photos by Jessica Amaya

Though I only caught Sharon Van Etten due to dinner plans that went longer than expected (everyone was raving about opener The War on Drugs though), I can say that Saturday night's show at Bowery Ballroom was an amazing and extremely emotional one. I knew it would be a special show. Headlining, not to mention selling out, the approx-600-capacity Bowery Ballroom is a milestone in an artist's career. It means even more when it happens to a beloved, local and talented artist who has worked her way up and truly deserves it. I didn't want to miss it.

The moment was not lost on Sharon either. In the most sincerest of ways, Sharon fought back crying (the crowd didn't always have as much luck) and often addressed her family, who not only seemed to be taking up one side of the entire balcony (with her parents in front), but were also peppered throughout the front of the crowd (most notably her cousin who made her voice heard more than one). Sharon often spoke to and thanked the entire crowd, and she played songs - new songs, very old rare and solo songs, and the 'hits' off her 2010 Badabing release 'Epic.'

If you've seen her lately, you know about the full band she now plays with (she mentioned that it was the band's first time playing Bowery Ballroom) (she has opened for other people there). The band, complete with a new keyboard player and the similarly-hair-styled Cat Martino on backing vocals, really round out her sound in a grand way. Megafaun's Brad Cook also played on some songs, and the Antlers' Peter Silberman sang one with her as the rest of the Antlers watched from the audience (she sang with the Antlers when she opened for them on the same stage, and she mentioned that Megafaun was the first band to ever back her on her transition from solo artist to full band).

But don't take my word for it... listen to/relive the whold show courtesy of NYC Taper's recording that you can download now.

The show closed with the most perfect cover of R.E.M.'s "Strange Currencies". Video of that, with more pictures from the whole show, and her (and opener Sebastian Blank's) setlist, and an updated set of Sharon's tour dates, below...

Continue reading "Sharon Van Etten headlined Bowery Ballroom (pics, video, live recording, setlist), touring through April (dates)"

DOWNLOAD: Yellow Ostrich - Love More (Sharon Van Etten) (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Sharon Van Etten - Love More (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Sharon Van Etten - Don't Do It (MP3)

Sharon Van Etten @ Bruar Falls (more by Jessica Amaya)

Above you can download a a timely cover by Yellow Ostrich, who headline Mercury Lounge tonight (1/4), of Sharon Van Etten who headlines Bowery Ballroom on Saturday (1/8). As previously mentioned, The War on Drugs is now opening for Sharon, as is Sebastian Blanck. Tickets are still on sale for the big NYC show.

Enjoy the MP3, and grab the original and another Sharon track up there too. All Sharon dates below...

Continue reading "Yellow Ostrich covered Sharon Van Etten (MP3 & tour dates)"

photos by Chris Gersbeck

Perfume Genius @ Knitting Factory

"Perfume Genius - This is one of Matador's newest acts, and I have to admit that I never listened to their record when I got it. I actually left during the [Vegas] set and missed most of it. From what I heard from others, they were quite good - even a highlight of the [Matador] festival. Their placement after The Jon Spencer Blues Explosio seemed odd, though." [The Dark Stuff]

That blurb refers to Matador's 21st Birthday Party in Las Vegas which took place the weekend before last which is when Perfume Genius, undeterred by the shutdown L-Train, played a headlining set at Knitting Factory in Brooklyn (Sunday, 10/10).

Perfume Genius will kick off a European tour on 10/18. All dates, and more pictures from Knitting Factory with opener Sebastian Blanck (no shots of White Ring, unfortunately), below...

Continue reading "Perfume Genius played Matador 21 & Knitting Factory (pics)"

photos by Amanda Hatfield

Sharon Van Etten and full band played two NYC area dates this weekend as part of an extended weekend of shows that would see her eventually link up with Bowerbirds who arrive back in NYC on Tuesday (10/12). If you missed either her 10/8 show at Rock Shop with Julianna Barwick and She Keeps Bees, or her 10/9 show at Mercury Lounge with Kyp Malone, never fear, SVE will return to the NYC stage next week to play the annual Chouette day party, this year at Bruar Falls, on 10/20 during CMJ. The show, which will also feature Lower Dens, Highlife, and Sebastian Blanck, will kick off at 3PM and will feature SVE in the top slot (at 6PM). Set times are below.

Not long after CMJ, Sharon Van Etten heads out on the road with Junip. All dates, as well as pictures from Rock Shop are below (Mercury Lounge pictures are on the way)...

Continue reading "Sharon Van Etten played The Rock Shop (pics), playing Chouette day party (and other dates) "