follow us on Twitter @freedubya and ReTweet the Fanfarlo contest for a chance to win!
Take a looksy after the jump for photos of the Fanfarlo gang making the Limited Edition Reservoir Box Sets, as well as a download of "Luna", the first single off the self released debut album.
This Is How We're Always Going To Remember Michael
Yacht Rock MJ: "How am I supposed to stick my dick in some pussy, when you got me singing like one"
Undoubtedly, you've all seen Yacht Rock already. If not, go here and watch them all. They're a few years old, but they still hold up amazingly well. The Wikipedia summary of the plot, is almost as hilarious as the videos. Check it out after the jump.
Continue reading "This Is How We're Always Going To Remember Michael" »
July 06, 2009
Ticket Giveaway: Japandroids at Piano's
Now that you're all comfortable with our Facebook ticket giveaway platform, we're switching things up.
Japandroids, the 2-piece garage rock band from Vancouver, will be rolling thru the LES for one night only before they continue off to Boston for the rest of their Post-Nothing tour-- and we've got a pair of tickets for you.
I've got to say that at my initial introduction to Japandroids, I was thouroughly impressed. Listening to the tracks, I would've never guessed below a trio. The first track off the August 4th release, "The Boys Are Leaving Town", is the quintessential summer song-- the kind you could walk off into highway heat haze to. Plus, I'm a sucker for angsty dudes that guitar riff for love.
So follow @freedubya on Twitter, and Direct Message us with the best way to beat the NYC heat, and a pair of tickets for the July 11th show at Pianos could be yours. WE HAVE A WINNER!!!
The Sulimays Gang Weigh-In On Grizzly Bear and Iggy Pop
[Thanks Kevin]
July 02, 2009
Mumblecore Goes Electro-Dream-Drone-Pop
Neon Indian, the electronics-gone-sad collaboration between Alan Palomo and Alicia Scardetta, shall be releasing a debut full length just in time to play soundtrack to our summer memories. You know, right around mid-October when you realize it's almost Halloween & you don't have a costume. This hazy musical mumblecore will scroll through your brain with flashes of hand holding which quickly disappeared once the BBQ sauce sticky PBR cans got recycled.
It took a minute for these tracks to grow on me after GvB first introduced us. But sometimes all it takes is a fan video to make us change our minds-- (also, anyone who quotes Clueless is ok in my book):
Right click away here, for the single "Terminally Chill" off Psychic Chasms, which hits the streets October 13th.
"Pool Parties" Line-Up Announced
image via
We've got the full schedule at www.freewilliamsburg.com/h2oshows
July 01, 2009
Howlies
This took a few listens (and views) to grow on me, but now it will be making its way onto a rooftop party playlist sometime soon. Download the song (for free!) here.
According to their Myspace, they will be here August 15th, but it doesn't look like they have a place to play figured out. Someone help them out?
June 30, 2009
Interview: I Am The Heat
The Brooklyn-based fusion of 60's garage rock bands and post-punk minimalism that is I Am The Heat will premiere their new music video for their song "Ghost Bear" this Thursday night at 10 p.m. at Monkeytown (58 N 3rd. St).
Led by director Stephen Spencer, "Ghost Bear" was filmed around Williamsburg and Bushwick with the band, their girlfriends, friends and extended social acquaintances all lending a hand and having fun. It's got a healthy mix of snuggling females, pillow fights, fuzzy bears and a chase scene all thrown together with a Matt and Kim-esque level of intensity and color.
Here's the trailer video (it's live now):
I AM THE HEAT: Ghost Bear from kevin fey on Vimeo.
For more on the band, I e-sat down with Jameson and Kevin Fey to talk about shooting the video, their favorite local haunts and their favorite bands. That interview, my friends, is after the jump.
After their Thursday premiere at Monkeytown, I Am The Heat will play July 11th at Clash Bar (NJ), July 12th at Union Pool, and July 31st at Lit.
And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead...
...will be performing on the Williamsburg Waterfront on July 26. If you're already missing the McCarren Park shows, fear not. The pool parties return to a new location next month. Fuill schedule at www.freewilliamsburg.com/h2oshows.
New Dirty Projectors Video: "Stillness is the Move"
[via]
June 27, 2009
Discovery Cover Jackson Five's "I Want You Back"
[Featuring members of Vampire Weekend and Ra Ra Riot]
June 26, 2009
Vampire Weekend Cover Band Real!
Oh, its real. The VW Bugs, as they're now named, have a Twitter account and a MySpace page to boot. Idolator confirms that it's already staffed with preppies from Princeton.
An event listing on the MS page shows a party on August 15th at 10pm.
AM New York Still Thinks McCarren's Pool Parties RAWK
In this morning's AM New York (seen above), Fahima Haque relives what must have been a dream last night about one of "the best of the free music fests" at McCarren Park Pool, the derelict pool turned "unpretentious and charming spot" that this summer will feature acts the likes of Dan Deacon, Grizzly Bear, and Girl Talk!
