Trip.com is an innovative planning tool that tailors recommendations for places to stay, eat and play to your specific tastes. It also allows you to share your great experiences with people who have the same interests as you; people in your “tribes.”
Trip.com’s TripPicks This Week feature empowers you to discover and take advantage of great events, openings and exhibits throughout the city each week.
Here are some exciting events and sites to check out this week in Downtown New York, courtesy of Trip.com. Visit the Trip.com site or download the app for more upcoming events.
1. Craft Beer Fest
Metropolitan Pavilion (Flatiron)
Friday, Mar. 24-Saturday, Mar. 26 (Check site for entry times)
You’re in a for a real brewer’s treat at NYC Craft Beer Festival. Over 75 breweries from across the country will be showcasing their craft beers, meads, ciders (including limited release and seasonal selections) and spirits. Chat with industry professionals, shop an array of cool vendors, play games and purchase yummy food! Tickets start at $55.
2. Adventures in Art and Technology
459 West 14th St. (Meatpacking District)
Wednesday-Thursday from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PMm; Saturday-Sunday from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
ARTech: Adventures in Art and Technology is a new pop-up activity space that allows kids and adults to take part in “STEAM-based experiential workshops, installations, and interactive moments.” Whether it’s Science, Technology, Engineering, Art or Mathematics, these fun activity stations will foster curiosity, teach problem solving and build confidence. FREE!
3. New Retro Restaurant Bar
The Flower Shop (Lower East Side)
Sunday-Wednesday from 5:00 PM to 12:00 AM; Thursday-Saturday from 5:00 PM to 2:00 AM
Flower Shop, the new 3,000 square foot bi-level restaurant/lounge is basically a 1970s adult playground. Upstairs, feast on oysters with grapefruit and black pepper mignonette, or fried chicken with curry sauce and burnt lime. Then, head downstairs, to the party den, to play a game of pool, browse the jukebox tunes, stare aimlessly at the fish tank or sit back with with the Pirate Rose cocktail by the funky, pink fireplace.
4. Coffee Shop Spa
Chillhouse (Lower East Side)
Daily from 8am-8pm (Spa services begin at 10am)
Want the ultimate chill experience? Indulge in a toxin-free manicure or a relaxing massage, accompanied by ube-bey latte, beet-root horchata or a glass of organic wine and treats from Maman, Po-Po’s and Ra Bliss Balls. Chillhouse opens Tuesday, Mar. 21, providing us with a much needed respite from this long, ugly winter.
Rapper, performance artist, writer and activist, Mykki Blanco is a force to be reckoned with! Unconventional, radical and flashy, her rhymes are sharp – careful not to get burned! She tours with Cakes Da Killa. $17.
6. The American Line
Skarstedt (Chelsea)
Tuesday-Friday from 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM; Saturday from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
A line speaks of borders, directions and roads. The American Line is an exhibition that “interrogates our many understandings of the line.” On displays are paintings, photographs, sculptures and installations by Jean-Michel Basquiat, Keith Haring, Liz Larner, Sol LeWitt, Paul McCarthy, Richard Prince, Fred Sandback, Lawrence Weiner, Christopher Wool and Sue Williams. FREE!
7. Conveyer-Belt Sushi Chain in NYC
Yo! (Flatiron)
Monday-Thursday from 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM; Friday-Saturday from 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM; Sunday from 12:00 PM to 10:00 PM
The U.K.-based conveyer-belt sushi chain Yo! has arrived in New York! Creative takes on Japanese street food and sushi, color coded by price, are up for grabs. Try the New York City exclusive Avocado Nori Taco, the flame-seared Salmon and Ikura Sushi or the crispy Katsu Sando.
Simply put, Mixer is a global private network for individuals working in art, fashion, film, music and other creative industries. Members must be invited to join the app-based social network, and in turn, they are able to showcase past and current projects while making one-to-one connections. Some of its current members include Rose McGowan, André Saraiva, Adrian Grenier, Lindsay Lohan, Cédric Hervet, Luke Pritchard, Adam Green, Zafar Rushdie and musicians from Major Lazor, St. Lucia, and Leon Bridges’ band.
