Monday, August 30, 2010

Mix Tape Appreciation Society No. 4 :: AN EXQUISITELY OBSERVED CHARACTER STUDY


Here lies a mix tape. Treat her like you'd treat one of your sister's friends. 


... Umm, what?


Exactly.



1. Nada Surf - "Electrocution" (Bill Fox cover)
After the "Popular" fallout, only diehards like yours truly believed in this group. I went to see these guys at the University of Minnesota's Whole Club in college and the only write-up City Pages could muster about the show was a short blurb about opener Sondre Lerche (who was a no-namer at the time). It was sad, but thankfully Nada Surf persevered; because of this, our ears have been blessed with a string of consistently entertaining albums.

2. Ryan Adams - "To Be Young (Is to Be Sad, Is to Be High)"
When I first saw Ryan Adams on a late-night show (most likely Conan), I misheard the host. I thought I was witnessing a drugged-out Bryan Adams being interviewed (I somehow missed the performance part). I was so upset about what a poseur "Bryan Adams" had become that when I showed up for my shift at Disc Go Round the next day I was still bitching about the whole sad affair. Man, was I an idiot.

3. Street Sweeper Social Club - "Paper Planes" (M.I.A. cover)
For the uninitiated, SSSC = Boots Riley from the Coup + Rage/Audioslave's Tom Morello. And, like most of their tracks together, this cover is freaking amazing. (Yes, so amazing that I decided to resurrect freaking.... ha ha ha)

4. The Very Best - "Kamphopo"
Afropop at its finest.

5. Beyond (Musab) - "Sunny Days"
Ever wonder what Musab song Slug was referencing on Atmosphere's unforgettable summer anthem "Sunshine"? Here 'tis.

6. Sean Bones - "Let's Do Something Else"
... As long as it involves Canadian brews. (Is it just me, or is Labatt Blue the best cheap lager on the planet?)

7. All Smiles (aka Jim Fairchild of Grandaddy) - "I Was Never the One"
I love everything Jim Fairchild does. He is quite a visionary musician. That said, this one sounds a little like Blitzen Trapper. This isn't a bad thing. Just saying. ... In other words, I just needed something to write here.

8. Chad VanGaalen - "Bones of Man"
Not to sound like I'm stuck on repeat, but ... I love everything Chad VanGaalen does. He is quite a visionary musician. That said, this one sounds a little like Mason Jennings' "Blood of Man." This isn't a bad thing. Just saying, it's a little coincidental.

Let's see, what's a non-creepy way to say I'm completely obsessed with this "femcee" from Chicago? There probably isn't one, so I'll just say this: You will be too after you download this fiery track, which is off her latest worth-every-segment-of-memory free MP3 album, "Woman at Work, Vol. 3."

My friend told me I would dig this band. I didn't, really ... but that's not saying you won't!

11. Cage feat. Aesop Rock, El-P, etc. - "Left It to Us"
Another riveting track from Def Jux's elusive Weathermen collective.

12. The Ataris - "Song for a Mix Tape"
Since they spelled it right in the title (not to mention name-checking Built to Spill in the song), I figured, Why not include it on a mix tape?

An entire live album for free? I can get behind this.

Damn you, Percy Jackson. Ever since I mistakenly saw "The Lightning Thief" in the theater (don't worry, I paid nothing for the experience), the once-intriguing Medusa has just been ruined for me. What a lame piece of s--- that movie was....

15. The Killers - "This River is Wild"
Hey, did you hear Brandon Flowers is putting out a solo disc? Can you also guess who's going to get it on release day and not be embarrassed one bit? This guy!

16. The Posies - "Licenses to Hide" [LISTEN HERE]
From the triumphant "comeback" (not that they ever went anywhere) album "Blood/Candy," which will be released in September by Ryko. This single features guest vocals from Lisa Lobsinger (lead singer of Reverie Sound Revue and one of Broken Social Scene's 12 million vocalists).

17. Wilco with Billy Bragg - "At My Window Sad and Lonely"
I think even residents of the Chicago group's other second homes would've been jealous when the group played a foggy lakeside show here in Duluth at Bayfront Festival Park with hometown heroes Low. I really haven't gone to too many concerts since then. They all pale in comparison.

18. The Watson Twins - "Human"
Ah, yes, fellows devotees of "The Mac."

19. Rob Zombie - "Virgin Witch"
Don't ask, or: It's A-OK to stay in touch with your inner teenager.

Got ADD? Self-medicate (more like exacerbate the problem...) with Girl Talk.

21. The Gay Blades - "Try to Understand"
In totally unrelated news, I just finished enjoying Chuck Klosterman's first novel, "Downtown Owl." If you know how to read (and I'm assuming you do...), I highly recommend this addicting look into small-town North Dakota life. In the '80s, no less. (By the way, in even-more-unrelated news, the first big interview of my career was with Chuck. My writing professor at the time, Deneen Gilmour, had worked with him at the Fargo Forum and urged me to pursue the interview. It wasn't that hard, as she provided me with his e-mail address and phone number. I am forever grateful.)

22. The Roots feat. Jim James - "Dear God 2.0"
I'll admit, I was a little disappointed with Yim Yames' George Harrison tribute disc, but he totally redeemed himself with all the work he did on Ben Sollee and Daniel Martin Moore's gorgeous "Dear Companion." The verdict's still out on this collaboration, though, I'm afraid.



Even though he hasn't had a regular radio gig since he was the program manager at Thunder Web Radio (now KDSU) in Fargo, Budgeteer editor Matthew R. Perrine likes to make mix tapes like he's going to play them on the air someday. This here Mix Tape Appreciation Society is a continuation of SHAKE*YOUR*SHORES, the awesome mix tape series formerly known as "Don't Tell a Soul." Enjoy!

