It’s finally hot out. I write this as it’s 49 degrees out and I’m wearing a sweatshirt, but I would consider this to be hot. I haven’t worn a scarf in forever and I’m listening to Animal Collective so I would consider this to be summer. You can really feel it everywhere, I’m more willing to go out now than ever before, and thank god for that because I’m hosting tomorrow night at Heaven Can Wait at dba’s Day Off. James is playing of course, but this time we also have Anna Shoemaker opening it up and I’m really excited to see her live! “I Think I” has been on rotation in a major way. After the sets, we’ll have DJ Buffy b2b Nailtech. It’ll be pretty epic and to celebrate, Anna and James are taking over today’s newsletter!
There are still some tickets available for tomorrow night here so grab a ticket and dig into Anna and James’ recs…
SEVEN SHOWS YOU NEED TO SEE
4/20 dba James and Anna Shoemaker at Heaven Can Wait - Tomorrow night we’re playing at Heaven Can Wait! This is our first show together and we’ll both be playing some new songs and maybe a surprise as well!? - Anna and James
5/26 Taylor Swift Eras Tour at MetLife - Can someone PLEASE get me into this show? - A
4/23 Placebo at Brooklyn Steel - I started listening to Placebo in 2018 with their S/T record and became a huge fan overnight. Also, that photo of Brian Molko wearing the “Stunt Girl” t-shirt was in my gallery ever since. - J
4/21 Lola Star at The Broadway - Found out about Lola Star through the label Julia’s War which I’ve been following for a minute. They have cool bands and their most recent release “Waiting” has been on repeat. - J
5/20 Hannah Jadagu @ Baby’s All Right - I really feel like this is going to be special! I am such a fan. If you haven’t already listened to her before, definitely check out her new song “Warning Sign.” Also, it’s crazy but her EP What Is Going On? was all recorded on Garageband for iPhone. - A
5/25 Anna Shoemaker at NuBlu - I’m playing at NuBlu next month for my first headline show in a while. Going to be bringing back a lot of OG songs for this:) Also, I’m playing my first headline show in Chicago on May 20th if you live there! - A
6/24 Boyish and Bel at Baby’s All Right - Find me screaming FUCK YOU HEATHER every morning in order to prepare for this show. Also, I’m obsessed with all of Bel’s music. I can’t wait to see them all live. Hopefully Michael Incognito will be selling merch. - A
SEVEN SHOWS YOU WISH YOU WENT TO
3/23 Toledo and Another Michael at Elsewhere - These were two of my favorite sets I’ve seen this year, Alenni from Another Michael always takes my breath away. I played a few shows with Toledo before I got to see them for this show in NY and both Dan and Jordan are such sweethearts. - A
3/27 Earth Dad and Wince at Baby’s All Right - The first time I saw Earth Dad was on the rooftop at The Sultan Room with Sub*T. They were great at Baby’s. J*ckie and I got super fucked up and ate Taco Bell after they haaated it :D - J
3/28 Grace McKagan at Mercury Lounge - SHE IS ROCK SHE IS ROLL. - A
3/31 Richie Quake, Quiet Luke and Scarlet Rae at Heaven Can Wait - I’m so sad I couldn’t be there for the show but I heard Richie played Kacey Musgraves which I’m bummed I missed. - A
He did and he smashed! - J
4/6 Long at The Broadway - I know I said this the last time but Long is really doing grunge so well. Last time there was a pit, this time they played some new songs and Blake ended the show with his guitar fully off his body while chugging a beer. What more could I want? - J
4/11 Sword II at The Broadway - Okay it’s Kenzie here popping in for a min to tell you about one of the three nights I was at The Broadway last week. All three nights were legendary, throughout the week I saw A Country Western, Worlds Worst, Ruth In The Bardo, Bedridden, Jobber, and of course Sword II. Sword fucking II! They’ve been on my radar since Jackie told me about them so of course I had to catch them play their first show in New York in a long time. It was pretty crazy. They have the chemistry and the command of a band that’s been together for years, which results in the most stunning performance I’ve seen in a while. They played a lot of new stuff I’d never heard, along with classics from their Between II Gardens EP. I got a sickening t-shirt and a CD of their unreleased, but the CD won’t play on my CD player so if anyone still has a computer you can put a CD in… lmk and we can listen to Sword II together.
4/13 GIFT at Berlin - If we could all be as chic as Jess is on stage, nature would heal. Also, TJ always kills it. The music is just really really good. The show was truly a Gift (ha!) to us all! - A
NoAuto.Shed - Marlin Dubois, Joeyy, Ricky Chix, Henry Mosto, Dream Caster
Comeback – dba James (out tomorrow! pre-save here)
I Think I - Anna Shoemaker
Flicker - Donna Missal
Marfa Store - Blonder
I Poured Sugar In Your Shoes (Late Night Version) - Horse Jumper of Love
Puke - Ava Maybee
As always, invite me to your shows and send me your music! See you tomorrow night!
Love,
Kenzie