Wednesday, March 31, 2010

The Whigs set to rock ... Appleton, Wisconsin?!

A recent e-mail from the band:


Attention Computer Users,
The Whigs are in New York City and will be making their second appearance on The Late Show with David Letterman TONIGHT (Wednesday, March 31st). The performance kicks off a North American tour celebrating the release of "In The Dark" beginning with a sold out show at New York's Bowery Ballroom. Watch the Whigs and Dave rock your television tonight and come see the new tour. Much love! Rock! See you on TV!
TOUR DATES:
$ indicates co-headline shows with Band of Skulls
# indicates shows with 22-20s as support

3/31/10: New York, NY - Bowery Ballroom $ # (SOLD OUT) 18+
3/31/10: New York, NY - The Late Show with David Letterman
4/1/10: Brooklyn, NY - Music Hall of Williamsburg $ # (STILL ON SALE) 18+ - BUY TICKETS
4/2/10: Philadelphia, PA - North Star Bar $ # ALL AGES - BUY TICKETS
4/3/10: Boston, MA - Harper's Ferry $ # 18+ - BUY TICKETS
4/4/10: Baltimore, MD - Ottobar $ # ALL AGES - BUY TICKETS
4/6/10: Lexington, KY - Cosmic Charlie's $ # 21+ - BUY TICKETS
4/7/10: Nashville, TN - Exit/In $ # 18+ - BUY TICKETS
4/8/10: Athens, GA - 40 Watt $ # 18+ - BUY TICKETS
4/10/10: Birmingham, AL - WorkPlay Theatre $ # ALL AGES - BUY TICKETS
4/12/10: Kansas City, MO - Riot Room $ # 21+ - BUY TICKETS
4/13/10: Boulder, CO - Boulder Theater $ # ALL AGES - BUY TICKETS
4/15/10: Phoenix, AZ - Martini Ranch $ # ALL AGES - BUY TICKETS
4/17/10: Norman, OK - Outside O'Connell's Irish Pub (Adult Swim Block Party) - 6 PM
4/18/10: Tulsa, OK - Cain's 2nd Stage ALL AGES - BUY TICKETS
4/19/10: Lawrence, KS - Outside Phoggy Dog (Adult Swim Block Party) - 6 PM
4/20/10: Appleton, WI - Mill Creek Bar 21+ - BUY TICKETS
4/22/10: St. Louis, MO - Gargoyle 18+ - BUY TICKETS
4/23/10: Chicago, IL - Bottom Lounge 17+ - BUY TICKETS
4/24/10: Madison, WI - University of Wisconsin (FREE SHOW)
4/27/10: New York, NY - Late Night with Jimmy Fallon
4/28/10: Toronto, ON - The Mod Club Theatre $ 19+ - BUY TICKETS
4/29/10: Ottawa, ON - Live Lounge $ - BUY TICKETS
4/30/10: Montreal, QC - Studio JPR $ - BUY TICKETS
5/1/10: Albany, NY - Valentine's 16+ - BUY TICKETS
5/2/10: Burlington, VT - Higher Ground ALL AGES - BUY TICKETS
5/5/10: Charlottesville, VA - The Southern ALL AGES - BUY TICKETS
5/6/10: Virginia Beach, VA - Jewish Mother ALL AGES - BUY TICKETS
5/7/10: Columbia, SC - New Brookland Tavern 18+ - BUY TICKETS
5/8/10: Charleston, SC - Pour House 18+ - BUY TICKETS
5/15/10: Gulf Shores, AL - Hangout Music Festival - BUY TICKETS
6/5/10: Hunter, NY - Mountain Jam - BUY TICKETS
6/12/10: Chattanooga, TN - Riverbend Festival - BUY TICKETS

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Papercuts (Jason Quever) signs to Sub Po

  
Over the last six years Jason Quever has released three increasingly excellent albums under the name Papercuts, toured with folks like Grizzly Bear, Beach House and Camera Obscura, and collaborated with Vetiver and the Skygreen Leopards among others. We at Sub Pop grew to be fans and admirers, thoroughly smitten by his work. And, as often happens when a young record label develops a “thing” for an artist, we eventually got down on one knee and asked our lawyers to ask his lawyers if he would do us the honor of joining the Sub Pop roster. Luckily for us, he said yes!

Based in San Francisco, Papercuts’ music is an affecting and unique strain of Northern California-tinged, atmospheric and melodic pop. The first Papercuts album, Mockingbird , was released on Antenna Farm in 2004. Can’t Go Back (2007) and You Can Have What You Want (2009) were subsequently both released on the Gnomonsong label, run by Andy Cabic of Vetiver. Quever also operates a home studio called the Pan American Recording Studio and has worked as both an engineer and producer with artists such as Cass McCombs and, most recently, Port O’Brien.

It’s our intention to put out a new Papercuts release in the first part of 2011. Trust that we will keep you posted on that. Until then, please join us in welcoming Jason and Papercuts to the label! We’re thrilled to be working with him. Find out why you should say yes to Papercuts here:  http://www.myspace.com/thepapercuts.

~Information courtesy Sub Pop

Wu-Tangers meet Rhymesayers: This year's Soundset is gonna be HUGE!

SOUNDSET
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - March 30, 2010                 
SOUNDSET  FESTIVAL 2010
Date: Sunday, May 30, 2010 - Gates at 11:00AM CST
Location: Canterbury Park - Shakopee, MN

General On Sale is Friday, April 2, 2010 at 11:00AM local time


Rhymesayers Entertainment and Rose Presents bring you the third annual Soundset Festival:  the official Midwest kick-off of the summer with nine hours of the best independent Hip Hop music in one day. It all goes down at Canterbury Park in Shakopee, MN (rain or shine).
 

