The Way Station Events
21+ all the time (it is a bar after all)
All events are a strongly suggested $5 donation unless indicated otherwise.
Can't see the show in person stream it live here
Readers' Choice Contest
New York 2014
The Way Station voted
Best Cocktail Bar
TUESDAY 12/2
8pm- Dogstar Rose
Genre: Neo Punk
For fans of: Jefferson Airplane, Siouxsie Sue, Mazzie Star, female Lou Reed
Enthralling, edgy and insightful original compositions to prick your conscience and either warm or chill your heart.
“It is very difficult trying to pin down a genre for ‘Futurejack’ - they do not fall into a typical slot. Their songs have a slight edge of punk about them, but they are not all out punk, and from what I experienced last night feel Dogstar Rose is the dynamic force behind the band.” - Pagan Tordengrav, Pagan Hel Reviews (Jan 17, 2014)
“enjoyed particularly Dogstar Rose, was really quite different reminded me of Siouxsie and the Banshees mixed with some primitive blues...” - Burjesta Liverpool
“How would you describe the sound of Dogstar Rose? "Gritty and retributive." - Tom Hilton, Aldora Britain Records (Nov 18, 2013)
www.soundcloud.com/iamdogstar
www.soundcloud.com/futurejack
9pm- Jack Spann
Genre: Darker Melodic Americana
For fans of: Storytelling songs and uptempo Americana
Jack Spann- dusky singer/songsmith and mulit-instrumentalist. His songs are clever and catchy- a unique combination of blues, folk, country, rock and roll and pop, and are heartfelt examinations of everyday lives, and our frustrations and triumphs. Jack has been opening act for artists such as Widespread Panic, Steve Forbert, Buckwheat Zydeco, and Albert King, played SXSW, and played on John Platania’s (guitarist, Van Morrison) CD, Lucky Dog. Jack has appeared on Broadway in War Horse at Lincoln Center Theater and Lost Highway, The Hank Williams Story at the Little Shubert Theater.
“What is amazing is not that he does it all, but that he does it all so well”- Gloucester Times, Gloucester, MA
www.jackspann.com
https://soundcloud.com/jackspann/twist-1n-the-wind
https://soundcloud.com/jackspann/jon-the-snowman
10pm- Sally
Genre: Indie Pop
For fans of: The Smiths, Belle and Sebastian, Camera Obscura, Magnetic FieldsSally is a Brooklyn- and Queens-based indie pop band whose sugary, witty pop songs evoke The Smiths, the Six-ties, and tons of romantic angst. Hooky song structures hide forlorn, honest lyrics. The group consists of song-writer Jordan Cooper (guitar, accordion, back-up vocals), Kristen Gudsnuk (lead vocals, glockenspiel, melodica, tambourine), and Will Kastner (drums and percussion).
Sally originated from a series of songs written by Jordan from the perspective of a fictitious, lovelorn girl. Their debut EP, We Are In A Car, was released in July 2012.
“Sally is full of indie-pop fun. Eloquently composed . . . [We Are In A Car] rides on the strength of Gudsnuk’s honest vocals and Cooper’s cheery songwriting.” —Ben Anshutz, Turnstyle Music Group
“We Are In A Car, though accounting the ending of relationships, has a simple, childlike air, thanks to Gudsnuk’s light vocals and the band’s use of unconventional instruments.”—The QueensTribune
“Charming tween-pop. . . .While all of Sally’s songs chronicle the ‘perils’ and frustrations of relationships, . . . Kristen Gudsnuk . . . chronicles these tales in an innocent and childlike voice while the other members of the band create a catchy indie-pop backdrop, which is complete with accordion, glockenspiel, kazoo, and melodica.” —Brooklyn Rocks
www.sallyband.com
http://sallyband.bandcamp.com/
www.youtube.com/SongsBySally
www.facebook.com/sallyband
11pm- LTLT
Genre: folk, rock, indie
For fans of: Joni Mitchell, The Cranberries, Old Crow Medicine Show
LTLT is as musically eclectic as the members who give it life. Fronted by San Francisco native, L.T. Tannenbaum, with three of Maryland’s finest, John Bimbiras, Dylan Kaminkow, and Allen Branch on guitar, upright bass, and percussion, respectively, and the incredibly talented Céline Boulben on violin hailing all the way from France, LTLT delivers a sound that reflects each of its part’s unique stories, warm spirits, and their abiding love of fun. Their music is catchy but complex, different but highly accessible, with a perfect balance of depth and humor.
