Friday, October 30, 2009

Luke Doucet has posted a series of guitar lessons and stunning performance videos to YouTube


Acclaimed guitarist, songwriter and producer Luke Doucet has posted a series of guitar lessons and stunning performance videos to YouTube, shot at his Canadian home. He kicks off his East Coast tour today with Willy Porter in Atlanta. He will be performing solo.

Luke joined Sarah McLachlan's band at age 19, and the Toronto Star called him "the best young guitarist in the country." He has since gone on to release solo work including the highly praised 'Blood's Too Rich' (Six Shooter, 2008) as well as albums with rock band Veal, and also works as a producer.
The video series guest stars Luke's arsenal of guitars, featuring his vintage, well-loved Gretsch White Falcon.
Luke breaks down a complicated part on his tune "Buttercloud," including detailed fingering suggestions and other pointers, with close-ups, played on a Johnson steel guitar.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQisua8gARM
Watch Luke perform a stunning rendition of "Long Haul Driver" on the White Falcon:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W6-6DL8Ocu0

Tour dates:
10/29 - Decatur, GA - Eddie's Attic
10/31 - Charlotte, NC - Evening Muse
11/01 - Raleigh, NC - Slim's Downtown
11/05 - Vienna, VA - The Barns at Wolftrap*
11/06 - Montclair, NJ - Outpost in the Burbs*
11/07 - Cambridge, MA - Club Passim*
11/08 - Londonderry, NH - Tupelo Music Hall*
11/09 - Pittsfield, MA - Mission Bar w/Mia Dyson
11/10 - New York, NY - Joe's Pub*
11/11 - Philadelphia, PA - World Café Live*
11/12 - Norfolk, CT - Infinity Hall*
11/13 - Pittsburgh, PA - Club Café*
11/14 - Owning Mills, MD - Gordon Centre for Performing Arts*
11/18 - Milwaukee, WI - Shank Hall*
11/19 - Woodstock, IL - Odd Fellows*
11/20 - Evanston, IL - S.P.A.C.E.*
11/21 - Ann Arbor, MI - The Ark*
2/21-2/26 - Miami, FL - Cayamo Cruise w/ Melissa McClelland, Emmylou Harris, John Hiatt, Lyle Lovett, Steve Earle * w/Willy Porter

More Doucet guitar lessons:
http://www.youtube.com/sixshooterrecords

Photo Credit: Victor Tavares

BEBEL GILBERTO NORTH AMERICAN TOUR DATES CONFIRMED


VERVE DEBUT ALL IN ONE OUT NOW

PRODUCERS CARLINHOS BROWN, DIDI GUTMAN,
MARK RONSON, DANIEL JOBIM AND JOHN KING

“Bebel Gilberto comes on like a sultry breeze.”—People

Brazilian vocalist Bebel Gilberto will embark on a tour of North America beginning November 18 in Miami, which includes dates in New York on November 25 and Los Angeles on December 9 (please see reverse for a complete schedule). Her critically acclaimed new recording All In One is available nowon Verve. Known worldwide for her ability to connect modern sounds with the heart and soul of Brazilian music, the New York-born Gilberto focuses on the rhythms of her native country, devising a cosmopolitan yet classic sound with the help of a diverse group of collaborators, including Carlinhos Brown (Caetano Veloso), Didi Gutman (Brazilian Girls), Mark Ronson (Amy Winehouse), Daniel Jobim (grandson of Antonio Carlos Jobim) and John King (the Dust Brothers). The album is receiving critical acclaim from USA Today, The New York Times, Entertainment Weekly and Time Out New York, among others.

All In One perfectly expresses Gilberto’s interest in making music that feels romantic and fluid. In particular, “Chica Chica Boom Chic” stands out. The Carmen Miranda song is bolstered by Brown’s percussion heavy arrangements, which is a hallmark of traditional Brazilian music. Most of the record is sung in Portuguese, Bebel’s native language, and was conceived, developed and recorded in her home studio. Ronson produced the Stevie Wonder-penned “The Real Thing,” which was originally recorded by Sergio Mendes. The Menaham Street Band join Gilberto for the song. The singer performs a duet with Daniel Jobim (the grandson of bossa nova king Antonio Carlos Jobim) on “Bim Bom,” a song that was first recorded by her father, bossa nova legend João Gilberto.

Gilberto’s first recording was released in 1986 at age 20, but it wasn’t until she moved to London in the early `90s, where she became interested in pop and urban music, that she began to develop her trademark sound. With her international debut Tanto Tempo (2000), which helped spark a resurgence in American interest in Brazilian music and sold millions worldwide, Gilberto met with critical acclaim, enjoying global success with the hits “Batucada” and “Technova.” Her music reached listeners across genres, from world music and jazz to electronic and indie. Over the years Gilberto has collaborated with artists including David Byrne, Arto Lindsay, Amon Tobin, Thievery Corporation and Nina Miranda.


