Arab Strap Drop Tears Stateside, Prep Solo Discs
Malcolm Middleton tours

2007 just isn't the same without Arab Strap. We miss the dour duo. We miss listening to their bawdy ramblings and drinking ourselves into oblivion. We miss getting smacked upside the face every time we try to explain their name to some girl at the bar. Lucky for us U.S.-dwelling mopes, Arab Strap have announced plans to deliver their previously reported swan song to our freedom-loving doorsteps.

The Arab Strap farewell compilation Ten Years of Tears-- which received a respectable 8.2 from Pitchfork's Joe Tangari just yesterday-- collects a whole mess of Strap favorites, some B-sides and rarities, and a new tune or two, and arrives Stateside via Chemikal Underground on February 20. The U.S. version features the same tracklist as its UK brother (which came out this past October), reprinted below for your perusal.

While the Strap has split, members Aidan Moffat and Malcolm Middleton remain quite active with solo pursuits.

Middleton follows up 2005's Into the Woods with A Brighter Beat, out February 26 on London's Full Time Hobby. Title track single "A Brighter Beat" hits shoppes January 22 in digital and 7" formats. In support of the new disc, Malcolm's touring up a storm around Europe in the coming months, opening shows for both Robin Proper-Sheppard's Sophia and Badly Drawn Boy, as well as headlining a spate of gigs with a full band in March.

Moffat's electronic project L. Pierre (aka Lucky Pierre), meanwhile, follows up 2004's Touchpool with his Melodic Records-stamped third full-length, Dip, on January 15 in the UK and February 6 in the U.S. [MORE...]

Exclusive: Mando Diao Share U.S. Release Details, MP3

Swedish garage rockers Mando Diao want to take us back to a time when Swedish garage rock was all the rage (oh, say, 2002). To that end, they're bringing their album Ode to Ochrasy, which first hit shelves last year via Majesty/EMI Music Sweden, to North America on April 24 via Mute Records.

The disc was recorded in the spring of 2006 and produced by the band with help from Björn Olsson (ex-Soundtrack of Our Lives). "Long Before Rock'n'roll", the album's rompin', stompin' first single, is available as an exclusive free download for 24 hours only by clicking on the link below. After those 24 hours are over, it will be available as a stream.

Mando Diao have scattered performances scheduled from now through early March, most of which take place in their native Sweden. The boys will, however, make their way to the U.S. this spring for a series of dates, including several at SXSW. [MORE...]

Video Premiere: Rob Crow: "I Hate You, Rob Crow"
Rob Crow caws across America

Pretty much everything about this-- both the Nirvana-esque song, self-deprecating title and all, from Rob Crow's previously reported solo LP Living Well (out January 23 on Temporary Residence), and the accompanying video, directed by Wormwood Films' Matt Hoyt (Goblin Cock, Pinback, the Black Heart Procession)-- harkens back to a time when indie rock was more innocent. The early 90s, say?

While the action is a little difficult to follow, it seems Rob's the kind of guy who walks into parties and causes all conversation to dry up for a few awkward seconds. Here he puts on a cracked-out puppet show (that recalls, in a way, old MTV/Nickelodeon promos), hijacks a surgical procedure (um, is that mic connected to an intestine?), crashes a mob dinner, and tackles Kenny G's grunge-era cousin. It's all quite goofy and harmless, a throwback to a time when humor (and, perhaps, music) wasn't trying to be so damned cool and sophisticated.

Crow takes Living Well for a tour of the U.S. beginning on Valentine's Day, and treats his San Diego-area pals to a special instore acoustic performance on the record's release date, January 23. The event goes down at Lou's Records in Encinitas, California, and Crow will be signing autographs. Folks who preorder Living Well from Lou's website can score a special autographed poster as well. [MORE...]

MP3: The Pack: "Candy"
They love shoes...and female genitalia!

This track from the Pack's December Skateboards 2 Scrapers EP is definitely hyphier than either "Vans" or "I'm Shinin'", and it's about as good, too. Freshman San Francisco State University business student Young L's production provides a skittering backdrop to the quartet's ode to, ahem, "pussy popping."

With the sampled female voice proclaiming, "It's my pussy, I can do what I want," the four MCs (Young L, Stunna, and Lils Uno and B) make no bones about what the "candy" of the title is. Despite the jarring sample, though, the verses are nimble displays of craft that actually paint a fairly egalitarian picture of the love-making arts ("Have you ever heard big girls need love?/ It's her pussy, she can do what she wants.").

According a label representative, the Pack have "no tour dates right now. They are in school!" They are, however, planning the release of their official debut album, which does not currently have a title but promises to feature Too $hort, Keak Da Sneak, Mr. F.A.B., Jody Breeze of Boyz N Da Hood, and the Team. Too $hort's Up All Nite Music will release the full-length.

The album's first single, titled "Fresh" and featuring Dem Franchize Boyz, will come out January 15. A video for the track is scheduled to debut in February.

Yo La Tengo, Walkmen, PB&J Head Laneway Fest
Love Is All, Camera Obscura, Archie Bronson Outfit also scheduled to appear

Preparations for the St Jeromes Laneway Festival, scheduled to strike Melbourne, Australia on February 24 and 25, Brisbane on March 3, and Sydney on March 4, are in full swing. The two-weekend, three-city event recently finalized its lineup, and man, is it an indie pop bonanza.

Yo La Tengo, the Walkmen, Peter Bjorn & John, Camera Obscura, Love Is All, the Sleepy Jackson, Archie Bronson Outfit, Youth Group, Love of Diagrams, the Bellrays, Bumblebeez, and more are lined up for at least one Laneway stop each. Head here for the full roster.

El Perro Del Mar Tours America Del Norte

At long last, our dog of the sea takes to the land...the Land of Freedom! Yep, two whole shows in Canada-- and she's playing the United States too. Sarah Assbring, who channeled years of surname-related playground ridicule into one gem of a sophomore record-- last year's self-titled, melancholic 60s pop opus-- returns to North America for a series of shows beginning March 1.

In other El Perro news, Assbring recently departed Swedish label Hybris for the greener pastures of the Concretes' Licking Fingers imprint (also home to Frida Hyvönen). The LF people speak of an "upcoming album", so start getting thrilled for that!

She also contributed a mellow new song called "Hello Goodbye" to the contemporary culture journal ESOPUS, which you may stream right now at the Licking Fingers website.

Finally, as previously reported, El Perro Del Mar has been recording with another oft-heartbroken Swede, ever-lovable Jens Lekman. [MORE...]

Viva Voce to Support Shins on Tour
Anita Robinson to join Shins on "SNL", "Letterman"

You know how in latest Shins single, "Phantom Limb", there's a female voice gently cooing in the background? Well, that voice belongs to Anita Robinson, one half of the Barsuk duo Viva Voce. And you're going to hear a lot more of her, because Robinson and hubby Kevin will spend much of February supporting the Shins on their previously reported North American tour.

The Shins trek is sandwiched between a gig in their hometown of Portland, Oregon and a full-blown U.S. stint (complete with SXSW dates) in March. It's all in support of Viva Voce's 2006 Barsuk release, Get Yr Blood Sucked Out.

Anita will test the Shinsy waters out this Saturday night, January 13, on "Saturday Night Live", where she'll perform "Phantom Limb" with the band. She'll join forces with them again on Tuesday, January 23 on CBS' "Late Show With David Letterman". [MORE...]

Gruff Rhys Coming to America Thanks to Conor Oberst
Also: More details of Gruff Rhys / Boom Bip collaboration

Pun-loving Super Furry Animals frontman Gruff Rhys will release Candylion-- his recent solo album-- in the U.S. on March 6 via Conor Oberst's Team Love label. It will come out on CD and four-sided LP (the fourth side is an etching).

Rhys' collaboration with Anticon-associated turntablist Boom Bip, previously reported to be under the moniker Delorean, is now called Neon Neon, though the currently untitled album they plan to release in the summer on Lex Records is a concept album about John De Lorean (yes, the one responsible for that De Lorean). Guests on the album include former Pharcyde MC Fatlip, Spank Rock, the Magic Numbers, Har Mar Superstar, and Kudu.

Rhys will get his tour on with a boatload of UK dates in March and April, though he does have a few dates before then in Italy and Wales. [MORE...]

Kieran Hebden and Steve Reid Speak in Tongues, Tour

Following two mini-albums in their Exchange Session series, the unlikely pairing of UK knob-twiddler Kieran Hebden (aka Four Tet) and legendary NYC jazz drummer Steve Reid is ready to take it to the next level.

Come March 20 (March 19 in the UK), Domino and the duo will expand minds with Tongues, their third collaborative artifact. Featuring ten tracks that pit Hebden's mad-scientist array of electronic doodads against Reid's beefed-up drum kit and percussion palette, the disc was recorded entirely live, with no overdubs, at the Exchange in London. Mastered by a guy at the Exchange (whose name is Graeme Durham), the album even includes a tripped out rendition of "Greensleeves".

In an interview with Pitchfork back in November, Hebden described the collection as "a bit more punk" than his previous collaborative offerings with Reid.

