Last night was the free Class Acress and Erika Spring show at 285 Kent. Neon Indian, Chairlift, and Lemonade all DJ'd. Who brought the dog?

Night Sins at Rituals in November (more by Lukas Hodge)

As you know, moody Tampa post-punks Merchandise will be in NYC to play a New Year's Eve show at 285 Kent with Tonstartssbandht, Blanche Blanche Blanche, and a "speciial guest." Tickets for that show are still available and it's also just been revealed that Merchandise are the secret headliners at the 285 Kent show two nights earlier (12/29) with Night Sins, Pharmakon, Shoxx, and Herzog Rising. It's a much cheaper way to see Merchandise than NYE ($8 as opposed to $20), and when Merchandise played previous NYC shows with Shoxx, they were joined by Shoxx's drummer so hopefully that happens again.

As mentioned, Pharmakon will play Saint Vitus on January 13 with Salvation (whose lineup includes members of Night Sins) and Raspberry Bulbs. Tickets for that show are still available.

The flyer for this show, a list of updated Merchandise dates, and some song streams/videos below...

Continue reading "Merchandise playing 285 Kent before NYE too -- with Night Sins, Shoxx, Pharmakon & Herzog Rising"

Sasha Go Hard at Santos in September (more by Julie Schabel)

You already know that Merchandise, Tonstartssbandht, Blanche Blanche Blanche, and "speciial guests" are playing 285 Kent on New Year's Eve (tickets) and that Titus Andronicus is playing next door at Glasslands (tickets). If you're headed to either of those shows to ring in the new year, and you're looking for some convenient after party plans once it turns 2013, stick around because footwork master DJ Rashadis DJing back to back with collaborator DJ Manny, fellow Chicagoan Sasha Go Hard (who first came to NYC in September and then played 285 Kent during CMJ), secret Body High guest, J-Cush, and Durban will be going all night at 285 Kent (doors: 1 AM). Tickets for that show are on sale now.

Rashad and Manny recently posted a clip of a new song with two of their other collaborators, DJ Spinn and DJ Kidd, along with the message, "COMING SOON TEKLIFE 2013 SHIT!!!!!" You can stream that song below.

Also below is a stream of "Where Have You Been?," a track Sasha Go Hard recently cut with Freddie GIbbs for Freddie's upcoming project, East Side Slim (via FakeShoreDrive).

Continue reading "DJ Rashad promising new music in 2013 (stream a clip), playing NYE afterparty in NYC w/ Sasha Go Hard & others"

According to Pitchfork and "various sources", Capital STEEZ (real name Jamal Dewar), of Joey Bada$$'s crew, Pro Era, passed away this morning (12/24) at 19 years old. Joey tweeted, "This unfortunate xmas eve.. Lost a best friend, a brother, a pro, a partner. Letting go is never easy.. May ur soul rest in peace Jamal.." and hours before that Capital STEEZ himself eerily tweeted "The end." Joey has continued to tweet on the situation with statements like "SICK TO MY STOMACH.." and "RIP CAPITAL STEEZ!!! 7.7.93 - 12.24.12." Other details on the situation are still sparse at the moment. Rest in peace, Jamal.

Joey Bada$$ and Pro Era were scheduled to play 285 Kent in Brooklyn on Saturday night (12/22), but the show ended up being postponed.

Pro Era just released their free Peep the Aprocalypse mixtape this past Friday (12/21). You can download the whole thing at that link and stream the track "Run or Fly," which features Capital STEEZ, below.

Continue reading "Capital STEEZ of Pro Era, RIP"

by Bill Pearis

Prince Rama @ Cake Shop, CMJ 2012 (more by Amanda Hatfield)

As you may be aware, Friday is December 21 aka 12/21/12, aka the day that the world is supposed to end according to the Mayan calendar. (Many people don't believe the world will actually end, or they probably wouldn't finished up Breaking Bad already.) There are a lot of Apocalypse parties happening, one of which will be at 285 Kent headlined by Prince Rama, which is entirely appropriate given their new album is called Top Ten Hits Of The End Of The World. You can check out the new video for that album's "So Destroyed" below. I bet they'll throw a good Ragnarök event which will double as a holiday party too in case you want to wear your Santa suit. Also on the bill is Dickpic (DJ Dog Dick and Pictureplane) and Ami Dang. Tickets are $8 at the door, but if you'd like to go for free we're giving away a pair. Details on how to enter are below.

