Photos: Knitting Factory Benefit [New York, NY; 03/01/07]

Lou Reed, Lee Ranaldo, John Zorn, Laurie Anderson, DJ Spooky, and more turned out last night at Town Hall to pay homage to the Old Knit (aka the Knitting Factory) and club founder Michael Dorf. 2007 marks the beloved venue's 20th anniversary. Check out Kathryn Yu's photos from the event, which also included performances from Medeski Martin and Wood (sans Wood), former Soul Cougher Mike Doughty, guitarist Marc Ribot, and songstress Rebecca Moore. Proceeds from the show benefitted The Stone, Zorn's Lower East Side "not-for-profit performance space dedicated to the experimental and avant-garde."

LOU REED


JOHN ZORN


LAURIE ANDERSON


DJ SPOOKY

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+/- Embark on U.S. Tour, Prep DVD

+/- are about to hit the freedom-paved streets of the United States. The Absolutely Kosher trio gets the party started tonight with a one-off show at Hanover, New Hampshire's Fuel Lounge; then James Baluyut, Chris Deaner, and Patrick Ramos break for a little bit before taking off for real.

The trek, which is slated to run through late March with a stop at SXSW, supports +/-'s 2006 Absolutely Kosher LP, Let's Build a Fire, as well as last month's Teenbeat Records split EP with Bloodthirsty Butchers.

Good old Teenbeat-- which issued +/-'s debut and sophomore albums-- will release the band's Self-Titled Long-Playing Debut DVD later this year. Assembled by Deaner and cause for celebration, it marks the label's inaugural foray into the magical land of digital video discs. [MORE...]

Photos: El Perro Del Mar [New York, NY; 03/01/07]

El Perro Del Mar's Sarah Assbring touched down in New York City yesterday evening for the first night of her long-awaited, two-week North American tour. Props to Pitchfork photographer William Kirk for going the extra mile to document El Perro's dramatic landfall with these lovely visuals. Sarah's presently working on the follow-up to last year's El Perro Del Mar and helping Jens Lekman record his new album. Catch her across the U.S. and Canada this March.






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Dead Meadow Launch Tour This Weekend

Tomorrow night, Matador psych-rockers Dead Meadow kick off a month-long tour with a slot at San Francisco's Noise Pop festival.

As is the case with anybody who's anybody these days, the trio will make its way to Austin and show SXSW its stuff from March 15-17.

Dead Meadow will spend the majority of the trek, Saturday's gig included, alongside self- proclaimed mind-warpers Spindrift. [MORE...]

Ladyhawk Prep 12", Hit the Road Tomorrow

Vancouver four-piece Ladyhawk have a big three months ahead of them. As previously reported, they're scheduled to head out on tour with Saturday Looks Good to Me this weekend, but what we didn't tell you was that they've got plenty of their own dates on the agenda as well, not to mention loads alongside Tapes 'n Tapes and Constantines.

The Jagjaguwar-signed crew gets things going tomorrow with an early show at their hometown's Plaza Club. Then it's off across North America; of course, this jaunt includes the obligatory SXSW rounds.

In related news, Ladyhawk will release a 12-inch EP, Fight for Anarchy, on May 22 via Jagjaguwar. [MORE...]

Bjork to Share Volta in May

At last! After months of speculation and a little Internet mischief, Icelandic swan princess Björk has revealed the title and release date for her sixth full-length proper and follow-up to 2004's a cappella experiment Medúlla.

Volta includes 10 new songs and graces the earth May 7 via we presume, Elektra One Little Indian/Atlantic.

As previously reported, it's quite an eclectic, star-studded affair: Björk duets with Antony, trades beats with Timbaland, and receives "percussive delights" (oh my) from Lightning Bolt's Brian Chippendale, mbira merriment from Konono N°1, kora joys from Toumani Diabate, pipa playing from Min Xiao-Fen, and even more percussive delights from Chris Corsano (my oh my). Björk even assembled a 10-piece all-female brass section from Iceland to toot horns on three tracks.

