Doveman at at LPR in April (more by Vincent Cornelli)

As mentioned, Doveman has three more upcoming salon shows at West Village venue Le Poisson Rouge. His next one is this Friday (7/29) with special guests Nico Muhly performing as Peter Pears, Julia Stone (of Angus & Julia), who will be premiering material off of her new solo album, and Dawn Landes' group The Bandana Splits.

As mentioned in What's Going On Wednesday, we're running a contest on facebook to win tickets to Friday's show. We're also giving away three more pairs of tickets which you can enter to win via email. Details on how to win a pair below. Details on how to buy a pair, HERE.

Thomas (Doveman) just returned to America from playing in London with (past LPR show guests) Justin Bond and Rufus Wainwright. After Friday's LPR show, he'll play Newport Folk Festival with Tegan and Sara (Sara was also a past LPR show guest).

Doveman's next two LPR shows are happening on September 23 with Chris Thile and October 28 with Laurie Anderson. More guests to be announced. Tickets are on sale for all three.

Contest details below...

Continue reading "Doveman announces more upcoming show guests (win tix)"

words by Rachel Kowal, photos by Lionel Bergeron

Lisa Hannigan @ Rockwood Music Hall

Though penciled into the calendar at Le Poisson Rouge well in advance, Doveman's monthly salons (aka Burgundy Stain Sessions) are typically characterized by spontaneity and surprises. The cast of musicians is constantly shifting as new people are introduced and former collaborators quietly fall off the roster. Traditionally, little about the shows is scripted - at least until the latest session.

For perhaps the first time since the shows began in January, a set list lay on the floor of the stage on June 24th. Of course that doesn't mean it was strictly followed.

Thomas Bartlett (or Doveman) kicked off the show solo with a Randy Newman cover ("Real Emotional Girl"), but it wasn't long before special guest Lisa Hannigan joined in on vocals and guitar. Having collaborated with each other early last year, Hannigan and Bartlett complimented each other nicely. Hannigan may have entered into public consciousness through her part in Damien Rice's 2002 album, O, but she's clearly got enough talent and charm to do more than just the occasional backing vocals, as she demonstrated in her debut solo release in 2008.

As Hannigan's segment wound to a close, other guests started popping up to contribute everything from brand new songs to classic covers (like John Denver's "Take Me Home, Country Roads"). Hannah Cohen (who is apparently working on an album with Bartlett), Dawn Landes, Mike Doughty (who was Bartlett's first tour-mate), Glen Hansard (named the "MVP" by Bartlett), Justin Bond, and backing band Ray Rizzo, Rob Moose, and Josh Kaufmann all made appearances before the evening was up.

As for next month's show, who knows who Bartlett will pull out of his hat. Tickets are on sale for July 29th, September 23rd and October 28th. No guests are announced on any of them yet.

The Doveman show was one of a few in NYC that week for Lisa Hannigan who also played two sold out shows at Rockwood Music Hall where she performed with a full band including John Smith who also opened with a short set of his own music. Lisa's set consisted of a number of new songs from "Passenger", as well as songs from her first album "Sea Sew". They finished with a cover of Depeche Mode's "Personal Jesus". Pictures from the first Rockwood show are in this post and they continue below...

Continue reading "Lisa Hannigan played w/ Doveman, Rockwood Music Hall (pics)"

NY Times: You have a new CD out in March called "Justin Vivian Bond: Dendrophile." Explain.

Justin Vivian Bond: A dendrophile's a person who gets an erotic charge out of nature. I am one! This is a record for the tree-hugger community. I do Bambi Lake's "The Golden Age of Hustlers" on it, and also a duet of the Carpenters' "Superstar" with Beth Orton. As for Vivian, that's my self-given middle name. Justin is a very male-identified name, and I wanted something that would balance it. I had an uncle named Vivian Francis. He was a wonderful person, but he changed his name to Victor. He didn't like being Vivian. But it's fine with me.

Justin Bond, who seems to stick to the intimite confines of venues like Joe's Pub for headlining shows lately, will celebrate the new CD release with a headlining show at Bowery Ballroom on April 5th which is four days before the CD Release show in San Francisco. Tickets for the NYC show go on sale at noon today (2/24).

Opening the Bowery show will be Doveman who Justin (and pretty much everyone else mentioned in this post so far) recently joined for a show at Le Poisson Rouge. Maybe Justin will pop in again when Doveman and guests return to LPR on March 16th. Tickets are still on sale for that.

Justin, who was in attendance to see his Scissor Sisters and Lady Gaga play Madison Square Garden this week, also has a special show coming up at Joe's Pub on March 7th - a new musical he co-wrote with Sandra Bernhard and Scissor Sister Jake Shears. On March 9th Justin hosts a book reading in NYC.

Watch a recent video feature on Justin, Joe's Pub footage included, below...

Continue reading "Justin Bond releasing 'Dendrophile', playing Bowery Ballroom w/ Doveman (who produced the album) & stuff"

photos by Dominick Mastrangelo, words by Rachel Kowal

Dawn Landes, Norah Jones & Doveman

January's inaugural Burgundy Stain Session began softly with just Sam Amidon and Thomas Bartlett (Doveman) on stage, but for the second show in the series (2/8 at Le Poisson Rouge), Bartlett, the host, took a different approach. "Tonight, I thought we'd start with everyone on stage," said Bartlett excitedly, prompting nine additional musicians (dubbed by Bartlett as his "all-star backing chorus") to emerge from the audience and assume their positions. Crowded around a few mic stands, the group launched into a sweet, melodic Doveman song, "Angel's Share." (Beth Orton had to cancel due to 'unforeseen circumstances.')

