Friday, January 29, 2010

Apples in Stereo go time travelling

Psych-rockers The Apples in Stereo are releasing their new forthcoming album, Travellers in Space and Time, on April 20 via Yep Roc/Simian/Elephant 6.
The bands seventh album overall is being described as “their most hi-fi and hook-laden production to date,” according to Yep Roc, and frontman Robert Schneider called it "retro-futuristic super-pop."


'Travellers in Space and Time' track listing:
1. The Code
2. Dream About the Future
3. Hey Elevator
4. Strange Solar System
5. Dance Floor
6. C.P.U.
7. No One in the World
8. Dignified Dignitary
9. No Vacation
10. Told You Once
11. It’s All Right
12. Next Year at About the Same Time
13. Floating in Space
14. Nobody But You
15. Wings Away
16. Time Pilot

visit Applesinstereo.com

new video: Dawn Landes- "Young Girl"

Singer-songwriter, Dawn Landes, just released her third full-length album, Sweet Heart Rodeo on Jan 19th on Cooking Vinyl Records. The album features the track "Young Girl" which she also released a new video for, that shows a different side to Landes' usual acoustic stylings. The video was directed by Jon Watts, who also worked on TV On The Radio's "Wolf Like Me."



Dawn Landes on tour:
Jan 31-Atlanta, GA-Eddies Attic*
Feb 1-Mobile, AL-Callahan’s*
Feb 3-San Antonio, TX-Sam’s Burger Joint*
Feb 4-Austin, TX-Stubb’s*
Feb 5-Houston, TX-McGonigel’s Mucky Duck*
Feb 6-Dallas, TX-Granada Theatre**
Feb 9-Chicago, IL-Beat Kitchen
Feb 22 Doornroosje W/Josh Ritter Nijmegen
Apr 23 The Bell House w/ Elvis Perkins Brooklyn, NY
*Supporting Justin Townes Earle
**Supporting Justin Townes Earle and Chris Knight

find out more at DawnLandes.com

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Emmanuel and the Fear releasing debut full length

Emmanuel and the Fear don't do thing small, from their 11 member line-up to their grand orchestral sound. Keeping things big, the Brooklyn ensemble are set to release their 18 song full length debut, 'Listen' which comes out in North America on March 9th and in Europe on March 22nd via Paper Garden Records. Spring and Summer tour plans both domestic and abroad should be announced soon, but in the meantime the band has a handful of dates already schedules in the coming months. You can "Listen" to the new album track, "Dear Friend" below.

“Dear Friend” mp3

Upcoming Tour Dates
2/27 Brooklyn, NY @ Music Hall of Williamsburg
3/10 NYC, NY @ Gramercy Theatre w/NYU symphony(album release show)
4/06 Brussels @ Botanique
4/09 Offenbach @ Hafen 2
4/10 Reutlingen @ Burning Eagle Festival
4/17 Leipzig @ Ilses Erika
4/18 Berlin @ NBI
4/22 Hamburg @ Zentrale
4/23 Dresden @ Scheune
4/24 Amsterdam @ London Calling

follow Emanuel and the Fear on myspace.

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

The Tallest Man on Earth signs to Dead Oceans

Kristian Matsson, aka The Tallest Man on Earth is Sweden's very own version of a modern day Bob Dylan. It's not only Matsson's vocal stylings but the guy flat out knows how to tell a story with his words. He first gained some notoriety here in the U.S. while supporting Bon Iver on his tour dates, wowing crowds that came out early. The Tallest Man on Earth just recently signed on with the label Dead Oceans (Bowerbirds, Dirty Projectors), who will be releasing his second LP, The Wild Hunt on April 13th (April 12th in the UK).
Listen to the album track “King of Spain” below, and stay tuned for soon to be announced North American tour dates.

"King of Spain"

The Wild Hunt tracklist:
1. The Wild Hunt
2. Burden of Tomorrow
3. Troubles Will be Gone
4. You’re Going Back
5. The Drying of the Lawns
6. King of Spain
7. Love is All
9. 8. Thousand Ways
10. A Lion’s Heart
11. Kids on the Run

Tallest man on earth - These Days (Nico Cover) - A Take Away Show from La Blogotheque on Vimeo.



The Tallest Man on Earth on myspace.

