Friendly Fires come back to the states for 2 headlining dates! 14 Nov 2008

That's right.  Following their breakthrough touring stint with Lykke Li and making a splash at this year's

CMJ Festival, the trio from St. Albans are confirmed to grace Los Angeles and NYC with their presence in December!

Friendly Fires December 2008 US dates:

DECEMBER 7
LA - SPACELAND

DECEMBER 9
NYC - THE ANNEX

Check out their cover of Lykke LI's "I'm Good, I'm Gone"

http://gorillavsbear.blogspot.com/2008/10/friendly-fires-covers-lykke-li.html

http://www.myspace.com/friendlyfires

Sigur Ros - SUPER SUPER DELUXE EDITION!!! 13 Nov 2008

Sigur Rós will be releasing a VERY deluxe edition of their critically-acclaimed fifth album, Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust (English translation: with a buzz in our ears we play endlessly), which was released this June on XL Recordings.  The deluxe edition of the album is available now exclusively on the band’s website, and will be in stores on November 18th.

Check out the link to see it!
http://dot.sigurros.com/wp/deluxe-edition-photo-gallery/

This special edition includes:
o    A 200-page, cloth-bound hardback book of fine art photos of the band by acclaimed photographer Eva Vermandel.
These photos, taken in the UK, Mexico, Iceland and the US during the recording, mixing, mastering, video making, rehearsing and touring of this album, give fans a beautiful, intimate look into the band’s process.
o    Exclusive DVD
The DVD contains 2 films by filmmaker Nick Abrahams, one documenting the live recording of the song “Ara Batur” with a full orchestra and choir at London's legendary Abbey Road studios, and the other a film poem, shot on Super-8, which reflects the power, magic and essential intangibility of the band. Together with the Gobbledigook video (directed by Arni and Kinski) the exclusive DVD is 55 minutes in length
o    A unique strip of original 16mm film from the Gobbledigook video
o    A cd copy of Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust

Even for a band Grammy® nominated for their previous packaging, and responsible for the highly desirable special edition of last year's Heima DVD (still the highest rated documentary EVER on IMDB!) - this deluxe package of Med sud... represents a new high-water mark in presentation.  The band canvassed what fans wanted from a special edition via a thread on their message board (large format pictures, a behind the scenes film, something no-one else would own) and then set about delivering just that.  The result is unlike anything you are likely to see from any other band. Quite simply sensational.

Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust has won rave reviews since its release. Inspired by the unfettered feeling of the acoustic performances filmed during Heima, Sigur Rós decided to adopt a looser approach in the writing and creation of their brilliant fifth album.  The album glows with the perfect imperfection of live takes, the sounds of fingers playing guitar strings, cracked notes, and a stark, upfront presence not found in previous Sigur Rós recordings, moving away from reverb-soaked guitar sounds towards something altogether more affecting.  The record also contains some of the most joyous music the band has ever recorded. 

Sigur Rós is:  Jón Thor Birgisson (vocals, guitar), Georg Holm (bass), Kjartan Sveinsson (keyboards/piano), Orri Páll Dýrason (drums).

The Mountain Goats and Kaki King have The Last Happy Night of Their Lives in NYC... sort of. 12 Nov 2008

Well, at least that's where they ended their long running "The Last Happy Night of Your Life" tour!
Making Sunday November 9th the very last happy.. oh you know.


The extensive tour saw them start in the midwest --> northwest --> south --> back east, ending with
two special nights in NYC, playing Music Hall of Williamsburg on Saturday Nov 8th, and then Webster Hall on Sunday
Nov 9th.


Faith-Ann Young took some wonderful photos of the Webster Hall show for Brooklyn Vegan,
you can check them out here:

http://www.brooklynvegan.com/archives/2008/11/the_mountain_go_16.html#more


Also, if you didn't get to see one of these shows, you might still experience the collaborative efforts of The Mountain Goats and Kaki King with the recently released 6 song Black Pear Tree EP.  This is a limited edition release however, so you'd have to hurry up and snatch one!

http://www.beggarsgroupusa.com/releases/black-pear-tree/

Stereolab on ABC News THE MIX 12 Nov 2008

Check out this interview with Stereolab on ABC News's online show called "The Mix"!

Titus Andronicus to TOUR with Los Campesinos! in Jan and Feb 2009 11 Nov 2008

Titus Andronicus, the newest addition to the XL Recordings roster, plan to celebrate
the January 20th re-release of The Airing of Grievances by touring the states from
mid January 2009 through mid February 2009 with Los Campesinos!

