Modern Painters Music Issue: Featuring David Byrne
Not many people realize this, but by day one of the many magazines I help produce is Modern Painters. This month's issue of Modern Painters is devoted to the more artistic side of the music community, featuring artists and musicians such as Marina Abramovic, David Byrne, Jeremy Deller, Slater Bradley, Kurt Cobain and Fenn O’Berg all blurring the dividing line between art and sound.
Music fans will particularly enjoy the interview of David Byrne by well-known conceptual artist Jeremy Deller...
It took about two weeks to reach the artist-musician David Byrne, who was touring with his book Bicycle Diaries. But when we finally got hold of him and explained our "Meeting of Minds" column (expanded for this issue), which would involve his speaking with another artist of his choice, the former Talking Heads front man didn’t miss a beat. Within moments, he had replied on e-mail: "I want to talk to Jeremy Deller" — the Conceptual, video, and installation artist who won the 2004 Turner Prize. The connections between the two were evident: Both are avid cyclists, Byrne in New York and Deller in London; both believe strongly in art being accessible; both often explore the creative process in performative approaches; both are influenced by politics, pop culture, and music; and both participate enthusiastically in socioanthropological studies of cultural landscapes, particularly of quirky-meets-cerebral subjects like parades, nursing homes, and dilapidated buildings. Although for scheduling reasons the two remained on opposite sides of the Atlantic, Google Docs enabled this real-time conversation to take place online.
Jeremy Deller: First, I’d like to talk about your love of cycling. I cycle in London every day, more or less. A few simple questions: Do you jump red lights? Do you wear a helmet? These aren’t trick questions. I’m just interested. I’m a no to both, by the way.
David Byrne: I cycle here in New York as a way of getting around, not as a racer or for sport. It’s getting easier here. There are more secure lanes, and drivers are more used to seeing cyclists than in the past. Do I jump red lights? I used to do it more, but now, as there are more cyclists, I feel we have to obey the rules of the road if we expect to be taken seriously — and we are, a bit. Sometimes I feel pretty foolish standing there waiting for the light to change while other cyclists whiz by, but then last week I watched as someone ignored a red light only to be completely knocked over by a car. I thought for a minute I might mention to this poor idiot lying on the ground (but not seriously injured) that he’d run a red light, but it didn’t seem like the right time for scolding.
Do I wear a helmet? Ugh. I do when I’m riding through a precarious part of town, meaning midtown traffic. But when I’m riding on secure protected lanes or on the paths that run along the Hudson or through Central Park — no, I don’t wear the dreaded helmet then. I’ve noticed that in places where cycling is accepted and common — Berlin, Copenhagen, and so on — most folks don’t wear helmets. I haven’t had a serious accident, so maybe I’m naive. Cycling is a joy and faster than many other modes of transport, depending on the time of day. It clears the head.
Modern Painters: Redirecting the conversation to art, not that cycling isn’t an interesting topic: You were both involved in the exhibition "Shhh . . . Sounds in Spaces" at the Victoria & Albert Museum, in London in 2004. Can you talk a bit about your roles in the show and what the experience was like? How did you explore the idea of sound in space? Was that your first meeting, if you in fact did meet? Or if it wasn’t, when and where did you first meet?
DB: I’m pretty sure we didn’t meet, though we have mutual friends, most notably Michael Morris, of Artangel, who worked with Jeremy on the Battle of Orgreave [2001] reenactment. Jeremy also did a short film that beautifully used the Talking Heads song "Heaven." It was of old folks dancing — senior citizens, we call them here [in the United States]. It’s both hilarious and very touching.
The V&A "Shhh . . . Sounds in Spaces" seemed so obvious. I wonder why more museums haven’t messed around more with their Acoustiguides. Very few have. As far as I know, they usually stick with the "Let some expert explain it all for you" approach. The V&A instead invited a group of artists and musicians to "do something" for their Acoustiguides. It wasn’t for a specific show, so in a sense it was a show. The technology used was invisible infrared sensors to activate audio files in the players that visitors wore. Because these players were private, only the person wearing the headphones could hear the pieces — there was no cacophony in the galleries — so sometimes a voice would begin talking as you entered a specific room or gallery, sometimes a sound would begin playing for no reason, and sometimes one would hear music when one entered a space. All the participants picked different spaces, so there wasn’t audio chaos. I decided to concentrate on the nonspaces in the V&A — the hallways between galleries, the cafeteria ramp, the lovely old stairways, and the pristine bathrooms. I did one for the ceramics gallery that began with footsteps and heavy breathing, as if someone were following a little too close; another, for the Cast Court ramp, began with a cell phone ringing and ringing (I hoped that folks would turn around to see which obnoxious person was not picking up their phone), and then it turned into a little chaotic musical mixture of various cell-phone rings.
Continue reading at Artinfo.com
Cheeseburger - "Saturday Night"
Your New Favorite Band: Zambri
Zambri
From: New York, NY
RIFYL: MGMT, !!!, Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Zambri - "W/Somebody (The Model Remix)"
If Kevin Shields produced a pop album with dueling female vocals, it'd probably sound like Zambri. For the past couple of years, the New York quintet has been creating a sound that combines equal parts funky dance pop and dark, cavernous shoegaze rock. This sounds like a musical oxymoron. Coming from complete opposite sides of the spectrum, shoegaze is defined by its dark mood and often confrontational soundscapes, while the purest pop is energetic, fun, and easy to swallow.
The mood of Zambri's music walks a fine line, usually further on the dark side than light. This is one of the conflicting elements that makes this music dynamic and original. There's no denying that the swirling vocals of Zambri sisters (Jessica and Cristi Jo) are the defining element of the band. The way their vocals weave together is a creation that only sisters who've been performing together for years could pull off. Weaving is the only way to describe the way their vocals combine—it's not as simple as the standard call-and-response style most bands with multiple singers pull off. Blessed with good looks, strong voices and the namesake for which the band is named after, Jessica and Cristi Jo are will be seen as the faces of the band, and will be presented the spotlight in all press coverage and photos. It's an undeniable fact, but the trio of musicians behind them deserve a lot of recognition for the powerful sound being created. Andrew Bianchi (drums) and Carrie Ingber (bass) provide a really dynamic rhythmic core, while Chris Coombs' expansive guitar playing is the essential mood defining element, along with the keyboards (provided also by the Zambri sisters).
With a brand new EP, Bang for Changes, and a schedule that has seen them playing live all over town recently (including multiple shows during CMJ), Zambri will be seeing a lot of attention in the near future.
Younger sister, Cristi Jo recently spoke to New York Press about her record collection, future touring plans and the joy of sharing the stage with her sister.
Despite an atmospheric backdrop that takes from a noisier/edgier rock underbelly, Zambri is a pop group. Who are the biggest influences over your sound?
Edward Scissorhands and Puccini's 'Nessun' Dorma' is a constant for me. Do you hear that?
What's the most embarrassing record in your collection?
Probably my own with Jess as a child/adolescent. We used to do spot on impressions of Ronnie Spector, Mariah, Whitney, Bjork, Thom Yorke, etc. Anyone that we were asked to do, we did. Monica, Brandy...it's all in there. I guess. I'm not embarrassed, just glad we stopped taking requests (and thankful to anyone who would burn their copies).
Sharing the spotlight with a sibling can be difficult. Is there any rivalry between you in your music writing/singing?
No. We're lovey dovey. There's a lot to handle/figure out/make happen because we both write a lot, and we get excited and eager to document and play all the songs. Trying to bring two separate visions to light can be a challenge, but when they come together, it's pretty special. No competition. We trust and inspire one another a lot.
How long have you been performing together?
We did a few solo stints, and our first performance together was when I was in third grade and, she, in fifth. We've played the five of us (Chris, Carrie, Andy), as a whole, for a couple years. This was our first recording as a complete band. We have some history. We'll get into that another time.
New Yorkers are notorious for being the most motionless crowds, and your music is really danceable. Are there venues where your crowds are more likely to bust a move?
People seem to let loose more when it's DIY style, I suppose. No matter where you are though, when the whole night is planned out and it's not just filling slots, there is a definite energy difference. Sometimes dancing just depends on your mood though. If Samuel Barber's, Agnus Dei (Adagio for Strings), was playing the same time as a Basement Jaxx track, in perfect rhythm with one another, I'm might dance or I might just listen. Sometimes that's the energy I feel with us.
Who would you rather open for Madonna or Radiohead? And from which crowd would you expect a better response?
For me, Radiohead, though I would say yes, enthusiastically, to Madonna. A Radiohead tour, show, or even just an afternoon tea would be a very awesome thing. Radiohead is a band that I think every member of our band is a big, big fan of. As far as audience response goes, I'd be into experimenting to find out. Madonna? Radiohead?
Having recently released a new EP, which songs are you most excited about playing live? And why?
The whole band loves playing live. We're pretty pumped the whole time. I definitely feel something pretty powerful when we play the song "Bang For Changes". We just added a new song "To Keep Back" to the set. We're all excited to play that one.
Will you be taking your act on the road to the rest of the world anytime soon? Are there any cities you'd most like to play?
Just trying to figure out the perfect time to quit our jobs & live off of peanut butter. I'm trying to convince Bonnaroo and Coachella to have us. We've been talking about going to Bali and Bangladesh. The UK and Japan come up a lot too. I guess you can tell this band is all into touring.
Upcoming tour dates:
November 5, Sputnik, 262 Taaffe Pl, Brooklyn, 9pm, 21 , $7
November 13, Santos Party House, 96 Lafayette St, New York, 8pm, 21
2009 Music Survey
Noel Heroux, Hooray For Earth
Best Unknown NYC Band: Zambri, who is not by any means unknown, but not known enough
Best Live NYC Band: Battles
Saddest NYC Band Breakup? I'm not sure myself but a friend of mine was devistated for Apes & Androids
Best Album of 2009 by Local Band: Paul & The Patients To The Lions EP
Favorite Local Venue to Play: Glasslands
Most Missed Local Venue: Alphabeta in Greenpoint
Best Place to Buy Music Equipment: Main Drag
How Many Bands Do You Play in: 2
Best Post Show Hangout: Maujer Dreams
Weirdest Thing To Happen At One Of Your Shows? Guitar stolen and returned week later by admitted thief
Dylan Rau of Bear Hands
Best NYC Band: Grizzly Bear
Best Unknown NYC Band: Bottle Up and Go
Best Live NYC Band: Das Racist
Saddest NYC Band Breakup? Everyone I know is still alive
Best Album of 2009 by Local Band: "Veckatimest" Grizzly Bear
Favorite Local Venue to Play: Bowery Ballroom
Most Missed Local Venue: Mccarren Pool
Best Place to Buy Music Equipment: Ebay
How Many Bands Do You Play in: 40
Best Post Show Hangout: Clem's
Weirdest Thing To Happen At One Of Your Shows? Mayor Bloomberg came
Chris Pacifico, Solid PR
Best NYC Band: The Giraffes
Best Unknown NYC Band: Stats
Best Live NYC Band: The Giraffes
Saddest NYC Band Breakup? It Lives
Best Album of 2009 by Local Band: Hopewell "Good Good Desperation:
Favorite Local Venue to Play: Bowery Ballroom
Most Missed Local Venue: Knitting Factory
Best Place to Buy Music Equipment: Anywhere in the Lower East Side
How Many Bands Do You Play in: None
Best Post Show Hangout: Iggy's
Weirdest Thing To Happen At One Of Your Shows? Too lewd for me to describe.
