10/28 A wknd w/ Lily Mao and the Resonaters
The artist (+ their backing band) on a weekend of new-single celebration featuring post-wake-and-bake bagels, lesbian bars and the Weird Al doc that (whoops) isn't actually in theaters?
HAPPY FRIDAY! No news of lions or tigers or bears (oh my!) but in terms of undeniably majestic but also moderately terrifying furry fanged mammals, we do have reports of wolvesssss on our wildlife watch—and, more importantly, music radar.
SPOTTED THIS MORNING: “Wolves,” the new single and accompanying video from Lily Mao—out TODAY!—in which suited-and-tied canis lupis invade Coney Island to chase, terrorize and eventually… rock out.
Beneath the YouTube video, the song description from the Brooklyn artist—written so well we’re going to post it all here—reads:
“‘Wolves’ is a song questioning what it means to be a human within a society overrun by disinformation. The song ‘Wolves’ is meant to address the current politically polarized country we live in called the ‘United’ States (Ha Ha). ‘Wolves’ also addresses how capitalism is a pillar of many human rights issues intertwined with white supremacy, misogyny, and homophobia. It’s a warning cry that the ruling class cyclically take away the working class’ rights using deception. The wolves represent a sundry of fascists: the police, ICE, the prison industrial complex, corporations polluting and poisoning, the Catholic Church, and all the powers that recurrently suppress and de-humanize human beings for profit. We believe that until systemic inequalities are addressed, the wolves will continue to take away our rights. The verses in ‘Wolves’ have an eerie gentleness to them as they hoist sharp lyrics, while the choruses diligently hit you hard. At times we tried to show compassion to humans who have fallen to disinformation using a calmness in our tone, while other times we were intense and loud as acts of self-compassion and truth.”
While typically we use THE SETLIST to direct you to an upcoming show by that Friday’s contributing creative, Lily’s single release show isn’t until 11/4 (at Rubulad, grab tix here!), so for this intro, we’re instead going to keep the focus on two things:
1) SINGLE/VIDEO CELEBRATION, BABY! This music vid mashes up Anchorman… maybe The Warriors… and, uh, something with a wolf in it (?) for an original, entertaining and meaningful work of art. Like, share, subscribe!
2) AND WHAT YOU PROB KNEW WAS COMING! While we’re on the topic of what’s fucked up in this country, allow this song from Lily Mao inspire you to take a moment and think about what you can do to make a difference… starting wittttthhhh VOTING! And hey, whaddya know, midterms are just 10 (shit) days away.
We get it: The hourly texts from Biden, Pelosi and random numbers that you keep hoping will be that hottie from Hinge but end up just being more anonymous volunteers for the John Fetterman campaign might make you want to throw your phone across the room. And the terrifying thought of what could happen two Tuesdays from now probably makes you want to throw up. But please, pleeeeeese remember that this is SO important. Your voice matters. Your vote matters. And using it—a right that so many people have fought for and so many would kill for—is legit the bare minimum. Election day is Tuesday, November 8th, and early voting starts THIS WEEKEND. Find your poll site and all the voting-in-NYC info you need here, and please do your part to protect the vulnerable and fight back against those goddamn wolves.
OKAY! Now that we’ve all enjoyed a rad music video and have promised to do our civic duty (right? RIGHT?), it’s onto the weekend! Lily did a killer job writing up their ultimate itinerary, which is packed with excellent activities to more than fill all three parts of all three days.
Please have a very fun (and safe!) Halloweekend—
We love you. Now go forth and get sp00ky <3
[BUT FIRST: PRESS PLAY]
FRIDAY
Morning
I wake up at 5:45AM to run Prospect Park in order to partake in the beneficial calisthenics haha just kidding. I am waking and baking and placing a pick up order for an egg and cheese on an everything bagel at Smith Street Bagels. I usually make breakfast at home but today myself and The Resonaters are celebrating our single and music video release for “Wolves.” “Wolves” is a song questioning what it means to be a human within a society overrun by disinformation. We’re so excited for y’all to hear the song and watch the video— directed and produced by Shea Vaughan Gabor and filmed by John Sears Media. Both our good friends who made the whole video happen for us and we absolutely could not have done it without them!
Afternoon
Russo’s run because self-love can sometimes involve meats and cheeses.
Evening
Gabby and I are at the beloved lesbian bar Ginger’s with the Dave’s Lesbian Bar crew. Dave's Lesbian Bar' hopes to create a safe, queer space in Queens, NYC, while also existing as community hub to help neighbors in need through a mutual aid model. We’re hangin' with THEMME talking about the upcoming and inevitable revolution, and also getting ready for our single release celebration on 11/4 at RUBULAD with THEMME and Strange Neighbors. It’s going to be like rock music and comedy met on the L Train, fell in love, and had a baby named “Wolves Release Show at Rubulad 11/4 7PM”. Pretty cool baby name if you ask me. Before hitting Ginger’s Gabby and I eat at Pizzatown. Resident good guy and pizza maker Vinny appointed us the mayors. We eat our slices of broccoli mushroom and sing songs on the walk up fifth ave to Ginger’s i.e Point / Counterpoint by Streetlight Manifesto, Bizarre Love Triangle by New Order, or Mad This Summer by August is Falling.
