by Bill Pearis

Wounded Lion @ Shangri La

After Wednedsay and Thursday... I spent most of Friday afternoon -- the hottest day of the fest, well into the '80s --at Sailor Jerry-sponsored East Side dive Shangri La where Chicago label Trouble in Mind was throwing a party in the back yard. Their party at Scoot Inn the year before was one of my favorites of SXSW2010 and I'd have to say the same the same of 2011. The label, run by husband and wife Bill & Lisa Roe (who are also in CoCoComa), is mostly a 7" label, releasing great singles from some of the best garage-pop artists around. Many of whom were there at Shangri La.

I got there as Seattle trio Night Beats were just starting. Never heard them before, but really dug their psych-garage sounds, and they definitely looked the part. They ended their set with a cover of The Count Five's classic "Psychotic Reaction," giving their version a little swing which made it their own. Look for Night Beats debut LP out on Trouble in Mind this summer.

While Cheap Time were playing, I noticed Lars Finberg milling about the yard...what was he doing here? The Intelligence were definitely not here, was his side-project Puberty playing and I didn't know it? No, he told me he was playing drums for L.A.'s Wounded Lion for their Austin shows. I was already looking forward to seeing WL, now even moreso.

I was getting a little antsy and decided to walk around the East Side a bit, stopping by Cheer Up Charlies where I caught a few songs by Norway's Tôg (who are in NYC as we speak) before heading back to the Trouble in Mind party to catch Nashville's The Paperhead. Looking a bit like Red Kross, the band -- all about 19 I think -- are trippier than anyone else on the bill. Their debut just came out on TiM.

Next up Wounded Lion, whose self-titled debut was one of last year's more underrated records. I think seeing them live would change naysayers opinion, they were one of the rockin'est, most fun shows of the week. Two singers: main man Brad Eberhard does the heavy lifting and guitar playing, while singer/percussionist Raffi Kalenderian is more in the Bob Nastanovich of the band, going apeshit with the tambourine and generally keeping things entertaining. There is much switching of instruments. They also let Lars Finberg take lead vocals for the Intelligence's "Turned to Puke." I really thought they'd do "Pony People," a Wounded Lion song that The Intelligence covered on Fake Surfers, but no. Great, great set.

I then Sprinted over to the BrooklynVegan party at Swan Dive for John Grant. Friday was hot and Swan Dive didn't seem to have AC or even ceiling fans and it was an oven in there, but it didn't matter. Another of my favorite shows of the week. I'd seen him play solo at Mercury Lounge, but this show was with Midlake, his backing band on last year's amazing Queen of Denmark. With the band, Grant's late-'70s leaning epics came to lush life. The drums sounded gigantic. So did Grant's voice. All that was missing was sequined clothing and glasses that made points of light look like starbursts. Highlights for me: power-ballad "Mars" and "Chicken Bones" which is some kind of sonic collision of Gordon Lightfoot and Harry Nilsson.

John Grant @ Swan Dive

continued below...

Continue reading "Bill's Week in Austin (Day 3 - Wounded Lion, John Grant, PS I Love You, TSOOL, WhoMadeWho, Wye Oak, Versus & more)"

by Bill Pearis

DOWNLOAD: WhoMadeWho - Every Minute Alone (Circle Remix) (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: WhoMadeWho - Keep Me in My Plane (MP3)

Denmark's WhoMadeWho are coming back for a visit to both NYC and Austin soon. Check out their full list of updated dates below.

They played our SXSW kickoff party last year & pretty much stole the show. I wrote then:

Looking like a cross between Sparks and Yello (at Octoberfest) and sounding like some kind of synth funk you'd hear from Bizarro World DFA Records, they were weird and awesome and won the initially-perplexed crowd over quickly.

The band have signed to Kompact who will release their new album, Knee Deep, in April. The album (they're calling it a mini-LP but at 43 minutes it seems like a long player to me) is a bit darker, and has a general paranoid vibe to it. You can download the Circle Remix of "Every Minute Alone" (Knee Deep's lead single) at the top of this post. They are seriously awesome live, don't miss them. Dates below...

