August 14, 2004
Reading Listening
NPR's Talk of the Nation discusses The Business Behind Summer Concerts.
Gothamist interviews the owner of Luna Lounge. (via central village)
Play Fantasy Rock Stars.
Pitchfork interviews Sufjan Stevens.
Brooklyn bands from opposite sides of the universe, Type O Negative & They Might Be Giants, play Irving Plaza in October. (not on the same night!)
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Xiu Xiu Xiu Xiu
Last Saturday night, August 7th, I got a double dose of Xiu Xiu, sort of.
The night started late with a 1am show at Knitting Factory. I got there just in time to see Xiu Xiu and record them from the balcony. Xiu Xiu has an open taping policy, and my last recording of them at Tonic is available for free download in FLAC format at the Internet Archive, and as MP3s on a Xiu Xiu fansite.
They played a great show minus the numerous technical difficulties that caused super sized delays in between the songs.
After Knitting Factory, it was off to Misshapes, where Jamie Stewart of Xiu Xiu was spinning with James Iha of Smashing Pumpkins, John Cameron Mitchell of Hedwig, and melody nelson. I was excited to see John Cameron Mitchell play, but I missed him. I've been a huge Hedwig fan since the days of the Jane Street Theatre production.
Greg K was spinnign when I got there(?). He was followed by Jamie, who played an amazing set. I would say a bit more about what he played, but I'm having trouble remembering exactly... I know it was a mix of everything back to oldies from the 50's including slow songs thrown in for a perfect end to a late Saturday night.
Misshapes has pictures posted from the night.
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August 13, 2004
Pixies Tixies
The 6th Pixies Hammerstein Ballroom date is on sale right now. GO before it's too late!
8/14 Update: It's too late.
I managed to get tickets for the 15th and 16th. I have a few extras if anyone wants to trade for the 11th, 12th, 13th or 14th.
(I don't know how many I can handle, but I wouldn't mind having my options open when the dates get closer.)
Hammerstein dates:
DEC 11 TV On the Radio, reid paley opening
DEC 12 the datsuns, reid paley opening
DEC 13 mission of burma opening
DEC 14
DEC 15
DEC 16
Posted in music at 3:58 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
Black I mean White Magic on Friday the 13th
New York's own "neo folk" band White Magic open for Sonic Youth at Webster Hall tonight. That's not surprising since White Magic vocalist, Mira Billotte, was previously a member of the band Quix*o*tic, who toured with Sonic Youth in the past.
White Magic rightfully share a label with Will Oldham, Faun Fables, and Joanna Newsom. On September 25th they'll share a stage with The Fiery Furnaces. They appear on Golden Apples of the Sun, "a compilation of current underground folk music, as selected by Devendra Banhart." And in a cosmic Friday the 13th coincidence, they got their very first (single song) Pitchfork review...today. (4 stars!). I'm impressed.
As if all that wasn't magical enough, Louisville, Kentucy band, Magik Markers, will be opening the sold out show tonight.
- 9:30 -
Sonic Youth
- 8:30 -
White Magic
- 7:30 -
Magik Markers
More White Magic Links:
Buy their album
Kitty Magik Interview
Dusted Review
Jenyk Pics
Posted in music at 9:50 AM | Comments (23) | TrackBack
August 12, 2004
Murphy's Law - A 3 Hour Tour
Last night's Rocks Off Concert Cruise with New York City Hardcore legends, Murphy's Law, was one of the craziest and fun times I've had in a while. The 200 capacity 'Half Moon' is "2-level boat, with a full bar and bathrooms on the lower level. The band plays on the upper level, which has a roof, but is open on the sides. There is also a large open deck on the upper level, where smoking is permitted as you enjoy panoramic views of the city and beyond."
The boat left at 8:00 from 23rd st and the FDR. We got there a half hour early. It was the height of a thunderstorm, and I wasn't sure if they could really bring a boat out on the east river while the sky was filled with lightning. It didn't seem to phase anyone though. The boat quickly filled with the largest group of New York hardcores I've seen in a while. Tattoos, muscles, piercings, and short skirts were in abundance. And so were pirates. The band and many in attendance turned out in full pirate attire....turning the Half Moon into the Black Pearl.
