nyctaper Recordings

Kria Brekkan is the current stage name for Kristín Anna Valtýsdóttir, former and founding member of the Icelandic avante-ambient band mum. She is also the wife of Avey Tare from Animal Collective, and they collaborated on the 2007 release Pullhair Rubeye.

Her intimate show at St. Mark’s tonight was certainly in a similar vein to her career output thus far. Yet as the focus was on Kri­a throughout, it was more personal and intense. She is a classically trained musician who is a superbly gifted piano player, with a unique sense of melody and time structure, and a boundless performance energy. Kri­a performed her set straight through without a break, and at the end of the set she looked up from the piano and seemed to be surprised that she was in a room full of people.

The recording is captured with all the inherent flaws of this performance room–namely surrounding noise and the limits of a small sound system. However, even with all the obstacles, this recording still provides an enjoyable listen of this unique artist.

Download the entire performance in FLAC [HERE].

Kria Brekkan
2007-09-09
St. Mark’s Church
New York, NY USA

Digital Master Recording
Neumann KM-150’s (AK-50 Hypercardiod Capsules) > Apogee Minime > digital coaxial > M-Audio Microtrack > flac

Many thanks to Kristin for permission to record.

Unfortunately, due to my unfamiliarity with the particular songs, and with the
proper place for track breaks (she played straight through), I have left the entire
set as one track.

Setlist
[Total Time 48:49]
01 Kria’s Set

As with all artists featured at this site, PLEASE SUPPORT this wonderful and unique artist and purchase her latest release.

Bjork began her 18-month worldwide tour in promotion of the new album Volta with a week of three concerts in three different venues in New York. The first night at Radio City was her first concert in the U.S. in almost four years, and with new material and an all new band, the result was the most restrained of the three NYC shows. Nevertheless, the concert was a triumphant return to the stage for Bjork, with several pleasant surprises in the setlist.

I recorded this concert from a prime location with pro-quality DPA microphones. However, in my rush to upload this concert to a bit torrent site within 3 hours of the end of the show, I did not perform any post-production work. The remaster posted below was the result of many hours of post-production work in Soundforge which improved the initial recording drastically. The volume levels were increased significantly and balanced, dozens of instances of close clapping or other audience noise were softened or removed, and the high-end peaks were accentuated through equalization.

This recording is dedicated to my friends in the Bjork Hub, the most reliable and dedicated fans of any artist anywhere.

This recording is in an indirect way responsible for the existence of the nyctaper website. Prior to the establishment of this site, I posted my masters on various bit torrent trackers, and in several instances my recordings were then compressed to low-quality mp3s and re-posted without any credit or attribution on bottom-feeder blogs.

In this case of this recording, the blogger not only failed to give credit, but also deleted my comments and insulted me when I sought credit. One of those insults ironically “suggested” that I create my own blog where I could host lossless downloads and pay the server fees. Eight days later, I did.

Download the complete performance in FLAC [HERE].

Bjork
2007-05-02
Radio City Music Hall
New York, NY USA

Digital Master Recording
Recorded from Front of Board Center
Orchestra Row PP, Seat 509

DPA 4021’s > Marantz PMD-660 (Oade BCM) > Soundforge (Remaster) > flac

Recorded and Produced and
Remastered by
nyctaper
2007-09-03

Setlist:
01 Earth Intruders*
02 Venus as a Boy
03 Aurora
04 I See Who You Are**
05 Oceania
06 Dull Flame of Desire***
07 All is Full of Love
08 The Pleasure is All Mine
09 Pagan Poetry
10 Jóga
11 Where is the Line
12 Army of Me
13 Innocence
14 Wanderlust
15 Pluto
Encores:
16 [encore break]
17 [band introductions]
18 Anchor Song
19 Declare Independence

*With Konono N°1
**With Min Xiao-Fen
***With Antony Hegarty

As with all artists featured at this site, PLEASE SUPPORT this wonderful and unique artist and visit her web page and purchase Volta:

The new Meat Puppets album Rise to Your Knees is a too-modest assessment of the current state of this band. The powerful performance at the Knitting Factory last night was a clear indication that this band has risen to heights that no rational fan could have anticipated after a decade of discord, drugs, death and detention. The 2007 version of the Meat Puppets is tight, engaged, and thoroughly enjoying the return to the spotlight.

