Blitzen Trapper and David Vandervelde play the Mercury Lounge

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David Vandervelde Weekend in NYC

A couple months back my friend, whose lovely blog this is, gave me a couple of tracks of David Vandervelde to listen to and I instantaneously became hooked. I headed straight to e-music and picked up a copy of his latest album "The Moonstation Band" and it has been on heavy rotation ever since. The sound this kid creates to me is a perfect mix
of David Bowie meets T-Rex...who can complain about that?

So last night marked my first time seeing David Vandervelde and the new Luna Lounge in Williamsburg. Just real quick, I must say the Luna Lounge was much nicer than I had expected and quite easy to get to from Manhattan...will definitely be back if the right artist is playing. Anyhow back to Vandervelde and his band. Prior to the show while I was grabbing a beer David was right next to me and this boy threw down a double shot, grabbed his beer and headed straight to the stage....right in that moment I knew this kid would be bringing the heat with tonights' performance.



David and his band took the stage and played a 45 minute set of straight rock and roll. What makes this band different than so many of the bands that play in this "indie circuit" is that David can wail on guitar and is not afraid to do so. Many of the tunes consist of 2 - 5 minute guitar jams that truly keep the audience engaged (this could be exhibited by the fact that there was literally no chatting amongst the audience while the band was performing). I think it was maybe in the second or third song in the night that David broke one of his guitar strings and in good rock fashion David just kept going as if it was no
big deal to play everything one scale higher for the rest of the night....as David pointed out, the problem would have been fixed but their "guitar tech was in LA". He also ventured into the audience during one of his jams while playing a blistering jam and even kissed a girl in the front row while rockin' out....kids got SKILLS. I also must point out that besides David, he brings on board one fine drummer and a bassist that literally drops bombs on the bass. Overall, great set and cannot wait for Pianos!

Also for those of you that do not know, a prairie shot is a shot of tequila mixed with Tabasco sauce and the band graciously excepts them and will throw 'em back on stage.

-Jaime W.

Murder In Michigan mp3
Jacket.mp3

********

Sunday night's set at Pianos was a bit on the short side as the boys seemed tired from their show the previous tonight. Jaime and i both highly recommend you arrive with enough time before Spoon at Bowery Ballroom tonight to see David and gang. His drummer Derek also is a member of the band Entrance out of Los Angeles and i highly recommend you checking out their album, Prayer of Death. They recently supported Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks on his extensive West Coast tour back in January as well as a set as South by Southwest. Derek is certainly a busy boy!


*The Entrance

Do not forget Richie Kirkpatrick, David's bassist with the almost comical moustache. His other band is named "Ghostfinger" and he is joined by drummer Van "Man-Bull" Campbell and keyboardist, Matt Rowland. My Old Kentucky Blog reports that Richie says the songs are "campfire songs for after the apocalypse." You make your own judgements.

*Ghostfinger
Hello Movies.mp3

David Vandervelde on KEXP

If you have not heard the David Vandervelde DayTrotter sessions definitely go ahead and download the whole entire set. It is highly worth your while. In the meantime you can stream KEXP starting at 3 pm (in exactly 6 minutes!!!). Artist in studio sessions with KEXP are usually very candid and the artists play about five songs. David is one of those artists *to watch* and is coming to New York at the end of April.

Okkervil River Stand-In Sessions

Maybe it is just within my group of friends but I feel like people do not give Okkervil River enough credit. My affection was borne during my time spent with Down the River of Golden Dreams, an album that changed the inner pace of music I was listening to at the time and forced me to step outside of my comfort zone. It was not only Will Sheff's trembling voice, or the fact that the band coined it's name after a short story by one of my favorite authors, or that I have a secret desire to one day live in Austin, which the band calls home-but these factors did help my admiration to grow. With each project since that first listen-(Black Sheep Boy,The Stage Names, The Stand Ins) along with Sheff's and Meiburgs' side project, Shearwater they have consistently created lush lyrically laden records that over flow with sentiment and intimacy. I am not the only one who seems to have noticed. Recently Bon Iver and David Vandervelde have covered songs by my beloved River folk. Of course since it is Bon Iver (covering Blue Tulip) and David (taking a turn at Singer Songwriter) they sound striking and eerie at the same time, each in their own delicate way.




I hope someone covers Love to A Monster next...

Lover, now that you've left me, I'm glad you're unlovely.
Because if you could take all the heat in your heart and just hang it from you,
I wouldn't be able to bear the way you cannot love me.
It's much easier of me make a monster out of you.