01-15 Baltimore, MD - Ottobar
01-16 Carrboro, NC - Cat’s Cradle
01-17 Atlanta, GA - The Earl
01-19 Jacksonville, FL - Jack Rabbits
01-21 Tallahassee, FL - Club Downunder
01-24 Nashville, TN - Exit-In
01-25 Memphis, TN - Hi Tone
01-27 New Orleans, LA - One Eyed Jack’s
01-29 Houston, TX - Walter’s On Washington
01-30 Austin, TX - The Parish
01-31 Dallas, TX - Club Dada
02-03 Lawrence, KS - The Bottleneck
02-04 St. Louis, MO - The Gargoyle
02-06 Madison, WI - Der Rathskeller
02-07 Chicago, IL - Logan Sq. Auditorium
02-10 Grand Rapids, MI - Calvin College Ladies Literary Club
02-11 Columbus, OH - Wexner Center for the Arts
02-12 Swarthmore, PA - Swarthmore College Olde Club
02-13 Boston, MA - Paradise Rock Club
02-14 New York, NY - Bowery Ballroom
02-15 New York, NY - Bowery Ballroom

30 years of Rough Trade + commemorative shows (in the UK) w/Jarvis & Jeffrey Lewis! 10 Nov 2008

JARVIS COCKER - ROUGH TRADE RECORDS
LOOKING ROUGH AT 30
30 Years Of Rough Trade Records

• Rough Trade Records 30th Birthday UK Tour
• Jeffrey Lewis added to the bill
• Jarvis Cocker to headline, showcasing new material plus special Rough Trade guest support
• Forthcoming BBC Documentary entitled "Do It Yourself - The Story Of Rough Trade" in October
 
Geoff Travis and Jeannette Lee at Rough Trade Records are delighted to announce a UK tour to commemorate the label's historic 30th Birthday. Taking in Sheffield, London, Edinburgh, Manchester and Birmingham it will be headlined by our own incomparable Jarvis Cocker, and now we can announce that our own Jeffrey Lewis will be joining the celebrations. A video of Jeffrey performing 'A Quick Biography Of Barack Obama', his comic book / ode in support to the Democratic presidential candidate has become something of a youtube sensation, see it here.

With recent scorching US live shows at New York's Music Hall of Williamsburg and Chicago's Pitchfork Music Festival (where he showcased blistering material from his forthcoming record due mid 2009) still ringing in the ears of the lucky who managed to witness them, there's no doubt that Jarvis is in fine form, and these dates represent a rare opportunity to catch him in full flow.

JARVIS COCKER :
"Strangely enough, this is also the 30th anniversary of my first involvement with making music (the first incarnation of Pulp was formed during an Economics lesson towards the end of October 1978). How could I have known then that our two destinies would become so intertwined? I'm proud to be part of these birthday celebrations - I know there's an awful lot of Anniversary Culture out there but this is one that's actually worth celebrating: Rough Trade has always been about discovering the new, exploring the unknown & giving a voice to those who would otherwise remain unheard. And they're still doing it 30 years on. This is no dewy-eyed nostalgia trip - it's an on-going revolution. Stand up & be counted! (Actually, comfortable seating IS available in most of the venues - should you require it)."
 
Live Dates (sorry folks, all in the UK!)
Nov 25 Sheffield Academy*
Nov 26 London Shepherds Bush Empire*
Nov 28 Edinburgh Picture House*
Nov 30 Mancester Academy*
Dec 02 Birmingham Academy
*w/ Jeffrey Lewis

The Breeders to curate ATP! 07 Nov 2008

As you may have already read, The Breeders have been chosen as curators of ATP Weekend 2, taking place at Butlins Holiday Camp in Minehead, England from May 15th - 17th 2009.

The Breeders will not only perform but will also pick a bill of 40+ artists to join them!

For further information, please visit the All Tomorrow's Parties website.

NME says these people are cool.... 06 Nov 2008

NME's Annual "cool list" has just been published.

see # 16!

1. Alice Glass, Crystal Castles
2. Jay-Z
3. Andrew VanWyngarden, MGMT
4. Alex Turner, Arctic Monkeys/The Last Shadow Puppets
5: Sam Dust, Late Of The Pier
6. Ladyhawke
7. Caleb Followill, Kings Of Leon
8. MIA
9. Liam Gallagher, Oasis
10. Caroline McKay, Glasvegas
11. Pink Eyes, Fucked Up
12. Guy Garvey, Elbow
13. Lil Wayne
14. Dave Sitek, TV On The Radio
15. Johnny Marr, The Cribs
16. Ezra Koenig, Vampire Weekend
Over-educated and proud of it, Koenig has built up his own distinct lyrical world of collegiate eccentrics and Oxford commas. Not since Lynne Truss has grammatical propriety gained such a broad mainstream audience.
17. Santogold
18. Ed MacFarlane, Friendly Fires
19. Florence Welch, Florence And The Machine
20. Dev Hynes, Lightspeed Champion

Rough Trade Records Signs Alela Diane And Sets Release Date! 04 Nov 2008

Rough Trade Records is pleased to announce the forthcoming release from Alela Diane.  Her new album, To Be Still, will be in-stores on February 17, 2009.
 
To Be Still is the follow-up to Alela Diane's critically-acclaimed 2006 debut The Pirate's Gospel. That record brought the Nevada city, CA-reared musician a dedicated following across the globe (especially in Europe, where she recently finished a tour of mid-sized concert halls). Considering that early copies of The Pirate's Gospel were given away to friends in hand-sewn covers just a few years ago, this is not only quite a leap, but a well-deserved one.

