October 24, 2005
Paul Edelman made the trip up from his home turf in Philadelphia to play a small show in the Lower East Side Friday night. Playing to hundreds every weekend in downtown Philly, Edelman was recommended by a friend for his earnest Americana music. Listening to his first few songs, backed up by a drum and bass, Edelman told tales of cars and trains, and even sang one about Abraham Lincoln. Leaning more to country, I found out that his band couldn’t make it up to the show and that he had recruited two friends to make the trip with him. With skillful guitar playing and a heartfelt voice Edelman played a solo song to finish the set and went to the bar to get his tequila. As I was talking to him about covering the performance he said, “Thanks.” Then thought about it and said, “Well maybe I should save it until after I read the review.” We discussed some other band that was heavily critiqued by one reviewer in Philly and how the band showed up to see the music critics band play and started voicing his anger over the review. I assured him that I am observer and appreciator. If you like country you can head to the corner of Spring and Vine every weekend for a packed house with Paul Edelman and the Jangling Sparrows or wait for him to make his next trip up to Manhattan.
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paul edelman
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Posted on 10/24/2005
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October 23, 2005
The Hairy Fairy came flying into New York City Thursday night. Led by Devendra Banhart, the band made it my second night at Webster Hall this past week. Named after famed San Francisco show the Cockettes, Hairy Fairy mixed up the set with songs from Banhart's new album, “Cripple Crow” and some favorites from his earlier material. This was the largest venue that I’ve seen Banhart play and he filled this large space with his merry band of pipers and singers and dancers. His recent rise in the folk scene dubbed psychedelic by some, freak by others, is constantly rotating cast of characters. Urging the crowd to have “a real good time, good time, a good time” During one song, Banhart implored for people to shake it before another song. Unfortunately most people are too trained in the head nod/seal clap routine that is their idea of a concert. I was hanging with a boisterous crew that would often get dirty looks for being a little too loud and one of my friends ended up jumping on stage after one song. At one point of the set Banhart asked if anyone wrote songs in the audience and he picked one kid from the front. He borrowed a guitar and began playing a song that he wrote when he was twelve. When he was finished his song about leaving a girl he received more applause than the Hairy Fairy got all night. I looked at the dude next to me and said, “This better get him laid tonight.” He replied, “It’s the worst song I’ve ever loved.” A fun night as always check out Devendra and his Fairy followers when next they come to town.
Tags:
devendra banhart and hairy fairy, webster hall
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Posted on 10/23/2005
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October 20, 2005
I went out to Webster Hall the other night, home of the best light show in town and the home of My Morning Jacket (MMJ) for the night. Playing their version of good old rock n’ roll to a sold out crowd, MMJ consists of a bunch of long hairs paying tribute to the bands of the sixties and seventies. They’re a Southern Rock band that has come to the North to spread their music around town. At times sounding like the Flaming Lips, I could hear the influences of The Who, Pink Floyd, Zeppelin, Ozzy, and countless other rockers throughout the concert. It’s been a while since I’ve seen that much hair on stage, the drummer, winning the longest hair contest, reminding me of Animal, the Muppet drummer inspired by Keith Moon. They were in town supporting their newest album, “Z” and the slow waves they have been making in the music world for six years have been picking up speed and are now almost at tidal force strength. I’m admittedly not the biggest fan of jam bands but MMJ managed to contain the impulse to play one big song throughout night and had the house shaking many a time. It wasn’t the dirty gritty rock and roll of New York City but it’s a hell of a lot better than the country shit that’s taking over America. Check them out as they return to play a Madison Square Garden show for New Year’s Eve.
Tags:
msg, my morning jacket, webster hall
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Posted on 10/20/2005
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October 16, 2005
I showed up to Tonic last night to watch the soft sexy performance of Elysian Fields. The last time I saw them, Jennifer Charles and Oren Bloedow were performing without the band, the time was late, and the crowd was small and intimate. I walked into a full room, red lights hanging from the ceiling, the stage back dropped by a red velvet curtain. The drummer walked on stage and began playing a slow beat. As he continued the beat the murmuring of the crowd slowly quieted down. Another musician walked slowly on stage and begin joining in on the black grand piano in the corner. Joined next by the guitarist the band warmed up their instruments waiting for their singer. Jennifer walked on stage in a paisley dress and white pumps and began to rock to the music. The Elysian Fields are a time machine that takes you into the past and the future at the same time (don’t try to figure out the math). Playing slow jazzy tunes that turn into rock songs that make Jim Morrison proud, the band found their stride after a few songs and the audience repeatedly showed their appreciation. In a soft voice JC, (the initials are eerily godly) told the crowd that the bands new album, “Bum Raps and Love Taps” is only available in Europe. I asked her how France was and she said it was great and they are going back. She promised red wine and crackers from her rider if anyone made the trip. Before their second encore JC said with a chuckle, “There’s a moth following me around, I’m rotting.” I yelled out, “A butterfly” and she smiled and said, “You’re too generous.” They ended the night playing a slow cover of Springsteen’s “Dancing in the Dark.” Look for them when they return from overseas.
Tags:
elysian fields, tonic
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Posted on 10/16/2005
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October 15, 2005
A trip to the land of Trash was in order last night. I went out to Williamsburg to listen to the angst that is dubbed the Bellmer Dolls. A trio, guitar, bass and drums, the lead singer Peter apologized for the delay as they set up stating, “We don’t sound check anymore. No one offers us it.” The bassist, his back heel stomping on a kick tambourine stand, kept a steady beat with the drummer throughout the energetic performance. Playing with a borrowed guitar, he broke his own in the days before, the singer kept the self-deprecating humor throughout. At one point he muttered, “The sound is shit,” and someone from the crowd responded, “ It sounds great.” He answered jokingly with, “What do you know? You should all be wearing masks. No one should know you’re here.” With a frenzied energy they attacked their instruments and the lead singer got tangled all up in the guitar stands knocking them all over the place. With friends from the crowd asking, “Can I help you?” He sarcastically replied, “No one can help me.” A short, jarring, sweet set, the music helped the world last night. Check them out around town.
Tags:
bellmer dolls, trash
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Posted on 10/15/2005
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October 12, 2005
Hey what's up everyone? I spent yesterday listening to some vynil in the streets, getting yelled at by various uptight people to get off their property or turn it down. But that's expected in this city. I stopped by this girl's birthday party in Nolita and had a couple vodka on the rocks before heading over to Rothko to have a listen to the Lolita Bras. Fronted by Patrick Harmon, the band pulled out some songs from their back pockets to entertain a modest Tuesday night crowd. As a fan of pure pop songs, I enjoyed a few of their straight pop tunes, with sounds reminding me of The Posies. "Her Own Conversation" stood out on the night as one of their stronger songs. Their equipment was hot, their bassist was looking cute, I wouldn't be surprised to hear one of the Lolitas Bras' songs on a soundtrack soon.
Tags:
lolita bras, rothko
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Posted on 10/12/2005
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October 11, 2005
I went to the East Village the other night to meet my old roommate Liz. She lives out in Sweden now, married to my other old roommate and I hadn't seen her in almost two years, how the time flies. It was meant to be a dancing night and to my surprise there was a band setting up in the corner of the bar. I've seen a few shows there and it's a little hard to pull off, with the mini sound system and the lack of stage. I was up on the roof having a drink and I asked a blonde if she knew who the band was. She was all about them; I think they're called Favourite Sons. As I was downstairs the blonde approached me and we were talking and listening to the band. I ended up buying her a drink and she told me the band had tracked down the lead singer after hearing some of his previous material. They were pretty cool, the lead singer, hailing from the British Isles reminded me of an Irish Robert Pollard. I ended up finding Liz and we went upstairs to catch up. After the band was finished the dancing began and on the way down I saw the chick I bought the drink for kissing some dude. Ah well, can't win them all. I should have asked her if she was a true blonde...
Tags:
bar 13, favourite sons, my favorite sons
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Posted on 10/11/2005
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October 03, 2005
A trip to Williamsburg is always an experience. A journey through hipster Ville to find music that even they find cool brought me to North Six. A nice sized venue with a large stage and some steps seating in the back, North Six was sold out for Deerhoof, a San Franciscan four piece led by Satomi Matsuzaki. It seems that the ten year benchmark is being good to the band, fans finally giving them the credit they deserve. Playing a poppy hardcore style that is unique and with Matsuzaki’s intense stage presence and choreographed moves, Deerhoof rocked the stage, all wearing soccer outfits. They played mostly new material from their forthcoming album, “The Runners Four” but threw in some old favorites like “Bunny.” The band was not interactive with the crowd, ignoriing song requests and the only answer to questions that I put forth like, “What’s up with the soccer outfits?” was silence. Perhaps the uniform is in theme with the name of their new album? The band switched between melodic poppy moments and hardcore instrumentals, bringing some movement to the crowd but as usual in this city the people find difficulty in bringing their bodies to move to the music, but as always lots of clapping after the songs. They also switched instruments between them and the bassist and the guitarist both played a song, showing the versatility of team Deerhoof.
Tags:
deerhoof, northsix
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Posted on 10/3/2005
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October 03, 2005
Have you ever seen a Lavender Diamond? Both organic materials, one a sweet smelling flower growing on the outer surface of the planet, the other perhaps the most treasured item found deep in the center of the earth. All right, maybe I’m going too deep into the name, but Lavender Diamond was a sweet surprise of the night opening up for Deerhoof. Led by Rebecca Stark, a trained opera singer with an angelic voice, they wowed the crowd with bursts of sound, words on the nature of peace, love and happiness. They often started songs slow and quiet, then built up sound until the whole band joined in harmony.
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deerhoof, lavender diamond
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Posted on 10/3/2005
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