New music from Volcano Choir- "Comrade"

Several weeks back the Justin Vernon led project Volcano Choir released the first track off their soon to be released LP, Repave called "Byegone." It was a big soaring number, extremely promising, and had me wondering what the rest of the album would shape out to be. Well today the band just offered up another new track titled, "Comrade" that is equally as impressive. Go give it a spin below.
Volcano Choir's 'Repave' comes out September 3rd on Jagjaguwar

http://volcanochoir.com/

Volcano Choir- "Byegone"

The Bon Iver led project Volcano Choir released the first taste of their upcoming sophomore release Repave, with the soaring first single called "Byegone." It's hits stores this Sept. 3rd via Jagjaguwar.

http://volcanochoir.com

Volcano Choir announce 'Repave'

While you patiently wait for a new Bon Iver album, Justin Vernon has been keeping plenty busy with side projects of late. His latest, Volcano Choir announced plans for their second LP titled, Repave. It comes out this Sept. 3rd and they released this album teaser below that sounds pretty damn amazing. 

TOUR SCHEDULE:
09/06 – Chicago, IL @ Metro
09/07 – Indianapolis, IN @ Vogue
09/08 – Toronto, Ontario @ Phoenix
09/09 – Burlington, VT @ Higher Ground
09/11 – Boston, MA @ Paradise
09/12 – Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club
09/14 – New York, NY @ Webster Hall
09/27 – Madison, WI @ Orpheum Theater
09/28 – Milwaukee, WI @ Past Theater
10/18 – Minneapolis, MN v First Ave.

 http://volcanochoir.com/

Bon Iver performs on SNL (2/4/12)

With all the Super Bowl madness over the weekend it might have been easy to forget that Bon Iver was appearing on SNL on Saturday night. The band played two tracks off of their second album Bon Iver, Bon Iver, a truly stunning version of "Holocene" and also "Beth Rest." Check them out below.




http://boniver.org/

Burn The Bowery's: 'Favorite Albums of 2011'

So it's that time of year again, LISTS! Where we get to look back and reflect on the music that excited us over the last 12 months.
So I'm going about things a little different this year, I had a clear cut favorite album, the one I definitely listened to the most, but the rest I'm going to just list in alphabetical order. Maybe it's a cop out, but to me there really isn't much of a difference between let's say my number 4 and number 15, or number 7 and number 19, it all depends on mood, place and time really, right? At least that's what I'm sticking to. So without further rambling here's my favorite 20 albums of 2011.
Thanks always for stopping by and Happy New Year to everyone!!







1) We Are Augustines- 'Rise Ye Sunken Ships'
Far and away my most played album of the year. For as heavy and gut wrenching as the subject matter (mental illness & the death of singer Billy McCarthys brother James) the album has an undeniable uplifting spirit and sense of hope. I look at it as a love letter of sorts to those we've lost. Favorite tracks include, "Headlong Into The Abyss" "New Drink for the Old Drunk" and the albums centerpiece, "Book of James."

  Headlong Into The Abyss by We Are Augustines


Heres the best of the rest in alphabetical order:

 Aunt Martha- Norway, ME
One of my favorite finds this year. A magnificent folk/acoustic album, simple and intimate. Almost everyone I played this album for has fallen in love with it. Some of my favorites include, "Harlem" "Nassau" and the highlight of the LP for me, "Blue Buildings." Also stay tuned for a future 'Field Recordings' session we shot with Tim from the band to be posted real soon.
  Aunt Martha- Blue Buildings by burnthebowery 

The Black Keys- El Camino
Might not be a better straight up Rock n Roll band around right now. With a simple formula of whaling guitars, drums, and old fashioned catchy hooks, nobody's been as consistently good as these guys the last few years, and El Camino didn't disappoint. Favorites for me included, "Gold on the Ceiling" "Mind Eraser" and "Lonely Boy," which also might have nailed the best video of the year honors for me.

Blind Pilot- We Are The Tide
For their stunning track "New York" alone this Portland band deserves to be on this years list. The song was by far one of my favorite tracks of the year, and the bands second LP saw them not only expand band members but broaden their repertoire.
Favorites included, "Half Moon" "Keep You Right" and the aforementioned, "New York."

