Did CMJ Reject Artists Without Even Listening to Them?
Though it seems as though, like, everybody plays the CMJ Music Marathon-- the annual musicstravaganza going down on the streets of New York October 16-20-- the real purpose is to highlight acts slightly lower on the radar. Thousands of bands from all over the musical landscape apply for the chance to score a slot on any one of dozens upon dozens of bills, but there's only so many hours in the long weekend, and only so many clubs in New York City. Eventually, something's gotta give.
But a rather sizable group of artists who had sent in their application materials to CMJ were turned away from the conference in a couple of peculiar ways. First, when they received their rejection emails, they found that CMJ had forgotten to use the BCC function. Thus, the identity of hundreds of rejects was revealed.
CMJ blamed Sonicbids, the MySpace-like site they employed to let bands submit songs and press kits electronically. Sonicbids' system allows the artist to see how many times their songs have been played. Many CMJ applicants were furious to discover that their songs had received zero plays, and called foul on CMJ for not even giving them-- or their $45 application fees-- any consideration.
When we contacted CMJ about this, we received the following statement from Matt McDonald, Vice President, Artists & Events:
"We very much appreciate the amount of blood, sweat, and tears that each
artist puts into his/her music, and the CMJ Music Marathon wouldn't
have lasted for 27 years if that appreciation were not in clear focus
for everyone involved in the event. As head of the staff who reviews
the music and selects the artists for the marathon, I can tell you
firsthand that we do in fact listen to at least two songs from every
single artist who applies. For the ease of listening, the showcase
department downloads mp3s from Sonicbids EPKs and drops them into our
iTunes player. Sonicbids has recently changed their system to track
streamed plays, however it does not currently track these mp3
downloads, making it appear that we did not listen when in fact we did.
We can report back which specific songs were reviewed. Our review
process is extremely thorough and difficult and with or without payment
for submissions, I cannot even fathom the injustice of ignoring any
submissions. I can reassure you that each and every artist was given
the same respect and critique."
So, in an effort to get to the bottom of all this, we threw a track that sounds an awful lot like "Chocolate Rain" onto Sonicbids under our new Pitchfork office band name, Solarski and the Solarskies (...eh, rec'd, not yet BNM). We then proceeded to stream and download the track a number of times, watching the play count all the while. To say the SonicBids software is erratic is an understatement: our play count was, at one point, as high as nine, but currently sits at zero. But we downloaded a lot more than we streamed, and Sonicbids appeared to be logging each download. For a while, at least.
Whatever the source of the wonkiness, the artists, understandably, are pretty pissed. Those who have contacted us feel as though their time and money were wasted on this effort. A little multiplication would suggest that CMJ is netting over $30,000 from these rejectees, and that's assuming every rejectee received the e-mail with the faulty BCC.
Even without the computer glitch, many are complaining that CMJ should've capped the number of applications it accepted to something closer to the number of available slots. Most are demanding a reimbursement.
As consolation, CMJ is offering those bands whose applications were denied a discounted pass to the marathon. Think they'll take it?
Sleeping States Goes to Many States on Tour
Markland Starkie gets more done with his eyes shut than the rest of us do after a double-shot of espresso and a run-in with a tardy-minded employer!Markland-- known to the land of independent rock as Sleeping States-- just dished out There the Open Spaces, his well-liked debut LP for the Misra concern, and has lined up about a month of tour dates for himself, currently in progress. All that-- if I may be permitted to enumerate this overstretched metaphor-- while remaining in a sleeping state. Me, I'm told I'm a drooler. [MORE...]
Islands/Unicorns Offshoot Th' Corn Gangg Returns
More side projects spring from the mind of Nick Thorburn
Th' Gangg, as you may recall, features current and former members of Islands and the Unicorns rocking out while underground MC chums like Busdriver and Subtitle spit game over the riffs. While there were live gigs and chatter about an album a few years back, nothing really materialized. But now, according to a MySpace post from Gangg-banger Jamie Thompson (who also records as Small Is Beautiful), the Gangg is primed to spring back into action.
Wrote Jamie, "My former co-conspirateur in the unicorns/islands Nick Thorburn and myself are hard at work on the long talked about, much rumoured corn gangg project. We have honest-to-goodness songs in the can and are building up our roster of rapper friends. We should be releasing the debut ep sooner than you think."
