photos by WEIRD MAGIC

Gang Gang Dance and many others performed live at the free Mad Decent Block Party at the South Street Seaport on Saturday. Here are some pictures (from the second half of the day). They continue below...

Continue reading "pics from the NYC Mad Decent Block Party @ South Street Seaport (Gang Gang Dance & much more) "

SATURDAY FOR FREE AT THE SOUTH STREET SEAPORT:

Claude Von Stroke 8:00-9:00
Gang Gang Dance 7:00-8:00
ZEDS DEAD 6:00-7:00
Maluca 5:30-6:00
The Hood Internet 4:30-5:30
Bosco Delrey 4:00-4:30
PO PO 3:30-4:00
BAIO (Vampire Weekend) DJ Set 2:30-3:30
Uproot Andy 1:00-2:30
Benzona 12:00-1:00

"Wake n baked up, on route to NYC for the weekend." - Lunice

You may know Lunice from the remix he did with Diplo for Deerhunter's "Helicopter", his insane dance moves, or from his instructional cooking videos (watch/listen to all of it below). We just posted a track he did with ST 2 Lettaz of G-Side (you can also listen to it below). Over a year ago Dazed Digital wrote:

Lunice Fermin Pierre II is many things. The prolific Canadian young gun first found net celebrity with his cult YouTube dance videos, his intergalactic B-Boy stance scored by the beat pack - the discordant wave of club banging hip hop producers that include San Francisco's Lazer Sword, LuckyMe's Mike Slott and LA's Nosaj Thing. Lunice's own 80's inspired, glitchy soul thizzes across official remixes for Big Dada whilst the blog platinum bootlegs of MOP, Lil Mama and Aaliyah keep his ManyBrain.blogspot.com family in check.

He's got some upcoming dates including two this weekend in NYC: July 22 at Bowery Hotel with Pictureplane (DJ), Teengirl Fantasy (DJ), and Cool Places Soundsystem (in case you were wondering where that TBD NYC show on July 22 was going to be). Check out the flyer below, and note that RSVP may be required for the free party. Pictureplane & Teengirl Fantasy play live on July 23 at 285 Kent.

Lunice also plays Warm Up on Saturday, July 23 at PS1 with Gang Gang Dance (DJ), Syd tha Kyd, Miracles Club, and Laurel Halo.

He's also on the bill of Mad Decent Block Parties in Chicago and LA. He's not on the NYC party at South Street Seaport but Gang Gang Dance, who he shares a bill with at PS1 are. More Lunice dates below.

Speaking of Mad Decent Block Parties, Claude VonStroke was added to the NYC show and as hinted at, Curren$y was added to the Chicago date (now that he's done playing Pitchfork). Updated lineups and dates below.

All Lunice dates, videos, stream & updated Mad Decent lineups below...

Continue reading "Lunice is coming (2 NYC dates, 1 w/ Pictureplane), Mad Decent Block Parties update linueps (Lunice included)"

photos by Dominick Mastrangelo

G-Side @ Pitchfork Fest

"...The Alabama hip-hop duo bobs and weaves across the stage. Live rap is often knocked as being lesser than rock & roll, but the MCs at Pitchfork have always been a highlight. Even when they suck up to the crowd, as G-Side does, with a call and response of "Ain't no party like a Pitchfork party, cuz a Pitchfork party don't stop." I've been to those parties. People go off in corners and debate Animal Collective too much at the Pitchfork parties.

But G-Side provokes an array of synchronized arm activity in the audience--fist raising, finger pointing, palm pumping. I don't see Woods doing that. Even if they're a touch awkward coming from a horde of white kids, the chants of "We get money!" and "Lean to tha left!" raise the energy to at least four levels above chillwave.

