photos by Amanda Hatfield

"Officials plan to reduce the number of Canada geese in New York State by two-thirds, eventually trimming the population to 85,000 from 250,000, according to a report prepared by several city, state and federal agencies.

The reduction is part of a larger plan that also calls for the near halving of the Canada geese population in 17 Atlantic states, to 650,000 from 1.1 million. The New York Times obtained a copy of the report.

In New York City, the report says, the current goose population of 20,000 to 25,000 is "five times the amount that most people would find socially acceptable," suggesting the number would be reduced to about 4,000...

...The first steps outlined in the plan went into effect last summer, when 1,235 geese in the city were gassed to death. The total for this summer remains unknown, though nearly 400 were killed after being rounded up in Prospect Park this month" [NY Times].

Though not with complete sincerity (Matt Berninger mentioned he also likes to know he's safer flying out of La Guardia), The National dedicated their song "The Geese of Beverly Road" to the slain geese of Prospect Park at last night's Celebrate Brooklyn show at the Prospect Park Bandshell. The band of two sets of brothers and a wine-loving frontman was rounded out by Padma Newsome on whatever Padma does, their usual horn players and Conrad Doucette on extra percussion.

"I think this is the first show we've played that we can walk to", said one of the Dessners to the beyond sold out hometown crowd at the celebratory show. And it was only one of three big sold out NYC shows the band is/was playing in less than two months (the first being Radio City) (the next being Thursday at Terminal 5) (more dates HERE).

The weather was perfect and the setlist was 21 great songs long. you can read it with more pictures of the show that Beach House opened (they sounded their usual good, album-like, dreamy selves), and a video, below...

Continue reading "The National & Beach House played Prospect Park (RIP geese) - pics & setlist"

photos by Leia Jospe

DOWNLOAD: Hot Chip & Robert Wyatt - We're Looking For A Lot of Love (Gees Mix)
DOWNLOAD: Vampire Weekend - Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Vampire Weekend - The Kids Don't Stand A Chance (Chromeo Remix)
DOWNLOAD: WhoMadeWho - TV Friend (Hot Chip Remix) (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Peter Gabriel - In Your Eyes (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Robert Wyatt - Hasta Siempre Comandante (MP3)

Vampire Weekend @ Terminal 5

New Hot Chip EP

Despite their feverish schedule this year which took in numerous side projects, solo records, countless dancefloor-igniting remixes, production duties and, of course relentless touring (which culminated in their triumphal homecoming shows at Brixton Academy in November) that indefatigable, delightfully off-kilter five-headed electro pop colossus known as Hot Chip have somehow found the time to assemble a lovingly put together little present for their fans. And not only that, but they have managed to rope in the services of none other than the godfather of the experimental psych-prog world, Robert Wyatt and kindred mischievous electronic spirits Geese to help out as well.

Hot Chip with Robert Wyatt and Geese" contains the following tracks:

1. Made in the Dark (with Robert Wyatt)
2. Whistle for Will (with Robert Wyatt)
3. We're Looking for a Lot of Love (with Robert Wyatt and Geese)
4. One Pure Thought (remixed by Geese)

Click HERE to order your copy.

Geese = Emma and Vince from The Elysian Quartet.

In other news, Pitchfork strangely named Hot Chip's Made in the Dark the 23rd album of the year. Bill said:

I am one of Hot Chip's biggest supporters, but Made in the Dark hasn't really held up for me (wheras the Warning still does). And Cut Copy at #4???? The Metronomy record crushes both of those.

Hot Chip are also up for a Grammy and recently made the cover of the NY Daily News.

Also, you may have heard about the cover of Vampire Weekend's "Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa" by Hot Chip and Peter Gabriel. The very man who is mentioned in the song, does the singing. Listen to it below.

Vampire Weekend recently ended their whirlwind year on a high note with 4 NYC-area shows, 3 of which were at Terminal 5 (the same venue Hot Chip played twice in October). They were also named the most overrated band of 2008 in Stereogum's Gummy Awards, and they got 7th best album of 2008 by Pitchfork. The latter seems less weird than Hot Chip's ranking, though it's probably even more globally controversial.

Coming up for Vampire Weekend: the Tibet House benefit concert @ Carnegie Hall and a NY Times speaking event.

Picture's from Vampire Weekend's third of three Terminal 5 show (the one Fiasco opened - 12/6), the Peter Gabriel song, and more, below...

Continue reading "Hot Chip - an EP w/ Robert Wyatt & Geese, a Vampire Weekend cover w/ Peter Gabriel, free MP3s, Terminal 5 pics"