The Jeweller

Spring News from Quivvy

2009-04-15T06:19:00.003Z

I have just returned from a short albeit rather rain sodden Easter break in the Scottish Highlands and have added new photographs from my travels to the photography gallery section.

Of a more pressing nature, my new album Ark is very near to completion and will be released as a digital download this coming August. I had originally wanted to release it in spring but having missed the spring deadline and because of the subsequent summer vacuum have opted for an August release instead.

The digital download will be accompanied by hard copy special editions and a retail version will then be made available in October.

I will be performing live concerts to coincide with these release dates in August and October with my new band: Steve Jones (guitar/keyboards), Laurence O'Keefe (bass guitar), Jules Maxwell (keyboards) and Jez Wiles (drums and percussion).

I will post the tour dates as soon as they become available and am really looking forward to playing in a town near you!

Best regards,

Brendan

(see Brendan's web site)

Brendan Perry Welcome

2008-11-01T18:21:00.003Z

"Welcome to my new website. Here you will be able to keep up to date with my past, present and future works and receive free musical downloads from my unreleased archives during the course of the year. Also you will be able to interact with like-minded souls on my new forum to discuss my work as
well as that of Dead Can Dance.

The first of the aforementioned free downloads is now available, all you have to do (if you have not done so already) is sign up to the mailing list and you will receive a link where you can download a recording of my very first solo concert from the ICA London.

London ICA (13 year Itch Festival) 24/7/1993

1. Alone
2. American Dreaming
3. Sarabande
4. Sloth
5. Chase the Blues (Tim Buckley)
7. The Captive Heart
8. Happy Time (Tim Buckley)
9. Don't Fade Away

Have a great Samain everyone!

Brendan"

(from www.brendan-perry.com)

Brendan Perry

2008-09-22T20:54:00.003Z

19th September 2008

"I have finally parted company with 4AD Records after 25 years with the label.We had been drifting in opposite directions since the departure of 4AD’s founder Ivo Watts-Russell and so it was mutually decided that it was in both parties best interests to part company. I wish the label well with their new direction and future releases.

I have taken on the services of Merck Mercuriadis. Merck has an impressive track record in the music industry and has managed an eclectic array of talent over the years including Morrissey, Elton John, Janes Addiction, Guns N’Roses, Dark Star and Joss Stone.

My new album entitled ‘Ark’ is now close to completion and will be due for release early next year.My new website will be launched on 31st October! I know it has been a long time coming but I think you will agree that Steve Jones and G-RAFF have done an outstanding job.

I have now got an official mailing list which you can sign up to by clicking here. Registered users will get regular updates as well as access to a few extra features and exclusives… the first, accompanying the site launch on 31st October, will be a substantial free musical gift as a way of saying thank you for all the support that you have given me over the years."

(from Brendan's website)

The Breeders on KEXP

2008-02-16T23:18:00.005Z

The Breeders' Austin City Limits gig at KLRU Studios on March 14, 2008 will be broadcast by KEXP.

Samadhisound / Steve Jansen News

2008-02-15T19:52:00.004Z

"Hello,

We are pleased to announce that there is a new work by Steve Jansen available from today exclusively in our download store.

Written, recorded and mixed by Steve Jansen at 'The Nest', London.

A commissioned soundtrack for a video installation by Shoko Ise. Created over a period of months during mid to late 2007, 'Swimming In Qualia' is a work in two parts for two projectors playing consecutively: 'Ascent' - the main body of the composition, and 'Glimpse' - a shorter, looping sequence which is not included in this download.

The installation was featured as part of the 'Still/Alive' exhibit of contemporary art and photography in Japan held at the Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Photography from 22 December 2007 to 20 February 2008.

Presented as a single track, Ascent comes with a credit sheet designed by Chris Bigg and also with specially designed wallpapers using imagery from Shoko Ise. [more]

[...]

Slope is advertised in the March 2008 issue of The Wire. We have made the advert available online for you. Click here to view [pdf, 2.3MB]."

Vaughan Oliver/v23 Update

2008-02-08T08:23:00.001Z

Don't miss Debbie Millman's interview with Vaughan this afternoon at 3pm PST (that's GMT -8h for us Europeans). If you do, make sure to catch her iTunes podcast.

You wondered what else Vaughan has been busy with lately?

Then check out RCA/Print Digital, a research project led by graphic artist and writer Russell Warren-Fisher at the Royal College of Art. CONTROL|PRINT: Considering the Future of Ink on Paper is a limited edition 'publication' which was exhibited at the Sea Gallery in London. Chris, Vaughan, photographers Mark Atkins and Francoise Lacroix and a few other prominent collaborators have contributed a chapter to the book.

And read about the Postcards book, a collaboration between fl@33 and Laurence King Publishing which is scheduled for a UK release in September 2008 in English and several foreign language editions. [more]

Chemikals Shopping Online

2008-02-08T08:20:00.000Z

Glasgow based Chemikal Underground Records, founded and run by former Delgados band members, have just opened the new online shop:

"It's been several eternals in the making and responsible for more than a handful of grey hairs but we've finally managed to bring you our new online store: easy to navigate, full of information on artists past and present and, crucially for you, spectacularly good value for money. So what's new about it? Well, for a start, we've put an enormous amount of time into making sure that you have as much information about our catalogue as possible. Our sections are broken down by artist, containing a biography and background notes on every single release: reminiscences of band members and chemikal staff, pointless trivia, anecdotes surrounding the recordings, you name it ..."

It is especially remarkable that the entire label catalogue is available to stream online as previews, and that individual mp3's are available for £0.69 "... tagged with cover artwork and lyrics - take that iTunes!". [more]

Mojave 3 Newsletter

2008-02-08T06:21:00.000Z

"Just a quick heads-up: Neil will be performing at the Little Howdy Do? Festival on the 20th of Feb, (@ The Borderline, London) with support from Peter and the Wolf + Morrison Steam Fayre. [more]

Just before you go, you absolutely must listen to the new record from Holton's Opulent Oog, "The Problem Of Knowledge". [more]

...very Mojave 3'ish.. and no wonder - the band consists of Ian on drums, Simon on bass & guitar, and old band friend Nick Holton on vocals!"

Beggars Masterpieces Collection

2008-01-26T10:23:00.001Z

Last Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2008 Beggars Japan released the first batch of CD's from a new "Beggars Masterpieces Collection". Unlike the Pixies, Cocteaus and Bauhaus re-issues two years ago, these albums will not be released in LP style cardboard sleeves.

Among the first ten albums are Japanese 4AD debuts like the Cocteaus' Lullabies to Violaine Vol. 1 and 2, Pixies' Wave of Mutilation, the Colourbox Best Of and Natures Mortes - Still Lives; ironically, this compilation has never before been available in Japan on CD although the original vinyl version had been released for the Japanese market. The initial 4AD selection is completed by a Lonely is an Eyesore reissue - this milestone of mid-Eighties 4AD had been unavailable in Japan for a mere 15 years.

WPCB-20001 Bauhaus - Crackle. Best of Bauhaus
WPCB-20002 The Icicle Works - The Best of The Icicle Works
WPCB-20003/4 Cocteau Twins - Lullabies to Violaine 1982 - 1990. Vol. 1
WPCB-20005/6 Cocteau Twins - Lullabies to Violaine 1993 - 1996. Vol. 2
WPCB-20007 Colourbox - Best of 82/87
WPCB-20008 Gary Numan/Tubeway Army - Premier Hits
WPCB-20009 Peter Murphy - Wild Birds 1985 - 1995
WPCB-20010 Pixies - Wave of Mutilation
WPCB-20011 Various - Natures Mortes - Still Lives
WPCB-20012 Various - Lonely is an Eyesore

The second installment, due out Feb. 20, is a 4AD affair and compiles ten classics from the back catalogue:

WPCB-20013 Colourbox - Colourbox
WPCB-20014 The Birthday Party - Prayers on Fire
WPCB-20015 The The - Burning Blue Soul
WPCB-20016 Pixies - Surfer Rosa / Come on Pilgrim
WPCB-20017 Pixies - Doolittle
WPCB-20018 Throwing Muses - The Real Ramona
WPCB-20019 Cocteau Twins - Head over Heels
WPCB-20020 The Breeders - Pod
WPCB-20021 This Mortal Coil - It'll End in Tears
WPCB-20022 Le Mystere des Voix Bulgares - Le Mystere des Voix Bulgares

The fourth batch, due out in May, will contain further 4AD titles.

