Video: Charli XCX – “Boom Clap”

“’Boom Clap’ is a magical song to me. It celebrates epic love. I want people to dance and cry to it, and scream it at the top of their lungs.” — Charli XCX

London-based singer/songwriter Charli XCX delivers a new video for her single, “Boom Clap” off the highly anticipated ‘The Fault in Our Stars: Music From the Motion Picture’ soundtrack, for sale via Atlantic Records.

The official video was shot in Amsterdam and sees Charli explore the same spots as featured in film, an adaptation to the best-selling novel by John Green, set to be one of this year’s biggest blockbusters this year—hitting cinemas nationwide this Friday, June 6th.

The 21 year-old, Charli XCX, is responsible for writing the current #1 smash single, “Fancy” (with Iggy Azalea), which currently tops Billboard’s Hot 100 chart and is leading on Spotify and Shazam. Since its release, Charli has performed “Fancy” at this year’s mtvU Woodie Awards, Billboard Music Awards, Good Morning America, Jimmy Kimmel Live! as well as the recent season finale of Dancing with the Stars.

Charli XCX is quickly proving an unqualified phenomenon with her edgy, yet addictive approach. Since her first critically-acclaimed track, “Nuclear Seasons” in 2011, Charlotte has released a plethora of singles, mixtapes, and psychedelic pop culture collage videos.

Additionally, she penned last year’s summer it-song, “I Love It” recorded by Icona Pop, which has surpassed 6 Million global sales and is certified double platinum in the US certification. Charli is Sesac Writer of the Year’ 2014.

Currently in the studio working on new material for her second album, which is set to release later this year on Neon Gold/Atlantic Records; a follow up to her debut LP, “True Romance” (IAMSOUND), which landed Pitchfork’s “Best New Music” status and one of Rolling Stone’s “hottest synth-pop acts.

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Brand New: The Cold And Lovely

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The Cold and Lovely is the brainchild of indie-rock goddesses, Meghan Toohey (The Weepies, Lenka, Schuyler Fisk) and Nicole Fiorentino (The Smashing Pumpkins,Veruca Salt, Spinnerette). The duo came together to form The Cold And Lovely with a singular sonic vision. The deceivingly moody yet bold new Ellis Bell Deluxe EP will be released on June 17.

Mastered by Dave Cooley (M83, The Silversun Pickups), the release features driving rock tunes that are as heartbreaking as they are anthemic. Upon discussing their influences, Toohey explains, “I dug deep into albums that changed my life, such as My Bloody Valentine’s Loveless, PJ Harvey’s entire catalog, and the work of bands like The Cure and U2. But it was Nicole who really helped me shake out the sound and pinpoint what I loved about the guitar tones and production.”

Shoegaze masterpiece “Oh, My Love” is a brooding lovesong strapped with melancholy lyrics and a bass line that commands listeners to move. Infectious title track “Ellis Bell” blends the duo’s slightly distorted vocals over lush instrumentation and dramatic, driving bass. With celestial backing vocals and hard-hitting lyrics, the percussive nature of “Radio” at once lends itself to road trip mixtapes and late-night ragers. “Radio” was released with VICE’s Noisey and you can check it out here.

Listen: The Cold And Lovely – “Radio”

The Cold And Lovely have launched begun a Pledge Music campaign, offering backers behind-the-scenes video snippets as well as a variety of brand new exclusive merchandise. The duo will hit the road this spring with their first ever East Coast run, launching in NYC:

6/10: New York, NY @ Pianos NYC (New Music Seminar)
6/11: Long Branch, NJ @ The Brighton Bar
6/12: Washington, DC @ Black Cat
6/13: Columbus, OH @ Rumba Cafe
6/14: Pittsburgh, PA @ Howlers Coyote Cafe
6/16: Brooklyn, NY @ Glasslands
6/17: Philadelphia, PA @ Kung Fu Necktie
6/18: Cambridge, MA @ T.T. the Bear’s Place
6/19: Easthampton, MA @ Flywheel Arts Collective

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Video: Black Lips – “Funny”

Fresh off a US tour with a plethora of sold out shows from coast to coast, Black Lips are once again preparing to hit the road in support of Underneath The Rainbow this fall with The King Khan & BBQ Show. This pairing has a storied history, from KK & BBQ’s chaotic introduction as support on Black Lips’ first European tour to the amalgamated supergroup of both acts as psych-gospel sextet The Almighty Defenders in 2009, and the resulting shows are certain to be legendary.