Confirmed artists for Soundset 2010 include: Atmosphere, Method Man & Redman, Brother Ali, Hieroglyphics featuring Del The Funky Homosapien, Souls of Mischief, Casual and Pep Love, P.O.S, Murs, Freeway & Jake One, Eyedea & Abilities, Wiz Khalifa, Cage, DJ Rob Swift, Grieves & Budo, 45 King, People Under The Stairs, BK One, DJ Revolution, Dessa, Yelawolf, Fashawn, Themselves, Busdriver, Toki Wright, Solillaquists of Sound, Prof & Rhazwell, Cecil Otter, Dark Time Sunshine, Ernest Rhodes, A.R.M (M.anifest & Krukid), Mike Dreams, I.B.E, Ice Rod, Plain Ole Bill, Mike 2600, Kid Cut Up, DJ Pratt and DJ Anton.  Hosted by Peter Parker, Kevin Beacham and DJ Snuggles.
 

In 2009, Rhymesayers and Rose Presents produced the second year of Soundset to an outdoor festival setting at Canterbury Park in Shakopee, MN with over 15,000 people in attendance, including:  two stages with over 40 artists performing, b-boy battles, live DJs, artist's painting, live skateboard demos and a low rider car show. Soundset 2010 is expected to be even bigger this year!
 

"The biggest indie-rap festival of the year..." URB.com
 

After playing the main stage at Lollapalooza,headlining Red Rocks in Colorado and performing at the Outlands Festival, Atmosphere will be back at Soundset to play their first live performance of 2010. On the heels of their latest release "Blackout 2", superstar combo Method Man (Wu Tang Clan) & Redman bring their legendary live show and catalog to the Twin Cities for a set that's not to be missed. Hieroglyphics, including the full lineup of: Del The Funky Homosapien, Souls of Mischief, Casual and Pep Love return to perform together in Minnesota for the first time in 5 years! Referred to as, "one of independent Rap's strongest voices" by HipHopDX, Brother Ali will once again deliver his raw emotion on the main stage. Murs of Living Legends and Rhymesayers collaborative project Felt will touch down at Soundset in support of his brand new album, "Fornever". With over a year on the road in support of, "Never Better" and performing on last year's Warped Tour, hometown hero or glorified Doomtree member, P.O.S is back again (YEAH RIGHT!). With much critical acclaim for their debut release on Rhymesayers, "The Stimulus Package" and recently performing on Jimmy Fallon with The Roots, Freeway & Jake One are set to play main stage. Since appearing on XXL Magazine's Freshman 10 cover, both Pittsburgh's Wiz Khalifa and Fresno's Fashawn are confirmed to play Soundset for the first time along with buzzworthy Alabama native Yelawolf, making his Minnesota debut.
 

With options of two stages delivering over 40 artists performing nine hours of diverse music, an expanded B-Boy/B-Girl DJ tent, live painting exhibit, skate demo area, Slow and Low custom car show and a special Last of the Record Buyers production showcase, Soundset 2010 is guaranteed to bring the fun for the whole family!
 

Tickets are on sale Friday, April 2, 2010 to the general public through www.ticketmaster.com  and Fifth Element. General admission tickets are $35 plus applicable fees ($3 facility fee and parking are included in ticket price), VIP options are also available!


Visit our websites for the latest Soundset Festival 2010 lineup, music and information!
www.soundsetfestival.com          www.rhymesayers.com               www.twitter.com/soundset


Monday, March 29, 2010

Tokyo Police Club wants you to listen to their new song, see them on tour with Passion Pit


Newmarket Ontario's favorite sons Tokyo Police Club have confirmed the title and release date of the band's second full length album: Champ will be released June 8 on the band's new U.S. label home mom+pop. The band has provided a sneak peek at the new record in the form of the track "Breakneck Speed," currently streaming at at http://tokyopoliceclub.com/

Though coincidental, the title of the new song is more than apt, given the pace with which the months leading up to Champ's release are filling up: The band will return to its rigorous touring regimen in early April, with international appearances including  April 17 at Coachella, June 11 at Bonnaroo, and a June run supporting Passion Pit concluding with an already sold out June 29 show at Brooklyn's Prospect Park Bandshell and a June 30 inaugural performance at NYC's Governor's Island.  In addition, Tokyo Police Club will spend late May and early June in Europe, including a headline appearance at the Immergut Festival in Germany. For further dates as they're announced, more details and updates, check back at http://tokyopoliceclub.com/shows

Tokyo Police Club is Greg Alsop (drums), Josh Hook (guitar), David Monks (vocals, bass) and Graham Wright (keys/percussion). The band formed in 2005 and released the debut EP A Lesson In Crime the following year to instant and universal acclaim. One more EP, a digital-only single and a few world tours later, Tokyo Police Club's first full length album, Elephant Shell was released in April 2008. Elephant Shell's release was preceded by multiple sold out shows in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Toronto, and followed by appearances on The Late Show With David Letterman, The Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson and, yes, Desperate Housewives. Critical response to the full length was even more enthusiastic and diverse, with the likes of GQ, Elle, Spin, Rolling Stone and Men's Health all giving thumbs up. The band toured relentlessly to support Elephant Shell, finally wrapping up in the U.S. at the August 2009 All Points West Festival.
             
