6.2 A wknd w/ The Big Easy
Stephen Berthomieux of the band on a sort-of choose-your-vibe itinerary plus their FREE show at 18th Ward Brewing on Saturday
“If you need advice on how to make it through a long year, The Big Easy has some tips.”
So begins the bio for New Jersey (not New Orleans) band The Big Easy, which was founded by Stephen Berthomieux as a solo project back in 2016—aka the longest of years… until, uh, every year after that.
A Long Year is, of course, the title of The Big Easy’s debut album, which documents a particularly rough one in the life of the artist—specifics include a breakup and multiple moves, which alone could amount to approx a decade’s worth of angst—and was released during the time when time lost all meaning: 2020.
That said, let it be known that 2020 wasn’t all bad — on the music front, at least. It was, after all, the year that we were first acquainted with The Big Easy. Stephen was one of a few dozen artists who, in the early stages of COVID, participated in QUARANTOURS, our MTVCribs knock-off, for which—in an effort to not go *completely* insane—we had bands take us on a virtual tour of their homes then play a little live set, all broadcast on IG Live.
(If we recall correctly, Stephen had a very tidy bedroom.) (Rock n roll!!!)
And it was this very experience that made it even sweeter when—almost exactly three years later—we were fortunate to welcome Stephen into our own home this April for our last STRONG LITTLE SONGS living-room show, where we got to enjoy the same sweet, sweet sonic experience, this time 100% sans the screen. (Though, fine, we did still stream it.)
ANYWAY: That’s all to say, WE’VE GOT A HISTORY, BABY! And whether you’ve caught The Big Easy live in 2020 or 2023, in 2D or 3D, you have a chance to do it tomorrow for FREE FREE when the band headlines the BdBK x Show Brain Booking (shoutout Ozzie!) x New Colossus SUMMER SATURDAY with Abby Jeanne, Sara Devoe, Telescope Club and DD Island at 18th Ward Brewing.
Which is a 100% IRL experience, let it be known.
As for the weekend, it’s not a long one, but The Big Easy has got you covered there too. Go forth for what’s essentially a choose-your-own-vibe itinerary and we, dearest friends, will see you at the show tomorrow.
HAPPY FRIDAY <3 <3 <3
[BUT FIRST: PRESS PLAY]
Hello friends! I’m Stephen from The Big Easy and welcome to my Weekend Setlist. Here I’ll curate what will hopefully be a perfect guide for you as we ease into the weekend. So first off, thank you for joining me on our journey and placing your trust in me as I guide us through.
FRIDAY
The best way for me to begin here is to speak on my actual routines when I’m looking to start me weekend right. We begin with a Friday yoga class around noon. What type of yoga or which studio is entirely up to you, but I typically will do a heated vinyasa at a studio in my neighborhood. This is a great way for me to prepare for the weekend as I am able to get a nice workout in but also to set aside time for meditation. Weekends can get pretty eventful so this is a good way to hit the reset button before things get too hectic. As we get into the later afternoon, I think this is the perfect time to start the dinner plans. Again, where you decide is always up to you, but as your guide, here are few recommendations depending on your vibe: Bernie’s in Greenpoint, Roberta’s in Bushwick, Peaches (or Peaches HotHouse) in Bedstuy, etc. The list goes on but it’s always nice to have some food and cocktails as the sun goes down.
Now depending on which of the neighborhoods you choose, you’ll have the option of plenty of different vibes. If Greenpoint, you have your dives - Goldies or Palace, higher-energy spots- Twins or Ponyboy. Bushwick will give you Three Diamond Door, Abe’s Pagoda and plenty of other higher-energy dives and cocktail bars. Same with Bedstuy- Doris, Do or Dive, Dynaco and others. For me, I like to see a DJ spinning actual records.
SATURDAY
Now that we’ve made it to Saturday, the priority here is live music. Specifically the free show happening at 18th Ward Brewing this Saturday. With things kicking off at 1pm, it’s the prefect way to start off the Saturday with some craft beers and awesome music from the talent in the area. Oh, and not to mention The Big Easy will be headlining the event! If there’s anything you do this weekend, make it this. Music will wrapping up around 6pm so you’ll have the opportunity to either go home to decompress, start your dinner plans to refuel, or head to the park to get some sun and green before things get too dark. I support whichever you choose, as for me, I’ll probably kill two birds by decompressing while grabbing some dinner.
Now this next idea is love-it-or-hate-it option - karaoke. In the spirit of live music, this to me sounds like such a fun thing to do with friends. While I am aware plenty of people hate karaoke, I’m still going to put this out there. The trick is to not take it too seriously and it suddenly becomes a bit more enjoyable. Give it a shot, just don’t ask me to sing anything. I’ll be doing enough of that on Saturday.
SUNDAY
Believe it or not, Sundays are my favorite days to step out. My motto here is: start early, end early. For me, I’d start this day with an early afternoon bike ride. It’s a great way to get active without overexerting yourself. I find it deeply meditative as well.
Once again, the destination is in your hands. Maybe you skipped the park all weekend and would like to make it a Sunday afternoon activity. Perhaps you can bike to your brunch plans a few neighborhoods away. Or maybe the journey is the destination itself. Whichever it is, get there on two wheels.
Now from here on out, the rest of your weekend should be spent doing whatever your idea of a closer is. For me, that’s bopping around the neighborhood until the evening and home before 10pm. I much prefer the evening scene on a Sunday than any other day on the weekend. But perhaps I’m the one that could use some more ideas here. If you have any, feel free to let me know at the show. See you Saturday and be sure to check out our next show at Baby’s All Right on Sunday, June 18th.
Itinerary above written + submitted by The Big Easy. Follow the band at @thebigeasyband, buy music on Bandcamp and add their songs to your Spotify playlists!
Feature image provided by the artist.
MORNING ANNOUNCEMENTS
ICYMI, we announced the next STRONG LITTLE SONGS, featuring an evening of stripped-down sets at BdBK HQ aka Sam’s (aka my) apartment, and this time we’re raising money for Sweet Relief Musicians Fund, which is dedicated to healing musicians and music industry workers in need. This living-room lineup features Debbie Dopamine, Nadia Kazmi, Ransom Pier and our co-host Arlo Indigo. As always: BYOB, donation-based w/ BdBK matching first $100. Woo! DM 4 address!
STOP, LISTEN AND COLLABORATE (that’s how it goes right?!) bc NEW CLASSIFIEDS ARE UP and artists be seekin’ artists to formadabands and makeadamusic. Balloon Snake needs a drummer, Hemlock Garden and Union Fool (lol - so good) both want bassists, plus more, more, more! Find the spreadsheet featuring all 36 listings from 2023 here.
EXTRA! EXTRA! Last week, we told you about Manny’s call for you to be in an Ilithios music video on June 10 (details here if you missed it), and now we’re stoked to present another opportunity for you to earn your SAG (you’re Such A Gem!) card. Our fave water-based indie band Wetsuit is ALSO shooting a music video… ALSO on June 10… and ALSO needs participants (12pm - 5pm @ Sundown Bar). Get the details on that one here. No matter which shoot you roll with, stardom… or at least lunch… is 100% guaranteed.
RELEASE RADAR
New(ish) stuff from local (+ occasionally, once-local) artists we love, listed in no order whatsoever:
Warm Water // Jelly Kelly
Sapsucker // Gorgeous
“Part Time” // Oceanator
“Coral King” // Pons
Everyone’s Crushed // Water From Your Eyes
“Irrational” // Beth Million
“What You Kill” // Onesie
IT’S HAPPENIN’
Here’s a look at the events we’ve got coming up. Mark your calendars and come hang!
6/3 BdBK x Show Brain x New Colossus SUMMER SATURDAY w/ The Big Easy, Abby Jeanne, Telescope, Sara Devoe and more @ 18th Ward Brewing (free!) - RSVP here
6/9 BdBK presents: Locations, O. Wake, Lily Mao, Dogs on Shady Lane @ Alphaville - tix here
6/13 STRONG LITTLE SONGS w/ Debbie Dopamine, Nadia Kazmi, Ransom Pier, Arlo Indigo @ BdBK HQ (Donation-based // BYOB // DM 4 Address)
6/22 BdBK presents: Monograms (LP release), Pamphlets, Big Bliss @ Bar Sundown - tix here
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.