The Beggars Japan site also provides a first proper sight of the Breeders' Mountain Battles album cover:

Cash Music #3: Around Dusk

2008-01-26T08:32:00.000Z

"My latest song from "Speedbath" is here. It's called "Around Dusk" and I hope it treats you well.

Now that CASH is a viable entity and not just an amorphous blob floating around in our heads, those of us who work here are becoming increasingly aware of its quieter gifts. I knew this construct was necessary in order for us all to share interesting music, but intangibles like political implications are now sneaking into my world view ..." [more]

Due to the early success of the subscription packages - "Kristin's CASH subscribers come from 12 different countries on 5 different continents" - the offerings on each level will be changed/upgraded to include an 8x10" high quality print of a painting by Kristin instead of the quarterly poster (for dime-a-day level subscribers) and a full live recording from Pittsburgh during her 2007 tour instead of the Work in Progress sampler (for the "Strange Angels"). [Subscribe]

The All Wave Recording Revealed

2008-01-21T18:21:00.000Z

You have seen this logo on the sleeves of Title TK and Off You, but do you know what it stands for? The latest post on "the world's least read website", The Breeders' Digest, reveals the principles behind this recording technique. [more]

New ESL Music Website, Thievery Corporation Digibox

2008-01-20T18:14:00.000Z

To coincide with the launch of the brand new ESL Music website, the label "is excited to announce the release of Warning Shots - The Digibox.

This iTunes-only multimedia release includes all four full-length Thievery Corporation studio albums - Sounds From The Thievery Hi-Fi, The Mirror Conspiracy, The Richest Man In Babylon, and The Cosmic Game, plus a brand new audio interview with Thievery Corporation founders Eric Hilton and Rob Garza. The special-edition Digibox also features a digital booklet containing information and never-seen-before photographs, making it an absolute must for Thievery fans everywhere.
The package is priced at $24.99 and is available exclusively at iTunes.

Thievery fans who already own the music can still download the digital booklet, and the good news is that it's absolutely free by clicking at the link below."

Booklet

Sun Kil Moon Preview Track

2008-01-20T09:55:00.000Z

The new Sun Kil Moon album April will be released through Caldo Verde on April 1. The track 'Moorestown' can be streamed from the Caldo Verde site. A live version of the song can be found on Mark's second live album, Little Drummer Boy Live.

Billboard has recently reviewed the album.

Track listing:
Lost Verses ; The Light ; Lucky Man ; Unlit Hallway ; Heron Blue ; Moorestown ; Harper Road ; Tonight the Sky ; Like the River ; Tonight in Bilbao ; Blue Orchids
Bonus Disc: Tonight in Bilbao (alternate version) ; The Light (alternate version) ; Like the River (alternate version) ; Tonight the Sky (alternate version)

The re-edition of Nights of Passed Over, a book compiling the lyrics of all Red House Painters, Sun Kil Moon and Mark Kozelek solo projects, will coincide with the album release.

Mark also produced Low frontman Alan Sparhawk's Retribution Gospel Choir side project, due March 18 on Caldo Verde.

'Heretic Pride' pictured Song by Song

2008-01-19T11:43:00.000Z

It's not that new anymore, but God Is In The TV (and other blogs) have posted a song-by-song album description of The Mountain Goats' forthcoming album Heretic Pride (text: John Darnielle, illustration: Jeffrey Lewis). Here's part 1 (2 and 3 can be downloaded from the link above):

John Darnielle: Master of Reality

2008-01-15T09:40:00.000Z

"... on April 15, we will all come one step closer to world peace, with the publishing of Darnielle's take on the Black Sabbath album Master of Reality, as part of the 33 1/3 series of books about albums.

According to the book's description, "John Darnielle describes Master of Reality in the voice of a fifteen-year-old boy being held in an adolescent psychiatric center in southern California in 1985. The narrator explains Black Sabbath like an emissary from an alien race describing his culture to his captors: passionately, patiently, and lovingly. This album has a genuinely remarkable historical status: as a touchstone for the directionless, and as a common coin for young men and women who felt shut out of the broader cultural economy."

For a 10-page sample of the kick-ass-sounding book, email sabbathsampler@yahoo.com."

(from Pitchfork)

Gigantic - a tribute to Kim Deal

2008-01-15T09:30:00.000Z

"The tribute is coming together beautifully. Originally conceived as an iTunes-only release, the tracks are just too damn good not to put this out on CD. We'll begin pre-orders soon. In the meantime, we've posted clips on the official Gigantic myspace page: http://www.myspace.com/kimdealtribute"

(from the American Laundromat site)

The Mountain Goats Interview

2008-01-07T22:35:00.000Z

Splendid has an interesting, however not Heretic Pride-related interview with John Darnielle here.

Oh, and in a kind of tradition John posted a Christmas present on his site.

Kristin on CASH Music

2008-01-05T17:59:00.000Z

Kristin talks about the CASH Music Project on KEXP.

New 50 Foot Wave track

2008-01-05T17:33:00.000Z

Expansion Team records asked 13 artists to cover 13 classic songs "and the result is one of the most wonderfully eclectic and magical albums we've ever heard". 50 Foot Wave contribute an expectedly rough-sounding version of Jefferson Airplane's "Somebody To Love".

The album has been available digitally since December 18; the digipak version is due out on January 8.

Only recently, Kristin had been featured on "Cinnamon Girl - Women Artists Cover Neil Young for Charity" (American Laundromat) with a solo version of "Like A Hurricane".

Design Matters: Vaughan Oliver

2008-01-05T17:06:00.001Z

Debbie Millman, host of the highly popular internet radio talkshow "Design Matters", will kick off her new season on January 18. The new schedule will include "graphic designers, writers, illustrators, authors, scientists, editors and a Nobel Prize winner". Vaughan Oliver is scheduled as guest on February 8.

In Session: Vaughan Oliver

2008-01-05T11:43:00.001Z

In spring 2007, design editor and writer Adrian Shaughnessy presented a series of interviews with leading graphic designers on Resonance 104.7FM.

The Graphic Design on the Radio archive is now online and contains one hour features with the likes of Neville Brody, Jonathan Barnbrook, Malcolm Garrett, Rick Poynor and Vaughan Oliver. The series is to be continued in 2008. [more]

Vaughan gives insight into his early influences, describes his career start and talks about his various collaborations while spinning some of his favourite music pieces. And he reveals that he coaches Wandle Wanderers FC, a Wandsworth youth football club which he also designed the logo for.

Whatever happened to ... Melodie McDaniel?

2008-01-05T11:28:00.000Z

You wondered what the photographer of sleeve art like 'Ocean Beach', 'Five Ways of Disappearing' and portraits for the 'Split' series is doing these days? A small portion of her film work can be found here.

Johann Johannsson News

2008-01-02T16:52:00.000Z

After a short christmas break, Johann is back in the studio writing music for Janos Szasz's production of the Oedipus cycle by Sophocles for Det Norske Teatret in Oslo, which premieres on the 17th of January. The plays have been adapted by the celebrated Norwegian author and dramatist Jon Fosse. Johann previously contributed music to Janos Szasz's wonderful film "Opium: Diary of a Madwoman".

(from Johann's website)

Celebration 2007 Wrap-up

2007-12-30T12:12:00.000Z

Read Katrina's personal review including memories of table dancing, pitbull/poodle action, meeting the dead Sharon Tate and other curiosities of touring. [more]

Prospects for 2008:
"With our new found super powers, we hope to stomp into the new year on a happy paw… We are putting together some UK/European tour dates, for Feb/Mar. We then may be hitting our favorite US cities for a short one this Summer. Until then..keep the fire stoked. Stay free
K"

Zach Condon's BBC TV Interview

2007-12-30T11:34:00.000Z

Watch official archive footage from Beirut's appearance on BBC 2's Later with Jools Holland:

(from the show website)

CASH Music #2: Torque

2007-12-29T15:18:00.000Z

Torque is Kristin's second output on CASH Music.

"This song was written under water.

On my last tour, our bus broke down and left us stranded in Idaho for a few days. When my band members and I finally arrived at a hotel, we were at first too dirty and disoriented to mind that we were either trapped in our rooms watching bad t.v. or trapped in the hotel lobby with sports fans and evangelist types. It got old fast, however and so did living on complimentary apples from the front desk." [more]

[Download] (and sign up or contribute)

Cass McCombs on World Cafe

2007-12-29T12:06:00.000Z

National Public Radio has archived a studio session by Cass McCombs from Dec. 19 who was interviewed by David Dye and presented songs from his fortcoming album Dropping the Writ (due out Feb. 4, 2008 on Domino) for World Cafe. [more]

Tracks:
Lion Killer Got Married ; Healing ; Windfall

HNIA Someday RMX Up Again

2007-12-29T11:21:00.000Z

"Originally offered as a free download in October 2006, Someday RMX returns to hisnameisalive.com for a limited time. Treat yourself or someone you love to a gift from His Name Is Alive.

