Kevin Barnes Guest Appears on a New Track


It’s already a big year for Of Montreal’s frontman, Kevin Barnes, and the band hasn’t even released their record False Priest (Polyvinyl) yet. Appearing on Chuck Lightning’s compiliation, Barnes sings “Depraved Valet,” a silky jam by Wondaland artist, Roman GianArthur. No, I have no idea who that is either. But, Mr. Barnes is on it so it’s bound to be good, right?

Kevin stated on Stereogum that “Roman GianArthur is gonna be the story of 2011, he is a musical genius, a brilliant arranger, writer, performer … he’s probably a good cook as well. Just you wait Henry Higgins, just you wait — when his album drops, people are gonna drop their groceries!”

Barnes is usually right on the money with his musical predictions. Can we say Janelle Monae? Take a listen to and download the new track below. Get ready for more OM to come this year. It’s going to be a good one.

Of Montreal will also be on tour this fall with Janelle. Take a peak at the tour dates. You can get all of your False Priest preorder goodies over at the Polyvinyl Webstore.

Of Montreal Tour Dates
07-25 Jackson, MI – Land of Nod Experiment
07-30 Montreal, Quebec – Osheaga Festival
07-31 Burlington, VT – Higher Ground
08-02 Asheville, NC – Orange Peel
08-07 Lake Worth, FL – Lake Worth-it / Bryant Park (Kevin Barnes solo)
09-13 Washington, DC – 9:30 Club ^
09-14 Washington, DC – 9:30 Club ^
09-15 Philadelphia, PA – Electric Factory ^
09-16 Boston, MA – House of Blues ^
09-17 New York, NY – Terminal 5 ^
09-18 New York, NY – Terminal 5 ^
09-19 Buffalo, NY – Town Ballroom ^
09-21 Covington, KY – Madison Theatre ^
09-22 Urbana, IL – Canopy Club (Pygmalion Music Festival) ^
09-23 Minneapolis, MN – First Avenue ^
09-24 Milwaukee, WI – Pabst Theatre ^
09-26 Nashville, TN – Cannery Ballroom ^
10-03 Dublin, Ireland – Tripod
10-04 Glasgow, England – QMU
10-05 Manchester, England – Academy 2
10-06 London, England – Koko
10-07 Paris, France – Cigale
10-08 Lille, France – Grand Mix
10-09 Amsterdam, Netherlands – Melkweg Max
10-10 Berlin, Germany – Admiralspalast (Studio)
10-12 Stockholm, Sweden – Debaser
10-13 Oslo, Norway – Rockefeller
10-14 Copenhagen, Denmark – Amager Bio
10-15 Brussels, Belgium – Botanique / Orangerie
10-21 St. Louis, MO – Pageant ^
10-22 Omaha, NE – Sokol Auditorium ^
10-23 Lawrence, KS – Liberty Hall ^
10-24 Denver, CO – The Ogden Theater ^
10-25 Salt Lake City, UT – The Complex ^
10-27 Seattle, WA – The Paramount ^
10-28 Portland, OR – Roseland ^
10-29 San Francisco, CA – The Warfield
10-30 Los Angeles, CA – Palladium ^
10-31 Tucson, AZ – The Rialto
11-01 Albuquerque, NM – Sunshine Theatre ^
11-02 Dallas, TX – The Granada Theatre ^
11-03 Austin, TX – East Side Drive In ^
11-04 Houston, TX – Numbers ^
11-05 Oxford, MS – The Lyric ^
11-06 Atlanta, GA – Variety Playhouse
11-07 Atlanta, GA – Variety Playhouse

^ with Janelle Monáe

Roman GianArthur – “Depraved Valet” (Feat. Kevin Barnes from Of Montreal) by ModernMysteryBlog

New Strokes Album Pushed Back. Again.


Whenever we get closer to a new album by The Strokes, they seem to get delayed. Can we have a colllective “UGH”? The date has been pushed back again for the upcoming fourth record that was originally supposed to be out this fall. Now it has a tentative release date of March 2011. Singer Julian Casablancas has been talking about it in interviews and he doesn’t seem to quite have the passion he once did for the band. Though, this has all been judged out of the tone of his voice. As for what he says, Casablancas stated on BBC 6 that this album will be the most collaborative piece that the band has ever done, and it also halfway finished. He is quoted saying the album is “something that I hope works and I hope everyone loves and makes everyone happy.” When talking about The Strokes future, he stated “Let’s make sure no one tries to stab me or something.” Is this serious or Casablancas sarcasm and wit? I guess we’ll have to wait to find out.

Julian Casablancas – The Strokes – “I’ll Try Anything Once” (“You Only Live Once” Demo) by ModernMysteryBlog

She & Him Release New Video for “Thieves”


The dynamic duo of She and Him, better known as Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward make pretty videos to their pretty music. Their newest for the enchanting “Thieves,” is no different. Recently releasing their second record, Volume Two, the group is gaining more attention than even before. And THAT seemed unbeatable.

The video is produced by Norwood Creek, and features a child version of Deschannel and Ward, playing, and sending items to their older selves to discover in the future. Done in a sketchy black and white, it enchances the song for a really emotional impact that is beautifully done. She and Him can do no wrong.

Songs to Keep You Cool in the Summer Heat


In NYC it is currently 102 degrees out. To keep you cool from the obsessive heat, we put together a few songs that have to do with “Summer.” Oddly enough they all use the word in the title as well. From Pavement to The National to Neon Indian, we have it all. We hope these songs will keep you cool today, along with your air conditioner. Enjoy!

