Hayden’s Blog

It’s up to you NY, NY.

If you're new, you should subscribe to my RSS feed so you can see when I've updated. CHOICE!

Well hello again,

At the request of Jr on my last post, I’m going to write at least twice while I’m in New York.

And there will definitely be enough to write about! This city is absolutely amazing just to walk around and take in. I’ve been here before in high school, but that was on a conference thing, so I didn’t really get to explore the city like I am now.

We’re staying with a great guy called Harlan who came and saw us in New Jersey and offered a place to stay. He lives in a flat above a 24 hr laundromat and a bagel shop (how much more NY can you get?) in Bedford Ave, Brooklyn. It’s just one stop on the subway to get across (under) the east river to 1st Ave in Manhattan. I’ve invested in a US$24 week-long subway pass so I’ve got the freedom to do what I want while I’m here. Speaking of the subway, it’s awesome, so easy to get around.  The layout of the city is so incredibly easy to follow that you’ve got to be pretty thick to get yourself too lost. Streets are numbered and run the width of the island and go up in numbers as you go north. Avenues are also numbered, and run the length of the island, going up in numbers the further west you get. The subway works on different lines that all intersect, and once you get underground you can make as many trips as you like between lines.

The L train that I have to take to get under the east river is pretty crazy. It goes really fast under the river and rocks pretty violently from side to side. The tunnel is so thin that it feels like you’re going to hit the side. The pressure from the river above makes your ears pop at a certain point of the journey.

Anyway, enough about the subway. Let me tell you what I’ve been up to.

We’re here for a huge music festival/conference called the CMJ Music Marathon. It runs for about a week. There are bands walking around everywhere with their CMJ lanyards on, so it’s a pretty funny place to be. Everyone is ‘networking’ and building relationships with ‘important people’.

Our first day here we played an afternoon New Zealand music showcase at a place called the Delancey Lounge on the lower east side of Manhattan. It was so strange coming this far from home and hearing so many NZ accents. The NZ Music Commission and NZ on Air had organised the gig to try and push NZ music at the festival, and had secured sponsorship from Steinlager and 42 Below for some free piss. We were playing along side Liam Finn, Cut Off Your Hands and The Checks, who had all come to NY especially for CMJ. It was good catching up with some familiar faces and friends. Connan and the Mockasins weren’t playing that gig, but were there also (with James Milne too). After the show we were treated to some stand up comedy from Rhys Darby (who plays Murray Hewitt on Flight of the Conchords). Everyone had a little too much free vodka, and we were all pretty drunk by 6pm.

The next day we played a couple songs for a Gibson recording session. They went alright.  We tried to make it back into town to see Connan and the Mockasins play, but got there just as they were finishing. Later in the afternoon we were invited to a bar where a whole lot of clothing and accessory labels were trying their hardest to get some of the bands playing the festival into their gears. We walked in and were handed swag bags full of goodies, and were told to look around and take anything we liked. I went a bit crazy and grabbed way too much stuff to fit in my suitcase. There were hats, bags, t-shirts, jumpers, jeans. It was promotional heaven. There’s my present ’shopping’ done…

We caught the L train back over to Brooklyn to dump all the full bags of stuff and got some Mexican for dinner.

Came back into town for Olivia’s (a highschool friend’s sister) birthday in a bar. Went and saw Liam Finn play at a bar a few blocks away. He played a really great set. Hanging out in the bar afterwards, who should walk in but Elija Wood. He was tiny, and Connan (who is also short, and was very drunk) went up to him and said “I’m a hobbit too!”.

Caught the L train home and had a sweet 12 hour sleep.

Tonight we’re playing an instore at a record store down the road from where we’re staying in Brooklyn. Tomorrow night is the big show though. We’re playing the sold out Sub Pop showcase at the Bowery Ballroom (which fits around 1000 or so people) and we’re on second-to-last!

Apologies for the lack of photos. I managed to leave my camera battery and charger plugged into the wall of a hotel we stayed at on the way here. It’s being couriered to me and should be here by Monday. Then I promise I’ll go photo crazy.

Love, Hayden.