by Andrew Sacher

The Front Bottoms at Mercury Lounge in 2011 (more by Chris La Putt)

New Jersey folk punk band The Front Bottoms released their self titled debut LP back in 2011 and they're set to release its followup, The Talon of the Hawk, on May 21 via Bar None Records. On the album's first single, "Twin Size Mattress," you'll hear traces of John K. Samson, Hutch Harris, and John Darnielle in frontman Brian Sella's nasally wordy delivery, which of course doesn't make them the most groundbreaking band, but the familiarity is also exciting. And like those singers, Brian's lyrics make for some pretty good facebook statuses and things to drunkenly yell along with your friends at parties, like "I begged you to stay, you said 'Hey man I love you, but NO FUCKIN' WAY!'" Check out the video for that song below.

The band will be supporting the new album with a US tour that kicks off in their home state on June 1 at Maxwell's with support from Weatherbox. Tickets for that show go on sale Thursday (4/4) at noon. After making their way around the country, they'll return to the NYC area for a show on July 12 at Webster Hall opening for Bad Books (the project of Andy Hull and Kevin Devine, who have covered The Front Bottoms). Tickets for the Webster Hall show are on sale now.

All dates are listed, along with the new video, below...

Continue reading "The Front Bottoms announce new LP and tour (dates, video)"

Will Sheff at SXSW 2012 (more by Tim Griffin)

Like last night (11/5), there are many more Hurricane Sandy Relief benefits going on in NYC.

Knitting Factory is hosting a show on Thursday (11/8) with a large (and kind of random) lineup tonight with WIll Sheff (of Okkervil River), Jean Grae, Geoff Rickly (of Thursday), Jennifer O'Conner, Holly Miranda, Jaymay, Bird of Youth, Kevin Devine, Brian Bonz, Jared Evan, Zumo Kollie, Sonya Kitchell, and DJ Rajni Jacques. Tickets for this show are available.

The previously mentioned Bad Brains tribute show happening at The Bowery Electric tonight with Bad Brains frontman H.R., Kyp Malone (of TV on the Radio), Steve Earle, members of Cro-Mags, Living Colour, Faith, Danzig, and more is now also a Hurricane Sandy Relief benefit. All proceeds will be sent to Amnesty International and the American Red Cross. Tickets are still available.

Santos Party House is hosting "A New York State of Mind," a show hosted/supported by A-Trak, Fool's Gold Smokers Club, and others with music by Josh Madden, Deemehlow, DJ Huggy Bear, and Old Money. They're accepting monetary donations or supplies like jackets, hats, gloves, blankets, flashlights, batteries, food, diapers, etc. The flier for this show is below.

GrandLife is hosting shows all week, from tonight through Saturday (11/10), at the Soho Grand (310 West Broadway) and Tribeca Grand (2 Avenue of the Americas) with sets by different DJs each night, each benefiting a different organization. Tonight it's Jared Swiley of Black Lips and Golden Triangle bassist Alix Brown at Soho Grand and Erik Tonnesen at Tribeca Grand, with the proceeds going to Feeding America. Tennessee Thomas DJs Soho Grand on Wednesday (11/7) and Tribeca Grand on Thursday (11/8) with Alix Brown, with the proceeds going to Occupy Sandy. Blue Logan DJs Tribeca Grand on Wednesday and Soho Grand on Thursday, with the proceeds going to Salvation Army. On Friday, Nicholas Kratochvil DJs Soho Grand with proceeds going the Mayor's Fund to Advance NYC, and Florencia Galarza DJs Tribeca Grand with proceeds going to NY Cares. And finally, on Saturday, Mike Nouveau will be at Soho Grand with proceeds going to NY Cares, and Shorty will be at Tribeca Grand, with proceeds going to the Mayor's Fund to Advance NYC. All proceeds from GrandLife's 'Safe & Sound' cocktail and $1 from every beer, wine, or cocktail purchased will be donated. The flyer for these shows is below.

The So So Glos will be hosting a benefit in NYC on November 15. More details TBA.

This one's not a show, but Buke & Gase, who once called Red Hook, Brooklyn home, have put out a new single on bandcamp, "Hard Times" b/w a cover of New Order's "Blue Monday." The single can be downloaded for $5 or more and all proceeds over the next week will benefit the recovery of Red Hook. You can stream those two tracks below.

Continue reading "Will Sheff, Jean Grae, Jared of Black Lips, Bad Brains tribute & more playing Hurricane Sandy Relief benefits in NYC"

by Andrew Sacher

Literate indie rockers mewithoutYou, who over the years have moved between post-hardcore, art rock, and folk, are back with their fifth full length album, Ten Stories, which was produced by Danielson frontman Daniel Smith, who also worked on their last LP, and mixed by Brad Wood, who's also worked with the band in the past. The album is due out next week (5/15) and continues in the vein of the more melodic material on their last album, but brings back the distorted guitars and even a bit of the shouting from the Catch for Us The Foxes/Brother Sister days. Two album tracks, "February, 1878" and "East Enders Wives," are available to stream below. The artwork and tracklist are also below.

mewithoutYou are touring in support of the album throughout the spring and summer. In June, the band will come through NJ for shows at Maxwell's on June 15 and The Stone Pony on June 16 with Buried Beds and Imaginary Cites. Then they'll make their way back to the NYC-area in August for shows at Music Hall of Williamsburg on August 16 and Bowery Ballroom on August 17 with Buried Beds and Kevin Devine. Tickets for the Maxwell's show and the Stone Pony show are on sale now. Tickets for the MHOW/Bowery shows go on sale Friday (5/11) at noon with an AmEx presale starting Wednesday (5/9) at noon.

