Once in A Lullaby at Richmond County Bank Ballpark (Staten Island) - 8/14/12

I'm a big fan of doing things in their right place. Therefore, I figured if I'm gonna see the PS22 chorus documentary, Once In A Lullaby, why not do it in the hometown of the students in Staten Island in front of the people that were depicted in the picture in a baseball stadium on an evening that turned so beautiful when it was etched for rain. It seemed so fitting that somewhere over the rainbow of showers earlier in the day, Staten Island was blessed with better weather. The historic free Ferry Ride from Battery Park was unforgettable with the sun setting just above Lady Liberty's torch.

I was happy to get there early so I could catch a great seat and appreciate my surroundings, which were mostly 5-15 year olds and their parents in the lower level of the stadium overlooking the Manhattan skyline. While waiting for night to fall, we were treated to live performances from past members of the chorus, including Clive Baird and Corey Powell as well as current members and two of the featured soloists from the film, Kiarah Mitchell and Kahlil Williams.  Kiarah and Kahlil did a great rendition of Gotye's hit feat. Kimbra "Somebody I Used to Know" and in fact, the day before, the PS22 chorus blog announced the kids' chorus was part of Gotye's recent Youtube Orchestra mashup: Somebodies. They all sounded amazing but I was particularly struck by a song called "Brother & Sister", written and performed by Kiarah herself. Here is a video of the song sung with help from the rest of the chorus. Don't forget these names, you may be hearing more from them in the not too distant future.

After it's great appeal at the Tribeca Film Festival this past year, the film was immediately selected by Program Director for the non-profit organization Rooftop Films, Dan Nuxoll, when scheduling films at the ballpark. The opening shot had the historic Staten Island ferry moving in the sea and behind the projection screen miraculously was the actual Staten Island Ferry moving into the dock at the same time. It was a moment I wish I had captured in my camera but perhaps it's best believed in person and only possible due to the amazing setting curated by the people at the Rooftop films.

The film's producer/director Jonathan Kalafer did great justice to the incredible story of the team.  The documentary follows the journey of the group of inspired students in the PS 22 chorus at the pinnacle of their internet boom as they were given a surprise visit during their annual Christmas Concert from one of their many celebrity fans, Anne Hathaway, to announce that they had been invited to the 83rd annual academy awards. Through the adventure of prepping for their big west coast gig, we see all of the many layers of this tale, including  social media's effect on bringing the story to life, key characters including the school's principal, the parents of the kids, and of course the students themselves. The most amazing personality of all was the music director Gregg Breinberg aka Mr. B, who was their fearless leader and mentor, dealing with so much pressure performing his method of improvised singing in front of a live national and international audience and comforting the anxieties and managing the various personalities of these impressionable kids as they prepared for the biggest night of their lives. Mr. B was sitting just a few rows in front of me so it was quite the scene to see his reaction to the screening/story, giving hi-fives to the students who would be walking passed him in the aisles during the movie. Here is a shot of him witnessing quite possibly one of the greatest moments of his life on screen, performing at the 83rd annual academy awards

 
It's simply impossible not to be moved by this movie. Here is a nice review by the LA times. The film is not available for distribution yet, so unfortunately it's not available on DVD or netflix but stay tuned to the facebook page for updates on special screenings and so forth. 

Speaking of which, the last rooftop films screening of the season is this Thursday at the ballpark and one of my childhood faves, The Sandlot. Weather forecast looks beautiful so it would be a great way to spend the evening.

Tears for Ears

I think of myself as a happy and hopeful soul but somehow i have a penchant for sad music and the way it can capture a feeling had or imagined. PBS' Art Beat recently interviewed Adam Brent Houghtaling, author of "This Will End in Tears" The Miserabilist Guide to Music". Here is the video interview.

Watch Adam Brent Houghtaling, Author of 'This Will End in Tears' on PBS. See more from PBS NewsHour.

Apparently the book is filled with numerous playlists in each section and the grand finale, which may live up to the name of the book, is a top 100 sad songs list. The list has been conveniently transcribed  via Spotify. Check it out here and leave your own comments for your favorite sad song.

Found in NY - August 6th - August 12th

Companion Spotify Playlist
Bands on playlist are in RED
Bands previously featured in playlists are in BLACK

------------

Monday - August 6th
- Once in A Lullaby @ IFC Center (DocuWeeks 2012) -the amazing story of the PS22 Chorus is told in this documentary, running through August 9th
- Alt-J, Illumntr @ Mercury Lounge (SOLD OUT)
- Old Crow Medicine Show, The Lumineers, The Milk Carton Kids @ Central Park Summerstage

- The XX @ Snug Harbor Cultural Center (Staten Island)

- Night Beats, K-Holes and Mmoss @ Knitting Factory BK - Night Beats are garage rockers from Seattle, they are in the midst of a tour with Black Angels and members from both bands assembled a new project called UFO Club.

- Sinkane, Rakete (Akwetey of Dragons of Zynth) and DJ Ryan Rasheed @ Zebulon (free show) Yeasayer drummer Sinkane will be holding a residency every Monday in August with different special guests each night.

Tuesday - August 7th 
- Bloc Party, The Drums, Them Jeans @ Terminal 5
- Talib Kweli (LIVE full band) @ Brooklyn Bowl
- Lucinda Williams, Amy Cook @ Bowery Ballroom
- Robert Glasper Experiment, Lalah Hathaway, Avery Sunshine @ Marcus Garvey Park
- Alt-J, Mon Khmer, Soft Spot @ Glasslands (SOLD OUT)
- Tame Impala , Young Magic @ Music Hall of Williamsburg (SOLD OUT)
- M. Ward, Yo La Tengo, Wyatt Cenac @ Prospect Park Bandshell
- Broncho, Bad Weather California, The Denzels, Crazy and The Brains @ The Studio at Webster Hall 
- Crappy Cinema Council Presents Ninjas @ Public Assembly (Front Room) (FREE)- Dudes watch crappy movies and make fun of them on the first tuesday of every month. This month's theme is ninjas. 


Wednesday - August 8th
- The Bowery Presents Live on Youtube feat. Bloc Party, The Drums, Them Jeans @ Terminal 5 (SOLD OUT) - An exclusive live stream of the 2nd of the 3 night series.
- The Bright Light Social Hour, Black Taxi, Echosuite @ Bowery Ballroom - Austin's Bright Light Social Hour sound like they put on quite a show live.
- M83, Big Black Delta @ Central Park Summerstage (SOLD OUT)
- Diamond Terrifier, Laurel Halo, Slava, Bubbles @ Littlefield - Laurel Halo is a much hyped Brooklyn-based experimental electronic artist
- Christopher Willits @ Cameo Gallery
- Heather Christian and the Arbonauts, Railbird @ Mercury Lounge - Brooklyn's Railbird have a new single feat. anti-recording artist Sean Rowe and Sarah Barthel of Phantogram. 
- Bad Weather California, Broncho, Strange Shapes @ Glasslands
- Skeletons, Knyfe Hytes with Screening of "Top Gun" @ McCarren Park (Summerscreen Series)
- Vassals, Spirit Animal, My Dear Mycroft, Kyle McNeil and the Stumble, Kevin Mcwha Steele @ Pianos
- Heavenly Beat, Plastic Flowers, Young Boys, YOU. @ Public Assembly


Thursday - August 9th
- Bloc Party, The Drums, Them Jeans @ Terminal 5 (SOLD OUT)
- Wild Nothing, Grimes, DIIV @ Pier 84 (Hudson River Park) (FREE)
- Lucinda Williams, Amy Cook @ Music Hall of Williamsburg
- Kelli Scarr, Alana Amram, Jim Campilongo @ Le Poisson Rouge
- Chain and the Gang, Calvin Johnson @ 285 Kent Avenue
- Braid, Owen, Laura Stevenson & The Cans, Aficionado @ Bowery Ballroom
- !!! (chik chik chik), Lenny Williams @ Damrosch Bandshell
- The Building, Shy Hunters, Companion, Aaron Roche @ Glasslands
- Aloe Blacc @ BAM R&B Festival (FREE)
- Big Black Delta, Silya @ Pianos

Friday - August 10th
- StePhest Colbchella '012 feat. The Flaming Lips, fun., Grandmaster Flash, Grizzly Bear, Santigold @ The Intrepid (FREE - RSVP and ticket required)
- Cake @ Williamsburg Park  
- Little Dragon, Frankie Rose, Voices of Black @ Prospect Park Brooklyn
- Lucinda Williams, Amy Cook @ Music Hall of Williamsburg
- Darlings, Sundelles @ Glasslands
- Little Dragon (DJ Set), Physical Therapy (DJ Set), Rezound (DJ Set) @ Glasslands (late show)
- Fergus & Geronimo, The People's Temple, Family Curse, Mannequin Pussy @ 285 Kent Avenue
- Calvin Johnson @ The Vander Ende-Onderdonk House - any show at the oldest Dutch-American farmhouse in New York City grabs my attention.

Saturday - August 11th 
- Real Estate, R. Stevie Moore, Andrew Cedermark @ Webster Hall
- Photek, Evian Christ, Shlohmo, Autre Ne Veut, Howse @ MoMA PS1
- Pop Shop feat. St. Lucia, Big Black Delta, Capital Cities @ Brooklyn Bowl
- Metro Area, Free Magic, Morgan Geist, Darshan Jesrani @ Glasslands
- Chappo, Terror Pigeon Dance Revolt @ Delinquency BLVD
- Jangula, Not Blood Paint, Lazyeyes, Fan-Tan, The Denzels, Eastern Hollows, Turnip King, A New Bug @ 929 XPO
- Si Se @ Le Poisson Rouge
- Ava Luna, Sinkane @ Mercury Lounge
- Braid, Owen, Aficionado @ Music Hall of Williamsburg

Sunday - August 12th 

-An All-Star Gathering for Gil Scott-Heron, Aloe Blacc, Swamp Dogg  @ Damrosch Bandshell
- Eternal Summers @ Fulton Stall Market (FREE)
- Animal Collective Radio Show @ It broadcasts Sunday nights/Monday mornings from 9 p.m. Eastern/2am GMT at radio.myanimalhome.net through august 19th

PRESALE - Friday 8/10 
- 10/8 - Perfume Genius, Dusted @ Le Poisson Rouge - Tix on sale 8/6
- 10/9 - Perfume Genius, Dusted @ Music Hall of Williamsburg - Tix on sale 8/10

UPCOMING NEXT WEEK -

- 8/13 - White Denim @ Brooklyn Bowl

- 8/13 - The Very Best, Seye, Sinkane, Bajah & The Dry Eye Crew, Ill Skillz @ Irving Plaza

- 8/14 - Rooftop Films Presents Once in a Lullaby @ Richmond County Bank Ballpark at St. George (home of the Staten Island Yankees) - the PS 22 Chorus documentary will screen for free in PS 22's home borough of Staten Island.

- 8/14 - White Denim @ Brooklyn Bowl

- 8/14 - Via Audio, The Daredevil Christopher Wright @ Knitting Factory BK

- 8/14 - Young Man, XNY @ Mercury Lounge (Early Show)

- 8/14 - Lawrence Arabia, Friend Roulette @ Mercury Lounge (Late Show)

- 8/15 - The Dunnie Bobos, I'm Turning Into, Incorporated Village of Ghost, The Due Diligence @ Glasslands

- 8/15 - Self Help, KNTRLR, Wet 10 @ The Delancey

- 8/15 - Splash, Ducktails and The Babies @ McCarren Park (Summerscreen)

- 8/15 - Erika Spring, Tiny Victories, Tezeo @ Mercury Lounge

- 8/15 - Yeasayer, Daedelus @ Music Hall of Williamsburg
- 8/15 - Magic Trick, Sonny and the Sunsets @  Maxwell's - Magic Trick is a new project formed from Fresh and Onlys vocalist Tim Cohen
- 8/16 - Magic Trick, Sonny and the Sunsets @ Glasslands

- 8/16 - Screaming Females @ 92Y Tribeca - Marissa Paternoster of Screaming Females will have her photography on display at the BV photography exhibit, which runs from August 16 to September 6 

- 8/16 - Marina & The Diamonds, MS MR @ Webster Hall

- 8/16 -  Skaters, The Drowners, Texture, Coasta @ Studio at Webster Hall

- 8/17 - Birthmark, Phone Home, Big Black Delta, Late Guest at the Party, Leaves of Green, and one more TBA @ Pianos

- 8/17 - Jacques Green @ Le Bain - Montreal DJ just recently opened for XX

 - 8/18 - Husky, Sheppard, High Highs, George Byrne, Maya Jupiter and Friends @ Central Park Summerstage (Australia Day)

- 8/18 - Sonny and the Sunsets, MAGIC TRICK, Sam Jayne (DJ Set) @ Glasslands

- 8/18 - Chicago, The Doobie Brothers @ Jones Beach

- 8/18 - Dashboard Confessional (solo acoustic), Tallhart, Elle King @ Music Hall of Williamsburg

- 8/18 - Floating Points, Jacques Greene, Secret Circuit, Hieroglyphic Being @ MoMA P.S.1

- 8/18 - Marina & The Diamonds, MS MR @ Webster Hall

- 8/18 - Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings, Antibalas @ Williamsburg Park (FREE)

- 8/18 - Mister Saturday Night feat. Floating Points @ House of Yes
- 8/18 - Animal Collective Radio Show @ radio.myanimalhome.net 

- 8/19 - My Morning Jacket, Shabazz Palaces @ Williamsburg Park 

------------

If you or anyone you know would like to subscribe to this as a weekly email/concert newsletter, please email nassir at foundtrack dot com 

Found in NY - July 23rd - 29th

Companion Spotify Playlist
Bands on playlist are in RED
Bands previously featured in playlists are in BLACK

------------

Monday - July 23rd

- Beach House, Lower Dens @ Central Park Summerstage
- BRIC Benefit Concert feat. Wilco, Lee Fields & The Expressions @ Prospect Park Bandshell (SOLD OUT)
- Sepalcure, Francois K @ Deep Space -  Sepalcure is a new project from electronic artist Machine Drum. Francois K is a french DJ and one of the forefathers of house music.
- Rain Machine, SORNE @ Mercury Lounge - Really digging SORNE ; Rain Machine is solo project of Kyp Malone (TV On the Radio)
- Surfer Blood, Grand Rapids @ Maxwell's (NJ) - Both bands coming off a few dates last week in NYC including a secret appearance at the Cake Shop's benefit show last week.
- ALO @ Rock Concert Cruises - Digging a few songs off of this jam band's 4th release on Jack Johnson's Brushfire, most particularly "speed of dreams" featured on our June Mixtape.

- Patterson Hood and the Downtown Rumblers, Turf War (Acoustic) @ Bell House
- Grouplove @ Studio of Webster Hall
- Frank Fairfield @ Living Room
- The Muppets  (2011) @ Coney Island Flicks on the Beach

Tuesday - July 24th  
- BRIC Benefit Concert feat. Wilco, Lee Ranaldo Band (Of Sonic Youth) @ Prospect Park Bandshell (SOLD OUT) - First of three wilco shows this week. 
 - Purity Ring @ Le Poisson Rouge - very intimate show on the day of one of this year's most anticipated debut's 

- Ed Sheeran @ Irving Plaza
- The Gaslight Anthem @ Webster Hall

- Shabazz Palaces, Thee Satisfaction @ Fort Greene Park (FREE) - Shabazz Palaces is the Seattle hip hop collective and new project from former members of the early 90's Digable Planets.
- Luisa Maita @ City Winery (Backyard - FREE) - Talented Brazilian singer-songwriter
- American Buffalo Recordings Presents Big Snow Family Hodge Podge Vol. 1 feat. Strange Shapes, Breakfast in Fur, more @ Big Snow - really into the EP from New Paltz NY's Breakfast in Fur ever since hearing about them as an artist to watch on Rolo & Grady blog.
 - Chase King, Young Rival, Plates of Cake, The Hairs @ Glasslands

- Snowden, Warm Ghost @ Mercury Lounge
- Carina Round @ Knitting Factory BK
- Callers, Snowmine @ Union Pool

Wednesday - July 25th  
- WFUV Presents Wilco, Cibo Matto @ Terminal 5
- Allen Stone, Elizabeth & the Catapult, Anthony Hall @ Bowery Ballroom (SOLD OUT) - 23 year soul singer from Northwest blends classic soul, pop and r&b and has signed to ATO Records. For fans of Amos Lee and Jamie Lidell.
- Eternal Summers @ Insound Office (FREE with Pre-order of E.Summers CD)
- Animal Kingdom, Royal Teeth @ Mercury Lounge (Early Show) - Animal Kingdom is a trio from North London recently signed to Mom + Pop for their lush and atmospheric sophomore release this past May, they visit on their way to Lollapalooza and Outside Lands ; Louisiana's Royal Teeth is a new signing to Dangerbird records and were impressed me big time in their visit to NY a few months back.
- Band Mom Presents Bright Moments, Valley Lodge, Good Field @ Union Hall - Beirut brassist Kelly Pratt plays an intimate affair in Park Slope before aiding St. Vincent and David Byrne on their upcoming tour, which includes dates at Beacon Theater and Williamsburg Park.  Valley Lodge includes comedian/writer Dave Hill and Walt Mink's John Kimbrough. Austin's Good Field has only been performing since February and have already spent a few weeks on CMJ's top 200 chart. This will be their first official show in NYC.
- Kind of Like Spitting @ Knitting Factory BK
- Deidre and the Dark, Fast Years @ Glasslands - cute retro doo-wop girl group sound from Deidre and surf pop act Fast Years sounds nice as well on the cusp of rocking boats at the 4Knots Festival.
- The Babies, Wild Yaks, Beach Day, Daytona, Total Slacker (DJ Set) @ Public Assembly
- Cantora Records Showcase feat. Echo-Friendly, Zulu Pearls, Such Hounds @ Bowery Electric (FREE) 
- The L Magazine's Summerscreen Series in McCarren Park Presents Telepathe, Prince Rama, Vaz open for FREE Summer Screening of Dirty Dancing (1987) @ McCarren Park

Thursday - July 26th   
- Frank Ocean : Channel Orange Tour @ Terminal 5 (SOLD OUT) - OFWGKTA member Frank Ocean has been the talk of the music industry since releasing his long-awaited debut, appopriately just in time for the announcement of his bisexual orientation ; all that aside, dude is a very talented songwriter and deserves all the attention.
- Brooklyn Vegan Presents Trash Talk with special guests and DJ Leftbrain (OFWGKTA) @ 285 Kent Avenue (FREE - Late Show) - wear your armor for this one ; it's gonna get carazy.
- Tyler the Creator, Earth Sweatshirt, Raekwon and Asher Roth @ Best Buy Theater (SOLD OUT)
- The Dust Rays, Smoota (TV On the Radio), SORNE @ Brooklyn Bowl 
- Poolside (DJ Set) @ Hudson Terrace (FREE with RSVP)  - Poolside's daytime disco sounds exactly like where you want to hear it ; incredible self-release from duo including former member of Ima Robot (and no, not Alex from Ed Sharpe) ; they play a live set the following day ; not to be missed.
- Milo Greene, Family Of The Year @ Mercury Lounge (Early Show/ SOLD OUT) - Milo's standing O's in opening for the Civil Wars + a feature in Esquuire's bands to watch in 2012 = a good sequence of buzz  following their debut release on Warner this week and a SOLD OUT date in NY in addition to a guest spot on Letterman.  Check out this NPR feature to see how their name was born. 
- Eternal Summers (Record Release), Ex Cops @ Mercury Lounge (Late Show)-  Roanoke, Vigrinia's self professed dream punk outfit Eternal Summers releases their sophomore record this week.
- Bomba Estereo, Il Albanico @ Webster Hall
- Soul Asylum, Joseph Arthur @ Bowery Ballroom
- Murals, Indian Rebound, Treppenverter and The Split @ Cameo Gallery
- Milagres, Indians, Zulu Pearls @ Glasslands - Indians are from Copenhagen and will be supporting Other Lives soon ; early material sounds nice on their soundcloud ; Milagres were formally known as The Secret Life of Sophia and are Brooklyn based but they've been touring all over the country in support of their debut on Kill Rock Stars that they've been neglecting the homeland.
- King Khan & The Shrines, Nicky Da B, The Everymen @ House of Vans (FREE with RSVP)
 - Oberhofer, The Soft Pack @ Pier 84 (Hudson River Park- FREE) - First of 3 chances to see The Soft Pack in three days.
- Bright Moments @ WFUV (Live Performance - Noon) 
- People Who Just Had Sex Screening + Special Live Performance by Chief @ The Westway (FREE ; no RSVP required) 11pm screening ; performance at 11:45pm) - VICE is taking over Westway (and every Thursday through August!)  for its second-ever VICE x Westway Summer Fling in honor of our new sexy series, People Who Just Had Sex... 
- Goldfinger (1964) with The Luddites @ Tompkins Square Park
- Syfy Movies with a View feat. Clueless (1995) with DJ: Ronin @ Brooklyn Bridge Park

Friday - July 27th 

- Saint Motel, RACES @ Mercury Lounge - Two of LA's best indie acts. Saint Motel has developed a reputation for putting on pretty damn fun themed live shows ; will be interesting to see how they bring that to NY.

- The Head and the Heart, Lost in the Trees @ Prospect Park Bandshell (FREE) - was really looking fwd to this one ; heard Head and the Heart are great live.
- King Khan & The Shrines, Hector's Pets, M. Lamar @ Bowery Ballroom
- Shut Up and Play The Hits (LCD Soundsystem documentary screening), Pat Mahoney (DFA/DJ set) @ Brooklyn Bowl - saw the limited engagement last week and it's one of the best concert films i've ever seen. Highly recommended.
- Fixed Presents Poolside (live performance) @ Tribeca Grand (FREE with RSVP ; Limited Capacity) - weare138nyc at yahoo dot com
- The Growlers, Census @ Glasslands (Early Show) - 7" party for So Cal beach infected goth-rockers The Growlers ; tix selling quickly
- Mainland, The Doorbells, Ursa Minor, Palomino @ Knitting Factory BK
- Filligar, Turf War, The Ivorys @ Gramercy Theater
- Family of the Year @ The Living Room
- Mice Parade (acoustic), Mr Sila, Kira Kira @ Littlefield
- Vows, Miracles of Modern Science, Howth @ Maxwell's
- Le Bain Presents Kaviar Disco Club feat. Tanner Ross @ Le Bain
- Pomegranates, Kitten @ Mercury Lounge - Kitten is an alt-indie act from LA led by 17 year old star in the making Chloe Chaidez ; EP is available now through Warner.
- A Place to Bury Strangers, Cymbals Eat Guitars, Hunters @ Music Hall of Williamsburg
- Antipop Consortium @ New Museum - Hip Hop act to play without former member Beans ; in conjunction with "Ghost in the Machines" exhibit.
- Black Light Dinner Party, A Lull, Nightmare Air, Murals @ Pianos - Chicago Experimental rockers  A Lull is coming off a date at the pitchfork festival. 
- The Nuclears, Starlight Girls, Caterpillers, Backwords, Old Monk @ Shea Stadium
- The Soft Pack, Sundelles @ Union Pool

Saturday - July 28th
- AraabMUZIK, The Black Keys, Felix Da Housecat, Snoop Dogg, Umphrey's McGee, The Big Pink, City and Colour, Fort Atlantic, TV on the Radio, Cold War Kids, Girl Talk, Matt & Kim, Hercules and Love Affair, A$AP ROCKY, Zola Jesus, more @ Randall's Island (Catulpa NYC)

- 3rd Annual Bushwick Block Party feat. Andrew W.K, Heems, Naam, Wild Yaks, Gang Signs and many more musical guests @ Roberta's (noon - midnight)  - the promo video for this may be the most crazy/intense yet awesome thing i've ever seen. two stages of music ; multiple food vendors.
- Gary Clark Jr., Givers, Alice Smith  @ Central Park Summerstage (FREE) - heard nothing but amazement from 26-year old crooning guitarist Gary Clark Jr. Expect a solid version of his single about NY "Bright Lights".
- Los Encantados' Same Damned Soul Ch. 2 Release Party with KNTRLR, No fun, Clouder and more @ The Bell House (5pm) - Come celebrate Los Encantados' newest EP release with a little late-afternoon beer & BBQ action at The Bell House! 
- The Rub 10th Anniversary Party feat. Eleven and Ayres with Just Blaze, The Graff @ The Bell House (10pm)

Sunday - July 29th
- AraabMUZIK, The Black Keys, Felix Da Housecat, Snoop Dogg, Umphrey's McGee, The Big Pink, City and Colour, Fort Atlantic, TV on the Radio, Cold War Kids, Girl Talk, Matt & Kim, Hercules and Love Affair, A$AP ROCKY, Zola Jesus, more @ Randall's Island (Catulpa NYC) 
- Grimes (DJ Set), Pictureplane, Arca, Rezzie (Weird Magic) @ 285 Kent Avenue
- Michael Arenella & His Dreamland Orchestra Present The Roaring Fundraiser @ The Bell House - Saw Michael and his band perform at the opening of the Dekalb market earlier in the summer and they were great. 1920's music, food, dance, auctions and more, all for a good cause. 
- Young Magic, Quilt, Secret Mountains, Murals @ Mercury Lounge
- B Dolan, Sage Francis, Grand Buffet, What Cheer Brigade, Mux Mool, Vockah Redu, Wheelchair Sports Camp @ The Studio at Webster Hall