Yeah Yeah Yeah's- "Skeleton"


Yeah Yeah Yeah's 2009 album, It's Blitz! topped more than a few best of lists for 2009, and although the disc has been out for quiet some time, the band just released a new video for the song, "Skeleton". It was premiered yesterday over on Babelgum here, as a seven-day exclusive and includes a 'making-of' video, live performances and an interview with director Barnaby Clay, who also directed the video for "Zero" earlier in the year.

new video: Langhorne Slim- "Be Set Free"

Langhorne Slim - "Be Set Free" from Mog Dotcom on Vimeo.


Here's a new video for the title track off of Langhorne Slim's latest album, Be Set Free. The video was directed/animated by Sami Lill.

Langhorne Slim on tour:
Jan 27*Aquarium*Fargo, North Dakota
Jan 29*Filling Station*Bozeman, Montana
Jan 30*Neurolux*Boise, Idaho
Jan 31*Crystal Ballroom**FREE SHOW**Portland, Oregon
Feb 2*Ravenous Cafe*Healdsburg, California
Feb 3*Crepe Place*Santa Cruz, California
Feb 4*Cellar Door*Visalia, California
Feb 5*Muddy Waters*Santa Barbara, California
Feb 6*McCabe’s Guitar Shop*Santa Monica, California
Feb 8*The Casbah*San Diego, California
Feb 10*Hi-Dive*Denver, Colorado
Feb 11*Record Bar*Kansas City, Missouri
Feb 12*Off Broadway*Saint Louis, Missouri
Feb 13*The Summit*Columbus, Ohio

more at Langhorne Slim.com

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Mumford & Sons getting U.S. release

The UK folk scene has really blown up the last few years, seeing breakouts from the likes of Laura Marling, Johnny Flynn, and Noah and the Whale to name a few. Coming from that same group of performers and friends is the group, Mumford & Sons. The band made a splash in '09 with their debut disc, Sigh No More , which ranked high across British critics’ best of 2009 lists, and now the band will see the physical release of the album here in the States on Feb. 16. Mumford & Sons will be hitting the road in a few major cities across the U.S. that same week.
In other band news, Winston Marshall (vocals, banjo) is currently in the studio with members of Keane, Noah and the Whale and The Long Winters’ John Roderick, recording as a new project called, Mt. Desolation, no word as of yet as to a future release date.



Upcoming tour dates:
Feb 9 The Troubadour Los Angeles
Feb 11 Pop Scene San Francisco
Feb 15 Lee’s Palace Toronto
Feb 18 Bowery Ballroom New York
Feb 21 Festival Super Mon Amour Paris
Mar 3 ABC Glasgow
Mar 4 Academy 1 Manchester
Mar 6 Wulfrun Wolverhampton
Mar 7 Newcastle Uni Newcastle
Mar 9 Academy Liverpool
Mar 10 Junction Cambridge
Mar 12 Corn Exchange Brighton
Mar 13 Shepherd’s Bush Empire London
Mar 14 Shepherd’s Bush Empire London
Mar 16 Queen’s Hall Edinburgh
Mar 18 Academy Dublin
Mar 20 Mandella Hall Belfast

visit Mumford & Sons.com

Monday, January 25, 2010

Nate Martinez from Pela has new project: Thieving Irons

When one of my favorite bands, Pela disbanded in 2009 I was seriously bummed out, along with a lot of other fans of the band who believed they were on the cusp of blowing up. But in what could be the best news I've heard so far this 2010, comes word that guitarist Nate Martinez is readying his first solo project, called Thieving Irons. He's been in the studio finishing work on his debut, titled 'This Midnight Hum' with the help of some friends, Mike Brown, Dan Brantigan, Bryan Devendorf, Soda Gardocki, Jim Smith, and Zak Ward.

he just posted a demo of one of the new songs, "Ashes On The Riverbank" which sounds extremely promising, and you can give it a listen and download it here.

You can also check out some footage of him recording in the studio:


ThievingIrons.com

The National: announce new tour dates; new album this Spring

The National have just announced their first live shows of 2010, highlighted by shows in NYC at Radio City Music Hall, in London at Royal Albert Hall, and a performance with Pavement in Paris. Prior to the kick off of the tour the band will make a special appearance at the Big Ears festival in Knoxville, TN on March 26-28. The festival is being co-curated by The National guitarist Bryce Dessner, who is also curating the MusicNow festival in his hometown of Cincinnati, OH set for March 30- April 1.
On all the dates the band is expected to be performing songs from their as yet untitled new album, which will be released in May on 4AD.
Stay tuned for announcements of additional US dates, as well as a specific date of the news albums release.

