Rubblebucket has teamed up with the non-profit, charity organization The Voice Project to record a cover of Sufjan Stevens’ “John Wayne Gacy, Jr.” (watch video HERE), in their effort to bring attention to, mobilize and help women in Uganda. Women's groups in Uganda have been using songs passed by word of mouth to call child soldiers and abductees back home in Africa's longest running war. The Voice Project is an effort to amplify them, and to see just how far a voice can carry. Pass it on.
Please find more information on The Voice Project and Rubblebucket’s exact reason to choose this particular song to cover HERE and here:
“The song deals with a killer, but not in the obvious ways, how it tries to penetrate to the humanity of the situation. That humanizing, the struggle for that understanding is what's been dealt with in Uganda, and now Congo, CAR and South Sudan on a daily basis. Peace and forgiveness are easy words to toss around, to advocate, but given the scope and brutality of the atrocities it can sometimes seem distant and difficult to visualize when hearing the story of how it is really happening. It seems if we are to learn from what's going on, it's up to us all to humanize and try and understand that process at a real level.”
2011 has been a breakout year for Rubblebucket. Releasing Omega La La this summer, and touring non-stop, Rubblebucket has earned praise from across the spectrum, with critics at Paste Magazine, Blurt, Stereogum, Consequence of Sound and more hailing the band as one of the most promising up-and-coming acts in the U.S. Some critics have even gone as far as labeling the band’s upbeat, multifaceted sound “Yes Wave,” in opposition to the nihilistic, late-70s New York genre. Recorded last year at Plantain/DFA Studios with Producer Eric Broucek (LCD Soundsystem, Cut Copy, Hercules and Love Affair) at the helm, Omega La La is the Brooklyn eight piece’s most adventurous record yet, with the band dipping into everything from the dancey indie-pop arrangements to Fela-Kuti inspired afro-beat stomps.
For Rubblebucket, it’s been a long journey to make Omega La La. Led by the musical couple of bandleader/trumpeter Alex Toth and frontwoman Kalmia Traver, Rubblebucket has spent the last four years building a reputation as a band that blurs the lines between psychedelic indie rock, upbeat dance, and radiant, left-field arrangements. In 2009, Rubblebucket released a self-titled album that turned heads. SPIN hailed the band as a "must-hear artist from the CMJ Festival” in 2009 and the band won that year’s Boston Music Award for Live Act of the Year. The band then relocated to Brooklyn and released the Triangular Daises EP in 2010. A stylistic precursor to Omega La La, the Triangular DaisesEP was hailed by The Wall Street Journal, NYLON, Paste, and a host of others.
Rubblebucket Fall Tour Dates:
*Terror Pigeon Dance Revolt supports
** Stepdad supports
^Trombone Shorty co-headline
^^Superhumanoids supports
09/10: Peru, NY @ Backwoods Pondfest
09/28: Pawtucket, RI @ The Met Café
09/29: Portland, ME @ Port City Music Hall
09/30: Boston, MA @ Paradise Rock Club*
10/01: Syracuse, NY @ The Westcott Theater*
10/05: Philadelphia, PA @ The Blockley*
10/06: Baltimore, MD @ Sound Stage*
10/07: Blacksburg, VA @ Awful Arthur’s*
10/08: Roseland, VA @ The Festy
10/10: Lexington, KY @ Cosmic Charlie's**
10/12: Columbus, OH @ The Basement**
10/13: Urbana, IL @ The Canopy Club**
10/14: Chicago, IL @ Double Door**
10/15: Grand Rapids, MI @ Founders
10/16: Milwaukee, WI @ Turner Hall Ballroom**
10/17: Iowa City, IA @ Gabe's Oasis
10/18: St. Louis, MO @ The Old Rock House ^
10/19: Lawrence, KS @ The Bottleneck
10/21: Denver, CO @ Cervantes' Other Side
10/22: Fort Collins, Co @ Hodi’s Half Note
10/23: Aspen, CO @ Belly Up
10/25: Salt Lake City - UT @ Kilby Court
10/27: Seattle, WA @ Crocodile, Cafe
10/28: Olympia, WA @ Crocodile Cafe
10/29: Portland, OR @ Mississippi Studios
10/31: Bend, OR @ Century Center
11/01: Arcata, CA @ Humboldt Brews
11/02: Crystal Bay, NV @ Crystal Bay Club Casino – Red Room
11/03: San Francisco, CA @ Boom Boom Room
11/04: Los Angeles, CA @ Bootleg Theatre^^
11/05: San Diego, CA @ Soda Bar^^
11/06: Flagstaff, AZ @ Green Room^^
11/08: Austin, TX @ Beauty Bar
11/09: New Orleans, LA @ House of Blues – The Parish
11/10: Mobile, AL @ Alabama Music Box
11/11: Live Oak, FL @ Bear Creek Music & Arts Fest
11/12: Atlanta, GA @ Drunken Unicorn
New Orleans-based icons, the Preservation Hall Jazz Band will perform with The Del McCoury Band at the Austin City Limits Music Festival on Saturday September 17th at 7:00pm, on the Vista Equity Stage. The two groups recently joined forces to record their collaborative full-length American Legacies, which was released earlier this year. In addition to being a showcase for their incredible musicianship, the album is a fascinating juxtaposition of traditional New Orleans Jazz and Bluegrass, made by true legends who are both celebrating 50 years in their respective genres. The groups will perform together at the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival as well, which takes place the week of Friday September 30th – Sunday October 2nd.
Pres Hall has dedicated itself to keeping the traditions of New Orleans jazz alive, both in their hometown and on tour around the world. Along the way, they have brought in collaborators of all musical stripes to play, honor, and reinterpret. One of these collaborations has been with My Morning Jacket, the subject of which is documented in the film Live at Preservation Hall: Louisiana Fairytale, directed by Danny Clinch. The piece was shown at SXSW, Bonnaroo, Sidewalk Film Festival, and KahBang Music & Art Festival this past year and will have an upcoming screening at the New Orleans Film Festival (Oct 14 – 20th in New Orleans, LA). Click HERE to watch the trailer.
Fionn Regan, one of Ireland’s premiere singer-songwriters and Mercury Prize nominee, released his new album 100 Acres Of Sycamore in the UK on August 16th via Heavenly Recordings/Cooperative Music. It has received rave reviews from the likes of the Guardian, Uncut, Sunday Times, and the Independent and now the album has a physical release date in the US for January 31st. Fionn will also be coming over to the US to play several CMJ shows in New York City!
The album is not just one of the year’s most beautiful and incisive albums, it’s also the young singer-songwriter’s most personal statement yet. You can get a taste of this by checking out the title track, which can be downloaded above, and be sure to watch the video of the acoustic rendition of the song. “My previous record, The Shadow Of An Empire, was me looking out of a window at the world,” he says. “With this one, it’s a clear look in.” And there’s plenty to see. It’s a tale of “mad, wild love – there’s a central, epic love story, that spans time - it’s the story of a couple dancing between the gutter and the chandelier.”
When it was time to record, he stuck by his belief of capturing things quickly and honestly. The album was recorded in seven days, straight to tape (with the same Calrec console The White Stripes recorded Elephant on) live, with all the players right there in the barn, honey-dripped strings and all. 100 Acres Of Sycamore is a record you could get lost inside.
Upcoming US Tour Dates
10/17 – Brooklyn, NY – The Rock Shop (10pm, CMJ)
10/18 – New York, NY – Mercury Lounge (8pm, CMJ)
10/20 – New York, NY – Fat Baby (8pm, Music From Ireland showcase)
When Fishbone first emerged from California, no other band sounded or looked like them, and the weight of their innovative and iconic presence is still being felt decades later. Coinciding with the group’s 25th anniversary, filmmakers Lev Anderson & Chris Metzler have directed a compelling new documentary, narrated by Laurence Fishburne. Everyday Sunshine: The Story of Fishbone is both a fascinating and brutally honest look at the band’s history for longtime fans, as well as a perfect entry point for newcomers.
Pale Griot Films is proud to present the US Theatrical release of Everyday Sunshine: The Story of Fishbone in New York and Los Angeles this October. The film had its World Premiere at the 2010 Los Angeles Film Festival, and went on to screen at the SXSW Film & Music festival, among many others. Everyday Sunshine will open on October 7th at the ReRun Theater in Brooklyn, NY, and on October 21st at the Laemmle Sunset 5 in Los Angeles, CA. Many other cities (including Chicago, San Francisco, Boston, DC) will follow. The band is also celebrating their 25th anniversary with the release of their much-anticipated new EP, Crazy Glue, outon October 11th on DC Jam Records.
Everyday Sunshine is a documentary about the band Fishbone, musical pioneers who have been rocking on the margins of pop culture for the past 25 years. From the streets of South Central-Los Angeles and the competitive Hollywood music scene of the 1980's, the band rose to prominence, only to fall apart when on the verge of "making it."
Laurence Fishburne narrates Everyday Sunshine, an entertaining cinematic journey into the personal lives of this unique Black rock band, and an untold story of fiercely individual artists in their quest to reclaim their musical legacy while debunking the myths of young Black men from urban America. Highlighting the parallel journeys of a band and their city, Everyday Sunshineexplores the personal and cultural forces that gave rise to California's legendary Black punk sons that continue to defy categories and expectations.
At the heart of Fishbone's story is lead singer Angelo Moore and bassist Norwood Fisher who show how they keep the band rolling, out of pride, desperation and love for their art. To overcome money woes, family strife, and the strain of being aging Punk rockers on the road, Norwood and Angelo are challenged to re-invent themselves in the face of dysfunction and ghosts from a painful past.
The documentary includes interviews with: Gwen Stefani (No Doubt), Flea (Red Hot Chili Peppers), Ice-T (rapper), Bran
Click HERE For Fishbone Tour Dates
Architecture in Helsinki are hitting the road again, this time around with fellow purveyors of creative, danceable pop music, DOM. Earlier this year, the band released their magnetic, hook-laden album Moment Beds on V2/Cooperative Music USA/Downtown Records. It sounds like the record they’ve waited their whole lives to make, retaining the fizzing immediacy of its three predecessors and re-molding with a more sophisticated touch. For a taste, click HERE to watch the sexually charged, surreal video for the supremely catchy “Contact High.” Recorded over a 2 year period in the band's studio space, Buckingham Palace, Songwriter Cameron Bird says: “MomentBends was all about being at one with our ideas, obsessed with popular music and falling in love with our hometown. We wanted to build a record to get lost in. A record that always feels exactly what you are feeling”. Architecture in Helsinki US Tour Dates:<> w: DOM^^ w: LO-Fi-FNK/// The Sandwitches 11/02: Los Angeles - The El Rey Theatre <> ///11/03: San Francisco - The Fillmore <> ///11/04: Santa Cruz - Rio Theatre ///11/05: Mexico City MX - El Plaza Condesa <>11/06: Austin - Fun Fun Fun Fest11/07: Houston - Fitzgerald's <> ^^11/09: Tallahassee - Club Downunder <> ^^11/10: Miami, FL - Grand Central <> ^^11/11: Tampa,FL - Crowbar <> ^^11/12: Atlanta, GA - Masquerade <> ^^11/14: Carrboro, NC - Cat's Cradle <> ^^11/15: Washington DC - 9:30 Club <> ^^11/16: Philadelphia, PA - Union Transfer <> ^^11/17: Boston, MA - Royale <> ^^11/17: New York City, NY - Irving Plaza <> ^^11/19: Alfred, NY - Alfred College <> ^^11/20: Oberlin, OH - Oberlin College - <> ^^11/21: Chicago, IL - Metro <> ^^11/11: St Paul, MN - Macalaster College <> ^^
Today Miami duo ANR release the deluxe edition of their post-apocalyptic indie pop album Stay Kids through 10K Islands. Though the band consists of merely two members – Brian Robertson (Keys, Vocals) and Michael-John Hanock (Vocals, Drums) –they create a powerful sound filled with layered melodies and bountiful hooks. It has landed them shows with bands like Animal Collective, Neon Indian, No Age, and Fucked Up. Stay Kids is a rhythmically propulsive, psychedelic trip that was inspired largely by recent floods, earthquakes, tornadoes, and other environmental disasters. Much of the album’s lyrics meditate on how such ‘natural’ disasters affect individuals and humanity at large. However, sonically-speaking the album is by no means morose. Instead, the synth-heavy and often danceable material feels triumphant. Each song is a journey through carefully sculpted, dream-pop soundscapes with frequent, unexpected and exciting detours ANR’s live show highlights a different aspect of the band, bringing out their punk influences as well as their penchant for German progressive acts of the 70’s. The group is finishing off their Fall tour this month, so catch them while you can! ANR US Tour Dates:09/13: Portland, OR @ Doug Fir09/15: San Francisco, CA @ Bottom Of The Hill09/16: Fresno, CA @ Audie's Olympic09/17: Los Angeles, CA @ The Satellite09/20: San Diego, CA @ Soda Bar09/22: Austin, TX @ ND at 501 Studios09/23: Fort Worth, TX @ Lolas09/25: New Orleans, LA @ Hi Ho Lounge09/26: Atlanta, GA @ Drunken Unicorn
Fresh on the heels of their performance at the Austin City Limits Festival this past weekend, My Morning Jacket are showing no signs of slowing down since the release of their latest album, Circuital. The band are announcing a run of shows with Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings, Delta Spirit and Band of Horses supporting select dates. Sharon Jones will join MMJ at The Bill Graham Civic Center in San Francisco and The Gibson in Los Angeles. Delta Spirit will be supporting in other select markets. My Morning Jacket will be returning to Madison Square Garden, where they played an unforgettable show to ring in New Year's Eve in 2008. For their second appearance at the world renowned venue, the band will be joined by Band of Horses. My Morning Jacket have had a busy summer. Since releasing Circuital they played triumphant performances on Bonnaroo and Lollapalooza's main stages, contributed to the recently released Buddy Holly and Muppets tribute albums and preformed their entire new full length for KCRW – which you can see/hear HERE. They have also released a surreal and psychedelic video for the single "Holdin' On To Black Metal," which can be seen HERE.--My Morning Jacket US Tour Dates% = with Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings* = with Delta Spirit^ = with Band of Horses 10/20: Nashville, TN @ Vanderbilt University, Memorial Gymnasium12/01: Los Angeles, CA @ The Gibson%12/02: San Francisco, CA @ Bill Graham Civic%12/06: Tulsa, OK @ Brady Theatre*12/07: Dallas, TX @ Verizon Wireless Theatre*12/08: Houston, TX @ Verizon Wireless Theatre*12/10: Boca Raton, FL @ Sunset Cove*12/11: Orlando, FL @ Hard Rock Live*12/12: Greensboro, NC @ War Memorial Auditorium*12/14: New York, NY @ Madison Square Garden^
The NYCFoodFilmFestival announces event details regarding its 2011 schedule. More than 25 films will screen over four days, from October 13th to 16th at Tribeca Cinemas. Guests will taste what they see on the screen and more… General Admission Tickets are available to all events and grant entry into one showtime and its afterparty. A limited amount of VIP Tickets and Festival-wide VIP Passes are also available, which grant entry to a series of pre-parties and include a number of added premiums including VIP Seating, T-Shirt, Complimentary Snack at Saxon + Parole and more. The menus each at event will include food celebrated in the films and beer, wine and cocktail pairings by Festival Mixologist Allen Katz. Today, also marks the kick-off of the Festival’s online contest. Users who engage the Festival on Twitter will be eligible to win a number of different VIP Packages from the Festival’s network of providers, ranging from a VIP Ice Cream Pack from Ronnybrook Farms to our Grand Giveaway, an exclusive experience with Chef Brad Farmerie in Saxon + Parole’s kitchen. There is no purchase necessary to enter. All users need to do is follow both @foodfilmfest and the handle of the partner offering the prize on Twitter to be eligible to win.--TICKETS FOR THESE EVENTS ON-SALE WEDNESDAY, 9/21/11 AT 2 PM! For full details, including participating restaurants, chefs and purveyors, visit the Festival’s new website starting at 2pm: www.thefoodfilmfestival.com --- FEATURED EVENTS OF THE 2011 NYC FOOD FILM FESTIVAL --- A Cheers to Burgers & Beers (Opening Night Event)with Brett Reichler of Bill’s Bar & Burger and moreThursday Night, 10/13/11Showtimes: 7:00, 7:30 pmThe Films: The Good Beer Seal, The Premiere of Burgerlution, CUD, Burger Bites: Irv’s and Food Curated: Ovenly Edible Adventure #3: Mistura + MoreFeaturing Mistura: The Power of Food, Directed by Patricia PerezFriday Night, 10/14/11Showtimes: 7:00, 7:30 pmThe Films: NYC Premiere of Mistura: The Power of Food, plus a special screening of Should the Wife Confess The Tribeca Taco TakedownPresented by Chipotle Mexican GrillHosted by Matt TimmsSaturday Afternoon, 10/15/11Showtimes: 12:00, 12:30 pmFeaturing Rockaway Taco, Dos Toros Taqueria, Dos Caminos, Tortilleria Nixtamal and more...with a special appearance by Hilah Johnson of HilahCooking.comThe Films: Rockaway Tacoby The Selby, a world premiere from Hilah Cooking and desert films from Liza DeGuia and Food Curated: Paletas by La Newyorkina, Robicelli’s Cupcakes, and Danny Macaroons The Food Porn* PartyPresented by Metro NYFeaturing Chef Brad Farmerie & Saxon + ParoleSaturday Night, 10/15/11Showtimes: 7:00, 7:30 pmThe Films: Changua, Dinner For Two, Zergut,Amor Pulpo, How To Make A Turtle Burger, Pastry Paris and the premiere of a food porn short on Saxon + Parole*You know what we’re talking about. Extreme close-ups…of food! Farm to Film to Table (Closing Night Event)Presented by Chipotle Mexican GrillFeaturing Chef Amanda FreitagHosted by NBC’s Cat GreenleafSunday Night, 10/16/11Showtimes: 7:00, 7:30 pmThe Films: A Midwinter Soup Frenzy, The Big Table, Good, Better, Bestand Truck Farm “We are beyond excited that NYC has supported our Food Film Festival for the last 5 years,” said Festival Director George Motz, “There's something about watching passionate people make food on screen that makes you hungry. We're happy to be able to bring these films to life, gastronomically-speaking." Festival Mixologist Allen Katz of the New York Distilling Company said, “It's fantastic to see the continued enthusiasm for cocktails manifested in an exciting cultural event like the Food Film Festival.” The 2011 NYC Food Film Festival is produced in association with the James Beard Foundation and benefits the Food Bank for New York City. The International Culinary Center is the exclusive culinary school of the Festival, and will engage its students with Festival events. This year, the NYC Food Film Festival is happy to announce it has partnered with DailyCandy Deals as its exclusive ticketing agent. All Festival tickets and VIP passes will be sold through the DailyCandy Deals website. “For over a decade, DailyCandy has been New Yorkers’ go-to source for the inside scoop on what to do, see and eat in New York City,” said Seth Unger, Executive Producer of the NYC Food Film Festival. “We believe our exclusive ticketing partnership will broaden awareness among discerning New Yorkers in a way we haven’t seen yet.”For the 2nd year in a row, the NYC Food Film Festival is proud to announce its partnership with the FoodBankForNewYorkCity, which will receive top tier integration throughout the Festival to remind guests that every New Yorker deserves to be fed. Additionally, a portion of Festival proceeds will be donated to the Food Bank to assist in its important work.
Australia’s Art vs. Science has made waves here in North America after the release of their Magic Fountain EP in March, along with two subsequent US tours. Now the experimental electronic trio is heading back our way- along with a full North American tour, they’ll be performing several shows in New York City during CMJ, and one very special appearance with Yo Gabba Gabba Live at the Beacon Theatre on October 16th!
The band would like to share the animated video for their new single “With Thoughts,” which is currently tearing up the charts in their native Australia. The band has built a huge following in their native country off the back of two independently released EPs (both of which have gone Platinum) and thanks to their off-the-wall live show that has seen them ascend to headline status at festivals around their native country.
The bands’ songs are huge, off the wall, unrelenting dance tunes that sound like hypercolor jams forged from sleepless nights and ADD (partly because they are). This is dance music made for Marshall stacks, and their live show reflects this...don't miss out!
Watch The Animated Video For Their New Track “With Thoughts” HERE
-
Upcoming US Tour Dates
10/14 – Houston, TX – Stereo Live
10/15 – Utopia, TX – Utopia Festival
10/16 – New York, NY – Beacon Theatre (Yo Gabba Gabba Live!)
10/16 – Brooklyn, NY – Knitting Factory
10/20 – New York, NY – Le Poisson Rouge
(Windish CMJ showcase, w/ Wise Blood, Penguin Prison & more)
10/22 – Brooklyn, NY – Cameo Gallery
(PopGun Booking CMJ showcase w/ TEED, Is Tropical)
10/26 – Kingston, ON – The Ale House
10/27 – Montreal, QC – Club Lambi
10/29 – Madison, WI – The Sett
10/30 – Chicago, IL – Beauty Bar
10/31 – St. Louis, MO – 2720 Cherokee
11/02 – Winnipeg, MB – The Pyramid
11/03 – Calgary, AB – Saits The Gateway
With their second national tour approaching this year, opening for South Africa’s stars The Parlotones, the Chicago quintet Scattered Trees’ Daytrotter Session show their skilled, multi-layered heartfelt songs HERE. Scattered Trees will play New York’s CMJ with multiple showcases, including the Baeble Music showcase (full CMJ schedule tbc).
Earlier last month, the band premiered their latest video for “Sympathy” with MTV Hive. Directed by Scattered Trees’ guitarist/keyboardist J.M. Harper, “Sympathy” is a stark, poignant exploration of love, loss, and redemption — themes the band touches upon in their recently released full-length record. Praising the video, MTV Hive’s Jason Newman wrote, “The clip is a mini-movie that looks like a deleted scene from Werner Herzog’s soldier-gone-mad epic “Aguirre: The Wrath of God” … it feels more like an artsy, methodical short film than the budget-conscious, lo-fi approach employed by many indie bands.” Watch the video HERE and read MTV Hive’s piece HERE.
The band released Sympathy via Roll Call Records in 2011. The album is a stunning and ingenious collection of songs that reach for great emotional heights. It’s a rare, cathartic record that’s as heartfelt as it is therapeutic.
It’s been a whirlwind year for Scattered Trees. A little over a year ago, Scattered Trees was effectively broken up, with members of the band literally scattered all across the country. Then, lead singer Nate Eiseland’s father passed away, and as a tribute to his late father, Nate penned a series of songs on his acoustic guitar. With those acoustic songs in hand, the band came back together in Chicago and fleshed out the tracks, writing the songs that would become Sympathy. That album and the deeply powerful live show have been praised by Nylon, RCRD LBL, No Depression, Consequence of Sound, Buzzine and others as an album that’s not to be missed.
Scattered Trees Upcoming Tour Dates:
10/08: Iowa City, IA @ Bull Moose #
10/19: New York, NY @ Highline Ballroom *
10/21: Brooklyn, NY @ Spike Hill (Baeble Music Showcase)
10/22: Toronto @ The Mod Club *
10/25: Denver, CO @ Larimer Lounge *
10/26: Salt Lake City @ Urban Lounge *
10/28: Vancouver, BC @ The Biltmore Cabaret *
10/29: Seattle, WA @ The Crocodile *
10/30: Portland, OR @ Doug Fir Lounge *
11/01: San Francisco, CA @ Café Du Nord *
11/04: West Hollywood, CA @ Roxy Theatre *
11/05: San Diego, CA @ Casbah *
11/25: Chicago, Il @ Lincoln Hall $
11/26: Minneapolis, MN @ 7th Street Entry $
11/30: Omaha, NE @ The Waiting Froom %
12/03: Columbia, MO @ Mojo's %
* - w/ The Parlotones
# - w/ Walk The Moon
$ - w/ a Lull
% - w/ Quiet Corrall
Ben Lear is the son of TV icon and activist Norman Lear (All in the Family, The Jeffersons) who recently released an album called Lillian. It's both a love story, and a cautionary tale about plastic pollution in our oceans... set to epic, orchestral indie folk (think Sufjan Stevens). Click HERE for an MP3 for the song "Scuba Lessons." Ben recently did an epic, acclaimed staging of Lillian in LA featuring plastic bottle light sculptures, a gospel choir, costumes, and more - he's bringing the show to NYC's Le Poisson Rouge on 10/25. Click the video above to see the trailer.
Today punk rock legends the Misfits release The Devil’s Rain, the band’s first album in nearly a decade! It was produced by Ed Stasium, who’s credits include the Ramones’ Road to Ruin and Too Tough to Die, as well as the Misfits’ 1999 release Famous Monsters. Celebrating the occasion, they’ve release a free mp3 for one of the album’s tracks, “Twilight of the Dead.”
The Devil’s Rain packaging is designed to emulate a CD sized gatefold LP, featuring some incredible new Misfits portraits shot by the iconic Mick Rock. It also showcases a jaw-dropping, two-panel front/back cover painting featuring the rebirth of the band’s iconic “Fiend” mascot in an epic setting rendered by Arthur Suydam (known for his immensely popular work on the Marvel Zombies series, among others).
The band’s current lineup – consisting of founding member Jerry Only on vocals/bass, Black Flag alum Dez Cadena, and drummer Eric “Chupacabra” Arce – just kicked off an extensive US tour. For both fans of their classics and newcomers discovering the band for the very first time, The Devil’s Rain embodies the ferocity and melody that have made the Misfits omnipresent and immortal. One thing is certain, The Misfits are here to stay and every day is Halloween.
Misfits Tour Dates:
(All dates w/JuiceheaD as direct support except *)
10/04: W. HOLLYWOOD, CA @ HOUSE OF BLUES
10/05: TUCSON, AZ @ THE RIALTO THEATRE
10/06: LAS VEGAS, NV @ HOUSE OF BLUES
10/07: SCOTTSDALE, AZ @ THE VENUE OF SCOTTSDALE
10/08: ALBUQUERQUE, NM @ HISTORIC EL REY THEATER
10/09: DENVER, CO @ SUMMIT MUSIC HALL
10/10: ASPEN, CO @ BELLY UP
10/14: POUGHKEEPSIE, NY @ THE CHANCE
10/15: AUBURN, ME @ CLUB TEXAS
10/16: DANVERS, MA @ THE PALACE BALLROOM
10/18: ASHEVILLE, NC @ THE ORANGE PEEL
10/19: MURFREESBORO, TN @ GILLIGAN’S
10/20: NEWPORT, KY @ THE HISTORIC SOUTHGATE HOUSE
10/21: CLEVELAND, OH @ PEABODY’S
10/22: DETROIT, MI @ HARPOS
10/23: JOLIET, IL @ MOJOE’S
10/25: ROCHESTER, NEW YORK @ MONTAGE MUSIC HALL
10/26: TORONTO, ON @ PHOENIX CONCERT THEATRE
10/28: SAYREVILLE, NJ @ STARLAND BALLROOM
10/29: TOLEDO, OH @ THE OMNI
10/31: NEW YORK, NY@ B.B. KINGS
11/03: TOWSON, MD @ RECHER THEATRE
11/04: ALLENTOWN, PA @ CROCODILE ROCK
11/05: CLIFTON PARK, NY @ NORTHERN LIGHTS
11/06: SPRINGFIELD, VA @ JAXX
11/07: RICHMOND, VA @ ALLEY KATZ
11/09: MOBILE, AL @ SOUL KITCHEN MUSIC HALL*
11/10: HOUSTON, TX @ STEREO LIVE
11/11: OKLAHOMA CITY, OK @ THE ROXY
11/12: SAN ANTONIO, TX @ BACKSTAGE LIVE OUTDOORS
11/14: DALLAS, TX @ TREES
11/17: ORLANDO, FL @ FIRESTONE LIVE
11/18: FT. LAUDERDALE, FL @ CULTURE ROOM
11/19: DAYTONA BEACH, FL @ SICKBOYS
11/20: PENSACOLA, FL @ VINYL MUSIC HALL
They Might Be Giants released the new video for album single “Can’t Keep Johnny Down” today! The video, which premiered with New York Magazine, is a cinematic behemoth featuring Rip Torn as a hot sauce chugging, bare-knuckled street fighter. For a taste of the action, watch the new “Can’t Keep Johnny Down” video, directed by Brian and Brad Palmer and produced by Surroud (TV On The Radio, The Drums), HERE.
They Might Be Giants new album, Join Us, was released July 19th through Idlewild/Rounder Records. On Join Us we find the Brooklyn originals have returned to rock with an electrifying mix of clever, maddeningly catchy songwriting and studio mastery. Notorious for their energized live show, They Might Be Giants are on an international tour, hitting 6 countries and over 50 US cities. Be sure to catch TMBG live in your city.
--
They Might Be Giants Tour Dates
10/28: Milwaukee, WI @ Pabst Theatre
10/29: Minneapolis, MN @ First Avenue
10/30: Iowa City, IA @ Englert Theatre
11/1: Omaha, NE @ Slowdown
11/2: Kansas City, MO @ Beaumont Club
11/3: Boulder, CO @ Boulder Theatre
11/4: Salt Lake City, UT @ The Depot
11/5 Boise, ID @ Knitting Factory
11/6: Spokane, WA @ Knitting Factory
11/8: Vancouver, BC @ Venue
11/9: Seattle, WA@ Showbox SoDo
11/10: Portland, OR @ Crystal Ballroom
11/11: Arcata, CA @ Van Duzer Theatre
11/12: San Francisco, CA @ Fillmore
11/13: San Francisco, CA @ Fillmore
11/16: Anaheim, CA @ House of Blues
11/17: San Diego, CA @ Belly Up
11/26: Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club
1/30: Tucson, AZ @ The Rialto Theatre
2/2: Dallas, TX @ The Granada Theatre
The acclaimed new documentary Everyday Sunshine: The Story of Fishbone was recently praised in the New York Times, where it was featured in the Arts & Leisure this past Sunday – click HERE to read the story. The film hits Brooklyn’s ReRun Theater this Friday, October 7th and band members Angelo Moore and Norwood Fisher will be participating in a special Q&A. The film will also screen Saturday October 8th at 1pm, followed by another Q&A. Let us know ASAP you’d like to attend, as tickets are extremely limited.
Everyday Sunshine will also have a private, VIP screening at 7pm on October 20th at the Bootleg Theater at Los Angeles, followed buy a Q&A with Angelo and Norwood. This special event will followed by an intimate performance by Fishbone at 11pm, which will include some amazing guest performers and celeb appearance to be announced at a later date.
When Fishbone first emerged from California, no other band sounded or looked like them, and the weight of their innovative and iconic presence is still being felt decades later. Coinciding with the group’s 25th anniversary, filmmakers Lev Anderson & Chris Metzler have directed a compelling new documentary, narrated by Laurence Fishburne.
The documentary includes interviews with: Gwen Stefani (No Doubt), Flea (Red Hot Chili Peppers), Ice-T (rapper), Bran
Following a sold out tour of Europe and the UK, Morrissey recently announced a North American tour. The show at Puebla, Mexico’s Auditorio del Complejo Cultural Universitario has become the fastest selling pop concert in the city’s history and his two nights at Mexico City’s Plaza Condesa are sold out. Many of the US dates have also already sold out including his date at the legendary Shrine Auditorium which sold out in twenty minutes, his fastest selling Los Angeles concert in twelve years. The performance at Pomona’s Fox Theater also sold out in twenty minutes. The tour begins November 10 in Chicago and concludes December 13 in Guadalajara, Mexico. He will be performing songs from throughout his unparalleled catalog including new unreleased tracks. Morrissey will also do two major US television appearances while in November.
Morrissey is often recognized as the most important British musician of his generation. The New York Times recently stated, ”Morrissey isn’t just any singer: he has become one of the defining rock stars of the past few decades by virtue of his grand voice, his grander songs, and his charming habit of playing with melodrama”.His influence is felt worldwide through the countless artists that cite him as their primary inspiration.