facebook.com/ltltband
WEDNESDAY 12/3
Wall-to-Wall Tom Waits
The Way Station continues their Tribute Series by honoring consummate singer-songwriter and performance artist Tom Waits a few days before Tom’s 65th birthday.
The evening will begin at 7:30pm with a performance by puppeteer James Godwin followed by a reading of the Waits ominous classic, “What’s He Building?” by Way Station soundman, raconteur and resident Aussie madman Miles Portek. Music will directly follow with singer songwriters Joshua Garcia, Rosa Tu and Mary-Elaine Jenkins each performing three to four Waits covers during their respective thirty-minute sets. The true breadth of the Waits extensive catalog can be heard during the 24-song set performed by ten-piece band and headliners, Big in Japan. Don't miss a single track as re-imagined by these most reverential performers.
7:30pm- James Godwin Tom Waits Puppet Performance
James Godwin (Tom Waits) is a performer, puppeteer and visual artist. He has worked with the Muppets, Dave Chapelle, Wyatt Cenac and David Bowie just to name a few. His new one man show "The Flatiron Hex" will debut at Dixon Place in May.
jamesgodwinarts.com
7:45pm- Miles Portek Reads, "What's He Building?"
8pm- Joshua Garcia
Genre: Folk, Country, Blues
For fans of: Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, Townes Van Zandt, Woody Guthrie
Joshua Garcia is a folk-singer/songwriter whose music and writing style draw from the influences of his musical heroes Woody Guthrie, Bob Dylan, and Johnny Cash. Born and raised in Los Angeles, Joshua spent time writing and performing in Providence, RI before settling down in Brooklyn, New York.
A firm believer in the power of song and 'the album' as an artistic format, Joshua is currently in pre-production for his first official release slated for December 2014/January 2015.
Stay tuned! and as he often tells his audiences:
"If you do your best to listen; I'll do my best to remember the words!
joshuagarciamusic.tumblr.com
facebook.com/joshuagarciamusic
soundcloud.com/joshuagarciamusic
8:30pm- Rosa Tu
Genre: singer-songwriter/folk
For fans of: Neko Case, Aimee Mann, Joni Mitchell
Rosa is an American woman who writes and performs songs. Her songs are acoustic, multi-layered stories that spend time in living rooms, coffee shops and other quiet spaces. Her influences range from Leonard Cohen, to traditional Bulgarian music, to the soundtrack of Final Fantasy VII. Rosa feels happy cooking/eating delicious food, lying on the floor in homey spaces, and singing. She hopes that her music will continue to evolve, and to evoke lost feelings and a sense of warmth to the people who listen to it.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rtumusic
Bandcamp: http://rosatu.bandcamp.com/
9pm- Mary-Elaine Jenkins
Genre: Blues/Roots/Rock/Americana
For fans of: The Delta Blues, Lucinda Williams, Cat Power, Ryan Adams
Mary-Elaine Jenkins is a New York-based blueswoman. A South Carolina native and lifelong musician, she began performing live when she moved to Washington, DC for college. She came to New York by way of Madrid, where she spent two years teaching English, roaming around, and playing a whole lot of music. Her sound is a delicious and ever-evolving mix of blues, Americana roots, soul, and rock 'n roll, specializing in the sultry/spooky. This ain’t your mama’s singer/songwriter music.
