As discussed, Braids are releasing the followup to their 2011 debut, Native Speaker this year. Since we last spoke, details on that album have been announced, and we now know it's called Flourish // Perish and will be out on August 20 via Arbutus/Full Time Hobby/Flemish Eye. As mentioned, a single will be out on June 11 with two album tracks, "In Kind" b/w "Amends." You've already heard the b-side and the band have now released the a-side (via Pitchfork). You can listen to both tracks below. The album artwork is above.

As mentioned, Braids play a Northside show on June 15 at Cameo. That bill also includes Yellow Ostrich, a "stripped down set" from Widowspeak, Belle Mare, and WET. Tickets for that show are still available, and you can also try to get in with your Northside badge.

Continue reading "Braids announce album details (stream a new track); Yellow Ostrich & Widowspeak also playing their Northside show"

Phosphorescent at Brooklyn Bowl in 2011 (more by Tamara Porras)

As mentioned, the Northside Festival is returning to various Brooklyn venues from June 13 - 16, and like in past years, they'll be doing two free shows in McCarren Park as part of the festival. We already mentioned that The Walkmen are playing one on June 15, and that one just got even better because Phosphorescent (who just played Crossing Brooklyn Ferry) were added! The rest of the bill includes Friend Roulette and Abadabad. The show is free, but tickets are required and still available.

Solange at Bowery Ballroom in 2012 (more by Amanda Hatfield)

The second free McCarren Park show was also just announced. It will be headlined by Solange (who also just played Crossing Brooklyn Ferry) and support comes from Petite Noir, Cable, and My Midnight Heart. Tickets for that one are on sale now too. If you have a Northside bade, you're guaranteed entry for both free shows.

Northside Festival have added other bands, like Braids, too. An updated list of artists playing (and still more TBA) and lists of all Solange and Phosphorescent dates below...

Continue reading "Solange and Phosphorescent playing free McCarren Park shows during Northside (updated lineup & dates)"

Braids at CMJ 2012 (more by Amanda Hatfield)

We've known for some time now that Montreal's Braids have reduced their lineup from a four-piece to a three-piece and also took their sound in a newer, more electronic direction. That new sound, which we saw in action at SXSW, is finally getting recorded and will surface this fall on a new album via Arbutus, the label that gave us Grimes, Doldrums, and Majical Cloudz. Details on that album are still forthcoming, but before it comes out, we'll get a taste of it from the band's new 12" single, In Kind // Amends, which comes out on June 11 via Arbutus in the US, Full Time Hobby in Europe, and Flemish Eye in Canada. Both of those tracks will appear on the album, and you can stream "Amends" below. The 12" will also include two exclusive tracks that won't be on the album.

Braids also have a few dates coming up, including a slot at the Arbutus Showcase during NXNE and a Brooklyn show right afterwards at Cameo on June 15 as part of the Northside Festival. No advance tickets for the Cameo show at the moment.

All dates are listed, along with the new song stream, below...

Continue reading "Braids releasing 12" single & new album on Arbutus, playing shows (dates & stream)"

photos by Sarah Frankie Linder, words by Andrew Sacher

Delorean / Savages

We kicked off our free BrooklynVegan SXSW day parties yesterday (3/13) in Austin at the Main & The Jr (aka the old Emo's location, aka 603 Red River St) with sets from Delorean, Robyn Hitchock, Savages, Camper Van Beethoven, Caveman, Braids, Maserati, Caitlin Rose, Anamanaguchi, Indians, Marnie Stern, Team Spirit, Torres, and Deep Sea Diver. Pictures from the party are in this post, and more are on the way soon.

The biggest surprise for me personally was Torres (aka Mackenzie Scott), whose self titled debut is great, but she really takes it to another level live. Her band is super tight, loud, and confident (her guitarist has some rock star moves) and Mackenzie has some serious pipes that she doesn't even fully reveal on the album. It was a much heavier show than I expected, and if you can catch her at one of her other upcoming SXSW shows, highly recommended.

Torres was followed by other great sets on the outdoor stage (Glasslands Stage), like the noisy math rock of Marnie Stern (who played a lot of her great new album), the danceable video game punk of Anamanaguchi, and a set from post-rockers Maserati, who along with Caveman, cooled things down for a bit. But that cooling down didn't last long, because once Savages took the stage, they were possibly even more intense than CMJ. They played some new stuff that they didn't have back then, and once that album finally drops, I've got pretty high hopes for it. Finally, Delorean wrapped up the outdoor stage with a dancey set. It was nice to end the day with some familiar tunes like "Real Love." Then Maserati came out and joined Delorean for a cover over Gary Numan's "Cars." Not really.

Meanwhile, indoors Deep Sea Diver kicked things off around the same time as Torres outside and they were followed by the fun-rock of Team Spirit, Copenhagen's Indians (who were a 3-piece and were better that way than when I saw him solo), a rousing country set from Caitlin Rose, the new electronic sound of Braids (which we also heard at CMJ), and the show ended with sets from two musical veterans: Camper Van Beethoven and Robyn Hitchcock. Robyn was great and he is especially funny on stage with his in-between song banter. He referred to the overheard sounds of Delorean from the other room as the sounds of devils, and "if they had been heard 200 years earlier, marches of men would have been sent to destroy these fiends," (or something like that).