First though, they'll dump the name. "We are considering changing the name to 'the G-whizards' AKA 'the Whizz Kids'. We'll decide later." Clearly nomenclature is not these fellows' forte.
Thorburn confirmed the news via email, and also shed some light on, yep, more side project action. In addition to the previously mentioned Juiced Elfers thing with Les Savy Fav's Syd Butler and a former member of AIDS Wolf, and the previously mentioned Reefer thing with Daddy Kev, he now has a thing called Human Highway with sometime Island and ex-Royal City mayor Jim Guthrie.
Human Highway have recorded their debut LP, Moody Motorcycle; they've yet to mix and are still looking for a label. Described Thorburn, "It's largely acoustic with rich harmonies, kinda-sorta-sometimes reminiscent of the everly brothers, orbison, sam cooke. garfunkel and simon." Good company, that.
Thorburn's also doing a comic book, mixing the next Islands record in Los Angeles with Rob Schnapf (Beck, Elliott Smith), and hoarding "an album's worth of Islands songs up my sleeve for the next next record." Sleep is anathema to this man.
Thanks to reader Dean for the tip.
Finally, Islands have a pair of festival performances lined up. [MORE...]
New Pornos Announce More Dates, YouTube Contest #2
The Challenge-obsessed New Pornographers have returned to address the "YouTube nation" with another contest: "sing one of our songs in your best Michael McDonald voice."
As in, Michael McDonald the fire-keeping, Warren G-sampled former Doobie Brother? Hell yes, that Michael McDonald. So swallow a stick of butter and get to smooth-singing, because an iPhone is at stake.
In less smooth New Pornos news, they have added quite a few UK and European dates to the end of their tour. Their next show, however, is tonight, September 25, in Salt Lake City. [MORE...]
Photos: ESG / Yo Majesty / Bahamadia / Psalm One [Chicago, IL; 09/21/07]
Photos by Joseph Mohan
An era came to an end on Friday night at the Abbey Pub in Chicago. ESG, the Bronx band that has served as a post-punk and hip-hop bedrock for the past three decades played what they are calling their final show ever. With a lineup that included the founding Scroggins' sisters' daughters, the band delivered a set that served as a somewhat anti-climactic cap to a brilliant career. We hope they stage at least one more show, preferably in their hometown of NYC, preferably featuring Public Enemy and Liars as special guests.
Friday's show was part of the Estrojam festival, and also featured knockout performances from new Domino family members Yo Majesty, pioneering MC Bahamadia, and Rhymesayers spitfire Psalm One. Yo Majesty and Psalm One are on tour now; check out the dates and more photos below.
ESG
YO MAJESTY
BAHAMADIA
PSALM ONE
[MORE...]
Photos: Klaxons [Boston, MA; 09/23/07]
Photos by Alex BurackMercury Prize winners Klaxons continued their victory lap across the world this weekend, stopping off at The Paradise to spread some of their glowstick joy to Boston's masses.
The combo is catching up on missed time in the States (sorry, Aussies, no rescheduled tour down under yet), before heading off to play 'round the continent; then it's back home to the British Isles. They even opened for Icelandic goddess Björk last night at Madison Square Garden!
Check out the rest of their tour schedule, plus more photos, below.
[MORE...]
Photos: Gruff Rhys / All Smiles [Brooklyn, NY; 09/22/07]
Photos by Matt ZieglerNewsflash: there's a Super Furry Animal on the loose! Of a most peculiar species, this particular creature, known as Gruff Rhys, is armed with a guitar and some winning hooks (such as those showcased on Candylion). He's known to cavort with All Smiles. If spotted, the best thing to do, really, is smile wide, dance in a twee fashion, and hope Gruff just continues playing his songs.
These here photos, snapped at Brooklyn's Union Hall this past weekend, should give you an idea of what Gruff looks like (hint: he's the one with the mane). Meanwhile, authorities have projected the escaped Animal's presumed trajectory and listed it below for your convenience. Beware!
GRUFF RHYS
ALL SMILES
[MORE...]
Most Serene Republic Increase Population in October
Come October 2, The Most Serene Republic-- that other Canadian several-tet with a penchant for pretty progginess-- will issue their second full-length disc, Population, on the Arts & Crafts imprint. The self-produced Population gathers a baker's dozen fresh MSR tracks, sequences them just so, and digs them into CD, LP, and digital download formats for your listening satisfaction.What's more, they've rented an extra-capacious van to tour in! The group has a handful of dates both north and south of the border over the next few weeks, with more reportedly on the way. What they've got, they're gonna give you after the jump. [MORE...]
