Merchandise "Little Killer" Sign to 4AD

Quickly rising Florida band Merchandise has just inked a deal with indie heavy hitter 4AD for the release of their new record After the End (8/25). Their new single "Little Killer" came out today accompanied by lead singer Carson Cox's directorial-debut video. Gareth Jones (Depeche Mode and Tuxedomoon) produced After the End - while Merchandise's post-punk gothy ethos shines through spectacularly. Below the vid is the best song from their last album - "Anxiety's Door."

Purity Ring: "Belispeak"

Definitely the best Purity Ring song released to date. Their highly anticipated 4AD release drops July 24th.

Mark Lanegan: "The Gravedigger’s Song"

[mp3] Mark Lanegan: "The Gravedigger's Song"

While nowhere near true experts on Mark Lanegan's full career catalog dating back to his role as frontman for Screaming Trees, his new album Blues Funeral (2/7 4AD) has been on fairly constant rotation at Stark HQ. Dark, brooding, dramatic and well-written Blues Funeral's lead track "The Gravedigger’s Song" got the video treatment last week directed by Alistair Legrand and produced by Jack Richardson.

New Single From Anni Rossi

[mp3] Anni Rossi: "Crushing Limbs"

Photo: Rollin Hunt

We loved Anni Rossi's last effort Rockwood (4AD), and today, we get a new single, and some news of a forthcoming release. From the PR:

Ahead of her new album this summer, Anni Rossi is ready to air the first new material with "Crushing Limbs" now available to download or stream (above).

About the song's creation, Anni explains "I started using analog synthesizers alongside the viola when I demoed this song. It sparked my interest in making pop songs that initially feel upbeat and bright, but when you listen closely there is a darkness in the lyrics and the sounds that reveal themselves as you get to know the song better."

More details on the album are to follow soon, as are her touring plans. However, already confirmed is her performance the weekend of May 6-8th at the Matt Groening curated All Tomorrow Parties in Minehead, Somerset; her first UK performance in over two years.

Anni Rossi "The West Coast"

[mp3] Anni Rossi "Ecology"

We saw Anni Rossi open for Camera Obscura a few months back, and her 4AD album Rockwell has survived numerous iPod purges since making it's first appearance in early '09. Hopefully, the previous comment doesn't sound trite - Rockwell is a slow grower, but Rossi's voice and expert viola playing give the album staying power, and in this over-saturated market, the true test of an artist has become their sustainability over the course of a year or more. Rossi is a 23 year old from Minnesota, now living in Chicago. She's delivers her songs in tight packages on stage and plays her viola with agression, passion and chops (she's classically trained (of course)). Dig her video above for "The West Coast" directed by Rollin Hunt. (VIA)

St.Vincent's New Album Available for Full-Stream on NPR

Starting tonight at 11:59 p.m. ET, St.Vincent's highly anticipated release, Actor, will be available for full-stream on NPR HERE. The album will only be available for two weeks, so listen early and often. Actor drops May 5 via 4AD, and we are all very excited.

Short Handed

New video from Camera Obscura: "French Navy" off the upcoming release My Maudlin Career due sometime in April on 4AD.

Daytrotter session with Those Darlins.

Idolator report on Guy Hands and his depature from CEO chair of Terra Firma.

GVB: Gorilla vs. Booze SXSW showcase preview.

New video from the Veils via Stereogum: "The Letter" off Sun Gangs (4/7 on Rough Trade)

Pete Seeger, 90th B-Day special at MSG May 3 via Billboard.

Pop & Hiss SXSW photos and bullshit approximately.

St. Vincent Tour Dates - mp3

St. Vincent "The Strangers" mp3

First off, thanks to Lauren Ross for giving us an "I was there when" moment when she first introduced us to St. Vincent at an empty Pianos several years ago. Amazing. (Lauren was in the band at the time!) Besides being one of our artists to watch in '09, St. Vincent has announced a full tour behind her upcoming record Actor due May 4th on 4AD. A few key outlets have the record and all reports back have been stellar. Needless to say - we're pretty psyched! This could be a break-out year for one Ms. Annie Clark. Mp3 above, SXSW details and tour dates after the jump.


"St. Vincent (nee Annie Clark) will preview songs from 'Actor' next week with two performances at SXSW: 11pm on Wednesday, March 18, at the 4AD showcase at Central Presbyterian Church; and 12 midnight on Friday, March 20, at the Billions showcase at Antone's.

'Actor' is available for pre-order now. Early CD and LP orders come with a free limited edition 7" featuring the album track "Actor Out of Work," and the exclusive, non-album track "Bicycle" on the flipside. Go here for more info:
http://www.beggarsgroupusa.com/releases/actor/"

ST. VINCENT 2009 U.S. TOUR DATES
5/19/2009 Somerville, MA Somerville Theatre
5/20/2009 New York, NY Webster Hall
5/21/2009 Philadelphia, PA Unitarian Church
5/22/2009 Washington, DC Black Cat
5/24/2009 George, WA Sasquatch!
5/25/2009 Portland, OR Aladdin Theater
5/27/2009 San Francisco, CA Bimbo's 365 Club
5/28/2009 Los Angeles, CA El Rey Theatre
5/30/2009 San Diego, CA Casbah
5/31/2009 Phoenix, AZ Modified
6/2/2009 Denver, CO Bluebird Theater
6/3/2009 Omaha, NE Slowdown Jr.
6/4/2009 Minneapolis, MN First Avenue
6/5/2009 Milwaukee, WI Pabst Theater
6/7/2009 Chicago, IL Epiphany
6/10/2009 Lexington, KY The Dame
6/11/2009 Nashville, TN Mercy Lounge
6/12/2009 Manchester, TN Bonnaroo
6/16/2009 Birmingham, AL Bottle Tree
6/18/2009 Dallas, TX Granada Theatre
6/19/2009 Austin, TX Mohawk