Don't miss your holiday gift from Nublu: 20 Free Mp3s

Get ready to fill up your music players!
Nublu is giving away 20 Free Mp3s -- music from Wax Poetic, Forro in the Dark, Otto, Kudu, etc. Includes two unreleased tracks!
Besides the giveaway, the store is running a special sale: all albums $5.99, singles $1.99

Offer until January 1, 2010

Bamboo Bike

Cycling enthusiasts can assemble their own bikes from scratch, made out of bamboo.
The Bamboo Bike Studio is based in Brooklyn. Read the story on NPR

Jingle Bells from Punjab

Insound Design Store: A Gallery of Well Designed Music Gifts (Dec. 17-21)

Starting December 17th, Insound, the online indie super-store, known for its impeccable selection of vinyl and well designed music merch and gifts, will open a unique holiday pop-up gallery at 303 Grand St. in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. The gallery will be selling the best designed music gifts from Insound's inventory, including silk-screened, limited edition posters, t-shirts, deluxe LP box sets, art books about music, turntables and unusual audio gear and music gifts.
In a neighborhood filled with great small record stores, Insound will not be selling standard LPs or CDs at the pop up gallery. Instead, the company's staff has curated the space with the intention of showcasing products that express the very best product design and quality applied to a love of music.

Additionally, every night from 7-10pm, in conjunction with The Fader, the gallery will host special live music events featuring surprise guest DJs and complimentary cocktails.

Sweet.

Glen Matlock from the Sex Pistols acoustic tour, playing Nublu on Friday

Glen Matlock from the Sex Pistols is on a solo acoustic tour performing Sex Pistols songs. He is performing at Nublu on Friday night at midnight.

Tour dates:
December 4th: Wall Miami Beach - Art Basel - Miami Beach, Florida
December 5th: Pasaguero Mexico City, Mexico
December 7th: Vintage Hampton, New Brunswick
December 8th: Paramont Lounge Moncton, New Brunswick
December 9th: Paragon Theatre Halifax, Nova Scotia
December 10th: Pyramid Cabaret Winnipeg, Manitoba
December 11th: Nublu, NYC

Kraftwerk releases deluxe box set

Kraftwerk, the pioneers of electronic music marks the 35th anniversary of their landmark his "Autobahn" with the release of their 8 classic albums remastered and reissued (Astralwerks/EMI) in a deluxe box set . Kraftwerk has been extremely influential on numerous artists over 30 years -- from the Detroit techno sound and the electro NYC group Afrikaa Bambataa, David Bowie and Depeche Mode to Radiohead and Dr. Dre, and everyone else in between! Here's what Ralf Hutter of Kraftwerk had to say:

We've been digitally transferring all of Kraftwerk's original recordings and sound sources from our badly degrading master tapes while our engineers, Fritz and Henning, have been working in parallel to remaster our early albums for re-release. So for the first time, our recordings will be available in crisp, clear Kling Klang sound with all the fold-out covers and images our label at the time either messed up or wouldn't pay for. There will be some alternate mixes of tracks and some unedited versions, but unfortunately we don't have much unreleased material. We never recorded extra songs or twenty different versions of the same song. We would complete a song and then move forward, always keeping very focused on one Kling Klang project at a time.

Here's a nice read on the New York Times
The box set is going for $140 on Amazon
Sounds like a nice x-mas gift

New Year's Eve at Nublu: Philippe Solal Cohen (Gotan Project), MKL and Love Trio

Philippe Solal Cohen, the man behind Gotan Project is joining in the Nublu New Year's celebration for an exclusive DJ set together with Love Trio (live) and MKL from Lion1Music / Deep Space (Cielo).

Only 100 tickets !!!

Email nublu@nublu.net for details.

Take a Ride

Red Army Dance

Music by ESG "Dance"
Edited by our good friend Isaac Niemand
Enjoy.

Santigold remixes Norah Jones

Chasing Pirates, the new single from Norah Jones gets remixed by Santigold. Nice work, Santi!! The original song is great too. Norah's album is out now..