A follow-up to last year's A Lesson in Crime EP before the band's full-length debut arrives next year, Smith is a rarities collection of sorts. It makes "Box" and "Cut Cut Paste" available on CD for the first time and rescues "A Lesson in Crime" from mere Japanese bonus track status. Also included are an exclusive RAC remix of "Be Good" and videos for three TPC tracks.
The Club will convene live in October, starting with two dates opening for Bloc Party. The first of those shows (and of the beginning of their whole tour) is in Providence, Rhode Island on October 2. [MORE...]
Cat Power, A Place to Bury Strangers Play DAM! Fest
Plus: Craig Wedren, Cloud Cult, Dirty on Purpose, Slaraffenland
Nonetheless, since the fest takes place across various venues in beautiful Washington, District de Columbia from October 11-15, it couldn't hurt, right? When in Rome, etc.
As for the recipients of those cheers, here's a helping of them:
Cat Power and Dirty Delta Blues, A Place to Bury Strangers, Craig Wedren, Cloud Cult, Stellastarr*, iLiKETRAiNS, Dirty on Purpose, Hallelujah the Hills, Slaraffenland, the Big Sleep, the Teeth, So Many Dynamos, Foreign Islands, Dragons of Zynth, Via Audio, Casper and the Cookies, Southeast Engine, and the ubiquitous TBA.
Antony Does Music for Fashion, Needs Your Help
We all suffer for fashion, or whatever
So we all know Antony (of Antony and the Johnsons fame) is a fashionable guy, and we all know he's a musical guy-- but how often do we get to witness these two of Antony's many talents combined?
SHOWstudio will give us just that opportunity come September 26 and 27, when the "online fashion broadcasting company" enlists Mr. Hegarty to create some original music for some model types to strut their stuff to. Antony's music will appear in a film showcasing "Readings", aka the spring/summer 2008 collection of fashion designer Hussein Chalayan.
Here's where you come in: SHOWstudio, Chalayan, and Antony are looking for treatments for the music Antony's about to record. Writes SHOWstudio chief/fashion photographer Nick Knight: "The spirit of this should be experimental and pragmatic: the sounds might be as simple as clapping, speaking, tapping filled glasses of water, or singing; they might involve random objects or instruments such as tambourines, guitars, or pianos. But [the] more out of the box the better! We invite you to suggest whatever Hussein Chalayan's written concept inspires in you."
Chalayan's concept entwines ancient icons and the modern day cult of celebrity; it's reprinted in full just after the jump. Act fast though! Antony's tapping fingers hit the water glasses tomorrow, so make haste and submit your treatments here.
Antony, as you know, has of late been dabbling in new recordings, film projects, guest vocal turns, and the like-- just basically spreading his bountiful artistic seed all willy-nilly. [MORE...]
Photos: Supersilent [Bergen, Norway; 09/21/07]
Photos by Eirik LandeListening to Norwegian avant-jazz combos may be more dangerous than you thought! Supersilent's gig at Bergen's USF Verftet this past weekend was meant to be a celebratory affair: a party in honor of the numerically-minded outfit's latest LP-- the just-released 8 on Rune Grammofon-- and a return to the same stage where the now decade-old group played its very first show.
Yet, according to Pitchfork photographer Eirik Lande, during a particularly noisy part of Supersilent's set, a fire alarm went off-- and proceeded to slip right back into the cacophony undetected. Folks only knew to hightail it when the club finally cut the stage lights. Lucky for those in attendance, this turned out to be a false alarm (guess the band was just on fire, ohhhh!), and after a chilly, unplanned 15 minute intermission, band and crowd returned and continued right where they left off.
Supersilent head to China in October. Be careful.
[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.)
