Japanther at Shea Stadium

As the rest of the Brooklyn DIY venues shrivel up and die, Shea Stadium continues to fill its room with consistency. This is partly due to the exceptional talent they book, the no frills approach to the venue itself and the pretentious free attitude of it’s constituency. Lying on the outer fringes of East Williamsburg, while still not quite far enough out to be in the sketchy Bushwick… Shea stadium is nestled between the warehouses and workshops where recording studios, practices spaces and bars have slowly started to emerge. The Japanther show on September 10th was no exception as Shea Stadium continues to be the only “Destination Venue” (one in which you don’t necessarily need to know the bands playing to be confident you will enjoy the show) in Brooklyn and possibly all of NYC.

Courtesy Tier… refusing to believe the hype

Last night I had the privilege to see Courtesy Tier at Cameo Gallery with Hollis Brown and Governor. I have actually spent extended periods of time on the road with all three of these bands and while I consider them all “friends” I consider myself a fan with random bits of nonsensical self-indulgent critique like a confusing authority figure with the offensive kind of tourette’s. I guess you can think of a Middle School janitor, you don’t necessarily HAVE to listen to him, but you can’t tell him to fuck off without some sort of repercussion either.

Hollis Brown just finished recording their new album that beams with brilliance and honesty that could find itself in the homes/cars/radios of everyone with a soft spot for the lost art of southern blues… or be another gem lost in the oversaturated Brooklyn music monopoly dominated by electro-pop and trust funds. Nevertheless, someone somewhere WILL care and that’s why they will forever trudge along with shit eating grins as if they know the joke is inevitably on YOU. Once ALBERT sends me some initial mixes I will have MUCH more to say…

Governor would be Cameo’s very own “house band” if they were to still exist from the Bowery era fallout. A throw-back or quantum leap to legitimate guitar dominated rock AND roll, they will forever be swimming against the current, current. A shirtless frontman whose only instrument is the microphone, one guitar and rock star swagger sans cheesy hair and makeup (I HATE those bands) they smartly refrain from power chord addiction and over indulgent solos. Governor have suddenly found a confidence, possibly via their new beast of a drummer, but most likely through a finalized lineup, growing fan base and residency supported by some of the most talented bands in recent years. I seriously look forward to seeing them develop further.

Nevertheless the apple of mines eye is Courtesy Tier. A small in stature duo that create a sound so massive and intense its hard to imagine their isn’t a bassist AND guitarist hiding somewhere in the venue. I have often described Omer’s ability to play the guitar like a madman foaming at the mouth: “You gotta see this guy! It’s like the nerves in his hand are separated right down the middle and information is feeding to them from two different parts of his brain!” Whether or not that’s true, I do watch him play and think of a freak show Lobster Boy or the Penguin. He plays the guitar as if it were a grand piano… a choppy lead fingered progression on the high and a rhythmic bass strum on the low, simultaneous yet individual.

It was mind blowing the first time I saw them at Spike Hill, by chance and through actual tragedy, they had replaced a very ill fated and talented band on a lineup a band I represent was also on. And like any tall tale it all begins with speculation and a feeling that the universe works in its own cynical deviant way. I immediately booked them for one of my shows and without really knowing each other we decided to team up on a tour down to Austin for SXSW. Quickly, the awkwardness of professionalism was replaced by the bro-code of the road and their enthusiasm for all aspects of being an independent musician shined.

For those not in the know, Courtesy Tier have received some of the grandest accolades Brooklyn bands so desperately strive for, that they hire every recent Wesleyan graduate with a “business” to obtain. Yet, Courtesy Tier are navigating the unforgiving music industry like Lewis and Clarke… no manager, publicist or handlers of any kind, just the occasional guide that most likely leads them down the wrong path in the end. They have been pursued by numerous “industry experts” but see past the bullshit of the talking heads and connivers. Rather, they trek endlessly but not aimlessly, just with a subtle wisdom and confidence that success takes time if it ever comes to fruition. Their is no hesitation to play the same songs night after night for two years, because they KNOW that it is the fan and not their own egos that dictate the set list.

