Brightblack Morning Light Kick Off Tour
Or "turr" as they call it

Brightblack Morning Light will bring their swamp funk to the masses on tour starting tonight in Portland, Oregon. Women & Children, Mariee Sioux, and William Fowler Collins will join them on select dates through March, and Daniel Balthazar Higgs (of Lungfish) will join them in April and May.

Their last scheduled date is in England at ATP vs. the Fans on May 20.

Since the weather is starting to warm up again, now might be a good time to give another listen to the duo's self-titled debut. [MORE...]

Gui Boratto Delivers Chromophobia on Kompakt, Tours

The forward-thinking folks at Kompakt have done it again! On February 26, the German techno powerhouse releases the excellent debut full length from 33-year-old, São Paulo, Brazil-based producer and electronic artiste Gui Boratto.

Chromophobia bears a chillingly colorful cover and collects 13 diverse cuts from the dashing Gui, including "Gate 7", originally released on a K2 12" last year. Mr. Boratto, who just wrapped up a bunch of live dates, works the decks across Europe beginning next month.

You can still hear Gui's delightful "Beautiful Life" over in Forkcast. [MORE...]

Shins, Common, Fiona Apple: Fulbright Judges?!
MTV and the U.S. Department of State: hottest partnership since Justin Timberlake and T.I.

Even if his band won't change your life, it looks like the Shins' James Mercer might change the course of a few undergrads' college careers. Mercer, along with Fiona Apple and Common, will be part of a committee assembled by mtvU that gives input as to which college students should receive the 2007-2008 Fulbright-mtvU Fellowships.

The Fulbright is a Department of State-sponsored program in which college students can travel abroad to do research for one year on a project of their own design. These first mtvU Fulbrights will go to up to four students who wish to "study how music can serve as a global force for mutual understanding" and who can outline "an outreach plan describing how they intend to share their activities with their peers during their Fulbright year." That last phrase comes straight from the Fulbright-mtvU website, where interested applicants can find more information to prepare for the March 23 application deadline.

Now we get that Fiona, James, and Common won't have the entire say over who gets to go be a hippie abroad (the decision is ultimately made by the Fulbright Program and mtvU), but what possible resume bullet could they all share which makes them qualified for this?

Let's see... Common knows Kanye who knows Jon Brion who knows Fiona, but we're stumped as to the Mercer connection. And since when do degrees of separation from Late Registration make for academic qualifications?

Sonic Youth Gear Up for First China Gigs, Festivals
Add second night to ATP performance of Daydream Nation, as first night sells out

The world hasn't truly embraced Sonic Youth until the world's most populous nation embraces the New York indie legends-- and if all goes according to plan, that will happen at last this April.

While still subject to approval from the country's Ministry of Culture, Sonic Youth have booked their first two dates ever in the People's Republic of China. We hope they get the thumbs up-- although given what happened the last time one of those evil capitalist indie bands hit up Shanghai (and an instrumental one at that!), we're a wee bit worried.

Even if China doesn't pan out, the residents of plenty of other exotic locales can kick it with Sonic Youth in the coming months. The quartet hits up Germany and Poland (another SY first) for a trio of festivals in June, plays that Coachella thing in April, and burns through Japan with Boredoms offshoot Vooredoms the week before. They've also added a second London date to the previously reported All Tomorrow's Parties Don't Look Back engagement, at which Sonic Youth will play Daydream Nation...in. its. entirety. O. M. G. [MORE...]

Nirvana Soundtracks Baseball Video Game
Also: Tapes n Tapes to headline "2K Sports Hit-n-Run Tour"

Last year, when Courtney Love sold a 25% share of her stake in the Nirvana publishing catalog to music publisher Larry Mestel, a guy who would help her with licensing matters, she told Rolling Stone, "We're going to remain very tasteful, and we're going to [retain] the spirit of Nirvana and take Nirvana places it's never been before."

Well, we sure hope Kurt Cobain was a baseball fan, because Nirvana's "Breed" has turned up on the soundtrack to 2K Sports' Major League Baseball 2K7 video game, due out February 27.

But the Nirvana song isn't the only interesting thing about the MLB 2K7 music. Following in the footsteps of their Sub Pop-sound tracked hockey game, quality hip-hop-based basketball one and the Matador-friendly MLB 2K6, the 2K folks have assembled a stellar collection of tunes for MLB 2K7, including songs by the Stooges, Pixies, the Specials, Les Savy Fav, the Thermals, Death From Above 1979, the Walkmen, Tapes 'n Tapes, Bishop Allen, and Wolfmother.

There are no plans for a CD release of the soundtrack, but it is streaming online. The list of songs featured in the soundtrack, in alphabetical order by artist name, is below. (Dude, remember Nerf Herder?!)

2K is, however, planning to feature Tapes 'n Tapes as headliners on the upcoming "2K Sports Hit-n-Run Tour", which we previously reported as a regular old Tapes 'n Tapes tour. On the 2K-sponsored dates of the tour, concertgoers can play MLB 2K7 head-to-head and win various prizes.

Playing video games, listening to Tapes 'n Tapes...it'll be just like an average night in your bedroom. But with other people. [MORE...]

Sufjan, Danielson on Killer Ben + Vesper LP

Photo by Helen Michelsen

If the name Ben + Vesper sounds familyre, that's because this artsy-fartsy husband/wife duo runs with the notorious Suf-gang. And you do not want to front on that, for Ben + Vesper-- signed to Daniel Smith's Sounds Familyre imprint-- have a straight gangsta 13-track LP coming at us May 22.

All This Could Kill You features multi-instrumental action from the one and only Sufjan Stevens (who tackles banjo, woodwinds, vocals, and piano here) and the production wizardry/wackery of Smith. The potentially murderous LP also boasts the titular equation's sensitive co-ed crooning (Ida fans take note), vocals from Smith siblings David (who also drums) and Elin, and arrangements from Josh Stamper and Chris Weisman.

As hazardous as this record is, we know you'll listen anyway; dip your toes in the waters of death by checking out the pleasant "An Honest Bluff" below. [MORE...]

Dominik Eulberg Returns to His Heimsche Gefilde
Um, whatever that means

Babel Fish to the rescue! Heimsche Gefilde, the title of techno maestro and Pitchfork Festival grad Dominik Eulberg's new LP, translates to...Heim Gefilde?? Sheesh, thanks a lot Babel Fish.

Good thing we have this here press release, which says the title translates to "Native Habitat". So there you go. Herr Eulberg's new 22-track long-player hits shops April 2 via Traum and comes packed with ceaseless tight grooves that should work the pelvis and cerebral cortex in equal measure. Well, not quite ceaseless: Eulberg drops in every second or third track to say some pleasant-sounding things that we don't understand in German-- which explains how this is a 22-track techno LP.

Highlights include album closer "Stelldichein des Westerwälder Vogelchores" (um, "Stepchildren of Wandering Whippoorwills"?)-- a dance cut built from bird sounds, with Eulberg seemingly introducing the tracks Tubular Bells-style-- and "Die Alpenstrandläufer von Spiekeroog" ("The Mountain Ascent of Spiderman"...maybe). Keep your eyes peeled for a Gabriel Ananda remix of the former, while the latter will appear on a Eulberg 12" (backed with an exclusive B-side) due the same day as the full-length's release.

Not surprisingly, Dominik has some more 12" action on the way via Traum this year. Spin them at your trendy parties-- or catch the man himself as he jaunts about Europe in the coming months. And remember, Dominik Eulberg is not a man to be trifled with. [MORE...]

Saturday Looks Good to Me Sign to K, Launch Tour

Saturday Looks Good to Me have revealed the details surrounding their next record, titled Fill up the Room. Due on September 11 via K Records, it is the follow-up to 2004's Every Night (Polyvinyl), as well last year's singles/rarities collection Sound on Sound (Redder), and marks a label change for the band.

According to a press release, the forthcoming disc's subject matter departs from "heartbroken laments to investigate themes of the afterlife, women inventors and scientists, the physical breakdown of the human body in relation to artistic freedom and many other universal cycles." Holy mackerel.

The band launches a North American tour this evening in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and they will spend April and May in Europe and the UK, though specific dates have not yet been confirmed.

The journey will coincide with a limited-edition one-sided LP of exclusive new material, titled Green Mansions (Ypsilanti). It will only be available on the road and through SLGTM's MySpace page. More mini-records, including an as-of-yet untitled Polyvinyl EP, are due prior to the release of the K album.

All of this follows the band's "Money in the Afterlife"/"All the Sidewalk Birds" 7", which landed earlier this week on Ernest Jenning Record Co.. "Money in the Afterlife" is Fill up the Room's first single. [MORE...]

Exclusive: Shearwater Sign to Matador, Expand Palo

With more raucous rawkers like the Ponys, Times New Viking, and Love of Diagrams now under their wing, seems the good eggs at Matador Records needed something to appeal to label fans' sensitive sides. Alight Shearwater, songwriting vessel for Okkervil River's Jonathan Meiburg and pals, who've signed to the near-impeccable Olé imprint.

While the avian quartet have a new LP tentatively slated for early 2008 release, Matador will reissue last year's excellent Palo Santo in a deluxe, two-disc/double-LP edition, on April 10. The first disc boasts completely re-recorded versions of "La Dame et la Licorne", "Red Sea, Black Sea", "Seventy-Four, Seventy-Five", "Johnny Viola", and "Hail, Mary"-- all apparently more in line with the band's vision than the original recordings.

Disc two, meanwhile, collects a handful of Shearwater's Palo demos, along with several unreleased jams and covers of Skip James' "Special Rider Blues" and Baby Dee's "Lilacs". The latter cover is exclusive to the vinyl version of this release.

Check out the clearer, richer new version of "Red Sea, Black Sea"-- with sparkling chimes, upright bass thick as sap, Jonathan's "fucking disaster!" lash-out quite intact, and a riotous finale-- in mp3 format below.

In directly related news, Austin's Misra Records-- who released the original Palo Santo last May-- have drastically reduced webshop prices on the album for a limited time. This potential future eBay scorcher-- which, as mentioned, features different recordings of almost half the songs on the forthcoming Matador release-- can be yours for a mere four dollars! A fine album in its own right, score a copy here while supplies last.

As previously reported, Shearwater hit the road with Xiu Xiu in late March, with a few SXSW engagements to warm them up. [MORE...]

Arcade Fire, Bloc Party, Interpol to Rock UK/Euro Fests

Residents of Ireland and Scotland alike can catch the sweet, sweet sounds of the Arcade Fire, Bloc Party, Interpol, and more this summer at two remarkably similar UK/European events: 2007's Oxegen and T in the Park festivals.

In addition to the aforementioned acts, artists booked for both fests include Klaxons, Scissor Sisters, CSS, Snow Patrol, Kings of Leon, My Chemical Romance, Razorlight, the Kooks, Babyshambles, James Morrison, Amy Winehouse, Tori Amos, the Fratellis, and, um, the Goo Goo Dolls.

Double the fun! Plus you get to be part of the live Goo Goo Dolls experience.

Performers exclusive to Oxegen, which takes place at Naas, Ireland's Punchestown Racecourse on July 7 and 8, include Daft Punk and Muse.

T in the Park runs over the same weekend at Balado Park, near Kinross, Scotland, but throws Friday, July 6 into the music-packed mix. LCD Soundsystem, Lily Allen, Maxïmo Park, the Killers, the Arctic Monkeys, Booka Shade, Kasabian, Editors, Slam, Digitalism, Damien Rice, the Gossip, the Coral, and the View enhance the partial lineup above. More acts have yet to be announced.

Tarantula A.D. Evolve Into Priestbird, Tour

Tarantula A.D. have traded in their spider legs for a pair of wings. According to a press release, the band's sound "[had] been constantly evolving to the point where [its] members felt an overall change was in order," leading to a name switch inspired by "a character in one of [its] songs that looks after the bird spirits on the afterlife." Folks, we present to you the shiny, new Priestbird!

The band, which features the same members as before playing both old and new tunes, will release their debut LP (under the Priestbird moniker), titled In Your Time, on April 17 via Kemado Records. The album was recorded in the Kemado Studios with Black Crowes engineer Chris Ribando. So birdy!

In support of the disc, they'll play three NYC shows in the coming weeks before launching tours of America and Europe in the spring. Priestbird will spend much of the trek's U.S. leg alongside labelmates the Sword, who they logged tour hours with last year. [MORE...]

Lavender Diamond Imagine New Album, Tour

Lavender Diamond will release their new album, Imagine Our Love, via Matador on May 8. The band recently reissued their 2005 EP, The Cavalry of Light, on Matador and Rough Trade, and they are just finishing up a previously reported European tour with the Decemberists. They also have a few scattered dates of their own in March and May/June. Unlike the rest of the world, they aren't playing SXSW.

Don't forget that Imagine Our Love's "Open Your Heart" was just featured in the Forkcast section, and it is still available for download from the Matador website. [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.)