Braids at CMJ 2012 (more by Amanda Hatfield)

We've known for some time now that Montreal's Braids have reduced their lineup from a four-piece to a three-piece and also took their sound in a newer, more electronic direction. That new sound, which we saw in action at SXSW, is finally getting recorded and will surface this fall on a new album via Arbutus, the label that gave us Grimes, Doldrums, and Majical Cloudz. Details on that album are still forthcoming, but before it comes out, we'll get a taste of it from the band's new 12" single, In Kind // Amends, which comes out on June 11 via Arbutus in the US, Full Time Hobby in Europe, and Flemish Eye in Canada. Both of those tracks will appear on the album, and you can stream "Amends" below. The 12" will also include two exclusive tracks that won't be on the album.

Braids also have a few dates coming up, including a slot at the Arbutus Showcase during NXNE and a Brooklyn show right afterwards at Cameo on June 15 as part of the Northside Festival. No advance tickets for the Cameo show at the moment.

All dates are listed, along with the new song stream, below...

Continue reading "Braids releasing 12" single & new album on Arbutus, playing shows (dates & stream)"

photos by @griffinshot - Tim Griffin

Jared Paul Boulanger of The Sour Notes @ Mohawk - 4/6/2013

The Sour Notes like to keep busy, and 2013 has already seen them play SXSW and many other shows. They're also going to play NXNE and will release a new album (Do What May) before Summer is through. No rest for the weary...

They played the inside stage at Mohawk for The Kids Are Alright Fest on 4/6, and I was able to catch them before Marmalakes (pics HERE) (and before I went to Beerland for Feral Future and White Lung). Some pictures from their set are in this post.

You can see next them play the inside stage at Stubb's for FREE tonight (4/8) immediately following the Grizzly Bear show.

More pictures from their TKAAFest set and some videos below...

Continue reading "The Sour Notes played TKAAFest, play again tonight after Grizzly Bear (pics, videos)"

As mentioned, Still Corners' new album, Strange Pleasures, is out next month (5/4) on Sub Pop. Reduced to a duo of core members Greg Hughes and Tessa Murray, the band embrace synthesizers which gives their sound an Air-y feel. The band are playing Toronto's NXNE Festival in June and will stop in NYC on their way there, playing Glasslands on June 12. Tickets to that show go on sale Friday (4/5) at noon.

Still Corners are one of many new additions to 2013 of NXNE which happens at various Toronto venues from June 10 - 16. All Still Corners dates are listed, along with the updated NXNE lineup, below...

Continue reading "Still Corners playing NYC before NXNE (dates & updated lineup)"

Peace @ Glasslands, 12/19/2013 (more by Robert Altman)

As mentioned, UK band Peace will be in NYC in June, playing Mercury Lounge on June 12 (tickets). Turns out there's another show while they're here: Knitting Factory the day before (6/11) and tickets to that are on sale now.

These are part of a North American tour that's bookended with festivals: Sasquatch in WA at the start, and NXNE in Toronto at the end. NXNE 2013 happens June 10 - 16 and the first round of bands were just announced and include The National, Flag, Merchandise, Calexico, Iceage and more. Early Bird tickets are on sale now. A flyer with all the first-round NXNE bands is below.

You can see Peace next week if you happen to be one of the thousands descending on Austin next week for SXSW and their schedule includes a stop at the BrooklynVegan day party on Saturday (3/16) at the old Emo's Jr space. Show is 100% free and open to the public with RSVP. All Peace dates are listed below.

