Tues. 9/8
- Bowery Ballroom: Jim E. Brown, Emperor X, Andy Burns
- Who knows who Jim E. Brown really is. The “nineteen year old obese, alcoholic from Manchester” released his twelfth studio album Dirt this year; his latest ironic allegory to decipher. I respect his commitment to the bit.
Weds. 9/9
- Nightclub 101: monica.com, Sgt. Peppers Phony Nightclub Band, Heaven Slight
- This week, Nightclub 101’s MUSIC! series features [untitled]. I stand by the fact that [untitled] is one of the most useful apps for musicians… and the team behind the app also throws sick shows on their rooftop. Another highlight of the show: Heaven Slight will debut their new single.
- Knockdown Center: Mike D 5D
- Beastie Boys co-founder Michael Diamond’s gone family style. His new project, Mike D 5D, features his sons, Skyler and Davis Diamond, and their debut Thank You blends psychedelic rock and funk. I’m not a ride or die Beastie Boys fan, but if you are, you’ll enjoy this show.
Thurs. 9/10
- Nightclub 101: Nirosta Steel, Time Wharp, Kassie Krut (DJ)
- Nirosta Steel, the project of Steven Hall, released MY SKYSCRAPER, a compilation record written and recorded over the span of forty years. Arthur Russell’s confidant and Allen Ginsberg’s student, Steven Hall’s MY SKYSCRAPER merges avant-garde, folk, and dance music into one tender and experimental body. These tickets are selling quick, so Nirosta Steel is also playing Friday night with Pleasure Systems and a Chanel Beads DJ set.
- Webster Hall: Black Marble, Public Circuit, Jimmy Cicero
- Chris Stewart of Black Marble’s album Life in Small Spaces incorporates a new element into his typical 80s inspired cold wave music: the guitar. A jangly riff opens “It Always Comes To Me,” and from there, Life in Small Spaces grows more optimistic. In his new release, Stewart brings light to cold wave.
- Baby’s All Right: Alex Cameron, Josh Da Costa
- Alex Cameron’s new album Late to Set shifts perspectives, its songwriting painting vignettes of lost souls and washed up losers. But, “Red Hook Rain” is Late to Set’s silver lining: “You and me we had a storm to chase/ Dancin’ round each other like a hurricane/ I still hear that Red Hook Rain can you hear it too?” Tell me that’s not magical.
- Barclays Center: Robyn
- That’s right. This week, Robyn returns to the Barclays Center. Lose yourself to the Swedish pop queen’s latest album Sexistential because at this show, you won’t be dancing on your own.
Fri. 9/11
- Baby’s All Right: This is Lorelei, Godcaster
- This is Lorelei, the project of Water from Your Eye’s Nate Amos, is playing Baby’s All Right for the release of his second album The Singer In My Band. Written while touring, Amos states that his “ideas incubated while daydreaming in the car without access to any instruments… they developed slowly and subconsciously.” Shaped by endless hours on the highway, The Singer In My Band is an ode to the road.
- Nightclub 101: Helen Sun (DJ),Heaven Slight (DJ), Tal Castle (DJ), Sledding (DJ), DJ Never Forget
- Post Nirosta Steel show, head to the 101 basement for DJ sets by the best of NYC’s music scene. Dance, talk to your friends, drink one million beers, and stay up until the sun rises.
- Union Pool: Fraternal Twin, People I Love, Coolant
- Fraternal Twin, the project of Tom Christie, is holding their album release show for Halo Fell Forever this Friday. The band’s first release in a decade, Halo Fell Forever moves at a tectonic pace, with each minute unfurling into a labyrinth of melodies. Written amid a period of personal upheaval, Fraternal Twin’s new album marks a new direction for the project—one that isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.
Sat. 9/12
- East 34th St Heliport: ear, NEW YORK, Bby Kell
- Yes. I set an alarm to buy tickets for ear’s Rumpsringa tour. I know “Ne Plus Ultra” is going to hit different at sunset by the water on the East 34th St Heliport.
- Nightclub 101: Nirosta Steel, ideasforconversations, ULYSSA DJ
- Perfectly Imperfect is giving the people what they want: more Nirosta Steel. It’s already sold out, so join that ——-> waitlist.
- Bowery Ballroom: Shudder To Think
- Shudder To Think is different from most Dischord Records affiliated bands. Evolving out of D.C’s hardcore scene in the late 80’s, Shudder to Think began incorporating pop influences into their work (listen to Ten Spot). Their unique pop sensibility may be why Jeff Buckley named Shudder to Think as one of his favorite bands.
- Brooklyn Steel: Aldous Harding, Sam Burton
- New Zealand based indie folk singer-songwriter Aldous Harding’s new album Train on the Island is a rich, spellbinding narrative. With Harding’s sultry voice and accompanying gentle key and guitar arrangements, it’s easy to compare Harding and Fiona Apple. Before the show, listen to “What Am I Gonna Do?”
- Union Pool: Diary, Josephine Network, Raavi
- Diary’s new release Spiral Bound dives into the depths of 90’s inspired dream pop; where cascading reverbing guitars echo and catchy melodies hold. If you’re like me and love bands like Lush, Low, or Starflyer 59, you’ll love Spiral Bound.
Sun. 9/13
- Webster Hall: POiSON GiRL FRiEND, Operelly, Judy Unisex
- Japanese musician and DJ POiSON GiRL FRiEND’s MELTING MOMENT defined the sound of Japan’s hushed and intimate listening bars in the 90’s. Now, POiSON GiRL FRiEND’s latest release reprises is defining the sound of electronic music today. Thirty years in the game, and POiSON GiRL FRiEND’s still got it.