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

'Apocalypse Now' coming to Blu-ray Oct. 19

I know this isn't a music release, but it's too big to pass up:



  
Often hailed as "one of the greatest of all films" (Chicago Sun-Times), the iconic film about the hell of war that has captivated audiences for decades features an all-star critically acclaimed cast that includes Marlon Brando (The Godfather), Martin Sheen (TV's "The West Wing"), (Crazy Heart), Dennis Hopper (Easy Rider), Harrison Ford (The Indiana Jones series) and Laurence Fishburne (The Matrix Trilogy).  This highly anticipated Blu-ray Disc premieres in 1080P High Definition Widescreen in two deluxe-edition releases: a 3-Disc Full Disclosure Edition and a 2-Film Set.  Also for the first time, these movies will be presented for home entertainment audiences in their original theatrical aspect ratios (2.35:1).   Nominated for eight Academy Awards® (1979) including Best Picture, Apocalypse Now is also a highlight on the AFI's list of 100 Years...100 Movies.

Both Blu-ray versions contain Apocalypse Now and Apocalypse Now Redux with more than nine hours of bonus material including new interviews with on-screen and behind-the-scenes talent.  The 3-Disc Full Disclosure Edition will include the acclaimed making-of feature documentary Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker's Apocalypse - packaged with the original film for the first time - as well as even more brand new bonus features. In addition, this version features a 48-page collectible booklet with a special note from Francis Ford Coppola, never-before-seen archives from the set, behind the scenes photos and more! The Full Disclosure Edition will be packaged in a keepsake case featuring archival poster images designed by Japanese artist Eiko Ishioka.  Exploding onto shelves on October 19, 2010, the Apocalypse Now 3-Disc Full Disclosure Edition will be available for $59.99 and the Apocalypse Now 2-Film Set will retail for $39.99.

SYNOPSIS
In the Vietnam War epic, Martin Sheen stars as Army Captain Willard, a troubled man sent on a dangerous top-secret mission into Cambodia to assassinate a rogue Green Beret, Col. Kurtz (Brando), who has barricaded himself in a remote outpost. As Willard ventures deeper and deeper into the wilderness of the jungle, he embarks on a strange journey that leads him to Kurtz - but also forces him to come face to face with the terrifying vision of the heart of darkness in us all.

2-FILM SET BLU-RAY DISC SPECIAL FEATURES*
· Apocalypse Now and Apocalypse Now Redux - presented in 1080P High Definition
     Widescreen, in their original 2.35:1 theatrical aspect ratios and new 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio
· NEW "A Conversation with Martin Sheen and Francis Ford Coppola"
· NEW "An Interview with John Milius" interview by Francis Ford Coppola
· NEW "Fred Roos: Casting Apocalypse" featurette
· NEVER-BEFORE-SEEN Complete Francis Ford Coppola interview with Roger Ebert at the 2001 Cannes Film Festival
· NEW TO THIS EDITION Original 1938 Mercury Theatre Radio Reading of "Heart of Darkness" featuring Orson Welles
· Monkey Sampan "lost scene"
· Additional Scenes
· "Destruction of the Kurtz Compound" end credits with audio commentary by Francis Ford Coppola
·  "The Hollow Men," video of Marlon Brando reading T.S. Eliot's poem
· "The Birth of 5.1 Sound" featurette
· "Ghost Helicopter Flyover" sound effects demonstration
· "A Million Feet of Film: The Editing of Apocalypse Now" featurette
· "The Music of Apocalypse Now" featurette
· "The Synthesizer Soundtrack" article by music synthesizer inventor Bob Moog
· "Heard Any Good Movies Lately? The Sound Design of Apocalypse Now" featurette
· "The Final Mix" featurette
· "Apocalypse Then and Now" featurette
·  "The Color Palette of Apocalypse Now" featurette
· "PBR Streetgang" featurette
· "The Color Palette of Apocalypse Now" featurette
*Subject to change

3-DISC FULL DISCLOSURE EDITION BLU-RAY DISC SPECIAL FEATURES*
· Apocalypse Now and Apocalypse Now Redux - presented in 1080P High Definition Widescreen, in their original 2.35:1 theatrical aspect ratios and new 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio
· INCLUDED ONLY ON THE FULL DISCLOSURE EDITION Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker's Apocalypse, including optional audio commentary with Eleanor and Francis Ford Coppola - first time in 1080P High Definition
· EXCLUSIVE TO EDITION 48-page collectible printed booklet with special note from Francis Ford Coppola, never-before-seen archives from the set, behind the scenes photos and more!
· EXCLUSIVE TO EDITION John Milius Script Excerpt with Francis Ford Coppola Notes
· EXCLUSIVE TO EDITION Storyboard Gallery
· EXCLUSIVE TO EDITION Photo Gallery, including images from photographer Mary Ellen Mark
· EXCLUSIVE TO EDITION Marketing Archive
· NEW "A Conversation with Martin Sheen and Francis Ford Coppola"
· NEW "An Interview with John Milius" interview by Francis Ford Coppola
· NEW "Fred Roos: Casting Apocalypse" featurette
· NEVER-BEFORE-SEEN Complete Francis Ford Coppola interview with Roger Ebert at the 2001 Cannes Film Festival
· NEW TO THIS EDITION Original 1938 Mercury Theatre Radio Reading of "Heart of Darkness" featuring Orson Welles
· Monkey Sampan "lost scene"
· Additional Scenes
· "Destruction of the Kurtz Compound" end credits with audio commentary by Francis Ford Coppola
· "The Hollow Men," video of Marlon Brando reading T.S. Eliot's poem
· "The Birth of 5.1 Sound" featurette
· "Ghost Helicopter Flyover" sound effects demonstration
· "A Million Feet of Film: The Editing of Apocalypse Now" featurette
· "The Music of Apocalypse Now" featurette
· "The Synthesizer Soundtrack" article by music synthesizer inventor Bob Moog
· "Heard Any Good Movies Lately? The Sound Design of Apocalypse Now" featurette
· "The Final Mix" featurette
· "Apocalypse Then and Now" featurette
· "The Color Palette of Apocalypse Now" featurette
· "PBR Streetgang" featurette
· "The Color Palette of Apocalypse Now" featurette
· *Subject to change

