video: Wild Nothing "Bored Games"

"Can I Come With You?"

A wash in a glow of sweat and awe, Wild Nothing rolled through a set of extremely tight, for lack of a better word, power pop. Jack Tatum has the uncanny gift of a young American to actually communicate emotions without sounding like a total wuss. On record his shy guy songwriting shines bright, but live, he's no quiet lil boy. Standing atop the stage at Monster Island, Tatum, who just completed a whirl wind run around New York City, was as composed as a man who'd been singing to crowds for 10 years, which is pretty amazing considering he's a wide-eyed southern boy in the big city. If you live in NYC and didn't catch Wild Nothing this wknd, chances are your next opportunity will be at a much bigger venue, as the band, captured here by Ian Perlman, is about to blow up.

photo: Church Show with Mountain Man, Alex Bleeker, ETC

It's been a few weeks since the show at the Church in McGolrick Park. Nevertheless, it's an event that I'm more than happy to take a look back at. It helps even more when you've got photographers like Rez Avissar to remind you how special of an evening it was. His shots in this phenomenal set that truly captures the cozy, communal spirit of the evening. Hats off to Rez.

No Demons Here







Lux Perpetua








Liam the Younger







Alex Bleeker and the Mountain Man Singers









Mountain Man

live: Pure Ecstasy

"Pressure Drop, Yeah Pressure Baby"

Been jamming hard on Pure Ecstasy for a few months now and couldn't be happier to report that Nate Grace's psychedelic machine will be headed north to play a weekend's worth of shows in Brooklyn January 29th & 30th. The first is a straight up stunna shades show at Bruar Falls with B-More typnotist Run-DMT and an assortment of special guests (stay tuned). The next night Pure Ecstasy will play a small loft show (details to come) with Twin Sister, who've been churning out some of the most zen arcade scores I've heard in a while. Pure Ecstasy's maiden voyage to the Big Apple comes a few weeks after the bands first west coast tour, so expect them to be in tip top, or shall I say, super loose shape.

As many of you know, Pure Ecstasy's released a few things this year; a self-released super limited 7-inch (50 copies, art above), the self-released SEVN DAZE tape and the Future Nostalgia tape on Leftist Nautical Antiques. Still reeling in it, the band has three upcoming releases, including a new 7-inch on Light Loge, a tape on Bum Tapes, and another 7-inch on Acephale. Probably the most productive stoner band I've ever encountered, and that's saying a lot. In addition, a couple weeks ago Pure Ecstasy "phoned in" a live performance for, um, Phoning It In, in which they play a large portion of their recorded output over a phone. Inherently lo-fi, the session actually sounds pretty damn good and makes me extremely excited to be presenting their Brooklyn debut next month. Stick around for more info in the coming week.

Pure Ecstasy- Phoning It In Session (Live)

live: Mountain Man, Alex Bleeker, Liam the Younger

"Who Walked the Dog"

A month from today Chocolate Bobka will host another show in our concert series, and this one, in all honesty, may be the best yet. On Friday December 11th, Mountain Man, Alex Bleeker (accompanied by the Mountain Man singers), Liam the Younger and Luka (No Demons Here) will descend upon the majestic Lutheran Church of the Messiah in sleepy Greenpoint, Brooklyn for a night of quiet, unamplified ballads and hymns. It's a real pleasure to host this show in the amazing Church, which has previously been host to performances by Mt. Eerie, Marissa Nadler, Calvin Johnson, and Kria Brekkan, among others. The intimate venue, along with a heaping of blankets, should make the Church basement feel more like a coffee house, or house show, which, in my opinion, is the only way to absorb real, honest to god Folk music. Details will trickle out in the coming weeks, so keep your eyes peeled. Also, if anyone is interested in volunteering at the show, shoot me an email at mcgregor [at] me.com. See ya in a month.

video: Real Estate "Black Lake" at CMJ

"Swimming Beneath the Power Lines"

Last week was hectic, hence no real posting. Either way, another great, chaotic week at CMJ, even though I did my best to keep it rather low key. Such is the vibe in this c. axel capture of Real Estate Friday night at the Chocolate Bobka/twosyllable/Underwater Peoples Showcase at the Delancey. A host of issues had bands running a late and Real Estate didn't go on 'til roughly 2:45 am, an hour after when they were supposed to finish. Every one was exhausted. Yet, by the time they took the stage, a sense of calm engulfed the room, as there was no fooling who everyone was there to see. Of course, after returning from a short tour with Japandroids and playing an additional two weeks worth of shows during CMJ, Real Estate were on fire, playing cuts from their soon to be released self titled debut on Woodsist (pick it up at a show), as well as more obscure cuts like "Atlantic City" and new bomb "Basement." Big ups to Ettienne, Bleeker, Marty and Matt for going on wicked late and still killing it. Quite the end to a pretty darn good, rainy night.

video: Holiday Shores "Edge of Our Lives"

"There is No One Like You"

Possibly the last evidence of a Bobka show before tomorrow nights throw down at Monkeytown, this jawn from the Cameo Gallery show in late August finds Holiday Shores coexisting with the last airs of Summer. Fitting for the Floridians, who will be back in NYC this week for CMJ and are playing the big Bobka show Friday at the Delancey. Make sure to catch them, as early as tomorrow at the Pop Tarts show, as they are definitely not to be missed. I also hear they have a tour-only cassette with them on this run, which features a choice Arthur Russell cover. My guess is its super limited, so pick it up if you get a chance.

Holiday Shores at CMJ
10.20 New York, NY @ Cake Shop (Poptarts Suck Toasted Day Party) @
10.22  Brooklyn, NY @ Shea Stadium (Myopenbar Party) $
10.23  Brooklyn, NY @ Trash Bar (Breakthru Radio Day Party)
10.23  New York, NY @ The Delancey (twosyllable records/Underwater Peoples CMJ Showcase) #
10.24  Brooklyn, NY @ Music Hall of Williamsburg (AAM Day Party)

@ w/Surfer Blood, Small Black
$ w/Javelin
# w/ Real Estate, New Villager, Inlets, Frat Dad, Pill Wonder

CMJ: Mountain Man filling in for Ducktails

"Starring at the Wild White Heron"
Due to circumstances beyond our control, Ducktails won't be able to play the Chocolate Bobka/Underwater Peoples/Olde English Spelling Bee show next week at Monkeytown. Sucks, but the sun shines brightest after a storm. In this case, the sun is Mountain Man. Yes, those lovely young ladies from Vermont that I've been gushing over for months. To be honest, this changes the dynamic of the show, but personally, I think its for the better, as there is no better preface to dreams than the enchanting songs of Mountain Man.

Make your reservation here, while you still can.

Mountain Man- Animal Tracks
Mountain Man- Dog Song

CMJ: Official Show at The Delancey

"Fall Straight Back"
We like having fun. We like having fun with our friends. We like to throw parties. When we throw parties, we have our friends band's play. Sometimes there are DJs. And even FREE booze. We will do this during CMJ. It will be fun. It's on a Friday night. TGIF. Partying/Playing with us will be the dudes from Underwater Peoples and twosyllable records. We got the bliss punk of Eternal Summers, the earthy ballads of Inlets, the Jungle/Surf styling of Washington states Pill Wonder, the woozy good times of Holiday Shores, the frenetic sugar high of Frat Dad, the rhythmic pounce of NewVillager, the what-the-fucking-fuck-are-these-dudes-really-in-plushy-bear-suits of Claymation Velociraptor, and Real Estate (you've probably heard about them). Show details below. Get there early, as we expect a line, especially for the FREE West Virginia Peach Moonshine we've been given by the West Virginia Coal Mining Collective. (Love Corporate Sponsors!)

Delancey Lounge 168 Delancey St at Clinton St) New York, NY

Doors 7:30pm

8:00-8:25 - Eternal Summers
8:40-9:10 - Inlets
9:25-9:55 - Pill Wonder
10:10-10:40 - Holiday Shores
10:55-11:25 - Frat Dad
11:40-12:10 - NewVillager
12:25-12:55 - Claymation Velociraptor
1:10-1:40 - Real Estate

DJS: BELL, Pumpkin Patch, Drew H

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."

video: Sore Eros at Cameo Gallery

"Second Chants"

Ringing out like a psychedelic surf prom band on bad acid, Sore Eros set at the Chocolate Bobka Presents show at Cameo was a total trip. Ecstatic walls of luminescent sound took over the room, as the wiggling chandelier danced the night away to the tune of air conditioning and Sore Eros narcotic blend of unclassifiable ether music. Of course, Mad Scientist Ray Concepcion was there to capture all the glory on beautiful Panasonic DVX100b.

video: Holiday Shores "Bradley Bear" "Dens"

"Before This Night"

It goes without saying that Holiday Shores is a bit, um, "beachy," but on an overcast August afternoon in Greenpoint, the spray of ocean mist isn't as apt a comparison as say an empty, sun scorched industrial avenue near the Newtown Creek. The water is a stones throw away, but it couldn't be further mentally. The sun is nice, but the dirty streets, well, not so much. Nevertheless, the effervescent four piece used the afternoon to their advantage, mellowing out tunes from Columbus'd the Whim with a touch of sweet tea and a new pair of Blu-blockers. At least, that's what it looks like. Appropriately, that's what it felt like too. A bunch of good for nothing, twenty somethings sitting around a living room, while a bunch of other good for nothing youngsters strummed some guitars. The premise is quite simple, but the vibe, and trust me things were "vibing," could not be more complex, as if Holiday Shores cut out all the pretense, leaving the audience with just the good stuff. Enjoy the good stuff for breakfast.

show: Forest Fire Record Release Party at Union Hall

"With Gatling Gun Social Skills"
"...We Dance to the Beat." The first Chocolate Bobka Presents, a record release party for Forest Fire's Survival (finally available on vinyl via Infinite Best Recordings), is sure to be a doozy. In fact, the band has actually ensured that the evening will "have an overall sense of danger in the air," which, to me, sounds like a pretty good thing. Oh yeah, and there will be cookies.

In addition, the nice folks at Union Hall have agreed to let us give away a few pairs of tickets for the event. To enter, simply leave your favorite type of tree in the comments, along with your email address. A winner will be selected on Friday. Hope to see you there.

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

Presents...Forest Fire at Union Hall

"With Gattling Gun Social Skills"
It is with extreme pleasure and honor that I would like to announce the first Chocolate Bobka Presents... show: Forest Fire's CD release party at Union Hall on Monday August 10th. The show, which will mark the re-release of Forest Fire's ramshackle wonder Survival, which LA BLOGOTHEQUE named "Best Album of 2008." (Not bad, eh?) It should also be noted that the records first "proper" release will come on the brand spanking new Infinite Best label, run by our good friend and former-Bobka contributor Hunter Giles. The show will mark Forest Fire's first time in New York since last winter, and will also feature Shilpa Ray, amongst a bevy of special guests.

More details in the near future, but for now, mark your calendars, as August 10th is going to be a really fun night.

PS- There will be cookies. (I am not joking.)


Forest Fire- Fortune Teller

"Fortune Teller" live at The Apartment

The Bee's/Blog Fresh/Bobka

"Do Yourself Some Right"

The crew at Blog Fresh Radio is back from their winter vacation and decided to kick off 2008 with final dose of 2k7. We'd like to send a big shout out to Bill at Blog Fresh corporate headquarters for including Bobka pick "Left Foot Stepdown" by The Bee's as part of 2008's inaugural edition, as well as raising a really good question as to why I only made a Top 9 list (Idiot, oh well). This mix is really a great summary of 2007 and includes a ton of our favorite songs by the likes of Jens Lekman, Escort, LCD, Of Montreal, Roison Murphy, basically everyone that made 2007 an aural thanksgiving feast. Also, I've never heard The Builders and The Butchers before, but their "Spanish Death Song" is f'ing badass. Big ups to Song by Todd for the intro.


Listen to Blog Fresh Radio.

Deck the Halls, Bitch: Not Your Dad's Christmas Mix

"Santa Got a DWI"

Last night a good friend said "I really wish that I knew Santa was real." I agree. Many of these Christmas gems were uncovered at the Big Rock Candy Mountain, an incredible resource specializing in "both kinds of music: Country and Western. A little trash, a little junk, a little grease, a little truckin." An hour of oddly unique and drunk tunes, this mix has everything from Santa doing the Mambo, to "Christmas in Vegas" and even Christmas in Prison. Not to mention it's much easier on the ears than those infamous Very Special Christmas mixes. In the spirit of Christmas, we present you with:

Chocolate Bobka Presents...Deck the Halls, Bitch
The Polyphonic Spree- Carol of the Bells
Sufjan Stevens- Come on! Let's Boogie to the Elf Dance
The Ramones- Merry Christmas (I Don't Want to Fight Tonight)
The Kinks- Father Christmas
Robbers on High Street- Seasons Greetings
Sherwin Linton- Santa got a DWI
Loretta Lynn- Country Christmas
Robert Earl Keen- Merry Christmas from the Family
Big John Greer- We Wanna See Santa Do The Mambo
Holly Golightly- Christmas trees on fire
Elvis Pressley- Santa Clause is back in town
Hank Thompson- I'd like to have an elephant for Christmas
The Sonics- Santa Clause
Mae West- Put the Loot in the Boot, Santa
Johnny Cash- Blue Christmas
Loretta Lynn- To Heck With Ole Santa Clause
Casper and the Cookies- Kiss me beneath the Christmas tree
Dale Watson- Christmas in Vegas
Sufjan Stevens- Put the lights on the tree
Ferlin Husky- In Santa's bag
Seasick Steve & the Level Devils- Xmas prison blues
the dbs- Christmas time
Brenda Lee- I'm gonna lasso Santa
The Pogues- Fairytale of New York

Chocolate Bobka Presents...Deck the Halls, Bitch {download}