Playing Tonight

playing tonight August 13, 2008

Passion Pit, Sky Larkin, Port O'Brien and more tonight

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Passion Pit: Sleepyhead
Sky Larkin: Molten
Thao: Swimming
You Can Be a Wesley: Elephants in Rabbit Holes
Bodies of Water: Gold, Tan, Peach and Grey
Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson: Who’s Laughing
David Shultz and The Skyline: Already There
Pepi Ginsberg: The Waterline
Port O’Brien: I Woke Up Today
Phonograph: In Your Mind
Glasser: Glad
Evangelicals: Skeleton Man
Peasant: Exposure
Wilco: White Light
Jennifer O’Connor: Here With Me
Choogin’: Father’s Day

Hurray for Passion Pit’s four-week residency kicking off at Pianos tonight. There’s going to be a lot of basic, pleasant pop rock there, except for Murray Flexor whose electronica would seem slightly out of place if it weren’t for Passion Pit’s own gadgetry. UK’s Sky Larkin will play an early set, and joining them are TheToothaches and You Can Be a Wesley. 

Port O’Brien should be fun (video above), playing with Bodies of Water and Peasant at Mercury Lounge, with an early show from The Cover Up // Glasser plays Cake Shop with Chooglin’ and Evangelicals // Thao plays Bowery Ballroom with The Get Down Stay Down, and opening the show there are the mellow Pepi GinsbergMiles Benjamin Anthony Robinson, and David Shultz & The Skyline //  Wilco and Jennifer O’ Connor are playing at McCarren Pool, with a fitting after-party to follow at Union Hall with Phonograph and Salt & Samovar.

playing tonight August 12, 2008

Au, Taken by Trees, Pwrfl Power and more tonight

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Taken by Trees: Julia
The Gang: Sea So
Bears: Wait and See
Ghosty: Big Surrender
Au: We Are Animals
Pwrfl Power: Alma Song
Conor Oberst & the Mystic Valley Band: Danny Callahan
Pistola: Chugs And Squeals (At The Amusement Park)
Evangelicals: Skeleton Man
Made Out of Babies: Cooker
Red Wire Black Wire: Compass Matter

Portland’s Au is playing two sets at Monkeytown with Mofongo, but seating is very limited and reservation is required // Stockholm’s Taken By Trees creates a luscious world within a sparse landscape, and these tender tunes, given their modesty, should sound pretty good at Union Hall’s tiny basement.

Pwrfl Power is classically-trained Japanese guitarist Kazutaka Nomura, who opts for idiosyncratic lyrics and an elemental framework of popular music these days–he goes so far as to sing, “Your boobs aren’t that gigantic / But that’s okay, I don’t like big girls anyway”. Though he usually does this over a rich fabric of a lone acoustic guitar, he goes electric sometimes. For the Cake Shop show tonight, let’s hope it’s acoustic. He will be joined by BearsGhosty, and be warned of estrogen overload, Fruit Machine and Heavy Flow (if this name isn’t clear enough, the logo consists of two tampons with bloody tips).

A house party at Santos’ Party House with: Machine Drum feat. Theophilus London (live PA), Stay High (live PA), Tanlines DJ Set (Eric of the Brothers + Jesse of, Professor Murder) +  Bulldozier DJs: Hearts of Darknesses, Stephen of Stars as Eyes.

Conor Oberst & The Mystic Valley Band with Evangelicals at Bowery Ballroom // There’s some confusion about who’s playing at Grasslands tonight; Soren WellThe GangBlack Swan Green and Linfinity are but My Teenage Stride is not. // Red Wire Black Wire, The Mumbles at McCarren Pool // Made Out Of Babies, PIGS, Pistola at Southpaw // Butch Walker, Jesse Malin at Webster Hall.

playing tonight August 11, 2008

Bark Bark Bark, Amanda Palmer and more tonight

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Sikamor Rooney: NYC
Yea Big + Kid Static: Eatchyo Samwich
Bark Bark Bark: One Thing Stands
Yea Big + Kid Static: Tour Mash-Up (w/ The Mae-Shi, Bark Bark Bark)
Amanda Palmer: Leeds United 
Natalie Portman’s Shaved Head: Me + Yr Daughter
The Photo Atlas: The Walls Have Eyes
Six Organs of Admittance: 1,000 Birds
Loren Connors: Airs no. 4 

