nyctaper Recordings

[photo courtesy of MusicSnobbery Blog]

We have seen Sweden’s Love Is All five times this year, in every setting from someone’s basement to the cavernous Roseland Ballroom — and yet no matter the size of the crowd, the band has delivered an excellent set. With the release of the on-everyone’s-best-of-2008-list A Hundred Things Keep Me Up at Night (What’s Your Rupture?), we do not expect to see many more “basement” shows, but more likely Love Is All will perform in venues like Bowery Ballroom as they did in June and again Sunday night.

On Sunday, Love Is All performed another superb set, added a new number (on the written setlist as “NYA”) and stretched out to over 40 minutes for the first time this year. We recorded from the balcony rail next to the soundboard and this capture is the highest quality recording of the four Love Is All recordings on this site. Enjoy!

Crystal Stilts were also recorded and will be featured on nyctaper in the coming days.

Direct download of MP3 files (HERE)

Download the Complete show in FLAC [HERE].

Love Is All
2008-12-07
Bowery Ballroom
New York, NY USA

Digital Master Audience Recording
Recorded from Balcony Rail
Next to Soundboard

Neumann KM-150’s (AK-50 Hypercardiod Capsules) > Apogee Minime > digital coaxial > M-Audio Microtrack > 16bit 44.1kHz wav files > Soundforge (set fades, slight level adjustments, slight EQ) > CD Wave 1.95 (tracking) > Flac Frontend (level 7, align sector boundaries) > flac

Recorded and Produced
by nyctaper
2008-12-08

Setlist:
[Total Time 42:24]
01 Wishing Well
02 Give it Back
03 Talk Talk Talk Talk
04 Ageing Had Never Been His Friend
05 Last Choice
06 Seasick
07 NYA
08 Busy Doing Nothing
09 I Ran (Flock of Seagulls)
10 Make Out Fall Out Make Up
11 Felt Tip
12 [encore break]
13 New Beginnings

If you email nyctaper for access to this recording, we expect that you will PLEASE SUPPORT Love Is All, visit their website, visit their MySpace page, and purchase their new album A Hundred Things Keep Me up at Night from links at their MySpace page [HERE] or at the What’s Your Rupture Records MySpace page [HERE].

Treasure is a fairly new trio from Brooklyn, although all three members are veterans of the local music scene — vocalist Amanda Tomme performed most recently with The Phenomenal Handclap Band, Caleb Lindskoog plays guitar with local rockers The Silver State, and Ryan Trott has played with the folk band Hologram. Treasure is built around the emotive and throaty vocals of Tomme, the full-bodied chord work of Lindskoog and tasteful and appropriate percussion by Trott. Each member compliments the others with grace, and as a result the songs are well balanced, richly melodic and melancholic without being gloomy. The new Treasure CD is called Tea Parties and is available in individually hand-painted 300 limited numbered copies.

We captured Treasure‘s outstanding recent live performance at Glasslands. The show was recorded from the video-projection desk in the front of the balcony and the sound quality is excellent. Amanda’s vocals were originally mixed low, but that deficiency was corrected quickly. Enjoy!

Treasure will perform three local shows in the next few weeks:
Dec 10 2008 Union Hall Brooklyn
Jan 07 2009 Zebulon Brooklyn
Jan 19 2009 Under St. Marks Told Reading Series NYC

Direct download of MP3 files [HERE]

Download the Complete show in FLAC [HERE].

Treasure
2008-11-25
Glasslands Gallery
Brooklyn, NY USA

Digital Master Recording
Recorded from Front of Board
Microphones on Video Station in Front of Balcony
15 Feet from Main PA Stacks

DPA 4021s > Edirol UA-5 (Oade Digimod) > digital coaxial > M-Audio Microtrack 24/96 > 24bit 48kHz wav > Soundforge 8.0 (level adjustments, downsample 16/44) > CD Wave > Flac Frontend (level 7, align sector boundaries) > flac

Recorded and Produced by nyctaper
2008-11-30

Setlist:
[total time 28:45]
01 We Were Hunted
02 White Wake
03 Shapeless
04 Arrowheads
05 Rainbow
06 In Hawaii
07 My Feather

If you email nyctaper for access to this recording, we expect that you will PLEASE SUPPORT Treasure, visit their website, visit their MySpace page, and purchase their limited edition CD from the links at the Treasure MySpace page.

[photo by nyctaper]

On the final night of their winter tour in support of the superb new CD Broken Hymns, Limbs And Skin, Brooklyn’s O’Death returned home. As the band ripped through a seventy-minute set of material old and new, the floor of the Bowery Ballroom literally bounced with the energy of a crowd dancing and slamming to O’Death‘s unique approach to gothic country punk. We focused much of the time on the impressive electric banjo work of Gabe Darling, but in reality each member of the talented quintet could have been centerstage at any point in the evening.

O’Death will be off the road for the remainder of the year, but return to touring in February with a run through the South and then an extensive tour through Europe. The unbridled energy of this band guarantees that each show will truly be a memorable experience. The Bowery last night was no exception.

We recorded with our best mobile rig from the prime location in this venue. The results are a faithful capture of the energy of this excellent show. Enjoy!

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

O’Death
2008-12-05
Bowery Ballroom
New York, NY USA

Digital Master Recording
Recorded from FOB
Dead Center 30 Feet from PA

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

Recorded and Produced by
nyctaper
2008-12-06

Setlist:
[Total Time 1:08:37]
01 Home
02 Only Daughter
03 Adelita
04 On An Aching Sea
05 Spider Home
06 Underwater Nightmare
07 I Think I’m Fine
08 Ratscars
09 Lean-to
10 Lowtide
11 Down To Rest
12 A Light That Does Not Dim
13 Angeline
14 Fire On Peshtigo
15 Mountain Shifts
16 Legs To Sin
17 [encore break]
18 Allie Mae Reynolds
19 Nimrod’s Son (Pixies)
20 Yonder Christian

If you email nyctaper for access to this recording, we expect that you will PLEASE SUPPORT O’Death, visit their website, visit their MySpace page, and purchase their latest CD from Kemado Records, or itunes from the Store at the O’Death website [HERE]

[photo by nyctaper]

Our introduction to Teletexile occurred at a private loft party in November, literally in their Fort Greene living room.  We were invited by The Antlers, but quickly warmed to this superb quartet when they began their set. Berklee-trained musician Pamela Martinez plays at least four instruments (including harp!) and her strong and passionate vocals are backed by a trio of outstanding musicians anchored by tech-wizard Brian Hamilton. Unfortunately, our recording of their loft party set was hindered by the limitations of the sound system and we decided with the band not to post that capture.

On Tuesday night at Cake Shop, Teletextile performed an energetic and well balanced set of new and older material. The highlight was the outstanding song “distant places” which reached a powerful crescendo before settling into a beautiful finale with Pamela solo on vocals and keys.

We captured this set from our usual upfront location at Cake Shop and we are again very pleased with the results. Enjoy!

Direct download of MP3 files (HERE)

Download the Complete show in FLAC [HERE].

Teletextile
2008-12-02
Cake Shop
New York, NY USA

Digital Master Recording
Recorded from Upfront
10 Feet from the PA

DPA 4021s > Edirol UA-5 (Oade Digimod) > digital coaxial > M-Audio Microtrack 24/96 > 24bit 48kHz wav > Soundforge 8.0 (level adjustments, downsample 16/44) > CD Wave > Flac Frontend (level 7, align sector boundaries) > flac

Recorded and Produced by nyctaper
2008-12-04

Setlist:
[total time 38:37]
01 ampm two
02 girl
03 johnny thunder
04 I don’t know how to act here
05 distant places
06 safer in a down two

If you email nyctaper for access to this recording, we expect that you will PLEASE SUPPORT Teletextile, visit their website, visit their MySpace page, and purchase their CDs and merch from the Store at the Teletextile website [HERE]

[photo by Bruce Eyster]

It is really quite rewarding when NYCTaper has a positive effect, however small, on the careers of the bands we love. At Naked Hearts outstanding set at the NYCTaper CMJ Show, there was a writer for Deli Magazine in the audience who was impressed enough to publish an article about the band called “Watch out for these guys: Naked Hearts“. That article likely resulted in Deli’s affiliated music promotion site Jezebel Music booking Naked Hearts at their December showcase at The Delancey on December 6. Naked Hearts also return to play at Cake Shop on December 18.

Last Saturday we had the opportunity to see Naked Hearts as a two-piece. Noah has moved from bass to drums and literally and figuratively has not missed a beat. At Union Hall, Naked Hearts delivered such an outstanding set as an opening act that an observant audience member shouted out “hey, you guys are good!”. Guitarist/Vocalist Amy responded with a modest “thanks” and a knowing smile. Naked Hearts release their debut EP These Knees on January 20, 2009 in vinyl and digital download formats.

We recorded from the identical location as the Jeremy Messersmith recording, and the sound quality is superb. There are no chatters on this recording, just a crystal clear capture of an excellent band. Enjoy!

Direct download of MP3 files (HERE)

Download the Complete show in FLAC [HERE].