Underneath the Rainbow further demonstrates Black Lips’ 15 year evolution from underground hellions to international ambassadors of rock-n-roll (via tours that have graced the likes of Iraq, Lebanon, Thailand, India, Mexico, and dozens more). While production credits from Patrick Carney of The Black Keys and Tommy Brenneck (Cee Lo, Dap Kings) help to spotlight the band’s songcrafting, at their heart Black Lips are a vibrant and invigorating live act who thrive on getting a room moving.

UPCOMING TOUR DATES

  • 7/17/14 – Nashville, TN – Exit / In
  • 7/18/14 – Louisville, KY – Forecastle Festival
  • 7/19/14 – Asheville, NC – The Orange Peel
  • 9/06/14 – Lafayette, GA – Cherokee Farms
  • 9/10/14 – New Orleans, LA – Tipitina’s*
  • 9/11/14 – Houston, TX – Fitzgerald’s*
  • 9/12/14 – Austin, TX – Ghost Town*
  • 9/13/14 – Dallas, TX – Granada Theater*
  • 9/15/14 – St. Louis, MO – Ready Room*
  • 9/16/14 – Iowa City, IA – Blue Moose Tap House*
  • 9/17/14 – Minneapolis, MN – First Avenue*
  • 9/18/14 – Madison, WI – High Noon Saloon*
  • 9/19/14 – Chicago, IL – Logan Square Auditorium*
  • 9/21/14 – Columbus, OH – The A&R Music Bar*
  • 9/23/14 – Cincinnati, OH – The Southgate House Revival*
  • 9/24/14 – Detroit, MI – Magic Stick*
  • 9/25/14 – Toronto, ON – Phoenix Concert Theatre*
  • 9/26/14 – Montreal, QC – Club Soda*
  • 9/27/14 – Portland, ME – Port City Music Hall*
  • 9/28/14 – Boston, MA – Paradise Rock Club*
  • 9/30/14 – New York, NY – Irving Plaza*
  • 10/01/14 – Brooklyn, NY – Music Hall of Williamsburg*
  • 10/02/14 – Washington, DC – Black Cat*
  • 10/03/14 – Carrboro, NC – Cat’s Cradle*
  • 10/04/14 – Atlanta, GA – The Goat Farm*
  • 11/08/14 – Austin, TX – FunFunFun Fest

 

* w/ The King Khan & BBQ Show

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Video: The Van Doos – “Speak Up”

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Check out the video for “Speak Up”, which was filmed right in the band’s own living room! This is their first official single from their debut album and it’s now available to buy on Amazon! Released last week, “Speak Up” has already been featured on NME, ShortList Magazine and loads of other blogs!

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Video: La Roux – “Let Me Down Gently”

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See La Roux On Tour This Summer!
**Support for New Order
* New date, tickets on sale Friday May 16th via Ticketmaster
6/1/2014     Toronto, Ontario    Danforth Music Hall
6/2/2014     Montreal, Quebec  Metropolis
6/3/2014     Boston, MA           Paradise Rock Club
6/6/2014     New York, NY        Governors Ball Music Festival
6/7/2014     Philadelphia, PA    Trocadero Theatre
6/8/2014     Washington, DC    9:30 Club
6/11/2014   Brooklyn, NY         Music Hall Of Williamsburg*
7/11/2014   San Francisco, CA Bill Graham Civic Auditorium**
7/12/2014   San Diego, CA      House of Blues
7/13/2014   Los Angeles, CA    Greek Theatre**

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Check ‘Em Out: Josh Record – “Wide Awake”

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Listen: Josh Record – “Wide Awake”

Standing on the shoulders of his musical heroes, Bon Iver and Swedish multi-instrumentalist Tingsek, Josh Record releases his stunning debut album Pillars on Virgin/EMI July 14th.
 
Having been tipped by Q Magazine, The Sunday Times Culture, iTunes, Radio 1, XFM, The Sun and VEVO at the turn of the year, Pillars does not disappoint with Josh’s joyous uplifting, melodic songs weaving their way into your very being.
 
Written by Josh (two songs were co-written with long-time collaborator Tom Prothero) and co-produced with David Kosten (Bat For Lashes), the album was recorded largely in Oxford and London, and features the Radio 1 and Radio 2 playlisted hit “For Your Love”.
 
