new years eve!

Tomorrow is New Years Eve and there are obviously thousands of things going on. However, Cameo in Williamsburg is having a pretty cheap (25 clams) party with some awesome bands including Morgan Geist, Midnight Magic, Fall On Your Sword, Jacques Renault, Dan Selzer, and Marcos Cabral. It's going to be a sick dance party so come and bring your friends. This is a hilarious video from Fall On Your Sword that my girl Cait just sent me, enjoy.

What does Canada have to offer?

I discovered Teen Daze last week while sifting through hype machine's blog archives. Their music bridges the gap between ambient and club pop, flirting with dance beats, lo-fi  sounds and enveloping ethereal effects at once. If you're like me, you'll hear their tunes 'Everywhere' and 'Cold House,' and cry for a remix. Luckily I was able to find this remix of Local Natives' staple representative track 'Wide Eyes.' Enjoy my latest edition of "What does Canada have to offer?"

Teen Daze - Everywhere

Teen Daze - Cold House

Local Natives - Wide Eyes (Teen Daze Remix)

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YAY!

knapoihoawnerpoaindvoinawef;onadsb;on. k now that the presure of riting again has eclipsed and now that ive survived that eclipse by avoiding it i prowdly say...fuck music such a fickle bitch of an art sometimes crap sounds good and sometimes it doesn't But wen it sounds good, it sounds soooo good ! And it's gonna be a good listen when u hear it.

tanlines, keepaway and more at glasslands.

Glasslands should be a good option for Friday night. Tanlines and Keepaway each have a distinctly unique sound and the venue is pretty cool. I wrote them up at Eardrum so you can read that here. Here are some tracks from the groups that are playing.

Tanlines - Real Life

Tanlines - Bees

Tanlines - Reinfo

Keepaway - Yellow Wings

Keepaway - 5 Rings

Memoryhouse - The Waves

Light Pollution - All Night Outside 

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karl denson's universe is small.

Those of you who know me personally (that might be all of you) will recall that I spent some time in Miami a few years back. In Miami I attended more than a few funk jams at a number of different venues. Karl Denson's Tiny Universe was hands down the cream of the crop. Denson rips wholes in the time-space continuum with his blasting saxophone while his band knocks off the smoothest and funkiest tunes known to man. I saw them at Tobacco Road in downtown MIA, where they filled the parking lot with dancing bodies. It was a sweaty mess and nobody left unsatisfied.

The reason I bring this up now is because Denson's band of players is going to douse Brooklyn's premier bowling alley in pure dance sauce tonight! Funk is not my forte, however I fully recommend checking this show out if you (a) like funk music, (b) like jam bands, (c) listen to jazz on occassion, or (d) like to dance. If you don't like to dance, then stop reading this blog.

we are country mice tonight.

The Brooklyn indie underground is great not because there are so many bands to listen to, so many shows to see, or so people to meet. The quantity is there, but the quality is what keeps the scene intact. Quality, in the case of We Are Country Mice, comes in the form of Garage-Country -Psych music. The band was formed in Brooklyn in 2009 by a quartet of Midwesterners looking to start up a musical career in the big apple. Since then they've released a couple successful "7's and have toured around the east and midwest, including 2010's SXSW. Self-described as "Crazy Horse through a psychedelic vacuum," they are also heavily influenced by Wilco and My Morning Jacket. The tunes incorporate a shit-kicking attitude with a brooding flavor. They put on an engaging live show and have been known to steal the night from larger acts. We are Country Mice, playing tonight at Bruar Falls, are among the notable few who bring the quality to Brooklyn.

Joining the Mice are Your Youth, another quality act. Your Youth is more along the lines of what might be expected from a Brooklyn band, mixing shoegaze, garage and psychedelic into a pop category that no other city produces in comparable volume. They make energetic music with a punky tinge that possesses a dark edge, not unlike We Are Country Mice. Your Youth and We Are Country Mice, preceded by Apollo Heights, are likely to bring Bruar Falls to a frenzy of Williamsburg's music hungry hipsters and yuppies alike. The venue, appearing as any old Williamsburg bar to the untrained eye, has served as an epicenter for the Brooklyn music scene hosting acts like Beach Fossils, Dream Diary and North Highlands.

We Are Country Mice - A Good Old-Fashioned Barn Raising
We Are Country Mice - Ballad of John

Your Youth - Boomerang

Your Youth - Small Sparks

Your Youth - Awake

Your Youth - Diamond

Love,
Jake

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introducing otherside.

In the ever expanding world of electronic music there is an almost endless supply of remixes, mash-ups and fixes. Like all indie music, most of them aren't worth a second glance. However, every once in a while you come upon a DJ who can hook up some really great beats that aren't too intense or artsy or dull, they're just right for a good dance party (that is what most electronic music is supposed to do right?). Otherside's mixes are just that. In the tracks below, Otherside (Chris Trano) mashes songs from Deadmau5, Jewelz and more together to create awesome dance tracks. The first two tracks are more conventional mixes, each utilizing sounds from two songs, while the last is a combination of many artists and is pretty intense. You will recognize some of the sounds, probably not all of them. Enjoy listening hour.

Otherside - Deadmau5 vs Deadmau5 (So There I Was vs Slip)

Otherside - Mowgli vs Jewelz

Otherside - 1000 Dooms

Hope everyone enjoyed this beautiful week. Stay happy and healthy,

Jake

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just watch it.

Sonar from Renaud Hallée on Vimeo.

love,
Jake

so much to hear!

There was supposed to be a show at DBA tonight featuring Reading Rainbow, Grooms and The Girls at Dawn. Unfortunately the show was cancelled, but I can still salvage some of my busted preview by telling you a bit about these bands because I think all three of them are pretty cool.

