Week in Rock: Sweaty Edition
4 photos
<strong>Rites of Spring Heats Up:</strong><p>Of all the sweaty joints in all the sweaty towns in all the sweaty world, we had to walk into Above the Auto Parts Store in Bushwick. But despite the lack of ceiling fans, and the creeping feeling that our bodies had become like Senator Kelley's from the first <em>X-Men</em> movie (right after Magneto tried to change him into a mutant), last Sunday nights <a href="http://gothamist.com/2010/04/09/week_in_rock_thom_yorke_girls_cu.php?gallery0Pic=3#gallery">"Rites of Spring"</a> Haiti Benefit show organized by Brandon Stosuy, Bjork and Alex Ross was a thoroughly awesome time.</p><p>Bjork and Matthew Barney owned the room (and camera flashes) gleefully, malnourished hipsters and helpsters danced on benches, and there were eclectic DJ sets from <a href="http://gothamist.com/2008/01/29/alex_ross_autho.php">Alex Ross</a> of the <em>New Yorker</em>, <a href="http://gothamist.com/2007/09/27/dirty_projector.php">Dave Longstreth</a> of the Dirty Projectors and Brandon Stosuy of Stereogum, that ranged from black metal to Jadakiss to a killer one-two punch of Cheap Trick's "Surrender" and Neil Young's "Sedan Delivery." It's probably incontrovertible that the majority of people who <a href="http://www.tlc-blog.com/2010/05/bjork-dj-above-the-auto-parts-store-bushwick/">attended</a> the benefit had a blast, inadvertent wet t-shirt contest and all. You can see some more pictures from the event <a href="http://www.villagevoice.com/slideshow/rites-of-spring-haiti-benefit-with-bjork-29814807/">here</a>.</p>
<strong>Album Leaf at Bowery Ballroom:</strong><p>The <a href="http://www.myspace.com/thealbumleaf">Album Leaf</a> are a headphones band; their songs unfold with icy textures, led by pianist/singer Jimmy LaValle, who up until recently was responsible for all the groups recorded output. They have a similar sonic palette as Sigur Ros (with less made-up language), long cinematic compositions with a mix of the organic (string sections) and electronic (lots of skittish beats, accompanied at times by a live drummer). In other words, the kind of music that is especially good for late night, bedroom gazing...and maybe not as compelling in person.</p><p>Their show last Saturday night at the Bowery Ballroom was appropriately swoony and controlled; the band has six members currently, and was joined by a four-person string section. Their whispery group vocals were pleasant, but made one wish a stronger vocal personality would grab the reins. The swirly, crescendo-laden songs were more starry-eyed than not, and inspired some truly laid back shuffle-dances among the horn-rimmed crowd. The projected visuals, including clips of hands with red nails, puffy clouds, and out of focus musical notation, added to the atmosphere of the evening; at times though, it made the songs seem like the music at the climactic moments of movie trailers, a rush of images and swelling notes that leaned more toward a tease than catharsis.</p>
<strong>More Summer Concerts Announced:</strong><p>It's time to break out the extra-strength suntan lotion, because a boatload of new summer concerts were announced this week. The 10th annual <a href="http://siren.villagevoice.com/2010/">Siren Festival</a>, Village Voice's perennial NYC concert at Coney Island, announced this years lineup, which will include Matt and Kim, Ted Leo and the Pharmacists, The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, Surfer Blood and Harlem. It'll take place Saturday, July 17, 2010 from 12:00 noon - 9:00 p.m.</p><p>Celebrate Brooklyn announced it's full 2010 Prospect Park <a href="http://www.bricartsmedia.org/performing-arts/celebrate-brooklyn/2010-season">schedule</a> as well. Highlights of the summer-long series include Allen Toussaint on June 12, Konono No. 1 on African Festival Night on July 17, Rufus Wainwright on July 20, The Swell Season and The Low Anthem on July 30, Sonic Youth on July 31, and Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings on August 7. You can buy tickets <a href="http://www.bricartsmedia.org/performing-arts/celebrate-brooklyn">here</a>.</p>