Friday, January 31, 2014

Tristen Releases New Video + NYC Show


Tristen released a video for her song “Catalyst”.  The track is from her album Caves which was released this past October.  Check out the clip below.

Tristen will be doing a show in NYC.  She’ll be down at Mercury Lounge on Tuesday, February 4.  Doors are at 6:30PM and it will cost you $10.  See below for more details.

Tuesday, February 4
217 E Houston Street
New York, NY
Doors: 6:30PM
21+


Tour Dates
FEBRUARY

  • 04 -New York, NY - Mercury Lounge *
  • 06 - Philadelphia, PA - World Cafe *
  • 07 - Vienna, VA - Jammin' Java *
  • 08 - Boston, MA - Brighton Music Hall *
  • 10 - Montreal, QB - Divan Orange *
  • 11 - Toronto, ON - The Drake *


*= w/ Jeremy Messersmith


CAVES was recorded with a hand picked host of A-List Nashville indie-rock session vets, features lush string arrangements written by Tristen herself and laid down with the help of Bright Eyes producer Mike Mogis at his ARC Recording Studios in Omaha, and to achieve an authentic synth-pop sheen, she enlisted famed New Order, Pet Shop Boys and OMD producer Stephen Hague to mix, a pioneer in the field of digital recording.

Thursday, January 30, 2014

Toy - “It’s Been So Long”


Toy released a video for their track “It’s Been So Long” this week.  The clip was directed by Douglas Hart.  The song is from their second album Join The Dots which was released this past December.  Check it out below.


"The video for TOY's It's Been So Long features calibration charts used for everything from testing focus on microscopes and optical movie projectors to the calibration of cathode rays and the accuracy of the US Army Air Force's bomb and gun sights. The video also includes colour reference charts which instruct technicians as to the true nature of black, white and the three primary colours which combine and overlap within optical devices to create every imaginable colour and shade. Often these charts include strange symbols mapped out in mysterious lines, spirals, and solid shapes, some of which look like they belong on the pages of a New Orleans Voodoo curse, or on an Op Art canvas." - Douglas Hart  
TOY are: Tom Dougall (vocals / guitar), Dominic O'Dair (guitars), Maxim Barron (bass / vocals), Alejandra Diez (synths / modulations) & Charlie Salvidge (drums / vocals).

Dr. Dog - “Distant Light”


Dr. Dog debuted their new video for their song “Distant Light” via Stereogum.com this week.  The clip was directed by Aaron Hymes. The track is from their album B-Room.  Check out the clip below.


Tour Dates
  • 1/29/14 - Cabaret Mile-End - Montreal **
  • 1/31/14 - Electric Factory - Philadelphia, PA
  • 2/01/14 - Electric Factory - Philadelphia, PA
  • 2/03/14 - Madison Theatre - Cincinnati, OH **
  • 2/05/14 - Turner Hall - Milwaukee, WI **
  • 2/06/14 - First Avenue - Minneapolis, MN
  • 2/07/14 - First Avenue - Minneapolis, MN **
  • 2/08/14 - Riviera Theatre - Chicago, IL
  • 2/19/14 - Civic Theatre - New Orleans, LA
  • 2/20/14 - Warehouse Live - Houston, TX **
  • 2/21/14 - Stubb's - Austin, TX
  • 2/22/14 - House of Blues - Dallas, TX **
  • 2/24/14 - Crescent - Phoenix, AZ **
  • 2/25/14 - Crescent - Phoenix, AZ **
  • 2/26/14 - The Observatory - Santa Ana, CA **
  • 2/27/14 - Wiltern - Los Angeles, CA **
  • 2/28/14 - Catalyst - Santa Cruz, CA **
  • 3/01/14 - Warfield - San Francisco, CA **
  • 3/03/14 - Crystal Ballroom - Portland, OR **
  • 3/04/14 - Venue - Vancouver, BC **
  • 3/05/14 - Neptune Theater - Seattle, WA **
  • 3/07/14 - Complex - Salt Lake City, UT **
  • 3/08/14 - Boulder Theater - Boulder, CO **
  • 3/10/14 - Liberty Hall - Lawrence, KS **
  • 3/11/14 - Slowdown - Omaha, NE **
  • 3/12/14 - The Pageant - St. Louis, MO **
  • 3/14/14 - 9:30 Club - Washington, DC



** - With Saint Rich

Big Head Todd and the Monsters - “Josephina”


Big Head Todd and the Monsters released a video for their song “Josephina”.  The track is from their upcoming album, Black Beehive which is scheduled to be released on February 4.  Check out the video below.


