Friday, October 31, 2008

Sara Lov covers Arcade Fire

One of the better cover songs I've come across lately comes from California singer/songwriter Sarah Lov. The former frontwoman of the pop group, the Devics recently came out with a new 5 song EP, The Young Eyes , in which she took on a cover of Arcade Fire's "My Body Is A Cage". Lov's take on the track suits it well with her soft whispy vocals accompanied by a simple melody on piano. 'The Young Eyes', which is her solo debut, is currently available only as a digital release, with a physically version due out sometime in January. You can download for a limited time a free version of the Arcade Fire cover over on her myspace.


My Body is A Cage - Sara Lov


The Young Eyes track listing:
New York
Timebomb (Beck cover)
Seasoned Eyes Were Beaming (piano version)
My Body Is a Cage (Arcade Fire cover)
Why Can't I Be

Thursday, October 30, 2008

Lucero's Ben Nichols- Announces solo release

Lucero frontman Ben Nichols, has announced he will be releasing his debut solo album, a “mini-LP” titled The Last Pale Light in the West, this coming January 2009 (Liberty & Lament / The Rebel Group). Nichols, who somehow found a pause in Lucero's well known non-stop tour schedule, entered the studio this past August with Rick Steff (Cat Power, Lucero) and Todd Beane (Glossary) to record the seven track mini-LP which features songs inspired from the Cormac McCarthy book 'Blood Meridian'. The Last Pale Light in the West is said to feature the gravelly voiced Nichols on acoustic guitar complimented by Rick Steff on piano and accordion, with Beane helping out on pedal steel.
This year also saw Nichols contribute vocals to The Hold Steady’s new LP, Stay Positive, on the first single, “Sequestered in Memphis”, as well as Ben taking part in the compilation disc, All Aboard: A Tribute to Johnny Cash , tackling “Delia’s Gone” for the CD.
As for Lucero, the band have just signed on with major label big shots, Universal Records. The group will soon be heading back into the studio to record their sixth studio LP, which is scheduled for release sometime in summer 2009.

Lucero on myspace.

new video: My Brightest Diamond-"Inside A Boy"

Brooklyn singer Shara Worden's project, My Brightest Diamond, just recently came out with the first of three new remix EPs from her latest album, A Thousand Shark's Teeth. The three remixes were handled respectively by (Alfred Brown, DM Smith, and Son Lux), who each created their own EP from the albums tracks. No release date has been announced yet for the next two EP's. In other MBD news, Worden released this week a new video for the first single off of Shark's Teeth, "Inside A Boy." The animated video was created by Rafa Toro.


My Brightest Diamond-"Inside A Boy"



My Brightest Diamond on myspace

Beirut: new EP's coming soon

Zach Condon, aka Beirut will be issuing two new EP's this coming Winter. March of the Zapotec is the first release, and features six new tracks that were in part recorded in Mexico, while the second EP Holland features five old works from Condon's early home-recordings.

The new EP's will be available after the new year, February 16th in Europe and the 17th in the U.S. Stay tuned for updated tour information, as Beirut plan to to hit the road again in 2009.

March of the Zapotec tracklisting:

01 El Zocalo
02 La Llorna
03 My Wife
04 The Akara
05 On a Bayonet
06 The Shrew

Holland tracklisting:

01 My Night With a Prostitute From Marseille
02 My Wife, Lost in the Wild
03 Venice
04 The Concubine
05 No Dice

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

MTV trying to break back into the video business

Remember the good old days when MTV actually used to play music video's?? Maybe it's showing my age, but there used to be a time before all their reality style programming kicked in, that MTV had something to do with the music business, and making videos was actually worthwhile, good exposure for your band. Well, the cable television network has just launched its MTV Music site, in what appears to be an attempt to jump back into the world of music-related content. The new MTV service is said to feature a vast array of new and old videos that will work like a YouTube style site. Wonder if The Buggles will be making an appearance or not?

Wilco- Making progress on new LP

In a recent article in Rolling Stone magazine, America's favorite alt-country band Wilco, have confirmed that they have wrapped up recording demos for their next record. The group now plan to start working on polishing up the new tracks in their Chicago studio later this month. Commenting on the amount of new tracks and the sound the band is heading in, Guitarist Nels Cline told Rolling Stone... "Sonically it’s going to be a much wilder, much more unexpected record." later adding.... "There’s going to be too much to choose from, right now it’s an embarrassment of riches, for sure." The album will be the follow up to last years Sky Blue Sky.

Wanna be a part of Parts & Labor's live show?

Coming off their experiment for their new album Receivers, in which the band asked fans to email them random noises to incorporate on the LP, the Brooklyn band Parts & Labor are at it again. This time looking for fans to yell, shout or make noise in general using their phones which will supply the band with noise to incorporate into their live shows. By dialing (888) 317-5596 and making whatever natural or unnatural noises come from your body, you might be able to appear in the bands new live act. I'd hate to be the one screening those calls.
The band is currently out on tour across the US till the end of November, where you might hear a grunt that sounds like yours.

Listen to Parts & Labor

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Dark Captain Light Captain: Debut LP comes out today

London's Dark Captain Light Captain craft atmospheric textured indie-folk with subtle electronic elements. The band who have been compared to Elliot Smith and Stars Of Track And Field, formed in 2006 when founders Dan Carney (guitar, vocals) and Neil Kleiner (electronics, vocals) got together and started some late-night recording sessions around Kleiner's laptop. Two years and 4 new members later, the band have just released their new debut disc Miracle Kicker on LoAF recordings, which features their current single "Jealous Enemies". The new disc follows up the bands EP Circles, which came out this past August.

Listen to Dark Captain Light Captain

Land Of Talk- 'Some Are Lakes'

Montreal's Land Of Talk were a much hyped band back in 2006 when they released their Applause Cheer Boo Hiss EP. After enduring some line-up changes and minor production delays the band are back in the spotlight with their new debut full length, Some Are Lakes. The album which was produced by Justin Vernon of Bon Iver, clearly showcases the talents of frontwoman Elizabeth Powell(vocals/guitar), who without a doubt has come into her own on 'Some Are Lakes'. Taking a cue from early 90's frontwomen like Tanya Donelly, Kristen Hersh or Kim Deal before her, Powell shows a touch for being able to blend powerful guitar driven indie rock with the knack for still keeping melodic pop undertones. On tracks like "Young Bridge" and "Give Me Back My Heart Attack", Powell's vocals are at the same time powerful, vulnerable and full of raw emotion, the latter of which is a frenzy of slanted rhythms and harsh guitars. "Corner Phone" shows the bands explosive indie prowess, while "It's Okay" proves the band is equally strong when slowing things down, highlighting Powell's melancholy delivery.

There's really not a bad track on the LP, but at it's core is the title track, "Some Are Lakes". The track is an indie-pop gem, that somehow blends the dark undercurrent of her parents battle with cancer, as seen through her father's eyes, as Powell sings .... “I’ll love you like I love you/Then I’ll die,”. On the new disc Powell stakes her claim as one of the leading lady's of indie-rock, and deservingly so. On 'Some Are Lakes' Powell has arrived and so has Land Of Talk.