Fri: 11-16-07: 05:20 PM CST
Yo La Tengo to Play "Saturday Night Live" Stage Show
Fri: 11-16-07: 04:40 PM CST
Jack White, Bob Dylan Rework Hank Williams Lyrics
Fri: 11-16-07: 04:10 PM CST
Deerhoof, Milk Man Artist Team for Artsy Gig
Fri: 11-16-07: 03:01 PM CST
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band Add 2008 Gigs
Fri: 11-16-07: 01:50 PM CST
Spoon Close Out 2007 With More Dates
- Asobi Seksu, White Rabbits on Gigantic Singles Series
- Ramones, Big Star, Mary Weiss on Norton Singles Comp
- Gibbard, Decemberists, McKay Play Aimee Mann Xmas
- Band of Horses Turn Down Wal-Mart TV Ad
- Stones Throw Roster Kicks Off B-Ball Tour
Browse
- Yo La Tengo to Play "Saturday Night Live" Stage Show
- Jack White, Bob Dylan Rework Hank Williams Lyrics
- Deerhoof, Milk Man Artist Team for Artsy Gig
- Asobi Seksu, White Rabbits on Gigantic Singles Series
- Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band Add 2008 Gigs
- Spoon Close Out 2007 With More Dates
- Ramones, Big Star, Mary Weiss on Norton Singles Comp
- Gibbard, Decemberists, McKay Play Aimee Mann Xmas
- Band of Horses Turn Down Wal-Mart TV Ad
- Stones Throw Roster Kicks Off B-Ball Tour
- White Williams Announces 2008 Tour
- My Bloody Valentine Add Reunion Gigs
- Lupe Fiasco Reveals The Cool Tracklist
- Smashing Pumpkins Extend Tour
- Daniel Johnston Drops Vinyl, Sends Found to U.S.
- Howlin Rain Sign to American Recordings, Prep LP
- Pixies Tribute LP Out Digitally, CD Due Soon
- P.T. Anderson/Elliott Smith Film to Surface in 2008?
- Modest Mouse/Built to Spill Covers LP in the Works
- The Fiery Furnaces Add More North American Dates
- Interpol Add 2008 Dates
- Regina Spektor Collapses Before Nashville Gig
- Photos: Kevin Drew with Emily Haines, Scott Kannberg, and Friends [New York, NY; 11/14/07]
- My Bloody Valentine Announce Reunion Shows!
- Battles, Of Montreal Lead PLUG Award Nominees
- Rufus Wainwright's Judy Garland Tribute Hits CD/DVD
- Sigur Ros Working on New Album With Flood
- Lee Ranaldo Pens Poetry Book Based on E-mail Spam
- Secret Machines Add Member, Work on LP3
- Kate Bush Records New Song for Soundtrack
- Animal Collective 2008 Plans: EP, LP Box, Recording
- Band of Horses Plan New Year's, 2008 Dates
- Hot Chip, Kelley Polar Remix Caribou on New Single
- Psych Pop Rarities Collected in Remastered Rubble Box
- Richard Swift Embraces Science, Technology on New LP
- Photos: Black Dice / No Age / Mika Miko [Los Angeles, CA; 11/13/07]
- White Stripes Nab Beck for "Conquest" B-Sides
- Coyote Reveal Outsides on New Album
- Cadence Weapon Births Afterparty Babies on New LP
- Numero Group Revisits Miami on Latest Soul Comp
- Tweedy, Oldham, Deal Sisters Play Second City Benefit
- Gorillaz Documentary Bananaz in the Works
- Andrew Bird Drops Tour EP, Adds Dates
- Tweedy, McGuinn, Some Mekons Play School Benefit
- Phil Elverum Cancels Remaining Mount Eerie Dates
- T.I. Speaks Out in Video Statement, Names New LP
- Air Tour Europe With Au Revoir Simone
- Neko Case Big Ups Poetry in Poetry Magazine
- Manu Chao Preps Digital Releases, Reissues
- R.E.M., Beasties, Roots Play Langerado 2008
- Opeth Unleash a Live Album, Play a Cruise Ship
- Former Dismemberment Planners Prep Statehood LP
- Photos: Jay-Z [Baltimore, MD; 11/09/07]
- Ya Ho Wa 13 Play First Shows in 30 Years, Reissue LP
- EMI Deceiving Radiohead Fans?