Sikamor Rooney’s record release party for the new self-titled is at Mercury Lounge; they’re also playing Union Pool on August 30, but tonight they’ll be joined by Natalie Portman’s Shaved Head and The Gay Blades // Amanda Palmer of The Dresden Dolls is playing a solo show in the otherworldly Spiegeltent (watching Devotchka there a few years ago was really a charming experience) // Bark Bark Bark (whose live setup includes members of the Mae-Shi) is playing with Yea Big + Kid Static at Cake Shop, where you can also catch a free, early show with Scott Allbright and his Poor Bailey upstairs at the cafe. 

Amanda Palmer does a one-time (sadly) adult version of Feist’s Sesame Street appearance:

Continued after the jump.

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playing tonight August 7, 2008

Hospitality, The Black Keys and more tonight

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Hospitality: Betty Wang
Overlord: Oh My Mechanical Heart
Pure Horsehair: The Sun Is the Source
Tapes ‘n Tapes: Insistor 
Luke Temple: Saturday People
The Depreciation Guild: Butterfly Kisses
Mates of State: My Only Offer
Diamond Jackie: Nocturne In A Minor
Longwave: It’s True
Backwords: I Need an Ocean
Elika: Nowhere
The Homophones: Everyone’s Dead
The Darts: Inside Out
Shock Cinema: Oddfellow
Helicopters: White Lily No Soul
Magic Bullets: Yesterday’s Seen Better Days (this mp3 here only for a week)
Gang: Rat Poison
Takka Takka: Silence
Tift Merrit: Keep You Happy

My favorite line-up today is at Cake ShopHospitality songs are a fresh source of quirky and dorky merrymaking (the best kind?), and Overlord just makes my head bob incessantly. Also, they’re both from Brooklyn–of course I’m biased. They’ll be playing with Claymation Velociraptor and Elika. Ooo, an update:

Brooklyn-based indie pop group overlord will release its first track from the forthcoming album “In Soviet Russia, My Heart Breaks You” at Cake Shop on Thursday August 7th. All attendees will be given a copy of the single in limited edition Too-Clever-by-Half ™ packaging.

This is the first show of the overlord Singles Series, in which a new track will be released at a show each month until the album is finished.

Fantastic idea. I like it!

When a band records in someone’s apartment, it should always warrant a listen, especially if one of the songs is titled “Nocturne in A Minor”, as is the case with Diamond Jackie, whose homemade songs, incidentally, sound to me like they’d be perfect for action movies. While listening to the boozy track, you have to imagine, in slow motion, vehicles sequentially blowing up in large balls of flame; somewhere else, someone’s teeth flying out of his mouth amongst splattering blood, and a hot, powerhouse woman (like Uma Thurman, but I’m sure we all prefer someone else) walking away from it all cooly, knowing very well the kind of trouble she can brew. Seriously, if you go to Lit to see the band, try it out. They’re playing with The Darts and Shock Cinema.

More cool bands are playing, continue after the jump.

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playing tonight August 6, 2008

The Loom, Hexa, U.S. Girls & more tonight

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The Loom: Song for the Winter Sun
Gunfight: All You Need
Emanuel and the Fear: Dear Friend
Merrady: California
Hexa: Masked
The Vanguard: Rio
U.S. Girls: Prove It All Right
Flaming Fire: Natural Light Catastrophe
Leo My Ego: Hipster Girl
Beluga: Disco Show
Buckets of Bile: Birthday
Ric Leichtung: O Lightning
Les Sans Culottes: La Semaine A Deux Jeudis
Soulwax: You Can’t Always Get What You Need (The Rolling Stones remix)
French Kicks: Also Ran
Headlights: Cherry Tulips
Does It Offend You, Yeah?: We Are Rockstars

There’s a lot of new music that leaps at the opportunity of stylization as we all toss and turn around what “originality” may mean to us after having to bear the back-breaking weight of grand inheritance. Personally I enjoy the Dan Deacons and the Ninjasoniks, and all of that madness from Baltimore, but within the framework of older traditions, it’s always interesting to hear how newer bands are finding their voices. Emanuel And The FearThe Loom, and Merrady are showcasing some of this at Rehab. Emanuel and his 10-piece band have kind of a celebratory vibe; with the EP At Last Light, The Loom has found itself with all its warmth and sincerity, though our hard-at-work NYC Taper insists the live shows are even better–download his recording of a previous The Loom show; and Ms. Merrady Phipps has a gorgeous voice, though for now we have only hints of what she will do with it eventually. They are all playing with The Vanguard tonight.

