Talkhouse Weekend Playlist: Bassh Take Manhattan

The new alt-rock duo celebrates NYC as we head into the weekend.

Bassh is the new project of Jimmy Brown, CJ Hardee (Matrimony), and producer Bill Reynolds (Band of Horses). The duo plays New York’s Mercury Lounge this Monday, July 25, so they created a playlist tribute to the city. Give it a listen to get your weekend started, and check out the band’s debut single, “Body.”

Bob Dylan — “Masters of War”
Bob Dylan is a master of words just like New Yorkers are the masters of their streets. They fight for what’s theirs and take care of their own like “Masters of War.”

Interpol — “NYC”
Paul Banks and Interpol embody New York. You can be anywhere in this dark place as long as you turn on the bright lights.

Van Morrison — “Beside You”
In New York, we can roam freely but we’re never alone. This city’s so packed—we are always bound to meet someone who is beside you for a brief moment or for a long time.

The Strokes — “Last Nite”
What a joyous song. In New York, you can never forget “Last Nite,” whether it’s good or bad.

Jay Z — “Lucifer”
This represents the strength we feel walking in New York.

The Velvet Underground — “Sweet Jane”
Lou Reed was the man of New York. “Sweet Jane” is such a rock and roll tune about a man and his woman Jane.

LCD Soundsystem — “New York, I Love You But You’re Bringing Me Down”
This song represents the love-hate relationship a man has with the Big Apple. He loves New York but struggles with life and surviving in the big city. Though we do not live in New York, we can relate to the struggle.

Frank Sinatra — “New York, New York”
Must we say anything about this song? Isn’t it obvious why this song reminds us—and, in fact, anyone—about New York?

Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five — “New York, New York”
This is where NYC hip-hop starts for us. New York, for most, symbolizes they made it; they made it to the big city of dreams, but there is always something constantly pushing you to the edge. It can make you crazy but, you still love it.

Notorious B.I.G. — “Mo Money Mo Problems (feat. Mase and Puff Daddy)”
We were young when this song came out just before B.I.G. passed. Biggie is a New York icon. This song symbolized the life of the living on the streets and making it. The hyped rhythmic same for your feet while everyone was rapping about being bigger and better than anyone else in the city.