The weather just ended up adding to the fun as Murphy's Law played for over an hour...sailing under the Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Willamsburg bridges and around the Statue of Liberty. Being in a crowded boat in the middle of a storm didn't stop the moshing or crowdsurfing, and in true Murphy's Law fashion, the alcohol was flowing freely. Their set was filled with classics like Cavity Creeps, Wall of Death, and Quest for Herb.
It was vocalist, Jimmy Gestapo's 39th birthday. Happy Birthday was played and sang again later at the bar. There was cake and candles.
After they stopped playing, the rain had stopped, and the outside deck quickly filled up as we made our way back to the dock. The views of the skyline and The Watchtower made for great scenery previously only experienced on The Circle Line.
If you get the chance, check out a Rocks Off Cruise. They have another boat too. It's bigger and runs on the West Side. They're definitely one of NYC's most unique concert experiences. Schedule here.
Posted in music | pictures at 6:30 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
No gay marriages or governors
In related news....
unfortunately:
Californian court annuls gay marriages
and
strangely:
N.J. governor, saying he?s gay, resigns office
reacharound
Posted in general at 5:21 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
Goliath
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Onelinedrawing is "breaking up"... new website
Jonah Matranga has announced that Onelinedrawing is "breaking up."
"Only I could break up a solo project. Really, though, it seems right. It feels more free to just play stuff from any ol' band. I never thought the names / labels mattered much anyway."
He's also launched a new website, jonahmatranga.com, to add to his long roster of URLs.
Those in Sacramento can catch him at a free park concert tomorrow.
According to CMJ's website, those of us in NYC will have the chance to see him in October (as Onelinedrawing).
His new website features a streaming music player with different songs from various parts of his career.
Link:
Audio Player
Posted in music at 12:21 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Quickies
The first two Pixies show sold out in negative ten seconds. I didn't get tickets. :(
I did get some tickets for the second Wilco show at Radio City though. I think tickets are still available.
Why does Bowery Ballroom list Rilo Kiley as playing on October 6th and 7th, but their official tour dates say October 7th and 8th? Third date going to be added? When are tickets going on sale?
Why are Bloc Party tickets still not on sale?
"The Band Formerly Known as Satanicide" ??? play The Delancey on August 21st with Slunt and Old Money. Has Devlin Mayhem left the band? What will Laura Bush think?
The Decemberists never stop touring. Here are their unannounced upcoming tour dates:
September 2004
22 - Champaign, IL @ High Dive
23 - Grand Rapids, MI @ Calvin Coolidge
24 - Cleveland, OH @ Beechland Ballroom
25 - Clinton, NY @ Hamilton College
26 - Baltimore, MD @ Recher Theater
27 - New York, NY @ Webster Hall
28 - Northampton, MA @ Pearl Street
29 - Montreal, QUE @ La Sala Rossa (Pop Montreal
Festival)
October 2004
14 - Burlington, VT @ Club Metronome
15 - Portland, ME @ Big Easy
17 - Columbus, OH @ Little Brother's
18 - Galesburg, IL @ Knox College
19 - St Louis, MO @ Blueberry Hills Duck Room
20 - Columbia, MO @ Blue Note
21 - Lawrence, KS @ Jackpot
22 - Norman, OK @ Opolis
Posted in music at 11:00 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
August 11, 2004
Libertines Pre-sale
This Friday will be a very special pre-sale for The Libertines return to
NYC, October 12 at Webster Hall.
Friday August 13 Noon EST will be a special pre-sale, the TicketWeb password is "king" :
Link:
http://www.ticketweb.com/user/?region=nyc&query=detail&event=536540&interface=
Posted in music at 5:21 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
Natural Pet Fair & Adoptable Pet Parade
In Defense of Animals (IDA) and Bodhi Tree Festivals Present the Natural Pet Fair and Adopt-a-thon
Saturday, September 18th
10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Winston Salem School, 4 W. 76th Street off Central Park West
Free. Leashed dogs welcome.
