This is the last of the Trilogy of Lara’s W♥M Radio appearance. Listen to Part One and Two.

Since most of the topics about music were pretty much used in parts one and two, this last show is a bit of a potpourri, with loads of random things that didn’t fit anywhere. These little segments would work great in a ‘best of’ or bloopers show, but as it is… a bit of a jazz-theme.

Here’s what went down:



Second part of the show is just random nonsense: Black Friday, Jazz, Minnesota bands: Howler, Total Babe, and The Abdomen/Lynhurst.

Since I randomly saw Howler and noted they were “the buzz of the town“. That was in early November. Now they’re currently touring the UK, coming back to the states in March:

01/28 – (12 Midday) London, Rough Trade East (Instore) 01/29 – Sheffield, The Bowery FREE SHOW 01/30 – Manchester, Deaf Institute (14+) 01/31 – Nottingham, Bodega (14+) 02/1 – Newcastle, The Cluny (16+ if accompanied by an adult) 02/3 – Leeds, Cockpit (14+) 02/4 – Glasgow, King Tuts (18+) 02/5 – Birmingham, HMV Institute (14+ Under 16’s must be accompanied by an adult) 02/6 – London, The Lexington (14+) SOLD OUT 02/8 – Paris, Fleche d’Or (16+ No restriction if accompanied by an adult) 02/9 – Brussels, AB Club (All Ages) 02/10 – Amsterdam,Paradiso (All Ages) 02/11 – Berlin,Comet (16+) 02/14 – Tokyo,Harajuku Astro Hall 03/7 – Lawrence University – Appleton, WI 03/8 – Schubas Tavern – Chicago, IL 03/9 – The Old Rock House – St Louis, MO 03/10 – The Riot Room – Kansas City, MO 03/12 – House of Blues – Dallas, TX

03/13 – Mango’s – Houston, TX 03/22 – Soda Bar – San Diego, CA 03/23 – Echo – Los Angeles, CA 03/24 – Hemlock Tavern – San Francisco, CA 03/26 – Mississipi Studios – Portland, OR 03/27 – The Media Club – Vancouver, BC 03/28 – Sunset Tavern – Seattle, WA 03/30 – Kilby Court – Salt Lake City, UT 03/31 – Hi Dive – Denver, CO 04/2 – Waiting Room – Omaha, NE 04/4 – Happy Dog – Cleveland, OH 04/5 – Underground at The Drake – Toronto, ON 04/6 – Le Divan Orange – Montreal, QC 04/7 – Great Scott – Boston, MA 04/10 – Knitting Factory – Brooklyn, NY 04/11 – Mercury Lounge – New York, NY 04/12 – Kung Fu Necktie – Philadelphia, PA 04/13 – Red Palace – Washington, DC 04/14 – Smiling Moose – Pittsburgh, PA 05/03 – Liverpool, The Kazimier (16+) 05/08 – London, The Garage (14+)

Subscription Options
Subscribe on iTunes
Subscribe via RSS
Add to Google
Add to Yahoo
____
Archive of this show at archive.org. More information on podomatic.com

vu () ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ podcast.weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com/weheartmusic ♥ +W♥M

Heart Attack (CSS Remix) Read More The Asteroids Galaxy Tour Yeah, you know the story. I think these guys are great, calling them top for 2008, and to this day, I sometime hear “Around the Bend” at clubs - which is pretty amazing how far the band’s come.

The Asteroids Galaxy Tour are… er… on TOUR! I’ve been in love with this band since October 2008, and it’s great that they are finally making their way from Copenhagen to Minneapolis!

The tour is to promote their second album, Out Of Frequency, which comes out on BMG Rights (basically BMG Berlin) on January 31st, 2012.

I did get a chance to preview the album, and it is more or less in that 60’s/70’s throwback sound (lots of amazing horns with that unique singing style of Mette Lindberg).

If you get your hands on the album, the official song doesn’t actually start until “Major”, with three songs (”Gold Rush Pt. 1″, “Dollars in the Night” and “Gold Rush Pt. 2″) acting as an introduction. I love it!

Their single for the album is “Heart Attack”, which is one of the danciest song on the new album. The lyrics catchy: “jeez Louise” and “you and me until we drop” and “head over heels on gasoline” and “bang bang bang give me heart attack“. Some of the lyrics I feel were written to rhyme with other words, but it doesn’t sound silly, or out of place; it just feels natural. If you want to hear the song for yourself, Rolling Stone is offering a free download of CSS’s remix of the song.

