by Andrew Frisicano

DOWNLOAD: Chris Schlarb- Twilight Athens (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: DM Stith - Around the Lion Legs w/ Sufjan & Shara (MP3)

In December, Asthmatic Kitty signee DM(Dave) Stith released the Curtain Speech EP, a five song collection (featuring the 7-minute epic "Just Once") that put him on the indie-pop radar.

On Friday, February 27, Stith will visit the Cake Shop for an early 8:30pm set on a bill that includes local spaz-rock Pterodactyl, Chicago's Sonoi, and a TBA.($7, 21+)

Stith's full-length, Heavy Ghost, out March 10, will feature guests that include Shara from My Brightest Diamond, and Asthmatic string-puller Sufjan Stevens (performing on "stapler, scissors, and a stationary fan" - via Stith's Dec 18th blog). The album, "recorded in bedrooms, churches, kitchens and instrumental rehearsal halls around the East Coast," comes packaged in a sleeve desgined by Stith, a graphic designer.

DM Stith also visited Daytrotter about a week ago. Of the session he says, "If you listen to only one, make it 'Braid of Voices.'"

His new record's first single,"Pity Dance," just came out on iTunes, with a video (see below), and a b-side a cover of Randy Newman's "Suzanne."

Stith labelmate and fellow ghost-lover Chris Schlarb is performing his 2007 debut, Twilight & Ghost Stories, on Saturday, Feb 7th at The Stone with 8pm and 10pm sets.

The album, an adventurous, contemplative found-sound composition, was pieced together from snipets submitted to Schlarb by fifty musicians. It was "performed" in Athens, GA, on December 8, 2007, using only Section IV (of X). You can read the full story here), and check out a piece of the performance, which Schlarb titled "Twilight Athens" (MP3 above).

On the Red Hot benefit comp Dark Was the Night, due next Tuesday, Stith contributed backup vocals to the Sufjan-Buck 65-Serengeti track, "The Blood Pt. 2." The song remixes the Castanet's "You Are the Blood," which Sufjan also covers, and extends to nearly 11 minutes, on the album.

Asthmatic Kitty's Rafter was just in town and played a show at Cake Shop. All DM Stith dates, the video, and new album tracklist, below...

Continue reading "Asthmatic Kitty's DM Stith dates & video, Chris Schlarb's upcoming NYC shows"

DOWNLOAD: Chris Schlarb - Section IV (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Chris Schlarb - Section I (MP3)

To those located in the New York City area, Asthmatic Kitty are happy to announce a rare opportunity to experience a performance of musician and producer Chris Schlarb's debut solo record, Twilight & Ghost Stories in its entirety. Chris will be performing this modern composition on Saturday, February 7th, at The Stone with many of the artists who assisted in the creation of this work of personal identity and catharsis. Twilight is a dense 40-minute work featuring a disparate cross-section of musicians from the avant-garde, independent folk, jazz, and electronic communities. When performed with a live ensemble the piece is conducted using a custom built lightbox to simulate the layers of sound found on the album.

Performance will feature all New York-based musicians
Diane Cluck - voice and acoustic guitar Shannon Fields - omnichord, glockenspiel, clarinet Roberto C. Lange - electronics (Savath y Savalas) Mick Rossi - piano (Philip Glass Ensemble) Katherine Young - bassoon G. Lucas Crane - tapes, electronics (Vanishing Voice) Tom Abbs - acoustic bass, dijeridoo Chad Taylor - drums (Iron & Wine) Chris Schlarb - acoustic guitar, electronics, lights and special guests

Chris Schlarb's Twilight & Ghost Stories - Saturday, Feb. 7th @ The Stone, 8pm & 10pm

Joan as Policewoman will play shows at 8 and 10 pm at the Stone in NYC on New Years Eve. The 'Annual End The Year Improv Night' with John Zorn happens at the same venue three nights earlier. Other names on the Stone's schedule for December (curated by Jennifer Charles) include Gary Lucas, Erik Friedlander, Doveman, Alan Licht, Hal Willner's Parade (Yuka Honda & Sean Lennon), Elysian Fields, JG Thirwell, and Marc Ribot's Ceramic Dog (tonight, Sunday December 7th).

January's schedule, curated by Craig Taborn, doesn't have many names
I recognize, but February, curated by Shannon Fields of Stars Like Fleas, has Twi the Humble Feather, Tunde Adebimpe of TV on the Radio, Chris Schlarb, Diane Cluck, Jon Natchez, Kelly Pratt, Lexie Mountain Boys, Megafun, John Zorn, Ecstatic Sunshine, Sam Amidon, and Tristan Perich,

For other NYC shows on New Years Eve, browse HERE.

Joan Wasser (as Policewoman) and at least one band member also contribute to Gramercy Arms.

Marc Ribot is also playing December 9th at Blue Note and December 11th at Knitting Factory.

I hear it's the flu...

Due to unforeseeable circumstances, tonight's show has been canceled. Please stay tuned for details about a rescheduled show.

The picture you see above is the cover of Asthmatic Kitty's 2007 Christmas Advent Calendar. It was designed by Tom Eaton, costs $5.00, or is free with purchase of the Sufjan Christmas box set.

Sufjan Stevens collaborator Chris Schlarb has a new record coming out, and some upcoming shows as well.