Champ is Tokyo Police Club's second full album and first for mom+pop, the independent label formed in 2008 by Cliff Burnstein,  Peter Mensch and Michael Goldstone. Burnstein and Mensch are the owners of Qprime, management for the likes of Metallica,  Red Hot Chili Peppers,  Snow Patrol,  Muse,  Silversun Pickups,  and The Mars Volta,  among others. Goldstone is a veteran A&R exec whose most recent tenure at Sire saw him sign Regina Spektor and Tegan and Sara. Other mom+pop artists include Metric and Sleigh Bells.  As with previous Tokyo Police Club records, Champ will be released in the UK and Europe by Memphis Industries, home of such artists as The Go! team, Field Music and The Ruby Suns.

TOKYO POLICE CLUB ON TOUR 2010:
April 6, 2010   Starlight - Waterloo, ON
Apr 7, 2010    Isaacs Bar and Grill - St. Catharines, ON
Apr 8, 2010     Rokbar - Hamilton, ON
Apr 9, 2010     The Red Dog - Peterborough, ON
Apr 17, 2010    Coachella Music Festival 2010 - Indio, CA
Apr 27, 2010    Mr. Small's Theater - Millvale, PA
May 29, 2010    Immergut Festival - Neustrelitz, Germany
May 30, 2010    Uebel und Gefaehrlich - Hamburg, Germany
May 31, 2010    Lido - Berlin, Germany
Jun 1, 2010    Luxor - Koln, Germany
Jun 2, 2010     59:1 - Munich, Germany
Jun 4, 2010     Paradiso - Amsterdam, Holland
Jun 5, 2010     Botanique/Witloof Bar - Brussels, Belgium
Jun 7, 2010     The Ruby Lounge - Manchester, UK
Jun 8, 2010     Scala - London, UK
Jun 9, 2010     The Tabernacle (with Passion Pit) - Atlanta, GA
Jun 11, 2010    Bonnaroo - Manchester, TN
Jun 12, 2010    Club at Firestone (with Passion Pit) - Orlando, FL
Jun 13, 2010    The FIllmore (with Passion Pit) - Miami Beach, FL
Jun 14, 2010    The Ritz Ybor (with Passion Pit) - Tampa, FL
Jun 16, 2010    House of Blues (with Passion Pit) - New Orleans, LA
Jun 17, 2010    Warehouse Live (with Passion Pit) - Houston, TX
Jun 18, 2010    Stubb's (with Passion Pit) - Austin, TX
Jun 19, 2010    Stubb's (with Passion Pit) - Austin, TX
Jun 21, 2010    Palladium Ballroom (with Passion Pit) - Dallas, TX
Jun 23, 2010    The Pageant (with Passion Pit) - St. Louis, MO
Jun 25, 2010    Royal Oak Music Theater (with Passion PIt) - Royal Oak, MI
Jun 27, 2010    Mann Center (with Passion Pit) - Philadelphia, PA
Jun 29, 2010    Prospect Park Bandshell (with Passion Pit) - Brooklyn, NY
Jun 30, 2010    Governor's Island (with Passion Pit) - New York, NY



~Information courtesy Nasty Little Man

The Magic Numbers return!

A message from the band:


At long last we are so happy to tell you the details of our new album "The Runaway" and our UK tour this June.

Our album The Runaway, will be released via our old friends Heavenly Recordings on Monday June 7th.

It was produced by Romeo with Valgeir Sigurdsson, who has worked with the likes of Bjork, Camille, Bonnie Prince Billy, Mum and many others, and it was mixed by Ben Hillier who has made great records with Doves, Elbow, Blur etc. Several of the songs feature string arrangements by our great friend Robert Kirby, renowned for his work with the likes of Nick Drake, Sandy Denny and Elvis Costello. It was the last project Robert worked on before he sadly passed away in October.

You have probably already got the free download of one of the album tracks 'Hurts So Good' but you won't have yet heard the first single from the album 'The Pulse' which we will be sending you on the 12th April to say thank you for being part of our mailing list.

There will be a limited-edition of the album which comes with an exclusive 4-track live EP which we recorded at Wiltons Music Hall in London in January.

You can also pre-order the album AND tickets for our tour (see dates below) by clicking here.

The songs on the album are:
1. The Pulse
2. Hurt So Good
3. Why Did You Call?
4. Once I Had
5. A Start With No Ending
6. Throwing My Heart Away
7. Restless River
8. Only Seventeen
9. Sound Of Something
10. The Song That No One Knows
11. Dreams Of A Revelation
12. I'm Sorry

Friday, March 26, 2010

sys68 :: DEATH BY MISADVENTURE


Submitted for the approval of the Mix Tape Appreciation Society, I humbly present ... "Death by Misadventure":


1. Foxy Shazam - "Oh Lord"

Foxy Shazam - Oh Lord! from Jeremy E. Jackson on Vimeo.


I don't catch a lot of music videos these days, but I stumbled upon this instant classic while trying to find a way to get this song on Facebook -- so, yes, a must-hear and a must-see! For fans of flamboyant, over-the-top rock (a la Scissor Sisters, the Darkness, Andrew W.K.).


2. Marching Band - "Another Day"
From my track-by-track preview of "Pop Cycle": "With an intro as intriguing and grandiose as those penned by Pete Townshend in and around “Quadrophenia,” this track (and, subsequently,album) was already off to a good start when the song really got going: Wow. You could have nearly knocked me over with a feather. This is sincerely album-of-the-year material. No joke."


