The Return of Black Francis
Black Francis is back. Frank Black will release a greatest hits record. These are both the same person, and his real name is Charles. Frank Black 93 – 03, featuring songs from nine of Black’s solo records, will be released June 12 on Cooking Vinyl Records. A bonus disc contains live tracks recorded in 2006, as well as a new song, “Threshold Apprehension,” the first single from the new Black Francis album. Once again donning his sometimes-Pixies moniker Black Francis, the man born Charles Thompson will release Bluefinger this September. Frank Black 93 – 03 track listing (with original album... read more
Cartel To Eat, Sleep, Record In Bubble
In a sick twist on marketing, reality TV and, well, Bubble Boy, Atlanta-based rock outfit Cartel will spend three weeks this summer in a see-through bubble on Hudson River Park's Pier 54 in New York City as they write and record the follow-up to their breakthrough debut, Chroma. Vocalist Will Pugh, guitarists Joseph Pepper and Nic Hudson, drummer Kevin Sanders and bassist Jeff Lett will enter the Dr. Pepper-sponsored bubble during a live MTV broadcast on May 24 and stay there until the bubble "bursts" on June 12, or until their bladders all burst from drinking only Dr. Pepper for... read more
Paul Simon Wins First-Ever Gershwin Prize
And the Gershwin Prize goes to...Paul Simon. Wait, what's a Gershwin Prize? Something like a Grammy and Nobel hybrid, the Library of Congress' first annual Gershwin Prize, named in honor of George and Ira Gershwin, "recognizes the profound and positive effect of popular music on the world's culture." In a star-studded concert gala to be held May 23 at Warner Theatre in Washington, D.C. and broadcast nationally on June 27 by PBS, Simon will receive the award as a host of entertainers, including Yolanda Adams, Marc Anthony, Dixie Hummingbirds, Jerry Douglas, Art Garfunkel, Philip Glass, Alison Krauss, Ladysmith Black Mambazo,... read more
Trojan Records Turns 40
For 40 years now, Trojan Records has been synonymous with all things reggae. In celebration of this milestone anniversary, the British label, now a subsidiary of the Sanctuary Group, will continue adding to its insanely eclectic Jukebox Series, begun last year with DJ Spooky Presents - In Fine Style: 50,000 Volts of Trojan Records. After February's release of Johnny Greenwood Is The Controller from Radiohead's lead guitarist and the upcoming Furry Selection, Luxury Cuts of Trojan Chosen By A Super Furry Animal from bassist Guto Pryce, what better way to commemorate 40 years than to kick the microphone back to... read more
Legends Donate To
Indie kids have never bought much into the "Live Strong" craze, but thanks to music magazine Relix, they won't have to sport those bright yellow bands to prove they care about the world around them. With its "Wear Your Music" campaign, Relix has secured donated guitar strings from such legends as Brian May, Carlos Santana, Pete Townshend and Les Paul as well as newcomers The Shins, Wolfmother and My Morning Jacket. Renowed designer Hannah Garrison of AZU Studio has been commissioned to turn these old guitar strings into fun, fashionable and wholly wearable bracelets, and all proceeds will go to... read more
The White Stripes Love Canada
Jack and Meg (heart) Canada! The White Stripes are heading north, and tackling almost every imaginable part of Canada on their recently announced tour. And some we can’t even imagine. The duo will hit every province and territory in country and then return to the U.S., eventually hitting all of the 16 states they have yet to play. Some of the American dates are listed below, with more promised soon. Icky Thump, the band’s new record, will be released June 19. June 17 - Manchester, Tenn. @ Bonnaroo Music Festival 24 - Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada @ Deer Lake Park... read more
Decemberists Go Orchestral
In addition to having the best name for their summer tour, “A Bit of Grass-Stain Does Not a Ruined Pair of Jeans Make,” the Decemberists now have the coolest shows of the summer. The band has announced that they will make their “orchestral debut” in five cities this summer, with a different symphony orchestra backing them at each date. These gigs will be interspersed between their already announced shows. Also announced is the band’s European fall tour, “A Great Smiting of Chavs,” beginning in September. For more, check out where the Decemberists latest, The Crane Wife landed on the Paste... read more
Widespread Panic Announce Summer Tour, New Album
Almost done with a spring tour, Athens, Ga. jammers Widespread Panic have announced a summer tour and work on a new album. The band will head down to the Bahamas in May to record their 10th studio album with producer Terry Manning at Compass Point Recording Studios. The band plans to release the album in fall 2007 on its own Widespread Records. Following that, the band will embark on a summer tour beginning with an appearance at Wakarusa Music Festival in Lawrence, Kansas, followed by a 6th consecutive headlining spot at this year’s Bonnaroo Festival. Summer 2007 Widespread Panic tour... read more
Ben Gibbard, Ted Leo on Soundtrack of Clash Doc
Ben Gibbard, Ted Leo, Mos Def and Radio 4 will contribute songs to the upcoming documentary, Let Fury Have the Hour, based on the 2004 book by Antonino D’Ambrosio, according to an article on Billboard.com. The film version expands on the book's exploration of the political impact of the Clash’s music, including other politically conscious artists such as Manu Chao and Rachid Taha. D’Ambrosio hopes to have the documentary ready for release by next year’s presidential election. Related links: Let the Fury Have the Hour’s site D’Ambrosio bio The Clash’s site Manu Chao’s site ... read more
String Cheese Incident Announces Final Dates
The String Cheese Incident has scheduled the last fifteen live dates of its career, following last year’s announcement that the band would make no further musical plans beyond summer 2007. Kicking off with a stint at the Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival and wrapping up with a three-night stand at the Red Rocks Ampitheatre in the band’s home state of Colorado, the swan song tour will trace across the United States, playing to audiences of fans who have grown to love the Incident’s inventive, jam-based musical stylings. The band announced its time-table for disbanding last summer after guitarist Billy Nershi... read more
Sebadoh's Freed Man Expanded, Re-released
Domino Records has announced the re-release of a another Sebadoh record, set to hit the streets on July 10. The Freed Man, originally released on cassette and vinyl LP in 1989 by Homestead Records, will get its first proper digital treatment since its combined re-issue with Weed Forestin’ on CD in 1990. The new, deluxe edition will feature an expanded tracklist—52 songs, up from 31 on the original—and liner notes penned by Sebadoh bandmates Eric Gaffney and Lou Barlow. Many of the 21 new tracks have “never seen the light of day until now,” according to a recent statement. The... read more
Raul Malo Works After Hours On New LP
Former Mavericks' frontman Raul Malo is back with his third solo album to date, which will be released July 17 by New Door Records. Recorded live in-studio with almost no overdubs, After Hours is an homage to 10 of Malo's favorite country songs. The Cuban-influenced singer will hit the road for a host of dates throughout summer and early fall with his backing band in tow. After Hours tracklist: 1. Welcome To My World 2. (Now And Then There’s) A Fool Such As I 3. For The Good Times 4. Pocket Of A Clown 5. Crying Time 6. Cold, Cold... read more
Jay Sweet Returns To Boston's FOX 25
In Paste editor-at-large Jay Sweet’s second “FOX Rocks in the Morning” appearance on FOX 25 in Boston, he previews some of this summer’s biggest festivals, including Coachella, Bonnaroo and the Newport Folk Festival. Though The Police will soon be heading to Fenway Park, Sweet’s pick for this summer’s best show is Boston’s very own “Pops on the Edge” series, which will feature Ben Folds, the Cowboy Junkies and M. Ward playing alongside the legendary Boston Pops. Also, listen up for a shout-out to current Paste cover subject The Hold-Steady, who Sweet calls, along with Arcade Fire, one of the two... read more
Arctic Monkeys Tour on Worst Nightmare
After dropping their sophomore effort, Favourite Worst Nightmare, in the U.S. yesterday, those young Arctic Monkeys are coming to North America for a tour lasting most of May. An appearance at April’s Coachella festival will kick off the tour, and Nashville’s Be Your Own Pet opens all the shows. Read more about the Arctic Monkeys at Coachella, and all the summer festival information you can handle, in the May issue of Paste, on newsstands now. April 27 - Indio, Calif. @ Coachella Valley Music Festival May 1 - San Francisco, Calif. @ Warfield Theatre 2 - Portland, Ore. @ Roseland... read more
Caribou, Shout Out Louds Sign To Merge
What with recent releases from Arcade Fire and The Rosebuds (both of which earned four stars from Paste), Merge Records is on quite the roll. Still, the North Carolina indie isn't letting up, as shown by recent signees Caribou and the Shout Out Louds. Andorra, Dan Snaith's fourth LP under the moniker Caribou, will hit stores August 21 while Our Ill Wills, the sophomore effort from Swedish sensation Shout Out Louds, will be released September 11 with production courtesy of Bjorn Yttling of Peter Bjorn And John. Andorra tracklist: 1. Melody Day 2. Sandy 3. After Hours 4. She’s the... read more
Funk-y Covers of Radiohead, Fleetwood Mac, etc.
Sure, the Decemberists have released at least one album and/or EP every year since 2001’s 5 Songs EP, but that doesn’t mean members of the group don’t have time to work on solo projects, too. According to an article on PitchforkMedia.com, guitarist Chris Funk's project, Flash Hawk Parlor Ensemble, will release Plastic Bag in the Tree on May 15 on Hush Records. The Decemberists were previously housed on Hush as well. The album features originals as well as covers of songs by Radiohead, Fleetwood Mac, Massive Attack and the Pretenders. Funky. Related links: Flash Hawk Parlor Ensemble on MySpace... read more
Drive-By Truckers To Play All Good Festival
As Bonnaroo gets more and more indie and less and less grassroots, America's favorite destination for some good ole-fashioned camping out and jamming late into the night may soon be Masontown, W.V.'s All Good Music Festival. Set against the gorgeous backdrop of Marvin's Mountaintop, the festival is currently the East Coast's longest-running camping event. Now in its 11th year, the annual All Good Festival has a strong lineup that just keeps getting better. Recent additions to the already-stellar roster include Drive-By Truckers, Sam Bush, Benevento-Russo Duo, The Bridge, Lee Boys and the Ryan Montbleau Band. Early-Bird tickets for the July... read more
Coen Brothers Announce Pair Of Films
Oscar-winning filmmakers Joel and Ethan Coen recently announced that they will write, produce and direct their next two projects for Working Title Films and Focus Features, NBC Universal's art house division. Production on Burn After Reading, a dark spy comedy starring Frances McDormand, George Clooney and Brad Pitt, is set to begin late this summer while The Serious Man has no scheduled start date. The brothers Coen are currently wrapping up post-production work on the feature-length No Country for Old Men, which premieres at next month's Cannes Film Festival. Related links: Focus Features’ homepage Working Title’s homepage Coen Brothers’ fan... read more
Patrick Wolf Announces Last Show Ever
As reported by Stereogum, Brit sensation Patrick Wolf, at the young age of 23, has had enough of pop stardom. In a post on a fan message board, he wrote “my final concert will be this November, a retrospective with an orchestra in London.” To read the full post, click here. Prior to this as-yet-unannounced London show, Wolf has 13 dates scheduled, but only eight of them are here in the States. Be sure to check out Paste's review of Wolf's The Magic Position in Issue 31, out on newsstands now. Tour dates include: April 30 - New York, N.Y.... read more
Rufus Wainwright Kicks Off Tour, Talks to Paste About Release the Stars
Last night, Rufus Wainwright kicked off a lengthy tour (see dates below) in Seattle, a trek that will find him crisscrossing the pond a couple times and not coming home for at least the entirety of the summer, all in support of the May 15 release date of his latest album, Release the Stars. Last week, however, Wainwright took a few moments out of his increasingly busy schedule to chat with Paste about Mozart, lederhosen and crazy fairies. It sounds like you were really trying to do something stripped back with your new album, but then it became much more... read more
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