WRITTEN BY
John Milius                                            Jaws, Red Dawn, HBO's "Rome," Dirty Harry
and Francis Ford Coppola                   Tetro, The Godfather Trilogy, The Conversation, The Great Gatsby, Patton

DIRECTED BY
Francis Ford Coppola                          Tetro, The Godfather Trilogy, The Conversation, The Outsiders

CAST                                                                     
Marlon Brando                                     The Godfather, On the Waterfront, Superman, The Wild One, A Streetcar Named Desire
Robert Duvall                                        Crazy Heart, The Road, Sling Blade, Network, The Godfather, The Godfather: Part II
Martin Sheen                                        TV's "The West Wing," The Departed, Bobby, The American President
Frederic Forrest                                   The Rose, The Conversation, Valley Girl, Tucker: The Man and His Dream, Music Box
Albert Hall                                             TV's "Men of a Certain Age," TV's "Ally McBeal," Malcolm X, Devil in a Blue Dress
Sam Bottoms                                         The Last Picture Show, TV's "East of Eden," Seabiscuit, SherryBaby, Bronco Billy
Laurence Fishburne                            TV's "CSI," The Matrix Trilogy, Mission Impossible III, Mystic River, The Color Purple
Christian Marquand                             The Longest Day, Lord Jim, The Flight of the Phoenix, ...And God Created Woman
Aurore Clement                                   A Private Affair, Love Comedy, Mon Homme, The Captive, Tender Souls
Harrison Ford                                       The Indiana Jones series, The Fugitive, Regarding Henry, Witness, The Star Wars Trilogy
and Dennis Hopper                             Easy Rider, TV's "Crash," Speed, True Romance, Hoosiers, Blue Velvet

PROGRAM INFORMATION
Year of Production: 1979, 2000
Title Copyright:
Apocalypse Now: © 1979 Omni Zoetrope. All Rights Reserved.
Apocalypse Now Redux: © 2000 Zoetrope Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker's Apocalypse: © 1991 ZM Productions. TM, ® and © by Paramount Pictures. All Rights Reserved.
Type: Blu-ray Disc Premiere
Rating:
Apocalypse Now: R
Apocalypse Now Redux: R for disturbing images, language, sexual content and some drug use.
Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker's Apocalypse: R for language.
Genre: War / Thriller / Drama
Closed Captioned: English SDH
Subtitles:  English, Spanish and French
Format: Apocalypse Now, Apocalypse Now Redux - 1080P High Definition 16x9 Widescreen (2.35:1)
Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker's Apocalypse: 4x3 Full Screen (1.37:1)
Feature Running Time: 2-Film Set: 355 minutes
Full Disclosure Edition: 451 minutes
Blu-ray Audio Status:  5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio

Source: Brigade Marketing

The Posies playing shows with Brendan Benson? Almost too good to be true!

THE POSIES CO-HEADLINE WITH BRENDAN BENSON

FOR U.S. FALL TOUR IN SUPPORT OF BLOOD/CANDY OUT SEPT 28 ON RYKO

The Posies Members Jon Auer and Ken Stringfellow Also Play on Brendan Benson’s Set

BLOOD/CANDY Album Release Show in NYC Sells Out in Two Hours

The Posies announce their U.S. Fall 2010 tour with co-headliner Brendan Benson and opening act Aqueduct, in support of their upcoming album BLOOD/CANDY on Ryko. Kicking off in Milwaukee on November 5th and wrapping up in their hometown of Seattle on December 11th, the tour spans over 20 major U.S. cities and immediately follows their European tour which begins September 28, the same day BLOOD/CANDY will be available nationwide.

 The Posies’ founders, Jon Auer and Ken Stringfellow, will also join Brendan Benson’s set contributing bass, guitar, keyboards and backing vocals.  Both Jon and Ken have a remarkable knack for interchanging their musical roles and are active members with other bands. They have lent their production and musical contributions to a myriad of artists including R.E.M., Snow Patrol, Big Star, the Minus 5, Bob Mould, Neil Young, the Disciplines, John Wesley Harding and William Shatner.

Prior to their full-fledged international tour, The Posies will perform the first live set of BLOOD/CANDY at their official album release show in New York City. Once fans were notified about the event, all the seats were sold within two hours.  The sold-out show will be held at The Rock Shop in Brooklyn on September 23rd. 

BLOOD/CANDY is the band’s first album in five years and a testament to the band’s evolving sound, boasting melodic hooks, provocative lyrics and intricate layers of instrumentation that blend far-out, spacey sounds with sophisticated hues.  Spin.com calls BLOOD/CANDY a “nuanced, playful romp” with an “adventurous attitude,” and The Huffington Post states “depending on how you want to hear it, it’s a brilliant return to form or a daring move forward.” The band produced most of the album and teamed up with artists from Broken Social Scene, The Stranglers and Letters To Cleo for a variety of guest collaborations.