Speaking of Top Ten Hits of the End of the World, we asked Prince Rama for their Top 10 albums of 2012. Instead, they gave us their Top 10 "Top 10 Lists of 2012" which you can check out below.

Continue reading "Prince Rama lists their Top 10 Top 10 Lists of 2012, playing end-of-the-world party in NYC (win tix!)"

by Andrew Sacher

Joey Bada$$ at SUNY Purchase in October (more by Kellyann Petry)

Brooklyn throwback rapper Joey Bada$$ has been playing locally a lot this fall, and he's got at least one more hometown show before the year ends. He'll be at 285 Kent on December 22 and tickets for that show are on sale now. No official word on whether or not his crew, Pro Era, will be there, but he does usually play with them.

Last month, Joey released the digital single for his track "Waves" off his 1999 mixtape, and on the b-side he's got the new track, "Enter The Void," which features a great verse from Black Hippy member Ab-Soul, who he joined on stage at Terminal 5 in September when Ab-Soul was opening for Kendrick Lamar. You can stream that track below.

Continue reading "Joey Bada$$ playing Brooklyn; Stream a song"

by Andrew Sacher

Autre Ne Veut in Brooklyn in 2011 (more by Erez Avissar)

Autre Ne Veut (aka Brooklyn's Arthur Ashin) has been putting out material for a couple years now, and it's always been solid but he's become more memorable for his, um, provocative cover art than the music itself. That's no longer the case on his new single, "Counting," which will appear on his new album, Anxiety, which is due out on February 12 via Software. The new track brings together the kind of art pop and R&B that we've seen recently from How to Dress Well and d'Eon, and it all culminates in a pretty explosive chorus. You can stream that track, and check out its tracklist and cover art below.

Autre Ne Veut has a hometown show coming up on December 7 at 285 Kent with a great local bill of Mykki Blanco and Oneohtrix Point Never (DJ). Tickets for that show are on sale.

Mykki Blanco has been touring with Death Grips and recently played Music Hall of Williamsburg.

Song stream, cover art, and tracklist, below...

Continue reading "Autre Ne Veut releasing 'Anxiety'; playing Brooklyn w/ Mykki Blanco & Oneohtrix Point Never (song stream)"

BEMF 2010 (more by Chris Doss)

The Brooklyn Electronic Music Festival is here tonight (11/9) and Saturday (11/10), and since our last update, the full schedule has been revealed. They're no longer using Villain as one of the venues, but will be using 285 Kent instead.

Tonight's updates include Omar S, Drop the Lime, Nick Catchdubs, Morri$, Deadboy, Jackmaster, and Matt Shadetek playing Public Assembly; and Nadastrom & Sabo, Uproot Andy & Geko, and DJ Blass playing 285 Kent (all ages). Those are in addition to the previously discussed sets by Gold Panda, Photek, and more at Music Hall of Williamsburg; Nguzunguzu, Kingdom, Fatima Al Qadiri, MikeQ, and more at Glasslands; and Braille, Brenmar, Mykki Blanco, Mess Kid, and more at Cameo.

Saturday's updates include Groundislava, Shlohmo, Salva, Lazy Brow, Jubilee, Wildlife!, Dre Skull, Dubbel Dutch, Fantasy Thrilla, and a special guest at Public Assembly; and Hussle Club and Body Language at Brooklyn Bowl. Those are in addition to the previously discussed sets by Nicolas Jaar, Lauren Flax, Nick Hook, and Heathered Pearls at Music Hall of Williamsburg; KI:Theory, FaltyDL, Benji B, and Pearson Sound at Cameo; and Baths, XXYYXX, Hiawatha, and Shadowbox at Glasslands.

Tickets for the festival are still available, including 2-day passes, 1-day passes for Friday (Saturday is sold out), and a special all ages ticket, which grants you access to tonight's 285 Kent stage (the rest of the venues are 21+).

Flyers with full lineups and set times are below...

