Todd Barry @ Fun Fun Fun Fest 2010 (more by Tim Griffin)

Want to laugh Tuesday night? Head over to Lolita Bar at Broome and Allen for another edition of "Tell Your Friends!". This week's special guests include HANNIBAL BURESS (who performs a free show every Sunday at Knitting Factory) (and who recently opened for Aziz Ansari at Beacon Theater), LIAM McENEANEY, ANDY DE LA TOUR, and a "MYSTERY GUEST" who "is doing a big big show later in the week, and can't be advertised for this. He appears all over television and films, though, and this may be your last chance to see him in a basement before he's too famous for our show. - A MUST SEE!" Hmm.

Speaking of a big big show later in the week, Nick Kroll's two tapings at Music Hall of Williamsburg take place this Thursday, 11/18.

Nick also did a show at UCB tonight/Monday right before Whiplash (with special guest Mike Birbiglia). How was that? Whiplash takes place every Monday.

MGMT's Andrew VanWyngarden will be a guest at the live broadcast of WFMU's comedy/variety show "Seven Second Delay" at UCB Theatre on Wednesday (11/17). $5.00 tickets are still on sale, though note that he won't be performing. They'll be interviewing him, but they promise they have a couple of surprises planned. Other guests appearing on the same show: former New York Times Ombudsman Dan Okrent, and author / gambling expert / former bookie Beth Raymer.

That WFMU thing is early - like 6pm. Stick around after for an edition of Joe Mande and Noah Garfinkel's Totally J/K with special guests Hari Kondabalu (Comedy Central Presents), Greg Johnson (Sirius/XM Radio) "& more!" Then stay even longer, cause Joe Mande is also part of the show right after that too. Anthony Atamanuik, John Flynn & Ed Gavagan also perform in "The Nights of Our Lives"

Much like Pee Wee Herman, Colin Quinn has a new show on Broadway (which is directed by Jerry Seinfeld) (the Colin show) (Jerry didn't direct the Pee Wee show). We are giving away tickets to see Pee Wee. The Apiary has a pair up for grabs to see Colin.

What about Eugene Mirman you ask? Well, in addition to stuff we've mentioned in the past and his somewhat regularly scheduled Sunday night shows at Union Hall, you can catch him along with John Roderick (as Santa Claus), A.C. Newman, John Hodgman, Gary Shteyngart, and Ollabelle on December 17th at City Winery for the next edition of John Wesley Harding's Cabinet of Wonders. Tickets are on sale.

You will also find Eugene Mirman at the Bell House on December 12th for "Pretty Good Friends (formerly Tearing the Veil of Maya) End of the Year Holiday Blowout" with Kristen Schaal, Jon Glaser and "more to be announced." Tickets are on sale.

Speaking of Kristen Schaal, was she at Littlefield last night/tonight/Monday night for "Hot Tub with Kurt"? It's unclear from the listings whether Kurt Braunohler is doing "Hot Tub" without her every Monday night through 11/29. Upcoming listed guests include Wyatt Cenac, Laura Krafft, Dan Friel, Jon Friedman, Liam McEneaney, and Chris Rozzi.

Patton Oswalt has four shows coming up at Caroline's - two on January 7th and two on January 8th. Tickets are on sale.

Last but not least, after postponing the original date, honorary Juggalo Gallagher will appear at Gramercy Theatre on April 8th. Tickets are on sale.

Continue reading "Andrew VanWyngarden, secret guests, John Roderick as Santa, Dan Friel, AC Newman & other upcoming comedy shows"

photos by Greg Cristman, words by Rachel Kowal

The New Pornographers may be considered to be hopelessly passé by some, but for better or worse, they got a fair amount of play during my college radio days, so they are one of those bands that that I look back at fondly - even if their last two or three albums left me feeling somewhat ambivalent.

Founded in 1997, they're veterans of the Canadian indie rock movement. They've seen the industry evolve and shift to accommodate one fad or another, and through it all, they held their ground and continued to churn out expansive power pop medleys year after year. With Carl Newman (A.C. Newman), Neko Case and Dan Bejar (Destroyer) in the mix, The New Pornographers also served as something of a prototype for the modern supergroup.

