Pitchfork: Architecture in Helsinki Kick Off Tour Tonight

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Architecture in Helsinki Kick Off Tour Tonight
Glass Candy, Lo-Fi-Fnk, Panther added as openers

And they're off! Architecture in Helsinki, the mega-cute, cartographically-challenged Aussies, are heading to places like Ann Arbor and Pomona on their fall North American/Australian tour in support of this summer's Places Like This. That economy-sized party kicks off this very evening at Philadelphia's North Star Bar.

The tour's opening slots were recently filled as well: looks as though Sweden's Lo-Fi-Fnk and fellow Portlanders Panther and Glass Candy will occupy most of the slots. There's also that SoCo-sponsored swill-a-thon in Tempe October 20 with Architecture, Clap Your Hands, Girl Talk, and Cold War Kids, but you're already resting your liver for that. [MORE...]

Video: Architecture in Helsinki: Debbie [from the Places Like This LP]

Posted by Paul Thompson in tour on Wed: 10-10-07: 10:00 AM CDT | Digg this article | Add to del.icio.us | Permalink

Photos: Pop Montreal [Montreal, Quebec; 10/03-10/07/07]

Photos by Matthew Solarski and Leslie Bembinster

The sixth annual Pop Montréal festival swept through Canada's second most populous city last week, tossing five days and nights of myriad musical acts, sundry film screenings, numerous panels, dozens of venues, and a fairly enormous arts and crafts fair ("Puces Pop") into one delectable pop poutine.

Highlights included two performances from punk godmother Patti Smith-- one with Montreal's own A Silver Mt. Zion and one, with Smith's band, in the magnificent confines of the Église Saint-Jean-Baptiste-- along with another barnburner courtesy of those crazies in Man Man, an enchanting set that paired Final Fantasy with some exquisite overhead projection accompaniment, sold out showcases featuring Sunset Rubdown and the National with Doveman, and a reunited Eric's Trip, still tight and still whipping the kids into a frenzy.

Like a little cousin to SXSW or CMJ, Pop Montréal also takes care to showcase promising newcomers, among them Puerto Rico's Balún, Venezuela's Todosantos, and Canada's own Ohbijou, DD/MM/YYYY, Basia Bulat, Feuermusik, Krief (guitarist for the Dears), AIDS Wolf, and Erin Lang.

Catch photos of the aforementioned and more just ahead.

PATTI SMITH AND HER BAND

PATTI SMITH with A SILVER MT. ZION

THE NATIONAL

MAN MAN

SUNSET RUBDOWN

FINAL FANTASY

[MORE...]

Posted by Matthew Solarski in festival, photos on Wed: 10-10-07: 09:00 AM CDT | Digg this article | Add to del.icio.us | Permalink

Photos: Fujiya & Miyagi at Camelot for Kids Benefit [Chicago, IL; 10/05/07]

Photos by Esther Ramirez

It doesn't get much more heartwarming that this. On Friday, October 5, England's Fujiya & Miyagi played a previously reported special show at Chicago's Empty Bottle, prior to their scheduled gig that night. That show was the first of two benefits planned thus far for the Camelot for Kids organization, which aims "to help children with extraordinary needs," including those diagnosed with autism.

For this performance, Fujiya & Miyagi played especially for the very kids Camelot helps. In return, those kids-- inspired by Transparent Things track "Reeboks in Heaven"-- presented the trio with a new pair of the shoes they had all signed. Awwww.

Fujiya & Miyagi have a good month's worth of shows ahead of them, while Busdriver plays the next Camelot for Kids gig at Empty Bottle on November 16. More such shows are expected to follow.

[MORE...]

Posted by Matthew Solarski in benefit, photos on Wed: 10-10-07: 08:00 AM CDT | Digg this article | Add to del.icio.us | Permalink

Radiohead Album NOW AVAILABLE!
World stops turning

Ladies and gentlemen, we hereby present to you: The Catch. As it turns out, paying absolutely nothing for the brand new Radiohead record was, yes, a wee bit too good to be true. You can still get In Rainbows for zero dollars, or eight dollars, or $100.00 if you so choose. It still contains the 10 core In Rainbows tracks. It's still DRM-free. And, as of this posting, it's available right this very minute (at least according to the email we just got.)

