Chatham Gets Sonic Youth, Godspeed for "Guitar Trio"
Plus members of Hüsker Dü, Silver Mt. Zion, Tortoise, U.S. Maple, Final Fantasy

While the "if it weren't for..." game is a dangerous one to play, we're going to try it anyway: if it weren't for Rhys Chatham's work in the New York avant-garde and no wave scenes in the late 1970s, indie rock wouldn't be quite what it is today.

The ripples of Chatham's influence can be felt throughout various scenes and genres over thirty years on, and they certainly color the music of his friends in Sonic Youth, for one. So be glad Rhys was out there in NYC all those years ago churning out single-chord minimalist jams, and be glad he continues to perform and compose in this century.

To celebrate the 30th anniversary of his "Guitar Trio", Chatham-- still a road warrior after all these years-- is taking the landmark minimalist piece across the country beginning this weekend. And that's not all: each engagement on the 13-date tour will feature a unique set of performers from the surrounding area comprising, along with Chatham himself, the "Guitar Trio All-Stars". [MORE...]

Okkervil River's Will Sheff Tours With Josh Ritter

Okkervil River frontman Will Sheff and singer/songwriter Josh Ritter have scheduled a handful of tour dates together in late February and early March. They will kick things off February 24 in Portland and wrap them back up again in Los Angeles on March 1.

While Sheff and Okkervil have remained relatively quiet recently, excepting last year's Overboard & Down EP, Ritter has a large tour of solo acoustic performances scheduled and an EP coming out on January 30 titled Live at the Record Exchange. According to his website, "The EP features six solo acoustic songs recorded during the summer of 2006 in Boise, Idaho's favorite record store." It will only be available from Ritter on tour and in select independent U.S. record stores.

Ritter's solo tour kicks off tomorrow in Norfolk, Virginia, but before it gets into full swing, on January 29, he will swing by NPR's "Talk of the Nation" to play a few songs and discuss the Iraq war with host Neal Conan and author Tom Ricks.

Considering Sheff wrote a song called "The President's Dead", we think he and Ritter will have plenty to talk about in the tour van. [MORE...]

Modest Mouse Unveil Dead Tracklist, Release Date

Already fond of long-ass album titles and long-ass tracklists, America's favorite humble rodents-- Modest Mouse-- have finally revealed the long-ass details behind their latest LP after a, um, extensive delay.

According to Billboard.com and verified by a publicist, We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank-- boasting guitar-work from new recruit Johnny Marr, guest appearances from the Shins' James Mercer, and that sunny first single "Dashboard"-- hits stores via Epic on March 20. It has 14 tracks, including the not-so-smartly-titled "Steam Engenius".

The digitally-inclined may preorder We Were Dead from iTunes beginning January 30, thereby ensuring themselves access to a "Dashboard" download and some swank behind-the-scenes video shoot footage. Actually we have no idea if it's truly swank, we just like saying swank a lot. Swank? Swank. We hope it's more than this, though.

Modest Mouse will hop in their humble tour stretch-Hummers this spring for a presumably long-ass TBA jaunt in support of their new collection of songs, including previously reported stops at the ATP vs. the Fans festival and Barcelona's Primavera Sound. [MORE...]

The Good, the Bad and the Queen Kick Off Tour

The Good, the Bad and the Queen will begin their first tour since the release of their self-titled debut Saturday night in Bristol, England. Most of the group's dates are in the UK, in fact, except for four at the end. The last of those is their appearance at Coachella on April 28.

Those of us who can't make it out to California shouldn't worry, though, since Damon Albarn is sure to start 50 new bands by summertime. [MORE...]

Tapes 'n Tapes Schedule North American Tour

Tapes 'n Tapes are resting up with "old friends (...our buddies, our peeps, season three of Lost, the NFL playoffs, and our record collections)" after a very busy 2006, ending with last month's trek through Japan and Australia (and a robbery).

But pretty soon, they'll soon take their show back on the road.

The band has announced a tour surrounding their previously reported Coachella performance, taking them across North America in April and May. But before that, they have two isolated dates scheduled; one at a festival in Mexico, and one in St. Paul, Minnesota as part of public radio station 89.3 the Current's Current Fakebook series. The project unites writers with their favorite musicians. For this show, pop culture obsessive Chuck Klosterman appears along with the band. (Wouldn't have pegged him for a Tapes 'n Tapes fan, honestly. They don't seem cheesy enough for him.) [MORE...]

Animal Collective's Avey Tare Records With ex-Múm Gal

Watching Animal Collective open for FatCat labelmates Múm a few years back, you wouldn't think the boys' tribal melee would jell terribly well with the Icelandic troupe's snowflake-delicate compositions-- but that hasn't stopped Avey Tare from joining forces with Kria Brekkan (aka Storsveit Nix Noltes lady and former Múmmer Kristín Anna Valtýsdóttir) for a new Paw Tracks LP. (And in marriage, incidentally.)

In their respective bands, Tare and Brekkan do seem to share a love for all things childlike, whimsical, and subconscious, so perhaps its this unifying thread that runs through Pullhair Rubeye's eight songs. They all have poetic/wacked-out titles and lots of accent marks, at least.

Pullhair Rubeye, sibling squabbling-evocative title and all, arrives April 24 in CD, LP, and digital formats. It presumably includes tunes penned in Paris in August 2005 and "vocals, piano and guitars [recorded] on an 8-track and mixed them down on a cheap 2-track," as previously reported.

While Tare and Brekkan are mulling the possibility of some East Coast happenings this spring, the latest addition to Domino's mighty roster-- Tare's main gig Animal Collective-- hits the tour trail in May.

Fellow Animal Collective member Panda Bear's Person Pitch, meanwhile, arrives via Paw Tracks on March 20, as you know. Be sure to check out album track "Bros" and some more multimedia goodies over in Forkcast. [MORE...]

Brian Eno Producing New Coldplay Album
He will try to fix them

In an interview with Kristy Lang on BBC Radio 4's Front Row program today, producer/musician/artist/god Brian Eno revealed that he is producing the next Coldplay album. "I think [the album] will be very original and very different from what they've done before," Eno said.

Well, that's good to know.

Lang and Eno had been discussing the Talking Heads' influence on current pop music, so Lang had to ask if the new Coldplay album will sound at all like that band.

Eno laughed and replied, "Funnily enough, I mentioned to David Byrne the other day that we are trying very hard to stay clear of Talking Heads."

Whew. If there's anything worse than Coldplay trying to sound like Coldplay, it's Coldplay trying to sound like the Talking Heads.

To hear the full interview, in which Eno talks about his current art exhibits, his views on spirituality, and his take on the state of the music industry, go here.

Kaiser Chief Wilson Chats Album, Na's, No's, Hit'n'Run
Wilson on the hit-and-run driver: "He was probably an Arctic Monkeys fan or something."

They predicted a riot, and now they've got an Angry Mob. As previously reported, Brit buzz band Kaiser Chiefs return with Yours Truly, Angry Mob-- out March 27 on Universal in North America, and February 26 everywhere else-- and a continent-spanning tour.

As the UK press darlings brace for fan reception to their sophomore outing, Pitchfork caught up with genial lead vocalist Ricky Wilson for a chat about leaps in songwriting, onstage leaps, and a certain life-saving leap over a speeding vehicle last spring.

First and foremost, however, just how many "na"s can fans of 2005 debut Employment expect from Yours Truly, Angry Mob? "I don't do any 'na's, I think. Nick [Hodgson, drummer] might, but it's because he doesn't bother learning the lyrics! He goes in and does these backing vocals, and he just makes it up as he goes along.

"The thing is, with the first [record], we needed that, because we were always a support band. We needed to get the audience to sing along, and that was the best way of doing it: having no lyrics and having big bits that went, "oooh," like that. We don't need them anymore. We've got one song that's got a big 'la la la' in it, but that's about it, I think."

In addition to the move away from catchy playground taunts, Wilson's confident that Angry Mob marks a step forward for the band on the whole. "I would say the album, if it wasn't better than the first one, would never be released. We don't want to be one of those bands that just get worse. We think it's better and it's the best we can do at this moment in time. So if it's not good enough, then we're in the wrong job. But I think it's fucking great, so I'm happy.

"The record is worth hearing," the Kaiser Chief continued. "I know all bands say that, but if they didn't, I'd be worried."

If Wilson sounds proud, maybe he has a right to be. Apart from the touch of producer/mixer Stephen Street and mixer Cenzo Townshend, the Kaisers pretty much went it alone on Angry Mob. "We made a conscious decision not to have any other musicians involved on it...everything that's played on it is played by us, because we've got no reason to hide behind anyone else. If we want something to sound big, surely we should be able to do that on our own." [MORE...]

Mastodon Kick Off Winter Tour

We're still waiting for the third installment of our favorite mind-melting Southerners' (duh, Mastodon!) video tour diary, and if anything will inspire them to future YouTube greatness, it's hitting the road again.

The Blood Mountain climbers kick things off tonight in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida with tourmates Priestess and Converge before snaking around the eastern U.S. Then in March, they'll get international, with stops in Ireland, England, and the United Arab Emirates.

Mastodon also announced their first summer festival date recently. It's in June at Norway's Hovefestival, where one of the bands with whom they will share the bill is... Slayer!

We could have guessed it, but since they went out of their way to list "w/Slayer" in the tour section of their website, it's obvious that Mastodon are beyond psyched. And so are we, especially if they upload a video document of the occasion for all the internet to see. [MORE...]