Modeled after a salon, the Burgundy Stain Sessions are largely unscripted and free-flowing. "Sorry I didn't give anybody a set list," Bartlett eventually confessed. "I don't even really have a set list. I'm just making it up as we go." But instead of resulting in a sloppy mess, the music came together nearly seamlessly, thanks in part to the grand maestro, Doveman, who conducted both verbally ("I need A flat right here!") and with his animated body language (sudden glances, wild head nods).

Following the happy unification of musicians at the top of the show, the spotlight shifted to unannounced returning guest Glen Hansard. Once he had procured a pick from someone in the audience, he was ready. At the last Session, Hansard turned to Bartlett and announced, "none of your jazzy shit," but on Tuesday night, he seemed to be going along with it, as evidenced by their first song together. Apparently the song was brand new. "So Glen recorded that not too many days ago," Bartlett revealed. "His friend went to take a walk and he wrote it."

Many of the musicians are long-time friends and collaborators. Bartlett and Hansard met six or seven years ago (Bartlett can't really remember), and Amidon entered the picture long before that as was evidenced by the impromptu reunion of Popcorn Behavior, the childhood band Bartlett and brother Sam and Stefan Amidon (ages 13, 13, and 10 respectively). In addition to a Popcorn Behavior song, Sam played a song or two of his own, including "I See the Sign," which featured Doug Wieselman on bass clarinet.

Next up was Steve Salett who showcased some songs from his project, The Poison Tree. (His debut album is due out in March.) Much of Salett's songs were marked by technical difficulties due to some cell phone interference, prompting the group to stop while Bartlett switched his cell phone to airplane mode (it turns out his phone wasn't the culprit), but the show continued, thanks to Salett's booming baritone and his picturesque songs about the broken-hearted.

Apart from Glen Hansard (who was also present at the last Burgundy Stain Session), perhaps the biggest surprise guest of the evening was Norah Jones who performed a couple of songs, including a lovely cover song by the late Canadian singer-songwriter Kate McGarrigle, "(Talk to me of) Mendocino."

Since Le Poisson Rouge was set up in the round, the performers faced inward on stage... with exception of the theatrical Justin Bond, who made sure to sing to the whole room. Before beginning to play, the snarky, morose performance artist managed to both hit on Sam and get the whole room laughing. "I'm feeling horny and generous tonight," said Bond by way of introduction. "So someone might have a very nice evening tonight... and it might just be me." Bond played a series of songs, often featuring lyrics borrowed from (delightfully risque or provocative) poetry.

The "genderqueer" singer definitely elicited the most laughs of the evening. "I've got some bourbon. It's in a plastic cup, but it looks like glass, so hey! I'm all for things that look like one thing and are another," joked Bond. It was wise to conclude the show with this rousing performance, but the end still came rather abruptly and unexpectedly, leaving Bartlett to quickly ramble off next month's collaborators: Elysian Fields, Martha Wainwright, Sara Quin (from Tegan and Sara), Dawn Landes, David Thomas Broughton, and more. Tickets are still on sale for that show, and for Sam Amidon's show at Glasslands, and for the one Justin Bond has coming up at Joe's Pub on 2/20.

More pictures from the 2/8 show below....

Continue reading "Doveman played another salon w/ Norah Jones, Glen Hansard & more (pics), announced guests for next time"

photos by Amanda Hatfield

Beth Orton, Glen Hansard & Dawn Landes @ LPR

When Glen Hansard sets foot on the stages of a sold-out City Winery TONIGHT, it'll be his third visit to an NYC stage in a month. As advertised, The Frames frontman/Swell Season sensitive-man recently hopped on stage with Beth Orton, Sam Amidon, Nico Muhly, Dawn Landes, and as hinted, St. Vincent at the Doveman "Burgundy Stain Session" at Le Poisson Rouge in January (where these pics come from)...

"Thank you so much for coming," Thomas Bartlett (Doveman) began. "This is the first of these concerts that I'll be doing, and I thought it would be nice to start with just me and Sam because me and Sam have been playing music together since we were five."

The two kicked off the show with a simple, lovely, and faintly religious little song, "All is Well." Ringing out with repeatedly, the titular refrain seemed like a perfect starting point for the evening...

...After Sam had played through a few of his songs, he casually announced, "We're in a gospel mood," which was apparently Annie Clark's (St. Vincent) cue to make her way to the stage to fulfill her role as a "great gospel guitarist." Crouching down on stage in the shadow, Clark joined Amidon for one more song before the spotlight officially shifted to her. As she stood up, the stage lights shone through her messy main of curly hair, creating a halo that complimented her Amidon-annointed title....

