Alvin Band Releases ‘Mantis Preying’

Rick  Schaier is not only an amazing drummer and artist, but he is also an extremely talented singer and songwriter. Schaier who spends most of  his time playing drums in The Miniature Tigers has begun a new chapter in his book in the form of ‘Alvin Band.’ This week he released digitally, Mantis Preying that will be out in stores on September 22nd.

The record opens with the incredible track and first single, ‘Temple Pressure,’ which reflects Schaier’s amazing vocal abilities as he harmonizes with himself throughout the song. ‘Glowing Tree’ is a stellar track that blends a bit of 60’s vibe with an updated electronic sound that somehow is pulled off flawlessy.  ‘Billards,’ one of the most standout tunes on the album is reminiscent of Of Montreal era Satanic Panic in the Attic, though we must admit, Schaier manages to pull it off a little smoother.

Rick has also been taking his songs on the road recently, performing ‘Gazette Pitch’ live at Miniature Tigers show. This is one performance we can’t wait to see! Mantis Preying is sure to hit many top 10 lists this year. Alvin Band has our vote!

Check out Alvin Band’s video for ‘Temple Pressure’ HERE

Getting Down with Calvin Harris

I recently had the opportunity of interviewing DJ extraordinare Calvin Harris for the website, Greenshoelace.com. Here’s how the story goes…

Scottish-born DJ Calvin Harris plays by his own rules. Though it seems like he was an overnight success to some, Harris has been creating music since he was a teenager. Record labels adore him, musicians seek him out, and fans can’t get enough of him. With the digital release of his second album Ready for the Weekend (Sony), the physical release is on October 6th, there is no stopping him. He already has two #1 singles from the album and we have the feeling it’s just the beginning. I hadthe chance to talk to Harris last week and he filled us in on what goes on inside of his head.

Your first record, I Created Disco, went Gold. What kind of pressure did you have going into the studio this time? Did you feel like you had to live up to the expectations of your fans?

Not really. The first album was good, but the new album shows people what I can really do. It’s a bit more technical.

You’re popular with both indie fans and dance fans alike. How do you think you manage to appeal to both?

I never tried to get anyone’s approval. I like to make music I enjoy creating and listening to — not necessarily what I think others will like. I like to make people dance because I like to. That’s what I’m into. I make music I think is cool, because quite frankily, I’m not cool. At least I don’t think I am.

You’ve remixed songs from everyone to Passion Pit’s ‘The Reeling’ and so on. How do you choose what songs to remix? I like songs with really good vocals. That’s the whole deal. If I like the vocals then I’m really into it and want to create around it.

 When it comes to your own songs, how do you create them for the album? What inspires you?

 Um, currently 90’s classic dance music. I like to incorporate that style of musician in a modern context. I like to make it more interesting, more evolved, more instrumental .

What was the ultimate reason you started to release your own material since you were already a successful producer?

It wasn’t really my call. I got offered a record deal and I accepted it. I’d been doing the producing thing and thought it would be a good chance to change.

You’ve already had two #1 singles from the new album ‘Ready for the Weekend.’ Did you ever expect that so soon or at all?

 No I didn’t! I didn’t know what would do well off of the new record. Usually I get it wrong. Well I always get it wrong.

 How did you first start making music?

 I was 14 years old when I started making music. My big brother was in university for computers and he had a music computer. I started messing around with that alot. I really enjoyed making music with it. I would send my stuff to record labels and they would sending encouraging letters back saying it was quite good. That’s how I got into producing.

 You wanted to release your second album last year, how come you held it off until now?

 I wanted to make it the best possible thing. I could have possibly released it but it wasn’t what I wanted. I felt it was my last chance to prove myself. I wanted to get it perfect.

 Do you have any collaborations or remixes in the works right now?

 Not really, I just worked with Sharkira which was fun. I don’t have any other collaborations in the works right now.

 I heard you like to showcase your songs live before you finish them or put them on the record. What’s your reasoning behind that?

I like to see how things translate and people’s different reactions to the things I haven’t done before. With the reaction of the crowd I can tell when a song is good or bad and if people are into it.

The new record is a bit varied in sound. Why did you decide to switch it up a bit?

I don’t think I had a choice. It was what was inside my head. It wasn’t a conscious decision to change a few things, it was a basic move that interested me. I couldn’t avoid it.

 How did Dizzee Rascal end up appearing on your album?

The song we worked on, ”Dance Wiv Me,” was originally his release. I met him at a festival and he called me and asked if I could write some music for him, so I said ‘Yea of course!’ I love him, he’s great. We worked on that song for a while until we got it perfect.

You’ve worked with the likes of Kylie Minogue and other big name celebrities. What was that like? Do you ever step back in disbelief at the artists you get to collaborate with?

 Yes, but it’s important not to dwell on it too much. You have to keep a conscious track of yourself…and be in the moment. You have to ignore the status of celebrity who you are working with. It’s really the best way.