The adoptable dog parade is at noon, and at 1:00 they'll be presenting awards to various celebrities and animal activists including Hallie Kate Eisenberg, Grant Alexander (a soap opera star), and Ed Boks.
Link:
Natural Pet Fair
Posted in animals at 2:47 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Quickies
The Fiery Furnaces are opening for Wilco at Radio City Music Hall on October 5th. (Anyone have an extra ticket?).
Tickets for The Fiery Furnaces show at Bowery Ballroom are still not sold out. I'm surprised considering all the hype they're generating
Tickets for The Scissor Sisters at Irving Plaza are sold out. It's fun to watch them rising.
Tickets go on sale tomorrow for a 2nd Wilco gig at Radio City. Hopefully The Fiery Furnaces will open that show too. They don't have anything else booked that day.
Tickets also go on sale tommorow for the first two dates of the Pixies at Hammerstein Ballroom.
12/12 with The Datsuns
12/13 with Mission of Burma
TV on the Radio are opening for The Pixies at the yet unannounced 12/11 show. TVOTR also plays Irving Plaza on 10/15 and Webster Hall on 10/16 with The Faint during CMJ.
Tickets are already on sale for the second Franz Ferdinand date at Roseland.
Sonic Youth this Friday is sold out.
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August 10, 2004
The Zutons at Mercury Lounge
I got back from the early (7:45) Zutons show at Mercury Lounge a few hours ago. They played an excellent, but short, 35 minute set. They aren't the most original band around...their songs all seem like something you've heard before, but they are really good and put on a great show. I liked them live more than I like their album. Strangely, all five members can sing. They proved that during one of the best moments of the show when they all sang at the same time.
The Zutons are up for (but won't win) this year's Mercury Prize. One of the cool things about living in NYC is you get to see popular artists from other countries in small venues before (if ever) anyone ever hears of them here. Last week their recent tour mates, Dogs Die in Hot Cars, also played Mercury Lounge (opening for Morningwood and Baby). Dogs Die in Hot Cars were ok, but I couldn't get into a lot of their songs. Morningwood stole that show.
The Zutons are opening for the Thrills at Irving Plaza on Sept. 16th.
Dogs Die in Hot Cars will be performing somewhere in NYC during CMJ.
Posted in music | pictures at 11:52 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
CMJ Performers announced
Performers for the NYC CMJ Music Marathon have been announced.
Confirmed Performers:
AESOP ROCK, AVAIL, BATTLES, BOUNCING SOULS, BUMBLEBEEZ 81, CAMPER VAN BEETHOVEN, CLINIC, CLOUDDEAD, CONCRETES, CONSTANTINES, CUT COPY, DECEMBERISTS, FAINT, HELIO SEQUENCE, HOPE OF THE STATES, MIKE WATT AND THE SECONDMEN, PEDRO THE LION, PINBACK, Q AND NOT U, RJD2, SONIC YOUTH, SPARTA, TED , LEO/PHARMACISTS, TRAIL OF DEAD, TV ON THE RADIO, VHS OR BETA, ALICE DONUT, AN ALBATROSS, ANTONY AND THE JOHNSONS, BAD WIZARD, BEEP BEEP, BROKEN SPINDLES, CATHETERS, COACHWHIPS, COMMUNIQUE, DECAHEDRON , DILLINGER FOUR, DOGS DIE IN HOT CARS, EARLIMART, EL GUAPO , ENGINE DOWN, EUGENE MIRMAN, FRAUSDOTS, FRENCH KICKS, GEM, GOLDEN REPUBLIC , GOOD LIFE, HELLA, HIDDEN CAMERAS, HOLLY, GOLIGHTLY, IMPOSSIBLE SHAPES, JENS LEKMAN, JUANA MOLINA, KINGSBURY MANX, LASHES, MAGNOLIA ELECTRIC CO., MARY TIMONY , MATES OF STATE, MEASLES MUMPS RUBELLA, MR AIRPLANE MAN, NICOLAI DUNGER, NONE MORE BLACK, OIL, ON!AIR!LIBRARY!, ONELINEDRAWING, ROGUE WAVE, SALLY TIMMS, SCOUT NIBLETT, SON, AMBULANCE, SONDRE LERCHE , SONS, AND DUAGHTERS, SOVIETTES , STRATFORD 4, STRIKE ANYWHERE, SUBTLE , SUFJAN STEVENS, SUNNO, SWEARING AT MOTORISTS, TARA JANE O'NEIL , THERMALS, THESE ARMS ARE SNAKES, TWINEMEN, VOICST, WE REGAZZI, WHIRLWIND HEAT, WITNESSES, WOLF MOTHER, WRENS, ZZZ
