photos by Bridget Laudien / Farm Sanctuary

Nellie McKay @ Cipriani


Nellie McKay will revisit "I Want To Live!" at a show on June 30th at Joe's Pub. "I Want To Live!" is a biography of Barbara Graham, "the third woman to die in the gas chamber at San Quentin". Sunny stuff! Tickets are still available.

Nellie McKay performed on Saturday at the 25th annual Farm Sanctuary gala at Cipriani

"While some others might have been enjoying a big hearty sirloin, on Saturday, those devoted to the proper treatment of farm animals--people like the '80s actor Corey Feldman, the '80s actress Ally Sheedy, the singer-songwriter Nellie McKay and Tom and Kathy Freston--gathered at Cipriani Wall Street for the 25th anniversary gala of Farm Sanctuary.

...Farm Sanctuary's goals include protecting farm animals from cruelty and promoting "compassionate vegan living" -[Wall Street Journal]

The NYC gala, which featured a 3-course gourmet, vegan meal, also featured apperances from Chevy Chase, Jesse Eisenberg, Eric Roberts, Russell Simmons, Fred Willard, and more as you can see in the pictures. More of them, along with all (two) Nelly McKay dates, and some songs, below...

Continue reading "Nellie McKay played a Farm Sanctuary gala (Cory Feldman was there), playing Joe's Pub & PA (pics & dates)"

photos by Tim Griffin

Josh T Pearson in Brighton

We are happy to announce that Josh T Pearson will bring his engaging set to Joe's Pub on June 10th, a BrooklynVegan presentation. The show, his only scheduled U.S. date, will be his first back in North America since playing SXSW. tickets are on sale.

Josh recently recorded a Daytrotter session, performing "Woman When I've Raised Hell", "Sweetheart, I Ain't Your Christ", "Country Dumb" and "Sorry With A Song/By The Rivers of Babylon" from his new LP Last of the Country Gentlemen. Listen at the Daytrotter site

Like EMA, Olof Arnalds, The Vaccines and Anna Calvi, Josh T. Pearson appeared at The Great Escape in Brighton over the weekend....

"...and he didn't disappoint. A very intriguing figure, returning after a ten year absence (when his band Lift To Experience broke up) he was playing songs from his acclaimed solo album. Heavily bearded and downbeat he stood alone on the stage and his country tales were beautifully sung and played with real intent on a surprisingly noisy acoustic guitar. Between songs he was more talkative than I'd expected and told some dry jokes, which were mainly at the expense of musicians. It was a powerful and mesmerising set and a great way to end the day." [Neon Filler]

Continue reading "Josh T. Pearson playing Joe's Pub (BV Presents), played Daytrotter (MP3s) and the Great Escape (pics)"

photos by Dana (distortion) Yavin

"The downtown music scene will get an extra dose of glam this spring at a reading of a new musical written by the actress and comedian Sandra Bernhard, the downtown drag artist Justin Bond, and the Scissor Sisters lead singer Jake Shears.

The musical, called "Arts and Crafts," has a book by Ms. Bernhard and Mr. Bond, and music by Mr. Bond, Ms. Bernhard, Lance Horne and Mr. Shears, who is also one of the authors of the new musical adaptation of Armistead Maupin's "Tales of the City" books, which opens in San Francisco in May.

Gordon Greenberg will direct two performances of "Arts and Crafts" on March 7 at Joe's Pub." [NY Times]

Scissor Sisters, who are playing Bonnaroo (which went on sale today), and who recently DJ'd the Museum of Natural History, and who kick off a tour with Lady Gaga in Atlantic City tonight, played Wellmont Theater in Montclair, NJ last night (2/18). A set of pictures from that show continues below...

Continue reading "Scissor Sisters played Wellmont Theater (pics), Jake Shears working on musical w/ Bernhard & Bond (Joe's Pub on sale)"

Children under 12 are half price for the five upcoming Allen Toussaint shows happening at Joe's Pub. Note the noon start time.

Speaking of Joe's Pub, Melvin Van Peebles returns to the venue on January 27th with his group Laxative..."When asked why the title, Melvin replied, "Why? ...'cause they're a crew of musicians who make shit happen and get shit done. That's why!" The new show,"Yeah unhunH Sure ... The Rubber, ie. Your Behind, Meeting The Road, Do Jesus, Hand To Heaven Street Songs," will feature tunes taken from Melvin's Broadway shows, movies and recordings."