For Saturday night's show at Terminal 5 (one night after the CD throwing incident in Boston), The New Pornographers focused heavily on their newest album, Together, playing all but three songs from it. But in addition to showcasing the new material, they dipped deeper into their discography and pulled out songs like: "Sing Me Spanish Techno," "Mass Romantic," and "The Electric Version." Their set list for the evening was expansive, but the band talked little between songs and sometimes powered into the next with no more than a brief break for applause. One of the show's major highlights came during the final song of their encore, "Testament to Youth in Verse," when Newman engaged the audience with a slowly building sing-along.

The sound throughout the evening definitely seemed to be too loud - especially with the Dodos. The levels were fine for build-ups and breakdowns, but everything in between suffered. Whenever a song picked up the tempo and increased in volume, the sound started to blend together to create one inchoate mass of energy. Individual guitar riffs became muddled and vocals, indecipherable.

Luckily for Terminal 5, the additional New Pornographers show at the Bell House on Sunday night wasn't announced until after Saturday night's show had already sold out. Given the vastly improved sound quality at the Bell House and its more intimate size and layout, couldn't help but wonder what Sunday night's show (where they promised to do at least ten different songs) was going to be like in comparison (pictures from that one coming soon).

I got to the venue too late to see The Dutchess and the Duke, who like the Dodos, are still on tour with The New Pornographers. More pictures (of all three bands) from the T5 show, and the headliner's setlist, below...

Continue reading "The New Pornographers, Dodos & the Dutchess and the Duke played Terminal 5 - pics & setlist"

photos by Jonny Leather

'@Joslynm congrats on your pop culture trivia expertise!' - Pat Kiernan

Pat Kiernan

Jimmy Fallon

"Without being too cheesy, I have to say there was a really beautiful spirit at last night's concert. The venue was sold out and aside from the silent auction, Bell House raised $35,000.00 for Save the Children and Partners in Health. I missed the first hour or so because I had to stop by my place, but got there in time to see Jimmy Fallon do a Neil Young impression. Then Freelance Whales played. You all should check them out. They're getting crazy attention right now and they are based out of Queens. Now that's special! Anyway, it was good times all around. Cat Power and Pavement records and CDs were given away for trivia knowledge, Ted Leo who also has shows in town, was adorable and even though Cold War Kids pulled out of the show, the Walkmen did an amazing job closing the show." [Petunia Eats]

All artists, including Here We Go Magic, played short sets. If you want to see more of them (HWGM), they play as a headliner at Music Hall of Williamsburg on Friday.

More pictures and some videos (by Tim Duffy of Pop Tarts Suck Toasted) from the Bell House (in alphabetical order), below...

Continue reading "Jimmy Fallon, Pat Kiernan, Ted Leo, Walkmen, the Wrens & others played a Haiti benefit @ the Bell House - pics & video "

The Blow @ SXSW 2008 (more by Ryan Muir)

As the Bell House's Haiti benefit on Wednesday, January 27th approaches, the show's lineup keeps getting more and more interesting. Since the initial announcement a few changes have been made (The Walkmen replacing Cold War Kids for one) and more acts have been announced. The schedule below reflects the expected set times, with the disclaimers that "performers will be playing abbreviated, acoustic and/or stripped down sets" and "line up subject to change."

AC Newman (who's putting out a new New Pornographers record), Rhett Miller and Nicole Atkins are playing as a Seekers cover band (a supergroup similar to what St. Vincent & Bon Iver did at MHOW on Saturday). Zach Galifianakis was also at the BV Haiti event,

UPDATE: Despite a press release that went out, The Bell House says that Paul Rudd & Zach Galifianakis are not on this benefit (they never said they were, but the press release did). Also the venue says that the set times that were posted (including here last night) are wrong.

Freelance Whales (who have quite a few shows, NYC and otherwise, coming up) are playing, as is Ted Leo (who himself has longer shows planned).

One notable addition is The Blow, aka Kaela Maricich, who played Art Basel in Miami this December, but hasn't played NYC in quite a while (possibly since CMJ 2007).

Tickets for the benefit show are still on sale.

The Blow's last album was 2006's Paper Television, when Jona Bechtolt from YACHT was still in the group. For YACHT's upcoming tour, Bechtolt and member Claire Evans will bolster their live show (previously them and a laptop) by a band consisting of Rob Kieswetter of Bobby Birdman (who is also opening), Jeff Brodsky of Jeffrey Jerusalem, and D. Reuben Snyder of Rob Walmart. The backing band's name is 'The Straight Gaze'. A tour preview clip is posted below.