Other highlights include “The War” the track that launched Josh when picked up by Zane Lowe off YouTube, the radio hit “Bones”, the lung busting epic “Finally”, and the new single “Wide Awake”.
 
Already a veteran on the road with shows supporting Bastille, Lorde, London Grammar and Sam Smith, Josh Record has sold out all his headline shows to date and is set to play summer festivals throughout the UK and Europe including Glastonbury, T in The Park, Rock and Park, Rock AM Ring, Wilderness and V Festival.

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Drum Challenge Between Will Ferrell and Chad Smith Tonight!

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Much has been made of the uncanny resemblance between Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith and comedian Will Ferrell. The dopplegangers have been taunting each other on social media for months – Ferrell provoked the iconic drummer during his Reddit AMA, which resulted in a hilarious Instagram face-off between the two (watch HERE). Finally, the look-alikes have agreed to battle it out in a drum-off challenge held live TONIGHT on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon!

Musician’s Friend was privy to this resemblance way back in 2009, when Smith posed as Ferrell’s popular character Buddy the Elf on the cover of the guitar retailer’s Holiday catalog. Check out the hilarious behind-the-scenes video of the cover shoot HERE!

Smith and Ferrell are definitely keeping their eyes on the prize; the winner of the battle will receive a giant golden cowbell. Check it out tonight to see who wins!

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Video: Plaid – “Wallet”

Check out the video for “Wallet” from Plaid’s new album, Reachy Prints.

The video is directed by Sabrina Ratté who says: 

“The video is inspired by the idea of creating a world based on memories, where things seem real but they are in fact a construction of the mind. All the images are made from electronic signals, from which were created a reproduction of a sun, different landscapes and cities. The musical composition induced the vision of bright colours and daylight atmosphere, so the simulated sunlight became a central element of the video, thus creating dazed images where everything is diffused and hard to grasp.”

Plaid explains:

“We wondered if consciousness is a memory and what role memories have in the imaginative process . We saw prints as physical memories and an equivalence between printing and memory function. They often share the aim of ‘reproducing’ a subject as accurately as possible. Experience told us that a perfect reproduction is difficult, if not impossible. An attraction to explore this fallibility and a curiosity about the potential inaccuracies and artefacts gave us the album title, Reachy Prints.
 
“The track ‘Wallet’ is inspired by the items found in wallets, the money, receipts, business cards, photos etc and the symbolism of wallets as a safe place to store items we value and want to remember. Most items in a wallet have already been digitised and perhaps physical wallets/purses will become obsolete.”

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Video: Alice Boman – “Over”

New Album, EPII, out June 3 via The Control Group

“Alice Boman’s voice wavers between ethereal and ghostly, but its fragility doesn’t limit the force of her songs.” – Huffington Post

“Alice Boman’s lyrics are frank and direct, revealing the most personal thoughts in the darkest corners of her mind.” – Pigeons and Planes

“‘Over’ is a melancholy tune about heartbreak and loss, with Boman’s dreamy vocals and intimate lyrics the perfect partner for the low key and ghostly Bon Iver-like production.” – Indie Shuffle

 

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Video: Midnight Faces – “Hold Tight”

“Crisp, synth-lined pop drama.” – SPIN

“This record is solid from start to finish.” – Nylon Guys

“Full of air and catchiness.” – The Onion A.V. Club

Matt Doty, one half-of LA based duo Midnight Faces with Philip Stancil says of the “Hold Tight” video ,“it was pretty impulsive overall.” The clip is a joyous tour of Los Angeles that sees the Midnight Faces guys dancing in the Saddleback Butte State Park desert, the fields of Mugu State Park, the Angeles National Forest mountains, downtown, and at the Santa Monica beach.

“We set aside a few days to shoot it and headed out to the desert,” Doty says.  “After a few shots, we decided we were having more fun dancing than walking around.”  It’s fun for the viewer, too.  The clip perfectly captures the humanity behind the insular circumstances of the album’s creation.

Midnight Faces new album, The Fire Is Gone, is out now.

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Tracklist for The Fire Is Gone

  1. Wake Me
  2. Over Again (Stream)
  3. Shadows
  4. Hold Tight (Stream)
  5. This Time (Stream)
  6. Give It Up
  7. Animal
  8. The Fire Is Gone

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