Black Mountain Add Bonus Disc to In the Future
Just when you thought Black Mountain couldn't cram another jam into the deep grooves of the gargantuan In the Future, they go and do something like this. Jagjaguwar will release a limited edition 2XCD version of In the Future that crams three tracks into the fold: "Bastards of Light" and "Thirteen Walls" from this fall's tour 12", and "Black Cat". I can't speak for "Black Cat", but sound-wise, the other two could've easily fit on In the Future. Or, uh, a disc conveniently affixed to In the Future. Either way!The band also plan to bring the Future kicking and screaming into the present, as anyone who pre-orders any edition of In the Future will get an MP3 download of the record before it hits shelves on January 22. (Pssst, if you go to Black Mountain's MySpace page, you can check out the whole of In the Future streaming right this moment. No foolin'!)
Black Mountain will make their national television debut on the Conan O'Brien program February 21. Beyond that, they're touring with some fine, fine bands over the coming months. Full dates after the jump, with a few new Midwestern additions since our last report. [MORE...]
My Morning Jacket Announce Release Date, Shows
Photo by Kathryn YuIt's been too long since we've heard from My Morning Jacket. Since becoming modern rock mainstays off the success of 2005's Z, they've been picky with appearances and scant with releases. And picky/scant-ness works great if you're trying to build a myth, but it doesn't help us with our hunger for kickin' tunes! Thus, the news of a proper studio follow-up to Z is more than welcome.
The new album is currently untitled, but the band is finishing up its recording and mixing for a June 10 release on ATO. The record's production comes from frontman Jim James and producer Joe Chiccarelli, who has worked with the White Stripes, the Shins, and Brian Wilson. (Hey, maybe this is MMJ's bearded symphony to God?!)
Both the band together and James alone have a few tour dates on the docket as well. The first three are in Texas in March, first with Yo La Tengo and then as part of SXSW. Their final scheduled show is at NYC's Radio City Music Hall for "An Evening With My Morning Jacket". [MORE...]
High on Fire Join Megadeth's GIGANTOUR
...and play quite a few puny headlining dates as well
Perhaps you, like Pitchfork's Brandon Stosuy (and, I should add, your reporter), have been warming to High on Fire's Death Is This Communion since its September release, and are now contemplating your next move. Mining the band's back catalog for more Oaktown commotion? Well, sure, that's always a good place to start. Partaking of some mind-expanding pyrotechnics? Better to leave that to the professionals. Checking out a live show? Now you're talking.
High on Fire have a bit of a bifurcated schedule over the coming months, which begins later this week with the band's headlining trek of the States. The trio will pick back up in April, this time on the fantastically-named GIGANTOUR where they'll join Megadeth, In Flames, Children of Bodom, and Job for a Cowboy. Wait, isn't being a cowboy a job in and of itself? Eh, less logic, more METAL. [MORE...]
Daedelus Unveils Live Album, Contest, Dates
Electronic trickster Daedelus will go the Lynyrd Skynyrd route on January 22 with the release of his first live album, Live at Low End Theory, on Alpha Pup.To celebrate the release, he's holding "Daedelus' Alive for You Contest". The rules and prize up for grabs are like this:
"Each contestant can choose up to 10 favorite Daedelus tracks for Daedelus to create a custom mix CD using his signature piece of equipment, the Monome. People can sign up for the contest on Daedelus' MySpace page: http://www.myspace.com/daedelusdarling beginning on the official album release date, Tuesday, January 22. The contest will last two weeks, ending on February 5. One lucky winner will be randomly chosen."
Daedelus will showcase his live skills on a handful of North American and French dates he has in the coming months, starting with a January 16 set at the same Low End Theory club in L.A. where he recorded the new album. [MORE...]
Menomena Raise "Hell" on New Single, Tour
Photo by Jason Bergman
The last time Menomena went to Europe, drummer Danny Seim couldn't shut up about it. In fact, Seim penned a 7,500+ word diary chronicling the charms of touring the continent for Portland paper Willamette Week.
