Heady psychedelia: A conversation with East Village musician Franzi Szymkowiak of Lukka

Text and photos by Stacie Joy

I’ve always liked catching new-to-me music at the local New Colossus Festival, and the 2023 edition was no different. 

I was especially keen to hear East Village-based singer-songwriter-composer Franzi Szymkowiak and her band Lukka with Ashley Gonzalez on bass and Simon Fishburn on drums. Lukka’s dreamy and immersive sonic landscape was the perfect fit for an indie-pop/shoegaze showcase at Arlene’s Grocery on March 11...

A few weeks later, I caught up with Franzi in the East Village to talk about growing up in Germany, the rigors of busking, and feeding off the energy of NYC.

You studied classical piano while growing up in Germany. Where did your interest in music originate? 

It was mostly my mum who pushed me to take classical piano lessons. I didn’t enjoy it that much as a teenager but I guess years later it paid off when I started writing songs. I started playing and singing my favorite songs, and that’s when something sparked. I guess it was the combination of both that gave me the endorphin rush. 

Just as a side fact, I recently found out that my great-grandmother, who was a waitress, would also from time to time grab her guitar and start singing popular German folk songs for her dining guests to make an extra buck. That was in the 1930s, so maybe it’s in the genetics after all.

You taught yourself how to play guitar at age 15. Did you have aspirations to be a musician then or was this more for fun? 

I started learning the guitar to be able to sing my favorite songs at the time. I think I knew then that I wanted to make a living as a musician, I just didn’t know how. I got into music from the ’60s back then, I loved the Beatles, Rolling Stones, and other bands from that time period. 

If I remember right, I already imagined having my own band to perform my own songs. When I was younger, I hoped to make a living on that but you know it’s really hard nowadays. 

You spent years busking around the world. How did that experience shape you? Did you ever tire of the constant hustle? 

After I finished high school in Germany, I traveled to Australia and ended up staying there for almost four years. I played a lot in the streets there. I actually got quite professional having an amplified music performance. 

Of course, it takes a lot of strength to carry all that shit around the city. I am talking about two big heavy batteries, an electric power converter, an amplifier, a microphone and stand, cables, a keyboard, and a seat. I had one trolley that carried everything.

Once that thing got stuck in between the subway train and the platform, the doors closed and the train started moving but luckily stopped after a couple of seconds. I think that’s when I had enough! 

However, playing in the streets connected me to a lot of people, which was great. The experience also taught me not to give a damn what strangers think of me. 

 

January marked your 10th year in NYC. Was it always a goal or dream to live here? 

I came to New York when I was 22. Back then I was naively thinking that this is the place to be to ‘make it’ in the music industry, which of course right now I know is not true. But I loved the scene and I connected quickly with really talented artists and musicians who would inspire and support me. I have never been as creative in any other city as here.

I think that the city’s energy feeds you. (I actually have a song “Feed Me” that is derived from that.) The East Village always had a special vibe to me. What I love is that there are so many music venues and lots of live music. Lots of interesting and strange people do walk the streets, it’s entertaining in a way. For me, there is The Accordion Lady, for example, the rock’n’roll guy with the chihuahua dog, the Lady with Pink UV protection visor and too-long toenails. So many characters...I do like that. 

You’ve described the tracks on your Something Human record as “heady psychedelia and nostalgic 1980s new wave.” Who have been some bands that influenced you? 

Definitely influenced by the ’60s and ’70s bands as I mentioned before The Beatles, Rolling Stones, and Led Zeppelin. After Bowie died, I got heavily influenced by the Trilogy he did in Berlin, and also the people he worked with: Brian Eno, Lou Reed and Iggy Pop. That period made me experiment with synths much more. Also, bands like Tame Impala and Unknown Mortal Orchestra opened my mind to different guitar effect pedals and sounds. 

How has Lukka’s sound evolved? What’s next for the band? 

I do have all the songs for my third album ready to record. It is going to be much quieter and synth-affected, and the compositions will be more complex. I am not sure how it will all come out in the end. It’s very experimental in a way. 

