by Andrew Sacher

Brooklyn bluesy rockers LODRO, who have been hitting the local live circuit like crazy lately, have a few songs out and they've just recorded a new single, "Lazy Bones," which also happens to be the song in their first official video. Like their other tunes, this one comes awash in sludgy blues and psychedelia, and the dimly lit video complements that well. You can watch that video below.

Like we said, LODRO have been playing live a lot, and you've got two chances to see them in NYC over the next four days. Their first show happens on Saturday (5/11) at Mercury Lounge with DIIV, Xray Eyeballs, and DJ Dog Dick as part of Downtown Music Festival (tickets). Then on Monday (5/13) at Knitting Factory), they will play a BrooklynVegan-curated Red Bull Sound Select show with Foxygen, Amen Dunes, and Prince Rupert's Drops. Chris Gethard is hosting and BV's Bill Pearis has just been added as the DJ for the night. Like all shows in the Sound Select series, admission is $3 at the door. All ages, no advance tickets.

LODRO also play another show later this month at Shea Stadium on May 31 with a strong local bill of The Beets, Darlings, and Eula.

Video below...

Continue reading "watch LODRO's video for their new single, "Lazy Bones" (BV Premiere), catch them live Monday with Foxygen"

by Bill Pearis

San Francisco's Permanent Collection released their debut album, Newly Wed Nearly Dead, last August on Loglady Records. Frontman Jason Hendardy, who runs the label with Lauren loPrete, used to be in Young Prisms and there's more than a little shoegaze in PC's sound but is definitely poppier than Hendardy's old band. You can stream the whole thing below.

Permanent Collection are visiting NYC at the moment, playing Shea Stadium tonight (3/8) with Darlings, Field Mouse, and Honeydrum (info here, that's a good show!); and the previously-mentioned Cake Shop show on Saturday (3/9) with Italy's His Clancyness, Spires and former Get Him Eat Him frontman Matt LeMay.

Meanwhile, Cake Shop and Loglady will be in Austin next week for SXSW, co-presenting a showcase that happens Friday (3/15) at Trailerspace Records. Permanent Collection are playing, as are Part Time, California X, TV Ghost, Grandma's Boyfriend, Waxahatchee, and Dead Angle (ex-Tartans). It's a free show, all ages. More info here, and all Permanent Collection dates are listed, along with the Loglady/Cake Shop flyer, below.

Continue reading "San Francisco's Permanent Collection are on tour, including two NYC shows ++ Cake Shop/Loglady showcase during SXSW"

Travelers are already finding Nemo a pain in the butt.

The massive nor'easter has caused a wave of flight cancellations as it prepares to smother the city under up to 14 inches of snow.
United Airlines canceled 900 flights in advance of the storm, and Delta Air Lines crossed off 135, plus more regional flights.

As of Thursday, before Nemo even touched down, Newark Airport had the most Friday cancellations nationally, followed by Boston's Logan Airport, and LaGuardia Airport, according to FlightAware.

Most airlines issued so-called "weather waivers," allowing passengers in the storm-affected areas to change their flight date without paying a change fee.
Gov. Cuomo is opening an emergency operations center to help with "coordinating response efforts using all state and local resources," he said in a statement Thursday. [Daily News]

Williamsburg club Union Pool reports:

DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER, [TONIGHT]'S SHOW HAS BEEN CANCELED AND WILL BE RESCHEDULED FOR A LATER DATE:
EXPLORER'S CLUB/MINIBOONE/CHEERS ELEPHANT/HARTWELL LITTLEJOHN. WE APOLOGIZE.

THIS SHOW WILL BE RESCHEDULED. IF YOU WERE PLANNING TO ATTEND, THANK YOU. WE'LL DO IT AGAIN SOON.

Also: tonight's show at the Rock Shop in Park Slope with the Lovehowl + Bangladeafy + Hannah Vs the Many + Luminous Flux "has been canceled due to Nemo."

As of 11am, we haven't heard of any other concert or comedy show cancellations yet, but we'll keep updating the site and this post as things get called off, hopefully not Passion Pit at MSG included. If you know of other postponements, please leave them in the comments.

NOON UPDATE:

Tonight's show at Shea Stadium is CANCELLED.

The early show at Cameo is CANCELLED. UPDATE: The late show is cancelled too.

Big Snow Buffalo Lodge can't handle a big snow and has also canceled their early show tonight with Alan Watts.

James T. Cotton (JTC)'s flight was cancelled so can't make it to 285 Kent, but so far the party is still on.

The Wellmont Theater has postponed Lindsey Stirling until May 9.