More Bell House info with full lineup & poster below...

Continue reading "Bell House Haiti benefit expands (to include The Blow & more) - WEDNESDAY NIGHT"

Coming on May 4: the new album from The New Pornographers, entitled Together. Their fifth full-length was produced by the band and Phil Palazzolo, and recorded in Vancouver, Brooklyn, Woodstock, and Catskill, NY. The album is comprised of 9 A.C. Newman songs and 3 Dan Bejar numbers, and features the full eight-person lineup of Carl, Dan, John Collins, Neko Case, Kurt Dahle, Kathryn Calder, Todd Fancey and Blaine Thurier. Additional musicians include Annie Clark (St. Vincent), Zach Condon (Beirut), Will Sheff (Okkervil River), and the Dap-Kings Horns, among other talents.

Lead pornographer A.C. Newman appears at The Bell House's Haiti benefit on Wednesday, January 27th. Also at the even will be The Walkmen (they replaced Cold War Kids who had to drop off), Ted Leo, The Wrens, Sondre Lerche, Eugene Mirman, Rhett Miller and Nicole Atkins. Tickets are still on sale.

A BENEFIT FOR THE VICTIMS OF THE EARTHQUAKE IN HAITI
100% of the proceeds will be split between Save The Children and Partners In Health.

All performers will be playing abbreviated and stripped down sets. Scheduled to appear:
JIMMY FALLON
New York State Senator DIANE SAVINO
COLD WAR KIDS
TED LEO
THE WRENS
SONDRE LERCHE
EUGENE MIRMAN
AC NEWMAN of NEW PORNOGRAPHERS with RHETT MILLER of OLD 97s and NICOLE ATKINS as THE SEEKERS.

More performers and ticket information to be announced on Monday, January 18.

City Winery also has some fine benefit shows coming up.

Others are raising money for Haiti with vegan baked goods.

Field Music didn't make it, but there was a special reunion set by Pulsars, followed by the super duper Wye Oak who played before special guest Rumours last night at The Bell House in Brooklyn (12/3).

As advertised (at the last minute anyway), Rumours was a Fleetwood Mac cover band. Cover song experts Loser's Lounge made up the band and a rotating cast of singers came to the stage to play individual tunes. Those vocalists included Dave Hill dueting with Erika from Au Revoir Simone, Will Sheff dueting with Beth Wawerna, Matthew Caws, Britta, Sharon Van Etten, Wye Oak, and many more. The show was in honor of Bell House booker Skippy. Well, it was his birthday party, and he even came out to help perform "I Don't Wanna Know" with Mia Riddle. The full setlist (which did not include AC Newman or Eugene Mirman - both must be out of town) with a couple of videos below...

Continue reading "Rumours (indie all-star Fleetwood Mac band) played the Bell House w/ Wye Oak & Pulsars - video & setlist"

John Wesley Harding & Eugene Mirman @ CoW in April (more by Tim Griffin)

John Wesley Harding's Cabinet of Wonders variety show, which graced the city in February, March and April, in addition to tour dates around the country, will be back for shows on September 16th, October 7th and November 18th at (Le) Poisson Rouge. Tickets for all three are on sale now, AND now the shows have full lineups.

Like before there will be many special guests at each show. These include Tanya Donelly, John Roderick, A.C. Newman, Todd Barry, Rhett Miller, and many others. Each night is different. Full lineups with all JWH tour dates, below...

Continue reading "John Wesley Harding bringing John Roderick, Tanya Donelly, AC Newman, Rhett Miller & many more to LPR (dates) "

photos by Chris La Putt

"Although the [Clearwater] festival was geared towards an older crowd, it did have a pretty stellar lineup. Artists worth noting [that played the first day] were the now 90 years old Pete Seeger (of course), the man who opened Woodstock 1969, one Richie Havens, Susan Tedeschi (wife of guitar prodigy Derek Trucks), Tao Seeger, Old Crow Medecine Show and one of my new favourite bands, Dr. Dog. I was at the festival to work, as Relix had a booth set up for the purpose of selling subscriptions. I did get to drop in on Seeger briefly, he played with the kids from room 12, an assortment of children no older then 9 years old. The man really sparks to life when he is on stage and is simply a musical institution. After meeting and greeting Richie Havens (he was signing autographs and taking pictures at a booth directly across from Relix) I was able to pop in on his short set and catch a powerful rendition of Bob Dylan's "All Along The Watchtower". Mr. Havens stuck closely to the original version but with the addition of a lead acoustic guitarist accompanying him. I also managed to drop by Old Crow Medecine Show's set and catch some of their highly upbeat bluegrass and country music. People were really diggin Old Crow, taking advantage of an excuse to hoe-dance and get down in the mud." [Back in 15 Minutes]

