Quadron: Glitchy Soul From Denmark

[mp3] Quadron: "Average Fruit"

KCRW has been pushing the Danish duo Quadron hard, and for good reason. Quadron formed when producer Robin met 16 year old vocalist Coco. While comparisons are often an easy way out for writers, it's Friday afternoon, and we're taking it. Quadron land somewhere between the glitchy-dub-style production of JJ, the Daptone soul sound, and the accessibility of Adele. Coco's voice is clean and soulful, while the production-style gives Quadron's self-titled debut (March 23, Plug Research) the grittiness that it needs to be, well, cool. There are hints of African polyrhythms scattered throughout, but the true focus of the album is on slow-burning soul numbers, well-crafted melodies, and stellar vocal performances. While we're still consuming the entire album (we got it yesterday) Quadron seem destined for big things stateside, as well they should be.
Thanks Yours Truly

The Bird and the Bee to Release New Record!

What could be better than THIS you ask? How about a tribute to Daryl Hall and John Oates? Inara George and Greg Kurstin, the duo known as The Bird and the Bee, are readying the release of Interpreting The Masters Volume 1: A Tribute to Daryl Hall and John Oates The record will hit digitally and physically on March 23 via Blue Note records.

Being the well endowed bloggers that we are, the record has been ours for a week or so, this allowing for ultimate saturation. The verdict? A score. George and Kurstin step so far out of their comfort zone with this release, yet somehow make it feel organic, natural, fun and inspired. The music of Hall and Oates is timeless; classics that you feel you never willfully listened to, yet when heard, you can sing every word. This record is not forced by any means, which is completely evident in George's spot-on vocal arrangements, her uncanny ability to match intricate pop-vocal lines and Kurstin's tasteful melodic reworkings of these classic tunes. Keynote tracks on the release include "Rich Girl," "Kiss on My List" and a new, original tune titled, "Heard it on the Radio." This is a must have release for those die hard Hall and Oates fanatics, your pop-inclined hipster-grifters, and mainstream parental folk alike. Look for this on NPR's Discover Songs in the near future.

Full track list after the jump.

1. Heard It On The Radio
2. I Can’t Go For That
3. Rich Girl
4. Sarah Smile
5. Kiss On My List
6. Maneater
7. She’s Gone
8. Private Eyes
9. One on One

New Rogue Wave

[mp3] Rogue Wave: "Good Morning"

Recorded around some harrowing circumstances which included the death of a former band member and some serious health issues, Rogue Wave persevered to record their new record Permalight, which drops March 2 on Brushfire. Definitely a different sound than we're used to from Rogue Wave and the new single has certainly drawn the ire from some die-hard commenters. What doesn't though? It's not our favorite song ever, but to compare it to Owl City is just ridic. Click after the jump for some clips of the band in the studio. This also gives you a pretty nice flavor for what the rest of the record is going to sound like, like it or not. Don't worry, there's some acoustic guitar. Don't get your knickers in a bunch.

Heart That's Pounding...

[mp3] Sally Seltmann: "Harmony to My Heartbeat"

... is the title of Australian Sally Seltmann's third record coming out April 6th on Arts & Crafts. "Harmony to My Heartbeat" is the first single, and we have it for you above, as well as the amazing video (after the jump) that also features Jens Lekman. (Where you been Jens? New record? What's up man?) Seltmann's previous accolades include the aforementioned records, recorded under the New Buffalo moniker, and also a co-writing credit on Feist's little ditty "1,2,3,4." So, yeah, she's doing ok for herself. As it's currently snowing outside, anyone feeling the need for a straight injection of summer-pop to the ears had best listen to the tune and watch the video. It's the best cure for S.A.D goin.
Thanks Dave for the tip.

Harmony to My Heartbeat from Sally Seltmann on Vimeo.

Saturday: Damon & Naomi with Sharon Van Etten

This Saturday, 92Y Tribeca will host a special evening featuring Damon & Naomi, of Galxie 500, as well as oft-posted about Brooklyn songstress Sharon Van Etten. Along with live performances from all, there will be a special screening of "1001 Nights, a comprehensive video anthology of the duo. The screening is followed by a Q&A moderated by Haden Guest, Director of the Harvard Film Archive, with Damon & Naomi and Michio Kurihara of the legendary Japanese band Ghost, who is featured in the film."

On The Blog Reel

[mp3] Parenthetical Girls: "Evelyn McHale"
after the jump
Local Natives: "Airplane"
Broken Bells: "The High Road"

"Evelyn McHale," is the first single from the Parenthetical Girls' ambitious new album Privilege which will be released as five limited-edition 12" EPs over the course of the next several months. The song is named after the tragic 23 year old woman who threw herself from the Empire State Building in 1947. When they debuted the track, Stereogum linked to the enthralling photo of her just moments after death, taken by Robert Wiles, which later appeared in LIFE Magazine, a Warhol print, and even in the bottom right corner of the new Pearl Jam album Backspacer.

Airplanes


The High Road

Anna Rose: "Picture" Video and MP3

[mp3] Anna Rose: "Picture"

Yesterday, The Music Slut debuted a new video from one of New York's quickly rising singer-songwriter talents, Anna Rose. Filmed in the old Coney Island "Shoot the Freak" location, Rose's video for "Picture" offers a glimpse into the darker side of her songwriting, but highlights her strongest asset, a sultry and powerful voice. Anna Rose's EP is out now, with a full length Nomad coming shortly. Rose plays Rockwood Music Hall in NY on 3/9.

Yours Truly Debuts New Lissie Track

Lissie "In Sleep" [Part 1 of 2] from Yours Truly on Vimeo.

While we're way behind on posts today, this was too good not to share immediately. Thanks to our good friends over at Yours Truly who sent us this fantastic vid of Lissie playing "In Sleep" (an unreleased track from her upcoming Fat Possum debut LP) before her recent show at The Fillmore in SF. Make sure you click the above link to read Lissie's completely charming and endearing handwritten letter (Yours Truly tradition) to her parents. Also click after the jump to see Lissie play "Little Lovin'" from her current EP.

Yours truly,
Stark

Lissie Little Lovin' [Part 2 of 2] from Yours Truly on Vimeo.

Weathervane, WXPN, & New Sharon Van Etten

Stream Sharon Van Etten's: "Love More"

We're extremely excited about the collaboration between the independent music organization Weathervane Music and one of the best radio stations in the land, Philadelphia's WXPN. Weathervane seeks to create innovative projects intended to help bolster the careers of emerging-indie artists. Their first debut of the year comes from Sharon Van Etten, one of Stark's favorite new artists and the creator of Matt's #5 record of 2009, Because I Was In Love. The Tripwire debuted her brand new tune today "Love More" as part of Weathervane/XPN's "Shaking Through" series. It's freaking gorgeous.

Sigh No More Gets US Release

[mp3] Mumford and Sons: "Little Lion Man"

We were just talking about how great this band was with a friend across the pond in the UK. She wondered if she was behind the times in liking them. Alas, I said, you are not. The US is just behind the times in releasing the album. Those of us with the necessary means have been enjoying the hell out Mumford and Sons' debut album Sigh No More (February 16, Glassnote) for sometime now. While very derivative of current UK indie poppers Fanfarlo and Noah and the Whale (banjo driven, jangly folk-pop) it's hard to find fault with their well-crafted harmonies and clever, highly-melodic songwriting. While the US already has one Avett Brothers, audiences are sure to welcome their brothers-in-banjo rock, Mumford and Sons with equal vigor and appreciation. US dates after the jump.

February 9th - Los Angeles, CA - Troubadour
Feburary 11th - San Francisco, CA - Popscene
February 15th - Toronto, ON - Lee's Palace
February 18th - New York, NY - Bowery Ballroom

Javelin: Cover Art, New MP3

[mp3] Javelin: "Me Thing Drawing Me"

We've been eagerly anticipating new music from Javelin who have just announced that their first LP No Mas will drop April 20th on the venerable and always reliable Luaka Bop label. Javelin are a musically ramshackle duo who use a junkyard of electronic sounds to create infectious, life-affirming pop melodies. XLR8R has a new tune for us. Grab it above. Oh yeah, Javelin just happen to be touring with Yeasayer. See those dates after the jump.

Tracklisting

1. Vibration
2. Mossy Woodland
3.Oh! Centra
4. On It On It
5. Intervales Theme
6. We Ah Wi
7. Tell Me, What Will it Be?
8. Moscow 1980
9. The Merkin Jerk
10. C Town
11. Off My Mind
12. Susie Cues
13. Shadow Heart
14. Dep
15. Goal/Wide

Javelin dates:

01-30 Brooklyn, NY - House of Yes
02-09 Brooklyn, NY - Music Hall of Williamsburg #
02-16 Birmingham, England - Academy 2 #
02-17 Glasgow, Scotland - Oran Mor #
02-19 Dublin, Ireland - Academy #
02-20 Belfast, Northern Ireland - The Speakeasy #
02-21 Manchester, England - Academy 3 #
02-22 Leeds, England - The Faversham #
02-23 London, England - Heaven (NME show) #
02-25 Bristol, England - Thekla #
02-26 Brighton, England - Digital #
03-04 New York, NY - New York University
03-23 Lawrence, KS - Jackpot Saloon &
03-24 Lincoln, NB - Bourbon Theater &
03-25 Iowa City, IA -Public Space One &
03-26 Bloomington, IN - Dope Couture &
03-27 Knoxville, TN - Big Ears Festival
03-28 Columbus, OH - Cafe Bourbon St.
03-29 Detroit, MI - The Cafe &
03-30 Toronto, Ontario - The Deleon White Gallery &
03-31 Montreal, Quebec - The Friendship Cove &
04-16 Madrid, Spain - La Casa Encendida !

# with Yeasayer
& with These Are Powers
! with High Places, Sunburned Hand of the Man

Teen Dream

[mp3] Beach House: "Norway"

Today marks the release of Beach House's latest record Teen Dream. This album, Beach Houses' third, is nothing short of a masterpiece. As Animal Collective did last January with Merriweather Post Pavilion, Beach House has set the bar incredibly high for 2010.

Teen Dream represents the high water mark in not only the duo's songwriting talents, but also in their production techniques. Lush autumnal soundscapes are tastefully laid bare behind intertwining harmonies and the most compelling melodies and lyrics Beach House have produced to date. From the melancholy sadness of "Used to Be" to the dreamy opener "Zebra" Teen Dream delivers the complete package of a true album, holding strong through all ten tracks with a mature, accessible sound yet, one that consistently upholds the duo's artistic integrity and ability to move the entire genre ever forward.

Laura Burhenn is The Mynabirds

[mp3] The Myrnabirds: "Numbers Don't Lie"

When Saddle Creek signs we listen. Next up, The Mynabirds. While we've only heard the above song from former Georgie James' singer Laura Burhenn's new solo record What We Lose In The Fire We Gain In The Flood (April 27th), the press release has sufficiently whet our appetite with references to Nina Simone and Cat Power. Burhenn's album promises soulful horn arrangements, husky vocals, honest lyrics and quality songwriting (she enlisted the help of ace writer/producer Richard Swift). With back-up from stellar folks like Orenda Fink (Azure Ray) and engineer/producer AJ Mogis (Monsters of Folk, Cursive, Tilly and The Wall), The Myrnabirds debut is highly anticipated listening around these parts.

New Tallest Man on Earth!

[mp3] Tallest Man on Earth: "King of Spain"

Can you see a theme developing here today? We're absolutely thrilled to share the news with you today that long-time favorite and friend of Stark, The Tallest Man on Earth (Kristian Matsson) has signed to Dead Oceans and will be releasing The Wild Hunt on April 13th. We have the first track for you, "King of Spain" above. You may recognize the track from his live performances. The Wild Hunt is Matsson's follow-up to his marvelous debut (and Stark #1 record of 2008) Shallow Grave. There are not many readers of this site who are not already familiar with the mysterious, yet, remarkably friendly Swedish songwriter, but for the new-initiates, his music is a striking amalgamation of Appalachian-style Southern folk, talented finger-picking, and a gravely croon, that brings obvious references to early Dylan. He's the predominant songwriting talent on the market today, and we offer a huge congratulations to his team, and the Tallest Man himself. Well done!

New Patty Griffin Album and Tour

Although a little more AAA than our usual Stark offerings, we've always been drawn to the amazing catalog of Patty Griffin material. How could you not be? Tomorrow (1/26) Griffin returns with Downtown Church, her new album recorded in a Civil War era Nashville church with Buddy Miller producing and playing in the band. Downtown Church also features guest spots from: Emmylou Harris, Raul Malo, Jim Lauderdale, Shawn Colvin, Mike Farris,Julie Miller as well as Regina and Ann McCrary, whose father was one of the founding members of the legendary gospel group the Fairfield Four.

To celebrate the release of Downtown Church, on January 27, EMI/Credential will be hosting a live online event. Patty Griffin will be broadcasting via Livestream from her studio on January 27th at 7pm CST. She will be performing a few songs and taking question from the online world, all live from the studio. A link to the broadcast will be posted HERE.

The first leg of Griffin's tour is posted after the jump...

March 26 - St. Louis, MO - The Pageant
March 27 - Lawrence, KS - Liberty Hall
March 29 - Denver, CO - Paramount
March 30 - Salt Lake City, UT - Kingsbury Hall
April 1 - Seattle, WA - The Moore
April 2 - Vancouver, BC - The Commodore
April 4 - Portland, OR - Crystal Ballroom
April 5 - Berkeley, CA - Zellerbach
April 9 - Santa Cruz, CA - Rio
April 10 - Los Angeles, CA - The Wiltern
April 16 - Dallas, TX - House of Blues
April 17 - Driftwood, TX - Old Settler's

New Deadstring Brothers

After what was hopefully a temporary lull in quality output with 2007's Silver Mountain, Detroit's favorite Stones-loving, blues-rock fueled band The Deadstring Brothers have returned with a new record entitled Sao Paulo, due February 23th on Bloodshot Records. We here at Stark have a deep love affair with their 2006 effort Starving Winter Report. Yet, for some reason Silver Mountain's heavier musical approach and lead vocals from former back-up singer Masha Marjieh didn't do it for us. From initial listens to Sao Paulo, it seems the Deadstrings have returned to their winning formula, channeling Beggars Banquet style guitar riffs, and ditching the female lead vocals. If any other band pulled this heavily from the Rolling Stones' catalog they would be quickly dismissed as cheap rip-offs. Yet, The Deadstring Brothers use some sort of mystical alchemy to make songs so derivative, sound original and cutting edge. They also happen to be one of the best live bands out there. New Deadstring Brothers = a great day.

Justin Townes Earle: New Track, Best Dressed, Tour Dates

Justin Townes Earle and Dawn Landes - "Do I Ever Cross Your Mind"

Justin Townes Earle is a busy man; aside from rubbing elbows with us Starkians in the East Village, frequenting our local haunts like a...local, he just released a new track titled "Do I Ever Cross Your Mind", was named one of GQ's Top 25 Best Dressed Men, and is embarking on a nice string of 2010 tour dates with Dawn Landes, Joe Pug and Carrie Rodriguez. Phew. Justin will be coming to Bowery on March 5 and we are going to do our best to make it out! This new track from JTE is a slight departure from some of his more ballad-driven musical pursuits; lyrically this song is about love-loss, but the tune bounces, and jaunts with joyousness. On Wednesday, JTE will play Nashville's Mercy Lounge with not only Dawn Landes, but local songstress and close Stark friend, Caitlin Rose.  Very exciting.

On a side note, we just updated our posting format here on Blog Spot and wanted to take this time to say it is F-ING AMAZING. Thank you for simplifying our lives. Saves me about five minutes a post.

Rock! See JTE tour dates after the jump.

Pretty Good Dance Moves

[mp3] Pretty Good Dance Moves: "600 Days (Featuring Heather Christian)

Admittedly, we've been asleep at the wheel when it comes to Brooklyn/Chicago duo Pretty Good Dance Moves. Sucks for us.

After a chance hang with PGDM member Jimmy Giannopoulos, we started spinning their upcoming eponymous EP (March 2 release) and we're so glad we did. The EP is made up of six fully-formed and stellar tracks, highlighted by tasteful synths, meticulously crafted beats, and stand-out vocal performances from an array of artists in including Bjorn Yttling and Heather Christian. This is not the sophomoric synth-pop filler that clogs our inbox everyday. PGDM are insightful writers who know how to craft a tune, and create music that serves the purpose of that same song above all else. The melodies here are subtle, infectious, and tremendously rewarding. Special kudos to Heather Christian, who destroys the vocals on the above track. Gorgeous. We will be looking her up, uhh right now.

Pretty Good Dance Moves are playing an EP release show at Schubas in Chicago on Friday, March 12 with Harper Blynn.

Friday Night Shenanigans

[mp3] The Octagon: "Suicide Kings"

Besides Dawn Landes at Mercury, and Stark performing with Tim Emmerick at Pianos (9:00) - we feel obliged by our dedication to good taste to tell you about two more amazing shows happening on Friday.

The first being the triumphant return of The Octagon to Brooklyn after dominating the country behind their new (and killer) record Warm Love and Cool Dreams Forever. This analog garage trio is hitting Bruar Falls to celebrate release of the aforementioned album on Serious Business Records. Order the vinyl HERE. Anyone who's ever heard a note of Pavement or Dinosaur Jr. would do well to be in the audience Friday, as The Octagon feature prominently in the future linage of these seminal, rock-guitar driven, indie legends.

[mp3] Ava Luna: "Clips"

The second band on tap are the quickly rising Ava Luna, who will be part of an amazing bill Friday which includes Marni Stern and The Suckers. Location: Under 100 (172 Duane St). It's not often that we refernce Spoon when talking about bands, let alone new bands. Yet there is something about the songs on Ava Luna's new EP Services (1/22 release) that recall the clatter and skeletal soulfulness of early Spoon records. With veiled dance rhythms and a male/female vocal attack, Ava Luna toss about wisps of pop melody, yet keep the songs expertly grounded in the echoing booms of a resonant and adept rhythm section.

New New Pornographers

Coming on May 4: the new album from The New Pornographers, entitled Together. Their fifth full-length was produced by the band and Phil Palazzolo, and recorded in Vancouver, Brooklyn, Woodstock, and Catskill, NY. The album is comprised of 9 A.C. Newman songs and 3 Dan Bejar numbers, and features the full eight-person lineup of Carl, Dan, John Collins, Neko Case, Kurt Dahle, Kathryn Calder, Todd Fancey and Blaine Thurier. Additional musicians include Annie Clark (St. Vincent), Zach Condon (Beirut), Will Sheff (Okkervil River), and the Dap-Kings Horns, among other talents.

You don’t need us to tell you the album is great… but we’ll say it anyway. It’s amazing, more varied, deeper, and broader than its predecessors. Please just look forward to extreme enjoyment. First MP3 coming soon.

Via Matablog!

Waiting For The Bells

[mp3] Joel Alme: "You Will Only Get It Once"

About this time last year, a random Pitchfork staffer told us their favorite album of 2008 was Master of Ceremonies by Joel Alme. Never heard of him. Yet, research we did, and not surprisingly Master of Ceremonies was a sweeping, emotionally-charged masterpiece. Alme sings with a passionate recklessness, charmingly out of key at times, but with true power and meaning. His melodies are romantic and laced with strings and horns, but they never sound sappy or contrived, and they easily could. This is real stuff.

Last night, we realized he had a new album coming, so we dropped a note to his label Razzia Records in Sweden, and upon waking up found the download for his new record Waiting for the Bells in our box. We've been spinning it since then, and the new record follows along the lines of his debut, but there is more soul this time around. The horns echo lines from Dusty Springfield and his voice seems more full bodied and resonant. No word yet on stateside release, but you can download it HERE. While I'm sure folks will use Jens Lekman as a reference, there is more going on here. Alme is less cheeky, but equally melodic and string laden. This record will continue to play for the next several days, and it's a smash if it's half as good as Master of Ceremonies. Check him out, we're glad we did.

David Bryne, Santigold and Fatboy Slim Release New Track

David Bryne, Santigold and Fat Boy Slim -- " Please Don't" (available for website only download and stream."

If you are an avid David Byrne fan, and even if you are not (you should be!) you probably know that he has been in collaboration with Fat Boy Slim, both huddled behind closed doors walking through Byrne's "arboretum" of a brain; the final goal, a new Byrne record titled, Here Lies Love, which releases on Feb. 23 via Todomundo/Nonesuch (according to P4K). Though shedding the Eno/Byrne Everything That Happens-Topspin-model of full album stream, Byrne is staying somewhat true to form, only offering the new track "Please Don't" for download via his website (with email address.) Regardless, with big hitter names such as the one's above, it was a non-issue to generously send our email address into the oblivion of The Internets.

The new track is...interesting to say the least, but respectable none-the-less.

Enjoy! Happy Wednesday.

Dawn Landes: New Album, Mercury Lounge Friday

[mp3] Dawn Landes: "Young Girl"

Look. We've liked Dawn Landes for a bit around here (go us!), and after a few spins through her new record Sweet Heart Rodeo (out now, Cooking Vinyl) that opinion isn't going to change anytime soon. She claims it's more about rodeos and old time beaus than The Byrds, but we call shenanigans on that. (Who cares really though?) There is certainly some quality harp (mouth harp, not Newsom style), banjo, and some down home country vocals, sung exquisitely well. Yet, there is a different sound at play here on some tracks (more on that later). Landes is playing this Friday night at The Mercury Lounge. But you know what? The entire Stark staff is going to be on-stage and in the crowd at Tim Emmerick's show, Friday at 9 at Pianos. Now, you New Yorkers are wily folks, and going to two shows in one night aint no thing. So, if you do go to see Dawn Landes (we encourage you to do so) we hope that you'll also split up your time and come see us kill it with Tim at Pianos.

That being said, back to her record. "Young Girl" (above) is an example of the added grit (and glam?) that Landes has added to this record. She seems more strong-willed, and is certainly more plugged in. Sweet Heart Rodeo moves in ways her previous album Fireproof didn't; it's got swagger, it's more full-sounding, and ultimately more rewarding. An easy touch point would be Josh Ritter, but that would be selling Landes short, as her femininity gives this record an ultimately unique angle. While it seems that Landes is still finding her true identity, the new record is a step in the right direction, and certainly a worthwhile pick-up. Cover art and full tour dates with Stark's neighbor Justin Townes Earle after the jump.


TOUR DATES

January 19-Cambridge, MA-Club Passim
January 21-Fairfield, CT-StageOne*
January 22-New York, NY-Mercury Lounge
January 23-Arlington, VA-Iota Club and Cafe
January 25-Louisville, KY-Zanzabar
January 26-Indianapolis, IN-Radio Radio*
January 27-Nashville, TN-Mercy Lounge*
January 28-Knoxville, TN-Barley’s Taproom*
January 29-Asheville, NC-The Grey Eagle*
January 30-Carrboro, NC-The Arts Center*
January 31-Atlanta, GA-Eddies Attic*
February 1-Mobile, AL-Callahan’s*
February 3-San Antonio, TX-Sam’s Burger Joint*
February 4-Austin, TX-Stubb’s*
February 5-Houston, TX-McGonigel’s Mucky Duck*
February 6-Dallas, TX-Granada Theatre**
February 9-Chicago, IL-Beat Kitchen

*Supporting Justin Townes Earle
**Supporting Justin Townes Earle and Chris Knight

Moshi Moshi Comes to the US

Famed London-based indie label Moshi Moshi (Hot Chip, The Rakes, Bloc Party, The Drums, Kate Nash, Au Revoir Simone, other amazingness) has come to the states with two excellent records that even the staunchest American xenophobe can't help but love. The first record being an amazing offering from Slow Club titled Yeah, So. coming out March 30. On the iPhone with incessant repeating since its arrival Yeah, So. is an impressive amalgamation of Kings of Convenience (don't call it twee) indie-pop and a more dirty power-pop sound reminiscent at times of Teenage Fanclub. As contributor Tim Emmerick notes during a guest stint in the "office" "it kind of sounds like you took the Moldy Peaches and gave them a bath." Well put good sir.
The second offering is a double CD package comprised of two separate LPs from The Wave Pictures entitled Instant Coffee Baby and If You Leave it Alone coming out April 27th. At times recalling elements of The Veils, but with a slight punk edge, this trio from the tiny village of Wymeswold are distinctly English in many ways. They seem a continuation of the linage set in motion by The Clash and Paul Weller yet, there is a quieter literary side that emerges from time to time, (especially in the lyrics) that immediately brings Will Sheff and Okkervil River to mind. All of these are great touch points, in our opinion at least. Also there is some surf guitar here and there. WIN. Spin named If You Leave it Alone one of the "10 Best Albums You Might Have Missed in 2009."

Both The Wave Pictures and Slow Club have made stand-out records that shine on their artistic merits alone, but coupled with Moshi Moshi's tastemaker status and prestigious name, both bands seemed destined for critical acclaim in their new home across the pond. Welcome friends.

JJ Releases New Track from jj nº 3 - "Let Go"

JJ - "Let Go"

What is a JJ? What does a JJ look like? Is anybody listening to me? Managing to stay completely out of the lime light while at the same time, full immersed in it, JJ has become a symbol of "jaunty optimism" and debonair-like, summer-tinged, musical charm. jj nº 2 slowly made its way to the blogs, then our iPods and soon enough, emerged as the best record of 2009 (this coming from me, Vince.) What does this JJ have in-store for us in 2010? jj nº 3 which drops on March 9 via Secretly Canadian, the first track released above, "Let Go" and a smash tour to-boot. For the sake of my co-editors, I will not speak on the XX (whom JJ shares a bill with on most tour dates,) but will say that a JJ/Delorean concert for this blogger, would be better than Passion Pit on Ecstasy -- count it.

Check out full tour dates for March and April with the XX and Delorean (select dates.)

03/22/10 Baton Rouge, LA - Spanish Moon
03/23/10 Birmingham, AL - Bottletree
03/24/10 Atlanta, GA - Variety Playhouse
03/25/10 Carrboro, NC - Cat's Cradle
03/28/10 Washington, DC - Sixth & I Historic Synagogue
03/29/10 Philadelphia, PA - First Unitarian Church Sanctuary
03/30/10 Brooklyn, NY - Knitting Factory*
03/31/10 New York, NY - Webster Hall
04/02/10 Boston, MA - Paradise
04/03/10 Montreal, QC - Le National
04/04/10 Toronto, ONT - Phoenix Theatre
04/05/10 Columbus, OH - Wexner Center
04/06/10 Bloomington, IN - Buskirk Chumley Theater
04/08/10 Chicago, IL - Lincoln Hall
04/09/10 Minneapolis, MN - Varsity Theatre
04/12/10 Bellingham, WA - The Nightlight Lounge
04/13/10 Vancouver, BC - Commodore Ballroom
04/14/10 Portland, OR - Crystal Ballroom
04/16/10 San Francisco, CA - Bottom of the Hill
04/17/10 Los Angeles, CA - Echoplex**
*no The xx
**(w/Delorean)

The Roadside Graves at The Mercury Lounge

STARK vs. THE ROADSIDE GRAVES

Photos by Karp
In advance of tomorrow's stacked bill of The Roadside Graves, Blair, Avi Buffalo, The Loom, and Sam Walsh and the National Reserve, the Stark squad caught The Graves on an equally great bill at The Mercury Lounge opening for The Rural Alberta Advantage last weekend. The New Jersey rock band leaned heavily on songs from their fantastic '09 record My Son's Home, but also played several new songs, including "Liv Tyler," from their upcoming EP You Won't Be Happy With Me being released March 6th on Autumn Tone Records. As always, The Roadside Graves proved why there has been a palpable buzz growing about them over the past year. Their live show is tight, well rehearsed, and passionate. There are few bands playing the type of Springsteen-inspired Americana as well as The Roadside Graves right now. We caught up with guitarist and multi-instrumentalist Jeremy Benson, who hinted that while The Band and Springsteen remain touch points, The Roadside Graves may be incorporating more diverse influences (did he just say Genesis?) into their sound. Read our conversation after the jump.


How did the band come together?

Well - John, Rich, and I have been playing in bands together since high school - it's been about 15 years together I think. We were in this band The Billy Crosby's in high school, which I guess is The Graves its most crude and ridiculous form. We stuck together and got some friends together from the New Brunswick area. We've had the same line-up for awhile now, except we have a new keyboard player - Johnny Piatkowski. Him and Colin the drummer are in this crazy psych prog band - called Fun Machine. It's cool having those guys around - they don't listen listen to country and folk music at all, they are into more Genesis and Peter Gabriel and other more prog shit.

I hear a lot of Springsteen in your sound, especially in the piano lines, would you count him as an influence?

Springsteen is definitely a huge influence. We like to think he would be even if we weren't from Jersey. We definitely think of him as being a country singer, he is Americana. The music he plays is heavily steeped in the folk tradition, so it's not a hard leap to go from his influence to go to Dylan or the band, they are country artists too, they are all folk singers. With Johnny and Colin in the band, we're starting to listen to different music. We all listen to a ton of music, and share all the time. We're listening to more of the Talking Heads and The Clash, and that stuff is staring to permeate our songwriting and our arrangements. So it definitely changes over time - we still love Bruce and there will be certain piano lines or something that we will thrown in there as an homage.

Who does most of the writing? Do you write in the studio as a band?

There are two different ways we write songs - we're actually rehearsing right now - one way - is that [singer] John [Gleason] writes most of the lyrics and has a rough sketch of a song. Then him and I get together to flesh out the ideas and lyrics, and I'll take his lyrics and set it to different music; then we bring it to rehearsal, and they take it apart and put it back together. It's definitely a highly collaborative situation.

Other times the song will be improvised on the spot. All of the songs on the [upcoming] EP were written like this. We could be jamming or whatever, and John will just start improvising lyrics. He's really good on the spot and he will just sing it over what we're playing. If we like it, we'll tape it. "Liv Tyler," on the new EP came about that way. But those are the two main ways. It's very collaborative.

After such a successful year, what do you think has changed the most for the band?

The biggest thing has been starting to work with Autumn Tone Records, Scott [Simoneaux] from Aquarium Drunkard, and Dane our manager. Just having smart and savvy people pushing things for us and pushing us and being our advocates. They believe in us and the music. Working with them has helped expose us to new audiences, get shows, and get connected to new press, blogs, touring. It's great just having a group of people out in California, especially all the bands they work with like Avi Buffalo, Parson Redheads - expanding the family. It's really helped us navigate the segway from local to national band. It's a hard thing to do on your own. Also, just feeling we have a safe home for our new material - we have these guys who are into it and we trust them. It keeps the wheels greased.

What's playing in the van when you guys are on tour?

I gravitate more to the older stuff, but in terms of contemporary material I play a lot of Tom Waits. It's amazing, he's still right on the cutting edge. Will Oldham, Joanna Newsom, Court and Spark, M ward. John is really connected to the indie rock scene and he always playing new stuff.

What's next?

We're releasing the new EP You Won't Be Happy with me on March 6th on Autumn Tone. Before that, they're digitally reissuing our first full length in early February called If Shacking Up Is All You Want to Do. We'll be writing and arranging another full length which would would love to have out sometime [in Fall 2010]. We're playing SXSW, proably a 4 or 5 week summer tour and we're always doing one-off shows in Jersey, New York, Philly. Mostly just get back to writing.

STARK AND AQUARIUM DRUNKARD PRESENT: THE ROADSIDE GRAVES, AVI BUFFALO, AND BLAIR

We here at Stark are extremely pleased to be again presenting with Aquarium Drunkard The Roadside Graves - Saturday, January 16th at Pianos. Joining the Graves on the bill will be Sub Pop's rising stars Avi Buffalo, along with the amazing Blair and The Loom. Sean Walsh and The National Reserve will be joining the fun as well. Keep your eye on the site for a recap of The Roadside Graves' amazing show last Saturday at The Mercury Lounge as well as an interview with guitarist Jeremy Benson.

Jay Reatard Dead at 29

As divisive as Jay Reatard was at times in some spheres of the indie rock community, he was unquestionably loved by many, and a stalwart talent still in the infancy of his quickly burgeoning career. While I feel in no way qualified to write a proper tribute to the man or musician, I can merely say that losing any member of such a tight knit and hard working group of musicians is always painful, and it's extremely sad to loose a songwriter, or any person for that matter, at such a young age. Our thoughts go out to his family and all of the musicians, labels, and writers who worked with him. His most recent home, Matador Records, issued this statement today:

We are devastated by the death of Jimmy Lee Lindsey Jr., aka Jay Reatard. Jay was as full of life as anyone we've ever met, and responsible for so many memorable moments as a person and artist. We're honored to have known and worked with him, and we will miss him terribly.

Happy Birthday: "Girls FM"

[mp3] Happy Birthday: "Girls FM"

Gorilla vs. Bear hit it on the head with their post unveiling the new track from Happy Birthday's self titled debut. Sub Pop is indeed shaping up to have a stellar year in 2010. While having a solid 2009, oh-ten is shaping up to be a year rivaling 2008 which saw amazing debuts from Fleet Foxes and No Age among others. Just in the first half of 2010, Sub Pop is releasing the gorgeous new Beach House album, along with the debut from the Dum Dum Girls (Mar 30), the new Ruby Suns (Mar 2) and the gem of a record from the aforementioned Happy Birthday (March 16). Domination Schedule indeed.

Happy Birthday is the full 70s-pop influenced band from Kyle Thomas of King Tuff.

New Annuals EP: Sweet Sister

Much loved Raleigh band Annuals return on March 30th with the release of a new EP titled Sweet Sister. This will be the follow-up to their first two records, Be He Me and major label debut Such Fun.

A Letter to Mr. Conan O'Brien Asking Him To Join The Stark Team

Dear Mr. Conan O'Brien,

In light of recent events -- in which a no-talent assclown held a clueless television network hostage until said network shot itself even deeper in the foot and succumbed to aforementioned no-talent assclown's demands, putting you and your wonderful show in a very tough position -- I write you this letter. I just read your own letter of resignation, and I applaud you for making difficult sacrifices in order to preserve the most established -- though now forever jeopardized -- franchise in the history of broadcast television. Now that you have effectively quit "The Tonight Show" and will be leaving NBC with your dignity in tact, I am sure you have got a bevy of options for your next endeavor on the table and will spend the appropriate amount of time carefully weighing each one. FOX is rumored to be in pursuit of your talents, and ABC has also been mentioned as a possible suitor. However, allow me to present you with another option, less heralded but no less important: coming to work for Stark Online.

It's okay if you haven't heard of us, because not many people have. We are a young blog with roots in New York City and Northeastern Pennsylvania covering mostly independendent music, but we are looking to expand our fledgling empire, and we believe someone with your stature presents us with the perfect opportunity to do so. We'd like to formally invite you to join the Stark team, which already includes over five (five!) different contributors. All you have to do is this: you and your writing and producing team will film a daily hour-long show with comedy bits and celebrity guests and upload it to a YouTube account of your choice. That's it! We'll do the rest. We can then embed that YouTube video into this blog, and stream it to over 300 (300!) of our daily visitors. We can't actually offer you the viewership or money that say, a FOX, can. But we can offer you a winning smile, and the occasional linking on The Music Slut and Brooklyn Vegan. Most importantly, we will offer you the job security and friendship that NBC never could provide for you, not to mention a more formidable lead-in than a failed 10 p.m. talk show: a couple of copied-and-pasted press releases with free, downloadable mp3s.

In closing, I sincerely appreciate your consideration of our offer. We've been gigantic fans of yours forever, and we all hope you'll decide to join our family and start a happy, healthy relationship with us for years to come. Also, Fuck Jay Leno.

Cordially,

Andrew Daniels
Editor and Co-Founder of Stark Online

Two More Reasons to Be Excited

So it's all been building up to this after Andrew scored the exclusive scoop that Dr. Dog had signed to Anti Records months and months ago. Shame Shame comes out April 6th with a 10 week tour to follow (after the jump). The press release promises that:

The stylistic reference points of Dr. Dog remain on Shame, Shame but with a darker tone. It's an album whose themes of doubt, confusion and unanswered questions are soothed by bright harmonies, taut guitar riffs and soaring melodies.

[mp3] Plants and Animals: "Tom Cruz"

Plants and Animals have announced their new album La La Land, which Secret City will release on April 20th. Their first track "Tom Cruz" is available above. We saw Plants and Animals open for Blitzen Trapper, and honestly, it wasn't the best show. Yet, this is a band with much promise and talent, so we are excited to hear what their music sounds like now they are a bit older. The press release reports a larger rock sound that is more mature and focused, yet still original and eclectic. Sounds good to us.

DR. DOG TOUR DATES (more to be announced):

January 27 Revolution Hall Troy, NY *
January 28 Higher Ground Burlington, VT *
January 29 Lupo's Providence, RI *
January 30 Westcott Theatre Syracuse, NY *
February 1 Mohawk Place Buffalo, NY *
February 3 The Pike Room Pontiac, MI *
February 4 Turner Hall Milwaukee, WI *
February 5 High Noon Saloon Madison, WI *
February 6 The Mill Iowa City, IA *
February 8 Waiting Room Omaha, NE *
February 9 Rock Island Brewing Co. Rock Island, IL *
February 10 Case Western University Cleveland, OH *
February 11 Video Saloon Bloomington, IN *
February 12 Newport Music Hall Columbus, OH *
February 13 State Theatre State College, PA *
April 14 Lee's Place Toronto, ON
April 15 Blind Pig Ann Arbor, MI
April 16 Metro Chicago, IL
April 17 Fine Line Minneapolis, MN
April 19 Belly Up Aspen, CO
April 20 Gothic Theatre Denver, CO
April 22 Neuroluz Boise, ID
April 23 Wonder Ballroom Portland, OR
April 24 Great American Music Hall San Francisco, CA
April 25 Great American Music Hall San Francisco, CA **
April 27 Henry Fonda Los Angeles, CA **
April 29 Santa Fe Brewing Company Santa Fe, NM **
April 30 The Loft Dallas, TX **
May 1 Emo's Outside Austin, TX **
May 2 Warehouse Live Studio Houston, TX **
May 3 Majestic Fayetteville, AR **
May 5 Workplay Birmingham, AL **
May 6 Cannery Ballroom Nashville, TN **
May 7 Headliners Louisville, KY **
May 11 Paradise Boston, MA **
May 12 Paradise Boston, MA **
May 13 Electric Factory Philadelphia, PA **
May 14 9:30 Club Washington, DC **
May 15 Terminal 5 New York, NY **

* With The Growlers
** With Deertick

International Tour Dates:

May 23 Magnet Berlin, Germany
May 24 Blue Shell Koln, Germany
May 25 Paradiso Amsterdam, Netherlands
May 26 Tabernacle London, UK
May 27 Nouveau Casino Paris, FR
May 29 Primavera Sound Barcelona, Spain

More Than a Few Things to Get Excited About

After watching two excellent American Masters episodes last night on Sam Cooke and Marvin Gaye, we were depressed first off, but knew that we needed to post on the new Sharon Jones record I Learned the Hard Way coming out May 4th on Daptone Records, of course. The press release promises big things, and if it were anyone but Sharon, we wouldn't believe it.

The record drips with warmth and spontaneity rarely found since the golden days of Muscle Shoals and Stax. Sharon's raw power, rhythmic swagger, moaning soulfulness, and melodic command set her firmly alongside Tina Turner, James Brown, Mavis Staples, and Aretha as a fixture in the canon of soul music.

[mp3] Ben Sollee & Daniel Martin Moore: "Something, Somewhere, Sometime"

Vince caught word of Ben Sollee during his Nashville Scene tenure a few years ago. Ben has since made some good decisions, and partnered with Sub Pop's talented Daniel Martin Moore and producer Jim James (yeah that one) to record a stellar new record Dear Companion (Feb 16, Sub Pop). We say "good decisions" as Sollee's solo work showed flashes of Appalachian-style brilliance, but also tended to stray into dangerous Amos Lee territory. Dear Companion focuses on the former songwriting talents, especially as the album is a tribute of sorts to both artists' Kentucky home, and explores the awfulness that is mountaintop removal coal mining. A portion of the proceeds from Dear Companion will benefit Appalachian Voices, "an organization devoted to ending mountaintop removal and finding a better way forward."

Lastly, we have the cover for the new Dum Dum Girls record, which we've been spinning pretty incessantly since it's arrival yesterday afternoon. We caught the new Dum Dum's line-up during CMJ, and take it from us, the Vivian Girls have now become the poor man's Dum Dum Girls. I Will Be comes out March 30th on Sub Pop.

Harlem - NYC Dates

[mp3] Harlem: "Friendly Ghost"

In advance of their much anticipated new record and Matador debut Hippies (April 6th release), Texas trio Harlem are hitting NYC for 3 dates as part of what the Matablog labels a "promo tour." Silly record labels. Whatever they end up doing in their time not playing, we're psyched for these shows and for the new album.

Wed, 2/10 – Mercury Lounge (early show) (tickets)
Fri, 2/12 – Monster Island (with Frankie + The Outs, The Siberians)
Sat, 2/13 – Union Pool -(with Jemina Pearl)

New Motion City Soundtrack Video: "Her Words Destroyed My Planet"

Before I start, let me just say that I don't understand what a Vevo is. What's wrong with the YouTube? Lots of people like the YouTube! Listen, Vevo, I'm allergic to change. And also ragweed. I don't support what you're trying to force on me. This is probably what grandparents feel like all the time. Like, "who needs an Internet if I've got a perfectly good radio right here? FDR is giving his Fireside Chat tonight," your grandparent says. Or, "What is a Lady Gaga? Is she like Rosemary Clooney?" GRANDPARENTS! I am now basically one of those. Back in my day, we used to stream and embed our videos using a YouTube, not a Vevo, and also, the Jersey Shore was just a popular vacation spot. What is a Snooki? Is that like a Lady Gaga?

Anyway, Motion City Soundtrack, you guys. Familiar with them? You should be. They've been plugging away for the last 13 years, perfecting their brand of quirky, Moog-heavy Midwestern rock amidst Meth addictions and lots of hair product. Truth be told, the band probably missed its shot at any kind of serious stardom a few years ago. Yet here they are, shlubby and in their 30's, set to deliver their major label debut and fourth album, My Dinosaur Life. The band could've gone for broke and polished things up in hopes for mass appeal, but instead they got rawer and managed to sound more like Superchunk, which is great for us. They also used all that money to make absurd choregoraphed videos like the one for lead single, "Her Words Destroyed My Planet." The song itself is THEBOMB.COM, littered with idiosyncracies, pop culture references and a chunky riff right off of Pinkerton. The video is aces, too. Watch it above on...ugh, whatever.

My Dinosaur Life hits stores next Tuesday (1/19) via Columbia. The whole thing streams on MySpace beginning tomorrow.

EDIT: The video is now on YouTube.