WaterCoolerGossip

Finn Andrews is one of those life long musicians. As a young teenager, he had already met the current members of The Veils at grammar school in New Zealand. At 15, he had record companies on his back enticing him to move to London to record an album. It probably helps that his father, Barry Andrews, played in XTC and Shriekback. A few years later Finn signed to Rough Trade and released a record under the first incarnation of The Veils in 2001, but that band fell apart quickly. He then moved back to New Zealand and began rehearsing with old classmates Sophia Burn and Liam Gerrard.

They gave The Veils a second go with another album Nux Vomica, which was released in 2006 in the UK. I am not sure why this album was so overlooked in the US when it was released in April of 2007. The album is giddy with jangling pianos, coarse guitar strums, looming hums of strings, and Finn's possessed demeanor. One minute he is lulling you to sleep and the next he is tackling you, shrieking. The whole grand production is built on his unstable morbid optimism, where Finn's emotions gush like water and shift with the wind. Nux Vomica is soaked in the dark excesses of Romanticism and alive with pangs of joy and beauty. By the way, these crazies are on tour. Witness the spectacle.

DOWNLOAD
Not Yet (MP3)
Advice For Young Mothers To Be (MP3)

TOUR DATES
Jun 07 :: Mercury Lounge, New York
Jun 08 :: Union Hall, Brooklyn
Jun 09 :: Great Scott, Boston
Jun 11 :: DC 9, Washington DC
Jun 12 :: The Khyber, Philadelphia
Jun 14 :: El Mocambo, Toronto
Jun 15 :: Shelter 16, Detroit
Jun 17 :: Empty Bottle, Chicago
Jun 18 :: 7th Street Entry, Minneapolis
Jun 19 :: Grand Emporium, Kansas City
Jun 21 :: Larimer Lounge, Denver
Jun 24 :: Plaza Club, Vancouver
Jun 25 :: Crocodile Café, Seattle
Jun 26 :: Doug Fir, Portland
Jun 28 :: Cafe Du Nord, San Francisco
Jun 29 :: Spaceland, Los Angeles

Posted by 3xWes at 12:48 PM | Permalink

And I thought there was nothing going on this weekend...

HOT TICKETS
THE ANNEX
The Secret Machines
Tonight! (10:30 PM doors / 12:00 AM show) $25 - tix
**See them here instead of The Highline Ballroom

MERCURY LOUNGE
The Veils / The Phoenix Foundation
Thursday, June 7 (9:45 PM doors) $10 - tix
**Early show added so this one must be close to selling out

STUDIO B
!!! (Chk Chk Chk) / Maserati / Telepathe
Wednesday, May 30 (8:00 PM doors) $16 - tix
**Duh. But really, why isn't this show on a weekend?

THIS WEEKEND'S WALK-UPS
TONIGHT
High Line Festival: Deerhoof / Dirty Projectors / Robert Stillman's Horses
The Fillmore New York at Irving Plaza (8:00 PM doors) $16.50

FRIDAY, MAY 18
Frog Eyes plus Alex Delivery / Chris Garneau / Modern Skirts
Mercury Lounge (8:00 PM doors) $10
--
Bang Camaro / Fresh Kills / Stalkers
Luna Lounge (7:30 PM doors) $12
--
FUN presents: Lady Sovereign / Professor Murder / The Glass
Studio B (10:00 PM doors) $10
--
Tapes 'n Tapes / Ladyhawk / The Harlem Shakes
The Fillmore New York at Irving Plaza (8:00 PM doors) $16

SATURDAY, MAY 19
Coco Rosie
Winter Garden at The World Financial Center (7:30 PM) FREE
--
Frog Eyes plus Alex Delivery / Chris Garneau
Union Hall (8:00 PM doors) $10
--
The Pull-Out Method presents: The Epochs / The Comas
Club Midway (11:59 PM show) $5
--
Fields / Page France / School of Seven Bells / My Best Fiend
Mercury Lounge (8:00 PM doors) $12

