Michael J Epstein Memorial Library Set to Release Album

Boston baroque indie pop band Michael J Epstein Memorial Library has announced they will be releasing their first full-length album on May 10, 2011.  Volume One brings to mind the sounds of Magnetic Fields and Arcade Fire, an album full of songs layered in instrumentation, lyrics and vocal harmony.  Tracklisting is as follows:

1. Amylee
2. Holy Ghost
3. The Weeping Song
4. Every Time I Visit You, It Rains
5. Stranger
6. Lymph Nodes
7. Civil Engineering
8. 4th Grade Book Report Blues
9. Oh Emily
10. Small Crack

Interpol Release Free EP, Goes On Tour, Loses Dave Pajo in the Midst


Things are looking up and down for Interpol. Should we start with the bad news first? Dave Pajo who recently replaced the infamous Carlos D. last year, has just stated that he is out of the band. Pajo explained in a press release that “I’ll be taking a break from touring to focus on family. There are no personal, artistic or health reasons– it’s really as simple as that!” Though the statement on his Facebook the next day makes us think that he has something else in store for the music world as it reads “Thank you, friends, for all your kind words of support and well-wishes!!! Exciting news ahead, stay posted.” Currently Brad Truax from Soliders of Fortune who just put out a release on Mexican Summer (the same label that houses Best Coast) will be taking over bass duties for the band.

In happier news for the band, in the midst of an international tour, they have just put out a North American TourEP which also features the openers on the dates, School of Seven Bells and Matthew Dear. You can download the goodies right HERE.

TOUR DATES:

March
3 – Hamburg, Germany @ Docks
4 – Hamburg, Germany @ Docks
6 – Oslo, Norway @ Sentrum Scene
7 – Stockholm, Sweden @ Cirkus
8 – Copenhagen, Denmark @ KB Hall
10 – Leipzig, Germany @ Aueensee
11 – Luxembourg @ Rokhall
12 – Munich, Germany @ Zenith
14 – Zurich, Switzerland @ Komplex
15 – Paris, France @ Zenith
16 – Antwerp, Belgium @ Lotto Arena
18 – Bournemouth, England @ O2 Academy
19 – Bristol, U.K. @ Colston Hall
20 – Cambridge, U.K. @ Corn Exchange
22 – Leeds, U.K @ O2 Academy
23 – London, England @ Shepherd’s Bush Empire

Interpol w/ School of Seven Bells:

April
13 – Reno, Nev. @ Knitting Factory
14 – Sacramento, Calif. @ Crest Theatre
17 – Tucson, Ariz. @ Rialto Theatre
18 – Alburquerque, N.M. @ Sunshine Theatre
20 – Tulsa, Okla. @ Cain’s Ballroom
21 – Austin, Texas @ Austin Music Hall
22 – Helotes, Texas @ Josabis Amphitheater
24 – Kansas City, MO @ The Beaumont Club
25 – Memphis, Tenn. @ Minglewood Hall
26 – New Orleans, La. @ House of Blues
28 – Tampa, Fla. @ The Ritz
29 – Miami Beach, Fla. @ Fillmore Miami Beach at Jackie
30 – Lake Buena Vista, Fla. @ House of Blues

May
2 – Nashville, Tenn. @ Ryman Auditorium
3 – Charlotte, N.C. @ The Fillmore
4 – Raleigh, N.C. @ Disco Rodeo

Guards Release Cover Songs 7″ For Free

guards richie follin

Guards are currently on tour in Europe but before they make their way back to the US for a few dates at Austin’s South by South West festival, the band is giving out new songs out for free on their bandcamp page. Well, they’re not technically new songs; they are covers, but they are not any less inventive.

Below is one of the tracks you can download: a cover of M.I.A’s “Born Free”. The others (covers of Vampire Weekend and Metallica, no less) can be found HERE.

Erland & The Carnival make a new album

It’s a curious thing to have a trailer for an album, but when Erland & The Carnival make one for their upcoming full length release, Nightingale, it really works. With images of fleeing children, death and waving scarecrows in an early 20th Century setting, the sinister and ominous music seems ever so fitting for a Hitchcock-esque horror film, adding a great visual companion to the music.

The album is set to be released on March 29th from this English band that is one part dark folk, one part Pulp like Brit-pop and the rest just pure rock. Judging from the album trailer and the music video for “Map of an Englishman” off Nightingale, we’re in for equally exciting aesthetics inspired by the music.

Panda Bear Wraps Up 7″ Series


On March 14th, Animal Collective’s Noah Lennox (aka Panda Bear) will release the final installment of his limited 7″ series. The song, entitled Surfer’s Hymn, is described as a musical representation of waves crashing against the beach. As with Lennox’s previous 7″ releases, this is a limited edition pressing to build anticipation for his debut solo album, which is set for release on April 12th on Paw Tracks.

The Wooden Birds Announce New Album and SXSW Shows

The Wooden Birds will be releasing their new album, Two Matchsticks, on June 7th via Barsuk Records! Frontman Andrew Kenny, who you may know as a former touring member of Broken Social Scene and a founding member of American Analog Set, wrote all the songs, performed all the instruments and recorded everything in a converted bedroom at home. The album features guest appearances by Ben Gibbard and members of Ola Podrida.

The Wooden Birds will be performing these new tracks during shows at Austin’s South By South West festival. If you’re lucky to be there, check the dates below to catch on their sets!

THE WOODEN BIRDS AT SXSW

Sunday 3/13 @ Club DeVille, Found Footage Festival, 8:30 (free show)

Thursday 3/17 @ Homeslice, 2:15 (free show)

Thursday 3/17 @ Red Eyed Fly, Barsuk Showcase, 10pm

Saturday 3/19 @ The Hilton, KUT performance, 11:30am (free show)