SATURDAY
Morning
As a former barista, I thought I’d seen’t it all till I went to Clever Blend, “coffee that doesn’t suck.” This amazing cafe in Park Slope has a slow drip percolating cold brew gizmo that brews cold brew via ice melting through finely ground coffee. It’s created at a menacingly slow rate throughout the day—the contraption probably only produces 5 cups a day max. I usually time it right and get a cup of what they dub “The Tower,” so horrifically strong and yet so smooth and delightful, I literally can do anything after I drink one.
Afternoon
Gabby and I are at Greenpoint Recording Collective practicing for our set tomorrow at Dave’s Lesbian Bar Sunday Scaries. Nate, who literally puts the Nate in Resonater, is camping upstate for the weekend—BUT listening to “Wolves” when he gets cell service. Our pal Morgan (drummer in Themme, Love Goon) is playing bass with us. When hunger sets in, we head to Jungle Cafe for some amazing vegan food. As a meat eater (see: Russo’s) this is still one of my favorite food spots. It’s buffet style so you take however much your heart/stomach desires. We eat up and ride the G back to my partner <3Lex<3 and I’s apartment, where we watch Cher’s West Side Story. She “will be playing all the parts.”
Evening
Nate is back from upstate. We go to Nitehawk Cinema to watch the Weird Al Movie only to realize it is not in theaters. “It’s premiering on Roku?!” Gabby shrieks in horror. Oh well. We order some delicious burgz at The Double Windsor.
SUNDAY
Morning
Lex and I do actually RUN, but to Miriam for brunch. Miriam is a globally inspired Middle Eastern restaurant from Chef Rafael Hasid. Once I saw Chella Man eat there and I told him I loved him! It’s a truly special place. Anthony, who is deserving of juicy juicy tips always, takes our order. We get the Mediterranean Crispy Dough and Potato Pancake. Full for days.
Afternoon
We hop in my Subaru, “boobaru,” and head to LIC Beer Project for the Dave’s Lesbian Bar Sunday Scaries Event to rock the f out! We’ll be performing “Wolves” and moshing to fellow performers @africanarch @plastiqpassion @stepneckband @abbieropermusic @incirclesmusic @themme_musics @daisygrenade and more!
Evening
After breaking a sweat we replenish our bodies with Comfortland. Really the most comforting food there is. I get the Graceland because it’s spicy and I‘m the type to carry tabasco with me everywhere I go. Everybody “Wolves” down their Comfortland food (they don’t call me L_mao for nuthin’). The perfect end to the perfect “Wolves” weekend. Please go checkout the "Wolves" video and single! And follow us for our next single, "Tiger", out 12/16 via A Diamond Heart Production.
Itinerary above written + submitted by Lily Mao. Follow the artist at @l_mao and the band at @the_resonaters, add the songs to your Spotify playlists and find everything Lily Mao at lilymaomusic.com!
Feature image (provided by the artist): Michelle LoBianco
MORNING ANNOUNCEMENTS
The next round of BANDS DO BK INSIDE-THE-BOOK STUDIO SESSIONS is out now, featuring an interview with cover bois Mary Shelley as well as an acoustic performance (“Bourgeois de Ville” stripped-down is an ~experience~.) Watch the videos here, grab tix to catch them at a JUST-ANNOUNCED Carrie-themed prom show at an art gallery in Chelsea (?) TONIGHT and remember: BdBK the book is available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and BookShop, or you can order through your local bookstore through IndieBound. Find links to order here. <3
Recently, the apartment of Phantom Wave’s Ian caught fire in the middle of the night. While trying to put it out, he inhaled smoke and was taken to the hospital, where he was put on a ventilator (thankfully, he’s now in stable condition). Beyond the health issues following the incident, the artist’s apartment and belongings were all destroyed. A GoFundMe has been set up to help him recover. If you have the means, please donate here, and spread the word. Anything helps.
RELEASE RADAR
New(ish) stuff from local (+ occasionally, once-local) artists we love, listed in no order whatsoever:
“EXORCIZE!” // Cindy Cane
Between the Break // Emanuel and the Fear
“Small Talk” // S.C.A.B.
“Mantis” // TVOD
All You Need Is Time // Daisy the Great
“Pebble” // Glom
IT’S HAPPENIN’
Here’s a look at the events we’ve got coming up. Mark your calendars and come hang!
10.30 BdBK Presents: Halloween Eve @ Arlene’s Grocery w/ TELEVISION (Atlas Engine, Catty, Big Oil), THE DOORS (Mary Shelley), THE CLASH (Grand Army Reapers), ALANIS MORISSETTE (Wetsuit) and BJORK (Kira Metcalf) - tix here
11.10 BdBK Presents: Caravela Album-Release Show w/ Corey Mastrangelo, Living Room @ Our Wicked Lady
+ ICYMI
Around the blog + on the radio + from the archives:
PREMIERE: “Igloo” from Whenwolves
Thx 4 reading! Find more fun stuff at bandsdobk.com and @bandsdobk. <3
Order the Bands do BK BOOK (!) (out now via Lit Riot Press) here.