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Silverchair “indefinite hibernation”

25th May 11 (Wed) Leave a comment

No, Indefinite Hibernation is not the name of the new Silverchair record.  It’s the new state of the band.  A sad day…

May 25, 2011

We formed Silverchair nearly 20 years ago when we were just 12 years old. Today we stand by the same rules now as we did back then … if the band stops being fun and if it’s no longer fulfilling creatively, then we need to stop.

Therefore after much soul searching we wanted to let you know that we’re putting Silverchair into “indefinite hibernation” and we’ve decided to each do our own thing for the foreseeable future.

We assure you that this decision has not been taken lightly. In fact we’ve been struggling with it for quite a while now.

Back in 2009 we went into the studio to start work on a record. Initially things were going well and as a result we did some shows in 2010 to maintain creative momentum. However, over the months that followed in the studio it became clear to us that we were moving in different directions. Despite our best efforts over the last year or so, it’s become increasingly clear that the spark simply isn’t there between the three of us at the moment.

As a result we’ve decided to put the band into ‘a deep sleep’ while we all do other things that we find more inspiring right now. This means that Silverchair won’t be making music together or playing shows any time soon. It also means that the three of us won’t be working together unless and until it feels right again.

We understand some of you may be disappointed by this news but we really see it as a liberating and positive step for us at this point in our lives.

We also want to make it really clear that this decision has been made with the best possible intentions. We’ve always tried our hearts out to make the best music we could possibly make at the time – regardless of commercial consequences.

The three of us still truly care about each other. At the moment Ben’s busy in the studio recording his own music, Chris is working on various business, musical and charitable ventures while Daniel is creating a film soundtrack and working on other musical projects. We hope you’ll continue to take an interest in our individual work over the years ahead.

In closing we’d like to acknowledge all the people ‘behind the scenes’ who’ve helped us keep this train on the tracks since we first started playing in a garage. There are too many to name but they know who they are and we truly appreciate all their love and hard work.

Above all though we want to thank you for all your support in good times and bad. You’ve put up with our long breaks between albums, our constantly changing musical styles and lots more. The unbelievable loyalty we’ve been shown by you our audience, and our friends, has never gone unnoticed or unappreciated. That’s why we wanted to tell you first.

With Sincere Thanks For Your Understanding.

Sweet Dreams.

Daniel, Ben and Chris

Perhaps there will be more music from the guys in the future (the aforementioned new material in 2010).  I know we’ll see more from Daniel Johns.  Whether that’s limited to film work, The Dissociatives (with Paul Mac), Hathaway+Palmer (with Luke Steele), or something different – well, I guess we’ll have to wait and see.

~Dan – np: SilverchairDiorama

My Brightest Diamond @ MusicNow 2011 (video)

20th May 11 (Fri) 5 comments

If you’re like me and you missed My Brightest Diamond + yMusic at the Cincinnati-based MusicNow Festival 2011, here’s a neato 8+ 4+ minute video from the performance…


video from A Story Told Well

“We Added It Up” redacted
“Reaching Through”
(thanks comment people
for the 2nd song name)

Now, get out there and enjoy the sunshine!

~Dan – np: RadioheadHail to the Thief

Ken Andrews is a crazy old man

9th May 11 (Mon) Leave a comment

Ken Andrews is a songwriting, producing, mixing genius.  He is a now a blogger… ya know… now that blogging has been out for 10+ years.  The “crazy old man” quote is from him…

http://web.me.com/kenandrews/Artist_Producer_Mixer/News/

I hope this new burst of info means something is coming soon from him.  Perhaps the Digital Noise Academy release that was rumored of 4-5 years ago?  Perhaps more from ON?  Perhaps another Year of the Rabbit?  Perhaps another Ken solo album?

