NYS Music 202​2

Author: David Reichmann

  • Sasami Plays Music Hall of Williamsburg

    Fresh off the release of her second album Squeeze, Sasami played a packed show last Friday night, March 25th, with support from Zulu. The eclectic crowd comprised people of all stripes, with plenty of typical goth garb (leather, long coats, and tall boots) and plenty of LGBTQ+ representation in the mix. Fans were asked to keep masks on throughout the show to protect the band from tour disruptions, with signs posted on the walls and doors.

    Sasami
    Sasami at Music Hall of Williamsburg, Photograph by David Reichmann

    L.A. native “powerviolence” band Zulu opened up the show with loud, sustained heavy metal sounds. The audience gleefully moshed and thrashed throughout their brief but powerful set.

    Sasami
    Zulu at Music Hall of Williamsburg, Photograph by David Reichmann

    Sasami started her hard-hitting set with some fan favorite tracks including, “Skin a Rat,” “Say It,” and “Make It Right.” Her setlist covered her 2-album catalog, and even included a cover of System of a Down’s “Toxicity” with on-stage help from Zulu. Given Sasami’s experience as a trained classical composer, her setlist spanned several genres and included operatic interludes, head-banging choruses, and even a few balladic deep cuts such as “Call Me Home.”

    Sasami
    Sasami and Zulu at Music Hall of Williamsburg, Photograph by David Reichmann

    Sasami’s music has always contained difficult themes, and often expresses frustration with systemic violence or even her own interpersonal relationships. Earlier in the week, she had posted on social media about her decision to postpone an upcoming Boston tour date until they could “book it in a venue everyone feels safe in.” She also stated, “My [number one] priority as a touring musician is to create a safe space for my community to rage, emote, dance […] and have fun…” Throughout her set, Sasami repeated her mantra of wanting to use music to create a safe space for minority and disenfranchised peoples, leading to loud cheers each time she reaffirmed her intentions.

    Sasami
    Sasami at Music Hall of Williamsburg, Photograph by David Reichmann

    Sasami’s North American tour continues, and you can listen to Sasami’s 2022 album Squeeze here and view upcoming tour dates here. Listen to Zulu’s music here.

    Sasami and Zulu at Music Hall of Williamsburg, Photography by David Reichmann

  • Wet Leg Sell Out Brooklyn Steel, Their Largest North American Show to Date

    British indie rock sensation Wet Leg played to a sold out audience at Brooklyn Steel on Thursday (March 10, 2022) with support from Lowertown. Originally scheduled for Music Hall of Williamsburg, the band was forced to change to a larger venue when the show sold out almost immediately. Their meteoric rise in popularity came through their viral hit “Chaise Lounge” released in 2021, which garnered millions of views (and sparked endless memes).

    Wet Leg at Brooklyn Steel – Photograph by David Reichmann

    The Atlanta based alternative duo Lowertown opened the evening with an animated and hard hitting set. They whipped the crowd into a frenzy leading up to Wet Leg’s set, and despite this being Lowertown’s first time on tour, they were a highlight in an action packed evening.

    Lowertown at Brooklyn Steel – Photograph by David Reichmann

    With their debut album still on the way, Wet Leg played several unreleased tracks during their nonstop set, as well as crowd favorites “On No,” “Wet Dream,” “Angelica,” and their breakout hit “Chaise Longue.” Throughout the set frontwomen Rhian and Hester interacted with the crowd and each other with genuine charisma and charm. The band played straight through with no encore, ending on their viral hit, “Chaise Longue.” This sold out show of 1800 people marks their biggest North American show to date.

    Wet Leg at Brooklyn Steel – Photograph by David Reichmann

    Wet Leg’s hotly anticipated debut album releases April 8, and you can listen to their music here. You can also listen to Lowertown’s catalog here.

    Photography by David Reichmann

  • The Microphones Take Their Fans to Church

    Indie legends The Microphones played a late night set last Tuesday (March 8, 2022) at St. Ann and the Holy Trinity Church. The venue is known for having hosted other indie favorites such as Nick Cave and Sonic Youth throughout the years.

    Emily Sprague at St. Ann’s and the Holy Trinity Church by David Reichmann

    Emily Sprague opened the show with a warm acoustic set consisting of five songs. Her songs’ themes of death and darkness contrasted with the bright personality that came through when she briefly thanked the audience in the middle and end of her set.

    The Microphones at St. Ann’s and the Holy Trinity Church by David Reichmann

    Microphones’ Phil Elverum and Jay Blackinton took the stage to applause from the crowded pews, the dim lighting and quiet atmosphere lulling the audience into a quiet state. You could hear shifting seats and the creak of the historic church flooring before they began their set. They laughed and thanked the crowd before beginning their set, commenting on the awkwardness of standing on stage before the songs begin playing.

