Russian Circles - Empros

Chicago trio Russian Circles release their highly anticipated and critically praised new album Empros today.

Russian Circles return with not only their fourth and heaviest album to date, but also with Empros they're poised to take the crown as innovators reinvigorating the staid trappings of genre. Empros picks up where the anthemic riffs and melodies of 2009's Geneva left off and injects evermore slithering rhythms amid skull-crushing heft with all the visceral intensity of Godflesh, Swans and Neurosis. Put simply, Empros is Russian Circles' Master of Reality: a radical revision of both heavy and melody that is monolithic in its clarity and perfection. Or, like a lone surviving wooly beast emerging from a brutal winter's frost, Empros is the sound of a band shaking the ages from its shoulders with all the brutal force of a behemoth awakened.


The album opens with an imposing mechanical drone leading into funereal guitar notes that are abruptly interrupted by a propulsive drum beat as the proceedings of "309" erupt into something akin to a neo-industrial revision of Celtic Frost. The song lunges through nearly 9 minutes of masterful rhythmic shifts and brutal guitar warfare with such assertive grace it sounds as though the band is throwing down a gauntlet defying all challengers. "Mladek" kicks off with the soaring notes of Sullivan's signature hammer-on guitar arpeggios as Cook's volume-swelling bass notes surge like bubbling molten lava. Turncrantz's innovative rephrasing of the drum pattern elevates the song as it slinks from part to part, guided by the syncopated chatter traded between chiming guitar notes and churning bass. Elsewhere, there are beautiful moments of melodic respite, helping to underscore the album's majestic strength. And, there may even be a few surprises awaiting within the album's six tracks. There are riffs, yes -- many of them. But, with Empros the entire band seems to be the embodiment of the riff itself.

Empros is Russian Circles' first full-length to be released worldwide exclusively via Sargent House, the band's longtime management company and record label that had previously released only the vinyl editions of its three prior albums. It is available everywhere on LP, CD and Download on October 25th, 2011.

Art vs. Science 'With Thoughts'

Australia’s Art vs. Science has made waves here after releasing the new animation video for their single With Thoughts, the band's latest chart-topping track in the homeland.

With Thoughts is one of the awesome tracks taken from their debut album The Experiment.

Forbidden Friends - Totally Low

Portland's Forbidden Friends announced the second single titled Totally Low due out on September 27 via Kill Rock Stars.

Forbidden Friends is the side-project of Hutch Harris from The Thermals. An almost-acoustic affair, the songs are at once modern and old-fashioned. The instrumentation is incredibly minimal - simple and effective. The lyrics are love stories sung from a hidden location - keep it underneath, in a place where only you and I know.

"Totally Low" is the second single from Forbidden Friends, recorded by Kendra Lynn at Jackpot! in Portland, Oregon. Harris performed all the basic instruments (drums, guitar, bass, voice) and percussion was supplied by his fellow Thermals Kathy Foster and Westin Glass. The title may sound negative, but in truth "Totally Low" is totally up. Not 'low' like 'down', but 'low' like 'on the down low' - keep it like a secret.

Buy your Totally Low copy now at KRS.

Odonis Odonis - Hollandaze

The debut onslaught from Toronto-based Odonis Odonis - a new project from former Ten Kens member Dean Tzenos - Hollandaze is a grimy, gum-splattered ménage of surf-gaze, punk and lo-fi, cut from twanging reverb & fuzz heavy guitars, thick, driving bass-and-drum machines and overdriven Hammond organ.

Hollandaze, which compiles home recordings created over the last couple of years, is a collection of killer, hook-driven tunes that hark back to the classic '80s sounds of The Jesus & Mary Chain, Pixies, Big Black and The Cure.

Tzenos recorded almost all of the material found on Hollandaze in his tiny home studio, writing two or three songs a day. Hollandaze is due out on November 1st in the US and a new studio album, recorded with Colin Stewart of Black Mountain, will follow early in 2012.

Originally a solo project for the prolific Tzenos, Odonis Odonis has only recently become a live band, playing their first live shows in May and picking up heat as one of the buzz bands of Toronto's NXNE festival.

Here's the music video for "Mr. Smith", a track from the split they released with Lotus Plaza on Palmist.

Odonis Odonis - Mr. Smith from riceandcheese on Vimeo.

Grace Woodroofe 'I've Handled Myself Wrong'

Australian folk-blues chanteuse, Grace Woodroofe released a new video for album track I've Handled Myself Wrong.

St Vincent - Strange Mercy

St. Vincent, the nom-de-stage of Annie Clark, released her third album Strange Mercy. Having worked together on 2009's Actor, Clark reunited with producer John Congleton, recording the album in her hometown of Dallas, TX at Elmwood Studios. The 11 new tracks showcase Clark's inimitable gift for melody, packing elegant arrangements with hefty emotional punches.

