Peter Bjorn & John at Webster Hall

After reading BrooklynVegan's review of last night's show i was moved enough to write a bit. Last night was the second time i have ventured out to see Peter, Bjorn and John and i have to say, it was not the best experience.

Their album, 'Writer's Block' is still one of my favorites to come out in the past few years- of any artist. Which says a lot. Maybe it is because i adore most Swedish bands, or the fact that their Mercury Lounge show was one of the best shows i have ever seen at that venue, or the fact that their live set is so enjoyable that i can't help but want to sit down and listen to them just thinking about it. Each track is similar to the previous, yet different enough for you to enjoy it for its' individuality. That sounds like a bit of a trite statement, but it's not. I love 'Amsterdam' for the suddle way it has of making you feel like you are back in that city, roaming the streets- yet the melody is so groovy it makes you want to dance. 'Young Folks' makes you want to just jump around and be silly. 'Chills' is so fantastic right from the get go, 'Your tongue is sharp, but i miss the taste of it, you say time heals, there's not enough of it"- is so perfectly worded, in a way that everyone can relate to EXACTLY what Peter is saying. 'Up Against The Wall' also supports its' lyrics with a flowing yet solid beat and fits in perfectly in the middle of this overwhelmingly solid album.

Yes, i know what this review is reading like a gushy lovefest for Peter, Bjorn and John, which is my point- of how disappointing the show was last night compared to the Mercury Lounge show simply because of the audience alone. I could not get over how many people did not know this album, this beautifully crafted album. This range of songs that put them on everyone's playlists and was a few months ago, the ticket to snag and the show to go see. I would say roughly 65% of the audience left after 'Young Folks.' I heard complaints about how slow the set was in the beginning, how annoying it was that they kept talking, how 'alright, i am going to leave now, they played my song.' (yes, that was actually said by someone standing next to me.)

Before i sound completely rude and annoying about my fellow concert goers i just put this out there- why go to see a band for one song?! An excellent live band, one that can actually sing and play their instruments and are FANTASTIC live?! Isn't that the whole point of standing for 3 hours (the whole show, Au Revoir Simone, Fujiya and Miyagi and Peter, Bjorn and John clocked in at a little over three hours in duration.) is to see and enjoy the bands you payed for? I longed for the crowd at the Mercury Show for both Fujiya and Miyagi and Peter, Bjorn and John. I missed my dancing partners, every one singing along and begging for them to play their second encore of the night. I couldn't help it. Last night had it's own highlights. 'Sitar Folks' was playing before the band hit the stage. I enjoyed that they began with their lesser known songs and then were able to revve it up towards the end. Heather did a good job trying to take the place of Victoria for 'Young Folks.' Fujiya and Miyagi were dead on, even though no one was dancing or even clapping really. I was very impressed that they could keep their energy going. So to end my tirade...Peter, Bjorn and John are well worth the ticket and so is listening to more than just the 'one' song off of their album.

Sitar Folks.mp3
Chills.mp3
*and whereas i should stick to simply reviewing a band, an audience can completely change the overall chemistry of a performance. phew!~

NME review.

In one ear and out the other

*Cred
Normally I am not one of those people who dwells on past years of album releases and shows but 2007 was so good it is hard to recover and not remember the past seasons. One of the most enjoyable show(s) and bands to watch grow throughout the year was Fujiya and Miyagi. Coaxed into attending their Mercury Lounge show on a Sunday night (basically to see the Prototypes who cancelled at the last minute) I danced my socks off like it was a Thursday or Friday night. Hits tracks Collarbone and Ankle Injuries became daily tracks harassing the ears of my friends and co-workers to the point that by the time they played South Street Seaport they were well known and loved. With announcements for the fall and winter already accumulating on the calendar be sure to mark September 16th as the day to gather their sophomore release, Lightbulbs. The follow up to Transparent Things not only will showcase new material but also a new band member!
Fujiya and Miyagi-Collarbone.mp3
Fujiya and Miyagi Tags

First CMJ Show on my calendar...

Is Crystal Castles with Fujiya and Miyagi at Webster Hall on Thursday, October 23rd. Seriously if you have not seen Crystal Castles you are missing out if you like any of the following: fantastic lady singers/screamers, electronic music, dance music, good music... Fujiya and Miyagi are the perfect match for this show. Highly excited. Tickets go on sale today at noon.
Crystal Castles-Untrust Us.mp3
Crystal Castles-Magic Spells.mp3
Crystal Castles Tags
Fujiya and Miyagi Tags

Sock-it-2-me!

