Once again, there's no letting up on the music scene this week. Check out my Spotify playlist to get in the mood for the week ahead, which includes the CBGB Music Festival. Three hundred bands in 100 venues, as well as a diverse lineup of music industry panels, music-themed film screenings and an epic free concert Saturday in Times Square.
Wednesday, Oct. 9
A limited release of tickets will be available at the door from 6 p.m. tonight for Deltron 3030 at Brooklyn Bowl. Deltron 3030 stars producer Dan the Automator, rapper Del the Funky Homosapien and DJ Kid Koala. They're back on the road in support of their first album in 13 years "Event II," the long awaited followup and sequel to their 2000 self titled album which was an influential concept album set in a dystopian year 3030. Also Monday at the Highline Ballroom.
Martin Rev made his name with minimalist electronic punk duo Suicide. Rev's solo work still explores Suicide's sweet, childlike melodies and simple lyrics over desolate, monotone, minimalist electronics. Also listen out for Infinity Shred in support — they create expansive post-rock, integrating a vast array of synthesizers, textural guitars and playful dialogues between live and programmed percussion. At Glasslands Gallery.
Winnipeg's Ruth Moody (founding member of The Wailin' Jennys) is a Juno Award winning songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from Winnipeg, Manitoba. Her second album, "These Wilder Things", features a guest appearance from Mark Knopfler and a haunting cover of Springsteen's "Dancing in the Dark." At Subculture, 45 Bleecker St.
Thursday, Oct. 10
Detroit's Rodriguez released his debut LP, the Dylan-inspired "Cold Fact," in 1970 to very little success and then followed it with 1971's "Coming from Reality," which saw even less success, before he decided to give up on his music career. Over the years, "Cold Fact" became a cult favorite in South Africa and Australia, and due to the increased interest, Rodriguez eventually began playing again, doing his first headlining show in the US in 2008. Rodriguez was the subject of the acclaimed documentary "Searching For Sugerman." Check out the trailer here. At Radio City Music Hall. Also Barclays Center on Wednesday.
New Zealand's indie electronic rockers The Naked and Famous decamped to Los Angeles to record their second album "In Rolling Waves," which has been described by music blog Clash Music as "a thrilling, melodramatic ride through the regions where pop, electro and alternative rock crossover, and finally meet." Terminal 5. Also Friday.
Indie rockers Atlas Genius are Australian brothers Steven and Michael Jefferey. Their debut album "When It Was Now" is a top 40 hit in the US, propelled by their 2011 single "Trojans." At Irving Plaza. Also Friday.
Friday, Oct. 11
Recording legend Tony Bennett's career spans six decades. He began singing for money at age 13 as a singing waiter in Italian restaurants around his native Queens. Drafted into the US Army in 1944, Anthony Benedetto saw bitter fighting in cold winter conditions in Europe. During his time in combat, Benedetto narrowly escaped death several times. The experience made him a pacifist; he would later write in his 2007 book "A Life of Art and Music," "Anybody who thinks that war is romantic obviously hasn't gone through one." Post-war, after a stint with an informal Special Services band unit, he got his break after performing in Greenwich Village. Bob Hope simplified his name, took him on the road, and soon after the now named Tony Bennett was signed to Columbia Records. Bennett has released over 70 albums during his career, and won seventeen Grammy Awards, including the prestigious Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. His signature tunes, such as “Steppin’ Out With My Baby” and “I Left My Heart In San Francisco” form part of the fabric of American music culture. At Radio City Music Hall.
As part of the CBGB Festival, Philadelphia's Bad Blood Records is presenting a showcase at Glasslands. The creative umbrella of Naeem Juwan, a.k.a. Spank Rock (who will be headlining the evening with longtime collaborator Amanda Blank), Bad Blood Records is featuring dance music innovator Kid Kamillion, and the haunting and Grimes touring partner Ami Dang. The party climaxes with Brooklyn fave Dirtyfinger.
Jethro Tull's Ian Anderson performs the band's best known album 1972's "Thick As A Brick." Also Thursday. At Beacon Theatre.
London-born Berlin-based electronic music producer Gold Panda (Derwin Schlecker) is in town to promote his most recent release "Half of Where You Live" - an album inspired by the sounds and music he has heard through his travels. Webster Hall. Doors 6pm.
Saturday, Oct. 12
CBGB Music & Film Festival 2013 hits Times Square with a free, multi-stage concert spanning 9 city blocks. Catch Grizzly Bear, My Morning Jacket, The Wallflowers, Lisa Loeb, Divine Fits, and James Murphy (dfa/LCD Soundsystem). At the center of the festival will be a city block long food court, skate and BMX demonstrations, a pumpkin fair, rock climbing and plenty more. From 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The current 13-piece iteration of Buena Vista Social Club, The Orquesta Buena Vista Social Club brings Cuba's extraordinary 20th century musical legacy to the Rose Theatre @ Jazz at Lincoln Center. Also Friday.
Scottish-born Australian singer songwriter Colin Hay may have hit a commercial peak in 1981 with his chart topping band Men At Work, but is still capable of writing beguiling and touching tunes. At Town Hall.
Bianca "Coco" and Sierra "Rosie" Casady - CocoRosie - will be playing their latest album, "Tales of A GrassWidow" tonight at Webster Hall. The album, made with Icelandic record producer Valgeir Sigurðsson, strikes a "neat balance of darkly powerful and whimsical" according to UK music magazine Uncut.
Monday, Sept. 14
Recorded in secret over the last year, Trent Reznor teamed with producers Atticus Ross and Alan Moulder (Arctic Monkeys, My Bloody Valentine) to create the first new music from Nine Inch Nails in five years — the album "Hesitation Marks." Never a band to shy away from an explosive live performance, Nine Inch Nails are touring with Canadian post-rock ensemble Godspeed You! Black Emperor, an intriguing double bill at Barclays Center.
Luke Temple, frontman of Here We Go Magic, is celebrating his new solo album, "Good Mood Fool," with a record release show at Le Poisson Rouge tonight. Check out his soulful new single "Florida" on Youtube.
Tuesday, Oct. 15
The music of gifted young Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Caroline Shaw is being featured over two nights at Brookfield Place Winter Garden, performed by vocal project Roomful of Teeth tonight, and ACME, the American Contemporary Music Ensemble tomorrow night. Both performances will be accompanied by film screening of Caroline Shaw’s Ritornello and are free of charge.
Fronted by androgynous singer Brian Molko, dark English glam rockers Placebo are touring behind the release of their seventh album, "Loud Like Love." At Terminal 5.
Since her Platinum self-titled debut, eclectic American singer Rickie Lee Jones has released eleven studio albums, the most recent "The Devil You Know," a collection of covers produced by Ben Harper. Tonight she plays an intimate show at The Bell House.
