Cocorosie has always been a polarizing force - not as love-them-or-hate-them as their friends Antony, Joanna Newsom and Devendra Banhart, but definitely a band that generates a lot of disdain among music fans. This is especially true in the U.S. In Europe, especially France, they seem to more often adore Cocorosie. When I saw Cocorosie open for Antony in French-speaking Montreal, the crowd even gave the Cocorosie Cassady sisters an amazing reception - something I wasn't used to as a New Yorker. U.S. music fans are more likely to use words 'art school' and 'pretentious' when describing Cocorosie. The Cassady sisters don't help the matter by aligning themselves with the controversial Williamsburg, Brooklyn "Pumpsta" scene.
I'm personally somewhere in the middle. I kind of have/had a fetish for all things Antony-Devendra-Cocorosie-Newsom - the extremity of it has worn off a little, but I still support most of Cocorosie's endeavors - I play their music on my Sirius radio show, regularly post their tour dates, and am quick to explore anything else they have going on like their record label & storeVoodoo-EROS, and their side projectMetallic Falcons. I enjoy their music, but don't often find myself listening to their albums. I am not offended by their live shows, but sometimes do wonder how authentic they are. Overall I am more FOR them than against them. Sometimes that makes me feel alone - especially among those closest to me. ha.
Pitchfork was sort of on Cocorosie's side when Sam Ubl gave their 2004 Touch & Go debut La Maison de Mon Revea 6.9. Sam was much less kind in 2005 when the score for Noah's Arkcame in at a 3.4, and now - for their brand new album The Adventures of Ghosthorse and Stillborn - an album Drowned in Sound called "a sure contender for album of the year" - Cocorosie received a lowly 2.3.
...Too bad it seems as if the more self-impressed CocoRosie sisters Bianca and Sierra Casady get about transcending genres, the less patience they have for mere mortal concerns like, um, songs. True, Ghosthorse and Stillborn begins with CocoRosie at their most radio-ready, on single "Rainbowarriors" (MP3 above), where Bianca speak-sings impishly about finding "the rainbow trail that's deep inside ya" over beatbox schmaltz. It's something like Vitamin C's 1999 Top 40 hit "Graduation (Friends Forever)", only with neighing horses, buzzing synths, and Sierra's operatic soprano instead of Pachelbel-derived orchestral Radio Disney pomp/circumstance....
On the other hand, Joanna, Devendra, and Antony and his Johnsons have all received the "Best New Music" title at least once. I'm not implying there's anything more to this than Pitchfork's honest assessment of all albums involved (feel free to in the comments though). I'm really just setting the background for what came next....
I have a musical crush on Antony, but, factual errors aside, I don't believe any musician should ever take on a critic. Where's it going to get you? You'll always look bad except to your most die-hard fans.
I'm also not sure if it is ethical to publish (theoretically) private letters on a blog. I'm not sure if it's even allowed - especially if the letters were written to and/or on behalf of your employer (is it OK Gawker?).
I am writing in regards to the very unpleasant review of Cocorosie's new album that was printed in yesterday's Pitchfork.
I was bitterly disappointed when I read it. It was filled with inaccuracies. For instance, I do not even appear on the record, and yet Hogan snidely referred to a guest appearance he somehow imagined I had made.
But It is an album I would have been proud to be a part of. Please assign writers who are open and receptive to understanding the work of America's more challenging young artists, instead of printing reviews that try to cover up their lack of comprehension with bad wit and cynical one-upmanship. We desperately need artists who will take risks and put their hearts forward in this cultural climate, now more than ever. Why would you print a review that only seeks to oppress performers who are among those taking some of the biggest and most generous risks?
Please assign writers with some sense of vision to review Cocorosies work in the future. Marc Hogan, a financial analyst (!!), is completely in the dark about Cocorosie; he cannot even fathom their intent or the usefulness, the generosity, and the deep originality of their work. I remember the Pitchfork review of their last album in which the writer even admitted that he was panning the album simply because he didnt understand it. Cocorosie are a brave pair of visionary young Americans who are pushing the dialogue forward. They are treasured by their peers, many of whom are artists that you have written about with respect, and by audiences around the world. We all read Pitchfork, and rely on it as an important outlet of information for independent artists. Please rise to the challenge and represent Cocorosie fairly, instead of publishing checklists of incomprehension that are tinged with misogynist resentment.
I did send an email that was a little hot under the collar to Marc Hogan, which should be laughed at and disregarded. I send this now to you now in all earnestness.
yours sincerely
Antony Hegarty
The other letters, and Marc Hogan's thoughts on on this matter, at his personal blog.
BUT WAIT? What does this post have to do with the wombat-lovingMountain Goats (aka John Darnielle)?