These remixes futher expand upon and compliment the 2001 Someday My Blues Will Cover The Earth album from HNIA. They are a must-download for any fan who missed out the first time around. Enjoy!"

Blonde Redhead on AOL The Interface

2007-12-27T18:12:00.000Z

Following their autumn tours throughout the US and Europe, Blonde Redhead got interviewed and performed a session for The Interface shortly before Christmas. [more]

Tracks:
23 ; The Dress ; Harry & I

Scott Walker on Hard Format

2007-12-01T23:25:00.000Z

In times where many labels 'go digital', Hard Format is a blog devoted to outstanding new and past music packaging design. In October the makers chose to feature the sleeve of Scott Walker's 'And Who Shall Go To The Ball? And What Shall Go To The Ball?'. [more]

You might also like to read the author's review of the Candoco dance performance which can be found here.

Kristin on CASH Music

2007-11-27T19:51:00.000Z

The news has been out for some time: Kristin Hersh is starting to distribute her musical output via CASH Music, an alternative and unconventional business model. Her first song, Slippershell, is now online and will be followed by new material on a monthly basis.

"As many of you may already know, CASH is an acronym -- it stands for the Coalition of Artists & Stake Holders. The name indicates just what we're all hoping to build here -- a coalition through which we blur the line that's traditionally stood between creators of content and the consumers of that content."

Read more and support Kristin by listening and subscribing to her music here.

One new, one old

2007-11-26T22:08:00.001Z

Beirut played a Black Session tonight which is archived for one week on Bernard Lenoir's site. [listen]

Emma Pollock's Gideon Coe session from September 7 was re-broadcast last night. [listen]

Cass McCombs on KCRW

2007-11-23T18:33:00.001Z

Next Tuesday (Nov. 27), Cass will be playing songs from his new album Dropping The Writ on KCRW's Morning Becomes Eclectic. [more]

Emma Pollock on BBC2

2007-11-20T20:56:00.000Z

Having just returned from their US tour, Emma and band were in Manchester today playing some acoustic tunes on BBC Radio 2's Radcliffe & Maconie show. The show is archived for a week. [listen]

Tracks:
If Silence Means That Much To You ; Paper And Glue ; Adrenaline

Beirut DVD Online Ordering Option

2007-11-20T12:53:00.000Z

Those of you who missed or will miss Beirut during their current European Tour but want to get hold of a copy of "Cheap Magic Inside" should point their browsers to the album microsite and leave your details.

American Laundromat: Compilation Update

2007-11-18T18:32:00.000Z

DIG FOR FIRE - A TRIBUTE TO PIXIES

Man is there a BUZZ about this record. The Wall Street Journal wrote an article about the project this past Friday and we've been getting calls from all over the world about it. They Might Be Giants, OK Go, Mogwai, British Sea Power, Joy Zipper and so many more cover the Pixies with utter reverance on this tribute to one of the most influential indie bands of all time. The pressing plant promised us CD's the week of the 26th. So all pre-orders will ship that week without fail. We cannot thank you enough for your patience especially those who purchased the limited edition first pressing with bonus vinyl. It'll be worth the wait we can assure you.

Pre-order the CD today from our online store. For those who can't wait, on Nov. 13, Dig For Fire will be released on iTunes. There will also be a bonus EP available exclusively on iTunes. Both will be available Monday at midnight. Below are the links (cut & paste into your browser):

Dig For Fire (LP): iTunes
Dig For Fire (Bonus EP): iTunes

CINNAMON GIRL - WOMEN ARTISTS COVER NEIL YOUNG FOR CHARITY!

Tanya Donelly, Britta Phillips, Lori McKenna, Jill Sobule with John Doe, Elk City, Veruca Salt, Kristin Hersh, Josie Cotton, The Watson Twins, and Julie Peel are just some of the outstanding artists covering Neil Young's most popular songs for charity on this Double-CD. The official release date is February 2008 but you can pre-order now and receive your copy in early December just in time for the holidays.

Piano Magic Tour Dates

2007-11-18T16:45:00.000Z

My Favourites for the Christmas Season

2007-11-18T15:58:00.000Z

Air Miami's sought-after never-before-released original cassettes have been re-mastered and pressed onto archival quality Teenbeat CD-Rs and packaged in deluxe Originals cases. Both comes with original cassette inserts. The cassettes contain early versions of the material that was released as "Me. Me. Me.".

Fourteen Songs is just Mark Robinson and Bridget Cross (both from Unrest) down in the basement of the old Teenbeat house with guitars and a Rhythm Ace drum machine.

Sweet As a Candy Bar ; Airplane Rider ; Bubble Shield ; Stop Sign ; Special Angel ; The Event Horizon ; Agent Molder is Here ; Adidas My Ass ; Niagara Falls is Frozen ; Neely ; Nicola Six ; Fight Song ; Fox Sighting ; Definitely Beachy

Sixteen Songs features drummers John Rickman (Eggs), Alex Hacker (The Ropers, Sounds of Kaleidoscope), and Ben Currier (also Eggs) and was recorded at Let's Rain in Arlington by Jonah Rainey and Matt Letsinger.

Neely ; Special Angel ; World Cup Fever ; Stop Sign ; Definitely Beachy ; Airplane Rider ; Bubble Shield ; I Hate Milk ; The Event Horizon ; Pucker ; Adidas My Ass ; Dean ; Fight Song ; Afternoon Train ; Dade County Cops Don't Quit ; Special (Reprise) ; Niagara Falls Is Frozen (hidden track)

Available now from the Teenbeat website.

November News from Mark Kozelek

2007-11-18T15:33:00.001Z

The new Sun Kil Moon LP, entitled "April", will be in stores April 1, 2008, on Caldo Verde.

The new edition of "Nights of Passed Over" will coincide with the release. The book was first issued as a limited edition in Portugal in 2002 and contained the lyrics of all Red House Painters and Mark Kozelek releases up until "Old Ramon". This new edition, issued by former Low bassist Zak Sally, is said to feature a new introduction, lyrics to "Ghosts Of The Great Highway" by Sun Kil Moon, and more.

Recent live reviews and articles relating to Mark's recent European tour can be found in the Articles 'Mark Kozelek' section at the Sun Kil Moon website.

Lisa Gerrard Tour Start

2007-11-01T12:56:00.000Z

Lisa's European tour started two days ago in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. See some pictures at flickr.

Rotterdam set list (as reported on the official forum):

Yulunga
Sacrifice
Wandering Star
Now we are Free
Space Weaver
Host of the Seraphim
Desert Song
Entry
Maharaja
Black Forest
On an Ocean
Retrospective
Sleep
Sanvean

Dreams Made flesh
(Andrews announcement)
Salems Lot
Serpent and the Dove

The McCarricks Update

2007-10-28T16:07:00.001Z

The following is an excerpt from the McCarricks' October newsletter:

"Since returning [from the Spring US tour with 50 Foot Wave] we have been writing and recording in our home studio, filming with PG Logo and have started a collaboration with British installation artist Luke Brennon

We also spent some time recording with ex Siouxsie and the Banshees guitarist Jon Klein, adding string arrangements to a new recording for his former band Specimen, and have also been giving live performance workshops to young musicians who are just embarking on there musical careers. All in all, it’s been a very busy and varied time at the House of McCarrick.

For those of you that didn’t manage to buy a copy of our limited edition box set ‘3’ – the music from this is now available as digital downloads from iTunes, eMusic, Napster and various other online outlets – links to these are on our website shop. We have limited copies of our latest mini album available from our online shop. We are currently mulling over the direction of our next releases. They may be in the form of physical cd's or we may opt for more digital downloads. We are planning to put together another limited edition box set soon, similar to '3' with the same very personal McCarricks touch and we'll let you know about all these things in due course.

[...]

Best wishes to you all

Martin and Kimberlee"

Beirut Under Your Christmas Tree

2007-10-28T13:48:00.000Z

According to HMV Japan, the Japanese version of Beirut's new album will be released on Dec. 5, 2007 and will feature two (yet unrevealed) bonus tracks.

New His Name Is Alive

2007-10-26T22:01:00.000Z

SWEET EARTH FLOWER: A TRIBUTE TO MARION BROWN

Compact Disc, HT 014
November 6, 2007, High Two

This album compiles both studio and live versions of songs by legendary jazz saxophonist Marion Brown as played by His Name Is Alive. Features contributions from members of Nomo and Antibalas.

Sweet Earth Flying ; Juba Lee ; Capricorn Moon (Live) ; November Cotton Flower ; Bismillahi 'Rrahmani 'Rrahim ; Geechee Recollections (I) ; Geechee Recollections (II) ; Sweet Earth Flying (Live)

More TeenBeat re-issues

2007-09-22T23:08:00.000Z

Our Teenbeat Originals® series resumes with two classics from the Teenbeat vaults:

UNREST | 'Lisa Carol Freemont' | 6
Twenty songs from Mark Robinson, Phil Krauth, and Tim Moran 1985. Includes the best of their improv-ed 'rehearsal tapes' and also their first studio session from which the songs for their debut 7" was culled. Remastered from the original cassette master.

track listing:
Happy Song ; The Hill ; Judy Says, part two ; Rigormortis ; Time ; Cats ; Laughter ; Holiday in Berlin, part two ; I've Come For Your Daughters ; Teenbeat Part 65 ; Happy Birthday ; Iwo Jima ; Sweet Home Alaska ; Usually on Fridays a Hamburger ; Fly to France ; Los Desasodiego ; Real Enemy ; Four Foot High Stone Wall ; Do it Now ; Frutti Column

CLARENCE | 5
Clarence is Phil Krauth from Unrest. He is joined by Mark 'Wolfgang' Robinson. These instrumental duets are precious home recordings done at their parents houses back in 1985. Remastered from the original cassette master.

track listing:
- (instrumental) ; New York ; Flowers ; -- (instrumental) ; Sequence 5 ; --- (instrumental) ; Another One ; Sentimental Bummer ; On Campus Housing ; Heroin ; Thoughts and Words ; ---- (instrumental) ; 16th Flamacue ; Xerox Twenty-Second ; Equinox ; The New Age (theme) ; Venetian Blinds ; Judy's Theme ; Opaque Windows ; Cardiod Elixsor ; ----- (instrumental) ; ------ (instrumental) ; Ballroom Variations ; Immediate Curtain ; ------- (instrumental)

All of our ORIGINALS CDs are recorded onto Teenbeat Archival quality CDRs and packaged with the original cassette covers into our deluxe six-panel custom Originals digipaks. They are also remastered with care.

[more]

Mark Kozelek - White Christmas & Little Drummer Boy Live

2007-09-22T21:53:00.000Z

"Vinyl Films Records and Caldo Verde Records are proud to announce the vinyl debut of Mark Kozelek’s two limited edition live albums, White Christmas Live and Little Drummer Boy Live. The former, released in 2001 in a limited pressing of 5000 CDs, contains such Red House Painters classics as “Things Mean A Lot” and “Cruiser” along with AC/DC covers “What’s Next To The Moon” and “Up To My Neck In You.” Little Drummer Boy Live, released in 2006, marries such Sun Kil Moon greats as “Salvador Sanchez” and “Carry Me Ohio” with Modest Mouse covers “Tiny Cities” and “Trucker’s Atlas,” as well as the previously unreleased “Moorestown” and “Unlit Hallway.” Both releases are now compiled in one 4-LP boxed set, with the box including the vinyl-only bonus track “Have You Forgotten.” White Christmas Live has been long out of print on CD, and Little Drummer Boy Live is rapidly on its way as well. Now, you can have both in this impressive vinyl box set! The release will be limited to 1000 copies on black vinyl. An ultra-limited tour/internet-only pressing of 300 copies on white vinyl will also be available, exclusively at auralexploits.com and at Mark Kozelek live shows this fall."

Beirut live in Paris

2007-09-22T15:23:00.000Z

On 10th September, the guys from La Blogothèque recorded a Concert à emporter ("take away show") with Beirut in Paris.

#64.1 - Beirut - Nantes

#64.2 - Beirut - The Penalty

Dailymotion also hosts all videos self-recorded in Brooklyn for The Flying Club Cup microsite plus video profiles of the band members. [view]

Celebration's Campfire Songs and Tour Dates

2007-09-22T14:57:00.000Z

Here is the first in a series of "Campfire Songs", a series of promo videos that Celebration will release in advance of their new album, The Modern Tribe due out Oct. 9th. The song is a stripped-down version of album standout "Tame the Savage" filmed in the woods around a virtual campfire, starring a little deer and Katrina Ford's inimitable voice:

September
20 - Barnard College, Columbia University, New York, NY
21 - Floristree, Baltimore, MD

October
02 - Webster Hall, New York, NY (with Man Man)
16 - Union Pool, Brooklyn, NY (CMJ)
24 - The Rock and Roll Hotel, Washington DC
25 - Duke University Coffeehouse, Durham, NC
26 - The Map Room, Charleston, SC
27 - Taste, Orlando, FL
29 - The Earl, Atlanta, GA
30 - 40 Watt Club, Athens, GA (with Black Angels)
31 - The Bottletree, Birmingham, AL

November
02 - Spanish Moon, Baton Rouge, LA
03 - Rubber Gloves, Denton, TX
04 - Fun Fun Fun Festival, Austin, TX
07 - Casa Blanca Lounge, Phoenix, AZ
09 - The Echo, Los Angeles, CA
11 - The Independent, San Francisco, CA
12 - Rotture, Portland, OR (with The Get Hustle)
13 - Crocodile Cafe, Seattle, WA
14 - Plaza Club, Vancouver
16 - Kilby Court Salt Lake City, UT
17 - Larimer Lounge Denver, CO
19 - Slowdown Jr., Omaha, NE
20 - Aquarium, Fargo, MN
21 - 7th St. Entry, Minneapolis, MN
23 - Empty Bottle, Chicago, IL
24 - Waldron Arts Center, Bloomington, IN

Minotaur Shock News

2007-09-22T14:35:00.000Z

Record
"so last weeeek i put a lid on the can that is the next Minotaur Shock album. it feels a bit like finally handing in a bit of coursework or something, its kind of nice knowing that you can't do any more fiddling and editing and business. i'm pleased with it, it sounds almost like i meant it to. i guess now we have to wait and see what happens with it.
the record wouldn't have been possible without the talent of real musicians Emily, James and Anna-Lynne, to which i am supergrateful. but hey, the C90 is still warm, so lets not get ahead of ourselves here. anyhow, had to tell someone, so thanks for checking in."

(from David's MySpace)

And on an absolutely unrelated note: Principal Participant now has an official website.

The Mountain Goats

2007-09-21T21:32:00.000Z

"So, OK, yeah, technically speaking you oughta hear about new tour dates here first, but we've been busy. The new album has been recorded and we're hoping for an early '08 release. The big news from where I stand is that this album will be the first Mountain Goats record since 1996 to feature members of the Bright Mountain Choir: Rachel and Sarah came up from L.A. to San Francisco and put down backing vocals on three songs, all of which ("New Zion," "How to Embrace a Swamp Creature," and "Marduk T-Shirt Men's Room Incident") have made the final sequence. I have tried several times to write a sentence that would convey just how wonderful it was to make music with the Choir again, but if such a sentence is out there in the ether anywhere, I haven't been able to find it. I resort again to native Californianisms. It was completely rad." [more]

There is also an article in the Washington Post's Express in which John is interviewed about the new album.

Blonde Redhead on KEXP

2007-09-21T21:20:00.001Z

KEXP have finally archived the Blonde Redhead session that was recorded on April 21, during their headline spring US tour. [more]

Tracks:
23 ; Dr Strangeluv ; (We Are A Real Team) Harry And I

Emma Pollock in The Scotsman

2007-09-21T21:16:00.000Z

"Years earlier, the folks at veteran indie label 4AD had floated the idea of a Pollock solo album. 'I thought that was a lovely thing to say but I write songs for a band', she says. Now the conversation resurfaced, and the offer remained. 'I didn't want to do it on Chemikal Underground, to tell the truth', she says, addressing the obvious question. 'It just felt too close, everything that had happened was still too recent. I didn't want to turn round to my ex-bandmates and ask them to put out my record'." [more]

The Return of Black Francis

2007-09-16T11:52:00.000Z

The Pixies' iconic lead singer Frank Black dons his decades-old moniker - Black Francis - and, imbued by the spirit of eccentric Dutch painter/musician Herman Brood, recorded a brand new set of 11 songs, collectively titled Bluefinger.