Speaking of MHOW/Bowery, Braid & Owen just announced a tour that also hits those two NYC venues (with tickets going on sale at the same time).

All mewithoutYou dates, streams, artwork and tracklist below...

Continue reading "mewithoutYou releasing 'Ten Stories', announce tour dates"

Lollapalooza (more by Grant MacAllister)

Chicago Sun Times reports:

Lollapalooza has revealed its official 2012 list of performers -- a typically wide-ranging smorgasbord of genres and styles topped by nearly a dozen mainstage headliners: the Red Hot Chili Peppers, freshly reunited bands Black Sabbath and At the Drive-In, the Black Keys, Jack White, Florence + The Machine, the Shins and Passion Pit, plus spotlighted electronic music including Swedish house titan Avicii, French dance duo Justice and DJ-producer Bassnectar.

The annual music festival is scheduled for Aug. 3-5 in Chicago's Grant Park.

Rumored lineups have circulated widely, as they usually do, and Lollapalooza itself stoked the speculation in recent weeks via a series of CTA and online advertisements that seemed to hint at who would be playing.

The ads featured lyrics from such acts as Sigur Ros, Santigold, Jack White, Kimbra, Twin Shadow, the Weeknd, Bloc Party and more -- all bands that wound up on the bill.

Continue reading "Lollapalooza 2012 lineup (Jack White, At The Drive-In, Sigur Ros, Black Keys, RHCP, Afghan Whigs, M83, Weeknd, SBTRKT, Black Sabbath & more)"

Record Store Day 2011 is Saturday (4/16)! Shops will be flooded with limited/rare releases from tons of notables (watch a video below of some of the stuff), and they will hopefully make lots of money. Some area stores will also host free live events...

Other Music, though they seem to have scaled it back a bit from last year, has a special show scheduled for Saturday, but set your alarm clocks.

We also have a very special in-store performance on Saturday from NYC's own Regina Spektor ...The first 100 customers who buy her new RSD 7" Four from Far at Other Music on Record Store Day will get one ticket to see a private solo performance Regina is giving right next door to OM at 2 p.m. on Saturday. That's the only way to see the show, so come on down early, get in line and buy her new RSD 7" record.

OM will also have "a ton of cool gifts and prizes, records, CDs and swag, including a backpack and a gift certificate for a pair of sneakers from our friends at Onitsuka Tiger for the first five customers who spend $250 or more". Other Music opens at 11am.

As previously discussed, Obits, The Jay Vons, I Hate Our Freedom, and Spa Castles will team up on Saturday, but Generation Records have also added DJ Sets from Yo La Tengo (all three members), Tom Scharpling (WFMU's Best Show), Eric Davidson (New Bomb Turks), Bill Dolan (American Standard), Mike Longo (Hoboken Heartthrob). Doors are at 11AM, bands start at 1PM... full set times and flyer are below.

As also previously discussed, Damon & Naomi play a free in-store at Sound Fix Records who open at 10:30am on Saturday.

Eula will appear at Permanent Records "throughout the day" before playing Bruar Falls later that night with Shark?, Ghost Bunny, Pow Wow & DJ Ron Like Hell as part of their Maurice Narcisse record release party.

As discussed, Fat Beats & Waxpoetics will open a pop-store in DUMBO that will host a ton of hip hop/funky notables including The Stepkids, The Phenomenal Handclap Band, Neek The Exotic & Large Professor, CSC Funk Band and many more. The pop-up store opens at noon.

East Village Radio will broadcast live from Academy Records in the East Village (12th between 1st & A) from 4 - 6PM.

Kim's Music & Video will host Angel Olsen (5pm) and Bow Ribbons (6pm) for RSD, with the store opening at 9AM.

Though it isn't exactly a record store or a free show, Fontana's will host a "RSD Afterparty" from 3PM to 7PM with Lady Lamb The Beekeeper, The Kickdrums, Midnight Spin, and The Pass. The show costs $10.

Cake Shop used to be a record store and it will be again on Record Store Day. As Bill said, "Eternal Summers also play Cake Shop on Saturday (4/16) which is the venue's Record Store Day extravaganza, featuring a slew of great -- mostly local -- bands. The downstairs will be a record mart during the day (noon - 6PM). Bands during the evening include the previously-mentioned McDonalds, Natural Child, Widowspeak, Overlord, Hands & Knees, Night Collectors and Twitchers." The flyer is reposted below.

Looney Tunes in West Babylon is sure to actually be looney, as the store will host free shows by Thursday, Kevin Devine, The Pretty Reckless, Alex Skolnick, Grace Read, Tiger Riot, and Hotel of The Laughing Tree starting at 2PM. More details on how to get into see each band (each has a different entry condition) head to the Looney Tunes site.

Vintage Vinyl in NJ has... John Leguizamo. (whatever works)

J&R Music World will host Lez Zeppelin "and others to be announced" on Record Store Day. Doors open at 10AM.

Elsehwere you have Dom playing in Newbury Comics right before TV on the Radio do a signing, My Morning Jacket at CD Central in Lexington, Off! at Fingerprints in Long Beach, tons of bands at Grimey's, The Growlers and special guest at Origami Vinyl, and much more. There will be a Record Store Day tent at Coachella for those braving the sun at the sold out fest this weekend. Check the Record Store Day site for many more listings (though note their list is far from complete).

What did we miss?