WELL, as we already knew, John - owner of "one of the best music blogs on the interblock" according to Pitchfork - LOVES Cocorosie. He loved them in 2006. He loves them in 2007 - John recently blogged:
....Still. Objections constitute dialogue; Lou Reed used to know this & it's why he owned the seventies. The Adventures of Ghosthorse and Stillborn is my favorite album of the year so far. At its lyrical best, it inhabits its own country, unashamed of real poetry and willing to put in the hard work necessary to inhabit a space unlike anybody else's.
I love Farm Sanctuary for being one of the coolest, most compassionate places anywhere. Go there to see The Mountain Goats - the John Darnielle ones (see dates above), and the real ones (actual goat at Farm Sanctuary pictured above). Go there to pet pigs (the pigs are seriously one of the highlights). Go there to spend a night out of the city. They serve vegan breakfast.
More pics of Antony & CocoRosie - like those you see above - here.
Yeah Yeah Yeahs aren't the only ones that just announced a very special NYC show. Sage Francis plays a free acoustic one this Saturday, and Duran Duran is playing one that requires getting tickets this weekend. Details below....
SAGE
Rapper/Poet Sage Francis To Perform Free NYC Acoustic Show May 5th
Intimate Gig This Saturday To Celebrate Exhibition By Rising ArtistInkymole Human The Death Dance Out Tuesday, May 8th
Sage Francis - poet, activist, humorist and cultural provocateur - willperform a free, 300 capacity show this Saturday (May 5) at ChelseaMarket's Old Portico Space at 6 p.m. Open to the public, the first-come,first-serve acoustic performance with guitarist Tom Inhaler precedes Tuesday's (May 8th) release of Francis' hotly anticipated Anti-/Epitaphdisc, Human The Death Dance and will feature a special guest appearance by Def Poetry Jam's Taylor Mali and Bernard Dolan as "Evel Kneviel."
The event is in celebration of "If A Girl Writes Off The World,"the ongoing Stateside debut exhibition of British illustrator and lettering artist Inkymole which wraps May 7th. Born Sarah Coleman, Inkymole's project was inspired by the world-renowned rapper. With their mutual respect and appreciation in place, Sage wound up asking Inkymole to create artwork for Human The Death Dance. "I couldn't wait," Coleman says, "but I was suddenly terrified of this new client I was also a mad fan of." The resulting album art will be in tow at the nyc exhibition. In a 5-star review of the disc, URB writes, "Teeming with the kind ofpersonality a live show begs for, Human the Death Dance comprises of 16tracks that prove Sage can still spit that wry wit," adding, "its trackswork together to form a cohesive, incredibly personal whole." In a related note, Francis' stellar new video, "Got Up This Morning" featuring performance by Jolie Holland and cameos from Brother Ali,Slugfrom Atmosphere and Buck 65 can be seen here:
Speaking from the studio in London, where they are currently mixing their upcoming album (Epic Records), Duran Duran today announced a special ‘one night only’ New York City performance for members of their official fan community. Open exclusively to members of DuranDuranMusic.com, the band will perform at the Hammerstein Ballroom, in Manhattan, on June 17th. Tickets will go on sale via a Reservation Request System at www.DuranDuranMusic.com.
In what is guaranteed to be a memorable evening, the four band members are excited to do a concert just for community members. "We're all very excited to get back to the stage after being in the studio for so long! I can't think of a better place to come back to than New York City and a fan community only show. Get ready for a great night, it's gonna be a party!" said John Taylor.
The band will be performing a full set, with one song chosen by members of the fan community. Members will have the opportunity to vote for the fan favourite that they would like to see the band play before purchasing tickets.
The Hammerstein Ballroom, located at 311 West 34th Street, will provide an intimate venue for Duran Duran and their fans. In anticipation of extremely high demand, DuranDuranMusic.com will be allocating tickets by a Reservation Request System, to ensure that everyone gets a fair opportunity to purchase for the concert and to minimize ticket re-sales. VIP packages will also be available via this system. Registration for the chance to purchase two tickets or VIP packages per person will be done online. The Reservation Request System is NOT first come, first served and fan community members will have until 9pm Sunday, May 6th to enter. Full details are available at DuranDuranMusic.com. Ticket prices are $98.50 and $88.50. Doors are at 8PM, performance at 9PM.
