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)

01.17.11

by Sedera Ranaivoarinosy

Brahms Premiere New Single, Head On Tour

Brahms have only been an official band for less than a year, they are continuing to make themselves heard in the indie world. Side A of their upcoming 7″ single, “Add It Up,” just premiered as a free download on Stereogum, the same blog which named them one of their “Bands To Watch” in May 2010. “Add It Up” is a strong and dark synth-based dance song with haunting vocals and only promises good things for the band’s debut LP, expected later this year. Get the song HERE.

Meanwhile, the trio left the confines of Brooklyn on January 12th for the next few months to tour the US (and a couple of Canadian cities) alongside Twin shadow and later, Asobi Seksu. Be sure to check if they’re coming anywhere near you.

Here are their upcoming tour dates:

1.14 – Schubas – Chicago, IL (with Twin Shadow)

1.15 – MOTR Pub – Cincinnati, OH (with Twin Shadow)

1.16 – Grog Shop – Cleveland, OH(with Twin Shadow)

2.22 – Single Release Party At Glasslands – Brooklyn, NY

2.25 – Brighton Music Hall – Allston, MA (with Asobi Seksu)

2.26 – Cas del Popolo – Montreal, QC (with Asobi Seksu)

2.27 – Horseshow Tavern – Toronto, ON(with Asobi Seksu)

2.28 – Empty Bottle – Chicago IL (with Asobi Seksu)

3.1 – 7th Street Entry – Minneaplois, MN (with Asobi Seksu)

3.3 – The Palace Lounge – Missoula, MO (with Asobi Seksu)

3.4 – Chop Suey – Seattle, WA (with Asobi Seksu)

3.5 – The Biltmore Cabaret – Vancovuer, BC (with Asobi Seksu)

3.6 – Doug Fir Lounge – Portland, OR(with Asobi Seksu)

3.8 – Bottom of the Hill – San Francisco, CA (with Asobi Seksu)

3.9 – Troubadour – Los Angeles, CA (with Asobi Seksu)

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 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 cristobalsaez

Smith Westerns hit the road

Chicago-based band Smith Westerns are hitting the road very soon with MGMT, Ducktails, Bass Drum of Death and Yuck. Their new CD, Dye it Blonde, is out January 18th on Fat Possum! Check out the full tour dates below, and check out their music video for “Weekend” below.

January
18 – Brooklyn, N.Y. @ Glasslands Gallery DB
19 – New York, N.Y. @ Pianos B
28 – Nashville, Tenn. @ The End Y
29 – Knoxville, Tenn. @ Pilot Light Y
30 – Chapel Hill, N.C. @ Local 506 Y
31 – Athens, Ga. @ 40 Watt Club Y

February
1 – Atlanta, Ga. @ Drunken Unicorn Y
3 – Orlando, Fla. @ The Backbooth Y
4 – Tallahassee, Fla. @ Club Downunder Y
6 – Houston, Texas @ Fitzgerald’s Y
7 – Austin, Texas @ Emo’s Y
8 – Dallas, Texas @ The Loft Dallas Y
10 – Phoenix, Ariz. @ Rhythm Room Y
11 – Los Angeles, Calif. @ Echo Y
12 – Costa Mesa, Calif. @ Detroit Bar Y
13 – San Francisco, Calif. @ Bottom of the Hill Y
15 – Portland, Ore. @ Doug Fir Lounge
16 – Vancouver, Canada @ Biltmore Cabaret
17 – Seattle, Wash. @ The Crocodile
18 – Boise, Idaho @ The Neurolux
19 – Salt Lake City, Utah @ Kilby Court
21 – Denver, Colo. @ Larimer Lounge
23 – Omaha, Neb. @ Waiting Room
24 – Minneapolis, Minn. @ Triple Rock Social Club
25 – Madison, Wisc. @ The Frequency
26 – Chicago, Ill. @ The Empty Bottle
28 – Toronto, Ontario @ Horseshoe Tavern