Sufjan Stevens launches takeover at the Brooklyn Academy of Music
Though he's been keeping busy with his commissioned symphonies, production work and film scores, prolific folk hero Sufjan Stevens has set aside some time-- 9 p.m. to 4 a.m. on Sept. 27, to be exact-- to curate the 2008 edition of the Brooklyn Academy of Music's now-annual Takeover.... read more
The Bell House opens in Gowanus with free Matt Pond PA show
Brooklyn’s fabled transformation into the new Manhattan will receive a boost in the night life department with this week's opening of The Bell House on 7th Street in uber-industrial Gowanus. Under the same management as Union Hall in Park Slope and Floyd in Brooklyn Heights, the ex-printing press warehouse will make its debut as a 2-room concert venue with a free performance from Matt Pond PA and Lilys tomorrow, Thursday, Sept. 18th.... read more
Dave Stewart performs live, signs books and shows off photography in NYC this week
Dave Stewart, founding member of The Tourists and one half of Eurythmics, will engage with nearly every artistic medium imaginable this week with a live performance at The Highline Ballroom on Wednesday, Sept. 17th, a book signing and photography exhibition at the Morrison Hotel Gallery on Thursday, Sept. 18th, and a Good Morning America appearance thrown in Wednesday a.m. for good fun.... read more
NYC Band of the Week: My Teenage Stride
Borough: Brooklyn/GreenpointFun Fact: Frontman Jed Smith has harvested several future song titles (like "Murderist Seeks Hand-Me-Down") from his abandoned novel about an opium-tripping copywriter.Why They're Worth Watching: They really do love the 80s, wrapping even the dreariest lyrics in catchy hooks and dreamy retro beats.For Fans Of: The Smiths, Crystal Stilts, The Pains of Being Pure at HeartLet's take a moment to thank Jed Smith's ex-girlfriend. Were it not for her, Smith would've never entered—then won—a Williamsburg songwriting contest, which led to the formation of My Teenage Stride. The band started with Smith, bassist Michael Hollitscher and drummer Brett Whitmoyer.... read more
Amie Miriello: I Came Around
A tepid but promising folk-pop debutAmie Miriello is wired for sound, no doubt about it. She can slip from a Stevie Nicks wail to a Regina Spektor octave-crusher in one verse; she even does one hell of an Alanis Morissette impression. That wealth of vocal character saves the better songs on I Came Around, but for the most part, her pipes are wasted on empty lyrics. On the peppy "Brand New," she sings write-by-numbers lines like, "See you walkin' down the street/Kind of guy I'd like to meet/Come on and give it to me." Breakup ballad "Who You Really Are"... read more
Amanda Petrusich celebrates It Still Moves release at BookCourt
Tonight, Paste's very own senior contributing editor Amanda Petrusich will host a signing tonight for her new book, It Still Moves: Lost Songs, Lost Highways, And The Search For The Next American Music, at BookCourt in Cobble Hill at 7 p.m.... read more
Kanye West and Q-Tip play secret Knitting Factory show
Starting ominously with publicists leaving "hot tips" about a last-minute performance in the inboxes of bloggers across the boroughs, Tuesday night witnessed two of the most iconic voices in hip-hop perform together as Kanye West and Q-Tip took the stage in the early hours of the morning for a secret-ish show at the packed Knitting Factory. ... read more
ATP schedule announced; My Bloody Valentine taps Trail Of Dead, Yo La Tengo, more
It's been a long, long 16 years since Kevin Shields and My Bloody Valentine bandmates last washed us with their waves of heavenly distortion. But at long last, the All Tomorrow's Parties festival is providing the seminal group a magical weekend to host a blowout of early-90s noise jams, September 19-21 in upstate New York.... read more
Live Review: Liam Finn @ Bowery Ballroom 9/3
Liam Finn's an extraordinarily talented man, with skills honed in an unlikely place: New Zealand. Better known for its sheep and Lord of the Rings set tours, the Pacific island nation also produced his father (Neil Finn of Crowded House) while its larger neighbor to the south, Australia, is responsible for the younger Finn's bandmate, Eliza-Jane Barnes. And with one album, I'll Be Lightning, under his belt and some formidable critical praise to his name-- including a spot among Paste's Best of What's Next-- Finn's live performance more than lives up to the buzz.... read more
NYC Band of the Week: Frances
Borough: Brooklyn Fun Fact: The group’s biggest gig this year occurred at Shea Stadium, where the sextet performed before the opening pitch of a Mets’ game. Why They’re Worth Watching: Frances’ densely orchestrated chamber pop perfectly complements vocalist Paul Hogan’s indie-rock sensibilities in their debut LP, All the While. For Fans Of: The Arcade Fire, Sufjan Stevens, Ben Folds An accurate description of the music made by the band known as Frances could fill a textbook. Speaking with all six members of the group-- guitarist Brian Betancourt, drummer Tclael Esparza, bassist Nick Anderson, vocalist/keyboarist Paul Hogam, melodica player Stephanie Skaff... read more
Shara Worden of My Brightest Diamond on NYC
As the lead singer of My Brightest Diamond and the head cheerleader of Sufjan Steven’s Illinoisemakers, Shara Worden’s piercing vocals belie a history of musical immersion and training. After studying in Michigan, Texas and Moscow, Worden established herself as one of the most challenging artists to come out of New York City with a line of engaging projects including her latest album, the pop/classical amalgamation A Thousand Shark’s Teeth. Paste spoke with the affable Brooklyn resident to discuss her journey to NYC and what she’s been up to.... read more
Saul Williams On NYC
Poet, actor, musician, writer: There are few limits to the artistic agenda of Saul Williams. His past role as a pioneer in NYC’s spoken-word poetry scene makes him a definitive witness in the city’s history of underground art and symbolic expression. Currently touring in support of his latest album, The Inevitable Rise and Liberation of Niggy Tardust, and appearing in the upcoming film New York, I Love You, Williams spoke with Paste about his history and thoughts on The Big Apple. Look for more interviews with some of NYC’s most acclaimed artists in the coming weeks.... read more
Welcome To Paste:Local NYC!
What can one say about America's marquee city of lights and culture that hasn't been said before? For Paste, it's inevitable that a large degree of our coverage revolves around artists and filmmakers who make this city their home. While our offices are located in the deep South and we spread our love equally to all 50 states, it's hard to ignore the energy of approximately 23 square miles of island that claim so many major institutions of music, film and culture. Despite the mainstream focus the Big Apple receives, it's independent activity is equally as vibrant. The last ten... read more
Paste:Local New York - Editor & Contributor Information
About the editor:Sean Edgar, Paste:Local's New York editor, was born in Columbus, Ohio, where he learned to be Catholic, like football and read British comic books. After serving as an animal trainer and performer at The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, he moved to New York City to embrace one of the few places where writers and animal trainers are equally employable. After working in editorial and advertising for several medical and business publications, Sean currently works for a design firm and edits this site. In his spare time, he likes to take pictures of things and reminisce about his old... read more
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