Archives for July 2010

When it’s 100 degree weather outside and feels as if someone has turned the heat way up in the streets of Greenpoint/Williamsburg, there is no magical recipe: chances are you will sweat a lot and stop in every café on your way, because walking around town for too long in this heat, is simply not possible!

In the neighborhood, everybody has their own way of dealing with the record high temperatures, but they all agree that the number one rule is to: “Drink a lot of water.”

That’s among Alicia and Maria’s advice: “Stay in the shade and drink a lot of water.”  The home attendant and her charge were sitting on a bench in the McCarren Park with a bottle of fresh water in a bag, and moving as little as possible. Maria, 82 could not have left the house this morning if it wasn’t for the warm yet cherished wind that was in the air, said Alicia. “Even if it is hot air, it’s still air!”

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The Brooklyn Bowl is one of those amazing concepts that you will never find in London; a large stage, a dance floor, a bar, a restaurant which stays open till 3am, and best of all, a bowling alley! Located on Wythe Ave with a view of the New York City skyline that’s breathtaking, to say the least, it is the place to be, especially if you are an up and coming band.

Last week on Thursday night, that up and coming band Glint headlined. The venue filled up quickly as soon as they hit the stage. With recognition from magazines such as NME and Billboard Magazine, Glint didn’t disappoint. The band is formed by Jase Blankfort on guitar and vocals, Mateus Tebaldi on percussion and drums, Alon Leventon on keys and synthesizers, Phil Kuperberg doing the programming, samples and synthesizers, and Dave Johnson playing bass.

Their music is enigmatic and evocative. Jase’s powerful voice is supported by the rock meets electro arrangement, and live, it is executed brilliantly. With remnants of Radiohead and Muse, they make music that will cause anyone to sway and appreciate the moment.  They use simple yet chilling melodies, powerful guitar and heart-beating drums to bring together an all-new sound. My favourite song is Hold Still which is on their self-titled EP released last year.

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Photo By Eric Wolman

Prepare to hoist the giglio!  [BklynPaper]

Williamsburg Waterfront Pool Parties lineup announced!  [ReadJunk]

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By Sara Vaadia
Photo from harryandthepotters.com

Imagine if Harry Potter quit the quidditch team and traveled back in time to start a punk rock band with his past self to sing songs about the magical world he lives in. With that, we get Harry and the Potters. The band touches on multiple different subjects in J.K Rowling’s Harry Potter series, from humorous things such as wizard’s chess and saving Ginny Weasley, to inspiring songs about how the most powerful weapon we have is love.

The band, featuring brothers Joe and Paul DeGeorge—Joe who plays as “Harry year four” and Paul who plays as “Harry year seven,”—frequent libraries more than rock clubs, but Harry and the Potters, having played at the Knitting Factory before, returned to it on June 6th, but for their first time in its new Williamsburg location. Many people came early, lining up outside in their Hogwarts ties and wearing shirts with Daniel Radcliffe’s bespectacled face on it (the star who plays Harry Potter in the films.)

Opening for Harry and the Potters were two Muggle (non-magic folk) bands, Terror Pigeon Dance Revolt, and Uncle Monsterface, and while both of them had an eccentric look and sound that kept the audience entertained and dancing, it wasn’t until Harry and the Potters came on stage that the audience packed close together, almost everyone singing along. While Harry and the Potters were playing, the audience transformed from a bunch of strangers into a community and a community is exactly what Harry and the Potters created in 2002 when they became the first “wizard rock” band, as countless bands followed in their footsteps.

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Any good night on the town in London usually ends in a kebab shop eating chips (fries), but in the ‘burg the best place to quench those munchies is Oasis on North 7th St, and with a falafel sandwich at only 3 bucks it’s not likely to put strain on your wallet. I love the ‘take-away’ margaritas at the Turkey’s Nest on Bedford Ave for only $10, so there is no need to spend hundreds on a night out in the neighbourhood, especially when there are so many free gigs nearly every night.

Last night at The Lovin’ Cup located on North 6th St a few local bands put on a free show. Two of the bands doing their thing, when I stopped by, were The Bottom Dollars and Baby States. The Bottom Dollars have a residency at the venue, meaning that every Tues at 8.30pm one is likely to catch them on stage playing songs from the wonder years. They describe themselves as playing rock ‘n roll. The vocals possess a retro sound giving the band an old school rock ‘n roll feel which was perfectly symbolised in vintage fedora hats they were sporting. Baby States are Ben Davis, Bridet Kearney, Alec Spiegelman and Jeremy Gustin, who describe their music as ‘new old time,’ a genre I am not accustomed to. After listening to their set I personally would describe them as playing indie folk, but that’s just me. The songs are very chilled and the voices match the music as they have a crooning element. Their music reminded me of some of Frank Turner’s slower tunes as they carry that same ease. Both bands were found outside smoking with their friends (the fans) before and after their shows, which gave the gig itself a relaxed and intimate vibe. Something you have to look very hard and very deeply underground in London to find.

Speaking to Baby States after their set they said that “there were no words to describe what happened here tonight,” in true musician fashion.

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