Tom Gallo is the host of Look at My Records on Radio Free Brooklyn
Radio Free Brooklyn and Bushwick Daily are proud to announce a new weekly local-music column that will focus on artists that call Bushwick home. Each week, a Radio Free Brooklyn personality will pen a record or performance review of a different Bushwick based artist, with a curated selection of the best upcoming local gigs in the neighborhood for the following weekend.
You may not have heard Emma Decorsey’s music yet, but once you have, you’ll likely find it hard to stop listening. Although her band I Am The Polish Army’s 2017 debut album My Old Man may have flown under your radar, its dark, powerful songs caught the attention of Rolling Stone, who named the record one of the 15 Great Albums You Probably Didn’t Hear In 2017. The record captured the attention of those lucky enough to discover it due largely in
part to Decorsey’s uncanny ability to translate her own experiences into gloomy, fierce vignettes that are incredibly sharp and piercing. Now, Decorsey has shared a brand new four-song solo EP, The Dream, that’s raw and unfiltered, sharing the best qualities of I Am The Polish Army’s output, but with her own indelible, personal style.
Sonically, Decorsey’s sound is grungy, echoing some of rock’s finest acts just prior to the turn of the century. She may also trigger flashbacks to the very first time you heard Liz Phair’s Exile In Guyville, as a Vancouver listener of my podcast once gushed to me via e-mail. The comparison is apt, as like Phair and other 90s songwriters of her ilk, Decorsey is a highly skilled guitar player with the lyrical might to floor her listeners. The EP’s lead single, “Gold,” showcases her masterful, spry guitar work and her sheer willingness to completely wear her heart on her sleeve. Put quite simply, Decorsey is unabashedly in your face across this four-song collection, as she has no qualms or reservations about sharing her deepest pains and fears, all complimented by blistering, buoyant sounding guitars.
You can purchase The Dream on limited edition cassette via Bandcamp. You can catch I Am The Polish Army live at their next gig at Our Wicked Lady on December 7th.
Snap out of that Thanksgiving food coma! There are plenty of gigs in Bushwick to enjoy this week. Here are a few you shouldn’t miss:
Ritual Talk, Stello, Pearla at Elsewhere
Wednesday, November 28th at 8 p.m.
Ritual Talk is ending 2018 with an exclamation point. The psychedelic-soul trio shared their latest single, the dense and heavy “Something To Look Forward To,” in September and are officially celebrating the release of their latest LP, Plans, on Wednesday night at Elsewhere. Joining them for the momentous occasion are Stello and Pearla, who both shared stunning new singles earlier this month.
Pom Pom Squad, Octopus, Maũ, Jae Luna at Trans-Pecos
Thursday, November 29th at 8 p.m.
NYU Local Sounds presents a lineup made of bands and artists with ties to the Manhattan university. The curators have organized an eclectic bill showcasing multiple genres. Topping the bill are up and comers Pom Pom Squad, who plays smooth, fun indie-pop. Also performing is multi-disciplinary artist and rapper Maũ, singer-songwriter Jae Luna, and experimental rockers Octopus.
Public Memory, Devon Church, Reduction Plan at ALPHAVILLE
Friday, November 30th 8 p.m.
Felte Records labelmates Public Memory and Devon Church are performing at Alphaville on Friday night in support of brand new releases. Brooklyn based trip-hop artist Public Memory dropped his second album, Demolition, earlier this month. After releasing The Recognitions earlier this year with the now defunct Exitmusic, Devon Church shared his debut solo album, We Are Inextricable, in late October. Opening the show is Connecticut based darkwave group, Reduction Plan.
The Helio Sequence, Wild Pink at Elsewhere
Saturday, December 1st 8 p.m.
The Helio Sequence is celebrating the tenth anniversary of their landmark album, Keep Your Eyes Ahead, with a deluxe remastered reissue of the record and a full tour of the states. Locals Wild Pink, who impressed critics this year with their second LP, the luscious and warm Yolk In The Fur, are joining the Portland band for a string of dates, including Saturday night at Elsewhere. Expect to be lulled by the beautiful sounds of these two incredible acts!
In Case You Missed It…
Kevin Hoopes was out in full force at Sunnyvale for the Pickthorn Studios benefit show on Friday, November 16th! Check out these great shots of New Myths, Lola Pistola, and Grim Streaker:
YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED!
Radio Free Brooklyn’s Holiday Party is right around the corner! This merry shindig is going down on Thursday, December 13th at Braven Brewing Company in Bushwick. The festivities start promptly at 7pm.
Come mix and mingle with RFB show hosts, management and volunteers. PLUS, your first TWO beers are on da house when you RSVP at https://radiofreebrooklyn.com/holiday2018/. The event also includes food specials from Braven’s kitchen, music from RFB DJs, gifts, and other assorted surprises!
