Devin @ Public Assembly in 2010 (more by Leia Jospe)

The Brooklyn-based Devin, who recently opened for Suckers (also on Frenchkiss Records) at Knitting Factory, and, as mentioned, JEFF The Brotherhood at Maxwells, will be playing a free Valentine's Day show Tuesday at Pianos before heading out on tour with the Heartless Bastards. That tour hits Webster Hall on 2/24. Hacienda are also on the bill. Tickets for the Webster Hall show are still on sale.

The Pianos show is part of a 2-floor, free party that also includes downstairs sets by St. Lucia (part of their February residency at the LES venue) and Tiny Victories, and upstairs music by MNDR (DJ set), Make Out & Psychobuildings. Flyer below.

Devin's debut LP, Romancing, is out on April 10th, via Frenckiss who also released his 3-song EP at the end of 2011. The full album tracklist and all tour dates are below...

Continue reading "Devin announces LP, playing free NYC show w/ DJ MNDR, touring w/ Heartless Bastards (dates)"

Ximena Sarinana at the Parish on 11/21 (more by Tim Griffin)

Dawes and Hacienda played the free Rolling Stone show today (12/6) in Openhouse Gallery's pop-up park (201 Mulberry Street ). Dawes went on at 1 PM. Check out a video of them warming up below.

RS will continue their fest during the day on Monday (12/12) with performances by Freelance Whales (1 pm), Ximena Sarinana (2:30 pm), Deer Tick (4 pm), and MNDR (5:30 pm). RSVP is free but not does not guarantee admission. Details below.

Monday's show falls in the middle of Ximena Sarinana's tour which hit The Parish in Austin last month, and hits Rockwood Music Hall the next night (12/13) for an early and a late show, both with Graffiti6. Tickets for the early show and the late show are available. All dates below.

Tickets are also still on sale for Deer Tick's New Year's Eve show at Brooklyn Bowl with Virgin Forest, who plays Glasslands on Wednesday (12/7) with Deer Tick's Ian O'Neil and Cat Martino. Tickets are still on sale for that show too.

All dates, video, and RSVP details below...

Continue reading "Ximena Sarinana on tour, playing free Rolling Stone show w/ Deer Tick, MNDR & Freelance Whales"

photos by Tim Griffin

Fun Fun Fun Fest 2011 came to a close on Sunday night. It was another successful year for the well-rounded music fest, and the end of its first in the larger (and much dustier) Auditorium Shores. And though Ryan Gosling may have been the most talked about artist at the festival (Danzig was a close second), the real star was festival organizer Transmission Enertainment for putting together such a kickass lineup on four stages for three days straight (not to mention a mechanical bull) (and skate and bike ramp and tons of good food and vendors and merch and posters and wrestling) (and Turquoise Jeep).

After Hum and then a quick set of comedy by metal comedian Brian Posehn (he did his Slayer joke and one that involved Pantera), Slayer closed out the large Orange stage on Sunday (the other metal acts played on the slightly smaller Black Stage all weekend, but the Orange was the biggest and actually specially built to Slayer's specs).

Slayer wasn't the only wild headliner of the day though. In fact, that's an understatement. Trash Talk played after Henry Rollins did his set of spoken word in the Yellow Tent because Trash Talk had to miss their originally scheduled set on the Black Stage earlier in the week due to a family emergency. Thanking everyone for missing Slayer to see them (actually not true because it ended up Trash Talk was done before Slayer even started), Trash Talk started their hardcore insanity by pointing out that they were on the only stage with no barricade (the stage comedians usually played). Circle pits, stagediving, stage crowding, grabbing the mic, pumping fists (and skateboards) and just general craziness characterized the next 20 minutes or so.

The always controversial Odd Future drew their own giant and enthusiastic crowd to their headlining set on the Blue Stage, and Blonde Redhead closed out the Black Stage to a more intimate and chilled out audience (in the location that was metal, punk, garage and hardcore the rest of the weekend).

Here is our second set of pictures from the final day of the fest, including Asobi Seksu, the reunited Hum, We Were Promised Jetpacks (who just played NYC and one of our CMJ day parties), Odd Future, G-Side, Austra, Grimes, MNDR, Mates of State, Budos Band, Ted Leo & The Pharmacists, Architecture in Helsinki, Del the Funky Homosapien, Brian Posehn, Flying Lotus, Brody Stevens, Trash Talk, Henry Rollins, and more SLAYERRRR.

