photos by Amanda Hatfield

Foxygen @ Knitting Factory 5/13/2013

Foxygen just wrapped up a three-night NYC run, that began with the BrooklynVegan-curated Red Bull Sound Select show at Knitting Factory on Monday (5/13) and a second night there (5/14) and finished last night (5/15) at Mercury Lounge. Anybody hit the second Knit or Mercury Lounge show? Anyone go to all three? We've got a second set of photos from the RBSS show, including ones of openers Amen Dunes, LODRO, and Prince Rupert's Drops, in this post.

Foxygen will spend their summer on the festival circuit, playing Pitchfork, Woodsist and Solid Sound amongst many others. That also includes another stop in NYC at the free River Rocks show on July 25 with Thao & The Get Down Stay Down. All tour dates are listed with more pictures from KF below.

Continue reading "Foxygen played three NYC shows (more pics from our RBSS one with LODRO, Amen Dunes and Prince Rupert's Drops)"

photos by David Andrako; words by Bill Pearis

Foxygen / LODRO @ Knitting Factory 5/13/2013

"I ate a CD once," admitted Foxygen frontman Sam France Monday night onstage to a full room at Knitting Factory. It was one of many probable falsehoods he told the crowd, but sometimes it's funny cause it's untrue. This was the first of three Foxygen shows in NYC this week and a Red Bull Sound Select show that BrooklynVegan curated (that's us). It was also the cheapest at only $3.00 and with four bands, a DJ and a comedian host on the bill.

France is a very charismatic frontman (my friend remarked "he's got a Jarvis Cocker thing going on") and even if you aren't totally in love with their album, with its many nods to late '60s rock, it's hard to deny Foxygen put on a very entertaining show, messing with the Red Bull sign included.

We chose the other three bands on the bill to be in tune with the pysch side of Foxygen's music. Openers Prince Rupert's Drops are in the mushroom tea variety, with harmoniously baroque pop stirred with extended jams. Amen Dunes, who played third, is more spacey, working on pure vibes at times. Songs too, but definitely Damon McMahon's music is more about floating with than active participation.

In between was LODRO and it was my first time seeing them despite their reputation for endless local gigging (like DIIV who they opened for two days earlier). They were definitely my personal favorite of the three, and the trio -- who pronounce their name "low-dro" -- make a strong impression. While best know for her stint in party rockers Friends, Lesley Hann is a commanding presence here, and maybe just a little intimidating. It could just be their intense brand of creepout blues (think Nick Cave, The Cramps' version of "Fever") is dead serious and pretty badass, aided in no small part by drummer Jigmae Baer and guitarist/singer Jeremy Cox. All three are also in Royal Baths though LODRO seems to be the focus now. Deservingly.

Chris Gethard, who days earlier was letting Zach Galifianakis give haircuts to strangers on his show, made for a very funny host, and I had fun DJing in-between sets.

NYC Red Bull Sound Select shows (not to be confused with Red Bull Music Academy shows) -- always only $3 -- happen each month this year and are curated either by BrooklynVegan, East Village Radio, Afropunk or Brooklyn Bodega. The same happens in other cities (for instance Fake Shore Drive just announced their next one in Chicago and Bun B recently headlined one in Austin)

More photos from our show at Knitting Factory are below.

Continue reading "Foxygen, Amen Dunes, LODRO & Prince Rupert's Drops played first BV-curated RBSS show at the Knit (pics)"

Foxygen @ Chicago's Lincoln Hall in March (more by James Richards IV)

As mentioned, Foxygen are currently on a short East Coast tour that ends with two sold-out NYC shows next week: Knitting Factory on May 14 and Mercury Lounge on May 15. If you wanted to go to one of those shows but didn't get tickets, we've got good news. We're happy to announce that Foxygen will headline a BrooklynVegan-curated Red Bull Sound Select show on Monday (5/13) at Knitting Factory. As always, the show is $3 at the door. 7pm doors. 8pm show. All ages, no advance tickets.

LODRO

This is the fourth NYC RBSS show -- the previous three were curated by East Village Radio, Afropunk, and Brooklyn Bodega. Like those, in addition to the headliner Monday's show features three local acts.

For our openers, we kept things on the trippy side: Amen Dunes, who open for Boris at LPR tonight (5/7), will play and perhaps give a taste of their forthcoming new album. Also on the bill are LODRO, the Royal Baths side project that has been honing its live show through relentless gigging; and Prince Rupert's Drops whose album Run Slow was one of 2012's overlooked gems. Adding to the fun will be your host, the amazing comedian, storyteller and author Chris Gethard (of the Chris Gethard Show among other things). Hope to see you out on Monday.

UPDATE: our own Bill Pearis will also be DJing starting at 7pm sharp.

If you can't make this show, you can always catch Foxygen in late July at a much bigger venue -- Pier 84 as part of the 7/25 free River Rocks show with Thao & the Get Down Stay Down.

Streams for Foxygen, Amen Dunes, LODRO, and Prince Rupert's Drops, and more tour dates, are below.

Continue reading "Foxygen, Amen Dunes, LODRO and Prince Rupert's Drops playing BrooklynVegan-curated Red Bull Sound Select show"

by Andrew Sacher

Nude Beach at Bowery Ballroom in March (more by David Andrako)

Brooklyn power pop rockers Nude Beach play a lot of local shows, and that will be no different this summer, for which they've already got two scheduled. First, they'll play an all ages show on June 16 at Fitness (1196 Myrtle Ave in Brooklyn) with Nervosas, Vacation, and Survival (not the one with Hunter Hunt-Hendrix). Admission for that show is $7 at the door. Then, they'll play a less DIY (but also all ages) venue on July 5 at Knitting Factory with Prince Rupert's Drops. Tickets for that show are on sale now. All dates are listed below.

Amongst all these gigs, Nude Beach are releasing a new 7" single on Other Music and you can stream the b-side below.

Cincinnati's Vactation, who open the Fitness show (and are on tour with Nervosas) are set to release their new album, Candy Waves, on June 18 via Don Giovanni (Waxahatchee, Screaming Females). The first single from the album, "Pyro Hippies," is a pop punk basher and it sounds like the kind of thing that's going to get kids on their feet on the band's tour this summer. Maybe you caught them in Brooklyn last year with Swearin' and Tenement?

Stream "Pyro Hippies" and the new Nude Beach track, along with the video for Nude Beach's "Radio" and all lists of tour dates, below...

Continue reading "Nude Beach ready new 7" & playing shows; one w/ Vacation, who are releasing an LP on Don Giovanni (dates & streams)"

by Bill Pearis

line to get in Other Music on Record Store Day 2012

As you are probably aware, this Saturday (4/20) is Record Store Day. We've already told you some of our picks from the myriad #RSD13 exclusives, but many of NYC's record stores are having special events that day. While this guide is pretty thorough, it may not be comprehensive. If you know of cool Record Store Day happenings that aren't in this post, let us know in the comments. But here's the stuff we found:

We already told you about Greenwich Village mainstay Generation Records who are having live performances from Forgetters, Doug Gillard, Swearin' and Livids as well as DJ sets from WFMU's Tom Scharpling and Forgetters' Blake Schwarzenbach. Generation will open at 10 AM, with bands starting at 2 PM. Schedule still TBA.

While you're in the area, take a second to walk over to Bleecker Bob's where you won't find any records for sale, but as of Wednesday you could still at least take one more look through the window at the somewhat-still stocked shelves of the closed store.

Over at In Living Stereo on Great Jones, they'll have live performances from Alex Bleeker & the Freaks and Prince Rupert's Drops, plus free PBR from noon. More info here.

Wild Nothing at Other Music, RSD2012 (more)

Other Music isn't big enough to have bands play while people shop, so they have bands DJ during RSD, and this year's line-up will have Parquet Courts, Sharon Van Etten, Jonathan Toubin and more on the decks. Other Music opens at 10:30 AM with DJs starting at noon (schedule is below).

Also having DJs spin on #RSD13, as mentioned, is East Village shop Turntable Lab. Their line-up also includes FaltyDL, as well as Nomi Ruiz, Justin Strauss, Eli Escobar and many more. DJs spin from 10 AM - 8 PM.

Kim's Video & Music promises "DJ sets from some of your favorite local artists and DJ's" but they don't name names. They are, however, open at 8 AM.

Another EV store, Good Records, won't have RSD exclusives, but they will have a bunch of rare used vinyl they'll be putting out that day, including albums by Brian Eno, The Fall, Blur, Pink Floyd, The White Stripes and more. They'll also have free food and beverages. More details are here.

still from Cake Shop's RSD video

Some of you may not remember when Cake Shop back lounge was a record store, but they still carry a few a few new releases and they'll have a selection of RSD exclusives on Saturday. Additionally, they'll have "lots of deals, lots of old stuff we've been holding onto forever etc! Plus: tons of fun, possible balloons and maybe Eddie!" That night Record Store Day moves downstairs with an extremely stacked indie rock/pop line-up, with Literature, Grand Resort, Sparxx, Cascading Slopes, The Hairs, a short solo set from TPOBPAH's Kip Berman and Scott and Charlene's Wedding. Kip and Maria Sherman will also be on DJ duty. Doors for the night show are at 8 PM and is a mere $5 entry. A pretty weird, funny video hyping Cake Shop's RSD fun is below.

Downtown at J&R Music World, Anthrax will be in the house at 12:30 PM signing records and anything else you want their John Hancock on, and they generally have a good selection of #RSD13 exclusives too.

Meanwhile in Brooklyn, Record Store Day will be the last day ever for Williamsburg's Sound Fix, which is probably enough for them (read a new interview with the owner HERE). Last year they had doughnuts and coffee, if memory serves. They're open at 10 AM and in addition to RSD exclusive, their fire sale (which is happening now) includes "25% off all CDs, 10% off all LPs."

Williamsburg stores in general don't seem to be doing a whole lot of special events on Saturday, though both Academy Records Annex and Earwax will have #RSD13 exclusives, and East Village Radio will be streaming live from Academy Records at 4pm.

Co-Op 87 (via)

For the second year, the tiny but well-stocked Co-Op 87 in Greenpoint will be open for the entirety of Record Store Day, meaning midnight to midnight. No in-store performances or celeb DJs, but they are making a special offer for the truly insane record buyers out there:

"If you are tuff enuff to come to Co-Op 87 Records ONCE an hour, EVERY hour of Record Store Day (24 visits!) and spend $10 on a record (not multiple records) at least ONCE for EACH of those hours, you'll be entitled to an INCREASING percentage off, starting at 4% and increasing BY 4% each time on ANY one record UP to $100! That means he or she who braves this madness could by the final hour, buy ANY $100 or less record for a WHOPPING 96% off!"

Elsewhere in Greenpoint, Permanent Records will be open at 10 AM on Saturday with "free gift bags & goodies while supplies last," as well as "nearly all of this year's exclusive releases." And over at Record Grouch, they'll have a smattering of RSD13 exclusives and some choice used records put out just that day, in addition to their extremely well-curated stock of used vinyl.

DUMBO's Halcyon Records will have "instore DJs" and are open at 10 AM.

As for the general NY area, Vintage Vinyl in Ford, NJ will have a full stock of RSD exclusives but no in-stores announced,

And if you happen to be in Philadelphia on Saturday, Main Street Music will feature a special RSD performances by Billy Bragg, the Joy Formidable, Generationals and more.

And if you're in the Windy City, BV Chicago and Saki Records are throwing a RSD party with live performances from Pink Avalanche, The Beets, Twin Peaks and more.

BV Austin discusses what's going on at Waterloo Records this year.

Again, you can see all stores participating in Record Store Day 2013 here.

Other Music DJ schedule, Cake Shop video, Turntable Lab flyer and other RSD videos are below.

Continue reading "a guide to NYC #RSD13 in-store performances & special events"

"Quilt at Glasslands - reminding me a little of tame impala meets beach house #somethinglikethat" - @Widder_Twidder

Quilt at Glasslands - 2/17/13 (via Mexican Summer)

Boston psych folkies Quilt just came to Brooklyn over the weekend (2/17) for a show at Glasslands with Alex Bleeker & the Freaks and Weyes Blood. If you missed them, or just want to catch them again, Quilt have announced that they'll return to the same venue for a show on April 14 with Prince Rupert's Drops, Electric Mess, and visuals by Drippy Eye Projections. Tickets for the newly added Glasslands show are on sale now.

Quilt's only other upcoming show that we're aware of is in Cambridge on March 3 at The Middle East as a support act for psychedelic pop artist Jacco Gardner. That show is part of Jacco's upcoming US tour which hits NYC on March 2 at Death by Audio and March 23 at Mercury Lounge with Mmoss (tickets).

You can stream Quilt's 2011 self titled album below...

Continue reading "Quilt played Glasslands, playing again in April"

by Bill Pearis

Murals @ BVCMJ 2012 (more by Amanda Hatfield)

Louisville, Kentucky's dreamy Murals had a productive 2012, releasing their lovely debut album, A Passing Cloud, and toured constantly, including a slew of CMJ performances (including one of our day parties). The band recently recorded a Daytrotter session which went up today and includes a couple nice new songs. The band also gave us a list of "the 10 best things we encountered in 2012" that is mostly music (and almost none of it released recently) with a movie or two in there as well. Check that out below.

Murals have more shows coming up, including a few dates on the previously announced Widowspeak (who have a new album out this month) tour. Their dates together include the previously discussed NYC show which happens on January 22 at Mercury Lounge with Prince Rupert's Drops and Alex Laliberte of Vensaire. Tickets for that show are still available.

Murals' best-of list and a list of all tour dates below...

Continue reading "Murals touring with Widowspeak, recorded a Daytrotter session, gave us a Best of 2012 list"

by Bill Pearis

DOWNLOAD: BLURRY BITTERS - A CAKE SHOP BEST OF 2012 MIXTAPE (MP3)

Eddy Current Suppression Ring @ Cake Shop, June 2010 (more by Diana Wong)

One of the biggest, most genuine music fans I know is Andy from Ludlow Street indie rock club Cake Shop. He's an indefatigable listener and always turns me onto new stuff. Here we've got his "best of 2012 and live from cakeshop and recorded" which is topped by Parquet Courts' fantastic debut album, Light Up Gold. You can check out the full list of "21 AMAZING EXPERIENCES" below.

Andy is also a great maker of mixes, and I stil put in one he made for the Cake Shop/Slumberland 2009 SXSW showcase from time to time. Over at the Cake Shop blog, he posted a 2012 mix loaded with great stuff that you can download above and see the tracklist below. Highly recommend. Cake Shop had a successful Pledge Music campaign this year, signed a new 10-year lease, survived the Great Sandy Blackout, and I can't wait to see more bands there in 2013 (like maybe Obits on January 19) and beyond.

Andy from Cake Shop's Best of 2012 list and mixtape tracklist are below...

Continue reading "Andy Bodor from Cake Shop's "21 AMAZING EXPERIENCES" of 2012, plus a year-end mixtape"

by Bill Pearis

Brooklyn's psych-pop group Prince Rupert's Drops dropped their debut album, Run Slow, a few weeks ago via Beyond Beyond is Beyond Records. It's a well-steeped cup of mushroom tea, brimming with ragged guitars, drone outs and enough melody to keep the straight interested. You can stream the whole thing below.

Prince Rupert's Drops have a couple local shows coming up. They'll play Mercury Lounge on December 29 with Alex Bleeker and the Freaks (tickets); and then again at Mercury Lounge on Jan 22 opening for Widowspeak at their record release party (tickets).

Album stream is below.

Continue reading "Prince Rupert's Drops released 'Run Slow,' playing shows (dates, stream)"

Oneida at Ecstatic Music Fest (more by David Andrako)

As previously mentioned, live concert recording site NYC Taper just turned five years old and is throwing a party at 285 Kent on Saturday (5/12) to celebrate, with performances by Oneida, Sightings and Prince Ruperts Drops. Joining Oneida onstage will be James McNew of Yo La Tengo/Dump fame and Greg Fox (Guardian Alien/GDFX). If you can't make it, we're going to guess someone will make an downloadable audio document of it. Meanwhile peruse NYC Taper's awesome catalog of nearly live recordings. There's nearly 1000 of them at present -- like the recent Lower Dens show at Glasslands, and the Crystal Stilts/Woods show that took place at 285 Kent last weekend. The flyer for the NYC Taper show is at the bottom of this post.

Greg Fox plays the Stone earlier the same night as part of the ongoing Buke & Gase-curated series of shows.

While we're talking about 285 Kent, tonight (5/11) the Brooklyn venue hosts an evening of electronic avant garde and noise, with former Yellow Swan man Pete Swanson, Keith Fullerton Whitman, Forma, and SSPS.

Then on Sunday (5/13), Woodsist Records is throwing a record release party for MV&EE's Space Homestead, with a live performance by the band as well as Steve Gunn and Herbcraft. MV&EE have some tour dates coming up and those are below, along with a stream of a song from the new album....

Continue reading "Oneida, James McNew, MV&EE & more this weekend @ 285 Kent (where Crystal Stilts & Woods recently played)"

Crystal Stilts @ The Shank - Sat, April 25 (Ryan Muir/Metromix)

Crystal Stilts are playing Cake Shop tonight (4/30). This show is not to be confused with the previously announced CS Cake Shop show which isn't until June. ,

Tonight's show, which was curated by Liam of caUSE coMOTION, is also Cake Shop's The World's Birthday Party show which means if you were born in April, you can get in for free. Prince Ruperts Drops (formerly The Woods and The Frams) and Beachniks are also on the bill.

Crystal Stilts last few local shows were Sunday night at Maxwell's (happy birthday Musicsnobbery), Saturday night at The Shank (courtesy of Topman), and opening for The Dead Weather at Bowery Ballroom. All future dates below...

Continue reading "Crystal Stilts, who just played the Shank & Maxwell's, are playing the Cake Shop birthday show tonight/Thursday"