Where do you see the future of electronic and dance music going?

 I’m the worst person to ask! I like more pop music because electronic and dance and all of that kind of stuff, it’s good, but it often seems bizarre to me.

Who would be your ultimate artist to collaborate or record with?

Prince! But its not going to happen, I’m sure. He’s my idol though.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

 I see myself 10 pounds heavier, maybe I’ll shave my head, grow a beard and work in a factory. I’m not sure that will happen, but it could. Hopefully I’ll still be making music.

The Demon Beat *The Charleston* Brooklyn, NY*9-5-09

Very rarely do you see an up and coming band put on one hell of a show, but that’s exactly what The Demon Beat did Saturday night at the Charleston in Brooklyn. Playing to a packed house, the boys who hail from West Virginia had jaws dropping. With infectious blues-rock oriented tunes, the band may be young in years but they play like old pros.

Singer/guitarist Adam Meisterhans is brilliant. With howling vocals that most singers can only dream of, and smooth guitar licks, the kid has it all. Plus he played a solo with his teeth. HIS TEETH! Bassist Tucker Riggleman provides a fantastic vibe to the band as drummer Jordan Hudkins kills it on drums, beating out some of the all time best players. I haven’t seem drums played like that in a long time.

The Demon Beat are surely making waves are certainly on their way to becoming the ‘Next Big Thing.’ The band has a slew of tour dates coming up so be sure to check out their WEBSITE for more info. Kids this is one show you DON’T want to miss!

More Photos After the JUMP

CMJ Marathon Shares More Bands With the World….

After an eternity of waiting for more CMJ bands to be announced, CMJ leaked the news on about 150 other bands that will be playing this afternoon.  The lineup is filled with unknowns and buzz bands, just how we like it. Polyvinyl and Park the Van are both doing showcases as far as we know. Polyvinyl will have Headlights, James Husband from Of Montreal, Cale Parks and Japandroids. Park the Van has the Spinto Band, and well we got really excited and didn’t get to read any further. The marathon will also feature some new kids on the block (no not those new kids on the block) like Cymbals Eat Guitars , Princeton and the Depreciation Guild. Oddly it also features a couple old timers like Sister Hazel and Vertical Horizon. Really? We’re not sure how we feel about those choices. After all it’s supposed to be about new emerging bands, not 1995’s leftovers. Below is the list released so far, and kids it’s only going to get better from here. We highlighted our favorites and must sees, we suggest you do the same.

