Category Archives: New York

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

Free Self-Defense Classes in Park Slope

Posted on September 10, 2011 | Leave a comment

I’m sure many of you have heard about the growing list of sexual assaults in Park Slope. In an attempt to help provide the women in the neighborhood with the tools to protect themselves, several Council Members are sponsoring FREE self-defense classes next week. Sadly, I am going to be out of town, but I would love to spread the word. Such a great opportunity. Pass it on!

Class Info:
Saturday, September 17th, 4-5:30pm – English
FREE CHILDCARE, space is limited, be sure to RSVP (info below)
At The Center for Anti-Violence Education
327 7th Street, 2nd Floor (btwn 4th and 5th Aves)

Monday, September 19th, 6-8:30pm – Spanish and English
Tuesday, September 20th, 6-8:30pm – English
PS10 in Sunset Park

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Posted in New York

Tagged Park Slope, rape, self defense classes

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

Tagged Best Coast, presale, Prospect Park, The Decemberists

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

Tagged Music Hall of Williamsburg, Tapes 'n Tapes

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

Tagged Royal Robertson, Sufjan Stevens, The Age of ADZ

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

Tagged Basia Bulat, Littlefield

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

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

Tagged Governors Island, Local Natives

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

Tagged High Places, Kitsune Noir, Toro Y Moi, Whitney Museum

BKLYN Yard is no more, however…

Posted on June 11, 2010 | Leave a comment

According to Brooklyn Vegan, Sunday Best is still going strong this weekend, same location, but no alcohol will be served, and you cannot bring any onto the property (No flasks allowed). Also, the venue is now being referred to as simply “400 Carroll Street”. For some reason, this all feels vaguely familiar… cough, Giuliani, cough cough.

*I wish I could credit the photo above. Sadly, there’s no mention online. Original source here.

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Posted in New York

Tagged bklyn yard, Sunday Best

Check em out: Dinosaur Feathers

Posted on June 8, 2010 | 1 Comment

I might be a little late jumping on the bandwagon, but I have just stumbled upon the Brooklyn-based trio Dinosaur Feathers recently, and I’m pretty much driving my co-workers crazy playing their newest album Fantasy Memorial on repeat. Each time I listen to it, I detect a different set of influences, which by now has become a laundry list including (but certainly not limited to) The Beach Boys, Kinks, Dodos, Ruby Suns, and Animal Collective. Not a bad musical cocktail, huh?

Take a listen for yourself below, and maybe you’ll hear something worth adding to the mix. Also, you can download the band’s first EP Early Morning Risers for free on their site. And, here are some upcoming NYC shows where you can catch them live:

6/17 @ Cake Shop

7/02 @ Silent Barn

7/22 @ Pier 54 w/ The Antlers (FREE)

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Posted in Music, New York

Tagged Dinosaur Feathers, Early Morning Risers, Fantasy Memorial

NYC Upcoming Shows List

Posted on June 7, 2010 | Leave a comment

JUNE

6/09 Plants & Animals @ Bowery

6/14 Warpaint @ Mercury Lounge

6/15 Warpaint, Beach Fossils @ Knitting Factory

*6/15 First Aid Kit @ The Bell House

6/16 First Aid Kit @ Mercury Lounge

6/17 Dinosaur Feathers @ Cake Shop

6/18 Suckers @ MHW

6/19 The Morning Benders, Freelance Whales @ Governors Island (FREE)

6/20 Grizzly Bear, Band of Horses, Karen Elson @ Williamsburg Waterfront

6/25 Real Estate, Woods @ Music Hall of Williamsburg (Northside Festival)

*6/26 Titus Andronicus, Cults, Liars, Fucked Up, High Places @ Newtown Barge Park (Northside Fest)

6/29 Passion Pit, Tokyo Police Club, Suckers @ Prospect Park

JULY

7/01 Toro Y Moi @ Glasslands

7/02 Dinosaur Feathers @ Silent Barn

7/07 Delorean @ Music On The Oval (FREE)

*7/09 Bear In Heaven @ South Street Seaport (FREE)

7/10 Tanlines @ Bowery

7/15 Langhorne Slim @ Brooklyn Bowl

7/17 Matt & Kim, Ted Leo, Surfer Blood, The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, Harlem @Siren Festival (FREE)

7/17 Dr. Dog @ Governors Island (FREE)

7/20 Rufus Wainwright @ Prospect Park

7/22 The Antlers, Dinosaur Feathers @ Pier 54 (FREE)

7/23 Free Energy, Best Coast @ South Street Seaport (FREE)

7/24 M.I.A, Sleigh Bells, Theophilus London @ Governors Island

7/27 The National, Beach House @ Prospect Park

7/27 & 28 The Black Keys @ Central Park Summerstage

7/30 The Swell Season @ Prospect Park (FREE)

7/30 Avi Buffalo @ Pier 54 (FREE)

7/31 Sonic Youth @ Prospect Park (FREE)

AUGUST

*8/01 St. Vincent, tUnE-YaRds, Basia Bulat @ Central Park Summerstage (FREE)

8/06 Yacht @ South Street Seaport (FREE)

*8/07 Local Natives @ Governor’s Island

8/08 The xx, Chairlift, Jack Penate @ Central Park Summerstage (FREE)

8/11 Wild Beasts @ Highline Ballroom

8/12 White Rabbits @ East River Amphitheater (FREE)

8/12 Grizzly Bear, The Walkmen, Gang Gang Dance @ Governors Island

8/12 Deer Hunter, Real Estate @ Pier 54 (FREE)

8/13 Deer Tick @ Webster Hall

SEPTEMBER

9/07 The Do @ Mercury Lounge

9/08 The Do @ The Bell House

9/11 Panda Bear @ Governors Island *AMEX pre-sale Wednesday, June 9th, general sale on Friday, June 11th.

