Platinum-certified Philadelphia duo Marian Hill’s highly anticipated sophomore album, Unusual, is set for release on May 11th. The album features ten tracks written and produced by Jeremy Lloyd(production/songwriting) and Samantha Gongol (vocals/songwriting) of Marian Hill.
Marian Hill debuts a new track, “Differently,” off of Unusual. “Differently” was produced by Marian Hill and notable Canadian producer Boi-1da (Drake, Rihanna, Kendrick Lamar, Jay-Z, Nicki Minaj, Lana Del Rey). Marian Hill recently released a short episode for “Differently,” which is the second of ten one-minute visual episodes the duo conceptualized for each song off the upcoming album—watch it below:
“Differently” follows Marian Hill’s previously released single, “Subtle Thing,” off of Unusual—watch the “Subtle Thing” video below:
Of their upcoming album, Jeremy Lloyd of Marian Hill says, “We made this album when ‘Down’ was having a moment, and we were reckoning with the fact that our music was now officially pop in the most literal sense. Our favorite pop songs have an intangible quality, something that sets them apart from just about anything else. And so, we pushed ourselves to make many, many unusual pop songs in different cities and tour buses, narrowed them down to a tight 10 and built a world for them to live in.”
Samantha Gongol chimes in, “People often think Marian Hill is the name of a woman, but we are two songwriters who made a name for ourselves by making minimal, strong, sexy, confident music. Unusual is a continuation of that vision, where women are in control even in the most vulnerable of moments. We don’t feel strong and confident all the time, but we hope that when you listen to our music, it makes you feel that way.”
In celebration of Unusual, Marian Hill will embark on a full-scale North American headline tour this spring, including a stop at Coachella. Billed as the “UNUSUAL” tour, Los Angeles-based singer and producer Michl will serve as support. The tour kicks off April 12 in Los Angeles at The Theatre at Ace Hotel and includes stops in Brooklyn, Boston, San Francisco, Chicago, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C. and more. See the full list of tour dates below. Tickets are available now via MarianHillMusic.com.
“UNUSUAL” TOUR DATES: April 12 Los Angeles, California The Theatre at Ace Hotel April 17 Portland, Oregon Crystal Ballroom April 18 Seattle, Washington The Showbox April 20 San Francisco, California Warfield Theatre April 23 San Diego, California The Observatory North Park April 24 Phoenix, Arizona The Van Buren April 26 Denver , Colorado Ogden Theatre April 27 Kansas City, Missouri The Truman April 28 St. Louis, MO Delmar Hall April 30 Austin, Texas Emo’s May 1 Dallas, Texas House of Blues May 2 New Orleans, Louisiana Republic May 4 Tampa, Florida The Orpheum May 5 Birmingham, Alabama Saturn May 6 Nashville, Tennessee Marathon Music Works May 8 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Union Transfer May 9 Washington, DC 9:30 Club May 11 Brooklyn, New York Brooklyn Steel May 12 Boston, Massachusetts Royale May 13 Toronto, Ontario The Mod Club May 15 Chicago, Illinois Metro May 16 St. Paul, Minnesota Palace Theatre
JUNO Award-winning chart-toppers Said The Whale have announced a deluxe edition release of their 2017 LP As Long As Your Eyes Are Wide via Hidden Pony Records. Released one year after the original on March 30, the album includes 10 additional tracks, 5 B-sides, 4 acoustic versions, and 1 new cover song. To celebrate the release, the band has shared one of the previously unreleased tracks “Congratulations”.
Previously operating as a five-piece, the current trio – made up of frontmen Tyler Bancroft and Ben Worcester and keyboardist Jaycelyn Brown – have created their most collaborative, focused record to date. Previous releases highlighted the contrast between the two founders’ eclectic rock influences and salt-of-the-earth folksiness. Here, their styles become one. Despite the album’s many adventurous sonic forays, it remains true to the spirit of their classic work. At its core, As Long As Your Eyes Are Wide is a singer-songwriter record, guided by introspective lyrics and alchemical group harmonies from Ben, Tyler and Jaycelyn.
