Filed under: News of Note | Tags: Amon Tobin, Andrew Youssef, Beach House, Blockhead, Bonobo, Dynomite D, Epitaph Records, Grizzly Bear, Kid Koala, Michael Buble, new moon, Ninja Tune, Oprah Winfrey, Slew, Sub Pop, The Blood Brothers, The Bug, twilight, Wolfmother
Michael Buble's Crazy Love's record sales skyrocketed past New Moon's this week after an appearance on Oprah
Not even the New Moon crew could use their vampire powers to outdo Michael Buble’s release of Crazy Love, reports Rolling Stone. The crooner appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show, causing album sales to skyrocket to over 55% more than during the record’s first week on shelves, outdoing the new Twilight soundtrack by a score of 203,000 to 115,000, respectively, according to the Nielsen SounScan. Oh, the power of Oprah.
Stereogum gives us a look at last night’s Grizzly Bear gig at the Hollywood Palladium in L.A. with some pretty sweet pictures courtesy of Andrew Youssef. Beach House, the opening act, played a few tracks that will appear on their new release, Teen Dream, due out from Sub Pop Records on January 26th.
Seattle’s post-hardcore pioneers The Blood Brothers practiced one of the 2000s’ most unique forms of punk, and after their breakup in 2007, fans were left with little to cling to other than their old Blood Brother’s records. Until now, that is. Epitaph Records is planning to re-release the entire The Blood Brothers‘ catalogue, minus their 2000 debut, This Adultery Is Ripe, reports Pitchfork. Look for it to the reissues, which will come stocked by B-sides, videos and live performance videos, when they drop on November 17.
Canada’s Kid Koala, Dynomite D and Wolfmother’s ex-rhythm section Chris Ross and Myles Heskett make up the psych group Slew. Their debut release, 100%, is set to be reissued by Ninja Tune, the label responsible for the likes of Amon Tobin, Blockhead, Bonobo and The Bug, just to name a few, reports Pitchfork. Look for the turntable-heavy sounds of Slew when the record drops on November 24th.
– John Luposello
Filed under: News of Note | Tags: sufjan stevens, Grizzly Bear, Bon Iver, Bob Dylan, Wings, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Volcano Choir, Collections of Colonies of Bees, Chris Taylor, Charlie Sexton, Vish Khanna, Acrylics, Terrible Records, Molly Shea, Jason Klauber, The Cars
Legendary guitarist Charlie Sexton reunites with Bob Dylan's live band
Bob Dylan fans recently got the long-awaited opportunity to celebrate the return of the Texas-native blues-rock guitarist Charlie Sexton to Dylan’s live band, reports RS. The return of Sexton means that the Tambourine Man can now play lead guitar and organ lines, which are an asset to his sets. Dylan celebrated Sexton’s first gig with the band since 2002 with a three-night stand in L.A. at the Hollywood Palladium, where Sexton reportedly held center stage for most of the night with a dominating stage presence. Dylan and Sexton apparently battled all night for stage superiority amidst a set dominated by Dylan’s well-known electric blues. The night was capped off with a forceful rendition of “All Along the Watchtower”, during which Dylan appeared all too pleased with his old friend’s return. [Previous 20 Watts Coverage: Music Biopics]
While making it clear that he won’t be retiring, Sufjan Stevens has recently bared his concerns and misgivings regarding the creative process, as reported by Stereogum. Stevens said in a recent interview with Vish Khanna that while he is famous for his epic endevours regarding the production of albums, they never really start out as the odysseys that they eventually turn into. Sufjan also put to bed the rumors that swirled regarding the possibility of his retirement, explaining that, “I would never explicitly say something like that. But I definitely feel like ‘What is the point? What’s the point of making music anymore?’” Excuse our skepticism, but you’re making us a little nervous, Sufjan. [Previous 20 Watts Coverage: Sufjan Announces an Intimate Tour]
Folk rock icon Bon Iver has recently come off of tour promoting his critically acclaimed LP For Emma, Forever Ago and sophomore effort, EP Blood Bank. According to leader Justin Vernon’s website, Bon Iver has played it’s “last show for the foreseeable future,” according to Pitchfork. The show went down at Milwaukee’s riverside Theater on October 11 and has been named as the band’s final show “before taking a well-deserved break from public performance. Although it’s a pretty major blow to folk rock fans, Vernon will most likely be taking the time to spend working on his side project, Volcano Choir, a collaboration between Vernon and Collections of Colonies of Bees. The group recently released their debut full length, Unmap, to plenty of critical acclaim. We’d say it’s enough to keep pining Bon Iver fans satisfied. The performance is available for streaming and download here. [Previous 20 Watts Coverage: 20 Watts Reviews Volcano Choir's Unmap]
Brooklyn-based AOR pop group Acrylics recently spoke with Pitchfork about some of their recent happenings. They’ve managed to distinguish themselves from the indistinguishable herds of patchy indie groups that have been pouring out of Brooklyn recently with their debut EP All of the Fire, which is scheduled to drop on October 28th on Chris Taylor’s (Grizzly Bear) label, Terrible Records. From their beginnings as a rock group called Standing Nudes to recording an EP in a church, the group’s leaders, Molly Shea and Jason Klauber, shed a bit of light on what it means to be a pop group from Brooklyn. They cite some of their influences as The Cars, Wings, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, and plenty of other pristine pop groups from the 60’s and 70’s. Check out the record’s title track here.
– John Luposello
Filed under: News of Note | Tags: stars, Lil Wayne, Wilco, Iron & Wine, Grizzly Bear, Weezer, Broken Social Scene, K'naan, Carly Simon, David Boies, Starbucks, Raditude, Joel Plaskett, Steve Earle, Laurie Anderson, Martha Wainwright, Blue Rodeo, Corb Lund, Ron Sexsmith, Joan As Policewoman, Sun Kil Moon, Arthur Russell, Annie, Smalltown Supersound
Carly Simon sues Starbucks
Not only will Canada be hosting the 2010 Winter Olympic Games to show off their pristine, snow covered hills and universal healthcare, but they’ll also be throwing some of Canada’s most famous indie acts on stage during the games, reports Stereogum. From February 12-28, expect to see Broken Social Scene, K’Naan, Stars, Joel Plaskett, Steve Earle, Laurie Anderson, Martha Wainwright, Blue Rodeo, Iron & Wine, Corb Lund, Ron Sexsmith, Joan As Policewoman, and Sun Kil Moon featured. Wilco has also been confirmed to play at an Olympic event at Vancouver’s David Lam Park. Apparently, the Olympics will also be taking place at some point between all of the performances.
Carly Simon will be teaming up with high-profile attorney David Boies in a suit that she will be filing against coffee empire Starbucks, reports RS. Simon claims that Starbucks is to blame for the disappointing sales of her new album, This Kind of Love. Sales of the record numbered about 124,000, which Simon claims is due in part to mismanagement and poor promotion of the record on Starbucks’ end. Simon was looking to have this record support an early retirement, but due to the monetary concerns presented by the album’s flop, it seems like retirement may be out of the question at the moment. Looks as though she may have to remain for the time being as a “working girl”.
Fear not, Weezer fans. The long-anticipated release of Weez’s Raditude, which is scheduled for October 27th, is fast approaching. If you can’t wait that long, though, we’ve got good news. The album is now available for preview on iTunes in 30-second clips, which may not seem like much to some. Don’t worry. It gets the job done. RS reminds fans to check out “Can’t Stop Partying”, their collaboration with rap giant Lil Wayne. Weezy and Weezer? Sounds like a match made in promotional heaven.
Grizzly Bear’s Chris Taylor has been hard at work with his solo project, CANT. Not only did he appear on Monday’s episode of the Tonight Show, but also released his project’s first single, entitled Ghosts. The track is backed up by the unreleased “Come to Life” from minimalist Arthur Russell, as reported by Pitchfork. Check it out here.
Scandinavian pop icon Annie has been met with nothing but trouble regarding the release of her second album, entitled Don’t Stop. After braving a gauntlet of blown release dates and a deluge of leaks of the album, she’ll finally be releasing the album with Smalltown Supersound on November 17, says Pitchfork. Check out her latest single, “I Don’t Like Your Band”.
