photos by Amanda Hatfield & Chris La Putt

Soft Black @ Cake Shop

"A large crowd turned up for Soft Black despite a set time in the middle of the day. For a minute there, we were worried that they wouldn't even have a chance to play; the band's drummer and bassist were missing and Cake Shop was adamant about keeping sets on-time (as another showcase was scheduled that night). Rather than waste time, Cacchione gave the audience a treat, delivering a solo rendition of one of the band's best songs, "Ashtray Christ", followed by a new number, "And I Walked Along" that is set to appear on the band's forthcoming record. Cacchione began the song solo, with the band members (still minus the bassist) joining midstream for maximum impact. By the time the rocking "I Am An Animal" was played, the full band was onstage. Although the set ended too soon (albeit with a great version of "The Girl Who Ate Her Own Heart"), Soft Black's set was undeniably a success." [NYC Taper]

As Bill wrote about NYC Taper's Thursday CMJ day party, "...at Cake Shop, it's the NYC Taper day party, with 12 bands in six hours on one stage, which seems pretty ambitious, but that's what CMJ is all about... First band (Courtesy Tier) is on at 12:30 and if you can't make it, I'm sure all the sets will be up on NYC Taper at some point." So far, you can get Soft Black and The Courtesy Tier. Only 10 more sets to go!

And of those 12 bands, we got pictures (by 2 photographers) of five of them. They continue below...

Continue reading "NYC Taper's day party @ Cake Shop in pics... & audio (natch)"

words & photos by Alexandra Marvar, more photos by Claire Bennnett, Gabe Soria & Sonam Zoksang

Roadside Graves @ Truck America

"After 12 years America got its first taste of Truck at a resort in the Catskills about three hours outside of New York City. A more modest affair in size and lineup than the forthcoming Truck in Steventon this July, the Full Moon resort was perfectly situated for the comparatively small event.

The entire weekend made for a remarkably relaxed experience. While the weather in the Catskills in early May is usually akin to that of Oxfordshire in the summer, the days were unseasonably warm and the nights crisp, making sitting in an unheated converted barn after midnight a pleasant experience." [Clash]

Alexandra Marvar, who performed at British Truck festival offshoot TRUCK AMERICA this past weekend with the Mercury Rev orchestra, and with Common Prayer, reviews the fest's highlights with accompanying pictures. Check it out below...

Continue reading "The Truck America Festival in pics & review"

Truck America, the first US version of the 13-years-running UK fest, will take place Friday, April 30th to Sunday, May 2nd at The Full Moon Resort in Big Indian, NY (map), a little less than three hours from NYC. Confirmed bands include White Rabbits, Hopewell, Tim Easton, The Sadies, Ida, The Joy Formidable, Neil Halstead, The Silent League, Cat Martino, Common Prayer, Oxygen Ponies, Brandon Patton, Atlantic/Pacific, Dusty & The Dreaming Spires, The Shoestring Band and headliner Mercury Rev. Tickets are on sale now online (and details on where to get tickets in person are below).

The three-day, three-stage fest will have on-site accomodations, workshops and more. Details and poster are below...

Continue reading "Truck America comes to Big Indian, NY in 2010 - lineup includes Mercury Rev, White Rabbits, Neil Halstead, more"