Hooves on the Turf

Pianos: The reigning princes of Pianos wave to the cheering crowd, say “It’s been fun”, and leave town to conquer bigger kingdoms; Passion Pit plays the last of the three residency shows tonight. On board is their Swedish friend, drummer and singer-songwriter Kristoffer Rangstam, whose song “Swing That Tambourine”, taken from the album Wrong Side of the Room, lets the drums lead as if it, too, were singing, and the result is refreshing. Rangstam’s label mate The Break and Repair Method will join, as will Staten Island’s Gates of Heaven.

Many more bands playing tonight, and all mp3 links after the jump.

Mercury Lounge: End Up Records teams up with Serious Business to showcase an endearing group of Brooklyn-based performers, led by Caithlin De Marrais, previously of Rainer Maria, who plays from her latest solo wanderings, the result of which will be available in the upcoming records My Magic City and The Cottage EP. The almighty, 10-members-or-so-strong Balthrop, Alabama apparently performs “dressed as the aw-shucks residents of a fictional Southern town”, according to Village Voice. Though the band was formed in Brooklyn, founders and siblings Pascal and Lauren Balthrop are from Mobile, Alabama, and together with their “musically-inclined neighbors” they sing “songs about dead people in love”. Joining them are Benji Cossa and Rocketship Park.

Note! Please remember Evergreen Network when you download Caithlin’s free single “The Fire” from below. Founded by her mother over 20 years ago, Evergreen serves children and their families in the greater Bridgeport, CT area affected by HIV/AIDS. So if you like the song, please consider donating.

Rehab: You can listen to “Hey Man” by The Memories on their myspace page. I like the simple effectiveness of the lyrics, “Hey Man / If you’ve got something to say  / To me then say it man / I ain’t got the time / To be late / At this rate / My head’s on ice”. It’s sung in a voice that sure is pretty, but I wish they’d take a lot of that reverb’d guitar out. Playing with Astoria’s Going Gone, Morning Fuzz, Anthem In.

Union Hall: Do You Believe in Love? Brooklyn salutes Huey Lewis with performances by Graham Smith, The Gimme 5, The Hecklers, Michael Leviton, The Strung Out String Band and more // Trash Bar: Thing-One, The Heavenly Tenants, Bothan Spies, In India // Cake Shop: Ribs and someone else.

Santos Party House: The Virgins, The Young Lords // Bowery Ballroom: Another sold-out, rescheduled show from Dr. Dog, with Senator R. Stevie Moore and Alberta Cross.

And don’t forget the DNC. How about that Hillary? Despite all the pretense the Clintons find necessary to embrace (Bill Clinton made me cringe), at least one sensible thing was said: were her supporters in it for her or for the issues, damn it? Joe Biden headlines tonight. See full schedule.

Playlist
Passion Pit: I’ve Got Your Number
Caithlin De Marrais: The Fire
Balthrop, Alabama: Love to Love You
Benji Cossa: Volcano
Rocketship Park: Spinning Globes with You
Kristoffer Rangstam: Swing That Tambourine
The Break and Repair Method: You Won’t Be Able to Be Sad
Michael Leviton: Summer’s The Worst
Going Gone: Salty Teeth
The Virgins: Rich Girls
Dr. Dog: The Ark