Joan as Policewoman will play shows at 8 and 10 pm at the Stone in NYC on New Years Eve. The 'Annual End The Year Improv Night' with John Zorn happens at the same venue three nights earlier. Other names on the Stone's schedule for December (curated by Jennifer Charles) include Gary Lucas, Erik Friedlander, Doveman, Alan Licht, Hal Willner's Parade (Yuka Honda & Sean Lennon), Elysian Fields, JG Thirwell, and Marc Ribot's Ceramic Dog (tonight, Sunday December 7th).

January's schedule, curated by Craig Taborn, doesn't have many names
I recognize, but February, curated by Shannon Fields of Stars Like Fleas, has Twi the Humble Feather, Tunde Adebimpe of TV on the Radio, Chris Schlarb, Diane Cluck, Jon Natchez, Kelly Pratt, Lexie Mountain Boys, Megafun, John Zorn, Ecstatic Sunshine, Sam Amidon, and Tristan Perich,

For other NYC shows on New Years Eve, browse HERE.

Joan Wasser (as Policewoman) and at least one band member also contribute to Gramercy Arms.

Marc Ribot is also playing December 9th at Blue Note and December 11th at Knitting Factory.

Photos by Ryan Muir

While millions were home watching the town hall debate betwen Barack Obama and John McCain, I was at Town Hall the venue missing it watching a variety of entertainers help raise money for 826NYC, an organization that helps educate children (Oct 7, 2008). The night went like this: Ira Glass came out and told a story. Then Thao Nguyen played two songs by herself. Zach from Rogue Wave was supposed to be with her, but he had to cancel. The Daily Show's John Oliver was the host and he was my favorite performer of the evening which was an extra bonus because he performed comedy between almost every other act.

Department of Eagles then played three songs - two of them as the core duo of Daniel and Fred and one just as Daniel. It was, as they pointed out, only their second show ever. Their first was the night before at the Bell House and was much longer, and I guess they weren't counting Conan where they only played two less songs than they did at Town Hall. Their album is out now (as they also pointed out).

Then 826NYC board president (and driver license-less) Sara Vowell pretended to be Sarah Palin unintelligently explaining what 826NYC is as 826NYC founder Dave Eggers told us what it was in an intelligent fashion. TV on the Radio's members did not perform music. Kyp Malone came out next and read a funny little story written by a kid at 826NYC and then (not counting John Oliver again) Paul Simon played four songs - three classics including "Mrs. Robinson", and one brand new song that he recently wrote and never played before. The new song felt the most special, but the old songs were definitely very great to hear from the legend in the somewhat intimate atmohsphere that is Town Hall. Paul was accompanied by one guy on guitar who also sang backup and played other instruments. You would think Paul would have played last, but I guess he wanted to get home early. After Paul came a surprise two song set by Angelique Kidjo who got the whole crowd to sing along with her and her guitar player.

And last but not least (well, maybe least), a whole group of people including TV on the Radio's Tunde Adibempe (showing off his acting side) and Parker Posey read a story about NY that was also a sorta-funny chapter from a book that was available for sale in the lobby. More pictures from the night below...

Continue reading "Revenge of The Bookeaters (Paul Simon, Department of Eagles, Thao Nguyen, Kyp Malone, etc) @ Town Hall - pics"

DOWNLOAD: Department of Eagles - No One Does it Like You (MP3)

Parker Posey, Bobby Cannavale, Tunde Adibempe & Kyp Malone (of TV on the Radio) were just added the already-impressive lineup of Paul Simon, Department of Eagles, and others playing Town Hall on October 7th. Tickets are still on sale.

Department of Eagles are also playing a (BrooklynVegan presents) show at the Bell House in Brooklyn one day earlier on October 6th which will also be their first live show unless you count Conan O'Brien where they'll be performing the song "No One Does It Like You" on Wednesday, October 1st.

You can buy DoE's album In Ear Park right now exclusively on iTunes. It goes on sale everywhere else on October 7th. I have a pair of tickets to giveaway to the Bell House show. To win, email BVCONTESTS@HOTMAIL.COM (subject: DoE). Include your first and last name. One winner will be picked at random and contacted.

Rachel Getting Married

Jonathan Demme's new movie Rachel Getting Married stars Anne Hathaway, Rosemarie DeWitt & Tunde Adebimpe (of TV On The Radio) and features Robyn performing two songs: "America" and one written for the movie, "Up to Our Nex." The film competes at the Venice Film Festival September 3rd, premieres at Toronto September 6th and opens October 3rd in New York. A screening at the London Film Festival will be announced shortly.

Robyn will be doing a short US tour in November, performing I Often Dream Of Trains with Terry Edwards on keyboards, horns, & bass and Captain Tim Keegan on guitar. They will be appearing in NYC at Symphony Space on November 22, which is being filmed by John Edginton for the Sundance Channel and DVD release on YepRoc. More dates will be announced in a couple months.

Continue reading "ROBYN HITCHCOCK performing 'I Often Dream of Trains' on tour, songs in Jonathan Demme/Tunde Adebimpe movie"

February 15-- Brooklyn Next--Black Rock Coalition: Power Douglas with Dragons of Zynth and Tunde Adebimpe & Kyp Malone (TV on the Radio)
February 16-- Brooklyn Next--JellyNYC: White Rabbits with Miss Fairchild and EFFI BRIEST
February 22-- Brooklyn Next--Soul Summit Music with Special Guests DJ Spinna and Strafe
February 23-- Brooklyn Next--Soul Summit Music with Special Guest Danil Wright
February 29-- Black Rock Coalition: Earthdriver and Swear On Your Life

Continue reading "Kyp Malone cooking dinner, playing BAM Cafe w/ Tunde "