Maricel Ysasa

Every year, as soon as the weather turns warm our tastes automatically migrate to South America. Jorge Ben, Gilberto Gil, Marissa Monte, David Byrne's Rei Momo etc. So, when our eyes caught a random twitter from the ever-more reclusive and globally focused Vincent Moon about a South American folk artist, 17 year old Maricel Ysasa from Buenos Aires, we immediately clicked. While, this is not the type of music you're going to be blasting out of your speakers on a balmy 4th of July weekend - it's perfect for late night walks home on humid August nights or for any other moments of quiet summer retrospection. Of course, it's shot beautifully, and the music is haunting and equally gorgeous. We're trying to track down some more music for you guys, but for now - just enjoy the above.

Sharon Van Etten Take Away Show

Take Away Show #109 _ SHARON VAN ETTEN (long version) from vincent moon / temporary areas on Vimeo.

[mp3]Sharon Van Etten: "Love More"

Sharon Van Etten was made for Take Away Shows. One almost feels like, with someone with that much talent, you could put her in the most awkward of situations and she would still sound amazing. So, really, pairing her up with Vincent Moon was a no brainer. Yet, Moon has been slowly taking interest in other projects, and personally making fewer Take Away Shows. It's a testament to Van Etten's talent, that Moon choose her for his most recent piece, filmed in Red Hook in February of this year. It begins with Van Etten driving down the BQE towards Red Hook, passing, both Van Etten's and my own, favorite place to view the city -- that stretch as lower Manhattan juts out of the East River just as you're driving under Brooklyn Heights. As Van Etten performs in a cold riverside park in the shadow of the Statue of Liberty, it's clear how far she's come in just a short amount of time. Her voice and tone are more mature, darker, less sweet, but no less powerful and moving. Sharon's music becomes a beautiful backdrop, to what really is, at its core, another marvelous short film by Vincent Moon. In the end, I don't know who I'm more impressed with -- all I know, is that I love it. Sharon Van Etten's new record, Epic comes out on Ba Da Bing on October 5th. She's also touring with our other favorite Marissa Nadler. Dates after the jump.

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Saturday, Aug. 7 – Brooklyn, NY @ Bushwick Starr w/ Mike Visser
Wednesday, Sept. 8 - Washington, DC @ DC9 w/ Marissa Nadler
Thursday, Sept. 9 - Charlottesville, VA @ Twisted Branch Tea Bazaar w/ Marissa Nadler
Friday, Sept. 10 - Raleigh, NC @ Hopscotch Festival at the Pour House w/ Marissa Nadler
Sunday, Sept. 12 - Charlotte, NC @ The Milestone w/ Marissa Nadler
Monday, Sept. 13 - Knoxville, TN @ The Pilot Light w/ Marissa Nadler
Tuesday, Sept. 14 - Atlanta, GA @ 529 w/ Marissa Nadler

Fleet Foxes Finally Take Away

Fleet Foxes - A Take Away Show from La Blogotheque on Vimeo.
It seems as though Vincent Moon's Take Away Shows were made for Fleet Foxes. The music videos highlight a band's raw, acoustic, vocal and playing abilities, of which the Foxes have plenty. Songs such as "White Winter Hymnal," "Ragged Wood," and "Heard Them Stirring" off their self-titled debut, capture the pure vocal and harmonica talents of the band members -- this Take Away Show must have been simple for them: just play a live show.

"Blue Ridge Mountain" is the song of choice. Here, the breathtaking A Capella harmonies are accentuated by the cavernous sound of high ceilings and the barren landscape in which they recorded: Grand Palais, in Paris. The reverberations transform the performance into an attention demanding romp, all the more mystical at times when coupled with the setting. The five band members become an unrestrained, musical force at the hands of the room's resonant features -- their sound populating the empty space. Moon's circular camera work around frontman Robin Pecknold gives the feeling of being spellbound, rightly induced by this performance.

Priscilla Ahn's Take Away Show - "Dream"

Split Series Priscilla Ahn - Dream
by lablogotheque

Stark knew Ahn before she was even a glisten in Blue Note's eye. Attending a show at the Living Room that would ultimately get her signed, Stark had mixed feelings about Ahn at the onset. Her newest album A Good Day, strikes varying chords - some songs resonate, while others recede - she still has some growing up to do. All the latter were evident in her performance at the Living Room.

The beauty of Vincent Moon directed Take Aways Shows, are their ability to seemingly freeze time - they depict artists at specific moments in their careers be it personal highs or lows. Here we see youthfulness and vocal talents - the black and white cinematography adding tasteful dramatic elements. Ahn's voice is only accentuated by the cacophony of the barren room in which she sings. Her most recognizable tune "Dream" takes on angelic qualities as Ahn is alone and in the flesh. Although her surroundings are unappealing, the song and performance are not. Enjoy.