---

BrooklynVegan is also a proud Record Store Day partner this year. Look for our metal-centric ad in a free Decibel mini-mag that will be available at various record stores on Saturday. The cover looks like this:

If you can't get the mag, you can also download the free sampler that comes with it online And though heavy music isn't strongly represented this year live, we are happy to remedy that in recorded format by giving away a massive prize pack of vinyl to one (seriously) lucky reader. It includes:

• Trap Them's Darker Handcraft on vinyl
• a Kvelertak t-shirt
• Red Fang - limited edition Wires 7" vinyl
• A prize pack of Goes Cube 7" vinyl featuring every song on Of Tides & Drifts "Property" (sorry, the label informed us that they instead only have "Property" for this contest)
• Obscura - Omnivarium LP on vinyl (clear, not available to the public, 100 copies pressed)

Continue reading "a guide to Record Store Day 2011 (NYC in-stores, Regina Spektor @ Other Music, a big metal vinyl contest & more)"

DOWNLOAD: Rhett Miller - Live at Fez 4/4/01 (Zipped MP3s)

"Happy to be in the same room with live Rhett Miller lyrics...." - Michelle Snyder

"Dear lord, rhett miller is effing amazing. #citywinery #rhettmiller" - Chris Crapanzano

Rhett Miller at City Winery (theDoogan)

Rhett Miller, who next plays a solo show at Infinity Hall in Norfolk, CT on 2/11, spent Friday night (2/4) at City Winery, and was joined on stage by Nicole Atkins for a few songs. Video of the pair performing "Four Leaf Clover" and "Fireflies" is below. Catch Nicole Atkins at her own headlining show at Bowery Ballroom this Wednesday night with The Gay Blades and Mon Khmer. Tickets are still available.

Rhett's band Old 97's had no NYC dates when we recently posted dates, but now there's one happening on April 9th at Webster Hall with Kevin Devine. Tickets for that go on AmEx presale Wednesday at noon and on regular sale Friday.

The new date comes right in the middle of Old 97s' run of shows with Teddy Thompson who is not listed on the Webster bill but does have his own solo NYC shows happening at City Winery on March 18th (tickets) and Rubin Museum on March 25th (tickets).

Updated tour dates and videos below...

Continue reading "Rhett Miller played w/ Nicole Atkins, Old 97's add tour dates "

"Now it's cool to have 14 people in your band doing everything but contributing musically, running around with a helmet on your head, hitting it with a drumstick. You gotta look at what you're in this for: the love of music? The fame? You can have all that if you're smart and play your cards right and don't become a dick."
- Kings of Leon's Nathan Followill

--

Bad Books photos by Kurt Christensen

Bad Books playing Looney Tunes

"We regret to inform you that Kings of Leon's concert scheduled for Nov 18 at the IZOD Center will be rescheduled for mid to late2011, so that the band can accommodate a video production deadline. Refunds will be given at point of purchase. Credit card purchases (online and telephone) will be credited back to the cards used. Details on are scheduled date will be announced soon. Please note, tickets for Nov 18will not be valid for the rescheduled show. We apologize for the inconvenience."

Manchester Orchestra, whose new side project with Kevin Devine called Bad Books made their debut at Bowery Ballroom during CMJ, open the show. Right after Bowery, Bad Books played an in-store at Looney Tunes in Long Island. Kurt was there and took the pictures you see below...

Continue reading "Kings of Leon cancel NJ show, but play MSG w/ Manchester Orchestra (whose members are in Bad Books -- pics) tonight"

SoSB @ MHOW - CMJ 2009 (more by Vincent Cornelli)


The CMJ Music Marathon & Film Festival "has announced its first round of performing artists." The full list, BrooklynVegan showcase semi-included, and more is below.

One of those performing artists is School of Seven Bells who headline the Windish showcase at Santos Party House on Saturday, October 23rd. Tickets are on sale for that (or you can try to get in with your CMJ badge). SoSB played MHOW during CMJ last year.

Meanwhile School of Seven Bells will kick off a tour with Active Child at Brooklyn Bowl in Williamsburg on September 9th. $5.00 tickets are still on sale.

All SoSB dates, the CMJ artist list, Bad Books info and more, below...

Continue reading "CMJ announces initial 2010 lineup (list), School of Seven Bells touring w/ Active Child (dates) ++ "Bad Books" & more"

Joseph Arthur (by Danny Clinch)

Speaking of City Winery, musician Joseph Arthur (who currently has paintings on display at Sundance) is continuing his "An Evening With" series there with different guests. This Friday (1/29) is him with Bobby Bare Jr.. Some tickets are still available.

The rest of those bring equally impressive guests.

Fri Feb 26 w/ Jason Isbell (tickets)
Fri Mar 12 w/ Nicole Atkins (tickets)
Fri Mar 19 w/ Kevin Devine (tickets)
Fri Mar 26 w/ Keren Ann (tickets)

All JA tour dates are below...

Continue reading "Joseph Arthur continues City Winery residency w/ guests (Keren Ann & more) + other 2010 tour dates"

Kevin Devine

Kevin Devine and the Goddamn Band play for-donation tonight (1/27) at Brooklyn Bowl. Those who give more than $5 will get the band's new split 7-inch with Manchester Orchestra, "I Could Be The Only One," which is streaming below. Also on the bill are the rarely see Scott Matthew, and Linfinity. Any money collected goes to Yele Haiti (which in turn buys Wyclef a new boat... I'm kidding!) (that's not even what the controversy is about).

Speaking of the desire to hear more of the beautiful voice of Scott Matthew, you can also catch him at Rockwood Music Hall four times in February. Those dates are listed below.

