New York City
In November last year I flew out to New York City for a month to check out the music scene out there. Foolishly thinking of NYC as a big tourist trap, I figured there'd be hotels everywhere and I'd find somewhere to stay once I'd arrived. However US Customs & Border Protection didn't think this was such a good idea & I was greeted off the plane by armed police and held for over an hour while I explained that they could keep their shiney skyscrapers as I was there for the dirty rock clubs.
Several forms and fingerprints later I was let into America and made my way to downtown Brooklyn at midnight. After sitting on a bus for ages I realised I had no idea where I was susposed to get off. The driver made the decision for me when he shouted "Last stop!" and I found myself on Marcus Garvey Boulevard. After hours of walking around & being hasseled by crack dealers, I saw a hot chick unloading guitar amps out the back of a van. This is my story...
Several forms and fingerprints later I was let into America and made my way to downtown Brooklyn at midnight. After sitting on a bus for ages I realised I had no idea where I was susposed to get off. The driver made the decision for me when he shouted "Last stop!" and I found myself on Marcus Garvey Boulevard. After hours of walking around & being hasseled by crack dealers, I saw a hot chick unloading guitar amps out the back of a van. This is my story...
Sunday 9th Nov: She was Natalie from Ellis Ashbrook.
We got chatting & after I explained my situation she said "Shit dude, you realise that you're right in the middle of the ghetto, right? Well look, I've got a sofa right there." A couple of minutes later I had a beer and a banana and was being offered peanut butter sandwiches while she pointed out the best venues to check out on a map. They'd just got back from a show in Manhatten and invited me to their next gig. Had a shower and stayed up all night watching some DVDs of The Doors. So, that was my first night in New York. The next day I headed off to Manhatten to meet Ivana XL & see her play a RoofTop Films night at the Chealsea Markets. |
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Monday 10th Nov: Ivana XL at the IFC Rooftop films at Chelsea gardens, Manhattan.
Woke up in Ellis Ashbrook's apartment in Myrtle, Brooklyn, had breakfast while the band pointed out the best music venues to check out while in NY. Had an adventure on the New York City subway system, but eventually found by way to Union Square, got something to eat and spent ages walking around trying to get to grips with the gridsystem (but once you've worked it out, it's really easy and actually makes a lot of sense.) Got to Chelsea Gardens and met Ivana, had a chat and swapped albums. Went in, took a seat and was treated to a set by Ivana which I filmed but unfortunetly have lost all the videos and pictures, but it was a great gig and then we watched loads of short films by local artists. After the show I explored that area of Manhattan and found the Chelsea Hotel (which was $400 a night) but a couple of blocks down I found the Gershwin Hotel.
Tuesday 11th Nov: Veterans Day / Times Square
Woke up, went down in the elevator and the doors openned up to a lobby full of high ranking Chinese military officials all shouting orders at each other, which really spun me out. Wandered outside in a daze to find the streets of New York filled with tanks and military parades. I saw a young teenage girl waving an American flag proudly with tears rolling down her face with national pride, it was quite moving. Followed the processions through the skyscapper lined streets for a couple of hours before stopping off to grab a hotdog and a pack of smokes. Somehow I ended up at an ice skating rink for hours before heading to Times Square which was intense. Wandered around being all touristy for a few hours before getting a taxi to the Widget hotel on the Upper East Side and got a fairly early night, ready for the madness of Wednesday.
Wednesday 12th Nov: Harlem
Picked up a SohoDolls flyer for a show at the Ace of Clubs. Went for a long scenic walk all along the Harlem River and at the end of it I found an hispanic resturant and got a gigantic cheeseburger. They were playing the Buene Vista Social Club album which made me think of Alex so I sent her a txt and set out to explore Harlem. As I walked around I was surprised at the stark difference between being in Times Square the previous night with huge neon advertising and skyscrapers everywhere to the crumbling buildings and rubble sites that lined the streets. Had an adventure on the subway (again) including a guy who got on and said "Ok ladies and gentleman, I'm sorry to disturb your journey this evening. My name is Marcus, I'm homeless and selling candy bars because I don't want to sell drugs. If you'd like some candy I'd appreicate that as you're helping me to eat as well and if not, then I'm sorry to have bothered you and enjoy the rest of your journey. God bless America." and off he went. Remarkable. I was making my way back to Brooklyn when the wheels literally fell off my travel case in the wrong part of town. $20 put me in downtown Brooklyn thanks to my poor Spanish and a non-English speaking Columbian taxi driver and I stayed at a pricey hostel on Green Av.