Bebel Gilberto Tour Dates


November 18 Miami, FL Fillmore

November 20 Atlanta, GA The Loft

November 22 Richmond, VA The National

November 23 Washington, DC 9:30 Club

November 25 New York, NY Hiro Ballroom

November 27 Boston, MA Paradise Rock Club

November 28 Montclair, NJ Wellmont Theater

November 29 Montreal, PQ L’Astral

November 30 Toronto, ON Sound Academy

December 2 Chicago, IL Park West

December 3 Minneapolis, MN The Dakota

December 5 Denver, CO Ogden

December 8 Solana Beach, CA Belly Up Tavern

December 9 Los Angeles, CA Henry Fonda

December 10 San Francisco, CA Bimbos

December 12 Portland, OR Holocene

December 13 Seattle, WA Showbox

December 14 Vancouver, BC Commodore

Drink Up Buttercup Hit The Road Running Tour Dates Announced


10/31 - PA's Lounge - Somerville, MA
11/10 - The Zodiac - Baltimore, MD (w/ Blood Warrior)
11/11 - Johnny Brenda's - Philadelphia, PA (w/ Blood Warrior)
11/12 - Union Hall - Brooklyn, NY - (w/ Blood Warrior)
11/16 - The Social - Orlando, FL (w/ Stellastarr*)
11/17 - Whirlyball - Atlanta, GA (w/ Stellastarr*)
11/18 - Local 506 - Chapel Hill, NC (w/ Stellastarr*)
11/19 - Rock n roll hotel - Washington, DC (w/ Stellastarr*)
After a spectacular series of shows at this years CMJ, Drink Up Buttercup are not resting on their laurels. They're heading out on tour playing shows with Blood Warrior and Stellarstarr*.
To celebrate, Stereogum are giving away a free download of the Andrew WK remix of Drink Up Buttercup's new single Even Think.
DOWNLOAD IT HERE

"they turn into the bastard sons of Shane MacGowan and Tom Waits, pounding on garbage cans and deftly mixing theatrical swagger with plenty of punk-rock ‘tude. Not many bands can mix homemade percussion, three-part harmonies, a melodica, and some opera training (no lie—lead singer James Harvey can bust out the vibrato when called upon), and make it all sound like this much beer-soaked, unpretentious fun" –Andy Hermann, Metromix New York
Drink Up Buttercup, a quartet from Philadelphia that lunges joyously into every jangly chord and full-throated chorus... brought a smile to every face I could see, and the bashing on that garbage can lid couldn’t obscure some genuinely pretty and expressive harmonies on “Lovers Play Dead,” –Ben Sisario, NY Times
“They really keep the true spirit of punk alive, from the busted up instruments (trash cans figure heavily) to their aggressively joyful performance. It's really barely contained disorder on stage — but it all works because underneath that sonic mess, there is also some solid musicianship.” –Emily Hulme, AMNY
“Proving yet again that energy and resourcefulness are more important for a good set that a good PA.” –Michael Tedder, CMJ
“The thing about Drink Up Buttercup is that it revels in madness. Its music is psychedelic, anthemic and loose.” –Colin St John, Time Out NY

"Lumbering drums, jangling shakers, electronic squiggles, and lots of…ragged shouts accompany the strutting bass line and stomping guitar….it's all just loose and playful enough to avoid coming across as overly nostalgic." -Pitchfork

"The Beatles on the greatest acid trip I could ever hope to hear about again and again.Tthe sound of this band is something that few other groups have been able to master." -Fearless Radio

Drink Up Buttercup signed with Yep Roc Records and their first offering is the single ‘Even Think’, a fast-paced fist-pumper, driven by frenzied organ arpeggios and swelling vocal harmonies reminiscent of the sound of Brian Wilson re-imagining The Velvet Underground’s White Light/White Heat – all recorded and mixed in less than 24 hours as a lo-fi gift for their fans sonically unique from their other recorded material. If this is the kind of studio magic that is conjured in less than one day you won’t believe your ears when you get to hear the full length coming in early 2010 recorded by Philly’s veritable go-to guy, Bill Moriarty (Dr. Dog, Man Man) and mixed by Rusty Santos, the man responsible for the sound that graced Panda Bear’s Person Pitch.


The single is backed by an all new alternate version of the live performance fan favorite “Heavy Hand," and this digital 45 can be downloaded for FREE at Yep Roc’s site (Click HERE for link). And for all the vinyl junkies out there the 7” only version will feature a cover of the Buzzcocks classic “Why Can’t I Touch It." Expect two amazing reworks of the single courtesy of electro-pop meastro Cale Parks and renowned party-starter Andrew WK.

