White Widow - "A Psychological Thriller" CD Review / Show at Public Assembly on July 17th

White Widow (aka Carla Patullo) is releasing her fourth disc, A Psychological Thriller, on June 5th 2012. The new disc is culled from Patullo’s growing interest in psychological thriller films and tells the dream-like story of a fictional character in ten songs that seamlessly blend together into one half-hour long soundtrack.

A Psychological Thriller and its concept spiked the interest of Brooklyn artists Jamie Dwyer and Justin Ulloa (Electric Wonder Creative), who produced an original animated short film under the same title. Inspired by White Widow's music, the film is a fantastical and delusional portrayal of an unraveling love affair, set to the full album. White Widow will be performing the soundtrack live at Public Assembly on July 17th (Advance tickets are $10)





A couple of years ago, the Wall Street Journal described Patullo’s music as "angst-drenched indie rock that ranges from bombastic to intimate, occasionally within the same song". This is much better description of White Widow’s music than I came up with as I was going to make a comparison to a ‘gothic Tori Amos’ crossed with Stevie Nicks. Like Amos, Patullo’s music is emotive – the difference is that Patullo’s songs don’t just rely on raw vocals (like a number of Amos’ songs) to hit the listener’s emotions but are rather multi-layered, lush “full band” pieces.

There is enough variation between the songs to keep the music fresh and listener engaged - songs range from the rawly emotive “Serial Love Affair” to the soaring Salvationist “Something About Paradise” to the 80’s rock number “Trophy Girl”. There are also two instrumental interludes on the disc which help build the overall mood of the disc and this is complemented by the addition of cello, strings, piano and keys to the standard rock instrumentation.

This is a moody, relentless and powerful disc that holds up well to repeated listens.

Links:
White Widow

Natur Kicks Off Spring Mini-Tour with Windhand and Pilgrim on March 1st at Public Assembly

Local NWOBHM band(and recent Earache signee) Natur is kicking off a Spring mini-tour at Public Assembly on March 1st. The band is playing alongside Windhand (Richmond doom/stoner-metal), Pilgrim (Black Sabbath/St. Vitus influenced power trio) and Magic Circle (features members of Mind Eraser, The Rival Mob and The A-Team); tickets are $10 and the show starts at 8:30PM.

Formed in 2008, Natur channels the old school, high energy sound reminiscent of legendary artists Judas Priest, Mercyful Fate, and Motorhead with New York intensity. The band has already achieved cult status among Brooklyn's developing metal scene, joining prominent acts like Tombs, Krallice, and Black Anvil and catching the eye of popular publications Revolver Magazine and Vice. Steadily gigging locally and abroad, Natur has earned a reputation for putting on an explosive live show. Appearances at Maryland Deathfest IX and the Live Evil Festival have established them as a force to be reckoned with. The band has shared the stage with Ghost, Marduk, and Aura Noir, as well as Earache's own Cauldron and Hour of 13.



Links:
Natur

God-Des & She: Brooklyn Soul/Hip-Hop Duo Plays Public Assembly on May 10th

DOWNLOAD: God-Des & She - "Love Machine" (from Three)

Brooklyn duo God-Des & She first hit my radar a few years ago when the video for their song "Lick It" (aka 'The P*ssy Song') was rejected by MTV. Responding, God-Des said "To me, it's almost blatant homophobia...They'll have guys talking about their lollipop and licking their lollipop all day, and they won't let a woman talk about pleasing a woman."

MTV obviously had somewhat of a change of heart as the duo premiered their latest music video for their single "Love Machine" on MTV's PopLab in April 2011. "Love Machine," the second single off their third album Three, is a retro/80's groove and a highly addictive track which demonstrates the duo's ability to continually surprise the listener by blurring the lines of hip-hop, pop and soul. With the combination of God-Des' smooth lyrical flow, the powerhouse vocals of She, and a unique style that is near impossible to define, this duo is well on their way to breaking into the mainstream. God-Des & She's third album, Three, produced entirely by Brian Hardgroove of Public Enemy fame, is available today via iTunes.

God-Des & She are playing a headlining show at Public Assembly on Tuesday, May 10th. Doors are at 8:30PM and tickets are $10 in advance and $12 (DOS).





Links:
God-Des & She

Keegan DeWitt Plays Communion @ Public Assembly This Sunday, March 6th

Communion was born in the Summer of 2006 at London’s Notting Hill Arts Club. Founded by Ben Lovett (Mumford and Sons), former Cherbourg bassist Kevin Jones, and acclaimed producer Ian Grimble, it quickly grew into a flourishing community of musicians and fans alike, providing a first independent platform for the freshest young artists on London’s circuit and beyond.

Since its humble beginnings from a West London basement bar, Communion has branched out across the UK to Brighton, Bristol, Leeds, York, Oxford, Dublin and Belfast, and internationally to Sydney and New York City. Communion is now working closely with the SXSW conference in Austin, Texas, The Camden Crawl, HMV’s Next Big Thing series, The NME awards, Belfast’s Open House Festival, and many more clubs and companies who all have a hand in promoting exciting new music to as big and broad an audience as possible.

Later this month, DeWitt will make his way down to Austin, TX, to perform at SXSW. He is confirmed to play at the 2011 Paste Party In Austin, The Billy Reid & K-Swiss SXSW Shindig presented by American Songwriter, and the Storychord day party, all on March 16th. A full itinerary is below. A noted film score composer, DeWitt's most recent work will also premiere at the festival in official selection No Matter What, directed by Cherie Saulter, and in the short film "Remigration," directed by Barry Jenkins (Medicine For Melancholy).

Keegan DeWitt Tour Dates:

MAR. 06 -- BROOKLYN, NY -- PUBLIC ASSEMBLY (Communion New York)
MAR. 16 -- AUSTIN, TX -- SXSW
* 12:00PM - The Billy Reid & K-Swiss SXSW Shindig presented by American Songwriter, The Swan Dive (651 Red River; RSVP)
* 1:30PM - Storychord SXSW Day Party, Cheer Up Charlies (1104 E. 6th St.; Free)
* 2:30PM - 2011 Paste Party in Austin, The Stage On Sixth (507 E. 6th Street; RSVP)

Links:
Keegan DeWitt

Dead Till Tuesday: CD Launch Party and Fundraiser for RightRides at Public Assembly on Oct. 6th

Joe Pepitone (born and raised Brooklynite) is having a CD launch party for his band Dead Till Tuesday's new record What's That Sound?, at Public Assembly on Wednesday, October 6th. The new disc was produced by Mark Saunders (who has worked with such notables as The Cure, Depeche Mode, Erasure, Shiny Toy Guns). The self-released new record, What's That Sound?, will also be available to the general public on October 6th, 2010.

The show will feature special guest performances by Kai Altair and glam rock specialist DJ Joey Nova. Kai will perform songs from her new album Star of the Sea and also accompany Dead Till Tuesday later on in the night, lending her voice to some of the songs that she helped co-write.

Doors are at 7:30PM and there will be a free open PBR bar from 8 - 9PM. Cover is $5 and all proceeds from the door will be going directly to RightRides For Women's Safety.


Dead Till Tuesday recently took first place in the 2010 City Meals on Wheels Battle of the Bands, helping to raise $267,000 for the charity. Their song "Kiss Me" recently won the Peace Love Productions song contest at Broadjam.com.

Links:
Dead Till Tuesday

Steven Mark Plays Public Assembly Tomorrow Night, Aug. 18th (NY Singer/Songwriter Sessions)

Singer/songwriter Steven Mark is playing a show tomorrow night at Public Assembly as part of the club's monthly Singer/Songwriter series. Doors are at 7PM and cover is $5.00. Steven is playing a solo acoustic set which will start around 9:15PM.

Steven's music draws a lot of comparisons to both Elliott Smith and The Beatles and he released his fourth disc, One Small Room, earlier this year. One Small Room is available from CD Baby and iTunes.



Links:
Steven Mark's MySpace Profile

Murder Mystery Play Public Assembly on June 12th and 14th as part of Northside Festival

DOWNLOAD: Murder Mystery - "The World" (MP3)

Brooklyn indie-rockers Murder Mystery have a busy weekend ahead as they are playing two nights at Public Assembly as part of the Northside Festival. The first show is Friday night as part of the Pop Tarts Suck Toasted showcase and the second show is Sunday night as part of the Engine Records showcase.

Murder Mystery released their debut CD, Are You Ready For the Heartache Cause Here it Comes, early last year and the Village Voice described this disc as "catchy, hard-rocking, intelligent music in the mode of Nick Lowe, Magnetic Fields, or Talking Heads." The band is in the process of finishing up their second disc which is tentatively due out in the fall.

Links:
Murder Mystery's MySpace Profile

The Bloodsugars are Playing Public Assembly Tonight (April 10th)

DOWNLOAD: The Bloodsugars - "Purpose Was Again" (MP3)

Village Voice said "The Bloodsugars play sweet garage synth-pop, refreshingly unconnected to bands of the 80's in it's simplicity."

The Bloodsugars are playing a show tonight at Public Assembly in Williamsburg with Soft Black, Grand Mal and Mitten Field. The show supposed to include Spacecamp but guitarist Jon Wiley was in an accident a few weeks back. Tonight's show is dedicated to Jon's speedy recovery.

The Bloodsugars released their debut CD, BQEP, last summer which is available on Engine Room Recordings.

Links:
The Bloodsugars
Public Assembly

Bugs In The Dark Play Public Assembly Tomorrow Night, Jan. 15th

Bugs in the Dark recently placed #5 in The Deli Magazine's Best of 2008 Reader's Poll and the band puts on a phenomenal live show. The band is playing a show tomorrow night at Public Assembly in Williamsburg with Djinn Toys, My Other Friend and Neon God.

Here is what The Deli Magazine had to say about the band: "Bugs in the Dark is a 2 girl / 1 guy dual-vocal art rock trio out of Brooklyn, NYC, inspired by bands like Sonic Youth, The Pixies, Sleater Kinney and Blonde Redhead. The placed 5th in our Best of 2008 Readers' Poll, missing the nomination boat for just a handful of votes. They gathered praise from sources as varied as Impose, L Magazine, Indie Sounds NY and (of course) The Deli. Check out their out of control live show at Public Assembly on 01.15."

Tickets for tomorrow's show are $8.00 and Bugs in the Dark goes on at 10:30PM.

Links:
Bugs in the Dark's MySpace Profile

Willie Breeding Is Having a CD Release Party at Public Assembly on Jan. 2nd

Download: Willie Breeding - "Cheap Vodka Rain" (MP3)

Kentucky transplant Willie Breeding is releasing his first full length disc, Cheap Vodka Rain, early next year and the CD release show is January 2nd at Public Assembly in Williamsburg.

Willie released his debut EP, "Grey Skies", in 2006 which one reviewer described as "the Gram and Emmylou dynamics of the songs blow you away with the feeling and immediacy of it all." Willie has recently been touring with Marah and Christine Smith and Dave Peterson both play on Willie's new CD.

The Continental and Thomas Bryan Eaton are playing with Willie. Tickets are $5.00 and the music starts at 8:30PM.

Links:
Willie Breeding's MySpace Page