Continue reading "Brooklyn Electronic Music Festival 2012 is here (full schedule)"

Cars floating in underground garage on Stone St. (via @wingedfeetxc)

Almost every NYC area show on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday was cancelled, and tonight (10/31) (aka Halloween) is looking a little better but still a large percentage of the shows are cancelled.

Tonight's Big Freedia show at Brooklyn Bowl is still on but opener Vockah Redu dropped off. Doors open at 6 PM and the show starts at 9 PM. Admission is free before 7 PM and after that it's $15-$20. UPDATE: Hess is More and Oh Land added to this show.

As mentioned, Aimee Mann and Ted Leo are playing Music Hall of Williamsburg tonight and honoring tickets for Bowery Ballroom or Music Hall of Williamsburg, with plans to reschedule the original Bowery Ballroom date for some time next week.

Music Hall of Williamsburg was only available for Aimee and Ted's show tonight because the Jackie Greene show is cancelled. Refunds are available at the point of purchase.

The Halloween shows in Williamsburg, including Glasslands' covers show, Death by Audio's covers show, and Cameo's free, weekly Big Terrific comedy (early) and The Hold Steady's Dan Neustadt and friends playing MIchael Jackson's Thriller (late), are still on. All door proceeds for tonight's Glasslands show are going to the Red Cross. Ted Leo tweeted he was gonna try and stop by Glasslands after Aimee Mann.

The Misfits annual Halloween show at Highline Ballroom is still on. No it's not. Update:: "The Misfits will go on, but not tonight. Due to weather complications, it is rescheduled for Dec 16th."

Murphy's Law at Trash Bar appears to be happening.

Saint Vitus is open and hosting a Van Halen / David Lee Roth cover band.

Acheron is open too with Author and Punisher.

The World/Inferno Friendship Society annual Halloween show at Warsaw is still on.

285 Kent, however, cancelled their Halloween show tonight. Organizer Todd P says, "We had to cancel Halloween, but it was not 285 Kent's decision; the organizers and bands involved [cancelled]. We would 100% do it and are pretty determined to book something else."

The Meter Men and other shows at BB King's appear to be happening.

Bad news from Dita Von Teese "Regrettably, all NYC StripStripHooray shows are cancelled. Tix will be refunded by LiveNation, & we will be back in early 2013. Thank you all for the support, we were so excited about these sold out shows! Stay safe, NYC! X." StripStripHooray was to have happened this week at Gramercy Theatre.

Wintersleep and Elliot Brood were supposed to play Knitting Factory last night, but are instead playing tonight.

Pete's Candy Store is open.

The Pit is open.

Open mic comedy at The Creek, followed by comedy by MURDERFIST, Joe Machi, Jesse Joyce, and The Cowmen, followed by more open mic comedy is all happening.

The Halloween show at Union Hall with Dionne Werewolf and Hall-oween and Oates is still on.

Halloween at The Film Society at Lincoln Center is open.

The Halloween show at Goodbye Blue Monday with Snake Monsters, Scorpion Child, and The Biomechanic is still on.

Littlefield is hosting a Halloween comedy show.

The Everymen, Runny, and Zac Clark & the Griswolds play Grand Victory tonight.

As mentioned, Andrew WK's Autumn Bowl show is cancelled.

As mentioned, Smashing Pumpkins at Barclays Center is cancelled.

As mentioned, the Park Slope Halloween parade and the Village Halloween Parade are both cancelled. But the VIllage Halloween Parade may still happen on a later date.

As mentioned, the Halloween show at the Bowery Electric is cancelled tonight.

The Hess Is More Halloween concert at Mercury Lounge is cancelled. UPDATE: Hess is More and Oh Land are now playing with Big Freedia at Brooklyn Bowl.

The Halloween show at WEIRD with Bellicose Minds and others is cancelled.

The Halloween show at SOB's is cancelled.

The party at House of Vans is cancelled. They write, "Hallo-Wolfbat is cancelled. The house of vans got two feet of water inside. We are planning to reschedule for a later date. It could be up to a month. All the electrical, sound, and lighting was damaged. Please spread the word. I'll let everyone know the outcome. Looks like it may be a end of the world party in December. I'm sorry"

The Reckless Kelly show at Bowery Ballroom has been postponed.