Continue reading "Peace announce North American tour (including 2nd NYC show), playing NXNE (initial lineup)"

Toronto record label Arts & Crafts, which was co-founded by Broken Social Scene's Kevin Drew, is celebrating its tenth anniversary this year and in honor of that, they're presenting the Field Trip Music & Arts Festival in Toronto on June 8 at Fort York and Garrison Common. The festival's lineup is made up entirely of Arts & Crafts-affiliated bands, including Broken Social Scene, Feist, Bloc Party, Ra Ra Riot, Trust, Cold Specks, Timber Timbre, Jason Collett, Zeus, The Darceys, Hayden, Gold & Youth, and Still Life Still. For Broken Social Scene, the show is an exclusive return from the hiatus they began after their 2011 tour. Early bird tickets go on sale Wednesday (1/16) at 10 AM EST via the festival's website, and full price tickets go on sale Friday (1/18) at 10 AM via the festival's site, ticketmaster, and Toronto retailers Rotate This and Soundscapes. VIP ticket options are available too. Kids get in for free. The festival flyer is below.

The festival happens two days before Canadian music marathon NXNE and a limited number of NXNE wristbands will also gain admission to the festival. It's nice that this time around, the BSS show won't actually be during NXNE.

In addition to the festival, Arts & Crafts will be celebrating the anniversary in other ways, including releasing the double CD/4xLP boxset, Arts & Crafts // 2003-2012, which includes a collection of hits, rarities, and b-sides from the label; and also releasing Arts & Crafts // X, "an entirely original collection of collaborative recordings by artist pairings from the Arts & Crafts roster, including new compositions and fresh, unexpected interpretations."

The label will also be presenting a photography exhibit with photographer Norman Wong, a fashion collaboration with Canadian designer Jeremy Laing, a short fiction contest inspired by Broken Socal Scene's You Forgot It In People, and a pop-up shop which will be open from late May into mid June and serve as a headquarters for AC10 and Field Trip at a TBA location, plus possibly more stuff to come.

The trailer video and flyer for Field Trip are below...

Continue reading "Arts & Crafts celebrates 10 years with Broken Social Scene / Feist-headlined Field Trip fest, compilations, art exhibits & more "

photos by David Andrako

Flaming Lips in Yonge-Dundas Square, Toronto - 6/16/12

As previously mentioned, The Flaming Lips will "attempt to break a Guiness World Record by playing the most concerts in multiple cities during a 24-hour period, a record currently held by Jay-Z. They've got eight shows scheduled to take place on June 27 and 28 in Memphis, Clarksdale, Oxford, Jackson, Hattiesburg, Biloxi, Baton Rouge, and New Orleans. Each show is with a different band. Openers include Grimes, Neon Indian, Gary Clark Jr., Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, GIVERS, and more." Those shows begin on 6/27 at 4:30pm PT aka 7:30 ET aka now, and the whole thing will be streamed live at the O Music Awards site on three channels (the bus, the venues and the control room). The list of shows and bands they're playing with is below.

A little over a week earlier, on 6/16 to be exact, the Flaming Lips played a huge free show in Yonge-Dundas Square in downtown Toronto as part of NXNE. I don't know if it set any records, but the outdoor square was PACKED with people, many who were supposed to be at Radiohead, but ended up having some free time on their hands. At the show, Wayne Coyne and crew paid tribute to Radiohead by doing covers and constantly sending their love to Radiohead family during stage banter. Our pictures from that show are in this post too, and continue along with the 24 hour shows schedule, below...

Continue reading "Flaming Lips streaming 24 hours of record-breaking shows NOW, played Yonge-Dundas Square in Toronto (pics)"

photos by David Andrako

Of Montreal @ Yonge Dundas Square

As we speak, the Flaming Lips are working towards a goal of playing the most shows in 24 hours. Back on 6/16 the band played a headlining set outdoors in Toronto's Yonge-Dundas Square. Pictures from their set at the free show are up at BrooklynVegan. Here are the pics of the not-too-shabby openers Of Montreal and Portugal. The Man. They continue below...