Thursday 13th Nov: Long Island City graffiti - Shopping in Chinatown, Queens. Hung out with a chinese girl called Mi-Seon, got lost in Bushwick.
Uploaded all my pictures and messaged everyone, rebooked my room and caught the G train to Long Island City and was truely amazed by the sheer amount and outstanding quality of the street art. Went to a cafe and got the biggest chocolate brownie I've ever seen in my life and a few packs of Mama Zuma's Revenge habanero potato chips. Got a message from Ivana saying she didn't want to meet up and at that moment I realised I'd lost a memory card as well, bummer. Went to Queens to check it out after all of 50 Cent's tales and found out that Queens is the only borough in NYC that doesn't have train lines, they still just have buses and dollar vans. The last train stop was at Flushing Av which was Chinatown! Brought a new travel case and some presents for the folks back home, got a copy of the New York Times and went to a noodle bar to chill out. Tried to find the New York Loft which involved spending hours lost walking around Bushwick and the Marcy projects. Found a supermarket so got some supplies and made my way back to Green Av and bonded with a chinese lady called Mi-Seon over several bottles of Oolong tea whilst watching Wal-E.
Friday 14th Nov: Ellis Ashbrook at the Brooklyn Opera House Lofts. Natalies birthday, after party at hers til 6am.
Spent a large part of the day exploring the Upper East Side of Manhattan, taking it all in and looking for upcoming gigs. In the evening I wasted a load of time and even more money in a taxi to the wrong Brooklyn Opera House, one being an opera house and the oher being an underground recording studio. Got there eventually and found Ellis Ashbrook and helped them load their gear in. Watched Analogue who rocked a few covers, they were followed by a fantastic Boston band called Kid:Nap:Kin who were so good. Then, Ellis Ashbrook took to the stage and blew me away! Having not heard them before I didn't know what to expect so I was completely amazed! I filmed some of their set, the sound qualities not so great (turn the volume down and it's much more listenable) but here's a video I filmed that night so you can get a sense of what I experienced. It was nuts, I'd only been in New York for 5 days and I was rocking out to amazing bands in this underground recording studio in Brooklyn, smoking inside, free beer and it was Natalie's birthday! The vibe was incredible. After their set I went outside to take a moment and was befriended by some dudes that lived there who gave me one of the biggest sandwiches I've ever seen in my life (which was well random) and told me that there was a showing of Jurassic Park: The Musicial at a theatre just down the road that I should check out.
Went back inside and Julius C were playing some really funky music and had everybody up and dancing so I got another beer and joined. Afterwards, I hopped into Ellis Ashbrook's van and they took me back to their appartment for a house party and as it was Natalies birthday it was quite a bash and got quite messy and I conked out at 6am.
Saturday 15th Nov: Explored Murtle, found a Buena Vista. Watched James Bond: Die Another Day with an Australian traveling musician called Martel.
Woke up at Natalie's and wished her a happy birthday before she left to play a show in Philadelphia. Explored Murtle and found a Buena Vista near Morgan Avenue; it was more of a café than a social club but I'm sure it's had it's moments. Fully intnded to check out Jurassic Park: The Musical but got lost again after getting a chinese Ho Fun meal and doing some shopping in C-Town. Got back to he New York Loft and ended up watching James Bond - Die Another Die with a chinese lady and a very excitable Australian traveling musician called Martel who was loving all the explosions.
Sunday 16th Nov: Went to the Brooklyn Flea Market. Clothes shopping in Manhattan, found the Brooklyn Bridge.
Went shopping at the Brooklyn Flea Market in Fort Greene, found an Irish bar and got an $8 brandy hot chocolate and read The New Times. Went out looking for adventure and found the Brooklyn Bridg, acted like a total tourist for a bit then came to my senses...but then got lost on the subway system and ended up in Halem, again, so went clothes shopping and got Alex a present. Missed the big group barbeque where I was staying, so got some beers and spent the evening discussing music music with Martel in a hottub.
Monday 17th Nov: Went to the American Wet Paint. Hooked up with Angela from California. Spent the night in a hot tub with various girls from various countries.
Spent most of today trying to upload my pictures. Went to an American version of Wet Paint and read more of Nina Lugovskaya's book 'I Want To Live: The Diary of a Soviet Schoolgirl' which is an amazing read and pretty hardcore. Met an intriguing young lady from California called Angela who had come to New York to sort her head out, went for a huge chili con carnie meal at The Life Café. Spent the evening in a hot tub with the NYCH crowd. Found out that Amanda Palmer's playing in Manhattan on Friday. Spent the rest of the night flirting with Angela. Those are some good times right there.
Tuesday 18th Nov: Wall Street. Ivana XL, She Keeps Bees & Caleb Coy at Glasslands Gallery, Brooklyn.
Spent most of the day in Manhattan exploring Wall Street and taking in the views of the Brooklyn Bridge (and not getting it confused with the Manhattan Bridge, which is next to it). Got a taxi to The Glasslands Gallery but couldn't get in so went to a bar called Rockstars on the next block and met a dancer called Roxy. Had a smoke with her as she explained about the New York City Council's plans to redevelope the Brooklyn waterfront and stop it looking so gully...once the venue was open I went in and met up with Ivana who introduced me to Jess and Andy from She Keeps Bees. Got a drink and chatted to Ivana who had an annoying guy with her who spoiled the evening a bit. Ivana did her set and was followed by Texan singer/songwriter Caleb Coy from Headdress who if you're a fan of Bon Iver you shoul c
Wednesday 19th Nov: Payphone dramas, adjusting to American television.
Natwest and Vodafone cut me off. :( Saw an advert offering me a pill to clean out my colon.
Thursday 20th Nov: Walked around Brooklyn, plently of CSI & The Truman Show. Jamming & getting drunk with Martell.
American adventures with an Australian girl in a hottub on a Brooklyn rooftop overlooking Manhattan at 4 in the morning whilst listening to PJ Harvey..
Friday 21st Nov: Ellis Ashbrook & Finding Tomorrow at Crash Mansion, Manhattan. Green room, afterparty, jamming Neil Young.
Even more YouTube footage.
Saturday 22nd Nov: The Hundred In The Hands, Phantom & Big Bang TV at Union Pool. Stayed up all night drinking with Frenchmen.
YouTuuuube.
Sunday 23rd Nov: Went to Manhattan to convert my money. Helped an Italian lady get a lot off her chest.
A long, long night with Nicoletta.
Monday 24th Nov: Rakkauden Pristis' Cross of Love showing at the BAM. Party in a hot-tub.
Yay.
Tuesday 25th Nov: You Never Know Women (1926) showing at BAM. Another party in a hottub.
Yay.
Wednesday 26th Nov: Explored Upper Brooklyn and Knickerbocker Avenue, went for a beer with Aslan, stayed up watching King Of The Hill and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.
Yay.
Thursday 26th Nov: Macy's Day Parade, processions and balloons. City Hall, Ground Zero, amazing t-shirt shopping, meal in a resturant in Chinatown, chinese flutes, big Thanksgiving feast. Back to Bhaveshis' appartment.
Yay.
Friday 27th Nov: Black Friday - Rappers with mixtapes outside Virgin, Union Square and filmed some busking rappers called Glee. Went to a fetish club in Manhattan, interesting, then found a bar open at 4am and spent the night drinking champagne with a Spanish lady named Claudia.
Yay.
Saturday 28th Nov: Helped French Lauren with her iPod. Went to Central Park, went to Wendys and got a triple 1/4 pounder which was a mission in itself. Had a horrible journey to JFK airport and missed my plane and slept on concrete.
Yay
Sunday 29th Nov: Brought another ticket, flew to Amsterdam and then flew to Birmingham where I bumped into Moose and went for hot chocolate. Made my way back to Worcester, word soon spread that I was back and loads of people turned up at mine and we all had tea and cake and lived happily ever after.
Horray!
Woke up in Ellis Ashbrook's apartment in Myrtle, Brooklyn, had breakfast while the band pointed out the best music venues to check out while in NY. Had an adventure on the New York City subway system, but eventually found by way to Union Square, got something to eat and spent ages walking around trying to get to grips with the gridsystem (but once you've worked it out, it's really easy and actually makes a lot of sense.) Got to Chelsea Gardens and met Ivana, had a chat and swapped albums. Went in, took a seat and was treated to a set by Ivana which I filmed but unfortunetly have lost all the videos and pictures, but it was a great gig and then we watched loads of short films by local artists. After the show I explored that area of Manhattan and found the Chelsea Hotel (which was $400 a night) but a couple of blocks down I found the Gershwin Hotel.
Tuesday 11th Nov: Veterans Day / Times Square
Woke up, went down in the elevator and the doors openned up to a lobby full of high ranking Chinese military officials all shouting orders at each other, which really spun me out. Wandered outside in a daze to find the streets of New York filled with tanks and military parades. I saw a young teenage girl waving an American flag proudly with tears rolling down her face with national pride, it was quite moving. Followed the processions through the skyscapper lined streets for a couple of hours before stopping off to grab a hotdog and a pack of smokes. Somehow I ended up at an ice skating rink for hours before heading to Times Square which was intense. Wandered around being all touristy for a few hours before getting a taxi to the Widget hotel on the Upper East Side and got a fairly early night, ready for the madness of Wednesday.
Wednesday 12th Nov: Harlem
Picked up a SohoDolls flyer for a show at the Ace of Clubs. Went for a long scenic walk all along the Harlem River and at the end of it I found an hispanic resturant and got a gigantic cheeseburger. They were playing the Buene Vista Social Club album which made me think of Alex so I sent her a txt and set out to explore Harlem. As I walked around I was surprised at the stark difference between being in Times Square the previous night with huge neon advertising and skyscrapers everywhere to the crumbling buildings and rubble sites that lined the streets. Had an adventure on the subway (again) including a guy who got on and said "Ok ladies and gentleman, I'm sorry to disturb your journey this evening. My name is Marcus, I'm homeless and selling candy bars because I don't want to sell drugs. If you'd like some candy I'd appreicate that as you're helping me to eat as well and if not, then I'm sorry to have bothered you and enjoy the rest of your journey. God bless America." and off he went. Remarkable. I was making my way back to Brooklyn when the wheels literally fell off my travel case in the wrong part of town. $20 put me in downtown Brooklyn thanks to my poor Spanish and a non-English speaking Columbian taxi driver and I stayed at a pricey hostel on Green Av.
Thursday 13th Nov: Long Island City graffiti - Shopping in Chinatown, Queens. Hung out with a chinese girl called Mi-Seon, got lost in Bushwick.
Uploaded all my pictures and messaged everyone, rebooked my room and caught the G train to Long Island City and was truely amazed by the sheer amount and outstanding quality of the street art. Went to a cafe and got the biggest chocolate brownie I've ever seen in my life and a few packs of Mama Zuma's Revenge habanero potato chips. Got a message from Ivana saying she didn't want to meet up and at that moment I realised I'd lost a memory card as well, bummer. Went to Queens to check it out after all of 50 Cent's tales and found out that Queens is the only borough in NYC that doesn't have train lines, they still just have buses and dollar vans. The last train stop was at Flushing Av which was Chinatown! Brought a new travel case and some presents for the folks back home, got a copy of the New York Times and went to a noodle bar to chill out. Tried to find the New York Loft which involved spending hours lost walking around Bushwick and the Marcy projects. Found a supermarket so got some supplies and made my way back to Green Av and bonded with a chinese lady called Mi-Seon over several bottles of Oolong tea whilst watching Wal-E.
Friday 14th Nov: Ellis Ashbrook at the Brooklyn Opera House Lofts. Natalies birthday, after party at hers til 6am.
Spent a large part of the day exploring the Upper East Side of Manhattan, taking it all in and looking for upcoming gigs. In the evening I wasted a load of time and even more money in a taxi to the wrong Brooklyn Opera House, one being an opera house and the oher being an underground recording studio. Got there eventually and found Ellis Ashbrook and helped them load their gear in. Watched Analogue who rocked a few covers, they were followed by a fantastic Boston band called Kid:Nap:Kin who were so good. Then, Ellis Ashbrook took to the stage and blew me away! Having not heard them before I didn't know what to expect so I was completely amazed! I filmed some of their set, the sound qualities not so great (turn the volume down and it's much more listenable) but here's a video I filmed that night so you can get a sense of what I experienced. It was nuts, I'd only been in New York for 5 days and I was rocking out to amazing bands in this underground recording studio in Brooklyn, smoking inside, free beer and it was Natalie's birthday! The vibe was incredible. After their set I went outside to take a moment and was befriended by some dudes that lived there who gave me one of the biggest sandwiches I've ever seen in my life (which was well random) and told me that there was a showing of Jurassic Park: The Musicial at a theatre just down the road that I should check out.
Went back inside and Julius C were playing some really funky music and had everybody up and dancing so I got another beer and joined. Afterwards, I hopped into Ellis Ashbrook's van and they took me back to their appartment for a house party and as it was Natalies birthday it was quite a bash and got quite messy and I conked out at 6am.
Saturday 15th Nov: Explored Murtle, found a Buena Vista. Watched James Bond: Die Another Day with an Australian traveling musician called Martel.
Woke up at Natalie's and wished her a happy birthday before she left to play a show in Philadelphia. Explored Murtle and found a Buena Vista near Morgan Avenue; it was more of a café than a social club but I'm sure it's had it's moments. Fully intnded to check out Jurassic Park: The Musical but got lost again after getting a chinese Ho Fun meal and doing some shopping in C-Town. Got back to he New York Loft and ended up watching James Bond - Die Another Die with a chinese lady and a very excitable Australian traveling musician called Martel who was loving all the explosions.
Sunday 16th Nov: Went to the Brooklyn Flea Market. Clothes shopping in Manhattan, found the Brooklyn Bridge.
Went shopping at the Brooklyn Flea Market in Fort Greene, found an Irish bar and got an $8 brandy hot chocolate and read The New Times. Went out looking for adventure and found the Brooklyn Bridg, acted like a total tourist for a bit then came to my senses...but then got lost on the subway system and ended up in Halem, again, so went clothes shopping and got Alex a present. Missed the big group barbeque where I was staying, so got some beers and spent the evening discussing music music with Martel in a hottub.
Monday 17th Nov: Went to the American Wet Paint. Hooked up with Angela from California. Spent the night in a hot tub with various girls from various countries.
Spent most of today trying to upload my pictures. Went to an American version of Wet Paint and read more of Nina Lugovskaya's book 'I Want To Live: The Diary of a Soviet Schoolgirl' which is an amazing read and pretty hardcore. Met an intriguing young lady from California called Angela who had come to New York to sort her head out, went for a huge chili con carnie meal at The Life Café. Spent the evening in a hot tub with the NYCH crowd. Found out that Amanda Palmer's playing in Manhattan on Friday. Spent the rest of the night flirting with Angela. Those are some good times right there.
Tuesday 18th Nov: Wall Street. Ivana XL, She Keeps Bees & Caleb Coy at Glasslands Gallery, Brooklyn.
Spent most of the day in Manhattan exploring Wall Street and taking in the views of the Brooklyn Bridge (and not getting it confused with the Manhattan Bridge, which is next to it). Got a taxi to The Glasslands Gallery but couldn't get in so went to a bar called Rockstars on the next block and met a dancer called Roxy. Had a smoke with her as she explained about the New York City Council's plans to redevelope the Brooklyn waterfront and stop it looking so gully...once the venue was open I went in and met up with Ivana who introduced me to Jess and Andy from She Keeps Bees. Got a drink and chatted to Ivana who had an annoying guy with her who spoiled the evening a bit. Ivana did her set and was followed by Texan singer/songwriter Caleb Coy from Headdress who if you're a fan of Bon Iver you shoul c
Wednesday 19th Nov: Payphone dramas, adjusting to American television.
Natwest and Vodafone cut me off. :( Saw an advert offering me a pill to clean out my colon.
Thursday 20th Nov: Walked around Brooklyn, plently of CSI & The Truman Show. Jamming & getting drunk with Martell.
American adventures with an Australian girl in a hottub on a Brooklyn rooftop overlooking Manhattan at 4 in the morning whilst listening to PJ Harvey..
Friday 21st Nov: Ellis Ashbrook & Finding Tomorrow at Crash Mansion, Manhattan. Green room, afterparty, jamming Neil Young.
Even more YouTube footage.
Saturday 22nd Nov: The Hundred In The Hands, Phantom & Big Bang TV at Union Pool. Stayed up all night drinking with Frenchmen.
YouTuuuube.
Sunday 23rd Nov: Went to Manhattan to convert my money. Helped an Italian lady get a lot off her chest.
A long, long night with Nicoletta.
Monday 24th Nov: Rakkauden Pristis' Cross of Love showing at the BAM. Party in a hot-tub.
Yay.
Tuesday 25th Nov: You Never Know Women (1926) showing at BAM. Another party in a hottub.
Yay.
Wednesday 26th Nov: Explored Upper Brooklyn and Knickerbocker Avenue, went for a beer with Aslan, stayed up watching King Of The Hill and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.
Yay.
Thursday 26th Nov: Macy's Day Parade, processions and balloons. City Hall, Ground Zero, amazing t-shirt shopping, meal in a resturant in Chinatown, chinese flutes, big Thanksgiving feast. Back to Bhaveshis' appartment.
Yay.
Friday 27th Nov: Black Friday - Rappers with mixtapes outside Virgin, Union Square and filmed some busking rappers called Glee. Went to a fetish club in Manhattan, interesting, then found a bar open at 4am and spent the night drinking champagne with a Spanish lady named Claudia.
Yay.
Saturday 28th Nov: Helped French Lauren with her iPod. Went to Central Park, went to Wendys and got a triple 1/4 pounder which was a mission in itself. Had a horrible journey to JFK airport and missed my plane and slept on concrete.
Yay
Sunday 29th Nov: Brought another ticket, flew to Amsterdam and then flew to Birmingham where I bumped into Moose and went for hot chocolate. Made my way back to Worcester, word soon spread that I was back and loads of people turned up at mine and we all had tea and cake and lived happily ever after.
Horray!