Elvis Perkins in Dearland

After 12 epic hours at The Creators Project the night before and a quick brunch at Enids, I took the Northside Trolley from Bedford Avenue over to the MetroPCS Stage in the Newtown Barge Park for the Consequence of Sound day show.

At the time Mississippi’s A.A. Bondy was onstage performing a fantastic set full of rich vocals, acoustics, percussion and even a harmonica.  I sat on the hard cement soaking in the hot afternoon sun, entirely sucked into the soulful taste of southern rock, whiskey bottle et al. XL Records’  Elvis Perkins in Dearland followed suit with 3 accompanying band members and an array of instruments, most notably the harmonium. Perkins’ performance pleasantly skipped between that of a damaged folk singer to a self-aware psychedelic jam band.

After these two standout performances, I trekked over to Greenpoint’s Bar Matchless for Battering Room‘s showcase, along DJ sets by I Rock I Roll. First up was Milagres (formerly known as The Secret Life of Sofia) whose hushed vocals floated above driving beats were a much welcomed contrast. Brooklyn via Atlanta band The Press wrapped my Northside 2010 experience with a fun set of poppy-rock tunes. It was a long week of gigs and just thinking back on it exhausts me. Northside 2010 was yet another success, here’s to next year!

mp3: Milagres – Outside

mp3: AA Bondy – When The Devil’s Loose

mp3: Elvis Perkins Dearland – Shampoo

mp3: The Press – Master (Nate Mars Remix)

Last night Brooklyn celebrated the release of their album (digitally) at The Ridgewood Temple, and  I must say it was their best set yet! The temple was full of  love and pride for Sleigh Bells a reciprocated emotion that was most definitely shown when Alexis dove into the audience for some crowd surfing! EPIC.

Once again I found myself in a sweaty mosh pit shouting back lyrics whilst losing myself to the music. Treats is such a fantastic album but it doesn’t even compare to how heavy Sleigh Bells are live, an experience you must snatch up next time they’re in your hood!

Stream: Sleigh Bells – Run The Heart

However on Friday afternoon I was informed of a last minute “secret” 2 AM show at Greenpoint’s Coco 66 following their supporting spot for Miike Snow that night. I planned my night around the show, arriving just as the show started and immediately joined the mosh pit up front that did not let up until the band’s last notes.

I sweat completely through my oxford shirt and snapped only a few pictures between catching my breath. It was an all out dance rriot complete with lasers and smoke, nothing like the tame industry crowd over at LPR last fall. I’m not sure what their headlining show tonight at Mercury Lounge will entail but if Friday night was any indication I’d make sure to hydrate and dress a bit more casual!

mp3: Delorean – Deli [alt]

Tuesday night they played Brooklyn Bowl with one of our favorite new chicks on the block, MNDR! It was a great night with friends [The Culture of Me, Sheena Beaston] for FREE music and swag provided by Diesel! Check out some pics I took from the set in between my one-two stepping below. Jump over to SB‘s site for a live video of Restless People playing Days of Our Lives!

mp3: Restless People – Days of Our Lives (Light In Mix) [alt]

Beach House at The Bell House 1.25.10

Tuesday night Baltimore’s Beach House played an intimate show at The Bell House to celebrate the release of their third album Teen Dream on Sub Pop Records. I was unfamiliar with a majority of opening act Jana Hunter‘s music prior to the show but all it took was one song paired with her aloof demeanor to win my affection.  Although short, Baltimore’s Jana Hunter provided a stellar and complimentary prelude to Beach House.

After 10PM, Victoria Legrand and Alex Scally hopped onto the fuzzy tree decorated stage to harmonize through a dreamy set focused heavily on the new release, with sporadic dips into their previous album Devotion.

For a majority of the set Victoria’s face was shrouded by a mop of hair but her thick vocals and subtle yet arresting presence captivated all.

Limited to only 100 tickets to the public, Tuesday night was a unique and intimate experience with Beach House before they take off on a rigorous  tour.  The European tour will kick off next month in Glasgow, including dates with Grizzly Bear before they return to the US to play The Coachella Festival and Webster Hall in New York (with opening act Washed Out. ) If you dig atmospheric dreampop or psych-folk don’t miss both acts at a venue near you.

