Below you'll find a preview of this year's New Yorker Festival schedule. Tickets will go on sale at 12 noon E.T. on Friday, September 9th.

Continue reading "New Yorker Festival 2011 schedule (St. Vincent, The National, Galifianakis, Aziz Ansari, Scissor Sisters & more)"

today in NYC
* Whiplash @ UCB
* Chicha Libre @ Barbes
* Son of a Gun @ Joe's Pub
* The Lonely Island @ Apple Store SoHo
* Ulysses S. Grant @ The Living Room
* Josh Roseman Water Surgeons @ Barbes
* Hot Tub with Kurt and Kristen @ Littlefield
* The Features, Backwords @ Mercury Lounge
* Jim Campilongo Electric Trio @ The Living Room
* Kinky Friedman, Mary McBride @ Highline Ballroom
* Karl Berger's Stone Workshop Orchestra @ The Stone
* Corridors, Bow Ribbons, Greenpot Bluepot @ Zebulon
* Yael Naim & David Donatien, Anath @ Le Poisson Rouge
* Sherlock's Daughter, New Moods, Slowdance @ Knitting Factory
* J-Roddy Walston & The Business, These United States @ Brooklyn Bowl
* Freak Owls, Murder Mystery, Ravens & Chimes, Secret Gordon @ Rock Shop (free)
* Small Beast w/ Craig Casey & The Fresh Juice Party, Burnt Rome, Val Opielski @ The Delancey
* John Maus, Gary War, Holy Shit, DJ International Tapes, DJ Weird Magic @ Glasslands

You can see New Moods at Knitting Factory tonight for free.

You can see Ravens & Chimes @ The Rock Shop tonight for free.

Eugene Mirman's special musical guest at Union Hall last night was Evan Dando. His special comedy guest last night was Zach Galifianakis. Eugene Mirman appears at Whiplash at UCB tonight. So does Colin Quinn.

The Lonely Island appears at the Apple Store SoHo tonight for free. Their new video for "Jack Sparrow" featuring Michael Bolton, off their new/second record Turtleneck & Chain which is out Tuesday, below....

What else?

Continue reading "What's going on Monday?"

"I'm in Austin TX! You know how I know that? Live music in the airport! #AndASignThatSaysAustin #SXSW" - Doug Benson

"Never realized how much I dislike music until hanging out in Austin, Texas during #sxsw" - Michael Ian Black

Tig Notaro at a BV party in 2010 (more by Tim Griffin)

Music is not the only thing will seem light in NYC next week, as many names in the comedy world are headed to Austin for SXSW as well. Scott Aukerman, Matt Bearden, Doug Benson, Michael Ian Black, Kurt Braunohler, Rob Cantrell, Chris Cubas, Joe Derosa, Chris Fairbanks, Dave Foley, Jena Friedman, Brett Gelman, Donald Glover, Chris Hardwick, Pete Holmes, Anthony Jeselnik, Howard Kremer, Ben Kronberg, Tom Lennon, Darryl Lenox, Al Madrigal, Marc Maron, Doug Mellard, Eugene Mirman, Kumail Nanjiani, Tig Notaro, John Oliver, Chelsea Peretti, Kevin Pollak, Amy Schumer, Brody Stevens, Bryson Turner, Brendon Walsh, Glenn Wool, and Hampton Yountare are among those that SXSW lists as officially being there. Esther's Follie's is the venue where much of it goes down.

Tig Notaro, who performed at a BrooklynVegan Austin event in 2010, returns this year with a few more items on her resume. Not only does she have a Sarah Silverman-produced "new comedy variety show for the Logo Network" to promote, but she has reportedly joined the Secretly Canadian/Jagjaguwar/Dead Oceans family whose official showcase she'll be MCing. She's also on the lineup of Sasquatch this year, and recently shared a bill with Jens Lekman in LA.

Brody Stevens & Zach Galifianakis

You might know LA's Brody Stevens from Due Date or The Hangover (and the Hangover 2 when it comes out). You may have seen him hanging out with his friend and co-star Zach Galifianakis, possibly on a scooter, or maybe in the audience of Saturday Night Live last night. Maybe you follow him on Twitter (like @BVComedy does) (follow @BVcomedy too!).

Brody and Tig (and Mirman and others) perform at Esther's Follie's on Friday, March 18th at 9:30pm, and I'm excited to announce that Brody will also host and tell jokes at the BrooklynVegan Day Party at Barbarella from noon-6pm on Thursday, March 17th! Full lineup TBA momentarily!

Workaholics

Comedy Central will also have a presence down at SXSW, most notably with the cast of their new TV show Workaholics which premieres on the station on April 6th. To quote their press release:

"Graduating from college and entering the real world isn't easy, especially for three unmotivated roommates. The new Comedy Central comedy Workaholics is a look at post graduates as they hilariously cope with working in the real world. Think Office Space if it were a stoner comedy.

Starring Mail Order Comedy's Blake Anderson, Anders Holm, and Adam DeVine, and with former Scrubs executive producer Kevin Etten at the helm, Workaholics is a scripted series that follows three friends fresh out of college who live and work together as telemarketers. Dress codes, deadlines, and waking up before noon isn't something these guys are used to.

They spend their days scheming together to avoid doing any real work and their nights looking for good times."

You can also catch the Workaholics guys at Esther's Follies from 4-6pm on 3/17, and at Vice's Closing Night Pre-Party @ Starr Building on 3/9 from 10:30pm-12am. Check out some Workaholics previews, and Brody Stevens videos, below...

