Category Archives: Music

Upcoming NYC Shows List

Posted on March 2, 2012 | Leave a comment

March
3/01 Helado Negro, Bear In Heaven @ Union Pool (secret show)
3/03 Tennis @ Bowery
3/03 Widowspeak @ Glasslands
3/05 Tennis @ MHW
3/06 Fanfarlo @ Webster Hall
3/10 Four Tet @ Le Poisson Rouge
3/13 & 3/14 New Build (Hot Chip/LCD Soundsystem members) @ Mercury
3/23 Bowerbirds @ Bowery
*3/23 Grimes @ Mercury
3/24 Grimes @ Glasslands
3/25 Japanther @ Le Poisson Rouge
3/28 First Aid Kit @ Webster Hall

April
4/01 Wild Flag @ Webster Hall
4/03 The Magnetic Fields, Devotchka @ Beacon Theater
4/06 The Rapture @ Bowery
4/07 The Rapture @ MHW
4/10 1,2,3 @ Knitting Factory
4/11 1,2,3 Mercury Lounge
4/11 Margot and The Nuclear So & So’s @ MHW
4/13 DOM @ Glasslands
4/17 Plants & Animals @ Littlefield
4/18 Plants & Animals @ Mercury

May
Ty Segall @ Webster Hall

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Posted in Music, New York, NYC Shows Lists

Best Songs of 2011

Posted on December 24, 2011 | Leave a comment

Happy Holidays everyone! To download my Best of 2011 Mix, click here.

Tracklist:

1. Atlas Sound- Te Amo
2. Generationals- You Say It Too
3. Widowspeak- Puritan
4. 1,2,3- Work
5. The Do- Too Insistant
6. Wavves- I Wanna Meet Dave Grohl
7. tUnE-yArDs- Gangsta
8. PJ Harvey- The Last Living Rose
9. Black Lips- Bone Marrow
10. The Cave Singers- Swim Club
11. Wild Flag- Future Crimes
12. Slow Club- Two Cousins
13. Tapes ‘n Tapes- Badaboom
14. Dum Dum Girls- Bedroom Eyes
15. Mister Heavenly- Hold My Hand
16. Girls- Honey Bunny
17. The Dodos- Black Night
18. Grimes- Oblivion
19. Ty Segall- You Make The Sun Fry
20. Smith Westerns- Imagine Pt. 3
21. Bleached- Searching Through The Past
22. Jeff The Brotherhood- Diamond Way
23. Kavinsky & Lovefoxxx- Nightcall
24. Crystal Stilts- Dark Eyes

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Posted in Best Songs of 2011, Music

Upcoming NYC Shows List

Posted on December 24, 2011 | Leave a comment

Dec
12/31 O’Death @ Spike Hill

Jan
1/23 Chairlift, Violins @ Bowery
1/27 Bear In Heaven @ Glasslands
1/28 Japanther @ Shea Stadium
1/31 The Smith Westerns @ Webster Hall

Feb
Feb 1-4 FORMS Fest (Pitchfork/Bowery Presents festival) lineup tk
2/09 Jeff The Brotherhood @ Maxwells
2/16 Slow Club @ The Bell House
2/28 School of Seven Bells @ Mercury

March
3/03 Tennis @ Bowery
3/10 Four tet @ Le Poisson Rouge
3/13 New Build (Members of Hot Chip and LCD Soundsystem) @ Mercury
3/23 Bowerbirds @ Bowery
*3/23 Grimes @ Mercury
3/24 Grimes @ Glasslands
3/28 First Aid Kit @ Webster Hall

April
4/01 Wild Flag @ Webster Hall

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Posted in Music, New York, NYC Shows Lists

Upcoming NYC Shows List

Posted on August 8, 2011 | Leave a comment

AUGUST

8/08 The Kills @ Terminal 5

8/10 Bon Iver @ Prospect Park

8/10 Boy & Bear @ Knitting Factory

8/11 Deer Tick, DOM @ Pier 54 FREE

8/12 Sonic Youth, Wild Flag @ Williamsburg Waterfront

8/18 Tokyo Police Club, Japanther @ House of Vans FREE

8/20 The Rapture @ MHW

8/21 JEFF The Brotherhood @ Le Poisson Rouge

8/22- 8/23 Deerhunter @ Webster Hall

8/24 Peelander Z @ Death By Audio

SEPTEMBER

9/10 Japanther @ Shea Stadium

9/19-9/20 tUnE-YaRds @ le Poisson Rouge

9/19 Eternal Summers, Reading rainbow @ Glasslands

9/22-9/23 Girls @ Bowery Ballroom

OCTOBER

10/08 O’Death @ The Bell House

10/15 Wild Flag @ The Bell House?

10/18 Wild Flag @ Bowery?

*still obsessing over Margaret Durow, whose photo is above, btw…

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Posted in Music, NYC Shows Lists

1,2,3

Posted on August 8, 2011 | Leave a comment

I know its been ages since I’ve posted, but thought I should mention these guys (1,2,3) even if no one’s reading this blog anymore. A friend put their song “Work” onto a  mix that I got a few months back, and their album New Heaven, which came out in June has since become my favorite of the summer.

The tracks are a bit inconsistent (It’s the Pittsburgh duo’s first album, so to be expected) but I kind of don’t mind because the good stuff is really good. Best tracks in my opinion: Work, Confetti, Wave Pool, Just Like Heaven, Mr. Officer.

Check out Work  below, and if you dig em, pick up the album here.

 

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Posted in Music, Uncategorized

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Upcoming NYC Shows List

Posted on April 12, 2011 | Leave a comment

MAY

5/17 Vivian Girls @ 285 Kent

5/20 Cymbals Eat Guitars @ Glasslands

5/20 Go Sailor! @ Cameo Gallery

5/21 tUne-YaRds @ MHW

5/22 “Our Band Could Be Your Life”: Dirty Projectors, Dan Deacon, St. Vincent, Titus Andronicus, Tune-Yards, Wye Oak @ Bowery

5/23  tUne-YaRds @ The Greene Space

5/27 Dum Dum Girls, Crocodiles @ Glasslands

5/31 Man Man @ MHW

JUNE

6/09 The Dodos @ Bowery

6/09 Cults @ MHW

6/10 The Dodos @ MHW

6/10 Andrew Bird @ Prospect Park  FREE

6/14 The Decemberists, Best Coast @ Prospect Park

6/14 Japanther @ MHW

6/18 Twin Sister @ MHW

6/19 Deer Tick (performing as Deervana) @ Brooklyn Bowl

6/19 Diamond Rings @ Europa

6/25 JEFF The Brotherhood @ 285 Kent

JULY

7/01 Lower Dens @ South Street Seaport FREE

7/07 My Brightest Diamond @ Castle Clinton FREE

7/13-7/14 Wild Beasts @ Le Poisson Rouge

7/14 tUnE YaRds @ Pier 54 FREE

7/14 Patti Smith @ Castle Clinton FREE

AUGUST

8/02 Sufjan Stevens @ Prospect Park

8/05 Ra Ra Riot, Delicate Steve @ Prospect Park FREE

8/08 The Kills @ Terminal 5

8/10 Bon Iver @ Prospect Park

8/11 Deer Tick @ Pier 54 FREE

*photo by Margaret Durow

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Posted in Music, New York

The Decemberists @ Prospect Park- Presale now!

Posted on March 7, 2011 | Leave a comment

Hey y’all, pre-sale for the Decemberists/ Best Coast Prospect Park show this summer (June 14th) just went on-sale. Best part- you don’t need an AMEX card. Sign up on the band’s fan-site, and voila- You just booked your first show of the summer!

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Posted in Music, New York

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Tapes ‘n Tapes at Music Hall of Williamsburg 2/4/11

Posted on February 5, 2011 | 1 Comment


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Posted in Music, New York

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The Pins

Posted on October 19, 2010 | Leave a comment

Maybe its the season turning, or the fact that I just watched the season finale of Mad Men last night and am feeling nostalgic for an era not my own. Or perhaps it’s simply because The Pins are a refreshingly talented group of girls who make songs that feel like they were already 1950′s AM radio classics. Either way, I’ve got this song on repeat today.

This trio of lovely ladies hail from the UK, and have just released their first EP “Introducing…The Pins”, available now via Music Glue.

Also, they are supporting Laura Marling on her upcoming UK tour, starting next month, so anyone in the area, check ‘em out!