Additionally, the band has released a 5 episode podcast titled Demoitis. Each episode explores a song from As Long As Your Eyes Are Wide as well as featuring discussions with peers in the Canadian music scene such as Max Kerman (Arkells), Graham Wright (Tokyo Police Club), Ryan Guldemond (Mother Mother) and more.
As Long As Your Eyes Are Wide: Deluxe Edition + B-Sides is available via the band’s website, Spotify, and Apple Music.
With two lead singles already under his belt it’s now time for Eric Sharp to round things out in one symphonic release.
Over the past four years, Sharp has only released individual singles, so the Eric Sharp & Friends EP is a momentous achievement in his career.
Featuring hit tracks “Too Much” and “Take This Time”, you now also get to enjoy two more tunes, “Call in the Night” and “Some Place I Can Call My Own”. Three of the tracks feature his good mate Zhao, with “Too Much” featuring Brooklyn lads French Horn Rebellion.
Eric Sharp has come a long way since his successful DJ spinning days in the underground house and techno scene, but they certainly shaped his productions for a more focused sound today.
“For the ‘Eric Sharp & Friends EP’ I left that creative constraint behind and just focused on making music as an ends in and of itself. Those who follow my original work will know that collaboration is a big part of my process. I find that there is a nearly magical energy exchange in co-creating music with other artists whom I share a wavelength with,” Sharp said.
The four-track body of work shows a softer moodier side to Sharp’s personality both as a producer and a writer, with a creative flow geared towards the philosophy of surrealist painters like Dali, Magritte and Miro.
“Surrealism involves allowing one’s unconscious to manifest itself in one’s work, maintaining an openness to explore whatever flows through oneself. Because of this I often don’t know what a song is going to be about until halfway through writing it,” he said.
The EP was developed both in his home studio and remotely, with writing sessions at Drew Kramer (Wild & Free) and Zhao’s studios, where the focus was primarily around developing ideas.
“It’s hard for me to take in my productions with a fresh ear, but hopefully on first listen people will hear the tracks as warm, inviting, and hypnotic. My goal is to draw people in my world sonically to have their own experience, and for this purpose, an EP is a better avenue than a single would have been,” he said.
When you next see Eric Sharp live, listen closely as you will hear snippets of these four singles filter through his set.
“Ironically, now that I have the final masters I find myself sneaking these songs into my DJ sets quite regularly even though they are pretty different from most of what I mix,” he said.
Eric Sharp & Friends EP is available everywhere now including Spotify & Apple Music, with thanks to Little Assembly.
“…this band can nail any song they want, cheekiness be damned” – Pitchfork “A note-perfect tale of nerd love from two Norwegian dance rockers” – Rolling Stone “…a frothy elixir out of 1980s synth-pop, art-rock and new wave” – The New York Times “Don’t be fooled by the tracksuits and ironic facial hair – these wacky Norwegian ‘new rave’ dudes actually write ace songs” – SPIN “[Datarock] delivers another set of kitschy…songs…very catchy” – BrooklynVegan
The return of DATAROCK is finally upon us: the Norwegian tracksuited synth-stars have finally released their long-awaited third album Face the Brutality. After a nine-year absence, the new album still checks off every spot on the DATAROCK checklist: infuriatingly catchy, impeccably produced, with an undertone of lighthearted goofiness. Make sure not to miss the action-packed video for “Laugh in the Face of Darkness.”
DATAROCK’s playful brand of indie-dance crossover music has been featured everywhere from Workaholics to Vampire Diaries, to more than ten major EA games to various ad campaigns including Apple and Google — take one listen to the opening bassline of “Fa Fa Fa” and you’ll instantly recognize it. American fans have been able to catch sight of the signature red tracksuits at festivals such as Coachella and Lollapalooza and late night TV programs like Jimmy Kimmel. Face the Brutality will be the synth-rockers’ first LP since 2009 and first output since their musical, The Musical, in 2015. Years in the making, Face the Brutality is an album for the bored and bitter survivors of 2017, an upbeat escape with substance.
WhoMadeWho has released their sixth full-length album, ‘Through The Walls’, which is now available digitally and in stores worldwide. The album features the already previously released singles “I Don’t Know” and “Dynasty”.
Back with Through the Walls, four years after the critically lauded Dreams, WhoMadeWho have crafted a shimmering sonic odyssey that’s equal parts epic, heartfelt, soaring and pounding. Co-produced with fellow Copenhageners and dance music luminaries, Kenton Slash Demon, the new record sees Jeppe Kjellberg, Tomas Barfod, and Tomas Høffding, tapping into the same musical restlessness that formed them, making the band incorporate new modes creativity, songwriting, and production. This is probably WhoMadeWho’s most cohesive and daring album to date; a testament to three maverick musicians working at the apex of their game.
WhoMadeWho are that rare thing, a band with their own sound. And Through the Walls adds yet more fuel to the restless, fluctuating bonfire. It sounds as if they won’t cool off or settle down anytime soon.
Tracklist
1. Neighborhood 2. Chrystal 3. Dynasty 4. I Don’t Know 5. Putpie 6. Goodbye To All I Know 7. Through The Walls 8. Belong 9. Funeral Show 10. If This Is Your Love 11. Surfing On A Stone 12. Keep On
“Wait by the River,” the lead single offLord Huron’s highly anticipated album Vide Noir, debuted a few weeks ago (sorry, I’m a little late!!!)
The band’s forthcoming album is out April 20 on Whispering Pines/Republic Records. Find Vide Noir’s tracklist later on in the post, and check out the new track now:
Having already announced a headline tour of the U.S. beginning this spring, the band is also announcing additional dates extending into the fall. Every pair of tickets ordered for the headline tour will include a copy of Vide Noir. For more information and ticket links, visit lordhuron.com. Many dates on the spring tour have already sold out, including New York City’s Beacon Theatre, Chicago’s Riviera Theatre and Boston’s House Of Blues.
Vide Noir was written and recorded over the past two years at Lord Huron’s Los Angeles studio and informal clubhouse, Whispering Pines, and was mixed by Dave Fridmann (The Flaming Lips/MGMT). In conjunction with the album announcement, the band released “Ancient Names (Part I)” and “Ancient Names (Part II),” which received critical praise from NPR Music and SPINwho called them, “An eery, unresolved tale of a crystal ball vision that amplifies the band’s characteristic thematic darkness into distorted garage rock.”
Singer, songwriter and producer Ben Schneiderfound inspiration wandering restlessly through his adopted home of LA at night: “My nighttime drives ranged all over the city—across the twinkling grid of the valley, into the creeping shadows of the foothills, through downtown’s neon canyons and way out to the darksome ocean. I started imagining Vide Noir as an epic odyssey through the city, across dimensions, and out into the cosmos. A journey along the spectrum of human experience. A search for meaning amidst the cold indifference of The Universe,” he says.
As a true multi-media artist, Schneider has once again created an adorned world to inhabit within Vide Noir: the album will be accompanied by a wealth of imagery, films and immersive experiences crafted to expand upon its narratives and themes. This builds on Schneider’s past work, which used videos, a comic book, a choose-your- own-adventure hotline and assorted Easter eggs as means of deepening the listener experience. Watch the trailer for Vide Noir below:
Originally a musical and visual solo project by Michigan-native-turned-Angeleno Schneider, Lord Huron now includes members Mark Barry (percussion), Miguel Briseño(bass) and Tom Renaud (guitar). After a pair of independent EPs, Lord Huron released two full-length albums Lonesome Dreams (2012) and Strange Trails (2015) on IAMSOUND Records, followed by extensive touring and prestigious festival appearances both stateside and abroad. After appearing in the hit Netflix show 13 Reasons Why the band’s song “The Night We Met” (from Strange Trails) was officially certified Platinum in January 2018.
VIDE NOIR TRACKLIST
Lost in Time and Space
Never Ever
Ancient Names (Part I)
Ancient Names (Part II)
Wait by the River
Secret of Life
Back from the Edge
The Balancer’s Eye
When the Night is Over
Moonbeam
Vide Noir
Emerald Star
LORD HURON TOUR DATES (NEWLY ADDED SHOWS IN BOLD – ONSALE FRIDAY, FEB 23) March 24—Tempe, AZ—Innings Festival April 20— Grand Rapids, MI—20 Monroe Live April 21—Chicago, IL— Riviera Theatre **SOLD OUT** April 22—St. Paul, MN—The Palace Theatre April 23— Milwaukee, WI—Riverside Theatre April 25—Kansas City, MO—Arvest Bank Theatre **VENUE UPGRADE** April 26—Indianapolis, IN—The Vogue **SOLD OUT** April 27— Royal Oak, MI—Royal Oak Music Theater April 28—Cincinnati, OH—Homecoming Festival April 30—Boston, MA— House of Blues **SOLD OUT** May 1—Philadelphia, PA—Electric Factory May 3—New York, NY—Beacon Theatre **SOLD OUT** May 4—Washington, DC—The Anthem May 4-6—Atlanta, GA—Shaky Knees Festival May 31—San Diego, CA—House of Blues June 1—San Diego, CA—House of Blues **SOLD OUT** June 2—Los Angeles, CA—Greek Theatre June 3—Oakland, CA—Fox Theater June 5—Portland, OR—Crystal Ballroom **SOLD OUT** June 6—Portland, OR—Crystal Ballroom June 7—Seattle, WA—Moore Theatre **SOLD OUT** June 8—Seattle, WA—Moore Theatre June 15-June 17—Dover, DE—Firefly Festival July 25—Toronto, ON—Sony Centre July 26—Pittsburgh, PA—Stage AE July 27—Cleveland, OH—House Of Blues July 30—Portland, ME—State Theatre August 1—Brooklyn, NY—Brooklyn Steel **SOLD OUT** August 2—Brooklyn, NY—Brooklyn Steel August 5—Boston, MA—House Of Blues September 21—St. Louis, MO—The Pageant September 25—New Orleans, LA—Civic Theatre September 26—Houston, TX—TBD September 29—Austin, TX—TBD October 1—Tulsa, OK—Cain’s Ballroom October 3—Omaha, NE—Sokol Auditorium October 4—Denver, CO—Ogden Theatre October 19—Copenhagen, DK—Vega October 20—Aarhus, DK—Voxhall October 21—Hamburg, DE—Gruenspan October 22—Amsterdam, NL—Paradiso October 23—Brussels, BE—Ancienne Belgique October 25—Cambridge, UK—The Junction October 26—London, UK—Roundhouse October 27—Sheffield, UK—Plug October 28—Gateshead, UK—Sage Gateshead October 29—Liverpool, UK—Invisible Wind Factory October 31—Paris, FR—Le Trianon November 2—Munich, DE—Technikum November 3—Koln, DE—Gloria November 5—Berlin, DE—Columbia Theater
“This is the Ladytron you remember, sleek and icy, with a wall of synthesizers barreling their way toward you, driven by a teutonic disco beat while Helen Marnie, disaffected as ever, intones “There’s no wrong, there’s no God.”
-Brooklyn Vegan
“The Animals” marches forward propelled by brittle percussion and the short, sharp synthesizer riffs popularized by early Eighties New Wave bands. Lead singer Helen Marnie condenses the hook into a punchy, breathless chant as choral backing vocals glide through the mix behind her.”
-Rolling Stone
” a potent combination of smeary dream-pop and futuristic robo-music.”
-Stereogum
“A dark, synth-driven track, the song’s lyrics describe the animalistic, base nature of humanity.”
-Spin
A hallucinatory track of primitive synths and angelic harmonies, with lyrics considering our more savage instincts.”
-Flood Magazine
On March 1st, Liverpool’s synth meets shoegaze quartet Ladytron released their new single, “The Animals” which made its premiere exclusively via Flood Magazine. A remix by Vince Clarke dropped, making its premiere with Deep House Amsterdam. Both tracks are available now exclusively through the band’s Pledge Music campaign for their forthcoming album. The campaign features deluxe versions of the album and other exclusive items including a limited seven-inch vinyl of the two versions of “The Animals.”
The project reunites the band with Grammy-winning producer Jim Abbiss who produced their iconic album Witching Hourand hit single “Destroy Everything You Touch.”“The Animals” was the first new song we had, and with it we went immediately into the studio with Jim Abbiss,” says vocalist Helen Marnie. “He’s the producer who has really understood us the most”.
