Thomas Bartlett and Family for V Magazine

A COLLEGE DROPOUT WITH MUSICAL AMBITIONS, PERFORMER AND PRODUCER THOMAS BARTLETT HAS BECOME A TRUSTED COLLABORATOR OF BOTH ROCK STARS AND RISING TALENTS

Photography Matthu Placek
Text T. Cole Rachel

The first time I met Thomas Bartlett, we shared a bottle of Yoko Ono’s champagne in a hotel room in Oslo, Norway. As first-meeting scenarios go, it’s a pretty good one—and actually quite fitting, considering his line of work. Among New York City’s most sought-after musicians, Bartlett often finds himself in pricey hotel rooms in foreign countries at the behest of whichever musical icon he happens to be working with. Back in 2006, he was playing in Ono’s band at the Oya Festival and I was still a newbie music journalist. Some six years later, he remains a respected accompanist for a large coterie of musicians, but these days that is but one of his many fashionable hats. Also sought-after as a producer, a recording artist (he releases his own music under the moniker of Doveman), and a curator of New York’s still-vibrant downtown scene, he clearly has a knack for bringing people together.

For the full story from V78 The Youthquake Issue, CLICK HERE. For additional images exclusive to VMagazine.com, click below.

Trixie Whitley

Nico Muhly

Justin Vivian Bond

Hannah Cohen

Trixie Whitley & Thomas Bartlett 

Mx. Justin Vivian Bond Condescends to Glide

Closing night of Mx. Justin Vivian Bond’s “Austerity Measures: A Snow Job for the Masses,” in it’s 2 week run, was nothing short of a roller coster ride of emotions. Mx. Bond accompanied by a full band took the audience through a series of monologues and an eclectic and carefully curated set of music. We were charged to be avant-garde in a revolution, we mourned the loss of loved ones during the holidays, we laughed uncontrollably at Karen Carpenters stage walk, we held our neighbor softly for Have yourself a Merry little Christmas, we contemplated , “condescends to glide,” and we danced in our seats to LCD Sound System’s All my friends as if it was a Mx. Bond original. Austerity Measures revealed itself as far more than a holiday concert but a meditation of 2011 both for Justin and ourselves….with all the ups and downs a year can bring. 2011 marked a stellar year for this exceptional artist who released a best selling memoir, a full length solo album, a tour with numerous performances around the world and rounded it all off with a solo installation at Participant Gallery which closes TODAY! If you were foolish enough to miss this 2 week run, sprint to Participant Gallery for an intimate look at Mx. Justin Vivian Bond’s 2011 and beyond. 

Two of a Kind

Tilda Swinton and Mx. Justin Vivian Bond grace the front and back cover of the 20th anniversary issue of Dazed and Confused. Prepare yourself for my next music video featuring Mx. Bond for v’s second single Salome off Justin’s debut full length album Dendrophile.