Joanna Newsom Plays A Small Show For A Drunk Crowd In Chelsea
Thanks to Paper mag, yesterday we learned Joanna Newsom is beautiful. And tells a mean dick joke. To celebrate at least one, if not both, of those amazing attributes, the magazine invited J. News to Hiro Ballroom to play an insider-y show for a room full of media types on an open vodka bar. Doesn't sound like a good mix of styles, right? Well it wasn't. We didn't make it (plans were made weeks ago to see Jon Glaser do "Obamasistible!" live @ UCB, and those plans were kept), but Stereogum photo-friend Kyle Dean Reinford did. In his words:
It's not every night I find myself standing in the front row of a Joanna Newsom semi-secret show. It's even less often that I realize Natasha Khan (Bat for Lashes) and Björk are standing on either side of me, but such was the case at Hiro Ballroom on Wednesday night. The event was held by PAPER Magazine to celebrate the release of issue number 64, featuring Miss Newsom in her dazzling beauty on the cover, and while I was excited to see her in such an intimate environment, that, unfortunately, was not the case for the majority of the crowd. Socialites and party-goers populated much of the club-esque space, and they didn't shut up all night. Even when Joanna started playing the first of her two songs, "Inflammatory Wit," the crowd kept talking. Loudly. Even after someone over the loudspeaker asked people to be quiet, the crowd kept talking. It was quite frustrating for those of us that were actually there for the music.
But Joanna kept her charm throughout her two songs, uncharacteristically played on solo piano. After the event, I had the chance to talk to her outside for about 5 minutes. We agreed that it wasn't quite her crowd, but she said she wasn't too downtrodden about the lack of attention given - "I just thought maybe I should stop playing after the second song," was her reaction. It was clear that this wasn't her event of choice, but she was one of the sweetest people I've ever talked to. My crush grows stronger. Watch out Samberg.
Sorry Andy. It was all fun until you learned today that there is another person in NYC who finds Joanna attractive and talented. More of Kyle's photos await you (including one of Ms. For Lashes), including a Joanna face one that will take up your whole screen.
Told ya.
Posted at 1:49 PM in Concert
Tags: Bat For Lashes | Joanna Newsom
I heard she used to be a dude.
Score = -5
damn she is cute.
Score = 2
you were standing next to bjork at the hiro ballroom (one block away from my apt) and didn't call me!?? never mind the fact that you don't know who i am and thus don't have my phone number... we're over.
Score = 0
and hiro ballroom retains its title as "worst venue in nyc"
Score = 0
For what it's worth (nothing? yes, nothing), mark me down as another sad slob who finds Ms. Newsome quite easy on the eye and equally charming. Sadly, I'd rather sell my children into slavery then listen to her prog-folk mewlings. Further proof that life is eternally unfair.
Score = -3
i would shit my pants if i was wedged between khan and bjork
Score = 2
not proud of it, but i did.
Score = 0
"I *literally* shit my pants!"
"Oh, really? What did you do with your shitty pants?"
Score = 0
if your pants are shitty,boil water and make tea.
Score = 0
Guac-a mole-eeee. Mole-ee mol-ee mole-ee.
Mole. Eeeeee.
Moles.
Score = 1
Also, Bat For Lashes has a face like a bulldog chewing a wasp.
Score = -2
Not sure where your correspondent got his information since Joanna only agreed to sing two songs. I helped arrange the event so I know. Thank you
Score = -4
Sounds like you did a shitty job.
Score = 4
Sounds like the correspondent got his info from going to the event and talking to Joanna event planner man. Sounds like the show's format could've been better event planned. Thank you.
Score = 1
I interviewed Joanna for Paper that night and homegirl was definitely uncomfortable, a little crazy, but totally darling. I don't know about what was planned and what wasn't, but I can agree that she mentioned from the stage that "maybe [she'll] only play one or two songs and see how it goes" due to all the noise in the room. Regardless, she played about a 10 minute set! F-u-n.
Score = 0
that picture did not fill up my screen... :(
Score = 1
When will this woman ever go on tour or play California???
anyone know??
Score = 0
When will this woman ever go on tour or play California???
anyone know??
Score = 0
When will this woman ever go on tour or play California???
anyone know??
Score = 0
im glad i wasnt there because i would have probably killed every single person that was talking loud and disrespecting joanna.
Score = 0
I've been to HIRO Ballroom for many concerts and I have to agree the crowd that usually attend the shows, excluding the true music fans, are annoying, loud, yuppie types who 1) TALK incessantly all night 2) DRINK to mute the music, 3) THINK they are cool for being there but know-shit about the artist performing. AND to those aforementioned types, stay away and let us hear the music! AND yes, Justin, you probably would have killed every single person that was talking loud and disrespecting Joanna as well as others who have come before her...
Score = 1
natasha khan is also beautiful. someone needs to start selling tiny tranquilizer darts that work with a spitgun that people can take to shows to put those talking fuckers to sleep. okay, fine, I will invent it. someone just send me some ketamine.
Score = 1