The Roots, Gnarls, Deerhoof to picnic in Philly this summer
On June 7, The Roots will host a picnic/music festival extravaganza in their hometown of Philadelphia. Boasting acts like Gnarls Barkley, Deerhoof, Philly native Diplo and Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings, and set on the shores of Delaware River, the picnic is certain to be a huge draw this summer for the City of Brotherly Love. Be sure to check out the Liberty Bell (which should take a few minutes), run up the Rocky stairs (which may take more than a few minutes), and hit up the National Constitution Center (which, appropriately, houses the U.S. Constitution) while you're there. Related... read more
Les Savy Fav's Balls drop in late April
Following last year’s Let’s Stay Friends, the Brooklyn-based indie rockers of Les Savy Fav (pronounced lay-SAH-vee-FAHV) are set to release their first live album on April 29. Entitled After the Balls Drop, the 15-track recording documents the band’s notable performance this past New Year’s Eve at Bowery Ballroom in New York City. Known for impressive, if random, live antics (frontman Tim Harrington kisses audience members, changes costume onstage and sometimes busts out a bubble machine to name a few), the live album aims to capture this exuberance. The digital-only release features songs from the art-rock group’s older albums as well... read more
Morrison Hotel to set up shop in former CBGB's gallery
[Above: an artist's rendering of the new storefront] 313 Bowery in New York City's East Village, once home to the famous CBGB's Gallery, will once again make way for music. Or pictures of it, rather. Fine art music photography powerhouse, Morrison Hotel, will be taking over the cavernous (3000 sq. ft.) area once occupied by CBGB's. The Morrison Hotel Gallery currently has spaces located in Soho, Los Angeles and La Jolla, but this will be by far their largest gallery space. They'll present shows in conjunction with the Max's Kansas City Project, which dedicates itself to providing emergency funding to... read more
Israel “Cachao” López: 1918-2008
Over the weekend, prolific Latin bassist Israel “Cachao” López passed away in Miami at the age of 89. The Cuban-born musician was widely credited as the inventor of the mambo and has been one of the most influential Cuban musicians of the last century. Born into a musical family in Cuba, López began playing music at a young age, performing with the Havana Philharmonic at age 12 (he had to stand on a crate to play his double bass). In his teens, López began experimenting with a faster style of play with his cellist brother Orestes, creating what would eventually... read more
Which 1992 album would you like to see given the ultimate reissue treatment?
The Lemonheads re-release It's a Shame About Ray in Deluxe Edition format this week. Which 1992 album would you like to see given the ultimate reissue treatment? [1485 votes total] R.E.M.'s Automatic for the People (398): 27%Dr. Dre's The Chronic (159): 11%Tori Amos' Little Earthquakes (107): 7%Rage Against the Machine's Rage Against the Machine (179): 12%Red House Painters' Down Colorful Hill (67): 5%The Jesus Lizard's Liar (19): 1%Uncle Tupelo's March 16-20, 1992 (177): 12%Tom Waits' Bone Machine (179): 12%The Black Crowes' Southern Harmony and Musical Companion (141): 9%Other (59): 4% Full Results Comments... read more
Of Montreal's Kevin Barnes talks Skeletal Lamping details
Paste had a dandy time at SXSW this year. Aside from all the usual, fun nonsense involving new bands, beer, blogging and BBQ, we hosted three day parties with our friends at Stereogum. Closing out our final day was DJ List Christee, better known as Of Montreal's Kevin Barnes. "I intended to do something really cool and come to SXSW and establish myself as this fantastic modern DJ," Barnes told us in an interview immediately following his set. "But then I didn't have time, so I established myself as a completely uninspired loser DJ. But I made up a DJ... read more
Morcheeba currently amidst a handful of U.S. tour dates
The London-based Morcheeba is blipping its way into the U.S. in support of Dive Deep, its latest album. The trip-hoppers' release features guest vocalists like Cool Calm Pete, Judie Tzuke and even Manda, a girl whose dream of singing with the Godfrey brothers came true after contacting them via MySpace. If only Jeff Tweedy would respond to our wishes (We promise it would just be back-up for "Heavy Metal Drummer.") Morcheeba will also make a free appearance at the shiny Apple store. Catch the group on both coasts and Canada: March 27 - Somerville, Mass. @ Somerville Theatre 29 -... read more
Stars schedule handful of dates on the way to Coachella
Stars have finally made their way back to the States after a global stint, kicking off their U.S. tour in support of In Our Bedroom After the War last week. Capping off its current set of dates, the band will join the Coachella ranks in sunny Indio, Calif. next month alongside Death Cab for Cutie, M.I.A., Kate Nash and dozens more. Meanwhile, Stars have released the video for their new single, "Take Me to the Riot," which you can feast on below (dates after the video): March 24 - Birmingham, Ala. @ Workplay 25 - Nashville, Tenn. @ The Belcourt... read more
Govt. Mule, Miranda Lambert, ZZ Top take on BamaJam
For some, Radiohead’s (totally awesome) appearance at the 2006 Bonnaroo festival was a turning point in the hipsterization of music festivals. Indeed, most festivals these days try to keep it indie (an expression that no one has ever used before), even as jam bands get high billing. But the BamaJam Music & Arts Festival has no time for hipster scum. The festival, which will take place in Enterprise, Alabama, June 5-7, is dedicated to the holy trinity: bluegrass, country, and “alternative,” which, in this case, mostly refers to those of a jammy inclination. There are some big names scattered across... read more
Outkast's Big Boi and Andre 3000 reunite on “Royal Flush”
Ever since Idlewild (sort of) brought them back together, these have been the wandering days of Outkast. Each half of the duo had gone off on his separate path, enduring the trials of celebrity on the lengthy journey toward spiritual self-discovery. Big Boi found his calling in the ballet, while Andre 3000 rekindled his lifelong passion for fashion. The idea of these two collaborating again seemed to grow increasingly distant. Unfortunately, even the sun goes down, heroes eventually die, horoscopes often lie... But don’t close the curtain just yet. After promising a new single for New Years Day, Big Boi... read more
Apple talks to labels about unlimited music access
A new deal between Apple and the music industry may make entire music libraries of record labels accessible for a flat-rate fee. In the “all you can eat” models proposed to the music industry, users would pay either a one-time or a monthly fee to access every song by a major-label artist through the iTunes Store. According to music industry executives, this deal hinges on the price Apple will charge for access to the labels’ libraries. While Nokia offers a one-time fee program with their cellphones at about $80 per handset for unlimited access, two industry executives said Apple has... read more
Feist enlists puppetry troupe for next music video
What do you do after your last video becomes a ubiquitous hit following its inclusion in a certain MP3 player's television ads? Let puppets do your work for you, of course. According to several reports, Canadian songstress Feist has enlisted the help of the Calgary-based The Old Trout Puppet Workshop for the video of her latest single, "Honey, Honey," off the Grammy-nominated album The Reminder. The Old Trout Puppet Workshop produced puppetry for the early 1990s blockbuster Honey, I Shrunk The Kids. (What? No Rick Moranis this time around?) Their work has also been featured on stage, in productions of... read more
Mugison takes home three Icelandic Music Awards
Likely the most unduly understated news from last week, Mugison walked away with three honors from the Icelandic Music Awards. When considering music from Iceland, one might be prone to think of the ethereal sounds of Sigur Rós or the bizarro pop of Björk. But we suggest you dig a bit deeper and get acquainted with Mugison, perhaps for a second time. Ol' Mugi won the award for 2007’s record of the year and best album cover for his third album, Mugiboogie. Rightly so, considering the first 10-20 thousand copies of the release featured handmade packaging. Also, Gísli Darri and... read more
Michael Cera in talks to join cast of Little Life
On Slash Film recently, a writer claimed that he knows a girl who actually left her boyfriend to pursue Michael Cera. Whether fact or legend, one thing is certain: Geek is chic, and Cera is the leader of the pack. It was announced recently that the Young Man Formerly Known As George Michael has entered final talks to star in the upcoming Scott Pilgrim's Little Life, a movie adaptation of the popular Canadian comic book series. We're so excited here at Paste that we've compiled a list. Entitled "The Top Four Reasons Michael Cera is The Man," this list is... read more
John Vanderslice tours with Stephen Malkmus and without
As previously reported, Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks are confirmed for a touring stint this month. But that’s old news. What is new news is that John Vanderslice will be joining him and performing some of his own headlining dates to boot. Brooklyn outfit the Spanish Prisoners will be joining for a few dates as will the curiously named, one-man-band The Show is the Rainbow, among others. Also, check out the Vanderslice's web home for MP3s and visually stimulating slideshows from his previous tours and travels. Remaining dates with Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks: March 25 - Nashville, Tenn. @... read more
Sam Raimi to direct next Tom Clancy movie
What once seemed like a sure project for City of God director Fernando Meirelles—possibly starring Half-Nelson's Ryan Gosling—was recently turned on its head. Variety reports that Paramount has appointed Sam Raimi (The Evil Dead, Spiderman trilogy) to script and direct the next Tom Clancy adaptation. The details are still fuzzy as to which specific novel he will adapt the screenplay from, but Raimi says he plans to set the story in modern times while still depicting the Cold War-era main character Jack Ryan in his “younger more formidable years.” Whomever Raimi picks for the role of Ryan will follow in... read more
Ryan Adams launches blog, works on new album
Ryan Adams has launched a new blog, in which he has casually mentioned writing new material for an upcoming album. At first glance, Adams’ blog dradamsfilms.com appears to be page after page of stream of consciousness posts. He muses on a wide range of subjects, including Morrissey, typewriters and a shopping trip to Bed, Bath and Beyond. But dig deeper and you'll find several references to a new album in progress and a little bit of insight into Adams' (in)famous creative process. The prolific songwriter (nine albums and five EPs in seven years) describes working on a new album in... read more
The Ugly Truth will set Cheryl Hines, Katherine Heigl free
Cheryl Hines, perhaps best known for her role as Cheryl David on Curb Your Enthusiasm, has signed on to the cast of The Ugly Truth, which will also star Katherine Heigl (most famously of Grey's Anatomy and Knocked Up) and Gerard Butler (most famously of P.S. I Love You, 300 and The Phantom of the Opera). Robert Luketic will direct and Karen McCullah and Kristen Smith will write, all three having worked together previously on Legally Blonde. The film is being made by Lakeshore Entertainment, distributed worldwide by Sony Pictures and will be produced by Tom Rosenberg and Gary Lucchesi... read more
Tom Petty, Spoon, more to play first Mile High festival
Since summer can never have too many music festivals, AEG Live recently announced the artists playing at the inaugural Mile High Music Festival in Denver, a new music fest taking place July 19 and 20. Tom Petty and Dave Matthews Band will each headline a day of the sonorous affair. The line-up also includes Josh Ritter, Andrew Bird, Spoon, John Mayer, The Black Crowes and The Roots. Visit The Mile High Music Festival's website for the complete line-up, which will also contain tons of Denver's favorite local acts scattered throughout both days. Tickets went on sale Saturday (March 22) through... read more
Arthur C. Clarke: 1917-2008
Early this morning, the world lost one of its greatest thinkers. Arthur C. Clarke died at the age of 90 from complications in his breathing, after suffering for many years from post-polio syndrome, which eventually had left him confined to a wheelchair. A renown inventor and sci-fi writer (who also, incidentally was known for his work as an underwater explorer), Clarke had the unique ability to think both scientifically and creatively, and he merged the two together in his writing, particularly in his classic work 2001: A Space Odyssey, which was eventually made into a Stanley Kubrick film. Clarke made... read more
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