2PM UPDATE:

Holopaw were scheduled to play Knitting Factory and Permanent Records tonight, but the record store just sent out this note:

"Hi all... sorry to say we just got the word from Holopaw that due to this impending storm they aren't gonna make it to NYC tonight and have had to cancel their scheduled in-store performance with us. Darn! Hopefully we'll be able to reschedule, but for now let's just wish them safety in their travels.

As of now we're still planning to be open with normal hours all weekend so if you were planning to come by tonight, that is still an option! It's warm in here!"

SOB's reports that "tonight's Salsa Groove event with La Excelencia is canceled and will be rescheduled for a later date."

3PM UPDATE

All events at 92YTribeca are cancelled, and 92Y announced "Saturday's classes and programs in School of the Arts are canceled."

4PM UPDATE

Atlas Moth report: "Fortunately, we made it to New York with no problem. Unfortunately, the show has been postponed until 2/19. See ya then NYC!" The show they're talking about is with Gojira tonight at Irving Plaza. The new show is one day after the Brooklyn show.

The show at Pianos is cancelled, but the bar is open.

5PM UPDATE

The Heliotropes/Dead Stars show at the Paper Box is cancelled, but Dead Stars will play Muchmore's instead.

Raekwon and Rakim at Stage 48 is postponed.

Dept. of Health, ANASAZI, Blackboot, and A Truth at Saint Vitus is cancelled.

6PM UPDATE

Frankie Knuckles at Cameo is cancelled.

The Darlings show at Death By Audio tonight is cancelled.

--

Continue reading "Nemo causing show cancellations already"

by Bill Pearis

Brooklyn's Darlings are self-releasing their new album, Perfect Trip a couple weeks (January 29) which is loaded with catchy, sneary guitar pop. We've got the premeire of catchy, snotty track "Sit on It!" right here in this post and you can stream it below. I think the Fonz would approve.

The band have a few local shows lined up. Friday night (1/18) they play 285 Kent with Total Slacker, Team Spirit and The Indecents, plus TEEN on DJ duty. $8 at the door and more info is here. Then on February 8 at Death by Audio, Darlings are throwing a Perfect Trip release party with other bands TBA. And on March 8 they'll play Shea Stadium with Permanent Collection, Field Mouse and Honey Drum.

A list of all upcoming dates, album art, and song stream are below.

Continue reading "Darlings releasing 'Perfect Trip,' playing shows (dates, stream)"

by Bill Pearis

DOWNLOAD: BLURRY BITTERS - A CAKE SHOP BEST OF 2012 MIXTAPE (MP3)

Eddy Current Suppression Ring @ Cake Shop, June 2010 (more by Diana Wong)

One of the biggest, most genuine music fans I know is Andy from Ludlow Street indie rock club Cake Shop. He's an indefatigable listener and always turns me onto new stuff. Here we've got his "best of 2012 and live from cakeshop and recorded" which is topped by Parquet Courts' fantastic debut album, Light Up Gold. You can check out the full list of "21 AMAZING EXPERIENCES" below.

Andy is also a great maker of mixes, and I stil put in one he made for the Cake Shop/Slumberland 2009 SXSW showcase from time to time. Over at the Cake Shop blog, he posted a 2012 mix loaded with great stuff that you can download above and see the tracklist below. Highly recommend. Cake Shop had a successful Pledge Music campaign this year, signed a new 10-year lease, survived the Great Sandy Blackout, and I can't wait to see more bands there in 2013 (like maybe Obits on January 19) and beyond.

Andy from Cake Shop's Best of 2012 list and mixtape tracklist are below...

Continue reading "Andy Bodor from Cake Shop's "21 AMAZING EXPERIENCES" of 2012, plus a year-end mixtape"

by Bill Pearis

It's been a while since Brooklyn band Darlings put out a new record but the band have been busy beavers in the studio working on a new album. The first taste of that comes in the form of a new 7" that's out Friday (8/10) on Famous Class. You don't have to wait till tomorrow to hear "Pet the Ghost," though, you can stream it right now at the bottom of this post. It's a fuzzy, magic hour pop tune perfect for these hot August days. You can download it from Famous Class' Bandcamp for free as well.

Darlings are playing a record release party for the single on Friday (8/10) at Glasslands with Sundelles and Automotive High School. Advance tickets for that show are available.

The track stream and 7" art are below.

Continue reading "Darlings releasing new 7" (stream it) and playing record release show at Glasslands"

Future Islands at Bowery Ballroom in 2011 (more by Sarahana)

As we posted already, Future Islands are playing Death by Audio on July 11 with Ed Schrader's Music Beat and Darlings. DbA rarely sells advance tickets but they are doing so for this one and they're on sale now. Future Islands will head out on tour later this summer with Passion Pit.

