Philip Glass at Bang on a Can in June (more by Andrew Frisicano)

Philip Glass and Laurie Anderson are headlining the NYC Film-Makers Co-op Benefit at Santos Party House on November 16. Other artists performing include David Barton's band Liquid Blonde, Little Annie, Transgendered Jesus, the Love Butchers, and possibly more to be announced. Tickets for the show are on sale now.

Meanwhile, the New York Philharmonic and Philip Glass Ensemble are performing Glass's music for the 1982 film Koyaanisqatsi: A Life Out Of Balance TONIGHT (11/2) and Thursday (11/3) at Avery Fisher Hall. This will mark the first time that the New York Philharmonic have ever performed Philip Glass's music. Tickets for both shows are still available but are almost sold out so act quickly. A trailer video is below.

In other news, Beck (who recently worked with Stephen Malkmus and Thurston Moore) is working on a Philip Glass tribute remix album with producerHector Castillo. The album will feature contributions from Beck, Bjork, Lou Reed, Memory Tapes, Tyondai Braxton (ex-Battles), Amon Tobin, Roger Waters, Cornelius, and potentially more to be announced. No release date has been announced yet.

Speaking of Lou Reed, you can still stream the album he made with Metallica, "Lulu", over at loureedmetallica.com (if you dare!).

NY Philharmonic video below...

Continue reading "Laurie Anderson playing benefit w/ Philip Glass (whose work is being performed & remixed elsewhere too)"

Glen Hansard & Doveman @ Le Poisson Rouge (more by Amanda Hatfield)

Doveman's next edition of 'Burgundy Stain Sessions' at Le Poisson Rouge is this Friday night (9/23), and the listed special guests are: Chris Thile, Martha Wainwright, Trixie Whitley and Little Annie. Tickets for the collaborative evening of music are still on sale.

In October, on the 27th & 28th to be exact, 'Burgundy Stain Sessions' kick it up a notch with Other Voices NYC: A Celebration of Music & Literature. Scheduled to appear over the course of two nights at Le Poisson Rouge are: Glen Hansard (The Swell Season), Bryce & Aaron Dessner (The National), Doveman, Laurie Anderson, Sam Amidon, Bell X1, Iarla Ó Lionáird, Caoimhín Ó Raghallaigh, Martin Hayes, Joseph O'Connor, and Colum McCann. Prestented in conjunction with Imagine Ireland with all proceeds going to FIGHTING WORDS Creative Writing Centre, tickets are on sale.

Speaking of the Swell Season, its other half Marketa Irglova has a tour coming up in November with a NYC show of her own. Bowery Ballroom tickets are still on sale.

The National have six huge NYC shows coming up.

Martha has one big holiday show coming up with her brother Rufus, and one with Rufus even sooner as part of the The Fourth Annual Plant & Sing Festival in Shelter Island, NY.

Rufus's opera 'Prima Donna' happens at BAM in Feb. 2012. Tickets are on sale now.

by Andrew Frisicano

Ex-Hold Steady troubadour Franz Nicolay is currently on the West Coast prepping for a short tour that kicks off from there next week, but that won't (hopefully) stop him from joining in via Skype on this month's Bushwick Book Club at Goodbye Blue Monday on Tuesday, April 6th (tonight).

His other upcoming dates include NYC-area shows on April 23rd show at Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, May 11th show at Asbury Lanes in Asbury Park with Bomb The Music Industry, and a May 14th performance at the release party for Kate Rockland's debut novel Falling Is Like This, at Word Bookstore in Greenpoint, along with music writer Rob Sheffield.

He's also set to play a May 21st edition of the weekly Small Beast series gone big at the Angel Orensanz Foundation. Ticket info for that is forthcoming, and the lineup should include Botanica, Barbez, Bee & Flower, Little Annie, Spottiswoode, Blasco and others.