Alright...so i will admit, i went into the Fujiya & Miyagi show a bit cautious and bummed out. To be honest i only gave into buying a ticket to see this show when i saw that The Prototypes had been added to the bill. I am a huge fan of the influx of french music into the scene lately with the likes of Montreal bands Malajube and Les Breastfeeders. I love the Prototypes EP which i happily downloaded off of the Minty Fresh (their american record label) website months ago. Hopefully they will make another trip to nYc sometime soon. Onto Fujiya and Miyagi who could have not provided a more entertaining set to end the weekend. There definitely is something to be said about going to see a band that knows how to pull out a killer set out on a sunday night. The Mercury Lounge itself was pretty empty for a 'soldout' show which gave everyone enough room to dance! I do not think i have been so happily surprised by a band of this ilk since Hot Chip. You always wonder how those dance beats are going to play when you see them live and anyone who is headed over to their second show tonight is in for a good time. So wear your dancing shoes!
*Highlights: Matt Hainsby who provided enough bass to bring make a believer and dancer out of even the most jaded hipster.

www.mintyfresh.com
www.www.myspace.com/prototypes
http://prototypesonline.artistes.universalmusic.fr
www.fujiya-miyagi.co.uk
www.myspace.com/fujiyaandmiyag

Happy Dance!

Fujiya and Miyagi are opening for Peter, Bjorn, and John!
FAntaStic!

WEEEKKennddddddd.....

So Brooklynvegan does a really good job of listing anything and everything music savy that you might want to check out. We recommend The Thrushes at Union Hall or Fujiya & Miyagi at South Street Seaport tonight, Built to Spill with Cat Power on Saturday night and the Dan Deacon with The Octopus Project and Erase Errata show on Sunday-both at McCarren Pool. Whatever you do, have fun...because if you had to work on this holiday-week-friday- you deserve it! SAVY?!
Fujiya & Miyagi-Collarbone.mp3
Dan Deacon-When I Was Taller.mp3
The Octopus Project-Music Is Happiness.mp3
Cat Power-Wild Is The Wind.mp3

Welcome Music Hall of Williamsburg

Another reason to take a train to Brooklyn...as if you needed one. Seriously-Brooklyn is so lovely. That aside, who is excited for Vampire Weekend?! Oh yeah! ALL shows go on sale this Friday-the 13th at Noon except for the ones with stars.* Purchase tickets via the Music Hall of Williamsburg website or via Ticketmaster.
September 7-JOSEPH ARTHUR & THE LONELY ASTRONAUTS
September 8-VAMPIRE WEEKEND
September 10-CLAP YOUR HANDS SAY YEAH
September 14-THE WALKMEN
September 15-BONDE DO ROLE with PLASTIC LITTLE
September 19-THE BLACK LIPS with THE SELMANAIRES
*September 21-LES SAVY FAV - On sale 7/18 at 12:00 PM*
September 27-An evening with MEDESKI, MARTIN & WOOD
September 28-FUJIYA & MIYAGI with DIRTY ON PURPOSE
*September 29-JOSE GONZALEZ with MEG BAIRD - On sale 7/17 at 12:00 PM*
October 3-BORIS/DAMON & NAOMI with MICHIO KURIHARA
October 8-SUNSET RUBDOWN
*October 9-HIGH ON FIRE with MONO / PANTHERS/ COLISEUM - On sale 7/20 at 12:00 PM*
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Also on sale this friday-
YEAH YEAH YEAHS - AUG 7 - Webster Hall
FUJIYA & MIYAGI with DIRTY ON PURPOSE- SEP 27 - The Bowery Ballroom
TEGAN & SARA with NORTHERN STATE - NOV 19 - Webster Hall
Vampire Weekend-Walcott.mp3
Tegan and Sara-The Con.mp3
Black Lips-Not A Problem.mp3

Pitchfork Music Festival Keeps Growing

Set to take place July 13th through the 15th at Chicago's Union Park the lineup already included Menomena, Beach House, Oxford Collapse, Cat Power, Of Montreal and Iron and Wine. Today news spread of the latest additions: The Klaxons, Fujiya & Miyagi, and Deerhunter. In addition, headliners Sonic Youth will play a very special performance of their 1988 album 'Daydream Nation'. Chicago is rocking the awesome festival line-up in true form it seems.

Fujiya & Miyagi

These boys have been busy lately with festivals and opening slots for Peter, Bjorn and John. Word of their Seaport Music Festival date on July 6th was announced a bit ago, but they decided to add some more stops along their tour. Check them out below!

*Dates:
07.06.07 - New York, NY (Seaport Music Festival)
07.07.07 - Philadelphia, PA (Johnny Brenda's)
07.09.07 - Boston, MA (Middle East Downstairs)
07.10.07 - Montreal, QC (Lambi)
07.11.07 - Toronto, ON (Legendary Horseshoe Tavern)
07.12.07 - Cleveland, OH (Grog Shop)