The New Pornographers | NPR MUSIC FRONT ROW

Last week in New York City, on the fringe of Times Square, a band of busy artists gathered in a building brimming with songwriting history. The Brill Building's golden age, when songs like "Will You Love Me Tomorrow" and "Be My Baby" were written in its offices, are in the past, but The New Pornographers' pop music would fit into the mold of that era. You can easily imagine the group's members writing songs in small, secluded rooms to be played on tiny transistors and monophonic record players.
Brill Bruisers is the name of the sixth album by The New Pornographers, shortened by singer/bandleader Carl Newman from the original title "Brilliant Bruisers." By trimming the album's title, Newman made the connection to the famous New York building filled with hit makers and music publishers from the 1940s to the '60s. So it felt undeniable to bring the band into the space that inspired the new album's name. For this one night, we transformed the abandoned retail space on the ground floor of the Brill Building into a music venue, and for a few hours, there was magic in the air.
Carl Newman knows the long history of the space well. He has read the book Always Magic in the Air: The Bomp and Brilliance of the Brill Building Era, and his own band's songs have a sense of energy that's vibrant and vital and meant for repeat listens, as the girl group era's great singles were. The talent in this band is abundant; each member has his or her own musical project on the side (or in the case of synth player Blaine Thurier, a filmmaking project). Singer Neko Case has a very creative and popular canon of solo works and has played with many other musicians, including Jakob Dylan, Nick Cave and Andrew Bird. Songwriter Dan Bejar has put out many albums as Destroyer, including 2011's Kaputt, maybe his most loved. The list goes happily on.
Seeing this group of musicians on one stage is always a joy, and seeing them on this makeshift stage in a venue as special as the Brill Building was unforgettable. They played songs from each of their six albums together, performing many of the songs from Brill Bruisers for the first time. To paraphrase the most famous of the Brill Building songwriters, the husband and wife team of Gerry Goffin and Carole King, we thank The New Pornographers for making this "a lasting treasure, not simply a moment's pleasure." --Bob Boilen
SET LIST
Moves - 1:46
Myriad Harbour 5:49
Dancehall Domine- 9:55
The Laws Have Changed - 13:43
War On The East Coast - 17:49
Twin Cinema - 21:50
Fantasy Fools - 25:44
Mass Romantic - 29:31
Spidyr - 33:37
Brill Bruisers - 36:27
Backstairs - 39:31
Testament To Youth In Verse - 44:32
Sweet Talk, Sweet Talk - 49:39
The Bleeding Heart Show - 53:27
CREDITS
Producers: Mito Have-Evans, Bob Boilen; Event Manager: Saidah Blount; Videographers: Christopher Parks, Maia Stern, A.J. Wilhelm; Audio Engineers: Dan Seiders, Kevin Wait; Lighting Director: Marc Janowitz; Special Thanks: The Brill Building; Executive Producer: Anya Grundmann

[@edwardh3020]

This band is so awesome, what an undiscovered treasure they are!!!

[@rmcfee]

The best pop band in the world. No question.

[@hunxlam115]

Thanks! Superb to see the gang altogether rocking out!

[@marthalauren858]

It's been said before, but I just gotta add another comment on how the sound guy did Neko dirty

[@MrRafting]

the actual instruments are way too loud compared to the vocals, even A.C. could've been louder

[@mattbothell9352]

Just saw these guys in Seattle a couple weeks back. Amazing, fun show. Love these guys

[@davidadams2395]

One of my favorites since Mass Romantic. It's nice seeing Coco with them.

[@polomurillo2113]

I think the new album is the best the band has put out since Electric Version. I don't mean this as a knock on the other albums; I love them all. It's just that Brill Bruisers feel very close to their early style, which is the one I fell in love with when I discovered them.

[@maxmotors9497]

Man you are right on my wavelength

[@TheKchar]

Awesome, thank you for posting!

[@PhotisSirounis]

This is just incredibly fantastic!! Love it!!!

[@RexTheCyberdog]

Fantastic from start to finish!

[@bpmanzoli]

immensely talented bamd. excellent rock and roll!

[@marshallviard7594]

This is a very high quality record. That dude Newman really has some cool songs.

[@pxs7777]

I’ve watched this loads. Neko’s mic should have been louder. Coco’s mic is too loud.

[@sgbassman7546]

Please fire these people. "Audio Engineers: Dan Seiders, Kevin Wait" One of the best things about the New Pornographers are their awesome singers and especially on songs like The Laws Have Changed you can barely hear Neko at all when she's trying to belt out the chorus. :(

[@101Volts]

+sgbassman7546 I hope those engineers took note and learned something important.