The founders of Mixer come from very different backgrounds. Cody Simons graduated from Harvard with a degree in Statistics. Anis Bennaceur earned a Masters in Business from ESCP Europe, having worked in marketing at Tinder in France. Alex Carapetis is a drummer for both Wolfmother and Julian Casablancas + The Voidz; he has also toured with the likes of Ke$ha, Nine Inch Nails and Phoenix. Downtown had the pleasure of catching up with Cody, Anis and Alex for some Q&A about Mixer’s past, present and future.
Alex Carapetis: Anis and I met two years ago over a pre-show steak frites lunch while I was on tour in France with Julian Casablancas + The Voidz. Anis booked me for an after show DJ gig at Le Baron in Paris. He told me about how him and his business partner Cody Simons were at the beginnings of creating a platform / app. They expressed interest in bringing me in as the chief creative. It was actually quite a serendipitous moment as the three of us were all looking to create an app for creatives kind of like LinkedIn meets Soho House. Over those next few months we integrated our visions and began to shape the scope of Mixer.
Did any of you work together on a project prior to launching the app?
Anis Bennaceur: No. Although, Alex DJed at a party I threw in Paris. Does that count?
Sure. How did the decision come to make your social network app-based rather than a website?
Cody Simons: Since we were focused on artists connecting with other artists, we wanted something that would be quick and easy to connect rather than something heavy-handed. We are also working on a website.
Cody Simons
What is it that you look for in new members? Is there criteria for someone to get an invite?
AB: I’m looking for interesting art, alternative music from whatever you can listen to on the radios these days. Mostly, I think, before approving someone on the network, “How would this person be a good addition to all this userbase that we already have?”
CS: We are generally looking for people who have devoted their career to their trade — not hobbyists.
AC: Creatives — people in fashion, film, music, art, influencers, movers and shakers
Are there any projects that have come about as a result of your app that you are especially proud of?
AB: We are seeing extensive daily use and interaction on Mixer. All internal collaborations and projects are generally confidential unless they’re announced on other social media.
Is there a region where most of your users are? Or are they truly all over the place?
CS: Right now, Mixer’s membership is mostly concentrated in Los Angeles, New York, and Paris. We are working on growing our membership in London, Berlin, and some of the other creative markets in the U.S. — Nashville, Austin, Atlanta, Seattle, etc.
AC: We’ve just introduced our jobs section, which is growing daily and features some brilliant workplace opportunities for creatives. A beautifully-practical way to post jobs and look for paying jobs in the creative and arts industry.
CS: We are focused on growing the membership and getting more jobs on the platform. We have some major updates we’ve been working on coming out in the next month — stay tuned.
When not busy with Mixer, how do you like to spend your free time?
AB: Reading, I’m a bookworm, and I love biographies. I’m currently reading Claude Grudet’s. It’s fascinating.
AC: Music + Travel + Love.
Do you have a favorite restaurant in New York?
AB: Epistrophy in Nolita, I always go for the hanger steak. And Blue Ribbon Sushi on Sullivan [Street], I go there every week — their popcorn shrimp tempura is a killer.
CS: We work in Nolita so we often go to Lovely Day and Tartinery for lunch
Any upcoming concerts or events you have tickets to?
AC: I play drums with Wolfmother and I’m currently in Australia opening up for Guns N’ Roses. Pretty sweet tickets.
AB: I just go to smaller and more intimate concerts. I missed Splashh’s concert last week because of the snowstorm. So I’ll definitely see them at the Mercury Lounge at the end of next month
CS: Lemon Twigs Feb. 21 at Bowery Ballroom — they’ve got a cool sound.
Finally, any last words for the kids?
AB: Don’t ever, ever, ever worry about what other people think of you.
AC: Have fun, stay safe, live with love, put time into following your ultimate desires daily. Follow your dreams. Be good to your mother.
Several years after forming in 1995, the band known as Buckcherry hit it big with its self-titled album. Hits like “Lit Up,” “For The Movies,” “Dead Again” and “Check Your Head” were big on rock radio in 1999 and 2000. The band’s second full-length for Dreamworks, Time Bomb, yielded a few singles but did not fare as well. When three of its five members quit in 2002, the band went on hiatus and few people thought that Buckcherry would ever be heard from again.
