photos by Chris La Putt

Devin the Dude plays a show with Coughee Brothaz at Highline Ballroom in NYC tonight, Monday November 17th. His last NYC show was at the South Street Seaport for the East Village Radio Festival in September. That's where the pictures in this post came from. More of them, a video from the same show, and all tour dates, below...

Continue reading "Devin the Dude - 2008 Tour Dates (Highline), SS Seaport pics "

photos by Kyle Dean Reinford

"In Norway, Casiokids' shows involve props, shadow puppets, papier mache heads, streamers and balloons, but judging by this show [at Cake Shop on Saturday] they don't need all that to make a great party. Armed with a bunch of bargain basement keyboards (most of which were, yes, Casios), homemade shakers (that I thought were bottles of some weird creamy drink till they started shaking them), and a whole lot of enthusiasm, Casiokids barreled through a 25-minute set -- once they finally got all their equipment to work. While I'm not so crazy about their 2007 debut, Fuck Midi!, they did mostly new material at Cake Shop and all of it was great. Poppier, funkier, better..... Casiokids, please come back soon!
[Bill Pearis]

Continue reading "CasioKids @ 'On the Side' @ SSSeaport, NYC - pics "

photos by Kyle Dean Reinford

"I was actually concerned that Fat Baby, which holds about 75 people at max, would sell out and showed up way early [to see Fanfarlo]. It was fortuitous as I got to see Norwegian group the Real Ones who turned out to be one of my favorite surprises of the week. (Norway did very well at CMJ if you ask me.) Real Ones, who hail from Bergen, are kind of Jens Lekman-y, but in a David Byrne-meets-CSNY sort of way. Just lovely stuff and I had a giant smile on my face the whole time and bought two CDs. Also, they had a sitar player. So do you cart your own sitar from Norway or just rent it here?" [Bill Pearis]

Continue reading "Real Ones @ 'On the Side' @ SSSeaport, NYC - pics "

photos by Kyle Dean Reinford

DOWNLOAD: Bearsuit - I Thought You Said You Were Blind (MP3)

"The UK 6-piece band blew me away with their catchy tracks and shiny capes. They were clearly my highlight of the show, though the other bands all held their own." [Kyle]

"If there's any band that embodies the old punk ideal that anybody with ideas and a bit of imagination can make music, it's Bearsuit. On 2005's Cat Spectacular and this year's Oh:Io, they've shown themselves to be among the finest purveyors of explosive, schizoid, kitchen-sink indie pop, sort of like Los Campesinos! with more Deerhoof. And more BIFF! BANG! POW!: They played at Cake Shop wearing capes and face paint." [Marc Hogan]

"I had taken the kids in Bearsuit to be in something of the Los Campesinos! variety (clever, poppy, workin'-class-accented twee from Britain's young has seemingly become a genre) but when I arrived to catch their 6:30 set at Cakeshop I discovered that some of them were older (it was a six piece, even split in gender and age, it seemed), and that they sounded a good tic angrier. But still earnest (the central lyric of one cut being "we're gonna make it this time"), sincerety sabotagingly humorous ("that last song was about Michael Jackson commanding an army of bees") and fun (they were wearing capes and prone to thrust their hands in the air)." [Greg @ NY Press]

"Thursday, I went down to the South Side Seaport, and after getting terribly lost, I was only able to catch Bearsuit. The band was a fat waste of time musically. However, the band did tell a zinger related to technical difficulties:
'We're having problems with American Power.'
'A lot of people are.'" [KSCR Los Angeles]

More pictures from Bearsuit's Seaport show below...

Continue reading "Bearsuit @ 'On the Side' @ SSSeaport, NYC - pics "

Photos by Kyle Dean Reinford

"My CMJ itinerary led to a surprising amount of expansive, musicianly progressive rock. Kirsten Ketsjer, a Danish trio, moved between long stretches of precise, perpetual-motion guitar patterns and bursts of punky rock. Women, from Canada, ambled from calmly intoned songs to meshed dissonant guitars to noise squalls. Pattern Is Movement, from Philadelphia, had passages of Broadway or operetta melody amid burly drum-and-keyboard workouts, and Villa Vina, from New York, veered between unison heavy-metal riffing and complex, meter-shifting counterpoint." [NY Times]

Continue reading "Kirsten Ketsjer @ 'On the Side' @ SSSeaport, NYC - pic"

photos by Chris La Putt

Their new official video is below the pictures and above the tour dates...

