Thanks so much to everyone who came out, especially the fabulous bands who played, and to Trophy Bar for hosting the whole madness. I know everyone I invited to play were some of my favorites, so of course I was thrilled more than anybody else to see them all at one place, but I was extra excited because they all played incredibly strong sets. A ton of pictures are posted here with helpful captions, and we filmed pretty much the whole thing, so video will come soon too! All pics were taken by me (Sarahana), except where noted.

Afuche

The Afuchitas – a feisty gang of interpretive dancers put together by our explosive opening act, Afuche.

Not only was there a lot of dancing, but quite a bit of synchronized screaming.

Afuche decided to go pick up their badges and free Kangaroos shoes after setting up. They played in their new shoes.

And they even sported the free Kangaroos shirts they got in their gift bag.

The amazing drummer of Afuche is clearly adored by his group of dancers.

tUnE-yArDs

Zach Condon’s crew was drinking outside and they all got up and rushed in as soon as we heard Merrill Garbus of tUnE-yArDs testing her voice inside.

I’d asked her if she wanted to do an acoustic set, and she performed on a sole (tenor) ukulele. I had goose bumps throughout her set.

Pic below by Sahara

Zach Condon of Beirut, Merrill Garbus of tUnE-yArDs, Ruben Sindo Acosta of Afuche hanging out in the backyard.

Luke Winslow-King trio

This was my dad’s favorite set at the show. When Luke Winslow-King’s most handsome trio in the world played their 20s inspired rag tunes, and given the Trophy Bar decor, I felt like we were sailing on a boat.

The washboard kills.

And look at this fabulous tuba.

Gracious Calamity

Ideally these girls from Gracious Calamity would play at your bonfire party or your porch. They played a quiet folk-y set that sounded like sweet lullabies.

Doesn’t this look very warm and fuzzy? It’s only missing a bonfire.

Glass Ghost

Glass Ghost provided just the bit of diversity we need in our line-up. Eliot Krimsky’s haunting voice, idiosyncratic rhythms, and awesome bass setup on the keyboard. I was so glad to have them on. I misplaced my camera during their set, so didn’t get to take pictures, sigh.

Pic below by New York Rock Market

Pic below by Sahara

Pic below by Sahara

I found my camera as the set ended. Here’s drummer Mike Johnson.

Drink Up Buttercup

I’ve seen Drink Up Buttercup a bunch of times, but this was the best set I’ve seen from them, period. Drunken sailors all around. Can’t thank them enough.

They played a song about penises and another one about “female anatomy”.

Consulting a last-minute set list they’d made on their iPhone.

Jim had to kneel cause he was using the one little mic we had for his guitar. It was his birthday eve.

Sharon Van Etten

Sharon Van Etten started off by saying she didn’t have any songs about penises.

And that she was wearing her mom’s shoes (with holes).

She was stellar, of course. I don’t even need to mention that.

Pic below by Sahara

Pic below by Jessi Bautista

Pic below by Jessi Bautista

Pic below by Sahara

Pic below by Sahara

Mark Charles of Vandaveer laughs at Sharon’s jokes.

Merrill Garbus of tUnE-yArDs watching Sharon perform.

Adam Arcuragi

Adam Arcuragi arrived with a crew he put together in the last minute. It included a saw player, and plenty of clapping and stomping.

This man changed his plans to be in Chicago to come play here instead. He’s crazy like that. He’s moving to New York soon and you should be on the look out for backyard performances.

When they discovered there was only one mic, they improvised plenty of things.

Vandaveer

Vandaveer started indoors, but after an issue with the mic levels, they yelled, “Who wants to go outside?” and we all poured into the backyard.

It was a fine call! The light rain had cleared just in time.

It was very French, really.

Rose Guerin of Vandaveer strikes a pose.

Mark Charles climbs a table. La Strada looks on.

Motel Motel

People kept asking me who our secret guests were. I had to clarify that it wasn’t a secret at all, but just that Motel Motel is very special. I’d asked them to play a set that would be a “Secret Garden” set and I’m amazed by how much these guys grasp the idea of the Secret Garden without me having to explain anything at all.

Bassist Timo Sullivan and drummer Jeremy Duvall played a guitar case and a banjo case instead.

Look at Mickey Theis. Doesn’t he look like a very handsome man from the 50s?

Eric Engel doesn’t really need the mic at all.