The DbA show is a record release show for the second single in Famous Class Records' LAMC 7" series that is dedicated to Ariel Panero's Less Artists More Condos shows. (Ariel died in December 2010.) The LAMC 7" features Future Islands on one side, and Ed Schrader's Music Beat on the flip and is available for pre-order. All digital proceeds go to the Ariel Panero Memorial Fund at VH1 Save the Music. Flyer for the show is below.

You can also catch William of Future Islands other band, Believers with Gerrit from Future Islands' other band, Moss of Aura, at Death by Audio on June 23.

Future Islands are also part of the just announced FYF Fest lineup. All of their dates are listed below...

Continue reading "Future Islands releasing 7" w/ Ed Schrader's Music Beat; tix on sale for their DbA show w/ Darlings"

Future Islands at Bowery Ballroom in 2011 (more by Sarahana)

Future Islands have a bunch of dates coming up this summer, including a run with Passion Pit on their tour. Before that, they'll play their own show in Brooklyn at Death by Audio on July 11 with Ed Schrader's Music Beat and Darlings.

Speaking of Passion Pit, they revealed another track off their upcoming LP, Gossamer (due out 7/24 via Columbia). It's called "I'll Be Alright" and you can stream it below, along with a list of all Future Islands and Passion Pit dates...

Continue reading "Future Islands playing DbA before touring w/ Passion Pit, who have a new song (dates & stream)"

Frankie Rose @ Township (more by Sarah Frankie Linder)

In addition to the Jens Lekman/Of Montreal show at Williamsburg Park, the Northside Festival (June 14 - 17) just announced a slew of confirmed artists who'll be playing this year, including Future of the Left, the U.S. debut of Iceage-spinoff Vår (formerly War), Frankie Rose (playing the BrooklynVegan showcase at Music Hall of Williamsburg with more TBA), Grass Widow, Cleveland's Gap Dream, Wymond Miles of the Fresh & Onlys,  Chain & the Gang, Kool Keith and more.

Other 2012 Northside Festival artists we've already posted about include Olivia Tremor Control, GZA, Neil Hamburger, Eternal Summers, Ceremony and Screaming Females and Royal Headache. Badges are on sale now and the full list of confirmed 2012 Northside artists is below.

Continue reading "more Northside Festival artists announced (Frankie Rose, Grass Widow, Felice Brothers, Buke & Gass, Vår, Gap Dream & more)"

The Babies @ Cake Shop - 2/6/2012 (more by Jessica Amaya)

285 Kent, the most difficult venue to keep track of in terms of who is playing, is hosting a show TONIGHT (Thursday, 2/9):

===| THURSDAY 2/9 @ 285 KENT AVE |====
:: Alex Bleeker and the Freaks
:::: the Babies
:::::: Darlings
:::::::: Life Size Maps --- ep release
:::::::::: Heaven's Gate
285 Kent Ave @ South 1st | Williamsburg, Brooklyn
L-Bedford, G-Metropolitan, JM-Marcy | 8pm | $7-$10 sliding scale donation | all ages

Continue reading "Vivian Girls playing free Fashion Week event; The Babies are at 285 Kent tonight with Alex Bleeker"

Ava Luna at BV Holiday Party last month/year (more by Jessica Amaya)

Wintersleep are going on a short North American tour this month which ends in 2 NYC dates happening on January 24 at Mercury Lounge with Pretty & Nice and January 25 at Glasslands with ARMS and Writer. Tickets for the Mercury show and the Glasslands show are on sale now. All Wintersleep dates are listed below.

Speaking of ARMS, their frontman, Todd Goldstein, is opening for John Roderick (of the Long Winters) at his Mercury Lounge show (1/28), which is three days after ARMS play Glasslands and one day after John Roderick opens for Aimee Mann at her sold out MHOW show. Tickets for the Mercury Lounge show are still available.

In other Glasslands/Mercury Lounge news, Har Mar Superstar has a few shows announced including Glasslands on March 7 with Rewards. Tickets are on sale now.

Rewards were also just announced as the opener for the second School of Seven Bells show at Mercury Lounge (3/1). Their record release show (happening at the same venue on 2/28) sold out and Tickets for the new show go on sale Friday (1/6) at noon.

Both Rewards and School of Seven Bells also DJ in Brooklyn next Friday (1/13) at Cameo Gallery with CREEP, who is also DJing. Doors are at midnight for this late show, which takes place after Radical Dads play the same venue a few hours earlier. Radical Dads recently played a great set at our Brooklyn Bazaar Holiday Party.

The day before that Cameo Gallery show, NewVillager and Avan Lava play Mercury Lounge (1/12). Tickets are available.

Avan Lava is not to be confused with Ava Luna, who just played a BV Holiday Party with Widowspeak and Twin Sister, the latter of which they're heading out on tour with later this month. That tour doesn't include any NYC dates but Ava Luna just announced their own NYC show happening shortly after the tour ends at Mercury Lounge on February 24 with Celestial Shore, Darlings, and Cindy Lou Gooden. Tickets for that show go on sale Friday (1/13) at noon with an AmEx presale starting Wednesday (1/11) at noon.