Clark's virtuosity has long been recognised, and Strange Mercy finds her redefining the idea of the guitar hero, utilizing the instrument as a pointillist artist might wield a brush. On 'Cruel' she elicits punchy bursts like an R&B horn section. 'Cheerleader' froths and boils, with deep and fuzzy guitars bubbling up to the surface, while 'Surgeon' twirls about endlessly, Clark's vocals dancing amid a blizzard of notes.

Strange Mercy isn't an entirely solitary affair either, with Clark joined by a host of other musicians. Included among them are Beck keyboardist and musical director Brian LeBarton, Grammy Award winning musician Bobby Sparks on mini Moog, clavinet, Arp and Wurlitzer, Midlake's MacKenzie Smith on drums, Daniel Hart on violin, Evan Smith on woodwinds and Phil Palazzolo.

Cut Copy 'Blink And You'll Miss A Revolution'

Cut Copy has released the new video for their latest single from Zonoscope, “Blink And You’ll Miss a Revolution”.

Found in a rusty chest in an ancient grotto in Saint-Maximin, France, archaeologists can ascertain from the hieroglyphic-like scribes inside the chest, it was directed by Emile Sornin, and produced by Jules de Chateleux at Division.

ANR - Stay Kids

Miami duo ANR released the deluxe edition of their post-apocalyptic indie pop album Stay Kids through 10K Islands. Though the band consists of merely two members – Brian Robertson (Keys, Vocals) and Michael-John Hanock (Vocals, Drums) – they create a powerful sound filled with layered melodies and bountiful hooks. It has landed them shows with bands like Animal Collective, Neon Indian, No Age, and Fucked Up.

Stay Kids is a rhythmically propulsive, psychedelic trip that was inspired largely by recent floods, earthquakes, tornadoes, and other environmental disasters. Much of the album’s lyrics meditate on how such ‘natural’ disasters affect individuals and humanity at large. However, sonically-speaking the album is by no means morose. Instead, the synth-heavy and often danceable material feels triumphant. Each song is a journey through carefully sculpted, dream-pop soundscapes with frequent, unexpected and exciting detours.

ANR’s live show highlights a different aspect of the band, bringing out their punk influences as well as their penchant for German progressive acts of the 70’s.

Check out the latest video of their song It's Around You.

ANR (Awesome New Republic) "It's Around You" from Mayer\Leyva on Vimeo.

Planningtorock Announces W

W is the second Planningtorock album by Bolton-born, Berlin-based musician and visual artist Janine Rostron, a genuinely unique artist. Her individuality and ingenuity is heard here on W in the full glory of a creative high. Unsettling yet evocative, making comparisons to such luminaries as Grace Jones and Bjork not far wide of the mark.

The latest single to be released from W is the baroque boogie of “Living It Out.” A song described as a “tense disco track” and one of the album’s stand-out highlights by Pitchfork and “euphoric” by Nylon Magazine, it is one of the most immediate tracks on the album and features the drumming skills of LCD Soundsytem’s Pat Mahoney. On this two part remix 12” the inimitable, and much missed Warp producer, France’s Jackson (Jackson and His Computer Band) delivers an exceptional eight minute remix, teasing out the original tune’s pulses, rhythms and spaces, all beautifully cut up with Janine’s myriad vocal layers, building up to an epic, dirty crescendo at the four minute mark, before taking us home with an absolute hands-up dancefloor thumping. More info coming soon.

Living It Out from planningtorock on Vimeo.

American Babies 'Joeline'

Tom Hamilton’s American Babies are kicking off their Fall with a new look to their online presence with the release of the new VIDEO for Flawed Logic’s “Joeline”. This is the band’s third video from Flawed Logic directed by Hamilton and finds a cast made up of some of Philadelphia’s finest musicians, including members of Dr. Dog, Hezekiah Jones, and the Disco Biscuits.

Destroyer 'Savage Night at the Opera'

Destroyer - Savage Night at the Opera from Merge Records on Vimeo.

Another superb video from indie pop outfit Destroyer brought to you by Merge Records.

Blackbells 'This is Home'

A Very She & Him Christmas Album Out in October

Merge Records is proud to announce the release of She & Him’s first-ever holiday recording entitled A Very She & Him Christmas on October 25, 2011.

A Very She & Him Christmas is a wonderful collection of holiday tunes from two of music’s most impressive artists–Zooey Deschanel (She) & M. Ward (Him). Inspired by seminal holiday albums by the likes of The Carpenters, Vince Guaraldi, The Beach Boys, Elvis Presley and more, She & Him have set out to create an intimate holiday recording of Christmas classics that helps bring new emotions out of old songs.

