nyctaper Recordings

[photos for nyctaper by David Andrako]

The faithful readers of this site are well aware of our great affection for the music of Sharon Van Etten. We’ve recorded her live on many occasions and her shows have been featured on nyctaper eight times. All of those recordings feature the angelic voiced folksinger performing solo with her guitar. Last night at the brand new Rock Shop (more on this excellent venue later), Sharon Van Etten entered the next stage of her career as she played all new songs for the first time with a full band. The new album is entitled Epic and will be released in October, but is available in limited quantities at Sharon’s merch table at shows. Her lyrics remain achingly personal, if a tad more abstract, but its the voice that is still the centerpiece of Sharon’s music. Fortunately, her rhythm section played at a tasteful volume so that Sharon did not need to sing over the band. The band also features the excellent Cat Martino (who we last saw at Truck America Festival) who provided background vocals and effects that worked perfectly within the new band framework. Of the new songs, our favorites are “Save Yourself” (streaming below) and “One Day”. Sharon also featured a new musical wrinkle, as she performed “Love More” on organ for the first time in a live setting.

Sharon Van Etten plays again on Saturday August 7, at the Bushwick Star in Brooklyn, before departing on an East Coast tour with Marissa Nadler. Sharon will also begin recording a new album in October.

We recorded this set with the DPA microphone mounted in a stand in front of the soundboard twenty feet from the stage and mixed with a feed from the soundboard. The sound is excellent and is perhaps the best quality of any Sharon recording we have featured on this site. Enjoy!

Tune-Yards was also recorded and will be posted very soon.

Stream “Save Yourself”:
[audio:https://www.nyctaper.com/S0606SharonVE8008/4%20SharonVanEtten2010-08-02_nyctaper_t04.mp3]

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

Sharon Van Etten
2010-08-02
The Rock Shop
Brooklyn, NY USA

Digital Master Recording
Soundboard + Audience Matrix

Soundboard + DPA 4021s > Edirol R-44 (Oade Concert Mod) > 2x 24bit 48kHz wav files > Soundforge (level adjustments, mixdown, set fades) > CDWave 1.95 (tracking) > Flac Frontend (level 7, align sector boundaries) > flac

Recorded and Produced by nyctaper
2010-08-03

Setlist:
[Total Time 36:39]
01 A Crime
02 [band introductions]
03 Peace Signs
04 Save Yourself
05 [banter]
06 Don’t Do It
07 Love More
08 One Day
09 [new song]

If you email nyctaper for access to this recording, we expect that you will PLEASE SUPPORT Sharon Van Etten, visit her website, visit her MySpace page, and purchase her new CD when it is released on Bada Bing Records in October [HERE] and purchase her debut CD Because I Was In Love from InSound [here] or Amazon [here] or directly from the Language of Stone website [here].

[photo courtesy of Natalia Moena]

No Age is on the verge of rising to the level of the punk royalty. After a productive five-year history where the Sub Pop duo have collaborated with everyone from Bob Mould to Dan Deacon, have produced two outstanding albums and a plethora of singles and EPs, and remained true to their DIY aesthetic, No Age is poised to release what may be their “Zen Arcade” — Everything In Between (due in September), an album of musical and emotional growth which expands their dark and aggressive sound to something beyond punk. Last Sunday at Brooklyn Bowl, five of the new album songs were on display mixed within the classic No Age material, and in some cases surpassed the older songs. The track streamed below (the song titles for the album are available but not apparent from listening) was one of the strongest numbers in the entire set. No Age has added a third member for the touring band (keyboard and effects) but still retain that manic energy that have propelled them thus far. We can’t wait for September.

This set was recorded in the same manner as the Cap’n Jazz set from the same show. This recording accurately reflects the sound in the venue that afternoon. Enjoy!

An nyctaper recording of No Age at Above The Auto Parts Store in October is still available here.

Stream “[new song]” (Track 6):
[audio:https://www.nyctaper.com/N1710NoAge0029/06%20NoAge2010-07-25_nyctaper_t06.mp3]

Direct download of complete show in MP3 files (HERE)

Download the Complete show in FLAC [HERE].

No Age
2010-07-25
Brooklyn Bowl
Brooklyn, NY USA

Digital Master Recording
Soundboard + Audience Matrix

Soundboard + Neumann KM-150s > Edirol R-44 (Oade Concert Mod) > 2x 24bit 48kHz wav files > Soundforge (level adjustments, mixdown, set fades) > CDWave 1.95 (tracking) > Flac Frontend (level 7, align sector boundaries) > flac

Recorded and Produced by nyctaper
2010-07-30

Setlist:
[Total Time 46:45]
01 [introduction]
02 [new song]
03 Teen Creeps
04 You’re A Target
05 [banter]
06 [new song]
07 [new song]
08 Losing Feeling
09 [new song]
10 Sleeper Hold
11 [new song]
12 Eraser
13 Boy Void
14 Miner

If you email nyctaper for access to this recording, we expect that you will PLEASE SUPPORT No Age, visit their MySpace page, and purchase their official releases from the Sub Pop Records website [HERE].