Linfinity, the six piece NYC band whose debut album Martian's Bloom will be released by American Myth Recordings on April 27th, also has other upcoming shows including a "Dylan solo set" at Union Hall on February 3rd (flyer below), and SXSW.

Kevin Devine & Co. have plenty of tour dates coming up, including a European tour in February and March, and sets at Coachella and Bamboozle Fest. Girl Talk and Weezer were already part of the lineup for that (happening May 1-2 at Meadowlands), and more were recently announced including MGMT, Matt & Kim, Minus the Bear, Drake, Wale and Ke$ha. That lineup, all tour dates, and Kevin's new single are below...

Continue reading "Kevin Devine playing free show tonight w/ Scott Matthew, updated Bamboozle lineup & other dates "

Wow...Public Image Ltd, The Specials, Grizzly Bear, Passion Pit, Echo and the Bunnymen, Grace Jones, Fever Ray, Devo, Hot Chip, Phoenix, Orbital, Spoon, Sly and the Family Stone, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Sunny Day Real Estate, Yo La Tengo, Mew, Camera Obscura, Gil Scott-Heron, The xx, John Waters, Dillinger Escape Plan, Deer Tick, Gary Numan... Full Coachella 2010 lineup below....

Continue reading "2010 Coachella line up announced (Faith No More, Pavement, Muse, Gorillaz, Thom Yorke, Jay-Z, LCD Soundystem, ???)"

Okkervil River @ Bell House last January (more by Tim Griffin)

today in NYC
* Todd Barry @ Caroline's
* P-Bingo @ The Living Room
* Fluffy Lumbers, Bonus Eventus, Shark? @ Silent Barn
* Diehard, Mr. Dream, My Favorite Things @ Union Pool
* Free Blood, Mazing Vids, SSPS, Las Palabras @ Cake Shop
* The Rural Alberta Advantage, Roadside Graves @ Maxwell's
* Levon Helm Band & Donald Fagan, Okkervil River @ Terminal 5
* The Dutchess & The Duke, Medication, Alina Simone @ Union Hall
* Lucky Dragons, Zomes, Lichens, Coelom, Driphouse @ Market Hotel
* Au Revoir Simone, Class Actress, Alexa Wilding @ Highline Ballroom
* Coin Under Tongue, Natural Child, Forest City, Xbox 720 @ Death By Audio
* Drink Up Buttercup, Alex Bleeker & The Freaks, Planeside, The Nillaz @ Studio
* Peter Frampton & Denis Leary with the Enablers featuring Crazy James @ the John Varvatos Store

Donald Fagan of Steely Dan joins Levon Helm Band at Terminal 5 , for a show that's also Okkervil River's first NYC performance in almost a year.

Antibalas has postponed their January residency @ Knitting Factory Brooklyn

The Rural Alberta Advantage are in town for four gigs, including an opening slot for Passion Pit on Friday at T5. They play with Roadside Graves at Maxwell's tonight.

Kevin Devine's new video for "Another Bag Of Bones" below...

What else?

Continue reading "What's going on Thursday?"

by Black Bubblegum

The Get-Up Kids

The Get Up Kids came back strong earlier in the year, playing a few shows including a pair in the NYC-area at Bamboozle and a quickly sold-out Gramercy Theater (setlist below). Now comes word that the band has added another huge tour with THREE more NYC shows: Oct 30th at Gramercy, Halloween at Irving Plaza, and Music Hall of Williamsburg on November 1st. Support for MHOW will come from Kevin Devine and The Life & Times. Presales are going on right now for the whole tour. MHOW tickets go on general sale on July 23rd at 1PM which is also when Irving Plaza tickets go on sale. Gramercy tickets aren't up yet as of this posting. All dates below.

On a related emo-but-don't-call-me-emo note, Jonah Matranga has scheduled a show at Southpaw in Brooklyn for August 10th (tickets here), but much more interesting is a show that he is putting a few days later in LA:

Aug 13, 14, 15: onelinedrawing at Knitting Factory LA
A onelinedrawing 'reunion'? Why not? :) The plan is to play the entire onelinedrawing catalog over 3 nights, should be fun. And yes, the robot will be in full effect :)

In other Jonah related news, Far recently announced "The Scream-A-Long Project" where they asked their fans to participate by contributing gang vocals to an upcoming song.

Full tour dates for The Get Up Kids & Jonah Matranga, and some videos, below...

Continue reading "Get Up Kids tour (3 NYC dates, presale), Jonah Matranga too"

"Though promoters around the country report strong early ticket sales for festivals and summer tours, the recession is causing jitters. This year Coachella, which has the most glamorous reputation of all American festivals, began selling tickets on layaway, and 18 percent of its customers took that option, Mr. Tollett said.

The proliferation of big festivals, like Bonnaroo near Nashville and Lollapalooza in Chicago, has not been without casualties. This year Langerado in Miami shut down, citing the economy. The Pemberton Festival in British Columbia is on hiatus after only one year, although its promoter, Live Nation, said the problem was permit delays." [NY Times]

Continue reading "Lollapalooza 2009 - the official & complete lineup"

Tickets are on Am Ex presale and Doves presale for the Doves show coming up at Terminal 5.

Tickets are on Am Ex & venue presale for the MGMT show at Prospect Park. Password?

Tickets are on Am Ex presale (@ noon) for the Explosions in the Sky show happening at Summerstage.

Tickets are on sale (at noon) for the Peaches show coming up at Webster Hall.