In 2005, frontman Josh Todd and guitarist Keith Nelson reformed Buckcherry with three new members and, quite honestly, few people took it seriously; Josh had released a solo album and he and Keith had nearly become two-fifths of Velvet Revolver during that hiatus. But everything changed in 2006 with the release of Buckcherry’s third album, 15. 15 turned out to surpass the success of Buckcherry’s first major label effort through hits like “Crazy Bitch,” “Sorry,” “Everything” and “Next 2 You.” 2008’s Black Butterfly bought more hits, as did 2010’s All Night Long, 2013’s Confessions and 2015’s Rock ‘n’ Roll.
Now a decade since Buckcherry’s relaunch as one of America’s top rock bands, the quintet — which also includes guitarist Stevie D., drummer Xavier Muriel and bassist Kelly LeMiuex — is paying tribute to its long-standing fans by playing the entire 15 album on its upcoming tour. That U.S. run includes a Sept. 20 stop at New York’s PlayStation Theater. In support of the Sept. 20 gig, Keith spoke to Downtown about what else is coming up for Buckcherry.
On this upcoming tour, you’ll be playing all of 15. When you were recording the album, did you have any idea that some of those songs would be hits?
Keith Nelson: We recorded at the now-defunct Mad Dog Studios in Burbank, California. We did it in 15 days, that’s where the title comes from. We didn’t know we had hits, but we knew it was good and different than anything else that was going on at the time.
Do you have a favorite song on 15?
KN: So many favorites from that record, it’s been fun to revisit them all on this tour. This week my favorite it “Brooklyn.” I’m sure next week it will be a different one.
Besides 15, will you be playing songs from all of your other albums at the PlayStation Theater? Or will 15 be the majority of what’s played?
KN: We will play 15 in its entirety and a few others people may know.
Where was the first gig that Buckcherry ever played in New York City? What do you remember about it?
KN: I do believe the first gig we every played was at the Bowery Ballroom and we shared the bill with Honky Toast from New York City. We became friendly with Richard and Eric from the band as a result.
Had Slamhound or your pre-Buckcherry band ever played in New York?
KN: Josh was the frontman for Slamhound and I’m certain they played New York. I do believe the song “Brooklyn” is an account of part of that trip.
How did the tour pairing with Candlebox come about? Prior to this tour, had you ever played alongside Candlebox?
KN: We have played a few festivals and a rock n’ roll cruise or two with those guys. Great guys, great band, and thankfully no pre-recorded tracks running!
Prior to joining Buckcherry, Kelly was not only in Goldfinger, but also on the L.A. scene with the Electric Love Hogs. Did you or Josh ever encounter him back in the Sunset Strip heyday?
KN: I never did, but I was well-aware of him and his skills. I know Josh, Stevie, and Xavier were all a part of that scene and knew him.
After this tour wraps, what’s ahead for Buckcherry?
KN: Focusing on making another record and getting back on the road.
When you’re not busy with music, how do you like to spend your free time?
KN: I like to be on two wheels. Motorcycling and bicycling are two passions of mine that I actively-pursue.
I had the pleasure of interviewing you in 1999 or 2000 when your self-titled album was starting to do well. My closing question was “any last words for the kids?” and you recommended using Astroglide, as based on the advice of Steve Jones. Is that still applicable advice?
KN: (laughs) I remember that quote. It still applies. 17 years later and I’d say always stay true to what you believe in and try to surround yourself with good people. It’s a challenge in this business but not impossible.
So finally, Keith, any last words for the kids?
KN: It’s all about the songs. And develop a sense of humor — you’ll need it to survive out here!
When the average person hears “BMI,” they likely cringe because they start thinking about their “body mass index” and the need to get into better shape. When the average songwriter hears “BMI,” they likely smile, thinking of the royalty checks that the Broadcast Music, Inc. sends them a few times each year. One of three major performing rights organizations — or “PROs,” for short — BMI collects performance royalties of songs on behalf of songwriters and music publishers. It has been doing that since 1939 and some of the major artists that it currently represents are Adele, Taylor Swift, Pitbull, twenty one pilots, Nicki Minaj, Rihanna and Maroon 5.