Anyway, I am loving the album so far, I’ll be at 7th Street to see the band:

01/31 NEW YORK, NY - Irving Plaza 02/01 WASHINGTON, DC - Rock and Roll Hotel 02/02 PHILADELPHIA, PA - Union Transfer 02/03 BOSTON, MA - Middle East Downstairs 02/07 CHICAGO, IL - Lincoln Hall 02/08 MINNEAPOLIS, MN - 7th Street Entry

02/10 DENVER, CO - Larimer Lounge 02/13 SAN DIEGO, CA - Belly Up 02/14 LOS ANGELES, CA - Echoplex 02/15 SAN FRANCISCO, CA - Independent 02/17 PORTLAND, OR - Wonder Ballroom 02/18 SEATTLE, WA - Neumos

PS, While “The Golden Age” isn’t on the new album, I thought I’d throw this one on because it’s one of my FAVORITE music video:



Yes, I know it’s basically a Heineken video, but it’s awesome!

vu () ♥ theasteroidsgalaxytour.com

Wednesday, 25 January 2012 at 08:40 PM

MADI DIAZ
madidiaz.com

Playing with Madi Diaz is Gabby Young at 7th Street Entry in Minneapolis on September 1st, which should be a good time.

I was sent Diaz’s Far From Things That We Know EP to listen to, which is coming out September 20th on tinyOGRE Entertainment. I really liked “Johnny”, I’m looking forward to hearing that song done live. I thought Diaz’s voice is lovely/sweet on all three tracks, just like the video for “Let’s Go” by Matt Amato. Which…. admittedly I did not like the boring video.

Diaz kicked off a national tour last week with fellow Nashville songwriter Keegan DeWitt (you can grab two free songs at madidiaz.com/tour).


Look for Diaz’s full-length to be out in early 2012, but I suspect you’ll hear those unreleased songs on her tour:

ATARI TEENAGE RIOT
atari-teenage-riot.com

The last time I mentioned ATR, I was rather excited that they’ve reformed last year.

With some tease to new material via mastermind Alec Empire’s soundcloud account, it’s about time that the noise artist is coming back with a vengeance! It’s been a long ten years!

Full details of music videos, free MP3s, and detail about the Black Flags album at news.weheartmusic.com.

Tour dates:

08/26 -France - Charleville-Mezieres @ Cabaret Vert 09/04 - Seattle, WA @Bumbershoot Festival 09/05 – Portland, OR - Hawthorne Theatre * 09/07 – San Luis Obispo, CA @ SLO Brew * 09/08 – San Diego, CA @ Porters Pub (w Retox) * 09/09 – West Hollywood, CA @ The Keyclub * 09/10 – Las Vegas, NV @ The Royal Resort * 09/13 – Ft. Lauderdale, FL @ Culture Room * 09/14 – Orlando, FL @ Firestone * 09/15 – Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade * 09/16 – Carrboro, NC @ Cat’s Cradle * 09/17 – Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club * 09/18 – Philadelphia, PA @ Polaris * 09/20 – Lancaster, PA @ Chameleon * 09/21 – Clifton Park, NY @ Northern Lights * 09/23 – New York, NY @ Gramercy Theatre * 09/24 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Rex Theater * 09/26 – Cleveland, OH @ Peabody’s Downunder *		09/27 – Detroit, MI @ The Majestic Theater * 09/28 – Chicago, IL @ Reggie’s Rock Club * 10/05 – Austria – Vienna @ Szene 10/06 – Austria – Linz @ Posthof 10/07 – Slovenia – Ljubljana @ Kino Siska 10/10 – Hungary – Budapest ! A38 10/12 – Germany – Berlin @ Astra 10/13 – Germany – Leipzig @ Werk II 10/14 – Germany – Cottbus @ Gladhouse 10/15 – Poland – Warsaw @ Progresja 10/16 – Poland – Wroclaw @ Firlej 10/21 – Austria – Dornbirn @ Dornbirm 10/22 – Germany – Stuttgart @ Universum 11/23 – Russia – Moscow @ Tochka 11/24 – Russia – St Petersburg @ Glavclub 11/25 – Finland – Helsinki @ Nosturi 11/26 – Swedend – Stockholm @ Debaser * = w/ Otto von Schirach

THAO WITH THE GET DOWN STAY DOWN
thaomusic.com

I know I’ve previously mentioned her September dates here, but I personally like her, I’m adding more dates (see below).

