THE YARD IS BACK
Gussie up to get down. SUNDAY BEST —the easy-going, late afternoon, backyard BBQ dance party—is back again this summer. Every Sunday afternoon from May 24 to September 6 at The BKLYN Yard , the same leafy, waterside lot on the Gowanus Canal as last year. Veg Burgers and tacos from Red Hook Ballfields are back with cold sangria and beers while resident DJs JUSTIN CARTER , EAMON HARKIN and DOUG SINGER spin alongside some of the finest DJs to ever take on a back yard. Check the link for the full lineup and all the info.
THE KILLS: 2 NIGHTS IN NYC
For anyone not at the Boulder Show at the Fox Theater on April 23rd, Alison Mosshart left the stage earlier than planned because her lungs closed and she suddenly couldn’t breathe. No need for alarm, she claims to now be fine and the The Kills 22-date US tour continues in NYC with 2 shows:
Webster Hall on May 2nd and
Music Hall of Williamsburg on May 4th.
Tickets for both are on Am Ex sale.
Alison Mosshart is also now the lead singer of The Dead Weather , a super group side project featuring Jack White , Dean Fertita of Queens of the Stone Age and Jack Lawrence of The Raconteurs. Three tour dates have been announced.
June 11 at Coyote at City Block, Louisville, KY (pre-sale 04.29 @ 10am EST);
August 30 at Outside Lands Music & Arts Festival, San Francisco, CA and
October 2-4 at Austin City Limits Music Festival, Austin, TX
DEER TICK TOUR DATES AND NEW MUSIC
CLICK TO DOWNLOAD NEW DEER TICK MP3″EASY”: Deer Tick – Easy
Deer Tick with Jenny Lewis tour dates have been announced for June to support Deer Tick’s second album Born on Flag Day , also out this June. Check Local Discosalt Show list for details.
BLOCK PARTY + BIKES + BANDS + 40’S
What: Green Bikes Birthday Block Party Sunday
Where: 3rd Ward (brooklyn art-space)
When: Sunday May 3, 2-8pm
Damage: Free + Colt 45
The Shake: “But yo, they didn’t care, they turned it out…” 3rd Ward gets their birthday on Sunday with a free block party. You go girl. Live performances by local NY bands: The Wild Yaks, Aa, Pterodactyl, Afuche, Lam, and DJs Drew Heffron & Grizzly Spears & Clay Franklin. Sign up for a 3rd ward membership and get a free bike!…free + bike. bring a t-shit and get a live screen printing… maybe even while you are wearing it, BBQ pit-master Stephanie Sugawara rips some sh*t, Bike Compets and Skillz fer the kidz, Films from Empire, FREE WORKSHOPS: Bike Repair, Reclaimed Lumber, Furniture Design, Welding Basics, Experimental Video Presentation, Building Green, Jewelry Workshop: Flocking, Fabrication: Alginate Casting, Leather as an Art…and also Colt 45 “Works every time”
NEW YORK STREET ADVERTISING TAKEOVER
Over the weekend, a guerrilla team of New York City artists, white-washed and covered over 120 illegal billboards in the city. The team was organized by The Public Ad Campaign as a reaction the hundreds of billboards that are not registered with the city. While these billboards are illegal, billboard companies are not prosecuted in NYC and are able to amass huge profits by cluttering our outdoor space with intrusive and ugly ads. Early Sunday morning, over 80 artists transformed these spaces into personal pieces of art. Check out some more of these works on flickr.
UPCOMING ALBUM RELEASES: MAY 2009
Passion Pit
-
- Grizzly Bear
-
- British Sea Power
-
- Conor Oberst
-
- Iggy Pop
-
- Iron and Wine
-
- Passion Pit
May 5:
Akron Family- Set “Em Wild, Set ‘Em Free
Conor Oberst-Outer South
British Sea Power- Man of Aran
May 19:
Iggy Pop-Preliminaires
Iron & Wine- Around the Well
Passion Pit- Manners
May 26:
Grizzly Bear-Veckatimest
POSTERBOY AND FREE BEER
When: Friday, April 24th; 7:00pm – 12:00am
Where: 3rd Ward (195 Morgan Ave.)
Damage: Free with RSVP
Discosalt first spotted New York’s mysterious “ Poster Boy ” back in July and now you can check out more of his ironic film commentary and bizarre ad re-mixes this Friday in the gallery at 3rd Ward(but this time endorsed by the advertisers? wait? what?) Show will Feature the beats of DJ Mr. F snacks from BK Salsa , gift bags from Harper Perennial, ad creators and mash-uppers. Plus, free Dogfish beer while it lasts. Maybe he doesnt hate beer afterall…
PORTISHEAD: THIRD
[rating:3]
Portishead: Third
Label: Mercury
Release Date: April 29, 2009
So often a prolonged hiatus between albums fails, timing completely falling through the cracks. But Portishead’s tactic of forcing fans to hold their breath for an excruciating 11 years for a new LP has paid off. A dark voyage to things past, or an enchanted view of the future, songstress Beth Gibbons has never had a problem painting an otherworldly picture. Don’t fret, all the additional trappings of mid-90’s Portishead are there: minimalist drumming, lo-fi guitar, loads of echo. Immediate standouts include “Hunter” & “Silence”, two of the most visual tracks on the album. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself daydreaming of journeying through a monochromatic landscape. “The Rip”, a wonderful illustration at how successful their simple yet climactic song arrangements are. Of course there are little surprises such as the ukulele/barbershop quartet take on “Deep Water”. And I’ll be damned if the last minute of “Machine Gun” isn’t the theme song to the original Terminator film. Aside from these momentary drifts, Portishead satisfies wholly, proof that the fruit is better when ripened.
