"Survivor" television show to market sunflower seeds
As “Survivor” heads into its 16th season tonight on CBS, one thing is clear: Though the $1 million prize can only ever go to one person, everybody makes it out alive, tanned, toned and with a diet void of too many preservatives. The network’s Consumer Products division has decided to cash in on such health-related associations via the great American tradition of extensive merchandising. Variety reports that the “Survivor” brand will be licensed to a fitness program and vitamin-enhanced sunflower seeds containing 100 percent the recommended intake of B and C, coming to a checkout line near you this March.... read more
Sinatra to Host New Radio Show
Frank Sinatra fans soon will be able to hear Ol’ Blue Eyes host his own hour long radio on the new Frank Sinatra Sirius Radio station. Although some hardcore fans may be too busy reveling in ecstasy upon hearing this news, most will be left scratching their heads and wondering how the famous singer, who passed away in 1998, will be able to pull this off. Sirius Satellite Radio announced today that they have partnered with Frank Sinatra Enterprises to produce “Siriusly Sinatra,” a 24-hour station devoted to the “music, time and spirit of Frank Sinatra.” “The Chairman’s Hour” will... read more
M. Ward's New Single, Tour With Norah Jones
M. Ward is set to release a new single on February 20th-a honky tonk version of “To Go Home,” the Daniel Johnson cover from his latest album, Post-War. The single also includes three unreleased tracks: “Cosmopolitan Pap,” “Human Punching Bag” and “Headed For A Fall,” which feature Neko Case, Howe Gelb and Jim James. Following the release, he’ll start a new tour in April, opening for Norah Jones. Ward is featured as a guest vocalist on her new album, Not Too Late, so maybe (just maybe!) they’ll do a number or two together at some of the shows. But it... read more
The Mooney Suzuki Is Back With a New Release
Back from the depths of debt, a tragic cancer-related death in the family, being dropped from Columbia Records, and a revolving list of guitarists after Graham Tyler left the group, The Mooney Suzuki comes its new release, Have Mercy. Whether that title means the band is asking for mercy from old fans or just life in general is undetectable, but reportedly, Have Mercy is one happy-sounding rock album. Frontman Sammy James, Jr. says the lesson he’s taken from all of the hardship is summed up in the opener, “99%,” which is based on a Winston Churchill quote: “If you've been... read more
Mute Math to Headline Two Month Tour
Mute Math hits the road this March for a two-month headlining tour with The Cinematics and Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin. The March tour comes after the New Orleans band opens February spots for the Fray and headlines a set of its own shows in Europe. The band is supporting its self-titled album released this past September. For the unitiated,The Cinematics are a neo new wave group from Glasgow and Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin is a group of Missourians steeped in hooky pop. Tour dates for the three bands: March 07 - Toronto, ON @ The Drake... read more
Yep Roc Streams Full Albums
While the RIAA and many major labels are busy arresting people for using computers, North Carolina label Yep Roc has decided to embrace the potential of music on the internet. YepRoc.com now features six soon-to-be and recently released albums from artists on their roster that can be streamed in their entirety. Artists currently posted are The Moaners, Southern Culture on the Skids, You Am I, Dolorean, The Apples in Stereo and Kristin Hersh. In other Yep Roc news, yesterday began “30 Days of Sloan,” a 30-part video series that will include one day released everyday via a Podcast and YouTube.com... read more
The Sea and Cake Ready First Album In Four Years
After more than four years of silence, indie rock staple The Sea and Cake is back with its seventh full-length to date. Produced by Brian Paulson (Slint, Wilco), Everybody will drop May 8 courtesy of Thrill Jockey. Stay tuned for potential tour dates. Everybody tracklist: 1. Up on Crutches 2. Too Strong 3. Crossing Line 4. Middlenight 5. Coconut 6. Exact to Me 7. Lightning 8. Introducing 9. Left On 10. Transparent Related links: The Sea and Cake’s homepage The Sea and Cake on MySpace ... read more
