Category Archives: Check ’em Out!

Check ‘Em Out: London Grammar

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“London Grammar account for every slippery string, vocal echo, ultrasound heartbeat, and wordless, holy vocal peal on “Metal and Dust,” the second in a so-far immaculate collection.”–Pitchfork

“The title track of their debut EP, Metal & Dust, features backing so tasteful it cries out to be defaced, while the Unfinished Sympathy breakbeat further enhances the sense of early-90’s déjà vu.” – The Guardian

London Grammar are now officially 2-for-2, with this dusky, sumptuous new single [Metal & Dust] emerging from the mysterious LDN group.” – Gorilla vs. Bear

London Grammar is Hannah Reid, Dot Major and Dan Rothman, who formed the band while attending university together. After spending most of 2012 in the studio working on their debut album, London Grammar revealed their first single, “Hey Now,” on their Soundcloud in December. “Hey Now” has hit almost 370,000 plays to date, while total Soundcloud plays are now over 1.5 million.

The Metal & Dust EP will come out in America on June 25th via Columbia Records. The EP will include their latest UK single “Wasting My Young Years” as well as “Hey Now,” “Metal & Dust” and a Dot Major remix of “Hey Now.”  “Wasting My Young Years” is an emotional and passionate track featuring an intricate piano hook and haunting vocals that lead into a beautiful and powerful chorus backed by escalating drums and guitars. The “Wasting My Young Years” official music video, directed by BISON, can be viewed below, and you can see a gorgeous live rendition at The Guardian HERE.

The London trio will play Glastonbury and various other festivals in the UK this summer, following two sold out headline shows at London’s Electrowerkz and Islington Assembly Hall. The band should be making their way to the states in the near future. London Grammar is also featured on the Disclosure album track “Help Me Lose My Mind”.

LG

London Grammar – Metal & Dust EP (out 6/25 on Columbia Records)
01.  Metal & Dust
02.  Hey Now
03.  Wasting My Young Years
04.  Hey Now (Dot Major Remix)

Download: London Grammar – “Hey Now” (Dot Major Remix)

Listen: London Grammar – “Metal & Dust”

ListenLondon Grammar – Wasting My Young Years (Kids of the Apocalypse Remix) (this one is my FAVORITE, been listening to it repeatedly for 2 weeks!)

London Grammar Tour Dates:

Sat 6/22: London @ Night + Day, Hatfield (festival curated by The XX)
Sat 6/29: Pilton @ Glastonbury
Thurs 7/4: London @ Soho House
Fri 7/5: Winchester @ Blissfields
Sat 7/13: Warlingham @ Leefest
Fri 7/19: Grafenhainichen @ Melt
Sun 7/21: Dublin @ Longitude Festival
Sat 7/27: Kendal @ Kendal Calling
Sun 7/28: Huntingdon @ Secret Garden Party
Fri 8/2: Dorset @ Camp Bestival
Sun 8/4: Standon @ Standon Calling
Wed 8/7: Ibiza @ Ibiza Rocks
Fri 8/9: Cornbury @ Wilderness Festival
Sat 8/24: Katowice @ Tauron Nows Muzyka
Fri  9/6: Isle of Wight @ Bestival
Tues 10/15: Norwich @ Norwich Open
Wed 10/16: Brighton @ Brighton Haunt
Fri 10/18: Brixton @ Brixton Electric
Sat 10/19: Oxford @ Oxford Gathering
Sun 10/20: Bristol @ Bristol The Fleece
Tues 10/22: Nottingham @ Nottingham Rescue Rooms
Wed 10/23: Birmingham @ Birmingham Academy 3
Thurs 10/24: Leeds @ Leeds Cockpit
Sat 10/26: Manchester @ Manchester Soundcontrol
Sun 10/27: Glasgow @ Glasgow Broadcast
Mon 10/28: Newcastle @ Newcastle Cluny

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Newest Love: Caravan Palace

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“Imagine sashaying into a night club, looking to get down to some thumping electro, only to hear swing music from the 1930s. That’s just what you’d hear if you happen into a club where the band Caravan Palace is playing. And if you hang for just a moment … you’ll be dancing.” – NPR