When Big Head Todd & the Monsters launch their extensive national tour behind Black Beehive in January—which will continue through the summer and hit most major markets—they will be honing the album’s ageless blues along the way, and simultaneously affirming their own longevity. It’s clear that they possess a rare musical wholeness that has not only survived for 25 plus years, but still has them looking forward to creating music together night after night.

Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Fanfarlo To Release New Album In February


London’s Fanfarlo will release their new album, Let’s Go Extinct, on February 11 via Blue Horizon.  Check out the video for the track “Landlocked” below.  The clip was directed by Inga Birgisdóttir

New York, Fanfarlo will be doing a couple of shows here.  On April 22, they'll be at the Bowery Ballroom  on the LES and on April 23, they'll be at Rough Trade over in Brooklyn.



Tour Dates


  • 3/24/14                       San Diego, CA @ House of Blues
  • 3/25/14                       West Hollywood, CA @ Troubadour
  • 3/26/14                       San Francisco, CA @ Great American Music Hall
  • 3/28/14                       Portland, OR @ Dante's
  • 3/29/14                       Vancouver, B.C. @ Venue
  • 3/30/14                       Seattle, WA @ Tractor Tavern
  • 4/1/14                         Salt Lake City, UT @ Urban Lounge
  • 4/2/14                         Denver, CO @ Larimer Lounge
  • 4/4/14                         Kansas City, MO @ Middle of the Map Fest
  • 4/5/14                         St. Louis, MO @ Duck Room at Blueberry Hill
  • 4/7/14                         Minneapolis, MN @ Triple Rock Social Club
  • 4/8/14                         Madison, WI @ High Noon Saloon
  • 4/10/14                       Chicago, IL @ Lincoln Hall
  • 4/11/14                       Columbus, OH @ Skully's Music Diner
  • 4/12/14                       Millvale, PA @ Mr. Smalls Theater
  • 4/14/14                       Detroit, MI @ Shelter
  • 4/16/14                       Toronto, ON @ Lee's Place
  • 4/19/14                       Cambridge, MA @ The Sinclair
  • 4/22/14                       New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom
  • 4/23/14                       Brooklyn, NY @ Rough Trade
  • 4/25/14                       Philadelphia, PA @ Underground Arts
  • 4/26/14                       Washington D.C. @ U Street Music Hall


Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Polly Scattergood - “Subsequently Lost”


Polly Scattergood recently released the new video for her single “Subsequently Lost” which was directed by Tom Payne.  The single is out on March 11 via Mute Records and is taken from her latest album, Arrows.

Directed by Tom Payne, who Polly met at a film night he runs in London, explains: “I've always thought Polly's music had a very strong visual aesthetic to it, I really wanted to bring this out. It was very important to me to collaborate with Polly rather than dictate a narrative and I'm very proud of what we produced with this video”

Scattergood, taking about working with Tom Payne, said “Tom has a great eye, he knows exactly how to capture women and make them feel comfortable which results in very honest footage. Subsequently Lost is very close to my heart, it’s all about striving for something but never quite getting there and ultimately losing your mind. I loved the idea of the juxtaposition of the harsh reality and twisted fantasy, which is why we decided to go from the cinematic widescreen dreamscape asylum, to the close up reality”


Little Earthquake - “Planets”


Check out “Planets” from Australia’s Little Earthquake.  Their EP, Universal Mind, is scheduled for release in April 2014.

Little Earthquake is the brainchild of siblings Mathew and Justin Hyland, keen students of indie pop, embracing rock, electronic and acoustic instruments to bring their quirky electro-pop melodies to life. 