Samantha Cox joined BMI in 1996 as an intern. 20 years later, she is the Assistant Vice President of Writer/Publisher Relations for BMI’s New York office. Beyond maintaining relationships with BMI affiliates worldwide and coordinating songwriter nights, showcases and seminars, Samantha is the day-to-day contact for thousands of BMI-affiliated writers. As part of her BMI responsibilities, she has worked directly with Lady Gaga, My Chemical Romance, Bebe Rexha, Ke$ha, and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, to name only a few major artists. BMI had a stage at this year’s Lollapalooza, which Samantha was involved with, as featuring Flatbush Zombies, PVRIS, SoMo and LANco. Upcoming BMI-related events she is involved with include the Austin City Limits Music Festival, the recurring BMI Acoustic Lounge in New York, and LouFest in St. Louis.
Downtown caught up Samantha, a long-time resident of lower Manhattan, for some Q&A. Her employer, BMI, can be tracked on social media via Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, in addition to keeping a comprehensive website at www.bmi.com.
Samantha Cox with Halsey at Lollapalooza 2015
Growing up, was it always your goal to work in the music industry? Or did you have artistic aspirations?
Samantha Cox: I always loved music and child education. My mother ran a daycare, and I thought about becoming an elementary school teacher. If I had two lives, that’s what the other one would be doing now. But in the end, my love of music swept me up into the industry. I think of it as another way to reach kids.
Has BMI really been your only employer since college?
SC: Yes. I came to New York City right out of college and BMI gave me my start.
How did you wind up with an internship at BMI? I mean, most young people interested in the music industry seemed to be more interested in a job with a label, management company, or concert promoter, rather than something related to publishing…
SC: I grew up in Texas and went to SXSW every year. You make a lot of contacts there. So when I came to New York City, I networked, sent out resumes and ended up with two job offers — one from a publisher in the creative side, and one from BMI in the administration department. You can guess which one I chose!
I would have loved to work at the publishing company, but my gut told me BMI was the place to go. I felt like it was a place where I could grow and have the opportunity to learn about a part of the business most people do not understand. So I started in the Performing Rights department before eventually transferring to Writer/Publisher Relations. Looking back, I still believe I made the right decision.
What is a typical day like for you at BMI? Are you always in the office? At a gig or event a few nights a week?
SC: It’s pretty crazy. There is no typical day. Some days I’m in the office all day and out at night seeing live shows. Other days, I’m in the studio or taking meetings with people in the industry. I try to increase BMI’s market share, meaning I want to find the next Eminem and the next Lady Gaga, and I do that through my relationships with producers, labels, attorneys, managers, agents, songwriters, and musicians. We all turn each other on to new music.
When I start working with a songwriter, I try to grow with them. That means something different for each creative person that I work with. For some, it means listening to early demos, giving constructive feedback, and then setting up co-writing sessions and meetings when I know they’re ready. For others, I’m giving business advice and just looking out for their best interests, including consulting as they make decisions throughout their careers. I like to say it’s like I manage thousands of individual artists on a day-to-day basis.
Ultimately, I serve as the songwriters’ connector and a confidant. The songwriters I work with trust me to give honest, unbiased advice, and I work hard to maintain that level of real trust. The only bias I ever have is on their behalf—I always look out for what’s best for them in any given situation.
Samantha Cox and Lady Gaga at a 2007 BMI showcase
What is the most challenging part of your job?
SC: Technology has made my job more challenging! You no longer need access to a recording studio to make music –anyone can get on their laptop, write a song, and want to sign up with BMI. I would say that over the past 10 years, this has dramatically increased the volume of songwriters who affiliate with BMI and want my help with launching their careers. Also, the music industry as a whole is changing fast. Traditional ways of buying and listening to music have been replaced in the digital age, and that’s a huge challenge, but we are also in a very exciting time. We’re being asked to see into the future and to predict how the changes will affect songwriters, and that’s virtually-impossible.