Tickets are still on sale for the Dredg / Torche show at Highline Ballroom on April 19th. Check out our interview with Steve Brooks.

Kevin Devine is playing MHOW on June 7th. Tickets are on sale (@ noon). Kevin is also playing Bowery Ballroom much sooner.

Tickets went back on sale for tonight's Demetri Martin show at Bowery Ballroom (2/19), and for tomorrow's at Music Hall of Williamsburg (2/20).

The Appleseed Cast added a 2nd NYC show at Mercury Lounge. Now they're playing twice, early and late, at the same venue on April 18th. Tickets are now on sale for both. More dates HERE.

Tickets are on Am Ex presale for a May 14th Thao and the Get Down Stay Down show at Bowery Ballroom

Kevin Devine is playing Bowery Ballroom on April 24th. Tickets are on sale.

Illinois is playing Mercury lounge on May 5th. Tickets are on sale.

While Ruined Music is celebrating it's one year anniversary over at the Delancey tonight (and stuff), BV-contributor Undisputed Wes will be celebrating the three year anniversary of "Cross Polination" - his (Liberated Matter's) weekly, free singer-songwriter-mashup series that happens every Tuesday night at Pianos in NYC. Tonight's performers will be a special mix of past Cross-Pol performers from through the years. That includes musician (and Liberated Matter partner) Jay Mankind, Here Lies PA, Wakey!Wakey!,, Jeff Jacobson, Matt Singer, Derek James, Wynn Walent, and more.

Normally there are just two artists - each plays their own set, and then they get together on stage to "cross pollinate". Tonight will probably be a whole lot of short sets, and even more cross-pollinating. It's always 100% free. More on how it normally works in the interview I did with Wes and Jay back in 2005.

If you can't be there tonight (May 8, 2007), at least partake in this 100%-absolutely-FREE "Cross-Pollination: The Mixtape Vol. 1". By "partake", I mean download the free MP3s (you'll recognize a lot of the names from the performer list above as well).....

"Mixtape Vol. 1 was compiled to celebrate Cross-Pollination, a weekly concert series that brings together some of the most incredibly, and at times, undiscovered raw talent from across the country"...

Download the whole mixtape HERE, or track by track....

CROSS-POLLINATION: THE MIXTAPE Vol. 1
01. MY BRIGHTEST DIAMOND - Hi, Remember Me? (MP3)
02. KEVIN DEVINE - You'll Only End Up Joining Them (Acstc) (MP3)
03. WAKEY!WAKEY! - Falling Apart (MP3)
04. UNDISPUTED HEAVYWEIGHTS - Roll Your Windows Down (MP3)
05. THE BLOODSUGARS - Purpose Was Again (MP3)
06. MATT SINGER - Stacy J. (MP3)
07. DEREK JAMES - Love Me, Love Me (MP3)
08. CLOUD CULT - Pretty Voice (MP3)
09. CASEY SHEA - Quinzy Howzin (MP3)
10. JEFFREY LEWIS - Tell It To Your Heart (Lou Reed Cover) (MP3)
11. THE LLOYDS - Halfway (MP3)
12. JAY MANKIND - Western States (Demo) (MP3)
13. IAN THOMAS - SBB (MP3)
14. DAVE DEPORIS - Be Strong (MP3)

More info on the mixtape HERE. Pictures of Cloud Cult playing Cross-Pol HERE. An interview with My Brightest Diamond by Wes HERE.

A BENEFIT SHOW FOR THE VICTIMS OF HURRICANE KATRINA
Friday, Sep 23, 2005 10:00 PM EDT (9:30 PM doors) at Mo Pitkin's

"Kerri Black Promotions presents an evening of music with Jessie Murphy, David Fagin of The Rosenbergs, Sean Hanratty, David L. Murphy, Benji Rodgers of Marwood, Ward White, Kevin Divine, Surefire (accoustic) & Benny Girl (accoustic)with all proceeds going to the Red Cross and other smaller relief agencies." Tickets are on sale

Previously
Gotham City Film Festival | Benefit w/ The Meters
Jesse Colin Young, a Beach Boy & guests | Benefit Show
Kevin Devine signs to major, not playing CBGB
Freestyle Love Supreme Benefit @ Mo Pitkins | During-CMJ

Sometimes compiling seven days worth of NYC concerts can be a near-impossible task to complete on a Monday. This week we've got Alec Ounsworth, Doveman, The Silent League, King of France, Sham 69, The Bouncing Souls, Sick of it All, American Analog Set, Green Day, Coldplay, Rilo Kiley, The GoStation, Oneida, The Double, Kimya Dawson, The Sharp Things, Ice-T, Kevin Devine, Xiu Xiu, Frog Eyes, Out Hud, and many, many more in my weekly Gothamist post (that's now finally live).

Manic Mess reports that Kevin Devine is now on Capitol Records.

Yesterday Kevin was listed on the roster of tonight's (August 8th) CBGB benefit show. The lineup changed. It's now this: 8:30: The Modern, 9:15: Gracer, 10:00: Like Yesterday, 10:45: Fight of your Life, 11:30: The Benjamins

A peak at the Pianos's NYC show calendar reveals a free weekly upstairs Tuesday night party called ("ASCAP/
LIBERATED MATTER present") Cross Pollination. Those paying attention to the comments section on my site will recognize the name Wes. Wes is one half of Liberated Matter (Jay is the other). I wanted to know more about Cross-Pollination so I asked them a few questions...

What, where and when is Cross-Pollination?