Corner Phone - Land Of Talk


Land Of Talk on myspace.

This weeks new releases: Wk 10/28

Here's the rundown of what we thought you might find interesting this week. This week we have the physical release of Bloc Party's Intimacy and new LP's from the Cure, Ryan Adams and Eagles of Death Metal to name a few.

New releases Wk 10/28:

Bloc Party- Intimacy
Crystal Stilts- Alight Of Night
The Cure- 4:13 Dream
Dark Captain Light Captain- Miracle Kicker
Deerhunter- Microcastle
Eagles Of Death Metal- Heart On
Honeyhoney- First Rodeo
KaiserCartel- Okay... And Other Things We Feel EP
Jesse Malin- On Your Sleeve
Langhorne Slim- When The Sun's Gone Down
The Long Lost- Woebegone
My Brightest Diamond- Shark remixes Vol 1
O'Death- Broken Hymns, Limbs and Skin
Ryan Adams & The Cardinals- Cardinology
Snow Patrol- A Hundred Million Suns
The Asteroids Galaxy Tour- Around The Bend EP

Monday, October 27, 2008

Crystal Stilts- debut LP hitting stores


Crystal Stilts released a self titled EP earlier this year that started generating a lot of buzz for the band. Looking to keep the ball rolling, the Brooklyn band are about to unveil their debut full length Alight of Night on Oct 28th. The bands throwback post-punk, garage rock sound have drawn comparisons to retro acts such as Joy Division, Velvet Underground and even Jesus & Mary Chain. Following the albums release the band have a handful of dates scheduled on the West Coast.


Shattered Shine - Crystal Stilts


Upcoming tour schedule:

Oct 30 KCSB 91.1 Isla Vista, California
Oct 31 Kenji Shack Oxnard, California
Nov 1 Che Cafe San Diego, California
Nov 2 The Echo Los Angeles, California
Nov 3 House of Nostromo Oakland, California
Nov 4 Bottom of the Hill San Francisco, California
Nov 5 Luigi Fun Garden Sacremento, California
Nov 6 Samurai Duck w/ caUSE-co-MOTION! Eugene, Oregon
Nov 7 Holocene Portland, Oregon
Nov 8 The Big Room Olympia, Washington
Nov 9 Chop Suey Seattle, Washington

Crystal Stilts myspace.

Video & Song of the week: Paper Rival-"Cassandra"

Formed just three years ago, the Nashville band Paper Rival originally formed under the name Keating before having to make the name change. The group have since come out with their debut CD Dialog in May of this year that features the song "Cassandra", which the band just released a new video for. It is actually the second video released for the track, as you can find the original animated version also featured below.

Paper Rival- "Cassandra":



original video:



Paper Rival on myspace.

Friday, October 24, 2008

Horse Feathers- back on the road

The Justin Ringle led indie-folk project, Horse Feathers are about to embark on another trek across the US. The band, who just returned home from a tour in Europe aren't wasting any time getting back onstage. The group will be criss-crossing the continent, kicking things off on Oct 27th in NYC, then heading out across the mid-west before returning to Brooklyn, NY on Nov. 21st.
Horse Feathers released their beautifully detailed new sophomore LP, House With No Home just last month, which features "Curs In The Weeds".


Curs in the Weeds - Horse Feathers


Horse Feathers Tour dates:

Oct 27 Knitting Factory New York, New York
Oct 29 Caffe’ Lena Saratoga Springs, New York
Oct 31 Tick TIck! Venue TBA Burlington, Vermont
Nov 1 Colby College Waterville, Maine
Nov 5 The Frequency Madison, Wisconsin
Nov 6 Grinnell College Grinnell, Iowa
Nov 7 Carleton College Northfield, Minnesota
Nov 8 Turf Club w/ Blitzen Trapper St. Paul, Minnesota
Nov 9 Schubas w/ Blitzen Trapper Chicago, Illinois
Nov 10 Locals Only w/ Blitzen Trapper Bloomington, Indiana
Nov 11 Skully’s Music Diner w/ Blitzen Trapper Columbus, Ohio
Nov 17 The Earl Atlanta, Georgia
Nov 19 The Metro Gallery Baltimore, Maryland
Nov 21 Union Hall Brooklyn, New York

Horse Feathers on myspace.

We Were Promised Jetpacks- Sign to Fat Cat

Hoping to follow in the footsteps of fellow Scottish buzz bands such as The Twilight Sad and Frightened Rabbit, who have made it to the big stage. We Were Promised Jetpacks are ready for their next step, having just signed to Fat Cat Records. The 4-piece came together in Edinburgh as high school mates in 2003, playing mostly local gigs around Scotland before recording a well received three-track demo. The demo was picked up on big indie station's like KEXP in the US as one of their 'tracks of the day', as well as Q radio and other national stations across the UK. A recent tour of the UK in support of Frightened Rabbit strengthened the buzz following the band and Fat Cat Records jumped on the opportunity to sign the group. WWPJP's have an album scheduled for release in May 2009, with singles to proceed it. You can get a taste of the bands sound with the track "Quiet Little Voices" below.


Quiet Little Voices - We Were Promised Jetpacks


WWPJP on myspace.

new video: The Whigs- "Like A Vibration"

One of the most straight ahead rock albums to come out this year is Mission Control , from southern rockers The Whigs. We caught the Georgia trio earlier in the year at one of the summer festivals where they played a blistering set of songs from the new LP, featuring "I Never Want To Go Home", Right Hand On My Heart" and the electrifying "Like A Vibration", which the band just released a new video for. The band can currently be seen out on tour opening with We Are Scientists for fellow southern boys Kings Of Leon.

The Whigs-"Like a Vibration":



The Whigs on myspace.

Thursday, October 23, 2008

The Jealous Girlfriends: Team up w/ Nada Surf & Delta Spirit

Brooklyn's The Jealous Girlfriends will be heading out on tour next month with indie rock veterans Nada Surf and California newcomers Delta Spirit. The handful of dates sees the group kicking things off in Texas on Nov. 21st and wrapping up in NJ on Dec 8th. The band has been touring much of the year in support of their sophomore self titled disc, which has seen the group hit the road with acts ranging from Sea Wolf and Dirty On Purpose to The Wedding Present and Shudder To Think.


Something In The Water - The Jealous Girlfriends


Tour With Nada Surf & Delta Spirit:

Friday, Nov 21st @ Hailey's - Denton, TX
Saturday, Nov 22nd @ Emo's Alternative Lounge - Austin, TX
Monday, Nov 24th @ Bricktown Ballroom - Oklahoma City, OK
Tuesday, Nov 25th @ Juanita's - Little Rock, Ark
Friday, Nov 28th @ Fine Line Music Cafe - Minneapolis, MN
Saturday, Nov 29th @ Metro - Chicago, IL
Tuesday, Dec 2nd @ Paradise Rock Club - Boston, MA
Thursday, Dec 4th @ Trocadero - Philadelphia, PA
Friday, Dec 5th @ 930 Club - Washington DC
Monday, Dec 8th @ Maxwells - Hoboken, NJ

The Jealous Girlfriends on myspace.