Continue reading "Vivian Girls - EVR Fest pics, more tour dates & A VIDEO"

photos by Chris La Putt

For a guy just sitting there pressing buttons on his home-made lap-based contraption, Dan Friel manages to put on a super satisfying show. His music speaks for itself, and if you have a good view, you can try and figure out what he's doing. Tonight (9/16) he's at Cake Shop in NYC. Recently he played the side stage at the East Village Radio Fest by the South Street Seaport. More pictures from that and more dates below...

Continue reading "Dan Friel - 2008 Tour Dates (CS tonight), EVR Fest pics "

photos by Chris La Putt

ex-Vivian Girl, standing drummer Frankie Rose

The Crystal Stilts are moody-sounding fuckers who make fabulous stripped-down garage-pop. Their mix-and-match post-punk ditties manage to sound both affected and effective at the same time; they're weirdly life-affirming and very fun. You want to dance when you hear them-- dance with a furrowed brow, maybe, but move around nonetheless. Singer Brad Hargett is from Brooklyn by way of Florida but sounds like he's from Manchester by way of Slough. The main thing I wonder when I listen to Crystal Stilts is why is it so hard to make exceptional garage-pop like this? [Pitchfork]

Continue reading "Crystal Stilts @ EV Radio Fest, NYC - pics"

photos by Chris La Putt

Shahzad Ismaily & Ólöf Arnalds

Ólöf Arnalds's set time was 2:30 at the East Village Radio Festival at South Street Seaport on Sunday (Sept 7). That's when I planned to get there, so naturally I arrived at 2:50. Luckily I was still able to catch a couple of her instantly-recognizable songs from her 2007 Sigur Ros-produced album Við og við.

The crowd watching her was small, and included many random passerbys including tourists and some homeless dudes with 40's (the crowd filled in later by the time the Vivian Girls took the stage). That didn't stop Olof from seeming excited to be there. She even introduced one of the songs with a story about her younger sister who she wrote the song for twelve years ago. The song urged her sister to be creative, and now at 20 years old, she was just accepted into graphic design school. She asked us to give her sister (who I don't think was in attendance) a hand. We all clapped for her sister.

Kind of an Icelandic Joanna Newsom, Ólöf has the kind of voice people either love or hate. The Seaport security guard in front of the stage definitely seemed to be in the latter category. I like it, but I didn't see enough of her live show to say she was amazing. That said, I never wanted to see Joanna Newsom perform outside, and Ólöf is probably also better off in a darker enclosed room with great acoustics. Luckily she is playing two such places before she goes home to Iceland.

Tonight she performs her entire album at a special show at (le) poisson rouge...

On September 9, Skuli Sverrisson and Olof Arnalds and will debut their respective albums, Seria and Vio og Vio in full at Le Poisson Rouge in New York City. Seen as brother and sister albums, each was voted Best Alternative Album at the Iceland Music Awards as well as Record of the Year at Iceland's biggest daily newspaper, Morgunblaoio. Olof played an important role on Skuli's album Seria, singing her own lyrics on three songs as well as playing guitar, viola, charango, koto, and glass. Skuli in turn was influential in bringing the various players together to make Olof's debut album, Vio og Vio.

With Skuli living in NYC and Olof in Reykjavik, the two have been unable to bring their albums together in the live domain. However, Olof's recent addition to the East Village Radio Festival lineup offered them one day (9/9) in their disparate tour schedules to make this happen. Joining them on stage for this historic show will be a glittering array of guests including Laurie Anderson, Peter Scherer, Okkyung Lee, Hilmar Jensson, Shahzad Ismaily, and Nico Muhly.

In June she opened for Sigur Ros and Bjork in Iceland. Shahzad also played with her at that show. Tour dates and more Seaport pics below...

