If one were to listen to either Givers or Yellow Ostrich’s 2011 debut they’d expect a very different live show from both bands than what occurred last night. Both on their records lean towards the pop end of indie pop but live bring an energy that can only to be described as youthful. Together they played the Musical Hall of Williamsburg to a sold out crowd that reflected the bands’ ages and enthusiasm.
Brooklyn’s own Yellow Ostrich opened. They gain a lot live because since recording the record singer/guitarist Alex Schaaf filled his band out with ringers—Michael Tapper (We are Scientists, Bishop Allen) and Jon Natchez (Beirut, basically anyone who needs some horns or woodwinds). Schaaf’s brand of vocal-laden indie pop becomes more dynamic, and well louder, with Trapper’s snareless drumming and Natchez ability to make a three-piece sound like a thirteen-piece.
Still, most of the crowd was there to see Givers who play a version of Louisiana Cajun music if it were shaken inside a Diet Coke with Mentos. They bounced through their songs at a frenetic pace to a crowd that was legitimately louder than any I’ve ever heard at the Music Hall.
Last night’s sold out 10th Anniversary celebration for the cult comedy Wet Hot American Summer was a fan’s wet hot American dream come true. Hosted by Stella (David Wain, Michael Showalter, Michael Ian Black) who also starred in, wrote and directed the movie, the night included archived video audition footage, a sweater fondling contest and appearances from original cast members.
Music Hall of Williamsburg was filled was fans quoting movie lines in unison and singing along to the film’s soundtrack, which was played live by Joe McGinty and the Loser’s Lounge.
The films stars came out to reminisce about the movie and reenact some of their popular scenes from the film to wild crowd reactions. Among those who made an appearance were Marguerite Moreau (Katie), Jeanene Garofolo (Beth), Zak Orth (J.J.), Jake Fogelnest (Silas), A.D. Miles (Gary), Gideon Jacobs (Aaron), Gabriel Millman (Cape Boy), Judah Freelander (Ron von Kleinenstein), Ken Marino (Victor Kulack), Marisa Ryan (Abby Bernstein), and of course the renown, Can of Vegetables voiced by Jon Benjamin.
Also making cameos on prerecorded video shorts were Nina Hellman (Nancy), Joe Lo Truglio (Neil), Amy Poehler(Susie) and Paul Rudd (Andy).
Check out some of the night’s highlights below including an intro from Arty “The Beekeeper” Solomon’s (voiced by Samm Levine) opening address, a performance by Alan Shemper (Michael Showalter) and Victor (Ken Marino) singing “Danny’s Song.”
Typically on Free Williamsburg we are busy documenting how the influx of children to the neighborhood is giving us hives–but not this time folks! For now we applaud the little ones and the Willie Mae Rock Camp for Girls is giving us reason to do so. The Willie Mae Rock Camp for Girls is the Clinton Hill based music and mentoring program dedicated to the empowerment of girls and women. Girls aged 8-18 participate in a week long program to get savvy at their instrument of choice and will be showing off their new skills at the Camp’s rock showcase at Music Hall of Williamsburg this Saturday the 16th. It will be as if School Of Rock has come alive right before your very eyes, except that Jack Black (thankfully?) won’t be there to ham it up. Purchase tickets here and help support this fantastic program, doors are at 11am and the show starts at 12pm.
While the camp is no longer taking enrollment for summer it is not too late for fall! If you have a lil lady in your life looking for a hobby get them involved in Willie Mae Rock Camp’s after school programs.
Check out some campers rocking out (appropriately) to Sleater-Kinney below:
Summer is officially here, and in honor of its arrival, we have an announcement about one of the greatest summer movies ever!
Director David Wain (Role Models) may soon be making a prequel to his cult comedy classic Wet Hot American Summer!
Wain told Jeff Goldsmith at The Q&A Podcast, “The prequel would [take place] the same summer … So it would be 40 year olds playing 16 year olds. And yeah, we’re in the early stages of thinking about that.”
The film, made in 2001, starred then unknowns Paul Rudd, Bradley Cooper, Amy Poehler, Jeanene Garofalo, David Hyde Pierce, Michael Showwalter, and Ken Marino, to name a few.
This year marks the film’s 10th anniversary, and to celebrate Music Hall of Williamsburg has an event next month hosted by Wain and fellow Stella comedy troupe members Michael Showwalter and Michael Ian Black.
Glasser, if you don’t know by now, is the singular work of one Cameron Mesirow– an ethereal one woman electro-orchestra which rings in tune to acts that we adore such as Alaska In Winter, except with a femininity that seems to float effortlessly above the rhythms of each song.
Around the time of Glasser’s debut release in 2009, Apply had plenty of company in the realm of breathy electro femme fatales (see: Class Actress, Zola Jesus, Florence & The Machine, Bat For Lashes, and so on)– yet Mesirow’s work managed to stay afloat amongst her, can we say, competitors. Luckily in music, when you like a sound there’s always plenty to go around.
Did we mention a pretty stellar live set goes a long way? Well, if you haven’t had a chance to check out Glasser during her stunning live performances (see: The Fader Fort during CMJ), you’re in luck– because we’ve got a pair of tickets to see Glasser at Music Hall of Williamsburg next Tuesday (11/16) with ARP and all you have to do is comment below with something interesting to say for a chance to win!
While you’re at it, pick up a copy of Glasser’s debut full-length, Ring, out on True Panther now… and check out the video for “Mirrorage” after the jump…
Burning is a live film that was shot in early 2009 over the course of Mogwai‘s 3 sold out nights at Music Hall of Williamsburg by Nathanaël La Souanec and Vincent Moon, best known for La Blogotheque’s stunning Take Away Shows. There will be a screening of the film at the same venue it was shot next Tuesday night in celebration of the film’s release along with Mogwai’s newest full length, Special Moves, available on that same day, August 24th.
We have a pair of tickets to see Burning on the big screen for one lucky reader. Just comment below (using your real email address) and it could be you!
Apparently FREEWilliamsburg simply can’t get enough of Zach Condon this morning. Last night, beloved indie-folk group Beirut played their second sold out show at Music Hall of Williamsburg with opening band Woom.
The cherubic Zach Condon thrilled his fans with his blaring trumpet and amazing voice. Condon sheepishly admitted to having caught a summer cold– which must be absolutely disgusting considering it feels as if you have a perma-fever in this tropical green house weather. Had Condon not pointed out that he was sick, I doubt the audience would have noticed, save for Condon’s giggles when he tried to push his voice on The Gulag Orkestar. Beirut closed the night with a surprise quasi-second encore of their throwback Carousels.
Check out pictures from the night in the gallery below!
I unfortunately missed the Zaza set, although heard from some folks that they were one of the better sets that night. DOM rocked it, with trippy projections on a big screen behind them (that would also flash “DOM” between songs, lest you forget who you were watching) and trying to rouse a chorus of “USA!” after they finished their song “Living in America.” One poor audience member attempted to stage dive at the very end of their set, to be met with nothing but the cold, hard floor of the Music Hall of Williamsburg.
Twin Sister absolutely killed it, filling up the entire venue with their fantastic sound while Andrea Estella was running around stage barefoot singing and dancing.
Next came Memory Tapes, whose drummer is I think one of the better I’ve seen in a while. They were great, getting almost jammy at times but in a really good way, but did anyone else feel like the vocals sounded a bit flat?