And so here I go, substituting the glow from your temples,
all our sighs and our trembles, and each last letter sent you
from the cheap little pen of this weak little man
- the one singing - out his jangling, ringing
and hopefully stinging attack upon you.

Okkervil River-Love To A Monster.mp3
Okkervil River-Lost Coastlines.mp3
Okkervil River-Pop Lie.mp3
Okkervil River-For Real.mp3
Okkervil River-Do What You Gotta Do.mp3
Okkervil River Tags/Bon Iver Tags/David Vandervelde Tags

Spoon and David Vandervelde at Bowery Ballroom

Last night two Austin bands graced Bowery Ballroom with a stellar show. Spoon played to a jam packed sold out crowd following David Vandervelde who opened the show with another rocking show to a sizable turnout.

Spoon....Spoon truly gave the Bowery an all out performance clocking in at over an hour (10:00 till 11:40)...talk about getting your moneys worth (the show sold out in two hours). And as some people complain that sets just get dragged out (i believe this was mentioned about Peter Bjorn and John at the Bowery a few months ago) this was totally not the case last night. I would say about 95% of the crowd stuck around for the full show and not an ounce of energy was lost from the band or the crowd. For me Britt Daniel puts together some fine lyrics complimented by his erratic, yet clean guitar style. As pointed out by ProductshopNYC, the band was positively tight. The show never had a dull moment with a set balanced perfectly with combination of classic and new material.


If Spoon is coming to a town near you- do yourself a favor and catch them. They are playing some amazingly polished music in a truly professional manner.

*And if Steph reads this, I hope your head is not hurtin' too bad today!
**Spoon will return to NYC on July 11th at Battery Park as part of the River to River series

-Jaime W.

I Turn My Camera On.mp3
The Way We Get By.mp3

Rosewood Thieves residency at Pianos, Night Two

Everytime i open my mouth to tout about how good the Rosewood Thieves are i use adjectives like, "best band in New York right now," "amazing stage prescence, "yes- Erick does sound that good live," "amazing songwriting" and it works everytime-sucking people in and getting them to venture out to their live shows. Once there all of my friends have been completely won over. It does not take much. They ARE that good. They WILL go places. And if you have yet to see them you NEED to before they aren't playing small spaces like Pianos. Especially with bands like Cold War Kids, David Vandervelde, Illinois, Blitzen Trapper and Grizzly Bear all finding comfortable amounts of success and acclaim. Rosewood Thieves have the talent as much as any of these bands. I have seen each of these bands live shows and the Rosewood Thieves deserve to be where their peers are. Last night was the first time i had the chance to hear the new material that the band has been testing out since the release of their 2006 demo, 'From the Decker House.' The new songs are incredible. I was completely blown away and happily so. Erick has a knack for depth and story telling much like David Vandervelde and delivers his poetry with a smooth swagger and brazen passion. You are completely enraptured while he is on stage, drawn into a world of lovers swirling around as he tells you the story behind the third song he debuted and how it was passed down through the generations in his family. The song and story are chilling which leads you to realize that most of their songs are. This is a perfect effect and most likely intentional. I could not be more excited to see them again next week. Same time, same place. Life is good.
Mad Man (Demo).mp3
Lonesome Road.mp3
Cold In The Country.mp3

David Vandervelde says 'Thank You!'

Hey There -
Having just gotten back to Chicago yesterday, wanted to send out a big THANK YOU to everyone who came and checked us out on our April tour. We sure had a great time; hope you all did as well. I'm indebted to my fellow Moonstation House band members, Derek and Richie, as well as both Richard Swfit and The Sons of National Freedom and the fine gentlemen of Spoon, for making the tour such an amazing experience. Also, a big thanks to all the club promoters and folks like KEXP, Sean and his warehouse crew in LA, the fine people at Good Records in Dallas, Dodge of My Old Kentucky Blog/WEEM in Indy, Tobi at XM Satellite Radio, the staff at WERS/Boston, and Ave at Fair Game/NYC. I'm now heading off this month to write and record some new songs, try to figure out Richie's kitty joke, and perhaps cook a roast. We'll see how it goes... In the meantime, stay tuned for more touring to come - a pre-Lollapalooza show in Chicago on Jun 23rd (The Darkroom), Lollapalooza itself on Aug 5th, and more US, UK, and Europe dates. And the mention of KEXP reminded me that they listed Nothin' No as their song of the day yesterday... feel free to check it out here. Have a great evening, and hope to see you all again soon.