Pavement- “Summer Babe”
Pavement- “Summer Babe” by ModernMysteryBlog

Neon Indian – “Deadbeat Summer”
Neon Indian – “Deadbeat Summer” by ModernMysteryBlog

Magic Kids – “Summer”
Magic Kids – “Summer” by ModernMysteryBlog

The National with St. Vincent – “Sleep All Summer”
The National with St. Vincent – “Sleep All Summer” by ModernMysteryBlog

The Drums – “Saddest Summer”
The Drums – “Saddest Summer” by ModernMysteryBlog

Unouomedude – “Island Summer”
Unouomedude – “Island Summer” by ModernMysteryBlog

Vietnam – “Summer in the City”
Vietnam – “Summer in the City” by ModernMysteryBlog

Wild Nothing – “Summer Holiday”
Wild Nothing – “Summer Holiday” by ModernMysteryBlog

Cymbals “Summer Job”
Cymbals -“Summer Job” by ModernMysteryBlog

Gorky’s Zygotic Mynci – “Face Like Summer”
Gorky’s Zygotic Mynci – “Face Like Summer” by ModernMysteryBlog

Laura Veirs – “Summer Is The Champion”
Laura Veirs – “Summer Is The Champion” by ModernMysteryBlog

The Art of Shooting Gets Crazy


The Art of Shooting are one of the most incredible bands that New York has to offer. Fronted by the coolest female singer since Karen O., Kelly Irene and Co. are a band to look out for in the ever growing scene. Last weekend they hit the stage for the second time at the Northside Festival.

Modern Mystery: There are tons of bands in Brooklyn right now. What makes The Art of Shooting stand out from the rest? You DO stand out from the rest.

Kelly Irene, Jim, Julie, and Gavin: Thank you for the compliment. That’s very flattering considering all of the talented bands that are in Brooklyn right now. We love catchy songs as much as the next person, but where’s the emotion? I like to think we bring the emotion back to music. We also have the tendency to genre jump, are willing to keep going no matter the circumstances, a solid sense of humility, and we’ll drive to the midwest to play for cattle.

On a more serious note, I think it’s a concoction nobody’s tried before: blend shoegaze with riot grrl and add some proggy elements for shits and giggles). It’s atmospheric but has strong songwriting; it can be dark and noisy as fuck (“No 12″) or soft and serene (“One Minute Love Song”) or both (“Japanese”).

MM: Being a female vocalist, do you sometimes find it harder to prove yourself musically, to the masses? strong>

Kelly Irene: Oh, yes. Definitely. Without a doubt, I used to try much harder, but lately, as I’ve gotten more comfortable in my skin and musical abilities, I’m not as intimidated or ferocious anymore. The more confident you are in what you’re doing with yourself, the more that radiates and stands on its own. But we are usually the only female oriented band on a bill, and that can be a nice feeling.

MM: Blurt! magazine crowned Kelly the award of “The Most Fucked Up Thing I Have Ever Seen.” How do you feel about that? Does she still have such problems with animals?

Jim: Having been in the band the longest behind Kelly Irene, I can absolutely anoint Kelly the Patron Fucking Saint of Pooches. I have witnessed more crimes-against-person at the paws of canines than I care to mention…we’re talking the widespread destruction of items including her favorite lipstick, drummers’ after-practice-Reuben sandwich, a wallet containing the last of the week’s food money, and a particularly sassy pair of cowboy boots. The fact that she’s lived with two large, mischevious dogs for so long and has not drowned them is a wonder to me…and I’m a dog person.

Kelly Irene: Right now I live with a dog, a cat, and a snake. I share my face and cover art with my dog that I adopted at Barc five yeas ago (Nugget). I’m dedicated to this kind of abuse

MM: How do you write your songs? Is it collaborative or does everyone bring in their own songs and work from there?

Jim: Usually Kelly brings in song ideas and we all work on em, whipping em up into a full-bodied, frothy rock concoction.

MM: What inspires you to write a song? Do you have to be in a certain mood to write a certain kind of song?

Kelly Irene: The tempo that comes out of walking after a really amazing cup of coffee. Breakups, old memories that become old again, and the Little Mermaid.

Jim: Usually I’m inspired to make music when I see another band performing…it usually dredges up the old competitive spirit in me. Also, when i drink.

Gavin: Sometimes drummer Jim won’t lay off the cowbell and I’m inspired to clock him with my headstock. It makes a sound.

MM: Which do you like better, being in the studio/recording process, or playing live on stage?

Kelly Irene: Live, because the rock audience has the shortest attention span and will generally forgive mistakes!

MM: How did you get involved with playing the Northside Festival? Is this your first year?

Kelly Irene: This is our second year. Last year Jezebel Music was nice enough to host us with a band of really great friends including Patrick Bower, Right on Dynamite, and Joe and the Flying Spoons (ex dirty on purpose). It was my favorite show we played last year.

This year we’re hanging out with bands we don’t know as well, but I guess we made a great impression on the Tijuana Gift Shop, since we’ve been asked to play with some killer acts. We also view the Northside Festival as a warmer, friendlier version of CMJ with oftentimes better acts.

Jim: We heard they offer free footwear, that’s how they got us last year. I also view Northside Festival as an opportunity for me to test Heineken’s fortitude as sponsor of free beer at the badge pick-up lounge.