Boston's David Wax Museum, known for playing mostly house shows (maybe you heard them or watched them on NPR) are playing Joe's Pub on February 9th.

Tickets are still available for Lia Ices' February show at Joe's Pub.

Tickets are still available for the Anna Calvi show at Joe's Pub.

Tickets are still on sale for all of the Henry Rollins birthday (spoken word) shows.

BSS in Central Park (more by Matthew Eisman)

As you know, Broken Social Scene play Terminal 5 on January 18th with Here We Go Magic. Tickets are still available for all of you procrastinators, but for all of you agoraphobics (and people who just can't make it for one reason or another like maybe you don't even lve in NY) I have some great news. The entire show will be streamed live at 9PM EST, on the Bowery Presents Youtube channel.

The show is one of two upcoming dates for Here We Go Magic, who have also scheduled a secret show in Philadelphia, PA at an undisclosed location on 1/22 with NIGHTLANDS, Ape School, and Norwegian Arms. Keep your eyes on the Facebook invite.

In other Arts & Crafts-related news, Chilly Gonzales is scheduled to play Joes's Pub in NYC tomorrow (1/14), a one off for the composer/songwriter and his only current tour date. Tickets are still available. Chilly was in residence at the same NYC venue during February of last year.

Chilly Gonzales recently released a new video for "You Can Dance" from his 2010 LP Ivory Tower. That video and others, as well as all tour dates are below.

Continue reading "Broken Social Scene Terminal 5 show will be streaming online, Chilly Gonzales will be playing Joe's Pub"

photos by Dominick Mastrangelo, additional photos and review by Shanda Boyett

North Carolina collective Lost in the Trees played Joe's Pub Friday night (1/7), pulling out all the stops with a theatrical and soulful performance that began softly and built to a joyful crescendo.

Wearing a homemade painted shirt of his own design, frontman Ari Picker tried to engage with the audience at Joe's Pub, which was a little stiff. "How's your food?" he jokingly asked the audience who only murmured in return.

Despite the audience's lack of charisma, the band still brought it. When they played with Plants and Animals at Bowery Ballroom back in June, they punctuated their performance by hopping down into the audience and playing in the round. This time, the drama took the form of an ivory horse carried through the audience at the start of the show while Picker gently crooned "Dead Bird".

Their orchestral folk pop melds complex orchestrations with frontier lyrics about simple pleasures, family dynamics and longing. It's emotional music that is mesmerizing to both listen to and watch. The physicality the band has with their instruments - violin, cello, horns and accordion, among others - is part of the entertainment. Violinist Jenavieve Varga in particular has a muscular style that is hard to look away from.

The group played a few new tunes, as well as favorites from the current album, All Alone in an Empty House. They covered the title song, as well as "Walk Around the Lake", and finished with "Song for the Painter" as one of the encore songs.

In case you weren't able to get tickets to the sold-out show, the group will be back to play Mercury Lounge on February 7th. Tickets go on AMEX presale at noon on 1/12 and go on general sale 48 hours later.

More pictures, including a shot of the setlist, and all tour dates are below.

Continue reading "Lost in the Trees played Joe's Pub (pics & setlist), playing Mercury Lounge (and other tour dates)"

Awesome video from Wednesday night's show at Joe's Pub, below...

Continue reading "Kathleen Hanna tells the story of 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' (and sang it before 'Rebel Girl' @ Joe's Pub) (video)"

Henry Rollins, whose only upcoming 2010 show is a sort of live radio-but-not-radio KCRW show at the Echoplex in LA on December 9th, is turning 50 on February 13th, 2011. And to celebrate he'll be going out on spoken word tour entitled "50". All dates aren't announced yet, but they will include a special 50th birthday event in Henry's native Washington, DC on February 13, sandwiched between multiple-night runs at Joe's Pub in New York (February 8-12) and Largo in Los Angeles (February 16-19).

$35 tickets for the five NYC shows go on sale Friday, December 3rd, at noon - online and at the box office (or at 212-967-7555). "Hipster elite" beware.

In related stuff, check out part one of our interview w/ Keith Morris & Dimitri Coats. Part two is on the way.

