Select Start Tour Video

Select Start are a pop-rock band from Tampa, Florida and this is their story. The tour-they-were-just-on story that is.

Select Start on MySpace

Things To Do This Weekend in MSP

Friday, January 30th, 2009
- Story of the Sea CD Release Party w/These Modern Socks, The Life And Times(KC, MO), Ice Palace at the Turf Club
*MP3: Story of the Sea - "Own Devices"

Saturday, January 31st, 2009
- Private Dancer w/Sims, Bird Sounds at the Turf Club

- Mayda w/Readygoes, the Invincible Kids at the Triple Rock
*MP3: Mayda - "Stereotype"

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*If you think your show is a thing to do this weekend, please send the show information, a link to an mp3, and a link to your myspace page to info@minneapolisfuckingrocks.com, at least a week in advance.

Tours: Chairlift with YACHT

Download: Chairlift - "Evident Utensil"

Sat. Feb. 7 - Miami, FL - White Room
Fri. Feb. 13 - Brooklyn, NY - Brooklyn Academy of Music w/Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
Sat. Mar. 7 - New York, NY - Santos Partyhouse
Fri. Mar. 13 - Cleveland, OH - Grog Shop w/YACHT
Sat. Mar. 14 - Chicago, IL - Schuba's w/YACHT
Mon. Mar. 16 - St. Louis, MO - Gargoyle Club w/YACHT
Tues. Mar. 17 - Lawrence, KS - The Jackpot Saloon w/YACHT
Wed. Mar. 18 - Norman, OK - Opolis w/YACHT
Thurs. Mar. 19 - Austin, TX - SXSW
Fri. Mar. 20 - Austin, TX - SXSW
Sun. Mar. 22 - Dallas, TX - House of Blues Pontiac Garage w/YACHT
Mon. Mar. 23 - Houston, TX - Warehouse Live w/YACHT
Tues. Mar. 24 - Baton Rouge, LA - Spanish Moon w/YACHT
Wed. Mar. 25 - New Orleans, LA - House of Blues Parish w/YACHT
Thurs. Mar. 26 - Tallahassee, FL - Club Downunder w/YACHT
Fri. Mar. 27 - Athens, GA - 40 Watt Club w/YACHT, Kuroma
Sat. Mar. 28 - Nashville, TN - Exit/In w/Kuroma
Mon. April 13 - Seattle, WA - Chop Suey w/Sebastian Tellier
Tues. April 14 - Vancouver, BC - Richards On Richards w/Sebastian Tellier
Wed. April 15 - Portland, OR - Doug Fir Lounge w/Sebastian Tellier
Fri. April 17 - San Francisco, CA - The Independent w/Sebastian Tellier
Sun. April 19 - Denver, CO - Bluebird Theater
Tues. April 21 - Minneapolis, MN - Fine Line Music Café w/Peter Bjorn & John
Wed. April 22 - Milwaukee, WI - Pabst Theatre w/Peter Bjorn & John
Thurs. April 23 - Chicago, IL - Metro w/Peter Bjorn & John
Fri. April 24 - Newport, KY - Southgate House w/Peter Bjorn & John
Sat. April 25 - Toronto, ONT - Phoenix Theatre w/Peter Bjorn & John

The kid-tested, Apple-approved dreampop trio Chairlift are playing a whole bunch of tour dates, some with Peter, Bjorn and John, and others with YACHT. Chicago gets not one, but two opportunities to see the group do its thing live. So we've got that going for us, which is nice. Additionally, the band is featured on a new Toyota Yaris and Urban Outfitters Radio Benefit compilation, available at Insound for 99 cents. The proceeds go to benefit independent radio. Somehow, I doubt Toyota and Urban Outfitters actually even listen to, let alone support, independent radio, but the effort should be applauded all the same

Full track listing below:

1 !!! - Must Be The Moon (Live On KEXP)
2 Chairlift - At My Side
3 Yeasayer - Final Path
4 White Williams - Blue Steel
5 Dan Deacon - Cave Birth
6 No Age - Padded Chair Demo
7 Mudhoney - The Lucky Ones (Live)
8 King Khan & Saba Lou - Past And Gone
9 The Secret Machines - The Walls Are Starting To Crack (Live At KEXP)
10 The Walkmen - In The New Year (Live)
11 Tokyo Police Club - Your English Is Good (K-Os Remix)
12 Jamie Lidell - Rope of Sand (Live At Austin City Limits)

Chairlift MySpace Page

Ra Ra Riot - "Ghost Under Rocks" (Passion Pit Mix)

*MP3: Ra Ra Riot - "Ghost Under Rocks" (Passion Pit Mix)

To be honest, I haven't really been much of a Ra Ra Riot fan, but I have fallen in love with Passion Pit's remix of "Ghost Under Rocks."

Ra Ra Riot on MySpace
Passion Pit on MySpace

New Muja Messiah - "Red Rover"

Tip of the hat (and no finger wags) to Midwest Broadcast for discovering this footage of a new track from MPLS rapper Muja Messiah. The song is called "Red Rover," and Muja debuted it at the Big Wiz album release party earlier this month. As far as musical descriptions go, it's a pretty mid-tempo number with a synth-heavy beat, and a flow that matches the song's steady groove. Watch it at the top of the post and, once again, hat tip to MB for discovering it.