The Knitting Factory has been one of the most innovative and superb venues for live music in New York for over two decades. The Leonard Street location continues to grow in stature, with a complete upgrade and overhaul of the facility nearly complete. They have also recently installed a state of the art recording system, which initially led to their reluctance to permit my open recording of this show. To the credit of this venue, the two highly professional and courteous managers discussed the situation with me, and ultimately permitted my recording after the Meat Puppets agreed. I was ultimately able to set up in a prime location next to the soundboard, with the assistance of the sound engineer.

As you will hear in the download featured below, the Knitting Factory engineer mixed this band to perfection. This recording is perhaps the best one ever offered at this site.

This recording is now available for download in FLAC and MP3 at Archive.org [HERE].

More about FLAC

Meat Puppets
2007-08-30
Knitting Factory
New York, NY USA

Digital Master Audience Recording
Recorded from Balcony Railing
Inside Soundboard Section
Dead Center approximately 30 feet
eye Level with PA stacks

Neumann KM-150’s (AK-50 Hypercardiod Capsules) > Apogee Minime >
digital coaxial > M-Audio Microtrack > flac

Premiere Download offered at
http://www.nyctaper.com
nyctaper@nyctaper.com

Recorded and Produced
by nyctaper
2007-08-31

Setlist:
[total time 1:33:37]
01 Sam
02 Touchdown King
03 Snow
04 Up On The Sun
05 Plateau
06 Look at the Rain
07 Lost
08 Working on a Building
09 The Whistling Song
10 Flaming Heart
11 My Baby’s Gone
12 Station
13 Box of Limes
14 Oh, Me
15 Comin’ Down
16 Never To Be Found
17 The Wind and the Rain
18 Severed Goddess Hand
19 Lake of Fire
Encores:
20 Climbing
21 Backwater

As with all artists featured at this site, PLEASE SUPPORT Meat Puppets and visit their web page, and purchase their new release :

Pat McGee Band is back, and if the Dewey Beach show is any indication, this version of the band is better than ever. Following a year of extreme loss–the tragic and untimely death of original drummer Chris Williams, and setback–the end of their record contract with Kirtland (the Warner/Giant contract ended in 2004), PMB is performing with nothing to lose. Without the shackles of expectations and labels, they are now free to be exactly who they are–a rollicking and rocking fun live act.

The Bottle & Cork is the premiere music venue in the Delaware/Maryland shore area, and one of the best concert halls in the entire Mid-Atlantic region. The venue offers two distinct locations to enjoy the music, the main hall and the patio area, and both afford excellent viewing positions. The sound system is excellent, the staff are courteous and helpful, and there are 5 bars for easy access to drinks.

My personal experience at the Bottle & Cork was made more excellent by the Stage Manager of the venue who invited me to record from the private soundboard booth upstairs. As a result, the raucous crowd does not interfere with the recording, and I was afforded a straight line at the PA stacks.

Unfortunately, I did not anticipate that the Bottle & Cork was partially an outdoor venue, and I neglected to bring my microphone wind screens. The windy Delaware shore made its presence known that night. There were many instances of wind noise on this recording, most of which have been softened in post-production. What is offered below is a fine but slightly flawed recording, and probably not the best I have offered on this site. However, its certainly an enjoyable listen, and Pat McGee Band absolutely ripped the joint. Download is encouraged to experience this excellent live act.

Pat McGee Band will tour this Fall, and the NYC date is at the Bowery Ballroom on September 20. Their new independent release These Days (The Virginia Sessions) is available for purchase here, or as a direct flac or mp3 download here.

This recording is now available for download in FLAC and MP3 at Archive.org [HERE].