Monday, January 27, 2014

Upcoming: Lee Bains III & The Glory Fires at Shea Stadium on 2/1


Lee Bains III & The Glory Fires, who just signed with Sub Pop Records, will be taking the stage at Shea Stadium on February 1.  Doors are at 8PM, they go on at 11PM and it’ll cost you $10.  See below for more details as well as tour dates.

Saturday, February 1
20 Meadow Street
Brooklyn, NY
Doors: 8PM / Set Time: 11PM
$10

Tour Dates

  • January 23 – Charlotte, NC - The Milestone
  • January 24 – Raleigh, NC – Slim’s
  • January 25 – Durham, NC – Duke Coffeehouse
  • January 26 – Charlottesville, VA – The Southern
  • January 27 – Washington, DC – DC9
  • January 28 – Northampton, MA – The Elevens
  • January 29 – Boston, MA – Great Scott
  • January 30 – Wilmington, DE – Oddity Bar
  • January 31 – Philadelphia, PA – North Star Bar
  • February 1 – New York, NY – Shea Stadium
  • February 3 – Columbus, OH – Woodlands
  • February 4 – Cleveland, OH – Beachland Tavern
  • February 5 – Chicago, IL – Beat Kitchen
  • February 6  - Normal, IL – Firehouse
  • February 7 – Bloomington, IN – Russian Recording
  • February 8 – Nashville, TN – The Basement

Saturday, January 25, 2014

Anna Rose - “Gimme Danger”


Anna Rose released her cover of the Stooges’ “Gimme Danger” earlier this month.  Check it out below.


Anna Rose released her sophomore album, Behold A Pale Horse, in August 2013.  


Friday, January 24, 2014

Shonen Knife To Release New Album This Spring


Shonen Knife will release their new album, Overdrive, on April 16.  The record will be released in North America via Good Charamel Records.  The group will be touring in support of the album with North American dates planned for September/October.

Hank & Cupcakes - “Cocaina”


Hank & Cupcakes released a video for their song “Cocaina” yesterday.  The video was shot almost entirely on their iPhone.  The track is from their upcoming album Cash For Gold which is scheduled for release this summer. Check it out below.


This is the first time we've made a music video completely on our own, we shot almost all of it, edited it - the works! It's another step on our path to creative independence & having the ability to realize our own vision which feels really good. For those wondering about 'The Booty Factory' in the video credit, since we're wearing so many hats at the moment, we came up with a pseudonym which will represent us in everything we do that isn't actually Hank & Cupcakes.

Thursday, January 23, 2014

Everest Cale To Play Pianos TOMORROW, 1/24 + Cover John Lennon


Brooklyn based band Everest Cale will be taking the stage at Pianos tomorrow night, Friday, January 24.  It happens at 11PM and it’ll cost you $10.  See below for more details.

They also recently recorded a cover of John Lennon’s “Mother” which was engineered and mixed by Parks Vallely.  Check it out via the handy widget at the bottom of the post.

Friday, January 24
158 Ludlow Street
New York, NY
Set: 11PM
21+

Upcoming Shows
  • Jan. 24 @ PIANOS, New York City
  • Feb. 22 @ The Grand Victory, Brooklyn, NY
  • March 16 @ Rockwood Music Hall, New York City

Everest Cale released their EP Constellation Choir in October 2013.


Saint Motel - “My Type”


Saint Motel released a video for their single “My Type” earlier this week.  I really dig this song and the Sam Winkler directed clip has earned the ‘video crush’ title here at QNYC headquarters.  Check it out below.

Upcoming: Hannah vs. The Many at The Rock Shop on 1/25


Hannah vs. The Many will be taking the stage over in Brooklyn at The Rock Show.  The show takes place on Saturday, January 25; doors are at 8PM.  See below for more details.

SADfest
Haley Bowery and the Manimals / The LoveHowl / Slick Zombie / J and The 9s
Saturday, January 25
249 4th Avenue
Brooklyn, NY
Doors: 8PM
21+

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Newport Jazz Festival Announces Line-up


The line-up for Newport Jazz Festival presented by Natixis Global Asset Management was announced yesterday.  The festival, which has expanded to three full days, is scheduled to take place August 1 – 3, 2014.

Tickets go on sale Thursday, January 23, at 10:00 am at www.newportjazzfest.org.

2014 Newport Jazz Festival Line-up:

Friday, August 1, 2014, 8:00 pm
International Tennis Hall of Fame, 194 Bellevue Avenue, Newport, RI 02840

  • Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis
  • Dee Dee Bridgewater – To Billie with Love

Friday, August 1, 2014, 11:30 am – 6:00 pm
Fort Adams State Park, 90 Fort Adams Drive, Newport, RI 02840

  • Jon Batiste & Stay Human
  • John Zorn’s Masada Marathon: Dave Douglas, Marc Ribot, Cyro Baptista, Mark Feldman, Erik Friedlander, Ikue Mori, Greg Cohen, Joey Baron, Kenny Wollesen & many others
  • Miguel Zenón Big Band
  • Darcy James Argue’s Secret Society
  • Snarky Puppy
  • Cécile McLorin Salvant
  • Rudresh Mahanthappa – Charlie Parker Project, A World Premier
  • Amir ElSaffar Quintet with Ole Mathisen, John Escreet, Francois Moutin & Dan Weiss
  • Mostly Other People Do The Killing: Steve Bernstein, Jon Irabagon, Dave Taylor, 
  • Brandon Seabrook, Ron Stabinsky, Moppa Elliott & Kevin Shea
  • Berklee Global Jazz Ambassadors
  • University of Rhode Island Newport Jazz Big Band

Saturday, August 2, 2014, 10:30 am – 7:00 pm
Fort Adams State Park, 90 Fort Adams Drive, Newport, RI 02840

  • Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis
  • Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue
  • Dave Holland Prism with Kevin Eubanks, Craig Taborn & Eric Harland
  • Gregory Porter
  • Robert Glasper Experiment
  • SF Jazz Collective: Miguel Zenón, Avishai Cohen, David Sanchez, Robin Eubanks, Warren Wolf, Edward Simon, Matt Penman & Obed Calvaire
  • Cécile McLorin Salvant
  • Brian Blade & The Fellowship Band with Jon Cowherd, Chris Thomas, Melvin Butler & Myron Walden
  • Pedrito Martinez Group featuring Ariacne Trujillo with Alvaro Benavides & Jhaire Sala
  • Dick Hyman, Howard Alden & Jay Leonhart
  • Kurt Rosenwinkel New Quartet
  • Newport Now 60 Band: Anat Cohen, Karrin Allyson, Randy Brecker, Mark Whitfield, Peter Martin, Larry Grenadier & Clarence Penn
  • Umbria Jazz presents Stefano Bollani & Hamilton de Holanda
  • Symposium on Jazz
  • And More …

Sunday, August 3, 2014, 10:30 am – 7:00 pm
Fort Adams State Park, 90 Fort Adams Drive, Newport, RI 02840

  • Bobby McFerrin spirityouall
  • David Sanborn & Joey DeFrancesco with Billy Hart & Warren Wolf
  • Dr. John & The Nite Trippers
  • Gary Burton New Quartet with Julian Lage, Scott Colley & Marcus Gilmore
  • Vijay Iyer Sextet with Graham Haynes, Mark Shim, Steve Lehman, Stephan Crump & Marcus Gilmore
  • Danilo Perez Panama 500 with Ben Street, Adam Cruz & Roman Diaz
  • Django Festival All-Stars featuring Samson Schmitt, Ludovic Beier, Pierre Blanchard, DouDou Cuillerier & Brian Torff
  • Ron Carter Trio with Russell Malone & Donald Vega
  • Lee Konitz Quartet with special guest Grace Kelly
  • Ravi Coltrane
  • The Cookers: Gary Bartz, Billy Harper, Eddie Henderson, David Weiss, George Cables, Cecil McBee & Billy Hart
  • Mingus Big Band
  • The Brubeck Brothers 
  • George Wein & Newport All-Stars with Anat Cohen, Howard Alden, Randy Brecker, Lew Tabackin, Jay Leonhart & Lewis Nash
  • And More …


*Schedule Subject to Change

U.S. Royalty Release Blue Sunshine

DC area band U.S. Royalty released their new album, Blue Sunshine, yesterday.  Though I’d heard most of these songs live, I’d been looking forward to hearing the album as a whole with headphones.  I wrote this a week or so ago off the top of my head, in the wee hours, upon hearing the album stream.  I thought I’d change it between then and release date but, I didn’t.  Perhaps I should have.  It just felt right to give you what I felt upon first listen.

Things kick off with “Into The Thicket” a track full of pretty harmonies and excellent finger picking.  It’s a nice start and is followed by the title track, that for some reason, has drawn the ire of my cat.  

The standout track is the primal and glorious “Lady In Waiting".  Yeah, some of the guitar bits remind me of “Edge Of Seventeen” but, so what...the guitar work on this song is among my favorite on the album.  Seriously, put on some headphones and just listen to the guitar.  If I had to play one track from this album for someone who had never heard U.S. Royalty, this would be the one.  

“Get On Home” contains my favorite bit of lyric on the whole album, possibly of all that they’ve written. ‘Well, I wasted some time ... and I’ve been on the road ... lost a few friends ... no fault of our own ... wasteland of the places I’ve come now to call my home .... and you still reappear in my thoughts and my dreams ... how to distinguish what’s real from my fears ... tender are the moments we realize we’re not alone.’  (I think I got that right!)  This song resonated with me on a personal level more than any other on the record.

Additional highlights, “Valley Of The Sun” and the vaguely creepy, yet superb, “De Profundis”.  The latter is an acoustic instrumental gem. 

As much as I like this album, the are a couple of moments I’m just not feeling.  “South Paradiso”, first of all, for some reason, Neil Diamond pops into my head while listening to it. Anyway... Maybe I'll feel differently live or a year down the line but right now, I need to put that song away and leave it alone.

Then, there’s “Slow Magic”. I'm on the fence on this one.  I'm not sure if I like it or strongly dislike it.  I just know at the moment, there's no in between for me.  One thing I do know, the intro bit (it pops up throughout the song as well), will never grow on me.  It gives me bad 80s flashbacks...please don't make me think about my big hair, bad fashion choices and clown make-up!  I feel like the album should come with a tambourine just so I can play along with this track.  At any rate, this song is what I imagine would happen if 70s era Stevie Nicks had a song-baby with 80s era Stevie Nicks.

"Breathless", I really liked this song when I heard it live.  But...yes there's a but.  Something about the recorded version doesn't feel right to me.  I'm not sure why.  The lyrics are solid and it's well played but, I was left feeling a little, for lack of a better description, let down. Am I the only one that is reminded of Cheap Trick when listening to this one?  Probably.

Overall, Blue Sunshine is a nice, solid body of work.  It's saturated with sounds of the 70s with bold sprinkles of the 80s.  It reminds me of listening to Grandma's three button radio as a kid and The Midnight Special and Don Kirshner's.  The only thing missing is the crackling hiss and pop of vinyl which should be satisfied with their white vinyl version (scheduled to be released mid-February).  It reminds me of all of that while cleverly not sounding dated and crafting something that's all their own.  Where their previous album Mirrors was more raw and sexy, Blue Sunshine is more focused, polished and pop.  And that folks, is just fine with me.

Track List

  • Into The Thicket
  • Blue Sunshine
  • Lady In Waiting
  • Breathless
  • Slow Magic
  • Valley Of The Sun
  • Only Happy In The Country
  • Get On Home
  • South Paradiso
  • De Profundis
  • Two Worlds

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

#whatdatbootydo: The Show at Parkside Lounge on 1/27


Get thy backside down to Parkside Lounge on Monday, January 27 at 8PM for some bootytastic burly-q.  It will cost you $10 or 2 for $15 (bring a friend or three!)  Nina La Voix and the New York School of Burlesque’s mentoring program Driver’s Seat present, #whatdatbootydo: The Show!  See below for more details.

Showing you #whatdatbootydo will be Bombazeen Bean, Brooklyn Irons, Darlinda Just Darlinda, Dottie Dynamo, Essence Revealed and Nina La Voix.  For your go-go delight will be Zoe ZiegfeldIris Ex Plosion will be your hostess.  

It's happening and you should definitely go!  

Monday, January 27
317 E Houston Street
New York, NY
Doors: 7:45 PM / Show: 8 PM
Tickets: 1 for $10; 2 for $15

Monday, January 20, 2014

Upcoming: Sasha Dobson To Play NYC on 1/21 + New EP


Sasha Dobson will be taking the stage at Rockwood Music Hall, Stage 1 on January 21.   It all happens at 9PM.  See below for more details.

Dobson is scheduled to release her new EP, Into The Trees, on January 28.  It was produced by Joel Hamilton.

Tuesday, January 21
196 Allen Street
New York, NY
9PM
Free (one drink minimum)
21+

Track List

  • Big Louise
  • A Thousand Years
  • A Forest
  • The Fix Is In
  • No One Else
  • Black Is The Color Of My True Love’s Hair

“The inspiration for the album was my budding collaboration with Joel Hamilton. Joel and I have pretty eclectic musical taste and influences.  We thought a covers EP could help delve us further into this new world/sound we are creating together. And also to put ourselves in a world of no rules...just see what happens if we let ourselves go.”


Sunday, January 19, 2014

Upcoming: herMajesty at Rockwood Music Hall on 1/20


herMajesty will take the stage at Rockwood Music Hall, Stage 1 this Monday, January 20 at 8PM.  The show coincides with the release of their single, “One By One” which will be available via iTunes on the 20th as well.  The single is from their upcoming EP.

Monday, January 20
196 Allen Street
New York, NY
Doors: 7:45PM
Free (one drink minimum)

Thursday, January 16, 2014

Neneh Cherry - “Everything” + Upcoming Album


Neneh Cherry unveiled her new track, “Everything” recently.  You can check it out below.  Back in October, she announced that she would be releasing her first album of solo music in 18 years.  The upcoming album, Blank Project, is scheduled for release on February 25 via Smalltown Supersound.



Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Marissa Nadler to Play Glasslands on 2/8 + Upcoming Album


Boston based singer Marissa Nadler will take the Glasslands stage on Saturday, February 8.  Doors are at 8PM and it will cost you $12.  See below for more details.  And, if that wasn’t enough for you, she has a new album coming out.  July, is scheduled to be released on Tuesday, February 4.  Check out the track, "Was It A Dream", from the album below.

Amen Dunes / Zachary Cale
Saturday, February 8
289 Kent Avenue
Brooklyn, NY
Doors: 8PM
21+

Recorded at Seattle’s Avast Studio, the album pairs Nadler for the first time with producer Randall Dunn (Earth, Sunn O), Wolves in the Throne Room). Dunn matches Nadler’s darkness by creating a multi-colored sonic palette that infuses new dimensions into her songs. Eyvand Kang’s strings, Steve Moore’s synths,  and Phil Wandscher’s guitar lines escalate the whole affair to a panoramic level of beautiful, eerie wonder.  
Her voice, too, is something to behold here, at once clarion but heavy with the kind of tear-stained emotion you hear on scratchy old country records by Tammy Wynette and Sammi Smith. Long gone are the days when Nadler summoned images of 1960s folk singers who got lost in the woods. She is a cosmic force on “July,” shooting these songs to euphoric highs and heartbreaking lows.
Celebrated for her crystalline soprano, she explores her lower register to profound effect throughout “July,” turning “1923” into a cinematic ode to forlorn love. Strings cradle Nadler’s vocals, cresting in a climax that is somehow vast yet still intimate. If you were to hear only one song from “July” – which would be a shame, by the way – let it be “1923.” It is Nadler in miniature: haunted, elegiac, and epic.

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Neon Trees - “Sleeping With A Friend” + New Album


Neon Trees have released the first single, “Sleeping With A Friend”, from their upcoming album.  Pop Psychology is scheduled to be released on Tuesday, April 22 via Island Def Jam.  Check out the track below.

If you haven’t seen them live, they will be hitting road this spring headlining a North American tour.  Keep an eye out for the announcement of those dates.  The first time I’d heard of Neon Trees was back in 2009 and they were playing a small stage supporting a band I’d gone to see.  Since then, they’ve blown up into a huge multi-platinum group.  Even Mom knows “Everybody Talks”...of course, it was everywhere.


Pop Psychology was recorded throughout 2013 in Cabo San Lucas, Los Angeles, and Provo and was produced and mixed by Tim Pagnotta, who also produced the band's smash hits "Animal" and "Everybody Talks". The new album continues Neon Trees' exploration of new wave, smart pop, and dance music, resulting in their most refined album to date. Pop Psychology boasts infectious alternative synth pop ready for the radio, shower, car and dance floor. 
Tyler Glenn says of Pop Psychology, "The album is so special to me personally because it basically started from a place where I was broken and uninterested in anything to do with music. I had reached a breaking point. For me this record is a celebration, a cry for help, an admission of self doubt, and a revelation of self acceptance.  At the very least, it's a pop record, and to me the purest example of the sound of Neon Trees." 
Neon Trees will kick off 2014 by storming the airwaves with several confirmed television appearances. On Thursday, January 16th, the band will return to Late Night with Jimmy Fallon followed by a performance the next morning on TODAY. On January 22nd, they'll return to The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. This spring Neon Trees will hit the road for a massive headlining North American tour. Dates to be announced shortly.
Neon Trees is Tyler Glenn (lead vocals, keys) Chris Allen (guitars), Branden Campbell (bass), and Elaine Bradley (drums, vocals). 

Monday, January 13, 2014

Francis Harris - “You Can Always Leave”


Francis Harris is scheduled to release his album Minutes of Sleep on February 24 via Scissor and Thread.  He recently released a video for the first single.  The clip was directed by Kenneth James Gibson.  Check out the video below.


2012 marked a pivotal year for the Brooklyn-based producer Francis Harris in which his true potential as a composer, producer and Scissor and Thread label head was revealed. With years of DJing at the world's top clubs and over fifty electronic dance music releases as Adultnapper, Sycophant Slags and lightbluemover to his credit, one might think he had reached the pinnacle of his career, or at least firmly established his niche.  It was then that Harris dropped his Adultnapper alias, stepping to the fore under his given name with his first full length, Leland, an album conceived as a requiem to his father. Francis recently announced the second LP under his real name called Minutes of Sleep, set for a February 24th 2014 on Scissor and Thread. 
The first single "You Can Always Leave" -- featuring trumpet from No Regular Play's Greg Paulus -- was given a gorgeous 8mm video treatment, with the crackling tactile elements of film adding depth to the chilly track. Noisey premiered the Kenneth James Gibson-directed video today, and it can be seen on YouTube here. It's "a haunting, hypnotic electro track from the Brooklyn-based producer that sounds like a cold blast smacking you in the face. The swirling beats of the deeply personal track swallow you up, offering the ideal soundtrack for trudging through the blustery streets."  Previously, Terre Thaemlitz recently provided a hypnotic remix of the track under her DJ Sprinkles name as well. 
On Minutes of Sleep, Francis continues to grapple with the subjects of memory, loss and profound grief that suffused his acclaimed debut Leland. Writing this time in tribute to his mother who sadly passed the following year, he revisits deeply personal territory on with newfound perspective, heightened confidence and a markedly refined approach, yielding a noticeably matured and eloquent statement which transcends sorrowful brooding and rumination. It was through recording Leland that Harris first broke from his decade long preoccupation with solitary electronic music production.


Tracklist:
  • Hems
  • Dangerdream
  • Radiofreeze
  • Lean Back
  • You Can Always Leave
  • Me To Drift
  • What She Had
  • Blues News
  • New Rain
  • Minutes of Sleep
  • Dangerdream (How Che Guevara's Death and Bob Dylan's Life Militarized Brigate Rosse remix by Terre Thaemlitz)