For the Love of Brooklyn » music

brooklyn mix #2: spring in the city

Jill — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 23:19:53 +0000

I am basically the world’s slowest mixtape-maker — this mixtape has been months in the making and I’m only now getting around to share! Thanks to an inundation of new music from Spotify and lots of great recommendations from my friends over at NYCTaper, it has been awhile since I put together a playlist. I’m psyched about this one.

This tape includes nine of my favorite new tracks from Brooklyn bands, many of which I’ve had the chance to see live this year. Turn up your speakers, dance around the house (or at your desk), and hope you enjoy!

Find me over on 8tracks as jillysp and check out my previous mix here. I’d love to hear your mixes too!

dining room takeover!

Jill — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 05:28:19 +0000

Back in October during the annual CMJ Music Festival, Zach and I had our first house-crashing. In between their showcases at Maxwell’s and Spike Hill, my brother Mark and his band, Capybara, stayed with us for several days. Just when I thought the rock and roll was over, Mark asked me if they could shoot a live session — in my dining room. (!)

Fast forward a few months and I finally got to see footage of their impromptu session, which I am excited to share. Capybara’s new album Dave Drusky was released last week on Amazon & iTunes and they performed and recorded several songs from the new LP IN MY HOUSE. So proud. Enjoy!

CAPYBARA / Neighbor Crimes / CMJ 2011 (Brooklyn, NY)

at terminal 5 with the smashing pumpkins

Jill — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 04:13:24 +0000

Though the ringing in my ears has finally subsided, the highlights from this week’s Smashing Pumpkins show at Terminal 5 are still replaying over and over in my head. After more than 15 years of seeing Billy Corgan and friends perform, I still can’t get enough. My review still to come over here and the fantastic live recording is currently getting mixed down to be posted at NYC Taper very shortly. In the meantime, hope you enjoy a few photos from the show!

because i love face-melting guitar solos

Jill — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 20:44:25 +0000

Tonight, I’m taking a break from the crazy travel-and-work schedule to head to Terminal 5 and see the Smashing Pumpkins, which just so happens to be my favorite band of all time (and the reason I started blogging years and years ago). It’s been a long time since I had the opportunity to see one of their live shows and take photographs – and I can’t wait for the face-melting guitar solos.

If you’re headed to the show, send me a tweet @loveofbrooklyn or @hipstersunited – would love to see you there!

brooklyn mix #1: summer in the city!

Jill — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 05:20:21 +0000

A month ago, Anna over at doorsixteen.com opened my eyes to a great website / mobile app called 8tracks, which allows you to curate and upload your own mixtape, share with friends, and stream the music from anywhere! I know that everyone’s jam right now seems to be Spotify (tweet me or leave a comment if you need an invite) but the allure of the mixtape is probably why I still have BOXES of them sitting at home in my old bedroom at my parents’ house. I just love how personal they are.

I put together a mix of eight summery songs I adore — featuring Brooklyn-loving bands, naturally — which you can stream below. You can find me over at 8tracks as jillysp and who knows? Maybe I’ll share more tapes here on the blog in the future! Hope you enjoy!

real estate, julian lynch & big troubles

Jill — Tue, 31 May 2011 03:25:16 +0000

Recently, I had the opportunity to tag along with Zach to see a show at The Bell House in Gowanus, which always promises to be a good time. We’ve seen a handful of shows there, and their booking managers always seem to attract a lot of interesting acts. I used to go see lots of shows in college just to see live music, but my schedule hasn’t allowed much of that luxury these days, sadly.

It was a lot of fun to relax and treat my ears to something new, and share in the joy that Zach has for recording live music. He’s been contributing to NYC Taper as of late, and I’m so happy he’s been enjoying his hobby as much as I do with photography. The importance of a creative outlet keeps coming up in conversations with friends and colleagues lately, and I can’t stress how instrumental it is for me to balance out the craziness in life!

I brought my camera along for the show and thought I’d share a few photos. Check out the New York Press for a review of the summery show and some shots below of New Jersey indie darlings Big Troubles, Julian Lynch, and Real Estate!