Reading Rainbow is the epitome of reverb drenched lo-fi garage rock. They spare no effort trying to make their music radio-friendly, instead they focus energy towards creating repetitive riffs over which verses and choruses float swimmingly. Despite their fuzzy distorted quality, Reading Rainbow's songs do not cease to be audibly pleasing. The vocals that band mates Robbie and Sarah apply to their mostly single riff songs are at times catchy, at times chantable, and at times indiscernible, but always boisterous and tuneful.

Reading Rainbow - We Are Too Young

Reading Rainbow - Feral Kids

Reading Rainbow - Oh Deer Lord

Grooms are slightly more polished than Reading Rainbow but maintain an underground attitude with detuned guitar riffs, disheveled vocals and competing melodies. Their tunes could be likened to a few 90s Dischord bands such as Faraquet, Trusty and Bluetip, however they incorporate an original ingredient with electronic synth rhythms and a percussive vocal style that is becoming increasingly popular in indie music. The members of Grooms are on the musically talented side of the indie scene and are expected to put on a good musical and stage performance.

Grooms - Dreamsucker

Grooms - Wicked Game

Grooms - Acid King of Hell (Guitar Feelings)

The Girls at Dawn are yet another all-girl garage rock band making headway on the indie front with their EP release, Never Enough. Their melodies are catchy, their tunes are complete, and...they're hot!? Call me on the phone, da da da.

The Girls at Dawn - Every Night

The Girls at Dawn - It's the Only Time

The Girls at Dawn - I'm Not Sad

I was listening to a band called The Bronx from LA this morning and was intrigued by their latest release. The Bronx is a metal band who have been touring the world for about 8 years. Until now they have stuck to their fast, punky brand of metal. In 2009, The Bronx released a double album that featured one disc as metal and one as...wait for it...mariachi music. Under the name Mariachi El Bronx, the group released a full album that stretches far from anything they've ever done before, and it's actually pretty good. Take a listen to Mariachi El Bronx, as well as The Bronx, below.

The Bronx - I Got Chills

Mariachi El Bronx - Quinceniera

Mariachi El Bronx - My Brother the Gun

Mariachi El Bronx - Slave Labor

Mariachi El Bronx - Sleepwalking

Here are some extra Latin roots for you.

Gipsy Kings - Volare

Gipsy Kings - Djobi, Djoba

Buena Vista Social Club - Chan Chan

Buena Vista Social Club - De Camino a la Vereda

Japanther is back in the showing mood and will be playing frequently in the next few weeks. For instance, they're playing tonight at Party Expo, which is very close to my own apartment in Bushwick. The show will be intimate and focused as they will only allow 75 people in and it's a dry show (sounds a little douchy to me but them's the breaks). They'll be playing with Boys Who Say No and Filthy Savage, both hardcore acts. Party Expo is located at 929 Broadway, just West of the Market Hotel.

Enjoy the beautiful weather,
Jake


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new the national, yawn, lusine.

The National, a Brooklyn Night favorite, has leaked a new single from their upcoming album High Violet. 'Bloodbuzz Ohio' isn't a stretch from their previous material; sustained piano chords, racing drums, dark vocal melodies, droning bass, horns, epic finishes. Though I have and continue to appreciate The National's subdued music making tendencies, I wanted to hear something a little more innovative from their newest single. Alas, I will have to settle for another classic The National tune. (Get tickets to see these guys at Prospect Park, July 27. I'll be there.)

The National - Bloodbuzz Ohio

Scanning the internet for worthy listening material, a couple tracks caught my ear. The first is 'Empress' by Chicago's YAWN. Akin to Yeasayer and Animal Collective, YAWN utilizes worldly instrumentation in developing percussive and bouncy music. Compared to much of their other music, 'Empress' is suspenseful and intense. Tension is built simultaneously by a broken percussion track, rigid guitar work, and a dark vocal verse. The lyrics seem to be a commentary on the need for things to seem perfect in an imperfect world. Not new, "You want to be comfortable, so comfortable it hurts." The first line still haunts me.

YAWN - Empress

The second track is by Lusine. I have written about Lusine before and am really into his sounds. The music is danceable but not clubby, it has a certain Four Tet kind of feel but is more intentionally electronic. Check it out.

Lusine - Emerald

That's all for today.

Love,
Jake

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oh no ono and more.

I'm back and better than ever! Enough about me,

First and foremost, Oh No Ono, a group I've written about before, is playing two nights in NYC, Wednesday at Mercury Lounge and Thursday at Music Hall of Williamsburg. Oh No Ono is inventive and prolific. Their music, while remaining pop, runs through an array of musical styles and will be stimulating for even the most discriminating ears. I caught a quiet set of theirs at Soundfix Records earlier this year and was really impressed with what they could do with some tiny amps, a couple mics and a drum machine. Definitely make it out to one of the two shows where they'll be performing full band [more info here]. Here is some music from the bands that are playing.

Oh No Ono - Helplessly Young
Oh No Ono - Swim

Oh No Ono - Eleanor Speaks (Caribou Remix)

Little Dragon - My Step

Little Dragon - Feather

Little Dragon - Looking Glass

VV Brown - Shark In The Water

VV Brown - Leave (Style of Eye Remix)

VV Brown, who will play with Oh No Ono and Little Dragon at Music Hall of Williamsburg on Thursday, disappoints me! VV unsuccessfully tried to fill Amy Winehouse's shoes when she didn't want to go to rehab one too many times. Her music tries to throw back but she cops out and writes formulaic pop songs that everybody has heard before. Take the song 'Shark In the Water' for instance: this song starts like a KT Tunstall tune and then explodes into a chorus that reminds me of Jay-Z's 'Empire State of Mind' (and every other R&B pop song I hear blasting from the gigantic cars in my neighborhood). She could sell a ton of records, which is more than one could say for a lot of the music that is put out there, but won't be remembered. I should say that after a few listens her songs were stuck in my head (god damnit!) but the music is over-produced and uninteresting, though it may be good for a pre-friday night pump-up.