Continue reading "WhoMadeWho Circle remix MP3 & updated U.S. tour dates"

WhoMadeWho at the BV pre-SXSW show at Knitting Factory (more by Chris LaPutt)

Høffding's favorite guitarists (good for the band karma)
1) Jeppe Kjellberg
2) Jimmy Page
3) George Harrison
4) Keith Richards
5) Robbie Robertson

No love for Angus Young in that list, and so far, there's no love for the West Coast in a recently revealed a batch of Whomadewho dates. The band will (again) play some pre-SXSW shows in NYC. They'll hit Santos Party House on 3/14 with Lars & The Hands Of Light and Thee Attacks, and Mercury Lounge on 3/15 with Giana Factory. Tickets are at the links (Mercury is currently on AmEx presale)

All tour dates and some videos of the wild dance rock band, below...

Continue reading "WhoMadeWho playing NYC shows before SXSW"

photos by Chris La Putt

Blood Red Shoes @ MHOW

After Chris left the BV Loft Party all the way back on Friday, October 22nd, he headed over to Music Hall of Williamsburg for the Blue Flowers-presented CMJ showcase for a lineup of mostly UK bands including Chapel Club, Everything Everything, and Blood Red Shoes (who toured North America with Sky Larkin in October). Pictures from that show are in this post.

The occasion (to post these belated pics)? SXSW has already announced an initial lineup of bands playing in Austin from March 16-20, 2011, and Chapel Club is on that list (and I wouldn't be surprised of the other 2 mentioned bands end up coming too). Also on the list: Lia Ices, Braids, Asobi Seksu, Wye Oak, Suuns, Sun Airway, A Place to Bury Strangers and more. Full list under the rest of the MHOW pictures, below...

Continue reading "Chapel Club played CMJ w/ Everything Everything & Blood Red Shoes (pics), playing SXSW 2011 (intial lineup)"

by Bill Pearis

WhoMadeWho @ Knitting Factory (more by Chris La Putt)

Denmark trio WhoMadeWho were originally supposed to go on last, almost like an afterparty to our official lineup, but when Let's Wrestle couldn't make it we moved them into their slot. Which ended up being a plus for everyone as they kind of stole the show. Looking like a cross between Sparks and Yello (at Octoberfest) and sounding like some kind of synth funk you'd hear from Bizarro World DFA Records, they were weird and awesome and won the initially-perplexed crowd over quickly. If you're going to SXSW, they're definitely a "don't miss" band.

That's what I wrote after the Brooklyn Vegan pre-SXSW party we threw at Knitting Factory back in March. That "don't miss" status remains when WhoMadeWho return to NYC with a June 28 stop at Mercury Lounge. Tickets are on sale.

The trio are over for a few North American dates, including an appearance at the Montreal Jazz Festival the night before. Since the Knitting Factory show in March, I've become a big fan of their current album, The Plot, full of slinky funk and glammy rock not unlike a Danish, DFA version of the Scissor Sisters. Take a minute to watch their excellent video for "Keep Me in My Plane" which is at the bottom of this post.

You should also watch the video for singer Tomas Høffding's  first solo single, "Mother," which he recorded under the name Bon Homme. It's especially funny if you pay attention to music video directors/indie cinema. Both videos were made by Good Boy Creative. Høffding's solo album was released in Denmark two weeks ago... maybe he'll have copies at the merch table?

All North American tour dates for WhoMadeWho and those videos are below.

Continue reading "WhoMadeWho returning this summer - 2010 dates & videos"

photos by Chris La Putt, words by Bill Pearis

WhoMadeWho/The Wave Pictures

Last night (3/15) was the Brooklyn Vegan Pre-SXSW party at Knitting Factory which was a whole lot of fun with four great bands and free PBR. The night started with Banjo or Freakout which on recordings is basically one guy making tripped-out pysch on his laptop. Honestly, I was a little worried we might get something similar onstage. But this was Banjo or Freakout the rock band, a four-piece, still sounding like Spacemen 3 but the very loud and rocking version of that band. With a proper light show these guys could be a knockout.

