World's Fair

…Well, at least if you’re in New York and looking for some sweet shows. We got you covered, don’t worry. Here are five for the dog days.

First up is Chin Chin, the disco funk band from Brooklyn, who are playing a special gig at the very excellent Joe’s Pub this Thursday, July 10, at 9:30.
 
Here’s what Wax Poetics has to say:

“Contemporary funk never sounded so retro. Their versatile tracks are influenced by a myriad of genres, which creates uniquely danceable and joyful jams. Chin Chin’s self-titled album is a much-needed breath of fresh, soulful air. Listen to Chin Chin now.”

www.worlds-fair.net/chin_chin/
www.myspace.com/chinchinnyc

 
And just 8 days later (that’s July 18 for those mathematically challenged), Daptone’s very own Budos Band will be heating up the evening as part of the Lincoln Center’s Midsummer Night Swing series. Budos goes on at 7:30 (in Damrosch Park, part of the Lincoln Center complex), followed by Chico Mann at 9.

www.worlds-fair.net/budos_band/
www.myspace.com/budosband

 
 
Next, on August 5, Apollo Sunshine take the East River by storm (well, hopefully not literally…), playing as part of the Rocks Off Concert Cruise with Sam Champion and Drug Rug for what should be a rollicking good time. The vessel, the Jewel, leaves at 8pm sharp from Skyport Marina (23rd & FDR Drive), and swimming to catch up with your friends is not exactly an advised strategy…

 
 
www.worlds-fair.net/apollo_sunshine/
www.myspace.com/apollosunshine

 
The following day, Wednesday, August 6, Tiny Masters of Today will close out the Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy’s Music at the Bridge Series with a special show at Tobacco Warehouse, part of the Empire-Fulton Ferry State Park, alongside Headlights and the French Kicks.
 
And it’s free! Show starts at 6.
 
 
www.worlds-fair.net/tiny_masters_of_today/
www.myspace.com/tinymasters

 
 
Finally, on August 17, Sharon Jones, along with labelmates Menahan Street Band and Naomi Shelton, will be performing on the last day of the venerable Central Park SummerStage, old-school style, as part of the Daptone Revue. This marks the debut show for Menahan Street Band, a citywide introduction to Naomi Shelton (who’s been making her presence known in the Village for years now), and of course, another sure-to-be smokin’ performance by Ms. Jones.
 
Show starts at 3. Don’t miss it.

www.daptonerecords.com/
www.myspace.com/daptonerecords

Chin Chin, the latest band on Def Jux to tear up the stage, has just a couple of shows left this tour before a much deserved rest. Tonight, Angelinos can check out the band at 10pm at The Mint or on the 10th at Cinespace (with Steve Aoki’s Dim Mak Tuesdays), while the OC gets ‘em on Saturday, June 7 at The Continental Room. New Yorkers have to wait a little longer to see Chin Chin, but it’ll be worth it: they’re playing a June 14 show at The Yard at the first annual Scumstravaganza alongside Tone Tank and Peelander-Z.

Chin Chin’s self-titled album, which came out April 29, has been getting a lot of great press, too, including this review from Stereo Subversion:

“Their complex twist on funk and disco is like a really good eggs las migas - the ingredients are familiar enough, but spiced just unusually enough so that surprises lurk in every other bite. Chin Chin has created an intricate, weird, and occasionally excellent album whose only major shortcoming lies in the fact that it is actually an album and not, in fact, a party filled with other sweaty, dancing people.”

The DJ Eli remix of “Toot D’Amore” has also been getting a lot of coverage, including from XLR8R.

You can also download it here.

Artist: Chin Chin
Album:Chin Chin
Label: Definitive Jux
Street Date: April 29th, 2008
Formats: CD, mp3

CONNECT: Website | Definitive Jux | World’s Fair

Summer’s almost here, and there’s no better way to celebrate — at least for those near the BK — than with a couple of outdoor shows with Def Jux. Herald in this Memorial Day Weekend (May 24th to be exact) with avant hip-hop producer Mike Ladd at the Brooklyn Shuffle, or with the always fantastic Chin Chin and hardcore band Activator at the Scumstravaganza 2008 Summer Release Party on the 14th of June. Both shows are at The Yard, and judging by the way these artists all perform, both are not-to-miss.

This is the second annual Brooklyn Shuffle, and this year’s show is dedicated to artists who are pushing genre boundaries, especially those associated with mainstream “black music.” With Mike Ladd — playing with his new band — on the bill, alongside guitarist Grey Reverend, electro-afropunk outfit No Surrender, and DJ Myles and DJ Lindsey (of The Hump), it’s sure to be a very good time.

Brooklyn Shuffle
@ THE YARD (400 Carroll Street, Brooklyn)
Saturday, May 24, 4pm - 9pm
Tickets $10 adv/ $12 door, all ages
Advanced tickets available @ www.TheYard.ws

Here’s a track from Mike’s latest, the excellent Nostalgialator, which came to the States courtesy of Def Jux this past January.
Mike Ladd - “Trouble Shot” [DOWNLOAD]

Or find out more about Mike Ladd here: myspace.com/mikeladd

Chin Chin and Activator are playing at Scumlife’s 2008 Summer Release Party, Scumstravaganza, Saturday, June 14, another event with a killer line-up, with performances also by Tone Tank, Peelander-Z, and the Nuclear Family, among others.