What?  You don’t know who Ken Andrews is?  He’s the front-man for 90s rock group Failure, he’s done other side-projects (noted above), he produces & mixes (NIN, Beck, Tenacious D, Charlotte Martin, etc).  He’s friends with the Tool gents (has done videos and toured with them).  He’s married to the aforementioned singer-songwriter Charlotte Martin.  His music is rad.  Failure’s Fantastic Planet is one of the few perfect modern rock concept albums.

~Dan – np: Chris Potter’s UndergroundUltrahang

Steven Wilson’s upcoming double album

7th May 11 (Sat) Leave a comment

From Porcupine Tree frontman Steven Wilson’s facebook page about his upcoming solo work…

The new solo album website will probably launch in early June now. The music is done, but we’re still working on film material and the deluxe edition. It’s presented as two 40-45 minute albums in the same package (which begs the question; when is a double album not a double album? When it’s 2 single albums issued together!) The album titles are Deform to Form a Star and Like Dust I Have Cleared From My Eye.

Good question…personally, I’d still call that a double album, but whatever… it’s just semantics.

~Dan – np: The Book of KnotsTraineater

Derek Webb – Democracy Vol 2 #2

5th May 11 (Thu) Leave a comment

One a month, from March to December 2011…

Derek Webb’s Democracy Vol 2… This month, it is “Livin’ On A Prayer” by Bon Jovi. I’m at work; so I haven’t had a chance to listen yet… but I’m looking forward to it!

For those not in the know, Democracy Vol 2 is a continuation of the covers project Derek started last year. The fans get to nominate songs and then vote once the nominations are tallied. Here’s what he’s done in 2010 and 2011 to date (you can still go back and buy this volume):

  • January 2010: The Beatles – While My Guitar Gently Weeps
  • February: Coldplay – Fix You
  • March: Bob Dylan – The Times They Are A-Changin’
  • April: Gnarls Barkley – Who’s Gonna Save My Soul
  • May: Sufjan Stevens – Chicago *a personal fave*
  • June: U2 – Where the Streets Have No Name
  • July: Huey Lewis & the News – Power of Love
  • August: The Beatles – Eleanor Rigby *a personal fave*
  • September: Simon & Garfunkel – The Sound of Silence
  • October: Radiohead – Karma Police *a personal fave*
  • November: Leonard Cohen – Hallelujah
  • December: Robert Robinson – Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing
  • January 2011: off
  • February: off
  • March: Cee-Lo Green – F**k You

Fans of Derek may also want to check out his contribution (amongst other great covers) of Sufjan Stevens’ Seven Swans. The tribute album put out by On Joyful Wings is called Seven Swans Reimagined. Derek does “In Devil’s Territory.” Other musicians include some Asthmatic Kitty favorites, and some newbies to the fold – including the Gregory Brothers (autotune the news) and Inlets.

~Dan – np: Porcupine TreeDeadwing

Democracy Vol. 2 is a series of subscription based albums of cover songs that Derek will be recording annually, starting January 2010. Those who participate will not only receive the exclusive album, but will democratically decide what songs Derek will record.

Ever wished you could hear Derek cover your favorite Beatles song? Or Backstreet Boys song? Or even re-record your favorite old Caedmon’s Call song? Here’s your chance. Songs will be nominated and voted down to 10. Derek will record them (demo quality) and deliver them digitally (320kbps MP3s), one song per month for 10 months (March to December). Don’t miss your chance to be part of this unique collaborative project with Derek Webb!

Tori Amos – Night of Hunters (Sept ’11)

4th May 11 (Wed) 3 comments

Tori Amos is a chameleon – changing her musical style (slightly) and her outward appearance (usually more than slightly).  Trouble is lately she’s been putting out long-ass albums of mostly mediocre work, as far as I’m concerned.  Oh for the heydeys of the 90s and early 2000s.