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Posted in London, Music

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Sufjan Stevens: The Age of ADZ

Posted on September 27, 2010 | Leave a comment

Stevens’ new full-length album “The Age of Adz”, is streaming on NPR in its entirety. I urge you to check it out. This record is groundbreaking and affecting on several levels. First off, it’s a huge (and in my opinion, beautifully advanced) departure from Sufjan’s earlier odes to Illinois and Michigan. The album is a soaring orchestral maze with twists of unexpected rough blips and frenzied turns that throw your emotional state through the wringer. All in the most artful, deliberate manner.

The most impressive aspect of this project for me, however, is that the artist whom Sufjan was inspired by, and whose artwork graces the cover, so accurately shines through this poignant journey. Self-declared “Prophet’” Royal Robertson (1930-1997) was one of the most intriguing and phenomenal artists of our time. I have been collecting his art for several years now, after exposure through my dear friend Scott Ogden’s amazing documentary, entitled “MAKE“.

Royal suffered from undiagnosed schizophrenia, which manifested itself through visions of time travel, aliens, and extreme paranoia. A trained sign painter, Robertson covered every inch of his trailer home with artwork and signage, often quoting biblical references, many times addressing his ex-wife, Adele whom he believed had cheated on him, and whose departure after 19 years of marriage he would never fully recover from.

Sufjan accurately represents the chaos, delusion, heartbreak and isolation that Robertson was surely plagued with his entire life. And the beauty of it all: Sufjan, like Royal, managed to transform this intensity into a body of art.

*You can pre-order The Age of ADZ through Asthmatic Kittty now and receive MP3s of the album prior to the release date.

*To learn more about Royal Robertson, or for information on how to purchase a work of art, contact The Webb Gallery or MAKE Skateboards

Two original photographs of Robertson’s home 35mm c. 1990 collection Jim Linderman

Front and back sides of one of Robertson’s paintings, from my own collection

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Posted in Music, New York, Outsider Art

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Basia Bulat @ Littlefield 9/24/10

Posted on September 27, 2010 | 1 Comment

I was lucky enough to catch Basia Bulat this Friday evening at Littlefield. The set of pipes and enthusiasm that this woman brings to the table make not falling in love with her an impossible task. The first time I saw Ms. Bulat perform was at this year’s SXSW, and have been a fan ever since. Friday’s performance was even more impressive, however, with the accompaniment of a full stage of talented musicians that really boosted her soulful folk arrangements to their full potential while allowing the true star (that voice of hers) to shine through.  It is lovely to see someone with such raw talent excelling at her craft, and I hope it won’t be the last time I catch her in NY.

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Posted in Music, New York

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NYC Upcoming Shows List

Posted on August 25, 2010 | Leave a comment

AUGUST

8/28 Dinosaur Feathers @ Littlefield

SEPTEMBER

9/07 The Do @ Mercury Lounge

9/07 Dinosaur Feathers @ Bruar Falls

9/08 The Do & Dinosaur Feathers @ The Bell House

9/09 School of Seven Bells @ Brooklyn Bowl

9/10 Beach Fossils @ Bowery

9/10 Colour Revolt, Turbo Fruits @ Mercury

9/11 Panda Bear @ Governors Island

9/11 Colour Revolt, Turbo Fruits @ Union Hall

9/13 Sherlock’s Daughter @ Bowery

9/14 Sherlock’s Daughter @ MHW

9/16 Jukebox The Ghost, Drink Up Buttercup @ MHW

9/19 Sea Wolf @ Mercury

9/21, 9/22,  Ra Ra Riot @ Bowery

9/23, 9/24 Ra Ra Riot @ MHW

9/23 Basia Bulat @ Mercury

9/24 Basia Bulat @ Littlefield

9/24 Japanther @ Shea Stadium

9/28 Black Heart Procession @ Le Poisson Rouge

9/29 Margot & The Nuclear So and Sos @ MHW

OCTOBER

10/12 Bowerbirds @ Bowery Ballroom

10/13 The Thermals, Cymbals Eat Guitars @ Irving Plaza

10/15 Casiotone for the Painfully Alone @ Monster Island

10/15 King Khan & The Shrines @ Santos Party House

10/16 Seabear @ Highline Ballroom

10/16 King Khan & The Shrines @ Bell House

*10/19-10/23 CMJ (tbd)

10/29 Local Natives @ Webster Hall

NOVEMBER

11/14, 11/15 Sufjan Stevens @ Beacon Theater

11/16 Mumford & Sons @ Terminal 5

11/27 FUN @ Webster Hall

DECEMBER

Stornoway @ Bowery Ballroom

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Posted in Music, New York, NYC Shows Lists

Stornoway

Posted on August 23, 2010 | Leave a comment

I have a massive band-crush on Stornoway. Not just because they are Oxford grads (Two of the band members have PhDs). Not just because they are British (Sure doesn’t hurt). Perhaps partly because I detect a kazoo at the end of one of their songs. But mostly because they make refreshingly smart, yet quirky, folk-pop music. Also, they prompted me to google the word “Zorbing”. Check em out.


Download Zorbing here.

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Posted in London, Music

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Sufjan Stevens: All Delighted People EP

Posted on August 23, 2010 | 2 Comments

Have you listened to Sufjan Steven’s super-dense and beautiful new EP yet? If not, please do. Its 60 minutes of sprawling epic orchestral sounds that will make you daze off into an introspective blur. Lovely. And oh yea, its streaming on his Bandcamp site right now. So, no excuses.

Also, free ice cream to the person who can spot Leo Dicaprio on the album cover in 10 seconds or less. GO!

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Posted in Music

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Since You’ve Been Gone

Posted on August 18, 2010 | Leave a comment

Hello to my loyal followers! If there are still any of you left out there after this month’s lapse you are surely loyal as golden retriever puppies and I love you for it. Its been quite a busy summer. From camping in Maine with no running water, to researching grad schools, designing for the ipad, blog-technical issues (Thanks Beecher!) and catching live shows such as Bear In Heaven, The National, Beach House, The Black Keys, Local Natives, and Wild Beasts, its enough to make a gal neglect her blog. And well, I just hope you don’t  hold these sometimes-lapses against me.

Its good to be back.

*Photo by Underwhelmer

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Posted in Music, New York

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New Panda Bear Single: “Slow Motion”

Posted on July 13, 2010 | Leave a comment

Check out this B-side off the new Panda Bear single out now on vinyl. Will be avail on itunes July 20. This is the first in a series of singles (each put out on a different label) leading up to the release of the new Panda Bear album, due this Fall.

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Posted in Music

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Mumford & Sons on La Blogotheque

Posted on July 8, 2010 | Leave a comment

Please enjoy this endearing video presented by La Blogotheque. If you aren’t familiar with the French site of  unique, artfully recorded live music performances, than consider this my special gift to you. This “Take Away Show”, (or the French title Les Concerts à Emporter) features one of my favorite bands, Mumford & Sons. They perform two songs and the video also includes footage of the band translating (and successfully performing) their song “Awake My Soul” dans le français…

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Department of Eagles new song: While We’re Young

Posted on July 8, 2010 | Leave a comment

Not quite a summer jam, but well worth a listen, this new Department of Eagles track may have you recalling cool contemplative winter evenings, which after these past few days of brutal NY summer heat is a welcome recollection indeed. Enjoy.

Download here

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Cults new MP3: Oh My God

Posted on July 6, 2010 | 1 Comment

Cults, who I’ve mentioned a few times on this blog, have released a new song, “Oh My God” and a video to go along with it. The song’s catchy but doesn’t quite have the same haunting vintage vibe as “The Curse”, which I kind of miss. Still, its fun, and for a band that’s been around for less time than some food currently sitting in my refrigerator, I’d say their doing just fine.

Also, might want to check out the video, if for no other reason than to witness the work of balloon artist Jason Hackenwerth. (yes, balloon artist) Its pretty awesome, and even more so as the video progresses.

Download here

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Posted in Music

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High Places & Toro Y Moi @ The Whitney Museum

Posted on June 17, 2010 | Leave a comment

Sorry I have been m.i.a. these past few days, guys. Its been one of those weeks… However, I wanted to take a quick second to post this because I definitely think its worth checking out. On Friday, July 2, High Places and Toro Y Moi are playing a free show at The Whitney in the lower gallery/sculpture park. Show starts at 7PM, and its free with museum admission. (Admission is pay-what-you-wish on Fridays from 6–9 pm ) I am going to try to make this one for sure.

*Random side note: Toro Y Moi created some awesome desktop wallpaper for Kitsune Noir a while back, which has been on my computer all year. Its really rad. Check it out (and download FREE) here.

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Posted in Music, New York

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