The Halloween party at The DL with Designer Drugs has been postponed.

Le Poisson Rouge still lists shows for tonight as of this post, but has no power, so cancellations are likely. And actually, "We are sorry to report that Mondo Indie Dance Party Presents MONDOWEEN! is canceled tonight due to power outages from Hurricane Sandy. We wish you all a safe Halloween and a speedy recovery from the storm." UPDATE: LPR confirms they are totally closed.

The Bell House is closed.
Canal Room is closed.
Pianos is closed.
The Living Room is closed.
Cake Shop is closed.
Rockwood Music Hall is closed.
Fontana's is closed.
Santos Party House is closed.
Sunshine Cinema is closed.

A whole bunch of Thursday show are cancelled too.

What else?

(via)

Michael Bolton, who seems to have a good sense of humor about his crappy music, will star as himself in new sitcom Michael Bolton's Daughter Is Destroying My Life according to Deadline. Look for the new sitcom on ABC next year.

Black Sabbath (sans Bill Ward) are finally going to do that album with producer Rick Rubin.

Gothamist wonders aloud if Barclays Center might have a racist metal detector policy (via an article in the NY Post).

I swear the BrooklynVegan not-CMJ day party lineups are coming very soon, though we've already revealed that we've got METZ, Deap Vally and Murals.

The 2012 edition of Austin City Limits, which is switching to two weeks next year, went down over the weekend (sans The Weeknd). Check out our photos from Day Two and Day One. Day Three on the way.

Speaking of the trend of having your festival two weekends in a row now, Ultra Music Festival announced they're doing it too.

Jon Carmanica at the NY Times talks about dance stars evolving to pop fame.

The same issue of the NY Times profiles Ellie Goulding who is dating pop fame dance star Skrillex (who she was hanging out with at Pianos the other night).

Adele's "Someone Like You" has topped another chart: most popular songs at funerals.

The Nick Waterhouse and Allah-Las tour hit Chicago last week. We got pictures.

Speaking of pictures, in NY we recently captured the butt shaking going on at Bowery for Nicky Da B, Flying Lotus and then SBTRKT at Terminal 5, Public Image LTD at both MHOW and Hammerstein, Menomena at Bowery (MHOW on the way), Revelation Records Anniversary Night Two (three and four on the way), and Morrissey not once, not twice, but thrice.

And oh yeah, don't forget the New York Comic Con shots.

Stream Divine Fits' appearance on NPR's World Cafe from earlier today.

Xbox's iTunes-esque new music service debuts tomorrow. Surprise: you're going to have to update your firmware to use it.

Kitty Pride, who plays CMJ this week, hates fellow redhead Tori Amos. For weird reasons.

More stuff below...

Continue reading "ALSO: Michael Bolton's sitcom; Adele tops new chart; ACL, Black Sabbath, PS 22 does Tame Impala, Madonna stripped ++ more"

Brooklyn producer Chrome Canyon (aka Morgan Z) released his debut album, Elemental Themes, this week (10/9) via Stones Throw. You can stream the album in its entirety below. Chrome Canyon will play a record release show for the album tonight (10/12) at 285 Kent with labelmate Peanut Butter Wolf. The bill also includes Dj sets by Gavin Russom (DFA), Veronica Vasicka (Minimal Wave), and Airbird (Software). Doors are at 8 PM and admission is $12 for this all ages show. The flyer is below.

Chrome Canyon is not to be confused with Chrome Cranks, who play Mercury Lounge (10/13) one day later with Star and Dagger. Tickets are still available for that show.

The Chrome Canynon album stream and flyer for tonight's show are below.

Continue reading "Chrome Canyon released debut LP (stream it), celebrating at 285 Kent tonight w/ Peanut Butter Wolf & friends"

As mentioned, NYC rapper Kilo Kish will be opening for SBTRKT at Terminal 5 on Thursday (10/11) with Koreless and Nick Hook (tickets). But you'll also have a couple chances to catch her in smaller venues about a week after that during CMJ. She's playing the Yours Tru.ly.Gorilla vs Bear (YTGvB) and Forest Family showcase at Brooklyn's 285 Kent on October 18 with DIANA (whose members include Destroyer saxophonist Joseph Shabason), Sam Flax (who we just profiled), Atlanta rapper ForteBowie, Ryan Hemsworth, Flume, TOPS, and Empress Of. Evy Jane, who plays live at Glasslands the next day (10/19) (another Yours Truly party), DJs in between sets. The flier for that show is below.