You can catch Darlings in NYC even sooner when they headline Glasslands on Thursday (1/12) with The Suzan, Fabric, and DAYTONA (mems. of Harlem and Wild Yaks). Tickets for that show are available.

Friends play Cameo on January 24th.

Faris (of the Horrors) and Honor (of Cerebral Ballzy) both DJ cameo this Friday night (tomorrow, 1/6).

More Wintersleep & Har Mar dates below...

Continue reading "Wintersleep, ARMS, Ava Luna, Avan Lava, Radical Dads, Har Mar Superstar, NewVillager, Friends & other upcoming shows"

As you know, Williamsburg music venue Bruar Falls is sadly closing at the end of this month. As just mentioned, tonight is their first "Last Night Ever". The full final (as of today) schedule below...

Continue reading "Bruar Falls is having its Last Week Ever"

Dinosaur Feathers at Pier 54 in 2010 (more by Dominick Mastrangelo)

The annual Open Air Street Fair outside Housing Works Bookstore Cafe (on Crosby Street in Manhattan) is taking place Sunday, June 5. The free event starts at 10 AM and is open to all ages. This year's lineup features performances by Darlings, Dinosaur Feathers, Friends, Grand Rapids, and The Woes Like, Mountains (who have replaced the Woes) . The event also includes beer and barbecue, books, movies, CDs, and records on sale for $1 or less, and clothes and accessories. 100% of the profits go to Housing Works which provides housing, healthcare, job training, and advocacy for New Yorkers living with HIV/AIDS.

This is one of several Dinosaur Feathers shows throughout June and July. They also play Silent Barn on June 11 with Shark? and Gross Relations. More Dinosaur Feathers dates and details on the Housing Works day, below.

Continue reading "Housing Works Open Air Street Fair Sunday, and other Dinosaur Feathers dates"

words & photos by Shanda Boyett

"The @famousclass party was crazed. Amaxing sendoff to the 1 and only Ariel Panero. RIP homie." - markodude

"Tonight was amazing, Thank you to all the bands & @DeathbyAudio Ariel we miss you like crazy" - Famousclass

The Famous Class party at Death by Audio on Friday night (2/4) took its mission of celebrating the life of Ariel Panero seriously. Cyrus Lubin from Famous Class put together an amazing lineup for Day 1 that culminated in a sold-out, joyful mosh-ilicious event headlined by the boisterous Snakes Say Hiss. Also on the bill were Darlings, Grooms, Class Actress, and Tony Castles.

Ariel's name and birth and death date were spray painted on the wall behind the stage. Grooms played almost all new songs, save one oldie that was Ariel's favorite. Tony Castles also played a lot of their new tunes, sounding really tight.

There was a noticeable buildup to the Snakes Say Hiss set, with the crowd ready to live it up in a wild, human bumper car frenzy that sent more than a few people crashing into walls and dodging beer confetti.

It was beautiful in the way that an epic night always is - an organic outgrowth that can be neither planned nor tamed.

Rubin commented early in the evening that he thought it might be a rager, but I think for him, more than anyone else, it was about Ariel.

"Last year he began working with me at Famous Class, helping us take some big steps forward," he says on the Famous Class web site. "It breaks my heart that he isn't going to see the results of everything we worked on together."

Day 2 (Saturday) of the memorial featured Skeletons (string quartet), Sisters, Regal Degal, Tough Knuckles Band and Hubble. Proceeds from show helped raise money for for the release of the new Tough Knuckles album. Those who paid $15 at the door will get a limited edition copy of the LP on white vinyl.

A selection of pictures from Friday's show continues below...

Continue reading "Ariel Panero was remembered @ Death by Audio (pics)"

Famous Class Records, a label that Ariel Panero used to co-run, and the one his band Tough Knuckles was signed to, put together the shows happening tonight (2/4) and Saturday (2/5) at Death By Audio - both with killer lineups to help raise money to get the Tough Knuckles record released... though just in a small way. They've "decided to do limited run of 350 albums on white vinyl. Basically the show is 2 nights featuring all the bands that Ariel helped out and loved and there's gonna be a sliding scale at the door, $8 to get in or $15 and we'll mail you a limited edition copy of the record when its printed at the end of the month." Check out the poster and lineups below...

