Monthly Archives: July 2011

07.05.11
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We Are Scientists Among Bands Contributing To Ben Sherman’s V.I.P. Charity for Trekstock

auction blog post.jpg

Mod British clothing company, Ben Sherman is about to open up a second round of auctions for their V.I.P. (Very Important Plectrum) charity.  As it was the first time around 100% of the proceeds will be kindly contributed to a worthy cause.  The focus for this auction is Trekstock, a UK-based foundation that specializes in this kind of thing.  Trekstock works with Cancer Research UK, collecting donations and raising awareness for youth with cancer through shows, music and fashion collaboration, and the like.

Participating artists in the auction will offer up their signed plectrums, otherwise known as picks — but think more than just guitars! harpsichords, mandolins, and ukuleles need to be plucked too.  To name a few bands involved: We Are Scientists, Anna Calvi, Band Of Horses, Interpol, and Broken Social Scene.  Check the poster above to see all participating artists, and go to Ben Sherman’s VIP site or Trekstock’s site to learn more.

07.05.11
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Allison’s Invention Readies New Album

Already up for an Emmy for her work on the movie 5,000 Miles From Home, Allison’s Invention (real name Allison Tartalia) just put out a full-length album.

Fusing elements of jazz, soul, and rock, Sweet and Vicious is hard to pin down, and according to critics extremely hard to stop listening to.

The album was produced by Michael Leonhart (of Steely Dan and Lenny Kravitz fame) and will be released July 27th. That same day, Allison’s Invention will host a CD release show at Sullivan Hall in New York.

You can hear a sample of Allison’s Invention right here.

07.05.11
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Cut Off Your Hands To Relase New Album In August

New Zealand band Cut Off Your Hands have announced that they will be releasing the follow up to their 2008 release later this summer.  The album entitled Hollow will be a mixture of new sounds and a rediscovered passion for playing music from band front man Nick Johnston.  After 2008’s release of You & I, the band embarked on a three year tour and endured many personnel changes within the band, all of which left Johnston feeling a little disillusioned about music and wondering what his future would be.

“Something clicked in the time off between records,” says Johnston. “As I stopped worrying about what we should be doing, I began listening to records out of pure fun again and they ended up really influencing my writing.”

The result is a masterful sound of melancholic guitar riffs and melodies influenced by bands such as Echo & the Bunnymen, the Byrds, Bob Dylan and fellow countrymen the Bats and Bird Nest Roys.