photos by Kyle Dean Reinford

All the way back on Tuesday night (10/21), the first night of CMJ, the first of three BrooklynVegan shows during CMJ concluded with the controversial singing DJ Jens Lekman and the many-membered Phenomenal Handclap Band. Also on the Music Hall of Williamsburg bill: Emmy the Great, The Sammies, Shearwater, Ponytail and Passion Pit.

I didn't think we'd run late at this show, but we did, a little, and that forced TPHB to start about 45 minutes after their advertised midnight start time. I'm sure the lateness on a Tuesday had something to do with the mass exodus before they even started, but many of those who did stay made the best of it and continued the dance party that Jens started. Aurelio from Calla sang one song with them and they were joined by some Dap Kings for at least one song as well. More pictures from that part of the night below...

Continue reading "Jens Lekman & Phenomenal Handclap Band @ MHOW - pics"

Tickets go on sale at noon for the official BrooklynVegan CMJ showcase.

People keep asking (for good reason) why Jens Lekman is listed as "singing DJ Jens Lekman". The short answer is because that's how he asked to be listed. The long answer is that when I got the idea that Jens might be around to play a show and asked him to play, I didn't expect him to say yes, but he did, BUT he could only play the show solo, AND he said it will be a "singing DJ" set. My main concern was that there was "singing". As long as Jens sings, I know it'll be good. Someone else close to the situation assured me that he's done this before and "it went great". Regardless, I was still pushing to get an official description of what it will be and this is the best I could get: "he is djing a bit, and he is singing a bit. A Singing DJ." It's Jens, so I think it's going to be great which will come after great sets by Passion Pit, Ponytail, Emmy the Great, The Sammies, and a really special, special guest. I'm sure Jens will also warm up the crowd properly for the late-night set by The Phenomenal Handclap Band. $15 tickets at Ticketmaster. Limited CMJ badges will be admitted.

Check out an Emmy The Great video below...

Continue reading "singing DJ Jens Lekman - BV CMJ show on sale @ noon"