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"