Liturgy Premieres ‘Generation’, Release Second LP ‘Aesthethica,’ And Announces CD Release Show at Knitting Factory June 2nd


This Brooklyn black metal band has been busy recording screams and droning guitars. Though “Generation” accomplishes everything this extreme subgenre boasts (minus the screams), “High Gold” sounds much like “Generation” (with the screams), but at faster tempo. You can feel the angst seeping out of his every earth-shattering yell. You can visualize churches burning, the lead singers drinking kitten blood, and participating in other various anti-Christ activities. Liturgy will be leaving shortly for their second European tour, but when they return be ready to head-bang and scream along because they will be celebrating the release of Aesthethica at the infamous Knitting Factory on June 2nd. Bring your finest Goth and witness the chaos.

Amanda Palmer Announces Winners of ‘Map of Tasmania Remix Project’ and ‘On An Unknown Beach’ Video


The lovely and talented Amanda Palmer announced the winners of her remix project on Indaba Music recently. The ultimate winner is David Minnik of Detroit, MI, and the pentultimate winners are Jared Graham (York, PA) and Simone Ewouds (Enschede, The Netherlands). Their interpretations of Palmer’s tracks are now available on the two remix EP’s featured on her pay-what-you-desire Bandcamp website. The winners also were compensated for their contributions to the remix EP’s. Minnick took home $1,000 and the two runners-up, $500 each. Palmer also recently released the “On An Unknown Beach Video,” which features Palmer as a rejected bride running on an empty beach and rolling around the sand in despair. Though it sounds laughable, the video is a beautiful representation of this heart-wrenching song.

Kenna Releases “Chains” Video


Though the song is a great summer party mp3, the video suffers greatly from what I like to call “Juno-itis.” Juno-itis is a rapidly spreading disease in the independent music video world. Symptoms include classic hipster clothing, Ray-Bans, polaroids, lots of tattoos, drawings coming to life, and usually an odd mascot costume (or in this case, just a head). Directors, stop doing this crap. There are better ways to convey the meshing of fantasy and reality. Find them. The song on the other hand is fantastic for what it is: music to get fucked up and dance on your kitchen table, just like they do in the video. Lion head optional.

STRFKR Debut Video for “Julius”

Portland band STRFKR have released their second album, Reptillians, and have just finished an extensive tour across the country.  So what to do?  Well, time to release a video!  (And perform in a few more spots, including San Francisco’s Outside Lands Festival.)  Here are the upcoming dates for the quartet:

06/03 – Mexico City, MX – Caradura
06/20 – Pullman, WA – Bell Tower
06/22 – 06/24 – Calgary, AB – Canada Olympic Plaza – Sled Island
06/26 – Spokane, WA – A Club
08/10 – Santa Barbara, CA – Soho Restaurant & Music Club
08/11 – Los Angeles, CA – El Rey Theatre
08/12 – 08/14 – San Francisco, CA – Outside Lands

And here is the video for the single, “Julius”:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKQqefnTsWQ

The Postelles Announce Tour and New Video

New York Magazine‘s “Vulture” has recently released the band’s video for the new single “Hold On.”  Video can be seen here:  http://nymag.com/daily/entertainment/2011/04/the_postelles_tk.html.  As you can see, the video was shot impromptu at a roadside gas station!  The magazine has also announced the New York City rockers are going on tour to promote their self-titled album.  The album was produced by The Strokes’ Albert Hammond, Jr.  Check them out at these spots:

6/7 || New York, NY || Mercury Lounge *
6/8 || New York, NY || Mercury Lounge
6/10 || Philadelphia, PA || Kung Fu Necktie *
6/11 || Washington, DC || Red Palace *
6/15 || Toronto, ON, Canada || NXNE
6/16 || Toronto, ON, Canada || NXNE
6/17 || Chicago, IL || Schubas
6/18 || Milwaukee, WI || Summer Soulstice Music Festival
6/20 || Seattle, WA || Tractor Tavern
6/23 || San Francisco, CA || Popscene @ Rickshaw Stop
6/28 || Los Angeles, CA || The Echo #
7/7 || Boston, MA || T.T. the Bear’s Place
*support by The Ambassadors
# support by Pan Am

Oberhofer @ Coco66, Brooklyn, NY – May 15, 2011

Coco66, which is just a blinking neon sign blaring BAR in big red letters, is a non-descript venue with a secret performance space hidden by a big velvet curtain. The show starts at 9:45, but for all good things one must wait. Vacation kicked off the show with their synth guitar, dreamy sound. Lead singer Paul Daily has a velvety voice (he sounds like Matt Berninger from The National) and wraps you in his own world when he sings “Penny Pincher.” From here the crowd kept dreaming with the next opener Windowpeak. A female-led slow grind, dreary rock band that sounds like Mazzy Star. This band is simply incredible and it’s clear that they will be going far. You have to listen to “Harsh Realm” and “Burnout.” You will not be disappointed.And finally, Oberhofer. It was as if all the air had gone out of the room and was replaced with this fucking incredible sound. Their set was way, way too short in my opinion. I could have listened for hours. They closed with “I Could Go,” my favorite Oberhofer song. Something about the light show, Brad’s sincerity in his voice and the yearning sound of both guitar and drum completed the show in the most perfect way. I had a brief chance to talk with Brad Oberhofer backstage who told me of his passion for orchestral music and plans on one day scoring films. Which seems to be new indie scene phenomenon, with Broken Social Scene scoring “Half Nelson” in 2006 and Phoenix scoring the new Sofia Coppola film. All in all the show sounded like three bands, all good friends from Tacoma, Washington, having a good time. They each amped up the energy of the crowd as much as the last band, all their sets were super tight and the light show perfectly complimented the music but didn’t distract from it. Oberhofer will be recording new material after their tour. Next stop, Turner Hall Ballroom in Milwaukee, WI tomorrow night (May 18) with Neon Indian.