A Million Years – Acrylics – Adam and Dave’s Bloodline – Adam Matta – Adam Tensta – Adventure – Alex Gopher – Alexandra Hope – All Day Holiday – Aloha – Amber Rubarth – Amy Kuney – An Albatross – Anamanaguchi – The Antlers – April Smith and the Great Picture Show – Atlas Sound – Bear Hands – Beat Radio – BELL – Benjamin Wagner – Benji Cossa – Bermuda – Big Takeover – Birds of Avalon – Black Hollies – Black Taxi – Blacklist – Blood Warrior – Bloodsugars – Body Language – Bonerama – Break Science feat. Adam Deitch – Brit and the Calvary – Broadcast – Brother Josephus & the Love Revival Revolution Orchestra – The Budos Band – Cale Parks – Calypso – Casino vs Japan – Choir of Young Believers – Chris Barron & Friends – Chris Kasper – Christopher Denny – Clare and the Reasons – Claymation Velociraptor – Clinton Curtis – Cobra Skulls – Corridor – Crystal Antlers – Cymbals Eat Guitars – Dada Life – Danger – Dan Torres – Dang-It Bobby’s – Daniel Pujol – Dark Meat – Dark Room Notes – Darshan – Darwin Deez – Das Racist – Deer Tick – Denney and the Jets – Dent May – The Depreciation Guild – DeScribe – Diane Birch – Dick Prall – The Dig – Dinowalrus – Disciplines – Diwon – Dizzy Gillespie™ Alumni All-Stars – DJ Jonathan Toubin – DJ Odd Nosdam – Dolorean – Drawlings – Dred Scott Trio – Drink Up Buttercup – Drug Rug – Dum Dum Girls – ear pwr – ECHOecho – Electro Morocco – EOTO – Eprhyme – Ethan Lipton – Every Avenue – Excepter – Eyehategod – Fanfarlo – Felix Cartel – Fervor – Fieros – Fionn O Lochlainn – First Aid Kit – Flexions – Floating Action – Fool’s Gold – Foreign Echange – Frat Dad – Free Energy – French Horn Rebellion LIVE – French Miami – FUCT – The Fumes – Furcast – Generationals – Gentleman Reg – Gigi Fouquet – Goat Whore – Golden Boots – Golden Triangle – Grammar Debate – Great Republic of Rough and Ready – Greg Davis – Guyora Kats – Hank and Cupcakes – Harlem – Headlights – Heath Brandon – Heavy Cream – Heavy Weather – Hecuba – Helado Negro – Hesta Prynn – Hey Champ DJ – Higgins – The High Strung – Higher Giant – The Hi-Risers – Hockey – Holiday Shores – Hollerado – Hollis Brown – Holy Sons – Home and Garden – Hospital Bombers – Hot Panda – HotChaCha – Ian Axel – Ian Thomas – Immaculate Machine – Inlets – Ivan “Funkboy” Bodley – Ivana XL – J. Dash – Jaguar Club – James Husband – James Maddock – Janel and Anthony – Janelle Monae – Japandroids – Javelin – JBM – Jeff Taylor – JEFF The Brotherhood – Jess King – Joey Cape (Lagwagon) and Jon Snodgrass (Drag The River) – Jonny Hirsch – Josh Mease – Julius C – Jupiter One – Kaiser Cartel – K-Holes – Kosha Dillz – Kria Brekkan – LA Riots – La Strada – Las Rubias Del Norte – Laura Marling – Laura Warshauer – Lemon Bell – Leslie Mendelson – Lesser Gonzalez Alvarez – Lia Ices – Like Bells – Lisa Bianco – Local Natives – Lost In The Trees – Lovvers – Lynch (ft. Jim Loughlin of moe.) – Marcus Johnson – Margaret Cho – Marianna Falusi – Math the Band – Mere – Michael Daves – Michal Towber – Mickey Factz – Midnight Juggernauts – The Mieka Canon – Mighty Five DJ – Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson – The Minutes – Miz Metro – Modern Science – Modern Skirts – The Moi Non Plus – Mon Khmer – Montag – The Moore Brothers – Mr. Move – Múm – Mumford & Sons – Mutlu – Mystery of Two – The Naked Hearts – Nate Campany – Nathan Corsi Band – Natural Child – The Neanderthals – New Villager – Ninjasonik – NLX – Obits – The Octagon – Owen – The Pack A.D. – Paleo – Papa – The Paparazzi – Patrick Watson – Pela – Pepi Ginsberg – Pete & J – Pig Destroyer – Pill Wonder – Pissed Jeans – Pitbull – Pocketknife – The Polyamorous Affair – Portugal. The Man – Princeton – Puba – Ravens & Chimes – Red Wire Black Wire – Richard Julian – Right On Dynamite – Rings – Rob Roy – Rumspringa – Saul Williams – Savoir Adore – School of Seven Bells – Screaming Females – Sean Bones – Selmanaires – Shaky Hands – Shayna Zaid and The Catch – Shout Out Out Out Out – Signer – Silver Starling – Sin Fang Bous – Sissy Wish – Sister Hazel – Sister Sparrow and The Dirty Birds – Slow Club – So Many Wizards – So So Glos – Social Hero – Sonya Kitchell – Souljah – Space Capone – Speech Debelle – The Spinto Band – Squaaks – The Stalkers – The Star Department – Stationary Set – Still Flyin’ – Still Life Still – Strong Intention – Subplots – Suckers – Sugar & Gold – Super Extra Bonus Party – Superdrag – Superhuman Happiness – The Surrender – Sxip Shirey – Takka Takka – Tall Tall Trees – Taylor Barton with GE Smith – Teenage Bottlerocket – Telepathe – The Temper Trap – Terry Poison – Tickley Feather – Timber Timbre – The Title Tracks – The Toby Lightman – Tommie Sunshine – Toro y Moi – The Trashmen – Trouble Andrew –True Womanhood – Twi The Humble Feather – Two Man Gentlemen Band – The Uglysuit – U-God – Underwater People – Unnatural Helpers – The Unsacred Hearts – UUVVWWZ – Val Emmich – Vega – Vertical Horizon – Very Best – Via Tania – VIKING – Wallpaper – Warpaint – We Are Country Mice – We Are Enfant Terrible – We Are The World – We Should Be Dead – The Wheel – White Tie Affair – Wild Light – Wild Yaks – Wiyos – The xx – Y-Love – Yes Giantess – Zac Brown Band – Zaza – Zeus – Zs – Z-Trip – Zuri Star – ZzZ

Secondhand Sunday: Pavement ‘Major Leagues’

When I listen to Pavement, I still get chills down my spine. I remember hearing them for the first time when I was 12 years old. Stephen Malkmus looks super foxy in this video ladies so watch out. ‘Major Leagues’ was one of their last videos off of Terror Twilight a record I hold very near and dear to my heart. Pavement and golf, does it get any better? (or amusing?). Here’s hoping to one day they decide to reunite. The world needs it.

IT’S OUR ANNIVERSARY!!!

A year ago today we started this little blog that has taken off more than we could ever hope for. I’d like to personally thank all the readers, writers and interns who make this possible. Can you believe it’s our 1 Year Anniversary already?!

Super Congrats to Chris A. for winning our Modern Mystery prize package! I’m super jealous of what’s in there.

Today’s post will be brief. It’s the band that inspired me to start this blog. The Morning Benders. Enjoy your long weekend!