[@peutch]

Seriously, the balance is completely off on Bill Bruisers (keyboards super loud), and guitars are really too loud compared to voices. Voices balances is completely wrong too; Neko and Carl are mixed too low, and I would have also mixed the backup singer voice down; no offense to her but she shouldn't be louder than Kathryn Calder.

[@oxboworchard5610]

For real. Ahh!

[@WGBHMusic]

AWESOMENESS.

[@ClarkBell]

Nice to see this whole set. Thanks NPR! Great product placement for Stella Artois on Testatment....

[@godzilla12332]

i saw them in phili yesterday and it was amazing! best first concert ever

[@adrenalinejunkie4788]

This is one of my favourite live shows in the whole world.

[@MyChalkman]

First time exposed ...wow...they remind me of Arcade Fire...Brilliant musicianship wonderful entertainment....Thank you for posting.

[@robertorobles336]

What a great band!

[@johnslist1000]

wow good new stuff....sounds great

[@tamiheaton]

What this sound engineer has done to Neko Case is criminal.

[@chrismalcheski9232]

She was destroyed, to be sure. She IS the band's entire sound. Unparalleled.

[@emjfotografi]

Carl is the band's sound...

[@CHodgy]

Sound dude missed Kathryn Calder too

[@lyndjo]

Omg yes. I knew she was way down in the mix, but when they got to The Laws Have Changed it became obvious she basically wasn’t on at all. It’s funny that the host talked about how good the sound check was. He obviously didn’t mean the actual sound mix. Lol.

[@iwillnevergetone5]

seriously, how did that make it past an NPR production. didn't they listen back in the studio when they mixed this before posting. hmm

[@denniscampbell6442]

One of the best shows ever at the Wiltern last nite !!!!!

[@ricksamericana749]

What am I thankful for, this season? Why, the New Pornographers, of course. Great show!

[@xthepierrex]

This was so goooood!!

[@novascotiadualsport]

Love the reference to the humble brag. RIP Harris Wittels Fantastic show. Thanks for uploading but too bad about Niko's mike at first.

[@JohnLnyc]

PS-- Brill Bruisers is a great CD! What a catalog these guys have!

[@Mr2at]

Any band that has a guitarist with a grey beard is always worth watching. Really enjoyed watching this.

[@mooniejohnson]

John is the man. He does it all... engineer, bassist, producer, and apparently he can skateboard.

[@kentuckychromedesign]

Miss you forever, Kurt Dahle.

[@Jaemazormusic]

Wonderful

[@NarrowChutes]

Neko's mic should have been louder. Still, another great performance.

[@kittenspank]

She still blasted through, what a great performer.

[@catnipforclones]

It's a tragedy it wasn't. Testament to her talent that she still shone.

[@mooniejohnson]

I really miss Kurt. I think this was his last performance with the band. I don't know why he left, but I think he was part of the "secret sauce" that they had. Don't get me wrong, Jon is a fantastic drummer, but he doesn't bring the personality Kurt had on the drums.

[@anapaulatillman.6133]

I grew up in the Vancouver area, just a few clicks north on Highway 99 from Carl. But I had no idea about this band until, in 2003, I stopped in Seattle on a road trip on a sad pursuit of a failed love affair, and found Electric Version in the EMP gift shop. That was on repeat in my Pontiac Sunfire all the way to San Diego and back. Ever since, they've been my favourite band. I don't usually bother with live music as I can't stand crowds, but I've made an exception three times to see them play live at the Commodore, each time better than the last. This performance is even better than any of those shows, highlighting the ray power, diversity, and talent of what I feel is Canada's greatest living band.

[@TheBlindPariah]

I am choosing this as the supremely proven method to effect change through expressing my outrage that this free concert video clip was not up to my standards! Kudos to the camera direction for sticking with the artist expressed attention to camel toe by use of subtle close up, and inspiring product placement of Stella Artois. Outraged! Once I monetize my youtube, this sort of chicanery will be outlawed by decree. Outraged!

[@ericarner8177]

This is so amazing to have new and old members all together! I've seen them once with Neko, and once without, never with Dan... Could this be remixed and released somewhere??? Aside from some mix level issues, this is so amazing!

[@matthewlane9874]

I’ve seen them once and it was with Neko AND Dan. I didn’t realize at the time how lucky I was.

[@dawnwilliams5632]

What a great set. I wish they could fix the sound.

