Greenpointers could not be more excited to welcome Brain-Cave Festival (4/11-4/14) to the neighborhood this year! We admire founder Luis Velasquez (CaraBella Presents) and co-producer Gabo Rodriguez (Supercrush Studio) and jumped at the chance to team up with them again (past events have included CMJ Showcase and Fuck Off Sandy Benefit)!
In addition to a packed 4 day festival at Europa (98 Meserole Ave), the Greenpointers Spring Market (4/13) will play host to 3 Brain-Cave acts, for FREE!
Remember to get your tickets early! (4 day pass and single day passes available)
We interviewed Luis and Gabo and picked a few shows we are extra excited about:
GP: Can you tell us how Brain-Cave Festival came to life and how the festival is structured?
Luis: I started Brain-Cave with Justin Stivers (former member of the Antlers) back in April 2011, at Shea Stadium in Bushwick. I wanted to bring-out and pay respect to Brooklyn’s artists from all mediums that represent the culture of this neighborhood.
Gabo: This year, we’re planning a 4-day multimedia experience, that includes most forms of art and entertainment. We want people’s senses to be stimulated at all times.
GP: Explain the partnership with Carabella and Supercrush. How do you guys know each other and why are you working together?
Gabo: We met by chance but, one might say it was fate. Luis is part of the art collective, Art Pussy. They were planning a 2-day festival in Puerto Rico, his mother’s native homeland. They contacted me for one of the artist I book for, and we started talking about the festival. I’m also Puerto Rican, so I was really interested in the festival they were trying to produce. Being that we both had the same interests in producing something beautiful for the island, we both decided that it would be a good idea that I go help out. I did, and from then on we’ve been working together!
Luis: I think we’re both honest and true to ourselves when we do something. That’s an important quality to have when you’re trying to create any type of art.
GP: Brain-Cave moves to different hoods ever year. Why Greenpoint this year? Did you have any other parts of Brooklyn in mind?
Luis: We chose Greenpoint because, similar to the festival, it’s a neighborhood that’s always changing. Greenpoint has a lot of history. Also, my brother was born in Greenpoint, so there’s a lot of personal history there, as well.
GP: Europa?! What should we expect?
Luis: A dark cavernous space that will mess with your senses.
GP: The flyer artwork is rad. Who is the artist?
Luis: The artwork was done by Abbey Ley. She’s an amazing illustrator, with a lot of history in the indie-DIY scene.
GP: How did you curate the bands?
Luis: We both did a list of all the artists that we respect and would love to see live. We combined them, and saw which ones would do great together. It’s definitely a work of collaboration.
GP: How many people are you expecting?
Gabo: We hope the whole neighborhood shows!
GP: Who are some of the big headliners of the festival?
Gabo: We consider all the artists headliners, and we’re excited to see all of them! Here are links to most of the artists! – Check-out the full Brain-Cave Festival 2013 Line-Up, here!
Greenpointers: Some of our personal faves are:
(all shows held at Europa except for shows held at the Greenpointers Spring Market)
Thursday, April 11th
Gunfight!
Eula
The Suzan
April 12th
J.Viewz
April 13th –Greenpointers Spring Market!
Viento
Jon Mizrachi
Backwords
April 13th – Europa
Monogold
Ice Cream
April 14th
Black Cobra
GP: Where will you be grabbing a beer when you are done working?
Luis: Beloved is definitely like a second home to me. They treat me like family there.
Gabo: Diamond Bar is definitely great for a chill beer spot. But, I’ll probably be hanging with Luis all weekend, so, Beloved it is!
I just saw the poster today!
Looks great. But, the only URL on it was for the illustrator…
Glad ou wrote this because otherwise, I couldn’t get the details!