by Andrew Frisicano

DOWNLOAD: Modeselektor - The White Flash (Ft. Thom Yorke) (MP3)

Moderat

Last week Squarepusher made me really happy. He is the king of electronic music for me....And Mr. Squarepusher is so gorgeous! And fat sound! I was thinking about our sick military world, the omnipresent consumption, the insanity of humanity.. But out of this, I started becoming creative. I got ideas for my new project BE, colors and designs for ellen allien fashion where whirling through my head. Music enables my creativity and brings charm into my life. In the last months I spent too much time with pushing my label BPitch Control, instead of doing music. But now the path is ready for doing music on my own, finally. :)

See you on the dance floor. :) -[Ellen Allien on her site]

Ellen Allien toured with Modeselektor in '08 (w/ a Studio B-turned Highline Ballroom date), and collaborated with Apparat on the Orchestra of Bubbles LP in 2006. Modeselektor was last here in January when they played Bowery Ballroom.

The Moderat LP was to feature a guest spot by L.A. rapper Busdriver on the song "BeatsWaySick," but, the press release says, "due to legal issues at the time of manufacturing, [the track] will be released as an exclusive download in the near future." Busdriver is playing SXSW on Thursday, March 19 at The Independent and Friday, March 20 at Back Alley Social, with other Austin dates below.

Ellen Allien's "10 Years of BPitch" tour is set to next visit NYC on Friday, March 27th at Studio B where she'll share a bill with Thomas Muller and Gui Boratto). The night is presented by FIXED, the parties-hosting team of JDH (Josh Houtkin) and Dave P (David Pianka). Tickets are available for the show, with the option to buy a 3-day package that includes March 26th's Ladyhawke with Heartsrevolution show and March 28th's The Twelves & Yuksek (dj set) gig, both also at Studio B.

The three-day ticket and 10-years-of-Bpitch also coincide with FIXED's fourth birthday.

The FIXED party was conceptualized around 2003 after JDH took the amazing 2ManyDJ lads to one of Dave P's Making Time parties in Philadelphia. After JDH and Dave realized that they were spinning the same events together and both had mutual admiration for the music they were DJing out at parties, the idea for FIXED was born.

"We just seemed to play a lot together as we liked similar music," admits JDH. "We started booking gigs around the US, Canada and Europe, and we would both go, and they would end up saying, 'Well, why don't we just book you two together as DJs?' and that's pretty much how we play now... as one set."

Establishing their first home base at the Tribeca Grand Hotel, FIXED went on to host a number of legendary and groundbreaking performances from a number of critically-acclaimed acts, including 2ManyDJs, Hot Chip, The Rapture, Mylo, and Erol Alkan.

"We always say that our biggest influence for FIXED was the Trash party [UK DJ Erol Alkan's legendary weekly party], which sadly, doesn't go on anymore," says JDH. "We wanted to do a big club night for the average person who likes good music."

The venue has now re-opened under new management, and [JDH and Dave P] will be expanding their vision of exciting music bookings, while also revitalizing New York's nightlife scene with a top-notch and diverse team of live music bookers and promoters. Starting this March, expect a fresh mix of dance music, hip-hop parties, live shows, curated special events, and more.

Continue reading "Ellen Allien (BPitch) releasing Moderat (sans Busdriver) - both touring, playing NYC + FIXED is four, STUDIO B is open"

"Marissa Nadler played the last live concert in Sound Fix Lounge on Saturday -- or did she?

Owner James Bradley vowed to keep putting on shows, despite losing his liquor license last month.

"It is my fervent hope and desire to continue the tradition of live music in Williamsburg," said Bradley, who plans to have an event on Record Store Day on April 18, and to host weekly performances.

Sound Fix Lounge, on North 11th Street, just west of Bedford Avenue, had its license expire at the end of February following noise complaints under the former owner.

But Bradley hasn't given up on shows entirely, though he admitted that coaxing patrons to live music would be difficult without alcohol.

"The two seem to go hand-in-hand," he said.
[Brooklyn Paper]

Marissa Nadler also played in a church on Friday.

