photos by Chris La Putt

Thee Oh Sees

"Largely unfamiliar with the bands on the roster, my husband and I went to Coney Island on Saturday to see Built to Spill headlining on the main stage of the annual Siren Music Festival. Normally, I love free shows. I like the freedom to walk away from a disappointing or uninteresting performance-as we did from Monotonix-without feeling guilty. And ticketless shows tend to draw all types, which appeals to the voyeur in me. Neither of us had been to Coney Island before, so it was mildly amusing to see the confluence of century old kitsch and aggressive marketing tactics by softdrink companies. (We tried a sample of something called Vio, "the world's first vibrancy drink," and it tasted vaguely like flourescent lighting and perfume.)

Anticipating the rush toward the stage as Built to Spill began, we found a decent spot where we'd be able to hear the band, if not see their faces. It was as close as we could get without my cheeks grazing across sweaty pectorals while trying to squeeze through. This is the point at any show when the fan in me starts to grin and breathe faster, to feel like I'd rather be right here than anywhere else in the world. To our horror, not only were the people around us talking so loud that we could barely hear the music, they weren't even facing the stage. The crowd was mingling as though at a singles mixer, drink in hand, shouting over the din, completely oblivious to the band on stage.

Now, while I've been known to complain about NYC hipsters at opportune times (like when I'm on the downtown L train), I generally think people are too hard on them. They're pretty benign as far as contrived fashion/music subcultures go. But when they prevent me from hearing and seeing a live performance by one of my favorite bands, simply because they can't stop yakking and flirting for a single minute, I feel, well, displeased.

Next show is hopefully Trail of Dead at All Points East. I'm bringing pepper-spray and my slapping hand." [Home on the Fringe]

Chris's Built to Spill pics are HERE, Raveonettes pics HERE, and the rest below...

Continue reading "the 2009 Siren Music Festival in Coney Island - pics (part 1) "

TMOT on Ludlow St - CMJ 2007 (by Bao Nguyen)

"They are impressive only in comparison to a) other kids their age who have not somehow been encouraged to become a full-time touring band by hipster stage parents, and b) their least-inspired adult contemporaries. At their best, the Tiny Masters provide self-conscious kiddy variations on vaguely arty strains of punk and alt-rock, but there is very little practical use for this music besides causing adults to go, "awww, cute!" The lyrics are predictably banal and laughable, the vocals are uniformly flat and insecure. The melodies are not bad, but they are simplistic and mostly have the irritating cadences of playground chants and jingles."
[Pitchfork gives Skeletons a 3.0]

"Skeletons" video below...

Continue reading "Tiny Masters of Today added to Siren, trashed by Pitchfork"

Sonic Youth @ No Fun Fest 2009 (more by Lori Baily)

Maybe you caught Sonic Youth's noise set at No Fun Fest or have been streaming The Eternal through Matador's Buy Early Get Now program.

If both left you wanting more, you'll have your chance tonight (May 22nd)

First, Bill Nace, ie. the guy who wasn't Lee at NFF, will play the late set at The Stone tonight (10pm). Joining him will be Greg Kelley on trumpet and Jake Meginsky on percussion. Before that, the Stone's May curator, Grey Gersten, performs with tape-guy G. Lucas Crane and drummer Ryan Sawyer.

If you'd rather follow the The Eternal route (ie. you're sick of listening to the record in your home), Matador is hosting a listening party for the album tonight (5/22) at NYC's Envoy Gallery (131 Chrystie St.) It's free admission, capacity permitting, but RSVP is required. Flyer below.

After that party, there's also an invite-only after-party with LIVE music at Home Sweet Home, which will be closed to the public. Local bands will be playing Sonic Youth covers. Those local bands include The Antlers (who played Bowery Ballroom last night), Suckers (who have a lot of other shows coming up), Joan As Policewoman (who recently played with Iggy Pop), Tiny Masters of Today (who are playing Citysol this year), and The Homosexuals (who are now Bruno Wizard with Fiasco as his backing band according to someone that got to the Dan Deacon show last week early enough to see their unannounced set), AND "more are being confirmed" (for tonight's show). We have three pairs of tickets (guestlist spots) to give away for the afterparty. Info on how to win them, below...

SY played a free 4th of July show last summer in Battery Park (to be released as a bonus disc with some copies of the new record). That gig was within eyeshot of the Statue of Liberty and other iconic landmarks. This summer the band is playing a free show under St. Louis' famed Gateway Arch on July 17th as part of that city's Live on the Levee summer festival. It's just one of the many dates on Sonic Youth's summer North American tour, the openers for which were recently announced.

Listening party flyer and contest details below...

Continue reading "Sonic Youth listening & after-party (w/ live bands covering SY) - WIN TIX +++ Bill Nace at the Stone TONIGHT"

Art Brut @ Mercury Lounge - 11/10/05 (more photos)

Art Brut Five night NYC run @ Mercury Lounge is coming...

Mon 6/1 (Tickets)
Art Brut 10:00
Demander 9:00
The Picture 8:00

Tue 6/2 (Tickets)
Art Brut 10:00
Murder Mystery 9:00
Les Sans Culottes 8:00

Wed 6/3 (Tickets)
Art Brut 10:00
Tiny Masters Of Today 9:00
U.S. Royalty 8:00

Thu 6/4 (SOLD OUT)
Art Brut 10:00
Cymbals Eat Guitars 9:00
Phil & The Osophers 8:00

Fri 6/5 (SOLD OUT)
Art Brut 11:00
Special Guest 10:00
Keith TOTP & his Minor US Indie Celebrity All Star Backing Band 9:00 - DJ Eamon Hamilton (BrakesBrakesBrakes) 8:00

As you can see above, tickets are still available for three of the five NYC shows. All dates HERE.