Morrissey 2011 US Dates:
11/10 Chicago, IL @ Congress Theater
11/14 San Antonio TX @ Majestic Theater
11/15 Austin,TX @ Bass Concert Hall
11/17 Dallas, TX @ McFarlin Memorial Auditorium
11/19 Santa Fe, NM @ Santa Fe Center
11/20 Phoenix, AZ @ Orpheum Theater
11/22 Escondido, CA @ California Center for the Arts
11/25 Las Vegas, NV @ The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas - Chelsea Ballroom
11/26 Los Angeles, CA @ Shrine Auditorium
11/28 Pomona, CA Fox Theater
12/01 Oakland, CA @ Fox Theater
Morrissey 2011 Mexico Dates:
12/05 Monterrey @ Arena
12/07 Mexico City @ Plaza Condesa
12/08 Mexico City @ Plaza Condesa
12/10 Puebla @ Auditorio del Complejo Cultural Universitario
12/12 Guadalajara @ Diana
12/13 Guadalajara @ Diana
Since the release of 2009’s The Future Will Come, John “Juan” Maclean has stayed quite busy remixing artists like Chairlift, Matthew Dear, The Tough Alliance and forthcoming remixes for Yoko Ono and Stevie Nicks. He’s also appeared on both the Holy Ghost! Static on the Wire! EP (shredding guitar solo!) and taken front man duties on Shit Robot’s “Grim Receiver”. Today, Juan Maclean has released of Everybody Get Close on DFA Records. The digital-only album features previously released outtakes and re-mastered tracks, as well as remixes from some of his most talented colleagues. To hear it first, check out the full record streaming on SPIN. Interspersed among the eleven songs are three remixes and five originals that previously appeared on Find A Way, an EP only previously available at Juan Maclean’s live shows. “Find A Way” opens the record with call-and-response vocals from Maclean and bandmate Nancy Whang atop an electronic pop base. You can download “Find A Way” HERE and we encourage you to post and share. Cut Copy’s take on “Happy House” tones down the glee of the original with the inclusion of muscular, brawny vocals. Meanwhile, album closer and title track “Everybody Get Close” has mechanical vocals and funky synth bleats that show faint traces of major influences like Zapp and S.O.S. band, respectively. Juan Maclean and Nancy Whang have already begun work on The Juan Maclean’s 3rd LP for DFA Records. In the meantime, the digital compilation Everybody Get Closeserves as a welcome reminder of the music Juan Maclean has contributed to both the dance and indie communities. It can only hint at what might come next from the chameleon-like Juan Maclean. Juan Maclean will be embarking on an international tour this month—be sure to catch him in your city! Juan Maclean Tour Dates10/28: New York, NY @ Le Bain at The Standard Hotel10/29: El Paso, TX @ Late Night Social Club11/26: Boulder, CO @ Fox Theatre12/2: Phoenix, AZ @ BarSmith12/6: Los Angeles, CA @ Dim Mak Studios12/7: Santa Ana, CA @ Yost Theater12/9: Seattle, WA @ Chop Suey
In the many months spent creating and then promoting this year's Join Us, They Might Be Giants recorded several new tracks, not all of which made it onto the album. The band has compiled the best of these recordings to create a brand new full-length, made up of rarities and many previously unheard tracks. An eclectic follow-up to their latest LP, the Brooklyn rockers release Album Raises New and Troubling Questions today on Idlewild Recordings. This special digital-only release can be purchased on iTunes, Amazon and directly from the band’s official website. Included in the album’s tracklisting are a live version of the track “Cloisonné” only previously heard on its official video as well as the band’s now-infamous performance of “Tubthumping” from The Onion AV Club’s “Undercover Series,” along with four tracks featuring the “Other Thing Brass Band.” The album also treats fans to five bonus videos, including one for “You Probably Get That A Lot” which you can watch where it premiered with Consequence of Sound today or HERE. You can also check out today's Rolling Stone interview with TMBG about the album, it’s creation and what to expect from the band next. They Might Be Giants will be bringing their unique brand of rock and energized live show to cities across the US—be sure to catch them live in a city near you! They Might Be Giants Tour Dates11/2: Kansas City, MO @ Beaumont Club11/3: Boulder, CO @ Boulder Theatre11/4: Salt Lake City, UT @ The Depot11/5 Boise, ID @ Knitting Factory11/6: Spokane, WA @ Knitting Factory11/8: Vancouver, BC @ Venue11/9: Seattle, WA@ Showbox SoDo11/10: Portland, OR @ Crystal Ballroom 11/11: Arcata, CA @ Van Duzer Theatre 11/12: San Francisco, CA @ Fillmore11/13: San Francisco, CA @ Fillmore11/16: Anaheim, CA @ House of Blues11/17: San Diego, CA @ Belly Up11/26: Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club1/27: Santa Cruz, CA @ The Rio Theatre1/28: Los Angeles, CA (Special Family Show) @ Royce Hall UCLA1/28: Los Angeles, CA – 30th Anniversary Show @ Royce Hall UCLA1/29: Tempe, AZ - Marquee Theatre1/30: Tucson, AZ -@The Rialto Theatre2/1: Tulsa, OK (Rescheduled from Sept.) @ Cain’s Ballroom2/2: Dallas, TX @ The Granada Theatre2/3: Austin, TX @ La Zona Rosa2/4: New Orleans, LA @ Tipitina’s2/7: Tampa, FL @ The Ritz Ybor2/8: Orlando, FL @ Hard Rock Live2/10: Atlanta, GA @ Variety Playhouse2/11: Atlanta, GA @ Variety Playhouse2/12: Chattanooga, TN @ Track 292/14: Charlotte, NC @ McGlohan Theater at Spirit Square2/15: Raleigh, NC @ Lincoln Theatre2/16: Charlottesville, VA @ Jefferson Theatre2/17: Baltimore, MD @ Ram’s Head Live3/8: Northampton, MA @ Calvin Theater3/9: Providence, RI @ Lupo’s Heartbreak Hotel3/10: New York, NY @ Terminal 5
Architecture in Helsinki have released the surreal video for their new single “Contact High.” Since premiering the song a few weeks ago, “Contact High” has been praised throughout the blogosphere for being “absurdly catchy” – as Prefix Mag put it.Featuring sexually-charged, disembodied limbs and moving photographs, among other tripped out visuals, the video has a lovably absurdist bent. The Australian group will release a new album, Moment Bends, on May 2nd via V2/Cooperative Music USA/Downtown Records. It’s the band first full-length since 2007’s acclaimed Places Like This and they will be kicking off a US tour in June.
Copenhagen’s The Asteroids Galaxy Tour have been winning over audiences globally with their unique brand of cutting edge, soulful, infectious pop. Since forming in 2007, the Danish group has racked up accomplishments that include having singles featured in two global television ads, sharing the stage with superstars like Amy Winehouse & Katy Perry and successful US tours. The band is now gearing up to release its second album, Out Of Frequency, January 31, 2012 on BMG Rights. The band played to voracious crowds on their last US our including a sold show at NYC’s Bowery Ballroom. Check out the new “Major” live video from Bowery Ballroom which premiered on Prefix today or HERE. The slinky tune will seduce you with its 70’s blaxploitation-esque horn stabs and edgy vocals that are the perfect balance of commanding and sweet. Download the “Major” MP3 unleashed by the band earlier this fall here. We encourage you to post and share this new live video & song! Brandishing a signature sound that infuses indie-pop with neo-psychedelia, dance and retro-futuristic soul, The Asteroids Galaxy Tour never fail to produce addictive tunes that don’t sacrifice imagination. They deliver yet another unforgettable anthem with “Heart Attack” with its instantly memorable melody and a caffeinated beat guaranteed to invade dance floors. Title track “Out Of Frequency” highlights the soulful side of the band with its smoky nostalgic atmosphere and “Fantasy Friend Forever” has all the elements of an ecstatic psych-pop explosion with it’s thumpin’ beat and addictive hooks, making it nearly impossible for listeners not to get out of their seats. The band was first put on the map when its song “Around The Bend” was featured in a popular iPod Touch ad in 2008, launching The Asteroids Galaxy Tour’s career worldwide. Additional tracks from the band’s debut album Fruit also appeared on hit television shows such as Gossip Girl, Vampire Diariesand CSI: Miami. Most recently, The Asteroids’ latest single “The Golden Age” was chosen by Heineken for use in a global 2011 campaign. The commercial features more than just the song itself — it showcases frontwoman Mette Lindberg belting out the tune in her own captivating way, giving viewers a taste of what it’s like to see the high-energy band live. Stay tuned for details on more chances to see The Asteroids Galaxy Tour live coming soon!
Sunday Best Recordings is thrilled to announce the December 6th release of The Cure: Bestival Live 2011, a live recording of the iconic bands incredible, career-spanning two and a half hour set performed at this year’s Bestival. The double album, which is split over two CDs and also available as a digital download is made up of thirty-two Cure classics, including “The Lovecats,” “The Caterpillar,” “Close To Me,” “Friday I’m In Love,” “Lullaby,” “The Hungry Ghost,” “The End Of The World,” “Just Like Heaven,” “Grinding Halt,” “Jumping Someone Else's Train” and “Boys Don’t Cry.” Of the live album, Robert Smith of The Cure says “We had such a great time in the Isle of Wight at Bestival that we wanted to release this show as a way of thanking fans and islanders alike. Bestival is the best!” All profits from the sale of this album will go to the Isle of Wight Youth Trust (Reg Charity No: 1087163). The Isle of Wight Youth Trust is a charitable, independent and professional organization offering counseling, advice, information and support services to young people aged 25 and under on the Isle of Wight (the home of Bestival) and, in some cases, their parents or carers. The Youth Trust has been working on the Isle of Wight for 27 years and has made a positive input to the wellbeing of people locally. www.iowyouthtrust.co.uk Eileen Monks, Director of The Isle of Wight Youth Trust, says; "What wonderful news that The Cure should choose us, an Island charity of 27 years, to benefit in this way. This came completely out of the blue and at a time when it is becoming extra hard to raise funds to support our work with children and young people on the Island, further cementing our association with young people in their many interests and aspects of their lives. We would like to thank Rob da Bank for his continuing support." Rob da Bank, founder of Bestival says “Since I was 15 and backcombing my hair, donning my sisters eyeliner and singing the lyrics to “A Forest” into my hairbrush I’ve had an unhealthy fascination with The Cure. To say it reached its peak at Bestival 2011 is an understatement, as after seven years of pestering I not only landed The Cure to headline Bestival, but now appear to be putting out one of their live records on my own record label. How strange! For any of the 50,000 who were at Bestival and saw all or some of the two and a half hour set, this live album will transport you back. For fans of The Cure who didn’t make it I know this will be a legendary addition to your Cure collection!”
Today, Meshell Ndegeocello releases her highly anticipated new album Weather on Naïve Records. Produced by Grammy-winner Joe Henry (Aimee Mann, Solomon Burke, Ani DiFranco), Weather has already been hailed by critics at the New York Times and NPR as one of the Meshell’s finest records in 20 years. Meshell will also be hitting the road this month for a full U.S. tour. The acclaimed and eclectic songwriter will play New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C. with more US dates to be announced soon. A strikingly organic record, Weather finds Meshell experimenting with sparse, orchestral melodies paired with thoughtful lyrics, all performed by a band of fearless musicians. The album opens with the title track “Weather,” a spacey, soulful groove that sets the stage for the rest of the record. Tracks like “Oysters” and her cover of Leonard Cohen’s “Chelsea Hotel” find Meshell constructing hushed ballads, centered around mournful piano. These tracks are juxtaposed with Meshell’s defiant, soulful stomps on songs like “Rapid Fire” and “Dirty World.” The album also features all-star collaborations with the likes of Chris Connelly (ex-Revolting Cocks, Ministry), Benji Hughes, and Joe Henry. Meshell US Tour Dates:11/14: Philadelphia, PA @ World Cafe Live11/15: Alexandria, VA @ The Birchmere11/16: New York, NY @ Hiro Ballroom1/5: San Diego, CA @ Anthology1/6: Los Angeles, CA @ El Rey Theatre1/7: San Francisco, CA @ Great American Music Hall1/8: Santa Cruz, CA @ Kuumbwa Jazz Center1/10: Seattle, WA @ The Triple Door1/20: Chicago IL @ Harris Theater1/22: Minneapolis, MN @ The Dakota Jazz Club & Restaurant1/23: Minneapolis MN @ The Dakota Jazz Club & Restaurant
New Orleans jazz legends Preservation Hall Jazz Band are celebrating their 50th anniversary by performing with some of their musical friends at one of the most legendary venues in the world. On January 7th they will grace the Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage at Carnegie Hall, with special guests to be announced soon. Tickets for what is bound to be an unforgettable night go on sale December 2nd and are available at www.carnegiehall.org, by calling CarnegieCharge at 212-247-7800 or at the Carnegie Hall box office at 57th street and 7th avenue. The Preservation Hall Jazz Band has been carrying the distinctive sound of New Orleans jazz around the world on behalf of Preservation Hall, a unique venue that embodies the city’s musical legacy. With a cast of musicians schooled through first-hand experience and apprenticeship into the music’s historic traditions, the PHJB has served as an irreplaceable, vital link to the earliest days of one of America’s most beloved forms of popular music. The group manages to evoke the spirits of times past in an ever-evolving modern context that has found them traveling around the world. Along the way, they have brought in collaborators of all musical stripes to play, honor, and reinterpret America’s first true art form. The PHJB have played and recorded with artists like Tom Waits, Pete Seeger, Ani DiFranco and My Morning Jacket. Their most recent collaboration has been with the Grammy-winning bluegrass outfit, the Del McCoury Band, with whom they released a joint album earlier this year titled American Legacies. The Louisiana State Museum also just launched a major exhibition celebrating Preservation Hall’s 50th anniversary at the Old U.S. Mint. Co-curated by Preservation Hall and the Museum, Preservation Hall at 50, tells the story of the venue’s history through artifacts, photographs, film and audio clips, as well as interviews and oral histories. The exhibit is open now and will run through 2012.
BUST Magazine is thrilled to announce their return to SoHo forthe 7th Annual BUST Magazine Craftacular and Food Fair Holiday 2011. For the first time ever, the event will run for two days. With over 200 craft and food vendors per day, the event offers a haven for more than 6000 attendees to warm up with specialty tasty treats and unique handcrafted holiday gifts.
And for the first time visitors will also be able to handcraft a few gifts of their own. At The BUST DIY Guide To Life Lab, classes and demos will give shoppers the chance to try their hand at craft projects excerpted from the recently released book, “The BUST DIY Guide To Life”! Attendees will be able to make their own tiny terrarium, create a snowglobe, learn how to make bath bombs, discover how mozzarella can be made in a microwave, and more, all for free or a nominal fee. Book co-authors and BUST Co-publishers Debbie Stoller and Laurie Henzel will be on hand to lead classes and sign copies of their book, which will also be available for purchase.
With a wide variety of artisanal treats and handmade crafts, gift-making classes and demos, DJs spinning music, raffle prizes, and free goodie bags for the first 300 people at the door each day, The BUST Magazine Craftacular and Food Fair Holiday 2011 is the ideal destination for shopping, eating, crafting, and a whole lot of fun.
The 7th Annual BUST Magazine Craftacular and Food Fair Holiday 2011
will take place at 82 Mercer Street on:
Saturday, December 10, 11am-8pm
Sunday, December 11, 11am-7pm
Entrance Fee: $3.00
New Orleans jazz legends Preservation Hall Jazz Band are pleased to announce the special guests that will join them on stage for their 50th anniversary performance. On January 7th, 2012 at 8:00pm they will grace the Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage at Carnegie Hall, with special guests My Morning Jacket, Del McCoury Band, Trombone Shorty, GIVERS, Allen Toussaint, Blind Boys of Alabama, Tao Seeger, & Mos Def.Tickets for what is bound to be an unforgettable night go on sale December 2nd and are available at www.carnegiehall.org, by calling CarnegieCharge at 212-247-7800 or at the Carnegie Hall box office at 57th street and 7th avenue.The Preservation Hall Jazz Band has been carrying the distinctive sound of New Orleans jazz around the world on behalf of Preservation Hall, a unique venue that embodies the city’s musical legacy. With a cast of musicians schooled through first-hand experience and apprenticeship into the music’s historic traditions, the PHJB has served as an irreplaceable, vital link to the earliest days of one of America’s most beloved forms of popular music. The group manages to evoke the spirits of times past in an ever-evolving modern context that has found them traveling around the world. Along the way, they have brought in collaborators of all musical stripes to play, honor, and reinterpret America’s first true art form. The PHJB have played and recorded with artists like Tom Waits, Pete Seeger, Ani DiFranco and My Morning Jacket. Their most recent collaboration has been with the Grammy-winning bluegrass outfit, the Del McCoury Band, with whom they released a joint album earlier this year titled American Legacies. The Louisiana State Museum also just launched a major exhibition celebrating Preservation Hall’s 50th anniversary at the Old U.S. Mint. Co-curated by Preservation Hall and the Museum, Preservation Hall at 50, tells the story of the venue’s history through artifacts, photographs, film and audio clips, as well as interviews and oral histories. The exhibit is open now and will run through 2012. This concert is presented by The Bowery Presents.
Tori Amos will release Sin Palabras, the instrumental version of this year’s acclaimed Night of Hunters album, on December 13 via Deutsche Grammophon. It will be available at all digital retailers. On Night of Hunters, Tori created a 21st century song cycle with variations on themes by Satie, Granados, Chopin and other great composers. Sin Palabras provides a completely new listening experience and perspective on the compositions by stripping the vocals and putting Tori’s adventurous arrangements and virtuosic playing, along with that of The Apollon Musagete Quartet and the Berlin Philharmonic clarinet soloist Andreas Ottensamer, at the forefront. Fans who have already or will purchase Night of Hunters will be able to download the instrumental version of Night of Hunters’ title track via the “Bonus” tab on Tori’s official Facebook, www.facebook.com/toriamos, beginning Friday December 2. That same day, Tori will be interviewed on VH1’s Big Morning Buzz at 9 AM EST/ 8 AM CST.A new short film for Night of Hunters’centerpiece “Star Whisperer” premiered on Sundance Channel this week. The film was shot in Ireland near the River Bandon, which Tori used as the setting for Night of Hunters.Following a sold out tour of Europe and South Africa, the North American leg of the Night of Hunters Tour began this week at Atlanta‘s Cobb Energy Performance Arts Center and will concludes December 22 at Dallas’s Verizon Theatre at Grand Prairie. North American tour dates are listed below and ticket information can be found on ToriAmos.com. Tori is accompanied by The Apollon Musagete Quartet on this tour. Thomas Dybdahl will open all dates through December 18.With more than 12 million albums sold and multiple Grammy nominations, Tori Amos is one of the most successful and influential artists of her generation. A pioneer across multiple platforms, she was the first major label artist to offer a single for download, has had her songs turned into graphic novels, and has produced groundbreaking videos throughout her career. She is renowned for her passionate and broad fan-base, her critically and commercially successful tours, and her ever evolving live show. Ms. Amos is also a noted humanitarian and co-founder of RAINN (Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network), which is the United States’ largest anti-sexual assault organization.Night of Hunters Tour North American Dates12/1 Philadelphia, PA @ Academy of Music12/2 New York, NY @ Beacon Theatre12/3 New York, NY @ Beacon Theatre12/5 Washington DC @ Constitution Hall12/6 Boston, MA @ Orpheum Theater12/8 Toronto, ON @ Massey Hall12/10 Chicago, IL @ Chicago Theatre12/13 Vancouver, BC @ Orpheum Theater12/14 Seattle, WA @ Paramount Theatre12/16 Oakland, CA @ Paramount Theatre12/17 Los Angeles, CA @ Orpheum Theatre12/18 Los Angeles, CA @ Orpheum Theatre12/21 Austin, TX @ Bass Concert Hall12/22 Dallas, TX @ Verizon Theatre at Grand Prairie
Cut Copy’s stellar Zonoscope has been nominated for the Best Dance/Electronica Album GRAMMY. This is the band’s first GRAMMY nomination and bookends a phenomenal year that saw the band play to rapturous audiences across the globe including a thundering Coachella set and headlining slot at Austin City Limits. The GRAMMY Awards will be held on Sunday, February 12th at Los Angeles’ Staples Center and will be televised on CBS that same day at 8 pm EST / 7 PM CST.Zonoscope is Cut Copy’s 3rd and most ambitious work yet. It was released by Modular Records this past February and was met with critical raves ranging from Rolling Stone to Pitchfork.Zonoscope is Cut Copy boiled down to their purest form, a suite of futuristic visions built upon primal rhythm tracks. It is at once their most immediate work to date but also their most sonically exquisite. “Take Me Over” perfectly encapsulates this, its chiming highlife guitars bouncing around tropical percussion reminiscent of an island holiday in a pop song.Recorded over a 6 month period in a warehouse space the band rented in Melbourne, Australia and mixed in Atlanta by Ben H. Allen (Animal Collective, Gnarls Barkley, Deerhunter), Zonoscope paints a mesmerizing picture, conjured by a band at the height of their powers.
MY MORNING JACKET cap a hugely successful 2011 with a Grammy Nomination for Best Alternative Music Album for their celebrated sixth album, "Circuital". Jim James and co are up against the likes of Radiohead, Bon Iver, Death Cab For Cutie, Foster the People for this much-coveted award. After headlining several festival, including Lollapalooza and Bonnaroo, My Morning Jacket will close the year playing their biggest-ever headline show to date, at Madison Square Garden in New York on 14th December…My Morning Jacket On Tour:12/1: Los Angeles, CA @ The Gibson Ampitheatre12/2: San Francisco, CA @ Bill Graham Civic Auditorium12/3: San Diego, CA @ Jenny Craig Pavilion @ University of San Diego12/6: Tulsa, OK @ Brady Theatre12/7: Dallas, TX @ Verizon Theatre at Grand Prairie12/8: Houston, TX @ Verizon Wireless Theatre12/10: Boca Raton, FL @ Sunset Cove Ampitheater12/11: Orlando, FL @ Hard Rock Live12/12: Greensboro, NC @ Greensboro War Memorial Auditorium12/14: New York City @ Madison Square Garden
Filmed with 20 cameras at a headline show at Japan’s very own Glastonbury - Fujirock Festival - Don't Think is the first time the full Chemical Brothers’ live experience has been captured on film. Directed by long-term visuals collaborator Adam Smith this full-length concert movie places cameras in the centre of the stage as well as at the very heart of the crowd to perfectly capture a fan's eye view of the heightened emotional reactions of the audience seeing the band at their very best.During the film, Smith takes advantage of one of the most unique festival settings in the world when he follows selected audience members away from the stage and out into the natural environment. Then, by adding avant-garde magic realist moments where trippy visuals leave the screens and invade the open spaces of the festival, Don't Think undergoes a transformation from concert film to fully immersive document of one of the most mind-bendingly psychedelic live shows ever seen. With an extensive global cinema run, the film offers audiences a powerful alternative to the reduced circumstances of watching gig footage on You Tube clips and mobile phone screens.Shot on location on Sunday July 31st 2011, Don’t Think is the first concert film to feature glorious Dolby 7:1, surround sound, mixed for the big screen by the band themselves. It is due to be shown on more than 500 screens in over 20 territories from February 1st, 2012 (February 3rd U.K). The film has been produced by Marcus Lyall and Lee Groombridge for Ridley Scott’s production company RSA Films in association with ML Studio.On January 26th 2012, 20 cinemas across 20 cities worldwide will host an exclusive advance screening offering fans the first chance to see Don't Think.For an exclusive preview of the cinema trailer along with a full list of cinemas with links to buy tickets visit: www.dontthinkmovie.com
Rising New York City songwriter Christopher Paul Stelling has announced the details of his long-awaited debut album, Songs of Praise & Scorn, which will see a release on February 21st via Brooklyn imprint Mecca Lecca Recording Co. He's also sharing the first single, "Mourning Train To Memphis," which is available as a free MP3 via the CPS bandcamp page. Songs of Praise & Scorn was recorded, mostly live, this past summer above a working funeral home in Louisville, KY.The album features backing vocals from Julia Christgau and violin accompaniment by Louisville’s own Cheyenne Marie Mize. Christopher’s burgeoning notoriety around the Northeast was born from his countless live performances over the last three years. His shows range from whisper-quiet, to a wall of sound through his expertly finger-picked guitar melodies, incendiary howling vocals, and foot stomps set against his signature storytelling, which conjures up a vast and alluring palette of unearthly yet organic imagery. Having graced the stages of a hugely diverse gamut of venues, both small and large, on the reputation of his live performance alone, this record is sure to confirm his place among today’s most vital and relevant songwriters. If you’d like to see CPS in his element, check out this great live performance video of “Mourning Train to Memphis” from Sleepovershows.com. For more info on CPS, click HERE
My Morning Jacket is ready to usher in the holiday season with a special Christmas-themed iTunes Session EP out today! This comes after a busy year that included tours through the U.S. and Europe, and the release of the bands 6th full-length album, Circuital, which just secured a Grammy nomination for Best Alternative Album. My Morning Jacket has at least one more surprise up their sleeve before the year is out.
The EP features beautiful re-imaginings of Christmas standards “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” and “I’ll Be Home for Christmas”, which showcase Jim James’ transcendent, striking vocals and the band’s appropriately graceful arrangements. It also includes two special holiday gifts: a reworking of Circuital’s “Wonderful (The Way I Feel)” and a brand new song “Welcome Home.” Both tracks compliment the warmth and sincerity of the Christmas classics.
This collection of songs was recorded in one 14-hour session while on tour in Amsterdam. Like on Circuital, each track was recorded live as a one-take performance, capturing the organic spontaneity My Morning Jacket has come to embody. The iTunes Sessions EP is a great stocking stuffer for any My Morning Jacket fan, or the perfect mood setter while sitting around the Yule Log.
Also arriving next week in select independent records stores is the limited 7" with the fan favorite "Friends Again" as the A-side and an “Alternate Universe Mix” of "Outta My System" placed on side B. Please check your local independent record store to make sure they will carry this very limited piece.
“When the Bells Start Ringing” is the iTunes Single of the Week. Free download available here.
Track Listing for iTunes Sessions EP:
1. I'll Be Home For Christmas (feat. The Head & The Heart) 3:32
2. Welcome Home 3:41
3. Please Come Home For Christmas 3:02
4. Christmas Must Be Tonight 3:48
5. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas 2:45
6. Wonderful 5:07
7. When The Bells Start Ringing (feat. The Head & The Heart) 3:36
My Morning Jacket On Tour:
12/6: Tulsa, OK @ Brady Theatre
12/7: Dallas, TX @ Verizon Theatre at Grand Prairie
12/8: Houston, TX @ Verizon Wireless Theatre
12/10: Boca Raton, FL @ Sunset Cove Ampitheater
12/11: Orlando, FL @ Hard Rock Live
12/12: Greensboro, NC @ Greensboro War Memorial Auditorium
12/14: New York City @ Madison Square Garden
The Cure: Bestival Live 2011 saw a release on December 6th via Sunday Best Recordings, and today the band is sharing a live video for “A Forest,” which Pitchfork premiered earlier today. The video was filmed during their epic Bestival performance, and is one of the thirty-two tracks that comprise the career-spanning live album.All proceeds from album sales benefit the Isle of Wight Youth Trust, which is a charitable, independent and professional organization offering counseling, advice, information and support services to young people aged 25 and under on the Isle of Wight (the home of Bestival). The Youth Trust has been working on the Isle of Wight for 27 years and has made a positive input to the wellbeing of people locally.Of the live album, Robert Smith of The Cure says “We had such a great time in the Isle of Wight at Bestival that we wanted to release this show as a way of thanking fans and islanders alike. Bestival is the best!”The Cure: Bestival Live 2011 Out Now, All Proceeds Benefit the Isle of Wight Youth Trust Pitchfork Premieres “A Forest” Live Video From Bestival 2011, Watch It HERE
New Orleans jazz legends Preservation Hall Jazz Band are pleased to announce more special guests that will join them on stage for their 50th anniversary performance. On January 7th, 2012 at 8:00pm they will grace the Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage at Carnegie Hall, with special guests Trey McIntyre Project, Steve Earle, Merrill Garbus (tUnE-yArDs), & Ed Helms. These guests join an already incredible list that includes My Morning Jacket, Del McCoury Band, Trombone Shorty, GIVERS, Allen Toussaint, Blind Boys of Alabama, Tao Seeger, & yasiin bey (fka Mos Def).Tickets for what is bound to be an unforgettable night go on sale December 2nd and are available at www.carnegiehall.org, by calling Carnegie Charge at 212-247-7800 or at the Carnegie Hall box office at 57th street and 7th avenue.The Preservation Hall Jazz Band has been carrying the distinctive sound of New Orleans jazz around the world on behalf of Preservation Hall, a unique venue that embodies the city’s musical legacy. With a cast of musicians schooled through first-hand experience and apprenticeship into the music’s historic traditions, the PHJB has served as an irreplaceable, vital link to the earliest days of one of America’s most beloved forms of popular music.The group manages to evoke the spirits of times past in an ever-evolving modern context that has found them traveling around the world. Along the way, they have brought in collaborators of all musical stripes to play, honor, and reinterpret America’s first true art form. The PHJB have played and recorded with artists like Tom Waits, Pete Seeger, Ani DiFranco and My Morning Jacket. Their most recent collaboration has been with the Grammy-winning bluegrass outfit, the Del McCoury Band, with whom they released a joint album earlier this year titled American Legacies.The Louisiana State Museum also just launched a major exhibition celebrating Preservation Hall’s 50th anniversary at the Old U.S. Mint. Co-curated by Preservation Hall and the Museum, Preservation Hall at 50, tells the story of the venue’s history through artifacts, photographs, film and audio clips, as well as interviews and oral histories. The exhibit is open now and will run through 2012.
Rebirth Brass Band is extremely excited to announce that their latest record, Rebirth of New Orleans has been nominated for a 2012 GRAMMY for Best Regional Roots Music Album. It was produced by Tracey Freeman (Harry Connick, Jr.) and engineered by Chris Finney. Rebirth of New Orleans was released earlier this year on Basin Street Records to critical praise from across the music spectrum. For a taste of the album, download “Do It Again” HERE. Hailed by the New York Times as “a New Orleans institution,” the Rebirth Brass Band have been at the forefront of the brass band revival that they helped kick off almost 30 years ago. Formed by the Frazier brothers, Phil and Keith, along with Basin Street labelmate Kermit Ruffins in 1983, The Rebirth Brass band has gone from playing on corners in the French Quarter to selling out concert halls across the world and appearing in David Simon’s HBO hit “Tremé.” It’s been a long road, but The Rebirth Brass Band has become one of the most beloved brass bands in New Orleans and around the world. Since their founding, they’ve developed a signature brand of heavy funk that they expand upon on their latest effort, Rebirth of New Orleans. Opener “Exactly Like You” starts the album off with a rollicking, Mardi Gras stomp. “The Dilemma” and “Do It Again find the group locking in to a down-tempo, Latin-influenced grooves, anchored by Phil Frazier’s tuba. And “Shrimp and Gumbo” and “Feelin’ Fine” find the band effortlessly perfecting the New Orleans-style brass lines that put the city on the map. www.RebirthBrassBand.com
Everyday Sunshine: The Story of Fishbone will have its national broadcast premiere on Monday, January 22nd, 2012 as part of public television's AfroPoP documentary series. The series, produced by the National Black Programming Consortium (NBPC) and co-presented by American Public Television (APT), kicks off it's new season with Everyday Sunshine: The Story of Fishbone, which documents the history of legendary Los Angeles band Fishbone. The film is being distributed via digital and home video by Cinema Guild, which will present the film exclusively via ITunes starting February 1st, 2012 as part of the celebration of Black History Month and then via home video starting February 22nd, 2012.When Fishbone first emerged from California, no other band sounded or looked like them, and the weight of their innovative and iconic presence is still being felt decades later. Coinciding with the group’s 25th anniversary, filmmakers Lev Anderson & Chris Metzler have directed a compelling new documentary, narrated by Laurence Fishburne. Everyday Sunshine: The Story of Fishbone is both a fascinating and brutally honest look at the band’s history for longtime fans, as well as a perfect entry point for newcomers.Everyday Sunshine is a documentary about the band Fishbone, musical pioneers who have been rocking on the margins of pop culture for the past 25 years. From the streets of South Central-Los Angeles and the competitive Hollywood music scene of the 1980's, the band rose to prominence, only to fall apart when on the verge of "making it." Laurence Fishburne narrates Everyday Sunshine, an entertaining cinematic journey into the personal lives of this unique Black rock band, and an untold story of fiercely individual artists in their quest to reclaim their musical legacy while debunking the myths of young Black men from urban America. Highlighting the parallel journeys of a band and their city, Everyday Sunshine explores the personal and cultural forces that gave rise to California's legendary Black punk sons that continue to defy categories and expectations.At the heart of Fishbone's story is lead singer Angelo Moore and bassist Norwood Fisher who show how they keep the band rolling, out of pride, desperation and love for their art. To overcome money woes, family strife, and the strain of being aging Punk rockers on the road, Norwood and Angelo are challenged to re-invent themselves in the face of dysfunction and ghosts from a painful past.The documentary includes interviews with: Gwen Stefani (No Doubt), Flea (Red Hot Chili Peppers), Ice-T (rapper), Branford Marsalis (saxophonist), Perry Farrell (Jane’s Addiction, Porno For Pyros), Questlove (The Roots), and more. Trailer:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ChXk4R0mGNw
Toronto art rock quartet The Darcys is set to release AJA, the second in a trilogy of releases. An interpretation of Steely Dan’s 1977 studio masterpiece, the album was produced, arranged and recorded by the band at home during the summer and fall of 2010. AJA will be released as a FREE digital download at thedarcys.ca on January 24, 2012 via Arts & Crafts. It will also be available on limited edition 180-gram colored vinyl from GalleryAC.com.Fans can download The Darcys’ interpretation of Steely Dan’s "Josie" from the band's website starting tomorrow or where it premiered on Rolling Stone today.Moody, dense and textured, AJA is an exploration of physical and emotional space and the real and imaginary divisions within it. The decision to interpret the album in full was made during a period in which the band struggled to complete its self-titled sophomore record. With no label and mixing stalled, The Darcys were unable to track new material, instead embracing the challenge of reshaping the collective favorite and presenting it to the world as a dark, but bold declaration of self-sufficiency. “We did it because we could,” the band’s Wes Marskell explains. “And because we thought we couldn't. It became as much an art project as an album.”More than a year later, following a multi-album deal with Arts & Crafts and the release of The Darcys on October 25, AJA is unveiled, representing an essential link from 2011’s self-titled offering to the band’s much-anticipated third studio release. Earning their touring chops by having played with the likes of Deerhoof, Hollerado and Tennis in the past, The Darcys will spend early 2012 supporting both releases across North America on tour with Bombay Bicycle Club. The Darcys self-titled album remains available for free download at THEDARCYS.ca.Tour Dates w/ Bombay Bicycle Club 2/14: San Diego, CA @ The Casbah2/15: Los Angeles, CA @ El Rey Theatre2/16: San Francisco, CA @ Popscene @ Rickshaw Stop2/17: Portland, OR @ Doug Fir2/18: Seattle, WA @ Crocodile2/20: Vancouver, BC @ Commodore2/21: Kamloops, BC @ Blue Grotto2/22: Calgary, AB @ Republik2/23: Edmonton, AB @ Starlite2/25: Winnipeg, MB @ West End Cultural Centre2/26: Minneapolis, MN @ 7th Street Entry2/27: Chicago, IL @ Subterranean2/29: Columbus, OH @ The Basement3/01: Toronto, ON @ The Mod Club3/03: Brooklyn, NY @ Music Hall Of Williamsburg3/05: New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom3/07: Washington, DC @ 930 Club3/08: Hoboken, NJ @ Maxwell's 3/09: Boston, MA @ Middle East3/10: Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer
They Might Be Giants celebrate the announcement of their 2012 US tour with this dramatic video set to their track "When Will You Die?" The video tracks the creation and short life of an 18' paper and wood replica of the day glo pink monster hearse that graces the cover of They Might Be Giants album, Join Us. World-renown graphic artist Paul Sahre created the original cover, and after designing a 3D scale model of the hearse in .pdf form decided he wanted to take this project to another level. So he set his laser printer to 3400%, and then set himself and his design staff to work to create the most monster of model monster trucks. The result is a video that must be seen to the end.