For more pictures from the show, visit the FULL GALLERY HERE.

mp3: Beach House – Lover of Mine [alt]
mp3: Jana Hunter – A Goblin, A Goblin [alt]

Next week’s awesome line-up consists of Zambri and MNDR – who I became an instant fan of during CMJ for the Fader Fort. Get on your dancing shoes and join us for the party!

Thursday January 21st at Glasslands, Doors at 9PM, $5 Cover at the door

More info HERE.

MP3: MNDR – Fade to Black or zShare
MP3: Zambri – Easier (Does it Offend You, Yeah? Remix) or zShare

Sleigh Bells photographed 10.30.09 by anthoNYC

Derek Miller and Alexis Krauss have managed to cause quite a bit of noise on the internet, having gone from amateurly recorded obscurity to booking sought after gigs and rolling with the likes of M.I.A. and Spike Jonze.

Sleigh Bells: What is the method to their mayhem? Who are they? What kind of music is this? These were all questions that plagued us and we decided to get to the bottom of this two weeks ago, the day before Halloween. We met up with the duo at Derek’s Brooklyn apartment and left no question unanswered.

Alexis and Derek are two really cool kids who make kick ass music and know how to rock any stage, just read on to find out for yourself! Make sure you check out Sleigh Bells this Saturday night at Webster Hall with Kap Bambino and again on November 19th at Le Poisson Rouge [tix]!

Pictures I took at their CMJ shows can be seen here: Hype Machine/Babelgum at Santos AND Quiet Color‘s Anti-CMJ Showcase at The Market Hotel.

MP3: Sleigh Bells – Beach Girls [EP Version] or zShare

> Where are you both from?
AK: I’m from NJ, the Jersey Shore.
DM: I’m from Southern Florida.

> How long have you been in New York?
AK: I’ve been here for about 7 years.
DM: I’ve been here since March of 2008, pretty new.

> How did you meet each other?
DM: My restaurant where I worked up until 2-3 weeks ago.
AK: He was my waiter, I was out to dinner with my mom. He was talking about why he was here and mentioned that he was looking for a vocalist and my mom nominated me. Sent him an email then we met up. So yeah..that’s the short version.  [all laugh]
DM: I just started talking to her mom who also grew up in South Florida, and she was like ‘So what are you doing in New York?‘ I told her that I was looking for a female vocalist or a girl to work on music with.

[ Audio: How they met and the reason behind having a female vocalist on Sleigh Bells. ]

> Did you always have it in your mind that you wanted a female vocalist?
DM: Yes, for like almost 5 years.

> Any particular reason?
DM: I just prefer female vocalists, it’s just more interesting for me.  A lot of times I’m just less interested in what guys are singing about for some reason. I’m much pickier with guys, I guess it just depends on the genre. In hip-hop they’re usually less vulnerable sounding, but if it’s something rock oriented then feelings get involved. I just get a little weird like…guys talking about their feelings. [all laugh] I don’t wanna sound like an asshole but it’s just harder to get into it.

> I read that you’re a teacher is that that true?
AK: No I’m not teaching anymore, I did a program called Teach for America for 2 years.

A lot of times I’m just less interested in what guys are singing about for some reason… I just get a little weird like…guys talking about their feelings. – Derek Miller

> What did you teach?
AK: I taught fourth grade bilingual [Spanish.]  Most of my kids were new arrivals to the country so I was in the Bronx. I did that right after I graduated, then met Derek in the summer between my two years. I kinda made the decision in January of this year that I was not going to go back, but instead pursue other things and just work on Sleigh Bells full time.  And here I am.

Sleigh Bells at Market Hotel 10.23.09

> That’s awesome! I actually learned about you from a friend who put on the Hype Machine showcase at Santos…
DM: Abbey?

> Yeah, do you guys know her?
DM: Yeah we just met Abbey through Sasha Frere-Jones (Music writer for The New Yorker) who is friends with her. He was pretty much our very first interview, first dude we talked to, first guy who contacted us and was into the band. So yeah we met up with him and he asked if we had any reference photos for the New Yorker. We were like “We don’t have anything, we just have an  illustration of Alexis with a bandana that wont help.” He was like “Maybe my friend Abbey can come,” so she came to a show and that’s how we met.
AK: She’s been amazing, she’s been there like every step along the way…
DM: She’s super-cool.

> So we’re among friends! When she first told me about Sleigh Bells, I was like “is it S-L-A-Y Bells or…?” [all laugh]
AK: That’s a popular question!
DM: That’s the first thing people ask and they’re kinda let down when I’m like “Sorry it’s S-L-E-I-G-H.” The joke is when  you say it, phonetically it sounds like S-L-A-Y. That woulda been too much.