Jay: Cross-Pollination is a weekly Tuesday night concert series/showcase/party that brings together two of the best songwriters the city and region have to offer. Since our recent move to Pianos we've also featured full bands. The artists each play a solo set, then join each other on stage to play a shorter, pre-rehearsed collaborative set. It was conceived in a spirit of artistic community and maintains that vibe to the present. I don't know any other place on a Tuesday where I can hear consistently great music, get consistently sauced and flirt with consistently beautiful women.

Wes: We enjoy pairing up the artists in interesting combinations. It's most fun that way, leads to interesting and unexpected creative results and new friendships on and off-stage. That has really seeped into the audience experience as well. We have seen songs written especially for the night, ep's of the event, mutual covers, etc. It takes place every Tuesday at Pianos (Upstairs) [directions], 8pm-10pm. It's also a monthly event in Philadelphia at the World Cafe Live, resuming in September after a summer break.

Continue reading "Cross-Pollination | Q&A w/ Wes & Jay of Liberated Matter"

this post contains never-before-released MP3s and pics, and a bunch of links. enjoy.

word count
amazing: 5
excellent: 3
show: 42
concert: 3
==================================================================

A list of the "best shows of 2004" is obviously a very personal, subjective, and somewhat random thing. I go to a lot of concerts, but still probably only saw less than .001% of all the live music events held in NYC in 2004.

Even among the shows I'm interested in, I probably only hit a small number. I attended three of Central Village's nine favorites, one on Melody Nelson's list of nine, none of the NY equivalents of the twelve Torr posted, and only four of One Louder's fifteen.

Everyone at a show leaves with a different experience. You could be at "the greatest show of the year," but if you're stuck in the back corner directly behind a basketball player, after not having slept the night before, you would probably be happier at home in bed. Mood plays such an important part of show enjoyment. blah blah blah.

Here's a list of the shows (that I remember I went to) that I most enjoyed in 2004.

Sufjan Stevens @ South Street Seaport

1) Any Sufjan Stevens show.

Most notable:

Sufjan & Baby, Knitting Factory, January 22nd - this CMJ sponsored show was the first time I saw Sufjan, and Craig Wedren from Shudder To Thinks's new band Baby

Sufjan, South Street Seaport, July 1st - this free outdoor show held on Canada day brought Canada banter into Sufjan's Michigan routine, and included a surreal experience where Sufjan debuted his own version of The Star Spangled Banner against the backdrop of the ships in the Sea Port while the crowd and band all held up flags handed out by Sufjan.

Sufjan Stevens | Baby

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Sufjan Stevens, and band, covered The Star Spangled Banner at their South Street Seaport show.
DOWNLOAD: The Star Spangled Banner live @ South Street Seaport (mp3, right click, save as)
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2) Any Decemberists show. Like Sufjan, I actually got Decemberists overload and started not going to the shows they played toward the end of the year. (pics)

Most notable:

Decemberists & Clearlake two nights in a row, March 25 & 26, Mercury Lounge & Bowery Ballroom - Clearlake is an amazing band that came out with one of my favorite albums of 2003. Decemberists never play a bad show.

Decemberists & The Long Winters, June 17, Echo Lounge, Atlanta, GA - I saw this same show in NYC (twice), and just so happened to be working in Atlanta when the tour made it there. Seeing one of my favorite bands in a foreign place makes this one special. This tour also made me a fan of the Long Winters, who put on an excellent live show.

Decemberists | Clearlake | Long Winters

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The Decemberists played The Sporting Life, from their upcoming album, at the show in Atlanta.
DOWNLOAD: The Sporting Life live @ The Echo Lounge (mp3, right click, save as)
(as seen previously on this site)
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3) TV on the Radio, April 8, Mercury Lounge - TVOTR shows often get mixed reviews. They proved why they deserve all the hype at this small venue show.

TV On The Radio

4) Scissor Sisters, Morningwood & Special Guests, May 23, Bowery Ballroom - I can't say enough good things about Scissor Sisters and Bowery Ballroom as a venue. The mix was magical at this LAMDA benefit show that included the always amazing live band, Morningwood. Special guests Fred Schneider from the B52s & half of Kiki & Herb made the show that much more exciting.

Scissor Sisters | Morningwood | The B52's | Kiki & Herb

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Fred Schneider sang Monster (in my pants) with the Scissor Sisters.
DOWNLOAD: Monster live @ Bowery Ballroom (mp3, right click, save as)
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5) They Might Be Giants, David Cross, Todd Barry, and Sarah Vowell, June 4th, Southpaw - A benefit for 826NY, it was great to see TMBG in a small venue in their home of Brooklyn, NY. David Cross and Todd Barry, the biggest comedians on the NY indie rock circuit, cracked me up as usual. Todd actually stole the show, and convinced those with blogs to include the term "jewforever" on their blogs the next day. It worked.

They Might Be Giants | David Cross | Todd Barry | Sarah Vowell

Joanna Newsom @ The Drag City Christmas Party

6) Every Devendra Banhart and Joanna Newsom show (Devendra pics)

Most Notable:

Devendra, Joanna, Antony, and Vetiver, June 21st, Bowery Ballroom - I'm not listing my shows in particular order, but this one would definitely be in the top three. Devendra puts on such an amazing live show, I leave every show not believing what I just witnessed. Add Joanna Newsom as an opener. It what was the first time I saw her live, and I had prepared all week by listening to the Milk Eyed Mender non-stop. Add Antony, another amazing artist, who I was seeing for the first time. Add Vetiver, a group of musicians who play with Devendra and have their own group. so, so, so, so, good.

