5/3 A wknd w/ (oh shit!) 15 bands
Suggestions from 1 1/4 dozen Brooklyn groups we <3
FRIDAY IS UPON US, FRIENDS!
As we’ve so casualalalaly been teasing out over the last few weeks, this weekend (well, Sunday/Monday/Tuesday) we’ve got THE MUSIC MATTERS — a filmed + recorded three-eve event at Arlene’s Grocery, all designed to document a fat slice of our sweet, sweet scene—
Because NYC ain’t dead, baby! And frankly, this era deserves to be celebrated.
On the newsletter front, we were all set to bounce back to traditional format and pick one of the 15 bands playing this mini-fest to throw together an itinerary, but then we cross-checked our SETLIST spreadsheet and realized… well, they’ve all done it already. (Apparently that’s what happens when you’ve been doing this for *checks calendar* three years.) (That’s like 150 weekends of, in the words of Shop Boyz, ~party(ing) like a rock star.~) (A total miracle we’ve survived, tbh.)
SO! In honor of this event, we’ve instead picked out an evergreen weekend excerpt from each of these band’s previous features AND linked you to the full one, giving you 15 separate SETLISTS to choose from. Which oughta be almost enough, even for the most ambitious weekend warriors among you 🥷
So, pardon us as — for ONE more week — we drop these links and posters right here…
5.5 THE MUSIC MATTERS Nite One w/ TVOD, Tetchy, A Very Special Episode, Tilden, Big Girl @ Arlene’s Grocery - TIX HERE
5.6 THE MUSIC MATTERS Nite Two w/ Mary Shelley, Two-Man Giant Squid, partygirl, NEVVA, O. Wake @ Arlene’s Grocery - TIX HERE
5.7 THE MUSIC MATTERS Nite Three w/ SKORTS, Night Spins, Go HOme, Jelly Kelly, AVATAREDEN @ Arlene’s Grocery @ Arlene’s Grocery - TIX HERE
… And invite you to read on for some excellent suggestions from 15 of our favorite Brooklyn bands.
Wishing you the best weekend ever. We’ll catch you at Arlene’s! <3
[BUT FIRST: PRESS PLAY]
FRIDAY
TVOD: “Morning - Band Dad and TVOD cult leader Tyler arises from his 3 hours of power sleep. He messages a pic to the group thread of the morning bowel movement he just unleashed into his toilet. Potty humor is commonplace in the TVOD group chat and for the most part dominates a lot of the band's conversations. It’s quite terrible.” — FULL ITINERARY HERE
Tetchy: “First things first— get yer cute butt outta bed, chug yer water, and fire up that meditation app cause it’s time for a big long walk around the neighborhood! After doin some affirmations about feelin GOOD in our body and our tender little lives, we’ll stop by Honey Moon to grab an iced oat latte & a tahini chocolate chip cookie— the breakfast of bisexual champions.
Then we’ll sit outside somewhere (probably Maria Hernandez) to get that good, good sunshine into our eyeballs.” — FULL ITINERARY HERE
AVATAREDEN (Eden): “After a productive sleepover at Bree’s house, we like to grab some empanadas and pan de bonos for breakfast so we frequent this tiny Colombian Bakery called El Kambuche de Lola right on Roosevelt Ave and 54th st. Lowkey I’ve been eating there since I was like 16, they’ve saved me from a lot of intense munchies. Also honestly there’s no better way to start your day than with some Colombian baked goods. My day is 1000% better with a cheese empanada every time.
After grabbing our food (which normally takes no more than 2 minutes) we walk down to Doughboy Park where we talk shit, plan the day and stuff our faces. We also smoke a lot of weed so anything we do is absolutely weed related. By 5 p.m., we’ve already smoked 3 blunts (we’re taking it easy), run through any AVATAREDEN related talk, and planned something out.” — FULL ITINERARY HERE
O. Wake: “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…” — FULL ITINERARY HERE
A Very Special Episode: “Friday evening the first thing we’re thinking about is dinner. A great move is to head over to Little Dokebi on the corner of Driggs and Monitor in Greenpoint. Grab yourself a seat at one of the outdoor dining tables and take in a view of McGolrick Park as you indulge in delicious bibimbap and a frozen soju cocktail - a great way to start the weekend!” — FULL ITINERARY HERE
Go Home: “Nothing says IT'S TIME FOR ART like meandering through the Gagosian. After that we're bidding Manhattan adieu for a while; trading our work drag for hawt clothes (read: our *nice* coveralls) and treating ourselves to a Venezuelan feast at Casa Ora… We're hitting the free arcade at Wonderville on the way home and then calling it a night because we're old.” — FULL ITINERARY HERE
partygirl: “The best part of the night is William Barnacle Tavern, aka Theater 80, aka a very special place. It’s always got an appropriate number of people in it – a fucking miracle in the East Village on a Friday night. Most importantly, there’s a massive legit theater set up for karaoke through the door behind the bar. Stumbling upon it triggers that unmistakable feeling that the universe, or at least New York City, is conspiring for you. This is clearly a storied speakeasy that’s been frequented by legends (Thelonious Monk, John Coltrane, Frank Sinatra, to name a few), so I always feel a tinge of guilt for getting drunk and acting rowdy. But never too much.” — FULL ITINERARY HERE
SATURDAY
Mary Shelley: “Swing by Kellogg’s Diner for a CLASSIC diner feel with some of the best booths in the diner-world!” — FULL ITINERARY HERE
Jelly Kelly: “Maybe start your day with a rainbow cookie??? I don’t know it just seems like the right thing to do and how could starting the day with a rainbow cookie not always be correct?? Grab a cookie or any other pastry of your liking along with a cappuccino at Fortunato Brothers. They’ve been crushing cannolis since 1976 and are still some of the best in Brooklyn. Such a great vibe, especially over the winter! Now that you’re riding that rainbow buzz head on out to the Palace for some snacks. The Palace has been a neighborhood staple since 1933 and still is (thanks to Rita mad Mary whom essentially brought back to life again!). Well look who’s behind the bar… it’s Jelly Kelly’s own Nicolas Dubè! Not only is he a pretty great guitar player but he’s also a terrible bartender. Grouchy AF too. I kid I kid. He’s the best!! He makes a lovely martini or old fashioned and the wings there are amazing. Garlic parm, Thai sweet chili, classic, etc. And of course there’s always the $5 frosted mug of bud and a shot!” — FULL ITINERARY HERE
Tilden: “Our band name is Tilden, and not by any coincidence to the name of our favorite beach in the Rockaways! As a band, we are very much so creatures of the sun and will definitely seek it out any way we can! Anyways, after a day of swimming, tanning, and chucking a frisbee at each other, and trying to keep the ocean from swallowing our beloved disk, we go to Tacoway and get some of their fish tacos, washed down with some margaritas of course.” — FULL ITINERARY HERE
Two-Man Giant Squid:
“How I wish I it went.
Hart Bar. What time does this place open because I wish I could be there all day. I’ve done a lot of research on this matter (for science) and I think this is the perfect bar. The drinks are cheap, they have great hang-and-chat space upstairs, and live music downstairs. The holy trifecta.
Night moves. Yes, I am aware that I am a walking parody of the ‘James Murphy worshipper guy’. I’ve seen his shows, ate at his restaurant, and read his books (or, the Don DeLillo book-turned-movie that he recently did one (1) song for). So goddamnit I will dance at his nightclubs too!
How it probably goes.
The truth is, Hart Bar is not in my neighborhood. And the thought of having to get on the subway to go drink is enough to cripple my weak & lazy brain. Thankfully I don’t need to do that because Rocka Rolla exists. Me and my friends call this the ‘Judas Priest Bar’. Because for better or worse you’re about to hear some Judas Priest and Van Halen and you’re gonna like it.
To get into Nightmoves you usually have to be on a ‘list.’ While I do know someone that could probably get me on, I simply do not know how I would even begin to write that text (shivers). So I’ll go have a nice dinner at Birds of a Feather instead. This is pound for pound my favorite restaurant in the city. It offers incredible Szechuan at an affordable price and should be protected at all costs.” — FULL ITINERARY HERE
SUNDAY
Big Girl: “Sundays are for the Big Nasty Breakfast (BNB) nasty as in dank, dank as in greasy and delish. to be observed at noon. Tina's if you're in Bushwick, B&H Dairy if Manhattan.
You're sunburnt but only on the back of your ears. That's fine you'll wear your hair down today… Catch the J into Manhattan so you can admire the view of city over the East River. You'd think it gets old. It really doesn't. Wear your sunglasses on the subway paired with a warm fantasy vibe flavored Celsius.“ — FULL ITINERARY HERE
Night Spins:
“1. Modo Yoga $30/drop in. On a budget? Baby Cobra Yoga (donation based):
- Recommend class with Val if you can get a spot (Modo) they got showers and calming rejuvenating vibe
Duane Park Brunch @ 2:30:
- Burlesque with live music and amazing food… they're usually booked two weeks out but call to see if there's room at the bar.” — FULL ITINERARY HERE
Nevva: “For pre-rehearsal imbibery, you’ll often catch us at the Anchored Inn on Waterbury St. Ponder the abyss of velvet paintings on the wall while you drink a moderately-priced brew. Drinking on an empty stomach is never advised past the age of 25, so be sure to order at least a mozz stick or two on the side—yes, you can order them individually, imagine that! Applebee’s, take note.” — FULL ITINERARY HERE
SHOWDAY!
SKORTS: “Pop into the warehouse sized thrift store that used to be an L Train Vintage and put together an outfit for the show. Throw on your new digs and enjoy that new thrift store outfit smell that pairs so well with show sweat. When you arrive at the venue, let the sound person know immediately that you won’t be playing by their rules. This is key to a smooth and successful night. Establish dominance early and arrange stage to your liking. After a bumpy sound check, investigate why nothing you requested on the rider is in the green room. After being ignored by the entire staff, yell to the heavens, ‘What has become of this once great city!?!?’
Time to fuel up for the climax of the weekend. Empanada Mama is close by but it’s not Empanadas you’re going for. A full stack of flapjacks is exactly the meal one needs to play a lively rock n’ roll show. Extra butter, a lot of syrup and one candy apple empanada for dessert. You’re now ready to rock. Taking to the stage, you now wish more than ever that the tums you had requested on the rider had been delivered. The room is spinning and the sound on stage is a crunchy unbalanced mess. Maybe the sound person was right? The sugar high is gone and you’re left with the attendees of Arlene’s Grocery booing you.
Tomatoes start to fly, beer cans as well. They bounce off of your distended belly too full to move. It’s a full on hail storm of items and insults being flung at you. Through the onslaught you see Sam with a full pizza pie in her hand. She rears back and chucks the entire olive and pepperoni pie right at your dome. She yells, ‘That’s for Friday! Who still drinks appletini’s you nerds!’ The full pie knocks you off balance. The crowd, still furious, roars louder as you fall to your back. The pizza lay atop of you like a weighted blanket. You feel concussed and struggle to keep your eyes open. The curtain is closing, everything fades to black and the show is over.” — FULL ITINERARY HERE
Suggestions above provided by a whole buncha bands. Hit the links for some still-relevant recs, plus cute little time capsules of shows n events n COVID protocols past.
RELEASE RADAR
New(ish) stuff from local (+ occasionally, once-local) artists we love, listed in no particular order whatsoever:
Take Your Place // Pamphlets
Dark Ice Balloons // Nihiloceros
TVOD - Live at Radio Bean’ // TVOD
“I Found Love, But I’m a Hater” // Golden Alphabet
IT’S HAPPENIN’
5.11 Alive with the Glory of Love Fest: BdBK and All Killer No Filler Present Live Band Pop-Punk/Emo Karaoke @ Rubulad - 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