Muja Messiah MySpace Page

Appreciation Post: The Thermals

*MP3: The Thermals - "Test Pattern"
*MP3: The Thermals - "A Stare Like Yours"
*MP3: The Thermals - "No Culture Icons"
*MP3: The Thermals - "Returning to the Fold" (Daytrotter)

The first Thermals song I ever heard was "No Culture Icons" and I freaked the shit out. The first time I saw them play was at the Triple Rock to about 30 people and I freaked the shit out. The second time I saw them play I interviewed them for my college newspaper and I freaked the shit out.

The Thermals are one of my favorite bands from the last decade. That's all that really needs to be said.

However, they have been rather quiet for some time and I wish they would start making noise, but until then, I thought I would pass along some love.



Click HERE to buy all of their records on iTunes, you'll freak the shit out.

The Thermals on MySpace

Video: P.O.S. - "Drumroll"

POS MySpace Page

Check out the behind the scenes footage of POS shooting the video for "Drumroll" here.

Video: Andrew Bird - "Fitz and Dizzyspells" (Live on "Late Show with David Letterman"

Watching this clip of Andrew Bird performing "Fitz and Dizzyspells," of his brand spanking new Noble Beast record is pretty remarkable, and not because of the enthusiastic accolades that both David Letterman and Paul Shaffer shower Bird with. It's remarkable because Bird unleashes a fury of violin plucks while bobbing his head to and fro like a white Stevie Wonder. Not only that, but he's backed up by MPLS musicians Martin Dosh--he of the tremendously underrated Wolves and Wishes--and Jeremy Ylvisaker. But NOT ONLY THAT (capitalization courtesy of John Hodgman), there are horn amps from Chicago in the background. Not too shabby, any way you look at it.

Watch Andrew Bird's performance of "Fitz and Dizzyspells" at the top of the post.

Andrew Bird MySpace Page

Cross-published on CIMI

Tapes 'n Tapes Tour Diary, Day 13: Santa Fe

Tapes 'n Tapes YouTube Channel
Tapes 'n Tapes on MySpace

Handsome Furs Announce Tour Dates

*MP3: Handsome Furs - "I'm Confused"

Handsome Furs are running an awesome midwest tour in March/early-April, which includes stops Mpls and Chicago. If you're in Fargo, you should hit up the Aquarium.

Fri Mar 6 Mercury Lounge New York, NY
Thu Mar 12 Mavericks Ottawa, ON
Fri Mar 13 Horseshoe Tavern (CMW) Toronto, ON
Sat Mar 14 Blind Pig Ann Arbor, MI
Sun Mar 15 Empty Bottle Chicago, IL
Mon Mar 16 Off Broadway St. Louis, MO
Tue Mar 17 Mojo's Columbia, MO
Sat Mar 21 The Loft Dallas, TX
Mon Mar 23 Jackpot Lawrence, KS
Wed Mar 25 The Aquarium (Dempsey's Upstairs) Fargo, ND
Thu Mar 26 7th Street Entry Minneapolis, MN
Fri Mar 27 The Maintenance Shop Ames, IA
Sat Mar 28 The Mill Iowa City, IA
Mon Mar 30 Southgate House Newport, KY
Wed Apr 1 Bug Jar Rochester, NY
Thu Apr 2 Spark Art Space Syracuse, NY

Buy Handsome Furs' records on iTunes here.

Handsome Furs on MySpace

Superdrag Announce Tour Dates

*MP3: Superdrag - "Slow To Anger"

Superdrag are hitting the road in March and April to hit up SXSW and hopefully get up to Minneapolis. They are playing in Chicago, so that's nice.

03/13 - Knoxville, TN @ Barley's Taproom
03/14 - Nashville, TN @ Exit/In
03/18 - 22 - Austin, TX @ SXSW
04/03 - Washington, D.C. @ 9:30 Club
04/04 - Philadelphia, PA @ Johnny Brenda's
04/09 - New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom
04/10 - Brooklyn, NY @ Music Hall of Williamsburg
04/11 - Boston, MA @ Paradise
04/24 - Rock Island, IL @ Daytrotter
04/25 - Chicago, IL @ Metro

Buy Superdrag's records on iTunes here.

Superdrag on MySpace

Ben Kweller on the Late Show with David Letterman

Ben Kweller performed on the Late Show with David Letterman last night with Minneapolis-native Chris Morrissey rocking the beardo on the left.

Ben Kweller on MySpace

Excellent Late Night coverage and YouTube post via Culture Bully.

Tonight: Solid Gold, Military Special @ Uptown Bar

Military Special MySpace Page
Solid Gold MySpace Page

Andrew Broder of Fog releases free solo album for download

Download: Andrew Broder - "What's Up Freaks?" (Live on Radio K)
Download: Andrew Broder - "I Must Fix All The Problems"

If the problem that Andrew Broder of Fog that needs to be fixed is getting free music to his fans, then I gotta say, he's on that motherfucker like white on rice. As you know doubt know, Broder released a new ambient solo album titled "I Must Fix All The Problems," wherein he free verses for 15 minutes about his plan to fix the global economic crisis. Nah, I'm just kidding. It is, however, two separate pieces titled "I Must Fix" and "All The Problems," and Broder himself described the songs as being for "two pieces for improvised guitar, turntables and 4-track." Broder also said that this will be the first in a series of free solo releases. Check it out at the top of the post.