In addition to the music, Onkyo was there, sampling their new headphones which hit stores next month. mophie, maker of invaluable iPhone chargers, were giving away discount cards good at their pop-up shop which was set up right across the street on Red River. We were also serving complimentary Jameson, and Zico coconut water, and free vegan queso and chips from Food For Lovers. We also had BrooklynVegan t-shirts for the first 50 people in the door, thanks to American Apparel. Also thanks to our other sponsors, Korg, Vox, Blackstar, Creative Recreation, Signazon, WILLCALL, Mirrored Media, and Redigi.

Our day parties continue today (3/14) with sets from Cloud Nothings, Parenthetical Girls, Death, METZ, Milk Music, Beach Fossils, Widowspeak, and more.

More pictures from yesterday's party below...

Continue reading "BrooklynVegan SXSW Wednesday day party in pics (Savages, Robyn Hitchcock, Delorean, Camper Van Beethoven & more)"

photos by Dominick Mastrangelo

Of Montreal / Ducktails @ Savannah Stopover, 3/8/2013

Amazingly, Athens-based of Montreal's gig was their first ever in Savannah.

Of Montreal's show in the park was also the first time the sweeping backdrop of our so-called band shell was used to full effect. Surreal and colorful, the dancing images looked almost as wonderful from a distance as the ridiculous stage theatrics appeared up close.

That event might have been the signature event of the third annual indie music festival that lures many bands headed to Austin for SXSW, but there were plenty of other gems.

Thursday's opening night lineup was especially impressive.

To get the festival rolling, the rich sounds of The Last Bison filled up the glorious North Garden at the Ships of the Sea Museum. The music ended about six hours later, with Mac DeMarco finishing his set by crowd surfing at The Jinx.

In between, a couple of dozen acts played at a variety of downtown venues, including Thurston Moore and his new band Chelsea Light Moving in the beautifully renovated ballroom at the Knights of Columbus on Liberty Street. - [Savannah Now]

Continue reading "The Savannah Stopover: day 2 in pics (of Montreal, Ducktails, Braids and more)"

follow @BVSXSW on Twitter. here's another BVSXSW lineup announcement...

As you know, BrooklynVegan is returning to Austin for SXSW this year and throwing four days of day parties at The Main & The Jr aka 603 Red River Street at the corner of 6th aka the old Emo's location. Those happen Wed (3/13), Thurs, Fri and Saturday (3/16). All shows are 100% FREE with RSVP.

We announced the Saturday lineup, and then the Friday lineup, followed by the Thursday lineup, and finally, here is the fourth and final one: the WEDNESDAY LINEUP...

Continue reading "BrooklynVegan free SXSW 2013 Wednesday day party lineup (Robyn Hitchcock, Delorean, Savages, Camper Van Beethoven, Caveman, Marnie Stern, Anamanaguchi & more)"

SXSW is no doubt a great way to see a lot of bands in a short amount of time and can be a lot of fun. But it can also be a little much for some. If you'd like to see many of the same bands but in a more genteel setting, you might be interested in The Savannah Stopover which happens the weekend before SXSW (March 7 - 9) in at various clubs in Savannah, Georgia. Over 100 bands will play, including Of Montreal, Merchandise, Mac DeMarco, Chelsea Light Moving, Hunters, Braids, Delicate Steve, Turbo Fruits, Ducktails and loads more.

Tickets ($30 per day or $75 for three-day pass) are on sale now and more info is at Savannah Stopover's website. The full announced lineup is below.

Continue reading "of Montreal, Chelsea Light Moving, Merchandise, Mac DeMarco, & more playing Savannah Stopover before SXSW"

Blue Hawaii @ CMJ 2012 (more by Amanda Hatfield)

Montreal resident Raphaelle Standell-Preston fronts both Braids and Blue Hawaii, but the bands are separate entities with their own musical personalities. Both groups like Mac Demarco, Burial, Majical Cloudz and Born Gold, though, which show up on each group's Top 10 of 2012 list which we have for you here in this post. Like the bands themselves, BRAIDS's list is a little more band-oriented and Blue Hawaii skews more electronic. (Guess which one has Grimes on it?) Both lists are below.

Look out for Blue Hawaii's sophomore album, Untogether (definitely one of my favorite 2013 LPs that I've managed to hear already - Bill), via Arbutus Records on January 22. Braids will have a new album next year too. Both were here for CMJ.

Braids and Blue Hawaii's respective 2012 Top 10 lists are below.

Continue reading "Braids and Blue Hawaii list their Top 10 LPs of 2012"

photos by Amanda Hatfield

DOWNLOAD: Blue Hawaii - In Two (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Blue Hawaii - In Two II (MP3)

Blue Hawaii @ Bowery Electric for Sam Mickens CMJ - 10/18/2012

Braids side project Blue Hawaii, who played the 2011 BrooklynVegan CMJ showcase with Braids, have come up a lot on this site since right before CMJ 2012 (which Braids also played). But we haven't yet mentioned "Untogether", their new full length due 1/22/2013 on Arbutus Records. Gorilla Vs. Bear premiered two MP3s off it which you can download above.

Electronic duo (as Jon Pareles referred to them) Blue Hawaii played at least 5 CMJ shows this year, one of which was the official Sam Mickens showcase at Bowery Electric with ZZZ's. We have some pictures of both bands from that show in this post.

