SOON
Mates of State's Free Download of New Song
Wednesday, May 14, 2008 | 1:20 PM
Husband-wife duo, Mates of State, will be releasing their brand new album, Re-Arrange Us, on May 20 (um, which I just realized is this upcoming Tuesday).
The album title is actually quite fitting since Kori Gardner and Jason Hammel have expanded their sound, adding piano, synths, and lush string arrangements to their music.
(left to right: Kori on the keys, Jason on the drums.)
Here's a free copy of Mates of State's
Note: If you're having trouble downloading this song, sometimes the right-click or ctrl-click (for you laptop users) will do the trick.
World's Collide on Today's Episode of The Sauce
Thursday, May 8, 2008 | 10:46 AM
In the spirit of great rivalries like Red Sox/Yankees, UNC/Duke, Paris Hilton/Lindsay Lohan, and Morrissey/Robert Smith, lays the mini, music-video-channel rivalry between MTV2 and FUSE. For years I was part of the rivalry, batting clean-up for MTV2. I was Big Papi to Steven Smith's Derek Jeter (host of Fuse's The Sauce and Steven's Untitled Rock Show), Rowdy Roddy Piper to his Hulk Hogan.
(left: Later today, I will be stepping into what once was enemy territory.)
Over the years I have actually become friends with Steven, but we have never ever been on camera together. That will all change today. In need of a last second replacement guest (apparently someone dropped out earlier this week), I have been booked to talk about independent and indie-minded music on today's episode of The Sauce, airing at 6PM (EST) on FUSE.
Get Your CSS On!
Wednesday, April 30, 2008 | 7:28 AM
Not the popular author, C.S. Lewis, and not CSI Miami, Las Vegas, or New York. I'm talking about São Paulo, Brizil's own CSS, a band whose name is an acronym for, "cansei de ser sexy," which translates into "tired of being sexy"--I hear ya sister.
(left: "Whoever is not tired of being sexy raise your hand.")
I was excited to find out recently that CSS will be releasing their sophomore effort, Donkey, on July 22. I got into the band (not literally of course) a couple years ago and they quickly reminded me of many great female-fronted acts like the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Le Tigre, and Blondie. The only thing I didn't like about them was their video for "Alala," which did little to complement my favorite song off their album. It actually turned my stomach a bit. But speaking of "Alala," for any of you runners out there, it's a great little tune to toss into your iPod for a run.
Anyway, let me get to my point, CSS' just released a song off their new album, "Rat is Dead (Rage)." Besides heading out on tour this summer, they're also playing Lollapalooza on August 1.
What Made Milwaukee Famous Covering Billy Joel
Monday, April 28, 2008 | 12:01 PM
What Made Milwaukee Famous, an Austin, TX-based band that I'm likin' of late, have announced a string of tour dates with The Whigs. They have also recorded a live version of Billy Joel's
"You May Be Right" which you can download right here:
you may be right.mp3
If for some reason you can only hear it, and not download it, let me know and I'll try to figure something out.
Listen to Portishead's New Album
Thursday, April 24, 2008 | 1:06 PM
Acting late on a tip, I just discovered that Portishead's brand new, long-long-long overdue album, Third, is being streamed on Last FM. The album officially comes out next week, April 29.
Yo Rex, I'm still reading your blog. Thanks for the heads up! (Don't know if it's proper blog-etiquette to post a blog about info I found on a blog, but keep in mind I was still using messenger pigeons up until 2001.)
Portishead's last studio album (self-titled) was released in September of 1997. My messenger pigeon actually flew to Sam Goody and bought it for me. It was a lovely afternoon.
Mates of State's "Get Better" Video
Thursday, April 24, 2008 | 9:45 AM
This is the first video from Mates of State's (a charming, feel-good, husband/wife indie-pop duo) forthcoming album Re-Arrange Us, which is set to be released on May 20th.
Oh yeah, the video's called "Get Better."
CBGB's, say hello to John Varvatos Bowery
Wednesday, April 16, 2008 | 7:30 AM
Tomorrow, April 17, there will be a party thrown at 315 Bowery (New York, NY) to celebrate the grand opening of John Varvatos Bowery, a brand new contemporary menswear fashion boutique.
For those more into punk rock history than fragrance and skincare products, this story may be of particular interest to you, because 315 Bowery is the former site of the seminal punk rock club CBGB's.
(left: 315 Bowery, Then and Now).
Fashion Designer John Varvatos made sure to preserve a lot of the graffiti and drunken artwork that adorns the former club's walls, in order to keep CBGB's aura alive.
Is having a fashion boutique (w/ lots of original CBGB's graffiti and stickers) better than having a bank or Starbucks at 315 Bowery? Maybe.
Is having a fashion boutique better than having a historic punk rock club at 315 Bowery? Maybe not.
Slug and Ant's New TV Show
Thursday, April 10, 2008 | 8:35 AM
One of underground hip-hop's most beloved groups is two weeks away from dropping their brand new album (whose title cracks me up every time I say it). Atmosphere will be releasing, When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That Shit Gold, on Tuesday, April 22.
