Sara & Tegan

Tegan & Sara have a new album coming out in July. It's called The Con. The twins have been living on opposite sides of Canada, and you can kind of tell. The album has some elements of the old T&S harmonies, but there are obvious new influences and trying of new sounds (half steps or keyboards). Luckily, they tie it all together quite well. I am enjoying their growth.

They'll be on tour soon, but their shows are selling out so get your tickets fast. European Tickets go on sale June 1st

Jul. 14, 2007 Victoria, BC The Belfry Arts Centre
Jul. 15, 2007 Victoria, BC The Belfry Arts Centre
Jul. 16, 2007 Vancouver, BC The East Cultural Centre SOLD OUT!
Jul. 17, 2007 Vancouver, BC The East Cultural Centre SOLD OUT!
Jul. 18, 2007 Seattle, WA The Triple Door SOLD OUT!
Jul. 19, 2007 Seattle, WA The Triple Door SOLD OUT!
Jul. 20, 2007 Portland, OR The Bagdad Theater
Jul. 22, 2007 San Francisco, CA The Brava SOLD OUT!
Jul. 23, 2007 San Francisco, CA The Brava SOLD OUT!
Jul. 24, 2007 Los Angeles, CA Amoeba Records In store performance
Jul. 26, 2007 Los Angeles, CA SOLD OUT!
Jul. 27, 2007 Los Angeles, CA Malibu Performing Arts Center SOLD OUT!
Aug. 1, 2007 New York, NY Hiro Ballroom SOLD OUT!
Aug. 2, 2007 Brooklyn, NY The SouthPaw SOLD OUT!
Aug. 4, 2007 Boston, MA First Church in Boston SOLD OUT!
Aug. 5, 2007 Philadelphia, PA The International House SOLD OUT!
Aug. 6, 2007 Detroit, MI The Gem Theater
Aug. 7, 2007 Chicago, IL The Lakeshore Theater SOLD OUT!
Aug. 12, 2007 Bristol, UK Thekla
Aug. 13, 2007 Brighton, UK Komedia
Aug. 14, 2007 Manchester, UK Late Room / Life Cafe
Aug. 15, 2007 Leeds, UK Brudenell Social Club
Aug. 16, 2007 London, UK Bush Hall
Aug. 17, 2007 Nottingham, UK Social
Aug. 19, 2007 Erfurt, Germany Highfield
Aug. 21, 2007 Hamburg, Germany Molotow
Aug. 22, 2007 Malmö, Sweden Festival Free festival! www.malmofestivalen.se
Aug. 23, 2007 Copenhagen, Denmark Vega
Aug. 24, 2007 Berlin, Germany Tachles
Aug. 25, 2007 Cologne, Germany Studio 672
Aug. 26, 2007 Munich, Germany Ampere


I'd been putting off posting any Tegan & Sara songs, because I'm sure they'll ask them to be removed, but I don't think anyone's posted my favorite song yet. Get it while you can.


Relief Next To Me

Get a couple more at Neiles Life.

Matt & Kim are Lovely

I had the choice between seeing Animal Collective blocks from my house or driving an hour to see Matt & Kim. I think I made the right decision for me. Matt & Kim are delightful. Fun, spunky, and guaranteed to make you smile. I can't wait to listen to them on a road trip. Nothing better to pass the time than pop-y sing-along tunes. Having seen them live will make for good day dreams.

Here's a song from their set Saturday night at Rubber Gloves.

YACHT in Denton

yacht, Yacht, YACHT. I Love YACHT. I'm super glad I saw him. If you weren't there. You missed dyanmic dance moves, beats that move your feet, and almost choking on smoke from sparklers.

Feel free to dance along. You know you want to.

Interpol & Fey

Happy Birthday Tina Fey! She's one of my favorite writers/actors/comedians. Check out this great Tina fan site.

Let's all celebrate with some Interpol. Maybe you guys have found this elsewhere, but I am glad to have it having never been to Coachella, but greatly anticipating seeing them at the end of this month.

Looks like they'll be super busy touring in support of Our Love to Admire that streets July 7th.

May 19 2007 Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre (KROQ Weenie Roast) Irvine, California
May 27 2007 Gorge (Sasquatch!) George, Washington
May 31 2007 The Palladium Dallas, Texas
Jun 2 2007 HiFi Buys Amphitheatre (99X Big Day Out) Atlanta, Georgia
Jun 3 2007 Metro Chicago, Illinois
Jun 7 2007 The Guverment Toronto, Ontario
Jun 9 2007 Shoreline Amphitheatre (Live 105 BFD 07) San Francisco, California
Jun 10 2007 Devore Stadium San Diego, California
Jun 21 2007 ISS Dome w/ Pearl Jam Dusseldorf
Jun 23 2007 Hurricane Festival Scheesel
Jun 24 2007 Southside Festival Neuhausen ob Eck
Jun 25 2007 Dresden Alter Schlacthof Dresden
Jun 27 2007 Vega Copenhagen
Jun 28 2007 Hove Festival Tromoy, Arendal
Jun 29 2007 Accelerator Stockholm
Jul 1 2007 Rock Werchter Werchter
Jul 5 2007 Superbock Superrock Lisbon
Jul 7 2007 Oxegen Festival Dublin
Jul 7 2007 Punchestown Racecourse (Oxegen) Naas
Jul 8 2007 T In the Park Balado, Scotland
Jul 19 2007 Harro East Ballroom Rochester, New York
Jul 20 2007 Music Box @ Borgata Atlantic City, New Jersey
Jul 21 2007 Norva Norfolk, Virginia
Jul 23 2007 House of Blues Cleveland, Ohio
Jul 24 2007 Byham Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Jul 25 2007 The LC Ampitheatre Columbus, Ohio
Jul 27 2007 Orbit Room Grand Rapids, Michigan
Jul 28 2007 State Detroit, Michigan
Jul 30 2007 Rave Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Jul 31 2007 Egyptian Indianapolis, Indiana
Aug 1 2007 Pagent St. Louis, Missouri
Aug 3 2007 Madison Theatre Covington, Kentucky
Aug 4 2007 Grant Park Chicago, Illinois
Aug 4 2007 Lollapalooza Chicago, Illinois
Aug 5 2007 Pimlico Race Course (V Festival) Baltimore, Maryland
Aug 5 2007 V Festival - Pimlico Race Course Baltimore, Maryland
Aug 11 2007 Summersonic Festival Tokyo
Aug 12 2007 Summersonic Festival Osaka
Aug 24 2007 Reading Festival Reading
Aug 25 2007 Leeds Festival Leeds

Interpol at Coachella 2004

Rufus/Neko Tour

Rufus Wainwright just announced a tour date in my area and maybe yours. To add to the excitement, Neko Case is opening! A Fine Frenzy also joins them. Find out if they're coming to your town.

Rufus' cd Release the Stars came out yesterday. He'll be doing an instore performance & signing at the Union Square Barnes & Noble in NYC today(7pm), and he'll be on Letterman tomorrow night (Thursday).

Rufus Wainwright & Dido - I Eat Dinner

Rufus with Antony & the Johnsons - What Can I Do

Neko Case - Favorite (off her Canadian Amp ep)

Neko Case with John Doe - Highway 5

And you can hear 5 songs on A Fine Frenzy's (aka Alison Sudol) website. Her cd comes out on July 17, really good stuff.

Feeling Feist-y

Last time, I saw Leslie Feist she was playing a small instore at Good Records. It was a small, but well attended gig before her opening set for Broken Social Scene. I'm glad that she's all over the place now and getting the recognition that she deserves.

I've started listening to KCRW over the internet while I'm at work. Nic Harcourt plays a stellar mix of songs and has some of the most respected musicians play in the studio.

Listen to or watch Feist's appearance from May 10th on Morning Becomes Eclectic here.

Me Loves LCD

To celebrate seeing LCD Soundsystem on a HUGE scale, making thousands dance, here's his All My Friends.

Track Listing
01. All My Friends (Album version) 7:40
02. LCD Soundsystem vs Franz Ferdinand 5:52
03. LCD Soundsystem vs John Cale 7:39
04. No Love Lost 3:38
05. Harvey Mix 7:04
06. Freak Out 12:22

ACL Lineup:Here It Is!

Bob Dylan Björk The White Stripes The Killers Wilco
Arcade Fire Muse Queens of the Stone Age Bloc Party
Arctic Monkeys

Gotan Project Joss Stone Damien Rice Robert Earl Keen Lucinda Williams Spoon Blue October Indigo Girls The Decemberists Paolo Nutini Regina Spektor
Amy Winehouse Crowded House Steve Earle Ziggy Marley Stephen Marley
Kaiser Chiefs LCD Soundsystem Augustana Amos Lee M.I.A. Ben Kweller
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah Andrew Bird Bela Fleck & The Flecktones

Ghostland Observatory
Cross Canadian Ragweed
Reverend Horton Heat
Pete Yorn
Butch Walker
Peter Bjorn and John
STS9 (Sound Tribe Sector 9)
Yo La Tengo
Joseph Arthur & The Lonely Astronauts
Rodrigo y Gabriela
Zap Mama
Blonde Redhead
Eli Young Band
Aterciopelados
Heartless Bastards
Raul Malo
James Hunter
Mighty Clouds of Joy
Del McCoury Band
Preservation Hall Jazz Band
Andy Palacio & the Garifuna Collective
Asleep at the Wheel
Ryan Shaw
Will Hoge
The National
Beau Soleil
Midlake
Grace Potter and the Nocturnals
Railroad Earth
Dax Riggs
Elvis Perkins In Dearland
Sound Team
The Legendary Soul Stirrers
Charlie Musselwhite
JJ Grey & Mofro
Young Love
The Dynamites featuring Charles Walker
Ian Ball
The Little Ones
Manchester Orchestra
Patterson Hood
Billy Joe Shaver
Fionn Regan
Big Sam’s Funky Nation
John Ralston
The Broken West
Rose Hill Drive