...The evening proceded with a potpouri of performances. Hardly a song or two would pass before the configuration on stage would change. Beth Orton, Glen Hansard, and Dawn Landes would each have their turn. "One thing I realized is that I hate talking on stage so much that things are really going to need an emcee," Bartlett joked...." [Rachel Kowal]

The Poison Tree, as I wrote back in August 2009, "is Brooklyn, NY singer songwriter Steve Salett [of the King of France] and a rotating cast of collaborators borrowed from acts including The National, Rufus Wainwright, Antony and the Johnsons, and David Byrne." The Poison Tree's debut album will be released this March 15th on Embarque...

In recording its debut album, The Poison Tree leader Steve Salett, drew on a community of extraordinarily talented musicians that formed around Salett's Saltlands Studio and Saltmines rehearsal spaces in Brooklyn. "I approached it as, 'if you build it, they will come.' After that, a space and community coalesced organically around the rehearsal rooms," says Steve. "For The Poison Tree, we were able to pull musicians who regularly use the Saltmines. If we needed violin, trumpet, whatever, we just walked down the hall."

The supporting cast is extraordinary: Thomas Bartlett, better known as Doveman and briefly a member of King of France, provides much of the atmospheric Wurlitzer, piano, and organ parts. Of The Poison Tree, he says, "Steve is one of my favorite songwriters. Each song is a simple, perfect gesture, but with an elusive, enigmatic quality that will never lose its fascination for me."

Singer Dawn Landes, who will open for Justin Townes Earle on the road next month and also sang on Josh Ritter's latest album, also sang on 'The Poison Tree' record and did some engineering work. Others include bassist Jeff Hill (Rufus Wainwright), drummer Konrad Meissner (Graham Parker), and trumpeter C.J. Camerieri (Rufus Wainwright). Gary Mauer of Hem co-produced the album with Salett.

Lastly, besides writing all of the songs and playing guitar and vocals, the multi-talented Salett also co-produced and plays dulcimer, Rhodes, and whistle.

Don't forget that Sam Amidon has a show coming up at Glasslands on 2/16 (tickets), and even before that will join Nico Muhly, Bishi, Bryce Dessner, and ACME at St.Ann's Warehouse as part of Nico Muhly's Tell The Way. Tickets are available for all three shows, Feb 10th-12th.

More pictures from the 1/14 Doveman are below...

Continue reading "guests announced for 2/8 Doveman show (Justin Bond, Poison Tree, Beth Orton) --- St .Vincent, Glen Hansard & more played last time (pics)"

photos by Kimberly Huebner

DOWNLOAD: Alex Winston - Sister Wife (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Alex Winston - Medicine (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Alex Winston - Choice Notes (Tomb Crew Remix) (MP3)

Alex Winston @ Communion

Communion, the party co-founded by Mumford & Sons' Ben Lovett, held its first U.S. event on Jan 9th at Public Assembly in Brooklyn. The night included sets by Alex Winston, Emil & Friends, Marques Toliver, Pearl and The Beard, Bobby Long, & Simone Felice, with DJs Neon Gold, Sean Glass and The Knocks. A set of pictures from that show are in this post.

The party continues on January 30th at Public Assembly. On that date Communion will host Royal Bangs, Ambassadors, Sarah Jarosz, David Mayfield Parade, Dawn Landes,and .... Laura Marling whose only other show is opening for Iron & Wine on 1/25 at the Wiltern in LA. Advanced tickets are on sale (and note: this will probably sell out).

Of all of the participants in the 1/30 show, only one is advertising other upcoming NYC dates and that's Austin's Sarah Jarosz...

"Sarah Jarosz is a bluegrass multi-instrumentalist, singer and songwriter whose first CD, Song Up in Her Head, was released by Sugar Hill Records on June 16, 2009. She was nominated for a Grammy Award in the category of Best Country Instrumental Performance for the track "Mansinneedof" from that album. Sarah was born in Austin, Texas on May 23, 1991..." [Wikipedia]

Continue reading "Laura Marling is playing Communion (Sarah Jarosz too), Alex Winston played the last one -- pics & tix"

Merry Christmas Everybody! 2010 has been a whirlwind of touring and thanks to everyone who came out to the shows! The Hounds & I spent many many hours in vans, gas stations and motels across the globe and we just want you to know how much we appreciate seeing your faces! We've started working on some new music and will hopefully have some new songs to share in the new year.

THANK YOU! MERCI y GRACIAS!

Love,
Dawn

Dawn Landes @ Governors Island this past Summer (more by Chris La Putt)

The Third Annual Very Balthrop Christmas happening at Joe's Pub tonight (12/17), and the Justin Townes Earle & Jessica Lea Mayfield Teddy Thompson (Jessica cancelled) show happening at Webster Hall on Saturday have at least one thing in common. Dawn Landes will be in the house for both, so get there early if you're going to the Webster Hall show because she goes on first. Need a ticket? I am giving a few pairs away. Details on how to get them below...

