New Book, CD, and Tour for Tara Jane O'Neil

Just what has Tara Jane O'Neil gotten herself into now? The former Rodan, Sonora Pine, and Retsin member turned solo artist extraordinaire has a new book/CD project and a brief tour besides.

Wings. Strings. Meridians.: A Blighted Bestiary is a 96-page book of artworks and such from the page of Ms. O'Neil (a visual preview of the stuff is available here), coupled with a 15-track CD-- titled Connoisseur Collage-- of O'Neil rarities, demos, and a cover of Leonard Cohen's "Hey, That's No Way to Say Goodbye". The songs on Collage, as O'Neil pointed out in an e-mail, are "all pretty unreleased." What's more, 100 extra special copies of Wings will come with three silkscreened prints, which we in the biz often refer to as "limited edition bonus material."

The book/CD will be out in November courtesy of Yeti Publishing's Square Roots Books imprint, with a release party/acoustic performance on the first of the month in Portland. That comes right square at the end of O'Neil's brief fall tour, kicking off this weekend. True, there's a couple New York shows in mid-November, too, but it's not a tour if you take two weeks off in the middle, is it? [MORE...]

CMJ: Thursday [Amy Phillips]

Stars photos by Kathryn Yu; Juiced Elfers and Simian Mobile Disco photos by William Kirk; Above: Stars

Stars [Town Hall; 9 p.m.]




Town Hall is a grand 1920s theater located in Times Square that's known for symphonic and cabaret performances. In other words, it's the perfect venue for Stars, who become less of a new wave band and more of a musical theater troupe with every record. At last: Stars on Broadway! Sold out! One night only!

The band was fully aware of the sweet absurdity of the situation. Singer Torquil Campbell mentioned several times how weird and fucked up it was to be playing such a classy joint, and how grateful he was to be doing so. Bouquets of flowers decorated the stage, and Evan Cranley used any downtime in between songs as an opportunity to throw roses into the crowd. The band's affection for its fans was matched by its members' love for one another; at one point, Cranley laid his head on Campbell's shoulder and kissed him, at another, Campbell kneeled at Amy Millan's feet, singing "I love you! I love you!" (Aside: Am I crazy, or do Campbell and Millan strongly resemble Tate Donovan and Juliette Lewis, respectively?)

The venue fit Stars' sound perfectly. The massive ensemble choruses and overwrought melodrama of latest album In Our Bedroom After the War are born for rooms like this, with Campbell and Millan emoting to high heaven-- or at least the last row of the balcony. There was much grasping of chests and falling to knees, enthusiastic gesticulation, and knitting of eyebrows into sincerity-signifying arches. And Campbell sweat so much his shirt was soaked through by the fourth song. (The string of light bulbs wrapped around his chest might have helped.)

Some fans have been turned off by the Broadway tendencies of In Our Bedroom. Back when Stars were just another synth-pop group covering the Smiths, the most notable thing about them was the fact that their male frontperson acted like more of a diva than their female frontperson. (This is still true.) And they were playing for 50 people at the Knitting Factory opening for I Am the World Trade Center. Now they're re-writing "One Day More" and "Do You Hear the People Sing?" for indie rock kids. My only complaint: At the climax of "In Our Bedroom After the War", the curtain at the back of the stage didn't suddenly fly open to reveal a chorus dressed in white robes. Also there were no cannons. Or firecrackers.

All of this isn't to say that Stars have become some slick McMusical or something. Oh no: They're still a rock band, warts and all. Right before the big break in "Midnight Coward", Millan yelled at her bandmates to stop. Confused, they played on for another 30 seconds or so. She kept yelling. Finally they listened, and Millan insisted that "something sounded weird." So they started the song over again.

[For some reason, the Stars show wasn't actually part of the CMJ Music Marathon, meaning that your CMJ badge-- which you may have paid up to $750 for-- wouldn't have gotten you in. Same for the Regina Spektor show at the Hammerstein Ballroom on Tuesday, M.I.A. at Terminal 5 on Thursday, and, um, Bruce Springsteen at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday and Thursday.]

Simian Mobile Disco [Music Hall of Williamsburg; 12 a.m.]

James Ford and James Shaw, the men of Simian Mobile Disco, rock a party so hard, they can't help but rock themselves. I don't know how they do it-- all that knob-twiddling while simultaneously jumping up and down, headbanging, and pumping their fists in the air-- but they do, and their energy is infectious. There's just something about two goofy dudes running in a circle around a bank of electronics, surrounded by a kickass light show, that makes you wanna dance.

SMD brought all the hits save for "We Are Your Friends", which was a pity considering that Simon Lord, the vocalist on that song (and "I Believe"), is in town for CMJ with his new group the Black Ghosts. But no all-star collaboration was to be had, just fun and dancing. And that's pretty much it. Fun and dancing. Dancing and fun. Basically non-stop for an hour.