Video from Marissa's show at Sound Fix, below...

Continue reading "Sound Fix Records hopes to still have live performnances"

DOWNLOAD: Marissa Nadler - River of Dirt (MP3)

Marissa Nadler in Brest, France, May 17 2008 by Nicolas Ollier

SOUNDFIX SOUND FIX FAQ

Q: What's the price of admission at your in-stores? How can I get tickets?
A: Our in-stores are free to the public and seating is general admission.

Q: Where do the bands play?
A: In the Sound Fix Lounge, behind the record store.

Q: What time should I show up?
A: Please don't call and ask us this. We don't know. Every show is different. Sometimes people show up an hour early to get a good spot, sometimes the place is empty a half hour before showtime. If you really love the band and want a good spot, get here early. That's all we can say.

Q: Is Sound Fix one word or two?
A: Two words! Please do not spell it "Soundfix." It really drives me crazy.

...

Q: Can my band come play at your space?
A: Unlikely. But it can't hurt to ask.

...

Q: Where is Beacon's Closet?
A: A block and a half from the store, down N. 11th St. Please stop asking.

Q: What's the greatest album of all time?
A: Depending on my mood, Neil Young's Tonight's the Night or the Who's Sellout

Marissa Nadler will be the final performer at the Brooklyn venue. It's one day after her show at Greenpoint's Lutheran Church, and a few days before the one she's playing at Joe's Pub.

Some Sound Fix video memories, below...

Continue reading "Marissa Nadler is playing the final Sound Fix instore "

Last night on Kent Ave (Photos by i'mjustsayin.)

"Around 1:30 a.m. alerts came in about a "fire in a factory/restaurant" on Kent Avenue (map) in Williamsburg. Word is coming in now that the "early morning fire gutted a landmark Northside diner, causing damage to an adjacent arts collective at Kent Avenue and Metropolitan." The establishment suffering extensive damages is the former Miss Williamsburg Diner (more recently 718), with the two-story building next door getting less scathed.

While the diner may be a long time fixture in the neighborhood (even making a cameo in Charlie Kaufman's Synechdoche, New York), the neighboring building known as "Monster Island" has recently drawn crowds through promoter Todd P. It also houses the Live With Animals and Secret Project Robot galleries, Mollusk surf shop, and possibly some band practice spaces". [Gothamist]

Todd P, shortly after I posted, added the good news that "through a stroke of very good luck, Monster Island survived this fire unscathed. Thanks everyone, especially the FDNY, for your help and your concerns!" He also told me that the damage was even just limited to a kicked in door and a broken window.

The Brooklyn music gods aren't happy right now. Just yesterday came the news that Sound Fix is closing their bar and stage.

Luna Lounge, Brooklyn, 12 March 2007 (sweetsycophant)

Hey friends of Luna,

Many people have written me asking about Luna Lounge. Basically, what happened is that when I opened the new club in Williamsburg, I was unable to get enough shows on a regular basis. When the Knitting Factory expressed an interest in working out an arrangement with me I decided to accommodate their interest.

I still own the name Luna Lounge (with my old partner, Dianne) and am interested in finding another space in which to work with bands. If I find an appropriate location, you guys will be the first to know.

In the meantime, I will soon be opening a new bar called The Satellite Lounge on Havemeyer Street in Williamsburg. My good friend, Dave Ellis is my new partner.

The Satellite Lounge will hold about 60-75 people. You'll be able to hear plenty of current indie rock as well as lots of favorite older stuff from many of the previous music scenes from the last twenty years. It will not have 'live' music... We will be doing CD listening parties, birthday events, and be open seven days per week.

2008 was a tough one. Let's make the new year more enjoyable.
I'll let you know when we have an opening date in the next few weeks.

