I Break Horses @ Mercury Lounge May 30

Mercury Lounge was sold out for the I Break Horses show last night, and I was looking forward to seeing this indie synth  duo in person.  Maria Lindén and Fredrik Balck hail from Stockholm, Sweden but have been opening up for M83 lately, so the large crowd seemed as ready as I was to check them out live. I chose their song "Heart" for my Fall 2011 Playlist, with its wash of synths and dreamy swirls of vocals. It's also the title track of their debut release.


It turns out the show was delayed because Lindén was backstage "throwing up all over the dressing room," as she later explained when the band finally took the stage at 11:30. (They were slated for an hour earlier and things were ready to go at least a half hour before.)  She told the crowd that she was "not feeling well at all today." I imagine that was quite the understatement.  The band began with the song "Heart" with an overzealous volume and lackluster lighting casting a pall over the performance.  My camera wasn't getting anything and I knew videos were out of the question, plus the music was punishing at those sound levels.  After the third song, I turned around and grabbed my date Paul who was as happy to leave as I was.  

Early Summer 2012 New Music Playlist

To most people, the Memorial Day weekend is the start of summer so why not explore some new music for your own personal soundtrack.  With a mix of recent arrivals and established artists, releases abound for the listening to heat things up.  Notes are provided with background info for further discovery. Link to listen here, enjoy! 

1. “Disparate Youth” – Santigold

This solid single is off Santigold’s second album, Master of My Make Believe.  With a mix of reggae, jazz and new wave influences, she continues to forge her own distinctive pop path.

2. “Happy Home” – Onuinu

Onuinu is the musical project of Portland multi-instrumentalist Dorian Duvall, combining an electro pop past into a new genre he likes to call “Disco-Hop.”  This shimmering romp of a song is off his upcoming full-length debut, Mirror Gazer.

3. “Heaven” – The Walkmen

The Walkmen are ready to release album number seven after a decade together – this title track highlights their unique sound, featuring Hamilton Leithauser’s passionate vocals over a steadfast foundation. The band members are now living in New York City, Philadelphia and New Orleans, but still present an unwavering united front for indie rock fans.

4. “Bad for Me” – Brendan Benson

This tuneful song is the single off Benson’s sixth album, What Kind of World, which was recorded entirely in analog. In the middle of a busy career as a musician, songwriter and band member of The Racounteurs, he now also has his own record label called Readymade Records.

5. “Good as New” – Vacationer

6. “Trip” – Vacationer

These groove-based songs bring a feel good summer attitude via the new chill wave band Vacationer, embracing all things sunny and cool in the debut release, Gone. Listeners may recognize Kenny Valosi’s fun time vocals from his punk pop band, The Starting Line. 

7.  “Warbeth” – The Magnetic North

This U.K. band is an alt music collaboration between Simon Tong (Gorillaz, The Verve), folk artist Erland Cooper and prolific Irish songstress Hannah Peel.  “Warbeth” is a mesmerizing multi-part composition off their debut album, Orkney: Symphony of The Magnetic North.

8. “Act On Impulse” – We Were Promised Jetpacks

We Were Promised Jetpacks is a quartet from Edinburgh, Scotland, generating buzz with their take on indie rock.  This building jam is off their second release, In the Pit of the Stomach.

9. “Alpine” – Hands

This single from Australian band Hands will be featured on their upcoming full-length release.  Six band members combine to create quirky songs with Scandinavian sounding indie pop sensibilities.

10. “Heart” – Oberhofer

Founder and frontman Brad Oberhofer moved East from Tacoma, Washington to study music at New York University and now his band is based in Brooklyn.  He writes and records all the music himself, gathering a tour band to support this second release, Time Capsule II.

11. “Montauk” – Rufus Wainwright

American-Canadian singer/songwriter Rufus Wainwright recently released another album of intensely personal songs featuring his signature tenor and virtuosic piano playing. (He has seven albums of original music, ten if you count compilations and other contributions). This one, called Out of the Game, focuses on his new stage of life finding the wonder in marriage and fatherhood.

12. “Higher Palms” – My Best Fiend

This Brooklyn based quintet embraces the psychedelic ways of fuzzy indie pop.  Singer Fred Coldwell provides spaced out renditions of melodic vocals for this single and lead track on their second release, In Ghostlike Fading.

13.  “Hey Jane” – Spiritualized

14. “So Long You Pretty Thing” – Spiritualized

Jason Pierce (a.k.a. J. Spaceman) has had a tough seven years battling health problems such as double pneumonia and going through chemo for liver disease. So it’s no surprise that the new release for his U.K. band, So Long You Pretty Thing, is full of soul searching songs contemplating the highs and lows of human existence.

