Sufjan, Danielson on Killer Ben + Vesper LP

Photo by Helen Michelsen

If the name Ben + Vesper sounds familyre, that's because this artsy-fartsy husband/wife duo runs with the notorious Suf-gang. And you do not want to front on that, for Ben + Vesper-- signed to Daniel Smith's Sounds Familyre imprint-- have a straight gangsta 13-track LP coming at us May 22.

All This Could Kill You features multi-instrumental action from the one and only Sufjan Stevens (who tackles banjo, woodwinds, vocals, and piano here) and the production wizardry/wackery of Smith. The potentially murderous LP also boasts the titular equation's sensitive co-ed crooning (Ida fans take note), vocals from Smith siblings David (who also drums) and Elin, and arrangements from Josh Stamper and Chris Weisman.

As hazardous as this record is, we know you'll listen anyway; dip your toes in the waters of death by checking out the pleasant "An Honest Bluff" below. [MORE...]

Dominik Eulberg Returns to His Heimsche Gefilde
Um, whatever that means

Babel Fish to the rescue! Heimsche Gefilde, the title of techno maestro and Pitchfork Festival grad Dominik Eulberg's new LP, translates to...Heim Gefilde?? Sheesh, thanks a lot Babel Fish.

Good thing we have this here press release, which says the title translates to "Native Habitat". So there you go. Herr Eulberg's new 22-track long-player hits shops April 2 via Traum and comes packed with ceaseless tight grooves that should work the pelvis and cerebral cortex in equal measure. Well, not quite ceaseless: Eulberg drops in every second or third track to say some pleasant-sounding things that we don't understand in German-- which explains how this is a 22-track techno LP.

Highlights include album closer "Stelldichein des Westerwälder Vogelchores" (um, "Stepchildren of Wandering Whippoorwills"?)-- a dance cut built from bird sounds, with Eulberg seemingly introducing the tracks Tubular Bells-style-- and "Die Alpenstrandläufer von Spiekeroog" ("The Mountain Ascent of Spiderman"...maybe). Keep your eyes peeled for a Gabriel Ananda remix of the former, while the latter will appear on a Eulberg 12" (backed with an exclusive B-side) due the same day as the full-length's release.

Not surprisingly, Dominik has some more 12" action on the way via Traum this year. Spin them at your trendy parties-- or catch the man himself as he jaunts about Europe in the coming months. And remember, Dominik Eulberg is not a man to be trifled with. [MORE...]

Saturday Looks Good to Me Sign to K, Launch Tour

Saturday Looks Good to Me have revealed the details surrounding their next record, titled Fill up the Room. Due on September 11 via K Records, it is the follow-up to 2004's Every Night (Polyvinyl), as well last year's singles/rarities collection Sound on Sound (Redder), and marks a label change for the band.

According to a press release, the forthcoming disc's subject matter departs from "heartbroken laments to investigate themes of the afterlife, women inventors and scientists, the physical breakdown of the human body in relation to artistic freedom and many other universal cycles." Holy mackerel.

The band launches a North American tour this evening in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and they will spend April and May in Europe and the UK, though specific dates have not yet been confirmed.

The journey will coincide with a limited-edition one-sided LP of exclusive new material, titled Green Mansions (Ypsilanti). It will only be available on the road and through SLGTM's MySpace page. More mini-records, including an as-of-yet untitled Polyvinyl EP, are due prior to the release of the K album.

All of this follows the band's "Money in the Afterlife"/"All the Sidewalk Birds" 7", which landed earlier this week on Ernest Jenning Record Co.. "Money in the Afterlife" is Fill up the Room's first single. [MORE...]

Exclusive: Shearwater Sign to Matador, Expand Palo

With more raucous rawkers like the Ponys, Times New Viking, and Love of Diagrams now under their wing, seems the good eggs at Matador Records needed something to appeal to label fans' sensitive sides. Alight Shearwater, songwriting vessel for Okkervil River's Jonathan Meiburg and pals, who've signed to the near-impeccable Olé imprint.

While the avian quartet have a new LP tentatively slated for early 2008 release, Matador will reissue last year's excellent Palo Santo in a deluxe, two-disc/double-LP edition, on April 10. The first disc boasts completely re-recorded versions of "La Dame et la Licorne", "Red Sea, Black Sea", "Seventy-Four, Seventy-Five", "Johnny Viola", and "Hail, Mary"-- all apparently more in line with the band's vision than the original recordings.

