11.18 A wknd w/ Debbie Dopamine
Katie Ortiz on free printin', lizard pamperin' and the band's Sunday-night show at Alphaville
HAPPY FRIDAY! Taking a moment to say that we’re writing this from Toronto (given less-catastrophic-than-anticipated midterm results—woo!—we will be coming back tho) where our bartender last night happened to be in the band Shallow Waves who happen to be playing with Brooklyn band Clone at East Williamsburg Econo Lodge in December and ALSO happen to be playing New Colossus Festival in March. The (music) world is small as hell and it’s the best.
NOW ONTO THE SETLIST!
For those unfamiliar, Debbie Dopamine is the newish and newest project of lizard-bearing/wearing artist Katie Ortiz (also of Batsbatsbats Ghostghostghost) (which was formerly Meansiders) —complete with Dylan LaPointe on bass and Zach Rescignano on drums — and we’re not going to wax on with a long intro here because the most effective use of this allotted Substack space is to urge you to drop what you’re doing and listen to the band’s debut record right this second.
The perfect EP that is Pets dropped back in July and features six songs in which the songwriter looks back on the past, out towards the future and inside herself, reminiscing on first love and mourning lost life, fleeing from certain feelings while facing, and embracing, others full-on. As part of the track-by-track feature we did on the record shortly following its release, Katie offered the following intel on the making of the record and the process of… processing:
“Pets was a deep dive into vulnerability, grief, and cynicism, and I feel as though it constantly teeters on the edge of a breakdown.
When I first started putting this record together, I was thinking a lot about my childhood pets, fiercely adored but poorly cared for. One by one I buried them under the rhododendrons in my backyard. Then years later, as an adult, I started having these morbid visions of the new pets of the new families that have lived there since digging the bones of mine up.
Love is not enough to keep fragile things alive, and dirt alone can’t keep your secrets. This EP is about digging up the bones of everything I’ve buried. I don’t believe in closure, but I believe in keeping the ghosts of your past company.”
In addition to the track-by-track feature, we’ve also done a Best of Brooklyn feature with Katie, which serves as the perfect ~amuse bouche~ for this week’s SETLIST, in which the artist outlines an ideal weekend, complete with what else but a Debbie Dopamine show at Alphaville THIS SUNDAY with Raisalka and Muck (tix available here).
And on the catch-Debbie-Dopamine-live note, not this weekend… or the next… or the next or the next…but THE NEXT (12/16 duh), you can catch Katie and co. at the just-announced BANDS DO BK HOLIDAY PARTY + SOCK DRIVE FOR THE HOMELESS on the Our Wicked Lady roof.
Socks are the most needed but least donated item of clothing, so we’re collecting on behalf of Knock Knock Give A Sock, an organization dedicated to providing socks for those in need, and asking that you please join us in bringing a NEW and UNWORN pair of socks (or two?!) to contribute to the cause. Grab your tix here.
… But one weekend at a time, right?
Read on for a guaranteed-great three days from Katie (+ her cold-blooded companion Matilda) featuring free printing, second-hand shopping and an extra excellent selection of vegan recs—
And, as always, go forth, enjoy art and have fun. <3
[BUT FIRST: PRESS PLAY]
FRIDAY
I work remotely a lot, so I like to set up shop not at home. My favorite working spot is Cute Cat Cafe, where the espresso is strong and the local felines are plentiful and bribed with treats. Dylan and I sometimes work together at his place (I do click-clack work on my computer as he designs sick DungeonPup Tats), but he’s currently slapping the bass on tour with Oceanator. Today I’m hunkered down at my local Queens Public Library, because libraries are the most comforting and magical places in the whole world. Plus the Queens library gives you 20 pages of free printing a day AND there’s a free daily crossword. What more could a girl want?
If I’m feeling too lazy to cook, I may try to convince Zach to go in on spicy Thai food from Klom Klorm with me for dinner. Or we’ll whip something up and grab a drink at Aunt Ginny’s before heading out to a show. Tonight girlpuppy plays at Purgatory, where you can find me all too often ;) The late night show also features Crush Fund who I’ve been dying to see live!
SATURDAY
Despite all my best efforts, I’m an early riser. If it’s not frigid I’ll want to be outside in the sun as much as possible (what’s up to my seasonal depression girlies!!!) I’ll try to meet friends for lunch at Hartbreakers (fried mushrooms!!) or Cafe Moca (vegan BLT!!). Afterwards we’ll bop around Ridgewood and stop by Scorpion Records to do some rummaging. Their collection is mostly unsorted, which means you get to stumble upon the unexpected. I found a Shirelle’s record last weekend which has become a go-to weekend vibe setter.
