Pitchfork: Young Marble Giants Reunite!

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Young Marble Giants Reunite!
Domino Records eyeing Colossal Youth reissue

Before crumbling to dust/solo projects after just three brief years and one full-length album together, minimalist Welsh indie-poppers Young Marble Giants managed to leave an appropriately imposing legacy and an indelible mark in the annals of post-punk.

According to a BBC Wales report, the influential trio will reunite for a May 27 performance at the Hay Festival-- their first proper live appearance in some 27 years (numerologists, start your engines!). The literature/arts fest event takes place at Clyro Court in Hay-on-Wye, Wales, near the English border; although the festival lineup isn't confirmed yet, Young Marble Giants are listed on the festival's draft schedule.

This reunion gig apparently came about at the behest of Domino Records, who are believed to have a reissue of the Giants' lone LP, Colossal Youth, planned for the near future.

The Hay Festival itself runs from May 24 thru June 3 this year in the bookish border town. It features a flurry of readings, panels, discussions, and films with and/or involving men and women of letters, such that you can't help but leave afterwards feeling, well, really super duper smart and stuff.

Young Marble Giants, meanwhile, haven't exactly been strangers-- the original trio of Alison Statton, Stuart Moxham, and Philip Moxham, along with honorary fourth Giant Andrew Moxham, reconvened back in 2004 at Wales' BBC Radio studios for a documentary shoot. They've also contributed to one another's projects over the years.

Video: Young Marble Giants: Colossal Youth (Live)

Posted by Matthew Solarski in reunion, festival, reissue on Wed: 04-18-07: 03:20 PM CDT | Permalink

Charlotte Gainsbourg's 5:55 Hits North America via Vice

Admit it: by the curtain's close of The Science of Sleep, Charlotte Gainsbourg's craft-making and hard-to-get-playing won you over in ways her pretty, deceitful blonde friend never could. Charlotte hopes Francophiles abroad will fall for her wistful, knotty music in much the same way April 24, when the North American issue of her sophomore effort 5:55 hits shelves via Vice.

With words penned by Jarvis Cocker and the Divine Comedy's Neil Hannon, music from Air, and behind-the-board work from Nigel Godrich, 5:55's got plenty in its corner; its New World incarnation adds two additional tracks-- "Set Yourself on Fire" and "Somewhere Between Waking and Sleeping"-- to further captivate. [MORE...]

Video: Charlotte Gainsbourg: The Songs That We Sing [from the 5:55 LP]

Posted by Paul Thompson in album on Wed: 04-18-07: 01:30 PM CDT | Permalink

Two Gallants Houston Case Finally Dismissed
"It's incredible to think that the city of Houston, in the state that it is now, you know, after Hurricane Katrina and the history they've had, that a seemingly easy case would take so long to be finished like that."

After seven months of frustration and legal hurdles, the aftermath of Two Gallants' confrontation with police at a show in Houston, Texas in October has finally come to an end, as all charges against drummer Tyson Vogel have been dropped. Whew.

The backstory: On October 13, 2006, Two Gallants and opening act Trainwreck Riders were performing at Walter's on Washington when police officer G.M. Rodriguez entered the club to investigate a noise complaint. Accounts vary of what, exactly, happened next, but Rodriguez ended up on stage, demanding that the band stop playing. A fight broke out, and Rodriguez shot several people with a Taser gun, including Two Gallants frontman Adam Stephens. In the melee, Vogel and Trainwreck Riders' Andrew Kerwin and bassist Sean Kohler were arrested. Vogel was charged with a misdemeanor for "interfering with a public servant."

Thanks to video footage of the event and a sensible District Attorney, the charges against Vogel were finally dropped just a couple weeks ago. The Gallants are ready to move on, and have already recorded a new EP, the acoustic The Scenery of Farewell, which will be released June 19 on Saddle Creek. A new full-length is in the works for September, and the duo will open for Primus bassist Les Claypool on tour this summer.

We chatted with Vogel about the circumstances of his charges being dropped, as well as Two Gallants' future plans. [MORE...]

MP3: Two Gallants: Las Cruces Jail [from the What the Toll Tells LP]

Posted by Amy Phillips in interview on Wed: 04-18-07: 01:30 PM CDT | Permalink

Tussle Duke it Out on the Road

Bay Area blipmakers Tussle are, as their name suggests, always game for a bout; and, boy, have they lined up a formidable cadre of opponents for their upcoming late-spring tour.

The opening bell rings tomorrow night as Tussle mix it up in matches with heavyweights Hot Chip, YACHT, ADULT., Professor Murder, and Parts & Labor. Will their pulsating pugilism match the sweet science of their opponents? For the sake of their nose-bone, we sure hope so; Tussle may not be as big as their challengers, but they sure are scrappy. Place your bets now.

In less combative Tussle news, their latest release is "R", part of Tomlab's alphabet-themed 7" series. "R" packs a wallop, with "Meh-Teh" from Tussle's eventual third album and a remix of "Second Guessing" from rabble-rouser YACHT. [MORE...]

Stream: Tussle: Second Guessing [from the Telescope Mind LP]

Posted by Paul Thompson in tour on Wed: 04-18-07: 01:15 PM CDT | Permalink

Alex Delivery Release Jag Debut, Tour With Frog Eyes

We're starting to think Jagjaguwar might require its bands to put equine creatures on their album covers, because Alex Delivery's debut full-length, Star Destoyer, is the second album to feature a horse-like animal on its cover in as many months for the label. Technically, it's a unicorn, but whatever...it still fits under a saddle.

Star Destroyer isn't all cover, however. The package also features a compact disc of recorded musical sounds. The aforementioned Brooklyn quintet Alex Delivery made those sounds, and Jagjaguwar will release those sounds April 24.

The next month, Alex Delivery will join Frog Eyes on a tour of the U.S., though their first date is a solo show in Chicago on April 26. Canadian dates are in the works. [MORE...]

MP3: Alex Delivery: Komad [from the forthcoming Star Destroyer LP]

Posted by Dave Maher in album, tour on Wed: 04-18-07: 01:00 PM CDT | Permalink

Fucking Champs Triumph Yet Again With VI, Tour

Hard-rocking San Francisco indie veterans the Fucking Champs will continue their winning ways with the release of their latest album, VI (take that Led Zeppelin!), out April 24 via Drag City.

In addition to the core of Tims Green and Soete, Phil Manley from Trans Am and Oneida contributed guitar, piano, bass, and synthesizer to the record. And, in the grand tradition of recent Drag City artists (mostly Bonnie "Prince" Billy), VI also features a cameo from uncomedian Neil Hamburger on "Fozzy Goes to Africa".

The Champs enter the tour arena in support of VI starting May 24 in Atlanta. [MORE...]

MP3: The Fucking Champs: Spring Break [from the forthcoming VI LP]

Posted by Dave Maher in album, tour on Wed: 04-18-07: 12:45 PM CDT | Permalink

Tim Buckley Revisited With Live DVD

The ghost of Tim Buckley will take a break from haunting the dreams of that Starsailor band to issue My Fleeting House, a DVD compiling fourteen televised performances from the late folk-rock maverick (and father of Jeff).

My Fleeting House packs Buckley tunes culled from various long-canceled programs alongside interviews with Buckley co-writer Larry Beckett, guitarist Lee Underwood, and Buckley biographer David Browne. All but two of My Fleeting House's performances are previously unreleased in takeaway form.

Buckley fans in a few select cities will get the chance to peek into My Fleeting House at a series of free screenings in the days prior to its May 15 release (via MVD Entertainment Group). Dates and the tracklist after the jump. [MORE...]

Video: Tim Buckley: My Fleeting House trailer

Posted by Paul Thompson in dvd on Wed: 04-18-07: 12:30 PM CDT | Permalink

Patrick Wolf to Tour With Amy Winehouse
His latest "magic position": holding her hair back while she pukes

In a seemingly discordant pairing, orchestra-wielding pop sophisticate Patrick Wolf and swamp thing Amy Winehouse will team up for a few North American dates in early May. Wolf, whose lovely Magic Position will arrive Stateside May 1 via Low Altitude/Universal, has also added an in-store at the Virgin Records in New York's Union Square, where he'll whisk about onstage and then write his name on stuff.

As we previously reported, Pat's recent projects include an abundance of UK-only singles. [MORE...]

MP3: Patrick Wolf: The Magic Position [from the Magic Position LP]

Posted by Paul Thompson in tour on Wed: 04-18-07: 12:18 PM CDT | Permalink

Klaxons Expand Tour

Klaxons continue their world tour-- which has only gotten bigger-- tomorrow night in Denver. They played a great show here in Chicago on Monday, and will be back July 15 for the Pitchfork Music Festival. The video contest for "Totem on the Timeline" that was reported in QOOB.tv and repeated by Pitchfork is not happening, according to the Klaxons' UK PR agency.

Dates:

04-19 Denver, CO - Larimer Lounge
04-21 Los Angeles, CA - Ex Plex
04-22 Vancouver, British Columbia - Richard's on Richards
04-23 Seattle, WA - Crocodile Café
04-24 Portland, OR - Dante's
04-26 San Francisco, CA - Popscene
04-29 Indio, CA - Empire Polo Field (Coachella)
05-06 Glasgow, Scotland - Academy (matinee show)
05-06 Glasgow, Scotland - Academy
05-07 Birmingham, England - Academy
05-08 Nottingham, England - Rock City
05-09 Leeds, England - Met University
05-11 Northumbria, England - University
05-12 Liverpool, England - Academy
05-13 Manchester, England - Ritz (matinee show)
05-13 Manchester, England - Ritz
05-14 Bristol, England - Academy
05-16 Norwich, England - UEA
05-17 Portsmouth, England - Pyramids
05-18 London, England - Shepherds Bush Empire
05-19 London, England - Shepherds Bush Empire (matinee show)
05-19 London, England - Shepherds Bush Empire
05-22 Reims, France - La Cartonnerie
05-23 Paris, France - La Cigale
05-26 London, England - Issst Warehouse Party (DJ set) *
05-27 Birmingham, England - Custard Factory (DJ set)
06-01 Porto, Portugal - City Hall
06-02 Barcelona, Spain - Primavera Sound Festival
06-14 Paris, France - Bercy #
06-20 Cambridge, England - King's Affair (DJ set)
06-22 Glastonbury, England - Glastonbury Festival
06-23 Glastonbury, England - Glastonbury Festival
06-26 Arendal, Norway - Hove Festival
06-29 St. Gallen, Switzerland - Openair St. Gallen Festival
06-30 Werchter, Belgium - Rock Werchter Festival
07-01 Belfort, France - La Chapiteau
07-03 Lisbon, Portugal - Super Bock Super Rock Festival
07-06 Roskilde, Denmark - Roskilde Festival
07-07 Kinross, Scotland - T in the Park Festival
07-08 Dublin, Ireland - Oxegen Festival
07-15 Chicago, IL - Union Park (Pitchfork Music Festival) ^
07-19 Ibiza, Spain - Cream @ Amnesia (DJ set) $
07-20 Benicassim, Spain - Benicassim Festival
07-21 Angouleme, France - Garden Nef Party
07-22 Brittany, France - Festival Les Vieilles Charrues
07-28 Warwick, England - Global Gathering Festival (DJ set)
08-05 Byron Bay, Australia - Splendour in the Grass
08-11 Tokyo, Japan - Summer Sonic Festival
08-12 Osaka, Japan - Summer Sonic Festival
08-17 Salzburg, Austria - Frequency Festival
08-24 Leeds, England - Leeds Festival
08-25 Paris, France - Rock en Seine
08-26 Reading, England - Reading Festival

* with Black Strobe
# with Daft Punk
^ with Stephen Malkmus, the New Pornographers, De La Soul, Of Montreal, Jamie Lidell, the Ponys, Deerhunter, Craig Taborn's Junk Magic
$ with Simian Mobile Disco

Video: Klaxons: Gravity's Rainbow [from the Myths of the Near Future LP]

Posted by Dave Maher in contest, tour on Wed: 04-18-07: 11:45 AM CDT | Permalink

Oakley Hall Tour With Bright Eyes, Gillian Welch

Merge-signed country-loving Brooklynites Oakley Hall have found the perfect touring partners in Bright Eyes. They'll join the Oberst-led Omaha-dwellers-- who now have a #4 Billboard debut for Cassadaga to celebrate-- on the band's previously reported tour, which includes almost a month of dates with Gillian Welch as well.

But first, Oakley Hall will play a few dates on the East Coast, one of which is with Spoon. Then in June, they'll head to Europe for gigs in Barcelona and London. According to the act's website, they've completed recording their Merge debut and follow-up to last year's double whammy of Gypsum Strings and Second Guessing. [MORE...]

MP3: Oakley Hall: Lazy Susan [from the Gypsum Strings LP]

Posted by Dave Maher in tour on Wed: 04-18-07: 11:30 AM CDT | Permalink

Grizzly Bear Cancel Shows This Weekend

In a bulletin posted yesterday on their MySpace page, indie-folk-rock foragers Grizzly Bear announced that they will be missing a few shows over the weekend due to the death of a relative. The bulletin reads:

"There has been a passing in the family

Apologies to Wesleyan, Sarah Lawrence and Bennington for the last minute cancellation.

all our love"

Our best wishes go out to the fellas of Grizzly Bear.

For those looking to hunt down the Grizz, they're still on for next weekend at Coachella, a spin around western Europe, and a few of the bigger U.S. festivals, including the Pitchfork Music Festival, July 13-15 at Chicago’s Union Park. You’re coming, right? Oh, good; then this is just a friendly reminder.

Also, did you hear Born Ruffians' cover of "Knife"? [MORE...]

Video: Grizzly Bear: Knife [from the Yellow House LP]

Posted by Paul Thompson in tour on Wed: 04-18-07: 11:15 AM CDT | Permalink

Au Revoir Simone Kick Off World Tour Tonight
Play many a date with Peter Bjorn & John, Voxtrot

Tonight, bevy of Brooklynite key-pressin' beauties Au Revoir Simone will set off on a lark through the violent yet flammable world, furthering their France fetish, pairing them with their pals in pop-polish Peter Bjorn and John and Voxtrot, and giving them a chance to get uncomfortably close to Au Revoir aficionado David Lynch.

Shhh, don't tell: ARS's second full-length exercise in understatement, The Bird of Music, finally sees its previously-announced U.S. release May 15 from the band's own Our Secret Record Company. Or it can be yours through a few popular digital music emporiums right now if you're so inclined to seek it out. [MORE...]

Video: Au Revoir Simone: Fallen Snow [from the The Bird of Music LP]

Posted by Paul Thompson in tour, album on Wed: 04-18-07: 10:45 AM CDT | Permalink

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Fri: 05-04-07: 05:46 PM CDT
Photos: M.I.A.'s Jamaican Vacation