Kilo also plays the previously mentioned Life or Death CMJ showcase on October 20 at 92YTribeca with Hilly Eye, Dogbite, Twerps, Slug Guts, Jozef Van Wissem, Mac DeMarco, Maria Minerva, Sky Ferreira, and two special guests. Tickets for that show are on sale or you can try to get in with your CMJ badge.

Kilo Kish is set to release a new single for her song "Navy," which was produced by Odd Future's The Internet (who Kilo toured with over the summer) on 12" vinyl this week (10/8) via The Blue Rider. It out now digitally and comes with a remix by MeLo-X on the b-side. You can watch the video for "Navy," and check out a list of all known Kilo Kish dates (more TBA), below.

Continue reading "Kilo Kish releases single, playing CMJ (dates & video)"

photos by Erik Erikson

Lightning Bolt @ 285 Kent

Spazzy destruction duo Lightning Bolt played 285 Kent on Thursday (9/20) the day before blessing ATP I'll Be Your Mirror on Friday (9/21). The show was also one of two NYC dates for Indian Jewelry, who blessed Public Assembly the following night (on 9/21) as part of Et Cetera. Pictures from the 285 Kent show, which featured a drum-off between Greg Fox & Kid Millions, are in this post.

Lightning Bolt's tour in support of their new compilation Oblivian Hunter comes to a close at the Paradise in Boston today (9/23). The record is currently available for order via LOAD Records.

Stream the song "King Candy" from said release and check out more pictures and a great HD video of Lightning Bolt from 285 Kent, below.

Continue reading "Lightning Bolt played 285 Kent with Indian Jewelry before ATP (pics & video)"

photos by Amanda Hatfield

Ariel Pink & R. Stevie Moore @ Webster Hall - 9/14/2012

Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti, complete with R. Stevie Moore in tow, brought its current headlining tour in support of "Mature Themes" to Webster Hall in NYC Friday night (9/14). TEEN and BODYGUARD opened the show which is pictured in this post.

The somewhat unofficial afterparty happened afterwards at 285 Kent, and despite unofficial confirmations and strong rumors, Ariel Pink apparently never confirmed he would play 285 Kent, and he didn't. However, Webster Hall opener Bodyguard (James Ferraro) did play along with rumored secret guest Holy Other (who opened for Amon Tobin at Hammerstein Ballroom earlier in the night) and secret guests and Pink associates Geneva Jacuzzi and R. Stevie Moore (whose set started around 3:45am).

More pictures from Webster Hall, including one of Ariel's pre-encore setlist, below...

Continue reading "Ariel Pink played Webster Hall (but not 285 Kent) with R. Stevie Moore, Bodyguard & TEEN (pics)"

Ariel Pink at Irving Plaza - 9/12/12 (via Leandro Justen)

As mentioned, Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti are on tour now (a tour that hit Austin recently) in support of their new album, Mature Themes, and the tour hits NYC TONIGHT (9/14) at Webster Hall with BODYGUARD (aka James Ferraro) and TEEN. Tickets for tonight's show are still available. All tour dates are listed below.

After the Webster Hall show BODYGUARD will head to 285 Kent for a show with three secret artists. Any guesses on who they might be?

You might be aware that Ariel Pink was also in NYC a few days earlier and played a private Proenza Schouler Fashion Week party at Irving Plaza on Wednesday (9/12), which is pictured above. If you were at the party, how was it? Weyes Blood (aka fromer Jackie-O Motherfucker member Natalie Mering), who plays with Sun Araw soon, was at the show and sang backup vocals with Ariel Pink for his song "Early Birds." Wonder if Ariel has any surprises like that in store for tonight.

Speaking of shows happening in Manhattan tonight, Holy Other will be opening for Amon Tobin at Hammerstein Ballroom tonight (9/14). Tickets for tonight's show are still available. Amon Tobin is also DJing a boat party on Saturday.