In other news, MGMT forgot to call the plumber and their new album Congratulations has leaked all over the internet. You can listen to the whole thing at their website http://www.whoismgmt.com/ or download tracks from a number of different sources (including me).

MGMT - Someone's Missing

MGMT - Brian Eno

One more group to check out. Empire of the Sun are an Australian group who released their album Walking On A Dream in 2008 which, despite going platinum in their home country, did not receive much recognition nationally. They were recently nominated for two Brit Awards, International Album and International Breakthrough Act, and have earned a fair amount of blogger recognition in the past few months. I hereby award Empire of the Sun my stamp of approval and will jump on the bandwagon of promoting them to the American public.

Empire of the Sun - Walking On A Dream

I love you all,
Jake

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new tracks from mgmt.

As some of you already know, MGMT is expected to release Congratulations, their second full length album, on April 13. From that album, two tracks have been leaked to the internet and made available to pirate bloggers like me. So, I present to you:

MGMT - Congratulations
MGMT - Flash Delirium

Both tracks have a generous helping of MGMT's kooky attitude. 'Congratulations' is a slow track whose strumming guitar is reminiscent of Don McClean or America. In juxtaposition to the song's good 'ol feel, the song pays homage to far eastern influences with a distinctly sounding instrument called a Konghou (Chinese harp). 'Flash Delirium' is closer to what we might expect from MGMT with layered vocals and competing progressions, and finishes with the heaviest section we've heard from them yet.

Enjoy,
Jake

wild nothing all over the place.

Jack Tatum, aka Wild Nothing, will be playing Thursday, Friday and Saturday, all in Brooklyn and all with respectable lineups. Thursday's show at Market Hotel will include Blissed Out, Miho Hatori (who I had never heard of before today - she's great), and Fluffy Lumbers (also playing tonight at Monster Island Basement with Dream Diary and others). Friday is Wild Nothing's biggest gig of the three, at Music Hall of Williamsburg with WOODS and Real Estate; and he will finish up at Shea Stadium on Saturday with PC Worship and The House Floor. All are shows worth attending, do some listening to straighten out your priorities.

Wild Nothing - Summer Holiday
Wild Nothing - Chinatown
Wild Nothing - Confirmation
Wild Nothing - Cloudbusting

Woods - I Was Gone

Woods - Echo Lake

Real Estate - Snow Days

Real Estate - Suburban Dogs

Blissed Out - Jain

Fluffy Lumbers - Harry Dolland's

Love,
Jake

P.S. Go to http://www.eardrumnyc.com/blog/ to check out my preview for these shows.

washed out.

Lo-fi electro-love-maker Washed Out, aka Ernest Greene, has blown up and continues his tear through the Brooklyn and national indie scenes. Having been involved in many electronic outfits prior to Washed Out, including Lee Bedroom and Columbia, SC locals [just] Bedroom, Greene has amassed enough creativity to explode his newest project all over everybody. Washed Out features watery drum beats and distorted vocals.  Chords are created in the form of appegiators and synth waves that swallow the listener whole.  On top of it all are some of the catchiest melodies one can find in the current indie climate (which is far from devoid of catchy tunes). Check out some tracks below, and his remix of Small Black's "Despicable Dogs" on this post.

Washed Out - Belong
Washed Out - Feel It All Around
Washed Out - Luck

Washed Out is currently touring with Pictureplane and Small Black.  Mercury lounge was bombarded at two sold out shows Sunday and yesterday by the acid friendly trio. Other dates will be played in Austin at SXSW and the tour will finish with a one night stand at Music Hall of Williamsburg on April 10th.  Get Tickets NOW!

Love,
Jake

japanther record release at mercury lounge.

Japanther is one of Brooklyn's leading acts, fronting the lo-fi punk scene for nearly a decade. Tomorrow night, Thursday the 4th, they are throwing a record release party for their new album Rock N' Roll Ice Cream. The album is 10 tracks long and was recorded with Menlo Park Recordings in Los Angeles and produced by Michael Blum (Madonna, Michael Jackson, Pink Floyd, Suicidal Tendencies and a lot more). Also on the bill are Cerebral Ballzy and Filthy Savage. Check out some of their music:

Japanther - Spread So Thin
Japanther - One Hundred Dollars
Japanther - Wolfenswan
Japanther - Fuk Tha Prince A Pull Iz Dum
Japanther - River Phoenix
Japanther - Radical Businessman (Feat. MC Spank Rock)
Cerebral Ballzy - Insufficient Fare

(for best results, got to eardrumnyc.com after 7am on Thursday to see a corresponding article by yours truly)

Lovely lovely,

Jake

i'm full of music.

I'm full of music today. Someone needs to stop me from putting up all this illegal music. Maybe the CIA will come get me, what a way to go out.

Solilaquists of Sound - Gotham City Chase Scene

Solilaquists of Sound - Marvel

Quasi - Repulsion

Morningwood - Take Off Your Clothes

Washed Out - You'll See It (Small Black Remix)*

Small Black - Despicable Dogs (Washed Out Remix)*

Emily Jane White - Liza

Definitely one of my more eclectic posts. Thanks to Lani for playing morningwood on your show today.  Lani has a program on Hunter College's radio station, WHCS, called Pizza Party w/ Lani every Tuesday from 6-7pm.  There is no pizza but you can hear some cool live performances - today Frances Rose played a brief but representative acoustic set after Lani interviewed them for a while - as well as fun tracks, new and old. This link will take you to their homepage, to listen click on the widget's play button.

