Pela & Tim Fite @ Sin-e 3/23

Sin-e was a happening place to be last night, which sadly won't be able to be said for much longer. With the impending closure of the intimate little venue (does the lower east side really need more condos???) last night was a celebration of the venue and of course the music its house for the past few years. Brooklyn Vegan did the honor of putting together the show and could not have assembled a more motley crew if he had tried.

The evening kicked off with Marissa Nadler but due to a terrible food coma I was unable to reach the venue by the time she went on. Seriously, I ate a ridiculous amount and left some time for digestion but it just wasn't enough. Upon walking into the venue though the two guys at the door were telling two Nadler fans that missed her how great her set was. So I guess that bodes pretty well for Ms. Nadler. Next time I will make a more concerted effort Marissa I promise.

Up next was the Scandinavian (sorry not sure which one of those northern nations they are actually from) band Fun. At this point I could insert all sorts of easy puns playing on the name of the band but I will attempt to refrain from doing so. Basically Fun is three dudes that probably grew up listening to the exact albums I grew up listening to, loud obnoxious rock n' roll albums that are still near and dear to my heart, and that is exactly how they attack music making, loudly and obnoxiously. There are a few rare moments where you can understand what the lead singer is saying, but for the most part there is just a furious wall of sound. Quite a departure from the folkishness of Marissa Nadler, or so I heard.

Following Fun the fun really got started! (sorry I just couldn't resist) Hailing from Brooklyn Tim Fite is a crazed entertainer. Using various forms of country, folk, and hip hop, Tim preaches from the stage about consumerism, life, and the man with Itchy Legs. Right from the get go Tim gets his audience involved, using an eye chart he had us read the first two lines to make sure we could all see okay, because it was going to be a visual show. Then the music starts. On a video screen behind him there is an image of him playing along, to the right is his brother taking care of all the loops and samples used in his music, and there is Tim at the center of the stage commanding every one's attention with his affable music. The first song was a country ditty, but from there he serenades us with multiple types of music and deliveries. His best stuff his from his latest album, Over the Counterculture (available for free on his website!), which is mostly hip hop espousing on the indignities of life as a 20 something person in New York. Amid the spectacle that was his live show are sing alongs, more eye chart reading, and short stories about the man with Itchy Legs, all of which enhances the performance to astounding levels. Anytime you get audience participation from a crowd in New York you are doing something right, and last night Tim had every member of the packed crowd singing along and joining in whenever he commanded it of you. It was an amazing performance.


Pela was going to have a tough time following the circus act of Tim Fite, but from the minute they finished their sound check song the band did their best to create their own passionate show. Pulling material mostly from their forthcoming album, Anytown Graffiti, Pela rocked out Sin-e. Lead singer Billy McCarthy (who easily could pass for a young Bruce Springsteen) wails every note to every one of his lyrics, piercing you with his passion and bringing you head first into the music. The band is just as great and just as passionate hopping about the stage as they blister through the music. The set seemed much too short and left me wanting much more from my band of the week.

At this point it was time to leave Sin-e, probably for the last time, because my beloved Lisps were playing just a few blocks away. Those that stayed got treated to Shy Child, which means I also must make a major effort to see Shy Child next time they play around town. The show was a rousing success in my eyes, and I'm really hoping BV opts to create more of these out there lineups that jump all over the place in terms of musical styles. So goodbye Sin-e its been fun knowing you. Thanks for the memories.