They played “Harlem” the same way they played it for our Secret Garden video (coming soon): a capella, backed up by a recording on a tape. Erik Gundel and Mickey Theis provided gorgeous harmonies.

Timo Sullivan taking a break from his exhausting guitar-case-playing session.

Delicious kebab rolls my mom sold in the backyard.

Thanks everyone! Seriously, it was the best party I’ve been to!

Apart from the awesome bands and their awesome managers, and supportive friends in general, notable thanks to Sahara (my sister and trusty helping hand), Kevin Eder and China Kirk (both devoted friends and moral supporters), Ray of Ray Concepcion (he filmed the whole thing!), and my mom for staying up all night to make the delicious food.

Download the Hooves on the Turf Northside Sampler (49.8mb).

It includes a song each from all bands playing our showcase, in the order of appearance.

1. “Karate” by Afuche
2. “Hatari” by tUnE-yArDs
3. “As April Is to May” by Luke Winslow-King
4. “Song that Grows Like a Vine (Live)” by Gracious Calamity
5. “Sosey & Dosey” by Drink Up Buttercup
6. “Mechanical Life” by Glass Ghost
7. “For You” by Sharon Van Etten
8. “Ain’t No Grave” by Adam Arcuragi
9. “Woolgathering” by Vandaveer
10. a song by our special guests

Hooves on the Turf’s Northside Festival showcase
at Trophy Bar, 351 Broadway Brooklyn, NY 11211

FREE / 21+ / June 13, 2009 / 1PM Onwards

2:00 Afuche
2:30 tUnE-yArDs
3:00 Luke Winslow-King
3:30 Gracious Calamity
4:00 Drink Up Buttercup
4:30 Glass Ghost
5:00 Sharon Van Etten
5:30 Adam Arcuragi
6:00 Vandaveer
6:30 Special Guests (oh my!)

Download the Hooves on the Turf Northside Sampler (49.8mb).

It includes a song each from all 10 bands.

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

While we’re on the topic of The Tallest Man on Earth, I’ve gathered a few other Swedish delights, plus more good stuff. But first, here’s another gem from Kristian Matsson, as performed live last night. I took the picture above after a Secret Garden shoot with him yesterday, so watch out for that loveliness.

Download “The Wild Hunt (Live at Bowery Ballroom)“

Swedish Delight #2: Francis

Sweden’s Francis is a drunkenly four-piece from a province called Dalarna, which they describe as “the darkest woods of Sweden”. They’ve just released a solid self-titled debut EP, which you can buy from here. “Beat, Beat, Beat” is pretty representative of the five songs you’ll find on it: strutting bluesy rhythms, a lovely soaring voice, wasted hearts, and all that good stuff. I can’t wait for this band to head to New York. Myspace

Download “Beat, Beat, Beat“

Swedish Delight #3: Hägga & the Thieves from the North

Hägga & the Thieves from the North is a howling outfit from Stockholm, Sweden. They’ve got some of the same free spirit you hear in Francis, but a lot less somber, with a dose of mischief and optimism replacing some of the wastedness. Their album Introducing The Thieves From the North was released earlier this year. Myspace

Download “In a Different Light”

Playing tomorrow: Floating Action

I’ve been admiring Floating Action’s self-titled debut ever since I got the first whiff of it. It comes out on April 21 (pre-order), though you should really come see them at Mercury Lounge tomorrow (Apr 17) if you want an advance listen. I’ve never seen them live and I’m very curious about how these recordings will be interpreted for the stage. Myspace

Download “Marie Claire“

Playing tonight: Afuche

Afuche is Brooklyn’s own, and be very proud. Their debut album I Made Dots… is an experimental bit of explosion, complete with shrieking horns and fairly-like prances tossed in with otherwise badass-like grooves. It’s all quite cinematic, and I’m very much excited to see them live. Their release party show is tonight at Bruar Falls with Tune Yards and Sister Suvi. You must wear black and white if you’re coming though, it’s Charlie Chaplin’s birthday. Myspace

Download “Karate“

Photographed: Eulogies

Los Angeles’ Eulogies is playing the Bell House on May 1 and Bowery Ballroom on May 4th in support of their newest, Here Anonymous, from which this track is taken. It features Nikki Monninger of Silversun Pickups. Here’s an interview they did with The Tripwire, for which I took a few photos. Myspace

Download “Two Can Play“