In other news: Check out the cover of MGMT's new album, Congratulations.

 

Is that Tom and Jerry?

Love,
Jake

*thank poptartssucktoasted.com for these ones.

songs to dance to.

I spent the weekend in Bay Ridge rehearsing with Fuzzy Shrapnel and I'm all tuckered out from taking part in their excessive habits. So I decided to write a poem and listen to some robot music.  Here is the music.

Phoenix - Lisztomania (Alex Metric Remix)

VEGA - No Reasons

Coeur De Pirate - Comme Des Enfants (Le Matos Andy Carmichael Remix)

Yes Giantess - The Ruins

Deadmau5 - Ghosts n Stuff (Elite Force Re-Fix)

The Silent League - Here's A Star (Neon Indian Remix)

Ellie Goulding - Starry Eyed (Russ Chimes Remix)

Love,
Jake

a night to remember.

It was a cold and rainy night in Williamsburg; the kind of night that keeps even die hard fans in the warmth of their homes. However, the rain and cold were not enough to keep JEFF the Brotherhood at bay. Despite being nearly one thousand miles from home, Nashville's rockingest brothers committed nothing short of murder last night at Death By Audio. Jake's growling guitar cut through the room with an unforgiving intensity. Jamin's drums beat relentlessly, gaining momentum with every highly anticipated swell. The duo blasted through crowd favorites including 'U Got the Feel' and 'Bone Jam' before they ran out of lyrics and, at the room's request, played a slew of instrumental numbers. Unfased by any lack of lyrical content, the crowd undulated incessantly to every tune that tore through the smoke filled venue. Song after song, band and audience joined forces to create an energy that could not be bested. JEFF set a fire to the stage that would burn on for hours after the conclusion of their set.

Though it would have been nearly impossible to match JEFF's performance, Screaming Females put forth a valient opening effort. Marissa's primal screams, face melting guitarwork and, despite her small stature, huge presence brought the room to life. Jarret pounded out compelling beats while King Mike's melodious bass lines syncronized the pulse of the room. Screaming Females are a boisterous and dramatic group whose live show can appeal to an array of musical inclinations.

With love,
Jake

tuesday at death by audio.

Tomorrow's show at DBA is so good!  JEFF the Brotherhood, Screaming Females and Stupid Party are gonna kick mother f-ing ass.

Hailing from Nashville, JEFF is a duo of brothers, hence ' the Brotherhood.'  Jake and Jamin Orrall play hard and fast.  Jake's slick vocals and three stringed guitar are such a dirty combination, only Jamin's heavy as lead playing style can match his riffs.  Despite their small numbers, the duo is as awesome and powerful as any group I've seen. I am confident in saying that JEFF is the next big thing in indie rock.

Screaming Females are a garage/punk rock trio from Brooklyn who kick almost as much ass as JEFF.  While their music is aggressive and energetic, they are not afraid to be a little bitchy with their singing styles.  Love 'em!

Meet me there around 9 for Stupid Party. [more info]

JEFF the Brotherhood - U Got the Look
JEFF the Brotherhood - Bone Jam
Screaming Females - I Do

Love,
Jake

lusine.

Today, thanks to RCRDLBL.com, I discovered Lusine's latest release, 'A Certain Distance' (2009).  Based in Seattle, Lusine is the brainchild of Jeff McIlwain, a student of 90's Brit Electronica.  On 'A Certain Distance,' Lusine combines the sounds of Four Tet, Boards of Canada and Air with verse chorus writing tendencies, as well as the lyrical sensibilities of featured artist Vilja Larjosto on two tracks.  Her vocals bind the air of Portishead and Morcheeba with the depth of Shara Worden of My Brightest Diamond.  In tracks 'Twilight' and 'Two Dots,' layered vocals float across wonderfully ambient soundscapes while the combined artists' pop tendencies allow the songs to remain suspenseful.

Lusine has put out seven solo releases and has collaborated with artists on compilations for many labels.  One such collaboration caught my ear.  'Locks,' written in conjunction with David Wingo, was recorded for Ghostly International's 2006 compilation, 'Idol Tryouts Two.'  Wingo's strumming and Lusine's electronic pulses combine for a soothing vamp that, while I can't say I hear the tune develope too much, had my head floating in clouds (and I was totally sober!).


Lusine - Two Dots (feat. Vilja Larjosto)
Lusine - Twilight (feat. Vilja Larjosto)
Lusine - Cirrus

good news, la blogotheque.

Starting this week, you will now be able to find my writing on more than just The Brooklyn Night.  EardrumNYC.com has afforded me the opportunity to display my incite on exciting shows and fresh artists in the blog section of their site.  Eardrum is a relatively new blog, however they are quite thorough in their coverage and have partnered with other sites such as last.fm to provide bios and sound clips of most of the bands that they promote.  EardrumNYC covers shows everywhere from the Market Hotel to Terminal 5 to Cakeshop; no show is too big or small.

I will be writing show previews that can be found in the blog section of the site (linked to on their homepage).  Thanks to everyone who has given me comments and suggestions and everyone else who supported me in the process of writing this blog.  And of course, the fact that I am writing for Eardrum does not mean that I will stop posting here so keep checking in.

In other news, check out this website.  Over the summer my friend Becca showed me 'La Blogotheque,' a French blog site dedicated to indie music (for which you can find a link on the right of this page).  This particular link (La Blogotheque - Les Concerts A Emporter) is to a page with more than a hundred musical videos of hot groups on the indie scene.  It includes videos for Man Man, Bon Iver, The Arcade Fire, The National and so many more.  Some of the videos are professionally produced music videos, the likes of which you might find on Fuse, or MTV if they would ever actually show a music video.  Other videos are of groups reconceiving songs in live and often odd settings; for example, The Arcade Fire performing 'Neon Bible' in an elevator (I have included that video below).  I definitely recommend  you visit the site.

