Monday, May 24, 2010

GOLDFRAPP NEW SINGLE "ALIVE" OUT JUNE 8TH


“ALIVE” VIDEO PREMIERS ON VEVO.COM MAY 20 2010


JUNE TOUR DATES ANNOUNCED

JUNE 21
WASHINGTON, DC – 9:30 CLUB

JUNE 23
NEW YORK, NY – HAMMERSTEIN BALLROOM

JUNE 26
OAKLAND, CA – FOX THEATER

JUNE 27
LOS ANGELES, CA – HOLLYWOOD BOWL



British pop pioneers Goldfrapp release their brand new single “Alive” through Mute on June 8th 2010.

A joyous summer rush of anthemic escapism, “Alive”, written and produced by band mates Alison Goldfrapp and Will Gregory, follows “Rocket” as the second single to be taken from the duo’s fifth album Head First, which Rolling Stone described as “Absorbing the ethereal atmosphere of Giorgio Moroder’s Cat People soundtrack and the skeletal fuzz-bluster of Suicide’s 1977 melancholy synth-punk blueprint “Cheree”, Head First has an edge that’s softer, warmer and dreamier...”

The single, with mixes by Joakim, Tensnake, Dave Audé, and Arno Cost, is accompanied by a new video directed by the creative studio, Legs. In the video Pitchfork calls “genius”, watch an enchanting Alison Goldfrapp captivate the underworld with spandex-clad sidekicks. The video for “Alive” premiered on Vevo’s homepage on May 20th 2010. Watch it HERE.

Goldfrapp will take Head First to select US cities this summer - following the massive acclaim for both the Supernature and Seventh Tree tours and festival appearances around the world, Goldfrapp have underlined their reputation as one of the most transcendent and inventive live bands around.

Head First is Goldfrapp's most powerful trip to date, a speedy rush of synth optimism, euphoria, fantasy and romance. With life affirming lyrics and stellar production it lifts off at full tilt and takes us on a journey to the heart of 2010.

The diversity, ambition and direction of the new album continues to highlight Goldfrapp as true agenda-setters and modern British musical icons. Head First follows the critically acclaimed Seventh Tree, and is the latest in a brilliantly consistent body of work - from the captivating electronic balladry of Mercury nominated debut Felt Mountain and its distorted-dancefloor follow-up, Black Cherry to the glitterball glamour of Supernature which came out in summer 2005 and went on to sell over a million copies worldwide.

“Alive” track list:
1. Alive (Album Version)
2. Alive (Joakim NRG Dub)
3. Alive (Tensnake Remix)
4. Alive (Dave Audé Club Dub)
5. Alive (Arno Cost Remix)

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Yummy new vid from INTERIORS!


The new music video from Portland band, Interiors. The song, "Hot Water" is off their debut album - Darkness, Can You Save Our Dying Planet?

Monday, May 17, 2010

FRONT LINE ASSEMBLY Ready to Release Improvised. Electronic. Device. on June 22, 2010


Photo credit: Troy Sobotka

FRONT LINE ASSEMBLY
Bill Leeb (keyboards, vocals), Jeremy Inkel (keyboards),
Chris Peterson (keyboards) and Jared Slingerland (guitar)


NEW YORK, NY - Always expanding and reconstructing electronic and industrial music to its breaking point while keeping rhythm and melody intact, FRONT LINE ASSEMBLY are preparing to unleash the latest chapter in their storied history with the release of IMPROVISED. ELECTRONIC. DEVICE. on June 22, 2010 on Metropolis Records. "I.E.D. is definitely furthering the direction of the band and sound, creatively and artistically," explains founder and mastermind behind FLA, Bill Leeb. "We're finding new ways to make sound."

