Our friends at Uncensored Interview are putting on their Northside showcase tonight, and it features two of our Secret Garden alumni: Iceland’s whimsical sonsgress, Ólöf Arnalds (see video); and the woman behind one of my favorite albums of this year, Sharon Van Etten (see video), who’s also playing our free day showcase tomorrow. Girls in Trouble (see video), freshly returned from a fiddling tour, is playing at Bar Matchless (557 Manhattan Ave at Driggs Ave).
Owing to “lack of management” and some harsh health regulation fines, Cortelyou Rd’s liberal cafe, Vox Pop, has been unable to sell any food or beverages, and hence unable to make money for the outstanding bills and fines. From what I hear, there’s about $18,000 more they need to raise, and that if they don’t raise it by the midnight of Sunday, it’ll have to shut down (they’ve hired a proper manager since, though she remains unpaid).
The cafe was co-founded by Sander Hicks, who also started Soft Skull press as a guerrilla operation out of Kinko’s while working there in the early 90’s. If the fact of it being one of its kind in a neighborhood that was previously neglected from a cultural standpoint and the fact of it having luminaries of liberal thought in its logo aren’t enough, think about the coffee? Says Oliver Moné, a fan:
“This is aggravating,” he said. “I like the coffee. I like the place. Dunkin’ Donuts is O.K., but this is prime stuff. I mean, I hate Starbucks. God, I hate Starbucks.”
Money is being raised in two ways: a benefit show tonight featuring The Loom and Holler Wild Rose (tickets are $10 each but you should feel free to pay more); stocks are being sold at $50 each, which will be refundable if the required amount isn’t raised and the cafe is forced to close. To make donations directly, email Debi Ryan, current President & CEO of Vox Pop: debi.ryan101 [at] gmail [dot] com
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Download “Song for the Winter Sun” by The Loom
Download “Holler Wild Rose” by Holler Wild Rose
Last night at Le Poisson Rouge, Maryland’s Cotton Jones played a short set of about six songs; they said most were songs they don’t play very often. I’d forgotten how many members are in this band–six, and they’re all good. Even though I prefer this venue when they clear the floor for standing room (the seating arrangement feels a little too fancy), it has fantastic acoustics and it was great to hear Cotton Jones with so much clarity. They’re playing tonight at Union Hall with Lost in the Trees, and despite a muddier sound, that will probably be the show where they’ll play the hits and let loose a little. More pictures after the jump.
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Download “Blood Red Sentimental Blues“
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I filmed a Secret Garden show with New Orleans’ Hurray for the Riff Raff yesterday. They performed two songs in this picturesque bathroom here, pictured below (after you click “Continue”), and two others in that roomy kitchen there, pictured above. They’re playing a free show tonight with Sharon van Etten and Donald Beaman of The Double at Pianos, and I think it will be quite lovely, since their self-released debut, It Don’t Mean I Don’t Love You, is a pleasant album that lifts you up and takes you places with all dirt underneath your fingernails and all heartbreak in your hearts, and I can assure you they sound all that in bathrooms and kitchens. Also, they bring many toys, like a saw, an autoharp, a toy piano; and Walt McClements on the accordion is precious. Details?
Download “Daniella” by Hurray for The Riff Raff
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Pianos: Jezebel hosts a free show featuring Dark Dark Dark, who’s also playing Deitch Studios tomorrow and the day after. The band set sail with seven rafts that were part of The Swimming Cities of Switchback Sea project, leaving Troy, NY on Friday, and reaching Long Island City, Queens, where the fleet has docked at said studios. It’ll remain stationed there as part of an exhibition. Dark Dark Dark’s promising album, The Snow Magic, comes out October 28th, and they’re playing tonight with Action Lives, Jared Glenn, and Alex Diaz. This event is followed by a DJ set from Sammy Bananas.
More bands and all mp3 links after the jump.
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Woah, what an impressive Tuesday we have here!
Le Poisson Rouge: Yes, you may say that one-time Mum touring member Olof Arnalds is indeed somewhat of a Joanna Newsom in Icelandic. Except, instead of being “freak folk”, her solo work is freakishly folk, compared to the decidedly contemporary sound we get from most Icelandic bands in the indie landscape, including Mum. But who knew Icelandic folk could be so damn lovely. I’m not sure how Arnalds did at South Streeat Seaport this past Sunday when she played the East Village Radio Festival, since that doesn’t seem like the ideal venue for her, but Le Poisson Rouge should pretty much be perfect. She plays an early show that’ll also feature a set from Skuli Sverrisson, with whom she has worked in the past. Meanwhile, Atlanta-based Deerhunter is playing a late show, and one that is not part of the tour scheduled for later this year with BARR, Knyfe Hyts and Vivian Girls.
More bands and all mp3 links after the jump.
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hooves on the turf is a mostly-music blog based out of brooklyn. i can be reached at hoovesontheturf [at] gmail [dot] com - please send me your lovely music as an attached mp3 or an mp3 link. if i like what you send, i'll be sure to ask for more.