[@Mr2at]

and three lovely female singers.

[@davidb.mastersong-lyricarc6757]

Mr B.

[@scotcho62]

At a time that I was losing faith in the reality that any music would hereafter appeal to me in the same magnitude as the bands of my youth, along came the New Pornographers, and my faith was restored.

[@HeatherLambertBurlington]

Did you just discover them recently or when they started? They have been around for quite a while...

[@scotcho62]

Heather Lambert About four years ago but I hadn't really heard them, other than Use It being the theme for Jian Ghomeshi's old show on CBC Newsworld, Play.

[@101Volts]

So have you heard of Flipron before? They've been around since 2003 at least and are still a pretty small band but I do enjoy their music. Yeah, different tastes... But still, maybe you'd like them? They're not as vocal as TNP but still. I think they're to somewhat biblical proportions in lyrical subject. Recommended first listens: Book Of Lies The Comet Returns Dreams of Wealth and Power

[@aveytare2185]

Austin Lucas longer than 03...

[@ramzyred]

Don't you all forget Katryn Calder. She is the singer of the band.

[@uncleweed]

i've met her a few times and well... smitten!

[@lambyiii]

neko's pants are fucking amazing. gotta love NPR!!

[@TroyElwoodHagerman]

Todd Fancey does some fancy work on his guitar drives the music well !

[@frankbombaci4977]

I remember when they did this - I wish I could have been there, but in a way I was

[@bsnyder921]

Can anybody tell what the white pedal is that AC Newman is using? There's a few pretty good shots of his pedalboard during the show. I see he's using a Boss tuner, a EH Micro Pog, and a Boss tremolo. But then there's a smallish (MXR size) white pedal with only a couple of knobs on it. I'm guessing some kind of overdrive or distortion?

[@christopherpesqueira8169]

Neko Rocks!

[@digitramch]

Dan Bejar is such a diva haha

[@muhammadramzy7562]

Gila nemu komen sigit disini wkwk

[@petermainwald6413]

How in the world is Bleeding Heart show an "obscure oldie that is rarely played'? That is one hell of a song!

[@SuperUrsusmaritimus]

welcome to Carl's dry sense of humor

[@edmill47]

My favorite New Porn song.

[@damnyou01]

sounds like a more friendly pixies to me.

[@bradyostergren9419]

How did they not name this band 'The Gingers'?

[@TheOsfania]

Ni-Fi Festival in Sparta, Kentucky, on August 30.

[@MyChalkman]

I have a serious crush on the girl in white and black outfit

[@NotoriousNME]

Dan is the best

[@marshallviard7594]

I think everyone wants the live album.

[@juleisha123]

One of my favourite bands. Thanks for posting! A bit disappointed that you can't really hear the melodica in Bleeding Heart Show though. Anyone knows who is the lady in the dotted blue blouse? Is she a new member? Forgive my ignorance.

[@rivum11]

here name is coco and she's from the Ettes facebook.com/TheEttes

[@juleisha123]

Thank you for your response. I will have to check out The Ettes now! :-)

[@doncrouch2964]

the "dominant" singer in the polka-dot blouse was clearly a short timer, her name appears to be Lindsay "Coco" Hames...they sound much better, and have more arrangement options, with Simi now!!

[@WiloPolis03]

Also Sweet Talk Sweet Talk sounds even better as well

[@JohnLnyc]

I suspect a lot of the sound problems were a result of the room which was apparently an impromptu set up in some vacant space. There's a lot going on mike wise so I would guess this was a bitch to get good sound. This is a pretty complex band. Great songs, musicianship and vocals. As this was an NPR broadcast I'd say that "all things considered….".

[@philipottam8538]

53:27 Bleeding heart show

[@Youcantleavethisempty01]

11:05 SOOOOO Keith Moon lol (-:

[@mooniejohnson]

+you can't leave this empty every time I saw them in concert I'd find myself watching Kurt half the time. Not only is he a phenomenal drummer, but he's just so entertaining to watch.

[@eswatcom]

This band is played on kalx from uc Berkeley

[@Feelthefelt]

Bob, do you really think this is their best album? This is a KILLER record, but those first three are untouchable.

[@paulcsomo9089]

I wish Bob Boilen was my cool, weird uncle.

[@cgphoto]

A poor mix here but a great reminder of how great this band was when they still had Kurt Dahle.