Naked Hearts
2008-11-22
Union Hall
Brooklyn, NY USA

Digital Master Recording
Recorded from Upfront
15 Feet Center – Microphones on Ceiling bar

DPA 4021s > Edirol UA-5 (Oade Digimod) > digital coaxial > M-Audio Microtrack 24/96 > 24bit 48kHz wav > Soundforge 8.0 (level adjustments, downsample 16/44) > CD Wave > Flac Frontend (level 7, align sector boundaries) > flac

Recorded and Produced by nyctaper
2008-11-29

Setlist:
[total time 26:34]
01 Kill My Name
02 Mass Hysteria
03 We Run
04 Like I Do
05 Cat and Mouse
06 One False Move
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 purchase their new EP These Knees when its released on January 20, 2009.

[photo by Impose]

We arrived at Cake Shop on Friday a couple of songs into Rafter‘s set opening for The Loom. One of the members of The Loom was standing near the stage and when we approached to say hello, he immediately suggested that we tape this artist. Rafter was in the midst of a wildly impressive set of his frenetic diy approach to pop. Accompanied by a digital tape machine and a live drummer, Rafter employed an energetic stage presence and “talk box” to fine effect.

We recorded only half the set from the same location at our Loom recording. The sound quality is superb. Enjoy!

Direct download of MP3 files (HERE)

Download the partial recording in FLAC [HERE].

Rafter
2008-11-21
Cake Shop
New York, NY USA

Digital Master Recording
Recorded from Upfront
10 Feet from the PA

DPA 4021s > Edirol UA-5 (Oade Digimod) > digital coaxial > M-Audio Microtrack 24/96 > 24bit 48kHz wav > Soundforge 8.0 (level adjustments, downsample 16/44) > CD Wave > Flac Frontend (level 7, align sector boundaries) > flac

Recorded and Produced by nyctaper
2008-11-25

Setlist:
[total time 19:31]
[missing first 5 songs]
01 Thunderclap
02 No Fucking Around
03 Salt
04 Juicy
05 ZZZPenchant

If you email nyctaper for access to this recording, we expect that you will PLEASE SUPPORT Rafter, visit his MySpace page, and purchase his official releases from the Asthmatic Kitty Records website [HERE].

[photo credit]

“Yeah, Minnesota!” we heard from behind us in the crowded Union Hall on Saturday night. Jeremy Messersmith had just finished one of the songs on his Minneapolis-based new CD The Silver City, when we surmised that we were among either some transplanted midwesterners in Prospect Park Brooklyn or just fans of superb melodic folk-rock with a midwest charm. Jeremy performed a too-brief thirty minute set of selections from his two excellent CDs and undoubtedly gathered some new converts. When we spoke to this modest and unassuming young man after the show, he seemed quite genuinely moved by the positive reception he received a full 1500 miles from home.

We recorded this set from an excellent location, as we attached our microphones to the metal bar that holds the stage lights in front of the stage at approximately 15 feet. The sound quality is well balanced and deep and this recording is marred only by an extremely chatty group of people who spoke unbelievably rude and loud during the first song. At the beginning of the second number they were literally told to “shh” by half a dozen people and did so. The rest of the recording is nearly flawless. Enjoy!

Direct download of MP3 files (HERE)

Download the Complete show in FLAC [HERE].

Jeremy Messersmith
2008-11-22
Union Hall
Brooklyn, NY USA

Digital Master Recording
Recorded from Upfront
15 Feet Center – Microphones on Ceiling bar

DPA 4021s > Edirol UA-5 (Oade Digimod) > digital coaxial > M-Audio Microtrack 24/96 > 24bit 48kHz wav > Soundforge 8.0 (level adjustments, downsample 16/44) > CD Wave > Flac Frontend (level 7, align sector boundaries) > flac

Recorded and Produced by nyctaper
2008-11-24

Setlist:
[total time 32:11]
01 7:02
02 Welcome to Suburbia
03 Light Rail
04 Virginia
05 Novocain
06 Beautiful Children
07 Skyway (Replacements)
08 Franklin Avenue
09 Miracles

If you email nyctaper for access to this recording, we expect that you will PLEASE SUPPORT Jeremy Messersmith, visit his website, visit his MySpace page, and purchase his official releases from the Store at his website [HERE]

[photo by Tiny Mix Tapes]

Friday night at Cake Shop saw the next step in the evolution of the excellent band The Loom — the first time we have seen them play before a packed house. When a band with tremendous musical chops, harmonies and songwriting ability begins to accumulate critical praise, as The Loom have throughout 2008, it is only a matter time before the word spreads and the crowds grow. The band responded with quite a bit of friendly banter with the crowd and a prototypical strong set. We continue to be impressed with the work of guitarist-multi-instrumentalist Mark Rogers and his seamless transition into the band. The set also saw the inclusion of several new numbers and one apparent debut performance, which should mean that the anticipated follow-up to the At Last Light EP can not be far away.

We recorded from our usual spot at Cake Shop and the sound quality is quite excellent. There was quite a lot of rambunctiousness in the crowded room, but not much ended up on the recording. This is perhaps the best of the four recordings of the Loom that have been featured on this site. The other three are [here] [here] and [here]. Enjoy!

Direct download of MP3 files (HERE)

Download the Complete show in FLAC [HERE].

The Loom
2008-11-21
Cake Shop
New York, NY USA

Digital Master Recording
Recorded from Upfront
10 Feet from the PA

DPA 4021s > Edirol UA-5 (Oade Digimod) > digital coaxial > M-Audio Microtrack 24/96 > 24bit 48kHz wav > Soundforge 8.0 (level adjustments, downsample 16/44) > CD Wave > Flac Frontend (level 7, align sector boundaries) > flac

Recorded and Produced by nyctaper
2008-11-23

Setlist:
[total time 46:22]
01 Montreal
02 All Your Famous Friends
03 In Your Doldrums
04 Song for the Winter Sun
05 Patience for Books
06 True Believers All
07 Wings
08 For All My Friends
09 Not Really Lost
10 Vampires
11 Song of Faint Praise

If you email nyctaper for access to this recording, we expect that you will PLEASE SUPPORT The Loom, visit their MySpace page, and purchase their EP At Last Light from The Loom Store [HERE] or digitally from their MySpace page.

[photo courtesy of Rist Photography]

Our first experience with Hot Buttered Rum was as an opening act at the Highline Ballroom in April. Their set was so impressive that we made a mental note to definitely catch them again, preferably as a headliner. At Sullivan Hall on Wednesday night, Hot Buttered Rum performed two complete sets in impressive fashion. The extremely talented quintet plays their version of “newgrass” with precision and confidence. The genre can be shackled by the repetitive nature of round-robin solos and a slavish dedication to form. What separates HBR from their contemporaries is a playful unpredictability and a superb band cohesion. It was during the second set at Sullivan that the band really shined, utilizing the relaxed atmosphere to stretch out and explore.

This is an interesting recording. We decided to move very close to the stage at this venue as previous recordings had suffered from chatter in front of our microphones. We attached the microphone stand onto a pole about 10 feet from the stage, about 5 feet underneath the left PA stack. The right channel was positioned about 15 feet to our right. Since we were so close to the band, there is natural stage sound in the “center” of the recording, while the left channel is almost all PA and the right channel has quite a bit of the upfront crowd. There are several bursts of static in the second set which was the result of a large person backing up into my equipment on multiple occasions and hitting into the digital cable jack. Otherwise, this is certainly an enjoyable listen. Enjoy!

This recording is offered as a direct download as the files are hosted on the Internet Archive server. Right click and “save file as” or “save target as” to download individual tracks.

More about FLAC

This recording is available on the Internet Archive [HERE]

Hot Buttered Rum
2008-11-19
Sullivan Hall
New York, NY USA

Digital Master Recording
Recorded from Upfront
10 Feet from Stage
Left Channel 5 feet from PA, Right Channel over audience
Mic Placement: Healy Method

Neumann KM-150’s (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
nyctaper
nyctaper@nyctaper.com
2008-11-22

Setlist:
Set 1
[total time 44:55]
01 Swing & Sway
02 Guns or Butter
03 Gumboots
04 Lulu
05 Golden Days
06 Bliss Monkeys
07 Howlin’ At The Moon
08 Big River

Set 2:
[total time 1:09:25]
01 Desert Rat
02 Idaho Pines
03 Tear My Stillhouse Down
04 Something New
05 Sexy Bakery Girl
06 Another Soul
07 Summertime Gal > Walls of Time > Summertime Gal
08 Amanda Lynn
09 Angeline The Baker > Cindy
10 [encore break]
11 Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right (Dylan)

Information: txt file
Verification: md5 file

If you download this recording, we expect that you will PLEASE SUPPORT Hot Buttered Rum and visit their website, where you can purchase their official releases and merch (here).

Stream This Recording:

[photo by Thom]

It is not often that an opening act gets called back for an encore. At the end of Kaki King‘s set at Webster Hall on Sunday night she received just that kind of reception from the feel-good crowd. Kaki answered the calls by returning solo and performing a surprise cover of The Smiths classic “Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want” from the Louder Than Bombs compilation and the Pretty in Pink soundtrack.

John Darnielle came out for a second to join Kaki but did not participate in the vocals. Unfortunately, while I had the deck running, I was not quite prepared for this surprise as I was standing near the back of the room jostling through the crowd for a location to record The Mountain Goats set. As a result, the sound quality of the recording is well below the usual standards of the recordings of this site. There is a lot of ambient noise — bottles clinking at the bar, chatting and rustling. We offer this recording because it has been requested by numerous people in the incredibly nice Mountain Goats forum. Enjoy!

Direct Download (right click and save file):
“Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want” [FLAC HERE]
“Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want” [MP3 HERE]