Brandon Rhyder
Ocote Soul Sounds
Sara Hickman
Willy Mason
Jon Dee Graham
Paul Green School of Rock All-Stars
Kevin Devine
Nicole Atkins & the Sea
Ike Reilly Assassination
Greyhounds
Guy Forsyth
Adam Hood
Cary Ann Hearst & The Gun Street Girls
The Jones Family Singers
The Gospel Silvertones
The Shields of Faith
Sylvia St. James
Jeffrey Steele
Amy Cook
Trent Summar & the New Row Mob
Back Door Slam
Mario Matteoli
Kara Grainger
One Mississippi
Kevin McKinney
Jennifer Nicely
Sahara Smith
The New Soul Invaders
The Wonderful Harmonizers
Loretta Williams Gurnell
Amy Loftus
Amy LaVere
The Steps-Kidz
We Go To 11- Kidz
The Sippy Cups- Kidz
Daddy A Go Go- Kidz
Farmer Jason- Kidz
Q Brothers- Kidz
Jambo- Kidz
The Bummkinn Band- Kidz
The Jellydots- Kidz

New Blanche-y

I was introduced to Blanche by an old Motor City boss I used to have. You may know them as friends of Jack White or the backing band for Loretta Lynn. Well, they're back with another album called Little Amber Bottles. It'll be released late this month oversees. No mention of it on their site yet.

"If our first album was about life throwing you in a
ditch and thinking about why these horribly sad
things happen, I guess this one is about pulling
yourself out of that ditch", says Dan John Miller of
Blanche's second LP Little Amber Bottles.

No Matter Where You Go (feat. Isobel Campbell on cello)

Little Amber Bottles

Cornflake Girl

Tori Amos has a new cd out called American Doll Posse. She has been one of my favorites since I was young. She was recently interviewed on Studio 360 for NPR. You stream it here or get the mp3. The show also included one of my favorite actresses, Sarah Polley, who has just directed her first film Away From Her.

These aren't from American Doll Posse but are some old rarities nicely compiled.

Tracks1&2 SNL '96
Tracks 3-6 Virgin Megastore NYC 5/13/96
Track 7 Late Show D.Letterman '96
Track 8 Regis & Kathy Lee '96
Track 9-23 B-Sides '96

01 Caught A Light Sneeze
02 Hey Jupiter
03 Crucify
04 Silent All These Years
05 Cornflake Girl
06 Hey Jupiter - 2
07 Muhammad My Friend
08 Hey Jupiter - 3
09 This Old Man
10 That`s What I Like Mick (The Sandwitch Song)
11 Graveyard
12 Toodles Mr. Jim
13 Hungarian Wedding Song
14 Samurai
15 Frog On My Toe
16 London Girls
17 Sister Named Desire
18 Holiday Greetings 1
19 Holiday Greetings 2
20 Holiday Greetings 3
21 Holiday Greetings 4
22 Holiday Greetings 5
23 Holiday Greetings 6

Download it
(many thanks to derek)

ACL Lineup:So Good, So Far

• Andrew Bird
• Andy Palacio
• Asleep at the Wheel
• Augustana
• Beau Soleil
  
• Ben Kweller
• BJORK
• Blue Mother Tupelo
  
• Charlie Musselwhite
• Christina Bell
  
• Decemberists
  
• The Dynamites Feat with Charles Walker
• Eli Young Band
  
• Gotan Project
  
• Heartless Bastards
  
• Indigo Girls
  
• Jake Owen
• The Jellydots
• Jones Family Singers
  
• Joss Stone
  
• Kevin Gordon
• Kings of Leon
  
• The Little Ones
• Peter, Bjorn, and John
  
• Raul Malo
  
• Rev. Horton Heat
  
• Robert Earl Keen
  
• Rodrigo Y Gabriela
  
• Rose Hill Drive
  
• Ryan Bueter
  
• Sara Hickman
  
• Stephen Marley
  
• The White Stripes

Guaranteed to be one of the best and most creative parties EVER, Y.A.C.H.T. is having his cd release on, well, a yacht. Helping Y.A.C.H.T. celebrate will be Juice Team Djs, Bobby Birdman, E*Rock, DJ Beyonda, and Adrian Orange and the Child Slave Rebellion.

Be one of the 50 chosen few to get on the boat by buying your ticket here. He's also giving away some tickets. Get all of the info here.

If you don't live in the PDX area, and you want to help Y.A.C.H.T. with a donation, so he can really celebrate and not have to worry about his crazy bill for his crazy party, give here.

He'll be touring with LCD Soundsystem in support of his new album I Believe in You. Your Magic Is Real which is out May 8th.

"I Believe In You" (care of Muzzle of Bees)

"Your Magic Is Real" (care of 5 Acts)

YYYs' Spidey Sense

As a buyer, I was wondering why I should bring the new Spiderman 3 soundtrack into my stores. So, I started reading through the tracklisting, Snow Patrol (ok), The Killers (ok), Yeah Yeah Yeahs (sold).

Record Collection knows how to put a soundtrack together with all new songs from Snow Patrol, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Jet, The Flaming Lips, Wolfmother, The Walkmen, The Killers and more. The soundtrack even has a website. See the full track listing here.

Yeah Yeah Yeahs-"Sealings"

The Flaming Lips-"Supreme Being Teaches Spider-Man How to Be in Love"

I found some live Sufjan songs, and as I'm deciding which ones to put up, I want to pick the ones with Shara very prominant in them, 'cause I'm biased. When I talked to Shara at SXSW, she was gushing about Mikey, much like I do...kinda crazy. Anyhoo...

