Author Archive
Cassettes Won’t Listen Release ‘Evinspacey’ June 21st
Cassettes Won’t Listen, the one-man project of Jason Drake (partner and former director of marketing at the famed indie hip hop label Definitive Jux) announced the release of his full-length album Evinspacey. Known best for the single “Cutting Balloons” and official remixes of notable artists such as Aesop Rock, El-P, Midlake, Mr. Lif, Morcheeba and others, Drake’s track “The Echoes” mixes futuristic hip hop beats with his melodic vocals. The album itself is Drake’s nod to his new address (LA from Brooklyn) as well a musing on despair in the city. Summer and Fall tour dates for Cassettes Won’t Listen will be announced soon. Meanwhile, listen to “The Echoes” while meandering down the street and you will find yourself transported into a completely new world. A world you won’t need much convincing to explore.
Liturgy Premieres ‘Generation’, Release Second LP ‘Aesthethica,’ And Announces CD Release Show at Knitting Factory June 2nd
This Brooklyn black metal band has been busy recording screams and droning guitars. Though “Generation” accomplishes everything this extreme subgenre boasts (minus the screams), “High Gold” sounds much like “Generation” (with the screams), but at faster tempo. You can feel the angst seeping out of his every earth-shattering yell. You can visualize churches burning, the lead singers drinking kitten blood, and participating in other various anti-Christ activities. Liturgy will be leaving shortly for their second European tour, but when they return be ready to head-bang and scream along because they will be celebrating the release of Aesthethica at the infamous Knitting Factory on June 2nd. Bring your finest Goth and witness the chaos.
Amanda Palmer Announces Winners of ‘Map of Tasmania Remix Project’ and ‘On An Unknown Beach’ Video
The lovely and talented Amanda Palmer announced the winners of her remix project on Indaba Music recently. The ultimate winner is David Minnik of Detroit, MI, and the pentultimate winners are Jared Graham (York, PA) and Simone Ewouds (Enschede, The Netherlands). Their interpretations of Palmer’s tracks are now available on the two remix EP’s featured on her pay-what-you-desire Bandcamp website. The winners also were compensated for their contributions to the remix EP’s. Minnick took home $1,000 and the two runners-up, $500 each. Palmer also recently released the “On An Unknown Beach Video,” which features Palmer as a rejected bride running on an empty beach and rolling around the sand in despair. Though it sounds laughable, the video is a beautiful representation of this heart-wrenching song.
Kenna Releases “Chains” Video
Though the song is a great summer party mp3, the video suffers greatly from what I like to call “Juno-itis.” Juno-itis is a rapidly spreading disease in the independent music video world. Symptoms include classic hipster clothing, Ray-Bans, polaroids, lots of tattoos, drawings coming to life, and usually an odd mascot costume (or in this case, just a head). Directors, stop doing this crap. There are better ways to convey the meshing of fantasy and reality. Find them. The song on the other hand is fantastic for what it is: music to get fucked up and dance on your kitchen table, just like they do in the video. Lion head optional.
Oberhofer @ Coco66, Brooklyn, NY – May 15, 2011
Coco66, which is just a blinking neon sign blaring BAR in big red letters, is a non-descript venue with a secret performance space hidden by a big velvet curtain. The show starts at 9:45, but for all good things one must wait. Vacation kicked off the show with their synth guitar, dreamy sound. Lead singer Paul Daily has a velvety voice (he sounds like Matt Berninger from The National) and wraps you in his own world when he sings “Penny Pincher.” From here the crowd kept dreaming with the next opener Windowpeak. A female-led slow grind, dreary rock band that sounds like Mazzy Star. This band is simply incredible and it’s clear that they will be going far. You have to listen to “Harsh Realm” and “Burnout.” You will not be disappointed.And finally, Oberhofer. It was as if all the air had gone out of the room and was replaced with this fucking incredible sound. Their set was way, way too short in my opinion. I could have listened for hours. They closed with “I Could Go,” my favorite Oberhofer song. Something about the light show, Brad’s sincerity in his voice and the yearning sound of both guitar and drum completed the show in the most perfect way. I had a brief chance to talk with Brad Oberhofer backstage who told me of his passion for orchestral music and plans on one day scoring films. Which seems to be new indie scene phenomenon, with Broken Social Scene scoring “Half Nelson” in 2006 and Phoenix scoring the new Sofia Coppola film. All in all the show sounded like three bands, all good friends from Tacoma, Washington, having a good time. They each amped up the energy of the crowd as much as the last band, all their sets were super tight and the light show perfectly complimented the music but didn’t distract from it. Oberhofer will be recording new material after their tour. Next stop, Turner Hall Ballroom in Milwaukee, WI tomorrow night (May 18) with Neon Indian.