https://twitter.com/MizMEJenkins
https://soundcloud.com/mary-elaine-jenkins
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EfLgWRMYEqw
https://www.facebook.com/mejplays
10pm-12am- Big in Japan
Julie Margolies – vocals
Jonathan Horn – vocals and guitar
Emily Fellner – vocals, accordion and trumpet
Gene Caprioglio – vocals and guitar
Pauli Diamond – vocals, soprano sax and keyboards
Richard Bryant – vocals, guitar and harmonica
Joel Darelius – vocals and bass
Justin Aaronson (drums) and David Paarlberg (keyboards) both from the roots band The Hollows
Bev Grant
THURSDAY 12/4
Wasabassco
8pm- Doors
On the first Thursday of every month we're at The Way Station, Brooklyn's famous Bar With The TARDIS Dec features Nasty Canasta, Poison Ivory, and Sapphire Jones. Hosted by Doc Wasabassco.
Show at 9:00
$15 advance-sale guaranteed seating
$10 GA at the door
http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/869190
FRIDAY 12/5
8pm- Cygne
Genre: blues/electric folk
For fans of: PJ Harvey, Ricki Lee Jones, Edie Brickell
Whether she’s calling out corrupt bankers, Monsanto, or no-good boyfriends the 1970s punk spirit of Tom Petty and Patti Smith pulsates in these songs, ensuring the next generation of blues-infused rock and roll. “Ultimately my intention is to uplift and inspire people,” says Cygne. “Life is short. There’s no need to spend it following orders and not doing what you love. My mission is to show people that, yes, it can be done.”
“Illuminating” - Eugene Weekly
“Extraordinary” - Montgomery News
www.finalpressrecords.com
www.facebook.com/cygnemusic
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNpcXOtSxuQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibohqFDapOc
9pm- Dolly Trolly
Genre: Indie Harmony Rock
For fans of: Fleetwood Mac, X, B-52's, Fleet Foxes
Gerard Kouwenhoven & Tara Lynne front this Brooklyn quartet. The vibe is deeply rooted in the 70's but with 80's glitz and wigs sometimes! They're writing and recording a new record featuring T.L. on more keyboards and pushing more boundaries as a band. You may have seen them last Summer playing in front of the Wonder Wheel or whizzing by on a Parade float. You just never know!!
www.reverbnation.com/DollyTrolly
www.facebook.com/DollyTrolly
10pm- Phonosynthesis
Genre: Funk, Jam/Jazz
For fans of: Soulive, Medeski Martin and Wood, Lettuce, Phish, Frank Zappa
Phonosynthesis is the careful infusion of rock and jazz, imbued with the indomitable swagger of a classic funk band. The result: A slick combination of sonic vibration that pushes the boundaries of live music and evokes its audience to dance and shout.
"Their debut single, “Birth of a Machine,” even touches on gospel from the beginning chords of Young’s B3. It makes you wanna shoot up to your feet and preach to the gospel of Hell Yeah, Son! " Chris Mariotti -- Lonesome Noise
"Somewhere in between lurk the jam-band jazzers — purveyors of accessible, groove-oriented funk for ass-shaking and stretched-out, rock-influenced improvisations. They approach jazz with brains and libido. It will entertain the Cabernet-sipping night club set, but mostly it succeeds at animating throngs of stoned noodle-dancers. [Phonosythesis] [...] wear the patchouli proudly." - Mike Hamad, The Hartford Advocate
"The band never repeats a show and never plays a song the same way twice. Instead of just trading off solos like typical jazz bands, they have moments of collective improvisation in which the music takes on a life of its own." - Mike Sembos, The Hartford Advocate
www.phonosynthesismusic.com
www.phonosynthesis.bandcamp.com
www.facebook.com/phonosynthesisband www.twitter.com/phonosynthesis https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxzCh_3FVE-fQZ8O5BPiIfg
11pm- Joe Benjamin & A Mighty Handful
Genre: Rock/Pop/Jazz
For fans of: Banda Magda, Queen, Jamie Cullum, Jessica Hernandez, Frank Sinatra
Joe Benjamin & A Mighty Handful is a collective of 11 musicians from New York City. With the help of the arranger Martin Seiler, this bands' vision is to give Swing Music a new and more 'a la mode' meaning. Influenced by and built on the musical styles of Freddie Mercury, Frank Sinatra and Roger Cicero, Joe Benjamin brings contemporary music styles and themes of modern life together in an entertaining live show. Joe Benjamin & A Mighty Handful - America's New Swing!
www.joe-benjamin.com
www.soundcloud.com/joe-benjamin/the-exterminator
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vu1o5PkAtco
SATURDAY 12/6
3-5pm- Nasty Canasta's yard sale of feathery things
Wasabassco's Indoor, Pre-Holiday, Booze-Adjacent Costume, Craft & Fanciness Yard Sale
The performers, professional costumers and OCD crafters of Wasabassco are cleaning out their closets - which means you have the chance to take home some handmade fabulousness on the cheap! Stop by The Way Station for a Saturday afternoon cocktail and join Nasty Canasta, Dangrrr Doll, Hazel Honeysuckle, Evelyn Vinyl and more for a studio sale of gently-worn showgirl fabulousness, civilian finery and everything in between.
Pick up some unique holiday gifts for deserving loved ones or just treat yourself to something fantastic! Featuring one-of-a-kind handmade costumes & costume pieces, vintage clothing & accessories, and craft supplies - all at low prices.
https://www.facebook.com/events/782603285127158/
8pm- Stanley John Mitchell and his Band of Buddies
Genre: Americana/singer-songwriter
For fans of: Mumford and Sons, Neil Finn, Chuck Berry
Native New Zealander Stanley John Mitchell is a veteran of the New York alternative scene. After arriving here with legendary Kiwi band ‘The Drongos’ Stanley J soon established himself as a songwriting force. His current band ‘Stanley John Mitchell and his Band of Buddies’ plays original material inspired by the Americana/Roots American style he loves so much. These influence’s, along with Stan’s own South Pacific background make for a delightfully original sound.
“A delightful mélange of funk rhythms, country harmonies, precisely layered guitar counterpoint and airy folk-rock sounds, with many influences, old and new, absorbed into a delightfully original sound”. - Robert Palmer. New York Times
Stanleyjohnmitchell.com
9pm- Barefoot & Bankside
Genre: southern rock, gospel blues
For fans of: Tom Waits, Johnny Cash, Shovels & Rope
Southern born & bred. Country music is in our hearts. Rock & roll is in our blood. Gospel & blues are what we breathe.
barefootandbankside.com
10pm- Kagero
Genre: Japanese Gypsy Rock
For fans of: Gogol Bordello meets David Bowie
Upbeat, folky pop songs with world music flavors, sung by a Japanese man with a British accent. Kagero’s sound is a melting pot of tonalities and rhythms from Asia, the Middle East, South America and Eastern Europe -- "Cultural Confusion". Sometimes the songs are beautiful imagery, sometimes sad folk tales, and sometimes silly songs about drinking. But the tunes are always fun, and the show is high energy dancing good time.
"Kagero’s world music goulash is very tasty -- even if you don’t always know what’s you’re eating."
“Rooted in uplifting elements from eclectic origins, "Japanese Gypsy Rock" unites Kagero’s musical influences and talents into a cross-culture dance party.”
by Meijin Bruttomesso, The Deli Magazine
www.kagero.com
http://www.facebook.com/pages/KAGERO/8576534010
http://kagero.com/fr_epk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Ul6qjtbneQ&feature=player_embedded
SUNDAY 12/7
4pm- Moving Pictures: Hand-picked entertainment on the big screen each Sunday evening at the Way Station.
Samurai Jack
“Gotta get back, back to the past, Samurai Jack!” We’ll be airing episodes of this award-winning Cartoon Network show. What’s your favorite episode? Last one will be viewers’ choice!
9pm- Nerd Karaoke
DJ JOE RUDE and The KINGS of KARAOKE present a Nerds Night to RAWK OUT at the BAR with the TARDIS!!! Come sing They Might Be Giants, Tom Lehrer, Jonathan Coulton, and MORE! No cover, awesome cocktails and fine beers on tap--its the best party Sunday can buy!
http://thekingsofkaraoke.com/
MONDAY 12/8
6pm- Monster Monday Madness: Black Christmas
Free Pizza!
8pm- Dylan Nichols
Genre: Acoustic, singer-songwriter
For fans of: Fiona Apple, Lana del Rey, Feist, Laura Marling
LA native Dylan Nichols is an honest, passionate lyricist with deep and original music. By way of L.A., New York and Paris, Dylan Nichols released two EPs and collaborated with French electro musician Thylacine on "Distance," which was the iTunes free download of the week in France. Her authentic songwriting and unique sound toe the line between folk and pop, evoking the likes of Fiona Apple and Lana Del Rey. She plans to release several new singles this year.
“…this generation needs an authentic, down-to-earth artist pointing the way to calmer, more soulful times. That voice is Dylan Nichols… Her lyrics […] are filled with sensuous detail and complex emotion accurately conveyed.” – Ella Riley-Adams, The Faster Times
(Trans.): “Moving with mystery, William chose Dylan Nichols to baffle us even more on “Distance.” Rocking, then summoning, the voice of the young American guides us on this long road to an increasingly attractive unknown.” –Fred Lombard, IndieMusic
www.facebook.com/dylanicholsmusic
www.dylannicholsmusic.com
www.soundcloud.com/dylan-nichols
www.youtube.com/DylanNicholsMusic
9pm- Sara Nelms
Genre: singer songwriter/ folk
For fans of: Dixie chicks, Alanis Morrissett, Civil Wars
Originally from Florida, Sara’s sound combines the control and melodic power of her classical training, melancholy of lost loves, the southern stylings from a lifetime love affair with country music, and the grit and truth found in her current home in New York City. All of this still leaving you with the hope of a positive outcome in things to come. Her new album, Lover, No Longer captures this spirit completely, through woven tales of love, loss, heartache, and hope. “With her individual vocal delivery and strong songwriting, Nelms isn’t trying to be anyone else, and why should she be? Lover, No Longer is an extremely consistent effort and if this is anything to judge by, then it certainly looks like a long career is ahead of Sara Nelms," says Ross Barber.
Critic Justin Kreitzer says, “classically trained, her versatile acoustic-based sound is fluid enough to slide between intimate coffee shops and club stages with full band arrangements without losing any of the passion in translation.” Also, “she possesses one heck of a beautiful voice. And with the understated yet infectious country-leaning folk-pop melodies and captivating songwriting on her exceptional new album, Lover, No Longer; singer-songwriter Sara Nelms should attract the type of national attention that she deserves.”
saranelms.com
reverbnaton.com/saranelms
Facebook.Com/saranelmsmusic
Twitter.Com/saranelms
10pm- Cassondra Alvord
Genre: Melancholy Folk
For fans of: William Fitzsimmons, Kevin Devine, Joe Pugg, Regina Spektor and whiskey voiced ladies
A young 20 something living in Brooklyn. She sings about life, encounters, love and the loss of it.
"Her voice, like fire. Raining down upon the people who knew not of what they were getting into. Goodbye, Pompey." -Chall Quarterly
soundcloud.com/casstastr0phe
http://youtu.be/PEJXm-9qBPo
11pm- Charlie Phillips
Genre: Singer-songwriter / Rock
For fans of: John Mayer, James Taylor, Jackson Browne
Charlie Phillips is a Brooklyn singer-songwriter by way of Schenectady, NY. He is influenced by folk rock of the 1960s and 70s for not what was, but what is possible. Charlie began his music career at SUNY Purchase studying composition in the Music Conservatory, before moving to New York. You can catch Charlie performing his melodic, guitar driven songs in many of New York's finest establishments.
“It’s the craft and artistry of guys like Charlie Phillips that makes the success of John Mayer’s overwrought sentimentality such a travesty... rooted in the kind of blue-eyed soul and guitar balladry that tempts comparisons but, by virtue of its diversity, it aspires to something more original.” Joshua Potter, Metroland
http://charliephillipsmusic.com
TUESDAY 12/9
7:30pm- Satellite Magazine: Let's Talk About Cities
Credit Steven Pisano via Creative Commons license.
The lineup for this month’s Cities+ event was selected by our friends at NYU’s Rudin Center for Transportation.
Open planning
With funding from Knight Foundation, OpenPlans led PlanningCamps in NYC, Oakland, and Philadelphia last year, bringing together more than 300 planners, organizers, civic technologists, and government employees for over 90 sessions exploring urban planning, technology, and social change. Kelly Donohue will discuss.
Who’s on board?
Earlier this year, TransitCenter, a civic philanthropy focused on transportation innovation, surveyed 12,000 Americans on their attitudes toward public transit and neighborhoods. What do Americans think about transit? What would make them more likely to ride it? Program analyst Steven Higashide will answer these questions and more.
Taxis, data, and neighborhoods
Since New York’s Taxi and Limousine Commission began collecting electronic records of yellow taxi trips in late 2008, over 1 billion trips have been logged on the city’s streets. There’s more to learn from the data besides how much people tip their drivers: it can tell us a great deal about neighborhoods, including which ones serve businesspeople, partygoers, and gentrifiers. Rodney Stiles, director of research at TLC, will discuss.
The future of maps
Something happened about five years ago when Google Maps came on the scene. Suddenly, a burst of tools and mapping enthusiasm created a democratized and unstoppable trend of spatially representing everything and everyone, by everyone. What happens now? Jeff Ferzoco, designer of maps, information, and the experience of cities, as well as founder of design practice Linepointpath, will offer his perspective.
Video and transit
JP Chan, assistant director of multimedia production at the Metropolitan Transportation Authority as well as an independent filmmaker, will discuss how the agency tells its stories through video.
9pm- Andrew Marks
Genre: ACOUSTIC/FOLK/ROCK
For fans of: MATT NATHANSON, PASSENGER, ONE REPUBLIC, WILLIAM FITZSIMMONS
Andrew Marks is a singer-songwriter originally from Upstate NY transplanted in Los Angeles, CA. His unique voice, finger-style guitar playing and poetic lyrics create a captivating and intimate performance. In January of 2014, Andrew released his debut album To The Water. The first full-length album was produced, written, recorded, mixed and mastered by Andrew himself.
Hear Say national magazine describes Andrew as a “singer-songwriter who creates heartfelt lyrics that really make you stop and listen.”
www.andrewmarksmusic.com
www.youtube.com/andrewmarksmusic
www.soundcloud.com/andrewmarksmusic
10pm- Dances of the World Ensemble
Genre: World / classical / jazz
For fans of: Richard Bona, Zakir Hussein
Dances of the World Ensemble is a project that began with pieces inspired by the extraordinary polyrhythms of Guinea, West Africa mixed with jazz & classical music. The music has evolved to include traditions from other cultures as well the blues, the tango and the waltz. The eclectic backgrounds of members of the group develop the music in unique ways.
"...while [Dances of the World Ensemble's] music is kinetic and intensely rhythmic, it has an edge and an individuality that transcend the boundaries of African music, classical, jazz, rock and film music while combining elements of all those styles...There is no band in the world who sound anything like this group." -Lucid Culture Nov. 2, 2014 --- A full review: http://lucidculture.wordpress.com/2014/11/02/diana
"NYC is filled with great composers who rarely get