She (My Brightest Diamond) did an awesome in-studio performance for KCRW while she was at Sxsw. It's a whole hour of talking and singing, including a never-released Edith Piaf cover. You can find that interview and performance here.

In fact, KCRW is hosting a My Brightest Diamond show in LA at the Troubadour tonight. Please go and tell Shara I said hey.

04-30 - 89.9 KCRW presents My Brightest Diamond
at the Troubadour in Los Angeles (with Pedestrian)

05-03 Eugene, OR - McDonald Theater #
05-04 Seattle, WA - Paramount Theater #
05-05 Bellingham, WA - Western Washington University #

# with The Decemberists

05-30 New York, NY - The Bowery Ballroom
MBD opens for The National


So, here are the live Sufjan Stevens tracks from a show at the Fox Theatre on September 21, 2006.

"Sister"

"Detroit, Lift Up Your Weary Head"

"The Dress Looks Nice On You"

PDX Auction

Buckman Arts Magnet Elementary School in Portland is holding an auction. They have 10 items on ebay and will also host an event at the Melody Ballroom tonight at 5:45pm. More details here. Most of the items on ebay are kid sized guitars that have been individually decorated by Portland Artists. Corin Tucker (of Sleater-Kinney) decorated the guitar above. Janet Weiss (now of The Jicks) decorated one as well. Members of Modest Mouse, The Decemberists, The Dandy Warhols, Quasi, and more lent their hands. Bid for the items here.

No Parking Lot

One of the cds that was released today was A Tribute to Joni Mitchell. There is a varied array of iconic-artists-in-their-own-right that pay homage to Ms. Mitchell. Sufjan Stevens, Bjork, Caetano Veloso, Prince, Emmylou Harris, Annie Lennox, Elvis Costello, KD Lang and others lend their vast talents to interpreting Joni's songs.

I was going to post the Prince song, 'cause it's killer and Prince fans are freaky and old-school like me. They will buy the cd even if they've downloaded the song. They like to hold something and thumb through the artwork. We are complete-ists. You new school kids are weird to me, but I bet you have a lot less to lug around.

Anyways, Idolator just beat me to it, so get the Prince song here. I think Elvis Costello fans are old school too, so here's his version of "Edith and the Kingpin."

"Edith and the Kingpin" (Joni Mitchell cover) by Elvis Costello

If you're new school, it's not too hard to find the full version of this song, but here's a teaser to entice you to actually spend money on this well done tribute.

"Free Man in Paris" (Joni Mitchell cover) Sufjan Stevens (teaser ~1min)

I've been a fan of Holly Golightly's since seeing her play at sxsw many years ago. You may know her as a friend of the White Stripes singing on their song "It's True That We Love One Another." She's also been a frequent collaborator of the prolific Billy Childish.

Her new album You Can't Buy a Gun When You're Crying on Damaged Goods is already out in the UK, but due out in the States in May.

"This is a side project featuring Holly and Lawyer Dave. Brought to you courtesy of the influences of bourbon, brisket, ribs, Lead Belly, Howlin Wolf and by the cutting edge audio technology of the Victrola. PS The title of the album is apparently an actual law in the US of A. Quite sensibly so!"


"You Can't Buy a Gun When You're Crying" by Holly Golightly and The Brokeoffs

more new songs at their Myspace page and Holly's Myspace page.

MineMineMine

Okay, well i was going to post a song off the new Tori Amos album American Doll Posse, but many people have already beat me to it. One track at popbytes and two at Fabulist!.

Then I thought about a track from Rufus Wainright's newest Release The Stars. Nope, Brooklyn Vegan beat me to it. More new Rufus at It's Hard To Find A Friend. Here's Rufus talking about his first single "Going To Town."(here)

Brooklyn Vegan is one of the 5 I read everyday. His post today has some great pics of Beth Ditto of The Gossip. My advice don't read the comments after them. Some people are not so nice. See his pics here.

Anyways, his post is what brings me to "premier" my video of The Gossip from Sxsw. The quality is not so good from my little camera, but the content is great. This group gives 100% on stage.

Do Something Nice

My favorite shoe store (and the shoe store of the Beastie Boys) Harputs is throwing a party. They're 10 years old now and want you to help them celebrate on April 27th in San Fransisco. Rachel Yamagata, Michael McDermott, and The Nice Device will help them raise money for an organization called Our Conservatory. It's a musical instrument library that helps at risk kids find their passion thru music.

The Nice Device is from Detroit, but is not in the typical vein of the motor city garage or soul sounds. Instead, they make pop music. The Brits are already hip to them. You can vote for them at NME.

Nice Device-Brightest Days

Hear more at their myspace page.

ACLACLACLACLACLACLACL

My Pic of Cat Power @ ACL 2003?

I woke up early this morn to get my ACL tickets. Their early bird price is $120 and no services charges. The early bird price sold out in less than 24 hrs last year. You know you wanna go, so get yours here. Now, let the rumors and speculations possibilities begin until mid-May when the lineup is announced. These artists have already said they'd be there.

