The Tour of Mr. Jeremy Fisher
Didgeridoo-attics and Folkies collide when Canadian troubadour Jeremy Fisher--not to be confused with this Jeremy Fisher--tours the Australian mainland in the company of native blonde-shell Xavier Rudd. Catch Fisher first, touring the US on a 20 city turn with Jenny Owen Youngs, Sanders Bohike, The Weakerthans and The Last Town Chorus. He'll no doubt be singing farewells to blue Mondays, jigs to girls running guns, and pseudo-warnings about how he may or may not* metaphorically be a cigarette of an addictive and flamable nature. * The US Surgeon General did not respond to our calls and has not released an... read more
Robert Plant and Alison Krauss cover Waits, Zandt
When it comes to collaborative albums featuring covers of songs by Tom Waits, Gene Clark and Townes Van Zandt, Robert Plant and Alison Krauss are on it. Titled Raising Sand, their Rounder Records compilation premiers October 23, just in time for you to request it from The Great Pumpkin. The songs were hand picked and produced by T Bone Burnett, with musical assists from guitarists Marc Ribot and Norman Blake, multi-instrumentalist Mike Seeger, drummer Jay Bellerose and bassist Dennis Crouch. Thus, Plant has stated Raising Sand is “more a band record than a duet record,” and technically, he is correct!... read more
Lollapalooza is happening right now
What makes a great music festival? Is it the diverse array of bands? The diverse atmosphere? The nice weather? The delicious food? None of the above. The correct answer is: incongruous combinations. And when the festival is Lollapalooza, which brings together roughly 80,000 bands of every shape and size, the opportunities for incongruousness are limitless! Today, at 4:30, you can choose between M.I.A. and moe., and it is almost certain that you will not want to see both! And tonight, you will be presented with a real challenge: Daft Punk or Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals? The festival offers... read more
Nickel Creek kicks off tour with Fiona Apple
Nickel Creek has been waving goodbye (for now) for almost a year a half, and maybe soon it'll actually be true. It's hard to believe they'll ever break their 18+ year habit of playing with each other, and lord knows how many farewell tours we've seen that end with not so much goodbye, but vacation. If nothing else, this fourteen city "last" hoorah will feature two sets of music, much of it with special guest Fiona Apple. And seriously Nickel Creek, why should the fire die? And why must it take your blazing cover of "Toxic" with it? August: 2... read more
Blitzen Trapper to tour with Two Gallants
Just having finished a nationwide tour with David Vandervelde, Blitzen Trapper is hitting the pavement again. If you’re anything like us, you just had an overwhelming desire to sing a little ditty along the lines of “on the road again...” But if you’re a busy commuter and just mentally told us to shove it, well, the band's self-released album Wild Mountain Nation will delight their international fans when it's released October 22. Just keep them away from Santa’s transportation come December: August: 1 - Salt Lake City, Utah @ Kilby Court 3 - Seattle, Wash. @ The Crocodile Cafe^ 5... read more
Super Furry Animals go to Venus
Super Furry Animals have returned to the studio after a two year hiatus, and are ready to release a new album, Hey Venus. On August 28, the record will be available digitally as well as on vinyl. CD sticklers, however, will have to wait until January 22, 2008 before they can get their super furry paws on it. Described by the band as “a collection of 12 autonomous songs ranging in styles from country and contemporary rock music to orchestral psychedelic pop,” Hey Venus was produced by David Newfeld (Broken Social Scene). Hey Venus tracklist: The Gateway Song Run-Away Show... read more
Animal Collective tours, likes berries
Do you want to see some mild-mannered, somber musicians playing restrained, elegant songs with just the right amount of disconnectedness? In that case, you may want to skip this news item. Now that the others have scrolled and clicked away, we can tell you about a new traveling circus organized by the mind-blowing musical group known as Animal Collective. The fully human group named after non-humans will release its latest album, Strawberry Jam, on September 11, via Domino Records. Animal Collective will release the album’s first single “Peacebone” on August 21, and the tour will see craziness descend upon North... read more
Matthew Dear tours with Big Hands
You know what they say about Big Hands? Yes, that’s right! They accompany Matthew Dear on an extensive tour to promote Asa Breed, Dear’s recent album! Matthew Dear’s Big Hands are the electronic musician’s touring band, bringing his sweet, soulful electronica to a choice venue near you. Following some Matthew Dear solo dates in Europe and Japan (and possibly Asia, if Istanbul’s Electronic Festival takes place to the east of the Bosporus), the group will trek across the United States, spreading the gospel to the citizens of our great land. Matthew Dear’s Big Hands will tour with Mobius Band, Dear’s... read more
Metric lives it out on new tour
If we controlled Metric’s set list, we’d probably force the quartet to play Old World Underground until each member detuned his or her instruments in protest. But the band is doing just that: making its shows more interactive. Fans might be able to pencil in their own requests, among other ideas Metric hasn’t yet solidified. As the group readies to record its fourth album, it will hit the U.S. to support the long-shelved 1999 debut Grow Up and Blow Away—and test run some new tunes. Bring earplugs to: September: 19 - Philadelphia, Pa. @ The Trocadero 20 - Washington, DC... read more
Extra Golden gives Obama some lovin’
Barack Obama is even getting international affection these days. Extra Golden’s tribute to the Illinois Senator—at least we think it’s praise, considering the only word we understand is “Illinois”—is a bi-continental collaboration. After the band’s Kenyan members couldn’t get visas to get into the States, Obama and his office made like the Make-A-Wish Foundation and stepped in last minute. The song, an African Benga and American boogie rock concoction, is off of Extra Golden’s new album Hera Ma Nono. It drops October 9. You might even say Extra Golden thinks Obama...Baracks: Extra Golden – “Obama” Related links: ExtraGolden.com Paste Review:... read more
October brings Justice to America
If this infectious video has taught us anything, it is that Justice is a dish best served in French electro-house beats and ever-shifting t-shirt designs (someone in the research and development sector* at Threadless needs to figure out this technology). Justice will bring the ways and means of its digitalized dance music to the states this fall, primarily sticking to the West Coast for a baker’s dozen of performances. The Daft-punk-esque duo’s debut album, † hit the number one spot on Billboard’s Electronic Albums chart after it premiered in June. *What? They don't have one? We need a Menlo Park... read more
Lyle Lovett argues semantics with new album
After 12 albums, four Grammys, a two-year marriage with Julia Roberts and successful recovery from a bull attack, Lyle Lovett has earned the right to argue semantics. Not that one must attain privilege to engage in linguistic debate (as proven by university sophomores) – I’m not sure what I mean by “earning” and “right” - but that’s beside the point. Lovett just wants you to understand that It’s Not Big, It’s Large, which is the title of his thirteenth album, out Aug. 28 on Lost Highway. Nevermind that Mirriam Webster’s top definition of "big" is "large" – after all, “is”... read more
Josh Ritter to voyage nationally this fall
Musical conquistador Josh Ritter is readying his tour galleon like the Ferdinand Magellan of folk for a Paste-sponsored series of cross-country performances promoting his upcoming album, The Historical Conquests of Josh Ritter, out Aug. 21 on Sony/Victor. Preview Historic Conquests on the latest Paste Culture Club podcast, and come back Aug. 6 to hear three new tracks in full on the Paste Station. Otherwise, hit up one of these live dates, and seal your place in the epic narrative of Ritter: October: 3 - Northampton, Mass. @ Pearl Street Ballroom 4 - Boston, Mass. @ Somerville Theater 6 -... read more
XXX Black Lips to play Atlanta strip joint XXX
Atlanta’s seediest strip club, the Clermont Lounge, doesn’t need a versatile calendar. Tuesday is karaoke night, and Saturday the cover charge bumps to $10 for D.J. Romeo Cologne, “licensed funktician.” “You all know damn well that we rarely book shows at the Clermont Lounge,” states a recent MySpace advertisement. “The only folks who can get a gig here have got to be fucking amazing.” Apparently, the city’s own Black Lips are up to par. On August 16, the group will join the Supersonics at the infamous venue - perhaps atop what Wikipedia describes as the “single stripper's stage … located... read more
Blue Room to live webcast Lollapalooza
As with Bonnaroo, AT&T’s online “blue room” is bringing Lollapalooza to all y’all who can’t make it to Chicago for this weekend’s festivities. Amy Winehouse, Interpol, LCD Soundsystem and M.IA. are just a few artists whose performances will be webcasted live, beginning tomorrow at noon-thirty. Check the links below for a full schedule. Related links: Lollapalooza.com ATTBlueRoom.com Video: Gomez play AT&T Blue Room Got news tips for Paste? Email news@pastemagazine.com. ... read more
Fantasy to release new John Fogerty album
Twenty-two years ago, Fantasy Records accused John Fogerty of ripping off his own guitar work with Creedence Clearwater Revival to use on his Warner Brothers solo album, Centerfield. In short, Fogerty won, but if you find wading through legalise pleasant as a summer swim, Justice Rehnquist’s opinion on the matter can be read here. So, it’s no wonder Fogerty said it is “surreal” to see a Fantasy Records logo on his upcoming album, Revival, out Oct. 2 by way of the former plaintiff (now part of Concord Music Group). “You can’t go wrong/if you play a little bit of... read more
Wilco adds tour dates with Dr. Dog
Wilco has added many a new date with Dr. Dog to its already extensive tour, seemingly embracing the experimental side of its "experimental alt.rock" categorization. The tour has already carried the band from Iowa to Spain (practically indistinguishable from each other, when you think about it), but the people of Colorado, Texas and Canada need just as much Tweedy and co. as the people of Davenport and Benicàssim. What's an extra state here, an extra country there? The group’s sixth studio album, Sky Blue Sky debuted on Nonesuch Records at number 4 in May on Billboard's Top 200. Meanwhile, Wilco... read more
Voting starts today for Starbucks Music Makers
Goombah Music Discovery, which is neither named after the squat Mario Brothers enemy nor Bobby Baccalieri from Sopranos, is hosting online voting and complimentary track downloads for the Starbucks Music Makers competition – an online battle of the bands of sorts, for which voting began Wednesday. The Goombah-created Starbucks radio player “can easily be shared with friends via email or by posting on a web page,” states Starbucks, adding a new online component to its annual contest. Finalists are chosen from artist performing at seven Starbucks in August and September, with the grand prize winner headlining at Hard Rock Café... read more
The Go! Team announces U.S. tour
The Go! Team is coming! to America this fall to support the group's sophomore album, Proof of Youth, due out September 11 on Sub Pop. The U.K. band, with two drummers, musicians trading instruments and an MC named Ninja, will tour during the second half of October. Dates: October: 13 - Chicago, Ill. @ Double Door 15 - Seattle, Wash. @ Neumo’s 17 - Portland, Ore. @ Doug Fir 19 - San Francisco, Calif. @ Mezzanine 20 - Pomona, Calif. @ Glass House 21 - Los Angeles, Calif. @ Echoplex 25 - Boston, Mass. @ Paradise 26 - Philadelphia, Pa.... read more
Johnny Depp to star in The Rum Diary
It looks like Johnny Depp is going back to bat country. Rotten Tomatoes is reporting that Depp will reprise his role as gonzo journalist Hunter S. Thompson in an upcoming film adaptation of Thompson’s book The Rum Diary. Producer Graham King has acquired the screen rights, and Bruce Robinson (Jennifer 8, How to Get Ahead in Advertising) will both adapt the book and direct the film. Depp, who previously played Thompson in Terry Gilliam’s Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, will play the role of Paul Kemp, a reporter in San Juan in the 1950s, whose experiences are loosely based... read more