A combination of primitive synths and emotive harmonies, with lyrics that contemplate humans’ bestial impulses, the single is unmistakably Ladytron, yet hints at new horizons to come. Electronic pioneer Vince Clarke adds a new dimension with his remix. Opening with a sick yet flawless bassline, and stripping the shimmering keyboards of the original for a more menacing sound. “We have always wanted to work with Vince in some way, he’s obviously a legend in our sphere,” remarks Ladytron’s Daniel Hunt.
A second single will follow in the summer, followed in the Fall by the album, both via Pledge. The Pledge Music campaign provides a great opportunity to make the album independently and reconnect with their audience.
About Ladytron:
Helen Marnie, Mira Aroyo, Daniel Hunt, Reuben Wu formed Ladytron in Liverpool, England in 1999. They broke through in the early 2000s with the Light & Magic and Witching Hour albums. After five records and a succession of world tours over a ten-year period, Ladytron took a deserved pause, pursuing other projects, collaborations and creative endeavors, before finally deciding in 2016 to begin work on new music together. “The Animals” is the first fruit of this new chapter for the group.
Ghostly International recording group Tycho has united with Portugal. The Man for two extraordinary remixes of the GRAMMY Award-winning group’s current smash single, “Live In The Moment.” Tycho has crafted a pair of distinct new musical visions – “Live In The Moment (Sunrise)” and “Live For The Moment (Sunset)” – that both showcase the acclaimed Portland rockers original song while pushing it forward via the GRAMMY® Award-nominated dance/electronic project’s own distinctive approach.
“As a producer and musician who primarily creates instrumental songs I jumped at the chance to work with Portugal. The Man’s unique vocal style,” says Scott Hansen, Tycho’s primary composer, songwriter, and producer. “I try to approach remixes in a way that casts the original song in a new light while staying true to its core elements. Getting to explore totally different spaces with these two versions, it allowed me to better express my take on the song. I wanted to create a lighter, more energetic version (Sunrise) and darker, more introspective one (Sunset) to highlight and contrast the parts of the original song that most inspired me.”
“Live In The Moment” — featured on Portugal. The Man’s eighth studio album WOODSTOCK — is the follow up to the album’s lead single “Feel It Still,” which was undoubtedly one of the biggest songs of 2017. “Live In The Moment” is currently shaping up to be a multi-format chart smash, which includes a top 5 spot at Alternative radio and #1 at Triple A.
Tycho will celebrate the “Live In The Moment” remixes — as well as 2016’s chart-topping album, EPOCH — with a wide ranging U.S. tour, highlighted by headline dates, DJ sets, festival performances, and multi-artist tours alongside Phantogram, Emmit Fenn, and Poolside. For complete details and ticket availability, please see tychomusic.com/#tour.
TYCHO U.S. TOUR 2018
MARCH
1 – Miami Beach, FL – The Fillmore #
2 – Okeechobee, FL – Okeechobee Music & Arts Festival
3 – Dallas, TX – Stereo Live Dallas *
4 – Houston, TX – Stereo Live Houston *
7 – Boston, MA – Icon *
8 – Brooklyn, NY – Output *
10 – Washington, DC – Flash *
MAY
16 – Eugene, OR – McDonald Theater ##
17 – Spokane, WA – Knitting Factory ##
18 – Boise, ID – Knitting Factory ##
19 – Salt Lake City, UT – The Complex ##
21 – Morrison, CO – Red Rocks Amphitheatre **
22 – Albuquerque, NM – Villa Hispana %
23 – Phoenix, AZ – The Van Buren %
24 – San Diego, CA – Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre **
alt-J announces a headlining tour of North America starting on April 7 at the Fillmore Auditorium in Denver, CO. The tour includes festival stops at Coachella, Bonnaroo, Firefly and Mountain Jam. A show at Forest Hills Stadium in Queens, NY will mark the largest venue the band has headlined in North America (see more info on that below).
On top of touring, alt-J are currently at work with various collaborators on a re-interpretation of their most recent album Relaxer. More news on this album coming soon.
