[Photo by acidjack]
Motel Motel have been a popular act on this site since we first posted about them in April of last year. Since then, we have avidly followed their shows, and for good reason – they are an outstanding live act. When I caught their show at Union Pool back in January, the band debuted six new songs that they had been working on. This event represented the culmination of those efforts, as the band put this show on to celebrate the release of their new record The Big Island. A beautifully recorded, conceptual release that follows on the place-oriented theme of their previous effort, New Denver, The Big Island is a more cohesive work, the kind of record that, in a bit of a throwback, is intended to be listened to straight through. Having become familiar with the new songs in the live setting, when I finally listened to the album itself, I was blown away – the production elevates what are already excellent songs, to the point that this record has quickly become one of my top five favorites of the year.
This 50-minute set showcased six of the new songs, plus the classics “Harlem” and the encore “Coffee.” This show sold out the Union Pool show room and packed the rest of the bar with revelers well into the night.
I recorded this set from my usual spot in this venue, with mics up on the balcony and a soundboard feed. Although the quality cannot match the near-flawless Gaza Benefit recording from earlier this month, and the acoustics of Union Pool can be challenging from the balcony, with some digital TLC I think the quality of this recording is still very, very strong, especially the latter half. Enjoy!
Motel Motel have another NYC gig coming up, on September 23 at Littlefield.
Stream “Ocean”:
[audio:https://www.nyctaper.com/M2609Motel9922/MotelMotel-Ocean8242010.mp3]
Direct download of the MP3 files [HERE]
Download the Complete show in FLAC [HERE].
Motel Motel
2010-08-24
Union Pool
Brooklyn, NY USA
An acidjack master recording
Recorded and produced by acidjack for nyctaper.com
Equipment: DPA 4021+mono soundboard feed>Edirol R-44 (Oade Concert Mod) (24/44.1)
Position: Clamp to left side of SBD cage with extension pole into audience, DIN
Mastering: 2×24bit/44.1kHz WAV>Audacity (double mono SBD channel, EQ/compress SBD, EQ audience, mixdown, set fades, additional EQ, volume adjustments)>FLAC ( level 8 )
Tracks [Total Time 51:17]
01 Thunderhead
02 [banter]
03 Keauhou
04 [banter]
05 Kaimanu>
06 Ocean
07 Wolf Road
08 [banter]
09 Helena, MT
10 Harlem
11 [encore break]
12 Coffee
If you download this recording from NYCTaper, we expect that you will PLEASE SUPPORT Motel Motel, visit their website, and purchase The Big Island from the band’s store here.
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