• Andrew Bird (YAYYYYYYYYY!!! I got mail)
  
• Asleep at the Wheel
  
• Ben Kweller
  
• Blue Mother Tupelo
  
• Charlie Musselwhite
  
• Christina Bell
  
• The Dynamites Feat with Charles Walker
  
• Eli Young Band
  
• Jake Owen
  
• The Jellydots
  
• Kevin Gordon
  
• Kings of Leon (i think this is year 3?)
  
• Robert Earl Keen
  
• Rev. Horton Heat
  
• Ryan Bueter
  
• Sara Hickman

I just found these live recordings of Regina Spektor. She really captivated a large audience here in Dallas. So, why not try ACL, Regina?

Fidelity (live)
Love Profusion (Madonna cover-live)
Better (live)
Bartender (live-originally itunes exclusive)

And, here's an NPR recording of a live show from the 9:30 Club in D.C.

Buck the 65

Buck 65 has been busy making soundtracks to movies, one for Big Rig (a movie about the soul of the American trucker) and one for a french movie by Damien Odoul called L'Histoire de Richard O. He's also got a new album in the works.

Buck 65 is sometimes classified as rap, sometimes rock. I'd classify him as fun to watch live. I took the above video at Sxsw this year. I believe he said this was a new song. Don't hold the crappy camera against him.

He'll be touring in May with Sage Francis, Buddy Wakefield, and Alias. Dates here.

Rough House Blues

Sounds of Serge

painting by yves budin

Last year, a bunch of cool people got together to remix/cover some Serge Gainsbourg tunes. Cat Power, The Rakes, Franz Ferdinand, Feist, and The Kills each re-did a track for Monsieur Gainsbourg:Revisited. Revered in France, Serge gained notoriety around the world with his style that drew influences from pop, reggae, jazz, mambo, disco, bossa nova, and many more.

His daughter Charlotte Gainsbourg will be releasing an album titled 5:55 on April 24.

Until I have a piece of that, soothe yourself in the sounds of Serge. Thanks to the super cool person who put together these 21 hard to find tracks.

Rare Serge

Been a While, Eh?

Yeah, been super sick, and my job's been kicking my butt. What's new in the blogosphere? I haven't kept up on anything.

The pic above is of Beth Ditto (The Gossip) being interviewed by MTV outside of the Mess With Texas Party. I spent a few days putting together some of my other photos from SXSW.

I see Quentin Tarantino took a que from Jamie Babbitt (But I'm a Cheerleader) by including the April March song "Chick Habit" on his soundtrack to Death Proof.

This was the soundtrack to the last days of my last job. Hopefully, you enjoy it as much as I do.

Disc 1

Disc 2

password= aNp

Start of a Good Thing

What a great way to start of my sxsw week.

Judd Apatow, better known for Freaks & Geeks & 40 Year Old Virgin, decided to screen his film, Knocked Up here at Sxsw. It got very good reviews from all in my group. It stars Seth Rogan, Katherine Heigl, and Paul Rudd. Judd really has a way of sharing a growth experience without being pushy or preachy.

Terribly funny poster here.

Then we headed over to the Austin Chronicle Party being thrown for the movie. Free food, free drinks, and music from Loudon Wainwright III, What Made Milwaukee Famous, and Voxtrot.. Both bands just returned home from touring and seemed to be happy to be home.

Thanks to the Chronicle for showing the out of towners a good time with the local fare.

Radio Friends

Speaking of YACHT (and his kitty), he spent an hour playing some tunes on the radio in France. I'm looking forward to some variation of his fine taste in music to get the sxsw industry folks dancing. Download the 19 song mp3 here. See the track listing here.

Deerhoof's John Dieterich also picked out an hour of his favorite music for radio. You can download the hour here.

That's Me, Hot On Your Heels

I am SUPER psyched to hear that YACHT is going to be playing all over during sxsw this year. This includes a KVRX radio station visit on Saturday the 17th. Stream it from 12-2pm (CST). Jona Bechtolt (akaYACHT) is many things; photog, drummer, graphic/web designer, and 1/2 of the duo The Blow. Last year, I saw Khaela 3 times, so if I see Jona at least 3 times next week, I'll feel complete.

YACHT had a good reason to skip Texas last year. He just finished a remix cd called Our Friends in Hell. It includes remixes of The Blow, Architecture in Helsinki, Mirah, Tussle, Copy and a track from his forthcoming album I Believe in You. Your Magic Is Real. If you are one of the first 100 to buy Our Friends in Hell at the States Rights website, you'll get a free poster and sticker. Do it now!

Bobby Birdman-And Then It Begins (YACHT remix)

The Blow-Hock It (YACHT remix)

ooh ooh ooh annnd check out his terribly cute kitty Whiskers Bechtolt on video at his myspace page.

Park It

The new Maximo Park album Our Earthly Pleasures will street April 2nd in the UK. You can buy the first single "Our Velocity" on five different formats (including 2 colored 7"s) for only 4 pounds here or hear it here. It is hot.

Here's another new song from the upcoming album.

"The Unshockable"

Super Friends

No surprise that Xiu Xiu is much beloved by us here. They're set to release a new 2 disc record aptly titled Remixed and Covered. Collaborations with Sunset Rubdown, Oxbow, Marissa Nadler, Why, Gold Chains, kid606, Her Space Holiday, as well as many others. Ever touring, you can see them starting March 25th making their way across the land. Below is the track from the new album with Devendra Banhart.

Support Our Troops (w/Devendra)

2 Weeks to Go

Only 2 weeks until the music portion of SXSW is officially on. Bands will be converging on Austin, TX to show off their talent and get picked up by a label or good representation.

One of the bands showcasing is Let's Go Sailing. Hailing from sunny So-Cal, this group contains members of Irving and Silversun Pickups. Their producer, and Flaming Lips producer, Chris Chandler has been playing their cd in various forms of completion after Flaming Lips shows. "Melodically unpredictable, heartfelt and most of all, catchy," they are sure to garner much attention.

Sideways

Ms. Wright

Shannon Wright is set to release her fourth album with Quarterstick titled Let in the Light on May 8. With Andy Baker, who also produced Dyed in the Wool, she's created another fully emotive album. Let in the Light is softer but no less affecting. She has a way of pulling out all of those feelings you've pushed way down deep.

"There’s an intensity to her music that can move you to joy, tears, or terror. Such an honest portrayal of emotion leaves you wondering if you are actually meant to hear it, almost as if you stumbled upon a sibling’s diary and can’t help but read it--even though you know you shouldn’t."

Much like Cat Power, Joanna Newsom, and Tara Jane O'Neil, she'll be playing at Dirty Three's curated All Tomorrow's Parties in April. Her live show is intense and not to be missed. Hopefully, she'll fully tour for this album.

Defy This Love (from Let in the Light)

Black Little Stray (from Over the Sun)

Less Than a Moment (from Dyed in the Wool)

In-N-Out, Here I Come

Off to California today. Anything good happening in the LA area Friday night? I looked at the LAWeekly site, but nothing stuck out.

One thing I do want to hit is the Tinlark Gallery. One of my favorite artists named Julianna Bright has work in the Mind Full show at the Tinlark. This show ends Saturday February 24th, so get there quick.

Neko Case is on the road, too. I just missed her in LA by a week. Maybe you can catch her near you. Here's a track from the New Pornographers limited edition live cd they put out in December. Buy it here before it's gone.

Streets of Fire

Lots of Veirs

Laura Veirs has a new album called Saltbreakers. She's changed the name of her band from the Tortured Souls to Saltbreakers. They do some vocal backing and although Karl Blau has backed her before, this is a first as a group. The album will be available from Nonesuch on April 10th, but for now, you can listen to a new song called "Pink Light" on her myspace page.

Laura was also honored with a 45 person French choir named The Young Rapture Choir who recorded arrangements of her songs, and she's honored them in return by releasing a limited edition pressing on her own Raven Marching Band label. Hear their rendering of "Magnetized" here.

Her video for "Secret Someones" will be screening at SXSW, so I'm going to hope she'll be enjoying the fest.

Qui? Moi?

So, I've totally been on the foreign band bandwagon. Today, we bring you a couple from the Plasticines' LP1. They're from Paris and list influences as the B52s, Stooges, and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. They're also playing a couple of shows with another of their favs The Slits. It looks like LP1 just came out in France, so maybe it'll be a little more available soon? For right now, you can click here and order it from French Amazon or French itunes and others.

Lost In Translation

Rake

And for the drone lovers, here's a new one from Badgerlore's We Are All Hopeful Farmers, We Are All Scared Rabbits. Badgerlore is ex-Deerhoof member Rob Fisk and Ben Chasny of Six Organs of Admittance and Comets on Fire. Rob Fisk also plays in 7 Year Rabbit Cycle with Jamie (of Xiu Xiu) and fellow ex-Deerhoof-er Kelly Goode. Together Fisk and Goode run the label Free Porcupine Society.

Goodnight, Sweet Rabbits

Swedish folkpsychrock band Dungen (pronounced "doo-ngen") is at it again. After discovering hip-hop in his teens, Gustav Ejstes found a love of sampling, and decided he wanted to prove he could play all of the intruments used in his samples. So, he moved to his family's farm and made a studio in the basement, releasing Dungen. It got enough underground buzz to attract Virgin, who released Ta Det Lugnt in 2004 to much critical acclaim. They have a new album slated for a May release called Tio Bitar (translated means Ten Pieces).

Pitchfork interviewed Gustav about the new album here.

Below is a track from the new album. Please, again, don't let the foreign language put you off. Give it a few listens. Often times I find the bands from other countries are doing something different from those homegrown here in the states.

Familj

Summary of BARR

BARR is releasing a new cd with 5 Rue Christine in a couple of weeks called Summary. A "motivational speaker for lapsed indie and punk kids" BARR is doing is own thing. It's not rap. It's not pop. He's sometimes political and always engaging. Most times it's the politics of the heart he speaks of that hit you.

Typically, it is Brendan Fowler trying to strike up a conversation with you on his own, but this spring he'll be hitting the road with a band. Find him out there on the road with Marnie Stern.

The Song is the Single

Complete Consumption of Us Both




See a crisper version of the video here.

Just in case you missed it, Patty Griffin's new cd Children Running Through hit shelves. With help from Spoon producer Mike McCarthy, she's crafted another set of songs "that emphasize her effortlessly eloquent lyrics, her subtly indelible melodies and her sublimely expressive voice, while making judicious use of such sonic frills as horns and strings."

