LIC Notes

Liz Nieves is an Astoria-based photographer and music enthusiast. She recently launched a photoblog of her work called glitter unicorn and shared some of her fantastic local music photos (and the stories behind them) with LICNotes!

Where are you based in Queens? If you're not from here, where are you from and when did you come to the neighborhood?
I have lived in Astoria for ten years. I grew up all over NY (Bronx, Long Island and upstate near Ithaca).

What is your involvement/investment in local music?
I spent some time volunteering for Astoria Music and Arts this year and sometimes I curate art/music shows.

How would you characterize the scene you photograph?
Colorful, unpretentious, and unformed.

Can you tell us about some of the bands/musicians you've taken pictures of?
It's a very random group of people and the thing that seems to tie them together is a passion for their music.

Can you tell us about some of the best shows you've seen in the neighborhood?
This is really hard. I have seen Little Creatures pack out the Quays while everyone sang along, or Illimanjaro play a house party that had everyone dancing for hours. Bad Buka is amazing... I can't wait for their CD to come out. Hearing Bernadette sing with Mainline Gypsy gives me goosebumps everytime, or hearing Freedomhead rock out is like watching another reincarnation of rock and roll. James Call's songs have a way of becoming catch phrases you can't stop singing – I could go on and on. But bands that I would go see? All that I have named so far plus: The Jamies, Rattrap Bumpkin, Hops, Mathew Snow, Shaeffer and the Darklords, Silbin Sandoval, Thunderbang! (I'm sure I'm missing someone)

What are your favorite places to see shows in Astoria/LIC?
The Quays for true grit. The Astoria Brewhouse and LIC Bar are close behind.

What inspires you – in terms of photography, and in general?
Inclement weather and I try to capture fleeting moments of unique personalities to reveal underlying truths (or so I have been told).

What local photo exhibitions have you been a part of, and are there more in the works?
I will be having my first solo exhibit in January – I have displayed one piece for a fundraiser hosted by Stomp and Howl last year.

Can you tell us more about Astoria's Hell Gate Social and its place in the scene for music and photography alike?
Hell Gate (George Rallis) has done alot to contribute to the local art and music scene. It's the closest thing to an art gallery in Astoria and the variety of art that has been exhibited so far is quite amazing. No matter what the musicians think of the sound at Hell Gate, at some point every band and DJ that lives locally has performed there. The bar has been extremely supportive to every aspect of the arts in Astoria.

When it comes to music in Queens, we've all heard the detractors, the doubters, the unfortunately misinformed... Why is the Astoria/LIC music scene YOUR home and why is this the place you spend time and take pictures?
I am a third generation New Yorker who really loves my neighborhood. The common artistic thread that runs through LIC/Astoria makes it very easy to be social and have something to do or even have something going on. Every project that I have been a part of has only been met with support. For those that live here and have not experienced that because they only feel validated by what is going on in Manhattan or any currently hip neighborhood, you are missing out.

Thanks to Liz for sharing her work with us – check out her photoblog for music photography and much more!

Audrey Dimola is a born and raised Astoria/Long Island City gal. Best known around town for her work as Managing Editor of LIC-based arts/music/culture magazine, Ins&Outs, Audrey is now Project Manager of Dom & Tom, Inc., a NYC web and mobile development studio.

The LIC Barn Dance is a brand new monthly Americana music series at LIC Bar that kicks off on Monday, November 8th (RSVP on Facebook here)! We got the low-down on this unconventional hoedown from one of the series' creators, "Notorious" Liz Cousins. Check it out!

Who came up with the idea for the LIC Barn Dance?
My husband Daniel (aka The Invisible Kid) and I were out at a Silbin Sandovar show a few weeks ago and were riffing on some ideas, and he threw out the words Long Island City Barn Dance, which I wrote on a napkin and stuffed in my bag. From there it was chatting with Gus [Rodriguez, LIC Bar's booker and event producer] and making it happen.

Why LIC?
Simply? LIC is still an undiscovered neighborhood. Folks'll go one stop into Brooklyn for Williamsburg, or a lot more than that for Park Slope, but they think Queens is FAR. LIC is ONE stop into Queens from midtown! It's also a neighborhood of some AMAZING musicians and people. I want folks to recognize! And, I'd rather support MY neighborhood and it's proprietors.

What is the LIC Barn Dance all about?
LIC Barn Dance was developed to showcase the great Americana acts throughout LIC/Astoria proper as well as the City at large. This could be anything from bluegrass, country, western swing, Bakersfield, two-step, zydeco, rockabilly, ragtime to the more modern takes of NewGrass and Alt-country. It's about GREAT music, GREAT performances and giving people a GREAT reason to come back: fun. Music has gotten so dang serious, we aim to bring the fun back to a night out.

Why were DB Rielly, Rick Snell & The Whistlin' Wolves chosen for the inaugural show?
Gus had already booked DB Rielly and as DB is one of my favorite musicians and humans, he was a lock. He always does a seriously GREAT show and knows how to make the audience have fun (there's that word again). Rick Snell came in via Gus as well and knows a thing or two about most of the styles I listed above. He's a pro, and we're glad to have him on board. And The Whistlin' Wolves? I saw then the same night we came up with the Barn Dance idea and they absolutely blew me away. Really high-energy, tight show, and, dare I say...fun. So I HAD to get them on the bill.

What can music fans expect from future events in this series?
My main objective is to give folks a truly memorable night out with some amazing music. The future? I could say they have to come on out to keep it all elusive-like, but I'm hoping for things like a Bluegrass/Newgrass Festival, a Rockabilly night, a Mardi Gras zydeco/Swampfest, Banjopalooza (banjo being my favorite instrument, which I play VERY terribly)...just about anything under the Americana/Roots umbrella.

When can we catch the LIC Barn Dance?
We're looking at once a month, keeping it alive is up to YOU dear reader. Check in with us on Facebook or at www.licbarndance.com.

What is your particular investment/involvement in LIC?
I have lived in Astoria-LIC for 8 years now and have watched it grow and want the rest of the City to finally "get it". Queens isn't just Beer Gardens, cemeteries and airports! I also promote self-released bands/musicians to radio and feel a lot of GREAT music gets overlooked just because it's not signed with a huge payola machine behind it. Starting the LIC Barn Dance lines up perfectly with both of my "missions". And we hope you'll come along and join us. And because I've seen several posts on the topic, dancing IS optional.

The Inaugural LIC Barn Dance!
Monday, November 8th @ 8pm
LIC Bar: 45-58 Vernon Blvd, Long Island City
with DB Rielly, Rick Snell & The Whistlin' Wolves

Audrey Dimola is a born and raised Astoria/Long Island City gal. Best known around town for her work as Managing Editor of LIC-based arts/music/culture magazine, Ins&Outs, Audrey is now Project Manager of Dom & Tom, Inc., a NYC web and mobile development studio.

Fearless music lovers and Monster Mashers: make sure you have your Halloween costume picked out. The Queens neighborhood music scene has a virtual graveyard full of options for hellraisin' Halloween parties!

We've asked our resident Halloween expert The Dollar Store Demon to give us his two cents worth and he has summoned the hounds of hell to bring you his picks for this weekend.

FRIDAY OCT 29th

*"Did you hear that? Was it the howl of the banshee? Steady your nerves! Hold on tight to your pint glass as you scream for your life as The Jamies, Illimanjaro, The Concentrics plus The Suspicious Packages stir up a bloodbath of heavy rock."

The Shillelagh Tavern
4722 30th Ave
Astoria, NY
9pm

*"Wait! It doesn't end there! If you were lucky enough to survive the rock assault of The Jamies, stagger over to the oh-so-appropriately named HELL GATE SOCIAL where burlesque monster brides will seduce foolish mortals into turning into love slaves for the rockabilly stylings of AM PREACHER!
The Dollar Store Demon also nods with devilish approval at the very reasonable $5 cover.
Not bad for half naked she-devils gyrating to live rock n roll!"

Hell Gate Social
12-21 Astoria Blvd
Astoria, NY
11pm-2am

SATURDAY OCT 30th

*"Ahh! Saturday night! Hallow's Eve is nigh! So many pagan festivals -- a ghoul could lose his way. There is the possibility of drowning to death in the sea of choices, but I am here to keep you on the proper path of darkness. Gather round the cauldron, children..."

*"Rock n Roll as we all know, is the devil's music and one of its undisputed masters is PETER CASE. Peter has signed a dark pact with The Secret Theatre to play just one New York City show on his current US tour -- and it will be here in Queens! This will be your only chance to catch the fiend behind The Nerves and The Plimsouls so don't be ghoulish and miss out! Also on the bill are local heroes LITTLE EMBERS!"

The Secret Theatre
44-02 23rd Street
Long Island City, NY
tix available at: http://www.secrettheatre.com/
doors open 6pm

*"Now you're ready to kick into high gear -- from outside THE LIC BAR you will hear the gypsy fiddles play. Vampires and werewolves crouch down beside the caravan waiting for the drink specials to kick in. A tent covering has been placed over the majestic courtyard of the bar to contain all the mischief and evil lurking within...that can only mean one thing -- BAD BUKA'S HAUNTED MASQUERADE BALL is about to begin! These gypsy rockers are one of the strongest bands on the scene and if you're not convinced of that after this show, you must be a total zombie..."

Cash prizes for best costumes and drink specials, plus more music courtesy of Astoria DJ Group. $10 cover

LIC BAR
45-58 Vernon Blvd
Long Island City, NY 11101
www.licbar.com

*"Did ye know? The popular Long Island City watering hole DOMINIE'S HOEK was born on Halloween?! That's right -- honest to Lucifer -- they will be celebrating their 7th anniversary. Lucky for them -- unlucky for you if you miss this great evening that includes the sinister melodies of HEADFLOSS, QUEENS DENIM ROCKERS, & THE BLACK FIVES! Now is that evil enough for you?!"

Dominie's Hoek
48-17 Vernon Blvd
Long Island City, NY 11101

*"Don't be a Hallo-weiner and miss Astoria Music & Arts' 4th Annual ZOMBIE STOMP SOCIAL! THE BIG DEATH SCENE, DRUNKEN PUMPKIN, THE HEADLOCKS, and THUNDERBANG will transform into creatures of the night engulfed in an ocean of dry ice. Lift your goblets, show off your red masque of death and just get silly."

The Shillelagh Tavern
4722 30th Ave
Astoria, NY
8pm

SUNDAY, OCT 31st

*NIALL CONNOLLY knows a thing or two about Halloween and his SUNDAY SOCIAL at LIC BAR will prove that. Share your songs and ghostly tales as you gaze into the embers of your amber..."

LIC BAR
45-58 Vernon Blvd
Long Island City
5pm

HAPPY HALLOWEEN FROM LICNOTES!

Astoria was fortunate have a truly exceptional talent perform at the Bohemian Hall and Beer Garden last week. Gary Lucas, who has worked with Captain Beefheart, Jeff Buckley, and many others, captivated the crowd with a solo acoustic show, during which he played two beautiful instruments: a 1926 National resonator, and a 1946 Gibson J-45.

Lucas was pleased to be in Queens, noting that although he been to the borough many times, this was his first gig here. He presented an eclectic mix of original material and stunning interpretations, including the early Beefheart blues “Sure ‘Nuff Yes I Do,” during which he demonstrated his amazing dexterity as a slide guitarist and fingerpicker. This would continue throughout the evening. Another highlight was a haunting rendition of Skip James’ “Special Rider Blues,” which revealed that he’s a fine singer as well. An instrumental reading of the Rolling Stones’ “She’s a Rainbow” shed an entirely new light on the song, as Lucas adapted the piano riff and melody for guitar and expanded upon it for several inspired minutes.

Lucas also challenged the audience with his stunning original pieces, as well arrangements of Chinese pop tunes from the 1930’s, which make up his latest CD, The Edge of Heaven. Appropriately for the location, the guitarist also played works by Czech artists Dvorak Smetana, Janacek, and the Plastic People of the Universe. The warm weather, cold beer, and fine music made for a memorable night in Astoria, as did Lucas’ announcement that he will be performing at the Beer Garden again this fall, during a special show to commemorate the Czech Republic’s Velvet Revolution.

Article by Arthur Schupbach.

LICNotes interviews members of Astoria-based bands Digamy and Freedomhead (singer/guitarist David of Digamy, guitarist John of Freedomhead, and Samantha, manager of both bands) to discuss their part in the rebirth of Gussy's in Astoria as a new ALL AGES venue for live local music.

Shot & interviewed by Tom Tancredi; edited by Dominick Dimola.

LICNotes Interview: The rise of a new venue - with Digamy and Freedomhead from LIC Notes on Vimeo.

Catch the bands on Facebook for more info and details on their upcoming shows: Digamy and Freedomhead. Support local music!

Gordon Gano, Steve Wynn, Gary Lucas, Funkmaster Flex...playing in QUEENS?!?!

Recently a great discussion on our website was sparked when the question of whether a "music scene" really exists in Queens was asked.

Despite what some of the naysayers say and believe, like a plant that bursts and grows out of a piece of cement, there have been a lot of musicians, event producers, promoters and fans working hard to bring music to Queens bars, cafes and parks that were never intended to host and house live music. It's a beautiful and organic thing to observe.

Beautiful enough to attract artists that in the past might have scoffed at the thought of even getting off the train in Queens! "Name" artists too!

We were most surprised and pleased to have GARY LUCAS play the Bohemian Beer Hall this past week! Lucas is famous for his collaborations with Lou Reed, Jeff Buckley (Lucas co-wrote two of the songs, "Grace" and "Mojo Pin", from Jeff Buckley's popular and critically acclaimed album Grace), Captain Beefheart, Nick Cave, and many more!

The Secret Theatre is presenting an ALEX CHILTON TRIBUTE Saturday, July 31st (get tix HERE!). STEVE WYNN of THE DREAM SYNDICATE and JIM SCLAVUNOS of NICK CAVE'S BAD SEEDS, and KEITH STRENG of THE FLESHTONES are just the first names to be announced in a line up that Secret Theatre director Richard Mazda promises will be full of very cool surprise guests.

The band KRAUT are true New York punk pioneers. In fact their very first gig was opening for THE CLASH! And now they are headling THE ASTORIA MUSIC AND ARTS ASTORIA MUSIC NOW FESTIVAL Saturday, July 24th! (more info HERE!)

LIC Bar's big score for the summer is none other than GORDON GANO of The VIOLENT FEMMES! Gano will be performing there with THE RYAN BROTHERS (of THE BOGMEN) Sunday, August 15th at 6pm.

And this just in: a fantastic FREE hip hop show starring legendary rappers EPMD and DJ FUNKMASTER FLEX Thursday, July 15th at 7pm in LIC's Queensbridge Park! (more details HERE!)

It's very interesting that despite the lack of a 100% full time music venue in Queens the people in the scene are starting to see their hard work pay off when artists of this caliber start to venture this way, don't you think? And this is just the first wave...

We're excited to see who's coming along next...!

LICNotes interviews Justin Finley, founder of local organization Astoria Music & Arts (AM&A), to discuss the journey to their 3rd annual Astoria Music Now! music and arts festival in Astoria Park, and what's in store for the neighborhood on July 24th.

Shot & interviewed by Tom Tancredi; edited by Dominick Dimola.

LICNotes Interview: Justin Finley of Astoria Music & Arts from LIC Notes on Vimeo.

Astoria Music Now! rocks & rolls Astoria Park from 11am-9pm on 7/24. Check out the lineup!

Triboro Stage

12.00 Tibetan Punks
12.30 Digamy
1.15 The Little Creatures
2.00 RatTrap Bumpkin
2.45 The Missing Teens
3.30 Bliminal
4.15 The Jamies
5.00 Schaffer & the Darklords
6.00 Thunderbang!
7.00 Consider the Source

HellGate Stage

12.00 Devesh Chandra Duo
12.30 Ekra
1.15 Quickfinger
2.00 sweet magma
2.45 The Headlocks
3.30 Hops
4.15 Illimanjaro
5.00 Lancaster County Prison
6.00 Mainline Gypsy
7.00 Kraut

Memorial Stage

12.00 Sam and Friends
12.30 Walking Upright
1.15 The Nico Blues
2.00 Erin and Her Cello
3.15 Noshir Mody
4.00 The Botz
4.45 Zion Judah
5.45 Blue Dog
6.45 Matthew Snow and the Way it Was

Keep up with AM&A on Facebook and Twitter!