Blue Hawaii are still in NYC and play two more shows this weekend. We've mentioned both. Tonight/Friday (10/26) you can find them at Cameo with ARMS and Opossom, and Saturday they open for Grimes at Bowery Ballroom. Those seem to be their only upcoming dates at the moment.

More pictures from Bowery Electric and some streams below...

Continue reading "Blue Hawaii releasing 'Untogether' (MP3s), played CMJ w/ ZZZ's (pics), play two more shows this weekend (dates)"

photos by Amanda Hatfield & Dominick Mastrangelo, words by Bill Pearis

Deap Vally @ Public Assembly (by Dominick)

Foxygen @ Public Assemby (by Amanda)

Our Friday not-CMJ day party (10/19) at Public Assembly, our first of two day-long, two-stage shows at the venue over the weekend, had my favorite one-two punch of the entire 2012 CMJ week: Savages followed by METZ both of whose performances we wrote about already (click the links). But I'll add that even though it was a shorter set (that didn't include "Flying to Berlin"_ than when I caught them at Glasslands earlier in the week, Savages were more, relaxed, more electrifying at our show. And METZ bring their insane level of energy (and volume) to every show they do, day or night, and they knocked the crowd for a loop. CMJ in a nutshell right there.

The rest of Friday's line-up was highly diverse: Israeli prog rockers Tiny Fingers; Wisonsin folk duo Blessed Feathers; the retro-fueled shenanigans of the terrific Foxygen; Murals' laid-back dreampop; FIGO and Toys that Kill bringing some punk; Deap Vally bringing riffs and sex appeal; IO Echo's gothy shoegaze pop; MSMR's big pop sounds (a little like an indie Sophie Ellis Bextor?); Doldrums on what was one of their 8000 highly energetic shows that week; Braids' new, electronic direction; and the brainy fake surf of The Intelligence.

Attendees at the show were fueled by complimentary drinks courtesy of Sailor Jerry Rum, complimentary beer courtesy of PBR, and snacked on the free Raw Revolution organic live food bars that were scattered around the venue. Hopefully nobody had a hangover thanks to cans of the Mercy that were given out aplenty. If the PBR and Poggled photographer took your picture, look for it on our Facebook.

We already posted pictures from this party of METZ, Savages, and Sky Ferreira. More from the whole show, below...

Continue reading "BV Friday Day Party pics (Deap Vally, Foxygen, Murals, Toys That Kill, Braids, Io Echo, The Intelligence, Savages, METZ + more)"

photos by Amanda Hatfield

Braids at Pianos, 10/17/2012

Montreal's Braids played their first of three CMJ week shows yesterday (10/17) at Pianos for the Tell All Your Friends day party. This was NYC's first second taste (they played ATP NY a couple weeks ago) of the the now-trio's new sound that is almost entirely electronic, veering into house, techno and, yes, dubstep. Pictures from their set are in this post.

You have two more chances to see Braids this week, including the BrooklynVegan not-CMJ day party at Public Assembly on Friday (10/19) where they'll headline the front room at 5 PM. Fun starts at noon, and is 100%. Do stop by.

The other show Braids have lined up this week is on Saturday (10/20) at Bowery Ballroom with Weekend, Forma and headliners Wild Nothing. Tickets are still available or you can try and get in with a CMJ badge.

Meanwhile, Blue Hawaii (side project of Braids' Raphaelle Standell-Preston) will be playing some CMJ shows too, including the Sam Mickens CMJ party at Bowery Electric on October 18; the M for Montreal showcase at Arlene's Grocery on October 19;  and the Arbutus Records Showcase at Death by Audio on October 20.

More pictures from Braids' Pianos set are below.

Continue reading "Braids played Pianos, playing 2 more CMJ week shows, including BV Friday day party (pics)"

Pictureplane at MoMA PS1 in 2011 (more by Erez Avissar)

Braids in Austin in 2011 (more by Tim Griffin)

Mac DeMarco at NXNE Bruise Cruise in June (more by David Andrako)

today in NYC
* Icona Pop, JJAMZ, Matt Sucich, Kate Earl @ Jet Blue's Terminal 5 (JFK)
* 12 Dirty Bullets, Dogbite, Denise Barbarita, Oh! My Blackbird @ Spike Hill (FREE)
* Dee Dee of Dum Dum Girls 'Meet the Musician' discussion @ Apple Store SoHo (2 PM)
* Dent May, Mac DeMarco, Teen Suicide, Poor Lily, The Deloreans, Attic @ Public Assembly (FREE)
* Friend Roulette, Kate Earl, Christopher Paul Stelling, Zach Williams (& the Bellow) @ Living Room (FREE)
* Daughter, High Highs, Cody Chestnutt, & Paul Banks @ CMJ Union (FREE w/ RSVP)
* Antigone Rising, Rachel Sage, A Fragile Tomorrow, Seth Glier, Julia Hatigan @ Rockwood Music Hall (FREE w/ RSVP)
* Conveyor, Sean Rowe, Pretty & Nice, Mean Creek, Generationals, Daniel Ellsworth & The Great Lakes @ Fontana's (FREE)
* Pictureplane, Prince Rama, Myyki Blanco, Jerome LOL, Flume, Michna, Win Win, Eraas, Wild International @ Cake Shop (FREE)
* Psychobuildings, Dynasty Electric, GHXST, Magmana, The Tall Pines, Clementine & the Galaxy, Wojcik @ The Bowery Electric (FREE)
* Braids, Maus Haus, Blackbird Blackbird, Team Spirit, Solid Gold, Filligar, Triple Hex, Zulu Pearls, The Bowery Riots, Jon Derosa, Wooden Indian Burial Ground, Correatown @ Pianos (FREE)
* The Click Clack Boom, Avan Lava, Filligar, The Suzan, Generationals, Lazyeyes, Local H, The Hounds Below, The Life & Times, Turf War, Country Mice, American Royalty, Luke Rathborne, Joywave, The Danvilles, Wild International, Edelweiss, Cultfever @ The Studio at Webster Hall