"I privately went back to the old stage name, if that even makes any sense, almost as a joke, explains Black Francis. "I couldn’t get The Pixies back into a studio, but I would transform into my alter ego of yesteryear. I spoke the magic syllables aloud and nothing happened; just as I thought. Soon after, my new manager asked me for a bonus track for a “best of” compilation to be released later in the year. And as I prepared for the session, I became (honestly) gripped by the spirit of Herman Brood, and my bonus track expanded into an 11 song record called BLUEFINGER in just a few days. Thank you Herman. You were at the distant edge of my vision for years when suddenly I was under your influence like a cloud of opium, like the scent of the house of the rising sun. Bliss. Bliss. Bliss. I had spoken the magical name and nothing had happened, but I was impatient, and like so many people, I thought the magic would reveal itself in an instant, as depicted in films. Magic is more subtle. And Herman Brood did turn me back into BLACK FRANCIS. Funny how things work out. You just never know." [more]

SamadhiSound News

2007-09-16T11:15:00.000Z

Steve Jansen "Slope"

Tension underlies the crisp rhythms and intricate programming, while a collection of distinctive vocalists draw out the sentiment in his songwriting. As Jansen explains, "with this album I approached composition attempting to avoid chord and song structures and the usual familiar building blocks. instead I wanted to piece together unrelated sounds, music samples, rhythms and 'events' in an attempt to deviate from my own trappings as a musician."

The album features guest contributions from Tim Elsenburg, Thomas Feiner, Anja Garbarek, Nina Kinert, David Sylvian, Theo Travis and Joan Wasser (Joan As Policewoman). Presented as ever in a beautiful digipak with design by Chris Bigg.

Released 22nd October. [more]

The World is Everything Tour Brochure

This limited edition brochure which accompanies The World is Everything tour features a selection of photographs by David, many of which can be found elsewhere on this website, plus a sampler CD of material from the SamadhiSound label including a track from Steve Jansen's 'Slope' and two exclusive tracks by David. Available exclusively at venues during The World Is Everything tour.

The tour site will be updated regularly with confirmed dates and links to online ticket sales. [more]

The Flying Cup Club Photo Album

2007-09-16T10:24:00.001Z

Beirut have set up a micro site for their forthcoming album, The Flying Cup Club. The site features commentaries and video clips on each song which are added on a song-by-song basis. [more]

Emma Pollock UK radio dates

2007-09-10T08:26:00.000Z

Emma's (photo by Jenny Lewis) interview and performance from last Friday on 6 Music's Gideon Coe can be streamed for a week; Tom Robinson stood in for Gideon. [listen].

On Saturday, she played 'Acid Test' live on BBC2 with Russell Brand. [more]

Tonight she'll be performing with band on Vic Galloway's show on BBC Radio Scotland. [more]

Plus, she'll be artist in residence on Xfm X-posure next Monday Sep. 17. [more]

The filmmakers formerly known as gusGus

2007-09-09T21:58:00.000Z

Former gusGus members Stefan Arni and Siggi Kinski (aka Kjartansson) have been building a strong reputation as filmmakers for both commercials and music videos since the demise of the original gusGus collective in 2000. Clients include Sigur Ros, Iggy Pop, Dave Gahan, Travis, Hummer, Mercedes-Benz, Macy's, Budweiser, Dockers, Ikea, among others. [more]

Beirut live at KEXP

2007-09-03T17:34:00.001Z

For the third time in about a year, Beirut will appear live at Seattle's KEXP 90.3 FM. The broadcast is scheduled for October 3. [schedule]

Listen to previous performances:
[March 16, 2007]
[October 24, 2006]

Michael Brook News

2007-09-03T09:00:00.000Z

Limited Edition
In the works for 2008: a Special Editon of Cobalt Blue, with remixes and new live material; 'Infinite,' a 'Best of' Michael's ambient work in a continuous mix; and plans for a limited special edition boxed set...

Into The Wild
Sep 21 is the scheduled release date for Paramount Vantage's "Into the Wild" the latest movie for which Michael has composed the score. Directed by Sean Penn, this powerful, moving, and at times harrowing film is based on the #1 bestselling book by Jon Krakauer.

Bellcurve
Michael Brook's new solo album will be available digitally and in stores October 2, 2007. A companion piece to RockPaperScissors, one of Amazon.com's Records of 2006, this reinterpretation by James Hood (Moodswings, Pretenders) will appeal to friends of Air, Zero 7, Pink Floyd and the Buddha Bar series.

[more]

Kristin / Tanya Brattle Ticket Update

2007-09-03T07:31:00.001Z

Special Live Music Event!
An Evening with Kristin Hersh & Tanya Donelly

Saturday, October 6 at 5:30 and 8:30
The Brattle Theatre, 40 Brattle Street, Cambridge, MA 02138

"Two of the leading ladies of Boston music pay a visit to the Brattle stage in a show which is sure to be a highlight of our year. Hersh and Donelly were famously paired in the great Throwing Muses but have since established themselves individually with strong careers. This evening will see both play separate sets and then play a set together!

Tickets are $30 general admission (see link below for all tickets); $75 for a premium ticket to one show; and $100 for a premium ticket to both shows (premium tickets include preferred seating, meet and greet, plus other special goodies to be announced). All tickets will be available here starting at 12:00 Noon on Saturday, September 1. Tickets for this event will only be available online."

[Buy tickets]

(from the Brattle Theatre page)

The Throwing Muses Cover Story

2007-09-03T07:16:00.000Z

Coverville, a podcast dedicated to promoting cover versions of songs recently featured the Throwing Muses. [more]

Beirut News

2007-09-01T11:09:00.000Z

"August 30
Beirut's new record, The Flying Club Cup, will be available in stores October 9th. The record features the whole live band, as well as some notable contributions from Owen Pallett of Final Fantasy and Heather Trost of A Hawk And A Hacksaw. It is very much inspired by the music and culture of France, especially the emotional pull of a musician like Jacques Brel (whom you should really check out if you haven't heard him). We have a few fun surprises in store for the lead up to the album release, so keep vigilant on the internets.

At present, the band is busy rehearsing in Brooklyn for their upcoming shows. In September and October, they will be playing in the US and Canada at some very special venues. They are performing at nice theaters and will be debuting the new songs from The Flying Club Cup at these shows. Expect those, in addition to the "hits." After that, in November, the band will be headed to Europe for a few weeks of shows. Check out the tour section for all upcoming dates."

(from the band's redesigned website)

Emma Pollock acoustic & interview

2007-08-29T18:19:00.000Z

Emma interviewed and live with Jamie Savage during the Versacoustic tour in March this year:

Emma Pollock on Gideon Coe

2007-08-27T15:12:00.000Z

Emma is scheduled as upcoming guest with 6 Music's Gideon Coe for September 7, 2007.

Shinro Ohtake's New Universe

2007-08-26T15:00:00.001Z

Shinro's most recent exhibition, titled "New Universe On The Road" has been held through July and August at the Fukuoka Art Museum in Fukuoka, Japan. Read an extensive review of the exhibition at Fah Thai, the inflight magazine of Bangkok Air.

More details (including pictures of the catalog) can be found at the exhibition page. The catalog includes approximately 500 color plates with explanations of the works, as well as Shinro's biography and will be available to order from the museum or - even more convenient for Internationals - from Artbooks.

Blonde Redhead (late entry)

2007-08-25T15:51:00.000Z

Live video footage from Blonde Redhead's release party back in April at the Apple Store in Soho.

Track snippets: Spring And By Summer Fall ; Heroine ; (We Are A Real Team) Harry And I

Live at KEXP Volume 3

2007-08-25T14:13:00.001Z

On Aug. 21, Seattle based radio station KEXP released the third volume in their Live series compiling recent performances of in-studio guests. The disc features a powerful version of Beirut's "Elephant Gun" and Frank Black performing "(Do What You Want) Gyaneshwar".

Go here to support KEXP and buy the CD.

Zach Condon live with Kocani Orkestar

2007-08-25T10:35:00.000Z

Recorded at the Flèche d'Or, Paris on July 30, 2007. Zach writes:

"19 Aug 2007: I have recently returned to the states from my apartment overlooking the cemetary in paris... In order to make leaving more difficult, my friends at la blogotheque threw one last show on the night I left, where I met my favourite balkan brass band- the kocani orkestar. They rearranged a new song of mine ( A Sunday Smile), fixed my broken trumpet, and then allowed me to join them on stage for a few ecstatic songs... I hope to see them again soon - best show I've ever seen, sweetest people."