15. “Saint Nothing” – Daniel Rossen

This quiet, solemn song is off Daniel Rossen’s solo EP, Silent Hour. Rossen is originally from Los Angeles, traveling east to study at New York University and then becoming part of the indie bands Department of Eagles and Grizzly Bear.

Caveman @ Brooklyn Museum May 17

Caveman at The Brooklyn Museum

I like to arrive early to concerts. Maybe it's because I used to perform as a dancer and in back high school musicals, arriving before things get going just feels right.  That way I can get a sense of the space, the crowd and even the band as it's setting up.  I had just seen Caveman at Crossing Brooklyn Ferry killing it on the big stage so it was going to be quite a comparison at a smaller venue.  The band was going through their sound check as I arrived at the Brooklyn Museum. I even got to chat a bit with the band before they headed for the green room and a tray of Brooklyn Lagers.  I had thought the Audiophile program would be in the auditorium where I saw Moby do an acoustic set and interview last May, but this year's music series was right in the entry pavilion.  So while the bands played (NewVillager was on the bill first), a constant wave of people and traffic pulsed behind the stage.  It was almost like footage on a scrim used by many a band on larger, more traditional venues.  

Frontman/singer Matt Iwanusa

Here's some photos and a video from the night -- PopMatters write up here! 

Reflection of the band on the ceiling

                                       Caveman "Decide" @ Brooklyn Museum 5/17/12

Spiritualized "Live In Concert" via NPR Music

NPR Music has posted a recent concert of Spiritualized as an entire listening session along with six "featured videos." The concert was recorded last week at the Washington D.C. venue 9:30 club (named for its original address of 930 F Street NW during the 80s, now located at 815 V Street NW). In my book it’s a perfect mid-sized space to see a show, with a standing only capacity of 1200.  Sure it's not the same as being there, but I welcome these fly on the wall opportunities to check out a band's performance style.  Looking at the footage, you not only witness the nuances in the songs presented and how they vary from the produced tracks, but also the interactions of various band members, even if it's just on your computer screen.  The audio stream provides the entire show, over two hours of live music to indulge in right at home or work if such things are allowed.

Here the theatrics of a psychedelic light show cut across the blackened stage with frontman Jason Pierce (a.k.a. J. Spaceman) and his back up singers all dressed in white. Pierce’s voice is raw and gravely, as he plays guitar while standing behind a mike stand in black sunglasses. While there may not be much movement by those on stage, waves of emotion pour out in the music.  Most of the set list are from Pierce’s latest release, Sweet Heart Sweet Light, a personal collection of alt rock anthems full of triumph as well as serious songs revealing doubts about our limited time on earth.  I have two tracks already picked out for my next playlist... stay tuned.

Link to NPR Music’s “Live in Concert” page here.

SET LIST:

• "Hey Jane"
• "Lord Let It Rain On Me"
• "Headin' for the Top Now"
• "Walkin' with Jesus"
• "Oh Baby"
• "Rated X"
• "Born Never Asked"
• "Electric Mainline"
• "Soul on Fire"
• "I Am What I Am" *
• "Ladies and Gentlemen We Are Floating in Space" *
• "Mary"
• "Stay with Me" *
• "So Long You Pretty Thing" *
• "She Kissed Me (And It Felt Like a Hit)" *
• "Come Together" *
• "Cop Shoot Cop"

* featured video

New Passion Pit Single "Take A Walk"

Passion Pit @ Moogfest 10/30/11 (Photos: Paul Seymour)

This week Passion Pit released a single off their much anticipated sophomore album Gossamer called "Take a Walk."  Paul and I got a sneak preview at last fall's Moogfest show, during a very cold night on the Animoog Playground (basically a parking lot with a stage and food/merch tents, offical PopMatters review here). Singer/frontman Michael Angelakos was actually sweetly concerned about the crowd's well being, but as you can see by the photos there was plenty of body heat to keep us warm.  "Take A Walk" announces the band with a synth chord intro and then it's classic Passion Pit with a driving dance beat and sing along chorus.  Angelakos told New York Magazine's Vulture that this time around "there is more a dichotomy between the lyrics and the music. The lyrics on this album have a lot to say about what the last two years of my life have been troubled with."  To drive home the point, their website provides the lyrics along with a free download for the listener (also provided below).