It's CMJ week in NYC and, in addition to all of the showcases at night, that means venues will be hosting day parties, almost of all of which are totally free to the public, with or without a CMJ badge. Those parties are listed above, and we've pointed out which are free and when RSVP is required. Most start at or around noon, some a bit later. Another What's Going On post with tonight's shows will be posted later today.

Follow @bvcmj on Twitter for more CMJ coverage.

Braids, who play the Tell All Your Friends party at Pianos today, also headline the free BrooklynVegan day party on Friday (10/19).

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What else?

We're at Public Assembly in Brooklyn all day Friday (10/19) and Saturday (10/20). Here's what Friday looks like...

BrooklynVegan FRIDAY DAY PARTY - 10/19/2012

STAGE 1 (front room)
12:00 Tiny Fingers (from Israel)
01:00 Murals
01:45 Deap Vally
02:30 Savages
03:15 METZ
04:00 MS MR
05:00 Braids

STAGE 2 (back room)
12:00 Blessed Feathers
12:40 Foxygen
01:25 FIGO (live)
02:10 IO Echo
03:00 Sky Ferreira
03:40 Doldrums
04:30 Toys That Kill
05:15 The Intelligence

And show up early for complimentary drinks courtesy of Sailor Jerry Rum and complimentary beer courtesy of PBR. You can also grab a free hangover prevention beverage courtesy of Mercy, and stay energized with free Raw Revolution organic live food bars. Get your photo taken in our free photo booth courtesy of PBR and Poggled.

Saturday lineup (same time, same place) coming soon...

---

Meanwhile you'l also find us, or our BV Austin site to be more specific, repping Texas at Rebel (a free and official CMJ party), and at Saint Vitus on Saturday night.

Braids at ATP NYC 2012 (more by Luiz Ruiz)

Montreal's Braids were just in NYC for ATP and while they were in the area, the closest club date they played was at Hoboken's Maxwell's a few days before ATP. Now they'll be returning to NYC during CMJ for a free, and far more intimate than ATP, show at Pianos on October 17 for the Tell All Your Friends day party. The show starts at noon and Braids are on at 6 PM. Other bands playing including Maus Haus, Blackbird Blackbird, Team Spirit, Solid Gold, Filligar, Triple Hex, Zulu Pearls, and still more. You can see the full list of artists and more details in the flier below. This show is the only announced date for Braids at the moment.

UPDATE: Braids also play a larger CMJ show at Bowery Ballroom on October 20 with Wild Nothing (more of their dates HERE and HERE), Weekend, and Forma. Tickets to that show go on sale Wednesday (10/10) at noon.

In related news, Raphaelle of Braids' other band, Blue Hawaii will be playing some CMJ shows too, including the Sam Mickens CMJ party at Bowery Electric on October 18 with Jack Ladder & the Dreamlanders, TOPS, and ZZZ's. It doesn't look like Sam Mickens is actually playing the show (he's been doing some booking for the venue lately), but you'll have a few chances to catch him playing in NYC this month and next.

After that show, Blue Hawaii will play the M for Montreal showcase at Arlene's Grocery on October 19 with Doldrums, Mozart's Sister, Absolutely Free, Royal Canoe, Plaster, Ariane Mofatt, and TOPS, and the POP Montreal day party at Cameo on October 20 with Goose Hut, Mozart's Sister, Solar Year, Valleys, C T Z N S H P.

Blue Hawaii also play the Arbutus Records Showcase at Death by Audio on October 20 with Doldrums, TOPS, Majical Cloudz, and Eola. As you may know, Arbutus is the label that Grimes was on before signing to 4AD. All the bands playing that DbA show are featured on a mix Arbutus made for CMJ which we're premiering in this post. Check it out, along with its tracklist, below.

As mentioned, Blue Hawaii will open for her in NYC at Bowery Ballroom on October 27 with Myths. Majical Cloudz, who are also on the Arbutus showcase and featured on Grimes' album, will open her show at Music Hall of Williamsburg (10/28) with Elite Gymnastics. All of Grimes' upcoming NYC shows are sold out.

The Braids flier, Arbutus CMJ mix, a song stream, and a list of all Blue Hawaii dates are below.

Continue reading "Braids playing CMJ (1 show w/ Wild Nothing); Blue Hawaii too (who are on an Arbutus Records mix) (dates, streams)"

photos by Luis Ruiz; words by Andrew Frisicano

The Magic Band / Thee Oh Sees / the facilities, ATP NY 9/232012

The books have closed on ATP NY 2012, the series's first excursion into the five boroughs, which replaced the getaway-style retreat of the previous four NYC-area events. Music festivals in the city are notoriously tricky propositions, and the way that this one played out has been less than smooth. The location was announced as Asbury Park, NJ, then changed to Manhattan, and anyone who looks back at the initial lineup will not only find that fest didn't really add many more significant bands, but that a number of acts dropped off completely (Louis C.K., Reigning Sound, Sharon Van Etten, Death Grips, Factory Floor, Chavez). Through it all, the tickets remained $199 for the weekend and $60/$75 per day. The whole situation seems closely related to the company's recently reported financial difficulties. For music fans enamored with ATP NY's past iterations, the whole set up required a different set of expectations.