3. Ryan Van Slooten - "Across the Line"
When this local god (of Bone Appétit, the SuperTacks and Rock Brigade fame) graciously accepted the Budgeteer's invitation to do a track-by-track commentary about his recently released solo album "All But My Soul," this is what he said to say about this one: "This song is about the awkward things about yourself that you’re maybe afraid to reveal to someone, for fear they might not take it the way you want them to. At the same time, though, it’s about being true to yourself and not being afraid to show who you really are to someone."

4. Happy Birthday - "Girls FM"
This irresistible track is a great companion piece to the fourth installment of my Song of the Week feature, which was Happy Birthday's somewhat-morose "Subliminal Message." (Listen here.)

5. The Electric Soft Parade - "Cold World"
I'm speechless. This is just terrific music.

After you download this delicious song, check out what Lifter Puller/Hold Steady frontman Craig Finn had to say about this early-career highlight (which Atmosphere famously referenced on "Reflections"): "An ode to foam dancing. I saw it on television and they were implying that the foam on the dance floor was a popular place for people to have anonymous sexual experiences. I liked the concept; the way something dirty was surrounded by soap suds. The line, "You're kissing like you already came" was quoted by Slug on the new Atmosphere record, and I just saw 1000 kids scream it at the top of their lungs at Irving Plaza in NYC last week.." [Source: Cloak and Dagger Media]

7. Acrassicauda - "Message from Baghdad"
It's been a couple years since this war-ravaged Iraqi metal band received international media attention (and, subsequently, won over our hearts), but ... they're back. And even more early-White Zombie-reminiscent than ever!

Speaking of the hard and the heavy, have you seen the "Sarah Silverman Program" in which "diehard" metalhead Brian Posehn walks around town jamming to the Spin Doctors' "Two Princes." Pure TV gold. (Watch it below.)


The Sarah Silverman ProgramThursday, 12am / 11c
Spin Doctors
www.comedycentral.com
Joke of the DayStand-Up ComedyFree Online Games

8. Dessa - "Matches to Paper Dolls"
From Dessa's recently released solo album "A Badly Broken Code," which *please pardon my self-plagiarization* finds the Doomtree goddess "running down a ramped-up expressway to fortune and fame."

9. MGMT - "Flash Delirium"
It's no "Time to Pretend," but it's quickly growing on me. Rather quickly, if you must know.

Have you ever heard ska punk's equivalent of a waking nightmare? Oh, wait, now you can download it for free.

Like the much-celebrated, 2 Pac and Dr. Dre-sampling "Da Cali Anthem," here's another bass-heavy triumph from the world's foremost purveyor of "dubstep."

12. Genius/GZA feat. Santi White - "Stay in Line"
When I selected this track for this mix tape, I had no idea that Santi White is actually Santigold (otherwise known as "Santogold" earlier on), who's been featured on this blog a number of times. I love the randomness of the music biz.

13. Bob Dylan - "Like a Rolling Stone" [Mixed by the Avalanches]
From the way-expensive and possibly illegal (though totally worth it) import live album "When I Met You."

From Music for Action's free "Best of Bonnaroo" compilation, which also features Pearl Jam, My Morning Jacket, Wilco and other groups we all keep close to our hearts. Anyway, just go to this Web site, pledge to take action about climate change (by letting your state's senators know what's up) and download the album.

15. Dr. Dog - "Shadow People"
Somewhat reminiscent of the Flaming Lips' horrendously overlooked masterpiece "Clouds Taste Metallic," which has always been one of my favorite pieces of recorded sound. Check it out. (And these guys as well, of course.)

16. The Burning Hotels - "French Heart Attack"
Like Sub Pop's Happy Birthday and Mad Decent's Rusko, this is another worthwhile indie group and/or individual featured on my Song of the Week series (it was the explosive "Austin's Birthday," in case you missed it). Anyway, if you're a big fan of the Strokes, it's pretty safe to say you'll soon be purchasing a couple-sizes-too-small Burning Hotels T from Hot Topic any day now.

17. The Whigs - "Kill Me Carolyne"
Kind of wish Kings of Leon were less overexposed? Take the Whigs for a spin. It's not the same, but, hey, that'd just be boring.

My friend's response to this: "I don't think I like this." And she's a huge supporter of Slug and everything RSE, so ... proceed with caution, I guess.

19. Felix da Housecat - "Radio" [Remixed by Shinichi Osawa]
An update/answer to the last mix tape's query about Star Casino: Turns out that group was a sporadic collaboration between Shinichi Osawa (Mondo Grosso) and Yusuke Chiba (Thee Michelle Gun Elephant, Rosso, The Birthday) -- so, definitely no relation to Les Savy Fav or its ever-entertaining frontman.

Either way, my research has led me down a path of vast rewards: It turns out Mr. Osawa is one of the most exciting musicmakers on the planet. Just take a listen to this remix above and you'll believe what I'm saying.

20. Stereophonics - "Have a Nice Day"
I don't know if you know this, but the eastern stretch of Superior Street (as in past the Highway 61 Expressway linkup) is primarily dirt and positively 50 mph up until its terminus near McQuade. It's like being back in Cuyuna Country!

Oh, yeah ... the point of all this: The Stereophonics sound almost seems tailor-made for such driving conditions.

21. The Tisdales - "Lovin' Arms of Life"
Speaking of "the old country" (aka Crow Wing County), this holy roller from Rich Mattson (Ol' Yeller/The Glenrustles) and Tony Derrick (Giljunko/Hotel Coral Essex) is strictly pickup-truck material.