Continue reading "comedy @ SXSW (Workaholics, Tig Notaro & Brody Stevens)"

by Klaus Kinski

Did you know that The Benson Interruption was picked-up by Comedy Central for 6 half-hour episodes? It premiered on Thursday, October 28 at Midnight (or it hasn't premiered yet if you believe Comedy Central's website), and although I didn't see it, I have seen the live show and cannot begin to accurately describe how funny it is. Essentially, Doug sits on stage (or in the front row) and interrupts awesome comedians as they try to get through their bits. It isn't heckling. It's more like DVD audio commentary that the actors can actually hear and react to. If you're in LA, then you might like to know that The Benson Interruption is taping in your town on November 4th (8:00pm) and November 15th (7:30pm, 9:30pm). Sign up for your chance to be in the audience! I know I would if I was in LA.

On a related note: Personally, I don't smoke weed. I have, and it's ok, but it's just not my bag. I'm a drinker. I am not against weed, however. I've done it, most of my friends do it, and I'd bet dollars to donuts I have family that have done it. For two years I lived with one of the most habitual pot smokers I've ever known. If anything, I think legalizing it could close some weeping gaps in America's hilarious federal deficit; a deficit that's getting so big that we may actually see a new number invented in our lifetime. That'd be awesome. Also, weed is at the source of so many preposterous incarcerations, fines, and expensive legal battles that I think decriminalizing it would benefit Americans of every financial strata and allow the pigs in charge to pursue real criminals.

The worst thing about weed? Weed Culture. Bongs are ugly. Pipes are ugly. The more ornate the glass, the more it looks like Henry Hill's mistress' apartment in Goodfellas. The 420 motif is beyond arbitrary. The clothes the culture generates could ONLY be worn by people who a baked out of their gourds. And the posters. Good grief. The posters. When I hear the word "pot head" my mind simultaneously conjures up two different images of a pot smoker. The first is that of a burrito selling hippy with a lot of baggy corduroy and bright colored shirts and accouterments bouncing around devil sticks and noodle dancing. "Wanna get a hack?" The other pot head archetype my mind conjures up (editor's note: The opinions expressed by Klaus Kinski's mind are not necessarily the opinions of other BrooklynVegan.com minds) the brooding, small town dude who loves Korn, wears oversized black hoodies, baggy dark shorts, and clunky shoes 365 days a year. Pride bothers me. Pride in something as stupid as smoking pot is laughable. Pot smokers are the only people who should follow a don't ask don't tell policy.

"Jesus Klaus. Do you have a point here or are you just using BV as a pulpit for your kind of irrational and basically irrelevant thoughts on weed?" I know, right? But I do have a point. And that is to tell you that the ONLY good thing to come out of weed culture, The Marijuana-Logues, will be hitting The Gramercy Theater at 4:20pm on Saturday December 18th (3:30pm doors). I haven't seen the Marijuana-logues in many years, but the last time I saw the show I laughed like a man under the influence of some serious Big Buddah Cheese brah. What are the Marijuana-Logues? Simply put, it is three men, one stage, many many many stories about marijuana. The line up for the 12/18 show will feature comedians Doug Benson (of the Benson Interruption), Rob Cantrell, and Tony Camin, all of whom a absolutely hilarious. Tickets went on sale on October 15th and are still available, so GET YOURS. Pot heads, straight edges, and squares alike will enjoy the living crud out of this show.

Video of Zach Galifianakis smoking a joint on a recent episode of of Bill Maher's Show, below...

Continue reading "Doug Benson is on TV, Marijuana-Logues coming to a theater"

Hot Chip @ Highline Ballroom in Feb (more by Vincent Cornelli)

tonight in NYC
* Lesley Gore @ Joe's Pub
* Hot Chip, The xx @ Terminal 5
* Questlove (DJ) @ Brooklyn Bowl
* Dosh, White Hinterland @ Union Hall
* Fixed w/ Javelin @ Santos Party House
* Quasi, Let's Wrestle, Blair @ Bowery Ballroom
* Harlem, Girls At Dawn (early) @ Mercury Lounge
* Owen Pallett, Extra Life, The Luyas @ Webster Hall
* Ribbons, Literature, NT, Brian, The Hairs @ Bruar Falls
* Jonathan Moritz trio, Leo Carrillo, Baby Copperhead @ Zebulon
* The Wayward, Vaz, Pfisters, Twin Stumps @ The Charleston
* Chris Brokaw & Geoff Farina @ Knitting Factory Front Bar
* The Church (30th anniversary acoustic show) @ City Winery
* Municipal Waste, Toxic Holocaust @ Knitting Factory Brooklyn
* Adult Themes, Stethoscopes, Lost Boy, Liquor Store @ Coco 66
* We Are Country Mice, Thomas Function, White Wires @ Cake Shop
* The Morning Benders, Miniature Tigers (late) @ Mercury Lounge
* Jamie & Romy xx (DJ), Finger on the Pulse @ (le) Poisson Rouge
* Diehard, Ghost Ghost, Cat Tent, Digit Dealer, Beacon @ Matchless
* Pterodactyl, Weekends, X-Ray Eyeballs, Coasting, Birthdays @ Don Pedro
* Gang Gang Dance, Light Asylum, Prince Rama @ Music Hall of Williamsburg
* MATA Festival w/ L'Arsenale and Argento Chamber Ensemble @ (Le) Poisson Rouge
* Hussle Club, My Gold Mask, Rafter, C-mon & Kypski, DJ Free Magic @ Public Assembly Loft
* Nude Beach, Supergoose, Hair Rocket, Bananas Symphony, Hermit Thrushes, Hosannas, Doomstar @ Glasslands

Los Campesinos' show at Irving Plaza that was to happen tonight has been moved to Monday, April 26th.