This May and June Franz heads to Europe as a touring member of Florida punk rockers Against Me, who have a new album, White Crosses, out June 8th on Sire Records. Franz says, "Gonna be a touring Against Me for the summer. I have already prepared my beard and promise to give at least the recommended 35 percent." For whatever reason, the band isn't using Franz in the US though. They kick off a North American tour without him in April and play Asbury Park's Stone Pony on April 29th. Tickets are on sale (Sweden's Moneybrother is also on that bill and part of the tour). Against Me!'s new video for the song "Rapid Decompression" off the new record is below with all dates. The LP will be their second on Sire and their first since the departure of drummer Warren Oakes (replaced by Hot Water Music's George Rebelo).

Meanwhile, Franz's Hold Steady compatriots have been putting up tracks from their new album, Heaven Is Whenever, set to come out May 4th. The record's piano and keyboard parts (which are right up front on some of the new tracks) are played by guitarist Tad Kubler. Three of those new ones are streaming on their Myspace.

As for Franz, he's also released a book & other assorted projects, and soon, a new CD.

[After my tour], I'm starting work on my new full-length with producer Jim Keller, who's worked with everyone from Franz Ferdinand to Willie Nelson to Mastodon. Unlike "Major General," it's all new songs, nothing from the vaults - and in case you're curious what that means, I've posted demos for two of the songs, "Felix & Adelita" and "This Is Not A Pipe," at myspace.com/franznicolay. Hope you like.

All Franz & Small Beast tour dates, and Hold Steady & Against Me album info are below..

Continue reading "Hold Steady streaming new songs, Franz Nicolay keeping busy, playing in Against Me! (but not for their upcoming US tour) "

photos by Lori Baily

Martin Bisi and Larkin Grimm played Mercury Lounge on January 24th. Lori got some pictures. They're in this post. They both also shared a bill at the Knitting Facory about three week's prior (at the end of December).

Martin Bisi's next show is tonight (2/1) at Small Beast, a weekly show hosted by Paul Wallfisch, Mondays at The Delancey. Upcoming acts on Small Beast's diverse schedule include kitchen-sink punk Bad Credit No Credit, cabaret singer Little Annie, and punk jazz group Gutbucket. The full schedule for that and more pictures are below...

Continue reading "Larkin Grimm & Martin Bisi pics, Small Beast schedule..."

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

Jonté and a crew of Santos regulars that include Cherie Lily, Bad Brilliance, Narcissister and DJs Roxy Cottontail and Andrew W.K. will be at the club for a party on Thursday, January 28th. Tickets are on sale. We have two pairs of tickets to give away (one of which comes with a bottle of champagne signed by Andrew W.K.). Details are below.

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)"

photos by Greg Cristman

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 week of the year, here's some of that lost material.

Little Annie & Paul Wallfisch played Galapagos in Brooklyn on December 9th. More pictures from their show below...

Continue reading "Little Annie & Paul Wallfisch @ Galapagos in Brooklyn - pics"

Black Dice when they opened for Animal Collective (more by Tim Griffin)

today in NYC
* DANCE
* Mitch Easter @ Maxwell's
* N.A.S.A @ Bowery Ballroom
* Dave Hill: Big in Japan @ UCB
* Wicked Awesomes @ Cake Shop
* Kaki King @ Galapagos Art Space
* Juana Molina, Lia Ices & Jetty Rae @ MHOW
* Alasdair Roberts & Bert Jansch @ City Winery
* Alina Simone, Ben & Vesper, Emilyn Brodsky @ Pianos
* Gringo Starr, Band of Skulls & Joel Plaskett @ Union Hall
* Asshole Parade, Apeshit! & Vermefug @ the Charleston
* Electric Six & Les Sans Culottes on a Rocks Off Cruise
* Amazing Baby (secret show) & No Bra @ Bruar Falls
* Bouncing Souls, Lifetime & None More Black @ Webster Hall
* Amy Ray (Indigo Girls), Von Iva & Jennifer O'Connor @ Mercury Lounge
* Das Racist, Best Fwends, Body Language & Natureboy Jim Kelly @ Studio
* Black Dice, Landed & Chinese Stars (Adult Swim party) @ Santos Party House

Bouncing Souls play their first of two NYC shows at Webster Hall tonight. Check out what Greg had to say to Kevin.

