Thinking about Crystal Stilts, by Jason Gaspardi

Last weekend we moved to a new apartment, a few blocks north of our old place. Since we’re now in the very upper reaches of Bushwick, and right around the corner from Silent Barn, we figured there was no reason not to stop by and check out Woods and Vivian Girls on Friday night.

When we got there the Beets were playing. I don’t know why, but I really don’t like the Beets. It’s short, recycled pop-rock, and all that I can think when I see them is that they sound like sloppy Beach Boys. After my third encounter, I’ve affirmed that I’m definitely not into it. I think my roommate, Jason, best summed up the vibe of a Beets show when he asked, “what’s with all the shaking and lurching?" Good question.

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Last Wednesday, I went to the album release party/fundraiser for Welcome to Bushwick - a 14 band compilation produced by Pass Kontrol. I got my hands on a copy about a month ago and it has been on steady rotation on my ipod — especially when I am in any sort of moving vehicle (excellent soundtrack for subway, bus, road trips or just running really fast). The compilation (available for free download in the right sidebar), is hopefully the first of many collaborations between such a wide variety of Bushwick talent. There is talk of an outdoor show this Fall with some of the bands, more hard copies of the CDs to be released, and hopefully some plays and positive response from local radio and even some small labels.

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Good Wood opening (Village Voice)

Quite a pool party, but…NYT reports today that as plans for McCarren Pool to convert back to its original purpose, the Open Space Alliance has its sights set on the Bushwick Inlet Park.  It’s pretty much North Williamsburg, but close people.

“Bands like these deserve a crowd like that.” Gothamist reviews a Todd P. hot and sweaty show at Market Hotel, after also linking to our very own concerns of an MTV “invasion.”

Bushwick and Chelsea go head to head. Wow. The Village Voice is really promoting our apparent “gallery district” on Flushing.  This is the second article in two weeks on the subject.

Fun was had by all. For those of you who could not make it to the album release party of Welcome to Bushwick, a compilation of fourteen local bands, here are some pictures from the event at Northeast Kingdom.

July ends tonight at midnight.  August is almost here–that month that feels like one long Sunday evening, because you know that soon, everything is going to get all serious again.  Live it up while the days are long and the nights are even longer.  Here are some options: feeling like a wild mother-freaking sweat soaked, body slapping, music shouting good ole time?  Check out Usaisamonster and others tonight at Chief Mag’s new spot on Broadway, Bodega.  Not sweaty enough?  The Vivian Girls will be at Silent Barn on Friday night with an impressive line up.  Get there before midnight or you won’t get in.  Tonight the genius Bushwick marvel duo Jett and Ryan who make up the band Columbia will be at Cake Shop, and so will I.  I also personally recommend Bushwick-based angel/singer/songwriter Sharon Van Etten on Sunday also at Cake Shop to make you feel like all is well in the universe because heaven really is a place on earth.

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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.

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Brooklyn’s upstart galleries create a new art district. The Village Voice looks at Flushing area galleries Factory Fresh, Ad Hoc Art, Pocket Utopia, and English Kills.  Ad-Hoc owner coined the term for the group of nearby galleries the “gang of four.”  Four being enough to label the area a gallery district? I’m sure realtors with half a brain who aren’t in a “hep of poop” will think so.

Dancers are warriors with the most punishing artistic discipline there is. Jonah Bokaer, one of the founders of Chez Bushwick, is profiled on New York Social Diary.

“This has no connection at all with rapper Bushwick Bill from the Geto Boys.“  A New Band A New Day reviews Padre Pio, a glammy pop Bushwick-based band.  The reviewers only reference for our neighborhood is, of course, Bushwick Bill.

Holla if you Swolla. This gem of a blog is “A recorded archive of various cat calls served up to us on the streets of New York.” The Bushwick entry from last Tuesday is surprisingly romantic.

Rest up and suit up, Bushwickers, there are about a gazillion events to choose from this weekend! Friday night get your art on at Ad Hoc’s 5 Identities, 5 Destinations opening and after party at the Wreck Room. If your tastes run more toward the spicy literary vein, why not check out the Poetry Brothel at Papa B Studios. It’s the “first event of its kind” — with poets playing “whores,” visitors playing “customers,” and the front all done up as “part saloon and part salon, offering a full bar, blackjack table, live portrait painting, exhibited artwork, tarot card readings, and live music.” That is a high-concept mouth full. Please, please report back.

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We’ve embedded a player at the bottom of the “latest” column that streams “Welcome to Bushwick,” a compilation of 14 neighborhood bands. Stream it while you sit on your ass at work! If you like it, you can pick up a hard copy at these fine businesses for free: Archive, Wyckoff Starr, Potion. And don’t miss the CD benefit show at Northeast Kingdom Lounge this coming Wednesday!

MTV disclaimer and Mae Shi at Market Hotel, by Rebekah Bassen

It was definitely a strange sort of night at the Market Hotel on Monday, and it was more than just the heat. First, there was a street team from UCB there to hit up guests of the Hotel. I stumbled upon them re-grouping in Mr. Kiwi’s, with their leader telling them to work their way down the street to Goodbye Blue Monday next. More ominously though, my girlfriend noticed a sign when we entered saying, in short, that MTV is filming and can use your likeness in all media that exists, or may exist in the future, and by being there you agree to be filmed, if you don’t agree, leave. MTV?! Ugh. I suddenly became curious as to why Japanther dropped from the bill and if the filming had anything to do with it.

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(Today is my birthday, and I am going to the demolition derby on Sunday to celebrate.  Ha ha, yes.)

More ethereal realms from the Menahan Street Band. Another awesome Daptone Records Project:  this band is a collaboration of musicians from Sharon Jones and The Dap Kings, Budos Band, El Michels Affair, and Antibalas.  Producer Thomas Brenneck brought the groups together and they record in his Menahan Street apartment.  Download the track Make the Road by Walking here.

Usurping our western neighbors crown. Hrag Vartanian’s recent piece for the Brooklyn Rail explores Bushwick as “breakaway republic”, “brave new world”, and this moment as “a form of prescience.”

But we were just gettin’ to know ya! After a (very) short-lived stint in Bushwick, for undisclosed reasons the boys from Bushwick Social Club are outta here.  They had a weekly party at the Kingdom for a little while, and a well-designed blog that linked to our culture calendar and other such goodies.  Bye guys, thanks for the memories.

Drawing on the Utopic. Austin Thomas, artist and director of Pocket Utopia, a nice little gallery on Flushing, started a new blog with colorful observations of the utopic world around her.