Jherek Bischoff

As mentioned, the Ecstatic Music Festival kicks off on February 4 at Merkin Concert Hall with Jherek Bischoff, who plays with Parenthetical Girls and The Dead Science. He's teaming up with Wordless Music Orchestra and an incredible list of guest vocalists from his upcoming album, which comes out this February, including David Byrne, Craig Wedren (Shudder To Think), Greg Saunier (Deerhoof), Mirah, and Zac Pennington (Parenthetical Girls. Tickets are still on sale now.

Speaking of Parenthetical Girls, their tour began last night (12/1) at Glasslands with Gauntlet Hair, Dinowalrus, and Eraas. If you missed it, they'll also be in NYC this Friday (12/3) at Santos Party House with YACHT and Midnight Magic (tickets).

As previously mentioned, Brassland Records is celebrating its 10th anniversary as a label and debuted a new/old track every day of November via various methods including Soundcloud. None of those tracks can be heard in the player that's embedded below. Those include "Spinney" by This is the Kit (who are opening for the National at Beacon Theater on 12/17) and "Secret of the Machines (instrumental)" by Jherek Bischoff. The latter also features drums by Greg Saunier (Deerhoof), and will have vocals by Caetano Veloso in its album version.

Continue reading "Jherek Bischoff releasing an album & playing a show -- both with many extra special guests (like David Byrne)"

words & photos by Chris La Putt

DOWNLOAD: Caetano Veloso - Sem Cais (MP3)

"Brazilian pop luminary Caetano Veloso has been called the Bob Dylan of Brazil, and if you're familiar with his celebrated body of work and his revered place in Brazilian culture, you'll understand why. Since he first emerged on the Brazilian music scene as a promising lyricist over 40 years ago, Veloso has been lauded for his singular songwriting, his deftness in forging new musical styles (he was at the forefront of Tropicalismo), and his defiant stance against the oppressive Brazilian government of the '60s. After a four-year exile from his native country, countless albums, a breakthrough in the States and decades of sitting high on the pedestal of pop greats, Veloso continues to make music. On this track from his new album Zii E Zie (out March 30 in the U.S.), Veloso's easy, sunny vocals and guitar warm up a simple melody before the tune takes a turn into slinky, minimalist funk courtesy of Veloso's backing group BandaCê." [WNYC]

Tropicalia pioneer (or Brazilian pop luminary - call him what you want) Caetano Veloso kicked off a US tour at Terminal 5 in NYC last night (4/8). He performed to an extremely excited and what seemed to be a largely (really well-dressed) Brazilian crowd that sung along to almost every tune.

I was expecting a more subdued performance from the famed guitarist but Veloso's music was transformed into a more rocking samba scene with his backing band. Working the stage and pointing to members of the crowd he recognized (maybe David Byrne?), Mr. Veloso seemed perfectly comfortable and happy to be in New York City. He played a number of classics from his 40-year musical career and one of the songs I'm particularly familiar with, "Maria Bethania" which BV fav Olof Arnalds enjoys performing live and is on her 7" record.

Does anyone have the full setlist? More pictures and the setlist from the show below...

Continue reading "Caetano Veloso played Terminal 5 in NYC (pics) ++ an MP3"

Brazilian guitar legend Caetano Veloso will comes to the US for six shows this April. The first will be at NYC's Terminal 5 on Thurday, April 8th. Tickets are on AmEx presale now. General sale starts Friday, February 19th at noon.

Caetano's 41st album, Zii e Zie, which came out internationally last year, and will get a US release on March 23rd through Nonesuch (the label that's putting out huge Caetano fan & collaborator David Byrne's new record with Fatboy Slim, Here Lies Love). The album already won the 2009 Latin Grammy for Best Singer-Songwriter Album. Tracks from Zii e Zie are streaming here. All tour dates, videos, and album info and art are below...

Continue reading "Caetano Veloso - US album release & tour dates (Terminal 5) "

photos by Ryan Muir

It was almost two years ago that Beirut played in the venue that occupied the same space that they played last night (May 18, 2008). I don't know what my point is. Last night's last-minute Brooklyn show at MHOW was really great (2 encores, some covers, all the hits, and kick ass new songs). More pictures & comments, and the setlist, below....

Continue reading "Beirut @ Music Hall of Williamsburg, NYC - pics & setlist"

Caetano Veloso @ Nokia Theater, NYC - Nov 20, 2007 (CRED)

To one degree or another, the tensions between body and spirit have always flickered somewhere in Mr. Veloso’s songs. Here, in a show steeped in mortality, it was a howling presence. Though his comportment onstage was upbeat, at times even giddy, Mr. Veloso was exploring some of the darker and less consoling regions of human emotion, the same basic terrain covered on “cê” (Nonesuch), his terse and arresting recent album. [NY Times ]

Devendra Banhart's idol - Caetano Veloso ("the 65-year-old Brazillian music dynamo famous for fusing together more traditional South American sounds with a newer Bossa Nova spin") is going on a tour of North America. Paste says, "Don't miss your chance to see this living legend."

A true heavyweight, Caetano Veloso is a pop musician/poet/filmmaker/political activist whose stature in the pantheon of international pop musicians is on a par with that of Bob Dylan, Bob Marley, and Lennon/McCartney. And even the most cursory listen to his recorded output over the last few decades proves that this is no exaggeration. [All Music]

Continue reading "Caetano Veloso - 2007 North American Tour Dates"