Jonathan Richman Tours, Scores Indie Film

While he hasn't issued a disc of new material since 2004's well-received Not So Much to Be Loved as to Love, the Modern Lover did recently lend his talents to the upcoming indie film Revolution Summer. Written and directed by Miles Montalbano-- who also played some bass on Not So Much and shot Richman's 2003 live DVD Take Me to the Plaza-- the film features an original score by Richman, as well as his, er, riches: Jonathan executive produced the project.

While the film is currently without a release date, it's never too early to get pumped up for Revolution Summer. Practice telling your friends about it: the film's official website describes it as a story of "Four young people adrift in The City, and the choices they make in their search for meaning in the face of an increasingly oppressive and alienating society." Could be the next There's Something About Mary, who knows? [MORE...]

Video: Jonathan Richman: I'm So Confused [from the I'm So Confused LP]

Exclusive: Frog Eyes Shed Tears, Tour to Feel Better

Tears of the Valedictorian collects nine new tracks from Carey Mercer (also of Swan Lake) and company, featuring typically zany titles and copious punctuation. The LP follows up last July's Acuarela EP The Future Is Inter-Disciplinary or Not at All, and guess what? Frog Eyes hit the road this spring to support their latest creation, yapping and yelping down to SXSW for a one-off showcase spot, then circumnavigating the continent in May. [MORE...]

Stream: Frog Eyes: Various Tracks

Grizzly Bear Kick Off North American Tour

The Grizzly Bear den will be empty for the next month, as the band kicks off an extensive North American tour tonight in Philadelphia. Dirty Projectors will lend support for much of the first half of the trek, with the latter half handled by San Francisco's Papercuts.

Grizzly Bear have three spring festival appearances on the calendar as well; they'll perform at Coachella in California on April 29, ATP vs the Fans in England on May 18, and Barcelona's Primavera Festival on May 31.

As previously reported, CSS will follow Girl Talk in remixing Grizzly Bear's "Knife", and there's a chance that the track may be released on a tour-only 7". According to NME.com, Grizzly Bear plan to return the favor with a CSS cover.

And speaking of "Knife", the video for the Yellow House number is nearly complete, thanks to the folks at Encylcopedia Pictura. [MORE...]

MP3: Grizzly Bear: Knife (Girl Talk Remix)

Exclusive: Dean & Britta Announce Tour, Share MP3

The couple-- Dean, surname Wareham, best known for his work in Luna and Galaxie 500, and Britta, surname Phillips, known for playing in Luna and the Belltower, providing cartoon voice-overs, and whipping up a mean water filter-- take to the the tour trail this March, beginning in Philadelphia. Along the way they'll hit up most major cosmopolitan areas in the U.S. and Canada, closing things out with a NYC homecoming gig. Joining these lovebirds onstage: drummer Matt Johnson and keyboardist/melodica player Lara Meyerratken.

To get the kids stoked for the forthcoming jaunt and record release, Dean & Britta have kindly shared an exclusive mp3 of Back Numbers opener "Singer Sing". As Dean told Pitchfork last fall, said tune "was the last thing we finished...it was something we were creeping around with at home." Appropriately, it has that gauzy, homespun feel, and will likely make you wish you were back at your place cuddling up with a loved one, instead of staring at this cold, dispassionate computer screen. [MORE...]

MP3: Dean & Britta: Singer Sing [from the forthcoming Back Numbers LP]

Bjork, Chili Peppers Set to Rock Roskilde
Bjork also primed for Coachella, Glastonbury, Open'er

This year mighty Roskilde celebrates its 36th birthday July 5-8 in the Copenhagen-area town from which it derives its name. Expect many, many more acts to join the bill in the coming weeks.

And if you're feeling a déjà vu-like sensation right now, that's probably because you read this story, and vaguely recall that Björk also headlines Coachella's first night (April 27), while RHCP close out the second (April 28). Does this mean Rage Against the Machine's gearing up for the Rosk as well? Considering last year's fest had Guns ‘n Roses, we won't rule out the possibility.

Special thanks to alert reader Péter Tóth for the festival tip.

As previously reported, Björk has a new album tentatively slated for late spring release and boasting special guests Timbaland, Antony, Brian Chippendale (Lightning Bolt), Konono N^o 1, and more. Gal must have festival fever, too: she's also playing Gdynia, Poland's Open'er Festival alongside the Beastie Boys. That fest crashes Eastern Europe from June 29 to July 1. As if that weren't enough, she's onboard for Glastonbury as well (June 22-24).

Exclusive: Magik Markers Record With Ranaldo, Tour
[Photo by John Moloney]

Magik Markers will record their first proper studio album in February at Echo Canyon West studio in Hoboken, New Jersey. Sonic Youth's Lee Ranaldo will produce the record, and bandmate Thurston Moore will release it on his Ecstatic Peace label.

According to drummer Pete Nolan, former guitarist Leah Quimby is "currently enjoying domestic bliss with Rob [Thomas] from Sunburned [Hand of the Man] in Boston." Thus, the new record will feature Nolan and guitarist/vocalist Elisa Ambrogio as a duo, along with "whomever they snare as a 'guest' here and there," according to Moore.

There are also plans for "a DVD documenting the legendary 'Was it a memory or were we dreaming?' first phase of Markers history: the trio with original member Leah Quimby. This will rule," says Moore.

Also ruling is the name of the Markers' upcoming tour, which begins March 8 at a venue to be announced in Brooklyn: "'Relax in a Panic Free Environment' Spring 2007 Deep Fucking South Tour". Noise rockers give everything the best titles. [MORE...]