Pattern Is Movement Tour With David Bazan

Philly trio Pattern Is Movement will hit the road with prickly Pedro-no-more David Bazan in February, and they're bringing producer Scott Solter along with them to play guitar.

Solter produced the band's last album and the corresponding remix record, Stowaway and Canonic: Scott Solter Plays Pattern Is Movement. Solter will return to the studio with Pattern Is Movement this summer to record their third album for release early next year on Hometapes.

The tour begins at Kenyon College on February 9 and includes an appearance at Hometapes' SXSW showcase. Bazan has two dates of his own, one tonight with Damien Jurado and another February 10 with Iron & Wine's Sam Beam. [MORE...]

Smashing Pumpkins Announce First Reunion Shows

Last month, we told you that the Smashing Pumpkins were slated to play "some European festivals" in the summer of 2007. Well, they've finally announced exactly where and when fans can, for the first time in over six years, catch the band live.

The Pumpkins will play Germany's Rock am Ring and Rock im Park festivals, taking place in Nuremburg on June 2 at Nürburgring and June 3 at Zeppelinfeld, respectively.

They're sharing rosters with the likes of Linkin Park, Korn, Evanescence, Dave Matthews Band, Slayer, and My Chemical Romance. Muse, the Arctic Monkeys, Kaiser Chiefs, the Kooks, Wolfmother, and Mando Diao are lined up to perform as well.

Who, exactly, is in Smashing Pumpkins? We still don't know.

Secretly Canadian Artists Cover Each Other for Comp
Jens Lekman does Scout Niblett, Danielson do Dave Fischoff, Songs: Ohia do Nikki Sudden

After 11 years of existence, Secretly Canadian is finally celebrating itself. The Indiana label that brought us everybody from Antony and Jens Lekman to Danielson/Br. Danielson/Danielson Famile and Songs:Ohia/Magnolia Electric Company/Jason Molina will release the retrospective compilation SC100 on April 10.

And what better way to document Secretly Canadian's history than with a big ol' song swap? SC100 features 18 SC artists covering other SC artists. Jens Lekman covers Scout Niblett, Danielson does Dave Fischoff, Songs: Ohia take on Nikki Sudden, Nikki Sudden does June Panic, June Panic do Danielson, Marmoset do Jens, Suzanne Langille does Songs:Ohia... Yup, it's a big ol' orgy.

Although Secretly Canadian has put out over 150 records by now, SC100 is still a technically correct title, since it's been in the works since it was the label's hundreth release. Therefore, the compilation only includes artists from SC's first 99 records. So no Antony or I Love You But I've Chosen Darkness or Frida Hyvönen, sorry. [MORE...]

Shins, Lily Allen, Cold War Kids Play KCRW Fundraiser

Southern California NPR affiliate radio station (and adult-alternative mecca) KCRW has unveiled the details of its sixth annual A Sounds Eclectic Evening fundraiser.

This year, the event is scheduled for April 14 at Universal City, California's Gibson Amphitheater. The Shins, Lily Allen, the Cold War Kids, Rodrigo y Gabriela, and Bitter: Sweet will perform, and the Pinker Tones will rock the after-party.

Additional artists have yet to be announced, but "surprise special guests" are promised. Ooh, we hope it's James Blunt and Corinne Bailey Rae!

Proceeds will assist the station in digitizing its massive (60,000+ albums!) music library.

Danny! = Next Def Jux Artist

Following through on a two-month promise, the heads at Def Jux-- in collaboration with mtvU and its college student viewership-- have selected Danny! to be the newest member of their family. The 23 year-old Savannah College of Art and Design student, born Danny Swain, will record a digital EP for the label and collaborate with Def Jukie Mr. Lif on a single and music video, the latter of which will exclusively premiere on mtvU and mtvU.com later this year.

Danny! is just the first winner of the college-only network's "Best Music on Campus" monthly contests to hook up independent college-enrolled artists with record contracts. In his profile on the site, he claims to sound like "a cross between Björn Borg and a vacuum cleaner", with A Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul, Gang Starr, EPMD, and, um, Barry Manilow as his influences.

What we wouldn't give to hear Mr. Lif on a version of "Copacabana"!

Girl Talk Seeks Dancers for Vegas Gig
Just leave the stripping to Gillis

As Girl Talk's Gregg Gillis prepares to take on Jackie Chan this Valentine's Day (February 14) in Las Vegas as part of the previously reported festival Fusion (which also features Kanye West, Gnarls Barkley, Lupe Fiasco, Spank Rock, and several of China's finest pop acts), he's looking for a little help from six very special, choreographically inclined individuals.