So what manner of long distance all-access can be expected for Menomena's forthcoming European tour? 15,000 words? A 24/7 live video feed, shot from a Seim-mounted helmet cam? Detailed accounts of board gaming with R&B royalty? Or maybe just some loop-rocking live shows?
The tour kicks off February 26 in France, just a day after Cityslang issues a download-only UK single for Friend and Foe's "Rotten Hell". They mean single, too, as the tune flies solo, with no B-sides.
Seim's solo project Lacktherof recently issued its eighth LP. Gosh, and Menomena only have three albums? Slackers! I expect a 7,500-word report on my desk by the end of March. [MORE...]
M.I.A., Fischerspooner, Digitalism on Kitsune Maison 5
Plus: The Teenagers, Rex the Dog, Alan Braxe
Kitsuné Maison Compilation 5 arrives worldwide February 4 and boasts rare and exclusive tracks from the likes of M.I.A., Fischerspooner, Digitalism, the Teenagers, Rex the Dog, Alan Braxe, Late of the Pier, and more. The set also plays host to what's approximately the 39,197th remix served up by CSS.
Another comp act, Kitsuné's own Cazals, will release their full-length debut via the label on May 19 in the UK. Before that, however, Kitsuné will unload 12" singles by Fischerspooner and autoKratz. The former's "The Best Revenge" arrives February 4 as well, while the latter's "1000 Things / Last Show" lands January 29.
What's more, Kitsuné is sponsoring a full-blown Maison 5 tour, featuring Guns N' Bombs, autoKratz, David E. Sugar, and Gildas & Masaya (plus Digitalism on one date). That kicks off February 1 in Paris, though G'NB have a few North American gigs surrounding it. [MORE...]
Sonic Youth, Tortoise, Godspeed Folk on Chatham Set
Plus: Final Fantasy, Tony Conrad, Lichens, members of Hüsker Dü, U.S. Maple, Fog
Chatham celebrated the iconic composition's 30th birthday early last year by taking it on tour across North America with members of Sonic Youth, Tortoise, Godspeed You! Black Emperor/A Silver Mt. Zion, Hüsker Dü, Fog, Final Fantasy, and more joining in at various stops. Most performances stretched the Trio to include upwards of seven or eight guitarists-- one (Toronto) even featured a six-piece string section-- and by all accounts "epic" was the word.
Those who missed out and those who long to relive the experience alike, you're in luck. On March 4, Table of the Elements will issue "GUITAR TRIO IS MY LIFE!" from Rhys Chatham & His Guitar Trio All-Stars, a massive three-disc set collecting performances of the famed piece from across last year's tour. The set draws its name from an exclamation made by a particularly zealous fan during a previous Guitar Trio performance.
Featured on the release: Thurston Moore, Kim Gordon, and Lee Ranaldo of Sonic Youth (in Brooklyn), John McEntire, Jeff Parker, and Doug McCombs of Tortoise (Chicago), Efrim Menuck and Thierry Amar of Godspeed You! Black Emperor/A Silver Mt. Zion (Montreal), Owen Pallett of Final Fantasy (Toronto), Rob Lowe of Lichens (Chicago, Milwaukee, Minneapolis), Andrew Broder of Fog (Minneapolis), Greg Norton of Hüsker Dü (Minneapolis), and tons more. Check out the city-by-city breakdown here, and while you're at it, have a look at the score. Not so simple after all, eh? [MORE...]
Will Oldham Guests on New Sun Kil Moon Album
Mark Kozelek will turn his attention from Retribution Gospel Choir, the Low offshoot whose debut album he produced, to his own Sun Kil Moon project with the release of new album April. Appropriately, it's due out April 1 on Kozelek's own Caldo Verde label.
According to Billboard.com, April features Will Oldham on two songs, "Unlit Hallway" and "Like the River". Kozelek told Billboard, "I heard his voice in there, so I mailed him the songs. In very Will Oldham style, he turned them around almost overnight. He added so much color. I think my favorite part of the whole album is his back-ups on 'Unlit Hallway'."
But Kozelek isn't the only one who's excited about the new Sun Kil Moon album. Maxïmo Park vocalist Paul Smith heard the news and got amped enough to blog about it.