Keren Ann at Knitting Factory (more by Kyle Dean Reinford)

Keren Ann has scheduled three NYC shows of four total East Coast dates, just in time for the holidays and cold weather. Joe's Pub will host the first pair for the sultry French/NYC singer/songwriter- December 8th (tickets) and 9th (tickets) with The Bell House hosting the third date with opener Dayna Kurtz (12/10, tickets). The next day, Keren Ann will head to Philadelphia for the final show at Tin Angel.

Keren Ann also has an upcoming LP on the way. Keren Ann 101 is due Feb 21, 2011 and the ten-track LP features the first single "My Name Is Trouble" which is streaming at her site (and below).

All tour dates and some videos below.

Continue reading "Keren Ann playing shows, releasing a new album "

by BBG

The Secret Sisters perform with Elvis Costello, T Bone Burnett and Jakob Dylan

Jack White. T-Bone Burnett. Carl Broemmel of My Morning Jacket. These three stellar names all had their hand in recent/upcoming releases from The Secret Sisters, a pair of harmonizing not-secret Alabama sisters that dabble in classic-country inspired rock. The duo released their debut 45 on Third Man Records in August featuring a ripping cover of Johnny Cash's "Big River" (Jack White fan's take note, it rules), and are prepping their T-Bone Burnett-produced self-titled debut (featuring slide guitar from Carl Broemmel) for release on 10/12. Stream a few songs at their site, and more at their myspace. In preparation, the duo will play a solo show at Joe's Pub TONIGHT (9/16), tickets are still available.

It's the same place that Carl Broemel will bless on 10/20 on his night off from Terminal Five shows with My Morning Jacket.

Secret Sisters are also on board to play the Academy of Country Music Honors on 9/20 in Nashville, as well as NYC again one month later (10/20) as part of The Speaking Clock Revue, T-Bone Burnett's benefit show at Beacon Theater (with Jim James of MMJ). Tickets go on AMEX presale on Monday (9/20) and go on sale to the general public on 9/27 at noon.

photos by Andrew St. Clair, words by Patricia Scull

"For the first time in my life, I just don't care," Frank Black sang Friday night (9/3), opening his solo acoustic show at Joe's Pub (his first of three sold out Labor Day Weekend shows at the intimate venue). While the song containing these lyrics ("Horrible Day") was released in 2003, it seems that Black has taken them and run. From his wearing sunglasses through the entire performance in the dimly lit Joe's Pub, to a mocking reference to his guitar skills ("And on guitar, we have Jack Shit,") Frank Black, a.k.a. Black Francis, a.k.a. the frontman of influential 90's alt-rock band the Pixies, seems numb to the hoopla. Black's billing at the club is promoted as a "solo acoustic show," however it should be noted that the stage setup contained a Baldwin grand piano, a pump organ, a bass guitar, drum set, and yes, featured Black on electric guitar.

Starting the show with some warm-ups and donning a variation of an outfit some might refer to as the "Canadian tuxedo" (loose fitting blue jean button up shirt, untucked, and blue jean pants), Black immediately mezmerizes as soon as he opens his mouth to sing. Black's powerful timbre consistently leads the crescendo, with electric instruments following behind, sometimes singing melodically, sometimes screeching madly.

Despite promoting his latest solo release Non Stop Erotik, Black pulls some of his Pixies repertoire off the shelf, performing "Nimrod's Son," Cactus," and "Planet of Sound." His solo material is more solemn and less experimental than his work with the Pixies, often using the catharsis of the pump organ as a backdrop for his grainy vocals. His solo material (including that billed as Frank Black and the Catholics) seems as if age and experience has cast a new light over his work, with introspection and flashes of wisdom. "If your heart is sad," Black laments, "this is your new home." At times, Black reverts back to his signature Pixies vocal style, proving that he's no "Burnt Out Rock And Roll" star, a song he included in the set, along with "Manitoba," Ten Percenter," "Los Angeles," and "I Heard Ramona Sing." Black closed the show with a brief and somber encore, reminding the audience to "Sing for joy/Sing for laughs/ If nothing else/Sing for joy."

More pictures from Friday's show, below...

Continue reading "Black Francis played 3 shows @ Joe's Pub (night 1 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"

words by Rachel Kowal

The Blow (via)

Khaela Maricich of The Blow walked on stage, bashfully said 'hello,' and started singing a new song A cappella. By the next song (crowd favorite "Hey Boy"), she began to warm up to the room - she broke out the dance moves and she began talking animatedly.