Bon Iver- Bon Iver
Hard to believe believe Justin Vernon lived up to the hype machine following his debut, For Emma, Forever Ago. Not only did he live up to the hype, he surpassed it with a phenomenal more intricate sophomore effort. Favorite tracks include, "Calgary" "Michicant" and "Holocene."
  Calgary by boniver 

The Bony King of Nowhere- Eleonore
Super talented young songwriter out of Belgium, lyrically and musically wise beyond his years. Fell in love with his debut in 2009 and his sophomore disc, Eleonore sees him expanding on his folk sounds. Already big in his homeland, I'm waiting for him to break overseas. For now a hidden treasure, favorite tracks include "Sleeping Miners" "Going Home" and "Some are Fearful."
  The Bony King of Nowhere - Going Home by Rockoco

Caveman- CoCo Beware
A solid a debut as any this year. This local NY band sounds like they have been playing together for years, as the album flows effortlessly from one song into the next. Irresistible hooks, versatile sounds, a must listen if you haven't heard it yet. Some of my favorites include, "Old Friends" "My Time" and the chilled out track, "Thankful." 
  Caveman - Thankful (2011) by EmergencyBroadcastSongs





Dan Mangan- Oh Fortune
An earnest and powerful voice out of Canada. This is Mangan's third album, but the first I really became familiar with. The discs  opening track, "About as Helpful as You Can Be..." is a perfect intro to the LP with it's grand orchestration and slow building beat leading up to Mangan's raspy growl. Other favorites are "Post War Blues" "Oh Fortune" and "Rows of Houses"
  Dan Mangan - Rows Of Houses by artsandcraftsmx 

James Vincent McMorrow- Early In the Morning
If I was forced to pick a number two album this year, on most days this debut from Irish singer/songwriter James Vincent McMorrow might have been it. The disc contains about half a dozen of my favorite songs of the year, including, "If I Had A Boat" '"This Old Dark Machine" "Down The Burning Ropes" and the simply beautiful, 'We Don't Eat."
  05 We Don't Eat by jamesvmcmorrow 

Jessica Lea Mayfield- Tell Me
An underlooked sophomore effort, which sees the young 22 year old growing as a writer and singer. Dan Auerbach from the Black Keys produced both LP's, and this one sees a bit more in slickness and production. If you love folk & Americana type stuff Mayfields voice is one of the best around. Favorite tracks for me were, "Somewhere in Your Heart" "Tell Me" and "Our Hearts Were Wrong."

  Our Hearts Are Wrong by Jessica Lea Mayfield 

Matthew Ryan- I Recall Standing as Though Nothing Could Fall
Is it possible to get better with each album if this is album number 13??  I've been a fan since way back and his lyrics, insight and sincerity never cease to amaze me. There might not be a better songwriter around that connects with the struggles of the everyman. Some of the discs favorites for me are, "The Sea" "All of that Means Nothing Now" and "The Spinning Room."




Other Lives- Tamer Animals
Fantastic debut from this Oklahoma 5 piece, that even caught the ear of Radiohead's Thom York, helping the band secure an opening slot on some tour dates. You can call it cinematic, orchestral, grand, with great harmonies, some favorite tracks include, "Landforms" "For 12" and the epic title track, "Tamer Animals."

  Tamer Animals by Other Lives

Radiohead- The King of Limbs
Speaking of Radiohead, KOL is an album that consistently grew on me throughout the year. Was a little underwhelmed at first but with each listen I found more and more to like, and little intricacies to discover. Some of my favorites include, "Codex", "Lotus Flower" and "Morning Mr. Magpie"
  Radiohead - Codex by mariocon 
 

Real Estate- Days
An impressive sophomore effort from this NJ band. Fun and jangly guitars, great melodies, takes you back to an endless Summer type mindset. Some of the best tracks for me include, "Green Aisles" "Younger Than Yesterday" and the super catchy single,"It's Real."
  Real Estate - It's Real by DominoRecordCo 

The Rural Alberta Advantage- Departing
A real breakout album for the Canadian band. I loved '09's Hometowns and this one seems to serve as a perfect companion piece. The band plays with a passion and an energy, that bleeds through to their music. Some of my favorites were, "Under The Knife" "Tornado '87" and the manic and intense, "Stamp"