Fog MySpace Page

LARPERS Caught by Google Street View

Two battling LARPERS were caught on camera by Google Street View. I'm not kidding. Check it out here. After laughing for a good spell, I began to think about LARPing, and what it could mean to me: you know, the swords, the shields, the never-ending lore. So, I put a mix together of songs that I would pipe into my medieval helmet whilst I don the appropriate garb, wield a battle axe, and smite my enemies.

Please, imagine a montage of me running through fields with a sword slaying some shit up while this playlist is rocking me to victory.

Behold, my LARPING mix:

*MP3: The Microphones - "The Glow Pt. 2"
*MP3: David Bowie - "Life On Mars"
*MP3: Animal Collective - "Brother Sport"
*MP3: Fuck Buttons - "Ribs Out"
*MP3: John Vanderslice - "Time To Go"
*MP3: Deerhoof - "+81"
*MP3: Headlights - "TV"
*MP3: Dr. Dog - "My Old Way"
*MP3: Ten Grand - "Fuck You Guyses Teams"
*MP3: Frightened Rabbit - "I Feel Better"
*MP3: Hockey Night - "Style Raiders"
*MP3: Justin Timberlake - "Summer Love/Set The Mood"
*MP3: Les Savy Fav - "The Orchard"
*MP3: Marnie Stern - "Simon Says"
*MP3: The Knife - "Neverland"
*MP3: Deerhunter - "Lake Somerset"
*MP3: Copeland - "Chin Up"

So, yeah, special note. If you're in a larping club and are reading this, please send me a note, I might totally want in.

Tapes 'n Tapes Post Tour Diary Videos

*MP3: Tapes 'n Tapes - "Buckle"
*MP3: Tapes 'n Tapes - "The Dirty Dirty"
*MP3: Tapes 'n Tapes - "Cowbell"

Our local boys Tapes 'n Tapes are still on the road, and you better be coming out to their shows. They've been doing a great job of keeping up with tour diaries on their YouTube channel here and they're cute.

Tour Dates:

1/27 SANTA FE, NM Santa Fe Brewing Co
1/29 AUSTIN, TX Parish
1/30 DALLAS,TX Club Dada
1/31 NORMAN, OK Opolis
2/2 LAWRENCE, KS Jackpot Music Hall
2/3 COLUMBIA, MO Mojos
2/4 AMES, IA Maintenance Shop
2/5 SIOUX FALLS, SD Nuttys
2/6 MINNEAPOLIS, MN First Ave
2/20 SOUTH BEND, IN Legends
2/21 COLUMBUS, OH The Basement
2/22 PITTSBURGH, PA Brillobox
2/24 BOSTON, MA Paradise
2/25 NEW YORK, NY Bowery Ballroom
2/26 BROOKLYN, NY Music Hall Of Williamsburg
2/27 WASHINGTON DC Rock and Roll Hotel
2/28 PHILADELPHIA, PA Johnny Brendas
3/2 CARRBORO, NC Cat's Cradle
3/3 ATLANTA, GA The Earl
3/4 BIRMINGHAM, AL Bottletree
3/5 NASHVILLE,TN Mercy Lounge
3/6 LOUISVILLE, KY Phoenix Hill Tavern
3/7 CHICAGO, IL Metro

Buy all of Tapes 'n Tapes' releases on iTunes.

Tapes 'n Tapes on MySpace

John Davis to Host New WOXY Show

*MP3: Georgie James - "Places"
*MP3: Georgie James - "Long Week"
*MP3: Q and Not U - "We Heart Our Hive"

John Davis of Georgie James and Q and Not U fame has joined WOXY's brilliant empire of online radio. WOXY announced the news on their site:

"WOXY.com is happy to welcome The 1, 2, 3, 4, More More More Show to our lineup. It’s a weekly specialty program hosted by John Davis (Georgie James, Q and Not U) that focuses on classic power-pop, post-punk, new wave, punk rock, indie rock and plenty of the bands of today that are continuing the tradition. John takes requests, so you’ll be able to let him know what you wanna (or don’t wanna) hear."

This is what 1234's MySpace page had to say about it:

"1, 2, 3, 4, More More More is a weekly specialty show hosted by John Davis that originally aired on XM Radio starting in early 2008. After a short break, the show is moving over to WOXY.com and will hit the airwaves/internetwaves in early 2009. We'll post the exact date that we're coming back ASAP. When we do come back, you can expect to hear more classic power-pop, post-punk, new wave, punk rock, indie rock and plenty of the bands of today that are continuing the tradition. We take requests, so let us know what you wanna hear (or don't wanna hear). Please get in touch if there any bands, new or old, that you think we should be playing."

- 1, 2, 3, 4, More More More on MySpace

The Hold Steady Hear Many "Sound Opinions"

Download: The Hold Steady - "Magazines" (Live on "Sound Opinions)

This past weekend, The Hold Steady dropped by the studio where Sound Opinions is taped to talk about their last record, 2008's Stay Positive, their reputation as a "literary" band, and, of course, their insanely energetic live show.

Listen to the podcast here, and, while you're at it, check out the acoustic rendition of "Magazines" that 3/5ths of the band did in the studio at the top of the post.