Recorded in Los Angeles and NYC at various points in 2011, A Very She & Him Christmas sees the duo stepping back slightly from the layered, lush aesthetic of their critically acclaimed second album, Volume Two. On A Very She & Him Christmas, Deschanel and Ward let the songs speak for themselves, oftentimes recording them with just acoustic guitar and vocals. Consistent in everything are the elements that have made She & Him one of the most loved bands of the last few years–Deschanel’s soulful vocal delivery and Ward’s impressive guitar work, both sounding as timeless as ever.

Check in soon for more information.

Silje Nes Unveils New Video

Berlin-based Norwegian Silje Nes has released a great new video. Created in the unusual portrait format, it was filmed by Blank Blank in time lapse over 24 hours in Flø, Norway.

The video was created for Silje's live performance at the GO WITH THE FLØ festival. Beautifully shot, the film documents the Norwegian countryside and changing atmospheric conditions and is sympathetically soundtracked by a new abstract instrumental track which Silje created.

FLØ from Blank Blank on Vimeo.

Bonnie Prince Billy - Quail & Dumplings EP

What strange crop doth the Indian summer season harvest? Behold - our soil births a living song or three! And not just any old living music, but Bonnie 'Prince' Billy meats, fresh, pink and raw, just how you likes 'em! These first golden(-pink) fruit(-meat)s are yours for the swiping: "Quail & Dumplings" a digital-only single! If you haven't guessed, it guess it up now - "Quail & Dumplings" is from that extremely forthcoming Wolfroy Goes to Town album, the new Bonnie 'Prince' Billy soiree that will be occurring on LP/CD/and digital of course. As a bonus, some type of Bon-roid additive cultivated 2 (that's right, two) non-LP tracks as a "b-side," woot!

Tracklisting:
1. Quail & Dumplings
2. Black Ice Cream (non-album track)
3. E Iesu/Maka'i No (non-album track)

Download: Domino

Quail & Dumplings is taken from the forthcoming Bonnie 'Prince' Billy album 'Wolfroy Goes To Town' which is released on Domino on October 3rd and can be pre ordered from Domino.

Juan Maclean Announces Everybody Get Close

Since the release of 2009’s The Future Will Come, John “Juan” Maclean has stayed quite busy remixing artists like Chairlift, Matthew Dear, The Tough Alliance and forthcoming remixes for Yoko Ono and Stevie Nicks. He’s also appeared on both the Holy Ghost! Static on the Wire! EP (shredding guitar solo!) and took front man duties on Shit Robot’s “Grim Receiver”.

Juan Maclean is now gearing up for the November 7th release of Everybody Get Close on DFA Records. The digital only album features previously released outtakes and re-mastered tracks as well as remixes from some of his most talented colleagues.

Interspersed among the eleven songs are five that originally appeared on Find A Way, an EP only previously available at Juan Maclean live shows. “Find A Way” opens the record with call-and-response vocals from Maclean and bandmate Nancy Whang atop an electronic pop base, followed by “Let’s Talk About Me,” which bounds blissfully throughout. “Deviant Device” is laden with dubby percussion and echo-drenched synths reminiscent of Basic Channel. “X2” offers up wide hall of house and robotized vocals. Short and sweet track “The Robot” is filled with mechanical sounds and extraterrestrial noises. “Feel So Good,” from the DJ-Kicks compilation also features vocals from Whang and is built on a rolling loop and an indefatigable beat provided by late drummer Jerry Fuchs. Japanese bonus track “When I Am With You” leisurely moves along on a relaxing romantic groove. Album closer and title track “Everybody Get Close” has mechanical vocals and funky synth bleats that show faint traces of major influences like Zapp and S.O.S. band, respectively.

Juan Maclean and Nancy Whang have begun work on The Juan Maclean’s 3rd LP for DFA Records. In the meantime the digital compilation Everybody Get Close, serves as a handy compilation and welcome reminder of the music Juan Maclean has contributed to both the dance and indie community. It also can only hint at what might come next from the chameleon-like Juan Maclean.

Enjoy a free track of Juan Maclean over HERE.

Amy Winehouse & Tony Bennett 'Body and Soul'

The track and video for the long awaited Amy Winehouse and Tony Bennett duet "Body and Soul" was premiered on September 14 to commemorate what would have been Amy's 28th birthday.

"Body and Soul" was recorded at Abbey Road Studios in London and is the final recording she ever made before her passing on July 23rd. The recording session was filmed by Oscar winning cinematographer Dion Beebe ("Chicago," "Memoirs Of A Geisha") as part of a large documentary film on Bennett that is in the works.

All proceeds from the sale of the "Body and Soul" single and video will go to The Amy Winehouse Foundation, the organization founded by the singer's parents, Mitch and Janis Winehouse, with a mission to provide support for young people struggling with ill health, disability, financial disadvantage, or addiction.

Download the single now on iTunes.

King Fantastic Release Locals Only Video

King Fantastic presented the new video of their track Locals Only, as featured on their latest EP Death of Summer.

Locals Only from King Fantastic on Vimeo.

The video for "Locals Only" was directed, shot, and edited by Nick Goossen (Grandma's Boy, Nick Swardson's Pretend Time, Rad Omen) on Super8 on one Sunday in Venice, CA. for a tripped out vintage beach vibe. It's sort of King Fantastic's "band on the street". According to rapper/lyricist Killer Reese One,"We wanted it to be authentic, and it is."


King Fantastic is not your ordinary musical duo from LA, but then again nothing is ordinary about their music. We’re living in an era where hip-hop progressively feasts itself upon electronic beats and King Fantastic delves head first into both arenas. Given the diverse upbringings of both producer and internationally known DJ, Troublemaker and Rapper/lyricist Killer Reese One (who is one half of LA underground rap duo Bleu Collar) one would safely say that it’s karma how they united.

“Death of Summer” follows the duo’s groundbreaking and critically acclaimed 2010 debut LP “Finger Snaps and Gun Claps “ which spawned the wildly scandalous- "Why? Where? What?" video that is nearing 1 million plays on vimeo.

Jay-Z 'Empire State of Mind' (Life + Times Version)

Junya Watanabe Check Yarn Shirt

One of the fine pieces spotted from Junya Watanabe's Fall/Winter 2011 range, this is simply a sexy shirt to equip for the season.

Cotton gabardine long sleeves shirt, corduroy back shoulder yoke, breast patch pocket and interior of the sleeves in check yarn-dyed pattern, wool elbow pads. Buttoning tab on the front.


Available now at colette.

Justice 'Audio, Video, Disco'

Justice - AUDIO, VIDEO, DISCO. by justice

Converse Japan September 2011

Once again, the time of the month is here for Converse to present their part for September. This round of designs are closely emphasized on materials and sorts of fabrics applied on it.

A couple of All Stars, Jack Purcell and Chevron & Stars.

M+A - Things.Yes

Italian duo M+A premiered the first track titled Liko Lene Lisa, a song taken from their forthcoming album, Things.Yes, due out on November 8 via Monotreme Records.

Liko Lene Lisa is a delicate and beautiful dose of electro-acoustic pop infused with dubstep elements evoking comparisons to the Postal Service, Panda Bear, Phoenix, Tunng, et al. The MP3 is available to stream/download through RCRD LBL.

M+A is Michele Ducci,19, (vocals, instruments) and Alessandro Degli Angioli, 22, (instruments) of Forli, Italy.

"We listen to music to understand what we do, and we do music to understand what we listen to. We record everything at home, in a mansard to be more precise. The 'home-made' policy corresponds to a definite aesthetics, particularly with regard to a pop range. It's like a scene from a thriller movie where, at the very crucial moment, there's a shot of the director and his assistants while setting up the play set. So yes, we do make pop, but with the unpretentious intention to thrill. Our band is made up by two components, not merged in a unique identity, but rather coexisting. Sticking to the common sense of the word, we never really felt like a group. With its naivety and brutality, M+A plainly represents our initials just to make the whole thing more tangible and real. It's two people moving forward parallel one another, though with countless meeting points."

BERGEN.JPG (soft version) from M+A on Vimeo.

Meshell Ndegeocello - Weather

This fall, Meshell Ndegeocello will return with her latest record Weather, out November 8th on Naïve in the U.S. Her ninth album in 20 years, Weather finds the eclectic songwriter expanding on her iconic style, a lush album of intimate songwriting. And in honor of the album’s release, Meshell has made “Dirty World” available for free download.

Produced by Grammy-winner Joe Henry (Aimee Mann, Solomon Burke, Ani DiFranco), Weather is the latest addition to Meshell’s diverse catalog. A strikingly organic record, the album finds Meshell experimenting with the sparse, orchestral melodies paired with thoughtful lyrics, all performed by a band of fearsome musicians. The album opens with the title track “Weather,” a spacey, soulful groove that sets the stage for the rest of the record. Tracks like “Oysters” and her cover of Leonard Cohen’s “Chelsea Hotel” find Meshell constructing hushed ballads, centered around mournful piano. These tracks are juxtaposed with Meshell’s defiant, soulful stomps on songs like “Rapid Fire” and “Dirty World.” The album also features all-star collaborations with the likes of Chris Connelly (ex-Revolting Cocks, Ministry), Benji Hughes, and Joe Henry.

