CONTEST: Win Tickets to IAN AXEL @ The Beacon Theatre, NYC

While all of your friends are vacationing in far away destinations next week, we have just the solution to get you out of the apartment and away from your cats. Your getaway comes in the form of IAN AXEL.

Starting TODAY, you can ENTER to WIN 2 TICKETS to see IAN AXEL at the BEACON THEATRE in NYC, this MONDAY, AUGUST 1st (Yes, he’s opening for Matthew Morrison from Glee. Don’t judge us)

Winners will be chose at random. The deadline to submit for the contest is Sunday, July 31st at 12pm Noon EST Time.

Please send an email to MODERNMYSTERYBLOG@YAHOO.COM with “IAN AXEL CONTEST” in the header. Please include your FULL NAME and PHONE NUMBER.

Good luck!

ABOUT IAN:


Ian Axel began his career when his typical 20-something job working at a Manhattan Apple Store suddenly became not-so-typical as his bosses caught wind of his musical talents. They flew him around the country to perform at dozens of stores around the United States, and included his songs on the playlists of hundreds of their stores worldwide. Ian officially “touched down” in 2011 when he released his debut full-length, This Is the New Year. The title track received over 1 million YouTube views, he performed on the nationally syndicated Rachael Ray Show and on La Blogothéque’s world-renown Take Away Shows, and his songs were featured on TV shows such as “One Tree Hill,” and as the theme to the MTV documentary series I Used to Be Fat.

However, it’s Ian’s live show that shoots him to new frontiers. He has an energy that recalls the intimacy, energy and excitement of performers like Regina Spektor, Elton John and Randy Newman. NPR described him as “a voice that possesses the sweetness of youth, the stubbornness of a teenager and the swagger of a rock star.” He is capable of captivating an audience as only the greatest performers do, an appeal that has not gone unnoticed, leading to opening gigs for Ingrid Michaelson, Evan Dando and, most recently, for Glee star Matthew Morrison’s at the 2500-capacity Beacon Theater on August 1st.

A New Chairlift Track for You to Enjoy

Chairliftpressphoto

New York City’s Chairlift are back to work after some “time off” collaborating with the likes of Das Racist and Washed Out.  The duo have released a new single featuring the title track off their upcoming album, “Amanaemonesia.” Currently, the single’s A-side is available for streaming on their website, but you will likely have to wait or shell out eventually for the B-side, “Peculiar Paradise.”

Matt Pond PA Want You to Pick the Songs They Play

The East Coast is about to have Matt Pond PA roll through on somewhat of a co-headlining tour with Rocky Votolato.  For this tour, both artists will be accompanied by full bands, so they have claimed to “bring more of the rock” this time around.  If that sounds exciting to fans of either band, here is the real treat: Matt Pond PA are accepting votes from you to pick the songs they will play on the tour.  Votes should be sent to mppa@mattpondpa.com, and will be compiled by guitarist Chris Hansen. Choose wisely.

Tour Dates:

SEPTEMBER:

09 – Minneapolis, MN @ 7th Street Entry

10 – Milwaukee, WI @ Cactus Club

12 – Chicago, IL @ Lincoln Hall

13 – Pontiac, MI @ The Pike Room

14 – Cleveland, OH @ Grog Shop

15 – Harrisburg, PA @ Abbey Bar

16 – Brooklyn, NY @ Music Hall Of Williamsburg

17 – Allston, MA @ Brighton Music Hall

18 – Ithaca, NY @ Castaways

19 – Philadelphia, PA @ Johnny Brenda’s

21 – Baltimore, MD @ Ottobar

22 – Raleigh, NC @ King’s Barcade

23 – Athens, GA @ 40 Watt Club

24 – St. Augustine, FL @ Cafe Eleven

26 – Orlando, FL @ Will’s Pub

27 – Tallahassee, FL @ Club Downunder

(West Coast dates to be announced soon)

Friendo Debuts New LP And Announces Tour Dates

Friendo is not typically known for their conventional ways and generic sound.  Instead, this band enjoys pushing the envelope and seeking out new ways to expand their musical horizons.  With their recent release, entitled Cold Toads, band members Michael, Nicole and Henry decided to swap instruments allowing them to embark on new creative territory.

Heavily influenced by the sounds of ‘90s experimental rock, ‘70s punk and ‘60s pop, Friendo has recorded a unique masterpiece within the confines of their home and has self-released the album in a retro and smart format, the cassette tape.  The album has now been picked up by the St Ives label which is run by Secretly Canadian and the band is releasing 200 limited edition, hand crafted vinyl albums to run alongside the digital iTunes release in addition to the previously released cassette tape format.

Friendo just made their way through the UK and Europe on a two week tour playing with bands like BRAIDS and Future Islands.  For more information about Cold Toad and Friendo, visit the band’s site here.

Life Size Maps Release New EP


Brooklyn based alt-rockers and friends of the site, Life Size Maps, have officially released their new EP, Magnifier. The EP represents an evolution of sound for the band, as this new grouping of tracks is both noisier and more complex.

The band kicked things off with a release party at Monster Island Basement in Williamsburg with Dino Walrus, Total Slacker and Soft Black. Visit the band’s myspace page MySpace page. And, in the meantime, be sure to listen to our exclusive preview of the band’s new track “This Same House,” down below.