FRICTION NYC » psych

FRICTION Recap | 6.29.08 w/ Crystal Stilts + Tickley Feather

justin — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 14:25:38 +0000

Thanks to everyone who made it out to FRICTION at Cake Shop on Sunday night. Many thanks to Crystal Stilts, Tickley Feather, Rings, PWRFL Power, and Anicet DJ for putting on such a great show. We loved the vibe of the night and venue, so keep an eye out for future shows at the shop. For now, you can catch FRICTION (as announced on Monday) at The Mercury Lounge with Crystal Antlers, Chairlift, and Religious Knives on July 8th. Photos from Sunday night are up on our Flickr page.

FRICTION @ Mercury Lounge w/ Crystal Antlers, Chairlift, and Religious Knives | 7.8.08

justin — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 18:23:52 +0000

GET HYPE! Long Beach California’s Crystal Antlers bring their pummeling live show to the East Coast for this installment of FRICTION at The Mercury Lounge on July 8th. With an explosive build-up of noise and melody blended with raw vocals and twisting riffs, this quintet has mastered the art of thrash. Brooklyn synthfolk darlings Chairlift (who’s debut LP, Does You Inspire You is about to drop) and borough-mates Religious Knives (Resin recently reviewed here), best known to dish out delicious plates of noise, round out this bill.

This will be the last of what seemed like a crazy string of shows every other week since the beginning of May, as FRICTION returns to its once a month schedule for the remainder of the summer. Advance tickets are on sale now, doors at 7:30pm.

Long Beach’s CRYSTAL ANTLERS have mastered the art of thrash, that combustible build-up of noise and melody that so many others have tried to harness, only to fail in a miserable pool of fuzzy annoyance. Blending messy, raspy vocals with pummeling drums, writhing riffs and strident organs, the band produce a kaleidoscopic tornado of inflection that’s so right-this-very-moment. [Orange County Weekly]
[MP3]: “A Thousand Eyes”

CHAIRLIFT digs deep for its inspiration. The groups Daylight Savings EP, while tethered to a solid core of hook-laden, keyboard driven indie-rock, opens its arms wide to encompass stabs of psychedelia and winsomely quirky, oh-so-slight vocals which evoke Kate Bush as much as Regina Spektor. The trio knows how to skirt the edge of pretension with out falling over, and makes a chirpy, joyously brainy noise in the process. [The Onion]
[MP3]: “Evident Utensil”

The animal musk of The Velvet Underground spiral drones intermingles with the decadent perfume of a David Lynch noir to devastating effect, this is death disco in the best tradition of Public Image Ltd, and when RELIGIOUS KNIVES decide it is the moment to finish us off the only thing we’ll regret is having to abandon this spectral chamber which they call home. [20jazzfunkgreats]
[MP3]: “The Sun”

In part with:

FRICTION Sunday! Crystal Stilts, Tickley Feather, PWRFL Power, Rings

justin — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 18:53:29 +0000

With a lineup that’s a little bit Philly and a lot of New York, FRICTION returns to its roots in Manhattan with a cast of “local” acts this Sunday at Cake Shop. Crystal Stilts, who have recently been buzzing in NYC, bring their unique brand of of moody, catchy, and upbeat surf-inspired tunes to the Shop. Mischevious outsider-folkie PWRFL Power, Paw Track signees Rings, and Philadelphia’s mysterious Tickley Feather, with her lo-fi blend of psychy bedroom pop, round out the lineup. Anicet spins between sets.

Tickets are only seven bucks and available at the doors, which open at 8pm. Full show details here. GET HYPE!

[MP3]: Crystal Stilts ”Bright Night Nursery”
Crystal Stilts, eMusic Select; 2008

Ilyas Ahmed Brings Out My Inner Freak Folk, Seriously

justin — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 21:19:21 +0000

One of the songs I posted in the mid-year mixtape the other day was from the mysterious Pakistan-born Portlander Ilyas Ahmed. In 2005 he released a string highly acclaimed and impressive privately pressed CD-Rs including Between Two Skies and Towards The Night, which were each remastered and released in limited runs of 50 by Digitalis.