Tour schedule is posted below and was exclusively announced on Brooklyn Vegan. More dates will be announced shortly, please visit www.theposies.net and www.myspace.com/theposies for most up-to-date schedule.


THE POSIES TOUR DATES

Blood/Candy NYC Album Release Show
Sept. 23 Thu @ Rock Shop, Brooklyn, NY

 2010 European Tour Dates
Sept. 28  @ Sala Stereo, Murcia, Spain
Sept. 30  @ Heineken, Madrid, Spain
Oct. 1  @ Wah Wah, Valencia, Spain
Oct. 2  @ Fun Festival, Sant Vincenç dels Horts ES 1, SPAIN
Oct. 4  @ Divan du Monde, Paris, France
Oct. 5  @ Garage, London, UK
Oct. 6  @ Trix, Antwerp, Belgium
Oct. 7  @ Botanique Orangerie, Brussels, Belgium
Oct. 8  @ Kazerne Fonck, Liege, Belgium
Oct. 9  @ Melkweg Sugar Factory, Amsterdam, Holland
Oct. 10  @ Vera, Groningen, Holland
Oct. 12  @ Tivoli de Helling, Utrecht, Holland
Oct. 13  @ Gleis 22, Munster, Germany
Oct. 14  @ Comet Club, Berlin, Germany
Oct. 15  @ Silber Club, Hamburg, Germany
Oct. 17  @ Inkonst, Malmo, Sweden
Oct. 19  @ Debaser Slussen, Stockholm, Sweden
Oct. 20  @ Sticky Fingers, Gothenburg, Sweden
Oct. 21  @ John Dee, Oslo, Norway
Oct. 22 @ Kvarteret, Bergen, Norway
Oct. 23 @ Blaest, Trondheim, Norway
Oct. 25 @ Tavastia, Helsinki, Finland
Oct. 26  @ Klubi, Turku, Finland

2010 U.S. Tour Dates w/ Brendan Benson
Nov. 5 Fri. @ Turner Hall Ballroom, Milwaukee, WI
Nov. 6 Sat. @ Bottom Lounge, Chicago, IL
Nov. 7, Sun @ Southgate House, Newport, KY
Nov. 9 Tues. @ The Majestic Theatre, Detroit, MI
Nov. 10 Wed.@ Outland Live, Columbus, OH
Nov. 11 Thu. @ Mr. Small's Theatre, Millvale, PA
Nov. 12 Fri. @ Water Street Music Hall, Rochester, NY
Nov. 13 Sat. @ The Highline Ballroom, New York, NY
Nov. 14 Sun. @ The Trocadero Theater, Philadelphia, PA
Nov. 16 Tues. @ Royale, Boston, MA
Nov. 17 Wed. @ 9:30 Club, Washington, DC
Nov. 18 Thu. @ Cat's Cradle, Carrboro, NC
Nov. 19 Fri. @ Exit/In, Nashville, TN
Nov. 20 Sat @ The Loft, Atlanta, GA
Nov. 21 Sun. @ Minglewood Hall, Memphis, TN
Nov. 24 Wed. @ Granada Theater, Dallas, TX (No Brendan Benson)
Nov. 26 Fri. @ La Zona Rosa, Austin, TX
Nov. 27 Sat. @ The Argentum, Houston, TX
Dec. 1 Wed. @ Gothic Theatre, Englewood, CO
Dec. 3 Fri. @ Club Nokia @ LA Live, Los Angeles, CA
Dec. 5 Sun. @ The Independent, San Francisco, CA
Dec. 8 Wed. @ Aladdin Theater, Portland, OR
Dec. 11 Sat. @ Showbox at the Market, Seattle, WA

Source: Ryko Group

Monday, August 23, 2010

Mix Tape Appreciation Society No. 3 :: AMBITION KNOWS NO FATHER


Here lies a mix tape. Plays its contents at maximum volume.



1. Musab (Beyond) - "In My World"
Rhymesayers' most unfairly ignored MC?

2. Uffie - "Difficult"
"Don't worry if I write rhymes, I write checks."

3. Sticks N Stones - "Is it You?"
Brash garage rock from (not really) way back when. The Trashmen would be so proud.

4. The John Butler Trio - "Better Than"
A little "pop folk" never hurt anybody. Kind of catchy, if you ask me.

5. Backyard Tire Fire - "Ready or Not"
I was told to listen to this group by Cracker's whip-smart guitarist, Johnny Hickman, during an interview. I did, and I'm glad. "Modern rock" doesn't have to be a credibility death wish anymore.

6. Saint Anyway - "I'll Never Be the Same"
From my interview with Saint Anyway, everybody's favorite banjo-wielding (formerly from) Cloquet duo: Tony (Petersen) wrote this track on a ukulele in the back of Saint Anyway's crumbling-apart tour van — which has been lovingly dubbed “Emmylou” — while waiting for Jamie (Kallestad) to get done in a coffee shop. He was envisioning what it’d be like to be dumped by his girl and how that could forever change him.

A well-advised attempt to keep us hardcore fans calm while we wait for masterpiece No. 2 from this Australian "band" to drop. (The group is currently clearing samples for it. Damn laws....)

8. Hot Hot Heat - "21@12" (alt. vers.)
Single of the year? Most likely.

9. Girl Talk - "Give Me a Beat"
The more I listen to "Feed the Animals" (which has been quite frequently of late), the more I'm starting to think having ADD is A-OK these days. No fear, Gregg Gillis is here....

By the way, if you're looking for music geek fun tonight, check out that album's immense source material list.

10. Z-Trip feat. Slug and Lateef the Truthspeaker - "On My Side"
Not the most exciting Z-Trip composition, but Atmosphere's frontman has yet to let me down.

