Archive
George Hrab :: Trebuchet
George Hrab‘s 6th album, Trebuchet, is now officially out. It’s available in its entirety on his podcast feed (actually many science & skeptical thinking podcasts’ feeds)…
Geologic Podcast #170 (the whole album)
Buy the physical CD or mp3 from CDBaby. It’s also available on iTunes, but I think CDBaby is a better company, in the long run. Support indie music!
~Dan – np: Pink Martini – Sympathique 
Shedding Light on New Sufjan Stevens LP
From Exclaim.ca…
The National’s Bryce Dessner Sheds Light on New Sufjan Stevens LP
6/10/2010 By Ian Gormely
Sufjan Stevens’s Axl Rose-like recording pace is enough to get even casual fans wondering if the guy’s got another record in him following the triumph of 2005’s Illinois. In the five year’s since its release, he’s managed to produce an outtakes disc, an album of Christmas tunes and even a tribute to the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway. But he also admitted his 50 State project was just a promotional gimmick. And despite sneaking some new tracks into set lists last fall, in November he told Exclaim! that “I don’t really have as much faith in my work as I used to,” leaving a proper follow-up looking ever more doubtful.
Well, good news, kids: according to The National’s Bryce Dessner, Stevens is indeed hard at work on a new album and is currently recording in the band’s Brooklyn studio.
“We’ve played on some of the tracks and been listening to some of the stuff as he’s been working on it,” Dessner told Exclaim! in a recent interview.
Dessner, who described Stevens as “very solitary in what he does” and “one of my closest friends” didn’t want to reveal too much about the new as-yet-untitled Stevens album. But when asked if the new material sounded like Stevens’s older records, Dessner offered a resounding “no.”
“It’s going to be incredible,” he adds. “It’s going to probably blow people’s minds.”
I consider this to be most excellent news… any new Sufie on the horizon is a-OK with me.
~Dan – np: John Lennon – Acoustic
more Nellie McKay details
More details coming in on Nellie McKay‘s forthcoming follow-up to Normal As Blueberry Pie from Lehigh Valley Music…
Some of the key points… It is expected to be all original songs due out in September 2010. It’s being “overseen” by Talking Heads founder and world-beat practitioner David Byrne, and per Nellie it is a made up of a bunch of “wide-ranging” songs.
Read the full interview HERE.
Dave Douglas & Keystone’s Spark of Being
The latest music from Dave Douglas & Keystone is a three-part release.
Part 1: SOUNDTRACK (out June 22nd)
Part 2: EXPAND (out August 24th)
Part 3: BURST (out September 21st)
All three releases were inspired by Douglas’ recent collaboration with experimental filmmaker Bill Morrison on the new multi-media project Spark of Being, and were written by Douglas for his electric sextet Keystone. The first release, to the aforementioned film, will be available exclusively through Greenleaf Music on June 22. Two additional releases, Expand and Burst, will follow later this year and feature Douglas and Keystone exploring and interpreting the themes of the film.
Spark of Being, which premiered on April 24 at Stanford University’s Lively Arts, combines a re-interpretation of the Frankenstein story featuring new, archival and distressed footage on film by experimental filmmaker Bill Morrison with an original score by Douglas. Spark of Being was commissioned by Stanford Lively Arts as the centerpiece of a campus-wide “Art + Invention” project throughout the 2009–10 season, and was also the culmination of a multi-stage residency at Stanford by Douglas and Morrison.
Expand is a fully realized new jazz album by Douglas and Keystone. It will be released by Greenleaf Music and distributed through traditional music channels on August 24. Greenleaf will follow with the release of Burst on September 21, which, like Expand, further develops the musical ideas of Spark of Being, without the parameters of a soundtrack composition. All three albums will also be available in a full box set on September 21.
“Spark of Being began its life as a meditation on humanity and technology,” said Douglas. “Through the lens of contemporary music and film, Bill Morrison and I were both interested in a collaboration that showed the various uses for invention, from the quirky to the profound, from the benign to the murderous.”
Greenleaf Music rolled this out as part of their newly expanded subscription series. The new subscription service offers expansions to their levels… newly included are subscriber-only podcasts, full streaming of the ENTIRE Greenleaf catalog, complimentary tickets to a Greenleaf artist’s show, meet & greet opportunities, et cetera. My subscription was expiring anyway; so it was a great time to re-up. :)
~Dan – np: Maery Lanahan – Lessen
Jelly Jam 3 (finally)
Per Ty Tabor on Facebook… “will begin working on the third Jelly Jam album later this month. I’m psyched to be recording with John Myung and Rod Morgenstein again. Jelly Jam 3 will be! It’s taken a few years, but we finally worked out our schedules. I can’t wait to find out what “
The other related collaborations (JJ1 & 2, Platypus, Jughead) are all tops, if you ask me. I can’t wait for JJ3…
~Dan – np: King’s X – Tape Head
Nellie McKay in the studio
Jazz-pop songstress Nellie McKay is in the studio working on her follow-up to Normal As Blueberry Pie (the wonderful Doris Day tribute from 2009). This news comes in via a twitter update on May 2nd from studio musician – David Raven (pictured at right).
