If I Dropped By... with Tarra Thiessen of Sharkmuffin

This week I posed my "If I Dropped By..." question to Tarra Thiessen of the Brooklyn based band Sharkmuffin.  The band recently released the second single, "Mermaid Sex Slave", from their debut EP She-Gods of Champagne Valley. If you haven't had a chance to check out Sharkmuffin, they're a raw pleasure filled treat; see for yourself at the bottom of the post.

Quirky NY Chick (QNYC): ... and brought a friend who didn't know your music, what song of yours would you play for them and why?

Tarra Thiessen (TT): "Mermaid Sex Slave", because it's my grandma's favorite Sharkmuffin song (seriously!). (Editor’s note: Grandma is obviously a very cool and awesome lady!)

Around New York ... June 2 - June 8, 2013

Upcoming Shows in the New York area ...

Kenny Wayne Shepherd at City Winery, June 2 & 3

June 2 -- Hawk and Dove at Arlene's Grocery
June 2 -- Holly Miranda / Time Mislock / William Carl Jr. / Joseph Reuben at Glasslands
June 2 - 3 -- Kenny Wayne Shepherd at City Winery
June 3 -- Pedrito Martinez Group at Brooklyn Bowl
June 4 -- Pokey LaFarge / Luke Winslow King / Blind Boy Paxton at The Bowery Ballroom
June 4 -- A Great Big World / Julia Nunes / Rebecca hayiland & Whiskey Heart at The Studio at Webster Hall
June 6 -- Nicki Bluhm and the Gramblers / David Wax Museum at Brooklyn Bowl
June 6 -- Donavon Frankenreiter / Mia Dyson / Newfound Groove at The Bowery Ballroom
June 7 -- Spirit Family Reunion / The National Reserve / Last Good Tooth at Brooklyn Bowl
June 7 -- Swear and Shake / The Revivalists / Roadkill Ghost Choir at The Bowery Ballroom
June 8 -- Sea Wolf / Savoir Adore at The Bowery Ballroom
June 8 -- Enter The Haggis at Rockwood Music Hall, Stage 2
June 8 -- Ruby Velle & The Soulphonics at Blue Note

Pet Shop Boys To Play Two New York Shows

Pet Shop Boys
Monday, September 16
The Beacon Theatre
2124 Broadway
New York, NY
Doors: 8PM
Tickets: $55 - $95

Tedeschi Trucks Band to Play 2 New York Shows

Tedeschi Trucks Band
Friday, September 20
The Beacon Theatre
2124 Broadway
New York, NY
Doors: 8PM
Tickets: $49.50 - $125

and

Tedeschi Trucks Band
Saturday, September 21
The Beacon Theatre
2124 Broadway
New York, NY
Doors: 8PM
Tickets: $49.50 - $125

The Tedeschi Trucks Band released their Everybody's Talkin' album in May 2012.

Sallie Ford & The Sound Outside to Play Pier 84 on July 11

  Sallie Ford & The Sound Outside
Generationals / Waxahatchee
Thursday, July 11
Hudson River Park’s RiverRocks
Pier 84
Cross at W 44th Street
New York, NY
Free

Sallie Ford & The Sound Outside released their sophomore album, Untamed Beast, in February 2013.  NPR recently aired their World Café performance which can be heard HERE.  Check out the video for the track "Party Kids" from the album below.

Charlie Mars to Play Rockwood Music Hall on June 14 + MP3

  Charlie Mars
Friday, June 14
Rockwood Music Hall
196 Allen Street
New York, NY
Doors: 9:15PM
Tickets: $15
21+

Charlie Mars released his latest album, Blackberry Light, in August 2012.  The track "How I Roll" was recently remixed by Prince Fox.  Check it out the remix below.

The Heavy To Play Webster Hall on June, 12

  The Heavy
The Silent Comedy / The Skins
Wednesday, June 12
Webster Hall
125 East 11th Street
New York, NY
Doors: 7:30PM / Show: 8:30PM
Tickets: $20
18+

The Heavy released their latest album, The Glorious Dead, in August 2012.  Check out the video for the track "Curse Me Good" below.