#41 - Arcade Fire - Neon Bible & Wake Up
by lablogotheque

friday night at monster island basement.

Monster Island Basement is hosting Frankie and the Outs tonight with Harlem and Stupid Party.  Frankie and the Outs is another exciting garage rock adventure for Frankie Rose, formerly of Vivian Girls and Crystal Stilts.  Frankie is writing slick pop music for the rock and roll side of the lo-fi spectrum.  Similarily, Austin's Harlem, following in the footsteps of the Strokes and the Pixies', has collected an enormous amount of critical acclaim over the past few months from a slew of respectable blogs including local blogs like Brooklyn Vegan and Pop Tarts Suck Toasted (two of my faves).  And last but not least, Stupid Party has received a veiled but enthusiastic series of reviews from underground blogs for their energetic garage punk.  Stupid Party has been around for a while and knows how to put on a show.  I tend to think that Harlem has a brighter future than either of the other two, however the three bands will combine to make a solid lineup that will deliver at least your fill of garage rock awesomeness.  [more info]

And of course some music from them...

Frankie and the Outs - Thee Only One
Harlem - Friendly Ghost
Harlem - South of France
Harlem - Torture Me
Stupid Party - 1234

Love,
Jake

yeasayer, tonight and tomorrow night.

Yeasayer, one of Brooklyn's most innovative acts, is playing tonight and tomorrow night at the Bowery Ballroom and Music Hall of Williamsburg respectively.  If you haven't already checked out Yeasayer I highly suggest you do so.  Yeasayer is formed of vocalist/keyboardist Chris Keating, vocalist/guitarist Anand Wilder, bassist Ira Wolf Tuton and drummer Luke Fasano.  Keating and Wilder played together in high school in Sic Transit and a barbershop quartet, honing their musicianship on multiple fronts.  After splitting for college, the two reunited in Brooklyn in 2006 with drummer and bassist.  Since then, they have steadily risen to critical acclaim in the blog and zine world.    Their first album, All Hour Cymbals, is an eclectic journey through genres and tenses, exploring many instrumental combinations.  Yeasayer does not limit their arrangements on All Hour Cymbals to any single instrumentation utilizing synthesizers, guitars, a double bass, horns, violins, marimbas, an accordion, involved vocal harmonies and all sorts of percussion instruments, accumulating an amalgamation of subtle and profound sounds that will compliment your brain completely.

Yeasayer's latest release was a preface EP to the Odd Blood LP, slated for release on February 9.  The Odd Blood LP, according to Yeasayer in an interview with Rolling Stone, was partially based on an intense acid trip in New Zealand and incorporates Ray Kurzweil's theory that computer intelligence will eventually supersede the human mind.  The Odd Blood EP contains the first single off the Odd Blood LP, entitled "Ambling Alp," as well as another catchy track, "O.N.E."

Opening for Yeasayer at Music Hall of Williamsburg is Javelin and Class Actress.  This will be the first and only US show that Javelin and Yeasayer will be playing together on a February UK tour.  I had the opportunity to catch Javelin at House of Yes a couple weeks ago who, despite some crippling technical difficulties, kept the energy and subsequently the crowd alive.  They are definitely worth seeing and I'm sure that Music Hall of Williamsburg will do a better job of managing their high-power rig (Javelin plays out of a stack of boom boxes, seriously).

happy super bowl.

It's Super Bowl Sunday, are you ready to watch some commercials?!  Yea me neither.  But anyway, Galactic announced a surprise show at Brooklyn Bowl tonight.  Once the game is over, Galactic will take the stage,  which I know is a good stage since I was there last night for Small Black and Keepaway (more on Keepaway coming this week) (and if you missed that show, my condolences).  Galactic, if you're unfamiliar, is a funk/jam band (not my usual suspects) which has received considerable success throughout the US for years.  The best part is that the show is free if you come before half-time!   Happy watching, maybe I'll see you at Brooklyn Bowl for some beer, football, and Galactic.

Sorry, no tracks for this one but I still love you.

Love,
Jake

P.S. I'd like to take this opportunity to share some disappointing news about Dinowalrus.  Last weekend, friends of mine and I visited the House of Yes in Bushwick.  House of Yes is awesome and thanks to the girls that run it for sharing such an excellent space with all of us.  Anyway, Dinowalrus played and we all thought they were great.  After the show one of my buddies found a partially exposed 7" of theirs on the floor of the venue.  He picked it up, brushed it off and put it in his jacket, excited to hear what the vinyl had in store for him.  As he was leaving the venue he gestured, with the 7", to the guitarist of Dinowalrus who was promoting his vinyl at the front table.  Instead of returning the favor, this guy gets up and starts interrogating my friend about where he had purchased the vinyl, insisting that the price is $5.  After explaining that the vinyl had been rescued from the floor, where it faced certain destruction, my comrade was met with the same response: $5.  Seeking to avoid a confrontation my friend offered to give it back and the guitarist happily accepted. I feel bad for whoever purchases that both emotionally and physically tarnished vinyl.  In review, it appears that Dinowalrus has a giant proverbial stick in their assholes.  Well played boys, well played.

friday night at market hotel.

Neon Indian is playing their second show of the week at the Market Hotel tonight.  Neon Indian played last night at the NYU Kimmel Center with Atlas Sound and Sisters.  Tonight they are headlining a sweet lineup at Bushwick's Market Hotel featuring Teengirl Fantasy, Beach Fossils, Adventure and Blissed Out.  It's a night of lo-fi dance pop; it'd be a shame to miss it.  As always, Market Hotel is all ages. $tba.

tracks!

