Bring Me Up: The Sound

Midlake: The Courage of Others

2009-12-09T10:22:00.003-05:00

Midlake has announced the release of a new limited-edition 12" single featuring two songs from their forthcoming album 'The Courage of Others.' The songs on the vinyl-only release are "Acts of Man" b/w "Rulers, Ruling All Things" and it will be available in stores on December 15, 2009.

On why it took so long to get a new album from Midlake...

"I hate to take forever. We certainly weren't just sitting at home just watching 'Tyra'."

SILVERSUN PICKUPS NOMINATED FOR BEST NEW ARTIST GRAMMY

2009-12-09T09:07:00.001-05:00

Dangerbird Records is proud to announce that Los Angeles-based quartet Silversun Pickups have been nominated for the Best New Artist Grammy Award. For a fully independent band to win this award is incredibly rare, and less than 10 in the history of the Grammys have been nominated overall. No one is taking this for granted, least of all the band. Lead singer Brian Aubert said, "This was never something in our sights. We have never even had a fantasy about this. It just wasn't on our radar. However, we do feel insanely proud of our label and everyone involved with us. The nod from the Grammys makes us feel real warm inside. We're astonished, excited, and completely humbled by it."

The band is currently on tour in Europe supporting Placebo along with doing some headlining shows on days off.. On December 21st, they will appear on The Tonight Show With Conan O'Brien to play their current single "Substitution," from their most recent album, Swoon, which so far has yielded the band's second #1 Modern Rock single, "Panic Switch." On January 26, 2010, to begin the show's sweeps period, Silversun Pickups will be the first band to perform on the Jimmy Kimmel Live outdoor stage after its mid-winter hiatus.

On February 27th, Silversun Pickups begin their much-anticpated North American tour with Muse at Atlanta's Gwinnett Center. Only six dates have been announced so far. Many more dates are about to be confirmed.

Sold and taken: The Pineapple Thief

2009-12-08T13:04:00.004-05:00

Pigeon Versus Statue is pleased to announce the US release of, 3000 Days from The Pineapple Thief, out now on Kscope.

2CD set - The Best Of The Pineapple Thief 1999 - 2008
Re-mastered edition - compiled by Bruce Soord, including alternative versions/mixes.

Last year, The Pineapple Thief launched the Kscope label with the critically acclaimed album, Tightly Unwound.

While the album was many people's introduction to the band they have actually spent the past nine years quietly building up a dedicated fan base across the globe, selling over 25,000 records and nurturing their 'bittersweet' progressive sound over six previous albums.

3000 Days is a collection of songs, lovingly re-mixed and re-mastered by Bruce Soord and Steve Kitch at the recently refurbished studio at The Pineapple Thief HQ, somewhere in deepest and darkest Somerset, UK.

'It's an atmospheric listen of bold indie that rarely rests on its laurels.' Rocksound, UK

The Pineapple Thief are putting the finishing touches on their new studio album, currently scheduled for release in early 2010.

Baby sister to Bestival is Camp Bestival

2009-12-05T11:19:00.002-05:00

Fresh from winning the coveted Family Festival Award at this year's UK Festival Awards, Camp Bestival is all set to continue its crusade to bring back the Great British summer holiday with bells on, returning to the salubrious surrounds of Lulworth Castle for another jam-packed jaunt bursting with bountiful excitement for all the family. It might only be cold December but with Christmas on the horizon what better way to banish the winter chills than to treat the family by getting them something extra-special to look forward to for the first weekend of the school summer hols - July 30th to August 1st, 2010 - Camp Bestival is a wonderland of joy that not only promises myriad extra curricular pleasures but also has more musical thrills than Dorset's Jurassic coastline has got fossils, all generously sprinkled with our very own, extra-special Bestival magic.

Bouncing with excitement Rob da Bank says: ''It seems only yesterday that we were basking in the sun singing along to Mr Tumble and then watching PJ Harvey captivate the whole site with her extraordinary solo performance but it's that time again to unveil what we've been planning thus far for 2010. From Saturday night headliners the nutty boys Madness to Bill Drummond's inspirational new music project, from folk royalty Martin Carthy and Dave Swarbrick to DJ Yoda and Beardyman it's looking like a typically random yet happy family. Hope to see you there'.

