1.19 A wknd w/ Covey
The artist on pirate-fighting, pigeon pondering and his Saturday-night single-release show at Baby's All Right
As BdBK approaches its 5(!)-year anniversary later this month, it’s time to look back at a few of the blog ogs from the original Class of 2019—a few of the artists who offered their time and their thoughts and their tunes back in the ol’ days (in some cases before we’d even come up with a logo or coughed up $68 for a domain name on to godaddy).
Most likely to appear in The New York Times: Lizzie No (featured this week!)
Most likely to start a pasta company: Sean Carroll (that would be L’Isolina)
Most likely to move to Paris: Ryan Egan (OUI LOVE TO SEE IT)
Most likely to be on stage at The Metropolitan Opera: Alison Clancy (tho to be fair, she was already doing that)
Most likely to have a member end up in a movie with Zac Efron and that dude from The Bear who wasn’t even famous back in 2018: Stan Simons of the band formerly known as Girl Skin
AND FINALLY! MOST IMPORTANTLY…
Most likely to open for Dashboard Confessional, Frankenstein toys Sid-of-Toy Story-style, throw handfuls of (human?) (who’s to say?!) teeth into the crowd, create a video detailing the origin story of his mug shot, turn toddlers on to the circle of death, get stuck in Canada (too soon?) and—this would be our BdBK love/origin story—hop a fence for a photo shoot in a cemetery.
We are, of course, talking about the man, the myth, the absolute legggggennnnd, Tom Freeman—aka COVEY!
There are few people who embody the idea of ~artist~ more than Tom, a master of seemingly infinite mediums. A true craftsman who is always making something. Something wonderful and weird and bizarre and beautiful and original and ugly and interesting and absolutely incredible. The creativity can’t be contained; the feelings are at a fever pitch; it’s all very him and it’s all oh so special. And it’s been the biggest pleasure to witness—from in the crowd and on the internet—his brain and soul and voice and hands in action since we originally met up for giant beers in Bushwick/Ridgewood many (many) moons ago, for what was probably the second-ever BdBK interview, to talk about his favorite spots in Brooklyn.
While we originally met the master of “songs to scream to” in an acoustic setting at a Sofar Sounds show, he’s since graduated… x, like, 1000… touring and playing venues like Music Hall of Williamsburg. And in today’s Covey news, his new single “Twitching Heart” is out on January 23rd (pre-save it here) and you have the chance to celebrate it THIS SATURDAY at his single-release show with Wetsuit and Sweet Breads at Baby’s All Right!
Grab your tix here, and for more plans to fill your oh-so-snowy Saturday and Sunday, keep on readin’ babez, because Covey has got you covered.
Tom: WE LOVE YOU1
Everyone else: AAAAAY, BIG FANS OF YOU, TOO!
Stay warm, stay hawt and plz do have a great wknd <3
[BUT FIRST: PRESS PLAY]
SATURDAY
Wake up at 12pm. Slowly crawl our of bed after one of the two nights you had prior : Staying up until 6am playing switch, or drinking with friends - in the drinking scenario, feel free to stay in bed until 2am. [Editor’s note: pm? whatever TIME IS A CONSTRUCT] No shame. Only recovery. Let the only driving factor for getting out of bed be coffee.
Get to the mirror and look at yourself for a few seconds before deciding that you will never find love. Pee sitting down whilst brushing your teeth.
Go to one of these places for coffee - disclaimer : i drink coffee black so it all tastes like shit to me. Take my coffee recommendations with a grain of salt:
Your Way Cafe : Owned by the sweeeeetest lady. The breakfast is good too.
Tina’s : This is gonna be swamped on the weekend. But its the only true diner feeling spot in Bushwick. And it feels like it was built in the 50s. But not swanky 50s. Like wooden walls 50s.. so maybe 80s.. i’m not a historian leave me alone. But it’s nice.
Then meet up with someone. Can be anyone. But human contact will be the last key to the puzzle of bringing you back to reality. Go to the park or something. Go to a vintage store. Go drink non-water at the local church.
McCarren is nice to sit at in the summer with friends, but in the winter you’re FUCKED. You’re trapped like a rat inside. In this case zoom friends to remember their faces.
Bundle up and watch a horror movie… or a disney movie. Maybe back to back. Bambi, then Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Tangled, then Saw. Keep yourself on your toes or you will black out and never wake up.
Speaking of never waking up, make sure to get a solid sacrifice in to our lord and savior Winfred Stitch. At your Stitch shrine, you can leave teeth, miniature figures of friends, body parts, hair, skin, rodents, rodent birds like a pigeon……. Wait.. i haven’t seen a pigeon in ages… where did all the pigeons go? There used to be loads in Brooklyn.. I’ve seen a lot of rats lately.. but no pigeons.. do pigeons migrate in the winter? They must.. maybe that’s why. Or they were never real at all.. Anyways, yeah put some teeth on your shrine.
If you’re out of teeth, then head to the Covey Single release show at Baby’s Alright on January 20th! Some tix should still be available - make sure to bring a net in order to catch as many teeth as possible.
SUNDAY
Repeat the same morning as Saturday except maybe hit the $4 sandwich spot for lunch. What’s the $4 Sandwich? It’d a sandwich that is $4 at this bodego 147 Wilson Ave, Brooklyn Ny 11237- but HOLY FUK it’s so good. Here’s what you order:
SAUSALITO TURKEY ON A HERO WITH TOMATO LETTUCE ONIONS AVOCADO PEPPER JACK CHEESE SALT PEPPER VINEGAR AND GREEN HABAÑERO SAUCE - optional - add bacon. It’s amazing with but sometimes they don’t have.
You have to yell it all because Nacho (the chef) is almost 100% deaf. But everyone knows deaf people make the best sandwiches.
Enter super saiyan mode and run back to your apartment cradling your hero sandwich like a small 3lb new born, fending off local pirates trying to steal your sandwich loot.
Get home. Eat sammach. Lay down, digest whilst fighting intrusive thoughts. Feel proud. You fought a lot of pirates today. But cry. Because they had a family too. Say goodbye to them and forgive yourself. Rest. Do laundry maybe.
Then for dinner order Klom Korm - best Thai food in all of Brooklyn.
I’ve been getting invited to a lot of underground wrestling events lately and i’ve never been a wrestling fan, but let me tell you, this shit RIPS. You gotta go. I can’t even remember the name lemme check… “New Fear City” check it out it’s a lot of silly goofy fun.
After wrestling get home and sleep responsibly at like 11 or 12. Or 1. OR, play switch until 6am. Sleep is fir the weak.. perpetuate your mental illness with sleep depravation. It makes everything worse.
Itinerary above written + submitted by Covey!. Follow the artist at @coveysux, buy music on Bandcamp and add the songs to your Spotify playlists!
Feature image provided by the artist.
MORNING ANNOUNCEMENTS
NEXT FRIDAY: BdBK x MANI—a collab for the goddamn ages—makes its debut! MANI is the very sick newspaper that you’ve likely seen around town (or at least the internet), created by talented photographer and huge supporter of the scene Nico Malvaldi, all focused on rock and roll in NYC! And we’re stoked to share that the next issue—dedicated to Union Pool—will include the official debut of the Bands do BK column, featuring an interview with Danny Gomez of Native Sun! Come out to celebrate + grab a copy of the paper at the official release party 1/26 at where else but UP, which will include rockin’ and rollin’ and performances by MALA VISTA, The Idolizers and C.T. Hustle & The Muscle. Woooo! VIVA LA PRINT! Grab your tix here.
THE NEXT STRONG LITTLE SONGS IS ON THE CAL, and this time it’s on… a Wednesday?! (Everyone whose excuse was “ahhh i have band practice” — you’re welcome.) Specifically, February 7th! This round of our cozy lil living-room fundraiser show shall feature the musical stylingz of Little Slugger, monarch., Cameron Field and, of course, our co-host Arlo Indigo. Charity TBD, but you oughta know the drill by now: BYOB, donation-based, with BdBK matching the first $100 in donations. DM @bandsdobk 4 address! Woo <3
Applications for this year’s anti social camp are now open! This songwriting bootcamp + festival — “the SXSW for songwriters,” during which 100+ songs are written in a week—takes place at studios and spaces across NYC, from June 10th-15th. The sign-up window is open through March 1st, and you can apply right here.
SPIKE UP THAT MOHAWK AND PREPARE THE PINA COLADAS — apps for Punk Island are also officially open af! Check out their linktree to throw your (studded?) hat in the ring and get involved in the 100% free DIY fest as a volunteer, performer or, perhaps, a part of the sweet, sweet zine scene.
Next week on Radio Free Brooklyn: We’ve got O. Wake on the air! Tune in at noon on Thursday at radiofreebrooklyn.org or via the RFB app as we talk about the artist’s new album Unfamiliar State (out TODAY) and the upcoming album-release show (with Mary Shelley), 2/1 at Baby’s All Right.
RELEASE RADAR
New(ish) stuff from local (+ occasionally, once-local) artists we love, listed in no particular order whatsoever:
“Poppy” // AVATAREDEN
Unfamiliar State // O. Wake
“Crumb” // Book/Spirit
“OUCH!” // DD Walker
IT’S HAPPENIN’
2.1 BdBK PRESENTS: O.Wake (album release) w/ Mary Shelley @ Baby’s All Right - tix here
BANDS DO BK does OUR WICKED LADY
2.1 Jelly Kelly, A Very Special Episode, WifeKnife, King Bug - tix here
2.8 Marinara, Kristin Flammio & The Pretty Bitchin, The Plebs, War Violet, Sue Your Landlord - tix here
2.15 SKORTS, Debbie Dopamine, Go Home, Sandile - tix here
2.22 Little Slugger, gobbinjr, Fair Visions, Otracami - tix here
2.29 Obleek, The Resonaters, Real Burn, Short Porch, samkae - tix here
THE SETLIST by Bands do BK is a reader-supported publication that’s freeeee. BUT! If you want to become a paid subscriber to show some love and support the work BdBK is doing… well, hey. That’d be pretty rad of you. <3