Radical Dads To Release ‘Mega Rama’ June 14th
The Radical Dads announced the release their very first full-length album June 14th. For those who have not heard of this band, you are urged to head to their website and listen to “Reckless” with your windows open and the speakers vibrating. The song is a mix of pretty vocals, growling guitars, and a hammering drum. The band, which formed in 2008, is comprised of Lindsay Baker (singer/guitarist), Robbie Guertin, of Clap Your Hands Say Yeah (singer/drummer), and Chris Diken (guitarist). Radical Dads released their self-titled EP in May 2009 and the “Reckless” 7-inch in December 2010. Their album is being released by Uninhabitable Mansions, an art collective and record label based in Brooklyn. And for all of you Brooklynites, there will be a show at Goodbye Blue Monday, celebrating Ms. Bakers’ birthday. Check out the show, fall in love with the band, and buy their album on June 14th.
Pygmalion Festival Announces Dates and Initial Lineup
The Pygmalion Festival (located in the idyllic Midwestern town of Champaign-Urbana, Ill.) recently announced their band lineup for this year’s music extravaganza. Currently the September 21-24 festival will include Japandroids, Toro y Moi, Deerhoof, Viva Voce, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, The Hood Internet, Mansions on the Moon, Ava Luna, Brass Bed, Adam Arcuragi, Jessica Lea Mayfield, Ivan and Alyosha, The Parsons Red Heads and more with Explosions in the Sky headlining. This year the festival will be celebrating the 15th anniversary of the indie label Polyvinyl Records. The all-day outdoor Polyvinyl showcase will feature the artists from the label’s roster including Deerhoof, Japandroids, Xiu Xiu, STRFKR, Owen, Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin, and Asobi Seksu as well as the long awaited reunion of local heroes Braid. Early Bird Festival passes go on sale Friday May 6, 2011 at 12 p.m. CST and cost $60. The price will be increased to $65 and $70 at later dates. The festival pass guarantees admission into every show at the festival, depending on capacity limitations. Single tickets for every show will be available as well.
Single show tickets for Explosions in the Sky will cost $20 in advance. The Polyvinyl 15 Year Anniversary Party will cost $25 in advance. Both of those shows will go on sale Friday May 13, 2011 at 12 p.m. online and at local Champaign-Urbana outlets.
Oberhofer Announces US Tour With Neon Indian & Sleigh Bells Including Dates With Cults, Eternal Summers & The Beets
This is what you need to know about the band Oberhofer: they sound fantastic. The 7″ they just released (“Away Frm U” / Dead Girls Dance”) is phenomenal. The guitars wail as though they are looking for release from this world, the drums are amazing, the entire sound is like nirvana for the ears. The lyrics do leave something small to be desired. Maybe it stems from Brad Oberhofer’s age (he is 19 after all), but the text-language spelled track names rub me the wrong way. The only redeeming quality to these lyrics is the way Oberhofer sings them. There is such an air of sincerity in his voice that you almost forget about the words themselves. Almost. Then again, I was that kid who sat and poured over lyrics so perhaps I am a bit jaded. Either way, this band sounds incredible live. There is so much energy and passion in these shows that you can’t help but fall in love with them. So, here lies the Oberhofer recipe to success. Record some badass songs in your parents basement in Tacoma, WA. When that house burns down, shake the loss off and move to New York, find a new band with an incredible sound and start shaping your art. See this band live. Do it now. Below are the tour dates for this summer.
5/14 – Coco 66 – Brooklyn, NY !!
5/16 – Brillobox – Pittsburgh, PA ^
5/17 – Radio Radio – Indianapolis, IN ^
5/18 – Turner Hall – Milwaukee, WI ^
5/19 – The Aquarium – Fargo, ND
5/20 – Pyramid Cabaret – Winnipeg, MB ^
5/22 – Republik – Calgary, AB ^ #
5/23 – Starlite Room – Edmonton, AB ^ #
5/25 – The Vogue Theatre – Vancouver, BC ^ #
5/26 – Roseland Theater – Portland, OR ^ #
5/30 – The Independent – San Francisco, CA ^ #
5/31 – Satellite Club – Los Angeles, CA %
6/1 – Casbah – San Diego, CA & @
6/8 – The Basement – Columbus, OH
6/10 – Midpoint Music Festival – Cincinnati, OH
6/11 – Grog Shop – Cleveland Heights, OH ^
6/12 – The Ottobar – Baltimore, MD ^
* w/ Cults
^ w/ Neon Indian
# w/ Sleigh Bells
% w/ Hands
& w/ The Beets
@ w/ Eternal Summers
The Generationals Announce Summer Tour Dates
The Generationals, composed of Ted Joyner (singer/multi-instrumentalist) and Grant Widmer (also singer/multi-instrumentalist) have recently announced their summer tour dates. Both Joyner and Widmer were once band mates of The Eames Era, which you may know by way of Grey’s Anatomy and the song “Could Be Anything,” but they were the only two musicians left standing when three of the members decided they no longer wanted to pursue music. I would say that was a blessing for both Joyner and Widmer, because now we can enjoy Con Law, Trust (EP) and their latest album Actor-Caster. Their sound is much different from that of The Eames Era. Both Joyner and Widmer clearly draw inspiration from ’60′s pop bands, though they (as most bands do when they copy an original) gave it a modern twist. So that doo-woppy beat is a combination of ’60′s pop cuts with electronic elements unavailable at that time. Their track “Ten-Twenty-Ten” is a perfect example of this. The beat is cheerful, but don’t let it fool you for the lyrics are lovely and morose. Joyner sings at one point: “And when I see your friends / They say it’s in my head / All my friends seem to think you might leave me for dead.” The music video itself is reminiscent of a crazy acid trip with a deadpan Joyner singing the lyrics while flourescent fish eat his neck. I am in love with this band. Below are the dates for their tour this summer.