By the way, like the group's oh-so-beloved debut album "Bakers' Dozen," the new one, "Out with the New," also deserves nine thumbs up.

Thus concludes your sixty-eighth dose of SHAKE*YOUR*SHORES, the awesome mix tape series formerly known as "Don't Tell a Soul." I hope you enjoyed yourself to no end.

Free download from Tony Rubin's new band, Theft by Swindle!

<a href="http://theftbyswindle.bandcamp.com/track/neon">NEON! by Theft by Swindle</a>

(For those of you without any game, Tony Rubin is the young whippersnapper behind AM rubin -- with his "pop," of course -- and Pacific Phonograph Co. Anyway, he tells me this early demo was recorded live in an "underground laboratory in Upper Smithville.")

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

sys67 :: IT REALLY LOOKS LIKE HAWAII HERE












Submitted for the approval of the Mix Tape Appreciation Society, I humbly present ... "It Really Looks Like Hawaii Here":




1. Music Go Music - "Light of Love"
The most valuable thing I inherited from my grandmother (who's still with us, God bless her soul)? An undying affection for ABBA.

Why do I mention this? Because apparently this L.A. group is the second coming.

2. Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson - "Woodfriend"
Heading up the West Coast we come across Oregon's Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson = long name, short fuse.

Just kidding ... I only wish that worked there; Miles seems like quite the righteous, down-to-earth dude. (He's signed to Saddle Creek, after all.)

3. The SuperTacks - "Bitter Truth"
Like Billy Joel meets early Weezer demos. I love it!

4. The Boomchucks - "Another One"
A fun, cavorting sing-along in the key of Bob Dylan's freewheelin' days, courtesy of Taconite's Jamie Ness and the Black-eyed Snakes' Brad Nelson. [Listen here.]

5. Joe Pug - "Call It What You Will"
Poetic is "Silver cans in bronze-colored dirt." It's impossible not to get lost in wordplay this keen.

6. Hosey - "Like an Animal"
Any hip-hop track that samples my beloved Tina Fey (from the "30 Rock" episode when she accidentally joins a female fight club) is alright in my book.

p.s. If you like what you hear, check out my interview with Hosey's turntable maestro, Patrik Phalen.

7. Olivia Tremor Control - "Define a Transparent Dream"
Despite my ambivalent feelings toward the second incarnation of Olivia Tremor Control (Circulatory System), I've always believed that the groups' ringleader, Will Cullen Hart, is secretly Beatle spawn. How else could you explain a transcendental masterpiece such as this?

8. Miles Kurosky - "West Memphis Skyline"
Yes, I became quite low when I first heard that Beulah -- like Olivia Tremor Control, an Elephant Six group -- was calling it quits, but, luckily, the outspoken Kurosky's still got it. (Yep, eagle-eyed reader, that last line was lifted directly from my review of "The Desert of Shallow Effects." Self-plagiarism is still OK, right? ha ha)

9. Batteries - "Dirty Dogs"
Since I won't be interviewing these guys until tonight -- look for that story in an upcoming Budgeteer! -- I thought I'd borrow something frontman Dave Frankenfeld (yes, Haley Bonar's former collaborator) told the Duluth News Tribune's Christa Lawler: "[This] stems from some research I was doing on slang terms. Turns out, 'dirty dog' is a slang term for a Greyhound bus. During a car-less time in my life I often found myself slumped into the seats of all breeds of buses. This seemed like a fine premise for a rock song to me."

10. Gramercy Arms feat. Sarah Silverman - "Looking at the Sun"
Yes, that Sarah Silverman.

11. Doomtree - "Scuffle"
What happens when P.O.S. produces a tough-as-nails track for the angel-voiced Dessa? This is what happens.

"Who the f--- am I, Fatlip?"

Glorious.

12. Sean Bones - "Dancehall"
And you thought reggae died with Terry Lynn's ferocious "Kingstonlogic 2.0"....

13. Les Savy Fav - "The Equestrian"
I don't know the answer, so I'm just going to ask all you good, good people: Has Les Savy Fav's Tim Harrington ever collaborated with Star Casino? I hear similarities between the ferocity found here and the beautifully ravaged "Stroll Around the World."

14. INXS - "Calling All Nations"
As most music collectors do, I go through phases where I'm completely obsessed with a particular group or two. These days it's Michael Hutchence and crew. Can't seem to get enough.

And past ones? (Thanks for asking.) Oh, let's see ... Pearl Jam, the Who, the Beatles, Bob Dylan, Electric Light Orchestra, the Pixies, Beck (to a certain extent) and David Bowie -- to name just a few.

15. Adam Green - "What Makes Him Act So Bad?"
The Moldy Peach goes all Lou Reed on us, and ... well, you won't hear any complaints from me.

16. Midwest Dilemma - "Chicago and North Western"
This song's parent album, "Timelines & Tragedies," actually has one of the coolest concepts out there: Frontman Justin P. Lamoureux traced his family's lineage all the way back to the fur-tradin' days. (If you're interested in learning more, it's all detailed in my interview with the Omaha visionary.)

17. The Sextons - "Tracks in Fog"
If you fancy early Radiohead and early Stereophonics (and who doesn't?), you'll find much to love on this Twin Cities group's self-titled debut.

18. The Explorers Club - "Do You Love Me?"
A curious mix of the Beach Boys sound put forth by Brian Wilson and the way they sounded after His Greatness left the group.