From lablogotheque

Beirut European Dates

2007-08-25T10:12:00.000Z

November
06 Manchester, England - Club Academy
07 Glasgow, Scotland - Arches
08 Leeds, England - Irish Centre
09 Cardiff, Wales - Point
10 London, England - Roundhouse
12 Paris, France - L'Olympia (Les Inrocks Festival)
13 Strasbourg, France - La Laiterie (Les Inrocks Festival)
14 Bruxelles, Belgium - Botanique
15 Amsterdam, Netherlands - Paradiso
16 Tourcoing, France - Le Grand Mix
18 Kobenhavn, Denmark - Vega
19 Hamburg, Germany - Fabrik
20 Köln, Germany - Kulturkirche
21 München, Germany - Elserhalle
22 Schorndorf, Germany - Manufaktur
24 Lyon, France - Ninkashi
25 Zürich, Switzerland - Mascotte

Johann Johannsson pictures from Tokyo

2007-08-25T09:10:00.000Z

Watch a few photos from Johann's concerts at the Miraikan Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation in Tokyo on July 10 and 11. He was supported by Hildur Ingveldardottir-Gudnadottir on cello and Matthias Hemstock on percussion and programming.

(from Johann's website)

Interpol / Blonde Redhead European Tour Dates

2007-08-24T18:51:00.000Z

November
07 Lissabon, Portugal - Coliseum
08 Madrid, Spain - La Riviera
09 Barcelona, Spain - Razzmatazz
11 Lyon, France - Transbordeur
12 Firenze, Italy - Sachhall
13 Milan, Italy - Alcatraz
15 Zürich, Switzerland - Volkshaus
16 München, Germany - Tonhalle
17 Berlin, Germany - Columbiahalle
19 Köln, Germany - Palladium
20 Tilburg, Netherlands - O13
21 Paris, France - Le Zenith
23 Brussels, Belgium - Foret National
24 Hamburg, Germany - Docks
26 Lille, France - Aeronef
28 Blackpool, England - Empress Ballroom
29 London, England - Alexandra Palace
30 London, England - Alexandra Palace

December
02 Dublin, Ireland - RDS Main Hall

Bridget Cross (ex-Unrest) News

2007-08-15T19:15:00.000Z

Bridget Cross from Unrest finally puts out a full-length album called "Gravestones And Christmas Trees" (Teenbeat 434) under her new moniker, Maybe It's Reno. Seven songs were recorded by Mark Robinson (also Unrest). Drums and mellotron by Unrest's Phil Krauth and guitars and other stuff by Mark Robinson. The other three songs were recorded in Austin, Texas during Bridget's brief time there in 2006-2007.

Bridget has lived in Juneau, Alaska since 2001.

Coming this Fall.

Emma Pollock Japanese bonus tracks

2007-08-05T13:19:00.000Z

According to HMV Japan, the Japanese CD version of Emma's debut album Watch The Fireworks will be released on 26th September via Warner Brothers (WPCB 10034). It comes as a single disc release featuring bonus tracks A Glorious Day, I Have A Double and A Temporary Fix.

Frank Black Live @ Paradiso

2007-08-02T14:55:00.000Z

Stream a Frank Black performance from July 4, 2007 at the Paradiso in Amsterdam at Fabchannel.

Kristin and Tanya live

2007-07-28T17:21:00.000Z

The previously rumoured joint Kristin Hersh and Tanya Donelly live appearance later this year has been confirmed by Billy, Kristin's husband and manager, for October 6:

"The date is locked-in. Details will follow soon. It's looking like a solo set by each lady with a together set to finish. 2 shows, one night, The Brattle Theater in Cambridge, MA." [more]

Livonia Strings Download Released

2007-07-22T19:07:00.000Z

"Livonia Strings contains tracks from the album Livonia, (4AD 1990) re-did with strings. These songs were re-recorded once in 2001 while under contract with our former label, and have now been re-did once again!!!

Livonia Strings originally appeared as part of the HNIA ten-CD box set called The Cloud Box in 2004 then as an individually sold CD in 2006 and finally available as a digital download via the Silver Mountain website in 2007.

"I read interviews with Prince, and Axl Rose, where they both said they had re-recorded all their old songs, although for different reasons. I decided to do the same." - Warn Defever 2006

Track listing:

01. July (13:32)
02. Carolines (13:41)
03. Fossil (12:32)
04. Ghosts (3:58)

As with all releases in the HNIA download series, Livonia Strings comes with printable sleeve art." [more]

6 Mix with Simon Raymonde and Frank Black

2007-07-22T17:43:00.000Z

In the latest 6 Mix session on BBC 6 Music, Bella Union owner Simon Raymonde and Pixies frontman Frank Black present their mixes. [listen]

David Sylvian - When Loud Weather Buffeted Naoshima

2007-07-21T07:42:00.000Z

"When loud weather ... was commissioned by the Naoshima Fukutake Art Museum Foundation on the island of Naoshima, Japan as part of the NAOSHIMA STANDARD 2 exhibition which ran from October 2006 to April 2007.

This release will only be made available in a limited edition format (a DVD digipak beautifully designed by our own Chris Bigg with cover art by Sachiyo Tsurumi) for a limited time after which it will be deleted from the catalogue. As the Foundation have decided to make the audio a part of the permanent collection on the island it will be there that the work will remain accessible once the samadhisound edition is ended." [more]

New Music by Scott Walker

2007-07-19T17:52:00.000Z

"And who shall go to the ball?
Choreographed by Rafael Bonachela with new music by Scott Walker

With composer Scott Walker setting the scene for a sinister and primal ball, Rafael Bonachela's choreography And Who Shall Go To The Ball? cuts through the space, pushing the dancers into extreme connections, entangled in each others bodies, throwing their partners into flight, only to catch and grab and throw again and again ..." [more]

Tuesday 25 September 2007 - Wednesday 26 September 2007

Southbank Centre
Queen Elizabeth Hall
Belvedere Road
London SE1 8XX

Celebration Update

2007-07-18T21:08:00.000Z

"I was so entranced by the excitement of these last few months that I had forgotten to update or post anything in awhile. This year so far has been nothing short of amazing. Starting with a 6 week recording session at Stay Gold in Brooklyn with all of our friends. I'm still feeling the love from it all. It felt magical from day one. We had the honor and privilege of working with the most talented people we know . We are so thankful to be able to do what we love with the people that we love, and we hope that the listener will feel that power when they hear the record. We are naming it "The Modern Tribe" for that reason. We have, for a while now, been working together on each others music, recordings and live. Each time is such an opportunity for growth and we have learned so much from our friends. It only seemed fitting to honor that by naming the record something that represents it. It is due out October 9th 2007, on 4AD. [more]

Andersen M Studio News

2007-07-17T21:40:00.000Z

"Martin is currently preparing for an art exhibition at the Luis Adelantado Gallery, Miami. He will be showing new commissioned work alongside artists: Miltos Manetas, Lori Hersberger, Sze Tsung Leong and Johann Johannsson (4AD recording artist). The exhibition will take place sometime this Autumn." [more]

Atomweb

2007-07-17T21:39:00.000Z

Under the studio name Atom, James Bates designed record sleeves for Mojave 3 and his brother Ashley's band Cuba. His print portfolio and the schism section in his website feature interesting sleeve scans, variations on 4AD artwork - and even a photo of the late John Peel wearing a Cuba shirt.

Piano Magic light Candle for Santa Maria

2007-07-17T21:33:00.000Z

"Piano Magic and Klima play as part of the Nocturama film and music festival at the Centro Andaluz de Arte Contemporaneo, Seville, Spain on 26th July. The festival's concert choices were made by Piano Magic's European label, Green Ufos and will take place in the grounds of the splendidly named Monasterio de la Cartuja de Santa María de las Cuevas.

Future Conditional also make their DJ debut on 25th July following a set by ex-Cocteau Twin, Robin Guthrie. More information, including photographs of the inspirational setting, can be found here.

(from the Piano Magic site)

Farm Sanctuary Photo Album

2007-07-17T21:16:00.000Z

"On June 16 and 17, ZOOP! A Benefit for Farm Sanctuary raised thousands of dollars as well as awareness about the plight of animals on factory farms. [...] John and fellow Mountain Goat Peter Hughes alongside Perry Wright of The Prayers and Tears of Arthur Digby Sellers roused the audience with their melodies and witty banter."

Some photographic impressions can be found [here].
(P.S. Doesn't the goat collage remind a bit of the We Shall All Be Healed artwork?)

50 Years of Helvetica feat. Vaughan Oliver

2007-07-13T18:26:00.000Z

50 YEARS OF HELVETICA (17 July – 02 September 2007)
Design Museum
Shad Thames
London SE1 2YD
Daily 10am - 5.30pm
020 7940 8785

"The 50 exhibition, in the Design Museum Cafe, imagines the world from the perspective of Helvetica itself, highlighting events and inspirational things it has seen - and been influenced by - during its lifetime from the lunar moon landing to the first British nudist camp. For the exhibition, 50 leading designers and graphic artists from around the world have joined forces with Blanka and Candy to create a visual diary of 50 separate events from the last half century. The exhibition is a birthday party that pays homage to Helvetica’s massive influence on our visual culture.

2007 sees the fiftieth anniversary of Helvetica. Created in 1957 by Max Miedinger and Eduard Hoffmann at the Haas type foundry in Switzerland, the typeface was originally christened Neue Haas Grotesk. Its name changed to Helvetica in 1960 in an attempt to take the typeface to a wider international audience. Over the years the typeface has been celebrated widely and used in many renowned applications, implanting its own indelible place in design history. From the beautifully implemented New York Subway signage system by Vignelli to its usage on the lowly generic EXIT sign, the flexibility of the typeface seems to have no boundaries. 2007 even sees the Helvetica phenomenon celebrated on the big screen in Helvetica, a documentary film by Gary Hustwit. In its 50 year lifespan Helvetica has deservedly become the the most widely used and respected sans serif typeface on the planet.

Long live Helvetica... Happy Birthday!

Contributors:
1957 Spin, 1958 Vince Frost, 1959 Bleed, 1960 Ros Shiers, 1961 The Designers Republic, 1962 Farrow, 1963 Antoine et Manuel, 1964 Ian Wright, 1965 Fabio Ongarato, 1966 Experimental Jetset, 1967 Parra, 1968 Kam Tang, 1969 Build, 1970 Hamish Muir, 1971 Fred Flade, 1972 Ben Drury, 1973 Darren Firth, 1974 James Jarvis, 1975 Rinzen, 1976 Airside, 1977 Niklaus Troxler, 1978 Jonathan Ellery, 1979 Oliver Jeffers, 1980 Glenn Leyburn, 1981 Barber Osgerby, 1982 Alan Kitching, 1983 Conor & David, 1984 Michael Gillette, 1985 NB Studio, 1986 North, 1987 Cartlidge Levene, 1988 Luca Ionescu, 1989 Jenny Mörtsell, 1990 Emmi, 1991 Marc Atlan, 1992 Alexander Gelman, 1993 Hellovon, 1994 Image Now, 1995 Lars Müller, 1996 Kiosk, 1997 Kim Hiorthøy, 1998 Genevieve Gauckler, 1999 Adrian Shaughnessy, 2000 Winkreative, 2001 Commonwealth, 2002 Angry/Aad, 2003 Phunkstudio, 2004 Luke Prowse, 2005 Vaughan Oliver, 2006 Rob Ryan, 2007 Exhibition overview."

Dot Dash release Wolf & Cub remix 12"

2007-07-12T06:03:00.000Z

On July 21, Dot Dash, Wolf & Cub's Australian home label will release a double remix 12" (DOT010). The A side was previously featured on a promotional CD-R for "This Mess", Wolf & Cub's first single from the album "Vessels".

Tracks:
This Mess (Serge Santiago Dub) ; Conundrum (Boxcutter Autumn Drum)

Pixies and Kim Deal Tribute Updates

2007-07-10T19:52:00.000Z

From the American Laundromat Newsletter:

DIG FOR FIRE – A TRIBUTE TO PIXIES ~ Dang! The tracks are coming in and they are exceeding our expectations. The bands covering the Pixies have done so with utter reverence and it shows in the tracks. We cannot wait to share these with you. Here is the list of bands/songs:

Bedroom Walls - 'Stormy Weather'
British Sea Power - 'Caribou'
Bunnies - 'Alec Eifel'
Charles Douglas - 'Bone Machine'
David Miller - 'Manta Ray'
Dylan In The Movies - 'Down To The Well'
Elk City - 'Monkey Gone To Heaven'
Fashion Victims - 'Hey'
Joe Harvard Band - 'In Heaven (Everything Is Fine)'
John Strohm - 'Where Is My Mind?'
Joy Zipper - 'Wave of Mutilation'
Julie Peel - 'The Happening'
Knife and Fork (featuring Eric Drew Feldman) - 'Motorway To Roswell'
Mogwai - 'Gouge Away'
Morning Theft - 'Ana'
OK Go - 'Gigantic'
PC Munoz - 'I Bleed'
The Commons - 'Here Comes Your Man'
The Rosebuds - 'Break My Body'
They Might Be Giants - 'Havalina'

Naturally we’ll have some surprises and hidden tracks too. Now keep in mind all these tracks will not be on the regular tribute CD so if you want em' all you should pre-order the 1st Pressing ASAP. We’re also getting some really cool alternate versions which will only appear as part of the limited edition 1st pressing bonus 3-song 7” vinyl so if you haven’t pre-ordered this yet you’ll want to before we close it out.
Buy it here

GIGANTIC – A TRIBUTE TO KIM DEAL ~ This tribute has been really fun to work on. Some of our favorite indie bands have turned-in outstanding versions of Kim’s songs. We’re really blown away by the talent on this record. Bands from all over the world have covered Kim’s work in the Breeders, the Amps and the Pixies. You can view the album art created by our good friend David Yurchuk on our official myspace page.
Visit here

Danger Global Warming Project feat. Vaughan Oliver and Mark Atkins

2007-07-10T15:38:00.000Z

"The Danger Global Warming Project is a multimedia creative initiative designed to raise awareness of climate change with original images, sound and video material."

If Live Earth did not quite convince you, click here, buy a DANGER GLOBAL WARMING tape and use it for your audio-visual contribution to raise awareness of climate change worldwide.

Vaughan and Mark Atkins (photographer of TV On The Radio, Scott Walker and The Late Cord sleeves among others) have co-contributed their imagery.

Emma Pollock - Various Prod. remixes

2007-07-07T14:32:00.000Z

"Last year 4AD commissioned Various to remix a version of Emma Pollock’s song Limbs. VP eagerly obliged, laying down their own unique take on the track, and re-recording the vocals to get the sound they desired. 4AD didn't quite know what to make of the result. They liked it, but, concerned at the absence of the original vocals, were reluctant to put it out. Rather than consign it to the scrapheap, VP decided to build on it, at the same time starting work on another Pollock remix, Fortune. The results of their labours are the two tracks set together on this 7". First we have the downbeat 'Limbs', a haunting melody driven forth by a churning, yearning beat. Then comes 'Fortune'. With its epic sounding beats reigned in by Pollock’s vocals, the track starts big and slowly strips away the bass, leaving the us finally with only the high-pitched sound beneath. Two very different tracks set together, a juxtaposition to engage and delight Various' growing set of fans."

(from Norman Records)

Beirut New Album and Tour Info

2007-06-30T23:18:00.000Z

The full press release from BaDaBing, Beirut's US label:

"One of the largest surprise hits of 2006 was Beirut's Gulag Orkestar, which received widespread acclaim for its innovative combination of Balkan and pop melodies. Even more surprising was that it was the work of one 19-year-old kid, Zach Condon, and done almost completely in his bedroom. Now, two years later, Condon has just completed six months of work on his follow up record, which evokes the forgotten charms of older approaches to pop music.

The new record (yet to be titled) will be released on October 9th on Ba Da Bing!, and features a notable shift in sound from Gulag. With song titles like "Nantes" and "Cherbourg," the record is more a love letter to French culture. Featuring thirteen tracks in all, this new album continues on the trajectory that began with the Lon Gisland EP, where the entire eight member band plays along on the recordings.
Besides the eight member orkestar and guests, Owen Pallett of Final Fantasy adds lush string arrangements to the songs, as well as guest vocals on a track entitled "Cliquot."

The album was recorded in two separate sessions - at the A Hawk and a Hacksaw practice space, and at Arcade Fire's ornate studios outside of Montreal. To date, Gulag Orkestar has sold over 100,000 copies worldwide.

Beirut will be playing a limited number of North American shows this fall in theatrical venues. Colleen, whose new album Les Ondes Silencieuse is out this month on The Leaf Label, will open."