Among the new dates will be that they will be playing with Sub Pop’s The Head and the Heart. New dates includes Minneapolis!

This is her fourth time in Minneapolis, her fourth time playing at the Cedar Cultural Center. She really LOVES the venue. It’s easy to see why, as I’ve previously mentioned, it’s one of my favorite and best places to see live music.

09/20/11 - New Orleans, LA @ One Eyed Jacks* 09/21/11 - Atlanta, GA @ Variety Playhouse* 09/22/11 - Raleigh, NC @ Lincoln Theater* 09/23/11 - Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club* 09/24/11 - Charlottesville, VA @ Jefferson Theater* 09/25/11 - Philadelphia, PA @ The Ukie Club* 09/26/11 - Brooklyn, NY @ Music Hall of Williamsburg* 09/27/11 - New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom* 09/28/11 - New York, NY @ Mercury Lounge 09/30/11 - Boston, MA @ Royale* 10/01/11 - Buffalo, NY @ Town Ballroom* 10/02/11 - Cleveland, OH @ Beachland Ballroom*		10/03/11 - Grand Rapids, MI @ Calvin College* 10/06/11 - Milwaukee, WI @ Turner Hall* 10/07/11 - Madison, WI @ Majestic Theater* 10/08/11 - Minneapolis, MN @ Cedar Cultural* 10/09/11 - Omaha, NE @ The Waiting Room* 10/10/11 - Denver, CO @ Gothic Theater* 10/14/11 - San Diego, CA @ House of Blues* 10/18/11 - Eugene, OR @ WOW Hall* 10/19/11 - Portland, OR @ Crystal Ballroom* 10/20/11 - Vancouver, BC, Canada @ Commodore* 10/22/11 - Seattle, WA @ The Crocodile * w/ The Head and the Heart

LOCH LOMAND
lochlomond.com

Loch Lomond from Portland, Oregon, is going on tour this September to promote their second album, Little Me Will Start a Storm, released earlier this year. The album comes out on all formats (CD, Vinyl, and digital).

If you see them on tour, look for the glockenspiel.

More details on news.weheartmusic.com, below is their tour dates:

UNKNOWN MORTAL ORCHESTRA
unknownmortalorchestra.com

Don’t really know much about this band, but here’s yet another Portland band. They seem quite new, having first started in late 2010 with a single called Ffunny Ffrends via bandcamp - however, if you head over to unknown-mortal-orchestra.bandcamp.com, there’s nothing there.

According to their press release, singer Ruban Nielson is from New Zealand, but currently living in Portland with his band Mint Chicks.

They are doing a ton of tour dates, with a FREE show in LA at Bardot on 8/29, RSVP here.

08/29 Los Angeles, CA Bardot* 09/08 Portland, OR Hawthorne% 09/09 Athens, GA 40 Watt# 09/10 Raleigh, NC Hopscotch$ 09/11 Washington, DC Black Cat # 09/12 Philadelphia, PA 1st Unitarian Church # 09/14 New York, NY Webster Hall # 09/15 Brooklyn, NY Glasslands Gallery + 09/16 Boston, MA Paradise Rock Club # 09/17 Montreal, QC Le National # 09/18 Toronto, ON Opera House # 09/19 Detroit, MI Majestic Theatre # 09/20 Bloomington, IN The Bishop # 09/21 Grinnell, IA Grinnel College Gardner 09/22 Urbana, IL Pygmalion # 09/23 Cincinnati, OH Midpoint Music Festival #		09/24 Chicago, IL Lincoln Hall # 09/25 Minneapolis, MN Triple Rock # 09/26 Fargo, ND Aquarium 09/28 Seattle, WA The Crocodile # 09/29 Vancouver, BC Venue # 09/30 Portland, OR Branx # 10/01 SF, CA Great American# 10/02 SF, CA Great American# 10/03 Los Angeles, CA El Rey Theatre # 10/04 Phoenix, AZ Crescent Ballroom 10/05 Tucson, AZ Club Congress 10/06 El Paso, TX Lowbrow# 10/07 Dallas, TX Club Dada # 10/08 Austin, TX The Mohawk # 10/09 Houston, TX Fitzgerald’s # 10/10 New Orleans, LA One Eyed Jack’s # 10/11 Tallahassee, FL Club Downunder #		10/12 Mobile, AL Alabama Music Box 10/13 Birmingham, AL Bottletree # 10/14 Atlanta, GA Masquerade # 10/15 Columbia, SC New Brookland# 10/16 Asheville, NC Grey Eagle 10/17 Winston-Salem, NC Werehouse 10/18 Richmond, VA Strange Matter 10/19 - 10/22 New York, NY CMJ 10/25 Buffalo, NY Mohawk Place 10/30 Kansas City, MO Riot Room 11/07 Oakland, CA The New Parish * = w/ The Submarines # = w/ Toro Y Moi % = w/ Little Dragon $ = w/ Times New Viking + = w/ Woven Bones, Blouse, Man/Miracle

vu () ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ podcast.weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com/weheartmusic

I won’t be home this weekend, heading up north - where there probably won’t be any internets…..

Before I go, I thought I’d drop this off: I’ve previously heard the single “Come Monday Night” by God Help the Girl, but never really got around to picking up the actual album - that is until a few months ago - when I was in Canada. I saw they were selling the album for $1.99. No sale, no clearance, that was the regular price. I couldn’t believe it, I picked up all the copies they had in the store.

God Help the Girl

Like most album, there are some duds, but the majority of the songs are actually good - if you’re into that sweet-girl-vocals thing. The few male exceptions, Stuart Murdoch and Neil Hannon, they are there to help sing and move the song along, not take the spotlight.

This is also a concept album, which few albums these days do, it’s about a girl and her relationship (or lackof). You get a sense when you’re listening to the little stories that this could be a great afterschool special.

Anyway, well worth the $1.99.

1. Act of the Apostle (Catherine Ireton)
2. God Help The Girl (Catherine Ireton)
3. Pretty Eve in the Tub (Stuart Murdoch and Catherine Ireton)
4. A Unified Theory (instrumental)
5. Hiding Neath My Umbrella (Catherine Ireton and Stuart Murdoch)
6. Funny Little Frog (Brittany Stallings)
7. If You Could Speak (Catherine Ireton, Anna Miles and Stuart Murdoch)
8. Musician Please Take Heed (Catherine Ireton)
9. Perfection as a Hipster (Neil Hannon and Catherine Ireton)
10. Come Monday Night (Catherine Ireton)
    
11. Music Room Window (instrumental)
12. I Just Want Your Jeans (Asya)
13. I’ll Have to Dance with Cassie (Catherine Ireton)
14. A Down and Dusky Blonde (Dina Bankole, Catherine Ireton, Celia Garcia, Brittany Stallings, Asya)

Subscription Options
Subscribe on iTunes
Subscribe via RSS
Add to Google
Add to Yahoo
____
Archive of this show at archive.org. More information on mypodcast.com and podomatic.com

vu () ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ podcast.weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com/weheartmusic

Another Earth

If you could meet yourself, what would you say?

Another Earth is a story about redemption. Sort of. Writer/director Mike Cahill steers his audience through an ethically muddled wormhole filled with more questions than answers. He posits the idea of a literal alternate universe populated by the same inhabitants of Earth; whether or not these “other Earthlings” are leading comparable lives is the Big Question.

Brit Marling, who co-wrote the script with Cahill, plays Rhoda Williams, a smart, pretty girl on the brink of great success. Having just been accepted to an astrophysics program at MIT, she indulges in one night of reckless teenage abandon, which results in a rather horrific consequence. The rest of the film follows Rhoda as she attempts to make amends for what she did, at the same time wondering how her life would be different had she made better choices. Of course, she’s fascinated by the concept of Earth II, and therein lies the film’s tour de force: Cahill uses a topical scientific theory as the basis for his heroine’s internal dilemma. It’s an interesting idea and on one level, Cahill succeeds. The characters have just the right amount of complexities and emotional damage without the burden of pity and self-aggrandizing resolve. Basically, they’re relatable, even if their specific predicaments are not.

