Sometimes we hear music that affects us for reasons unknown. Somewhere within us, an either lonely or rejoiceful part of ourselves calls out for a soundtrack. Whether Lewis & Clarke‘s leading man Lou Rogai is one of us, or one of those delivering what we long for, it’s not entirely clear. With lyrics that pluck at the heartstrings, and guitar that can be most simply put as solemnly subtle, there’s a sense of heaviness that seems to be barely escaping itself. If you’re feeling sad, I wouldn’t recommend listening for entirely too long, although that sense of musical masochism is, I guess, exactly what I’m talking about here. These are songs that embrace their own hopeful anguish, and satisfy our need to feel.
Maybe I’m gushing a bit here, but writing while listening to these tracks made me honest. But past the seemingly woeful songs, there’s cheerful inspiration. We got the chance to ask Lou about his label (supported by a “family” of musicians), the Appalachian Trail, Chelsea Hotel #2, and how there’s just nothing better than good bread. Check it out after the jump…
And, if you’re lucky, you can catch Lewis & Clarke TONIGHT @ Bowery or Saturday @ Music Hall, opening for Bat For Lashes.
Also, be sure to take a look at La Société Expéditionnaire, for more wonderful artists and feel free to support & buy the limited release of Light Time, the vinyl EP, directly from the source.

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I want to let this change my life
hrstudioplus

Maybe we all had mothers who made our Halloween costumes and taught us how to sew. Whatever it is, Brooklynites are the best at making their own duds. This weekend you can get the best of the best at the Lyceum for under $30. Check it out:

We want everyone to thrive in this sucky economy – both crafters and consumers – so we want to help get the goods flowing in both directions. This is a time for keeping our money local and helping our artists thrive, all the while keeping an eye on the ole purse strings. This market is designed for those of us who can’t spend like we once could, but still want to support the arts the best we can, get to know the artisans’ of NYC, and get lovely handmade things in the process.
So please come to the Market, buy as much as you like (get those mother’s day and holiday gifts early), and let’s keep our money out of Target and Walmart!!

Forgot to add, my favorite Charm School Design will be there. Every lady should have one of her headbands in her closet.

This is a HOT flyer!
So if you weren’t at this on Tuesday night you pretty much suck because it was HILARIOUS. But good news! You can redeem yourself by attending this FUN and WILD dance party on Saturday night!
Recipe for a great Saturday Night = Our friends @ FREE DANGER spinning some sleazy disco + EAR PWR!! + MVSCLZ + me and Nicole! Ummn yah I don’t think this gets any better.

Perhaps my favorite bar in Williamsburg, Bushwick Country Club, is having an excellent contest for their mini golf course (hence their country club status) that some artsy engineers could have some fun with:

The third hole is in a sorry state so we’re having a contest for the best design to redo it. The winner gets their winning design built, a plaque with their name on it mounted to the hole and a $100 bar tab. The third hole is the one with the mannequin in the red jumpsuit.
Rules:
It has to replace the same area as the old hole. Roughly 4′ x 8′
The tee and hole have to be in roughly the same place as the original.
No electricity. Gravity can be the only force used. Ok, we will allow the use of the weak force.
Design can be no more than PG-13.
Simplicity is a plus.
The winner is chosen by the Country Club Board of Directors.
The contest is over when we get an awesome design.

Being able to point out a plaque and say “That’s me, baby” such a great pick up. Send your designs here. As a side note, their summer time drink the Jim Bean and coke slushie is back. Be warned, its delicious but dangerous. I speak from experience.

From Mikki Halpin of Art Local– the folks who brought you Don’t Demo Domino:

The show came about when I was at a community meeting and Candace Parr and Elli Weinert, the drama and music teachers at Automotive, respectively, mentioned that their programs had been cut. I’d seen the Automotive musical last year (West Side Story) and was so impressed with what the kids did and how thrilled and grateful they were that Candace had believed in them and gotten the program going[...]
Since I often put on benefits around the neighborhood, it was a no-brainer to offer to help. I’ve always wanted to work on integrating Automotive High and its students and faculty into the neighborhood–they are part of our community as well. The school has come so far, and here in a community of artists and musicians, it was no problem to get volunteers and bands to participate. Although Japanther and Ninjasonik are just returning from a long tour, they said yes immediately when I asked them to help[...]
The show is going to be great–the kids will perform some dance numbers from Guys and Dolls, the Automotive High Hip Hop Jazz Band will play, and then of course the bands.

Go check it out TONIGHT @ Automotive High, 50 Bedford Ave. It’s a great cause and you might even win something yummy from Teddy’s or a free spa tratment at Beehive, mmm.

Photo by by Zandy Mangold, c/o The L Magazine
The L Magazine just crowned their 8 NYC Bands You Need to Hear. They are:

pow wow!, Savoir Adore, The Albertans, The Beets, Xylos, Darlings, Anamanaguchi, Emanuel & the Fear

Honorable mentions include:

Sisters, Dinosaur Feathers, Neighbors, Browns, Hospitality, Knight School
and runners up to the runners up: Woods, Creaky Boards and Real Estate

Click through to the L for a whole slew of interviews with the bands, photos from a debaucherous day at the Bushwick Country Club and surprisingly, no beards!
Update: OK, some beards.

PS- I just snapped this with my phone while sitting in my apartment… in Bushwick. FML
UPDATE: By now you’ve undoubtedly heard that WHO raised the threat level to 5, the second highest level on their 6 point scale. Yikes. But what we’re really concerned about is the Rapture Index. It’s already nearly surpassed last year’s highest level. Jeebus is coming!

Our friends at Brooklyn Fire Proof and the Nut Roaster Studios are hosting a May Day party Friday night, over at 120 Ingraham Street. 5 bands are playing, and there will also be a raffle, drink specials, DJs, and art + video installations.
$10
7 pm, Friday May 1st

Update: we’ve received word that there may be changes to the lineup, including Real Estate, who will not be playing Friday night…

From VSL

Indie darlings Belle and Sebastian are officially ‚”on hiatus,” but the band’s members reunited last year to make a fantastic summer album — the soundtrack to an imaginary musical about a young woman’s romantic crisis called God Help the Girl.
Most of the project’s songs were inspired by the British pop idols of the sixties. (Catherine Ireton, who sings the part of the heroine, has a piercing voice in the tradition of Petula Clark and Cilla Black.) Belle and Sebastian’s primary songwriter, Stuart Murdoch, discovered two of the other eight singers by holding open auditions online. And while the album’s not out until June 23, you can hear a handful of songs, alternate versions, and outtakes — including Ireton’s showcase number, ‚”Come Monday Night” — at Imeem. Show tunes have never sounded so good.

Here’s a couple below.