Check out Trapeze

She's on the road right now.

02.09.07 Philadelphia, PA WXPN World Cafe Live
02.13.07 Los Angeles, CA Hotel Cafe
02.17.07 Birmingham, AL Reg's Coffee House
03.09.07 Tucson, AZ The Rialto
03.10.07 Phoenix, AZ El Pedragal at The Boulders
03.11.07 San Diego, CA 4th & B
03.13.07 Los Angeles, CA Wiltern Theatre
03.15.07 Santa Cruz, CA The Catalyst
03.16.07 San Francisco, CA Warfield Theatre
03.18.07 Portland, OR Aladdin Theater
03.19.07 Seattle, WA Moore Theater
03.20.07 Boise, ID Egyptian Theatre
03.22.07 Boulder, CO Boulder Theater
03.23.07 Boulder, CO Boulder Theater
03.26.07 Madison, WI Barrymore Theatre

Rakes Crazy

Yeah, I've got some problems. DOH is listed no less than 6 times on the ol' Hype Machine's first page for The Rakes. Well, add another. The Rakes newest album Ten Messages will be out March 19. This new song made me curious.

When Tom Cruise Cries

You can hear the first single We Danced Together on their Myspace, download it from CallMeMickey, and get a live radio show version at the torture garden.

If you're one of the first 200 to preorder the 7" for We Danced Together, you'll get an autographed copy.

More Smoanna

Do you see Joanna Newsom's shadow in this pic? She's the photog. Good trivia. Anyways, just 'cause I'm excited about his date here in our neck of the woods (19April, Sons of Hermann), here's a track from the new Bill Callahan cd Woke On A Whale Heart due out in April thru Drag City. I'm not sure if he's taking a "break" from Smog or just not as shy.

This is the first single (coming on March 20th).

Diamond Dancer

Check out You Ain't No Picasso for another track.

Really quick. I know I gush about Electrelane a lot, but I'm highly anticipating their new album and tour. Their brand of post-rock is not usually adopted by girls. Their new album No Shouts, No Calls should be out later this year. Here's a preview.

To the East

Free Ep

No secret that I love the French. Thanks in large part to a friend, I'd put the Prototypes album in last year's top 5 albums by new artists. Described as

"joyful and hybrid music, sexily sung in French, mixing altogether the many influences of the band : from electro-pop, 60s rythms, folky guitars and sometimes a punk crunch to add to the equation!"

They're similar to CSS because you may not know what they're saying, but your feet know their meaning. Not all of the songs are in french, so don't be put off. Give them a good 3 or 4 go rounds. Looks like they'll be touring the states in March. maybe sxsw?

Minty Fresh's killer offerings of free mp3s include a Prototypes ep, with 4 of the 5 tracks previously unavailble in the States. This is only for a limited time, so get it here asap.

After you look at their really nice site, that's mostly in french, be their friend and hear some more on myspace.

This Week in New Music

You, too, are wondering what to spend your hard earned cash on (instead of rent) this week. Here are some ideas:

Lily Allen- Alright, Still
(finally released domestically)
Beirut-Lon Gisland
Busdriver-Roadkill/Overcoat
Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds-Abbatoir Blues Tour
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah-Some Loud Thunder
Hella-There's No 666 in Outer Space
Norah Jones-Not Too Late
(I swear someone said this was "rock-y", not so)
Love of Diagrams-Love of Diagrams Ep
Madonna-Confessions Tour (DVD/CD)
Mercury Rev-Back To Mine
One For the Team-Good Boys Don't Make Noise
The Plagiarists-Veto!
RZA-Afro Samurai
Sean Na-Na-Mondays in Spaceland v.2
Jill Scott-Collaborations
Various-Fall Out Boy Piano Tribute
(how do things like this get made?)
Young Love-Too Young To Fight It
Frank Zappa-Imaginary Diseases

Tender Blow Out

Okay, so I'm sorry that i don't really have many specifics, but Electrelane are going out on tour this spring and taking Tender Forever with them. I'm just so excited that I had to tell someone. They have at least two dates confirmed:

May 15 Irving Plaza NYC
May 16 Paradise Theatre Boston


Just when you thought it couldn't get any better along comes The Blow to open! These shows are definitely worth flying out for, so I hope I can round up the money. Of course, it would be awesome if The Blow goes along for the whole ride too.

Tender Forever has mentioned some likely cities they might hit like the obvious suspects NYC, Montreal, Toronto, Detroit, Chicago, Vancouver, Portland, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Philadelphia, and Washington DC.

She also threw out the possiblitly of stops in Cleveland, Minneapolis, San Diego CA, Tucson AZ, Denver CO, Kansas City MO, St Louis MO, Pittsburgh PA. I'm hoping for a Texas date or 2!

So, if anyone has any pull, please whisper Texas in their ear.

Electrelane-One,Two, Three, Lots

Tender Forever-Take It Off

The Blow-Hock It (YACHT remix)

Solo Tigre

If you're in the NYC tonight, check out Le Tigre's Johanna Fateman spinning @ the Hiro Ballroom. There might even be some other famous riot grrls hanging out. If anyone does go, can you ask (and report back) as to what the status of the band is? Don't want to stick 'em in a box, but I'd love to look forward to something new, even other projects..