But as El Perro Del Mar charmingly put into song last year, you've got to give to get back. And in the case of Radiohead's In Rainbows, regardless of whether you chose to give monetarily, you will be giving some-- in audio quality.

According to an email sent to those who pre-ordered the digital version of In Rainbows-- and imminently apparent to those who've already rushed to enter their code and download their copy-- "THE ALBUM WILL COME AS A 48.4MB ZIP FILE CONTAINING 10 X 160KBPS DRM FREE MP3s."

That's right, 160 kbps. It doesn't take a techie to tell you that's a few dozen kbps shy of CD quality. (And lord knows how that's going to sound pumping out of Xfm shortly.)

For some, this won't matter so much-- perhaps the bulk of your mp3s are 160 kbps or (egads!) 128 kbps anyhow-- but for those with an ear for sound quality (not to mention all you nutty FLAC-heads) who voluntarily shilled out significant buck for the latest piece from their heroes Radiohead, this comes as something of a sub-RickRoll kick in the trousers.

Still, it's Radiohead, and something tells me they're more deserving than most recent recipients of your hard-won earnings.

With the 160 kbps cat out of the bag, it would now appear that the only way to hear Radiohead's new one in all its glorious, CD-quality sonic form is to buy the actual CD-- either as part of the deluxe discbox that drops in December or as the regular release that's due early next year (rumors still abound as to which label will have the privilege of releasing it). Perhaps a CD-quality digital release lies somewhere on the horizon as well?

In related Radiohead revelations, Billboard.com is reporting that the quintet has entered a unique licensing deal for the edition of In Rainbows released today, in which all rights belong to the band for this downloadable version of the LP. "[Radiohead], in cooperation with us, have created their own model of direct licensing for online," a spokesperson for UK collection association MCPS-PRS Alliance told Billboard.com.

Rights and royalty arrangements for the physical version of the album have not yet come to light, although Radiohead's publisher Warner/Chappell has stated that "all necessary licenses will be in place to allow proper payment of publishing royalties on both physical and digital sales of In Rainbows." All righty then.

Video: Radiohead: Pyramid Song [from the Amnesiac LP]

Posted by Matthew Solarski in album, business on Wed: 10-10-07: 12:32 AM CDT | Digg this article | Add to del.icio.us | Permalink

Cat Power's Next Covers Record: Jukebox

Photo by Nilina Mason-Campbell

Looks like Cat Power isn't going to have to choose between Covers Record 2 and Covers Record II for the title of the sequel-of-sorts to 2000's Covers Record. The album now has a completely different name: Jukebox.

Chan Marshall's forthcoming, Dirty Delta Blues-assisted spin through the songs of others (well, mostly) will be released January 22 on Matador. In addition to takes on tunes by her favorite songwriters-- a tracklist has yet to be finalized-- Jukebox finds a little room for a pair of Chan originals, one old and one new. "Metal Heart" is an updated version of the Moon Pix standout, while recent live staple and Dylan homage "Song to Bobby" is new to the studio.

Ms. Marshall's ongoing homage to Dusty Springfield continues to roll down those dusty trails on the road, as she prepares to set forth on a brief yet expansive fall tour this weekend in Georgia. Dates after the jump. [MORE...]

Stream: Cat Power: It's Alright to Fail [from the Hottest State OST]

Posted by Paul Thompson in album, tour on Tue: 10-09-07: 04:20 PM CDT | Digg this article | Add to del.icio.us | Permalink

The Hives Release Singles Collection

Photo by Joseph Mohan

Either to twist our tongues or to promote the November 13 release of The Black & White Album (we suspect both), the Hives released a six-song sampler called Singles Collection on iTunes today.

Featured on the Collection are five songs from The Black & White Album and an exclusive bonus track recorded for the Cartoon Network's fall season, "Fall Is Just Something Grownups Invented".