Continue reading "Dawn Landes plays w/ Balthrop Alabama tonight & Justin Townes Earle on Saturday (WIN TIX)"

Swans @ Pop Montreal 2010 (more by Dominick Mastrangelo)

Olof Arnalds @ Scandanavia House in 2009 (more by Chris La Putt)

today in NYC
* Comic Con
* Marah @ Maxwell's
* Olof Arnalds @ Joe's Pub
* Boy Crisis @ Brooklyn Bowl
* MV Carbon @ Issue Project Room
* Swans, Baby Dee @ Bowery Ballroom
* K'naan, Paper Tongues @ Webster Hall
* Lord of the Rings @ Radio City Music Hall
* Shoko Nagai's Glimpse of City @ The Stone
* Bustle In Your Hedgerow @ Brooklyn Bowl
* Ratatat, DOM, Bobby Birdman @ Terminal 5
* Tomas Fujiwara & The Hook Up @ The Stone
* Women, DD/MM/YYYY, So Cow @ Knitting Factory
* Sharon Van Etten, Kyp Malone @ Mercury Lounge
* The Stationary Set, Winterpills, Stephaniesid @ Union Hall
* Primus, Mucca Pazza, Oddity Faire @ The Wellmont Theatre
* Wyldlife, The Safes, Thee Lexington Arrows, Glass Trees @ Fontana's
* Celebration, Andrew Cedermark, Woodsman, Up Died Sound @ Glasslands
* Bomb The Music Industry (playing The Blue Album and Pinkerton) @ Silent Barn
* Nuclear Assault, Candy Striper Death Orgy, Black Anvil @ Public Assembly
* Strapping Fieldhands, Watery Love, Willie Lane, Measure, Black Wine @ Cake Shop
* Betty Harris, Harvey Scales, Renaldo Domino, The Sweet Divines (Brooklyn Soul Festival) @ The Bell House
* Kronos Quartet (music of Michael Gordon, Clint Mansell, J.G. Thirlwell, and Dan Visconti) @ Le Poisson Rouge
* Dawn Landes, Anais Mitchell, Freedy Johnston, Jesse Malin, The Chapin Sisters, Lisa Bouchelle, The Kennedys, Tony Scherr (John Lennon 70th Birthday Party) @ City Winery

What else?

AA Bondy at FYFest (more by Chris Juarez)

AA Bondy kicks of a string of dates today, 10/5, in Woodstock, NY before heading to Bowery Ballroom Wednesday (10/6) for a show that now includes openers Dawn Landes and Diamond Doves. Tickets are still available. On Thursday, AA Bondy becomes opener for The Walkmen for a few days, and then plays a few more shows of his own as well.

The Bowery show is one of two upcoming dates for Diamond Doves. The band will also hit Rock Shop on 10/19 as part of a CMJ showcase headlined by The Barr Brothers (of The Slip) with Theiving Irons and Ravens & Chimes. That's two days before the band re-emerges as the backing band for Elvis Perkins to play a sold out show at Terminal 5 with My Morning Jacket (10/21). In addition, Nick Kinsey, Brigham Brough, Mike Irwin and Wyndham Boylan Garnett of Diamond Doves will support My Morning Jacket as their backing horn section for 10/21, 22, and 23.

Dawn Landes recently returned from a European tour with Josh Ritter, and the pair recorded a Heady West cover, "500 Miles", to kick off the dates. Download that for the price of an email address.

Tour dates and some recent live video, below...

Continue reading "AA Bondy is on the road, playing w/ Dawn Lades & Diamond Doves (who play CMJ & other stuff too) "

photos by Chris La Putt

"what a perfect way to spend a sunday evening... me: tall with grey curly hair. you: cute girl in dress that i should have paid more attention to than josh ritter" - missed connection

"DAWN LANDES put on a better show in ATL, but her stints on stage at GOV ISLAND with RITTER were stupendous." - Adam Jackson

Justin Townes Earle / Josh & Dawn

Josh Ritter (Dawn Landes's husband) & The Royal City Band headlined the free show on Governors Island Sunday night. Justin Townes Earle (now healed enough to play again) (and whose new single came out as a free download today) and Dawn Landes & The Hounds opened the Converse-presented "Gone to Governors" show on the beach. Special guests included Zeke Hutchins who joined Dawn for a song, and Dawn who joined Josh. More pictures from the show below...

Continue reading "Josh Ritter, Justin Townes Earle & Dawn Landes played the Beach on Governors Island (pics) "

Josh Ritter opened for Swell Season @ Radio City (more by Kurt Christensen)

Josh Rouse returns to Joe's Pub for an intimate show on September 10th. Tickets are on sale. Josh's only other upcoming gig is Summerfest in Norway (tonight, 7/31).

Josh Rouse is not to be confused with Josh Ritter who was a surprise guest at the Celebrate Brooklyn Swell Season show in Prospect Park last night (7/30) (not the first time the two artists performed together) (they toured together earlier this year), but more about the Brooklyn show later (and a video from another time they performed together below).

A few nights earlier, Josh's wife Dawn Landes was Sondre Lerche's surprise guest at Mercury Lounge.

Last time Dawn played Mercury Lounge, Josh Ritter was her surprise guest.

Next time Josh Ritter headlines his own NYC show, August 8th on Governors Island to be exact, Dawn Landes will be one of the openers (and the show is free). Justin Townes Earle, who Dawn has toured and performed with before, is also scheduled to play that free show. Let's just hope his hand heals quickly.

Elvis Perkins and Dearland replace Justin Townes Earle at the Newport Folk Fest this weekend. Elvis Perkins's band now also plays on their own as Diamond Doves and they were also on the bill at that Sondre Lerche/Dawn Landes/JBM show a few days ago.

Some relevant videos below...

Continue reading "Josh Rouse playing Joe's Pub, Josh Ritter played CB w/ the Swell Season & playing Governors Island w/ Dawn Landes"

photos by Dominick Mastrangelo

JBM & Diamond Doves

"Jesse Marchant (JBM) took to the stage for a set that would also last about an hour. In contrast to [Sondre] Lerche's set, which was unified in its sound and delivery, Marchant delivered a set that ran the gamut between quiet and loud, stoic and rocking, solo and with band. The stark contrast between songs served Marchant, as it called attention not only to his versatility, but his ability to completely embrace each of the genres completely.

The material (as might be expected) was sourced largely (entirely?) from his debut record Not Even In July, for which [Tuesday] night was the record release party. However, much like the record, the tracks varied in their arrangement and instrumentation. For part of the set, Marchant was joined on stage by openers Diamond Doves as his backing band, and for others he took a solo seat to his songs. Moreover, even his solo act varied, sometimes finding him behind a makeshift drumkit, sometimes with a harmonica and guitar, and sometimes behind the keyboard." [Hippies are Dead]

Continue reading "JBM, Sondre Lerche (and Dawn Landes) & Diamond Doves @ Mercury Lounge (pics) "

DOWNLOAD: The Morning Benders - Cold War (Wallpaper. Winter Remix) (MP3)

Caribou @ Bowery Ballroom (more by Benjamin Lozovsky)

What is now being considered the full lineup for the ten-show, Converse-sponsored "Gone to Governors" series at Governors Island is almost complete (openers still TBA). There are ten shows total - seven of which are on Saturdays. One is on a Friday. Two are on Sundays (one of which is July 4th). All except Local Natives on August 7th are free.

The lineup's latest additions include co-headliners Caribou & Phantogram with The Chain Gang of 1974 (July 16th), and Josh Ritter with openers Justin Townes Earle and Dawn Landes (August 8th).

Here's the whole thing:

1. June 05 - Yeasayer, Keepaway, Delicate Steve
2. June 19 - The Morning Benders, Freelance Whales & TBA
3. July 03 - Portugal. The Man & TBA
4. July 04 (Sunday) - She & Him
5. July 10 - Lucero & TBA
6. July 16 (Friday) - Caribou, Phantogram, The Chain Gang of 1974
7. July 17 - Dr. Dog & TBA
8. Aug. 07 - Local Natives & TBA ($10 ticket)
9. Aug. 08 (Sunday) - Josh Ritter & The Royal City Band, Justin Townes Earle, Dawn Landes & the Hounds
10. Aug. 14 - Neon Indian & TBA
11. Aug 15 - Dr. Dog

The shows will be held at the Beach at Governors Island, one of three venues on the Island. The others are Colonel Row (where Passion Pit will be playing, for instance) and South Island Field (which'll host M.I.A./HARD NYC). Michael Franti & Spearhead w/ Trombone Shorty kicks off the season of pay-shows at the Island with a Thursday, June 3rd performance there.

The Morning Benders will headline the second show in the series on June 19th, and they just released new song "Go Grab A Stranger," a Big Echo b-side currently available as a limited tour 7", streaming below. A remix of their song "Cold War" by Oakland act Wallpaper is available above.

"Go Grab A Stranger" and more info on the Gov. Island shows are below...

Continue reading "Gone to Governors - full 10 mostly-free show lineup (Caribou, Phantogram, Josh Ritter, She & Him & Local Natives included)"

Marnie Stern will be one of the bowlers (but not one of the performers) at a Stereogum "Gumbowl" charity event tonight at Brooklyn Bowl. You can't watch her bowl yet, but you can go to the concert afterwards (that she is not playing)....

"While the doors have to be closed during the tournament in order to film it all for charitable posterity -- and be sure we'll present you with the footage -- we're celebrating afterward by throwing open the gates for a FREE CONCERT, headlined by Woods, and featuring an opening set from the 'Gum-beloved rising sextet Effi Briest, DJ magic from Ms. St. Vincent Annie Clark, and loitering by our celebrity bowlers, who may or may not still be wearing the sweet-ass bowling jerseys we're throwing on them. We want you there (if you're 21 or older (sorry, kids!))." - Stereogum

Other charity bowlers include The Blow (who has a show coming up at Joe's Pub), Nick Islands Thorburn Diamonds (who has 3 NYC shows coming up), Alan Neon Indian Palomo (who has multiple NYC shows coming), and Tim Les Savy Fav Harrington (who has a scheduled Brooklyn show too). The full list of bowlers is also below.

If you want to catch Marnie Stern play live, her next show will be at Glasslands on Friday, June 18th along with White Hinterland, Anni Rossi, Translations and True Womanhood. It's not free, but you get a discount if you RSVP to that here.

Anni Rossi will also be playing Pianos the night before (6/17).

More info on the Gumbowl and flyers are below...

Continue reading "Marnie Stern bowls tonight (before the free Woods show), plays in June w/ Anni Rossi who has 2 upcoming shows"

photos by Maryanne Ventrice

"This is Nate Martinez's first solo project. After spending years of recording and touring with the band Pela, he now records under the moniker Thieving Irons. He is currently completing his first album entitled 'This Midnight Hum' with the help of Mike Brown. A collection of songs written by Nate and supported by some of his very talented friends." [Thieving Irons]

Pictures from last week and all dates below...

Continue reading "Nate Martinez (ex-Pela) is Thieving Irons - a residency w/ Josh Kaufman @ Sycamore - pics, dates, special guests"

Elvis Perkins @ MHOW in December (more by Dominick Mastrangelo)

Two of the three currently scheduled Elvis Perkins in Dearland shows are at Brooklyn's Bell House. Those will happen on April 23rd and 24th. The first night will be opened by Dawn Landes (who recently played Mercury Lounge and will be at Joe's Pub on Valentine's Day); opener for the second is TBA. Tickets for Apr 23rd and Apr. 24th are both on sale.

Elvis Perkins's other show is at the massive two-weekend party that is the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival (April 23rd-May 2nd). The lineup for that is sprawling and includes (to name just a few) Aretha Franklin, Pearl Jam, The Dead Weather, My Morning Jacket, Allen Toussaint, Jeff Beck, Band of Horses, Van Morrison, B.B. King, Wayne Shorter Quartet, Lionel Richie, Simon & Garfunkel, The Levon Helm Band, Elvis Costello and The Sugarcanes (who are coming to New York in April), etc. etc. Tickets are on sale.

The full lineup and poster for NOLA Jazz Fest and Elvis Perkins tour dates are below...

Continue reading "Elvis Perkins playing 2 Brooklyn shows (1 w/ Dawn Landes) & New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival (full lineup)"

photos by Bao Nguyen

'Stories in High Fidelity' held an event at Bowery Ballroom on February 3rd featuring stories from David Byrne Alan Light, Dan Kennedy and Jason Gordon, and music from Nicole Atkins. The big question of the night was whether Byrne, who features Nicole Atkins on a track on his new album, would get up and sing with her during the musical part of the evening. The answer is 'yes'. David sang harmonies on Nicole's song "Neptune City". Less than a week earlier (he gets around!), David joined St. Vincent on stage at another NYC show. St Vincent also appears on David's new album. Nicole reports on Bowery Ballroom:

It was an absolute blast. Lots of really funny storytellers including NY Times writer Alan Light (whos touching story about his 6 year olds Beatlemania actually made me excited about my hopeful futuristic children), novelist Dan Kennedy (who did a hilarious interpretation of what a group prayer by Bon Jovi might sounds like before they go onstage!), Jason Gordon (who read a book report he did in 5th grade about the Doors "No One Here Gets Out Alive") and David Bryne who did an amazing lecture about how musicians make music for specific venues, ie, rap is made for car speakers, midtempo U2 music is for stadiums, etc. Actually made me have more of an understanding for East coast vs West Coast hip hop. If you ever get a chance to listen to David Byrne lecture, do it! Its eye and ear opening and extremely funny in his way. After the speakers, I played a small acoustic set solo and was accompanied by cartoonist Michael Arthur who drew cartoons of my songs while i sang them. He has a great band called Balthrop Alabama that ya'll should check out. Actually they are playing one of the nights I host at Bowery Electric on March 5th. Come see them!

For my last song I played "Neptune City," and was joined by David Byrne on vocals and guitar. It was like a dream as he's always been one of my favorite artists and now here he was up onstage singing and playing my song with me. yip! I loved the way his guitar playing made a somber song such as that sound, i dunno, tropical! Byrne brought the warmth.

Balthrop Alabama can be seen even sooner than March. They play Joe's Pub on Valentine's Day. They'll be joined that time by The Bandana Splits (with Dawn Landes). Video promo made by Michael Arthur below.

More pictures from the seated Bowery Ballroom event, below...

Continue reading "Nicole Atkins & David Byrne played Bowery Ballroom (pics) w/ Michael Arthur of Balthrop Alabama (who play Joe's soon) "

photos by Chris La Putt

Though they wouldn't let her decorate Mercury Lounge with hay (she still had a little on stage, and some untouched bails of it in the corner), Dawn Landes and the Hounds put on a great record release show Friday early-night at the packed NYC venue. As one quirky New York chick put it,

There were special guests, Josh Ritter. There were hula hoops and birthdays, Landes friend Erin, sorry if I've gotten your name wrong, but Happy Birthday! There were even giant standing chandeliers. And, in the middle of it all was the smiling, quirky, sweet as sugar Dawn Landes.

Landes took the stage and instantly, things became a party. She rocked her way through a rollicking set charming the enthusiastic crowd the whole time. Landes is one of those performers that you can't help but like. She has this sweet charming quality that beckons you to have fun, smile and cheer her on.

The equally charming "indie-acoustic duo" Uncle Monk, Tommy Ramone and Claudia Tienan, opened the show. Highlights of their set included a cover of "I Fought the Law" and "I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend" which Tommy introduced by saying it was a song he wrote when he was just a young kid.

More pictures and videos from the show below...

Continue reading "Dawn Landes (and Josh Ritter) & Uncle Monk (starring Tommy Ramone) played Mercury Lounge in NYC - pics "

DOWNLOAD: Dawn Landes - Young Girl (MP3)

Dawn Landes backing Doveman @ Merc the other day (more by Eric Townsend)

After we announced, Dawn Landes said she wanted a country-ish opener for her record release show which is happening tonight (1/22) at Mercury Lounge. What better opportunity then to do a show with Uncle Monk aka the last surviving original member of the Ramones' bluegrass band. Dawn loved the idea and Tommy Ramone said yes. It's an early show. Uncle Monk is on at 8pm. Dawn hits the stage at 9. Then the room clears out in time for the Serena Maneesh show happening at the same venue right afterwards.

If you miss it, Uncle Monk also has a show coming up at the end of February at Bowery Poetry Club.

Those outside of NYC can catch Dawn on tour, sometimes with Justin Townes Earle, starting Saturday. Dawn's new album, Sweetheart Rodeo, was released this week. The track "Young Girl" from that album is above. The video for the same song is below...

Continue reading "Uncle Monk (Tommy Ramone) opening for Dawn Landes (new MP3 & video) at Mercury Lounge tonight/Friday"

photos by Eric Townsend, words by Andrew Frisicano

Doveman (w/ Norah Jones on vocals)...

Thomas Bartlett was at the center of his Doveman and Friends concert at the Mercury Lounge on Tuesday, January 12nd. On top of the headlining set, Barlett ably accompanied openers The Poison Tree (Steve Salett of King of France) and Sam Amidon on piano (even sitting in for some tasteful drums during Sam's set). Though the night on the whole seemed casual and off-the-cuff, with plenty of stories and asides, Bartlett's piano playing was always on point.

Sam Amidon opened with "How Come That Blood," the superb preview single off his forthcoming record, with its rapid, coordinated fingerpicking and clear traditional-ballad-like melody. He traced his set's progression through a song cycle about a character named "Ryan Seek Rest." When least expected, Amidon let loose a rooster scream that burned through the crowd.

Puss N Boots played an all-covers set that included songs by Johnny Cash, Doc Watson, Wilco (" Jesus, Etc" with Norah Jones singing sublimely) and Wanda Jackson (who herself is coming to town. The drummer-less three-piece made good use of their own vocal trademarks when harmonizing - Catherine Popper's bassy voice, Sasha Dobson's direct tone and Norah's breathier notes.

Doveman started his set with a run of songs off The Conformist, his hooky, atmospheric pop gem that came out late last year. As a dynamic piano player and singer, Bartlett doesn't need much in the way of support, and he didn't get much from his band, who seemed to be tearing into the material for the first time, afraid to make themselves known in any real way. Norah sang back up on a song, and Justin Bond, who has been working with Doveman on a new album, sang one too. So did Dawn Landes (who has a BV-presented record release show coming up at the same club). "Dancing" was the encore lullaby that sent off the crowd.

Coming up, Sam Amidon will be opening for Beth Orton at City Winery next Sunday and Monday . Doveman's upcoming tour dates (including SXSW) are posted below. At the show, he also mentioned that he'd be performing with Elysian Fields at LPR on Friday, January 22nd. Tickets are on sale.

More pictures from Mercury Lounge are below...

Continue reading "Doveman & friends (Sam Amidon, Norah Jones, Poison Tree, Justin Bond, Dawn Landes...) played Mercury Lounge (pics)"

Sweetheart Rodeo, the third full-length album from acclaimed Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter Dawn Landes, will be available January 19 on Cooking Vinyl. The release is already receiving acclaim in the U.K.-Q magazine declares "Her sweet vocals and country-ish musical tilt recall Cat Power, but with a fresh and affirming, rather than jaded, worldview," while Uncut calls the music, "feathery acoustic songs that shuffle and sway beautifully." In support of the release, Landes will join acclaimed musician Justin Townes Earle on the road in January and February for a series of special show dates.

Continue reading "Dawn Landes - new album & 2010 tour dates (including a BV-presented record release show in NYC)"

photos by Ezra Caldwell

BV: And you also played on the new Doveman record, The Conformist, which came out October 20th.

Bryce Dessner: Yeah the three of us, my brother and Bryan from [The National] all play on that record. We're kind of like the house band, so we back him up for a bunch of those songs.

A more public album release show happens in NYC, tonight (11/1), at Mercury Lounge. Sean Lennon & Charlotte Kemp Muhl will be there again, but this time as headliner of the show. Doveman plays right before them and as a member of their band. White Circle (Josh Wise of French Kicks) is first of fourth on the bill. The talented Julianna Barwick plays right before Dovemen. Sounds like a great way to spend a Sunday night.

On November 3rd Doveman is going out on tour with The Swell Season, though the Swell Season's Radio City date isn't listed as one of the shows he'll be opening. More pictures from the apartment show, and all tour dates, below....

Continue reading "Doveman & friends played an apt (pics), NYC show tonight (w/ Sean Lennon), 2009 Tour Dates (w/ the Swell Season)"

by Bill Pearis

Cymbals Eat Guitars @ Bowery Ballroom in May (more by Ryan Muir)

Okay, so Saturday is officially bonkers. I think every band in town this week is playing somewhere, sometimes more than once. There are so many good shows you may get an ulcer trying to narrow down your choices. Here we go:

DAYTIME

Surely there's no place you'd rather be Saturday afternoon than at the free Brooklyn Vegan / Bowery Presents party at Pianos. We've got both floors going, with Cymbals Eat Guitars, Deastro, Pete & the Pirates, Surf City, BEAST, Smith Westerns, Dent May and many more. Plus free Miller and Vitamin Water, and, before and during BEAST's set: free bloody marys. Set times below.

