mp3: Family Portrait "Glide Pt.2 (demo)"

R.I.P. ALTER

Rose Quartz highlighted Family Portrait's "Glide Pt.1 (demo)" the other day, and here's it's companion, the appropriately titled "Glide Pt.2 (demo)". Like its predecessor, this one relies heavily on acoustic jangle, Evan Brody's inimitable wah-fected riffs, and a steady beat that keeps the whole machine chugging along. At times it recalls The Feelies, with hints of tambourine pop and Orbisonian harmonies for flavor, which, at this point, you should expect from Family Portrait. Of course, this familiarity quickly swirls into curiosity when the Frippertronic tones squiggle in, and you begin to wonder what the future holds for Family Portrait. I think we'll find out soon when Underwater Peoples releases Family Portrait's full-length sometime in the not-so distant future.

MP3: Family Portrait: "Glide Pt. 2 (demo)"

Come see Family Portrait (OG lineup) this afternoon at Pianos. Free show. Chillers only. You know the drill.

show: This is not a CMJ Show 10/20 Pianos

This Is How We Do It

Free Day Party. Come hang.

Flyer by Alan H.

PHOTOS: Tennis / Family Portrait / Ducktails

Last night Cake Shop played host to the newest member of the Underwater Peoples family, Tennis, for their first ever NYC show. Alongside UP alums Family Portrait and Ducktails (full band) the three acts played to a capacity crowd. DJ Phat Keisha spun the beats. Check out some photos below.

Catch Tennis and Family Portrait tonight at Glasslands Gallery in Brooklyn. It might also be your only opportunity to pick up Tennis' already sold out Underwater Peoples 7".


Photos by: Chaakles

video: Julian Lynch with Family Portrait

"Jam"

Harnessing the rays of a bright sun left stranded over weary plains, this house jam by Julian Lynch, featuring old homies Family Portrait, is the sort of dimly light magic you'd expect to exist only in a place far removed from the grid. The grass is a little longer and the sky is cluttered with massive schools of clouds trotting to their next destination. Subtle and refreshing, the wind blows, shaking everything in its path; hair, weeds, trees, birds. By the time the sun heads over the horizon, the landscape is frozen, serene. Only to be lifted up again in the morning, when the sun rises once again and begins nourishing the seeds its helped grow for thousands of years.

This video was shot at Ben's house in Madison, Wisconsin by Spencer Wells. Wish we could've been there for this one. Thx Spencer.

radio: Sunday Brunch Ep4

"Cat People"
This past Sunday was quite the celebration/burn out zone at Newtown Radio. Our hangover relief special came in the form of a videochat broadcast from Sleep Over. Something tells me two spirits may have gotten loose in Austin and crept into Sleep Over's living room practice zone. After a mystifying set, Charles spun hits from movies that were nominated for Oscars, movies that weren't, and movies that never were, followed by a live in-studio set from Family Portrait, fresh off a particularly fun night and ripe for their first national tour. It was pretty familial, sort of like the riff-raff from the prior nights house show wandered into the studio and sat in a circle around the band, indian style, just trying to get a grip on the day. Good times.

Sunday Brunch Ep4"

Rose Royce - I wanna Get Next to You [from Car Wash]

live Sleep Over set (via iChat)

Tangerine Dream - Betrayal [from Sorcerer]
Giorgio Moroder - To The Bridge [from Cat People]
Vangelis - Wait for Me [from Blade Runner]
Trevor Duncan - Grip of the Law [from Plan 9 from Outer Space]
Pink Floyd - When Tigers Broke Free [from The Wall]
Popol Vuh - Gemeinshaft [from Coeur de Verre]
Quincy Jones - Hangin Paper [from In Cold Blood]
Final Solution - Brotherman [from Brotherman (fake movie)]
Steely Dan - FM [from FM]
David Bowie - Cat People [from Cat People]
Johnny Greenwood - Prospectors Arrive [from There Will Be Blood]
Wendy Carlos & Rachel Elkind - Main Title Theme [from The Shining]
Gyorgy Ligeti - Overture: Atmospheres [from 2001: A Space Odyssey]
Tex Ritter - High Noon (Do Not Forsake Me) [from High Noon]
Barry Adamson - The Big Bamboozle [from Oedipus Schmoedipus (fake movie)]
Bob Dylan - Billy 1 [from Pat Garret & Billy The Kid]
Giorgio Moroder - The Chase [from Midnight Express]
Ennio Moricone - The Ecstacy of Gold [from The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly]

live Family Portrait set

Download Sunday Brunch Ep 4 (featuring Sleep Over and Family Portrait)

pics: Real Estate House Party

"These Pretzels Are Making Me Thirsty"
Photos: Erez Avissar

The so-called 'bloguettes' of the Micro-Pixel-Rites Presents hosted a rager on Saturday night to help raise funds for the porta-potties at their SXSW show and, well, it's Monday and I'm still recooperating. Evening began with a set by Alex Bleeker and the Freaks and continued with pals Family Portrait, freshly reformed for the first time since August. Later the freaks re-configured as Real Estate to close out the evening with an Ariel Pink cover, a cover of the Clean's "Anything Can Happen" and a swooping rendition for "Happy Birthday" for Emilie. The cops came. However, subject to the vibes at hand, they seemed like super chill cops. Must've been the projected Seinfeld.

wknd: Pure Ecstasy/Twin Sister Shows

"Your In It Now"
Big shows this weekend. Tomorrow night is going to be a lot of fun, especially with Pure Ecstasy making their Brooklyn debut. Their flying all the way up from Austin and playing a free show for yall, the people the of best borough around, so be sure to drink a LOT, not that I think that will be a problem. I could go on and on about how great of a show this is, but that'd just be me repeating myself, which doesn't go any of us any good. So, with that in mind, here are some jams to get you stoked for the weekend. If you want to come to the semi-private, not-really-secret-but-not-exactly-public show on Saturday, hit me up at mcgregor at me dot com for more info. Party on Wayne.

Pure Ecstasy- Pressure Drop (Toots & the Maytals cover)

Twin Sister- I Want A House

Family Portrait- It Turns (from Friendship Bracelet Comp 3)

Run DMT- Get Ripped of Die Trying

mix: Underwater Peoples Winter Review

"Sun to the Moon"
A quarter pound of green beans, six candy canes and enough beers consumed for my parents to reconsider "creating" me, I came home last night, the eve of the birth of the little baby Jesus, to find the Underwater Peoples Winter Review nestled in my cozy inbox. It was drapped in swaddling clothes...whatever the fuck those are.

In the spirit of giving, it is my pleasure to share this with you, fine citizens of the world, this wonderful compilation. Download it, upload it to your iPizzles, burn a CD, dub a tape, or, if your really cool, copy that shit to 8-track, you'll be the only kid in America with an 8-track of, well, anything worth listening to. Enough of the bullshit, though, as there was lots of hard work put into this hand crafted Christmas gift for you. The UP crew, who is, like, hella International right now, doesn't care if the economy left you delivering papers, they just want you to enjoy whats left of 2009, to roll into the next decade with the momentum of a freight train powered by a vat of Red Bull and an Intervention's worth of crystal meth. Ok, maybe not the meth part, but the full force, straight on til morning vibe is still relevant. Like Sawyer said, 2010 is all about Love. And friends. Think about that while you aurally devour the Winter Review. Also think about how goddamn adorable the infant version of Michael Mimoun was (thats him on the gracing the album art). Goddamn that kid was/is a cutie pie. Hope Santa was good to you. Peace be with you.

Underwater Peoples Winter Review
1. Julian Lynch - Es's
2. Pill Wonder - Restless
3. Ducktails - Apple Walk
4. Fluffy Lumbers - Adoration
5. Big Troubles - Former Selves
6. Andrew Cedermark - Ad Infinitum
7. Frat Dad - Totally Afraid
8. Dana Jewell - My T-Train Girl
9. Air Waves - Sweetness
10. Family Portrait - Killer Statements
11. Alex Bleeker - These Days
12. Mountain Man - Dog Song
13. Real Estate - Orchard
14. Rainbow Bridge - Rain Nair
15. Liam the Younger - Please See

Download Underwater Peoples Winter Review (direct download)

UPDATE: Underwater Peoples Sawyer Live from Vietnam:

new: Andrew Cedermark/ Family Portrait Split

"Hard Livin'"

News about the "in the works for a while" split between Andrew Cedermark and Family Portrait broke today and the disc is currently available for pre-sale. Like the 3-D imagery suggests, there is a certain duality to the release; the "down-and-out but will rise again nature" of Cedermark's work, and the chilling in the ether vibe Family Portrait owns. The obvious talk will be of "Mega Secrets" and "Hard Livin,'" two standouts from the Underwater Peoples Summer Showcase comp. But, for me, the real nugget here is "Super Cool," a kaleidoscopic travel diary of an instrumental, as easily indigestible as the drug for which its named, and as digestible as a PB&J with the crust cut off. The glue? Mr. Julian Lynch, whose clarinet is like a snake charmer wrapping your mind around some really interstellar shit, and making it seem, well, totally normal. And such is the wonder of "Super Cool," an instrumental oddball as capable of soundtracking a backpacking trip through Southeast Asia, as it is a Sunday morning, reading the paper with Mom and Dad on the porch.

Listen to the studio version here. Live version above.

CMJ: 10/20 Bobka, OESB & UP are Straight Chillin'

"House of Mirrors"
(Big ups to Mimoun of Family Portrait/UP for Poster Art)
The first time I went to Monkeytown I knew I'd have to throw an event there. And now the time has come. Ladies and Gentlemen, it is my extreme pleasure to unveil the first of a few Chocolate Bobka CMJ shows. If you've ever been to Monkeytown (peep rad pic here), you know one thing is up; straight chilling. Therefore, it felt pretty logical to call up my favorite super chillerz and see if they would come down to cool out, play some tunes and trip out to some tweaker visuals. And that's exactly what we'll do on Tuesday October 20th 2009. I'll be honest in noting that I basically curated this lineup for myself. Just bands that I want to see while 'laxing out on some of the most comfortable couches in New York, while visual masterminds Richard Law, Alice Cohen and Todd Ledford space my face on the four massive, wall sized projection screens. A little run down of the evening.

Chocolate Bobka, Olde English Spelling Bee & Underwater Peoples are Straight Chilling.
Fluffy Lumbers (rare solo set)
Family Portrait ("Western drone set")
Alice Cohen (solo)
Julian Lynch live via Satellite broadcast on 4 Walls
Ducktails
Africa Germany Germany ETC (Live NYC premiere)

Stoked? Me too! If you've ever been to Monkeytown, then you probably know the drill. Besides the inevitable straight chilling, the venue also offers some of the choicest food in NYC, just take a peep at their Fall Menu. (Different types of Sliders: Elk curry chimichurri, Ostrich bbq’d garlic relish, Venison juniper shallot jam & Wild Board Apple Chutney--are you freaking serious?!) The show will cost a measly $7, and as with all Monkeytown shows, there is a $10 minimum, which means you have to have at least 2 beers. If you don't plan on having at least two drinks, well, this probably isn't your type of show. In order to gain access to the show, which is unofficial CMJ (aka no badges), one will have to make reservations with Monkeytown. (Do so here.) This event will sell out fast, so I encourage you to get on this asap. Peep below for some choice media from participating artists.

PS. Bring medical edibles.

Fluffy Lumbers- Cruisers
Ducktails- Parasailing

Family Portrait w/ Julian Lynch "Super Cool"

Alice Cohen "Black Pepper"

Julian Lynch "Garden 2" (Directed by Richard Law)

video: Family Portrait "On the Floor"

"There's My Baby"

As we continue to mine the fruits of the Chocolate Bobka Presents show at Cameo a few weeks back, we come to the lads of Family Portrait, a rather dapper group of young gentlemen who know a thing or two about Elvis, kung-fu movies and bowling. This version of "On The Floor" almost never was. After a behemoth first time played jam, possibly dubbed "Babies" or "Western Drone," the band kindly thanked the crowd and began to pack up. The audience, all sorts of riled up and bewildered, would have none of this. Not one bit. And so, after a minute or so of "One more," a few "Family Portrait" chants and a call for "On the Floor," Mimoun put his cymbals back on, Brody plugged back in and Sawyer warmed the leg kicks back up. Ladies and Gentlemen, may I present to you, "On the Floor."

reminder: ChocBob Show at Cameo Gallery

"And Later On"

Being that its rainy, a bit chilly and the forecast for the weekend "blows," you might as well come to Cameo Gallery tomorrow night for one last pre-Labor Day, post-fuck this humidity party. A rager it shall be, with my boys Family Portrait kick starting the evening, which will sway from the hypnotic folk of Sore Eros to the wondrous Floridian pop of Holiday Shores to the vibrato-inflected surf psych of Beach Fossils. As usual, there will be cookies. So yeah, come out, its only $7 and if your nice, maybe we'll draw a moustache on your face. (Warning: Only nice people will be violated with magic marker moustaches.) Peep chronic videos below for a preview of what will mark the end of our summer, and the beginning of the autumnal transition.

In other news, our friend and pseudo west coast corespondent J. Spacecakes will be on location in San Francisco, a small psychedelic fishing village in Northern California (maybe you've heard of it), at the Outside Lands Music and Arts Festival. In what is surely to be the best piece of web reporting in the micro-blogging age, Spacecakes will be live tweeting the musical styling, while sampling copious amounts of medical edibles. Being that Spacecakes is, well, the greatest stoner in the world, the worlds most absurd tweeter (not counting Ron Artest), and the most gracious dude left of the Mississippi, I highly recommend following his tweets this weekend, especially if your on the trapped indoors on the East Coast watching old movies on AMC while rain streaks down your windows. The party kicks off in Golden Gate Park today at 1pm pst. Follow J. Spacecakes on Twitter.

video: Family Portrait "Super Cool"

"Super Cool"

The last video from our Backyard Show series features the unofficial Underwater People's house band Family Portrait spacing through "Super Cool," a tune named for the drug the kids can't get enough of in season 2 of the Upright Citizens Brigade. True to form, the only real way to get the feeling of "Super Cool" across was to double expose the backyard performance with footage Axel shot years ago in Southeast Asia. If you weren't already planning on heading to the Underwater People's Showcase today/tonight at the Market Hotel, and this video doesn't convince you, well, sorry, I've done my best to try to get you there. You'll find me spacing out in the corner starring at my shoes and tugging at my hair. It's gonna be freaky good, in an R. Kelly way.

mp3: Pillow Talk "What Does It Take?"

"I've Tried, I've Tried, I've Tried"
Pillow Talk's cover of "What Does It Take?" swoops in like an ocean breeze, the whispering organ setting the pace for a refreshing slice of island groove. The tune, which is like lovers rock cut by two white boys from Jersey, features boy wonder Julian Lynch, aided and abetted by Evan Brody, lead vocal provocateur of Family Portrait. The coconut Coppertone aroma is deeply ingrained in the tune, which, despite a slower tempo, is fairly loyal to Alton Ellis's rocksteady version, which, in itself, is a version of a song Junior Walker had a top five hit with in 1969. One of Lynch's contemporaries, or should I say forefathers, in the circular breathing world, Mr. Kenny G, has also covered "What Does It Take?" Compare and contrast all four versions below.

Pillow Talk- What Does It Take? (Julian Lynch & Evan Brody)

Alton Ellis "What Does It Take?"


Junior Walker "What Does It Take?"


Kenny G "What Does It Take?"

video: Family Portrait "Mega Secret"

"Again"
I love Ari, Brody, Mimoun and Sawyer so when they told us their first official Family Portrait video would feature kids with flame throwers, well, I got very excited. Needless to say, it brought me back to my pre-pubescent days spent making molotov cocktails in Morris County. I think its safe to say, "Do not try this at home." Catch Family Portrait at the epic Underwater People's showcase this Saturday at Market Hotel, then next Saturday, August 29th, at the Chocolate Bobka Presents show at Cameo Gallery, with Beach Fossils, Sore Eros and Holiday Shores.

mix: Friendship Bracelet Club Drop

"Baby Doo"
Friendship Bracelet has been killing it lately with lots of hazy, washed out bong jams perfect for summer camp. Not only has Jeff been crushing it on the blog, but his radio show, Auditory Audio, on WMUA, has featured hot jams from the likes of Julian Lynch, Universal Studios Florida and Sun Araw. Not exactly sure what his connection with the Underwater People's crew is but he's definitely getting a boat load of exclusives from peeps like Family Portrait, Sad City and the aforementioned Julian Lynch, whose "Waiting Music" is the acoustic cure all for hangovers, jetlag, broken hearts, broken ribs and terminal boredom. (Lynch is really developing his Mothersbaugh-esque craft and it's mega-exciting, at least to me.) This Friendship Bracelet Club Drop starts and ends with woozy head trips by Dem Hunger, and also features Bobka-favorite Norse Horse up in the middle of this ish. Trying to have fun this weekend? Between this and this, you should have enough motivation.

In addition to this mix, Friendship Bracelet also has a few stanking new Pill Wonder jawns for download here. One of the freshest blogs out there, get on it kids.


Friendship Bracelet Club Drop
1. Dem Hunger - Bathtub Birth
2. Julian Lynch - Waiting Music
3. Big Troubles - Drastic and Difficult
4. Shahs - Ben Brockway
5. Sad City - Pulsars [Bottom Layer]
6. Norse Horse - Needle Beach
7. Paralyze Humanity Sequence - Hammock
8. Family Portrait - Babyskins
9. Fluffy Lumbers - Live Ones
10. Phil and the Osophers - We Have All Summer
11. Wonder Wheel - Boston
12. Bad Autopsy - Formal Invite
13. LA - Melodie's In Her Room
14. Jeans Wilder - Something In The Way (Nirvana cover)
15. Kitchen's Floor - Kitchen's Floor
16. Dem Hunger - Holly Shit

Download
Friendship Bracelet Club Drop

Presents...Holiday Shores|Beach Fossils|Sore Eros|FP

"Lazy Today, Lazy Tonight"
If I knew any better I'd think I dreamt this show up after sleeping in a sandy bed. [Ed note: I think I may have. My bed is quite sandy.] It's all beach pales, Capri Sun and Super Soakers, which, if you've been paying attention, is sort of the sound of the summer. That said, I'm proud to be presenting a superb lineup that'd be as perfect in Rockaway Beach as it will be at Cameo Gallery on N 6th.

Chocolate Bobka Presents...
Beach Fossils...warbled, sunburnt slacker pop that may have been birthed in the backseat of a convertible with the top down on the way to Fort Tilden.

Holiday Shores...vibrant Floridian pop straight from the pan handle. Set to release their blissful Columbus'd the Whim on two syllable records on August 4th (pre-order here)

Sore Eros...lysergic folk from the lush meadows of Connecticut ripe enough to score a psychedelic Tony Soprano dream sequence or your next robo-trip.

Family Portrait...Underwater People's 'house band', featuring UP's head dude Sawyer. "Mega Secrets" is the reason dudes say "that's the tits."

If you've been following the beach pop, dream folk, stoner indie stylings of late, then there is a good chance you're already familiar with these artists. However, if your not, get acquainted below. Before long you'll be loading up the bong and scrapping together change to get a Choco Taco from the Kool Man. Bascially, get your ass to Cameo on Saturday the 29th of August. Sharpie that shit in. Big thanks to MJM for poster and Cameo Gallery for hosting the event.

Beach Fossils- Daydream
Holiday Shores- Phones Don't Feud
Sore Eros- Whisper Me
Family Portrait- Mega Secrets