Continue reading "Of Montreal & Portugal. The Man @ Yonge-Dundas Square (NXNE pics)"

photos by David Andrako

Ghost & Rae at Yonge-Dundas Square - 6/17/12

Opening things up with a blazing, pace-setting flourish, Raekwon and Ghostface let loose with a tight four-pack of Wu classics, including "Incarcerated Scarfaces," "Glaciers of Ice" and the timeless "Ice Cream." Feeling right at home in front of their adoring legions, the two seasoned vets paced around the stage like the hip-hop royalty they most certainly are, taking rap fans on a trip through countless and no doubt formative musical memories, with the Iron Man playing it cool for the most part behind a much more animated and engaging Raekwon. The Chef, for his part, took time out from the duo's own rundown of hits to show love to T.Dot compatriot and collaborator JD Era, running through their shared cuts before allowing the local MC to spotlight his own recent radio hit "Mount Olympus" to the joy of many of hometown faithful. [Exclaim]

The show happened two days before Action Bronson played a free show in Brooklyn.

You can catch Ghostface in NYC on Saturday (6/23) for a free Prospect Park Show, and again in August for a Wu-Block Party at Highline (8/8) and at Rock the Bells. The latter of those is with Raekwon, who will play his own show in NYC sooner at Best Buy Theater on July 26 with Tyler, the Creator & Earl Sweatshirt (tickets).

More pictures from the Toronto show, part of our growing collection of NXNE 2012 pics, are below...

Continue reading "Ghostface played NXNE w/ Raekwon Killer Mike, Action Bronson & more (pics), plays Prospect Park Saturday (free)"

photos by David Andrako

Automelodi @ Silver Dollar Room

"Montreal's Automelodi most definitely are channeling 1981 but have songs as well-crafted as their haircuts." [Bill Pearis]

Continue reading "NXNE Saturday night in pics (Automelodi, Lumineers, Les Breastfeeders, Young Empires & more)"

photos by David Andrako

Bleached on the Bruise Cruise - 6/16/12

With the backdrop of a beautiful day on Lake Ontario, the M for Montreal Bruise Cruise set sail on the afternoon of June 16th, the third day of the NXNE festival in Toronto. Featuring appearances from headliners Bleached, Mac DeMarco (who also played on Thursday), Teenanger, Hooded Fang, and back-in-action NYC DJ Jonathan Toubin. Pictures from the cruise are below.

If you missed it, check out pictures from Thursday's shows HERE as well as a set from Friday HERE.

Continue reading "Bleached, Mac DeMarco, Teenanger, Hooded Fang and Jonathan Toubin played the Bruise Cruise at NXNE (pics)"

photos by David Andrako

Yamantaka // Sonic Titan at The Garrison - 6/15/12

Like a Japanese Kiss, the self-described "Noh-wave" seven-piece were as much about the live spectacle as about their music, which oscillated between standard, straightforward rock and doom metal atmospherics. Not surprisingly, the band were better when they practised the latter, incorporating jabs of keyboard and harmonized group vocals into their full-bodied sound. They started weak -- plodding tempos and too-simple drumming did the band no favours -- but by the end, they'd won over the venue, using phrase cycling and repetition to build and release tension. -[Exclaim]

If you missed it, check out pictures from Thursday's shows HERE.

Continue reading "NXNE day 2 in pics (Yamantaka // Sonic Titan, Doldrums, Art vs Science, TOPS & more)"

photos by David Andrako

Mac DeMarco

DeMarco and his two accompanying guitarists often literally drop a knee to the floor and continue to play on during their live set, which on a couple of occasions resulted in not really being able to play at all if they lost their balance. If there's one thing these guys have mastered though, it's how to keep an audience intrigued. DeMarco's recorded music is good, but his live performance is another experience entirely...

...Irony and parody are alive and well at NXNE, particularly in the form of an ironically bad (but in a way, hilariously good) guitar solo by the above-mentioned guitarist in Mac DeMarco's set. To make an Ironic Guitar Solo work, you just have to furiously play the same out-of-tune note for a few 10-second intervals, pluck a couple of atonal chords, and then grin at the confused concertgoers gathered before you. Gets a laugh every time (from me, anyway). [National Post]

Continue reading "NXNE Thursday in pics (Mac Demarco, Bleached, Grass Widow, The Black Belles and more)"

by Bill Pearis

Toronto's pummeling post-punks METZ have signed with Sub Pop who will release the band's self-tiled debut album on October 9. You can watch a short video preview for the album at the bottom of this post. The band play NXNE tonight in their hometown but will be playing some shows below the border later this summer, including West Coast dates with Archers of Loaf, and a few East Coast shows on their own, including two stops in NYC: August 31 at Pianos and September 1 at Death by Audio. All tour dates are listed below.

If you haven't heard the band's intense, precise racket yet, here's what I wrote back in April:

These guys make blazing, spazzy noise rock, reminiscent of Brainiac, the roster of Amphetamine Reptile, or McLusky. They're pretty excellent in their din, with enough form and hooks to grab hold of too. The band only have a few singles under their belt (all of which you can stream/download for free at their Bandcamp) but their debut album is in the can waiting for some lucky label to release it.

Continue reading "METZ sign to Sub Pop, touring this summer (dates); LP in Oct."

Archers of Loaf at Bowery Ballroom in April (more by Joe McCabe)

Archers of Loaf, who were last here in April, are part of this year's 4Knots Festival in July which will be NYC's first chance to see the reunited '90s indie rockers for free since reuniting last year. Before that, the band will head to Canada for both NXNE in Toronto and Sled Island Fest in Calgary. They also just announced a bunch of new dates which are listed below.

In other news, now there's a new Archers of Loaf documentary titled What Did You Expect? that will screen at NXNE, Sled Island... and at the CBGB Festival. The NYC screening will be July 5 at 7:15PM at the Sunshine, followed by a Q&A. Here's the synopsis:

Indie rock icons the Archers of Loaf reunited in 2011, and during the course of their reunion tour played two legendary concerts at Cat's Cradle in Chapel Hill, NC. Combining in-your-face concert footage along with rare interviews of the band, this film by director Gorman Bechard documents those concerts, and captures the excitement and explosive energy of what its like to see this extraordinary band perform live.

The new album art and tracklistings for All the Nations Airports and White Trash Heroes are below, along with a list of all Archers of Loaf tour dates, What Did You Expect? screening dates and trailer.

Continue reading "Archers of Loaf documentary screening @ CBGB Fest, NXNE, Sled Island & elsewhere; reissues of final 2 albums due in August"

Ultramagnetic MCs at ATP NJ 2011 (more by Dana (distortion) Yavin)

As mentioned in What's going on? last night, Prodigy's upcoming "Queens Day" show at Irving Plaza, which was supposed to happen next week (6/19) has been cancelled. Though he did play a private Rock the Bells kickoff show at Santos Party House last night (6/13) with (according to the flyer) Ghostface Killah, DMX, Jadakiss, and Hit Squad

Q-Tip's "Offline" party (a DJ gig), also scheduled at Irving Plaza, is still set to happen this Friday (6/15) at the Manhattan venue.

Ghostface Killah's other upcoming shows include the free Prospect Park show on 6/23, a Wu-Block party at Highline Ballroom (8/8) (tickets on sale 6/15), and Rock the Bells with Wu-Block. The Highline show is only with Ghostface and Sheek Louch, but for Rock the Bells, the whole crew will be there (Ghostface, Raekwon, Sheek Louch, Jadakiss, and Styles P).

Meanwhile, Raekwon will be in NYC for the previously discussed Best Buy Theater show (7/26) with Tyler, the Creator, and Earl Sweatshirt. Tickets for that show go on sale Friday (6/15) at noon.

Ghostface and Raekwon play a free show together, and much sooner, in Toronto as part of NXNE on Sunday (6/17). Action Bronson, who plays a free show in Red Hook Park (6/19), will be at the Toronto fest too. The entire music portion of NXNE kicked off yesterday (6/13) and runs through the weekend.

Killer Mike will be at NXNE too, and his tour with El-P, Despot, and Mr. Muthafuckin' eXquire kicks off on Tuesday (6/19) in Atlanta. It hits NYC on July 13 at Irving Plaza. Ticketsplayed SOB's with Spaceghostpurrp in celebration of Purrp's new album, Mysterious Phonk. Purrp's also got a couple Shortcuts parties under his belt. Speaking of, one of those (sans Purrp) goes down at Santos TONIGHT (6/14) with Fat Tony and Fat Trel (tickets).

While NXNE is going on in Toronto, Brooklyn will be getting its own multi-venue music festival with Northside Festival, which also happens this weekend.

As mentioned, Kool Keith plays a Northside show at Brooklyn Bowl TONIGHT (6/14) with Lushlife. Lushlife recently dropped a remix of "She's a Buddhist, I'm a Cubist" with Angel Deradoorian, Cities Aviv, G-Side, Big Baby Gandhi, Deniro Farrar, and KDz Kenny Dennis. You can stream that below Tickets are still available for the Brooklyn Bowl show and we're also giving away a pair. Contest details are below.

As usual, Questlove will DJ the Brooklyn venue after that show (tickets).

Kool Keith also plays as part of Ultramagnetic MCs at a Northside show at MHOW on Sunday (6/17) with Phony PPL. Tickets for that show are still available. Phony PPL also play SOB's on July 24 with Blackbear. Tickets for that show are on sale.

GZA & Grupo Fantasma @ Bonnaroo 2012 (more by Dana (distortion) Yavin)

And speaking of hip hop Northside shows at MHOW, GZA (backed by Grupo Fantasmo like he was a Bonnaroo) plays two (early and late) shows at the venue TONIGHT (6/14). Both are sold out, but you can try and get in with your Northside badge.

Aside from Kid Sister at Sugarland on Saturday (6/16), not much more hip hop is happening at Northside, but there are other good hip hop shows tonight and this weekend.

Yasiin Bey (formerly Mos Def) plays the previously discussed show at the Apollo Theater TONIGHT (6/14) as part of Blue Note Jazz Festival. Tickets for that show are still available FOR THE SHOW THAT HAS BEEN RESCHEDULED FOR OCTOBER 28th.

Blue Note Jazz Fest also gives us a free Central Park Summerstage show on Sunday (6/17) with Groove Theory, Soulive, Riq and Rah with Strings (Black Thought + Rahzel), and DJ Questlove.

EPMD and DJ Scratch play a free show at Herbert Von King Park TONIGHT (6/14). They also team up for a NYC show at BB King's on July 18 with Marley Mari and Big Daddy Kane. (tickets)

Hip hop producer RJD2 DJs a party for the ongoing 'One Step Beyond' series at the American Museum of Natural History on Friday (6/15) with Cosmo Baker, Import/Export, and visuals by Glowing Pictures with special guest Shantell Martin. Tickets for that are available.

You can also catch Tech N9ne and Machine Gun Kelly on the Hostile Takeover Tour which takes over the NYC area on Saturday (6/16) at Starland Ballroom in NJ (tickets) and Sunday (6/17) at HIghline Ballroom (tickets). Be careful during Machine Gun Kelly's set though; TMZ reports that he was just sued $15,000 for slicing open a bouncer's finger. Ouch.

Apple Stores are hosting hip hop in-stores all month.

Once all the Northside craziness ends, you can catch Ab-Soul at his previously discussed NYC show on Thursday, June 21 at SOB's. Tickets for that show are still available.

In other hip hop news, you can stream Black Milk's Live at Third Man Records in its entirety and J-Dilla's posthumous Rebirth of Detroit in its entirety below, along with other song streams and contest details for tonight's Kool Keith show.

