Category Archives: News

City Winery’s four nights for Haiti relief

Posted on January 18, 2010 | Leave a comment

Patti Smith is just one of the artists who will perform for Haiti relief at City Winery. (Copyright 2010, Steven P. Marsh)

Will You Miss Me When I’m Gone? will be at the first of four nights of fantastic Haiti-relief. I’d like to make all four, but I’m not sure I have the cash (it’s $75 minimum,  but it’s worth as it’s for an important cause!) or the free time to do that. But everyone who cares about music and about the tragedy in Haiti should try to make it to at least one of these shows. It’s a great way for music fans to make a contribution.

All four nights are shaping up to be amazing. Patti Smith, Yo La Tengo, John Wesley Harding, comedian Lewis Black, Vernon Reid, Corey Glover, Roseanne Cash, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Carolina Chocolate Drops and many more entertainers of all types. City Winery promises that more will be added.

The third night (Jan. 25) in particular, should be a great party given that U.S-based Tabou Combo (misspelled on the poster as Tambou Combo), one of the longest-running bands specializing in an irresistible Haitian dance music called compas (or konpa direk), is on the bill. I haven’t seen TC in years, but by all accounts it remains an amazing dance band.

City Winery’s goal is to raise $100,000 for Haiti relief over the four nights. Tickets ($75 general admission, $200 for Big-Hearted Donor tickets, which include a bottle of special wine) are tax deductible. Proceeds are being split among three charities: Wyclef Jean‘s Yele Haiti Foundation, Doctors Without Borders and Partners in Health.

Click here for more info and to buy tickets. As of this posting, it seems that tickets are still available for all four shows. Showtimes vary slightly from 8 to 9 pm, so check the time when you buy tickets. Unlike many City Winery shows, these shows are all general admission — although the $200 ticket will get you into the VIP area. My advice to you is to ignore your New York concert-going instincts to arrive late. If you want a good spot, arrive on time. Or even early! The good people at City Winery assure me that the kitchen will be open for all four shows, so you’ll be able to pass the time until the show starts with eating as well as drinking.

City Winery is at 155 Varick St., New York, NY 10013. Call (212) 608-0555 or email info@citywinery.com for more information.

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Posted in Benefit, Folk, Music, News, Pop and Rock, World Music

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Owen Pallet: He’s not Final Fantasy anymore

Posted on January 16, 2010 | Leave a comment

Owen Pallett performs with the Bang on a Can All-Stars at the 2008 Bang on a Can Marathon at the World Financial Center Winter Garden. (Photo copyright 2008, Steven P. Marsh)

It’s no surprise that Owen Pallet, the talented young violinist who’s been plying his trade under the band name Final Fantasy, would have to come to terms with his name someday. And that day is here. He released his first album under his own name on Tuesday, after finally realizing he was getting too popular and known to avoid a trademark battle with the makers of the popular game of the same name.

He announced the name change last month. Even if you’ve never listened to any of his CDs, you’ve probably heard some of his work. Read more here.

If you’re one of the smart and lucky ones, you have tickets to his sold-out show at NYC’s Bowery Ballroom this Monday (Jan. 18). If you don’t have one of those cherished tickets, you can still get a taste of what Owen’s been up to by listening to Studio 360 with host Kurt Andersen this afternoon on WNYC radio.

Here’s a video of Owen in the WNYC studio performing “Lewis Takes Action.”

Studio 360 airs today at 4pm on WNYC 93.9FM and is repeated at 2pm tomorrow on AM820. You can also listen live online at WNYC’s web site or get a complete show podcast, Check out the Studio 360 web site for more information. You can also download two bonus tracks from Owen’s Studio 360 performance by clicking here.

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Posted in Contemporary, Contemporary Classical, Music, News, Pop and Rock

Spoon is stirring the pot

Posted on January 12, 2010 | Leave a comment

Spoon will headline a show at Radio City Music Hall on March 26.

Is Spoon getting too big for its core fans? Give a listen to their new album, out next week, streaming now at NPR.org. From what I’ve heard so far, Britt Daniel and company have made their sound tighter and better focused than ever, without losing its identity.

But with a headlining gig at Radio City Music Hall on March 26 (tickets go on sale this Saturday), I have to wonder whether they’ve really broken through or if they’re over-reaching.

I plan to be there at Radio City to decide for myself. See you there?

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Posted in Concerts, Music, News, Pop and Rock

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Asphalt comes indoors

Posted on January 7, 2010 | Leave a comment

Asphalt Orchestra debuted at last summer's Lincoln Center Out of Doors Festival. (Photos copyright 2009, Steven P. Marsh)

Asphalt Orchestra, my very favorite avant-garde marching band — okay, I admit, it’s the only avant-garde marching band I know — high-steps it indoors tonight at Lincoln Center for a free show.