[@WiloPolis03]

Twin Cinema somehow sounds even better live

[@isaacdebroux-slone3732]

Why are the vocals so quiet

[@wohltemper]

Tune that fxxxing guitar! (6.00)

[@chuckpowell1977]

Yeah I don't normally comment on things like sound mixing, but this is bad...Coco is too loud while Kathryn and Neko are sometimes inaudible...too bad because it's really a pretty great performance.

[@donniebobb74]

is that COCO?

[@ramzyred]

Who is the third female singer. Neko Case, Kathryn Calder and ......?

[@kcunningham3900]

Coco Hames :-)

[@Smoshy16]

If you want to see what the first and last day of a sound engineer looks like!

[@strivingformindfulness2356]

Oh, I hope so. Somebody must've peed in his Wheaties that morning, so he took it out on the world's ears.

[@tdryan34]

bejar is there.

[@Sleepgarden]

was hoping they'd do champions of red wine or marching orders :(

[@dannyhaobam9858]

It is Indie ladies only who can totally rock the tambourines.

[@thomasmills5582]

Love this band....! Love this clip....! BUT....Not nearly enough focus on Kathryn Calder...She is so talented and my absolute fav!...Not to mention HOT as well!!

[@SuperUrsusmaritimus]

Currently in love with all 3 females on the front line here. Who is this new firecracker? British?

[@primovid]

When was this show?

[@deanomar1356]

In 2014, when the "Brill Bruisers" album came out.

[@Adrianovaz2007]

The mixing is very bad, you can't hear the harmonica on Myriad Harbour and Kathryn who's second voice on Dancehall Domine is also inaudible. The energy kinda makes it up for it. That and Newman's jokes.

[@Adrianovaz2007]

On a rewatch I don't think anyone was playing harmonica in this show but yeah you can't hear Kathryn and Neko at times and the woodblock is too low on the mix

[@davidwyatt3944]

Could use a better mix, barely hear Neko and Kathryn Calder's vocals. And who is the other girl singer?

[@paulcsomo9089]

Coco from The Ettes. She destroys.

[@thrillmill6525]

That's so beta.

[@obiflan6503]

criminally underusing Neko Case. wtf

[@PCDisciple]

Neko's hawt.

[@danthefan5378]

Kathryn C TOO!

[@101Volts]

She turned down an offer from Playboy once. She didn't want to be thought of primarily as a nude model who also played some music. Later, she didn't want to talk about it.

[@1981AdamGs]

It's a shame Neko is barely audible.

[@thomthumb1029]

NPR used to be one of the best live sound... what happened?

[@michaelnicholson9920]

Hey 29:30, a good song! Too bad the chick's vocals are too low- the song is better on record...

[@tripperdelaluna1]

A Canadian choir.

[@lrelling]

Testament to Youth in Verse. The no chorus.

[@mwadner]

5:45

[@atlgator1928]

Mix is off on the title track, painful...otherwise some very fine pop.

[@bumbleboa7742]

Should have Kathryn joint lead singer she's way better than those other two!!!

[@waffletube5707]

I'm a fan of the NP, but they seem kind of uptight.

[@Demoncleaner78]

Who/whomever mixed this thing should not be mixing. Keyboard blasting over everything...feedback all over the place. Hard to listen to.

[@KatManDude]

Poorly filmed, too. Apparently only half of the band were deemed worthy of being seen.

[@richardjacobson1158]

The crowd seems half-frozen and unresponsive. I guess they need blood spattered in their faces to keep them from yawning.

[@michaelnicholson9920]

Wow this is a bad mix. The background vocals are way too loud and off key. I can't even hear the lead female and the keyboards are way too loud. I hope it gets better or I am going to bed... Wow, now the vocals are way too loud. This is horrible. The crowd should get its money back...

[@101Volts]

Michael Nicholson Dunno if the crowd heard the same thing as is on this recording, sometimes they don't. At least anyone learning the songs can possibly hear them from another angle.

[@tolstoy112]

The sound is terrible.

[@michaelnicholson9920]

Wow, they butchered their signature song. I sure won't be checking them out at the festival, let me tell you...

[@michaelnicholson9920]

And what's the deal with Bolin and like Carole King? It's real embarrassing...

[@JeremyVanHoy]

Not that familiar with this band... they seem like the B-52's for the next generation...

[@CHodgy]

Eh? Come now...

[@kaerbear]

Let’s just take the best part of this band and put it on mute 🙄🤦🏽‍♀️

[@michaelnicholson9920]

Worst live performance I have ever heard....

[@jamesjoyce725]

sorry but this is awful

[@ufotofu9]

haha k.

[@DanzTripss]

COCO HAMES