"This is The Blow's second show in New York since moving here," said the ex-Portland resident. She then launched into a series of intriguing claims with increasing enthusiasm. "So I got to write a song for a celebrity. Yeah I'm not bragging at all because the song's not going to come out [...] I can't tell you who it was, but you absolutely know who this person is. No question. But I very much doubt you ever listen to very much of her music." She proceeded to list off a number of descriptors that seemed to indicate that the mystery pop star was Lindsay Lohan, but in the end, she never quite spelled it out. Khaela played a number of new songs, many of which were allegedly from the unnamed celebrity's never-to-be-released album.

More than merely a singer-songwriter, Khaela is a performance artist and something of a comedian who makes it somewhat difficult to tell how much of her fantastical claims are true, and how much of the story is just a means to introduce material. Of course, her tongue-in-cheek matter of speech doesn't help matters. After talking at length about the unnamed celeb's power to transform society's view on lesbianism and establish new norms, Khaela suddenly said, "Unless I made that whole part up... you know when you can't tell?" Yeah, no kidding.

Seeing The Blow perform at Joe's Pub (a fancier venue with tables, candlelight, and fancy drinks) was a bit odd and almost disappointing. The seating precluded dancing - at least in the audience. Khaela herself was wildly entertaining on stage - both thanks to her theatrical stage banter and her spastic, fantastically awkward dance moves. For one song in particular ("Parentheses"), Khaela "turned up the feminine dial" and mimicked the unnamed celebrity who apparently liked to sing the song to her girlfriend. Khaela traded in her flats for a pair of dramatic gold high-heel sandals and tucked her sheer, over-sized shirt into a belt worn high on her waist to reveal some skin-tight black leggings. Within a matter of thirty seconds, she had transformed into an American Apparel model.

The Blow @ Joe's Pub - July 9, 2010 (Devyn Manibo)

The Blow's set was short - she played for just under an hour and opted out of a formal encore, saying, "I think the encore thing is really embarrassing... you know with the curtain thing." She concluded with the creepy but infectious "Come on Petunia," a love song fit for a psychopath (look up the lyrics).

At the end of the night, the veracity of Khaela's celeb story was still in question, but true or not, it certainly made for quite an entertaining evening. The setlist, a video from an older appearance at the same venue, and some European tour dates, below...

Continue reading "The Blow played Joe's Pub"

DOWNLOAD: Dean & Britta - Making Me Smile (MP3)

"Sing Me To Sleep" is a really fun compilation of lullabies and popular songs re-imagined as lullabies by some of today's best indie artists including: Dean & Britta, Tanya Donelly, The Leisure Society, The Rest, Telekinesis, Jenny Owen Youngs, The Real Tuesday Weld, Snowbird, Neil Halstead, and many more. All proceeds from this wonderful album are donated to The Valerie Fund, a 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization that provides support for the comprehensive health care of children with cancer and blood disorders. It's a beautifully produced album for indie-hipsters young and old.

Coming up, Joe's Pub will be hosting a June 13th show for the album with contributors Tanya Donelly, backed by a jazz ensemble, Jenny Owen Youngs and Julie Peel. This all-ages, kid-friendly (with face painting, free souvenirs and door prizes) starts at noon. Tickets are on sale.

Songs from the record (including Stars cover of the Smith's "Asleep") are streaming, and the Dean & Britta track is available above. Tracklist for the CD and show flyer are below...

Continue reading "Sing Me to Sleep - indie lullabies out now + an MP3 & NY show"

The Blow @ Glasslands on May 13th (n. moena)

The Blow's May 13th show at Glasslands mixed older songs from Paper Television and before with new material set to come out later this year. Khaela will play another now-hometown show on July 9th at Joe's Pub. Tickets are on sale.

YACHT (ex-Blow)'s next NYC show takes place in August at South Street Seaport.

Another video from the Blow's recent show at Glasslands is posted below...

Continue reading "The Blow adds a show @ Joe's Pub ++ Glasslands video"

DOWNLOAD: Ben Sollee & Daniel Martin Moore - Something, Somewhere, Sometime (MP3)

Ben Sollee and Daniel Martin Moore are on tour in support of their Jim James produced record, Dear Companion, which came out in February on Sub Pop. Check out a song from it above.

