Category Archives: new albums

July 3, 2013 · 10:22 am

Download: Desert Stars – “Off the Cliff”

Desert Stars

A classically trained violinist, Janelle Best brings a distinctive mark to the intricately layered instrumentation, lush harmonies and atmospheric guitar implemented by her band Desert Stars.

Their newest track “Off the Cliff” invites you to take a plunge deep down into a reverb-soaked abyss, darkened by Janelle’s warm voice.

Listen/download: Desert Stars – “Off the Cliff”

Along with Best and Hill, Desert Stars is comprised of guitarist Eric Altesleben, bassist Tim Edgar and drummer Gregg Giuffré, a quintet whose music has the effect we only wish Phil Spector had produced for The Jesus and Mary Chain. With twelve tracks of languid harmony and reverb, Habit Shackles (available on July 16th) is certain to resonate with fans of Nico and Cat Power.

You can see Desert Stars at their album release show on July 16th at Cameo in New York.

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June 28, 2013 · 11:26 am

Brand New: Franz Ferdinand

FF

YAY YAAAAAYYYYYYY for new Franz!!! Here are not one, but TWO new songs from the band’s upcoming album Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Action which will be released on August 27.

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June 27, 2013 · 11:34 am

Download: Leftover Cuties – “What’s The Matter?”

leftovercuties

Los Angeles-based noir-pop quartet Leftover Cuties are primed to release their sophomore full-length album, The Spark & The Fire, on July 23rd! Returning with a 12-track journey that swings easily from smoke-filled Bourbon St. speakeasies to quiet island getaways, Shirli McAllen’s silky voice provides the hook as the band’s sound pulls you in with upright bass, accordion, piano, brass, brushed drums, and yes, the ukulele.

We previously released first single “One Heart” – a powerhouse track filled with handclaps and stomping percussion. Today, we’re sharing “What’s The Matter?,” a beautifully bittersweet ode to an absent lover. The ballad shows off chanteuse Shirli’s powerful, emotive vocals alongside lush instrumentation and an irresistibly memorable chorus that fixes itself squarely in your mind (and heart!)

Listen/download: Leftover Cuties – “What’s The Matter?”

Leftover Cuties will embark on a full US tour this summer, giving new fans their first chance to see the Cuties captivating live show. The tour will start in California, with stops in New York, Chicago, St. Louis, Boston and more. The band has performed alongside Shelby Lynne, Alabama Shakes, Saint Motel, the Be Good Tanyas and many more.

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June 27, 2013 · 11:26 am

New Music: Typhoon – “Young Fathers”

white lighter

Last month, we introduced you to Typhoon and their song, “Dreams of Cannibalism.” Now, the band is excited to premiere the first single “Young Fathers” from their anticipated new album White Lighter.

White Lighter – out August 20th – is the follow up to the band’s EP A New Kind Of House that caught the attention of countless music critics and listeners for its inspiring hybrid of literate lyrics and wide ranging pop music.

Typhoon will head out on a North America headlining tour beginning September 5th in their hometown of Portland, OR. This six-week tour will include performances at the Austin City Limits Music Festival, Pop Montreal and Music Fest NW, along with stops in New York, Los Angeles and Vancouver.

What makes these songs so great is the sense of borrowed time and urgency. A series of events suffered from a bug bite – failed organs, life spared thanks to modern medicine and a kidney given to him by his father – Kyle Morton, the band’s lead singer and songwriter, channeled his emotions into songwriting to create this big-hearted sound that bursts with a raw emotion and energy. The end result is a remarkably powerful and beautiful collection of songs.

“When we started working on White Lighter, I had reason to believe that it would be the last thing I ever did,” says Kyle. “It is now six months since we finished. I’m still here and there’s still work to be done.”

Listen: Typhoon – “Young Fathers”

Typhoon Tour Dates (more to be announced) *Cdn dates are bolded:

September 5-6            Music Fest NW                                   Portland, OR

September 9         The Rickshaw Theatre         Vancouver, BC

September 10              The Crocodile Café                           Seattle, WA

September 12              El Korah Shrine                                  Boise, ID

September 13              Urban Lounge                                     Salt Lake City, UT

September 14              Hi-Dive                                                  Denver, CO

September 16              The Waiting Room                            Omaha, NE

September 17              The Old Rock House                         St. Louis, MO

September 19              Cedar Cultural Center                     Minneapolis, MN

September 20              Schubas                                                Chicago, IL

September 21              Beachland Tavern                             Cleveland, OH

September 22              Wexner Center                                  Columbus, OH

September 25       Pop! Montreal                        Montreal, QC

September 26              Higher Ground                                   South Burlington, VT

September 27              The Iron Horse                                  Northampton, MA

September 28              Littlefield                                             Brooklyn, NY

September 29              Brighton Music Hall                         Boston, MA

September 30              Le Poisson Rouge                             New York, NY

October 1                      Johnny Brenda’s                                Philadelphia, PA

October 2                      The Rock ‘n Roll Hotel                     Washington, DC

October 6 & 13            Austin City Limits Festival             Austin, TX

October 17                    The Satellite                                        Los Angeles, CA

October 18                    The Independent                              San Francisco, CA

October 19                    WOW Hall                                            Eugene, OR

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June 26, 2013 · 11:24 am

Brand New: Duck Sauce

Click on image to go buy the track on iTunes

Click on image to go buy the track on iTunes

Finally!!! Duck Sauce, the Grammy-nominated duo consisting of Fool’s Gold trendsetting boss A-Trak and house legend Armand Van Helden, are putting the final touches on their debut studio album, Quack, due for release this fall on Casablanca records. Together they shuffle into the summer with the absurdly catchy single “It’s You” and an equally bonkers, hair-raising video by acclaimed director Philip Andelman.

“It’s You” properly follows in the webbed footsteps of Duck Sauce’s past video hits, including 2011’s VMA nominated, comically grotesque “Big Bad Wolf” and the viral smash “Barbra Streisand” in 2010. The stadium-filling whistle of “Barbra” remains one of the biggest dance tracks of the last decade, racking up over 100 million YouTube plays and hitting #1 in 12 countries.

Duck Sauce plan to shake things up with Quack, coming later this year. This isn’t your typical dance album: Quack pushes the boundaries of house music and sampling into an absurdly visual listening experience, interwoven with skits, scratching and irresistible loops. Expect many more videos from the pair of New York prankster pioneers.

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June 18, 2013 · 3:24 pm

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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June 18, 2013 · 11:34 am

Download: Kyle Andrews – “Crystal Ball”

KA

Kyle Andrews has released several deliriously catchy albums built to make you smile. Best known for his 2010 hit “You Always Make Me Smile,” which was featured in a worldwide ad campaign and had a video that was shot during an attempt to make the Guinness Book of World Records for the largest water balloon fight, he returns with a new full-length Brighter Than The Sun, out July 23 via Elephant Lady Records!

kyle

Album track “Crystal Ball” glistens with shimmering synth and an infectious, dance-worthy beat that’s sure to lift your spirits.

Listen/download: Kyle Andrews – “Crystal Ball”

Brighter Than The Sun is a pulsating, fun-inducing pop album. “Looking Up” is so funky you can’t help but bounce to the feel-good bass line. “The Way To Wonder” begins with light acoustic-guitar strumming and handclaps, quickly building up to an epic climax. Drawing inspiration from society’s inclination towards the technological, Kyle is no stranger to the innovative – he uses everything from built-in laptop mics to top-of-the line studio set ups to compose and record his tunes.

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June 14, 2013 · 3:13 pm

New Music From Editors

CDP_Wallet.indd

The Weight Of Your Love, Editors’ fourth studio album, is, according to lead singer and songwriter Tom Smith, “a band record, a musical record, a rock record… with a foot in that alt-rock / Americana world.”

The Weight Of Your Love is the first Editors album to feature new members Justin Lockey and Elliott Williams, following the departure of founding member Chris Urbanowicz in 2012. Inspired by Scott Litt’s work with REM amongst others, and built around a live performance approach to recording, the album was recorded in Nashville at Blackbird Studio by producer Jacquire King (Tom Waits, Norah Jones, Of Monsters And Men, Kings Of Leon) and mixed by Craig Silvey (Arctic Monkeys, The Horrors, Arcade Fire, Bon Iver). It also features extra production from Clint Mansell (Grammy award winning ‘Black Swan’ soundtrack) on “Nothing”, rescored from the original to become what Tom and Ed Lay both describe as the “centerpiece” of the album.

Lyrically focused on “love songs that don’t adhere to the traditional love song type” according to lead singer Tom Smith, The Weight Of Your Love features lots of firsts for the band, not the least of which is Tom’s falsetto on “What Is This Thing Called Love”. Horns make an appearance for the first time on an Editors record, and Elliott’s amazing new vocal contributions serve as a beautifully melodic counterpoint to Tom’s, as best displayed on “Formaldehyde”. “The Phone Book”, meanwhile, seemed to need nothing more than an acoustic guitar. “I have a deep love of those big rock records that are straightforward,” notes Tom, “and we really embraced that throughout this album.”

The Weight Of Your Love is the follow up to Editors two consecutive Number One UK Albums: An End Has A Start (2007) and In This Light And On This Evening (2009). Their debut album, The Back Room (2005) has sold over half a million copies in the UK.
The Weight Of Your Love will be released by Play It Again Sam / [PIAS] America on July 2nd digitally, and July 9th on CD, double CD (with bonus tracks), & double 180g vinyl.

The first single, “A Ton of Love”, will be released digitally on June 18th  – watch the video for “A Ton of Love” below.

And here’s my forever FAVE song from Editors (from their 2005 debut album, The Back Room):

 

 

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June 13, 2013 · 3:29 pm

Download: Leftover Cuties – “One Heart”

LC

“…Leftover Cuties have added a breath of fresh air to L.A.’s music scene.”
– Paste Magazine 

“The Olympics’ most surprise breakout band was California jazz-pop outfit the Leftover Cuties.”
– Billboard

Los Angeles-based noir-pop quartet Leftover Cuties are primed to release their sophomore full-length album, The Spark & The Fire, on July 23rd! Returning with their irresistible knack for modern classics, Leftover Cuties seamlessly blend timeless songwriting with a nouveau eclectic edge that is both sophisticated and accessible.

leftovercuties

Fans and music lovers will be rewarded with a 12-track journey that swings easily from smoke-filled Bourbon St. speakeasies to quiet island getaways. Shirli McAllen’s silky voice provides the hook as the band’s sound pulls you in with upright bass, accordion, piano, brass, brushed drums, and yes, the ukulele.

“One Heart” is a powerhouse track, with handclaps and stomping percussion marching alongside seductive vocals & smoky melodies.

OneHeart

Listen/download: Leftover Cuties – “One Heart”

Starting this summer Leftover Cuties will embark on a full US Tour, giving new fans their first chance to see the Cuties captivating live show.  The tour will start in California, with stops in New York, Chicago, St. Louis, Boston, Montreal and more.

Leftover Cuties first came to global recognition when their tune “Game Called Life,”was chosen as the opening theme of Showtime’s hit series, The Big C. Their music has also been heard in worldwide ad campaigns for the likes of  Samsung & Hyundai.

Leftover Cuties has performed alongside Shelby Lynne, Alabama Shakes, Honeyhoney, Kinna Grannis, Kitty Daisy & Lewis, Saint Motel, the Be Good Tanyas and many more.

