3.8 A wknd w/ Chavez Cartel
The Gold Coasters on modern-art debates, rhythmic reverie and their New Colossus Fest gig TONIGHT at Knitting Factory Baker Falls
HAPPY NEW COLOSSUS FESTIVAL!!!!!!!!
Sam here. My favorite five-day holiday just kicked off on Wednesday (+ runs through Sunday!) and features 150 bands from around the world on nine stages across the Lower East Side—
In other words, I’m now two days, a wholllllee buncha bands and approximately a million beers (k, fine, rosés) in. And, uh-ohhhh… it’s only Friday.
It’s no exaggeration to say that this is my favorite weekend of the year. It’s like our own little hometown SXSW, going down right here in our own backyard (or just a train ride ‘cross the river). But this is a festival that’s far more intimate, friendly and laid-back than the Austin-based behemoth. One with so much love and care poured in… and approximately 400% fewer uses of the word ~innovation~. It’s the kind of event that makes me simultaneously so thankful to live in this city and so incredibly proud of the musicians in it. A week where I get to reunite with old friends, make new ones and enjoy the magical combo that is discovering my next new favorite artists while watching visitors fall in love with NYC’s incredible bands.
And tonight, at the Bands do BK showcase, I’m super hyped to be able to do all of the above—AT THE SAME TIME!
When combing through the New Colossus Festival playlist and deciding which bands do pick for the BdBK lineup, I believe I texted NC co-founder Steve Matrick something along the lines of “Sooooo CAN I HAVE 49 BANDS AT MY SHOWCASE?!?!?”
They generously let me have eight. And oh, what an eight they are!
This is the third-annual BdBK x NC showcase, and as is custom, it’s a mix of local friends and international faves. From right here in NYC, we’ve got Mary Shelley, partygirl, Nara’s Room and Niño Disco, and on the international front, we’ve got our pals Los Premios from Spain, Hause Plants from Portugal, CURRLS from the UK and—this week’s SETLIST stars—Australia’s Chavez Cartel!
[If you don’t have a New Colossus pass, you can GRAB TIX TO THE SHOWCASE HERE!]
Because music makes the world oh so small, I first connected with Gold Coast-based Chavez Cartel in London last May while on tour with Mary Shelley. And this past Wednesday—10 months and a whole country (/continent) away—I got to catch their first super-sick late-night set at Arlene’s Grocery, the perfect pre-game for tonight’s main event.
Now for some brief band background: Formed in 2018, Chavez Cartel released two EPs the very next year, including Lucky Lucky, featured on the UK’s BBC Radio, and Confidence Is All I’m Taking Home, which scored them three nominations for the 2019 Gold Coast ‘Song Of The Year’ award. More recently (last Friday), Chavez Cartel released their brand-new EP Red Flag Blues, which they’re currently celebrating in true international-men-of-mystery fashion with their first-ever US tour. And boy oh boy, am I super hyped—and are we super lucky—to have them here.
Get properly pumped for tonight’s show via this playlist featuring all the BdBK showcase bands, and I’ll catch you TONIGHT — and all weekend! — all over the Lower East Side.
Huge thanks to Steve, Lio and Mike for making New Colossus Fest happen and to all the bands who have come from all over to play for us. I truly couldn’t appreciate it more.
YEEHAW! Happy holiday! <3
[BUT FIRST: PRESS PLAY]
FRIDAY
Morning: I kick off my day with a quest for the perfect New York bagel. Armed with an empty stomach and an adventurous spirit, I venture into the depths of the city in search of the ultimate carb-loaded delight. After a series of misadventures and wrong turns, I stumble upon a tiny deli tucked away in a quiet corner of the city. With each bite of my bacon, egg, and cheese masterpiece, I feel like I've found the holy grail of breakfast sandwiches.
Afternoon: I find myself wandering the halls of MoMA, where I attempt to decipher the hidden meanings behind abstract art and argue with my friends about whether a toilet seat on a pedestal qualifies as modern art. As I immerse myself in the world of contemporary art, I can't help but feel a sense of awe and wonder at the boundless creativity of the human mind.
Evening: The night is young and our load in time is 1030pm…..so we have time for a bar crawl right? Just kidding, we prep ourselves for tonight’s gig. The New Colossus festival gig!! Coming from Australia, this is what we’ve all been practicing for. We get to the venue early to see the other bands and immerse ourselves in the scene. Come gig time, we’re ready to rock. Post gig we chat, drink and really start this bar crawl.
SATURDAY
Morning: Nursing a slight hangover from the previous night's escapades, I find solace in a cozy brunch spot in Brooklyn. As I sip my mimosa and munch on avocado toast, I bask in the comforting embrace of bacon and the soothing sounds of a live acoustic set. It's the perfect remedy for a night of revelry.
Afternoon: I lose myself in the rhythmic reverie of Brooklyn Bridge Park, where the sounds of street performers and impromptu jam sessions fill the air. I enjoy the sounds of a drum circle and let the music wash over me like a sonic wave of bliss. In this moment, surrounded by music and laughter, this is what it's all about.
Evening: The night comes alive in Williamsburg as I step into a live music venue buzzing with energy and excitement. Up-and-coming bands take the stage, their raw passion and talent filling the room with electrifying energy. I lose myself in the pulsating beats and wailing guitars, dancing the night away with fellow music lovers until the early hours of the morning.
SUNDAY
Morning: Round up the crew for a brunch fiesta. Guzzle mimosas, stuff your face with pancakes, and share embarrassing stories from last night.
Afternoon: Time to play urban explorer. Grab your cameras and hit the streets in search of funky street art and quirky sights. See who can find the weirdest statue – bonus points for one with a pigeon on its head!
Evening: Follow the jazzy tunes to a cozy club in Greenwich Village. Sip fancy cocktails, tap your feet, and bid farewell to the weekend with a soulful saxophone serenade.
Itinerary above written + submitted by Chavez Cartel. Follow the band at @chavezcartel and add songs to your Spotify playlists!
Feature image provided by the band.
RELEASE RADAR
New(ish) stuff from local (+ occasionally, once-local) artists we love, listed in no particular order whatsoever:
DS + AVSE // Desert Sharks and A Very Special Episode
“Emily” // Strawberry Launch
In This Unassuming Little House Only Good Things Can Happen // Birthday Girl
New Hobby // Trinket
“No More Resets” // Greg Furlong
“sign (demo)” // PYNKIE
“On The Road” // Habibi
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