Category Archives: Uncategorized

02.07.09
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Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys Releases Solo Debut

The Black Keys are already one of the best indie bands out there, so when we heard that Dan Auerbach the band’s singer and guitarist was releasing a solo record, we didn’t know what to expect. I’m not too sure if its too early to start making our Top 10 Albums of 2009, but this would rank Top 3. Auerbach is releasing ‘Keep it Hid’on Nonesuch Records on February 10th.

Yes, his solo stuff differs from The Black Keys, but any Keys fan will certainly enjoy this record. Auerbach stated in a press release that ‘I just wanted to do the things I loved,’  and in this case it includes blending a little bit of bluegrass, a twang of country ballad, Memphis R&B, blues and psychedelic rock.  Sure this may appear that this could be a total mess in theory. On record though it proves to be astonishing. Auerbach pulls it off beautifully and every track on the album just flows perfectly into each other. Though a couple of tracks like ‘The Prowl’ still show hints of The Black Keys, Auerbach has really made his solo debut his own.

Check out Dan Auerbach and the new Tunes at his Myspace

Tourdates are also listed including two stops in New York!

02.05.09
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Bishop Allen Release New Record

Finally! Bishop Allen is due to release their new record titled ‘Grrr…’ through Dead Oceans on March 10th. This will be the third full length from the band and fans couldn’t be happier. Will there a bigger buzz about the band since they appeared in Nick and Nora’s Infinite Playlist? Who knows. The band continues to play those great catchy indie pop songs that we’ve come to know and love.  Bishop Allen will also play and instore at Other Music in New York City the day of the album release. After that the band is off to an extensive U.S. tour, some dates including MM favorites, The Miniature Tigers.

Download Bishop Allen’s newest track, Dimmer

Bishop Allen Tour Dates

03/10 – New York City, NY @ Other Music (Free In-Store)
03/12 – Philadelphia, PA @ First Unitarian Church
03/13 – Washington, DC @ Black Cat
03/14 – Chapel Hill, NC @ Local 506
03/15 – Asheville, NC @ The Rocket Club
03/16 – Memphis, TN @ Hi Tone Cafe
03/17 – Little Rock, AR @ Sticky Fingerz Chicken Shack
03/18 – Dallas, TX @ House of Blues – The Pontiac Garage
03/19 – Austin, TX @ SXSW
03/20 – Austin, TX @ SXSW
03/23 – West Hollywood, CA @ The Troubadour
03/24 – San Francisco, CA @ The Rickshaw Shop
03/26 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Kilby Court
03/27 – Provo, UT @ Velour
03/28 – Denver, CO @ Hi Dive
03/29 – Lawrence, KS @ Jackpot Saloon
03/31 – Chicago, IL @ Subterranean
04/02 – Northhampton, MA @ Iron Horse
04/03 – Cambridge, MA @ Middle East
04/04 – Brooklyn, NY @ Music Hall of Williamsburg
04/05 – New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom

02.03.09
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Chad Vangaalen “Moltin Light”

Chad Vangaalen is one of the most beautiful musicians that the world has to offer. His words are flawless.  His voice evokes such dreary emotion.  As most know by now, Vangaalen does all of his own artwork, especially for his music videos. His art is just as exceptional has his music. A new favorite of ours at Modern Mystery is his animated video for ‘Moltin Light’ which is one of the most haunting tracks we’ve ever heard. It will send chills down your spine everytime you see it.

Check out Chad Vangaalen on Myspace

01.31.09
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The Strokes Working on New Record

The time has finally come.  Modern day garage heroes, and much missed may I add, The Strokes are finally working on album number 4! It seems so long since ‘First Impressions of Earth’ was released. In fact its been 3 years since we’ve heard from the band as a collective. I guess Albert, Fab and Niko are ready to pry themselves away from their side projects for now and bring it back to where it all started. One little band, that believe it or not, was really the beginning of the new garage revival (people didn’t start caring about The White Stripes until after)

Fab stated in the most recent issue of NME that Julian and Nick have already started to write songs for the new record, but nothing has been recorded just yet. The article also states that the band is gearing up to start recording sometime in February. That means a new Strokes record by the year’s end. One word: Excitement!

The Strokes Live on Fuse’s 7th Avenue Drop, January 2006.  Performing ‘Someday’

I was there. Front row. Chatting it up with The Strokes. Good times.

01.29.09
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Andrew Bird has ‘Fitz and the Dizzyspells’ on Letterman

Just fresh from releasing ‘Noble Beast’ Andrew Bird appeared on The Late Show with David Letterman last night performing one of his new tracks, ‘Fitz and the Dizzyspells.’ 

 Bird and his band put on one hell of a performance (but it is  Andrew Bird so we expect no less). Equipped with large gramophones, a ukulele and a xylophone, Bird put on a show like no other. The new record gets better with every listen and the Letterman performance put it over the top. For those of you who missed it, here is the famed Andrew Bird performance.

Check out Andrew Bird on Myspace

01.26.09
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Hollerado Release “Record in a Bag”

In September, I had the honor of interviewing one of my favorite new bands, Hollerado. On a tour opening for fellow Canadians The Stills, Hollerado pretty much kicked their ass onstage. Yes, they are that good.

Hollerado just released their debut full length ‘Record in a Bag’ after their ‘Demo in a Bag’  series they have become famous for. The new record starts off with a hilarious little tune called ‘Hollerado Land’ which sounds like it was left out of the movie ‘Juno.’ Don’t let that fool you though, the album really takes off from there. We’re talking about 12 songs of guitar driven, ‘catchy as hell’ indie rock.  Seriously, just when we couldn’t think that it was possible for this band to get any better, this record  blows us out of the water more and more with every listen.

 Menno Versteeg’s voice is infectious on every track, and the added harmonies from the rest of the band weld perfectly within every song, especially on ‘Juliette’. Hollerado takes it down a notch for a bit with ‘Fake Drugs’ which is quickly becoming one of our favorite songs (of all time). The band included the brilliant Dave Foley-starring-music-video-song ‘Americanarama’  which is always a fun tune to have around.

‘Got to Lose’ starts off with what appears to be a Rhodes piano, and though it starts off slow with the most amazing harmonies we’ve heard since a late 90’s Sloan record, the song grows in pace and the vocals get even tighter. ‘Hard Love’ delivers us a touch of the blues while ‘Riverside’ brings us a bit of indie pop. There is nothing Hollerado can’t do.

The overall performance of this album is really astonishing. From Jake Boyd’s Dave Grohl-esque drumming, to Nick Boyd’s and Dean Baxter’s dead on playing and Menno’s smooth flawless voice,  Hollerado is destined to be huge.

You can download RECORD IN A BAG for FREE at their Website
Hollerado Official Website

Hollerado is also doing a month long Residency Tour the whole month of February from everywhere to New York City to Montreal! You can check out the dates on their website (above).