11. Black Kids - "I've Underestimated My Charms (Again)"
The best Bowie song never written and conceived by the Thin White Duke?

12. Gnarls Barkley - "Whatever"
Simply hilarious. (And, yet, catchy at the same time!)

13. Ed Harcourt - "Do as I Say, Not as I Do" (radio edit)
Don't ask me how I know this, but Zach Braff rolls around in his gold coins to this one.(Yes, like Scrooge McDuck.)

14. The Plus Ones - "Serve in Heaven/Rule in Hell"
For fans of Guided by Voices' most accessible recordings.

15. Nina Nastasia - "Moves Away"
So dreary ... don't attempt to listen to this one if you're having a good day. It will just bring you down.

16. Ee - "One Less Year"
Utterly beautiful. Download now.

17. Built to Spill - "Come Over"
The ad genuises over at BTS somehow took a really sick "Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!" bit and made it into an undeniable classic.

18. The Hold Steady - "Hurricane J"
Remember what I said about Backyard Tire Fire and "modern rock." Same goes here.

19. Bob Dylan - "One Too Many Mornings" (Live in Manchester 1966)
From that oh-so-infamous show: "Judas!" "I don't believe you."

Is it just me, or does Sam Wattrus, the creative force behind this up-and-coming Duluth act, sound like America's answer to Sondre Lerche?

21. The New Amsterdams - "A Beacon in Beige"
In case you're not a diehard fan of the Kansas indie rock scene: The guy behind this group, Matthew Pryor, is also the voice of the Get Up Kids. It's great stuff.

I don't, but I love this song. Something tells me the Mighty K.C. would too.

23. The Subways - "Kalifornia"
Miss "Volcano Girls"-era Veruca Salt (the band)? These Ash-worshiping, high-flying youngsters are just what you need then ... I reckon.



Even though he hasn't had a regular radio gig since he was the program manager at Thunder Web Radio (now KDSU) in Fargo, Budgeteer editor Matthew R. Perrine likes to make mix tapes like he's going to play them on the air someday. This here Mix Tape Appreciation Society is a continuation of SHAKE*YOUR*SHORES, the awesome mix tape series formerly known as "Don't Tell a Soul." Enjoy!

Donavon Frankenreiter readies new album 'Glow' (street date Oct. 5)

Donavon Frankenreiter Creates His Own Label, Liquid Tambourine Records
New Album, Glow, Out October 5th
Singer/songwriter/pro surfer Donavon Frankenreiter is set to release his fourth album, Glow, October 5th on his own label, Liquid Tambourine Records (through Warner Music Group's Independent Label Group). Frankenreiter has been a busy man this summer; he just wrapped up a Verizon & Samsung sponsored two month tour of the East Coast, where he hit up nearly every surf town between Florida and Maine. Frankenreiter also played Mile High Festival in Denver, check out his Spin.com interview from the festival. He also played the ORC Summer Market Convention in Salt Lake City in August, after the Unified Bouldering Championships. He even had some time to stop by Zappos headquarters to answer some customer service calls and play a couple songs to to entertain the Zappos staff and support his sponsor, Sanuk sandals. Frankenreiter is currently climbing and performing on Mt. Fuji in Japan as part of the Love Hope Strength Foundation's Mt Fuji Rocks.
Frankenreiter documented the entire tour in a video blog segment he called the Mustache Manifesto, which all live on his website. In addition to daily manifestos, Frankenreiter held a surf camp in Asbury Park, NJ for members of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Monmouth County that was filmed by the Asbury Park Press. He also met up with the Immaculate Infatuation crew in Montauk and spent a day surfing and learning how to make fish tacos with Top Chef alum and Surf Lodge executive chef Sam Talbot.
"Glow," the title track and first single off the new album, is off to a fast start at radio. It's getting a great reaction and a plethora of Triple A stations have been spinning the record early, including KTVZ/Minneapolis, WCOO/Charleston, WXPK/White Plains, KRPI/San Diego, KBCO/Denver and WXPN/Philadelphia among others. "Glow" is positive and uplifting. Riding a sweet, syncopated acoustic strum, the song swells into a beautiful chorus as Frankenreiter sings, "I want to see you glow/I want to see your daylight shining all around your heart."
When Donavon Frankenreiter was 10 years old, he got his first surfboard. Six years later, he picked up his first guitar. It was the beginning of a wildly creative journey: His improvisational twin obsessions have carried him around the globe and into his fans' hearts. As Frankenreiter prepares to release his fourth album, Glow, this fall, the 37-year-old singer/songwriter/pro surfer admits he still thrives on simply taking the plunge. "We don't have a set show, if we did, I would go crazy," he says. "You never know what's going to happen. I love that element of surprise with music and surfing — you never catch the same wave twice."
When good pal Jack Johnson was starting up Brushfire Records, he offered Frankenreiter a shot, producing his first album of folk songs — including the hit "Free" — along with famed Beastie Boys collaborator Mario Caldato, Jr. Frankenreiter followed his 2004 self-titled debut with a full-band record, 2006's Move by Yourself (Lost Highway), where he plugged in and chronicled his life on the road. Joe Chiccarelli (The White Stripes, My Morning Jacket) produced 2008 disc Pass It Around, which featured guests Ben Harper and G. Love, and marked a major musical turning point for Frankenreiter: "The first time I started working with other writers." He kept up the spirit of collaboration on 2010's Revisited, a track-by-track reinterpretation of his debut disc through a Hawaiian lens. After relocating to Kauai fulltime with his wife and sons Ozzy and Hendrix three years ago, Frankenreiter became enamored with the sounds of the islands. "It started off with ukulele and my voice and [guitarist] Kirk Smart added slack key guitar, lap steel, and everything else, and it just kind of grew from there," he says. "It's really neat to hear an alternative version of what happened seven years ago."
Revisited proved a fascinating challenge, but Frankenreiter hasn't spent the last year focused on the past. And as soon as he got into a room with producer Mark Weinberg, he knew he'd found the perfect partner for Glow. "I wrote 'Keeping Me Away From You' with Mark the first time I ever met him in 30 minutes," Frankenreiter says of the warm, wistful mid-tempo track. "He looked at me and went, 'Wow, that was quick.' I asked, 'Does that normally happen?' " They recorded the entire album over three days at California's Pulse Studios, utilizing a band of crack players to amp up the original acoustic arrangements into gorgeously polished chill-out rock with U2-esque guitar flourishes ("Shadows"), lush strings ("Keeping Me Away From You"), and bluesy organ wails ("Hold On").
In true Donavon Frankenreiter fashion, there's little room for stress on Glow. The album's 10 tracks are the perfect antidote to trying times: warm, organic, and overwhelmingly hopeful. And Frankenreiter is ready to bring the new tracks to his international fanbase as he continues to crisscross the globe on more surfing and musical adventures. "If there's anything I learned, it's that you really gotta be yourself," he says, reflecting on his career. "You can't fool people in music if you want to stick around for a long time."

