Tapes 'n Tapes Hit the Road to Walk It Off

Talking it over? Done and done. Walk(ing) It Off? Not 'til April 8, when the new album comes out on XL. But when oh when will Tapes 'n Tapes take to the stages of North America to properly rock it out? All in due time.

Following a sweaty stint down there among the nerderati at South by Southwest, Tapes 'n Tapes will hit the road for a five-week tour, which kicks off April 10 at their home city's famed First Avenue. They'll be joined on all of their non-SXSW gigs by Texan trio White Denim.

In a MySpace bulletin posted today, the band promises three secret shows on two different continents to be announced (possibly on very short notice) in the coming months. "Think about that one for a minute," the bulletin implores. Don't think about it much longer than that, we urge.

Oh, and you see that up there? That's the cover art for Walk It Off. Did you know Tapes 'n Tapes did the "color scheme" thing? Us either! [MORE...]

Calvin Johnson Schedules Winter Tour
Tourmates include Mahjongg, Karl Blau, So Many Dynamos, These Are Powers

K Records founder and cute music maestro Calvin Johnson will make the rounds once again on a U.S. tour that will fill up the month of February.

Joining Johnson on various dates of the tour are fellow K artists Karl Blau and Mahjongg, as well as So Many Dynamos, Mark Robinson (Unrest), Fred Thomas (Saturday Looks Good to Me), and These Are Powers.

Speaking of Mr. Blau, the man's Phil Elverum-boosted latest full-length, AM, arrives March 18 on Whistler Records, as previously mentioned. [MORE...]

Public Enemy, Raekwon Do Classics for Don't Look Back
Dr. Octagon, reunited Anti-Pop Consortium open for Public Enemy

Yeah boyeeeee! Once May rolls around, Public Enemy will take their 1988 classic-among-classics It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back to a trio of UK stages as part of All Tomorrow's Parties' Don't Look Back. (As you already know, Don't Look Back is an ongoing series of live performances of classic albums in their entirety.)

In addition to all the cold lampin' and the noise bringin' from the mighty PE, each of the three Nation of Millions UK shows will be bolstered by supporting performances from Dr. Octagon (Kool Keith and Kutmasta Kurt), Edan and MC Dagha, and the reunited Anti-Pop Consortium.

What's more, Raekwon will follow in his Wu-Tang cohort GZA's footsteps in bringing a solo album to the stage as part of Don't Look Back. The Chef will take 1995's Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... to London's Koko on May 19. (And then my apartment, right?)

These new events join Sebadoh's performance of Bubble and Scrape (taking place May 7 at Koko) to round out the current schedule of UK Don't Look Backs.

And as you're well aware by now, ATP is doing big things with both Pitchfork and Explosions in the Sky in May as well. [MORE...]

Bright Eyes, M. Ward Rally for Obama

Happy Super Tuesday, Americans! As the Democratic and Republican front-runners duke it out state-by-state for that elusive party nomination and citizens of this fair land puzzle over the complex delegate process, the indie rock political bloc continues to mobilize.

This Thursday, February 7-- not long after the Super Tuesday dust has settled-- Bright Eyes and M. Ward will take to the stage at Omaha's Slowdown to voice their support for their candidate of choice: Senator Barack Obama. This is of course not the first time Bright Eyes' Conor Oberst has sung praises of Obama; the Saddle Creek songsmith previously rocked an Iowa caucus rally back in January.

Joining Bright Eyes and Ward at the Slowdown hoedown are Jim Ward (Sparta, ex-At the Drive-In) and San Francisco's Secret Life of Sparrows.

Should you plan on checking out this free gig, be prepared to put your (metaphorical) money where your mouth is: "You must either register to vote or sign a pledge card in order to get a ticket," according to the Slowdown website, and the free tickets don't necessarily guarantee admission.

Nebraska will hold primaries for both major parties on May 13, 2008 its Democratic caucus on February 9 and its Republican counterpart May 13. Given the incredibly tight races in each camp this election year, votes cast that day those days could very well make a huge difference.

Thanks to reader Matthew Helt for the heads up.

Slits Hit the States on Tour, Cut New EP

Photo by Jen Ray

Primitive post-punkers and lovers of the dub the Slits have lined up a rare tour of the United States in the month of March. Joining the iconic crew for this excursion will be Brooklyn's own Shellshag, while the wonderfully named This Bike Is a Pipe Bomb drop by to stir up some ruckus on a few dates.

Ari Up and her fellow Amazons kick things off March 5 in New York City, swoop down to SXSW mid-month, and ultimately make their way to the ancient, uncharted jungles of Hoboken, New Jersey.

And if you want to buy and need something new, get ready to "Spend, Spend, Spend" at the merch table, as the Slits will have a brand new EP available to satisfy your music consumption needs. Australia's Exo Records will deliver the three-track Hated unto us come March. [MORE...]

Coroner Rules Pimp C's Death Accidental

The Los Angeles County Coroner's office determined an official cause of the untimely December 4 death of Houston rapper Pimp C yesterday (February 4), according to a TMZ.com.

The report cites spokesman Ed Winter as saying that the death was accidental, "a result of a pre-existing condition of sleep apnea combined with an elevated amount of prescription codeine in his blood."