Black Dice just opened for Animal Collective. Tonight it's a free show at Santos Party House. "Adult Swim Presents Summer At Santos Series curated by Christy Karacas with Black Dice, Landed and Chinese Stars. Hosted by Tim Harrington"

"Zero Film Festival, the first festival exclusive to self-financed filmmakers, has our New York Premiere August 20th at Galapagos Art Space, in build-up to our week-long festival in December." Music by Kaki King, Soundpool, and Setting Sun.

Amazing Baby, who are headlining their own show at Bowery Ballroom on October 3rd (tickets now on sale), play a secret set at Bruar Falls tonight at 11pm.

Jennifer O'Connor says, "I'm playing 2 shows this week. One on Thursday, August 20, opening for the force of nature that is Amy Ray and her rock band. This will take place at Mercury Lounge in NYC. I will be playing with my own band/brand of rock (Michael Brodlieb on bass - and Jon Langmead on drums - Jon is also the drummer for Choo Choo la Rouge). Then I'm playing on Saturday August 22 at Union Hall in Brooklyn as part of a special Kiam Records showcase/record release party for the Choo Choo la Rouge record. I'll be going on first this night and be playing solo acoustic. I want ALL OF YOU in New York to please come to this show!"

A new video for a new song by Little Annie & Paul Wallfisch below...

What else?

Continue reading "What's going on Thursday?"

photos by Tim Griffin

Baby Dee

Botanica frontman/keyboardist Paul Wallfisch has taken over booking Thursdays upstairs at the Delancey, effectively creating one of the very few "must-see" nights anywhere in the New York rock scene, especially considering that for the time being it's free. Simply put, New York hasn't had a consistent home for intelligent, challenging rock and rock-related music since Tonic closed two and a half years ago. With this new series, playfully titled Small Beast, Wallfisch aims to change that. Typically, he starts the evening solo on piano, perhaps introducing a guest or two and then bringing up the night's featured artist or artists." [Lucid Culture]

Last night's bill (1/29) also featured Erik Sanko (Skeleton Key), Little Annie (who released an album with Paul last year and sang with him at this show), and Baby Dee (currently signed to Drag City and who has shared the stage with Little Annie before). Andrew WK, like he's also done before, sat in as part of Baby Dee's band for the show.

More pictures from the night below...

Continue reading "Baby Dee (w/ Andrew WK), Little Annie, Paul Wallfisch & Erik Sanko @ The Delancey, NYC - pics"

January, 29 2009 08:00 PM - Main Floor: SMALL BEAST PARTY w/ Erik Sanko, Baby Dee, ANDREW WK & Little Annie
@ The Delancey, 168 Delancey St, New York City, New York 10002 - FREE

Thur., Jan. 29 Main Floor: SMALL BEAST CURATED BY PAUL WALLFISCH [EVERY THURSDAY] MUSIC SALON Presenting an eclectic mix of the world's most creative performers and songwriters !THIS WEEK features ERIK SANKO[from SKELETON KEY!] and very special guests BABY DEE / ANDREW WK / and LITTLE ANNIE FREE!!!!!8 pm doors SELECT OPEN BAR at 12 am!!!

Baby Dee is headlining the free show and will be joined by Little Annie and Andrew WK. Andrew WK interviews Baby Dee in the videos below...

Continue reading "whoah.. Baby Dee, Andrew WK & Little Annie for free tonight"

by Black Bubblegum

I used to take took the infamous Chinatown bus from NYC to Boston all the time, but one ride was particularly memorable. I was sitting in the back of a full bus. There were no more seats, but then one more passenger wanted to get on, so the driver told this passenger to wait a minute and proceeded to put a lawn chair for them in the aisle...