The Hold Steady MySpace Page

Video: Shawn Hewitt - "One on One"

Shawn Hewitt MySpace Page

Show Announcement: G-Biz: Blingo and G-Nome @ The Hexagon

ShitMonger presents:
G-Biz: Blingo and G-Nome
with First Communion Afterparty, Baby Guts, St Pauli Grla

February 19, 2009
The Hexagon - 21+, 9PM, FREE
2600 27th Ave S Minneapolis

Taken directly from the press release:

The hip-hop duo of G-Biz: Blingo and G-Nome are teaming up for a crazy hip-hop/rock filled night at south Minneapolis' Hexagon Bar. Helping them warm up a cold February Night will be one of last year’s best new bands, First Communion Afterparty and Baby Guts, 2008's best female vocalist. Starting off the night is St. Paul's ever-clever and offbeat rapper, Jessie Hoolihan, a.k.a. St Pauli Grla.

The show at the Hex is G-Biz's first gig in months, as they've been busy working on their upcoming full-length. In the interim though, the hip-hop twosome released a free Christmas album download. Though it's no longer the season, how can you not resist the charms of "We Three Gs?" That's comedy gold, I tells ya!

Download it here.

Diplo Remix Collection

I am consistently astounded as to how badass Diplo is. So astounded, in fact, that I wanted to get all of his remixes (the ones I really like) under one roof and see what kind of playlist it created. Here's what I came up with:

*MP3: Spoon - "Don't You Evah" (Diplo Remix)
*MP3: Brazilian Girls - "Good Time" (Diplo Remix)
*MP3: Diplo - "Way More Brazil"
*MP3: The Pixes - "Hey" (Diplo Remix)
*MP3: Spank Rock - "Put That Pussy On Me" (Diplo Remix)
*MP3: Britney Spears - "Circus" (Diplo Remix)
*MP3: Daft Punk - "Work Is Never Over" (Diplo Remix)
*MP3: M.I.A. - "Paper Planes" (Diplo Remix)
*MP3: Feist - "I Feel It All" (Diplo Remix)
*MP3: Hot Chip - "Shake A Fist" (Diplo Remix)
*MP3: Black Lips - "Veni Vedi Veci" (Diplo Remix)
*MP3: Kanye West - "Flashing Lights" (Diplo Remix)
*MP3: Le Tigre - "After Dark" (Diplo Remix)
*MP3: Marlena Shaw - "California Soul" (Diplo Remix)
*MP3: M.I.A. ft. Diplo - "Baile Funk One"
*MP3: Monkey - "Monkey Bee" (Diplo Remix)
*MP3: Trouble Andrew - "Run Hide" (Diplo Remix)
*MP3: Diplo - "Newsflash"

I highly recommend picking up his records here:
Buy the "Blow Your Head" EP on iTunes
Buy "Florida" on iTunes

Diplo on MySpace

The Knife - "Heartbeats"

*MP3: The Knife - "Heartbeats"
*MP3: The Knife - "Heartbeats" (Rex The Dog Remix)

I've been in love with "Heartbeats" by The Knife ever since it was released, however, my love was sparked anew when I stumbled upon this remix via Rex The Dog. Here are both versions for your listening pleasure. Check it out.

The Knife on MySpace

N.A.S.A. - "Hip Hop"

*MP3: N.A.S.A. - "Hip Hop"

It looks like another hot jamm off of this soon-to-be-released-via-Anti-on-2/17 record has leaked. It's a goodie. And beyond that, N.A.S.A have announced a slew of tour dates, which include stops in Minneapolis and Chicago.

03/06 - Minneapolis, MN @ Triple Rock
03/07 - Chicago, IL @ Abbey Pub

N.A.S.A. on MySpace

New Local Music: Lucy Michelle and the Velvet Lapelles - "Goodbye"

Coming off being one of 2009's Best New Bands, it's to be expected that a group like Lucy Michelle and the Velvet Lapelles would be courting new listeners with the material that did so with the old ones. Of course, it never hurts to record new stuff to show off, and that's what the gypsy-caberet-folk group did. "Goodnight," a song newly posted on the band's MySpace page. The song falls more on the introspective, contemplative side of the group's style of music making, with a bassoon being a focal musical point. Check it out here.

Rhymsayers Announces New Location For Soundset 2009

Taken directly from the Rhymesayers news page:

Rhymesayers and Rose Presents announce Soundset 2009 on Sunday, May 24, 2009 at Canterbury Park in Shakopee, MN. Due to a home Twins game, the weekend of our event, we have decided to move to a new location for this year to keep in tradition with Memorial weekend festival.

No word on lineups, or anything of that nature, but as soon as word leaks, we will let you know. In the meantime, check out a video for last year's Soundset at the top of the post.

Soundset 09 MySpace Page

Video: P.O.S. - "Drumroll" (Behind The Scenes)

Shooting in the middle of a series of cold, bitter winter days, P.O.S shot six videos in six days for his upcoming (a week from Tuesday) third solo album Never Better. "Drumroll", a track that was recently leaked, is one of those songs for which a video was shot, and P.O.S. released some behind the scenes footage of said video on a recent Rhymesayers news post. Check it out for yourself at the top of the post.