Born Michelle Johnson in Berlin, Meshell Ndegeocello has spent that last twenty years forging a unique career that’s as distinct as it is critically celebrated. Arriving in New York in the early ’90s with a few bedroom demos and her bass, Meshell quickly struck out on her own, joining The Black Rock Coalition and eventually signing to Madonna’s newly minted Maverick Records. Her politically charged, sexually rebellious music crossed boundaries and norms, all while incorporating a bit of everything into her sound, including hip hop, rock, R&B, new wave, go-go and punk. Her neo-soul anthem “If That’s Your Boyfriend (He Wasn’t Last Night)” topped the charts, and cover of Van Morrison’s “Wild Night,” performed with John Mellancamp, became a ’90s classic. Quickly developing into a musician’s musician, Meshell has shared the stage with The Rolling Stones, Madonna, Alanis Morrisette, James Blood Ulmer, The Blind Boys of Alabama, Tony Allen, John Medeski, Billy Preston, Chaka Khan, and more.

Jonathan Coulton - Artificial Heart

Jonathan Coulton speaks to the outcast in all of us, in the voices of characters we know from our own sad little lives. Some of them may be monsters - mad scientists, giant squids, zombies - but his talent is in turning offbeat subjects into deliciously hooky pop songs that move us in surprisingly personal ways. His upcoming album, Artificial Heart, produced by John Flansburgh of They Might Be Giants, is due out this Fall. It's a new direction for Coulton - he leaves behind the home recording gear for a studio filled with talented musicians and guest vocalists including Suzanne Vega, John Roderick of The Long Winters and Sara Quin of Tegan and Sara.

Coulton released the new MP3 for album track "Good Morning Tucson", a classic pop melody underscores it’s narrative about an aging morning news anchor who one day finally loses it.

The album opens with “Sticking to Myself”, a blistering, high-energy song about finding success, and then tearing it all down. “Nemeses” is a duet between Coulton and The Long Winters’ John Roderick that suggests the only real way to bring meaning into your life is to find your own worst enemy. The album’s title track, “Artificial Heart," has a bouncy, joyful melody that can't quite mask the feeling that drastic measures are sometimes worse than the problems they are trying to solve.

Artificial Heart is Jonathan Coulton’s first album of all new material since his infamous 2006 “Thing A Week” series, during which he created 52 musical pieces in 52 weeks. It's a strong addition to an already impressive discography that spans a decade. His song “Still Alive” is the closing soundtrack to the video game “Portal," and was awarded “Best Original Vocal Pop Song” in 2008 by the Game Audio Network Guild. This year, Coulton was asked back to write “Want You Gone," a song for Portal’s long awaited sequel. Fans who haven’t seen Jonathan Coulton live can catch him on tour with They Might Be Giants this Fall!

The Nocturnes New Album Out August 30, New Single

The Nocturnes is set to release their new album titled Aokigahara in two days time. Meanwhile, check out their newly released single titled Love.

Christopher Paul Stelling Covers 'Goodnight, Irene'

Unfortunately due to Hurricane Irene quickly descending upon New York City, Daytrotter’s Barnstormer tour has been forced to cancel their Brooklyn stop on August 27th, but Brooklyn’s own Christopher Paul Stelling has his own message for the storm. Left with a bit of time on his hands, he recorded this lo-fi video of the traditional folk song “Goodnight, Irene” made famous by Lead Belly in the 30’s.

Please enjoy and share this intriguingly relevant rendition of a true American classic on the eve of meteorological uncertainty. Also, be sure to catch Christopher at one of his upcoming shows, including 9/9 at the Bowery Ballroom in NYC w/ James Vincent Mcmorrow and Marissa Nadler.

The Dodos 'Good'

The brand new video by The Dodos featuring their new song Good, taken from the band's latest album titled No Color out now on Wichita Recordings.

Boots Electric - Honkey Kong

Boots Electric is Hollywood’s favorite son and Eagles of Death Metal frontman, Jesse “The Devil” Hughes. After creating three albums of dirty and danceable garage rock anthems, Honkey Kong is his first solo outing and will be released on September 19th by Dangerbird Records. It was produced by Tony Hoffer (Beck, Depeche Mode) and co-written with legendary keyboardist Money Mark, best known for his many collaborations with the Beastie Boys.

Honkey Kong is the sound of Boots Electric coming out of the closet. Under this moniker, Hughes expands his sonic palette while continuing to deliver the hooks that he’s known for. The electronic drums that kick off opening track “Complexity” immediately signal the new direction. The track is a mix of glam-pop, keyboard-heavy dance grooves, and Hughes’ signature brand of rock ‘n roll grit that drips with swagger. Elsewhere, he tries on space-funk synths on the track “Boots Electric” and “Trippy Blob” has some of his most absurdist lyrics yet.