Q & A with Dan Miller of Mission South

DC based Mission South released their latest EP, Migration, Vol. 2 in April. The album has gotten a good deal of play here at QNYC Headquarters.  It’s one of the few albums released in the last couple of years that gets played from beginning to end without a track being skipped. It’s also the first album released this year that I’ve fallen completely in lust with.  It’s earthy. It’s bluesy.  It’s soulful.  It’s tight.  It’s beautiful.  It’s excellence.  As I sit here writing this, the track “Free” is playing.  It’s rainy out with a bit of a chill and all I can think about is grabbing a blanket, a cup of tea and going to sit on the porch with my headphones on.  It’s one of those kinds of records.

I threw some questions out and Mission South guitarist/vocalist Dan Miller threw some answers back.  And this, is the result.

Quirky NY Chick (QNYC): How would you describe your sound to the uninitiated?

Dan Miller (DM): It's somewhere between bad and terrible.  As if Phil Collins had a baby with Pantera.  Haha, no.  It is all over the map though.  It's got some blues/rock grit, with pop sensibilities, and folk sensitivity.  

Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros To Release New Album in July + New Single

When last I glimpsed Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros it was at the Newport Folk Festival where they were playing for a jam-packed crowd. The area by that stage looked like some sort of trippy tent revival.  Just the tiny bit I witnessed was a sight to be seen.  They are among those whose live energy translates well to record.  That being said, there's good news for ESMZ fans. Come July 23 here in the US and Canada they will release their third studio album via Community Music.  The self-titled work was produced by frontman Alex Ebert.

They premiered the single "Better Days" last week.  The song stole me with one utterly simple line, "We don’t have to talk, let’s dance".  You can check out the track below. 

Track Listing

• Better Days
• Let's Get High
• Two
• Please!
• Life is Hard
• If I Were Free
• In The Lion
• Country Calling
• They Were Wrong
• In The Summer
• Remember To Remember
• This Life

Edward Sharp & The Magnetic Zeros are on tour.  They'll be in New York on June 8 at Governors Ball Music Festival on Randall's Island.

Ghost & Gale To Release Debut Album This Summer + Video

California based duo Brodie Jenkins and David Lunning, who perform under the moniker Ghost & Gale, will release their self-titled debut EP this summer. They released a video for the track "Take Me To The Fire" in April.  The clip, directed by Jesse Fleece, is dramatic and intense and left me saying, "say what now? I need to repeat that!" to properly process it.  Check it out below.

Rooted in country folklore, the music video for “Take Me To The Fire” was directed by Jesse Fleece, a childhood friend of Jenkins. In his own powerful interpretation, Fleece tells the story of a mother and daughter pulled apart in a stunning but harsh western landscape. Though the video is brutal at times, keep watching until the end; a thrilling twist reveals power within an unexpected hero.

Around New York ... May 26 - June 1, 2013

Upcoming Shows in the New York area ...

Della Mae at The Rockshop, 5/28 & Pianos, 5/29

May 26 -- Macy Gray at City Winery
May 26 -- Math The Band / What Cheer? Brigade / Cherie Lily / .357 Lover at Glasslands
May 27 -- Cubano Bowl feat. Pedrito Martinez Group at Brooklyn Bowl
May 28 -- Royal Southern Brotherhood at Brooklyn Bowl
May 28 -- Della Mae / Margaret Glaspy at The Rock Shop 
May 28 -- Dumpster Hunter / Cathy / Taurus / Alan Hampton at Union Hall
May 29 -- Della Mae at Pianos
May 29 -- Sasha Dobson at Rockwood Music Hall, Stage 2
May 30 -- Dirty Dozen Brass Band / Jamie McLean Band at Brooklyn Bowl
May 30 -- Snowden / Isadora at Mercury Lounge
May 30 -- Tall Tall Trees at Rockwood Music Hall, Stage 1
May 30 -- Emil / The Midnight Hollow / moses / Cezaire at Cameo
May 30 -- Shilpa Ray / Waltz ? The Veda Rays / Haybaby at Union Pool
May 30 -- Breakfast in Fur / Slam Dunk / Babysitter at The Rock Shop
May 31 -- Rachael Yamagata / Matt Sucich at Rockwood Music Hall, Stage 2
May 31 -- Snowden / We Barbarians / Steel Phantoms at Cameo
May 31 -- Wolff and Tuba / Spires / Slonk Donkerson / Hard Nips / Honduras / Lunchbox at Pianos
June 1 -- Anna Haas at Rockwood Music Hall, Stage 2
June 1 -- Jet City Lovers / Vera Flash / Moxiie at Arlene's Grocery

Men Of North Country Release New Video

Men Of North Country released a video for the track "Ringtone (at the Caffs)".  The song can be found on their debut album The North.  The footage was shot on tour in Germany this past April.  Check out the clip below.