- Metric Release Live DVD, iTunes EP
- Ladytron Sign to Nettwerk, Prep Fourth LP
- Arctic Monkeys Choose "Teddy Picker" for Next Single
- Alan Sparhawk's Black-Eyed Snakes Go Skiing on DVD
- Dan Deacon Reveals Ultimate Reality Tour Details
- The Band's Levon Helm Helps Ida Prepare Prayers
- Photos: The Walkmen [San Diego, CA; 11/10/07]
- Major Stars Join Drag City Roster for New LP, Tour
- Los Campesinos! Name Album, Add 2008 Dates
- Travis Morrison Rounds Up Hellfighters for Fall Tour
- Un-T.V. Eye: November 12-18, 2007
- Art Brut's Argos, Black Box Recorder Cut Xmas Single
- Kanye, Bowie, Cat Power Design Charity Lunchboxes
- Photos: Menomena / Illinois [Boston, MA; 11/09/07]
- Roots Curate Fest, Do Entire Things Fall Apart LP Live
- Kelley Stoltz Serves Up Sounds for Sub Pop
- Donda West, Mother of Kanye, Dead at 58
- Weezer Announce Release Date for New Album
- Radiohead Announce North America Rainbows Release
- Naked Man Tasered in the Ass at Girl Talk Show
- Sigur Ros' Jonsi Birgisson Talks Plans, Interviews
- Broken Social Scenesters on New Jason Collett Album
- Photos: Battles / Caribou / White Williams [Chicago, IL; 11/08/07]
- Black Kids Add Dates
- Polvo Reunite for All Tomorrow's Parties
- Dirty Projectors Take on More Touring
- Goldfrapp Reveal Seventh Tree Tracklist
- Trans Am Hit the Road With Tool
- Sharon Jones Adds Dates, Great Debaters OST Revealed
- Whitest Boy Alive Issue Dreams in the UK via Modular
- Sufjan Announces Christmas Song Exchange Contest
- The Go! Team Plot "Wrath of Marcie" Single
- Unreleased 1978 Talking Heads Live Cut on KALX 7"
- Nirvana's Novoselic Blogs, Talks Anarchy, "Teen Spirit"
- My Brightest Diamond Kicks Off Tour Tonight
- Radiohead Doing Something on the Web in Two Hours
- Ghostface Unveils Big Doe Tracklist, Guests, Cover Art
- Pitchfork: The Survey!
- Blood Brothers Break Up, For Real This Time
- Soulwax Roughed Up by Bouncers in Liverpool
- Hold Steady, Husker Du Guys in Replacements Book
- Report: I'm Not There: In Concert [New York, NY; 11/07/07]
- Lily Allen to Host TV Show on BBC Three
- Vampire Weekend Reveal Debut Album Details
- Radiohead Reveal UK Rainbows Release Date, Single
- Another Devendra Banhart Art Exhibit
- Handsome Furs Revive Touring Plague
- Cat Power Covers Lil Wayne on Updated Jukebox
- Thurston, Pornos, Liars, Deerhunter Do Barcelona Fest
- Franz's Thomson Drums Up Domino 7" With Correcto
- Vincent Gallo, Hole's Eric Erlandson Form Improv Act
- New My Bloody Valentine Album Due This Year??
- Electrelane Go on “Indefinite Hiatus”
- Hot Chip Line Up 2008 Dates
- Tokyo Police Club, Vampire Weekend Play Charity Concert in Memory of Ra Ra Riot's John Pike
- Radiohead Box Set: Label's Idea, Not Band's
- Sub Pop Opens Digital Download Store
- Lily Allen, Lingerie Model
- Girl Talk Tours Into 2008
- Hello, Blue Roses [ft. Dan Bejar] Reveal LP Details
- Wilco Add Bonus Tracks to Sky Blue Sky
- Jon Spencer Blues Explosion Singles Comp Due Soon
- Faint Guitarist's Metal Side Project Preps LP for Relapse
- Del the Funky Homosapien Signs to Def Jux for New LP
- Ghostface Doll Finally Available
- Photos: Tanned Tin Festival [Castellon, Spain; 10/31-11/04/07]
- Photos: Pylon [Atlanta, GA; 11/01/07]
- Radiohead Rainbows CD Due Via ATO New Year's Day?