P.O.S. MySpace Page

Reminder: Hip-Hop Against Homophobia!

Larkin Grimm - "Parplar"

*MP3: Larkin Grim - "Ride That Cyclone"

Larkin Grimm's debut album is a rich mystery of a record that doesn't readily file. Released on Michael Gira's (Swans, Angels of Light) Young God Records, "Parplar" finds a home among similarly hard to classify artists such as Lisa Germano and Akron Family.

The album is hung on sparse arrangements of acoustic guitar, skeletal piano, harp and light percussion. The real pleasure of Grimm is in her lyrics, words by turns mysterious, surreal, straightforward, and located firmly in the feminine. There is the sense of an ancient esoteric knowledge being explored, but rooted in the modern. She is exploring her philosophy, and it is a thick mud that is a pleasure to sink into.

With many clocking in at under two minutes, these songs are small gems that reveal their facets more and more with each listen, under new light, with new ears.

"my tits are made of silicone, just like the earth and sea / i am swallowing more estrogen so you wont impregnate me"

"ive got no hookers heart of gold / my hooks are sharp, my heart is cold"

"oh jesus, be my savior, ill be yours / oh mama im a bad spirit, be my host / im your holy ghost"

"revelations seldom come, when you really want them / all the earth is pretty dumb, but its pretty awesome"

For Fans Of: Lisa Germano, Joni mitchell, Alister Crowley

Tour Dates:
02/20/09 - The Turf Club, St. Paul MN (w. Ben Weaver)

Larkin Grimm on MySpace

(Bill Caperton)

Britney Spears - "Circus" (Diplo Remix)

*MP3: Britney Spears - "Circus" (Diplo Remix)

Damn, Diplo, this is hot.

Things To Do This Weekend in MSP

Friday, January 23, 2009:
(The Dynamiters)

- Recommended: Private Dancer and The Dynamiters at the Triple Rock (21+, 9pm, $6).

- City and Colour and William Elliot Whitmore at the Varsity Theater (AA, 6pm, $15)
*MP3: William Elliot Whitmore - "Old Devils"

Saturday, January 24, 2009
(Bouncing Souls)

- Recommended: Bouncing Souls with The Arrivals at the Triple Rock (AA, 5pm , $20).
*MP3: Bouncing Souls - "True Believers"

- The Alarmists and Sick of Sarah at the 7th St. Entry (Two Shows, AA @ 5pm, 21+ @ 9pm, $7).
*MP3: The Alarmists - "Light A Smoke"

- GO NEGATIV Zine Launch party with the The Vignettes at the Turf Club (21+, 9pm, $5).
*MP3: The Vignettes - "Kill"

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*If you think your show is a thing to do this weekend, please send the show information, a link to an mp3, and a link to your myspace page to info@minneapolisfuckingrocks.com, at least a week in advance.

New 1990s - "The Box"

<Download: 1990s - "The Box

I have absolutely no idea when the 1990s talk putting things back into "The Box," but I love to think that it's totally, horribly morbid. I mean, come on, "I'd like to put you back in the box?" "I just want to get back in that box with you?" He's completely talking about a grave? Right? There's no possible other way that this could be interpreted! Seriously though, with the box/socks rhyme scheme and the midtempo glam groove, this plays like the unrealized synthesis between T. Rex and Dr. Seuss. I'm still figuring out whether or not that's good or bad.

At any rate, "The Box," the new song from Glasgow rockers the 1990s, is from its forthcoming album, Kicks, which is set for a release date of March 24, 2009.

So Many Dynamos - "The Novelty Of Haunting"

Clearly, ever since So Many Dynamos signed with Vagrant Records, their high budget has corrupted their DIY aesthetic. Behold, their latest music video: it involves space battles, a sex scene and Aaron reenacting his childhood in its entirety.

But seriously, the audio is a live recording from their performance of "The Novelty Of Haunting" from the Noise Pop Festival @ Bottom of the Hill in San Francisco.

So Many Dynamos on MySpace

Show Announcement: 10,000 Lakes Festival

Who are you looking forward to seeing?

Red Pens Sell Some Art

Those of you wanting to support burgeoning musicians who are also artists can check out the work that Minneapolis experimentalists Red Pens are selling here. Would that I could, except for "I can haz pour haus?". I do like the "Fruity Beverages" painting though.

Red Pens MySpace Page

Yeah Yeah Yeahs Announce New Album

Pretty cool.

sBach Daytrotter Session

*MP3: sBach - "Track 1" (Daytrotter Session)

Daytrotter posted their session with sBach today, read it HERE.

