Jose Gonzalez's NYC vacation | Conan O'Brian video | Th' Faith Healers

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Posted in SXSW | music on March 31, 2006

Jose Gonzalez's NYC vacation | Conan O'Brian video | Th' Faith Healers

In less than six months, Sweden's Jose Gonzalez went from playing his first NYC show at the Living Room to appearing on the Conan O'Brien show (video). It's a testament to the importance of marketing & exposure; Veneer first came out in Sweden sometime in 2003. This Tuesday (April 4, 2006) it finally gets a U.S. release thanks to MUTE records.

After a crazy week in Texas followed by a show in Los Angeles (attended by Kirsten Dunst and Andy Samberg), Jose came to the East coast for a week of playing and seeing shows (and drinking some margueritas in between). I've listed some highlights from his trip below.

JOSE GONZALEZ @ JOE'S PUB (from danfun)

03/22 - played back-to-back sold-out shows at Joe's Pub. Though most reports are good, Jose admitted to having a little too much to drink by the time the late show started ("the drinks here are strong"). He messed up a few notes and apologized to the crowd. Lou Reed and Laurie Anderson were in the crowd for that. There's a video of "Love Will Tear Us Apart" on YouTube and Freshbread has a video of "Heartbeats".

03/23 - played the Boston Museum Of Fine Arts with the Books.

03/24 - opened for the Books at Bowery Ballroom in NYC. Later that night he watched fellow Swedes Love is All from the balcony at Knitting Factory.

03/25 - visited Philadelphia to play with the Books one more time.

03/26 - day off

03/27 - played a free Instore at Other Music. IDD was standing in the back. Later that night he caught Th' Faith Healers at Northsix in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn.

03/28 - played a third sold-out show at Joe's Pub (Dawn Landes opened). David Byrne was in attendance. Bushwick is Beautiful said he played at least one new song.

03/29 - day off

03/30 - performed on Conan O'Brien. Then went to see Th' Faith Healers again - this time at Mercury Lounge. I wonder if he got out of there in time to see himself on TV. Prefix has the video.

Know anything else about his time here? Add it to the comments.

JOSE GONZALEZ ON CONAN O'BRIEN
Jose Gonzalez on Conan O' Brien

By now he's probably back in Sweden resting. His European tour dates don't start for a few more weeks.

What's next? He's already done the OC and a Sony commercial. He's played a Pitchfork party - next up it's one for VICE. He may even remain cool when mom starts listening to him. Which venue should he play next? Would you rather see him at Bowery Ballroom or Town Hall (or nowhere)? Is Summerstage going to be a loud-crowd-disaster?

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Posted on March 31, 2006 3:13 PM

Comments (15)

He deserves the success and recognition.
I met him at the airport on my way home from Austin, and he was a very nice guy (especially given that most of us leaving Austin were hung over, tired, and worn out!)

Posted by Ed | March 31, 2006 4:27 PM

Given the choice, I'd say Town Hall simply because he works better in a seated venue. The crowd at Bowery would drown him out. I saw the Philly show where he opened for The Books in a seated venue with great sound and it was ideal. The crowd was hushed, though obviously into it since they applauded loudly after virtually every #. He didn't get an encore, though, unfortunately. I think he played a new song there, too.

Posted by Matt Berlyant | March 31, 2006 4:36 PM

Now that's a post, BV. My only run-in with Jose was the second show at Joe's Pub, and despite his admission to the drinks being strong, it's hard to complain about anything about that show (isn't there something to be said about a couple of notes being missed? Aren't the differences between the record and a live show the reason we go to see live shows?). It was incredible. THAT is the place to see this dude play a show. You could hear every note and everyone around me seemed transfixed, turning to one another throughout the show wide-eyed and shaking their heads. Even the waitresses and bar staff were able to deal with the packed house and keep their noise and disturbance to a minimum. I guess he has to play bigger rooms (sadly) from here on out. How bout the NY Society for Ethical Culture, I think it would be fitting. Or that 900 seat auditorium in Tribeca where Tweedy, Cat Power, and Ryan Adams played in the fall? It will be interesting to see how summer stage plays out. Maybe he should add some strings to bulk up the sound for the outdoors? However, there is something to be said about his little hunched-over self, that classical guitar, a mic, and the little wooden chair alone on the stage.

Posted by Nineteen-ninety-never | March 31, 2006 5:04 PM

Speaking of Swedes, the new Jeniferever album is fantastic. it's called "Choose a Bight Morning". REALLY. GOOD.

Posted by Chris | March 31, 2006 5:16 PM

Zankel Hall would be a great venue for him.

Posted by Glenn | March 31, 2006 5:19 PM

He should play BMJ2 at Tonic!

Posted by Mike Neuman | March 31, 2006 5:24 PM

he's doing 2 nights at Bowery with Juana Molina 6/29 and 7/3 per his agents website

Posted by Anonymous | March 31, 2006 5:47 PM

He has been accompanied on stage by Nicholaus from Love is All for some of his bigger shows in Sweden. All of this couldn't have happened to a nicer guy.

Posted by ko'd | March 31, 2006 5:49 PM

On the 29th he, like, TOtally shacked up with Carmen Sandiego.

Posted by J | March 31, 2006 5:51 PM

I just hope the west coast gets this kind of action :)

Posted by Lizz | March 31, 2006 6:00 PM

"Choose a bRight Morning" that is...

"He should play BMJ2 at Tonic!" - agreed

Posted by Chris | March 31, 2006 6:25 PM

GReAT GREAT Posting!!!

Please spread out the forum (http://www.josegonzalezforum.r8.org) I made to share more of these great time Jose Gonzalez had during his short tour in US.

I'm planning to see him in Chicago in June-06.

Posted by Joao | April 1, 2006 12:33 AM

I just saw the perfomance on Conan...beautiful...its 4am and it made me get out of bed and get online to find out more...now thats good music

Posted by Anonymous | April 6, 2006 4:06 AM

I heard Jose Gonzalez singing a cover of Teardrop (massive Attack) on my way to work, and it moved me to tears, and I would love to hear it again, but I cant find it anywhere.

Anyone help

Posted by jo | April 9, 2006 3:10 AM

has someone got any live videos of teardrop as i seen a link for it, but i lost due to my mam being a bitch, thanks. and someone needs to film ihim live, i would love it if he made a live dvd somehwere, like sweden where they love him

Posted by matthew | April 19, 2006 11:27 AM