In this alterna-universe, the free shows start July 12 and run through August 30th, and we imagine the slip-n-slide will be there too! And you guys! Ohh, you guys will all be there! Everybody gets VIP in this dream, and I bet all the hip young indie actors will come out for MGMT again, and dance without regrets in the shaded corner left of stage! We'll dance with them!
Oh, I just LOVE AMNY, those dreamers! Screw reporting, screw even being aware of the multi-year construction project at McCarren Park Pool that's long sent the concert series to the waterfront. If we can't dream alongside America's Greatest Morning Daily, then I don't even want to write a blog anymore.
June 25, 2009
Sadly, It's Official
Michael Jackson has died at 50. Two icons from my childhood pass in one day! You were both crazy, but I'm still going to miss you.
From CNN
Entertainer Michael Jackson has died after being taken to a hospital on Thursday after suffering cardiac arrest, according to multiple reports including the Los Angeles Times and the Associated Press. CNN has not confirmed his death.Jackson, 50, had been in a coma at the hospital, sources told CNN.
Brian Oxman, a Jackson family attorney, said he was told by brother Randy Jackson that Michael Jackson collapsed at his home in west Los Angeles, California, Thursday morning.
Family members were told of the situation and were either at the hospital or en route, Oxman said.
Fire Capt. Steve Ruda told CNN a 911 call came in from a west Los Angeles residence at 12:21 p.m.
Ruda said Jackson was treated and transferred to the UCLA Medical Center.
Asked specifics of the patient's condition, he said he could not discuss them because of federal privacy laws.
The music icon from Gary, Indiana, is known as the "King of Pop." Jackson had many No. 1 hits and his "Thriller" is the best-selling album of all time. Video Jackson "as big as it gets" »
Jackson is the seventh of nine children in a well-known musical family. He has three children, Prince Michael I, Paris and Prince Michael II.
At the medical center, every entrance to the emergency room was blocked by security guards. Even hospital staffers were not permitted to enter. A few people stood inside the waiting area, some of them crying.
A large crowd was also gathering outside the hospital, according to video footage.
Outside Jackson's Bel Air home, police arrived on motorcycles. The road in front of the home was closed in an attempt to hold traffic back, but several people were gathered outside the home.
UPDATE: Andrew Sullivan has a nice post that we've included in full after the jump. [via]
Looking to start a Vampire Weekend Cover Band
So, wow! Some "popular Williamsburg-based bar/music venue" is looking to fill a residency for a Vampire Weekend cover band made up of vague band member lookalikes! They just need their Ezra, their Rostam and the two Chris's and they'll be off the ground and Oxford Commaiing in no time. The question is, can we identify this bar/music venue? I'm going to throw my guess out there and say Union Pool. Or, I'm sorry, Brooklyn Pool, for those of you who watch Michael Cera on the big screen. Any other guesses?
And yes, we realize this is probably a joke. But oooooooh fingers are crossed that it's real!
Via Mr. Ginsberg, who RT'd Pitchfork and Idolator.
Been Waiting For This Since Forever Ago
On September 22nd, Jagjaguwar (the folks who bring you Sunset Rubdown, Dinosaur Jr., Black Mountain, and Okkervil River-- just to name a few) are set to release the side project full-length debut of Bon Iver's Justin Vernon with Collections of Colonies of Bees-- they call it Volcano Choir. The LP, Unmap, is an accidental three years in the making, which says something about musicians making music for music's sake. Here's what Vernon had to say (via Pitchfork):
"We started collaborating three years ago and just this year we started to realize we had nine or 10 tracks almost done," he said. "I sing on it, but there aren't a lot of lyrics-- it's definitely more on the experimental side of things."
If both camps previous work says anything about the upcoming Unmap, it'll be sure to make you feel like a leaf floating along in an Autumn wind destiny. Oh Wisconsin, how you always manage to bring us love in the form of indie lullabies...
June 24, 2009
The Artists Formally Known as The Kiss Off
Arpline, who you may remember as The Kiss Off, made their “debut” at The Mercury Lounge this past Saturday. Rarely have I had the opportunity to see a band evolve over time, as I have Arpline over the past couple of years. Although their sound has always been inventive, they have stepped it up, bringing in some brass and a new atmosphere to push them to the next level. With songs like “Fold Up Like a Piece of Paper” and “Weekend at the Colonies” you can’t deny there is an intelligence and craft to each song. And it will definitely make you move your feet.
If you have heard Arpline, but haven’t been to a show, I would definitely urge you to go-- their live performance brings an entirely new energy that you won’t be able to experience otherwise (say, via myspace). Though part of me misses The Kiss Off, I am looking forward to Arpline’s next step. Whichever direction they chose to move in, I doubt it will disappoint.