ST 2 Lettaz, in a black muscle shirt, jumps off stage and leans into the crowd. He flows a little more poetically than his gruffer partner, Yung Clova. Lettaz begins one song a cappella, breathtakingly, and it connects better than anything else in the set, divorced of the towel-waving and slogan shouting. Overall, the tracks mix of early Outkast and early T.I. Definitely Southern, with slow-roll soul samples and tumbling synthetic snares. "I've got a jones in my bones for the street," goes one refrain. It's kinda cheesy, kinda dated, but charming in a throwback way I haven't really heard since Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik. An underused female backup singer, with shaved temples and a feather earthing, pumps up the emotional level, belting a bit operatically at the smokedout opening, and slipping into Kayne's "Power" refrain later. If it wasn't for that inevitable "swag" blurting, and the Yeezy reference, this could be 1997, Piedmont Park, Atlanta. And I'm nostalgic." [Time Out Chicago]

G-Side are now on a short tour and play NYC at Tammany Hall this weekend (7/23). The Tammany Hall show is either free or $3 before 11pm (depending on where you look) and $6 after. White Ring are one of the many DJs also on the bill (G-Side is the only live act of the night). Flyer below. G-side also play "Mad Decent Mondays" in Philly (on Monday).

ST 2 Lettaz of G-Side recently contributed vocals to Montreal producer Lunice's track "Get Her High." Listen to that, with the flyer, all dates, and more pics from P4KFest, below...

Continue reading "G-Side played Pitchfork, on tour now (pics & updated dates) "

As promised, Mad Decent are presenting free, all ages Block Parties in NYC, Philly, Chicago, and LA this summer. Each party's lineup is different and will have surprise guest appearances, along with food and carnival games. The first party is in NYC on July 30 at South Street Seaport with Gang Gang Dance, Zeds Dead, Claude VonStroke, BAIO (Vampire Weekend DJ set), The Hood Internet, Bosco Delrey, and PO PO. Artists playing other cities include Diplo, Das Racist, Curren$y, Reptar, Major Lazer, Death Grips and more.

The NYC block party is 9 days after Gang Gang Dance conclude their tour with Nguzunguzu and Total Freedom by headlining Rocks Off Concert Cruise on July 21 (no opener), and a week after they DJ at Warm Up (7/23).

Full Block Party lineups and dates below...

Continue reading "Mad Decent Block Party lineups announced (Gang Gang Dance & many more playing South Street Seaport in NYC)"

photos by Brook Bobbins

Like last year, Mad Decent will host a series of free outdoor dance party/concerts in select cities this summer. The "4th Annual Mad Decent Block Party" tour will bring Diplo and friends to Philadelphia, New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles, and possibly a 5th U.S. city. Without getting too specific, they're promising Rusko, Major Lazer, and many more. Exact dates and lineups TBA.

Last year's NYC event was a crowded one at South Street Seaport on Saturday, August 7th with an advertised lineup of Eli Escobar, Max Glazer, Janka Nabay, Ricky Blaze & Chelly, Maluca, PO PO, Bosco Delrey, DJ Sega, Bathroom Sexx and Paul Devro. And it looked like this...

Continue reading "Mad Decent Block Parties returning this summer. Last year's NYC one was @ the Seaport (here are some pics)"

DOWNLOAD: Das Racist - Sit Down, Man mixtape (ZIP file)

Many of Das Racist's friends make appearances on their new 19-track mixtape which you can download for free above. The tracklist is below along with the video that contains the above cassette tape image. And many of their friends will make appearances at the release party taking place at Santos Party House tonight (9/16).

One of those friends playing the Santos show is Maluca, who, along with Natalia Kills, will open all dates on Robyn's just-announced November tour. Tickets are still on sale for the show at Terminal 5.

All Robyn dates, Das Racist's two new videos, and the mixtape tracklist, below...