The trip comes through New York for two nights at Joe's Pub on Friday, March 5th and Saturday, March 6th. Tickets are on sale.

The guys did a series of in-stores to celebrate the CD around its release. Videos from those and all tour dates (which include SXSW) are below...

Continue reading "Ben Sollee & Daniel Martin Moore - 2010 Tour Dates (2 shows @ Joe's Pub this weekend, SXSW & more)"

DOWNLOAD: Holly Miranda - Waves (MP3)

Holly Miranda @ Webster Hall in September (more by Bao Nguyen)

Holly Miranda is going to be on tour with Tegan & Sara for quite a while after this weekend. Before then, she'll manage to get a few more hometown dates in. On Wednesday, February 10th (tonight), she plays Happy Ending Music & Reading series at Joe's Pub with authors Joshua Ferris, Ron Carlson and Padgett Powell. Tickets are on sale.

She's also playing a free in-store at Other Music on Monday, February 15th (8pm), while Tegan & Sara play a seated show at Music Hall of Williamsburg.

The spacey, enigmatic "Waves" from her upcoming record, The Magician's Private Library, is posted above. That disc comes out February 23rd on XL. She did an acoustic version of the song in a quiet San Francisco living room (with guitarist Timmy Mislock) the day after a show on her tour with the xx and Friendly Fires last November. That's below...

Continue reading "Holly Miranda - new MP3 & 2 small NYC shows "

by Andrew Frisicano

Andrew W.K. w/ Fucked Up in Brooklyn on November 5th (more by Jake Forney)

One of the best kept secrets in the entertainment industry, Jonté is known to the stars as a virtuoso choreographer, able to bring out the beast in his clientelle, which includes Beyonce Knowles among others. As a solo act, he brings it on all fronts, executing the freshest moves while spitting the fiercest vocal heard. His unique urban fem style is shattering culture barriers and leaving liberation in its wake. - Santos website

As previously mentioned, Andrew W.K. has quite a bit going on in the coming months. He appears at Joe's Pub on February 11th as part of Gonzales' residency there. He'll be answering your questions at Santos on February 23rd (the same day he releases a new album), and he'll be on Warped Tour this summer.

Andrew W.K. produced a new album for performance artist/cabaret singer/songwriter Baby Dee, though not her next upcoming record A Book of Songs for Anne Marie, which comes out March 23rd on Drag City (pushed back from its original January release date). An album and book with the same name was released by Dee in 2004, but Dee points out "this is a new version of the album, now produced and arranged by Maxim Moston from Antony and the Johnsons." The album Andrew worked on does not yet have a name or release date. He has also played as part of Baby Dee's band in the past,

On February 4th Andrew will be part of "We Sing Baby Dee! #3," a night at Joe's Pub organized by composer Sxip Shirey and dedicated to "Interpretations of the songs of Baby Dee." Also performing will be Corn Mo, Little Annie and Paul Wallfisch, Curtis Eller, Aimee Curl, Lance Horne, Mathew and Sarah, Philip Raia and Lila, "a special guest appearance by 9 year old singer Frankky Lou Hightower from Kansas City" and Baby Dee herself. Tickets are on sale.

Baby Dee will also be performing at The Stone the next night (2/5) with cellist Matthew Robinson. Baby Dee will be touring extensively this February and March in Europe and April and May in North America.

All tour dates, contest info and videos are below...

Continue reading "Baby Dee playing shows, touring, releasing album --- collaborator Andrew WK playing too (win tix & champagne)"

Chilly Gonzales is currently celebrating two new releases: a spellbinding 7" piano remake of Erol Alkan and Boys Noize's club banger "Waves" (coupled with a spoken music lesson on the B-side) and his 4-album live Guinness World Record set "The Works" (released through Believe digital). Listen to the "Waves" remake below

Feb 4 w/ guest SIA
Feb 11 w/ guest Andrew WK
Feb 18 w/ guest DJ A-Trak plus surprise guest
Feb 25 w/ guest Princess Superstar

Andrew WK and Jamie Lidell joined him last time he played the same venue. Check out the "Waves" video below...