Leftover Cuties Tour Dates
6/14: Santa Monica, CA @ Casa Del Mar
6/20-6/22: Las Vegas, NV @ The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas
6/28: Santa Monica, CA @ Casa Del Mar
7/12: San Francisco, CA @ Hotel Utah
7/13: Grass Valley, CA @ California WorldFest
7/14: Grass Valley, CA @ California WorldFest
7/17: Minneapolis, MN @ Dakota Jazz Club
7/18: Rochester, MN @ Thursdays on First & 3rd
7/20: Louisville, KY @ Lebowski Fest
7/21: St. Louis, MO @ Old Rock House
7/22: Chicago, IL @ Schubas
7/23: Ann Arbor, MI @ The Ark
7/25: Toronto, ON @ Rivoli
7/26: Montreal, QC @ Quai Des Brumes
7/28: Winooski, VT @ The Monkey House
7/31: Boston, MA @ Regattabar
8/3: New York, NY @ Rockwood Music Hall
8/4: Bethlehem, PA @ Musikfest
8/6: Arlington, VA @ Iota Club
8/7: Chapel Hill, NC @ Local 506
8/9: Tampa, FL @ Straz Center at Jaeb Theater
8/10: Jacksonville, FL @ Underbelly
8/12: Mandeville, LA @ Ruby’s Roadhouse
8/13: Fort Worth, TX @ Live Oak Music Hall
8/14: Austin, TX @ Stubbs Jr.
8/17: Phoenix, AZ @ MIM Music Theater
8/21: Los Angeles, CA @ Bootleg Bar
9/4: Seattle, WA @ Triple Door
9/5: Portland, OR @ White Eagle Saloon
9/7: Fresno, CA @ The Painted Table
9/8: Larkspur, CA @ Marin Country Mart
9/13: San Diego, CA @ The Griffin

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June 11, 2013 · 8:57 am

Video: Chase and Status – “Lost & Not Found”

chasestatus

Chase and Status has just released the video for “Lost & Not Found” (feat. Louis M^ttrs), filmed in California, which is the first single to be taken from their eagerly anticipated upcoming third album. The “Lost & Not Found” single will come with remixes from Dream McClean, Kove and Josh Butler, and will be available June 30th via Casablanca Records, right after Chase and Status headline the Other Stage at the world famous Glastonbury Festival.

Casablanca are also proud to announce that Chase and Status has recently been added to the Rock The Bells tour that will see the guys (and some special guest vocalists from the new album) play San Bernardino, San Francisco, Washington DC and New Jersey in September/October. Widely known for its unrivalled hip-hop line ups, this is a unique and exciting opportunity for a largely electronic act like Chase and Status to play alongside the likes of Tyler The Creator, Common, Talib Kweli and Wu Tang Clan: epitomizing just how varied and genre defying Chase and Status really are…

On “Lost & Not Found,” Chase and Status give a nod to the early 90’s rave era that inspires them, the single shows a change in direction for the duo and gives their fans a glimpse of what’s to come with their new record. Always looking to support unknown and underground talent, as they did with their last album No More Idols (Maverick Sabre, Delilah, Liam Bailey etc), “Lost & Not Found” features the talented new artist Louis M^ttrs.

Chase and Status are undoubtedly one of the most exciting and successful British bands of the past decade. Their double platinum, second album No More Idols has sold over 600,000 copies in the UK alone and spawned over 2 million singles. They were the biggest selling band in the UK in 2011, behind Coldplay and last year were nominated for ‘Best British Band’ at the Brit Awards 2012. They have also been nominated for two prestigious Q Awards, won the Q Award in 2010 for Best Video.

Upcoming Chase and Status Tour Dates
9/01 – New York, NY – Electric Zoo
9/07 – San Bernadino, CA – San Manuel Amphitheatre (Rock The Bells)
9/08 – San Bernadino, CA – San Manuel Amphitheatre (Rock The Bells)
9/14 – San Francisco, CA  – Shoreline Amphitheatre (Rock The Bells)
9/15 – San Francisco, CA  – Shoreline Amphitheatre (Rock The Bells)
9/28 – Washington, DC – RFK Stadium (Rock The Bells)
9/29 – Washington, DC – RFK Stadium (Rock The Bells)
10/04 – Rutherford, NJ – New Meadowlands Racetrack (Rock The Bells)
10/05 – Rutherford, NJ – New Meadowlands Racetrack (Rock The Bells)

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