Follow Up: powerkompany in NYC

Writing by Stephanie Augello
Photos by Stephanie Augello & Grace Long

Athens, GA outfit powerkompany played two shows in Manhattan during Valentine's week.  I'm happy to have helped organize their official NYC debut, and to have been there to document it. 

                                                     

Organizing shows is not for the timid.  Organizing shows in Manhattan is definitely not for the timid.  However, when it came down to helping a group full of dynamic talent from Athens, GA successfully showcase themselves to one of the most cynical cities in the world, I was up to the challenge.  On February 14th and 16th, powerkompany played at Rockwood Music Hall and Googie's Lounge, respectively.  They too rose to the occasion, engaging their crowds, and proving that they had the dedication, ability, passion, excitement and confidence to push their music career forward.  If a picture is really worth a thousand words, well then, below you will find a bona fide thesis.

Rockwood Music Hall; February 14, 2012









Googie's Lounge; February 16, 2012







                

Represented by Mazarine Records, powerkompany, recently released their 7-track debut "Comfort," which is available for digital download on their website.  Red and Black described the album as being that which "evokes feelings of happiness and sorrow in one fell swoop, with a musical mix that plays on scale and beats."  Their work has also been noted by Latest Disgrace as being "a gorgeous effort, one that clearly establishes the duo as a band to watch in 2012."  Certainly, their recent week in New York is a testament to that last statement.
For an overview of their whole trip, check out these great photos by Grace Long, and then follow this link.

This Week in NYC: Two Nights of powerkompany

Writing & Flyers by Stephanie Augello
Photos & Videos by Grace Long and Mark Magnarella

Mazarine Records' powerkompany will be playing two shows in NYC this week.  They will be at Rockwood Music Hall (196 Allen St.) on Valentine's Day at 11pm, and at Googie's Lounge above The Living Room (154 Ludlow St.) on Thurs., February 16th at 8pm. 



If you are in the NYC area, start (and keep) your Valentine's week on a great track by checking out powerkompany, a duo comprised of Georgia music veterans Marie Davon (Venice is Sinking) and Andrew Heaton (The Packway Handle Band.)  The pair will kick off their NYC excursion with an 11pm Valentine's Day show at Rockwood Music Hall, and will continue with an 8pm appearance at Googie's Lounge (above The Living Room).

 

Their label's website describes their sound as being "Music for Blade Runner, if it were a love story."  This description, as well as the origin of powerkompany as a unit, is particularly appropriate to this week's show line-up, as the music of Davon and Heaton has truly been born from love, admiration and mutual respect for both one another and the others in their separate lives.  I could go into great written detail about the history of powerkompany, but would just be reiterating that which has already been eloquently phrased on Mazarine Records' site.  So, do yourself a favor, and follow this LINK to read a touching, beautiful story.  As soon as you're done with that, click on the video below to view their new video for 'Dear Boy," by Mark Magnarella.



In addition to gracing the stages of NY with their presence this week, powerkompany is also slated to perform at the Mazarine Records showcase at this year's Savannah Stopover Festival.  From March 7th-10th, the city of Savannah, GA will play host to approximately 70 musical acts, serving as a springboard to Austin's SXSW.

Help Fund "Hellyfish"

NewYorkisBoring.com founder and SCAD VSFX graduate Pat Longstreth is making a horror/comedy film about homicidal jellyfish.  Yes, homicidal jellyfish.  The crew is currently raising funds via Kickstarter to complete this project.  