The Crystal Stilts/1990s/Tanks Amigo show at The Bell House won't happen tonight either. That's been moved to April 30th.

Gorillaz are on Colbert tonight.

Broken Social Scene are on Letterman.

The Luyas continued their NYC run by opening for Owen Pallett at Webster Hall tonight.

Gang Gang Dance headline Music Hall tonight then open for Hot Chip at Terminal 5 tomorrow.

The xx open for Hot Chip at Terminal 5 tonight and then DJ at Le Poisson Rouge.

There's a Toxic Holocaust afterparty at the Charleston tonight. Earlier in the evening they play Knitting Factory with Municipal Waste.

Earlier and in the front room at Knitting Factory is a free show.

Tonight's Morning Benders show at Mercury Lounge is the first of many in the area that the band have scheduled.

What else?

Continue reading "What's going on Thursday? (Earth Day)"

an old photo of Voivod

Titus Andronicus @ Mercury Lounge on New Years Eve (more by Zach Stern)

tonight in NYC
* Soulive @ Brooklyn Bowl
* The Silent League @ Sycamore
* Marky Ramone (DJ) @ The Frying Pan
* Sondre Lerche @ (early) Maxwell's
* Naam, Liturgy, Tournament @ Union Pool
* Jay-Z, Young Jeezy, Trey Songz @ Izod Center
* Amniotic, Twin Sister, Jersey Band @ Coco 66
* Ben Sollee & Daniel Martin Moore @ Joe's Pub
* Pierced Arrows, Lullabye Arkestra @ (late) Maxwell's
* The Death Set, The So So Glos, Sweet Bulbs @ Bruar Falls
* Title Tracks, Pretty & Nice, Gary B & Notions @ Union Hall
* Kreator, Voivod, Nachtmystium @ Nokia Theatre Times Square
* Backslider, Chainsaw To The Face, The Communion @ ABC No Rio
* Vinicio Capossela, Marc Ribot, Frank London @ (Le) Poisson Rouge
* Tall Firs, Arms, We Are Country Mice, Dragon Turtle @ Glasslands
* Backslider, Chainsaw To The Face, Unmen, Bloodkitt @ Rock Star Bar
* High Teen Boogie, Little Victory, Edie Sedgwick @ (late) Cake Shop
* RJD2, Break Science, Happy Chichester @ Music Hall of Williamsburg
* Evan Dando, The Candles, Blair 9:30, The Naked Hearts @ Mercury Lounge
* Blacklisted, Gods & Queens, Tiger Flowers, Chambers @ (early) Cake Shop
* Pet Ghost Project, Akudama, Monogold, Papa, Teenage Prayers @ Spike Hill
* Titus Andronicus, Parts and Labor, Babies, Cloud Nothings @ Bowery Ballroom
* Alex Bleeker & The Freaks, Family Portrait, guest @ 59 Jefferson St., #402
* Free Kisses, Shark?, Byrds of Paradise, Philip Seymour Hoffman @ Shea Stadium
* Golden Triangle, Sandwitches, Coasting, Girls at Dawn @ Monster Island Basement
* Robbers on High Street, Ravens & Chimes, Queen Killing Kings @ Bell House
* Math the Band, Peelander Z, Uncle Monsterface, Eskalators, Lima @ Death By Audio
* Nude Beach, Total Slacker, Girls At Dawn, Anasazis,Mystic Underground @DonPedro
* Jason Blum, The Scandinavian, Half-Breeds, I'm Turning Into @ Pete's Candy Store
* Shara Worden & yMusic, yMusic, Sarah Small, Black Sea Hotel (Shara Worden-curated 2-night fest) @ 92YTribeca

Vampire Weekend and Zach Galifianakis are on SNL tonight.

JBM is no longer opening for Sondre Lerche at Maxwell's tonight. He is instead on tour with Rogue Wave.

Voivod play Nokia Theatre with Kreator tonight. Catch them in Austin at the free BV/M For Montreal party on 3/20.

The Girls at Dawn pull double duty tonight. They share the bill with The Sandwitches and Golden Triangle at Monster Island, and they play with Nude Beach, Total Slacker and others at Don Pedro.

The Blacklisted / Tiger Flowers / Chambers show kicks off at Cake Shop at 5pm. Flyer below...

What else?

Continue reading "What's going on Saturday?"

The Blow @ SXSW 2008 (more by Ryan Muir)

As the Bell House's Haiti benefit on Wednesday, January 27th approaches, the show's lineup keeps getting more and more interesting. Since the initial announcement a few changes have been made (The Walkmen replacing Cold War Kids for one) and more acts have been announced. The schedule below reflects the expected set times, with the disclaimers that "performers will be playing abbreviated, acoustic and/or stripped down sets" and "line up subject to change."

AC Newman (who's putting out a new New Pornographers record), Rhett Miller and Nicole Atkins are playing as a Seekers cover band (a supergroup similar to what St. Vincent & Bon Iver did at MHOW on Saturday). Zach Galifianakis was also at the BV Haiti event,

UPDATE: Despite a press release that went out, The Bell House says that Paul Rudd & Zach Galifianakis are not on this benefit (they never said they were, but the press release did). Also the venue says that the set times that were posted (including here last night) are wrong.

Freelance Whales (who have quite a few shows, NYC and otherwise, coming up) are playing, as is Ted Leo (who himself has longer shows planned).

One notable addition is The Blow, aka Kaela Maricich, who played Art Basel in Miami this December, but hasn't played NYC in quite a while (possibly since CMJ 2007).

Tickets for the benefit show are still on sale.

The Blow's last album was 2006's Paper Television, when Jona Bechtolt from YACHT was still in the group. For YACHT's upcoming tour, Bechtolt and member Claire Evans will bolster their live show (previously them and a laptop) by a band consisting of Rob Kieswetter of Bobby Birdman (who is also opening), Jeff Brodsky of Jeffrey Jerusalem, and D. Reuben Snyder of Rob Walmart. The backing band's name is 'The Straight Gaze'. A tour preview clip is posted below.

More Bell House info with full lineup & poster below...

Continue reading "Bell House Haiti benefit expands (to include The Blow & more) - WEDNESDAY NIGHT"

photos by Paul Birman

"Thanks to everyone who came to the BV Haiti benefit last night. You made it really special." - St. Vincent

"St. Vincent and Justin Vernon performing together was easily one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen/heard." - Steph Lo

Wyatt Cenac was funny. Then came Britt Daniel (of Spoon) with White Rabbits frontman Stephen Patterson. They had such a good time on stage together, you can tell they were buds. Janeane Garofalo came next - she has the smartest humor and is a strong rooted New Yorker. Made a ton of jokes about the L train and hipsters which the crowd took very warmly to. Gosh she's tiny. St Vincent went on and sounded like the lovely thing she is. Someone yelled while she was setting up 'show us your bush'????', In which she replied, 'that is the strangest thing someone has ever said to me...on or off stage'. Adorable. Following her was Zach Galifianakis who everyone was undeniably waiting for. It really looked like he just rolled out of bed, picked up some papers from a table and walked on stage totally winging his whole act...hilarious. Alas came Justin Vernon (aka Bon Iver). His voice sounded just as amazing it does on record. The room was at its most quiet during "Flume". Unreal. He was the last act but did say something about a special guest - I heard it was Megafaun/My Brightest Diamond (had to leave early), which I imagine rounded out the benefit nicely. Really awesome that these guys all came together"...
[Stadiums & Shrines]

The night opened with a great debut set by singer-songwriter John Shade (previously Dave Godowsky) who brought out Justin Vernon on drums for two songs. Before and after John, and between every set of the night, came comedy by our two able hosts: Bobby Tisdale and Leo Allen. St Vincent's set included a National and a Nico cover. Justin covered John Prine. Britt Daniel did three songs, which was one less than he played at Sound Fix a few hours earlier.

And yep, the special guest after/during Justin's set was in fact Shara Worden (My Brightest Diamond) who (after headlining Bowery Ballroom one night earlier) played two jaw dropping numbers - one with Colin Stetson on his most-insane giant saxophone, and a cover of Prince's "How Come U Don't Call Me Anymore".

But it didn't end there. A supergroup called Songer Singwriter featuring Annie, Justin, drummer, and Brad from Megafaun came back to close the night off right with a set of four more covers. Neil Young's "Harvest Moon", Tom Petty's "Face in the Crowd" (with Brad on lead), Dolly Parton's "Jolene", and Annie Lennox's "Why". Each of those final covers was better than the next. To quote one of my tweets, "To quote my friend, 'Sounds like sonic youth playing a dolly parton song. Sick!' and now Annie Lennox Why! Full room Bon Iver singalong".

We ran almost non-stop for 3.5 hours straight (8-11:30), and raised over $20,000. I'm still waiting for an exact number. More pictures (one of two sets we have) and some videos from the show, below....

Continue reading "Britt Daniel, Justin Vernon, St Vincent, Zach Galifianakis, Janeane Garofalo & others raised money for Haiti @ MHOW - pics & video "

I am very happy to announce....

A Night of Comedy and Music to Benefit Haiti
Presented By Bowery Presents and BrooklynVegan
With short sets by:
Zach Galifianakis, Britt Daniel (of Spoon), Justin Vernon (Bon Iver), St. Vincent, Janeane Garofalo, Wyatt Cenac (of the Daily Show), the live debut of John Shade (ex Dave Godowsky) & possibly more TBA (stay tuned)

Venue: Music Hall of Williamsburg
Date: Sat 1/23 (AKA IN LESS THAN TWO DAYS)
Notes: 18+, Doors 6:30 PM / Show 8:00 PM

Tickets (on sale Friday at noon) are only going to be $35 in advance, and $40 at the door if there are any left. A more expensive VIP option will be available so we can raise as much money as possible. 100% of the proceeds will be split between an orphanage in Haiti (that Zach chose) and the Red Cross.

Note: this show is not to be confused North 6th for Haiti (1/27 @ MHOW) which will also be announced any second (and is already on Ticketmaster)

---

We were lucky to get Justin Vernon who was in town just long enough after tonight's appearance (1/21) for the NY Guitar Festival.

Spoon was also in town tonight for a show, and Britt Daniel will be playing a show at Sound Fix that same day at 7pm (1/23).

Zach Galifianakis speaks to Natalie Portman in the video below...

Continue reading "Haiti benefit SATURDAY NIGHT (Zach Galifianakis, Britt Daniel, Justin Vernon, St Vincent, Janeane Garofalo & more) "

by Klaus Kinski (of Klaus Kinski's Comedy Canon)

Two films I've been dying to see quickly made their way in and out of our fair city this past June. Being an idiot that cannot seem to prioritize anything, I missed them both. The films I speak of are Big Fan starring Patton Oswalt and Visioneers starring Zach Galifianakis. You may recall from previous articles that Zach and Patton are among my favorite comedians of all time; thus the eagerness to see these films and the anguish at missing them. Big Fan is the directorial debut of Robert Siegel, the man wrote The Wrestler, a film that featured comedian Todd Barry (another favorite). In Big Fan, Patton plays the role of Paul.

Paul is a 35-year-old toll booth operator from Staten Island who lives and dies by his New York Giants. When he has a chance encounter with Giants linebacker Quantrell Bishop, however, things go horribly wrong and a brutal beating at the hands of his idol tests Paul's allegiance to the team. Comedian Patton Oswalt delivers a heartbreaking, layered performance in this pitch-black comedy that reveals the disturbing side of obsessive fandom.

Having seen the trailer last year, I feel like Visioneers has been on my radar for a really long time. It definitely looks to be a somber, Orwellian, supremely dark comedy. The film, directed by Jared Drake, stars Galifianakis as George Washington Winsterhammerman.

George lives a comfortable yet completely uneventful life, and when he starts having dreams in which he's the first President of the United States, his doctor informs him that they could be signs of impending explosion. Later, as the dreams become more frequent and his co-workers continue to detonate, George is prompted to reevaluate his mundane existence.

Zach did a split 7" with Ted Leo a while back, available only via Chunklet.com and only available if you purchased another item from the Chunklet store. Now you no longer need to buy a second item in order to purchase the record. This extremely limited edition 7" is only $5 and is available on four different types of wax. Get 'em while they're hot!.

In Other News........

Continue reading "comedy news: Patton Oswalt, David Cross, Zach Galifianakis, Ricky Gervais, M Showalter, ATP & more (by Klaus Kinski)"

photo from Les Savy Fav's show Friday night (more by Natasha Ryan)

tonight in NYC
* Allman Brothers @ Beacon
* Zach Galafianakis @ Housing Works
* Peter Bjorn and John @ W New York
* Herman Dune, Toby Goodshank @ Mercury Lounge
* The Courteeners, Hot Melts @ Mercury Lounge
* David Thomas Broughton & friends @ The Living Room
* Jon Hopkins, Casiokids, BM Linx @ The Annex
* Oh Land, Your Nature (formerly Frankpollis) @ The Studio at Webster Hall
* Daniel Higgs, Matt Manderson (DJ) @ Santos Party House
* 18th Dye (DJ Set), Ingrid Olava, Sprengjuhollin, Shelley Green @ Cake Shop
* Tahiti Boy & the Palmtree Family (w/ Tunde Adebimpe), Demonlover, Echo Echo @ Pianos

Ingrid Olava is here from Norway. She kicks off a three-night residency at Cake Shop tonight. Strangely, she is not also going to SXSW.

TV on the Radio's Tunde makes a guest appearance at Pianos tonight.

Zach Galafianakis at Housing Works tonight, for free.

SXSW Music starts tomorrow - two BV shows included. There's the day party at Emo's (flyer below), and the official showcase in the evening at Club De Ville. Thursday is another day party.

David Thomas Broughton performing live, in the video below...

What else?

Continue reading "What's going on Tuesday?"

Jane's Addiction - @ Echoplex, Los Angeles - Feb 16, 2009 (revolute)

Live Nation and Adam Zacks are pleased to announce this year's line up for the Sasquatch! Music Festival at the legendary Gorge in Eastern Washington. The festival, now in its eighth and most ambitious year yet, has evolved from a unique, homegrown & low key fest into a full blown three day extravaganza. A festival-goer's dream, it comes complete with camp-outs, canyons, sunsets, three stages and new this year, an expanded comedy and dance music tent. The tent will feature performances from comedians throughout the day, and then come dusk, will spotlight electronic and dance music artists.

Already the official opener to summer for music fans, the Sasquatch! Music Festival is becoming a certified monster of a musical event: this year features another exciting and diverse line-up for the musically adventurous, and ups the ante on an event already hailed for its independent spirit. Tickets go on sale Saturday February 28th at 10AM

Today it was announced that Jane's (feat. all four original members), NIN, Kings of Leon, Ben Harper & Relentless7, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Erykah Badu, The Decemberists, Fleet Foxes, TV On The Radio, Animal Collective, Silversun Pickups, Bon Iver, Santigold, and many others are playing this year's Sasquatch Festival (May 23, 24, 25, 2009 @ The Gorge in Quincy, WA). Full lineup and ticket info below...

Continue reading "Jane's Addiction played LA, headlining SASQUATCH Festival (which just announced most of the 2009 LINEUP)"

Morgan Murphy the pregnant Hanukkah fairy (more by Tim Griffin)

The lineup for tonight's Whiplash show at the NYC UCB Theatre is great as usual. Leo Allen hosts Paul F. Tompkins, John Mulaney, Andrea Rosen, Jesse Popp, and LA's Morgan Murphy. If anyone knows of any other shows Morgan is playing while she's in town, please leave details in the comments.

Also coming up at UCB: The Benson Interruption on Wednesday 2/18, and A-Side / B-Side with Kurt and Kristin on Thursday.

Patton Oswalt plays six shows at Caroline's this month. Tickets are on sale at Ticketweb.

Zach Galifianakis has a few shows coming up of note. On February 19th he'll join Bobby Tisdale, Pete Holmes, Shane Mauss and Andrea Rosen for a short set at 92YTribeca. Then on March 5th he's doing a full, $40, show at NYU. On May 24th he's playing the new comedy/dance tent at the Sasquatch Music Festval in Gorge, Washington.

The venue attached to Sound Fix Records in Williamsburg is closing soon. Upcoming comedy shows there include Entertaining the Bartender w/ Jena Friedman on Tuesday 2/17, Totally J/K w/ Joe and Noah (Paul F. Tompkins, Michelle Collins, Ted Alexandro, and Paul Oddo) on Wednesday 2/18, and Big Terriffic w/ Max, Gabe and Jenny on Thursday 2/19.

Eugene Mirman recently celebrated the release of his book at the Bell House in Brooklyn. His upcoming shows include two dates with John Wesley Harding at Le Poisson Rouge.