  The Rural Alberta Advantage - Stamp by Mvidito

Siskiyou- Keep Away the Dead
Another favorite out of Canada, the band recorded in a small town of 350 people, and the LP's mood takes on the desolate locale. An intimate disc, filled with quiet, gentle arrangements. Favorites included, "Where Does That Leave Me" "Fiery Death" and the great slow building anthem, "Twigs and Stones."
  Twigs And Stones - SISKIYOU by Constellation Records 

Soley-We Sink
Former member of Seabear, this Icelandic singers innocent voice contrasted by her dark and intense lyrics create an undeniable mix. I love all the lo-tech arrangements throughout, the homemade clicks and clacks, the quirkiness and charm the record exudes. My favorites included, 'Smashed Birds" "The Sun is Going Down II" and "I'll Drown."

  Sóley: I'll Drown by morrmusic

The Twilight Singers- Dynamite Steps
Greg Dulli is an all time favorite, from his days fronting the early 90's outfit the Afghan Whigs, to his latest. Everything he does is gold in my book, and his bands newest work doesn't disappoint. Dynamite Steps might have the closest resemblance to some of that  old 'Whigs sound, with tracks, "On The Corner" and "Last Night In Town." Other favorites include, "Get Lucky" and the beautiful, "She Was Stolen."
  She Was Stolen by Twilight Singers 

The War on Drugs- Slave Ambient
I was a huge fan of their debut disc, 2008's Wagonwheel Blues, and the Philly band picks up right where they left off creating a killer wall of sound. Mixing elements of folk, rock and psychedelics  frontman Adam Granduciel creates a sonic soundscape that would make Phil Spector proud. Some of my favorites from the disc include, "Brothers" "Come to the City" and the hyper track, "Baby Missiles."
  The War On Drugs - Baby Missiles by The Line Of Best Fit

Wye Oak- Civilian
I'm always amazed when listening to this band that they are only a two piece. An album that can go from intimate, quiet and moody to loud and aggressive in a heartbeat. Some of the LP's favorites were,
"The Alter" "Hot as Day" and the explosive title track, "Civilian."
  Wye Oak - Civilian by MergeRecords 


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Hear Two New Songs from The National

While out on tour The National were musical guests on CBC radio show Q LIVE in Toronto the other day, with the band playing live songs throughout the show. Among the set, the band managed to unveil two brand new unreleased songs called, "Rylan" and "I Need My Girl." And oh by the way they also invited Justin Vernon from Bon Iver on stage for a killer version of “Van­der­lyle Cry­baby Geeks.”
Watch below.





http://www.americanmary.com/
http://www.cbc.ca

Bon Iver, Bon Iver Deluxe Edition

On November 29th Jagjaguwar will be releasing a deluxe edition of Bon Iver, Bon Iver, that will feature short films for each song on the LP. Here's the press release ..."Comprised of individual visual works that both complement and enrich the audio on the album, the video accompaniment was in itself another year in the making. Featuring work by Dan Huiting, Isaac Gale, David Jensen, JoLynn Garnes and Justin Vernon, the video work is meant to be consumed as a visual extension of the music, to enhance each listener’s experience with one of the year’s most acclaimed albums. While not music videos per se, these visual accompaniments are striking in their distinctive atmosphere, and compelling works in their own right." The Deluxe Edition will be available on November 29th digitally through iTunes, and as a free DVD for a limited time with the purchase of the record at any participating record store or through Jagjaguwar's mailorder starting in early December.

Watch the visual accompaniment for album track, "Hinnom, TX" below.







http://boniver.org/

Bon Iver covers Tom Petty

One of my all time favorite Tom Petty tracks, "Crawling Back To You" from his 'Wildflowers' album gets covered by the super talented Bon Iver.
courtesy of Each Note Secure.




also check out his version of Peter Gabriel's, "Come Talk to Me" here.

Paste lists Top 50 albums of the decade

It's that time of year again where magazines and the like start compiling their year end lists. But as 2009 rolls to a close we not only have the usual year end lists but we are also closing out the first decade of the 21st century, so it's time to go way back in your collection and see what still grabs your attention from the 00's. The latest site to weigh in with their thoughts on the decade in music is Paste Magazine, here's what they came up with.

50 Björk - Vespertine (Elektra, 2001)
49 Libertines - Up The Bracket (Rough Trade, 2002)
48 Loretta Lynn - Van Lear Rose (Interscope, 2004)
47 Arctic Monkeys - Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not (Domino, 2006)
46 Once - Music From The Motion Picture (Columbia, 2007)
45 Radiohead - In Rainbows (self-released, 2007)
44 The Jayhawks - Rainy Day Music (Lost Highway, 2003)
43 Jens Lekman - Night Falls Over Kortedala (Secretly Canadian, 2007)
42 Jay-Z - The Blueprint (Roc-A-Fella, 2001)
41 LCD Soundsystem - Sound of Silver (Capitol, 2007)
40 TV on the Radio - Return To Cookie Mountain (Interscope, 2006)
39 Arcade Fire - Neon Bible (Merge, 2007)
38 Gentleman Jesse - Introducing Gentleman Jesse (Douchemaster, 2008)
37 Iron & Wine - Our Endless Numbered Days (Sub Pop, 2004)
36 Pedro The Lion - Control (Jade Tree, 2002)
35 Animal Collective - Merriweather Post Pavilion (Domino, 2009)
34 Various artists - O Brother Where Art Thou? (Mercury, 2001)
33 Coldplay - A Rush Of Blood To The Head (Capitol, 2002)
32 The Flaming Lips - Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots (Warner Bros., 2002)
31 Death Cab For Cutie - Transatlanticism (Barsuk, 2003)
30 Damien Rice - O (Vector, 2003)
29 Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago (Jagjaguwar, 2008)
28 Paul Westerberg - Folker (Vagrant, 2004)
27 Drive-By Truckers - Decoration Day (New West, 2003)
26 Over the Rhine - Ohio (2004)
25 Sigur Rós - Med ud i eyrum vid spilum endalaust (XL, 2008)
24 The Shins - Chutes Too Narrow (Sub Pop, 2003)
23 Ryan Adams - Heartbreaker (Bloodshot, 2000)
22 The Decemberists - The Crane Wife (Capitol, 2006)
21 Vampire Weekend - Vampire Weekend (XL, 2008)
20 The National - Boxer (Beggars Banquet, 2007)
19 Beck - Sea Change (Interscope, 2002)
18 Amy Winehouse - Back To Black (Universal Republic, 2007)
17 Kanye West - The College Dropout (Roc-A-Fella, 2004)
16 Rufus Wainwright - Want One (Dreamworks, 2003)
15 Patty Griffin - 1000 Kisses (ATO, 2002)
14 The Strokes - Is This It (RCA, 2001)
13 Josh Ritter - The Animal Years (V2, 2006)
12 Spoon - Kill the Moonlight (Merge, 2002)
11 The Hold Steady - Boys And Girls In America (Vagrant, 2006)
10 M.I.A. - Arular (Interscope, 2005)
09 The Avett Brothers - I And Love And You (Columbia/American, 2009)
08 OutKast - Stankonia (Arista/LaFace, 2000)
07 Gillian Welch - Time (The Revelator) (Acony, 2001)
06 The White Stripes - Elephant (V2, 2003)
05 Bright Eyes - I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning (Saddle Creek, 2005)
04 Radiohead - Kid A (Capitol, 2000)
03 Arcade Fire - Funeral (Merge, 2004)
02 Wilco - Yankee Hotel Foxtrot (Nonesuch, 2002)
01 Sufjan Stevens - Illinois (Asthmatic Kitty, 2005)

Hear the first new track from Bon Iver's, Volcano Choir project

A few months back we heard news of Bon Iver's new project, Volcano Choir, which is a collection of Wisconsinites and longtime friends, made up Bon Iver's, Justin Vernon working with the band, Collections of Colonies of Bees. The collaboration we're told actually predates Vernon's Bon Iver, with some of the original songwriting dating back to the summer of 2005, around the time the Bees first toured with Vernon's previous band DeYarmond Edison.
The new album, Unmap doesn't come out until Sept. 22nd via Jagjaguwar, but a new song has been made available from the project, called "Island, IS" which shows a different side of Vernon, complete with synths and loops.

Island, IS - Volcano Choir

Volcano Choir- Unmap track listing
1 Husks And Shells
2 Seeplymouth
3 Island, IS
4 Dote
5 And Gather
6 Mbira In The Morass
7 Cool Knowledge
8 Still
9 Youlogy

Bon Iver- "The Wolves (Act I and II)" live from Glastonbury

Bon Iver's magical run just keeps on going, as Justin Vernon and the guys have been out on the road seemingly forever, criss- crossing the globe in support of the brilliant, For Emma, Forever Ago . He's been gaining a well deserved rep. for his live shows, and if you haven't caught one yet, you can check out a recent (pro quality) live performance from the Glastonbury festival, playing the track, The Wolves (Act I and II)" below.



remaining Bon Iver tour dates:
Aug 7 LOLLAPALOOZA Chicago, Illinois
Aug 12 OYA FESTIVAL Oslo, Norway
Aug 14 WAY OUT FESTIVAL Gothenburg
Aug 15 HALDERN POP Haldern
Aug 16 SUMMER SUNDAE Leicester, UK
Aug 20 Pukkelpop Hasselt, Belgium
Aug 21 LOWLANDS Netherlands
Aug 22 GREEN MAN FESTIVAL Powys, UK
Sep 19 The Slowdown Omaha, Nebraska
Sep 24 Fox Theater Oakland, California
Sep 25 The Wiltern Los Angeles, California
Sep 28 Rialto Theatre Tucson, Arizona
Sep 29 Mesa Arts Center Ikeda Theater Mesa, Arizona
Oct 3 Austin City Limits Austin, Texas

visit Bon Iver.org

Bon Iver's Justin Vernon unveils newest project

Justin Vernon of Bon Iver fame has had a magical run over the past year and a half. So all that awaits now is the follow- up. Fans anxious for any new material from Vernon can quell their thirst slightly with the unveiling of the new project, Volcano Choir. The group is a collection of Wisconsinites and longtime friends that sees Vernon working with the band, Collections of Colonies of Bees. The collaboration actually predates Vernon's Bon Iver with original songwriting dating back to the summer of 2005, right around the time the Bees first toured with Vernon's previous band DeYarmond Edison and then ultimately came together over a weekend in November 2008 at Justin and Nate Vernon's recording studio.

The new album titled, Unmap will be released on Sept. 22nd via Jagjaguwar.

Unmap track list:
01 Husks and Shells
02 Seeplymouth
03 Island, IS
04 Dote
05 And Gather
06 Mbira in the Morass
07 Cool Knowledge
08 Still
09 Youlogy

visit Bon Iver.org

Dark Was The Night- Free download, tracklist and streaming info

One new album we've been totally stoked waiting for, is the new the new 4AD charity compilation Dark Was The Night. The 2 disc set will be released next month and comes in with 31 exclusive tracks curated by The National’s guitar section of Aaron and Bryce Dessner and the AIDS charity Red Hot. They have just made available a free download of the track "Knotty Pine" by The Dirty Projectors and David Byrne, as well as starting a streaming track-by-track premiere of the record. From Jan. 15th-Feb. 15th, each track, in order will be streamed for one day only at the Dark Was The Night myspace page, where you can grab the free download too. Check out the roster and tracklist below.

Disc one:
"Knotty Pine," Dirty Projectors and David Byrne
"Cello Song," the Books featuring Jose Gonzalez
"Train Song," Feist and Ben Gibbard
"Deep Blue Sea," Grizzly Bear
"So Far Around the Bend," the National
"Tightrope," Yeasayer
"Feeling Good," My Brightest Diamond
"Dark Was the Night," the Kronos Quartet
"I Was Young When I Left Home," Antony and Bryce Dessner
"Big Red Machine," Bon Iver and Aaron Dessner
"Sleepless," the Decemberists
"Die," Iron & Wine
"Service Bell," Grizzly Bear and Feist
"Blood," Sufjan Stevens