Continue reading "free Das Racist mixtape & show tonight w/ Maluca who is touring w/ Robyn (dates, videos & more) "

"What began as a spontaneous event for friends and neighbors outside the label's Philadelphia headquarters and grew in 2 short years to the largest block party in city, the MAD DECENT BLOCK PARTY is nothing short of a legend. Now in the event's 3rd summer, Mad Decent has teamed with Diesel and JELLY to bring the MAD DECENT BLOCK PARTY magic across the country! Starting in Philadelphia and traveling to New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago over 4 consecutive Saturdays from July 31st to August 21st, the MAD DECENT BLOCK PARTY promises banging music, carnival games, yummy food, super secret guests and all for FREE!"

Continue reading "Mad Decent & Jelly throwing free block parties in four cities, at South Street Seaport in NYC"

Elvis Perkins @ the 2009 Newport Folk Festival (more by Jim Brueckner)

tonight in NYC
* DANCE
* Orgfest (benefit) @ Southpaw
* Kid Rock (benefit) @ Terminal 5
* John Zorn's work @ The Stone
* Big Terrific (comedy) @ The Cameo
* Jason Anderson @ Pete Candy Store
* John Fogerty @ South Street Seaport
* Pet Shop Boys @ Hammerstein Ballroom
* Cocorosie, Jessica 6 @ Highline Ballroom
* Joe Jack Talcum & Kevin Seconds @ Asbury Lanes (NJ)
* Ned Sublette (reading) @ Barnes & Noble (82nd & Bway)
* Elvis Perkins, Ra Ra Riot (DJ) @ Housing Works Used Book Cafe
* Talk Normal, Jana Hunter, Gary War, Effing, Twistycat @ Market Hotel
* Throw Me the Statue, The Brunettes, Nurses, U.S. Royalty @ Mercury Lounge
* The Black Crowes, Levon Helm Band, Truth & Savages Co. @ Rumsey Playfield
* Shudder To Think, Pattern Is Movement, Blame the Patient @ Bowery Ballroom
* Titus Andronicus, The Smith Westerns, The So So Glos @ Monster Island Basement

Titus Andronicus and The So So Glos, who are hitting the road together, play the first show of that trip at Monster Island Basement with The Smith Westerns. More about The Smith Westerns in This Week in Indie.

Former CCR frontman John Fogerty plays a free show at South Street Seaport tonight.

"The second installment of Orgfest, a show to benefit the Women's Refugee Commission, will take place at Southpaw on September 2nd at 9 p.m. For the $10 cover, the bill packs a serious punch: the Brooklyn neo-folk outfit Dinosaur Feathers, the live hip-hop of Architects + Demolition Men, a rare solo performance from acclaimed artist Emanuel Ayves from Emanuel and the Fear, and comedians between sets."

Pet Shop Boys return to Hammerstein Ballroom for a second night. Pictures of last night are HERE.

Cocorosie kick off their first N.A. tour in more than two years with a show at Highline Ballroom. Jessica 6 (featuring Nomi of Hercules and Love Affair fame) opens.

Elvis Perkins and Ra Ra Riot play at a benefit for and at Housing Works Used Book Cafe.

Shudder To Think plays with Pattern Is Movement and Blame the Patient at Bowery Ballroom.

Nurses are touring with Le Loup this fall. But before that, they're on the road with Throw Me the Statue and The Brunettes -- which is who plays Mercury Lounge tonight, with U.S. Royalty.

NYC guitarist Ned Sublette, who was a section leader in Rhys Chatham's Crimson Grail, reads from his new book, The Year Before the Flood: A Story of New Orleans, at Barnes & Noble (82nd & Bway).

The Mad Decent Block Party, which went off in Philly on August 15th, featured music from Major Lazer and a whole lot more. See a brand new video from the party below.

An interview with the always eloquent Damian Abraham of Fucked Up is below.

What else?

Continue reading "What's going on Wednesday?"