Animal Collective Announce Tour Dates

01-20 - New York, NY - Grand Ballroom
01-21 - New York, NY - Bowery Ballroom
01-22 - Chicago, IL - Metro
01-23 - Los Angeles, CA - Henry Fonda Theatre
01-24 - Los Angeles, CA - Troubadour
03-04 - Oslo, Norway - Rockerfeller
03-05 - Lund, Sweden - Mejeriet
03-06 - Copenhagen, Denmark - Amager Bio
03-08 - Cologne, Germany - Gloria
03-09 - Heidelberg, Germany - Karistorbahnof
03-10 - Fribourg, Switzerland - Fri-Son
03-11 - Luzern, Switzerland - Konzerthaus Schurr
03-12 - Florence, Italy - Viper Room
03-13 - Rome, Italy - Teatro Studio
03-14 - Milan, Italy - Rolling Stone
03-16 - Strasbourg, France - La Laiterie
03-17 - Amsterdam, Netherlands - Paradiso
03-18 - Brussels, Belgium - Ancienne Belgique
03-19 - Lille, France - Aeronef
03-20 - Nantes, France - L'Olympic
03-22 - Bristol, England - Trinity Centre
03-23 - Nottingham, England - Rescue Rooms
03-24 - London, England - The Forum
03-25 - Leeds, England - TJ’s Woodhouse Club
03-26 - Liverpool, England - Static Gallery
03-27 - Dublin, Ireland - Tripod
03-28 - Belfast, Ireland - Stiff Kitten
05-11 - Washington, DC - 9:30 Club
05-12 - Philadelphia, PA - Electric Factory
05-13 - New York, NY - Terminal 5
05-14 - Boston, MA - House of Blues
05-15 - Montreal, Quebec - Metropolis
05-16 - Toronto, Ontario - Sound Academy
05-18 - Royal Oak, MI - Royal Oak Music Hall
05-19 - Milwaukee, WI - Turner Hall Ballroom
05-20 - Minneapolis, MN - First Avenue
05-24 - Vancouver, British Columbia - Commodore Ballroom
05-25 - Portland, OR - Roseland Theater
05-26 - Oakland, CA - Fox Theatre
05-27 - Big Sur, CA - Henry Miller Memorial Library
05-29 - Los Angeles, CA - Wiltern
05-30 - Las Vegas, NV - House of Blues
05-31 - Tucson, AZ - Rialto Theater
06-01 - Albuquerque, MN - Sunshine Theater
06-02 - Boulder, CO - Boulder Theatre
06-04 - Dallas, TX - House of Blues
06-05 - Austin, TX - Stubbs
06-06 - Oxford, MS - The Library
06-08 - St. Petersburg, FL - State Theatre
06-09 - Fort Lauderdale, FL - Culture Room
06-10 - Orlando, FL - Club Firestone
09-12 - Monticello, NY - All Tomorrow's Parties

Animal Collective on MySpace

New Big Quarters - "Free Shipping"

As the band themselves explain:

A month ago, when we got our video camera, I set it up to record our practice at Brandon's apartment. I left the room to get some water while Brandon delivered us his verse from "Free Shipping" - a song off of BQDirect: October. I made the beat from drums played by Noam the Drummer and a record I Self blessed me with. Shout out to Benzilla.

New Military Special - "Factory Floors"

Download: Military Special - "Factory Floors"

Military Special caused quite the splash when the Minneapolis-based electro-pop-punk dropped their self-titled debut EP, and, based upon a post from the band's Tumblr yesterday, it only seems that 2009 will bring more fortune and acclaim to the band. The group announced yesterday that their debut LP, Civil Union, will be released on March 3rd. Furthermore, the band has released a single, "Factory Floors."

At the cross-centers of the Moog New Wave of ELO and the upright brit-pop of Kaiser Chiefs (with a little of The Rapture's new millennial dance-punk thrown in for some rhythmical force), "Factory Floors" captures an energy heard at the beginning of this decade, but does so well. Listen to the song at the top of the post.

Here's the tracklisting for Civil Union

1. Casual
2. Fall Back!
3. Trust
4. Say What You Want
5. The Falls
6. Factory Floors
7. Live Forever
8. 1971
9. City Lights
10. We’re Science

Stream the entire album right here.

Military Special MySpace Page

The National - "So Far Around The Bend"

*MP3: The National - "So Far Around the Bend" (Link has been removed)

A new song from The National has found itself on "Dark Was the Night."

Lovely.

Here is the complete tracklisting of the two-disc set:

THIS DISC (DISC ONE):

1. "Knotty Pine" - Dirty Projectors + David Byrne
2. "Cello Song" - The Books featuring Jose Gonzalez
3. "Train Song" - Feist and Ben Gibbard
4. "Brackett, WI" - Bon Iver
5. "Deep Blue Sea" - Grizzly Bear
6. "So Far Around The Bend" - The National
7. "Tightrope" - Yeasayer
8. "Feeling Good" - My Brightest Diamond
9. "Dark Was The Night" - Kronos Quartet
10. "I Was Young When I Left Home" - Antony with Bryce Dessner
11. "Big Red Machine" - Justin Vernon + Aaron Dessner
12. "Sleepless" - The Decemberists
13. "Stolen Houses (Die)" - Iron & Wine
14. "Service Bell" - Grizzly Bear + Feist
15. "You Are The Blood" - Sufjan Stevens


THAT DISC (DISC TWO):

1. "Well-Alright" - Spoon
2. "Lenin" - Arcade Fire
3. "Mimizan" - Beirut
4. "El Caporal" - My Morning Jacket
5. "Inspiration Information" - Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings
6. "With A Girl Like You" - Dave Sitek
7. "Blood Pt. 2" - Buck 65 Remix (featuring Sufjan Stevens and Serengeti)
8. "Hey, Snow White" - The New Pornographers
9. "Gentle Hour" - Yo La Tengo
10. "Amazing Grace" - Cat Power
11. "Happiness" - Riceboy Sleeps
12. "Another Saturday" - Stuart Murdoch
13. "The Giant Of Illinois" - Andrew Bird
14. "Lua" - Conor Oberst with Gillian Welch
15. "When The Road Runs Out" - Blonde Redhead & Devastations
16. "Love Vs. Porn" - Kevin Drew

Stream The National - "So Far Around the Bend" on the MySpace for "Dark Was The Night."