The Clearwater Festival took place on 6 outdoor stages & tents at Croton Point Park in Croton-on Hudson, NY over this past rainy weekend. Alejandro Escovedo, Jennie Arnau, and Allison Moorer were also among those who played on Saturday (6/20). More pictures from that day below...

Continue reading "The 2009 Clearwater Festival - day 1 in pics (Dr. Dog, rain, Pete Seeger, kids, Old Crow Medicine Show, mud & more)"

photos by Chris La Putt

The 2009 Clearwater Festival has come to the end. One of Saturday's performers was New Pornographer front-man AC Newman, who is playing a free NYC show this Thursday (6/25). More pictures from Clearwater, and some west coast New Porn tour dates, below...

Continue reading "AC Newman played Clearwater (pics), playing free NYC show "

MSG photos & words by Jacob Blickenstaff, Columbia photos by Jens Schott Knudsen

Pete Seeger @ Columbia in April...

"Clearwater conducts innovative environmental programs, advocacy and celebrations in order to inspire and energize the next generation of environmental leaders.

Clearwater was founded in 1969 by music legend and environmental activist Pete Seeger." [Clearwater]

This summer Pete Seeger is scheduled to play the Newport Folk Festival (August 1st and 2nd), and will perform at his own Clearwater Festival, taking place in Croton-on-the-Hudson, NY this weekend (June 20th and 21st). The Clearwater Fest lineup includes Dr. Dog, A.C. Newman, Elvis Perkins in Dearland, Richie Havens, Old Crow Medicine Show, Alejandro Escovedo, Arlo Guthrie and others. Its full schedule is below. Tickets are still sale at the gate.

UPDATE: we can confirm that Pete played his scheduled Saturday morning Clearwater Fest performance "with kids" for those who braved the rain. Pete will perform again at the festival on Sunday afternoon with his grandson Tao Rodriguez-Seeger.

A review of Pete Seeger's 90th Birthday Celebration at MSG, and all above-mentioned photos, with the full Clearwater Festival lineup & schedule, below...

Continue reading "Clearwater Festival this weekend - full schedule ++ Pete Seeger pics (from his 90th birthday & Columbia University)"

by Andrew Frisicano

it's a pool toy

Andrew W.K. and friends launched the free, biweekly Adult Swim Presents Summer at Santos series with a party at the club on June 11th. The show featured sets from Andrew W.K.'s roster of Skyscaper Music Maker artists, including Cherie Lily, Bad Brilliance and Aleister X, all of which appear on that label's only release so far, DAMN! The Mixtape.

Cherie Lily opened the show promptly -- I missed her set, but she re-emerged throughout the night onstage and in the crowd. Next, Aleister X, a Brit goth one-man show, performed with Andrew W.K., who spun from the booth and sang backups.

Bad Brilliance rolled out a red carpet for his costumed spectacle, which featured members of the dance-pop band Tayisha Busay (pictured on stage with Cherie Lily, below) and others dancing in full '80s aerobics gear while photographers in formal dress (also part of the performance) snapped photos a la movie-opening paparazzi.

The synth-pop-punk of Natalie Portman's Shaved Head, the only band on the bill, was energetic and unhinged. It was during their set that the crowd got into stage-diving/manical dancing mode. More than a few showgoers backfliped into the crowd.

Last up, Andrew W.K. performed a set of party-rock singles with a backing track and occasional added piano. It became hard for him to even reach the keyboard though, when at least half of the crowd joined him on stage during the second song. Most stayed there for the rest of the set, which progressed with the house lights on. Cherie Lily hung out stage left contributing hypeman ad libs to songs like "Party Hard" and "I Love NYC." And she wasn't alone on the mic as Andrew passed it to friends (crowdmembers) on stage. Near the end of the night someone cracked open a foam-filled plush toy which was quickly disassembled and rained plastic snow on the departing crowd.

