After we found out that James Murphy had an idea to improve the city's underground by making the subway turnstile noises less terrible sounding and more arpeggiated, we contacted the MTA to find out what they thought of this pipe dream. Would they ever let Murphy institute his idea, even on a smaller scale (one turnstile)? What if it were funded like a public art project? Kevin Ortiz at the MTA told us: more ›

It's that time again: meet this year's crop of underground musicians, an elite unit selected by the Music Under New York [MUNY] committee to fill the city's subway stations with sweet, sweet music. more ›

Yesterday, for the 23rd year in a row, musicians gathered at Grand Central Terminal to audition for a chance to perform for free in the Big Show: The NYC Transit System. Although it's legal to perform in the subway system (in accordance with certain rules), try telling that to a transit cop. (We have.) But when you've got an official Music Under New York [MUNY] banner, the sky's the limit. As one hopeful told the Post, "It means the cops won’t chase you away or ticket you." MUNY approval also means prime real estate. more ›

Anecdotal evidence suggests that transit police have been cracking down on musicians and other performers busking in the subway system—even though the MTA's own rules permit low-volume performance under certain conditions. A number of musicians and a busker advocacy group tell amNY that "police harassment has grown to disturbing levels in recent months." more ›

"The most important band in the planet" could be slumming it in the subways this week. The Spinner reports that Oasis, in order to totally unnecessarily promote their Terminal 5 show on Friday, will have musicians from MTA's Music Under New York program "covering nothing but new Oasis songs in various locations." Not only could you hear nothing but Oasis all day underground this Friday, but the band's label is saying "that one of the Gallagher brothers may even be making a surprise appearance with one of the acts." But remember, they're only playing new tunes, so don't go requesting "Wonderwall." more ›

• Hundreds of people - and counting - want enhanced F and V service in Brooklyn. You can sign a petition that asks for the "restoration of express service on the F line to Brooklyn and extension of the V line for local service to Brooklyn." The petition is inspired by a plan suggested back in 2003 to improve Brooklyn transit options.
• While it's not surprising to hear that the MTA has fallen behind schedule with a project, it's slightly distressing to hear that the project has to do with counter-terrorism work. State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli has found that only two out of eight projects had been completed by the end of 2006. The MTA has been trying to "harden" various locations, from tunnels to stations, by installing surveillance cameras and improving other safety features, for the past few years. Still, DiNapoli said that the MTA is "incrementally" safer. Whoop-de-doo.
• The MTA came to an agreement on a new contract with Metro-North track workers. How long has the MTA been negotiating with Local 808? About four years. The deal includes a pay raise to make their pay comparable to LIRR track workers, according to the Daily News.
• And the MTA selected another 21 acts for its Music Under New York program. We've listed them after the jump, and you can see video of some of the auditions here.

Today until 4:30PM, auditions are being held at Grand Central Terminal for the MTA's Music Under New York program. After receiving over 200 submissions, the MTA asked over 70 musicians and performers to audition; the MTA says about 20 new acts will be added to the program. more ›

We all know about subway musicians, both those sanctioned by the MTA's Music Under New York program and those who are not officially sanctioned buskers who didn't go through the MTA's audition program. more ›

If you're walking through Grand Central, head over to Vanderbilt Hall (across from the information booth, up the ramp) where the MTA's Music Under New York auditions are being held. Seventy musicians are auditioning today for 20 spots to win lifelong permission to perform in the subway. The Post has some sketches of a few of the 100 musicians already in the program - they can make up to $50 a hour. more ›

One evening last week, as Gothamist was making its usual evening subway transfer through the Times Square subway station when we came upon a huge group of fellow straphangers watching someone perform. And, unlike some of the performers who plant themselves right by the escalators (where the Roy Lichtenstein mural hangs), these performers were really rocking out - there was a young woman singing with a full band. And they had amps, which is also more unusual and seemed to work well in the station. People who looked like they'd be in a rush (business types) stopped to clap their hands along with hipsters, teenagers and the old. The music seemed to energize everyone. more ›

Leon Williams, Subterranean Electric Guitarist more ›

William B. Johnson, Percussionist more ›

Henry Warner, Subterranean Jazzman more ›

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