TUESDAY, MAY 22
Todd P presents: OhSees (J Dwyer from Coachwhips) / Castanets / Chen Santa Maria (Mr. George Chen) / Extra Life Charie from Zs / Shooting Spires (BJ from Parts & Labor)
Silent Barn (8:00 PM doors) $tba

WEDNESDAY, MAY 23
Handsome Furs / TK Webb
Mercury Lounge (9:00 PM doors) $13

THURSDAY, MAY 24
Oxford Collapse / Centipede E'est / Excellent
Union Hall (8:00 PM doors) $8
--
Handsome Furs / Sam Jayne
Mercury Lounge (9:00 PM doors) $13

Posted by 3xWes at 11:16 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Sam Champion played the Bowery Ballroom Tuesday night with Tiger City. They rocked it out despite some of the band member's apartment building burning down recently. Also Chris Robinson of The Black Crowes was upfront wearing a white pinstripe suit and full beard dancing around for part of their set. He looked so happy to be hearing the sweet sounds of Sam Champ. Try some for yourself with a track from their new album Heavenly Bender.

DOWNLOAD
Like a Secret (MP3)

I was also at the Arctic Monkeys / Be Your Own Pet show which was also fun but everytime I go to Hammerstein I like it less and less.

Posted by 3xWes at 10:20 AM | Permalink

If you were at the FRICTION party with Dan Deacon on Saturday at the Mercury Lounge, there may have been a moment where you forgot that you did not walk 15 blocks from a subway stop, catch a bus, or ride a bike to get there. You may have forgotten this was not a party in Brooklyn. While I know Manhattan and Brooklyn show comparisons can become a tired analogy because everything about them is different, this show spliced those two worlds. Full review at Product Shop.

Posted by 3xWes at 02:10 PM | Permalink

The New York Times has an article and slideshow about the hipness of out-of-the-way Brooklyn venues. The article discloses a few tidbits that I did not know. Issue Project Room (pictured above) is leaving their space at the Gowanus Canal. MeanRed is taking the space over so I guess it will become a dance party venue. They have an outdoor concert series planned. Remember Turntables on the Hudson, try Turntables on the Gowanus. Also Todd P is no longer booking shows at Studio B. They name drop Silent Barn, Glasslands, Issue Project Room, Don Pedro's and Monkey Town. They also name drop Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Dan Deacon, and Deerhunter.

I think the article are missing the concert goer's perspective. I would be interested to know how far people are willing to travel to see a show, if they are there to see a particular band or just because it is in the neighborhood, and if they feel more a part of a community since these venues are off the beaten path.

[Photo Credit: Michael Nagle for NYT]

Posted by 3xWes at 02:26 PM | Permalink

Here is another list of shows. Tonight I think your best bet is to go to Soundfix early and get there early because it is going to be packed for John Darnielle. Then Head to Don Pedro's for The Deathset. Tomorrow don't forget about FRICTION with Dan Deacon at Mercury. Looking to next week, you should definitely try your hardest to get to opening party at Solar One for the Bicycle Film Festival. It is free, the venue is solar powered and Mates of State will be performing. Mates of State has cancelled due to a family emergency. Dan Deacon will play instead! Brooklyn Vegan is helping to present this show. Also Sam Champion has an album coming out called Heavenly Bender. They are playing Bowery next week with Tigercity.

FRIDAY, MAY 11
John Darnielle of The Mountain Goats
Soundfix Records (9:00 PM doors) FREE
--
Todd P presents: Deathset / Abstract Artimus / Team Robespierre / Lidia Stone
Don Pedro's (8:00 PM doors) $6
--
My Best Fiend / Tussle / Shapes and Sizes / Stay High
Cake Shop (8:00 PM doors) $8
--
Elk City / Sea Wolf / Tim Bracy (of the Mendoza Line)
Union Hall (8:00 PM doors) $8

SATURDAY, MAY 12
FRICTION presents: Dan Deacon / Ponytail / Meneguar / Lions & Tigers
Mercury Lounge (8:00 PM doors) $8
--
O'Death / Artranker Convoy / Standing Nudes,
Glasslands (9:00 PM doors)
--
The Changes / Takka Takka / The End Of The World
Union Hall (8:00 PM doors) $10

MONDAY, MAY 14
Turbo Fruits (Be Your Own Pet side project) / The Clean Teens
Cake Shop (6:00 PM - 8:00 PM) $6, all ages

TUESDAY, MAY 15
Tigercity / Sam Champion / Stylofone / The Affair
Bowery Ballroom (7:00 PM doors) $13
--
Spank Rock / Ghostface / Roxy Cottontail
Highline Ballroom (7:00 PM doors) $22
--
Electrelane / Tender Forever / The Blow
The Fillmore at Irving Plaza (8:00 PM doors) $15
--
The Teeth
Piano's (7:00 set time) $8

WEDNESDAY, MAY 16
Bicycle Film Festival presents: Dan Deacon / Parts and Labor / Team Robespierre
Solar One, 2420 FDR Dr - 23rd St at the East River (7:00 PM - 10:00 PM) FREE
--
Bicycle Film Festival presents: Gang Gang Dance
Studio B (10:00 PM doors) FREE
--
Panthers / The Hidden Ratio / Square Wave Punch / Big Bang
The Annex (8:00 PM doors)

THURSDAY, MAY 17
Frog Eyes
Soundfix Records (4:00 PM doors) FREE

Posted by 3xWes at 10:27 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

I saw Patrick Wolf at Bowery yesterday. The boy likes to change clothes. Review over at Product Shop.

[photo credit: thatgreenplant]

Posted by 3xWes at 12:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Warsaw has some interesting shows lined up this summer but are only booking bands whose names start with W.

There is a Wolf Parade presale today at noon. They are playing Warsaw on August 19th. I am surprised this is for their three shows at the tiny La Sala Rossa in Montreal. That seems more like a tour warm-up. Presale tickets here.

WOLF PARADE TOUR DATES
Aug 11 :: Wolf Island Festival Kingston, Ontario
Aug 19 :: Warsaw Brooklyn, NY
Aug 20 :: Theatre of Living Arts Philadelphia, PA
Aug 21 :: Black Cat Washington, DC
Aug 22 :: Cat's Cradle Carrboro, NC
Aug 24 :: La Sala Rossa Monteal, QC
Aug 25 :: La Sala Rossa Monteal, QC
Aug 26 :: La Sala Rossa Monteal, QC

Wilco is playing a small show at Warsaw on June 26th. They already sold out Hammerstein. More Details: Pre-Sale begins tomorrow at 10 AM. Public On Sale begins Saturday, May 12 at 1 PM at the Irving Plaza Box Office. 2 Ticket Limit. ID required for purchase and entry. Other Wilco tour dates here. Presale tickets here.

Posted by 3xWes at 09:52 AM | Permalink

This is the fifth and final post on most of the shows I have seen in the past two months. Check out the others too: one, two, three, and four.

CLAP YOUR HANDS SAY YEAH • APRIL 18


Clap Your Hands Say Yeah came in to the Sirius studio for a live session and an interview. They played an acoustic version of "Satan Said Dance" (MP3) and it is better than the album cut. They aren't ones to talk about themselves in an interview but do like to bullshit. There are more pictures at Product Shop.

HOT CHIP • APRIL 20






First and foremost, I would like to point out that Alexis taped his keyboard to look like an old school Nintendo. Anyway, Hot Chip played too much new music for a headlining show at Webster Hall. I really wanted to hear most of the songs off The Warning, and the band seemed to be road testing a lot of new stuff. I still love hearing them live because their music breaths on stage, but the show lacked the flow of their free South Street Seaport set last summer.

SPOON • DAVID VANDERVELDE • APRIL 23




Spoon played a warm-up show at Bowery to prepare for the release of Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga. I bet they played every song they know because the show was like two hours with a four-song encore. Toward the end this started to feel like an overdose but they did a good job of spacing out their gems. David Vandervelde opened the show and appeared more confident on stage than the last time I saw him at Piano's. Ms ModernAge and Stereogum were also there.

THE BOOKS • REAL QUIET • APRIL 30


The Books and Real Quiet played together in the Wordless Music Series at The Society for Ethical Culture. Both bands used a cello so they were a good pairing. The Books incorporate a lot of archival footage and home video into their performance. Watching the show, the album looks like a byproduct of the performance because the two were so well synched. Real Quiet was similar because a lot of their music felt like a film score. Yeti was also there.

[photo credit]

Posted by 3xWes at 12:22 PM | Permalink

This is part four in a series of posts about shows I have seen in the past two months. Don't forget parts one, two, and three.

THE BLACK ANGELS • VIETNAM • APRIL 7




I love The Black Angels album but they were off at their last Mercury show. Mainly I blame this on the poor mixing of the vocals. Some reverb is necessary but the singer's voice was drowned in the noise and I kept thinking he was singing from the bottom of a well. Vietnam opened and actually had a bit more stage presence (and more beards!) but I don't think that comes across on their recordings.

THE WORLD EXPLAINED • APRIL 10




The World Explained was a benefit for 826NYC & 826LA in the form of four presentations. David Rakoff, from This American Life, compared his life in New York with life of the characters in RENT. Rodney Rothman divulged his experience in creating a mock boy band called Fresh Step as writer on The Late Show with David Letterman. For the band, fresh was a verb, a noun, and an adjective. A lot of this event was unscripted. Eugene Mirman made the most of it, especially playing with a weird echo on his voice that he could not control. The musical interludes of Final Fantasy Online aka Internet, which was comprised of members from Wolf Parade, Islands, Les Savvy Fav, and Black Mountain, were pretty haphazard but still sounded good.

KLAXONS • APRIL 13




The crowd at Studio B was ecstatic to see The Klaxons, who said it was the best show they had in America. I guess they struck a nerve with Brooklyn. Bonde do Role opened and were full of energy. Apparently their lyrics are really raunchy.

CLOUD CULT • APRIL 14




Cloud Cult put on a good show at Mercury complete with live painters and projector visuals. They can get away with that sort of thing because they are from Minnesota. Young Galaxy was kind of a let down live. I still think they have a few good songs. Maybe I should have skipped this show to go to the Of Montreal karaoke, especially after watching those videos at Stereogum.

Posted by 3xWes at 11:54 AM | Permalink

This is part three of the super-mega-gigantor update of the some of the shows I have seen in the past few weeks. Also check out part one and two.

FIONN REGAN • MARCH 20




Fionn Regan is a singer songwriter from Ireland. He performed with just an acoustic guitar and backing drums. Real simple. He could use a better haircut though.

THE BLACK LIPS • THE PONYS • MARCH 26






Atlanta's Black Lips have the gritty southern garage punk down – three chords falling in and out of beat, slurred vocals, and a suspiciously friendly bass line. On stage at Bowery, they could worry about more important things like vomiting and kissing each other. While I would have been more taken had they combined the two, their antics felt a bit more authentic than The Ponys, who sprayed silly string everywhere. The Ponys are a solid band but The Black Lips were more memorable.

The Black Lips just put out live album from a show in Tijuana since signing to Vice. Here are two tracks and a link to some video of the Tijuana show. The supposedly have a new full length due out in September.

DOWNLOAD
The Black Lips - MIA (MP3)
The Black Lips - Dirty Hands (MP3)

MENOMENA • MARCH 28


Menomena is fun band to see live because all three guys sing. The songs with Justin on the baritone sax really filled the room at Bowery. This is an oft-ignored instrument in indie rock. Too bad Mark Sandman is gone. Anyway, it was also Justin's birthday and he shared cake with the crowd.

LCD SOUNDSYSTEM • MARCH 30TH








LCD Soundsystem was one of the best shows I have seen at Bowery. There was room to dance and people weren't too reckless. James mainly sang, clanked the cowbell, or doubled up on the drum set from the other side. Those drum solos were the best part of the show. They even broke a bass drum and happened have a spare.

Posted by 3xWes at 11:34 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

This is the second installment of concerts I have seen in the past two months. The first one is here.