PRESALE - Friday 7/27 
- 9/12 - Alt-J @ Bowery Ballroom -  AmEx presale begins wed 7/25 at noon
-10/23 - Father John Misty, La Sera @ Music Hall of Williamsburg - AmEx presale on Wed 7/25 at noon
-10/23 - Father John Misty, La Sera @ Bowery Ballroom - AmEx presale on Wed 7/25 at noon

UPCOMING NEXT WEEK -

 - 7/30 - Bombay Bicycle Club, Plants and Animals @ Webster Hall
- 730 - No Glow @ Cameo Gallery
- 7/30 - Os Mutantes (acoustic) @ Other Music (FREE with limited admission)
- 7/30 - Lakutis, Fat Tony, Kool AD @ Mercury Lounge

- 7/31 - Sigur Ros, Perfume Genius @ Prospect Park Bandshell
- 7/31 - The Do @ Knitting Factory BK
- 7/31 - Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs @ Music Hall of Williamsburg
- 8/1 - Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs @ Le Poisson Rouge
- 8/1 - Cold Specks, Doe Paoro, ARMS (solo) @ Glasslands
- 8/1 - The Do @ Mercury Lounge
- 8/1 - Mumford & Sons, Dawes @ Pier A Park
- 8/2 - Shores @ Big Snow Buffalo Lodge
- 8/2 - Sara Watkins, Meiko, Buddy @ Living Room
- 8/2 - Gold Panda, Shigeto, Beacon @ Bowery Ballroom
- 8/2 - Washed Out, Chairlift, Lemonade @ House of Vans
- 8/2 - Telepathe, Laurel Halo and Xeno and Oaklander @ Cameo Gallery
- 8/2 - Haim, POP ETC @ Santos Party House
- 8/2 - The xx, Jacques Greene (DJ from Montreal) @ Terminal 5
- 8/2 - Zeus @ The Rock Shop
- 8/3 - Zeus, ARMS @ Mercury Lounge
- 8/3 - 8/9 - Once in A Lullaby @ IFC Center (DocuWeeks 2012)
- 8/3 - Wild Flag, Mission of Burma, Ted Leo @ Prospect Park Bandshell (FREE0
- 8/3 - RJD2 @ Webster Hall
- 8/4 - Eef Barzelay @ Living Room
- 8/4 - John Talabot (DJ Set), JDH & Dave P (DJ Set), Jamie XX @ Le Poisson Rouge (FIXED)
- 8/4 - Amadou and Mariam, Theophilus London, Just A Band @ Central Park Summerstage (FREE)
- 8/4 - Jamie XX, Pearson Sound, Lemonade, Sinjin Hawke, Zora Jones @ P.S. 1
- 8/5 - Habibi @ Fulton Stall Market
- 8/5 - Puma Presents Mad Decent Block Party - Facebook Like Required to RSVP

------------

If you or anyone you know would like to subscribe to this as a weekly email/concert newsletter, please email nassir at foundtrack dot com 

FoundTrack Spotify Monthly Mixtape - June 2012

SPOTIFY LINK 

Featured on the June mixtape are a nod to my favorite soundtrack of the month, Moonrise Kingdom, early singles from Grizzly Bear and Yeasayer's highly anticipated releases, the best reissue of the year (Donnie and Jo Emerson), the best group that sounds like a reissue (Allah-Las), favorite hip hop act (lushlife), favorite bands from Governor's Ball (Fiona Apple, Phantogram), favorite new local acts (We Can't Enjoy Ourselves, Teletextile ((No Glow would have been on their but he's not on spotify yet)), best new act (Bernhoft), best global hit (Caravan Palace), best live performance (Niki and the Dove), and of course we go out with a bang with Exitmusic from Japandroids, Coldplay, and Sigur Ros. 

1) Alexandre Desplat - The Heroic Weather Conditions of the Universe, Part 1: A Veiled Mist
 2) Donnie & Jo Emerson - Baby
 3) Allah-Las - Long Journey
 4) Grizzly Bear - Sleeping Ute
 5) Mystery Jets - Someone Purer
 6) Yeasayer - Henrietta
 7) Twin Shadow - Five Seconds
 8) Caravan Palace - Clash
 9 ) Teletextile - What If I
10) The Tallest Man on Earth - 1904
11) We Can't Enjoy Ourselves - Eloise
12) Niki & the Dove - The Fox
13) Fiona Apple - Anything We Want
14) Lushlife - In Soft Focus feat. Ariel Pink & Elzhi
15) Bernhoft - Cmon Talk
16) Todd Terje - Inspector Norse
17) ALO - Speed of Dreams
18) Parlovr - Do You Remember?
19) Hot Chip - Motion Sickness
20) Baio - Sunburn Modern
21) Young Magic - You With Air
22) Japandroids - The Nights of Wine and Roses
23) Phantogram - Turning into Stone
24) Coldplay - Paradise
25) Exitmusic - Passage
26) Sigur Ros - Varuo


SPOTIFY LINK 

LCD Soundsystem - Shut Up and Play the Hits

NPR's morning edition had a great piece today on the upcoming one night only release of the concert documentary on LCD Soundsystem's last show at MSG April 2nd of 2011. Shut Up and Play the Hits opens in theaters nationwide only this wednesday, July 18th. Below is a great little teaser piece and i recommend taking the time to check out the interview with NPR's David Greene and filmmakers Dylan Southern and Will Lovelace.

