Stereogum / Believer CMJ Showcase at the Studio at Webster Hall

Cold Cave: Is the fourth time too much? No.


The Golden Filter

So it begins...

Just saw Cold Cave, Golden Filter and Free Energy at the Studio at Webster. (Missed
Glasser, argh.) Broadcast & Atlas Sound at Music Hall of Williamsburg tomorrow! Photos soon...

Wierd Records at Barnard College Radio

I've been meaning to go to the Wierd Records parties at Home Sweet Home.
Well, now they're coming up to my 'hood so I have no excuse not to miss it.

Pissed Jeans at Music Hall of Williamsburg

EDIT: The Fader feature is up online now, here.

Day 2 of the WFMU Fest at Music Hall of Williamsburg: Pissed Jeans headlined. My friend Jamie promised me that there will not be bodily fluids. All lies!

Matt Korvette: Frontbeast and human pretzel

Moving on. Pissed Jeans hails from Allentown, PA and makes filthy, grimey, gyrating, noisy, and growling rock. Sub Pop released their third full-length - King of Jeans - earlier this year.

About the show... I've listened to them on record beforehand but nothing really connected. But live? Absolutely mesmerizing! They won me over! As per Jamie's Gchat status: "♫ matt korvette is the best looking man in the world." Full Flickr set here.

Cold Cave at Music Hall of Williamsburg

I often encounter this dilemma at club shows: flash or no flash? I did bring my Speedlite 580EX to this first night of the WFMU fest, and Cold Cave played practically in the dark, in red light. So flash or no flash? As much as I wanted to, I opted for my fantastic plastic f/1.8 50mm prime because Cold Cave is brooding and dark and moodly and ...cold. I didn't think additional lighting would fit the atmosphere. (Not just making excuses here.)

I've seen 3 different versions of the band now. Apparently as of four days ago, Sarah Lipstate, the wonderful noise goblinette of Noveller, is no longer in the band. This was, by far, the longest set I've ever seen them play. Gets better and better each time! I wonder how opening for Sonic Youth at Terminal 5 will play out... Full Flickr set here.

EDIT: Talk about the uncanny. I was reading Marilyn Ivy's "Naito Masatoshi's Flash," shortly after writing this post. It has a quote from Cartier-Bresson, his advice to readers of Photography magazine in 1955:

And no photographs taken with the aid of flashlight either, if only out of respect for the actual light - even when there's not any of it.

Fever Ray at Webster Hall

Talk about a Scandinavian chill! Fever Ray - a.k.a. Karin Dreijer of the Knife - knows how to put on a show. With incense, mist (...that smelled like maple syrup?), old time-y lamps, apocalyptic circus outfits and CLASS FOUR LASERS, the atmosphere at Webster Hall was eerie and otherworldly. In other words, absolutely fitting for Fever Ray's grotesque pop (grotesque in a good way). However, these aesthetic directions created difficult conditions for photography, as it was hazy and extremely dark for most of the show. Also, photographers were only allowed at the periphery of the photo pit (lest we disturbed the lasers and mirrors center stage). I made due with what I had...
After the show, I managed to catch up with pals - Matt (Music Slut), Abbey (Punk Photo), and Jeff (Culture of Me) - in the VIP balc. Oh, and Karin made an appearance in civilian clothes. A slight fan moment ensued, one that I will not elaborate here.

Phoenix at Rumsey Playfield

I've never seen Phoenix live, so this massive show - first of two sold out nights at a 5500-capacity, give or take, venue - was a very impressive introduction. Also, this is the largest venue I've ever photographed.
It was an all-around enjoyable night. The lighting during the first song was a harsh, unforgiving back light. After this dramatic intro, the pretty sick light show ensued. Great weather, great atmosphere, great energy!

Took these pics for House List, Bowery Presents' endeavor in blogging. You can see more photos on Flickr here.

The Decemberists at Terminal 5

Oh, Colin! I knew he wasn't going to kick me but I still recoiled.

The Decemberists played a "Lottery Show," which involved a live drawing of songs from the Portland quintet's entire catalog plus a few surprises (i.e.: "Colin write a song now"). This was a fantastic show all around - lively band, lively crowd. I can't ask for more as a concert-goer or photographer. Shot this for House List, the nascent Bowery Presents blog. The entire Flickr set can be found here.

Cold Cave at Rogan Store

Fashion's Night Out, baby! I feel the recession reversing already. (Not.) But still, some great events yesterday night, including Cold Cave performing an in-store at Rogan on 330 Bowery. Free champagne, I can't complain.

Wes and Dominick

On a related note, the day before, I went to Agent Provocateur's presentation at the SoHo Grand. Here is some kinky couture for yah.

Warp Records 20th Anniversary at Terminal 5

EDIT: 'SUP write-up and photos are up online now.

Last night was the 20th Anniversary shindig for Warp Records. Battles, !!!, Flying Lotus and Pivot played. Shot this for the incomparable 'Sup Magazine, review coming up.

Battles was tighter than ever. Unf, that precision!

Ian of Battles

"High hat"

!!! was one fierce one-man dance party with jazz hands and twirling. Towards the end of the 3rd song, frontman Nic Offer jumped into the photo pit and started dancing around with the photographers and the crowd. Some sweat got on me.

I think I've been subconsciously channeling JJ Abrams, because lately, I've been embracing the lens flare.

Pivot sounds like Battles redux with a dash of Animal Collective, but I did enjoy them. Will give them another listen.