19. Modern Skirts - "Radio Breaks"
Suave, suave, suave.

20. Journey - "Stone in Love"
Hey, I warned you last time around....

21. Motion City Soundtrack - "History Lesson"
The closest mall punk has ever come to sounding like it was influenced by ...

22. Bob Dylan - "Highway 61 Revisited" [alt.]
... Duluth's most famous native son. (This one was chosen in honor of my recent move to Scenic Highway 61.)

23. Andy Elwell - "Housewarming"
Speaking of that Zimmerman boy, this former Duluthian was born in the city where Dylan was raised, Hibbing. (And not to toot my own horn too much or anything, but catch up with the talented singer/songwriter by reading "Andy Elwell Comes Home for a Good Cause." Yes, another one of my stories.)

24. Gavin DeGraw - "Over-Rated"
A little on the mainstream side, but a delightful track nonetheless.

Thus concludes your sixty-seventh dose of SHAKE*YOUR*SHORES, the awesome mix tape series formerly known as "Don't Tell a Soul." I hope you enjoyed yourself.

She & Him returns, books show at First Avenue

Image: Volume TwoShe & Him's Volume Two is available now on CD, LP and digital download!

At long last, She & Him's Volume Two is in stores!
Pitchfork says of Volume Two: "What makes the album so distinctive isn't just the sound of her voice, the quality of her songwriting, or even the resourcefulness of his arrangements, but their joint insistence that these old sounds have as much to say nowadays as they ever did. In that regard, She & Him has given Deschanel her best role yet, one that shows off her charm and intelligence to best effect—one that she is essentially writing for herself." Listen, and we think you will agree!
She & Him will appear live on KCRW's Morning Becomes Eclectic on Wednesday, March 24. Tune in at 11:15 a.m. PST / 2:15 p.m. EST at KCRW.org!
Preview and order Volume Two on CD and LP in the Merge store and watch their brand-new video for "In the Sun" now! Check out the newly redesigned SheandHim.com too!
She & Him on tour!

Mar 25 Los Angeles, CA - El Rey Theatre
Mar 27 Savannah, GA - Trustees Theatre (Savannah Music Festival)
Mar 29 New York, NY - Bowery Ballroom
Mar 30 New York, NY - Bowery Ballroom
Apr 15 Pomona, CA - Glass House
Apr 16 Indio, CA - Coachella Music & Arts Festival
May 28 Santa Cruz, CA - Rio Theatre
May 29 Oakland, CA - Fox Theatre
May 30 Bend, OR - Le Schwab Amphitheatre
May 31 George, WA - Sasquatch! Music Festival
Jun 04 Milwaukee, WI - Verge Music Festival 2010
Jun 05 Minneapolis, MN - First AvenueJun 06 Royal Oak, MI - Royal Oak Theatre
Jun 07 Chicago, IL - Millennium Park Downtown Sound Series
Jun 09 Toronto, ON - Phoenix Theatre
Jun 10 Cleveland, OH - House of Blues
Jun 11 Manchester, TN - Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival



~Information courtesy Merge Records

Beach House coming to Minneapolis April 4

I just wanted to drop everyone a reminder, that Beach House are gearing up to hit the road on Friday March 26, in support of their latest and greatest, Teen DreamFull list of tour dates below.

While in Europe, the band recorded an amazing session with our good friends at Le Blogotheque. You can check out the session by clicking here.

In case you need more proof that the band slays live, you can check out live footage from their January, 26th show at the Bell House via Baeble.com 


Beach House Tour Dates: 
Mar 26 Black Cat, Washington, DC 
Mar 27 Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT 
Mar 28 Paradise (MA), Boston, MA 
Mar 29 La Sala Rosa (Montreal), Montreal, Canada 
Apr 01 Crofoot Ballroom, Pontiac, MI 
Apr 02 Metro, Chicago, IL 
Apr 03 Pabst Theater, Milwaukee, WI 
Apr 04 
Cedar Cultural Centre, Minneapolis, MN 
Apr 05 Waiting Room, Omaha, NE 
Apr 06 Granada Theater, Lawrence, KS 
Apr 07 Bluebird Theater - (CO), Denver, CO 
Apr 09 Neurolux, Boise, ID 
Apr 10 Doug Fir Lounge, Portland, OR 
Apr 11 Rickshaw Theater (BC), Vancouver, Canada 
Apr 12 Neumos, Seattle, WA 
Apr 14 Bimbos, San Francisco, CA 
Apr 15 Downtown Brewing Co., San Luis Obispo, CA 
Apr 16 Soho Restaurant & Music Club, Santa Barbara, CA 
Apr 17 Coachella Valley Music & Arts, Indio, CA
Apr 19 Rhythm Room, Phoenix, AZ 
Apr 21 Granada Theater (TX), Dallas, TX 
Apr 22 Emo's (Austin), Austin, TX 
Apr 23 Walter's on Washington, Houston, TX 
Apr 24 Spanish Moon, Baton Rouge, LA 
Apr 25 The Engine Room, Tallahassee, FL 
Apr 27 Bottle Tree, Birmingham, AL 
Apr 28 Mercy Lounge, Nashville, TN 
Apr 29 The Earl, Atlanta, GA 
Apr 30 Grey Eagle Tavern, Asheville, NC 
May 01 Cats Cradle, Carrboro, NC 
May 06 Webster Hall, New York, NY 
May 07 First Unitarian Church, Philadelphia, PA 
May 08 2640 Space, Baltimore, MD 
Jun 16 Diesel Club Lounge, Pittsburgh, PA 
Jun 17 Beachland Ballroom, Cleveland, OH 
Jun 19 Toronto Olympic Island, Toronto, Canada 
Jun 20 Town Ballroom, Buffalo, NY 
Jul 27 Prospect Park (NY), Brooklyn, NY 
Jonathan Richman once said the Velvet Underground didn’t make music, they made atmosphere.  That’s also true for this Baltimore dream-pop duo, whose dense-fog organs, reverb-y slide guitars, and nodding harmonies feel as lush as a midnight walk in a wet garden. – Spin