Undoubtedly a national treasure, Madness, who are riding the crest of a critically acclaimed wave for their recent 'Liberty of Norton Folgate' album, boast a back catalogue the envy of almost everybody, ever, their appeal knows no bounds so we can be assured of a rip-roaring knees up they take to the stage to play their Saturday night headline slot. Commenting on the set the band said: "We love nothing more then a good old family knees up and if we get anywhere near the reception we got at Bestival in 2007 we'll feel like kings of Lulworth Castle."

Synth-pop overlords The Human League will be gracing Lulworth Castle with a superlative selection of their anthemic tunes. One of Steel City's most enduring bands, The Human League's faultless body of work is still as breathtaking as ever, never failing to create an exceptionally electric atmosphere wherever they perform. Also joining Camp Bestival's ever-eclectic line up will be the living embodiment of Funk, George Clinton with Parliament Funkadelic. Famed for the mind-bending, coruscating live sets that span his entire career, George Clinton is one of nature's true one-offs and a real living legend. Current king of the pop tree, Calvin Harris will be invading the stage and your brain with his indelible hooks, a sure-fire guarantee to put a smile on your face and get your feet moving and all-conquering, MOBO Awards winning Chipmunk will be in the zone to keep on rhyming and shining, whipping the crowd into a frenzy.

One of the revelations of Camp Bestival 2009 was the mighty Mr Tumble. He proved such an enormous hit with the kids (and, let's face it, their parents!) that we just had to get him back for 2010! This time though, it's so much bigger and better because we've got him for the whole 3 days of the event! With a series of slapstick and makaton sing-along performances and some extra-special meet and greets spanning the entire event, the tiny tots won't know what's hit them!

Camp Bestival will play host to one of the music and art world's most intriguing maverick sons, Bill Drummond, giving you the chance to become part of an amazing musical art project. Bill Drummond the Choir Master - Become a member of The17: Bill Drummond's (KLF, Timelords etc) choir. In this exclusive UK appearance, Bill will work with 10 groups of 17 people to record one of his scores. These will be combined and played back to the entire audience at Camp Bestival on Sunday night. To be part of one of the first 5 choirs to take part, email The17[at]campbestival.net to register now. All ages welcome!

The cultural pleasures of Camp Bestival are taking shape with a veritable smorgasbord of erudite delights. The English National Ballet will return for our 2010 show. One of the highlights of 2009, we can't wait to see what they've got planned for us this time! You can also feed your brain with mind-treats at The East Lulworth Literary Institute where you can relish rare live interviews with the likes of film director Andrea Arnold; learn How To Be DJ Derek with the man himself; discover 'ideas to live by' through expert sessions from the School of Life; plus loads of other diverse and fascinating special guests and sessions to be announced soon. There's also House of Fairytales a brand new art project headed up by renowned artist Gavin Turk, the Polka Tent - one of the massive successes from Bestival - few tents sum up the madness that the festival vibe can reach with wall to wall, end to end Crazy Hoedown music, Balkan Bangers, Speed Gypsy and Kleizmer chaos, plus The World Famous will be back with the awe-inspiring pyrotechnical pleasures of their Son et Lumiere extravaganza.

The first names on the disco team sheet, charged with ramping up Camp Bestival's dance floor mayhem include DJ Yoda who will be crabbing, flaring and cutting up the beats and bass like only he can and head honcho Rob da Bank who will drop the musical manna from heaven in his own imitable style. Old skool warriors Ragga Twins, mash-up marvels Nextmen featuring MC Wrec, Reggae sound system legend DJ Derek, Dubstep don Joker, House touchstone Cooly G, Amiga adventurer Boy 8-Bit, harbinger of Hyper bass L-Vis 1990, Trunk Records supremo Jonny Trunk and super-charged 78 action from Greg's Greats are all also set to appear. Plus we welcome the return of teen rave sensations Let's Go Crazy who promise the sound of bouncy punishing bass, dark disco beats, pulsing basslines and infectious drum 'n bass which will have the whole tent skanking.

Sweet Apple joins Tee Pee Records

2009-12-02T12:10:00.004-05:00

Sweet Apple, featuring members of Dinosaur Jr., Cobra Verde and Witch, has signed to NYC's Tee Pee Records. The indie-rock supergroup will release its debut album "Love and Desperation" on March 30, 2010.

Of course, the band - Dinosaur Jr.'s J. Mascis (drums/guitar/vocals); Cobra Verde's Tim Parnin (guitar); John Petkovic (vocals/guitar) and Witch's Dave Sweetapple (bass/vocals) - eschews the whole "supergroup" tag.

Sweet Apple, you see, was born by accident and friendship - out of death, after a cross-country drive.