Many more cool bands are playing, continue after the jump.

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playing tonight August 5, 2008

Fiasco, White Lies, Hiss Golden Messenger & more tonight

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Fiasco: Oh You Horny Monster
Ninjasonik vs. The Death Set: Negative Thinking (About Tight Pants)
Bat Attack: Hope Is Big
The So So Glos: From Her Beacon Hand, Glos
Drug Rug: Day I Die
Flobots: Handlebars
The Homosexuals: Heart in Exile
Sam Champion: Be Mine Everyone
Apollo Sunshine: 666: The Coming Of The New World Government 
Dinowalrus: BEAD 
Shwa: Chop Chop

Tuesday isn’t a night darling to many, and tonight’s unfamiliar names may give the impression of crap-band night, but Market Hotel promises fantastic fun. The incredibly charged Fiasco are playing, and you can download a previous show from the diligent NYC Taper. This on the band’s myspace:

Known for their chaotic live shows and technical proficiency, they’ve been described as a mix of punk, noise, and math rock, and have traveled to Austin for SXSW and as far as Bosnia for the Sarajevo Film Festival. However, their favorite places to play are people’s houses. 

Continued after the jump.

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playing tonight August 4, 2008

Yesayer, King Khan & more tonight

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The fabulous Yeasayer is playing a ticketed, non-free sold out show at Summer Stage. They’re playing with Plants and Animals and headliners The National // The Almighty King Khan & BBQ Show plays at Santos Party House (see pictures from Sunday’s McCarren Pool show), with K-Holes, which includes former members of Black Lips // Chicago’s DJ duo Flosstradamus, presenting themselves for the purpose of “everyone having a cool as time“, will play Santos Party House late night.

Apollo SunshineI Am The Bison, Digital Santa at Union Pool // I’ve no idea who this Young Love is, but he seems to have a lot of myspace fans; playing with Soft, and The GoStation at Rebel // Bright LightsThe Faintest IdeasYoung Untold and The Specific Heats at Cake Shop.

Today’s tiny playlist
The Faintest Ideas: Nosebleeders on the Track
The National: Fake Empire 
Yeasayer: 2080 
Flosstradamus: CYOA (remix of Heartsrevolution)
King Khan and the Shrines: Welfare Bread
Apollo Sunshine: 666: The Coming Of The New World Government 

playing tonight August 1, 2008

Mira Stroika, Hot Lava, Wintersleep & more tonight

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Definitely let yourself be seduced by cabaret temptress Mira Stroika, or at the very least, let yourself be transported into a sultry past with her superbly nostalgic style. She is playing at at Rehab with Fresh Air Kids before heading out for a little travel. 

Going by “Apple Option Fire”, Hot Lava sounds like a fun band, playing at Cake Shop with HologramYellow Fever, and US Girls // Another wide variety of selections at Death by Audio, including some electronica pop from Antn Hrkwk and americana rock from Great Lakes, joining Artranker Convoy, Hyena, and Hot Cha Cha.

Nobody I know likes Terminal 5, which is a shame because Wintersleep is worth checking out; playing with Wolf Parade // I’d see The War on Drugs, too; playing with Lia IcesFlowers at Union Pool // I have been stumble-bummed before, outside Ear Inn, and for a less accidental viewing of the Stumblebum Brass Band, head to Mercury Lounge; playing with Creaky Boards, which is the same band whose song has been stolen (or not) by Coldplay’s famous new single. They will be joined by The BoschThe Canon Logic, and Zerobridge //  We Are Scientists and Oxford Collapse at Bowery Ballroom // Old 97’sSleepercar at Webster Hall.

The Faintest Ideas at Don Hill’s //  Brother Ali at South Street Seaport (free!) //  Rx Bandits, Portugal the ManMaps and Atlases at Highline Ballroom // In Cadeo (get the EP for free), PoPo, Beluga at Grasslands // Metronomy at Union Hall // Listen to Vivian Girls’ new single; they’re playing with Crystal StiltsWoods, The Beets at Silent Barn // Peter Bjorn and John’s Bjorn for free (with RSVP) at Le Royale.

