Carl Newman

This week: a premiere from Jorge Elbrecht, the man behind Lansing-Dreiden and Violens, the return of Total Control, long-awaited Brainiac vinyl reissues, new Melbourne band RVG, and a look back at Carl Newman’s pre-New Pornographer’s past.

“It was a haven for working NYC musicians who just wanted to hang out in a non-careerist environment. It was previously Brownies, where all of your favorite bands played before anyone had heard of them. It feels like the heart of what was New York for me has been cut out.” – Will Sheff

Billie Joe Armstrong, Michael Ian Black, Colin Meloy, Ted Leo, Superchunk, Jesu, Future of the Left and more have also paid tribute to the late Husker Du member.

Quasi (aka Sam Coomes and Janet Weiss) have put together a new compilation protest album called Battle Hymns that features tons of exciting guests. It’s a pay-what-you-want download, and proceeds benefit Planned Parenthood, ACLU, and 350.org.

If you watched this week’s episode of Comedy Central’s Drunk History, there was a segment on Thomas Edison (played) that also featured Spinal Tap’s Michael McKean and, in a blink-or-you’ll-miss-it cameo, AC Newman of New Pornographers…

You can browse our full NYC show calendar for all of tonight’s shows, but here are some highlights… Grimes @ Guggenheim Museum Grimes’ highly anticipated new album finally drops this w…

As mentioned, The New Pornographers have a new album, Brill Bruisers, coming out in August and they’re playing NYC’s Hammerstein Ballroom on November 17 (tickets just went on sale)…

Back in the ’90s, most up-and-coming indie rock bands touring through NYC played either Mercury Lounge or Brownies. Mike Stuto started booking shows there in 1994, and became co-owner in 1998…

Julie Klausner did a live taping of her How Was Your Week? podcast last night (10/30) at The Bell House and guests included Ted Leo, AC Newman, Jean Grae and Leslie Kritzer (subbing for a sick Laura Benati)…

AC Newman @ The Rock Shop, 2012 (more by Amanda Hatfield) As you may know, Neko Case has an impending new album (out 9/3 but streamable now) and tour this fall…