[photo courtesy of stereoactivenyc]

Of all the bands scheduled to appear at the NYCTaper CMJ Showcase, Naked Hearts are the artist with whom we are least familiar. Initially, the band contacted us about a gig at Death by Audio, and we also read a recent review at the Ear Farm blog. After we sampled the excellent tracks at their MySpace page (“Cat and Mouse” is a hit waiting to happen), the CMJ invitation was offered.

On Monday night at Mercury Lounge, we experienced Naked Hearts for the first time live and the end result is that NYCTaper is very lucky to have this band perform at our Showcase. Naked Hearts can’t miss. The combination of neat melodic hooks, sweet harmonies, and musical dexterity are on obvious display at the live show, and the trio presents a confident and relaxed presence on stage that belies the “newness” of the band.

We recorded this set from our standard location at Mercury Lounge. The sound mix was quite good and the crowd was very attentive — one of the least “chatty” crowds we have encountered recently. The recording is therefore quite excellent and captures this outstanding new band in a very positive light. Enjoy!

Direct download of MP3 files (HERE)

Download the Complete show in FLAC [HERE].

Naked Hearts
2008-10-06
Mercury Lounge
New York, NY USA

Digital Master Recording
Recorded from Front of Board

Neumann KM-150’s > Monster Cable > Apogee Mini-Me > digital coax > M-Audio Microtrack 24/96 > 24bit 48kHz wav > Soundforge 8.0 (level adjustments, downsample) > CD Wave 1.75 > Flac Frontend (level 7) > flac

Recorded and Produced by nyctaper
2008-10-08

Setlist:
[Total time 25:46]
01 Like I Do
02 Mass Hysteria
03 Only For You
04 Cat and Mouse
05 One False Move
06 Crashing Horses
07 Call Me

If you email nyctaper for access to this recording, we expect that you will PLEASE SUPPORT Naked Hearts, visit their website, visit their MySpace page, and come to see them perform at the NYCTaper CMJ Showcase!

[photo credit]

The last time we saw Bradford Cox, it was less than a month ago under very different circumstances. At Le Poisson Rouge in September, Bradford fronted the powerful guitar-driven five-piece Deerhunter. On Thursday night at Irving, Bradford was accompanied only by his guitar, keyboards and effects — as his solo project Atlas Sound. The thoroughly different, yet equally compelling music that Atlas Sound produced is a testament to the multiple talents of this unique performer.

We recorded this set from the exact location as the Stereolab recording. However, the unabashed high volume crowd chatter during this set was disturbing. Fortunately, throughout much of this set the volume covered the chatter, although at quiet times during this set the talking is quite audible. Otherwise, its a fine capture. Enjoy!

Direct download of MP3 files (HERE)

Download the Complete show in FLAC [HERE].

Atlas Sound
2008-10-02
Irving Plaza
New York NY USA

Digital Master Recording
Recorded from Dead Center
Front of Board — 40 Feet from Stage

Neumann KM-150s (AK-50 Hypercardiod Capsules) > Monster XLR cables > Apogee Minime > digital coaxial > M-Audio Microtrack > 24bit 48kHz wav file > Soundforge 8.0 (set fades, slight level boost, resample 16/44) > CD Wave 1.95 > Flac Frontend (level 7, align sector boundaries) > flac

Recorded and Produced
by nyctaper
2008-10-06

Setlist
[Total time 34:36]
01 Cold as Ice
02 April 13
03 Cold and Golden
04 On Guard
05 The Abandoned Closet
06 Another Bedroom
07 Logos

If you email nyctaper for access to this recording, we expect that you will PLEASE SUPPORT Atlas Sound, visit the MySpace page, visit Bradford’s blog, and purchase the official releases from the Kranky Records site [HERE].

[photo credit]

As we reported the day after this show, Kri­a Brekkan‘s set at the Lutheran Church of the Messiah on September 16 was primarily a beautiful performance with a few equipment-related bumps along the road. Similar to her 2007 performance in a church, the crowd was quiet and reverent and the performer responded with a set of intricacy and poignancy.

We recorded from up close to the stage, about 20 feet from the left PA speaker. While the PA system was a basic mobile unit, this is a fine capture. Although there are some ambient noises (shutterbug clicks, chair squeaks, door closings), the crowd was mostly quiet and the sound signal is clear. Enjoy!

Kria Brekkan performs again on Tuesday October 7, at Santos Party House.

Direct download of MP3 files (HERE)

Download the Complete show in FLAC [HERE].

Kri­a Brekkan
2008-09-16
Lutheran Church of the Messiah
Brooklyn NY USA

Digital Master Recording
Recorded from Upfront
Left Side — 20 Feet from Stage

Neumann KM-150s (AK-50 Hypercardiod Capsules) > Monster XLR cables > Apogee Minime > digital coaxial > M-Audio Microtrack > 24bit 48kHz wav file > Soundforge 8.0 (set fades, slight level boost, resample 16/44) > CD Wave 1.95 > Flac Frontend (level 7, align sector boundaries) > flac

Recorded and Produced
by nyctaper
2008-10-05

[Total time 35:02]
06 Tracks

If you email nyctaper for access to this recording, we expect that you will PLEASE SUPPORT Kria Brekkan, visit her website, and purchase her Official Releases directly from her website [HERE].