Click here to download their own .pdf of the monster hearse model for your desktop, or larger if you are so inclined. Watch the new “When Will You Die?” video where it premiered on Jalopnik today or HERE.
Click Image Above To View Video
The tour, in support of both Join Us and the companion rarities album Album Raises new and Troubling Questions begins with a performance on Conan on January 26th, then on to a special 30th Anniversary show at Royce Hall in Los Angeles and a tour across the United States. The bands final show is March 10th in the bands hometown of New York City.
They Might Be Giants Tour Dates
1/27: Santa Cruz, CA @ The Rio Theatre
1/28: Los Angeles, CA (Special Family Show) @ Royce Hall UCLA
1/28: Los Angeles, CA – 30th Anniversary Show @ Royce Hall UCLA
1/29: Tempe, AZ - Marquee Theatre
1/30: Tucson, AZ -@The Rialto Theatre
2/1: Tulsa, OK (Rescheduled from Sept.) @ Cain’s Ballroom
2/2: Dallas, TX @ The Granada Theatre
2/3: Austin, TX @ La Zona Rosa
2/4: New Orleans, LA @ Tipitina’s
2/7: Tampa, FL @ The Ritz Ybor
2/8: Orlando, FL @ Hard Rock Live
2/9: Ponte Vedra Beach, FL @ Ponte Vedra Concert Hall
2/10: Atlanta, GA @ Variety Playhouse
2/11: Atlanta, GA @ Variety Playhouse
2/12: Chattanooga, TN @ Track 29
2/14: Charlotte, NC @ McGlohan Theater at Spirit Square
2/15: Raleigh, NC @ Lincoln Theatre
2/16: Charlottesville, VA @ Jefferson Theatre
2/17: Baltimore, MD @ Ram’s Head Live
3/8: Northampton, MA @ Calvin Theater
3/9: Providence, RI @ Lupo’s Heartbreak Hotel
3/10: New York, NY @ Terminal 5
Copenhagen’s The Asteroids Galaxy Tour have been winning over audiences globally with their unique brand of cutting edge, soulful, infectious pop. The band will kick off a national headlining tour with Vacationer in New York City on the new album’s release date, January 31, 2012 on BMG Rights. Today the band is thrilled to unleash the psychedelic video for their single “Heart Attack”. Check out the “Heart Attack” video where it premiered with KCRW today or HERE.
Brandishing a signature sound that infuses pop with psychedelia, funk, soul, and jazz, The Asteroids Galaxy Tour never fail to produce addictive tunes full of imagination. They deliver yet another unforgettable anthem on “Heart Attack.” With its instantly memorable melody and caffeinated beat, the song is perfect for singing in cars and bedrooms and guaranteed to invade dance floors. The slinky “Major” will seduce you with its horn stabs and vocals that are the perfect balance of commanding and sweet. Title track, “Out Of Frequency” highlights the soulful side of the band with its smoky atmosphere. “Fantasy Friend Forever” has all the elements of a feel-good pop song—right down to the hand-claps—making it nearly impossible for listeners not to get out of their seats.
Since forming in 2007, The Asteroids Galaxy Tour has racked up accomplishments that include having singles featured in two global television ads and sharing the stage with superstars like Amy Winehouse & Katy Perry. The Danish group was first put on the map when its song “Around The Bend” was featured in a popular iPod Touch ad in 2008, launching The Asteroids Galaxy Tour’s career worldwide. The Asteroids’ latest single “The Golden Age” was chosen by Heineken for use in a global 2011 campaign which also features frontwoman Mette Lindberg. Known for their captivating live show, be sure to catch the band live on tour with Vacationer this winter!
Rising New York City songwriter Christopher Paul Stelling is releasing his long-awaited debut album, Songs of Praise & Scorn on February 21st. He recently gave away the first single from the album, “Mourning Train To Memphis,” as a free download via his bandcamp page, and now he’s sharing a beautiful black & white video he recorded for “Solar Flares,” the second single off the album. Stelling is also announcing a spring tour, which sees him traversing the East Coast on his way down to SXSW in March. He’ll also be throwing a very special record release show in New York City on February 18th, the eve of Stelling’s 30th birthday, at Rockwood Music Hall’s beautiful Stage Two from 8-10pm. CPS has also set up a pre-order for the album via his bandcamp page- fans who pre-order the CD or vinyl version of the record will get an immediate digital download of the album. Songs of Praise & Scorn was recorded, mostly live, this past summer above a working funeral home in Louisville, KY. The album features backing vocals from Julia Christgau and violin accompaniment by Louisville’s own Cheyenne Marie Mize. Christopher’s burgeoning notoriety around the Northeast was born from his countless live performances over the last three years. His shows range from whisper-quiet, to a wall of sound through his expertly finger-picked guitar melodies, incendiary howling vocals, and foot stomps set against his signature storytelling, which conjures up a vast and alluring palette of unearthly yet organic imagery.Having graced the stages of a hugely diverse gamut of venues, both small and large, on the reputation of his live performance alone, this record is sure to confirm his place among today’s most vital and relevant songwriters.Watch CPS Perform “Solar Flares” Live At The Indaba Loft HERE--Upcoming CPS Tour Dates1/19 – New York, NY – Mercury Lounge (w/ Jonathan Wilson)2/18 – New York, NY – Rockwood Music Hall Stage 2 (Record Release Show)2/20 – Richmond, VA – The Camel2/21 - Charlottesville, VA - The Garage2/22 – Lexington, KY – Al’s Bar2/24 – Memphis, TN – Folk Alliance (Memphis Room, 7:30pm)2/26 – Orlando, FL – McRaney’s Tavern2/27 - Daytona Beach, FL - Tir Na Nog2/28 – Miami, FL – Bardot2/29 – Jacksonville, FL – Jack Rabbits3/01 – Tampa, FL – Rock The Park (6:45pm)3/01 - Sarasota, FL - Cock and Bull (9pm)3/02 – Savannah, GA – Sentient Bean3/04 – Greensboro, NC – The Green Bean3/05 - Asheville, NC - 474 Haywood3/07 – Chapel Hill, NC – Nightlight3/08 – Birmingham, AL – Samford University3/09 – Nashville, TN – TBD3/10 – Knoxville, TN – Preservation Pub3/11 – Johnson City, TN – Acoustic Coffeehouse3/14-18 - Austin, TX – SXSW
Multi GRAMMY® Award-winning electronic music duo The Chemical Brothers will bring their highly anticipated concert event, The Chemical Brothers: Don’t Think to select movie theaters nationwide for a one-night event on Wednesday, February 1 at 7:30 p.m. local time. Directed by Adam Smith, the band’s long time visual collaborator and produced with 20 cameras at Japan’s Fujirock Festival in July 2011 in front of 50,000 dedicated fans, this event marks the first time the duo’s full live experience has been captured for audiences. Considered to be one of the most mind-bendingly psychedelic live shows ever seen, The Chemical Brothers: Don’t Think combines the band’s famously ferocious modern electronic sounds and hardcore dance beats with striking, eye-catching visuals and will be followed by an exclusive interview with Adam Smith recorded in London in late 2011. Presented by NCM Fathom, Omniverse Vision, Astralwerks and Black Dog Films, tickets for The Chemical Brothers: Don’t Think are available at participating theater box offices and online at www.FathomEvents.com. For a complete list of theater locations and prices, visit the NCM Fathom website (theaters and participants are subject to change). The event will be broadcast to more than 200 select movie theaters across the country through NCM’s exclusive Digital Broadcast Network.The Chemical Brothers: Don’t Think will take fans on an exhilarating ride” said Dan Diamond, senior vice president of NCM Fathom. “Mixed for the big screen by the band themselves, this Fathom concert event perfectly captures the energy and emotion of one of their most sensational performances.”Formed in Manchester in 1991 by Tom Rowlands and Ed Simons, The Chemical Brothers are a British electronic music duo. Considered pioneers of bringing the electronic music genre to the forefront of pop culture, The Chemical Brothers have released seven studio albums to date, five of which consecutively debuted at number 1 in the UK. They have won numerous GRAMMY®and Brit awards over the length of their career. Their score for the film “Hanna” won awards, while the track “Don’t Think” from their album Further was featured in the hugely acclaimed Oscar winning movie “Black Swan.” “In the recording of a single show – a single night on a Japanese mountainside – Adam Smith, our longtime collaborator, has managed to capture the atmosphere of a very special festival appearance,” said Tom Rowlands of The Chemical Brothers. “Come see how it feels to feel, be overwhelmed, intoxicated, swoonerated… Surrender to the void.” Often described as “the third Chemical Brother,” Adam Smith has worked with the Chemical Brothers since their first gig in 1994 designing the visionary video elements of the duos’ live shows, which have become synonymous with their work. From humble beginnings back when he would project spliced 16mm films behind the band at semi-legal raves to conceptualizing an entire album’s worth of visuals (for last year’s Further LP), Smith has created an ever-evolving, hallucinogenic backdrop to one of the most in-demand live shows in electronic music. “After 18 years of working on The Chemical Brothers live show, we have finally captured it on film; you could almost say it’s 18 years in the making,” said Smith. “I wanted to capture what it is like to experience the show from right in the middle of the crowd, as well as showing and combining the visuals featured in the show with the footage we captured on this one night; to see how the music and visuals emotionally affect and connect with the audience.”
Rusko’s takeover has only just begun! His debut, O.M.G.!, replete with his signature bone-rattling bass and anthemic melodies, was a critical and commercial hit that cemented him as one of the most exciting artists in modern dance music. His stream of massive singles includes “Woo Boost,” “Everyday,” and “Hold On,” which featured Amber from The Dirty Projectors, “Got Da Groove” which features Gucci Mane and “Da Cali Anthem,” which was the first dubstep track played on US radio. His live shows have been drawing rapturous crowds of thousands across the globe. Rusko’s new album, Songs, due out on March 27th is a dauntless artist at his best. These are the songs that will dominate festivals and dance-floors this year and beyond!At the center of the adventurous and exciting sound of Songs is Rusko’s virtuosic ability to tackle and re-imagine a variety of genres. Lead single, “Somebody to Love,” has all the makings of an anthem with its instantly memorable chorus and a shape-shifting rhythm that is more infectious by the second. Watch the video here. “Skanker” rockets you from Kingston to outer space with it’s 21st century take on dub and roots. “Dirty Sexy” is a sultry R&B track sure to make speakers pop worldwide. “Thunder” propels Hi-NRG to the future with an exhilarating melody that will leave you rapturous.Songs is a collection of masterful pop songs that will reach far beyond the dance floors. Rusko has created a body of work that encapsulates all the best elements of bass heavy music and infuses them with sublime melodies and a euphoric spirit. In celebration of the forthcoming release, Rusko will be doing a special tour of intimate venues. This is a rare chance for fans to seem him in a small setting.Rusko Tour Dates 2/2 – Knoxville, TN – Valarium2/3 – Nashville, TN – Cannery Ballroom2/4 – Memphis, TN – Minglewood Hall2/6 – Richmond, VA – The National2/7 – Atlantic City, NJ – Showboat Atlantic City2/8 – Pittsburgh, PA – Club Zoo2/9 – Worcester, MA – The Palladium2/10 – Amhest, MA – Mullins Center (U. of Massachusetts)2/11 – Albany, NY – Albany Armory2/12 – Burlington, VT – Memorial Auditorium2/14 – Buffalo, NY – Town Ballroom2/15 – Kingston, ON – Stages Nightclub2/16 – London, ON – London Music Hall2/17 – Guelph, ON – Guelph Concert Theatre2/18 – Columbus, OH – The Bluestone2/20 – Cleveland, OH – House of Blues2/21 – Covington, KY – The Madison Theatre2/22 – Ann Arbor, MI – The Necto2/24 – Milwaukee, WI – The Rave2/25 – Madison, WI – Orpheum Theatre2/26 – Urbana, IL – Canopy Club2/27 – St. Louis, MO – The Pageant2/28 – Springfield, MO – Gillioz Theater2/29 – Lawrence, KS – Liberty Hall3/2 – Avon, CO – Snow Ball Music Experience 3/3 – San Bernadino, CA – NOS Events Center
Hold onto your auditory canals and buckle up for Rusko’s new single, “Somebody To Love,” out today. This is first single from the forthcoming album Songs out March 27 on Mad Decent/ Downtown Recordings. “Somebody to Love”, has all the makings of an anthem with its instantly memorable chorus and a shape-shifting rhythm that is more infectious by the second. Watch the video here and check out the Sigma remix here. Songs is a collection of masterful pop songs that will reach far beyond the dance floors. Rusko has created a body of work that encapsulates all the best elements of bass heavy music and infuses them with sublime melodies and a euphoric spirit. In celebration of the forthcoming release, Rusko will be doing a special tour of intimate venues. This is a rare chance for fans to seem him in a small setting.-RUSKO LIVE DATES 2/2 – Knoxville, TN – Valarium2/3 – Nashville, TN – Cannery Ballroom2/4 – Memphis, TN – Minglewood Hall2/6 – Richmond, VA – The National2/7 – Atlantic City, NJ – Showboat Atlantic City2/8 – Pittsburgh, PA – Club Zoo2/9 – Worcester, MA – The Palladium2/10 – Amhest, MA – Mullins Center (U. of Massachusetts)2/11 – Albany, NY – Albany Armory2/12 – Burlington, VT – Memorial Auditorium2/14 – Buffalo, NY – Town Ballroom2/15 – Kingston, ON – Stages Nightclub2/16 – London, ON – London Music Hall2/17 – Guelph, ON – Guelph Concert Theatre2/18 – Columbus, OH – The Bluestone2/20 – Cleveland, OH – House of Blues2/21 – Covington, KY – The Madison Theatre2/22 – Ann Arbor, MI – The Necto2/24 – Milwaukee, WI – The Rave2/25 – Madison, WI – Orpheum Theatre2/26 – Urbana, IL – Canopy Club2/27 – St. Louis, MO – The Pageant2/28 – Springfield, MO – Gillioz Theater2/29 – Lawrence, KS – Liberty Hall3/2 – Avon, CO – Snow Ball Music Experience3/3 – San Bernadino, CA – NOS Events Center
Classically trained musician and electro-pop composer Yuksek (aka Pierre-Alexander Busson) is about to invade the US, bringing a flurry of swooping, dance-pop anthems guaranteed to make you hum and sway.Empowered by his previous work with artists such as Chromeo and Amanda Blank, Yuksek’s new album pushes our lovely Frenchman to the front lines, both as vocalist and leading a fierce live band. On Living On The Edge Of Time, he marries the distorted, saturated sounds of dance floor decadence for which he’s known with a more melodic and catchy, and dare we say “pop” vibe. The first single off the new album, “On A Train,” was released October 18 with singles “Always On The Run“ out November 29 and “Off The Wall“ slated for January. Living On The Edge Of Time will be released January 24th on Ultra Records. Check out the video for the anthemic single “On A Train” HERE.There’s always been a pop heart beating inside Yuksek’s unique brand of electronic dancefloor bangers. Always catchy hooks hidden between the acid loops, hints of glam and indie infiltrating his energized house beats. Tunes like “So Far Away From The Sea” and “Extraball” from his acclaimed debut album revealed a powerful pop sensibility, deeply rooted into a lifelong affinity to artists as David Bowie, Gary Numan and The Cure, but also a devoted love for Lou Reed circa Transformer, Serge Gainsbourg, early West Coast-rap and the Warp label. Living On The Edge Of Time is the sound of an artist who can’t ignore the muse, a restless producer constantly in motion and a musician devoted to evolution.The album opens with “Always on the Run,” a track that sets the album’s underlying tone of chaos and movement grabbing you with a transfixing vocal melody that submerges you into the album. The first single, “On a Train” is a true dance-floor anthem that builds to an explosive chorus with a skittering beat that will get stuck in your head for days. On “White Keys,” a hauntingly eerie synthesizer sets a more contemplative mood while lingering over an up-tempo beat. Lyrically referencing the album title, “The Edge” has a pulsating beat sliced by keyboards stabs eventually exploding into a synth-fueled chorus. Closing the record is the 5 minute throbbing psychedelic pop-behemoth “Out Of Control,” complete with finger snaps and a driving bass line.Continuing his journey of musical evolution Yuksek is prepared to unleash his tour de force sound, making a lasting impression on American shores.
They Might Be Giants national tour kicks off tonight in support of both Join Us and the companion rarities album Album Raises new and Troubling Questions. Recently releasing the dramatic “When Will You Die?” video about the 18-foot monster hearse that graces the cover of Join Us, the band performed that song on Conan last night as well as recording a special web exclusive of their classic track “Ana Ng”.Known for their energized live show, TMBG will kick off their tour tonight in Santa Cruz, then on to a special 30th Anniversary show at Royce Hall in Los Angeles tomorrow and will continue across the United States. The bands final show is in March in the bands hometown of New York City.- They Might Be Giants Tour Dates1/27: Santa Cruz, CA @ The Rio Theatre1/28: Los Angeles, CA (Special Family Show) @ Royce Hall UCLA1/28: Los Angeles, CA – 30th Anniversary Show @ Royce Hall UCLA1/29: Tempe, AZ - Marquee Theatre1/30: Tucson, AZ -@The Rialto Theatre2/1: Tulsa, OK (Rescheduled from Sept.) @ Cain’s Ballroom2/2: Dallas, TX @ The Granada Theatre2/3: Austin, TX @ La Zona Rosa2/4: New Orleans, LA @ Tipitina’s2/7: Tampa, FL @ The Ritz Ybor2/8: Orlando, FL @ Hard Rock Live2/9: Ponte Vedra Beach, FL @ Ponte Vedra Concert Hall2/10: Atlanta, GA @ Variety Playhouse2/11: Atlanta, GA @ Variety Playhouse2/12: Chattanooga, TN @ Track 292/14: Charlotte, NC @ McGlohan Theater at Spirit Square2/15: Raleigh, NC @ Lincoln Theatre2/16: Charlottesville, VA @ Jefferson Theatre2/17: Baltimore, MD @ Ram’s Head Live3/8: Northampton, MA @ Calvin Theater3/9: Providence, RI @ Lupo’s Heartbreak Hotel3/10: New York, NY @ Terminal 5
Last night the global premiere of The Chemical Brothers; Don’t Think, directed by Adam Smith, took place in 25 cities across the globe. The verdict from the 4000 dedicated fans lucky enough to have secured a ticket was unanimous: It was a one of a kind movie theatre experience clearly not to be missed! The premiere in London saw exuberant fans, including Keira Knightley as well as The Chemical Brothers and Adam Smith, dancing* in the aisles and applauding along with the Fuji crowd, a reaction mirrored in cities across the world from Auckland, New York to Buenos Aires. Don’t Think has clearly redefined the cinematic experience, an art form which The Chemical Brothers are evidently immersed and well-versed in, as only two weeks ago, Tom Rowlands picked up the L.A film critics awards for best score for The Chemical Brothers work on Hanna. For those that weren’t successful in securing a ticket to these sell out premieres, The Chemical Brothers will bring their in-theatre concert event, The Chemical Brothers: Don’t Think to more than 200 select movie theatres across the U.S. FOR ONLY ONE NIGHT on Wednesday February 1, 2012. Tickets for this critically lauded and utterly jaw dropping event are available at participating theatre box offices and online at: http://www.dontthinkmovie.com/
Following Monday's performance of “Everyday Sunshine”, “Lyin' Ass Bitch” intro (and we all remember that late night TV controversy...ahem...Michelle Bachmann) into “Crazy Glue” on Jimmy Kimmel Live! we are proud to announce the documentary's release today, February 1st in honor of Black History Month. The film is being distributed via digital and home video by Cinema Guild, which will present the film exclusively as part of the celebration of Black History Month, and via home video starting February 21st.
When Fishbone first emerged from California, no other band sounded or looked like them, and the weight of their innovative and iconic presence is still being felt decades later. Coinciding with the group’s 25th anniversary, filmmakers Lev Anderson & Chris Metzler have directed a compelling new documentary, narrated by Laurence Fishburne. Everyday Sunshine: The Story of Fishbone is both a fascinating and brutally honest look at the band’s history for longtime fans, as well as a perfect entry point for newcomers.
Everyday Sunshine is a documentary about the band Fishbone, musical pioneers who have been rocking on the margins of pop culture for the past 25 years. From the streets of South Central-Los Angeles and the competitive Hollywood music scene of the 1980's, the band rose to prominence, only to fall apart when on the verge of "making it."
Laurence Fishburne narrates Everyday Sunshine, an entertaining cinematic journey into the personal lives of this unique Black rock band, and an untold story of fiercely individual artists in their quest to reclaim their musical legacy while debunking the myths of young Black men from urban America. Highlighting the parallel journeys of a band and their city, Everyday Sunshine explores the personal and cultural forces that gave rise to California's legendary Black punk sons that continue to defy categories and expectations.
At the heart of Fishbone's story is lead singer Angelo Moore and bassist Norwood Fisher who show how they keep the band rolling, out of pride, desperation and love for their art. To overcome money woes, family strife, and the strain of being aging Punk rockers on the road, Norwood and Angelo are challenged to re-invent themselves in the face of dysfunction and ghosts from a painful past.
The documentary includes interviews with: Gwen Stefani (No Doubt), Flea (Red Hot Chili Peppers), Ice-T (rapper), Bran
Happy 25th Anniversary Fishbone!
Toronto art rock quartet The Darcys released AJA, a re-interpretation of Steely Dan’s 1977 studio masterpiece, January 24th on Arts and Crafts. The band released an artistically striking video to accompany their version of “Josie” which was released today and premiered with Interview Magazine. The band’s Wes Marskall explains that the video was meant to “juxtapose the always-engrossing power of a woman's eyes with some of the monolithic structures that often define the places we live.” Watch the “Josie” video HERE.
Moody, dense and textured, AJA is an exploration of physical and emotional space and the real and imaginary divisions within it. The decision to interpret the album in full was made during a period in which the band struggled to complete its self-titled sophomore record. With no label and mixing stalled, The Darcys were unable to track new material, instead embracing the challenge of reshaping the collective favorite and presenting it to the world as a dark, but bold declaration of self-sufficiency. “We did it because we could,” Marskell explains. “And because we thought we couldn't. It became as much an art project as an album.” AJA is now available as a free digital download at thedarcys.ca and also as a limited edition 180-gram colored vinyl from GalleryAC.com.
More than a year later, following a multi-album deal with Arts & Crafts and the release of The Darcys on October 25, AJA was unveiled, representing an essential link from 2011’s self-titled offering to the band’s much-anticipated third studio release. Earning their touring chops by having played with the likes of Deerhoof, Hollerado and Tennis in the past, The Darcys will kick off a North American tour with Bombay Bicycle Club next week.
Tour Dates w/ Bombay Bicycle Club
2/14: San Diego, CA @ The Casbah
2/15: Los Angeles, CA @ El Rey Theatre
2/16: San Francisco, CA @ Popscene @ Rickshaw Stop
2/17: Portland, OR @ Doug Fir
2/18: Seattle, WA @ Crocodile
2/20: Vancouver, BC @ Commodore
2/21: Kamloops, BC @ Blue Grotto
2/22: Calgary, AB @ Republik
2/23: Edmonton, AB @ Starlite
2/25: Winnipeg, MB @ West End Cultural Centre
2/26: Minneapolis, MN @ 7th Street Entry
2/27: Chicago, IL @ Subterranean
2/29: Columbus, OH @ The Basement
3/01: Toronto, ON @ The Mod Club
3/03: Brooklyn, NY @ Music Hall Of Williamsburg
3/05: New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom
3/07: Washington, DC @ 930 Club
3/08: Hoboken, NJ @ Maxwell's
3/09: Boston, MA @ Middle East
3/10: Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer
He plays the piano, he talks. He usually raps, often complains and, between moments of utter musical genius and grace, teaches the audience the joys of improvisation. The one and only Chilly Gonzales is back, with the announcement of a North American tour in April, and the promise of a new album, Solo Piano II, coming later this year on Arts & Crafts. Gonzales is also sharing a minimix he made for Annie Mac’s show on Radio 1, which you can snag here. Chilly Gonzales has had quite a decade as an accomplished pianist, producer, MC, entertainer and more. He holds the Guinness Book of World Records for the longest live piano performance (27 hours, 3 minutes and 44 seconds), and has produced influential albums from Feist to Peaches, on top of countless collaborations, with folks as diverse as Andrew W.K., A-Trak, Jamie Lidell, La Roux and Drake. In 2010, Gonzales co-wrote, starred in, and scored the hilarious feature film Ivory Tower, which co-starred Peaches, Feist and Tiga and with a soundtrack by Boys Noize. The film will be getting an official VOD release through iTunes in April to coincide with his North America tour. Chilly will also be releasing his first live DVD, “The Unspeakable Chilly Gonzales live with Orchestra” in April. More details on that coming soon!Upcoming North American Tour Dates 4/06 - Los Angeles, CA - Hollywood Forever Cemetery4/07 - San Francisco, CA - Hotel Utah (2 shows) 4/09 - Portland, OR - Alberta Rose Theater4/10 - Seattle, WA - Triple Door4/11 - Vancouver BC – Rio Theatre4/16 – Montreal – Rialto Theater4/17 – Toronto - Glenn Gould Studio4/18 - Cambridge, MA - Regatta Bar at Charles Hotel4/20 - Brooklyn, NY – The Bell House4/21 - New York, NY - Le Poisson Rouge
Classically trained musician and electro-pop composer Yuksek (aka Pierre-Alexander Busson) has invaded the US, bringing a flurry of swooping, dance-pop anthem and a brand new record, Living On The Edge Of Time, released today on Ultra Records. Empowered by his previous work with artists such as Chromeo and Amanda Blank, Yuksek’s new album pushes Pierre to the front lines, both as vocalist and leading a fierce live band. Garnering praise from USA Today, CMJ and more, fans can check out the full album streaming on AOL Spinner this week and purchase the record at iTunes and all other digital retailers. Today RCRD LBL premiered the “Off The Wall” (Brodinski remix) the single for which will be released in the US on February 28th. Download the “Off The Wall” (Brodinski remix) HERE as well as album track “Always On the Run” HERE.On Living On The Edge Of Time, Yuksek marries the distorted, saturated sounds of dance floor decadence for which he’s known with a more melodic and catchy, pop vibe. Album opener “Always on the Run,” sets the album’s underlying tone of chaos and movement grabbing you with a transfixing vocal melody that submerges you into the album. “On a Train” is a true dance-floor anthem that builds to an explosive chorus with a skittering beat that will get stuck in your head for days. On “White Keys,” a hauntingly eerie synthesizer sets a more contemplative mood while lingering over an up-tempo beat. Lyrically referencing the album title, “The Edge” has a pulsating beat sliced by keyboards stabs eventually exploding into a synth-fueled chorus. Closing the record is the 5 minute throbbing psychedelic pop-behemoth “Out Of Control,” complete with finger snaps and a driving bass line.There’s always been a pop heart beating inside Yuksek’s unique brand of electronic dancefloor bangers. Always catchy hooks hidden between the acid loops, hints of glam and indie infiltrating his energized house beats. Tunes like “So Far Away From The Sea” and “Extraball” from his acclaimed debut album revealed a powerful pop sensibility, deeply rooted into a lifelong affinity to artists as David Bowie, Gary Numan and The Cure, but also a devoted love for Lou Reed circa Transformer, Serge Gainsbourg, early West Coast-rap and the Warp label. Living On The Edge Of Time is the sound of an artist who can’t ignore the muse, a restless producer constantly in motion and a musician devoted to evolution. Continuing his journey of musical evolution Yuksek has unleashed his tour de force sound, making a lasting impression on American shores.
In regards to the concept of the video, director Steve Pristin says "Gordon Voidwell's music and style is often compared to artists of the 80's --- rather than fight that notion I wanted to fully embrace it, while paying homage to one of the most iconic musicians and music videos of the 1980's. Growing up, in my home, Whitney Houston was viewed with a reverence unmatched - she will be deeply missed."
Gordon Voidwell, who just this past week released his brand new MalcolmXXXMclaren mixtape added, "It's amazing to think that in 48 short years, Whitney Houston covered the entire range of human emotion through music. From epic love ballads to 808-driven synthpop to gospel music, her voice spoke the complexity and depth of being human. On a selfish level, I'm saddened to think there will never be any new Whitney Houston music. She's inspired a lot of what i do."
Check out Gordon Voidwell live at SOBs in New York City, February 28th.
Rusko’s “Somebody to Love” has been rattling dance-floors worldwide since its release last month and is quickly becoming a classic. Today sees the release of Skream’s remix of the song, which premiered on Spin.com. “Somebody to Love” is the first single from the forthcoming album Songs out March 26 on Mad Decent/Downtown Recordings.
Songs is a collection of masterful pop songs that will reach far beyond the dance floors. Rusko has created a body of work that encapsulates all the best elements of bass heavy music and infuses them with sublime melodies and a euphoric spirit. In celebration of the forthcoming release, Rusko is on a special tour of intimate venues. This is a rare chance for fans to seem him in a small setting.
RUSKO LIVE DATES
2/17 – Guelph, ON – Guelph Concert Theatre
2/18 – Columbus, OH – The Bluestone
2/20 – Cleveland, OH – House of Blues
2/21 – Covington, KY – The Madison Theatre
2/22 – Ann Arbor, MI – The Necto
2/24 – Milwaukee, WI – The Rave
2/25 – Madison, WI – Orpheum Theatre
2/26 – Urbana, IL – Canopy Club
2/27 – St. Louis, MO – The Pageant
2/28 – Springfield, MO – Gillioz Theater
2/29 – Lawrence, KS – Liberty Hall
3/2 – Avon, CO – Snow Ball Music Experience
3/3 – San Bernadino, CA – NOS Events Center
4/20 - Denver, CO - 1st Bank Center
4/21 – Salt Lake City, UT – Rockwell at The Complex
4/22 – Reno, NV – The Knitting Factory
4/24 – San Francisco, CA – The Warfield
4/26 – Portland, OR – Roseland Theater
4/27 – Seattle, WA – WaMu Theatre @ Qwest Field
4/28 – Vancouver, BC – PNE Forum
4/29 – Edmonton, AB – Edmonton Event Centre
4/30 – Calgary, AB – Flames Central
5/3 – St. Paul, MN – Myth
5/4 – Chicago, IL – Congress Theater
5/6 – Royal Oak, MI – Royal Oak Music Hall
5/8 – Toronto, ON – Sound Academy
5/9 – Montreal, QC – Metropolis
5/10 – Boston, MA – House of Blues
5/11 – Montclair, NJ – Wellmont Theatre
5/12 – Philadelphia, PA – Festival Pier @ Penn’s Landing
5/13 – New York, NY – Terminal 5
5/16 – Atlanta, GA – The Tabernacle
5/17 – Tampa, FL – Hawaiian Village
5/18 – Orlando, FL – House of Blues
5/19 – Miami, FL – The Fillmore
5/21 – New Orleans, LA – Sugar Mill
5/22 – Houston TX – Stereo Live
5/23 – Dallas, TX – Palladium Ballroom
5/25 – Austin, TX – Austin Music Hall
5/26 – El Paso, TX – Buchanans
5/27 – Albuquerque, NM – Sunshine Theater
5/28 – Tempe, AZ – Marquee Theatre
5/31 – San Diego, CA – 4th and B
Today, Toronto’s Keys N Krates released another brand new remix, this time from Miike Snow, with UK’s dance authority Mixmag HERE.
The trio are known for mixing electro-hip-hop sounds and mix live instrumentation with electronic elements to create both innovative originals and remixes. After their first release, the Blackout EP, which was self-released last November. More remixes can be expected soon!
Keys N Krates have made a name for themselves by relentlessly touring, after playing through Canada, America, and South East Asia, they go on to play Ultra Music Festival in March with Bassnectar, Flying Lotus, SBTRKT followed by a performance at the Movement Electronic Music Festival with Public Enemy and Wakarusa fest in May where they’ll share the stage with Pretty Lights, Girl Talk, Avett Brothers, plus many more.
Tour Dates:
3/25: Miami, FL @ Ultra Music Festival
5/26 - 5/28: Detroit, MI @ Movement Electronic Music Festival
5/31 – 6/3: Orzak, AR @ Wakarusa Festival
New York City songwriter Christopher Paul Stelling's debut record Songs of Praise & Scorn sees its long-awaited release today via Mecca Lecca Recording Co. (you can stream the album in full this week via Spinner too). In celebration, Stelling is sharing the second single from the record, “Solar Flares,” which is now available as a free download on his bandcamp page.CPS hit the road in support of SOPAS this past weekend, setting out on his first full national tour which has him on the road through the beginning of May (all tour dates below). He's also playing several festivals along the way, including SXSW, Savannah Stopover Festival, Middle of the Map Festival, The Big Spill, and Rock The Park. Keep an eye out for even more tour dates, coming soon.Songs of Praise & Scorn features backing vocals from Julia Christgau and violin accompaniment by Cheyenne Marie Mize. Christopher’s burgeoning notoriety was born from his countless live performances over the last three years. Live, his shows range from whisper-quiet, to a wall of sound through his expertly finger-picked guitar melodies, incendiary howling vocals, and foot stomps set against his signature storytelling, which conjures up a vast and alluring palette of unearthly yet organic imagery.Having graced the stages of a hugely diverse gamut of venues, both small and large, on the reputation of his live performance alone, this record is sure to confirm his place among today’s most vital and relevant songwriters.Upcoming US Tour Dates2/21 - Charlottesville, VA - The Garage2/22 – Lexington, KY – Al’s Bar2/23 – Louisville, KY – 930 Listening Room2/24 – Memphis, TN – Folk Alliance (Memphis Room, 7:30pm)2/26 – Orlando, FL – The Social2/27 - Daytona Beach, FL – The Ocean Deck2/28 – Miami, FL – Bardot2/29 – Jacksonville, FL – Jack Rabbits3/01 – Tampa, FL – Rock The Park (6:45pm)3/01 - Sarasota, FL - Cock and Bull (9pm)3/02 – Atlanta, GA – Wonderroot (w/ Ben Trickey)3/04 – Greensboro, NC – The Green Bean3/06 - Asheville, NC – The Get Down3/07 – Chapel Hill, NC – Nightlight3/08 – Birmingham, AL – Samford University3/09 – Savannah, GA – Savannah Stopover Festival3/10 – Knoxville, TN – Preservation Pub3/11 – Johnson City, TN – Acoustic Coffeehouse3/14 – Houston, TX – Super Happy Fun Land3/15 – Austin, TX – The Tap Room @ 6 (Showcase details, 9pm)3/18 - Austin, TX @ Lomography (ProxArt Showcase, 11am)3/18 – San Antonio, TX – The Korova (The Big Spill, 4pm)3/19 – Dallas, TX – Opening Bell Coffee3/20 – Lubbock, TX – Prairie Fire Theatre3/22 – Wichita, KS – Kirby’s Beer Store3/25 – Denver, CO – Larimer Lounge3/29 – Evergreen, CO – Little Bear Saloon3/30 – Boulder, CO – The Laughing Goat4/01 – Pueblo, CO – The Downtown Bar4/05 – Kansas, City, MO – Middle of the Map Festival4/06 – Des Moines, IA – Vaudeville Mews4/07 – Madison, WI – Project Lodge4/08 – Milwaukee, WI – Tonic Tavern4/10 – Chicago, IL – Ace Bar4/13 – Butler, PA – Butler Art Center4/15 – Buffalo, NY – The Vault4/17 – Rochester, NY – The Bug Jar4/18 – Ithaca, NY – Culture Shock4/19 – New Haven, CT – Café Nine4/20 – Boston, MA - TBD4/22 – Biddeford, ME – The Oak & The Axe
Following 2010's critically acclaimed debut What We Lose in the Fire We Gain in the Flood and a year on the road touring as part of Bright Eyes, singer-songwriter Laura Burhenn teamed up with producer Richard Swift again and emerged with GENERALS, a sophomore album fully armed. In place of the Zen meditations found on the Mynabirds' first album, GENERALS is filled with armies of stomps and claps, sweeping full spectrum orchestrations, and moments that range from intensely personal pleas to shout-out-loud protests with teeth.
GENERALS is both a protest record and concept album. It's fueled by a full decade of Burhenn's political frustration and aimed at finding a revolutionary yet pacifist way in a world where, these days, it seems warring comes quick. Musically you can hear echoes of early PJ Harvey, politically-charged Nina Simone and Low-era David Bowie. It gets down and hip hop dirty, flirts with African melodies and rhythms, goes four-on-the-floor for all out dance jams and has plenty of percussion. Burhenn even plays drums herself on a couple of songs, and a 5-gallon bucket in homage to DC street Go-Go on another.
Lyrically, GENERALS sings the voice of the collective frustration, then moves beyond that. "It was important for me that this record made sense of my own anger and turned it into positive energy," Burhenn says. "I needed it to be transformative – of both the individual and the body politic. It's as much a meditation on Walt Whitman's hope for America as Gandhi's directive to 'be the change you want to see in the world.'"
The album's name comes from a Richard Avedon photo entitled "Generals of the Daughters of the American Revolution." Looking at the portrait of upper class ladies in their pristine satin gowns, Burhenn considered her own supposed eligibility to be a member of DAR and thought about what true revolutionary American women look like. The lineage of women that have stood up to injustice for well over a hundred years – women like Sojourner Truth, Rosa Parks, Gloria Steinem, Naomi Wolf – they get their hands dirty. And Burhenn wanted to pay tribute to that.
In conjunction with the release of the album, Burhenn is launching a portrait project called The New Revolutionists
The Mynabirds will tour the US in advance of their album release this March, including dates in the midwest, on the west coast, and down south at SXSW. Saddle Creek will release the album on June 5th.
Check out The Mynabirds in a city near you:
03/06/12 Lincoln, NE – Zoo Bar
03/07/12 Denver, CO – Walnut Room
03/08/12 Salt Lake City, UT – Kilby Court
03/10/12 Los Angeles, CA – Hotel Café w/ Big Harp
03/11/12 Santa Barbara, CA – SOHO w/ Big Harp
03/13/12 Tucson, AZ – Solar Culture w/ Big Harp
03/16/12 Austin, TX – Lamberts (SXSW) w/ Big Harp
03/19/12 Lawrence, KS – Jackpot Music Hall w/ Big Harp
03/20/12 Columbia, MO – Mojo's w/ Big Harp
03/21/12 Des Moines, IA – Vaudeville Mews w/ Big Harp
03/22/12 Minneapolis, MN – 7th St. Entry w/ Big Harp
03/23/12 Omaha, NE – The Waiting Room w/ Big Harp
Following its US theatrical release in 75+ cities and its national broadcast premiere on PBS the award winning documentary Everyday Sunshine: The Story of Fishbone will be available on DVD today, February 21st, 2012 by The Cinema Guild on SPARK, a new home video label dedicated to releasing quality documentaries on the arts.
As the first release to go out under SPARK Everyday Sunshine: The Story of Fishbone kicks things off by documenting the raucous history of the pioneering all-Black rock band Fishbone,
When Fishbone first emerged from California, no other band sounded or looked like them, and the weight of their innovative and iconic presence is still being felt decades later. Coinciding with the group’s 25th anniversary, filmmakers Lev Anderson & Chris Metzler have directed a compelling new documentary, narrated by Laurence Fishburne. Everyday Sunshine: The Story of Fishbone is both a fascinating and brutally honest look at the band’s history for longtime fans, as well as a perfect entry point for newcomers.
Jampacked with over 100+ minutes of bonus features, the DVD release includes audio commentary tracks by both the band and filmmakers, deleted scenes, interview outtakes with Fishbone and Rock Stars (No Doubt, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Bad Brains, Chuck D, Gogol Bordello), special featurettes, and unreleased performance footage of Fishbone’s early years and today.
Everyday Sunshine is a documentary about the band Fishbone, musical pioneers who have been rocking on the margins of pop culture for the past 25 years. From the streets of South Central-Los Angeles and the competitive Hollywood music scene of the 1980's, the band rose to prominence, only to fall apart when on the verge of "making it."
Laurence Fishburne narrates Everyday Sunshine, an entertaining cinematic journey into the personal lives of this unique Black rock band, and an untold story of fiercely individual artists in their quest to reclaim their musical legacy while debunking the myths of young Black men from urban America. Highlighting the parallel journeys of a band and their city, Everyday Sunshine explores the personal and cultural forces that gave rise to California's legendary Black punk sons that continue to defy categories and expectations.
At the heart of Fishbone's story is lead singer Angelo Moore and bassist Norwood Fisher who show how they keep the band rolling, out of pride, desperation and love for their art. To overcome money woes, family strife, and the strain of being aging Punk rockers on the road, Norwood and Angelo are challenged to re-invent themselves in the face of dysfunction and ghosts from a painful past.
The documentary includes interviews with: Gwen Stefani (No Doubt), Flea (Red Hot Chili Peppers), Ice-T (rapper), Bran
Happy 25th Anniversary Fishbone!
NYC natives Hollis Brown make music that is lush, raw and full of heart. The band recorded Nothing & The Famous No One with producer Adam Landry (Deer Tick, Middle Brother) in Nashville during the summer or 2011. Taking great care to create a warm, vintage sound, the tracks were recorded live, straight to analog tape. The songs on the new EP feature resonant guitars and gritty vocals atop a strong foundation of piano and steady percussion. A collection of soulful tunes, the four-track EP takes listeners to the Nashville cabin offering a taste of the band’s energized live show. Nothing & The Famous No One will be released digitally on April 3rd.Nothing & The Famous No One opens with the emotionally charged, bluesy love ballad, “Gypsy Black Cat.” “Ride On The Train” is a triumphant song of new beginnings lead by warm, crackling guitar over booming piano. The classic rock & roll track “Spoonful”, featuring guest vocals by Deer Tick's John McCauley, premiered with SPIN. Download the “Gypsy Black Cat” MP3 HERE and the “Spoonful MP3 HERE.Hollis Brown will be heading out on a short stint of live dates leading up to their performances at SXSW. The tour will kick off with a show at Brooklyn’s Union Pool with Deer Tick's Ian O'Neil opening. Watch the band’s featured performance of “Gypsy Black Cat” in The Bowery Presents “Track + Field” video series and stay tuned for more tour dates and exciting news from Hollis Brown!-
TOUR DATES
03/08COLUMBUS, OH03/14SXSW- AUSTIN, TXThe Parish, Navigational Society/Good Danny's Showcase03/14SXSW- AUSTIN, TXThe Lone Star Riverboat, Bamm TV Showcase, 4:20pm03/14SXSW- AUSTIN, TXThe Rooftop Bar Red Gorilla Showcase, 9pm03/15SXSW- AUSTIN, TXMolotov, STPP Showcase, 8:15pm03/17SXSW- AUSTIN, TXThe Lodge, Rethink Pop Music Showcase, 3pm03/21CLEVELAND, OHThe Beachland Tavern (w/ Caveman)
Coming off a successful SXSW run and with a few more tour dates to go, The Mynabirds announce the Record Store Day release of a 7” from their upcoming album, GENERALS. The “Generals” single precedes the June 5th album release and includes the non-album track “Fallen Doves.” The 7” features silk screened sleeves that are hand stray painted and numbered by band leader Laura Burhenn. The covers are available in 5 different paint colors and limited to 1,000 copies on black vinyl.
Following 2010's critically acclaimed debut What We Lose in the Fire We Gain in the Flood and a year on the road touring as part of Bright Eyes, singer-songwriter Laura Burhenn teamed up with producer Richard Swift again and emerged with GENERALS, a sophomore album fully armed. In place of the Zen meditations found on the Mynabirds' first album, GENERALS is filled with armies of stomps and claps, sweeping full spectrum orchestrations, and moments that range from intensely personal pleas to shout-out-loud protests with teeth.
GENERALS is both a protest record and concept album. It's fueled by a full decade of Burhenn's political frustration and aimed at finding a revolutionary yet pacifist way in a world where, these days, it seems warring comes quick. Musically you can hear echoes of early PJ Harvey, politically-charged Nina Simone and Low-era David Bowie. It gets down and hip hop dirty, flirts with African melodies and rhythms, goes four-on-the-floor for all out dance jams and has plenty of percussion. Burhenn even plays drums herself on a couple of songs, and a 5-gallon bucket in homage to DC street Go-Go on another.
Lyrically, GENERALS sings the voice of the collective frustration, then moves beyond that. "It was important for me that this record made sense of my own anger and turned it into positive energy," Burhenn says. "I needed it to be transformative – of both the individual and the body politic. It's as much a meditation on Walt Whitman's hope for America as Gandhi's directive to 'be the change you want to see in the world.'"
The album's name comes from a Richard Avedon photo entitled "Generals of the Daughters of the American Revolution." Looking at the portrait of upper class ladies in their pristine satin gowns, Burhenn considered her own supposed eligibility to be a member of DAR and thought about what true revolutionary American women look like. The lineage of women that have stood up to injustice for well over a hundred years – women like Sojourner Truth, Rosa Parks, Gloria Steinem, Naomi Wolf – they get their hands dirty. And Burhenn wanted to pay tribute to that.
In conjunction with the release of the album, Burhenn is launching a portrait project called The New Revolutionists (www.thenewrevolutionists.org)
"I revere Duke Ellington, but I didn't want this to be a reverent album," Joe Jackson says of The Duke, his new tribute to American jazz giant Ellington.True to Jackson's word, The Duke is a decidedly unconventional salute to Ellington, demonstrating the timeless brilliance of his classic compositions while showcasing Jackson's sublime skills as an arranger, instrumentalist and vocal interpreter. Although it's only the second time he's recorded an album not comprised of his own compositions, The Duke is nonetheless a deeply personal project for Jackson, whose longstanding affinity for Ellington's pioneering spirit has served as a key inspiration throughout his own three-decades-plus career.The Duke finds the iconoclastic English singer/composer/arranger/keyboardist and five-time Grammy nominee interpreting 15 Ellington classics over the course of ten tracks, interspersing melodic and rhythmic elements of various compositions in a manner that's consistent with Ellington's own freewheeling approach. Rather than emulating the songs' original big-band settings, Jackson filters the material through his own musical imagination while exploring an assortment of unexpected grooves and textures. The resulting album is a seamless fusion of sounds and styles, whose abundant sense of playfulness is consistent with Ellington's boundary-breaking attitude.“Ellington didn’t consider his own arrangements to be sacred,” Jackson notes. “He constantly reworked them, sometimes quite radically. So I think my approach is in the spirit of the man himself.”Jackson’s distinctive voice is featured on I’m Beginning To See The Light, Mood Indigo, and I Got It Bad (And That Ain’t Good), while It Don’t Mean A Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing) finds him trading vocals with punk icon Iggy Pop. R&B diva Sharon Jones, meanwhile, shines with a soulful I Ain’t Got Nothin’ But The Blues. In keeping with Ellington’s multiculturalism, Jackson also encouraged Iranian singer Sussan Deyhim to perform a soaring Caravan in Farsi, and Lilian Vieira, of the Brazilian/Dutch collective Zuco 103, to create a sunny, sexy Portuguese version of Perdido.The album’s striking mix of electronic and organic textures is especially evident on instrumentals like Isfahan, Rockin’ In Rhythm, The Mooche, and Black and Tan Fantasy. The musicians include two contemporary jazz stars, violinist Regina Carter and bassist Christian McBride; rock guitar hero Steve Vai; drummer Ahmir ‘?uestlove’ Thompson and other members of The Roots; and two of Jackson’s old associates, guitarist Vinnie Zummo and percussionist Sue Hadjopoulos. The album was recorded and mixed by the legendary Elliot Scheiner (Steely Dan, Sting, Bob Dylan).Though The Duke is a tribute album, it’s also very much a Joe Jackson album, consistent with his long-standing sense of musical adventure.“When I started this”, Jackson says, “It felt a little daunting – like, how am I gonna pull this off? But it started to pick up momentum, and took on a life of its own. I got to work with people I never thought I’d be able to get, and they were all extremely enthusiastic and supportive of the project. It all came together in a way that surpassed my expectations. And it’s been a hell of a lot of fun.”
Rusko's new album, SONGS, is out today on Mad Decent/Downtown Recordings. These are the songs that will dominate festivals and dance-floors this year and beyond! At the center of the adventurous and exciting sound of SONGS is Rusko's virtuosic ability to tackle and re-imagine a variety of genres. Lead single, "Somebody to Love", has all the makings of an anthem with its instantly memorable chorus and a shape-shifting rhythm that is more infectious by the second. "Skanker" rockets you from Kingston to outer space with it's 21st century take on dub and roots. "Dirty Sexy" is a sultry R&B track sure to make speakers pop worldwide. "Thunder" propels Hi-NRG to the future with an exhilarating melody that will leave you rapturous. Stream SONGS in its entirety at AOL and download "Skanker" on Spin.com ! His debut, O.M.G.!, replete with his signature bone-rattling bass and anthemic melodies, was a critical and commercial hit that cemented him as one of the most exciting artists in modern dance music. His stream of massive singles includes “Woo Boost”, “Everyday”, “Hold On” which featured Amber from The Dirty Projectors, “Got Da Groove” which features Gucci Mane and “ Da Cali Anthem” which was the first dubstep track played on US radio. His live shows have been drawing rapturous crowds of thousands across the globe. SONGS is a collection of masterful pop songs that will reach far beyond the dance floors. Rusko has created a body of work that encapsulates all the best elements of bass heavy music and infuses them with sublime melodies and a euphoric spirit. iTuneshttp://bit.ly/SONGSUS www.ruskoonfire.com Rusko Spring 2012 Tour April 20 - 1st Bank Center (Denver, CO) #April 21 - The Complex (Salt Lake City, UT) #April 22 - The Knitting Factory (Reno, NV) #April 24 - The Warfield (San Francisco, CA) #April 26 - Roseland Theater (Portland, OR) #April 27 - WaMu Theatre (Seattle, WA) #April 28 - PNE Forum (Vancouver, BC) #April 29 - Edmonton Event Centre (Edmonton, AB) #April 30 - Flames Central (Calgary, AB) #May 3 - Myth (St. Paul, MN) #May 4 - The Rave (Milwaukee, WI) #May 5 - Congress Theater (Chicago, IL) #May 6 - Royal Oak Music Hall (Royal Oak, MI) #May 8 - Sound Academy (Toronto, ON) #May 9 - Metropolis (Montreal, PQ) #May 10 - House of Blues (Boston, MA) #May 11 - Wellmont Theatre (Montclair, NJ) #May 12 - Festival Pier (Philadelphia, PA)May 13 - Terminal 5 (NY, NY) *May 14 - Ram’s Head Live (Baltimore, MD) *May 16 - The Tabernacle (Atlanta, GA) *May 17 - Hawaiian Village (Tampa, FL) *May 18 - House of Blues (Orlando, FL) *May 19 - The Fillmore (Miami, FL) *May 21 - Sugar Mill (New Orleans, LA) *May 22 - Stereo Live (Houston, TX) *May 23 - Palladium Ballroom (Dallas, TX) *May 25 - Austin Music Hall (Austin, TX) *May 26 - Buchanans (El Paso, TX) *May 27 - Sunshine Theater (Albuquerque, NM) *May 28 - Marquee Theatre (Tempe, AZ) *May 31 - 4th and B (San Diego, CA) *June 1 - Palladium (LA, CA) * # = with SIGMA as support* = with REDLIGHT as support
NYC natives Hollis Brown make music that is lush, raw and full of heart. The band’s Nothing & The Famous No One EP will be released digitally on April 3rd. For an early taste, the band has released a video for album track “Ride On The Train” triumphant song of new beginnings lead by warm, crackling guitar over booming piano.
Nothing & The Famous No One opens with the emotionally charged, bluesy love ballad, “Gypsy Black Cat.” The classic rock & roll track “Spoonful” features guest vocals by Deer Tick's John McCauley. The band recorded Nothing & The Famous No One with producer Adam Landry (Deer Tick, Middle Brother) in Nashville during the summer or 2011. Taking great care to create a warm, vintage sound, the tracks were recorded live, straight to analog tape.
A collection of soulful tunes, the four-track EP takes listeners to the Nashville cabin offering a taste of the band’s energized live show. Be sure to catch the band live in PA and NYC this month!
Rusko’s highly anticipated new album SONGS was released just last week on Mad Decent/ Downtown Records and planted itself firmly at #1 on the iTunes Electronic chart in the USA, UK, Canada, France, Ireland and Holland! He’s about to kick off a Spring US Tour in celebration and is giving fans a chance to be in the video for “Skanker”, which he has made available for free download here. Before they make the video, Rusko has a question for his fans, “Are you a dubstep skanker?” We've all seen that "move" before, but what exactly is it? You're at a dubstep show and take a look around to see one guy flailing his arms recklessly through the air, another person headbanging so hard they could break a 2x4, and then of course…the open armed wing flap. RUSKO is giving everyone the chance to embrace their inner-"Skanker" and let their own interpretation of that feeling when you hear dubstep be shown to the world. Watch a video demonstration featuring A-trak and Diplo here. Fans have two ways to enter, they can print the mask and be filmed or film themselves wearing it at one of the upcoming Spring tour dates or they can film themselves with the mask anywhere and upload to YouTube. The full instructions are at: ruskoonfire.com/
Rusko’s new album, SONGS, has been receiving rave reviews with Billboard declaring it “ guilt-free bass bliss for the post-genre generation” and Rolling Stone giving it three and half stars. These are the songs that will dominate festivals and dance-floors this year and beyond! At the center of the adventurous and exciting sound of SONGS is Rusko’s virtuosic ability to tackle and re-imagine a variety of genres.
Rusko Spring 2012 Tour
April 20 - 1st Bank Center (Denver, CO) #
April 21 - The Complex (Salt Lake City, UT) #
April 22 - The Knitting Factory (Reno, NV) #
April 24 - The Warfield (San Francisco, CA) #
April 26 - Roseland Theater (Portland, OR) #
April 27 - WaMu Theatre (Seattle, WA) #
April 28 - PNE Forum (Vancouver, BC) #
April 29 - Edmonton Event Centre (Edmonton, AB) #
April 30 - Flames Central (Calgary, AB) #
May 3 - Myth (St. Paul, MN) #
May 4 - The Rave (Milwaukee, WI) #
May 5 - Congress Theater (Chicago, IL) #
May 6 - Royal Oak Music Hall (Royal Oak, MI) #
May 8 - Sound Academy (Toronto, ON) #
May 9 - Metropolis (Montreal, PQ) #
May 10 - House of Blues (Boston, MA) #
May 11 - Wellmont Theatre (Montclair, NJ) #
May 12 - Festival Pier (Philadelphia, PA)
May 13 - Terminal 5 (NY, NY) *
May 14 - Ram’s Head Live (Baltimore, MD) *
May 16 - The Tabernacle (Atlanta, GA) *
May 17 - Hawaiian Village (Tampa, FL) *
May 18 - House of Blues (Orlando, FL) *
May 19 - The Fillmore (Miami, FL) *
May 21 - Sugar Mill (New Orleans, LA) *
May 22 - Stereo Live (Houston, TX) *
May 23 - Palladium Ballroom (Dallas, TX) *
May 25 - Austin Music Hall (Austin, TX) *
May 26 - Buchanans (El Paso, TX) *
May 27 - Sunshine Theater (Albuquerque, NM) *
May 28 - Marquee Theatre (Tempe, AZ) *
May 31 - 4th and B (San Diego, CA) *
June 1 - Palladium (LA, CA) *
# = with SIGMA as support
* = with REDLIGHT as support
Wintersleep has spent the last decade establishing, developing, and re-inventing their sound to share with audiences around the world. After winning a Juno Award for 2007’s Welcome To The Night Sky, touring extensively in support of 2010’s New Inheritors and performing on The Late Show With David Letterman last year, the band settled down during the summer of 2011 to focus on their next endeavor. Co-produced and mixed by Dave Fridmann (MGMT, The Flaming Lips) and Tony Doogan (Belle & Sebastian, Mogwai), Wintersleep’s new album, Hello Hum, signifies a new chapter in the band’s history. Inspired by the members’ collective experiences, waking dreams, and musical experimentations, Hello Hum will be released June 12 via Roll Call Records/ILG. A collection of diverse tracks that showcase the band’s versatility, Hello Hum contains a mix of bright, upbeat tunes and soft, sweet ballads. For a preview of the album, check out “Resuscitate,” a lively cut driven by energetic bursts of guitar and dynamic percussion. Download the “Resuscitate” MP3 where it premiered with MTV Hive or HERE and feel free to post and share this track! “Resuscitate” is out now on iTunes and album track “In Came The Flood” is also available at Wintersleep.com. Characterized by resonant harmonies, rich layers of elaborate instrumentation and ear-catching melodies, Wintersleep produces music that has the ability to grab listeners with its pop charm and keep them captivated with its subtle complexities. The new record opens with “Hum,” offering a swirling, slow-building intro to the series of energetic tracks that follow. The upbeat “In Came The Flood” showcases the depth of the band’s sound, featuring melodic vocals atop a densely layered foundation of guitars, vocal harmonies, and driving percussion. From its first note, “Nothing Is Anything (Without You)” possesses the instant appeal of a pop tune, with a prominent guitar melody and toe-tapping rhythm. “Smoke” closes out the album on a softer note, allowing melodic vocals to shine over a subdued instrumental background and steady rolling drum beat. Wintersleep has seen successful tours in North America, the UK, Ireland and Europe, sharing stages with Pearl Jam, Broken Social Scene, Wolf Parade, The Hold Steady and Paul McCartney among others. Praised by Flavorpill as having “catchy hooks, intricately crafted arrangements and intelligent lyrics,” stay tuned for more from Wintersleep as they storm the US this spring! Hello Hum Tracklist1. Hum2. In Came The Flood3. Nothing Is Anything (Without You)4. Resuscitate5. Permanent Sigh6. Saving Song7. Rapture8. Unzipper9. Someone, Somewhere10. Zones11. Smoke
Preservation Hall Jazz Band is excited to announce their upcoming summer tour dates. Kicking off their tour on May 5th at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival (where they will be performing twice) and touring until August.
The Hall Band’s first performance at Jazz Fest will be starting at 4:25pm, Saturday, May 5th at the Economy Hall Tent. On May 6th, the Preservation Hall band and friends will close out Jazz Fest on the Gentilly Stage with a mega performance featuring a number of special guests including Steve Earle, Jim James of My Morning Jacket, Ani Difranco, Allen Toussaint, Trombone Shorty, Bonnie Raitt, Wendell Eugene, and Lionel Ferbos.
As part of the Superfly During Jazzfest Concert Series, Preservation Hall Crescent City Revue featuring Preservation Hall and Friends will also perform on Saturday, May 5th at the brand new Joy Theatre, located in downtown New Orleans on Canal Street. Reminiscent of the revues of the 1920s, PHJB will be joined by a number of guests including The Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Walter "Wolfman" Washington, Ivan Neville, Stanton Moore, Ernie Vincent, Leo Nocentelli, Benny Jones, Uncle Lionel, Little Freddie King, David Torkanowsky, and many more to be announced. Opening for this all-star revue will be the New Orleans Rock Cabaret The New Orleans Bingo! Show.
Also being announced is this year's 8th Annual Midnight Preserves Lineup which will feature intimate limited-seating performances at Preservation Hall featuring both national and local artists. This year’s lineup includes Steve Earle, Theresa Andersson, Henry Butler, Tao Seeger, and much more! The Midnight Preserves series will also feature the Hall’s most admired bands paying tribute to legendary Hall musicians. Proceeds from the series will benefit The Preservation Hall Music Outreach Program. Tickets are limited and available now at TICKETFLY.
Preservation Hall Jazz Band will also be releasing a limited edition 10” vinyl of the Preservation Hall Jazz Band Live at Carnegie Hall in advance of the full-length concert to be released later this year. The vinyl will only be available exclusively during Jazz Fest and includes "Sweet And Low Down,” "That's Enough," "Saints Go Marchin In," "Bourbon Street Parade," and "Tootie Ma." Only 504 copies will be available for sale.
PHJB Tour Dates
5/5: Economy Hall Tent @ New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
5/5: New Orleans, LA @ Joy Theater
5/6: New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
5/11: Black Mountain, NC @ Lake Eden Arts Festival Lakeside
5/12: Bethlehem, PA @ Arts Quest River Jazz Festival
5/18: Montreal, QC @ Montreal Chamber Music Festival
5/19: Brooklyn, NY @ The Great Googa Mooga in Prospect Park
5/20: Ridgefield, CT @ Ridgefield Playhouse
5/25: Chillicothe, IL @ Summer Camp Music Festival
5/26: Minneapolis, MN @ Orchestra Hall
5/27: Cumberland, MD @ 5th Annual Del Fest
6/2: Brookfield, WI @ Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts
6/7: Coral Gables, FL @ Coral Gables Congregational Church
6/10: Salt Lake City, UT @ Red Butte Garden (with The Del McCoury Band)
6/16: Croton-on-Hudson, NY @ the Clearwater Festival
6/17: Los Angeles, CA @ Hollywood Bowl
6/22: Vancouver, BC @ Centre for the Performing Arts
6/23: Victoria, BC @ TD Victoria International Jazz Fest
6/29: Las Vegas, NV @ The Smith Center for the Performing Arts
6/30: Las Vegas, NV @ The Smith Center for the Performing Arts
7/1: San Francisco, CA @ Sigmund Stern Grove
7/4: San Rafael, CA @ Marin County Fair
7/6: Irvine, CA @ Irvine Barclay Theatre
7/12: Grand Rapids, MI @ Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park
7/13: Wichita, KS @ The Orpheum
7/14: Louisville, KY @ Forecastle Music and Arts Festival
7/25: Interlochen, MI @ Interlochen Center for the Arts Kresge Auditorium
7/26: Boston, MA @ Boston Globe Summer Arts Weekend in Copley Square
7/27: Boston, MA @ Boston Globe Summer Arts Weekend in Copley Square
7/28: Newport, RI @ Newport Folk Festival 2012
8/2: Wellfleet, MA @ Wellfleet Preservation Hall
8/8: Fryeburg, ME @ Fryeburg Academy Leura Hill Eastman Performing Arts Center
8/9: Waterford, CT @ B.O.M.B. FEST Harkness Memorial State Park
ATO Records is thrilled to announce the June release of Los Angeles rockers Everest's new album, Ownerless. Described by Everest guitarist Joel Graves as a "hopeful love letter slipped under the door," the new album expands on the broad rock 'n' roll direction the band undertook with its 2008 album, On Approach. Produced in large part by Richard Swift (Damien Jurado, The Mynabirds), the new album arrives in stores and at online retailers June 26.The basic tracks on Ownerless were initially recorded live, in a smoky clubhouse next door to a chicken coop, in Cottage Grove, OR. In an effort to raise the bar above initial expectations, the band also recorded a few songs with the help of Rob Schnapf (Elliott Smith, Booker T. Jones), with whom the band had worked on On Approach. Added Pollard, "Looking at the record now, it almost feels like there's an invisible thread that connects all the dots somehow. It just sort of happened naturally. The result, our new record: Ownerless."In anticipation of the album's release, WFUV has adopted Everest as their “Artist in Residence” for the month of April and, with the support of Corona Extra, is presenting the band in some super fun New York City rooms. Everest have previously shared the stage with acts such My Morning Jacket, Wilco, Minus The Bear and Matt Costa. They were also hand-picked by Neil Young to accompany him on tour.Check out Everest at one of their upcoming performances:4/26 – New York, NY @ Bowery Electric (TOMORROW!)5/3 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Troubadour5/27 – Portland, OR – KINK FM on the Waterfront
Shortly after completing their back to back tours in Japan and Australia, My Morning Jacket are taking their celebrated, exhilarating live show back on the road this August with the announcement of their North American tour, with Band Of Horses in support. Since their sold out Madison Square show to end off 2011, they've played a triumphant performance at the Independent Spirit Awards in February and shared the stage with Preservation Hall Jazz Band commemorating their 50th Anniversary at Carnegie Hall. Jim James also completed a tour with New Multitudes (Jay Farrar, Will Johnson and Anders Parker) in promotion of their album honoring Woody Guthrie. Additionally, the band has been busy curating the Forecastle Festival for the festival's 10th Anniversary, where they will conjointly be headlining the event along with Wilco and Bassnectar.The band are showing no signs of slowing down in the months surrounding their tour. My Morning Jacket will be contributing to John Fogerty's new album, Wrote a Song for Everyone, which will be released this fall. In the month of June, they will complete a European tour making stops in Spain, The Netherlands, Denmark, Germany, Norway, Sweden, Belgium and the United Kingdom. The band will also be headlining this year's Beale Street Music Festival in Memphis, Tennessee and Newport, Rhode Island's Newport Folk Festival, as well as performing at New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival next month. Commencing their tour in Denver, Colorado at Red Rocks on August 3rd and 4th, My Morning Jacket will be recording both performances and offering them as complimentary downloads to all ticket holders for those shows. Both My Morning Jacket and Band Of Horses are enthusiastic of hitting the road for the month long tour. "YES! We're touring with the incredible My Morning Jacket!” says lead singer Ben Bridwell. “So psyched to hit the road with our buddies and (hopefully) warm you all up for the greatest band going." My Morning Jacket North American Tour Dates5/04: Memphis, TN @ Beale Street Music Festival5/05: New Orleans, LA @ New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival 07/13: Louisville, KY @ Forecastle Festival 07/14: Louisville, KY @ Forecastle Festival (performance)07/15: Louisville, KY @ Forecastle Festival 07/28: Newport, RI @ Newport Folk Festival8/03: Denver, CO @ Red Rocks Amphitheatre^*% (Flobots.org)8/04: Denver, CO @ Red Rocks Amphitheatre^*% (Platteforum)8/06: Kansas City, MO @ Starlight Theatre*% (Operation Breakthrough)8/07: Lincoln, NE @ Pinewood Bowl Amphitheater*% (Community Corps) 8/08: St. Louis, MO @ Peabody Opera House*% (Safe Connections) 8/10: Minneapolis, MN @ Somerset Amphitheater+*% (Free Arts and The Current Public Radio)8/12: Columbus, OH @ LC Pavilion*% (Franklinton Gardens and Wexner Center For the Arts)8/14: Detroit, MI @ Meadow Brook*% (Do Foundation)8/15: Toronto, ON @ Echo Beach at Molson Canadian Amphitheatre*8/17: Philadelphia, PA @ Mann Center for the Performing Arts*% (Urban Blazers)8/18: Washington, DC @ Merriweather Post Pavilion*% (826DC)8/19: Brooklyn, NY @ Williamsburg Park#% (Sy's Fund)8/21: Pittsburgh, PA @ Stage AE*% (Gateway To The Arts)8/22: Chicago, IL @ Pritzker Pavilion*% (Advanced Art Education Program at Gallery 37)8/24: Atlanta, GA @ Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre*% (West Atlanta Watershed Alliance)8/25: Charlotte, NC @ Time Warner Cable Uptown Amphitheater*% (Neuse Riverkeeper Foundation)8/26: Raleigh, NC @ Raleigh Amphitheater*% (Charlotte Tree Fund)-% = $1 from each ticket will be donated to the local charity listed* = with Band Of Horses^ = with Trombone Shorty+ = with Trampled By Turtles# = with Shabazz Palaces
In support of his upcoming album The Duke (out June 26th on Razor & Tie), Joe Jackson will soon be taking his stellar ensemble on the road for a Fall US tour. The touring band will include Regina Carter on violin, long-time Jackson collaborator, percussionist Sue Hadjopoulos, multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Allison Cornell, Jesse Murphy on bass, Adam Rogers on guitar, and Nate Smith on drums. The five-time Grammy nominee has also just unveiled the first track off the album, “I'm Beginning to See the Light.” Jackson's rendition of the revered track consists of a medley of the three Ellington classics, “I'm Beginning To See The Light,” “Take the A Train” and “Cotton Tail,” which premiered on The Huffington Post.The Duke finds the iconoclastic English singer/composer/arranger/keyboardist interpreting 15 Ellington classics over the course of ten tracks, interspersing melodic and rhythmic elements of various compositions in a manner that's consistent with Ellington's own freewheeling approach. Rather than emulating the songs' original big-band settings, Jackson filters the material through his own musical imagination while exploring an assortment of unexpected grooves and textures. The resulting album is a seamless fusion of sounds and styles, whose abundant sense of playfulness is consistent with Ellington's boundary-breaking attitude.Jackson’s distinctive voice is featured on I’m Beginning To See The Light, Mood Indigo, and I Got It Bad (And That Ain’t Good), while It Don’t Mean A Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing) finds him trading vocals with punk icon Iggy Pop. R&B diva Sharon Jones, meanwhile, shines with a soulful I Ain’t Got Nothin’ But The Blues. In keeping with Ellington’s multiculturalism, Jackson also encouraged Iranian singer Sussan Deyhim to perform a soaring Caravan in Farsi, and Lilian Vieira, of the Brazilian/Dutch collective Zuco 103, to create a sunny, sexy Portuguese version of Perdido.The album’s striking mix of electronic and organic textures is especially evident on instrumentals like Isfahan, Rockin’ In Rhythm, The Mooche, and Black and Tan Fantasy. The musicians include two contemporary jazz stars, violinist Regina Carter and bassist Christian McBride; rock guitar hero Steve Vai; drummer Ahmir ‘?uestlove’ Thompson and other members of The Roots; and two of Jackson’s old associates, guitarist Vinnie Zummo and percussionist Sue Hadjopoulos. The album was recorded and mixed by the legendary Elliot Scheiner (Steely Dan, Sting, Bob Dylan). Though The Duke is a tribute album, it’s also very much a Joe Jackson album, consistent with his long-standing sense of musical adventure.
MS MR has made their single "Hurricane" available for download. Release date for the single to be announced shortly. New York's MS MR are going on tour with Marina & The Diamonds in July/August through America, plus play on June 1st @ Glasslands in Brooklyn.
Tour Dates MS MR:
6/1 - Brooklyn, NY @ Glasslands Gallery
7/10 - Los Angeles, CA @ The Fonda Theatre*
7/11 - San Francisco, CA @ The Fillmore*
7/13 - Portland, OR @ Aladdin Theatre*
7/14 - Seattle, WA @ Showbox at the Market*
7/15 - Vancouver, BC @ Commodore Ballroom*
7/18 - Denver, CO @ The Summit Music Hall*
7/21 - Chicago, IL @ Park West*
8/14 - Washington D.C. @ 9:30 Club*
8/16 - New York, NY @ Webster Hall*
8/17 - Philadelphia, PA @ Theatre of the Living Arts*
* w/ Marina & The Diamonds
Geek rocker and Internet phenomenon Jonathan Coulton has developed a cult following, first turning heads with his unconventional themes and inventive approach to distributing music. With a long list of accomplishments that includes having an award-winning song featured in the video game “Portal” and his album Artificial Heart reaching #1 on the Billboard Heatseeker Chart last year, Jonathan’s influence has been vast and notable. Having already hit the road for multiple tours with They Might Be Giants, Jonathan will be heading out on a North American headlining tour beginning in June. For a taste of what you’ll hear on the road, listen to “Nemeses,” the first single from Artificial Heart, HERE.Jonathan’s upcoming tour follows his recent performance at PAX East, an annual conference established by Penny Arcade to celebrate the world of gaming. Jonathan performed at the 2012 event alongside comedic musical duo Paul and Storm and “nerdcore” rapper MC Frontalot. FUSE TV caught up with Jonathan at PAX East to discuss how he landed his track “Still Alive” in the popular video game Portal and how he got his start as a musician with 2006’s “Thing A Week” project. For a peak into the mind of Jonathan Coulton, check out FUSE TV’s interview HERE. Jonathan has also been busy with NPR’s new quiz show, “Ask Me Another,” which debuted May 4th on select NPR member stations. The show combines trivia, puzzles, and music, and was taped in front of live audiences in Brooklyn throughout 2012. Jonathan hosts some of the games, provides musical clues, and offers wise cracks as needed. Tune in to “Ask Me Another” on your local station and be sure to catch Jonathan Coulton live when he comes to your city!Catch Jonathan Coulton On Tour This Summer!6/1: Boston, MA @ The Paradise6/2: New York, NY @ Gramercy Theatre6/5: Rochester, NY @ German House Theater6/6: Toronto, ON @ The Mod Club6/8: Alexandria, VA @ The Birchmere6/9: Philadelphia, PA @ World Cafe Live6/15: Ann Arbor, MI @ The Ark6/16: Chicago, IL @ Double Door6/18: Minneapolis, MN @ Guthrie Theater6/20: San Francisco, CA @ Great American Music Hall6/21: Portland, OR @ The Aladdin Theater6/22: Seattle, WA @ Showbox at the Market6/23: Vancouver, BC @ Venue
Beginning with their forthcoming European Tour Dates, My Morning Jacket will begin the "Spontaneous Curation Series" letting fan club members and concert goers assist them in curating each night's set list through Twitter as they travel around the globe. The series will also comprise of the band mining all six of their studio recorded albums and rarities adding to the spontaneity and uniqueness each night.In keeping with the spirit of the "Spontaneous Curation Series," no songs will be repeated for their back-to-back performances at Red Rocks Amphitheater."Curating spontaneously is best achieved by communication within a community because otherwise, curating in a vacuum can lead one to spontaneously combust. However, a spontaneously curated show is the best way to achieve collective musical combustion. Concurrently, we are crazed with excitement and curiosity to see how Roll Call and concert goers spontaneously contribute to our eclectic collective curation!" - My Morning JacketOpening Song "Roll Call": Members of the My Morning Jacket "Roll Call" fan club will be getting details on how they will participate in choosing the opening song on each and every show on the tour, including all festival appearances."Encore Curation": Via Twitter, @mymorningjacket will send out tweets days before every performance with further instructions on how to submit songs for encores at each show. As the band begins making their set list each night, they will choose a collection of songs based on all the entries.Follow @mymorningjacket for further details and announcements on how to participate in the "Spontaneous Curation Series."Upcoming Tour Dates:06/16: Mendizabala, Spain @ Azkena Rock Festival06/19: Utrecht, Netherlands @ Tivoli Oudegracht06/20: Groningen, Netherlands @ De Oosterpoort En De Stadsschouwburg06/22: Schessel, Germany @ Hurricane Festival06/23: Neuhausen Obeck, Germany @ Southside Festival06/26: Copenhagen, Denmark @ Vega06/27: TromØy, Arendal, Norway @ Hove Festival06/28: Borlänge, Sweden @ Peace & Love Festival06/30: Werchter, Belgium @ Rock Werchter07/01: Paddock Wood, Kent, United Kingdom @ Hop Farm Music Festival07/13: Louisville, KY @ Forecastle Festival07/14: Louisville, KY @ Forecastle Festival (performance)07/15: Louisville, KY @ Forecastle Festival07/28: Newport, RI @ Newport Folk Festival08/02: Salt Lake City, UT @ Twilight08/03: Denver, CO @ Red Rocks Amphitheatre^*% (Flobots.org)08/04: Denver, CO @ Red Rocks Amphitheatre^*% (Platteforum)08/06: Kansas City, MO @ Starlight Theatre*% (Operation Breakthrough)08/07: Lincoln, NE @ Pinewood Bowl Amphitheater*% (Community Corps)08/08: St. Louis, MO @ Peabody Opera House*% (Safe Connections)08/10: Minneapolis, MN @ Somerset Amphitheater+*% (Free Arts and The Current Public Radio)08/11: Milwaukee, WI @ BMO Harris Pavillion*% (Express Yourself Milwaukee)08/12: Columbus, OH @ LC Pavilion*% (Franklinton Gardens and Wexner Center For the Arts)08/14: Detroit, MI @ Meadow Brook*% (Do Foundation)08/15: Toronto, ON @ Echo Beach at Molson Canadian Amphitheatre*08/17: Philadelphia, PA @ Mann Center for the Performing Arts*% (Urban Blazers)08/18: Washington, DC @ Merriweather Post Pavilion*% (826DC)08/19: Brooklyn, NY @ Williamsburg Park#% (Sy's Fund)08/21: Pittsburgh, PA @ Stage AE*% (Gateway To The Arts)08/22: Chicago, IL @ Pritzker Pavilion*% (Advanced Art Education Program at Gallery 37)08/24: Atlanta, GA @ Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre*% (West Atlanta Watershed Alliance)08/25: Charlotte, NC @ Time Warner Cable Uptown Amphitheater*% (Neuse Riverkeeper Foundation)08/26: Raleigh, NC @ Raleigh Amphitheater*% (Charlotte Tree Fund)09/07: Seattle, WA @ Marymoor#% (Youth Care)09/08: Portland, OR @ Edgefield#% (OPAL Environmental Justice Oregon)09/09: Boise, ID @ Idaho Botanical Garden#% (Boise Urban Garden School)09/11: Los Angeles, CA @ The Wiltern<% (Sweet Relief Musicians Fund)09/12: Los Angeles, CA @ The Wiltern>% (Inner-City Arts)09/13: Los Angeles, CA @ The Wiltern#% (My Friend's Place)09/15: Berkeley, CA @ Greek Theatre#% (YEAH! Berkeley)
Stern Grove Festival will be celebrating their 75th Season of Concerts this year as well. In celebration of their anniversary, Preservation Hall Jazz Band have been commissioned to compose and perform a piece of music. The song will reference the festival's tradition of “the waving of the pink section,” in which audience members wave the SF Chronicle's Sunday Datebook in the air. The tradition began with the band's former trombone player, Jim Robinson and his legendary waving of his white handkerchief.The band's performance at Stern Grove will also introduce Ronell Johnson, taking over on tuba for Ben Jaffe. Jaffe will be stepping down from his bandstand tuba position to stick around New Orleans in anticipation of his first child, due this summer. Jaffe will continue to be part of the team, continuing his role as Creative Director of Preservation Hall.Raised by a musical family in New Orleans, Johnson started playing trumpet and piano around the age of 6. Four years later, Johnson increased his musicianship and taught himself how to play the trombone, tuba, organ, saxophone, drums, and more. He began performing professionally at the age of 12. To deepen his musical education, he attended New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (NOCCA) and majored in music at Southern University at New Orleans. Johnson became Jaffe's protege, studying under him at NOCCA.The Johnson family are no strangers to Preservation Hall Jazz Band, as his great uncle is Joseph “Kid Twat” Butler who played string bass with the legendary Kid Thomas Valentine and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band. He is additionally a member of his family's brass band Coolbone (comprised of his 3 brothers, 2 uncles, and 4 cousins) and has toured with David Byrne, Ben Harper, Spearhead, Busta Rhymes, Counting Crows, De La Soul and other.In continuation of their 50th Anniversary Celebration series, the band will be performing at Breckenridge Music Festival on June 28th. Preservation Hall will also be on tour this summer, bringing their legendary performance across the country.PHJB Tour Dates6/2: Brookfield, WI @ Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts6/7: Coral Gables, FL @ Coral Gables Congregational Church6/9: Winston-Salem, NC @ Thrust Theatre, University of North Carolina School of the Arts6/10: Salt Lake City, UT @ Red Butte Garden (with The Del McCoury Band)6/13: New York, NY @ Symphony Space Peter Jay Sharp Theatre6/15: Portsmouth, NH @ The Music Hall6/16: Croton-on-Hudson, NY @ The Clearwater Festival6/17: Los Angeles, CA @ Hollywood Bowl6/22: Vancouver, BC @ Centre for the Performing Arts6/23: Victoria, BC @ TD Victoria International Jazz Fest6/28: Breckenridge, CO @ Breckenridge Music Festival6/29: Las Vegas, NV @ The Smith Center for the Performing Arts6/30: Las Vegas, NV @ The Smith Center for the Performing Arts7/1: San Francisco, CA @ Sigmund Stern Grove7/2: Seattle, WA @ The Neptune Theatre7/4: San Rafael, CA @ Marin County Fair7/6: Irvine, CA @ Irvine Barclay Theatre7/7: Livermore, CA @ Livermore Valley Performing Arts Center Bankhead Theater7/12: Grand Rapids, MI @ Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park7/13: Wichita, KS @ The Orpheum7/14: Louisville, KY @ Forecastle Music and Arts Festival7/15: Reno, NV @ Reno is Artown Grand Sierra Theatre at The Grand Sierra Resort7/24: Fish Creek, WI @ Door Community Auditorium7/25: Interlochen, MI @ Interlochen Center for the Arts Kresge Auditorium7/26: Boston, MA @ Boston Globe Summer Arts Weekend in Copley Square7/27: Boston, MA @ Boston Globe Summer Arts Weekend in Copley Square7/28: Newport, RI @ Newport Folk Festival 20128/2: Wellfleet, MA @ Wellfleet Preservation Hall8/3: Newport, RI @ Newport Jazz Festival8/8: Fryeburg, ME @ Fryeburg Academy Leura Hill Eastman Performing Arts Center8/9: Waterford, CT @ B.O.M.B. FEST Harkness Memorial State Park
The Afropunk Festival is returning to Brooklyn’s Commodore Barry Park for the 8th Annual Afropunk Festival on August 25-26. The 2012 festival brings together its most stellar line-up yet, featuring a diverse mix of performers including Erykah Badu featuring the Cannibanoids, Gym Class Heroes, Janelle Monae, Das Racist, Skindred, Toro Y Moi, Reggie Watts, Spank Rock, Ninjasonik, Toshi Reagon, Straight Line Stitch, The Memorials, Radkey, Bad Rabbits, Gordon Voidwell, The London Souls, Cerebral Ballzy, Phony Ppl, Body Language, and more to be added!In addition, the largest Street Skate and BMX showcase returns with the NikeBattle For the Streets Skate and BMX Competition. The event will feature the nation's best amateur skaters and BMX riders in a competition to be judged by top professionals in both sports.Described by the New York Times as putting “rock and rebellion squarely in the category of African-American music,” the Afropunk Festival has become a Brooklyn intuition and the focal point for the burgeoning Afropunk movement.Over the past seven years, the Afropunk Festival has established its position as a platform for musical artists on-the-verge of hitting it big, such as Grammy-nominated Santigold, The Noisettes and Janelle Monae. Afropunk mainstays like Saul Williams, The Dirtbombs, Mos Def, and Bad Brains have also graced Afropunk’s stages.Regrettably, last year’s festival was cancelled due to Hurricane Irene. The storm almost put an end to the Afropunk Festival, but through the organizations’ dedication and hard work, and the support of this year’s sponsors which include Nike, vitaminwater, Kind and media sponsors The Fader and WNYC, the festival is back delivering the best music, food, culture and sports—and still free to the public!
Los Angeles rockers Everest release their third full-length album, Ownerless, today on ATO Records. Last night the band and friends celebrated the album's release on the rooftop of the McKittrick Hotel (home of Sleep No More) in New York City. Tonight, the band will perform in Washington D.C. at LivingSocial's brand new hot spot, 918 f Street, for their record release party. Described by Everest guitarist Joel Graves as a "hopeful love letter slipped under the door," the new album expands on the broad rock 'n' roll direction the band undertook with its 2010 album, On Approach. Ownerless is produced by Rob Schnapf (AA Bondy, Tokyo Police Club and Everest’s On Approach), Richard Swift (Damien Jurado, The Mynabirds) and the band.Formed by Russell Pollard (who formerly played with Sebadoh, The Folk Implosion, and Earlimart), Joel Graves and Jason Soda in 2007, Everest caught national attention with the release of 2010 sophomore album, On Approach. Early last year the four members of Everest set up shop with longtime friend and musical compatriot Richard Swift at his National Freedom studios in Cottage Grove, Oregon. After several weeks of recording, the band returned to L.A. and enlisted Rob Schnapf (known for his work with Beck, Elliott Smith, and Foo Fighters) to produce additional recording sessions. The result is Ownerless, the band’s most potent set of songs to date.Everest Tour Dates:06/17: Bowie, MD @ Prince George's Country Stadium06/25: New York, NY @ Private Album Release Show 06/26: Washington, DC @ Living Social06/29: Annapolis, MD @ The 'RNR Rockin' River Cruise07/05: Chicago, IL @ Lincoln Hall 07/06: Columbus, OH @ The Basement #07/07: Pontiac, MI @ The Crofoot, Pike Room #07/09: Allston, MA @ Brighton Music Hall #07/11: Philadelphia, PA @ Johnny Brendas #07/12: Washington, DC @ Rock N Roll Hotel #07/14: Cincinatti, OH @ Sawyer Point Park, Banbury Music Festival #07/16: Nashville, TN - The High Watt #07/17: St. Louis, MO @ Off Broadway #07/19: Denver, CO @ Larimer Lounge #07/22: San Diego, CA @ Casbah #07/24: Los Angeles, CA @ Troubadour #07/25: San Francisco, CA @ The Independent #07/27: Portland, OR @ Peter's Room #07/28: Seattle, WA @ The Crocodile #07/29: Vancouver, CAN @ TBD #11/10: Seattle, WA @ Key Arena *11/11: Vancouver, CAN @ Rogers Arena *11/13: Calgary, CAN @ Scotiabank Saddledome *11/14: Saskatoon, CAN @ Credit Union Centre *11/16: Winnipeg, CAN @ MTS Centre *11/19: Toronto, CAN @ Air Canada Centre *11/20: Toronto, CAN @ Air Canada Centre11/23: Montreal, CAN @ Bell Centre ^11/24: Ottawa, CAN @ Scotiabank Place ^11/26: Boston, MA @ TD Garden ^11/27: New York, NY @ Madison Square Garden ^11/29: Philadelphia, PA @ Wells Fargo Center ^11/30: Fairfax, VA @ Patriot Center ^12/2: Bridgeport, CT @ Webster Bank Arena12/3: Brooklyn, NY @ Barclay Center/Prudential Center# = Alberta Cross* = Neil Young with Crazy Horse, Los Lobos^ = Neil Young with Crazy Horse, Patti Smith
In celebration of the release of Joe Jackson's new album The Duke, out today on Razor & Tie, Rolling Stone premiered the track for “It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Go That Swing).” Teaming up with Iggy Pop on vocals, the track challenged both legendary artists to create “something that swings like hell, but isn't actually 'swing,” according to Jackson. In support of the album, Joe Jackson and the Bigger Band are hitting the road this September on a North American tour and includes musicians Regina Carter, Allison Cornell, Jesse Murphy, Adam Rogers, and Nate Smith.
The Duke is a decidedly unconventional salute to Ellington, demonstrating the timeless brilliance of his classic compositions while showcasing Jackson's sublime skills as an arranger, instrumentalist and vocal interpreter. Although it's only the second time he's recorded an album not comprised of his own compositions, The Duke is nonetheless a deeply personal project for Jackson, whose longstanding affinity for Ellington's pioneering spirit has served as a key inspiration throughout his own three-decades-plus career.
The Duke finds the iconoclastic English singer/composer/arranger/
Brooklyn’s beloved They Might Be Giants have been carving out their own path for three decades, continuously pushing the envelope and creating entirely new approaches to music along the way. The release of their first family album No! in 2002 opened new doors for the band and paved the way for other acts in the kid’s music genre. Today, the band releases a very special re-issue of the album on Idlewild Recordings to celebrate its 10-year anniversary. Complete with seven bonus tracks, including live and extended versions of old favorites, the No! Deluxe Edition Re-Issue is now available on iTunes and all other digital retailers.In addition to a mind-bending live version of “Robot Parade” and an energetic live recording of “Clap Your Hands,” the album contains a bonus extended version of adored album track “Alphabet of Nations.” For a sneak peak of the full album, check it out on AOL Spinner, where it will be streaming all week.TMBG is calling on fans across the globe to help create a brand new video for the track, and you can be part of the action! The band has asked fans from various countries to snap photos of their faces, their flags, and their culture, and post them to the band’s Tumblr or tag them with the hashtag #TMBGnation on Twitter. For full details, check out the band’s call-to-action video, and be sure to submit your photos by July 10th!After receiving critical acclaim for No!, They Might Be Giants joined forces with Disney Sound for their “Here Comes” CD and DVD series. 2005’s Here Come The ABCs was named “the year's best children's album” by Amazon.com, while the accompanying DVD was certified gold. Both sequels received GRAMMY nominations, with 2008’s Here Come The 123s earning the band their second GRAMMY Award, for “Best Children’s Album.” With four home-run kid’s releases under their belt, They Might Be Giants' special, and inevitably sold out, family shows have become extraordinary happenings; truly redefining the all-ages rock show at the most unlikely venues including The Museum of Natural History, the Hall of Science, The Kennedy Center and Royce Hall.Be sure to grab the special No! re-issue, and stay tuned for more from TMBG coming soon!
Organizers of the 8th annual Afropunk Festival are pleased to announce that the ‘Battle of the Bands’ competition is now open. The ‘Battle of the Bands’ contest uses both a social media (online) and a live performance component. The top two bands will perform at the Afropunk Festival on August 25 and August 26, 2012. In addition to the performance, the 1st place winner receives a prize package that includes a music video directed by filmmaker Terence Nance. The competition’s online component begins Monday, June 25, culminating with live performances from July 23 through July 26 (semi-finals), with the final battle scheduled for August 3. All performances take place at the Candy Factory in Brooklyn, New York. Bands wishing to compete are first required to register at Afropunk.com and create a band profile. From July 1 to July 14, bands must go to the ‘Battle of the Bands’ Facebook page to enter the contest. The top 16 bands with the most online votes via Facebook will face-off at the semi-finals held between July 23 and July 26, 2012. After a series of live performances, the top four bands will be chosen by audience applause and a panel of judges to compete in the finals on August 3, where the top two bands will be selected. All battle performances take place at the Candy Factory in Brooklyn, NY as well.Described by the New York Times as putting “rock and rebellion squarely in the category of African-American music,” the Afropunk Festival has become an influential Brooklyn-based focal point for the burgeoning Afropunk movement. Over the past seven years, the Afropunk Festival has established its position as a platform for musical artists on-the-verge of hitting it big, such as Grammy-nominated Santigold, The Noisettes and Janelle Monae. Afropunk mainstays like Saul Williams, The Dirtbombs, Mos Def, and Bad Brains have also graced Afropunk’s stages. This year, the Afropunk Festival is returning to Brooklyn’s Commodore Barry Park for the 8th Annual Afropunk Festival on August 25-26. The 2012 festival brings together its most stellar line-up yet, featuring a diverse mix of performers including Erykah Badu featuring the Cannibanoids, Gym Class Heroes, Janelle Monae, Das Racist, Skindred, Toro Y Moi, Reggie Watts, Spank Rock, Ninjasonik, Toshi Reagon, Straight Line Stitch, The Memorials, Bad Rabbits, Gordon Voidwell, Cerebral Ballzy, Phony Ppl, Body Language, and more to be added! In addition, the largest Street Skate and BMX showcase returns with the Nike Battle For the Streets Skate and BMX Competition. The event will feature the nation's best amateur skaters and BMX riders in a competition to be judged by top professionals in both sports.
Brooklyn’s beloved They Might Be Giants changed the face of children’s music in 2002 with the release of their first family album, No! Now, the band is calling on fans to help create a new music video for a bonus extended version of album track “Alphabet of Nations,” and they need your help! Teaming up with international children’s charity organization The Global Fund For Children and Emily Oberman of Pentagram NY, the guys are asking residents of countries named in the song to snap three photos: a portrait, their country’s flag, and an image that represents their culture, and post them to @tmbg on Twitter with the hashtag #TMBGnation or on the band’s Tumblr. Submissions are due by August 1st, so make sure to get your photos in! For more details, check out the band’s call-to-action video, and please re-post the video to spread the word!The bonus extended version of “Alphabet of Nations” appears on TMBG’s new deluxe edition re-issue of No!,released June 26th on Idlewild Recordings to celebrate the album’s 10-year anniversary. Available via iTunes and all other digital retailers, the album contains seven brand new bonus tracks. After the release of No!, They Might Be Giants saw continued success in the world of kid’s music with2005’s Here Come The ABCs and 2008’s Here Come The 123s, both which received GRAMMY nominations. Here Come The 123s went on to earn the band their second GRAMMY Award, for “Best Children’s Album.” Having solidified their position in children’s music, be sure to grab TMBG’s new re-issue and contribute your photos to the “Alphabet of Nations” video, premiering in September!
With their new album Ownerless debuting on Billboard's Top 100 “Heatseekers” chart (their highest-rated album debut to date), ATO Records band Everest has just premiered the album's first video. Drawn from the title track from the album, the “Ownerless” video made its world premiere on The Onion's AV Club.
“The first thing that came to mind for inspiration when listening to the song was this image of endless driving highway at night. That and black-and-white,” says director Adam Littke from The General Assembly. “The song has such a distinct mood that just sounded like ominous film noir to us. Out of that we sought to communicate the idea of escaping the trappings of the comfortable modern world and heading out into the vast freedom of nature.” Singer/guitarist Russ Pollard adds, “What I love most about this video is the sense of confusion, and much like the new album, its imagery is left to the interpretation of the viewer/listener. Nothing is over-served or forced, and it's darn pretty too.”
Formed by Russell Pollard (formerly of Sebadoh, The Folk Implosion, and Earlimart),Joel Graves and Jason Soda in 2007, Everest caught national attention with the release of 2010 sophomore album, On Approach. While the record helped propel them onto bigger stages and put them in front of bigger audiences, most of the band felt the record only scratched the surface of what they could do. Building on the strengths of the band’s previous two records, Ownerless finds them stretching out in new and previously unexplored directions. “This feels like the first real Everest record,” says Pollard, “It’s the natural result of years of touring and spending time together. It’s the result of years of late night conversations about what kind of band we want to be and what kind of music we want to step onstage and play every night. It’s the sound of us finally hitting our stride.”
Everest - Ownerless from The General Assembly on Vimeo.
The band is currently on tour this month with Alberta Cross and will be hitting the road again in November alongside Neil Young with Crazy Horse, with Los Lobos and Patti Smith on select dates.