Also, opening for Arpline and bringing the heat, was Big Bang TV, appealling to those who like bands similar to The Postal Service, but are striving for vocal range and an eclectic arrangement. Varying between dance happy pop rock and somber melodic ballads.
And, no worries to The Kiss Off fans-- though you've got to call them Arpline now, the band consists of all the same boys you know and love.
-- Torey Schantz
Cymbals Eat Guitars Release "Tunguska"
Via Pitchfork:
Best New Music honorees Cymbals Eat Guitars will have a new 7" out via Transparent in the UK on July 20, and only Pure Groove will be selling it. The single even comes with a free prize for the first 300 buyers: a slap bracelet! (Hey, remember 1990, when we were all accidentally slitting our wrists? Fun times!).
To hold you over until their June 28th show at Cake Shop (w/ Bedtime & Teletextile), CEG is giving out their new non-album single "Tunguska" on their myspace page.
June 23, 2009
Vampire Weekend + Ra Ra Riot = Discovery
Discovery, the collabo project of Vampire Weekend's Rostam Batmanglij and Ra Ra Riot's Wes Miles, hits the old school electro-pop soft spot in my brain. With special appearances by fellow Weekender, Ezra Koenig, and Angel Deradoorian from Dirty Projectors--who we are glad to hear are doing ok-- how can you resist bopping around to the debut while basking in some rooftop sunshine.
Auto-tune + a Jackson 5 cover = yes, please!?
Ok, so maybe I'm desperate for the summer to actually start, but I'm feeling this!
Download "Orange Shirt", the first single off of the July 7th release of LP (yep, another ironically titled album y'all), and tell me you aren't mistaking it for a lo-fi Passion Pit jam-- and that's not a bad thing. Although, I have to admit, this might be the album I'll want to never hear again after a few wild summer nights. Just saying...
Metric: Neither The Beatles Nor The Stones
Metric at Terminal 5
Recently, Metric wrote on their Twitter feed, “Got 99 problems but... this tour ain’t one.” Presumably, the band have been enjoying themselves on their latest supporting tour, and this stop was no exception.
Metric kicked it off in Brooklyn, and as singer Emily Haines professed between songs, “I love coming back to New York and playing at home ... I remember when we took the train to play with the Rolling Stones. ...Yeah! The fuckin’ subway.” Haines knew we could all relate, with most people having traveled from afar to get to Terminal 5’s remote (read: Midtown) location. The crowd cheered with approving applause.
These two factors may not have caused it, but the group seemed positively electrified on stage. As each member’s hair grew progressively matted from their own perspiration, their energy only increased, with their instruments seeming to grow louder with every song.
As with their newest album, Fantasies, Metric was precise in their presentation and musicianship. For the most part, they seemed closely tethered to their respective spots on stage, surrounded by their vast array of synthesizers and guitars (James Shaw, the guitarist, grabbed a different guitar for nearly every song, his stagehand frantically retuning each before use). Every measure of every song seemed to be played with the utmost importance for absolute perfection, and unlike most live acts, they pulled it off with surprising accuracy and dedication.
Haines was the only one who spoke at all to the audience, and didn’t speak much. When she did though, she expressed adoration and camaraderie for the receptive crowd, and even unleashed a little weird philosophy on everyone. It was, at times, incoherent, but her message got through: “Just remember, that, you know, you gotta do what you wanna do. That’s what this next song’s about,” she said, before launching into “Gimme Sympathy”.
Did I enjoy the show? Usually when my attention from a performance wavers, I start to notice what kind of equipment the artist is using-- for the first time in a long time, I left the large venue without a clue about any of it.
-- Erik Erikson
More photos after the jump...
Continue reading "Metric: Neither The Beatles Nor The Stones" »
The Dirty Projectors in Car Accident
Oh No! Pitchfork is reporting The Dirty Projectors were in a "pretty bad" car accident and, according to a promoter with the now-canceled Toronto show, "One of them is in very serious condition." :(. We hope this sounds worse than it actually is.
The Dirty Projectors are currently slated to play a much-anticipated free show on the waterfront on July 19th.
Updated statement from the band:
"Dirty Projectors' van flipped outside of Detroit, MI on their way up to Toronto. Although the crash was serious, we're happy to report that all members of the band have been safely discharged from the hospital. The band will be flying home to New York in the morning to regroup and rest. Unfortunately, the band will have to cancel Toronto and Montreal. Thank you for understanding and sending your well wishes."
Old Folks Review Wilco and Dirty Projectors
best line: "do I look like I'm into oriental music?"
more Breakfast at Sulimays here.
June 22, 2009
Girls in New York
This week, you've got three chances to catch San Francisco's eternally ethereal Girls- a band that hones all things hazey (I might be hinting at edibles here) and sun-filled breezes. I'm talking mopey pop Elvis Costello would be proud of, not just because frontman Christopher Owens evokes the timbre of the man himself.