Where am I going with this? Well, the Brainwaves Festival taking place at the Regent Theatre in Boston this weekend is a good reason to risk sitting in a lawn chair.

Two years ago, [Brainwashed's Jon] Whitney [that's not him in the picture] took on the role of concert promoter in a big way when he organized Brainwaves, an expansive, three-day festival of Brainwashed-related music and video. True to form, it was a monstrously ambitious undertaking.

"Brainwashed was 10 years old. For 10 years it hadn't really made any sense, so why not do a festival that didn't make sense? You know, we needed a party! And though it was two years in the making, all the work was worth it, since we eventually came up with a great group of musicians." [The Phoenix]

This year's eclectic, experimental lineup includes Matmos, Meat Beat Manifesto, Silver Apples, Stars of the Lid along with a day dedicated to Kranky, Major Stars,JG Thirlwell's Manorexia, Gary Wilson, Marisa Nadler (who started a new blog), and one bonafide legend in Peter Christopherson [that's him in the picture above], founder of Psychic TV, Throbbing Gristle, Coil, and the performing Threshold HouseBoys Choir (the latter is the one billed as playing the fest). Christopherson recently told TinyMixTapes he is retiring THBC, so this is your last shot to see him live before he retires to his home in Thailand. Tickets are still available, and check the festival's site for more travel and lodging options.

A few of the festival participants have hit or will be hitting NYC this week as well... Silver Apples will be in NYC with Grails (but not Flower Travellin' Band, who postponed), To Kill A Petty Bourgeoisie and Boduf Songs play Pianos and the Annex, Meat Beat Manifesto played Bowery Ballroom Wednesday, and Stars Of The Lid   will play a pair of shows at Le Poisson Rouge while they're on this coast.

Psychic TV (sans Christophersen) recently played Europa. The full Brainwaves lineup is below...

Continue reading "2008 Brainwaves Festival (this Fri-Sun in Boston) w/ Peter Christopherson, Matmos, Major Stars, SOTL, more"

DOWNLOAD: Little Annie - It Was A Very Good Year (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Baby Dee - The Only Bones that Show (MP3)

I just realized that the Little Annie & Baby Dee show is tonight at Joe's Pub. Of course the show starts in 2 hours, so you probably won't go if you're reading this, but I thought I would finally stop procrastinating and mention it (and them) at least anyway.

"Baby Dee is an internationally traveled singer, pianist, harpist, songwriter and performer. Dee claimed New York City as home for decades, but now resides in her hometown of Cleveland, OH." I think it was Baby Dee's connection to Antony that first led me to her, and I was definitely excited when I first found out that Drag City was putting out her new album. Then I was even more excited when I found out who else was involved...

Produced by Will Oldham and Matt Sweeney (who also perform on the record), Safe Inside the Day is a record with that blends the Old World with new pop sensibilities. She is also helped by contributions from Andrew WK, Robbie Lee, Max Moston (Antony and the Johnsons), William Breeze (Psychic TV), John Contreras (Current 93), James Lo (Chavez) and Lia Kessel.

The record comes out January 22nd. I have a copy, and while certainly not bad, it unfortunately hasn't excited me to the levels the description first did. I'm not done giving it a chance though, and I'm upset that instead of seeing the show tonight, I'm just typing about it.

Little Annie is also connected to Antony - he produced her last album called Songs From the Coalmine Canary which featured the song "Strange Love" which was used in a Levi's commercial and went on to win "Best Use of Music in Advertising" at the 2006 Cannes Film Festival. And like Baby Dee, Little Annie also has a new album coming out (Feb. 2008). It's a partnership with Paul Wallfisch called When Good Things Happen to Bad Pianos - described as a "cycle of songs by Frank Sinatra, Leon Russell, Tina Turner, Jacques Brel, Candi Staton, Michael Legrand and U2." Annie & Paul will also be touring together in 2008.

Continue reading "Baby Dee & Little Annie"