To Be Still was created throughout 2007 & 2008. "It began in Portland, OR and was finished in scatters between tours at my dad's home studio in Nevada City, CA," Alela says. "I wanted to record this collection of songs using arrangements which represent them in their finest form. These songs requested more instrumental filigree than those on The Pirate's Gospel. It was challenging to delicately yet purposefully incorporate instrumentation into songs that I was so used to singing by myself. I was determined to make it work, because I wanted percussion! I wanted to hear the lonesome bow of the violin! I heard many harmonies in my head, and so I set out to capture them."


In the past, Alela's work has been associated with one or more musical movements, notably the alleged "freak-folk" genre of the early to middle Oughts. And while no music exists in a complete vacuum, the wholly original music on To Be Still was borne of contemplation and isolation. "Most were written in the cabin in Nevada City, and during my stint of domesticity in the Victorian flat further North; others were captured elsewhere, in moments of calm," she says. The album shows Alela Diane to be a compelling and unique voice.

Geoff Travis, founder of Rough Trade Records, says "Alela Diane is a real American Songwriter. Both flinty and beautiful. She draws from a tradition that might include Sandy Denny and Karen Dalton and she suffers not a jot in comparison.  Rough Trade is proud to be able to bring you this release."

*****

“Accompanied mostly by her acoustic guitar, newcomer Alela Diane  sings stark, ghostly folk. .. she’s already flaunting a large, lived-in growl flavored by antediluvian blues and jazz inflections.  This Portland based siren shares with (Joanna Newsom)  a primitivism shaped by backward glances and backwoods living.... Diane seems destined for grander endeavors. "  Spin [3.5 out of 4 stars]

"Diane’s guitar’s strong impression and haunting arpeggios give a sense of moving forward undaunted and each song gets a push from the nimble style of a bluegrass banjo.  Among these strenths, Diane’s greatest asset is her voice. Echoing wide, her timbre is rich and thick and her range is higher than most acoustic singer-songwriters, bringing each track to peaks and valleys that draw you in."   Venus

new Johann Johannsson is out today!!!! 04 Nov 2008

Jóhann Jóhannsson: Fordlândia - OUT TODAY!

LISTEN TO A TRACK NOW: "The Rocket Builder"

LOOK AT HIS BRAND NEW WEBSITE: http://www.johannjohannsson.com
WATCH THE VIDEO FOR "Melodia (Guidelines for a Space Propulsion Device based on Heim's Quantum Theory)"

An American magnate builds a doomed utopia in the depths of the Brazilian rainforest. A Victorian poetess laments the death of Pan. A pagan rocket scientist blows himself up in his Californian garage. A crippled German physicist draws up the equations which could make faster than light travel possible, unseen by the rest of the world.

Jóhann Jóhannsson’s spellbinding new album draws these tantalizing threads together, weaving a musical tapestry of hypnotic richness and surprising emotional depth.

Jóhannsson makes stately, slow-building and hauntingly melodic music – frequently combining electronic processing with classical orchestrations - that has been bewitching listeners for the last few years. His first two solo records – Englabörn (2002), written for string quartet, percussion and electronics, and Virthulegu Forsetar (2004), written for brass ensemble, drones and percussion – were released by the singular British independent Touch label.

Englabörn was derived from music that Jóhann wrote for an Icelandic play using string quartet, piano, organ, glockenspiel and percussion. These elements were processed and manipulated, adding delicate electronic accents to the otherwise entirely acoustic recordings. Virthulegu Forsetar was one hour-long piece for eleven brass players, percussion, electronics, organs and piano. It shares Englabörn’s quiet, elegiac beauty, but replaces the brevity of the first album’s exquisite miniatures with an extended sweep of sound that reveals a long, slow process of evolution.

Jóhann is involved in many different projects in his native Iceland, including the all-analogue Apparat Organ Quartet and Kitchen Motors, the art organisation/think tank/record label which specialises in instigating collaborations and art projects across diverse artforms.

Jóhann’s first release for 4AD, IBM 1401, A User’s Manual (2006) involved a sixty-piece string orchestra recorded at Prague’s legendary Barrandov sound stage and incorporated electronics and vintage reel-to-reel recordings of a 1960s IBM 1401 mainframe computer and its accompanying instruction manual.

Following IBM 1401, A User’s Manual, Fordlândia is the second in a proposed trilogy based on technology and iconic American brand names. Whereas IBM 1401, A User’s Manual was a personal response to technology and its inevitable obsolescence inspired by his father’s work with mainframe computers in Iceland, Fordlândia springs out of a far more diffuse set of influences. It brings together the soaring grandeur of its predecessor – some sections were recorded with the same orchestra in Prague – and the plangent intimacy of Englabörn, moving between heady, melting cadences and crystalline motifs with gorgeous, dreamlike logic.

In short, Fordlândia is Jóhann Jóhannsson’s most complete and beautiful piece of music to date, a fascinating, immersive and deeply rewarding web of ideas and melodies, which is sure to win him a legion of new listeners.