We previously posted pictures from both day 1 and day 2, and a second set by BBG day 1, day 2, and day 3

The rest of day 3, below...

Continue reading "Fun Fun Fun Fest 2011 -- Day 3 pics (part 2) -- Henry Rollins, Brian Posehn, Odd Future, Trash Talk & more"

Silver Apples in 2010 (more by Lori Baily)

Silver Apples will return to log an NYC date at Public Assembly on October 6th with Lemonade (whose member plays FNO Tonight), MNDR (who plays FNO TONIGHT), Ital, and DJ Pendu. The Brooklyn show happens few days after Simeon links up with Hans-Joachim Roedelius of Cluster/Harmonia to form Silver Qluster at ATP New Jersey. Tickets for both Public Assembly and ATP New Jersey are on sale.

Later in October Silver Apples heads to Europe for a longer tour. All dates, a live video, and a recently released a cover of Shai's "The Place Where You Belong" by Lemonade, below...

Continue reading "Silver Apples playing Public Asembly after ATP, touring Europe (dates)"

Slayer at Izod Center (photos by Samantha Marble)

Slayer, Thee Oh Sees, Public Enemy, Girls, Danzig Legacy, (Danzig + Doyle von Frankenstein playing Misfits, Samhain & Danzig), Hot Snakes, Diplo, Major Lazer, Henry Rollins, Ted Leo & The Phramacists, Spank Rock, Murder City Devils, Hum, Lykke Li, Passion Pit, Four Tet, Rakim, The Damned, Austra, Purity Ring, and Flynt Flossy are just a few of the acts announced today as part of the Fun Fun Fun Fest 2011 lineup. Another amazing year! Check out the full lineup below and stay tuned for more announcements coming in August and September.

The new additions to the Austin, Texas festival, which takes place from 11/4 - 11/6, are in addition to the the previous "lineup leaks" that included Brian Posehn, Odd Future, Okkervil River, M83, X (performing "Los Angeles"), Reggie Watts, Flying Lotus, Tune-Yards, Ra Ra Riot, Kid Dynamite and others

2011 is the festival's sixth year, but first at its new home Auditorium Shores (no more Waterloo Park). Tickets are on sale now.

Slayer also has a NYC performance coming up with Metallica, Anthrax and Megadeth as part of the "Big Four" show at Yankee Stadium on 9/14. Tickets are still available.

Fun Fun Fun 2011 flyer and almost-full lineup is below.

Continue reading "Fun Fun Fun Fest 2011 lineup (Danzig Legazy, Passion Pit, Slayer, Lykke Li, The Damned, Henry Rollins & much more)"

by Andrew Sacher

DOWNLOAD: Death Grips - Ex Military (ZIP file)

Nguzunguzu recently kicked off their tour with Gang Gang Dance and Total Freedom, though as mentioned, neither Nguzunguzu nor Total Freedom will be on Gang Gang Dance's NYC show when they headline a Rocks Off Concert Cruise on July 21. Nguzunguzu will instead play their own NYC show that day (7/21) at Santos Party House. The bill also includes Death Grips, Traxman, Azizaman, and Thomass.

Experimental rapper Death Grips recently released the Exmilitary mixtape, which you can stream (below) and download (above). The mixtape combines lo-fi and glitch hop, but unlike other indie-leaning hip hop, his delivery has more in common with hardcore hip hop. Death Grips also plays one of Jelly's RockBeach shows at the Aviator Sports Complex on July 24 with Bass Drum of Death, MNDR, The Miracles Club, and Night Manager. More dates and three Death Grips music videos are below.

Bass Drum of Death also play two shows with WU LYF on July 22 at Mercury Lounge and July 23 at Knitting Factory. Both shows are sold out.

You can also catch Azizaman at Santos tonight with Omar Souleyman and Janka Nabay.

Updated tour dates, mixtape and videos below...

Continue reading "Death Grips is coming -- free mixtape & dates (Santos w/ Nguzunguzu, Rock Beach & more)"

DOWNLOAD: Austra - "Spellwork" (MNDR Nighttime Remix) (MP3)

Austra at Santos (more by Vincent Cornelli)

2011's short list of nominees for Canada's Polaris Music Prize were announced. They include a mix of indie veterans, grammy-winners, a sax player who has played with those grammy winners, and some new kids on the block like the super buzzy The Weeknd whose resume includes working with Drake. Full nominee list is below.

