9.15 A wknd w/ Carissa Johnson
The artist on ferry rides, fish and chips and her FREE Saturday-afternoon show at 18th Ward Brewing
We’re halfway (AH!) through September, which means it’s almost the end of this season of New Colossus Summer Saturdays. For months, Lio, Steve and Mike have been putting on FREE showcases at 18th Ward Brewing every weekend, and we want to say a HUGE thank you to New Colossus and to every musician who played this summer for providing such a sick service for the community. The main event takes place next March 6-10, 2024 at venues across the Lower East Side — badges are available now.
That all said, THE FUN IS NOT OVER YET! We’ve got our next BANDS DO BK X NEW COLOSSUS showcase TOMORROW featuring Two-Man Giant Squid, Sally Hatchet, Gum, Couvo and—the star of this week’s SETLIST—Carissa Johnson!
RSVP here.
We just met Carissa Johnson in the wild—specifically, the basement of Bar Freda—a week or so ago nd had one of those DO I KNOW YOU?! moments before we realized exactly where we recognized her from: The @brooklynelitist Instagram page, naturally. And, because the universe delivers, we were stoked to welcome her to the bill (the first step of our ultimate mission: becoming BFFs).
SO! Given the budding state of this friendship, we’re gonna have to draw straight from the artist’s bio to fill you in on this one:
“Carissa Johnson is known for her straight-forward lyrics, driving melodies, and her band’s inimitable live energy. Her musical career began in Boston, Massachusetts and has taken her all across the United States, playing over 350 shows in 35+ states between 2017 and 2020. She and her band won the New Act of the Year award at the 30th annual Boston Music Awards in 2017, the same year she won Boston’s legendary Rock n Roll Rumble (previous winners include Dresden Dolls & ‘Til Tuesday). Her music has been featured in SPIN Magazine, the Boston Globe, and more. She has opened for national acts TORRES, Sarah Jaffe, Toth (Rubblebucket), Dorothy, Damone, Freezepop, & The Damnwells. Johnson relocated to Brooklyn, NY in 2022 and is currently promoting her latest full-length album Blue Hour Deluxe, out on A Diamond Heart Production (June, 2023).”
BOOM! How’s that for a resume!?
Don’t miss your opp to catch Carissa live tomorrow! As for the rest of the weekend, as is custom, the artist has got you covered.
Have a glorioussss Friday / Saturday / Sunday / Eternity— we’ll see you out there <3
[BUT FIRST: PRESS PLAY]
FRIDAY
Start in Bushwick and go to Fiction Bar/Cafe for breakfast and get a veggie burrito and an iced coffee with lavender syrup
Walk across the Williamsburg bridge to Manhattan and grab a citibike
Bike north along the Waterfront Greenway
Stop for fish and chips at Frying Pan
Ride around Central Park and then find a Tacombi. Get everything.
Go to Le Poisson Rouge to see Bush Tetras record release with Weeping Icon
SATURDAY
Walk around McCarren Park - Greenmarket Saturday
1pm show at 18th Ward Brewing (I’m on at 1pm!)
Dinner at Roberta’s Pizza (Get the bee sting pizza!)
Walk to Domino Park, sit in the grass and take in the sights.
Dessert at Martha’s Bakery
SUNDAY
Breakfast at Peter Pan (Highly recommend the classic chocolate frosted donut, or their egg and cheese croissant, or both! And definitely a hazelnut iced coffee. Note: it’s cash only)
Lunch: Slices from Upside Pizza (Classic cheese slice is the way to go)
Take the ferry from Greenpoint to 34th st. (Get the ferry app! It’s the same price as the subway, if you buy tickets in bulk)
Dinner at Utsav in Rockefeller Center
Tarah Who? and L7 at Gramercy Theatre, 7pm. This is not to be missed!
Itinerary above written + submitted by Carissa Johnson. Follow the artist at @carissajohnsonmusic, buy music on Bandcamp and add the songs to your Spotify playlists!
Feature image (provided by the artist): Lucy Opazo
MORNING ANNOUNCEMENTS
BANDSKETBALL UPDATE: BRACKET JUST DROPPED!
Say hello to our SWEET 16: San Fermin / Brother Moses / Namesake / Work Wife / CONSUMABLES / Monograms / Tennis Courts / Mary Shelley / HNRY FLWR / monarch. / Divine Sweater / DD Island / Fetch Tiger / Low Presh / Scum Shots / Sad American Night
BANDSKETBALL is Brooklyn’s (probably) first BAND VS. BAND CHARITY BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT AND MUSIC FESTIVAL presented by Show Brain , The Hoops Commission and BdBK to raise funds for Willie Mae Rock Camp —“a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering girls and gender-expansive youth through music education and mentorship.” The fun goes down Sunday, September 24th at 18th Ward Brewing and will feature an all-day bball tourney + performances from Kahiem Rivera, Nappy Nina, Work Wife, Consumables and Monograms + Djing from canteenkilla + raffles + and a whole lotta other cool stuff.
Fill out your bracket here for the chance to win some sweet prizes // RSVP here to attend and support the camp // Pre-game with our Spotify playlist featuring playing and performing bands // And follow @bandsketballin_bk for updates on playing and performing bands as the event approaches.
RELEASE RADAR
New(ish) stuff from local (+ occasionally, once-local) artists we love, listed in no order whatsoever:
“IN THE WAY OR DISAPPEAR” // DD Walker
Dark Matter Recycling Co. // The Planes
“Head Is A Hideout” // Sharkswimmer
“Hot Guitar Player” // MARIS
IT’S HAPPENIN’
9.16 BdBK x New Colossus SUMMER SATURDAY with Two-Man Giant Squid, Sally Hatchet, gum, Couvo, Carissa Johnson @ 18th Ward Brewing
9.24 BANDSKETBALL @ 18th Ward Brewing - RSVP 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
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.