On Saturday night I biked a ridiculously short distance to go check out Monduna at the Bushwick Department of Public Works (right next to the “hep of poop” condo).  The Addtract Consortium, a group of creative DIY artists and musicians hosts Monduna regularly, and they showcase bands, sometimes performance art, theater, and more. It’s an impressively well-organized event and space, and free to get in. You buy your drink tickets on your way up, and then exchange them on the roof for way-too-delicious vodka concoctions or micro brews.  The view is wonderful of that island-that-is-better-from-afar, and it was nice to get lost in it for a bit when I was worn out by all the shenanigans.  The roof is spacious and allows for spreading out, mingling, making out in dark corners, and even climbing and doing cartwheels.

The bands played in one corner or the roof, backed by a huge projection screen which displayed complimentary band-art. When I got there, Gray Code was setting up their complicated array of laptops, wires, and wonked-out instruments.  They sounded experimental and jazzy, with an improvisational element due mostly to the mad and insane ways their instruments were built. The guitar apparently had motion sensors and would wig out everytime something moved in front of it, which was all the time.  I wandered around for much of the next band’s set, and noticed how refreshingly unpretentious the crowd was. I actually met new people, liked them, and then met more new people, and liked them.  There was a good feeling in the air. For the Suite Unraveling, I climbed on top of a bit of upper roof and had some great 360 degree views. Their set was lively and raw, and the guitarist, Lily Masse, has a hell of a stage presence.  Some went off to mud wrestling after Monduna slowed down, but I was satisfied with the night so I biked for exactly 72 seconds back to my apartment.