Big Troubles takes the stage, after opener Family Portrait:

Julian Lynch plays to a sold-out crowd of fans and admirers:

Real Estate closes it down with a set of summery, relaxed rock and roll:

celebrate brooklyn: a night in prospect park

Jill — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 17:19:38 +0000

One week ago, I headed to Prospect Park on a beautiful Saturday evening to meet up with friends before seeing the Daptone Super-Soul Revue at the bandshell. Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings brought down the house as one of the last shows of the Celebrate Brooklyn series, and they played to a full house under the stars.

If you haven’t heard of the great Ms. Jones, this article from NYMag is a must-read. It was a real pleasure to see her perform, showing off her moves (and giant voice) in a beautiful blue-sequined dress. Metromix has a great series of photos from the show, and for me, the people-watching was a great opening act.

My vintage Leica was happy to come along for the show…

afro-punk festival 2010

Matt — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 21:32:47 +0000

I rode my bike to Commodore Barry Park early Sunday afternoon to take photos for NYMag.com of the
Afro-Punk Festival. To put it very simply, afro-punk music is alternative/punk music that is created by musicians of African descent. Much like traditional punk, afro-punk is not just a genre, but also a community. To quote from afropunk.com:

Afro-Punk became a touchstone of a cultural movement strongly reminiscent of the early days of Hip-Hop. Alternative urban kids across the nation (and across the globe) who felt like outsiders discovered they were actually the core of a boldly innovative, fast-growing community.

With the temperature in the 90′s and little-to-no breeze, I was surprised to see the festival already buzzing along. The BMX “Battle For The Streets” had gathered a crowd on the street course — complete with stair-set, rails, and grind boxes. The contest ended on a high note with one overachiever doing a backflip off of the ramp and out of the course.

The local vendors were out in flux. There were bikers and skaters riding around, and graffiti artists tagging a wall that had been built for the event. It was a really great day in Brooklyn. Though I don’t identify myself as an afro-punk or even a punk for that matter, I did not feel ostracized by the scene (as can often be the case in scenes). The music was great, and as diverse as the crowd, from hip hop to punk, pop to hardcore, soul to funk-infused metal.

Martin Luther (left) 24-7 Spyz (right)

J* Davey (left) K-OS (right)

Cool Kids

Mos Def, headlining the festival (above and below)

photos: the national at radio city!

Jill — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 22:51:30 +0000

My thanks go to all 100+ of you who entered to win tickets in our very first giveaway yesterday — I really wish we could’ve given everyone passes to see The National! We had so many fun summertime ideas submitted, from Coney Island skeeball to swimming at the barge pool. And when it came to choosing the giveaway winner, random.org chose Cher who loves to go for early runs at Prospect Park and browse through the stands at the Brooklyn Flea before checking out the vintage stores in Park Slope. Sounds lovely!

Also lovely was the show at Radio City Music Hall last night. After meeting up with Cher to give her the tickets, we all quickly found out that we were in for a treat. The National played a wide variety of new songs and old hits alike to the sold-out crowd. Sufjan Stevens and St. Vincent’s Annie Clark also made cameo appearances, and the audience was loving it. Check out Brooklyn Vegan for the setlist and more commentary about the show, and below for more photographs!

GIVEAWAY: see the national tonight!

Jill — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 15:42:21 +0000

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NO LONGER ACCEPTING ENTRIES!

Brooklyn-based indie faves The National will take the stage tonight at Radio City Music Hall to a sold-out crowd in support of their new album, High Violet. For the Love of Brooklyn has an extra pair of tickets to the show and is itching to give them away to one lucky reader.

Leave a comment on this post and tell us: what’s your favorite thing to do in Brooklyn during the summertime? Is it seeing free shows at Prospect Park? Biking to the shore and enjoying Coney Island? Rocking out to sweaty shows at Union Pool or strolling the streets of Ditmas Park?

The winner will be selected and emailed at 4pm. You must be able to pick up the tickets in DUMBO before 7pm or meet up at Radio City by 7:45pm.

Good luck!

* PRIZE: Two tickets to see The National TONIGHT (6/16, 8pm) at Radio City Music Hall.
* TO ENTER: Comment on this post and tell us your favorite thing to do in Brooklyn in the summertime!
* GIVEAWAY CLOSES: Wednesday, June 16th at 4pm EST
* HOW IT WORKS: One entry per e-mail address permitted.