Continue reading "Ólöf Arnalds - SSSeaport pics & 2 more NYC shows (dates) "

photos by Chris La Putt

Postponed one day due to rain, Boris brought the rock to a tourist-filled South Street Seaport in NYC on Sunday night (from about 7:45 - 9:00 pm to be exact) (Sept 7, 2008). There were many Boris fans in attendance too - the tourists mostly stuck to the side. More pictures below...

Continue reading "Boris @ SSSeaport (East Village Radio Festival), NYC - pics"

the 2008 Howl! Festival, Tompkins Square Park Saturday (CRED)

today in NYC
* HOWL
* DANCE
* The Citizens Band @ Spiegelworld
* Emily Haines (Metric) @ Union Pool
* Tokyo Police Club @ Mercury Lounge
* Arbouretum & Pontiak @ Glasslands Gallery
* Silver Jews & Monotonix @ Bowery Ballroom
* Reggie & The Full Effect @ Highline Ballroom
* Magic Christian & The A-Bones @ Bowery Ballroom
* East Village Radio Festival @ South Street Seaport
* Flying Lotus, So Percussion & Daedelus @ (le) poisson rouge

What else?

the EVR Fest latest set times below....

Continue reading "What's going on Sunday?"

The debut of the East Village Radio Music Festival may be delayed by one day due to the heavy rains and gusty winds expected for New York City throughout Saturday, as tropical storm Hanna moves up the East Coast.

The festival, which is scheduled for 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, September 6, may be moved to Sunday, September 7 from 1 p.m. until 9 p.m.

Organizers will evaluate the weather conditions on Saturday morning at 6 a.m. and determine if the festival will go forward on Saturday, or be delayed one day until Sunday.

Continue reading "East Village Radio Music Festival MAY move to Sunday"

Yard photos by Chris La Putt, Seaport photos by Ryan Muir

Oneida @ the Yard

Oneida @ the Seaport

There have been no shortage of Onedia shows this summer. One of them took place back in July at the Yard. Another was just this past Friday at South Street Seaport. They played, strangely, after Raphael Saadiq at the latter. Their next NYC show is this Saturday in Williamsburg (Sept 6). More photos from the Yard & SSS below...

Continue reading "Oneida @ The Yard & South Street Seaport, NYC - pics "

photos by Ryan Muir

Nearly six years ago, long-time record producer and performer Raphael Saadiq released his solo debut, Instant Vintage. Similarly to his work with Tony! Toni! Toné! and Lucy Pearl, the project received rave reviews and earned the Oakland native five Grammy nominations. Since then, Saadiq has spent time working behind the scenes with A-list artists like Joss Stone, Snoop Dogg and Q-Tip, among others.

On September 16, Saadiq will release his third studio album, The Way I See It, courtesy of Columbia Records and his independent label, Pookie Entertainment. Led by the Temptations-influenced single, Love That Girl, the album's inspiration was drawn from the soulful atmosphere and organic sound of tropical vacation spots like Costa Rica and the Bahamas. Known to fully immerse himself in his work, the multi-talented musician is solely responsible for writing, producing, arranging and performing the entire project. [DJBooth.net interviewed Raphael]

Continue reading "Raphael Saadiq @ South Street Seaport, NYC - pics"

Mark Ronson @ Webster Hall (more by Bao Nguyen)

BAND SCHEDULE FOR SOUTH STREET SEAPORT STAGE
4-ize 12:30 - 1:15
Hypnotic Brass Ensemble 1:15 - 1:45
Dr. Lonnie Smith 1:55 - 2:25
Olof Arnolds 2:35 3:05
Vivian Girls 3:15 - 3:45
High Places 3:55 - 4:25
Awesome Color 4:35 - 5:05
John Oliver 5:05 - 5:20
Devin the Dude 5:20 - 5:50
Flying Lotus 6:00 - 6:30
KRS ONE 6:45 - 7:15
Ronson 7:15 - 7:45
BORIS 7:45 - 9:00

UPDATE: "The already terrific musical line up gets even better with the addition of Aa (BIG A little a), Bunnybrains, Crystal Stilts, Hex Message and Woods, all slated for performances at the festival's second stage"

Unfortunately, music loving New Yorkers are forced to decide between this free festival or the one in Tompkins Square Park or the one in Williamsburg all happening the same day.