David Dargahi, The Postelles
Best NYC Band: Your Nature
Best Unknown NYC Band: Movement
Best Live NYC Band: Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Saddest NYC Band Breakup? Velvet Underground
Best Album of 2009 by Local Band:Harlem Shakes "Technicolor Health"
Favorite Local Venue to Play: Music Hall of Williamsburg
Most Missed Local Venue: Sin-e
Best Place to Buy Music Equipment: 30th St. Guitars
How Many Bands Do You Play in: 1
Best Post Show Hangout: Dublin
Weirdest Thing To Happen At One Of Your Shows? Previous bands smoke machines caused firemen to show up
Coyle Girelli, Your Vegas
Best NYC Band: Well, why Your Vegas of course… and Jupiter One is great as well.
Best Live NYC Band: Semi-Precious Weapons simply for the all out, balls out glam
Saddest NYC Band Breakup? Fellow Brits The Primms
Best Album of 2009 by Local Band: Paul & Patients had a great debut!
Favorite Local Venue to Play: Bowery Ballroom
Most Missed Local Venue: CBGB's - even though it was shit hole. Sad to lose such history though at least it became a very cool Varvatos store and not a Starbucks. John’s heart is in the right place and Im glad he still has bands play there.
Best Place to Buy Music Equipment: Main Drag Music, Williamsburg
How Many Bands Do You Play in: 1
Best Post Show Hangout: Cabin
Weirdest Thing To Happen At One Of Your Shows? A mid set argument from the stage with Anton from The Brianjonestown Massacre about the correct pronunciation of the word 'aluminium'
Justin Russo, The Silent League
Best NYC Band: StarsLikeFleas
Best Unknown NYC Band: Grand Mal
Best Live NYC Band: Bear in Heaven
Saddest NYC Band Breakup? - dunno, did anyone I know break up in 09?
Best Album of 2009 by Local Band: Hopewell - Good Good Desperation
Favorite Local Venue to Play: The new Knit!!
Most Missed Local Venue: Brownies
Best Place to Buy Music Equipment: not in New York....
How Many Bands Do You Play in: 3
Best Post Show Hangout: Taco Chulo, Williamsburg
Weirdest Thing To Happen At One Of Your Shows? - a coke dealer came up to the stage mid set and attempted to sell his wares. didn't really seem to bother him that we were singing songs to a bunch of people.
Mark Allen, Fugitive Souls
Best NYC Band: Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Best Unknown NYC Band: Fugitive Souls 
Best Live NYC Band: LCD Soundsystem
Saddest NYC Band Breakup? Dirty on Purpose
Best Album of 2009 by Local Band: Plushgun, "Pins and Panzers"
Favorite Local Venue to Play: The Studio at Webster Hall
Most Missed Local Venue: Original Luna Lounge
Best Place to Buy Music Equipment: Main Drag Music
How Many Bands Do You Play in: 2
Best Post Show Hangout: Alligator Lounge
Weirdest Thing To Happen At One Of Your Shows? Robbed in the parking lot before our Bell House Show
Brad Bennett, Intermissions/Bling Kong/Red Impact
Best NYC Band: The National
Best Unknown NYC Band: Parts & Labor
Best Live NYC Band: These Are Powers
Saddest NYC Band Breakup?
Best Album of 2009 by Local Band:
Favorite Local Venue to Play: Mercury Lounge
Most Missed Local Venue:
Best Place to Buy Music Equipment: the internet
How Many Bands Do You Play in: 3 (Intermissions, Bling Kong, Red Impact)
Best Post Show Hangout: My House
Weirdest Thing To Happen At One Of Your Shows? I was told once by a young, married couple that their 8-year old kid really loved our music. They specifically mentioned one song that hand frequent references to one's "cock". I asked what their child thought of the sexual references and the couple easily explained that they told their kid that the song was about chickens.
Steven Matrick, Kepler Events
Best NYC Band: A Place to Bury Strangers
Best Unknown NYC Band: Overlord
Best Live NYC Band: Shilpa Ray & Her Happy Hookers
Saddest NYC Band Breakup?
Best Album of 2009 by Local Band: Exploding Head by A Place to Bury Strangers
Favorite Local Venue to Play: Cakeshop
Most Missed Local Venue:
Best Place to Buy Music Equipment: Main Drag
How Many Bands Do You Play in: 0
Best Post Show Hangout: Motor City
Weirdest Thing To Happen At One Of Your Shows?
Dylan Von Wagner, Linfinity
Best NYC Band: The National
Best Unknown NYC Band: Torpedo
Best Live NYC Band: Beastie Boys......
Saddest NYC Band Breakup? simon and garfunkel
Best Album of 2009 by Local Band: The Subjects
Favorite Local Venue to Play: Mercury Lounge
Most Missed Local Venue: Brownies
Best Place to Buy Music Equipment: 30th st Guitars
How Many Bands Do You Play in: 1
Best Post Show Hangout: By Robert James
Weirdest Thing To Happen At One Of Your Shows? Lots of people showed up
Shilpa Ray, Shilpa Ray & Her Happy Hookers
Best NYC Band: I know it says band and not bands. I have trouble with rules. Here goes: Heavy Trash, The Harlem Shakes, Psychic Ills, A Place to Bury Strangers, TV on the Radio
Best Unknown NYC Band: The Wild Yaks, Soft Black, Creaky Boards, Werewolves, Daniel Bernstein and the Everybody Knows, Forest Fire, The Soundscapes
Best Live NYC Band: Ching Chong Song, Heavy Trash, Sharon Van Etten
Saddest NYC Band Breakup? The New York Howl
Best Album of 2009 by Local Band: Earth is Black- Soft Black. Technicolor Health- The Harlem Shakes. Because I Was In Love - Sharon Van Etten
Favorite Local Venue to Play: Loft Parties
Most Missed Local Venue: Vanishing Point where I freaked out on a moon age daydream. Oh yeah.
Best Place to Buy Music Equipment: Keshav Music Imports. 67 E 4th St. You can buy yourself a magical sitar and become Brian Jones playing George Harrison playing Ravi Shankar playing a bad father.
How Many Bands Do You Play in: 1
Best Post Show Hangout: Stoned in my room, Car service with Strictly Dickly. She makes load outs loads of fun.
Weirdest Thing To Happen At One Of Your Shows? People dancing Ring Around the Rosie style and throwing money at us. I'm tawkin 5s and 10s, not cheapie 1s. Our audiences are posh.
Brian Betancourt, Hospitality/Frances/White Rabbits
Best NYC Band: The Subjects
Best Unknown NYC Band: Glass Ghost
Best Live NYC Band: Dirty Projectors
Saddest NYC Band Breakup? Dymaxion
Best Album of 2009 by Local Band: Glass Ghost Idol Omen
Favorite Local Venue to Play: Union Hall
Most Missed Local Venue: I can't think of one
Best Place to Buy Music Equipment: Main Drag
How Many Bands Do You Play in: 3 right now
Best Post Show Hangout: bar at the Bell House
Weirdest Thing To Happen At One Of Your Shows? Me kicking a beach ball into a sea of 7,000 hippies at Bonnaroo.
Jonathan, Fiasco
Best NYC Band: for me at the moment it's Boogie Boarder (myspace.com/boogieboardertheband) or Zs (myspace.com/zstheband)
Best Unknown NYC Band: Snuffy (myspace.com/snuffynewyork)
Best Live NYC Band: No One and the Somebodies (myspace.com/nooneandthesomebodies)
Saddest NYC Band Breakup? No idea, but speaking of broken up bands, Pavement just reunited!!!!!!
Best Album of 2009 by Local Band: so far it's Turbosleaze (myspace.com/turbosleaze)'s "Balls Balls Balls Vagina", but I'm highly anticipating "Mangia!" by Snuffy and an EP by Museyroom (myspace.com/museyroomband).
Favorite Local Venue to Play: Death by Audio or Market Hotel
Most Missed Local Venue: The bodega at 1089 Broadway was pretty cool..
Best Place to Buy Music Equipment: Main Drag
How Many Bands Do You Play in: 5
Best Post Show Hangout: My bed
Weirdest Thing To Happen At One Of Your Shows? One time this drunk woman started shouting and hitting Julian's cymbals during the middle of a song. We thought she was just being silly and would eventually stop; however she kept it up for about 2 songs or so. We asked her nicely to stop which didn't work. At the end of the show we saw her passed out under some bleachers, hopefully everything turned out all right for her...
Paul Schalda, Pablo
Best NYC Band: sonic youth
Best Unknown NYC Band: pablo
Best Live NYC Band: sonic youth
Saddest NYC Band Breakup? ?
Best Album of 2009 by Local Band: cymbals eat guitars
Favorite Local Venue to Play: no where on staten island
Most Missed Local Venue: the joint
Best Place to Buy Music Equipment: mandolin brothers
How Many Bands Do You Play in: 1
Best Post Show Hangout: the 45
Weirdest Thing To Happen At One Of Your Shows? we sucked
Alex Tween, The Forms
Best NYC Band: The National
Best Unknown NYC Band: Limbs
Best Live NYC Band: These Are Powers
Saddest NYC Band Breakup? Usaisamonster
Best Album of 2009 by Local Band: Dirty Projectors' Bitte Orca
Favorite Local Venue to Play: Bell House
Most Missed Local Venue: Northsix
Best Place to Buy Music Equipment: Main Drag
How Many Bands Do You Play in: 1.5
Best Post Show Hangout: Larry Lawrence
Weirdest Thing To Happen At One Of Your Shows?: Onstage intraband strangling
Oliver, A Place To Bury Strangers
Best NYC Band: Sisters
Best Unknown NYC Band: Killer Snatch
Best Live NYC Band: Dead Combo
Saddest NYC Band Breakup? Dirty On Purpose
Best Album of 2009 by Local Band: Grooms Rejoicer
Favorite Local Venue to Play: Death By Audio
Most Missed Local Venue: Asterisk*
Best Place to Buy Music Equipment: Main Drag Music
How Many Bands Do You Play in: 1
Best Post Show Hangout: Under the Williamsburg Bridge
Weirdest Thing To Happen At One Of Your Shows? We played.
Sam Tyndall, ArpLine
Best NYC Band: ArpLine
Best Unknown NYC Band: Square Wave Punch
Best Live NYC Band: Gang Gang Dance
Best Album of 2009 by Local Band: St Vincent 'Actor'
Favorite Local Venue to Play: Mercury Lounge
Best Place to Buy Music Equipment: Craigslist
Most missed venue is Acme Underground
Lucian, Fiasco
Best NYC Band: perhaps Krallice or Boogie Boarder
Best Unknown NYC Band: Snuffy or Museyroom
Best Live NYC Band: No One and the Somebodies, Banzai (Jonathan's band) or TURBOSLEAZE
Saddest NYC Band Breakup? When Biggie died.
