Here are musician Ken Beasley’s top music picks on the Lower East Side this week:
GOTAN PROJECT | Wednesday, April 21 | 7pm
The musical group Gotan Project may be based in Paris, and comprised of members who are all from different countries, but the music they create is purely Tango. Maybe not “pure” in the sense of being classical in approach, but “pure” in the sense that the group is true to the spirit and sensibilities of what many consider the world’s sexiest music. In fact, the name “Gotan” itself is a play on the spelling of the word Tango. Originally formed in 2000, Gotan Project are now releasing their 8th album, Tango 3.0, their latest package of infectious grooves that slickly and smartly fuse traditional musicality with contemporary urban sounds.
Catch them live tonight for their CD release at Thompson LES Pool, presented by Giant Step. (the show is FREE, but you have to RSVP here.)
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ANAIS MITCHELL | Friday, April 23 | 7:30pm
Singer/songwriter, and Vermont daughter, Anais Mitchell comes to Joe’s Pub on Friday armed with a guitar, a string ensemble, and a folk-opera about the Greek myth of Orpheus and the Underworld. Mitchell has been touring and winning song contests for several years now, but this project, entitled “Hadestown” is clearly a labor of love. An ambitious undertaking, Hadestown has built a strong foundation of support from the likes of Ani DeFranco and Bon Iver, who have also lent their voices to a recorded version. In this case, Anais will voice all the parts herself, giving the work a special sense of intimacy between the story and the audience.
$12 | Joe’s Pub – 425 Lafayette Street
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ANDREW ROSE GREGORY | Sunday, April 25 | 8pm
Andrew Rose Gregory’s energy has no bounds. He has played over 200 shows over the last two years, performs with several bands (not the least of which is his own sibling-fronted The Gregory Brothers, in which he performs with his two brothers), has written and produced his own independent rock opera, and he’s also one of the pioneers of the viral super-phenomenon “Auto-Tune the News.” Amazingly, Andrew has found time and focus through all of that to record a solo album, plus a new EP entitled The Paramedic & Other Songs About Birds, a recording that reflects a more introspective, ballad focused side of his writing. He will be playing on Sunday, on Rockwood Music Hall’s new stage.
FREE | Rockwood Music Hall – 196 Allen St. (between Houston & Stanton)
Splitting his time between performing and producing, contributor Ken Beasley primarily plays with his own roots/rock band, Ken Beasley & Co., as well as the power punk outfit Missy Sport, while also curating the Underground at the Abrons music series on the Lower East Side.