The Hives are still on tour with Maroon 5, though their next dates is a headlining show tonight, October 9, in New York City. [MORE...]

Video: The Hives: Tick Tick Boom [from the forthcoming The Black & White Album LP]

Posted by Dave Maher in single on Tue: 10-09-07: 03:54 PM CDT | Digg this article | Add to del.icio.us | Permalink

Big Dada Turns 10, Plans Comp, DVD, Party

Big Dada, the Ninja Tune-birthed hip-hop offshoot label, has been dropping needles on records for nigh on ten years now. And, since you've been giving them presents in the form of your hard-earned monetary units, they're giving you a CD, a DVD, and a party. Well, you still have to pay for 'em. But, still, the portions are generous.

First, there's a double disc compilation of "more or less" every artist Big Dada's ever deigned to release a record by, titled Well Deep: 10 Years of Big Dada, priced to move, and out October 15. Simultaneously, a separate DVD also called Well Deep digs, well, deep into the Big Dada archives and comes up with every promo video the company's ever made (including Infinite Livez' "infamous" male lactation clip), a half-hour megamix from Diplo pal System D128, and the promise of well-hidden nudity. Now that's a party.

No, wait, this is a party: Big Dada is taking over London's Electrowerkz November 16, with performances from Diplo, Cadence Weapon, Roots Manuva, Mike Ladd, Infinite Livez, Juice Aleem, Xrabit, and more. The party will reportedly go until 6 a.m.; a bit late for a 10 year old, no? [MORE...]

Video: Big Dada: Well Deep Trailer

Posted by Paul Thompson in compilation, dvd on Tue: 10-09-07: 03:05 PM CDT | Digg this article | Add to del.icio.us | Permalink

Beach House Reveal New Album: Devotion
Debut Reissued on Vinyl

We're practically three months from 2008-- it can't possibly be time to start discussing the most anticipated records of next year, can it? Guess so, 'cause here comes one now: Devotion, beauteous Baltimorean duo Beach House's follow-up their stellar eponymous debut of last year. The disc drops February 26 on Carpark Records, and the tracklist is available beyond the jump way down there. It includes a cover of Daniel Johnston's "Some Things Last a Long Time".

As they told us back in June, Devotion takes the comparatively busy "Master of None" as its sonic reference point, and Victoria sounds extra caffeinated this time out.

In other Beach House news, their debut LP is being issued on vinyl -- again! Having sold out of its initial run on Heart Break Beat Records, the label is re-pressing it on white vinyl, re-sticking it into deluxe jackets, and re-introducing it to crates in record stores the world over. There's no bonus tracks; it's just the same old great dream pop record. It's available now. And if you hunger for even more Victoria, remember that she collaborates with Arbouretum on a cover of Thalia Zedek's "Bus Stop" on the Thrill Jockey anniversary box set.

Beach House have also added a few more dates to their world tour since the last time we reported 'em. They're right here after the jump. [MORE...]

Video: Beach House: Master of None [from the Beach House LP]

Posted by Paul Thompson in album, tour on Tue: 10-09-07: 03:00 PM CDT | Digg this article | Add to del.icio.us | Permalink

Photos: David Byrne With Senior Citizens Choir [New York, NY; 10/07/07]

Photos © Mark Tusk 2007

David Byrne was hardly the only one sporting some lovely silver locks this past weekend at NYC's Paris Bar in the National Arts Club. The former Talking Head turned up for a surprise guest appearance with Young @ Heart Chorus, a spirited choir comprised of indie-savvy septuagenarians and octogenarians (perhaps you're already aware of their Sonic Youth-covering ways?).

Mr. Byrne joined the sonorous senior citizens for a rendition of Talking Heads classic "Heaven" and a new Byrne song called "One Fine Day". This also marked Young @ Heart's first full-length concert in NYC, as well as Byrne's first performance as part of the intimate, parlor-rocking Paris Bar series.

Byrne, as previously reported, has bundled his opera-intended Knee Plays for late October CD/DVD release via Nonesuch. He'll also chat up such diverse topics as biology, culture, sex, beauty, genes, and creativity at Boston's Institute of Contemporary Art tomorrow (October 10).

[MORE...]

Posted by Matthew Solarski in collaboration, photos on Tue: 10-09-07: 02:15 PM CDT | Digg this article | Add to del.icio.us | Permalink

Death Cab, Shins, Spoon, Cure on Darfur Benefit Comp
Also: Animal Collective, Bright Eyes, Bloc Party

A heap of the biggest names in the indie universe have answered Waxploitation's call to contribute tracks to the first installment of the label's Causes series. Causes 1 will feature rare and exclusive tunes from Death Cab for Cutie, the Shins, Animal Collective, Spoon, Bright Eyes, the Cure, Bloc Party, the Black Keys, Cornelius, David Sylvian, and more.

This first compilation takes the Darfur conflict as the object of its aid, and 100% of the proceeds from sales of the comp will go to one of three non-profits: Doctors Without Borders, Human Rights Watch, and Oxfam America.

Causes 1 comes out November 27. It will be available on iTunes for only 90 days, in order to highlight the urgency of the situation in Darfur. Waxploitation will also issue a limited edition CD, which is available for pre-order by signing up here.

Even more artists have partnered with Waxploitation for another Darfur support initiative: a charity auction through MissionFish, eBay's non-profit partner. Very soon, the label will auction signed guitars and other rare items from TV on the Radio, Björk, the Flaming Lips, Common, Coldplay, Avril Lavigne, Deftones, and...um, Nickelback. Hey, it's a good cause! [MORE...]

Posted by Dave Maher in compilation, benefit on Tue: 10-09-07: 01:30 PM CDT | Digg this article | Add to del.icio.us | Permalink

Tunng Issue Comments in the U.S., Tour

We begin our Tunng update with a bit of old news: the UK act's latest LP Good Arrows is out pretty much everywhere now, having been released in the U.S. late last month on Thrill Jockey.

But there's Tunng that remains unheard in these parts; Tunng like Comments of the Inner Chorus, released last year in their native UK but never quite seaworthy enough to make it across the Atlantic without some water wings and a beefy import tag. That is, until now. Thrill Jockey, the band's new U.S. label, will release Comments in the U.S. October 23. No bonus tracks or anything like that: just some pure, uncut Tunng. Thanks!

And, hey, while Tunng's sending stuff to the States, they must've figured they might as well come along themselves. Following their shows this week in the UK, they'll do a couple weeks over here amongst the Yanks. [MORE...]

Video: Tunng: Bullets [from the Good Arrows LP]

Posted by Paul Thompson in album, reissue, tour on Tue: 10-09-07: 12:45 PM CDT | Digg this article | Add to del.icio.us | Permalink

Website Set Up to Help Defendant in RIAA Case

Jammie Thomas-- the Minnesota woman who recently became the first person in the U.S. convicted of music sharing copyright infringement in a jury trial-- is appealing the decision of the Minnesota federal court, which sentenced her to a fine of $222,000 after handing down its verdict.

In a YouTube video stating her plea, Thomas makes clear that she doesn't plan to back down from the faceless RIAA: "I will be a thorn in their sides for the rest of my life."

And appropriate to the Web 2.0 era, Thomas wants your help in solidarity with her thorniness. A MySpace supporter of hers has started a site, FreeJammie.com, where sympathizers can make donations to Thomas' legal fund. So far, the site has raised almost $4,000 through PayPal donations.

However, Thomas says in the aforementioned YouTube video that the money isn't the important part, it's the awareness raised: "My goal is to get this information out to everyone as fast as possible and to show the RIAA that I am not going anywhere."

Video: Jammie Thomas: Free Jammie dot com

Posted by Dave Maher in legal, benefit on Tue: 10-09-07: 12:45 PM CDT | Digg this article | Add to del.icio.us | Permalink

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Tue: 10-30-07: 10:46 AM CDT
Gold Standard Laboratories Closing Its Doors