> How many shows have you played together so far?
AK & DM: 6 or 7…
AK: We didn’t start playing until I finished teaching until…we started practicing all through the summer. Our first show was September 2nd at Union Pool. It was nice, a benefit show with the Midnight Masses.

[ Audio: Sleigh Bells on CMJ ]

> Having just started in September, were you a little overwhelmed about being a buzz band at CMJ?
DM: Honestly I wasn’t thinking it in terms of…I know with CMJ that’s the purpose, we just randomly booked these shows. Abbey offered us to play the Santos thing–
AK: A week before.
DM: I was just like “Oh I guess all these bands are playing CMJ. We’ll play a show or 2 shows.” I didn’t think it’d be significant, it sounds like bullshit..if that was the case I’d tell you but it really seemed like it’d come and go. Our friend Kristen put on the ABC Amplified thing. It’s not like we were there playing the Fader Fort, they were just smaller, off to the side showcases not the big time showcases.
AK: I definitely did not go in thinking “buzz band.” We literally got those shows a week before and we were shocked like “what!”

> Did you see any shows at CMJ or did you just play and that was it?
AK to DM: You went to some shows…
DM: My friends from Florida are in Surfer Blood, so I saw them a couple of times.

> They played a million times!
AK: I think 2.5 was like the average shows per day. But yeah, just the bands we really played with, I didnt really go out. I was simultaneously planning this teaching workshop so I was a bit stressed out. It’s kind of the last thing you wanna do after being in a venue all day.

> I was curious after hearing your songs, are those mastered tracks or rough cuts?
DM: No, we actually just put up a thing on our MySpace. There have been so many people asking if they could buy them somewhere or if they’ll be on iTunes. They’re not now and will never be for sale because they’re just demos, they’re not mixed properly. I mixed everything on headphones which is rule #1: You never mix on headphones. I don’t even own monitors. So yeah we’re gonna definitely re-record everything plus a bunch of new songs for a full-length. Either late this year or early next year.

> We saw M.I.A. and Spike Jonze at your show. How did you get noticed by such renowned creative luminaries?
DM: Our friend Molly wrote for Spike Jonze’s blog for Where the Wild Things Are, and wrote about the music there. So that’s how Sasha got it and then Spike Jonze got it as well from her and played it for Maya. And then Maya wrote us and then since we’ve just…

> You just got an email from her? Was it all in CAPS like her blog? [all laugh]
DM: Yeah! [laughs] She’s a friend now, she’s just cool. It’s just very odd because it was not expected and I’m just a huge fan.
AK: It’s crazy. She’s so likable and you get this comfortable feeling around her, she’s a friend.

> Yeah she’s very friendly. Before we talked to you at Market Hotel I told her I was going to interview you guys.
AK: Yeah that’s who she is consistently.
DM: She’s definitely a very real person.

…Every time I’m singing on a track or anytime I do something I’m no longer me. I’m more of a character of myself. – Alexis Krauss

> So what kind of music did you listen to before pairing for Sleigh Bells?
DM: We definitely don’t have a reference genre, whatever I can dig up from whatever decade that sounds good…that’s the only criteria.
AK: It’s pretty diverse. I was on a whole soul, 60′s kick.
DM: I listen to a lot of Motown, current stuff, hip hop. Probably the same thing a lot of people are listening to now, people are no longer restricted to regions because of the internet.

> Ring Ring has a lot of soul elements, but then Beach Girls …I just love that song! –
AK: We’ll play it next show! [all laugh -- I previously bugged them for not playing it at Market Hotel.]
DM: There’s going to be a new version. It’s definitely going to have all of those same elements but I have all these other ideas…it’s just going to be so heavy and so great. I’m putting these horns on it, it’s still going to have those lazer annoying [white noise] but I’m really stoked to do that one.

> How true to the current sound do you plan to be?
DM: We’re going to retain a lot of the blown out aspects of the sounds for sure. Musically or instrumentally and vocally it’s going to be a lot cleaner, I don’t want the vocals to be quite as distorted.
AK: Because that was done out of necessity, we really want that sort of shiny clean feeling.
DM: I had trouble mixing it. With Crown to the Ground for example, the music is so distorted and the vocals were so clean that it wasn’t sitting in the mix. A quick solution was to put some distortion on the vocals so it would gel, but that’s just sort of a cheap fix. The answer is just mixing it correctly.