These are crisper, brighter, bolder songs, retaining Beach House's sense of elegant decay while sweeping up the debris.- Pitchfork

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Passion Pit's Cranberries cover gets official release

Packing further landmarks into a year that has already included three sold out nights at New York's Terminal 5 and a triumphant UK tour, Passion Pit has confirmed an April 13 release date for the deluxe reissue of its highly acclaimed debut album, Manners (frenchkiss Columbia). The expanded edition of the record that landed the band on the Best of 2009 lists of NPR, Pitchfork, Time Out New York, The New York Post, Stereogum and more, will feature brand new artwork and three bonus tracks: vivid, bare bones "Stripped Down" versions of the original album's "Sleepyhead" and "Moth's Wings," and the cover of the Cranberries' "Dreams" that's become a highlight of recent Passion Pit live shows.

The unstoppable force that is the Passion Pit live experience returns to North America at the end of March, for a spring/summer tour that has already sold out shows in New York, Chicago, Cleveland, Columbus, Vancouver and more, necessitating additional shows and moves to larger venues in multiple markets. 

Following on the instantaneous sell-out of all 6200 tickets for its June 29 show at Brooklyn's Prospect Park, Passion Pit has just announced the addition of a second New York show to the current tour. The additional show will take place June 30 at Governor's Island and will feature special guests Tokyo Police Club. For further information on tickets and directions to the inaugural music event for this 7000-capacity site, please go to http://bowerypresents.com/event/4429

Passion Pit was conceived as a solo project by Michael Angelakos, who recorded the bulk of the band's 2008 debut EP Chunk Of Change (frenchkiss) while attending Boston's Emerson College. The band-which currently consists of Angelakos, Ian Hultquist, Ayad Al Adhamy, Nate Donmoyer and Jeff Apruzzese--released its first full length album, Manners, in May 2009. Critical and popular reaction to Manners has been uniformly ecstatic, ranging from raves in Rolling Stone, US Weekly, New York and many more to a #51 debut on the Billboard Top 200 albums. On the strength of the irresistible hooks of tracks like "The Reeling," "Sleepyhead," "Moth's Wings" and "Little Secrets," and a rapidly burgeoning live draw, Manners has sold over 140,000 copies since its release last spring and remains on the chart at present.

PASSION PIT ON TOUR 2010

3/26    Miami, FL                  Ultra Music Festival
3/28    Niagara Falls, NY       Rapids Theater
3/29    York, PA                    Pullo Center
3/30    Cleveland, OH           House of Blues - SOLD OUT
3/31    Columbus, OH           LC Pavilion - SOLD OUT
4/2    Chicago, IL                 Congress Theatre - SOLD OUT
4/3    Milwaukee, WI            Riverside Theatre
4/4    Minneapolis, MN          First Avenue - SOLD OUT
4/5    Kansas City, MO          Beaumont Club
4/7    Denver, CO                 Ogden Theatre - SOLD OUT
4/8    Salt Lake City, UT       In The Venue
4/10    Eugene, OR              McDonald Theatre
4/11    Vancouver, BC          Commodore Ballroom - SOLD OUT
4/12    Portland, OR             Roseland Theater
4/14    Davis, CA                  Freeborn Hall
4/15    San Francisco, CA     The Warfield Theatre
4/16    Indio, CA                  Coachella
4/22    Chicago, IL               Congress
4/30    Knoxville, TN            U of Tennessee
5/31    George, WA              Sasquatch
6/18    Austin, TX                 Stubb's
6/19    Austin, TX                 Stubb's
6/29    Brooklyn, NY             Prospect Park - SOLD OUT
6/30    New York, NY            Governor's Island
8/21    Chelmsford, UK         V Festival
8/22    Stafford, UK              V Festival 

~Information courtesy Nasty Little Man

Monday, March 15, 2010

20 MIN MIX #4

20 MIN MIX #4

Doomtree's Paper Tiger is releasing a series of free mix tapes -- enjoy!

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

R.I.P. Mark Linkous

The Sparklehorse song "Someday I Will Treat You Good" is one of the most beautiful pieces of music ever composed.

Monday, March 8, 2010

A&E FYI: Jawbreaker's 'Unfun' turns 20, hipsters start applying for AARP


JAWBREAKER
UNFUN

BLACKBALL RECORDS 3.30.10
Blackball Records presents the 20th anniversary edition of Jawbreaker's beloved 1990 debut album Unfun--twelve groundbreaking tracks (sixteen on the CD) that captured the very inception of emo's big band and launched a galaxy of young, earnest bands and the scenes that love them.
Unfun has been remastered by John Golden from the original analog tapes; the increased sampling rate boosts some of the bottom end and mid-range. It sounds fucking awesome. The vinyl version is available for the first time since 1992, and the CD and download versions of the record include the three-song Whack & Blite EP, as well as the 7-inch mix of "Busy" as an unlisted bonus track. This reissue features restored original artwork, and all formats include additional band photos from the time of recording. The CD comes with a 24-page booklet with the Whack & Blite insert reproduced in its entirety.
"Want" and "Fine Day" were in heavy rotation on college radio back in the day, and remained set list staples throughout Jawbreaker's run. Unfun wound up on a lot of fanzine top ten lists, and even the mainstream press took notice. Rolling Stone called it "a feast of heavy melody and righteous braying that roars along with all the spit and spirit of Husker Du's New Day Rising."


