NYLON/MYSPACE: NEW YORK
New York's noisemakers: The Bravery, Marnie Stern, Young Lords, the Virgins, Matt and Kim...
TUNE IN: NEW YORK MUSICIANS
The Bravery
You might not know it to look at him, or perhaps to listen to his band’s 2005 eponymous debut album, but Sam Endicott—the lead singer, guitarist, and lyricist of the Bravery—is most definitely in touch with his spiritual side. In fact, behind all that posturing, those let’s-get-the-party-started synths, and those sprawling sideburns, is one of the most intelligent and genuine musicians in New York.And, on the band’s new record, The Sun & The Moon, it shows. The thundering percussion has been muted slightly, the sing-along choruses toned down; but it’s Endicott’s lyrics that set this record above its predecessor. These are songs to be listened to, and thought about, not yelled from the dance floor of a Lower East Side dive bar. LUKE CRISELL
myspace.com/thebravery
Marnie Stern
The Upper East Side is New York’s whitest, most milquetoast enclave, a featureless brew of “luxury rentals,” Irish pubs, and rhinestone-collared chihuahuas. If it were a band, it would be the Dave Matthews Band. Or maybe the Goo Goo Dolls. It is not, needless to say, a likely habitat for the newest signee to legendary indie label Kill Rock Stars, a person who mauls double-necked guitars with the savagery of a young Eddie Van Halen. But the Upper East Side is integral to the story of Marnie Stern, whose ferocious debut In Advance of the Broken Arm is already one of the most innovative and talked-about records of 2007. EVIANA HARTMAN
myspace.com/marniestern1
Young Lords
In the narrow hallway above Lower East Side bar Home Sweet Home, five young men sit with legs outstretched, beers in hand, and cigarettes lit, shooting the shit on a Wednesday night. Frontman Blair van Nort is recounting the chance meeting that spawned the Young Lords. “We were recording as this garage band just doing acoustic country songs. I had met Max [Kamins, the bassist] and we had this argument about whose band was going to be better. By the end of the night, we were like, ‘Let’s just combine our bands. Obviously, they’re both going to be good, so let’s just do that.’” KELLY GREEN
myspace.com/younglords
The Virgins
There are, on the surface, plenty of reasons to hate the Virgins. There's the fact they scored a record deal while the band consisted of just Donald Cumming—a lugubrious twentysomething part-time model and actor with a habit of saying ‘fucking’ every other fucking word, who bluffed the Virgins onto the Atlantic Records roster before the Virgins actually existed as a band. Or how about bassist Nick Ackerman explaining the group’s subsequent formation in the summer of 2006 by saying, “We’ve all been futzing around with movies and art and all that shit that people do when they live in New York City, you know, bands always sort of turn up at some point,” as though being in a soon-to-be-huge rock group was the most normal thing in the world. MATT GLAZEBROOK
myspace.com/thevirginsnyc
TO READ MORE ABOUT THESE ARTISTS {CLICK HERE}
COOL PLACES: MATT AND KIM'S GUIDE TO BROOKLYN
Energetic, lo-fi, and upbeat are fitting descriptions for both Matt Johnson and Kim Schifino and their music. The duo, who have been together for four and a half years, regularly have crowd-pleasing gigs in Brooklyn, and aside from the odd stint at Bowery Ballroom, the pair remain Manhattan-shy. Taking a day off from recording their LP, and before hitting the road touring, Matt and Kim give us a peek at their hidden favorites in the ‘Better Borough.’ ANDREA CUSICK
myspace.com/mattandkim
Cinder's Gallery, Williamsburg
103 Havemeyer Street, Store # 2.
The art space holds monthly art shows, and also hosts live music, readings and performance.
Park Luncheonette, Greenpoint
334 Driggs Ave.
“This place has been open every single day for 50 years. I think we first came when the blackout happened. Bea makes a mean bacon, egg, and cheese roll,” says Schifino.
McCarren Park Secret Garden
“McCarren Park is like four different islands separated by streets, but there is a fifth one that we didn’t really notice till a bit ago that has this really nice little jungle feel about it, probably good for a hot date for coffee."
Waterfront, Williamsburg
“This view is the closest we get to Manhattan, if we can help it. We’ll drive out here in our pimpin’ Astro van and just enjoy how quiet it is.”