Well, she has a new one in the can entitled Night of Hunters, and it’s coming out in September 2011 on Deutsche Grammophon, a German classical label.  Behold the art for her upcoming tour (and presumably the album)…

update 6/22 album art

Um, is she human?  Is she plastic?  As far as the album, here’s the press’ slant…

“It’s a 21st century song cycle inspired by classical music themes spanning over 400 years. I have used the structure of a song cycle to tell an ongoing, modern story. The protagonist is a woman who finds herself in the dying embers of a relationship. In the course of one night she goes through an initiation of sorts that leads her to reinvent herself allowing the listener to follow her on a journey to explore complex musical and emotional subject matter. One of the main themes explored on this album is the hunter and the hunted and how both exist within us.”

I’ll get it.  I mean, I’ve signed a contract with my 20 year old self to buy anything Tori Amos ever puts out.  I just hope to Talula that it’s good.

~Dan – np: Celldweller2011 Groupees EP

Groupees teaming up with Celldweller (72 hour sale for Alabama Tornado Relief)

4th May 11 (Wed) 1 comment

Groupees, an “innovative new flash sale platform featuring digital media content from exciting independent artists,” announced yesterday that it will be launching its next promotion featuring Detroit’s electronic rock mastermind Celldweller

Known worldwide for pioneering new sounds and methods for creating his tracks, Klayton (Celldweller) continues to generate music that resonates and relates to both fans and the entertainment industry worldwide.

The Celldweller 4-EP Bundle Groupee is slated to start Wednesday, May 4th at 9:00 am PST at http://bit.ly/celldwellr.

20% of all proceeds from the sale go directly to Red Cross to support US/Alabama Tornado Relief.

The campaign will run for 72 hours and is priced using Pay What You Want which allows fans to name their price with a minimum of $3 (products retail five times that). The Bundle packages together 4 EP’s, one of which has 4 never before released tracks:

  • Wish Upon A Blackstar Chapter 03 of 05 is the latest installment of the Celldweller sophomore album, featuring the tracks “The Lucky One” & “Tainted”
  • Cellout EP 01 featuring re-imagined versions of Celldweller songs as heard in the Celldweller live show. This EP debuted in iTunes as the #1 Electronic Album in 5 Countries, including the US as well as top #10 Electronic album in 12 countries.
  • Soundtrack For The Voices In My Head Vol. 02 (Chapter 01) featuring instrumental tracks used in Film/Tv/Video Games
  • Exclusive EP will feature a brand new, unreleased track from Soundtrack For The Voices In My Head Vol. 02 (Chapter 02)3 unreleased Remixes as well as a rare/limited release of Klayton’s remix of the track “Shapeshifter.”

The Celldweller 4-EP Bundle also includes a special bonus collection if the promotion’s goal of $10,000 raised is met:

All participants will receive an unreleased ‘Beta Cessions’ B-Side Demo along with the unreleased Remix of the track “The Lucky One”.  At the close of the campaign, the #1 top donor will receive an additional bonus Unreleased Demo that will be exclusively theirs until we officially release the track at a later date.

Who is Groupees?  Groupees, from Portland, Oregon, is a social media technology company. Their parent company, YAWMA, also operates a digital store and app for discovery and sharing of indie music and games through Facebook.

From Wednesday, May 4th, through Saturday, May 7th (9am PST/noon EST), dig in at:

http://bit.ly/celldwellr

~Dan – np: Steven WilsonInsurgentes

Incubus “Adolescents” video

28th Apr 11 (Thu) Leave a comment

Incubus’ new one isn’t “thinking outside the envelope” or “pushing the box,” as it were… but it’s a good song… check the video for “Adolescents” here:

The vibe to “Adolescent” is (to me) similar to Morning View.  I’m digging the slowed down video part (3:30-ish).

The new album – If Not Now, When? – comes out July 12th.  You can pre-order it now.

~Dan – np: Garage A TroisOutre Mer

New Music April…

28th Apr 11 (Thu) Leave a comment

Sorry for not having much new to post as of late.  I did recently get the following CDs… all of them great in their own right, and all of them worth checking out!  Click on the album covers for mp3 sound samples.

Foo FightersWasting Light
melodic hard power rock

Explosions in the SkyTake Care, Take Care, Take Care
moving post-rock, brilliant packaging

Shara Worden & CoLetters to Distant Cities
short & sweet indie rock, spoken word

~Dan – np: Foo FightersWasting Light


Dweezil Zappa Plays Zappa – 2011 Summer Tour

17th Apr 11 (Sun) 2 comments

Dweezil Zappa Plays Zappa is hitting the road again this summer/fall… here are the date (so far).  More to be added, I’m sure.

DAY 
DATE
CITY
VENUE
Thu
7/28/11 –
Woodstock, NY
Bearsville Theater
Fri
7/29/11 –
Bridgeport, CT
Kline Memorial
Sat
7/30/11 –
Albany, NY
The Egg
Sun
7/31/11 –
State College, PA
State Theatre
Mon
8/1/11 –
Tue
8/2/11 –
Verona, NY
Turning Stone
Wed
8/3/11 –
Burlington, VT
Higher Ground
Thu
8/4/11 –
Portland, ME
State Theater
Fri
8/5/11 –
Quebec City, QC
Inter Nation Art
Sat
8/6/11 –
Northampton, MA
Calvin Theater
Sun
8/7/11 –
Pittsburg, PA
Stage AE
Mon
8/8/11 –
Buffalo, NY
UAB Center For The Arts
Tue
8/9/11 –
Wed
8/10/11 –
Philadelphia, PA
Mann Center
Thu
8/11/11 –
Boston, MA
The Pavilion
Fri
8/12/11 –
New York City, NY
Beacon Theatre
Sat
8/13/11 –
New York City, NY
Beacon Theatre
Sun
8/14/11 –
Balltimore, MD
Merriweather Post
Mon
8/15/11 –
Tue
8/16/11 –
Columbus, OH
Lifestyles Pavilion
Wed
8/17/11 –
Cleveland, OH
Nautica Pavilion
Thu
8/18/11 –
Cincinnatti, OH
PNC Pavilion
Fri
8/19/11 –
Detroit, MI
Meadowbrook
Sat
8/20/11 –
Chicago, IL
Chicago Theatre
Sun
8/21/11 –
Indianapolis, IN
The Murat
Mon
8/22/11 –
Tue
8/23/11 –
Milwaukee, WI
Wed
8/24/11 –
Minneapolis, MN
Orpheum
Thu
8/25/11 –
St. Louis, MO
Fox Theatre
Fri
8/26/11 –
Kansas City, MO
Midland Theater
Sat
8/27/11 –
Denver, CO
Paramount Theater
Sun
8/28/11 –
Salt Lake City, UT
Red Butte Gardens
Mon
8/29/11 –
Tue
8/30/11 –
Wed
8/31/11 –
Thu
9/1/11 –
Fri
9/2/11 –
Sat
9/3/11 –
Sun
9/4/11 –
Mon
9/5/11 –
Tue
9/6/11 –
Wed
9/7/11 –
Thu
9/8/11 –
Atlanta, GA
Fox Theater
Fri
9/9/11 –
Orlando, FL
House Of Blues
Sat
9/10/11 –
Boca Raton, FL
Mizner Park Amph
Sun
9/11/11 –
Clearwater, FL
Ruth Eckard Hall
Mon
9/12/11 –
Tue
9/13/11 –
Austin, TX
ACL Live @ Moody
Wed
9/14/11 –
Dallas, TX
Verizon Theatre
Thu
9/15/11 –
Houston, TX
Verizon Wireless Theater
Fri
9/16/11 –
Telluride, CO
Blues & Brews Fest
Sat
9/17/11 –
Mesa, AZ
Mesa Arts Center
Sun
9/18/11 –
Mon
9/19/11 –
San Diego, CA
Hunphrey’s
Tue
9/20/11 –
Los Angeles, CA
Greek Theatre
Wed
9/21/11 –
Davis, CA
Mondavi Center
Thu
9/22/11 –
San Francisco, CA
Warfield
Fri
9/23/11 –
Eugene, OR
Hult – Silva Concert Hall *changed*
Sat
9/24/11 –
Seattle, WA
Paramount Theater

Gaps may or may not be filled in later… I suppose Dweezil and Co need breaks, too.  I plan on hitting Portland, OR, if there’s no Eugene dateUpdate 5/16: the Portland/Newmark date was just changed to Eugene/Hult (per Pollstar).

~Dan – np: Porcupine TreeSignify

REVIEW: Ani DiFranco @ McDonald Theatre (Eugene, OR – 4/12/11)

14th Apr 11 (Thu) 2 comments

FYI… PHOTOS of the SHOW at the BOTTOM

Ani DiFranco comes through Eugene on just about every West Coast tour – which is always a delight.  The crowd seemed a tad sparse… perhaps due to the lack of new Ani material out there recently.  She’s prolific, but hasn’t put out an album since 2008’s Red Letter Year.  She hasn’t even put out any new official live bootlegs since 2009.  With that lack of apparent new music on the shelves (CD World or iTunes), one might think she’s taking a break.  Well, as you’ll see from the setlist below, no break has occurred with her songwriting proliferation…

Super busy week; so I apologize in advance… I didn’t catch the opener Animal Prufrock this time.  I saw her back in 2008 with Judy Grahn & Ani D.  I enjoyed Animal’s raucous energy, but again… twas an uber-busy week, and I couldn’t make it to the McD for the early opener start time (Animal @ 7:30, Ani D @ 8:30!).

I got into the venue about 30 seconds before Ani and band hit the stage.  Whew, perfect timing!  Her band this time was the same as her prior Eugene gig… Andy Barger on drums, Mike Dillon on percussion, and Todd Sickafoose on contrabass.  Fantastically gelled band… I love watching these guys play.  In fact, I’ll be seeing Mike Dillon play again next week in Eugene.  At the end of the Ani tour, he’s hitting the road with Skerik and the rest of the guys with Garage A Trois.

Tons of new stuff was played…

Setlist: around 90 minutes pre-encore

  • Anticipate
  • Angry Any More
  • Unworry (newish – she played it at Eugene 2009)
  • Paradigm
  • Promiscuity (new)
  • Gloating (new)
  • W.O.W. (new)
  • J (new)
  • I Know This Bar
  • See See “Still in Love with You” (new)
  • The Atom
  • Everest
  • If You’re Not (new)
  • Untouchable Face
  • Which Side Are You On?
  • Encore: Overlap
  • Angel from Montgomery

Due to a hectic week, I had to bail right before the encore.  Based on other reports from this tour, she also played a few older tunes and maybe the newer tune “Mariachi.”  Anyone with a good memory or notes throw a little help on what she played after “Which Side…” for an encore?

As far as the new stuff, I dug it… especially “Gloating,” “Jay,” and “W.O.W.”  I will say one of the best things of the night was the main line to “If You’re Not”…

If you’re not getting happier as you get older, you’re fucking up.

A lot of new stuff to digest… I usually need some more time for the new material to kick around my brain.  Perhaps with this glut of new material, she’s heading into the studio soon for studio album #18(!).  Anyone catch her Crystal Ballroom show in Portland? Any major difference in setlist?

more photos below

The Appropriate Linkage:

Next show for me… Skerik, Mike Dillon, Marc Benevento and Stanton Moore are Garage A Trois @ Sam Bond’s 4/21.

~Dan – np: Todd SickafooseTiny Resistors

ANI DIFRANCO PHOTOS
all pictures (cc) 2011 Daniel Temmesfeld,
you may use freely under a creative commons attribution

(click for larger)

dredg – Chuckles and Mr. Squeezy

9th Apr 11 (Sat) 2 comments

Coming off the amazing The Pariah, The Parrot, The Delusion album in 2009, a few weeks from now dredg will put out their follow-up entitled Chuckles and Mr. Squeezy:

http://dredg.com/

1. Another Tribe
2. Upon Returning
3. The Tent
4. Somebody is Laughing
5. Down Without A Fight
6. The Ornament
7. The Thought Of Losing You
8. Kalathat
9. Sun Goes Down
10. Where I’ll End Up
11. Before It Began

Here’s an mp3 from the album, courtesy of Alternative Press magazine:

dredg – Upon Returning

More news on pre-ordering the album (digital/CD/LP) will be posted once it’s out there…

~Dan – np: dredgChuckles and Mr. Squeezy

Toad the Wet Sprocket – ‘All You Want’ (2011)

6th Apr 11 (Wed) Leave a comment

Toad the Wet Sprocket broke up in 1998.  In its ashes, Glen Phillips‘ solo career and Lapdog was born.  Glen has put out a number of solo albums and side-projects, Lapdog put out two great albums, and “Toad” has since gotten back together on occasion to tour.  Well, due to being signed to a major label, they never really owned those recordings that they made back in the day.  Enter… All You Want

ALL YOU WANT is us reclaiming our past for ourselves. While making this album, we got to look under the hood at the parts we’d written so long ago, pull apart some of the magic of the originals, and in some cases, update arrangements, tempos or attitudes that we thought we could improve upon with the benefit of a little hindsight.

The process of recording this music again brought us closer together as a band, and closer to the songs that we’ve lived with for so long. These songs still mean a lot to us, and we hope our fans enjoy listening to them as much as we enjoyed making them.
-Dean, Glen, Randy, and Todd

The album will be available for sale exclusively at the band’s website and shows prior to a formal release date later this spring via both physical and digital retail outlets.

Download a FREE MP3 of “Brother” NOW at www.toadthewetsprocket.com

~Dan – np: PlaceboMeds

Incubus – Adolescents

4th Apr 11 (Mon) Leave a comment

So what was this all about on EnjoyIncubus.com?

The next Incubus album is done (see post), and they posted the first song from it on Soundcloud… “Adolescents.”  Click the image above to hear the streaming track.

Update 4/6… the album art from Brandon Boyd’s FB page

Update 4/15… Album Title, Tracklist, Release Date

If Not Now, When? is the name of the album, and it will come out on July 12th, 2011.

Tracklisting:

1. If Not Now, When?

2. Promises, Promises

3. Friends And Lovers

4. Thieves

5. Isadore

6. The Original

7. Defiance

8. In The Company Of Wolves

9. Switchblade

10. Adolescents

11. Tomorrow’s Food

~Dan – np: Madeleine PeyrouxBare Bones

Gary Cherone – HURTSMILE 2011 Tour

3rd Apr 11 (Sun) Leave a comment

One of the tragically timed bands in existence… Extreme.  They were too good to be lumped in with the “hairband” era, yet with their power ballads as their primary radio coverage – that’s what they got labeled.  Then grunge came along and washed well-produced, melodic art-rock out to sea…

I was lucky enough to catch their Saudades de Rock tour in Cincinnati a few years ago (with King’s X, too!). Extreme’s power duo of Gary Cherone (vocals for Extreme & one-time Van Halen) and Nuno Bettencourt (guitars) are one of my favorite duos to watch – period.  They work sooo well together.  Well, Nuno is now a hired gun on tour (currently Rihanna); so Gary is heading out on the road with his side-band: Hurtsmile.  It also has Gary’s brother Markus on guitars (who I saw in 1995 with the band FLESH with Nuno’s brother Paulo on vocals… incestuous Boston music scene – for sure!).

I shant be lucky enough to catch this tour… but if you’re in one of these spots in the U.S. or Japan, check it out.  Gary is an impressive performer.  Their self-titled debut album came out in February (see link to the right for sound samples).

Hurtsmile 2011 Tour

  • May 13 – the Cube Club – Newark, DE
  • May 14 – M3 Rock Festival – Columbia, MD
  • June 3 – Club Red – Phoenix, AZ
  • June 4 – Casino Del Sol – Tuscon, AZ
  • June 24th – The Bottom Line / NAGOYA
  • June 25th – Red Box / KURASIKI
  • June 26th – Caravan Sary / KOCHI
  • June 27th – Bigcat / OSAKA
  • June 29th – Live House enn 2nd / SENDAI
  • June 30th – OEast / TOKYO
  • July 1st – Live Space C-moon FUKUSHIMA
  • July 2nd – STB139 / TOKYO
  • July 21 – B.B. Kings – New York, NY
  • July 22 – Showcase Live – Foxboro, MA
    http://www.hurtsmile.com/

~Dan – np: PlaceboSleeping With Ghosts

Thom Yorke added to Eddie Vedder solo tour

1st Apr 11 (Fri) 6 comments

Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke was a last minute adjustment to Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder’s upcoming solo tour.  The Swell Season’s Glen Hansard will be the opener, and Thom and Eddie will share co-headlining duties.

Per Thom Yorke’s publicist (press release link below)…

[Thom] will play a mix of tunes from The Eraser, some The King of Limbs songs, a few solo piano tunes and share some songs with Eddie.  [Thom] and Eddie have been mutual admirers of one another’s work, and the timing was right as Radiohead didn’t have any summer touring plans for 2011.

The Hansard/Yorke/Vedder tour kicks off in Providence, RI on June 15th and wraps up a month later in Seattle.  For a promo video about the upcoming tour, check here:

Or, read the Press Release HERE.

~Dan – np: Tres MtsThree Mountains

David Bazan – Strange Negotiations (2011) & Tour

30th Mar 11 (Wed) Leave a comment

David Bazan (Pedro the Lion) has a new solo album coming out… it now has album art, a release date, and a summer tour planned…

Strange Negotiations
May 24, 2011

http://davidbazan.com/

Bazan & Band 2011 Summer Tour

  • 06/01 Wed – Salt Lake City UT @ Kilby Court
  • 06/02 Thu – Denver CO @ Hi Dive
  • 06/03 Fri – Kansas City MO @ Record Bar
  • 06/04 Sat – Council Bluffs IA @ Westfair Amphitheater w/ Bright Eyes
  • 06/06 Mon – St Paul MN @ Turf Club
  • 06/08 Wed – Chicago IL @ Lincoln Hall
  • 06/10 Fri – St Louis MO @ Old Rock House
  • 06/11 Sat – Columbus OH @ The Basement
  • 06/12 Sun – Akron OH @ Musica
  • 06/13 Mon – Pontiac MI @ Pike Room
  • 06/14 Tue – Toronto ON @ Lee’s Palace
  • 06/15 Wed – Ottawa ON @ Maverick’s
  • 06/17 Fri – Ithaca NY @ The Haunt
  • 06/18 Sat – Hamden CT @ The Space
  • 06/19 Sun – Cambridge MA @ TT the Bears
  • 06/22 Wed – New York NY @ Bowery Ballroom
  • 06/23 Thu – Philadelphia PA @ TBD
  • 06/24 Fri – Washington DC @ Black Cat
  • 06/25 Sat – Chapel Hill NC @ Local 506
  • 06/27 Mon – Orlando FL @ The Social
  • 06/28 Tue – Atlanta GA @ The Earl
  • 06/29 Wed – Birmingham AL @ The Bottletree
  • 06/30 Thu – New Orleans LA @ One Eyed Jacks
  • 07/01 Fri – Baton Rouge LA @ Spanish Moon
  • 07/02 Sat – Houston TX @ Fitzgerald’s
  • 07/03 Sun – Dallas TX @ TBD
  • 07/05 Tue – Austin TX @ ACL Satellite Sets
  • 07/07 Thu – Phoenix AZ @ Sail Inn
  • 07/08 Fri – San Diego CA @ Casbah
  • 07/09 Sat – Long Beach CA @ TBD
  • 07/10 Sun – Los Angeles CA @ Troubadour
  • 07/12 Tue – Visalia @ Cellar Door
  • 07/13 Wed – San Francisco CA @ The Independent
  • 07/15 Fri – Portland OR @ Mississippi Studios

~Dan – np: B Lan 3Music for Hunting and Mapping

Sneak peak at OSI #4? New My Brightest Diamond album?