Neon Indian - Mind, Drips
Neon Indian - Psychic Chasms
Teengirl Fantasy - Love Don't Live Here
Teengirl Fantasy - Azz Klapz
Teengirl Fantasy - Portofino
Beach Fossils - Daydream
Beach Fossils - Desert Sand
Beach Fossils - Time

Love,
Jake

small black and keepaway at brooklyn bowl.

Small Black and Keepaway are playing Brooklyn Bowl this Saturday, February 6th.  Small Black took Brooklyn by storm last year with their lo-fi loops and enveloping vocal harmonies.  Unlike other lo-fi acts, Small Black inserts beautiful flowing melodies into their songs, making their music catchy and easy to listen to without losing the scratchy, casio keyboard, broken mic quality.  Though Small Black is technically a duo, they will adapt their music to the live setting with drums, bass and guitar to their keyboards.  I've been dying to see these guys and now I finally have the opportunity (and so do you).

Keepaway is another Brooklyn act that is getting a fair amount of attention locally and nationally.  Their sound could be described as a band's take on Animal Collective.  Keepaway achieves a shoegaze quality with huge reverb on guitars and vocals while switching between live and electronic drum sounds.  Pitchfork has made their song Yellow Wings one of their favorite new tracks.

Doors at 6pm. $5, 21+.  Get your tickets here now because this show will likely sell out.

Here are a few tracks...

Small Black - Despicable Dogs
Small Black - Weird Machines
Keepaway - Yellow Wings

Love,
Jake

show of the week, song of the week.

My pick for this week is being hosted by my alma mater, NYU.  On Thursday the 4th Atlas Sound, Neon Indian and Sisters are playing at the Kimmel Center at NYU.

Atlas Sound combines shoe gaze, alt rock, and indie into a schmorgesborg of sounds that you have probably heard in songs like Walkabout and Sheila.  Their innovative use of delay and reverb has massively influenced the indie scene that is bursting at the seams in Brooklyn right now.

Neon Indian is an electronic act that will definitely have the crowd dancing.  Well known for their remixes of Grizzly Bear's Cheerleader, Neon Indian brings synthesizers and samples together in a most satisfactory harmony to create sometimes upbeat, sometimes dark recordings.  I haven't seen them live but their is not doubt in my mind that they will be a crowd pleaser; I just hope that NYU can provide lighting worthy of their set.  (that may have come off a bit cynical, but what do you want from me after 3 years there)

Doors at 7:30, $5 w/ NYU ID, $8 w/o.  [more info]

Some songs from the artists...

Atlas Sound - Quick Canal (featuring Laetitia Sadier)
Atlas Sound - Walkabout (featuring Noah Lennox)
Atlas Sound - Sheila
Neon Indian - Deadbeat Summer
Neon Indian - Terminally Chill
Grizzly Bear - Cheerleader (Neon Indian sega genesis p-orridge remix)

Song of the week...Yeasayer!  When I heard this for the first time I was in instant need of new underwear.  I know you'll feel the same.

Yeasayer - O.N.E.

friday night.

If you feel at all inclined to brave the brick ass weather, hit up the Market Hotel.  Four bands will be playing including Oneida, a veteran act that Todd P calls 'brooklyn rock heroes.'  Also playing is 'Zs,' an experimental act who uses all of your mind's dynamic capacity (including the quiet side) and Noveller, recording project of Sarah Lipstate, who I am unfamiliar with however someone had the following to say about them: "The colors and textures Lipstate produces with looped guitar phrases bloom and swirl to generate a robust, moving visual landscape that coincides with her collage-film technique and dream-world photographic manipulations."  Sounds good to me!  Red Dawn II will open the night with some hardcore music for all you ADD types.  Doors at 8pm. $10, all ages. [more info]

yes giantess at santos. (and justice's electric feel)

Tonight has Yes Giantess playing with Jessica 6 and Body Language. Yes Giantess writes music in the vein of contemporary dance music, similar to Passion Pit, and Michael Jackson-esque vocals. Jessica 6 can also be classified as a dance group, however they have a noticeably darker edge than most dance pop. Doors open at 7pm, $10, 18+. Hope to see you there. [more info]

Here are some tracks to wet your appetite.

Yes Giantess - Tuff n' Stuff
Yes Giantess - Tuff n' Stuff (Pirate Stereo Remix)
Jessica 6 - Fun Girl (Keinemusik Remix)

Also if you haven't heard this remix or want to download, do so now.
MGMT - Electric Feel (Justice Remix)

Two more great remixes:
The Black Ghosts - Any Way (Fake Blood mix)
Marlena Shaw - California Soul (Diplo/Mad Decent mix)

a new week. house of yes.

Ah! I haven't posted in a week and I feel like I should be fired. What were all of you loyal readers doing during that time? God only knows. Anyway, I haven't totally been slacking. As you may have noticed I changed the look of the blog a little bit and that since the creation of the blog, my direction has changed from talking about shows to talking about new and exciting things going on in Brooklyn, the city, and the music world. In the coming weeks I hope to continue posting about all things music and to up the amount of show postings.

Two weeks ago I started my first piece of work for Showpaper. Showpaper is a non-profit organization that puts out a one page paper every two weeks with all-ages listings for the next two weeks on one side and an up and coming artist's work on the other. The paper is all over Williamsburg and Bushwick and can be found at various locations scattered throughout Brooklyn and Manhattan. For Showpaper I have been helping with distribution and listings. While distro brings me to nooks that I otherwise would not have known about, working on listings has me running through hundreds of bands and checking out their show listings, all-ages and not.