Found in London - Ellie Goulding

Found in London made a trip to FoundTrack HQ a few weeks ago and despite all good intentions of keeping up my posts, LA sucked me in and have been playing catch up ever since! Anyway, I'm back and you can all breathe a sigh of relief - better late than never I say...

So committed am I to experiencing live music, I found myself at Music Box in Hollywood a few hours after landing, just in time to catch the talented British singer-songwriter Ellie Goulding. Having gained popularity in the UK with her album Lights (Polydor) last year, it was re-released as Bright Lights with extra bonus tracks including a cover of Elton John's "Your Song" which featured on a popular UK TV commercial over Christmas.

Having spent 11 hours on a plane, of course I hit the bar first and so only showed up at the gig at the tail end of her support act, The Knocks. The NY electronic music duo who have made a name for themselves as producers and remix extraordinaires, but knocked (!) it out the park with their original songs like "Make it Better" and "Something I Can Dance To". Free downloads available here. 

Once Ellie came on stage, my Red Bull had kicked in and the high school audience were ready to go. She worked the stage well, engaged the audience with decent chat and came across as a genuine talent enjoying herself on stage. Due to technical difficulties (i.e. jetlag) I wasn't able to record the performance but check out another set of performances in LA filmed for T-mobile's Live Rising gigs.

Soundtrack aficionados will recognise this from the Kick Ass OST, "Starry Eyed":



My personal favourite, "Every Time You Go":



Lights and Bright Lights are available to buy now.

Now Now

Minneapolis trio Now Now will release their Neighbors Remix EP May 3rd via No Sleep Records. The EP was remixed by their drummer/multi-instrumentalist Brad Hale. Download the Jesus Camp remix below exclusively at Filter.


Now, Now - Jesus Camp (Remix) by nownowmusic

Dirty Beaches

I've noticed recently that Taiwanese singer Alex Zhang Hungtai aka Dirty Beaches has been on emusic's most downloaded albums of late. A quick 30 second sample of the tracks left me a little unimpressed but i'm a bit more intrigued by the track "Lord Knows Best", in particular the piano loop. He's coming to the echo this Thursday 4/28. The video below is from his booking agent to give you an idea of what to expect.

Dirty Beaches - Lord Knows Best

DIRTY BEACHES / SWEET 17 / GLASSLANDS from Giovanni P Autran on Vimeo.

Found in London - Katy B

As the beautiful weather seems to be taking a break over here in London (but seems to have found its way back to LA), I find myself back at my computer and looking for the best and brightest of British music to share with you fine folks. Having played the part of iPod DJ this past weekend, I'm looking at an artist that definitely set the crowd going (except maybe that one person who requested Fleetwood Mac!).

Katy B, a pure bred Londoner, has just released her debut album in the UK, On a Mission (Sony/Rinse), and with a few chart-topping tracks under her belt, she's already a regular presence in the UK club scene. A female vocalist in the dance genre producing a solid album is not the easiest of tasks but Miss B pulls it off effortlessly. With hits such as "Katy on a Mission" (see below) and the recently released "Broken Record", this talented lady has already flown into the UK charts at #2 (just behind Adele).



For those who remember the explosion of the garage scene in the UK charts almost a decade ago (boy, I suddenly feel old), you may remember Ms. Dynamite who features on the single "Lights Out", check out the video below:



Next week: am off to LA, and will report back from the Ellie Goulding gig at Music Box LA.

Globe Posters

Great piece about the history Globe Poster company on NPR's Morning Edition today. As someone whose so impressed by the creations of many of the music fliers created on photoshop, it was so fascinating to hear a company that was able to pioneer the poster biz for artists such as James Brown, Solomon Burke, Otis Redding and others with such a analog system of printing.
Check out more of their posters here

Found in London - Fenech-Soler

My music tip of the week comes in the form of a Northampton "synth-pop" band called Fenech-Soler. Although not quite new to the scene, featuring on one of my most visited new music sites back in 2008, they've only really taken off in the last year, and released their début self-titled album (on the B-Unique label) at the end of 2010.

To put it simply, listening to their songs makes me want to dance around like a crazy person (kind of like this) and I would have found it difficult to pick which tracks to release as singles - good thing it's not my job then! Instead here's the video for one they did release, "Demons", which happens to be my favourite track to watch the sunrise to on a Thai beach after partying all night long (that story is for another time...)

And how's this for symmetry, they also did a beautiful acoustic cover of former Found in London featured artist Jessie J's "Do it Like a Dude"

As I'm feeling extra generous today (and guilty for missing last week's post) I'm going to point you to the "Kiss of Life" video of a band that released one of my favourite albums of 2008 and would also fit in the "synth-pop" section of my music library - Friendly Fires. 

If you're wondering what those St. Albans boys have been up to, listen to their new track here, from the upcoming album Pala (to be released May 24th on XL Recordings).

And yes, this week's post was brought to you by the letter F.

Found in London - Chase and Status

This week my post has been inspired by the fact that some of my friends from across the pond have never heard of some of the biggest and brightest bands in my fair city and I feel that it is my duty to share with you these hidden gems.

Today I'm featuring one of my favourite drum & bass bands, Chase and Status (now signed to Vertigo), who have only released two albums but are one of my favourite live acts ever and have a huge following here in the UK. The duo, Saul Milton and Will Kennard, met at Manchester University in the mid 90s and have been steadily producing and DJ'ing until they released their début album, More than a Lot, on Ram Records in 2008. With fans in high places, Pharrell Williams called them "the most exciting producers in the UK" and Rihanna was quoted saying that they were "the backbone" of her Rated R record.

I saw them when they headlined the MTV Brand New gigs at Koko in Camden recently and let's just say I was not disappointed. Performing many of their tracks from their new album No More Idols, it didn't matter that a lot of it was new material, I was happy to embrace the mosh pit, jumping up and down everytime the MC told me to jump (which was pretty much every 2 seconds)! Let's just say I ended up pretty sweaty and had a shoe thrown at my head...all in good fun of course! 

I can't get over how much I love these guys and I want you to love them too! So check out one of my favourite tracks "Hypest Hype" feat. Tempa T below (which was a difficult choice since they have so many awesome songs - check out End Credits, Blind Faith and Let Me Go also)


For those of you in the U.S. they'll be touring in April, with dates at Coachella and at Music Box in LA on April 23rd...I promise that you will not be disappointed! 

As you know I love giving you guys a little bonus, so here's a track off their debut album which is something a little bit different - check out "Eastern Promises" below.

Found in London - Misty Miller

I have a confession to make...I'm in love...in love with the ukulele that is! This week's Found in London artist Misty Miller is a young lady who's talent on the aforementioned instrument is only surpassed by her superb vocals and songwriting skills.

 

Having worn out the Rumer album (figuratively speaking that is, since I'm pretty sure you can't wear out an itunes download) I'm pleased to say I've found a worthy replacement for when I'm in my folksy mood. This little gem of an album is pure sunshine on a rainy day in London and only brings thoughts of the cider-fuelled summer that is to come. Bare in mind the talented Miss. Miller is only 16 years old but has a highly polished album full of songs that would not look out of place alongside your Jack Johnson or Colbie Caillat records. If you don't believe me, you can trust Burberry who filmed the acoustic session below of her song "Remember".

One of my favourites off the album is her first single, "Little Thing Called Love" - watch the video below. Her self-titled debut album is available to buy now on iTunes(UK), released by AWAL.

It's only my second week back in my blogging chair and I've already got a bonus rec for you. Now that I've declared my love for ukuleles, I had to share the clip below. I was lucky enough to witness this performance of a newly formed ukulele cover band called KoaSound (aka my friend's potential wedding band). Witness their genius below, live at Monto Water Rats in London (hit me up if you fancy watching their Justin Bieber performance)...

Source: The Guardian

Found in London - Jessie J

A few weeks back I was lucky enough to attend the MTV Brand New gigs at Koko (by far one of the best music venues in London) which showcased some of the artists up for the coveted title of MTV UK's best new artist of 2011. Now funnily enough, I'm not going to talk to you about the winner - Nashville based band Mona, who although worthy of the title, didn't make as much of an impression as the artist I'm featuring below.

If by now you haven't heard of Jessie J then where have you been??? Great stage presence, engaging chat in between songs and an amazing voice to boot, I have to say her performance reminded me of Lily Allen back in the day (all be it with very different musical styles). As her website states, mix up some Rihanna, Gwen Stefani and Aretha Franklin-esque vocals, and you'll see why she's one to watch. Her performance was was definitely the highlight of the night, with most of the audience already singing along to her yet to be released songs.

She may be blowing up now as a solo artist but this 22 year old lady from Essex definitely isn't new to the music scene. With writing credits including songs for Alicia Keys, Chris Brown and Miley Cyrus, her talents are appreciated by some of the most successful artists out there today. She may have come in second in the MTV Brand New competition, but she's riding high in the UK singles charts with "Price Tag feat. B.O.B" (check out the official video below) and "Do it Like a Dude".

Her album Who You Are is out on Feb 28th in the UK and April 12th in the US.

Twin Shadow

Twin Shadow was very impressive last night at School Night. Lead singer (pictured above) George Lewis Jr's vocals reminded me of Morrisey, Peter Gabriel, The Dears, and Elbow at times and the rest of the band were pretty on point as well. Please don't take them lightly. They are one of my favorite new bands and they appear to be coming back to LA in the near future. Their debut "Forget" is something you won't and is out now exclusively on Rough Trade.

If you haven't been, School Night is a consistent and spot-on weekly that has quickly built a great following. Please check in with their schedule if you're looking to start the week off right. They have also been nominated for Paper Magazine's Best Party in America in case you want to vote.