Though a winking self-awareness has long been one of Hughes’ calling cards, he’s also written some of his most earnest songs yet. “No Fun” is an honest-to-goodness ballad and “Swallowed by the Night” is a soulful slice of honky tonk gold. Honkey Kong reveals what many already knew – beneath the tongue-in-cheek lyrics and his charismatic strut, Hughes has always been a gifted pop songwriter at heart.

Mariachi El Bronx - Mariachi El Bronx (II)

Mariachi El Bronx teamed up once again with John Avila, former member of Oingo Boingo, to co-produce their new album, which was recorded this past Christmas and New Year at Avila’s studio, Brando’s Paradise in San Gabriel, CA.

Mariachi El Bronx (II) bristles with intensity, drama and emotion – hallmarks of both mariachi and punk music. The 12-song collection contemplates the nature of love – a traditional topic in mariachi music, as men often hire bands to serenade the women they are courting – but Mariachi El Bronx brings a unique sensibility to the subject. The album opener “48 Roses” paints a picaresque portrait of a man with an insatiable appetite for love, while “Revolution Girls” details a border romance and “Poverty’s King” concerns a man trying to overcome class distinctions with a catchy come-on. A more somber note is struck in the tale of a fallen “Matador” and the bittersweet “Everything Dies”. “Mariachi El Bronx”, a tour-de-force instrumental, features Reyna de Los Angeles, America’s first all female mariachi ensemble.

Mariachi El Bronx (II) is set to release on September 12 via Wichita Recordings.

Peggy Sue - Acrobats

Produced by John Parish (PJ Harvey, Sparklehorse, Giant Sand, Eels etc), Peggy Sue’s second album titled Acrobats finds the band moving away from the acoustic sounds of their debut to something heavier but just as subtle and beautiful. Slated for a September 12 release via Wichita Recordings, Katy Young and Rosa Slade’s entrancing, dual vocals and Olly Joyce’s tribal drums are still present but are now more developed and breath-taking than ever before.

The full album tracklist is:

1. Cut My Teeth
2. Song & Dance
3. Funeral Beat
4. Changed and Waiting
5. Parking Meter Blues
6. All We’ll Keep
7. Boxes
8. D.U.M.B.O
9. Ruthie
10. Shadows
11. There Always Was

GusGus 'Over'

GusGus announced their new video of the new single 'Over' directed by Ellen Lofts and Thorbjörn Ingason.

Dad Rocks! 'Mount Modern'

Dad Rocks!’ upcoming Fall album release of “Mount Modern”.

Caveman - CoCo Beware

After months of anticipation, Caveman is pleased to announce the digital release of their debut album CoCo Beware on September 13th, followed by the physical CD and vinyl release on November 15th. Exploding out of the New York scene over the last few months, the band has decided to get this hot off the presses album out as soon as possible via a digital self-release. The fans wanted it, so the fans get it — a straight-ahead ethos for a band that’s about the music FIRST.


Recorded and produced by Nick Stumpf (French Kicks), CoCo Beware showcases the dreamy chamber pop and multi-part harmonies that have been turning heads at the band’s live shows for the better part of a year. Leading up to the release of their debut, Caveman will also be heading out on tour with The War On Drugs, hitting the east coast, midwest and Canada before returning to New York to celebrate their album release at the Mercury Lounge on Thursday, September 15th.

VHS or Beta - Diamonds & Death

VHS or Beta’s upcoming album, Diamonds & Death, is a journey full of thrilling moments and unexpected turns. The album’s electronic foundation is a byproduct of the many nights VHS OR BETA DJs have manned the decks and remixes they have done in the last few years. The self-produced album travels spectacular heights to gut-wrenching plunges and is an emotional rollercoaster. The songs unfold and mutate in unpredictable ways that will transfix dance floors and bedrooms alike. Diamonds & Death will be released September 27 on Krian Music Group/Chromosome Records.

Title track “Diamonds & Death” transforms from a minimal synth track into a dance floor behemoth. “I Found a Reason” is a pulsating summer anthem with a soaring refrain built on a foundation of rubbery bass, swooning synth and housey piano chords. The album’s quixotic nature juxtaposes dance floor stompers like “Watch Out” with experimental and throbbing psychedelic tracks like “Jellybean”. Diamonds & Death is an unpredictable journey full of breathtaking epic song-scapes.

VHS or Beta "Breaking Bones" from Graham Hill on Vimeo.

Girl In a Coma - Exits & All the Rest

San Antonio’s Girl In A Coma have left a permanent tattoo on the hearts of thousands with their piercing songs and nuclear performances. They’ve blazed a singular trail since Nina Diaz joined the band at age 13 and have found champions and comrades along the way including Joan Jett who signed them, Morrissey, Sia, Tegan and Sara, The Pogues and Amanda Palmer who have hand selected them for tours. In addition, Robert Rodriguez asked them to compose one of the key songs for his film Machete last year. All the while, they have been building one of the most impassioned and diverse fan bases in music. Girl in a Coma are that rare feral band, unaffected by trends, that has managed to stay wild and thrill us at every turn. Exits & All the Rest, their 4th album out November 1 on Blackheart Records, is the most heart-stopping turn yet.

From sharing stages with their heroes to experiencing Arizona’s controversial laws firsthand, the album was born in an especially intense period for the band. “Hope” is a pogo ready punk assault that speaks to the Arizona immigration dispute while daring you to stay still. Album opener “Adjust” is a tale of persecution and a sonic mindfield. Nina Diaz’s voice turns from a lament to a growl in a split second while the thundering combination of Phanie Diaz’s drums and Jennifer Alva’s bass rattle your ribcage. “One Eyed Fool” is a fearless and bare declaration of the universal need to be loved. “Cemetery Baby” underscores the bands ability to seduce you with melody no matter how tragic the message. “Smart” showcases GIAC’s own special recipe for a melodic pop song. The stomping rhythm of future GIAC anthem “Control” lays a foundation for Nina’s voice to build empires of heartbreak on. The stamp San Antonio’s music scene has left on the band is all over the album and it’s stabs of punk, tejano, rockabilly, classic rock and roll, rancheras, indie rock and ballads all contributing to a sound that can only be described as Girl in a Coma.

Scattered Trees 'Sympathy'

Asa - Beautiful Imperfection

Internationally acclaimed, French-Nigerian singer Asa gave the first taste of her new album, Beautiful Imperfection, with the sunny, reggae-tinged single “Why Can’t We”. Asa’s second album, Beautiful Imperfection, has already gotten rave reviews in other countries across the globe, and will be release in the US on September 6th through Naïve Records. As oppose to the political theme of her first release, Asa’s new music carries more of a celebratory and joyous feeling, embracing the listener with the warmth of her smoky vocals.

Three of the twelve songs on Beautiful Imperfection are in Asa’s native Yoruba language, and the remaining songs in English display the unmistakable and infectious lilt of her French-Nigerian background. Born in Paris, Asa returned to her family’s home in Lagos, Nigeria at the age of two. As the only girl in a family of four, living in an African city that was both vibrant and turbulent, young Asa sought solace in her thoughts. Music was a prominent aspect of her childhood life with Michael Jackson, Bob Marley, Lauryn Hill, Fela Kuti and the music of her homeland all playing a part in shaping Asa’s inimitable sound. With a vivid imagination and dreams of musical stardom, she would often take to an imaginary stage with her imaginary microphone and perform to her imaginary audience. Talking about “Dreamer Girl,” she notes, “When you catch yourself dreaming, you can sometimes sense that people nearby could hear you, and suddenly, you might feel like it’s a crime. But I’m actually the dreamer girl in the song.”

Megafaun Gives Free Single

Megafaun is giving away "State/Meant," the new single from their forthcoming self-titled album (9/20, Hometapes), as a free download.

On "State/Meant," Megafaun reach new emotional depths blending ghostly harmonies, banjo and other traditional instruments with noise and electronics. Recorded entirely in just one afternoon, "State/Meant" transports listeners to another end of the near limitless sonic spectrum the band explored at April Base in Fall Creek, WI. Brad Cook explains, "This song was a passing thought that erupted into such a complete piece of music in an afternoon. This was the one song where we essentially added nothing after the first day of recording."

Gramatik 'So Much For Love'

This is the official video by versatile producer Gramatik and his featured track So Much For Love, brought to you by Pretty Lights Music.

Polinski - Labyrinths

Paul Wolinski of British electronic-infused post-rock heroes 65Daysofstatic announces his forthcoming solo debut under the nom-de-tune Polinski. The disc, titled Labyrinths mixes sci-fi soundtrack moods with beat-laced anthems. It will be released in North America on November 7th, 2011 via Monotreme Records.

A video teaser featuring a mash-up of parts from all of the album's songs was released recently.

After ten years (give or take) on the road and on the record with 65daysofstatic, Paul Wolinski finally steps out from behind that particular outfit's notorious smokescreen and emerges as Polinski, a man with a laptop, some synths and a plan, in the meta-physical sense of the word.

In our childhood bedrooms and minds, the possibilities were always endless, there were worlds within worlds, and galaxies upon galaxies. If the suburbs outside seemed limited by how far we could get on our bikes, then in the real and unreal realities of space travel and science fiction we were satiated, if only momentarily. What if your bike could take off?