Top Ten Songs on Elbo.ws Reviewed in 50 Words or Less (1/01/09 to 1/15/09)

I opted out of doing a Top Ten earlier this month because it mostly consisted of best-ofs from the various blogs--and I felt like I opined plenty about those tracks throughout 2008. So I waited til the chart was completely new. But to compensate you for the wait, I've added a couple of songs for review. Enjoy!


1) Bon Iver - "Blood Bank"

Download: Bon Iver - "Blood Bank"

Moving on the ghostly etherality of his debut LP, Bon Iver nonetheless continues to write post-folk serves as an ideal soundtrack for earthly reflection. But lest emotions resembling confidence come into fold, haunting harmonies emerge to supplant transcendent doubt in the mind of the listener. My generation’s Neil Young? Vernon’s yet to prove us otherwise.


Grade: A-

2) The Decemberists - "The Rake Song"

Download: The Decemberists - "The Rake Song"

Distorted guitar tones and a narrative concerning familial murder suggest Nirvana by way of Titus Andronicus (no, not that one, the other). With “The Rake Song,” The Decemberists ditch the operatic orchestrations of The Crane Wife for a dirtier, grimier sound; a darkly satisfactory take on The Decemberists’ stock in trade.

Grade: B

3) Dirty Projectors and David Byrne - "Knotty Pine"

Download: Dirty Projectors and David Byrne - "Knotty Pine"

The former Talking Heads frontman, along with his one of his many auditory progenies, create a song that sounds like Clap Your Hands Say Yeah. There’s a development that’s mind-meltingly bizarre, in a meta kind of way. If Byrne is doing CYHSY, and CYHSY is doing Byrne, is Byrne still doing Byrne? Help me out here.

Grade: B-

4) Elvis Perkins in Dreamland - "Shampoo"

Download: Elvis Perkins in Dreamland - "Shampoo"

There’s a little bit of reggae’s relaxed, unbothered shuffle, except that it’s by way of Bob Dylan and the spaghetti western, which allows for sadness pangs (indeed, how else to feel if your blood was the color of black). Elvis Perkins is basically a thinking man’s Jack Johnson, but the hook eventually ingratiates itself on the listener. Also, nice harmonica work.

Grade: C+

5) The Antlers - "Bear"

Download: The Antlers - "Bear"

Essentially, what starts off as any annoyingly conventional Euro-pop lounge ballad begins to nonetheless charm us all once the shambolic guitar-romanticism stumbles its way in from the bathroom (uh, musically speaking of course); one that improves upon multiple listens.

Grade: B-

6) Handsome Furs - "I'm Confused"

Download: Handsome Furs - "I'm Confused"

Pete Townshend's debut solo work (circa Empty Glass) is filtered through the modern-day indie-rock of Wolf Parade? I, too, am confused. But I can't argue with a catch noveau-wave chorus and a modestly insistent beat, can I?

Grade: B

7) Peter, Bjorn and John - "Nothing to Worry About"

Download: Peter, Bjorn and John - "Nothing to Worry About"

In spite of being known for uber-melodious Swedish pop, PB&J continue to take fascinating detours away from the sound that made them popular. In combining M.I.A's worldly hip-hop and hormonal funk of Prince, the trio stumble upon something bizarre, but maybe, just maybe, kind of awesome.

Grade: B+

8) Heartless Bastards - "The Mountain"

Download: Heartless Bastards - "The Mountain"

Like an alt-country Dinosaur Jr. (think "Sludgefest"), the Dayton, Ohio-based trio's "The Mountain" is a solid, somber ballad accentuated with pedal-steel guitar, which helps give the rock-steady songwriting a bit of a sad, canyon-sized grace. The unimaginative song-structure becomes repetitive, but an expansionist opening provides enough variety for a satisfactory listen.

Grade: B

9) Vetiver - "Everyday"

Download: Vetiver - "Everyday"

Sunny, warm and McCartney-esque, but, nonetheless, screamingly bland. Where's Devandra when you need him to weird it up a bit?

Grade: C

10) Au Revoir Simone - "Here is The News" (ELO Cover)

Download: Au Revoir Simone - "Here is The News" (ELO Cover)

One of the many, many MP3s released as part of Buffetlibre's latest covers project, Au Revoir Simone give ELO's early 80s ballad a modern-day dance sheen, but still retain its melancholic new-wave essence.

Grade: B

11) The Black Lips - "Starting Over"

Download: The Black Lips - "Starting Over"

Anthemic, sighing pub-rock and folk-rock's jingle-jangle mourning prove to listeners that they'd be pretty good drinking buddies, as Atlanta's anarchic garage-rockers continue to develop new, more mature methods of songwriting.

Grade: B+

12) Antony and the Johnsons - "Another World"

Download: Antony and the Johnsons - "Another World"

One of the more subdued tracks from Antony's latest album (which, after the glorious soulful warmth of his previous effort, is a bit of a grower, but of similarly excellent quality), "Another World" puts a profoundly austere focus on his voice and piano for another excellent treatise on hoping to face death not alone.