We can only hope they'll bring the California sunshine with them, or at least make us forget about the rain for a moment. All three shows should be exceptional, but I'm picking the Monster Island show as a favorite in advance- I just can't stop giving those Real Estate boys some love.
Check out the video for "Hellhole Ratrace", the first single off of Girls' debut full length after the jump. The album which will be called, um, Album, is due out Sept 22nd on True Panther Recordings.
FREEnewark
Bleszt, aka Mr. Brick Bandit, is a 21 year old out of Newark, and while we like to maintain a fairly anti-Jersey platform here, I'm gonna risk a demerit on my NYC-card today. This is Bleszt's new mixtape, and it'll only cost you bandwith to get (totally worth it). Plus, when was the last time a rapper came out of New Jersey? Federline? The whole thing's pretty cool, R&B and hip hop, lots of auto-tune and over-are-tik-yoo-lay-ting and other Lil Wayne-isms but there's more than enough personality of its own. It's called Nine 7 Three.
Download it here
or
Listen to it here
via maddecent
June 19, 2009
These Are Powers - "Easy Answers"
These Are Powers debuted this video at the FREEwilliamsburg Northside Fest showcase and now it's finally up on YouTube for all to watch at their leisure. Enjoy, this is one of my favorite tracks of the year.
June 18, 2009
Woodsist / Captured Tracks Festival w/Thee Oh Sees, Vivian Girls, Crystal Stilts + more
Apparently some people have plans to skip town over the weekend of July 4th. I have no idea why anyone would choose to do that because this independence day weekend Woodsist, Captured Tracks and Todd P are putting on an amazing festival in Bushwick. The Crystal Stilts and Thee Oh Sees are headlining Friday and Saturday respectively. And the lineup's got virtually all of my (and likely your) favorite Brooklyn bands including Vivian Girls, Woods, Kurt Vile, caUSE co-MOTION!, the Beets, Blank Dogs, Real Estate, and more. Plus equally awesome bands like Tyvek and Psychedelic Horseshit making the trip from outta town.
If Woodsist or Captured Tracks don't ring a bell for you this festival is the perfect time to get familiar. Woodsist is Woods' own label that put out their excellent LP Songs of Shame, as well as putting out releases by several of the artists above (claro, hence being on the bill) like Vivian Girls and Thee Oh Sees. Captured Tracks is run by Mike Sniper aka Blank Dogs, and his mission appears to be put out the record of every great new band that forms in Brooklyn. Captured Tracks has put out vinyl from the Beets, Gary War, German Measles and Gutsies (best band formed in 2009, Surfer Body is the summer jam), once again, all of whom will be performing at the festival. In short, it'll be an amazing weekend put on by two great indie record labels.
Tickets are already available online! It's $27 for both days (including a $2 paypal fee), or $15 per day at the door. Full lineup after the jump.
June 17, 2009
Insound's Warehouse Sale
Tomorrow, from 5-8pm, the online music store Insound is opening their Brooklyn-based warehouse doors and selling everything from new and classic vinyl to silk-screened posters and t-shirts at a serious discount.
Refreshments come in kegs, compact discs will be on hand to touch and possibly buy and free promotional giveaways will somehow end up on your kitchen counter all week. Like keychains, maybe. Here's the flyer, and the warehouse is located at 61 Greenpoint Ave. 5-8pm. 61. Avenue. Keychains.
June 16, 2009
Northside Festival Showcase Recap
Air Waves
Hopefully, you were able to check out our showcase in Northside Festival just like John Norris did , if not, here are a few shots of the good time you missed (at least until I had to leave and miss the dance party and the crowd surfing during These Are Powers' last number). Thanks to Free Danger, Stay Gold, Organs, Air Waves, Real Estate, Javelin, These are Powers, and of course Death by Audio. Here's what John Norris had to say:
No place I would rather be on Friday night of the Northside Fest than the venerable (Can we call it venerable yet? Why yes, I think we can) Death By Audio. Not because it was a chance to see bands that rarely play Brooklyn - as a matter of fact every few weeks it seems you can catch at least one of them around town. But because it was a showcase of some of the most exciting, modern left-field pop our fine locale has to offer.... And people ask me ‘what’s so great about Brooklyn’? Um, this is.
June 15, 2009
Market Hotel: Some Non-News News You Can't Really Use
After reading this post on Assme, alarmingly titled "Someone Is Trying to Bring Down the Market Hotel (Maybe)," I was a bit concerned that shit, someone was trying to bring down the Market Hotel! A few tweets came out of the search.twitter bonfire with rumors about a big raid and a condemnation and it appeared that that was that.