Everest Tour Dates:
07/14: Louisville, KY @ Forecastle Festival
07/16: Nashville, TN - The High Watt #
07/17: St. Louis, MO @ Off Broadway #
07/19: Denver, CO @ Larimer Lounge #
07/22: San Diego, CA @ Casbah #
07/24: Los Angeles, CA @ Troubadour #
07/25: San Francisco, CA @ The Independent #
07/27: Portland, OR @ Peter's Room #
07/28: Seattle, WA @ The Crocodile #
07/29: Vancouver, CAN @ TBD #
08/09: Stateline, NV @ Harveys Lake Tahoe
11/10: Seattle, WA @ Key Arena *
11/26: Boston, MA @ TD Garden ^
11/27: New York, NY @ Madison Square Garden ^
11/29: Philadelphia, PA @ Wells Fargo Center ^
11/30: Fairfax, VA @ Patriot Center ^
12/03: Brooklyn, NY @ Barclay Center/Prudential Center ^
12/04: Bridgeport, CT @ Webster Bank Arena ^
# = Alberta Cross
* = Neil Young with Crazy Horse, Los Lobos
^ = Neil Young with Crazy Horse, Patti Smith
Following the release of 2011's critically acclaimed Weather, Meshell Ndegeocello announces the release of her 10th studio album, Pour une âme souveraine (“For a sovereign soul”), a dedication to fellow musician Nina Simone. Joined by musicians Chris Bruce (guitar), Jebin Bruni (keys) and Deantoni Parks (drums), the singer-songwriter, rapper, bassist, and vocalist reworked some of the tracks made famous by the iconic musician. Guests on the album include Sinead O'Connor, Lizz Wright, Valerie June, Tracy Wannomae, Toshi Reagon and Cody ChesnuTT. To celebrate the release of the album, Meshell is sharing the iconic track “Be My Husband,” which just premiered on NPR. Flush with stomps, claps and chants, Meshell is accompanied on vocals by New York singer-songwriter Valerie June.After only ten days in the studios of guitarist Pete Min, this album was born, reflecting Meshell's admiration for the pioneering work of an artist who refused to be owned by genre, industry, or expectation. As Meshell describes, this album is “a dedication to Nina Simone and her incredible influence but it is also a dedication to the single, interior life we all experience.” Revered by Meshell, Nina Simone was a powerful influence both musically and politically. Her music was highly instrumental in the fight for equal rights in the United States. “She wanted success, was pressured to make hits, but her own sound was still irrepressible,” explains Meshell. “She had things to say, she protested. She was a loud, proud black, female voice during a time when black female voices were not encouraged to make themselves heard.”Comprised of a mix of traditional classics (“Feelin' Good”), songs written by Nina Simone (“Real Real”), or for her (“To Be Young, Gifted and Black” by Weldon Irvine), the album represents a full spectrum of Nina Simone's work and life. From the pulsing of the traditional ballad “House Of The Rising Sun,” the velvety, soul filled vocals of “Feeling Good,” and a bluegrass duet with Sinead O'Connor in “Don’t Take All Night,” Meshell Ndegeocello gives a subtle spin to the tracks off the Pour une âme souveraine.“We really wanted to do something we felt was true to Nina Simone. By that realizing it meant we had to do what felt true to us,” says Chris Bruce, who co-produced the album along with Meshell and wrote the arrangements. “The aim was not to re-create the existing versions, because we felt strongly that the only way to honor Nina would be for Meshell to find her own voice in the material. Nina was always exploring and experimenting, and quite cathartic. If you are familiar with her work at all you will frequently find that there exist multiple versions of the same song. So we wanted to tap into that same creative spirit and make the songs our own. And in the end hopefully have something we feel she would appreciate and feel pride.”
Complete with a custom blend of synth-pop and stomps, The Mynabirds share “Disarm,” their second video from their recently released GENERALS (available now on Saddle Creek). The video just premiered on Rolling Stone and was co-directed by the album's producer Richard Swift. Laura Burhenn explains the strong political and personal message behind the track. “As I was writing this concept record about war and discord and what we can personally do in the face of so much tragedy...I started thinking about how issues in our personal lives play out on the larger scale -- and vice versa,” says Laura. “I see people struggling in their romantic relationships -- fists up and always ready for a fight. With that stance, what do they get? Endless fighting. And it seems the same where politics are concerned. I started thinking about the idea of disarming -- and simultaneously the idea of a person who is disarming. What characterizes a disarming person? They smile, they invite you in, they approach you with warmth -- with no arms or armor -- and that's what they get out of you. It's ultimately a real Zen approach to ending fighting on every level. Give the peace that you want to receive, and you will receive it. This one line of the song expresses this idea perfectly: 'You and I are a Siamese form, so what are we fighting for?'"The Mynabirds will be adding dates to their summer tour, hitting the road along with Okkervil River this August. Filled with rainbows, truckstop unicorn t-shirts, and bowling alley whiskey shots, The Mynabirds have also released a fun little tour doc set to “Body of Work” and directed by Bliss Braoudakis. Click HERE to watch the video. Check out the dates below to catch The Mynabirds on tour.Catch The Mynabirds On Tour!07/25: Memphis, TN @ Hi-Tone Cafe07/26: New Orleans, LA @ Circle Bar07/27: Houston, TX @ Rudyard's07/28: Austin, TX @ The Mohawk07/30: Phoenix, AZ @ The Crescent Ballroom07/31: Los Angeles, CA @ Satellite Club8/1: San Francisco, CA @ Cafe du Nord08/03: Seattle, WA @ Barboza 08/04-08/05: Happy Valley, OR – Pickathon08/07: Boise, ID @ Neurolux 08/08: Salt Lake City, UT @ Kilby Court08/09: Denver, CO @ Hi Dive08/11: Omaha, NE @ MAHA Music Festival08/24: Baton Rouge, LA @ Spanish Moon *08/25: Mobile, AL @ Alabama Music Box *08/27: Charlotte, NC @ Visulite Theatre *08/28: Charlottesville, VA @ Jefferson Theater *08/29: Baltimore, MD @ Ram's Head *08/30: Pittsburgh, PA @ Mr. Smalls *
In commemoration and celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the iconic venue Preservation Hall, the prolific New Orleans jazz legends Preservation Hall Jazz Band are set to release a live recording of the band's acclaimed January 7th performance at Carnegie Hall. Entitled St. Peter and 57th (September 25, Rounder Records), the album will feature a number of special guests from an assortment of genres including, George Wein, Del McCoury Band, Allen Toussaint, Ed Helms, GIVERS, Steve Earle, Tao Seeger, My Morning Jacket, Trombone Shorty, Yasiin Bey (aka Mos Def), King Britt, Blind Boys of Alabama, and Merrill Garbus of tUnE-yArDs. This performance was a family reunion in many ways, as Preservation Hall Jazz Band have previously worked with each of their guest musicians over the course of the past 7 years, continuing their mission to preserve and perpetuate traditional New Orleans-Style Jazz. The concert was orchestrated to benefit the Preservation Hall Music Outreach Program, directly supporting the passing of the musical and cultural traditions of New Orleans to the city's next generation of musicians. A portion of the proceeds from the album will also benefit the program. The band is also sharing "St. James Infirmary, Part 1" featuring My Morning Jacket's Jim James, which just premiered on Pitchfork. Additionally on September 25th, the band will be releasing The Preservation Hall 50th Anniversary Collection box set on Legacy Recordings, featuring a deluxe 4-CD, 58-track collection drawing from 19 albums (including 5 previously unissued tracks) that were released between 1962 and 2010.
Continuing the hullabaloo, Preservation Hall Jazz Band will be celebrating the 80th Birthday of clarinetist, saxophonist and flutist Charlie Gabriel at their Brooklyn, NY performance at Brooklyn Bowl on August 3rd. Gabriel is a fourth-generation New Orleans jazz musician, raised in a classically trained musical family that emigrated from Santo Domingo in the 1850s. At the age of eleven, Gabriel began playing professionally with the Eureka Jazz Band. Spanning the course of his career, Gabriel has shared the stage with musical legends Tony Bennett, Frankie Avalon, Brenda Lee, Mary Wells, Aretha Franklin, Eddie Willis, Joe Hunter, and many other early Motown artists. Gabriel continues to follow in the footsteps of Preservation Hall Jazz Band/New Orleans' greatest clarinetists including George Lewis, Willie Humphrey, David Grillier, Manuel Crusto, and Ralph Johnson.
The Preservation Hall Jazz Band has been carrying the distinctive sound of New Orleans jazz around the world on behalf of Preservation Hall, a unique venue that embodies the city’s musical legacy. With a cast of musicians schooled through first-hand experience and apprenticeship into the music’s historic traditions, the PHJB has served as an irreplaceable, vital link to the earliest days of one of America’s most beloved forms of popular music.
Nearly two years since the release of the band's last album Play Thing, The Cringe is on the cusp of releasing their eagerly awaited fourth and most accomplished album, Hiding In Plain Sight on October 9th. The album was produced by the band as a team, with engineering by Steve Hardy (Vertical Horizon) and mixing by Hardy and Jon Kaplan (Augustana, Parachute). In honor of the announcement of their album, The Cringe is sharing their first track, “Rushing Through The World,” which just premiered on GuitarWorld.
The Cringe features John Cusimano on vocals, keyboards and rhythm guitar, celebrated drummer Shawn Pelton (SNL Band, Sheryl Crow), lead guitarist and singer James “Roto” Rotondi (Mr. Bungle, Air, The Grassy Knoll) and bassist Jonny Blaze (Tina Parol, Alice Smith).
From the down-and-dirty, D-Generation-style boogie rock of “Gotta Find A Way” to the Neil Young-like super ballad “Make Me Something,” the songs on Hiding in Plain Sight certainly do not hide their eclectic intentions. “Rushing Through the World,” an unholy alliance of Rage Against the Machine-era riff rock and King Crimson-style lattice-work, is an almost Buddhist appeal to turn inward before we blow up the outside world: “It’s a sin we all commit/We’re running from ourselves, lost again from where there’s stillness.”
Like some lost gem conjoining the guts of Raw Power with the headiness of Superunknown, “Get Me Some” tells a ‘70s-inspired New York story of 100-degreee summer nights and Alphabet City sleaze: “Bad blood downtown/picks me up and drags me down/sweating bullets like a loaded gun/Warm and dangerous all in one/I’m gonna get me some.” “Lord Jim,” with its stacks of minor chords and odd-time blues riffs, suggests Cream by way of Kyuss, its heaviosity underscored by lyrics that probe the terrors of a downward spiral: “The thunder moves/Your thumbs will screw/The black horse bears down on you.”
Through the band's career, they have accumulated a devoted fan base and won over fellow artists such as Bob Schneider, Vertical Horizon, and Sister Hazel, all of whom have invited The Cringe to accompany them on tour. They have additionally hit the stage alongside acts such as The New York Dolls, The Hold Steady, The Bravery and Fuel. Next week, the band will be adding Trapt to their list as they announce tour dates (below). Perhaps the biggest fan of the band is food celebrity and alt-rock aficionado Rachael Ray, who married Cusimano in 2005.
With powerful tracks like these, it’s going to be increasingly difficult for the Cringe to fly under the radar much longer. . .
Catch The Cringe on Tour with Trapt!
07/31: Kansas City, MO @ Beaumont Club
08/01: Waterloo, IA @ Spicoli's
08/05: South Bend, IN @ Club Landing
08/07: Ducannon, PA @ Rock Kat
08/09: Cleveland, OH @ Peabody's
Track List
- Rushing Through The World
- Finally Gonna Be On Your Own
- Deep Girl
- One Horse Town
- Gotta Find A Way
- Make Me Something
- Gimme Resurrection
- Get Me Some
- Lord Jim
- Blame It All On Me
- String You Along So Long
BOYS NOIZE is proud to bring a full live show to America and announces his first ever USA live tour in16 cities, starting on November 23rd in Florida. He'll makes stops in Washington, New York, Philadelphia, Boston, Chicago, SF, LA and ending it in December with two Texas dates. The pre-sales start on Wednesday August 8th and the public on sale date is upcoming Saturday August 11 at 12pm. Please see full date and on-sale info HERE. (Also more info below). Earlier, on October 6th Boys Noize will play his first live performance in Berlin, at the start of an extensive 25-city European live tour.Boys Noize first single in about 3 years, "XTC" and the MMM Remix, of his third album Out Of The Black is released now. The new album is to be released on October 2nd worldwide via his own label Boysnoize Records. Complex Magazine premiered "XTC" last week and called it "ridiculously catchy". The first rousing album track “What You Want” was revealed by Rolling Stone (SoundCloud HERE). Alex Ridha - aka Boys Noize - is a Berlin-based producer, DJ and label owner who started producing and DJing at a very early age and is known internationally as a one of the most valued electronic artists (Independent Music Award in 2010 and 3 consecutive times Best Electronic Artist on Beatport). The new album perfectly bridges the gap between his previous two efforts Oi Oi Oi and POWER; providing the requisite in-your-face electro bang of classic Boys Noize on tracks like “What You Want”, “Rocky 2” and “XTC”, or more melodic songs like "Ich R U“ and “Reality“. At a time when mainstream electronic music, particularly the pervasive cultures of EDM and dubstep, have moved dance music out of the clubs and into the stadiums, Ridha is quick to acknowledge the old school house and acid records that shaped him as a DJ; the very same records that continue to bubble up as an influence on Out Of The Black. Alex Ridha is at the heart of Boysnoize Records and BNR Trax that involves a roster of over 100 releases by more than a dozen different artists (Spank Rock, The Faint, Mixhell, Strip Steve, Housemeister and 17-year old SCNTST etc). Along releasing two long players Oi Oi Oi and POWER with contemporary anthems "&Down," "Don't Believe The Hype" and "Jeffer" he's had numerous releases with Mr. Oizo (aka Handbraekes), Erol Alkan, Jarvis Cocker and more. Boys Noize has been on the forefront of remixing indie artists like Feist’s “My Moon, My Man,” long before it was a custom to remix non-dance tracks. Other remixes range from the likes of David Lynch, N.E.R.D, Depeche Mode, Snoop Dogg, Daft Punk, The Chemical Brothers to name a few. Having worked with Scissor Sisters, Gonzales, Spank Rock, Santigold and Kelis, the highly sought after producer, is ready to show the world his best work to date. Boys Noize Live (*) and DJ Dates: http://boysnoize.com/dates 8/31 – Las Vegas, NV (USA) @ Haze9/01 – Mexico City (MEX) @ Auditorio Blackberry9/02 – New York, NY (USA) @ Electric Zoo Festival10/06 – Berlin (GER) @ Columbiahalle *10/09 – Glasgow (UK) @ O2 ABC *10/11 – Dublin (IRL) @ Academy *10/12 – Manchester (UK) @ TBA *10/13 – London (UK) @ Coronet *10/17 – Zurich (CH) @ Maag Halle *10/18 – Geneva (CH) @ Salle des Fetes de Thonex *10/19 – Lille (FR) @ Fantastic Festival *10/20 – Nantes (FR) @ Stereolux *10/23 – Oslo (N) @ Rockefeller *10/24 – Stockholm (SWE) @ Arenan *10/25 – Copenhagen (DK) @ Vega *10 /27– Vienna (AUSTRIA) @ Gasometer *10/28 – Bologna (IT) @ Link *10/31 – Milan (IT) @ Limelight *11/01 – Lyon (FR) @ La Sucriere *11/02 – Paris (FR) @ La Cigale *11/03 – Toulouse (FR) @ Le Bikini *11/04 – Nimes (FR) @ Paloma *11/08 – Madrid (SP) @ Arena *11/13 – Amsterdam (NL) @ Paradiso *11/14 – Cologne (GER) @ E-Werk *11/15 – Hamburg (GER) @ Docks *11/17 – Munich (GER) @ Kesselhaus *11/23 - Fort Lauderdale, FL (USA) @ Revolution *11/24 – Orlando, FL (USA) @ House of Blues *11/28 – Washington, DC (USA) @ Fillmore *11/30 - New York, NY (USA) @ Roseland Ballroom * 12/01 – Philadelphia, PA (USA) @ TLA *12/02 – Boston, MA (USA) @ House of Blues *12/06 – Montreal (CAN) @ Telus Theatre *12/07 - Toronto (CAN) @ Sound Academy *12/08 – Chicago, IL (USA) @ Aragon * 12/10 - St. Louis, MO (USA) @ Pageant *12/14 – Oakland, CA (USA) @ Fox Theatre *12/15 - Los Angeles, CA (USA) @ Palladium *12/16 - San Diego, CA (USA) @ House of Blues *12/18 – Denver, CO (USA) @ Fillmore *12/20 – Dallas, TX (USA) @ House of Blues *12/21 – Houston, TX (USA) @ House of Blues *
The Afropunk Festival is returning to Brooklyn’s Commodore Barry Park for the 8th Annual Afropunk Festival on August 25-26. The 2012 festival brings together its most stellar musical line-up yet, featuring a diverse mix of performers including Erykah Badu featuring the Cannibanoids, TV on the Radio, Gym Class Heroes, Alice Smith, Janelle Monae, Das Racist, Skindred, Toro Y Moi, Sinkane, Reggie Watts, Spank Rock, Ninjasonik, Toshi Reagon, Straight Line Stitch, The Memorials, Bad Rabbits, Gordon Voidwell, Cerebral Ballzy, Phony Ppl, Body Language, Sinkane, Flatbush Zombies, Radkey, Joe Jordan Experiment (JJX), Purple Ferdinand, and DJs The Supasonics, Grits and Biscuits, DJ Pete Smoke Les, Roofeo and VENUS X GHE20GOTH1K. In addition to the stellar musical line up – the fest will feature over a dozen of NYC’s hottest food trucks for the Bites & Beats Food Truck Festival, bringing cuisine from around the world and the 5 boroughs. The line up includes: Rickshaw Dumpling, Mexicue, Eddie’s Pizza, Green Pirate Juice, Korilla BBQ, Kelvin Natural Sushi Co., Valducci’s Pizza, Bian Dang Taiwanese, Fishing Shrimp, Frites N Meats, Snap, Gorilla Cheese Truck, Morris Grilled Cheese, Jamaican Dutchy, Van Leeuwen Ice Cream, Wooly’s Ice, Taim Falafel, Desi Food Truck, Cupcake Crew, plus more!The AFROPUNK SPINTHRIFT MARKET will feature over 80 local artists and artisans offering fashion, crafts and art with a fresh alternative perspective. Come ready to support the DIY community at the hottest market of the summer showcasing the dynamic talent and energy of the Afro-Punk family. Vendors include Junkprints, Biddies & Blokes Secondhand Garb, Funkydada, Martine's Dream, Nakimuli, Made By Toti, The Meat Market, Wonder Lee, Noir A-Go Go, Kings Rule Together, BKLYN BOIHOOD, Dallas & Dynasty, Kelly Horrigan Handmade, Shawng Original, Candid Art, Robin's All Natural, Melody's Addiction + More!Adding to the fun is a custom bike show with some of the best motorcycles around! Gentleman’s Shop and Denim and Chrome will present a custom motorcycle show at the festival that will include bikes by Chaos Cycle, Indian Larry Legacy, M & D Performance, Industry Customs, Steve Iacona, and many others! In addition, Nike Battle For the Streets Skate Competition will feature the nation’s best amateur skaters in a competition to be judged by top professionals and hosted by Alex Corporan and Billy Rohan. Described by the New York Times as putting “rock and rebellion squarely in the category of African-American music,” the Afropunk Fest has become a Brooklyn institution and the focal point for the burgeoning Afropunk movement. Over the past eight years, the festival has presented new artists before they hit it big, such as Grammy-nominated Santigold, The Noisettes and Janelle Monae. Afropunk mainstays such as Mos Def, Bad Brains, Saul Williams, The Dirtbombs, and TV on the Radio have also graced AFROPUNK’s stages. In addition, the festival is renowned for its pioneering lifestyle sports competition in the heart of Brooklyn. 
Regrettably, last year’s festival was cancelled due to Hurricane Irene. The storm almost put an end to the Afropunk Festival, but through the organizations’ dedication and hard work, and the support of this year’s sponsors which include Nike, vitaminwater, Kind Snacks, and media sponsors The Fader, WNYC, and Yelp, the festival is back delivering the best music, food, culture and sports—and still free to the public! Afropunk was founded in 2002 wås on giving a voice to thousands of multicultural kids considered outsiders in their communities. Today, the notion of Afropunk has evolved and comprises a particular force within greater youth culture. Afropunkers are creative, expressive people who speak through music, art, film, sports, fashion, photography and more.
On the heels of The Cringe's tour dates with Trapt and in anticipation of their upcoming album Hiding In Plain Sight (out October 9th on Listen Records), The Cringe share “String You Along So Long,” which just premiered on AOL's Noisecreep. Set to a prog-punk musical landscape, the track is a “middle-finger to the corporate media assault that insinuates itself into every aspect our lives and minds,” says guitarist James Rotondi.From the down-and-dirty, D-Generation-style boogie rock of “Gotta Find A Way” to the Neil Young-like super ballad “Make Me Something,” the songs on Hiding in Plain Sight certainly do not hide their eclectic intentions. “Rushing Through the World,” an unholy alliance of Rage Against the Machine-era riff rock and King Crimson-style lattice-work, is an almost Buddhist appeal to turn inward before we blow up the outside world: “It’s a sin we all commit/We’re running from ourselves, lost again from where there’s stillness.”Through the band's career, they have accumulated a devoted fan base and won over fellow artists such as Bob Schneider, Vertical Horizon, and Sister Hazel, all of whom have invited The Cringe to accompany them on tour. They have additionally hit the stage alongside acts such as The New York Dolls, The Hold Steady, The Bravery and Fuel. Perhaps the biggest fan of the band is food celebrity and alt-rock aficionado Rachael Ray, who married lead singer John Cusimano in 2005. Be sure to check out the sampler below for a sneak peek at Hiding In Plain Sight. Check out the album sampler HERE for a sneak peek at their upcoming album
Fifty years after a former art gallery on St. Peter Street became a haven and platform for the surviving musicians who made New Orleans the birthplace of jazz, The Preservation Hall 50th Anniversary Collection box set celebrates their contributions. This deluxe 4-CD, 58-track collection will be available September 25 through Legacy Recordings, a division of Sony Music Entertainment. Today Preservation Hall Jazz Band is sharing “C.C. Rider” from the box set, which just premiered on Paste. The Preservation Hall 50th Anniversary Collection includes five previously unissued tracks that were recorded at Allen Toussaint’s Sea-Saint Studios over the years: “In The Evening (When The Sun Goes Down)” (1967); “Precious Lord” (1970); “C. C. Rider” (1981); and “I Get The Blues When It Rains” and “Nellie Grey” (both 1986). After Hurricane Katrina ravaged the state-of-the-art studios in 2005, Preservation Hall producer and musician Ben Jaffe (son of original producer, Preservation Hall Jazz Band member and founder Allan Jaffe) was able to recover many of the tapes and restore a portion of the music. Also on September 25, Rounder Records will release a new album recorded by the Preservation Hall Jazz Band in January at Carnegie Hall. St. Peter and 57th will feature a variety of special guests from many musical genres. In presenting its comprehensive history, The Preservation Hall 50th Anniversary Collection draws from 19 albums (and one bonus CD) that were recorded and released between 1962 and 2010, on the Atlantic Records, CBS Records, Sony Music, and Preservation Hall Recordings labels. Tracks are sequenced in non-chronological order, so the listener can appreciate the seamless transitions of the music and the musicians’ lineups from decade to decade. In many ways, The Preservation Hall 50th Anniversary Collection is a family’s story, and a tribute to Allan Jaffe (1935-1987). A trained musician from Pennsylvania, Jaffe frequently visited New Orleans when he served as a GI in the 1950s at Fort Polk, about four hours northwest of the Crescent City. He and his newlywed wife emigrated there in 1961, and fell into the second line of a parade that wound up at an art gallery. The owner actively promoted jam sessions at his gallery by the elder founding fathers of jazz. Most of them were born in the late 19th century, and had few outlets for their pure jazz (not Dixieland!) in the postwar era of the 1950s.
When Allan Jaffe died from melanoma in 1986, at age 51, Ben writes “It left a wide open hole in our immediate family and at Preservation Hall.” A trained bassist whose life was inextricably bound up with the band, Ben went off to Oberlin College in 1989. Upon his graduation four years later, “I returned to New Orleans to manage the Hall and tour and record with the band on string bass. I was 22.” Under Ben’s guidance, the Preservation Hall Jazz Band flourished in the ’90s and the ’00s, continuing to release new albums, and becoming a worldwide touring attraction. They perform some 100 shows a year, bringing traditional New Orleans jazz to old and new audiences in the U.S. and on foreign soil. Ben lamented the passing of two childhood heroes, Percy Humphrey in 1994 (age 89) and his brother Willie Humphrey in 1995 (age 95). Banjo mentor Narvin Kimball passed away not long after Katrina; and the great John Brunious died in 2008 (age 67).
“I get great pleasure,” Ben writes, “out of a song that has been interpreted, reinterpreted and performed for years and is still as fresh and new as the day it was born… That's something music does… stretch time, overlap traditions, change history… New Orleans Music is meaningful... It is vital and full of life. It can be happy and joyous. It can be sad and mournful. It has no language barrier. It delivers a universal message we, the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, carry with us everywhere we travel.”
My Morning Jacket will take the stage of the historic Capitol Theater in Port Chester, NY for three consecutive nights in continuation of their Spontaneous Curation Series. To keep with the spirit of the series, no songs will repeat for each of these performances. The renowned landmark, built in 1926, once housed acts such as The Grateful Dead (18 years in a one-year span from 1970-1971), Pink Floyd, Rolling Stones, David Bowie, The Dead, among others and was was recently re-opened this past year. In conjunction with each night of the show, every Capitol Theater ticket buyer will receive a complimetnary download which will be delivered shortly after each performance.
Two days later, My Morning Jacket will make their way up the east coast for an unforgettable New Year's Eve performance at Agganis Arena, with support for the ledgendary Preservation Hall Jazz Band. The special New Years Eve show will not take part of the Spontaneous Curation Series in order to ensure an evening full of surprises.
Pre-sale tickets for all four shows will be available to the band's fan club Roll Call Wednesday at via mymornngjacket.com. Tickets for Capitol Theater will go on sale to the general public, Friday at 10am EST via ticketfly.com. Tickets for Agganis Arena will be available to the general public, Friday at 12 noon via ticketmaster.com.
Catch My Morning Jacket on the following dates:
12/27: Port Chester, NY @ The Capitol Theatre #
12/28: Port Chester, NY @ The Capitol Theatre #
12/29: Port Chester, NY @ The Capitol Theatre #
12/31: Boston, MA @ Agganis Arena %
# = with special guest TBA
% = with support by Preservation Hall Jazz Band
Jim James, lead singer/songwriter for popular band My Morning Jacket will be joined by the band's guitarist & multi-instrumentalist Carl Broemel in a visit to Keene, New Hampshire for a rare solo performance on behalf of the Obama campaign on Monday, October 1st, 2012. The concert will take place at the Colonial Theater, with doors opening at 7:00pm. Opening for Jim James and Carl Broemel will be Craig Finn of The Hold Steady. The concert will help raise awareness about what's at stake this election for young Americans.President Obama has a clear plan to create jobs, and continue to move us forward – and he's already made it easier for young adults to afford health care, doubled funding for Pell Grants, ended the discriminatory Don’t Ask Don’t Tell policy and advanced pay equity for women. In a sharp contrast, Mitt Romney’s policies will give tax breaks to millionaires and billionaires and return us to the failed policies of the past, while turning the clock backwards for women and telling students that when it comes to college costs, "they’re on their own."On his support for the President's reelection campaign, Jim James says, "It is so crucial for us all to work together to help build on and continue the progress we have been making under President Obama's leadership - to get America to be a land that takes care of its own and provides equal opportunity to all - regardless of gender, race, or creed. I believe in President Obama's vision for America - at home and as a better friend to the world - and want to help raise awareness of the importance of a person's right to vote."The complimentary concert is part of the campaign's “For All” initiative, whose mission is to engage and maximize participation from young Americans. “For All” illustrates the shared values of the President and young Americans across the country: that if we work together, we can continue to move this country forward.The collective voices of young people drive this campaign through student to student, peer to peer and neighbor to neighbor outreach, organization and communication about the issues they care about. From expanding access to affordable, quality health care, to ensuring more students can attend college, to standing up for our country’s servicemen and women, to advancing equal rights, President Obama has proven time and again that he is committed to issues important to young Americans. What: New Hampshire for Obama Concert with My Morning Jacket’s Jim James and opening act The Hold Steady's Craig FinnWhen: Monday, October 1st. Doors open at 7:00 pm.Where: Colonial Theater, 95 Main Street, Keene, NH
Following the release of 2011's critically acclaimed Weather, Meshell Ndegeocello releases her 10th studio album, Pour une âme souveraine (“For a sovereign soul”), a dedication to fellow musician Nina Simone today. Joined by musicians Chris Bruce (guitar), Jebin Bruni (keys) and Deantoni Parks (drums), the singer-songwriter, rapper, bassist, and vocalist reworked some of the tracks made famous by the iconic musician. Guests on the album include Sinead O'Connor, Lizz Wright, Valerie June, Tracy Wannomae, Toshi Reagon and Cody ChesnuTT. Order your copy of the album on iTunes HERE or on Amazon HERE.After only ten days in the studios of guitarist Pete Min, this album was born, reflecting Meshell's admiration for the pioneering work of an artist who refused to be owned by genre, industry, or expectation. As Meshell describes, this album is “a dedication to Nina Simone and her incredible influence but it is also a dedication to the single, interior life we all experience.” Revered by Meshell, Nina Simone was a powerful influence both musically and politically. Her music was highly instrumental in the fight for equal rights in the United States. “She wanted success, was pressured to make hits, but her own sound was still irrepressible,” explains Meshell. “She had things to say, she protested. She was a loud, proud black, female voice during a time when black female voices were not encouraged to make themselves heard.”Comprised of a mix of traditional classics (“Feelin' Good”), songs written by Nina Simone (“Real Real”), or for her (“To Be Young, Gifted and Black” by Weldon Irvine), the album represents a full spectrum of Nina Simone's work and life. From the pulsing of the traditional ballad “House Of The Rising Sun,” the velvety, soul filled vocals of “Feeling Good,” and a bluegrass duet with Sinead O'Connor in “Don’t Take All Night,” Meshell Ndegeocello gives a subtle spin to the tracks off the Pour une âme souveraine.“We really wanted to do something we felt was true to Nina Simone. By that realizing it meant we had to do what felt true to us,” says Chris Bruce, who co-produced the album along with Meshell and wrote the arrangements. “The aim was not to re-create the existing versions, because we felt strongly that the only way to honor Nina would be for Meshell to find her own voice in the material. Nina was always exploring and experimenting, and quite cathartic. If you are familiar with her work at all you will frequently find that there exist multiple versions of the same song. So we wanted to tap into that same creative spirit and make the songs our own. And in the end hopefully have something we feel she would appreciate and feel pride.”Track List1. Please Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood2. Suzanne3. Real Real feat. Toshi Reagon4. House of the Rising Sun feat. Toshi Reagon5. Turn Me On6. Feelin’ good7. Don’t Take All Night feat. Sinead O’Connor8. Nobody’s Fault But Mine feat. Lizz Wright9. Be My Husband feat. Valerie June10. Black is the Color of My True Loves Hair feat. Valerie June11. See Line Woman feat. Tracy Wannomae12. Either Way I Lose13. To Be Young, Gifted and Black feat. Cody ChesnuTT14. Four WomenMeshell Ndegeocello Tour Dates10/14: Washington, DC @ The Howard Theatre10/15: Philadelphia, PA @ World Cafe Live10/16: New York, NY @ Highline Ballroom10/19: Durham, NC @ Duke University, Reynolds Industry Theater10/20: Durham, NC @ Motorco Music Hall Theater11/23: Chicago, IL @ Old Town School of Folk Music12/01: Detroit, MI @ Detroit Music Hall Center for the Performing Arts12/04: Austin, TX @ One World Theater12/07: Los Angeles, CA @ UCLA Live12/09: San Francisco, CA @ Great American Music Hall12/12: Portland, OR @ Mission Theater
Paxahau, producers of the world famous Movement Festival in Detroit, have teamed up with two of modern dance music's brightest stars, Grammy-winner Skrillex and German electro god Boys Noize to ring in the new year with The Bang. The headliners are bringing friends from OWSLA and Boyznoize Records to the birthplace of techno for what is sure to be an unforgettable night. A Dynamic lineup featuring Skrillex, Boys Noize, Flosstradamus, Alvin Risk, D.I.M., and Destructo will be taking over the Palace of Auburn Hills in Detroit on December 31st. Tickets for the monstrous party go on sale this Friday Oct 26 at 2:00 PM EST via www.BangNYE.com … VIP ticketing and hotel packages are available through CID Entertainment.Boys Noize released his third studio album Out Of The Black earlier this month to great response with the stand out tracks "What You Want", "XTC", "Ich R U" and the collaboration with Snoop Dogg "Got It". You can hear/share the full album HERE and buy it HERE.Following the show, HARD is putting on an intimate after party to celebrate their 5 year anniversary with a very special guest performance. Lineup and ticketing details will be announced Wednesday Nov 7. FOR TICKETS AND INFORMATION GO HERE: www.bangnye.com
"I wanted the album to sound like it came from a different place in time," says Jim James. "Perhaps sounding as if it were the past of the future, if that makes any sense—like a hazy dream that a fully-realized android or humanoid capable of thought might have when it reminisces about the good old days of just being a simple robot.""I take walks a lot," says James, "and as I walk, songs kind of build in my mind, and I start adding and subtracting things. So I had a full vision for a lot of the songs on this album before I even recorded one note." These visions have now manifested as Regions of Light and Sound of God, the first solo album from the singer, songwriter, and guitarist for My Morning Jacket, which will be released February 5th on ATO Records. Over the course of fifteen years and six studio albums, James has been the focal point of a group that has grown into one of the most acclaimed and successful rock and roll bands in the world. With this project, he reaches into new territory that extends, but doesn't break from, MMJ's accomplishments.Until now, James had never felt the call to create a longer-form album on his own. "I’m very lucky to play in a band with guys that I love, who are great at what they do," he says, "so on MMJ records, I don’t have a need to play bass or keys or what have you. But as a person and as a musician, I love to play every instrument under the sun, and I wanted to make a record where I played all the instruments and produced/engineered it myself."The results are nine songs that resist easy categorization, from the hazy space-funk of the opening "State of the Art (A.E.I.O.U.)" to the chiming, operatic pop of "A New Life." On Regions of Light and Sound of God, nothing is what it seems—touchstones from old-school R&B or island folk or hip-hop flicker into focus and then disappear; a delicate instrumental is titled "Exploding." It's complex but cohesive, intimate and hypnotic where My Morning Jacket might turn more wide-screen and epic.For Regions of Light and Sound of God, there was one specific source that shaped many of the songs, and even figures into the album title—a pioneering 1929 graphic novel called God’s Man, by Lynd Ward. Told entirely through wordless woodcuts, the book chronicles an artist’s struggle with temptation and corruption, along with finding true love. As work on the album proceeded, James was inspired to write music that could accompany the book. “God's Man came to me at a very important time,” he says. “Some of the things happening in the book were happening to me in real life, in a very strange and painful, then a very beautiful way.”Solo albums by members of bands, especially lead singers, can often be scattershot, collections of odds and ends built up over the years with no true sense of purpose. But Regions of Light and Sound of God is precisely the opposite—the clarity with which Jim James came into this album rings from first note to last.“The album knew what it wanted to be,” says James. “The songs would tell me what they wanted to be, and I just had to search around and find those sounds to bring them into this world.”