Once it was up and running, the festival experience was exceedingly smooth and comfortable. The weather cooperated and the stages, minus a few brief technical hiccups, sounded great (the FDR over the outside stage didn't make a peep, aside from the occasional passing police siren).

Friday night brought the biggest names, with Frank Ocean and Philip Glass topping the bill. For me, that was the most unique match up of the fest, though hardly its only exclusive pairing. Other acts exclusive whose only area show this year was ATP, included the Dirty Three, who raged in their Saturday afternoon slot, and R&B-punk quartet the Make-Up, who tore up the indoor stage Sunday night. (Warren Ellis and Ian Svenonius vied for the title of best frontman, bringing wild yelps and James Brown-esque leg kicks, respectively.)

JEFF the Brotherhood turned out one of the best sets I've ever seen them play (often it seems the band is hampered by shoddy sound, despite only having two instruments). For them, the outdoor stage filled with billowing smoke and trippy laser lights. Afterwards, Jose Gonzalez took the same space, plucking his acoustic amid the impressive surroundings. He finished right before a downpour.

On Sunday, the psychedelic blues of Captain Beefheart's group, The Magic Band, wowed on the same stage, followed by the always sturdy Thee Oh Sees. who played to a raucous crowd at The Well the night before with Ty Segall.) By Sunday night, the festival did have a bit of a ghost town feel, with Hot Snakes closing out the outdoor stage and Godspeed You! Black Emperor playing a crushing set indoors.

Definiltey, the fest could have used a few more hip-hop acts (especially considering curator Greg Dulli's love of the genre). As it was, not counting Edan who DJ'd on Friday and perhaps Frank Ocean, the Roots were the closest thing on the lineup to representing the genre (Run DMC would have been a dream addition). Overall this year seemed less about dream lineups/reunions and more about getting its footing in Manhattan with a solid, more-modest three days.

More photos from Sunday are below, including pictures of Braids, Endless Boogie, The Psychic Paramount, Quintron and Miss Pussycat, Tall Firs and The Album Leaf, with another set from Sunday still to come. Friday photos are here. As for Saturday... the dog ate them? We do have the Afghan Whigs ATP setlist below, however.

Continue reading "ATP NYC in review; Day 3 pics (part 1) ----- Thee Oh Sees, Album Leaf, Magic Band, Psychic Paramount + more"

The Greg Dulli-curated ATP NY is this weekend (9/21 - 9/23) and organizers just released the schedule which you can check out below. Music (and comedy on Friday) happens on two stages with films, talks and bingo taking place on the Queen of Hearts boat which is docked just nearby. If you're wondering, Frank Ocean is at 11:45 PM on Friday. Also, Chavez dropped and and have been replaced by JEFF the Brotherhood (Sat. 9/22 7 PM).

Tickets are still available to all three days which can be gotten online or at Other Music. Peruse the full schedule below, perhaps while listening to the ATP mixtape that Greg Dulli made for us.

Continue reading "ATP NY 2012: full schedule"

Braids at BV-CMJ 2011 (more by Amanda Hatfield)

Braids (not Braid, who just played NYC on their tour) will be in NYC for ATP I'll Be Your Mirror on Pier 36 on September 23, and they've just announced a few other Northeast dates surrounding that festival. Those dates include a show at Maxwell's on September 18. Tickets for that show go on sale Friday (8/17) at noon. All dates are listed below.

Braids are also planning to release the followup to 2011's Native Speaker in early 2013 with a darker and "more electronic-based" album. Regarding the new album, the band told SPIN:

We could play [Native Speaker] cuts for hours on end and we would never get drained. But some of these songs we're like, 'Oh this is kind of a dark song.' If you work on it for more than a couple hours it starts to get pretty dark in the room. You have to take a break and go get lunch or something then finish the song. It's been a good emotional journey for sure.

Continue reading "Braids working on new LP, playing shows before ATP (dates)"

That didn't take long. Last night we posted it as a rumor. Today it is confirmed (removal of Louis CK included):

ATP Concerts today announce the relocation of this September's New Jersey based I'll Be Your Mirror festival event to Pier 36 in Manhattan, New York.

Pier 36 was the intended home for I'll Be Your Mirror beginning in 2013 - but due to unavoidable logistical concerns (along with a lack of available fan accommodations in Asbury Park), ATP has decided to move there for this year's event.

New additions to the festival today include: Philip Glass & Tyondai Braxton, Janeane Garofalo, Lightning Bolt, Lee Ranaldo, Chavez, Kurt Braunohler, Afterhours, Joseph Arthur, Godspeed You! Black Emperor, The Album Leaf, The Psychic Paramount, Braids, Tall Firs, Blanck Mass, Endless Boogie, Demdike Stare and DJ Jonathan Toubin with more to be added to all three days - see below for more info on the new additions...