Andrew Bird: Meet The Indie Mr. Rogers
If you think you’ve seen sparkles flutter when Andrew Bird plucks a violin on stage, check out his kids’ show set. In the strangely comforting style of Mr. Rogers, Bird makes a musical guest appearance as “Dr. Stringz” on Jack’s Big Music Show on The Noggin Channel. The puppets sing, “String-string-a-ding-ding,” and suddenly there he is in a black bowler and red tie, pulling guitars, mandolins and violins out of magical plaid coat. The best part is, when he finishes his song, he fixes a busted hammer dulcimer—no hands, all sparkles. We knew it before, but this no doubt confirms... read more
Festival Season Begins Early With Langerado
‘Tis the season to be dirty, sweaty and sun-burnt while listening to the best musicians this world has to offer. That’s right. Festival season is nearly upon us thanks to sunny South Florida’s fifth annual Langerado Music Festival. This March 9, 10 and 11, an army of rock 'n' roll’s hottest acts will converge on Markham Park in Sunrise, Fla., including My Morning Jacket, The New Pornographers, Cat Power, Widespread Panic, Band of Horses and The Hold Steady. For the complete lineup, click here. Tickets are on sale now at 1-800-594-TIXX or through Langerado.com. Only 15,000 will be sold, so... read more
Prince Rocks Halftime, Despite Bad Hip, Downpour
Despite early reports that a lingering hip injury might tone down the glam factor on Prince’s scheduled Superbowl XLI halftime show, last night proved that the artist formerly known as The Artist Formerly Known As can still rock, deteriorating pelvis or not. In what has been called the ”Best Super Bowl Halftime Show Ever,” Prince plowed through original favorites like “Let’s Go Crazy” and “Purple Rain” (performed in an actual downpour, as every blog post on the show has felt the need to reiterate), throwing in covers of “All Along the Watchtower” and the Foo Fighters’ “Best of You” for... read more
Bloodshot to Release Larry Brown Tribute
The late Oxford, Mississippi writer Larry Brown created a South in his novels the same way Lucinda Williams does in her songs; a real South often made of heartbreak and whiskey and pain. If Bloodshot Records ever decides to release books, Brown’s work would fit thematically alongside many of the label’s roster of musicians. Since they don’t release books, the record company is releasing musical tribute to him, Just One More, A Musical Tribute to Larry Brown - 19 Songs Celebrating A Great American Writer. The album is basically a mix tape by friends and fans of the writer, including... read more
Adem Announces Tour, Enters "Dreamland"
Fresh off a European tour with the likes of Vetiver, Vashti Bunyan and Juana Molina, singer/songwriter Adem Ilhan has accepted an invitation from David Byrne to play his upcoming “Welcome to Dreamland” event at New York City’s famed Carnegie Hall. Along with the aforementioned artists, he’ll join Devendra Banhart, Cibelle, Coco Rosie and Mr. Byrne himself for the February 2 show. Following “Welcome to Dreamland,” Adem will hit the road again, this time with fellow British songsmith Damon Gough (a.k.a. Badly Drawn Boy). Tour dates include: February 1 - New York, NY @ Other Music Instore (8pm) 1 -... read more
Biopics Are The New Black
In the land of predictable crash and burn, musical biopics are momentarily at the top of the heap. After the success of Walk the Line and Ray, Hollywood is lusting over legends to remake onscreen - and actors to play them. Word is it'll lead to a better chance at the Oscars. The following biopics are currently rumbling through production and casting offices. Johnny Depp is in early talks to play late Queen frontman, Freddie Mercury, in a biopic being produced by Robert De Niro's Tribeca Productions. "I Slept With Joey Ramone", an authorized biography of the late Joey Ramone,... read more
Franz Ferdinand's Kapranos speculates about new album
Perhaps inspired by the Killers recent failed attempt to reinvent themselves as Americana arena rockers, Franz Ferdinand lead singer Alex Kapranos wants to revamp the band’s sound. According to an article in the NME, the band wrote seven or eight songs during the last tour, but now Kapranos says he wants to craft a “whole new sound.” Currently producing The Cribs new album in New York, the frontman says he will head back to Glasgow next week to start writing. Kapranos also said the band is considering producing the record themselves. Related links: The NME article Official Franz Ferdinand site... read more
