sevensevenseven #1

I feel like there’s a lot of music and people in New York right now that feel groundbreaking and exciting to me. There are only so many people I can text Spotify links and ticket links to without feeling annoying, so I wanted to put together a home for all of the things I’m excited about and make sure that it ends up in the inboxes of friends, family, and strangers that might care about music and what I have to say. 

I was home last weekend and my old neighbor asked me what I liked so much about living in New York City. My first thought was the music. There’s a show every night, there are only about 3 venues I dread going to, and the people involved with music here are either the best people or the worst people; there’s not an in-between. I think without the shows here and the people who make those shows happen, I don’t know if I would love New York City as I do. 

Enough with my rambling though, here’s the deal with this thing called sevensevenseven. I’m not an angel numbers person, I’m not even a numbers person. I did look it up though and 777 doesn’t have a negative connotation so that’s good enough for me. This thing is called sevensevenseven. On the 7th, 17th, and 27th of every month, I’ll send you 7 shows you need to go to, 7 shows you wish you went to, and 7 songs you need to hear. 

I want to write and put together a lot of this on my own just because I need an outlet for talking about this stuff, but I also want my wonderful friends to contribute, just like Kendall, Jade, Grace, and Blakely did for this edition. If you want to write about a show, send me a dm or an email. I want this to be all of us. However, while we’re on the topic of Jackie, they know more about music and the lore of bands you’ve never heard of more than anyone else I’ve ever met. They are such a thoughtful musician, curious fan, and one of my favorite people to see a show with. Their dedication to documenting the scene we are a part of is so inspiring and has without a doubt led me to start this thing. 

I do also want to shout out my friend Joe Kerwin who started a substack called You Missed It recently that details all of his nights out. Joe is always in the right rooms, seeing the right bands, and writing about it all in a way that makes me want to never miss a show again. His corner of the New York music scene is a beautiful one and when I get a message from Joe to “roll” whatever show he’s at, I know that night is going straight into the history books. Reading his newsletter gave me the push to start one of my own; there’s so much in this city that needs to be shared and documented. Subscribe to his newsletter, you won’t regret it. 

Now onto the music….

7 SHOWS YOU NEED TO SEE 

1. 8/27 Bodega, The Ophelias at Brooklyn Made - It feels like Bodega has been around since I was born; I have never known a New York without this band. I think I saw them open for various post-punk bands throughout my freshman year upwards of five times. They’re still as good as ever, which is not something everyone can say. If anything, I think their current stuff is their best music yet. My friend Grace Bennett once said something about listening to “Statuette On The Console” and feeling the urge to skip down the street. I’m excited to see how their show has developed since I saw them last, especially because I heard one of the members got a concussion recently. As for The Ophelias, I think they are a really interesting choice for an opener here. Usually, you can kind of make sense of a bill and say “Oh those bands fit well together” or “Oh they are all friends” or “Oh the opener is dating the booker,” but I’m having trouble making sense of this one. I don’t mean that negatively at all, I loved their 2018 record. I’m going to go read up on them now because I don’t know much about them besides their sweet indie pop-rock sound.

2. 8/28 Sitcom, Frost Children, The Life at Baby’s All Right - I will be so honest right now. I thought I had seen Sitcom before, but in reality, I have seen ARTHUR and I think I wrote a tweet about Sitcom or something when I was an Elsewhere intern. These DIY Pop legends are all new to me, but The Frost Children are not. I saw them open for Sunflower Bean this past spring and I can’t believe I haven’t made it out to see them since. They put on a SHOW, which is something few people do these days. Rumor has it Angel and Lulu went to Fordham, which is just something that makes me laugh. I went to FIT, the most laughable NYC school, so I’m allowed to laugh. Anyways, I think they’re gonna be gigantic and in ten years we’ll credit them with shaping so much of the New York pop scene. Onto The Life… who has no music online that I can find. He has a podcast called The Ion Pod, but I don’t really wanna listen to it right now. I think Seth Rogen was on it once from some light research. Matty Healy posted about the podcast recently. It’s looking like a cultural blindspot of mine. Show make for an interesting show!

3. 9/1 Crosslegged, Omolulu, June McDoom at Purgatory - To be so honest, I had never listened to Crosslegged before checking out what shows were coming. I love the name. I’m listening to “Under Your Nose” right now, it’s such a glitchy folk dream. This is the music that sounds so good at Purgatory and would be so interesting to watch someone play; I love a skilled guitarist even though folk isn’t my primary thing. Whenever I step outside the genre box I generally stay in, I am reminded that music is sound and so many people are so good at arranging sound. That could be the dumbest thing I’ve ever written, but it’s something I’m reminded of while listening to Omololu. Dude, this is going to be such a mystifying show. Especially with June McDoom opening it up. This is stacked and not to be missed.

