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.
Posted by: dan at April 3, 2008 2:42 PM | ReplyScore = -1
damn she is cute.
Posted by: zach at April 3, 2008 2:53 PM | ReplyScore = 1
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.
Posted by: aguirre at April 3, 2008 2:53 PM | ReplyScore = 0
and hiro ballroom retains its title as "worst venue in nyc"
Posted by: nick at April 3, 2008 3:23 PM | ReplyScore = 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.
Posted by: Charlie Kane at April 3, 2008 3:44 PM | ReplyScore = 0
i would shit my pants if i was wedged between khan and bjork
Posted by: M at April 3, 2008 4:17 PM | ReplyScore = 0
not proud of it, but i did.
Posted by: kyleScore = 0
"I *literally* shit my pants!"
Posted by: Todd at April 3, 2008 5:27 PM | Reply"Oh, really? What did you do with your shitty pants?"
Score = 0
Guac-a mole-eeee. Mole-ee mol-ee mole-ee.
Posted by: DJ Max Power at April 3, 2008 6:19 PM | ReplyMole. Eeeeee.
Moles.
Score = 0
Also, Bat For Lashes has a face like a bulldog chewing a wasp.
Posted by: DJ Max Power at April 3, 2008 6:20 PM | ReplyScore = -1
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
Posted by: David Hershkovits at April 3, 2008 9:03 PM | ReplyScore = -3
Sounds like you did a shitty job.
Posted by: Dave in reply to David Hershkovits's comment at April 4, 2008 3:21 AM | ReplyScore = 1
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.
Posted by: Eric at April 4, 2008 7:46 AM | ReplyScore = 0
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.
Posted by: Mallory at April 4, 2008 9:22 AM | ReplyScore = 0
that picture did not fill up my screen... :(
Posted by: seth at April 5, 2008 11:32 AM | ReplyScore = 0
When will this woman ever go on tour or play California???
Posted by: Andie at May 14, 2008 7:27 PM | Replyanyone know??
Score = 0
When will this woman ever go on tour or play California???
Posted by: Andie at May 14, 2008 7:27 PM | Replyanyone know??
Score = 0
When will this woman ever go on tour or play California???
Posted by: Andie at May 14, 2008 7:27 PM | Replyanyone know??
Score = 0