Source: Independent Label Group

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Jayhawks' Mark Olson to grace Minneapolis, Grand Rapids, Duluth and Madison

MARK OLSON ENLISTS BUZZWORTHY BANDS AS TOUR OPENERS
JAYHAWKS LEGENDARY CO-FOUNDER INVITES RISING ARTISTS TO JOIN VARIOUS TOUR DATES
US TOUR BEGINS END OF AUGUST AS NEW RYKO CD MANY COLORED KITE GARNERS ACCLAIM
OLSON TO KEYNOTE 23RD ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL FOLK ALLIANCE IN MEMPHIS 2011
"Mark Olson, founding member of the Jayhawks, has the autonomy and musical prowess to defy that unnecessary descriptive clause that often comes after his name..."--American Songwriter Magazine
Cory Chisel, Breathe Owl Breathe, Backyard Tire Fire, Vandaveer and Ivan & Aloyosha are among the buzzworthy bands invited to join renowned Jayhawks’ founder Mark Olson on his upcoming US tour beginning August 27th in Los Angeles. Olson will perform songs from his just- released Ryko album, Many Colored Kite, the impressive follow-up to his solo debut Salvation Blues.  Both releases have garnered much praise from media and industry alike. The singer/songwriter will be joined on his acoustic tour by musical collaborator and girlfriend Ingun Ringvold, who co-wrote two songs on Many Colored Kite.  Olson is expected to perform songs from his Jayhawks’ years as well.
It was also just announced that Folk Alliance International has asked Olson to join David Bromberg as a keynote speaker at the 23rd Annual International Folk Alliance 2011 convention which will take place from February 16-20th 2011 in Memphis, TN. The International Folk Alliance conference is one of the largest annual music conferences in North America and draws together musicians and music industry professionals from around the world to share ideas, network, and celebrate traditional music and dance.   Past keynote speakers have included Byrds' founding member, Roger McGuinn and folk legend Buffy Sainte-Marie.
A musical innovator who began his career as part of the alternative rock and folk band scene from the Midwest, Mark Olson was an instant critics' darling.  His early work with the Jayhawks as well as with Victoria Williams resulted in some of the best musical moments of that era and earned him lasting respect within the alternative music community.  It is with this sense of community and commitment to helping bands that Olson chose to offer opening slots to these young artists as part of his tour.
“I’m really looking forward to playing with these bands. They’re all so good. I can’t wait to get started,” expresses Mark Olson.
Named one of Rolling Stone’s “Best New Artists” of 2009, Wisconsin folk-rocker Cory Chisel made his major-label debut with Death Won’t Send A Letter in the fall of last year with a dark and urgent rock and roll vision.  It takes a romantic albeit gutsy stance on the meaning of love and spirituality, as the songs seek to make sense of the world outside and human desires within C reconciling the call of the road and a longing for home, literally and figuratively. Death Won't Send A Letter, was produced by Joe Chiccarelli (The Shins, The White Stripes) and features members of The Raconteurs and My Morning Jacket.
In a Lincoln Log cabin in deep rural Michigan live and work Micah Middaugh, Trevor Hobbs, and Andréa Moreno-Beals. This is Breathe Owl Breathe. The trio's new album, Magic Central, is a timeless aural cartogram of feeling, souls, skill, and story, much of which was born out of experiences living at the cabin. (The cabin was built by Micah's grandfather, a radical preacher who traveled by dogsled.) For some time the cabin was Micah's home and print studio, but after Trevor and Andréa moved in, it slowly morphed into Magic Central - a place where there is no distinction between working, creating, songwriting, practicing and playing. Recorded throughout the winter in the cabin as Andréa traveled to and from Brazil (she is from Colombia), the album features themes of distance and proximity, chill and tropic, opera and grumble.

Backyard Tire Fire is building on the momentum of their new record Good to Be, which was produced by Grammy-winning Producer and member of Los Lobos, Steve Berlin.  For the band’s fifth full-length release, BTF have spread the stylistic court with a rich, ever-expanding palette of aural rock ’n’ roll colors and textures that tap into bouncy, Kinks-meet-Squeeze Brit pop-rock, Tom Petty-styled Southern rock, and Beatles-esque majesty. Good to Be has been the band’s most successful record to date, garnering coverage from a wide range of publications including Paste Magazine, Washington Post, PopMatters.com, My Old Kentucky Blog and Daytrotter.com.