The problem with Another Earth, however, is that it relies too heavily on artistic imagery and doesn’t spend enough time exploring the science behind the concept. Taking a page from the “Donnie Darko School of Meaningless Metaphors,” Cahill uses brilliant cinematography to substitute for less-than-brilliant writing. For example, the plot is riddled with scenes of Rhoda staring into the distance or walking in slow-motion while real-life astrophysicist Richard Berendzen provides voiceover commentary, in effect summarizing an entire realm of scholarly thought. A tad lazy, no? What happened to the first rule of storytelling: show don’t tell? More importantly, what exactly is the science behind the film? Cahill wants us to consider Earth II a plausible phenomenon, but even my high school physics education makes me question the substance of this theory. Good science fiction is rarely this ambitious without a concrete set of footnotes to back up its claims.

So Cahill’s characters drift, at times aimlessly, through his imagined-real landscape, one that feels as cold and empty as his plot devices*. It’s fitting, then, that the film’s scoreshares similar qualities. Composed and produced by Philip Mossman (LCD Soundsystem) and Will Bates under the moniker Fall On Your Sword, the soundtrack is a mix of electronic beats and haunting strings. While icy at times, the music accomplishes the film’s intended vision by infusing classic instrumentation with progressive studio engineering—innovation vs. organic artistry. “Rhoda’s Theme” is either the opening waltz at a rave in space or the instrumental track for an Olympic figure skating competition. “The Cosmonaut” uses only piano and violin but transitions seamlessly into “The Specialist,” a pulsating collage of sounds with something resembling a digital distress signal weaved throughout. Mossman and Bates seem highly calculated in their approach, intentionally speeding up and slowing down the musical tone. This matches the film’s emotional core—restless, waiting, uncertain. Even if the film leaves crater-sized holes in basic logic, Cahill can rest easy that his soundtrack, at least, manages to bridge the gap between two worlds.

Another Earth is now playing in limited release. For more information or to watch the trailer, visit its official Fox Searchlight website at foxsearchlight.com/anotherearth. The film has earned mixed reviews from top critics, but won the Alfred P. Sloan prize at this year’s Sundance Film Festival where it premiered.

* Cahill’s token minority character is an elderly Indian man who mutilates himself in an attempt to shut out the world; predictably, he also fills the “grandpa” role: one who offers pointlessly cryptic words of wisdom indicative of a character’s personal growth.

lara () ♥ foxsearchlight.com/anotherearth ♥ fallonyoursword.com

Adult Swim is basically the “grown up” version of regular the Cartoon Network’s children cartoon programming. The shows on its programming is often geared for an 18+ audience, and from its lineup, often quite quirky (and popular) shows: The Venture Bros., Robot Chicken, and Aqua Teen Hunger Force.

Last year, Adult Swim started their free singles giveaway, it was so successful, that they’re doing it again with their second annual “2011 Adult Swim Singles Program”.

This week, the final song (which is the “bonus song”) is unveiled to be “On the Run” by Cerebral Ballzy. This punk band from New York seems quite new, having just released their self-titled debut record, out July 26th, 2011, via Williams Street Records. Lead singer Honor Titus has those afropunk attitudes, you know: DIY, tats, skateboarding, punk, and pizza… but then again, who doesn’t love those things?

Grab the whole collection, including massive cover artwork, at Adult Swim Singles:

vu () ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ podcast.weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com/weheartmusic

vu () ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ podcast.weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com/weheartmusic

Here are a couple of free downloads for you.

MR GNOME
mrgnome.com

We have mentioned Mr Gnome before, Derek described them as “ethereal” music, to sum it up.

Their new album, Roaring Madness In Miniature, is coming out October 25th, 2011, via El Marko Records. They are offering a free single, “Bit of Tongue” available on Soundcloud (as well as elsewhere).

The free song is described as “layered and ultimately anthemic” and should give you a taste of this Cleveland duo’s “gritty, space-psychedelia”.

The duo will be touring through the fall, stay tuned for winter dates to be announced.