    The Microphones at St. Ann’s and the Holy Trinity Church by David Reichmann

    They played just one song, their 45 minute track “Microphones in 2020,” a semi-biographical two-chord meditation on their career which released in 2020 after a near 17 year absence for the band. By the time their set finished, the crowd almost looked dazed. It took a minute for the audience to realize the show had ended, and they gave a standing ovation and hearty cheers as Phil and Jay exited the stage.

    You can listen to The Microphone’s catalog here. And you can find Emily Sprague’s music here.

  • Waxahatchee Plays to a Sold Out Brooklyn Steel with Madi Diaz

    Continuing her 2022 North American Tour, Waxahatchee played a sold out night at Brooklyn Steel last week (February 10, 2022) with support from Madi Diaz. Waxahatchee released the critically-acclaimed record, “Saint Cloud” in 2020, topping number 2 on Billboard’s US Folk chart, and number 6 on US Alternative Albums.

    Waxahatchee
    Waxahatchee at Brooklyn Steel, Photographed by David Reichmann

    Madi Diaz opened the evening to an already-packed venue. She belted out songs from her great 2021 album, “History of a Feeling.” “Crying in Public,” which was recently remixed by MUNA, was a highlight of her performance.

    Waxahatchee
    Madi Diaz at Brooklyn Steel, Photograph by David Reichmann

    Madi briefly interrupted her set when she noticed a few fans struggling with finding something on the floor, asking if everything was alright. A fan shouted, “I dropped my phone,” which received a big laugh from the audience – and Madi. “Okay, good, so we don’t need a stretcher?” she replied, getting another big laugh before continuing her set.

    Waxahatchee

    Waxahatchee’s band mates took the stage to big applause. The lighting was dark and intimate as frontwoman Katie took the stage, and the cheers grew and then hushed once she started her set with “Oxbow” from her last record. Her set included many fan favorites and most of the tracks from her latest record. Madi Diaz joined her onstage to perform the song “Resentment (New Feelings Version),” which they released together in 2021. Waxahatchee closed out the show with fan (and my personal) favorite, her Dolly Parton cover of “Light of a Clear Blue Morning.”

    You can listen to Waxahtachee’s 2020 record, Saint Cloud here, follow her ongoing North American tour with support from Madi Diaz here.

    Photographs by David Reichmann

  • Film Review: Red Rocket

    A24’s Red Rocket is filmmaker Sean Baker’s latest look into the lives of struggling lower-class Americans faced with morally questionable choices, and features his signature style of understated and character-driven storytelling. The film stars Simon Rex as Mikey Saber, a washed-up pornstar who returns to his Gulf Coast hometown after a 17 year absence. He moves back in with his estranged wife, Lexi (played by Bree Elrod). Mikey meets and quickly falls for a 17-year-old donut shop girl, Strawberry (played by newcomer Suzanna Son). The film follows Mikey and Strawberry as they fall into each other’s orbit, and is a thought-provoking and challenging look into the fallout of their new relationship and Mikey’s toxic and destructive personality.

    Image Courtesy of A24

    Despite its small similarities to Lolita or even A Star Is Born, Red Rocket stands entirely on its own and finds new ground within the themes of nymphomania and washed-up stardom. Simon Rex’s performance captures a manic and narcissistic persona in Mikey that often seems to echo the 45th President’s personality. This is a juxtaposition that Baker doesn’t shy away from, often placing the former POTUS and Mikey within the same frame. Although Mikey is a character that’s easy to judge as morally reprehensible, his reality distortion field seems to affect more than just the characters on-screen, as his victories and losses become the viewer’s.

    Suzanna Son’s performance as Strawberry captures a raw sexual energy that is undeniable and impossible to look away from. Her relationship with Mikey evolves from dealing and smoking weed together, to Mikey attempting to convince Strawberry they could be the next big couple in the porn industry.

    Suzanna Son displays a surprising extra talent in one of the film’s highlights, an intimate scene in which she performs a stirring keyboard ballad version of NSYNC’s “Bye Bye Bye.” All four members of the band signed off on the creation of the cover song specifically for the film. You can listen to it here.

    Despite its challenging themes and setting, Red Rocket is a sincere and entertaining look into the lives of characters not often focused on in modern media. It is gripping, hilarious, and newcomer Suzanna Son displays extraordinary talent throughout.

    Red Rocket will be available to own on digital and on demand February 8, 2022, available to rent on digital and on demand March 1, 2022, and on Blu-ray March 15, 2022. You can watch the official trailer below.