– John Luposello
Foreign Born's "Winter Games" provides some surprising, and slightly-tropical indie rock
PREVIEW: DOWNLOAD Foreign Born’s “Winter Games” MP3
Admittedly I heard about Foreign Born because of a tweet by Grizzly Bear’s Ed Droste back in February. Ever since, I’ve been hooked on their cogent sense of melody and spacious, tropical sound.
The band’s most recent effort, Person to Person, came out earlier this year, and, unsurprisingly, it is just as energetic and free-flowing as their debut, On the Wing Now. Rolling along at a steady pace throughout, the album expertly trades off between reserved surf and arena indie rock, for a combination which is neither groundbreaking nor startling, yet still interesting, to say the least.
Of all of its steadily-floating songs, however, none sticks out more than “Winter Games.” Not so much bouncy, as it is just buzzing with excitement, the song centers around its summer atmosphere and banging-on-a-trash-can percussion section.
Scenic, and at times, mesmerizing, Person to Person struck me immediately as one of the easiest listens of the year back in June, and still does now in October. Sadly, it’s nearly-certain to end up being among this year’s most overlooked. Except by Ed Droste and me.
– John Cassillo, Reviews Editor
Filed under: News of Note | Tags: Iggy Pop, Animal Collective, Grizzly Bear, Stereogum, The Fiery Furnaces, Pitchfork, Sebastien Tellier, The Morning Benders, Stephen Colbert, The Colbert Report, All Tomorrow's Parties, Mountain Goats, pavement, Girls, Filter, Danger Mouse, The Life of the World to Come, The Dandy Warhols, Jay Reatard, Growing, Amazing Baby, Viva Radio, +1 Records, Ida Maria, Jemina Pearl, Sparklehorse, The BPA
Is Animal Collective releasing another album before the new year?
PREVIEW: Download Animal Collective’s “Brother Sport” MP3.
Both Stereogum and Pitchfork commented today on Animal Collective’s latest plans, namely a random, coverless album that’s cropped up on Amazon.com. It’s called Fall Be Kind and is available for pre-order for a mere $11.83. Currently that’s all that anyone knows about the release. In other news, the experimental film that the band’s been working is nearly ready for release. [Previous 20 Watts Coverage: Best Albums of the Year So Far]
Stereogum also premiered a new Ida Maria video today. Ida Maria re-released her song “Oh My God” from the album Fortress Round My Heart, this time with vocals from the legendary Iggy Pop. Stereogum took issue with Iggy Pop’s baritone vocals supporting acts like Jemina Pearl, Danger Mouse, Sparklehorse and The BPA, not to mention on his own jazzy releases. [Previous 20 Watts Coverage: Iggy and The Stooges Get Nommed]
Did you miss the Mountain Goats on “The Colbert Report” last night? Watch their performance of “Psalms 40:2″ here on Colbert’s website. Colbert had a field day with the Mountain Goats’ biblically inspired latest album, The Life of the World to Come. [Previous 20 Watts Coverage: 20 Watts Reviews The Mountain Goats’ The Life of the World to Come]
For all the European Pavement fans out there disappointed by their NYC reunion, do not fret. Pavement are scheduled to headline All Tomorrow’s Parties on May 14-16 in Minehead, England, Pitchfork reports. [Previous 20 Watts Coverage: Editor’s Pick #180: Pavement’s Reunion]
Brooklyn’s own Viva Radio has announced the release of a compilation including the likes of The Dandy Warhols, Jay Reatard,The Fiery Furnaces, Growing, Amazing Baby, and Sebastien Tellier, reports Filter. Entitled The Best of Me + You Vol. 1, the album was recorded between 2007 and 2009 in their Brooklyn studios and will include interviews and songs from some of the station’s guests. To make the offer even more enticing, the disc is available for purchase along with a limited edition Me + You t-shirt. We’re sold!
Filter also reports that Berkeley-based indie rockers the Morning Benders will play several shows with Grizzly Bear and Girls during their Fall tour. The Benders hooked up with Grizzly Bear on the production of their latest album, Big Echo, which was co-producer by Grizzly Bear’s Chris Taylor. The album is set to drop in March 2010 on +1 Records. [Previous 20 Watts Coverage:Editor's Pick #172: Grizzly Bear's "While You Wait For The Others" (Feat. Michael McDonald)]
– 20 Watts Staff
Filed under: News of Note | Tags: Broadcast, Chris Taylor, Editors, Embryonic, Grizzly Bear, Karen O, Lily Allen, Lykke Li, muse, music video, new moon, OK GO, Pitchfork, Radiohead, Rihanna, Stereogum, The Flaming Lips, The Killers, Thom Yorke, twilight, Warp Records, Yeah Yeah Yeahs
For better or worse, New Moon's soundtrack will feature some of our favorite indie artists
Thom Yorke, The Killers, Grizzly Bear, and Muse have all signed on to contribute to New Moon’s soundtrack. Other artists that will be on the Twilight sequel’s soundtrack include Lykke Li, OK Go and Editors. The full track listing can be viewed at NME.COM. [Previous 20 Watts Coverage: Thom York and Bon Iver Soundtrack New Moon]
Stereogum reported today that The Flaming Lips released a new video for the song “I Can Be a Frog,” from their new album Embryonic (to be released 10/13). The short song might not seem to make a great video on first listen, but Coyne’s animalistic lyricism makes for a lot of quirky pencil drawings in this unconventional music video. The bikini-clad actress mouthing Karen O’s “noises” surprisingly adds to the video, but who doesn’t want to see the real thing? Maybe next time. [Previous 20 Watts Coverage: The Flaming Lips at ATP, 20 Watts Reviews The Flaming Lips' "Silver Trembling Hands" (from Embryonic)]
Birmingham-based electro-pop group Broadcast have announced their second release with Warp Records. Their full-length debut was punctuated by the extensive use of loops and lead singer Trish Keegan’s 1960s psychedelic rock vocals. Filter reports that the EP, entitled Broadcast & Focus Group Investigate Witch Cults of the Radio Age, is available for download from iTunes immediately, but won’t be hitting the shelves until October 27th. The EP can be previewed for free, though, at your next psycho dance party with the help of their trusty Myspace.
Rolling Stone reports that Rihanna’s next LP promises to bring its audience “Big beats and big bass.” She’s recruited producers Justin Timberlake and Chase & Status to help her bring them. This album is sure to take attention away from Rihanna’s past year of drama. [Previous 20 Watts Coverage: 20 Watts Reviews Jay-Z's "Run This Town" (Feat. Rihanna)]
Pitchfork reports that Grizzly Bear’s bassist and producer, Chris Taylor has started a record label called Terrible Records. Through his new label, Taylor will be releasing his solo work on October 13. [Previous 20 Watts Coverage: Editor’s Pick #172: Grizzly Bear’s “While You Wait For the Others” (Feat. Michael McDonald)]
It seems as though Lily Allen and Radiohead guitarist Ed O’Brien are close to duking it out, Pitchfork reports. Radiohead belong to the Featured Artists Coalition (FAC), a British musician’s advocacy group. Apparently Lily Allen disagrees with O’Brien’s stance on file-sharing. After the guitarist released a statement endorsing the practice, the infuriated singer posted her opinion on her MySpace blog. She believes file-sharing hinders the growth of up-and-coming artists. [Previous 20 Watts Coverage: Editor’s Pick #93: Lily Allen Is Alright with Me]
Psychedelic folk legends Neutral Milk Hotel have announced plans to re-release their discography through Merge Records, as reported by Filter. The reissues of On Avery Island (1996) and the critically celebrated In the Aeroplane over the Sea (1998) will be released on vinyl along with a digital download code, so that listeners can enjoy the reissues without a turntable. Considering In the Aeroplane over the Sea was the best-selling vinyl album of 2008, there’s definitely a market for it though. [Previous 20 Watts Coverage: 20 Watts Reviews Circulatory System (Elephant 6)]
– 20 Watts Staff
Filed under: Editor Picks | Tags: Grizzly Bear, Bon Iver, Devendra Banhart, beck, Islands, the mountain goats, Smokey Rolls Down Thunder Canyon, songs of leonard cohen, welcome to the dollhouse, happiness, Todd Solondz, Life during wartime
Devendra to release a new collaboratin with Beck
PREVIEW: DOWNLOAD Devendra Banhart’s “Shabop Shalom” MP3
Like we needed yet another reason to love Devendra Banhart! This ridiculously versatile polyglot can do no wrong whether he is confessing his true love in “Lover” or engaging in infidelity in “Carmensita.” A part of the New Weird American movement with the likes of Bon Iver, Islands, The Mountain Goats and Grizzly Bear, Devendra’s sound can only de bescribed as original and intriguingly strange.
Even though it has been about two years since his last full — and so far best — album, Smokey Rolls Down Thunder Canyon, Devendra has been dropping countless collaborations and side-projects with some of the coolest individuals in the business. One name appears increasingly often – Beck. Beck and Banhart collaborated on Beck’s second Record Club covers album, Songs of Leonard Cohen, specks of which have been gradually appearing on Beck’s web-page. Apparently these two hit it off pretty well since barely two weeks after the announcement of their co-artistic shenanigans, Pitchfork reported their next collaboration with Welcome to the Dollhouse and Happiness director, Todd Solondz. Looks like Solondz’s next film Life During Wartime will have an acoustic accompaniment to envy. Who knows? If we are lucky this one song project may even evolve into a full soundtrack.
– Irina Dvalidze, Multimedia Editor
Filed under: News of Note | Tags: Bon Iver, Death Cab for Cutie, Glastonbury Festival, Grizzly Bear, Morrissey, pavement, Pitchfork, Rolling Stone, The Killers
PREVIEW: Watch the “Shady Lane” video from Pavement
Now it’s official, the Pavement reunion is happening. So far the band has one confirmed show at Central Park SummerStage on September 21, 2010. In an exclusive interview with Rolling Stone Scott Kannberg confirmed the rumors and said, “It’s been a long time coming.” Kannberg also talked about the possibility of doing more Central Park shows and festivals like Coachella in 2010. Overall he was pretty vague about the future of Pavement, but one show is booked and the band seems pretty committed this time.
Pitchfork reports that Morrissey will release an eighteen-song compilation of b-sides entitled Swords. The b-sides come from his past three albums; You are the Quarry, Ringleader of the Tormentors, and Years of Refusal. Following the album’s October 26 release, Morrissey will embark on a European tour. [Previous 20 Watts Coverage: The 20: An Essential Guide to New Wave]
Not only will Grizzly Bear, Thom Yorke, Death Cab for Cutie, The Killers, and Bon Iver be featured on the New Moon soundtrack, but a Hot Topic tour including the soundtrack’s acts is also in the works, Pitchfork reports. [Previous 20 Watts Coverage: Editor's Pick #146: Thom Yorke and Bon Iver Soundtrack New Moon]
NME.COM reports that Glastonbury Festival organizer Michael Eavis has set the date that 2010 fesitval tickets will go on sale. The tickets will be 10 pounds more expensive than last years and will be available for purchase starting at 9 a.m. (BST) on October 4. Those wishing to purchase the tickets must register on Glastonburyregistration.co.uk before applying for tickets. The legendary British music festival held annually in the south of England usually takes place in the last week of June, perfect for those studying abroad this summer.
– 20 Watts Staff
Filed under: Editor Picks | Tags: Bon Iver, Fleet Foxes, Grizzly Bear, Shai Hulud, Spanish Prisoners, The Antlers, The Black Atlantic
The Black Atlantic play chilly, Bon Iver-tinged baroque pop
PREVIEW: DOWNLOAD The Black Atlantic’s Reverence for the Fallen Trees
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: 20 Watts Reviews The Antlers’ Hospice, Emerging Artist: The Antlers
With their sad, shadowy crooning and sweet acoustic overtures, Holland’s The Black Atlantic are pretty much perfect for gusty fall weather. Frontman Geert van der Velde, late of the metal act Shai Hulud, wails and mourns like a Nordic Bon Iver, while the rest of the band — piano, flute and ukulele in hand — channel baroque pop through a chilly, North Sea lens.
Appropriately, the majority of their recent debut, Reverence for the Fallen Trees, was recorded in a log cabin in the Adirondacks. Its ten tracks, all earnest meditations on life, death and remembrance, can be downloaded for free on the Black Atlantic’s site. The Antlers and Spanish Prisoners also make appearances.
If you like either of those bands — or Bon Iver, Grizzly Bear, Fleet Foxes, and others of their folk-pop ilk — you’ll have Reverence on heavy rotation.
– Caitlin Dewey, Editor in Chief
Filed under: News of Note | Tags: Air, Beach House, Billy Corgan, Brand New, Courtney Love, Dave Grohl, Grizzly Bear, Guitar Hero 5, Jennifer's Body, Joe's Pub, Kings of Leon, Krist Novoselic, Kurt Cobain, Matt Bellamy, muse, New York City, nyc, Pitchfork, Princeton, Ra Ra Riot, Smashing Pumpkins, Stereogum, subpop, sufjan stevens, The Rural Alberta Advantage, Two Dancers, White Lies, Wild Beasts
Muse decided to stream their new album The Resistance for 24 hours
PREVIEW: DOWNLOAD Muse’s “United States of Eurasia” MP3
Hype for The Resistance has practically reached the point of parody. Filter reported on how Muse streamed The Resistance in full, for a full 24 hours. The fact that they had fans piece together a song before they could hear it just goes to show that this band will stage any stunt get more exposure — redundant when you’re in one of the biggest acts in the world. What else can you do, Matt Bellamy, streak in a performance art display singing the lyrics to “Uprising”? [Previous 20 Watts Coverage: Editor's Pick #157: Muse's United States of Eurasia]
As many probably knew, Jay-Z is going all out to promote his latest effort, The Blueprint 3, which dropped Tuesday. To kick off the world tour, he played a secret show at NYC’s Gramercy Theater last night which apparently also included a fire alarm. SPIN’s got photos and additional details for those so inclined. [Previous 20 Watts Coverage: Editor’s Pick #173: Jay-Z’s “Empire State of Mind” (Alicia Keys, Blueprint 3), 20 Watts Reviews Jay-Z's Blueprint 3]
Stereogum reported on Wild Beasts‘ live NYC debut, held two nights ago downtown at Joe’s Pub. Considering the quality of Wild Beasts’ two albums, particularly the recent Two Dancers, one would expect them to play in a dedicated rock venue. Not the case with this sit-down establishment, but that’s all right when you take into account that many popular indie acts — including Brand New, Sufjan Stevens, and The Rural Alberta Advantage — prefer smaller venues. Rock club or not, Wild Beasts played a great show by all accounts. [Previous 20 Watts Coverage: 20 Watts Reviews Two Dancers]
NME.com reports that British alternative rock band White Lies released a rare track for download today. The song “Taxidermy” is a live favorite and was only available before on the band’s 7″ single “To Lose My Life.” White Lies will be touring the U.S. soon along with shows supporting Kings of Leon from September 25 through October 16. Close dates include New York City and Toronto on September 25 and September 26 respectively. White Lies also have their track “Death” on the Jennifer’s Body soundtrack. The film, starring Megan Fox, hits theatres September 18. [Previous 20 Watts Coverage: Lykke Li Covers Kings Of Leon ]
In preparation for their latest album Air have released a music video for the song “Sing Sang Sung,” and it’s featured on Pitchfork today. ”Sing Sang Sung” is the first single off the French electropopper’s forthcoming album Love 2. The album, which drops October 6, was entirely produced at the band’s own studio.[Previous 20 Watts Coverage: Air Releases a Studio Recording of "Do the Joy"]
Pitchfork also reports that Smashing Pumpkins‘ Billy Corgan has launched a website today called Everything From Here to There. According to the site, which is likely to be a blog about Corgan’s personal beliefs, “If you are drawn to the Hidden Truths, drawn to God as something beyond limitation, and drawn to Love as the greatest force in the Universe, then you have come to the right place at the right time. This is a place of Love.” [Previous 20 Watts Coverage: Industry News, Week 4]
Subpop has just added Beach House to it’s already unrivaled indie roster. Beach House are the gorgeous, sleepy, dream-pop duo that brought you Beach House and Devotion, and they announced their move to the Seattle-based label today. They’ll release their third album in early 2010 after completing a tour with Grizzly Bear. [Previous 20 Watts Coverage: Jay-Z Endorses Indie Rock, Grizzly Bear's "While You Wait for the Other"]