Hawk and Dove To Play Arlene's Grocery on 6/2 + Release Debut Album

Hawk and Dove
Sunday, June 2
Arlene's Grocery
95 Stanton Street
New York, NY
Doors: 8PM / Show: 9PM
Tickets: $8
21+

Brooklyn based Hawk and Dove released their debut album, This Yesterday Will Never End on April 2.

Alice Cooper to Play The Beacon Theatre on 7/18

Alice Cooper
Thursday, July 18
The Beacon Theatre
2124 Broadway
New York, NY
Doors: 8PM
Tickets: $35 - $75

Spirit Family Reunion To Play Brooklyn Bowl on 6/7

Spirit Family Reunion
The National Reserve / Last Good Tooth
Friday, June 7
Brooklyn Bowl
61 Wythe Avenue
Brooklyn, NY
Doors: 6PM / Show: 8PM
Tickets: $15
21+

Cyndi Lauper To Play The Beacon Theatre on 7/10

Cyndi Lauper
Hunter Valentine
Wednesday, July 10
The Beacon Theatre
2124 Broadway
New York, NY
Doors: 8PM
Tickets: $35 - $100

Slam Dunk To Play Two New York Shows

Slam Dunk
Breakfast In Fur / Babysitter Thursday, May 30
The Rock Shop
249 4th Avenue
Brooklyn, NY
Doors: 7:30PM
Tickets: $8 advance / $10 dos
21+

Royal Southern Brotherhood To Play Brooklyn Bowl on 5/28

Royal Southern Brotherhood
Tuesday, May 28
Brooklyn Bowl
61 Wythe Avenue
Brooklyn, NY
Doors: 6PM / Show: 8PM
Tickets: $8 advance / $10 dos
21+

Royal Southern Brotherhood released their album, Royal Southern Brotherhood in May 2012.

If I Dropped By… with Elephant 12

This week, I posed my “If I Dropped By…” question to Elephant 12.  I paid hypothetical visits to the homes of Jerome, Robbie and Andy. This is what I learned.  Also, I copped a copy of their latest EP, Sold Out.  See the bottom of the post to find out how you can win a copy!

Quirky NY Chick (QNYC): ... and brought a friend who didn't know your music, what song of yours would you play for them and why?

Robbie: I guess you would knock on my door right?? So the answer is our new single LOVE KNOCK ON WOOD.

Andy Metro: RENEGADE because it’s not a love song.

Sarah Jarosz To Play Rockwood Music Hall on May 23

Sarah Jarosz
Thursday, May 23
Rockwood Music Hall, Stage 2
196 Allen Street
New York, NY
Doors: 10PM
Tickets: $15 advance / $20 dos
One drink minimum
21+

Sea Wolf To Play The Bowery Ballroom on 6/8

    Sea Wolf
Savoir Adore
Saturday, June 8
The Bowery Ballroom
6 Delancey St
New York, NY
Doors: 8PM / Show: 9PM
Tickets: $15
18+  

Sea Wolf released Old World Romance in September 2012.

Around New York ... May 19 - May 25, 2013

Upcoming Shows in the New York area ...

Sara Nelms at Rockwood Music Hall, Stage 1 on 5/21

May 19 -- The Milk Carton Kids / The Barefoot Movement at The Bowery Ballroom
May 19 -- Jeff The Brotherhood / Hunters / Las Rosas at Mercury Lounge
May 19 -- Liars / Doldrums at (le) poisson rouge
May 20 -- Cubano Bowl featuring Pedrito Martinez Group at Brooklyn Bowl
May 20 -- Bridget Kelly at The Studio at Webster Hall
May 20 - 26 -- Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers at The Beacon Theatre
May 21 -- Shooter Jennings / Daniel Romano / East River Bandits at The Bowery Ballroom
May 21 -- Sara Nelms at Rockwood Music Hall, Stage 1
May 21 -- Anna Rose at Rockwood Music Hall, Stage 1
May 21 -- Newsted / Wilson / What The Hell at Highline Ballroom
May 23 -- Sarah Jarosz at Rockwood Music Hall, Stage 2
May 24 -- The Vandelles / Secret Colours / Bird Call / Companion / Hikashu at Pianos
May 24 -- Laura Stevenson / Owen / Field Mouse at The Bowery Ballroom
May 24 -- Elijah Ocean / North of Nashville / Juniper Rising at Union Hall
May 24 -- Wasabassco Burlesque at Highline Ballroom
May 25 -- Honor By August / Stone Cold Fox / These Animals / White Laces / Flashlights at Mercury Lounge
May 25 -- Amanda Palmer: Mermaid Parade Benefit at The Bowery Ballroom
May 25 -- Mara Hruby at Blue Note
May 25 - 26 -- Macy Gray at City Winery

Heathers Release New Video

Heathers have released a video for their track "Lions, Tigers, Bears".  The song is from their album, Kingdom, which was released in August 2012.  Check out the clip below.

The Lone Bellow to play Celebrate Brooklyn + Video

The Lone Bellow
The Low Anthem / Joe Purdy
Saturday, June 20
Prospect Park Bandshell
9th Street & Prospect Park West
Brooklyn, NY
Doors: 6PM / Show: 7PM
Tickets: Free / $3 (suggested)
Rain or Shine

The Lone Bellow released their self-titled, The Lone Bellow, in January 2013.  Check out the recently released video for the track "Bleeding Out" below.

Nicki Bluhm and the Gramblers To Play Brooklyn Bowl on 6/6

Nicki Bluhm and the Gramblers
David Wax Museum
Thursday, June 6
Brooklyn Bowl
61 Wythe Avenue
Brooklyn, NY
Doors: 6PM / Show: 8PM
Tickets: $10 adv / $12 dos
21+

Nicki Bluhm and the Gramblers released their latest work, the single, "Little Too Late / Ravenous", in January 2013.

Amanda Palmer to Play Save The Mermaids Benefit

Amanda Palmer plus Special Guest
Mermaid Parade Benefit
Saturday, May 25
The Bowery Ballroom
6 Delancey St
New York, NY
Doors: 7PM / Show: 8PM
Tickets: $25
18+

All proceeds will go to hosting the Mermaid Parade and reconstruction efforts.

The good folks that put on the parade have a Kickstarter project for those who want to show their support.  It can be found HERE.

Gary Clark, Jr. Releases New Video

Gary Clark, Jr. released his debut album Blak and Blu in October 2012.

Robert Plant Presents the Sensational Space Shifters To Play Prospect Park

Robert Plant Presents the Sensational Space Shifters
Saturday, July 27
Prospect Park Bandshell
9th Street & Prospect Park West
Brooklyn, NY
Doors: 6PM / Show: 7PM
Tickets: $80 reserved seats / $50 general admission standing
All Ages Rain or Shine

Benefit concert to support free programming at Celebrate Brooklyn! a Performing Arts Program of BRIC Arts | Media | Bklyn.

Secret Colours To Play Two New York Shows

Secret Colours
Vandelles / Bird Call / Companion / Hikashu
Friday, May 24
Pianos
158 Ludlow Street
New York, NY
Doors: 6:30PM
Tickets: $10
21+

Video: Primal Scream - "It's Alright, It's OK"

Primal Scream released a new video last month.  It's for the track "It's Alright, It's OK" from their latest album, More Light which came out this Monday in the UK. The track reminds me of something from their Give Out But Don't Give Up album.  Check out the Douglas Hart & Ben Crook directed video below.

Owel Release New Video

Owel released their video for "Once The Ocean", the second single from their new album.  The clip premiered on ARTISTdirect last week.  Check out the partially animated video below. 

The New Jersey based Owel released their full-length debut album, Owel, on April 2.

Honor By August To Play Mercury Lounge on May 25

 

Honor By August
Stone Cold Fox / These Animals / White Laces / Flashlights
Saturday, May 25
Mercury Lounge
217 East Houston Street
New York, NY
Doors: 7:30PM
Tickets: $10
21+

Honor By August released their new album, Monuments To Progress on April 23.