David
*photo credit: Fiddle While You Burn

Blitzen Trapper opening for David Vandervelde

Now there is a perfect pairing for a show at the Mercury Lounge if i ever saw one. Definitely will be pointing this date out to you again as it gets closer. Tickets are sure to go fast once people spend more time listening to Blitzen Trapper. They are completely addictive. And as for David, if you haven't seen him yet, what are you waiting for?!
Blitzen Trapper-Texaco.mp3
Blitzen Trapper-40 Stripes.mp3

Did I tell you this boy is going somewhere?

I think i did! Opening spots for select Spoon dates, a spot at Lollapalooza and David Vandervelde is on fire. As well he should be. Not sure how both of his shows coming up this weekend did not sell out yet! Check out his greatful myspace posting:

"Hey There -

As we bring this April tour into the homestretch, wanted to take the opportunity to thank the incomparable Richard Swift and the Sons of National Freedom, who we've been touring with since the first week of March starting in the UK. Richard's new record, "Dressed Up for the Letdown," is one of my favorites of the year - you can check it out for yourself right here:
http://www.address0.com/sc/player/player.php?playlistid=478
We'll be playing our last shows with Richard for this tour this week - Philly, DC, Boston, then NYC - and from there, head straight into five shows with Spoon (NYC, Asbury Park, New Haven, Northampton, Boston). Get ready, because we can't wait!
Pitchfork I also wanted to pass along the news that we've been selected to play Lollapalooza this August in Chicago - something we're truly honored about. We can't wait to play Grant Park - should be a great time - and hope to see all you there! www.lollapalooza.com Finally, wanted to give some props to the folks at The Fader , who have been more than gracious to us, with a live hook-up down in Austin, TX, as well as a recent mention in their Issue #45 and inclusion in a pretty kick-ass podcast. That's it for now... stay tuned for some latebreaking news about July, August, and beyond, and thanks for all your support. Each and every one of you - on the road and in the clubs - has been truly gracious.

Have a great day, and see you soon.
David"

**Check out Davids' Drummer, Derek's second project brought to us by the dear MyOldKentuckyblog

TV on The Radio @ McCarren

check out more photos and another review!
Oh what a week! Bat For Lashes on Monday, White Stripes on Tuesday, David Vandervelde on Wednesday, & Sonic Youth on Saturday. One would think at this point I would have had my fill of live music.....but oh no, Sunday was Tv On The Radio playing a free show at McCarren Park and Pool and I was not missing it! If I recall correctly, last year this band put one of the top 3 albums of 2006 (if not the best album of 2006). The day, which seemed to be on everyone's calendar, seemed no longer to be a top priorty once the weather appeared to be pretty nasty. With the dropping of people attending the show, I still managed to find 3 friends down for the show and what do you know, it didn't even rain! The only thing people were covered in was sweat from the heat and the blistering sounds of Tv On The Radio! Once the band hit the stage at about 6:00 PM sharp the flood of people made their way to the front and the pool was pretty crowded yet comfortable. The band opened with "Wash The Day" which is what everyone was pretty much feeling from being out for part of the day in the rain and it just seemed to be a perfect way to get things going. The set consised of material of both of their LP's. Tracks I remember off the top of my head are "Dirtywhirl", "I Was a Lover", "The Wrong Way", "Staring At The Sun", "Dreams", "Province", "A Method", "Hours", "Let The Devil In", and without a doubt a full fledge rocking version of "Wolf Like Me." The set also had plenty of guests which assisted on vocals and an assortment of instruments.

cred
One of the coolest sites was the little girl on stage for the set closer of "Satellite" who was playing a shaker and watching Kyp get down on his knees in front of her while he was playing guitar and them both just staring at a each other. Anyhow, this was just a simply great show and what a way to end a killer week of live music. I do want to note that it was mighty cool of TV On The Radio to do this free show considering they could have easily charged $35.00 a ticket and most likely even sold out....but I guess it's just the way a cool band is willing to say thanks to their hometown crowd.
Dreams.mp3

-Jaime W.