TAKE A WALK

ALL THESE KINDS OF PLACES MAKE IT SEEM LIKE IT'S BEEN AGES
TOMORROW SOME NEW BUILDING WILL SCRAPE THE SKY
I LOVE THIS COUNTRY DEARLY
I CAN FEEL THE LADDER CLEARLY
BUT I NEVER THOUGHT I'D BE ALONE TO TRY
ONCE I WAS OUTSIDE PENN STATION SELLING RED AND WHITE CARNATIONS
WE WERE STILL ALONE MY WIFE AND I
BEFORE WE MARRIED SAVED MY MONEY
BROUGHT MY DEAR WIFE OVER
NOW I WORK TO BRING MY FAMILY STATESIDE

BUT OFF THE BOAT THEY STAYED AWHILE THEN SCATTERED ACROSS THE COAST
ONCE A YEAR I'LL SEE THEM FOR A WEEK OR SO AT MOST

I TOOK A WALK

PRACTICE ISN'T PERFECT BUT THE MARKET CUTS THE LOSS
I REMIND MYSELF THAT TIMES COULD BE MUCH WORSE
MY WIFE WON'T ASK ME QUESTIONS
THERE'S NOT SO MUCH TO ASK
AND SHE'LL NEVER FLAUNT AROUND AN EMPTY PURSE
ONCE MY MOTHER IN LAW CAME JUST TO STAY A COUPLE NIGHTS
THEN DECIDED SHE WOULD STAY THE REST OF HER LIFE
I WATCH MY LITTLE CHILDREN PLAY SOME BOARD GAME IN THE KITCHEN
AND I SIT AND PRAY THEY NEVER FEEL MY STRIFE

BUT THEN MY PARTNER CALLED TO SAY THE PENSION FUNDS WERE GONE
HE MADE SOME BAD INVESTMENTS NOW THE ACCOUNTS ARE OVERDRAWN

I TOOK A WALK

HONEY, IT'S YOUR SON
I THINK I BORROWED JUST TOO MUCH WE HAD TAXES
WE HAD BILLS, WE HAD A LIFESTYLE TO FRONT AND TONIGHT I SWEAR I'LL COME HOME AND WE'LL MAKE LOVE LIKE WE'RE YOUNG AND TOMORROW YOU'LL COOK DINNER FOR THE NEIGHBORS AND THEIR KIDS WE CAN RIP APART THOSE SOCIALISTS AND ALL THEIR DAMN TAXES BUT SEE I AM NO CRIMINAL
I'M DOWN ON BOTH BAD KNEES I'M JUST TOO MUCH A COWARD
TO ADMIT WHEN I'M IN NEED

I TOOK A WALK.

PopMatters Review for Crossing Brooklyn Ferry 2012 -- Closing Night May 5

My review for the last day of Crossing Brooklyn Ferry is posted on PopMatters today -- all I can say on behalf of all indie music fans is well done Dessners! Article at link here with photos and highlight video (also below).

Crossing Brooklyn Ferry Highlights @ BAM 5/5/12

PopMatters Review for Crossing Brooklyn Ferry 2012 -- Opening Night May 3

My PopMatters review for day one of Crossing Brooklyn Ferry posted today at the link here with photos and highlight video below, enjoy!  

Crossing Brooklyn Ferry Highlights @ BAM 5/5/12

BAM's Crossing Brooklyn Ferry 2012 Closing Night May 5

We were lucky enough to be going back to BAM for the third and final night of Crossing Brooklyn Ferry on Saturday, May 5. As I was picking up our tickets, a woman at the next box office window was spelling out the last name D-E-S-S-N-E-R. Seconds later, Aaron Desssner clamly walked through the lobby with an aborable baby in a carrier on his chest.  And then, going up to the BAMcafé, I quickly spotted Bryce Dessner in the crowd.

It was clearly their production, from start to finish.  How rewarding it must be to have the whole thing go so well, as staff and participants alike seemed more a tuned to how things would proceed upon my return after opening night. The BAMcafé was busy at an early hour on Saturday, with a performance by the Brooklyn Youth Chorus.  (It reminded me of how George Balanchine took to casting children in his beloved ballet The Nutcracker simply to sell seats.)  But this being a project of Bryce Dessner, it all made sense.  He even joined the group on guitar as they presented his lyrical choral composition, "To the Sea."  

Me & Matt Iwanusa of Caveman

Things quickly heated up with Caveman scheduled for the opening slot over in Opera House.  I missed seeing this band during last fall's CMJ festival, but didn't fret over it after reading a not so flattering review about a lackluster performance style.  I loved last year's debut release Coco Beware, playing it many times all the way through (what a concept!)  But they really brought it to the big stage with a nice mix of songs.  Sometimes bands can look awkward or a bit lost on such a grand stage, but the guys sounded great and looked like they were having fun which is always such a plus.  Although I was seated near the stage, I ran down to the pit for their final tune "Old Friend" to dance along.  In fact, it became my favorite set of the festival -- even with such stellar headliners such as The Walkmen and Beirut, I just personally like Caveman's brand of indie music better. 