Best Album of 2009 by Local Band: Balls Balls Balls Vagina by TURBOSLEAZE
Favorite Local Venue to Play: Death by Audio, Market Hotel or Silent Barn
Most Missed Local Venue: STFO or Bodega
Best Place to Buy Music Equipment: Main Drag Music
How Many Bands Do You Play in: 2, but maybe 3? I'm in a lot of good ideas for bands, but they never get formed.
Best Post Show Hangout: THA LPD! That's not in the city though.
Weirdest Thing To Happen At One Of Your Shows? Once we played @ Bodega and two teenage girls made out during our set
Liz Schroeter, Diehard/Bling Kong
Best NYC Band: Ida
Best Unknown NYC Band: Can I say my own? Diehard
Best Live NYC Band: The Hold Steady, but only when I'm drunk
Saddest NYC Band Breakup? Oxford Collapse
Best Album of 2009 by Local Band: ARMS
Favorite Local Venue to Play: Union Hall
Most Missed Local Venue: i guess I sort of will miss the old Knitting Factory
Best Place to Buy Music Equipment: Main Drag, Brooklyn
How Many Bands Do You Play in: 1, or 2 if you are getting Bling Kong reunions together
Best Post Show Hangout: the bar at the venue where you are hopefully drinking for free, duh
Weirdest Thing To Happen At One Of Your Shows? Someone puked in the front row
Americans
Best NYC Band: TV on the Radio
Best Unknown NYC Band: Americans, of course...
Best Live NYC Band: The Giraffes
Saddest NYC Band Breakup? Oxford Collapse
Best Album of 2009 by Local Band: Dirty Projectors...bitte orce? hmmm
Favorite Local Venue to Play: Mercury Lounge
Most Missed Local Venue: Northsix
Best Place to Buy Music Equipment:
How Many Bands Do You Play in: two
Shannon Fields, Stars Like Fleas/The Silent League/Helado Negro/Miho Hatori's New Still Life...etc
Best NYC Band: These Are Powers
Best Unknown NYC Band: Well, nobody in this town is "unknown", but...Light Asylum is my new favorite. Also, Glass Ghost.
Best Live NYC Band: These Are Powers.
Saddest NYC Band Breakup? It's never sad when bands breakup. There are too many bands. If a band is around for too long they lose their charm. Break up your band, preserve your charm (and dignity). Do something useful with your life/ambition/energy/cash. I mean it. Become mythical, hurry up... (...except did Lansing-Dreiden cease to be active? Because I could *definitely* use some more of that...)
Best Album of 2009 by Local Band: "Awe Owe" by Helado Negro (I play in this live band but only played a few things on the record and didn't hear it until it was released, so I honestly dont see this as self-promotion--the record is Roberto's baby and I joined after the record was made and it's honestly my favorite record of the past many months by a local band)
Favorite Local Venue to Play: Union Pool
Most Missed Local Venue: Tonic. Jesus christ do I really miss Tonic...
Best Place to Buy Music Equipment: Craig's List for small towns in upstate New York
How Many Bands Do You Play in: Most actively, right now...Stars Like Fleas, The Silent League, Helado Negro, Miho Hatori's New Still Life. Also two new projects of mine that I haven't given names to.
Best Post Show Hangout: home
Weirdest Thing To Happen At One Of Your Shows?: I'm pretty bored by weird things so i tend not to notice them if they happen. Or how about this...It's weird when people listen in this town, right? And I mean with their ears, eh?
Julian, Fiasco
Best NYC Band: These Are Powers or Pterodactyl or (not a band, but) Jay-Z
Best Unknown NYC Band: Turbosleaze
Best Live NYC Band: Aa (Big A little a)
Saddest NYC Band Breakup? Does High Places moving to LA count?
Best Album of 2009 by Local Band: Balls Balls Balls Vagina by Turbosleaze
Favorite Local Venue to Play: Dead Herring, Death By Audio, Silent Barn, or Market Hotel
Most Missed Local Venue: Bodega or STFO
Best Place to Buy Music Equipment: Main Drag
How Many Bands Do You Play in: a bunch
Best Post Show Hangout: going home
Weirdest Thing To Happen At One Of Your Shows? Pratt senior art project getting destroyed
Asher Lack, Ravens & Chimes
Best NYC Band: I'm partial to Ravens and Chimes
Best Unknown NYC Band: Ravens and Chimes, The Secret Life Of Sofia (now called Milagres), The Subjects
Best Live NYC Band:I was recently blown away by a show we did with White Rabbits
Saddest NYC Band Breakup? I'd like to hear another Clap Your Hands record.....not sure when that'll be.
Best Album of 2009 by Local Band: You And Me by The Walkmen (late 2008 but...) Also Vecatimest by Grizzly Bear and It's Frightening by White Rabbits
Favorite Local Venue to Play: It always feels special at The Bowery Ballroom
Most Missed Local Venue: We used to go to Tramps and Coney Island High in high school.
Best Place to Buy Music Equipment: Matt Umanov and Rivington for shops but there are lots of iBankers selling good gear on craigslist these days.
How Many Bands Do You Play in: 1, typical monogamist.
Best Post Show Hangout: Enids! also, Matchless, Bue and Gold, Black and White etc......
Weirdest Thing To Happen At One Of Your Shows? Someone stole my underwear out of my bag backstage while we were playing.
Michael Jurin, stellastarr*
Best NYC Band: The National
Best Unknown NYC Band: Wakey! Wakey!
Best Live NYC Band: The Kiss Off/ArpLine
Saddest NYC Band Breakup? The Velvet Underground
Best Album of 2009 by Local Band: ‘Hush’ by Asobi Seksu
Favorite Local Venue to Play: The Bowery Ballroom
Most Missed Local Venue: The Luna Lounge (in LES) –free shows of upcoming bands
Best Place to Buy Music Equipment: Main Drag
How Many Bands Do You Play in: two
Best Post Show Hangout: Bowery Electric
Weirdest Thing To Happen At One Of Your Shows? A girl jumped on stage & mimicked kissing our singers ass.
Paul Holmes, Paul & The Patients
Best NYC Band:
Best Unknown NYC Band:
Best Live NYC Band:
Saddest NYC Band Breakup?
Best Album of 2009 by Local Band:
Favorite Local Venue to Play: Glasslands
Most Missed Local Venue:
Best Place to Buy Music Equipment: South Side Guitars
How Many Bands Do You Play in: two, if you count my solo thing
Best Post Show Hangout: a practice space
Weirdest Thing To Happen At One Of Your Shows? everyone listened
Emma Firth, Team Genius
Best NYC Band: Pearl and the Beard
Best Unknown NYC Band: Ryan Lone Wolf Sawyer, in any of his past, present and future reincarnations
Best Live NYC Band: Grizzly Bear
Saddest NYC Band Breakup? I don't want to know.
Best Album of 2009 by Local Band: But You've Always Been the Caretaker: The Silent League
Favorite Local Venue to Play: Monkeytown
Most Missed Local Venue: I don't live in Williamsburg - I can't keep up with this question!
Best Place to Buy Music Equipment: Pawn Shops in Random Cities
How Many Bands Do You Play in: 1
Best Post Show Hangout: My bed.
Weirdest Thing To Happen At One Of Your Shows? We dressed up as the Nativity Scene for Christmas last year. I was Mary. Drew was Joseph. Our keyboardist, Erin, was a male shepherd. We had angels and wise men too. Benefits of having 8 people in the band. It was pretty funny watching Drew trying to sing though his false beard.
Elizabeth & The Catapult
Best NYC Band: Elysian Fields
Best Unknown NYC Band: Lakewhales
Best Live NYC Band: The Prigs
Saddest NYC Band Breakup? Superiority Complex
Best Album of 2009 by Local Band: Christina Courtin S/T
Music Hall of Williamsburg/The Bellhouse
Favorite Local Venue to Play: Tonic
Best Place to Buy Music Equipment: Main Drag
How Many Bands Do You Play in: Two
Best Post Show Hangout: Battery Park on the water
Weirdest Thing To Happen At One Of Your Shows? Depeche Mode had impromptu show down the street and some of the audience left to go enjoy.
Drew, Team Genius
Best NYC Band:THE HOLDSTEADY
Best Unknown NYC Band: PEARL AND THE BEARD
Best Live NYC Band: MOTEL MOTEL
Saddest NYC Band Breakup? CLAP YOUR HANDS SAY YEAH?
Best Album of 2009 by Local Band: CYMBALS EAT GUITARS - WHY THERE ARE MOUNTAINS
Favorite Local Venue to Play: MONKEYTOWN
Most Missed Local Venue: DON'T HAVE ONE
Best Place to Buy Music Equipment: THE INTERNET
How Many Bands Do You Play in: 1
Best Post Show Hangout: ROSEMARY'S GREENPOINT TAVERN
Weirdest Thing To Happen At One Of Your Shows? NATIVITY SHOW
Josh, New Numbers
Best NYC Band: MGMT
Best Unknown NYC Band: New Numbers
Best Live NYC Band: Amazing Baby
Saddest NYC Band Breakup? The Jealous Girlfriends
Best Album of 2009 by Local Band: Rewild - Amazing Baby
Favorite Local Venue to Play: Bowery Ballroom
Most Missed Local Venue: North Six
Best Place to Buy Music Equipment: Main Craigslist...duh!! or Maindrag
How Many Bands Do You Play in: just one for me please
Best Post Show Hangout: my bedroom
Weirdest Thing To Happen At One Of Your Shows? i remembered all the words
Erik Gundel, Motel Motel
Best NYC Band: Dirty Projectors
Best Unknown NYC Band: Glass Ghost
Best Live NYC Band: Dirty Projectors
Saddest NYC Band Breakup? Hmm...Does Oasis count? Not so 
I guess.
Best Album of 2009 by Local Band: Because I Was in Love by Sharon Van Etten
Favorite Local Venue to Play: Union Hall- Great food, endless bocce fun.
Most Missed Local Venue: Old Sound Fix bar
Best Place to Buy Music Equipment: Main Drag, definitely
How Many Bands Do You Play in: Only time for one, recorded with Grooms though
Best Post Show Hangout: probably a quiet couch somewhere
Weirdest Thing To Happen At One Of Your Shows? Playing music in Egypt was, in itself, weird. But we played for about 1,000 people at a group wedding for 20 couples, whirling dervishes, two guys dressed like a horse, right next to the most beautiful beach I've ever seen. Unforgettable.
Mike Fadem, New Numbers
Best NYC Band: The Walkmen
Best Unknown NYC Band: Ludlow Lions
Best Live NYC Band: The Walkmen
Saddest NYC Band Breakup? Sam Champion...wait, are they broken up???