“recorded today with nellie mckay for her new record… brilliant songwriter.”
As more concrete info about the forthcoming about comes out, I’ll be sure to post it…
~Dan – np: Minamo – Kuroi Kawa ~ Black River
Over the Rhine – Let’s Make a Record
From overtherhine.com…
Let’s Make a Record!Thanks for your interest in helping us fund the next Over the Rhine record! We begin recording on Monday, May 17, 2010, in South Pasadena with producer Joe Henry and an amazing group of musicians. We can’t thank you enough for your help.
Please select whatever donation level is a good fit for you.
All donations however small or large are greatly appreciated.
We can’t do it without you.Gratefully,
Linford and Karin
$15 donation
– beautifully packaged CD with artwork, photos, notes, credits, thank you’s etc, shipped to you 30 days in advance of official release date + a personal “thank you” on the band’s website (updated weekly) + 3 digital bonus tracks + small surprise when CD ships
$50 donation
– all the above + a personal “thank you” included in the album’s artwork + immediate (RIGHT NOW) digital download of nine of the forthcoming album’s unadorned, bare bones demos recorded at Nowhere Farm
$100 donation
– all the above + special “super deluxe” box set version of the album, complete with 180 gram vinyl, CD version described above etc + expanded booklet with additional photos, journal entries, notes etc. (LIMITED EDITION)
Over the Rhine are one of my favorite artists… it’s been a while since their last one (2007’s Trumpet Child). I dig this new trend in special goodies. Anyway, if you know of Over the Rhine already, you know you want the Embrace It version. :) If you don’t know them yet, listen to them at your favorite e-tailer (I’d recommend Films for Radio and Good Dog Bad Dog or Ohio as starting points – all different but gorgeous albums). You can also listen on MySpace… http://www.myspace.com/overtherhine
For more info on the new record and a few special reunion shows, go to http://www.overtherhine.com/makearecord.php (I wish I still lived in Cincinnati sometimes).
Ellery :: This Isn’t Over Yet
Ellery‘s newest album, This Isn’t Over Yet, finally has a release date… June 15th.
1. Where It’s Going (streaming)
2. Happy
3. Oh No
4. What I Need
5. Pieces
6. Lay Your Head Down
7. Blame Me
8. Christopher
9. Someone To Say It To
10. All
11. Ways To Go
If you didn’t do the Ellery Stimulus Package last year, you can pre-order either the digital or the CD version over at Bandcamp.
~Dan – np: Jeanne Cherhal – Charade
Secret Chiefs 3 – Satellite Supersonic
In conjunction with their upcoming European tour, the Secret Chiefs 3 (led by Mr. Bungle guitarist Trey Spruance) are releasing a CD made primarily from their vinyl-only offerings back in 2007…
Satellite Supersonic Vol 1 – Tracklist:
- UR – Circumambulation
- ISHRAQIYUN – Balance of the 19
- ELECTROMAGNETIC AZOTH – Ubik
- UR – Kulturvultur
- ISHRAQIYUN – Balthassar : Melchior : Kaspar
- ELECTROMAGNETIC AZOTH – The Left Hand of Nothingness
- UR – Anthropomorphisis : Boxleitner
- ?
The long-awaited Book of Souls is due out by the fall… hmm… heard that before. :)
~Dan – np: Jónsi – Go
no free download or torrent available
Mondo Cane – pre-order
Quick post… Mike Patton‘s Mondo Cane is now available for pre-order… due out May 4th on Ipecac.
~Dan – np: Tegan & Sara – The Con
no free download or mp3 / flac torrent available. support music by buying it.
Silverchair in studio / iPhone App (2010)
Per the latest Llama Appreciation Society newsletter, the boys of Silverchair – Daniel Johns, Chris Joannou, Ben Gillies – are in the studio, workin’ away:
…the provisional titles for two of the new Silverchair songs are “Machina Collecta” and “16”. Both are on the shortlist of contenders to make the set list for the Groovin The Moo and Bass In The Grass gigs during May. At this stage the band plans to play one or two newies in their set and may even rotate that slot around so they eventually get a chance to try out multiple new songs in the live environment.
“Machina Collecta” was among the first songs that came together when the band began jamming at The Grove Studios on the NSW Central Coast late last year. We could try to describe it but we probably wouldn’t do it justice. Think energy and chaos and a grinding mechanical quality and you’re on the right track.
“16” is much more melodic but in a pretty twisted way. It plays with some sounds and technologies the band has never tried before and is almost kinda … well … funky. This one first came together during one of Daniel’s trips to Tasmania where he was supposed to be recording vocals but one thing lead to another and, hey presto! Everyone’s been singing along with the chorus of this one ever since.
As we write this neither of these songs is fully recorded but both are well on the way and will almost certainly feature prominently on the new – as yet untitled – album. By the time you read this the band will be back in the studio laying down some more tracks before heading out for the May gigs. After that they’ll have a much better idea of likely release dates. At this stage all we can say for sure is that it won’t happen before October but it will hopefully happen before next March. Yes, we wish we could be more precise than that but making great music takes time and, like that paddling duck, the band is working hard no matter how it might look from a distance!
The other upcoming Silverchair moment is expected to be the launch of an iPhone app over coming months. The details of this are still a bit sketchy at press time but keep an eye on our site over coming weeks for more news on it.
Silverchair iPhone App? Yeah, ok, I’d buy it, but band iPwn Apps are usually underwhelming. Still no news on the “old news” of Daniel Johns working with Luke Steele (Hathaway + Palmer)… hopefully that hasn’t been lost…
~Dan – np: Ty Tabor – Something’s Coming
Ty Tabor’s Something’s Coming (out now)
I got King’s X guitarist Ty Tabor‘s newest solo album, Something’s Coming, in the mail yesterday. Once through, I love it (as if there would be any doubt). It features Jimi Hazel and Rick Skatore from 24-7 Spyz, Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal from Guns N’ Roses, and Wally Farkas of Galactic Cowboys and Xenuphobe. You can get it over at Molken (mp3 download or the better option… a physical CD).
~Dan – np: Ty Tabor – Something’s Coming
no free download or torrent available. go buy the CD or high quality mp3!
Holy Fuck – LATIN (due May 11, 2010)
As posted on Pitchfork…
Mostly-instrumental dance-rockers and festival mainstays Holy Fuck have a new album all loaded up and ready to go. On May 11, Young Turks/XL will release Latin, the band’s follow-up to 2007’s LP. The band announced the album’s imminent release yesterday via the deeply sketchy internet chat service Chatroulette. Supposedly first single “Latin America” is streaming on Chatroulette today, if you can find it. (It will be released as an mp3 next week.)
~Dan – np: Charlotte Gainsbourg with Beck – IRM
new Sunny Day Real Estate album
As reported on Paste…
As if fans weren’t excited enough about Sunny Day Real Estate reuniting, reissuing two albums (1994’s Diary and 1995’s LP2) and touring (review of Portland’s Sept 2009 SDRE show), there are now reports that the band may be recording a new album.
This afternoon, Marco Williams—a radio DJ at KEXP 90.3—tweeted, “Great news today. Just got an email from Nate from Sunny Day Real Estate/Foo Fighters… SDRE is recording A NEW RECORD IN MAY!!”
Talk of a new album began after the band performed a new song during their reunion tour, so Williams’ declaration adds more validity to those rumors. If this new album comes to fruition, it will be the band’s first release of new material since 2000.
~Dan – np: Incubus – Make Yourself
Mondo Cane Album Art
Expected out on Ipecac from Mike Patton… Mondo Cane now has album art:
My review and pictures from the Fishtank Ensemble house show from last night in Eugene to be posted soon…
~Dan – np: Bill Frisell – Rambler
Ty Tabor – Something’s Coming
King’s X guitarist Ty Tabor‘s next solo album, Something’s Coming, now has a release date and a song streaming over at tytabor.com and molkenmusic.com. It’s out on March 20, 2010 and is up for pre-order over at Molken.
Ty Tabor – Something’s Coming
Besides Ty’s usual fantastic guitarwork and vocals, it features Jimi Hazel and Rick Skatore from 24-7 Spyz, Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal from Guns N’ Roses, and Wally Farkas of Galactic Cowboys and Xenuphobe.
Unrelated, the new boxset for Steven Wilson‘s Cover Versions showed up today. It’s fantastic!
Also, unrelated, Derek Webb (who I dig a bunch) just released his entire last album (Stockholm Syndrome) for free. It’s on Noise Trade for free until midnight on Thursday (2/25).
~Dan – np: Steven Wilson – Cover Versions VI
John Zorn 15 instead of 12
this week in the Village Voice:
John Zorn: Deciding to spend a year in NYC with no traveling has led me to one of the most creative periods in my life. In the past four months alone, he has recorded six albums and written the music for three others. He initially planned 12 Tzadik releases for 2010, one per month, but tends to underestimate his own frenetic output, as “it looks like it will be more like 15.”
So, anyone go to the Masada Marathon at Abron’s Art Center in New York yesterday or today (Feb 17-18)? How was it?