The first show that I want to tell all of you about is happening this Saturday @ the House of Yes. Javelin, The Shivers, Dinowalrus, Ava Luna and Shark? will be playing. Javelin, a relatively recent Brooklyn baby (via Providence), combines beat machines and synths with sampled sounds and bizarre vocal samples. Bridging the gap between electronic mixes and the Brooklyn lo-fi scene, Javelin combines funk, video game synth, r&b, hip hop breaks, and new wave in a dancy, fun and innovative amalgamation of sounds.
The Shivers sport a more subdued sound. I would liken their tunes to a combination of The National, Modest Mouse and The Shins with some hidden roots in funk which surface only at the most appropriate times. Their music does, however, have a raw quality that keeps it interesting and defines them in the Brooklyn paradigm (they're from Queens). The Shivers' music is emotional, but not overly so, and decisive, but not brutish. They too border the lo-fi movement, but retain an element of clarity which is sometimes lost in the fuzz of lo-fi and noise groups.
Ava Luna is awesome! Something of an electronic outfit but hit a dark and mysterious note with deep beats and soulful and dissonant vocal harmonies. These guys might be my favorites of the night but I haven't seen them live so find out for yourself.

Shark? and Dinowalrus are provocative acts that will no doubt show up on their game.

Come to House of Yes! on Saturday, January 30 at 8 (bands start at 9) to here all of the bands and get free two boots pizza and see fire breathers and pole dancers and whatnot (not even kidding). There also be a series of video artists showing their work so this is an eclectic event that will attract all sorts of people. BYOB! House of Yes is located at 342 Maujer St. Brooklyn, NY - L to Grand St. See you there. [more info]

Here are some tracks from the bands playing

The Shivers - Just Didn't Need to Know

The Shivers - Beauty

Javelin - Vibrationz

Javelin - tu machina

Javelin - Lindsay Brohan

Shark? - Oh My

Shark? - Hey Grrrl

Shark? - I'm an Animal

Ava Luna - Clips

Ava Luna - Six Seven (I Want to Hide Away)

Ava Luna - Black Diamond II

Dinowalrus - Nuke Duke 'Em

Dinowalrus - BEAD

Fuzzy Shrapnel and Heylady Funk Out Arlene's

This past Friday I played a gig with Julian and Andrew Beale's love child (ew!) Fuzzy Shrapnel. If you haven't seen Fuzzy Shrapnel, it is a spectacle worth experiencing. FS's songs are slightly disorganized - 2 of their 7 song set being little more than introductions to other songs - however the energy that the Beale brothers bring to the stage serves to raise event the most solemn spirits. The spontaneity of Julian's vocals combined with Andrew's keyboard antics - one song contained a keyboard distortion solo which had Andrew lifting his keyboard off its stand - keep your eyes glued while Ross, drums, and I, bass, were holding it down tight in the back. Krauss, guitar, even has his moments when he smiles ear to ear at the audience as if they've handed him a wad of 100s. Fuzzy Shrapnel is a riot; but don't take my word for it, I do play with the band after all. Come see for yourself.

Before Fuzzy Shrapnel was a band that I had never heard of called Heylady (one word). Heylady played a funky soulful set that had me bouncing around like a school boy on a snow day. Frontwoman, Nina Zeltlin, sang out melodies with her "earthy, soulful" voice, backed by vocals from Micah Shapiro, who also accompanied the rhythm section with a set of cowbells and bongos. Nina and Micah represent an impressive vocal duo, especially when belting out Talking Heads favorite Burning Down the House. Dave Cohen on the keys covered an important element of the funk sound with his excellent keywork aided by the always fresh sounds of a Nord. Guitarist, Josh Green, provided another layer of support with his fantastic guitar work and tone, supplementing the music with an occasional, and effective guitar solo.

The backbone was the pinnacle of the show. Drummer, Daniel Gould, and bassist, Jesse Andrews, were so f-ing tight I didn't know whether to dance or worship. Jesse's bass sound stayed fantastic as he ripped out appropriately complex rhythms and melodies. Daniel kept it simple for most of the show. However, his skill did not go unnoticed as an occasional flick of the wrist would fruitfully result in a flurry of snare, tom and cymbal hits that perfectly prepared the listener for the next section of the tune. All the while, the two where dancing, in Daniel's case as much as the set would allow, and singing along bringing the whole band together visually as well as audibly.

Heylady is playing Crash Mansion, 21+, on February 5 at 9 pm. I will definitely be there so come introduce yourself and dance with me. See you there.

It's Tuesday! and here's some music

1. Here We Go Magic - Fangela
I got this off of someone's best of '09 list and was very happy with what I heard. The music is lighthearted and bouncy. Plucked strings and echoing claps seem to prance underneath a sweet vocal melody that might result from wild unprotected sex between Simon, Garfunkel and Animal Collective. The lyrics, in contrast to the melodies and rhythms, are rather dark referring to the exhaustion of the world and presence of evil. A beautiful song with a hint of cynicism.

2. Boys Noize - Lava Lava
This one is the dance track of the day. I love the saw-like effects that are popular in today's club music and remixes; the sounds that Justice and Benny Benassi brought to the ears of the masses a few years ago. These guys take a lot from Justice but add their own chaotic interpretations of danceable rhythms and sounds. One theme is built upon for the whole song, which might lose some of you a little more than half way through, however the energy is renewed shortly afterwards so hold on. Good effort coming from Berlin.

