4.1 A wknd w/ Almost Sex
The band on vegan cannoli, parking it up with 'Succession' stars and their Saturday-night EP release show at The Nest
While it’s been approximately two full years and 10 killer singles since Nick and Warren of indie duo Almost Sex first connected and they’re probably so sick of talking/reading/hearing about it, we’re sorry, but we just can’t write anything about this band without sharing their origin story.
Back in 2020, in the height of the pandemic, the two artists matched on a dating app, where they soon began sending lyrics (Warren) and demos (Nick) back and forth, creating the basis for what would later become not just a successful relationship but a really, really good band—all before they’d even been in the same room or ever shared a drink in 3D.
Now, it’s worth noting that this wasn’t some special dating app for musicians. It wasn’t a Farmers Only-esque situation, which we imagine involves overalled suitors sending herding hacks and photos of actual eggplants back and forth. It wasn’t a genetics-based platform like Tall Friends, where lovers of the long-limbed variety likely bond over shared struggles like inadvertent high waters, frequently hitting one’s head on stuff and constantly being asked to retrieve cereal from the top shelf. It wasn’t even a site as specific and strange as Mullet Passions, where romance is rooted in not just hairstyle but lifestyle via a very important implied mutual philosophy: business in the front, party in the back. It was just… Hinge. Now, whether that gives you hope or just carpal tunnel is your own business, but either way we can all agree that this is truly the ultimate modern indie-rock fairytale, and while we’re not exactly marketing experts, the fact that Hinge and Spotify haven’t (yet) collaborated and capitalized by recruiting these two for a Times Square billboard to woo those on the hunt for both boyfriends and bandmates is absolutely beyond us.
ANYWAY! We may have gotten a bit sidetracked (we’re a little too obsessed with this story), but the point here is that along with a romantic connection, Nick and Warren also proved to have major creative chemistry, and over the past couple years, this match made in music heaven has resulted in some seriously incredible songs—including, most recently/relevantly, those appearing on their stellar debut EPWe’re Okay, which is out everywhere TODAY!
“The process of writing and recording this EP involved us stripping things back a bit to consolidate the core elements that made up our sound,” the duo told us of the release. “Our drummer had been away for work for most of the year, so we began performing shows with an analog drum machine from 1979. We decided to take it into the studio with us and it ended up becoming the principal instrument featured on most of these tracks. Much of the lyrical content of the project centers around themes of getting older in an increasingly frightening and hyper-commodified world.”
Almost Sex will be celebrating the EP live THIS SATURDAY NIGHT at The Nest (details below), and we’re psyched to share that this Monday, they’ll also be appearing and performing on the Bands do BK radio show on Radio Free Brooklyn ( 7 PM // listen via the website or the app, avail for iphone and android).
As for the rest of the weekend, you know the drill. Take notes from Nick of Almost Sex and embark on three magicalllll days of fresh air, vegan grub, celeb sightings and, of course, live music.
Andddd, hey, maybe do a little bit of swiping on the subway in between. While neither bonding nor banding are guaranteed, we’re optimists, and we’re already eagerly awaiting the drop of you and your future partner’s sick EP circa spring 2024…
Or just some mullet-maintenance tips. We’ll take those too. ENJOY!
[BUT FIRST: PRESS PLAY]
FRIDAY
-Morning:
This is more of a Warren thing because I (Nick) sleep in far too late to be able to get coffee in the morning nine times out of ten, but Little Zelda on Franklin in Crown Heights is our favorite coffee shop in the area. They have a retro punch card system for returning customers that can easily give those who are down in the dumps about their expendable/alienating work from home job a patina of old school labor movement charm. Our favorite thing to order is the oat milk cappuccino.
-Afternoon:
Right down the block from Little Zelda on Franklin is Screamer’s Pizza. I’ve been vegan for about ten years, and it’s always been frustrating to me how rare it is to find a great slice of vegan pizza. Anyone who feels me on that should definitely check out Screamer’s. They have a varied selection of pies, including the aptly named garlic-heavy Vampire pie, and the faux meat friendly Animal Lovers pie. What’s more, Screamer’s is home to the only vegan cannoli I’ve ever seen. They also have a location in Greenpoint right next to McCarren.
-Night:
We were able to hop on a show at Rubulad in Bushwick a few weeks ago, which was an absolute blast. We are definitely planning to play there again and check out more music regularly. For anyone who hasn’t been, Rubulad is one of the coolest and most unique DIY venues I’ve ever been to. The place is stuffed to the brim with art installations, vibrant decor, and unbelievably warm and welcoming people. We shared the stage with our old friends in Atlas Engine and Edna, and new friends in Enjoyable Listens from across the pond. You’ll have to DM the venue or one of the slated artists for the address because it’s a bit of a secret, but experiencing Rubulad firsthand is certainly worth a little good old fashioned internet sleuthing.
SATURDAY
-Morning:
After vibing all night at Rubulad, top-notch breakfast sandwiches are most definitely in order. When I first moved to New York, my first apartment was right next to Greenberg’s Bagels in Bedstuy and I definitely took advantage of that on many a hangover. They have amazing bagels and an even more amazing vegan bacon egg and cheese sandwich. Being totally honest here, the sandwich is a bit on the pricey side, but totally worth it when you can afford it.
-Afternoon:
Herbert von King Park is a stone’s throw away from Greenberg’s, so we’d usually mosey on over there to eat and watch the dogs in the dog park. My first apartment was also the site of thL2, the DIY venue I ran with my friends for a few years. Sometimes we’d have some of the party migrate over to Herbert von King after the music was over to get some fresh air. The park has an awesome band shell that unfortunately hardly ever hosts performances, but if you’re lucky, you can sometimes catch local musicians making use of it now and then.
-Night:
**SHAMELESS SELF-PROMOTION ALERT!**
Since we’re about to release our debut EP, we’re commemorating the occasion with a release party over at The Nest in Crown Heights. The Nest is an absolute gem of an NYC venue. Small enough to be cozy and intimate, but big enough to house a sizable crowd. We’re so lucky to live so close to such an awesome venue run by such cool people (shoutout to our dude Karl!). At the show, you can hear us play our EP and basically all of our other songs, plus performances from two of our favorite Brooklyn bands, Otra Vez and Brewster. A surprise DJ set from a secret special guest will end out the night, and trust us, you really won’t want to miss that.
SUNDAY
-Morning:
After playing a successful set at The Nest (fingers crossed), we’re going to grab some food with the apartment full of friends from home that will have most likely crashed at our apartment after the show. My absolute favorite sandwich in the whole city is the jerk seitan sandwich from Brooklyn Standard in Greenpoint. It’s got pickled cabbage, caramelized onions and a delicious red pepper remoulade. Warren usually gets the Bahn Mi sandwich which is also fantastic.
-Afternoon:
McGolrick Park is right down the block from Brooklyn Standard, so we’d make our way over there. McGolrick is a gorgeous green space; it’s far and away my favorite non-Prospect park in Brooklyn. In the center, there’s some beautiful architecture and plenty of lawn space to spread out a blanket for a picnic. The last time we were there, we were kinda geeking out because we were eating right next to Kieran Culkin (Roman Roy from Succession) as he was hanging out with his family. Side note: Succession is the best show on TV and Kieran seems like a top contender for New York’s #1 dad.
-Night:
Making our way back toward our apartment in Crown Heights, we’d definitely make a pit stop at my favorite bar in Brooklyn, Dynaco. Dynaco is the absolute perfect bar for introverts who don’t really like bars, such as myself. It has the unassuming vibe of a speakeasy that doesn’t make a fuss about secret passwords or hidden entrances. The back room has a homey atmosphere set with a wood-burning furnace and walls lined with vintage audio equipment. Not to mention, the draft selection is always excellent and eclectic.
Itinerary above written + submitted by Almost Sex. Follow the band at @almost.sex, buy music on Bandcamp and add the songs to your Spotify playlists.
Photo (provided by the band): Trevor Brenden
MORNING ANNOUNCEMENTS
Forget March Madness! In far more important b-ball/band news, local groups The ‘94 Knicks and 95 Bulls will be suiting up and taking each other on in a game of hoops at McCarren Park on Saturday afternoon. Who’s shirts? Who’s skins? Who has the best shot? The best songs?! Show up and find out!
BODEGA has just announced a Brooklyn bodega tour! Pop-up shows will be happening at delis across the borough throughout May, with the stage sandwiched between the beef jerky and the Bazzini Nuts. The group has politely requested that fans be careful not to kick any cats while crowdsurfing.
Following the miraculous Christ-like resurrection of his top incisor, Zach Ellis of Dead Tooth has announced that he will be changing the project’s name to reflect this new oral development. (Neither his manager nor dentist have responded to our requests for comment.)
After television overdosing for years, our sources say that the members of TVOD are finally getting clean and quitting the ol’ boob toob for good. #justsaynotoNetflix
APRIL FOOLS (obviously) x all of the above! But in REAL-LIFE, REAL GOOD NEWS: It’s Bandcamp Friday! In other words, the site is waiving all fees, making it the perfect time to buy some music and merch to support the artists you love. <3
+ A huge congrats to our friends in A Very Special Episode, whose Tiny Desk Submission, filmed by the one and only Jen Meller, was featured yesterday in NPR’s Entries We Love. (“Pairs well with: Playing darts at the dive bar”—they’re not wrong!)
RELEASE RADAR
New(ish) stuff from local (+ once-local) artists we love, listed in no order whatsoever:
Atlantic // Kalen
“being single” // ÊMIA
First Generation American // Elliah Heifetz
Breakaway / Everyone I Know Moved to L.A. // Glassio
“LOVE YOU DOWN” // DearQuinton
“Window Watching” // Strange Neighbors
“The Drive” visualizer // Widowspeak
“How Soon We Forget” // Awful Din
“Stuck” // Oceanator
Charismatic Mutations // Psymon Spine
IT’S HAPPENIN’
Here’s a look at the shows we’ve got coming up next month and beyond. Mark your calendars and come hang!
4.1 (TONIGHT!) BdBK Presents: Max Pain and the Groovies (single release) w/ TVOD and Nevva (+ some sweet, sweet Jonathan Toubin DJ action) @ TV Eye (tix here)
4.12 STRONG LITTLE SONGS 3: A living-room fundraising show benefiting Ukraine featuring sets from War Violet, Slight Of, Bill Waters and Arlo Indigo (our co-organizer/cohost)- BYOB/Donation-based/DM 4 Address
+ ICYMI
Around the blog + on the radio + from the archives:
PREMIERE: “Stay Pissed” from Max Pain and the Groovies
VIDEO PREMIERE: “Bright” from Cameron Castan
Thx 4 reading! Find more fun stuff at bandsdobk.com and @bandsdobk. <3