Best wishes,
Rob Sacher
Luna Lounge
Satellite Lounge

words and photos by Ryan Muir

DOWNLOAD: Department of Eagles - Balmy Night (live @ the Bell House) (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Inlets - Pictures of Trees (MP3)

Inlets

Last Saturday, December 13th, I found myself at an intimate loft party in Williamsburg to see Sebastian Krueger's sad-pop song writing project, Inlets. The show was a pretty low key affair. People sitting on the center-of-the-room-staircase made the place seem full and active, but i'd be surprised if there were as many as 100 people there. The bartender was friendly and served complimentary beer and wine. Everybody seemed conversational and friendly and space didnt seem to be that much of an issue.

Fred Nicolaus of Department of Eagles played only a couple of songs (including one Dept of Eagles song), and Angel Deradoorian of Dirty Projectors also played a short set. It seemed to take a long time for the third band Glass Ghost to get set up and then I didn't really enjoy their set as much as the people around me seemed to.

Inlets was a very nice professional step up in sound and presence. The arrangements at times were very full and accomplished, but also sounded appropriately sparse as well-- in some songs band members would drop out completely as the set went on.

Favorite moments were the toy piano melodies on one of the later songs, and when Beirut's Zach Condon watched from the upper balcony and joined on trumpet for the last song of the evening. Overall a pleasant and mellow show that was well-suited to the well-manicured loft space.

Zach Condon

Beirut has three Brooklyn shows coming up. Department of Eagles are touring in January. Dirty Projectors are playing New Years Eve at Knitting Factory. More pictures from the loft party below...

Continue reading "Inlets (w/ Zach Condon), Fred Nicolaus, Deradoorian & Glass Ghost @ Whisk and Ladle (a loft party), NYC - pics"

"Not much information is available yet, but the unfortunately named The Cameo "is a venue in the heart of Williamsburg that functions as a visual art gallery by day, and a music venue by night. A cross between Pianos and the Mercury Lounge, the Cameo is booking some of New York and Brooklyn's most promising musical talent. With several bands per night, the rich sound and provocative wall art create a sensory experience not to be missed. Attached to N. 6th Street's Lovin Cup Cafe, the building offers a prime destination spot. Catch a show in the back Cameo space, and enjoy a late night burger served up at the Lovin Cup."

The space will be 150-capacity with 30-foot ceilings, and we've [Gothamist] heard some promising things about the sound and atmosphere. Hopefully it'll be able to last on the sonically saturated stretch of the street (The Music Hall of Williamsburg and Public Assembly are nearby). Doesn't look like the space will be ready until early '09, so stay tuned..." [Gothamist]

What is a hipster, but a flapper, or something...

Continue reading "a Black20 News report on the word "hipster" (video)"

photos by Ryan Muir

Ryan got off the Bedford L stop at North 7th St. in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn last night around 1 AM. The sidewalks and streets were filled with people celebrating Obama's win. At one point the cops decided they needed to clear the street out a little, possibly so a garbage truck could get through. One reader wrote into Gothamist...

We were trying to get onto the sidewalk, as requested but hard to do when it is packed. The police pushed my boyfriend because he wasn't moving fast enough and when he spoke back to them the incident escalated.

He was basically thrown to the ground, hit with billy clubs and then arrested for disorderly conduct, resisting arrest & obstructing governmental administration. Others who got arrested were only given a summons, however a police officer hurt himself while arresting my boyfriend. That is why he is still in central booking in Brooklyn.

Continue reading "Obama revelers party in Williamsburg, clash w/ police on Bedford (some pictures from last night in Brooklyn)"

Brooklyn Bowl owners Charley Ryan & Peter Shapiro

...Set to open "before the end of the year, hopefully by the fall" says Shapiro, [Brooklyn Bowl] will be at 61 Wythe Ave. in Williamsburg, behind Brooklyn Brewery, and two blocks from The Gutter, in an 1880s ironworks foundry....

...In addition to the 600-capacity music venue and the lanes, Shapiro said there will be a "major food component" -- one he wasn't at liberty to disclose just yet, but -- hint, hint -- it's a respected restaurant with one foot in Brooklyn already.