Continue reading "this week in Hip Hop (Northside, NXNE, Kool Keith, EPMD, Yasiin Bey, RJD2, Tech N9ne, Black Thought + Rahzel, GZA & more)"

by Andrew Sacher

Baltimore psych poppers Hume have a few dates scheduled this week, including a NXNE show tonight (6/13). We/re thrilled to announce that one of those shows is now also the Official BrooklynVegan Northside Showcase at Music Hall of Williamsburg on Friday (6/15), which Hume, along with Fort Lean, have just been added to, joining a lineup with Frankie Rose and Caveman. Tickets for that show are still available or you can also try to get in with your Northside badge. We're also giving away another pair of tickets in this post. Details on how to enter to win are below.

Hume were supposed to play Death by Audio on Friday (6/15) with Darlings, but that show is no longer happening and the BV Northside show is now Hume's only currently scheduled Brooklyn date. All of their dates are listed below.

The band are reportedly preparing to release a 12" for their super-reverby single, "Phasing," this year. It's set to include remixes from Doldrums, Dustin Wong, and Aaron Leitko (of Protect-U). You can stream that track below. Also below is a video of an older single titled "Inverse Fireworks," which was shot at Market Hotel in NYC.

Speaking of experimental Baltimore bands, just a reminder that Roomrunner, who Hume have shared bills with in the past, have upcoming dates including their addition as opener to Dan Deacon's free show at Pier 84 on July 12 with John Maus.

Continuing to speak of experimental Baltimore bands, we recently mentioned that Future Islands are about to head on a tour which includes a Brooklyn show at Death by Audio on July 11 with Ed Schrader's Music Beat and Darlings. William from Future Islands' other band Believers and Gerrit from Future Islands' other band Moss of Aura will also share a bill at the Brooklyn venue on June 23.

A list of all Hume dates, stream, video, and contest details below...

Continue reading "Hume playing shows, added to BV Northside (dates & stream); Future Islands side projects playing Death By Audio"

NXNE 2011, Yonge-Dundas Square (more by Natasha Ryan)

Our friends to the north in Toronto are gearing up for the music portion of the annual NXNE festival to begin. The fest spans multiple venues, with a big, free outdoor performance by the Flaming Lips taking place in Yonge-Dundas Square (where lots of other bands play throughout the weekend too).

Check out Chromewaves for a pretty great guide to the music, Zulu Winter included. Peak at Torontoist for even more. Chicago's own Smith Westerns are playing a free unofficial show with Dusted courtesy of Vice and Jansport. You can RSVP for that HERE. Our good friends from M For Montreal and Panache are hosting an unmissable daytime boat party on Saturday (complete with Bleached), and Spinner also lists a bunch of other unofficial parties and activities. Check out the real fest schedyule at NXNE's site.

Radiohead, who just played Bonnaroo and Chicago, also plays Toronto Saturday night though their show is not actually part of NXNE.

by Bill Pearis

London rock band Zulu Winter were last here in April playing shows with Polica and Willis Earl Beal and are stopping in NYC on Tuesday (6/12) at Mercury Lounge on their way to Toronto's NXNE Festival. It's a late show (doors 9:30) and is with Dinowalrus. All upcoming Zulu Winter tour dates are listed below.

We're also giving away a pair to tickets to the show and details are below.

The band are set to release their debut album, Language, which comes out next week (6/19) on Arts & Crafts and is recommended for lovers of atmospheric, anthemic Brit-style alt-rock. The record veers into Coldplay territory on the ballads, but the upbeat numbers are pretty good. You can stream the whole album at their website and watch the video for below.

Meanwhile, openers Dinowalrus just got released a remix of their song "Rico" done by Jez of Factory Records legends A Certain Ratio which you can listen to over at Interview.

A list of all dates and video below...

Continue reading "Zulu Winter releasing 'Language,' playing NYC and NXNE"

photos by Amanda Hatfield

Exitmusic @ Le Poisson Rouge

Secretly Canadian will release Exitmusic's new album Passage on May 22. Listen to the whole thing below.