Disc two, meanwhile, collects a handful of Shearwater's Palo demos, along with several unreleased jams and covers of Skip James' "Special Rider Blues" and Baby Dee's "Lilacs". The latter cover is exclusive to the vinyl version of this release.

Check out the clearer, richer new version of "Red Sea, Black Sea"-- with sparkling chimes, upright bass thick as sap, Jonathan's "fucking disaster!" lash-out quite intact, and a riotous finale-- in mp3 format below.

In directly related news, Austin's Misra Records-- who released the original Palo Santo last May-- have drastically reduced webshop prices on the album for a limited time. This potential future eBay scorcher-- which, as mentioned, features different recordings of almost half the songs on the forthcoming Matador release-- can be yours for a mere four dollars! A fine album in its own right, score a copy here while supplies last.

As previously reported, Shearwater hit the road with Xiu Xiu in late March, with a few SXSW engagements to warm them up. [MORE...]

Arcade Fire, Bloc Party, Interpol to Rock UK/Euro Fests

Residents of Ireland and Scotland alike can catch the sweet, sweet sounds of the Arcade Fire, Bloc Party, Interpol, and more this summer at two remarkably similar UK/European events: 2007's Oxegen and T in the Park festivals.

In addition to the aforementioned acts, artists booked for both fests include Klaxons, Scissor Sisters, CSS, Snow Patrol, Kings of Leon, My Chemical Romance, Razorlight, the Kooks, Babyshambles, James Morrison, Amy Winehouse, Tori Amos, the Fratellis, and, um, the Goo Goo Dolls.

Double the fun! Plus you get to be part of the live Goo Goo Dolls experience.

Performers exclusive to Oxegen, which takes place at Naas, Ireland's Punchestown Racecourse on July 7 and 8, include Daft Punk and Muse.

T in the Park runs over the same weekend at Balado Park, near Kinross, Scotland, but throws Friday, July 6 into the music-packed mix. LCD Soundsystem, Lily Allen, Maxïmo Park, the Killers, the Arctic Monkeys, Booka Shade, Kasabian, Editors, Slam, Digitalism, Damien Rice, the Gossip, the Coral, and the View enhance the partial lineup above. More acts have yet to be announced.

Tarantula A.D. Evolve Into Priestbird, Tour

Tarantula A.D. have traded in their spider legs for a pair of wings. According to a press release, the band's sound "[had] been constantly evolving to the point where [its] members felt an overall change was in order," leading to a name switch inspired by "a character in one of [its] songs that looks after the bird spirits on the afterlife." Folks, we present to you the shiny, new Priestbird!

The band, which features the same members as before playing both old and new tunes, will release their debut LP (under the Priestbird moniker), titled In Your Time, on April 17 via Kemado Records. The album was recorded in the Kemado Studios with Black Crowes engineer Chris Ribando. So birdy!

In support of the disc, they'll play three NYC shows in the coming weeks before launching tours of America and Europe in the spring. Priestbird will spend much of the trek's U.S. leg alongside labelmates the Sword, who they logged tour hours with last year. [MORE...]

Lavender Diamond Imagine New Album, Tour

Lavender Diamond will release their new album, Imagine Our Love, via Matador on May 8. The band recently reissued their 2005 EP, The Cavalry of Light, on Matador and Rough Trade, and they are just finishing up a previously reported European tour with the Decemberists. They also have a few scattered dates of their own in March and May/June. Unlike the rest of the world, they aren't playing SXSW.

Don't forget that Imagine Our Love's "Open Your Heart" was just featured in the Forkcast section, and it is still available for download from the Matador website. [MORE...]

Exclusive: Shapes & Sizes Split Lips on Sophomore LP
Don't quit their day jobs in taxidermy

Given our devilishly short attention spans (and theirs), the new Shapes and Sizes album is, like, the Chinese Democracy of ADHD indie rock. I mean, c'mon guys, when did your self-titled debut come out? Like, last July or something? What's the freaking hold up? Who are you, Kevin Shields?

Thankfully, the playful Montreal-via-Vancouver- via-Victoria quartet delivers its Shapes and Sizes follow-up-- Split Lips, Winnings Hips, a Shiner-- on May 22. In cahoots once again with Asthmatic Kitty, the hyper squad of keyboardist Caila Thompson-Hannant, guitarist Rory Seydel, bassist Nathan Gage, and drummer Jon Crellin serves up another silver platter of spastic grooves, recorded at Vancouver's JC/DC Studios and mixed with labelmate Rafter Roberts.

As previously reported, Shapes and Sizes hit the road with another Asthmatic labelmate, Castanets, this March. Furthermore, they-- er, what were we talking about? Ah, nevermind. [MORE...]

My Morning Jacket to Host Prom in Athens, Georgia
Prom king and queen annointed with crowns made of beard hair

My Morning Jacket are getting in touch with their inner wallflowers and making up for lost time by hosting an "Under the Sea"-themed two-night prom at the 40 Watt Club in Athens, Georgia.

Here is the announcement of the event as it reads on their website:

"For all of you who missed your prom back in 1956 or 1986 or 2006 for that matter, we will be hosting the 1st annual MMJ 2 night prom, March 6th and 7th, at the fabulous, prom-ready, 40 Watt Club in Athens! The first time we walked thru those hallowed 40 Watt doors we said to ourselves, 'this place looks perfect for a prom!' And now the dream will be a reality. The theme is a futuristic/retro under the sea vibe - costumes (tuxes, suits, robots, mermaid and lobster costumes, anything prom/ocean related) are not only encouraged - they are MANDATORY!!! NO ONE will be admitted without proper attire!** There will be cake, balloons, fishnets, classic cars, chaperones, spankings, and a whole lotta shakin goin on - 2007 style upin this bitch ya'll. Come prepared to dance the night away, and make up for all the proms you missed...

- My Morning Jacket

**you may be admitted without proper attire"

Spankings! [MORE...]

Buzzcocks, Scritti Politti, Throbbing Gristle on Comp
Plus Swell Maps, Fire Engines, Glaxo Babies

Another week, another stellar Soul Jazz compilation. This time around the revered UK imprint and crate-diggers extraordinaire bring us Do It Yourself: The Rise of the Independent Music Industry After Punk, a 20-track set dedicated to, well, pretty much what it says: DIY.

Specifically, the compilation-- due on CD and double-vinyl February 26-- explores the music made by upstart bands in the wake of punk and released on tiny labels that sprung up across the land as folks realized they could eschew the major label infrastructure. Years before Garageband, even! And while most acts here are hardly household names, they exerted a marked influence on some of the cornerstones of your record collection, including Pulp, Sonic Youth, Franz Ferdinand, and Roxette.

JK about that last one! Maybe.

Highlights include tracks from Buzzcocks, Scritti Politti, Throbbing Gristle, Swell Maps, Fire Engines, Glaxo Babies, Thomas Leer, and Red Lorry Yellow Lorry. Note that the Scritti and Red Lorry cuts are exclusive to the CD format. Also note that the Flys in question below are not, in fact, the same that sang that "Got You Where I Want You" song. [MORE...]

Tortoise Announce Summer Tour

Well what do you know? Tortoise have peeked their collective head out from underneath their collective shell just long enough to reveal a North American tour.

The adventure begins this June, and is currently scheduled to run through early July. Along the way, the Chicago supergroup will share the stage with Hot Chip and Kieran Hebden and Steve Reid.

No word on any new music from the group, though.

As previously reported, Brokeback, aka Tortoise bassist Douglas McCombs, will play the Dirty Three-curated All Tomorrow's Parties festival, which goes down April 27-29 at Butlins Mindhead in Somerset, England. [MORE...]

Photos: Danny and the Nightmares (Daniel Johnston) [Dallas, TX; 02/18/07]

Under his Danny and the Nightmares guise, indie legend Daniel Johnston treated show-goers at Dallas' Granada Theater last Sunday to new material, "an amazing cover" of Wings' "Band on the Run", and "a beautiful rendition" of "True Love Will Find You in the End", according to reader Callan Cotten, who provided these classy black-and-white photos of the event.

What's more, Johnston "seemed pretty lucid throughout the whole show, even told a few jokes before they started playing." Good to hear!

Danny and the Nightmares will play several SXSW gigs before jetting off to Europe and Canada in the coming months. David Bowie has also personally selected Johnston to perform at the Highline Festival, going down in NYC this May.





Dates and more photos ahead. [MORE...]

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