As for the music, Peter Shapiro wants to keep the vibe of Wetlands alive in the new space, but the music, booked by Mia Sladyk, who's worked with Bowery Presents, will be much more eclectic -- rock, electronic, singer/songwriter, jazz -- than the jam-band-heavy lineup at Wetlands. (Though Shapiro believes that was more perception than reality. He points out that Wetlands booked everyone from Pearl Jam to Oasis to Rage Against the Machine back in the day, and I myself remember seeing David Gray -- before he became so lame -- playing folk.)... [Gowanus Lounge]

Public Assembly & Music Hall of Williamsburg (cred)

According to Gothamist, the new owners of the Williamsburg space that held Galapagos have decided upon a name. That name is Public Assembly. It is not clear whether or not someone actually won the contest though.

...But when we hop on the phone Adele sounds pretty chipper for someone who's at the tail end of a grueling U.S. tour promoting 19, her stunning debut. She's been keeping busy off stage as well, apartment hunting in Williamsburg (where she plans to pen her sophomore follow-up) and sitting in the rain in Central Park to check out Vampire Weekend's free performance (according to Adele, people in the crowd started stripping). That's a lot of running around for a girl who is quick to admit that she doesn't even like walking all that much. (Admittedly, her single "Chasing Pavement" tells a much different story.
[Gen Art Pulse]

Continue reading "Adele is moving to Brooklyn (and played Highline Ballroom, The Today Show and saw Vampire Weekend)"

====> SUNDAY 6/15 @ OLIVA'S REFRIGERATION <====

--IMPORTANT--> pls respect Olivo's store and do not stand on, tag, orotherwise damage his stock of used refrigerators and appliances. Olivo is a struggling small businessman - this store & those refrigerators are all he's got. Please exercise RESPECT

|| Boyfriends
|||| Other Passengers
|||||| Golden Error

378 Bedford Ave @ S 5th St | Williamsburg, Brooklyn L-Bedford, JM-Marcy, G-Metropolitan | 8pm | all ages | $tba
[Todd P]

'Williamsburg Street Performance' - May 25, 2008 (tommylane)

"Kids growing up in Williamsburg and neighboring Bushwick have the highest chance in the city that one of their parents is obese." [Daily News]

or something like that....

The All-For-Nots @ The Annex, NYC - April 9, 2008 (Christian Hansen/NY Times)

So who comes to the real performance of a fake indie band? Imaginary fans? Hired extras? True friends of the fictional band members?

On Wednesday night, City Room went down to The Annex on the Lower East Side and scoped out the performance of the All-For-Not, a spoof of an indie Williamsburg band that is the center of a new Web series backed by former Disney chief executive Michael Eisner. This was the band's first performance in New York since the series debuted last month. (They had an earlier performance at the Mercury Lounge back in December, an impressive debut venue for any band, real or fake). The conceit of the Web series, introduced in the first episode, is that a documentary crew is following the band around on tour. In other words, faux-reality television. [NY Times]

somewhere in Bushwick, Brooklyn, NY (Incandenza)

Park Slope ranks the No. 1 most creative neighborhood in the borough with 3,500 independently employed designers and independent artists in residence. Williamsburg comes in No. 2 with a little less than 3,000 "self-employed creatives," followed by Brooklyn Heights (around 2,600), and BoCoCa (around 1,700). Red Hook and Prospect Heights tied for fifth place with 1,600 each.

The majority of self-employed creatives in each neighborhood are classified as "independent artists" and earn an average of $20,000 per year according to SEC filings--a figure that reflects substantial underreporting. [The New York Observer] (via)

I present to you two lame videos by confused "artists" - both using lame stereotypes. The first song is supposed to be about "emo bitches", and the second one was.... performed by some....

Continue reading "Emo Bitches vs. Williamsburg"

I didn't get to the Indian Larry memorial until about 7pm. It was already dark out and ending soon. Nonetheless, it was an impressive tribute to an impressive man.

N 14th st, the location of Larry's garage/shop, was closed off. There was a stage & bbq outside and beer inside the shop. Here are some pictures.

Indian Larry RIP.

Continue reading "Indian Larry Memorial Block Party - pics"