The Adult Swim series continues on June 25th with sets by Jon Glaser, The Woggles, Cheeseburger, A.C. Newman and more. That's the same night Santos hosts the Phenomenal Handclap Band CD release show.

Some of the night's performers, including Cherie Lily, Tayisha Busay and Aleister X, will be at the Studio at Webster Hall on Thursday, June 18th. Tickets are on sale.

Natalie Portman's Shaved Head play Santos again on Saturday, June 20th with Kittens Ablaze and Home Video. Tickets are on sale.

More pictures below...

Continue reading "Andrew W.K., Bad Brilliance, Aleister X & Cherie Lily @ Santos Party House - pics (Adult Swim party)"

Tim and Eric prepping for tour...(early '09)

"Adult Swim Summer at Santos", a six-part series of free live shows at Santos Party House in NYC, kicks off tonight, June 11th. The show features the man connected to both the network and the club: Andrew W.K., Adult Swim's soon-to-be-reality-show-host and part owner, respectively. He'll be joined by friends and labelmates (and in one case, spouse) -- Cherie Lily, plus Aleister X, Bad Brilliance & Natalie Portman's Shaved Head open the show.

Each of the bi-weekly events at Santos will be curated by an Adult Swim writer/producer/star. So far, acts on the bill include Tim Heidecker and Eric Wareheim (of Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!), Aqua Teen co-creator Dave Willis, Delocated!'s Jon Glaser, musical acts Cheeseburger and A.C. Newman, and more.

Full lineup and more details below...

Continue reading "Adult Swim Presents Summer at Santos - free shows w/ Tim & Eric, Jon Glaser, AC Newman, Cheeseburger & more..."

photos by Chris La Putt

Neko Case played her first of two shows at the Nokia Theater in NYC last night (4/13). Guests and bandmembers included Rachel Flotard from Visqueen, Lucy Wainwright Roche, Norah O'connor and Kelly Hogan. At one point Neko gave a shoutout to fellow New Pornographer AC Newman who appeared on Letterman (with Nicole Atkins) on the same night. Neko will play Letterman on Wednesday (tomorrow). The second Nokia Theatre show is tonight (4/14). More pictures from the first night, including one of the setlist, below...

Continue reading "Neko Case & Crooked Fingers @ Nokia Theatre - pics, setlist"

AC Newman @ The Bell House last time (more by Tim Griffin)

today in NYC
* DANCE
* WAVVES & Vampire Hands @ Cake Shop
* Akron/Family & Larkin Grimm @ Union Pool
* AC Newman & The Broken West @ The Bell House
* Kuroma & Primal Scream @ Music Hall of Williamsburg
* Eugene Mirman, Morgan Murphy & other comedians @ Union Hall
* Say Hi, Telekenisis, Phil & the Osophers & Joe & The Flying Spoons @ Mercury

You have until 6:55am Monday morning to guess the APW lineup.

What else?

by Andrew Frisicano

Elvis Perkins in Dearland outside Bowery Ballroom (jamayaphoto)

Elvis Perkins in Dearland played the Bowery Ballroom in NYC Wednesday night (3/25, review below). The show was not long after he got back from SXSW, and he will next visit Europe before touring North America in April & May. That tour ends with a May 20th show at Brooklyn's Bell House. Tickets are still on sale.

Perkins and band are also on the just-announced bill for the annual Clearwater Festival, June 20th and 21st at Croton Point Park in Croton-on Hudson, NY. Other performers include Arlo Guthrie, Old Crow Medicine Show, Susan Tedeschi, Alejandro Escovedo, Pete Seeger, AC Newman, and Dr. Dog. Tickets are on sale now - they cost (until May 20th when prices go up) $50 for a single day, $75 for a weekend pass, and $115 for the weekend with camping included. Full lineup below.

The Festival is a fundraiser for the Hudson Valley environmental group Clearwater, who is also hosting Pete Seeger's 90th birthday concert happening at MSG on May 3rd (where I'm told, Pete will play a one-song set that "everybody knows the words to"). Tickets for that event are on AmEx presale, and go on sale to the general public on Monday, March 30th at 9am.

To get back to Elvis Perkins, the Bowery Ballroom show began with avant-street-band Himalayas descending from the venue's balcony and ended with Perkins and friends emerging from the soapy depths of the Bowery JMZ station. It all started with...

Continue reading "ELVIS PERKINS played Bowery Ballroom, playing the CLEARWATER Festival (initial line-up)"

AC Newman @ the Virgin Store (more by Chris La Putt)

8PM - Midnight at Stanton Public
(17 Stanton b/w Bowery and Chrystie)

8PM - 10PM = Dark Was the Night Album Play + Open Bud Bar (while supplies last)
10PM - 11PM - Members of The National DJ
11PM - 12AM - Members of Blonde Redhead DJ
12AM - 1AM - Members of Yeasayer DJ

For a taste of AC Newman in person, in NYC, you can catch him and band at Bowery Ballroom on March 15th (tickets still on sale) and/or at The Bell House on March 29th (tickets recently went on sale). All tour dates HERE.

AC's new album Get Guilty is out now on Matador Records. Track #7 on that album is called "The Palace At 4 a.m.". And that is the very track you'll hear AC play in the latest episode of the A.C. Newman D.U.M.B.O. Sessions. Video premiere below...

Continue reading "AC Newman's new DUMBO Session video, NYC show TICKETS, and a Dark Was the Night Party in NYC TONIGHT"

photos by Tim Griffin

DeVotchKa @ Webster Hall - January 24, 2009

1. Death Cab For Cutie - "Love Song" (Cure cover)
2. Katy Perry - "Black And Gold" (Sam Sparro cover)
3. DeVotchKa - "Hot Burrito #1" (Flying Burrito Brothers cover)
4. Department Of Eagles - "Love Me" (Elvis Presley cover)
5. Jessica Lea Mayfield - "Words Of Love" (Buddy Holly cover)
6. Ben Bridwell - "Your Love Is Forever" (George Harrison cover)
7. Kate Tucker - "I'm On Fire" (Bruce Springsteen cover)
8. Rogue Wave - "Maps" (Yeah Yeah Yeahs cover)
9. A.C. Newman - "Take On Me" (a-ha cover)
10. Jem - "Yellow" (Coldplay cover)
11. Richard Hawley - "Early Morning Rain" (Gordon Lightfoot cover)
12. Daniel Martin Moore - "I Hear Music" (Billie Holiday cover)
13. She & Him - "I Put A Spell On You" (Screamin' Jay Hawkins cover)
14. Lila Downs - "My One And Only Love" (Frank Sinatra cover)

The above cover art and tracklist is from the previously-mentioned Starbucks Sweetheart CD they're putting out this year for Valentine's Day.

The makers of track #3, DeVotchKa, recently announced some dates with Les Clapool, played an NPR-streamable show in Philly on Friday, and played Webster Hall in NYC one night later (1/24). More pictures from that show below...

Continue reading "Devotchka - Webster Hall pics, an NPR Philly show stream & the Starbucks Sweetheart CD tracklist"

DOWNLOAD: AC Newman - Submarines Of Stockholm (edited version, mp3)

photos by Chris La Putt

"Like his friend Dan Bejar, of Destroyer infamy, Carl Newman is a tremendously gifted songwriter who has the New Pornographers to thank for reining in his tendency to let cleverness run amok.

Newman's second solo album confirms his position as de facto bandleader in the New Pornos, overflowing as it is with the scholarly power-pop hooks and ringing boy/girl harmonies - here provided by Nicole Atkins and Mates of State Jason Hammel and Kori Gardner Hammel - familiar from that Canadian indie supergroup's records. Fans who found 2007's Challengers a bit too circuitous and deliberate will, however, find Get Guilty even more so." [Toronto Star]

Continue reading "AC Newman & Nicole Atkins @ a Virgin store - pics & setlist"

The first big music release date of the year offers a bonanza of indie rock albums. The CD release of Animal Collective's Merriweather Post Pavilion has been garnering most of the press, but A.C. Newman's Get Guilty, Antony and the Johnsons' The Crying Light, Andrew Bird's Noble Beast, and Bon Iver's Blood Bank EP have all been greatly anticipated and have mostly lived up to their hype.

Other releases I have heard and can recommend include Anya Marina's Slow & Steady Seduction, Phase II, Ben Nichols' The Last Pale Light In The West, Matt & Kim's Grand, MV & EE's Drone Trailer, Six Organs of Admittance's RTZ, and Will Sheff & Charles Bissell's split 7" Will Sheff Covers Charles Bissell / Charles Bissell Covers Will Sheff.

Vinyl reissues of the Breeders' Pod and Last Splash albums, along with Public Image Limited's Public Image are on my shopping list.

What new releases can you recommend? Have I left anything off the list?

Continue reading "Largehearted Boy's Interesting CD Releases This Week"

"We knew the iconic Virgin Megastore was on its way out, but now we've got a date for the goodbye party. The store closes this coming April; not long after, a Forever 21 will open in its space. Some fun facts: Virgin has the highest volume of music sales in the US, and that location was "profitable to the tune of $6 million," but it was only paying $54/square foot in rent (as opposed to the $700/square foot that's market rate for the neighborhood.) Worrying about the Union Square outpost, Idolator speculates about how long we have "before Other Music becomes the retail powerhouse of New York City by default."" [Racked]

And in other related news, Record Store Day returns this year. The date is April 18, 2009. Stay tuned for a list of festivities that will happen in non-megastore type record stores across the country that haven't gone out of business by then. Last year there were sales and in-store shows and and limited editions and free schwag and other fun stuff like that.

Flaming Lips, New Years Eve setlist (Dec 31, 2008) (by Ruharvey)

Wayne Coyne was born on January 13, 1961 in Pittsburgh, the fifth of six children of Thomas and Dolores Coyne. Relatively uninterested in school, Coyne preferred music, painting, and football to his assignments. His brothers and other friends played in a backyard football team named the "Fearless Freaks." He continued making art for many years, and designed many of the early graphics for The Flaming Lips himself (in recent times, he has also provided the artwork for both Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots and At War with the Mystics).

Coyne worked as a fry cook at a Long John Silver's restaurant for 11 years, and was awarded a special badge to honor his service. Although he had been toying with an acoustic guitar since he was fourteen, it was this job which enabled him to purchase an electric guitar, a Les Paul, which he did after eight months of employment. Wayne was a senior in high school at the time. [Wikipedia]

Wayne Coyne of The Flaming Lips was born today in 1961.

VBS.TV chatted with Wayne.

Flaming Lips are curating and playing ATP NY 2009.

The Wrens are playing SXSW.

Some albums came out today.

AC Newman plays "Like a Hitman, Like a Dancer" in the DUMBO Session video below...

What else?

Continue reading "What's going on Tuesday?"

Dave Hill, A.C. Newman, Carl Arnheiter (elf) & Brett Gelman @ UCBNY (via)

"Exciting news for the East Village -- we've discovered that the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre has designs on the former Two Boots Pioneer Theater space at 155 East 3rd Street. Alex Sidtis, directing manager of the UCB's current location in Chelsea, revealed to [NY Magazine] that the troupe is hoping to open an East Village outpost, depending on whether it can secure a tavern wine license (the theater will plead its case at a January 12 meeting of Community Board 3's licensing committee). The location will mean more stage time for its performers...

Sidtis loves the fact that the 99-seat theater has a lobby, and says of the layout, "It's a little different [than that of the Chelsea location]. The shows will be more presentational and less theatrical in nature." Phil Hartman, who built the theater a decade ago and still owns the adjacent Two Boots pizza parlor and video store, tells us "I love the theater and I'm pleased to think that it would stay alive as a theater and not get gutted and turned into something else."..."
[NY Magazine]

Leo Allen's Monday night spot used to be held by Aziz Ansari and the Human Giant crew doing a similar type of comedy show with the same types of guests. Don't miss Aziz when he does a much bigger type of show January 9th and 10th at Comix. All dates HERE.

The above photo was taken at the UCB Theatre in NYC, on December 18th.

DOWNLOAD: USA for Affluence - Cash for Christmas (MP3)

The star-studded video is below...

Continue reading "Beardo Episode 5 - CASH FOR CHRISTMAS (Tim Harrington, Moby, Andrew WK, AC Newman, Will Sheff, etc, etc...)"

DOWNLOAD: AC Newman - Submarines Of Stockholm (edited version, mp3)

In addition to the previously posted tour that included a Bowery Ballroom date (that is on sale) with Dent May, and in addition to the new album listening party happening this Thursday, AC (Carl) Newman has two more NYC events coming up. First, Carl will be Dave Hill's special guest at the previously announced Dave Hill Explosion at UCB on December 18th, and second, Carl will end his tour with The Broken West with another Brooklyn show at The Bell House (3/29). No tickets for that one yet. All dates below...

Continue reading "more AC Newman shows, w/ Dave Hill & the Broken West "