You should be automatically redirected in 6 seconds. If not, visit http://theskyreport.com and update your bookmarks. To view the post you came here for, simply search the artist name in the sidebar at the new site!
I really don't know much about Brooklyn's Beach Fossils except for a few small facts. The vocals sound like they were recorded underwater. The track "Vacation" is seriously easy to digest. They're fairly looped in to the whole North Brooklyn Todd P DIY scene, with a handful of NY dates coming up with all the "girls" bands - Vivian Girls, Dum Dum Girls, and Girls, as well as Woods, Real Estate and Thee Oh Sees.
Jun 14 FREE ALL AGES Unamplified Acoustic BBQ 2009 @ Fort Tilden Beach Jun 26 Monster Island Basement w/ Real Estate & Girls Brooklyn Jun 27 Ugly Duckling Press Release Party w/ Reading Rainbow [@ TBA] Jul 4 979 BROADWAY BACKYARD w/ Vivian Girls, Woods, Dum Dum Girls, Real Estate & More Aug 13 Cake Shop w/ Blind Man’s Colour
Vivian Girls have announced that they will release their sophomore album Everything Goes Wrong in September. The set will come via In The Red on September 8th.
In related news, Vivian Girls have joined the line-up for Todd P's Woodsist/Captured Tracks Festival July 3-4 at 979 Broadway Backyard in our very own Bushwick. Also on the bill - Thee Oh Sees, Crystal Stilts, Woods, Dum Dum Girls, Blank Dogs, Mayfair Set, Real Estate & more.
It was just another day at Todd P's stage on Friday, with crowd surfing, Vivian Girl sightings, and wasted kids in skinny jeans. This time I caught ferocious acts by Japanther and The Homosexuals. Japanther caused a near riot. Bearded indie hooligans were hanging from the gazebo (stage) top, boys and girls alike were chilling atop a van behind the stage, and crowd surfers took turns flying upside down over the packed and sweaty crowd. Things hit a climactic high when the band closed their set with a cover of The Ramones' "Do You Wanna Dance".
The Homosexuals worked the crowd into a tizzy with their asymmetrical post-punk. The lead singer spewed water at the frenzied fans and told stories of his drug-addled past. His presence was at once comical and intense - a true performer with gritty vitality.
-The So So Glos
I ran over to a party that included an outdoor roller rink. It was hysterical watching people trying to skate. The beer was free and the bands were awesome. I missed Telepathe and kind of caught Casiokids. But Brooklyn punk outfit The So So Glos demanded your attention with their rowdy punk rock. I was really impressed at how tight and old school these guys are. I'll definitely keep a watchful eye on them.
-City Center
Over at the Habana Calle9 Patio I discovered another really amazing electronic duo. City Center from Brooklyn make music sort of in the vein of Fuck Buttons, but way less dark. Warped vocals are meshed with hypnotic loops, distorted guitars and primal, yet minimalist percussion. I had never heard of these guys but they are definitely on my radar now.
-Cale Parks
Cale Parks is talented. But he has also got this spastic nervous energy that keeps you on edge. He became really distracted by the lack of audio coming from his monitor. I happened to be standing next to one of the speakers and he kept abruptly running at me, trying to hear the output. Maybe it was just this show, but his personal conflict with the sound issues really distracted me from the music. Once he finally let go of the problems, he found his equilibrium and sounded awesome.
-Asobi Seksu
Asobi Seksu played the same venue later in the night (after 1 AM to be specific). The shoegaze revivalists from Brooklyn sounded noisy and awesome as usual, though I found their setlist to be a little off. Nonetheless, they packed the patio and pleased the crowd with their noisy dreampop.
Another running theme for my Austin trip was how I had traveled all the way to Texas to see a bazillion Brooklyn bands. What can I say? Brooklyn is where it's at with music.
I started day two off at The Peacock for Gorilla vs. Bear's annual party, aptly titled Gorilla vs. Booze III. The scene was insanely crowded and unbearably hot, but it didn't stop anyone from jamming their way inside the venue to catch the amazing lineup. Brooklyn's Here We Go Magic are hands down the best new discovery I've made here in Austin. Their music is absolutely gorgeous and captivating. I think these guys will be huge really soon.
Girls played next, delivering a mostly hot & sweaty, rocked-out set, with the exception of the pain-ridden slow burner "Hellhole Ratrace". The crowd seemed to intensify when The Golden Filter took the stage. Their high energy dirty electro suited the sauna-like conditions well, but it was so packed I couldn't see a thing. Sounded fantastic though.
*****
I kind of accidentally stumbled across a great pair of sets at Todd P's party, held in the dusty backyard of Ms. Bea's, a rather rundown local bar. The setting here is gritty, but really charming. It's a trip to watch the Hispanic locals intermix with the hipsters, but it's also beautiful to see this tiny bar get an overwhelming amount of business.