One of the artists, Austra, will release a remix EP to follow-up their latest release Feel it Break. The remix collection, entitled SPARKLE will be released digitally on July 26th and on wax on August 23rd. The release features remix contributions from MNDR, Mark Pistel, and Planningtorock with the digital collection having an additional four bonus remixes. Preorder it at Domino, and download/stream one track, "Spellwork (MNDR Nighttime Remix)" above/below.

Reminder, look for Austra to play a FREE show on July 14th supporting tUnE-yArDs at Pier 54 in NYC. They'll also be on hand to support Cold Cave at Bowery Ballroom on August 6th (tickets). Cold Cave also plays NYC next week, at Knitting Factory with Cult of Youth on July 12th (tickets).

Braids, also nominated, recently announced a ton of tour dates.

Austra song stream and dates and the Polaris Music Prize nominees are below.

Continue reading "Polaris nominees announced, Austra releasing remix EP"

Kathleen Hanna at Planned Parenthood rally in February (more by Chris La Putt)

Feminist artist and filmmaker Lynn Hershman-Leeson's documentary !Women Art Revolution made its theatrical debut at Manhattan's IFC Center on June 1. The film is still screening every day at 4:25 PM through June 16. The film features a score by Carrie Brownstein (Sleater-Kinney, Wild Flag), an appearance by Yoko Ono and much more. Get your tickets for the remaining days (and go see Wild Flag at Williamsburg Waterfront).

The movie is one example of how "the Riot Grrrl movement still inspires", as NY Times puts it. The article talks about the Kathleen Hanna tribute show that took place at Knitting Factory this past December and discusses the effect the movement has had on today's indie rock scene. Amanda Warner of MNDR said, "I remember it being weird if you saw a girl in a band, and now it's not weird at all, it's just totally normal."

That Knitting Factory show in December not only served as a tribute to Kathleen Hanna, but also the debut of her new band The Julie Ruin. The project formed as a revival of her late '90s solo project Julie Ruin, the moniker under which she recorded one album of the same name in 1998. The new band also features Bikini Kill bandmate Kathi Wilcox and Kenny Mellman, Justin Bond's sidekick in Kiki and Herb. They are currently working on a debut full length. Details on the album are limited but Kathleen posted pictures from an overdub and mixing session for the album back in May.

A Le Tigre documentary titled Who Took the Bomp? Le Tigre on Tour (pictured above) chronicles the band's 2004 tour and is out now. You can purchase it on Amazon. Last week there was a screening at at Maysles Institute in Harlem which was accompanied by a Q&A with director Kerthy Fix and Le Tigre member Johanna Fateman. Joly was there and taped all 45 minutes of it. If you missed it, check out the Punkcast video below. AND, they do it again on June 26th at the Ace Hotel, complete with Johanna Fateman, Kerthy Fix, AND Kathleen Hanna for the Q&A. All screening dates are listed below.

Kathleen Hanna recently spoke to Spinner, to promote the movie and stuff, and they asked her about Odd Future:

Spinner: Have you been paying attention to the controversy with Odd Future and their homophobic, misogynistic lyrics?

Kathleen: No, not really. They don't seem that interesting to me.

Spinner: Sara Quin just spoke out against them and it created a bit of a media storm.

Kathleen: I feel like, if you don't want to listen to them, don't listen to them. If you do want to listen to them, do listen to them. I couldn't really comment about on exactly what their lyrics are about, because I haven't gotten that deep into it. But if people are writing lyrics that piss you off, hurt your feelings and make you feel like s---, don't listen to it. I don't think the best idea is to have a boycott. Just don't talk about them and they'll go away. The more you talk about them, the more attention they get. Tegan and Sara fans probably wouldn't even know this band existed if they weren't talking about them. I find the whole conversation kind of boring. There are so many great artists that are doing interesting things, that I don't want to focus on boring people.

Ironically (sort of, maybe), Odd Future recently complained that Australians were racist. Australians say no they are not.

Odd Future's lesbian member Syd tha Kyd, who famously responded to criticism that she associates with a sexist group by saying, "That's what I do. I slap bitches", is DJing at PS1 'Warm Up' on July 23. Gang Gang Dance also DJ and Laurel Halo, Miracles Club, and Lunice play live sets on the same date. No word on if any other members of Odd Future will be in town at the time.