Best Album of 2009 by Local Band: YYY'S "It's Blitz"
Favorite Local Venue to Play: Music Hall of Williamsburg
Most Missed Local Venue: Northsix
Best Place to Buy Music Equipment: Drummer's World
How Many Bands Do You Play in: 3
Best Post Show Hangout: The bar at The Bell House
Weirdest Thing To Happen At One Of Your Shows? It was weird after a show in Austin, TX to go back stage and find Derek Jeter, just hanging out with his girlfriend.
Miracles of Modern Science
Best NYC Band: Dirty Projectors
Best Unknown NYC Band: Buke & Gass <3<3<3
Best Live NYC Band: The Homosexuals
Saddest NYC Band Breakup? Still mourning Steely Dan.
Best Album of 2009 by Local Band: Bitte Orca
Favorite Local Venue to Play: (le) Poisson Rouge! So classy… so air-conditioned.
Most Missed Local Venue: We only recently immigrated from Australia, so we haven't yet experienced the demise of a favourite venue.
Best Place to Buy Music Equipment: Main Drag Music in Williamsburg… conveniently located next door to our practice space!
How Many Bands Do You Play in: We moonlight as a Vampire Weekend tribute band.
Best Post Show Hangout: Nothing beats a good post-show band sauna session.
Weirdest Thing To Happen At One Of Your Shows? We blew up a PA at Rooftop Films. It actually caught on fire while we were playing. Straight out of Back to the Future.
Zachary, Freshkills
Best NYC Band:Dark Vibe
Best Unknown NYC Band:Violent Bullshit
Best Live NYC Band:None. They all play too long.
Saddest NYC Band Breakup?Panthers
Best Album of 2009 by Local Band:Hamsoken-"Foul Harvest"
Favorite Local Venue to Play:Cake Shop. Because it's very close to Motor City.
Most Missed Local Venue:CBGBs. Just kidding. Grow up.
Best Place to Buy Music Equipment:Main Drag
How Many Bands Do You Play in:1. If that.
Best Post Show Hangout:Mars Bar. In theory.
Weirdest Thing To Happen At One Of Your Shows? Band stories are boring. I'd sooner stab myself in the fucking tonsils than listen to some bearded fuckwit talk about the "crazy shit" that happened at one of their shows. Weird things happen on UFOs and in the course of a 30 year marriage. Weird things involve cowboys,ignored children travelling back in time to earn their dismissive father's love, and/or dinosaurs. Weird things do not happen at rock and roll shows. If you think that girl taking a shit on the dancefloor, or you breaking your collerbone 'cuz you were 'tripping balls" is weird, than you're frame of reference is that of, well, your average dude in a band. I like stories about pandas,celebrity chefs taking time out to help out the less fortunate, and ROM The Space Knight.
Sohrab, Obits
Best NYC Band: Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings
Best Unknown NYC Band: Ambergris
Best Live NYC Band: Lycaon Pictus
Saddest NYC Band Breakup? Dirty Projectors
Best Album of 2009 by Local Band: Rated O by Oneida
Favorite Local Venue to Play: Bell House
Most Missed Local Venue: Brownies
Best Place to Buy Music Equipment: Probably from a friend.
How Many Bands Do You Play in: 1
Best Post Show Hangout: If not the location of the show itself, then
the next closest place.
Weirdest Thing To Happen At One Of Your Shows? Due to flight delays, I arrived at the venue in Calgary at 2:45am, just in time to join the rest of the band for the last 3 songs of our set.
Project Jenny, Project Jan
Best NYC Band: Beastie Boys! Jay-Z, Run DMC, KISS
Best Unknown NYC Band: The Bloodsugars?
Best Live NYC Band: Action Painters
Saddest NYC Band Breakup? The Boggs
Best Album of 2009 by Local Band: Department of Eagles
Favorite Local Venue to Play: Bowery Ballroom
Most Missed Local Venue: Sin-e. We had some good times there.
Best Place to Buy Music Equipment: Craigslist.
How Many Bands Do You Play in: One,
Best Post Show Hangout: The roof at 127 Grand St.
Weirdest Thing To Happen At One Of Your Shows?
The crowd taking props (gigantic letters) from the previous band and dancing with them during the song "Brooklyn"
Lyndon Roeller, Hopewell
Best NYC Band: dirty projectors or grizzly bear.. what, were you expecting some obscure band nobody knows?? that's the next one
Best Unknown NYC Band: electric tickle machine. seriously.
Best Live NYC Band: these are powers, a place to bury strangers, depending on what you're in the mood for
Saddest NYC Band Breakup? I kinda wish the double or the occasion still played, but actually a few more bands could break up and it wouldn't make me sad at all
Best Album of 2009 by Local Band: blew it again by electric tickle machine
Favorite Local Venue to Play: glasslands wins for like the 3rd year. although cameo was fun the other night
Most Missed Local Venue: I don't miss any... there's a new one every 5 minutes. I can't even remember the old ones
Best Place to Buy Music Equipment: williamsburg craigslist... so many rich hipsters unloading their gear for cheap
How Many Bands Do You Play in: two. hopewell + gay for johnny depp
Best Post Show Hangout: I feel cheesy answering this question
Weirdest Thing To Happen At One Of Your Shows? see above
Body Language
Best Live NYC Band: Grizzly Bear
Saddest NYC Band Breakup? Theophilus London + Machinedrum. of course we'd like to see them prove us wrong some day
Best Album of 2009 by Local Band: Favorite Local Venue to Play: McKibbins Lofts' Rooftop
Most Missed Local Venue: the old Luna Lounge
Best Place to Buy Music Equipment: Craigslist, but also check out EARS Nyc in manhattan who restores vintage synths and organs
How Many Bands Do You Play in: 1 at the moment
Best Post Show Hangout: Brooklyn Bowl w/ DJ Aarnio
Weirdest Thing To Happen At One Of Your Shows?
I dropped a shaker on my sampler, and it triggered a completely different backing track to another song, we just kept playing over top of it to see what would happen. It was little weird and we were kind of just flying by the seat of our pants. then the chorus hit and had to have been the most bizarre clash of key signatures one could conceive. It was too much - We stopped the track and had to tell the audience about it. i think even the tone-deaf folks knew something was up.
Thomas Laplaige, Electric Tickle Machine
Best NYC Band: yeah yeah yeahs
Best Unknown NYC Band: light asylum!!!!
Best Live NYC Band: golden triangle shows are fun
Saddest NYC Band Breakup? no sad, i go straight from angry to valium
Best Album of 2009 by Local Band: patrick cleandenim's new one.
Favorite Local Venue to Play: coco66 even thought they're cheapskates
Most Missed Local Venue:
Best Place to Buy Music Equipment: main drag's stellar
How Many Bands Do You Play in: 1
Best Post Show Hangout: someone's apartment
Weirdest Thing To Happen At One Of Your Shows? we had the power shut off on us at a party in the soon to be bushwick art mall. the hasids actually locked us and a bunch of kids in the soon-to-be store where we were playing and a near riot ensued. caged animal fire hazard, yikes.
Tim Williams
Best NYC Band: Nada Surf
Best Unknown NYC Band: Barghest (members of castanets and phosphorescent)
Best Live NYC Band: Annie & The Beekeepers
Saddest NYC Band Breakup? USAISAMONSTER
Best Album of 2009 by Local Band: Langhorne Slim - Be Set Free
Favorite Local Venue to Play: The Bell House
Most Missed Local Venue: Rothko
Best Place to Buy Music Equipment: Main Drag Music
How Many Bands Do You Play in: 2 (Tim Williams, Depression State Troopers)
Best Post Show Hangout: 2A
Weirdest Thing To Happen At One Of Your Shows? Mark Eitzel taking notes on a napkin at The Bottom Of The Hill in SF. Really intimidating!
Jed Smith, My Teenage Stride
Best NYC Band: Crystal Stilts
Best Unknown NYC Band: The Gutsies, I'm Turning Into, Tanks Amigo
Best Live NYC Band: Crystal Stilts, The Beets
Saddest NYC Band Breakup?- Cause Co-motion????????
Best Album of 2009 by Local Band: Revenger by Knight School
Favorite Local Venue to Play: Cakeshop, Bruar Falls, Silent Barn, Dead Herring
Most Missed Local Venue: Dead Herring, cause they only have shows like once a month
Best Place to Buy Music Equipment: rural Pennsylvania or western Massachusetts
How Many Bands Do You Play in: 4 or so
Best Post Show Hangout: Daddy's, or someone's house
Weirdest Thing To Happen At One Of Your Shows?- we sold all our merch. Other than that, there was one time a hippie girl tried to molest me onstage. This was a few years ago, when I was still cute.
Matthew Clark, White Rabbits
Best NYC Band: The Subjects
Best Unknown NYC Band: Glass Ghost
Best Live NYC Band: Dirty Projectors
Saddest NYC Band Breakup? There nothing sad about a band breaking up. They broke up because they were in it for the wrong reasons or thought things were going to be different and they couldn't deal with the reality of being in a band. Or they decided to work with people that didn't share the same goals and work ethic. I personally think more bands need to break up.
Best Album of 2009 by Local Band: Glass Ghost's Idol Omen on Western Vinyl
Favorite Local Venue to Play: Bowery Ballroom
Most Missed Local Venue: I have some fond memories of the Knitting Factory. I hope the new one works out.
Best Place to Buy Music Equipment: 30th Street Guitars
How Many Bands Do You Play in: 1. But I'm open-minded.
Best Post Show Hangout:Where the grass is greenest
Weirdest Thing To Happen At One Of Your Shows? I tend to get severe nose bleeds from time to time,which makes a mess until a break in song. Then there is the challenge of finding something to wrap around my face before the next song starts. Most of the time people don't even notice,they just think I decided to wrap something around my face like a costume. We definitely aren't a "costume band".
Blank Dogs
Best NYC Band: crystal stilts
Best Unknown NYC Band: German measles
Best Live NYC Band: woods
Saddest NYC Band Breakup? Cause co-motion
Best Album of 2009 by Local Band: songs of shame by woods
Favorite Local Venue to Play: bell house
Most Missed Local Venue: none!
Best Place to Buy Music Equipment: Main drag
How Many Bands Do You Play in: 3!
Best Post Show Hangout: daddy's
Weirdest Thing To Happen At One Of Your Shows? Fights
Cassie, Vivian Girls
Best NYC Band: Woods.
Best Unknown NYC Band: Stupid Party.
Best Live NYC Band: Cause Co-Motion!
Saddest NYC Band Breakup? Hunchback.
Best Album of 2009 by Local Band: The Beets - Spit in the Face of People Who Don't Want to be Cool.
Favorite Local Venue to Play: Death By Audio.
Most Missed Local Venue: North Six.
Best Place to Buy Music Equipment: Main Drag.
How Many Bands Do You Play in: Two - Vivian Girls and the Babies.
Best Post Show Hangout: Daddy's.
Weirdest Thing To Happen At One Of Your Shows? We played a house show last November and Blake Schwartzenbach's new band played first. That was a crazy experience. The room was packed. It was really awesome to be on a bill with one of our punk heroes, and in our friends' living room!
Autry Fulbright, Midnight Masses
Best NYC Band: Callers. The ghost of Billie Holiday haunts lead singer Sara Lucas' voice. They combine the pastoral scenes of the gallant Old South with the most unique guitar/drums combo since the year nineteen-whenever. A torch has been passed.
Best Unknown NYC Band: Sleigh Bells. Heartbreakin' beats and sass that lasts pass the summer. Today, your house party. Tomorrow - the world!
Best Live NYC Band: TV On The Radio.
Saddest NYC Band Breakup? I don't get sad when bands break up. I get relieved.
Best Album of 2009 by Local Band: Veckatimest by Grizz B. (aka Grizzly Bear)
Favorite Local Venue to Play: Union Pool is always fun.
Most Missed Local Venue: Black Betty.
Best Place to Buy Music Equipment: Main Drag.
How Many Bands Do You Play in: 2.5. Midnight Masses, Holy Land, Holy See, choir-izing for ...And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead.
Best Post Show Hangout: Marlow & Sons.
Weirdest Thing To Happen At One Of Your Shows? One time at this show none of us fucked up once while we were playing. It was crazy and it's never happened again.
Eric Zeiler, Xylos
Best NYC Band: Simon and Garfunkel
Best Unknown NYC Band: Hank and Cupcakes
Best Live NYC Band: the Velvet Underground
Saddest NYC Band Breakup? the Strokes (or are they still together? Hard to tell these days...)
Best Album of 2009 by Local Band: Bitte Orca
Favorite Local Venue to Play: Music Hall of Williamsburg... best sound system ANYWHERE
Most Missed Local Venue: Wetlands
Best Place to Buy Music Equipment: Craigslist
How Many Bands Do You Play in: 1
Best Post Show Hangout: At the venue, after a headlining show, when there's no rush to load out and we get to talk to girls (and boys)
Weirdest Thing To Happen At One Of Your Shows? Crowd of 18-year-old ravers on ecstasy overtook the crowd at a show in Baltimore. We most likely ruined 50 kids' evenings.
Kyle Wilson, Milagres
Best NYC Band: Its way too hard to choose anyone for such a title.
Best Unknown NYC Band: No Eye Contact, Ifwhen, Ravens and Chimes
Best Live NYC Band: Yeasayer, Grizzly Bear
Saddest NYC Band Breakup?: Its always for the best!
Best Album of 2009 by Local Band: No Eye Contact "You and Me and Other Fables." This album is amazing and beautiful. If you don't have it, get it.
Favorite Local Venue to Play: Union Hall / Bell House. Skippy is the best.
Most Missed Local Venue: Tonic.
Best Place to Buy Music Equipment: I wouldn't know, I can't afford any!
How Many Bands Do You Play in: 2, unless you count bands that never actually play.
Best Post Show Hangout: On the couch with my cat, Magnus!
Weirdest Thing To Happen At One Of Your Shows?: Once I was looking at Oliver from A Place To Bury Stranger's pedals, because he makes them himself and I was curious. Suddenly, a full pint of beer was thrown in my face! One of his biggest fans, who shall remain nameless, is apparently very protective and somehow felt that I was violating his space or something. Anyways, I talked to him afterwards and he was totally cool with it. But actually the whole thing turned into a fiasco for me because my girlfriend was really suspicious as to why some strange girl would be throwing a beer in my face and we ended up arguing until late that night.
Restoring the Good Name of Emo
When searching for a way to describe local band The Stationary Set, I can't help but think of the word emo, but thanks to terrible whiny bands in eyeliner, the term emo—once associated with a melodic breed of bands whose song structure often shifted from soft and delicate to loud and epic, and whose lyrics took an intelligently emotional approach—may now forever be tainted.
The quintet's sound is heavily influenced by Sunny Day Real Estate and Mineral, the bands who laid the groundwork for the genre long before Dashboard Confessional and others came along to give the genre a bad name, but to tag them as emo could now be considered insulting. The Stationary Set are reviving the lost characteristics of the genre at a time when you have to be a little fearless to do so, because music trends in NYC's scene are as far removed from those music philosophies as they've been in a long long time. Then again, the plates do seem to be shifting a bit of late with the recent success of Cymbals Eat Guitars' throwback to early '90s guitar-focused indie rock and The Drums' refreshing pop sensibilities. With the right combination of those 2 bands, you might find The Stationary Set's blend of pop songs written with an emotional core by a group of talented musicians with a full grasp of their instruments.
The best recorded example of their potential comes on their EP closer "This is Our Nature," which slowly builds in an epic direction, with a series of shifts back and forth between simple, delicate melodies to much bigger, dynamic U2-influenced guitar theatrics. But having seen the band a few times in the past few months, it's safe to say this is only a hint at the more epic sound awaits.
NY Press recently asked Andrew Lutes (vocals/acoustic guitar/piano) and Josh Hoisington (guitar/kyes/backvocals) about finding their place in the New York City music scene and the stigma surrounding the term emo.
The Stationary Set doesn't really fit directly within any particular movement or scene in NYC/Brooklyn. How does that effect the band's approach towards booking and generating buzz?
We think The Stationary Set's approach to playing out and promoting shows actually works well in Brooklyn and NYC. We've been able to play some really diverse shows by not hopping on some scene-wagon for the sake of a built in crowd or blanket press opportunities. For example, playing with RZA of Wu-Tang, a Morrissey 50th Birthday Party with Kaki King, a Park Slope Street Fair, an acoustic set at Rockwood, headlining some packed shows at Mercury Lounge, and curating our own nights and band line-ups all within a year is pretty satisfying for us.
You could be classified as emo, which these days is a bad word in indie music, but Sunny Day Real Estate is back. Could this be a sign that people are ready to once again embrace and correct the image of the genre that has brought us Sunny Day Real Estate, Rites of Spring and The Promise Ring?
This is a tough one, but i think as far as melody goes in our songwriting I would drop what I was listening to at that time, namely Mineral, then later the Gloria Record and an amazing band called Elliott. I hadn't even heard the term Emo until Dashboard Confessional came out which I believe to be one of the first bastardizations, for me, of the term that originated, I guess, as post-punk. I would love to see what would transpire if Mineral got back together. Bands like them and Sunny Day are still more than viable right now. Listen to Elliott's False Cathedrals, and if you can draw a line between them and The Stationary Set, I'd personally be proud of the emo tag.
You've opened for such diverse acts as All American Rejects, The RZA and We Are Scientists. Who's fans gave you the best response? Who is the band you'd most like to open for?
Ha, I'd love to tell you that 1,200 Wu-Tang fans went completely insane for us, and although the response was good, I'm gonna have to say for certain that the We Are Scientist supporters have an easier time getting down with us. We'd love to open for Crystal [you fill in the blank], the 1989 Chicago Bulls and J.D. Salinger. But seriously, Oasis, the Police, Frightened Rabbit, R.E.M all came up in the band poll.
The next record is on its way. What can fans expect?
We are so excited for this record. Expect a Stationary Set that wants to dance, that knows what it wants to say and how to say it, and who does so with the epic-like-nature of bands like Muse or Radiohead while sub-sectioning like Bloc Party or the Yeah Yeah Yeahs.
When I listen to Stationary set, I hear an intelligent balance of both hush melodies and big towering buildups. What do you guys think are the main characteristics that define The Stationary Set?
Our focus has always been on the nuclear level of songwriting. We think that a strong spine as far as melody and structure allow one to flourish verses and refrains without a limit on creativity. It's a great place to be when no matter how weird, poppy, heavy, soft, electronic or organic you try to get, it is impossible to alienate yourself from your own sound because of simple elements that are always there in the songs.
Not only is The Stationary Set is hard at work in the studio with TV on the Radio's Gerard Smith finishing up their first full length record, they've also got a busy week ahead of them during CMJ with 4 shows scheduled.
October 21 at Rockwood Music Hall, Free Acoustic Show, 8pm
October 23 at Arlene's Grocery, No Pulp Blog Event, midnight
October 24 at Fontana's, Flea Marketing Showcase Day Party, 3pm
October 25 at The Bell House, Black Market Media Showcase, 8pm
Havin fun.
Photo by Elizabeth Weinberg
Interview featured on NY Press.com
Opening with a dramatic violin, fun’s debut record, Aim & Ignite, gives a hint of a sadder side of Nate Ruess, but before long opener “Be Calm” explodes with the type of fanfare that acts as a reminder of former singer of The Format’s gift for shedding a bright light over a cloudy day. From that moment on, Aim & Ignite is a summer record, filled with a refreshingly charming pop sensibility that draws from the ’60s with an everything-but-the-kitchen-sink aesthetic and killer harmonies. (And check out a video below!)
It’s not that the lead singer of fun. hasn’t tried, but try as he might, an uplifting energy always comes through no matter what the subject. He’ll have to leave the songs of sorrow to Mark Kozelek and Morrissey, but that’s not at all a bad thing. When he wrote The Format’s highly underrated sophomore record Dog Problems, Ruess was dealing with a hard breakup and yet managed to transform that into one of the poppiest, most joyful sounding breakup records ever.
Formed only as long ago as last fall fun. features Ruess, along with Anthallo’s Andrew Dost and Jack Antonoff of Steel Train. And it hasn’t taken them long to find their footing. With their debut album Aim & Ignite fresh out of the womb and ready to explode, fun. is on the road in support of their record, and tomorrow night the band headlines a sold-out gig at Mercury Lounge—a surefire sign of a promising future ahead. Jonny Leather caught up with Ruess to find out more.
Who is fun? How'd you guys end up forming?
Fun is Andrew Paul Dost, Jack Somethingorother Antonoff, and myself Nate Ruess. Jack and I had always talked about starting a band and once my schedule freed up quite a bit, I put in a call to him and Andrew. Since then we've been chugging along.
How'd you decide on the name?
After a day of demoing in New Jersey we'd decided to take a trip into NYC for dinner with some friends. One of our friends kept pressing us about a name and so we decided to dedicate the dinner to finding a name. At one point someone suggested 'ice cream', which I thought was terrible, but I liked the emotion it conjured up. So jack said 'fun.’ and it almost seemed too perfect. So we sat on it for six months until we were pressed to have a name and that was the only one on the list.
What makes fun. different than your other bands? And more importantly, what makes fun. fun?
1. Different band name
2. Different band members
3. Different songs
Those are pretty big. And I think what makes us ourselves is the same thing that makes fun. fun. We are enjoying it very much. There are few serious moments when not in the studio or something else that requires special attention.
What is your general approach to songwriting? What does each band member bring to the band in order to create the cohesive sound of fun.?
My general approach is to take only the best songs in my head and try to make sense of them so that everyone else can have a listen. It's a bit tedious but I think it's easier than playing an instrument. The other guys, when not writing themselves, help me out by listening to my idea of the song that is in my head and trying to help bring it out and to life. Jack, although talented at everything, is particularly good at supplying a raw energy and helping with the general rhythm of the song. Andrew is much more intricate and can be responsible for a large fraction of the 'sparkle.' These are just some example of their talents though. I truly believe the sky is the limit with those two.
Nate, I loved the The Format, because you had a knack for creating uplifting pop songs out of situations of despair. And with your debut Aim & Ignite, you haven't lost that touch. How do you do it?
Thank you. I always want to write depressing stuff but somehow it never works that way. I'm serious. Just once I'd like to make a record for the winter, or putting your windows up.
Is Sgt. Pepper your favorite Beatles record? Moments like the chorus of "Be Calm" scream Sgt. Pepper, while the record also hints at the theatrical sounds of vintage Queen.
Obviously I love Sgt Pepper, but it's #3 or 4 on my top Beatles list. My favorite is probably Abbey road. Those records, Queen, ELO, Beach Boys, Van Morrison, the list of ’60s and ’70s is endless. The real challenge is to find the modern influence. Believe it or not, there is a lot.
How does it feel to be able to sell out the Mercury Lounge in advance before your debut record was even officially released?
It was special. We were and are nervous about all that type of stuff. And NYC is my new home so I really felt the pressure. Fortunately it happened quick so I didn't have to sweat that one too long. It was exciting.
Are there any songs that you would call your favorites to play live?
Maybe “barlights.” Right now I'm enjoying all of them because it's been so wonderful playing with the band and the amazing crowds.
What do you guys do for fun in New York?
Hmmm. We spend all of our money on dinners. It's really crazy. We are just all about being with our close friends and ordering too much food.
Who makes you excited about being part of the local music scene?
The same thing that gets me excited about living in NY. You really don't know the next thing you're gonna see/hear. Anything is possible and the energy that surrounds that feeling is incredible.
Bigger and Bolder Bells
Benjamin Curtis discusses the future of School of Seven Bells
“The School of the Seven Bells is a legendary, possibly apocryphal, and deliciously plausible school, said to be based in Colombia. Pickpocketing is largely a skilled combination of timing, and distraction, but South American pickpockets are particularly notorious.
There is, of course, an exam. Thieves-to-be are faced with a mannequin (or even a teacher) in a man’s suit, strewn with pockets, and rigged up with seven strategically placed bells. They must pick the mark clean, without ringing a single bell.”
—CoolThingsinRandomPlaces.com
There is a certain mystical element to the origins and existence of such a school, so it’s appropriate that the band, which has taken this name to represent its musical product, creates a mystical sea of sound.
A pickpocket, however, must operate in stealth, whereas within seconds of a School of Seven Bells concert beginning, fans are completely engulfed by the wall of sound created by guitarist Benjamin Curtis and twin sisters Ally and Claudia Deheza. It’s incredible how full the trio can sound, but then again, Curtis was building sound sculptures the size of the Grand Canyon with Secret Machines before leaving to pursue SVIIB.
Having been on the road for the bulk of 2009, SVIIB finally returns home for a headlining gig at Bowery Ballroom on Friday night with hometown bands Violens and Apache Beat.
New York Press talked to Benjamin Curtis about touring, possible collaborations, and what to expect the band’s sophomore record to sound like.
I have read that the name School of Seven Bells is derived from the name of a notorious Columbian pickpocket academy. Have any of you been victimized by a pickpocket?
Benjamin Curtis: I don’t think so, but who knows. I personally am really bad about misplacing things, so I usually blame myself before I jump to any conclusions.
What is the biggest challenge in taking the sounds of your record to the live setting with only three members? Have you considered adding a live drummer/extending your lineup?
We've actually been on a long process of shrinking our lineup. When we started we had five people playing live, but something just wasn't right. We soon realized that the chemistry of the people performing is probably 90% of what makes a band great, and at the moment, the harmony of the three of us on stage playing our music is really special. We make a surprising amount of noise between the three of us as well, which was a great discovery. For the future, I can't make any promises. We've got a million ideas, and a million plans. As soon as we have the means, we'd love to experiment with all types of instrumentation while playing with musicians we love, but I don't think the typical rock band formula will be a possibility any time soon.
Some bands prefer to always be on the road, others prefer the studio. Where are you at your happiest?
It depends on what day you ask, really. Some days we wake up in such incredible places, and feel so lucky to be doing what we're doing. On the other hand, traveling can be really draining. We've been working out of our home studio in Brooklyn, so after playing 70 shows on this past tour, home seems like a really great place to be at the moment. I love NYC.
I've seen you play venues as varied in size as Mercury Lounge, Webster Hall and Terminal 5. How big of a difference is it to play in front of 500 people or 100 people? When are you at your most comfortable?
Smaller venues tend to be more stressful, believe it or not! Something about somebody standing 5 feet away from you, watching your every move, is more intimidating than 1,000 people who seem miles away. There's also something so satisfying about hearing our music coming out of a massive speaker system, and that can only really happen in a bigger place.
You formed as a band as a result of touring together when you were in the bands On! Air! Library! and Secret Machines. Are there any musicians you've toured with as members of SVIIB that you'd like to collaborate with?
Sarah Jones, who was drumming with Bat For Lashes, is one of the most amazing drummers we've ever seen. If we were ever going to play with one, it would have to be her. We were lucky enough to have Simone Pace from Blonde Redhead play on our record, which was cool. Niki Randa from Blank Blue also sang on “Prince of Peace,” so we definitely have a history of post-tour collaborations.
What has been the most interesting thing to happen to you on this current long stretch of touring?
Getting our van stuck in a dirt road on the top of the Alps was exciting, for sure. Everyday is bizarre in it's own way, I can assure you.
You're currently working on your follow up to Alpinisms. What should fans expect musically?
I think a bigger and bolder record is on the way. We're so much better at doing what we do after playing live so much this year. When we made our record we never really considered how it would be interpreted live, and things have gotten heavier and louder and, in my opinion, more beautiful all around, so I'm ready for people to hear more of that side of us.
What's presently inspiring you creatively?
Sleep, travel, each other, and playing live. There's always plenty to be inspired by.
Dynamite Blows Up
Catching up with Right on Dynamite
When I first saw Right On Dynamite a few years ago, it was just another Brooklyn band struggling to find its sound and place in a very tough scene to crack. This is a band that’s not had the overnight success of MGMT or Vampire Weekend.
Right On Dynamite has played gig after gig in front of small crowds at pretty much every venue in town. Many bands can fall to the crippling nature of elusive success after putting in so much work, but overnight success would have done it no good. The struggle has made the band humble, and most importantly it's allowed it to really develop its sound. All of a sudden, Right on Dynamite has quietly become one of New York’s best bands, harnessing poppy '60s melodies and combining them post-pavement guitar-driven indie rock.
In 2008, people finally started to take notice when Right On Dynamite was selected to play opening dates for Frightened Rabbit, but that's only the tip of the iceberg because the band will soon have the honor of opening for four nights of the upcoming Hold Steady tour in June, after Friday's concert at Music Hall of Williamsburg with Love Is All. Such an opportunity will most certainly help the band reach a load of new fans.
Recently, Right On Dynamite has been very busy, recording a Daytrotter session during a trip to SXSW, helping celebrate the conclusion of 100 bands in 100 nights, and most recently spending a Sunday afternoon at Living to play a Kidrockers show, but I was able to get them to talk a little about kids, the past and, most importantly, the music.
Kids ask the darndest things, and at your recent Kidrockers show you fielded some questions from the tots. What are some of the questions the kids asked you guys, and can you answer them for us?
Dan: They asked us a bunch of different ways how we became a band. It was almost like a deposition or something, each kid has his own way of phrasing the question.
Nick: Yeah, I really like kids asking us questions. They were quite interesting. One very little one mustered up the courage to ask us when we would break up! Ha, I think I just laughed, stated that it was a very good question, and kicked a balloon.
Did you go to any cool shows when you were kids? Who's the first band you ever saw live?
D: Na, my childhood sucked for music, I was a late bloomer, probably the first show I saw was Ringo with Nicky when we were like 13.
N: And what a show it was! Jack Bruce on bass... yes, yes wonderful.
When and where was the first show you played as a band? Who else played?
R.o.D.: We played our first show in the basement of this Italian restaurant called L'asso on the Lower East Side. We played with Americans and Aloke. I remember the pizza was delicious.
How excited are you to be playing show with The Hold Steady?
R.o.D.: So fucking excited—they are such a great band, and one that we have really dug for a long time now.
You recently recorded a Daytrotter session with a bunch of new songs. Will we be seeing any more new recordings from you anytime soon?
D: Yes, the plan is we are going to record in the fall—a full album this time.
N: With 14 bonus tracks
How would you describe your sound? Who are your biggest influences?
D: I'd like it to be more jammy, experimental indie pop, it's getting there, it's what we do live and in practice, but we haven't got it down on a record just yet. My influences are probably Beatles, Kinks, Dinosaur Jr., Pavement, The Clash, Led Zeppelin. I like punk and indie but I like guitars—a lot.
N: Daniel pretty much nailed the first part of the question for me, as far as influences go, us three Dynamites are influences by nothing but the most brilliant shit out there.
>Right on Dynamite
June 5, with Love is All, Real Estate, Sean Bones; Music Hall of Williamsburg, 66 North Six Street, Brooklyn; 8pm, $13a/15d
June 8, with The Hold Steady; Bowery Ballroom, 6 Delancey Street, New York; 8pm, $20
To Linfinity & Beyond
Catching Up with Linfinity's Dylan Von Wagner
During the month of May, two incredible local bands will have residencies at Pianos. Wednesdays will belong to the critically praised Shilpa Ray & Her Happy Hookers. Sharing a common bass player (Nick Hundley), Linfinity will own Tuesday nights.
Linfinity is still relatively unknown, but that shouldn’t last long. With an eclectic mix of influences brewing in its pot, Linfinity has developed a huge sound most easily comparable to Arcade Fire, Echo & The Bunnymen and DeVotchka. For the last couple months the band has been in the studio recording what will be its debut record, and the finished product is bound to be an indie hit.
Defined by sweeping arrangements, and vocalist Dylan Von Wagner’s thunderous voice, the songs carry a powerful emotion wallop. One listen to “Molly Mar of Rome” and you’ll be hooked. Von Wagner took some time to answer a few questions.
How long has Linfinity been a band/how did you form?
Well I made a record in summer 2007 to demonstrate what I was going for. Around then I started to asking around through friends, scored Nick, our bass player, he then found our guitarist Josh, who then knew our drummer Russ. Then Russ knew a violinist [Megan] and keys player [Omer]. It was kind of gradual over a few months, then we played our first show in October 2007.
Besides the solo Live at Marcata record I had done, I did a full band record. We started to play songs from that. We actually had one more guitarist. After about five months of that, we ended up not being able to hold onto one extra guitarist, so we had to rethink and kind of re shape the band as a six piece. So around march 2008 we made our first EP, Songs of the Weeping Willow. I would say that was our true formation as a group, then we took some of songs I had done myself and reworked them—wanted to make that point that we adjusted to a different sound.
