Freelance Whales Announce 2011 Tour Dates

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Nearly a year after their release of their critically acclaimed Weathervanes, the Freelance Whales are continuing to tour the world, bringing their jaunty electro-pop to the U. S. and Canada this spring. Along with the British band Foals, the Freelance Whales will work their way across North America throughout much of April and May. The Queens, New York band has been compared to such indie greats as The Postal Service and Broken Social Scene, receiving high praise from such critical luminaries as NPR’s All Songs Considered, Stereogum, Paste [R. I. P.], and Entertainment Weekly.

Spring Tour 2011
4/10 – Commodore Ballroom – Vancouver, BC*
4/11 – The Showbox at The Market – Seattle, WA*
4/12 – Wonder Ballroom – Portland, OR*
4/14 – Great American Music Hall – San Francisco, CA (co-headlining with Foals)
4/19 – Fitzgerald’s – Houston, TX*
4/20 – The Loft – Dallas, TX
4/21 – La Zona Rosa – Austin, TX*
4/23 – The Firebird – St Louis, MO*
4/25 – The Varsity Theater – Minneapolis, MN*
4/26 – Metro – Chicago, IL (co-headlining with Foals)
4/27 – Outland Live – Columbus, OH*
4/29 – Beachland Ballroom – Cleveland, OH*
4/30 – Phoenix Concert Theatre – Toronto, ON*
5/01 – Le National – Montreal, QC*
5/02 – Paradise Rock Club – Boston, MA*
5/04 – Terminal 5 – New York, NY (co-headlining with Foals)
5/05 – Theatre of the Living Arts – Philadelphia, PA*
5/06 – 9:30 Club – Washington, DC (co-headlining with Foals)
5/07 – Ottobar – Baltimore, MD*
5/08 – The Met – Pawtucket, RI*

*Foals & The Naked & The Famous

STRFKR to Release Sophomore Album in March


Who knew death could be so danceable? This is the realization gained after learning that badass synth explosion of pop you’ve been dancing to contains a major theme on Starfucker’s second album: death. It seems the joke is on the consumer of Reptilians, to be released on Polyvinyl in March.

“Bury Us Alive” is the single available for download off the new album. It’s light and effervescent musically with a delightful synth line and silky vocals a la The Dandy Warhols who coincidentally share producer Jacob Portrait with Reptilians’. “Death to set me free” is the line that leads into the exhilarating, hyperactive chorus on “Bury Us Alive,” lending itself to a “live life like the next day is your last” spirit.

It’s a good thing after playing with other band names that they stuck with Starfucker, as it’s immensely fun to say and encompasses that glam party chasing lifestyle inherit in their sound.

Poor But Sexy Is Bringing Funky Back


It’s the middle of winter and snowstorms seem to have become a weekly ritual in the northeast, yet, Washington, D.C.’s very own Poor But Sexy have certainly found a way to make you forget about the frigid temperatures and get your heart pumpin’ and body movin’.  With the release of their latest single, “Hotter Than a Poptart”, the funky group are ready to take the world by storm and get their audiences on their feet.

Formed by veterans of the post-punk scene in Washington, D.C., Poor But Sexy’s resume would certainly read more like they were still very much a part of the scene, yet rather than continue on with the same sound and image that they once were a part of, these guys have gone in a completely opposite direction, and it is good.  Imagine Stevie Wonder and R. Kelley had a love child with Steely Dan and Elvis Costello and the result was Poor But Sexy.  A true funky, eclectic electro vibe sound that can be heard throughout their upcoming debut release Let’s Move in Together which is set to release on February 15th.  In support of their album release, the band will be touring with Dismemberment Plan, Franz Nicolay and David Dondero on various dates throughout the northeast area. 

Check out their latest single, “Hotter Than a Poptart”.  

Tour Dates:
January 17 – Arlington, VA – The Galaxy Hut
January 22 – Washington, DC – 9:30 Club*
January 29 – New York, NY – Webster Hall*
February 19 – Fredericksburg, VA – Fredericksburg All Ages
February 25 – Brooklyn, NY – Union Pool^
February 27 – Washington, DC – The Black Cat^
March 4 – Chicago, IL – The Hideout w/ Blah Blah Blah
March 5 – Pittsburgh, PA –  Club Café
 
*with Dismemberment Plan
^with Franz Nicolay/David Dondero

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