Film trailers, dates and a mash-up of Tyler, the Creator's "Yonkers" and Tegan & Sara's "Call It Off" by The Jane Doze, below...

Continue reading "Katheen Hanna, Le Tigre, The Julie Ruin, Odd Future & other Riot Grrrl news (movies, articles, events & stuff)"

photos by Chris La Putt

"going to this MNDR show so I can hate on it on the interwebz later." - winthusiast

MNDR and New Villager played the first of three L Magazine "Audiophile" events at the Brooklyn Museum last night (4/15). Up next in the series are Savoir Adore and MEN (who play Coachella's Mojave Tent on Sunday after Twin Shadow and before CSS) on 5/13, and Theophilus London and an artist TBA on 6/10.

Attendees were treated to an hour open vodka bar and could walk around the museum before and between the poppy, dancey sets. The sound wasn't great, but it was a museum lobby. More pictures from the event, and a video of MNDR playing a new song called "Cry" (she said it was the first time she ever played it live), below...

Continue reading "MNDR & New Villager played the Brooklyn Museum (pics), MEN & Savoir Adore are next, and then Theophilus London"

DOWNLOAD: New Villager - "Lighthouse" (Punches Remix) (MP3)

MNDR at Terminal 5 (more by Brook Bobbins)

The L Magazine kicks off a three-date monthly series called Audiophile at Brooklyn Museum on Friday (4/15). The inaugural date will feature appearancess by MNDR and New Villager at the museum starting at 7PM, with a round of free "cocktails compliments of Brooklyn Republic Vodka" until 8PM. The show is FREE with admission to the museum.

The following months offer interesting choices as well, as MEN (who play Coachella this weekend) will team with Savoir Adore on 5/13 and Theophilus London and a guest will hit on 6/10.

MEN, who played Music Hall of Williamsburg on April 7th, and Savoir Adore are featured on the Pray for Japan (with Music) vol.1 compilation, out now on iTunes.

Brooklyn's own Punches recently dressed up the New Villager track "Lighthouse" for a remix which premieres in this post. Download it above. Stream it below. The New Villager LP, due via IAMSOUND, drops on 8/16. Check out the remix, as well as the original video for "Lighthouse" and a recent video for Theophilus London's "Why Even Try", below.

Continue reading "MNDR is playing the Brooklyn Museum w/ New Villager (who was remixed by Punches) -- MP3 premiere & other dates"

TV on The Radio at Roots Picnic 2009 (more by Tim Griffin)

Tickets are still available for TV On The Radio's date with Radio City Music Hall on 4/13, and since we last spoke the band announce many more tour dates. They kick things off on 4/8 in Philly and all dates are listed below.

Those heading to Austin this month don't need to wait as long. Spin has announced their annual SXSW party (that Hole played last year) and the lineup includes TV on the Radio, The Kills, OMD, The Vaccines, OFF!, and the Smith Westerns on the main stage, with MNDR, Young the Giant, Dom, Electric Child, and 28 North holding down the indoor stage. Skrillex, Wolfgang Gartner, Designer Drugs, and Anika man the 1's and 2's. It happens 12:30 - 6PM at Stubb's on Friday, 3/18 (about a block away from the TBA BrooklynVegan party happening that day - stay tuned!)

OFF! probably wont be off too much during SXSW. The Keith Morris-led band, in addition to the Spin party, the Pitchfork #OFFLINE party, and an official showcase, are also playing other shows including the just-announced MWTX fest (formerly Mess With Texas)! The free show goes down on 3/19 at The East Side Drive Inn (where Pitchfork's #OFFLINE festival will be the two days prior) and will feature appearances from The Dead Milkmen, Odd Future, !!!, Surfer Blood, The Dodos, Deer Tick, and many others. The full lineup so far is below. (and there's also BrooklynVegan parties this day, but MWTX runs much later, so you can do both!) (stay tuned for more about that).

Off! hits the road with Trash Talk soon after SXSW, and play Santos Party House on 3/26 (tickets are still on sale).

This now makes three shows total for the Dead Milkmen who also have shows coming up in Brooklyn and Chicago.

All TVOTR tour dates, the MWTX lineup (thus far) and the flyer is below.

Continue reading "TVOTR playing SXSW & touring, Dead Milkmen playing MWTX"

photos by Brook Bobbins

As you can tell in the above picture, Chromeo's Friday night show at Terminal 5 was in fact sold out. They now continue on tour until 2/19 with both MNDR and The Suzan, who both also opened the NYC show. Then in March Chromeo will head to Austin for SXSW. They play Coachella in April, and Sasquatch in May. All dates and a bunch more pictures from the Terminal 5 show, below...