The National U.S./Canada Tour:
APR 22-23 Richmond, VA @ The National Theater
MAY 6 London, England @ Royal Albert Hall
MAY 7 Paris, France @ Le Zenith (w/Pavement)
MAY 9 Berlin, Germany @ Astra
MAY 22 Los Angeles, CA @ The Wiltern
MAY 23 San Diego, CA @ Spreckels Theater
MAY 27 Oakland, CA @ Fox Theater
JUN 02 Boston, MA @ House of Blues
JUN 5 Philadelphia, PA @ Electric Factory
JUN 6 Washington DC @ DAR Constitution Hall
JUN 8 Toronto, Ont. @ Massey Hall
JUN 16 New York, NY @ Radio City Music Hall




more on The National at Americanmary.com

'Song of the Week": War Paint- "Elephants"

There's been some great fuzzed out lo-fi coming out of L.A, especially from the female bands (Eagle and Talon, Dum Dum Girls). Warpaint, tabbed by many as a band to watch for 2010 is another talented band you can add to the list, with their latest EP Exquisite Corpse, which has been growing and growing on me with each listen. The band have signed to Rough Trade records and they have been in the studio recording their first full length LP with producer Tom Biller (Beck, Karen O, Liars). Making some time in between recording, the band will be on tour coming up with Yeasayer and also with Akron/Family next month. Catch them while you can.

Warpaint- "Elephants"

TOUR DATES:
Feb 5 NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM w/ Yeasayer Los Angeles, CA
Feb 17 ARTISTIKA NIGHTCLUB w/ Akron/Family Greensboro, NC
Feb 18 40 WATT CLUB w/ Akron/Family Athens, GA
Feb 19 BACKBOOTH w/ Akron/Family Orlando, FL
Feb 20 CLUB DOWNUNDER w/ Akron/Family Tallahassee, FL
Feb 21 ONE EYED JACKS w/ Akron/Family New Orleans, LA
Feb 23 WALTER’S ON WASHINGTON w/ Akron/Family Houston, TX
Feb 24 THE PARISH w/ Akron/Family Austin, TX
Feb 25 GRANADA THEATER w/ Akron/Family Dallas, TX
Feb 26 HI-TONE CAFE w/ Akron/Family Memphis, TN
Feb 27 EXIT/IN w/ Akron/Family Nashville, TN
Feb 28 PILOT LIGHT w/ Akron/Family Knoxville, TN
Mar 3 MUSIC HALL OF WILLIAMSBURG w/ Akron/Family Brooklyn, NY

more at Warpaint's myspace.

No longer banned: You Say Party! We Say Die! getting official U.S. release

Canadian band YSP!WSD! hasn't been able to perform in the U.S since back in 2006, afer their bass player Stephen O'Shea was issued a five year ban for not giving the proper visa paperwork to U.S. customs/border control. Although the ban wouldn't expire till 2011, the band is in the process of working things out, and the Vancouver group just announced a new round of tour dates scheduled for this March, which includes their SXSW debut. Their latest pop masterpiece, XXXX, which features "Laura Palmers Prom", has been out since last September in their native Canada, but next month the album will get it's official U.S. release on Feb. 9th.

"Laura Palmers Prom" mp3

and the band also just came out with a new video for thr track, "Dark Days"

You Say Party! We Say Die! - Dark Days from Paper Bag Records on Vimeo.



Upcoming tour dates:
Mar 9 - Seattle, WA - Chop Suey
Mar 10- Portland, OR - Doug Fir
Mar 12- San Fran, CA - Bottom Of The Hill
Mar 13- Los Angeles, CA - Echoplex
Mar 15- Phoenix, AZ - Rhythm Room
Mar 17 - Austin, TX - SXSW
Mar 18- Austin, TX - SXSW
Mar 19- Austin, TX - SXSW
Mar 21- Memphis, TN - Hi Tone
Mar 22- Atlanta, GA - The Earl
Mar 23 - Charlotte, NC - Snug Harbor
Mar 24- Baltimore, MD - Ottobar
Mar 26- New York, NY - Knitting Factory
Mar 27- Boston, MA - TT The Bears
Mar 29- New York, NY - Pianos
Mar 30- Detroit, MI - Pike Room
Mar 31- Chicago, IL - Empty Bottle

visit You Say Party! We Say Die! on the web.