How did you develop your big theatrical sound? Who are your biggest influences?
Our big sound was playing in my head, I wanted to do big band stuff with a bang, I think when I bring the songs in, the band arranges well around it and are really articulate in trying to find space and development. As in all bands there's tension, I assume that has something to do with our sound, we all come from different backgrounds and I think all the spices seem to lead to a soundtrack thing around melody. Arcade Fire is a good example of taking pop songs and adding huge arrangements to them, giving them scale and depth. We probably would be a little wilder, but a bunch of our songs were recorded around my father’s death, so things we're chilled out. Influences are the usual Zeppelin, Beatles, Doors, Beastie Boys, Tom Waits [and] even Pearl Jam—they're surprisingly eclectic. I like bands that can do anything and aren't pigeon holed.
Where does your name come from?
Told from an old timer: in World War I in the trenches a general would walk around to his soldiers who were shell shocked and give them a word to calm them, he would tell them to say ‘Linfinity’ over and over to themselves, to relax them. Fucking scary stuff if you heard it from the old man, he said there's not one day he doesn't picture those trenches.
Can you tell me a little about the lyrical imagery of your songs?
Everything from a Martian's DNA, an escape from a prison in Uzbekistan, to a Roman princess who saves the world by giving great head.
What's the biggest difficulty in making a name for yourself in a music scene like New York?
Well there's lots of great bands, I think the key is making a polished recording, than begin playing shows, have a good set of songs and try and get good shows. I think the bands that do well, some blow up quick, some take a few years, basically you do it until it sticks, try everything and just when you think it's too hard, it gets harder. My motto is do what the other guy won't. Although on a simple level, it's not brain surgery, you have to have good songs, play good shows, promote, make friends and it'll happen eventually. Sure connections help, but there's still no excuse. I will say though, if you work your balls off, someone will try and help you, whether it's a manager or a label. I have friends in the film biz, they want you to mop their floors before they give you a chance, so mop some floors!
Your sound seems more fitting for Montreal than New York, how does that effect the booking, and finding bands who are a good fit to play with?
I don't know, Jay at mercury has been nice to us and paired us with some bands that aren't our sound, but a good mix, it's like a festival, 7pm can be Basement Jaxx, 8pm will be Wilco, 9pm Yeah Yeah Yeah's.
What do you all do to make a living?
I've been doing arms dealing....
If you could go on tour with any other band, who would it be?
Well right now we're open to anything. I like The Subjects a lot, they would be fun. Wilco, TV on the Radio, The Walkmen. I'd like to watch Arcade Fire for a month, Jens Lekman, M Ward, and arena show with Pearl Jam. Any which way, we’re looking forward to playing the shows at pianos—lots of good bands. First we gotta find a home for our record and than get on the road.
MP3: "Molly Mar of Rome"
>Linfinity
May 19, with Hopewell, Electric Tickle Machine, You scream I scream, Monument, Pianos, 158 Ludlow St. (betw. Stanton & Rivington Sts.); 9, $8.
May 26, with Starling Crush and Contronmano, Pianos, 158 Ludlow St. (betw. Stanton & Rivington Sts.); 9, $8.
Pony’s Tale
Baltimore's Ponytail talks sugar, Halloween costumes and vocal technique
Started as a class project while studying at the Maryland Institute for Contemporary Art, Baltimore quartet Ponytail has quickly gathered a devoted following and media praise for their unique and energetic rock, sounding something like a hyperactive Don Caballero fronted by a scat-singing Ari Up. In front of a feeding-frenzy of guitar interplay and bursting drums, tiny lead singer Molly Siegel stands tall by bringing an extra intensity to her live performance.
In the live setting is where they shine brightest. At a sold-out performance at Brooklyn’s Bell House earlier this year, with Molly decked out in a Ray Lewis jersey and eye black, I witnessed first hand just how strong their performances can be. From start to finish, Ponytail exploded with a jolt of electricity that surged through the entire audience, resulting in one huge party.
On Saturday, Ponytail returns to Brooklyn for a headline gig at Music Hall of Williamsburg, where the band is sure to continue building their ongoing reputation as one of the most exciting young bands in music.
Vocalist Molly Seigel and drummer Jeremy Hyman took the time to answer a few questions.
New York Press: Molly, how did you begin singing in this scat-like non-lyrical style? And are you ever tempted to sing in a more conventional manner?
Molly Siegel: When we started I mentioned I might be interested in singing but I was pretty nervous. Dustin took me aside and suggested we meet alone and jam. We did and I started doing some crazy vocalizing—kind of operatic—and we both thought it could work. I started doing it at practice. It took me awhile to get comfortable for sure. I always knew I didn't like what a lot of vocalists were doing and wanted to do something less traditional. It also just fit the music to me. I do want to do more traditional singing and I feel like I am already doing more on Ice Cream Spiritual.
Ponytail has quickly become known for the energy of the live performances. What is the biggest challenge in capturing that energy in the studio?
MS: I think the studio by definition is a more sterile environment and just knowing you can do it again puts you in a calmer and more critical space. I mean, just not having an audience to play off of is huge too. We tried to do as much of the recording as possible live playing together in the studio. I had to be in an isobooth though which was weird but kind of amazing. It was a really reflective and meditative space, which felt really different than being in front of people. It wasn't reflective because of them it was because I was actually alone.
Jeremy Hyman: The last record was recorded live for the most part. I was set up in a big room with two smaller adjoining rooms in one of those rooms were Dustin and Ken’s amps, they were in my room with their cables snaked under the door, so we could look at each other. Molly’s room had a glass door but we kept it open so she could here the drums a bit more naturally. That along with J. Robbins pretty much made it pretty easy.
You've played a great many shows in New York over the last few years, which has been the most memorable, and why?
MS: Hmmmm hard one. I think our first show, at the Cakeshop, is really memorable because it was the first—we were all pretty nervous. The Halloween show at Danbro Studios was really memorable too, I mean even if I hadn’t have played and I had dressed up as the Kool-Aid Man anyway, it would be pretty memorable for me.
JH: Halloween at Danbro Studios was a big one for me—Molly was the Kool-Aid Man, I was George Washington, Dustin was a soccer ball and Ken was Jerry Seinfeld. We made this big wall out of paper and set it up at the front of the stage before we played, and a minute into the first song Molly busted through. It was our blockbuster moment.
Are you naturally as energetic people in everyday life as you are when performing?
MS: Yeah, but we gotta save our energies ya know? Tour sluggin’.
JH: Dustin once said something like, ‘If people acted the way they do on stage in real life that would be fucked up.’ We are all positive people, but there isn't sweat bursting out of my face every second, or Molly just spazzing down the street. That would be really funny though.
What do you do in order to prepare to play a concert? Lots of sugar? And which band member is the first to wear down?
MS: Oh man I actually used to eat sugar on stage back when I went more crazy. I play Tony Hawk and smoke tons of weed. . . No not really. I just do vocal warm ups and stretch and boring stuff like that. We all just mill around drinking beer or caffeine.
JH: I like to stretch and maybe have a little coffee in the hour before we play, but I think most of the getting psyched happens mentally. I probably get worn down pretty fast too.
Who are the bands who have been most inspiring to your music approach both live and on record?
MS: For me I have to say the Pixies first because I actually thought about their vocals a bunch while recording. I know the guys would say Lightning Bolt, The Who and The Boredoms. Also The Slits, big time.
JH: Talking Heads, Metallica, Devo, Beach Boys, the Pixies, Can, Donna Summers, Fleetwood Mac, Squarepusher.
What's your favorite "on the road" meal?
MS: In the U.S. it’s breakfast. In Europe, everything except breakfast.
JH: We really love food. I try to eat healthy but I can't resist a big Mexican-style breakfast.
What can fans expect next from Ponytail?
MS: Dark slide all the way. . .
JH: I have no idea!
NY Press: My Teenage Stride
Stride’s Right
Meet My Teenage Stride, the most prolific band in town
By Amre Klimchak
Jedediah Smith is a feverish musical creator who hardly seems able to keep up with his own breakneck songwriting pace.The gregarious leader of My Teenage Stride, one of Brooklyn’s finest indie pop bands, slides effortlessly between bouncy guitar-driven jangles, British-Invasion influenced melodies and shoegazey distortion sprees that usually clock in under three minutes. His copious output has become an oft-cited distinguishing feature of and point of pride for the band and sparked the idea for My Teenage Pride’s latest project...
Asobi Seksu Writes The Soundtrack For Great Casual Sex
Not every good record is made to sit as a background setting for great sex. Frank Zappa and Captain Beefheart are too weird, and too oddly paced. Torche’s Neanderthal is too heavy, with not enough buildup. I can’t imagine anyone being able to get off while hearing Craig Finn’s (The Hold Steady) nasally voice speak-sing about hoodrats. Nine Inch Nails and Big Black are far too sadistic. Music Tapes just seems too innocent, and I can’t even begin to explain how wrong it’d be to have a Care Bears on Fire track blasting while engaging in intercourse.
On the other hand, from the early chimes of bells on opener “Layers” onward, Asobi Seksu’s new record Hush is drenched in a dreamlike sensuality that can be described as a perfect stimulant for helping achieve orgasm. The four minutes of foreplay that is the lovely “Layers” is followed by the more energetic romp of “Familiar Light” which essentially sets the pace for the rest of the record, filled with huge ethereal climaxes. The soft pop beauty of “Sing Tomorrow’s Praise” and “Gliss” feel like a gentle caress before climaxing again with the outstanding shower of guitars on the finale of “Sunshower.” “Risky and Pretty” provides a short breather before another romp on the keyboard heavy “in The Sky” where singer Yuki Chikudate’s airy vocals are as orgasmic as ever. Things settle down a bit with the more celestial “Mehnomae,” on which Chikudate’s Japanese tongue surfaces. The bending rhythms and equally orgasmic vocals “Glacially” provide another high point before the luscious “I Can’t See” which features the rare male lead vocals, which lie in sync beautifully with Chikudate’s hushed harmonies. The band’s first single, “Me & Mary,” acts as the final energetic burst, before coming down to rest with the soothing closer “Blind Little Rain.”
Shoegaze in general is a very sensual music, especially some like the Cocteau Twins who’s music Asobi Seksu shares a great debt. Like the classic work of Cocteau Twins, the songs of Hush shimmer and are far more pop than they are rock. While the sensual nature of the record may rely most heavily on Yuki Chikudate’s seductive voice, the steady but creative drumming often acts as the stabilizing force that drives it along.
After listening to Hush a few times, I can’t help but think that Asobi Seksu, which in Japanese slang translates to “casual sex,” is quite possibly the most perfectly named band. So often band names lack a meaningful connection with the sounds that they create, but Asobi Seksu creates a beautiful soundtrack for the act that they’re named after.