ONLINE


TRACKLISTING:
 1 Want
 2 Seethruskin
 3 Fine Day
 4 Incomplete
 5 Imaginary War
 6 Busy
 7 Softcore
 8 Driven
 9 Wound
10 Down
11 Gutless
12 Drone
13 Lawn
14 Crane
15 Eye-5
16 Busy (7" mix) (Bonus Track)

~Information courtesy Riot Act Media

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

sys66 :: THIS ISLAND EARTH / RAKEHELL WITH WOMEN






Submitted for the approval of the Mix Tape Appreciation Society, I humbly present ... "This Island Earth / Rakehell with Women":


1. The Jam - "Absolute Beginners"
Despite competition from the likes of Pete Townshend and the Violent Femmes, this 1981 Jam single managed to stand out on the "Grosse Pointe Blank" soundtrack because of its sheer awesomeness. (Yep, that's a word. I just consulted a dictionary -- one which happens to exist solely in my mind.... But who cares? So what?)

2. The Grouch & Eligh feat. Gift of Gab and Pigeon John - "All In"
A summer blockbuster if I ever did hear one. (I realize it's still winter here in the Northland, but a man can dream, can't he?) A nod to Gift of Gab's pop-trumps-all Mighty Underdogs supergroup, perhaps?

3. Jack Splash - "Sly Stone, Part 2"
While I rarely stray far into mainstream-rap territory, I'm willing to make an exception for the gifted-as-can-be Jack Splash (who has A-list hip-hop supporters like Kanye West).

4. The Grates - "Carve Your Name"
Not since the Pixies' triumphant "Surfer Rosa" album has radio-ready college music rocked so hard and so fast. To such great heights this song will elevate you.

5. The SuperTacks - "The Top of Your World"
I've been on quite a Journey kick of late, so this Northland anthem (whose Ryan Van Slooten just released a phenomenal new solo album, "All But My Soul") really struck me as "should be heard by the masses, mullets in tow or not."

6. Steve Perry - "Strung Out"
Yes, that Steve Perry.

7. U2 - "Big Girls are Best"
From the Target-exclusive "7" EP comes what is quite possibly U2's best song. And I'm not even kidding here: Great tune, great lyrics, great ... everything.

8. Nash Kato - "Zooey Suicide" [Acoustic vers.]
A rare (but why, Nash?) version of the Urge Overkill frontman's stellar solo single. Well worth seeking out.

9. The Waxwings - "Never So Clear"
Another one of the million-odd Brendan Benson-supported rock groups I hold near and dear to my ear(s).

10. The Smashing Pumpkins - "Sinfony"
A nice little instrumental piece from "Earphoria" before ...

11. Spoon - "The Mystery Zone"
... yet another immortal track from the current titans of indie rock. Austin, Texas, sure is one blessed little town.

12. Hell on Wheels - "One Sperm Across Your Heart"
An interesting choice for a song title to be sure, but, with a sound straight out of the GrndNtl Brnds playbook, who's to argue with these silly, Mike Watt and Evan Dando-referencing Swedes?

13. Caviar - "Flawed Like a Diamond"
Pure pop bliss. Man, I love music. And my job. And my life. And my girl. And my home. And my entourage. (Umm....)

See, that's the kind of reaction you'll get from Caviar too, so listen up!

14. BombPop - "Sugar Coated"
Similarly, listening to the blissed-out BombPop is a joyous occasion. I wonder what ever happened to these guys.

15. Mono Puff - "Hillbilly Drummer Girl"
A bit on the silly side, but, considering Mono Puff is John Flansburgh from They Might Be Giants, maybe this is 100 percent the true story of a hillbilly drummer girl?

16. Zipthunk! - "Daddy Girl"
Pointy green things and a dancer who's allergic to clothes from Atlanta? Zipthunk! knows how to party!

17. Atmosphere - "Good Daddy"
Such a sweet song ... until the last line.

18. Compulsion - "It's Great"
Makes me wish I could do more than write about music. Wouldn't it be cool to jump on any of the Twin Ports' many fine stages and have this fiery guitar part crackling out of your amplifier? I think so.

19. Ultrababyfat - "Twist"
If David Cross lets these guys open shows for him, you know they're worth your time.

20. The Posies - "Start a Life"
Get past the sleepy intro and you're in for quite a treat.

21. Self - "Glued to the Girl"
Somehow this song's utter brilliance had escaped me until just a few weeks ago. I should've had this one on repeat a long, long time ago.

22. Ben Lee - "Catch My Disease"
If your disease is ______ _____, then I'm already there, Benjamin.

23. fun. - "I Wanna Be the One"
No more tears: The magic that was the Format is back with fun., and fun. will be in Duluth early next month. How's that for good news, my friends?

Thus concludes your sixty-sixth dose of SHAKE*YOUR*SHORES, the awesome mix tape series formerly known as "Don't Tell a Soul." I hope you enjoyed yourself.