Singer-guitarist John Petkovic got in his car heading eastward days after the passing of his mother -- to smoke cigarettes, listen to music and clear his head. He didn't even know where he was going or where he'd end up.

He ended up in New England, the home of long-time friends Dave Sweetapple and J. Mascis, who told John to start writing some songs so they could start a band. Within weeks, and after recruiting Cobra Verde guitarist Tim Parnin they started working on an album.

The result is "Love and Desperation." The 12-song disc casts a wide net, reflecting the disparate sounds of all their bands: catchy power-pop, crushing rock and wounded ballads.

"I hadn't even played the guitar for months," says Petkovic. "And then, out of the blues, there were all these songs just coming out."

Recorded in Cleveland and Massachusetts, "Love and Desperation" was mixed by John Agnello (Dinosaur Jr., Sonic Youth and The Hold Steady) and Don Depew (Cobra Verde, Guided by Voices).

"I tell people that I saved John's life by starting this band," says Mascis. "But they don’t believe me."

Sweet Apple is currently working on a video for the opening track, "Do You Remember," a driving, rock anthem. The band plans to tour and perform at South by Southwest.

fun. Believe in Me Holiday Song

2009-11-30T12:06:00.002-05:00

Nate, Jack and Andrew of fun., who just wrapped up another successful round of tour dates, launched a brand new website this week at www.ournameisfun.com. They hooked up with Facebook so that fans can log-in and interact with everything they post. The site certainly lives up to the band's name. Make sure to scroll over the guys' heads for a glimpse into their deepest thoughts!

Don't miss fun. on tour with Jack's Mannequin in February 2010...

**Tour dates w/ Jack's Mannequin**
Feb. 5 - Seattle, WA @ The Showbox
Feb. 6 - Portland, OR @ Roseland
Feb. 7 - Spokane, WA @ Knitting Factory
Feb. 9 - Salt Lake City, UT @ In The Venue
Feb. 11 - Sacramento, CA @ Cal State Union
Feb. 12 - Las Vegas, NV @ House of Blues
Feb. 16 - San Antonio, TX @ The White Rabbit
Feb. 17 - Dallas, TX @ House of Blues
Feb. 19 - Kansas City, MO @ The Beaumont
Feb. 20 - Minneapolis, MN @ First Avenue
Feb. 24 - Indianapolis, IN @ Egyptian Room
Mar. 5 - Norfolk, VA @ The Norva

Listen to their new holiday track...

fun. - "Believe In Me" (mp3)

fun is Nate Ruess, Andrew Dost and Jack Antonoff. Formed during the winter of 2008, the band will begin recording their debut album this September with producer Steven McDonald, arranger Roger Joseph Manning Jr and a cast of characters.

Chris Garneau Premieres "Fireflies" On MTV LOGO's NewNowNext

2009-11-20T10:26:00.003-05:00

Record label Absolutely Kosher has announced the first official music video off of Chris Garneau's latest album El Radio. The single "Fireflies" has just been released to the public in Europe and North America.

A crew of only five people over the course of five days, traveled hundreds of miles from Sequoia National Park, to Yosemite, to Death Valley and everywhere in between, filming this hybrid music video-action/adventure film with only a few, limited resources. Shooting mostly guerrilla style and capturing elements at the spur of the moment along the whole route, Garneau was outfitted with home-made rigging and equipment to create the specific look and feel of the "Fireflies" video...which is a play on the famous Nintendo game "Legend Of Zelda". In addition, using the brand new, unvetted technology of the Canon 5D MARK II produced some of the clearest and most vibrant footage possible. On the forefront of the new media landscape this project is a rare example of true artistic collaboration and creative outpouring on every level.

"I love that son-of-a-b*tch!" laughs director Daniel Stessen of his old friend Chris Garneau. This long time friendship between Stessen and Garneau was instrumental in facilitating the unusual and rigorous shooting style that included sleepless nights, outback camping, and hiking for miles with hundreds of pounds of equipment into the forests and deserts. "We saw everything from snow in the Sequoia mountains to 120 degree temperatures in Death Valley," Stessen explained.

This is the second Chris Garneau video by director/writer Daniel Stessen (People-Food), this time with a new team of creative independents for "Fireflies" such as photographer Sam Gezari, production designer Tristam Steinberg, animator Mike Garza, and post production team Bonch.