-ABC
USE THE FORCE
FIELD , an installation by Richard Box , an artist in residence in the physics department at the University of Bristol, is a major undertaking which includes the installation of several thousand ready- made glass fluorescent tubes. The tubes are ‘planted’ at the foot of an electricity pylon, and pick up the waste emission from the overhead power line causing the tubes to glow when an electrical voltage is set up across it. The result is a field of light sabers that is just amazing and makes visible what would otherwise go unnoticed. Check out more of Box’s photos and work on his on his website .
CUT COPY: IN GHOST COLOURS
Cut Copy: In Ghost Colours
Label: Modular Interscope
Release Date: April 8, 2008
This album is the epitome of what I needed to start summer. Fully loaded with catchy dance hits, Cut Copy has really outdone themselves this time. Every track on this album is whipped lightly, and prepped perfectly for the French pop sound they are frequently accused of imitating. I disagree with comparison because it implies a simplicity and lack of depth to the music, which is simply not present in this album. The lyrics are catchy, and the beats are fresh. Although their sound is similar from song to song, each song has something different to offer, namely, emotion. This is the most emotive electro pop I can remember hearing, and it shows through in their dynamic live performances. There are some standout tracks from “Lights and Music” which recalls the glory days of the 80’s club era to “Hearts on Fire” which brings back memories of Madonna and slumber parties. If you are a person who even vaguely likes pop, the subdued fun in this album will speak to your inner dance-self.
<3 The Elephant
LYRICS BORN: EVERYWHERE AT ONCE
Lyrics Born: Everywhere at Once
Label: Anti
Release Date: March 18, 2008
Quannum poster-boy Lyrics Born (born Tom Shimura) didn’t just step off the ship-hop. Collaboratively producing albums as far back as Latyrx’s The Album, LB has subjectively perfected unique vocalizations characterized by buzzing baritone and vocab depth. This go LB explores the trappings of success, while reflecting on the blood, sweat & tears shed to get here. Unlike his freshman solo effort Later That Day…, he’s spent considerably less time massaging flows from track to track. And although a good four years weren’t taken to cultivate, most tracks are laden with the same electronic funk that suit him like white suits rice. Cut to the quick with “I Like It I Love It”, the standout jimmy jam among jams. On “Hott 2 Deff” LB employs indie hip-hops other more notable baritone Chali 2na (of Jurassic 5) doing both justice. Don’t be surprised if you hear LB more often in the club rather than (Coke) commercials. Everywhere At Once is new-school bump and grind, working well for everybody who wants to shake their ass.
-ABC
CRYSTAL CASTLES: CRYSTAL CASTLES
Crystal Castles: Crystal Castles
Label: Last Gang Records
Release Date: March 15, 2008
It is unusual that a band accidentally releases a single and then gets a record deal. Toronto duo Ethan Kath and Alice Glass managed to do just that. The MySpace leak, “Alice Practice”, eventually became the second song on their eponymous first album. “Alice Practice” landed in the second slot on the album, encouraging listeners toward their melodic, syncopated opening track “Untrust Us”. The first two tracks define the character of the album: divided into melodic, rhythmic pop beats and dark, noise-distortion heavy tracks. The weakness is the underlying lack of cohesion. Although variety is valuable, there isn’t a strong enough bond between the melodic tracks and the dark tracks. “Crimewave” and “Untrust Us” almost belong to one album, while “Alice Practice” and “xxzxcuzx me” might belong to another. Oddly, this disparity is also the strength of the album. There isn’t one second where the hooks try to hold you for too long, or where the next track is underwhelming. Like it or not, Crystal Castles has created a multi-lingual, looped, catchy-ass bunch of songs.
<3 The Elephant
PAM GLEW: STELLA DORE PRESENTS NOIR
The Show features new work based on film noir; femme fatales, innocents and sinners. Expect to see vintage American flags, brocade and a very special antique coronation flag of Agness Deyn.
Discosalt artist Pam Glew will be releasing two tiny screenprint editions of 10, made with the the magic bleaching technique on vintage 49 star flags. “Bitter sweet” and “Beautiful Nightmare” are like originals, but pocket sized. Pam is also launching a new line of black tote bags with an image of Marlene Dietrich. The bags are Fairtrade in a limited edition of 200.
PRIVATE VIEW 5th MARCH 2009
For guest lilst & press enquries please contact nina@stelladore.co.uk
For buyers enquiries please email stella@stelladore.co.uk
SHOW RUNS FROM 6th MARCH – 21 MARCH
Stella Dore: 47 Rivington Street, London (Old Street Tube, Exit 3)
DISCOSALT ARTIST BRUCE NEW IN JUXTAPOZ
Discosalt Artist Bruce New is featured in this months, February Issue of Juxtapoz Art and Culture Magazine.
Bruces work is an attempt to document his existence, to leave a visual record of his thoughts, ideas, and fantasies. He currently resides in the wilds of Kentucky, with a bird and his son, on a mountain top, right next to the sun, where he creates artwork high on butterfly wine. Check out some more of Bruce’s work in the Discosalt Artist Section.
WAR CHILD: HEROES
Astralwerks and War Child , an award winning charity that provides humanitarian assistance to war-affected children in some of the most devastated regions of the world , have put together a really interesting collaboration album between music legends like Dylan and Bowie with a new crop of artists. The album features 16 awesome cover songs and is due out in the US on February 24th. Check out the Trailer ,
Tracks:
1. Beck (Bob Dylan – “Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat”)
2. The Kooks (The Kinks – “Victoria”)
3. The Hold Steady (Bruce Springsteen – “Atlantic City”)
4. Hot Chip (Joy Division – “Transmission”)
5. Lily Allen feat. Mick Jones (The Clash – “Straight To Hell”)
6. Yeah Yeah Yeahs (The Ramones – “Sheena Is A Punk Rocker”)
7. Franz Ferdinand (Blondie – “Call Me”)
8. Duffy (Paul McCartney – “Live And Let Die”)
9. Estelle (Stevie Wonder – “Superstition”)
10. Rufus Wainwright (Brian Wilson -” Wonderful & Song For Children”)
11. Scissor Sisters (Roxy Music – “Do The Strand”)
12. Peaches (Iggy Pop – “Search And Destroy”)
13. Adam Cohen (Leonard Cohen – “Take This Waltz”)
14. Elbow (U2 – “Running To Stand Still”)
15. The Like (Elvis Costello – “You Belong To Me”)
16. TV On The Radio (David Bowie – “Heroes”)
COMPILATION:DARK WAS THE NIGHT
Compilation: Dark was the Night
Label: 4ad Records
Release Date: February 17, 2009
Compilations are seemingly rare in indie music, I am not sure why. Or if that’s true. In any case, The National has curated a 2 disc compilation to be released by 4AD on February 16th. Just in case you aren’t aware of the internet and you haven’t already heard every track, I’m here to tell you that should you buy, not illegally download, this album. Not because it’s fantastic, but because profits from the venture will go to the Red Hot Organization, which raises funds and awareness for AIDs and HIV. Although true to form, anything the National touches is excellent. And if this isn’t enough to get you to go buy the friggen album, maybe this all-star cast will:
Andrew Bird
Antony + Bryce Dessner
Arcade Fire
Beach House
Beirut
Blonde Redhead + Devastations
Bon Iver
Bon Iver & Aaron Dessner
The Books featuring Jose Gonzalez
Buck 65 Remix (featuring Sufjan Stevens and Serengeti)
Cat Power and Dirty Delta Blues
The Decemberists
Dirty Projectors + David Byrne
Kevin Drew
Feist + Ben Gibbard
Grizzly Bear
Grizzly Bear + Feist
Iron & Wine
Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings
Kronos Quartet
Stuart Murdoch
My Brightest Diamond
My Morning Jacket
The National
The New Pornographers
Conor Oberst & Gillian Welch
Riceboy Sleeps
Dave Sitek (TV On The Radio)
Spoon
Sufjan Stevens
Yeasayer
Yo La Tengo
-the elephant.
THE VIRGINS: FREE SHOW AT UNION SQUARE NYC
The Virgins are playing a free show at The Virgin Megastore in Union Square, NYC, this Friday night February 13th at 7:00 pm!
AAKASH NIHALANI OPENING IN NEW YORK
WHAT: Available Space: Aakash Nihalani Artwork Exhibit
WHEN : 5:00 PM February 7th, 2009
WHERE : 525-539 Atlantic Avenue, in Boerum Hill, Brooklyn. Just one block from the Atlantic Center, around the corner from Brooklyn Academy of Music.
“Aakash Nihalani creates street artwork that “consists mostly of isometric rectangles and squares.” He places these unplanned graphics throughout New York City to “highlight the unexpected contours and elegant geometry of the city itself.” His installation “Available Space” is showing at 525 Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn.”
POSTER BOY ON YOUTUBE
Check out the latest “Poster Boy” Video as he roams New York’s subways on Youtube
NO PANTS IN ’09
Watch the video: No Pants Subway Ride – New York City (1/10/2009)
“On Saturday, January 10th, 2009 nearly 2,500 people took off their pants on subways in 22 cities around the world. In New York’s 8th Annual No Pants! Subway Ride we had over 1,200 participants, spread out over four subway lines.” (http://improveverywhere.com/2009/01/14/no-pants-2k9/)
