words by Christopher Paragraph, photos by Dana (distortion) Yavin

DOWNLOAD: Bird of Youth - Bombs Away, She Is Here to Stay (MP3)

Sondre Lerche looking sexy as usual @ MHOW Friday night

The Friday night show at Music Hall of Williamsburg featured three very different songwriters who all happen to live within a few blocks of the venue. The same is true for me so, in terms of proximity, the night was a success before it even began.

Bird Of Youth opened with a couple songs from their self-released album "Defender," breezing through them with ease and on-stage confidence that one would usually expect from a more seasoned band. This helped to counteract the darker themes of the songs, perhaps the best example of which was a song that lead singer Beth Wawerna wrote for her father. The unforgettable closing lines, "you watched me as I watched you watch me cry," caught more than a few off-guard. The songs are unique in terms of Wawerna's vocal phrasing. Rather than writing melodies over single chords, the melodies seem to form themselves over the chord changes. It feels like she allows the phrases to emerge from the song, instead of constructing a song around a pre-conceived melody. As a songwriter, Wawerna is doing something special and distinct. Unlike many female-fronted bands of their ilk, the songs don't hide behind her voice; her voice seems to be dragged along by the force of each song. This may present a problem for a pop singer, but for a band like Bird Of Youth, it proves to be a perfect way to articulate emotional, expressive songs. The last song of their short set took a different turn, however, and was significantly more poppy and conventionally structured. Working in a Nada Surf-esque style, the song succeeds in a way that runs counter the aforementioned thoughts in this review. An interesting way to end the set, leaving the audience pleased but just unsure enough to want to hear more.

Next was Will Sheff, frontman for the successful Okkervil River, a solo set sandwiched between two bands. It was informative and interesting to see Sheff perform solo. Over the years, Okkervil River has come to be known for their energetic, literate folk pop anthems. But most hear them as simply "a rock band." Sheff's folk influences shined through in this set, making the DNA of Okkervil River more apparent. Hearing these songs strummed and picked on an acoustic guitar made clear the influences of British folk songwriters like Roy Harper and Bill Fay. For audience members not interested in the musical roots behind Okkervil River (which many Sondre Lerche fans probably are not) Sheff provided an honest and emphatic set of complex, lyric-driven songs. It was clear form the entranced crowd that Sheff won over a bunch of new fans. Or at least hooked their curiosity. Sheff's lyrics beg the listener to re-listen. As opposed to the chordally-led phrasing of Beth Wawerna, Sheff's songs are driven by lyrics and melodies that command the chords. It was interesting to see songwriting approached from such different angles back-to-back. It is worth noting at this point that there were many people in the far back of the room who seemed intent on talking louder than the music. One can only assume they were attending to "see" Sondre Lerche and felt completely justified in talking over any other artist performing. Sheff took a moment to point out these people (which of course went right over their heads). This resulted in supportive applause from the majority, who were clearly distracted and annoyed by the loud group in the back.

SIDE NOTE: this raises a question, or at least an interesting debate: Is it "OK" to talk loudly at a concert? If someone pays $15 to see a show, isn't it reasonable to expect them to listen to the songs? And even if they aren't interested in a certain artist, isn't it reasonable to expect the respect and courtesy of keeping one's voice quiet, both in regards to the artists themselves and the fans who might actually be trying to listen? In the event that this occurs, should the artist take the initiative to shush them, or should a fellow audience member? Both? Neither? Discuss.

Back to the show. When Sondre Lerche took the stage, a young cavalcade of girls had pushed their way to the front. As he stepped to the mic the screams were shrill and unexpectedly loud. Lerche introduced himself with a solo number before bringing out the band. Although the synth player and bassist had apparently just joined the band a couple weeks earlier, they played tight and confidently, each member brimming with excitement about the songs, not just following charts. The drummer's incredible precision almost stole the show - he brought the energy of the songs out in ways drummers rarely can, and was single-handedly responsible for many "jaw-drop" moments. The only real way to describe it is that it's fueled by real passion for the songs. It's that special intangible thing you can't fake, and this guy clearly has it. Lerche fired off short gems from throughout his career, never letting go of the stranglehold he had on the crowd from the moment he stepped out. On one level his songs are complex, melding jazz chords with pop melodies a la Steely Dan. On another, he's able to perform simple, quiet ballads, which he did at one point, stepping away and unplugging, treating the silent room to an acoustic rendition of "Dear Laughing Doubters."