Drink Up Buttercup is truly the story of hard work and dedication. There was no stumbling upon an album deal, they earned it the good old-fashioned way by working their backsides off for it. This year alone they released a 7” (Sosey&Dosey/Farewell Captain) onKanine Records (Grizzly Bear, Chairlift), recorded an entire full-length album, all while playing 60+ self-booked shows. They’ve shared the stage with the likes of Bishop Allen, The Fiery Furnaces, Tune-Yards, Clues, Marnie Stern and Free Energy and if you were lucky enough to catch them live at SXSW, New York’s After The Jump or the countless other shows, consider yourself a member of a privileged club because it won’t be as exclusive for too much longer.

Always planning the next trip, Drink Up Buttercup will be hitting the road again introducing more people to the onstage fracas of fretboards, drumsticks, elbows, metal lockers, mannequin heads, and trashcan lids thrashing through the air. Yet somehow avoiding serious injury to themselves, and always leaving the audience exhausted but eager for more in fashion that The New York Timesdeclares “mesmerizes and clobbers live.”

“Beatle-esque but in a kitchen sink kind of way." - Brooklyn Vegan

Huffington Post piece from Gail Zappa on the Future of Music


Check out this Huffington Post piece from Gail Zappa on the Future of Music:

Here's the last line in the article... awesome!

Music is exactly like sex in the sense that while human orifices are involved in the experience, the really fun part happens in the brain - the location of which will be found to be co-located in other regions of the body and even off-planet. And I hasten to add, when this happens, the deaf and others will hear real music and hearing will be redefined. And finally, it will be proven that humor IS a real component of music. Get some today.

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

THEM CROOKED VULTURES SELF-TITLED DEBUT ALBUM OUT NOVEMBER 17


THEM CROOKED VULTURES
SELF-TITLED DEBUT ALBUM OUT NOVEMBER 17

[Oct. 22, 2009] Them Crooked Vultures--a/k/a Dave Grohl, Joshua Homme and John Paul Jones--has confirmed November 17 as the release date of its eponymous debut album in the United States and Canada on DGC/Interscope Records.

The self-produced 13-song record will feature the debut of the studio versions of the material Them Crooked Vultures unveiled at its August 9 debut at Chicago's Cabaret Metro and played on a first series of shows throughout a handful of UK and European cities and portions of the eastern U.S., wrapping up with an October 15 appearance at New York's Roseland Ballroom.

Additional shows are being announced in the wake of the album's release, including but not necessarily limited to December dates in the UK and Europe and a January trip to Australia and New Zealand.

The complete track listing of Them Crooked Vultures is as follows:

No One Loves Me & Neither Do I
Mind Eraser, No Chaser
New Fang
Dead End Friends
Elephants
Scumbag Blues
Bandoliers
Reptiles
Interlude With Ludes
Warsaw or The First Breath You Take After You Give Up
Caligulove
Gunman
Spinning In Daffodils

For further information, updates, dates, etc., check back at www.themcrookedvultures.com

Carah Faye (Formerly of Shiny Toy Guns) New Band Versant + SXSW 2010

VersanT

Release date: Release date: February 17, 2009

Highly Anticipated Showcase at
SXSW 2010

Could I be wrong/ Or is this the old song/ Ushering the new dawn? – “Quick Escapes”


Sweden, the unofficial headquarters of sparkling electro-pop, seems an inevitable launching pad for Versant. Led by Carah Faye, former frontwoman of the Grammy-nominated Shiny Toy Guns, and producer Daniel Johansson, Versant synthesizes the melodicism of a true pop siren with up-to-the-minute textures that can ignite both dance floors and rock clubs.

“Versant is a summation of dreams,” says Carah Faye. “It’s music we believe ‘belongs’ but is rarely understood, much less brought to reality.” Lyrically, Faye draws from real-life experiences and reveals their difficult, but ultimately transcendent, lessons: “I will wait for the truth to find me/ But I will never leave it to you” (“Out of Touch”). Faye and Johansson’s goal is that they, and the band, are “helping people to heal or be inspired to hope.”

Johansson and Faye met in the most organic of ways—on the road. Johansson worked as soundman for Shiny Toy Guns as well as for fellow Swedes The Sounds, who tapped him to produce the title track of their 2009 release, Crossing the Rubicon. Unsurprisingly, they draw artistic inspiration from a diverse playlist. “Mew, Kent, Coldplay, The Cardigans and Michael Jackson have been in rotation in 2009—anybody with an individual sound who likes espresso and walks on the beach,” Carah laughs.

Now splitting their time between Sweden, where they will be touring through November, and America, which will feature a highly anticipated showcase at South by Southwest 2010, Versant will drop their self-titled debut on February 17, 2010. Reaction to demos posted on their MySpace page (http://www.myspace.com/versantmusic) has been unanimous: Although only debuting, Versant exceeds high expectations, and introduces loyal fans to a bristling new musical collaboration.