            Vandaveer is Mark Charles Heidinger, a man who knows how to charm via the medium of song. His melodies are easy, welcoming and filled with splendor, and intelligent enough to be on the right side of radio-friendly. While humble, his folk is not twee or sappy. Divide & Conquer, Vandaveer's 2nd album, was released in 2009, aided and abetted by the angelic vocals of his good sister Rose. Here is the proof that you can be modest and commanding in the same breath.

Seattle's Ivan & Alyosha take their musical inspiration from vintage folk-pop. Formed in 2007, the band has gained traction following the release of their debut EP The Verse, The Chorus and a successful stop at SXSW 2010. NPR Music have been one of the first champions of the band. They picked Ivan & Alyosha as one of the Top 100 at SXSW and then selected the band's "Easy to Love" as NPR's Song of The Day in April. Most recently they invited I&A down to DC to tape an episode of their Tiny Desk Concerts, to be posted this fall. Ivan & Alyosha will release a new EP in October.


MARK OLSON SUMMER/FALL 2010 U.S. TOUR DATES08/27   Los Angeles, CA                    McCabe’s Guitar Shop w/ Ivan & Alyosha
09/07   San Francisco, CA                  Café du Nord w/ Ivan & Alyosha
09/09   Portland, OR                           Mississippi Studios w/ AA Bondy, Mike Coykendall, The Alialujah Choir
and Henry Wagons
09/10   Seattle, WA                            The Triple Door w/ Ivan & Alyosha
09/11   Bellingham, WA                     Green Frog Café Acoustic Tavern w/ Ivan & Alyosha
09/12   Minneapolis, MN                    Varsity Theater
09/13   Grand Rapids, MN                 KAXE Closing Tent              
09/14   Duluth, MN                            Pizza Luce w/ Cory Chisel
09/15   Madison, WI                           High Noon Saloon with Cory Chisel

09/16   Milwaukee, WI                       Club Garibaldi w/ Backyard Tire Fire
09/17   Chicago, IL                             Schuba’s w/ Cory Chisel
09/18   Louisville, KY                        The Rudyard Kipling w/ Vandaveer
09/19   St. Louis, MO                         The Old Rock House w/ Vandaveer
09/21   Easton, MD                             Nightcat w/ Vandaveer
09/22   Philadelphia, PA                     World Café Live w/ Vandaveer
09/23   Vienna, VA                             Jammin’ Java w/Vandaveer
09/24   New York, NY                        Joe’s Pub
09/25   Northampton, MA                   Iron Horse Music Hall w/ Breathe Owl Breathe
09/26   Cambridge, MA                       Club Passim w/ Breathe Owl Breathe
09/27   Portland, ME                          Online Longfellow Square w Vandaveer
09/28   Ithaca, NY                               Wildfire Lounge w/ Vandaveer
09/29   Brooklyn, NY                          The Rock Shop

Friday, August 13, 2010

Atmosphere - To All My Friends

Arcade Fire launching tour in Twin Cities

In the wake of The Suburbs' #1 chart debut, Arcade Fire has confirmed another leg of dates stretching from Minnesota to Mexico. 

The next installation of North American dates will begin September 22 at the Roy Wilkins Arena in St. Paul MN, swinging through western Canada, the pacific northwestern U.S., and California before concluding October 12 at Monterrey, Mexico's Banamex Theater.

The September-October shows will follow a current run of dates including a recent two-night stand at New York's Madison Square Garden (highlights of the second night can be seen at http://www.youtube.com/user/ArcadeFireVEVO, a headline set at Lollapalooza and an upcoming August 14 headline at Toronto's Olympic Island. Following that and prior to the band's return to North America, Arcade Fire will make a select number of UK and European appearances, including headline stands at the Reading and Leeds festivals in the UK.

See below for a full listing of dates and check back at arcadefire.com for information re: on sales, additional dates, support, etc.


ARCADE FIRE ON TOUR FALL 2010:

WED - 9/22/2010 - St. Paul, MN - Roy Wilkins Arena   
THU - 9/23/2010 - Winnipeg, MB - MTS Centre      
SAT - 9/25/2010 - Saskatoon, SK - Credit Union Centre   
SUN - 9/26/2010 - Calgary, AB - Stampede Corral      
TUE - 9/28/2010 - Vancouver, BC - Pacific Coliseum   
WED - 9/29/2010 - Seattle, WA - Key Arena   
THU - 9/30/2010 - Portland, OR - Memorial Coliseum   
SAT - 10/2/2010 - Berkeley, CA - Greek Theatre   
TUE - 10/5/2010 - Big Sur, CA - Henry Miller Library   
THU - 10/7/2010 - Los Angeles, CA - Shrine Auditorium   
FRI - 10/8/2010 - Los Angeles, CA - Shrine Auditorium       
SUN - 10/10/2010 - Mexico City (MX) - Palacio de los Deportes     
TUE - 10/12/2010 - Monterrey (MX) - Banamex Theater  



Source: Nasty Little Man

Monday, August 9, 2010

More deluxe Jimi Hendrix reissues coming Oct. 19!



