photos by Sarahana, words & photos by Chris La Putt, SXSW shots by Graeme Flegenheimer

"Was asked to have my picture taken at the She&Him show because "I dress like Zooey" compliment of a lifetime" - Brandi Bullar.

She & Him @ SXSW

She & Him, backed by The Chapin Sisters, played the first of their two sold-out shows at the Bowery Ballroom last night, March 29th. They're celebrating the release of their second album, aptly named Volume Two. The crowd was a full of Zooey Deschanel look-alikes with floppy hats and fancy bows adorning their heads waiting for some sunny vocals and a blue-eyed beauty (and her partner and expert guitar player M Ward). I was hoping (unrealistically) for a guest appearance by Tilly and the Wall who contibute to "In the Sun" on the album, but no such luck. They did play the song though. Full setlist below.

The Living Sisters (sans Inara George) @ Bowery Ballroom

Opening for Zooey and M. Ward at the Bowery were the the Living Sisters who started the show off with wonderfully offbeat old timey standards with modern lyrics (something to the tune of asking their boyfriends to tie them up in double knots). The band is made up of LA's Eleni Mandell, Inara George (of Bird and the Bee fame), and Becky Stark (Lavender Diamond), but Bird and the Bee backing vocalist and lead singer of Obi Best, Alex Lilly filled in for the Bee as Inara is in LA expecting a baby. Their debut album Love to Live is out today on Vanguard Records.

She & Him finish their March tour tonight (3/30) at the Bowery (The Chapin Sisters open this time), then play scattered days in April, May and June including Coachella, Sasquatch and Bonnaroo. All dates, more pictures from the first night at the Bowery and some from SXSW with a video of Zooey hopping around onstage at the El Rey, below...

Continue reading "She & Him played SXSW & Bowery Ballroom (pics, setlist) w/ the Living Sisters (Becky Stark, Eleni Mandell, Inara George)"

by 'Week in Indie' Bill Pearis

Have you been to Spiegletent this season, or ever? The mobile space, which is in town for three months or so on the north side of the South Street Seaport, creates a Cabaret-like atmosphere filled with mirrors and brocade that, if you're seeing the right performance, can make for a lovely evening that can be worth the hassle of the location, the generally late set times, and pricey drinks. I think the key is going to see a band matches the charm of the space. There are two this week that I think fit the bill.

Monday night (9/29) it's the Dodos and Au. Maybe buzz on the Dodos has finally died down, but I was a little surprised to see this wasn't sold out yet. (Maybe it's the venue's prices and complicated ticketing system which is a pain). Tuesday night (9/30), it's L.A. duo The Bird and the Bee, and I think that may be the utimate Spiegletent event of the season. The electronics sprinkled jazz pop made by duo Inara George and Greg Kurtsin is tailor-made for coffee shops, hair salons and episodes of Grey's Anatomy, but that doesn't mean that it's not tuneful and charming in its own right. (Kurtsin is an in-demand collaborator, and co-wrote some of the best songs on Lily Allen's debut.) They are also prolific, releasing an album and two EPs over the last year-and-a-half that are all worth checking out. Their next full-length album, Ray Guns Are Not Just The Future, is due out on January 27, 2009 on Blue Note.

Live, The Bird and the Bee really come alive, fleshed out with back-up singers and a backing band featuring Kurtsin and George's session musician pals including ace drummer Joey Waronker. And Inara George is a funny, charismatic presence. Nothing against shambolic indie rock, but hearing a band this good with their effervescent songs can be a bit of a revelation.

If you miss Tuesday's show, The Bird and the Bee will be back in the NYC-area again on October 5th to play Maxwell's. It's the last night of their current tour. Tickets are on sale. All dates & a video below...

Continue reading "The Bird & the Bee - 2008 Tour Dates, the Spiegeltent"