Revolver To Tour North America & Release EP + MP3

French trio Revolver have a busy spring coming up. The group will be touring North America, their debut US tour, with stops at SXSW and our own lovely city. They'll take the stage here in New York at Mercury Lounge on Saturday, February 26. Click HERE for tickets to their upcoming shows.

Revolver have an EP, Parallel Lives, coming out next Tuesday, February 22. The trio has harmonies that reminds one of Simon & Garfunkel and Crosby, Stills & Nash. They particularly remind me of the latter on "Losing You" from the EP. If you like your music with a folk vibe and enchanting harmonies, they're a band to check out. For a taste of the upcoming record, scroll down to the bottom of the post and get "Parallel Lives" in our MP3 Grab.

Revolver know who they are. Ambroise Willaume (vocals, guitar, piano), Christophe Musset (vocals, guitar) and Jérémie Arcache (cello, vocals) are three early twenty-something Parisians. Frenchmen with an abiding love and understanding of some of classical music's greatest ever Englishmen. They are classically trained too, but also a French band who sings in English, and named after a Beatles album. They've earned a reputation for creating beguiling, beautiful, hypnotic slices of chamber-pop.

The band recently paid a visit to MTV Iggy for a live session that can be found HERE. Check out "Luke, Mike & John" from the session below.

MTV Iggy Live: Revolver -- "Luke, Mike & John"
Revolver

Tour Dates

• Feb-24 -- Washington, DC -- Red Palace
• Feb-25 -- Philadelphia, PA -- Johnny Brenda's
• Feb-26 -- NYC -- Mercury Lounge
• Feb-27 -- Boston, MA -- TT The Bears
• March-01 -- Quebec, QC -- Scanner
• March-02 -- Montreal, QC -- Casa Del Popolo
• March-03 -- Toronto, ON -- Drake
• March-04 -- Cleveland, OH -- Grog Shop
• March-05 -- Chicago, IL -- Schubas Tavern
• March-08 -- Portland, OR -- Doug Fir Lounge
• March-09 -- Seattle, WA -- Chop Suey
• March-11 -- San Francisco, CA -- Rickshaw Stop
• March-12 -- Los Angeles, CA -- Satellite
• March-15-20 -- Austin, TX -- SXSW

MP3 Grab: "Parallel Lives" (right click, save)

Jump Into The Gospel Release EP

If you've been keeping up with my little corner of the blog world, then you'll be familiar with the fact that I like Jump Into The Gospel. Well, great news, they've released a four song self-titled EP! The EP can be downloaded HERE.

The insanely catchy "Humvee Mansion" kicks things off setting things up for a fun but much too quick musical romp. "Photovoltaic," the EP's second track takes me back to the days when I wore fingerless lace gloves and neon colored spandex. While I don't wish to re-live the fashion faux pas' of my youth, I relish the synth pop sound that made and still makes me bop around with my head phones on, music blaring.

Jump Into The Gospel are a fun treat. The band, Ben Vescovi (guitar), Chris Stein (drums) and Erik Tonnesen (keyboards) lay down a precise foundation full of ear pleasing melodies and rhythms to get you up and wiggling your ass. Super skinny, wild haired frontman Louis Epstein rounds things out with hypnotic vocals that are one minute reserved and sometimes mysterious, while the next minute he's a wailing falsetto.

Four tracks isn't nearly enough but, it'll do ... for now.

Gig Alert! They'll be at Mercury Lounge on Saturday, February 26. Doors open at 7:30PM and it'll cost you $10. Swing by and show them some love.

Israel's Hadag Nahash Returns To US For Spring Tour

Israel's Hadag Nahash will return to the States for a tour in March. If you haven't heard them, they're seriously funky. Check out the video below for their song "I Believe." I'm totally diggin' this one. Their most recent album, 6, has gone gold in Israel and will be released in the US later this year.

The band will be at SXSW and they'll make a stop in our lovely city. They'll be at City Winery on March 19. A list of confirmed dates are below.

With six gold albums in their homeland, the band has been making headway in the U.S. of late including their music’s major inclusion (4 Songs) in the Adam Sandler motion picture You Don’t Mess With The Zohan. Hadag Nahash’s music has also appeared on the prime time TV show NCIS and most recently they have licensed their hit "Lo Maspik" on the world-famous game The Sims 3.

While the music is uplifting and dance ready, the band works in messages of social and political issue into their songs. Early in their career, Hadag Nahash managed to walk the fine line between popularity and social agenda. Known for their feverish agenda, they’ve become moral critics of Israeli society. Their songs promote equality and civil rights, and create a soundtrack to the local struggle against racism and corruption. This unique perspective made them the center of attention, both locally and internationally. An example of this is on the band’s 2004 hit "Shirat Ha’ Sticker (The Sticker Song)" which was actually a song containing lyrics entirely pulled from the slogans of 54 bumper stickers that Israeli author David Grossman observed on cars in Israel. The song was a HUGE hit almost reaching platinum status is Israel and came to the attention of international media including The NY Times who wrote a feature on the phenomenon titled “Honk If You Love Bumper Stickers” that said of the song “Imagine the dazzling unlikeliness of Russell Banks having collaborated with Mos Def or Chuck D on a chart topper.”

Tour Dates

• March 10 - UC San Diego, CA (Porter's Pub)
• March 12 - Redwood City, CA (San Francisco area) (Carrington Hall @Sequoia High School)
• March 13- Houston, Texas
• March 14-19 - Austin (South by Southwest)
• March 19 - New York (City Winery)

U.S. Royalty Releases New Video + MP3

U.S. Royalty have released a new video for their song "Equestrian." The song is from their recently released album, Mirrors. Check out the video below. And, if that wasn't enough, scroll down to the bottom of the post and grab the Flosstradamus remix of "Equestrian."

Gig Alert! The band will be on the LES at Mercury Lounge on Tuesday, February 22. Doors are at 7PM and it'll cost you $10 in advance/$12 at the door. Head on down and check them out.

MP3 Grab: "Equestrian (Flosstradamus remix)" (right click, save as)

Lelia Broussard Selected For Rolling Stone Contest

Singer/songwriter Lelia Broussard has been selected by Rolling Stone for their Do You Wanna Be A Rock & Roll Star contest. It was announced last night on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon that sixteen unsigned artists have been chosen by Rolling Stone editors to be a part of the contest. To vote and find out more info click HERE. In the final round two artists will compete on stage at Bonnaroo with the winner being the first unsigned act ever to appear on the cover of Rolling Stone and receive a recording contract from Atlantic Records.

We know my opinion, Broussard is a QNYC fave. But what with the whole democracy thing, I can't tell people how to vote. Head on over, check out the artists and show your support.

Broussard has been supporting her fourth independently released record, Masquerade (released digitally November 2010), with recent shows in NYC and LA. She's a heck of a performer ... effervescent, infectious and irresistible. A deluxe CD version of Masquerade with bonus tracks will be available April 5 via indie record shops and online retailers in the US. Head down to the bottom of the post to our MP3 Grab for "Alone On A Train," a previously unreleased song that Broussard is offering as a free download.

MP3 Grab: "Alone On A Train" (right click, save as)

The Raveonettes To Release New Album In April + MP3

Sharin Foo and Sune Rose Wagner, better known as The Raveonettes, have announced that their new record. Raven In The Grave will be released on April 5 via Vice Records. To get a taste of what's to come, check out the new song "Forget That You're Young" at the bottom of the post in our MP3 Grab.

The Raveonettes will be hitting the road and they'll be making a stop in our lovely city. They will be at Music Hall of Williamsburg in Brooklyn on April 20 and April 21. Check below for a full list of dates.

"I think we have finally hit on something quite important and different for this album," explains Sune. "This is the first Raveonettes album we've done which doesn't feature the signature Raveonettes surf drumbeat. None of the tunes have any real sunshine to them. It's all very un-Rave." "It has a mood of ethereal defiance," Sharin adds. "It's dark but not bleak, like the single minded determination caused by crisis that is not quite hope but just as powerful. It's the perfect winter soundtrack just in time for spring".