Continue reading "Chromeo played Terminal w/ MNDR & the Suzan (pics), playing SXSW (and Sasquatch & Coachella)"

French Horn Rebellion @ Brooklyn Electronic Music Fest (more by Chris Doss)

First Fool's Gold, and now Neon Gold are having a party at the new Tammany Hall. Details and RSVP info for tonight's event (1/6), below...

Continue reading "new Neon Gold club night "Popshop" kicking off @ Tammany Hall (w/ MNDR, French Horn Rebellion, Brahms, more)"

MNDR on stage w/ Mark Ronson @ Webster Hall (more by Toby Tenenbaum)

It's been a banner year for Amanda Warner aka MNDR, thanks in part to her work with Mark Ronson (and Q-Tip), on record, in video,and on the stage. It looks like that collaboration will continues in the new year, as Mark Ronson & The Business Intl is taking the show to Australia.

Meanwhile. MNDR, whose current MySpace "location" says "NY/LA/SF, California, United States," will be playing a few shows through the end of the year. She tags Cali on 12/9 and 12/10, and then heads back to NYC to play Santos Party House on 12/17, before finishing up in Chicago the next day. Tickets for the Santos show, which also includes sets by Psychobuildings and Zambri, are still available.

January and February have MNDR opening for Chromoeo on their previously announced 2011 Risky Business Tour, though she is suspiciously absent from the lineup of the 2/4 show at Terminal 5 which (so far?) only lists The Suzan as opener.

MNDR has also been announced as the next artist working with Green Label Sound, and as such will release her new single "Cut Me out" via the website on January 19th.

Full tour schedule and some videos of MNDR are below.

Continue reading "MNDR headlining shows, touring with Chromeo (dates)"

photos by Toby Tenenbaum

Q-TIp with MNDR at Webster Hall last night

The stage set up was immaculate along with the male coordinated wardrobes and rotating performances by each guest, like a extravaganza variety in the best way. My personal highlights from the show include Rose Elinor Dougals' rendition of Stop Me, Alex Greenwald's California, Q-Tip and MNDR's performance of Bang Bang Bang and Marsha Ambrosius's closing rendition of Valerie (although nobody can match Winehouse.) I was a little disappointed that Somebody to Love Me was left off of the setlist and to the be honest the first song performed by the Atlanta rapper Pill Introducing the Business was a complete mess. Regardless, last night's epic gig will definitely make it on my list of best shows of the year. -[TLCBlog]

More pictures and some video from the show below...

Continue reading "Mark Ronson & The Business Intl. were joined by Q-Tip & other friends @ Webster Hall (pics & video) "

photos by Toby Tenenbaum

a super blonde Mark Ronson at Music Hall of Williamsburg

Mark Ronson and The Business Intl played Music Hall of Williamsburg last night (10/11), the first of two NYC shows for producer/instrumentalist and his band of special guests. Toby says...

"Ronson went on stage at 10:15 PM just as the crowd started to get a little antsy following the almighty storm outside. His band, which included Amanda Werner aka MNDR, Alex Greenwald of Phantom Planet, Spank Rock (Naeem), Pill and Rose Elinor Dougall, all took turns to share duets, lead vocals and center stage under the watchful gaze of the bleach blonde uber-prooducer himself. Featuring a mix of tracks from earlier albums and recent release Record Collection, the Brooklyn crowd shared the band's enjoyment of performing at a venue 'six blocks from where the band recorded the album last year'. A sort of homecoming, and a great show indeed."

As discussed, Mark also made an appearance on The Late Show with David Letterman last night with Q-Tip and MNDR. The video of that with more pictures and the setlist from Music Hall, below...

Continue reading "Mark Ronson & friends played Music Hall of Williamsburg & Letterman (pics, video, setlist)"

photos by Benjamin Lozovsky

MNDR & Mark Ronson

As previously mentioned, Mark Ronson will kick off two days of NYC shows starting tonight, Monday at Music Hall of Williamsburg. The second night happens on Tuesday, 10/12, at the larger Webster Hall. Both shows, and the two California ones that were since added (dates below) are in support of Ronson's new album Record Collection which is out now.