4. 9/3 Laveda, Couch Prints at Elsewhere - I will be so honest with you guys. I just listened to Laveda before writing this, I just think everyone should go see Couch Prints. I had never heard of Couch Prints before SXSW this year, but I met Brandon and he is genuinely awesome. He loaned us (Sub*T) a cable in our time of need at a parking lot showcase in the actual hottest weather I’ve ever experienced. After the julie show at Elsewhere, we ran into him on Wyckoff. We told him we just went to julie and he said something about how he just played pool with julie. I think he meant Julia Austin? Anyways, Couch Prints has been putting out some amazing singles this year, including my favorite “All I Know.” I love a song that you can put on repeat and let completely engulf you while you lay in your bed with the sun hitting your face. So go early and see Couch Prints, but I will say you need to see Laveda too now that I’ve checked them out. They effortlessly balance shoegazey tones with pop melodies, it’s the kind of sound you need to experience live. Listen to “bb” to hear what I’m talking about. Laveda is also playing in Boston with Paper Lady and Christian Pace soon, which is a lineup I’m so sad to miss!

5. 9/4 Kierst, Paper Lady, porcelaine at Elsewhere - I saw Porcelaine headline The Broadway a few weeks ago. I was immediately put in a trance by the animated vocals contrasted with the CELLO. Not something you see enough. Not to mention Paper Lady, a staple in the Boston DIY scene, is heading back down to New York. Alli’s witchy vocals will blow you away. Headlining is Kierst and the boys, fresh off the release of a new single with UK indie label Sad Club Records. They’re gonna be huge. It’s really a dream lineup at the best venue.. see you there! - Jade Alcantara

6. 9/5 Black Country New Road, Horsegirl at Bowery Ballroom - I feel like I can’t even properly comment on this one. This is the Super Bowl for people who religiously use Discogs and/or wish ketamine was more accessible in NYC. It’s basically gonna be epic. Two shows, one day with one of the most exciting American bands as the opener. Do you remember where you were when you first heard “Sunglasses” (2019)? I can never look at sunglasses the same way again. Just know the review of this one is going to be crazy if I can find a way in… or if one of you writes a review…

7. 9/5 Maneka at Purgatory - Another Purgatory show, they’re killing it lately! If you go to the BCNR matinee or can’t find a way in at all, go to Maneka that night. His 2022 record Dark Matters is such a trip. It’s lush but sample filled and fits into the post-hardcore shoegaze renaissance of the moment without being generic. There are moments filled with trap influence alongside soaring guitars. This was such a fun project to stumble upon. I’m listening to the record as I write this and this jazz moment is so beautiful.

7 SHOWS YOU WISH YOU WENT TO

1. 8/10 Horsegirl, Dummy, Lifeguard at Bowery Ballroom - When Nico and Laila show their faces at a concert, you know it’s a big deal. And there they were, gracing us with their presence at Horsegirl’s show at Bowery Ballroom, the final stop on their summer tour after the release of their debut album Visions of Modern Performance, one full of interludes and even a bird call. Without a doubt my favorite album of the year so far. The first time I saw a show at Bowery I was 16 and waited all day to get in the front. Since then it’s a place I’ve found myself at multiple times a year. Usually, a friendly face is working the door (shoutout Dharma, the most recent addition) or coat check, which, after a show, is one of the worst lines to wait in in Manhattan. Opening the night was Lifeguard, followed by LA-based band Dummy. During the latter’s set, members of the other two bands came on stage to provide backup instrumentals, nothing more intricate than a tambourine or shaker, but it added a camaraderie between bands you don’t often see on stage. Lifeguard and Dummy returned the favor during Horsegirl’s moshing-filled set. Those moments were highlights of the night - and the free zines at the merch table made by Horsegirl about their own project and other up-and-coming Chicago bands. Overall, I expected the crowd to be younger. There were lots of middle aged men in band shirts and Sub Pop tees, showing the kids they’re still cool. I can’t wait for Horsegirl to come back to New York in just a couple of weeks to see them open for Black Country, New Road. - Grace Bennett