Preservation Hall Jazz Band are no strangers to the disastrous aftermath of a hurricane, having endured Hurricane Katrina in 2005, that left their hometown of New Orleans in shambles. Following Katrina, Preservation Hall Jazz Band launched Renew Orleans, along with partners Ropeadope and Okayplayer. The project raised over $80,000 for local musicians. In additional to the financial support, the shirts captured the pride and determination of the people of New Orleans. In the wake of Hurricane Sandy, that put millions of people in danger, and hurt the lives and livelihood of thousands of artists and musicians, Preservation Hall Jazz Band has partnered up with Ropeadope, Okayplayer, The Jazz Foundation of America, and the NYC Food Truck Association to form Renew York and aid those affected by the tragedy.T-shirts will be on sale to raise as much money needed for artists and musicians that were affected. Shirts will be sold online and at select outlets, with 40% of the gross sale going directly to organizations providing relief for those affected by the storm.The Preservation Hall Jazz Band has been carrying the distinctive sound of New Orleans jazz around the world on behalf of Preservation Hall, a unique venue that embodies the city’s musical legacy. With a cast of musicians schooled through first-hand experience and apprenticeship into the music’s historic traditions, the PHJB has served as an irreplaceable, vital link to the earliest days of one of America’s most beloved forms of popular music. This September, the band released their box set, The 50th Anniversary Collection, as well as their live album from their acclaimed Carnegie Hall Performance, St. Peter & 57th Street.
Brooklyn’s beloved They Might Be Giants continue to create their own way. For many years the band has made a tradition of creating special sale packages for holiday gift giving. This year they raised the bar to a new level with a brand new Holiday Bundle.The set includes: * A brand new 24 song video DVD called Them Ain’t Big Eye Ants with rare clips from Home Movies and Homestar Runner, as well as TMBG’s joyous cover of Tubthumping with the AV Club Choir. * A deck of custom playing cards--Paranormal, Cryptids, Hoaxes and Myths--created in collaboration with reknown graphic design superstar Paul Sahre featured on Laughing Squid. * A set of intriguing reprints of original TMBG show fliers from their club years. * A New Year’s Eve shirt with Tony Millionaire's Drinky Crow, a travel mug, plus 3 small mystery items.As a gift to fans, the bundle is available for 50% off its retail value. Over 1500 of the 2500 limited edition sold in the first three days. It will be available through November 19, or until the remaining 1000 are sold.Following a series of phenomenal family projects which earned them a “Best Children’s Album” GRAMMY Award for 2008’s Here Come The 123s and a nomination for 2009’s Here Comes Science, TMBG released a new widely acclaimed adult record Join Us in 2011. The group is now back in the studio putting final touches on a powerhouse of a new adult record due out early next year. Known for their energized live show and love of the road, the band will kick off a 50-date national and Australian tour in support of the new record on February 27. Fans in NYC will have several chances to experience the band’s explosive live show one more time in 2012 at their three New Year’s shows at Brooklyn’s Music Hall of Williamsburg.NYC New Years Shows12/29: Brooklyn, NY @ Music Hall of Williamsburg12/30: Brooklyn, NY @ Music Hall of Williamsburg12/31: Brooklyn, NY @ Music Hall of Williamsburg TMBG National Tour Dates – First Leg2/27: Portland, ME @ Port City Music Hall2/28: Burlington, VT @ Higher Ground3/1: Rochester, NY @ Historic German House3/2: Columbus, OH @ Newport Music Hall3/3: Cincinnati, OH @ Madison Theatre3/5: Louisville, KY @ Headliners3/6: Nashville, TN @ Cannery Ballroom3/7: Birmingham, AL @ Workplay Theatre3/8: New Orleans, LA @ HOB3/9: Houston, TX @ HOB3/ 12: Dallas, TX @ HOB3/13: Tulsa, OK @ Cain's Ballroom3/14: Columbia, MO @ The Blue Note3/15: St Louis, MO @ The Pageant3/16: Chicago, IL @ Vic Theater3/17: Cleveland, OH @ Beachland Ballroom3/19: Detroit, MI @ Majestic Theater3/20: Pittsburgh, PA @ Mr Small's3/21: Tarrytown, NY @ Tarrytown Music Hall3/22: Huntington, NY @ The Paramount4/3: Boston, MA @ Paradise Rock Club4/4: Boston, MA @ Paradise Rock Club4/5: Philadelphia, PA @ Theatre of Living Arts4/6: Baltimore, MD @ Ram's Head Live4/7: Richmond, VA @ The National4/9: Charlottesville, VA @ Jefferson Theatre4/10: Carrboro, NC @ Cat's Cradle4/11: Charleston, SC @ Music Farm4/12: Asheville, NC @ Orange Peel4/13: Atlanta, GA @ Variety Playhouse4/14: Atlanta, GA @ Variety Playhouse
Movement becomes contagious listening to Superhuman Happiness’ first full-length album, Hands, which will be released March 5, 2013, on The Royal Potato Family. Today, Superhuman Happiness is sharing “See Me On My Way” the first single, which just premiered on Rolling Stone. The band will also be releasing the original motion picture score for How To Survive A Plague, for which they are joined by Kronos Quartet, out on December 4, 2012.The relentlessly creative band, whose sound has been dubbed "physical cinematic dance music," captured the magic of their electrifying live performances at Seaside Lounge in Brooklyn. The outcome is a collection of songs that run the gamut from syncopated claps that represent the world’s earliest music to the coronation grandeur of church bells, art-pop dance beats, disco slides, math rock angularity and life-affirming emotions that reflect the band's moniker. "Our friend Tatiana thought of the name Superhuman Happiness while riding her bike on the beach with her eyes closed," explains bandleader Stuart Bogie. "I realized that was the feeling we were trying to pursue with this band."The lyrics to Superhuman Happiness songs come at you in a flurry of pop sensibility but, like the ideas that inspired the entire album, they lean metaphysical, peppered amid the vastness of cinematic layers of instrumentation. Guitarists Luke O'Malley and Ryan Ferreira trade highlife picking and revving power chords as Nikhil Yerawadekar’s ropey bass lines weave and bob through the pulsing beats issued from Miles Arntzen’s drum kit. Lush accents and waves of sound issue from Jared Samuel's array of analog keyboards and Eric Biondo's slyly subversive, but playful harmonies. Bogie’s horns, abetted by long-time friend and collaborator Colin Stetson, round out Hands’ deceptively rich sound. The members of Superhuman Happiness are not strangers to collaboration. Each musician is a key player in the NYC music scene as their collective resume stretches across a dizzying array of talent, including Antibalas, Phenomenal Handclap Band, TV On The Radio, Iron & Wine and Martha Wainwright among numerous others. Together, however, their individual voices coalesce into one shared vision. The foundation for the songs on Hands were created by playing a series of hand-clapping games at the beginning of each rehearsal. It was the spark that initiated a truly collaborative process."The album was cultivated through a shared method of composition in order to make something greater than any one individual. Who are our influences? More than anything, this band has seven main influences: each member," says Bogie. "We actually play like this; the record was culled from live performances and doesn't contain any loops or the like. It is a handmade musical affair, which made the title easy to come by!" In addition to the forthcoming release of Hands, Superhuman Happiness recently recorded the original motion picture score to the critically acclaimed documentary, How To Survive A Plague. Written and co-produced by Bogie and O'Malley and including performances by Kronos Quartet and compositions by Arthur Russell, the music from the film will be released digitally on December 4 with all proceeds benefiting the Student Global AIDS Campaign.
The acclaimed Swedish singer-songwriter Elin Ruth released her Bang EP this week (11/27). The four song EP precedes her full length, eponymous US debut which comes out on January 29, 2013. Bang is available for a free download on her Facebook page here. You can also purchase the iTunes version here that includes a bonus track in which Elin covers Hank Williams’ “I’ll Never Get Out of This World Alive”.Elin Ruth plays at NYC’s renowned venue The Living Room on December 6 with her new full band at 7 PM. Her desire for experimentation shines through in her stage performance. Whether by the piano or alone with her guitar, Elin mesmerizes the audience, filling the room with her slightly raspy voice, powerful stage presence and vocal summersaults.After four celebrated records, numerous award nominations and a dozen chart hits in her native Sweden, Elin Ruth is back at the beginning. Last year she dropped everything for love and moved across the Atlantic. Elin Ruth is a playful pop album, eclectic but balanced. Elements of country are mixed with soul and gospel, taking the listener on an emotional journey throughout the 10 songs.In many ways, it's only natural for Elin to end up in the country of her musical heroes. Growing up in the small town of Mönsterås, by the windy Swedish east coast, her dad filled the house with American folkrock. At the time Elin shrugged it off as “old man's music”, but when her songwriting turned serious in her late teens, Bob Dylan, Woody Guthrie, Donovan, Leonard Cohen and Joni Mitchell all came re-visiting. Elin Ruth is the sound of an artist crossing the world for love and ending up in the country that first inspired her to make music.
Greetings from Asbury Park...It's never been so important to say those words, because compared to the rest of the Jersey Shore, we are fine. The Stone Pony, Paramount Theatre and Asbury Park Convention Hall are open for business and the rest of our boardwalk and surrounding beaches are progressing into the New Year.But our neighbors, our families and our friends however are not as fortunate. For the past month we've been with them, shoveling, ripping out drywall and now know why they call a crawl space a crawl space. We’ve been trying to salvage what we can and come to terms with what happened before our new lives are re-built. What we’ve seen in our hometowns is heartbreaking, but the stories of survival and the resilience shown by the residents of the Jersey Shore reaffirm the heart. Between getting the sand out of our eyeballs and drying our hands from wet insulation, three Jersey Shore residents who all happened to meet each other at the beach, oh so many years ago, acclaimed rock photographer, filmmaker, musician Danny Clinch, writer, producer, activist Tim Donnelly and rock promoter Tony Pallagrosi of Concerts East have come together to throw a benefit show “On The Beach- A Sandy Relief Concert” at the Paramount Theater in Asbury Park on January 2, 2013. Tickets will go on-sale Friday 12.14.12 at Noon EST at the Stone Pony Box Office, By Phone 800.745.3000, Ticket Master Outlets and Ticketmaster.com.Headlined by My Morning Jacket and supported by Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Joseph Arthur, Nicole Atkins, River City Extension, Tangiers Blues Band and special guests, the evening, which begins promptly at 7pm, will be hosted by New Jersey’s own Matt Pinfield.“Following Hurricane Katrina, the response from around the world was overwhelming,” say Ben Jaffe, creative director of Preservation Hall Jazz Band. “Now it's our time to give back to a devastated community where many of our friends, family and supporters call home. In New Orleans, we turn to our music during hard times. It offers us hope and the feeling that things will be better. We are doing what we always do during hard times: celebrate life. Hopefully this will bring some joy to the residents of the devastated region at a time of great heartache.”The proceeds from “On The Beach-A Sandy Relief Concert” are going to local, Jersey Shore centric non-profit organizations: Coastal Habitat for Humanity, The Food Bank of Monmouth/Ocean Counties, Waves for Water, Food For Thought By The Sea, and RebuildRecover, organizations who are on the ground doing the heavy work in the relief efforts.My Morning Jacket is also donating a portion of every ticket sold to their sold out three consecutive shows at the Capitol Theatre in Port Chester and the special New Years Eve show in Boston to Hurricane Sandy relief efforts. The band chose each organization for the important and effective work they are doing to help the communities affected most deeply by the storm to recover and rebuild.--My Morning Jacket Performances:12/27: Port Chester, NY @ Capitol Theatre - New York Cares (SOLD OUT)12/28: Port Chester, NY @ Capitol Theatre – Team Rubicon (SOLD OUT)12/29: Port Chester, NY @ Capitol Theatre – Occupy Sandy (SOLD OUT)12/31: Boston, MA @ Agganis Arena – Waves For Water (Tickets Available)
We are happy to announce that musician/actor/activist Steve Earle has been added to the bill and that legendary musician, surfer and activist Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam along with music aficionados NHL All-Star Henrik Lundqvist of the NY Rangers and former NY Ranger fan favorite, restaurateur Sean Avery have signed on as underwriters for On the Beach-A Sandy Relief Concert.Vedder has had strong ties to the Jersey Shore for decades and Lundqvist and Avery, though NYC residents have been on the forefront in fundraising for those affected by Hurricane Sandy."It's a true testament of what kind of men Eddie, Henrik and Sean are. They care about the people who have supported them and all of the people in the region who have been knocked down by Sandy. They have our backs,” said show co-producer Tim Donnelly of Asbury Park.“It’s really great that these guys stepped up to support the show that will give the charities the money they need and the Jersey Shore locals a well deserved night out,” said show co-producer, acclaimed photographer Danny Clinch of Toms River.Tickets are going fast for the January 2, 2013 show at the Paramount Theater in Asbury Park headlined by My Morning Jacket and Preservation Hall, Joseph Arthur, Nicole Atkins, River City Extension and Tangiers Blues Band.The proceeds from “On The Beach-A Sandy Relief Concert” are going to local, Jersey Shore centric non-profit organizations: Coastal Habitat for Humanity, The Food Bank of Monmouth/Ocean Counties, Waves for Water, Food For Thought By The Sea, and RebuildRecover, organizations who are on the ground doing the heavy work in the relief efforts.My Morning Jacket is also donating a portion of every ticket sold to their sold out three consecutive shows at the Capitol Theatre in Port Chester and the special New Years Eve show in Boston to Hurricane Sandy relief efforts. The band chose each organization for the important and effective work they are doing to help the communities affected most deeply by the storm to recover and rebuild.Tickets are available at the Stone Pony Box Office, By Phone 800.745.3000, Ticket Master Outlets and Ticketmaster.com.
Inspiration comes from the most abstract places, and that statement did not falter in the inspiration behind Jim James’ upcoming solo album, Regions of Light and Sound of God, out February 5 on ATO Records. James drew inspiration from a vintage book entitled God’s Man, a wordless 1929 woodcut novel by Lynd Ward, for the song, “A New Life,” which just premiered on Rolling Stone, making parallels between his life and the life of the novel’s protagonist. "There’s a scene [in God's Man] where the main character’s like chased out of town and he falls off a cliff and is lost and kind of injured and this woman finds him and nurses him back to health and they fall in love," James says. "And they have a child together and they have this new life that’s kind of coming. That had happened to me. Like, I had fallen offstage and gotten injured and gotten super dark and fell in love and all that was happening at the same time I was loving this book. It was like I had this beautiful illustration of what was happening in my life."
In celebration of the upcoming debut album, and the new song “A New Life,” fans can share their photos inspired by the new Jim James single "A New Life" for a chance to win a limited edition album package and other prizes. Here's how to win: Using Instagram, take your photos and tag them with #ANewLifeJJ to be automatically entered to win. Extra points for creativity, one winner will be chosen weekly. Non-instagramers can also enter to win. Head over to http://smarturl.it/
"I take walks a lot," says James, "and as I walk, songs kind of build in my mind, and I start adding and subtracting things. So I had a full vision for a lot of the songs on this album before I even recorded one note." Over the course of fifteen years and six studio albums, James has been the focal point of a group that has grown into one of the most acclaimed and successful rock and roll bands in the world. With this project, he reaches into new territory that extends, but doesn't break from, MMJ's accomplishments.
Until now, James had never felt the call to create a longer-form album on his own. "I’m very lucky to play in a band with guys that I love, who are great at what they do," he says, "so on MMJ records, I don’t have a need to play bass or keys or what have you. But as a person and as a musician, I love to play every instrument under the sun, and I wanted to make a record where I played all the instruments and produced/engineered it myself."
The results are nine songs that resist easy categorization, from the hazy space-funk of the opening "State of the Art (A.E.I.O.U.)" to the chiming, operatic pop of "A New Life." On Regions of Light and Sound of God, nothing is what it seems—touchstones from old-school R&B or island folk or hip-hop flicker into focus and then disappear; a delicate instrumental is titled "Exploding." It's complex but cohesive, intimate and hypnotic where My Morning Jacket might turn more wide-screen and epic.
“The album knew what it wanted to be,” says James. “The songs would tell me what they wanted to be, and I just had to search around and find those sounds to bring them into this world.”
Click HERE to stream “A New Life”
“A New Life” and “Know Til Now” also available for streaming on JimJames.com
Pre-order the album HERE
Krishna Das' album, LIVE ANANDA, has been nominated for a Grammy for Best New Age Album of 2012. This live recording was originally released digitally in January of 2012 and is now being physically released for the first time. The Pre-Sale of this physical CD is available for a few short weeks with a 20% discount.LIVE ANANDA is the first-time release of live recordings of classic Krishna Das favorites drawn from his early studio recordings. These tracks capture the depth and spirit of the group of chanters on a 3 - day retreat in the foothills of the Catskill Mountains. Krishna Das accompanied by tabla, khol mridanga, bass, violin, flute, and cymbals, blends the musical and spiritual tradition of the east with the voice of the west to create this rendition of call-and-response chanting that lead us into Ananda – Happiness and our true state of Being.2012 has been a landmark year for Krishna Das. From the release of LIVE ANANDA, to the release of the acclaimed documentary, ONE TRACK HEART, chronicling KD's life, to KRISHNA DAS YOGA RADIO on SiriusXM.Click HERE for more information on Krishna Das and Upcoming Krishna Das Kirtans & Workshops.
In celebration of the forthcoming debut solo album Regions Of Light And Sound Of God, out February 5 on ATO Records, Jim James has just announced three consecutive shows in February which will be the first of many to come this year.On sale NOW:Wednesday February 20th – Rdio presents Jim James at The McKittrick Hotel, Home of SLEEP NO MORE – NYCOn sale right now with limited space available is a very special performance at NYC's Sleep No More presented by Rdio. Tickets can be found here in very limited quantities for this unique experience that also includes entry to the Sleep No More performance On-sale Friday, January 18 at Noon EST:Monday February 18th – Johnny Brenda's in Philadelphia (Tickets available thorough Ticketfly.com)Tuesday February 19th – Music Hall Of Williamsburg – Brooklyn (Tickets available through TicketMaster.com) Pre-sale tickets for both shows at Jonny Brendas in Philadelphia and Music Hall Of Williamsburg in Brooklyn go on sale this afternoon at 3pm for all Roll Call members (the official My Morning Jacket fan club.) Sign up for Roll Call to access tickets at 3pm here.
French Horn Rebellion - Love Is Dangerous EP
1. Love is Dangerous
2. Cold Enough Ft. Jody Watley
3. Love is Dangerous (Chrome Canyon Remix)
4. Love is Dangerous (FHRekles Remix)
French Horn Rebellion vs. Database - Poster Girl EP
01. Poster Girl
02. Poster Girl (Brazil Version)
03. Poster Girl (Justin Faust Remix)
04. Poster Girl (Peter Wade Remix)
Catch French Horn Rebellion Live @ Brooklyn Bowl on Friday 18th January, with 8-piece funk Band + JD Samson
They Might Be Giants have perfected their deliriously catchy, original sound over the past three decades. The two-time GRAMMY winning Brooklyn originals have released a 3-song EP of Nanobots album tracks today. Blending the band’s signature storytelling, some dueling horns and sly humor, Rolling Stone recently revealed the first album track “Call You Mom,” a caffeinated pop gem. Today SPIN has unleashed “Lost My Mind” and Nanobots album art created by famed designer, Paul Sahre. Check out "Lost My Mind" HERE.No strangers to free music and tech innovations, They Might Be Giants have created a brand new, totally free and elegantly simple music streaming iphone app, which features a different song every day. This week spotlights songs from their brand new Nanobots EP. New songs will premiere each Tuesday, and the app will highlight selections from across TMBGs 30 year musical catalog--including rarities, live recordings, TMBGs audio podcast and beloved side projects with McSweeney's, John Hodgman and others. The spirit of the innovative Dial-A-Song service and the band’s ongoing savvy use of emerging technology lives on in They Might Be Giants FREE iphone app available now!Created at the private studio of their long time collaborator and producer Patrick Dillett (David Byrne, Mary J. Blige, Tegan and Sara), They Might Be Giants return with charming wit, electrifying pop melodies and just enough bass clarinet on their 16th studio album. Nanobots will be released March 5, 2013 via Idlewild Recordings and distributed through Megaforce. Known for their energized live show and love of the road, the band will kick off a 60-date international tour on February 27. Stay tuned for more from They Might Be Giants coming soon!
Jim James is thrilled to announce his full US tour in support of his forthcoming debut solo album Regions Of Light And Sound Of God, out February 5 on ATO Records. “Hello friends!” says Jim. “I have put together a special band of some of my oldest pals to help bring this album to life on the road! We are very excited about it and cant wait to bring it to light! See ya out on the open road!” The nine songs on this album resist easy categorization, grasping influence of old-school R&B to island folk to hip-hop, each flickering into focus and then disappear throughout the album. From the hazy space-funk of the opening "State of the Art (A.E.I.O.U.)" to the chiming, operatic pop of "A New Life," Regions of Light and Sound of God is complex but cohesive, intimate and hypnotic where My Morning Jacket might turn more wide-screen and epic. Today, Jim is revealing the first listen of the album on NPR.General on sales for the tour begin this weekend while Roll Call members (My Morning Jacket fan club) have first access pre-sales this Wednesday at 12noon EST. For the duration of the tour, a percentage of proceeds of every ticket will benefit Cancer Research Hospital and Treatment Center, City Of Hope. Along with his upcoming tour dates, Jim will also be performing on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon on February 4th alongside The Roots. The following day (February 5th) he will return to Jimmy Fallon, sitting in for the entire show as a guest performer.“The album knew what it wanted to be,” says James. “The songs would tell me what they wanted to be, and I just had to search around and find those sounds to bring them into this world.”Jim James Tour Dates2/18: Philadelphia, PA @ Johnny Brenda’s SOLD OUT2/19: Brooklyn, NY @ Music Hall of Williamsburg SOLD OUT2/20: New York, NY @ McKittrick Hotel SOLD OUT JUST ANNOUNCED4/17: Louisville, KY @ Brown Theatre4/19: Milwaukee, WI @ The Pabst Theater4/20: Chicago, IL @ Vic Theatre4/21: Minneapolis, MN @ First Avenue4/23: Columbus, OH @ Newport Music Hall4/24: Toronto, ON @ Phoenix Concert Theatre4/26: Boston, MA @ Royale4/27: Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer4/29: New York, NY @ Webster Hall4/30: Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club5/2: Nashville, TN @ Cannery Ballroom5/3: Asheville, NC @ The Orange Peel5/6: Austin, TX @ Stubb’s Waller Creek Amphitheatre5/7: Dallas, TX @ House of Blues5/9: Denver, CO @ Ogden Theatre5/11: Los Angeles, CA @ The Fonda Theatre5/12: San Francisco, CA @ The Fillmore5/14: Portland, OR @ Crystal Ballroom5/15: Seattle, WA @ Neptune
Having spent the better part of almost two decades as the lead singer and songwriter of My Morning Jacket, Jim James releases his debut solo album, Regions Of Light And Sound Of God, today on ATO Records. James says that his inspiration comes from many directions, but mentions Marvin Gaye’s incomparable classic What’s Going On as a perpetual influence (it might be felt strongest in the soaring concluding track, “God’s Love to Deliver,” in which the singer addresses Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.). “To me, it’s the greatest record of all time because it speaks to everyone, of any race or creed,” he says. “It speaks to the soul and the body; it uses all forms of music, merging soul and funk with rock and classical; it is nameless gospel, holy essence. I always want to try and make music like that.” Yesterday, James performed alongside The Roots on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon and today he will return to Jimmy Fallon, sitting in for the entire show as a guest performer.
Until now, James had never felt the call to create a longer-form album on his own. "I’m very lucky to play in a band with guys that I love, who are great at what they do," he says, "so on MMJ records, I don’t have a need to play bass or keys or what have you. But as a person and as a musician, I love to play every instrument under the sun, and I wanted to make a record where I played all the instruments and produced/engineered it myself."
The results are nine songs that resist easy categorization, from the hazy space-funk of the opening "State of the Art (A.E.I.O.U.)" to the chiming, operatic pop of "A New Life." On Regions of Light and Sound of God, nothing is what it seems—touchstones from old-school R&B or island folk or hip-hop flicker into focus and then disappear; a delicate instrumental is titled "Exploding." It's complex but cohesive, intimate and hypnotic where My Morning Jacket might turn more wide-screen and epic.
Alongside six studio albums with My Morning Jacket and the band’s busy recording and touring schedule, James has maintained a steady, bordering on voracious, flow of work. In 2009, he released the Tribute to EP, which included versions of six George Harrison songs. He has also lent his voice to 
albums but artists such as the Decemberests, the Roots, Amrica, Booker T. Jones, and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band. He additionally recorded and toured with Monsters of Folk, which had him team up with Conor Oberst, M. Ward, and Mike Mogis and created a Woody Guthrie tribute album New Multitudes alongside Jay Farrar, Will Johnson, and Anders Parker.
“The album knew what it wanted to be,” says James. “The songs would tell me what they wanted to be, and I just had to search around and find those sounds to bring them into this world.”
Jim James Tour Dates
2/18: Philadelphia, PA @ Johnny Brenda’s
2/19: Brooklyn, NY @ Music Hall of Williamsburg
2/20: New York, NY @ McKittrick Hotel
4/17: Louisville, KY @ Brown Theatre
4/19: Milwaukee, WI @ The Pabst Theater
4/20: Chicago, IL @ Vic Theatre
4/21: Minneapolis, MN @ First Avenue
4/23: Columbus, OH @ Newport Music Hall
4/24: Toronto, ON @ Phoenix Concert Theatre
4/26: Boston, MA @ Royale
4/27: Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer
4/29: New York, NY @ Webster Hall
4/30: Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club
5/2: Nashville, TN @ Cannery Ballroom
5/3: Asheville, NC @ The Orange Peel
5/6: Austin, TX @ Stubb’s Waller Creek Amphitheatre
5/7: Dallas, TX @ House of Blues
5/9: Denver, CO @ Ogden Theatre
5/11: Los Angeles, CA @ The Fonda Theatre
5/12: San Francisco, CA @ The Fillmore
5/14: Portland, OR @ Crystal Ballroom
5/15: Seattle, WA @ Neptune
Acclaimed Oregon troubadour Tim Hardin is one of the most influential and respected singer-songwriters of all time, not that the man himself cared much for the title. "My songs aren't personal," he insisted before his death in 1980. "They sound it 'cos it was me who revealed them, but it was my head that got the lightning shot through it.” An interesting choice of descriptive, seeing as how for his many devotees, his bewitching folk music has the same knockout power as a ten thousand volt lightning strike from the sky – instantaneous, bruising, beautiful, electrifying.
Among those devotees are some of the most exciting alternative voices of the last fifty years – like Nick Drake and Tim Buckley before him, Hardin was a musicians' musician, the inspiration behind a great many artists whose limelight he never procured for himself. Johnny Cash, Paul Weller, Rod Stewart, Echo and the Bunnymen, Scott Walker, Nico...Hardin's music has been covered by countless icons of contemporary counter-culture. Now that tradition is set to continue with the release of Reason To Believe, a tribute album collecting specially recorded cover versions from the impressive likes of Screaming Trees legend Mark Lanegan, the beguiling Hannah Peel, indie favourites Okkervil River and many more.
Patti Smith expressed her admiration for Tim Hardin’s music in her memoir Just Kids, for instance: "My brother gave us a new needle for our record player... we happily listened toTim Hardin, his songs becoming our songs, the expression of our young love." (p.44) and “I played Tim Hardin songs for my lovers and told them of you." (p.274) referring to Mapplethorpe.
“So many people's entry point to Tim has been through cover versions,” says Full Time Hobby co-owner Nigel Adams, responsible for the release. “It felt fitting to bring his songs up to date with contemporary artists approaching his music with the hope listeners would then go beyond the well known and dig into some of the wealth of songs he wrote and recorded”. The album comes as a sequel of sorts to the label's 2006 release, Dream Brother: The Songs of Tim and Jeff Buckley, and is the next in a gradual series of releases that puts the spotlight on artists whose impact was more profound than their fame would suggest, whose names may have drifted into obscurity but continue to burn brightly in the hearts and record collections of many music lovers.
But Reason To Believe is more than an opportunity to pay lip service to one of the most gifted and overlooked talents in generations, with its artists (in the true spirit of Hardin) getting creative with the songs. The record begins with Wellington cinematic-pop types The Phoenix Foundation and a dazzling reworking of “Don't Make Promises You Can't Keep”, the '60s groove and strummed guitar of Hardin's original replaced by a tsunami wash of post-rock pianos and airy vocals. From there, the good times keep tumbling. Sam Genders’ Diagrams turn the tender “Part Of The Wind” into an electronics epic guided by 16-bit bleeps and ghostly synths, while Smoke Fairies offer a broody, smokey, intense take on“If I Were A Carpenter” that burrows its way into your psyche.
With artwork by Jack White's former collaborator Miles Johnson at Third Man Records and extensive linear notes by Rock’s Backpages music critic and highly respected author Barney Hoskyns, Reason To Believe is too good to miss.
Reason To Believe – The Songs Of Tim Hardin (out physically 2/26 on Full Time Hobby) tracklisting:
1. The Phoenix Foundation - Don’t Make Promises You Can’t Keep
2. The Sand Band - Reason To Believe
3. Mark Lanegan - Red Balloon
4. Diagrams - Part Of The Wind
5. The Magnetic North - It’s Hard To Believe In Love For Long
6. Alela Diane - How Can We Hang On To A Dream
7. Snorri Helgason - Misty Roses
8. Sarabeth Tucek - If I Knew
9. Okkervil River - It’ll Never Happen Again
10. Smoke Fairies - If I Were A Carpenter
11. Gavin Clark - Shiloh Town
12. Hannah Peel - Lenny’s Tune
13. Pinkunoizu - I Can’t Slow Down
Two-time GRAMMY winning Brooklyn originals have just released an extraordinary 16th studio album Nanobots--returning with electrifying pop melodies, vivid lyrics and just enough bass clarinet. Over three decades They Might Be Giants have perfected their deliriously catchy, original sound, and Nanobots 25 startling tracks in 45 memorable minutes play to all the bands strengths. The album was created at the private studio of their long time producer Patrick Dillett (St. Vincent, David Byrne, Mary J. Blige). It's available at all digital & physical retailers today via Idlewild Recordings, and marks the debut offering through the band's new distributor Megaforce.Nanobots finds the band in fine form, receiving accolades from SPIN, Alternative Press, MAGNET, Rolling Stone, WIRED, New York Magazine and more. The call and response chorus and percussive guitar line of “You’re On Fire” premiered with Stereogum and dares even the grumpiest wallflower not to dance. Download the “You’re On Fire” MP3 HERE & check out the full album streaming at Rolling Stone, AOL Spinner and MSN Music. Known for recording numerous themes most notably The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, and the GRAMMY-winning Malcolm In the Middle theme, the band has 2 platinum albums, 2 gold albums and have been nominated for 3 GRAMMYs, winning two. Revered for their energized live show and love of the road, the band has kicked off a 60-date international tour and will make a special top at SXSW Interactive for an intimate one-off interview by comedian Eugene Mirman. Stay tuned for more from They Might Be Giants coming soon!