You can catch Lukka on June 1 at Rubulad in Bushwick, and keep up with the band on Instagram.

Grass acts: Main lawn in Tompkins Square Park has been reseeded

Parks officials have said that the main lawn in Tompkins Square Park, a barren surface in many spots, has been reseeded as of last week.

The main gate into the area is locked... and there is at least one small sign noting to "please stay off" the lawn...

Still, readers report people hopping the fences to access the lawn... as well as residents continuing to walk their dogs in this area...

As one reader stated: "Maybe people can go a little easy on it for a few weeks?" 

Top photo by EVG reader Joe; others by Steven

Nest Ball: Amelia and Christo's 2023 chicks make first appearance

Photos by Steven

ICYMI: It appears that red-tailed hawks Amelia and Christo in Tompkins Square Park have several hatchlings in their nest. 

Difficult to say at the moment how many... but observers have seen at least two fuzzy little heads poking up from inside the nest...

As always, follow Goggla for the latest on the red-tailed hawks... in this post, she documents Amelia and Christo brooding their eggs in late April.

This 2nd-level retail space is for rent on St. Mark's Place and 2nd Avenue

On the northwest corner of St. Mark's Place and Second Avenue, the second-level retail space is on the rental market... because Taiji Body Work has recently left the building (though it doesn't look like it from the main entrance) ...

The spa, one of several Taiji outposts citywide, arrived here in early 2015. 

Previously, 8-Bit and Up, the retro video shop, was upstairs before moving to Third Street in the fall of 2013. 

And once upon a time... bring back Kim's!

The above photo is by Barry Joseph, and it was published in Ada Calhoun's book "St. Marks Is Dead."

P.S.

The Gap was on the ground floor from 1988 to 2001...

Wednesday's parting shot

Photo by Maite Castillo

Go go Godzilla, yeah. As seen on 13th Street at Second Avenue today...

Officials: Developer had permission to remove trees from new building site at 1 St. Mark's Place

Last Friday, we reported — via a reader tip — about workers cutting down a tree that had managed to survive the construction the past three-plus years for the office building going up on the NE corner of Third Avenue and St. Mark's Place (aka 1 St. Mark's Place). 

For starters, workers removed two trees from the north side of St. Mark's Place. 

However, the developers had permission to do so — thanks to two city agencies. 

A spokesperson from Councilmember Carlina Rivera's office, who looked into the situation, told us that the NYC Parks Central Forestry confirmed these removals were approved by the city. 

According to the spokesperson, the DOT and MTA would not allow the placement of a crane on Third Avenue during construction. So the developers need to use the St. Mark's Place side for the staging and placement of the crane. Unfortunately, the two trees were in the way. 

"The applicant [developer] will be planting four trees on-site, and they also paid Parks to plant three offsite trees," per the spokesperson.

The developer, Real Estate Equities Corp. (REEC), picked up the 99-year leasehold for the corner lot for nearly $150 million in November 2017. The previous assemblage, which included retail tenants such as Korilla BBQ, the Continental and McDonald's, was demolished in 2019.

The Mermaid Inn won't be returning to its original East Village home

A for-rent sign now hangs outside the retail space at 96 Second Ave. between Fifth Street and Sixth Street... which presumably brings an end to the Mermaid Inn's time here. 

Last fall, after a 7-week reopening stint, Mermaid Inn went dark. A spokesperson for Mermaid Inn said this outpost was "closing for the winter" and would reopen in April. 

The "we are closed for the season" sign remains on the front door of the empty space...

Workers removed the remaining contents of the restaurant in January... a not-so-subtle hint that the Mermaid Inn was not returning here.

To recap... Mermaid Inn closed during the pandemic. Co-owner Daniel Abrams and partner Cindy Smith decided to shut down the seafood restaurant in the wake of failed attempts to reach a workable rent deal, Eater reported at the time. 

There were later issues with a stringent State Liquor Authority that was delaying the return.

Then there was a grand reopening last September. Seven weeks later, the Inn closed again.

