Dawn Landes (and Josh Ritter) & Uncle Monk (starring Tommy Ramone) played Mercury Lounge in NYC - pics

photos by Chris La Putt

Though they wouldn't let her decorate Mercury Lounge with hay (she still had a little on stage, and some untouched bails of it in the corner), Dawn Landes and the Hounds put on a great record release show Friday early-night at the packed NYC venue. As one quirky New York chick put it,

There were special guests, Josh Ritter. There were hula hoops and birthdays, Landes friend Erin, sorry if I've gotten your name wrong, but Happy Birthday! There were even giant standing chandeliers. And, in the middle of it all was the smiling, quirky, sweet as sugar Dawn Landes.

Landes took the stage and instantly, things became a party. She rocked her way through a rollicking set charming the enthusiastic crowd the whole time. Landes is one of those performers that you can't help but like. She has this sweet charming quality that beckons you to have fun, smile and cheer her on.

The equally charming "indie-acoustic duo" Uncle Monk, Tommy Ramone and Claudia Tienan, opened the show. Highlights of their set included a cover of "I Fought the Law" and "I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend" which Tommy introduced by saying it was a song he wrote when he was just a young kid.

More pictures and videos from the show below...