TONIGHT (Aug 29, 2008) @ South Street Seaport: Oneida, Endless Boogie AND RAPHAEL SAADIQ

RAPHAEL SAADIQ ANNOUNCES SURPRISE PERFORMANCE
AT TIME OUT NEW YORK'S SUMMER MUSIC SAYONARA

FRIDAY, AUGUST 29th @ NYC'S SOUTH STREET SEAPORT

For those who missed Raphael Saadiq's sold-out show at Highline Ballroom this week, Time Out New York presents a free performance by the critically acclaimed multi-instrumentalist/artist/producer at the South Street Seaport in Manhattan on Friday.

The highly anticipated new release The Way I See It- out September 16th on Columbia Records- finds Saadiq at the peak of his soul power tapping into various regional scenes that underpin our best music - Motown, Stax, Chi-town, Philly. The album features guest appearances by Saadiq protégé C.J., Grammy-winner Joss Stone (with whom Raphael worked on the best-selling 2007 set Introducing Joss Stone) and the legendary Stevie Wonder on harmonica....

photos by Chris La Putt

Violens

Grand Archives

Grand Archives and Violens played the free show at South Street Seaport in NYC on Friday night (Aug 22, 2008). This coming Friday = Oneida, Endless Boogie & a special guest. Then on Saturday September 6th is the East Village Radio Fest w/ Boris. Then comes fall. More pictures from Friday night below...

Continue reading "Grand Archives & Violens @ South Street Seaport, NY - pics"

Earl Greyhound @ All Points West (more by Jefferson)

In additon to the previously announced record-taping shows coming up in September, Earl Greyhound are playing a free show at Southpaw in Brooklyn this Wednesday night (Aug 20, 2008). Smokewagon and Changing Holes are also on the bill.

Also on Wednesday, also free, possibly the show of the week (please don't rain): WFMU presents,

The Ex with Gétatchèw Mèkurya (renowned Ethiopian saxophone legend), and if that weren't enough, Lincoln Center added two amazing East African/American collaborations to the bill: Either/Orchestra with Mahmoud Ahmed and Alèmayèhu Eshèté, plus Extra Golden.

back to this week: Huey Lewis in Coney Island
and Friday: Grand Archives and Violens at South Street Seaport.

Aug 29th @ South Street Seaport:
"Oneida, Endless Boogie + VERY SPECIAL GUEST"

Who is the special guest? I have no idea, but if Endless Boogie can be considered a clue, there's a really good chance it will be a band on Matador Records. Speaking of which, Matador's Yo La Tengo are playing the very last McCarren Pool Party in Brooklyn on Sunday August 24th. That would be kind of cool and weird if Yo La Tengo played the Pool and the Seaport both in less than a week.

That's it for now. Take a look at the free show calendar for much, much more, but not THAT much more because unfortunately the free show season (aka Summer) is soon coming to an end. Summerstage is already done now that Sharon Jones played and actually I just realized that the Bill Withers tribute was the final 'Celebrate Brooklyn' show in Prospect Park this year too.

photos by Lucas Flores Piran

The Friday evening (August 15, 2008) rain caused the cancellation of an outdoor NYC performance involving 200 guitarists, but like Regina Spektor's gig in Brooklyn, the free show at South Street Seaport went on... it just went on for a slightly shorter period of time than originally planned. Opener White Williams played four songs. Dirty Projectors played for around 50 minutes. It was a not-that-short headlining set that included one new song - the same new song they played at Music Hall of Williamsburg in April, and a song that will likely appear on the new album they're working on in Portland for Domino Records. More Dirty Projectors pics below...

Continue reading "Dirty Projectors & lightning @ South Street Seaport - pics"

Dirty Projectors @ Pitchfork Fest (more by Joseph Juechao Xu)

AUGUST 11th: Domino Radio hosts David Longstreth of Dirty Projectors!

Monday, August 11th from 10am-12noon, Domino Radio hosts David Longstreth of Dirty Projectors. David and company are in town from Portland, OR, where he and his band have been busy at work on their next album (for Domino! no less) to play the South Street Seaport - Friday August 15th with White Williams.. Tune in live, or stream / podcast later..

by Black Bubblegum

Wata, Pitchfork Fest 2008 (more by Joseph Juechao Xx)

That East Village Radio Festival on September 6th looked pretty damn interesting already..... I mean how many times do you get to see Devin The Dude, John Oliver, AND Awesome Color on the same stage? Well, its about to get a little bit LOUDER, because the mighty Boris has been added to headline the whole shindig! Yikes! Boris for free? You guys shouldn't have.

So far, that makes the uber-ecelectic lineup look like this:

Hosted by KRS-One,
Boris,
Awesome Color,
Vivian Girls,
High Places,
Dr. Lonnie Smith,
The Hypnotic Brass Ensemble,
Flying Lotus,
Ólöf Arnalds,
4-IZE
Devin the Dude,
John Oliver of The Daily Show

Continue reading "Boris added to free NYC EVR festival ++ video from P4K Fest"

Day-Long Festival Marks 5th Anniversary of Premier Internet Radio Station

Line Up Includes Awesome Color, Vivian Girls, High Places, Dr. Lonnie Smith, The Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, Flying Lotus, Ólöf Arnalds, and Devin the Dude, as well as John Oliver of The Daily Show

Continue reading "South Street Seaport East Village Radio Music Fest lineup "

Atlas Sound @ South Street Seaport - July 25, 2008 (by Tear-n Tan)

One might not think South Street Seaport's outdoor Mall food court vibe would be the best place to see an Atlas Sound show. Truth is Bradford Cox's loopy lo-fi psych-pop is probably better suited for a black light lite basement, or on headphones in your bedroom high on Nyquil. However, somehow, Bradford was able to translate the warmth of Let The Blind Lead Those Who Can See But Cannot Feel for a crowd of screwed up kids, post-work partiers, middle aged couples, khaki clad tourists, and, yep, a few hipsters. [Chocolate Bobka]

Bradford Cox & Geologist @ Primavera Sound 2008 (Kate Pedatella)

Bradford's next NYC show is this Sunday, August 3rd at McCarren Pool. He'll be a member of Deerhunter at that show. King Khan & The Shrines and Black Lips (and Sic Alps?? and/or Tall Firs??) are also on that bill. Atlas Sound's next NYC show is October 2nd at Irving Plaza with Stereolab who Atlas Sound are also playing a bunch of other shows with. Exact dates, and a Seaport video, below...

Continue reading "Atlas Sound played South St. Seaport, touring w/ Stereolab"

Sera Cahoone @ Bowery Ballroom - June 2008 (by Dese'Rae L. Stage)

June 2008: Sera Cahoone & Grand Archives played some shows together.

July 28, 2008: Sera Cahoone plays Knitting Factory in NYC (tonight).

Aug 22, 2008: Grand Archives play the free show at South Street Seaport.

All tour dates below...

Continue reading "Sera Cahoone @ KF ++ Grand Archives playing SS Seaport "

Bradford Cox & King Khan @ P4K Fest - July 20, 2008 (dde)

Stars Like Fleas and "Harmony Club (Featuring Bradford Cox of Deerhunter + Other Special Guests)" are listed as the openers for the Gang Gang Dance happening at Bowery Ballroom on Saturday. A fake name to allow Atlas Sound to play a second show while they're in town to play South Street Seaport? Tickets are still on sale (thx anon).

And speaking of that Seaport Show, Crystal Stilts have taken El Guincho's place. That's this Friday, July 25th @ 7pm, and it's free.

And speaking of King Khan, Bradford and the Pitchfork Festival, that's a picture up there of Bradford and King Khan on stage together at this past weekend's Pitchfork Festival.

And speaking of Gang Gang Dance, they'll be helping out the Boredoms with some drumming on August 8th.