An updated list of Ariel Pink dates is below...

Continue reading "Ariel Pink & Holy Other here; secret show @ 285 Kent tonight"

by Bill Pearis

DOWNLOAD: Eternal Summers - You Kill (MP3)

via @EternalSummers

Eternal Summers will be here this weekened playing the curated-by-me Sound Bites Series on Sunday (8/12) afternoon at the Fulton Stall Market. I'll be DJing from 2PM and the band goes on at 3PM sharp. It's free. Were you wondering about their taste in vegetables?

Daniel: Carrots. I like to juice them.
Jonathan: Carrots too. I like to crunch em.
Nicole: Green Beans because they go with everything!

What's your least favorite and why?

Daniel: I like okra but sometimes okra can be kinda weird. I hope Okra doesn't read this!
Jonathan: Onion. Texture. Taste. Overrides everything. I don't dig.
Nicole: Radishes but they're not bad. Just not a staple.

Continue reading "Eternal Summers playing 285 Kent before Fulton Stall Market"

No Wave legend and all-around cool dude Arto Lindsay will be performing this evening (8/8) in Union Square as part of the free Summer Nights series which is presented by the Arte Institute. Tonight's program, curated by Sao Paulo, Brazil's Instituto de Cultura Contemporeana-ICC, begins at 8 PM and also features videos by artist Eder Santos and director Cao Guimaraes. More info on tonight's show is here.

Arto Lindsay has also been added to the 285 Kent show on Friday (8/10) that was already a really good line-up with Fergus & Geronimo, Peoples Temple, Family Curse, Mannequin Pussy and DJs Habibi.

by Bill Pearis

Brooklyn sibling duo Prince Rama will release their new album, Top Ten Hits Of The End Of The World, on November 6 via Paw Tracks. That's the cover art above, and if it looks like some used-bin '80s K-Tel compilation, the album functions in much the same way. Here's a bit from the press release:

Conceived as a pseudo-compilation album, the Brooklyn duo invented ten different pop bands that died during the apocalypse, channelling the ghosts of each one to perform the various songs. Spanning genres and stylistic eras from across the globe, Top Ten Hits explores pop music's relationship to memory, nostalgia, and the spirit world. Incorporating influences as disparate as cosmic disco, motorcycle rock, new-wave, grunge, tribal goth, Arabic pop, and ghost-modern glam, Prince Rama filters each sound through the destroyed lens of a post-apocalyptic future looking back at the wonders of its sonic past...Top Ten Hits of the End of the World isn't just a pop album, it's a retrospective requiem of all pop albums ever made. Nothing like this has ever been attempted by a single band, and its residual echoes will continue to haunt this world and the next.

Continue reading "Prince Rama releasing new LP, playing shows (dates)"

photos by Mighty Beardo

Frank Ocean & friends @ 285 Kent

After Frank Ocean played Terminal 5 and Tyler, the Creator and Earl Sweatshirt played Best Buy Theater, Frank, Tyler, Earl, and most of the rest of the Odd Future crew that was in town (no Mike G or Syd The Kid), made their way over to 285 Kent where the free Brooklynvegan-presented afterparty was happening with an advertised set by Trash Talk (who record for Odd Future Records) and DJ Leftbrain (of Odd Future). Doors were scheduled to open at midnight, By then there were already more than capacity on line to get in. Naturally, everyone did not get in, and some actually stayed on line outside, still hoping while listening through the door until the end of the show.

As advertised/hinted, there were special guests who turned out to be all of Odd Future (even Frank Ocean). The show started with about an hour-long DJ set where the members of Odd Future were on stage dancing around, singing along to whatever songs were playing and hyping the crowd who started to get crazy, but not as crazy as when Trash Talk actually took the stage. It was a trip to watch Frank Ocean having fun on the 285 Kent stage with his friends, after just having seen him command a sold out crowd at Terminal 5. Not to mention Tyler and Earl goofing around, after also just having played a headlining show at the sold out Best Buy Theater. Tyler, Earl and others then stayed on stage for Trash Talk as the band played a signature set that includes lots of pit action and people jumping off speakers. Odd Future didn't technically perform a live set at 285 Kent, but Tyler, as he has done in the past, took over vocals for "Radicals," which you can watch a video of below. Said video also includes footage of Trash Talk playing their song, "Awake."

sweaty Trash Talk

For Trash Talk's last song, they asked every single person in the room to run out of the venue on to the street to join with the people who couldn't get in. That didn't work out so well though, as the security at the door was already overwhelmed and chaos and a fight quickly ensued outside as Todd P and the rest of the 285 Kent crew tried to calm the masses.