- Raveonettes Sign to Vice, Overload on Lust for New LP
- Hold Steady, Black Lips, Deerhunter Join ATP vs. P4k
- LSF's Harrington Plays Mosquito in Commercial
- White Stripes Ready New Mystery Songs, Collab, Video
- Sufjan Stevens Tours Australia, Japan in January
- Photos: SunnO))) / Jesu [Portland, OR; 11/03/07]
- Carrie Brownstein Blogs for NPR
- Weller, Coxon, Rourke, Ditto Do Wacky Charity Collab
- PJ Harvey Preps "Piano" Single, Plays Shows
- Photos: Modest Mouse / Man Man [Edmonton, Alberta; 11/03/07]
- Un-T.V. Eye: November 5-11, 2007
- Photos: ATP Presents Release the Bats [London, England; 11/02/07]
- Franz Ferdinand Subject of New Book
- Yeasayer Close Out 2007 With Live Dates
- Photos: Fun Fun Fun Fest [Austin, TX; 11/03 - 11/04/07]
- Loney, Dear's Sologne Reissued in the States
- Grizzly Bear, Belle & Sebastian Members <3 the City
- The Magnetic Fields Announce 2008 Dates
- Radiohead's First Seven LPs Collected in Box Set
- Bjork, Sufjan, Newsom, Brian Wilson Play Sydney Fest
- Andrew W.K., Malajube, Bon Iver Do Madison Pop Fest
- Man Man Sign to Anti- Records
- Mount Eerie Unleashes Massive Photo Tome With LP
- Richard Youngs Preps Response for Jagjaguwar
- Morrissey Close to New Label Deal, Plans New LP, Tour
- Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds Dig in for New LP
- New From Dust-to-Digital: Field Recordings, Tuvan Throat Singing, Global Music, Old Music
- Califone Hit the Road With Iron & Wine
- A Place to Bury Strangers Add Dates to Tour
- Suicide, Liquid Liquid on Downtown 81 Soundtrack
- Destroyer, Black Mountain Play Scratch Records Parties
- Oldham, Sweeney, W.K. on Baby Dee's Drag City Debut
- YACHT, Islands, Elverum Bring Noodles to NYC
- Sonic Youth, Low Play Don't Look Back Down Under
- Bright Eyes Guys Help Lightspeed Champ Cross Bridge
- Thao Nguyen Signs to Kill Rock Stars for Second LP
- Photos: World Premiere of Sufjan Stevens' "BQE" [Brooklyn, NY; 11/01/07]
- Dominik Eulberg to Issue Bionik in December
- Dirty on Purpose Decide They Like Bees on New EP
- Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks Name New Album
- Photos: Ted Leo and the Pharmacists / The Pogues [Los Angeles, CA; 10/31/07]
- Everything You Wanted to Know About Sufjan's "BQE"
- Chamberlin Sick, Pumpkins Reschedule Dates
- Daniel Johnston, Lightning Bolt's Chippendale Show Art
- Darnielle Writes About Sabbath, Drew Daniel Writes About Throbbing Gristle, Plus More 33 1/3 Series News
- Decemberists Cancel Rest of "Long and Short of It" Tour
- The Rumble Strips Come to America
- Michaels Showalter & Ian Black Tour Together
- Interpol Expand Love With DVD, Prep Single
- Photos: M.I.A. [Atlanta, GA; 10/31/07]
- Isis 10th Anniversary Bash: Two Singles, One Tour
- Reactivated Pylon Embark on Fall Tour
- Photos: The B-52's / The Rapture [New York, NY; 10/31/07]
- Robert Pollard Attack! Two More LPs, Art Show/Book
- Lil Wayne Precedes Tha Carter III With Leak
- Photos: The Hold Steady / Art Brut [Chicago, IL; 10/31/07]
- Feist, Kevin Drew, Okkervil, Deacon Play Laneway Fest
- Ex-Ramones Manager/Seymour Stein's Ex-Wife Slain
- Thrill Jockey Reveals Chicago Anniversary Bash Details
- PB&J;'s Peter Moren Reveals More Solo Album Details
- The Shins Cover Magnetic Fields on New Single
- Black Lips = Movie Stars
- Trail of Dead's Keely Tears Interscope a New One
- Arthur & Yu Tour With Kevin Drew, Iron & Wine (Again)
- Radiohead/XL Deal: Signed, Sealed, Delivered