05/11 New York, NY Mercury Lounge *
05/12 Brooklyn, NY The Rock Shop *
05/13 Washington, DC The Red Palace *
05/14 Philadelphia, PA Kungfu Necktie *
05/17 Arlington, VA IOTA Club & Café *
05/18 Richmond, VA The Camel *
05/19 Chapel Hill, NC Local 506 *
05/20 Atlanta, GA The Earl *
05/21 Nashville, TN The Basement *
05/24 Birmingham, AL The Bottletree *
05/25 Oxford, MS Proud Larry’s *
05/26 Houston, TX Fitzgerald’s *
05/27 Dallas, TX Club Dada *
05/28 Austin, TX Emo’s *
06/25 New Orleans, LA Tipitina’s
07/07 San Antonio, TX The Korva
07/08 Tempe, AZ Sail Inn %
07/09 Tucson, AZ Club Congress %
07/10 San Diego, CA Casbah %
07/14 Los Angeles, CA The Echo
07/16 Davis, CA Sophia’s Thai Kitchen %
07/17 Portland, OR Mississippi Studios %
07/19 Seattle, WA Tractor Tavern %
07/20 Boise, ID Neurolux %
07/21 Salt Lake City, UT Kilby Court %
07/22 Denver, CO Underground Music Showcase %
07/23 Santa Fe, NM Corazon %
07/24 Oklahoma City, OK The Conservatory %
07/26 Baton Rouge, LA Manship Theatre %
# = w/ Oh No Oh My
* = w/ Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr.
% = w/ Gardens & Villa
The Drums Release “A Whole New World” For Japan
The Drums recently released the song “The New World” to benefit the Japan disaster efforts. It seems when you are donating all the proceeds of your earnings to charity you are no longer are required to write good music. The song is, in short, awful. I mean, we get it hold on, hold on, hold on. These people are holding on and no thanks to this song. I don’t understand benefit tracks. Generally speaking they are awful. Just because you aren’t making a profit, your talent shrivels up and dies, apparently. In my opinion, donate straight to the Japanese relief funds and skip the song. Unless you want the phrase ‘hold on’ stuck in your head for the next three hours.
Sam Roberts Band To Release ‘Collider’ May 10th
Sam Roberts Band announced they will be releasing their latest album on May 10th. The album will feature the song “Longitude” with Land of Talk’s very own Elizabeth Powell. The song is perfect to zone out to which is great if you don’t really want to listen to music, but then why are you playing a fucking song. Ms. Powell’s vocals were my only lifeboat to get me through that song. Other tracks on the album are fantastic, however. My advice, skip “Longitude” and listen to “The Last Crusade” and “I Feel You.” These tracks have great melodic variety and interesting lyrics. You’ll forget that “Longitude” ever played in your headphones. The band will be hitting the road May 16th to promote Collider. Tour dates below.
TOUR DATES (more to be announced):
May 16th Rock N Roll Hotel Washington DC
May 18th Bowery Ballroom New York City, NY
May 20th Brighton Hall Boston, MA
May 24th The Troubadour Los Angeles, CA
May 25th The Independent San Francisco, CA
May 26th Mississippi Studios Portland OR
May 28th Malkin Bowl Vancouver BC
May 29th Sasquatch! Festival The Gorge OR
June 3rd Massey Hall Toronto ON
June 4th Massey Hall Toronto ON
June 6th First Ave Minneapolis MN
June 7th Lincoln Hall Chicago IL
June 8th St. Andrew’s Hall Detroit, MI
Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin Announces Tour and Premieres “Sink / Let It Sway” Video
Someone Still Loves You Boris Yelsin kicked off their spring tour on Monday, April 25 in Columbia, MO at Mojo’s and will be wrapping it up May 3 at the Rock Shop in Brooklyn, NY. The tour will be featuring support from Minnesota band Koo Koo Kangaroo. The band also released their “Sink/Let It Sway” video featuring the band in various rubber masks (one Conan O’Brien, one Hilary Clinton). The video shows the band running constantly creating chaos whenever they can and eventually settling down at a raging party where Hilary wales on the drums and Conan does some crazy guitar moves. The song rocks, but the video should not be watched drunk. It will make you nauseous. Just a tip. Anyway, featured below are the tour dates for SSLYBY:
Apr. 25 – Columbia, MO – Mojo’s
Apr. 26 – Chicago, IL – Lincoln Hall
Apr.28 – Champaign, IL – Courtyard Cafe
Apr. 29 – Pittsburgh, PA – Brillobox
Apr.30 – Philadelphia, PA – Blockley Pourhouse
May 01 – Washington DC – Rock and Roll Hotel
May 02 – South Orange, NJ – Seton Hall University
May 03 – Brooklyn, NY – The Rock Shop
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