Versant is:

Carah Faye: Vocals
Daniel Johansson: Guitar/Keys
Johan Grettve: Guitar/Keys
Richard Ankers: Drums
Nicholas Oja: Bass

Versant online:

MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/versantmusic

Twitter: http://twitter.com/VersantMusic

SIDEONEDUMMY RECORDS SIGNS JESSE MALIN


LOS ANGELES, October 22, 2009 - New York punk singer/songwriter Jesse Malin has signed with Side One Dummy Records. Recently finishing sold-out U.S. dates with The Gaslight Anthem, he is currently recording his new solo album with producer Ted Hutt (The Gaslight Anthem, Lucero, Flogging Molly) at Sonic Youth's Think Tank Studio in Hoboken, NJ.

Jesse has previously released three critically acclaimed records and toured extensively with a variety of artists from Gogol Bordello to Green Day to Bruce Springsteen. The new record was written after a personality crisis and brief hiatus during which Malin attempted-among other things-stints as a charity auctioneer; a Las Vegas wedding DJ; and a documentarian of Rastafarian culture. About the record, he has said, "I wanted to mix the raw, loose energy that I got from playing in my early hardcore bands and the lonely feeling I get from traveling with an acoustic guitar."

Malin and the gang plan for an early 2010 release, with many dates to follow.

from 10/22/09

Blacklist Announce Shows, Including Debut Performances On The West Coast

"icy sound and quaking bottom end is counterbalanced by a more inviting, anthemic impulse" - Village Voice
"brooding post-punk with anthemic choruses" - NME
"bell-ringing guitars and dark-overcoat charisma transport you back to the Chameleons' anthemic heyday." - SPIN [Songs You Must Here Now!]

11/04 - Union Hall - Brooklyn, NY (w/The Mary Onettes)

11/14 - Nomad - Los Angeles, CA

11/15 - The Knockout - San Francisco, CA

11/19 - Death By Audio - Brooklyn, NY (Veil Veil Vanish)




"one of the most exciting releases of the year." -Outburn

"so damned refreshing ... these guys have knocked one out of the park on their first try." - PopMatters


Watch the video for Flight Of The Demoiselles



To listen to Blacklist is to listen to people who have chosen to stand in opposition. Complex and modern themes are wound tightly inside impressionistic lyrics, available to be unravelled by the curious listener or ignored by those who find themselves moved primarily by the force of the music. The band's debut LP, Midnight Of The Century, is raw ambition mixed with raw power. Mixed by Ed Buller (Suede, Slowdive, Pulp, White Lies) and mastered byHowie Weinberg (Muse, Jeff Buckley, Iron Maiden, U2, Nirvana), it is a potent dose of rock and roll maximalism.

When the revolutionary Victor Serge coined the idea of a midnight in the century, he was referring to the dark pact between two of the cruelest tyrants the world had ever seen. And yet Serge is perhaps best known for his rambunctious, stubborn attitude in the face of such darkness: "the course is set on hope," he wrote. It is precisely this marriage of extremity to romantic optimism that characterizes Midnight Of The Century -- not just in the realm of ideas, but musically as well. Despite its density of sound and shadowy atmospheres, the record is the soundtrack to an uplifting journey that is as personal as it is universal. It is also a fitting manifesto announcing the arrival of Blacklist.

Hailing from Brooklyn, Blacklist is one of the flagship bands of painter Pieter Schoolwerth's Wierd Records imprint. The band creates atmospheric modern rock music that has been described as anthemic, darkly romantic, and "a much-needed anomaly" (Other Music) in NYC's music scene. They are sometimes classified as part of the post-punk revival, though the sound is generally more dense, sonically incorporating elements of shoegaze and heavy metal with coldwave. The members often cite influences like My Bloody Valentine, Motörhead and Black Sabbath alongside bands like The Comsat Angels, Wire, Killing Joke, and The Sound.

"In a way it's a little bit schizophrenic, well, not schizophrenic, but dual. We enjoy listening to metal and playing metal-ish kind of stuff, but at the same time we are also listening to the post-punk bands and our performance incorporates both as well as many other elements" is how singer/guitarist Josh Strawn describes it. Drummer Glenn Maryanskycontinues, "I tell people live we are like the Lively Art bands were - sort of in-between Ride and The Cure’s Faith. We feel a connection to the French Wave scene. We love that over-the-top production that the metal bands have but also the sophisticated spirit of Joy Division and early Cure stuff. There's denseness and this druggie quality to it but also this smartness and attention to detail".

That attention to detail is part of what has brought critical acclaim to Blacklist's live show. Metromix, who cites the bands as a MUST SEE during this week's CMJ says: "after hearing the shimmering guitars, crisp drums and dramatic, Goth-y vocal tics of Josh Strawn on the band’s new single “Flight of the Demoiselles,” you might be tempted to break out the Cult’s old “Love” album—or anything by Bauhaus"

Blacklist are not to be missed live. For all media inquires, guest lists, cds, interviews please contact Magnum PR.

"equal parts pornography, poetry, post-punk and politics" - The Big Takeover
"enough honest blood, sweat and tears on each of the eleven tracks to attract a solid following from the most jaded of music fans out there." - Fazer

"Blacklist is simultaneously celebratory and melancholy... they create the soundtrack to an explosive resistance" - RCRD LBL
"a superbly impressive debut record" - Consequence of Sound



"Midnight of the Century"

Tracklisting:

1. Still Changes
2. Fight of the Demoiselles
3. Shock in the Hotel Falcon
4. Language of the Living Dead
5. Odessa
6. Julie Speaks
7. Poison for Tomorrow
8. Frontiers
9. The Cunning of History
10. When Worlds Collide
11. The Believer

Please enjoy a FREE MP3 of 'Flight of the Demoiselles'

Click HERE to download

Timber Timbre Free Album Download!

From now until midnight on Saturday October 31, 2009, you can download the entire breakthrough, critically acclaimed, self-titled album Timber Timbre for FREE at www.timbertimbre.com.

http://www.arts-crafts.ca/timbertimbre/

We encourage you to listen to the album that KCRW (where you can hear them live this Wednesday October 28) raves, "Timber Timbre takes on the topic of love but presents it in a cloak of macabre beauty that is perfect for the Halloween season. Songs full of eerie sounds, dark imagery and ghoulish lyrics will make for a spellbinding session on Morning Becomes Eclectic."

long-list nominee for the 2009 Polaris Music Prize, Timber Timbre was heralded by the Canadian press since its release this summer on Arts & Crafts. Playing CMJ Crosslast week, Time Out New York wrote that Timber Timbre was "the standout act" describing their set as "powerfully dark, even eerie folk tracks (which) managed to keep the crowd positively awed.” TheVillage Voice called them a "uniquely creepy beauty".

Go now to
www.timbertimbre.com.... and discover (for free!!) the album Toronto's Eye Weekly has already called, "The Album of the Year".

Timber Timbre recently wrapped up a month-long North American tour and will return to the road this week.

Upcoming tour details:

10/28/09Los Angeles, CAKCRW 11am PST
10/28/09Los Angeles, CAOrigami Vinyl (live in-store performance)
10/29/09Los Angeles, CABootleg Theatre (with the Antlers)
11/7/09Toronto, ONNorth York Library
11/17/09Albany, NYValentines
11/19/09Arlington, VAIOTA Club
11/20/09New York, NYJoe’s Pub
11/25/09Montreal, QCCasa Del Popolo
11/26/09Wakefield, QCBlack Sheep Inn
11/27/09Kingston, ONGrad Club

Monday, October 26, 2009

The Prairie Cartel

The Prairie Cartel

AWARD WINNING CULT DIRECTOR TAKES RISKS ON DIRECTION OF The Prairie Cartel's video "No Light Escapes Here."
Debut Full length "Where Did All My People Go" To be released November 17th

(Long Nights, Impossible Odds)
+ Free MP3 download of "Suitcase Pimp"


Award-winning Chinese director Peng Lei (an accomplished filmmaker/animator whose clay animation film "Beihai Monster" from 2006 was a hit in the Chinese indie-film world and has won numerous awards) discovered The Prairie Cartel's music online and reached out to them about wanting to direct their video for “No Light Escapes Here” from their forthcoming debut release "Where Did All My People Go" . This is such a surreal, psychedelic urban-yeti dance trip.



As Peng explained to the lads, “The reason I wanted to direct this video was that I’m impressed with the lyrics and understand that they're about trying to express yourself artistically in an oppressive communist regime.” Musically he also felt connected, Peng Lei is a member of New Pants, one of the most revered bands in China's contemporary music history who formed in 1996 - their early sound was influenced heavily by new wave and early punk rock, particularly the Ramones. And in a true punk rock fashion, Peng takes a huge risk by using Mao all over the video.

The Prairie Cartel unleash their debut full length
“Where Did All My People Go”


Double Wax package Released November 17th on Long Nights, Impossible Odds
Distribution by Burnside & Ioda
Digital release date: October 27th, 2009
In stores: November 17th, 2009
Record Release Party Thursday November 5th in Chicago
Please Join The Prairie Cartel at their record release launch including a special live performance by The Prairie Cartel, unleashing new material from their debut album
AT
Disappear Here @
Angels & Kings New York, NY
Plus Resident DJs Members Only AV and Heaven Malone


For 10.5 months of the year there is little else to do in Chicago besides drink heavily. The Prairie Cartel started as an excuse for Scott Lucas (Local H), Blake Smith and Mike Willison (both ex-Caviar) to do this in Mike's basement while playing their favorite records. Albums on DFA, Matador, Wax Trax, Modular and Creation were all in heavy rotation during those dark months except when the whisky came out and it went all Ummagumma on them. The obligatory, possibly illegal, and definitely messy DJ gigs followed. Warehouses and lofts trembled before their can't-mix, won't-even-try-to-mix majesty. They developed a reputation for sets that were somehow gloriously disheveled but still extremely satisfying. After a particularly delirious night behind, on top of, and in front of the decks in London where some teeth got chipped, a little blood got spilled, and the local authorities threatened to pull their passports, they decided the timing was perfect to pick their instruments back up and go home to cut a record.
They bought a couple of used microphones, a bi-polar Mac, and locked themselves back in Mike's basement. For a long time. maybe longer than what is considered healthy by normal people. Empty bottles and pizza boxes piled up. Beards grew, got cut, and grew again. Creatures with tails scurried in shadowy corners. Friends and family became worried. But then 2 EPs suddenly emerged in quick succession to unanimously positive reviews and doors began to open for them. They got asked to put a song in the Grand Theft Auto video game. Then they got asked to create an entire channel for the hand-held version, achieving every artist's dream of cornering the market in sound tracking virtual third-person deals of digital drugs.
So, with all things taking its course, rather than emerging to tour and possibly killing this creative streak, they decided to ride it out in their tiny room until somebody cracked. The exhilarating result of this is Where Did all my People Go.

From the warped raw warehouse party-provoking opener “Keep Everybody Warm” The Prairie Cartel start off their debut by giving everybody a shout out, “And what you gotta do, is keep yourself together. Keep everybody warm.” Emerging from the Chicago Urban underground TPC blur the line with their delectably industrial yet funky directions. Taking it further is their cover of "Homicide" recorded by British punks 999 in 1978.

Sequenced in a continuous mix, the second tune in, “Suitcase Pimp” keeps the dirty rock alive with it’s seedy sleazy guitar line and gutter-nonsense lyrics: “Can I kick it can I lick, if I lick it if I lick will you like it?” While "Jump Like Chemicals" rhythm guitar hooks are gritty, sexy, and contagious.

From the Giorgio Moroder meets Modern Lovers groove of “Cracktown” to the WTF Ian Curtis frenetic freak out of“Fuck Yeah That Wide”, Where Have All My People Gone captures the anarchy and spirit of a mid-western band giddy to warp their electronics with the necks of their guitars. And they’ll wet your sonic palate even further with their hypnotically catchy chorus in “Lost All Track of Time”. You’ll even find a bit of Ambient layered with texture and chaos on “Magnetic South”. So Enjoy what the Prairie Cartel sound like now, the band just discovered Pink Floyd and that’s just the icing.

Where Did All My People Go is a slurry blast through Disco, Indie, Punk Rock and Electro, (depending on what they were ingesting at the time) and plays like an unruly house party that is more about sloppy kissing and jumping up and down and less about that one dude nobody invited getting into fights.

Where Did All My People Go is set for release on November 17th on Long Nights, Impossible Odds

TRACK LISTING:

KEEP EVERYBODY WARM
SUITCASE PIMP
LOST ALL TRACK OF TIME
CRACKTOWN
BEAUTIFUL SHADOW
HOMICIDE
NARCOTIC INSIDIOUS
TEN FEET OF SNOW
JUST LIKE CHEMICALS
NO LIGHT ESCAPES HERE
COBRASKIN BRIEFCASE
BURNING DOWN THE OTHER SIDE
MAGNETIC SOUTH
FUCK YEAH THAT WIDE
THE GLOW IS GONE


"Enough swagger to bring a little rock music back into the dance club." - Prefix Magazine

"The next big thing out of the Windy City... raging and carnal... a nervous breakdown on the dance floor." -Stereosubversion.com

"Cranks the hedonism... a roughed-up, rocked-out take on disco." - Chicago reader

"A journey of rock, driving punk funk bass action we can't help but love. Well cool." - Phonica U.K.

"A sizzler of a debut EP." - Time Out Chicago

"A crazy electro rock ruckus. Their SXSW set was absolutely a highlight of the week." - Out The Other

"The Prairie Cartel excel where other electro-based groups just pose." - Illinois Entertainer

"A three-headed electro rock beast." - New City

"We know the current love affair between electro and hip hop is appealing but let's not forget the perennial black sheep of the music family - indie rock. What began as a group of disgruntled musicians who found themselves suddenly getting off on the Chi-city DJ Scene soon turned into an opportunity for the 4 piece to bring their heaving live rock performance into the small sweaty venues that would appreciate their love for the electronic music without being automatically pigeonholed as just another hipster Favorite." URB Next 100 April 09

Thursday, October 15, 2009

The Avett Brothers - Spring Tour tickets...


Spring Tour Ticket Update
OCTOBER 14, 2009, 2:10 PM

To catch you all up on our remaining Spring Tour tickets...

The below dates did not sell out in our email-presale, and have now moved to general pre-sale:

Feb. 24-Athens, OH: General Pre-sale is Up, as of 1PM EST
Feb. 26-Ithaca, NY: General Pre-sale is Up, as of 1PM EST
Feb. 28-Indianapolis, IN: General Pre-sale is Up,as of 1PM CST
Mar. 02- Columbus, MO: General Pre-sale is Up, as of 1PM CST

Check here to get a hold of general pre-sale tickets, up for sale today only!
General on-sale starts for all four dates tomorrow morning.

We have three shows that did sell out in our email-presale, so are now up for general on-sale:

Feb. 27- Cleveland, OH: Ticketmaster is running a pre-sale today and tomorrow (Password to use is SING), otherwise general on-sale starts Friday 10/16 at 10 AM EST
Mar. 05- Minneapolis, MN: General on-sale will start Thursday(10/15), check back for information on time
Mar. 07- Chicago, IL: General on-sale starts Thursday(10/15) at 10 AM CST

Visit our tour section for information on these three dates

Hope to see you soon!

Thanks,
The Avett Brothers

Neko Case's Cool And Unusual Fall


Neko Case will be turning up in some seriously cool - and unexpected - places this fall.

Last week she was in NYC to tape a performance for the next season of the Sundance Channel's Spectacle: Elvis Costello With...and a duet with Meatwad from the popular Cartoon Network show Aqua Teen Hunger Force.

Next month, Neko pays her first visit to A Prairie Home Companion on October 10, and returns to NYC for a conversation with the New Yorker's pop music critic Sasha Frere-Jones as part of The New Yorker Festival on October 17.

On November 16, Neko plays her biggest headlining NYC show to date at the Beacon Theater (see below for complete tour dates), followed in December by a stint in the Guest Programmer's chair on the Turner Classic Movies channel.

Case's new album 'Middle Cyclone' (Anti-) remains the highest debuting independent release of 2009, bowing at #3 on the Billboard Top 200 chart in March. It paved the way for other noteworthy placements in the New York Times Magazine, New Yorker, Time and Newsweek, and appearances on Leno, Letterman, Conan, Tavis Smiley, and NPR's Wait Wait Don't Tell Me.

NEKO CASE FALL 2009 U.S. TOUR
10/4 - Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival, San Francisco, CA
11/4 - Minglewood Hall, Memphis, TN
11/5 - The Pageant, St. Louis, MO
11/6 - Canopy Club, Urbana, IL
11/7 - The Clazel Theater, Bowling Green, OH
11/8 - Harro East Ballroom, Rochester, NY
11/10 - Wilbur Theater, Boston, MA
11/11 - The Tarrytown Music Hall, Tarrytown, NY
11/12 - The Music Hall, Portsmouth, NH
11/13 - Calvin Theatre, Northampton, MA
11/14 - Lupo's, Providence, RI
11/15 - Wellmont Theatre, Montclair, NJ
11/16 - Beacon Theatre, New York, NY
11/18 - Knight Theater, Charlotte, NC
11/19 - The Plaza Theatre, Orlando, FL
11/20 - The Moon, Tallahassee, FL
11/21 - The Republic, New Orleans, LA
11/22 - Warehouse Live, Houston, TX
11/23 - Granada Theater, Dallas, TX

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

CAKE: MULTI-PLATINUM ICONOCLASTS READYING SIXTH STUDIO ALBUM USING 100% SOLAR ENERGY


CAKE:MULTI-PLATINUM ICONOCLASTS READYING SIXTH STUDIO ALBUM USING 100% SOLAR ENERGY GROUP HONORED AS ONE OF BILLBOARD’S TOP TEN GREENEST BANDS BAND TO RELEASE FREE RING TONES OF NEW MUSIC VIA INNOVATIVE CAKE ENTHUSIAST PROMOTION

CAKE--one of the most principled, enduring, self-reliant, and best-selling artists in post-alternative rock--are currently in the midst of recording their sixth studio album, with an entirely green twist: the new project is being written, rehearsed and recorded entirely with solar power. During the recording process, CAKE is sharing the results with their fans via a set of free ring tones--each based on a song from the upcoming album--released via the band’s mailing list.

Starting today, the first of six ring tones based on brand new album tracks will be released through CAKE’s mailing list. The first ringtone, titled “Long Time,” is only available for download to members of the CAKE mailing list; to sign up, visit: http://cakemusic.com/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi. Every six weeks, a ringtone for a new CAKE song will be released via e-blast to all mailing list members up until the new album launch in Spring 2010.

Says trumpeter VINCE DIFIORE: “All the parts we've written for a song work symbiotically for the whole; however, some hooks have enough merit on their own to justify offering them as utterly satisfying ring tones." "We weren't sure if people were still even listening to albums,” adds songwriter and lead vocalist JOHN McCREA, “so we thought we might just release ring tones and car commercial music instead. This allows people who own cell phones a chance to sample our wares long before an album is ever released. That's what we know people want. Ring tones." And bassist GABRIEL NELSON says simply: "We are proud to offer high quality, custom crafted ring tones to listeners worldwide."

Recently honored as one of the top 10 “greenest” bands on the planet in a special issue of Billboard, CAKE teamed with Borrego Solar to convert their entire Sacramento recording studio into solar power. The innovative group documented their break away from the city’s energy grid, as illustrated by this video of CAKE’s solar conversion: www.cakemusic.com/solar.html. The group’s decision to record their forthcoming album entirely with solar power was made for both artistic and environmental reasons: “It just seemed like the right thing to do,” says McCREA. “I believe in science, and science is telling us that we need to make adjustments. Living in California, it seemed like a waste not to take advantage of all the free electricity.” DIFIORE chimes in: “We work in the spirit of cooperation, and when there is something like solar energy above your head, there is a little bit more levity added.”

Founded in 1992 and reaching worldwide attention on the strength of their platinum albums Fashion Nugget and Prolonging The Magic, CAKE have been cited by Rolling Stone as creators of “a modern pop that is both mechanized and organic...highly developed and virtually unique.” Highlights in recent years range from raves for their latest studio album Pressure Chief (2004), and a subsequent compilation of unreleased tracks B-sides and Rarities (2007), to major success in concert, including multiple runs of their self-founded ‘Unlimited Sunshine’ tour and solo dates in large theaters and arenas worldwide.

CAKE reissued their first album, Motorcade of Generosity, on June 9th as an enhanced CD. The re-issue includes previously unavailable video footage and limited edition decal. The 180g vinyl version of the album features limited edition poster art and sold out in two days.

www.cakemusic.com

Friday, October 9, 2009

Stomacher - Sentimental Education

Stomacher knows how to fill the sound space without drowning out any of the instruments that create it. Sentimental Education begins with an orchestral fade-in that tapers off into a moody drum and bass groove with haunting ambient guitar work to set the tone. This sophisticated recording does not follow your typical verse - chorus - verse song structure. Stomacher is also not limited by the typical functions of instruments. They take an experimental approach with the beats, the function of the electric guitar and with the vocals. I will admit, at first I was having a trouble getting past the androgynous vocals, I kept wishing a woman with a deep voice were singing. . . and then it dawned on me - he sounds like Annie Lennox. I've never been so O.K. with male vocals going so high, the effect is chilling. He really uses the vocals as a well placed instrument, there's no point in focusing on whether a man or woman is singing, but instead on how what is being sung complements the rest of the ensemble.

Overall, Stomacher's Sentimental Education is extremely atmospheric, a dark and at times goose bump inducing endeavor. From the moody slower paced tracks to the more upbeat yet intense vibes given off in the faster tracks, Stomacher displays many progressive and experimental elements. The electric guitar often functions as a source of ambient noise throughout the recording. When coupled with doubled (and tripled) vocal tracks Stomacher's guitar work creates an even more haunting atmosphere. There's definitely a rock/pop feel to this album, one could even argue the presence of an indie rock or 80's revival influence. Indie rock for sure when they slow it down a notch and mellow out - almost too mellow with track 5 (The Devil).

Every aspect of this album comes across as being put together with great care and dedication, from the perfection of the actual production (even the hand clapping in track 7 (Police) displays high sound quality and control) to the performance of all of Stomacher's members. Even when they are giving the instrumentation room to breathe, the clarity of the recording shines through. I recommend listening to this album multiple times. More and more details begin to emerge and you get the full effect.

posted by Laurcifer for New York Groove 2009

Friday, October 2, 2009

Built To Spill is streaming their new album 'There Is No Enemy,' in its entirety via MySpace.


Built To Spill is streaming their new album 'There Is No Enemy,' in its entirety via MySpace.

You've heard "Things Fall Apart" (via Stereogum) and "Hindsight" (via Pitchfork), but now you can dive all the way in and lose yourself in Built To Spill's trademark sea of guitars and dense, layered sounds. "Oh Yeah" highlights the band at their tense, slow-burning best, while the track that follows it, "Pat," is one of the fastest songs they have ever recorded.
'There Is No Enemy' is out Tuesday, 10/6 via Warner Bros.

Stream the album and peep the big fall tour:
http://myspace.com/builttospill
OCT 12 and 13 - Webster Hall OCT 14 and 15
Music Hall of Williamsburg