"Hellyfish" is being directed by Pat Longstreth and Rob Maclean, produced by Katie Schuck and shot by Bob Jones.  The directors' concept, derived from Katie Fitzpatrick's original screenplay, will also have the backing of a musical score by acclaimed Atlanta band Today the Moon, Tomorrow the Sun.
The project's Facebook page sums up the film as such:
America's only missing nuclear weapon is leaking radioactive material into the ocean just off the coast of Tybee Island, GA.  The trifling existence of a hapless cast is disrupted by a vicious force of nature that shows no mercy.
Hellyfish was recently named as one of Kickstarter.com's "Staff Picks," foreshadowing the potential for the completed piece to eventually evolve into a cult classic.  The makers of "Hellyfish" are attempting raise $10,000 by February 26th.  Below is a teaser for you to feast your eyes upon, as well as a direct URL to project's fundraising page.  Take a look, and help these folks out however which way you can.
"Hellyfish" Kickstarter Page

Breakdown, Low Down, Rundown: Part 2 (New York)

Written & Photographic Content by Stephanie Augello
Video Content by The Dirty Grand, Will Forthman/Dinosaurs in Vietnam

This here is a little info/photo synopsis of some performers that I was fortunate enough to catch live in New York at the end of 2011.  I highly recommend you take future opportunities to do the same.

The Dirty Grand
Upcoming Shows:
Feb 11th @ Public Assembly
*More to be announced shortly.
Booking/Press Contact: thedirtygrand@gmail.com

This NYC rocktronica outfit consists of "Lou Reed's touring guitarist, former members of BM Linx and a producer/DJ."  Drawing from influences that include Boys Noize, Soulwax, 12th Planet and Datsilk, the recently assembled trio has just released their 1st EP, entitled "Light Pollution." 

The Dirty Grand began their live performance career at Brooklyn Bowl on the opening night of the 2011 CMJ Music Marathon & Film Festival.  That is the same show where I initially became acquainted with them and their stylings.  GigApe's Dan Meade was also in attendance, and had these observations to contribute:
The Dirty Grand...began building a series of crescendos based around Metallica-style drum beats.  Rather than ending in solos or big musical moments, each crescendo ended cold, hard and fast.  It was a nice way to start the first day of the festival - with a band doing something unexpected, and loudly unexpected at that.The photos below are from an early December performance at Pianos.





Vision Through Sound
Upcoming Shows: 
Feb. 17th @ Ollie's Point
Contact: visionthroughsound@gmail.com
Website: http://visionthroughsound.bandcamp.com/
Booking Agent: Dinosaurs in Vietnam

Since 2001, this Long Island-based band has been developing and evolving, "with several interchanging members contributing their own personal styles, to create some rather diverse songs that are occasionally quirky, sometimes a bit folky and all around rather honest rock n' roll."  Vision Through Sound released an 11-track album, entitled "These Things Happen," in July of 2010, and frontman Andrew Krolikowski recently put forth a solo effort, "Happe Days on Plymouth Drive," just this past December.  Created in memory of Krolikowski's grandmother, the album is metaphorically designed as "the conversation we can't always have, but need to."  

The subsequent photos are from their December 30th show at NYC's The Bitter End. 







Unaware Wolf

Situated on Long Island, this group is comprised of Frank Berkman (Guitar/Vocals), Lauren Diehlmann (Ukulele/Autoharp/Vocals), Michelle Femminella (Tambourine/Vocals), Patrick Block (Bass/Synthesizer/Congas), Sean Block (Drums), and also includes the intermittent accompaniment of Exemption guitarist Nick Lee.  The brand new outfit describes their sound as being that of "folksy ditties, with a panoply of harmonies."  They recently opened for Vision Through Sound at The Bitter End, at which the photos and video of them seen here were shot.

Wojcik
Contact: wojcikband@gmail.com
Website: http://www.haileywojcik.com/

Brooklyn duo Wojcik (pronounced Voy-chek) is fronted by the band's namesake, Hailey Wojcik, and also includes the stylings of Geoff Lewit.  Citing musical influences such as Joan Jett, The White Stripes, Dead Kennedys, Black Sabbath, as well as the literary inspiration of Flannery O'Connor, Wojcik released their 5-track debut EP, entitled "The [VOY-chek] EP" in September of 2010.  The artists describe the album as mixing a "...fuzzy, Midwestern Gothic, garage sound with memorable pop hooks and biting lyrics, which tell stories of relationships gone awry."  Wojcik played the New Year's Eve show at Brooklyn's The Rock Shop, hosted by Amy Grimm of the Whatever Blog, which is precisely where I was.