Major props must be given to the Bowery Presents, the company behind the new venue the Music Hall of Williamsburg. This place is pretty much the Platonic ideal of a rock club, or at least it will be, once a bit of wear and tear has softened the sleekness. The space that used to be the awkward Northsix has been transformed into a shiny, high-end joint modeled after the excellent Bowery Ballroom, another Bowery Presents venue. As a short girl, I appreciate the raised platforms to the sides of the stage, as well as the ample balcony with plenty of tables, chairs, and bleacher seats. Plus, even though the show was sold out, there was plenty of room to breathe. And dance and have fun.

Bonus Photos!

Juiced Elfers [Pianos; 7:30 p.m.]

New Kurt Cobain Film in the Works

One wonders what he'd make of all the fuss we still make over him: according to Variety.com (via The Daily Swarm), Universal Pictures has snapped up the rights to Heavier Than Heaven, Charles Cross' 2001 biography of late Nirvana leader Kurt Cobain. The film will be scripted by Troy/25th Hour screenwriter David Benioff, and co-executive-produced by Cobain's widow Courtney Love.

Relatively little is known about the film beyond the aforementioned nuts and bolts, and there's still no word on whether they've locked down rights to any of the Cobain catalogue for use in the film. The Heavier Than Heaven book utilized Cobain's unpublished diaries and interviews with Cobain's friends and family members, so expect the film to cut particularly deep.

In other Cobain/Nirvana news, Unplugged's getting a DVD, Kurt's (been) on a lunchbox, and this won't be the only Kurt Cobain film you'll see in the not too distant future.

Folk Icon Karen Dalton's Early Recordings Collected

Even with all the crate digging and backwards gazing that goes into folk revivalism, Karen Dalton has wallowed in relative obscurity for years. The tar-and-honey voiced Dalton won accolades in her prime from Bob Dylan and Fred Neil, but Dalton's name isn't generally one that comes up with any but the most dedicated folk fans.

Delmore Recordings is giving folk fans a new chance to discover Dalton on Cotton Eyed Joe - Live in Boulder 1962, a double-disc collection of recordings made by Dalton and Boulder scene staple Joe Loop at his Attic club in 1962. Committed to tape some seven years before the release of Dalton's first LP, the Cotton Eyed Joe recordings find Dalton tackling a wealth of traditional songs and folk favorites from the likes of Woody Guthrie, Leadbelly, Ray Charles, and Fred Neil himself. Fans of the early Devendra discs, this is almost certainly something you'll enjoy.

The disc arrives October 23, and the American version includes a bonus DVD of Dalton footage from 1969-1970 not available on the import. [MORE...]

Burial to Issue Second LP, Untrue, Next Month

Dubstep: still new, still buzzworthy (whatever that means anymore), still without a face to go with Burial, the genre's would-be de facto poster boy.

Fresh off the release of last year's highly lauded eponymous LP, the ever-secretive Burial is back like he forgot something on Untrue, yet another LP of gurgling, echoey, oft-ominous samples set to stuttering beats.

The disc drops November 6 from the Hyperdub imprint in two formats: a 13 track CD, and, to show appreciation for the DJ set, a nine cut double LP with a different track order-- "from which some of the beatless pieces have been edited," says the press release. That should put a spring in your dubstep! [MORE...]

Oasis Find the "Lord" on New Single, Documentary DVD

It's been a minute since last we heard from those exemplars of reserve Oasis. Of course, isn't that always the case? Every few years, they throw some big hooks and swirling choruses down on wax, collect the requisite "best record since Be Here Now" pullquotes, slag off whoever's big at the moment (I can hear it now: "That Kanye kook's a real wanker, innit?"), tour a bit, punch a dude, and step off for a few more years. Hey, whatever works.

Annnnd Oasis are back! With a new single and a new(ish) DVD that share a title! They're both called Lord Don't Slow Me Down, and we shall discuss the previously Forkcasted single first. You'll be able to have and to hold that sweet "Lord" October 21, though only via digital outlets. So goes the Beatles goes Oasis, I suppose.

Then there's the Universal-issued DVD: it's a tour documentary that screened in select theaters last year, it features a commentary track from Liam, Noel, Andy, and Gem, and for a limited time, it'll come with a bonus disc with 16 tracks culled from a July 2005 show at City of Manchester Stadium. That thing'll drop November 6.

As for those always-tentative future plans? No tour as such, but a full-length is planned for next year. Word on the street is, it's the best one since Don't Believe the Truth.

Hold Steady, Springsteen on Hard Rock Charity Comp
Plus: Bob Dylan, Jackson Browne, ANDREW W.-M.F.-K.

Do goodery is all well and, you know, good, but it comes with a price: in this case, probably somewhere in the low double digits. That's about how much it'll cost you to hear SERVE2, a new compilation put together by Hard Rock International that seeks to benefit the self-explanatory Artists Against Hunger and Poverty offshoot of the World Hunger Year project.

Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, the Hold Steady, and Andrew W.K. feature on a collection that also includes Jackson Browne and, uh, well it's all for charity, isn't it?

The tracklist-- including tunes available only on the digital release of SERVE2-- is available for your perusal after the jump. Both the disc (available at Hard Rock Cafe locations, of which, it turns out, there are 123) and the digital download arrive November 6. [MORE...]

Johnny Marr Named University Professor
Morrissey still, like, Dean of Mean

Photo by Shannon McClean

From the Salford Lads Club straight to the hallowed halls of the University of Salford-- so it goes for former Smith and present Modest Mouse guitar maestro Johnny Marr.

According to the U of S website, Marr has been named Visiting Professor at the Greater Manchester Area city's "Uni" (pronounced "YOU-knee"), as our Brit brethren have been known to call them.

Seems he "will be delivering a series of workshops and masterclasses to students on the BA Popular Music and Recording degree at Salford." Seeing as Mr. Marr has already helped a generation find its away around nimble, expressive hooks packed with jangly goodness, this new post should prove no sweat for the guy.

Said the 43-year-old axe-tickler, "Salford University is offering some fantastic opportunities to students in music. It is an honour to be appointed as a professor and I'm excited at the prospect of being able to make a contribution."

Take care not to spread yourself too thin, Professor Marr! You have quite a few contributions to make to Modest Mouse shows this semester as well.

Oh, and thanks to reader Marc Holmes for the tip! [MORE...]

Photos: The Go! Team [Portland, OR; 10/17/07]

Photos by Nilina Mason-Campbell

There's no stopping the Go! Team, whose revved-up relay in demonstration of Proof of Youth rolled through Portland's Doug Fir Lounge last night. What with all those bright colors and winning hooks, Ninja and her crew may not excel at stealth, but they're still killing 'em all the same. The onslaught continues this evening (October 18) in San Francisco.












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Rafter Crafts Sex Death Cassette for Asthmatic Kitty

Commercial jingle artist, musician, Sufjan BFF, and professional weirdo Rafter, like any renaissance-person should, has plenty on his mind. Three of those fixations-- fornication, our earthly demise, and analog recording material-- will get their proper exploration on Rafter's second LP, Sex Death Cassette, dropping January 22 on Asthmatic Kitty.

Over 19 tracks, Rafter delves into candy sprinkles, cuddling raccoons, and an odd thunderclap, all in the strange, sprawling fashion we've come to expect from the sonic diddler. And Rafter's got so much to say, he's putting a new MP3 on the Asthmatic Kitty site every week from now through late next year.

Though neither Rafter nor his band Bunky have any extensive plans to tour at the moment, Rafter's got himself a spot opening for the Fiery Furnaces October 21 at San Diego's Casbah. Rafter also appears on Castanets' new one, In the Vines, due next week from Asthmatic Kitty. [MORE...]

Radiohead, Pumpkins, Mondays on Oakenfold Comp
Plus: Massive Attack, Underworld, Justin Timberlake

World-renowned DJ, remixer, and Crazy Town enthusiast: Paul Oakenfold gets around. And, like a lot of folks who've gotten around some in their day, he's primed to pare down his body of whirling thumps to twenty choice solo cuts, collaborations, and remixes for Greatest Hits & Remixes, out October 23 on Perfecto/Ultra Records.

We bring this up not so much because of the name at the top of the marquee-- as long as Ibiza remains above sea level, Paul Oakenfold doesn't need more press-- but because a few of those getting worked over by the dude may raise an eyebrow or three.

Both Radiohead's "Everything in Its Right Place" and Smashing Pumpkins' "Perfect" get their pulses raised by Oakenfold, with takes on slightly more predictable Happy Mondays, Justin Timberlake, Massive Attack, Madonna, and Underworld cuts besides. The "DOOF DOOF DOOF" quotient of this collection: off the charts! [MORE...]

N.W.A. Compton Reissue, Eazy-E Comp Due
Some drop science, but they're dropping English

Street knowledge: come December 4, get ready to bear witness to its strength all over again, as N.W.A.'s landmark Straight Outta Compton-- in all its grisly glory-- is reissued on CD, vinyl, and digital download formats from Capitol/Priority.

On the new Compton, the second-to-none progenitor of West Coast gangsta rap is amended with five bonus tracks, including covers of choice Compton cuts from Snoop and C-Murder, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Mack 10, and WC, as well as a live rendition of "Compton's N the House" by Dre and MC Ren.

On the same day, Capitol/Priority will issue Featuring... Eazy-E, a collection of rare and notable solo tracks and guest appearances from the late great Eric Wright. Several tracks on Featuring have been out of print for years, making them exclusive to this disc. Parental discretion for both iz, as always, advised. [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.)