And: "While in New York, Mark Ronson, along with Q-tip and MNDR, will perform the hit track 'Bang Bang Bang' on The Late Show with David Letterman on Monday, October 11th." MNDR is also confirmed as being a member of Ronson's band (The Business Intl) at all shows. Whether Q-Tip will show up at MHOW or Webster Hall is still a mystery.

Tickets to the Music Hall show are gone, but tickets are still available to the one at Webster Hall. Both shows will be opened by Francis & The Lights. Tickets are also still available for a third NYC appearance, also taking place Tuesday but in the afternoon, at WNYC's Greene Space. It will probably be a short show, but as a bonus, Nellie McKay is playing it too.

For a longer Nellie McKay show, catch her when she returns to Highline Ballroom on December 11th. Tickets are on sale now.

Mark Ronson and MNDR appeared at the Creators Project event that took place at Milk Studios in June. An unposted set of pictures from that event (where Ronson was only DJing), along with all dates, continue below...

Continue reading "Mark Ronson playing Letterman w/ Q-Tip, LA & Greene Space w/ Nellie McKay (who added a show too) -- dates & new pics "

Stereogum listed the "40 Best New Bands of 2010". They have a lot more detail, but you can also check out their list, alphabetically, below...

Continue reading "Stereogum lists the "40 Best New Bands of 2010" "

photos by Amanda Hatfield

MNDR @ Mercury Lounge

"MNDR's one of the hardest "gigging" musicians as of late, headlining local spots, along with supporting acts like Massive Attack and later this fall, Miike Snow, but this Monday's early show at the Lower East Side venue was all about her solo material; songs well known by the bloggers and journalists that love her, along with two new tracks she debuted for an appreciative audience.

Adding to the heat seeking missile she's currently riding, her aforementioned work with Ronson has garnered the attention of major media outlets like Billboard and Esquire. in which she notes that their partnership all began with a chance meeting during his Authentic Sh*t program (Fridays 8-10pm ET), here on East Village Radio."
[East Village Radio]

And though she isn't on the bill, maybe MNDR will show up for at least a song (like she did at Vice's Creators thing) on October 11th at Music Hall of Williamsburg when Mark Ronson & The Business Intl plays there. Tickets are on sale now. All of Mark's other currently announced dates are in the UK.

All MNDR dates and more pictures from Mercury Lounge, with Mark's new video for "The Bike Song", below...

Continue reading "MNDR played Mercury Lounge w/ Silk Flowers (pics), Mark Ronson & The Business Intl are playing MHOW (tix) "

by Andrew Frisicano

MNDR w/ Mark Ronson @ Creators Project (more by Ryan Barkan)

The debut LP from MNDR/Amanda Warner is still a ways off, due sometime in early 2011. Meanwhile, she features prominently (with Q-Tip) on Mark Ronson's single for "Bang Bang Bang." That song is currently No. 1 on the NME Charts, and they've been promoting it with TV appearances (like the one from the UK program Jonathan Ross, below) and live performances (like at the Creators Project in June). According to her blog, MNDR has also been busy producing the new record from Silk Flowers, to come out on Post Present Medium.

And MNDR has an NYC show coming up, set for Monday, August 30th show at Mercury Lounge. Tickets go on AmEx presale Wednesday at noon. General sale starts Friday at noon.

All tour dates and videos (including Jonathan Ross, though MNDR's voice doesn't seem to be its usually sturdy self) are below...

Continue reading "MNDR keeping busy, adds NYC show "

words by Andrew Frisicano, photos by Ryan Barkan

Mark Ronson & MNDR @ Milk Studios

The show spaces were predictably cozy and cramped, and USA lost their World Cup match again Ghana, but besides those qualms, not many bad things can be said about the Vice/Intel Creators Project event on Saturday (6/26). Interpol played their first hometown set since unveiling their new lineup earlier in the week, and M.I.A., the night's secret guest, put on a singularly ridiculous, entertaining show, albeit in the crowded, low-ceilinged second floor space. Even the un-affiliated soccer game screened amicably on a huge projector before the music started. If there was one caveat, it was that not that many people, relatively, got in to enjoy the art and music presented. Then again, that's one reason the labyrinthine network of art installations and stages was so surprisingly bearable and easy to navigate.

