Author: Alice Teeple

Alice Teeple is a photographer, artist and writer. Her work spans documentary and the arts scene in NYC. All of her photos are proudly shot with a Canon EOS 7D and a Canon EOS 5D. She also writes for Post-Punk.com.

Artist To Watch: Natalie Clark

Post author By Alice Teeple
Post date August 24, 2019

By Alice Teeple

Scene: Hot August night, secret location in SoHo. A hundred people sit on the floor, eagerly awaiting the show. A petite, raven-haired woman enters the room with a merry wave and vermillion red smile. She thumps her guitar, startling it awake. Natalie Clark is eager to get this Sofar Sounds party started.

Cheers erupt as she launches her latest single, Grown Ass Woman, a raucous anthem for those constantly “on the go” to make ends meet. The message deeply resonates with the audience: heads nod sympathetically as Clark rattles off a wistful roster of activities one can do with a healthier paycheck. After the set, they thank her for “really getting it.”

Natalie Clark is a colorful storyteller in the vein of Dolly Parton and Loretta Lynn, liberally peppering her repertoire with joyful shrieks and fierce whoops. Her pleasant Glaswegian speaking voice belies a rock n’ roll ferocity: part Eddie Cochran, part oracle.

Less than a decade ago, Clark was a schoolteacher in Scotland. Coming from a musical family with a passion for jazz and Motown, she daydreamt about a music career. For years, pragmatism proved an obstacle.

Fate set her path in motion: while attending a BBC Radio One Academy session, Richard Branson invited her onstage for an impromptu performance of her song Weakness. Clark stunned the crowd and grabbed UK headlines. Despite the thriving music scene in Scotland, she hungered for a change of pace and moved to London. From there, Clark emigrated to Los Angeles. The relentless grind of odd jobs and gigging proved difficult in her new city, but Clark, ever the optimist, found inspiration.

“I feel excitement and creativity in the air! Also, being from Scotland, the sunshine helps,” she adds cheekily. “It’s inspiring to be surrounded by people making art in all different forms. I just followed my instinct to explore opportunities.”

Clark’s gamble was rewarded: KTLA “Artist To Watch.” Mercedes-Benz ad campaign. Appearance on The Voice. Hand-picked opening act for the Indigo Girls.

Clark’s sophomore album, Head North, explores the highs and lows of independence. No silly love songs in this EP, just blissful discovery of self-worth despite tight budgets, heady ideals, and roadblocks. Head North is the perfect soundtrack for getting your shit together. “It’s time to face the fear!” she roars in More Than A Mountain.

Natalie Clark is a familiar face in the LES music scene. In addition to several recent Sofar NYC appearances, she played a fiery set at Rockwood Music Hall in March. CraicFest also hosted Clark at Mercury Lounge, where she shared a bill with Pogues bassist Cáit O’Riordan, Ash’s Tim Wheeler, and The Mighty Stef.

“It’s been a magical journey,” she says, “I’d love to do a full US tour! I love connecting with people. I hope to get the chance.”

No doubt this Scottish firebrand has the willpower and drive to make her dreams reality. Head North drops on 23 August.

A Conversation With Paddy Boom

Post author By Alice Teeple
Post date August 22, 2019

All photos by Alice Teeple

You’d never know it was pouring outside Artists & Fleas. Thunderbolts and lightning dot the skies over Chelsea Market, but in here, the vibe is mellow. The DJ booth is blaring War’s Low Rider as shoppers mill about, heads bopping. At the helm of the turntables is Paddy Boom, greeting passersby with high fives.

“Check these out! Painted them myself,” he says proudly, pointing to his feet, shod in silver sneakers. “Gonna look cool when they start peeling.”

Paddy Boom, né Patrick Seacor, has been a fixture on the LES for three decades. The former Scissor Sisters drummer also plays with the legendary band Faith, and fronts a new experimental outfit called Death By Comfort, which debuted at Parkside Lounge in June.

“We don’t have actual songs,” he explains, “but I have a Gil Scott-Heron vibe. I’ll speak poetry while we jam. Sometimes songs are fourteen minutes long. Remember the kid’s show Wonderama? They’d ask someone in the audience for good news. I do that with my audience, but chant DEATH BY COMFORT. Every show’s an exorcism.”

Life took a U-turn for Paddy after his 2007 departure from Scissor Sisters to care for his mother. A series of devastating blows ensued, including his savings depleted by an investment fraudster. It speaks volumes that he has “I REFUSE TO LOSE” tattooed on his left arm. He is, however, embracing voluntary loss.

“I’m losing attachment and possessions; abandoning the idea of constant more, more more,” he explains. “I’m shedding everything. My apartment is so minimal now. Mom used to say ‘possessions possess you.’ I suddenly had to go from a big house to a one-bedroom. All I need is a place to put my book down. I feel free. I appreciate what I’ve got. Pared it down to special things with real meaning. You don’t have that perspective with a consumerist mindset; you get numb and hungry…death by comfort.”

In addition to performing, Paddy Boom is often seen biking through Lower Manhattan, records strapped to his back for DJ gigs. Curious about the band he’s spinning? Get ready for a music history Epic of Gilgamesh. Dude knows his shit, AND half the performers. Which comes to his next adventure: event hosting.

Paddy’s next recording project is a DBC song with Sylvia Black, whose new album Twilight Animals (feat. Lydia Lunch) drops 18 October.

The other iron in the fire is an upcoming book about his Scissor Sisters days: “Most of it is already written! I kept so many journals when we were touring.” Paddy loves spinning yarns as much as he does tunes, so stay tuned.

This hustler of culture is ready to write the next chapter of life.

Official Website

Tags Alice Teeple, Chelsea Market, DJ, Downtown, drummer, Drums, Low Rider, Magazine, Music, NYC, Paddy Boom, Scissor Sisters, Sylvia Black, War

Culture Events Featured Music

Peter Murphy Spits Roses At Le Poisson Rouge Residency

Post author By Alice Teeple
Post date August 14, 2019

By Alice Teeple

All photos by Alice Teeple

Peter Murphy is not resting on his laurels, hammering out the same songs for four decades. In fact, it speaks highly of his ever-evolving artistry that in 2019, his audience spans multiple generations. Scanning the sea of faces in the crowd at Le Poisson Rouge, where he is in residency this month, one sees the usual Siouxsie clones, spider dancing, Gen X goths, and wistful boomers. But there were many young faces present as well, equally eager to see their hero. Murphy has extraordinary charisma, even when he’s a bit salty.

The Dust show at LPR was a jolt to the chakras. Murphy’s opener both nights, Soriah, blasted the room open with traditional Mongolian chant. The astonishing performance, created with a drum, bells, folk instruments and a loop, showcased the potential of the human voice. The introduction of Tuvan throat singing proved jarring to those who came expecting vampire songs, but it fit perfectly with the Asian and Middle Eastern-influenced sound on Dust. Murphy’s thundering voice has soldiered through recent strain and still holds court splendidly. It especially melted during the ode to his daughter, Girlchild Aglow.

Murphy commanded the stage with his full album shows, bringing a fierce intimacy with those hypnotic pale eyes of his. And the clothing! For Dust he appeared clad in a jacquard kimono, massive rings on his spindly fingers. The singer has transformed from the gaunt spectre of youth to a veritable Emperor tarot card sprung to life; Lord Summerisle live in concert.

There have been urban legends floating around of Murphy’s grouchiness, particularly over iPhones creating barriers to his performance, but he showed no sign of irritation this time. What did set him off, however, was a sound SNAFU.

“Stop the song! This isn’t on the album. STOP THE SONG!” he roared. “Alright, three verses is enough for a gig, innit?” He didn’t wait for an answer. Instead he paced around the stage, thanking his band, and fled down the stairs into the darkness, leaving some fans confused; others roaring with laughter. All was well when he returned for the encore, “Subway.” And what an encore. He played with the audience, sour mood restored to joy, fingers hopefully reaching toward a blessing.

Peter Murphy at (le) Poisson Rouge
Peter Murphy at (le) Poisson Rouge
Peter Murphy at (le) Poisson Rouge

The Ninth show and album had a more rock-n-roll oeuvre. The outfit of the night was a black Shakespearean blouse offset by long chains, and a patterned scarf that quickly made itself a nuisance and was last seen hurtling toward oblivion.

“Why are you here tonight? Is it because I’m…gorgeous?” he drolly asked, basking in the ensuing shrieks like a sleek cat in a beam of sunshine.

During I Spit Roses, a woman thrust a bouquet at him. The confetti of crimson petals exploded on the stage as the crowd sang the chorus. He was generous with praise for his musicians, particularly guitarist Mark Thwaite, and ended the show with the haunting violins of Créme de la Créme. Indeed.

The final shows are not to be missed. Murphy continues his residency through 19 August with the following performances:

15 August: Greatest Hits

16 August: Bauhaus (SOLD OUT)

18 August: Tribute to David Bowie (SOLD OUT)

19 August: Tribute to David Bowie 2

Purchase tickets here

Official Peter Murphy site

Tags Alice Teeple, Bauhaus, Downtown, Downtown Magazine, Goth, Le Poisson Rouge, Music, Musician, performance, Peter Murphy, residency, vocalist