The afternoon was sizzling on Saturday, and most people didn’t dare get up from their blankets spread over the green carpet of Central Park’s Summerstage. But Apostle of Hustle’s charming frontman Andrew Whitman didn’t appear alarmed. He began by saying “Happy Pride Day,” and went on to play “My Sword’s Anger” and the title track from their newest, National Anthem of Nowhere. His pool of random behavior - like displaying a scarf before blindfolding himself for no reason - was good for morale throughout.
The opening band was Winnipeg’s The Duhks, glittering with the spark of a Grammy nomination for Best Country Vocal Performance by a Group or Duo. Charged with a fiddle and a style inspired by genres all over the world (folk, samba, country, soul), there was no denying their on-stage talent. Posted below is “Death Came a Knockin,” which earned some sing-along cred, taken from a radio performance on KGNU Radio Boulder.
Apostle of Hustle played the first of their 3-week bi-city residencies last night at Mercury Lounge. Wednesday they fly to Chicago to play their other residence, Schuba’s Tavern. After I missed the first opener, Murder Mystery, and didn’t pay attention to the second, Ola Podrida, this Broken Social Sceneside-project (that’s an understatement, this is AoH’s second album tour) started out cool and calm, but then rocked out to their album’s title track, “National Anthem of Nowhere.” Apprently there was a scene at the foot of the stage when frontman Andrew Whiteman became a little too enthused in his drumming and knocked a tambourine into his red wine; at which point he requested a new glass (plastic cup) of “le Rouge.”
An interesting green-screen video in black and white for Andrew and gang. Features flying, pirates and cut-out talk bubbles out in the sea. Directed by animator Jeffrey St. Jules & Adrienne Amato.
Yes, it is happening: Not only are Apostle of Hustle coming to town, they’re coming for 5 dates including one at Summerstage. Tickets aren’t on sale yet.
June 11- Mercury Lounge
June 17 - Union Hall, Brooklyn
June 18 - Mercury Lounge
June 24 - Central Park Summerstage
June 25 - Mercury Lounge
The National Anthem of Nowhere is a pretty good album, but I’ve also been really enjoying their Stars mix of “One More Night.” But for now here’s the opening track “My Sword Hand’s Anger,” a nice Apostle-flavored bite.