Dave Hill appears at Village Underground on February 24th.

Commercials have started to air for Parks and Recreations, by the people who brought you the Office, coming Thursdays to NBC and starring Amy Poehler, Rashida Jones, and Aziz Ansari. That commercial, and more videos, below...

Continue reading "Morgan Murphy @ Whiplash tonight, Parks and Recreation, Patton, Zach Galifianakis dates & other comedy news"

John Wesley Harding will be releasing his latest album, Who Was Changed And Who Was Dead, on March 10 via Popover Corps/Rebel Group. Recorded with backing band The Minus Five (featuring Scott McCaughey and Peter Buck of REM), Who Was Changed is Harding's first rock album since 2004's Adam's Apple. Included with the new record is a live bonus CD, recorded at Brooklyn's Union Hall on October 27, 2008 with guest duetist Josh Ritter among others.

John Wesley Harding will be hosting a series of unique variety shows, featuring a hand-picked crew from the worlds of music, literature and comedy. The three-show residency will be held at NYC's Le Poisson Rouge on February 11, March 11 and April 15.

- Jonathan Ames (author, HBO pilot, Bored to Death, with Jason Schwartzman)
- Rick Moody (author, The Ice Storm, Demonology, The Black Veil)
- Eugene Mirman (comedian, Flight of the Conchords)
- Shivaree (musician, Zoë Records)
- Carla Rhodes (rock and roll ventriloquist)
- P.T. Walkley (songwriter/film composer, Ed Burns collaborator)

Tickets for that JWH show are still on sale.

One day earlier (February 10th) you can catch Eugene Mirman celebrating the release of his new book at The Bell House in Brooklyn. John Oliver, John Hodgman, Kristen Schaal and Paul F. Tompkins are also performing at that show, which is sold out.

One day earlier than that (February 9th) (TODAY!) Eugene Mirman will be performing, for free, again with Kristen Schall, at UCB. It's all part of Leo Allen's 11pm Whiplash show that Zach Galifianakis will also be attending. Info and free tickets HERE.

As stated above, John Wesley Harding will be back at LPR in March and April. So will Eugene Mirman. A video trailer for this week's show, and the full lineup of all three (including Roseanne Cash, Josh Ritter, and Graham Parker), below...

Continue reading "JOHN WESLEY HARDING's Cabinet of Wonders... and other EUGENE MIRMAN shows, Josh Ritter, albums & stuff"

TheRumpus.net is having a launch party at Crash Mansion in NYC tonight (2/5). According to the ticket page, there will be "Music by Will Sheff of Okkervil River, Timothy Bracy of the Mendoza Line and Beth Wawerna of Bird Of Youth" and "Comedy by: Kristen Shaal of Flight of the Conchords, and
Michael Showalter from Comedy Central's Stella" and "Readings from authors: James Frey, Andrew Sean Greer, Jonathan Ames, and This American Life's Starlee Kine".

Also tonight, also comedy: Variety Shac @ UCB with recently added special guest Zach Galifianakis.

Also coming up at UCB: Klaus made a list.

Also comedy with special guests: three editions of Mike Birbiglia's Sleepwalk with Me this month.

Also a show that Kristen Schaal is playing: Flight of the Conchords at Radio City Music Hall (twice)

Also a show that Kristen Schaal is playing: Eugene Mirman's book release party

Also a show Will Sheff is playing: Coachella

Also starring Michael Showalter (and Todd Barry, Paul Rudd, David Wain, Eugene Mirman, Leo Allen, and Superbowl commercial star Jon Benjamin): "The Weekender" video below...

Continue reading "Will Sheff, Kristen Schaal & friends playng Crash Mansion, Zach Galifianakis at UCB & other stuff"

by Klaus Kinski

Max & Gabe D & friend @ MoMA - Jan 6, 2009 (by Fred Benenson) (via)

I don't get to see nearly as much comedy as I used to, but the scene is as vibrant as ever. If the mood strikes and I find myself wanting to get my yuck-on there is absolutely no shortage of one-off shows and recurring weekly shows. The Tribeca branch of the 92nd St Y has been booking some insane comedy shows recently. I caught Zach Galifianakis there a few weeks ago and was mightily impressed by the performance space and the insane, reasonably priced beer list at the bar. Sound Fix in Williamsburg has free comedy every Wednesday and Thursday. Joe Mande and Noah Garfinkle host Totally J/K every Wednesday at 9:30pm, while Max Silvestri, Gabe Liedman and Jenny Slate host Big Terriffic at 8:00pm on Thursdays. These shows fill the void left by the demise of Rififi and its staples Invite Them Up and The Greg Johnson & Larry Murphy Show by attracting big names like Zach Galifianakis, Sarah Silverman, Janeane Garofalo, Todd Barry, Eugene Mirman, and zillions more. Speaking of Greg Johnson, he's got a free show every Sunday at Pianos. And speaking of Invite Them Up, former host Bobby Tisdale now has a semi-regular, RSVP only show happening in Greenpoint called Wards of Merkin. It's usually $10 and there's usually free booze and top shelf comedians. And don't forget that the UCB Theater and The Pit have calendars bursting with options as does Comix's underground lair Ochi's. And that's just barely scratching the surface of the goings ons. Below are some shows currently on my radar...

Continue reading "NYC comedy @ 92Y, SoundFix, Comix, Pianos, UCB, places"

Mike Birbiglia's new show Sleepwalk With Me "just started this new post-show talk-back segment called 'An Awkward Ten Minutes With Mike' where Mike brings on a friend of his after the show to share a previously untold uncomfortable story (going along with the whole telling uncomfortable stories theme of SWM). The first Awkward Ten Minutes guest was Nathan Lane and it was a total hit. And this Thursday (12/11), we've got Zach Galifianakis coming!"