TOUR DATES: 04.07.2018 Sat – Denver CO – Fillmore Auditorium 04.10.2018 Tue – Magna UT – The Great Saltair 04.12.2018 Thu – Phoenix AZ – The Van Buren
04.14.20018 Sat – Indio CA – Coachella 04.16.2018 Mon – Santa Barbara CA – Santa Barbara Bowl 04.18.2018 Wed – San Francisco CA – Bill Graham Civic Auditorium 04.20.2018 Fri – Las Vegas NV – The Chelsea Theatre – The Cosmopolitan Las Vegas 04.21.2018 Sat – Indio CA – Coachella
04.23.2018 Mon – Davis CA – UC Davis – Pavilion at ARC
04.24.2018 Tues – Eugene OR – Cuthbert Amphitheater
04.25.2018 Wed – Spokane WA – Knitting Factory 06.06.2018 Wed – St. Louis MO – Peabody Opera House 06.07.2018 Thu – Chicago IL – Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island 06.08.2018 Fri – Louisville KY – Iroquois Amphitheater
06.07-10.2018 – Manchester TN – Bonnaroo 06.11.2018 Mon – Charlotte NC – Charlotte Metro Credit Union Amphitheatre 06.12.2018 Tue – Pittsburgh PA – Stage AE
06.14-17.2018 – Dover DE – Firefly
06.15-17.2018 – Hunter NY – Mountain Jam 06.15.2018 Fri – Forest Hills NY – Forest Hills Stadium 06.18.2018 Mon – Portland ME – Thompson’s Point 06.20.2018 Wed – Toronto ON – Echo Beach 06.24.2018 Sun – Monterrey MEX – Teatro Banamex
06.26.2018 Tue – Mexico City MEX – Pepsi Center
ALT-J ANNOUNCES SHOW AT FOREST HILLS STADIUM IN NEW YORK ON JUNE 15 WITH SPECIAL GUEST KAMASI WASHINGTON
VENUE SOUND WILL BE AUGMENTED BY THE USE OF IMMERSIVE HYPERREALISM TECHNOLOGY
alt-J announces a unique concert at Forest Hills Stadium on June 15. It will mark the largest venue the band has ever headlined in North America, and is the only immersive sound show in the continent. In another first for the band, the show will feature a surround speaker system enveloping the entire audience. The speakers will be used throughout the show to position sound effects mixed into a variety of the band’s material, thus creating an immersive sound experience. The band has recently won the prestigious ‘Knights Of Illumination’ award for lighting production in an arena, which will also be featured at this show. For this special event, the entire venue will be general admission, including floor and bowl, so that fans can enjoy the show from every angle.
Additionally, the band is happy to announce that Kamasi Washington will be appearing as special guest on the bill.
alt-J is Joe Newman, Gus Unger-Hamilton and Thom Green. Their first album An Awesome Wave won the prestigious Mercury Prize in the UK and sold Gold in the US and Canada. Their second album, This Is All Yours received a Grammy nomination for Best Alternative album was certified Gold by the RIAA in the US. The band’s third album Relaxer was released in June, 2017
Los Angeles’ YACHThave released their video for the song “Shame.” The song appears on their latest EP Strawberry Moon, out now. YACHT has begun their winter tour, see below for full tour dates.
A Message from YACHT:
This is “too close for comfort cosplay,” like nobody noticing you parted your hair on the wrong side. The world of wellness and social media lifestyle brands (#vanlife) is our generation’s back to the land movement, a fantasy of escape from the rat race and from the darkness of our millennial prospects.
We want to highlight how much thought and work goes into the appearance of effortlessness. Kibu (pronounced key-boo) is our lifestyle brand. Kibu is Ubik backwards. Ubik is a novel by Philip K. Dick about a spray that holds reality in place. Kibu is a real product. Kibu is a real brand. Kibu Mist is coming soon, in an exclusive collaboration with P.F. Candle Company. Learn more about Kibu here.
“Everyone is faking it to an extent, especially in Los Angeles. We carefully mold our social media personas and frequently value posting evidence of a good experience more than the actual experience. I wanted to make a funny and subversive video about the pressure we feel to keep up a veil of effortless and abundant perfection.”
YACHT 2018 TOUR DATES
01-19 Washington, DC – Rock & Roll Hotel
02-03 Seattle, WA – Baboza *
02-05 Vancouver, BC – Fox Cabaret *
02-06 Portland, OR – Mississippi Studios *
02-07 San Francisco, CA – The Independent *
02-09 Los Angeles, CA – Lodge Room *
02-10 Phoenix, AZ – Crescent Ballroom *