As a member of UGK, Pimp C (born Chad Butler) peppered his lyrics with references to the cough syrup concoction known as "drank," "sizzurp," and "lean," among other names. Unfortunately, this is not the first time a member of the Houston hip-hop community has had a fatal interaction with codeine. DJ Screw (of "Chopped and Screwed" fame) died as the result of an overdose in 2000, and it is suspected that Big Moe's heart attack last year was the result of the same.

Boris Announce Smile Release Date, Single Details
Unveil press photo taken at the sun's core

All set to release Smile, their first non-collaborative album in two years, Japan's mighty Boris have announced the details of the new record's first single.

The 7"-only release will feature Smile track "Statement" with exclusive B-side "Floorshaker". Southern Lord will release the single in a run of 3,000 copies on February 26, and a "Statement" video will also appear sometime this month.

Southern Lord has also given Smile a release date: April 29. There is still no tracklist or tour to speak of, but the trio has a one-off show at the Knitting Factory in New York City on March 4. UPDATE: They are also performing at London's Cargo on February 24.

Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks Announce More Dates

With the March 4 release of Real Emotional Trash a mere month away, Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks are in a giving mood. First, there was their entry into Matador's "Buy Early Get Now" ranks. Now, it's the announcement of even more dates on their upcoming North American tour.

Most of the new dates come in April and May, after the previously reported ones in March and early April with John Vanderslice. Joining Le Malk and co. for the newly added shows will be Portland homeboys the Joggers.

Thanks to reader Scott Diana for the tip. [MORE...]

National, TVOTR Members Play Brooklyn Next Fest
Also: My Brightest Diamond, Excepter, Travis Morrison

The Brooklyn Academy of Music's Brooklyn Next festival, now in its second year, "celebrates Brooklyn’s groundbreaking diverse music scene." And what a scene it is. When the fest descends upon the New York City borough next month, it will bring with it performances by the National, Travis Morrison Hellfighters, My Brightest Diamond, Excepter, Laura Cantrell, White Rabbits, Favourite Sons, Death Vessel, A Sunny Day in Glasgow, Ola Podrida, Effi Briest, DJ Spinna, Takka Takka, Skeletons and Kings of All Cities, Death Vessel, Tony Conrad, Dragons of Zynth, former Del Fuegos lead singer Dan Zanes and friends, as well as a birthday tribute to Johnny Cash and a two-man set from Tunde Adebimpe and Kyp Malone of TV on the Radio.

And that's hardly the whole lineup. In fact, over the course of February 15-16 and February 20-24, 17 Brooklyn venues will feature more than 175 performances, not to mention a few art exhibits and workshops.

Asthmatic Kitty Reveals Encyclopedia DVD Tracklist

Photo from DVD menu, designed by Zack and Gala Bent

For an encyclopedia, this thing may seem short on words. But do the math on Asthmatic Kitty's forthcoming Encyclopedia Asthmatica DVD and the matter comes into perspective: 32 videos x approximately 4 minutes in average length x 60 seconds per minute x 30 frames per second x 1,000 words per frame/picture = we're looking at a 230,400,000-word volume. Eat that, Encyclopedia Britannica!

Lest you think we're just having fun with numbers for the hell of it, know there's a reason behind this here dispatch. The previously reported Encyclopedia Asthmatica now has a tracklist, chalk full of all the usual AK suspects: Sufjan Stevens, My Brightest Diamond, Castanets, Rafter, the Curtains, Shapes and Sizes, Bunky, Half-Handed Cloud, and Liz Janes.

From SXSW showcases and live performances to official music videos to a piece by the Think/Dance Collective, there's a sumptuous two-hour feast of visual material for you to devour here, and it can all be yours come March 4. For the especially anxious, Asthmatic Kitty began taking pre-orders today. [MORE...]

Feist Announces Spring American Tour

Perhaps inspired by her new association with the Olympics, Leslie Feist is taking on some almost superhuman feats of agility and endurance when it comes to scheduling her time in 2008. In between her previously reported Australian tour dates and a late spring tour of Europe, Feist will carry that torch through a couple weeks' worth of gigs in the U.S. in April. Pace yourself, dudette!

As for the rest of the Feist rundown, a version of "Honey Honey" from a BBC session will appear on the forthcoming Green Owl environmental benefit compilation, and her "My Moon My Man" will get a digital UK single February 11 from Polydor.

Oh, Feist will perform at this weekend's Grammy telecast, where she may well receive any number of the four awards she's up for. You may wind up "Best New Artist" to the powers that be, Ms. Feist, but you and us go wayyyyy back. [MORE...]

School of Language Plans North American Tour
Plays dates in UK, Ireland besides

Former (for now) Field Musician David Brewis will launch his debut solo tour of North America this March, one month after he issues his School of Language debut Sea From Shore via Thrill Jockey tomorrow (February 5).

Filling out the School of Language touring band will be bassist Doug McCombs (Tortoise, Eleventh Dream Day, Brokeback) and drummer Ryan Rapsys (Euphone, Ambulette).

Prior to his North American jaunt, Brewis has a handful of UK and Irish solo dates this month. [MORE...]

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