MALUCA

Last week in dance was not my favorite. I enjoyed Losoul's set at Sunday Best, and the urban landscape "Afterparty" at Warm Up at PS1 (though not the music so much) . More about both of those in Part 2 of the Week In Dance. For now, here's what's happening Thursday & Friday:

Continue reading "the week in Dance w/ Showtrotta (part 1) (MALUCA)"

DOWNLOAD: Thunderheist - Nothin 2 Step 2 (Idiotproof Remix) (MP3)

Canadian electro-hop duo Thunderheist kicked off a North American tour last night (June 18th) in Boston. That trip brings them to NYC tonight (June 19th) for a show at Studio B's Finger on the Pulse 'Yikes' party. Also at the show will be Wallpaper and resident DJs Terry Diabolik and Never Forget. Tickets are on sale, and we have THREE pairs to give away. Info on how to win is below.

DJ duo Finger on the Pulse appear regularly at Studio B and elsewhere in the city. On August 9th (not 2nd - there are two dates floating around), they will be DJing at the free Williamsburg Waterfront show (that Simian Mobile Disco is also playing).

Thunderheist's self-titled debut LP came out on Big Dada earlier this year. The latest single from that, "Nothing 2 Step 2," was released on its own EP in May. A video for that song, with the EP art, track list, and all tour dates, is below...

Continue reading "Thunderheist - 2009 Tour Dates (Studio B tonight) "

by Showtrotta

DOWNLOAD: Diplo vs Telepathe Mad Decent mix (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Little Jinder - Polyhedron (Black Holes Remix) (zSHARE MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Little Jinder - Polyhedron (The Boys and Girls Club Remix) (zSHARE MP3)

Boy 8 Bit

Thursday night (10/16) I'm most looking forward to seeing Diplo, Abe Vigoda, Telepathe, and Boy 8-Bit at Webster Hall. The show is part of the Mad Decent 2008 Tour. Out of those four Abe Vigoda (who played a couple of other shows in the NYC area this week) and Telepathe (who played the Seaport in July among other places recently) haven't really been on my radar. I just recently heard a couple of Telepathe tracks and wasn't into them. With Diplo, things have been the opposite as he and his label, Mad Decent, are inescapable at this point. After trying to avoid him for a long time, catching a little bit of one of his dj sets at Studio B, and hearing a good mix he had done back in March (which you can download from one of my posts from last month) I have finally yielded to the Diplo hype. Removed from all of that, out of those four acts, I highly recommend Boy 8 Bit. Back in March he swung through New York with very little warning, delivering a refreshing set of both old and new UK bangers to a very appreciative crowd assembled at Glasslands for a Thursday night Trouble & Bass party...

Continue reading "Diplo & Boy 8 bit kick off tour, the Thursday night in Dance"

photos by Chris La Putt

Abe Vigoda @ The Yard, Brooklyn, NY - July 12, 2008

"Mad Decent presents DIPLO w/ Abe Vigoda, Boy 8 Bit, Telepathe, and Special Guests". That's how the tour that kicks off October 16th in NYC is being billed. Tickets for the Webster Hall show are now on sale (@ noon) (you can check the presale too).

Diplo/Mad Decent recently contributed to a RMXOLOGY CD and a Sunny Day Sets Fire remix EP.

Telepathe also has a NYC show scheduled with TV on the Radio.

Abe Vigoda was in NYC in July. One of the shows they played was at South Street Seaport. Another was at The Yard. More pictures from The Yard show, and all tour dates (and the Mad Decent tour poster), below....

Continue reading "Mad Decent 2008 tour dates (Diplo, Abe Vigoda & Telepathe)"

DOWNLOAD: DJ Kombada - Spacial Mix (MP3)

"The residents of Dharavi, allegedly Asia's biggest slum, are thriving in hardship"
[-----The Economist]

The best part of the whole night was how everyone, like everyone of every color danced their ass off. I had a couple people from workshop say they haven't danced in years and they danced the whole night. So anyways at 10:30 we shut it down, we all ate samosas and called it a day. Damn, you can't capture that on camera or film (literally my camcorder showed up pitch black) it probably the craziest party i ever played and it was drugless and alcoholess. [Paul Devro on Mad Decent]