The Red Bull Music Academy is in full swing here in New York City, and despite not having much use for the energy drink, the events they’re putting on throughout the city are the bee’s knees. The cat’s meow. The cream of the cream of the crop. You understand. There was that illustrated talk with Brian Eno, a conversation with Erykah Badu, a string of Sunday afternoon conversations about classic David Bowie albums featuring Tony Visconti and Nile Rodgers, a $5 Four Tet concert, etc. etc. The only problem is that most of the events somehow manage to sell out before they go on sale. But most of the events, and all of the lectures, are available for free online. Because let’s be honest: most of us won’t make it.
Next up is a sold-out show celebrating the 12th anniversary of the venerable New York dance label DFA Records, at Grand Prospect Hall on May 25th. DFA was founded in 2001 by producers James Murphy and Tim Goldsworthy and former Nickelodeon child star Jonathan Galkin. They’ve been virtually bullet-proof since dropping The Rapture’s single “House of Jealous Lovers” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvtSF6JYln8 12” in 2002. Murphy went on to form LCD Soundsystem http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ve9Y-dl40sQ, one of the decades most adored and influential bands, and the label seemed to effortlessly release ass-shaking singles from the likes of Hercules and Love Affair, Hot Chip, The Juan Maclean, Black Dice, Shit Robot, and YACHT. DFA Records made it cool for white kids to dance again.
The Red Bull party is set to be the biggest in the label’s history and will feature (in order of appearance): James Murphy, Jonathan Galkin, The Juan Maclean, The Crystal Ark, Pat Mahoney, Nancy Whang, Tim Sweeney, YACHT, Vito & Druzzi (The Rapture), Factory Floor, Prinzhorn Dance School, Planningtorock, Larry Gus, Dan Bodan, Black Dice, Still Going, and Marcus Marr. They’re more New York than Kat’z Deli: Too old to be new, too new to be classic.
I know most of you live in Europe and whatnot, but if you’re in New York and can’t make it into the DFA party, Mr. Murphy will also be giving a Red Bull-sponsored talk at NYU on May 27th. It’s $5, it’s sold out, but it’s well worth a try.