Gov’t Mule Contests To Break a Million Downloads
Muletracks.com sounds funny, but it’s actually a pretty solid idea on behalf of Gov’t Mule. Every one of the 250 concerts the band has played since October 2004 can be purchased and downloaded from the website. Their engineer records every show and then posts them online within two or three days in MP3 format. New cover art for each concert is also posted for download. There’s also a “Classic Mule Tracks” category that features shows performed pre-2004 with Gov't Mule's late bassist, Allen Woody. So far, almost a million of their concerts have been downloaded from the website, so Govt.... read more
Fat Possum To Reissue 6 Townes Van Zandt Albums
Fat Possum Records has announced the re-release of six albums by legendary singer/songwriter (and, many would argue, great American poet) Townes Van Zandt, including his first four solo albums, all of which have been out of print for a number of years. The re-releases will be issued on May 1st, 2007, nearly ten and a half year’s after Van Zandt’s death from a pulmonary embolism at age 52 on New Year’s Day 1997. Titles being re-issued include For The Sake Of The Song (1968), Our Mother The Moutain (1969), Townes Van Zandt (1970), Delta Moma Blues (1971), Flyin’ Shoes... read more
TV On The Radio Release 'Province' Video
January 31st, 2007, saw the premiere of TV On The Radio’s latest videographic offering as “Province” debuted in MTV’s PrimeTime Premier slot. Although sadly lacking David Bowie, who provided vocals on the track, the video is still definitely worth checking out—although you’re probably better off checking it out at iFilm, instead of waiting around for MTV to spin it again. (See image above for a bit of a preview.) “Province” is the latest single off of TV On The Radio’s Return to Cookie Mountain, which topped a number of music critics’ best of 2006 polls, and nabbed the #4 spot... read more
Reich, Rollins Receive 2007 Polar Music Prize
Composer/musician Steve Reich and legendary saxophonist Sonny Rollins have been chosen as the 2007 recipients of the Royal Swedish Academy of Music’s highest honor, the Polar Music Prize. The American music legends were selected for their individual contributions to music on an international level, and join previous recipients ranging from B.B. King and Joni Mitchell to Nikolaus Harnoncourt and Witold Lutoslawki. Reich was lauded for “[transferring] questions of faith, society and philosophy into a hypnotic sounding music that has inspired musicians and composers of all genres.” Of Rollins, the Academy notes, he “has elevated the unaccompanied solo to the... read more
Sarah Borges Signs to Sugar Hill Records
With a critically-praised debut album under her belt and some increasingly hefty buzz surrounding her live performances around the US, self-proclaimed “no-wave hard honk” artist Sarah Borges has signed to North Carolina-based Sugar Hill Records, and has announced plans to release her second LP later this year. “I'm so happy to become a part of the Sugar Hill roster,” Borges said in a recent statement. “The band and I are excited to be introduced to folks who are already fans of Sugar Hill artists, and we're looking forward to bringing our brand of rock ‘n roll to the label’s vast... read more
New Orleans funk band Galactic turns trip-hop
New Orleans trip funk kings, Galactic, are bringing their all-night neon lights and sporadic 5 a.m. freestyle hip-hop jam sessions to disk. The band is co-writing their new album with a hot list of hip-hop artists, including Jurassic 5's Chali 2na, Gift of Gab from Blackalicious, Mr. Lif, Lyrics Born, The Coup's Boots Riley, Lateef the Truthspeaker, Ladybug of Digable Planets and others. Galactic's live shows are known for appearances from artists like Lyrics Born, Talib Kweli, The Roots, Jurassic 5 and Z-Trip, but this is the first time the band will try to contain major hip-hop collaborations onto an... read more
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