2. 8/12 Been Stellar, Kierst at Union Pool - I actually feel really sad for you if you didn’t see Been Stellar and Kierst at Union Pool for the release of Been Stellar’s EP. It was a show I think we’ll all talk about for a long time. I listened to the EP the whole day before the show with Lindsay and Blakely, it felt like prepping for prom night. The show itself was an electric shordycon full of every person I’ve ever met. Shows where the whole group chat shows up can be so overwhelming, but such a great reminder of how we come together for each other when it counts. I’ve only known Been Stellar for barely a year, but it’s really cool to see their shows become full of more people I don’t know. Henry and I talked about this for a bit that night, it’s always so fun to see Henry and Karen. The evidence continues to pile up that Been Stellar is going to be huge. I’m not just saying that and I’m not saying it lightly. I think a lot of people making music right now in NY are going to be big, but Been Stellar is such a tight band with such solid songs to match; they’ll be at MSG one day. I can’t even tell you my favorite Been Stellar song because they’re all so good. This sentiment is something everyone in the crowd felt that night, everyone was singing along and there was almost always a pit going. Jackie made a video of the night, I’m sure if you ask nicely you can watch it and see what I’m talking about. The next Been Stellar show can’t come soon enough.

3. 8/17 Fat Trout Trailer Park and Die Spitz at Purgatory - I’ll never forget how we all felt when we saw FTTP at Union Pool last December. It was a shock to the system; no one makes music like FTTP. I have one of their stickers on my laptop, that’s how much I like their music. Jade and I went to their most recent show which happened to be free (iconic much?) at Purgatory with Die Spitz. Die Spitz is a band I’ve been hearing about for months from my favorite Austinites, Audry and Brooke. They did not disappoint. Something about an all-femme punk band makes me so emotional and empowered. Such a good balance of being wild and also being a tight band. Their drummer and guitarist switched a few times which is something I love to see. I think everyone was mesmerized by their bassist though, who has the best bass face I’ve ever seen. If you didn’t catch Die Spitz when they played like a bazillion shows in NY recently, that sucks for you.

4. 8/18 Hotline TNT, Gel at Highland Park - Admittedly, receiving a set of coordinates as the location of the Hotline TNT / Gel show on 8/18 had me feeling like my life is a movie 😍 Genre? True crime. A promise attached - it’s gonna be fast, heavy, and creepy. Check ✔️ check ✔️ - not so creepy on arrival. Honestly? Fucking sick.

   I can only marvel at the love and commitment it takes to carry gear through a park to put on a generator gig at a condemned bandshell. Executed so smoothly you’d think they do it every week. I know fuck all about acoustics, but I was not expecting the middle of Highland Park to sound so good. It was fast, it was fun, and the dust kicked up from the pit made for an impromptu smoke machine - mad for it. And I’d be remiss not to mention the webpage.

   If you weren’t there, you missed out, but that’s fine - just don’t let it happen again, OK? - Kendall Stoll

5. 8/20 & 8/21 Harry Styles, Blood Orange at MSG - I feel like I need to preface this inclusion and review from my lovely friend Blakely to say that I do not like or endorse Harry Styles, but fifteen nights at MSG with Blood Orange recording his set straight to CDs every night feels too big of an elephant in the room to not address. Blakely sent me her review and then said, “I wish I could convey how much I hate him without being confusing.” Styles is a villain in the lives of many. - Kenzie

   I went to the first two nights of Harry Styles' MSG residency last weekend. We found our way onto the floor at both shows — myself and the group of friends that formed years ago for this very purpose — and caused a scene together as we always have. Dancing with them is what makes everything worth it, despite Harry's recycled stage banter and the disappointing setlist (if he actually plays "Grapejuice" on a night when I'm not there, I'll kill myself). The next 26 days are bound to see me risking it all and going back on my word just to do it again as many times as possible. - Blakely Annarino

6. 8/23 Cherry Glazerr, Shallowhalo at Mercury Lounge - This is a show I’ve been excited about since Alicia told me it was happening. When you’re like 15 and you hear Cherry Glazerr, everything changes. Clem’s music has empowered me to be outspoken and unapologetic in my teens, so it felt like a full-circle moment to see her for the first time at a sold-out Mercury Lounge show as an adult. Shallowhalo opened the show, what a perfect bill. It was also my first time seeing Shallowhalo too and my expectations were high as people rave about Allyson and Ezra’s live show. Ezra was sick so Rachel Lime filled in on synth. What a dreamy set, Allyson and Rachel killed it. Allyson’s stage presence is so charming, I think she’ll be a staple pop girl before we know it.

