With intergalactic synthesizer vibes, today marks the release of the Hackman Remix of previously teased single “Broken Record” from Nocturnes, the upcoming sophomore studio release from Little Boots (neé Victoria Hesketh) — just in time for your sunny day wind down.

Catch Little Boots at Music Hall of Williamsburg on May 7th with AVAN LAVA and (one of our newest favorites!) Feathers, celebrating the same day release Nocturnes — featuring contributions from members of Simian Mobile Disco as well as Hercules and Love Affair, with production credit to DFA co-founder Tim Goldsworthy. Basically, we have super high hopes for this record… Not convinced quite yet? Take a listen to fellow Nocturnes track “Motorway” here.

Get your tickets here for what’s sure to be disco synth and babe-filled night!

Chrome Canyon at Cameo Gallery

With its weekend crowds and its surplus of shops and eateries, navigating North 6th street can be as confounding as it is invigorating. There’s the overcrowded tourist trap known as Sea. There’s Future Perfect where beautiful, artisan-crafted statement armchairs, are displayed in a storefront only blocks away from more affordable wares at Artists n’ Fleas. There’s an American Apparel on North 6th too: chicken or egg? And, of course, its main attraction are its live music venues all in a three block radius of each other: Music Hall of Williamsburg, Cameo Gallery and Public Assembly.

Electronic, indie, pop, international and domestic; from Lemonade to Sky Ferreira to A$AP Rocky, I feel confident in saying your favorite artist probably made at least one appearance on this bougie block. So, where to eat when you’re pressed for time, Toro y Moi is coming on in 10 minutes, and MHOW can’t even scrounge up a bar snack for you? These five dining options are the cream of the primarily Asian-influenced crop of eateries, and with a range of flavors to enjoy, from Japanese to Cuban, you’ll be able to enjoy your dish, tip your waitress and make it into Cameo while there’s still a square of space to stand.

Cubana Social

For filling and affordable without much time to spare, Cubana Social’s ‘bocaditos’ will have you sated and stuck in the winding line heading into either of its next door neighbor venues in no time.  For less than $5, vegetarians and carnivores can find an empanada to their liking and bite into crispy, flaky heaven. Heartier options to prepare for the fortitude of an open bar range can be found in Cubana Social’s sandwiches stuffed with plantains, black bean patty, or eight-hour long roasted pork between deliciously thick Cuban bread. The dim lighting and a rotation of older films showing on a projector cast a relaxing lull over the eatery. And speaking of music, they provide their own. Stop by for live jazz on Saturdays.

Cubana Social
70 North 6th
718.782.3334

Chai Home Kitchen

Less intense than the winding maze of Zenkichi and lacking the shadowy air of intimidation at Sea Thai, Chai Home Kitchen is a cozy, traditional Thai eatery on the corner of 6^th and Berry to indulge in a heaping pile of pad thai or slurp some tom yum noodles and broth.  Starters from the sweet corn fritters to the satay are reliable favorites to quell hunger and pair with a Thai iced tea. Suspended bird cages and isolated daisies floating in pools of water provide a very calming vibe; perfect to forget about how hard you’re about to be pushed into a wall by an erratic electronica enthusiast at Public Assembly.

Chai Home Kitchen
124 North 6th
718.599.5889

(more…)

In addition to his previously announced Webster Hall dates, he’ll be playing Feb. 14 with Wild Belle and Dog Bite. Tickets go on sale Friday at noon.

Needless to say, this will be an amazing show. We’re giving away a free VIP pass (plus one) and all you need to do is follow us on Twitter. We’ll message the random winner Thursday at noon.

Converse Rubber Tracks Live presents:
King Tuff, Metz, Sean Bones, Devin at Music Hall of Williamsburg
Wed, December 19, 2012
Doors: 7:00 pm

(more…)

I caught Tonya Morgan’s last song during their performance at The Music Hall of Williamsburg during Converses showcase. The mob of people outside was a complete shit show. After some complications me and my boy Layton were able to get inside. Thanks Jacob at Converse. I didn’t really get set until half way through this video. So it’s a little sketchy. I literally just walked into the venue got my cam out and tried to get what I could aiming over heads. Enjoy!

via: blaqbook.com

I never heard of the Flatbush Zombies before Converse’s showcase at The Music Hall of Williamsburg lastnight. Obviously I live under some sort of rock or something because the crowd was singing word for word and going crazy. A group of artist this dope and I’m just hearing of them now? I should be ashamed of myself.

These dudes murdered it! When was the last time you went to a hip hop show with mosh pits and crowd surfing? If you don’t know who they are I suggest you find out real quick. A bleach blonde mohawk, Platinum grills, and woman everywhere. The Flatbush Zombies are stirring shit up! Great set!

via: blaqbook.com

Justin Little, June 14, 2012
If Wu Tang is in the building you already know what it is! This for me was like the Beatles to a hippie. I grew up on Wu Tang so this was overwhelming for me. I got exactly what I came for. I’ll post some more videos later. Put it this way, him and another Wu Tang member performed “Triumph”. This video is an instant classic for me. I can’t stress this enough, get out and catch some shows this weekend.

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.

It was a great show. It looked like this:

YELLOW OSTRICH

(more…)

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.”

(more…)

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: