Mount Wittenberg Orca

Sorry for the copy and paste folks, you know that usually not our style. Time sensitive today, but we wanted to get something up on this unique and creative project between the Dirty Projectors and Bjork that goes to a good cause. You can go here http://www.mountwittenbergorca.com for the album. It is currently a digital-only release with proceeds to the National Geographic Society Ocean Initiative. Mount Wittenberg Orca is out today. Streaming track below.

Mount Wittenberg Orca is called Mount Wittenberg Orca because it is about whales, it was inspired by events on Mt. Wittenberg in California, and because it elaborates on David Longstreth's obsession with vocal harmony introduced on Dirty Projectors' 2009 album Bitte Orca. This seven-song, twenty-one minute collection is the first original music Dirty Projectors have recorded since Bitte Orca, and it feels more like a small album than an EP. It is also their most staggering collaboration yet — with the Icelandic artist Björk.

The music — originally written to be performed unamplified in a small Manhattan bookstore [Housing Works] — was guided by a conversation between Longstreth and Björk about the small theaters in Italy where opera was born in the 1500s. The recording was informed by the simple, direct feel of early rock & roll recordings from the '50s. The band and Björk rehearsed for three days at the Rare Book Room in Brooklyn, and then recorded the songs as quickly and as live as possible, overdubbing only lead vocals and solos. The result feels like part children's story, part choral music from some strange future.

Dirty Projectors + Björk- All We Are by DominoRecordCo

Another Good Video!

Restless People - Victimless Crime from Sean Mattison on Vimeo.

[MP3] Restless People - "Victimless Crime"

We are sure you have seen this already, but we had to send one out to a close friend of Stark's who just happens to be a die hard Pee Wee Herman fan. The song is Restless People "Victimless Crime." They have a sense of humor. It is Wednesday and some of us have half days on Friday. Rock!

(VIA)

Two Excellent New Vids

The Morning Benders: "Stitches"

Julian Lynch: "In New Jersey"

Like a generous extra helping of some decadent dessert, we get the second half of Yours Truly's Morning Benders' shoot. Today, we get "Stitches." (VIA)

[mp3] Julian Lynch: "Mare"

We're admittedly still "absorbing" the Best New Music dubbed album "Mare" from Jersey's rising Julian Lynch. It's swirling, psychedelic, and dense. We don't expect to be able to jump right into the middle of this record, so we're giving it it's ample time to grow and fester in our brains. For now though, we LOVE this new video for closing track "In New Jersey" debuted by GVB.

Best Coast "Boyfriend"

[mp3] Best Coast: "Boyfriend"

Bethany Cosentino is the lady of the moment right now. It's all been bubbling up over the past year or more, through singles, live shows, an EP, a burgeoning love affair, and a great twitter account (she's psyched for the newest Real Housewives of NJ ep). We've been publicly whining about not having the record yet (I think today's the day folks); but we're willing to accept the degradation from the twittersphere in exchange for what, from the likes of everything we've heard to date including this new single, will be a noisy, nostalgic, tastefully lo-fi, summer beach romp through the alt-rock indie-pop universe. Crazy For You drops July 27th on Mexican Summer.

New Video: Marina & The Diamonds - "Oh No!"

[mp3] Marina & The Diamonds: "Oh No! (Active Child Remix)"

"Oh No!" is easily the best track off Marina & The Diamonds' 2010 debut record, The Family Jewels (Chop Shop). This album has been described in many ways, but it is highly accessible, buoyant, dance-inducing and shares in the UK pop-flare of say a Florence & The Machine or La Roux. If you weren't a fan of Marina before, this video/song may change your mind.

Rough Trade Signs Dylan LeBlanc

[mp3] Dylan LeBlanc: "If Time Was For Wasting"

Judging by what we've heard, Rough Trade has landed another gem of an artist with Dylan LeBlanc. This Louisiana native who splits his time between his Shreveport home and Nashville, records with a full and warm sound, lacing each song with generous amounts of pedal steel and organ swells. Yet, it's LeBlanc's vocals that keep his music from falling into the everyday singer/songwriter bin. Falling somewhere between Neil Young and Robin Pecknold, there is a distinct southern flair to his delivery and that intangible quality that makes the melodies memorable. The 20 year old LeBlanc's debut album Pauper's Field comes out August 24 on Rough Trade. You can read Geoff Travis' compelling story behind LeBlanc's signing after the jump. Dylan LeBlanc plays Joe's Pub in New York July 21st.
ABOUT SIGNING DYLAN LEBLANC – by Geoff Travis

Dylan LeBlanc came into my life quite by chance. A friend called Jon Tiven was visiting from Nashville. He was trying to interest me in a Souhern Rock Opera that he had written and recorded with a view to getting me to release it. It has some illustrious soul singers from yesteryear singing lead on some of the tracks. However I am pathologically averse to going back into the past, having flirted disastrously with this idea previously. The Sandie Shaw project instigated by Morrissey springs to mind, being in a hotel room with the lovely Roger McGuinn and having to tell him that the new songs he had just played me on his twelve string guitar were not actually my cup of tea, trying to convince Arthur Lee that David Roback should be producing his new record, when all he wanted to talk about was the fact that he had himself played every note on the early Love records, are just a few examples.

I was chatting to Jon and his partner Sally when they casually mentioned that they had recently seen a young man that had completely mesmerized them. They said he had a voice that fell somewhere between Ray La Montagne and Neil Young and that he was one of the best they had ever seen.

They were not his managers or his agents or his lawyers or his accountants. They just liked him as an artist. Now these two people are not just ordinary music folk. They count Steve Cropper amongst their best friends and they seem able to get Teenie Hodges, the sublime guitar player who adorns so many great Al Green records, on the phone. Something in me snapped to attention and I asked who this young man was that they were describing. They said he was called Dylan LeBlanc and he lives in or near Shreveport in Louisiana and they had seen him play in a small club in Nashville.

Dylan is now signed to Rough Trade and his story is just beginning. But like all stories of this kind, he has been preparing for it all his life. He was signed to Fame Music which is the publishing arm that grew out of the great Muscle Shoals recording complex. Rick Hall is it's head and you can find his name on the credits of some of the greatest records to ever come out of the American South. Wilson Pickett and Aretha Franklin amongst them. Rick signed Dylan to Fame Music. He was signed as soon as he was legally of age to do so. Part of the deal was that Dylan got access to the studio, where he recorded his debut album.

Pauper’s Field, which was mixed by Trina Shoemaker in Nashville in March of this year will be his first release. Dylan turned 20 years of age recently and he has been performing since he was 15 years old. Playing around the Louisiana area, often travelling by himself to play in a tiny bar hundreds of miles from home, learning his craft and trying out new songs - always writing and trying out new ideas and soaking up the rich culture of his southern homeland.

He sounds like he has lived several lives already and has the melancholy soul of a great Southern soul singer many times his age. In reality he is just a young man making his first steps into the world of music. A world he has had no choice but to participate in. It is in his blood and it is in his soul. I feel lucky to be able to help bring these songs to your attention.

Country Hip Hop Dancing.

Sorry folks, but this just had to go up. Pretty much sums up how we are feeling this lazy Friday afternoon. Pigeon!

(Via Vulture.)

Justin Townes Earle to Release Harlem River Blues

Justin Townes Earle: son of the infamous Steve Earle, illustrious emerging songwriter on the Americana/Folk scene, sharply dressed man, and at times, our neighbor. It's hard to miss this roughnecked, finely suited, lanky fellow when romping around in the East Village -- on occasion, Earle can be found sipping a pint at 11th St. Bar, or wandering Ave. A with Jason Isbell. Either or, once you listen to JTE's music, he will manage to stay with you one way or another.

We are very pleased to announce the upcoming release of this, JTE's thrid record, Harlem River Blues on Bloodshot Records, September 14. After releasing Midnight at the Movies to much critical acclaim in 2009, JTE slowly began emerging from his father's shadow (if he was ever even in it to begin with) and making a name for himself. With songs as grippingly powerful as "Mama's Eyes"  and "Midnight at the Movies" coupled with playfully jaunting tracks such as "South Georgia Sugar Babe," and "Black Eyed Suzy," JTE is the whole package. His music works for those lonely days in 11th St. Bar, or that night out at your favorite honky tonk -- Earle knows music, and does not disappoint.

Hank and The Cupcakes Cover Joy Division

Yes Karp, we were listening! Thanks to our loyal photog, we're now totally sold on the Brooklyn drum & bass duo Hank and The Cupcakes. While we'll have more on this excellent group soon including some of Karp's own photos, we wanted to share this new video of the two covering the timeless Joy Division tune "She's Lost Control." What we've heard from Hank's seven track s/t EP combined with the accolades bestowed on their music and live show are enough to make even the most hardened bloggers stop and take notice. We're glad we did.

New Crocodiles: "Sleep Forever"

[mp3] Crocodiles: "Sleep Forever"

Fat Possum is cruising for the title of label of the year, at least in the minds of the Stark staff. Feels like every freaking record we write about is from them, wtf. Anyway, a year and change ago, we got hooked on Crocodiles. Not really sure why this duo, out of such an endless sea of like-minded groups, caught our eyes and ears, but they did, and we're cool with it. They managed to even put on one of the more memorable shows at Pianos we've seen in quite some time. This dirty fuzzed out duo with a serious Jesus and Mary Chain fetish are back with a new record, Sleep Forever, coming out September 14th. We have the title track for you above. While the duo are known for their thick programmed beats and loud guitars, Sleep Forever promises a "lush" sound, courtesy of a full band. The new track certainly delivers in a strong way, still drawing from a very brit-rock background, but with a more varied and layered approach. Certainly enough to whet our appetites for what this full length has to offer.

Woods: "Death Rattles"

[mp3] Woods: "I Was Gone"

Here's the newest video from one of our favorite records of the year so far, Woods' At Echo Lake. Enjoy. Dir by Sophia Peer.

Four Score and Seven

Site & Sound: Titus Andronicus from VanLou Media on Vimeo.

[mp3] Titus Andronicus: "A More Perfect Union"

The good folks at Site and Sound / Vanlou Media have scored another gem, this time with New Jersey natives and long-time Stark favorites Titus Andronicus. I still hold onto my contention that watching dude hack off his beard with dull desk scissors during one of the last real McCarren Park shows was one of the more badass rock and roll moves I've seen in a long time. Titus' The Monitor (XL) is a front-runner for many a year end list. Including ours. Shit, it's about the Civil War after all. Site and Sound caught up with the band during a homecoming at Maxwells after a grueling stretch on the road. Speaking of grueling road stretches, Titus are embarking upon an equally epic road stretch this weekend at Northside running through September. Check out the just announced dates after the jump.

Titus Andronicus:

06-26 Brooklyn, NY - Barge Park (Northside Festival) *
07-01-04 Roskilde, Denmark - Roskilde Festival
07-10 New Haven, CT - Lily's Pad #
07-11 Northampton, MA - Pearl Street #
07-12 Albany, NY - Valentines #
07-13 Buffalo, NY - Ninth Ward #
07-14 Toronto, Ontario - Horseshoe Tavern #
07-15 Grand Rapids, MI - Intersection Lounge #
07-16 Chicago, IL - Subterranean (Pitchfork Music Festival Afterparty)
07-17 Chicago, IL - Pitchfork Music Festival
08-21 Boston, MA - Royale %
08-22 Montreal, Quebec - Il Motore %
08-23 Ottowa, Ontario - Mavericks %
08-25 Ithaca, NY - Castaways %
08-26 Columbus, OH - Summit
08-27 Toledo, OH - Mickey Finn's
08-28 St. Louis, MO - LouFest
08-29 Memphis, TN - Hi Tone
08-30 Little Rock, AR - Rev Room
08-31 Dallas, TX - Sons of Hermann Hall
09-10 Vancouver, British Columbia - Biltmore Cabaret %
09-11 Portland, OR - Backspace / MusicFest NW
09-12 Seattle, WA - Tractor Tavern
09-13 Boise, ID - Neurolux %
09-14 Salt Lake City, UT - Kilby Court
09-15 Denver, CO - Bluebird
09-16 Omaha, NE - Waiting Room %
09-17 Minneapolis, MN - Triple Rock Social Club
09-19 Newport, KY - Southgate House %
09-20 Atlanta, GA - The Earl %
09-21 Durham, NC - Duke Coffeehouse %
09-22 Charlottesville, VA - Jefferson Theatre %
09-23 Philadelphia, PA - First Unitarian Church %
09-24 Washington, DC - Rock and Roll Hotel %

* with Cults, Male Bonding
# with Hallelujah the Hills
% with Free Energy

Luyas, Long Overdue

The Luyas | Live @ The Rialto | Montreal, QC from A Story Told Well on Vimeo.

[mp3] Luyas: "Tiny Head"

In honor of our recent trip to the north country, we decided it's time to get up a long overdue post on Montreal's Luyas. This band's cache has slowly (more like rapidly) been growing, capped off by a special invite from The National to play their "secret" venue next to Other Music during release week for High Violet. Luyas, being the good sports they are packed a bag lunch, woke up at dawn, and drove all the way to NY for a 40 minute non-paying gig. We caught up with the band that night, and were sufficiently wowed by their tastefully arty approach to disjointed indie rock. Lead singer Jessie Stein's pointed vocal attack is the clear centerpiece of the group, but her bandmates are crack musicians in their own right, adding different elements of percussion, keys and guitar to give Luyas' driving melodies a unique texture and style. They have a new record coming this Fall and a few NY dates around Northside. Dig those after the jump.

6/24 - Roof Top Film Festival - The lawn at Williamsburg Automotive High School - Brooklyn
6/25 - Party Expo W/ ADULT THEMES, Yvette, Ava Luna & More... - Brooklyn
6/26 - Backyard BBQ W/ Team B - 274 Devoe Street, Brooklyn
6/27 - Brooklyn Vegan / This Week In Indie Showcase (Northside Festival) - CoCo66 - Brooklyn

The Boss + Gaslight Anthem's Brian Fallon = Good

This video just surfaced over at, where else, but Pitchfork -- a live from Hyde Park in London session. While we tend to shy away from "re-posts," if we can, this was just too good to pass up. It's not so much the song (which is fantastic in its own right), it is more just the face of Gaslight Anthem's Brian Fallon. He just stands there, belting out the second verse of "No Surrender" and it almost brings him to tears. He made it. Standing on stage next to a rock legend such as the Boss is moving in its own right, but Fallon & Co. have gone father then they ever dreamed. We all know the story of the Gaslight Anthem. We know the many opinions, good or bad, but this video can be looked upon as one of the many crowning moments in this frontman and this bands' career. With American Slang, Gaslight's fourth record,  just releasing a week ago, Brian Fallon and these gritty Jersey boys are staying afloat, and letting you know they won't ever drown along the way.

Northside Festival 2010! June 24-27

Sorry for the lack of posts folks -- we are spread out all over hell these days...spread thin if you will. Regardless, we are very pleased to annouce that the Northside Festival is back for another year. That's right. L Magazine was able to swing another Heineken/Soco-sponsored romp through the heart of Williamsburg. This year's line up includes: Bottle Up & Go, BRAHMS,. Drink Up Buttercup, Elvis Perkins, Fucked Up, The Golden Filter, Les Savy Fav, MillionYoung, Real Estate, Titus Andronicus, Wavves and more.

Full schedule after the jump!


Northside 2010 Full Schedule.

Lissie's Official Video for "When I'm Alone"

We know you have seen this already, but we had to post it at of pure respect for an artist. and soon a debut record that will know no bounds. Lissie's debut LP titled, Catching a Tiger is due out on June 21 via Fat Possum. We've said it before, but this will be the best release of 2010.

Pre-order the record here. We'll take the vinyl, digital and physical when it drops. Thank you.

YAWN

[mp3] YAWN: "Kind of Guy"

Although we deride "neon, wolves, triangles and headbands" in our twitter profile, we're making an exception this morning for Chicago collective Yawn, who debuted their first video for "Kind of Guy" today on Pitchfork. Yawn falls into the burgeoning ranks of tropical-infused summer indie-pop (see: The Drums), but their catchy little ditty stuck with us this morning. We never managed to catch Yawn while they were in NY post SXSW, but we're pretty sure they'll be back fairly soon.

War on Drugs + Here We Go Magic CD Release Show @ MHOW

We're a bit late in posting this review, but last Tuesday we had the pleasure of checking out Philadelphia's War on Drugs and Brooklyn's favorite electro-rockers Here We Go Magic -- Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson was also on the bill, but we didn't get a chance to check him out. It was a celebratory show as HWGM released their newest album titled, Pigeons that day via Secretly Canadian.

War on Drugs have been an enigma wrapped in an engima; after releasing, Wagonwheel Blues in 2008 (#7 on Vince's 'Best of'" list,) aside from a few small tours, we haven't hear much about their musical pursuits. What we knew was we loved that record especially the standout tune, "A Needle in Your Eye #16" (video above.) We also love Secretly Canadian! Tuesday night, we put a face on the Drugs -- their show was rough-edged at times with finicky feedback issues and a couple missed drug hits, but the energy was there. They tended to jam on a bit in a haze of reverb heavy vocal lines and guitar riffs, but the experience was heady and ultimately rewarding for a Tuesday night show.

Hear more about the show including notes on an illuminated dimond/Here We Go Maigc after the jump.
The Drugs were nothing short of consistent, weaving their songs together to produce a great ambient feel with lots up emotional ups and downs. While their live show could still use some variable tweaks, it was good to see a band play some of our favorite tunes albeit at times meddled together too much for our liking. Keep rocking Drugs! Their new album is due this summer.

The headliners, Here We Go Magic are the brain child of Like Temple -- the man is a visionary for electro-pop riffs with a rock tinge, while at times, hitting vocal notes reminiscent of Paul Simon. Here We Go Magic took up the entire stage at MHOW with six pieces; joining them, in the background was a color-changing diamond which reminded us of Arcade Fire's stage set up with the luminescent halogen light rods. Again, we were hit with a super heady performance with lots of electro-jamming. Our one major criticism could be the liner-ness of the show, ultimate lacking that "wow" factor. But hey, people were smoking pot, grooving and feeling the vibe which, as a band, is a good accomplishment for a late Tuesday night show. We are big fans of the new record and look forward to a good summer for these Brooklynites.

New Video from Mark Ronson -- "Bang Bang Bang"

Check out Mark Ronson and The Business Intl's newest video for "Bang Bang Bang (feat. Q-Tip and MNDR)" off his upcoming album, Record Collection due on June 14 via RCA Records. Holla!

Bhang Bhang

[mp3] Dum Dum Girls: "Bhang Bhang, I'm a Burnout"

In honor of their doppelgangers (hereby known as the Smart Smart Girls) who crashed our little World Cup bar party yesterday with an impromptu bathroom break, pouty faces and wanna-be Janis Joplin sunglasses, we're posting this video by their far more talented superiors. Definitely our favorite track from their excellent Sub Pop debut I Will Be. See, again, the fidelity of the recording doesn't matter. Just write good songs.

Club 8 Release New Single - "Shape Up!"

[MP3] Club 8 -- "Shape Up!"

Every once in awhile, an album comes out of left field to smack you in the face with its surprising depth, quality and "fun factor;" we give you Club 8's seventh record to-date aptly titled, The People's Record. Originally a Swedish dream-pop band harnessing the more reserved and gloomy part of the psyche, Club 8 have revamped their sound; what inspired this change? A quick jaunt to Brazil where they soon embraced Latin, Western African and even Cuban rhythms. The end result is a buoyant, fun and easy-listening summer record that is soon to inspire collaborations with David Byrne, Vampire Weekend or even the controversial MIA (we think! You heard it from this blogger first.) After premiering their first video for single one, "Western Hospitality" (video after the jump) we are now pleased to offer you "Shape Up!" above; this is definitely one of the strongest tunes on the record.

Enjoy a great weekend, with this fantastic record.


Club 8 "Western hospitality" from Labrador Records on Vimeo.

Ólöf Arnalds Announces Innundir Skinni

Ólöf Arnalds: "Surrender" [ft. Björk]

It's been several years since the initial release of Ólöf Arnalds' breakout record Við og Við, which was reissued stateside and followed by a very successful smattering of tour dates which brought the Icelandic Arnalds to the forefront of the US critical consciousness. Yet, all the success and touring meant an inevitably longer wait for new material. Yesterday, One Little Indian announced the release of her new album Innundir Skinni (Sept 14) produced by Sigur Ros’ Kjartan Sveinsson and Davíð Þór Jónsson and featuring contributions from Björk, Skúli Sverrisson (Laurie Anderson, Lou Reed) and the always amazing Shahzad Ismaily (Tom Waits, Bonnie "Prince" Billy). See her cover Arthur Russell's "Close My Eyes" after the jump.

Ólöf Arnalds - Close My Eyes (Arthur Russell cover) from lofi.tv on Vimeo.

Rock and Roll In America: It Just Keeps Getting Funnier

Tim Emmerick - Stark Contributing Writer

I’ve got a joke for you. It’s a real screamer. You ready?

What do David Byrne, Rush and Don Henley all have in common?

Give up?

All of these multi-platinum selling artists have are currently taking legal action against Republican senatorial candidates for stealing their music.

David Byrne is not the picture of a GOP supporter so it came as a bit of a shock last month when friends in Florida asked him why he lent “Road to Nowhere” to governor Charlie Crist for his senatorial campaign. Byrne was never contacted about the song and Crist’s campaign made no attempt to license the 1985 hit.

Byrne has since enlisted the help of copyright lawyer Lawrence Iser to file suit against Crist’s campaign. Iser, it turns out, is the man to call when robbed by an arrogant politician. In 2008, Iser successfully sued then presidential candidate John McCain on behalf of Jackson Browne for using a song repeatedly in a national ad campaign.

"People that I knew had seen [the ad] so it had gotten around,” Byrne recently told the BBC. "It's not about politics, it's about copyright and about the fact that it does imply that I would have licensed it and endorsed him and whatever he stands for."

Iser adds: “I was fairly astonished that this soon after the settlement of Browne v McCain, yet another politician with national aspirations is doing this again.”

READ MORE AFTER THE JUMP

Within weeks of Byrne’s suit, a California judge ordered senatorial candidate Chuck DeVore to suspend use of Don Henley’s hits “Boys of Summer” and “All She Wants To Do Is Dance." DeVore went to the length of rerecording new versions of the tracks to avoid paying Henley for licenses.

Not to be out done by his GOP cohorts, Kentucky candidate Rand Paul also got into a little Winona Rider action. Being the total douchestain, errrr I mean "edgy libertarian" that he is, the new face of the Tea Baggers chose Rush's "Spirit of the Radio" as the backing track for recent events. Paul not only signed off on the illegal use of the track but then also quoted Rush lyrics repeatedly in during a recent appearance. Rush's legal team has also filed a cease and desist order against Paul saying, "this is not a political issue — this is a copyright issue. We would do this no matter who it is." Yeah, right.

Disgustingly, these are just the current cases. Sarah Palin and John McCain were sued repeatedly for stealing music in 2008 with suits from Heart, Foo Fighters, John Mellencamp, Jackson Browne, and Van Halen. Even our liberal darling President Obama got into the act, helping himself to Sam & Dave’s soul classic “Hold On I’m Comin.”

I once found it somehow comforting to say thing like “these politicians are crooks.” Nowadays, though, I find it harder than ever to escape the fact that I am my politicians and they are me. I don’t respect music or musicians, so why would my politicians? If I don't stand up for the artists I love, can I blame politicians for ripping them off? Not without blaming myself first. The music business has been full of questions for the last decade, but maybe best thing we can do is to elect as many thieves as possible, steal as much music as possible and put as many artists out on the streets as we can. Perhaps when Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber, and 60 million YouTubers playing the same O.A.R. cover are the only music we have left we’ll figure out a way to support those who truly enrich our lives?

New Label, New Band

[mp3] Burnt Ones: "Bury Me in Smoke"
[mp3] Burnt Ones: "Gonna Listen to T.Rex (All Night Long)
[mp3] Burnt Ones: "Bring You All My Love"

Indiana band Burnt Ones will have the first album released on the brand new label, Roaring Colonel Records, started by online favorite My Old Kentucky Blog.

We haven't gotten a chance to dig into this one fully yet, but the Burnt Ones' album, Black Teeth & Golden Tongues (8/10, Roaring Colonel) is described tantalizingly in the PR as:

fuzzed out rock 'n' roll built on hazy melodies and sleazed-out electric rhythm. Their sound recalls Brian Wilson at his most Phil Spector obsessed, the warped pop ears of Joe Meek, sleazy T. Rex stomp and a little Spacemen 3 thrown in for good measure, while staying within throwing distance of like-minded groups such as Thee Oh Sees, Dum Dum Girls and Ty Segall.

Tour dates after the jump.

Burnt Ones on Tour:
June 2nd - Fort Wayne, IN - The Pint & Slice
June 3rd - Cleveland, OH - Now That's Class!
June 4th - Brooklyn, NY - Party Expo
June 6th - New York City, NY - Pianos
June 7th - Washington D.C. - DC9 w/ MillionYoung
June 18th - Louisville, KY - Zanzabar
June 19th - Nashville, TN - Bettys w/ Heavy Cream
June 21st - Bloomington, IN - The Bishop w/ Vacation Club & The Brothers Gross
June 22nd - Rock Island, iL - Rock Island Brewing Company w/ Peter Wolf Crier
June 23rd - Daytrotter Session
June 23rd - Minneapolis, MN - The Hexagon w/ Leisure Birds, American Cream
June 24th - Chicago, IL - Let's Get Weird @ Evil Olive
June 25th - Lafayette, IN - 815 Union w/ Eric & the Happy Thoughts
June 26th - Dayton, OH - South Park Tavern
June 27th - Indianapolis, IN - The Vollrath - w/ Woven Bones & We Are Hex

The Futurebirds Did Mercury...We Enjoyed.

[mp3] Futurebirds: "Johnny Utah"

Photos by Karp

We could start this review a few different ways: talking about the southern, sorority sister-laden crowd; the eclectic band image; or the powerful, rustic, American rock and roll that is the Stark Band to Watch, Futurebirds' live show. Either way, you wouldn't be disappointed. These Georgia-natives carry a humbled, rocker-mystique, which is evident only in a face-to-face meeting. On stage, it is a pure tour de force, with raucous instrumental romps, ambitious vocal pursuits and vamped-up everything, including the songs from their upcoming LP Hampton's Lullaby (7/13 Autumn Tone). For such a large band, upwards to six pieces, the Futurebirds keep it tight and keep it real...no bullshit here.

We situated ourselves front-row center to get the full dosage, rubbing elbows with your atypical Mercury Lounge crowd. These Georgians brought on stage a blond haired, Greek-inspired-ballet flat-wearing backing vocalist midway through the show. Stereotypes abound, she looked like a sorority sister, and our questions were soon answered as her 'sisters' were to our left and right. Some of us were more than happy leaning in to the crowded bar for a slap-in-the-face $4 PBR, smelling perfume with blond locks in our face, rather than BO and, no hair? Anyway, you get the point.

While the debutante crowd was an initial distraction, we came away from the show remembering the meaty tunes, thick guitar attack, and sweaty chaos The Futurebirds brought to every song. There was this charming early 90s college-rock sound and image to the group that left us walking away from the Mercury that night with images of fresh faced Tweedys and Farrars battling it out in our brain against short black dress-wearing blond girls. Who eventually won that battle? We'll never tell. See the rest of Karp's photos after the jump.

Memoryhouse Tour w/ Twin Sister

[MP3] Memoryhouse: "Lately (Deuxieme)"

Another "chill" artist that has struck our fancy these past few months are the excellent Canadian duo Memoryhouse. Not to use this quickly rising group as a platform for pontification, but they are a clear example of the rule that if you write focused and lasting compositions, people will pay attention regardless of genre. Aka, don't be lo-fi for lo fidelity's sake - WRITE GOOD SONGS. Memoryhouse have a free ep, and a huge tour coming up with some big names including fellow "buzz" band, the ace outfit Twin Sister. Memoryhouse's full LP Looms of Youth is due later this year. Check out the dates after the jump. See their video for "Lately (Deuxime)" here.

Memoryhouse Tour Dates:
Jun 21 Hamilton ON - This Ain't Hollywood
Jun 24 Paris France - Le Point Epherme
Jun 28 London UK - Hyde Park w/ Grizzly Bear
Jun 29 London UK - White Heat w/ Diamond Rings
Jul 1 London UK - Lexington w/ Yuck
Jul 2 London UK - The Social w/ How To Dress Well, Treasure
Jul 4 Brighton UK - Freebutt
Jul 9 Naas Ireland - Oxegen Festival w/ Jay-Z, Arcade Fire, etc.
Jul 17 London UK - Lovebox Festival w/ Roxy Music, Empire Of The Sun
Jul 21 Diksmuide Belgium - 4AD
Jul 24 Hyeres France - Midi Festival
Jul 28 Fresno CA - Frank's Place w/ Baths
Jul 29 Los Angeles CA - Echoplex w/ Nite Jewel and Kisses
Jul 30 Santa Cruz CA - The Mill Gallery w/ Baths
Jul 31 San Francisco CA - Rickshaw Stop w/ Baths
Aug 7 Wolfe Island ON - Wolfe Island Music Fest w/ The Weakerthans
Aug 9 Boston MA - Great Scott
Aug 10 Hartford CT - Café Nine w/ Twin Sister
Aug 11 New York NY - Mercury Lounge w/ Twin Sister
Aug 12 Brooklyn NY - Monster Island w/ Twin Sister
Aug 14 Charlotte NC - Snug Harbor w/ Twin Sister
Aug 16 Nashville TN - The End w/ Twin Sister
Aug 17 Atlanta GA - The Earl w/ Twin Sister
Aug 18 Orlando FL - Backbooth w/ Twin Sister
Aug 19 Tampa FL - Crowbar w/ Twin Sister
Aug 20 Gainesville FL - The Atlantic w/ Twin Sister
Aug 21 Tallahassee FL - The Engine Room w/ Twin Sister
Aug 22 New Orleans LA - One Eyed Jack's
Aug 23 Austin TX - Emo's w/ Twin Sister
Aug 24 Houston TX - Walter's On Washington w/ Twin Sister
Aug 25 Dallas TX - The Loft w/ Twin Sister
Aug 26 Lawrence KS - The Bottleneck
Aug 27 Champaign IL - Canopy Club w/ Twin Sister
Aug 28 Chicago IL - Lincoln Hall
Aug 29 Detroit MI - Majestic Café w/ Twin Sister

New MIA Cover Art

(VIA) We'll let you be the judge. It's definitely one way to go. If there are any issues with this post, you can reach me on my cell -- 610.212.5147. Get a life.

Here We Go Magic CD Release Show

[mp3] Here We Go Magic: "Collector"

Admittedly, we've been spinning this record since it's way-to-early leak several months ago, but that extra time spent with Here We Go Magic's second LP, Pigeons (6/8 Secretly Canadian) has not dulled this ecclectic and compelling band's luster. Pigeons is an entirely different animal (sorry) from HWGM's stellar self-titled debut; the sound is closer in the headphones, and decidedly more analog. Luke Temple's songwriting veers away from the signature "Paul Simon" influence of the debut, while the band sounds tighter and more cohesive. Pigeons is a tough nut to crack, and honestly, the jury is still out with final verdict. It's clearly a step forward for the group as they become more of a band, rather than just a vehicle for Temple's songs. The true test of these tunes will be the live show. Luckily for us, Here We Go Magic will be playing on release day, June 8th at Music Hall of Williamsburg with War on Drugs. War on Drugs are excellent in their own right, yet have A LOT to prove live, after we caught a particularly dismal outing at The Mercury Lounge over a year ago. HWGM tour dates and video after the jump.

US Summer Tour

June 08 - Music Hall of Williamsburg - Brooklyn, NY +
June 10 - Bonnaroo Music Festival - Manchester, TN
July 18 - Pitchfork Music Festival - Chicago, IL
July 19 - The Waiting Room - Omaha, NE *
July 20 - Hi Dive - Denver, CO *
July 22 - Neurolux - Boise, ID *
July 23 - Doug Fir Lounge - Portland, OR *
July 24 - Capitol Hill Block Party - Seattle, WA
July 25 - Media Club - Vancouver, BC *
July 28 - Great American Music Hall - San Francisco, CA *
July 29 - Troubadour - West Hollywood, CA * #
Aug 01 - The Rhythm Room - Phoenix, AZ *
Aug 03 - The LOFT at the Palladium - Dallas, TX *
Aug 04 - Emo's Outside - Austin, TX * #
Aug 06 - The Earl - Atlanta, GA * #
Aug 07 - Cat's Cradle - Carrboro, NC * #
Aug 08 - The Black Cat - Washington, DC *
Aug 09 - Johnny Brenda's - Philadelphia, PA

+ w/ The War on Drugs
* w/ Beach Fossils
# w/CURFEW