Stereogum has premiered the remix. Check it out here

Gaga this

Well, this is a follow up post to the one from a couple of days ago. Sylvia, who was supposed to be Lady Gaga's bass player on her upcoming tour has cancelled it after realizing that she will be performing behind huge projection screens. Here's an excerpt from her blog:

I am sad but those who know me know this was not meant to be, even though I thought it was. I am not a road dog, Im an artist, but I was willing to tow the line for the sake of giving everyone a behind the scenes glimpse, drawing attention to myself and my projects, and escaping New York for a little while and oh yes, I would've definitely put that money to good use as well. Ha.. But after finding out we would be behind screens and not seen...who the fuck cares!?

Read the whole story here

Starbucks Pick of the Week offers 20 Free Mp3s including Otto's 'Janaina'

Starbucks has selected Otto's "Janaina" as part of their Pick of the Week promotions. Other artists include Moby, Bill Frisell, Sting and Deer Tick. You can access it by visiting the iTunes Facebook page.

White keys, black keys, and in between the cracks... that's Thelonious Monk

The legendary pianist gets his biography titled "The life and times of an American original" by Robin D.G. Kelley

Sylvia from Kudu on tour with Lady Gaga

Sylvia Gordon, the lead singer of fiery electro pop-rock outfit Kudu has been very busy as of late. She co-wrote the latest Black Eyed Peas single "Meet Me Halfway" which hit #9 on the Billboard charts. She will also be featured on the upcoming Telepopmusik album in early in 2010, and has been collaborating with Chris Brown on his new album due this month !!! Whoa

And finally, she joined Lady Gaga as the bass player on her upcoming US tour !!
(Yes, she's a sick bass player too!!)

Otto getting the word out on his new album in Sao Paulo

Otto's album was just released in Brazil by Nublu / Arterial Music.
These photos were taken from a feature article on Trip Magazine, which we can't find the link to.
Anyway, we thought it was cool

Interview with Mauro Refosco on WSJ

'Forro in the Dark’s Mauro Refosco on Moving Your Hips to Forró Music, Working with Thom Yorke'

READ the interview here on WALL STREET JOURNAL BLOG

NEW RELEASES OUT DECEMBER 8!!!!!!!!

I LED THREE LIVES
Dragracing 12" (Vinyl / Digital)

The single from I Led 3 Lives' debut album Peace Now. This release gets two great remixes by I:Cube and In Flagranti. It also includes two original tracks Dragracing and Fight Back Jack. Already big support from DJs like Laurent Garnier, Nico de Ceglia (BBC Radio 1), Rob Mello, etc.

THOR DE FORCE
Big City Abyss EP (Digital)
Thor Madsen aka Thor De Force has been around the Nublu circle for many many years. Here is his debut release of Thor De Force putting the main emphasis on the dancefloor. His music shares the eclecticism of Simian Mobile Disco and melodic qualities of Trentemoeller. This EP features Brooklyn contemporary rapper TK Wonder who's powerful performances are regularly seen at Nublu.

NUBLU ORCHESTRA

Live at Jazz Festival Saalfelden (CD / Digital)
The second full length release by the Nublu Orchestra conducted by Butch Morris documents their stunning European debut erformance at the Saalfelden Jazz Festival 2007, one of the best creative music events in the last three decades. Beautifully captured by ORF (Austrian Radio), the music exposes in a dramatic way the relentless creative energy and versatility of this unique living organism that defies any categorizations and represents a total encounter in the moment.

Nublu Jazz Colors

photo by B.Pinar Karpuzoglu

İlhan Erşahin's Istanbul Sessions Babylon'da!!

İlhan Erşahin / Saksafon - Saxophone Alp Ersönmez / Bas - Bass Turgut Alp Bekoglu / Davul - Drums 26 Kasım 2009 Perşembe / 21:30 Izzet Kızıl / Perküsyon - Percussion

http://www.babylon.com.tr/ProgramDetay.aspx?ID=2250

Brazilian Girls - I want out - NEW!!!

Forro In The Dark performing "Perro Loco"

Forro In The Dark performing "Perro Loco" from http://kcrwmusicnews.vox.com/

Forro in the Dark West Coast Tour

Come out and dance with us, please spread the word!

Tues, November 17 on KCRW "Morning Becomes Eclectic"
Wed, November 18 @ Club Mercy @ Soho - Santa Barbara, CA, 8pm
Thur, November 19 @ The Mint - Los Angeles, CA, 8 pm presented by KCRW
Fri, November 20 @ Cafe du Nord - San Francisco, CA, 9pm presented by KPFA
Sat, November 21 @ Cafe du Nord - San Francisco, CA, 9pm presented by KPFA
Sun, November 22 @ The High Dive - Seattle, WA, 8pm
Mon, November 23 @ The Doug Fir Lounge - Portland, OR, 8pm

NYC cd release party!!
Fri, November 27 @ The Highline Ballroom - New York, NY, 7pm

Back at Nublu on December 3rd

FIRST NUBLU JAZZ FEST

flickrSLiDR.

photos by B.Pinar Karpuzoglu

The first edition of the Nublu Jazz Festival kicks off

Hess is More back in town

Hess is More is back in NYC for a couple of shows this week

Aug 11 at Nublu / 10pm / 10 bucks / LIVE
Aug 16 at High Bar / 3-9pm / Free / LIVE & DJ Set
RSVP with subject line Hess is More at high@gbh.tv

Update

A couple of announcements to make :::

We've teamed up with Nat Geo Music to release Forro in the Dark's upcoming new album "Light a Candle."
Album comes out September 29 !!

Otto, the Brazilian pioneer has signed to Nublu and we're very excited to release his new album "Certa manha acordei de sonhos intraquilos." Phew, that's a long name but the album is brilliant !! Out September 1st !!!
Otto will play Lincoln Center on Aug. 21 and Chicago Millennium Park on Aug. 17

Also, don't sleep on the latest Hess is More album "Hits" -- it's great !

Michael Jackson 1958-2009

Ssshhhh video premiers on Boing Boing

Nublu in Brooklyn at the BKLYN YARD

As part of the 7th anniversary celebration, Nublu is doing a full day of music & picnic at the BKLYN YARD showcasing their bands and djs. All ages !

Nublu turns 7, schedule announced!

The dynamic and eclectic East Village club, founded by Turkish-Swedish multi-instrumentalist Ilhan Ersahin has reached the ripe and auspicious age of seven years and they’re throwing an 18-day party to commemorate it. Over the course of two and a half weeks the club will showcase an extraordinary sampling of the multi-national, multi-ethnic polyglot of musical talent Nublu has attracted and cultivated over the years. How else to celebrate one of the most unique and diverse venues this side of the equator than to have the entire Nublu extended family of bands, DJs, musicians, and songwriters come together to perform consecutive nights in the same room that could barely contain seven years of dazzling, late-night musical alchemy?

The 18 day lineup includes Nublu stalwarts such as Forro in the Dark, Wax Poetic, and Love Trio, all of whom have releases out currently on Nublu’s very own label Nublu Records. But the plethora of performances also includes new acts such as the humor tinged rock/jazz/experimental electronica stylings of New York based Danish act Hess is More, new Brazillian Girls side project ReRedux, Betty Black with members of Kudu, and the new Nublu featured artist Otto, performing with Wax Poetic. In addition there will be plenty of the type of musical amalgamations and surprises the club has become known for like the Drum Battle, which will include drummers such as Kenny Wollesen, Aaron Johnston, Deantoni Parks, and Cindy Blackman, Italian superstar Jovanotti, an assortment of themed nights, and a different DJ every night such as Tim Sweeney, DJ Probus, Nickodemus, Brennan Green and many many others.

Owner Ilhan Ersahin sums it up best, saying, “People always ask us what is the style and genre of Nublu. I tell them it is world, electro, indie, jazz and more. What is the Nublu sound? It’s music, Nublu music. We are continuing to create fresh, new music as the neighborhood has been doing since the 40's. Now its our version!”

Nublu’s seventh anniversary will be the best yet. It’ll be a collection of the world-class array of musical talent that has come together over the years and conspired to create the distinctive and unparalleled Nublu sound. Every night will be a unique example of the vibrant creative energy Nublu has been bringing to the NYC scene for the last seven years.

Hess is More signs to Nublu Records... Ssshhhh single out today!!

Danish sensation Mikkel Hess aka Hess is More is something like the Danish answer to both Jon Brion and teh Flight of the Conchords. Hess is a skillful singer, songwriter, composer and multi instrumentalist with an eclectic sense that encompasses pop, rock, disco, jazz and electronica. Hess also has a unique distinctly poppy sense of humor that is very appealing and inviting even though it's often filtered through quite a dark almost Lars von Trier outlook. Read more>>

The single (available digitally only) features the super infectious whistling song Ssshhhh including an extended version of it, the intergalactic pop song the Magic Invention from t.d.p.r.c. and a remix of Yess Boss by upcoming NYC producer Pocketknife.

The US debut album Hits will be released June 9th.

REREDUX!

In Flagranti new album, free download!

Nublu's favorite sex disco duo In Flagranti has released their new album titled Brash & Vulgar on their own imprint Codek. No wonder many are raving about it--dirty beats, 70s porn art, italodisco, indie punkfunk. There's no one else who can do it better.

Here's a free download of Pick a Trick featuring Amy Pop.

Also check out In Flagranti's latest remix of I Led 3 Lives which appeared on the Nublu Dance compilation, soon to be released on 12" along with a remix from I:Cube.

Interview with Ilhan Ersahin on Awdio

Check out a recent interview with Ilhan on Awdio
Awdio is a site that does live streams from clubs worldwide including Nublu
check em out

Nublu Orchestra conducted by Butch Morris every Sunday in April at Nublu

After a winter break, Nublu Orchestra is back every Sunday in April.

Two sets, 10pm and midnight

Hardedge will be DJ-ing in between and after

Here's a free download of their final encore at the Saalfelden Jazz Festival in Austria

You can purchase the full session here

Forro in the Dark to play two shows with Balkan Beat Box

March 31 at 9:30 club, Washington DC

April 2 at Webster Hall, New York City

Unreleased Kudu video / remix

Directed by Leo Aponte

Video of unreleased remix of Boom Boom, Kudu's first single remixed by Brooklyn based artist DDPesh.

Easy Lover Loft, Mach 14

The party everyone's been waiting for. This time at a new location inside a hair salon.

Free beer & champagne 10-11pm

Nublu Dance promo mix by Nick Hook

Here's a promo mix courtesy of our very talented friend and neighbor, dj/producer Nick Hook.
He's taken all 11 tracks from the Nublu Dance compilation and squeezed them into a 18 minute party mix

LISTEN. Right click to download.

Enjoy!

Wax Poetic feat. Otto Live in Curitiba, Brazil

Check out these images from Wax Poetic's show in Curitiba.
The tour also took them to Rio, Sao Paulo and Florianopolis.

Interview with Aaron Johnston

Here's a short interview with Brazilian Girls drummer Aaron Johnston. Interview was done February 19

You were at the Grammy's recently for the Brazilian Girls' nomination. How was that whole experience?

Was corny as hell yo.  Well, not all of it, only about 84% was.  It was interesting, interesting to see people with half the talent, but all the drive and ambition.  I mean, take a pop star like britney spears for instance, she's not exactly some amazing vocalist that will blow your doors off, she looks ok, but she's not a super model either.  but, i saw her do a sound check one day before a show, with all the dancers the whole "entertainment" deal.  It was obvious then to me that this girl WORKS  super hard, everyday training, vocal coaches, dancing coaches,  just really working hard, and wanting "it" really badly.  So i guess seeing that from many other artists, grammy winning or not, did motivate me.  So i think i brought something good back from it.

For the past couple of weeks you've been playing at Nublu with your new side project with Didi. What's the story with that?

Rent baby Rent.  Duo is the new Quartet.  I love working with didi, we originally wanted to do this duo thing because brazilian girls weren't working and we wanted to pick up some dj gigs to keep working and to keep the BG name out there.  Now it's turning into more like a band, writing original music with lyrics and whatnot.  it's taking shape quickly, which is another reason why i like working with didi, we work fast together.


The sound of Redux is very clubby from what I heard a couple of times. Is it specifically aimed for dance clubs?  

Yes, dance clubs and festivals, at least that's the aim, but it's already taking on other shapes.  when you write music, songs, it can be played in many formats, so some of this music could be played acoustically in a coffee shop, or done by an orchestra... but for now.... dance clubs:) a place where we can bring in a couple of live instruments like piano/keyboards and drums/percussion along with the electronic elements.


It felt like it was a mix of loops, playing live, a bit of singing. What's the music direction?  

The direction is wherever it takes us as as well as where we try to take it.   so far it's taking us more in a direction of writing original music.  we started using other peoples loops, from different dj tracks that we liked, but we're quickly changing that and making everything ourselves.


Your baby boy just recently turned one. How has that changed your life in terms of touring, making music, etc?  

Well as far as the timing goes, i haven't been touring quite as much since he's been born, which has been nice to spend as much time as possible with him. he's been on the tour bus a couple of times, and traveled to turkey, paris, california, and brazil with me.  so i prefer to be with him a lot.  that said i guess i just try to use the rest of my time more wisely.

What's the next step for the Brazilian Girls?  

We decide when we do another record, and maybe who we do it with.  sabina just gave birth, TODAY, a baby boy, so we still have some time to decide what we'll do.  I think in another 6 months i'll know how to answer that question better.

Lee Scratch Perry at Highline

A few snapshots of Lee Scratch Perry show last night. He played a mix of new and classic songs like War ina Babylon and his latest single Pum Pum. I couldn't help but notice his band who appeared to be all NYC musicians, a couple who play at Nublu every once in a while. Nevertheless, they sounded good and the show was good, though I did wish it was a show I could've experienced 20-30 years ago. Perry turns 73 next month !!!

A compilation to make you DANCE

Here are two highly on demand remixes from the Nublu Dance compilation.
the Sinden remix has been featured in the latest Fabric mix, a popular DJ mix series produced by the Fabric club in London

Kudu - Let's Finish (Sinden remix)
Nublu Orchestra - Sciubba Diving (Claude VonStroke remix)

Other remixers include In Flagranti, Motor City Drum Ensemble, Christian Prommer, Quantic, Underground Resistance, etc.
Get your free high quality download of Cihangir (Brennan Green remix)

Nublu launches digital store

Nublu launched the new digital store! Besides Nublu's catalog, there will be live recordings for sale as well as records of friends Nublu recommends. One of those is KiNo's self-release Map of the Universe.

Also highly recommended is Nublu Orchestra's live session at the Saalfelden Jazz Festival in Austria. 

Downloads are high quality mp3s. You also have the option of purchasing WAV files for an extra fee. No DRMs, music will play in any player.

Brazilian Girls new video

Brazilian Girls have a new music video directed by Wayne Price.

It's for the song Berlin from their latest album New York City which is up for a GRAMMY Award for Best Electronic/Dance Album of the Year. The other nominees in that category are Daft Punk, Moby and Cindy Lauper. We wish them luck this Sunday!!

The video is shot in HD mixing 8mm home movie footage from the 1930s in Berlin. Very cool!

Kingston 19's public transport mix

"The mix is intended to distract you from your repetitive daily commute. It' a bit rough on the edges but I think you'll enjoy..." McLeod

Listen here

Curumin at Nublu

It was my first time seeing Curumin play. Only caught their second set and it was great

It wasn't a packed house, but they definitely turned it into a party for those that were there. They left the crowd asking for more... and more

thanks to Pinar for the photos 

Etherea and Mondo Kim's closing shop

After 13 and 1/2 years, my record shop, etherea, is closing for good at the end of February.
I had hoped to keep the store alive by handing it off to someone else, but that has not happened, and my lease is running out at the end of February. I will be selling off inventory and fixtures during the month of February. If you know anyone out there who is interested, please contact me asap. Everything must go at significantly reduced prices.

Thanks to all those who supported the shop by going out of your way to make music purchases there. Extra special thanks to family and friends who have lent a helping hand manning the register, painting the walls, helping me set up the store back in 1995, moving to 9th St, and then moving to Ave A. It's been a wonderful journey, and I'll miss running the store.

That's part of an email message from Rich Kim, owner of Etherea.
I stopped by the store earlier today and spoke to Rich. He told me business has been relatively stable, but the increase in rent makes it difficult to operate. They will be missed !

Hot stuff

Latest 3 Na Massa video

The song is titled "Certeza featuring Leandra Leal" the first track off of their debut album. That is Leandra Leal on the video by the way !!

Forro in the Dark on Dell Discovered

Check out Forro in the Dark on Dell Discovered. This aired on Elvis Costello's show on Sundance in the last week of 2008. Dell is the sponsor of the show.

The video features Nonsensical

Forro is currently in the studio working on the second studio album scheduled to be released in the fall. More news to come...

Wax Poetic, Love Trio in Brazil

It's cold in NYC, but in Brazil it's summer!

Love Trio and Wax Poetic will be performing a couple of shows with Otto, Thalma de Freitas

Wish I was there