Category Archives: News

01.17.11
by

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)

01.17.11
by

Chilly Gonzalez Believes You Can Dance

 

Chilly Gonzalez had already made quite the name for himself as a producer by earning a Grammy nod for producing Fiest’s album The Reminder, but 2010 showed he was also quite the artist as well.

His album/movie Ivory Tower was a pleasant surprise and now Gonzalez has released a new video from the song “You Can Dance.” The video focuses on one subject very closely…you’ll see what I mean. Check it out right here.

 

 

01.17.11
by

Smith Westerns Announce Tour Dates and Release Single

Chicago band Smith Westerns have released a new single “All Die Young” and will release their sophomore LP, Dye It Blonde, on January 18th through label Fat Possom.  They will also be touring with bandmates Yuck.  Tour dates and single are below:
Smith Westerns – “All Die Young” by forcefieldpr

01/18 Brooklyn NY Glasslands #
01/27 Lexington, KY Al’s Bar*

01/28 Nashville TN The End*
01/29 Knoxville TN Pilot Light*
01/30 Chapel Hill NC Local 506*
01/31 Athens GA 40 Watt Club*
02/01 Atlanta GA Drunken Unicorn*
02/03 Orlando FL Backbooth*
02/04 Tallahassee FL Club Downunder
02/05 Baton Rouge, LA Spanish Moon*
02/06 Houston TX Fitzgeralds*
02/07 Austin TX Emos *
02/08 Dallas TX The Loft*
02/10 Phoenix AZ Rhythm Room*
02/11 Los Angeles CA Echo*
02/12 Costa Mesa CA Detroit Bar*
02/13 San Francisco CA Bottom of the Hill*
02-15 Portland, OR – Doug Fir Lounge
02-16 Vancouver, British Columbia – Biltmore Cabaret
02-17 Seattle, WA – Crocodile Cafe
02-18 Boise, ID – Neurolux
02-19 Salt Lake City, UT – Kilby Court
02-21 Denver, CO – Larimer Lounge
02-22 Kansas City, MO – The Record Bar
02-23 Omaha, NE – Waiting Room
02-24 Minneapolis, MN – Triple Rock Social Club
02-25 Madison, WI – The Frequency
02-26 Chicago, IL – Empty Bottle
02-28 Toronto, Ontario – Legendary Horseshoe Tavern
03-01 Montreal, Quebec – La Sala Rossa
03-02 Boston, MA – Great Scott
03-04 Washington, DC – Rock and Roll Hotel
03-16 – 03-19 Austin, TX – SXSW

 
# = w/ Ducktails, Sundells, Bass Drum of Death * = w/ Yuck

01.17.11
by

Beans Premieres New Single

Brooklyn-based rapper Beans is prepping the release of his latest LP, End It All, by releasing a single called “Mellow You Out.”  The single features Tunde Adebimpe of TV On the Radio.  Beans has announced that every song from the LP will feature a different producer.  Here is the single and Beans’ current tour dates:

Beans – Mellow You Out (ft. Tunde Adebimpe) by acid stag

1/15/11 The Getdown / Happy Ending, New York, NY (Event hosted by Beans)
1/26/11 The Barn, Los Angeles, CA
2/16/11 Santo’s, New York, NY
2/18/11 Subterranean, Chicago, IL
2/22/11 Doug Fir, Portland, OR
2/23/11 Chop Suey, Seattle, WA
3/11/11 35 Conferette Festival, Denton, TX
3/16 – 3/19 SXSW, Austin, TX

01.17.11
by

Noah and the Whale Releases Single from Upcoming Album

Noah and the Whale are set to release their new album, Last Night On Earth, on March 7th.  They have a new single from this album called “Wild Thing” that can be heard below.  Another single, “L.I.F.E.G.O.E.S.O.N,” will be released on February 28th.
Noah And The Whale – ‘Wild Thing’ by stripeyjumper

01.14.11
by

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