News

New Neon Indian Song, “Sleep Paralysist,” Produced by Grizzly Bear’s Chris Taylor

Amy Laviero :: Wednesday, March 10th, 2010 2:20 pm

Green Label, a record label aimed at pushing independent artists has just put out a new track by Neon Indian entitled “Sleep Paralysist.” The label, which also got its hands dirty with indie-rock artists Matt & Kim, Chromeo, Holy Ghost!, Flosstradamus, The Cool Kids, and Solid Gold, to name a few, has posted Neon Indian’s new single on its website, where you can listen to and download the track for free. MORE »

Suckers Debut LP Due In June, SXSW Tour Dates Announced

Adam Kearney :: Tuesday, March 9th, 2010 1:45 pm

Suckers are a gleeful, freak-pop Brooklyn hipster staple whose first self-titled EP was produced by Anand Wilder of Yeasayer and released in April 2009, and whose first full-length album Wild Smile will be out on June 8 on Frenchkiss Records. Over the last two years they have resided at the Glasslands Gallery in Williamsburg, but they are preparing for an outing that will include a packed lineup at SXSW, and additional shows with Local Natives.

You can listen to their eerie Lynchian cover of The Raveonettes’ “Boys Who Rape (Should All Be Destroyed), and also peep their MySpace for “It Gets Your Body Movin’,” the hit single off the upcoming album. Make the jump for the Wild Smile tracklist and full tour info. MORE »

Everybody’s Working For The Weekend: Neon Indian, Titus Andronicus, And More!

Amy Rose Spiegel :: Friday, March 5th, 2010 5:20 pm

Get ready for some good NYC weekend shows to fill the two-day gap before you have to go back to the office, or, like many of us, sleep in and surf Craigslist for a job!
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Growing Will Tour US Following Release Of PUMPS!

Adam Kearney :: Thursday, March 4th, 2010 1:30 pm

Brooklyn’s experimental/noise trio Growing have their eighth album PUMPS! on the way, available April 6th through Vice Records. They will celebrate the release of the elaborately layered sonic maelstrom at CoCo 66 in Brooklyn, before embarking on a tour stretching around the US. The group has had little live performances to support their recent releases, so this is a rare opportunity to catch their strange, mind-bending act. In the meantime, you can check out a short, behind-the-scenes preview of the tour. MORE »

Obsession: Here We Go Magic’s “Everything’s Big”

Amy Rose Spiegel :: Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010 2:00 pm

Brooklyn band Here We Go Magic has completely taken over my iTunes lately. Their entire album, last year’s Here We Go Magic, released on Western Vinyl, is seriously brilliant. What stands out most, though, is the final track. It serves mostly as a well-structured vehicle for lead singer Luke Temple’s pitch-perfect voice, which is lovely as the ending note of an album focused on highlighted creative instrumentation. Temple is a well-known songwriter on his own, but my favorite incarnation of his work has to be this project.
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Looking For Some Fun This Weekend? Look No Further!

Amy Rose Spiegel :: Friday, February 19th, 2010 5:45 pm

Common logic goes that there’s no reason to ever get bored in New York City, especially not on a weekend, and I think this is one of those cases where I’m inclined to agree. If you’re not sure what you’re getting up to, here are some promising shows taking place tonight and tomorrow.

Review: El Perro Del Mar And Taken By Trees At The Knitting Factory

Amy Rose Spiegel :: Friday, February 19th, 2010 2:10 pm

Once upon a time, I was the recipient of a mix CD entitled “Scandimania!” It showcased up-and-coming bands from Sweden, Norway, and Finland - and trust me, in 2006, there were plenty to choose from. Alongside artists like Jens Lekman and Love Is All, I was especially impressed by a performer who went by the name “El Perro Del Mar.” When I saw her this past Wednesday, none of that initial excitement I had for her had faded, and rightfully so. In fact, it was the most skillful performance I’ve seen so far this year.

Girls Night Out!