The Mermaid Inn arrived in the East Village back in 2003, with several outposts to follow... most recently a massive space on 10th Avenue in December. No word if there might be plans for another EV outpost some day. 

Ichibantei Japanese Soul Food and Steak debuts on 3rd Avenue; closes on 13th Street

The new, multi-level Ichibantei Japanese Soul Food and Steak outpost is now open at 100 Third Ave. between 12th Street and 13th Street.

This restaurant has been in the works for awhile... reps for Ichibantei received approval from CB3 last June. (According to the questionnaire on file at the CB3 website, the establishment would feature room for 24 tables/98 seats spread over two floors.) Google lists the hours at 5 p.m. to 3 a.m.

No. 100 last housed the vowel-deficient club VNYL, which shut down at some point during the pandemic. Until September 2015, the renovated building featured the second iteration of Nevada Smiths. 

With this debut, the Ichibantei outpost has closed at 401 E. 13th St. near First Ave. ... where it first started serving Japanese soul food in 2010...

Previously

Tuesday's parting shot

Tompkins Square Park late this afternoon and look so green...

Dreams: Night of 1000 Stevies approaches!

Photo from 2022 by Stacie Joy 

The 31st edition of a Night of 1000 Stevies — the longest-running Stevie Nicks fan event on the planet (Earth) — is happening this Saturday night ... back at Irving Plaza for the first time since 2019.

About this year's Steviethon:

This year's theme pays homage to the many angels in Stevie's songs and artwork, including the iconic Fleetwood Mac title song "Angel," in her songs "Sleeping Angel," "Street Angel" and many more. A tribute will note the passing of her longtime bandmate and stage angel Christine McVie.

The show is produced by longtime East Village residents (and NOTS founders) Chi Chi Valenti and Johnny Dynell. 

Find ticket info here.

After deadly collapse, city issues vacate order at the Little Man Parking garage on 9th Street

Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy 

The Department of Buildings (DOB) has issued a vacate order for the Little Man Parking garage on Ninth Street between Second Avenue and Third Avenue.

Per the vacate order issued Friday via the DOB: "The occupied parking structure with concrete framing observed to be in a state of disrepair at several locations in cellar level... crushed column base observed at several locations in cellar level ... vertical cracks observed inside elevator shaft and on masonry walls."

Albert (below), the manager at this location, said that workers have relocated all the vehicles to other Little Man garages.

No one is allowed inside the now-empty garage. He said it would be at least two weeks before they could reassess the space, though repair work had yet to start as of yesterday. They plan to reopen once repairs are made and they receive the all-clear from the city.

The closure comes two weeks after the deadly collapse on April 18 at the Little Man garage on Ann Street in the Financial District. According to its website, Little Man Parking operates 46 garages in New York and New Jersey. 

During a citywide sweep on Friday, Buildings officials shuttered four parking garages, including an eight-story building at 50 Bayard St. in Chinatown and a 25-story structure at 225 Rector Place in Lower Manhattan. (The Ninth Street location was not mentioned in any media accounts.) 

The temporary order also means the Budget Car Rental that shares the space is closed for now... signage arrived on the door this past Saturday instructing renters to visit the East 31st Street location.

According to the Post, the Ann Street garage "had a long history of significant structural issues, including that the connection joint between one support column and a ceiling beam had developed cracks, as had several of the walls — including some that were 11 feet long — and needed substantial upgrades to comply with the city’s fire code." 

Willis Moore, the Ann Street manager, died in the collapse. He was 59.

Local elected officials speak out to landmark Theatre 80 ahead of auction

Local City Councilmember Carlina Rivera, Assemblymember Deborah Glick and Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine have asked the city to landmark the historic Theatre 80 on St. Mark's Place ahead of the planned auction on May 9. 

According to Village Preservation, which is spearheading this campaign: 

Landmarking will save the building from destruction, but won't save the beloved theatre and other cultural institutions within. We have also asked elected officials and the entire public to join Theatre 80 in calling upon the city to intervene and acquire the building and establish a permanent home for Theatre 80 there.