There's beauty born of Hebden and Reid's struggle between synthetic and organic, and long-time fans of both mens' work and new converts alike will have an opportunity to take it in firsthand, as Hebden and the sexagenarian Reid hit the road this spring. Following two U.S. dates, our Tongues-smiths will hop the pond for a spate of UK gigs. Hebden promises more U.S. and worldwide dates later in the year.

As previously reported, Hebden and Reid performed along with Thom Yorke and the White Stripes on the inaugural episode of Nigel Godrich's "From the Basement". Download the episode now on iTunes or at the programme's website.

Finally, keep your eyes peeled for the previously mentioned new album from Hebden's other non-Four Tet project, Fridge. [MORE...]

Bill Callahan Dumps Smog Name, Drops LP

Indie boys and girls of the world: dress sexy, because today marks a funeral of sorts. Bill Callahan, who shed his trusty parentheses a few albums back, has officially put the rest of his Smog moniker out to pasture.

Maybe he's just trying to be more environmentally conscious following a year of record-high temperatures, or maybe his elfin girlfriend put him up to it, but from this point forward Bill Callahan will be simply and unambiguously known as Bill Callahan.

To celebrate this return to his roots, Bill-- who foreshadowed his de-Smoging by playing recent shows under the name his mother gave him-- will deliver another album for Drag City, his first as Bill Callahan and 739th overall.

Woke on a Whaleheart continues Bill's nautical infatuation and sets sail April 17 (UPDATE: RELEASE DATE PUSHED BACK TO APRIL 24), featuring guest contributions from arranger Neil Michael Hagerty (of the Howling Hex, Royal Trux, and Pussy Galore fame), backing gospel vocalist Deani Pugh-Flemmings, guitarist Pete Denton, and violinist Elizabeth Warren.

Get accustomed to the new Bill before Whaleheart awakens by scooping up single "Diamond Dancer", due via Drag City on March 20. The tune comes backed with an exclusive, non-album B-side from the Whaleheart sessions called "Taken", which also happens to be the essence of what Joanna Newsom told you when you tried to ask her out last weekend. [MORE...]

Benjy Ferree Launches U.S. Tour

Benjy Ferree talks the talk and walks the walk. Following the release of his debut LP, Leaving the Nest (Domino), last November, Ferree is, um, leaving the nest for a short jaunt through the States.

Tonight, he'll kick it off with a performance in Columbus, Ohio. And tomorrow, as previously reported, he'll join the Ponys, Sano, the Early Tapes, and DJ Matt Fields at Chicago's Schubas Tavern for the Tomorrow Never Knows festival. He'll continue on for the next nine days, finishing things up in Philadelphia on January 21. [MORE...]

Misra + Absolutely Kosher = <3

After months of surreptitious hand-holding and playing footsie under the table, Austin's Misra Records and Berkeley's Absolutely Kosher have finally decided to make it official.

The two respectable indie imprints announced yesterday that they have entered a "strategic partnership" (according to a press release), combining their management under one Emeryville, California roof and streamlining their operations (while remaining separate entities), which means more, better, hotter indie product for you and your roommates in 2007 and beyond.

Each label will maintain its individual roster, but will be run by the same staff. (Sort of like Secretly Canadian and Jagjaguwar, if that makes sense to you.) Absolutely Kosher's Cory Brown will oversee both labels, taking over for departing Misra label manager Phil Waldorf.

Misra sprung to life in 1999, the collective vision of Mendoza Line singer/guitarist Timothy Bracy, activist and Future of Music Coalition co-founder Michael Bracy, attorney Paige Conner Totaro, and business guy John Matouk. They were later joined by musician Nicholas Bischoff and financial analyst John Clardy. And in a cool twist, the label's lawyer is John P. Strohm, who used to be in the Blake Babies and the Lemonheads.

Misra's rad roster includes folky folks like Shearwater, Will Johnson/Centro-Matic/South San Gabriel, Great Lake Swimmers, the Mendoza Line, Phosphorescent, Summer Hymns, and all-around crazies Evangelicals.

Absolutely Kosher, meanwhile, has been Cory Brown's baby since 1998. The eclectic label blessed the world with quite a few stellar releases, including one of Pitchfork's all-time favorite records, the Wrens' The Meadowlands, as well as superlative discs and vinyl from Sunset Rubdown, Xiu Xiu, the Mountain Goats, Frog Eyes, Goblin Cock, the Jim Yoshii Pile-Up, +/-, the Dead Science, and Pitchfork scribe Matt LeMay's own Get Him Eat Him. [MORE...]

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