Some artists who are unable to play the new location - the following statement comes from Louis CK's management:

"Louis CK who was originally scheduled for the Asbury Park event will not be performing at ATP in Manhattan due to scheduling conflicts. Check louisck.com for info about his tour schedule."

Sharon Van Etten, Reigning Sound and Factory Floor will also not be available to perform. All other previously announced artists will perform as originally scheduled.

"We hope that the new venue will make for an incredible event and open up many other accommodation options to fans who were unable to find rooms in Asbury Park," comments ATP's Barry Hogan. "We sincerely apologise to those inconvenienced by the move and hope that any problems caused may be minimised by the relatively small distance between the two locations. Anyone who is unable to attend due to the move or due to the cancellation of Louis CK can claim a full refund by contacting their ticket agent between now and July 31st."

Pier 36 is a new indoor venue sitting on the edge of the East River between the Manhattan & Williamsburg Bridges - it's outside area boasts glorious views of Brooklyn and the Statue of Liberty.

The Saturday night of this year's festival will be headlined by The Afghan Whigs (who have reunited after a 13 year hiatus) and curated by their frontman Greg Dulli, with ATP curating the Friday and Sunday nights.

Tickets are on sale now via ATPfestival.com priced at $199 for the Weekend, with Day Passes also newly available priced at $60 for Friday & $75 for Saturday/Sunday.

Full information on the additions to all three days of the line-up...

Friday will feature both music and comedy - we can now announce a musical headliner for Friday, as esteemed composer PHILIP GLASS teams up with TYONDAI BRAXTON (former Battles frontman) for a completely unprecedented live collaboration. Other stellar additions to the day's musical line-up are LIGHTNING BOLT - one of the world's most unmissable live acts, and LEE RANALDO of Sonic Youth. Joining the Friday on the Comedy stage is none other than standup/actress JANEANE GAROFALO, newcomer KURT BRAUNOHLER, with more to be confirmed. Friday tickets cost $60.

Saturday, headlined by THE AFGHAN WHIGS and featuring a stellar list of artists chosen by the Whigs' frontman Greg Dulli, has three new artists. First up are alternative rock band CHAVEZ, who returned to the live arena in the last few years to much acclaim, and they're joined by Italy's AFTERHOURS (past collaborators with Greg Dulli) and Ohio based singer/songwriter JOSEPH ARTHUR. They join the previously announced Saturday line-up of The Afghan Whigs, The Roots, José González, Mark Lanegan Band, Dirty Three, The Antlers, The Dirtbombs, Scrawl, Emeralds, Vetiver, Charles Bradley And The Extraordinaires and DJ Questlove with more to be confirmed. Tickets for this day cost $75.

Sunday will be headlined by one of the incomparable live shows from legendary Canadian post-rock pioneers GODSPEED YOU! BLACK EMPEROR. Also newly confirmed are Canada's fantastic BRAIDS, Britain's DEMDIKE STARE and BLANCK MASS (feat Benjamin Power of F**k Buttons), intense New York post-rock from THE PSYCHIC PARAMOUNT, a return ATP performance from THE ALBUM LEAF, cult rock quartet ENDLESS BOOGIE, alt folk duo TALL FIRS, and DJ JONATHAN TOUBIN. They join the previously announced Sunday line-up of The Make-Up, Hot Snakes, The Magic Band, Autolux, Thee Oh Sees, I Break Horses and Quintron And Miss Pussycat (moving to this day from Saturday) with more to be confirmed. Sunday tickets cost $75.

As well as the live music line-up and comedy on the Friday, our friends at The Criterion Collection will return to run the Cinema across the weekend. All three days feature DJs and other activities to be confirmed in the months ahead. Each day runs from noon-midnight.

Continue reading "confirmed: ATP moves from Asbury Park to NYC, adds artists"

photos by Amanda Hatfield

Raphaelle Standell-Preston of Braids/Blue Hawaii @ MHoW

Like she was when in February, Canada's Raphaelle Standell-Preston was fighting a cold when she returned to NYC to play the BrooklynVegan CMJ showcase at Music Hall of Williamsburg on Friday night (10/21). That didn't stop her from performing at the show twice though! Her electronic and atmospheric duo project Blue Hawaii bravely opened the show to the smallest audience of the night at 7pm (less than one hour after the BV day party at Public Assembly ended right next door). She then sang again at 10pm in Braids, but this time to the largest audience of the night. The room was packed to capacity as Braids performed their "absolutely beautiful" music. Seeming overwhelmed by their grand reception, Raphaelle thanked the crowd over and over as they ended their set and their tour with Pepper Rabbit who played at 8.

There's a rumor that the BV showcase may have been Pepper Rabbit's last show ever. Hopefully that's not true. To quote Hannah Angst, "Pepper Rabbit puts on an amazing show- I love when so few people can make that much noise." Maria Sherman said that, "the best part of [the] pepper rabbit show [was] John Norris screaming every lyric."

After Pepper Rabbit and before Braids, came Active Child who some say stole the show.

After Braids came the final set of the night, and that was from the great San Francisco post-punk band Weekend (I feel like it doesn't need to be written anymore that Weekend is not to be confused with The Weeknd or Weekends, but at least one person asked me to clarify this weekend, so I think I should keep writing it). Metro.us saw Weekend and says:

Bringing your own lights is an effective move that makes you stand out from the thousand other bands. You can better capture what you know as the es-sence of your own music. Weekend brought three long red tube lights to put beside their instruments, evoking electric heaters, warming up their icy goth rock sound.