You can get tickets at Telecharge.com, or call Telecharge at (212) 239-6200. Tickets are kind of pricey at $49.50, BUT "a limited number of tickets are also available 1 hour before the show (in this case, 7 pm) at the box office. Line forms outside the theater's main door (the one with the huge Mike Birbiglia face on it) - $25 (50% off!). Cash only - Bring valid student ID and/or proof of broke-ness (we're serious!)"

Ira Glass is the special guest on December 17th.

Jose Gonzalez @ ACL 2008 (more by Kyle Dean Reinford)

today in NYC
* Blip Festival
* Red Hot & Rio @ BAM (with Jose G)
* Ohgr @ Blender Theater
* Dufus @ Knitting Factory
* Max Silvestri @ Sound Fix !
* Benjy Ferree @ Union Hall
* BB King @ Wellmont Theater
* Tina Turner @ Nassau Coliseum
* Vampire Weekend & Telepathe @ Terminal 5
* Orphan, Red Dawn II & Pollution @ Union Pool
* Suicidal Tendencies & Madball @ Irving Plaza
* Snowden, Villa Vina & Twin Tigers @ Southpaw
* The King Left, Howlies & The Kiss Off @ Mercury Lounge
* Tim Hecker & Wordless Music Orchestra @ (le) poisson rouge
* Stellastarr*, Comandante Zero & Ghosts in the Valley @ Pianos
* The Teenagers, Heloise & The Savoir Faire & Lissy Trullie @ MHOW
* R. Stevie Moore, Unicornucopia, Tele V. Cheeseburger & The Ocean Floor @ Death By Audio

Tonight would have been the Noah & The Whale show at Bowery Ballroom.

! TONIGHT @ Sound Fix: "Comedy hosted by Max Silvestri (BestWeekEver.tv), Gabe Liedman and Jenny Slate. Featuring: ZACH GALIFIANAKIS, DC BENNY (Comedy Central Presents), ANDRES DU BOUCHET (Conan), JAMIE LEE (New Orleans Comedy Fest) + BRENT SULLIVAN (Official Friend of The Show). maxsilvestri.com / gabenjenny.com". Also supposedly Jon Benjamin and Larry Murphy.

No Age was nominated for a Grammy.

Ohgr = Mark Walk and Nivek Ogre of Skinny Puppy.

Lissy Trullie opens for the Teenagers tonight. Video of her and Adam Green in the Santos Party House bathroom, below...

What else?

Continue reading "What's going on Thursday? "

by Klaus Kinski

When it rains it pours, and by golly there's a freakin' monsoon happening over at good ole' Chunklet right now. Where to begin.... Well, first off, Chunklet's milestone 20th Issue is done, printed, and on a pallet bound for Chunklet HQ any second now. It's been three years in the making, but this sucker looks well worth the wait. Readers are greeted by another amazing cover designed by Chris Bilheimer who's done the last 9 covers and who, incidentally, is REM's art director. Inside?

.... it promises to be the most brutal issue yet. Featuring interviews with Paul F. Tompkins, Zach Galifianakis, Jon Glaser and Sublime Frequencies. There are also features involving Whirlyball with Arcade Fire, The Shins, Queens of the Stone Age, Black Lips, Deerhunter, Death Cab for Cutie, Mogwai and countless others. Features also on music journalists, drug appreciation, good guys/bad bands and the usual array of Chunklet insanity (or inanity depending on your outlook).

You can hear the original, classic Scharpling and Wurster WFMU version on the CD New Hope for the Ape-Eared. A while back Ted Leo did his own version of this tune on the Tom's show. You can hear that version, set to fan made animation, below. This is also not the first time Fiona and Zach have worked together.

Speaking of Ted Leo, did you know that Ted Leo and the Pharmacists put out a downloadable 4-song EP via Touch and Go Records for charity? It's true. The EP costs $4 and all proceeds go to Democracy Now and Minneapolis Food Not Bombs. Ted has a pretty long and engaging explanation about why he did this and you can read that here.

I am also happy to report that Chunklet is celebrating its 15 Year Anniversary! And what better way to celebrate the life and times of this most iconic music and comedy rag than with some supremely ballsy shows at the 40 Watt in Athens, GA. On October 10th Chunklet has lined up Deerhunter, Twin Tigers, Gentleman Jesse & His Men with comedian Brent Weinbach (TIX). Then on October 11th thrill to the majesty of Mastodon, Brian Posehn, It's Casual, and Brent Weinbach (TIX). That Posehn/Mastodon/Weinbach show is like a dream. I am jealous. That should be a national tour.

And last, but absolutely positively not least, I am thrilled to report that The Rock Bible IS AVAILABLE. Penned by Chunklet founder, DJ, promoter, record producer, tour manager, booking agent, cool dude Henry Owings this 144 page masterpiece is basically a rulebook full of dos and don'ts for musicians, wannabe musicians, and rock fans of all ages. And if there's one person I trust to write a book of this nature, it's Henry. Get it on the cheap here and here.

More pictures of this stuff and video below...

Continue reading "2 new Ted Leo releases, a new Fiona Apple/Galifianakis collaboration, Mastodon & other Chunklet news"

Silver Jews @ MHOW (more by Chris La Putt)

today in NYC
* Silver Jews @ Maxwell's
* Arboretum & Pontiak @ Cake Shop
* The Citizens Band @ Spiegelworld
* Zach Galifianakis & Leo Allen @ UCB
* Impaled & Phobia @ Knitting Factory
* HR of Bad Brains on a Rocks Off Cruise
* Monotonix, Shellshag & Knyfe Hytes @ Death By Audio
* Sons & Daughters & Benjy Ferree @ Highline Ballroom

Tonight is the first ever "Whiplash" at at 11pm at the UCB Theatre. Comedians on the bill are: Leo Allen, Zach Galifianakis, Eddie Pepitone, Birdmann & Kumail Nanjiani.