All walks in the neighborhood eventually take me to Other People’s Clothes, a small but well-curated thrift store. I seem to be physically incapable of going in without at least trying something on. Some of my favorite Debbie looks have come from here–it’s vintage nightgown heaven, and the fact that it’s sorted by color is just so satisfying.
I’ll probably spend the rest of the afternoon getting sucked into guitar noodling. I’ve written a song for every week of 2022, and now that I’m in the home stretch I am feeling lazy as hell about it. Recently I’ve been committed to banging something out in 30 minutes from start to finish, but if I’m feeling inspired I may fall into a wormhole of production and endless harmonies.
Our beloved Debbie Dylan arrives home today!! Time for us all to give him a sloppy welcome back kiss at The Broadway for Oceanator’s homecoming show tonight. Zach and I will bike there early enough to gorge ourselves on vegan chicken sandwiches before spending the night dancing ourselves silly in the front row.
SUNDAY
If everyone’s favorite lizard, Matilda, is awake, I’ll spend the morning pampering her until I realize I forgot to make any merch for tonight’s show. Whoops! I’ll perch her on the couch and we’ll listen to whatever I picked up at the record store yesterday while I furiously hand-embroider shirts like the wind. She will doggedly try to eat my fingers and I will refuse to hold it against her.
Afterwards, Zach and I might meander over to Topos for good coffee and to browse their ever seductive used books section. Inevitably we will leave with at least one thing from their $1 shelf and spend the rest of the afternoon reading.
Then I’ll spend far too much time picking out an outfit and we’ll head over to Alphaville for soundcheck! I’ll wear shoes that are comfy enough to dance in since after Raisalka and Muck play, my dear pal DJGayPanic will be spinning dreamy indie sleaze far into the night.
Itinerary above written + submitted by Debbie Dopamine. Follow Debbie Dopamine at @debbiedopamine, buy music on Bandcamp and add songs to your Spotify playlists!
Feature image provided by the artist.
MORNING ANNOUNCEMENTS
PSA about the truly one of a kind and extremely excellent event that is POWER HOUR, in which insanely talented musician Ray McGale (of Color Tongue fame) covers 60 seconds of 60 covers in 60 minutes. We attended our first one in October, and the acoustic performance meets (optional) drinking game meets audience singalong / group karaoke situation is truly the most magical and cathartic experience ever. So naturally, we booked it again. The next one is going down at Arlene’s Grocery THIS TUESDAY (11/22), followed by sets by ZEBEDEE and KONNICHIWA MF. Grab your tix here.
Thrilled to share that TURKEY SLAMDOWN raised $1400 for Make the Road last weekend. Thank you to BdBK BFFs My Son The Doctor for organizing and to everyone who supported. Learn more about the organization and all the great work they’re doing—and how you can help— here.
PREPARE FOR BATTLE! Submissions for Our Wicked Lady’s WINTER MADNESS are now open. Apply to participate in the February 2023 battle of the bands for the chance to win $5000 + sick prizes here. Many will enter, few will win. Good luck.
Have you been staying up at night, tossing and turning while asking yourself the question, “But what… IS… bandNada?” Never fear, this video starring A Very Special Episode—who are playing at EWEL TONIGHT!— is here to answer all your burrrrrning questions about the anti social music network—which, for the record, is not in the metaverse. (And thank fuckin’ god.)
Elsewhere is currently hiring social media and event marketing interns (paid positions!) for the spring semester and we’re considering going back to college just so we can apply. Find details here.
RELEASE RADAR
New(ish) stuff from local (+ occasionally, once-local) artists we love, listed in no order whatsoever:
Songs About New York b/w Work // The Black Black and Kissed By An Animal
TALK (Remixes) // Halima
"American Top 40” // Realworld
“Movies” // Blue Yonder
“Diamond’s Shining Face” // Godcaster
“Last Sunset” // Warm Body
“Naive - Acoustic Version” // Monarch.
Sporty Boy // Dead Tooth
“Goldfish” // TVOD
IT’S HAPPENIN’
Here’s a look at the events we’ve got coming up. Mark your calendars and come hang!
12.13 Strong Little Songs 6 (our one-year anniversary!) w/ Yellow Birch Road, Sam Pinson (of Mary Shelley), Dumb Girl, co-host Arlo Indigo for Art Start @ BdBK HQ aka Sam’s apt. - donation based // BYOB // dm 4 address
12.16 BdBK Holiday Party and Sock Drive for the Homeless w/ The Thing, TV Moms, Debbie Dopamine, HYPEMOM, Candy Ambulance, Buff Ginger @ Our Wicked Lady - tix here
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.