Tuesday, February 27, 2007

Postal Service news.



Jimmy Tamborello discussed the new album with VH1 including maybe having an appearance by Ghostface Killah...come on guys lets don't turn this into a rap thing. I don't know maybe a song could be cool? They are trying to finish it by the summer. Check out the story:

"We're working on Postal Service now, and we're just focused on that, because we're trying to do it a lot quicker. ... We wanted to try and have it finished by the summertime," he said. "It's hard to tell if we're going to make it, because sometimes it'll come real fast on my end and sometimes I'll just have these fits of writer's block, where I don't feel like doing anything. Plus it depends on what I send Ben and what he feels like writing to."

Tamborello said that the duo have roughly six new PS songs completed, and they hope to have a new album out by the end of the year. But he was quick to add that — at the moment — said album "isn't nearly even 50 percent done."

"If we don't make the deadline we set for ourselves, we can extend it. Sub Pop has never given us a deadline, and we're trying our best to make it in the same environment we made the first one: We have to keep reminding ourselves that we're doing it for fun and trying to keep things casual," he said. "And that's pretty difficult to do, to be honest. I have to keep reminding myself that it doesn't have to sound like a giant mainstream pop record just because the last one got to so many people. I have to remember how the last one sounded — lo-fi and in my comfort level of production — and I want to stay that way."

As for clues as to just what the new Postal Service album will sound like, Tamborello advises fans to check out the lengthy list of studio gear he's compiled on Dntel's MySpace page (it's under the blog headline "My Studio"). After all, most of the stuff on there was acquired thanks to the success of Give Up, and he's used the equipment to create everything — Dumb Luck included — he's done since.

"If anything, the new [Postal Service] songs are a little bit harder ... more raw. It's very analog-sounding, because I've bought a lot of equipment since the first [record,]" he said. "A lot of it is coming from the new instruments, and the kind of sounds you can get out of them. The first one was pretty much done on one sampler, and now I have more stuff I like to use. A lot more analog synths — the new Moog Voyager and a bunch of different drum machines."

At the moment, the record only features Tamborello and Gibbard songs. But that doesn't mean that there won't be guests, too. The duo have already sent tracks out to Jenny Lewis — who sang on Give Up — and they've even set their sights on landing another, rather, um, unusual voice for the album.

"A long time ago, I heard that Ghostface Killah liked 'Such Great Heights,' and when we started this one, we were talking about figuring out some way to get a hold of him," Tamborello laughed. "If there were some way to work him into the album, it would be excellent. But we'll see about that."

Arcade Fire gives new Mp3's


I would apologize for posting so much about the Arcade Fire, but come on are you serious? Arcade Fire released two new songs, before the March 6 release of Neon Bible. I am trying to abstain from listening to them much so I can listen to the album as a "concept" album, but what is it going to hurt. I know the whole thing has leaked but I am waiting it out. Here you go.
Keep the Car Running and Black Mirror

Monday, February 26, 2007

The National: New album

Recently coined one of my new favorite obsessions, The National is releasing a new album Boxer due out on May 22. Co-founder of Brassland records heard the record and had this to say:
"I've now heard the material that will make up the new record as, I'm guessing, have one or two friends of the band also on this list. They gave us early versions to help w/ sequencing. A listening party of the mastered record was held on Valentine's day -- though I was seeing Arcade Fire at Judson Church.

The music is great, perhaps a bit more of a mellow vibe than Alligator overall -- perhaps somewhere between the Cherry Tree mellow/beautiful sound and the Alligator more up-beat/rocking sound. Most notable about the record is that it has the best arrangements they've done, by far, and there's some unexpected & wonderful new elements that you haven't heard before. Think trumpets, and other brass instruments; increased use of female backing vocals; excellent piano bits by Thomas Bartlett (aka Doveman & sideman to David Byrne, Bebel Gilberto, Laurie Anderson, The Frames, Yoko Ono); and possible even some playing by band friend, Sufjan Stevens.

Thematically it intertwines songs about love, songs about war, and songs about office life. Or, more correctly, songs that are about all three topics at the same time. "
Tracklist:
01 Fake Empire
02 Mistaken for Strangers
03 Brainy
04 Squalor Victoria
05 Green Gloves
06 Slow Show
07 Apartment Story
08 Start a War
09 Guest Room
10 Racing Like a Pro
11 Ada
12 Gospel
If you don't like these mp3's..go look in the mirror and re-evaluate your life, take a deep breath, and go listen to them again. "
Secret Meeting (live)
Daughters of the Soho Riots (live)
These next two are for a weathered National pallette
Minor Star of Rome (rare)
Abel (live)

Friday, February 23, 2007

New Music: Elvis Perkins


NY singer/songwriter Elvis Perkins' re-debuted Ash Wednesday on Feb. 20th. I usually shy away from singers who don't have a band name for some reason, but Elvis stood out when I sampled it. Filled with harmonicas and acoustic guitars, Elvis reminds me of a pre-terrible Ryan Adams. Check out mp3 courtesy of Daytrotter mp3's - While You Were Sleeping and All the Night Without Love. Download more at Daytrotter.

Arcade Fire here I come


Just got tickets on the second row for Arcade Fire!!!!!!! in atlanta !!!!!!!!!!!!!

Go here you might not be too late.

Wednesday, February 21, 2007

New Bright Eyes: from the upcoming Four Winds EP


Cry-baby heart-throb Conor Oberst of Bright Eyes released two MP3's to the public from the upcoming Four Winds EP due out the same day as Arcade Fire and Air. (Ouch). Anyway, maybe that's why he is releasing these mp3's. The first song "Four Winds" is an amazing country-ish tune with fiddles and such. Download it "Four Winds". The second song is more of an M-Ward type song. (who I think actually plays on it.) Click on "Tourist Trap"

Tuesday, February 20, 2007

Drive By Truckers cover Neutral Milk Hotel


DBT covers Neutral Milk's "Holland, 1945." I missed this cover by one show. They played this in Nashville right before they came to Memphis. Oh well. Jason (the best singer in the band) does it solo beautifully.Click on "Holland, 1945"

Monday, February 19, 2007

New Air: Pocket Symphony

Here is a new video "Once Upon a Time" from Air on their upcoming cd Pocket Symphony due out March 6th. Air - Once Upon a Time Video

Add to My Profile | More Videos

Wednesday, February 14, 2007

Andrew Bird's new album


Here is a track off of Andrew Bird's new album Armchair Apocrypha on Oxford's own Fat Possum. Here is a song off of it. Heretics

Bonnaroo 2007


June 14-17
Tickets for the 2007 Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival will go on sale next Friday, February 23rd, at Noon Eastern time through this website. Check back for more ticket info.

2007 BONNAROO ARTIST LINEUP:

The Police · Tool · Widespread Panic · The White Stripes · Ben Harper & the Innocent Criminals · Wilco · The Flaming Lips · Manu Chao · The String Cheese Incident · Franz Ferdinand · Bob Weir & Ratdog · Damien Rice · Ween · Gov't Mule · Ziggy Marley · The Decemberists · Kings of Leon · Michael Franti & Spearhead · Wolfmother · Regina Spektor · The Black Keys · Galactic · DJ Shadow · Gillian Welch · Spoon · Keller Williams (WMD's) · Sasha & John Digweed · STS9 · Old Crow Medicine Show · The Hold Steady · North Mississippi Allstars · Fountains Of Wayne · Hot Tuna · Feist · Hot Chip · John Butler Trio · Ralph Stanley & the Clinch Mountain Boys · Aesop Rock · The Richard Thompson Band · Dierks Bentley · Xavier Rudd · Gogol Bordello · Junior Brown · Tortoise · T-Bone Burnett · Mavis Staples · Clutch · Cold War Kids · Dr. Dog · Paolo Nutini · Brazilian Girls · RX Bandits · The Nightwatchman · The Slip · Girl Talk · Railroad Earth · Martha Wainwright · Rodrigo y Gabriela · Annuals · Tea Leaf Green · Sam Roberts Band · Elvis Perkins in Dearland · Charlie Louvin · Sonya Kitchell · Mute Math · Apollo Sunshine · Uncle Earl · James Blood Ulmer · The National · The Little Ones · Black Angels · Ryan Shaw

Lewis Black & Friends · David Cross · Dave Attell

Pretty impressive but not overly impressed. These might be enough for me to go.
WILCO, THE NATIONAL, THE HOLD STEADY, FLAMING LIPS, SPOON, DECEMBERISTS, COLD WAR KIDS, KINGOS OF LEON.

Tuesday, February 13, 2007

Arcade Fire: Tour Extended


One of the biggest bands of our time unveiled more tour dates, and I have my eye (ha ha) on the Chicago dates in May. They are on the weekend.?. 04-26 San Diego, CA - Spreckels Theatre
04-28 Indio, CA - Empire Polo Field (Coachella)
05-01 Atlanta, GA - Civic Center
05-02 Asheville, NC - Thomas Wolfe Auditorium
05-04 Washington, DC - DAR Constitution Hall
05-05 Philadelphia, PA - Tower Theatre
05-07 New York, NY - TBA
05-08 New York, NY - TBA
05-09 New York, NY - TBA
05-10 Boston, MA - Orpheum Theatre
05-12 Montreal, Quebec - Arena Maurice Richard
05-13 Montreal, Quebec - Arena Maurice Richard
05-15 Toronto, Ontario - Massey Hall
05-16 Toronto, Ontario - Massey Hall
05-18 Chicago, IL - Chicago Theatre
05-19 Chicago, IL - Chicago Theatre
05-20 Chicago, IL - Chicago Theatre
05-27 Portland, OR - Schnitzer Concert Hall
06-22-24 Pilton, England - Glastonbury

* with Patrick Wolf
# with Electrelane

Tuesday, February 06, 2007

Panda Bear: No Not Shuff: Pretty Raging Good


After sampling for a couple of weeks, I agree with the bloggers that Panda Bear is very solid. Panda Bear is one of the two Animal Collective guys. However, don't be scared away, while it is different, it is less scary strange. I would have to describe it as psychedelic Beach Boys. The new album Person Pitch comes out March 20. Downloads are back!!!! Click on to Download "Bro's Edit" Also, Comfy in Nautica.

Silversun Pickups

A friend turned me on to Silversun Pickups. Here is their myspace. I haven't listened to many other songs, but "Lazy Eye" is amazing. I know what your thinking, I like it so much because I have a lazy eye. Well, that helped but trust me. They kind of have a Smashing Pumpkins feel with a dash of indie goodness. For some reason, the volume is all the way down, so you need to turn it up.

"Kissing Families"

Monday, February 05, 2007

Andrew Bird on a Kids Show

This is pretty dang funny. Andrew Bird appearing in a kid's show as Dr. Stringz.

Friday, February 02, 2007

More news Arcade Fire, KOL

Arcade Fire performed impromptu "Wake Up" in London after the show with the crowd singing. Amazing.

Also, Kings of Leon has posted a song from their new album due out in April. Sounds really different, I love it though. The band describes the new album as "so much bigger" and the band being "so much better." Myspace

Bright Eyes News from MTV


From MTV news:
"After all the work entailed by the simultaneous release of the analog-sounding I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning and the electronica-tinged Digital Ash in a Digital Urn a little more than two years ago, Bright Eyes mastermind Conor Oberst says he wised up.

"I think we had enough of the double record last time," he laughed. "It was pretty hectic, and the tour that followed, to promote both albums, ended up being a lot on us. We're trying to be a little smarter this time around. The idea was definitely to make one strong album that made sense."

That album, Cassadaga, will land in stores on April 10 (see "Bright Eyes Completing Politics-Free Album At Nebraska Compound"); it will be preceded by an EP featuring the LP's lead single, "Four Winds," on March 6. Oberst — who worked with his Bright Eyes cohorts Mike Mogis and Nate Walcott, along with a ton of guest collaborators — says he began writing material for the record two years ago and headed into the studio last winter with more than 25 songs at his disposal. The 13-track LP was recorded off and on during 2006 and will include the cuts "No One Would Riot for Less," "Lime Tree" and "Soul Singer in a Session Band."

"The record is kind of about finding your own peace of mind, and it's somewhat about transitions and rebirth," Oberst explained. "It's into a lot of ideas about geographical location that have a sort of energy about them — where people concentrate their thoughts, whether it's meditation or prayer or something more like psychic energy.

"I tend to write about whatever's on my mind," he continued. "It's not really premeditated. Since we started with such a large pool of songs, we ended up with a pretty eclectic album, both sonically and thematically. I think it's less homogenous than certainly the last two records were."

All of the songs Oberst wrote for the disc were put to tape, he says. In time, those tracks that were left off the record will be released, perhaps as part of Bright Eyes' next LP. The songs on Cassadaga feature contributions from Tortoise drummer John McEntire, Rilo Kiley's Jason Boesel, Neva Dinova's Jake Bellows, Rachael Yamagata, M. Ward, Gillian Welch, Sleater-Kinney's Janet Weiss, the Like's Elizabeth "Z" Berg and several members of Eisley.

"These songs just came right out," Oberst said. "It's important to never rush it. You can't manufacture inspiration, so a lot of it is still a waiting game for me. There's still a lot of mystery to songwriting. I don't have a method that I can go back to — they either come or they don't.

"We worked a lot longer on this record than on our previous records, and we re-recorded a lot of the songs several times," he continued. "We'd record the song, listen to it and then say, 'Well, this can be better' or 'This song is better than this recording.' So we'd do it again, and that kind of freedom I think made for a better result. I'd like to think this album's a little more focused, a little more nuanced and more refined."

Bright Eyes will be touring soon to promote the Four Winds EP; that trek launches February 25 in Chicago and concludes March 10 in San Francisco. In late April the band will head out again for a full U.S. tour with openers Gillian Welch, Oakley Hall and McCarthy Trenching. But first Bright Eyes will film a video for "Four Winds," a performance-based clip to be directed by Patrick Daughters (Blood Brothers, Muse).

And there may be some exciting news for fans of Oberst's pre-Bright Eyes work this summer, the singer said.

The people at Saddle Creek — Bright Eyes' label, which was co-founded by Oberst — "are building this new venue and bar and office-space complex in downtown Omaha, Nebraska, right now, and it will be open for the summer," he explained. "We're trying to get something special for the grand opening."

The opening could feature a performance by erstwhile indie rockers Slowdown Virginia. And Oberst said that while nothing's been discussed yet, he thinks reuniting his former band, Commander Venus — which disbanded in 1997 after just two years — would make the night even more interesting.

"It would be very funny if that happened," he said. "I wouldn't imagine there's much of a demand for that reunion, but it's possible. We're all still around, but I doubt [guitarist] Robb [Nansel] would ever get onstage again." But Oberst says that reuniting with his other former outfit, Desaparecidos, is "certainly a possibility. I could see that happening at some point down the line."

This report is from MTV News.