Playlist

Mira Stroika: Mein Herr
Hot Lava: Apple Option Fire
Antn Hrkwk: Tourist Attraction
Artanker Convoy: Black Dauphin
Flower: Summer as Hammer
Fresh Air Kids: Melodrama in the Afternoon
Hologram: We are Babies
Wintersleep: Weighty Ghost
The War on Drugs: Taking the Farm
Lia Ice: Reason In Remain
Wolf Parade: My Father’s Son
Creaky Boards: The Songs I Didn’t Write
Brother Ali: Truth Is
Maps and Atlases: Every Place
Hot Cha Cha: J’accuse,
Old 97s: Dance with Me
We Are Scientists: Inaction
Metromony: Love Songs for a Dog
Oxford Collapse: The Birthday Wars
Portugal the Man: Ruby Magic
Vivian Girls: Where Do You Run To

playing tonight July 28, 2008

Sharon van Etten, the Postelles & more tonight

The entire stream; use grey arrows to switch between songs

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Axolotl, Daniel Klag and Fifty Foot Women will be producing lots of weird noises at Cake ShopThe Postelles are playing a birthday bash at Fat Baby with SamuelMargot and The Nuclear So & So’sSilver StateRavens & Chimes at Bowery Ballroom. Our muse Sharon Van Etten with Noa Babayof, Drew Victor, and Scary Mansion at the AnnexFriendly Fires with Semi Precious WeaponsThe Gaming Commission at Mercury LoungeChris Masterson and Justin Shorey (he’ll tell you how to get to Virgin Islands when times are hard) at Pete’s Candy Store.

Playlist
Modey Lemon: Rainbowbeard
Sharon van Etten: It’s not Like
Drew Victor: Yet Another Vision
The Postelles:  1 2 3 Stop
Noa Babayof: Marching Band
Scary Mansion: Sorry We Took All Your Money
Ravens and Chimes: January
The Silver State: Letdown
Christ Masterson: Collapsible Plans

If you would like to list your band’s event in New York City, please email hi [at] brooklynheathen [dot] com with any available links to website, myspace, downloadable mp3s and show flyer. Thanks.

playing tonight July 24, 2008

The Postelles, Bound Stems & more tonight

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The Postelles’ ”123 Stop” is a blast of a tune, and really cute to dance to. See them at Knitting Factory’s Main Stage with Frankpollis and The Orion ExperienceQuitzow and Setting Sun should be interesting to see, playing at The Annex with Siwat the sad bastard; as should Exit Clov, playing with Bound Stems and A Brief Smile at Mercury Lounge; as should rockabilly adventurer Ladyfingers, playing at Rehab with Saints and Lovers and Nightmare of You

Home Blitz at Cake Shop sounds like fun; playing with caUSE co-MOTION!, The Face AccidentsLame DriversAkron/Family is free at Castle Clinton, but requires a ticket. The Spinto Band, The Sin City Band at Union Hall. Pop rock galore at Bowery Ballroom with Ambulance Ltd., Soft, Deadbeat Darling. Metal night continues at Union Pool with Lapdog of Satan, La Otracina (I don’t think the played last night?), Titan, and Naam.

Playlist
The Postelles: 123 Stop
Quitzow: Sponsor (It Didn’t Mean A Thing)
Siwat: Don’t Wake Up
The Orion Experience: Obsessed
Exit Clov: District Menagerie
Ladyfingers: Lite FM
Akron/Family: Phenomena
Cause Co-Motion: Who’s gonna care
Home Blitz: Stupid Street
Lame Drivers: Captain Amazing
Bound Stems: Happens to us all otherwise
A Brief Smile: Never Have the Time


  • Aqua: Love TEEN. Man they can sing. Cool. Different.
  • Suraj Joshee: Sarahana, Loved the video. You captured the simple raw essence of the music and band really really...
  • Kevination: I love infectious songs.
  • Jipes: Another great post, I love the voice of this artist. Every time I come here I’m surprised which is...
  • Jipes: Not at all, I’m really sorry if my comment seems odd but compare to people like Tallest Man on Earth,...