(left to right: Ant and Slug, turnin' lemons into gold.)
In a move that was designed to either answer all Atmosphere-related questions before the usual album press-cycle, or just to kill time during a frigid Minnesota winter, Slug and Ant have created a web show, Paint it Gold, which tapes in Slug's basement and is already seven episodes deep. What may be most amazing to Atmosphere fans is that the group's once-shy producer, Ant, joins Slug as a co-host on the show. Fans can e-mail on-air questions to: paintitgold@hotmail.com
If you haven't done it yet and you're yearning for some Atmosphere material while awaiting the new album, you could always download Strictly Leakage, a free internet release the group put out at the end of last year.
Speaking of web-shows, Slug will be joining me on Lunchbox Tuesday, April 22.
Hot Chip's New Video, "One Pure Thought"
Thursday, April 10, 2008 | 8:03 AM
(left: Hot Chip, catch 'em now while they're playing some U.S. East Coast dates)
Here's Hot Chip's brand new video, "One Pure Thought", off their album Made in the Dark. Watch it HERE. They're playing live at the Starlight Ballroom in Philadelphia tonight:
Tapes 'N Tapes Walk It Off w/ Conan O'Brien
Wednesday, April 9, 2008 | 11:58 AM
It feels like it's turning into a Tapes 'N Tapes theme day here on the Indie Ear Blog, with their full-length interview just posted and all.
Anyway, just to let you know (or remind you) Tapes 'N Tapes will be performing live on Late Night With Conan O'Brien tonight. This will jump-start their North American tour which starts tomorrow (April 10).
(left: Josh Grier showin' some hometown purple-people-eatin' love in his Minnesota Vikings t-shirt)
Lollapalooza Announces 2008 Line-Up
Monday, April 7, 2008 | 1:48 PM
Lollapalooza, the 3-day concert festival (which used to be a complete summer tour back in the '90s), recently announced its line-up for this year's event, which is taking place on August 1-3 in Chicago, IL (Grant Park).
(left: Lollapalooza is takin' it back to its roots in 2008)
Fittingly, the big headliners of this year's Lollapalooza are products of the 90's: Radiohead, Rage Against the Machine, and NIN (some of you may have even been on hand in 1991 and 1992 when a young NIN and Rage Against the Machine respectively played their first Lollapaloozas). Here's how the rest of the line-up looks for this year's event:
Rancid Announce Summer Tour
Wednesday, April 2, 2008 | 7:52 AM
Punk rock hell-raisers, Rancid, will hit the road right after they put the finishing touches on their brand new Brett Gurewitz-produced album. It's been two years since Rancid last toured and five since they released a new album.
Rancid depart on April 5th for a week of shows in Japan--a mini-tour which includes headlining the Punkspring festival in Tokyo and Osaka.
Nirvana to Play Coachella With Rivers Cuomo?
Tuesday, April 1, 2008 | 10:13 AM
In what was supposed to be the "best kept music secret of 2008," an official press release leaked earlier this morning, reporting that Weezer's Rivers Cuomo would join Dave Grohl and Krist Novoselic for a Nirvana reunion at this month's Coachella Music Festival (Indio, CA), as well as a headlining slot at this summer's annual Lollapalooza Music Festival (Chicago, IL).
(left to right: Cuomo, Novoselic, and Grohl will play as Nirvana at this year's Coachella and Lollapalooza)
Ultra Music Festival Caps Off WMC This Weekend
Thursday, March 27, 2008 | 2:04 PM
A couple weeks ago the indie folks had SXSW down in Austin, TX. This week, the DJ/electrtonic/dance folks have been getting their groove on at the annual Winter Music Conference in Miami, FL.
The week-long festivities culminate in the Ultra Music Festival (celebrating its 10th year), happening on Friday (Mar. 28) and Saturday (Mar. 29) at Bicentennial Park, which is the largest electronic music concert in the country. I could give you a list of who's performing, but basically, just about every big name in electronic music will be there. Underworld? Justice? Paul Van Dyk? Pete Tong? Moby? Tiesto? MSTRKRFT? Sasha & Digweed? Carl Cox? Yes, yes, and yes. Like I said, everyone will be there.
Here's all the info. If you're down in Miami, have a blast!
INDIE EAR MADNESS: Sweet-16 Preview
Thursday, March 27, 2008 | 12:29 PM
Here's a preview of tonight's Indie Ear Madness Regional Semifinals. Since the action will be taking place deep into the wee hours of night, make sure you check back early tomorrow morning to see what musical acts made it into the Great-8 (that's right, we say Great-8 around here, none of that non-rhyming Elite-8 stuff).
Once again, the only place to follow all of this year's Indie Ear Madness tournament is on the Indie Ear Blog at IFC.com.
Moby: New Album, Free Music for Filmmakers, & One Pissed-Off Chicken
Wednesday, March 26, 2008 | 1:57 PM
Moby, makes his triumphant return this Tuesday, April 1, as he releases his brand new dance-inspired, Last Night, a loosely based concept album following around the lovable bald-headed socialite as he bounces from club to club on a NYC night. Dance fans will be happy to know that Moby, who has been known to shelve his groovin' beats for more experimental fodder, returns to the dance floor on Last Night, especially on its lead single, "Disco Lies." Speaking of which, if you ever wanted to see a pimped-out chicken get medieval on Colonel Sanders' ass, this Even Bernard directed clip is probably right down your alley.
Ted Leo and Liars are Rollin' With the "Big Dogs"...
Tuesday, March 25, 2008 | 10:28 AM
It almost brings a tear to my eye. Two of our Indie Ear faves, Ted Leo (aka, the nicest man in indie rock) and Liars will be heading out with the "big dogs" this spring/early summer.
(left) "Ted, this is Eddie Vedder. I was wondering what you were doing this June?"
Beastie Boys Tonight in NYC!
Tuesday, March 4, 2008 | 9:06 AM
For any of you that don't know by now, I'm a bit obsessed with the Beastie Boys. I'm sure somewhere at their Oscilloscope studios there's a black-and-white photo of me in a file-box labeled: NOT PERMITTED WITHIN 20 FEET OF BEASTIE BOYS.
I'll try to keep my distance tonight, but it may be a bit difficult.
The Beastie Boys will be performing in New York City tonight (hosted by Moby--don't know exactly what that entails?) at Terminal 5 (56th St./11th Ave.). Doors are at 7PM.
Make sure you check back tomorrow for a detailed blow-by-blow recap of the entire show...
Gutter Twins, Activate!
Thursday, February 21, 2008 | 8:35 AM
Anyone who came of age listening to alternative rock in the 90's should be very excited about The Gutter Twins.
Who are the Gutter Twins, you ask?
None other than Mark Lanegan and Greg Dulli. The Gutter Twins' debut effort, Saturnalia (Sub Pop), will be released on March 4. Don't think of this album as a 90's nostalgia trip though--it's not like Lanegan and Dulli stopped making music once flannel went out of style. Both Lanegan and Dulli boast an impressive rock resume. Lanegan rose to fame as the lead singer of the Screaming Trees and has done sessions with Kurt Cobain, PJ Harvey, Isobel Campbell (Belle & Sebastian), and most recently Queens of the Stone Age, while Dulli was the popular frontman of the Afghan Whigs, later forming the Twilight Singers.
In the Gutter Twins' press release, Lanegan says, "When we actually decided to make a record, we agreed that it should be different from anything we've done before. If something sounded like anything we'd ever done, it was rejected." Dulli summed up their different styles by explaining, "He's more minimalist and I'm more maximalist, and both tendencies are present throughout the record."
P.S. I have a couple good Mark Lanegan stories. I'll save 'em for a blog posting that's closer to The Gutter Twins release date. Stay tuned...
DID YOU KNOW?
The album title Saturnalia is taken from an ancient Roman festival that culminates when slaves trade places with their masters.
U.S. Tour Dates:
March 1, 2008
Noise Pop, San Francisco CA
March 3, 2008
Wonder Ballroom, Portland OR
March 4, 2008
Showbox (Seattle), Seattle WA
March 7, 2008
Metro, Chicago IL
March 8, 2008
First Avenue, Minneapolis MN
March 9, 2008
High Noon Saloon, Madison WI
March 11, 2008
Southgate House, Newport KY
March 12, 2008
Beachland Ballroom, Cleveland OH
March 14, 2008
Mod Club, Toronto Canada
March 15, 2008
Cabaret Music Hall, Montreal Canada
March 18, 2008
Paradise, Boston MA
March 19, 2008
Webster Hall, New York NY
March 20, 2008
930 Club, Washington DC
March 21, 2008
Roxy Theatre, Atlanta GA
March 22, 2008
One Eyed Jacks, New Orleans LA
March 26, 2008
Antone's, Austin TX
March 27, 2008
House of Blues (Dallas), Dallas TX
Cambridge Room
March 29, 2008
Fox Theater, Boulder CO
April 2, 2008
Avalon (LA), Los Angeles CA
Beastie Boys Warm Up With Some Light Calisthenics
Tuesday, February 19, 2008 | 12:34 PM
For any of you who never had the pleasure of seeing the Beastie Boys perform in an intimate setting (i.e., not an outdoor music festival with thousands of sweaty bodies pressed up against you), you'll get your chance on Tuesday, March 4 at Terminal 5 in New York City (56 St./11th Ave).
The Beastie Boys are playing what we like to call a tune-up show. Just like an all-star pitcher will work a game in the minors before returning to the big leagues, the Beastie Boys will get into concert shape in their hometown of NYC, before heading off to Clewiston, FL to play the Langerado Music Festival (Friday, March 7), followed by a trip to Mexico City to perform at MX Beat Soundfest (Saturday, March 8).
It's not easy going into a festival setting cold, so I'm sure besides some pre-show calisthenics, the Beastie Boys will shake off the cobwebs by trading off their respective doody rhymes and going through a scrimmage-style version of "The Weave" during "Root Down". The Beastie Boys' last live performance was September 27, 2007 at Charter One Pavilion (Chicago, IL).
Proceeds from this concert will benefit the Institute for Music and Neurologic Function.
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