As much as you may love them, just be careful who you’re around when joyfully claiming your love for Asobi Seksu, or you’re likely to have your fair share of horny hangers-on, who are oblivious to the music
Out of interest in seeing what type of reponse I would get, I recently posted an ad under the Casual Encounters section of Craigslist, asking for volunteers to help me research just how perfect a soundtrack Hush is for a night of casual sex.
Asobi Seksu recently released a beautiful shoegaze pop record by the name of Hush.
I am a music writer currently working on a story about how this particular record is a perfect soundtrack to great cosmically orgasmic sex, and am seeking a few fine ladies to help me in my research of the subject.
Though I’ve gotten a handful of responses, the results were far less interesting that I hoped for. The best inquiry I received was…
“Brilliant. I will be only the most helpful assistant to your experiment. How many minutes of bliss will this album bring to us?”
And to answer the question you’re dying to ask, no I did not, and will not follow through and sleep with this one or any of these women.
Asobi Seksu headlines Bowery Ballroom on Thursday night. Try not to let your hormones get the better of you.
NY Press: Harlem Shakes Feature
Get The Shakes
Harlem Shakes comes into its own on new album
Two and a half years ago, I thought Harlem Shakes was nothing more than a decent local indie-pop band. It was young and passionate but seemed to lack that special something to stand out in NYC’s vibrant music scene.
Now, with the release of the band’s debut full-length Technicolor Health and its recent return to playing live shows after a year’s hiatus, my tune has changed. On the addictive lead single “Strictly Game,” singer Lexy Benaim tells us, “This will be a better year,” and he just might be right: 2009 may be for Harlem Shakes what 2008 was for its pals Vampire Weekend. After obsessively listening to the record and watching the band play the three electrifying performances in the last month, it’d be hard to imagine a group more deserving for a breakout.
With a string of dates opening for Tokyo Police Club and performances at this year’s SXSW, Benaim took some time to answer a few questions about the return to the stage and one band member’s odd sleeping habits.
New York Press: After such a long break from performing, were you nervous about playing shows again?
Lexy Benaim: There was a bit of rust but a show or two on the road wore it away. Familiar faces can be tough to sing to.
When you were last playing shows, Tokyo Police Club and Vampire Weekend were your peers, now Vampire Weekend is huge, and you’re on tour opening for TPC. What has it been like watching them get so big, and is 2009 Harlem Shakes’ year?
It was a pleasure to watch those bands become popular.They deserved it. I hope we find some new fans this year, but that stuff picks you, don´t pick it.
There´s a tone of positivity and change to Technicolor Health that especially shows through on “Nothing But Change pt. 2” and “Strictly Game.” What change are you referring to? I can´t help but feel these songs perfectly coincide with the beginning of the Obama era.
Well, I don´t think all the change in “Nothing But Change” is necessarily positive. It’s a Taoist saying I got from the singer of the band The Octagon who sings that very hook in an excellent tune of his own. I couldn´t admire his music much more. I think the song is inflected with Obama vibes, inevitably, but he ain’t the only change going on right now. He’s just the handsomest. But before the Hold Steady usurped us, we were prepared to call the album Stay Positive.
What is the biggest difference between the band that wrote “Burning Birthday” and the band that created Technicolor Health?
It’s a huge difference. First of all, we made “Burning Birthday” after rehearsing together for only a few months.We were just more engaged mentally and emotionally making Technicolor Health. It was truly a labor of love.
Do you feel like you’ve been able to bring new life to the older songs? I definitely think the road has breathed new life into those old tunes.We also play them differently—as a jam band might.We try to surprise ourselves onstage too, especially when we’re as comfortable playing a tune as we are with “Carpetbaggers.”
How different is it for you to be playing a large room filled with kids mainly there to see to see the headliner, such as opening for Tokyo Police Club, rather than a local show where you headline?
They each have their advantages. Playing for the home crowd is a sort of triumphal experience whereas there’s something exciting and energizing about playing to potential converts.
When you’re on the road together, it’s kind of like being married. Who in the band has the craziest habits? And aside from performing, what are you looking forward to the most about being on tour?
Who has the craziest habits? I’d say Kendrick. He does karate in his sleep and sleeps naked from the waist down. I’m looking forward to dining establishments like Waffle House.We lack those in the North.
Article About Me on NYPress.com
Helping Mama Africa: Good Samaritans in Brooklyn
By: Andy Seccombe
Even when times are tough, you’ve got to remember that some folks have it a hell of a lot tougher. That’s the perspective of promoter (and former Press staffer) Jonny Leather whose second charity concert (featuring performances by local songsters The Silent League, Christy & Emily and Essie Jain) takes place Dec. 8 at Brooklyn’s Union Hall, with all the proceeds going to an orphanage in Nairobi. “It’s bad how nasty Nairobi is and how poor,” Leather explains. “It puts you in your place; we’re in a recession right now but we’re nowhere near what these people go through.” Leather also points out the recession will make it a lot harder for charities and causes in Africa who ultimately need help much more than we do.
“They’re not going to be able to get that as much from America because everyone’s tightening up their budgets,” he says. And let’s face it: for the price of a few lagers, people can see a great show as well as help put a Nairobi teenager through high school. The evening will also feature clips from an upcoming documentary about the orphanage, the Good Samaritan Children’s Home by filmmaker Randy Bell. After Leather had contacted Justin Russo of The Silent League about a benefit concert, Russo suggested Bell and his work with the home and was also able to get the other bands involved. Russo says that his work as a musician has always been bigger than the music itself and is committed to any aid an event like this can foster. “Music has never been something just for the sake of making it,” he says. “I always figured that I would do music because it’s the one thing I knew [that could] have the greatest chance of having a positive impact on the world.” The Silent League frontman says he has his doubts about whether the band’s tunes have been heard in Nairobi but mentions it might just be a possibility through the collective effort of the benefit concert. “We would love that,” he says. “Randy Bell is our inside man. Maybe when we’re done we can all throw a few cds into the pot and get him to send it over.”
http://www.nypress.com/blog-3017-helping-mama-africa-good-samaritans-in-brooklyn.html
NY Press Music Survey
We asked dozens of bands 10 questions each about the local music scene.
New York City has always been a Mecca for great music. We've had Bob Dylan, Miles Davis, the Velvet Underground and Sonic Youth. No matter how many great bands are being produced in Montreal, Atlanta, Chicago or any other second-rate burg, NYC has always produced a higher quantity of quality bands with a huge range of styles. In recent years we've seen a variety of great bands come up and shake the music world; From The Strokes to LCD Soundsystem to TV on the Radio, New York is still producing great music in the 21st century. Many of our best bands become insanely popular, and at times it’s been easy to forget that there's still a slew of untapped talent playing bars and backrooms all over town. No one knows this better than the bands, which is why we asked dozens of them 10 questions each about the local music scene. We’re surprised and thrilled by the volume and variety of the answers, and we hope you are, too.—Jonny Leather
Bus A Move
The Walkmen Survive Daily Travels On The Chinatown Bus To Create The Year’s Best Album
The Walkmen
Aug. 18 & 19, Bowery Ballroom, 6 Delancey St. (betw. Bowery & Chrystie St.), 212-533-2111; 8, $20.
The adventure of the Fung Wah Bus usually begins when you reach the bus stop, but it hardly ever ends there. On busy days, a ticket in hand never guarantees a seat, and the sight of fisticuffs near the entrance is commonplace. Any pushovers lacking the will to fight will indeed be appropriately pushed over. And once you’re on the bus, the ride can be frightening, unpredictable and generally unpleasant. Still, cheap prices attract adventurous passengers willing to take chances on a line with a known reputation for breakdowns, foul odors and inconsistent scheduling.
Five of these adventurous passengers are members of indie-rock band The Walkmen, who have grown quite familiar with the bus over the years. With band members and practice spaces in New York and Philadelphia, nearly every day of the week required half of the band to make the trip while recording the new record, You & Me.
Perplexed as to how an album chock full of enchanting nostalgia could surface under these bizarre circumstances, we asked lead singer Hamilton Leithauser to shed some light on the situation.
NY Press: How did you guys end up spending so much time on the bus?
Hamilton Leithauser: I live in Manhattan, Pete and Walt live in Brooklyn, and Matt and Paul live in Philadelphia. We were doing the trip two days a week and they were coming up once or twice as well— sometimes neither camp wanted to make the trip. It was actually probably a good thing for writing, because it put a certain pressure on the times the five of us were together. Our practice space in Chelsea was an on-again-off-again illegal nightclub, so some Mondays we'd come in and the place would be absolutely disgusting—poorly cleaned up vomit on the stage and bottles everywhere. The toilets, which were on the second floor, leaked and dripped down through the ceiling, so occasionally it would hit you on the head. In Philadelphia, we rented a space from our friends for $75 a month...If it's moderately cold outside, it's 20 degrees colder inside, and vice versa if it's hot.
It seems that there are more reliable bus lines that travel between the two cities at the same price, so why take the Chinatown bus?
HL: It's cheaper. Although now that Bolt Bus can be $1 for a trip to DC. Now that is an undeniable deal. Amtrak is frighteningly expensive, and it seems like Greyhound is obsolete.
Anyone who’s ever ridden this bus line has a story to go along with it. What are yours?
HL: I've been broken down on the side of the rode several times. There are a surprising amount of those weird, unexplained stop-offs at rest stops, where some guy will be standing in the middle of a dark parking lot, and the bus will drive up to him and he will exchange some brief words in Chinese with the driver.
A few weeks ago, we were stuck in awful traffic getting out of Manhattan. They were showing "Message in a Bottle" starring Kevin Costner and Robin Wright Penn, and the traffic was so bad that the credits were rolling by the time we got into the tunnel. We finally got onto the Jersey Turnpike like 2 hours after we'd left, and the driver pulled off to the first rest area and some woman in the front row yelled just "Motherfucker!" The driver was so visibly scared of her that he slowly turned the bus back onto the Turnpike and we never stopped.
You & Me has been said to be the product of your obsession with rock & roll legends like Roy Orbison, Buddy Holly and Elvis Presley. What draws you most towards these classic sounds and production techniques?
HL: They're just the kings of rock so it would be impossible to not be influenced by them. We love the classic "whole-band-in-the-room" sound that those guys and countless others were doing. All of these people have a pervading optimism that is so likable—it's something we admire and wanted to try to incorporate into our stuff.
Some critics are calling You & Me a return to the sound of your firrst two records. Do you feel pressure to return to earlier sounds?
HL: We recorded some of this record in the same room as Bows and Arrows, so maybe that has to do with the sound. The pacing on this record took honestly 30 or 40 hours of discussion. I guess some people are still always asking about “The Rat.” I don't know why. Maybe we will redo it for our next record. Or just put out an EP of six or seven live performances. Or we could ruin it forever by doing a reggae or dance hall version.
In 2006, you released a record of Harry Nilsson covers, and you recently recorded four Neil Hagerty songs. What’s next on the cover song agenda?
HL: I'd like to do Dr. John, or maybe Van the Man.
What are you most looking forward to about your upcoming show at the Bowery Ballroom?
HL: Gin and tonics.
