April Smith And The Great Picture Show Listening Party On Spinner

Songs For A Sinking Ship, the new record from April Smith And The Great Picture Show was released earlier today. The sassy and fun record is being featured on Spinner.com. So, for those of you who haven't heard it, you can listen to the album in its entirety via Spinner's listening party. And, as a treat, you can grab the opening track from the self-released record, "Movie Loves A Screen" in the MP3 Grab below.

And New York, you should head on over to Mercury Lounge on March 10 to catch April Smith And The Great Picture Show live!

Songs For A Sinking Ship Listening Party

Tour Dates

• 2/24: Crocodile Cafe---Seattle, WA #
• 2/25: Knitting Factory---Spokane, WA #
• 2/27: Urban Lounge---Salt Lake City, UT #
• 2/28: Larimer Lounge---Denver, CO #
• 3/10: Mercury Lounge---New York, NY
• 3/13: Rock N Roll Hotel---Washington D.C. *
• 3/15: The Earl---Atlanta, GA *
• 3/19: Ale House (SXSW)---Austin, TX
• 3/22: Off Broadway Nightclub---St. Louis, MO
• 3/23: Schuba's---Chicago, IL
• 3/24: Beachland Ballroom---Cleveland, OH
• 3/25: Club Cafe---Pittsburgh, PA
• 4/11: WVU Creative Arts Center (NPR Mountain Stage)---Morgantown, WV

# w/ Fanfarlo
* w/ Here We Go Magic

MP3 Grab: "Movie Loves A Screen"

www.aprilsmithmusic.com
www.myspace.com/aprilsmithmusic
twitter.com/aprilsmithmusic

Speak Release Video + MP3 & SXSW Dates

Electro-pop group Speak have a new music video out for their song "Carrie (Mindfull)." Blender.com premiered the video this week. The song, is from Speak's new record, Hear Here (or Speak - EP as it's listed on iTunes) which came out on February 9. You can grab the MP3 for "Carrie (Mindfull)" and check out the video, both below.

Gaining momentum, SPEAK is poised to take their hometown Austin by storm this March with 2 scheduled SXSW performances and more to be announced. Make sure to check out their official showcase as well as our very own Sneak Attack showcase with Twin Tigers, Jukebox The Ghost, and more!

• March 17th - SXSW Official Showcase @ Encore
• March 19th - Sneak Attack / Coast 2 Coast Day Show

MP3 Grab: "Carrie (Mindfull)"

www.myspace.com/hearspeakhere
playingintrafficrecords.com/hearspeakhere

The Morakestra To Release Special Edition 7" Vinyl + Video & MP3

The Morakestra have released a new video for their song "Tell You Something." It was directed by Tao Ruspoli and features Megalyn Echikunwoke of CSI Miami. The song is the second track from their Witness To Connection album that was released last summer. You can grab the song below.

In addition to the video, the band will be releasing a special-edition 7" vinyl of their Witness To Connection album. The vinyl edition will be released March 16.

Tour Dates:

• 2/26 – Phoenix, AZ @ Alice Cooperstown
• 3/19 – Austin, TX @ Scholz Garten – Texas Music Magazine Party
• 4/1 – Las Vegas, NV @ Beauty Bar
• 4/2 – Los Angeles, CA @ CU-USC
• 4/3 – West Hollywood, CA @ Viper Room

MP3 Grab: “Tell You Something”

www.myspace.com/themorasband
www.morakestra.com

Freelance Whales Release Debut Single "Generator 2nd Floor"

Freelance Whales are set to release their record Weathervanes on March 16 via Frenchkiss/Mom + Records. Check out the debut single, "Generator 2nd Floor," from the album below.

They've got a slew of tour dates coming up. New York, they're playing a sold-out show at Brooklyn's Music Hall of Williamsburg on March 1 with Shout Out Louds. If you don't already have tickets for that one, you'll have to wait until they come back through town. And, as booking would have it, they'll be back on April 13 at Bowery Ballroom.

Tour Dates

• 3/1- Webster Hall - New York, NY (With Shout Out Louds)
• 3/5 - Johnny Brenda’s – Philadelphia, PA
• 3/6 – Rock N Roll Hotel – Washington, D.C
• 3/7 – Local 506 – Chapel Hill, NC
• 3/9 – The End – Nashville, TN
• 3/10 – Pilot Light – Knoxville, TN
• 3/11 – The Earl – Atlanta, GA
• 3/12 – Harvest Of Hope Festival – St. Augustine, FL
• 3/13 – Will’s Pub – Orlando, FL
• 3/14 – The Engine Room – Tallahassee, FL
• 3/16 – Mango’s – Houston, TX
• 3/22 – The Rhythm Room – Phoenix, AZ
• 3/23 – The Casbah – San Diego, CA
• 3/24 – The Echo – Los Angeles, CA
• 3/25 – Bottom Of The Hill – San Francisco, CA
• 3/28 – Crocodile Café – Seattle, WA
• 3/29 – The Biltmore Cabaret – Vancouver, BC
• 3/31 – Kilby Court – Salt Lake City, UT
• 4/1 – Hi Dive – Denver, CO
• 4/2 – Replay Lounge – Lawrence, KS
• 4/3 – Turf Club - St. Paul, MN
• 4/4 – Schuba’s – Chicago, IL
• 4/6 – El Mocambo Club – Toronto, ON
• 4/7 – Il Motore – Montreal, QB
• 4/8 – The Middle East – Boston, MA

MP3 Grab: "Generator 2nd Floor"

www.MySpace.com/TheFreelanceWhales
www.freelancewhales.com

Portugal. The Man To Release American Ghetto 3/2

Portugal. The Man will be releasing their new record, American Ghetto on March 2. The upcoming record is the bands follow-up to their 2009 release, The Satanic Satanist. You can download "The Dead Dog" from the new album using the handy widget below.

In the words of singer John Gourley:

"As much as it was discussed, we honestly feel that 'American Ghetto' is something best left for all of you to do with as you please. On March 2nd we will make this record available to you, press, radio, retail, etc. Nobody gets the record early; we will not be soliciting reviews, airplay or any support from the industry. It is up to you to tweet about #americanghetto or to share or to send friends to buy. If you want to write/blog/play 'American Ghetto,' March 2nd is your opportunity. It will be the same for everyone."

(To read singer Gourley's full release, click HERE)

Tour Dates

• 02.24.10 - The Aquarium Fargo, ND
• 02.25.10 - Varsity Theatre Minneapolis, MN
• 02.26.10 - Lincoln Hall Chicago, IL
• 02.27.10 - The Gargoyle St. Louis, MO
• 03.03.10 - House of Blues Dallas, TX
• 03.04.10 - Warehouse Live Houston, TX
• 03.05.10 - The Parish Austin. TX
• 03.06.10 - The Parish Austin. TX
• 03.09.10 - Common Grounds Gainesville, FL
• 03.10.10 - Crowbar Ybor City, FL

portugaltheman.net
www.myspace.com/portugaltheman
twitter.com/portugaltheman

Foxy Shazam To Play SXSW & Release New Record

Ohio rockers Foxy Shazam will be playing Spin magazine's SXSW party at Stubb's on Friday, March 19. They'll play the annual party alongside Hole, Sharon Jones, Rogue Wave among others. Attendees will hear a preview of the bands upcoming, self-titled, major label debut release. The album, is scheduled for release on April 13 via Sire Records. Check out the video trailer for their song "Unstoppable" from the upcoming record below.

If you're not heading down to SXSW, there's no need to fret New Yorkers. They will be paying us a visit on March 29 when they take the stage at The Studio at Webster Hall. They'll also take a trip across the bridge to Brooklyn where they will play the Knitting Factory on March 31.

"Unstoppable" Trailer

www.myspace.com/foxyshazam

Video: Nico Vega - "Gravity"

Rockers Nico Vega have released a video for their song "Gravity," from their self-titled album Nico Vega. The video was directed by horror movie director Marcus Dunstan. Check it out below.

Nico Vega - Gravity

Nico Vega | MySpace Music Videos

Update: YouTube version added 2/26/10 for readers who are unable to view MySpace videos.

www.nicovega.com
www.myspace.com/nicovega
twitter.com/nicovega

Around New York ... February 22 - February 28, 2010

Upcoming shows in the New York area ...

February 23 - 28 -- Joe Lovano "Us FIVE" (pictured) w/Esperanza Spalding at Village Vanguard
www.villagevanguard.com
February 24 -- The Subjects / Arms / Uninhabitable Mansions / Frances at The Bell House
www.thebellhouseny.com
February 24 -- Electric Tickle Machine / Hooray For Earth / The Creeeps at Cake Shop
cake-shop.com
February 25 -- Via Audio / Pattern Is Movement at Union Hall
www.unionhallny.com
February 25 -- Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears at Bowery Ballroom
www.boweryballroom.com
February 26 -- Radical Sons / Red Pens / Right On Dynamite at Pianos
www.pianosnyc.com
February 26 -- North Mississippi Allstars / City Champs at Highline Ballroom
www.highlineballroom.com
February 26 -- Lisa Bianco at Arlene's Grocery
www.arlenesgrocery.net
February 26 -- Astrid Pierce / Clusterfuck at Cameo Gallery
www.myspace.com/cameogallery
February 27 -- Ha Ha Tonka / Zigmat / Mia Riddle at Union Pool
www.myspace.com/unionpool
February 27 -- The Sadies at Mercury Lounge
www.mercuryloungenyc.com
February 28 -- Wild Beasts / Violens / Still Life Still (pictured) at Music Hall of Williamsburg
www.musichallofwilliamsburg.com

Seabear Prepare For North American Tour Dates + Video

Icelandic band Seabear have an upcoming record, We Built A Fire, coming out. It is scheduled for release on March 5. In celebration of the upcoming album and tour, they've made a video for their song, "I'll Build You A Fire." It was directed by Mani Sigfússon, brother of Seabear's Sindri Már Sigfússon. Check out the video below.

New York Seabear will make two stops here while they're touring. They'll be at Mercury Lounge on March 25 on the LES and at Brooklyn's Southpaw on March 26.

"I'll Build You A Fire"

Tour Dates:

• Wed. Mar 17: Austin, TX @ SXSW
• Thu. Mar 18: Austin, TX @ SXSW
• Fri. Mar 19: Austin, TX @ SXSW
• Tue. Mar 23: Washington, DC @ Black Cat backstage
• Wed. Mar 24: Philadelphia, PA @ Kung Fu Necktie
• Thu. Mar 25: New York, NY @ Mercury Lounge
• Fri. Mar 26: Brooklyn, NY @ Southpaw
• Sun. Mar 28: Cambridge, MA @ TT the Bear's
• Tue. Mar 30: Montreal, QC @ L'escogriffe
• Wed, Mar 31: Toronto, ON @ Horseshoe Tavern
• Thu. Apr 01: Cleveland, OH @ Grog Shop
• Fri. Apr 02: Chicago, IL @ Schuba's

www.myspace.com/seabear

Shout Out Louds Get Remixed By Passion Pit

Swedish group Shout Out Louds are showing fans some love by giving away a free MP3. The goodie, "Fall Hard (Passion Pit Summertime Radio Remix)." The non-remixed version of the song is the first single from their upcoming album, Work, which will be released on Merge Records, February 23.

And if you need a live fix of Shout Out Louds, they'll be here in New York. They're playing on March 1 in Brooklyn at Music Hall of Williamsburg. If you don't already have tickets for that one, you're out of luck, it's sold out. But, you can still catch them at Webster Hall on May 5.

Work is the band's third album and second for Merge. It was recorded in Seattle and produced by Phil Ek (The Shins, Fleet Foxes, Band of Horses). After a year of touring behind their acclaimed second record, Our Ill Wills, the band went their separate ways -- singer/main songwriter Adam Olenius to Melbourne, Australia, keyboard/vocalist Bebban Stenborg to Los Angeles, drummer Eric Edman, bassist Ted Malmros and guitarist Carl von Arbin back to Stockholm - and took a much needed break. Olenius wrote many of the new songs in Australia in a tiny room, with a little synthesizer, an acoustic guitar and Garageband on his laptop. He passed them on to the others who listened closely from their corners of the world, questioning and challenging him until the songs that make up Work had all passed the test.

Check out the video for "Fall Hard" below. It was directed by Shout Out Louds bass player Ted Malmros and his brother Tom Malmros.

Shout Out Louds - Fall Hard from Merge Records on Vimeo.

Tour Dates:

• 01 Mar - New York / Brooklyn, Music Hall of Williamsburg SOLD OUT!
• 02 May - Washington, 9:30 Club
• 03 May - Philadelphia, First Unitarian Church
• 05 May - New York, Webster Hall
• 06 May - Boston, Paradise
• 07 May - Montreal, Cabaret Music Hall
• 08 May - Toronto, Mod Club
• 10 May - Chicago, Lincoln Hall
• 11 May - Minneapolis, Varsity Theater
• 14 May - Vancouver, Commodore Ballroom
• 15 May - Seattle, Neumos
• 16 May - Portland, Doug Fir
• 18 May - San Francisco, Great American Music Hall
• 21 May - Los Angeles, El Rey

MP3 Grab: "Fall Hard (Passion Pit Summertime Radio Remix)"

www.shoutoutlouds.com
www.myspace.com/shoutoutlouds