30th Mar 11 (Wed) 1 comment

Yesterday, Kevin Moore (Chroma Key, OSI, ex-Dream Theater) posted on his twitter a video that based on the sound seems like it may be a sneak peak at the fourth OSI album:

(twitvid opens in new window)

Also, an unrelated twitter news blast as well…

Shara Worden (aka My Brightest Diamond) noted that she’s going into the studio on Friday to record her next album, and then shortly thereafter hinted to the name of said albumEverything is in Line.

Score two for new media…

~Dan – np: Derek WebbFuck You (by Cee-Lo Green)

Derek Webb – Democracy Vol 2 #1

29th Mar 11 (Tue) 3 comments

One a month, from March to December 2011…

Derek Webb’s Democracy Vol 2… This month, it is “F**k You” by Cee-Lo Green (from Gnarls Barkley).  I’m at work; so I haven’t had a chance to listen yet… but I’m looking forward to it! Part of me thinks Derek is solely doing this for the “Christian singer-songwriter singing ‘Fuck You’” aspect of it, but whatever… that aspect has no bearing on my views.  I like Cee-Lo’s unconventional pop song, and I like Derek Webb.  The combo should prove interesting – even if he recently tweeted that he muted the F-word, since he couldn’t sing an asterisk.

If Derek covers the song live on his current tour with Jars of Clay… well, that would be excellent…  but unlikely.

Update: listening to it now… personal preference would be for it to not be self-censored.  Vocals also sound kinda muddy, weirdly buried in the mix.  Keyboards don’t seem synched up with the guitars & drums. I applaud his moxy, just perhaps not the execution.  Still enjoyable, though – all things considered.

For those not in the know, Democracy Vol 2 is a continuation of the covers project Derek started last year.  The fans get to nominate songs and then vote once the nominations are tallied.  Here’s what he did back in 2010 (you can still go back and buy this volume):

  • January 2010: The Beatles – While My Guitar Gently Weeps
  • February: Coldplay – Fix You
  • March: Bob Dylan – The Times They Are A-Changin’
  • April: Gnarls Barkley – Who’s Gonna Save My Soul
  • May: Sufjan Stevens – Chicago *a personal fave*
  • June: U2 – Where the Streets Have No Name
  • July: Huey Lewis & the News – Power of Love
  • August: The Beatles – Eleanor Rigby *a personal fave*
  • September: Simon & Garfunkel – The Sound of Silence
  • October: Radiohead – Karma Police *a personal fave*
  • November: Leonard Cohen – Hallelujah
  • December: Robert Robinson – Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing

Fans of Derek may also want to check out his contribution (amongst other great covers) of Sufjan Stevens’ Seven Swans.  The tribute album put out by On Joyful Wings is called Seven Swans Reimagined.  Derek does In Devil’s Territory.  Other musicians include some Asthmatic Kitty favorites, and some newbies to the fold – including the Gregory Brothers (autotune the news) and Inlets.

~Dan – np: On Joyful Wings (various artists) – Sufjan Stevens’ Seven Swans Reimagined

Democracy Vol. 2 is a series of subscription based albums of cover songs that Derek will be recording annually, starting January 2010. Those who participate will not only receive the exclusive album, but will democratically decide what songs Derek will record.

Ever wished you could hear Derek cover your favorite Beatles song? Or Backstreet Boys song? Or even re-record your favorite old Caedmon’s Call song? Here’s your chance. Songs will be nominated and voted down to 10. Derek will record them (demo quality) and deliver them digitally (320kbps MP3s), one song per month for 10 months (March to December). Don’t miss your chance to be part of this unique collaborative project with Derek Webb!