Friday, January 22, 2010

Midlake premiere new short film

Ready with the follow up to their critically acclaimed 2008 album, The Trials Of Van Occupanther, the Denton, TX band Midlake are set to unveil their latest effort, The Courage of Others. The album doesn't drop until February 2 on Bella Union, but the band just offered up a cool little preview of the upcoming disc with a short film directed by My Name is Earl's Jason Lee (watch below). The film will be available as a DVD with the deluxe edition of 'The Courage of Others', along with a double LP, 45 rpm version of the record, and a 32 page book and a live CD.

The Courage of Others track list:
Acts of Man
Winter Dies
Small Mountain
Core of Nature
Fortune
Rulers, Ruling All Things
Children of the Grounds
Bring Down
The Horn
The Courage of Others
In The Ground



Midlake Tour Dates:
March
1 Tucson, AZ - Plush
2 Solana Beach, CA - Belly Up Tavern
3 Los Angeles, CA - El Rey Theatre
4 San Francisco, CA - The Great American Music Hall
5 Arcata, CA - The Van Duzer Theatre
6 Portland, OR - Wonder Ballroom
7 Bellingham, WA - The Nightlight
10 Salt Lake City, UT - The State Room
11 Denver, CO - The Bluebird Theater
12 Lawrence, KS - Jackpot Saloon
13 Denton, TX - NX35

find more at Midlake.net

Peasant: new album this March

Damien DeRose better known as Peasant, gave us a sneak peak to his forthcoming album, Shady Retreat back in August when he released the first single from the disc titled, "The End." If the single was any kind of precursor of what's next, then fans have a lot to look forward to. The new work will be available for release via Paper Garden Records this March 2, in North America and April 5th in Europe. The album was recorded in several locales, including the attic of a 200-year-old farmhouse that DeRose set up in, staying true to his DIY beginnings.
You can preview the new track, "Well Done" off the upcoming disc below, which features DeRose's signature sleepy, whispered vocals and intimate, confessional writing.

Peasant-"Well Done"

Shady Retreat track listing:
01. Thinking
02. The Distance
03. Well Alright
04. The End
05. Pry
06. Prescriptions
07. Into The Woods
08. Tough
09. Hard Times
10. Slow Down

Peasant on myspace.

Thursday, January 21, 2010

new video: The XX-"VCR"

This young south west London band caught fire this year with their debut album xx, which appeared all over critics best of lists here in the States and abroad. The group just released a new video for one of my favorites off the disc, "VCR" which you can watch below.
In other news the band is out on tour now across Australia and Europe, and they'll be returning to the the U.S. this March, with an appearance in NYC at Webster Hall on March, 31st.



more at thexx.info

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Wednesday in Words': The Rural Alberta Advantage-"In the Summertime"

Maybe it's just my mind wandering off looking ahead to the Summer, or maybe it's because I caught a live show from these guys recently and they've been stuck in my head ever since. But in today's 'Wednesday in Words' I wanted to take a closer look at the lyrics to the fantastic track from The Rural Alberta Advantage, "In the Summertime." This song is the closing track to their gorgeous album, Hometowns which got re-released in 2009 after the band signed on board with Saddle Creek. A perfect ending to a perfect album.



The Rural Alberta Advantage- "In The Summertime"
In the summertime,
I don't know if the stars were aligned.
We'd stumble onto something we would like
And I'm afraid I lost the words tonight

And in your summer dress, was holding you
But you were holding less
It's not the words, it's the ones you stress
I love as I love you just don't love me less

And once in a while,
I know our hearts beat of time.
And once in a while,
I know they'll fall back in line.

And in the summertime,
I don't know if the stars were aligned
We'd stumble onto something we would like
And I'm afraid I lost the words tonight

And when we're middle aged,
You tell me I loved you like a renegade
And how I say the things that make you sway.
And mostly I tell you you did the same.

And once in a while,
I know our hearts beat out of time.
And once in a while,
I know they'll fall back in line.