> Did you have any formal training in production/recording?
DM: None whatsoever, I don’t and still don’t know what I’m doing. The vocals for Infinity Guitars [were recorded with Alexis] yelling into the internal mic [points at his laptop.]
AK: Very bare bones. [laughs]
DM: With a lot of bands the method is supposed to be a statement but not for us, those were just the resources we had available to us. I just can’t wait to get into the studio and see the songs through.

> Going back to Beach Girls, when I listen to it I can barely understand anything you’re saying. Was that intentional or was that too done out of necessity?
DM: The delay just added an eerie quality to it that worked, but yeah I wish that people could could hear the lyrics
AK: There’s a story to it..
DM: There’s a narrative and it sounds vapid like “Did I forget my sunglasses? Got ‘em!” But the story is this: She’s at the beach and it’s horrible. There’s like kids drowning and getting nosebleeds. I keep using David Lynch as a reference for that because it’s slick and shiny like Blue Velvet or something. Thinking of the opening sequence. But it’s just…something’s really –
AK: OFF! [all laugh]
DM: This is a weird reference but like the Soundgarden video Black Hole Sun. The smiles are really fucking big.
AK: Yeah I totally pictured that with Beach Girls.
DM: You can’t hear the fucking lyrics so it’s our fault, I like that one live when the bass drops I’m like “YEAH!”

[ Audio: Sleigh Bells' Alexis discusses her singing background ]

> It comes back like four times in that song! Alexis, what is your experience like being onstage?
AK: I spent a lot of time doing session singing so I used to think of myself as an actress when I would sing. I almost like thinking of singing as being that, every time I’m singing on a track or anytime I do something I’m no longer me. I’m more of a character of myself. I feel like I could turn it on *snaps* whenever.
DM: As opposed to it being deeply –
AK: Some people are like “Oh but you should [take it deeply]“ but that’s just my experience with being a singer. My dad is a full-time musician so I started doing theatre at a young age. I had tons of vocal lessons but because my father is such a good pop and R&B soul singer, it was important to me that I didn’t become a Broadway-singing voice. I’ve been singing pop since I was 13 and for me it’s just been my sound and what I like singing. This neighborhood breeds so many projects and you just get too many people who have no idea how to use their voice –
DM: Having to switch from shouting to singing falsetto, it wouldn’t work without someone who knew what they’re doing.
AK: That’s another thing I love about his ideas because it’s incredibly versatile, as a singer I get to explore different options.
DM: Blushing.

The only other band I was in was this girl teen pop group, it was my 13-16 year old life! – Alexis Krauss

> Do you plan on touring more, or are you gonna focus on making new music?
DM: The next month or 2, we’ll just play around here a bunch and write new songs. We’ve talked to some people about touring next year already but nothing’s confirmed. It’s great to have people come [to our shows] because they want to hear the music as opposed to just our friends.
AK: We feel like we got that at The Market Hotel, it was really exciting.

[ Audio: Sleigh Bells discussing performance styles and the necessity to be versatile ]

> The Santos show was really different than The Market Hotel one.
AK: [The Santos show] was super fast and it was 3:15 PM, it was mostly industry people. I mean you have to be able to do both be able to give a good show either way, but when you have that interaction and energy we had on Friday night it brings it to a whole new level.

> Your performance was so different, you were like going crazy!
AK: You just get this like [flails around]
DM: We kept saying it felt like a hardcore show. She grew up going to hardcore shows and I played in a hardcore band forever. It felt like very natural, kind of like what I imagined it to be. With the first show we were so stiff and it was just terrifying really.
AK: We’ve come along way! [laughs]

> Were you in other bands before this, Alexis?
AK: The only other band I was in was this girl teen pop group, it was my 13-16 year old life! [all laugh]
DM: Awesome actually, for real.
AK: From there I went onto college and started doing session singing, but I really built my performance chops doing weddings. I worked for a big wedding company as cliche and funny as it sounds, with a big band. I sang everything from standards to Beyonce to AC/DC. A huge range and I’d just get out there and have fun. I also used to perform with my dad and his bands.

> Last question, do you plan on touring Europe?
AK: We’d love to!!
DM: We’re talking to booking agents but I’m not sure what we’ll end up doing.