World Tour Dates

11/27/09 - Freiburg, Germany - White Rabbit
11/28/09 - Munich, Germany - On3Radio Festival
11/29/09 - Heidelberg, Germany - Pret A Couter Festival
12/01/09 - Berlin, Germany - NBI
12/11/09 - Philidelphia, PA - First Unitarian Church Chapel
01/01/10 - Bejing, China - Yugong, Yishan
01/02/09 - Shanghai, China - Mao
01/03/09 - Nanjing, China - Castle
01/05/09 - Wuhan, China - Vox
01/06/09 - Chengdu, China - Little Bar
01/08/09 - Changsha, China - 4698
01/09/10 - Guangzhou, China - Iron Age Space
01/10/09 - Shenzhen, China - Idutang Loft

All Smiles Release Two EPs

2009-11-17T09:35:00.003-05:00

Jim Fairchild has had an incredibly busy and amazing year this year, what with the release of both his full-length and two EPs--he's also been on the road a good chunk of the year playing guitar in Modest Mouse, and he's relocated to San Francisco, CA.

All Smiles' brand new five-song "Fall Never Fell" EP is available tomorrow through www.allsmilesmusic.com, all digital retailers, and at shows! Also--get this--between now and Dec. 25th, the digital version of All Smiles' mind-blowing full-length, "Oh For The Getting and Not Letting Go", will be available for only $5 if and only if you go to www.allsmilesmusic.com. While you're there, you can also grab "The Comparison Blouse" EP (also out tomorrow!), comprised of five demos from the OFTGANLG sessions, free of charge.

But, that's not all: tomorrow marks the first time that "Oh For The Getting And Not Letting Go" is available at retailers near you, thanks to the great folks at Burnside Distribution! As with All Smiles' full-length, both new EPs were recorded in Omaha, Nebraska and Los Angeles, California by co-producers Solon Bixler (Great Northern) and Nik Freitas (Mystic Valley Band). Both Freitas and Bixler lent their multi-instrumental talents to the record, along with drummer/percussionist Joe Plummer (Modest Mouse).

"Fall Never Fell" EP Track Listing:
1. Dolly, Don't
2. Fall Never Fell
3. The Way That I Come And Go
4. Tired Jaws
5. Water or Whisper

"The Comparison Blouse" EP Track Listing:
1. The Ones I Want To Live (demo)
2. It Never Saves Me (demo)
3. I Was The One (demo)
4. Brightest Beyond (demo)
5. All You Are Is A Human, Sir (demo)

Oh, Starling - Joy EP

2009-11-17T08:58:00.004-05:00

Oh, Starling is a new project for, husband and wife, Dan Craig and Jessica Sonner.

Who?
Dan Craig - Piano, Vocals, Drums, Guitar, brilliance.
Jessica Sonner - Piano, Vocals, Guitar

So for their first release...They took some traditional Christmas carols and added their own touches to them. Their goal is to give folks an idea of what is in store while also giving you some holiday cheer.

The Joy EP is all DRM-free.

Listen:

Oh, Starling - "Silent Night" (mp3)

Upcoming show:

Saturday, December 12th, 2009
The 2nd Annual "HomeVibe" for the Holidays Concert! - 6pm
Gothic Theater
3263 S. Broadway
Englewood, CO

Price: $15 adv/$20 (buy tickets early)

Featuring:
Braddigan (of Dispatch) Full Band
Dan Craig
Jessica Sonner
Megan Burtt
Katey Laurel

FOR TICKETS AND INFO:
www.homevibepresents.com

Enjoy!

Agent Ribbons Hit the Road

2009-11-16T20:14:00.003-05:00

Sacramento's Agent Ribbons hit the road on a month long tour on Saturday. This end of the year tour has them sharing the stage with Beep Beep, Rabbit Children, Weed Diamond and more.

Lauren Hess and Natalie Gordon first met in '06 over a shared moment of disposing of dead bats at a Sacramento record store where Natalie worked and Lauren frequented. After learning of their shared tastes, the girls booked their first show within weeks in San Francisco. A year later, they hit the road twice; the first time led to the discovery of their third member Naomi Cherie, the second saw them to both coasts as the support act for fellow Sac locals CAKE. Now on the road again, we shall see what comes of the girls this time.

There's a retro, cabaret-style quality to their songs and some reviewer's have described them as "Victorian punk."

Take a gander:

Enjoy!

