New Olof Arnalds Video: Crazy Car

[mp3] Olof Arnalds: "Innundir Skinni"

Perhaps we haven't sat long enough with it yet, but Olof Arnalds' new record Innundir Skinni, just doesn't seem to pack the same emotional punch as her previous effort. We are still fully on board with this remarkable talent though, and Innundir Skinni will continue to stay on the playlist until we've given it its full run. This new video for "Crazy Car" debuted by Stereogum certainly helps push the album down the road towards acceptance and love. Olof also looks amazing these days. Glad she grew her hair back!

Ólöf Arnalds: TICKET GIVEAWAY TONIGHT

A true treat for a Monday, we have two guest list spots to giveaway to see Ólöf Arnalds TONIGHT in NY at special show at ROCKWOOD MUSIC HALL. The 4th person to email me at starkny at gmail gets the spots. This will be one of Rockwood's rare ticketed show, and will not be free like most are at this intimate venue. This show should be fantastic, as Ms. Arnalds tends to play larger venues. She was a special guest of Bjork (on her new single) and the Dirty Projectors at their famed Housing Works show last year. We'll see you folks at Rockwood tonight!

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. Several weeks back, 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.

New Ólöf Arnalds and The Books Vids

Ólöf Arnalds: “Innundir Skinn”

The Books: "A Cold Freezing Night"

We're extremely excited for Ms. Arnalds' new record “Innundir Skinn” coming September 14th.

the Books - A Cold Freezin' Night from Paul de Jong / Nick Zammuto on Vimeo.

The Books' brand new video from their album The Way Out (7/20 on Temporary Residence Ltd). "They've spent years going around to thrift stores, picked up Talkboys (recording device made famous in 'Home Alone') and made this song out of random kids' recordings."

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.

Northside Picks for Tonight

Photo: Chris La Putt for BV

While there is a TON of Northside Festival stuff going on tonight, including a BBQ at Studio B and the Hold Steady at Music Hall (BV has a good round up of events) our picks for tonight are the amazing bill of Olof Arnalds and Sharon Van Etten at Union Pool, and Ducktails at Cameo. Ducktails produce a gauzy, summery-sounding electronic music that is as pleasant as sipping Campari while sitting on a plastic beach chair around an inflatable kiddie pool somewhere in New Jersey. We mean that in a cool, badass, fun kind of way.

ANYWAY. We would be remiss in not expounding again on how great Olof Arnalds and Sharon Van Etten are. Listen to their music on myspace (click their names) and see for yourself. We're heading out to pick up our badges and shoes!!

New Ólöf Arnalds mp3 & Nite Jewel Tour Announcement

[MP3]
Ólöf Arnalds - "Við og Við" (VIA)

Ólöf Arnalds subtly made her way into the US over the past few years as more and more people discovered the delicate wintry folk music contained on her stellar debut Við og Við. The great news is, she's just finished recording her second record in Iceland, enlisting the help of producer Kjartan Sveinsson from Sigur rós along with musicians Skuli Sverrisson (Laurie Anderson), Shahzad Ismaily (whooo) (Tom Waits, Bonnie 'Prince' Billy), and Davíð Þór Jónsson (Mugison). We caught her last September at Le Poission Rouge as she captivated the audience with guest spots from Nico Muhley, Ismaily, and Sam Amidon. Arnalds has announced several NY dates including a special show with Bjork and the Dirty Projectors (!!). Can't wait for this one.

May 5th- Union Hall- Brooklyn
May 6th- Sycamore- Brooklyn
May 7th- Scandinavia House (Volvo Hall), NYC
May 8th- Housing Works Bookstore Cafe w/Björk and The Dirty Projectors- NYC

In other tour news...

[MP3]
Nite Jewel "Weak For Me"

Longtime Stark fave Nite Jewel has teamed up with new Stark sort-of-fave Telepathe for a run of dates only on the west coast (boo). See those dates after the jump!



NITE JEWEL

May 28 2009 The Smell Los Angeles, California
Jun 04 2009 Oasis Oakland, California
Jun 05 2009 Aunty Mo's Eureka, California
Jun 07 2009 Northern Olympia, Washington
Jun 09 2009 Biltmore Cabaret Vancouver, British Columbia *
Jun 10 2009 Chop Suey Seattle, Washington *
Jun 11 2009 Holocene Portland, Oregon *
Jun 12 2009 Bottom of the Hill San Francisco, California *
Jun 13 2009 The Smell Los Angeles, California *#
Jun 16 2009 Detroit Bar Costa Mesa, California *
Jun 17 2009 Modified Arts Phoenix, Arizona *

* = w/ Telepathe
# = w/ Abe Vigoda

Cowboy Songs

[mp3]
Sam Amidon "Saro" (Removed upon request)

I'm not really one for posting a lot of personal stuff on this blog, mostly it's tour news, mp3s and the like. But I have to say, for some reason Vermont native Sam Amidon is really doing it for me today. His soft folk songs are some of the most authentic and true sounding American music compositions I've heard in a long time. They're slow, mournful and lonesome, recalling the American west at sundown or some snow storm out on the plains. Just wanted to let you all know that you should really check him out if you haven't. Amidon collaborates with a ton of amazing musicians like Nico Muhley, Olof Arnalds, Doveman, and Shahzad Ismaily. Amidon's newest record is called All is Well and he is coming to New York's Mercury Lounge with Anthallo on March 4th. See him shooting a can Townes Van Zandt style while singing shirtless after the jump. Yeah, he's a little out. UPDATE: "Saro" video also included ATJ.



cowboy song from Sam Amidon on Vimeo.

"Saro"

Lau Nau - Nuuku

I seem to be quickly amassing a collection of excellent female "folk" singers from Scandinavia. The most recent addition is Finnish artist Lau Nauaka, aka Laura Naukkarinen. I got this track last week in my Other Music weekly update, and have since checked out the whole record Nuuku released 5/13. This is Lau Nau's follow up to her critically acclaimed debut record Kuutarha. She made the perfect video for this song. It basically sums up all the reasons I like this stuff - snow, woods, winter...
If you like this - be sure to check out Olof Arnalds, whose great record Vid Og Vid came out last year. Lau Nau's video is after the jump.
Lau Nau "Painovoimaa Valoa" mp3

INDIANA JONES COUNTDOWN: 3 Days