In anticipation of tonight’s kickoff of their North American tour, Stars are sharing a stream of the new Sem Thomasson house remix of “Give It,” which is available exclusively at Beatport and will be available at additional online retail stores in two weeks. The upcoming tour includes appearances at Coachella on April 12 and 19.
Stars are Canada’s best-kept secret indie institution. Over the course of more than a decade together, the band has consistently proven themselves adept at producing incisively sharp, beautifully orchestrated pop music. Their sixth album, The North (ATO Records), is their finest record to date – a culmination of all they have learned and lost; a record of what it is to love today, of how to live a life in music. The North marks the band's highest Billboard chart debut in career.
Upcoming North American Tour Dates
3/6 - Philadelphia, PA - The Trocadero Theatre #
3/7 - Baltimore, MD - Rams Head Live #
3/8 - Brooklyn, NY - Music Hall of Williamsburg #
3/9 - Brooklyn, NY - Music Hall of Williamsburg #
3/15 - Montreal, QC - Corona Theatre *
3/16 - Montreal, QC - Corona Theatre *
3/18 - Kingston, ON - Sydenham United Church *
3/19 - London, ON - London Music Hall *
3/20 - Toronto, ON - Danforth Music Hall ^
3/21 - Toronto, ON - Danforth Music Hall STW
3/22 - Detroit, MI - Majestic Theatre # %
3/23 - Chicago, IL - Metro # %
3/25 - Milwaukee, WI - Turner Hall # %
3/26 - Minneapolis, MN - First Avenue # %
3/27 - Winnipeg, MB - Garrick Centre %
3/28 - Regina, SK - Orr Centre %
3/29 - Saskatoon, SK - Odeon %
3/30 - Calgary, AB - Mac Hall %
3/31 - Edmonton, AB - Winspear %
4/2 - Nelson, BC - The Royal %
4/3 - Kelowna, BC - Kelowna Community Centre %
4/5 - Victoria, BC - Alix Goolden %
4/6 - Vancouver, BC - Commodore *AA Matinee %
4/6 - Vancouver, BC - Commodore *18+ Evening %
4/12 – Indio, CA @ Coachella
4/19 – Indio, CA @ Coachella
# = Milo Greene
* = Cold Specks
^ =Yukon Blonde
% = Said The Whale
No one lives, breathes, and eats up New Orleans like Kermit Ruffins. The Bar-B-Q slinging trumpeter and vocalist is bringing us back to the early 20th century with the track “Treme Second Line” which premiered on Paste TODAY.An intriguing collection of traditional and New Orleans jazz classics, Ruffins' new album We Partyin’ Traditional Style! (out May 28 via Basin Street Records) gives a glimpse of the influences that have inspired Ruffins since his days as youthful street busker.The King of Treme pulls classics from the 20th century and puts them through the good-times grinder both reinventing and honoring the tradition of music ever present in his beloved Big Easy. He doesn’t do it alone, either. Ruffins hand-picked the finest in traditional jazz to form a deeply rooted band: Shannon Powell (drums), Steve Pistorius (piano), Richard Moten (bass), Don Vappie (banjo), Lucien Barbarin (trombone), and Tom Fischer (clarinet). Mykia Jovan joins Kermit for a delightful duet on the Gerald Marks and Seymour Simons hit “All Of Me.”Sit back, relax, and enjoy the sounds of timeless classics like “Careless Love” and “I Guess I’ll Get the Papers and Go Home.” Then lace up your tap shoes, grab a dancing partner, and try to keep your balance while you Charleston to “Jeepers Creepers.” The dancing shifts to a waltz with “Over The Waves,” the Juventino Rosas classic. And a traditional jazz album would not be complete without a hat-tip to the most important figure of the era, Louis Armstrong. Ruffins boasts his own raspy voice and pays tribute this idol with “When It’s Sleepy Time Down South,” a song frequently regarded as Satchmo’s own theme song.We Partyin’ Traditional Style! triumphantly closes with the immemorial “When the Saints Go Marching In,” a song that needs no introduction and a recording that will undoubtedly have people around the world second-lining in the streets.Kermit Ruffins gracefully channels the glory of New Orleans and opens a door to a rich history of musical heritage for all who listen. But if you ask him he’ll just tell you,“We Partyin’!”Upcoming Shows:4.13 - French Quarter Fest – New Orleans, LA – 2:15 pm4.26 – Little Gem Saloon – New Orleans, LA – 9:00 pm4.27 – Mid-City Lanes Rock ’n Bowl – 9:00 pm4.28 – New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival (Blues Tent) – 4:20 pm5.1 – Louisiana Music Factory – New Orleans, LA – 12:00 pm5.1 – House of Blues – New Orleans, LA – 9:00 pm5.3 – Little Gem Saloon – New Orleans, LA – 9:00 pm5.4 - Mid-City Lanes Rock ’n Bowl – 9:00 pm Kermit usually plays these regular weekly shows (unless otherwise noted):Thursdays - Vaughan’s Lounge – New Orleans, LA – 8:00 pmFridays – Blue Nile – New Orleans, LA – 7:00 pmSundays & Mondays – Kermit’s Treme Speakeasy – New Orleans, LA – 6:00 pmTuesdays – Bullet’s Sports Bar – New Orleans, LA – 6:00 pm
America's most durable alternative rockers They Might Be Giants have finally perfected their deliriously catchy, original sound! Their latest studio album, Nanobots, features 25 startling tracks in 45 memorable minutes that play to all the bands strengths. The band is currently on the second leg of a massive international tour which includes a lengthy stint in Australia & New Zealand. Fans that are not able to make it out to a show can catch the band performing LIVE on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon on May 24th.
Two-time GRAMMY winning Brooklyn originals have released their extraordinary 16th studio album Nanobots--returning with electrifying pop melodies, vivid lyrics and just enough bass clarinet. Today they release an earth-shattering video directed by Liam Lynch (Tenacious D, Sarah Silverman) for album title track “Nanobots”. Bringing to life the cartoonish spin that the song brings to the world of technology, check out the “Nanobots” video where it premiered with Mashable today or HERE.
Nanobots was created at the private studio of They Might Be Giants’ long time producer Patrick Dillett (St. Vincent, David Byrne, Mary J. Blige). It's available at all digital & physical retailers via Idlewild Recordings, and marks the debut offering through the band's new distributor Megaforce. Known for recording numerous themes most notably The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, and the GRAMMY-winning Malcolm In the Middle theme, the band has 2 platinum albums, 2 gold albums and have been nominated for 3 GRAMMYs, winning two. Revered for their energized live show and love of the road, catch the band live on tour!
TMBG US Tour Dates
* = w/ Moon Hooch
# = w/ Vandaveer
4/12: Asheville, NC @ Orange Peel *
4/13: Atlanta, GA @ Variety Playhouse *
4/14: Atlanta, GA @ Variety Playhouse *
Australia & New Zealand Dates
4/23: Melbourne, AU @ The Corner Hotel
4/24: Sydney, AU @ The Metro Theatre
4/25: Sydney, AU @ The Beresford Upstairs
4/27: Maitland, AU @ Groovin’ The Moo Festival Maitland
4/28: Canberra, AU @ Groovin’ The Moo Festival Canberra
5/2: Melbourne, AU @ The Corner Hotel
5/3: Melbourne, AU @ The Corner Hotel
5/4: Bendigo, AU @ Groovin’ The Moo Festival Bendigo
5/5: Townsville, AU @ Groovin’ The Moo Festival Townsville
5/7: Brisbane, AU @ The Zoo
5/8: Brisbane, AU @ The Zoo
5/9: Adelaide, AU @ The Gov
5/10: Perth, AU @ Rosemount Hotel
5/11: Bunbury, AU @ Groovin’ The Moo Festival Bunbury
5/14: Hobart, AU @ Wrest Point Show Room
5/17: Wellington, NZ @ Bodega
5/18: Auckland, NZ @ The Studio
US Tour Dates Continue
5/30: Indianapolis, IN @ The Vogue #
5/31: Milwaukee, WI @ Turner Hall #
6/1: Minneapolis, MN @ First Avenue #
6/2: Iowa City, IA @ Englert Theatre #
6/4: Des Moines, IA @ Wooly's #
6/5: Omaha, NE @ The Slowdown #
6/6: Kansas City, MO @ Crossroads #
6/7: Denver, CO @ Ogden Theatre *
6/8: Salt Lake City, UT @ The Depot *
6/9: Boise, ID @ Egyptian Theatre *
6/10: Vancouver, BC @ Biltmore Cabaret #
6/11: Seattle, WA @ Showbox SoDo #
6/12: Portland, OR @ Crystal Ballroom #
6/14: San Francisco, CA @ Warfield Theatre #
6/15: Anaheim, CA @ HOB #
6/16: San Diego, CA @ Belly Up #
Over the last few months Jim James has manifested many multi-dimensional, highly revered live performances, including an appearance on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon, a SXSW showcase at Willy Nelson’s ranch and a duet with Wayne Coyne of The Flaming Lips. This week James embarks on a new North American tour starting in his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky on the night of Wednesday, April 17th.In addition to these tour dates, we are thrilled to announce that James and his full band will be collaborating with The Roots in a one-time “State of the Union” performance at this year’s Celebrate Brooklyn festivities at the Prospect Park Bandshell on June 19th.Pre-sale tickets for this rare collaboration will be available first come first serve to current members of My Morning Jacket's Roll Call Fan Club and standard tickets for this one-of-a-kind performance go on sale Wednesday, April 16th at 10AM.James’ existential space pop album Regions of Light and Sound of God is available NOW, and in celebration of Record Store Day James will be performing at Exclusive Company record store in Milwaukee on April 18th. Jim James Tour Dates4/17: Brown Theater Lousiville, KY SOLD OUT4/19: Pabst Theater Milwaukee, WI4/20: Vic Theater Chicago, IL SOLD OUT4/21: First Avenue Minneapolis, MN SOLD OUT4/23: Newport Music Hall Columbus, OH4/24: Phoenix Concert Theater Toronto, ON SOLD OUT4/26: Royale Boston, MA SOLD OUT4/27: Union Transfer Philadelphia, PA SOLD OUT4/29: Webster Hall New York, NY SOLD OUT4/30: 9:30 Club Washington, DCSOLD OUT5/02: Cannery Ballroom Nashville, TN SOLD OUT5/03: The Orange Peel Asheville, NC SOLD OUT5/04: Shaky Knees Music Festival Atlanta, GA5/06: Stubbs Waller Creek Austin, TX5/07: House of Blues Dallas, TX5/09: Ogden Theater Denver, CO SOLD OUT5/11: Henry Fonda Theater Los Angeles, CA SOLD OUT5/12: The Fillmore San Francisco, CA SOLD OUT5/14: Crystal Ballroom Portland, OR5/15: Neptune Theater Seattle, WA5/17: Hangout Music Festival Gulf Shores, AL6/14: Bonnarroo Manchester, TN6/15: Bonnarroo Manchester, TN6/17: Late Show w/ David Letterman New York, NY6/19: Celebrate Brooklyn Brooklyn, NY6/22: Firefly Music Festival Dover, DE7/13: Forecastle Festival Louisville, KY7/27: Newport Folk Festival Newport, RI
Preservation Hall Jazz Band was founded in 1961 to promote traditional New Orleans jazz in all its authenticity. Legendary players like Del McCoury Band, Steve Earle, Warren Haynes, The Edge, Charlie Musselwhite, Buddy Miller & Patty Griffin, Robert Plant, Dirty Dozen Brass Band and Tao Seeger, all rooted in the formative jazz years, were its original stars. But with the band’s first 50 years behind them they are now looking forward to the next 50 and will be recording their first album of original music ever, titled That’s It! Which will be released on August 13th. Playing material both new and old at Jazzfest this year, you will not want to miss PHJB’s set on Saturday April 27th at 4:40 pm in the Peoples Health Economy Hall Tent.
Currently packing venues across the US, bringing the soulful celebration of his newly released solo album Regions of Light and Sound of God (ATO), Jim James is honored to perform at the highly-revered Austin City Limits.Tune in this Sunday May 5th at 8 pm CT/9 pm ET to the concert, streaming live courtesy of Austin City Limits TV HERE."I remember seeing “Austin City Limits” when I was just a little kid and seeing Roy Orbison and Johnny Cash and Neil Young and Willie Nelson,"James recently told the Austin American-Statesman about Austin City Limits. "Finally getting to do it yourself is one of those landmark things like doing 'Saturday Night Live.'"After his Austin performances James will be heading out to the West coast and then multiple festival performances before hitting the road with with the rest of My Morning Jacket, Wilco and Bob Dylan for the AmericanaramA tour this summer.Jim James Tour Dates5/03: The Orange Peel Asheville, NC5/04: Shaky Knees Music Festival Atlanta, GA5/06: Stubbs Waller Creek Austin, TX5/07: House of Blues Dallas, TX5/09: Ogden Theater Denver, CO5/11: Henry Fonda Theater Los Angeles, CA5/12: The Fillmore San Francisco, CA5/14: Crystal Ballroom Portland, OR5/15: Neptune Theater Seattle, WA5/17: Hangout Music Festival Gulf Shores, AL6/14: Bonnaroo Manchester, TN6/15: Bonnaroo Manchester, TN6/17: Late Show w/ David Letterman New York, NY6/19: Celebrate Brooklyn Brooklyn, NY6/22: Firefly Music Festival Dover, DE7/13: Forecastle Festival Louisville, KY7/27: Newport Folk Festival Newport, RI
San Francisco’s The New Up is set to release their new album Tiny Mirrors on February 3rd. Politically charged yet intensely introspective, raw in emotion yet cinematic in scope, the band’s new single “Falling From The Sky” is highlighted by a driving base line and growling guitars. The band comments:
"In a world where we often forget to handle difficult social situations with grace and wisdom because we get caught up in the emotion of the moment, this song implores us to find the emotion in us that calls up the compassion and strength of character in those difficult moments, so we can turn challenges into opportunities."
Staying true to their DIY approach, Tiny Mirrors explores the notion of overcoming disconnection with its buzzing synths and serpentine riffs, indelible melodies and sprawling arrangements. Produced with Jack Frost (Antarctica/BlackRock), The New Up previously shared the stark yet shimmering “Black Swan” and the hazy soundscape of “Future Is Now.”
As The New Up prepare to release one of their most ambitious works to date, the band has kicked off a North American tour that will bring them to New York, Philadelphia, and many more stops. Tickets are available for purchase here.
The New Up is:
ES Pitcher (vocals, guitar), Noah Reid (guitar, vocals), Hawk West (automation),
Nick Massaro (bass), Art McConnell (drums)
Tour Dates
1/20: Sacramento, CA @ Yolo Brewery
1/21: Reno, NV @ Cargo
2/24: San Francisco, CA @ Rickshaw Stop
4/02: Oakland, CA @ The New Parish
Over the past eight years, Ikebe Shakedown has been breaking down the barriers of instrumental music one tune at a time, as sparkling '70s soul and raw funk sounds glide over cinematic westerns motifs and relentless grooves. It’s hard to pinpoint where exactly they land, but its definitely on their own feet, and those feet are cemented in a reputation as one of New York City’s boldest, most creative bands.
Now, after considerable time building their own analog studio (Hive Mind Recording), hitting the road with some of the most revered acts in the Brooklyn soul scene, and soaking in the wisdom that comes from day-in, day-out living in NYC, Ikebe Shakedown is back with their third LP, The Way Home, (Colemine Records), an album that takes these sensibilities to new heights and is successively pushing their cinematic instrumental style even further.
While the band has always been known for danceable grooves, The Way Home delves deeper into what it means to move people. As they put it, “We live in a city with a relentless pace. Sometimes, that demands music that gets you up and shaking, but it’s just as much about getting ourselves up everyday to take on this massive life in just a few square miles.” It's that joyful struggle that keeps the record from being just another love letter to New York. Says the band, “We set out to tell NYC that our feelings are a little more, well, complicated.”
Perhaps that's why each song tells its own story, from the get-off-your-ass snare hits of “Penny the Snitch” to “She’s Knocking,” with its quiet-morning start that transitions to a glorious call to arms. Or “Blue Giant,” which boxes like Ali, floating until it stings you with full-band jabs. And though there may be more subdued moments, no song ever goes completely still - because just like their city home, it never stops. As the band says, “We wanted some tracks to be for those predawn hours, when someone’s still out there, keeping the city humming.”
If you think you know Ikebe Shakedown, check out The Way Home and prepare to be awakened. And if you've never listened, welcome to a sound that's richly familiar but unlike anything you've heard before.
Acclaimed electronic artist East Forest (aka Trevor Oswalt) has released his collaborative song with legendary spiritual teacher Ram Dass, “I Am Loving Awareness (Feat. Krishna Das),”via Paste Music. The track is featured on East Forest’s new album East Forest x Ram Dass, which will be released in four chapters throughout 2019, with Chapter 1 out January 25 via Aquilo Records. The album features East Forest’s music accompanied by new teachings from the author of Be Here Now, Ram Dass. Listen and share “I Am Loving Awareness (Feat. Krishna Das)” here. Pre-order Chapter 1 here.
In June 2018, East Forest was invited to Ram Dass’ home in Maui to join in conversation and record brand new teachings from the legendary teacher. After capturing these words of wisdom, East Forest returned to his studio in the high desert of Southern Utah to compose the soundtrack to beautifully support each songs’ subject. In these new recordings, Ram Dass’ words speak masterfully to the modern challenges that so many face with technology, dark thoughts, the nature of soul and so much more. The new East Forest record also features guest appearances from the likes of Trevor Hall and Grammy nominated artist, Krishna Das, all framing Ram Dass’ teachings with contemporary voices and cementing the 87 year old spiritual teacher into an echelon of relevancy and immediacy — offering a direct antidote for a highly polarized nation that is deeply in need of a universal voice of wisdom, connection and unconditional love.
“Music is a language that all souls understand. I’m honored that my teachings have been paired with a musician like, East Forest, who has crafted an album with so much love.” - Ram Dass
"We forget that we are nature. We feel so much separation in our modern life, inundated with so much information; I believe our solutions will come from the inside out. They're already here, we're just uncovering them. It’s all a process of discovery. We need to give space for that which wants to emerge -- making this music is my way of creating some space, and inside I hope we can hear an answer.” — East Forest
East Forest has been the leader of underground ‘sound healing’ ceremonies around the world since 2008. Using music as a tool, he has trailblazed the field of organic tech, building bridges between the digital and natural world. Being fully independent and playing in the private shadows allowed the sound of East Forest to emerge: an emotional and spacious musical lexicon with a sound that took shape out of a practical need to play solo for five to six hours while guiding a room full of listeners in deep meditation. Live looping and layered keyboard melodies filled the musical space while angelic vocals and original field recordings floated above.
Word organically spread and a devoted community shared East Forest’s early albums, many of which were live recordings captured directly from his sound healing performances.
Moving into festivals, theaters, and clubs, electronic beats and diverse live instrumentation eventually joined in, from strings and analogue synthesizers to african kora. East Forest’s electro-acoustic ethereal sound continued to evolve and he found himself performing in a diverse range of settings from SXSW, Google, Mysteryland, to Grace Cathedral, Summit at Sea, as well as his own TEDx talk.
More than a dozen albums later, East Forest continues to explore a path of emotionally driven music that pulls from ambient, classical, electronic and indie-pop genres.
Ram Dass made his mark on the world by teaching the path of the heart and promoting service in the areas of social consciousness and care for the dying. When Ram Dass first went to India in 1967, he was still Dr. Richard Alpert, an eminent Harvard psychologist and psychedelic pioneer with Dr. Timothy Leary. In India, he met his guru, Neem Karoli Baba, affectionately known as ‘Maharajji’, who gave Ram Dass his name, which means "servant of God."
On his return from India Ram Dass became a pivotal influence in our culture with the publication of “Be Here Now”. In fact, those words have become a catch phrase in people’s lives for the last 40 years. With the publication in 2011 of “Be Love Now” Ram Dass completed his trilogy that began with “Be Here Now” in 1970 and continued with “Still Here” in 2004. He released “Polishing The Mirror: How to Live From Your Spiritual Heart” in 2013 and released his most recent book, “Walking Each Other Home: Conversations on Love and Dying” with co-author Mirabai Bush in 2018.
Ram Dass now makes his home in Maui and teaches world wide through his website RamDass.org and continues the work of Neem Karoli Baba through the Love Serve Remember Foundation.
With Nick Drake fingerpicking and Big Star romantic croon, singer-songwriter Will Fox's new solo dreamy alt-folk album features collaborations with Rob Schnapf (Elliott Smith, Kurt Vile, Cass McCombs), Tim Keen (Ought), Greta Morgan (Springtime Carnivore), Jessica Maros (Escondido) and more. It was mixed by Brian Rosemeyer (Cat Power, Kurt Vile), produced by Tyler Karmen (Alvvays, Noname, Protomartyr) and mastered by Mark Chalecki (Mavis Staples, Hope Sandoval). He released the video for 1st single "Waiting" here.
Recorded at 64 Sound in Los Angeles (owned by Pierre De Reeder of Rilo Kiley), Will pulled from his life's crossroads for this record - navigating post-relationship feelings with an ex-girlfriend, his father's cancer diagnosis, career changes, and everything in between.
Will has lived all over the world (Houston, London, Paris, Rio de Janeiro where he studied Bossa Nova...) and instead of following his life's journey to become a gristmill operator in Virginia, he moved out west and became a member of LA band Los Angeles Police Department, before going solo. He'll be touring with Ryan Pollie next month.
Kaki King is pleased to announce she will be joining the internationally-acclaimed guitar virtuoso Trace Bundy on December 6th & 7th at his iconic 11th Annual Acoustic Holiday concert in Colorado.
Hailed by Rolling Stone as “a genre unto herself,” Brooklyn-based composer and guitarist Kaki King is considered one of the world’s greatest living guitarists, known both for her technical mastery and for her constant quest to push the boundaries of the instrument. Kaki has released 9 albums over the past 14 years and toured extensively all over the world, presenting her work in such prestigious arts centers as the Kennedy Center, MoMA, LACMA, The Met and Smithsonian Design Museum. She has created music for numerous film and TV soundtracks, including “August Rush” and Sean Penn's “Into the Wild”, for which received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Original Score.
In addition to her solo work, she has performed with symphonies and chamber ensembles, including the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and string quartet Ethel, and recorded an album in collaboration with the Porta Girevole Chamber Orchestra commissioned by the Berklee College of Music. In 2015 Kaki launched "The Neck is a Bridge to the Body", a groundbreaking multimedia performance that used her guitar as a projection screen to explore the genesis of the instrument and her relationship to it as well as her own origin story. The show toured extensively throughout North America, Europe, Australia, Turkey, Japan, and Brazil, marking her first foray into multimedia and experimental theater.
After spending the past four years writing, recording and touring relentlessly, Canadian powerhouse rock duo Crown Lands are back with their blistering new track “Spit It Out.” The video premiered with Kerrang! here. This is the first major label release for Oshawa, Ontario locals Cody Bowles (vocals and drums) and Kevin Comeau (guitar, bass and keys), who have teamed up with Universal Music Canada for the release of their debut album this spring.
Of the track, Bowles explains, “‘Spit It Out’ deals with the frustrations of dealing with a partner who will not speak up when they have something to say. It addresses the anxiety of not being able to openly communicate. It is about carrying something within that you don’t have the strength or courage to say to someone, and instead of saying what’s on your mind you distance yourself from the situation.”
Produced by the legendary Dave Cobb (Chris Stapleton, Brandi Carlile, Rival Sons), “Spit It Out” marks Crown Lands’ arrival as a major new force with intense guitar riffs, pummelling drums and howling vocals. “Working with Dave Cobb was great!” comments Bomeau. “He prioritized capturing the spontaneity in our performances, and we feel that it is an accurate representation of who we are as artists.” That artistry is further illustrated with the accompanying release of the video for “Spit It Out,” which was directed by Travis Shinn (Tool, Muse, Morrissey) and showcases the band’s larger than life performances.
Known for their energetic live show, Crown Lands have spent the past few years performing; starting by booking themselves shows across southwestern Ontario and then landing opening slots for major rock acts like Jack White, Primus and Rival Sons. 2020 looks to be no different as the band join Grammy award-nominated sister duo Larkin Poe on their European tour as support. As well, Crown Lands are thrilled to announce a homecoming headline show June 8 at the Mod Club in Toronto. “We’re excited to be back in Toronto with a bigger production than ever, pushing ourselves harder than the GTA has seen us thus far!” explains Bowles. “We’ll be incorporating new elements to the live show alongside a brand-new musical catalogue. We’re looking forward to showing our home what we’ve been working so hard on this past year. Toronto is the city that we cut our teeth in and we’re happy to finally return.” See the full list of upcoming tour dates below.
After meeting six years ago and bonding over their shared obsession with Rush, Bowles and Comeau became “instant best friends” and started jamming together in a local barn, switching up instruments, but never straying from a two-piece set-up. Crown Lands have released two EPs Mantra (2016) and Rise Over Run (2017). Making music that brings together a range of influences from folk and blues to psychedelic to prog rock, and drawing on their own intense personal chemistry, Crown Lands are kicking off the new decade with a startlingly fresh jolt of energy.
The group’s name is indicative of their musical ambitions: “Crown Land” is territorial area belonging to the monarch—or, as Bowles (whose own heritage is half Mi’kmaq, an indigenous tribe from Nova Scotia) puts it, “Crown Land is stolen land and we are reclaiming it.” Crown Lands are on a mission to represent a sense of empowerment for marginalized communities through their music and the weighty subject matter of their lyrics. “People are going to listen to you, so you may as well say something that matters,” says Comeau.
Upcoming Tour Dates:
5/1: Birmingham, United Kingdom @ O2 Institute
5/2: Dublin, Ireland @ Button Factory
5/3: Glasgow, Scotland @ SWG3
5/5: Manchester, United Kingdom @ Ritz
5/6: Bristol, United Kingdom @ SWX
5/7: London, United Kingdom @ Shepherds Bush Empire
5/9: Amsterdam, Netherlands @ Paradiso Main Hall
5/10: Cologne, Germany @ Live Music Hall
5/12: Brussels, Belgium @ Ancienne Belgique
5/13 Paris, France @ Le Trianon
5/15: Barcelona, Spain @ Apolo
5/16: Madrid, Spain @ Sala But
5/19: Milan, Italy @ Santeria
5/20: Zurich, Switzerland @ Dynamo
5/22: Munich, Germany @ Technikum
5/23: Vienna, Austria @ WUK
5/25: Prague, Czech Republic @ Lucerna Music Bar
5/26: Berlin, Germany @ Huxley’s
5/27: Hamburg, Germany @ Markthalle
5/29: Copenhagen, Denmark @ Vega
5/30: Gothenburg, Sweden @ Tradgarn
5/31: Oslo, Norway @ Rockefeller
6/2: Stockholm, Sweden @ Berns
6/8: Toronto, Canada @ Mod Club
Canadian powerhouse duo Crown Lands released an acoustic project, Wayward Flyers Volume 1, with Universal Music Canada, the country’s leading music company. Cody Bowles (Vocals/Drums) prefaces, “Wayward Flyers is an arrangement of acoustic aural vistas that meander from our usual high-octane rock display and into the dark forest. Within this body of work, we’ve taken some interesting decisions to explore parts of our own musicality that we haven’t yet fed under the umbrella of Crown Lands. I got the chance to apply some concepts of West African percussion I learned in University in this one which was really fun. It’s all about getting to the root of our instruments in making a concise distillation of vulnerability in music form.”
Watch: “The Witching Hour”
Listen: Wayward Flyers Vol. 1
Wayward Flyers Volume 1 arrives alongside a stunning performance video for the track, "The Witching Hour." The video was shot at a chalet in Uxbridge, Ontario and is the first installment of a series of performance videos from this project, fans can expect videos for the band’s cover of Neil Young’s “Birds” and “Roving On” later this month. These videos showcase Crown Lands’ musical artistry and technical aptitude in all of its majestic glory. In speaking about the first video, the band comments, “The Witching Hour is our spookiest song. We drew inspiration from the Salem Witch Trials. It’s about how White Christian men used fear and misogyny under the veil of religion to prosecute and murder innocent intelligent women in the 17th century. It’s terrifying to see that a lot of those fears are still deeply rooted in society to this day. People in charge continue to suppress of feminine spirituality into the modern age.”
Produced by Justin Meli, Wayward Flyers Volume 1 showcases Crown Lands artistic versatility with four stripped back original songs plus a cover of Neil Young’s “Birds,” see the full track list below. Kevin Comeau (Guitar) describes, “This was an important record for us. We took the chance to apply a lot of the things we had learned from a big year - getting signed, writing and recording new records, touring the US. We tracked most of the guitar & vocals live off the floor to capture how we really perform and bounce off each other.”
The record is available to stream and download all streaming platforms, as well, fans can pre-order the stunning 10-inch record features the EP art which was designed by Quinn Henderson and stays true to the Crown Lands aesthetic; “a celebration of nature - an ode to our home” describes Universal Music Canada’s Creative Director Andy Slater who has worked closely with Crown Lands to develop their visuals. Wayward Flyers Volume 1 is sure to be a favourite of any record collection. Pre-order the vinyl here.
Known for their energetic live shows, Crown Lands spent the early part of their career performing; starting by booking themselves shows across southwestern Ontario and then landing opening slots for major rock acts like Jack White, Primus and Rival Sons. Like many bands, Crown Lands were challenged by the global pandemic, having to postpone their support slot across Europe with Grammy award-nominated sister duo Larkin Poe as well as their homecoming headlining show in Toronto. Crown Lands remain positive while they wait for the day they can play to fans again, Comeau commenting, “This is an important time to remember that we are all in this together, and we are going through a collective trauma. Although our doors and our borders remain closed, our minds must remain open.”
After meeting six years ago and bonding over their shared obsession with Rush, Bowles and Comeau became “instant best friends” and started jamming together in a local barn, switching up instruments, but never straying from a two-piece set-up. Crown Lands have released two EPs Mantra (2016) and Rise Over Run (2017). Making music that brings together a range of influences from folk and blues to psychedelic to prog rock, and drawing on their own intense personal chemistry, Crown Lands are a startlingly fresh jolt of energy.
The group’s name is indicative of their musical ambitions: “Crown Land” is territorial area belonging to the monarch -- or, as Bowles (whose own heritage is half Mi’kmaq, an indigenous tribe from Nova Scotia) puts it, “Crown Land is stolen land and we are reclaiming it.” Crown Lands are on a mission to represent a sense of empowerment for marginalized communities through their music and the weighty subject matter of their lyrics. “People are going to listen to you, so you may as well say something that matters,” says Comeau.
Wayward Flyers Volume 1 Tracklist:
1. Howlin’ Back Again
2. Roving On
3. The Witching Hour
4. Birds
5. No Sympathy
Inspired by the likes of Elliott Smith and Sufjan Stevens, singer-songwriter Grant Pavol just released a beautiful song and video about personal change and the death of a loved one - specifically the passing of his grandfather William Goldman, the prominent author, playwright and screenwriter (Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, All the President's Men, The Princess Bride, Marathon Man). Premiered on WXPN, “Bones” is off Grant’s debut full-length album About A Year, out September 4 on Shamir’s Accidental Popstar Records. Grant elaborates: "Visually, I wanted the video to focus on urban decay. I grew up in South Philadelphia, and the image of the windows of old Italian catholic families filled with statuettes and faded images of Christian iconography is very prominent in my mind when I think of my childhood. I liked the idea of using a skeleton costume as a sort of tacky, heavy-handed symbol of death.”
Watch / Share: “Bones”
Grant met Shamir at DIY shows (when shows were still a thing) in Philadelphia, eventually signing to his record label and releasing the Okay EP to praise from Clash, Dork, WXPN and beyond. Born to a creative family of writers and musicians, Grant taught himself to play guitar as a teen and soon began performing at shows in Philadelphia. Like his influences Elliott Smith and Nick Drake, Grant’s vocals and lyrical melodies carry the sincerity of his sound. Whether he’s strumming his guitar in his bedroom or tracking songs in a friend’s living room, Pavol is always immersed in the craft of singing and songwriting - and he has his family, friends and Philly to thank for that. He recorded and produced this debut album himself in a dorm room during his freshman year of college.