Grade: A-

Cross-published on CIMI.

Best New Releases for Jan. 20, 2009

Today is proving to be quite a release date and will make quite a dent in my pocket book.

Andrew Bird - "Noble Beast" (Fat Possum)

*MP3: Andrew Bird - "Sovay"
Buy on Amazon

Animal Collective - "Merriweather Post Pavilion" (Domino)

*MP3: Animal Collective - "My Girls"
Buy on Amazon

Atmosphere - "God Loves Ugly" (Reissue with DVD) (Rhymesayers)

*MP3: Atmosphere - "God Loves Ugly"
Buy on Amazon

Bon Iver - "Blood Bank EP" (Jagjaguwar)

*MP3: Bon Iver - "Beach Baby"
Buy on Amazon

Coconut Records - "Davy" (Young Baby)

*MP3: Coconut Records - "Drummer"
Buy on Amazon

The Ting Tings vs. Don Diablo - "That's Not My Rave"

*MP3: The Ting Tings vs. Don Diablo - "That's Not My Rave"

Props to the Culture of Me for the find. My likey.

Fleet Foxes on SNL

*MP3: Fleet Foxes - "Blue Ridge Mountains"

Fleet Foxes on MySpace

New P.O.S - "Drumroll"

Drumroll (Were All Thirsty) - P.O.S

Basing an entire song around a drum roll is pretty ingenious, but around the :40 second mark or so, the drums drop out, giving the focus to P.O.S' rapid, spitfire flow. This is the second song to be leaked from the rapper's upcoming third album, Never Better. Watch a video about the making of the artwork at the top of the post.

POS MySpace Page

New Toki Wright - "State of Emergency" (Durty Version)

Download: Toki Wright - "State of Emergency"

One strange thing about this leak. The curse words are edited. What the deuce is up with that?

Indeed, what the deuce? But fear not, my foulmouthed readers. Wright himself just leaked this bad boy last night, in an email that said "My internet street team...says you like curse words." Now who the fuck gave him some bullshit intel like that? :)

As for the song itself, my initial impression is the same, so if you want to read what I thought, go here.

If you're interested in reading what Mr. Wright thinks of the state of the world (I know, the man's normally so bashful, keeping his opinions to himself and whatnot), check out the interview he did with The Wake last month here.

Toki Wright MySpace Page

Today: Old Man Winter Roots and Brew Festival @ The Hub

Tonight: Black Blondie @ the Nomad

BLACK BLONDIE
Billy Johnson
&
Meta

FRIDAY, Jan. 16th, 2009
NOMAD WORLD PUB
501 Cedar Ave S

$5 (additional donations are appreciated)
Doors: 9pm / Music: 10pm

Black Blondie MySpace Page

M. Ward - "Never Had Nobody Like You"

*MP3: M. Ward - "Never Had Nobody Like You"

Nice to hear Zooey on it, however, it's even better to hear M. Ward back in the spotlight.

M. Ward on MySpace

Justin Timberlake - "Bigger Than The World"

*MP3: Justin Timberlake - "Bigger Than The World"

I love it.

JT on MySpace

Fifth Element to sell POS album at midnight

From the POS MySpace bulletin:

Monday night, Feb.
2nd, Fifth Element will open at 12 midnight to begin selling the new POS album, Never Better. The album will be specially priced and includes the limited edition interchangeable artwork panels! Come down to meet POS, get your album signed, and receive FREE bonus items including Meet Tape Vol.2, and the Fifth Element exclusive bonus artwork panel complimenting the rest of the limited packaging.
Get here early, supplies are limited!

Halloween, Alaska to drink "Champagne Downtown" on new album

When last we heard from the confusingly-named Halloween, Alaska (I'm more partial to Easter, Kansas), they'd announce that their third album, which they were in the midst of recording some scant months ago, had a release date of April 7th, 2009.

That much hasn't changed, but now we've been able to get something else that's a little bit more valuable: an album title. Halloween, Alaska's third album is called Champagne Downtown, and, according to the press release, the record promises to "straddle the boundary between the electronic and the organic to create a novel rethink of what pop music can mean in a new millennium."

The release also makes mention of songs called "In Order" and "Gone With The Wind". Should either of those be released as a single (hint hint), we'll let you know about it. In the meantime, check out past material here.

New Gospel Gossip - "Nashville"

Download: Gospel Gossip - "Nashville"

Though their debut LP, Sing Into My Mouth, arrived at the last possible moment in 2007, the strong, surprisingly assured songwriting--mining the depths of shoegazer and early 90s college rock and coming up with classic dream-pop--from the band all but guaranteed instant inclusion in listener's best-ofs for that year. Naturally, anticipation for new material would be high. And now, after a period of quiet activity, we've gotten some new music.

"Nashville" is the first song from the group's upcoming EP, and they'll be giving 100 copies of it at their upcoming show on the 22nd. I suggest you snatch it up, as "Nashville" sounds like the perfect hybrid of Dave Pirner's alt-rock angst and the sullen feedback normally found carousing with the Reid brothers. Listen to it at the top of the post.

Gospel Gossip MySpace Page