Coinciding with April's release is a new edition of Nights of Passed Over, Kozelek's collection of lyrics, etc. originally issued in the U.S. on former Low bass player Zak Sally's La Mano 21 imprint.
Kozelek has three shows scheduled for April right now, though Billboard.com reports that he is planning a full-on Sun Kil Moon tour for later this year. [MORE...]
New Atmosphere Album Gives You Lemons
First copies of album come with children's story written by Slug. No, really!
Listening to Atmosphere's recent free "party" LP Strictly Leakage (available here), you can tell that it was only a taste of things to come. And indeed, on April 22, Rhymesayers Entertainment will issue When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That Shit Gold, the Minneapolis duo's "proper" full-length follow-up to 2005's You Can't Imagine How Much Fun We're Having.
Slug and Ant are juicing up the first pressing of Lemons with a DVD of their show at Minneapolis' First Avenue on this fall's "Everyone Loves a Clown" tour, as well as a gold-embossed, 40-page, hardcover book containing lyrics, credits, and "an illustrated children's story written by Slug," according to a press release. Also, the music on the album itself was apparently "influenced by fatherhood." Atmosphere is for the children!
Atmosphere have promised to kick off a 15-date 15-city North American run on April 22, the album's release date. Hopefully their gargantuan cat (see photo) will be helping out on the turntables.
In the meantime, why not give Strictly Leakage another spin? That is what it's there for, after all. [MORE...]
Arcade Fire's Win Butler Disses Hillary, Backs Obama
"Barack is the first candidate in my lifetime to strip some of this bullshit away, and I just hope we don't blow this chance."
Yet something drew Butler out of blogging semi-retirement here in mid-January, just as his Neon Bible-mongers are about to descend on Australia and New Zealand. And that something, my friends, was politics.
It seems Win has a few reservations about the upcoming political contest in the U.S. (and being a native of Texas, he has every right to vent them). We'll let Butler explain in his own words:
I am watching Hillary Clinton in her victory speech in new Hampshire...they just threw a bunch of college kids behind her, and had her talk about student loans, and had her daughter come out for a long awkward hug...does anyone actually buy it? Surely young people are too media savvy to be fooled by this kind of shit.Fuck, indeed. With this proclamation I think we can safely file Butler alongside fellow Obama-backers Jeff Tweedy, Conor Oberst, and the Cool Kids. (Not to mention Herbie Hancock, Will Smith, at least one Dixie Chick, and the guy who created craigslist, according to this.)
do we live in a democracy so we can just keep electing the same families?
Barack is the first candidate in my lifetime to strip some of this bullshit away, and I just hope we don't blow this chance.
man if we miss this opportunity we don't deserve it...how bad does it have to get?
fuck!!!!!!!!!
The Arcade Fire arrive in Auckland (without incident, let's hope) January 18, but it's those three post-Super Tuesday gigs in Japan fans may have to worry about if Win's pick doesn't pull through. Although when a guy named Win's backing you, well, perhaps that's just what you'll do. [MORE...]
Stars of the Lid Plan Spring U.S. Tour
Weary, perhaps, of forever being relegated to the background (crank them jams, dudes!), the men of Stars of the Lid will place themselves front and center this spring on an ultra-rare North American tour.
Starting in mid-April, Adam Wiltzie and Brian McBride will make their way from art museum to planetarium to concert venue to a whole lotta clubs called TBA (ha) on a three-week jaunt, further refining the taut grooves of last year's stunning And Their Refinement of the Decline LP (Pitchfork's 43rd favorite album of 2007). It's their first trek since 2002.
The touring doesn't stop there though, as the duo promises some UK shows surrounding their appearance at the Explosions in the Sky-curated ATP festival in May. [MORE...]
The Black Lips Issue Live iTunes EP
In case the Black Lips-- Atlanta's touringest band of late-- have managed to elude you on their neverending trek around this globe of ours, why, now you won't even have to stand up from that cushy chair of yours to get in on a little bit (...more) of the live Black Lips action.