Working Poor

During my vacation I started reading The Fountainhead written by the prolific and visionary author Ayn Rand. Since I have had a hard time putting her pages to rest and find myself looking at everything differently. There is almost nothing like a good book, except for of course, good music. The Fountainhead touches on numerous social and philosophical issues, one of which was the working class conditions in New York in the early stages of my families' beginnings. Tenements squashed in the East Village that seeped with foreign languages, dedicated freedom seekers and devilishly hard working families trying to get by. These stories of hardship and heartbreak ran through the streets of the Lower East Side in turn influencing the likes of Bob Dylan and Lou Reed. Folk songs are so vital to our existence as a species that it allowed me to have a some what competitive discussion with my labor rights lawyer father as to why music is so important to me as a career choice. (He is dreadfully supportive--he is just also the biggest salt thrower I have ever met, but it keeps one incredibly honest having to constantly back up what you preach...) Tossing out the likes of David Vandervelde, Bonnie Prince Billy, Cat Power and one of my recent discoveries Horsefeathers I covered all my bases and left him somewhat convinced. Or at least charmed. Hailing from Portland, Oregon, Horsefeathers first captured attention after their release, Words Are Dead back in 2006. Justin Ringle, Peter Broderick, and Heather Broderick are the spirit of truth and justice and soothe as much of your social unrest that is possible these days to cure with armed with a banjo, violin and guitar. There must be something in the air for those Northwestern bands. Now if only we could mix that with a bit of New York stutter and vigour- what a scene that could be. There upcoming album, House With No Home is due out September 9th via Kill Rock Star records.
HorseFeathers-Mother's Sick.mp3
Horsefeathers-Working Poor.mp3
Horsefeathers-In Our Blood.mp3

David Vandervelde NYC dates now on sale

His album, "The Moonstation House Band" released via Secretly Canadian is one of my favorite albums so far this year. It has been wildly recieved and loved. He is even better live so pick up your tickets early folks.
*Luna Lounge- Saturday, April 21st
*Pianos- Sunday, April 22nd

Openers!

It was reported earlier this week that Les Savy Fav are opening up for the Arcade Fire and LCD Soundsystem. Tiny Masters of Today are a local band from Brooklyn who have been recieving a lot of press due to their incredibly young age-yet have already captured the attention of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and are opening for their show next week on Tuesday at Webster Hall. Blitzen Trapper recently was touring with David Vandervelde, opening up shows across the country and gaining more press for their latest album, 'Wild Mountain Nation.' They signed up to open for Two Gallants during their upcoming tour as well.
Two Gallants-All Your Faithless Loyalties.mp3
Les Savy Fav-Tragic Monsters.mp3

You've got us in your pocket-and there's no way out now

*Cred
"You work for a record label? We all work for a record label! You work for SPIN magazine? We all work for SPIN magazine? You live in New York City? We all live in New York City!" And thank god for that. Jack White and his big sister Meg visited New York and played Irving Plaza last night, June 19th at approximately 10:50. There was electricity in the air. Candy canes for sale. Immaculately dressed stagehands in black pants, black t-shirts, and black fedora hats with red feathers. A theaterical opener set the stage as the room buzzed with fans, press, music industry buffs, and random celebrities all straining and fidgeting waiting for the main act to hit the stage. Whispers of which songs would be played, how many copies of the new album people had bought, stories of past White Stripes shows were tossed around as the excitement grew with each passing minute. And then, the entrance- and all was forgotten. Transported immediately to another time and another place, you are exactly where Jack and Meg want you to be, their captives completely, for as long as they desire to play. It was as if you silently said to yourself, 'ah yes...now i remember what this rock n' roll gig is like." Yes-yes, you've fallen in love with Cold War Kids, David Vandervelde, Grizzly Bear and numerous others who have come crawling out of the nooks and cranies of America to represent and test the rock n' roll stage, checking to see if the masses are still interested. And we took the bait, turning out to shows and purchasing albums...enjoying our experience along the way-but it is because of the White Stripes that we stuck it out. Knowing they were still out there. Immediately you respond. You don't know which one to watch- Meg who seems to have grown into her Nashville living-beating her drums with more salt and spirited will than ever before. Or Jack, pacing around the stage as if trapped within an imaginary laso that brings him front and center where he would stop and concentrate on the guitar-staring down the audience as to say, you want to test me? You want to see what i can do?

*Cred
Icky Thump hit record stores yesterday and live the new material sounds even better. Stripped down versions of 'A Martyr For My Love For You' slowed the lyrics- strangled with the pain of Jack's voice. Slices of 'Rag and Bone' clipped the audience on the chin and stirred the dancing back up into true form. Teasings of 'Little Cream Soda' and flat out debuts of 'Icky Thump' and 'I'm Slowly Turning Into You' sounded so classically positioned and delivered that you hardly remembered that you these songs are still new to you. It was beautiful, it was heartbreaking, it was passionate, it was everything you had been missing. It was The White Stripes. And you loved every single second.
John Peel Session-Astro_Jack The Ripper.mp3
John Peel Session-Boll Weevil.mp3

*A Vegan From Brooklyn was there
*ProductShop also enjoyed the scene
*The Modern Age rocked itself silly
*Special Edition Tour Poster
*Stereogum thoughtfully fills us in on other Jack White stories:

"Today I had coffee at the base of Empire State Building. And then I had a latte at Ellis Island. And then I had a cappuccino at the top of some nice, shiny building, I think it was the Chrysler Building. And then I had a funnel cake at Battery Park. And then I had a cigarette on the Staten Island Ferry. I didn't smoke it, I just held it. And then I rode across Central Park. I wrote a song, but I forgot it by the time I got to the other side."

"Anyone here from Yonkers?" (Mix of cheers, boos, laughs) "That's a strange reaction to a question ... I had a friend when I was 12, we went camping and he caught a squirrel with his barehands in the broad day light. We sat in the tent, it was a lot like prison, just talking, and he started telling me stories. Like about his favorite types of lawnmowers, gas vs. electric, about how his parents let his sister take swimming lessons, but he wasn't allowed to take lessons to learn how to operate farm equipment. Which was weird 'cause we lived in southwest Detroit, not like there's much use for farm equipment. It was then that I realized he had brought that squirrel in, that he had captured and killed." (Audience responds) "Yeah, tough question ... you don't know if you should be sad or what. To this day, I don't know how I'd react."

*A bit o history behind the track, 'Black Jack Davey':
"The band also plays many covers of Bob Dylan songs, including "One More Cup of Coffee", "Isis", "Love Sick" and "Outlaw Blues". "Black Jack Davey" was also recorded and released as a B-side; the song is traditional, but has been made popular on Bob Dylan's Good as I've Been to You. Jack White said that Dylan covers are usually suggested by Meg, who is a huge Dylan fan. Jack White also performed "Ball and Biscuit" as an encore with Dylan on March 17, 2004 at Detroit's State Theatre."
-Thank you dearest Bob-O!

Just Announced SPOON at Bowery Ballroom April 23rd

Tickets are on sale NOW!
David Vandervelde and the Moonstation House Band set to open after his Luna Lounge and Pianos' double dates-trust me, you do not want to miss him.

*Thanks Jaime!

Heading out of the city

In four hours i will be in sweet sweet Maryland. Asking my dad permission to borrow the car, meeting friends out at Ramshead and eating crabs, waking up early to grab a milkshake at the Farmers Market, swimming all day tomorrow and playing with my pup in the afternoon. Kinda like i am back in high school all over again. So looking forward to it. Hope everyone has a good weekend!
The Sheds-Reflection of the Sun.mp3
Kevin Drew-Tbtf.mp3
David Vandervelde-Murder In Michigan.mp3
Marie Douceur Marie Colere.mp3

Old Glory

My dears-have fun doing whatever it is you are getting yourselves into this weekend. Hot dog eating contests, a little Sonic Youth action, fighting traffic on the way to one beach or another- or escaping the country all together. Fun fun fun! Yeeehaw!
Playlist # 1- for a layed back time:
The Avett Brothers-Will You Return.mp3
Andy Dale-Petty Coo-Coo Bird.mp3
Dr. Dog-The Old Days.mp3
Dr. Dog-The Ark.mp3
The Dutchess and The Duke-Reservoir Park.mp3
Dr. Dog-The Rabbit, The Bat and the R.mp3
David Vandervelde-I Will Be Fine.mp3
Fleet Foxes-White Winter Hymnal.mp3
Tickley Feather-Fancy Walking.mp3
Tape-Moth Wings.mp3
Sigur Ros-Við spilum endalaust.mp3
The National-About Today (Live).mov

Can You Tell...

Led Zepplin-Whole Lotta Love.mp3
Black Mountain-Stormy High.mp3
Fleetwood Mac-Doctor Brown.mp3
Waylon Jennings-Gold Dust Woman.mp3
Wanda Jackson-I Gotta Know.mp3
Those Darlins-Wild One.mp3
David Vandervelde-Someone Like You.mp3
Sera Cahoone-You Might As Well.mp3
Call Me-Jessica Lea Mayfield.mp3
Horsefeathers-Curs In The Weeds.mp3
Huck Notari-Long Road.mp3
Shearwater-Century Eyes.mp3
The Moondoggies-Black Shoe.mp3
Sam Cooke-A Change Is Gonna Come.mp3
Ra Ra Riot-Can You Tell.mp3