The same second floor stage that filled up for M.I.A. was also packed to capacity for Sleigh Bells. How much you enjoyed either's set depended a great deal on where you stood (and how early you got there). Cramped in the back, Sleigh Bells sounded pitchy and uneven - but jostled up in the front, the spectacle and body-shaking bass of Die Antwoord were entirely enjoyable. It also depended on your affinity for personal space, which was in short supply anywhere with a decent view of the stage.

And a view was pretty essential to enjoying the antics of the Antwoord crew and M.I.A.'s coterie of stage guests. Mia opened with caustic punk song "Born Free" (video below) a loud if not exactly melodious entrance choice. The stage-show continued the flashy political baiting of the "Born Free" video, which played behind the song. M.I.A. donned pot leaf goggles, rainbow hair and a hooded camo jacket, with a band who alternately wore glow-stick lined clothes and MIA-logoed burkas. Others on stage included a pair of dancers (one ginger-haired), Sleigh Bell's Alexis and Derek, and Ninjasonik. More new songs came, as did "World Town" and crowd-pleasing closer "Paper Planes."

Three of the night's other bands - The Rapture, Gang Gang Dance and Interpol - set up on the first floor studio's back loading dock, which was open to 14th street and the adjacent High Line Park. Gang Gang Dance sounded dependably sturdy in the cavernous garage. Interpol played an 11-song set with four new songs (including the slow-building "Lights") - tight and together, and ready for bigger arenas. The stage was open on three sides, so even without a spot in the front of the stage you didn't get locked out.

I didn't see much on the first floor lounge - Salem took a while to set up and I skipped them to catch Interpol. Neon Indian played the downstairs too, where DJs spun throughout the day. The eighth floor of the building was also part of the show (as was the penthouse/roof VIP-area above it). On eight, there was a screening room where Spike Jonze's I'm Here, a surrealist robot drama, played among other things, as well as installations like Nick Zinner's gothy, minimal photo and ambient-score room.

After M.I.A. I went to downstairs to find Mark Ronson DJing in the first floor gallery. MNDR was on stage with him singing her song "Fade to Black". She also reportedly performed Ronson's new single "Bang Bang Bang" before I got there. NME also says...

"Phantom Planet's Alex Greenwald [sang] the Ronson-tweaked version of Radiohead's 'Just' while executing an impressive crowd-surf.

Ex-[Pipettes] singer Rose Elinor Dougall took to the stage for two new 'Record Collection' tracks, 'Hey Boy' and 'You Gave Me Nothing' - the latter a song co-written by Jonathan Pierce of The Drums. Ronson ended the night with the first public airing of 'Somebody To Love Me', which features vocals from Boy George.

Ryan's Die Antwoord pictures were already posted (as were Ben's of Interpol). The rest of Ryan's pictures, and some videos, below...

Continue reading "a take on the Creators Project event @ Milk Studios - pics & video of Mark Ronson, MIA, MNDR, Rapture & more included"

DOWNLOAD: Salem - King Night (MP3)

Vice Creators Project Announcement party (more by Erez Avissar)

Between the whole Northside Festival, the BrooklynVegan showcase @ MHOW, two BV-BBG heavy showcases, the Afro-Punk Fest, the final Voxtrot shows, Apples in Stereo at the Seaport and the ton of others shows, there's a lot of quality music this weekend, not the least of which is the Creators Project show at Milk Studios on Saturday, June 26th. That show will be the NY debut of Interpol's new lineup (and their first show in the city in quite some time). It'll also bring Mark Ronson, Die Antwoord, The Rapture, Sleigh Bells, Gang Gang Dance, SALEM, N.A.S.A., Neon Indian, Lemonade and a special guest to perform sets (in addition to visual art and whatever else they'll have).

Most if not all of those musicians who are performing have new albums on the way. SALEM's debut, King Night, is due September 28th on IAMSOUND. The fierce, ghostly (wordless) title track is posted above. Another of those artists with a new record on the way is Mark Ronson, whose newest, Record Collection, due in September. As usual there's a long list of guests, including Q-Tip and MNDR, who sing/rap on the super catchy track "Bang Bang Bang," the retro-styled video for which is below.

All the bands that are playing the event are considered "creators", as are all the artists they have listed on their site. Not all the "creators" are performing, and not all the people playing are listed as "creators" on their site. Those that are listed have videos being made about them. A new one debuts each day. For instance, today is Fool's Gold (the label). Past featured creators include Diplo, CSS, Peaches and Mark Ronson.

The Saturday event was previously open for RSVPs, but the list is now closed. The only way to get in now is to win tickets which we have two pairs of to give away. Details and the videos below...

