by wesleyambrecht

NXNE Announces 2011 Line Up

North By Northeast (NXNE) recently announced the second wave of bands for the 17th edition of the festival, taking over Toronto June 13-19, 2011. Now confirmed for the event are Devo, Descendents, Stars, The Pharcyde, Men Without Hats, Digable Planets, Twin Shadow, OFF!, Art Brut, Shad, Land of Talk, Chad VanGaalen, and Cults. They join previously announced acts that include The Dodos, Deerhoof, Hot Water Music, The Bouncing Souls, and Anti-Flag, Dum Dum Girls and others.

All NXNE Festival passes and wristbands are now on sale, available at www.nxne.com. Early-bird pricing for NXNE Priority Passes is available through April 25. And, the complete NXNE Music line-up and schedule, NXNE Film schedule and additional NXNE Interactive programming will be announced over the next few weeks. Stay tuned!

04.22.11

by Jane Lambert

R.I.P. Gerard Smith. >> Song of the Day: TV on the Radio – “Wolf Like Me”

After only being diagnosed with lung cancer last month, TV on the Radio bass player Gerard Smith has passed away this week at the age of 36. This came as a shock to the entire indie world. The band was more than hopeful that Smith would beat the diagnosis. Just releasing their latest record Nine Types of Light
last week, it is the last TVOTR album he recorded with the band. Smith was unable to tour with the group this time around due to treatment and recovery. TV on the Radio has canceled five upcoming dates on the tour so far this week so head to their website for more information.

04.22.11

by cst2

The Postelles Launches ‘Hold On’ Video Via New York Magazine’s “Vulture” And Announce Record Release Tour

New York Magazine’s “Vulture” recently premiered The Postelles’ latest acoustic, roadside video “Hold On.” It features front man Daniel Balk, chilling in a deli parking lot in Tennessee, serenading a free way. It is a raw, emotional release from this boppy, swing-dancing band, something a little different from them. The Postelles will be releasing their self-titled debut album, co-produced by The Strokes very own Albert Hammond Jr., and kicking off their own tour on June 7^th. The band will start with a two-night stay at New York’s Mercury Lounge. The Ambassadors will be supporting the June 7^th Mercury Lounge show as well as the Philadelphia and Washington, DC shows. PanAm will be opening for The Postelles’ Los Angeles show June 28^th.

The Postelles – Record Release Tour

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

04.22.11

by nmcollins

The Mynabirds Play With/Open For Bright Eyes, Release New Video, Plot New Record

While Mynabirds front woman, Laura Burhenn, has been touring with Conor Oberst and Company, The Mynabirds have been touring relentlessly the last month, adding singer-songwriter/producer Richard Swift to fill out the lineup. Filmmaker Shervin Lainez captured some beautiful black and white footage of the band behind the scenes, setting it to the song “LA Rain.” For those begging to hear new music from Burhenn, the front woman states she is hard at work on new songs in the midst of the Bright Eyes tour. The band is set to enter the studio in September, with Richard Swift set to helm the production once again.

04.22.11

by John Grimley

Dawn Golden and Rosy Cross Ready EP

Dawn Golden and Rosy Cross are ready to step into the limelight. The band just released their first EP, called The Blow EP on Mad Descent April 12^th.

Dawn Golden and Rosy Cross is the brainchild of producer Dexter Tortoriello, who is recognized more for his other band Houses.

Unlike Houses, which focuses more on the melodic and soothing side of things, Dawn Golden and Rosy Cross draws influences from as wide as death metal to noise pop.

You can hear the song “Blacks” right here, and look for the band’s first EP out now!

04.22.11

by summer826

Phenomenal Handclap Band’s Quinn Luke’s New Solo Project

Disco lovers can rejoice in the funkadelic sounds of Quinn Luke’s solo project, Bing Ji Ling. Luke, of Phenomenal Handclap Band fame, has just released Shadow To Shine on March 22nd via Tummy Touch Records. The sound is a journey back in time when disco balls and platform shoes were a staple but with a modern twist. Luke is embracing the 70s indie retro sound, making disco fun again and is quickly moving to the forefront of this new style of music.

Bing Ji Ling, mandarin for ice cream, sparks nostalgia for those days of ABBA, Earth, Wind & Fire, and early Beck. His refreshing retro vibe is making people want to get up and shake their groove thing. Bing Ji Ling is setting out on a bi-coastal tour in support of the album. Check out the first single, “Everybody“.

Tour dates:
April 23rd- San Fran, CA – Burritt Room @ The Crescent Hotel W/ Tommy Guerrero
April 25th – Los Angeles, CA – Silverlake Lounge
April 26th – Costa Mesa Live, CA – Mesa
April 27th- Costa Mesa Live, CA- Mesa (DJ set) w/DJ Scotty Coats
April 28th- Los Angeles, CA- Dance Right @ La Cita (DJ set) w/DJ Scotty Coats
April 29th- Santa Anna, CA- Obey Radio @ The Crosby (DJ set)