1.5 A wknd w/ Little Slugger
The band on the rolling of blades, the flaunting of mustaches and their Sunday-night show at Arlene's Grocery
HAPPY NEW YEAR! 🥳
Word on the street is that in lieu of ambitious goals and stereotypical self-improvement objectives, your one and only resolution for 2024 is to go to more shows.
Bad news for Planet Fitness, good news for venues! And fortunately, on this particular front, we have got you covered.
(No free tootsie rolls, though :/) (IYKYK)
When it comes to the wknd, you can find show suggestions for Friday and Saturday in the Morning Announcements (below), and when Sunday rolls around, we’d be ever so stoked if you would meet us at everyone’s favorite super non-market Arlene’s Grocery for our premiere show of the season: Nancy Whitaker, Chatterbox, Little Slugger and War Violet!
Grab your tickets HERE.
That, naturally, brings us to this week’s SETLIST stars—the evidently green-thumbed (or perhaps just plant-stealing) purveyors of “heavy indie pop” known as Little Slugger!
When it comes to music discovery, sometimes the algorithm delivers. Other times… it’s the subway.
We first discovered Little Slugger by way of the Manhattan-bound 4/5 last fall when the city was piloting their infamous DJ MTA program and a jumpsuited dude in a construction helmet was spinning songs from local artists as we rumbled our way towards Union Square.
JK! It was actually just a matter of a couple people recognizing each other from Instagram (shoutout Zach from Pencildive). Good idea, though, right? Get Adams on the horn this instant!
Anyways! It was the nicest kind of 2D-turned-3D experience, so when we were looking for a band to book this weekend, we immediately thought of our meet-cute with the smallest of sluggers, and are absolutely delighted to be taking this relationship to the next level—from the subway to the stage—this weekend.
Now that we’ve done our duty to remind you that you can still find love (a band) IRL in 2024, here’s a bit about the group’s story/sound in case you don’t find one member’s train route to be particularly relevant or of any real interest (weird):
Little Slugger is an itinerant and shapeshifting indie pop powerhouse based in Brooklyn, New York. They originally came to life in Burlington, Vermont in 2014, helmed by the songwriting of lifelong pals Sam Bevet and Ben Chugg. Over the years, their music has continued to reflect the eminently relatable triumphs and tribulations of breakups, relocations, fresh loves, and old haunts, but their sound has remained—above all else—catchy as hell. No matter who’s in the group or where they call home, expect crunchy guitars, silky synthesizers, and lush vocal harmonies for days.
FOR DAYS. Including, by definition, this Sunday.
Go forth, have fun, and please… stand clear of the closing doors. We shall see you so so soon. WOO! <3
[BUT FIRST: PRESS PLAY]
FRIDAY
After dragging yourself through the post-holiday work week, the first weekend of 2024 is finally here! Start off your Friday evening in Greenpoint at Radio Star for some sumptuous Mediterranean food and top-notch cocktails. If your waitress happens to be named “Gina”, make sure to tip her extremely well (and check out her band Pencildive).
Next, head to Baker Falls at 8:00 to catch our friends Sotto Voce as they tap guitars and flaunt gorgeous mustache(s).
Finally, wrap up the night at the Alligator Lounge in Williamsburg and meet up with our drummer Tom for karaoke. The Alligator Lounge gives you a free little pizza every time you order a drink! Alternatively, you can steal a slice from the guy on stage as he’s ripping through Sugar, We’re Goin Down.
SATURDAY
Ahh Saturday morning in New York. The whole weekend ahead of you, a world of possibilities, and a desperate need for an egg sandwich. Start off Saturday morning with a trip to Norma’s Corner Shoppe in Ridgewood. When picking from the menu, there are no wrong answers, but the correct choice is a Ranchero on a cheddar scallion biscuit. And add on a sweet treat - you deserve it.
While you’re already in Ridgewood, meet up with our keyboard player Molly for a morning of thrifting and bookshopping. Get a fancy new-to-you outfit at OPC, or some true deals & steals at Forever Vintage. Then get started on your New Year’s resolution to read more books at Topos. Seriously, it’s the best used book store in town.
Speaking of New Year’s resolutions, it’s time to start exercising - but make it fun. Strap on a pair of rollerblades and hit up the Randall’s island bike path. Don’t have a pair of rollerblades? Buy some, pick them up from the street, put it in your Tinder bio. Also, you’re gonna want those knee pads for when you inevitably reach a slight incline and realize you forgot to learn how to stop. That’s NYC, baby!
SUNDAY
“On Sunday morning, mosy to Sunset Park for some of the more slept on skyline views in the city. You won’t get the shirtless volleyball game like at domino park, but you will get some of the best Mexican food in the area. Try some chilaquiles at Tacos El Bronco to charge up for the day.
In the afternoon, meet up with our singer Sam at Misfit Kava Bar. Grab a gold kratom with some lemon & ginger, play a round of Magic, sink deep into a couch, read that book you bought yesterday. And check out their events calendar - once the weather gets nice, their backyard is one of the best venues in Brooklyn!
Finally, on Sunday at 6:30, make sure you get out to Arlene’s Grocery for a great night of music presented by Bands do BK. We’ll be playing alongside War Violet, Chatterbox, and Nancy Whitaker - truly an All Star lineup! Remember that New Year’s resolution you made to be more proactive, seize the day, and spend your money wisely?? Here’s your chance: preorder your tickets here and save $5. See you at the show!
Itinerary above written + submitted by Little Slugger. Follow the band at @little_slugger, buy music on Bandcamp and add the songs to your Spotify playlists!
Feature image provided by the band.
MORNING ANNOUNCEMENTS
Excited to share that after a bit of a hiatus (+ before that, being lazy and not even promoting the show for like at least two years) Bands do BK is returning to Radio Free Brooklyn next week in a new time slot: THURSDAYS AT NOON! Tune into radiofreebrooklyn.org or via the RFB app every week for an hour of music from (and interviews with) local faves, broadcast liiiiive from RFB HQ. (Want to be a guest?! Email bandsdobk [@] gmail dot com and let’s talk about talkin’ tunez.)
Do you make music? Are you a nice person and creative collaborator? Got a passport and interested in going to Iceland?! Our friend Steinunn of Reykjavik-based BdBK fave Karma Brigade—who played a set of shows we booked for them here in New York last March—is looking for some NYC musicians (guitar, keyboard, drums) to foster a cross-continental collab and help her bring her solo project to life. Flights and accommodations very much included. If you’re interested in this legit dream of an opportunity with a very nice/kind/talented artist—in a scenic af setting—DM Steinunn at @steinunnhildur.
Who knows somebody who knows somebody who knows somebody in LA?! (Three degrees of separation not actually required.) Our purple-clad pals Tarra and Vram of Tea Eater and Gustaf fame are looking for a sublet in the LA area February 1-29. If you’ve got any leads and can help some very rad artists out, DM @teaeatertv.
TONIGHT: YOU CAN’T HANDLE THE HUSTLE! Our lords n saviors at Oh My Rockness! are once again presenting their annual showcase featuring the HARDEST WORKING BANDS IN NYC. If you didn’t catch these bands the ~2000 times they played last year, you have the incredible opp to see them all on one stage (probably not simultaneously) TONIGHT at Baby’s All Right. Come real early and stay real late for titsdickass, Starcleaner Reunion, SKORTS, Frida Kill, Two-Man Giant Squid and Nara’s Room. <3
Andddd a reminder that tomorrow is the most magical day of the year (we’re peaking early in 2024): BAND LOTTERY, BABY! If you missed the sign-up window, you can still chow down the sweet sonic fruits of a bunch of local musicians’ single day of labor when the brand-new bands that randomly form tomorrow morning make their debut at a show tomorrow night. As always, at the best place in the city/world, East Williamsburg Econo Lodge. 8 pm. Yeehaw!
RELEASE RADAR
New(ish) stuff from local (+ occasionally, once-local) artists we love, listed in no order whatsoever:
“It’s Raining” // Chatterbox
“Balrog” // Cameron Field
“Frank” // Short Porch
“best in me (acoustic garden version)” video // ÊMIA
IT’S HAPPENIN’
1.1 BdBK PRESENTS: Gorgeous, HYPEMOM, The Plebs, Street Rules @ Our Wicked Lady - tix here
2.1 BdBK PRESENTS: O.Wake (album release) w/ Mary Shelley @ Baby’s All Right - 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