But apparently there are other daytime shows. You might be forgiven if you snuck out and went to Music Snobbery's day party next door at The Living Room. I'm a big fan of Savoir Adore and Sissy Wish, and he's also got Denmark's Choir of Young Believers, Dawn Landes and Bird of Youth.

Then in Williamsburg (which is giving Ludlow St. a run for its money this year)... blogger collective After the Jump have put together a great free show at Brooklyn Bowl, with Surfer Blood, Harlem, Savoir Adore, Soft Black, Grooms, Bear in Heaven, and Small Black. Maybe we'll even get a supergroup of Soft Small Black. Anything can happen on the last day of CMJ.

Then there's the Pitchfork-curated Showpaper benefit at Market Hotel is so big it actually goes till 6AM. (Though it's just DJs after midnight.) It's a good opportunity, especially, for the under-21 crowd to see a lot of the CMJ bands (Surfer Blood, Delorean, Cold Cave) who have otherwise played bars. It's not free, but the $8 goes to keep Showpaper going, which is probably the greatest source for all-ages shows in the city.

Underwater Peoples have put on three showcases during CMJ week, and this last one is at Cameo Gallery. 14 bands from noon to 7PM, including Air Waves, Fluffy Lumbers, Frat Dad, Big Troubles, Spanish Prisoners, and Family Portrait. It may be getting a bit more chilly, but the beachy vibe will be present here this afternoon. Not free, but only $7.

A post with the Saturday night shows is HERE coming soon. In the meantime, it's still Friday night. Saturday day fliers and set times below...

Continue reading "CMJ 2009 - Bill's Saturday daytime picks"

by Bill Pearis

DOWNLOAD: Surfer Blood - Floating Vibes (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Surf City - Records of a Flagpole Skater (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Surf City - Kudos (MP3)

Surfer Blood @ Bruar Falls

Florida's Surfer Blood went from being ignored to super-hyped overnight. One night in particular, actually: August 27, 2009. The band had been in town playing a string of woefully attended gigs. The last was to be at the Surf Bar, only to get a venue change to Bruar Falls that night. Thanks to the Internet, they manage to play to 30-40 people at Bruar that night and I think just about everyone who was at that show felt at least a little like I did:

It's not very often you go into a show blind and leave wowed but that what my reaction to seeing West Palm Beach, Florida's Surfer Blood last night at Bruar Falls. I think I was expecting a slightly poppier take on the shambolic noise skuzz that blows through smaller Williamsburg venues these days. But, despite reverbed vocals and echo guitars effects that would sometimes seize and glitch like an episode of Tim & Eric, Surfer Blood make accomplished, hook-filled indie rock with clever arrangements and great harmonies, as performed by four guys who can actually, you know, play. You hear so little music like this anymore from new bands -- Seattle's BOAT come to mind -- that is this catchy, skilled but not polished. It's not going to change your life or anything (yes, they do sound a little like the Shins), but it'll have you humming and awaiting the next time they come through town.

Their upcoming debut LP, Astro Coast, is choc-full of super catchy indie rock. And soon back for CMJ, if you miss Surfer Blood this time, it's because you're actively trying to avoid them -- according to their MySpace, they're playing 10 shows (announced so far) here next week. If there's a band playing more shows, I haven't heard about it. All dates below including the free BrooklynVegan day party at Pianos on Thursday, October 22nd (noon-6pm) (full details TBA).

Surf City

Giving them a run for the money is New Zealand's Surf City, easily one of my most-anticipated bands of CMJ 2009, who are playing three official CMJ events and a bunch of day parties. They had a full schedule posted on their MySpace last night including eight area shows...which has since been taken down. Guess things are in flux. It's been a long time since a new Kiwi band so evoked the classic Flying Nun sound, and had such good songs to boot. Not that they've released much to date -- an EP and a song for MORR Music's tribute to Flying Nun is about it -- but everything so far is pretty great, especially if you're a fan of The Clean, Tall Dwarfs, and The Bats. Check out "Records of a Flagpole Skater" and the especially good "Kudos" at the top of this post.

Official CMJ shows: There's an opening night Giant Step party on Tuesday at the Red Bull Space (40 Thompson) where Surf City are part of an all-Kiwi line-up, including Die! Die Die!, Bang Bang Eche, Kingston, Motocade, Kidz In Space, David Dallas, and Smashproof. The show is FREE with RSVP, and you can check out videos and MP3s from all the bands at the RSVP page.

Surf City play again later Tuesday night at Cake Shop with ZZZ, Moi Non Plus and more ($8 without a badge) and then Wednesday (10/21) at The Bell House with Pete & The Pirates, Let's Wrestle, The Love Language, and Dawn Landes. ($14 without badge; advance tickets are available.) Surf City are also on the bill of the other free BrooklynVegan day party at Pianos that is happening on the afternoon of Saturday, October 24th (in partnership with Bowery Presents). Check the band's MySpace hopefully soon for full day party schedule.

All scheduled dates for Surfer Blood (who are also playing a bunch of dates with Art Brut including the November Brooklyn Bowl show) and Surf City, plus videos, below...

Continue reading "Surfer Blood (Florida) vs. Surf City (New Zealand) - MP3s & tour dates (both playing CMJ & BrooklynVegan day parties) "