Gnarls Barkley: Dropping new EP

Gnarls Barkley will be getting soulful on their next project. The band have announced details for a new Ep titled, Who's Gonna Save My Soul, which will come out on November 11th. The EP centers around the song of the same name, which was originally featured on the duo's The Odd Couple LP from earlier this year. There will be four different versions of the track on the new EP as well as a live version of "Neighbors" that was taken from a show in Athens, Georgia and a non-album track called "Mystery Man".
The song, "Who's Gonna Save Your Soul" was inspired by James Brown according to Cee-Lo, and a missed opportunity that band had to meet the legend. Back in '06 Gnarls and Brown were playing in London on the same night, and the pair had been offered the chance to attend Brown's show. Gnarls was unable to make it to the show that night and Brown later died a few months later.

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Cold War Kids- new 'Myspace Transmissions' & unreleased track

Cold War Kids recently appeared on myspace's music series 'myspace transmissions'. The series features 5 video performances and interviews from the group, as well as a free download of all the songs performed. The session saw the group play mostly songs off their new album Loyalty To Loyalty, which included one of our favorites off the disc, "I've Seen Enough". The session also saw CWK's bust out a previously unreleased track called "Coffee Spoon". Previous 'myspace transmissions' have featured Rogue Wave, Bon Iver and City And Colour. To download the 5 free tracks or to see any of the previous 'myspace transmissions' series click here.

Cold War Kids "I've Seen Enough" from MySpace Tran

Tapes 'N Tapes: New Winter dates added

Tapes 'N Tapes have announced a new run of tour dates in the US this coming Winter. The tour which will kick off January 15th in Omaha, Nebraska, sees the group hit the East & West coasts before returning to middle America in March. The new dates continue the bands support of their most recent sophomore effort, Walk It Off, which was released in April of this year.


Hang Them All - Tapes n Tapes


Upcoming Winter tour schedule:

Jan 15 The Waiting Room Omaha, Nebraska
Jan 17 Fox Theater Boulder, Colorado
Jan 19 Neurolux Boise, Idaho
Jan 20 Neumo’s Seattle, Washington
Jan 21 Doug Fir Portland, Oregon
Jan 23 Great American Music Hall San Francisco, California
Jan 24 El Rey Theater Los Angeles, California
Jan 25 The Casbah San Diego, California
Jan 29 Parish Austin, Texas
Jan 30 Club Dada Dallas, Texas
Feb 2 Jackpot Music Hall Lawrence, Kansas
Feb 3 Mojo’s Columbia, Missouri
Feb 4 Maintenance Shop @ Iowa State Ames, Iowa
Feb 6 First Ave Minneapolis, Minnesota
Feb 20 Legends @ Notre Dame South Bend, Indiana
Feb 21 The Basement Columbus, Ohio
Feb 24 Paradise Boston, Massachusetts
Feb 25 Bowery Ballroom New York, New York
Feb 26 Music Hall of Williamsburg Brooklyn, New York
Feb 27 Johnny Brendas Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Feb 28 Rock & Roll Hotel Washington DC, Washington DC
Mar 3 The Earl Atlanta, Georgia
Mar 4 Bottletree Birmingham, Alabama
Mar 5 Mercy Lounge Nashville, Tennessee
Mar 7 Metro Chicago, Illinois

Tapes 'N Tapes myspace.

Frightened Rabbit- New Live disc out, X-mas song in the works

Frightened Rabbit released The Midnight Organ Fight earlier in the year to overwhelming critical praise. Since the albums release the band have been on a near non-stop tour in support of the LP. For anyone new to the band or old, they know Frightened Rabbit has a heavy reputation for their intense live shows. The band captured one such occasion on a new live LP, Liver! Lung! FR!, which was recorded at a hometown show in Glasgow this past July. It is an acoustic set, that features nearly all the songs off of 'Midnight Organ Fight'. Offering a different look into the LP's tracks, that are highlighted by Scott Hutchinson's personal lyrics, the disc also includes guest appearances from fellow Scottish mate James Graham from The Twilight Sad , who contributes vocals to “Keep Yourself Warm”. The album is currently available only in the US and Canada, with the UK and Europe seeing a release date in early '09. In other FR news, the bands 2007 Christmas single is seeing new life, as "It's Christmas So We'll Stop" is being re-worked & re-released. The track was originally released last year as a stripped-down version, but a recent re-recording of the track featuring David Karsten Daniels, along with new brass, strings, piano and a full choir will arrive sometime this December.

To see our recent interview w/ frontman Scott Hutchinson of FR click here.

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Matthew Ryan Live @ The Living Room, NYC

One of the best songwriters to come around over the past 10 years is Nashville's Matthew Ryan. Nobody may be more adept at capturing the struggles and feel of the everyman than Ryan, who has flexed his writing prowess with 11 releases in 11 years. We caught Matthew's show the other night at the Living Room in NYC, where he appeared for a stripped down acoustic set. The low key intimate setting of the small room combined with the fact that it was just Ryan on an acoustic guitar accompanied by Molly Thomas on violin and keys, made it easy to soak in the depth and emotion of Ryan's powerful lyrics.

Drawing on his vast catalogue of songs, Ryan mixed the set with old favorites like "Beautiful Fool" from his first release Mayday back in 97', "Me And My Lover" from East Autumn Grin, and even "Cars And History" from his side project, Strays Don't Sleep. Heavier tracks like "American Dirt" off the new album took on new life in the acoustic environment, while current single "Some Streets Lead Nowhere"(to stream click here) which segued into "Caged Bird" seemed tailor made for the room. Other highlights included the standout track "Everybody Always Leaves" and the Pogues cover "Rainy Night in Soho". Sticking with the intimate vibe of the evening, Ryan closed out the set by wandering into the crowd and taking requests, which included a goose bump raising version of one of Ryan's finest new tracks "It Could've Been Worse" off the new album.
To get a taste of Ryan's songwriting you can check out the new album Matthew Ryan vs. The Silver State which is available on 2minutes59 in the US and One Little Indian in the UK, or visit his myspace below.

Matthew Ryan on myspace.

Story contributed by Jean-Paul Paraskevas

This Weeks New Releases- 10/21

Not as busy a list or loaded with big names as in the past few weeks, this weeks new arrivals are still quite solid. Notable new discs come out from The Dears, Sebastien Grainger, Frightened Rabbit and the Raveonettes.

This Weeks list Wk 10/21:

+/- X's On Your Eyes
And You Will Know Us By The...- Festival Thyme EP
The Dears- Missiles
El Guincho- Alegranza
Fireworks- We Are Everywhere
Frightened Rabbit- Liver! Lung! FR!
Hudson Mohawk- 7X7 Beat Series #6 EP
Lay Low- Farewell Goodnight's Sleep
Lizzy Grant- Kill Kill EP
Parts & Labor- Receiver
Pit Er Pat- High Time
The Raveonettes- Beauty Dies
Sebastien Grainger- Sebastian Granger & The Mountains
The Last Shadow Puppets- My Mistakes Were Made For You
The Whispertown 2000- Swim
White Hinterland- Luniculaire EP

The Long Blondes: Call it quits

UK indie rock group The Long Blondes have just announced an amicable split due to an illness in the band. Guitarist Dorian Cox suffered a stroke earlier in the year which had forced the band to cancel previous tour dates. Although recovering, Cox says he is unsure if or when he will be able to play guitar again due to his illness. Some of the bands previous albums include 2006's Someone to Drive You Home, Couples released in June, and Singles which actually came out just the other day.