[screencap by Ian Perlman]

A day that would end with an excellent set at Maxwell’s did not start out so well for Cap’n Jazz and their fans. We arrived for the JellyNYC Pool Party at Williamsburg Waterfront while the dark clouds were closing in, and a few short minutes later the skies opened up. The move of the rained-out show to Brooklyn Bowl has been well documented and discussed elsewhere, but suffice to say that despite the anecdotal instances of misfortune, the move of this show to the spacious and close-by Bowl saved the day. By the time we arrived at the venue, the house sound crew had nearly completed setting up for the bands. After an incendiary set from No Age (also recorded, coming soon), Cap’n Jazz ripped through fifty minutes of their original material in front of an absolutely insane crowd — the front half of the Bowl’s floor was a total anarchy of bodies and objects. Perhaps due to the nature of the crowd or the craziness of the day, this set is not as tight as the Maxwell’s show, but shares the same energy and enthusiasm from the bands — an excellent bookend to an unforgettable day.

This set was recorded with the Neumann’s mounted at the soundboard area and mixed with a feed from the board. Fortunately, the bowling lanes were empty during this set and the volume of the music drowned out any ambient noise from the venue. The result is another superb capture. Enjoy!

Much thanks to JellyNYC and Tell All Your Friends PR for their many courtesies throughout this hectic day.

Stream “Ooh Do I Love You”:
[audio:https://www.nyctaper.com/C7025CapnJazz2221/15%20CapnJazz2010-07-25_Early_nyctaper_t15.mp3]

Direct download of complete show in MP3 files (HERE)

Download the Complete show in FLAC [HERE].

Cap’n Jazz
2010-07-25
Brooklyn Bowl
Brooklyn, NY USA

Digital Master Recording
Soundboard + Audience Matrix

Soundboard + Neumann KM-150s > Edirol R-44 (Oade Concert Mod) > 2x 24bit 48kHz wav files > Soundforge (level adjustments, mixdown, set fades) > CDWave 1.95 (tracking) > Flac Frontend (level 7, align sector boundaries) > flac

Recorded and Produced by nyctaper
2010-07-29

Setlist:
[Total Time 52:18]
01 Basil’s Kite
02 [banter]
03 In The Clear
04 Planet Shhh
05 We Are Scientists!
06 Puddle Splashers
07 [banter]
08 Olerud
09 Forget Who We Are
10 [banter]
11 The Sands Have Turned Purple
12 Little League
13 Oh Messy Life
14 Tokyo
15 Ooh Do I Love You
16 [banter]
17 Take On Me
18 [banter]
19 Que Suerte!

If you email nyctaper for access to this recording, we expect that you will PLEASE SUPPORT Cap’n Jazz, visit their website, and purchase their complete discography compilation Analphabetapolothology from the Jade Tree Records site [HERE].

[photo by acidjack]

Its hard to believe that its been almost four years since The Flaming Lips have performed within the borders of NYC. That September 2006 concert at Hammerstein Ballroom had Deerhoof as the opening band, and featured much of the then-new At War with the Mystics album. While Monday night’s show at Summerstage featured a new band member and new material from 2009’s Embryonic, many of the same stage props and antics remain from years past. But the band’s willingness to dedicate themselves to providing an incredible night of entertainment night in and night out is what continues to make this band’s live show perhaps the most enjoyable of all similar bands touring today. And while Wayne does tend to speechify, its abundantly clear that the man’s heart is in the right place. The band’s setlist is the same as the other shows on this tour, but the wonderful night weather gave an added celebratory air to this show that made it special.

I recorded this set with my best mobile unit from literally within the first fifteen feet of the crowd — great for atmosphere, but not so good for avoiding much crowd participation. I was so close as to literally be underneath Wayne’s bubble during “Fear”. The listener should understand that this recording was captured from a prime experience location at this show. With that caveat, enjoy!

Stream “In The Morning of the Magicians”:
[audio:https://www.nyctaper.com/F2607FlamingLips1020/11%20FlamingLips2010-07-26_nyctaper_t11.mp3]

Direct download of complete show in MP3 files (HERE)

Download the Complete show in FLAC [HERE].

Flaming Lips
2010-07-26
Rumsey Playfield
Central Park
New York, NY USA

Digital Master Recording
Recorded from Front of Board Center
15 Feet From Stage

DPA 4021’s > Marantz PMD-660 (Oade BCM) > 16bit 44.1 wav > Soundforge (set fades, level adjustment, slight eq) > CDWave 1.95 (tracking) > Flac Frontend (level 7, align sector boundaries) > flac

Recorded and Produced by
nyctaper 2010-07-28

Setlist:
[total time 1:40:55]
01 [introduction]
02 Enthusiasm for Life Defeats Existential Fear
03 Worm Mountain
04 [banter]
05 Silver Trembling Hands
06 She Don’t Use Jelly
07 [banter]
08 The Yeah Yeah Yeah Song
09 The Sparrow Looks Up At The Machine
10 [banter]
11 In The Morning of the Magicians
12 [banter – Frog intro]
13 I Can Be A Frog
14 Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots, Pt. 1
15 [banter]
16 See The Leaves
17 Pompeii Am Gotterdammerung
18 [banter]
19 Taps
20 The W.A.N.D.
21 [encore break]
22 Do You Realize??

If you email nyctaper for access to this recording, we expect that you will PLEASE SUPPORT Flaming Lips, visit their website, and purchase their official releases from the Store at their site [HERE].

[screencap by Ian Perlman]

The Cap’n Jazz reunion tour came to NYC on Sunday and the band rewarded their patient fans by playing two shows in a matter of about six hours. The late show at Maxwell’s began at about 11 p.m., at the end of a day where their early show planned for the afternoon was moved because of rain and eventually took place at Brooklyn Bowl at 6:30 (also recorded, coming soon). Despite the crazy and hectic day, the late performance was neither ragged nor tired — Cap’n Jazz clearly brought their A-game across the river to New Jersey and in this intimate venue, the energy was palpable. Tim took time between many of the songs to interact with the crowd, who spent much of the show in a euphoric state — the stage jumping and moshing that took place in Brooklyn was toned down as this crowd was there more to see the music than the scene. For a band that basically produced one album and one compilation, the setlist consisted of about half their entire catalog.

I recorded this set as I do all shows at this venue — Neumann’s at the cage mixed with a board feed. On this particular night, the band’s FOH and Maxwell’s superb house soundman worked in perfect unison and the venue sound was mixed to perfection. I am amazed at how good this recording sounds. Enjoy!

Stream “Oh Messy Life”:
[audio:https://www.nyctaper.com/C7025CapnJazz2221/08%20CapnJazz2010-07-25_Late_nyctaper_t08.mp3]

Direct download of complete show in MP3 files (HERE)

Download the Complete show in FLAC [HERE].

Cap’n Jazz
2010-07-25
Maxwell’s
Hoboken, NJ USA

Digital Master Recording
Soundboard + Audience Matrix

Soundboard + Neumann KM-150s > Edirol R-44 (Oade Concert Mod) > 2x 24bit 48kHz wav files > Soundforge (level adjustments, mixdown, set fades) > CDWave 1.95 (tracking) > Flac Frontend (level 7, align sector boundaries) > flac

Recorded and Produced by nyctaper
2010-07-27

Setlist:
[Total Time 56:52]
01 Yes, I Am Talking To You
02 Que Suerte!
03 [banter]
04 The Sands Have Turned Purple
05 [banter]
06 Basil’s Kite
07 Little League
08 Oh Messy Life
09 [banter]
10 Tokyo
11 [banter]
12 In The Clear
13 Planet Shhh
14 [banter]
15 Puddle Splashers
16 [banter]
17 Olerud
18 Forget Who We Are
19 [encore break]
20 Precious
21 Take On Me
22 [banter]
23 Ooh Do I Love You

If you email nyctaper for access to this recording, we expect that you will PLEASE SUPPORT Cap’n Jazz, visit their website, and purchase their complete discography compilation Analphabetapolothology from the Jade Tree Records site [HERE].

[Moon Duo performing at the Woodsist Fest in Big Sur. Photos courtesy of Chris Juarez]

Moon Duo may be from San Francisco, but their sound most clearly references a famed New York City band, the 1970s art-punk duo Suicide. Featuring Sanae Yamada and Erik “Ripley” Johnson, best known for his work as guitarist for the Wooden Shjips, the band does not require a lot of personnel to bring a room-filling load of noise. With dense, overwhelming bass, ghostly, buried vocals, and swerving guitars, the band plays deeply hypnotic pop that could soundtrack a dream or an acid trip. Kicking off the Woodsist showcase at the 2010 Northside Festival at the Music Hall of Williamsburg, Moon Duo’s half-hour of mind-bending psychedelia to set the the tone. Several songs were from the band’s EP Escape, which was released this year on Woodsist.

I recorded this set with a combination of hypercardiod and omnidirectional microphones, which perfectly captured the immensity of the band’s sound, from the same location as the Fresh and Onlys recording. Please help out with the names of the missing song titles if you can. Enjoy!

Download the MP3 files [HERE]

Download the complete show in FLAC [HERE].

Stream the complete show:

Moon Duo
2010-06-25
Music Hall of Williamsburg
Brooklyn, NY USA

An acidjack master recoring
Recorded and produced by acidjack for nyctaper.com

Equipment: Schoeps CMC641+DPA 4061>Edirol R-44 (Oade Concert Mod) (24/44.1)
Position: Clamp to left side of sound booth, 10ft up, Schoeps DIN, DPAs 2ft split A/B
Mastering: 2×24bit/44.1kHz WAV>Audacity (mixdown, set fades, EQ, tracking, amplify and balance channels)>FLAC Level 8

Tracks (please help with the missing song titles)
01
02 Stumbling 22nd Street
03
04 Dead West
05 Motorcycle I Love You

If you download this recording from NYCTaper, we expect that you will PLEASE SUPPORT Moon Duo, visit their website, and purchase Escape from Woodsist records here.