Shins Announce December Dates

The Shins will cover almost the entirety of the American West Coast on the four dates of their massive December tour, all of which are radio station-sponsored holiday events. My Chemical Romance will also play the December 7 date in Seattle, and we expect nothing less than a Gerard Way/James Mercer "Phantom Limb" duet.

Speaking of radio stations, the Shins will play an in-studio session for SIRIUS' "Left of Center" on November 29. [MORE...]

MP3: The Shins: Phantom Limb [from the forthcoming Wincing the Night Away LP]

T.V. Eye: November 27-December 4, 2006

Pitchfork's T.V. Picks for This Week:

Monday, November 27:

ABC: "Jimmy Kimmel Live": the Hold Steady (rerun)
CBS: "Late Show With David Letterman": Tom Waits

Tuesday, November 28:

CBS: "Late Show With David Letterman": the Decemberists
Comedy Central: "The Daily Show With Jon Stewart": Tom Waits
NBC: "The Tonight Show With Jay Leno": Snoop Dogg

Wednesday, November 29:

CBS: "Late Show With David Letterman": Ciara
NBC: "Late Night With Conan O'Brien": My Morning Jacket

Thursday, November 30:

ABC: "Jimmy Kimmel Live": Jenny Lewis
Syndicated: "The Ellen DeGeneres Show": Snoop Dogg

Friday, December 1:

CBS: "Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson": Joseph Arthur
CBS: "Late Show With David Letterman": Silversun Pickups
NBC: "Last Call With Carson Daly": the Rapture

Saturday, December 2:

PBS: "Austin City Limits": Ben Folds and Ray LaMontagne (rerun)

Flipper Tour With Krist Novoselic
Free Willy, Dave Grohl get jealous, form their own damn band

San Francisco old school punks Flipper will embark on their first tour in ten years with former Nirvana bassist Krist Novoselic in tow, according to various sources and confirmed by the band. Novoselic has joined the band after retiring from music in 2003 to get involved in Washington (state) politics and write a book called Of Grunge & Government: Let's Fix this Broken Democracy! Appropriately enough, the tour begins in Seattle on December 1. [MORE...]

MP3: Flipper: Sex Bomb [from the Generic LP]

MP3: The Boggs: "Arm in Arm (Hot Chip Remix)"

Brooklyn/Berlin's the Boggs will release their new album, Forts, in the spring, but the "Arm In Arm" 12" single is already available. The Boggs recruited DFA disco dudes Hot Chip for this eight-and-a-half-minute remix, which finds the Chip in full-on industrial mode, echoey "Tainted Love"-style synths and all.

MP3: The Boggs: Arm in Arm (Hot Chip remix) [from the Arm in Arm single]

Four Tet Talks Remixes, Collaborations, New Music
Kieran Hebden remixing Thom Yorke, Arab Strap, Explosions in the Sky, Aluminium, working with Fridge, Steve Reid, Sunburned Hand of the Man

Kieran Hebden gets around. The man also known as Four Tet had quite a year in 2006, releasing the CD/DVD package Everything Ecstatic 2 (a companion to 2005's Everything Ecstatic), a remix compilation, a volume in the DJ-Kicks series, two discs of collaboration with jazz drummer Steve Reid, and a song for children, as well as touring with and without Reid and remixing the likes of Jamie Lidell, ex-Cure keyboardist Roger O'Donnell, and His Name Is Alive.

As the year comes to a close, Hebden hasn't slowed down one bit. Pitchfork caught up with the workaholic recently, and he filled us in on what he's been up to, when he's not slacking off and doing something counter-productive like eating or sleeping.

Not surprisingly, Hebden has been steadily adding to his remix discography. He recently got his hands on the Aluminium version of the White Stripes' "Forever for Her Is Over for Me", available as an exclusive download from Rough Trade's brand new MP3 store, Rough Trade Digital. As previously reported, Aluminium is "avant garde orchestral" versions of White Stripes songs, as envisioned by XL Recordings founder Richard Russell and composer/arranger Joby Talbot.

"I'm a huge fan of the White Stripes," Hebden said. "Particularly the last album I really, really liked. It was a nice thing to remix because the instrumentation was so diverse on it."

Hebden just finished his take on Thom Yorke's "Atoms for Peace", though he has "no idea what the release plan for that one is." His version of Arab Strap's first single, "The First Big Weekend", is the B-side to the retiring Scottish band's final release, a 7" also featuring "There Is No Ending". It's out now on Chemikal Underground.

Finally, as previously reported, the Four Tet remix of Explosions in the Sky's "Catastrophe and the Cure", from their forthcoming album All of a Sudden I Miss Everyone, will be included on the bonus disc that comes with the limited edition deluxe version of that album. It's due out February 20 on Temporary Residence.

"They are really good friends of mine," Hebden said of EITS. "It's one of those things that we always talked about but never got around to. It finally happened." [MORE...]

Video: Four Tet: Smile Around the Face [from the Everything Ecstatic LP]

Mark Kozelek Readies Live LP, Sun Kil Moon Reissue

Meanwhile, on February 6, 2007, Caldo Verde will reissue Sun Kil Moon's Ghosts of the Great Highway-- in honor of the record's three-year anniversary (oh boy). The new edition of the record comes with re-worked packaging and a six-song bonus disc. Extra tunes include two covers of Leonard Bernstein's "Somewhere", alternative and acoustic takes, a radio recording of "Gentle Moon", and the previously unreleased "Arrival", which Mark originally put together for the The Girl Next Door soundtrack.

And as previously reported, former Low bassist Zak Sally will put out Nights of Passed Over, a collection of lyrics and other items of interest from Kozelek, on Sally's La Mano 21 publishing imprint. The work, previously released only in Portugal, has been given a makeover since its debut-- a new introduction, the lyrics to Ghosts of the Great Highway, more hand-written lyrics, and several setlists-- and will finally see a North American release in early 2007. Scoop it up then via Caldo Verde, as well as La Mano 21's distributors and Sub Pop. [MORE...]

Stream: Mark Kozelek: Leo and Luna [from the See You on the Moon! compilation]

Exclusive Video: Les Savy Fav Interviews Les Savy Fav

Indeed, Les Savy Fav seemed to be locking up for good, even clearing out their vaults with the seven-inch compilation Inches, and piecing together an album of quieter material (the ill-fated Rabbit Trancing) from old studio tapes. As the new year approached, the four-piece separated, focused on their respective businesses and home lives, and finally, had babies. This year marked two new additions to the extended Savy fam, as Harrington and Butler both celebrated the births of their first children.

Of course, in the words of Joni Mitchell, you don't know what you got ('til it's gone), and by the summer of 2005, the Fav was hinting at plans to regroup. Then came a handful of sporadic tour dates, the long-awaited reissue of their then-out-of-print 1997 debut 3/5, and finally, the official announcement: In July, Butler revealed to Pitchfork that Les Savy Fav had booked time at NYC's Gigantic Studios to record another album-- their first to consist entirely of new material in more than five (!) years.

Now refreshed and re-inspired, the band is hard at work setting the night to music: Tentatively slated for a March release, the as-yet-untitled new full-length is quickly coming together. And today, as proof, the band gifted Pitchfork with exclusive video footage of their own in-studio self-interview as a public document of just what, exactly, they're doing with all that precious studio time. So, without further ado, Pitchfork proudly presents:

In the Studio: Les Savy Fav Interviews Les Savy Fav

Not enough? Alright, you greedy fux0rz. The band also sent this footage of a live performance earlier this month at NYU. No, it's not a new song. But it is one of their finest:

Les Savy Fav: "The Sweat Descends" (Live at NYU)

And with that, Pitchfork now happily rests for the popular U.S. holiday Thanksgiving. Daily content will resume Monday. Go eat some turkeys, you maniacs!

Futurehead Barry Hyde Talks Label Limbo, Next Record

Once in a while, the Futureheads are forced to slow down for a moment and consider the present. And here in the present, the band has no UK label, having just been politely dumped by 679. The Sunderland four-piece served up this year's solid News and Tributes to UK audiences via the label, as well as their self-titled debut. (It came out on StarTime/Vagrant in America.)

Now, with the young, sexy band back on the market, the question is: what next?

"At the minute we haven't found a label," Futureheads vocalist/guitarist Barry Hyde told Pitchfork in an interview on Monday. "I suppose you could say we're in between labels."

Hyde doesn't seem terribly miffed by the split, which was ultimately at the label's discretion. "Basically, [679] decided not to take us up on our options, for various reasons. But I was pretty pleased, to be honest with you. I was kind of hoping that it would happen, because I would love for us to have a fresh start-- try it a different way with some different people, so we're all very excited about next year."

Hyde's reluctant to say the band's experience with the label has led him to desire a "fresh start"-- instead, according to him, it's the age-old it's-not-you-it's-me scenario: "I suppose we weren't unhappy with the label [or] the people at the label. We were just unhappy as a band, I suppose, during that period when we were on their label...we did a lot of touring, and it was quite exhausting."