Joanna Newsom, June 22nd, Mercury Lounge - an early show added at the last minute while Joanna was in town with Devendra. A chance to see her two nights in a row. With no advanced tickets, I was already standiong on line around 6:00 for the 7:00 show. (pic)

Drag City Christmas Party, December 18 & 19, Bowery Ballroom - Two more nights in a row of Joanna with Smog and Weird War. Joanna proves she's a ticket selling force, arguably being the reason this show sold out two nights in a row at the 550 capacity Bowery Ballroom. (pics, pic)

Devendra Banhart | Joanna Newsom | (smog) | Weird War | Antony | Vetiver | SOO

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Joanna Newsom sang This Side of the Blue with her friend Stacy at the Mercury Lounge show
DOWNLOAD: This Side of the Blue live @ Mercury Lounge (mp3, right click, save as)
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7) The Secret Machines & Calla (solo, acoustic), July 13, Sin-e - shortly after being signed to a major label, and blowing up to the point being noticed by David Bowie & landing the opening spot on Interpol's tour, The Secret Machines played this intense benefit show in a small Lower East Side venue.

The Secret Machines | Calla

8) Franz Ferdinand, The Delays, The Futureheads, September 9, Roseland - Best lineup of UK it-bands. Well worth the inflated Roseland large-venue-inflated-ticket-price. (pics, pics)

Franz Ferdinand | The Delays | The Futureheads

Bright Eyes @ North Six

9) Bright Eyes featuring Craig Wedren, Kevin Devine, September 23, Northsix - Yet another big band, small venue, benefit show. This one was for the legal defense fund of the protesters arrested at the RNC. Craig Wedren surprised me by a) being part of the Bright Eyes band, and b) performing two Shudder to Think songs. Kevin Devine, although I'm not a huge fan, was a great opener. (pics)

Bright Eyes | Craig Wedren | Kevin Devine

Fiery Furnaces @ Bowery Ballroom

10) Fiery Furnaces, September 25th, Bowery Ballroom - After catching their disappointing performance earlier in the year at The Siren Festival, it was extremely refreshing to see The Fiery Furnaces at their best. Tight, magical show. (pics, pics) (fluxblog review)

The Fiery Furnaces

Bloc Party @ Knitting Factory

11) Both Bloc Party shows in NYC

Bloc Party, September 30th, Knitting Factory - hype-living-up-to amazing U.S. debut by one of the most exciting bands playing music today. (pics)

Bloc Party, October 2nd, Tribeca Grand - details of how Tribeca Grand (the promoters) treated their customers aside, an excellent NYC encore performance in a night club setting. (pics)

Bloc Party

Gratitude @ Downtime

12) Gratitude, The Features, October 12, pre-CMJ party @ Downtime - the NYC debut of Jonah Matranga's new band, Gratitude was especially exciting for me. Jonah, previously of Far, New End Original, and Onelinedrawing, is one of my favorite musicians. Plus, this was free. (pic, pics)

Gratitude | The Features

13) CMJ Day 1, October 13 - possibly one of the most surreal days in my personal indie-rock-concert-going history. In one day, in four small venues including a radio studio and the "legendary" CBGB, I saw Ted Leo, Sufjan Stevens, The Decemberists, The Arcade Fire, Gratitude, Magneta Lane, and David Kilgour. (pics)

Ted Leo, Sufjan Stevens, The Decemberists, Museum of TV & Radio, KEXP studio - Three of my favorite artists in a row in a room the size of my bedroom, live on the radio. (pics)

Ted Leo | Sufjan Stevens | The Decemberists | KEXP

Magneta Lane, CBs Downstairs Lounge - These young Canadian girls caught my attention earlier in the year, so I made it a point to check out their U.S. debut during CMJ. (pics)

Magneta Lane

Gratitude, CBGB - after seeing Magneta Lane downstairs, I went to the main stage of CBGB upstairs to catch the second night in a row of Gratitude.

Gratitude

Arcade Fire, David Kilgour, Mercury Lounge - I actually saw David earlier in the night, and went back to Mercury Lounge after Gratitude to catch the most anticipated of all CMJ shows, The Arcade Fire. They lived up to Funeral, and then some (pics, pics)

The Arcade Fire | David Kilgour

The Arcade Fire @ KEXP

14) CMJ Day 2, October 14 - as if the previous day wasn't enough, I finished off my two day CMJ run with a second day of Arcade Fire, then Baby & Har Mar Superstar, and a final late-night Jonah Matranga (sans Gratitude) show. (pics)

Arcade Fire, Museum of TV & Radio, KEXP studio - KEXP let about 50 lucky fans watch the Arcade Fire perform in a room that barely fit all members of the band, let along a studio audience. (pic)

The Arcade Fire | KEXP

Har Mar Superstar & Baby, Coral Room - Craig Wedren (Baby) officially made appearances at four of my favorite concerts of the year. This was another one. Har Mar Superstar surprised me as one of the most fun performers I saw in 2004. (pics, pics)

Har Mar Superstar | Baby

Jonah Matranga solo, CB's Gallery - After two nights of Gratitude, I got to see Jonah perform an intimate Onelinedrawing style show.