Back in 2005, Le Tigre hosted an all-night video party on the Australian show Rage. Here's a link to the video playlist they chose.

Le Tigre-Deceptacon (DFA remix)

Gossip-Standing in the Way of Control (Le Tigre Mix) sample of goodness you're in for

Also here's a super creative mashup, Jem does Le Tigre's Deceptacon.

French Arcade

So, you too wanted to be at the Arcade Fire "secret" show in Montreal. Well, not all of us were lucky enough to be born Canadian, so someone took pity on us and recorded it. There's a zip file of the whole show at Instrumental Analysis, as well as credit where credit is due.

Sov Angel Lady Baby Tour

Dreams do come true. Gwen Stefani has asked along the S-O-V to come along on tour with her. Excited 'bout the show, but I'm sure the tix will be outrageously priced.

April 27 Gibson Amphitheatre Los Angeles
April 28 Cricket Pavilion Phoenix
April 30 The E Center Salt Lake City
MAy 2 Pepsi Center Denver, Co
May 3 Journal Pavilion Albuquerque
May 5 Smirnoff Music Center Dallas
May 6 Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion Woodlands, Texas
May 8 Ford Amphitheatre Tampa, Florida
May 12 Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre Charlotte, NC
May 14 Alltell Pavilion Raleigh, North Carolina
May 15 Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre Virginia Beach,Va
May 17 Nissan Pavilion Bristow, Virginia
May 18 PNC Bank Arts Center Holmdel, New Jersey
May 20 Jones Beach Theatre New York
May 21 Mohegan Sun Area Uncasville, Connecticut
May 23 Tweeter Center Mansfield, Massachusetts
May 24 Tweeter Center Waterfront Camden, New Jersey
May 27 The Borgata Hotel Hotel Atlantic City, New Jersey
May 29 Bell Centre Montreal
May 30 Air Canada Centre Toronto
June 1 Palace of Auburn Hills Michigan
June 2 Verizon Wireless Music Center Noblesville, Indiana
June 4 Qwest Center Omaha, Nebraska
June 5 Xcel Energy Center Saint Paul, Minnesota
June 7 Bradley Center Milwaukee, Wisconsin
June 8 First Midwest Bank Tinley Park, Illinois
June 10 MTS Centre Winnipeg
June 12 Rexall Place Edmonton
June 13 Pengrowth Saddledome Calgary
June 15 General Motors Place Vancouver
June 16 White River Amphitheatre Auburn, Washington
June 18 Sleep Train Amphitheatre Marysville, California
June 19 Shoreline Amphitheatre Mountain View, California
June 22 Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre Irvine, California

Lady Sov-Hoodie (Spank Rock remix)

Gwen Stefani-What Are You Waiting For? (elevator mix)

New Releases 23 Jan

As long as you're out picking up a few of the new releases this week, check out the new Nurse & Soldier album Marginalia from Jagjaguwar. Nurse & Soldier are Bobby Matador (of Oneida) and Erica Fletcher. Included in the fun on this album are Kid Millions (also of Oneida) and Jake Bailey.

"Far more vulnerable and raw than Oneida, Nurse & Soldier sing about longing, betrayal and reconciliation; the sound of Marginalia is a confused murmur, as opposed to Oneida's punishing roar."

Green Tea

Find another mp3 on Stereogum.

New releases for the week
Animal Collective-People Ep
Arbouretum-Rites of Uncovering
Ateleia Formal Sleep-Table of the Elements
Berg Sans Nipple-Along the Quai
Bird and the Bee-The Bird and the Bee
Boredoms-Super Roots Volumes 1,3,&5 (reissues)
Broken West-I Can't Go On, I'll Go On
Rhys Chatham-A Crimson Grail
Clinic-Visitations
Rob Crow-Living Well
Deerhoof-Friend Opportunity
Julie Doiron-Woke Myself Up previous post
Dredd Foole-Daze on the Mounts
Chris Garneau-Music For Tourists
Dustin Kensrue-Please Come Home
The Earlies-The Enemy Chorus
Exploding Star Orchestra-We Are All From Somewhere Else
Field Music-Tones of Town
Fujiya & Miyagi-Transparent Things
The Good,The Bad & The Queen-The Good, The Bad & The Queen
Herbert-100 lbs (Reissue)
Kristin Hersh-Learn To Sing Like A Star previous post
Damien Jurado-Gathered in Song
David Kilgour-Far Now
Lovers-Sleep With Heat
Maher Shalal Hash Baz-L'Autre Cap
Menomena-Friend and Foe
Mew-Frengers (reissue)
Miss Kitten-Bugged Out Mix
Mum-The Peel Session
New Young Pony Club-New Young Pony Club Ep
Nurse and Soldier-Marginalia
Of Montreal-Hissing Fauna, Are You The Destroyer
Rafter-Music For Total Chickens
The Shins-Wincing The Night Away
The Six Parts Seven-Casually Smashed To Pieces
Snowglobe-Me and You
David Vendervelde-Moonstation House Band
VietNam-VietNam