“We’re playing everything we’ve ever played — plus two new arrangements,” promises Asphalt saxophonist Ken Thomson.That means music by Frank Zappa, Meshuggah, Bjork, Tom Ze, Thomas Mapfumo, Stew and Heidi Rodewald, Goran Bregovic, Tyondai Braxton (of Battles), Charles Mingus and Conlon Nancarrow. Whew!

This is the only show the band — created by Bang on a Can for last summer’s the Lincoln Center Out of Doors Festiva — will be doing in NYC until the summer. And, while Asphalt is probably best seen and heard outdoors, marching up and down bleachers and wandering around the Lincoln Center campus, it’s a big plus that tonight’s show is indoors!

The show is scheduled to begin at 8:30 tonight in David Rubenstein Atrium at Lincoln Center, on Broadway between West 62nd and West 63rd streets, just east of the Plaza in the former Harmony Atrium space. It’s a perfect gateway to the arts center, with visitor information on all Lincoln Center tenants, a ticket office offering day-of-performance discounts, a performance space, a restaurant, free WiFi and restrooms.

Arrive early to get a good seat, as it’s first-come, first-served. For my part, I’m thinking about standing, just to remind me of my first experiences with Asphalt.

Asphalt Orchestra playing the world premiere performance of Stew and Heidi Rodewald's "Carlton."

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Posted in Contemporary, Contemporary Classical, Music, News, Pop and Rock, Punk

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Gone too soon: Vic Chesnutt dead at 45 (UPDATE: Donate to help Vic’s family)

Posted on December 26, 2009 | 1 comment

Vic Chesnutt wheels into the spotlight at the Bowery Ballroom in NYC on June 16, 2009. (Photos copyright 20009, Steven P. Marsh)

UPDATE: Longtime Vic Chesnutt collaborator Kristin Hersh has set up a web page for donations to help Vic’s survivors. Click here to donate. Kristin promises that all proceeds will go to the family to help cover the costs of Vic’s hospitalization and burial.

Singer-songwriter Vic Chesnutt, 45, who was confined to a wheelchair after breaking his neck in a car accident at age 18, died today after lapsing into a coma after taking an overdose of muscle relaxants earlier this week, family spokesman, Jem Cohen told The New York Times.

Vic's energy came out in a howl.

Kristin Hersh, a frequent collaborator with Chesnutt, said on Twitter that it was suicide. “No one knows much: another suicide attempt, looks bad, coma–if he survives, there may be brain damage,” Hersh Tweeted yesterday. “This time, it’s real scary: *this* time, he left a note, *this* time, he asked them to call me.”

The Athens, Ga., -based performer, had attempted suicide in the past. But the lyrics of the songs on his new album, In the Cut, seemed to signal a positive outlook on life. He even wrote directly about suicide in “Flirted With You All My Life,” writing “Everywhere I go, you’re always right there with me. I flirted with you all my life. Even kissed you once or twice… But clearly I was not ready. … Oh death, really I’m not ready, no no.”

Vic opened for Jonathan Richman at the Bowery Ballroom in NYC in June. He seemed as cantankerous as ever and full of life. After his set, he hung out with some younger men at the back of the room and talked about partying after the show. He seemed content, not as angry or hurting as in the past. Perhaps he had just learned to hide it better.

R.I.P., Vic.

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Posted in Concerts, Music, News, Pop and Rock

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In the Heights headed to the silver screen

Posted on December 15, 2009 | 1 comment

Lin-Manuel Miranda (center, wearing cap), who created and composed In the Heights, is set to reprise his starring role as Usnavi in the big-screen version.

The New York-themed hit Broadway musical In the Heights will follow in the cinematic footsteps of its contemporary, Passing Strange, with a film adaptation.

The Hollywood Reporter says the movie will be directed by Kenny Ortega, the director of the High School Musical movies and Michael Jackson’s This Is It. No dates have been announced.

Lin-Manuel Miranda, who created and composed the show about three days in the lives of neighbors in NYC’s Washington Heights section, is starring and producing the movie. Quiara Alegria Hudes, who wrote the book for the musical, is writing the script. Lin-Manuel originated the starring role of Usnavi in the off-Broadway production, and opened in the show when it transferred to Broadway.

In keeping with a trend on Broadway, a movie star — Corbin Bleu of High School Musical — is set to take over the show’s starring role starting Jan. 25.

In the Heights was nominated for 13 Tony awards in 2008, and won for best new musical. Passing Strange got seven 2008 Tony nods, and won best book of a musical.

This is just the latest parallel between theatrical classmates Heights and PS, both of which were staged off-Broadway to great acclaim in 2007 and transferred to Broadway in 2008. NYC-themed Heights won the East Coast-West Coast battle against PS, which tells the story of a black man growing up in Los Angeles. Heights, which had its first Broadway performance a week after Passing Strange transferred, remains open, while PS closed on July 20, 2008, after 186 performances during a six-month run.

