1.21 A wknd w/ Climates
The band on hot chocolate, indoor golf and their Sunday-night record-release show at The Knitting Factory
When we said this newsletter would be in your inbox Friday morning, we meant PST (obviously), but lack of time-zone specification aside, good things come to those who wait. In this case ‘til mid-afternoon. Eastern Standard. And your reward is an NYC weekend itinerary curated by Climates—
And then next week, even better, their album.
When we first encountered BK’s glitter-grunge band— Theadora Curtis (vocals + bass), Keira Zhou (drums) and Molly Schoen (lead guitar), rounded out on the Y chromosome front by guitarist and BdBK BFF Mitch Meyer—it was both love at first listen and a long-lasting listening infatuation. We were pumped to premiere the band’s first single “Super 8” back in February 2020, and things came full circle on the content front when we had the pleasure of debuting “Loveus,” Climates’ newest song and the final single from their album, last month. Now, two years after their first release, the band is gearing up to drop their first full-length Movie Magic on a so-far, so-secret date this week, and ahead of the release, Theadora sent over some thoughts on the themes of the album and how the band will be celebrating this weekend:
“‘Super 8’ is one of my favorite songs that I've ever written—somehow it is exactly what I was trying to convey in terms of mood and lyrics and it feels like such a touchstone and thematic to Climates. I love that the album title Movie Magic really brings focus to ‘Super 8,’ which is where it all started with a bass line, and also plays on our sound and emotion at large. Climates speaks (sings) on a lot of common themes like listlessness, hope, mistakes, demons, drive, spirituality... but I think this cinematic piece is so important.
We spoke about this with you when we premiered that single in 2020, the idea that all of it is still the wonder and majesty that is your movie - and it feels right to tie it all together that way with this first album. These songs are filled with bad dreams, beautiful landscapes, deep night, sunrise, spirit guides, running away, staying put, and it's definitely been a saga of a time during which to be a band. The initial full lockdown in New York was within a month of our first release when we were planning to go to SXSW... so we're proud of the work we've done, the shows we've played and the friends we've made through all of this. Climates hopes to see you at this release show Sunday, hand-crafted lineup-wise to be beautiful, melodic and intense, and that you'll be feeling something when you listen to the recordings of all our songs later that week.”
Grab your tix to Sunday night’s show here and then embrace your music-fan + cinephile sides and spin the hell out of the band’s record when it arrives next week!
But first, you have like 48 hours to do a bunch of other fun stuff. Read on for plans + recs + general ideas for a really rad weekend. It’s gonna be a very good (+ very cold) one. We’ll see ya out there~
[BUT FIRST: PRESS PLAY]
FRIDAY
Theadora: Get a hot chocolate at Millie's Cuban Cafe (the best) and then tune in to Brooklyn Beat with Scott Einhorn to hear a special rebroadcast of Climates' appearance in May - you will hear some of Molly and my favorite songs and stripped-down live versions of a few of our own.
Since this hot chocolate puts us in Bushwick, walk down the street to Yours Sincerely to say hello to bartender and friend extraordinaire Ugo, drink craft beer out of pint glasses that look like beakers and enjoy perfectly balanced cocktails on tap.
Molly: Rebel Rouser Records- located in a string of vintage shops tucked in an alley on Broadway at Flushing. Easy to overlook amid the multidirectional chaos that is Myrtle-Broadway, this place is an oasis.
Keira: FourFiveSix—I really like that bar in East Williamsburg. Super cute and cozy deco and good drinks and food. Also a nice spot to hang out if you have a show to go to at Brooklyn Steel.
SATURDAY
Theadora: Go for a jog at the track in McCarren and get coffee and a raspberry bran muffin at Oslo, then read at Domino Park for a bit.
Check out Work Wife's first live show at her incredible loft in Greenpoint (DM @ur_workwife to RSVP), if you can't make it go get tix EARLY to see her band Colatura at Mercury Lounge with a bunch of friends on January 27th - you can also hear Colatura all over our new album as Digo was our studio engineer and mixed the songs and Jennica mastered them.
Molly: Brooklyn Greens- Do I like golf? Heck no. Do I like indoor activities that simulate the outdoors? Heck yes! Located in Bushwick, Brooklyn Greens has multiple golf simulators, a fun way to spend a few hours when you want to escape the city but find yourself stuck in a drab mood on a drab day. Rumor has it they're getting their liquor license soon...
Keira: Bike to the beach if you have a whole day to spend. One thing I did during covid was to bike to Brighton beach with some friends via the Ocean Parkway. It's a nice ride and fun outdoor thing to do.
SUNDAY
Theadora: Read some tarot and focus on outfit guidance for the evening.
Meet a friend at Old Man Hustle on South 2nd and Bedford, it is the perfect dark wood, shots of neon, dimly lit kind of gem for a weekend afternoon and you will probably get to watch Mars Attacks or Beetlejuice.
Walk down to Knitting Factory for Climates' album release show featuring the musical stylings of So & So, Minaxi, Jewelry and DJ sets by ICKY! (amazing band Shower Curtain's front femme). We couldn't be more excited about this lineup or to release these songs we've been playing for a minute around the ups & downs of this pandemic into the world next week.
Molly: Across the street from the Knitting Factory, the City Reliquary is a community-run museum of forgotten NYC history that has everything from Jackie Robinson memorabilia to vintage paper coffee cups, rare subway tokens and decades of souvenir Statue of Libertys.
Keira: Transmitter Park—little waterfront park in Greenpoint. I like it cuz it's usually a bit less crowded and you can still have a nice city view.
Itinerary above written + submitted by Climates. Follow Climates at @climatesband and add the songs to your Spotify playlists!
Feature image provided by the band.
MORNING ANNOUNCEMENTS
This week we were thrilled to reveal the cover of BANDS DO BK - THE BOOK—and then got very overwhelmed by all the love and cried a whole lot. Read all about it here and stay tuned for more deets and dates, coming soon!
Sign-ups for the 2022 BAND LOTTERY presented by BdBK + East Williamsburg Econo Lodge on 2/12 are still open! Get the info + find the link to register here, and show up to form then perform as the ~bands of the future~ next month.
The BUSHWOOD BAR BABES 2022 calendar is officially available for pre-order! Cop a copy and adorn your apartment walls with the sexy faces of your favorite bartenders from fourteen killer spots.
Speaking of calendars, mark yours for 1/30 and cop something fo’ yo’ sweetie (or yo’ self) at The Broadway’s Valentine Market ft. sick wares from some very talented artists. <3
RELEASE RADAR
New(ish) stuff from local artists we love, listed in no order whatsoever:
Thrown // BODEGA
Birds // Bambara
Here Comes Steele Fc // Steele FC
“K-HOLE LOBOTOMY” // Pink Mexico
All You Need is Lovechild // Lovechild
uke collection // JessX
“Hollow Skin” Trout TV Session // Dead Tooth
IT’S HAPPENIN’
Here’s a look at the shows we’ve got coming up this month. Mark your calendars and come hang!
1.23 BdBK Presents: Activity Partners (single release + debut show!), Real Clothes, Rafting @ Our Wicked Lady (tix here!)
1.25 Moonglow, Snake Lips, Grand Army Reapers, Significant Otters @ Berlin (tix here!)
1.29 BdBK 3RD BDAY BASH ft. Namesake, Tilden, New Myths, Wetsuit @ The Broadway (tix here!)
+ ICYMI
Around the blog + on the radio + from the archives:
PREMIERE: “Visiting Hours” from Couvo
PREMIERE: “Honey” from Activity Partners
Thx 4 reading! Find more fun stuff at bandsdobk.com and @bandsdobk. <3