Continue reading "shows in memory of Ariel Panero in Brooklyn (tonight & Sat)"

by Bill Pearis

DOWNLOAD: Yuck - Rubber (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Yuck - Georgia (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Darlings - Big Girl (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: The Soft Moon - Tiny Spiders (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: The Soft Moon - Breath the Fire (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Generationals - Trust (MP3s)

Darlings @ the Shank for CMJ 2010 (more by Andrew St Clair)

Dang it! Yuck are still having trouble getting into our country, cancelling tonight's show at Mercury Lounge. But tomorrow's show (1/26) at Glasslands is still on, and I'm gonna write this with fingers crossed. You can still get tickets to tomorrow's show.

Yuck's self-titled debut is due out February 15 and is full of the kind of warm and fuzzy indie rock that will remind certain 30-somethings of their college years listening to Sebadoh, Teenage Fanclub and Bettie Serveert. (They also remind me of underrated mid-aughts band The Comas.) You can check out two songs above. I am super-psyched to see them.

The Glasslands show tomorrow is especially enticing. Darlings don't get enough attention, as they're one of the more tuneful bands we have in this town, and they're always good live. Above you can check out the A-side to their "Big Girl" 7" which was released late last year on Famous Class. They've got a new EP, Warmer, due out any minute. Fergus & Geronimo and Total Slacker too. Solid line-up.

Yuck, if they make it into the country, tour with Smith Westerns and then will back in March for SXSW. All Yuck dates are below. With the trouble they have, maybe they just shouldn't leave.

Also making their NYC debut this week are San Francisco's The Soft Moon who play the Wierd Party at Home Sweet Home tomorrow night (1/26) and at Monster Island on Friday (1/28) as part of an all-Captured Tracks line-up that includes Blank Dogs, Widowspeak and Further Reductions.

You can check out two tracks from The Soft Moon's debut LP which is pretty much in "classic goth" territory: relentless beats, watery bass, whispered vocals. It's all very Clan of Xymox which is a good thing if you ask me. As to what they're like live...we'll see. From footage I've seen on YouTube, they don't seem to have a drummer which is too bad, but otherwise seem to play most everything else live. I really dig the album, looking forward to this one.

Unless you don't have to get up at a normal hour on Thursday (bands don't play till 1am at Wierd), Monster Island is probably the way to go. Plus it's more klang for your buck. I caught Widowspeak last week and thought they were pretty good, not dissimilar to YellowFever (who have a show coming up with Wild Flag by the way). Blank Dogs have finally figured out a workable live line-up, and I'm curious about Further Reductions (side project of Led Er Est) whose 7" on Captured Tracks is superior minimal synth.

There is really too much going on this week. Did you manage to get tickets to one of the two Peter Bjorn & John shows? (Thursday 1/27 at Santos, Friday 1/28 at The Rock Shop) These should be fun.

I think the surprise success of "Young Folks" was a blessing and a curse for PB&J. Here's a group that made cute, very good guitar indiepop and who probably would still be playing small clubs if it wasn't for that mega-smash that sounded like nothing the band had done before? In their case, they made an all-instrumental album (2008's Seaside Rock) and then 2009's ambitious Living Thing that was pretty good, but sounded more like a demo reel for Bjorn Yttling's production resume than something they thought about how they were going to play live.

Working with an outside producer for the first time (Per Sunding who some of you may know from excellent '90s indiepop Swedes Eggstone), Gimmie Some is the return of Peter Bjorn & John sounding like themselves again. It also sounds like three guys playing live, which bodes well for these shows, and is their best collection of songs, hands down, since Writers Block. In addition to adrenalyzed first taste "Breaker Breaker" (video below), there are three or four more crazy-catchy potential singles on the record, including the cowbell-fueled "Second Chance," and funky-ish "Dig A Little Deeper." It's a really good album.

Look for a full-fledged tour around the album's release in March.

Wye Oak @ Beacon Theater - 1/24/2010 (more by Dominick Mastrangelo)

The Decemberists played their first of three NYC shows last night. If you're going to tonight or tomorrow's sold-out shows at the Beacon, do get there early to see openers Wye Oak, one of the best bands around these days. They are chill-inducingly good live. The duo's new album, Civilian, is due out March 8 on Merge and is a real stand-up-and-take-notice stunner. It is crazy good. I don't know what the first single is going to be but if I was picking it would be the soaring "Holy Holy" that they better damn well play this week. There's video of them performing it last week in Berlin at the bottom of this post.

In addition to those shows with The Decemberists, Wye Oak are also playing a private show at The Rock Shop on Thursday that we're giving away four pairs of tickets to. To win, e-mail BVCONTESTS@HOTMAIL.COM (subject: Wye Oak). Include your first and last name in the email. A winner will chosen at random and contacted with more details. Good luck!

Wye Oak head out on tour with Lower Dens then Callers -- none of those shows are in NYC unfortunately but hopefully they'll be back soon.