Continue reading "Chilly Gonzales adds guests to his Joe's residency, plays Erol Alkan & Boys Noize song on piano "

words & photos by Chris La Putt

I spent all of Friday night checking out three very diverse and entertaining shows at Joe's Pub (literally three separate ticketed shows, one after each other). First up were the bluegrass band The Steep Canyon Rangers from North Carolina. They were quite a force to be reckoned with, even without their occasional band member and comedian Steve Martin who joined them the last time they were in New York City.

The quality of their harmonies were impressive, especially in "Sylvie", like a more simplistic Dirty Projectors, but not at all plain acapella style. As one reviewer
writes, "the Steep Canyon Rangers again demonstrate that a band can be musically innovative while reaching into the past. Like other younger bands, Steep Canyon Rangers straddle the blurred edges of traditional and progressive bluegrass; that they do so as successfully as they do is a testament to their continued and expanding appeal." The ended their set with a song dedicated to Tiger Woods entitled "Lovin' Pretty Women" which you can see in the video below along with more pictures and the recap of more of the night...

Continue reading "The Steep Canyon Rangers, Sophie Madeleine, Kristina Train & Alice Smith @ Joe's Pub in NYC - pics & video"

You may remember Gonzales from his piano battle with Andrew W.K. at Joe's Pub last September, which Gonzales won. Gozales returns to the same venue this February for a four-week, Thursday night residency where he'll present his Piano Talk show, which includes lots of talking, jokes and guests (Jamie Lidell showed up in September) (don't expect a piano battle between him and Andrew again though).

Thu February 4th - Gonzales: Piano Talk Show (tickets)
Thu February 11th - Gonzales: Piano Talk show (tickets)
Thu February 18th - Gonzales: Piano Talk show (tickets)
Thu February 25th - Gonzales: Piano Talk show (tickets)

Gonzales' fellow Canadians and Arts & Crafts labelmates Still Life Still have an NYC residency of their own. They're at Mercury Lounge for four Wednesdays in January (the first of those was last night). They also play Death By Audio on January 11th, and tour with Wild Beasts in February (which includes Bowery Ballroom and MHOW shows).

All Gonzales tour dates and videos are below...

Continue reading "Gonzales taking residency at Joe's Pub, Still Life Still add a Brooklyn show"

photos by Chris La Putt

Happy Holidays! I take on more than I can handle. That results in a lot of unposted content. In the name of catching up, while also taking it easy during this final/first week of the year, here's some of that lost material.

Butch Walker played Joe's Pub in NYC on December 4th, 2009. More pictures from his set below...

Continue reading "Butch Walker @ Joe's Pub in NYC - pics "

photos by Toby Tenenbaum

DOWNLOAD: Asobi Seksu - Suzanne (Hope Sandoval cover) (MP3)

Asobi Seksu @ Joe's Pub

"Brooklyn dream-pop outfit Asobi Seksu just released a 10" anchored by "Transparence," a standout from this February's Hush LP. Before the clock strikes '10 they'll have a third release on the year by way of Rewolf, an LP offering acoustic versions of Seksu songs spanning their three albums, including a few b-sides and this cover "Suzanne." As headlined, the source comes not from Leonard Cohen but rather the recently reactivated Mazzy star Hope Sandoval's 2002 album Bavarian Fruit Bread. The warmly narcotic, Velvet-undertoned original is classic Sandoval, but the reverent, acoustic and glockenspiel-tinkled cover is atypical Asobi, a band better known for its shoegaze atmospherics and coruscating waves of James Hanna's guitars." [Stereogum]

Back on September 16th, Asobi Seksu played their own show at Joe's Pub (acoustic). A few more pictures from that set, below...

Continue reading "Loney Dear almost done touring w/ Anna Ternheim & Asobi Seksu who played Joe's Pub (pics), covered Hope Sandoval"

by Andrew Frisicano (who went to this show after Yo La Tengo @ Roseland)

Thanks to all who supported me and @Andrewwk in the immortal piano showdown last night...We're all winners! -chillygonzales

Gonzales's midnight set at Joe's Pub on Friday (9/25), the second of two that night, was packed. Before the show, the small club had a line that stretched down the block, which meant most of the floor space between the limited seating was filled with people either sitting or standing. Gonzales (pianist, Feist producer, and world record holder for longest solo-artist performance) started out with a solo "piano talk" set of equal parts jokes and songs. He read a fictional, satirical preview for his own show, explained the difference between major and minor chords (the former inspire false optimism and pacify the working class) and played some of his "hits" (his word) like "Slow Down" and "Take Me to Broadway."

