by Sedera Ranaivoarinosy

Hooray For Earth Announce Album Release Date and Tour

To follow up on their debut LP, Momo, Hooray For Earth will officially be releasing their full-length album, True Loves, on May 3rd, 2011 on Dovecote Records. The album is mainly the result of band leader Noel Heroux’s work, who wrote, recorded and produced 90% of the material it contains, with the other members of the band coming in to perfect their parts during a few sessions.

But before you can own True Loves, you can catch Hooray For Earth on tour this month with The Concretes. They’ll also be on the road later, in March, where they will be appearing at Austin’s South By South West Festival in between their shows with A Place To Bury Strangers. Check below for the exact dates.

Here are their upcoming tour dates:

01-14 Minneapolis, MN – The Triple Rock Social Club (with The Concretes)

01-15 Chicago, IL – The Empty Bottle

01-16 Detroit, MI – Magik Stick (with The Concretes)

01-17 Toronto, Ontario – The Legendary Horseshoe Tavern (with The Concretes)

01-18 Ottawa, Ontario – Mavericks (with The Concretes)

01-19 Montreal, Quebec – La Sala Rosa (with The Concretes)

01-20 Boston, MA – Great Scott (with The Concretes)

01-22 New York, NY – Bowery Ballroom (with The Concretes)

01-24 Philadelphia, PA – Johnny Brenda’s (with The Concretes)

01-25 Washington, DC – Rock & Roll Hotel (with The Concretes)

03-10 Atlanta, GA – Masquerade (with A Place To Bury Strangers)

03-11 Durham, NC – Motorco Music Hall (with A Place To Bury Strangers)

03-15 San Antonio, TX – Korova (with A Place To Bury Strangers)

03-16 Austin, TX – SXSW

03-17 Austin, TX – SXSW

03-18 Austin, TX – SXSW

03-19 Austin, TX – SXSW

03-22 Oxford, MS – Proud Larrys (with A Place To Bury Strangers)

03-23 Greenville, SC – The Handlebar (with A Place To Bury Strangers)

03-24 Baltimore, MD – Ottobar (with A Place To Bury Strangers)

01.14.11

by tunmer

Empress Hotel to Release Debut EP

Right now is a really exciting time for pop and rock music in New Orleans and Empress Hotel is a prime example. The group comprised of six young yet seasoned musicians is an offshoot from other bands that came before it, fellow forgers of an indie movement in the Jazz capital of the world.

Brothers Ryan and Eric Rogers on guitar and drums as well as Leo DeJesus on precussion/synth/vocals come from popular bands on the younger generation’s radar in New Orleans, like Antenna Inn and The City Life among others, and lead singer/guitarist Micah McKee founded local favorite Silent Cinema in 2002 which can be held responsible for other spinoff bands from its members, like Big History – a sexy new electronic emphasized band. The main point being, anything coming from this group of guys (and girls: Julie Williams plays keys and sings for Empress Hotel) which also includes Portland transplant Patrick Hodgkins on bass is going to be good.

“Bells Ring” is their recently released single to be included on the self-titled debut EP slated to drop in March on Park the Van Records. Whether it’s the shrill Cassio keys, the doo-woppy back up vocals or the lyrical imagery of not letting it (life?) pass by, the track instills a sense of nostalgia and envy all for an older era, childhood and even pastimes never experienced.

The drawn out, robust lead vocals that harkens The Walkmen’s Hamilton Leithauser, the steady, momentous drums and the bells that ring through the chorus also give the song a triumphant slant.

And don’t overlook “Here Comes the New Challenger” which can be found on the band’s Myspace page. The song is utterly cool with a Who-esque synth intro, inebriating lyrics and McKee and Williams’ vocal harmonies that are beyond charming.