Exitmusic, who just played Le Poisson Rouge as part of their tour with School of Seven Bells (which also hit Austin), are playing NYC again as part of the Northside Festival at Brooklyn Bowl on June 16 with Exitmusic, Ape School, and Field Mouse (tickets), and then again at Mercury Lounge on June 28 (tickets)

All dates (including NXNE), the album stream, and more pictures from the LPR show, below...

Continue reading "Exitmusic streaming new album, announced more shows, played LPR (pics & dates)"

by Bill Pearis

DOWNLOAD: Eternal Summers - Millions (MP3)

Eternal Summers at SXSW 2012 (more)

Roanoke Virginia's Eternal Summers will release their second full-length LP, Correct Behavior, on July 24 via Kanine Records. The band have just released "Millions" from the album which, deservedly, got Best New Track on Pitchfork. With barely a hint of reverb, "Millions" is the shiniest, poppiest thing we've heard yet from the band, a major step forward for them.

Eternal Summers, who recently reissued previous EPs and 7"s on one record, are also lining up summer dates, which include visits to Toronto's NXNE Festival (June 13) and Northside Festival (June 14 at Knitting Factory). Click through for all tour dates, plus Correct Behavior artwork and tracklisting.

Continue reading "Eternal Summers releasing 'Correct Behavior' (MP3), playing Northside Festival & other dates"

Off! @ NXNE 2011 (more by Natasha Ryan)

The most memorable thing that happened the year I visited Toronto for NXNE was Iggy Pop & The Stooges playing their big, outdoor, free, no-ticket-or-badge-required show downtown at Yonge-Dundas Square. Last year the Descendents did it. This year they've landed the Flaming Lips which should be an amazing spectacle. And:

NXNE Music has confirmed that Bad Religion, Raekwon & Ghostface Killah and Matthew Good will headline free shows at Yonge-Dundas Square (YDS) throughout the seven-day festival. The NXNE Music line-up also includes performances at YDS and in the clubs by Of Montreal, No Use For A Name, Purity Ring, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Death Grips, The Men, Bleached, Good Riddance, METZ, Ceremony, Plants & Animals, The Death Set, The Sadies & Andre Williams, Oberhofer, Reigning Sound, Action Bronson, 2:54, Yamantaka/ /Sonic Titan, The Hundred in The Hands, Rival Schools, Killer Mike, Young Magic, Hayes Carll, Friends, Hollerado, Bran Van 3000, The Black Belles, Doldrums, Odonis Odonis, Mac DeMarco, Bass Drum of Death, Porcelain Raft, Exitmusic, Violens, Grass Widow, Eight and a Half, DZ Deathrays, Jonathan Toubin, Art vs. Science, B L A C K I E, The Nils and Ivan Julian (ex-Richard Hell & The Voidoids).

This year's fest takes place at multiple venues across Toronto from June 11-17, 2012. Tickets are on sale.

Last year BrooklynVegan co-hosted a boat party with M For Montreal and Bruise Cruise.

NXNE photos by Natasha Ryan

Dirty Beaches @ NXNE

Dirty Beaches played NXNE in Toronto earlier this month. Spinner wrote that his performance was:

At times eerie but always compelling. Whether on 'True Blue,' which he dedicated to the ladies, or the rockabilly-laced 'Sweet 17,' the music rarely give the audience a warm, fuzzy feeling.

If there was one miscue, it was a cover of Mattress' 'El Dorado' which had him sans guitar and crooning like a jilted lover from a David Lynch film. Acknowledging that he'd "graduated from playing basements" to NXNE's main stage at Yonge-Dundas Square (the same stage that New Wave icons Devo would grace hours later), Dirty Beaches ended the set with a grin on his face and a few fist pumps. A fine set, even if the songs provoke images of dark, dimly lit alleys -- a strange brew for a gloriously sunny day.

As mentioned in This Week in Indie (and other times before that) Dirty Beaches plays a free show tonight (7/1) at South Street Seaport with Lower Dens. Things kick off at 7pm.