Danielle Johnsen :: Friday, February 19th, 2010 1:05 pm

As a recently engaged lady, the third most popular question from my friends, after when is the wedding and how did he propose, is what are we doing for the bachelorette party? Not quite the clubbing type, I would prefer just an all out fun fest with some great friends, accompanied with booze, food and will most likely get stuck carrying around a penis straw for part of the festivities. So I love the latest video from the folks over at Serious Lunch, an improv and sketch comedy troupe from Brooklyn. It stars a handful of funny ladies, including Emmy nominated Hope Davis and Ellie Kemper from “The Office”, enjoying their Ladies Night with a few drinks and a lot of screams. Poking fun at ridiculous rituals like this is exactly what the internet is for! So check out the video after the jump and please watch the entire thing or you might miss a hilarious Zach Braff-themed pop culture reference. MORE »

Review: Jeffrey Lewis At Glasslands

Amy Rose Spiegel :: Monday, February 15th, 2010 5:45 pm

Our friends at Stuff Hipsters Hate threw a soiree at Williamsburg venue and gallery Glasslands on February 12th. The high point of the evening was watching folk artist Jeffrey Lewis play his sticker-covered guitar and sing along with what he refers to as his “movies.” The movies aren’t really video projects - instead, Lewis breaks out an enormous sketchbook with “scenes” drawn on each page and flips through them, singing a narrative to match what’s happening in the elaborate comics.

Yeasayer: Odd Blood

Adam Kearney :: Tuesday, February 9th, 2010 1:30 pm

“Odd Blood” finds Yeasayer broadcasting expansive, mind-altering rhythms into the ionosphere once again. Their original fusion of electronica, rock, and middle eastern music earned singer Chris Keating, guitarist Anand Wilder, and bassist Ira Wolf Tuton high praise for their first album “All Hour Cymbals.” Their second album follows suit with the same worldly, new age sonics, though now with more lavish production and psychedelic sound effects. MORE »

Classic Movie Theaters: The Refurbished and Forgotten

Matt Kiebus :: Friday, February 5th, 2010 3:45 pm

Movie theaters have been an escape for generations of people, a place to forget about outstanding electric bills and minimum wage paychecks. There is something magical about seeing films at movie theaters, the arresting combination of moving pictures and music merge to create portal into a different world. During the 1920s and 30s massive theaters were built across the country, designed in Art Deco style and finished with flair. These theaters were most prominent throughout golden age of film, when men wore jackets and ties and women dresses to the movies. Over time these grand cinemas have fallen into disrepair, forgotten by the masses in favor of practical and profitable multiplexes. MORE »

Fall In Love With Awesome Bands This Valentine’s Day

Amy Rose Spiegel :: Wednesday, February 3rd, 2010 1:10 pm

If you’re looking for plans on Valentine’s Day, there are tons of great shows that will surely impress the fine young music-lovin’ thing you’ve got your eye on. If you’re single, you could just take this opportunity to try and make some groupie-style, extra-heavy eye contact with that bassist you always thought was sexy. Who knows? Maybe it’ll lead somewhere.

Homebrew Culture invades New York City

Johnny Sanford :: Thursday, January 28th, 2010 1:00 pm

Homebrewin’ ain’t easy, but it sure is fun. Some people might scoff at the idea of getting their hands dirty in hops and grain, but homebrewing is fast becoming the hip trend in places like Brooklyn, as well as all over the world. The passion for homebrew is reaching a feverish pitch in this city, with the newly-renovated opening of “Brooklyn Homebrew” on 163 8th Street on 3rd Ave last week. With a line of brewers out the door upon it’s opening, it’s been a long time coming. MORE »

Stuff Hipsters Hate: Not Parties

Matt Kiebus :: Tuesday, January 26th, 2010 4:30 pm

Our friends at the Tumblr blog Stuff Hipsters Hate are the latest blog to score a book deal, and now it’s time to celebrate. To commemorate their financial windfall, SHH founders, Andrea Bartz and Brenna Ehrlich, dubbed the party “Stuff Hipsters Hate’s Sold-Out Party.” The late-night, booze and music filled bash will take place on February 13th at Williamsburg’s Grasslands Gallery from 11 p.m. till 4 a.m. The party will include performances by folk artist Jeffery Lewis, alternative metal band On Point, and DJ sets by Robert Perlick-Molinari of French Horn Rebellion, and Shirley Braha of New York Noise and Party-a-Day. The event is 21+ and open to the public with a $6 cover charge at the door, it will also feature free Tiger Beer from 11 p.m.-12 a.m.

Motel Motel Break from Recording, Debut New Songs at Union Pool

Amy Laviero :: Friday, January 22nd, 2010 12:00 pm

Motel Motel took a break from their break last night to play a show at Union Pool in Brooklyn. The band, who has been in the process of recording their latest album, played a set debuting five songs off their upcoming album, which is still untitled but slated for release in 2010. MORE »