More about FLAC

Pat McGee Band
2007-08-24
Cork & Bottle
Dewey Beach, Delaware USA

Digital Audience Master Recording
Recorded from Inside the Soundboard Booth
Dead Center, approximately 30 feet from the PA
One Level above the Floor

Neumann KM-150’s (AK-50 Hypercardiod Capsules) > Apogee Minime > digital coaxial > M-Audio Microtrack > flac

Recorded and Produced by nyctaper
2007-08-29

Setlist:
Set 1:
01 Guess We Were
02 Girl From Athens
03 Lost
04 Beautiful Ways
05 Haven’t Seen For A While
06 Must Have Been Love
07 Elizabeth
08 Come Back Home
09 Running on Empty

Set 2:
01 Fine
02 [stage banter]
03 I Don’t Think I’m Listening
04 Runaway
05 Annabel
06 You and I
07 Piano Man
08 Maybe Its Time
09 Stuck in Middle With You*
10 Rebecca
Encores:
11 Passion
12 American Girl
13 I Want You to Want Me

*with one verse of Roadhouse Blues

As with all artists featured on this site, if you download this recording please support this outstanding band and visit the Pat McGee Band website, follow the information above, or and purchase their official releases:

Oh, what a perfect day. The Fiery Furnaces played for free in a beautiful park on a beautiful day, and all was right with the world. The crowd had a buzz, but remained attentive and supportive. The band sounded terrific and performed a short but tight set. With the East River behind them, and Socrates Sculpture Park before them, the Fiery Furnaces whirled through the live Bitter Tea suite, before closing out with a 30-minute medley of older songs. Eleanor was strong of voice, as the band was driven by the unique beats of double percussionists and anchored by Matt’s direction and keys.

My recording conditions were also ideal. Many thanks to Spencer, the admin from fieryfurnaces.com forum, both the band and management approved my recording. As a result, I was able to utilize my best equipment from the perfect location–centered directly in front of the soundboard, 25 feet from the stage and PA speakers. As you’ll hear in the download below, the results are truly profound.

This Fall, the Fiery Furnaces will release their new album Widow City, and will embark on a tour across the country. The NYC date is November 3 at Hiro Ballroom.

The complete show in FLAC files available [HERE].

More about FLAC

Fiery Furnaces
2007-08-26
Socrates Sculpture Park
Queens, New York USA

Digital Master Recording
Recorded from in Front of the Soundboard Booth
Dead Center approximately 25 feet from PA
8 foot Microphone Stand

Neumann KM-150’s (AK-50 Hypercardiod Capsules) > Apogee Minime > digital coaxial > M-Audio Microtrack > flac

Premiere Download offered at
http://www.nyctaper.com
nyctaper@nyctaper.com

Recorded and Produced by nyctaper
2007-08-26

Setlist:
[Total Time 1:11:10]
01 [Introduction]
02 In My Little Thatched Hut
03 I’m in No Mood to Comb My Hair
04 Black-Hearted Boy
05 Bitter Tea
06 I’m Waiting to Know You
07 The Vietnamese Telephone Ministry
08 Oh Sweet Woods
09 Borneo
10 Benton Harbor Blues
11 Whistle Rhapsody
12 Teach Me Sweetheart
13 Bitter Tea
14 [stage banter]
15 Single Again
16 Wicker Whatnots
17 Quay Cur
18 I’m Gonna Run
19 Here Comes the Summer
20 Blueberry Boat
21 Tropical Ice-Land
22 Spaniolated
23 Name Game
24 Birdie Brain
25 1917

As with all artists featured on this site, if you download this recording please click the link below to purchase official Fiery Furnaces releases

As a warm-up to their annual “Camp Bisco“, the Disco Biscuits performed a fairly short and tame two-hour set on Wednesday night. However, the ambient and trance jams were on full display at several points during the show, and the crowd energy, the outdoor pool setting, and sound quality were all quite outstanding.

This recording was made from the exact same location and with the exact same equipment as the Umphrey’s opening set–optimal equipment in an optimal setting. Enjoy!

This recording is now available for download in FLAC and MP3 on Archive.org [HERE].

More about FLAC

Disco Biscuits
2007-08-15
McCarren Pool
Brooklyn, New York USA

Digital Master Recording
Front of Board Center

Neumann KM-150’s (AK-50 Hypercardiod Capsules) > Apogee Minime >
digital coaxial > M-Audio Microtrack > flac

Recorded and Produced by nyctaper
2007-08-16

Setlist:
[Total Time 1:53:56]
01 The Safety Dance
02 Trucker’s Choice
03 Terrapin Station (piano instrumental) >
04 Spaga >
05 Abraxas >
06 Spaga
07 Onamae Wa >
08 Crickets >
09 Jam > Highwire >
10 I Remember When
11 [encore break]
12 Woman at Home With Termites
13 I Wanna Be Sedated

As with all artists featured on this site, if you download this recording please purchase the Disco Biscuits newest release.

Its not often when the opening act of a concert performs a 90 minute set, and the crowd is thoroughly engaged. The Umphrey’s McGee set last night was the rarest of beasts, a tight “jam band” set full of prog-rock twists and turns.

Umphrey’s “taper-friendly” approach allowed a group of a half-dozen recordists to position themselves directly in front of the soundboard in the center. I was fortunate to be in that group, and used my best equipment. The result is an outstanding recording, with rich bass presence and excellent clarity.

The Disco Biscuits set from this concert will be posted within the next 24 hours.

This recording is now available for download in FLAC and MP3 at Archive.org [HERE].

More about FLAC

Umphrey’s McGee
2007-08-15
McCarren Pool
Brooklyn, New York USA

Digital Master Recording
Front of Board Center

Neumann KM-150’s (AK-50 Hypercardiod Capsules) > Apogee Minime > digital coaxial > M-Audio Microtrack > flac

Setlist:
[Total Time 1:29:08]
01 Prowler
02 Pipeline
03 Plunger
04 Higgins
05 Plunger
06 Atmosfarag
07 Roulette
08 Utopian Fir
09 All in Time

As with all artists featured on this site, if you download this recording please purchase Umphrey’s McGee’s latest CD:

This past Friday was one of those perfect concert experiences that occur all too infrequently. You may know “pub rock” trio The Figgs as Graham Parker’s band, or you may know The Figgs from their 1994 hit “Favorite Shirt”, but they are so much more than those references. The Figgs write and perform well-crafted power pop songs as a skin-tight ensemble. As you’ll hear in the recording offered below, they are also an energetic and entertaining live act.

My experience of recording the Figgs was also outstanding. I was fortunate to meet up with some Figgs fans including Sal (who made this all happen) and Steve (from the excellent music blog Baby, You Got a Stew Goin’!), and also chat with the band. The soundman at Maxwell’s not only mixed a perfect set, but also assisted me in setting up my recording in an ideal location. As a result, the sound quality on this recording is about as superb as could possibly be captured in a venue of this size.

Many thanks to the excellent Figgs, Mike, Pete and Pete, to Sal, and to Craig the soundman. When the Figgs come to your town, you must go and experience this band!

Download the complete concert in FLAC [HERE].

More about FLAC

The Figgs
2007-08-03
Maxwell’s
Hoboken, NJ USA

Digital Audience Master Recording
Recorded from Inside the Soundboard Booth
Dead Center, approximately 30 feet from the PA

Neumann KM-150’s (AK-50 Hypercardiod Capsules) > Apogee Minime > digital coaxial > M-Audio Microtrack > flac

Recorded and Produced
by nyctaper

Setlist:
01 Waiting for the Sun to Rise
02 The Daylight Strong
03 Something’s Wrong
04 Jumping Again
05 Follow Jean Through the Sea
06 Song Of A Baker (Small Faces cover)
07 Cheap Cassettes
08 Some Desperate Measure
09 [work in progress – track removed at artist’s request]
10 Simon Simone
11 Let Me Hold You
12 One Hit Wonder

Please support this outstanding band and visit The Figgs website.
As with all artists featured on this site, if you download this recording please purchase the newest Figgs CD: