Robert Plant Confirms North American Tour Dates

Robert Plant and Band of Joy announced they will be hitting the road early 2011 for a North American tour. New Yorkers, Plant will be at the Beacon Theatre on January 29. Those of you not in the New York area, check below for dates near you.

Rounder Records is excited to announce that Robert Plant has confirmed a 15-date North American tour. Beginning January 18th in Asheville, NC, this will be the first tour on these shores since the triumphant release of his latest album, Band of Joy, which Rolling Stone magazine in its four-star review called "sweet, elegant folk that still swings like Satan's barn door." The touring band will once again be the same that made the record: Patty Griffin, vocals; Darrell Scott, multi instrumentalist/vocals; Byron House, bass/vocals; Marco Giovino, drums and percussion/vocals, and co-producer Buddy Miller, guitar/vocals. North Mississippi Allstars will be supporting on all the dates.

Tour Dates

January

• 18 Asheville, NC Thomas Wolfe Auditorium
• 19 Pittsburgh, PA Peterson Events Center (University of Pittsburgh)
• 21 Ann Arbor, MI Hill Auditorium
• 22 Toronto, ONT Sony Centre for the Performing Arts
• 25 Boston, MA House of Blues
• 26 Upper Darby, PA Tower Theatre
• 28 Mashantucket, CT MGM Grand Theater at Foxwoods Resort Casino
• 29 New York, NY Beacon Theatre

February

• 1 Washington, DC DAR Constitution Hall
• 2 Raleigh, NC Raleigh Memorial Auditorium
• 4 North Charleston, SC North Charleston Performing Arts Center
• 5 Atlanta, GA Fox Theatre
• 7 Charlotte, NC Ovens Auditorium
• 8 - 9 Nashville, TN War Memorial Auditorium

The Duke Spirit & Levi's Offer Free Download

The Duke Spirit are offering a free download of a new song "Procession," on Levi's Site. Check out the handy widget below. On a side note, I still have my sad face on over having to miss their show at Santos'.

After a triumphant return to NYC this week with a show at Santos Party House, The Duke Spirit played a captivating set at last night’s Levi’s Men's and Women's Spring 2011 Preview party. Fierce and magnetic frontwoman Liela Moss led the band through the bold new songs from their forthcoming album, due out in February on Shangri-La Music, including “Everybody’s Under Your Spell” (available as a free download at www.thedukespirit.com) and “Procession,” which is available as a free download on Levi’s site: http://us.levi.com/home/index.jsp.

Richard Ashcroft To Release New Record In 2011

Richard Ashcroft, the British rocker best known as frontman of The Verve, has signed with Razor & Tie. His upcoming release, The United Nations Of Sound, will be released early 2011 here in The States. The 12-song record was produced by hip-hop producer No I.D. "Are You Ready?," the single, was released last month and is available at your favorite digital outlets. I'm digging this track so I'm looking forward to checking out the upcoming release.

Ashcroft is expected to tour the US in 2011, his first solo trek in six years, to support the album.

"It's an honor to work with someone as esteemed as Richard," said Beka Tischker, Vice President of A&R at Razor & Tie. "Besides being one of the seminal figures of modern British rock music, his music has touched my life. It's the icing on the cake in this business when you get to work with someone who soundtracked important parts of your life."

Songs from The United Nations of Sound are already in great demand and enjoying massive worldwide exposure through television and film placements. The anthemic lead track "Are You Ready?" is featured in Volkswagen's new Jetta ad campaign (viewable here), had been in promos for the 2010 FIFA World Cup Finals and is currently being used in FOX's broadcasts of Major League Baseball's postseason games including the opening of the World Series. Another track, "She Brings Me the Music" was recently featured in NBC's hit series Chuck. The forthcoming Matt Damon sci-fi flick The Adjustment Bureau will include a new song written and performed specifically for the film's opening by Richard and ten-time Oscar-nominated composer Tom Newman. The film will also feature "Are You Ready?" over the closing credits.

"Are You Ready?" is available for purchase on iTunes at this link.

Caught My Ear: The Nico Blues

I was going through my email recently as I'm apt to do on a somewhat reasonably regular basis. A lot of cool and kind people send me info and music which I eventually get around to listening to. I just don't get to listen as quickly as I'd like to ... not enough hours in the day with real life, work, etc.

All of that being said, I opened an email with info on a band called The Nico Blues. They're an indie band from the NY/NJ area. Hey, cool, local music! They released an album, Blame the Boredom, Blame the Basements, this past July. So, I listened. It turns out The Nico Blues are an alternative indie band. They're really fuzzy ... their music that is ... they themselves might be too but I've not encountered them personally to know that tidbit. There's a 90's alt appeal to them. I'd say think Smashing Pumpkins but minus the whininess and the annoyance factor. Ooo, did I offend some Billy C. fans? At any rate, I've been digging what I've heard so far. They're going to be playing a show in Brooklyn at Glasslands Gallery on November 23. Check them out. You might find you've come across a new band to show some love to.

Nico Vega Releases Animated Video

We all know I love Cali rockers Nico Vega. Well, if you didn't, you know now. Anyway, I've been meaning to post this video for a while now but, I got busy. Sorry! It's never too late to post good stuff though! Check out "Million Years" below.

In this animated music video Nico Vega go back in time to a "Crucible" inspired Salem Witch Trial. Will the band's message of freedom and individuality save them from their puritanical captors or will they face the gallows?

Shot entirely with an iPhone 3G and all original artwork by Sascha Ciezata. "Million Years" is off Nico Vega's self titled debut album Nico Vega.

Free Download From Killola

Y'all know I'm a Killola fan. They're an amazingly fun and insane (in the good way, not in the I need a restraining order way) band, especially live. Since the beginning the band has been extra cool about hooking their fans up with free stuff. They haven't changed. Check out the handy widget below and add the acoustic version of "Cracks In The Armor" to your Killola collection.

If you haven't already, check out their latest album Let's Get Associated and well, get associated. Should they happen to be playing near you, I recommend you go see them. They guaranteed pleasure and balls out fun.

Junip To Tour North America

Junip is hitting the road this November. They'll be making a stop in our lovely city on November 24 at Irving Plaza. In case you missed them when they were in the city the last time, want to reminisce or to get you warmed up for the upcoming show(s), Baeble Music was kind enough to film them at The Knitting Factory this summer in Brooklyn. You can check that out HERE.

Composed of Elias Araya, José González, and Tobias Winterkorn, the Swedish trio Junip is hitting the road in support of their full-length Fields. Released via Mute last month, the album has had a bevy of positive adjectives attached to it.

In conjunction with their upcoming tour Junip is teaming up with retro-photo iPhone app Hipstamatic for a photo contest themed on the title of the album Fields. Contestants are encouraged to be creative and shoot their own interpretation of FIELDS (i.e. a field of wheat, magnetic fields). The Grand Prize includes a Crosley turntable, Junip merch, Mute vinyl pack, Skullcandy headphones, Hipstamatic prizepak, Stance socks, Neff Headwear, Hard Candy iPhone case and VonZipper sunglasses. For more details and to enter visit: http://community.hipstamatic.com/contests/21

November Tour Dates

• 1 – Philadelphia, PA – World Café Live
• 2 – Boston, MA – Royale
• 4 – Montreal, QC – Belmont
• 5 – Toronto, ON – Lee’s
• 6 – Chicago, IL – Lincoln Hall
• 7 – Minneapolis, MN – Cedar Cultural Center
• 10 – Seattle, WA – Neumo’s
• 11 – Vancouver, BC – Neumo’s
• 12 – Portland, OR – Doug Fir
• 13 – San Francisco, CA – Independent
• 14 – Los Angeles, CA – Music Box
• 16 – Phoenix, AZ – Rhythm Room
• 18 – Austin, TX – Mohawk
• 19 – Huston, TX – Fitzgerald’s Downstairs
• 20 – Baton Rouge, LA – Spanish Moon
• 21 – Atlanta, GA – The Earl
• 22 – Chapel Hill, NC – Cat’s Cradel
• 23 – Washington, DC – Black Cat
• 24 – New York, NY – Irving Plaza

Abbe May Releases Video For New Single "Mammalian Locomotion"

Australian singer-songwriter Abbe May released the first single from her upcoming album this week. The song, "Mammalian Locomotion" has a fuzzy undertone. It's one of those songs that sounds vaguely familiar yet totally fresh. May's vocals remind you, or at least me, just how sexy rock 'n' roll is. I'm curious to hear the upcoming record which is scheduled for release in May 2011. In the meantime, check out the video for "Mammalian Locomotion" below.

After months in the studio with a new band, Abbe May has emerged with a whole lot of material sporting an even darker rock sound. The first single from her forthcoming album, MAMMALIAN LOCOMOTION begins to chart new musical territory for Abbe through an emotive exploration of human desire at its most fundamental level.

The MAMMALIAN LOCOMOTION film clip is a reflection of the contradictory elements of fierceness and subtle femininity found in the song. Shot in Brooklyn, New York with UK Director Zena Loxton, the clip features the ever under-stated and brooding Abbe and three snake-hipped roller dancing women from Brooklyn with moves that only women from roller-derby groups such as ‘Sisters In Motion’ could possess!

Dar Williams Unleashes Video For "As Cool As I Am"

Dar Williams released her latest record, Many Great Companions, earlier this month. Now, she has released a video for the song "As Cool As I Am" with Gary Louris. Check it out below.

Many Great Companions is a new album of Dar Williams classics recorded acoustically with special guests, with an additional disc of Williams’ most significant songs. Songs span Dar’s impressive career from 1993’s The Honesty Room through 2008’s Promised Land.

MP3 Grab: "If I Wrote You"

Newport Folk & Jazz Festivals Announce Dates

Dates for the 2011 Newport Folk Festival and the Newport Jazz Festival have been set. Festival producer George Wein announced today that the folk festival will take place July 29 - 31 and the jazz festival is set for August 5 - 7. Road-trip to Rhode Island anyone?

“We will announce additional information in the coming months, but we wanted to make sure that music fans throughout the area and around the world have the 2011 dates on their calendars,” said Wein, who has produced the jazz and folk festivals since their inceptions in 1954 and 1959, respectively.

For more information on the festivals, visit www.newportfolkfest.net and www.newportjazzfest.net. To learn more about other events produced by George Wein, log on to www.newfestivalproductions.com.