What else?

Out with the old, in with new...

On October 18th, the 92nd Street Y is thrilled to celebrate the official opening of its amazing new downtown venue 92YTribeca, with a stream of outstanding programming and events including a special programming lineup we're calling 18 Nights of Inspiration. The 18 Nights will represent a mix of awesome live experiences including music, comedy, film, theater, food and more, and featuring some of entertainment's hottest talent and thought-provoking performers and presenters.

Why 18 Nights? 18 represents Chai, meaning life in Hebrew, and also signifying the number 18. You can also find the 18 dots represented in our logo.

92YTribeca is committed to fueling your life with experiences that inspire you. We welcome and serve a diverse community of young people from New York City and beyond, including musicians, artists, filmmakers, performers, writers, educators, humorists, directors, speakers, sports enthusiasts, and many others.

So come visit us at 92YTribeca this fall!

Continue reading "92YTribeca opening in Tribeca - John Vanderslice, Adam Yauch, Zach Galifianakis & other shows already on sale"

words by Klaus Kinski, photos by Shawn Brackbill

Right off the bat, I want to bring something to your attention that's been making it's way around the internet recently. Back in June, comedian Patton Oswalt delivered a graduation speech at his old high school. Anyone familiar with Patton's comedy, his blogs, and his interests in life will realize rather quickly that, in addition to being one of the funniest people alive, Patton is a sharp, thoughtful individual. Anyhow, read the damn speech.

Another one of my favorite comedians is putting out an album. LA-based comedian Doug Benson will unleash his debut CD DOUG BENSON: PROFESSIONAL HUMOREDIAN on July 15th via AST Records.

Whether you know him from VH1's "Best Week Ever," NBC's "Last Comic Standing" or his documentary "Super High Me," chances are Doug Benson has made you laugh before. Now he will make you laugh again, repeatedly, with his first full-length solo comedy album, "Doug Benson: Professional Humoredian." Recorded live at the world-famous Hollywood Improv, "Professional Humoredian" catches Doug at his loosest, silliest and most hilarious. Playing to a rowdy sold-out house on 4/20, Doug tears through his set with wild abandon, delivering material on such wide-ranging topics as movies, politics, relationships, anti-drug campaigns and the miracle of modern science known as McGriddles. A perennial favorite among comedy aficionados, Doug placed sixth on Season Five of "Last Comic Standing" and was named "Stoner of the Year" by High Times Magazine in 2006. Patton Oswalt calls him "prolific ... a resin-scented miracle." One listen and you'll understand why Doug has won such acclaim: witty, charming, relentless and irrepressible, Doug Benson is a Professional Humoredian.

As I write this, tickets are still available for all three Ricky Gervais shows happening at the WaMu Theater at MSG on July 14, 15, and 16. And I couldn't be more excited that Todd Barry will be the opener for the 15th and 16th shows. Todd had no problem winning over the sold out crowds at the Flight of the Conchords shows at Town Hall in May so I look forward to his domination of WaMu.

Speaking of Todd Barry, he and several other comedians were part of Sub Pop's 20th Anniversary Festival. The comedy portion of the Festival took place on Friday, July 11th The Moore Theatre and featured David Cross, Patton Oswalt, Kristen Schaal, and Eugene Mirman. I so with I was there. That's where the pictures in this post came from.

More pictures, news, vidoes and upcoming shows, below...

Continue reading "Klaus Kinski's Comedy Canon & comedy pics from SP20"

Kirk Hammett of Metallica & My Morning Jacket @ Bonnaroo 2008

Bonnaroo resides on farmland about 65 miles southeast of Nashville, with campgrounds adjoining the festival site. It draws people who arrive for a long weekend, often with hippie wardrobes and mud boots for Bonnaroo's nearly inevitable rain.

Fans stood through an intermittent deluge as My Morning Jacket, a band from Louisville that pushes pealing, surging Southern rock toward soul and psychedelia, played a three-hour set in Saturday's wee hours. "It feels awesome to be bathed in beautiful golden rain," said the band's leader, Jim James. [NY Times]

Continue reading "My Morning Jacket @ Bonnaroo - pics, 3-hour setlist, rain, Kirk Hammett of Metallica & Zach Galifianakis"

Reggie Watts @ Sasquatch - May 25, 2008 (photo by Chris Graham)

The geniuses from Yacht Rock are making another NYC appearance this Saturday, May 31st at the recently vindicated Union Hall for a night of videos (the entire series, mind you), personal appearances, and smooth drinks. Tickets are still on sale but they're Sailing Away, Minute By Minute, but I'm Alright. even though it could TOTOly sell out.

You may recall that British Comedian Ricky Gervais has a handful of upcoming US dates including THREE at the WAMU Theater in July (and even some warm-up dates in LA just prior. I saw him last year and had a blast. Tickets for these shows are still on sale AND we've got some tickets to giveaway at the end of the post.

much more...

Continue reading "Klaus Kinski's Comedy Canon (05/29/08)"

Zach G. & Tim H. in their underwear, May 21, 2008

I know the trivia contest was supposed to be fun and all, but after rocking a perfect score after 3 rounds, I was so disappointed in the last round. Love the idea, but they could have at least made it indie-rock related.

Great performance by Mr. Z and the band, although they sure took their sweet time getting on stage. [Anonymous]