4.21 A wknd w/ O.Wake
The artist on sweet nothings, life in the [deadline zone] and his Saturday-night show at Mercury Lounge
“All my psychologists and therapists agree / That I’m a breath of fresh air“
So begins the both witty and undeniably danceable debut single “Riper Than Ripe” from O.Wake, the art-pop project of NYC “visual artist and illustrative musician” Ofer Shouval, whose EP Head in the Cloud dropped earlier this year.
“Riper Than Ripe” actually premiered on BdBK a year ago, during which the musician offered some insight into the song and the general topics that capture his interest and drive his work, saying—among other things:
“Embarrassment and shame are really interesting to me as things to make art about and write music about. A lot of people who write music lean on looking cool, always wanting to look cool, but actually being cool has to do with letting go of the need to look cool and being willing to be a little bit more shameless, not being conquered by that emotion.”
We cannot speak for Ofer’s performance on the couch (and we can’t really ask for references due to the whole doctor/patient confidentiality thing), but we can assure you that the artist is indeed killing it both in the studio and on the stage—whether it’s at TV Eye or Berlin, during New Colossus or in stripped-down form in the most established and esteemed of NYC venues: the living room of BdBK HQ.
Of course, don’t take our word for it. (Or that of the aforementioned therapists and psychologists, whomever they may be.) See and hear for yourself TOMORROW NIGHT, when O.Wake hits Mercury Lounge for the late-night show with Di Ivories and artists-not-author (tho def Frankenstein enthusiasts) Mary Shelley.
Tix available here.
FUN FACT about the artist: Ofer also holds an MFA in Digital Media from Pratt Institute, and this show he will be debuting a sweet device he created a few years ago for his thesis, meaning this show is a particularly special one that’s destined to be a feast for both your eyes n your ears.
Annnnnnnd for the remainder of the wknd, Ofer is here to tell us what he’s personally got planned. Scroll on, read on then do yourself a favor and go outside. The sun is shinin’, the birds are chirpin and parks and patios and idk maybe piña coladas (?!?!?!) are waitin’.
It’s gonna be a nice one. Plz do enjoy it all <3
[BUT FIRST: PRESS PLAY]
FRIDAY
As someone who rarely knows what my plans are until I’m doing them, I’m 100% going to smash into Friday obsessing over the fine details of our show on Saturday at Mercury Lounge with Mary Shelley and Di Ivories.
You see, we’ve announced to the world that our band is going to be performing (for the first time ever) with a motion-controlled visual instrument called a “Luminin” that I invented/designed/built for my graduate thesis a couple years back. The idea is you put an accelerometer on a guitar headstock, then based on the movements you make, it creates patterns on some LED screens, which ends up looking like this:
But the thing is I need to program 2/3 more patterns for it so that each song we play gets its own unique vibe, and I haven’t had a moment of time to work on it. And given that it is now Thursday, Friday is going to be about getting in the [Deadline Zone]. And as much as I love you, kind readers of the Setlist, I can’t invite you to the [Deadline Zone] because it’s not a real place, rather it’s a kind of ADHD induced semi-pathological internal hyperfocus, (and also I’ll probably be grumpy).
Of course I will need to exit the [Deadline Zone] at times for food and water, and to remain in touch with reality and to make sure that I don’t become trapped in the [Deadline Zone] forever. And so at some point Friday afternoon/early evening, I will depart my apartment in Ridgewood, likely smoke a joint, and then bike over to Kala Yoga. After ridding myself of several layers of stress, I’ll probably get some tacos at Tortilleria Los Hermanos on Starr street, bike home, make some finishing touches on those Luminin patterns and try to get some sleep. Tomorrow is gonna be a big day! (sorry we didn’t get to hang out more)
SATURDAY
Saturday is show day!
The good news is that I will no longer be in the [Deadline Zone].
The bad news is that I will be trying to avoid getting sucked into *rumination space*.
Luckily, that morning/afternoon there’ll be things to do! Gear to transport! People to coordinate with! Soundcheck will happen at 3 at Mercury Lounge, and after that I’ll probably go to Punjabi Deli, and get some amazing Indian food for a very reasonable price, and of course some Dudh Pati tea. Oh god I love that tea…
Maybe my band will join me for the food and we can all whisper sweet nothings in each other’s ears as per tradition. Squawko, our Sax player, has another afternoon gig so his sweet nothings will be more nothing rather than sweet. And no tea :(. Andrew, Henry, and David will probably be down.
Then we’ll have about 4-ish hours of down-time during which I will continue to avoid getting sucked into *rumination space*. Nothing better for that than a brisk bike ride across the Williamsburg Bridge!
But I probably won’t have my bike there so… let’s leave that space open for now and skip forward to the gig at Merc Lounge.
That shit… is gonna be like… so lit.
I heard a rumor that the body of Mary Shelley, author of Frankenstein fame, has been exhumed, split into quarters, and reincarnated in the form of my favorite local punk band! After our show tomorrow, they’re gonna get on a boat and sail to England so that they can play “rock music” at some “festivals”. And sure, yeah, maybe this necromancy is a bit concerning, (esp given the last time), but I say let them jump around and yell and look sexy as long as they’re not hurting anyone!
Di Ivories, I’ve never seen them live but I did see a reconfigured version of them called Jewelry at OWL the other week and it was a great time! Also their single, “Different Time Zones” is dropping Friday, and I can’t wait to hear it! Or Thursday if your Spotify thinks you’re in New Zealand. Wait a minute, that's today! Shit… gotta go hear the new single.
Ok I’m back, that was dope. What were we talking about? Oh yeah, the show. Pls come :)
Saturday @ Mercury Lounge, doors at 9!
SUNDAY
Sunday morning I will be looking through Instagram to keep the buzz going for a little longer. I’ll probably make some nice brunch at home, but maybe I’ll have to go out to Valentino’s Food Market to get ingredients. They have the best fresh veggies in my area, and olives, and stuffed grape leaves, and Bulgarian feta cheese, all for a very reasonable price! Good chance I will then go play soccer at Dean Playground with some peeps.
Then I’ll bike home, having picked up some takeout at Silver Rice on the way, arriving extremely tired, after which I will attempt to prep for the 8am Creative Coding class I teach at NYU on Mondays. And then back I go into another busy week - but the next weekend I’ll definitely remember to consult the Setlist for plans… and maybe it’ll be chill!
Itinerary above written + submitted by O.Wake Follow the band at @o.wake_music, buy music on Bandcamp and add the songs to your Spotify playlists!
Feature image provided by the artist.
MORNING ANNOUNCEMENTS
As some might know, we tragically lost a member of our community last week. Spaghetti Jesus was a true artist, known largely for the sweet psychedelic visuals he created that took so many bands’ performances to new heights and transformed every show that he was involved in into a stunning multi-sensory experience. If you have the means, please consider donating to the Gofundme that has been set up to help his mother cover funeral costs. And please check in on each other and take care of yourselves. Sending love to everyone.
Our Wicked Lady has officially announced RIGHTS OF SPRING, a two-day festival taking place May 5th and 6th, 3PM to 4AM, featuring bands, DJs and flash tattoos with all proceeds benefitting New York Abortion Access Fund! Single-day tix are available, or grab a two-day pass now.
APRIL 22ND (that’s tomorrow): Don’t miss the BATTLE OF THE BANDS hosted by Dave’s Lesbian Bar at Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden, where—in the words of competitors AVATAREDEN—”NYCS BESTEST HOTTEST QUEERS BANDS WILL BE FIGHTING TO BE THE BESTESTEST!” The action starts at 2 p.m. Find more details here.
Do you like Brooklyn bands? Do you enjoy creative covers? Do you appreciate sweet, sweet vinyl? If the answer is YEAH YEAH YEAH, we’d like to point you in the direction of EWEL Records Cool Kids Belong Together. A tribute to the Yeah Yeah Yeah’s Fever to Tell , the record features sick new takes on the iconic New York band’s tracks from 12 local bands that we love: Ilithios (ft. Ana Becker), The Black Black, Phantom Handshakes, Gorgeous, Desert Sharks, Nihiloceros, Shadow Monster, A Very Special Episode, DDMD, The Royal They, Kissed By An Animal and Awful Din. And it’s out TODAY!
The album, ft. gorgeous artwork from who else but Dima Drjuchin of KBAA fame, is available just in time for Record Store Day (that’s tomorrow, btw!) and is limited to 300 copies. Check it out + scoop it up here.
RELEASE RADAR
New(ish) stuff from local (+ occasionally, once-local) artists we love, listed in no order whatsoever:
wakelee // wakelee
“Raspberry” // The LVP
“The One” video // lovetempo
Here’s The Thing // The Thing
“Different Time Zones” // Di Ivories
IT’S HAPPENIN’
Here’s a look at the events we’ve got coming up. Mark your calendars and come hang!
5/3 Bands do BK presents: Skorts, Go Home, Imaginary Tricks, Themme @ Our Wicked Lady (tickets here)
5/13 New Colossus x BdBK SUMMER SATURDAY w/ partygirl, Niño Disco, Valendina, Go Home, Sue Your Landlord @ 18th Ward Brewing - FREE! (RSVP here)
+ ICYMI
Around the blog + on the radio + from the archives:
PREMIERE: ‘Destiny is Too Hard’ from Real Burn
PREMIERE: “Ready Yet” from Strawberry Launch
Thx 4 reading! Find more fun stuff at bandsdobk.com and @bandsdobk. <3
Order the Bands do BK BOOK (!) (out now via Lit Riot Press) here.