The Walkmen's Walter Martin played 2 NYC shows (Joe's Pub pics w/ Karen O, Nick Zinner, Hamilton Leithauser, more)

May 19, 2014

Walter & Karen O / Hamilton Leithauser with the chorus @ Joe’s Pub 5/16/2014

NPR: So is this just something to entertain parents, or is this – which by the way, I should say is a worthy endeavor in and of itself – or is this intended to start a conversation about music between kids and their parents, adult listeners?

WALTER MARTIN: Well, I think of stuff that will appeal to kids will hopefully be – I like the beat, maybe. But looking back on what I’ve made, I think it’s sort of saying to parents, like, this parenting stuff is really hard and kind of insane. But take a step back as often as you can to remember how fun and hilarious the whole experience can be. – [NPR]

With the Walkmen on “extreme hiatus,” keyboardist/bassist and father of two Walter Martin released the family-friendly solo album, We’re All Young Together earlier this month. The first proper show around that happened on Friday (5/16) at Joe’s Pub. For the all-ages event, Walter had a full band — including The Walkmen’s Matt Barrick, Kat Edmonson and members of French Kicks — and some very special guests. Walter’s cousin and Walkmen frontman Hamilton Leithauser sang as part of the chorus, and Yeah Yeah Yeahs’ Karen O and Nick Zinner who also played on the album, joined him too.

Walter also played Littlefield on Sunday (5/18) which was slightly less star-studded BUT had free ice cream — which most kids would probably say was a better deal. Their parents…hard to say. More pictures from Joe’s Pub, and an instagram from Littlefield, below…

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