We mentioned back in May that Dirty Beaches was set to release a split 12" with Ela Orleans. The split is out now and can be streamed and purchased at La Station Radar.

More pictures, video, and all tour dates below...

Continue reading "Dirty Beaches is back (free show today), played NXNE (pics) "

photos by Natasha Ryan

Dum Dum Girls in Toronto for NXNE

Dum Dum Girls are following the He Gets Me High EP which was released earlier this year with their second full length Only In Dreams. As opposed to their first full length, I Will Be, which was recorded at home, the new album was done in Josh Homme's (QOTSA) Pink Duck Studios with Richard Gottehrer (Blondie, Go-Go's) and Sune Rose Wager of The Raveonettes. The album drops September 27 via Sub Pop.

They'll go on an international tour in support of the album. That tour hits Bowery Ballroom on October 21 and Maxwell's on October 24. Both shows are opened by Crocodiles and Royal Baths. Colleen Green opens up some other dates on the tour too. Ticket info is not available yet but check ticketmaster for the Bowery show and ticketfly for Maxwell's.

Like Cults, Dum Dum Girls recently paid a visit to Toronto for the NXNE fest. A few more pictures from their set there and all tour dates and the new album tracklist, below...

Continue reading "Dum Dum Girls announce LP, tour w/ Crocodiles & Royal Baths -- (dates & some NXNE pics too)"

photos by Natasha Ryan

Cults @ NXNE

If you RSVP'd for the House of Vans show happening TONIGHT (6/30), you should have gotten this letter:

Hey All-

Just wanted to remind you that tonight is the first show in our series at the House Of Vans featuring No Age, Health, Cults and Ceremony. The address for House of Vans is 25 Franklin St. in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, NY. Doors are at 7:00pm. This is a free all ages show and the will be no line ups prior to 5:00pm.

The reason that you are receiving this is that you rsvped for the event. Entry is first come first serve. RSVP does not guarantee you entry.

Basic rules for the event... No outside food or beverage. And please don't bring your skateboard or ask us to check in your skateboard.

Set times.
Doors: 7:00pm
Ceremony: 7:45pm
Cults: 8:30pm
Health: 9:20pm
No Age: 10:30pm

And Sean Agnew will be playing records inbetween bands.

And last.....

There are two businesses next to the House of Vans that we care about and support on a regular basis. Pops Popular Clothing, which is next door and Cookie Road, a great café and bakery a block up.

They are both giving away a limited amount of passes (that guarantee you entry) with a purchase of $5 or more ending at 3:00pm. Every event we will be supporting two different local businesses.

Hope to see you tonight.
FYF Fest

Continue reading "House of Vans tonight (a chance for guaranteed entry), Cults also playing Montauk, played NXNE (pics & more dates)"

photos by Natasha Ryan

Ty Segall on a boat

1.You can actually get kicked off the boat
Things got pretty rocking on the M for Montreal and Brooklyn Vegan Bruise Cruise Saturday afternoon [June 18th]. But we did find out a useful tidbit yesterday: you can actually get kicked off the boat. You'd think once you were in international waters, there wouldn't be a lot of law enforcement going on. But one dude came within an inch of getting booted off the boat for burning down one too many j's. Turns out security can actually call you a water taxi if you're being too naughty to escort you back to the dock. Or at least they can threaten do that. The guy threw his spliff over board before we got to see it actually happen.

2. Steve McDonald from Redd Kross/OFF is THE Steve
Midway through Ty Segall's set he started to call around for his friend "Steve" to come up and join him for a tune. Steve wasn't in the belly of boat though at the time, so every one started yelling "Steve" not really knowing who they were calling. Turns out it was Steve McDonald from the Redd Kross, who was in town with his band OFF! It was bit of a coincidence too because the last time I had seen him perform was with Redd Kross opening for the Lemonheads at the Opera House in 1993. I also got to see Evan Dando and Juliana Hatfield this weekend. So it was like a double-blast from the past.

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