Girl Scout Handbook at Chickfactor 30 (photo by Taryn Alper)

 

The day of the Chickfactor 30 show New York City finally saw the sun after way too many days— this would happen for a fanzine party! The long walk from the subway to Hudson River Park was worth it when I saw The Frying Pan, a permanently docked lightship, lit up and ready for a night of indie pop.

 

The scene was mostly a Gen X reunion, which I happened to love as an elder millennial onlooker. If you scanned the crowd you could easily spot musicians of zine-featured bands there to support Chickfactor and co-founder/boat captain Gail O’Hara.

 

Fans at Chickfactor 30

 

FTA contributing photographer Edwina Hay and Chickfactor founder Gail O’Hara

 

First up was a group of Brooklyn middle and high school students aged 12-14 called Girl Scout Handbook led by Trixie Madell. Madell proudly wore her Girl Scout cardigan on stage. They performed a set of specially curated covers from Lois, Belle & Sebastian, The Spinanes, The Zombies, Sleater-Kinney, and Heavenly. Girl Scout Handbook is currently writing original songs in between being super students.

 

DJ sets were split between Stephin Merritt (The Magnetic Fields) and Gaylord Fields (WFMU DJ on “indefinite hiatus” after 30 years of marevelous service). What a treat to see DJs use physical media; Merritt had his CDs and Fields cued up his 45s. Fun fact: both brought Doris Day to play.

 

Stephin Merritt DJ set

 

Gaylord Fields DJ set

 

Dump was a solo James McNew (Yo La Tengo) with his guitar, no backing band. A crowd favorite was his adaptation of GG Allin’s “NYC Tonight.” Only about two months as of writing this piece until Hanukkah and YLT’s annual Bowery Ballroom residency!

 

Jim Ruiz Set brought endearing pop from the Twin Cities. This was a bucket list band to see, as you can’t easily find physical or digital copies of music from Jim Ruiz Set/Legendary Jim Ruiz Group. Jim Ruiz Set’s most current album is from 2012, so hopefully this recent performance influences them to put out more material.

 

Detroit’s The Aluminum Group closed out the night playing their latest album in 14 years, which earned the right to be self-titled. Brothers John and Frank Navin even let the audience know when the album sides started and ended. I hadn’t listened to this new album before the show, and now the song “Color My Lips Hot Pink” is on repeat in my brain.

 

Looking forward to Chickfactor 35!

 

Scroll down for pics of the show (photos by Taryn Alper)

GIRL SCOUT HANDBOOK

 

 

DUMP

 

 

 

JIM RUIZ SET

 

 

THE ALUMINUM GROUP