> London will love you guys!
DM: Oh really? I can’t wait to go back to the UK.

> Have you ever been?
AK: No I haven’t unfortunately, can’t wait.

> Well I think that’s all we have for you. Is there anything you’d like to add…put out there?
DM: Just the thanks for coming, thanks for talking to us.

Friendly Fires at Music Hall of Williamsburg, 8.13.09

Honestly, Friendly Fires’ gig at Le Poisson Rouge last Wednesday is one that I’d like to wipe clean from my memory. There was no air conditioning, the crowd was terrible (see Concertgoer Wall of Shame), the set times were delayed hours, all of which took it’s toll on the band. With this said I will move along to the Music Hall of Williamsburg.

Fresh off of their triumphant set on the final day of Lollapalooza on August 9th, Friendly Fires brought the fire back to New York! The polished set complete with a brass section was identical to that of Lollapalooza and Le Poisson Rouge, but the energy was at an all time high fueling the flames that were the audience.

Friendly Fires at Le Poisson Rouge, 8.12.09

Thursday night’s crowd sang and danced along like I’ve never seen, including a crazed fan who literally fought with security to dance onstage and steal a kiss from frontman Ed MacFarlane!

As one of TLC’s favorite live bands we can both attest to being a bit down after the LPR gig, but Friendly Fires went above and beyond the following night at the Music Hall of Williamsburg! We left the venue astonished at the madness we’d just experienced and feel that this is just the beginning of a new chapter for Friendly Fires!

Stay tuned for a special feature on The xx who supported Friendly Fires Music Hall of Williamsburg and played The South Street Seaport this past Friday!

MP3: Friendly Fires – Your Love (Frankie Knuckles Cover) or zShare

Friendly Fires at Music Hall of Williamsburg

Le Poisson Rouge

Black Lips at East River State Park 7.26.09

Almost a year to the date, the Black Lips destroyed McCarren Park Pool for one of the final shows before The Pool Parties were relocated to the East River State Park.  Jess and I finally made it out to the Pool Parties’ new picturesque location at the Williamsburg waterfront yesterday for the packed bill consisting of: Grupo Fantasma, HEALTH, Black Lips, and headliner And You Will Know Us By The Trail of Dead.

We caught the end of Grupo Fantasma but their tropical salsa-infused tunes seemed to be  a hit with the crowd who tried their best attempt at salsa dancing on the lawn. Shortly after, HEALTH crashed onstage powering through a danceable yet heavy and substantial set. HEALTH yanked everyone out of their sun daze and into a riotous dance party, a proper preview as to what was next in store.

Health at East River State Park, 7.26.09

Last year there was no photo pit at McCarren so this year the Black Lips live set was an entirely different experience!  From the first drum hit the crowd went nuts. Fans that ranged from tweenagers to the kids you see at every damn show surprised/amazed me with their ability to overpower security and practically crush anyone in the photo pit — it was pretty awesome/overwhelming.

To watch the crowd that Black Lips draws in is a big part of the overall experience, but the true energy and focus always remains on the band who revels in this. They gave the show that everyone hoped for and/or may not have expected.

As soon as their set wrapped however, the sky drew dark and the Manhattan skyline disappeared in a heavy cloud of fog followed by thunder and lightning. JellyNYC made a smart yet hard decision by cancelling And You Will Know Us By The Trail of Dead’s set — barely missing the heavy downpour that followed shortly after. Bummer!

We’ll be at All Points West and Lollapalooza for the next two weeks but make sure you catch the remaining shows at the East River State Park, click HERE for the full schedule. I highly advise you to attend the Simian Mobile Disco DJ set with Fiery Furnaces.

MP3: HEALTH – Die Slow or zShare
MP3: Black Lips – Drop I Hold (Featuring GZA) or zShare

Tomorrow night the DIY folk band The Dead River Company headlines at 11PM with opening bands Rescue Bird (9PM) and Brer Brian (10PM.) Between the first and second acts,  the short film The Last Man in Brooklyn will be screened, featuring a post-apoalyptic Brooklyn (sounds intruiging!) The dance party kicks off at midnight with music by Gregory Shiff aka The Vacationist.

Thursday 7/16 Doors at 8PM, $7 cover or $5 with the flyer (or make your own with the word TRASHBAT on it.) More details available HERE.

It’s about time we had something like this, see you there!

MP3: Cruel Black Dove – Love Song (Gregory Shiff Mix) or zShare