by jill ettinger

Ashtar Command Releasing “American Sunshine Volume 1” in 2011

DJ/producer, Chris Holmes, and former Nine Inch Nails member and Filter founder, Brian Liesegang, are the geniuses and/or aliens behind Ashtar Command.

The collaboration hearkens to a new era in music and sociopolitical commentary, as demonstrated in “Gravity,” the album’s first track. Based on interviews Holmes conducted back in ’94 with members of the Heaven’s Gate cult (yes, I’m serious), they put together a video mockumentary about the group that ended up committing mass suicide in 1997. Z Berg does a great job on lead vocals on the track and the album, American Sunshine Volume 1 includes contributions from an assortment of talent including members of Edward Sharp and The Magnetic Zeros, Veruca Salt, Filter, Smashing Pumpkins and R.E.M.

Ashtar Command seeks to promote artistry and independence and the ability to be creative in unprecedented times. Get ready for a sonic exodus out of mainstream pop culture an into another world, or perhaps a new solar system altogether.
For more on Ashtar Command visit www.ashtar-command.com
If you do nothing else, you just have to watch this video.

12.03.10

by jill ettinger

Psychic Powers Announces “Infinity” Release for December 2010

In 2007, Nik Brinkman (Over the Atlantic) and Alejandro Cohen (Lanquis) met in Los Angeles and a collaboration they call Psychic Powers was born.

Being separated by thousands of miles due to Nik’s home in New Zealand, songs were worked out through internet jam sessions. Earlier this year they met again in person to complete the full length album, Infinity.

Drawing on influences from labels such as 4AD, Flying Nun, Sarah and Creation Records, the duo blends electronic pop music reminiscent of the 90’s, but with a totally modern twist.
You can grab their previous EP Frozen from RCRD LBL here.

For more information on Psychic Powers: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Psychic-Powers/437907455446

12.03.10

by summer826

Holcombe Waller Offers Free Download To Celebrate New Album

In preparation for his third album entitled Into the Dark Unknown and set to release February 22, 2011, singer, songwriter, composer and video artist Holcombe Waller is offering his single “Risk of Change” as a free download.

The San Francisco native, began his musical career while attending Yale University studying art. During that time, he produced and mixed two albums for Bryce and Aaron Dessner and Bryan Devendor of The National fame. Returning the favor, the three played on Waller’s debut album Advertising Space released in 1999 on Holcombe’s very own label, Napoleon Records. In 2001, he released his second album, Extravagant Gesture.

In 2005, Waller moved to Portland, Oregon. Over the years, he has stepped outside his box of recorded music and ventured into theater, performance art and video installation. In 2008, he embarked on a new experience performing in “In the Dark Unknown: The Hope of Chest” which toured the U.S. as well as Canada and Croatia. During this time, Waller wrote the songs for his new album which is sure to be a melodic combination of songs and lyrics that will show off his talent as a musician and songwriter.

For more information about Holcombe including album information and tour dates, visit his Web site here.

12.02.10

by travestyofthecondition

OFF!…..Is Totally On

Nothing in the world is better than the snide and cynical “Tell All” story of a punk veteran. Keith Morris is the founding vocalist for the punk band Black Flag and also served many years as the poster child for the Circle Jerks. Now however, he is here to tell us about his new super group OFF! This Punk alliance consists of Dimitri Coats, former front man for Burning Bridges; Mario Rubalcaba who is known for the three bands Hot Snakes, Rocket From the Crypt, and Earthless; and Steven McDonald of Redd Kross. Morris is more than ready to move on from his previous failures with the Circle Jerks (for whom he had no polite expressions). Pitchfork caught the original interview with Morris to talk about what we can expect from the highly anticipated EP due December 14.

The Band all started after the laziness and the stupidity that Morris suffered while in the circle jerk. “It got like a classroom filled with kids with down syndrome” Keith told Pitchfork. After 30 years of the same bullshit Keith Morris must’ve gotten tired of the petty bickering and very high-school approach to every situation. So he did the opposite with his new group. The thing that makes this EP so freaking great is the vicious original sound it carries to our ears. Pitchfork actually compared it to early Black Flag, right down to the very recording quality of the demos. The initial idea and approach to making the EP was “Let’s just go in and do it.” And so they did. The result of this GO GET IT! Attitude was a four song EP recorded over the period of two days! There is so much that you can do with recording equipment these days but none of that can ever tap the resource of raw, in the moment passion that seems to be almost palpable through these first four songs.

As fate would have it, Morris confronted Album Artist Great, Raymond Pettibon to create the artwork for his new band, as he had done before for Black Flag. Over a lunch two years previous to the EP release, Raymond invited Keith back to his work place which Keith quoted as “a big chaotic mess.” He also told Pitchfork that there were piles and piles of art pieces worth thousands lying around that Raymond offered him to take if he liked. Morris quoted Pettibon saying “Come in here, and whatever you see that you like, you can take with you. If you get in any kind of trouble and you need any kind of financial help, you’re more than welcome to come in here. Consider this to be a bank.” Morris told Pitchfork he was “Floored” by the offer.

OFF! Told Pitchfork that they were in fact planning to tour after the release, after a fast paced formation of the band, and a three show success they’re “getting ready to fight a war” and take on the world. It appears that through everything that has occurred in Morris’ life he fought the good fight to come out on top, once again. Only this time he is back with a vengeance and a goal to take over the world.

12.01.10

by jill ettinger

Ringside Finds Themselves With ‘Lost Days’

Los Angeles has one more reason to boast. Coming January 25, 2011, local indie rockers, Ringside releases their much-anticipated second album, Lost Days.

Frontman, Scott Thomas takes the reigns on most instrumentation and production of Lost Days, but guest appearances are nothing short of stellar. Featured on the title track is friend and iconic rocker, Ben Harper. LA’s beloved funkmasters, Ozomatli, offer up their signature horns on two tracks. Weezer’s Brian Bell lends guitar work as does Harper and Kirk Hellie. The drum kit gets a little love from Joey Waronker, Jim Keltner, Josh Freese, Norm Block, Sandy Chila, and Jon Pikus.

Co-produced by band member and beat master, Balthazar Getty, Lost Days is Ringside’s first release since their debut nearly five years ago. Working with Scott’s broken back, which happened several months into production, Ringside has seen success with “Tired Of Being Sorry,” covered by friend Enrique Iglesias and French singer, Nadiya. http://www.ringsidemusic.com/

12.01.10

by justgentile

La Sera Debut LP, 7″ Out Now!

Since joining all-female punk trio Vivian Girls during the spring of 2007 Katy Goodman’s DIY-style bass playing and drifty-faded vocals have sent waves of adoration rippling throughout Brooklyn’s pop punk circuit. In February 2010 Goodman started working on some fresh material that inspired the formation of her brand new band, La Sera. Her inspiration sprung from an attraction to early pop hits from the 1950’s and ethereal choral vocals. Her new songs contain warm celestial-pop melodies that echo with the dreamlike effect of a church choir and effuse a softer, less aggressive sound than the Vivian Girls.