Mr. Gnome Fall Tour Dates:

10/05 Philadelphia PA @ TBA 10/06 Brooklyn NY @ Union Pool 10/07 New Haven CT @ Elm Bar 10/08 Pittsburgh PA @ Brillobox 10/14 Rochester NY/Buffalo NY 10/15 Rochester NY/Buffalo NY 10/19 Lansing MI @ TBA 10/20 Grand Rapids MI @ The Pyramid Scheme 10/21 Madison WI @ Frequency 10/22 St Louis MO @ Cicero’s 10/24 Kansas City MO @ The Riot Room 10/25 Denver CO @ 3 Kings 10/26 Salt Lake City UT @ Burt’s Tiki Lounge 10/27 Boise ID @ Neurolux		10/28 Portland OR @ Doug Fir Lounge 10/29 Seattle WA @ The Comet Tavern 10/31 San Francisco CA @ TBA 11/01 Fresno CA @ TBA 11/02 Los Angeles CA @ TBA 11/03 Tucson AZ @ Plush 11/04 Albuquerque NM @ The Launchpad 11/05 Oklahoma City OK @ TBA 11/07 Springfield MO @ TBA 11/08 Columbia MO @ TBA 11/10 Chicago IL @ Empty Bottle 11/11 Ft Wayne IN @ TBA 11/12 Toledo OH @ Ottawa Tavern 11/18 Columbus OH @ Skully’s

BETH HART & JOE BONAMASSA
hartandbonamassa.com

To get their cover of Delaney & Bonnie’s “Well, Well” as a free download, you have to sign up for a JBXP account at jbxp.net. This is apparently a myspace-like social network, but for Joe Bonamassa fans. Kind of a weird (and not to mention limited) social network - but when you sign up, you get to become friends with Joe and a free copy of his compilation album, Blues In The Schools.

As for the Beth Hart & Joe Bonamassa’s album, Don’t Explain, which looks to be a soul cover album (covering such artists like Gil Scott-Heron, Tom Waits, Etta James and Aretha Franklin), is coming out in the UK on Monday, September 26th, 2011, via Provogue Records.

Full details, tracklisting, and other information at news.weheartmusic.com

ART VS SCIENCE
hartandbonamassa.com

This Sydney-based dance trio is currently in the USA, doing some dates for their debut full-length album, The Experiment.

Free download of their song at Girlie Action:

Their ongoing tour dates:

VIEUX FARKA TOURE
vieuxfarkatoure.com

Vieux Farka Touré will be returning to the US, tour starts in about nine days from now.

The tour is for his third studio album, The Secret (which came out May 24th via Six Degrees Records). Free download of “Aigna” (feat. Derek Trucks) at bandcamp.

The Los Angeles Times said this about his live performances: “…this is a musician who, in live performance, has clear ideas about where he’s going, and why“.

Tour dates below:

FORT WILSON RIOT
fortwilsonriot.com

I’ve seen this band, both as Ice Palace and as Fort Wilson Riot, they are pretty well-known in the Twin Cities.

The latest news I have on the band is that they are excited to be playing at Ohio’s 10th annual Midpoint Music Festival (MPMF) in mid-September.

You can grab a free song, “For All The Little Things” at mpmf.com. The song was previously seen on Daytrotter, and I’m assuming the song will be available on their forthcoming album.

MERLE HAGGARD
merlehaggard.com

“Outlaw” country music legend, Merle Haggard, will be releasing his latest album, Working in Tennessee on October 4th, 2011, via Vanguard Records.

The album is mostly original Haggard songs, with some covers, including T. J. “Red” Arnall’s “Cocaine Blues” and The Kingston Trio’s “Jackson”, which both songs were made famous by Johnny Cash. I suspect Haggard’s versions will be closer to Cash’s version.

Haggard, who was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2008, continues to sing and perform at retirement age. But he seems to enjoy it: Haggard is quoted about his live shows: “I’m swinging back in full throttle right now. Music keeps me alive. It makes me breathe better. It’s funny, but I feel better when I come off a tour than when I start out.”

Get the free title track, “Working in Tennessee” at vanguardrecords.com.

RACHAEL YAMAGATA
rachaelyamagata.com

I must confess, I have the “the mega-watt hots for Ms. Yamagata“.

Rachael Yamagata’s new album, Chesapeake, was made possible by her fans via PledgeMusic (which is like Kickstarter, but for music). The overwhelming support from her fans total over 150% of her goal. Most of the unique stuff like handwritten lyrics and music sheet were snatched up quickly and autographed setlist going away fast (10 left). I think PledgeMusic and Kickstarter is doing it right with these rare/unique items in addition to the “regular old’” CD.

Chesapeake comes out October 11^th, 2011, her first studio album in three years. Free track “Starlight” is available here.

Plus, she’ll probably be doing her new songs on our upcoming tour:

10/24/11 Portland, ME Port City Music Hall 10/25/11 Burlington, VT Higher Ground Lodge 10/27/11 Isthaca, NY Deliah’s 10/28/11 Northampton, MA Iron Horse 10/30/11 Boston, MA Brighton Music Hall 10/31/11 Philadelphia, PA World Café Live 11/01/11 Washington, DC Birchmere 11/02/11 Baltimore, MD Soundthage 11/04/11 Brooklyn, NY Knitting Factory 11/05/11 Pittsburgh, PA Club Café 11/07/11 Detroit, MI St Andrews Hall 11/08/11 Chicago, IL Logan Square 11/10/11 Milwaukee, WI Turner Ballroom 11/11/11 Minneapolis, MN Fine Line 11/12/11 Davenport, IA Redstone Room 11/14/11 Kansas City, KS Record Bar 11/16/11 Denver, CO Larimer Lounge 11/18/11 Salt Lake City, UT State Room 11/20/11 Spokane, WA A Club 11/21/11 Vancouver, BC Media Club 11/22/11 Seattle, WA Crocodile 11/23/11 Portland, OR Doug Fir		11/25/11 San Francisco, CA Slim’s 11/26/11 Santa Barbara, CA Soho Restaurant 11/28/11 San Diego, CA Casbah 11/29/11 Los Angeles, CA Troubadour 11/30/11 Tuscon, AZ Crescent Ballroom 12/02/11 Austin, TX Parish 12/03/11 Houston, TX Fitzgerald’s Upstairs 12/04/11 Dallas, TX Thee Loft 12/05/11 Tulsa, OK Cain’s Ballroom – 2nd Stage 12/07/11 St. Louis, MO Blueberry Hill 12/08/11 Nashville, TN 12th and Porter 12/09/11 Birmingham, AL Work Play 12/10/11 Atlanta, GA Vinyl 12/12/11 Knoxville, TN Relix Theatre 12/13/11 Charlotte, NC Visulite Theatre 12/15/11 Chapel Hill, NC Local 506 12/16/11 Charlottesville, VA The Southern 12/17/11 Louisville, KY Headliners 12/18/11 Columbus, OH The Basement 12/20/11 Hoboken, NJ Maxwell’s 12/21/11 New York, NY City Winery 12/22/11 New York, NY City Winery

GOODMAN BROWN
goodmanbrown.bandcamp.com

Goodman Brown is a New Jersey indie pop. Don’t really know much about the band, they seem like a fairly new band, with their debut album, Moon Digby, released last year.

They have a two-track free EP at bandcamp.com

As you can see from the crap cover (censored) artwork, the actual name is F***! It’s Free!!, but they’re calling it simply, Free-P. Tour dates below.

THE STROKES
thestrokes.com

Finally, if you haven’t already downloaded the tribute album, STROKED, it is available as a free download at stereogum.com.

Personally, I love The Strokes’ debut album, Is This It, released ten years ago on July 30th, 2001. It came at a time when bands weren’t doing this sort of rock music, like it was from the 70s and Julian Casablancas’ laid back vocal stylings.

There was a moment when I was stuck in Chicago, and I got into a van full of young people and they put on Is This It, and we were all singing the song from start to finish! It wasn’t a very long album, but what gets me is how we all knew each song’s lyrics and happily sung along to it. There are very few albums that we can love every song.

vu () ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ podcast.weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com/weheartmusic

It’s Friday and I’m taking it easy, I thought I’d tell you about 4onthefloor.

I accidentally met these guys in 2009, at their start of the band, before they even had a myspace page (they refused to get one for a long time). They even had various spelling of “Four on the Floor”, and now, it seems they’ve established themselves.

They’re really blowing up around the Twin Cities, appearing on The City Pages, Star Tribune, and recently opened up for Willie Nelson!

If you’ve ever seen them live, they’re called “four on the floor” for the obvious reason of the four kick drums. Their songs have a great rhythm and they’re catchy.

They’re playing tomorrow at the Pizza Luce Block Party - I might bike in if it’s not raining.

I saw Gabe Douglas (singer) on August 2nd, he did a brief acoustic set. Didn’t take notes, but there were quite a few covers done, including Train’s “Hey Soul Sister”.

Gabe Douglas @ House Party (08/02/11)

vu () ♥ 4otf.com