Empress Hotel On Tour:
Dec 18 – Park the Van Holiday Soirée at HiHo Lounge – New Orleans, LA
Dec 31 – OpenHouse Music Presents: NYE, The Throwdown (Studio 3 Warehouse) – New Orleans, LA
Jan 21 – The BottleTree – Birmingham, AL
Jan 27 – Lola’s Saloon – Fort Worth, TX
Jan 28 – Ghost Room – Austin, TX
Jan 29 – Artmosphere – Lafayette, LA
Feb 19 – Blue Nile (Krewe du Vieux) w/ Big History and Booty Trove – New Orleans, LA
Feb 22 – 5 Spot – Nashville, TN
Feb 23 – Tea Bazaar – Charlottesville, VA
Feb 25 – Rock Shop – Brooklyn, NY
Mar 2 – Iota Club and Cafe – Arlington, VA (DC Area)
Mar 5 – Alabama Music Box – Mobile, AL
Mar – SXSW 2011 – Austin, TX

01.14.11

by aitorzabalegui

Still Flyin’ Want You to Relive Their 2010

Still Flyin’ have put together a nice little stocking stuffer retrospective to remind you of how much fun their 2010 was. Appropriately titled, Neu Ideas will package both of their 7 inch releases, A Party in Motion EP, and include re-workings of certain tracks by Papercuts, Hood Internet, Love is All, and Signals among others. You can imagine the remixes as sort of an alternate universe Still Flyin’ 2010 retrospective. The collection is scheduled for a February 1st release on Ernest Jenning Recording Co. For those intrigued as to more current workings of the band, Still Flyin have wrapped up recording on their second LP, which is said to be released in the Spring. Some would call that prolific.

Here’s Papercuts’ version of “Victory Walker”:

01.14.11

by mcirigliano2

Fire Records Releases “Dance To The Best Of ESG”

London’s iconic Fire Records has announced the release of the two-disc Dance To The Best of ESG, from New York City’s legendary punk/funk collective, ESG (Emerald, Sapphire, and Gold.) For the very first time, all of the songs that made the South Bronx family band such an innovative influence over the past two decades of hip-hop are available in a single release. Covering their earliest Martin Hannett produced tracks, such as “Moody” and “UFO,” right through to their more recent output, this compilation leans heavily on the foundation that has made ESG one of the most sampled artists of all time- giving both diehard fans and first-timers a taste of every one of their stellar records. Every cut runs deep and every ass had better shake. When ESG says dance, you had better dance!

Dance To The Best Of ESG tracklist:

CD1:

01 You’re No Good
02 Tiny Sticks
03 Moody
04 Come Away
05 U.F.O.
06 Dance
07 Parking Lot Blues
08 Chistelle
09 Talk It
10 Erase You
11 Hold Me Right
12 It’s Alright
13 Get Funky
14 My Love for You
15 About You
16 Insane (Tambourine Mix)
17 Keep on Moving
18 I Can’t Tell You What to Do
19 Moody (Spaced Out)

CD2:

01 Dance To The Beat Of Moody
02 Bam Bam Jam
03 A New Day
04 In the Streets
05 Erase You (Puppy to Your Side)
06 You’re No Good (Alternate Version)
07 Standing in Line
08 I Wanna Dance
09 Six Pack (Original Version)
10 Moody (A New Mood)
11 There Was a Time
12 Earn It
13 Like This

01.13.11

by mcirigliano2

Wool Recordings Announces Limited Edition Franklin 7″

With a new album on the horizon, Wool Recordings has announced plans to release a limited edition 7″ single from New Jersey DJ artist, Franklin. The vinyl single will be released in February, with two new tracks and a remix from Com Truise (otherwise known as Seth Haley). Franklin, the latest side project of Franck Rabeyrolles, relishes 80s old-school synth and bass lines that transcend the standard “chill wave” moniker, creating a sound world that is much more personal, and a lot more tasty. Franklin’s recent remixes for the likes of Neon Indian and Twin Shadow have already brought him wide acclaim from Lowdown Magazine, Dublab, and The Organ– making the anticipation surrounding his new album all the more unbearable.

01.13.11

by wesleyambrecht

Pretty Lights Ignite Label

Derek Vincent Smith, better known as Pretty Lights, provided fans with a pleasant surprise earlier this month when he announced the launch of his own record label. Derek’s objectives are simple; he wants to supply his fans, and fans of electronic music at large, with free music from the artists he believes in and supports.

To that end, Pretty Lights Music will release two free EPs on January 25th, Break Science’s debut EP, Further Than Our Eyes Can See, and a new EP from Paper Diamond entitled Levitate. Down below we’ve included the lead singles from each EP for streaming.

Break Science – Zion Station (featuring CX) by WesleyAmbrecht