The Bowery Presents

The Bowery Ballroom upcoming shows

"The Lydia Finale: A Goodbye & Farewell Tour"

Lydia

Brian Bonz & The Dot Hongs / Analog Rebellion / River City Extension

Venue:
The Bowery Ballroom
Date:
Sat 8/07
Notes:
16+
Doors: 7:00 PM / Show: 8:00 PM
$13 advance / $15 day of show
Tickets
Lydia
official website
myspace
In the commotion of the ever-changing indie rock scene, tranquil and refreshing ambient sextet Lydia arise poised. Boasting soft male vs. female vocals over a moody, introspective wall of sound led by melodic guitars and keys, this group of high school friends have garnered some serious buzz in the underground with their compelling songs and tender approach. Formed in 2003 in Gilbert, AZ, the band underwent a few shake-ups before settling on its current roster: lead vocalist/ guitarist Leighton Antelman, back up vocalist/ keyboardist Mindy White, guitarists Steve McGraw and Ethan Koozer, bassist Jed Dunning and drummer Craig Taylor. In 2004, Lydia won a contest with Blink-182 owned Atticus Clothing, resulting in their appropriately titled track "Your Taste Is My Attention" being included on the Atticus compilation Drag the Lake, Vol. 3. Their debut album, This December: It's One More and I'm Free was released on HourZero that following year, and Lydia hit the open road with notable slots on the Zumiez Couch Tour, Vans Warped Tour and Bamboozle Festival. In Fall ’07, Lydia signed to Indie label Linc Star Records. In March of ’08, they released their sophomore effort, “Illuminate”, to heavy critical acclaim. Look for Lydia on the road in Summer of ’08 in support of “Illuminate”…and see why the album has been considered an early contender for Absolute Punk’s “Album of the Year” (Jason Tate, CEO/Founder Absolute Punk).
Brian Bonz
official website
myspace
It all began in Sunset Park. A diverse neighborhood with a breathtaking view of the Manhattan skyline, the hilly Brooklyn neighborhood was home to talented musician Brian Bonz. As the city around him went through multiple incarnations, Bonz began writing and recording songs with his older brothers equipment, and eventually booking his own shows, all while still in high school. The first record of seven songs, Sunday Theory (2003), was self-released and was followed shortly by SUSAN THE BOYSCOUT EP (2004, Electric Frog).

A solo-acoustic project that evolved to include an eclectic group of people, Brian Bonz and The Dot Hongs has been recognized as the best of Brooklyn's experimental rock scene (KEXP) creating wistful, intensely precious indie pop (Time Out). Drawing influence from a far-reaching variety of genres and musicians including Sam Cooke, Bjork and Broken Social Scene, the group embodies an indie-rock persona without becoming bound by it.

In 2007, Bonz began writing new songs that would become FROM SUMI TO JAPAN. By that summer the band had begun recording at Seaside Lounge in Sunset Park, accompanied a newly solidified lineup as well as session musicians who played with TV on the Radio, Arcade Fire and Tom Waits. With friend Chris Bracco (Kevin Devine) at the helm, mixing continued at his Buckingham-Nicks studio, allowing the group a brief refuge and change of scenery. The unusual opportunity to explore allowed FSTJ to evolve fully, and gave the group a chance to transform its songwriting both structurally and sonically.

Filled with stories of distance and escape, the new release is a musical journal, an ode to the surreal value of youth. While some might think that growing up in the city affords anonymity, eventually you begin to run into the same people when you pay to get onto the train. What the record really means is outgrowing certain things, friendships and relationships. It's about traveling and adventure and being apart from what you grew up in and seeing things from a different perspective.

Each song is a narrative. Whether the story is about bringing your girlfriend home to meet the parents, traveling with a married couple, or watching kids arrive at your house late at night to fight, these are the true tales of Bonz's Brooklyn. In reality, these are the chronicles of an American life.

Beyond singer/songwriter acoustics, FSTJ's variety of sound becomes the albums standout asset; by incorporating brass sections and the unique hammered dulcimer, Bonz's sparkling pop becomes draped in a colorful, melodic atmosphere. Tracks like Judy and The Alpha Queen and Dee The Dinosaur layer guitars over Bonz's mystical vocals to create the bands own brand of enchanting pop, while Christa McCauliffes Cacophony (Reprise)” and Goodnight, Captain Revelstoke showcase the underlying experimental nature of the record.

Brian Bonz and The Dot Hongs have played with a number of acts including Kevin Devine, Do Make Say Think, Apostle Of Hustle, Pronto, Ramona Falls, Jesse Lacey (Brand New), Travis Morrison (Dismemberment Plan), Owen, Person L, Straylight Run, Roger Miller (Mission of Burma), Joan of Arc, and more. They are currently writing there second release due out Summer/Fall of 2010.
Past recordings done by Kevin McMahon (The Walkmen, French Kicks) and James Flames.
Analog Rebellion
official website
myspace
Hello, my name is Daniel Lyston Barnett Hunter.
I am 20 years old, Edge, and a Texan.
Boredom is the reason I make music, and nerdiness is the reason I make electronic music.

I might have different religious views than you.
I might have different social views, or different political views than you.
I might have different taste in movies, or in music.
I might act differently in social settings than you do.
But regardless of your beliefs, your views, or your lifestyle, I hope you and I can relate to each other through art.
River City Extension
official website
myspace
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