The Long Blondes on myspace.

Monday, October 20, 2008

Video & Song of the Week: Wintersleep-"Weighty Ghost"

Largely overlooked outside of their home country of Canada, Wintersleep have had themselves a pretty busy 2008. The band started the year by winning the Juno Award(Canada's Grammys) for Best New Artist for their critically acclaimed album, Welcome to the Night Sky . The LP which has been out since late 2007 finally saw it's US release just last week. Speaking of the US, the band are currenty out on an extensive tour of the US with Portugal the Man and Earl Greyhound, before heading over to Europe in December for some dates.
This weeks choice for 'Video & Song Of the Week' comes from the Much Music Video Award winning track off 'Welcome to the Night Sky', "Weighty Ghost".

Wintersleep-"Weighty Ghost":



Wintersleep on myspace.

Stellastarr*: return w/ new tour dates

It's been a little over three years now since we've had new material from moody sonic rocker's Stellastarr*. 2005's Harmonies For The Haunted being the bands last new full length. News out of the Stellastarr* camp is that the Brooklyn based band has been hard at work in the studio putting the finishing touches on thier third LP, which is due out sometime in 09'. In other band news, after playing their first show in over a year at Central Park over the summer, the band have announced that they will be hitting the road for an east coast run of shows beginning in November. The group will be hitting small venues in Boston, D.C. and Philly before heading back to NYC to play a five night run at Piano's on the Lower East Side.


Upcoming tour dates:

Nov 5 Great Scott Boston, Massachusetts
Nov 9 Rock & Roll Hotel Washington, DC
Nov 10 Johnn Brenda’s Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Dec 2 Piano’s New York City, New York
Dec 3 Piano’s New York City, New York
Dec 4 Piano’s New York City, New York
Dec 5 Piano’s New York City, New York
Dec 6 Piano’s New York City, New York

Listen to Stellastarr.

Friday, October 17, 2008

The Acorn: new tour dates

One of the most overlooked albums of 2008 has to come from Ottawa Canada's, The Acorn. The band released their disc Glory Hope Mountain in early 08', which is a captivating concept album based around the biographical story of Gloria Esperanza Montoya, who happens to be Acorn songwriter Rolf Klausener's mother. The album retells her journey from her early life in Honduras to her eventual immigration to Montreal in 1972. The band who were nominated for Canada's Polaric Music Prize this year, are about to embark on tour with fellow Canadians and BTB favorites Ohbijou for some dates, as well as shows with The Shaky Hands and Calexico.

Upcoming tour dates For The Acorn:

10/18 - Portland, OR - Rock Creek Tavern +
10/19 - Bend, OR - Old Saint Francis +
10/21 - San Francisco, CA - Hemlock +
10/22 - Santa Cruz, CA - Crepe Place +
10/24 - Los Angeles, CA - Spaceland +
10/25 - Phoenix, AZ - Modified +
10/28 - Denver, CO - Hi-Dive +
10/29 - Omaha, NE - Slowdown +
10/30 - Minneapolis, MN - The 7th Street Entry +
10/31 - Madison, WI - Cafe Montmartre +
11/01 - Chicago, IL - Schuba's +
11/07 - Austin, TX - Antone's *
11/08 - Dallas, TX - Granada Theatre *
11/09 - St. Louis, MO - Duck Room *
11/10 - Nashville, TN - Mercy Lounge *
11/12 - Carrboro, NC - Cat's Cradle *
11/13 - Washington DC - 9:30 Club *
11/14 - Philadelphia, PA - Theatre Of The Living Arts *
11/15 - Tarrytown, NY - Tarrytown Theatre *
11/16 - Somerville, MA - Somerville Theatre *
11/20 - Pontiac, MI - Crofoot Ballroom *
11/23 - Omaha, NE - Slowdown *
11/24 - Denver, CO - Gothic Theatre *
11/25 - Albuquerque, NM - Sunshine Theater *
11/27 - Toronto, ON - Lee's Palace #
11/28 - Montreal, QC - La Sala Rosa #
11/29 - Ottawa, ON - Barrymore's Music Hall #

+ w/Ohbijou, Shaky Hands
* w/Calexico
# w/Ohbijou

Listen to The Acorn on myspace.

new video: Okkervil River-"Lost Coastlines"

Back in August & Septmeber Okkervil River introduced us to their new album The Stand Ins with a series of video perfomance cover versions of the albums tracks, performed by fellow songwriters and friends of the band. The guest list included AC Newman and Bon Iver to name a few (click here to see them all on the bands youtube channel). The band has now done a little video work of their own, putting out a new video for one of the albums standout tracks, "Lost Coastlines". The band can currently be see touring across Europe, check their myspace for the full slate of dates.

Okkervil River-"Lost Coastlines":

Thursday, October 16, 2008

Sigur Ros: New Deluxe Edit. CD

Sigur Ros have announced plans to release a deluxe edition of their latest album, Med Sud I Eyrum Vid Spilum Endalaust, which in case you missed it translates to 'With a Buzz in Our Ears We Play Endlessly'.

The special deluxe version CD will feature a 'Making Of…' DVD by filmmaker Nick Abrahams, which details the making of the new album as well as concert footage from England, Mexico and the US, and was shot in Super-8 film. Also included in the package is a 200-page hardback book of band photos by photographer Eva Vermandel, as well as a strip of 16mm original film from the 'Gobbledigook' video shoot.

The deluxe version of Med Sud I Eyrum Vid Spilum Endalaust will be hitting stores sometime in mid-November, but can also be ordered now via the band's website.

Sigur Ros.com

new video: Passion Pit-"Sleepyhead"

A few weeks back we reviewed Passion Pit's new EP, Chunk Of Change (to read the review click here). One of the things we had mentioned was that one track in particular off the EP, "Sleepyhead" has been garnering a lot of attention in the blogosphere. Sure to keep the masses buzzing, the group has just released a new video for the infectious sample heavy track track that was directed by The Wilderness. The band is playing a handful of shows at the CMJ music showcase in NYC next week and after that will be on the West Coast for select dates.

Passion Pit-"Sleepyhead":



Oct 21 Brooklyn Vegan CMJ Showcase: Music Hall Of Williamsburg Bkly, NYC
Oct 23 CMJ @ Fader Lounge New York, New York
Oct 23 CMJ @ Club NME New York, New York
Oct 24 CMJ @ Pianos New York, New York
Oct 25 CMJ @ The Yard New York, New York
Oct 27 Neumo’s w/ Yelle Seattle, Washington
Oct 28 Commodore Ballroom w/ Yelle Vancouver, British Columbia
Oct 29 Berbati’s Pan w/ Yelle Portland, Oregon
Oct 31 Mezzanine W/ Yelle San Francisco, California
Nov 1 Henry Fonda Theatre w/ Yelle Los Angeles, California
Nov 2 The Beauty Bar w/ Yelle San Diego, California

Alaska In Winter- new album details

The electronic project from Brandon Bethancourt, known as Alaska In Winter ,is coming out with a new album on November 18th. The second release from AIW, Holiday was recorded over the past several months in Berlin, Germany. Extreme locales seem to inspire AIW, as 2007's Dance Party In The Balkans was actually recorded in a remote cabin in the Alaska wilderness. The new LP will be available on Milan Records in the US and Regular Beat Records in the UK and Europe.

