Already breakout stars in their native Australia, Clairy Browne & The Bangin’ Rackettes, who fuse a unique blend of soul, blues, doo-wop, jazz and R&B with Clairy’s powerful, soulful vocals at the forefront–have signed with the U.S. label Vanguard Records and will release their debut album Baby Caught The Bus on May 21. Their first single “Love Letter” is now #1 Most Added at Triple A Radio this week, while Baby Caught The Bus climbs to #15 Most Added. “Love Letter” also hit Amazon’s “Hot Singles: 20 Songs We’d Like to Date”. The band will have their Tuesday, April 9th Los Angeles, CA show at The Troubadour taped for future airing on an episode of NBC TV’s “Last Call With Carson Daly.”On Thursday, April 11, they’ll perform live on Los Angeles’ KCSN “Afternoon Music Mix with Sky Daniels.” That can be heard in the greater Los Angeles area on 88.5fm or around the world online at www.kcsn.org.
Baby Caught The Bus is gaining strong praise from the media, in his album review for No Depression, Grant Britt declared, “Melbourne’s Clairy Brown & The Bangin’ Rackettes is the best stuff to come along in decades. This thing opens with a bang. ‘Love Letter’ leaps out at you like a Stax 45, blowing you back to the ‘60s through a funky time warp. Baby Caught The Bus is a treasure trove for r&b lovers, a ‘60s time capsule, a show and dance ensemble concept that’s been away far too long. Import this one to your collection immediately for maximum satisfaction.”
The group just launched their U.S. tour at SXSW in Austin and are already blowing away U.S. audiences. In his live review for Bust Magazine at SXSW, writer Christian Detresdescribed the group’s performance “With a peal of trumpet and a trill on a snare, Clairy Browne and her girls ginned up a stompy 60s revival that had the crowd dancing and spilling their vodka lemonades all over the floor.”
Clairy Browne & the Bangin’ Rackettes first gained international attention when “Love Letter” was featured in Heineken’s award-winning campaign The Switch and has surpassed 1 million views online!
!!! are set to release their latest album THR!!!ER on April 30, and are now sharing their single “One Girl/One Boy.” A follow up the sample-based club-floor classic tribute “Slyd”, the latest track is pure !!! gold. While working on the album in Austin with Jim Eno of Spoon, the band knew that they wanted a diva level singer for the song and Jim said he knew someone perfect, Sonia Moore, who had previously toured with MC Hammer for two and half years as a singer and dancer.
“We knew she had sang with MC Hammer and Rafael [Cohen, bassist] kept singing the “hey hey” part from “Too Legit To Quit” and we were wondering if that was who was really coming by. That was basically the first thing we asked her and she said, “Hey, Hey. Yeah, that’s me”.
Sonia joined them onstage in Austin during SXSW for their sweat-soaked dance party sets. Following the album’s release they’ll be performing in Europe, which includes a stop at ATP, before heading back to the US for a full tour which kicks off on May 16th.
Supported:Datarock, Devo, Air, The Horrors, Florence and the Machine, The Charlatans, Electric Six, Juliette Lewis, Steve Aoki and many more.
Rolling Stone has shared UK’s Scanners’s title track “Mexico”, the band explains the song: “We wrote the song ‘Mexico’ after we toured a few times driving across the U.S. desert. It’s pretty mind blowing if you’re from the U.K. because there is nothing like it there at all. The heat, the space, it’s like another planet. All the time we would be driving near the border and stopping in places like El Paso, but we never made it into Mexico itself,” The Scanners Matthew Mole tells Rolling Stone. “So I suppose it always had some strange romantic appeal to us. I suppose that’s why we were so conscious of being ‘so far from home’.”
Scanners released their Mexico EP with Dim Mak Records on March 5th, right before coming to SXSW. Their brand new tracks “Mexico”, “Control” and “Charmed Life” are their latest in their sound that Vice describes as “perfecting a laser-fried blend of dance-punk and leaving beer-soaked UK club night in their wake.” Later this year, the band’s Love Is Symmetry album will come out on Dim Mak Records. Submarine was their second album, released in 2010. After the DIY approach to the first album, Scanners had decided to work with experienced producer Stephen Hague (New Order, Blur, Erasure) for the second. Recorded in part at Real World Studios and mixed in Stephen Hague’s shed, the second album’s higher production values made it popular with TV programmers. In fact, it is through TV shows such as Entourage, One Tree Hill, The Big C, Skins and more that Scanners’ music has managed to reach a wider audience. “Salvation” the first single found many new fans thanks to its use in Gossip Girl, and “Lowlife” from the films Endgame and Mama’s Boy.
In 2011, after lots more touring and much soul searching Tom decided give up his drumstool. This was eventually taken over by French sticksmith Kilian, who joined in time to record on the third album Love is Symmetry. For their third album Scanners decided to go back to recording and producing themselves. Sarah and Mat have also been kept busy by the arrival of their son Flynn who was born in January 2012.
Scanners’ story starts at a rehearsal studio in Camden Town London in 2005. Sarah and Mat had loads of songs they had been working on together whilst playing guitar in other people’s bands. When they met Amina and Tom it seemed the natural step to go and record these tracks, and so the first Scanners album Violence is Golden was born. It was a homemade affair, recorded in bedrooms and rehearsal rooms, but it still started to attract some attention. Through a strange set of circumstances Steve Aoki, head of LA label Dim Mak Records (Bloc Party, The Rakes, Gossip) heard one of the tracks and was hooked. On a visit to London he met up with the band and he promised to put out the record. So in 2006 Violence is Golden was released to much critical acclaim from sources as varied as the LA Times, Aversion and Perez Hilton. They played their second single “Lowlife” on NBC’s Carson Daly Show, the performance introduced by Ice Cube. They toured the West Coast and supported bands like Datarock, The Horrors, Forward Russia and The Rakes. The success from the album in America led to releases and tours in the UK and Europe.
THE TERROR by The Flaming Lips has a new U.S. release date of April 16th (U.K release date remains April 1). As previously mentioned The Terror is The Lips’ thirteenth studio album and was produced by long-time collaborator Dave Fridmann and The Flaming Lips at Tarbox Road Studios.
Wayne Coyne explains, “Why would we make this music that is The Terror – this bleak, disturbing record…? I don’t really want to know the answer that I think is coming. Maybe this is the beginning of the answer.”
The Terror is a bold and expressive journey that has evolved over The Lips’nearly 30-year tended garden of sonic delights that ebbs and flows with extraordinary splashes of light and shade, pleasure and pain, sadness and hope, and the knowledge that to expect the unexpected is half the fun of The Lips’ experience.
The Terror will be available as a special Direct To Consumer, Limited-Edition Silver Vinyl double-LP set, housed in a two-pocket gatefold jacket with printed sleeves. Those who pre-order will receive an instant download of “Sun Blows Up Today” and the digital album delivered on release date, April 16th. Suggested retail price is $35.98.
The Terror CD edition pre-order includes an instant download of “Sun Blows Up Today” and the digital album delivered on release date, April 16th. Suggested retail price is $10.98. Go to:http://store.flaminglips.com/ for pre-order details on both
In other LIPS news, the band hosted two magic events at SXSW this past week, including a no-frills first-ever performance of YOSHIMI BATTLES THE PINK ROBOTS in its entirety live from The Warner Sound at The Belmont in Austin, TX. The intimacy of a small room packed to the bricks was the perfect setting to see the band up close performing some the songs from their certified gold album for the first time ever without any stage production made for special night. The show was filmed live by NPR.
Even more impressive was the first-ever performance of The Terror in its entirety the following night at Auditorium Shores, which set an all-time attendance record for a show at that venue in the history of SXSW drawing in excess of 30,000 attendees. Jim James of My Morning Jacket (who opened the show) joined the band on-stage for a particularly moving version of “Do You Realize??”. The Auditorium Shores show was broadcast live by Sirius/XM.
Tracklist:
Look…The Sun Is Rising
Be Free, A Way
Try To Explain
You Lust
The Terror
You Are Alone
Butterfly, How Long It Takes To Die
Turning Violent
Always There…In Our Hearts
Confirmed Tour dates:
Mar 29 Sao Paulo, Brazil Lollapalooza Brazil
April 3 NYC, NY The Late Show w/David Letterman
Apr 28 Kansas City, MO Sprint Center w/ The Black Keys
April 29 Indianapolis, IN Egyptian Room at Old National Centre
Apr 30 Pittsburgh, PA Consol Energy Center w/ The Black Keys
May 2 Atlanta, GA Aaron’s Amphitheater at Lakewood w/ The Black Keys
May 3 Nashville, TN Bridgestone Arena w/ The Black Keys
May 4 Chattanooga, TN Track 29 w/ JEFF The Brotherhood
May 5 Memphis, TN Beale St. Music Festival
May 10 Napa, CA Bottle Rock Festival
May 16 Montclair, NJ, USA The Wellmont Theatre
May 20 London, UK Roundhouse
May 21 London, UK Roundhouse
May 22 Brighton, UK Dome Concert Hall, Brighton Festival
May 24 Paris, France Villette Sonique Festival
May 25 Düdingen, Switzerland Bad Bonn Kilbi
June 14 Hultsfred, Sweden Hultsfred Festival
June 15 Aarhus, Denmark Northside Festival
July 11 Raleigh, NC Time Warner Cable Pavilionw/The Black Keys
July 12 Simpsonville, SC Charter Amphit/Heritage Park w/The Black Keys
“Mission Bells” is the infectious new single from Matt Nathanson’s upcoming summer release. Matt describes the track as “a love story via a street fight” with San Francisco as its backdrop. Check out the video below!
This week Matt Nathanson heads to Austin, TX for a string of performances during the SXSW festival. He’ll be playing some additional new songs and some fan favorites.
Gold Fields’ debut album Black Sun is armed with pop hooks, tribal beats, danceable rhythms, and plenty of emotion. Revered for their larger-than-life live show, the Australian quintet is on a national co-headlining tour with A Silent Film & Royal Teeth. Fans that can’t make it out to a show will have two chances to experience the band live on their two national TV appearances. They will make their debut on Jimmy Kimmel Live! performing “Dark Again,” February 27th on ABC. A special live performance will also air on Last Call With Carson Daly, March 28th on NBC.
The single “Dark Again” is a pop gem flecked with driving guitars and bright synths, all building to a heavy-hitting chorus that’s sure to make you move. This week, the band unleashed three unique remixes which highlight the group’s eclectic musicianship.
MTV and Billboard have named Gold Fields one of their 13 Artists to Watch in 2013. The result of relentless work and playful experimentation, Black Sun will be released February 26th via Astralwerks. The album is available for pre-order now. Be sure to catch Gold Fields LIVE on tour and stay tuned for more news + SXSW details!
Since releasing their self-titled debut EP last year, NYC’s Lucius has toured with the likes of JD McPherson, Milo Greene, Pearl and the Beard and more, stopping to perform a breathtaking NPR “Tiny Desk Session” along the way. Fans will have more chances to experience the band’s intertwining vocals and lush, danceable instrumentation as they continue their US tour. Starting in Boston on Valentine’s Day, they will bring their explosive live show to SXSW eventually making a valiant return to NYC at Knitting Factory.
In celebration of it being featured on Grey’s Anatomy (first 2 minutes) last week, the band has released a special LIVE version of Lucius’ single “Turn It Around” as a free download.
2/14: Boston, MA @ Great Scott
2/15 Philadelphia, PA @ Milkboy *
2/16 Vienna, VA @ Jammin Java *
2/17 Pittsburgh, PA @ Club Café *
2/18 Toledo, OH @ The Ottawa Tavern
2/20: Mechanicsburg, PA @ Messiah College
2/21: Kingston, NY @BSP Lounge
2/22: Hamden, CT @ The Outer Space
2/23: Williamstown, MA @ The Log
3/13: Austin, TX @ SXSW
3/14: Austin, TX @ SXSW
3/15: Austin, TX @ SXSW
3/16: Austin, TX @ SXSW
3/18: Little Rock, AR @ Juanita’s Cantina Ballroom #
3/19: Birmingham, AL @ Workplay Theater #
3/20: Nashville, TN @ The High Watt %
4/5: Brooklyn, NY @ Knitting Factory
* co-headlining w/ Hannah Georgas
# supporting The Mowgli’s & Family of the Year
% supporting Nicki Bluhm and The Gramblers
Today MS MR reveal their first official music video for their new track “Fantasy.”
The band explained:
“Shot on location in Jamaica, Queens with our dear friend and talented director Austin Peters, the video for “Fantasy” stays true to the main themes and questions behind the track: things we imagine or think we understand are not as they appear. This video presents a world filled with fantasies gone wrong where the mundane, the surreal and the supernatural are all intertwined and what is real becomes a matter of perspective.”
The song is off of the band’s debut album Second Hand Rapture out May 14th in the U.S. on Columbia Records.
MS MR continues to enthrall fans around the world with their compelling blend of pop. With “Fantasy” quickly rising to #2 on the Hype Machine ‘Popular’ charts. MS MR is the moniker for Lizzy Plapinger and Max Hershenow. The duo’s debut Second Hand Rapture is comprised of 12 tracks and was produced by Hershenow, with additional production and mix by Tom Elmhirst. The duo recently played a handful of new songs during their sold-out stints at NYC’s Mercury Lounge and headline debut at the Echo in Los Angeles. You can catch the band performing at this year’s SXSW next month.
NYC-based, indie-pop duo MS MR has announced that their debut album, Second Hand Rapture, will be released May 14th in the U.S. on Columbia Records. Lizzy Plapinger (MS) and Max Hershenow (MR) began their musical collaboration in December of 2010, recording in secrecy, at Hershenow’s home studio in Brooklyn, NY over the course of 2011. Produced by Hershenow, with additional production and mix by Tom Elmhirst, Second Hand Rapture is comprised of 12 tracks and includes the band’s debut single “Hurricane.”
In May of 2012 MS MR mysteriously released the eye-catching video for their single “Hurricane” (I posted it here) which was named “Best New Track” by Pitchfork and has since skyrocketed to over 1 million views. Noteworthy media outlets across the world were instantly captivated by the then unknown act’s compelling blend of nostalgic, atmospheric pop. “Hurricane” was the first of three additional tracks (“Bones,” “Dark Doo Wop,” and “Ash Tree Lane”, exclusive remixes by Twin Shadow, Tom Vek, Chet Faker and Charli XCX and music videos) released off of the band’s critically acclaimed debut EP Candy Bar Creep Show. Debuted via a unique widget on MS MR’s Tumblr, the duo received praise for their unconventional EP to which The Guardian noted, “prepare to be blown away” and the Wall Street Journal raved, “a very promising debut.”
Having toured with Marina and the Diamonds and Grouplove last year, the band will make their debut this year at SXSW, perform at NYC’s Governor’s Ball and plan to tour through the release of their new album this summer.
Warner Bros. Records is pleased to announce that it has signed Australian rock sensations The Rubens to its roster. The band – which is brothers Sam Margin (vocals/guitar), Elliott Margin (keyboards), and Zaac Margin (guitar), plus their longtime friend Scott Baldwin (drums) – hail from the tiny rural town of Menangle in New South Wales (population 327) and have been on a whirlwind journey since forming in 2011. They have gone from being total unknowns to enjoying strong support from Australia’s influential radio station Triple J and playing the main stage at one of Australia’s biggest music festivals, Splendour in the Grass, alongside Jack White and Bloc Party. The Rubens also opened for The Black Keys in New Zealand and have been selected to support Bruce Springsteen during his tour of Australia this March.
The Rubens’ self-titled debut album, which was recorded in New York City with producer David Kahne (Paul McCartney, The Strokes, Regina Spektor), has already won over a legion of fans with its rich, soulful take on blues rock. The album debuted at No. 3 on the ARIA chart and sold more than 10K its first week, shooting to No. 1 on iTunes Australia. The album’s first single, “My Gun,” as well as the album itself, has been certified gold in Australia and has spent multiple weeks at No. 1 on Triple J.
The Rubens will make their U.S. debut performing at SXSW and touring here in March. Prior to that, the band will tour the UK and Europe with Walk The Moon beginning February 20th. The band are pleased to announce their first-ever headlining shows outside of Australia as follows:
Feb 19 Sebright Arms London, England
Mar 11 Mercury Lounge New York, NY
Mar 20 TBC San Francisco, CA
Mar 21 The Hotel Cafe Los Angeles, CA
Warner Bros. Records will release The Rubens’ album on June 11th.