Tour dates:

September
23 - Princeton, NJ, Terrace F Club
24 – New York, NY, Worldess Music Series @ Society for Ethical Culture
26 - New York, NY, Delacorte Theater
30 – Montreal, QC, La Salla Rosa

October
02 - Toronto, ON, Danforth Music Hall
04 – Chicago, IL, Portage Theater
08 – San Francisco, CA, Herbst Theater
10 – Los Angeles, CA, Avalon

Tracklisting:

0. A Call To Arms
1. Nantes
2. A Sunday Smile
3. Guyamas Sonora
4. La Banlieu
5. Cliquot
6. The Penalty
7. Forks and Knives (La Fête)
8. In The Mausoleum
9. Un Dernier Verre (Pour la Route)
10. Cherbourg
11. St. Apollonia
12. The Flying Club Cup

(taken from the Brainwashed site)

New Sybarite Remix

2007-06-30T13:37:00.001Z

"Following the 2005 release of their debut album, 'Noumena', The Drift set out to tour relentlessly in support of the album. Two years later, the band is still on tour, and to keep up we're rolling out a limited edition 12" compiling two side-long remixes from Four Tet and Sybarite. Side A is a nine-minute jazz exploration, launching The Drift's spacious, atmospheric compositions into deserted, zero-gravity territory. Four Tet's remix is a stone cold classic, rich in the virtues of patience and the payoff. Side B, conversely, is a dense, rhythmic reworking of Noumena's most immediately accessible track, "Invisible Cities." Sybarite gets to the point quick, and fleshes out the deliriously funky details over the course of its emphatic 11-minute runtime. This 12" is strictly limited to 1,000 copies. Each copy is housed in a beautiful full-color chipboard jacket, and has been individually assembled by the tireless hands of the Temporary Residence staff."

TRACK LISTING
1. Gardening, Not Architecture (Four Tet Remix)
2. Invisible Cities (Sybarite Remix)

(from the Temporary Residence website)

Robin + Mahogany live

2007-06-30T11:46:00.000Z

I've been in the US for the last few days. I have a performance to do on Thursday and, because it's in a rowdy assed night club instead of a serene theatre type environment, I've decided to try something a little different... [more]

"My other band ..."

2007-06-30T10:33:00.000Z

"Recently i've been in the studio with Joey Santiago (pixies) handling the drums, percussion and noise on a soundtrack. Fun stuff. Hooked up Josh Klinghoffer and played some music at Daniel Lanois beautiful studio. Josh is definately one of my favorite musicians. Finished up an EP for 1939 ENSEMBLE, its a duo project with Jim Brown on upright bass, currently booking some shows around LA. My new solo drum record is finished, just waiting for Manny to find time to mix it. I'm really happy with it. Hopefully i'll have some tracks from it up soon. My other band has been working in the studio harder then ever. Thats it for now. All the best..."

(from José Medeles' blog)

Bella Union 10th Anniversary Celebrations

2007-06-30T08:13:00.000Z

"With summer well and truly in full swing (Rain and not a lot of shine), Bella Union have been working hard on some tasty treats for you to sink your teeth into....

We are happy to announce that we will be celebrating our 10th Anniversary next month with two shows at the newly renovated Royal Festival Hall on the 10th & 11th of July (to win tickets scroll down the the competition section on the left of the page.)

Both nights will feature VERY special guests (most of which you might have seen at this years Glastonbury) and to add some extra fun and flavour to proceedings the artists on the bill will be performing together at the end of the evening.

Tuesday 10th July
Howling Bells, Fionn Regan, My Latest Novel, Beach House

Wednesday 11th July
Midlake, The Dears, The Kissaway Trail, Stephanie Dosen

Prior to our 10th Anniversary Celebrations at the Royal Festival Hall, we'll be kicking the festivities off early with a Bella Union In-store at Fopp Records on Thursday 5th July on Tottenham Court Road. Brought to you in association with our good friends at Drowned In Sound, the night will feature our two most recent signings – Beach House and Stephanie Dosen – with Bella Union and Drowned In Sound DJs spinning the tunes…

This exclusive event is wrist band only, so please RSVP to mark@bellaunion.com to be on the list…

Places are limited BUT don't panic if you are unsuccessful as there will be wrist bands available at 9.am on the day of the gig in-store."

Lisa Gerrard: Tour Schedule October/November 2007

2007-06-30T06:18:00.000Z

Lisa Gerrard will return to Europe for another tour towards the end of 2007. The confirmed and (near) complete tour schedule runs as follows:

October
30 - Rotterdam, Schouwburg

November
01 - Paris, Palais des Congrès
02 - Strasbourg, P.M.C., Salle Erasme
04 - München, Herkulessaal
06 - Roma, Teatro Ambra Jovinelli
07 - (Italy) tbc
09 - Athina, Palace Theatre
11 - Lille, Zenith, Salle Vauban
13 - Antwerpen, Koningin Elisabethzaal, Podium
15 - Stuttgart, Theaterhaus
16 - Dresden, Kulturpalast, Festsaal
18 - Riga, Latvijas Nacionālā Opera
20 - St. Petersburg, tbc
22 - Moscow, MIPAC, Svetlanov Hall

Tanya Donelly's Heart of Gold

2007-06-24T23:00:00.000Z

"Heart of Gold is an exclusive split 7" on gold vinyl featuring two advance tracks from the upcoming "Cinnamon Girl – Women Artists Cover Neil Young" benefit CD. The release is limited to 500 hand-numbered copies worldwide. All Proceeds to Charity.

Side A features Tanya Donelly (Belly, Breeders, Throwing Muses) covering the title track "Heart of Gold". The track was produced by Paul Kolderie (Pixies, Juliana Hatfield) at Camp Street Studio in Cambridge, MA with the help of her closest friends. Side B features Brooklyn's own Luff covering "Tell Me Why". Luff is an outstanding all-girl band based out of Brooklyn, NY. All proceeds from Heart of Gold will be donated to Casting For Recovery.

[...] We will NOT release this on iTunes. * Note ~ all orders ship July 11th."

1. Heart of Gold - Tanya Donelly
2. Tell Me Why - Luff

Even more details on American Laundromat's website.

New Kristin Hersh Merchandise

2007-06-24T12:42:00.000Z

Throwing Music has Kristin Hersh logo coffee mugs for sale at the Online Store. You can also still buy the merch items - t-shirts, stickers et al. - sold at Kristin's European Spring 2007 Tour dates.

[more]

Tanya singing for Children

2007-06-19T20:01:00.001Z

Copies of The Rock and Roll Coochicoo Revue, the childrens' CD that Tanya Donelly helped put together are now available. The compilation features an original song from Tanya called "Laluna The Loon" and songs written by musicans with ties to the Boston area (Bill Janovitz, Kay Hanley, etc.). A percentage of the proceeds from this cd will go to Mark Sandman's Music Education Fund. [more]

Tanya Donelly: Laluna The Loon

The McCarricks cover "Your Ghost"

2007-06-03T19:53:00.000Z

"The McCarricks' new Mini Album which until now was only available at our live shows is now available to all from our website shop at www.houseofmccarrick.com priced £7.00 including postage and packing to all destinations. The mini album was recorded in January/February 07 at our own House Of McCarrick studio and at Duck Pool Farm Studios in London.

Track listing is as follows:
Tango Money
Vignette 1
Letter From Nagoya
Vignette 2
Sunshine Dust
Your Ghost

The final track is a reworking of the Kristin Hersh Classic 'Your Ghost'. Kristin's husband/manager Billy O'Connell has been keen for us to do some string versions of Kristin's songs for some time, so this is the first.

'Sunshine Dust' was recently chosen as the score for the new film from Los Angeles based film director Burke Roberts entitled 'Some Of An Equation' which debuted in London last week and is currently on tour in Europe.

We are now back from our USA tour and will be updating the website with news and photographs, as well as some more audio and visual clips over the coming week.

best wishes to you all
Martin and Kimberlee"

The Loose Salute Album Released

2007-05-15T19:01:00.000Z

"The Loose Salute's debut album Tuned To Love (due for release on June 5th) is now available for pre-order via Graveface Records. As a bonus, by pre-ordering you’ll also get a t-shirt with the album cover art.

The Loose Salute is a gang of friends whose members are about reporting back from the world they live in together, making records that represent something for them, and bringing out the sheer sense that creating music is a celebration, not a labor. The Loose Salute was formed by Ian McCutcheon (drummer of Mojave 3) and Lisa Billson, who met Ian after he heard her singing along to Bob Dylan songs. Tuned To Love was made anywhere that the vibe was right - living rooms, garages, even Ian’s mum’s kitchen. Performing on the record is the core band of Ian (Drums & Vocals), Lisa (Vocals), Pete Greenwood (Guitars), Charlotte King (Harmonies & Percussion) and Al Forrester (Piano & Organ). Paul Noble added some Bass, surf Guitar and mixing skills and Ian’s school-yard buddy Pritpal Soor added some more electric Bass, Keys and a producer’s ears."

(from www.mojave3online.com)

There's nothing you can't collect ...

2007-05-13T15:19:00.000Z

An amazing collection of Mountain Goats tour t-shirts on flickr.