Video: Magik Markers: Live

Sea and Cake Ready Everybody

Everybody follows up 2003's One Bedroom and features the tried-and-true lineup of vocalist/guitarist Sam Prekop (Dracula), guitarist Archer Prewitt (mummy), bassist Erik Claridge (Frankenstein monster), and drummer John McEntire (werewolf). What they may lack in synchronized dance moves, they more than make up for with sparkling, graceful arrangements and thoughtful songwriting.

Despite Prekop's best intentions, Everybody contains-- like every Sea and Cake album before it-- exactly 10 songs. Unlike the band's previous LPs, this one was recorded with some help from sound engineer Brian Paulson (Wilco, Slint) at Michigan's Key Club. It was "like a little rock'n'roll boot camp," Prekop told Pitchfork earlier this month.

As previously reported, Cakers Prekop and McEntire are slowly piecing together a electronic record, while Prekop also has a book of photography on the way. Expect the Sea and Cake to hit the road this spring to rock your body right. [MORE...]

MP3: The Sea and Cake: Hotel Tell [from the One Bedroom LP]

Jamie Klaxon Talks Success, Violence, Family, Future
On Klaxons gigs: "It becomes this bloke-fest with men everywhere trying to fight each other!"

Sound a bit overwhelming? Not for these kids. As Klaxon Jamie Reynolds revealed in a chat with Pitchfork yesterday, the trio is taking things one dance step at a time.

"Just after the mayhem last year," Reynolds explained, "we were really into the idea of getting a good pace going...rather than going full steam ahead and crashing."

The mayhem, however, has just begun. While the record sales week hasn't quite ended, as of yesterday, Klaxons have the number one album in the UK. "It's absolutely ridiculous!" exclaimed Jamie.

So how does he intend to celebrate? "I'm going stop in on my mother and a couple of friends. And I'm going to play a gig to 200 people in my hometown. [It's] perfect, honestly. Today is what it's all about."

That Southampton gig went down last night, as part of a handful of "warm-up" shows before Klaxons hit the road with CSS and company. "It's great to come here and get to see old friends I haven't seen in a long time," said Jamie.

Nevermind all the new friends he'll likely make when Myths hits the States in late April, as previously reported, via Rinse/DGC. Not surprisingly, Jamie's psyched: "The whole idea of being on the same label as Nirvana and bands like that is mind-blowing!" [MORE...]

Video: Klaxons: Magick [from the Myths of the Near Future LP]

M. Ward Tours With Norah Jones

Post-War veteran M. Ward guested on Norah Jones' brand new album Not Too Late, and now he will tour with the Starbucks-ready singer and her Handsome Band for a month full of North American dates. So your mom will totally have a crush on him.

As previously reported, Merge will release "To Go Home" as the first single from Post-War on February 20 in the U.S. (4AD released it in Europe on January 29 in 7" and CD formats.) It features guest appearances from Neko Case, Jim James of My Morning Jacket, and more.

Ward has three early February dates in California with Victoria Williams supporting. They begin at Los Angeles' El Rey Theatre on February 2. [MORE...]

Video: M. Ward: Chinese Translation [from the Post-War LP]

Coldplay Prep Singles Box Set, Tour

Coldplay have announced the release of a singles box set, the wittily titled The Singles 1999-2006. Have they really only been around seven years?

The collection, due internationally on March 26, features all 14 of the band's singles, including six that have never before been released on 7" vinyl: The Blue Room EP, "Don't Panic" (previously unreleased in the UK), "In My Place", "God Put a Smile Upon Your Face" (previously unreleased in the UK), "What If" (previously unreleased in the UK), and "The Hardest Part".

Each single will be pressed on heavyweight 7" vinyl and sleeved in its original artwork. There will not be a CD release.

In other news, Coldplay have a handful of South American and Mexican tour dates on the agenda. They'll kick things off on February 14 in Santiago, Chile.

As previously reported, Brian Eno is producing the next Coldplay album, according to an interview he did with BBC Radio 4's Kristy Lang last week.

Finally, Coldplay have been nominated for two Grammys, in the categories of Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal and Best Remixed Recording, Non-Classical for "Talk" and "Talk (Thin White Duke mix)", respectively. [MORE...]

Stream: Coldplay: Various Tracks

Air Plan European Tour

Air's Pocket Symphony is hitting the road. This March, Nicolas Godin and JB Dunckel will bring their new tunes to venues across Europe, and a Stateside trek is in the works for this spring, surrounding the duo's Coachella appearance. The summer will be spent at European and Japanese festivals.

As previously reported, Symphony is due March 6 via Astralwerks.

The 12-track LP was co-produced by the esteemed Nigel Godrich, and features vocals from Air's Nicolas Godin and JB Dunckel (aka Darkel), as well as Jarvis Cocker and the Divine Comedy's Neil Hannon. [MORE...]

Stream: Air: Various Tracks

Ladytron Tour With Nine Inch Nails

Ladytron will assume the role of touring machine for much of the first half of 2007. Their itinerary includes a couple of DJ sets by various band members, a few solo dates, and a massive tour of the UK and Europe with Nine Inch Nails. So much synth it'll hurt your ears!

The band still have release plans while on tour, though. First, 2005's Witching Hour will finally have a full release in Europe, though that's about all the information they've released on their website so far. They will also release a series of remix 12"s. The first is for "Weekend" and features remixes from Virgintears and former Smashing Pumpkin James Iha (or is it current Smashing Pumpkin? We can never tell with Corgan and crew). It will come out digitally and on vinyl in early February. The next remix 12" will be for "Soft Power", and it should be available in March.

Thanks to reader Jaime L. Flores for the tip! [MORE...]

MP3: Ladytron: Sugar [from the Witching Hour LP]

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