There were a handful of particularly special moments, including a performance of "When The River," a song about homesickness featuring a choir of the "people he misses most when he's away." This group included his wife, local songwriter JBM, and actor Christopher Abbott. Will Sheff and Beth Wawerna also joined Sondre on stage to trade verses on a cover of Steely Dan's "Dirty Work."

By the time the show was over, it truly felt like Lerche had turned the room into his own house full of friends. He stood atop a monitor wedge and performed the final encore, harmonizing to the 600+ people taking the lead vocal on "Modern Nature." Lerche has toured for years as a solo artist but seeing him with a band showed that he's not just a one-man show. His music is big and the full-band show proved him to be a full fledged rock n roll guy.

More pictures from the show, setlists included, and a video of Sondre and band on Letterman (from 11/22), below...

Continue reading "Sondre Lerche, Will Sheff & Bird of Youth @ Music Hall of Williamsburg (pics, review, setlist)"

Will Sheff of Okkervil River at Fun Fun Fun Fest (more by Tim Griffin)

Okkervil River have released a new covers EP Golden Opportunities 2, the follow-up to 2007's Golden Opportunities EP. Much like that 2007 release, part deux is FREE, but features songs from Ted Lucas, Jim Sullivan, David McComb, Bill Fay, and others. Get your copy at their site.

Okkervil River have no US dates at the moment, but you can catch frontman Will Sheff at Music Hall of Williamsburg on 12/2 with Sondre Lerche and Bird of Youth. Tickets are still available. Note: though Sondre did just tour with them, Peter Wolf Crier are not also opening the Brooklyn show.

In somewhat related news, Will's old band Shearwater, who recently signed to Sub Pop, have dates coming up with Sharon Van Etten that bring them to Music Hall of Williamsburg too.

photos by Tim Griffin

Passion Pit

It's now Saturday and Fun Fun Fun Fest's second day is already underway and streaming on Pitchfork.

Yesterday, Friday, while BBG was holding down the black stage (which Danzig eventually played), Tim (who ran into Ryan Gosling more than once), was handling most of the other music the Austin fest had to offer. A quick selection of Tim's pictures from Friday continues below...

Continue reading "Fun Fun Fun Fest 2011 -- Day 1 in pics (part 2) -- Passion Pit, Reggie Watts, Omar Souleyman & more)"

Marnie Stern @ CMJ 2010 (more by Chris La Putt)

today in NYC
* X @ Maxwell's
* Tom Shillue @ UCB East
* foci loci @ The Stone
* Mike Wexler @ Zebulon
* Burlesque Fest @ the Bell House
* Anika in Princeton, NJ
* Questlove @ Brooklyn Bowl
* Tim Hodgkinson @ The Stone
* Underground Horns @ Barbes
* Michael Moore @ St Mark's Bookstore
* Rapper's Delight @ Knitting Factory
* Black Moon, Big Daddy Kane @ Southpaw
* Twin Sister, Ava Luna @ Mercury Lounge
* Factory Floor, Walls @ Mercury Lounge
* Eszter Balint, Chris Cochrane @ Barbes
* The Roots, The Hold Steady @ The Intrepid
* DJ Premier, Kendra Morris @ Le Poisson Rouge
* Radiohead, Four Tet, etc @ Roseland Ballroom
* Brown Bird, Matt Bauer, Melaena Cadiz @ Union Pool
* Marnie Stern, No Joy @ Music Hall of Williamsburg
* North Highlands, Neighbors, Snowmine @ Cameo Gallery
* Bird of Youth, Amy Klein, Jo Schornikow @ Union Hall
* Howler, MiniBoone, The Infinities, Mainland @ Glasslands
* Baba Yaga, Hani and A Thief, Chavez, Some Army @ Lit Lounge
* Ty Segall, Human Eye, Mikal Cronin, K Holes @ Bowery Ballroom
* Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad, Minerva Lions @ Brooklyn Bowl
* The Felice Brothers, Nicole Atkins, Diamond Doves @ Webster Hall
* Dark Dark Dark, A Hawk and A Hacksaw, Pillars and Tongues @ Drom
* Viking Moses, The Heaven's Jail Band, People Get Ready, Virgin Forest @ Death By Audio