3. Passion Pit - To Kingdom Come
A couple friends of mine attended Passion Pit's show at Terminal 5 this past Friday. Their enthusiasm about the show - not unexpected - encouraged me to write up one of their songs. 'To Kingdom Come' is introduced by a synth line that brought me back to the days of Waverunner on my nintendo, cheesy 80s all the way. The vocals enter with a distinctly contemporary sound. I recognize some TV on the Radio influence in their styles and melody. The prechorus gives me chills; overdubbed vocals chant a melody reminding me of The Buggles' first hit. Nah nah goes the chorus, not quite as catchy as the prechorus but a necessary release with beating bass drums keeping the track danceable. The song climaxes at the very end and, if I have one comment, ends a little to abruptly. On first listen I was intrigued but not sold. After a few I think this tune takes my vote for one of the better tunes I've heard recently. This is my favorite of the day so listen to it a couple times for me.

If you are unfamiliar with Passion Pit, listen to these tracks. Their music is genuine, unigue and orgasmic at times. LISTEN LOUD!

Passion Pit - Sleepyhead
Passion Pit - Moth's Wings


P.S. I would love to hear some of your comments so please let me know what you think of songs, posts, shows, suggestions, or pretty much anything you want. It's really easy and if you have a google account you can even login in with that username and password.

Much love,
Jake

Roberta's and A Song

I volunteered to distribute Showpapers for the first time today and it brought me upon some very cool spots in Bushwick. One culinary proprietor that I discovered (that I've posted about in the past but never attended) was Roberta's. Roberta's is a pizza joint, but not your average pizza joint. Their menu boasts 11 specialty pizzas and the option to make your own if their combos don't excite you. An additional entree selection offers 6 plates to druel over; and of course there are appetizers and salads. The menu is classy and honest, no surprise ingredients.

The best part of the food, however, is not the names of the ingredients. It is where they are grown. Roberta's gets as much food as possible from their own backyard and greenhouse. (I assume that none of the meat comes from brooklyn but I've been wrong before.) This means that the produce in your food is the freshest, most steroid/antibiotic/hormone free, most delicious produce you can get...in Bushwick. The food that they do not pick from their garden is certifiably fresh and antibiotic free as well. Furthermore, they're in cahoots with a group called Brooklyn Grange. Brooklyn Grange will be, as of Spring 2010, a one-acre farm on rooftops in Bushwick! Sweet! The Grange will distribute its produce not only to restaurants but to the public as well, so we will all be able to take advantage out and at home.

So, if anyone wants to go out for food this weekend, I'm down. Let's go to Roberta's. Check out their menu, and blog. And while you're at it, check out Brooklyn Grange as well.

Here's a song that made me smile today.

The Crystals - Then He Kissed Me

Titus Andronicus tonight!

Titus Andronicus is playing a secret! show tonight at Silent Barn in Ridgewood. The show begins at 8 but they won't be on until 11 or 12. The Silent Barn is a DIY venue just east of Bushwick in Queens. See you there.

Dance Anthem!

So I was roaming rcrdlbl.com (if you haven't been there then you're missing tons of new free tracks and info) and came across this blasting club track. A tune calibrated for the exact specifications of a sweaty loft or basement party. Many ups and downs and explosions, it really gets started about a quarter of the way in and tears it up from there. A sexy mess if you ask me.

Erol Alkan & Boys Noize - Death Suite (Bobermann Remix)

some tracks i thought you should hear

Here are some tracks that I've come across today that inspired me in some way or another.

The first is a song that I found on a new blog that my girl Andrea put me onto. One of her friends is writing about music in NYC and she posted about this chick Lykke Li here. Here is a cover of Kings of Leon's "Knocked Up" that is very appropriate!

Lykke Li - Knocked Up (Death to the Thrones remix)

I wrote up a Titus and Andronicus show on New Years Eve last week. Though I did not get the chance to catch their show, I was able to find some of their tracks online. One track, well two actually, grabbed me. Between part one and two of "Four Score and Seven," a wave of evolving sounds roll and crash in layers. Part one begins smoothly, building with rhythm and melody towards a finale of horns, guitars and waling lyrics. The symphonic climax of part one is celebrated in part two, beginning about where its first half left off, and embellished in grand rhythms, droning guitars and righteous chants.

Titus Andronicus - Four Score and Seven (part one)

Titus Andronicus - Four Score and Seven (part two)

The next track was recommended to me by my roomie. Animal Collective seems to release a new song every other week, and who's complaining? This one is apparently a tribute to a Grateful Dead song with similar lyrics, though the song's qualities are hardly reminiscent of their (the Grateful Dead's) sound. The first half of the song can be interpreted as an exercise in patience as initially intriguing rhythms and ambient, ethereal sounds set an anticipatory mood for three and a half minutes. However, when the voice finally breaks through, the doors to the clouds open and suck you out. The tension built by the intro is released enticingly- nothing short of irresistible. It's possible that the song's structure is meant to literally represent the name of the song - 0:00 to 3:31, hmmm, is something going to happen? 3:32 to the end, ahhhh "sky!"(finally).

Animal Collective - What Would I Want? Sky

Oh No Ono - Internet Warrior

Absent-minded and wandering through Pitchfork links I stumble on Copenhagen's Oh No Ono. Usually I don't make it to the tracks off the main-page but some fifth-dimensional force compels me. Redirected to the Danish act's myspace page, I'm blasted by a neon-yellow hyperdrive generator surrounding a portrait of seven deep-sea humans. And I still haven't heard a note. Fortunately, the music fits the face. The intro brings me back to the title track of The Strokes debut LP "Is This It"; everything that follows does not. "Internet Warrior," the result of handsomely crafted layers and airy, digitally-enhanced vocals that are ohso in right now, sounds like the song that should have hypnotized Zenon: Girl of the 21st Century had the film been made by Luc Besson (Fifth Element) and not Disney. Too far? That's the point. It's goofy but poignant; aggressive but not pretentious. Oh No Ono will be playing Mercury Lounge on January 27th and Union Hall on January 28th.

- Mike D

Oh No Ono's video for "Swim"