THE BLOW • MARCH 7


NYU shows are a double-edged sword. They book great bands, claim the shows are sold out, and then the bands play to about half capacity. Not to mention they light the room like lecture hall. I love The Blow but Les Savy Fav was able to capitalize on the school environment way more effectively. Khaela needs a proper show in New York. Yeti was also there.

SHOUT OUT OUT OUT OUT • MARCH 10




Shout Out Out Out Out likes every thing double, quadrouple even. They have two drums and two bassists. I reviewed this show at Mercury for Product Shop but the link is down because we have not transferred our archives to the new site yet. Young Cleaners went to the Southpaw Show. 120 Days also played.

THE PIPETTES • MARCH 12




The Pipettes have matching outfits, matching dances, and sound best when they sing together. Their backup band was all dudes in matching sweaters. I think this was one of the first shows that sold out at Luna Lounge. I hope that club can survive, now that they have moved to Brooklyn.

REYKJAVIK • DAVID & THE CITIZENS • MARCH 18




This was a late show at Piano's with Iceland's Reykavik and Sweeden's David & The Citizens. It was also the same night as Fujiya & Miyagi. Both these bands were just stopping over in New York after SXSW. Reykjavik is a punk band that gets really physical when performing. There was nobody in the crowd so the singer was running all over the place. David & The Citizens were really just David and a girl. Those swedes played happy pop but were sad because a few instruments broke at SXSW. I will look for them when the come back in the fall.

DOWNLOAD
David & The Citizens – Let's Not Fall Apart (MP3)
David & The Citizens – Big Chill (MP3)

VOICST • MARCH 19




Voicst are a three piece from Amsterdam. They rock but could really use a hit song. Their drummer is the showman of the band. Rebel sucks as a venue, although they do have cages.

Posted by 3xWes at 09:46 AM | Permalink

Here is part one of a long list of shows I have seen in the past two months that I never found time to write about. The bands just keep piling up and I keep thinking I would eventually put it in a massive update. I have already been called out once for not posting about a show quick enough. There is no real reason for the lag other than my lack of efficiency, but now I can run through all these shows in a few sentences and save you loads of cumbersome posts. So in the end, this catching up is a win/win situation. There are a few MP3s sprinkled throughout too.

EXPLOSIONS IN THE SKY • FEBRUARY 20


This show took place on the day Explosions In The Sky's released their highly anticipated second album. The band played in the Wordless Music Series at The Society for Ethical Culture, a dimly lit church by Columbus Circle. The show was not transcendental but sitting with your eyes closed and listening to the music was nice. Now if only the pews were more comfortable.

DAVID VANDERVELDE • SAM CHAMPION • FEBRUARY 27




David Vandervelde was first in the line-up when he played Piano's in February. He has since come back with Richard Swift for a headlining show. However, the place was packed enough at 8 o'clock the first time. His live show sounds like the reckless early years of his album, which has a bit more refinement in the vocal effects, the addition of keys and strings, and just less indulgent guitar soloing. The kid can really wail on the guitar, but I prefer the album. If you like T. Rex, check David out. Sam Champion is always good fun. I hope they make it big one day. Heart On A Stick was also there.

DOWNLOAD
David Vadervelde – Nothin' No (MP3)

BRIGHT EYES • MARCH 3


Bright Eyes has many devoted and crazy fans that will love whatever he does. This show at Bowery was full of new songs from Casadega. While I can't say that is my favorite of Conner's albums, the decoder viewfinder for the case is pretty cool. M. Ward performed on a few songs at the Bowery shows too.

BEACH HOUSE • GRIZZLY BEAR • MARCH 6


Beach House is good live but I really think they need to get a drummer for their shows even if they are banging on a synth pad. The beat machine was fine for the intimacy of Cake Shop but the music felt a little skimpy at Bowery. On the other hand, Grizzly Bear has finally found a way to play their sedated album live. They make great music but the past two shows I have seen them were boring. But this time they really rocked out incorporating some more energetic rhythms and arrangements. I was too far back to get any good shots of them though.

Posted by 3xWes at 09:42 PM | Permalink