Next up were the Wave Pictures who I'm pretty sure charmed everyone in the room. Singer David Tattersal, in addition to being a hell of a songwriter and pretty fierce guitarist, is a very funny guy. His between-song stories were just as entertaining and the music. At one point he accidentally unplugged his guitar mid-solo, but he hilariously covered the gaff made for one of the more memorable moments of the evening. The Wave Pictures play the BV day party in Austin on Friday, March 20 at Club Deville (5:30 set time) and will be back in New York  on March 28 at Mercury Lounge.

Denmark trio WhoMadeWho were originally supposed to go on last, almost like an afterparty to our official lineup, but when Let's Wrestle couldn't make it we moved them into their slot. Which ended up being a plus for everyone as they kind of stole the show. Looking like a cross between Sparks and Yello (at Octoberfest) and sounding like some kind of synth funk you'd hear from Bizarro World DFA Records, they were weird and awesome and won the initially-perplexed crowd over quickly. If you're going to SXSW, they're definitely a "don't miss" band.

I wouldn't want to have to follow WhoMadeWho, but Casiokids' craft fair dancepop -- full of cheap keyboards, cowbell, woodblock and a pineapple shaker -- did just fine. Opening with "Togens Hule," their set started slow but built steadily and had the crowd dancing by the one-two punch finish of of their double a-side "Verdens Storste Land" and "Fot I Hose." The latter was especially impressive as by the end of the song, every band member was playing a different instrument and the beat never stopped. It's tough not to smile while watching these guys.

I spent a lot of the night in the sound booth, DJing in-between sets which was a blast (for me, at least), especially on a really nice sound system like Knitting Factory's. Hope everyone who came had fun too. Now it's time to pack for Austin. Hope to see some of you there.

More pictures from the night below...

Continue reading "The Wave Pictures, WhoMadeWho, Casiokids & Banjo or Freakout played our pre-SXSW show @ Knitting Factory - pics"

Super frustrating - we just got word that Let's Wrestle are no longer making it to the United States today (they didn't get their visas in time, but will still make it to SXSW). I'm really sorry about this. We do have free PBR from 7-9 though and are working on a replacement. Maybe The Smirking Worm is still in town. :/
(stay tuned) (and tickets are still on sale)

UPDATE: WhoMadeWho on at 10 instead of midnight. No more bands being added.

DOWNLOAD: Whomadewho's 2008-09 New Year's Eve Party Mix (MP3)

WhoMadeWho @ Mercury Lounge (CMJ 2008) (more by Gabi Porter)

[On February 26th, 2010] we had a blast at the Copenhagen Jazzhouse! Jean von Baden invited us to a great setup with live performances by weird drummer/performer Kalles World Tour and the ultra cool Danish band WhoMadeWho.

After the warmup by Kalle and his crazy stage show WhoMadeWho gave a terrific performance playing great tracks and a few covers, Satisfaction by Benny Benassi among others. Their energy was fantastic and the stage performance was great! A big up to Jean von Baden for bringing the trio to Jazzhouse! [Hejven.se]

A video from that recent show, and other WhoMadeWho videos are below.

And in the spirit of SXSW, we've added yet another band to our pre-SXSW NYC show at Knitting Factory on March 15th. And the set times are:

BrooklynVegan presents a pre-SXSW show in NYC
March 15, 2010 @ Knitting Factory in Brooklyn
08:00 Banjo or Freakout (UK)
09:00 The Wave Pictures (UK)
10:00 Let's Wrestle (UK)
11:00 Casiokids (Norway)
12:00 (midnight) WhoMadeWho (Denmark)
+ DJing by Bill Pearis all night long

Screw work! We've added a midnight set by a Danish disco punk band to our Monday night show, and the price remains the same. $8.00 tickets are still on sale (they'll cost you $10 at the door).