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Posted in Music, New York, NYC Shows Lists

R.I.P. Brooklyn Yard

Posted on June 4, 2010 | Leave a comment

I am so sad to write this entry. The Brooklyn Yard has closed its doors. Last weekend (opening weekend!) was the last weekend to be held in the Carroll Gardens/Gowanus space. An excerpt from the email I just received below:

“Our landlord of the past four years, who used to share our vision for BKLYN Yard, notified us on Tuesday May 1st, that they would no longer honor our lease which had been in place since early this year. They chose not to give us an opportunity to renegotiate, and requested that we take what we have built, and terminate all of our confirmed plans and schedule for BKLYN Yard this summer” -MeanRed Productions

What a massive bummer. I have so many fond memories of this place. From live performances of High Places, Oneida, and O’ Death, to food truck extravaganzas, clothing swaps, and lots of sangria and good conversation. One of the most unique and entertaining NY Summer activities has come to an end. So. Sad.

Photo: Texas Malika Toussaint-Baptiste (www.kingtexas.net)

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Posted in New York

Tagged bklyn yard, Brooklyn YARD, closing, MeanRed

Marina Abramović at MOMA

Posted on June 2, 2010 | Leave a comment

Last week, I took my intern to Marina Abramović’s ”The Artist Is Present” at MOMA. We both left speechless. I am going to attempt to make this brief, but it is exceptionally hard because each piece really deserves a blog entry of it’s own.

A retrospective of performance art is a hard concept to grasp. Is it possible to understand, to really get the full effect of an artist’s body of work through live re-creations, along with video, sound, and photographic documentation? In my (newly formed) opinion, yes. Each room I entered was a unique and profound experience. I felt connected to every single piece I watched/read/interacted with. I cannot recall the last exhibition that elicited that kind of response from me.

From video of a young Marina obsessively and violently brushing her hair, to re-creations of her collaborative work with former lover Frank Uwe Laysiepen (Ulay), to the final live performance of the artist’s silent interaction with audience members, I was captivated. Also worth noting, each piece really FELT like it was hers, reenacted or otherwise.

There is criticism that her work is ego-driven, and that turns some people off I suppose. However, I think that for an artist to present you with pieces that are each engaging and compelling in a completely different way, yet so personally connected to the artist that you cannot separate one from the other, is to truly succeed. I mean, isn’t that what it’s all about? Besides, what was ever so wrong with ego to begin with?

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Posted in Art, New York

Tagged Marina Abramovic, MOMA, The artist is present

Black Keys FREE show: Classic Car Club 5/15/10

Posted on May 17, 2010 | 1 Comment

all photos: Bao Nguyen via Brooklyn Vegan

“Have you even seen the Black Keys perform?” “No” I replied. “Well, just wait till you see the fans. They freak out or pass out- every time. Consider yourself warned”. This was my conversation at the bar down the block from Classic Car Club Saturday night, as we waited for the doors to open for the Microsoft-sponsored free performance.

The initial vibe in the event space was very commercial, a lot of Microsoft-trying-to-be-hip promotional materials covered the walls, etc, which felt a little weird and forced. However, if you can imagine the kind of fans who’d line up for hours around the block eager for a chance to see the BKs, then I’m sure you can also imagine the vibe changed a bit once the flood gates opened and the ultra-fans came pouring in. It got EVEN WEIRDER.

The gentleman from the bar earlier was right. Through the course of the evening, I was witness to a hand-made Keys tee-shirt, which later turned into a flag that the (then topless) crazed fan waved around eager for some kind of recognition from his idols, a girl with her eyes closed and tears pouring down her face, and a few frat boys who busted my ear drums each time the band started up a new tune. Oh, also a looooot of fist pumps.

However, the band wailed. They were great. I was a little disappointed they didn’t play any new songs off Brothers, especially since the album is streaming on NPR but who am I to complain. They put on a good show. The crazed fans were appeased, and (to my knowledge) no one passed out. Success?

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Posted in Music, New York

Tagged Black Keys, Classic Car Club, Kin, Microsoft

Sleigh Bells & Cults @ Ridgewood Temple 5/11/10

Posted on May 12, 2010 | Leave a comment

Above are some shots from last night’s show at Ridgewood Temple. All three acts (The Sundelles, Cults, and Sleigh Bells) put on great performances, but the night was really all about Sleigh Bells. Energy was high after the release of their album that afternoon, and the crowd pretty much exploded the second Alexis Krauss jumped on stage. The floor boards were shaky and the majority of the audience became a big sweaty dancing mosh-pit of energy. The “special guest” (rumored to be M.I.A) apparently fell ill and didn’t show. No matter, by the time Sleigh Bells were finished, that was the last thing on anyone’s mind.

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Posted in Music, New York

Tagged Cults, Ridgewood Temple, Sleigh Bells, Sundelles

Sleigh Bells album released today, streaming on NPR

Posted on May 11, 2010 | Leave a comment

Sleigh Bells album Treats releases today, and is streaming in its entirety on NPR. I am listening to it right now in preparation for their show tonight at Ridgewood Temple with Cults. Word on the street is that MIA might be a “special guest”, since she showed up at their last show at Coco66. One can only hope…

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Posted in Music, New York