The Antlers Announce: Familiars

The Antlers, who gave us our #1 album of 2009 in Hospice, announced their 4th album Familiars today - releasing June 17 on Anti. "Palace" below, is a return to the haunting balladry and subtle crescendos that made Hospice so compelling.

The Antlers Announce Burst Apart

[mp3] The Antlers: "Sylvia"

The Antlers: Burst Apart - May 10 via Frenchkiss

In case you forgot, The Antlers' Hospice was my (Matt's) #1 record of 2009. On March 17 at 4:00 p.m. CST, the Antlers will perform at NPR's SXSW Showcase at the Parish. The performance will be broadcast live as part of the public radio station's First Listen series. (VIA)

The Antlers: "Kettering"

What's it been, a few weeks since we posted something on our favorite band of '09 The Antlers? Ok, here you go. This video exclusive for Pitchfork, is a testament to the nuance and maturity the trio has acquired since touring constantly in 2009 behind their break-out record Hospice. This is a group that went from a simple guitar driven rock band of sorts, to a full on musical collective.

The Antlers Take Away

The Antlers - Two / Epilogue - A Take Away Show from La Blogotheque on Vimeo.

The Antlers: number one on "Best of '09" lists with Hospice and number one in our hearts. These guys can really do no wrong; from their strikingly beautiful and "hand-on-chin-inducing" live performances, to this stripped down La Blogoteque Take Away Show (See "Shiva" here.)

We had the immense pleasure of seeing The Antlers at the Bowery Ballroom last week, a show that not only solidified their number one spot on some of our end-of-year lists, but also got the attention of the New York Times who wrote a truthful and glowing review of the show. We at Stark, had many of the same thoughts as Jon Pareles (one of our favorite writers) enough so that we made this Blackberry note during the performance...

"Watching the Antlers live is like listening to Dark Side of the Moon in the dark on Sennheiser head phones...it is pretty much flawless and awe-inspiring at the same time."

The Tuesday after the show, we had the pleasure of catching up with frontman, Peter Silberman & Co. at a Brooklyn Bowl, Neon Indian show. What did we learn? They are fantastic on-stage, and even more fantastic off. Here's to a great band getting the break they deserve.

Happy Holidays from Stark!

Daytrotter Session Aggregation

The Daytrotter Sessions have slowly become the indie-staple of the next step for certain artists, while for others, it serves as a time to strip down and hold your voice accountable -- Daytrotter reveals one's true colors, which makes it a great acoustic and musical benchmarking system. Some Stark favorites have graced the studio over the past week or two, all of which are worth mentioning here (in no particular order):

1) Tallest Man on Earth -- This is from way back, but talk about someone born to record at Daytrotter -- Kristian Matsson is an artistic enigma capable of crushing your soul, lifting you up, then making you stop to think about why your body still hurts. Truly one of the most uniquely genuine and inquisitive songwriters of the decade. Worth a good listen -- "I Want You (Dylan Cover)" and " I Won't Be Found (played on piano -- exquisite.)"

2)Or, the Whale -- San Francisco's answer to the wants of a fanbase that champions rainy days and ominous harmonies. Their self-titled '09 release came out on Sept. 19. Worth a good listen "Keep Me Up."

3)Carly Simon - Never Been Gone is her newest effort (dropped Oct. 27) which has met Luke warm reviews in the media, but we all know what she is famous for -- "You're So Vain" -- worth a good listen.

More after the jump.

4)Magnolia Electric Co. - Another band made to play this musical venue, which is probably why they recorded seven songs while there. Their newest release Josephine doesn't stray far from their linear, yet pristine song writing style which is why we love it. Worth a good listen - "Arrow in the Gale/Josephine."

5)Wavves- Really? OK. What you got kid? Well, yeah, it sounds like Wavves in a cave -- two songs is about right; let's keep it at that.

6) The Antlers -- their 2009 release Hospice is a front runner for top spots on many Best of List's this year. Worth a good listen "Two."

Happy Antlers (and lots of others) Release Day!

mp3s

The Antlers: "Two"

Joe Henry: "The Man I Keep Hid" 

The Cave Singers: "Beach House"

Brendan Benson: "Feel Like Taking You Home"

Mount Eerie: "Stone's Ode"

Jay Reatard: "Wounded"

To celebrate the official widespread release of The Antlers' Hospice, they released a video for their fantastic song "Two" which debuted today on Pitchfork. While not enough time to fully cover all of these records, we at Stark strongly recommend you pick up the new records from Joe Henry, The Cave Singers, Brendan Benson, Jay Reatard, Simian Mobile Disco, Mount Eerie, Pissed Jeans, and maybe Jack Penate, depending on your taste really. 

We're Back.

Yeah that's right. We're back. Full of caffeine, energy, and an undying desire to bring to you, our most beloved reader, all the cool, fashionable, and downright tantalizing music coverage available on the web today. We also now have T-Shirts. Thanks Tim! While all of the above is decidedly not true (we don't cover that much cool stuff), we are back and do have a litany of things ready and waiting for us to dispel via blog. Below are some things we hope to get to this week. Not bloody likely though.    

We're going to continue to bring you news, updates and profiles of bands that are playing the fully stacked and undeniably awesome After The Jump Fest happening at Littlefiled August 28th, 29th, and 30th. Bring it. 

We've never loved the Black Crowes as much as other folks have. Yet, our ears perked when we heard they recorded their newest album (a double) at Levon Helm's home studio in Woodstock. Amidst the cliched, flower-power revival gongshow that has been this anniversary of the Woodstock festival, it will be interesting to see where the legacy of that generation stands today, and how it translates through the rock of some of 2009's most willing disciples. 

Our sites are set on Friday for what promises to be a spectacular evening with the epic, melancholy rock of The Antlers. While we've seen them numerous times this year, and their record Hospice will be in my Top 5 of the year, we've never seen them in an intimate venue like Mercury. See you there. Be sure to get your tix early. 

Furthermore to the point of our reemergence from the land of cocktails, fish, and sun, we will have coverage of new releases from HEALTH, Taken by Trees, Port O'Brien, Lissy Trullie, Mayer Hawthorne, Brendan Benson and Band of Skulls (not so new). 

This is only the tip of the iceberg of what we may or may not be covering. Not to mention all the new stuff coming in this week. We'll do our damnedest though. It will be nice to see all of you music people again around the citay. So, until then...

Thursday Round-Up

Busy busy around these parts, so commenters, I don't want to see and "lazy" comments got it?? We're gonna throw out a few items here that have gotten us pretty hot and bothered today.

You know by now that The Antlers have been signed to Frenchkiss and are re-releasing their amazing and now remastered record Hospice on August 18th. Today they released their second single "Two" which is our favorite track live and on record. Dig it.

[mp3] The Antlers: "Two" (via)




Tuesday June 9th Little Boots releases her debut EP "Illuminations" state-sisde. We have it and it's great. If you don't know who Little Boots is by now, tough shit - we're not telling you. Her LP "Hands" comes out the same day in the UK. We're not cool enough in the states for it yet I guess. Those with English iTunes accounts can buy it though. Sam Cooke, here's lookin' at you kid. Stream "Not Now"



Gorilla vs. Bear has the exclusive new J.Tillman track from his new record coming in September. Fist bump to Mike Bailey for getting us into this ace songwriter before he got all famous and joined that little band Fleet Foxes. Go man go.

[mp3] J. Tillman: "Earthly Bodies"




Adding to the summer fun is the aptly named Brooklyn surf-rock-noise band Boogie Board whose fuzzed-out guitar-overdrive jams have an abrasive but catchy-ass nature that will add kickass any to a summer backyard party. Despite our motto, your mom probably won't like this song. Pizza Hero comes out 6/23.

[mp3] Boogie Board: "Bio Hassle" (via)





Oh yeah - I hate THIS. I don't even want to post it. It's Nietzsche not Twain douchebags (Good job commenters.) Poor kid. Poor Joanna Newsom. Poor us.

The Antlers: Get Signed, Remaster LP, Go on Tour

A lot can happen in a short period of time. We know. Now, The Antlers know. NPR named The Antler's recent record, Hospice, Best Album of 2009 "So Far," which is, I guess, saying something. It is an amazing record though.

So what's happening to frontman/founder Peter Silberman and these Brooklynites? They just signed to Frenchkiss, a label who definitely has a forward-thinking ear for the business -- case-and-point...Passion Pit. The Antlers are going to release a remastered version of Hospice on Aug. 18 and are embarking on a nice set of North American dates with the likes of Au Revoir Simone, Cotton Jones and one date with Cymbals Eat Guitars. Look for these guys to make major moves on the scene because they are already.

US Summer Tour Dates

5/21 - Bowery Ballroom W/ White Rabbits & Cymbals Eat Guitars - New York NY
5/29 - Music Hall Of Williamsburg W/ Au Revoir Simone - Brooklyn NY
5/30 - Rock N Roll Hotel W/ Au Revoir Simone - Washington DC
5/31 - Southgate House W/ Au Revoir Simone - Cincinato OH
6/1 - The End W/ Au Revoir Simone - Nashville TN
6/2 Hi Tone W/ Au Revoir Simone - Memphis TN
6/3 - Allways Lounge - New Orleans LA
6/4 - The Cavern W/ Au Revoir Simone - Dallas TX
6/5 - Walter's On Washington W/ Au Revoir Simone - Houston TX
6/6 - Mohawk W/ Au Revoir Simone - Austin TX
6/9 - Plush W/ Au Revoir Simone - Tuscon AZ
6/11 - El Rey W/ Au Revoir Simone - Los Angeles CA
6/12 - Velvet Jones W/ Au Revoir Simone - Santa Barbara CA
6/13 - Bimbos W/ Au Revoir Simone - San Francisco CA
6/14 - Drunken Unicorn W/ Cotton Jones - Atlanta GA
6/16 - Local 506 W/ Cotton Jones - Chapel Hill NC
6/17 - Outback Lodge W/ Cotton Jones - Charlottesville VA
6/18 - Iota W/ Cotton Jones - Arlington VA
6/19 - M Room W/ Cotton Jones - Philadelphia PA
6/ 21 - Middle East W/ Cotton Jones - Boston MA