And it is to there that Polinski has returned, to soundtrack the impossible possibilities of the sci-fi mentality. Says Wolinski, "this is basically an album I daydreamed of writing back when I was 15 and just learning how to program MIDI...lots of beats and distortion and piano and big melodies, with a dance-y toughness."


Feeding himself a steady diet of 70s and 80s sci-fi movies and endless second hand paperbacks from the golden era of sci-fi publishing, and free of the myopic shortcomings of writing music in a room with 3 other people, this is music that is unconstrained in its search for warp speed, the 1.21 gigawatts that launches the listener back to the future.

Throughout, John Carpenter-esque synths collide with robot voices, Philip Glass style piano motifs pair up with punching rhythms, gliding melodies soar with the retro-futuristic furor of Bowie-Eno collaborations... Even in the thickest analogue bubblebath, the digital heart beats on.

LABYRINTHS from polinski on Vimeo.

Introducing Neil Finn's New Band, Pajama Club

Neil Finn’s mastery of pop song craft has always been evident with his work as the frontman for Crowded House and Split Enz. Fittingly, Neil was recently honored with the task of presenting a lifetime achievement award to Brian Wilson at the MOJO Awards. Neil new band, Pajama Club, continues to show his gift for melody while revealing a new side to his musical persona. The group’s self-titled debut album will be released on September 13th through Lester Records/Redeye.

For a taste of the new project, click HERE to download the Pajama Club track “These Are Conditions.” The song pairs a sexy garage rock stomp and infectious vocals, with electronic sounds sprinkled over top.

Pajama Club Teaser from Pajama Club on Vimeo.

Atari Teenage Riot 'Blood In My Eyes'

Boy and Bear 'Feeding Line'

Australian-based group Boy and Bear have premiered its video for Feeding Line, the first single off the full-length debut album Moonfire that is set to be digitally released August 9 by Universal Republic.

Feeding Line is a perfect mix of colorful vibes and distinctive sounds with the addition of a catchy folk melody. The video complements the story told throughout the song with a creative indie inspiration.

Sebastian Bach Premieres New Video

Shortly after releasing his new album, Sebastian Bach unveiled the video of his title track Kicking and Screaming.

My Morning Jacket 'Holding on to Black Metal'

Louisville, Kentucky’s My Morning Jacket released 4 new clips, including the premiere of the eye-popping, surreal video for “Holdin On To Black Metal.”

The video for “Black Metal” was filmed during whirlwind period shortly before the quintent’s new album, Circuital, was released while the band was getting ready for their big hometown show (filmed by Todd Haynes for AmEx’s Unstaged series.) The band kept things local by working with the Louisville-based Sole Solution Studio for the clip, and filmed it at the idiosyncratic local watering hole Jim Porter’s Good Time Emporium. The video also includes footage from the Jacket’s electrifying 2011 Bonnaroo performance. The guys kick off the next leg of their US tour tonight in St. Louis and will play select dates with Neko Case as the opener during August.

Tera Melos 'So Occult / Kelly'

Sacramento genre-benders Tera Melos release a new video today courtesy of Brooklyn Vegan. The clip includes two songs, "So Occult" and "Kelly" culled from their recent album, Patagonian Rats.

Richard Buckner - Our Blood

American singer-songwriter Richard Buckner released his highly anticipated new album Our Blood available on different formats: CD, LP, and digital download, brought to you by Merge Records.

Since 2006’s Meadow, fans of Richard Buckner have been clamoring for new material and wondering what was keeping their hero from releasing the new songs he would perform on the road. Well, it’s a long story!

First, there was the score to a film that never happened. Then there was a brief brush with the law over a headless corpse in a burned-out car that had all eyes in Buckner’s small hometown in upstate New York turned toward him and his long-suffering truck. Shortly after a move to a safer, less popular corpse dumping ground, the death of his tape machine led to yet another reboot. After Richard called in pedal steel and percussion players and put new mixes on his laptop, his new “safer” place was burglarized. Goodbye, laptop.

Buckner says: “Eventually, the recording machine was resuscitated and some of the material was recovered. Cracks were patched. Parts were redundantly re-invented. Commas were moved. Insinuations were re-insinuated until the last percussive breaths of those final OCD utterances were expelled like the final heaves of bile, wept-out long after the climactic drama had faded to a somber, blurry moment of truth and voilà!, the record was done, or, let us be clear, abandoned like the charred shell of a car with a nice stereo.”


Commemorating the release, he's teaming up with David Kilgour for a co-headlining tour beginning August 16 in LA. Check out the date on his website.

"Thief" by Richard Buckner - BTR Live Studio [ep43] from BreakThru Radio TV on Vimeo.