Here are musician Ken Beasley’s top music picks on the Lower East Side this weekend:
ALECIA CHAKOUR- Saturday, Jan. 15th | 11:00 PM at Rockwood Music Hall
Alecia Chakour is a Brooklyn girl with some strong roots in soul. Her father was once the musical director for the mighty Joe Cocker, and from there she was introduced to a string of powerhouse vocalists and musicians throughout her childhood. Her love for the true sounds of soul grew so deep that when she was offered a major record deal at the young age of 16, she turned it down for fear of being cranked through the pop-idol machine.
Now, as an adult, she’s doing the songs that she always wanted to do, and does it with her own sledgehammer of a voice and an expert band of groove specialists. FREE // 196 Allen St.
MISTER HEAVENLY – Sunday, Jan. 16 | 8:00 PM at The Bowery Ballroom
Many have referred to Mister Heavenly as a “super-group,” as its members also belong to other successful bands (Nick Diamonds of Islands, Honus Honus of Man Man, and Joe Plummer of Modest Mouse). Personally, I tend to reserve that term for fantasy-list bands that include John Bonham on drums. That being said, Mister Heavenly is certainly a group, and they’re pretty super.
With a danceable indie style they label “doom-wap,” a cross between doomed love songs and doo-wop, Mister Heavenly burst onto the scene last year with a debut performance with none other than Michael Cera (officially a “special guest” member) stepping in on bass. They’ve continued to build their stack of material, and are now on tour preparing for their first full-length release on Sub-Pop. $16 // 6 Delancey St.
TYVEK – Sun 1/16 | 7:00PM at Mercury Lounge
From Detroit comes the punky-punkersons known as Tyvek. They’re stuff ranges from a super-fast/short tune about a broken air-conditioner, to a song pushing the 4-minute line with a chorus singing “do what you feel.” I prefer the former, because, as with all other punk bands, Tyvek really shine when they’re not trying too hard. When they stick to the unfailing formula of “get-in-get-out, make their ears ring in the process,” they really get the blood pumping.
They’re a cool band, and when I went to their Myspace page and saw they had posted, as their bio, a bad review comparing them to the “Velvet Underground being tortured by a cheap synthesizer,” I was instantly won over. $8 Advance, $10 Door // 217 East Houston St.
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.
