Levon and Emmylou: Live in Nashville
Live Earth may not have faded from memory, but another charity concert has arrived to gain the affection of your heart and ears in equal measure. This Wednesday, Levon Helm’s Ramble on the Road arrives at Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium. The Ramble at the Ryman is organized by The Band’s Levon Helm, but the living legend has lined up a litany (alliteration stops here) of famous guests. Emmylou Harris, Sam Bush, and Buddy Miller are all scheduled to perform, along with some unnamed, unknown, but doubtlessly very special guests. Visit www.AmericanaMusic.org for ticket purchasing information. Related links: LevonHelm.com Americana Music... read more
Gnarls Barkley follow-up slated for holiday season
Above: Gnarls in Charge Brian Joseph Burton, aka Danger Mouse, has the new Gnarls Barkley album on his iPod. But since petty theft is generally discouraged, Billboard settled for a listen of a song-that-will-not-be-named from an album-that-will-not-be-named. Described as “an even deeper slice of soul” than anything from the group's 2006 debut St. Elsewhere, the preview song was outfitted with an acoustic melody that stepped back for Cee-Lo’s forceful vocal performance. Burton declined to name or even talk about the track. But he did spill a little about their recording process. “No song is ever done until we have all... read more
Listen, party to indie-rocked guilty pleasures
On September 4, Engine Room Recordings will release Guilt by Association, a compilation of awesomely bad infectious pop standards (think Journey, Oasis, Eddie Money) covered and smothered in irony by indie artists like Will Oldham, Mike Watt and Luna. Shortly after the release, the tunes will be tested in the original versions’ natural environment – the bar – for a series of listening parties. Will tipsy pubgoers throw their arms around each others’ shoulders in a nostalgia frenzy when they hear Devendra Banhart’s cover of “Don’t Look Back in Anger?" Or will they frown at the way Banhart sucked every... read more
Common gets busy with tours, haberdashery
Rapper Common is cross-promoting like a banshee these days, if banshees were known for marketing-savvyness rather than screaming. Friday, he made an appearance at one of three Microsoft Zune “Live at the BBQ” concerts, where hip-hop and delicious food is available only to those who sign up for the aforementioned music service. Soon, he’ll be the first rapper to perform in select Starbucks chains, where his upcoming album, Finding Forever (July 31), will presumably rest on a sale rack next to the Sonic Youth celebrity compilation. Then, the man’s got two more tours in the works: one in September with... read more
Erin McKeown goes live
The live album is a dangerous weapon. If you’re good, it can only confirm your extraordinary skills as a performer, but if you rely on studio trickery and robots, then the live album leaves you nothing to hide behind. Fortunately, throughout her career, Erin McKeown has avoided the dangerous seduction of the robotic, so it’s safe to assume Lafayette will be further proof of her talent. Though she has recorded five albums and two EPs, Lafayette is McKeown’s first official live release. Named after the street address of New York’s Joe’s Pub, the album will surely recreate the live experience... read more
Joseph Arthur opens Brooklyn art gallery
Joseph Arthur: putting the “Art” in… his own name - and putting his own name into the title of a major New York gallery, dubbing his own exhibition space the Museum of Modern Arthur. Newly opened on 25 Jay Street in Brooklyn, MOMAR is a place for tourists to check out the musician’s paintings, and eventually the works of various Arthur-approved creative-types. His website lists the following tenants of operation, among others: - MOMAR seeks to create a new approach to art patronage that includes but extends beyond the conventions of financial support and criticism, and allows for nontraditional contributions... read more
First-time director finalizing shoegaze documentary
Sometimes, they had a lot of energy is the only positive thing to say about a concert, as if moxie were commendable in itself. As if passion were measured in stage dives, amp stands and guitar windmills. As if a band is only worth the combined dollar amount of its Party City props. But some artists shun such tumultuous nonsense, in favor of stolid motionlessness, eyes on the effects pedals, generating the droning waves of dreamy distortion known as shoegaze. And yet the musics intensity matches any scum-punk slobberknockers. Pioneered by acts like My Bloody Valentine, the Jesus & Mary... read more
Bitter bitter weeks tackle video project
One still takes the loneliest number cake. That might explain the recent influx of Bitter bitter weeks members—and why each track on their newest release, Peace is Burning Like a River, will have its very own video. After Brian McTear (Matt Pond PA, Spinto Band, Espers) has used the moniker Bitter bitter weeks for two full-length solo efforts, he’s finally enlisted a band for the third album, released on High Two. The fourth of 10 videos—one for each track—was unveiled for the song “Sincerely, Last Century.” Directed and edited by McTear, it features a train collector of 53 years and... read more
New Pornographers' grand tour
When you’re dealing with not one, not two, but seven pornographers, you’ve got to give all of them plenty of time to show you what they’re capable of. Without sufficient exposure, viewers could be left disappointed, feeling inadequate and alone. So, how do smart pornographers avoid such reactions and maximize pleasure? They launch a huge tour, of course! What? What did you think we were talking about? The merry gang of Canadian misfits known as the New Pornographers are provoking the world with Challengers, their fourth album, which will be released on August 21. The band will make its way... read more
No Sunday of silence for internet radio
The outlook wasn't brilliant for internet radio yesterday, after the U.S. Court of Appeals refused to postpone an increase in royalty rates that stations must pay to stream music. Filing her article early, presumably, Washington Post reporter Kendra Marr called Sunday’s fee deadline the “day of reckoning.” However, executive director John Simson of SoundExchange (royalty-rate setting organization representing record labels) announced later in the evening that his group will hold off enforcing the higher rates for small and noncommercial webcasters, as long as good-faith negotiations continue with Digital Media Association, the representatives for internet radio. “For the people who want... read more
As you read this, Radiohead is mastering LP7
It has been over four years since Thom Yorke, Ed O’Brien, Phil Selway, and the brothers Greenwood instructed us to Hail to the Thief. To give you a little perspective, four years ago, Howard Dean was the front-runner for Democratic presidential nomination, the largest iPod held 40 GB, and the current stars of My Super Sweet 16 were 12 years old. Yes, it has been a long, long time, but it seems that in the next few months, we may finally get the chance to start saying things like, “It was totally worth the wait! This is better than breathing,... read more
Robert Schneider loves math
For most people, releasing an acclaimed 24-track album and energetically touring to support it is a solid year’s work. But the Apples in Stereo’s Robert Schneider is all about effort, so rather than sitting back, sipping on a mint julep, and basking in the New Magnetic Wonder, the Apples’ frontman has lined up quite an offbeat gig. Schneider is making waves in a far more exclusive and cerebral realm than the most snobby indie rock clubs: the world of mathematics. He will appear at this year’s MathFest, hosted by The Mathematical Association of America. The favorite musician of numerically-minded academics... read more
Eisley tours, pines for Harry Potter
“What's the good of it all if i can't even see the new H.P. flick when it hits theaters!?” Eisley vocalist Sherri DuPree writes in her blog. “tour has made it impossible so far, and i'll be darned if i'm not plumb hackled all over about it!!!” Hackled! Oh, that Texas vernacular. Eisley has a good reason to miss out on the Potter franchise's latest spectacle of light and sound. The five-piece, family band has been traveling with The Fray since July 9, playing stripped-down acoustic sets to promote its upcoming album, Combinations, out in September on Reprise. The sophomore... read more
Dave Stewart is not afraid
He has co-founded Eurythmics, collaborated with everyone from Bob Dylan to Dr. Dre, and two years ago, he co-wrote one of t.A.T.u.’s greatest songs. But for now, Dave Stewart has stepped away from legendary singer-songwriters, producers, and Russian faux-lesbian girl bands to work on his forthcoming album To get his fans excited for the album and an upcoming tour, Stewart has posted one of his new tracks online. You can stream the song, called “Don’t Be Afraid,” in Windows Media or Real Audio formats and watch a new video, though you must again make the choice between Windows Media or... read more
Charlie Louvin to support Lucinda Williams
Most people who make it to 80 probably spend their days kicking back or mourning the Bob Barker-shaped void on television. But legend Charlie Louvin—who recently celebrated the big eight-oh—is now on tour with Lucinda Williams supporting his acclaimed self-titled release. The Country Music Hall of Famer will open for Williams before continuing his birthday tour. The dates supporting Williams: July: 14 - Kansas City, Mo. @ Crossroads 15 - St Louis, Mo. @ The Pageant 17 – Lexington, Ky. @ Kentucky Theater 18 – Lewiston, N.Y. @ Artpark 19 – Rochester, N.Y. @ High Falls Festival 21 – Pittsburgh,... read more
Shake It Records mocks Rock Hall...again
Ah, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. A place where true musical visionaries and legends get their due. The Velvet Underground. Neil Young. Sly and the Family Stone. Johnny Cash. Patti Smith. The list goes on and on. And yet, have you ever sat back and wondered why certain artists are allowed to share such hallowed space with the above untouchables? The folks at Shake It Records in Cincinnati, Ohio (located, according to Google Maps, just four hours and four minutes to the southwest of the Hall) sure have, and they're not gonna take it anymore: "...the Rock &... read more
Cass McCombs drops the writ
Album titles are a listener’s first clue to am artist’s musical and lyrical intentions, so Dropping the Writ, Cass McCombs’ third album, leads us to some fun hypotheses. Is Writ a concept album about the conflict between a stubborn head of state and an equally hardheaded head of government? Or is it a full-length exploration of esoteric parliamentary procedure? It’s probably none of the above, but we’ll find out on October 9, when McCombs returns with his first album in nearly three years, and his first on Domino Records. What has taken McCombs so long? Well, there was the extensive... read more
everybodyfields hit southeast to promote new album
Tennessee alt.country group the everybodyfields will cause tears to drop into PBRs across the southeast this summer and fall while touring their honest, heartbreaking melodies. Friends and labelmates of fellow twang-enthusiasts the Avett Brothers, everybodyfields was founded by Sam Quinn and Jill Andrews, who met on the job nine years ago at summer camp. The everybodyfields’ third full-length, Nothing Is Okay, hits shelves August 21 on Ramseur Records. On the album cover, above the soul-crushing title, is a rainbow (frown)? turned upside-down, leaked upon by a gloopy brown substance. Possible and likely incorrect interpretation: even if you grin and bear... read more
New video, remix from Blitzen Trapper
Recent Subpop signees Blitzen Trapper make the kind of music that we imagine lumberjack hipsters would listen to if they existed. The band has released a new video for “Woof & Warp Of The Quiet Giant’s Hem.” The band members pretend to play video games in an arcade using their guitars instead of joysticks and buttons. After you recover from the seizure, turns out the video is pretty kick ass. Also, Minotaur Shock (under alternate remix name Kingswood) remixes “Sci-Fi Kid”from Wild Mountain Nation. The original is like the illegitimate grunge offspring of the Grateful Dead, but, what do you... read more
Stars release Bedroom, announce tour
Apparent “new media” enthusiasts Stars have announced their fall tour schedule – places to promote In the Bedroom After the War, which just made its digital debut four days after completion and more than two months before disc, paper and plastic availability (Sept. 25). “We believe that the line between the media and the public is now completely grey,” states the Canadian band’s official website. “What is the difference between a writer for a big glossy music magazine and a student writing about their favourite bands on their blog?” The Arts & Crafts label hopes the move will curb piracy,... read more
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