But Hyde admits, nonetheless, that he had higher hopes for the relationship with 679. These things are give and take, of course, and it seems the label slacked a bit on the giving end. "We made an album, News and Tributes," said Hyde, "and we're really pleased with it. But we don't think that enough was done with it...they just seemed to kind of go quiet. And maybe they've got lots of other things to think about, I'm not sure."

Hyde added that things are cool with the Futureheads' American mistress, StarTime/Vagrant. "We're happy being with Vagrant in America. [The split is] just in the UK."

However, the band's American A&R representative told Pitchfork in an e-mail yesterday afternoon that things aren't quite so simple. "StarTime/Vagrant licensed News and Tributes from 679/Warners UK for release in North America," he said. "It was not a direct signing of the artist. As the Futureheads are no longer on 679/Warners UK, our contractual relationship with the band is (unfortunately) over as well.

"Obviously, we love the band and would love the opportunity to keep working with them."

Since both Hyde and StarTime/Vagrant clearly still have feelings for one another, we sincerely hope they can work something out. [MORE...]

Video: The Futureheads: Skip to the End [from the News & Tributes LP]

Indian Jewelry and Psychic Ills Tour Together

Recent Infinite Mixtape inductees Indian Jewelry and New York collective Psychic Ills are gearing up to take on the free, open road together, starting this December 5 at Boston's PA's Lounge.

Before the two bands begin their partnership, Indian Jewelry will make a few scattered appearances across the U.S., as well as a stop at the WNYU Radio studios in New York. Following their expedition with Psychic Ills, Indian Jewelry will forge on for a handful of early January performances. [MORE...]

MP3: Indian Jewelry: Lesser Snake [from the Invasive Exotics LP; Infinte Mixtape #53]

The Thermals Head to Europe

Supporting their latest disc, the defiantly non-turkey The Body The Blood The Machine, the group will hit up more than a dozen countries in four weeks before wrapping up their touring year in the Netherlands just before Christmas. [MORE...]

Video: The Thermals: A Pillar of Salt [from the The Body The Blood The Machine LP]

Dipset A&R DukeDaGod: Powerballin'
Updates on Jim Jones, Cam'ron, JR Writer, Freaky Zeeky, Juelz Santana

George "DukeDaGod" Moore has to be the most recognizable A&R man in hip-hop. The Dipset magnate's name and likeness has graced countless mixtapes and two official compilation albums (2005's More Than Music, Vol. 1 and this year's The Movement Moves On) and, in the grand tradition of Diddy and Dame Dash, he has a gift for rambunctious, revolutionary song intros.

On the phone with Pitchfork last week, he was a bit more reserved. Currently, Duke is enjoying the success of his crew's clownish troublemaker, Jim Jones. The rapper's single "We Fly High" (a.k.a. "Ballin'!!!") has been worked into an anthem for the New York Giants and it serves as the backdrop to the current Jay-Z/Jim Jones "beefmix".

Talking about the song's football tie-in, Duke said, "That's just a connection between hip hop and sports. It's a universal word and everybody can relate to it-- especially if you're playing pro sports. It's a beautiful thing." Speaking on the Jay beef, Duke was downright, er, diplomatic: "We listenin', it's like studying the film of the other football team," he said. "We'll let the streets decide."

Jones will keep things moving this holiday season with A Dipset Christmas, which will surely stand tall next to Bing and Frank on mom's three-disc stereo system come dinnertime. Track titles for the album include "If Everyday Was X-Mas," "Ballin' on X-Mas", and "It's X-Mas So We Ballin' Everyday Because It's X-Mas". (OK that last one was made up…but I wouldn't be surprised if it made it onto A Dipset Christmas 2).

Citing Run DMC's classic "Christmas in Hollis" as a reference, Duke actually kind of played down the epic release. "There are gonna be little Christmas melodies on the songs, you know," he said.

Fair enough...snow-ballin'!!! [MORE...]

Stream: Various (Dipset): Tracks from the Dipset: The Movement Moves On LP

MP3: Mary Timony Band: "Hapi Holidaze"

Happy Thanksgiving! Time to get really, really, high! Or at least that's what this new track from guitar goddess Mary Timony seems to be telling me. "Hapi Holidaze", from the previously reported Kill Rock Stars Winter Holiday Album (available at iTunes now) is a dreamy madrigal-rocker on a one-way trip to Middle Earth, all ringing chords and Mary's enchanted (or stoned) repetitions of the title phrase.

In other words, it sounds like it's straight off the last Helium record.

MP3: Mary Timony Band: Hapi Holidaze [from the Kill Rock Stars Winter Holiday Album LP]

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