I’m probably the last person you’ll find toting around some sort of obsure, psychedelic folk music in my earthy hemp bag, ESPECIALLY if the shit is near impossible to find. In fact, a few months ago I was dragged to a way sold out “folk night” in Santa Monica for some dude who hitchhiked on trains from Portland (I might be exaggerating). He was making a “rare live performance” and it was SO important that the king of folk freakdom himself, Devendra Banhart, was there for this exclusive pants wetting set. I made it through the opening act, but about halfway through the first song of the guy’s name I can’t remember, I had my fill. As soon as that dude put down his guitar and the seated crowd began to clap, I made a bee-line for the door. My mind was quickly taken away from the show when I spotted a beautiful green Gretch hanging on the wall of the guitar shop. It was love at first sight.

I don’t know what it is about Ilyas Ahmed’s music that makes it stand out from the rest and given my track record I should very well despise it, but I don’t. On his first proper full-length, The Vertigo Of Dawn, Ahmed delivers with a remarkably beautiful record. Ahmed’s unintelligible mournful vocals swirl through delicately plucked guitar strings, floating like a light fog and interacting on a level that’s nearly hypnotic. The dark and moody, Eastern-tinged “Under the Singing Sea,” provides an enhanced sense of solitude, best saved for, perhaps…woozy late night meditation.

The Vertigo Of Dawn is out now in, you guessed it, a limited pressing on Time-Lag Records. I think the magic number this time was 750 and it’s already sold out. Happy searching – it’s worth the effort.

[MP3]: Ilyas Ahmed ”Moon Falling”
The Vertigo Of Dawn, Time Lag; 2008

Vertigo Of Dawn Track Listing:
A1 Golden Universe
A2 Under The Singing Sea
A3 Behind Our Eyes

A4 Phantom Sky
B1 Moon Falling
B2 Unveiled Nightmare

B3 Return To Ours

B4 Light Grows Thin

Black Rice

justin — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 18:00:26 +0000

Bewildered, I woke up to this song as my trained rolled into 30th Street Station in Philadelphia late last night/early this morning. As I struggled to focus my sleepy eyes on the platform station sign to determine my exact location I heard deadpan vocals singing catchy a ditty about “black rice” or at least that’s all I could make out at that point. I pulled myself together, snatched up my bags and exited the train. After I made my way up the stairs, gradually coming out of my grogginess, patting my pockets to make sure I didn’t leave anything behind, I checked my iPod and saw that I was listening to “Black Rice” by Calgary, CA troupe, Women.

It was a fitting song for the night. I had just returned to Philly after meeting up with friends for dinner and drinks in “the big city.” For the first time in a long time, I was finally able to properly catch up with some of those closest to me in a dark and chill little room over refreshing beers as the warm sun threw its last rays of the day on the brownstone facade outside. The summery and breezy “Black Rice” couldn’t have introduced itself in a better way, or on a better night.

[MP3]: Women ”Black Rice”
Women, Flemish Eye; Out July 8, 2008

Crystal Antlers Tour Dates: Fuck Yeah, FRICTION, NYC, Philly

justin — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 20:18:56 +0000

Not to be confused with Crystal Castles, Crystal Stilts, or Twin Crystals, Long Beach, CA’s Crystal Antlers are set to leave the fair-weathered West Coast for possibly more hot and humid pastures. Following a few solo tour dates in the American Southwest, the chaotic five-piece will hook up with the Fuck Yeah Tour (Matt & Kim, Team Robespierre, The Death Set, Dan Deacon and more) in Tennessee and join the travelling schizo party until it brings havoc to the East Coast in early July.

Upon reaching our muggy coast, Crystal Antlers will play two New York City dates including FRICTION at The Mercury Lounge on July 8th and a loft party on the 12th, along with a balcony party TBA in Philly on July 11th. Expect these guys to bring an epic rock sound with a side of freaky funk and loads of fuzz soaked energy to the stage. Boasting psychedelic organ drones, slicing wiry guitars, throaty vocals, soul-tinged basslines, and a drummer dubbed “Sexual Chocolate” this is one live act not to miss. Grab “Vexation” below and be sure to catch Crystal Antlers as they storm through the U.S. this summer.

