Bklyn Sounds 6/18/2025—6/24/2025 + NYC Public Service Announcement
TL; DR: Don't Rank Evil Andrew for Mayor + This week's events include 'The Music of Henry Threadgill' / Bex Burch, Che Chen & Peter Zummo / 'Love From the. Sun Juneteenth' / Xiu Xiu / and much more
Look, you don’t need my advice to never trust anyone who wants to keep politics out of culture, just as I am also not dumb enough to turn Dada Strain into a soapbox. Not only is our society already drowning in cheap opinion—and expensive paywalled MSM ones that masquerade as editorial-board mindfulness—if you read my work regularly, you know my beliefs inform every sentence. Especially the poorly constructed ones.
And yet… as this is the last weekly newsletter published before the New York City Democratic primary with a Mayoralty on the ballot—and the fact that this newsletter is opened by about 3000 (give or take) people of voting age, 68% of whom (according to trusty(?) Substack data) reside in the state, and maybe talk to other people about this stuff—I believe it unconscionable not to state clearly: PLEASE DO NOT RANK ANDREW CUOMO FOR MAYOR.
I am not going to follow this up with a specific endorsement. There are multiple primary candidates who would make good, possibly great, mayors, each with the potential to push the city in a direction that fair gotham needs to embrace in the near future, to distance itself from disasters inflicted upon it by federal Orange menaces and local 1% persuaders.
The city desperately needs new leadership not nearly as beholden to poisonous local institutions, almost all of which would rather elect an experienced disgrace than an unproven radical, claiming systemic knowledge, social balance and history as their primary reason, when everyone recognizes it for the vulgarity of self-preservation and power that it is.
Broader change must come from within, individual by individual. Communities do not get built top-down—no matter what real estate developers tell you. These are simply folks who want to control communities, or profit off them. Healthy societies require that the stories we tell ourselves, and storytellers who tell them, be renewed and rejuvenated. We gotta start somewhere. Why not by rejecting the abusive past?
May the goddess smile upon us…
THIS WEEK’S SHOWS:
The latest installment of Arts for Art’s weekly Free Dimensions series in the old Nublu space, is a birthday celebration of electric guitarist Ava Mendoza, one of the cornerstones of Bklyn’s improvised music community, attended and soundtracked by an exceptional group of friends. Expect duo sets from trumpeter Amir ElSaffar and guitarist Elliott Sharp, trumpeter Ryan Easter and guitarist Adam Turay, plus drummer Lily Finnegan and Brandon Seabrook on banjo. Dynoman (Rare Frequency Transmissions) will be on the decks all night long. (Wed 6/18, 8p @ Nublu Classic, Manhattan - $10)
A wonderful trio of cross-continental, cross-generational players with open ears, percussionist Bex Burch (International Anthem +), multi-instrumentalist Che Chen (75 Dollar Bill +), and trombonist Peter Zummo (Arthur Russell +) are one platonic ideal of Dada Strain music: filled with camaraderie, improvised grooves and space, an opportunity to get into some difficulty and a desire to not leave audiences there. Getting drummer Mikel Patrick Avery (Natural Information Society +) as an opener—and maybe collaborator?—makes the possibilities of this evening even brighter. Highest Recommendation! (Wed 6/18, 8p @ Roulette, Downtown Bklyn - $25adv/$30)
Cafe Erzulie’s new Drums Unlimited weekly (?) is off to a massive start. Its second edition features local trap-kit monster Timothy Angulo (L’rain +) doing two sets in an experience, musically far-flung quartet, which also includes synthesist Elias Stemeseder (Wrens +), guitarist Justin Felton (Strugglin’, L’rain +) and multi-instrumentalist Josefin Runsteen (Adrian Lenker +). (Wed 6/18, 7p & 9p @ Club Erzulie, Myrtle & Broadway - $10)
From all reports, last year’s inaugural Love From The Sun Juneteenth day-into-night, in-and-outdoor gathering—which united Black Bklyn DJs and small culture businesses, in a fundraiser for anti-incarceration programs—was such a joy, that it’s getting re-up’d. This year’s selectors are another who’s-who of the best local NYC DJs working now (Analog Soul + Honey Bun B2B Lovie + JADALAREIGN + Mo Yasin B2B Stonie Blue + Shyboi), and the recipients of the door-moneys are Seeds of Liberation and Katal Center's Shut Rikers campaign. There will be records for sale, a book swap, portrait studio and more. Once the sun goes down and everyone moves inside, it’s the majesty of Traxx until its time to go home. (Thurs 6/19, 1p @ Nowadays, Ridgewood - $40)
But you say you want Footwork on Juneteenth? The neighborhood techno club gives you the best Chi juke bill in eons: originators Corky Traxman and Rashad’s old partner DJ Spinn, occasional Windy-to-Bklyn transplant DJ Manny, all playing alongside Bossa resident purp. (Thurs 6/19, 11p @ Bossa Nova Civic Club, Bushwick - FREE before 11p/$10)
The annual experimental triumphant camp-out extravaganza that is Dripping took place again in Jersey last week. (It’s never in these pages because it sells out long in advance.) Now they’re staging a festival “after-party” of sorts at Pioneer Works, with a stellar line-up reflective of Dripping’s breadth. Sun Ra Arkestra with Marshall Allen needs no introduction,.Colin Self is a choreographer and composer whose queer aesthetics push them into a variety of song-oriented directions, from electro-pop to Tin Pan Alley. Cel Genesis practices an update on digital hardcore; and Dripping co-founders Relaxer and Baby Leo go B2B on the decks. (Fri 6/20, 7p @ Pioneer Works, Red Hook - $40)
Bklyn’s outsider music-and-arts stalwart, Blank Forms is celebrating its Ninth Anniversary on a night stacked with party talent. Foremost is Dez Andrés, a Detroit house cornerstone who is also a master conguero, and will be unveiling a live band that assembles some of the Motor City’s best dance-minded live players from the greater Will Sessions crew. That includes Sam Beaubien on trumpet and synths, Ian Fink on keyboards, Amir Edwards on drums, Tim Shellabarger on bass, and Kasan Belgrave on saxophone—all killers, no fillers. Also on-board for the evening: a live performance from 7038634357, and DJ sets from Andrés and long-time The Loft host Douglas Sherman. (Fri 6/20, 7:30p @ Ukrainian National Home, Manhattan - $25)
The mighty drummer Ryan Sawyer brings back his Shaker Ensemble, a large group comprised of members of the greater Bklyn improvising massive, performing Sawyer compositions centered on his metronomic way with a shaker instruments, minimalism, with room to stretch. Tonight’s Ensemble is a septet, one of whose members, clarinetist Stuart Bogie plays a solo set as an opener. As does bassist Brandon Lopez. (Fri 6/20, 8p @ Union Pool, W’burg - $24)
Be Ever Out is a two-day program devoted to the very varied music of Henry Threadgill, pure musical modernist, saxophonist/flautist, Pulitzer Prize-winning composer and arranger, key figure in the AACM constellation, and, over the past five decades, a deep influence on the outsider wing of the tradition still sometimes referred to as “jazz.” The last few years has seen a formal re-emergence by Threadgill himself (his excellent 2023 biography, Easily Slip into Another World, garnered a number of awards), and performances of his music from all eras—music he writes with specific instruments and players in mind. So Friday finds sets by the Marty Ehrlich-led Air Legacy Trio, reprising the acclaimed, free-minded work Threadgill recorded with bassist Fred Hopkins and drummer Steve McCall; and by Very Very Circus, a highly arranged septet where brass and electric guitars face-off in eclectic fashion, that was in downtown fashion at the turn of the ‘90s. Saturday will feature performance by Make a Move, an all-star quintet showcasing Threadgill’s mid-’90s fascination with harmoniums, accordions and a more drone-oriented timbral palette; and a Sextett led by trombonist Frank Lacy, which reprises compositions from the mid-’80s. Highest Recommendation! (Fri 6/20 + Sat 6/21, 8p @ Roulette, Downtown Bklyn - $35adv/$40) Dada Strain subs: Use the discount code EVEROUT10 for $10 off each night's tickets. NOTE: it only works on presale tickets online until 6pm on the night of the show, not at the door.
Not sure what there is to say about Maurice Fulton b2b MUSCLECARS. The former is one of my favorite-ever DJ/producers, a Baltimore house don turned one of the great underground dance music-makers of the last 30 years, who I still go see every chance I get; the latter are his “young brothers,” who’ve been responsible for some of my favorite NYC-centric dance-floor experience of the past 5-6 years. Give each of them a night and they sculpt long-range, rhythmic thematic fantasias. But put ‘em all together, which I believe they’ll do for the first time here, and…I just hope they don’t get in each other’s way. Or at least not too often. A potentially legendary night in the making. Meanwhile: Touching Bass Errol + Bridge in the Bad Room. Highest Recommendation! (Sat 6/21, 10p @ Good Room, Greenpoint - $22-$28)
Rally, the high-BPM party that’s made its way around a few Bklyn spots, is celebrating a first anniversary at the East Village club that was once The Pyramid. Guesting on the big night is trumpeter-producer Takuya Nakamura, whose junglist-infused live-DJ hybrid set is one of the great live electronic blow-ups of the past few years in the city; and the mighty GENG PTP, cornerstone to one of NYC’s most fertile musicking communities. Also on-board: Brooklyn-based producer-DJ-aspiring organizer Petal, and rally resident amita. (Sat 6/21, 11p @ Nightclub 101, Manhattan - $15-$20)
Sunday School is a relatively new initiative being lifted off-the-ground by Bklyn musickers, culture and community workers, seeking to build a “global sonic archive.” Their first activation was The Open, a late-April Sunday skate with hella DJ talent. This time around its The Bevy, a gathering that once more brings together great local DJs/producers (J Words + Lambkin + Niyah West + the SLICK DOWN crew) with numerous designers, visual and video artists, all in the back room of the Crown Heights record store. (Sun 6/22, 2p @ CW Radio Shop, Crown Heights - FREE)
From a month ago: “Founded by DRC-in-NYC immigrant, veteran guitarist Solo De Kanto and his student Julian Alper, Orchestre Moto is a new band playing Congolese rumba. The video of their Fall 2024 gig on the Sultan Room rooftop as an octet, has been in endless rotation around the Dada home.” Since then, the Orchestre has stockpiled gigs throughout the city, (including what feels like a mini-Wednesdays-residency at Barbés) while recording an album. The gig in the wonderful (weather-permitting) backyard at Bunna will also include diaspora selections ℅ Terapia NYC. (Sun 6/22, 4p @ Bunna Cafe, Bushwick - $20)
A wonderful triple-bill of critically-proven, indie-friendly experimentalists, that’s actually as sonically weird and far-flung as many people want music to be. The long-running West Coast trio, Xiu Xiu, are the primary draw, eclectic art-pop romantics of the highest order, as in love with melodic song-forms as making random noises. But my attraction is how Xiu Xiu fit with the rest of the bill: Chuquimamani-Condori is the Aymara name of Bolivian-American minimalist composer/producer Elysia Crampton, whose recent music combines indigenous instruments and maximalist electronics in epic fashion. There’s also Chino Amobi: now making his name as a visual artist, the producer/DJ’s mid-’10s label, NON Worldwide, was crucial in creating a space for experimental electronic musicians from throughout the African diaspora, helping curate one of the sounds of Now into being. Highest Recommendation! (Sun 6/22, 6p @ Knockdown Center, Maspeth - $26-$40)
Great songsmiths double-bill! Hiatus Kaiyote singer-guitarist Nai Palm (nee Naomi Saalfield) is kicking off a short solo tour with a stop at Baby’s, and has tapped one of the city’s best dark-folk troubadours, June McDoom, as the opener. (Mon 6/23, 10p @ Baby’s All Right, W’burg - $$$)
For the past year, Black Quantum Futurism, the multi-disciplinary art-knowledge-archive project of sonic wordsmith Camae Ayewa (b.k.a. Moor Mother) and partner, the lawyer and activist Rasheedah Phillips, has been in-residence at Performance Space, curating live and media programming inside an installation called Memory Vortex Inn. Tuesday marks the residency’s end with a solo (?) Moor Mother performance. (Tues 6/24, 5p @ Performance Space, Manhattan - $0-$50)
Between 2016-2022, the Senegalese vocalist Cheikh Ibra Fam sang for the rejuvenated Orchestra Baobab, a classic Dakar orchestra that, beginning in the early 1970s, was instrumental in weaving together the threads of Cuban son, with West African rumba and Wolof music. It’s a Black Atlantic conversation that continues to this day, in the form of the ongoing Afrobeats-dembow exchange. Cheikh Ibra Fam’s new sounds are closer to the latter, even if there are koras and more traditional instrumentation involved. He’s playing a rare club show at Drom. (Tues 6/24, 7p @ Drom, Manhattan - $30adv/$40)
MORE RECOMMENDED EVENTS:
Back to Nature with William Parker, Isaiah Barr, David Frazier Jr. + Universal Space Jam with Daniel Carter (Wed 6/18, 7p @ Domino Park, W’burg - FREE) - Parker, the bass-playing mentor and paterfamilias of numerous NYC improvised circles, and Barr, one of his great young mentees, bring their people together, on the waterfront, in one of Bklyn’s great gentrification centers.
Jazz Is Dead's Adrian Younge With His 35-Piece Orchestra (Wed 6/18, 8p @ Damrosch Park, Lincoln Center, Uptown - FREE) - Young and Ali Shaheed Muhammad’s great hip-hop-jazz curatorial cross-over hits its orchestral era.
Moondog: On The Keys (Wed 6/18, 8p @ Barbés, Park Slope - $20suggested) - trimbist/vocalist Julian Calv, pianist Alex Stewart and vocalist/percussionist Sarah Penna perform the songs and pieces by one the great, under-heralded American composers of the 20th century.
Touching Bass x Present Sounds (Thurs 6/19, 7p @ Light & Sound Design, Greenpoint - $20-$30 w/RSVP) - Errol, one of the figures behind South London’s monthly dance, concert series, record label and NTS Radio show, curates a deep-listening session at L&SD.
Kahil El’Zabar & David Murray Duo (Fri 6/20, 7p @ Nublu, Manhattan - $20) - a classic pairing of the legendary Chicago percussionist and one of New York’s premiere saxophonists.
Habibi Festival (Fri 6/20, 7p @ Lena Horne Bandshell, Celebrate Brooklyn, Prospect Park - FREE) - the festive sounds of North Africa and the Middle East, ℅ French-Tunisian saxophonist Yacine Boulares, electronic rai producer Sofiane Saidi, and rock-minded Palestinian singer Rasha Nahas.
Novalima (Fri 6/20, 8p @ Drom, Manhattan - $30adv/$40) - veteran Afro-Peruvian dance ensemble that mixes Latin American folk forms with electronic and dub vibes, and Black Atlantic riddims.
Allysha Joy + DJ $mall ¢hange (Fri 6/20, 10p @ Nublu, Manhattan - $20) - Joy is best known as the vocalist for the excellent Melbourne jazz-funk-house-soul 30/70 collective, but developed a reputation as a killer jazz singer during her time as an NYC resident - she returns with one of the city’s old-school great DJs (and apparently, special guests).
Mike Dearborn (Fri 6/20, 10p @ Bossa Nova Civic Club, Bushwick - FREE before 11p/$10) - from the deeper-than-deep bench of incredible house-minded DJs in Chicago, comes Dearborn, a ‘90s veteran with class tunes for days.
Nuevakinos 6th anniversary with Sunny Cheeba + Ultraviolet ++ (Fri 6/20, 11p @ Baby’s All Right, W’burg - $25) - anniversaries and new archives seem to be a theme this week, and this digital archive and multimedia project that celebrates the city’s Latinx culture is throwing a bash with two of the best young house-disco DJs in the city
Matmos + More Eaze (Sat 6/21, 2p @ Knockdown Center, Maspeth - $25-$40) - a meeting of two incredible experimental American music perspectives: the Baltimore-based cut-up duo, and the unconventional traditionalist.
Joy Guidry (Sat 6/21, 2p @ Metropolitan Museum of Art, Uptown - Free/$25) - the electronic composer-producer and exceptional bassoonist, plays a solo set at the museum - and on Friday will be guiding an artist talk on the work of Lorna Simpson.
Colin Self is inspired by the shrines of Agosto Machado (Sat 6/21, 7p @ Giorno Poetry Systems, Manhattan - FREE w/RSVP) - a creative exchange wherein producer-choreographer Self stages a theatrical interaction with drag legend Machado, who is the inspiration behind Self’s new album.
Tropical Fuck Storm + Bill Orcutt (Sat 6/21, 8p @ Bowery Ballroom, Manhattan - $25) - rebellious Australian noise-guitar indie rockers share a bill with a guitarist who perfected the form, but now often leans away from the crash’n’burn, towards the quieter and more abstract.
Modrums + Miss Hap (Sat 6/21, 10p @ Earthly Delights, Ridgewood - $12) - a joint Happy Birthday jam for/by Morgan and Selam, two of the best selectors of global riddims in NYC.
Italo-matic featuring Dan Selzer (Sun 6/22, 3p @ H0L0, Ridgewood - FREE w/RSVP) - a Sunday-afternoon Italo-disco freebie from the party that holds down the form, featuring a guest set by one of its loudest tri-state are champions.
Ge-ology + Antal (Sun 6/22, 3p @ Public Records, Gowanus - $20-$25) - two masterful DJs, one an NYC veteran engineer/producer (and Public Records resident), the other, co-founder of Amsterdam’s great Rush Hour record store.
Terry Riley 90th Birthday: In C / The Holy Liftoff (Tues 6/24, 8p @ Roulette, Downtown Bklyn - $25adv/$30) - the annual performance of Riley’s minimal classic staged by Nik Hallett, featuring members of the greater NYC music community, this time on the composer’s actual born day.
gabby fluke-mogul, Samantha Kochis, Hans Young Bintner & Lily Finnegan (Tues 6/24, 9p @ Young Ethel’s, Park Slope - $uggested) - crazy quartet of improvising talent in the back-room of a Park Slope bar.
Chicago house fans' cup runneth over as anyone who (like me) already has tickets to see Traxx need not choose between that and the Bossa bill tomorrow. Traxman/Manny/Spinn also play Pianos tonight!