Link:
http://www.cmj.com/marathon/showcase.php
Posted in music at 10:39 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
Preview three Gratitude songs
Jonah Matranga of Far, New End Original, and Onelinedrawing has started a new band called Gratitude. Well, actually it appears that Atlantic records started the band, since Gratitude came out of nowhere with a major label record contract. They've never played a show or released even a demo, but anyway...
In preparation for their first single, Atlantic is asking street team members to rate three songs. To listen to them, you can register for the street team and login here:
http://members.streetwise.com/index.php?destination=/gratitude/GratitudeFirstSingle.php
OR, you can listen to the songs without logging in by clicking on these links right here:
Drive Away
Feel Alright
All in a Row
Posted in music at 7:45 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Queens Animal Shelter Needs Your Help
The NY Post reports:
"Fifty cats and dogs could die next week if a Queens animal shelter can't scrounge up the cash to pay its phone company.Rest of the story here:Unable to collect a $17,777.20 debt for several years worth of phone-book advertisements, Verizon officials said they were forced to obtain a court order demanding the money.
City marshals then informed the American Foundation for Animal Rescue ? which operates the Queens Community Animal Shelter on Eliot Avenue in Rego Park ? that unless the debt is paid in full by Aug. 18, they would bolt the doors and sell its assets ? including the animals ? at auction. "
http://nypost.com/news/regionalnews/28831.htm
Why not help the shelter, yourself, and an animal in need all at the same time?
Petfinder.com lists some of the animals currently up for adoption at this shelter:
http://www.petfinder.com/pet.cgi?action=1&pet.Shelterid=NY353&preview=1
Posted in animals at 6:24 AM | Comments (5) | TrackBack
August 9, 2004
Goliath
Posted in goliath | pictures at 9:24 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
RIP Goga
At the end of June, one of my favorite (and closest) vegetarian restaurants closed it's doors for good. I?m sorry to see you go goga. "Goga Caf頡nd Vegetarian Lounge" was located on Court St in Carrol Gardens, Brooklyn.
Posted in veggie at 3:20 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
Decemberists cover Joanna Newsom
What more could I ask for? One favorite artist covers another favorite artist. Today's MP3 is a live recording of The Decemberists covering Joanna Newsom's Bridges and Balloons.
Download:
Bridges and Balloons
Posted in music at 2:32 PM | Comments (8) | TrackBack
August 8, 2004
Other Passengers
pic via camera phone
Friday night I checked out Other Passengers at Plaid (formerly Spa, and before that Life). Plaid became famous in March when Courtney Love bashed a fan in the head with her mic stand.
It was the first time I saw Other Passengers. I wanted to check them out after reading lots of good things, and I wasn't dissapointed. It was one of the loudest shows I've been to in a while (I took another year off my hearing life), but it was well worth it. It was so loud you couldn't even hear the hip hop that was blaring from the room next door. They played an amazing set to the crowd of about 50. The free demos they were giving out were a nice bonus to the free admission. Definitely check them out if you get a chance. They aren't signed YET.
Download:
Theendisthebeginningistheend...
In the belly
Invitation to the City
Posted in music at 9:18 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack