Attention Space Cadets

NEW MUSIC: Soldier On Dear Friend

2009-08-03T14:15:00.000-07:00

Formed in the summer of 2007 and brand new to the New York underground music circuit, Soldier On Dear Friend is a band that has successfully won the hearts of new music junkies all over the scene. They have a very unique blend of classical, and contemporary influences which make their sound and writing style so whimsical, not to mention somewhat of a Celtic folk tinge like The Pogues. I had the chance to interview them briefly at their Lit Lounge show on July 31st.

When did you form the band? Did you have any other side projects?

Anna (Guitar/Lead Vocals) - "It was the end of 07/08? When we really became SODF that was much later but we all just decided to get together and play music.. It was the summer, so we all really wanted to be in a band."

Meredith (Violin/Vocals) - "Before that, we were all in different places."

Madalyn (Bass/vocals) - "Meredith was in italy, Zach (Drums) was at school, Anna was in Philly, and i was in Brooklyn.

How did you get together?

Anna - "Madalyn and I lived close together and we were the only two people in our group of friends who have

an unwavering passion for music.. not necessarily the same music, we have very different taste but it was something we shared."

Where did you live?

Everyone - "Swarthmore!"

Anna - "Madalyn knew Zach and I knew Meredith through various other things."

Zach - "Madalyn and I both worked at 'The Old Club' which was a music venue at our school.

What is your perspective on NY Music?

Madalyn - "I love the NY scene and I love brooklyn. We've played a couple of shows but Places like Dead Herring, Market Hotel, that whole DIY ethos is really fun."

Anna - "I also have a different perspective, living in Philly. In NY there's a great scene for music whereas in Philly you're competing with the Visual and Performing Arts scene, so we really like coming here.

Influences?

Anna - "While growing up, my parents listened to classic rock but later I became inspired by various folk women singers.

Meredith - "I grew up playing mostly in string quartets so some of the structures and melodies are almost taken directly from Brahms or Debussy."

Madalyn - "Zach and I just really like The Replacements."

Anna - Oh, and Ponytail!

http://www.myspace.com/soldierondearfriend

FIELD TRIP this Saturday, Prospect Park; FREE!

2009-07-09T11:59:00.000-07:00

the Co-Op presents:
FIELD TRIP
Saturday, June 11
4:30pm-9:30pm
Nellie's Lawn

come on out
bring a snack
bring a blanket

a rare opportunity to hear acoustic sets by bands like:
(listed in no particular order)

Im Turning Into
Senors of Marseille
the Sundelles
Will Stratton
Pow woW!
Superhero Name
Los Basement
Gutsies
plus special guests who we might not even know about!!!!

another awesome event by the Co-Op; GO!

flier artwork by James Farias

NORTHSIDE FESTIVAL KICKS OFF!

2009-06-12T14:24:00.000-07:00

Yesterday marked the beginning of 2009’s Northside Festival. We went to pick up our badges and got outside just in time to catch pow wow! playing an acoustic set on the sidewalk of N 6^th Street and Kent Avenue. Brightening up a dreary, damp late afternoon with a few of their signature catchy tunes, the group got the crowd outside to put their hoods on and stay awhile. A pair of Brooklyn-hip pre-tweens ran up with smiles on their faces; it was hard to tell if they were tossing dollars into the comically cliché open guitar case, or trying to snag the cash for themselves. Times are hard.

A fellow cadet and I were musing about how mellow the band’s drummer, Mikey, seemed to be without a full drum kit. But sure enough, Mikey spotted Greg Sullo from Dinosaur Feathers in the crowd and got up to the usual antics that make this band so much fun to watch. Marching through the crowd and then down the street, Mikey continued to play the snare drum as a haphazard troubadour, leaving Greg to keep the beat with the remaining floor tom as the other boys strummed to the finish.

A burrito, two tacos and many Heinekens later, we headed over to The Cameo to see Ducktails perform. The crowd stood scattered and slowly swaying to the electronic permutations, in an almost reverent trance. This is how imagine visiting the Rothko Temple would be like, you know, if the lights were off. The seats lining the walls of the space were being stood upon, so as to see the solo act perform, crouched on the floor amongst an intricate web of effects pedals. After a quick break for applause, Ducktails stood up to play a song with guitar and vocals, staying true to the dreamy, mesmerizing but bringing it back into a more down-to-earth feel.

We finished up the night with Free Energy at Public Assembly. The band cranked out hooky 80s-esque rock tunes one after another, smiling all night and never losing steam. The band’s singer had a swagger that was cocky yet endearingly so; I caught more than a few people in the crowd pumping their fists and shaking their hips. Its always nice to see a band perform that is having as much fun as the people watching them. These boys may be from Philly but I think they fit in just fine in Brooklyn.

EVERYTHING GOOD IN LIFE! MAY 29th

2009-05-22T11:01:00.000-07:00

Next Friday, in conjunction with the Co-op & Brooklyn Ski Club, we are throwing a giant party, sponsored by our friends at PBR featuring the work of over 20 young emerging visual artists in New York City, as well as performances by some of the hottest up and coming bands of 2009.

Between free beer, cookies and cakes, art, music and friends amongst friends...
It's going to be a good time! At Keith Lapinsky Studio on 37th and Broadway.

BE THERE!

CA to NY for PW!

2009-05-11T07:53:00.001-07:00

Hey all,

We here at camp pow wow! would like to thank everyone who made it out to our two shows this weekend.

Thursday at Glasslands and Friday at Lit Lounge were some of the best we've had yet!

BUT ... most importantly, we want to say a huge thanks to those two chicks who FLEW OUT FROM FUCKING CALIFORNIA TO SEE US PLAY!!!!!

That was so awesome of them and it makes us feel soooo happy.

So we hope you girls are reading this and we hope to see you both again soon and we will put you on any guest list any time you ever want to ever come see us ever again ever!

TONITE: Attention Space Cadets Presents:

2009-05-08T12:54:00.000-07:00

the show starts at 8pm.
featuring some great new up and coming bands.

Dinosaur Feathers
Los Basement
Wild World
&
pow wow!

New Music New York: Gutsies

2009-05-05T00:09:00.000-07:00

We first stumbled upon Gutsies at a private party/show at the School of Visual Arts a few months ago, and while they were missing their drummer, Eric and Jacob (also drummer/singer from The Beets) put on a hell of a stripped down set. We've seen them a total of three times now, and we're hooked. Gutsies play punky rock & roll music with hints of mersey beat harmonies and surf jams riffage. They have an immense live set for a three piece, with songs spanning only three minutes or less, there's a classic but downright raw sensibility in Gutsies that sets them apart from their peers. Surely these boys are bringing some of the spunk back into DIY music and we here at ASC will be running closely behind them like giddy english school girls chasing the beatles in A Hard Day's Night.

http://myspace.com/gutsies

MARK YOU CALENDARS! MAY 29th! EVERYTHING GOOD IN LIFE @ Keith Lapinsky Studio NYC

2009-05-04T23:23:00.000-07:00

Art. Music. Film. Free Booze. Baked Goods. + FRIENDS. That's just about covers EVERYTHING GOOD IN LIFE , the aptly party we're helping throw on May 29th, in conjunction with The Co-Op, and Keith Lapinsky Studio.

Featuring Music by:

Los Basement
Wide World
The Beets
pow wow!
Elizabeth Harper/Class Actress

and Art by:

James Farias
Lauren Fatzinger
Renee Delosh
Edward Nazareno
+MANY MANY MORE.

Stay tuned. and Mark them calendars! :D

L Magazine's 8 NYC Bands You Have To Hear 2009 + Upcoming Shows

2009-05-01T15:15:00.000-07:00

The L Magazine's "8 NYC Bands You Need To Hear" 2009 issue came out yesterday and features none other than in house space cadet's pow wow!

they are featured alongside two of our favorite NYC groups right now The Beets (who are playing with pow wow! @ Red Star in Greenpoint tonite!), & Darlings (who pow wow! is playing with @ Glasslands May 7th.

Also featured are: The Albertans, Xylos, Anamanaguchi, Emmanuel & The Fear, and Savoir Adore.

The issue also features another band on our to watch list, Dinosaur Feathers, as an "honorable mention".

Big congrats to this years picks!

Also below are upcoming NYC show dates for our roster:

Coyote Eyes:

May 1 - 10pm: CAMEO (w/ Travis DeVries + Family Lumber + Hank & Cupcakes), TWilliamsburg, Brooklyn
May 30 - 6pm: FLYTRAP (OUTDOOR PARTY) Redhook, Brooklyn
Jun 12 - 8pm: Spike Hill (Earfarm's Northside Fest Showcase), Williamsburg, Brooklyn

Los Basement:

May 8 - 8pm: LIT LOUNGE (Attention Space Cadets presents: w/ pow wow!, wide world, dinosaur feathers), NYC

pow wow!:

May 1 - 9pm: Red Star (The Music Slut & Brooklyn Ski Club presents: w/ The Beets, Wild Yaks, The Subjects), Greenpoint, Brooklyn
May 7 - 9pm: Glasslands Gallery (Quietcolor presents: w/ Darlings, The Sundelles, Shark?), Williamsburg, Brooklyn
May 8 - 8pm: Lit Lounge (Attention Space Cadets presents: w/ Los Basement, Wide World, Dinosaur Feathers), NYC
May 15 - 7pm: Permanent Records (In Store Performance), Greenpoint, Brooklyn
May 21 - 8pm: Cameo Gallery (w/ Senors of Marseilles, Dinosaur Feathers + tba), NYC
May 29 - 6pm: Keith Lapinsky Studio (Everything Good In Life Art, Film + Music Extravaganza), Midtown, NYC
June 4 - 8pm: Santos Party House (w/ The Postelles), NYC
June 12 - tba: Spike Hill (Earfarm's Northside Fest Showcase), WIlliamsburg, Brooklyn
June 12 - tba: Club Europa (KEXP's Northside Fest Showcase), Greenpoint, Brooklyn
June 13 - 2pm: Matchless Bar (The Battering Room's Northside Fest Showcase), Greenpoint, Brooklyn
June 14 - tba: Northside Fest.

The Roster: Part Deux

2009-04-21T14:09:00.000-07:00

this Thursday, we are throwing a FREE show at the wonderfully charming Goodbye Blue Monday, in Bushwick! Featuring Womb Ripper, and The Elizabethan Caller, as well as returning cadets Los Basement & pow wow!.

the set times are as follows:

8-8:30: The Royal Drag
8:45-9:15: Womb Ripper
9:30-10: The Elizabethan Caller
10:15-10:45: Los Basement
11-11:30: pow wow!

Again the show is FREE! So come out and hang and dance and get spaced!

http://www.goodbye-blue-monday.com

(1087 Broadway Brooklyn, NY 11221) off the J train at Kosciusko st stop

Cameo Gallery Review

2009-04-06T16:10:00.001-07:00

It's official, our first event, "THE ROSTER", held on April 2nd at The Cameo was a huge success.

photo courtesy Los Basement

The evening opened with the hazy absurdist tunes of one Mr. Jimbo Farias aka. Los Basement. If you aren't already familiar with his music, you soon will be, as he is one of our favorite New York City via Austin transplants, who's offbeat acoustic guitar pitted against his twisted but sincerely imaginative lyrics ("I haven't seen you in a while, don't you know? I'm still watering your plants...") will be sure to make its way onto your electronic listening devices and spring mix tapes (especially if we here at ASC have any say in the matter!) He played a mix of old and new songs, a cover or two (here's 4 and a half thumbs up to his stripped down rendition of Pavement's "Shady Lane") as this young man is incredibly prolific. (with cd's sometimes in excess of 15-20 tracks, marrying his brand of outsider pop with sonically experimental noise collages) leaving us fans, whistling and a'singin' along.

photo courtesy Elizabeth Harper

Following Los Basement, the lights were turned down, transitioning the evening out of the absurd and into straight up sexy. Elizabeth Harper and the Matinee left the crowd swooning with a tight performance of songs, playing select cuts from her first album, as well as introducing newer material from her forthcoming record, which she's worked on and produced with members of Violens, and is due for release soon. We agree with the L magazine when we say, its hard to understand why she and the Matinee aren't already superstars, as her Gotham city flavored Smiths meets New Order sensual jangly shimmer pop is exactly what hipsters and music aficianados alike generally eat up. Keep an eye and ear out for new jamz to come.

photo courtesy Stereoactivenyc

House cadets, pow wow! came on after, with this show being the highlight of having 3 new york city dates almost back to back this week. Not an easy feat for just any newcomers to the New York City scene, pow wow! delivered a mind blowing set of originals, getting the entire room, (which by this point was near packed) rocking and a-reeling. With the help of a few good friends up front, and a undeniable energy which the kids undoubtedly fed off of, the crowd was riled up with hands in the air, and hips shaking to their shambly indie-retro-pop-soul music, which by comparison to their recordings, is an altogether different experience live, faster and more explosive than one might come to expect.

photo courtesy Soundbites

and Lastly but certainly not least, we must reiterate our love for My Teenage Stride. They kept us all entertained and dancing for the entirety of their set, filling the in betweens with silly jokes ("Thank you, we're Megadeth") and finishing out their performance with a double, count them, TWO TIMES, an encore, thanks to the fans belligerent pleas for "ONE MORE SONGGGGG"

Be sure to check out all of the bands on myspace,
as well as other blogs reviews of the show.

one more note: Thank you so much to in-house artist, Ms. Lauren Fatzinger for providing the magically colorful (and explosive!) backdrop for the event! it was beeee-oooo-tiful.

GREAT SUCCESS! We'll see ya'll in may :D

http://myspace.com/sunandflowers
http://myspace.com/elizabethharper
http://myspace.com/powwownyc
http://myspace.com/myteenagestride
http://www.laurenfatzinger.com

Other reviews:

Soundbites

StereoactiveNYC

APRIL 2nd! ATTENTION SPACE CADETS PRESENTS: THE ROSTER CHAPTER 1.

2009-03-27T14:11:00.000-07:00

pow wow! announces EP release in May + Summer Tour

2009-03-23T23:14:00.000-07:00

Attention Space Cadets Alumni, pow wow! have announced their first official EP is coming in May, to be released by West Virginia based indie label, Royal Rhino Flying Records. The EP, which will feature four newly recorded tracks, is currently being recorded at Five Towns College in Dix Hills, Long Island. Mixed and mastered shortly after, it will be a limited edition pressing, and will be out in stores and online before their 22 date summer tour of the east coast. The tour, which is to be launched after the holiday in July at the Southpaw in Brooklyn will bring them as far South as Atlanta, before turning around and hitting the upper east coast. Stay tuned for official dates and venues to be announced late april/early may.

http://www.myspace.com/powwownyc
http://powwownyc.blogspot.com

Singles We Heart: My Teenage Stride - Creep Academy

2009-03-21T23:18:00.000-07:00

It's unanimous here at APC that My Teenage Stride are not only one of our favorite acts locally, but also internationally, as their lo-fi brand of pop alchemy is second to none. And we are here to remind you of that, especially amidst the recent revival of DIY/c-86/twee/shoegaze pop influenced music, My Teenage Stride stands in a league of its own. They are chameleon-like, both clever and abundant in style as well as variety, unlike many of their comtemporaries who, in our honest opinion, seem one dimensional in their references, and mere "emulations" by comparison. No, MTS is not pinholed so easily. As February's installment of their Emusic Singles Series, MTS has released "Creep Academy." Opening with two tones of feedback and immediately rushing in with a frenzy of tambourines, fuzz, and hooks galore, "Creep Academy" is perfectly anthemic ("TOO OLD TO DIE YOUNG!") and seemingly effortlessly produced; lo-fi, though orchestral in its build up, brilliantly blending Phil Spector's Wall of Sound, Here Come the Warm Jets-era Eno, The Mekons, and even The Byrds, echo-ing the intro to "8 Miles High" in the little guitar riff before the harmonica-laden instrumental break. As previously stated, MTS are leaders of the pack, who's influences are wide and applied ever so subtly into their own original compositions, rather than taking an idea or band, like shoegaze, or the Jesus & Mary Chain and ripping the hell out of it. (Sorry folks. that doesn't make for greatness. That makes for cheap third rate garbage.) "Creep Academy" is also coupled with a b-side, "Average Justice" and is available via EMUSIC.

Be sure to catch them at the very first ever Attention Space Cadets Showcase, April 2nd at Cameo Gallery (also Ft. Elizabeth Harper & the Matinee, Los Basement, & pow wow!)

http://www.myspace.com/myteenagestride

Kittens Ablaze, Pow wow! Susu and Buke & Gass @ Metropolitan Social Club

2009-03-16T09:46:00.001-07:00

Saturday nite was host to an amazing final show for The Metropolitan Social Club. The show started with brooklyn up and comers Susu followed by the much talked about avant-indie group, Buke & Gass. Attention Space Cadet's own Pow Wow! played a killer set, and got the entire place a 'shakin, joined by James of "Los Basement" and Marta from Coyote Eyes on tambourines. However, the highlight of our night came when Kittens Ablaze began their headlining set, nearly tearing the room in half! Mixing drunken, backyard singalongs with atmospheric guitars, juxtaposed by the classical sound of cellos and violins, these Kitty's had enough stage presence to keep the crowd reeling into the morning, and brought their set to a climax with a rowdy cover of John Denver's "Take Me Home, Country Road."
We implore you to catch their next show at the Mercury Lounge on March 25th. and visit them @
http://www.myspace.com/kittensablaze

Special thanks to all the folks who made this show happen: Jared, Joe, Brian, & Louisa @ the Metropolitan Social Club.

American Watercolor Movement...for free??

2009-03-09T08:47:00.000-07:00

Just because uber-prolific Jersey City's art-rock godfathers American Watercolor Movement are no more, doesn't mean you still can't love them like you used to.
The band recently posted their entire back catalog on their website, www.americanwatercolormovement.com
You can score all the band's releases from Perhaps Transparent Records, Royal Rhino Flying Records and those albums they released themselves.
So go there and get some free music. Show those weirdos that you still love them.
Releases are as follows...
And The Maps Came Down, Color Test Vol. 1 - The Sighisoara, Color Test Vol. 2 - The Gawedziarz, Flapjacks, Sunrise and Verne, It Takes Fifteen to Tango in My Book, What Book Do You Read?, THE SHITHOUSE OPERA: Act 1 - Brotherhood of the Sea and the Fucking Machine, Act 2 - The Moustacio Suite, Act 3 - Bury Me Standing Up, Act 4 - The Fool and Bastards and Orphans...
Told you they were prolific.

And if you really need your AWM fix that bad, bass player John W. Fesken is constantly touring the East Coast as one of the nation's premier visual artists...check his site for festival appearances.
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewProfile&friendID=382386287

Coyote Eyes @ Death By Audio

2009-03-05T22:41:00.000-08:00

I must say I was very intrigued upon catching wind of this new Brooklyn band Coyote Eyes. First reading about them on The Deli, and then hearing their name being thrown around via word of mouth at local shows as of late. There wasn't much information about the band on their Myspace, further adding to the mystery, simply giving you a taste, with a demo of "Yellow Red," a brooding, decadent number which brings to mind Blonde Redhead. But only upon the surface. Live, they were raw but tight, with Manny and Marta trading vocals here and there, effortlessly amateuresque with every crack of the voice and off key note they'd hit, beautifully matched by the group's countenance on that dimly lit stage. The lone guitar, half picked and plucked, was sharp and crisp against the precise but primal beats delivered by drummer, Jeremiah. There's no doubt in our minds here at Attention Space Cadets, that this is a band to keep your eyes and ears on in 2009.

http://www.myspace.com/coyoteeyesnyc

Distorted Sugar: WARM HANDS

2009-03-03T14:52:00.000-08:00

We can't begin to tell you how much we at Attention Space Cadets are in love with WARM HANDS, the solo project of one Mr. Conrad Vollmer. An Ohio native who's spent his fair share of years paying his dues as a Brooklynite & typically found past midnite with an arm around a friend or three, WARM HANDS is a departure from the clean, head bobbing pop of his band Tijuana, and runs in the opposite direction, flooding the ears with pure distorted sugar. He creates a sonic soundscape, that brings to mind the heavier side of the shoegaze era (particularly Slowdive, on "Wolf Heart" and "Moths") yet also simultaneously recalls the uninhibited biting attitude of Alan Vega (on "I Just Wanna Get Along") as well as staying true to being a part of the Nirvana generation (on "Big Sea Big Break"). WARM HANDS is a prime example of why DIY music is making a serious comeback, not only because artists (or labels for that matter) in this economic climate don't have money to pay big bucks for typically flat sound, but because putting the production back in the hands of the artist, in the case of WARM HANDS, results in fantastically raw product. No wall between his guitar and the listener, exactly the way we like it.

http://www.myspace.com/warmhands

New Art. New York : Lauren Fatzinger

2009-03-02T22:03:00.000-08:00

War Movie - 2008 - Stop Motion Animation + Fabric Sculpture

Bombs - 2008 - Fabric

Lauren Fatzinger's most recent series of works and installations are a playful poke at a world that has often forgotten how to laugh (or even smile for that matter) at themselves. From Fat Suits to Soft Bombs and Guns, her plushy pieces carry a solid commentary on things people don't often take lightly: in this case: war, weaponry & self consciousness. While these cuddly pieces could easily hang on display (and probably stay off the radar) at any FAO Schwartz, the questions they raise are hardly childish. She is a modern day Claes Oldenburg, who's work is equal parts fun and smarts. We're dying to see her response to our "Economic Crisis."

See more @ http://www.laurenfatzinger.com

New York will miss: Wonky Tonk - Music to love by.

2009-03-02T20:36:00.001-08:00

Last nite, pow wow!, played a show with Kentucky/Cincinatti folk/popsters, Wonky Tonk, @ Don Pedros, in Bushwick, Brooklyn to an intimate and loyal local following that sang along (and in my case also drunkenly and happily danced). Wonky Tonk's music is charming, light and playful, and between the half sung half spoken vocals (affectedly coy enough to make even a grown man blush) and the amazing band Ms. Wonky Tonk had backing her up (Combination of Mandolins, Glockenspiel, and Melodica) their set effectively warmed our hearts as a Nor'easter began dropping snow and ice across New York City. I was lucky enough to be handed a free copy of their cd, which was hand made, complete with glitter, screen printed and fixed together with multicolored pipe cleaners. (So suiting of their music and persona!) Sadly it was their last nite in Brooklyn, as they head back south into the month of March to continue their east coast tour.

http://www.myspace.com/wonkytonkmusic

Welcome SPACE CADETS!

2009-03-02T16:46:00.000-08:00