Austin City Limits is a music festival that takes place in Austin, Texas from September 14-16, 2007 - "3 Days, 8 Stages, 130 Bands". Tickets are on sale, and Austinist reports this initial lineup:
The White Stripes, The Decemberists, Peter, Bjorn, and John, Rodrigo Y Gabriela, Robert Earl Keen, Joss Stone, Andrew Bird, Rose Hill Drive, Gotan Project, Indigo Girls, Heartless Bastards, Augustana, Beau Soleil, and Andy Palacio, Kings Of Leon, Raul Malo, Stephen Marley, Ben Kweller, Rev. Horton Heat, Asleep At The Wheel, The Little Ones, Charlie Musselwhite, The Jellydots, Sara Hickman, Blonde Redhead, AND (you didn't think I would leave out) Björk
FREE Yeah Yeah Yeah's LIVE PERFORMANCE! (All Ages)
Yeah Yeah Yeahs Sell Their Souls in Return for Infinite Life in Permanent Night Performance---TWO TIMES!
We will be gathering the flesh of the young and old this Monday Evening to rejoice in an unholy manner to songs from the runt of the litter: our brand new EP. A few notes, there is only room for roughly 250 of you for either performance so dare to be there or dare to be square. The performances are FREE but everything has it's price, so expect to be RECORDED by many purveyors of filth. Oh yes and FEMMES you will be especially lusted over this evening so come in packs, gangs, broods...we need you. Please see below for details! We hope you enjoy being used as much as we do! Gonna get Dark. Literally. XX YYY
NOTES:
-Wristbands will be distributed at the venue from 5PM on......
-This show will be FILMED - by entering the premises you agree to have your likeness used.
-We may be asking some audience members to wear eye masks (provided by us).
-Please wear black or dark colors. No Logo's, Prints or Band T-Shirts. Q: Only have clothes with shit on them? Tip: turn the shirt inside out.
Directions / Location information
Glasslands Gallery
289 Kent Ave.
Brooklyn, NY 11211 (between South 1st and South 2nd)
Gallery Number: 718 599-1450
Route: L Train to first stop Bedford Ave JMZ To Marcy
Despite what it says on Bjork's website and I in turn posted, Konono N°1 are not opening for Bjork at the Apollo Theater. Mudderfukin Spank Rock is instead. Awesome, and not surprising. Konono is still opening at United Palace.
Did anyone go to the 2007 Can-Do Awards Dinner? Lou Reed, David Bowie, Iman, The Edge, Jimmy Fallon, Mike D, Elvis Costello, Diana Krall, Ed Burns, Dennis Leary, Michael Stipe, Mike Mills and Patti Smith did....
Patti Smith & Mike Mills (REM) @ Pier 60 benefit, NYC - Apr 23, 2007 (CRED)
PATTI CONTEST
I have three limited-edition Patti Smith signed "Twelve" lithographs to give away. Details below....
They are limited to 200. They look like this...
E-MAILBVCONTESTS@HOTMAIL.COM (Subject: Patti) to win. Name three artists that played CBGB in October 2006. I'll pick three winners from the pot of correct answers. Winners will be notified via email. Your email address will not be shared.
Wow. What an amazing show last night. After seeing her at Coachella and last night, I really hope that crunchy dance version of "Declare Independence" she rocks at the end of her set gets a proper release. "Raise Your Flag!" would go down well in the clubs. Speaking of da clubs, Spank Rock (who destroyed Coachella on Sunday night) remixed "Earth Intruders."
"Dance music finally has an opportunity. It's kind of hot. I sense something is changing here."
Tricia Romano delves into the comings and goings of the fight against the Caberet Law, Larry Tee's proposed "Dance Music Invasion Festival" in NYC October 3rd through 7th, and the Dance Parade on May 19th (partly to protest the Caberet Law, partly to showcase dance (as in the act of)). Dance illegally this weekend: declare your independence.
Speaking of legality, the recent decision by the FCC's Copyright Royalty Board of Royalty Oversight, Discussion, and Redundancy that hiked up fees for internet broadcasters is being challenged by the SaveNetRadio organization. Internet radio is a crucial promotion vehicle for dance music. Go there and read up. Call your congressperson.
Lots of Justice news this week. After a wild live set at Coachella that featured 45 minutes of cut, chopped, and fuzzed originals and pieces of their remixes, all performed from a Marshall stack stage. The boys have released their video for their massive next single "D.A.N.C.E." Its basically a pretty amazing ad for So Me's work with the Revolver clothing line. If this song isn't on every radio station this summer, I'd be very surprised. All of you PYTs make sure to kick the B.E.A.T. loud. Possibly one of the most anticipated dance albums of the past few years, Justice's † is out on Vice SOMETIME soon?
Justice video, more news, downloads, parties, and other surprises, BELOW....
Larry Tee in this week's Village Voice:
Moby is kicking the dust off his stack of "Go" remixes and playing an old school rave set for the Cut & Trouble + Bass crews at the Masters of the Universe party at Studio B on Saturday (May 5th) night. Wear a mask and rave out. Other techno legends dropping through town this weekend: Sven Vath at Cielo tonight (Thursday May 3rd) and Juan Atkins at Sullivan Room Saturday (May 5th) (Tix).