Among those in the crowd were Odd Future associate Lucas, members of Real Estate (who Trash Talk shouted out), Neon Indian, and Cults. Vampire Weekend and John Legend were spotted earlier in the night at Frank Ocean (where Odd Future and Trash Talk also was), and I saw Action Bronson, Despot, and Chavez guitarist Matt Sweeney all hanging out outside the Odd Future Best Buy Theater show. All in all, an eventful night for the NYC music scene thanks to the Odd Future crew coming to town.

We have even more pictures coming, but here's one set. More of them, with the video of Tyler joining Trash Talk, below...

Continue reading "Trash Talk & Odd Future brought chaos to 285 Kent after the Tyler, Earl & Frank Ocean shows (pics/video)"

BrooklynVegan is proud to present Trash Talk in Brooklyn for FREE show at 285 Kent Ave on July 26th, THURSDAY! It's a late one, doors open at 11:59 PM, but get there early to secure your spot at what will be a brutal show, complete with "special guests" and DJ Leftbrain of OFWGKTA before and after the shindig.

Coincidentally enough, Trash Talk's free show goes down the same night that Frank Ocean plays Terminal 5 and Tyler the Creator/Earl Sweatshirt hit Best Buy Theater. Trash Talk, who is finishing up a tour with SpaceGhostPurrp, recently signed to Odd Future Records.

Some video below. See you at the show!

Continue reading "Trash Talk playing a FREE LATE show at 285 Kent on Thursday, the same night Tyler & Frank Ocean play NYC"

DOWNLOAD: Husky [Australia] - Tidal Wave (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Husky [Australia] - History's Door (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Husky [Mexico] - Miami (MP3)

Husky from Australia / Husky from Mexico

Melbourne, Australia's indie folk quartet Husky just released their debut album, Forever So, this week on Sub Pop. (The first AU band on the label, for what it's worth.) With a love of The Hollies, CSNY and America (the band, not the country, though I'm sure they love us too) the band make delicately swooning pop that's a cut above some of the other bands working in a similar idiom. You can download two tracks from the album at the top of this post and the whole thing is streaming below via a Spotify widget, along with a video for "History's Door).

Husky are coming over for a North American tour in August with two NYC stops: a free Summerstage on 8/18 as part of Australia Day which also features Sheppard, High Highs, George Byrne, Maya Jupiter, Dj Ashley Feraude and Kid Zoom; and then a show at Joe's Pub on 8/21 to which tickets are on sale. All Husky tour dates are listed below.

Just so no one is confused (or perhaps confusing you more), there is also a Husky from Monterey, Mexico who are visting NYC as we speak and play 285 Kent on Friday (7/13) with Widowspeak, Total Slacker and Parquet Courts, and XPO 929 on Saturday (7/14) with Gradients, Island Twins and Parquet Courts again. They also play Cake Shop on July 24. While definitely on the rock side, they are also quite pop-oriented and you could probably convince yourself, if you didn't know better, that this Husky's Weekend Lovers EP (which you can stream via a Spotify widget below as well) was the same band as the one signed to Sub Pop. You can download their single "Miami" at the top of this post and watch the video below.

All tour dates for both Husky and Husky, plus streams and videos, are below.

Continue reading "Husky from Australia released an album on Sub Pop, touring in August; Husky from Mexico playing NYC this weekend"

Cloud Nothings at Summerstage, 7/72012 (more by Chris La Putt)

If you went to see Cloud Nothings at Central Park Summerstage this past Saturday (7/7) and wished for more than five songs, you're in luck. The band are sticking around NYC this week, playing Late Night with Jimmy Fallon on Thursday, July 12. Also that same night -- again, this Thursday -- Cloud Nothings will play 285 Kent with DIIV. Tickets are $12 and on sale now.

photos by Andrew St. Clair

Hilly Eye at Cake Shop 6/9/2012

Three members of Russian women's punk band Pussy Riot, who derided President Vladimir Putin in a protest in Moscow's main cathedral, were denied bail on Wednesday despite calls for their release by hundreds of supporters at the hearing.