Available Everywhere October 19, 2010

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Experience Hendrix LLC and Legacy Recordings proudly announce the second wave of releases in the monumental 2010 Jimi Hendrix Catalog Project, available October 19, 2010. Legacy's next round of titles from the artist Rolling Stone magazine called the greatest guitarist of all time will include deluxe editions of Jimi Hendrix Experience: BBC Sessions and Jimi Hendrix: Blues, his legendary Live At Woodstock performance, and Merry Christmas & A Happy New Year, the highly collectible Jimi Hendrix Christmas EP.
Originally released in 1994, the Jimi Hendrix: Blues album features 11 blues performances recorded by Hendrix between 1966 and 1970 showcasing the guitarist's mastery of the 12-bar form.  The new deluxe Legacy edition comes packaged in a six-panel digipak with an expanded, 36 page booklet and includes a bonus DVD featuring an expanded, 30 minute version of "Jimi Hendrix and the Blues" from the Martin Scorsese Presents The Blues series.  Directed and Produced by Alex Gibney, Janie Hendrix and John McDermott, the film features interviews and live performances not seen in the original PBS television broadcast.  A double-disc 12" vinyl LP audiophile edition of Jimi Hendrix: Blues will also be available.
The Legacy edition of Jimi Hendrix Experience: BBC Sessions brings together recordings from Hendrix's appearances on a variety of BBC radio and television broadcasts from 1967 through 1969.  The two CD Jimi Hendrix Experience: BBC Sessions comes packaged in a six-panel digipak and includes a never before released 30 minute bonus DVD documentary.  The film features the group’s famed January 1969 appearance on "Happening For Lulu" which featured Hendrix interrupting the live broadcast to perform a ferocious rendition of Cream’s “Sunshine Of Your Love” together with interviews with Jimi Hendrix Experience bandmates Mitch Mitchell and Noel Redding as well as BBC staff producers Jeff Griffin and Bernie Andrews detailing the legendary sessions.   The acclaimed 2 CD set includes Hendrix’s unique interpretations of such classics as Bob Dylan’s “Can You Please Crawl Out Your Window?,” Muddy Waters “Hoochie Coochie Man” [with noted British blues enthusiast Alexis Korner on slide guitar], the Beatles “Day Tripper” as well as two songs featuring the dream pairing of Stevie Wonder with Hendrix.  A single CD "best-of" the BBC Sessions as well as a three-disc 12" audiophile vinyl LP edition of the album will also be available.  Both the  2 CD and 3 LP BBC sets feature a previoulsy unreleased version of "Burning Of The Midnight Lamp" sourced from the August 24, 1967 of the Jimi Hendrix Experience on Top of The Tops.
Jimi Hendrix's watershed Live At Woodstock album, the artist's most popular live performance, will be reissued in a two CD set, available in both digipak and brilliant box configurations as well as an audiophile,  three-disc 12" vinyl LP edition.
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year, the Jimi Hendrix seasonal single, features the celebrated 1969 medley of “Little Drummer Boy,” “Silent Night,” and “Auld Lang Syne” backed with “Three Little Bears.”  Merry Christmas & Happy New Year will be reissued as a CD as well as on 7" vinyl in a picture sleeve.
The upcoming wave of 2010 Jimi Hendrix titles culminates in the long awaited release of West Coast Seattle Boy: The Jimi Hendrix Anthology, a definitive career-spanning four CD box set which tracks Hendrix’s remarkable journey from R&B sideman to international stardom.  The deluxe set is filled with previously unreleased Jimi Hendrix Experience recordings plus demos, alternate takes and more.  The newly curated and assembled Jimi Hendrix anthology will include a new Hendrix documentary directed by the Grammy award winning Bob Smeaton (Beatles Anthology, Festival Express, Beatles: The Studio Recordings).
Legacy's first round of Jimi Hendrix releases opened with the release of Valleys of Neptune, a long-awaited album of previously unavailable Jimi Hendrix studio recordings, which debuted on the Billboard 200 best-selling albums chart at #4 while four additional Hendrix catalog titles -- Are You Experienced (#44),  Electric Ladyland (#60),  First Rays of the New Rising Sun (#63), and Axis: Bold As Love (#67) -- rocketed back into the Billboard 200 four decades after their original release dates.  A testimony to the enduring vitality and importance of the trailblazing artist-guitarist-performer, Jimi Hendrix had five albums in America's Top 100 in March 2010.
"Jimi's music is as alive today as it was 40 years ago, and the success of our most recent releases with Sony Legacy provides thrilling confirmation.   We have long maintained that the power of Jimi's music and the power of his message would stand the test of time and provide its own bridge to the future," said Janie Hendrix, CEO of Experience Hendrix LLC.  "Being partnered with Legacy enables us to reach a more global audience with that message.  And the best is yet to come.  What we have in store will propel Jimi into a new decade, with unseen footage and unheard versions of his songs that will absolutely amaze today's music lovers.   And we're confident that the distribution is in good hands, opening the door to new and fresh markets.   The focus of our endeavors is, and always will be, all about Jimi's music."
"The partnership we've formed with Experience Hendrix to bring Jimi's music to new generations continues to be a potent one and the fan and critical response to our Jimi Hendrix catalog project is so gratifying ," said Adam Block, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Legacy Recordings. "The soul and spirit Jimi's music is truly universal, reaching across time with its eternal vitality, power and beauty." 

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About Legacy Recordings
The multiple Grammy-winning Legacy Recordings, Sony Music Entertainment's catalog division, produces and maintains the world's foremost catalog of historic reissues, an unparalleled compendium of thousands of digitally re-mastered archival titles representing virtually every musical genre including popular, rock, jazz, blues, R&B, folk, country, gospel, Broadway musicals, movie soundtracks, ethnic, world music, classical, comedy and more.

About Experience Hendrix L.L.C.
Founded by James 'Al' Hendrix, Jimi's father, in 1995, Experience Hendrix, has been managed since its inception by the family members handpicked by Al during his tenure as Chairman.   It is the official family company charged with managing the music, name, image and likeness of Jimi Hendrix. As a part of their daily operations, Experience Hendrix and Authentic Hendrix oversee Jimi's timeless legacy on a worldwide basis.

Source: Bob Merlis