“[Panic] is terribly cool and fun to listen to.  The musical magic is evident on every one of the 14 cuts… one of the best shows of the summer, no doubt.” – KCRW

The sprawling musical collective known as Caravan Palace are celebrated worldwide for pioneering the sound of electro swing. From their 2009 eponymous debut album, which sold over 150,000 copies (and made them a surprise breakout band from France that year) to their latest album Panic, they have always combined their trademark studio technology with incredible musicianship and infectious onstage energy. This seamless and thrilling fusion of Django Reinhardt / Stephane Grapelli-inspired gypsy jazz with Daft Punk-inspired dance beats and crisp production has justly won them a legion of loyal fans.

This summer Caravan Palace will once again ignite dance floors across the country when they return to North America for a 29-date tour that is not to be missed. To celebrate the tour, the band is also re-releasing their last album, Panic, along with a FREE MP3 of “Clash” (Jupiter Remix).

Download: Caravan Palace – “Clash” (Jupiter Remix)

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Caravan Palace on Tour this Summer
6/21: Stratton Mountain, VT @ Wanderlust
6/22: Stratton Mountain, VT @ Wanderlust
6/23: Boston, MA @ Brighton Music Hall
6/25: Philadelphia, PA @ TLA
6/26: Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club
6/27: New York, NY @ Irving Plaza
6/28: Montreal, PQ @ Montreal Jazz / Club Soda
6/29: Toronto, ONT @ Mod Club
6/30: Detroit, MI @ Crofoot
7/1: Chicago, IL @ Bottom Lounge
7/2: Minneapolis, MN @ Cedar’s
7/4: Denver, CO @ Bluebird
7/5: Copper Mountain, CO @ Wanderlust
7/6: Copper Mountain, CO @ Wanderlust
7/15: Santa Ana, CA @ Observatory
7/16: San Diego, CA @ Belly UP
7/17: Los Angeles, CA @ Henry Fonda
7/18: Santa Cruz, CA @ Rio Theater
7/19: Lake Tahoe, CA @ Wanderlust
7/20: Lake Tahoe, CA @ Wanderlust
7/22: San Francisco, CA @ Bimbo’s
7/24: Portland, OR @ Star Theater
7/25: Seattle, WA  @ Neumos
7/26: Vancouver, BC @ Rickshaw
7/28: Calgary, ALB @ Calgary Folk Festival
7/31: Edmonton, ALB @ Pawn Shop
8/2: Whistler, BC @ Wanderlust
8/3: Whistler, BC @ Wanderlust

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Check ‘Em Out: Ewert and The Two Dragons

Ewert

Deemed by critics as “the crown jewel of Estonian music,” Ewert and The Two Dragons are excited to announce they will be returning to the U.S. for a nationwide headline tour this Fall. Kicking off September 4 in Portland, OR, the 6-week stint includes stops in New York, Los Angeles, Austin, Denver, Chicago, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Boston, San Francisco and more. The 4-piece indie folk rockers are touring in support of the long-awaited U.S. release of their acclaimed second album Good Man Down, which is set for a digital release on June 25 and a physical release on August 13, via Sire/ADA.

Led by Ewert Sundja, Ewert and The Two Dragons is rounded out by Erki Pärnoja, Pärnoja (guitar) and Kristjan Kallas (drums), and Ivo Etti (bass, guitar). Good Man Down has received overwhelming praise since its 2011 European release, quickly becoming one of Estonia’s best-selling albums and earning them five Estonian Music Awards, including “Album of the Year,” “Song of the Year” and “Band of the Year.” Their biggest accolade, however, came this past January when the band won the European Border Breakers Awards honoring the best new acts in Europe for achieving success outside their home country with their first international release.

 The band discusses their music and life on the road in:

A Portrait of Ewert and The Two Dragons

Ewert and The Two Dragons have been steadily on the rise since the release of their 2009 debut The Hills Behind The Hills. The 4-piece has toured all over the world and are fixtures throughout the European festival circuit, performing at Iceland Airwaves, Eurosonic, The Great Escape, Germany’s Popkomm, Waves Vienna, and more. Finnish music magazine Rumba caught them during the early stages of their career at the renowned Baltic music festival Positivus, declaring them “the best band at the entire festival” where they were on the line-up alongside Muse, The Scissor Sisters, and others. The buzz garnered by the band at these festivals got the attention of legendary A&R man Seymour Stein, who immediately signed them to Sire Records after seeing them perform live in the U.S.

EWERT AND THE TWO DRAGONS TOUR DATES

Sept 4 – Portland, OR @ MusicFestNW

Sept 6 – Vancouver, BC @ The Media Club

Sept 7 – Seattle, WA @ Barboza

Sept 9 – San Francisco, CA @ Bottom Of The Hill

Sept 10- Los Angeles, CA @ The Satellite

Sept 11- San Diego, CA @ The Casbah

Sept 12- Scottsdale, CA @ The Rhythm Room

Sept 13 – Albuquerque, NM @ Launchpad

Sept 14- Denver, CO @ Moon Room

Sept 17 – Oklahoma City, OK @ The Conservatory

Sept 19- Houston, TX @ Fitzgerald’s Downstairs

Sept 20 – Austin, TX @ Stubb’s BBQ

Sept 21- Dallas, TX @ The Prophet Bar

Sept 23 – Nashville, TN @ The High Watt

Sept 24- St. Louis, MO @ The Firebird

Sept 25- Madison, WI @ The Frequency

Sept 27- Minneapolis, MN @ 7th Street Entry

Sept 28 – Chicago, IL @ Beat Kitchen

Sept 30- Columbus, OH @ The Basement

Oct 1 – Ann Arbor, MI @ Blind Pig

Oct 2 – Toronto, ONT @ The Legendary Horseshoe Tavern

Oct 3 – Rochester, NY @ The Bug Jar

Oct 4 – Pittsburgh, PA @ The Smiling Moose

Oct 5 – Philadelphia, PA @ Johnny Brenda’s

Oct 7 – Washington, DC  @ DC9

Oct 9 – Cambridge, MA @ TT the Bear’s Place

Oct 10 – New York, NY @ The Mercury Lounge

Oct 12 – Burlington, VT @ Higher Ground

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Smallpools Tour Dates

Photo credit: Dan Monick

Photo credit: Dan Monick

Smallpools is a four-piece outfit founded in Los Angeles with ties to New York, New Jersey and Oregon. Today they’re announcing their first ever live shows, a tour with Australia’s San Cisco that will take them from the East Coast to Canada, through the Mid West and San Francisco and ends in Los Angeles. The brand new band consists of Sean (vocals/keys), Mike (guitar), Joe (bass) and Beau (drums).

Their first single “Dreaming” was produced by Captain Cuts. The song instantly shot to #1 of Hype Machine within the first 3 days of revealing. The band explains the song: “In contrast to the upbeat vibe of the music, the song talks about a moment where everything goes wrong in a situation where you thought you had it all figured out. A moment we’ve all experienced to some degree, but most often if we’re lucky, in a dream where we get to wake up in a sweat and say, “Phewf, ok, that wasn’t real.” “

Listen/download: Smallpools – “Dreaming”

Smallpools live dates:
* / w San Cisco
7/15 – Boston, MA @ Brighton Music Hall *
7/16 – Philadelphia, PA @ Johnny Brenda’s *
7/18 – Washington DC @ Rock and Roll Hotel *
7/19 – Clifton Park, NY @ Upstate Concert Hall *
7/20 – Northampton, MA @ Iron Horse Music Hall *
7/22 – New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom *
7/23 – Buffalo, NY @ Tralf Music Hall *
7/24 – Toronto, Ontario @ The Garrison *
7/26 – Columbus, OH @ The Basement *
7/27 – Louisville, KY @ Zanzabar *
7/28 – Nashville, TN @ Exit/In *
7/29 – St. Louis, MO @ Off Broadway *
7/31 – Minneapolis, MN @Triple Rock Social Club *
8/08 – San Francisco, CA @ Popscene
8/12 – San Francisco, CA @ Slim’s *
8/13 – Los Angeles, CA @ Echoplex *

“”Dreaming” is alt radio gold with extreme crossover potential, the kind of song that only comes along a few times a year, and rarely on a debut single.” – Neon Gold

“Ladies and gentleman, your summer anthem has arrived.” – Pigeons & Planes

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Haerts Release New Song “All The Days”

Haerts

New York band Haerts have revealed their brand new track “All The Days” exclusively via Elle.com.

Click here to have a listen!

“Ripe for a top-down cruise to, well, anywhere. Your summer playlist just got a headliner,” Elle commented about the track.

HAERTS is a band from New York hailing from Germany, England, and the United States. The group consists of Nini Fabi, Ben Gebert, Garrett Ienner, Derek McWilliams, and Jonathan Schmidt. The band’s first single, “Wings,” was produced in collaboration with Jean-Philip Grobler (aka St. Lucia). HAERTS’ debut album is due in 2013.

Late last year, the band revealed their first song “Wings” and an unofficial video for the song HERE, before going to SXSW where they played the Columbia/Filter, Laneways, IndieShuffle, Portals/Hype Machine and Neon Gold Records showcases. The band is playing their upcoming album live first on their first American tour with Shout Out Louds and will continue touring with Atlas Genius through June.

HAERTS live:
* = w/ Shout Out Louds
# = w/ Atlas Genius
& = w/ Fitz and The Tantrums

Thu 5/23: Los Angeles, CA @ El Rey *
Fri 5/24: Los Angeles, CA @ El Rey *
Wed 5/29: Salt Lake City, UK @ Kilby Court #
Fri 5/31: Denver, CO @ Bluebird Theatre #
Sat 6/1: Colorado Springs, CO @ The Black Sheep #
Tue 6/4: Minneapolis, MN @ Fine Line Music #
Thu 6/6: Indianapolis, IN @ Delux @ Old Nation #
Fri 6/7: Columbus, OH @ Newport Music Hall #
Sun 6/9: Nashville, TN @ 3rd and Lindsey #
Tue 6/11: Norfolk, VA @ The Norva #
Wed 6/12: Richmond, VA @ The Canal Club #
Fri 6/14: Albany, NY @ Bayou Café #
Sat 6/15: Cambridge, MA @ The Sinclair #
Mon 6/17: Pawtucket, RI @ The Met Café #
Tue 6/18: New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom #
Wed 6/19: New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom #
Mon 6/24: Detroit, MI @ The Shelter #
Fri 6/28: Boston, MA @ Paradise Rock Club &
Sun 6/30: New York, NY @ Irving Plaza &
Sat 9/14: Rochester, MI @ Laneway Festival Detroit

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New Remix From The Chainsmokers + Free Download

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Check out The Chainsmokers remix of Say Lou Lou’s “Julian”.

The duo says, “We first heard the song “Julian” from Say Lou Lou and immediately fell in love with their haunting vocals and cool vibes, like Nervo meets Tegan and Sara, but we felt, underneath the grungy yet sexy vocals there was room for a really beautiful uptempo Indie Progressive song. We always preach about trying to make music that is a beautiful blend of pop, indie and progressive, which isn’t always possible, but we feel like this time, we did. Each of those genre to us represent some of music’s most important provisions, emotion, energy, dance and the ability to appeal to many.”
 

 

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Check ‘Em Out: Lucius – “Until We Get There” (The song from New Girl!)

Lucius

“… they’re something special” – The New York Times, Paul Krugman

“[Lucius’] buoyant sound calls to mind the girl groups of the ’60s… ” – Wall Street Journal

There’s no mistaking Lucius for anyone else… ” – Rolling Stone

luscious, leonine, ’60s-indebted indie-pop” – SPIN

Momentum continues to build for NYC’s Lucius as the band hits the road this summer making stops at several high profile US music festivals and events including the Nelsonville Music Festival, Mountain Stage, Bonnaroo, Wilco’s Solid Sound and the Rocky Mountain Folks Festival. With emotionally charged, upbeat, 60s inspired songs and a sincere crowd connection, the quintet has solidified its reputation as a must-see live band.