Police hauled away more than 15 people when a crowd of about 300 whistled, chanted "Freedom" and unfurled banners demanding the released of the band members who have been held in pre-trial detention since early March.

Maria Alyokhina, Nadezhda Tolokonnikova and Yekaterina Samutsevich face up to seven years in jail for hooliganism after storming the altar of the Christ the Saviour Cathedral on February 21 in short dresses and colorful masks to sing a "punk prayer" that offended some Russian Orthodox believers.

Their rendition of "Holy Mother, throw Putin out!" was a protest against the close relationship between the Church and Putin, whom it backed in the presidential election he won in March. -[Reuters]

Both tonight's "Free Pussy Riot" benefit and the one that happened at DbA are part of a series of shows curated by Permanent Wave, founded by Amy Klein of Hilly Eye. The group also produced the recent C.L.I.T. fest benefit at Acheron that featured Hilly Eye. Hilly Eye is scheduled to play Hillstock in Clinton Hill this weekend (6/23) and recently supported Shellshag with Necking, and Queening on June 9th at Cake Shop. Pictures from the Cake Shop show are in this post.

Shellshag are currently recording their new LP The Mighty Shellshag, release date TBA.

Speaking of MEN (but not The Men), the group play Gramercy Theater as part of CBGB Fest. The Men are also part of said festival, though they'll stop by Music Hall of Williamsburg on July 6 as part of a bill with Red Kross.

More pics from the Cake Shop show are below...

Continue reading "two Pussy Riot benefits this week (one at 285 Kent tonight), pics from Hilly Eye & Shellshag's recent show @ Cake Shop"

by Bill Pearis

DOWNLOAD: King Tuff - Bad Thing (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: King Tuff - Keep on Movin (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Jaill - Waste a Lot of Things (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Jaill - Perfect Ten (MP3)

King Tuff

After a 2010 album with his band Happy Birthday, Scuzz popper extraordinaire Kyle Thomas has returned to his solo King Tuff moniker for his brand new album, out this week on Sub Pop. The self-titled LP is 12 songs of boogie riffs, Stonesy sneer, big hooks and that nasally whine you either dig or dislike. You can download two tracks at the top of this post ("Bad Thing" is pretty damn catchy) and stream the whole album -- and watch the horror spoof video for "Bad Thing" -- below.

King Tuff, whose shows at SXSW this year were rauccous fun, is heading out on tour with two stops in the NYC area on June 9 at 285 Kent with Habibi, and June 14 at Maxwell's with Habibi and Natural Child. Tickets to the Maxwell's show are on sale now.

Part of King Tuff's tour -- not the part coming to NYC -- is with Sub Pop labelmates Jaill whose new album, Traps, will be out June 12. That's a pretty good double bill! You can download a couple tracks from Traps at the top of this post as well. All King Tuff and Jaill dates are listed below.

Continue reading "King Tuff released new LP (stream), touring with Jaill (who also have a new album coming out) (dates & MP3s)"

The second-annual Spy Music Festival happens June 29th through July 15th, featuring "46 sets of music at 7 venues in Manhattan and Brooklyn." That's a big expansion from last year when it took place on two nights at Shea Stadium and Zebulon. This year's fest, run by the folks at Northern Spy Records, will happen at Union Pool, the Issue Project Room, The Stone, Vaudeville Park, 285 Kent, Death by Audio and Roulette. Amongst the artists performing are Rhys Chatham, Matthew Shipp, Dustin Wong, Arthur Doyle, Eugene Chadbourne, PG Six, Guardian Alien and Magik Markers.

The full Spy Music Festival schedule -- bands, venues, prices -- is below. There's no all-inclusive festival pass, but tickets to all the shows are available here. And the fest organizers have also made a sampler featuring the artists performing this year and you can stream that below as well.

Continue reading "Magik Markers, Dustin Wong, Eugene Chadbourne, Matthew Shipp and more playing NYC's Spy Music Festival"