by John Grimley

Nik Freitas Readies New Solo Album

LA musician Nik Freitas is putting the final layer of polish on his fifth solo album, which will be out sometime early this summer.

Released on Little Record Company, the album came together when Freitas took a break from touring in Broken Bells and The Mystic Valley Band (with Conor Oberst).

Freitas will be revealing parts of the new record while he tours in support of the Submarines. You can see them here:

4/7/11 – Costa Mesa, CA @ Detroit Bar

4/9/11 – San Francisco, CA @ Slim’s

4/11/11 – Portland, OR @ Doug Fir Lounge

4/12/11 – Seattle, WA @ Tractor Tavern

4/13/11 – Vancouver, BC @ The Biltmore

4/15/11 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Urban Lounge

4/16/11 – Denver, CO @ Larimer Lounge

4/18/11 – Omaha, NE @ The Waiting Room

4/19/11 – St. Paul, MN @ Turf Club

4/20/11 – Chicago, IL @ Schuba’s

4/22/11 – Toronto, ON @ Horseshoe Tavern

4/23/11 – Montreal, PQ @ Casa del Popolo

4/25/11 – Boston, MA @ Brighton Music Hall

* all dates with The Submarines

03.10.11

by John Grimley

Details on White Denim’s New Album

WHITE DENIM ALBUM COVER

Austin-based White Denim is a band whose profile seems to always be on the rise. After garnering recognition from such esteemed outlets as the New York Times, Rolling Stone and Pitchfork, the band is set to release their fourth full length album.

D will drop May 24^th on Downtown Records. The band named their fourth album, fittingly, the fourth letter of the alphabet.

Furthermore, the band will be playing several sets (with new material) at hometown SXSW.

You can check out a song from the new album over at RCRD LBL (check it out here).

If you happen to be at SXSW this year, look for White Denim at these place:

March 11 Austin, TX Ghost Room,11 PM

March 16 Austin, TX Club Deville, official SXSW Showcase,11 PM

March 16 Austin, TX The Parish Day Party, 5 PM

March 17 Austin, TX RCRD LBL Party, 5 PM

March 18 Austin, TX Gorilla vs Bear – Day Party, 5:45-6:15PM

March 19 Austin, TX San Jose Hotel – Day Party, 3 PM

03.09.11

by John Grimley

Grooms Announce Sophomore Album

Grooms are putting the finishing touches on their sophomore album. Prom will be out on Kanine Records sometime this summer, and the band has created a more mature, accessible album than their well-received debut Rejoicer.

The band slept in the studio in order to spend more time perfecting their ambient pop sound that has been favorably compared to Sonic Youth. Look for Prom sometime this summer.

In the meantime, Grooms will be on the road through March, including (like everyone else) a stop at SXSW. You can find them:

Mar 16 – Palm Door (SXSW) – Austin, TX

Mar 20 – Bro Fest – Dallas, TX

Mar 22 – Opolis – Norman, OK

Mar 23 – The Lemp – St Louis, MO

Mar 25 – Pancho’s – Chicago, IL

Mar 26 – Project Lodge – Madison, WI

Mar 27 – The Strut – Kalamazoo, MI

Mar 29 – Now That’s Class – Cleveland, OH

Mar 30 – Garfield Artworks – Pittsburgh, PA

Apr 02 – The Ox – Philadelphia, PA

03.09.11

by John Grimley

Poly Styrene Announces New Album

Poly Styrene has returned with an album full of brand-new material. The album Generation Indigo touches on many of the topics Styrene has focused on in the past, including pop culture and fashion, while taking on darker material including war and racism.

Indigo will be out on Future Noise Music on April 26^th. Until then, you can check out Poly Styrene’s “Virtual Boyfriend” (CREEP remix) right here.

03.08.11

by John Grimley

Sandwitches Date Sophomore Album

San Fran’s Sandwitches, hated by spell-check but loved by fans, have been practicing their brand of sparkling pop for a couple of years, and the effort shows on the group’s newest album.

Sandwitches will release Mrs. Jones’ Cookies on March 29^th, via Empty Cellar Records. The album builds off the group’s first release (How to Make Ambient Sadcake) and demonstrates the group’s growing music and lyrical skills.

The group’s sunshine pop is too catchy to resist, even as we suffer through another winter. You can hear two of the songs off of Mrs. Jones’ right here. First, “Lightfoot”

…and “Joe Says”

03.07.11

by John Grimley

Bill Callahan Sings An Apocalypse

Large

Bill Callahan has released what will make up his newest album Apocalypse. The album will feature seven songs including “Baby’s Breath” and “America!” (full list below).

1. Drover

2. Baby’s Breath

3. America!

4. Universal Applicant

5. Riding For The Feeling

6. Free’s

7. One Fine Morning

The album will be out on Drag City Records on April 19^th. To get ready, here’s a video of Bill Callahan playing a song in a taxi…just because. Enjoy!