Throughout, Gonzales sported a pair of white cotton gloves (kind of like Mickey Mouse) that were relayed from an overhead camera onto a screen. As billed, Jamie Lidell came out to sing, though he did just one song, "What Is It This Time?" Then it was time for the piano battle arranged and judged by Akira the Don, some kind of rapper/British personality. Andrew W.K. went first (he won a coin toss) and the pair exchanged lengthy improvisations that fluttered from Romantic ballads to stride piano licks to light rock covers. Andrew W.K. nearly lifted the piano off the group, Gonzales played with a blindfold over his eyes. Both responded quite well to the musical barbs of the other. Ultimately, Gonzales was declared the winner (though the crowd seemed to suggest otherwise). Videos of Jamie Lidell's song and the piano battle are posted below.

Andrew W.K.'s tour with the Calder Quartet begins today. They play Joe's Pub on October 2nd (it sometimes helps to make a table reservation - and show up early - to get a seat at the venue).

More pictures and videos are below...

Continue reading "Gonzales battled Andrew W.K. (whose tour starts today) @ Joe's Pub (Jamie Lidell was there) - pics & video"

by Andrew Frisicano

Big Apple tonight! 10 pm show with Jamie Lidell and midnight PIANO SHOWDOWN with @Andrewwk and @akirathedon. Joes Pub!!!!! -Gonzales

Hello! I hope you're well. I recently released an album called 55 CADILLAC. The Guardian asked me to write about it here. They requested I explain why I made the album and why it contains only improvised piano pieces. That's somewhat of a tall order for me at the moment (I just had a gag order put on me - really!), but I will do my best to type some words and hope they cover some of the desired bases.

Why and how I made this album is somewhat difficult for me to write about. Allow me to state the following: Over the past 10 years, I've had personal and professional issues with several people involved in my career, and due to formal agreements, I'm partially forbidden from going into detail regarding certain aspects of my recent work and, as a result, the making of the 55 CADILLAC album.

Here's what I am able to say: At the end of 2004, an old friend of mind got in some business trouble and basically decided to take it out on me. To cut a long story short, this person is someone I worked very closely with and had a formal and family business relationship with. Due to various complaints this person had with me, they were able to turn my life and career upside down. I wasn't allowed to use my own name within certain areas of the US entertainment industry and we were in a debate about who owned the rights to my image, and who should get credit for "inventing" it. This made my life complicated and intense for a few years, but I kept working and doing whatever I could to keep moving forward.

By 2008, and after a lot of negotiating, my new business team and I had come to an agreement with my opponent, and I was finally in the clear. That's how this new 55 CADILLAC album became possible - we based the new record label in the UK, so there were no issues within the US. However, as of last week, we've been partially pulled back into the thick of it and I'm getting hourly updates from my lawyer as I type this. I really don't know how to feel about it ñ it's beyond frustrating - it almost feels like a hallucination. It inspires so much rage inside me that my mind has to seek other outlets for that energy and I start to feel dizzy and see stars. Fortunately, I don't have to deal with anyone directly. Thank goodness my lawyers do all the real work.

Anyway, I wanted this new 55 CADILLAC album to sound like freedom. The sound of a piano being played by a free man - nothing more, nothing less. This was the first chance in almost 10 years where I was allowed to simply play and record an instrument - no songwriters, no lyrics to learn, no overdubs, no slow fixes, no remixes, no video shoots or interview practice ñ just the sound of someone sitting in room playing piano for the sake of it. No one telling me what to play, or how to play it. And no masterplans, high-concept visions, worldwide goals with roll-out schedules. No style consultants or acting coaches. No more meetings with sponsors or computerized yelling. No more threats.

Just a huge black piano. And a huge black car.

Andrew W.K. goes on tour with the Calder Quartet starting September 29th - they play Joe's Pub together on October 2nd.

After that, Calder Quartet plays music of Janácek and Fred Frith with Iva Bittová at (Le) Poisson Rouge on November 17th. Tickets are on sale.

Andrew W.K. is playing with Fucked Up in Brooklyn on November 5th.

See Gonzales challenging Andrew W.K. to a piano battle in the video below...

Continue reading "Andrew W.K. piano showdown tonight w/ Gonzales ++new Skyscraper EP, Calder Quartet shows coming up"