DAY 1 February 17th (Wednesday)
Cyro Baptista’s Banquet of the Spirits
Ben Goldberg Quartet
Mark Feldman/Sylvie Courvoisier
Mycale
Masada Sextet
DAY 2 February 18th (Thursday)
Uri Caine solo
Masada String Trio
Jamie Saft Trio
Erik Friedlander solo
Masada Quartet
~Dan – np: Charlie Hunter Quartet – Ready… Set… Shango!
Jónsi Tour Announcement
Sigur Rós frontman Jónsi Birgisson‘s debut solo album GO got pushed back a couple weeks to the week of April 5th (no worries). Here’s the delicious-looking album cover…
Today he announced tour dates to coincide the release of the album…
- april 6 vancouver, canada vogue theatre
- april 7 vancouver, canada vogue theatre
- april 9 seattle, wa the showbox sodo
- april 10 seattle, wa the showbox sodo
- april 13 portland, or roseland theatre
- april 15 berkeley, ca zellerbach auditorium
- april 16 san francisco, ca palace of fine arts
- april 18 indio, ca coachella
- april 21 denver, co paramount theatre
- april 22 lawrence, ks liberty hall
- april 24 minneapolis, mn pantages theatre
- april 25 minneapolis, mn pantages theatre
- april 26 milwaukee, wi the pabst theatre
- april 27 chicago, il vic theatre
- april 28 chicago, il vic theatre
- april 30 toronto, canada sound academy
- may 1 toronto, canada sound academy
- may 2 montreal, canada metropolis
- may 3 philadelphia, pa electric factory
- may 5 boston, ma house of blues
- may 6 boston, ma house of blues
- may 8 new york, ny terminal 5
- may 9 new york, ny terminal 5
from Jonsi’s website:
The shows which start in North America in April, will feature a brand new band and a stage set designed by 59 Productions. Both these things promise to be drop-dead amazing. The idea of the stage collaboration with 59 Productions is to bring together the worlds of theatre and music in a new and hopefully unique way, in order to create something other than the hoary old cliches that pass for innovation in rock’n’roll. The ideas remain very much “in development”, but there will be some surprises, for sure. Here’s a maquette of how things might appear. Cute, huh?
So… excited…
~Dan – np: That1Guy – Packs a Wallop!
The Album Leaf – A Chorus of Storytellers
Per a recent email update, The Album Leaf‘s new album, A Chorus of Storytellers [Sub Pop], is now officially out on iTunes. You can also pre-order it from the Amazons…
Tour Dates (of which I am happy about double duty)…
- Feb 3: Sacramento, CA @ Harlows
- Feb 5: Portland, OR @ Doug Fir Lounge (w/Anomie Belle String Quartet)
- Feb 6: Seattle, WA @ Neumos (w/Anomie Belle String Quartet)
- Feb 7: Vancouver, BC @ Rickshaw Theater(w/Anomie Belle String Quartet)
- Feb 8: Bellingham, WA @ Nightlight Lounge
- Feb 9: Eugene , OR @ WOW Hall
- Feb 11: Santa Cruz @ The Crepe Place
- Feb 12: San Francisco, CA @ Great American Music Hall (w/Magik*Magik String Quartet)
- Feb 13: Los Angeles, CA @ El Rey Theater (w/Magik*Magik String Quartet)
~Dan – Yuka Honda – Heart Chamber Phantoms
Allison Miller’s BOOM TIC BOOM
I got this email this past week about a new album from Ani DiFranco drummer Allison Miller – who I can say was a delight to watch play when I saw her with Ani in the spring of 2008. The album description sounds fantastic to me! I can’t wait to hear it.
The example that Miller sets on BOOM TIC BOOM is that of a powerhouse drummer with an unerring sense of swing and a moving melodicism; an inventive composer with a gift for memorable tunes that leave ample space for bright improvisations; and a bandleader who ably marries these pieces with the right collaborators to breathe life into them. Here, those collaborators are pianist/composer Myra Melford; longtime collaborator Todd Sickafoose on bass; and guest violinist Jenny Scheinman on one track.
Half of the album is comprised of original pieces penned by Miller during a one-month break from the road during the summer of 2008. The diversity of influences evident in the music belies the short time span in which it was written but is reflective of the wealth of musical experience that makes up Miller’s résumé.
For BOOM TIC BOOM, Miller assembled a trio that she knew would stretch the limits of the music she had written. “I come from a straight ahead jazz tradition,” she explains, “but I play so many different styles of music that I don’t want to stick strictly to that tradition. So, for BOOM TIC BOOM I wanted more of an avant-garde approach to my semi-traditional compositions.”
http://www.allisonmiller.com/ – Order the CD
I dig Allison, in addition to both Todd Sickafoose and Jenny Scheinman. I think this is gonna be right up my alley…
~Dan – np: Heatmiser – Cop and Speeder
-Eyvind Kang
-Frank Zappa
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