Scumstravaganza 2008 Summer Release Party
@ THE YARD (400 Carroll Street, Brooklyn)
Saturday, June 14, Doors @ 2pm
Tickets $10 adv, 18+

CHIN CHIN - “APPETITE” [DOWNLOAD]

Artist: Chin Chin
Album:Chin Chin
Label: Definitive Jux
Street Date: April 29th, 2008
Formats: CD, mp3

CONNECT: Website | Definitive Jux | World’s Fair

If you’re looking for something fun to do over the weekend in New York, check out the 5th Avenue Street Fair in Park Slope. This is a perfect place to do some daytime outdoor drinking, and make lots of unnecessary purchases! But, most importantly you can catch CHIN CHIN for FREE! They’ll be playing out in front of Southpaw at 4pm. Come through!

… and if you’re looking for some pre-street fair/party warm up tunes, check out the super fun remix that DJ Eli did of Chin Chin’s funk-tastic “Toot D’Amore.”

Chin Chin - “Toot D’Amore” remix by DJ Eli [DOWNLOAD]

Sun, May 18 — Brooklyn @ 5th Ave Street Fair (125 Fifth Ave.) 4pm

West Coast dates!
Wed, May 28 — Seattle @ Nectar
Thu, May 29 – Portland @ Rotture
Fri, May 30 — Vancouver Island @ Waverly Hotel
Wed, June 4 — San Francisco @ Mojito’s
Fri, June 6 — Los Angeles @ The Mint
Sat, June 7 — Orange County @ Continental Room

Artist: Chin Chin
Album:Chin Chin
Label: Definitive Jux
Street Date: April 29th, 2008
Formats: CD, mp3

CONNECT: Website | Definitive Jux | World’s Fair

Ladies and Gentleman, get those dancin’ shoes on! Chin Chin’s self-titled debut is about to drop on Def Jux (April 29). The sound is a collision of disco beats, Latin rhythms, soul-jazz grooves and funk. In other words, they’re bringing plenty of new flavor to the Def Jux stable. Speaking of new flavor, Def Jux has also signed the punk outfit Activator, and they have a show tomorrow night, April 24 @ Southpaw in Brooklyn (details below).

Chin Chin’s album release party is on Tuesday, May 6th @ Union Pool in Brooklyn, and in May they’ll head out to the West Coast (details below). Every show the band plays becomes one giant celebration, with up to 10, 12 musicians packed on stage, replete with a horns section. The spry, fuzzed-out jams on their new album well capture this feeling of unbridled revelry. Torbitt Schwartz (drums, vocals), Jeremy Wilms (guitar, vocals), and Wilder Zoby (vocals, keyboard) are the core trio of musicians that make up the Chin Chin. Stirring together elements of funk, jazz, disco, rock and R&B, the band has created an alchemical brew. In the words of El-P, Chin Chin is “… like the worlds greatest wedding band on acid.”

TUE, MAY 6
CHIN CHIN album release party!! @ Union Pool
w/ special guest Bing Ji Ling
484 Union Ave. at Meeker
Brooklyn, NY 11211
http://www.myspace.com/unionpool
doors 8:30pm, set 10pm, door $10

more Chin Chin live dates….

Sun, May 18 — NYC @ 5th Ave Street Fair
Wed, May 28 — Seattle @ Nectar
Fri, May 30 — Vancouver Island
Sat, May 31 — Vancouver Island
Wed, June 4 — San Francisco @ Mojito’s
Fri, June 6 — Orange County @ Continental Room

“Check out the infectious track “Appetite” off their record and fall in love.” @ Analog Giant

“Tighter than your boss with a raise” – Time Out NY

“…Outkast meets the Dap-Kings” -Black Book

“… a party in it’s own right (Chin Chin) is a hairy, funky dance band, that sprawls like a Wookie passed out on your couch. A must see!” - Chicago Reader

“…Prince on speed. The live show is outstanding” - Herald Times

in other Def Jux show news….

Thursday, April 24
ACTIVATOR @ SOUTHPAW
…Brooklyn Tattoo presents: There Goes The Neighborhood!
Welcoming themselves to their new location at 99 Smith street with a
celebration of music and art featuring:
Activator + Pagoda + Grande + DJ Kayo + The World Famous Pontani Sisters
125 Fifth Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11217
$10
8 pm doors/ 8:30pm show
+ Art curated & sponsered by Urban Folk Art (c)Studios
+ Giveaways from local businesses
+ All proceeds benefitting “Studios In Schools” an afterschool art program
at P.S. 15 in Red Hook.

Artist: Chin Chin
Album:Chin Chin
Label: Definitive Jux
Street Date: April 29th, 2008
Formats: CD, mp3 [PRE-ORDER @ DEFINITIVE JUX]

CHIN CHIN - “APPETITE” [DOWNLOAD]

CONNECT: Website | Definitive Jux | World’s Fair