- Okkervil River Extend Tour Into 2008
- Cryptacize Hope You'll Dig That Treasure in February
- Modest Mouse/Man Man Tour Kicks Off Tonight
- Tweedy, Strummer in Wilco Documentarian Jones' Book
- Malajube Kick Off Tour
- B-52's Craft Funplex, First Studio LP in 16 Years
- Pink Floyd Studio Catalogue Reissued in Box Set
- Stars Announce 2008 Dates
- Jay-Z Tapes Episode of VH1 "Storytellers"
- Sunset Rubdown, Final Fantasy Draw Sea Monsters
- Helio Sequence Keep Looking Ahead on New LP, Tour
- Band of Horses Launch Tour
- Patrick Wolf Starts Label, Plans Reissues, Takes Photos
- Bradford Cox's Atlas Sound LP Gets Release Date
- Frog Eyes, Bejar's Hello Blue Roses Split a Single
- Secretly Canadian Signs Seattle's Throw Me the Statue
- Photos: Vegoose Festival [Las Vegas, NV; 10/27/07-10/28/07]
- Black Keys, Six Parts Seven, GBV Members on All-Ohio Comp
- Love of Diagrams Embark on Fall Tour With Enon
- Gold Standard Laboratories Closing Its Doors
- Roisin Murphy Injures Eye Socket at Moscow Gig
- Iron & Wine Announces 2008 Dates
- Six Organs Craft Exclusive CD for Co-Written Book
- Goldfrapp Reveal New LP Details
- Best of Common's Early Years Collected on Hits Comp
- Modeselektor, Poirier, Yellowman, TTC on Scion 12"s
- Menomena's Seim Blogs, Preps New Lackthereof Album
- Sons & Daughters Return With a Gift on New LP
- Bon Iver Signs to Jagjaguwar
- T.V. Eye: October 29-November 4, 2007
- Spoon, Explosions, Aesop Rock Play Antipop Fest
- Photos: Kevin Drew [Portland, OR; 10/27/07]
- Devendra Banhart Exhibits Art at San Fran MOMA
- Photos: The Decemberists [Chicago, IL; 10/28/07]
- Kanye Writes a Book of "Kanye-isms"
- Flaming Lips Play OK Show With Country Superstars
- Photos: Jens Lekman [Philadelphia, PA; 10/26/07]
- Robyn's Robyn Finally Coming Stateside in 2008
- Country Music Legend Porter Wagoner, 1927-2007
- Pumpkins Prep Another Best Buy-Only Zeitgeist
- New Magnetic Fields Album Gets Release Date, Title
- Xiu Xiu, Deerhoof, Why? Members Help AIDS Orphans
- PB&J; Nab Besnard Lakes as Openers; Peter Goes Solo
- Natalie Portman's Mixtape Tracklist Revealed
- Ipecac Recordings Roster Becomes Toys
- Le Loup Sign to Memphis Industries in the UK, Tour
- Burrito Brothers Set Kicks Off Parsons Archival Series
- Caribou Extends Tour
- Georgie James Cancel Dates Due to Illness
- Decemberists Kick Off "Long and Short of It" Tour
- Photos: The Pipettes [Los Angeles, CA; 10/25/07]
- Beirut, Black Lips, Edwyn Collins, Yeasayer Play Swn
- Russian Circles Sign to Suicide Squeeze
- Clipse Leave Jive/Star Trak for Columbia
- Naked Raygun Tour, Release CD/DVD Retrospective
- Natalie Portman Curates Indie Rock Charity Mix
- New Ballet Set to El-P's Music
- Wilco Nix UK Gigs, Add 2008 Dates
- Thievery Corp's Garza Reveals Galaxy Details, Tour
- Queens of the Stone Age to Play Salt Mine, Add Dates
- Busdriver Hits the Road Tonight for Fall Tour
- Beanie Sigel to Offer The Solution in December
- Photos: Bright Eyes / Simon Joyner [Omaha, NE; 10/24/07]
- Photos: Mum / Our Brother the Native / Tom Brosseau [Los Angeles, CA; 10/24/07]
- Os Mutantes Working on New Tunes With Tom Ze
- Photos: Stars / New Buffalo [Philadelphia, PA; 10/24/07]
- Saul Williams Gives Away New Reznor-Produced LP
- Sly and the Family Stone Schedule U.S. Shows
- Decemberists, Death Cab, Lily Allen on XRT Live Comp
- The Pipettes Kick Off Rescheduled Tour
- Mac McCaughan Discusses "Future of Radio" in Senate
