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Continue reading "final Monster Island Block Party reminder"

Yeah Yeah Yeahs at Monster Island (more by Leia Jospe)

Monster Island, Williamsburg's landmark center for the arts home to, Live With Animals, Secret Project Robot Art Space, Kayrock Screenprinting, Todd P. Practice Spaces, Mollusk Surf Shop, Oneida and a multitude of studios and rehearsal spaces would like to say goodbye in style.

Over the last 7 years we have always thrown an annual Block Party where we invite the entire neighborhood in to listen to live bands on the street, tour the building and host 2 giant art installations; as that this is our last block party ever (the building is slated for demolition in November), we'd like your help.

This year's block party will entail over 12 live music performances from building bands and members of bands such as Golden Triangle, Oneida, Man Forever, Soldiers of Fortune, DudknowDub, Cult of Youth, Vaz, K-Holes, Knyfe Hyts, Divine Order of the Blood Witch, TrycryTry and many more. It will host 2 art installations themed "Outer Space the Final Frontier" and "Liquid Gold." It will also host open studios, an all day BBQ, DJ's, a video installation in the basement by Robot Death Cult and live music in several practice spaces.

Monster Island aims to keep the Block Party FREE and is seeking donations via kickstarter. "It will go towards paying performers, printing T-Shirts and totes, setting up a killer PA system on the street, purchasing supplies for 2 art shows and securing the proper permits." They are more than halfway towards their goal. Monster Island's end is looming, but there's still time to go out in style.

The block party will take place September 10th, 2011 from 2pm until 10pm. Monster Island will be closed by October 1st.

Secret Project Robot said back in January that they'll be moving to a new space. That is still true according to their website.

Oneida played Secret Project Robot in June. NYC Taper just posted a live recording.

In related news, Todd P recently wrote, "My show schedule this summer is very reduced, for happy personal reasons. More than ever, I recommend you check out SHOWPAPER for show listings (big announcements coming soon from that organization!) and also follow the list of links to independent, all ages venue/organizer folks on this page."

And the Silent Barn Kickstarter is now over $31,000!

DOWNLOAD: People of the North - Tunnels (MP3)

Oneida's Ocropolis @ ATP NY 2009 (more by Ryan Muir)

Started by Kid Millions and Bobby Matador of Oneida, People of the North is an ongoing but sporadic outgrowth of that restlessly experimental Brooklyn assemblage. Since the first tour in early 2003, POTn has served as another language emanating from the screaming mouth of the O. It has always included Kid and Bobby, and usually other members of Oneida as well. The entirety of Oneida has performed together under the POTn label at venues including the Frying Pan and the Mercury Lounge.

People of the North has provided compositions that have worked their way into Oneida's most cherished repertoire, including "Up with People" (from Happy New Year) and "Lavender" (from The Wedding).

While there are no clearly defined boundaries separating POTn from Oneida, it might be fair to say that the music tends to be more staunchly devoted to minimalism, repetition, improvisation, and sternness than the wide-ranging efforts of the big brother band.

Deep Tissue was recorded at the Ocropolis in early 2009, with the participation of much of the O. The sessions were deep, and the skies were gray." [Jagjaguwar]

People of the North's Deep Tissue was released by Jagjaguwar in April. There are four songs on the album. You can download one for free above.

Catch People of the North live Friday night at Bowery Ballroom where they'll be opening for Portishead side-project BEAK>. Tickets are still on sale. It's BEAK>'s only NYC appearance, and one of only four they're playing in the U.S. Another one is Saturday at ATP upstate. The other two are in California (and they're all listed below).

Not leaving town this weekend and can't make it to ATP? Todd P and friends present another reason to not feel so bad, and Oneida (who were a big part of ATP NY in 2009), are involved in that too. Oneida will headline a 17+ band lineup (that also includes Oneida side-project Man Forever) at Monster Island on Saturday. The "Monster Island Block Party" kicks off at 2pm and is free. Full lineup and more details with all Oneida and BEAK> dates, below...

Continue reading "Monster Island Block Party Saturday, People of the North opening for Beak> Friday & other Oneida dates"

Saturday September 5th @ MONSTER ISLAND | MONSTER ISLAND BLOCK PARTY 2009

| Golden Triangle
|| K-Holes
||| Knyfe Hyts 81
|||| Cult of Youth
||||| Oneida Jah Division Ensemble
|||||| Georgiana Starlington
||||||| X-Ray Eye Balls
|||||||| DubbKnowDubb
||||||||| Trilateral Commission
|||||||||| Buckets of Blood
||||||||||| Bezoar
|||||||||||| Psychothriller

|| dj Hairwaves
|| 2 ART OPENINGS OUTDOOR INSTALLATIONS ALL DAY BBQ

Oneida is playing the block party as/with Onieda Jah Division Ensemble. Jah Division is a dub/reggae Joy Division cover band that has released an EP on Social Registry, who even when not in "Ensemble" format, share drummer Kid Millions with Oneida. Next weekend, Oneida visit ATP NY, where their Oneida present The Ocropolis is set to run all day Sunday.

Another of the mysterious bands on the bill is Knyfe Hyts 81. The band tweeted that "KNYFE HYTS 81: ZARG and SHHA (Knyfe Hyts, Ex Models) + LUUUK BRODY (Yeasayer, Ex Models)....Think Blade Runner!".

UPDATE: The final lineup for this is in the comments...

More info on Monster Island, and live clips of Oneida playing Dublin this August, are posted below...

Continue reading "Monster Island Block Party this Saturday in Brooklyn"

by Andrew Frisicano

DOWNLOAD: Onedia - Preteen Weaponry (edit) (MP3)

Williamsburg's Monster Island arts center, home of Secret Project Robot, is throwing its 3rd annual Monster Island Arts and Music Festival Block Party Saturday, Sept 6 from 2pm-10pm.

The not-for-profit on the corner of Kent Ave and Metropolitan claims to be "the only block in this section of Brooklyn that has not been rezoned for high-rise condominiums."

Bands playing the free show include Oneida, Golden Triangle, Ex Models, Red Dawn II, The Trilateral Commission, K-Holes, The Gimme Five, 2 surprise bands booked by building mate and NYC phenomenon Todd P. Cassie, Katy, & Ali and Psychothriller.

Psych-rockers Oneida, recently back from a tour in support of "Preteen Weaponry" (the first part in the "Thank Your Parents" triptych the band is releasing on Jagjaguwar/Brah), and also playing the free Seaport Music show this Friday, will be recording a new single for Social Registry during the show ("Limited to 35 tickets - first come first serve").

The East Village Radio Festival at South Street Festival is the same day. Full line-up of Monster Island events, and some tour dates, below:

Continue reading "2008 Monster Island Block Party lineup, Oneida, etc"