A hearty and robust album thick with a hybrid of electronics and guitars, I.E.D. takes their trademark sound and beefs it up with metallic guitars and stylized industrial beats. Kicking off with the adrenaline-infused title track, it's apparent that this is a new and improved FLA. "This is the first time in Front Line history that we did a track in a 5/4 signature," explains Bill. "Chris [Peterson, keyboards] was pushing for more diversity, challenging the band to do something different. We wanted this track to be as challenging and complex as the world we live in as there are no easy answers." From the electronic bounce of "Hostage" to the dark metal of "Release" to the ambient and atmospheric closing track, "Downfall," I.E.D. is an album rife with the FLA's brand of intelligent dance music. The first single "Shifting Through the Lens" is the most danceable track FLA has created in the last decade and came together quite naturally. "Jeremy [Inkel, keyboards] came up with the original sequence for the verse and chorus and, right away, I really liked what I heard," Bill explains. "It really brings together a lot of the different aspects of industrial and electronic that we all like." The inimitable Al Jourgensen (Ministry, Revolting Cocks) guests on the sonic industrial onslaught of "Stupidity," which Bill describes as, "inspired by the Ministry album The Last Sucker. Jeremy was on tour with his other band Left Spine Down supporting RevCo and he get to know Al really well. We're really excited to have him on it!" Adds Jeremy, "Not only did Al agree to do the vocals, but he got his hands dirty with the production and mixed the whole song in his studio in El Paso."

Formed in 1986 when Bill left Skinny Puppy, FLA are still as vital and energetic as ever. With US and European tours planned for Summer and Fall 2010, they're gearing up for their legendary epic live performances. "We're quite excited [to tour]," Bill adds. "We feel we have grown as a band over the last four years. We really feel this new album will sound great live and can't wait to get out there and be creative with it!"

Front Line Assembly is Bill Leeb (keyboards, vocals), Jeremy Inkel (keyboards), Chris Peterson (keyboards) and Jared Slingerland (guitar). Improvised. Electronic. Device. will be released via Metropolis Records on June 22, 2010.

Improvised. Electronic. Device.
track listing
1. "I.E.D."
2. "Angriff"
3. "Hostage"
4. "Release"
5. "Shifting Through The Lens (Edit)"
6. "Laws Of Deception"
7. "Pressure Wave"
8. "Afterlife"
9. "Stupidity" (Featuring Al Jourgensen)
10. "Downfall"

OZOMATLI addresses gay rights with 'Gay Vatos in Love'

Ozomatli video for “Gay Vatos In Love” > http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6pe3LUL5Z4

Celebrated Los Angeles culture-mashers Ozomatli are back with a new album and a new label, Fire Away, out now on Mercer Street Records / Downtown Records.

Fire Away features the band’s Grammy Award winning mix of hip hop and salsa, dancehall and cumbia, samba and funk, merengue and comparsa, East LA R&B and New Orleans second line, Jamaican ragga and Indian raga. Fire Away is arguably Ozomatli’s most diverse album yet, ranging from the emotionally resplendent ballads “It’s Only Time” and “Love Comes Down,” to the 60’s Stax influenced vibe of “45” and the Spanglish of “Nadas Por Free”.

But Fire Away also includes one of the more controversial songs Ozomatli has ever penned in the band’s 15 year history, “Gay Vatos In Love”. The inspirations for the song include the protests revolving around Prop 8 in California, and the murder of a transgender teen, Angie Zapata, who was beaten to death in Greeley, Colorado in July of 2008.

Some may raise eyebrows that a group with no gay members would address same sex unions, but the subject matter doesn’t seem so contentious in the hands of a band with a longstanding mission of peace and tolerance. The Los Angeles Times recently noted “...the iconic fusion band whose sound is seen as representative of multicultural Los Angeles is arguably taking one of its most politically daring steps this year. The track that celebrates same-sex relationships -- and also deals with gay violence and denial...”

Ozomatli guitarist / vocalist Raul Pacheco poses a simple question, “Do you believe that everyone deserves love? Even gay vatos?” Pacheco quickly adds, “Yes, for sure. It is always a good time to challenge our own notions and boundaries of what can be. Especially in the ever present natural need and quest for love. We say, let every person have the right to choose who and how they love one another.”

Percussionist Jiro Yamaguchi asserts that the song “is not tongue in cheek, it’s a very beautiful love song. It’s a song about equal rights, it’s a song about questioning violence against people.” Ozomatli vocalist Asdru Sierra comments, “all that this community is asking for is the same rights, the same civil rights, that everyone else gets if you fall in love,” adding, “...if our fans dig it or don’t dig it, I’d love to hear it”.

Ozo’s Ulises Bella contends, “it has to come from a place of seriousness and reality... the connection of all our struggles together whether it’s the woman’s movement, African American movement, Chicano movement, Asian movement - you name it - our struggles are very much connected and it’s that point of seeing the connection that I think is very important for us to try to bring to light”.

Pacheco says, “I’m proud that [Ozomatli] are able to play it for people who don’t even want to hear it.” He adds, “it’s a message of just being yourself.”

GAY VATOS IN LOVE LYRICS:

Gaby and Mando walking through the park
Looking for love in protection of the dark
Club Cobra, a temple in the night,
The more I hear of Morrissey, the more I feel alright

(Chorus) Gay Vatos in Love

Javi and Kique with their girlfriends in the car
Fronting on Crenshaw knowing who they are
Juan Gabriel says, “amor es amor”
But Angie Zapata is lying on the dance floor

(Chorus) Gay Vatos in Love

If the world can’t understand
Stand by your man!

Ozomatli’s “Gay Vatos In Love” video was shot by Nick Reiber, and the still images of LGBT couples in were graciously supplied by HONOR FUND, a Los Angeles based non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the rights and freedoms of the Latino LGBT community through leadership development, advocacy, and public education.

2009 proved to be a busy year for Ozomatli, serving as US cultural ambassadors with a US sponsored State Department trip that included Ozomatli community outreach and performances in Myanmar, Vietnam, and Thailand. The band was also honored to play for President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama at the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute’s 32nd Annual Award Gala, held in Washington DC in September.

2010 looks to continue Ozomatli’s feverish pace. In addition to taking their incendiary live show on the road in support of Fire Away; March featured two shows at the SXSW Festival in Austin, May has already included a collaboration with the Boston Pops Orchestra for the 125th Pops Anniversary Celebration, and the band will once again be serving as US Cultural Ambassadors with a State Department trip to China and Mongolia in late May and early June.

http://www.ozomatli.com/
http://www.honorpac.org

GIANT PANDA GUERILLA DUB SQUAD LIVE UP!




New York Band's Live Album Debuts at #2 on iTunes Reggae Chart


Jacksonville, FL - On Friday, May 28th, Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad performs at Jack Rabbits. The quartet recently completed a month-long U.S. tour with G. Love & Special Sauce. GPGDS will be performing at numerous festivals this summer including Wakarusa, Nateva, All Good, and GrassRoots. Their new album LIVE UP! was released on November 24th; it debuted at number two on iTunes' Reggae Chart. www.giantpandadub.com

LIVE UP! is a selection of high-quality, previously unreleased live recordings, hand picked by Rochester NY's psychedelic reggae road warriors. The independently released album's 11 tracks were selected from five different concerts in 2008 and 2009.

Giant Panda has played 500 shows in the past three years, touring relentlessly and developing a widespread grassroots following. The group has performed at premier venues and festivals across the U.S. including Red Rocks and Rothbury. LIVE UP! exemplifies the tight musicianship and dynamic live show experience GPGDS is known for. The album was produced and mixed by the band's sound engineer and show archivist Joel Scanlon. It complements their debut studio release Slow Down (2006).

LIVE UP! is the closing statement of Giant Panda's former six-piece lineup, as they are now forging ahead as a quartet.

"The reality of this band is that we're always evolving - musically, spiritually, and within our own circle," says GPGDS bassist James Searl. "LIVE UP! documents the sound and chemistry that six people shared with each other and crowds around the nation. We're excited about the future as a quartet, and eager to explore new territories."

Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad is currently on tour and has already begun working on material for a new studio album.

Friday, May 28 @ Jack Rabbits

Doors: 8:00 PM
All Ages
$12 adv / $15 day of

Opening band: Greenhouse Lounge

1528 Hendricks Ave
Jacksonville, FL 32207
www.jackrabbitsonline.com
904-398-7496


www.giantpandadub.com
www.facebook.com/giantpandadub
www.myspace.com/giantpandadub
www.youtube.com/giantpandadub

Tour Dates
May 14 - Ithaca, NY - Castaways
May 19 - Providence, RI - Lupo's Heartbreak Hotel
May 20 - Philadelphia, PA - Trocadero
May 22 - Washington DC - 9:30 Club
May 23 - Richmond, VA - The National
May 25 - Blacksburg, VA - Attitudes
May 26 - Charlotte, NC - Visulite Theatre
May 27 - Charleston, SC - Pour House
May 28 - Jacksonville, FL - Jack Rabbits
May 29 - Orlando, FL - The Social
May 30 - Fort Lauderdale, FL - Culture Room
May 31 - St. Petersburg, FL - Local 662
June 01 - Tallahassee, FL - Engine Room
June 03 - Birmingham, AL - WorkPlay
June 06 - Ozark, AR - Wakarusa
June 10 - Boston, MA - Paradise Rock Club
June 11 - Portland, ME - Port City Music Hall
June 12 - Newmarket, NH - Stone Church
June 19 - Ellicottville, NY - Jam-Boree Festival
June 24 - New York, NY - Rocks Off Concert Cruise
June 26 - Ludlow, VT - Okemo Mountain Resort
July 02 - Sterling, NY - Sterling Stage
July 03 - Oxford, ME - Nateva Festival
July 09 - Masontown, WV - All Good Music Festival
July 10 - Niagara Falls, NY - Hard Rock Cafe
July 17 - Warsaw, NY - Upstate Boogie Music Festival
July 22 - Trumansburg, NY - GrassRoots Festival
July 29 - Roanoke, VA - Martin's Downtown
July 30 - Lignum, VA - Mustock
Aug 12 - Westerly, RI - Paddy's Beach
Aug 14 - North Creek, NY - Music By The River

MAJOR LAZER ANNOUNCES NEW EP, LAZERS NEVER DIE, COMING JULY 20th!

NEW TRACKS FEATURING M.I.A. AND COLLIE BUDDZ, REMIXES FROM THOM YORKE, BURAKA SOM SISTEMA & MORE

MAJOR LAZER'S GUIDE TO DAGGERING STARRING SKERRIT BWOY, WORLD PREMIERE


Armed to the teeth with island swagger and airhorns in abundance, the dynamic duo of Diplo and Switch return as Major Lazer with a new EP, Lazers Never Die out July 20th! Unsurprisingly, they're again joined by an army of A-list collaborators and remixers. The title is a testament; the EP, to be released by Mad Decent/Downtown/Interscope , succeeds in its intent to stoke the flames that were ignited with Guns Don't Kill People, Lazers Do, their much-lauded 2009 full-length debut.

The product of ceaseless global touring and countless hours at the infamous Tuff Gong studios in Kingston, Jamaica, Lazers Never Die looks beyond the dancehall riddims of their debut and focuses on an authentic, instrument-driven dancehall approach. Chief-cosigner Collie Buddz is in attendance for the brand-new "Good Enough", while longtime collaborator M.I.A. does her thing on the appropriately-titled opening track, "Sound of Siren". Bangers from their first release are reinterpreted by a wide swathe of talent including international dance heroes Buraka Som Sistema as well as Thom Yorke, whose disparate, pseudo dub-step leanings add a welcome melancholy tinge to the spastic "Jump Up".

You've been warned - Major Lazer is coming for you! See below for upcoming Major Lazer shows across the globe. Not sure you've got the right moves for one of the greatest live spectacles you'll see all year? Check the world premiere of Major Lazer's Guide to Daggering starring Skerrit Bwoy.

WATCH MAJOR LAZER'S GUIDE TO DAGGERING STARRING SKERRIT BWOY ON THE FADER
http://www.thefader.com/2010/05/10/premiere-skerritt-bwoys-daggering-instructional-video/

LAZERS NEVER DIE TRACKLISTING
1. Sound of Siren [featuring M.I.A. and Busy Signal]
2. Good Enough [featuring Collie Buddz and Lindi Ortega]
3. Bruk Out (Buraka Som Sistema Mix)
4. Can't Stop Now (K.L.A.M. Remix feat. Miss Banks)
5. Jump Up (Thom Yorke Remix)


MAJOR LAZER ON THE ROAD:

May 28 Primavera Sound Barcelona
July 18 Pitchfork Festival Chicago, IL
August 7 HARD Summer Los Angeles, CA
August 29 Creamfields London
August 30 Carnival Notting Hill
September 5 Electric Zoo New York, NY


LAZERS NEVER DIE
www.majorlazer.com
www.myspace.com/majorlazer
www.twitter.com/majorlazer

MASSIVE ATTACK WILL PERFORM ON U.S. TV FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER WITH FREE OUTDOOR CONCERT ON ABC’S “JIMMY KIMMEL LIVE” FRIDAY, MAY 21ST

First North American Tour Since 2006 Started In Toronto Last Week In Support Of New Album Heligoland

(May 13th, 2010 -New York, NY) – Legendary duo Massive Attack who just embarked on their first North American tour since 2006 has announced that they will make their debut U.S. television appearance on ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live” on Friday, May 21st to air at 12:05 a.m./ET . Fans can attend the mini-outdoor concert for free, ticket information is available at http://www.1iota.com/events,4817,Jimmy-Kimmel-Live-MASSIVE-ATTACK-outdoor-mini-concert.html. Massive Attack are currently touring North America in support of their new album Heligoland, which was released in February by Virgin Records. The tour started last week in Toronto and will wrap with a headline performance at this year’s Sasquatch Festival in George, WA on May 30th. Long-time collaborators Martina Topley-Bird and Horace Andy will join Massive Attack on stage during the tour. Martina Topley-Bird will also perform a solo opening set on all dates with Anti Pop Consortium, Neon Indian, MNDR and Nite Jewel supporting on select dates (full schedule below).

Heligoland was released on Feb 9th on EMI’s Virgin Records and debuted at #46 on the Billboard 200, marking the highest U.S. chart position of the duo’s career. An all star cast join founding members Robert Del Naja (3D) and Grand Marshall (Daddy G) on their first studio album in 7 years which includes Damon Albarn, Mazzy Star’s Hope Sandoval, Martina Topley-Bird, Elbow’s Guy Garvey and TV on the Radio’s Tunde Adebimpe. USA Today praises the collaborator’s contributions on ‘Heligoland’ by saying, “They give the gloomy grooves and chilled beats a heartbeat but also step into Massive Attack’s otherworldly sonics with enticingly haunted performances.” Billboard praised the album by saying “Massive Attack’s arsenal has expanded and the resulting onslaught is nothing short of brilliant.” Albarn also plays bass on “Flat Of The Blade” and Keyboards on “Splitting The Atom” while Portishead’s Adrian Utley plays guitar on ‘Saturday Come Slow’. The band also collaborated with DFA’s Tim Goldsworthy on selected tracks. The cover artwork features an original image by Robert Del Naja.

Over the last three years Robert Del Naja has written and produced soundtracks for a number of films and documentaries, including ‘Trouble In The Water’, ’44 Inch Chest’, ‘In Prison My Whole Life’ and ‘Gomorra’, the latter for which he won the David Di Donatello Award for Best Song. Last year Massive Attack won the Outstanding Contribution to British Music Award at the Ivor Novello Awards. In September, Massive Attack headlined this year’s Bestival ahead of their first full UK tour in three years.

For more information on Massive Attack, visit www.massiveattack.com or massive attack wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Massive_Attack

Follow Massive Attack on twitter at www.twitter.com/MassiveAttackUK

Visit Massive Attack tweatre: http://www.heligoland-films.massiveattack.com/


Massive Attack North American Tour Dates:

Date City Venue Direct Support

5/13 Boston, MA House of Blues Neon Indian
5/18 Los Angeles, CA Wiltern Theater MNDR
5/19 Los Angeles, CA Wiltern Theater Anti Pop Consortium
5/20 Los Angeles, CA Wiltern Theater Nite Jewel
5/21 Los Angeles, CA Jimmy Kimmel Live
5/25 San Francisco, CA Warfield Theater Anti Pop Consortium
5/26 San Francisco, CA Warfiled Theater MNDR
5/29 Vancouver, BC Malkin Bowl TBA
5/30 George, WA Sasquatch Festival

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Jana Hunter forms new band, Lower Dens, preps new single, album and tour



Swarming guitar fuzz, bass waves, Jana Hunter's voice, and insistent drum throbs are the core components of Baltimore's Lower Dens. Hunter, sometimes known for intimate, ghost-heavy weird-fi, is now writing and playing with a group that might get filed as new wave, or drone pop, or post-punk. With due deference to her solo work, we're very glad.

The swarming wave-throb, coupled with Hunter's lyrics and redolent, charred voice, wrecks. The band's upcoming record, Twin-Hand Movement, is eleven perfect songs long. From opener "Blue & Silver" (anxiety mounts at a quick clip until the final climactic release) to "Plastic & Powder" (a churning, narcotic slow-burner) to "Hospice Gates" (penultimate album cut, proud weirdo anthem, possible creative zenith), not one is a space-taker. They're rife with the survivalist paranoia you'd expect from residents of a post-urban port hole (and this particular songwriter), crafted methodically and beautifully, and carry you enthusiastically out into the rolling breaks of industrial filth-water.

Lower Dens formed in 2009, when Hunter set about finding a full-time band. They spent the rest of the year sweating in attics and basements, and only stepped out of the shadows to do a quick tour and record. Twin-Hand Movement was recorded by Chris Freeland (ex-Oxes drummer; proprietor of Beat Babies, Baltimore), mixed by Chris Coady (at his DNA, NYC), and mastered by Sarah Register (of the Lodge, NYC and the band Talk Normal.)

They'll tour this summer, first through the US with hometown friends Future Islands and then again and again, and everywhere.


LOWER DENS

5.13 Ocean Springs, MS - Rusty Robots
5.14 New Orleans, LA - The Saint
5.15 Houston, TX - Mango's
5.16 Austin, TX - Club Deville
5.17 Lubbock, TX - Riprocks
5.18 Las Cruces, NM - Equinox
5.19 Phoenix, AZ - Rogue Bar
5.20 San Diego, CA - Tin Can Alehouse
5.21 Los Angeles, CA - Sync Space
5.22 Los Angeles, CA - The Smell
5.24 San Francisco, CA - El Rio (early)
5.25 Eureka, CA - Lil Red Lion
5.26 Portland, OR - Rotture
5.27 Ellensburg, WA - Raw Space
5.28 Olympia, WA - Northern
5.29 Seattle, WA - Sunset Tavern (early)
6.1 Denver, CO - Rhinoceropolis
6.2 Kansas City, MO - The Foundation
6.3 Bloomington, IN - The Bishop
6.5 Chicago, IL - Permanent Records (In-store @ 5pm)
6.5 Chicago, IL - The Hideout
6.6 Detroit, MI - Majestic Cafe
6.7 Toronto, ON - Double Double Land
6.8 Montreal, QC - Green Room
6.9 Burlington, VT - Monkey House
6.10 Dover, NH - Brickhouse
6.11 Boston, MA - Brookline Cable Access
6.12 Brooklyn, NY - Silent Barn
6.13 Baltimore, MD - Penthouse

All shows w/ Future Islands


ld
Lower Dens
Twin-Hand Movement
(Gnomonsong)
Street date: July 20, 2010

1. Blue & Silver
2. Tea Lights
3. A Dog's Dick
4. Holy Water
5. I Get Nervous
6. Completely Golden
7. Plastic & Powder
8. Rosie
9. Truss Me
10. Hospice Gates
11. Two Cocks


LOWER DENS LINKS:
MySpace - http://www.myspace.com/lowerdens