After NYC WhoMadeWho make their way to Austin to play the Windish showcase Friday night, March 19th, at Emo's, and Do512's "The Big One 2010" party on March 20th. The full lineup for that party, all dates and some videos below...

Continue reading "WhoMadeWho added to our Brooklyn show, playing SXSW"

DOWNLOAD: Casiokids - Fot I Hose (Axemax Remix) (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Kittens Ablaze - Gloom Doom Buttercups (MP3)

Casiokids @ On the Side @ the Seaport (more by Kyle Dean Reinford)

One of our favorite bands from CMJ is coming back to the United States in March. Norway's Casiokids will play two shows in NYC before they head to Austin to play a bunch of shows at SXSW. The NYC shows are March 17th at the Annex with BM Linx, and one day earlier at The Bell House with fellow Norwegians The New Wine, NYC's Anamanaguchi, and NYC's Kittens Ablaze. Tickets for the Brooklyn show are on sale.

Norway's annual by:Larm music conference went down in Oslo this past weekend. Billboard reports:

In total, 280 bands participated in over 500 concerts (a substantial increase from 2008's 350), with several more playing unofficial by:Larm shows in fringe venues during the event. Attendance was strong from the international delegate fraternity as well as local residents, amounting to an approximate total audience of 25,000, according to organizers.

Some of the hot tips packing out venues were recent Universal Music Norway signing Harry's Gym, Icelandic outfit Hjaltalin, Norwegian-language group Casiokids and the Whitest Boy Alive, an electronic act featuring Erlend Øye of Norwegian indie-folk duo Kings Of Convenience. Danish electro group WhoMadeWho headlined the Saturday night main tent finale.

Moshi Moshi is releasing a new Casiokids single on March 2nd. One of the songs on that is the instrumental "Fot I Hose". A remix of that song above, and its new official video, and all tour dates, are below...

Continue reading "Casiokids - NYC & SXSW dates, by:Larm + new video, remix"

DOWNLOAD: Move D Live in New York (Mediafire MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Romanthony - Away From U (YouSendIt MP3)

Hopefully you made it dancing through to today and didn't let the cold stop you from getting down. Stay warm and keep moving - there are plenty of dance-worthy reasons to brave the cold this Saturday (1/17) and next week too...

Continue reading "the week in Dance w/ Showtrotta "

DOWNLOAD: MUNK & The Disco Devils Mixtape (zSHARE MP3)
DOWNLOAD: TELONIUS Rome Oct 08 Mixtape (zSHARE MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Whomadewho's 2008-09 New Year's Eve Party Mix (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Gomma Dance Tracks Compilation Vol. 1 medley (ZIP)
DOWNLOAD: SebastiAn - Momy (Erol Alkan's Murrr/O/Durrr Re-Edit) (ZIP)
DOWNLOAD: Circlesquare - Untitled (For Christmas) (ZIP)
DOWNLOAD: The Rub 2008 Part 1 (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: The Rub 2008 Part 2 (MP3)

It's the first dance post of '09 and regrettably, I have not been out dancing much since the Scion party with Fake Blood, Lifelike, and Franki Chan on December 16th, but next week there will be a review of a great New Years Eve spent with Sinden and Jokers of the Scene (among others) at the soon to be closed Studio B. In the meantime, here are a few great ways to dance straight into 2009....

Continue reading "the week in Dance w/ Showtrotta"

photos by Gabi Porter

WhoMadeWho

Denmark's crazy costume-wearing WhoMadeWho, the UK's Fujiya & Miyagi (who also played a CMJ show at Webster Hall with Crystal Castles), and Chicago's Walter Meego (who just got done playing some shows with Ra Ra Riot) helped represent the 'dance' portion of CMJ Wednesday night at Mercury Lounge (10/22). Tobacco was also on the bill. Sebastien Grainger played that night at the same venue too.

Showtrotta will have more to say about this show later. In the meantime, more pictures below...

Continue reading "WhoMadeWho, Fujiya & Miyagi, and Walter Meego @ Mercury Lounge (CMJ), NYC - pics"