[MP3]: Crystal Antlers ”Vexation”
EP, Self-Released; 2008

Crystal Antlers East Coast Tour Dates (Full U.S. Tour):
7.4.08 – Sky Lab / Columbus, OH (Fuck Yeah Tour)
7.5.08 – The Grog Shop / Cleveland, OH (Fuck Yeah Tour)
7.6.08 – Sound Lab / Buffalo, NY (Fuck Yeah Tour)
7.8.08 – The Mercury Lounge / New York, NY (FRICTION)
7.10.08 – Tinder Box / Brattleboro, VT (Fuck Yeah Tour)
7.11.08 – Balcony Party / Philadelphia, PA (Fuck Yeah Afterparty)
7.12.08 – Loft Party / New York, NY (Fuck Yeah Afterparty)

FRICTION @ Music Hall of Williamsburg | 6.8.08 w/ These New Puritans, School of Seven Bells, Effi Briest

justin — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 13:52:54 +0000

GET HYPE! Southend, UK’s These New Puritans are bringing their trance-inducing post-punk across the pond in their first U.S. tour, which includes a stop in Brooklyn to play FRICTION at Music Hall of Williamsburg! The show also marks the quartet’s New York City debut. Two of Brooklyn’s most ambitious bands, the futuristic psych trio School of Seven Bells and the mystical dub wielding Effi Briest, round out the bill. Brooklyn, by way of DC, by way of France, Anicet, spins between sets.

Tix available now / Doors @ 8pm / flyer, mp3s & more below

Balancing staccato rhythms and itchy guitars with a neat line in woozy, trance-like synthesisers, THESE NEW PURITANS have an oblique lyrical bent that’s all their own. [Uncut]
[MP3]: “Elvis”

SCHOOL OF SEVEN BELLS, founded by ex-Secret Machines guitarist Ben Curtis and featuring twin-sister singers Alejandra and Claudia Deheza, slipped easily between epochs – medieval polyphony, laptop sorcery, the rhythmic turmoil of Public Image Ltd.’s 1981 album, Flowers of Romance – with smart hooks and the Dehezas’ alluring vocals, liberally greased with reverb. [Rolling Stone]
[MP3]: “Chain”

There’s sorcery afoot in EFFI BRIEST‘S primitive droning psychedelia and hypnotic post-punk clatter. Like Yeasayer, Dirty Projectors, and MGMT, Effi Briest are reason to celebrate the casting-off of New York’s skinny jeaned shackles. They’re a willfully wonky NYC troupe making music that’s way off the typical spectrum of CBGB heritage-punk. Signed to Loog in the UK, fans of The Horrors’ occult will find plenty to enjoy in their strange incantations. [NME]
[MP3]: “Mirror Rim”

In part with:

Teeth Mountain Welcome You to Their Comfort Dome

justin — Fri, 16 May 2008 18:24:29 +0000

Baltimore’s Teeth Mountain are a “free collaboration” of members that perform live in a space called the Comfort Dome, employing bowed saws, electronic loops, droning cellos, multiple floor toms, and a communal symbol to craft their sounds. You may expect a sprawling hodgepodge of free sounds complete with weird freakouts, chiming bells, and the smell of burning incense from that description. However, that’s not the case with Teeth Mountain. What the eight-piece outfit does, and they do it incredibly well, is create a controlled mayhem of weighty neo-tribal trance music, packed with organic organ tones, distorted cello drones, and a skilled singing saw. Part Indian, part African, part Balkan, and part Baltimore, Teeth Mountain will enthrall you in a rhythmic musical spell.

The band is prepping a three-way release on Discos Compulsivos/Luv Luv (50 CDR’s) in Spain, Illinois’ Nail in the Coffin Records (100 CD’s), and Virginia’s Shdwply Records (500 LP’s). Teeth Mountain play Brooklyn on May 30th at ~~Death By Audio~~ Silent Barn and June 6th at Glasslands, followed by a June 8th date in Philly at Big Rock Candy Mountain. Full tour dates on MySpace.

[MP3]: Teeth Mountain ”Keinsein”
[MP3]: Teeth Mountain ”Black Jerusalem”

CDR; 2008

April Favorites | Dominique Leone, Thee Oh Sees

justin — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 18:11:36 +0000

This list of April favorites stands in stark contrast to what I was listening to last year around this time. If I remember correctly, it was all about The Field, Gui Boratto, Pantha du Prince, and other electronic acts keeping me company as I packed for my move to Philadelphia. A year later and the songs below show a turn toward more organic sounds, mostly psychedelia, folk, and some blues. Maybe it’s the change of scenery, with New York representing the minimal electronic sounds that fit its cold, stark landscape and the fact that Philly feels more in touch with the natural world. This city has its fair share of greenery and I don’t have to climb to my roof or traverse to the bikepath along the Hudson to catch a glimpse of the sun and sky.

