In one of the few parts of Lower East Side that still vaguely resembles the LES is a music venue/record label that embodies that spirit of the neighborhoods rich past and cultural diversity. On Avenue C between 5th and 6th street, hidden from the East Village douche-baggery and tucked safely in between LES projects, Nublu is the every night sure bet to hear the best of international underground music, past and present, blended together in lounge splashed in video projector madness. Music heads check there pretension at the door and everyone is there for one reason; to hear great music.

There is no sceniness or aloof selector at the door. There’s not even a sign, just a small blue light bulb above a graffiti covered door on the avenue. In between sets (usually three a night) there is a mixed bag of characters standing outside that raise eyebrows “…I think its an AA meeting or something…”

Musicians play directly on the floor and sometimes you have to brush against the bassist or singer to get from one end of the bar to the other. It’s probably the only venue where you can listen to a 70 year old east village beatnik poet read in the same night as you experience Bobby Mcferrin’s son destroy a drum machine. You can sit at the bar between Warp artists Prefuse 73 and Beans while listening to a glitch-hop concerto by Flying Lotus as the boys from the Brazilian Girls tune there instruments in preparation for their set. David Byrne is a regular and has collaborated with Nublu artists Forro in the Dark. Nublu’s Kudu has a new project Betty Black that is almost site specific in it’s bespoke fit to the space.

Nublu is a magical venue because of the crowd that makes it that way. Their Wednesday night forro-style brazilian party has achieved a near cult following of music lovers and dancers who cut loose from shackles of self consciousness done upon them by the NYC “to cool to dance” zeitgeist. There is a comforting feeling of like-mindedness being surrounded by conscious music loving people. That connection is strengthened knowing that once you leave, a block east is gritty project Gomorrah and block west is all cornball jock rapist bars and manufactured “dives” filled with stella-suckling hipsterati listening to tom petty.

forro in the dark

In short, Nublu is whats real in the streets. They should be given a million dollar renewable grant to keep doing exactly what they are doing. Music aficionados should make mecca at least once in their lifetime and nod there heads to the lower east 5 times a day.