Thanks to everyone who stopped by. Sorry if for some reason you couldn't get in! More pictures below...

Continue reading "BV CMJ 2011 showcase @ MHOW w/ Braids, Active Child, Weekend, Pepper Rabbit & Blue Hawaii (pics)"

CMJ Music Marathon Festival Guide (photo by olsoncaleb)

The 2011 CMJ Music Marathon starts today (10/18) and runs through Saturday night (10/22).

If you're not familiar with how this works, basically CMJ is just a whole bunch of concerts (showcases), films, panels, parties and other random events. CMJ attendees typically have a badge, but you don't need a badge to enjoy CMJ. You do need a badge to attend panels and stuff like that, and badges will get you into showcases, but they will not guarantee you get into the showcases you want. A limited number of badges are let into each show. The only way to guarantee you get into the official showcases you want, especially if you don't have a badge, is to buy an individual ticket to that show.

BrooklynVegan is hosting two official showcases: Friday night @ Music Hall of Williamsburg (tickets) & Saturday metal on a boat (tickets).

You can view all (most) of CMJ's official schedule at schedule.cmj.com. You check out our guide to all that is dark and heavy at CMJ for more too.

In addition to the official stuff is all the unofficial stuff. Those are the parties planned by whoever and most are free, though some require RSVP. Most are in the day (showcases are at night). Bill listed a bunch of parties happening today, with a guide for tonight coming soon HERE. Browse our CMJ archives for many more. Follow @bvCMJ on Twitter too.

BrooklynVegan is hosting three unofficial day parties. We're super last minute, so the lineups haven't been announced yet, but we're doing a day party at Knitting Factory Thursday, and two two-stage day parties at Public Assembly on Friday & Saturday. No RSVP necessary for these. Stay tuned for more shortly!

Check out some video features on BV showcase band Braids, performance of "Lemonade" included, below...

Continue reading "CMJ 2011 begins now. check out the schedule"

photos by Tim Griffin

Raphaelle Standell-Preston of Braids @ the Mohawk

"When I see Raphaelle Standell-Preston (guitar, lead vocals of Braids) take to the scene, I find that I'm even more excited than I thought I was. Joining her are Katie Lee (keyboard, vocals), Austin Tufts (drums, vocals) and Taylor Smith (samples, percussion, vocals, bass, guitar). The crowd is immediately in love after the first song and isn't afraid to show it. Cheers and screams all around. "Glass Deers," the longest track on the band's newly released album, Native Speaker, makes its appearance, leading in with its otherworldly din and chimes until it quiets down and Raphaelle's voice takes its first demure and regulated step. The whole group-from keyboard to drums, guitar, voice, samples and drums-shines with a melodious and striking sound, but it's the lead vocals that flare brightest. As the song unfolds, so do the layers of the multi-talented artist's range and expression. No one can help but be captivated and I am left inspired by the pure power of the song as performed live." [eventseekr]

The tour continues through Friday, 10/21, when Braids and Pepper Rabbit join Active Child, Weekend, and Raphaelle from Braids' other project Blue Hawaii at the BrooklynVegan official CMJ showcase at Music Hall of Williamsburg. Tickets are still on sale, or get in with your CMJ badge.

More pictures from Austin below...

Continue reading "Braids & Pepper Rabbit on tour, played Mohawk w/ Painted Palms (pics)"

Braids @ Mercury Lounge (more by Andrew St. Clair)

Though you may have noticed it on Music Hall's site already, I'm excited to announce the lineup of the 2011 BrooklynVegan official CMJ showcase, happening at Music Hall of Williamsburg on Friday, October 21st. It looks like this:

7pm Blue Hawaii
8pm Pepper Rabbit
9pm Active Child
10pm Braids
11pm Weekend

Montreal's Braids (not to be confused with Braid), covered countless times on this site also played a BV-SXSW 2011 party and are currently nominated for the Polaris Award. I'm honored to host them twice in one year.

Blue Hawaii, more of a rarity, is Braids front-woman Raphaelle's solo project. You don't see Blue Hawaii's name on a bill very often, though maybe you just caught them when they opened for Braids at Mercury Lounge on September 6th. Get there early! Raphaelle on stage once is something not to be missed, let alone twice in one night!

Active Child @ Bowery Ballroom (more by Amanda Hatfield)

Active Child, whose last NYC was a sold out one at Bowery Ballroom just last week, will play an early 9pm set even though they could probably be headlining the night themselves. No lack of BV Active Child posts too if you want to find out more about the LA-based ex-choir boy harp playing artist (Active Child also played a BV SXSW party in March 2010).

Pepper Rabbit also recently shared bills with Braids, though not in NYC where Pepper Rabbit also just headlined their own Mercury Lounge show. Grab the Freelance Whales remix of of their song "Rose Mary Stetch" HERE if you don't have it yet.

Weekend @ BV-SXSW 2010 (more by Tim Griffin)

Last but far from least is Weekend (not to be confused with The Weeknd or Weekends) who also played the same BV SXSW party in 2011 that Braids did (Malajube, who are in NYC now, played that show too). I'm excited to have them back too! To quote one BV contributor who I think speaks for most of us, "Weekend are one of my favorite new bands of the last year." Maybe you just caught them at one of their two packed NYC shows earlier this month. They played both Mercury Lounge and Glasslands with Talk Normal. Download/listen to their new track "Hazel" below.

NOTE: This is one of two official BrooklynVegan CMJ showcases. The other is much heavier and on a boat. Stay tuned for free day party announcements too.

Continue reading "BV-CMJ 2011 official showcase @ Music Hall of Williamsburg -- lineup & tickets"

DOWNLOAD: Purity Ring - "Belispeak" (MP3)

As mentioned, Purity Ring are heading out on tour with Neon Indian in September and October, culminating in a CMJ show at Webster Hall on October 21. Tickets are still available for what is now Neon Indian's next NY show now that the Quiksilver thing is cancelled (well, unless you count DJing).

Purity Ring will also play a Windish Agency CMJ Showcase that same night (10/21) at Mercury Lounge with Drop the Lime, Small Black, We Barbarians, High Highs, Gauntlet Hair, Electric Guest, and Cuckoo Chaos. Tickets for the showcase go on sale Thursday (9/1) at noon with an AmEx presale starting Wednesday (8/31) at noon (you can also try to get in with a CMJ badge). All tour dates are listed below.

Purity Ring are set to release a split 7" with fellow Canadians Braids on October 11 via Fat Possum. Grab Purity Ring's contribution, "Belispeak," above and check out the artwork, which is above too.

Speaking of Braids and We Barbarians, Braids are going on tour with Pepper Rabbit, but before they do Pepper Rabbit will play their own show with We Barbarians and ANR at Mercury Lounge on August 31. Tickets are still available. Braids play Mercury Lounge a week later. Tickets are still on sale.

Updated Purity Ring tour dates below...

Continue reading "Purity Ring schedules a CMJ show w/ We Barbarians & others, releasing split w/ BRAIDS (MP3 & updated dates)"

DOWNLOAD: Pepper Rabbit - "Rose Mary Stretch" (Freelance Whales remix) (MP3)

Pepper Rabbit @ Sasquatch 2011 (more by Josh Darr)

Pepper Rabbit are about to adjust to life on the road. Beginning on September 7 in Philly, they'll be on the road with BRAIDS and the Secretly Canadian-signed Painted Palms for over six weeks. But first, they play their own show at Mercury Lounge in NYC on August 31 with We Barbarians and ANR. Tickets are still on sale, and we have a pair you can win. Details below with all tour dates. The Polaris-nominated BRAIDS play Mercury Lounge without Pepper Rabbit (but with Painted Palms, Blue Hawaii and Noveller) on September 6.

Pepper Rabbit's new album Red Velvet Snow Ball was released earlier this month and if you order it on their website...

... You can get it in two different packages below. The totes and pins were made special for this offer. You can't get them anywhere else. Every order also comes with an immediate download of a ton of MP3s. You get our whole first record, Beauregard. You get the Rose Mary Stretch EP we've been giving out (with the rad Miniature Tigers cover!). And you get the whole new album....

Continue reading "Pepper Rabbit remixed by Freelance Whales (MP3 premiere), kicking of tour (updated dates & a ticket contest)"

DOWNLOAD: Blue Hawaii - "Lilac" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Blue Hawaii - "Belize" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Indiensoci - "Besnard" (MP3)

Blue Hawaii

Raphaelle Standell-Preston of Braids is also one half of the duo Blue Hawaii. She spoke to Lookout about the project in June 2010:

There hasn't been much press surrounding Blue Hawaii and your new album Blooming Summer. Who is Blue Hawaii?

Raph: Blue Hawaii is Alexander Cowan and myself. It's a project that we started when we first met each other. We've been dating for the last while, so it's kind of been, I don't know, I don't how I feel about saying it's like a "love project," but it kind of is, I guess.

The sound you're producing is quite distinct from your other projects. Was it a decision to move away from that or was it just a natural influence?

Raph: It was just a natural influence. Every project that I do really takes on its own sound. Except for a few of the tracks my voice doesn't sound like it does for Braids. It's such a different art form in itself that I become a part of the music. This one was very romantic and wispy, whereas Braids is very urgent and angsty. It was a different part of me, just like Indiensoci is. Indiensoci is very feminine and ethereal.

The live performances of Blue Hawaii feature stylistic elements that are absent from your other projects. Is that adoption part of achieving the blissful aesthetic?

Raph: For sure. Especially lately, coming into my twenties and performing for the last three years, I've become intrigued by the amount of control and freedom that you have as the performer. With Braids, if I were to put on face paint and stuff like that I would just stand out like a sore thumb, and that's not really what Braids is. With Braids, everybody is just wearing jeans and get out of the van and play the show. Blue Hawaii is a bit more of an outlet for the urge in me to explore what it really is to be a performer and to have face paint and to bring all the artistic elements into the performance. I'm excited about it. I want to go even crazier if possible. I want to bring projections and jellybeans.

Blue Hawaii's LP Blooming Summer is out now on Arbutus Records (home of Grimes). You can purchase the album at the Arbutus Records webstore and grab two tracks above. Two more songs are also streaming below.

As mentioned in the interview, Raphaelle also records material as Indiensoci. Grab the Indiensoci track "Besnard" above.

Updated Braids tour dates and songs below...

Continue reading "Blue Hawaii is Raphaelle from Braids & friend (MP3, dates)"