Continue reading "win tickets to the Creators Project party, get the new Salem MP3, check out Mark Ronson's new video w/ Q-Tip & MNDR"

words & Pianos photos by Andrew Frisicano, Glasslands photos Chris Doss

DOWNLOAD: DELOREAN- Stay Close (MP3)

Delorean @ Pianos

Barcelona's Delorean played a pair of sold-out NYC shows before skipping to the West Coast. They'll be back for a free July 7th show in Stuy Town and a July 10th show at Bowery Ballroom with globally-inspired BK duo Tanlines and breezy texture pop act Glasser. Tickets are still on sale.

Both Delorean shows were in settings that feel intimate with a packed house - June 4th's at Pianos with MNDR opening, and June 5th's at Glasslands with Restless People (mems. Tanlines) and MillionYoung. For a nearly 90 degree day, Pianos was pretty comfortable, with dancing room to boot. I wasn't there but the notoriously sticky Glasslands reportedly had new overhead fans spinning to fight the temperature.

MNDR opened the Pianos show with her one-woman dance party; others joined in as she persuaded the early crowd to get moving. Her future-pop anthems (even power ballad "I Go Away") were quotable after one listen and meshed into a star-ready whole. The headlining Delorean inspired even more of a dance party. Their set was short on talk and long on pulsating jams. The Subiza tracks flowed like one melodic thread over a room-shaking beat (no surprise that they fit a pair of DJ gig in while in town). Simply said, these guys know what they're doing. The album was released this week on True Panther in all formats.

More pictures from both shows, all tour dates and Delorean's new unofficial video for "Simple Graces" are all below...

Continue reading "Delorean played Pianos w/ MNDR and Glasslands w/ MillionYoung & Restless People - pics & more dates "

by Andrew Frisicano

DOWNLOAD: Sleigh Bells - Tell 'Em (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Cults - Go Outside (MP3)

Sleigh Bells @ SXSW (more by Andrew Frisicano)

Sleigh Bells' show at Webster Hall tonight with Yeasayer, their brief tourmates, is sold out. But there are more chances to see the highly buzzed band soon. One of those, originally scheduled to take place at the now-closed Market Hotel, happens May 11th at Ridgewood Temple (1054 Bushwick Ave @ Gates St, Bushwick). Advance tickets available in-person through Record Grouch/Old Made Vintage (441 Metropolitan Ave at Meeker St) in Williamsburg (1pm-7pm daily). Past shows at the venue have included Vivian Girls/Crystal Stilts on Halloween and Dan Deacon/Ed Schrader in '08.

Sleigh Bells also play the intimate backroom at Coco 66 on May 7th with Mr. Dream (Matt Morello, Adam Moerder and Nick Sylvester) and DJ Rezound. MNDR was supposed to play the show too, but "A last-minute request from Massive Attack to open for their North American tour is taking her away to Canada." Advance tickets are sold out, and "A very limited number of tickets will be avail at the box office on Friday May 7th at 10:00 PM." UPDATE: "20 tickets will be available at the door at 9pm, not 10pm."

Also on the bill for the Ridgewood Temple show are Brooklyn band Sundelles, "secret guests," and Cults. Cults are a new duo who NME says recently expanded to a four-piece for live shows. Their debut 7", noticed already by both Pitchfork and Perez, is available for free at their site.

Cults is real-life couple "Brian Oblivion" (not his real name presumably) and Madeline Follin, and their songs have a girl-group-influenced, retro pop sound. This gig will be one of their first shows ever (they played Mercury Lounge recently). This summer they're also playing an afternoon show with Titus Andronicus at Newtown Barge Park on Saturday, June 26th (Part of the Northside Festival). One of their tracks is above.

Also above, the first track off Sleigh Bells' debut. That record comes out on N.E.E.T., MIA's label, who Sleigh Bells are opening for on Governors Island along with Die Antwoord and others.

All Sleigh Bells tour dates and Yeasayer's setlist from their Chicago show are below...

Continue reading "upcoming Sleigh Bells shows & Cults - MP3s & dates "

photos by Jessica Amaya

Amanda Blank, MNDR and Pacific Theater played a benefit for Keep-A-Breast.org last night (4/26) at The Bell House in Brooklyn. Pictures from that show continue below...

Continue reading "Amanda Blank, MNDR & Pacific Theater played a benefit @ the Bell House (pics) "