Gillis posted a MySpace bulletin yesterday morning (mad thanks to reader Eric McKinney for the tip) asking for backup dancers for his Fusion gig. Do you have what it takes to help Gillis get the party started? Can you shake it like a Polaroid picture? Can you back that thang up? Can you let that shoulder lean? Can you get jiggy wit it??? (If you said 'yes' to that last one, you're automatically disqualified.)

Quoth Gregg, "Here are the duties: dance on stage, hype the crowd, throw confetti, wear a costume and/or extreme clothing (that you provide yourself), get buck wild." Sound like something you'd be doing at a Girl Talk gig anyway?

Then pay attention: First make sure you can get to Vegas, then make sure you're not, like, twelve years old. Next, fire an e-mail to Gillis at girltalkgirltalk@gmail.com with the subject line "Las Vegas Performance". Include the answers to the following questions from Gregg:

1. Full Name:
2. City that you live in:
3. Age:
4. How will you get to Las Vegas:
5. What will your be costume and/or clothing:
6. Performance experience:
7. Best dance move:
8. Have you been to a Girl Talk show before and if so, where:
9. Phone number:
10. Why I should pick you (no longer than 5 sentences):

And remember: this is what you're up against.

Gillis' six lucky picks get free tickets to Fusion and backstage passes. And hey, even if this doesn't pan out, you still have ample opportunities to reinvent the Macarena onstage or off at one of Girl Talk's other upcoming performances, including stints at Langerado and Coachella. [MORE...]

Q-Tip Readies Renaissance, Kamaal LPs

It's been eight years since former A Tribe Called Quest MC Q-Tip released his solo debut, 1999's Amplified, and he has yet to release a proper studio follow-up. Kamaal the Abstract, his sophomore record scheduled for release in 2002, never came out, but it seems the recent Tribe reunion tour lit a fire under him.

Though he tells Billboard.com that another Tribe reunion is unlikely, he has big plans to release two solo albums, including the release of Kamaal with bonus tracks (the original's tracklist is below). Tapping like-minds Andre 3000, Common, and D'Angelo as his only guests so far, Tip assembled a "hip hop band" for The Renaissance, technically Kamaal's follow-up even though with its spring release on Universal Motown it will likely precede it.

"I wanted a hip-hop sonic feel, something pure to the sound of hip hop with real drums, real emotion and people taking solos. In that sense this record feels like we're moving in a new direction...something hip hop should do," Tip told Billboard.com to explain the idea behind the band.

He also said he will feature songs from Kamaal when he tours in support of The Renaissance, and we're pretty sure he'll visit with some of the many "Bonita Applebum"s among his MySpace friends, who all seem to be participating in the ill-defined "Bonita Applebum MySpace Contest". The "voice message from Q-Tip" doesn't do much to clear up exactly what the contest is beyond a ranking of female MySpace users willing to change their profile names to Bonita Applebum in order to possibly-- according to Tip-- "extend your friend networks and all of that."

And with that, we finally understand what's taken Tip so long to make a new album: cruising for chicks on MySpace. [MORE...]

Badly Drawn Boy Tours Europe, North America

Badly Drawn Boy is proud of having been Born in the U.K., and to prove it, he's playing three shows at fish and chips eateries in England in February. Tickets are obtainable only attainable via a mobile phone contest, so get to texting.

But greasy fast food establishments aren't the only place you can catch Damon Gough performing this season. He kicked off a European tour last night in Switzerland, and hits North America in March.

Gough also has a single, "A Journey from A to B", on its way February 19. It will be available on CD and two seven inches, one featuring "This Is the Day (Oui FM)" as its B-side, and the other "Welcome to the Overground (live)". The latter track is included on the CD as well. [MORE...]

RJD2 Extends North American Tour

RJD2 hit a slight roadblock when his unfortunate middle finger was cut in an in-studio tangle with some scissors (full story on MySpace), but he's not letting one little mishap hold him back-- the show must go on. Shows, that is. Many, many shows.

The sound sculptor has tacked a whole bunch of dates onto his previously reported North American tour. On the trek, he'll perform both as a DJ and, for the first time ever, with a four-piece band.

The tour is in support of RJD2's XL debut, The Third Hand, which, as you well know by now, lands March 6.

Customers who pre-order a copy from select indie record stores will receive a digital bonus EP featuring three previously unavailable tracks.

Those purchasing the record via iTunes can expect a different extra-- a song RJD2 describes as "epic!!!!! nine minutes!!!! four movements!!!!" [MORE...]

Do you have a news tip for us? Anything crazy happen at a show you attended recently? Do you have inside info on the bands we cover? Is one of your favorite artists (that's not somebody you know personally) releasing a new record you'd like to see covered? You will remain completely anonymous, unless we are given your express permission to reveal your identity. (Please note that publicists, managers, booking agents, and other artist representatives are generally exempt from this rule, but will also be granted anonymity if requested.)