Next up was My Brightest Diamond with yMusic in tow, followed by Atlas Sound and the headliners Beirut in what seemed very quick succession. While Beirut ended on a mellow note with an encore featuring singer/songwriter Zach Condon alone on acoustic guitar, the party continued in the BAMcafé with a dj set by Pat Mahoney and Nancy Whang of DFA (and formerly LCD Soundsystem).  On the way up the escalator, we spotted singer Matt Iwanusa of Caveman talking his way into the line.  It seems he and his buddies had just gone to use a bathroom and when they returned there was a long line.  Once upstairs, we joked how we were going to say they were with us if the deal didn't go through.  Matt was openly generous to us as fans and thanked me for telling how much I liked his band's set, new and old songs alike.  

Later as we were leaving after a stint on the dance floor, I was interested to see if we had missed the "super moon" spectacular.  A small group of guys outside on the side of the entrance caught my attention instead, especially the stylin' plaid jacket I recognized as the one worn by Caveman's guitarist Jimmy Carbonetti (turns out a friend of his designs such things).  He was hanging with two other members of the band and as we've started a serious of photos of Paul with fellow bass players, we went over to introduce ourselves.  As the guys chatted guitars (Carbonneiti has his own shop on Orchard Street called Cobra Guitars), I looked up at the sky.  It turned out that clouds had obscured the vision so we hadn't missed a thing. Full write up of the night on PopMatters here.

Paul with (left to right)  Jimmy Carbonetti,  Stephan Marolachalus,  & bass player Jeff Berrall

Caveman "A Country's King of Dreams" @ Crossing Brooklyn Ferry, BAM 5/5/12

 Atlas Sound "Te Amo" @ Crossing Brooklyn Ferry, BAM 5/5/12

 Beirut "Elephant Gun" @ Crossing Brooklyn Ferry BAM 5/5/12

Beirut set list

BAM's Crossing Brooklyn Ferry 2012, Opening Night May 3

With Paul in the BAMcafé

Last night was the first night of Crossing Brooklyn Ferry, a new music festival at the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM).  BAM has hosted many single concerts before, but to have the entire main building taken over by like-minded indie music fans was something definitely different. As curated by Aaron and Bryce Dessner of The National, Crossing Brooklyn Ferry (named after the Walt Whitman poem) celebrated all the connections the brothers have made since leaving Ohio to make Brooklyn their home (handy New York Times graphic here).  As the first act began in the BAMcafé, the intense JACK Quartet, Bryce Dessner sat  in the crowd with his head tilted in concentration.  Aaron Dessner soon entered the venue and stood at attention in the back.  Without any official declaration, their musical concept became a reality.  Just off tour with Bon Iver, yMusic took the stage next and then the room filled with people as the rows of chairs were removed for People Get Ready.  This band seemed much tighter and together since we caught them warming up for Washed Out last summer, which is always nice to witness in live performance.

Crossing paths again with David Byrne

We spent the rest of the night checking out the acts in the Opera House: Twin Shadow, Sharon Van Etten and The Walkman. The crowd was allowed to fill in the orchestra pit and without ticketed seats, mingle about at will.  This also allowed a nice back and forth during sets in the Opera House back to other bands in the BAMcafé,  along with food and drink.  Wondering where Paul had wandered off, I texted him for info.

"Upstairs talking to db" he wrote, using the initials for David Byrne who we had heard was in the house.  I thought maybe Paul was just saying Byrne was nearby, but when I got there I saw he was indeed telling the truth -- two guys just chatting at the bar. Paul was in the middle of telling our story of helping his friend Brian Eno through airport security after Moogfest last fall. I chimed in with details and then asked him about how he once said that he was disappointed not to see his contemporaries at music shows around the city.  Turns out he actually meant fellow musicians, not just the same generation of music fans (like me!)

Looking forward to going back Saturday night and full write up on PopMatters here.  Below is a few photos and videos from the night...

BAM Lobby

Loads of band merch available, love it!!!

  Sharon Van Etten "All I Can" @ Crossing Brooklyn Ferry, BAM 5/3/12

                       The Walkmen "Heaven" @ Crossing Brooklyn Ferry, BAM 5/3/12

The Walkmen set list