Is there something that you wish more people knew about BMI?
SC: A lot of things, actually. We operate on a not-for-profit making basis, which means that our primary responsibility is to collect and distribute performance royalties for the benefit of the songwriter, not us. It’s a very complicated business that threatens to get more and more so, but we never lose sight of what we’re here to do. We’re here for the songwriter.
For someone looking to join BMI, is it still the same easy process of signing up online?
SC: Absolutely! All you have to do is visit www.bmi.com. We’ve made the process simple and streamlined. And if for any reason something isn’t self-explanatory, there’s always someone available to help.
In recent years, BMI has begun putting on more events, showcases and conferences. Are you involved with booking these events?
SC: Yes. Everyone on our Writer/Publisher Relations teams work together to make each event a success. I work on all kinds of events on the local side such as our monthly Acoustic Lounge, Speed Dating For Songwriters and songwriting camps, to national conferences like SXSW and CMJ, our yearly POP Awards in Los Angeles, and stages at major music festivals including Lollapalooza. You can read more about all of them at http://www.bmi.com/events/calendar.
What can you tell me about BMI’s stage at this year’s Lollapalooza? How did that opportunity come about?
SC: If you want to know what artists will be playing on the main stages next year, you’ll want to come to the BMI stage this year! Our stage showcases the best new artists before they become some of the biggest stars in the world. Whether it’s Lady Gaga, Neon Trees, Ke$ha, Halsey, Vic Mensa, Bebe Rexha, or Cage The Elephant, BMI brings the best new musical talent to the Lollapalooza audience first. This year is no exception with incredible artists like Secret Weapons, LANco, Sunflower Bean, and Flatbush Zombies further cementing BMI’s reputation for presenting artists today that everyone will be talking about tomorrow.
Are there any upcoming BMI events otherwise that are open to the public?
SC: Yes. One great event that BMI offers to the public is our BMI 101 workshop. It’s exactly what it sounds like — a one-hour introductory workshop for writers and publishers, covering the role that BMI plays in the music industry, basics of performing rights, and becoming a BMI affiliate. We also host a monthly Acoustic Lounge at the Rockwood on the Lower East Side that’s free and open to the public. It’s a fun event where we showcase some of BMI’s up-and-coming songwriters and people have the opportunity to discover new music.
You personally are a resident of Downtown Manhattan. When did you first move downtown?
SC: I’ve lived downtown since I came to New York City a little over 20 years ago, first in Chelsea and then in Tribeca. My daughter was born right around the time BMI moved its offices to 7 WTC, so it made sense to move closer to work so I could be nearer to her when she went to school.
What do you like most about living downtown?
SC: The energy. The people. And now that I’m a mom, it’s a great place for kids. It’s also a super easy commute to the East Village or Brooklyn where so much is happening in music.
Are there any upcoming downtown events or developments that have you particularly excited?
SC: I’m excited about City Vineyard officially opening up at Pier 26. I stopped by with a few friends for their soft opening in early July and had a great time.
Do you have a favorite downtown music venue?
SC: I spend most of my time on the lower east side at venues like Mercury Lounge, Bowery Ballroom, Pianos and Rockwood Music Hall. They are all like my second homes.
When not busy with your work, how do you like to spend your free time?
SC: Free time? What’s that? In all seriousness, I like to spend time in the park with my family and have dinner with friends. I love Bar Cyrk in Tribeca and Pala on the Lower East Side.
Finally, Samantha, any last words for the kids?
SC: Like any business, you should take your relationships seriously, have a great work ethic, and learn from others. I always say, if you can just outlast everyone, you will eventually be successful in one way or another, whether it be as a songwriter, an artist or working in the business. Surround yourself with music, those who love music and don’t give up!
There are a few things that you probably know Austin Scaggs from. First, he’s an important journalist who’s been with Rolling Stone for over 15 years, much of which as a Contributing Editor. Second, he’s an accomplished bassist and producer, and has been putting together Best Fest events with Alex Levy and Matt Romano for years. Third, he’s been in plenty of celebrity poker tournaments. Ultimately, he’s one of those guys whose credits can make a person envious.
The Best Fest series – which has hosted events throughout nine cities including New York City, Los Angeles and San Francisco – is essentially a live concert tribute event. But what separates Best Fest tributes from others is both caliber of the performers and the selections performed. Prior events have been dedicated towards greats like Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, George Harrison and The Rolling Stones. Participants in these shows have included Kristen Wiig, The Killers, The Flaming Lips, The Strokes, Norah Jones, Butch Walker, “Weird Al” Yankovic and Brian Wilson.
This year, The Best Fest presents Neil Fest on September 13th and 14th gigs at The Bowery Ballroom. Benefitting the Sweet Relief Musicians Fund, Neil Fest is presented by Jameson Irish Whiskey, the series’ sponsor since September 2012. Confirmed participants paying homage to Neil Young include Ryan Adams, Jakob Dylan, The Black Keys’ Patrick Carney, The Yeah Yeah Yeahs’ Nick Zimmer, and The Gaslight Anthem’s Brian Fallon.
Austin took the time to answer some questions for Downtown about the upcoming Neil Fest shows and plenty more. Below, you’ll find a Best Fest trailer. And beneath that, per Austin’s first answer, is a live performance by the father whose Neil Young album was stolen.
What was the first Neil Young album you ever bought?
Austin Scaggs: Well, I stole my dad’s After The Gold Rush CD when I was 12 and spun the shit out of that. During that bygone CD-era, I probably bought four copies of that record, replacing them after I’d scratch them up. I carried a copy in my pocket, sans jewel case, for awhile in high school. Now I have it on vinyl, of course, bookended by my other favorite Neil albums Tonight’s The Night and On The Beach.
Do you have a favorite song by Neil Young?
A: It’s “Revolution Blues.” Obviously! I worship that shit. Levon Helm and Rick Danko offer additional proof that they’re rock & roll’s greatest rhythm section ever. And it’s the best of Neil on so many levels, from his lyrics, to his snarling vocals, to his solo. Every time I hear him sing “I see bloody fountains and ten million dune buggies comin’ down the mountains,” I get chills. It’s one of the coolest lines ever. I am so goddamn psyched to get to play that one at Neil Fest and I want to kiss Matt Hitt from The Drowners for choosing it.
What is the biggest challenge of running a “Best Fest?”
A: Staging a Fest takes months of planning, from securing a sponsorship so we can donate all the proceeds to charity, to wrangling amazing artists to join us in our cause, to putting together an amazing set and rehearsing 40-odd songs with our house band, The Cabin Down Below Band. But it’s not like we’re building the friggin’ railroads here — the biggest challenge while we’re working on a Fest is to try to not have an EXCESSIVE amount of fun.
Might any of the Best Fest shows ever see a CD or digital release?
A: Yes, thank you for asking. For a while, we resisted filming and recording our Fests because we thought, “You have to physically be there to fully appreciate the beauty of the Fests!” But that was really stupid of us, because we’ve been in the middle of some amazing musical moments. So we captured — really nicely — our recent George Harrison and Brian Wilson benefits. At least one of those should be coming out soon.
Are there any artists you haven’t yet done for a Best Fest who you’re still hoping to cover?
A: We’ve definitely kicked around Fleetwood Mac, The Clash, Elton [John] and Creedence [Clearwater Revival]. We’re always open to good ideas. Norah’s been begging us to do a Neil Fest for five years, but I guess Neil is kind of a no-brainer. First and foremost, whoever we honor has to have a shitload of killer songs and appeal to guys and gals. Like, someone once asked us to do a Jim Croce Fest, but that would be a bad, bad idea, if you catch my drift.
Beyond your work with Best Fest and your writing career, is there something you wish more people knew about you personally?
A: Not a goddamn nothing.
Finally, Austin, any last words for the kids?
A: Advice? When you think you’ve heard enough Bob Dylan, keep listening. And, if I may, I want to publicly thank all the amazing musicians that play our Fests out of the kindness of their hearts, especially our longtime champion and savior Norah Jones. These Neil Fest shows are dedicated to her for sticking with us over the years through thin and thick.
The Best Fest trailer:
