Saturday, January 30, 2010

State Radio Unleash Epic Video For Revolutionary Rock

Boston trio State Radio has unveiled an epic music video for their punk-fueled song "Knights Of Bostonia," featuring a battle at a historic fort that dates back to the Revolutionary War, an army of State Radio fans, and a retired Boston Police horse. The track is from the band's latest release, 'Let It Go' (Ruff Shod Records).

Watch the video for "Knights Of Bostonia": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xWltmskEAM

Directed by Andrew Mudge, the video was shot over 3 days in Boston at 11 locations (including the battle scene at the historic Fort Revere) with over 100 extras. Mudge's work has screened on HBO, Sundance and Discovery. Says the director, "I imagined the band as these sort of rag tag knights, skating through an urban landscape, and then breaking kids free from a school. Chad [Stokes, frontman] and I spent several days together hashing out the story elements, bringing in stuff from our childhood - bows and arrows, running from cops, and horses!"

State Radio is currently headlining their "Let It Go: Lefty Rides Again" tour. Tom Morello joined the band onstage to perform "Gang Of Thieves" during their show in LA earlier this month. Upcoming dates here: http://www.myspace.com/stateradio

Learn more about the band's humanitarian organization, Calling All Crows, and their pre-show community service activities scheduled in several cities across the country: http://callingallcrows.org

http://www.stateradio.com
http://www.facebook.com/stateradio

Alberta Cross on Fuel TV's Daily Habit + New European Tour Dates

On February 2, 2010 tune in to Fuel TV's "The Daily Habit" at 9:00 pm ET /
6:00 pm PT to catch Alberta Cross performing 'ATX' and 'Old Man Chicago'.
Click here for more info on "The Daily Habit".

NEW EUROPEAN TOUR DATES
Alberta Cross are very excited to announce new European tour dates, supporting
friends Dave Matthews Band and a show with Mumford and Sons.
Check out the dates below for all show and ticket info.

HAVE YOU HEARD?
You can listen to the entire album 'Broken Side of Time' right now on our site
for free. You can also download a free MP3 of the song "Leave Us and Forgive Us".
Give it a listen and then you can head over to the Alberta Cross webstore where you'll
find the album available for purchase on CD, vinyl, digital download and an exclusive
Deluxe Edition (which are getting close to sold out!) not available anywhere else.

Make sure to follow Alberta Cross on the road at http://twitter.com/albertacross

- Alberta Cross

EUROPEAN TOUR DATES
February 16 - Hamburg, Germany: Cch 1 Hall* - Tickets
February 17 - Berlin, Germany: Tempodrom* - Tickets
February 19 - Vienna, Austria: Gasometer* -Tickets
February 20 - Munich, Germany: Zenith* - Tickets
February 21 - Aarau, Switzerland: KIFF#
February 22 - Milan, Italy: Palasharp* - Tickets
February 23 - Rome, Italy: Palalottamatica* - Tickets
February 24 - Rome, Italy: La Locanda Atlantide#
February 25 - Padova, Italy: Palasport* - Tickets
February 27 - Dusseldorf, Germany: Zakk* - Tickets
February 28 - Cologne, Germany: Palladium* - Tickets
March 1 - Antwerp, Belgium: Lotto Arena* - Tickets
March 2 - Utrecht, Netherlands: Tivoli#
March 3 - Amsterdam, Netherlands: Heineken Music Hall* - Tickets
March 4 - Frankfurt, Germany: Jahrhunderthalle* - Tickets
March 6 - London, UK: O2 Arena* - Tickets
March 7 - Manchester, UK: Apollo* - Tickets
March 8 - Belfast, UK: Auntie Annies# - Tickets
March 9 - Dublin, Ireland: O2 Dublin* - Tickets
March 11 - Glasgow, Scotland: SECC* - Tickets
March 12 - Manchester, UK: Night and Day Café# - Tickets
March 14 - London, UK: Shepards Bush Empire** - Tickets
March 15 - London, UK: Dingwalls# - Tickets

#headlining
*supporting Dave Matthews Band
**supporting Mumford and Sons

US TOUR DATES
January 29 - Chicago, IL: Schubas - SOLD OUT
January 30 - Columbus, OH: The Basement - Tickets
February 2 - Charlottesville, VA: Jefferson Theatre - Tickets
February 3 - Washington DC: Black Cat - Tickets
February 4 - New York, NY: Bowery Ballroom -Tickets
February 5 - West Dover, VT: Snow Barn - Tickets
February 8 - Philadelphia, PA: The Khyber - Tickets

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

THE NATIONAL CONFIRM US AND EUROPEAN TOURS WITH HEADLINING DATES AT NYC'S RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL AND LONDON'S ROYAL ALBERT HALL


THE NATIONAL CONFIRM US AND EUROPEAN TOURS WITH HEADLINING DATES AT NYC'S RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL AND LONDON'S ROYAL ALBERT HALL

MORE DATES AND ALBUM NEWS TO BE ANNOUNCED SOON
The National have confirmed their first shows of the new decade. Highlights include their biggest headlining shows to date in NYC and London at Radio City Music Hall and Royal Albert Hall respectively, a performance with Pavement in Paris, and additional US dates on both coasts with more to be announced soon.

Prior to the kick off of the tour the band will make a special appearance at the Big Ears festival in Knoxville, TN on March 26-28. The festival is being co-curated by The National guitarist Bryce Dessner, who is also curating the MusicNow festival in his hometown of Cincinnati, OH, set for March 30- April 1.

On all the dates below, The National will perform songs from their as yet untitled new album to be released in May on 4AD.

The National U.S./Canada Tour:

APR 22-23: Richmond, VA @ The National Theater
MAY 6: London, England @ Royal Albert Hall
MAY 7: Paris, France @ Le Zenith (w/Pavement)
MAY 9: Berlin, Germany @ Astra
MAY 22: Los Angeles, CA @ The Wiltern
MAY 23: San Diego, CA @ Spreckels Theater
MAY 27: Oakland, CA @ Fox Theater
JUN 02: Boston, MA @ House of Blues
JUN 5: Philadelphia, PA @ Electric Factory
JUN 6: Washington DC @ DAR Constitution Hall
JUN 8: Toronto, Ont. @ Massey Hall
JUN 16: New York, NY @ Radio City Music Hall

SUNSHINE IN FEBRUARY: JOSH ROUSE AT LE POISSON ROUGE 2/4-5


JOSH ROUSE will bring the sun-kissed romance of his forthcoming album 'El Turista' (Yep Roc, March 9) to Le Poisson Rouge February 4th and 5th.

'El Turista' envelops the listener in a cinematic experience of his new Spanish hometown, redolent of balmy breezes and the scent of orange blossoms, a new direction for Rouse yet appropriate from an artist whose songs have graced TV shows including Joan of Arcadia, Grey's Anatomy, Brothers & Sisters and films such as Vanilla Sky, The Interpreter, The Girl Next Door and Definitely Maybe.

The shows promise to be equally immersive, with Josh accompanied by native Spanish musicians Raul Fernandez (guitar, piano, vocals), Ricardo Bellveser Machancoses (bass guitar), Jose Maria Fuertes Tasquer (guitar), and New York based Robert DiPietro (drums and percussion).

Josh is himself the subject of a series of "Takeaway Shows" filmed in Barcelona by Vincent Moon in July, 2009. See them here:http://www.blogotheque.net/Josh-Rouse,5240

Show information:
WHO: Josh Rouse
WHERE: Le Poisson Rouge, 158 Bleecker St, New York, NY
WHEN: Thursday, February 4 and Friday, February 5, 7:00 p.m.
TICKETS: $25 at http://lepoissonrouge.com

http://www.joshrouse.com
http://www.yeproc.com

Please join Cantora recording artists Savoir Adore and their ever-changing cast of musical guests this February during their weekly residency at Manha

Definitely one of my bands to watch” - Brooklyn Vegan
"Their music is actually terrifically inspired and charmingly executed, full of sweet-but-substantial pop."- Village Voice
Please join Cantora recording artists Savoir Adore and their ever-changing cast of musical guests this February during their weekly residency at Manhattan’s Cake Shop.
February 4 - Cake Shop - 8pm
w/ Cameron Hull, Pocketknife, and French Horn Rebellion
February 11 - Cake Shop - 8pm
w/ DJ Pop Tarts Suck Toasted, We Are Country Mice, North Highlands, and Uninhabitable Mansions
February 18 - Cake Shop - 8pm
w/ DJ I Rock I Roll, Red Wire Black Wire, Ennui, The Bloodsugars
*All Cake Shop nights Savoir Adore perform at 11.
In The Wooded Forest, Savoir Adore’s debut, is an impressive foray showcasing Deidre Muro and Paul Hammer's songwriting abilities with intricate rhythms, layers of sound and a multitude of instruments. They have come into their own and are ready for you to discover them.
The launch of the Cake Shop residency presents a special opportunity for both Savoir Adore and French Horn Rebellion, who work closely together in and out of the studio. Since Savoir’s Deidre is featured on vocals on some beloved French Horn Rebellion tunes, you can expect her taking hold of the mic for both FHR’s new single "Beaches and Friends" (currently getting a lot of love on BBC1), as well as their last single "Up All Night". Paul drums for French Horn Rebellion, and David Perlick-Molinari (from French Horn Rebellion) plays in Savoir Adore's live line-up. Obviously, the Savior Adore residency will be a special treat for fans of both bands!
The band is currently crafting their own video for live favorite"Bodies", the fashionable tune seeing love from the likes of Marc Jacobs and Urban Outfitters. Dates will soon be announced as they embark on a US tour this March in selected markets with friends Mon Khmer before hitting up SXSW.

About Savoir Adore
Savoir Adore are a fantasy-pop collective, painting songs with imagery and imagination while making fans out of the most cynical of critics. Theirs is a refreshing tale from anything and everything we’ve experienced lately. Savoir Adore principal members Paul Hammer and Deidre Muro never had intentions of recording tracks to be thrown into the blogosphere or gaining major A&R attention, and as their MySpace page states, “Savoir Adore is an accident”. Just for fun, the two multi-instrumentalist songwriters decided to collaborate after two years of catching each other’s solo performances. Challenging themselves in the studio, the duo "formed a basis of experimentation that became the primal essence of Savoir Adore." Combining inspirations drawn from sounds, atmospheres, classic songwriting and technology, their instinctive approach has earned Savoir Adore's songs the tag "magical" by the likes of NPR.
After keeping their nose to the grindstone by playing a multitude of shows in 2009 and most recently to a packed out Mercury Lounge on 1/14, pieces began to fall into place as fans and press have gradually been won over. The September Cantora Records issue of their full-length debut album, In The Wooded Forest,created further buzz and steadily the enthusiasts have followed. In the words of WOXY: “Sometimes demos and promo disc pile on the desk can be intimidating, and this band was on my 'must listen to' stack a few times and somehow never registered, so we're late on this Brooklyn four-piece, but right on time in my book. Their full-length, 'In The Wooded Forest' is superb.” It’s always the right time to find the bliss-in-music of Savoir Adore.

Magical” – NPR
“One of 8 NYC Bands You Need To Hear” L Magazine
If you've never heard of Savoir Adore, you will. As long as the Almighty God of Indie Rock is a just and righteous god, the pop rock quartet headed by co-songwriters Paul Hammer and Deidre Muro is fixin' to explode.” – Free Williamsburg
"Their songwriting now seems inspired by the musical chemistry Muro and Hammer had upon meeting; it is a chemistry which is kicking and stronger than ever." -Obscure Sound

February 2nd The Album Leaf’s A Chorus of Storytellers


From subpop.com Hey there fellow interneter! Continuing our early 2010 blitz of really very high-quality record releases, on February 2nd we’re offering The Album Leaf’s A Chorus of Storytellers, on CD and gatefold double-LP (complete with a digital download code and TAL’s ubiquitous Leaf etched into side 4!). As we like to do, we’re giving away a very special bonus item to pre-orderers in the form of TAL’s 2007 tour EP/video, The Enchanted Hill. That’s six more songs and one video just for purchasing A Chorus of Storytellers before street date! What a deal! One caveat: we’ve only got 200 of these to give away, so act quick! These are available while they last, etc. Oh! You also get a link to stream the full record the instant you click the credit card submission button so you don’t have to wait to listen. And that’s nice.

Pick up A Chorus of Storytellers here:
http://www.subpop.com/releases/the_album_leaf/full_lengths/a_chorus_of_storytellers

Download a free track here:
http://www.subpop.com/artists/the_album_leaf

Still curious? Please continue:
A Chorus of Storytellers was recorded by Ryan Hadlock in the frosty month of February 2009 at Bear Creek Studio just outside of Seattle. It was mixed in the decidedly warmer month of June in Reykjavik, Iceland by Birgir Jon Birgisson. Those paying attention will notice that this is nearly the same way their last album Into the Blue Again was recorded. There is, however, one fundamental difference between this and every other album The Album Leaf has ever recorded. For the first time in five albums, The Album Leaf recorded as a whole band. In the past, almost every instrument was performed by principal songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Jimmy LaValle. This time the whole band was invited to participate and the result is their best record yet.

Check out TAL on the road:

Feb 03 Harlow's, Sacramento, CA

Feb 05 Doug Fir Lounge, Portland, OR

Feb 06 Neumos, Seattle, WA

Feb 07 Rickshaw Theater (BC), Vancouver, Canada

Feb 08 Nightlight Lounge, Bellingham, WA

Feb 09 Wow Hall, Eugene, OR

Feb 11 Crepe Place, Santa Cruz, CA

Feb 12 Great American Music Hall, San Francisco, CA

Feb 13 El Rey Theater (LA), Los Angeles, CA

Feb 25 Lisbon Santiago Alquimista, Lisbon, Portugal

Feb 26 Moby Dick, Madrid, Spain

Feb 27 12 & Medio, Murcia, Spain

Feb 28 Apollo 2, Barcelona, Spain

Mar 03 Circolo Magnolia, Milan, n/a

Mar 04 Sudpol Club, Lucerne, Switzerland

Mar 05 Bad Bonn, Düdingen, Switzerland

Mar 06 Theater Palace, St. Gallen, n/a

Mar 07 Feierwerk, Munich, Germany

Mar 09 Szene, Vienna, Austria

Mar 10 Beatpol, Dresden, Germany

Mar 11 Lido, Berlin, Germany

Mar 12 Knust, Hamburg, Germany

Mar 13 Rotown, Rotterdam, Netherlands

Mar 14 Gebaude 9, Koln, Germany

Mar 16 Club Trix, Antwerpen (Borgerhout), Belgium

Mar 17 Kraken, Colmar, France

Mar 18 Karlstorbahnhof, Heidelberg, Germany

Mar 19 Maroquinerie, Paris, France

Mar 20 L'Aéronef, Lille, France

Mar 21 Thekla Social, Bristol, United Kingdom

Mar 22 Deaf Institute, Manchester, United Kingdom

Mar 23 Bush Hall, London, United Kingdom

Apr 02 Shibuya-Ax, Tokyo, Japan

Apr 03 Club Quattro Nagoya, Nagoya, Japan

Apr 05 Club Quattro Osaka, Osaka, Japan

Apr 07 Grappa's Cellar, Hong Kong, Hong Kong

Apr 09 The Wall Live House, Taipei, Taiwan

Yes Giantess are giving away their debut US single "The Ruins"

The Boston foursome Yes Giantess is ready to become a household name in 2010. They're unleashing some of the biggest jams you'll hear all year, starting off with their US debut single “The Ruins.” Produced by Starsmith -- the acclaimed British beatmaker lurking behind Ellie Goulding's shadow --“The Ruins” veers towards the darker end of the pop spectrum. With a gut-rumbling bassline, pulsing and hypnotic synth wizardry, and an undeniable hook, this one may very well call for repeat listens. The 7" is backed by B-side “Call My Name,” a light R&B jam to a forlorn lady.

Also keep an eye out for a slew of remixes coming from some of the hottest new young players about. The band will be providing unique video content to complement each remix - all of which will be available online.
Download Yes Giantess "The Ruins"
HERE

Saturday, January 23, 2010

She & Him New Single Debut: "In The Sun"

New Single Debut: "In The Sun"

She & Him debuted their new single, "In The Sun" from the upcoming album Volume Two on Pitchfork. Click here to listen!

Available Now For Pre-order: Volume Two & "In The Sun" 7" Vinyl

Volume Two will be available in the US on March 23rd, 2010 via Merge Records, but the pre-order is available now!

Also available, you can pre-order the new single, "In The Sun" as a 7" vinyl, which includes the B-side cover of the Beach Boys classic, "I Can Hear Music".

Click here to pre-order Volume Two.

Click here to pre-order the 7" vinyl for the new single, "In The Sun".

Coachella Music Festival &
New 2010 Tour Dates

She & Him will be performing at the 2010 Coachella Music Festival in Indio, California on Friday, April 16th, 2010. The Coachella lineup was announced this week (the full lineup can be found here), and tickets are on sale now at www.coachella.com/tickets.

In addition to Coachella, She & Him have added four new shows in March and April 2010: a show at Largo in Los Angeles (on sale 1/29), two shows at the Bowery Ballroom in New York (on sale 1/29), and a show at The Glass House in Pomona, CA (on sale now). You can see the tour schedule below or view the She & Him tour dates section for the latest show and ticket information.

March 15th, 2010 - Los Angeles, CA @ Largo at the Coronet
Tickets on sale 1/29.

March 25th, 2010 - Los Angeles, CA @ El Rey Theatre
This show is sold out.

March 27th, 2010 - Savannah, GA @ Savannah Music Festival
This show is sold out.

March 29th, 2010 - New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom
Tickets on sale 1/29.

March 30th, 2010 - New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom
Tickets on sale 1/29.

April 15th, 2010 - Pomona, CA @ The Glass House

April 16th, 2010 - Indio, CA @ Coachella Music Festival

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Coachella 2010 Line-Up Announced Jay-Z, Muse, and Gorillaz to Headline Three-Day Festival


One of North America's most anticipated music festivals, Coachella, has announced its 2010 line-up. The three-day festival, which takes place in the California desert near Palm Springs April 16 - 18, will feature Jay-Z, Muse, and Gorillaz as the headliners.

The festival is known for featuring reunited artists and other classic bands, alongside today's indie rock royalty, and this year is no exception, as the festival promises sets from such old school artists as Public Image Limited, The Specials, Grace Jones, Echo and the Bunnymen, Pavement, Sly and the Family Stone, De La Soul, Gary Numan, Devo, and Sunny Day Real Estate.

Other Under the Radar-friendly artists playing this year include: LCD Soundsystem, Vampire Weekend, Grizzly Bear, Passion Pit, Fever Ray, She & Him, The Whitest Boy Alive, Yeasayer, White Rabbits, MGMT, The Dead Weather, Hot Chip, Dirty Projectors, The xx, John Waters, The Raveonettes, Mew, Camera Obscura, Tokyo Police Club, Frightened Rabbit, Edward Sharp and the Magnetic Zeros, Beach House, Thom Yorke???? (apparently that's how he's billing himself these days), Phoenix, Spoon, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Yo La Tengo, Deerhunter, Matt & Kim, The Big Pink, Florence and the Machine, Owen Pallett, Mayer Hawthorne, Local Natives, The Middle East, and Delphic.

Visit www.coachella.com for all the ticket details. Below is the full line-up, day by day:

FRIDAY APRIL 16: Jay-Z, LCD Soundsystem, Them Crooked Vultures, Vampire Weekend, Deadmau5, Public Image Limited, The Specials, Grizzly Bear, Passion Pit, Echo and the Bunnymen, Benny Benassi, Fever Ray, Grace Jones, She & Him, Erol Alkan, The Avett Brothers, Calle 13, The Whitest Boy Alive, The Cribs, La Roux, Yeasayer, Lucero, DJ Lance Rock, The Dillinger Escape Plan, Proxy, Ra Ra Riot, Deer Tick, Wolfgang Gartner, Aeroplane, Iglu & Hartly, Sleigh Bells, P.O.S., Baroness, Hockey, Little Dragon, White Rabbits, Wale, Kate Miller-Heidke, As Tall as Lions, Jets Overhead, Alana Grace, Pablo Hassan.

SATURDAY, APRIL 17: Muse, Faith No More, Tiësto, MGMT, David Guetta, The Dead Weather, Hot Chip, Devo, Coheed and Cambria, Kaskade, 2Many DJ's, Major Lazer, Dirty Projectors, Gossip, Z-Trip, The xx, John Waters, Les Claypool, The Raveonettes, Mew, Sia, Camera Obscura, Tokyo Police Club, Porcupine Tree, Old Crow Medicine Show, Aterciopalados, Bassnectar, Frightened Rabbit, Dirty South, Flying Lotus, Corinne Bailey Rae, Pretty Lights, Shooter Jennings, RX Bandits, The Almighty Defenders, Edward Sharp and the Magnetic Zeros, Craze & Klever, Zoe, The Temper Trap, Portugal. The Man, Band of Skulls, Girls, Beach House, Steel Train, Frank Turner.

SUNDAY, APRIL 18: Gorillaz, Pavement, Thom Yorke????, Phoenix, Orbital, Spoon, Sly and the Family Stone, De La Soul, Julian Casablancas, Plastikman, Gary Numan, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Sunny Day Real Estate, Yo La Tengo, MUTEMATH, Deerhunter, Infected Mushroom, Club 75, Matt & Kim, The Big Pink, Gil Scott-Heron, King Khan and the Shrines, Florence and the Machine, Yann Tiersen, Little Boots, Miike Snow, Talvin Singh, Ceu, B.o.B., Babasonicos, Owen Pallett, The Glitch Mob, Mayer Hawthorne, Local Natives, Rusko, The Middle East, Hadouken!, The Soft Pack, Kevin Devine, Paparazzi, Delphic, One EskimO.

www.coachella.com


AFCGT 2xLP out January 26th!


AFCGT is a rather convenient vernacular for A Frames and Climax Golden Twins. But if you’re hopeful that the usual sources are stocked with facts and figures about this outfit, think again. There’s not much information available on AFCGT. Conjoined a little over two years ago, the group has already been dishing out vinyl; recording a 10-inch EP, a full-length LP, and appearing on a 7-inch compilation not to mention a few super-limited CDRs thrown in for kicks. With 3 electric guitars, a bass guitar, and a drum kit they manage to emulate the decaying soundtrack of an international airport with all the trimmings; accidental runway collisions, air traffic control extremism, unauthorized handling of cargo, and bitching passengers at checkpoint screenings.

AFCGT, their self-titled new album on Sub Pop Records, will be available as both a vinyl LP (with bonus 7-inch single!) and as a digital album (without bonus 7-inch single!), though not as a compact disc. If you pre-order the LP version of AFCGT by January 26th, you’ll not only receive the bonus 7” single, but you’ll also get two bucks off and a link to stream the record immediately. Did I mention this is limited and that both the LP and the bonus 7-inch are on white vinyl? It is/they are/I just did.

Pre-order AFCGT here:
http://www.subpop.com/releases/afcgt/full_lengths/afcgt_sub_pop_lp

Download a free MP3 from AFCGT:
http://www.subpop.com/artists/afcgt

Retribution Gospel Choir on the road: Feb 01 Mercury Lounge, New York City, NY


Retribution Gospel Choir features Alan Sparhawk of Sub Pop recording artists Low, thereby making him his own label mate. This remarkable accomplishment is only overshadowed by how actually, verifiably, scientifically good 2, RGC’s Sub Pop debut, is. And on January 26th, you too can bask in the sheer splendor of 2! With your preorder of the CD or LP (with digital download code), you get the special introductory price of just $10 for CD or $12 for LP—which, if our staff mathematicians are to be believed, equates, mathematically, to two bucks off! You’ll also get some RGC and Sub Pop stickers and a link to a stream of the album so you don’t have to wait until release date to hear it; that’s two more reasons to order 2! The numbers and the puns don’t lie (even if they don’t amuse): You can never have too many.

Pre-order 2 here:
http://www.subpop.com/releases/retribution_gospel_choir/full_lengths/2

Download a free Retribution Gospel Choir track here:
http://www.subpop.com/artists/retribution_gospel_choir


More on RGC:
The most important thing to know about the rock trio Retribution Gospel Choir is that they are likely the most physically fit band on Earth. Drummer Eric Pollard is a distance swimmer, and Ultimate Frisbee champion with state basketball credentials. Bassist Steve Garrington also dazzles on the court, but it’s his long-distance running skills that mark him a champion. Alan Sparhawk, who plays guitar and sings, has extensive experience in American football, has been scouted for coaching work and stays fit as a distance trail runner and member of the band Low. Certainly, this trio would destroy any other band in a 10k race, and then still do the gig.

This new record, 2, comes on the heels of the band’s 2008 self-titled debut that was released on Caldo Verde, a label run by Mark Kozelek (Red House Painters, Sun Kil Moon). Since then, Retribution Gospel Choir has toured extensively, including US stints with Wilco and the Meat Puppets. The band was invited early on to play festivals in Spain (Primavera Sound) and the UK (All Tomorrow’s Parties), and were met with hugely positive reactions and invitations to return.

Tracked in their hometown of Duluth, Minnesota, 2 was then mixed by Matt Beckley, an up-and-coming producer from Los Angeles with credits that include Britney Spears and Paris Hilton. What seems like a strange pairing actually resulted in an album that is raw and technologically perverse, visceral and shiny—a true statement of what can be done with a great rock band in the 21st century. Short, inventive pop songs collide with heavy guitar chaos and psychedelia as the record climbs and dives like a twin-engine bomber, all accompanied by a vocal sophistication that’s rare in new music.

Retribution Gospel Choir on the road:

Jan 21 Frankie's, Toledo, OH
Jan 22 Grog Shop, Cleveland Heights, OH
Jan 23 Thunderbird Cafe, Pittsburgh, PA
Jan 25 Drake Hotel, Toronto, Canada
Jan 26 Casa Del Popolo, Montreal, Canada
Jan 27 Daniel Street, Milford, CT
Jan 28 Great Scott, Allston, MA
Feb 01 Mercury Lounge, New York City, NY
Feb 02 Union Hall, Brooklyn, NY
Feb 03 Kung Fu Necktie, Philadelphia, PA
Feb 04 Rock and Roll Hotel, Washington, DC
Feb 05 Local 506, Chapel Hill, NC
Feb 06 The Earl, Atlanta, GA
Feb 08 The Engine Room, Tallahassee, FL
Feb 09 Proud Larry's, Oxford, MS
Feb 10 The Meridian, Houston, TX
Feb 11 Stubb's BBQ, Austin, TX
Feb 12 Cavern, Dallas, TX
Feb 13 Hi-Tone, Memphis, TN
Feb 15 Sticky Fingerz, Little Rock, AR
Feb 16 Firebird, Saint Louis, MO
Feb 17 The Bishop, Bloomington, IN
Feb 18 Canopy Club, Urbana, IL
Feb 19 Hideout, Chicago, IL
Feb 20 Triple Rock Social Club, Minneapolis, MN
Mar 10 Grapes, Sheffield, United Kingdom
Mar 11 Ruby Lounge, Manchester, United Kingdom
Mar 12 Captain's Rest, Glasgow, United Kingdom
Mar 13 Whelans, Dublin, Ireland
Mar 15 Cargo - London, London, United Kingdom
Mar 16 Trix, Antwerp, Belgium
Mar 17 Paradiso, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Mar 18 Point Ephemere, Paris, France
Mar 19 De Kreun, Kortrijk, Belgium
Mar 20 MTC, Cologne, Germany
Mar 22 Magnet, Berlin, Germany
Mar 24 Bla, Oslo, Norway
Mar 25 Pustervik, Gothenborg, Sweden
Mar 26 Debaser, Stockholm, Sweden
Mar 27 Umea Open, Umea, n/a
Apr 06 Media Club, Vancouver, Canada
Apr 07 Crocodile, The, Seattle, WA
Apr 08 Doug Fir Lounge, Portland, OR
Apr 10 Crepe Place, Santa Cruz, CA
Apr 12 Detroit Bar, Costa Mesa, CA
Apr 13 Spaceland, Los Angeles, CA
Apr 14 Casbah, San Diego, CA
Apr 17 Larimer Lounge, Denver, CO

Icelandic Chanteuse Lay Low Brings "Lovely, Twangy Tales" (Paste) to NYC's The Living Room on 2/16, and Rockwood Music Hall on 2/17


U.S. Debut 'Farewell Good Night's Sleep' Out 3/9 (Loo Records)

Lay Low - the Icelandic singer/songwriter who Lucinda Williams called "by far one of the best new artists I've seen in years" - hits New York City in February to debut her new album, 'Farewell Good Night's Sleep,' at two club showcases: Feb. 16 at The Living Room and Feb. 17 at Rockwood Music Hall.

Lay Low (nee Lovisa Elisabet Sigrunardottir) draws inspiration from an earlier generation of iconic American female country stars including Patsy Cline, Dolly Parton and Kitty Wells, yet she imbues American folk, blues and country with her own fresh perspective. Called "the Icelandic Patsy Cline" by Paste Magazine, the 27-year-old previously garnered attention in the U.S. with a song on the hit show "Grey's Anatomy" and a performance on KCRW's "Morning Becomes Eclectic."
Lay Low will tour the U.S. extensively in 2010.

WHO: Lay Low

WHAT: Two Shows Previewing U.S. Debut 'Farewell Good Night's Sleep'

WHERE/WHEN: The Living Room, 154 Ludlow Street, NYC
February 16, 2010 at 7 P.M.

Rockwood Music Hall, 184 Allen Street, NYC
Feb 17, 2010 at 8 P.M.

TICKETS: No cover

THE VERY BEST’S MUSIC VIDEO “WARM HEART OF AFRICA” PREMIERES ON mtvU TODAY

The Very Best's first music video premieres today on mtvU:

http://www.mtvu.com/video/?vid=449762

CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED DEBUT ALBUM OUT NOW FEATURES M.I.A. AND EZRA KOENIG OF VAMPIRE WEEKEND The Very Best’s video for the single “Warm Heart of Africa” off their debut full-length of the same name will receive a premiere on mtvU today (http://www.mtvu.com/video/?vid=449762). The video, which features Vampire Weekend’s Ezra Koenig, will also receive airplay on MTV2’s “Subterranean.” The group consisting of European production duo Radioclit and Malawian singer Esau Mwamwaya garnered extensive critical acclaim following the October release of their debut album Warm Heart of Africa from outlets including NPR “Morning Edition,” NPR/WXPN’s “World Café,” PRI’s “The World,” Billboard, NYLON, PAPER, Planet, Chicago Tribune, and Boston Globe,

SPOON 2010 NORTH AMERICAN DATES ANNOUNCED TONIGHT SHOW APPEARANCE CONFIRMED FOR JANUARY 19 TRANSFERENCE RELEASE DATE NPR FIRST LISTEN FULL ALBUM

Transference is now available digitally in Europe. Physical product will be out next Monday.

Transference is now available widely in the US and Canada - via the Spoon Official Store, the Merge Records Store, iTunes, Amazon , and pretty much every brick-and-mortar with the exception of Wal-Mart.
Transference is now available in Australia and New Zealand.

New Yorkers have the chance to see a similarly intimate show when Spoon plays with NYC's great Mahogany at the Mercury Lounge this Thursday. Doors are at 8pm and tickets will be available on a first come, first served basis. Hope to see you.

A few more release week happenings:
Tonight, Tuesday Jan 19 - Spoon are the musical guest on the Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien
Wednesday Jan 20 - Spoon will perform on KCRW's Morning Becomes Eclectic live at 11am PST. You can listen
here
Thursday Jan 21 - Spoon at Mercury Lounge (Doors at 8pm, tix available at the door)
Saturday Jan 23 - Britt Daniel 3 songs solo at Sound Fix in Brooklyn 7pm
Monday Jan 25 - Spoon full band performance at Waterloo Records in Austin 4pm

See below for the full list of upcoming Spoon tour dates:

European tour (White Rabbits support on all dates):
Feb 14 - Glasgow, Scotland at King Tuts
tix
Feb 15 - Manchester, UK at Academy 3
tix
Feb 16 - London, UK at Electric Ballroom
tix
Feb 18 - Amsterdam, the Netherlands at Paradiso
tix
Feb 19 - Cologne, Germany at Luxor
tix
Feb 20 - Berlin, Germany at Frannz Club
tix


US tour:
Wed Mar 17 // Stubb's // Austin, TX
Thurs Mar 18 // Republic // New Orleans, LA *
tix
Fri Mar 19 // Workplay Soundstage // Birmingham, AL *
tix
Sat Mar 20 // Tabernacle // Atlanta, GA *
tix
Mon Mar 22 // 9:30 Club // Washington DC * SOLD OUT
Tues Mar 23 // 9:30 Club // Washington DC * SOLD OUT
Wed Mar 24 // The National // Richmond, VA *
tix
Fri Mar 26 // Radio City Music Hall // New York, NY *
tix
Sat Mar 27 // House of Blues // Boston, MA *
tix
Mon Mar 29 // Sound Academy // Toronto, ON *
tix
Tues Mar 30 // Royal Oak Music Theatre // Royal Oak, MI *
tix
Thurs Apr 01 // Aragon Ballroom // Chicago, IL &
tix
Fri Apr 02 // First Avenue // Minneapolis, MN &
tix
Sat Apr 03 // First Avenue // Minneapolis, MN &
tix
Mon Apr 05 // Ogden Theatre // Denver, CO &
tix
Tues Apr 06 // Ogden Theatre // Denver, CO &
tix
Wed Apr 07 // In The Venue // Salt Lake City, UT &
tix
Fri Apr 09 // Moore Theatre // Seattle, WA &
tix
Sat Apr 10 // Moore Theatre // Seattle, WA &
tix
Sun Apr 11 // Orpheum Theatre // Vancouver, BC &
tix
Tues Apr 13 // Fox Oakland Theatre // Oakland, CA &
tix

* with
Deerhunter , The Strange Boys
& with
Deerhunter , and Micachu & the Shapes

NEW YORK GUITAR FESTIVAL: JUSTIN VERNON OF BON IVER & STEVE KIMOCK


Thursday, January 21, 2010 8:00 pm

Justin Vernon of Bon Iver & Charlie Chaplin’sOne A.M. (1916)
Steve Kimock & Buster Keaton’s
Cops (1922)

The Festival's 10th Anniversary Season Pairs Classic Silent Films by Charlie Chaplin and Others with World Premieres of Original Scores Commissioned by the NYGF

THIS CONCERT IS SOLD OUT

Bon Iver is the nom-de-guerre of musician Justin Vernon. His album For Emma, Forever Ago was a critical and commercial hit, making him one of the most talked-about indie artists of 2008. For this performance he will be joined by Chris Rosenau of indie rock band Collection of Colonies of Bees, whom Justin calls his “guitar mentor.” Steve Kimockis best known as co-founder and guitarist for the San Francisco jazz/rock/funk band Zero and is a veteran when it comes to performing American roots music. He’s recorded and performed with many members of the Grateful Dead family (Jerry Garcia once hailed him as his favorite guitarist), Bruce Hornsby, Pete Sears and Hammond B3 master Melvin Seals. He currently records and tours with his band Crazy Engine.

Single tickets: $40, $45 premium seating

Monday, January 18, 2010

NADA SURF WITH THREE "ALBUM SHOWS" IN NEW YORK CITY LET GO, THE WEIGHT IS A GIFT, LUCKY


Nada Surf bring their trademark sense of harmony and musical craftsmanship to 12 of their favorite songs with their latest release, if i had a hi-fi, their first album of covers. Only a group with their wide-ranging and eclectic taste could bring songs from such artists as Kate Bush, Dwight Twilley and the Go-Betweens together into a coherent, intelligent record. hi-fi also includes some intriguingly obscure numbers like Spanish band Mecromina’s “Evolution” and Bill Fox’s power-pop “Electrocution.”

Although a great deal of thought went into the song selections, the band’s intent is not to make an overarching musical statement. Singer-guitarist Matthew Caws says, “We really just wanted to do it organically, whatever we felt like covering in the moment, rather than trying to sum up our influences or something. It’s whatever we were excited about in the months before making it. And I think we got to everything we wanted to.” The result is both inspired and casual, like a conversation with a friend who shares your taste but also pushes your musical boundaries. A vintage Moody Blues tune, the proto-prog tempo-shifting “Question,” shares space with The Soft Pack’s blissfully rudimentary “Bright Side,” Depeche Mode’s grand “Enjoy the Silence,” and experimental music icon Arthur Russell’s terse but sweet “Janine.”

Although the band had just returned from a worldwide tour in support of their 2008 release Lucky, and had looked forward to some time off, if i had a hi-fi mysteriously reenergized them. “The material came together spontaneously,” says Caws. “We'd get together and kick ideas around and soon we had an A list, a B list, a C list.... .” They're particularly proud of the title, which is both a callback to the musical platform of their youth and a palindrome.

if i had a hi-fi was recorded over three weeks in September at Resonate Studios in Austin, TX with long-time collaborator and part-time keyboardist Louie Lino. Fans who attend shows during the spring tour will be able to get their hands on the record before it’s in stores, offering true believers the opportunity for a double-first: hearing the songs for the first time and being able to take them home.

The tour begins March 25th with three “Album Shows” in NYC. On consecutive nights, Nada Surf will perform their three most recent albums: Let Go, The Weight Is A Gift, and Lucky in full, along with songs from if i had a hi-fi, fan favorites and b-sides. The band will then continue on to cover both the East and West coasts.

There is a Fan pre-sale for most US shows on Wednesday, January 6th at 10 am Local Time at http://nadasurf.musictoday.com

http://www.nadasurf.com
http://www.myspace.com/nadasurf

2010 Tour Dates:

MARCH
25 – New York, NY – Bowery Ballroom (“Let Go”)
26 – Brooklyn, NY – Bell House (“The Weight is a Gift”)
27 – Brooklyn, NY – Music Hall of Williamsburg (“Lucky”)
29 – Toronto, ON – Lee’s Palace
30 – Montreal, QC – Cabaret du Musee Juste Pour
31 – Northampton, MA – Pearl Street

Credit Photo to Audre Rae

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Midlake Confirms East Coast Dates For First North American Tour Since 2007 Including Two Nights At NYC's Bowery Ballroom, April 7 & 8


"Hypnotic" (Mojo) New Album 'The Courage of Others' (Feb. 2/Bella Union) to be Featured on NPR's "Exclusive First Listen" Starting Jan 26

Midlake, whose forthcoming album 'The Courage of Others' (Feb. 2/Bella Union) has already earned raves from British reviewers, has announced additional dates for its first North American tour since 2007.
Mojo, in a lead review, awards the album four stars, calling the Denton, TX band's songs "exquisitely constructed," while Q Magazine, in another four-star review, describes them as "towering and ageless."
NPR Music will stream 'The Courage of Others' in its entirety as part of their "Exclusive First Listen" series beginning Jan 26.

Midlake -- Additional U.S. Tour Dates:

MAR 31 - Birmingham, AL @ WorkPlay Theatre
APR 1 - Nashville, TN @ Mercy Lounge
APR 2 - Atlanta, GA @ Variety Playhouse
APR 3 - Carrboro, NC @ Cat's Cradle
APR 4 - Washington, DC @ Black Cat
APR 7-8 - New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom
APR 9 - Boston, MA @ Paradise
APR 10 - Philadelphia, PA @ Theatre of Living Arts
Credit: Bil Zelman

DOWNLOAD A NEW SONG FROM JASON BOESEL'S "SMART, FRESH" (HUFF PO) DEBUT LP OUT TODAY ON TEAM LOVE Stream 'Hustler's Son' In Its Entirety This Week at

Jason Boesel's solo debut 'Hustler's Son' is out today via CD and digital on Team Love. The Huffington Post's Sal Nunziato raved in his review that 'Hustler's Son' is a "smart and much needed fresh slice of Americana... [Boesel] delivers a very strong debut." Download the rollicking single "French Kissing" by clicking here.

"French Kissing" features Blake Mills, Nik Freitas, The Elected's Mike Bloom, and 'Hustler's Son' co-producer Jonathan Wilson. Co-produced by Boesel himself, other special guests on 'Hustler's Son' include David Rawlings, Benmont Tench, Orenda Fink, Blake Sennett, Bright Eyes' Nate Walcott, and more.

Stream 'Hustler's Son' in its entirety this week on AOL Spinner and MSN Music.

Jason Boesel

Jason Boesel's first solo U.S. tour in support of his debut starts February 5 in Santa Cruz. Dawes will join him onstage as his backing band on all the dates.

"Hand Of God" MP3:
http://bit.ly/JBoesel_HandOfGod_MP3

Jason Boesel 2010 Tour Dates:
**2/5 - 3/11 supporting the co-bill of Dawes / Cory Chisel and the Wandering Son

02-05 Santa Cruz, CA - The Crepe Place
02-08 Portland, OR - Mississippi Studios
02-09 Seattle, WA - Tractor Tavern
02-12 Minneapolis, MN - The Triple Rock Social Club
02-13 Madison, WI - Der Rathskeller, University of Wisconsin
02-14 Milwaukee, WI - Turner Hall Ballroom
02-15 Rock Island, IL - Daytrotter Presents at Rock Island Brewing Company
02-16 Chicago, IL - Double Door
02-17 Columbus, OH - Rumba Café
02-19 New York, NY - Bowery Ballroom
02-20 Allston, MA - Great Scott
02-23 Arlington, VA - IOTA Club and Café
02-24 Philadelphia, PA - Johnny Brenda's
02-25 Charlottesville, VA - The Southern
02-26 Louisville, KY - Zanzabar
02-27 Nashville, TN - Mercy Lounge
02-28 Atlanta, GA - Eddie's Attic
03-02 Little Rock, AR - Sticky Fingerz Chicken Shack
03-03 Oklahoma City, OK - The Conservatory
03-04 Dallas, TX - The Cavern
03-05 Houston, TX - Rudyard's
03-06 Austin, TX - Emo's
03-09 Phoenix, AZ - The Rhythm Room
03-10 San Diego, CA - The Loft at UCSD
03-11 Los Angeles, CA - Troubadour

EARLY PRAISE FOR 'HUSTLER'S SON':
"Incredible.... sinewy and warm harmony lines" - Daytrotter

"Jason Boesel is ready to step out front... 'Hustler's Son' is full of hushed and catchy country rock" - Paste Magazine

"For every Phil Collins and Don Henley, we occasionally get a Dave Grohl." - The Pitch: Kansas City

"A deft combination of grit and twang" - Direct Current Music

Friday, January 8, 2010

New Midlake Album Heralds "Another Great Step Forward," British Press Raves Four Star Lead Reviews in Mojo & Q; "Exquisitely Forlorn" says Uncut


Hear two new songs, "Acts of Man" and "Rulers Ruling All Things," here: http://www.myspace.com/midlake

Midlake's eagerly anticipated new album, 'The Courage of Others' (Feb. 2, Bella Union), has already begun earning rave reviews from the British press, with four star lead reviews in the new issues of Mojo and Q magazines. Two years in the making, 'The Courage of Others' is Midlake's first album since 2006's highly acclaimed breakthrough, "The Trials of Van Occupanther."

Mojo hails Midlake's music as "wistful and dreamy," its songs as "exquisitely constructed and intricately layered" and songwriter/frontman Tim Smith's vocals as "hypnotic."

"What their albums have in common, aside from musical literacy and often excellent songcraft, is the sense of an earlier time. Or more accurately, of being out of time." The review goes on to praise the record's "weird, hallucinatory quality," and applauds the original new direction the band has taken, one steeped in the British electric folk tradition of Steeleye Span and Fairport Convention.

Likewise, Uncut Magazine praises Midlake's "pristine harmonies" and "exquisitely forlorn compositions;" and Q says Midlake has taken "another great step forward," calling the album "brooding" and "quietly epic," adding "...these are towering songs and ageless ones, too."

Midlake kicked off their first tour since 2007 this week. Go here to see tour dates:
http://www.shorefire.com/index.php?a=pressrelease&o=3534

Photo Credit: Bil Zelman

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Good Shoes ‘No Hope, No Future’ New Album Released Digitally on 26th January 2010

‘No Hope, No Future’

New Album Released Digitally on 26th January 2010
Download the new single Under Control from the Good Shoes website


Good Shoes have always been an intriguing and contrary force. When their debut Think Before You Speak’ was released in 2007, it was heralded as one of the years indie successes, with its fashionable jangly-guitar and pop-perfect tunes. However underneath its racing chart-friendly heart lay a band with an unbreakable punk ethos and a true independent soul. A band who (-controversial-) made music simply for love of creation, who similarly made their own distinctive and charmingly homemade videos. A band who never entertained commercial success, but who played sped up, ecstatic punk sets that caused muso’s hearts to explode.
Such ethos and unbridled energy shows no sign of faltering on Good Shoes second album ‘No Hope, No Future (out on Brille Records on 19th January). Self written, recorded and produced (naturally) in local basements and bedrooms for a grand total of £5,000 (sandwiches included), No Hope, No Future has a character and emotive rawness sadly lost on the usual predictably shiny and overly–produced second album. Even the album artwork is D.I.Y. with Good Shoes fans being invited to Crystal Palace (London suburb) pool to be shot for the sleeve. As always, it’s a family affair.
That’s not to say some things haven’t changed. The off-kilter indie-pop of The Way My Heart Beatsand sleazy disco-flecked Under Control are unmistakably Good Shoes - instant indie dance-floor classics with head-spinning riffs (but with just a little less ‘jangly’ than before). But when album track ‘Then She Walks Away hits with it’s pleading vocals laced in regret and Everything You Do, a dark droning track of moody atmospherics and disenchanted vocals (“everything you do, everything you say, always ends up turning out the same”), it’s apparent Good Shoes have matured. Some would call it a break-up album, with the universally recognised fear of being on the edge relayed beautifully in City By The Sea, but in truth it’s the sound of a band evolving, as it should, with a more intricate and at times heavier sound. It’s the unstoppable creative force that is Good Shoes moving on and up and offering another even better, bolder record. Hail the return of indie’s saviors.
Listen to 4 tracks taken from 'No Hope, No Future' with this embeddable widget

Fans can now pre-order ‘No Hope, No Future’ and receive their copy direct from the band on 11th January – two weeks ahead of its official release by ordering from the bands website at http://goodshoesstore.sandbag.uk.com/Store/DisplayItems-5-0-0.html including a bonus disk of Good Shoes acoustic tracks and previously unheard cover versions - all recorded live in front of a small, select studio audience. Also available on the on-line store are special, limited goodies including t-shirts and signed numbered screen print posters hand-made by Good Shoes.
Watch the video for Under Control

Good Shoes release the single ‘Under Control’ on 12th January with the album ‘No Hope, No Future’ following on the 26th. .
Good Shoes will make their debut US appearances in March, dates TBC, including SXSW.
For full worldwide tour dates visit: