Pitchfork: Tunng Issue Comments in the U.S., Tour

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Tunng Issue Comments in the U.S., Tour

We begin our Tunng update with a bit of old news: the UK act's latest LP Good Arrows is out pretty much everywhere now, having been released in the U.S. late last month on Thrill Jockey.

But there's Tunng that remains unheard in these parts; Tunng like Comments of the Inner Chorus, released last year in their native UK but never quite seaworthy enough to make it across the Atlantic without some water wings and a beefy import tag. That is, until now. Thrill Jockey, the band's new U.S. label, will release Comments in the U.S. October 23. No bonus tracks or anything like that: just some pure, uncut Tunng. Thanks!

And, hey, while Tunng's sending stuff to the States, they must've figured they might as well come along themselves. Following their shows this week in the UK, they'll do a couple weeks over here amongst the Yanks. [MORE...]

Video: Tunng: Bullets [from the Good Arrows LP]

Posted by Paul Thompson in album, reissue, tour on Tue: 10-09-07: 12:45 PM CDT | Digg this article | Add to del.icio.us | Permalink

Website Set Up to Help Defendant in RIAA Case

Jammie Thomas-- the Minnesota woman who recently became the first person in the U.S. convicted of music sharing copyright infringement in a jury trial-- is appealing the decision of the Minnesota federal court, which sentenced her to a fine of $222,000 after handing down its verdict.

In a YouTube video stating her plea, Thomas makes clear that she doesn't plan to back down from the faceless RIAA: "I will be a thorn in their sides for the rest of my life."

And appropriate to the Web 2.0 era, Thomas wants your help in solidarity with her thorniness. A MySpace supporter of hers has started a site, FreeJammie.com, where sympathizers can make donations to Thomas' legal fund. So far, the site has raised almost $4,000 through PayPal donations.

However, Thomas says in the aforementioned YouTube video that the money isn't the important part, it's the awareness raised: "My goal is to get this information out to everyone as fast as possible and to show the RIAA that I am not going anywhere."

Video: Jammie Thomas: Free Jammie dot com

Posted by Dave Maher in legal, benefit on Tue: 10-09-07: 12:45 PM CDT | Digg this article | Add to del.icio.us | Permalink

Yo La Tengo Kick Off "Freewheeling" Tour Tonight
Look, Ira's freewheelin' already

Photo by Kirstie Shanley

Loose, limber, and ready to lay it all out, the venerable New Jersey institution known as Yo La Tengo will lope their way around North America on their Freewheeling Yo La Tengo tour, which kicks off this evening in Pittsburgh.

For a month, the band will play shows of an unstructured nature, using last year's righteous ...Beat Your Ass LP as the jump off, but with nary a musical diversion too far out, nary an anecdote too rambling and incoherent. Their website describes the tour like so: "A little bit 'Storytellers', a little bit 'Unplugged', with a soupçon of their famously varied Hanukkah shows, it will feature the band playing an almost-acoustic set of songs from their entire catalog, with stories about their life as a band, and an encouraged back-and-forth with the audience."

Freewheeling, see? That's just how they're gonna roll. [MORE...]

MP3: Yo La Tengo: I Feel Like Going Home [live at KCMP]

Posted by Paul Thompson in tour on Tue: 10-09-07: 12:30 PM CDT | Digg this article | Add to del.icio.us | Permalink

Panda Bear DVD Snafu Resolved With Free Download

While Panda Bear's mind has turned to more Collective pursuits recently, the previously reported DVD of the psychedelic mammal's very brief summer tour has experienced some distribution hang-ups.

After receiving a much higher volume of requests for the free DVD than he originally expected, Eattapes.com's Mike decided to start charging five dollars per order to cover costs. This raised legal issues regarding payment for publishing, what with Mike making any kind of money off of a Panda Bear product. (Read the full explanation here.)

But thanks to Mike and Panda Bear's diligence, they found a solution that still allows people to see the footage and to do so for free, making legal concerns moot. That solution? Offer the DVD as a free download thanks to the wonders of the internet. The download comes in a variety of formats, explained by Mike here. As for the costs Mike accrued putting together the DVD, Panda Bear is covering all of them. What a gentle giant.

Those who already shelled out a hard-earned fiver for the DVD will receive refunds shortly, if they haven't already.

Animal Collective still have quite a few tour dates left this year. Their next show is in Stockholm on October 15. [MORE...]

Stream: Panda Bear: Laughed for a World Filled With Fantasy/Search for Delicious/Bonfire of the Vanities [radio single]

Posted by Dave Maher in dvd, legal on Tue: 10-09-07: 12:00 PM CDT | Digg this article | Add to del.icio.us | Permalink

Radiohead's In Rainbows Premieres on Xfm Radio

Consider this a chance to try before you (don't?) buy: tomorrow (October 10), London-based radio station Xfm will broadcast Radiohead's seventh and latest opus, the much-chattered-about In Rainbows, in its entirety. The on-air unveiling begins at noon UK-time, which translates to sometime in the wee hours of the morning for Radiohead's fans in North and South America. Xfm claim to have the "world radio exclusive" on this one, and who are we to argue with a press release?

Even if you don't live in one of the several British Isles locales where Xfm broadcasts on the airwaves, you can always turn to the webwaves to catch the station disseminating that red hot new Radiohead digitally (Windows Media compatible only, boo).

Tomorrow, of course, is also the day Radiohead make In Rainbows available for download, via their site, for the fair price of whatever the heck you want to pay for it. Not that you need reminding, but there's also the deluxe discbox due in December and the regular CD release (label status: still nebulous) slated for early next year.

Video: Radiohead: Karma Police [from the OK Computer LP]

Posted by Matthew Solarski in radio on Tue: 10-09-07: 10:40 AM CDT | Digg this article | Add to del.icio.us | Permalink

Voxtrot Cancel Shows Due to Surgery, Add Euro Dates

They've scheduled the thing, de-scheduled the thing to link up with fellow fresh-faced youngsters Arctic Monkeys, then rescheduled the thing. But now, Voxtrot's fall tour has hit yet another snag.

Just a week after the last reshuffling, they've been forced to cancel a pair of dates: last night in Hamilton, Ontario, and tonight's gig in Toronto. Their excuse-- posted in a MySpace bulletin yesterday afternoon-- explains all:

Sorry everyone, but Voxtrot is canceling off of tonight's show at Club Absinthe in Hamilton, ONT. If you've seen the band in the last couple days, I'm sure you're aware that Ramesh has been a bit under the weather. He was taken to the hospital after last night's show in Philly, and underwent minor surgery this morning. Thankfully he's okay.

Rest up, Ramesh! Again, tonight's Toronto show definitely isn't happening, as the band has amended the itinerary on their MySpace to include "CANCELLED" behind that Mod Club date.

As a consolation for you jet-setting Canadian types, the band have quickly followed the announcement of cancelled gigs with a couple weeks in Europe. [MORE...]

Video: Voxtrot: Various tracks [live on The Interface]

Posted by Paul Thompson in cancellation, tour on Tue: 10-09-07: 10:30 AM CDT | Digg this article | Add to del.icio.us | Permalink

Sufjan Stevens Speaks at Literary Event November 28
NERD ALERT

Despite his occasional (okay, still frequent) musical dabblings, it can sometimes seem like Sufjan Stevens is applying for a staff job at The New Yorker. Whether he's writing intros to nonessential books, exploring his thoughts on friend rock, or even associating with those lovable bookworms at the Believer, the guy's more Sedaris than Springsteen sometimes. (Though I'd gladly hear a record/read a book by either.)

In keeping with his dual role as literary celeb and ornate singing guy, Sufjan will appear at a "PENultimate Lit" event, put on by the longstanding literature advancement group PEN American Center. Sufjan will speak with fellow songsmith Wesley "John Wesley Harding" Stace at an evening hosted by Ice Storm author Rick Moody. The trio will convene at Brooklyn's Southpaw club November 28. Doesn't look like there'll be a performance from either of the two gentlemen, but you still get to watch Sufjan stand (or perhaps sit in a chair) on stage.

In other Sufjan news a bit closer to the musical category, he's covering Dylan, still getting those Franciscans pumped all this month, and his Brooklyn-Queens Expressway work is still set to premiere at the beginning of November.

Once again, thanks to Sufjan fan site All Good Naysayers.

Video: Sufjan Stevens: The Lakes of Canada [live on the Take-Away Show}

Posted by Paul Thompson in book on Tue: 10-09-07: 10:00 AM CDT | Digg this article | Add to del.icio.us | Permalink

Elvis Costello to Play Hillary Clinton's Birthday Bash

Hillary Clinton-- presidential candidate, New York Senator, and former First Lady-- will celebrate her 60th birthday in style, with a bash taking place October 25 at the Beacon Theatre in New York City. The celebration, which is also a fundraiser for her presidential campaign, will feature a performance by legendary English singer-songwriter Elvis Costello.

The party is being thrown by Hillary's husband, former President Bill Clinton, as well as New York Senator Chuck Schumer, New York Governor Eliot Spitzer, New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine, and New York Congressman Charles Rangel.

Special guests are promised, and if last year's Bill Clinton 60th birthday celebration at the Beacon is any indication, they will probably be pretty high-wattage. (Bill's party featured a performance by the Rolling Stones with appearances from Buddy Guy, Jack White, and Christina Aguilera, and the whole thing was filmed by Martin Scorsese.)

We're guessing the evening will end with an all-star sing-along to "(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love, and Understanding".

The event is open to the public and tickets are on sale now.

Elvis Costello is currently on tour with Bob Dylan, playing solo for the first time in over a decade. [MORE...]

Video: Elvis Costello: (What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love, and Understanding (live)

Posted by Amy Phillips in benefit on Tue: 10-09-07: 08:00 AM CDT | Digg this article | Add to del.icio.us | Permalink

Output Says Goodbye With Retrospective Set, Remixes

About a year ago, we said goodbye to Output Recordings, the hyperprogressive UK dance label helmed by Trevor Jackson. Output had a fine run in its day, making ten years' worth of strange sounds well-suited for both dance floor shaking and chin-stroking-- sometimes both at the same time!

Output's new output might've dried up, but they're back to say goodbye with one last hurrah. Selections from the Output discography have been compiled and reissued as I Hate Music: A Compilation of Output Recordings 1996-2006, double CD/single DVD set the label will release November 12.

The CDs gather 30 tracks from the Output catalog, including gems by Four Tet, Fridge, Mu, Black Strobe, and Jackson's own Playgroup. The DVD collects 37 videos from the same crew.

Noticeably absent are cuts from the Rapture and LCD Soundsystem; the press release for the compilation explains that this is "due to 'monsters' and major label bullshit." Monsters? Ah, that would be a reference to Jackson's statement that one of the reasons he shuttered the label was "I saw people I thought were my friends turn into monsters." Yikes.

I Hate Music is the last release from Output; the companion remix 12" I Hate... Remixes is the first release from new label Process Recordings. It features Output tracks by Colder, Kreeps, Dempsey, and Lopazz, remixed by Optimo, Mungolian Jet Set, Tomas Almgren and Nutaike, respectively. It also lands November 12. [MORE...]

Stream: Various Output Recordings Artists: Various tracks

Stream: Various Artists: Various I Hate... Remixes tracks

Posted by Paul Thompson in compilation, dvd, remix, label on Tue: 10-09-07: 07:00 AM CDT | Digg this article | Add to del.icio.us | Permalink

Trio of Sun City Girls Records Reissued

Photo by Catherine Lewis

Ever taken a glance at the Sun City Girls section of your local record emporium? Or, perhaps, pored over a printout of their discography with your jaw planted firmly on the floor? Guess it helps to be a troupe with a thing for improv, but goshdang, in their nearly 25 years making music together, brothers Alan and Sir Richard Bishop and the late Charles Gocher sure did put out like nine billion records.

And even with all the gaping out-of-print holes in their catalog, them dudes made a lot of jams. Three of 'em from their characteristically fertile mid-period-- 1994 and 1995-- are due for the first time on CD from Abduction in the coming months.

1994's Juggernaut, recorded live to four-track by the Girls, was the soundtrack to a forgotten movie of the same name, while 1994's Piasa... Devourer of Men was inspired by a film that was never made, with a plot about "the legend of a giant pre-historic flying reptilian terrorizing an early 1800s Indian tribe in Midwest America" according to a press release. Both of those albums are due tomorrow, October 9. 1995's Jacks Creek, considered a particularly difficult (and particularly rewarding) Sun City Girls release is due November 6.

In other Sun City Girls news, Sir Richard has his second LP of the year coming soon, with a tour to boot. Only two albums this year, Richard? C'mon, get on it! [MORE...]

MP3: Sun City Girls: Electoral Termites

Posted by Paul Thompson in reissue on Mon: 10-08-07: 04:35 PM CDT | Digg this article | Add to del.icio.us | Permalink

Castanets Tear Through Vines On Tour

Many moons have passed since we last spoke on In the Vines, the latest folk fricasee from Ray Raposa's Castanets project. The disc-- still due October 23 from Asthmatic Kitty-- is looming, and Raposa's heading out for about a month in support of it. On the road, he'll be joined all the while by Jana Hunter pals Deer Tick, the members of which will also comprise Raposa's backing band at the shows. A note to all involved: where Ray's concerned, there's no such thing as too many padlocks. [MORE...]

MP3: Castanets: This is the Early Game [from the In the Vines LP]

MP3: Castanets: Sway [from the In the Vines LP]

Posted by Paul Thompson in tour on Mon: 10-08-07: 04:00 PM CDT | Digg this article | Add to del.icio.us | Permalink

Reznor Hammers Another Nail in the Industry's Coffin

For the second time in a little over a week, a major player on the alt-rock scene has announced their departure from the mainstream music industry, as Trent Reznor announced today via the Nine Inch Nails website that he is no longer signed to longtime label Interscope, and may perhaps be choosing to go it alone:

"Hello everyone. I've waited a LONG time to be able to make the following announcement: as of right now Nine Inch Nails is a totally free agent, free of any recording contract with any label. I have been under recording contracts for 18 years and have watched the business radically mutate from one thing to something inherently very different and it gives me great pleasure to be able to finally have a direct relationship with the audience as I see fit and appropriate.

Look for some announcements in the near future regarding 2008.

Exciting times, indeed."

Reznor very publicly clashed with Interscope over the release of the last NIN record, Year Zero, leaking pieces of the album himself and encouraging fans to download it for free. So it would be unlikely that he would sign with another major, or even any label at all-- given Reznor's large and rabid cult following, he could very easily pull a Radiohead and take matters into his own hands. (Perhaps that is what is alluded to by that "direct relationship with the audience.")

Regardless, we sure hope that remix album comes out soon.

Thanks to Theninhotline.net for the heads up.

Stream: Nine Inch Nails: Survivalism [from the Year Zero LP]

Posted by Amy Phillips in business on Mon: 10-08-07: 03:50 PM CDT | Digg this article | Add to del.icio.us | Permalink

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Wed: 10-10-07: 12:30 PM CDT
Nirvana's Unplugged Gets DVD Release