That's the big stuff this week. Here are a few more picks, day-by-day:

TUESDAY, JANUARY 25

Yuck aren't playing tonight, but Generationals and Country Mice (who seem to have dropped the "We Are" from their name) are still doing their early show (7pm) at Mercury Lounge tonight. Generationals' Trust EP from last year was really good, you can download its title track at the top of this post.

Suuns are at the Rock Shop tonight, the first of three shows this week. They also play Shea Stadium tomorrow (1/26) and Mercury Lounge on Thursday (1/27). I've written about these Montrealers loads of times, they're great, go see 'em.

continued below...

Continue reading "Yuck, Darlings, Soft Moon, Generationals, Peter Bjorn & John, Wye Oak, Suuns & more in This Week in Indie"

photos by Andrew St. Clair

guys... hey guys... my head guys...

After playing a killer set at the BV/Converse Day Party at Public Assembly on Saturday, 10/23 (pics coming), and then another at Knitting Factory for the Panache showcase the same night, Heavy Cream (and Andrew St. Clair) headed over to Brooklyn warehouse space the Shank ("under new management and new and improved) for a Jelly-produced "Wig & Make Up Party" (3 shows in one day for Heavy Cream).

Other artists on the Shank bill were Jackie Chain, Mr. A*OK, Pujol, Turbo Fruits, Heavy Cream, Ghoul Poon, Snakes say Hisss, Circle Pit, Darlings, and Rusty Lazer (who also played our Saturday day party, with Big Freedia). The show, which went on until the wee hours of sunday morning, featured reduced admission for those wearing a wig.

More Shank party pictures, and the flyer for a Mischief Night party happening in the same space (at the very end of the post), below...

Continue reading "The Shank is back (CMJ week pics & an upcoming party) "

photos by Amanda Hatfield

"at music hall WAY early for los campesinos. not early enough for open tables, but early enough for $3 @magichat #9. fruity! bam." - eatdrinksnack

"Playing with Los campesinos! tonight at music hall of wburg. We have the Big Girl 7". Come hang" - darlings

Los Campesinos! @ Music Hall of Williamsburg - 10/16/10

We performed in Johnny Brenda's (Philadelphia on 10/12) on a incredibly impractical stage and my increasingly chirpy mood was nearly threatened by a man shouting out "You looked better when you were Blonde!" at me whilst I was tuning up. I thought about explaining to him that blonde hair was really expensive and hard to upkeep but i figured that would be a really long retort so i settled with "I liked you better when you had hair," because he was bald.

This was cheap a shot and didn't even make much sense because we had never met before, but I had to say something to combat the fact he thought his comment was an okay thing to shout at me.

I continued tuning up and he added "your still hot though," so I felt better about pointing out the fact he was bald.

He did try and buy me a drink afterwards to apologize, but he still seemed confused as to why I didn't appreciate his commentary on my evolving style. Whilst I do not care whether this man preferred having masturbatory fantasies over me when I had bleach in my hair, I still get slightly thrown by such a comment, I am as insecure as the next person and sometimes I am not in the mood for that kind of rudeness (especially before a show).

I liked being blonde, I like being a brunette but I do my hair for myself, not for anyone else (apart from maybe Tyra Banks if I was on ANTM) and just because I am on a elevated platform in front of you (that stage was really high) does not mean you have more of a right to shout something negative at me.

Dick. -[Ellen of Los Campesinos]

More pictures from Saturday's show are below...

Continue reading "Los Campesinos! played 2 shows @ MHOW (pics) & 1 in Philly (where the band didn't appreciate a heckler) "

Ted Leo @ Siren Fest (more by Dominick Mastrangelo)

So the rumored headliner for the Sunday, August 1st Pool Party at Brooklyn Bowl isn't a rumor any more. Ted Leo and the Pharmacists will be headlining the free show - their second in Brooklyn in as many weeks. Also on the bill are two of Brooklyn's own, Darlings and ArpLine. The venue reports that doors are at noon, show at 6pm. It's not clear if the show is taking place outside, but it has been billed as a "block party" up until now.

Jelly also has music at the Rock Yard the day before, with Skeletons Big Band, Priestbird (do you remember what they used to be called?), Family Band and PC Worship.

Future Pavement opener Thee Oh Sees opened the bi-weekly venue on Saturday, July 17th. Download their set, recorded by Newtown Radio, here.

Ted Leo videos and the flyer for Saturday's Rock Yard show, and the flyer for the block party happening in Philly this weekend, are below...

Continue reading "Ted Leo confirmed for 'Pool Party' (1 of 2 weekend Jelly gigs)"

by Bill Pearis

a day by day Week in Indie-like guide to this week's Northside Festival...