   Seeing Cherry Glazerr was just magical. Alicia, Julia, Carolyn, and I stood in the back corner next to what I can only assume are Clem’s family. She opened up with “Told You I’d Be With The Guys” and it just got crazier from there. “Dead Fish” is my favorite Cherry Glazerr song, which she played near the end. I kinda expected the crowd to be crazier and primarily young girls, but it was mostly older men which was disappointing. I left feeling really empowered as expected and walked to the train with Julia, Alicia, and Martini. Martini said the scene would be nothing without me and Alicia, to which I said the scene would be nothing without them documenting it. Everyone hire Martini for pics!

7. 8/25 julie, Hello Mary at Elsewhere - I live by a motto that nothing is really ever sold out. We woke up with 2 tickets between the six of us and made it all in because we have some amazing friends. The first sold-out show might have been julie and Hello Mary at elsewhere’s zone one this past Thursday. It was sold out as literal fuck, Tope said it sold out when it went on sale. They were supposed to release more tickets at doors, but it became a safety issue so they didn’t.

   Hello Mary opened the show and they killed it as always. All the shordies and our Texas slays Audry and Brooke went to Cobra Club beforehand, where someone referred to Hello Mary as the best New York band. I think that person could be right. They’re so undeniably solid. I see people wearing their merch out and about, which is when you know someone has made it past local stardom. Grace and I saw them headline zone one a year ago and we wore masks because it was our first show since COVID I think. It was so weird to be the oldest people in a room except for the band’s parents, the rest of the fans seemed like peers of theirs. It’s jarring but so inspiring to see people younger than you killing it. They’re playing my favorite Hello Mary song right now as I type this in my notes app, “Take Something”. Their drummer is easily my favorite member to watch. I love it when a drummer sings. “Sink In” is also such a banger. My memory is so bad that I’m taking notes during the set in my notes app, my 23andMe DNA test told me I’m going to have Alzheimer’s someday.

   This was julie’s first show in New York and I think that’s the smallest room they’ll ever play here. Jackie, Jade, Tope, Brooke, Audry, and I went up to the front because it was one of the tallest crowds I’d been in. That means a lot for a girl who is six feet tall. Once the show started, the wall of noise was constant along with the giant pit that the crowd started for every song. I meant to find the drummer after, but the way they drummed was mesmerizing, they had to be trained as a jazz musician. The band’s sound is so discordant in alignment with their image, but somehow it works. Even Atlantic Records agrees. This seemed like the event of the year for everyone involved. Except for Martini G who was almost crushed by the pit.

7 SONGS YOU NEED TO HEAR

1. Girls by The Dare - I feel stupid even including this, it’s the song of the summer. You know it and you love it. If you don’t know it, you love it too. According to top-secret footage from a birthday party at Baby’s, The Dare drinks tequila sodas with bitters and doesn't approve of the war.

2. Winter Comes by Paper Lady - Paper Lady’s music is a blessing to us all. I first met Alli in Boston at The Tourist Trap during a Rosewater Records show that Sub*T was playing. Sweetest host in the world with even sweeter songs. I’m really enjoying this latest single, Winter Comes and it makes everything ok. Make sure you get to Kierst at Elsewhere early on 9/4 to catch Alli and her band!

3. Involved by Trophy Wife - Another Boston legend. Never heard a song like this before that so accurately describes how I’ve felt in situationships. The computer is telling me situationships is not a word, but I think we all know the truth. Not to sidetrack, but it feels like everyone that’s new to NY lately is from Boston or Austin. What’s that about? Have you guys seen that documentary Austin to Boston? ANYWAYS. Kenzie is one of my oldest friends and she’s moving to New York soon. Everyone should go see her live before it’s all anyone can talk about.

4. Something Else by dba James - I found out about James from my friend, Andrew, who happens to be his manager. What a team! Every song he puts out is a good one and he is hoarding all the pop sensibilities that have been missing from the zeitgeist lately. I love waking up and checking Instagram to see that James has randomly dropped something on SoundCloud.

5. Ohm by Been Stellar - I’ve been waiting for the studio version of this one for a minute. It’s such an atmospheric song that sticks with you. I walked home from Gold Sounds with this on repeat last weekend I think and nothing happened on that walk, but I remember it because I was listening to Ohm. That’s the Ohm effect. 

6. Human Condition by Pretty Sick - Former (?) New York legend strikes again, I’m pretty excited to see her at Bowery Ballroom. Monica and I saw her on Halloween at Mercury Lounge last year, I need the crowd to show up for her with energy this time around. 

7. Treats by Sleigh Bells - I need everyone to be making music like this again. I heard this for the first time in so long last week and it’s so insane. They’re playing Brooklyn Steel the same night as julie at Elsewhere. I’m sad to miss it, Treats (2010) invented us all.