TO READ MORE ABOUT THESE PLACES, {CLICK HERE}
The Bravery
You might not know it to look at him, or perhaps to listen to his band’s 2005 eponymous debut album, but Sam Endicott—the lead singer, guitarist, and lyricist of the Bravery—is most definitely in touch with his spiritual side. In fact, behind all that posturing, those let’s-get-the-party-started synths, and those sprawling sideburns, is one of the most intelligent and genuine musicians in New York.And, on the band’s new record, The Sun & The Moon, it shows. The thundering percussion has been muted slightly, the sing-along choruses toned down; but it’s Endicott’s lyrics that set this record above its predecessor. These are songs to be listened to, and thought about, not yelled from the dance floor of a Lower East Side dive bar. LUKE CRISELL
myspace.com/thebravery
Marnie Stern
The Upper East Side is New York’s whitest, most milquetoast enclave, a featureless brew of “luxury rentals,” Irish pubs, and rhinestone-collared chihuahuas. If it were a band, it would be the Dave Matthews Band. Or maybe the Goo Goo Dolls. It is not, needless to say, a likely habitat for the newest signee to legendary indie label Kill Rock Stars, a person who mauls double-necked guitars with the savagery of a young Eddie Van Halen. But the Upper East Side is integral to the story of Marnie Stern, whose ferocious debut In Advance of the Broken Arm is already one of the most innovative and talked-about records of 2007. EVIANA HARTMAN
myspace.com/marniestern1
Young Lords
In the narrow hallway above Lower East Side bar Home Sweet Home, five young men sit with legs outstretched, beers in hand, and cigarettes lit, shooting the shit on a Wednesday night. Frontman Blair van Nort is recounting the chance meeting that spawned the Young Lords. “We were recording as this garage band just doing acoustic country songs. I had met Max [Kamins, the bassist] and we had this argument about whose band was going to be better. By the end of the night, we were like, ‘Let’s just combine our bands. Obviously, they’re both going to be good, so let’s just do that.’” KELLY GREEN
myspace.com/younglords
The Virgins
There are, on the surface, plenty of reasons to hate the Virgins. There's the fact they scored a record deal while the band consisted of just Donald Cumming—a lugubrious twentysomething part-time model and actor with a habit of saying ‘fucking’ every other fucking word, who bluffed the Virgins onto the Atlantic Records roster before the Virgins actually existed as a band. Or how about bassist Nick Ackerman explaining the group’s subsequent formation in the summer of 2006 by saying, “We’ve all been futzing around with movies and art and all that shit that people do when they live in New York City, you know, bands always sort of turn up at some point,” as though being in a soon-to-be-huge rock group was the most normal thing in the world. MATT GLAZEBROOK
myspace.com/thevirginsnyc
TO READ MORE ABOUT THESE ARTISTS {CLICK HERE}
COOL PLACES: MATT AND KIM'S GUIDE TO BROOKLYN
Energetic, lo-fi, and upbeat are fitting descriptions for both Matt Johnson and Kim Schifino and their music. The duo, who have been together for four and a half years, regularly have crowd-pleasing gigs in Brooklyn, and aside from the odd stint at Bowery Ballroom, the pair remain Manhattan-shy. Taking a day off from recording their LP, and before hitting the road touring, Matt and Kim give us a peek at their hidden favorites in the ‘Better Borough.’ ANDREA CUSICK
myspace.com/mattandkim
Cinder's Gallery, Williamsburg
103 Havemeyer Street, Store # 2.
The art space holds monthly art shows, and also hosts live music, readings and performance.
Park Luncheonette, Greenpoint
334 Driggs Ave.
“This place has been open every single day for 50 years. I think we first came when the blackout happened. Bea makes a mean bacon, egg, and cheese roll,” says Schifino.
McCarren Park Secret Garden
“McCarren Park is like four different islands separated by streets, but there is a fifth one that we didn’t really notice till a bit ago that has this really nice little jungle feel about it, probably good for a hot date for coffee."
Waterfront, Williamsburg
“This view is the closest we get to Manhattan, if we can help it. We’ll drive out here in our pimpin’ Astro van and just enjoy how quiet it is.”
TO READ MORE ABOUT THESE PLACES, {CLICK HERE}
This story was published on July 30, 2007.
CONTENT RATING:
( 9 )
( 9 )
Jessie
07/31/2007
Yes, another thing about NYC, yet only showing two boroughs? One that is filled with tourists and the other filled with wannabe New Yorkers only showing only a third of Brooklyn? What a shame! I'm sure most of these people would be scared shitless going into Queens and the Bronx-why don't you show some real New Yorkers for once.
.......
07/31/2007
williamsburg, williamsburg, greenpoint, williamsburg, williamsburg... yeah real creative.... great guide for people coming into new york city with no clue... yeah there are like 4 other boroughs you guys. GOOD JOB.
.......
07/31/2007
williamsburg, williamsburg, greenpoint, williamsburg, williamsburg... yeah real creative.... great guide for people coming into new york city with no clue... yeah there are like 4 other boroughs you guys. GOOD JOB.
Lola
08/21/2007
Yeeeah, when iiii think of New York, I think of the MisShapes, and....oh that's right, that's all there is, isn't there, according to your magazine?
tita
08/22/2007
I AGREE WITH JESSIE.
theres sooooo much more to offer!
you guys didnt think about the beautiful scenery at brooklyn heights promenade?
or taking a trip down to the bronx zoo? or going to an awesome street fair in queens?
you guys should get tips from real new yorkers and not whats 'trendy'
Peggy
10/06/2007
I agree with the article.
I live in Queens and it tries so hard to be like the city, but that can't work. There are definitely some parts of Queens that are gorgeous, but you have to look hard for it, and it usually just isn't worth it.
As for the Bronx, there are many beautiful parts of it, but again not worth coming to New York just to see.
Brooklyn and Manhattan however are full of culture and fashion, and they aren't trying to be something they're not. Yes, without the other boroughs NYC would not be NYC, but it's only a small percentage of it that counts.
Brianna
10/22/2007
I have to agree with this article. I live in Staten Island, and this article does pick the BEST places of NYC. You aren't goign to want to read abotu bad neighborhoods or boring areas. WIlliamsburg, Greenpoint, and Manhattan are the BEST areas.
juicy couture handbag
04/26/2011
maybe We have lots to share each other.
http://www.selljuicybag.com
05/31/2011
yes,come on.
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