- Xiu Xiu Reveal New Album Details
- OiNK Founder: "I Haven't Done Anything Wrong"
- Goldfrapp Wrap LP; Gregory, Portishead's Utley Collab
- "Severe Illness" Tanks Underworld Tour
- Tapes 'n Tapes' Grier Checks in From the Studio
- Charalambides Ready Likeness LP, Tour
- The Valerie Project Reveal LP Details, More Dates
- Ex-Fugazi Roundup: Evens Tour, Joe Lally Tour/LP
- Flaming Lips Do Another Song for a Movie Soundtrack
- GZA Added to Portishead ATP, Doing Swords in London
- Xiu Xiu Book Bumped, Bonus CD Tracklist Revealed
- Photos: The Hold Steady / Art Brut [Philadelphia, PA; 10/23/07]
- The Rapture Release "The Sound" as New Single
- Blood Brothers Still Together...For Now
- Liars Give Away Liars Demos
- Califone, Dirty Projectors, Black Moth on Esopus Comp
- Rakim Talks New Album, Tour, History Lessons
- Bob Dylan Releases DVD of Newport Performances
- Crystal Castles, New Puritans, Teenagers Do Vice Tour
- Mum Spread Poison Ivy on Tour
- Vanderhoof Leaves Akron/Family for Buddhist Center
- Portishead Album One Day From Completion
- Jens Lekman Kicks Off U.S. Tour Tonight
- Merge Preps New American Music Club, Radar Bros. LPs
- The Cool Kids Sign to Chocolate Industries
- Mars Volta Head to Bedlam in January, Plan NYE Show
- Photos: Glass Candy / Bunny Rabbit / High Places / Partyline [Chicago, IL; 10/20/07]
- Daniel A.I.U. Higgs Exhibits Art, Tours
- Radiohead Eyeing Unique Label Deals for Rainbows CD
- Illegal Torrent Site OiNK Busted by Police
- Blitzen Trapper Saddle Up for More Live Dates
- Stars of the Lid Plan Fall Tour
- Les Savy Fav, Phosphorescent, Bazan Play Troika Fest
- Will Oldham Covers R. Kelly, Bjork, Danzig on New LP
- Einsturzende Neubauten Uber Alles on New LP
- J Church's Lance Hahn R.I.P.
- Patrick Wolf, Rufus Wainwright Perform Plague Songs
- Villalobos, Shackleton, Appleblim on Skull Disco Comp
- T.V. Eye: October 22-28, 2007
- Trail of Dead Leave Interscope, Reveal Tour Dates
- Fuck Buttons See "Bright Tomorrow" on Single
- Jay-Z Announces Fall Dates
- Photos: Joanna Newsom with Orchestra [Milwaukee, WI; 10/21/07]
- RZA Bumps Wu's 8 Diagrams Back to Please Ghostface
- Killing Joke/Ministry Bassist Paul Raven R.I.P.
- A Place to Bury Strangers Shut Down by Cops, Tour
- Black Lips Add Dates, Get Remixed by Diplo
- Pearls and Brass' Huth Goes Solo on Drag City
- Harmonia Reunite for Concert, Live LP
- Supersilent Set to Unleash LP 8 in the States
- U.S. Customs Clears Chris Walla's Hard Drive
- Les Savy Fav, Hot Chip, No Age Join ATP vs. Pitchfork
- Swervedriver to Reunite for World Tour Next Year
- Times New Viking Issue Matador Debut in January
- RZA Wins Chess Competition!
- Nas Reveals Greatest Hits, Talks Controversial LP Title
- Devendra Banhart Plots European Trek for November
- CSS, Ulrich Schnauss Remix Asobi Seksu on New Single
- Mick Jones' Carbon/Silicon Prepare Debut LP
- Deerhunter Add Dates, Atlas Sound Tracklist Revealed
- CMJ: Thursday [Marc Hogan]
- Joanna Newsom Kicks Off Orchestral Tour
- CMJ: Thursday [Zach Baron]
- Yo La Tengo Announce Hanukkah Shows
- New Book, CD, and Tour for Tara Jane O'Neil
- CMJ: Thursday [Amy Phillips]
- New Kurt Cobain Film in the Works
- Folk Icon Karen Dalton's Early Recordings Collected
- Burial to Issue Second LP, Untrue, Next Month
- Oasis Find the "Lord" on New Single, Documentary DVD
- Hold Steady, Springsteen on Hard Rock Charity Comp
- Johnny Marr Named University Professor