Photos: Sally Shapiro and Johan Agebjorn [New York, NY; 03/07/08]

Photos by William Joines

Sally Shapiro and Johan Agebjörn (wo)manned the decks at New York City's Mercury Lounge this past Friday as part of their first-ever tour of this continent (and Sally's first live appearances ever). Alas, this wound up being the final tour stop after logistical tie-ups kept the elusive disco chanteuse and her producer from visiting Chicago over the weekend.

But as a going away party of sorts for one who's just arrived, this DJ set offered pretty much everything Sally could have hoped for: a gathering of enthusiastic, supportive fans, a bit of dancing, and even a bouquet of flowers from one thoughtful showgoer. The notoriously shy singer, meanwhile, repaid her devotees with the sort of smiles you can't fake. Here's hoping she returns to these shores in due time.

Look for Remix Romance Vol. 1 on April 15, and check out more photos below.

SALLY SHAPIRO AND JOHAN AGEBJÖRN







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British Sea Power Help Save the Polar Bears

"Following the release of their Do You Like Rock Music? album," the press release begins innocently enough, "British Sea Power now turn their gaze to the plight of the polar bear and a race to the North Pole."

Uh, right, naturally! Yes, British Sea Power are no longer quite so concerned about your preferred genre; they just wanna know if you can do you part to help save the polar bears. So they have designed a special t-shirt and sew-on badge, with proceeds going to exactly that cause. More specifically, the proceeds will go to Gareth Ellis, who will join a team of two other researchers/crazy people in the Polar Challenge in April and May. And what's the Polar Challenge? Why, it's a 350-mile race across the Magnetic North Pole.

Let me be the first to say: "BRRRRRRRRRR".

While trudging across the North Pole, Ellis and crew will be doing research into the plight of the polar bear for the Polar Bears International organization. It seems some mysterious unnamed force (...ahem) is melting the ice upon which the polar bears once cutely frolicked and, as is my understanding, once drank Coca-Cola products. Ellis and company are looking to collect data in the rarely-trodded-upon high Arctic, necessitating this long and arduous duty.

Ellis' fondness of the Ursus Maritimus is apparently rivaled only by his love for British Sea Power. And BSP were more than happy to lend a hand to Ellis, provided there was no risk of frostbite to said hand. In addition to turning over proceeds from the shirt and badge to Ellis' team, they'll also provide them with their very own brand of Kendal mint cake and a brand of hair pomade that can be eaten, if one finds him or herself under duress. Extreme duress.

BSP's dedication to bears runs deep: They travel around with a ten-foot bear named Ursine Ultra from time to time, and you'll recognize that bear silhouette up there from the cover of their 2005 LP Open Season. As singer/guitarist Yan inquires in a press release, "Who wouldn't want the big old bears to stick around?" Well put. He's also supporting the cause by hand-drawing 30 "polar themed" illustrations, which will be given to the first 30 people who order shirts.

When they're not out ensuring the success of the Zoobooks series for many years to come, British Sea Power are on the road. They'll do "Letterman" on Wednesday, hit South by Southwest throughout the long weekend, and keep on keepin' on with their huge North American tour from there. A new single for Do You Like Rock Music? track "No Lucifer" is out today (March 10) on Rough Trade in the UK either via download or on a limited edition of 1,000 10"s. [MORE...]

Drummer Lorin Coleman Leaves the Thermals
Band working on new album

Lorin Coleman (pictured above in red), drummer of Portland punk-pop pummelers the Thermals for the last two years, has left the band in a "totally amicable" split. In a kindly MySpace blog post titled "Thank You Lorin!", Thermals frontguy Hutch Harris gives many a prop to the departing Coleman, calling him a "fantastic drummer and a good friend." It seems that as a Thermal, Coleman had been neglecting his duties in the band Andy Combs and the Moth, to which he'll now return on a more consistent basis.

In the same post, Hutch explains that he and Kathy Foster are "just about" finished with their follow up to 2006's top-notch The Body, The Blood, The Machine, and "almost done" working up demos for the disc. The pair expect to split drum duties on the record, with the possibility of making that the regular recording setup from now 'til the future.

You might gather from this that finding a replacement for Coleman isn't a high priority, and you'd be right. Hutch says they're not exactly looking for a new drummer just yet, though "if you live in Portland and are just fucking amazing on the drums, feel free to drop us a line."

Free Kitten Return!
Supergroup features Kim Gordon, Yoshimi, Julie Cafritz

It's been quite a while since we've thought about Free Kitten, the only-badasses-need-apply supergroup featuring Sonic Youth's Kim Gordon, Pussy Galore's Julie Cafritz, Yoshimi P-We of Boredoms, and, at one point, Pavement bassist Mark Ibold. It's been more than a decade since their last record, Sentimental Education, and since then, all parties involved have made some pretty kickass music outside of the realm of feline gratis.

But we'll do a whole lot more thinking about Free Kitten between now and May 20, when Ecstatic Peace issues Inherit, the group's third proper LP. Though they're minus an Ibold this time out (he must be busy with that Pavement reunion PSYCH), the disc sports a little guest axe-work from Mr. J Mascis. Fair trade?

By the by, that photo up there ain't just two ladies dressed up like guitar-slingin' wizards. It's two ladies (Gordon and Cafritz) dressed up like guitar-slingin' wizards at the video shoot for the exceptionally titled "Free Kitten on the Mountain", which you'll want to keep an eye peeled for.

And, if you're in New York City between now and April 9, you'll want to stop into the K.S. Art gallery, where an exhibition of Kim Gordon's abstract watercolors is gracing the walls. The show will also include a sound work created by Gordon in collaboration with that Thurston guy she hangs out with from time to time. [MORE...]

Bjork's Tibet Boost Angers Chinese Authorities
Serbia's EXIT Festival extends "open invitation" to singer

Photo by Kathryn Yu

You have to hand it to Björk. At the moment, it feels like she's got the whole world in a tizzy, and all for uttering two words.

The first, of course, was "Kosovo!", shouted during a late February concert in Tokyo in the context of incendiary Volta tune "Declare Independence". That particular utterance led to the cancellation of a proposed appearance at the 2008 EXIT Festival in Novi Sad, Serbia, as confirmed last week.

The second, as previously mentioned, was "Tibet!", which the Icelandic iconoclast shouted during a March 2 performance of "Declare Independence" in Shanghai, China. Not surprisingly, China, which has exercised a controversial rule over Tibet for 58 years, took offense to Björk's remarks.

According to an Associated Press report, the Chinese Ministry of Culture released a statement late last week claiming Björk's Tibet shout-out "broke Chinese law and hurt Chinese people's feelings." The report suggests China-- where even a Dirty Three show can result in a riot-- intends to "be stricter on foreign performers" following the Björk incident.

Björk already commented on the matter in a statement she released last week. Here are those words again:

"I have been asked by many for a statement after dedicating my song 'Declare Independence' to both Kosovo and Tibet on different occasions. I would like to put importance on that I am not a politician, I am first and last a musician and as such I feel my duty to try to express the whole range of human emotions. The urge for declaring independence is just one of them but an important one we all feel at some times in our lives. This song was written more with the personal in mind but the fact that it has translated to its broadest meaning, the struggle of a suppressed nation, gives me much pleasure. I would like to wish all individuals and nations good luck in their battle for independence. Justice!"

Meanwhile, EXIT Festival's Bojan Boskovic released a statement to NME.com this past Friday in response to the controversy surrounding Björk's nixed EXIT appearance. Björk's management recently shared an email from Boskovic in which the EXIT Festival co-founder threatened to cancel Björk's performance if the Kosovo matter was not swept under the rug. NME reports that Boskovic claimed the email in question "was not an official EXIT statement," but was instead sent to show "my great concern about what is going on."

Boskovic continued, "Two weeks later I have a different opinion about it. We do want to see [Björk] at EXIT. We're trying to see with management now if this is the best time to have her. There is an open invitation as far as EXIT is concerned."

While you ponder all that, have another look at these Björk tour dates. [MORE...]

Four Tet Goes Techno on New Mini-Album

Four new tunes from the dude who calls himself Four Tet? Sign me up, Domino.

Yep, Kieran "Four Tet" Hebden will issue Ringer, a 32-minute, four song mini-LP due April 21 in the UK and May 6 in the U.S. on CD, digital download, and a pair of 12"s. The set is described as "techno with an Afrobeat/Krautrock sensibility." Timely!

As is often the case, Mr. Hebden's been keeping that datebook busy lately, as he recently joined jazz drummer (and frequent collaborator) Steve Reid on Daxaar, joined with Hot Chip's Alexis Taylor to produce the Letter G, remixed Thom Yorke's solo stuff, and is hooking up with upstarts Foals on a singles series. A Born Ruffians remix is also in the works.

He's got a few gigs lined up over the next few months, including a set at the Explosions in the Sky-curated ATP in May. [MORE...]

Lou Reed Blogs About Boxing, Tours the World
" 3rd row in - first round and a lot of dancing going on - no real damage! Sitting here beside Vince McMahon and WWE stars"

We knew Lou Reed was into Tai Chi, but didja know Lou is a big fan of boxing, too? Us either! Apparently, that cool cat snapping pictures and furiously poking at his Blackberry ringside at last month's Sultan Ibragimov/Wladimir Klitschko fight at Madison Square Garden didn't just look like Lou: it was Lou!

Turns out our hero was live-blogging the fight for MSG's Game On! Here's a little sample: "Klitschko needs to throw punches, giving Sultant [sic] too many chances and he's 1 foot shorter." He's also probably the first person in history to have hung out with John Zorn and Vince McMahon in the same night.

Good thing he's got that day job to fall back on.

Speaking of which, Lou's got a mess of stuff on the docket over the next several months, with a two-fer down there at South by Southwest and an intercontinental tour in the spring and summer. Let's discuss.

As you may have heard, there's a big to-do in Austin next week. Lou, as promised, will handle this year's SXSW keynote address March 13 at the Austin Convention Center, because, well, he's Lou Reed, and that just makes good sense.

The previous afternoon, March 12, the Paramount Theatre will host a screening of Julian Schnabel's documentary Lou Reed's Berlin, filmed at a series of December 2006 shows at Brooklyn's St. Ann's Warehouse. The flick explores Reed's live exploration of his 1973 solo LP Berlin, with special guests Antony, Sharon Jones, and others.

Not heading to Austin? Perhaps you'll find Lou heading your way this spring and summer as he embarks on a brief U.S. tour to be followed by a lengthier, Berlin-centric European jaunt in the summer. The European tour will include a 30-piece band, a children's choir, and a set designed by Julian Schnabel. More dates on either side of the pond are promised on Lou's very confusing website, so look out for that, Aspirin in hand. He'll also perform at the previously reported SPEAK UP!: A Benefit Concert for Peace in Iraq & Justice at Home, which takes place March 18 at St. Ann's Warehouse in Brooklyn, the same spot where those original Berlin shows took place.

Also, Lou Reed will induct Leonard Cohen into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame today. Then they will compete to see who can be sadder. [MORE...]

My Morning Jacket Reveal Evil Tracklist

Photo by Kathryn Yu

My Morning Jacket have unveiled the tracklist of Z follow-up Evil Urges. And if the album's 14-song length is any indication of its sound, we may be in for grandiosity of the lengthier It Still Moves variety rather than the tighter attack we got on Z. Either way, we're psyched.

ATO releases Evil Urges on June 10, and MMJ have a handful of shows in the months before. [MORE...]

Xiu Xiu Launch Women as Lovers Tour Tonight
It's up to you to make this picture a reality, Xiu Xiu fans

Pandapple-- "a boy panda who absolutely loves apples"-- is just about as precious as it sounds. The blushing mash-up of cute and cuter comes courtesy of Sanrio Co., Ltd., the Japanese company also responsible for such trinket fodder as Hello Kitty, Keroppi, and Chococat (links NSFW). Pandapple has many fans the world over, but perhaps none as fervent-- or unlikely-- as the folks of Xiu Xiu.

In a recent posting on the band's website, Xiu Xiu implore fans to bring them any Pandapple objects they can find at any and all stops on Xiu Xiu's imminent tour, which kicks off tonight in Portland, Oregon, and heads into Europe in May. Those who do will be rewarded with a "Xiu Xiu oriented party surprise." Who woulda thunk one of the more charming tidbits to grace these pages in months would come from friggin' Xiu Xiu?

What's more, Xiu Xiu documentarian David Horvitz has put together another Xiu Xiu Polaroid Project, albeit on a smaller scale. Attendees at the March 23 Xiu Xiu gig at Music Hall of Williamsburg in Brooklyn can bring Polaroid film and receive some nice conversation pieces in return. Not a bad deal! Read up on the details here.

In other Xiu Xiu news, they've got a fine new record out called Women As Lovers, and they'd like you to sing over one of their tunes if you get a minute. But seeing as neither of those things have to do with Pandapple, uh, here. [MORE...]

Club 8 Back Catalog Gets Expanded Reissue Treatment

Perhaps recent offering The Boy Who Couldn't Stop Dreaming served as your entry point to the wonderful, winsome indie pop world of Club 8. Or perhaps you've worn down your copies of the duo's numerous releases with play after loving play. Either way, great news for you! A hefty portion of the Club 8 back catalog saw reissue this week, bolstered by bonus tracks galore.

Longtime fans and new converts alike now have cause to snatch up expanded editions of 1998's The Friend I Once Had, 2001's Club 8, 2002's Spring Came, Rain Fell, and 2003's Strangely Beautiful, available now via Labrador (and distributed by Darla in the U.S.). No fewer than 18 bonus tracks in all populate the extended tracklists, available for eager eyes below.

What's more, Club 8 have several live dates lined up, with the next happening right about now in Barcelona.

Meanwhile, Labrador-- run by Club 8's male half, Johan Angergård-- has kept plenty busy in 2008. Most recently the label signed another Swedish duo, the Sound of Arrows, who will unleash the nine-track EP Danger! this May. A Sound of Arrows full-length will follow in the fall, and 2008 should also hold new Labrador releases from the Radio Dept. and Suburban Kids With Biblical Names. That's enough to keep our twee hearts a-pitter-patterin' straight on till winter! [MORE...]

Subtle to Hit the Road in May

Once May rolls around, Adam "Doseone" Drucker and the rest of his Subtle crew will take to both ExitingARM and entering clubs all over North America. The bizarre and frequently brilliant assemblage will take to the road in support of Lex Records' May 13 release of their third proper LP. Along for the ride in various opening band slots are Black Moth Super Rainbow, Efterklang, Slaraffenland, Fog, and Pit Er Pat.

One can expect more North American dates through June to emerge, and a trek to Europe is in the works. In the meantime, the band are hunkering down with Big Gulps, furiously coding that as-yet-unveiled ExitingARM website of theirs, and, of course, going about their business with more than a modicum of reserve. [MORE...]

Lil Wayne, Condom Spokesperson
"No vaseline" doesn't mean "no protection"

UPDATE: Image removed, sorry

Chronological thoughts upon seeing Lil Wayne's ad for Strapped Condoms [above]:

1) Anything promoting safe sex is commendable, right?

2) Something something obvious homoerotic implications something something.

3) Wait, why are we associating wrapping it up with criminal behavior??

We're just...stunned. Also, we'd be remiss not to point out the Strapped Condoms MySpace blog post titled "STRAPPED CONDOM LARGE ORDERS". Act now!

(Via XXL / Nah Right)

Lil Wayne has some tour dates too, but, like, whatever. [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.)