In the letter to Mayor Adams and Landmarks Preservation Commission Chair Sarah Carroll, the elected officials write: 

For years, our offices have advocated for this beloved cultural institution and piece of New York history to remain. Currently, it is in danger of being lost to real estate speculation that is plaguing many neighborhoods in our city, especially the East Village. A landmark designation for these buildings will honor the legacy of artists and immigration in the East Village, as well as protect this important cultural institution for today’s audiences and future generations. 

Find the full letter here.

As previously reported, owners Lorcan and Genie Otway have been battling in recent years to save the space, which houses Theatre 80, a 199-seat theater, the William Barnacle Tavern and the Museum of the American Gangster. (Lorcan had lived here since age 9 when his father bought the buildings to create an Off-Broadway theater in 1964.)

The two-building property is set to be sold off to satisfy a $12 million loan that is in default via Maverick Real Estate Partners. (Our previous posts here and here have more background.)

Bidders for the property, which includes several residences on the upper floors, must register by May 8 and supply a cashier's check for $950,000 payable to a Chapter 7 trustee. 

Signage alert: Don Ceviche on 1st Avenue

Signage has arrived for the new outpost of Don Ceviche at 57 First Ave. between Third Street and Fourth Street. 

The quick-serve restaurant currently offers authentic Peruvian ceviche at the Essex Market. (You can check out the menu, featuring some nice-looking rotisserie chicken, right here.)

As noted last July, they received administrative approval for a beer-wine license for the small space that will provide a handful of tables. 

Don Ceviche takes over the space from Al Horno Lean Mexican Kitchen, a 1990s throwback that didn't make it out of the pandemic. 

And a moment of silence for the Pudgie's-Nathan's-Arthur Treacher's action-packed combo that was here during a few glorious months in 2012.

Monday's parting SHOT

Photo by Derek Berg 

The Hoopbus made a stop this evening on St. Mark's Place at Avenue A... where contestants could enter a free-throw competition to win Knicks-Heat playoff tickets. (We'll wait and enter the slam-dunk competition!)

[Updated] Don't walk this way

Photos by Stacie Joy

This afternoon around 2:30, a pedestrian signal pole on the SE corner of Seventh Street and Avenue B fell over...

Thankfully, no one was injured. All the lights at the intersection went out, though. 

According to several witnesses, two middle-school-age students with backpacks gave the pole a kick as they walked by... and they ran off as it was coming down. 

One witness pointed out that the base of the pole was corroded ... enough that two kids between the ages of 11-14 could knock it over...

Updated 5/2

Stacie notes that the pole is back in place...

May 1

In submitting this photo from St. Mark's Place near Avenue A today, EVG regular Jose Garcia (jg) asks a reasonable question: 

If there is any sort of "Best in Show" category might this specimen be worthy of consideration given how much fancier it is than the average belatedly discarded holiday tree?

The question is now in the hands of the holiday steering committee 

 

Basics Plus has closed on 3rd Avenue

Basics Plus has officially closed at 91 Third Ave. between 12th Street and 13th Street ...  

Earlier in April, employees at the chainlet of houseware and hardware stores confirmed they were going out of business by the end of the month, though they didn't provide a reason why.

Basics Plus opened here in August 2014. BP was set to shut down in March 2019 but downsized its space instead, giving up the corner storefront (now occupied by Cure Thrift Shop).

Several other NYC locations remain in service.

The previous tenant at the address, the like-minded (but better, TBH) Surprise! Surprise! closed after 25 years in April 2014.

The Pinky's Space storefront is for rent on 1st Street

The storefront at 70 E. First St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue is now for rent.

However, this development doesn't completely shut the door on the most recent tenant — Pinky's Space, the cafe-art gallery that has been closed since late last fall.

Earlier this spring, the landlord took legal possession of the storefront, where Pinky's Space first opened in 2018 as a quick-serve cafe offering a variety of sandwiches served on biscuits.

Co-owner Wesley Wobles said in an email over the weekend that the landlord would let them return if they made good on the back rent that dates to October.

"She will welcome us back if we can pay back the rent in full before she rents the space," Wobles said.

