Elvis Guesthouse is a relatively new venue located on Avenue A in Alphabet City. Sunday night it presented a stellar lineup featuring Cosmonaut, Warbly Jets, Tony Castles and a DJ set by Dylan Rau of Bear Hands.
The small venue sits under a restaurant, almost invisible. If it weren’t for the music barging from the space and invading the surrounding street I would have missed it. I walked in during Warbly Jets’ set, an L.A. band featuring two former NYC residents, and felt like I had just walked into a private party. The entire venue had an intimate feel like a private home in L.A., which had been abandoned and reclaimed by a bunch of deadpan faced kids wielding guitars and drum sticks. The four piece band was cramped into a small space in the back while just to the left of the “stage” in a fully tiled seating area members of the crowd sat with their “I’m too cool to show I actually enjoy this” vibe. They observed the music being performed for them with an air of indifference while discreetly tapping their feet. It was a quintessential moment of the NYC music scene and I loved every second of it.
Warbly Jets
Cosmonaut played a set heavy in new material including a few never before played songs. The band has been working hard in preparation for a new album, one they will be recording very soon. With each new song of theirs that I hear, I grow increasingly more excited for it. I was first attracted to Cosmonaut’s indie pop rock, like a slightly more upbeat version of Pavement, because the songs were infectious and made me want to dance. The new songs reflect a darker side to the band and have a more drawn out sound. The pop guitar riffs paired with the occasionally darker lyrics and moody rhythm creates a complexity that always draws me in. Simply put – it is just incredibly good music.
Cosmonaut
Cosmonaut
Cosmonaut
Cosmonaut
The crowd seemed to trickle out during Tony Castles, but it didn’t phase the members of the band. They continued on to play a lively set enthusiastically. In general, the crowd was very light for such a great line up. Maybe everyone was resting up for CMJ (New Yorkers rest?). In my opinion, the bands deserved a larger turnout but at the same time I enjoyed feeling like I had the music all to myself. What can I say, I’m selfish.
Tony Castles
Article: Chrissy Lush
