Image: G.A. Minoff via Paco Barba at Thrill Jockey

Extra Golden, who hail from Nairobi, are a unique group that manage to mix African beats with American rock to create some of the most hook-laden, danceable, and beautiful songs. Their debut album, Ok-Oyot System, released by Thrill Jockey in 2006 caused quite a stir, as did their follow up Hera Ma Nono, and now they are back with Thank You Very Quickly. While it is only six songs, the music grabs you so quickly that you are present from start to finish. I listened to it on the subway and it made me so happy I wanted to grab all the morose commuters and lead them in a spirited circle dance.

Here’s an mp3 of the song “Anyango” to check out. If you like it, go to (le) Poisson Rouge this Saturday night to check them out live! Get your tickets here.

Album Image: Paco Barba, Thrill Jockey

(le) Poisson Rouge was hopping Wednesday night. After a DJ set, Lemonade took the stage. The last (and first) time I saw them was also at LPR, opening for El Guincho. At that point, I thought they were really good, but not amazing. This time I thought their live show had definitely improved and thought they played a great set. Yay Lemonade!

Sebastien Tellier finally took the stage around 12:15 and I was pretty tired. But luckily, he and his music perked me right up. The greasy Frenchie donned sunglasses and a funky suit while he played some awesome guitar, sang, and pulled some fabulous dance moves. He does the lecherous Frenchman thing well and manages to play some great music to keep a party going. In fact, he kept it going so late i had to leave before he was finished…some of us have day jobs!

All Images: Devorah Klein

School of Seven Bells played with Fujiya & Miyagi on Tuesday night at (le) Poisson Rouge. School of Seven Bells didn’t go on until 11 pm though, and being that I have a job, I couldn’t stick around for Fujiya & Miyagi. Did anyone see them–how were they?

School of Seven Bells were great, immediately making me forget how long I had waited for them to go on and how hot it was in the room. Their music is lush and beautiful; complicated but understandable. They mentioned this would be their last NYC show for a while though so I guess you’ll have to stick with the album for now.

All Images: Devorah Klein

N.A.S.A. is playing a FREE record release show for their album The Spirit of Apollo TONIGHT at (le) Poisson Rouge. RSVP to NYPARTY@SQUEAKECLEAN.COM.

Who is N.A.S.A. you ask?

N.A.S.A. (stands for North America/South America) and their debut album The Spirit of Apollo, is an ongoing collaboration between Squeak E. Clean and DJ Zegon and their “friends, friends of friends and musical heroe,” which include Tom Waits, Kool Keith, Karen O,  David Byrne, Chuck D, and others.

If you miss this one, they are coming back to LPR on March 12 for a ticketed show.

No, not a band called Side Projects. Tonight Deep Red will be playing at (le) Poisson Rouge which is made up of members from Hercules & Love Affair, including singer Nomi Ruiz, keyboardist Morgan Wiley, and bassist Andrew Raposo. “They combine minimal electro, dance, and R&B to create what sounds like a cross between Afrika Bambaataa, Kraftwork & Madonna.” Midnight Magic open the show and DJ Pat Mahoney (LCD Soundsystem) will DJ after Deep Red. $10 tickets are still available. The group is also playing under the name Diamond Life on February 13 at Highline Ballroom as a Sade cover band. Tickets for that are also on sale.

Another side project, this one featuring members of Beirut, called Team B, is playing at the 92Y Tribeca tomorrow (Friday) night. Members from Beirut in Team B are: Kelly Pratt, Jon Natchez, Tracy Pratt, and Jason Poranski. Tickets are available.

 
Moby and Emmanuel Jal at the MTVU Woodie Awards 2008
Image: Newscom

No, not together. But that means three great shows!

• Tonight is Sebastien Tellier at (le) Poisson Rouge with HeartsRevolution. You can’t buy tickets online anymore, but they will have a limited number of tickets at the door, so get there early! Doors are at 10:30 p.m.

• Tomorrow (Friday) Glitch Mob featuring edIT, Boreta, Kraddy with DJ Rekha, Machine Drum, & Theophilus London will be at (le) Poisson Rouge for a late show at 11 p.m. Tickets here.

• Then, on Saturday, Moby will be DJing with Drop The Lime, A.C. Slater, JDH & Dave P. at 11p.m. (after the My Brightest Diamond and Clare and the Reasons show). Tickets here.

Tonic is having a special promotion for various shows at (le) Poisson Rouge. You can get $5 off with the code TONIC1208. These are the shows you can use the promo code on:

Tuesday 12.09.08
Indo-Pak Coalition
featuring: Rudresh Mahanthappa (alto sax), Rez Abbasi (guitars), Dan Weiss (tabla)
7pm doors | 7:30 show
$15 Tickets

Tuesday 12.09.08
Dave Douglas & Brass Ecstasy
9:30pm doors | 10pm show
$20 Tickets

Wednesday 12.10.08
Venetian Snares
Otto Von Schirach
Cyrusrex
NAHA
10pm doors | 10:30pm show
$20 Tickets

Friday 12.12.08
Wordless Music and LPR present:
Kieran Hebden and Steve Reid
ARP
Line C3: Music by John Cage & Steve Reich
7pm doors | 8pm show
$15 Tickets

Monday 12.22.08
Osso
Gloria Cheng
7pm doors | 7:30 show
$15 Tickets

Monday 12.29.08
The Village Gate and (Le) Poisson Rouge present
Salsa Meets Jazz featuring
Bobby Sanabria Big Band w/ special guests
Frank London, trumpet & Candido, congas
Two Shows: 6pm & 9pm doors | 7pm & 9:30pm shows
$25 Tickets

 
El Guincho (on the right)

I finally had the privilege of seeing El Guincho live on Tuesday night and it was well worth the wait.

Lemonade

Opener was Lemonade who were pretty good although several times the lead singer’s voice seemed off key…they are playing again tonight at Zebulon and on December 9 at the Annex with Friendly Fires.

El Guincho went on late but as soon as his salsa infused electro beats came on and I heard his sweet voice I was happy. His accent is so charming and he seemed to be really enjoying himself. He brought along a friend who played the drums for a fuller sound. If you have the chance to see him DO IT. Oh, and guess who is a fan? I was sitting near Jose Gonzalez all night

All images: Devorah Klein

Flashy & Trashy at (le) Poisson Rouge tonight:

DJ Morsey, Baby Dayliner, and more will be playing for FREE tonight at 9 p.m. Who is Baby Dayliner you ask? Aside from beinga fabulous, funky musician, he was recently named the 10th sexiest man by Jezebel.

Spanish mastermind El Guincho, who canceled multiple tour dates in the U.S. this summer, is finally making it back and is playing two shows in NYC at (le) Poisson Rouge. The first was a DJ set with Prefuse 73 on Saturday night. Was anyone there? How was it?

The second is tomorrow (Tuesday) night and will be a live performance, starting at 10 p.m. after an early (7:30 p.m.) Nellie McKay show. Openers will be Lemonade. Tickets are still on sale and I highly recommend getting some. I’ll be there–come say hello!! Oh, and Nellie McKay tickets are also still available.

Photo permission: Brice @ boomBoom