Our love is strong.
Our love is strong.
Our love is strong.
While my heart's still pumping blood.

follow the Rural Alberta Advantage at the raa.com

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

'Song of the Week': Bear In Heaven- "You Do You"

These guys managed to slip under my radar in 2009, with their second album Beast Rest Forth Mouth. I got turned on the Brooklyn bands song, "You Do You"' and I've been trying to catch up on getting familiar with them since. The band create a big layered spacey rock sound that you can hear not only on the above mentioned "You Do You" but also on the song, "Lovesick Teenagers" both of which you can listen to below.



"Lovesick Teenagers"

Uopcoming tour schedule:
01.28•Mercury Lounge (New York, NY)
02.16•Spanish Moon (Baton Rouge, LA)
03.06•Johnny Brenda's (Philadelphia, PA)
03.07•Rock N Roll Hotel (Washington, DC)
03.08•Local 506 (Chapel Hill, NC)
03.10•The End (Nashville, TN)
03.11•Pilot Light (Knoxville, TN)
03.12•The Earl (Atlanta, GA)
03.14•Will's Pub (Orlando, FL)
03.15•The Engine Room (Tallahassee, FL)
03.17•Mango's (Houston, TX)
03.23•Rhythm Room (Phoenix, AZ)
03.24•Casbah (San Diego, CA)
03.25•The Echo (Los Angeles, CA)
03.26•Bottom of the Hill (San Francisco, CA)
03.28•Berbati's Pan (Portland, OR)
03.29•The Crocodile (Seattle, WA)
03.30•The Biltmore Cabaret (Vancouver, BC)
04.01•Kilby Court (Salt Lake City, UT)
04.02•Hi Dive (Denver, Co)
04.03•Replay Lounge (Lawrence, KS)
04.04•Turf Club (St. Paul, MN)
04.05•Schuba's (Chicago, IL)
04.06•The Blind Pig w/Japandroids (Ann Arbor, MI)
04.07•El Mocambo (Toronto, ON)
04.08•Il Motore (Montreal, QC)
04.09•Middle East Downstairs (Cambridge, MA)
04.10•Music Hall of Williamsburg (Brooklyn, NY)

more at BearinHeaven.com

new video: Los Campesinos!- "Romance is Boring" + stream new album

One of the albums that I'm most looking forward to this new year is the brand new one from the Welsh band, Los Campesinos!. The new album titled, Romance is Boring, comes out next week Jan. 26 on Arts & Crafts, and if you want a sneak preview it's streaming in it's entirety over on their myspace page. The new disc was produced by John Goodmanson (Sleater-Kinney, Bikini Kill, Wu-Tang Clan), and it's supposed to see the band expanding it's sound, to be bigger and more complex, adding brass, strings, drum machines and electronics. The group also just unveiled a new video for the title track directed by Alex de Campi.

Romance Is Boring by Los Campesinos! from Los Campesinos! on Vimeo.



visit Los Campesinos.com

Langhorne Slim 'Says Yes' to new tour dates

This Brooklyn by way of Pennsylvania (Langhorne) songwriter created one of my favorite albums of 2009, Be Set Free, which landed at number 14 on our year end list. Songs like "I Love You, But Goodbye", "Back to the Wild", and "Say Yes" are simple, earnest, and heartbreaking all at the same time, but the disc isn't all melancholy. Slim's music has a joyful exuberance and there's no better way to see that bleed through then seeing hime live, as he's garnered a reputation for his intense and passionate live performances. He's been going nearly non stop since the albums release last fall, and a new set of dates kicks off tomorrow night in Hoboken, NJ, later on hitting the West Coast and Midwest in February. All of the dates are with April Smith and the Great Picture Show(who's song "Color" you can check out below).



April Smith- "Color"

Langhorne Slim's upcoming shows:
Jan 21 Maxwell’s Hoboken, NJ
Jan 22 Ottobar Baltimore, Marylnd
Jan 23 Club Cafe Pittsburgh, Pa.
Jan 25 Otto’s DeKalb, Illinois
Jan 26 Turner Hall Ballrm Milwaukee, Wi.
Jan 27 Aquarium Fargo, ND
Jan 29 Filling Station Bozeman, Montana
Jan 30 Neurolux Boise, Idaho
Jan 31 Crystal Ballroom Portland, Or.
Feb 2 Ravenous Cafe Healdsburg, Calif
Feb 3 Crepe Place Santa Cruz, Calif
Feb 4 Cellar Door Visalia, Calif
Feb 5 Muddy Waters Santa Barbara, Calif
Feb 6 McCabe’s Guitar Shop Santa Monica, Calif
Feb 8 The Casbah San Diego, Calif
Feb 10 Hi-Dive Denver, Colorado
Feb 11 Record Bar Kansas City, Miss.
Feb 12 Off Broadway Saint Louis, Miss.
Feb 13 The Summit Columbus, Ohio
* w/all tour dates with April Smith and the Great Picture Show

