For their seventh album, Bend Beyond, Brooklyn New York trio Woods have concocted a warm-blooded, harmonious and lush opus that critics are already declaring a daring leap for a band who is known for bringing intimacy to their recordings and intensity to their live performance.  Though the band is set to launch a national tour on September 26 in support of their latest LP (dates are below), Ghettoblaster recently caught up with Jarvis Taveniere to talk about the things he likes best about his current stomping grounds, including drinking eggnog with Jägermeister on his back patio, the New York City marathon, and the decadent burger at Roebling Tea Room.  Here’s what else he confessed…
What’s your town’s nickname?
I don’t know if we have one. People love to make fun of the neighborhood, but I don’t think they’ve settled on one, all encompassing name to best mock us. 
What’s your nickname for your town?
WilmerValderramasburg.
Why do you live there?
NYC is every romantic and outrageous thing that has ever been said or written about it. It’s all true. It’s all great. ??
Did you grow up there?
If not, what brought you there? I grew up in the suburbs just north of the city. I came here for the love of a woman. It didn’t work out.
What’s the weirdest thing that has ever happened to you there?
A few weeks ago, I saw an elderly woman in full Raggedy Ann costume/makeup pushing a baby carriage overflowing with Barbie Doll heads. This was 1 in the afternoon on a Monday. 
??What is your favorite local attraction (monument, park, etc)?
Rockaway Beach is paradise off the A train during the stifling summer months. ??
What is your favorite local event or festival?
The New York City Marathon. Watching them run through our neighborhood feels like the end of A Christmas Carol when Scrooge wakes up on Christmas morning, alive and ready to change his fucking life. The air is crisp for the first time in the season. The city is overflowing with goodwill. It’s a yearly reminder that life is long and ripe with possibility.    ??
What is the best time of year to be there?
Each has its charms, but winter just before the holidays might be my favorite. 
??Who is your favorite local celebrity?
The Vice Magazine guy who went to the Westminster Dog Show on acid. I saw him in C Town last week. 
Where is the best place to drink and what’s their specialty or happy hour???
My girlfriend and I just built a picnic table in our backyard. Our specialty is white wine in the summer and  eggnog cut with Jägermeister in the early winter.
Who has the best jukebox (and what’s in it)?
Most bars in the neighborhood have DJs, which seems unnecessary if you ask me. 
??Do you play music there?
Not as much as you would think. 
If so, where is your favorite place to play???
We have the most fun playing in places that sound really good, Bowery Ballroom in particular. If we’re playing for the zeitgeist-types: 285 Kent. 
Does where you live influence your music???
Most of our music is written and recorded upstate, but I think the music reflects the mixed nature of where its produced. Upstate provides the sublime. The city provides the grime. 
What is your favorite place to see live music and what was your favorite show there?
I saw Pete Seeger play in the conference room of a liberal think tank in Midtown a couple of years ago. I haven’t been to a better show since. ?? 
What is your favorite local band???
The Voidoids. 
What is your favorite diner or restaurant and what is their best dish?
The burger at the Roebling Tea Room is decadent. 

??What is your favorite record store and what was your best find there?
Co-op 87. Mike Sniper’s amber aura is, without a doubt, the best thing you’ll find there. 
??What is your favorite local publication (alternative weekly, zine, website or blog)?
Lucky Peach. It’s a great food magazine from David Chang(Momofuku) and Pete Meehan(ex-NY times food critic, Spectre folk guitarist). 
??What is your favorite local shop?
The Bedford Cheese Shop. The Strand book store. 
??If you could live anywhere else, where would that be??
I am trying to convince my girlfriend to abandon her career ambitions and move to the suburbs with me. That, or LA. 
(Catch Woods at one of the following live engagements!
Wed-Sep-26    Atlanta, GA        Variety Playhouse *
Thu-Sep-27    Nashville, TN        Cannery Ballroom *
Fri-Sep-28        Asheville, NC        Orange Peel *
Sat-Sep-29    Cincinnatti, OH        Midpoint Music Fest / Grammers * 
Sun-Sep-30    Pittsburgh, PA        Mr. Smalls *
Tue-Oct-02    Toronto, ON        The Garrison
Wed-Oct-03    Ann Arbor, MI        Yellow Barn
Thu-Oct-04    Chicago, IL        Subterranean #
Fri-Oct-05        Madison, WI        Der Rathskeller at Memorial Union #
Sat-Oct-06    St Paul, MN        Turf Club #
Sun-Oct-07    Iowa City, IA        The Mill #
Tue-Oct-09    Denver, CO        Larimer Lounge
Fri-Oct-12        Portland, OR        Mississippi Studios
Sat-Oct-13    Vancouver, BC        Media Club
Sun-Oct-14    Seattle, WA        Barboza
Tue-Oct-16    Oakland, CA        New Parish
Wed-Oct-17    San Francisco, CA    Preservation Hall $
Thu-Oct-18    Santa Barbara, CA    TBD $
Fri-Oct-19        Los Angeles, CA    The Echo $
Sat-Oct-20    San Diego, CA        The Loft @ UCSD $
Sun-Oct-21    Pioneertown, CA    Pappy and Harriets $
Wed-Oct-24    Austin, TX        Red 7 %
Thu-Oct-25    Dallas, TX            Club Dada %
Fri-Oct-26        Memphis, TN        Hi Tone %
Wed-Oct-31    Chapel Hill, NC        Duke Coffeehouse %
Thu-Nov-01    Richmond, VA        Strange Matter %
Fri-Nov-02    Washington, DC    Red Palace %
Sat-Nov-03    New York, NY        Music Hall of Williamsburg %#
* = with The Walkmen
# = with Purling Hiss
% = with Widowspeak
$ = with White Fence )