Check out below our video interview with Alaska In Winter from back in April.




Listen to Alaska In Winter.

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Ra Ra Riot on The Late Show w/ David Letterman

Ra Ra Riot's debut disc The Rhumb Line came out to rave reviews from critics and fans alike this past August. Many have already begun talking about the LP on their 'best of' year end lists. The band from Upstate NY (Syracuse) brought their indie rock styling to the Late Show w/ David Letterman recently performing the track "Can You Tell". The band is about to wrap a run of dates in the US before heading over to the UK and Europe, and then returning to the States in Dec. for some more dates.

Ra Ra Riot- "Can You Tell" on Letterman:



Ra Ra Riot on myspace.

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Band Of Horses: Heading back into the studio

Band Of Horses have just announced that they will be heading back into the studio to record the follow up to 2007's sophomore effort Cease To Begin.
Here's what the band posted on their myspace.

"We're headed to historic Muscle Shoals Sound Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama this week to officially start the jammering. You've more than likely heard many of the fantastic records birthed there, but just in case www.muscleshoalssound.org has a complete discography and awesome slide show available for your curious viewing pleasure. We're extremely excited to get back at the business of recording songs. Here are a couple things I can safely say this album will include:
*More Than 10 Songs!!!!
*Songs written by all members of BoH (Ryan, Creighton, Bill, Tyler, and me)
*Christopher Wilson brand beautiful artwork
*Not The Funeral
*Music
So here we go. It's hard to say how long this will take to complete, so I'm not even gonna speculate for fear something will go terribly wrong. Thanks always to all of you who've supported us throughout this past year and beyond."

In the meantime, the band still have a few select tour dates coming up in November and December.

Nov 6 Vive Cuervo Salon Mexico City
Nov 8 Zero Festival Monterrey
Dec 30 Variety Playhouse W/ The Whigs Atlanta, Georgia
Dec 31 Variety Playhouse W/ The Whigs Atlanta, Georgia

Paper Route- New tour dates

You may already know that Nashville is quite well known for it's singer/songwriter & country music scenes. But what you may not know is that one of the best new bands to come out of Nashville recently is the indie-electronica project Paper Route. The band released their stellar EP Are We All Forgotten this past summer which takes those traditional sounds of Nashville's Americana roots and gives it a fresh take blending it with electonic and indie rock elements. The band has been on tour most of the summer and into the fall and they just added a handful of new tour dates, which sees them touring with bands Low Vs Diamond and Barcelona. Check out the title track to the EP below "Are We All Forgotten".


Are We All Forgotten - Paper Route


Paper Route tour dates:

Nov 9 Bowery Ballroom New York, New York
Nov 14 Webster Underground Hartford, Connecticut
Nov 15 Brighton Bar Long Branch, New Jersey
Nov 16 Great Scott Allston, Massachusetts
Nov 18 The Basement Columbus, Ohio
Nov 19 Magic Stick Detroit, Michigan
Nov 20 Subterranean Chicago, Illinois
Nov 21 The Majestic Theater Madison, Wisconsin

Paper Route on myspace.

This Weeks New Releases: Wk 10/14

This weeks shortlist includes interesting new releases from Keane, Ingrid Michaelson, National Eye and I'm from Barcelona.

Here's this weeks rundown:

Arizona- Glowing Bird
Copeland- You Are My Sunshine
Decemberists- Always The Bridesmaid (singles)
Elbow- iTunes Live from London
Gomez- Bring It On (10th Anniv Edit.)
I'm From Barcelona- Who Killed Harry Houdini
Ingrid Michaelson- Be Okay
Keane- Perfect Symetry
Lucinda Williams- Little Honey
National Eye- The Farthest Shore
Ray LaMontagne- Gossip In The Grain
Secret Machines- self titled
Tobacco- Fucked Up Friends
Wintersleep- Welcome To The Night Sky
The Heavy- Set Me Free EP
Ladyhawke- Paris is Burning EP
Shearwatezr- The Snow Leopard EP

Greg Dulli- New Live Solo work on the way

You might know Greg Dulli from some of his recent or former projects such as The Gutter Twins, The Twilight Singers or even the 90's cult favorite The Afghan Whigs. Dulli will be going the solo route on his next project, which is a live album that was recorded in 2007 at Seattle's Triple Door venue. The songs off 'Live at Triple Door' are taken from the 07' benefit show for a local youth arts center the Vera Project, which also featured fellow performers Petra Haden and Shawn Smith (Satchel, Brad) who appeared with Dulli. Songs that appear on 'Live At Triple Door' range from acoustic and stipped down numbers to covers like José González's "Down the Line". 'Live At Triple Door' is actually the second solo project from Dulli, as back in 2005 he released 'Amber Headlights'. The new live work will be released digitally via Infernal Recordings on October 28th.

Live at Triple Door tracklisting:

01 The Killer
02 Candy Cane Crawl
03 Black Is the Color of My True Love's Hair
04 Tell Everyone
05 That's Just How That Bird Sings
06 Isn't It a Pity/Atlantis
07 King Only
08 Bonnie Brae
09 Tonight
10 Down the Line
11 Front Street

Monday, October 13, 2008

Video & Song of The Week: Takka Takka- "Silence"

This past summer Brooklyn band Takka Takka released their latest record, Migration, which was the follow up to 2007's We Feel Safer At Night. The new record features guest performances from Bryan Devendorf of The National, Olga Bell of Bell, and Lee Sargent & Sean Greenhalgh of Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, the latter of which produced the LP. One of the standout tracks from the album is the track "Silence", and it is our choice for 'Video & Song of the Week' this week. Check it out.


Takka Takka- "Silence":



Takka Takka on Myspace.

Björk & Thom York team up, again.

Music heavyweights Björk and Thom Yorke are joining forces for a good cause on a new single by the Icelandic songstress. The new Björk single "Nattura", features the Radiohead frontman on backing vocals and will be released be released on October 20th on One Little Indian records. The song is said to try and help bring attention to the Icelandic environment and to highlight a grass roots movement in Iceland to reclaim the country’s natural resources and wilderness from the hands of big business and pollution.
This is actually the second pairing of Bjôrk and Thom Yorke, the duo got together in back in 2000 on the track "I've Seen It All", that was featured in the Björk's Dancer in the Dark.

The Duke Spirit: Touring with Eagles of Death Metal

The UK's The Duke Spirit are stepping back out on the road this fall. This time the group led by dynamic frontwoman Liela Moss will be heading out in support of psych rockers Eagles of Death Metal. This past April The Duke Spirit brought us their hard hitting album, Neptune, which featured the tracks "The Step And Walk" and "My Sunken Treasure".


Upcoming tour dates w/Eagles of Death Metal:

10/30 Seattle, WA @ Neumo's
10/31 Portland, OR @ Wonder Ballroom
11/1 Bellingham, WA @ Viking Union Lounge
11/2 Vancouver, BC @ Commodore Ballroom
11/5 Salt Lake City, UT @ Urban Lounge
11/6 Denver, CO @ Bluebird Theatre
11/8 Minneapolis, MN @ Fine Line Music Café
11/9 Madison, WI @ High Noon Saloon
11/10 Chicago, IL @ The Bottom Lounge
11/11 Detroit, MI @ Small's
11/13 Toronto, ON @ The Mod Club Theatre
11/14 Montreal, QC @ Studio JPR
11/15 Boston, MA @ Paradise Rock Club
11/16 Brooklyn, NY @ Music Hall of Williasmburg
11/17 New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom
11/18 Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club
11/20 West Chester, PA @ The Note
11/21 Raleigh, NC @ Lincoln Theatre
11/22 Atlanta, GA @ Center Stage
11/24 New Orleans, LA @ One Eyed Jacks/>
11/25 Houston, TX @ The Meridian

The Duke Spirit on Myspace.

Friday, October 10, 2008

The New Year- new album, tour dates, free mp3

The New Year have just released their first record in four years, with their new self titled LP. The album features the track "X Off Days" which is available as a free download on their myspace. You can also give it a listen below. The band which was formed by Matt and Bubba Kadane, who were the founding members of Bedhead, have released two previous LP's 2001's Newness Ends and The End is Near in 2004. The group kicked off their tour in Philly last night, which will see the group continuing across the northeast before heading over to Europe.


X Off Days - The New Year


The New Year upcoming tour dates:

10/10/08 - Music Hall o Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NY
10/11/08 - Middle East, Cambridge, MA
10/12/08 - Living Room, Providence, RI
10/13/08 - Club Metronome, Burlington, VT
10/14/08 - le Divan Orange, Montreal, Canada
10/15/08 - Lee's Palace, Toronto, Canada
10/16/08 - The Pike Room, Pontiac, MI
10/17/08 - Empty Bottle, Chicago, IL
10/18/08 - Maintenance Shop, Ames, IA - with The Uglysuit
10/19/08 - High Dive, Champaign, IL - with The Uglysuit
10/20/08 - Grog Shop, Cleveland, OH - with The Uglysuit
10/21/08 - DC NINE, Washington, DC - with The Uglysuit
11/07/08 - DB's, Holland, Netherlands
11/08/08 - L'escalier, Liege, Belgium
11/09/08 - Rescue Rooms, Nottingham, United Kingdom
11/10/08 - The Kazimier, Liverpool, United Kingdom
11/11/08 - Nice n Sleazy, Glasgow, United Kingdom
11/12/08 - Luminaire, London, United Kingdom
11/13/08 - Main D'Oeuvres, Paris, France
11/15/08 - Tanned Tin Festival, Castellon, Spain
11/16/08 - Ground Zero, Lyon, France
11/17/08 - Bad Bonn, Dudingen, Switzerland
11/18/08 - Locomotiv, Bologna, Italy
11/19/08 - Chelsea, Vienna, Austria
11/20/08 - Orangehouse, Munich, Germany
11/21/08 - Magnet Club, Berlin, Germany
11/22/08 - Prinzenbar, Hamburg, Germany
11/23/08 - Trix, Antwerp, Belgium
11/24/08 - Pret A Ecouter Festival, Heildelburg, Germany

Thursday, October 9, 2008

A.A. Bondy- New headlining dates

New York based indie-folkster AA Bondy has had a busy 2008, having been tapped for opening duties for acts such as Jaymay, Bon Iver, The Felice Brothers, and the current opening slot for the Cold War Kids. Beginning this November Bondy will be hitting the road on a headlining tour of his own, which will see stops in Chicago, NYC, Philly and North Carolina to name a few. The tour will be in support of his standout debut full length American Hearts, that came out this past Spring. You can listen to the track "There's A Reason" off the LP below.


Theres A Reason - AA Bondy


Upcoming AA Bondy tour dates:

10/10 - Minneapolis, MN - Fine Line Music Cafe *
10/11 - Chicago, IL - Vic Theatre *
10/12 - Columbus, OH - Newport Music Hall *
10/14 - Boston, MA - Paradise Rock Club *
10/15 - New York, NY - Webster Hall *
10/16 - Brooklyn, NY - Music Hall of Williamsburg *
10/17 - Philadelphia, PA - Theatre Of The Living Arts *
10/18 - Washington, DC - Nightclub 9:30 *
10/20 - Carrboro, NC - Cat's Cradle *
10/21 - Nashville, TN - Mercy Lounge *
10/23 - Ft. Worth, TX - Lola's *
10/24 - Austin, TX - Emo's Alt. Lounge-Outside *
10/25 - Houston, TX - Warehouse Live *
11/10 - Chicago, IL - Schubas
11/12 - Bloomington, IN - Bear's Place
11/14 - Minneapolis, MN - 400 Bar
11/15 - Madison, WI - High Noon Saloon
11/18 - Allston, MA - Great Scott
11/19 - New York, NY - Mercury Lounge
11/20 - Brooklyn, NY - Union Hall
11/21 - Philadelphia, PA - Tin Angel
11/22 - Arlington, VA - Iota
11/24 - Chapel Hill, NC - Local 506
* with Cold War Kids

AA Bondy on myspace.

Coldplay- 2 New EP's in November

Coldplay have announced plans for two new EP's to come out next month, one of which will see the group collaborating with Jay-Z. The collaboration with Jay-Z is for a re-worked version of the track "Lost", called "Lost+". The EP is due out on Nov. 10th, and will feature the original Viva La Vida... album version of the song, plus acoustic and live versions, as well as the Jay-Z-featured track. In addition to the 'Lost! EP, the band will release another EP of new material left over from the Viva La Vida sessions titled Prospekts March. It will feature eight new songs and will be available digitally, physically, and in a special edition combo with the LP Viva La Vida beginning on November 25th in the US.

Prospekts March tracklisting:

Life In Technicolor II
Postcards From Far Away
Glass Of Water
Rainy Day
Prospekts March/Poppyfields
Lost +
Lovers In Japan (Osaka Sun mix)
Now My Feet Won't Touch The Ground

new video: Audrye Sessions-"Turn Me Off"

Oakland, California band Audrye Sessions are out with a new EP on October 14th, with their full length debut following shortly thereafter in Feb. 09'. One of the tracks that will be appearing on both is the single "Turn Me Off" which the band just released a new video for. Be sure to also check out the group's cover of Elliott Smith's "Waltz #2." on their myspace.


Audrye Sessions-"Turn Me Off":

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Jenny Lewis- Acid Tongue

Songstress Jenny Lewis has made a name for herself crafting sweet indie pop in the California band Rilo Kiley. Now out with her second disc of solo work, Acid Tongue , Lewis establishes herself further from her indie rock past. Where her first solo effort, Rabbit Fur Coat saw her leaning more towards a sparse acoustic and gospel rooted sound, 'Acid Tongue' sees Lewis deliver a more countrified disc that is decidedly more dense and layered than her first LP. On tracks like the airy piano and string driven opener "Black Sand" and the soulful "Badman's World" Lewis comes across like a modern day torch singer. While on "Carpetbaggers" and the 8 plus minute medley "The Next Messiah" Lewis shows her rock roots. Lewis is at her best though on the discs slow crooners such as the closing track "Sing A Song" and the melancholy "Pretty Bird", which highlight Lewis' soft easy delivery.

'Acid Tongue' also sees Lewis call on some of her famous fellow musicians for guest appearances, ranging from She & Him, Elvis Costello and Chris Robinson of The Black Crowes. Although Lewis strays ultimately further away from the genre that has brought her success, 'Acid Tongue' provides futher support of her diversity as an artist, while also clearly showing her hitting her stride in her voice and her own skin.

Listen to Jenny Lewis.

Lykki Li: adds more tour dates

When she's not out performing with her musical crush (see video below), Lykke Li has been hitting the road in support of her critically acclaimed debut disc, Youth Novels. Li has just added another round of dates in the UK & Europe later in the fall, due to the fact that most of her shows on the last go round were sold out.
Getting back to Li's musical crush, she recently posted this on her myspace... "I've been in the States doing all kind of things: shows, parties and shoots but one of the most treasurable things was meeting up with my music crush Bon Iver an evening when the sun was still out....Very cinematic. The scenario: We were in LA at the same time and hooked up for some whisky before his show...And oh yes, I kinda started singing one of my songs and he kinda started singing along. And guess what? Bam di di bam, we got it on film".


Lykke Li & Bon Iver doing 'Dance Dance Dance' in L.A from Lykke Li on Vimeo.

Upcoming Live dates (new additions in bold):

Oct 10 The Duchess- York
Oct 19 Black Cat- Washington, Washington DC
Oct 20 Music Hall of Williamsburg - New York
Oct 21 Bowery Ballroom - New York, New York
Oct 23 Paradise Boston, Massachusetts
Oct 24 Mod Club - Toronto, Ontario
Oct 25 Empty Bottle - Chicago, Illinois
Oct 28 Richards on Richards - Vancouver, British Columbia
Oct 29 Neumo’s Seattle, Washington
Oct 30 Doug Fir Portland, Oregon
Nov 1 Independent San Francisco, California
Nov 3 El Rey Los Angeles, California
Mon 24-nov - Ireland, Dublin - Button Factory
Tue 25-nov - UK, Glasgow - Arches
Thu 27-nov - UK, Manchester - Academy 3
Fri 28-nov - UK, London - Koko
Sat 29-nov - Germany, Cologne - Gloria
Mon 01-dec - Germany, Berlin - Maria
Tue 02-dec - Germany, Hamburg - Ubel und Gefaehrlich
Fri 05-dec - Holland, Nijmegen - Doornrosjie
Sat 06-dec - Holland, Amsterdam - Paradiso
Tue 09-dec - France, Paris - Le Trabendo
Wed 10-dec - Denmark, Copenhagen - Vega
Thu 11-dec - Norway, Oslo - John Dee
Fri 12 -dec - Sweden, Stockholm - Kägelbanan

Lykke Li on myspace.

Matthew Ryan- new single "Some Streets Lead Nowhere"

Matthew Ryan is a talented songwriter that has drawn comparisons to the likes of Bruce Springsteen, Tom Waits and Bob Dylan. We've been following the career of Ryan for what has been over 10 years now, since back when his first album Mayday came out back in 97'. In April Ryan released his 11th album in 11 years, the riveting Matthew Ryan VS. The Silver State . A song not included in those sessions is "Some Streets Lead Nowhere", which Ryan just released as a new single. "Some Streets Lead Nowhere", originally appeared on his myspace a few months back as an instrumental demo. Lyrics were later added and the track was chosen to be featured on a recent episode of One Tree Hill, which also saw Ryan scoring the entire episode.
The track is available for purchase on iTunes, and you can preview it below.


Some Streets Lead Nowhere - Matthew Ryan

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Tom McRae: New Live album, tour dates

UK singer/songwriter Tom McRae is coming out with a new Live CD. The disc of live material was taken from McRae's recent tour of Europe and will feature a mix of newer and older tracks, along with one previously unreleased song. In other live news, McRae will be doing a brief tour in the US later this month, which will see him going coast to coast, with stops ranging from, NYC, LA, San Francisco, Pittsburgh and Seattle.


Tom McRae upcoming tour dates:

Oct 18 Club Cafe, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Oct 21 Jammin’ Java, Vienna Virginia
Oct 23 Cafe 939 at Berklee, Boston, Massachusetts
Oct 24 Le Savoy @ Metropolis, Montreal, Quebec
Oct 25 Drake Hotel, Toronto, Ontario
Oct 29 The Living Room, New York, New York
Nov 5 The Living Room, New York , New York
Nov 10 Hotel Cafe. LA Los Angeles, California
Nov 11 Hotel Utah Saloon, San Francisco, Ca.
Nov 13 Tractor Tavern, Seattle, Washington
Nov 14 Media Club, Vancouver, British Columbia
Nov 15 Doug Fir, Portland, Oregon

Listen to Tom McRae.

Tuesday- New Releases

October kicks off with a pretty heavy slate of new releases, including new one's from Oasis, Land Of Talk and the Annuals to name a few.

check out the list and see what's good.

Gregory And The Hawk- Moenie And Kitchi
Land Of Talk- Some Are Lakes
Rachael Yamagata- Elephants...Teeth Sinking Into Heart
Deerhoof- Offend Maggie
Dept. Of Eagles- In Ear Park
Glasvegas- self titled
Oasis- Dig Out Your Soul
Dawn Landes- Dawn's Music
Little One's Morning Tide
Annuals- Such Fun
Catfish Haven- Devastator
The Clash- Live at Shea Stadium
Minus The Bear- Acoustics
Lambchop- Oh (Ohio)
Rosebuds- Life Like
Women- self titled
Antony & The Johnsons- Another World EP
Eulogies- Tempted To Do Nothing EP
Times New Viking- Stay Awake EP

Monday, October 6, 2008

BON IVER- Live in Brussels 10/3

Expectations are sometimes a hard thing to live up to. Whether it's buying into the hype from others or just your own high expectations that were set beyond reason. Inevitably your usually left disappointed. Having read a lot of high praise about Bon Iver's live shows and seeing enough live clips myself that have blown me away, I tried to remain guarded against a letdown going in to Bon Iver's show in Brussels the other night.

It didn't take long into the set that i realized I could put my worries aside, because it was clear that Justin and the band could more than deliver the goods. Accompanied by a full band which featured two drummers at times, Bon Iver opened the set with the delicate track "Flume", which then segued straight into "Skinny Love". One of For Emma, Forever Ago's most gut wrenching tracks, the song was everything you've heard or seen it was and more, with added punctuation from the two sets of drums and Vernon's emotional vocals and guitar work. "Creature Fear" got the full on rock treatment, complete with an extended jam at the end, while "Blindsided" saw new electronic flourishes adding to the rich texture of the song. Another track off of For Emma that saw subtle changes different from the album version, was "Lump Sum", which received a new guitar solo and outro from the band. "Re: Stacks" was introduced by a story of how the song is about more than getting drunk, but about who you were before the first time you got drunk and the person you became afterwards. The set also saw Bon Iver preview two new songs, "Blood Bank" which sees a more aggressive electrified sound, and the piano driven "Baby's", which was one of the encore's. Also included in the encore was an uptempo "For Emma", and the closer of the Sarah Siskind cover "Lovin's For Fools", with opening act The Bowerbirds sitting in.
Vernon and Bon Iver's live performances have sort of taken on a legendary status since he started hitting the road supporting For Emma . Perhaps it is all that time Vernon has spent playing the songs live, or maybe the added element of the full band. But Vernon and the songs have taken on a new life and a new depth that not only adds to the legend but meets the expectations and goes beyond.

Brussels setlist:

Flume
Skinny Love
Creature Fear
Lump Sum
Blindsided
Blood Bank (new track)
Simple Man (Graham Nash cover)
The Wolves (Act 1&2)
Re: Stacks

encore:
Baby's (new song)
For Emma
Lovin's For Fools (Sarah Siskind Cover)

Video & Song of the Week: Johnny Berlin-"Bender Parts"

Belgian band Johnny Berlin have been compared to such acts as Joy Division, The Smiths and Interpol due to their post rock/new wave sound. The band came out with their debut full length, Find What You Love And Let It Kill You this past May that featured the single "Four". Our choice for 'video & song' of the week this week is for the band's second and latest single "Bender Parts" which has been climbing the charts over in Belgium. Their full length debut is currently available in the US iTunes store.

Johnny Berlin-"Bender Parts":




Johnny Berlin on myspace.

Friday, October 3, 2008

Angus & Julia Stone

The indie-folk Brother/Sister combo of Angus and Julia Stone from Australia, have just this past week released there first batch of songs in the US, with their Just A Boy EP. The new EP is a precursor to the pairs debut full length A Book Like This which is currently out in Australia, the UK and Europe. It is scheduled for a release in the US sometime in early 2009. The LP saw the siblings make the move from Australia to the UK, where they hooked up with Travis Frontman Fran Healy, who took on producing duties for 'A Book Like This'.
The duo can currently be seen touring across Europe and the UK supporting Martha Wainwright. You can preview the video for the track "Just A Boy" below or give the band a listen on their myspace.

Angus And Julia Stone- "Just A Boy":



Listen to Angus And Julia Stone.

new Radiohead video- "Reckoner"

Radiohead had a competition a while back, challenging fans and the like to come up with an animation for one of the tracks on IN RAINbows. The competition was hosted on aniboom and entered by thousands, of which Radiohead chose four co-winners back in August. Thom and the boys apparently enjoyed animator Clement Picon's version of "Reckoner" so much that the band asked them whether it was ok to make it the official video for the track. We take it the answer was yes.

Radiohead-"Reckoner"

Thursday, October 2, 2008

new video: Laura Marling-"Night Terror"

Laura Marling has just put out a new video for her soon to be released new single "Night Terror". The single comes out on October the 27th, and is the 3rd track to be released from Laura's critically acclaimed debut LP Alas, I Cannot Swim. Marling just wrapped up a handfull of dates in the US, when she was on a co-headlining tour with fellow folk troubadour Johnny Flynn. The "Night Terror" video was directed by Russell Weekes.


Laura Marling-"Night Terror":



Laura Marling on myspace

Cat Power: New Ep of cover songs

Chan Marshall (aka) Cat Power just can't seem to get enough of tackling other peoples songs in 2008. Earlier this year she released the LP Jukebox, which saw her take on tracks ranging from "New York, New York" by Sinatra to "Blue" by Joni Mitchell. Now she will be delivering a new EP on Dec. 9th titled, Dark End of the Street . The new EP will have 6 cover songs, 4 of which were previously unreleased tracks that she recorded during the Jukebox sessions. This time around you can here Chan take on the likes of the Pogues, Aretha, Otis Redding and even Creedence Clearwater Revival. The EP will come out digitally and on a limited edition double 10" in a gatefold sleeve via Matador Records.

Dark End of the Street tracklisting:

01 Auld Triangle by The Pogues
02 Dark End of the Street by James Carr
03 Who Knows Where the Time Goes by Sandy Denny/Fairport Convention
04 Fortune Son by Creedence Clearwater Revival
05 I've Been Loving You Too Long (To Stop Now) by Otis Redding
06 It Ain't Fair by Aretha Franklin

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Ten Kens album review

Ten Kens first caught our attention this past June when they came out with their double A-sided single for the songs "Bearfight" and "Y'all Come Back Now". Both tracks of which are included on the bands new self titled full length that just came out on Fat Cat Records. The two songs still shine and are at the centerpiece of the new work, showcasing the bands indie lo-fi sensibilities. Along with the rest of the album, "Bearfight" & "Y'all Come back Now" are perfect examples of the bands versatility. Where "Bearfight" is all furious distortion filled guitars and crashing cymbals, the contrasting "Y'all Come Back Now" chugs along at a slacker pace highlighted by it's wobbly bassline and aching harmonies. The album is much more than those two songs though, "Spanish Fly" is garage, grunge rock at it's finest, while the slightly countrified twang of "Down Come Home" shows yet another side of the band.

While on tracks like "Refined" and "Your Kids Will Know" Ten Kens definitely give a nod to the early 90's sounds of groups like the Pixies and Sebadoh, they manage to keep things fresh, giving it their own take, in what i think would make those bands proud. A strong and diverse debut from the Toronto band, in the meantime you can check out the video below for "Bear Fight".

Ten Kens- "Bear Fight":






Listen to Ten Kens on myspace.

Blackstrap: new song and tour dates in US added

Sweden's pyschedelic rockers Blackstrap have just put up a new track on their myspace. It's an 11 minute epic called "Receive It With Joy Satan", and according to the band was recorded into a single mic in a recent rehearsal. And speaking of those rehearsals, the band is rehearsing for an upcoming tour in the States later this month in support of their sophomore LP Steal My Horses And Run, which finally saw a release in the US over the summer.

Upcoming tour schedule:

Oct 16 Mercury Lounge /w. Little Ones New York, New York
Oct 17 DC9/Liberation Party Washington, Washington DC
Oct 18 Fredericksburg Fredericksburg, Virginia
Oct 19 Garfield Artworks Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Oct 21 Grog Shop /w. Asobi Seksu Cleveland, Ohio
Oct 22 Empty Bottle /w. Asobi Seksu Chicago, Illinois
Oct 23 Frankies Toledo, Ohio
Oct 24 WOXY Session Cincinnati, Ohio
Oct 25 Bell House/CMJ Brooklyn, NY, New York
Oct 26 Bar New Haven, Connecticut
Oct 27 The Bears /w. Von Bondies Cambridge, Massachusetts

Listen to Blackstrap on myspace.