-JDS
First, I caught JDS, an experimental violinist from Brooklyn who plays over tripped out samples and dramatic micro korg synthscapes. I was so taken with her music that I introduced myself to her afterwards. She was really lovely and explained how her parents owned the property, which led her to curate the "Day Into Night" portion of the Todd P event.
-Nite Jewel
Nite Jewel are an awesome new electro duo from Los Angeles. I've recently become increasingly addicted to their debut disc Good Evening and the lush sound translates perfectly live.
As the sun began to set, I headed back downtown for what turned out to be an incredible night. More on that later. Got to get back out there again!
-Crystal Antlers at Continental Army Plaza, Brooklyn
I started off Wednesday with a non-CMJ show, part of Todd P's week of free shows at the Continental Army Plaza in Williamsburg. Yes it was outside. Yes it was cold. But that didn't seem to put a damper on Crystal Antlers' ferocious performance. These guys are a loud and gritty, somewhat oversexed, desert rock band from Long Beach CA, whose music may have felt more at home in the grunge era. They sounded really great outside, with the J train passing over the Williamsburg Bridge in the background. It was kind of perfect.
****************
I headed over to Piano's, intending to catch the Free Yr Radio showcase with Bumblebeez and Chairlift. When I got there I discovered Bumblebeez had been replaced by a band I had never heard of. Since I was there I went in and caught BM Linx, a bass-heavy softcore metal band that had the crowd in a tizzy, but I was really not into it. For me it was like watching a hair band on the Sunset Strip circa 1991. Not my thing.
It got really crowded and I had two hours until Chairlift were scheduled to go on, so I decided to change up my plans. I headed down to the Knitting Factory for the After the Jump showcase.
-Bad Veins
A pleasant surprise was Bad Veins of Cincinnati, Ohio. The duo are comprised of Ben Davis (vocals, guitar, synth) and Sebastian Schultz (drums) and they make dramatic rock music with an electronic backbone. I was really impressed with Davis' captivating performance - utilizing a megaphone to accentuate his complex and soaring vocals. Davis is a true artist and that became clear almost immediately.
-Crystal Antlers
In a funny case of irony, Crystal Antlers were also on the bill at the Knitting Factory. So yes, I unintentionally saw them twice in one night. And they rocked it both times!
-Heloise & the Savoir Faire
Heloise & the Savoir Faire were completely amazing, though the crowd had suddenly dissipated to about fifteen people, most of which were dancing their asses off. Heloise and her collective were high energy, rock 'n' roll fun, with a twist of carnival for flavor. I would really love to see these guys play a packed house. They would so own it.
About two weeks ago I had the privilige of attending Todd P's Midsummer Party at The Yard in Carroll Gardens (Brooklyn). I saw an astounding 15 under the radar bands and got to see John Norris (of MTV fame) up close and personal. The mini-fest was held on the canal bank at The Yard in Brooklyn, featuring amazing performances from Ponytail, Oneida, Titus Andronicus, Shy Child, Vivian Girls, Knyfe Hyts, Crystal Antlers, Abe Vigoda, Telepathe, High Places, and many more!
The scorching day by the canal was barely saved by a cooling breeze that made the heat almost bearable. It turned out to be a fantastic summer day, packed with loads of new talent. Todd P is a hero to Brooklyn right now, constantly providing us with new, cutting edge artists in venues like Market Hotel, Silent Barn, Death By Audio, and Bodega. Here he has captured the essence of what is bubbling under, providing a vastly entertaining day of indie music by the water in Brooklyn.
Ponytail (live at The Yard)
Check out some of my video highlights of Todd P's Midsummer Party below...
The Team: Derek Morris for TROPHY, Scott McGibney, Halley Hopkins
Contributors: Matthew Lindsay, Matthew Dunehoo, Amos Mac, Jessi Bautista, Phoebe K. Waterson
Live Team: Sam Teague, Jeremy Russell, Jacob Lane
If you are a copyright holder who would like something removed from this site, please drop me a line at theskyreport@yahoo.com and I will take down anything on request.
All press materials can be sent to: The Sky Report 202 Jefferson St.
3rd Floor Brooklyn, NY 11206 or to theskyreport@yahoo.com
I really don't know much about Brooklyn's Beach Fossils except for a few small facts. The vocals sound like they were recorded underwater. The track "Vacation" is seriously easy to digest. They're fairly looped in to the whole North Brooklyn Todd P DIY scene, with a handful of NY dates coming up with all the "girls" bands - Vivian Girls, Dum Dum Girls, and Girls, as well as Woods, Real Estate and Thee Oh Sees.
Posts
