Monthly Archives: January 2013

January 23, 2013 · 4:35 pm

Download: The Royal Concept – “World on Fire”

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The Royal Concept is offering a free download of their brand new single “World on Fire.” Available on their official site now, the track comes from the Swedish quartet’s forthcoming full-length album for LAVA Records/Republic Records, due out later this year.
Following up the band’s acclaimed self-titled debut EP, “World on Fire” blazes with sexy synths, an ’80s-style swing, and a danceable hook. Delivered with a spark of effusive charisma and cheeky lyrics, it’s primed to heat dance floors everywhere up. Frontman David Larson sings, “I see the world has gone mad.”

The band will be sharing the stage with alternative sensations Imagine Dragons and Atlas Genius for a string of dates in February.

Download: The Royal Concept – “World on Fire”

Upcoming Tour Dates:
2/18 – Philadelphia, PA – The Electric Factory
2/22 – Silver Spring, MD – The Fillmore
2/23 – New York, NY – Roseland Ballroom
2/25 Boston, MA – House of Blues

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January 23, 2013 · 2:45 pm

Newest Love: The Rubens

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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.

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January 17, 2013 · 4:56 pm

Download: Dada Life – “So Young So High” ANDYBODY Remix

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Following the critically acclaimed release of So Young So High – the second single to be taken from their globally celebrated 2012 album The Rules of Dada – outrageous Swedish duo DADA LIFE now announce the release of Dillon Francis’ masterful rework, OUT NOW on PM:AM Recordings.

Previewed on Dada Life’s Soundcloud just a few days ago, this pounding, bass-heavy edit from one of the hottest names on the circuit right now has clocked up a staggering 100,000 unique plays already, and is available to buy now exclusively from Beatport.

The second in a distinguished line of exquisite remixes to come from So Young So High has been released as a free download. The crunching electro-house remix from mysterious enigma ‘ANDYBODY’ has set the online world alight over the past couple of weeks as it continues to gather hefty support from fans across the world.

Next up, it’s heavyweight Dutch veteran TIËSTO with his hard-hitting interpretation, which is set to drop mid-February.

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January 16, 2013 · 3:50 pm

Brand New: Stream Cold War Kids “Miracle Mile”

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Cold War Kids are excited to announce the release of their fourth studio album, Dear Miss Lonelyhearts, on April 2, 2013 via Downtown Records (and via MapleMusic Recordings in Canada). In anticipation of the release, the band is currently streaming the album’s engaging lead single, Miracle Mile.

Stream: Cold War Kids – “Miracle Mile”

Dear Miss Lonelyhearts came to life at the band’s San Pedro, CA studio space. They enlisted new guitar player, Dann Gallucci (Murder City Devils, Modest Mouse) and Lars Stalfors to produce.   “We were shaken up, ready to let certain songs go further than before by trying new styles and arrangements, while keeping others sparse and caring more about the finished product and less about how we got there,” says lead singer Nathan Willett.

The band will release trailers, from the making of their record, each week leading up to April 2nd. Trailers 1 and 2 are available now on their website. They truly encapsulate the energy that Cold War Kids bring to their live performances and it are those performances which remain the heart of the band.

Current confirmed tour dates are listed below:

  • February 15           Pappy & Harriet’s Palace – Pioneertown, CA
  • February 16           SLO Brewing Company  – San Luis Obispo, CA
  • February 21           The Observatory  – Santa Ana, CA
  • February 22           Cellar Door  – Visalia, CA
  • February 23           SOHO Music Club  – Santa Barbara, CA
  • March 8                 The Crescent Ballroom – Phoenix, AZ
  • March 9                 Tricky Falls  – El Paso, TX
  • March 11               Fitzgerald’s – Houston, TX
  • March 13               Clive Bar  – Austin, TX
  • April 3                    Gothic Theatre  – Englewood, CO
  • April 4                    Slowdown – Omaha, NB
  • April 5                    First Avenue – Minneapolis, MN
  • April 6                    Metro – Chicago, IL
  • April 9                    Newport Music Hall – Columbus, OH
  • April 10                  Paradise Rock Club – Boston, MA
  • April 11                  9:30 Club – Washington, DC
  • April 12                  Union Transfer – Philadelphia, PA
  • April 13                  Webster Hall – New York, NY
  • April 15                  Cat’s Cradle – Carrboro, NC
  • April 16                  Cannery Ballroom – Nashville, TN
  • April 17                  The Masquerade –  Atlanta, GA
  • April 24                  Batacian – Paris, France
  • April 27                  Plaza – Zurich, Switzerland
  • April 29                  Flex – Vienna, Austria
  • April 30                  C-Club – Berlin, Germany
  • May 16                   Neptune Theatre – Seattle, WA
  • May 17                   Vogue Theatre  – Vancouver, BC
  • May 18                   Crystal Ballroom  – Portland, OR
  • May 23                   Regency Ballroom  – San Francisco, CA
  • May 24                   Henry Fonda Theatre – Los Angeles, CA
  • May 25                   Belly Up Tavern – Solana Beach, CA
  • May 1                     Paradiso  – Amsterdam, Holland
  • May 2                     Gebaeude 9 – Cologne, Germany
  • May 6                     Pumphuset – Copenhagen, Germany
  • May 7                     Grunspan  – Hamburg, Germany
  • May 9                     Forum – London, UK
  • May 10                   Ritz  – Manchester, UK

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January 16, 2013 · 3:06 pm

New: Houses Album Preview

It’s a product of quiet bedroom experimentation: subtly crafted for headphones, yet full enough to envelop a room in gorgeous melodies and exuberant sheets of sound– NPR

Recorded over the past year, splitting time between their new home of Los Angeles and Sonic Ranch ( Animal Collective, Beach House, At the Drive In, Yeah Yeah Yeah’s), the bliss-duo Houses are set to release sophomore album A Quiet Darkness on April 16th via Downtown Records.

The narrative of the album tells the story of a husband and wife separated in the midst of a nuclear disaster and their attempt to reunite with one another along the Highway 10 in California before their inevitable deaths, each song taking place in different abandoned houses along the way.  Real life couple Dexter Tortoriello (also of Dawn Golden and the Rosy Cross) and Megan Messina made the trek themselves multiple times, to record sound and video at these abandoned houses that are featured on the album.

The album’s celestial ambiance and wanderlust concepts are conveyed throughout the recording with techniques employed by Dexter Tortoriello’s production and the stark contrast between the minimal electronic pulses, found sounds and meandering and melancholy harmonies.  The ethereal sound on which Houses was built is woven through A Quiet Darkness, the 2013 release shows a deep and pensive side to a band who clearly encompass a darker side of bliss; a bold new bravado that will resonate with anyone who has ever experienced love and loss.  Look for Houses to preview some of A Quiet Darkness at this years SXSW and check out some additional tour dates below.

Stream: Houses – “Beginnings”

HOUSES LIVE DATES:

  • 2/27 The Echo (LA)
  • 3/13 SXSW (AUSTIN)
  • 3/14 SXSW (AUSTIN)
  • 3/15 SXSW (AUSTIN)
  • 3/16 SXSW (AUSTIN)
  • 3/28 Popscene (SF)

 

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January 15, 2013 · 4:08 pm

Video: PAPA – “Put Me To Work”

Last October, I posted about this song, “Put Me To Work” by PAPA. (I am STILL in love with it, btw.)

Now, here’s the official video for the song…check it out! It’s a stark, colorful clip by their usual collaborator Jonathan Hausfater that acts as a teaser for the LA duo’s coming full length this year. According to drummer/singer Darren Weiss they were inspired by the show Pete and Pete as their goal was “to make it funny, sad, strange, and beautiful.”

 

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January 15, 2013 · 11:38 am

Stream: Gold Fields – “Dark Again” (Diamond Rings Remix)

After releasing an EP last March, Gold Fields will release their debut LP, Black Sun,  on February 26th via Astralwerks. The Australian quintet has toured with Diamond Rings, Crystal Castles, SBTRKT & Metric, and will be heading out their first US co-headlining tour early next month.  Having played 2012’s SXSW and CMJ, the band has already received praise from the New York Times, Billboard, FILTER, & more. Check out the streams below, Diamond Rings and Gold Fields remixed each other!

Stream: Gold Fields – “Dark Again” (Diamond Rings Remix)

Stream: Diamond Rings – “Runaway Love” (Gold Fields Remix)

 

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January 11, 2013 · 9:50 am

Download: Hollis Brown – “Down On Your Luck”

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After releasing their debut EP last year, the NYC-based band is gearing up to put out their first full-length album, Ride On The Train. Full of gritty jams and soft, sweet ballads, Ride On The Train will be released March 5th via Alive Records.

Despite its title, album track “Down On Your Luck” sets a bright, hopeful tone with twangy guitars and a playful vocal melody. “Doghouse Blues” is a straight-up bluesy rock song with rollicking melodies and dirty guitar licks. “Walk On Water” kicks it up a notch with raw vocals and screeching guitar solos. Tracks like the melancholic “If It Ain’t Me” and the powerfully optimistic “Faith & Love” showcase the band’s vulnerable side. The album closes on a sweet note with “Nightfall,” fading out with smooth, crooning vocals drifting above light, dreamy instrumentation.

Having already performed alongside Deer Tick and Caveman, Hollis Brown will hit the road for a mini East-coast tour this month. Be sure to catch them live in your city, and stay tuned for more from Hollis Brown coming soon!

Download: Hollis Brown – “Down On Your Luck”

Hollis Brown on Tour:
1/11: Annapolis, MD @ Metropolitan
1/16: Pittsburgh, PA @ Club Cafe
1/17: Cleveland, OH @ Beachland Ballroom
1/18: Columbus, OH @ Rumba Cafe
1/19: Frederick, MD @ Cafe Nola
2/01: Burlington, VT @ Red Square
2/02: Boston, MA @ Great Scott
2/16: Philadelphia, PA @ Milkboy

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