Tour Dates

• March 30th -- Theatre of the Living Arts -- Philadelphia, PA
• March 31st -- Paradise Rock Club -- Boston, MA
• April 1st -- La Tulipe -- Montreal, QC
• April 2nd -- Phoenix Concert Theatre -- Toronto, ON
• April 3rd -- Magic Stick -- Detroit, MI
• April 5th -- Southgate House -- Newport, KY
• April 6th -- Lincoln Hall -- Chicago, IL
• April 7th -- Fine Line Music Café -- Minneapolis, MN
• April 8th -- The Firebird -- St. Louis, MO
• April 9th -- The Record Bar -- Kansas City, MO
• April 11th -- Granada Theater -- Dallas, TX
• April 12th -- Emo's Alt Lounging (Outdoor) -- Austin, TX
• April 13th -- Fitzgerald's -- Houston, TX
• April 15th -- The Masquerade -- Atlanta, GA
• April 16th -- Cat's Cradle -- Carrboro, NC
• April 17th -- Black Cat -- Washington, DC
• April 18th -- Pearl Street -- Northampton, MA
• April 20th -- Music Hall of Williamsburg -- Brooklyn, NY
• April 21st -- Music Hall of Williamsburg -- Brooklyn, NY
• May 4th -- Glasshouse -- Pomona, CA
• May 5th -- The Troubadour -- Los Angeles, CA
• May 6th -- The Troubadour -- Los Angeles, CA
• May 7th -- Belly Up Tavern -- San Diego, CA
• May 9th -- The Detroit Bar -- Costa Mesa, CA
• May 10th -- Bimbo's 365 Club -- San Francisco, CA
• May 12th -- Wonder Ballroom -- Portland, OR
• May 13th -- Neumos -- Seattle, WA
• May 14th -- The Venue -- Vancouver, BC

MP3 Grab: "Forget That You're Young" (right click, save)

Whitesnake Releases New Video

Ah, it smells like love is in the air or perhaps it's the new Whitesnake video! The classic rockin' band has unveiled a video for "Love Will Set You Free," the lead single from their upcoming album Forevermore. The video was directed by Devin DeHaven/Fortress Entertainment. While I rather like the song, I could have done without the stripper dangling off the pole. That's so passé, so 80's. But, since I like The Coverdale, I'll forgive it.

Forevermore is scheduled for release March 29 in North America while my European friends can get their happy little hands on it March 25. The digital album is available for pre-order via the Whitesnake.com today and you'll get an instant download of "Love Will Set You Free" with your order. Pre-orders from other digital outlets will begin on February 21.

Those of you in the US and Canada, check out the video below. International friends, click HERE to check out the video.

Upcoming: Norman Vladimir To Play The Living Room

Soul/pop musician Norman Vladimir will be starting a residency at The Living Room tomorrow night. Head on down to the LES and check him out the next three Monday's, February 14, February 21 and February 28 at 8PM. For those who aren't familiar with Vladimir, check out his video for the "120 Volts" directed by Mary Anderson Casavant below.

Video: The Kills - "Satellite"

The Kills released their new single "Satellite" a couple of weeks ago. Last week they released the official video directed by Sophie Muller. The single is from their upcoming album Blood Pressures. Check out the video below.

Video: Gaz Ellis - "English Gentleman"

That delightful lad, singer/songwriter Gaz Ellis has released an official video for his song "English Gentleman." The video was directed by Roger Sewhcomar of Limey Films. The video has a charming, fun, old school vibe to it. I'd describe it as a cross between the cute and cuddly A Hard Days Night era Beatles and Charlie Chaplin. This is the kind of clip that if I were twenty-five years younger, would make me tack a photo up my wall and declare him dreamy. Hm, maybe we'd better make that thirty, you know, pre-heavy metal era me! Check out the video below.