I have learned quite a bit from Layton and Omer over the past year. They have set the standard for any band I will ever work with and have recently advised me “not to believe the hype.” Sound advise from a band who just so happens to live every moment according to just that.

The Aviation Orange @ D.I.Y.Bushwick Music Festival

The Aviation Orange is playing in the inaugural D.I.Y. Bushwick Music Festival on:

Wednesday 3/26 – 11pm at Brooklyn Fireproof – 119 Ingraham St

Thursday 3/25 – 11pm at Bushwick Music Studios - 55 Waterbury St.

C0ming off a huge buzz from SXSW, The Aviation Orange is the must-see band in Brooklyn this week.  Read the details below and buy passes HERE

Official Site

INAUGURAL DIY BUSHWICK MUSIC FESTIVAL CELEBRATING ARTISTIC DIVERSITY AND PERSEVERANCE IN BROOKLYN, NY

“Let the music industry have South By Southwest and the CMJ festival. Brooklyn has its own DIY Music Festival for Brooklynites by Brooklynites.”
- NY POST

Brooklyn, New York – Bushwick Music Studios in association with Deli Magazine and Arts In Bushwick are proud to announce the official schedule for DIY Bushwick, A Musical Festival, taking place March 24-27, in nine venues throughout Bushwick. The inaugural festival will feature Brooklyn-based bands, DJs, and artists performing in alternative Do-It-Yourself spaces just a walk or a bike ride apart. Admission prices range from free to $10 with an average ticket price of $5. Festival passes will be available online for $20, with Friday/Saturday passes available for $10. This is part of an effort by festival organizers to make sure that the events are accessible to all.

Tito Fleetwood Ladd, owner of Bushwick Music Studios, decided to organize the festival in an attempt to galvanize the neighborhood’s flourishing music and arts scene. In the last few years, Bushwick has emerged as a frontier for DIY venues, attracting artists and musicians with the limitless opportunities provided by these raw spaces. Although the scene has been growing for some time, a Bushwick-centered festival of this scale has never been attempted.

Ladd’s vision was that by working together, the Bushwick music scene would ultimately receive more visibility. “There’s this incredible energy and all these cool spaces with amazing talent in Bushwick,” says Ladd, “This is our way of showing that to anyone who wants to pay attention to us. We’re all doing it together.” When he reached out to several venues and organizations in Bushwick, he immediately received enthusiastic support.

Deli Magazine and neighborhood stalwart Arts In Bushwick have both signed on to help coordinate and produce the event. Bushwick Music Studios will be joined by nine spaces including Party Expo, Goodbye Blue Monday, Brooklyn Fireproof, Castle Braid, The Opera House Lofts, House of Yes, Eastern District, and Northeast Kingdom.

Two Brooklyn-based companies have pitched in their efforts: The first, an online gig-booking agency, GigMaven, has been helping to book bands. And the innovative StreamJam will stream the shows live online. The festival is truly a local DIY effort that takes pride in its self-dependence. Corporate sponsors are nowhere to be found. DIY Bushwick is pure grassroots.

The festival kicks off at Wednesday the 24th at Eastern District at 5:00 with a free show!

Passes cost $5 for the day, $10 for Friday and Saturday, or $20 for all four days.

Welcome The Ambassadors

Welcome the Ambassadors to the RethinkPopMusic lineup. Check out their tunes on the artist page: http://blog.rethinkpopmusic.com/artists/the-ambassadors/

THE AMBASSADORS is Sam Harris, Casey Harris, Noah Feldshuh and Adam Levin.  The band formed in 2006 when the two brothers, along with their childhood friend Noah, met drummer Adam Levin at the New School University in New York.  The Ambassadors’ self-titled album is an eclectic mix of genres; ranging from pop, to rock, to folk, and with a breath of electronica, their sound is elusive yet strangely familiar in all aspects. Often dark and foreboding, yet light and transcendent; ultimately, it is a sound of their own.  They are currently based out of Brooklyn.