I’ve been super excited about the first uptown show that I booked this season. There are a lot of Harlem scene veterans playing this one. Vision Through Sound (from East and Central Harlem) was the first band I contacted, and they were more than stoked considering the last house show they played at Lerfe (RIP) had the most incredible energy. Although, I’ve been spinning their latest record These Things Happen through my shitty boombox the track Rinse and Repeat always gets me rocking out. It must be the progression of jangly alt-country guitar noodling which leads in to a short psychedelic freak-out that keeps my head from staying on my shoulders. The bongos at the bridge also add a sweet danceability to the number. If you haven’t heard these cats play before, you should get to know their very versatile sound. I recommend playing the game: How many genres influence this VTS track? Which isn’t to say these cats are incoherent. No, they’ve totally got their sound in the pocket, and they are way comfortable with taking it to new territory (one would expect no different from a band that’s been around for more than five years). For example the lo-fi tinged guitar intro on Let The Right One Out is totally spittin’ game at that East Coast/West Coast surf-revival the Brooklyn cats have been going gaga over. Add some washed out harmonies to back up the longing in Andrew’s vocal delivery and it’s a hit. Probably the best candidate for a single if you were to ask me. The slow-ballad to punk venture that occurs in I’ve Forged A Woman in My Mind is second runner up.
Also, huge shout out to Politics As Usual for coming all the way from New Jersey to bless the collective with their post-punk, post-brooklyn sensibilities. I save this term for those few bands in the NYC area that dare to rock out without pretension or gimmicks. I’m pretty stoked about being able to pick up their newest album Trouble. I’ve been waiting for a full length since I started playing/booking shows with these guys nearly a year ago. If yr a fan of The Replacements check the track Trouble Abroad for a dose of sonic nostalgia. Once I get my hands on this dime a full review is in order.
If you’ve ever been to a CC show before, you know it’s never a one-trick pony. For those who prefer dirtybeat droppin’ macbooks Event and Eunice will be sure to make you freakout. Don’t even try to deny the fact that you sometimes catch yrself walking down 125th droning I’m from Cincinnati, but Harlem is my home/Harlem is my home. I’ve seen you chanting it at Lerfe, OK? GOOD SONG. The last I heard from Eunice she was ready to release some new tracks that will put some sex in yr hips. Great, maybe I’ll be able to keep my shirt on this time. Her last collaboration with Josh dropped some dope dub-step decibels, dangerously down mahd00d (I could do this all day). Regardless, Josh’s afro-beat band Birch & The Tiger will be grooving. See them burning down Lerfe here. Can I get an album you lot?
If you’re coming through, bring some clothes you’d like to get rid of since we’re going to be hosting a clothing swap. If you aren’t familiar with the program, it’s pretty simple: There’s a pile. Leave what you don’t want in it. Take what you like out of it. The rest gets donated. This semester we will be working with The Black Student Union at CCNY and the New York chapter of the Malcolm X Grassroots Movement to distribute clothes to those in need living in the Harlem community. Woop, woop. You can also drop off any gently used clothing and shoes at the Morales Shakur Community Center which is located in North Academic Center room 3/201 at CCNY.
So yeah, come out and help support Convent Collective by donating what you can. We’d like to keep things shakin’ but we can’t do it without you.
There might be some Henna and Live Painting going down as well. If you want to bring something fun let us know: conventcollective@gmail.com
New Amsterdam Musical Association
107 W 130th Street between Adam Clayton Powell and Lenox
$3-7 Donation
all ages as always
Coast Van Garde? Kind of a secret.
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