But, this isn't all true. I spoke with Todd P who gave us a little clarification on the situation....(below the jump)
Continue reading "Market Hotel: Some Non-News News You Can't Really Use" »
June 12, 2009
Tonight: The FREEwilliamsburg Showcase
badgeholder update: since there has been some confusion, here's the deal: we'll be letting the allotted number of badges in and then allowing other badge holders entry throughout the night once others leave.
Mark your calendars! Here are the final details for our upcoming Northside Festival showcase.
an ALL AGES show at DEATH BY AUDIO ($10)
49 South Second Street, Williamsburg, Brooklyn [map]
set times: 8:30/9:30/10:30/11:30/12:30
DJ sets by FREE DANGER + STAY GOLD
+ With the live debut of These Are Powers' new video "Easy Answers"
++ FREE Heineken from 7:30-8:30
+++ FREE Ice Cream provided by FreeIceCream.net
MORE INFO AFTER THE JUMP
FREEwilliamsburg Showcase Q&A with Javelin
(left to right) Tom van Buskirk, George Langford
Today is our final band Q&A ahead of the Northside festival. We're having a chat with Javelin, a pair of guys from Providence, RI. The duo make music steeped in the day-glo aesthetic of their hometown, but smooth the edges with summery samples and R&B groove basslines. On jams with self-explanatory titles like "Andean Ocean Tape," you can practically see dolphins performing synchronized leaps. Javelin is going to be playing tonight at Death By Audio at the FREEwilliamsburg Showcase.
Q&A after the jump:
Continue reading "FREEwilliamsburg Showcase Q&A with Javelin" »
June 11, 2009
Woods Release "To Clean" Video
[Via Pitchfork]
Download the track and check them out on Monday with WAVVES and our beloved Real Estate @ Bowery Ballroom!
FREEwilliamsburg Showcase Q&A with Organs
(left to right) Dan Baranello, Brian Chillemi, Ryan Heil
Next up in our slew of Northside showcase interviews is rockabilly garage trio Organs. Recently signed to self-distributing indie folks Puta! Records (releasing a single and cassette EP by the end of summer), these boys play the kind of songs that let your drunk head sway, or remind you why you were drinking that whiskey in the first place. Their regular appearances at neighborhood favorites Bar Matchless and Don Pedro's always buzz eery with prohibition era vibes and memories of joyfully simple Rock 'n Roll taboos.
An emotional drone of harmonica on tracks such as "Don't Wanna See Me No More" or singer Brian Chillemi's longing wails on "Need Your Love" present us with why people make music in the first place-- to dance and feel and fight and, well, get you to want to take your pants off. If you're a fan of any combination of those things, read the rest of the interview with Brian after the jump for a little insight on 20th century girls, the importance of good shoes, and Union Square drug dealers.
Get the Organs record here for FREE----> http://www.mediafire.com/?fd3bg3tx3wj
Your myspace page says you guys sound like "If Hank Williams listened to the Stooges while fucking Little Richard". How did you land on this style/sound? Or is it just a musical wetdream of yours to get all those dudes in one room?
The Stooges are the sickest rock n roll punk band ever, Hank Williams is the god father of country music and Little Richard is one of most primal performers in the history of rock n roll. We're striving to integrate those three the best we can... and fucking isn't a bad way to get people integrated.
Continue reading "FREEwilliamsburg Showcase Q&A with Organs" »
June 10, 2009
Williamsburg Waterfront Shows
The Williamsburg Waterfront - the new home of the Mcarren Park Pool Parties
Yes, the McCarren Park Pool shows are now just a bygone memory of slip-n-slide bliss. But the good news is that the party will continue this year on the Williamsburg waterfront. We're particularly excited because FREEwilliamsburg favorite, Beach House, has just been added to the the roster. According to Brooklyn Vegan, they'll be opening for Grizzly Bear for the affordable, recession-friendly price of, well, FREE!
No word on whether there will be a slip-n-slide this year, but we'll be keeping you up-to-date on all the Williamsburg waterfront shows at www.freewilliamsburg.com/h2oshows. You can check out the full schedule (thus far) here. [image c/o Flickr]
UPDATE from our mailbag:
I have been told by a contact at Jelly that the slip n slide will be back. This is of particular interest to me, as my buddy and I have run the slip n' slide for the past two summers. I'm excite for the new venue. Even less shade means even more slippers and sliders!
FREEwilliamsburg Q&A with Air Waves
Photo by Edwina Hay
Continuing our series of interviews with the amazing bands playing our showcase at Northside Festival, I recently exchanged emails with Nichole Schneit of Air Waves. Dan Deacon gave the best descrption of Nicole's songwriting I've seen when he said "The music she writes is like a favorite blanket wrapped around you." Nicole shared a bit about how she crafts those song-blankets, what she's like on the subway and Air Waves' upcoming recording plans. So read up and don't forget to check out the show Friday at Death by Audio.
FW: How long have you been performing as Air Waves and how did the current lineup come together?
Nicole Schneit: I've been performing as "Air Waves" for a little over two years. Before that I did solo stuff. The lineup I have is always changing. I met Daoud who is on drums through a friend. He's a really amazing, creative drummer. When he tried out I knew right away that he was a perfect fit. Dan I also met through a friend. He picks up songs really quickly, plays really tastefully and there are old misfits stickers on his bass.
FW: What's your song writing process like?
Nicole: I play the guitar melody and then just make stuff up. If it sounds good I write it down. For the new album I don’t want any of the songs to be about my life. I think it will challenge me to be more creative in the lyrical process.
FW: What outside of music influences your songwriting?
Nicole: People, I like watching people a lot. I tend to stare on the subway which can get me in trouble. My songs are usually about other peoples relationships. Sometimes my own, but I'm trying to veer away from that.
MGMT Remix Violens' Doomed
Last year, MGMT approached Violens frontman Jorge Elbrecht about a "Time To Pretend" remix, now the boys are returning the favor with their version of "Doomed", staying true to the original track and sans all the seducing industrial synth Violens laid on last summer's new age Fernando.
Download the remix , and lookout for the free digital remix EP from Cantora, including this track as well as contributions from Lansing-Dreiden, remix collective RAC, and newcomers Subtle People.
Be sure to check out Violens with School of Seven Bells at their favorite NY venue, Bowery Ballroom, this Friday before they kick off their UK tour with White Lies. Also, the "Doomed" video after the jump.
THESE ARE POWERS
Anna Barie, Bill Salas and Pat Noecker
May I present, THESE ARE POWERS, the second band interview of four to prepare everyone for the Freewilliamsburg set during the Northside Festival. I'll admit I chose to interview this trio since they struck me as the most likely to get the dance party started (I've been aching for one big time). Besides making me want to be part in a sweaty mass at a show, THESE ARE POWERS are engaging in some forward looking art collaborations, bringing visual art to previously only audio shows. In fact, they will be premiering the video for their song "Easy Answer" during the show. Check them out on Friday along with Real Estate, Javelin, Organs, and Air Waves.
a still from 'Easy Answers,' directed by Jacqueline Castel
Can you tell me about this Secret Project Robot you wrote about on your blog?
ANNA: Secret Project Robot's whole point is to make art fun and community based. So what they've done is opened up their space to a bunch of a different events that they curate but also curate with other people. We had an art opening and cd release party for our new album this past Feburary and for that album we asked 12 different artists and a writer to contribute work to our album so that was on display in addition to about 40 other pieces from other artists. Because of that show, some of our friends and others bands have told us they that inspired to have similar events, our friends band had a similar cd release party where they screened a bunch of different films.
PAT: Our friend Paul ended up selling his painting that night for a whole of money and our friend Javelin got offered another show. The idea is to create community around ideas. I feel like you can't really have a full experience with one form of expression, you should really try and create a group state and by group I mean everyone from the community. It's limited to think that music is the only art form that you can incorporate into shows.
Do you think this is a more holistic approach to what you are trying to do?
PAT: It's more interesting. That's what it boils down to-What's interesting and fun at the same time? Playing at a club and just setting up and doing sound check and selling your merchandise afterward isn't nearly as interesting as really making an event out of every show.
Do you have more shows like this coming up?
BILL: August 6th we are playing the X Initiative which is a gallery in Chelsea that is having a set of curators every season put on multimedia shows and we got invited. They're screening some Bruce Nauman and we are going to perform in front of this film "City Slivers" and a film called "Stations of the Elevated," which is a grafitti film from the late 70's. It's just one more example of cross pollination between "art" and music. It's just about not drawing distinctions and a lot of it comes down to playing much more interesting events.
What are you looking most forward to doing in Brooklyn?
ANNA: Summer in New York is an awesome time because of all the free outdoors films and concerts. I want to check out the High Line and check out Femi Cutin in Prospect Park. I Just riding your bikes around and hanging out.
BILL: Skateboarding for me, personally. The only summer month we are here for August.
PAT: We were gone last summer so every summer moment we get in the city we're cherishing.
Get them while you can, THESE ARE POWERS head to Canada on Saturday and then China next month and you won't get a chance to see them until they play at the Whitney with Vivian Girls on July 31st.
Check out their Myspace and Blog for more musing and jams.
More stills from their new video, which the band will debut on Friday, after the jump:
June 08, 2009
Jeff Hanson 1978-2009
The sad news, from Kill Rock Stars:
We are deeply shocked and saddened to report that Jeff Hanson passed away on June 5, 2009 in his home, a victim of a terrible accident. Jeff has been a part of the KRS family since 2003.Jeff Hanson was an amazing artist, a riotously funny person, and a good friend. Everyone at Kill Rock Stars feels that we were privileged to put out his records. We will miss him tremendously. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this time.
And a little background from Strangeglue:
Compared to former label-mate Elliott Smith, Hanson was uniquely known across much of America because of his haunting falsetto voice that was often mistaken for that of a woman. Hanson was signed to Kill Rock Stars in 2003, believed to be the first artist signed to the label based on an unsolicited demo. He often joked that the only reason Kill Rock Stars wanted to meet with him was because they wanted to see if he really sang like that.
RIP, here's "This Time it Will," directed by Wyatt McDill:
June 07, 2009
T-Pain & The Big Ass Chain
Jay-Z may be claiming the death of autotune but T-Pain's doing fine:
DUDES AND GIRLS I JUST WANNA GIVE A QUICK PREVIEW OF THE LAST CHAIN ULL EVER LIKE. IM SHUTTIN IT DOWN.
I told everybody I’m not playing no more anybody wanna try to out do me then we goin at it like next door neighbors. Believe dat
10lbs. 197kts. Very very real I don’t know what fake feel like.$410,000. Hola señor recession proof. (@T-Pain)
Blind Pilot - on tour!
Blind Pilot played their second show in New York last night at the Bowery Ballroom. Excited about being in New York, the lead guitarist and singer Israel, admitted to never having the chance to visit New York until they had the opportunity to play here.
Originally from Portland, the humble group first started reaching their loyal and appreciative audiences by touring small towns on their bikes with nothing but their equipment, before deciding to record their debut album 3 Rounds and a Sound.
When the music started up, there were smiles across the crowd. It felt almost like being at summer camp with all the soft chanting, swaying, and overall cumbia atmosphere.
As most songs played were slow and peaceful, folks definitely jammed out to a few of the more upbeat favorites such as “ We are the Tide” and “ The Story I heard”.
Often before songs were played, the band made sure to inform the audience of the little story that went along with it and what the inspiration was behind writing the song.
Listen to them tell their story here on NPR.
Click below to see more photos from the show
June 04, 2009
New MGMT Video: "Kids"
Jeffrey Lewis Objectified
To Be Objectified - Jeffrey Lewis & The Junkyard
"We're only boats. And the boats are only empty..."
So I saw Jeffrey Lewis & The Junkyard at Bowery Ballroom a few weeks ago and although I was bummed he didn't perform "Williamsburg Will Oldham Horror," it was an awe-inspiring performance complete with slide shows of his renditions of world history and a duet with Diane Cluck. At one point he joked that the show was going to go on for hours a la Adam Green - and it kinda did. By the end of the show I found myself standing at the foot of the stage wishing I was an anti-folk star too! Boy what fun it must be - such self-deprecation and extremely profound observations of the universe - whoever said ignorance was bliss never wrote a Jeffrey Lewis song. Check out his new album 'Em Are I here.
June 03, 2009
Gillis on the Water
Girl Talk playing the Waterfront August 23rd? So says BV.
Grizzly Bear's Veckatimest in Billboard's Top 10
Veckatimest debuted in the Billboard Top 10 this week at #8 with 33,000 sold. Interesting sales stat: "40% of its sales came from downloads while another 24% were shifted at independent and small chain stores." Keep buying local!
Stereogum notes this is "at the very least, an objective metric for the > or < Merriweather debate."
New Peaches - 'Lose You'
She's uh...she's in love with both of us.
Music Slut tells us it was produced by Simian Mobile Disco, who's James Ford also lent his production hand for the new untitled Arctic Monkeys album, dropping August 25th.
June 02, 2009
LANDy - yes please
The girls are kinda creepy man but boy is Adam hot!
Wow I think there is finally a celebrity foray into music that isn't a complete joke - (a la Honey Brothers, DOGSTAR and Scarlett Johansson) - featuring the backing band talents of members of Earlimart and The Flaming Lips - LANDy is writer, director, actor and all around HOTTIE Adam Goldberg's new band. OK maybe I'm biased since my mom spotted him at Balthazar last year and said something along the lines of "WOW - isn't that the hot guy from Saving Private Ryan?" And yes, yes it was.
His debut album Eros and Omissions comes out June 23rd - in the meantime peep the new video for "BFF!" Yes maybe it's pretentious as fuck featuring girls that remind me of The Shining twins, apples, lemons, strings and over- sized sexy playing cards but it's actually dare I say - excellent!
KIT!
xoxo
LANDy
Brooklyn Brat Pack Mashup
What does one long weekend and the best rooftop in Williamsburg get you? A summer kickoff music video to end all. A tribute to a tribute, inspired by the Youtube bratpack mashup video set to the tune of Phoenix's Lisztomania, the soon to be omnipresent (if not already) summer jam.
The Original Mashup
I think director Ian Parker explained the reasoning behind the tribute to the tribute best: We did it for the summer, for friends, sunsets, and social propaganda experiments, for the sake of global cultural education. and pop music.