The financial tailspin began for Pinky's this past Oct. 27 when the city leveled their 30-foot-long outdoor structure, which had morphed into an assemblage of paintings, furniture and plants — topped off by a chandelier and disco ball.

At the time, co-owner Mimi Blitz reportedly (per the Post) estimated they spent upwards of $50,000 on the structure and used it for outdoor dining and other events that served as the main source of pandemic-era revenue since July 2020. (Initial reports put the value at $25,000, but Blitz told the Post that the amount was incorrect because "everything had happened so fast she didn't have time to calculate properly.")

After the city took down the structure, Pinky's closed to regroup with plans to reopen in early 2023. They also created a less-intricate outdoor space, which has mostly been dismantled recently.

"We spent the last of our money to rebuild our outdoor garden right away. The electric bill came, and we couldn't afford it," Wobles said. "We have no money coming in because we shut the business down after our outdoor dining structure was torn down by the DOT."

In January, Wobles and Blitz sued the city for $615,000 for removing the curbside space last fall "without any warning whatsoever" and "without cause, legal authority or due process," per the lawsuit. (The story was well-covered, including at the Post, 1010 WINS and PIX11.)

The city tells a different story, as Gothamist reported in January.

A DOT spokesman told Gothamist that Blitz's outdoor dining structure was too far off the curb, lacked "reflective materials" and was not compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. It was also covering a manhole, the spokesman said.

According to the lawsuit, Pinky's received two cease and desist orders of compliance regarding the outdoor structure and made the requested changes on each occasion. The owners claimed they were never told their structure was dangerous and would be taken down.

"There was no communication in regards to saying, 'Look, this is an imminent danger. We're going to have to just sweep it away and take it away,'" Blitz said. "So we were completely caught off guard when that happened."

Meanwhile, the financial struggles continue. One source of income: selling art and accessories via the Pinky's Space website. "The clothing line is something that we have begun since we have been locked out," Wobles said. "It's print-on-demand items designed using the art we created at Pinky's Space."

In recent months, Wobles said that he and Blitz, who have an 8-year-old son, have tried to apply for several loans, including the New York Forward Loan Fund. 

"Those applications take forever," he said. "We spent weeks working on them only to get denied, which was depressing."

Wobles said that he is on food stamps and has been visiting a church food bank to help feed his son. He said there's also a "real possibility" of being evicted from his apartment.

"The city just doesn't understand. They shut you down like that and expect you to just change everything. It's a tornado. It's not fair. It's not right," he said. "I worked my whole life as a chef in New York City restaurants and made a lot of people money. There's no reason it should be like this."

Sunday C&C Eatery announces itself at The Bowery Market

Signage for the newest food vendor has arrived at The Bowery Market ... Sunday C&C Eatery (short for Coffee & Conscious) is hiring and hopes to be open soon...

Chef-owner Christian Torres started the plant-based food business via a trailer while a college student in Miami and later moved north to Smorgasburg, the outdoor food market in Brooklyn, and various other Brooklyn pop-ups. 

Sunday C&C Eatery will join Bowery Market tenants Current Coffee and Kettl tea. Scott Marano, the founder of The Bowery Market, previously told us that he has other new vendors lined up for the space.

 The year-round market at Great Jones first opened in the summer of 2016.

RIP to the MRI place on Avenue A

A for-lease sign now hangs on the storefront at 191 Avenue A near 12th Street, marking the end of the downtown location of Stand-Up MRI of Manhattan.

The office provided an Open Upright MRI scanner — an alternative for patients who are claustrophobic, cannot lie down due to pain or whose size prevents them from being evaluated in a traditional MRI scanner (according to the website).

Stand-Up MRI had been here for roughly 12-15 years (we can't remember exactly!). The arrival did prompt some "there goes the neighborhood" groans. As we've seen in the past, the artists and "hipsters" show up first, then come the cafes-galleries-coffee shops, then the Stand-Up MRI joints... then it's off to another neighborhood...

The Midtown location of Stand-Up MRI of Manhattan remains in service.  

As we recall, until the mid-1990s, this space was a funeral home.