Director Spike Lee, a Strange Freak (a term used to describe the most devoted Passing Strange fans), filmed the final performances of PS. His film — a relatively low-buget record of the stage show with few grand cinematic tricks — was released earlier this year. The Heights movie is being billed as an “adaptation,” which suggests a slicker, big-budget project complete with location shots. Heights struck me from Day One as an updated West Side Story, and this approach to making the film seems likely to underscore the comparison.

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Posted in Movies, Music, News, Theater

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Asphalt Orchestra marches back to Lincoln Center!

Posted on November 17, 2009 | Leave a comment

It came from underground: Asphalt Orchestra marches out of the subway for its debut in August. (Photos copyright 2009, Steven P. Marsh)

That’s right, the fantastic Asphalt Orchestra, the avant-garde marching band that made its debut during Lincoln Center Out of Doors this summer, is making a comeback tomorrow for a free public preview of Lincoln Center’s newest space, the David Rubenstein Atrium.

Asphalt Orchestra with its inimitable, off-kilter marching band aesthetic kicks off tomorrow’s festivities at noon. And that’s just the beginning. There will be food and other performances well into the evening.

For the full schedule and more photos of Asphalt Orchestra, click through to the jump. Continue reading →

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Posted in Concerts, Music, News

Celebrate Julia Wolfe’s new album with four free concerts tomorrow

Posted on November 9, 2009 | Leave a comment

julia_wolfe

Composer Julia Wolfe

Bang on a Can co-founder Julia Wolfe‘s new CD, Dark Full Rid, is coming out tomorrow on Cantaloupe Music. Anyone who follows Bang on a Can closely will know most, if not all, of these pieces. The title piece is a blistering percussion suite that stands as one of my all-time favorites. It’s high time a recording became available.

To celebrate, Bang on a Can has organized a series of free concerts at four locations in Manhattan. If you are lucky enough to be able to make it to all four locations, you’ll have the honor of hearing the entire contents of the CD live on the day of release.

The shows are all free and open to the public. Here’s the full schedule:

11 am – “LAD” for 9 bagpipes
Matthew Welch plays live with eight recorded bagpipes
Roulette, 20 Greene Street (between Canal and Grand)

NOON – “Dark Full Ride” for 4 drumsets
Talujon Percussion Quartet (David Cossin, Dominic Donato, Michael Lipsey and Matt Ward).
Dauphin Human Design, 138 West 25th Street, 12th Floor (between 6th and 7th Avenues)

1 pm – “Stronghold” for 8 double basses
Robert Black and the Hartt Bass Band.
Chelsea Art Museum, 556 West 22nd Street (corner of 11th Avenue)

darkfullride.ocard.012:30 pm – “my lips from speaking” for 6 pianos
Lisa Moore, Lisa Kaplan, Blair McMillen, Timo Andres, Kate Campbell, Isabelle O’Connell on piano. Conducted by Sam Adams.
Faust Harrison Pianos, 205 West 58th Street (between 7th and 8th Avenues)

For more information about the album, click here.

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Posted in Concerts, Contemporary Classical, Music, News, Recordings

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In C Remixed

Posted on November 2, 2009 | 2 comments

incremixed

If you’re lucky enough to be in New York City next Sunday, don’t miss out on an amazing opportunity to witness a live performance of one of the 20th Century’s defining pieces of music, Terry Riley‘s In C.

The Grand Valley State University New Music Ensemble is bringing its version of In C to the stage at (Le) Poisson Rouge on Nov. 8 to celebrate the release of its fantastic new recording, In C Remixed.

The GVSU ensemble obviously can’t reproduce the album — which features the recording of the title piece and 18 remixes by some of today’s best sonic manipulators — in a concert setting. But the show will feature live remixing by composer and sound designer Dennis DeSantis (one of the album’s remixers), videos by album remixer R. Luke DuBois, and an opening set by the Slow Boys (comprising digital violin genius Todd Reynolds and bass clarinetist and composer Michael Lowenstern, who also contributed remixes).

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Terry Riley

This is a show that requires homework, albeit very pleasant homework. Here’s your assignment:

Before the show — best to do it now — download In C Remixed from your favorite digital music source. (It’s available now at Amazon.com and on iTunes. If you want a physical CD, you’ll have to wait until Nov. 17.)

Continue reading →

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Posted in Concerts, Contemporary Classical, Music, News

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An incentive to check out our friends at Bold As Love

Posted on October 13, 2009 | Leave a comment

BoldAsLove

If you haven’t checked out the blog Bold As Love (The mainstreaming of Black rock music and the evolution of the new Black imagination), you really should. The blog, a friend of Will You Miss Me When I’m Gone?, always provides provocative and entertaining reading.

And now there’s an extra incentive to check it out. Bold As Love is offering a 17-track compilation album for free. Just click here to go to the post that has all the info you need to get your copy. Check it out. And be sure to go back to Bold As Love regularly for great new posts — right after you’ve checked in on WYMMWIG, of course!

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Posted in Music, News, Pop and Rock

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