Langhorne Slim - Back to the Wild from Kemado Records on Vimeo.


check out Langhorne Slim on myspace.

Friday, January 15, 2010

Swedes unite: El Perro Del Mar & Lykke Li do "Change of Heart"

How do you take a great Swedish pop song and make it even better? Take two of the country's hottest artists and put them together on the track, "Change of Heart." The sleak and sexy El Perro Del Mar song taken from her Love Is Not Pop album had enough sex appeal at the start, but adding Lykke Li to the mix takes it to a different level. The two friends collaborated on this acoustic version of the track on a terrace, while out in L.A.



El Perro Del Mar on tour:
02.14 World Caf̩ РPhiladelphia, PA
02.16 Le Poisson Rouge – New York, NY
02.17 Knitting Factory – Brooklyn, NY
02.19 Cambridge Family YMCA – Cambridge, MA
02.20 Il Motore – Montreal, QB
02.21 The Mod Club – Toronto, ON
02.22 Lincoln Hall – Chicago, IL
02.23 Cedar Cultural Center – Minneapolis, MN
02.26 The Triple Door – Seattle, WA
02.27 Biltmore Cabaret – Vancouver, BC
02.28 Doug Fir Lounge – Portland, OR
03.02 Caf̩ du Nord РSan Francisco, CA
03.03 Troubadour – Los Angeles, CA

visit El Perro Del Mar.com

Thursday, January 14, 2010

Cold Cave- add new tour dates

One listen to Cold Cave's "Love Comes Close" and you can't just dismiss the New Order and Joy Division comparisons. That said I still can't help but love the title track off their 2009 disc. The NY by-way-of-Philly based experimental noise-pop trio are getting set to hit the road in early February, touring with Nite Jewel, and Hair Police, with a stop in NYC on Feb. 4th.



Cold Cave upcoming U.S.tour dates:
2/4 New York, NY - Mercury Lounge *
2/5 Charlottesville, VA - Twisted Branch Tea Bazaar *
2/6 Knoxville, TN - Pilot Light *
2/9 Orlando, FL - Backbooth *
2/10 Tampa, FL - Crowbar *
2/11 Atlanta, GA - 529 *
2/12 Athens, GA - Caledonia Lounge *
2/13 Greensboro, NC - Studio B *
2/20 Haverford, PA - Haverford College
2/21 Buffalo, NY - Mohawk Place %
2/22 Pittsburgh, PA - Garfield Artworks %
2/23 Cleveland, OH - Grog Shop %
2/24 Pontiac, MI - Crofoot Ballroom - Pike Room %
2/25 Chicago, IL - Empty Bottle %
2/26 Madison, WI - The Project Lodge %
2/27 Urbana, IL - Canopy Club/Club Void %
2/28 Lexington, KY - Al's Bar %
* w Nite Jewel
% w Hair Police

"Life Magazine"

Follow Cold Cave on myspace.

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

get to know: Alcoholic Faith Mission

Like a lot of bands, Alcoholic Faith Mission, who hail from Denmark, came to Brooklyn and recorded their debut disc, Misery Loves Company back in 2006. Apparently enjoying the experience so much the band returned two years later and secluded themselves in an old factory loft in Williamsburg, the result of which is the hauntingly beautiful, 421 Wythe Avenue, named after their recording space. Mixing male & female vocal harmonies, over sweeping atmospheric synths, piano, acoustic guitars and even horns the band can keep you guessing from one track to the next. One of the highlights of the disc that was released back in 2009 is the tune "Nut In Your Eye" (check out the video below) which gives you a nice feel for the bands style. Plans are already in the works for a new album titled, Let This Be The Last Night We Care, and we'll keep you posted as to a release date when it becomes available.

"We All Have Shortcomings"

See full report...

Follow the band on myspace.

We Were promised Jetpacks perform "Quiet Little Voices" live

These guys made our favorite 'top 20 albums list' last year with their energetic debut disc, These Four Walls. If I would have had the patience to do a 'best of' songs list, this phenomenal track surely would have been up there too. Here's a great live version of the song, "Quiet Little Voices" from a gig the band played at the Doug Fir in Portland, during Seattle radio station KEXP's broadcast at Musicfest NW.



Upcoming live dates:
Feb 11 The Bowery Ballroom New York, NY
Feb 12 First Unitarian Church Philadelphia, PA
Feb 13 Rock and Roll Hotel Washington DC
Feb 14 The Middle East Cambridge, MA
Feb 15 The Knitting Factory Brooklyn, NY
Feb 17 Casbah at Tremont Music Hall Charlotte, NC
Feb 18 The Masquerade Atlanta, GA
Feb 19 The End Nashville, TN
Feb 20 Maxine’s Pub Hot Springs, AR
Feb 21 Hailey’s Denton, TX
Feb 23 Rhythm Room Phoenix, AZ
Feb 24 The Loft (UCSD) San Diego, CA
Feb 26 Troubadour Los Angeles, CA
Feb 27 Slim’s San Francisco, CA
Mar 1 Biltmore Cabaret Vancouver, BC
Mar 2 Neumo’s Seattle, WA
Mar 3 Doug Fir Lounge (+21) Portland, OR
Mar 5 Kilby Court Salt Lake City, UT
Mar 6 Hi Dive Denver, CO
Mar 7 Jackpot Saloon Lawrence, KS
Mar 8 The Waiting Room Omaha, NE
Mar 9 Varsity Theatre Minneapolis, MN
Mar 11 Lincoln Hall (+18) Chicago, IL

We Were Promised Jetpacks on the web.

Monday, January 11, 2010

'Song of the week': The Middle East- "Blood"

I really love this new one from the Australian band, The Middle East. The bands debut EP, The Recordings Of The Middle East was originally self released in '08 in their homeland but their label Spunk re-issued the mini album recently with some new packaging and a new tracklisting, featuring the perfectly mellow for a gray winters day track called, "Blood."
In addition to the debut EP, the guys will be playing their first ever live shows in the U.S. at this year's SXSW Music Festival in March.

The Middle East-"Blood"

check out more music on their myspace.

new music from Local Natives- "Sun Hands"

Here's another hotly tipped band for 2010. Local Natives, will be releasing their debut album Gorilla Manor next month, February 16th via Frenchkiss Records. With comparisons flying around that are comparing the band to the likes of Fleet Foxes and even The Dodos, the group has been receiving high praise on the forthcoming CD, which is already out in the UK. Led by the brilliant harmonies of the album track, "Sun Hands" which the band recently gave away as a free download, it's easy to see at a quick glance why they have been tagged with the Fleet Foxes comparisons, but if you dig deeper into their music the bands music is more expansive and experimental going into darker, and more rock related territories. I have a feeling these guys might really blow up this year so jump on the bandwagon while you can. Really looking forward to hearing more of this one in the coming months.

"Sun Hands"

Local Natives on myspace.

Friday, January 8, 2010

Basia Bulat releases new album this month

Canadian singer/songwriter Basia Bulat will release her second full length album, Heart Of My Own this January 26th on Rough Trade Records. The new disc was heavily influenced by Basia's time on the road traveling between cities, from the Canadian prairies, to the heartland of the U.S. Basia say's one of the strongest experiences that made the album was her brief stint staying in the Yukon in Dawson City, where for the first time she experienced true silence. “I felt my mind was overwhelmed with ideas. It had been a long-time dream of mine to make it to the Yukon, so to finally accomplish that, and for it to be possible because of my music, was also a very overwhelming thing.”
On the new disc the multi-talented Bulat tackles the autoharp, guitar, piano, organ, pianoette, banjo, ukulele, and bass. You can check out the first track leaked off the forthcoming LP below, titled, "Go On."

Basia Bulat- "Go On"

find more news on Basia Bulat.com

Thursday, January 7, 2010

new Xylos- "Not Enough"

This Brooklyn 5 piece made waves in '08 with their blissful debut EP, Bedrooms, which featured guest vocals by Ira Wolf Tuton and Anand Wilder of Yeasayer. The EP was well received for the groups pop sensibility, varied orchestrations and flashes of electronics, led by the title track, "Bedrooms", and the band are now ready for the next step with their first full length. They just wrapped recording their debut LP with producer Britt Myers (Chairlift, Yeasayer), which will be released later in 2010. In the meantime the band is offering up a free MP3 of the track "Not Enough," the first single, which is said to be' an appropriately inappropriate account of love and sexual innuendo'.

Xylos also announced a new five date tour dates which includes a headlining show at NYC’s Mercury Lounge, and also a date with Atlas Sound in New Jersey.

Xylos- "Not Enough"

Upcoming live dates:
01.23 Mercury Lounge, New York, NY
02.05 St. John's University, Queens, NY
02.05 Terrace Club, Princeton, NJ (with Atlas Sound)
02.19 Studio @ Webster Hall, New York, NY
02.20 Johnny Brendas, Philadelphia, PA

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Song of the Week- Phantogram- "When I'm Small"

This Upstate NY duo has been appearing on a few 'bands to watch' lists for 2010 so I thought I would give them a listen. Phantogram, who hail from Saratoga Springs, created some good buzz in '09 with their 5 song self titled EP, and plans are for their debut album, Eyelid Movies , to come out this February 9.
The duo is Josh Carter (guitar) and Sarah Barthel (keyboard) who were childhood friends but didn't start collaborating musically until 2007. Led by their dreamy synths and heavy beats the band has gotten to share the stage with bands like Ra Ra Riot, Yeasayer, and The Noisettes.
Check out "'When I'm Small" off their self titled EP below.
Phantogram-"When I'm Small"

Upcoming Phantogram tour dates:
Feb 3 STATE THEATRE State College, Penn.
Feb 4 CROCODILE ROCK Allentown, Penn.
Feb 5 NORTHERN LIGHTS Clifton Park, NY
Feb 8 RED DOOR Portsmouth, New Hamp.
Feb 9 GREAT SCOTT Boston, Mass
Feb 11 UNION HALL Brooklyn, NY
Feb 11 UNION HALL Brooklyn, NY
Feb 12 MERCURY LOUNGE NYC, NY
Feb 13 KUNG FU NECKTIE Philadelphia, Penn
Feb 15 DC9 Washington, DC
Feb 16 THE TREEHOUSE Columbus, Ohio
Feb 17 SCHUBAS TAVERN Chicago, Illinois
Feb 18 7TH STREET ENTRY Minneapolis, Minn.
Feb 20 THE DRAKE HOTEL Toronto
Feb 21 II MOTORE Montreal, Quebec
Feb 22 MONKEY HOUSE Burlington, Vermont

listen to Phantogram on myspace.

Lissie touring w/ City and Colour

Not that long ago I got turned on to the music of Lissie, after hearing that she was signed with the same label that A.A. Bondy resides on, Fat Possum records. Much like Bondy, Lissie has a down home quality and easy delivery to her music that makes it sound familiar and warm. She released her debut EP Why You Runnin'this past November to some critical acclaim, which helped nab her some opening slots on tours with the likes of Ray LaMontagne and the aforementioned A.A. Bondy. Lissie is just kicking off a new run of January tour dates, beginning tonight at the 9:30 Club in Washington, DC, and concluding January 23rd at the Henry Fonda Theatre in Los Angeles, CA. The dates will see Lissie supporting the Dallas Green project, City and Colour, who also happened to release a great album back in '08 titled, Bring me Your Love.

Lissie-"Little Lovin"

Lissie tour schedule:
JAN 7 WASHINGTON, DC, 9:30 CLUB*
JAN 8 NEW YORK, NY, WEBSTER HALL*
JAN 10 SOMERVILLE, MA, SOMERVILLE THEATRE*
JAN 11 ORLANDO, FL, PLAZA THEATRE*
JAN 13 MINNEAPOLIS, MN, TRIPLE ROCK SOCIAL CLUB
JAN 15 CHICAGO, IL METRO*
JAN 16 DETROIT, MI THE FILLMORE*
JAN 21 AUSTIN, TX CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH*
JAN 22 SAN FRANCISCO, CA THE FILLMORE*
JAN 23 LOS ANGELES, CA HENRY FONDA THEATRE*
* with City and Colour

follow Lissie on myspace.