Hooves on the Turf

Last week I finally headed out to Bruar Falls in Williamsburg, a new venue by the folks who run Cake Shop. The occasion was a release party for multiple releases, with friends Ladyfingers, Sister Suvi, Afuche and Tune Yards all celebrating a newly available body of work, though Ladyfingers pointed out he had nothing to sell at the venue since his release was digital-only (with suggested donations).

It was somewhat of a family affair, where everyone seemed to be fond of every one, except that one guy in reddish leather jacket with a penchant for experimenting on his point-and-shoot camera. I think I saw Phosphorescent. I’m 98% sure that only he can be the bearer of that longish face with hair and beard that are a burst of golden curls. Also, it was Charlie Chaplin’s birthday, and several (but not enough) people had followed the direction to wear only black and white. Sister Suvi, Afuche and Tune Yards ran a projection of a Charlie Chaplin film throughout their  sets.

Tune Yards

Tune Yards (Merril Garbus) went on past midnight. She was celebrating the vinyl release of Birds and Brains, and it seemed quite a few people present were fans of the record. The hallmark howl of “Hatari” was the equivalent of “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star”. Everyone knew it. Ruben Sindo Acosta of Afuche even sang it to test his microphone. I was fortunate enough to be standing next to two young men who were familiar with and extremely touched by all her songs (like “Little Tiger” and “Fire”). At one point when someone from the back interrupted Merrill’s story with his own random comment (which I didn’t quite get), and Merill got distracted and didn’t resume her own story, one of these two young men was abruptly pissed, saying to his friend something along the line of “She didn’t get to continue her story because of that jerk”, which was I thought was adorable.

Download “Hatari“

Afuche

Afuche kicked off their set as if they’d been waiting to do so all their life. The experimental aspect of the music can get a little cerebral, but I found it really fun to watch because it seemed like they were having a ton of fun playing. Their drummer Keith Parker was a power house. When he stretched his legs after an explosive song, the spritely front man Ruben Sindo Acosta teased him if he wanted to play the next song twice as fast. Ruben reminded me of the guitarist from the Mae Shi, except Ruben seemed thrice as ecstatic. They were celebrating the release of their CD, I Made Dots….

Download “Karate“

Sister Suvi

This was my first time seeing a full set from Sister Suvi, and though their sound is quite different from Tune Yards, you could pick up some of the same spirit at times. Almost like a more rock alter ego, but belonging to the same specrum, though I have a feeling this had to do with how the songs were performed that night. Their newest is Now I Am Champion, which can also be bought digitally for whatever price you want. They’ll be playing the Earfarm showcase at Northside Festival in June.

Download “The Lot“

Ladyfingers

Ladyfingers is Adam Weiner. He said his website is ladyfingers.org because he’s a not for profit! Open Your Robe can be downloaded at whatever price you choose to pay, but it also comes out on vinyl in May.

Download “Wonderful Boy“

Websites: Tune Yards, Afuche, Sister Suvi, Ladyfingers