FLEET FOXES
Fleet Foxes, Subpop; 2008
[MP3]: “White Winter Hymnal”
This record was the perfect listen on Saturday morning as I pulled myself together from the previous night’s haze. I sat on my bed soaking up the sun that poured into the room sipping on a coffee and kicking back some much needed Advil, this, of course, after spacing on Radiohead tickets.

THE WAR ON DRUGS
Wagonwheel Blues, Secretly Canadian; 2008
[MP3]: “Taking the Farm”
The War on Drugs were one of the first bands that I was introduced to after moving to the City of Brotherly love. I wasn’t initially thrilled on the first few spins of their Barrel of Batteries EP, as it took a few listens to adjust to Adam Granduciel’s Dylan-esque vocals. Eventually, the band won me over and the impressive Wagonwheel Blues further cements them as one of my favorite bands in Philly.

DOMINIQUE LEONE
Dominique Leone EP, Feedelity; 2007
[MP3]: “Duyen”
Dominique Leone was the first act to be signed to Strømland Records, the imprint started by the people behind Norway’s Smalltown Supersound and Lindstrøm. On his genre spanning self-titled EP, the San Francisco-based Leone pulls together the best of both April’s for me with minimal beats stacked against sunny psychedelic pop, oddball samples, and classical arrangements. Stunning.

THEE OH SEES
The Master’s Bedroom Is Worth Spending A Night In, Tomlab; 2008
[MP3]: “Ghost in the Trees”
Another San Francisco-based act, Thee Oh Sees, follow 2007′s Sucks Blood with The Master’s Bedroom Is Worth Spending A Night In. The LP treds somewhere between the band’s supposed goo-rock and garage rock. John Dwyer (Coachwhips) is now supported by a three piece who pack catchy driving melodies, catchy background harmonies, heavy feedback, and pounding drums into this fifteen track LP.

CIRCULATORY SYSTEM
TBA; 2008
[MP3]: “Tiny Concerts”
Circulatory System are back with three new songs after a seven year hiatus. No one’s really sure if these hazy, lo-fi, jazz-infused psychedelic numbers are the beginnings of the new record, slated for a fall release. Here’s to hoping.

Spring Mix

justin — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 18:38:21 +0000

Despite the cold isolation of winter, there is always something more coming…another spin around the sun.

We’ve been counting the days for warmer weather here in Philly and New York. A glimpse of spring showed its face yesterday but was blown away by strong winds and evening rain showers, leaving us with a chilly, yet sunny, Wednesday. In the hopes of less ravaging weather soon to come, we pulled together a mixtape to coax spring back out of hiding. It ranges from Jack Penate’s happy, clappy, and jaunty “Second, Minute or Hour” to the light psychedelic bubblegum pop of The Lemon Pipers, providing the perfect accompaniment for blooming flowers, morning songbirds, the warmth of the afternoon sun, and those inescapable spring allergies.

[MP3]: Jack Penate ”Second, Minute Or Hour” [Theo]
Matinée, XL; 2007

[MP3]: Belle & Sebastian ”There’s Too Much To Love” [Nghia]
Fold Your Hands Child, You Walk Like a Peasant , Jeepster; 2000

[MP3]: Journey ”Any Way You Want It” [James]
Departure, Columbia; 1980

[MP3]: Hercules & Love Affair ”Blind” [Pat]
Hercules & Love Affair, DFA; 2008

[MP3]: Bon Iver ”Skinny Love” [Ray]
For Emma, Forever Ago, Jagjaguwar; 2008

[MP3]: George Michael ”I Want Your Sex” [Paul]
Faith, Epic; 1987

[MP3]: Edwin ”Alive” [Ric]
Another Spin Around the Sun, Sony; 1999

[MP3]: The Lemon Pipers ”Green Tambourine” [Justin]
Green Tambourine, Buddah; 1968