Virgin Forest play DBA tonight. Virgin Forest open for Deer Tick at Webster Hall in November. Deer Tick play a free show at DBA on Monday!

Radiohead plays again tonight.

ATP-playing band Factory Floor play again in NYC tonight too.

Ditto on A Hawk and a Hacksaw.

ATP starts tomorrow!

Okkervil River have a new video for "Your Past Life As A Blast". Check it out below...

What else?

Continue reading "What's going on Thursday?"

DOWNLOAD: Okkervil River - Your Past Life as a Blast (MP3)

Okkervil River at Terminal 5 in June (more by Amanda Hatfield)

After the Soundtown Music Festival and a few shows with The Decemberists and Fruit Bats this month, Okkervil River will kick off a headlining tour, much of which is with Wye Oak. The tour kicks off at State Theatre of Ithaca in Ithaca, NY with Bird of Youth and NewVillager and also includes appearances at VIrgin Free Fest and Midpoint Music Festival. Okkervil River and Wye Oak were both scheduled to also play Truck America in the Catskills but the festival has since been cancelled (hence the Ithaca show). All dates are listed below.

Okkervil River recently released a 7-inch for "Your Past Life As A Blast" off their new record I Am Very Far. Grab that song for free above.

Bird of Youth (aka Beth Wawerna), who opens the Okkervil River show in Ithaca and whose debut album Defender was produced by Will Sheff of Okkervil River, has some of her own shows coming up too. She plays tonight (8/18) at The Living Room at 9 PM after a 'WFUV Live members only broadcast' by Nick Lowe at 7 PM (Nick also opens for Wilco in September at Summerstage). Bird of Youth also plays September 29 at Union Hall with Amy Klein (of Titus Andronius) and Jo Schornikow (of The Shivers). Tickets are on sale now for that.

Okkervil River are also set to play Fun Fun Fun Fest which takes place in Austin, TX from November 4 - 6. The festival announced more artists for the already-incredible lineup today including fellow big Austin indie band Spoon (their only 2011 show), the Black Lips, Omar Souleyman, Sergio "Sexy Sax Man" Flores, Cannibal Corpse, "and more". The full lineup is at FFFest's site and tickets are still on sale.

All dates and a video below...

Continue reading "Fun Fun Fun Fest adds bands (like Spoon), Okkervil River touring, Bird of Youth playing shows too (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)"

The Hold Steady at Fun Fun Fun Fest 2010 (more)

Last month, we announced that Truck America is returning to the Catskills in September (the 9th through the 11th) and will be headlined by The Hold Steady and Okkervil River. The only other confirmed bands at the time were Ra Ra Riot and Wye Oak. The lineup has since been updated to include Fruit Bats, Vetiver, The Felice Brothers, CItay, Gary Higgins, Lady Lamb the Beekeeper, Takka Takka, Hospitality, The Low Anthem and others. Check out the full list below. Early bird tickets are still on sale.

For The Low Anthem, it's one of many dates they just announced including one at Terminal 5 with Iron & Wine.

Speaking of The Hold Steady, frontman Craig Finn posted to his Tumblr that he's making a solo album:

"I'm in Austin TX for a few weeks. Making a record. Staying in a friend's guest house. Got here yesterday. So far so good. I'll be tracking the progress here."

Check out the full Truck America lineup update below...

Continue reading "Truck America expands lineup, Craig Finn working on solo LP"

Fun Fun Fun Fest sort of revealed five of the artists playing the festival this year. The fest will take place from November 4-6 at Waterloo Park Auditorium Shores in Austin, TX. Watch this video to figure out who the five artists are, though You may want to use this guide for help. If you don't have the time to figure it out, we've listed the artists along with the embedded video below.

Also, all of Brian Posehn's (hint) tour dates are listed below, including a NJ show on September 30 at Starland Ballroom with Big Jay Oakerson and Bonnie McFarlane. Tickets are on sale now.

Continue reading "Fun Fun Fun Fest 'leaks' part of the 2011 lineup, comedian Brian Posehn schedules dates"

The above pictures is a screen shot from the Virgin Freefest lineup announcement video that they posted to YouTube. The girl behind the words exclaims, "James Murphy solo!" as she reads her piece of the September 10th free MD festival lineup. The full lineup, video, poster and press release is below...

Continue reading "Virgin FreeFest announces 2011 lineup (includes "James Murphy solo" and many more)"

The British music festival Truck Festival is returning to America again this year and back in the Catskills at Full Moon Resort in Big Indian, NY from September 9-11. This year's Truck America will be headlined by The Hold Steady and Okkervil River. Other confirmed bands include Ra Ra Riot and Wye Oak, and an announcement with over 30 other bands is coming soon. Early Bird tickets are on sale now. The first 200 people who pre-order their passes will receive the special $99 rate for the entire weekend (kids can get in even cheaper).

Last year was the fest's first year in the US. Read more about it HERE.

Meanwhile, Okkervil River are finishing up a tour with Titus Andronicus. The Hold Steady head out at the end of August with The Donkeys for a short tour. Updated dates below...

Continue reading "Truck America returns to the Catskills, initial lineup includes Okkervil River, The Hold Steady & more"

photos by Amanda Hatfield

"Still reeling from the Titus Andronicus/Okkervil River show last night. So good! It was so good." - Arielle

"Okkervil River absolutely killed it last night at Terminal 5. Awesome show. Also, apologies to my liver." - David Rosado

Okkervil River's Will Sheff @ Terminal 5

amNY: You've said you think this is your best record yet. Honestly, isn't that always the case?

Will Sheff: I do think that, and it's never a lie. It's always a reflection of feeling where I am at that time. So, yeah - probably in two years, I'll have completely moved on from this "I Am Very Far" sort of place and be like, "F--- that, let's do some throat singing. That's what I'm into now."

So what feelings did this record reflect?

Will Sheff: It felt like after being an awkward teenager, growing up and becoming an adult. And the word "adult" carries a lot of baggage with it - it's kind of scary, like "adult contemporary." But I always thought of adulthood as really fascinating and complex. That's when people are having affairs and cheating on each other and becoming morally compromised. So this is my creepy, adult, dark, nuanced, having-an-affair record. As opposed to Sting.

Okkervil's set got cut short, possibly due to the venue curfew. At 10:45 the band was given a 15 minute warning, and so they played straight to 11 with no encore break. Unfortunately, if the written setlist is to be believed, that means they had to play much less than planned. The written and actual setlist, and more pictures from the show and dates too, below...

Continue reading "Okkervil River, Titus Andronicus & Future Islands played Terminal 5 (pics & setlist)"

DOWNLOAD: Okkervil River - "Rider" (MP3)

Okkervil River at The Bell House in 2009 (more by Tim Griffin)

Okkervil River are currently on tour with Titus Andronicus and Future Islands in support of their recently released album I Am Very Far. The tour hits NYC on June 7 at Terminal 5. Tickets are still available, and you can win a pair on our Facebook. If you can't wait that long, they're also at Toad's Place in CT Saturday night, AND you can watch them play live from Philly at noon TODAY (6/3) courtesy of NPR.com.

I Am Very Far is available now as a CD and Double LP at Okkervil River's online store. The band have also released a hardcover lyrics book. If you haven't heard it yet, we've got a legal download of the track "Rider" off the album. Grab it above. It's the same song they played on Letterman in May. Watch that, along with the official "Wake and Be Fine" video and updated dates, below...

Continue reading "Okkervil River on tour in support of new LP (MP3, updated dates & a live streaming concert at NOON TODAY)"

photos by Andrew St. Clair

Titus Andronicus @ MHOW

The pictures in this post come from Titus Andronicus's date with Music Hall of Williamsburg on Saturday, 4/30. The show, with The Suzan and Dinowalrus, was the conclusion of a tour that took up most of March & April including a pair of appearances with The Pogues at Terminal 5.

The band is returning to Terminal 5 on June 7 with Okkervil River and Future Islands as part of their summer tour that kicks off on June 1st. Tickets for the NYC show are still on sale. Updated tour dates are listed below.

Since 4/30, Titus played Replacements covers as part of the "Our Band Could Be Your Life" show at Bowery Ballroom, and their very next show is this weekend as part of B.O.M.B. Fest.

Titus Andronicus side project Hilly Eye however, play a Permenant Wave Benefit for Planned Parenthood at Death By Audio tonight (5/25) with The Shondes, Crazy Pills, and Cojoba. As mentioned before, Hilly Eye is the project of Titus guitarist Amy Klein who you can see was wearing a Crass t-shirt at Music Hall in the pictures which continue below...

Continue reading "Hilly Eye @ DBA tonight, belated pics from Titus Andronicus @ MHOW, updated tour dates"

Remember when Tom Scharpling and Titus Andronicus asked people to join them on a video shoot NJ tour? Well, that video is now a video and you can watch it below.

Titus Andronicus have been on the road for most of March and April, Pogues shows at Terminal 5 included. They wrap things up with two shows in the NYC-area this weekend: tonight/Friday at Maxwell's with Dinowalrus, and Saturday at Music Hall of Williamsburg with Dinowalrus and The Suzan. Both are sold out, as is the "Our Band Could Be Your Life" show that Titus is part of at Bowery Ballroom on 5/22, but tickets are still on sale for the June 7th show at Terminal 5 where Titus will once again play opener, but this time to Okkervil River who they'll be out on tour with at the time. All dates and the new video, below...

Continue reading "Titus Andronicus' Tom Scharpling NJ tour video released, playing NJ again tonight, touring w/ Okkervil River (dates)"

Tickets are now on AmEx presale for the two Elvis Costello shows at the Beacon. General sale begins Friday, 2/18, at noon.

Tickets for the Elvis Costello show at Wellmont Theater go on sale at noon.

Tickets are still on sale for the Levon Helm Band and Hayes Carll show happening at the Wellmont tonight (2/11). Tickets are also on sale for the show Hayes Carll is playing with Jason Isbell at Bowery Ballroom, and you can still get tix for the show Hayes is playing at Housing Works on Tuesday too.

Also coming up at the Wellmont: Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo, The Fab Faux, and violinist David Garrett (who is known to cover "Master of Puppets" - video below).

Tickets to see Adele at Beacon Theater go on sale at 10am. Adele plays the P.C. Richard & Son Theater tonight.

Okkervil River's Terminal 5 show are on AmEx presale and go on general sale today at noon.

Continue reading "Elvis Costello, Adele, Okkervil River & other tickets"

This sums it up:

On June 7, Okkervil River will take the stage at Terminal 5, the largest NYC venue the band has ever played, in support of their highly anticipated new album, 'I Am Very Far' (out May 10, JAGJAGUWAR).

On February 8, Okkervil River will release 'Mermaid,' a new 12" single featuring two b-sides from 'I Am Very Far'.

Terminal 5 is the first of many worldwide tour dates to be announced in support of 'I Am Very Far,' the band's first album in three years.

Continue reading "Okkervil River releasing new LP & 12", playing Terminal 5"

Will Sheff & Beth Wawerna @ Living Room

Tonight, Tuesday, August 24th, marks the third week of the Bird of Youth residency at the Living Room in NYC. Tonight's guest is Charles Bissell of the Wrens, so that should be especially good. The first week's special guest was Will Sheff who played solo, as a duo with (his girlfriend) Beth, and with her band Bird Of Youth who also played without him. Videos of all four situations, including previews of possible new Okkervil River songs, below...

Continue reading "Bird of Youth residency continues with a Wren (tonight), Will Sheff played new songs at the first show (videos) "

DOWNLOAD: Bird of Youth - "Stop Staring" (MP3)

Roky w/ Okkervil River @ Webster Hall in May (more by Kurt Christensen)

Austin songwriter Roky Erickson will be touring again in November. That includes at least two NYC-area shows. Those happen November 10th at the Bell House (tickets on sale Friday at noon) and November 12th at Maxwell's (tickets also on sale Friday at noon). More dates, including Boston, TBA.

Roky's most recent set of shows and album included Okkervil River as his backing band. That won't be the case this time, but you can catch Okkervil frontman Will Sheff when he plays a solo show at the Living Room on Tuesday, August 10th. That show is part of Bird of Youth's Tuesday in August residency at the Living Room. Bird of Youth (the band led by BK musician Beth Wawerna)'s other guests include Charles Bissell of the Wrens and Timothy Bracy's Collection Agency (ex-Mendoza Line). They all, or most of them, also contribute to Bird of Youth's upcoming debut album (MP3 from that above). No advanced tickets. A flyer for the residency is below...

Continue reading "Roky Erickson schedules more shows, Will Sheff & others playing w/ Bird of Youth @ Living Room (Charles Bissell too)"

by Kurt Christensen

"From the very first chords -- wisely not something from the new album, but a scorching version of Roky's classic "Night of the Vampire" -- it was evident that it was going to be a show to remember. And it just got better from there. Okkervil's frontman, Will Sheff, who with his beard and spectacles looked every bit like a long-lost son of John Lennon, spent the 90-minute set grinning from ear to ear as he played out his guitar fantasies onstage with Roky.

This was clearly a labor of love for Sheff and his band. Okkervil River was definitely not a backup band, but a true collaborator with Roky." [WYMMWIG]

Continue reading "Roky Erickson & Okkervil River @ Webster Hall - pics & setlist"

Okkervil River are Roky Erickson's band at Webster Hall tonight (5/25).

Will Scheff, Roky Erickson, Nardwuar (more by Tim Griffin)

The first Nardwuar interview that I witnessed in person (and helped set up)! Taped after the legendary Roky Erickson and Okkervil River finished playing at our BV/M For Montreal day party, the 10 minute, well-researched interview covers many topics including Austin, Tang and Will's love for cream. Watch that (and a new chat with Snoop Dogg where the rapper microwaves a joint), below...

Continue reading "the Nardwuar Roky Erickson/Will Sheff video interview (and a new Snoop Dogg one too) "

words by Bill Pearis & (most of the) photos by Tim Griffin

Will Sheff & Roky Erickson

"Welcome to Montreal -- how do you like the Weather?" - Martin Cesar, Think About Life.

After three lovely days of sunny, mild weather, the skies went grey and cold for the last day of SXSW, Saturday, March 20th, with temperatures dropping to around 45 degrees. Almost no one seemed prepared for it, judging by the throngs of under-dressed shivering all over town. With a lot of the Austin venues being outdoor, it especially hurt.  Our final party of a very busy week of parties was a free badge-less official SXSW event that we did with the M for Montreal folks, at the two-stage Galaxy Room (formerly Radio Room & Bourbon Rocks). The main stage was outside -- under a tent, which helped just a little -- and while temperatures were low, spirits were high and it was maybe the most fun I had all week.

My favorite set of the day came early. Think About Life are so much fun live, so much genuine positivity, it's hard to be in a bad mood with them on stage. An instant hangover cure. I think this was the first time a lot of the audience had ever seen them play, if the number of people who asked me who they were was any indication. At one point singer Martin Cesar left the stage as if their set was over, only to appear in the middle of the crowd dancing, hyping people up. That they didn't do "Johanna" is my only complaint. NYers can see them on April 27 when Think About Life play Mercury Lounge. It's part of a fairly extensive U.S. tour, do go see them.

I was also super-pumped to see The Besnard Lakes whose new album The Besnard Lakes Are the Roaring Night is pretty fantastic. Specifically, I wanted to hear its epic opener, "Like the Ocean, Like the Innocent," and have it knock me back. Like a lot of Montreal bands, The Besnard Lakes' line-up ebbs and flows. Theirs does so around the core of Jace Lasek and Olga Goreas. I've seen them seven strong before, but here they were a lean mean quartet and did not disappoint. They're on tour in May, including a 5/28 show at Bowery Ballroom.

Duchess Says

Another set I knew would be fun was Montreal's Duchess Says who played one of our CMJ day parties last year. While their more aggressive take on Devo-style protopunk is fun, it's all about singer Annie Claude who looks very cute and innocent... until the music starts. She shrieks, jumps in the audience, tackles people, pulls them to the floor,  and causes general mayhem. It's more mischief than menace though. There are lots of other singers who do similar things, but never anything quite like her. After you've seen them once, part of the fun is watching other people experience them for the first time. The inside room was packed to the gills (it was warmer there). My favorite part of the show had her sitting down in the middle of the audience, methodically pulling people down with her, draping their arms over her into a giant pile of people. There's video at the bottom of this post.

The other major highlight for me was Roky Erickson with Okkervill River. I'd never seen him before and this was certainly a great live introduction to someone whose music I've loved for a long time. Will Sheff produced Roky's new album (first in 14 years) and Okkervill was his backing band on it, so the set was tight, rocking and just sounded fantastic. Roky was in great form too, and we got a few 13th Floor Elevators nuggets in there, as well as "Starry Eyes," one of my favorites of his solo material. They tour in May including a show at Webster Hall.

And there was lots more: the great Wye Oak kicked off the party with a lovely set despite cold fingers; Jason Collett was a class act with superbly-crafted country-pop (see video of his set below); Crystal Antlers filled in for BEAST who couldn't make it; Andrew WK was in full Meatloaf mode with a set of piano ballads; Plants and Animals were lush and harmony-laden; metal legends Voivod showed they've still got it; and a percussion-heavy set from L.A.'s Local Natives was probably the biggest draw of the day -- they were excellent.

Local Natives

Somehow I entirely missed sets by Holy Fuck (who I heard were great) and Suckers (who I've seen before many times here in NYC). A last minute addition, Nardwuar was there too, providing funny, heavily-researched band introductions as only he can. It was a great, if cold, day. Stay tuned for his video interview of Will and Roky.

Thanks to everyone who helped put this all together, and to our sponsors. More pictures and videos from the whole day below...

Continue reading "Roky Erickson/Okkervil River, Local Natives, Think About Life, Duchess Says, others @ Galaxy Room (BV/MfM day party) - pics"

Nicole Atkins @ Bowery Ballroom - Feb 3rd (more by Bao Nguyen)

Nicole Atkins's SXSW Picks

1) High On Fire: I like my metal slooooow!

2) Roky Erickson with Okkervil River: I missed them last time I was at sxsw. I love both of these guys music so seeing them together I'm sure is going to be unreal!

3) Band of Horses: Yep, I missed the boat on these guys and have only recently discovered them. I have been listening to their last record on repeat for two weeks now.

And as previously mentioned, you can see Nicole Atkins perform tonight, Friday, March 12th at City Winery in NYC with Joseph Arthur, as part of his weekly Friday residency at the venue. Limited tickets are still on sale.

Then, on March 26th she'll be playing the first show at OHM, a new private show space in the lobby of a NYC high-rise in Chelsea...

OHM is a 37-story rental tower located at 312 11th Avenue in the West Chelsea district. There is over 25,000 square feet of amenity space in the tower, including the lobby which holds an intimate performance space. Knitting Factory Entertainment will be exclusively bringing live entertainment to this space.

All tour dates below...

Continue reading "Nicole Atkins playing City Winery (tonight), SXSW (including a BV day party) & OHM (a Knitting Factory-booked apt building)"

I've been announcing individual bands on this party before now. Finally we have the full exciting lineup!

You know M For Montreal as the Canadian festival we've visited for two years in a row. Their yearly festival showcases bands from their home city in their home city, and they take that show on the road each year to both CMJ in NYC and SXSW in Austin (we already announced their official 2010 night showcase).

Being that we are such huge fans of so many Montreal bands, I thought it would be a great idea see if they wanted do a party together... and here we are. The lineup mixes some of our favorite Montreal bands with some or our other favorite Canadian (like Jason Collett of Broken Social Scene) and non-Canadian bands (like Andrew WK).

We have 13 bands total, a DJ set by another band, free ice cream from the Ice Cream Man (some of which is vegan), free vegan food courtesy of Austin's own Daily Juice and other surprises (drink specials on this particular party are pending). We're also proud to announce that KEXP is the official radio sponsor of all BV day parties this year. You'll find them, video cameras in hand, at many of our day parties throughout the week including this one. Those in attendance at this show will also have a chance to check out and win a pair of Nudie Jeans (another one of our kind sponsors).

Also unlike any other BV day party, this one is officially part of SXSW. That does NOT mean you need a badge. NO BADGES REQUIRED for this free show, but you will find the party listed on SXSW.com (and you can add it to your schedule on there). Full lineup with set times below...

Continue reading "BrooklynVegan & M for Montreal free SXSW day party lineup (Roky Erickson, Andrew WK, Voivod, Holy Fuck, Local Natives, other bands, free food & more)"

DOWNLOAD: Roky Erickson & Okkervil River - Goodbye Sweet Dreams (MP3)

Roky Erickson's Will Sheff-produced, Okkervil River-backed first new album in 14 years, True Love Cast Out All Evil, is coming out April 20th on Anti. The disc is "comprised largely of unreleased songs that Austin, Texas native Erickson wrote throughout his decades-long career." The first track released from the album and cover art are posted above.

Roky Erickson has shows coming up in various places around the country. One of those is a Tuesday, May 25th at Webster Hall with Okkervil River (Will Sheff included) as his band. Tickets go on AmEx presale Wednesday, February 24th at noon. General sale starts Friday (2/26) at noon.

Roky & Okkervil will also be playing their hometown of Austin during SXSW. Their official showcase takes place Thursday, March 18 at 12:30 AM La Zona Rosa. You can also catch them at the previously unannounced BrooklynVegan/M for Montreal SXSW day party at Galaxy Room (formerly Radio Room, formerly Bourbon Rocks) on Saturday, March 20th (noon-5:30pm) with Andrew WK (whose Q&A at Santos tonight is streaming) and others TBA. Unlike any other day BV day party so far in history, this one is "official" aka actually part of the SXSW schedule (though please note: SXSW CURRENTLY HAS IT LISTED AS FRIDAY, BUT IT IS SATURDAY). Still no badges necessary and 100% free, but part of SXSW (aka on their schedule).

Stay tuned for more exciting BV show lineup announcements. All Roky Erickson tour dates and a video of Roky and Will Sheff at Toy Joy in Austin, TX, are below...

Continue reading "Roky Erickson playing live shows backed by Okkervil River in NYC, at SXSW (at a BV day party) ++ MP3, album art, dates"