May 31, 2009
Grizzly Bear Nitemares
Last night, I saw Chris Taylor of Grizzly Bear fame out at Spuyten Duyvil, taking advantage of the weather to enjoy the garden and impressive beer selection. Alas, I did not have the courage to tell him how much I love the new album. Not because I'm scared to approach people generally, but because the new video for "Two Weeks" has seriously creeped me the fuck out.
Real Estate Live Video - "Beach Comber"
Needless to say we're pretty psyched to have Real Estate as part of our showcase on June 12. Here they are at the Annex on May 27th. [via Stereogum]
Real Estate - Beach Comber [Live] from Ray C. on Vimeo.
May 29, 2009
Ticket Giveaway: Emilie Simon at Le Poisson Rouge
Adorable French electronica darling, Emilie Simon, has got a couple of New York shows coming up, including one in our 'hood:
June 2nd - Le Poisson Rouge, NYC
June 17th- Public Assembly, Brooklyn
July 23rd- Highline Ballroom, NYC
We've got two tickets to the June 2nd show with Holiday Shores! Be the third to email me (nicole@freewilliamsburg.com) and they're yours. WE HAVE A WINNER!
Download "Fleur de Saison (Season Flower)" here.
May 26, 2009
So So Glos + Air Waves at Market Hotel
So So Glos
Nicole Schneit of Air Waves once clarified that her band's name is not meant to refer to the transmission of sound, instead it is the air we breathe and the waves of the ocean. Am I over-thinking things to say Air Waves make a lot more sense knowing that? Give Air Waves one listen and it's clear their music is more natural earnestness than radio fuzz (not that radio fuzz isn't near and dear to my heart). Saturday evening Nicole and crew were at the top of their game, playing with a fantastic slate of bands at Market Hotel which included Jersey's Screaming Females and Baltimore's Double Dagger. Openers Videohippos were also impressive, playing with a video accompaniment that made for a punk acid trip.
Market Hotel's resident So So Glos headlined the show and shook the place to it rafters. At one point during the set fans could be seen climbing up pillars and piping around the loft. Maybe they were trying to get a better view or maybe it's the new crowd surfing. The phrase "driven up the wall" traditionally means you were annoyed by something, perhaps the So So Glos live set has spawned a gleeful antonym.
More images after the jump.
Air Waves
May 23, 2009
These Are Powers at Glasslands
These are Powers
With a sea of empty Colt 45 cans strewn across the floor and a crowd packed like the L on a weekday morning These Are Powers rocked Vice’s party at Glasslands Thursday night. Late on the bandwagon, These Are Powers first drew my attention opening for Dan Deacon this January in a raucous warehouse show in Bushwick. While they were great in the winter, warm weather and top billing drew a different level of energy out of the band. These Are Powers have described their sound as “ghost punk” and their set last night indeed proved to be haunting-yet-extremely-danceable chaos. Pterodactyl opened with thunderous punk and the crowd was treated to a surprise set by Columbus, Ohio’s finest lo-fi noise rockers Psychedelic Horseshit. A friend of mine noted that the crowd was so hyped by These Are Powers’ set that they forgot to stop shaking their booties and dancing during Horseshit’s heavy drone.
More photos after the jump.
--Andrew Ritchie
May 20, 2009
Bushwick's Sharon Van Etten Gives Us Chills
[Thanks Lauren!]
Rediscovered: Judee Sill; Daniel Rossen, Bill Callahan, & Marissa Nadler Do Covers
Although the resurrection of lost and forgotten 1970s sullen folklore seems to have come to a tipping point these days, I'm gonna go ahead and say there's no such thing as too much of a good thing. Personally, my obsession with Glowing Raw is in a constant state of growth-- these are the folks who opened my eyes to Sibylle Baier and Claudine Longet, who I just.. can't.. stop.. listening to.
Next up on the list of underappreciated in his/her own time is Judee Sill. After the re-release of her two albums on Artista in 2005, this gloomy little songstress captured the like-souled hearts of neo-folk peeps such as Robin Pecknold of Fleet Foxes. And now, we have a tribute album to look forward to. Yesterday, American Dust announced the release of Crayon Angel: A Tribute to the Music of Judee Sill out on September 22nd-- which includes two tracks, preiously unrecorded, and interpreted by Beth Orton and Bill Callahan.
Oh, and in case your obscure folk obsessed mouth isn't watering enough, Callahan's "Like a Rainbow" happens to have been co-written by Judee's onetime boyfriend Lal Baum-- great-grandson of Wizard of Oz author L. Frank Baum. Sweet, huh?
Check out Fleet Foxes doing a cover of Sill's "Crayon Angels", who (sadly) are not a part of the tribute album of the same name, and the full track listing after le jump...