Northside HQ (freedubya)

When I was looking at the full Friday Northside Festival schedule, I was a bit overwhelmed by the embarrassment of riches available to indie rock fans tonight. I felt like writing "Basically just go anywhere tonight and you're going to run into a good show." Which is mostly true. If you have a badge, you can flit between venues and make up your own killer bill.

Some of these shows are going to be crowded though. Like I bet Glasslands will be packed out the wazoo for Tame Impala, so if that's one you're interested in you might just want to plant yourself there early (advanced tickets are sold out). Do they have air conditioning at Glasslands yet? It might get so hot in there you'll start seeing things, which would go well with those Aussies' rhythm-heavy psych rock.

You could also go to Death By Audio (which does have A/C, and now two working bathrooms) for a rock-solid bill of guitar-centric bands brought to us by Less Artists More Condos. The lineup includes voluminous duo Sisters and their giant stack of amps; the under-appreciated and poppy Darlings; skilled noise merchants Grooms; and art punks Regal Degal who I definitely think are a "band to watch."

Moon Duo @ the Big Sur Woodsist Fest on June 12 (more by Rachel Carr)

Moving away from the corner of S. 1st and Kent, the Woodsist Showcase at Music Hall of Williamsburg is kind of a no-brainer. That said, headliners Woods and Real Estate play all the time here. I say go early for the San Francisco triple threat of Moon Duo, Sic Alps and The Fresh & Onlys, then skip off to something else.

Moon Duo, an offshoot of Wooden Shjips, play two chord (at most) psych-drone not unlike Spacemen 3 or Loop. I saw them the last night of SXSW when I was cold and tired, not the state of mind I'd recommend experiencing them. Not that the cold part will be an issue in this weather. There's not a lot to watch, so maybe locate a seat upstairs and bliss out.

Sic Alps are back to a duo after a short stint with Ty Segall on drums.  They haven't released anything in a year -- a long time for what was a pretty prolific band -- but that shouldn't hamper their live show, usually powered by a Jenga-like monolith stack of amps in the center of the stage. Their sound is thick and sludgy, but carefully prepared. It feels like a bog in July -- in a good way.

And I'm really looking forward to hearing The Fresh & Onlys with MHoW's sound system. While many of their many recordings have been decidedly lo-fi, these guys can really play and I think it's time they shake loose the "garage rock" tag that never really fit them in the first place. This is pop music. They are really a case of the whole adding up to more than their parts -- the whole band is great -- but if you go tonight, be sure to watch lead guitarist Wymond Miles. The guy is a genius and has a rack of pedals that would impress Kevin Shields. The sounds he gets deserve high fidelity. As do their great songs. I'm a huge fan, is it obvious?

Down the street from MHoW, at Cameo Gallery: Kanine Records, Wao Wao Records & Insound are presenting another great lineup under the venue's psychedelic Snuffelupagus. There's a bunch of really good locals (Dream Diary, Grooms, We Are Country Mice) but you might want to swing by to catch Roanoke, VA's Eternal Summers who really impressed me when I saw them at Glasslands a couple months ago. Also: If you like the Pastels, Field Mice and all things indiepop, Dream Diary are your new favorite band if they haven't attained that already.

Madison of Dream Diary is pulling double duty tonight, as she is half of Coasting who'll play at Matchless as part of a bill curated by Georgia of blog Microphone Memory Emotion. Coasting's debut 7" is worth picking up, and if you're lucky you'll get a copy printed on lavender vinyl. Also playing are Family Portrait, Fluffy Lumbers and Bermuda Bonnie.

Over at Coco 66, there's a benefit for 826NYC (badges are accepted despite it being a benefit) with Sondre Lerche and Oberhoffer, plus a reading from author Shalom Auslander. Sondre usually plays MHoW or Bowery Ballroom these days, so to see him in such a small venue will be a treat. Anyone who's seen him before knows what a charmer -- and tunesmith -- he is. Plus, there's up-and-comers Oberhoffer who I wouldn't be surprised if they're playing much bigger venues very soon. Also there's an open vodka bar at 8PM.

Meanwhile at Union Pool, there's an early show (doors at 7PM) that features my new favorite band on Captured Tracks, MINKS. They've only got a single out so far, the Cure-esque "Funeral Song," which doesn't really represent what they do live. The six piece performing MINKS do have some Cure/New Order tendencies, but I'd say Felt is probably just as strong an influence, with clean jangly guitars and jazzy arrangements. Both times I've seen them live, my only complaint has been they didn't play long enough. Not sure of set time for MINKS, but there's not a lot else going on then, you can hang in the backyard of Union Pool and get some tacos from the El Diablo truck to recharge for the night ahead.

That seems like plenty for one night. A video from one of Tame Impala's sets at Pianos last night, below...

