by Jane Lambert

DONATE to our Modern Mystery Holiday Party!

The Holiday season is coming up and we are throwing our First Annual Holiday Party in Lower Manhattan. We need a little help though as bands and venues are not free. We’re donating nearly all of the proceeds to Toys for Tots, so we are reaching out to you, the reader to chip in. Whether you donate $5 or $50, it all helps out in supporting this great cause. Bands and details of the show are TBA soon so check back. Please help us out so we can raise money for these children in need.

Thanks!
The Modern Mystery Staff

10.28.10

by cwaleko

Cheap Time Returns With New Album

Two years after the release of their self titled debut album, the Tennessee-based garage rock band, Cheap Time are back with the release of their second, Fantastic Explanations (and Similar Situations). For those familiar with the original grunge/punk sound of the group’s original album, you are in for a surprise with its successor. While remaining true to their original kicks and beats, the band has collectively matured into the band we all hoped they would.

Fantastic Explanations (and Similar Situations) doesn’t only differ from the bands previous work in musical maturity, but the fashion that it was recorded is also very altered. While the band was finishing up recording the album ,their engineer suffered a mental breakdown and kicked the boys out of the studio by gunpoint. It wasn’t until months later that another engineer was hired to finish the job.

Despite this tragic experience, the band is currently on tour in Europe but US tour dates are on their way.

10.27.10

by micheleyamamoto

Cut Copy Release New Track And Short Documentary

Australian electro-pop duo Cut Copy has spent the tail end of summer in the studio finishing up their forthcoming full-length. At this point, we haven’t been given a name for the album nor a release date. What we have been given, however, is a documentary of its recording process and a limited edition, etched 7″ single of new track “Where I’m Going.”

The short documentary was shot in vocalist’s, Dan Whitford’s ,home recording studio by film directing duo Krozm. It is set to be released in installments, the first of which is up now on YouTube . This five and a half minute video is a black and white window into a brainstorming session replete with a journey through Whitford’s record collection for inspiration.

The one-sided, limited edition 7″ for “Where I’m Going,” has been divvied up between Australia and the U.S. and is available for your collection now. The track is weighty with shimmering guitars and spirited percussion, and features a Beatles-inspired breakdown for good measure. For those without a record player or the means, “Where I’m Going” is also available in digital format for free HERE. The duo’s third full-length is due out in 2011 on Modular.

10.27.10

by wesleyambrecht

The Lost Cavalry Release New Single

On November 15th, The Lost Cavalry will release their new single “The Elephant of Castlebar Hill.” Taken from the band’s acclaimed debut EP Waves Freeze to Rolling Hills, “The Elephant of Castlebar Hill” tells the story of a giant circus elephant that collapsed and died in Ealing, London in the summer of 1889. To this day, the elephant is still buried beneath the hill that it collapsed on.

The Lost Cavalry are a London-based alternative folk band formed in 2009 by vocalist Mark West, formerly the guitarist of Fanfarlo. Mark sings and plays the ukulele and concertina, Nick plays guitar, Toby plays the glock and melodica, Oliver plays bass and Dave drums.

10.08.10

by Sedera Ranaivoarinosy

Belle And Sebastian Want To Write A Song About You. Yes, YOU.

If you’ve ever dreamt of having a song written about you or have ever foolishly convinced yourself that a song you love was written about you (it’s okay), then Belle and Sebastian are now offering to make your dreams come true.

In honor of their upcoming album Write About Love, due out on October 12th, the Scottish outfit is opening up the chance for its fans to win themselves a personalized song. The contest is based on an essay and may remind you of your high school years, but it should be nothing to deter the truly determined, especially since the winner will get to see their song released as a 7″ next year.

This is how it works:
Step 1: Purchase Write About Love from your local record store or your digital store of choice.
Step 2: Type in the code you received with your purchase onto the band’s website.
Step 3: Write about love in a 300-word essay.

Once this process is completed, the band will choose its favorite submission and Stuart Murdoch will head over to the winner’s home and spend a day with him or her to get inspired and write the coveted personalized song.

You can start to get your own creative juices flowing by watching this “Write about Love” video HERE.

10.08.10

by cwaleko

Pomegranates Announce Tour And New Album

The Ohio based group Pomegranates has returned with a new album titled One of Us, which is due for release on October 26th from Afternoon Records. The band known for its delightful and poppy albums now supply us with a third and have also announced a massive tour with Oh No Oh My.

The single of the album “Prouncer” could be some of the bands finest work. Joey Cook and Issac Karns, who share vocal duties throughout the album, split the song as a duet. The song is as catchy as it gets and truly captures the bands 80s influenced poppy sound that they have conveyed throughout their first two albums.

Tour Dates:
October 7 Star Bar, GA
October 8 Tin Roof, SC
October 10 The Milestone, NC
October 11 Local 506, NC
October 12 Black Cat, DC
October 14 The M Room, PA
October 15 Lily Pad, CT
October 16 Empire, ME
October 17 Cousin Larry’s, CT
October 18 Great Scott, MA
October 20 Garfield Artworks, PA
October 21 CMJ, NY
October 22 The Rock Shop, NY
October Youngstown, OH

And with Oh No Oh My:
November 1 The Empty Bottle, IL
November 2 The Frequency, WI
November 4 University of Minnesota, MN
November 5 Zoo Bar, NE
November 6 Replay Lounge, KS
November 7 Hi-Dive, CO
November 8 Kilby Court, UT
November 9 Badlander, MT
November 10 Empryean Coffee
November 11 Sunset Tavern, WA
November 12 Mississippi Studios, OR
November 14 The Crepe Place, CA
November 15 Rickshaw Stop, CA
November 16 Bootleg Theater, CA
November 17 The Cabash, CA
November 18 Rythem Room, AZ
November 19 Black Market, TX
November 20 Mohawk, TX
November 21 Hailey’s, TX
November 22 Hi-Tone, TX
November 23 The Dame, KY
November 24 Southgate House, OH