Tomorrow, the band cuts loose The Live Sessions EP on iTunes (it's available in the UK today), featuring five Lips gems transposed from stage to screen. The Vice-issued Live Sessions EP is available the world over, so no matter where you rest your rump, you'd best get clickin'.
And what would a good tour document be without a corresponding string of dates? The Black Lips, per usual, have a whole bunch of live engagements lined up, with a Stateside run leading them into a UK jaunt in May. Their next gig oughta be a ball, to say nothing of their appearance at this May's ATP vs. Pitchfork festival. [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.)
Wed: 01-16-08: 05:20 PM CST
Neko Case, QOTSA's Josh Homme Get "Aqua Teen"-ized
Wed: 01-16-08: 04:44 PM CST
Update: Pair of Bjork Singles Coming to U.S.
Wed: 01-16-08: 03:45 PM CST
Gutter Twins Add Dates, Reveal Tracklist
Wed: 01-16-08: 02:45 PM CST
Photos: Lupe Fiasco [Solana Beach, CA; 01/15/08]
Wed: 01-16-08: 02:10 PM CST
Update: Radiohead In-Store Moved by Police
- Cass McCombs Hits the Road With Band of Horses
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- The Dutchess and the Duke Sign to Hardly Art
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Browse
- Decemberists' Colin Meloy Readies Live Solo Album
- Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin Prep New LP
- Fiery Furnaces Hold Caucus to Name Next LP
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- Fuck Buttons Start Horrrsing Around on LP, Tour
- M.I.A. Visits Liberia for Television Show
- Black Mountain Add Bonus Disc to In the Future
- My Morning Jacket Announce Release Date, Shows
- High on Fire Join Megadeth's GIGANTOUR
- Daedelus Unveils Live Album, Contest, Dates
- Menomena Raise "Hell" on New Single, Tour
- M.I.A., Fischerspooner, Digitalism on Kitsune Maison 5
- Sonic Youth, Tortoise, Godspeed Folk on Chatham Set
- Will Oldham Guests on New Sun Kil Moon Album
- New Atmosphere Album Gives You Lemons
- Arcade Fire's Win Butler Disses Hillary, Backs Obama
- Stars of the Lid Plan Spring U.S. Tour
- The Black Lips Issue Live iTunes EP
- Taken by Trees Tours N. America, Covers Guns N' Roses
- T.V. Eye: January 14-20, 2008
- Au Revoir Simone Assemble a Little Tour
- Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Arctic Monkeys Remix the Hives
- The National, Ted Leo, Mastodon on Human Giant DVD
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- A Place to Bury Strangers Recording Live LP
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- Cat Power Extends Tour
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- Clinic Do It on New Album, Tour
- Carla Bozulich's Evangelista Says Hello
- Bloc Party, Kaiser Chiefs, Bat for Lashes on Xfm Comp
- Update: Rejected Justice Fabric Mix Turned Xmas Gift
- Rhymefest and Lupe Fiasco Debate Politics Online
- M. Ward/Zooey Deschanel Album Details Surface
- Thunderbirds Are Now! Guy Fires Up Friendly Foes
- Sally Shapiro, Johan Agebjorn Cut "Spacer Woman" 12"
- Aluminum Group Wrap Happyness Trio With Little LP
- Why? Reveal New Album Details
- The Monks' Dave Day, R.I.P.
- R.I.P. Olga Sarantos, Fiery Furnaces' Grandmother
- The National Schedule More Shows
- Feist, Of Montreal, Bloc Party on Environmental Comp
- HEALTH, Crystal Castles Tour Dates Revealed
- Castanets Head West for Tour, Work Up New 7"
- Gui Boratto Travels the World
- Dirty Projectors, White Williams Split a 7"
- The Breeders Announce First Tour in, Like, Forever
- Common Does Benefit for Chicago Schools Program
- British Sea Power Tour All Over
- Mountain Goats Add Dates, Darnielle's Book Revealed
- Radiohead to Take Over BBC Radio 1 Airwaves
- Thermals Kick Out the Jams for Live Band Karaoke
- Low Tour, Retribution Gospel Choir Prep Debut LP
- Islands Return to the Road
- Morrissey Reveals Greatest Hits Details, Bonus CD
- Annie Returns With New Single, Preps Album
- Blonde Redhead Plan Brief East Coast Tour
- Dan Deacon Inaugurates Wham City Records With 7"
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- Serena-Maneesh Compile Early Tracks, Rarities
- Bodies of Water, Sons & Daughters Announce Tour
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- Kim Gordon, Lavender Diamond's Stark Appear in Film
- Rare Disco, Electro Gems on Disco Not Disco Comp
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- Broken Social Scene Head Out on World Tour
- Hukkelberg's Rykestrasse Leads to North America
- No Age Come up With a Few Good Nouns for Sub Pop
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- Radiohead (Sorta) Announce North American Tour!