As you can also see above, the final night, now unfortunately sold out, seems to be the most special. Not only will it be the final night, but Keith TOTP means they're keeping it in the family ("Minor US Indie Celebrity All Star Backing Band" included), and "special guest" means, well... "Special Guest". If I could take one guess, my guess would be Art Brut 47 (aka We are Scientists), but that is just a guess.

A video diary of the recording of the new Art Brut album, with producer Frank Black (who by the way is playing the Siren Festival this year), is posted below...

Continue reading "5 NYC nights worth of Art Brut openers (one 'special guest') "

King Khan & The Shrines @ South Street Seaport (more by Jason Bergman)

Extra Golden @ Knitting Factory (more by Lori Baily)

Perry Ferrell @ Lollapalooza 2008 (by Bao Nguyen)

today in NYC
* FREE
* DANCE
* Lollapalooza (stream)
* Rock the Bells @ Jones Beach
* free shows in Tompkins Square Park
* The African Festival in Prospect Park
* Vetiver, Phosphorescent & Meg Baird @ MHOW
* The Police & Elvis Costello @ PNC Bank Arts Center
* Jamie Lidell, Janelle Monae & Little Jackie @ Summerstage
* Deerhunter, King Khan & the Shrines & Black Lips @ McCarren Pool

It's also Osheaga time in Montreal.

What else?

Continue reading "What's going on Sunday?"

Tiny Masters of Today & Lightspeed Champion @ Union Hall. 4pm today.

Lightseed Champion is also playing Maxwell's, Bowery Ballroom and other places.

Tiny Masters of Today & Karen O video shoot (photo by Leia Jospe)

Speaking of Tiny Masters of Today shows...

June 5: Lightspeed Champion and Tiny Masters of Today Doing One for the Kids (and the unemployed)!

What is Chancellor's day? It is an inexplicable school holiday on June 5 that only kids in New York get. To celebrate this year, Tiny Masters of Today are throwing a special afternoon party at Union Hall in Brooklyn.

Joining us for this first annual throwdown will be our friends from
England: Lightspeed Champion!!! Holy Cow! It is going to be awesome, it starts at 4 and ends at 6 so don't be late! Hey, there might even be special guests, you never know!

DOWNLOAD: The Terrordactyls - Devices (w/ Kimya Dawson) (MP3)

The above song is new, but it is not on this soundtrack......

2. My Rollercoaster, (Juno Film Version) performed and written by Kimya Dawson
6. Tire Swing, performed and written by Kimya Dawson
7. Piazza, New York Catcher, performed by Belle & Sebastian
8. Loose Lips, performed and written by Kimya Dawson
9. Superstar, performed by Sonic Youth
10. Sleep (Instrumental), performed and written by Kimya Dawson
11. Expectations, performed by Belle & Sebastian
13. So Nice So Smart, performed and written by Kimya Dawson
14. Sea Of Love, performed by Cat Power
15. T15. ree Hugger, performed by Kimya Dawson and Antsy Pants
17. Anyone Else But You, performed by The Moldy Peaches
18. Vampire, performed by Antsy Pants

The movie (that I hope to see soon) is out now and stars people like Jennifer Garner and Jason Bateman. Kimya got to meet Jason at the premiere or something.....

Continue reading "Kimya Dawson on the JUNO movie soundtrack, playing NYC"

DOWNLOAD: The Maccabees - Precious Time (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Tiny Masters of Today - K.I.D.S. (MP3)

CMJ put up the initial schedule for this year's music marathon (Oct 16-20, 2007). I looked real quick and didn't see any surprises, but check it out and let me know what you find. Also, save these dates....

BrooklynVegan parties at or during CMJ 2007 in NYC

1. Tues Oct 16 - official showcase @ Bowery Ballroom (6pm - 1am) (tix)
2. Wed Oct 17 - day party @ Pianos (12pm - 6pm) (FREE) w/ Meat Puppets, Celebration & more TBA
3. Fri Oct 19 - day party @ R Bar (LES) (12pm - 8pm) (FREE) w/ Yo Majesty & more TBA
4. Sat Oct 20 - day party @ Pianos (12pm - 7pm) (FREE) w/ Tiny Masters of Today, The Maccabees & more TBA
5. Sat Oct 20 - afterparty @ 205 (LES)(10pm - 4am) (FREE) w/ King Oppression (Professor Murder) & more TBA

Go to MySpace now to listen to a song Karen O & Nick Zinner recorded with the recently-signed-and-very-young Tiny Masters of Today. See Tiny Masters of Today when they open for the Yeah Yeah Yeahs at Webster Hall on August 7th.

In related news, Yeah Yeah Yeahs' new EP Is Is is out now, and very much worth repeated listens. 'Down Boy' is streaming at their MySpace, and the title track can be heard in their new video (or just stream the whole thing this week at AOL). They've also added a few new West Coast tour dates....

Continue reading "Yeah Yeah Yeahs + Tiny Masters of Today (song & show)"

DOWNLOAD: Smoosh - Find a Way (MP3)

Martha & River Phoenix @ 1989 Acadamy Awards

The Sasquatch-playing, Pipettes-opening blonde kid-duo Smoosh from Seattle will play a show with East Coast kids bands The Tiny Masters of Today and Cear Bears on Fire at Southpaw on SunDAY (June 3). Martha Plimpton was just a kid when she was in Goonies, and she's hosting. 826NYC helps kids learn to read, and that's where all the money is going. More details below.....

Continue reading "Matha Plimpton hosts 826NYC Brooklyn benefit Sunday"