I’ve been fortunate to visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art probably half a dozen times since it reopened last July, post-Covid lockdown, but the building’s roof garden only just reopened in April, for the debut of its latest site-specific commission. As Long As The Sun Lasts, by Philadelphia-based artist Alex Da Corte, is a whimsical mash up of Sesame Street and the works of Alexander Calder that could light up the rooftop even on the cloudiest day.
The colorful neighborhood of Bushwick, Brooklyn features prominently in this week’s visually engaging and exceptionally groovy clip for “Little Bird” from the Brooklyn-based duo called Sharkmuffin. In this offbeat yet hip clip, “Little Bird” juxtaposes the story of an individual trying to be a Big Shot in the hood with what it might be like if the biggest bird in the world — Big Bird — was some kind of rock star and had hordes of fans following him around, and needed a bodyguard and everything. The video also includes spontaneous, synchronized street dancing in the style of Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” (minus the un-dead). Hilarious and fun!
Sharkmuffin is comprised of Tarra Thiessen and Natalie Kirch, whose influences span the musical spectrum from Nirvana to The Ronettes, so comparisons to Live Though This-era Hole are not out of line. I would call them Garage Pop Psychedelia, but I imagine their sound is capable of expanding far beyond that somewhat concise description.
“Little Bird” can be found on Sharkmuffin’s sophomore album Tsuki, (featuring Kim Deuss on drums), which will be released on May 5th, 2017, via Little Dickman Records. The ladies will also be touring the UK in May (dates below) with their original line-up of Drew Adler on drums and Chris Nunez on second guitar. I bet their live shows are a gas. And just look at how cute their little Sharkmuffin Logo is:
Enjoy!
SHARKMUFFIN TOUR DATES:
5/10 – Bassment – Chelmsford UK
5/12 – The Harp Restrung – Folkestone UK
5/13 – John Peel Centre – Suffolk UK
5/16 – Gwdihw – Cardiff, Wales
5/18 – The Great Escape (Sticky Mike’s) – Brighton UK
5/19 – The Lock Tavern – London UK
5/20 – The Eagle – Manchester UK
5/21 – Twenty Ten – Matlock UK
5/23 – The Nest – Bath UK
5/24 – Whiskers – Newquay UK
5/27 – Mello Festival – Evesham UK
5/28 – Blank Generation Festival (afternoon) – London UK
5/28 – The Victoria Dalston (evening) – London UK
5/31 – Green Door Store – Brighton UK
Behold: The Lovely Ladies of Sharkmuffin (Image Courtesy of FaceBook).
Why was Bird Bird sitting alone on this bench in Central Park on Monday, February 20th as we walked through the park from Fifth Avenue to Central Park West, on the way to the Not My President’s Day anti-Drumpf Rally? I bet I know. To make a donation to PBS here in NYC, you can visit This Link.