Disc two:
"Well-Alright," Spoon
"Lenin," the Arcade Fire
"Mimizan," Beirut
"El Caporal," My Morning Jacket
"Inspiration Information," Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings
"With a Girl Like You," Dave Sitek
"Blood Pt. 2," Buck 65 remix featuring Sufjan Stevens and Serengeti
"Hey, Snow White," the New Pornographers
"Gentle Hour," Yo La Tengo
"Another Saturday," Stuart Murdoch
"Happiness," Riceboy Sleeps
"Amazing Grace," Cat Power
"The Giant of Illinois," Andrew Bird
"Lua," Conor Oberst and Gillian Welch
"When the Road Runs Out," Blonde Redhead and Devestations
"Love vs. Porn," Kevin Drew

Bon Iver- streaming new EP

If your like us and you've been anxiously awaiting to hear new material from Justin Vernon's Bon Iver, the wait is partially over. His new 4 song EP, Blood Bank is now streaming in full over on his myspace. You'll have to wait a few more weeks though if you have to get your hands on a physical copy, as the new work will be hitting stores January 20 in the US & January 19 in the UK.

Burn The Bowery: Favorites of 2008

20 Sigur Ros- Med Sud I Eyrum Vid Spilum Endalaust
19 Weinland- La Lamentor
18 Lykke Li- Youth Novels
17 The War On Drugs- Wagonwheel Blues
16 Fleet Foxes- Fleet Foxes
15 The Secret Life of Sofia- Seven Summits
14 Laura Marling- Alas I Cannot Swim
13 Wye Oak- If Children
12 The Dodos- Visiter
11 Land Of Talk- Some Are Lakes

10 City and Colour- Bring Me Your Love
In what was a very good year for acoustic/folk based music, this one flew way under the radar. This solo project from Dallas Green is passionate and effortless. The man simply has a killer voice.






9 Point Juncture, Wa- Heart to Elk
This one may have appeared even higher if we just didn't recently come across it. Although it's still relatively new to our ears, it had to be included in the top 10. Gorgeous, dreamy, textured pop gems that seem to build and build.



8 Blitzen Trapper- Furr
Our 3rd entry from Portland in the top 20, Blitzen Trapper deliver a detailed new album that grows on you with each listen. Great rootsy old Americana feel, with excellent harmonies.






7 Jessica Lea Mayfield- With Blasphemy So Heartfelt
Amazing debut from the 19 year old Mayfield. Strong album from start to finish and she sounds wise beyond her years. A distinct fresh voice that we think you'll be hearing a lot of for years to come.





6 Helio Sequence- Keep Your Eyes Ahead Our 4th Portland band in the top 20,the album features two of the years strongest tracks in, "Lately' and "Shed Your Love". Singer Brandon Summers severely damaged his vocal cords, which led the band to re-invent it's sound. The result is an ambitious album that beautifully blends, indie rock and folk, with ambient and synth led numbers.


5 Ra Ra Riot- The Rhumb Line If you know the story of the tragedy the band went through, losing there drummer John Ryan Pike to a drowning accident while recording the LP, you can't help but feel the heartbreak that plays out on the disc. Pike wrote some of the LP's most ironic tracks such as, "Dying is Fine" and "Ghost Under the Rocks." Excellent melodic indie rock album.



4 She Keeps Bees- Nests
In a music world that is often times lacking some true soul to it, She Keeps Bees delivers. The NYC powerful two piece is gritty and raw, and frontwoman Jessica Larrabee is one of the finest there is.





3 Damien Jurado- Caught In The Trees
Usually known for his fictional storytelling prowess, Jurado gets personal on his latest disc and delivers his best work yet. For a guy that's been around as long as he has, it's about time he gets recognized for this disc.





2 Bon Iver- For Emma, Forever Ago
What can you say, the guy had a killer year, but still one that I just kept coming back to again and again. One of the years most intimate records. It truly takes you away to that cabin in the Wisconsin woods, where you can feel the despair.





1 Frightened Rabbit- The Midnight Organ Fight
Raw, visually blundt, emotional, exceptionally strong songwwriting. Plays out very cinematically with a beginning, middle and end. You won't find a better album from start to finish then this one.

Bon Iver on Late Show w/ David Letterman

2008 has been a banner year for Justin Vernon's Bon Iver. His album, For Emma Forever Ago has ridden a steady, growing wave of success from critics and fans alike, as you can tell from his near unanimous mention in all of the year end 'Best Of' lists. Before closing out his 2008, Bon Iver still has some business at hand, with a few select tour dates left in the US before releasing his brand new EP, Blood Bank on Jan. 20th. One other recent order of business was his appearance on The Late Show w/ David Letterman, where he performed a three drummer rendition of one of the years best tracks, "Skinny Love."

Bon Iver-"Skinny Love" on David Letterman:


Bon Iver upcoming dates:

Dec 18 VIC THEATRE Chicago, Illinois
Dec 19 THE BARRYMORE THEATRE Madison, Wisconsin
Dec 22 STATE THEARE Eau Claire, Wisconsin
Jan 15 FlY BY NIGHT Perth
Jan 17 THE TIVOLI Brisbane
Jan 18 THE HI-FI Melbourne
Jan 19 FORUM THEATRE Melbourne
Jan 20 SYDNEY FESTIVAL - The Famous Spiegeltent, Sydney
Jan 21 SYDNEY FESTIVAL - City Recital Hall, Sydney
Jan 22 SYDNEY FESTIVAL - The Famous Spiegeltent, Sydney
Jan 23 SYDNEY FESTIVAL - The Famous Spiegeltent, Sydney

Indie rock all-star line-up revealed for 'Dark Was The Night' compilation

With yesterday being World Aids Day, the line-up was revealed for the jam packed Dark Was the Night , the compilation release benefiting AIDS/HIV awareness group, The Red Hot Organization. The effort was produced by Aaron and Bryce Dessner of The National, and will feature 32 exclusive new tracks from some of indie rocks biggest names. Not all the tracklisting has been unveiled, but some details that have already leaked are: David Byrne teaming up with the Dirty Projectors, Feist joining both Grizzly Bear and Death Cab for Cutie's Ben Gibbard, Conor Oberst performing with Gillian Welch, José González doing a cover of Nick Drake's "Cello Song", My Brightest Diamond singing "Feeling Good", as well as The National contributing a track of their own, and Bon Iver and Aaron Dessner teaming up for another.
The compilation will be made available on on double CD, triple LP, or digital download on February 17th from 4AD.

Dark Was The Night full line-up:

Andrew Bird
Antony + Bryce Dessner
Arcade Fire
Beach House
Beirut
Blonde Redhead + Devastations
Bon Iver
Bon Iver & Aaron Dessner
The Books featuring Jose Gonzalez
Buck 65 Remix (featuring Sufjan Stevens and Serengeti)
Cat Power and Dirty Delta Blues
The Decemberists
Dirty Projectors + David Byrne
Kevin Drew
Feist + Ben Gibbard
Grizzly Bear
Grizzly Bear + Feist
Iron & Wine
Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings
Kronos Quartet
Stuart Murdoch
My Brightest Diamond
My Morning Jacket
The National
The New Pornographers
Conor Oberst & Gillian Welch
Riceboy Sleeps
Dave Sitek
Spoon
Sufjan Stevens
Yeasayer
Yo La Tengo

new Bon Iver EP on the way

Bon Iver's debut LP, For Emma, Forever Ago has almost taken on a life of it's own ever since it's original release in 2007. With near flawless reviews and a swelling legion of fans, it's almost impossible to not be anxiously awaiting frontman Justin Vernon of Bon Iver's next move. The wait is almost over, as the group have announced plans for a new 4 song EP, entitled Blood Bank. The EP will be released in the US on Jan. 20th and in the UK on Jan. 19th. If your a diehard and can't wait until then, you'll have to catch one of the bands upcoming December dates where they will be selling the vinyl version at the merch tables. 'Blood Bank' features both the title track and "Babys", which Bon Iver have been showcasing on tour this past year.

In addition to the new EP, Bon Iver will be taping an appearance for the Late Show w/David Letterman program on December 11th, which will be aired on or close to that date.

Blood Bank tracklisting:
01 Blood Bank
02 Beach Baby
03 Babys
04 Woods

Here's a version of "Blood Bank" from one of Bon Iver's recent dates. The video quality isn't the greatest but it had the best audio of the bunch we could find.

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.

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)