Agent Ribbons Tour Dates

Nov 14 2009 9:00P
Lil' Red Lion w/ Monster Women and Barbara Manning Arcata, CA

Nov 15 2009 8:00P
Ground Kontrol w/ Swallows, Helen Money + DJ Nate C
Portland, Oregon

Nov 16 2009 8:00P
Rotture w/ Lost Lockets
Portland, Oregon

Nov 17 2009 9:00P
Sunset Tavern w/ Slow Skate
Seattle, Washington

Nov 18 2009 9:00P
Empyrean
Spokane, Washington

Nov 21 2009 9:00P
The Woodshed
Salt Lake City, Utah

Nov 22 2009 9:00P
The Hi-Dive w/ Fissure Mystic and Weed Diamond
Denver, Colorado

Nov 24 2009 9:00P
The Zoo Bar
Lincoln, Nebraska

Nov 25 2009 9:00P
TheSlowdown w/ Beep Beep and Thunderpower
Omaha, Nebraska

Nov 27 2009 8:00P
Ames Progressive
Ames, Iowa

Nov 28 2009 8:00P
Turner Hall w/ Papercuts and Camera Obscura
Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Nov 29 2009 8:00P
Beat Kitchen
Chicago, IL

Dec 1 2009 8:00P
Daytrotter Session! (www.daytrotter.com)
Rock Island, Il

Dec 2 2009 8:00P
TBA
Chicago, IL

Dec 3 2009 8:00P
Bauhaus Kaffee presented by Unique Ink art
Fredericktown, Missouri

Dec 4 2009 9:00P
O'Dowd's Plaza
Kansas City, Missouri

Dec 5 2009 9:00P
75th St. Brewery
Kansas City, Missouri

Dec 6 2009 8:00P
TBA
Oklahoma City, OK

Dec 8 2009 8:00P
Trunk Space
Phoenix, Arizona

Dec 10 2009 8:00P
The Bootleg Theatre with F

Do you EAR what I EAR?

2009-11-10T09:29:00.006-05:00

EAR FARM and Let 'Em In Studios are thrilled to present Do you EAR what I EAR?, a holiday album for the Association to Benefit Children. Featuring original and classic holiday songs from Tom Tom Club, Sean Bones, tUnE-yArDs, Julie Doiron, Sharon Van Etten, and more, this exclusive compilation will be available for digital download on EAR FARM starting on December 1st with a suggested minimum donation of $5.00.

All of the proceeds from this project will go directly to the Association to Benefit Children, an outstanding New York-based service dedicated to permanently break the cycles of abuse, neglect, sickness and homelessness among disadvantaged children and their families. Awarded a four-star rating by Charity Navigator, ABC carries out this mission through a series of compassionate, sustainable, comprehensive and integrated services.

Do you EAR what I EAR? is the final result of nearly four months of inspired collaboration and efforts among an incredibly talented and generous group of bands and musicians, the comprehensive recording and mixing services of Nadim Issa and Let 'Em In Studios, and the mastering expertise of the Lodge. EAR FARM coordinated and curated the compilation, inviting a spectrum of genres and sounds into the project and working with both dear friends and musicians they've long admired.

The official cover art and final tracklisting are forthcoming, but for now check out the teaser graphic below and feel free to contact either Matt Tyson (matt@earfarm.com) or Mike (mike@earfarm.com) for further details, info, etc. Be sure to head to the EF Store Page on December 1st for the good of your heart and ears.

A small paper singer/songwriter with a green shirt, brown pants & a big dream!

2009-11-10T08:19:00.002-05:00

For "City Life" the first single from Matthew Ryan's new release Dear Lover, the Nashville-based indie folk rocker asked fans to show him their city life.

Over the course of a week, his paper likeness was emailed to over 100 persons across the country and around the World. A short story of his travels is chronicled the "City Life" video, posted on YouTube: View The Video for "City Life" click HERE.

Dear Lover is the twelfth release for Matthew Ryan and his first via The Dear Future Collective. The full album is available on Blurt as an exclusive stream. It was released digitally on October 27th and will be in-stores on February 16, 2010 through CIMS/Junket Boy.

"Every now and then an artist you thought you knew and liked will suddenly, without any warning, release a disc that takes their art to a whole new level. Rarely has electronic and folk music been married so successfully. Dear Lover is Matthew Ryan's most daring, most remarkable, most compelling, and most emotionally wrenching album yet." - Joe Hill, author "Heart Shaped Box" and "Twentieth Century Ghosts"

Bravery Spectator

2009-11-10T08:07:00.001-05:00

The new album by The Bravery, Stir The Blood, comes out on December 1. With the album's first single "Slow Poison" being played on radio stations throughout the land, the song "Spectator," which will be on Stir The Blood, will also be released tomorrow on the Vampire Diaries soundtrack.

Listen:

The Bravery - "The Spectator" (mp3)

Lekman blurb

2009-11-05T09:49:00.001-05:00

Besides having a few songs featured in Drew Barrymore's Whip It , 2009 has been a bit quiet for JENS LEKMAN. But he'll be starting 2010 out right by playing three shows at Chicago's Empty Bottle starting New Years Eve.

12/31/09 Chicago, IL - The Empty Bottle (SOLD OUT)
01/01/10 Chicago, IL - The Empty Bottle
01/02/10 Chicago, IL - The Empty Bottle

Manchester Orchestra news

2009-11-04T09:03:00.002-05:00

Columbia Records and Favorite Gentlemen are excited to announce the video premiere for Manchester Orchestra's second single, "Shake It Out," on MySpace. The premiere will last for 48 hours and begins on November 6 at 3pm EST. It can be seen at www.myspace.com/manchesterorchestra. The video is a brilliant homage to 1980's action films (tongue firmly planted in cheek).

The powerfully epic "Shake It Out," the second single from Manchester Orchestra's sophomore album, Mean Everything To Nothing, was just sent to Modern Rock radio and was met with great excitement. "I've Got Friends," the first single from Mean Everything To Nothing spent 26 weeks on the Billboard Modern Rock chart and reached the #8 spot at its peak. Alternative Press recently named the song as one of the top 100 songs of the decade.

Manchester Orchestra just finished hugely succesful tours with Brand New as well as Silversun Pickups. They will be joining Brand New and Glassjaw for their very special hometown show at Nassau Coliseum in Long Island, NY, on November 28th. They are off to Europe in November to open for Biffy Clyro and to do headline dates in Germany.

Upon their return, the band will be partnering with rock radio stations for the following holiday shows in December:

12/2
101.9 RXP Holiday Event
Hammerstein Ballroom
New York, NY

12/3
WBRU Holiday Bizarre
Lupo's Heartbreak Hotel
Providence, RI

12/5
WPBZ Buzz Bake Sale 2009
Cruzan Amphitheater
West Palm Beach, FL

12/6
97X Next Big Thing
Ford Amphitheater
Tampa, FL

12/12
KBZT Holiday Hootenanny @ RIMAC
UCSD Campus
La Jolla, CA

12/15
Q101 Twisted Christmas
House of Blues
Chicago, IL

Dear Lover: listen to this. Then you'll know

2009-10-27T14:46:00.002-04:00

On October 27, Matthew Ryan and Blurt present an exclusive stream of Dear Lover, available digitally on October 27th and in-stores on February 16, 2010 through CIMS/Junket Boy.

On Dear Lover, his twelfth recording, Matthew Ryan offers his most personal collection yet, navigating the intimate space between lovers where passion, doubt, fear and desire co-exist. This is the first release for The Dear Future Collective.

"Every now and then an artist you thought you knew and liked will suddenly, without any warning, release a disc that takes their art to a whole new level. Rarely has electronic and folk music been married so successfully. Dear Lover is Matthew Ryan's most daring, most remarkable, most compelling, and most emotionally wrenching album yet." - Joe Hill, author "Heart Shaped Box" and "Twentieth Century Ghosts"

"Dear Lover: listen to this. Then you'll know." - Kevin Roberts Saatchi & Saatchi World Wide CEO

Blurt is a quarterly magazine and multimedia website covering music, comedy, politics, culture and assorted debauchery. Blurt is brought to you by the creative team behind the lauded HARP Magazine (called "America's best music magazine" by NPR's Bob Boilen and "the best music magazine in the country and the one that musicians always read" by Foo Fighter Dave Grohl).

Art vs Science - Result is Catchy Music

2009-10-22T13:56:00.005-04:00

Art vs Science isn't here to get a haircut. They're here to melt your mind!

They're also here to remind us that creating dance music is not just about bass-blowing electro-rock anthems (of which they have many); rather it's about taking those songs and in a live forum setting everyone's fire-retardant dancing kicks ablaze. If you walk away from an Art vs Science live show without an altered gait and/ or state-of-mind, you were clearly not paying attention.

Art vs Science's self-titled EP will core-drill itself into you mind and possess it with its hooky take on rock-infused, French electronica. In their native country of Australia, the EP has already garnered them a 2009 ARIA Award (think Grammy) nomination in the Breakthrough Artist category. The first of the EP's singles to be offered up as a FREE MP3 download is the criminally infectious, Parlez-Vous Francais?

--

Something about needing more energy has me turning to the rock infused electric dance music. It gets my feet tapping and the adrenaline pumping. It's necessary when the little heart is running and trying to hum me into sleep at my desk.

Their music inspires intriguingly equal measures of curiosity and giddiness. Somebody give me a sparkler, I fancy myself a firefly at the moment! Thank you Art vs Science!

Listen:

Art Vs Science - "Parlez-Vous Francais?" (mp3)

Enjoy!

Finn Riggins Vs. Wilderness

2009-10-14T08:09:00.004-04:00

Finn Riggin's stellar new album, Vs. Wilderness, released yesterday. To celebrate, please watch this amazing video for "Wake" which was made by Jason Sievers. His lovely stop motion animation videos and have been featured on Pitchfork.com and MTV and he's worked for bands like Built to Spill, The Universal and The Wrens to name a few.

The album was recorded, engineered and co-produced in May of 2009 by the band at AudioLab studio, an arm of Garden City, Idaho's Visual Arts Collective (or VAC, a non-profit gallery, venue, theatre and creative space with which Finn Riggins has become heavily involved in since relocating to Boise, ID in January of 2009) during one of their rare stints at home. True to form, the album was brought to fruition in this independently run, community-minded environment with the help of co-producer and Tender Loving Empire founder Jared Mees (who, by the way, has also toured on his own albums alongside the band.)

Listen:

Finn Riggins - "Dali" (mp3)

Enjoy!

ILT begin UK Tour today/ CSI

2009-10-14T08:00:00.002-04:00

I Like Trains begin the UK tour today in Liverpool in support of the new single 'Sea of Regrets' which was released on Monday.

Exciting news is that Sea of Regrets was used on CSI Miami on release day (12th October). The song was used in episode 804. The new season of CSI Miami will be coming to UK soon. In other sync news, 'The Voice of Reason' taken from the debut album (Elegies to Lessons Learnt) is currently being featured on the trailer to Hollywood film, 'Amelia' starring Richard Gere and Hilary Swank (as Amelia Earhart).

"Sea of Regrets" is such an incredible song. It's like a personal story set to music, well, I suppose most songs are that way. But the vocals are just delicious and the calm, pristine rhythm couple with the slow and precise guitar is just perfection. I wish I could share it, but it's not released for free download that I know of. You can hear the single on their MySpace page.

"Some things are better left forgotten, or the weight of the world will crush your bones"

The limited edition self produced/released single ‘Sea of Regrets’ is a new beginning for I Like Trains. Whilst still informed by a bleak world view, musical rays of light are starting to puncture the gloom. Inspired by the writing of preeminent environmental scientists James Lovelock and George Monbiot; ‘Sea of Regrets’ raises the question of our importance in nature’s great scheme. Guitars, vocals, violins and cellos combine for a soaring finale, an anthem to a hopeless future for humanity.

Dates are:

14th October - Liverpool Barfly GB
15th October - Manchester Deaf Institute GB
16th October - Leeds Cockpit GB
17th October - Glasgow King Tuts GB
19th October - Nottingham Rescue Rooms GB
20th October - Bristol Cooler GB
21st October - Oxford Bullingdon Arms GB
22nd October - London Garage GB
23rd October - Birmingham Hare and Hounds GB
24th October - Portsmouth Wedgewood Rooms GB

Enjoy!

Norah Jones - The Fall

2009-10-08T11:07:00.002-04:00

On November 17th, Blue Note Records will release singer/songwriter Norah Jones' fourth studio album, The Fall. Taking her multiple Grammy Award winning talent into new territory, The Fall was produced by Jacquire King (Tom Waits, Modest Mouse, Kings of Leon) and features Norah's new band members and songwriting collaborations with Ryan Adams, Okkervil River's Will Sheff, and Jesse Harris. In addition to the added emphasis on rhythm, The Fall brings Norah’s own guitar playing front and center in the sound.

"I knew I wanted to try some different things on this album," Jones says. "I'd been playing with the same musicians for a long time. We're all still friendly and I hope we play together again, but it felt like a good time to work with new people and experiment with different sounds. As far as a producer, I wanted someone who could take me out of my comfort zone and find the right musicians to capture what I wanted to do with this collection of songs. I got in touch with Jacquire initially because he engineered one of my favorite records of all time, Tom Waits' Mule Variations. He was really eager to do it and we got along really well, which was important."

Pre-order The Fall

The track listing for The Fall is as follows:

1. Chasing Pirates (Norah Jones)
2. Even Though (Norah Jones/Jesse Harris)
3. Light As a Feather (Norah Jones/Ryan Adams)
4. Young Blood (Norah Jones/Mike Martin)
5. I Wouldn't Need You (Norah Jones)
6. Waiting (Norah Jones)
7. It's Gonna Be (Norah Jones)
8. You've Ruined Me (Norah Jones)
9. Back To Manhattan (Norah Jones)
10. Stuck (Norah Jones/Will Sheff)
11. December (Norah Jones)
12. Tell Yer Mama (Norah Jones/Jesse Harris/Richard Julian)
13. Man Of The Hour (Norah Jones)

Another Likely Story

2009-10-08T10:56:00.002-04:00

Au Revoir Simone release their stunning new single 'Another Likely Story' - complete with remixes from hotter than hot French duo Aeroplane, Neon Indian and Social Disco on December 7th. This is the second single to be taken from their latest album 'Still Night, Still Light', and is due for release through Moshi Moshi Records (Florence & The Machine, Casiokids, Lykke Li).

Listen:

Au Revoir Simone - "Another Likely Story" (mp3 Neon Indian remix)

REGINA SPEKTOR TO APPEAR ON SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE THIS SATURDAY, OCTOBER 10TH

2009-10-07T08:13:00.002-04:00

Having spent the last four months traveling the world, winning over legions of fans with her unmistakable song-craft, Regina Spektor is very excited to make her Saturday Night Live debut this Saturday, October 10th and premiere her second single, Eet, from her critically acclaimed album, far. An artist known for her uninhibited imagination and acute sense of detail both in music and words, Spektor has joined playwright / director Tina Landau (Floyd Collins & Superior Donuts) and lyricist Michael Korie (Grey Gardens) to create a new Broadway bound musical called Beauty. In addition, Spektor has recorded a duet with Grammy award-winning violinist Joshua Bell for his latest Sony Classical album, At Home With Friends, which you can hear below. Fans will get a chance to see Spektor perform songs from far as she's currently on a headlining tour of the states. This two-month tour has already included sold out shows in Boston, Detroit, Chicago and Philadelphia, and has upcoming dates at New York's Radio City Music Hall on October 14th and Los Angeles' Greek Theatre on October 28th.

An expansion of Landau's 2002 acclaimed one-act play, Beauty uses the 1812 Grimm fairy tale Sleeping Beauty as a jumping off point for a contemporary and hauntingly provocative story of beauty lost and beauty found. Aimed for the 2011-12 Broadway season, Landau will write the book and direct; Spektor the music, Korie the lyrics and it will be produced by Elephant Eye Theatrical (Stuart Oken, Michael Leavitt, Five Cent Productions). This will mark the first time Spektor has co-written a song with another. Korie was nominated for the Tony, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle awards as lyricist for Grey Gardens.

far, which debuted at #3 on the Billboard Top 200, is the follow up to Spektor's breakthrough album Begin To Hope which spent 5 weeks in a row at #1 on the Billboard new artists chart before moving to #20 on the Billboard Top 100 and selling 1 million copies worldwide (Gold or Platinum in 7 countries).

Regina Spektor & Joshua Bell duet, The Left Hand Song, can be heard here >>

peer²

2009-09-25T09:01:00.001-04:00

I'm Still An Animal!

2009-09-25T08:02:00.003-04:00

If this isn't Friday music then I don't know what is...

Miike Snow, a Swedish band formed in 2007 has created some sort of eclectic reggae indie ska music. I really don't know how to describe it. But, I love it and so that's really all I need to know.

Miike Snow are Andrew Wyatt, Christian Karlsson, and Pontus Winnberg. Named after an acquaintance with an "i" added for extra flair, Miike Snow recently signed with Downtown records. Their self-titled debut was released May 12, 2009. (Which also happens to be our Finnegan's birthday!)

Listen:

Miike Snow - "Animal" (mp3)

Fall Preview: One Fast Move Or I'm Gone

2009-09-24T11:11:00.001-04:00

Ben Gibbard, Jay Farrar: "These Roads Don't Move" streaming on NPR

"These Roads Don't Move," from Ben Gibbard and Jay Farrar's new album, "One Fast Move Or I'm Gone: Kerouac's Big Sur" is streaming on the All Songs Considered Fall Music Preview on NPR. Click here to listen to the song at the All Songs Considered website.