Fans spoke and Lucius listened. Since airing on FOX’s hit show New Girl last week, Lucius’ demo version of “Until We Get There” was uploaded to YouTube by fans and has garnered 45K+ plays. As a sneak peek to the debut album coming in the fall, Lucius is giving a stream of the track to fans (and download for email exchange) HERE.

For a taste of the band’s seductive live show, check out the “Don’t Just Sit There” live studio video among other songs from their WNYC Soundcheck appearance last month and the infamous NPR “Tiny Desk Concert”.

Lucius Tour Dates

6/1: Nelsonville, OH @ Nelsvonville Music Festival
6/2: Morgantown, WV @ Mountain Stage
6/13: Pittsburgh, PA @ Three Rivers Arts Festival (FREE)
6/14: New Albany, IN @ New Albany Bicentennial Park Concert Series (FREE)
6/15: Manchester, TN @ Bonnaroo (New Music Lounge / 5.20 – 6.10pm)
6/16: Manchester, TN @ Bonnaroo (Sonic Stage / 1:45-2:15pm)
6/17: Charlotte, NC @ Stage Door Theater at Blumenthal PAC
6/19: Baltimore, MD @ The Metro Gallery
6/20: Sellersville, PA @ Sellersville Theater %
6/22: North Adams, MA @ Solid Sound Festival
6/26: Lewiston, NY @ Artpark *
7/31: Toronto, ON @ Edgefest
8/7: New Haven, CT @ Bar (FREE)
8/16: Lyons, CO @ Rocky Mountain Folks Festival
8/28: Los Angeles, CA @ The Echo #
8/29: San Francisco, CA @ Brick & Mortar Music Hall

% co-headlining with Hey Marseilles
*supporting Dispatch
# Touché supports

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Check ‘Em Out: Typhoon

typhoon

Portland, Oregon’s Typhoon – one of the most talked about new bands – is proud to announce the August 20th release of their new album White Lighter on MapleMusic Recordings and Roll Call Records.

White Lighter is the follow up to the bands acclaimed EP A New Kind Of House that caught the attention of countless music critics and listeners for what NPR’s Bob Boilen calls “absolutely stunning” and “so beautiful, it make’s me want to follow every single thing Typhoon does.”

Recorded at Pendarvis Farm in Happy Valley, Oregon, Typhoon isolated themselves from outside distractions to arrange and record this collection of songs with an impressive emphasis on storytelling and melody.

“On the farm, we were living inside the record” says songwriter Morton. “I had one place in the woods where I would write and rewrite one song, and a different place for working another. The whole thing was laid out spatially over so many acres. I built a small fort in the wood barn where I kept my books and guitar.  Slept a couple feet away from the recording desk.  When it was cold, we built wood fires, when it was warm we went swimming down the road.  Friends came and went, sometimes recording with us.”

Produced by the band along with their in-house engineer Paul Laxer, Typhoon created a dynamic recording – full of horns, strings and group vocal crescendos – that will establish the band as an immensely creative force.

An inspiring hybrid of literate lyrics and wide ranging pop music – new songs such as first single “Young Fathers,” “Possible Deaths,” “Prosthetic Love” and “Hunger And Thirst” – take listeners on a journey through the experience of having it all, fighting to keep the dream and accepting your fate.

“There are several layers to this new record” says Morton. “It’s definitely the most autobiographical record I’ve ever done. I’m also trying to reconstitute disparate experiences into something like a meaningful sequence in the pale light of truth.”

Along with Rolling Stone, Entertainment Weekly, NPR, Alternative Press and more, Paste Magazine raves “Music critics throw around adjectives like ‘orchestral’ and ‘expansive’ all the time these days. But here’s a band that actually deserves such labels. Portland’s Typhoon is an indie rock geek’s dream: a dynamic 12-piece with a seemingly unending reservoir of energy, emotive vocals, arpeggiated guitars, horns, multiple drum kits and strings … Ladies and gentlemen, meet your new critical darlings.”

Typhoon spent most of 2011 on the road – sharing the stage with The Decemberists, The Shins and Explosions In The Sky and performing at festivals such as Lollapalooza, Osheaga and the Newport Folk Festival – winning over concertgoers with what KEXP calls an “awe inspiring” live show.

Already confirmed for this year’s Austin City Limits Music Festival, Typhoon will set out on a US headlining tour this fall. Stay tuned for more news!

Songwriter Kyle Morton caught up with The Wall Street Journal to talk about the new record, to have a read – click HERE.

Listen/download: Typhoon – “Dreams of Cannibalism”

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Video: Baby Alpaca – “Sea of Dreams”

BabyAlpaca

New York’s band Baby Alpaca is a 3-piece group that consists of Chris Kittrell (vocals, autoharp), Zach McMillan (guitar, backing vocals) and Robert Phillips (drums).   The first single “Sea of Dreams” is a slow building and burning track off of the Baby Alpaca EP that will be released via Atlas Chair Records on June 25th. NPR’s Bob Boilen said this about the video, which is directed by the Cincinnati-native Chris Kittrell: “My dreams are never like Chris Kittrell’s “Sea Of Dreams,” but I wish they were. Watching this animation will be as close as I get”.

“…Sea of Dreams, which channels The Smiths with it’s dreamy, light dada-rock production – think soft, romantic rock that makes you feel all warm and fuzzy on the inside. The debut EP ranges from playful to emotional, but always leaves you impressed. “ – Disco Naïveté

“psychedelic dream-folk” – Interview Magazine

Baby Alpaca – Baby Alpaca EP tracklist:

01. Wild Child

02. On The Roam

03. Sea of Dreams

04. Run With You

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Check ‘Em Out: Mortar & Pestle

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Oakland, California–based trio Mortar & Pestle is set to release its debut EP on May 7th via the local label Post Primal.  They’re the kind of band that makes the kind of “this reminds me of the summer when…” songs that stick. These are tunes which bring up the feelings that make memories, bridging genres and weaving the past and future into a retrospective ride towards tomorrow. The loss, pain, anger and triumph are heard in Lambert’s soulful voice; a voice that gets right to the heart of the matter, and like a female Dave Gahan of Depeche Mode, her pure emotion sits perfectly complimented by her band’s electronics. The arresting first single “U.V.” recently premiered via SPIN.  “‘U.V. is about the effect love has,” says lead singer Janaysa Lambert. “It’s warm at first, and fills us with expansive joy, but not unlike the rays of the sun, it can age us quickly.”

The sounds of a pinball machine in the opening of the tune might say fun, the same way PartyBingo says fun, but make no mistake; the song gives way to a darkness that is real.  Born on the kitchen piano of a studio apartment, days after Lambert and keyboardist Paul Shinichi first met at a mutual friend’s party, the two were joined within the year by drummer Sean Paul Duke. Tragically, the friend who brought them together met with an untimely death shortly after she gave the band its name.

“She wanted to be the one to name us,” says Shinichi. “We were struggling with a name for months, and then she came up with Mortar & Pestle. I think honoring her life is one reason why we are together. This album is really about her.”  The band is also now completing a music video for “U.V.” that is as moving as the song itself.  And, even with the upcoming release of Mortar & Pestle’s debut, the band is already writing its next release.

Listen/download: Mortar & Pestle – “U.V.”

Mortar & Pestle Live

 05/10 Oakland, CA @ The Uptown Record Release Show

05/12 Portland, OR @ The Lovecraft w/ Not from Brooklyn

05/15 Seattle, WA @ The Redezvous/Jewelbox Theatre w/ Not from Brooklyn

mortarpestle

Track Listing:

01. U.V.

02. Pristine Dream

03. Lady 7

04. Lighthouse

05. Switchblade Bandita

06. Electric Angel

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