Zola Jesus was the interviewer. Keep an eye out for the video.

Breakfast was delicious. Meat tasted like bursts of flavor, and unlike meaty meat. But the best part was the mushy beans. Yum.

The adorable Darlings / Famous Class crew was there as well.

Went over to Dominican Joe to catch the Supply and Demand party. The cafe was perfect for the show; spacious indoors with amazing acoustics and a sunny “backyard” for an alternate stage.

The Daredevil Christopher Wright were ending their set when we got there. They sounded quiet-folk-pop good. The sound was so crisp.

Dark Dark Dark Our main reason for making it to this show.

Pup!! Look how attentively he’s listening. And so non-chalant. Freaking hipster.

La Strada from Brooklyn.

Love me some cello.

Vandaveer Voices sounded great in this space. The set was on the slower/quieter side (newer songs), but a few goose-bump moments with Mark’s voice and his blazing eyes.

Dosh Surprisingly, not very engaging live.

Headed back to Longbranch Inn for Austin Imposition Night 2 by Impose.

Teengirl Fantasy opened.

A Sunny Day in Glasgow Not that exciting.

Total Slacker Ever so full of entertainment, but I don’t quite get the music.

Girls at Dawn Didn’t like. Kind of high-pitched.

The Fresh and Only’s Everyone was really into it. They had the lights off, though, so I didn’t try taking more photos.

Woods Loved it. They sound way more interesting live.

Thee Oh Sees Epic. So epic I could barely take photos. There was beer bath and bleeding involved.

Brigid is badass.

And so is he. He spit high into the air and swallowed it right back in.

Download Rain On by Woods
Download Bright Bright Bright by Dark Dark Dark
Download Ruby Go Home by Thee Oh Sees
Download The East Coast by The Dare Devil Christopher Wright
Download Woolgathering by Vandaveer

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.

Mark Charles Heidinger, whom the French love, and his sister in spirit, Rose Guerin, will be in New York this month for a two-date stop, one of which we are presenting with much excitement!

May 26 (9PM Sharp) at Sycamore
1118 Cortelyou Rd, Brooklyn. $10 at the door.

You see, Mark has the kind of voice that will make you want to curl up, and Rose has the kind that will tease and seduce you, and Sycamore is the kind of place that just makes you go, “Wow”, so it’s kind of a killer combo, you know? (I’ve already declared that it’s my new favorite venue). The seating is quite limited, and the atmosphere is warm and fuzzy, so it should be a stellar intimate show.

Here’s a taste of what you’ll be getting:

[ + Add to your Google Calendar + ]

Download “Woolgathering” | “Crooked Mast” | “Long Black Veil“

Plus, Sycamore is part flower shop, so you’ll be smelling those fresh flowers. Plus it’s in Ditmas Park, which is where you should be, instead of all of the other nooks of Brooklyn and Manhattan you’re always at (look, Zach Condon was there).

“Woolgathering” is from Vandvaeer’s forthcoming album Divide & Conquer, and is also available on a brand new two-song 7 inch.

Please come (early) for an awesome night.

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Where I count you down through new songs and new ventures to old songs and golden voices.

(Photo credit: Uknown; if you took it, email me)

#5 “The Mountain” by Heartless Bastards

Erika Wennerstrom’s voice will lend gravity to anything she sings. If she sang “Happy Birthday”, it’d probably sound like something your own ghost would sing when it stands atop a mossy hill to raise its flagstaff and pierce your head with it. Woah.

Download “The Mountain“

#4 “Sammy Ghetz” by The Armchairs

From the upcoming full-length, Fishtown Lock and Gun, here’s a rough mix of “Sammy Ghetz”. You hear in the outro, “I don’t think we played that right”–I love it. This one’s a pretty basic track, but it’s done well: nice voice, warm tones in the guitar and keys, details in the drumming, and all of that spunky groove throughout. They’re playing the Annex on Feb 27.

Download “Sammy Ghetz“

#3 “Coriander” by Pomegranates

Of the variety that lingers mid-air, in a never-ending fall, in a bottomless world. From Everybody, Come Outside!, which comes out April 14th. Why that band name, though? It’s a cool fruit and all, but still.

Download “Coriander“

#2 “Valentine” by Festival

I’m a little late on posting this, but it arrived in the inbox only a few days ago. If you happen to be male and you catch a glimpse of this song by the river bank, you’d be intruding; go away. And mind the sweetness, consume in moderation.

Download “Valentine“

#1 “Long Black Veil” by Vandaveer

And now I present some of my favorite boys. Vandaveer is Mark Charles, whose voice will melt your iron keys. Seriously. That big one hanging by your neck? Watch out. This song appears in Splice Today’s awesome compilation of “original recordings of traditional folk music”. They released it last week, and you can download the whole thing for free if you register on their site. Here are three of my favorites (the audio player has a “next arrow” to toggle between songs).

Download “Long Black Veil” by Vandaveer

Download “Ain’t No Grave” by Adam Arcuragi

Download “Twelve Gates to the City” by These United States

Someone commission these three to cover every song in the history of American folk music. Preferably, together.