- Spoon Head Down Under
- Black Kids Tour With Sons & Daughters, Kate Nash
- Jay Reatard Signs to Matador, Plans Singles Barrage
- Sufjan, MBD, Asthmatic Kitty Roster on New DVD
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- Men [ft. Le Tigre's Samson, Fateman] Play Shows
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- Baltimore's Wye Oak Sign to Merge, Issue Debut
- Hold Steady Work on LP4, Line up UK Tour
- Black Heart Procession Head Out on Short Tour
- The Black Keys Reveal Danger Mouse-Produced Album
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- Blitzen Trapper Announce Giant North American Tour
- R.E.M., MMJ, Robyn, Jens Lekman, Bun B Do SXSW
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- Justice Announce World Tour, Dates With Diplo
- Son Lux Signs to Anticon
- Sub Pop Responds to Arrest of Shins' Crandall
- T.V. Eye: January 7-13, 2008
- Vampire Weekend Plot North American Tour
- Dan Deacon's Ultimate Reality Tour Kicks Off
- Battles Storm Australia
- The Cool Kids Line Up Winter Dates
- Drive-By Truckers Brighten 2008 With Album, Tour
- Bill Callahan Tours the South
- Echo & the Bunnymen, Orchestra Play Ocean Rain Live
- Six Organs of Admittance Set to Hit the Road
- Band of Horses, McCombs Play Halfway to Forecastle
- Caribou Announces Huge World Tour
- Basia Bulat Brings Darling to U.S., Plans Shows
- A Place to Bury Strangers Announce Spring Tour
- Daft Punk, Hot Chip, Pipettes, T.I. Design Playboy Shirts
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- Silver Jews' David Berman Talks Lookout, Outlook
- Facing Lockup, Rapper Prodigy Turns Video Blogger
- Belle & Sebastian's Jackson, Oakley Hall Do Guitar Fest
- Flipper Recording New Album With Krist Novoselic
- Radiohead Manager Explains Amplive Remix Snafu
- Califone, Fugazi Members Soundtrack Brent Green Films
- MMJ, Wrens, Mekons Folks Aid New Orleans Musicians
- The Go! Team Tour Away Winter Languor
- Walkmen, White Williams, Bon Iver Play Chicago Fest
- The Streets' Skinner Retires the Beats Label
- Raveonettes Plot Tours of North America, Italy
- Robyn Announces U.S. Tour Dates!
- Jose Gonzalez Goes Green for North American Tour
- Under Byen Enlist Symphonic Help on New EP
- Black Mountain Add Dates With Bon Iver
- Nick Cave's Lazarus Gets Tracklist, U.S. Release Date
- The Long Blondes Set Up Couples, UK Tour
- Antony Designs Dress for Charity
- Amplive Nixes Radiohead Remixes at Warner's Demand
- The Fiery Furnaces Add Dates, Surprise Surprise
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- Fennesz Releases Two New Singles
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- Yo La Tengo's Ira Kaplan DJs on WFMU
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- Hot Chip Reveal Made Tracklist, Single, New Dates
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- Grand Archives Reveal Sub Pop Debut Details, Dates
- Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks Tour for Trash
- Boredoms to Invade America This Spring
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- Neko Case Schedules Winter Shows
- Bjork Discusses "Independence", Videos, Grammys
- While We Were Out
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- Jay-Z Leaves Def Jam Presidency
- R.I.P. Oscar Peterson, 1925-2007