BELOW: Slide show by Pat Merino, January, 2009, set to Dagmar's "When the Bears Begin to Sleep"
THE DAGMAR DIARIES: EPISODE 5, Music Under New York
posted May 23, 2007: The adventures continue as Dagmar 2 auditions before a panel of 30 judges in the middle of Grand Central Station hoping to be one of the 20 artists selected (they were) out of the 70 auditioners performing at the event this year to receive a lifetime license to power-busk in the primo locations of the NYC subway system. Featuring "Subway Idol" THEO EASTWIND and his "Ten Rules of Subway Artistry". More on Theo at www.theoeastwind.com.
"She's up for just about anything . . .
as long as it has more than four legs."
FIND US ON
FREE-FOLK DUO IN THE SUBWAYS OF NYC
AND THE STREETS OF BOSTON
Busking loose, DAGMAR duo JIM BAUER and MEGHAN McGEARY have taken free-folk underground to the subways of New York and out on the streets of Boston with their transmogrifying song cycle about a guy who can't get out of bed in the morning and an insect goddess who plunges through the ether to rescue him. "DOOR No. 1", DAGMAR's debut album and the first in a planned multi-CD series, is an "art rock opera" affair with a six-piece band. It was released Sept. 2006. The second album, "DOOR No. 2", is a "free-folk" duo affair with Bauer & McGeary covering all the bases. It was released in April 2009. Hear clips above. Recording sessions for "Door No. 3" started in November 2009, and should be ready for distribution in early 2010.
You can purchase hard copies of Door 1 and Door 2 directly, and only directly, from DAGMAR -- if you should happen to stumble on them in the streets or subways -- or you can download whatever DAGMAR you like from and a bunch of other digital download sites.
BAND HISTOIRE
Now primarily a duo with occasional and very special guests, the original six-piece band was frothed up in NYC by Bauer, who handles the music, lyrics, guitars, vocals, keyboards and computers, and his partner in music crimes, insect goddess McGeary, who shoulders vocals, melodica, banjolele, accordion, assorted percussion, costumes, and sometimes wings..
Following its first performance at Joe's Pub in NYC in June 2005, the full band performed at a variety of NYC clubs : The Knitting Factory, The Cutting Room, CBGB's, Arlene's Grocery, Galapagos, The Living Room, The Sidewalk Cafe, and others.
As the "high dintensity" duo, Bauer and McGeary have been introducing DAGMAR to audiences outside of NYC since October 2006, twisting up new arrangements of Dagmar favorites and taking new Dagmar favorites-to-be on hair-raising fly-bys around the bug zapper in a lively tour of open mics which they are documenting in a whimsical verité-style video series on YouTube called “THE DAGMAR DIARIES: From Here To Where”.
In the spring of 2007, DAGMAR duo Bauer & McGeary began busking in the streets and subways of New York City as DAGMAR 2, before dispensing with the 2 and just sticking to DAGMAR. They auditioned and were added to the roster of musicians under the banner of the MTA's Music Under New York program. As MUNY artists, Bauer & McGeary have been performing in the NYC subways in all the primo spots (see the Dagmar Diaries Episode 5 on YouTube to get the full skinny on MUNY).
In August 2009, the DAGMAR duo started performing on the streets of Boston, MA, and renewed a tour of open mics in New England, finding one fan at a time, one street corner, one subway stop, one coffeehouse at a time, running DAGMAR up whatever flagpoles we can find.
In September 2009 Dagmar got on WERS radio, 88.9 FM, Boston, by busking on the street in front of the station. It took several tries over the course of several weeks, but we got their attention in a good way, got on the air, and now WERS is a fan and friend. They reviewed "Door No. 2" as a "Top Pick". Read the review HERE at WERS.ORG.
VIEW FROM THE BUSK: "Real Time Head Count" - Dagmar busks in the subways of NYC. How many people pass by in the course of one four minute song? Let's find out . . .
groovy I'll definately sign up but yeah i hear you there winter gets cold as hell i myself wish i could afford to move out west life would be warm again lol at least this week's gonna be nice. Heh that's not a bad car we fit I believe about ten people in one of those at one time it was pretty awesome lol.
definately worth it you guys rocked, I was totally captivated by it; kind of reminded me of the 60's a lot, and you were amazing with the percussion and harmonium. Thank you heh I have a love for old cars and old music it's fun. Yeah I was at the Press Room, I headed out after my friend went up. Are you guys playing any other local shows? I'd like to buy a cd next time.
It was nice meeting you as well! I really enjoyed your performance.. you're a beautiful woman, and your music is beautiful as well. The picture that I had taken of you came out fantastic too! I haven't had the opportunity to scan it yet, but once I do I'll send it your way:). Take care!
Hope you had a nice 4th of July! I'm crazy organizing the 7th annual NYC Musical Saw Festival in Astoria. So far 45 musical saw players registered to perform. 2 are coming from Japan, 3 from Germany, 3 from Canada, 1 from Belgium and the rest from all over the USA. It will be wild!
Thank you so much for coming to help me at the festival, Meghan!
Thanks for replying Meghan, and I'm glad to be back online! Look forward to seeing you in July. I'm still in Somerville, I moved a half mile from my old place.
Hi Jim & Meghan, it's been too long! After a few months out of the loop, dealing with financial restructuring, a move to a new apt, repairing my laptop and other personal stuff, I'm clawing my way back. When are you coming to Boston to perform? Would love to come down to NYC soon to see your subway shows and pick up your new Door No 2. Be well and keep me posted...
I love your new CD! The fact that Meghan has a gorgeous voice is a well known fact, but what a pleasant surprise to hear Jim's voice taking lead in 'Out of Mind'! I like the lush arrangements, and whenever the melodica takes a solo - that is so gorgeous! You guys are amazing! Congratulations on a wonderful album. Looking forward to 'Door 3'...(and many more doors to come)!
hello meg! thank you too:)) I love all oasis' songs. and I admired you and other musician in the doys in the street. espicially you! now I wanna sing doys songs on subway but I m afraid but people thinks ' is she a crazy':D you re great meg. thanks again... see you
indeed i'm him. liam embraced me with love and compassion for we are brothers:) i think the documentary is great! hey, wanna do the hostel? i got some dates for ya if you want. let me know. xo theo
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