Jonah Matranga

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My guess is that most people don't know Jonah's music. Here's a studio version of one of his most popular songs.
DOWNLOAD: Letter by Onelinedrawing (mp3, right click, save as)
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15) Arcade Fire, Hidden Cameras, Dirty on Purpose, November 11, Bowery Ballroom - a month after their much buzzed CMJ performances, Arcade Fire came back for one of the most in-demand tickets of the year. The Hidden Cameras put on an exhilarating opening show, and local faves Dirty on Purpose were thrown in for good measure. (pics, pics)

The Arcade Fire | Hidden Cameras

16) Pixies, November 26, CEPSUM Stadium, Montreal - My first time ever seeing the Pixies. Lots of energy. Huge venue, but comfortable and great crowd, and...in Montreal. (recap)

Pixies

17) Calexico, December 7th, Bowery Ballroom - excellent group, excellent venue. my reviews are getting shorter. (pics)

Calexico

18) Broken Social Scene three nights in a row, once with the Pixies - a BSS rollercoaster with a sprinkling of Pixie dust. (pics, recap, pics, pics)

Broken Social Scene | Pixies

19) U2 under the Brooklyn Bridge, November 22nd - huge band, beautiful setting, crazy antics, a spectacle. (pics, pics)

Wilco @ Tinkle

20) Tinkle with Wilco, David Cross, Todd Barry & Eugene Mirman, December 30th, Pianos - a great way to end the year, with a special guest that left me star-struck.(pics, pics)

Wilco | David Cross | Todd Barry | Eugene Mirman

Honorable Mentions

Eagles of Death Metal & Minibosses @ Mercury Lounge
The Unicorns @ Knitting Factory
any Onelinedrawing show
The Wearkerthans @ Bowery Ballroom (pics)
Destroyer & Frog Eyes @ Mercury Lounge
The Zutons @ Mercury Lounge (pics)
Rilo Kiley @ Bowery Ballroom (pics, pics, pics)
Mountain Goats & John Vanderslice @ Knitting Factory (pics)
Chin Up Chin Up @ The Delancey (pics)
From Autumn To Ashes @ Knitting Factory
Morningwood, Dogs Die in Hot Cars & Baby @ Mercury Lounge
Murphy's Law @ Rocks Off Cruise (pics)
Sonic Youth @ Webster Hall (pics)
Movable Hype (recap)

Shows I Wish I Saw

Franz Ferdinand @ Bowery Ballroom (offsite pics)
Keane @ Knitting Factory (offsite pics)
The Delays @ Mercury Lounge (offsite review)
Courtney Love @ Bowery Ballroom & Plaid (offsite pics)
Rilo Kiley @ Knitting Factory (offsite pics)
AC Newman @ Bowery Ballroom
Libertines @ Bowery Ballroom
Vincent Gallo @ Rothko (I had to sell my tickets) (offsite review)
Futureheads @ Rothko (I got a refund when it was over capacity) (offsite review)
Secret Machines @ Rothko
All Kimya Dawson shows
Wilco & Fiery Furnaces @ Radio City (I ended up selling my tickets outside...long story)
Junior Boys @ Bowery Ballroom, Other Music, & Joes Pub
American Music Club @ KF (they went on too early!)
Arcade Fire @ Mercury Lounge (pre-Funeral) (offsite review)
etc...

Most Disappointing Cancellation Due to Rain

Joanna Newsom @ South Street seaport

Too Profitable to Pass Up Scalping Moments (so I didn't go)

Franz Ferdinand @ Webster Hall
Keane @ Irving Plaza

Concert Tragedy of 2004

The Damageplan Concert Shooting

Most Blogged About Concert Reunion Tour

The Pixies

More Shows I Posted Pictures Of

None More Black @ Knitting Factory
O.M.I. @ Ruby Falls
Cat Power @ East River Amphitheatre
Modest Mouse @ Webster Hall
Fiery Furnaces @ The Siren Festival 2004
Bob Log III @ Southpaw
Apostle of Hustle @ The Hook
Juliette & The Licks @ Tribeca Rock
Nancy Sinatra @ Joe's Pub

Listen to The Hidden Cameras, Kevin Devine, Dogs Die in Hot Cars, Northstar, Magnet, Blanche and Tegan & Sara.

Arcade Fire @ Salvation Army Citadel, September 25th, 2004 PICS

Arcade Fire @ Black Sheep Inn, Wakefield, Quebec, Canada, September 26, 04 REVIEW

Arcade Fire @ Clark Hall Pub, Canada, September 29, 2004 REVIEW

Bloc Party in California?: PICS & PICS (& previously in NYC on this site here & here)

Bright Eyes, Kevin Devine/Northsix/Sept. 23, 2004 REVIEW & MY PICS

Do Make Say Think @ Bowery Ballroom, September 24, 2004 REVIEW

Explosions in the Sky @ Northsix, Brooklyn, NY October 6, 2004 PICS

Franz Ferdinand / Roseland / Oct. 3, 2004 REVIEW & MY PICS & PICS

Keane & French Kicks @ The Showbox, September, 7 2004 REVIEW

Magneta Lane @ Paperbag Records 2nd Anniversary Party, September 30, 2004 PICS

Rilo Kiley @ Bowery Ballroom October 8, 2004 REVIEW & MY PICS

Rilo Kiley @ Knitting Factory August 4, 2004 PICS & REVIEW

The 5,6,7,8s @ Maxwells in Hoboken on October 1, 2004 PICS & REVIEW

The Decemberists/Webster Hall/Sept. 27, 2004 REVIEW & MY PICS

The Killers, Ambulance Ltd., Surferosa / Irving Plaza / Oct. 4, 2004 REVIEW & REVIEW

Wilco & the Fiery Furnaces/Radio City Music Hall/Oct. 6, 2004 REVIEW

The Bright Eyes show at North Six was amazing. More pics later.