8.19 A wknd w/ Blonde Otter
The NYC rock band on parks and pools, frozen bevs and their Saturday-night show at Bowery Ballroom
!TGI…T! DO THE DAMN THING W/ BLONDE OTTER
[ APOLOGIES FOR THE SPAM (!) bc you’re def getting this twice. Due to the wrong date (day AND month, impressive!) on the last email, we want to clarify that this is, indeed, the itinerary for THIS weekend, beginning TODAY, August 19th. Because while time is ~an illusion~, we did still screw up. Sorry! <3 ]
While we typically send out THE SETLIST on a Friday morning, the babes of Bronx-born band Blonde Otter are overachievers in the finest sense, and shot over a full four (alright, three-and-a-half) day/night itinerary beginning on Thursday, giving us all no choice but to start our weekends right now.
In addition, the group did us the friendly favor of shooting over their own intro:
“Hi, we’re Blonde Otter. Five friends who formed a rock band in the Bronx in 2016. We recently released our debut album, Blonde Otter : eleven distinct yet cohesive songs about coming-of-age, provoked by experiences of loss, love and identity. People seem to enjoy Blonde Otter. We are excited to return to the Bowery Ballroom on Saturday, August 21st with Nisa and Punchlove. We look forward to seeing you there!
Our music is brought to you by Michael Guariglia (vocals), Rob Falcone (bass+vocals), Dan Wines (lead guitar), Stephen Malichek (rhythm guitar), and Matthew Falcone (drums/sex symbol).”
We’ll call that a SEX CYMBAL.
*ba dum tss*
The band also, in very fun fashion, provided a few different lists of a few favorite things—from YouTube vids and 311 songs to summer wines and influential physicists (seriously). Check out that GRAB BAG from the taste-making tune masters, then snag your tickets to their Saturday-night show here.
As for the rest of the weekend, B.O. (awesome band; awful acronym) has got you covered! Read on for ~81 hours of fun—
[BUT FIRST: PRESS PLAY]
THURSDAY
Thursday August 18th*:
3:00 PM: Rise
3:05 PM: Chivas Regal with the morning papers, dunhills*
*only applicable to Hunter S. Thompson.
Thursday Night, August, 19th: The Sampler on Starr Street in Bushwick is a great hang. Jazz musicians congregate to improv jam. Free show, indoor + outdoor seating, good people and good booze selection in action-packed Bushwick.
Another option is the Pencil Factory in Greenpoint: sit outside, and drink frozen margaritas.
If you’re looking for a show, Busta Rhymes, Lil Kim, The Lox (who somehow defeated Dipset last week…) are playing at the Prospect Park Bandshell. That’s a true NYC experience. Olde Brooklyn Bagel Shoppe is right there (egg sandwich is an acceptable meal at any time in the day) and Olmsted is around the block for ridiculously tasty food in an ultra ‘grammable setting (dinner date inquiries welcome).
FRIDAY
Friday Afternoon:
Cut out of work early and get yourself a sandwich at Anthony & Sons Panini Shop in Williamsburg, any kind ya like. Have that sandwich in McCarren Park, weather permitting, catch some rays, have some tunes, bring a book/practice an instrument, or get some more work done. Feel good. If you’re hanging around Greenpoint, definitely make sure to stop into Dream Fishing Tackle — cool store with cool furniture and cool records!
Friday Night:
If you’re willing to travel to Queens and can find cheap tickets to Dead and Co @ Citi Field… definitely an option. You can also go to George Clinton, Mobb Deep, and EPMD at Forest Hills Stadium, it’s free! If you end up seeing Busta Rhymes and Mobb Deep back to back nights and use only the subway to get around, you are officially a NYer inductee. You might literally wake up wearing timbs and a Yankee fitted. Forest Hills Station House and Dirty Pierre’s are right by the stadium.
If you wanna stay in BK, you can’t beat the classics. Rocka Rolla for cheap drinks, tasty alcoholic coffee drinks, and listening to cheese rock. Black Flamingo, on the later side ***if you’re feeling crazy***.
SATURDAY
Saturday Afternoon, Before the Show in Manhattan:
Grab a late lunch/brunch at Cafe Habana on Elizabeth (they have a phenomenal cuban sandwich, plantains, and good Mexican drinks). Then, you can bar hop around Nolita before the show—some bars we enjoy are Spring Lounge, Mother’s Ruin (frozen drinks are next level), and Botanica Bar, all of which have outdoor seating.
If you’re feeling fancy, Zero Otto Nove in Manhattan is near the venue. This place brings Arthur Avenue (the real Littly Italy) to Manhattan. Rob and Matt’s grandparents will also be dining there. If you see them, tell them we said hello.
Saturday Night: BOWERY BALLROOM
Saturday Night, Night: Afterparty TBA, follow @Blondeotter!
SUNDAY
Hop on the LIRR to Long Beach. The ocean is the true hangover cure. There's Five Guys right by the train station and Gino’s next door is a local favorite.
In Brooklyn: New Colossus Festival at 18th Ward Brewing is fun—all different kinds of bands, good beer, and good food. They also have TVs inside and the Yankees are kind of hot *knock on wood.* Lot Radio is plenty enjoyable too.
Can also just chill in McCarren, just make sure you’re outside getting sun. If you are looking to cool off and don’t mind public pools (we don’t), McCarren Pool is nice.
If you have the energy and are looking to get physical, Turnstile is playing at Irving Plaza. Tix could be pricey though. If you’re skipping Dead and Co. on Friday night, there is a great Dead Tribute at Ponyboy in Greenpoint on Sunday night. Multiple sets and a fun crowd.
Itinerary above written + submitted by Blonde Otter. Follow the band at @blondeotter, buy their music on Bandcamp and add their songs to your Spotify playlists!
Feature image submitted by the band.
RELEASE RADAR
New(ish) stuff from local artists we love:
“Movies” // PYNKIE
“Major Tool” // RAAVI
“Immortal Living” // Tight Lips
“Love Will Always Find a Way” // Vanessa Silberman
+ Find more new (+ not that new) songs from artists we’ve featured and/or love on our newest LOTR-length Spotify playlist, Bands do BK Vol. 13!
IT’S HAPPENIN’
Here’s a look at the shows we’ve got coming up this month (and beyond). Mark your calendars and come hang!
8.21 BDBK PRESENTS: Moon Kissed // Shadow Monster // Beeyotch // Mary Shelley @ The Nest (TONIGHT!)
8.28 BDBK PRESENTS: Duke of Vandals EP Release Show w/ Dead Tooth @ FirstLive Studios (Buy tickets here!)
9.3 BDBK PRESENTS: Mary Shelley Single Release at FirstLive Studios
9.4 BDBK PRESENTS SATURDAY NIGHT (FIRST)LIVE w/ War Violet and STRANGEPRIDE @ FirstLive Studios
9.9. BDBK PRESENTS: Sallies, HYPEMOM, The ‘94 Knicks, Gal Fieri at The Nest
+ ICYMI
Around the blog + on the radio + from the archives:
SPOTLIGHT: “Living in It Now” from Monster Furniture
VIDEO PREMIERE: “Total Control” from Opal Rose
BEST OF BROOKLYN w/ Damn Jackals
BDBK X RFB: A selection of Moon Kissed songs + tracks picked by the band
Thx 4 reading! Find more fun stuff at bandsdobk.com and @bandsdobk. <3