Continue reading "Bill's 2010 Northside Festival picks (Friday)"

Crest...(bitchcakesny)

"The Crest Hardware Art Show is a unique experience appealing to a broad range of patrons while exhibiting numerous artistic mediums. The ideas and concepts in the art show are rendered on multiple creative levels, allowing for an accessible experience and journey throughout the 10,000+ square feet of indoor and outdoor retail space. Crest Hardware is retooled into a recognized art gallery from June 19th to July 30th 2010 showcases over 150 pieces."

The proceeds from this year's Crest Fest will go to the City Reliquary, a cozy neighborhood museum a few blocks down Metropolitan Ave. A flyer for the fest is below...

Continue reading "Crest Fest kicks off Crest Hardware Art Show in June (lineup)"

Javelin @ Bowery Ballroom in February (more by Jessica Amaya)

Whitney Live: Summer 2010
Presented by Keds
Fridays: July 2, July 23, Aug 13, Aug 27
Lower Gallery / Sculpture Court 7pm

JULY 2
HIGH PLACES + TORO Y MOI

JULY 23
BEAR HANDS + DARLINGS

AUGUST 13
JAVELIN + WARPAINT

AUGUST 27
DJ/RUPTURE + TANLINES

Shearwater's Jonathan Meiburg and Wye Oak's Andy Stack are playing a show at the museum on Friday, June 25th to ring in an exhibit of art by painter Charles Burchfield.

Last year's summer Whitney shows included Vivian Girls & These are Powers and the Feelies.

The Biennial just closed at the museum - there's a video tour of it below...

Continue reading "Whitney Live 2010 - free shows @ the museum in July "

tonight in NYC
* BKLYN YARD
* WFMU @ the Highline
* Athlete, Carney @ Maxwell's
* Drop the Lime & VHS or Beta DJs on a boat
* DIS, Psychic Limb, Olde Ghost @ Lit
* ACLU Benefit, Eskimeaux, Kate Ferencz @ Silent Barn
* Reverend Vince Anderson & His Love Choir @ Union Pool
* Rice, Graffiti Monsters, Radical Sons @ Death By Audio
* Ava Luna, Truman Peyote, Nude Beach, Quiet Hooves, Bubbly Mommy Gun @ Knitting Factory Brooklyn
* Moonmen On The Moon Man, My Teenage Stride, Shark?, Fire Season, The Hungry Brothers @ Cake Shop
* Nick Tremulis Orchestra, Hubert Sumlin (of Howlin' Wolf), Ivan Julian (of Richard Hell & The Voidoids), Willie Nile @ The Living Room

Newtown Radio is broadcasting the show from Knitting Factory tonight.

BKLYN Yard is open today and hosts PARKED: Gowanus Food Truck Festival.

Darlings played the Brunswick Rooftop Festival last night. Video below...

What else?

Continue reading "What's going on Monday (Memorial Day)?"

Speaking of things to do on Memorial Day weekend...

Continue reading "free Bushwick Rooftop Festival this weekend (with 22 bands)"

"Like last year, everything will be taking place in Williamsburg and Greenpoint because walking long distances is a drag when there are bands to see and beer to drink, we mean seriously. Us here at The L Magazine will be booking a share of shows on our own, but, for a large chunk of the festival, we've once again handed over curatorial control to some of the most tasteful, talented and dedicated folks in New York's independent music scene -- record labels, bloggers, promoters and more -- allowing them to showcase the bands they think you need to hear. The Williamsburg Gallery Association is again on board to highlight special exhibitions and other events at over 25 art galleries in the neighborhood. And to celebrate Northside's second year, we've invited a few of the city's biggest aficionados of independent film to curate four nights of New York-made movies at Brooklyn's new, as-yet-unopened film house-music club-restaurant-bar, indieScreen."

Music, art and movies will be happening at "30+ venues" and "dozens of galleries" over the course of four days in Greenpoint and Williamsburg. Like SXSW & CMJ, you can buy tickets to individual events, or you can get a badge which gets you in to everything that isn't already at badge-capacity. $50 badges are now on sale to those 21 and over. If you buy a badge, "Arrive to venues early - badgeholders are admitted on a first-come, first-served, one-out, one-in basis."

If you buy a badge you can take your chances at getting into one of the four Northside shows happening at Music Hall of Williamsburg (BrooklynVegan showcase included), Fiery Furnaces at Brooklyn Bowl, and WAVVES & Cloud Nothings at Knitting Factory. TONS more shows TBA, but the initial list of bands that will be playing has been announced (I'm especially excited to see The Wave Pictures, Fucked Up, Liars, Parenthetical Girls and Les Savy Fav on there in addition to what we've previously talked about) (and yes Titus Andronicus is on there). Check it out below...

Continue reading "2010 Northside Festival - tickets & intial lineup (includes Liars, Fucked Up, Les Savy Fav, Polvo & many more)"