Contrary to previous reports, Volta was written and produced entirely by Björk, according to her website. The ever-inventive songstress debuts the new record at a bunch of festivals this spring and summer, including Coachella, Sasquatch!, and Glastonbury.

Swing by Pitchfjörk on Monday morning for an exclusive interview with Björk. [MORE...]

Johnston, Mt. Eerie, Flosstradamus Rock Toronto Fest

Toronto's Over the Top Festival will celebrate its sixth year with over 25 bands playing at eight local venues from May 3-6.

Daniel Johnston, Mount Eerie, Michael Gira, Casiotone for the Painfully Alone, Matt & Kim, Peter and the Wolf, Flosstradamus, Julie Doiron, Arnold Dreyblatt, Jason Trachtenburg, Page France, Japanther, Genghis Tron, and Pit Er Pat are all part of the festival's lineup. Harry and the Potters will share magic mayhem alongside Arena Rock Recording Co. upstarts Germans at the festival's March 8 launch party at Toronto's Tranzac club. Tickets are on sale now.

2007 will also mark the first year the all-ages festival includes film, theater, and visual art. Film screenings include Jandek: A Duality of Self, The Guatemalan Handshake, and Before the Music Dies. Giant Killer Shark: The Musical-- "similar to a 1975 film about a killer shark that stalks the residents of a copyright-protected island," according to the festival's website-- is the only announced theatrical performance.

Camera Obscura Tour the World, Prep Single

Glistening Glaswegian sextet Camera Obscura have tacked a spring UK/Euro trek (+ two dates in New Zealand) onto their previously reported Australian adventure itinerary. The new tour kicks off in Scotland in late March.

In addition, on April 16 the melancholic indie-poppers will issue another single. This one highlights Let's Get Out of This Country tune "Tears for Affairs" and arrives exclusively overseas via CO's European label, Elefant Records of Spain. Formats include 7", CD, and digital download. The CD boasts "The Last Song" as a B-side, while the 7" comes backed with a cover of ABBA's "Super Trouper". Ace! [MORE...]

Wolf Eyes' Young's Brother Severely Injured in Fire

According to a recent Wolf Eyes MySpace bulletin, Peter Young-- brother of the band's Nate Young and the painter behind the cover of Wolf Eyes' self-titled Bulb Records release-- was severely injured this past weekend while attempting to rescue his dog from a fire.

The blaze overcame Peter's apartment on the morning of Saturday, February 24, and Peter first emerged unscathed-- only to re-enter the burning structure in an attempt to save his dog, Little John. Smoke then rendered Peter unconscious and he suffered "2nd and 3rd degree burns on 30-44% of his body" before police and fire department workers found him, wrote Nate. And there's no silver lining here: despite Peter's efforts, his beloved pooch perished.

Nate says Peter, who is without insurance, will be in the hospital for two to three months. Nate and Wolf Eyes have set up a Paypal account and are seeking donations to help cover the enormous medical bills and repair Peter's destroyed apartment. Those who wish to help should send funds via Paypal to Peter.B.Young@gmail.com. Be sure to share some kind words with Nate during Wolf Eyes' April tour of Europe as well.

Our hearts go out to Peter and his friends and family. Read Young's complete message below. [MORE...]

Cornelius Announces U.S. Dates

Cornelius, aka Keigo Oyamada, has announced a rare U.S. tour in support of the April 24 release of Sensuous here on Everloving Records. The 10-date stretch begins the day before the record's release at Portland's Wonder Ballroom, and includes a spot at the 2007 Coachella Festival. Supporting acts have yet to be confirmed.

Sensuous has release dates in several other countries now as well: Warner France will release it on March 12, Warner Ireland will release it March 23, and Korova Records will release it March 26 in the UK.

Cornelius kicks off his previously reported Japanese jaunt tomorrow. [MORE...]

MSTRKRFT Launch Diamonds Tour With Digweed

Tonight at Portland, Oregon's Roseland Theater, Death From Above 1979-descended disco duo MSTRKRFT and UK DJ extraordinaire John Digweed kick off their MTV Urge/Puma- presented Diamonds tour. According to the jaunt's official website, it's the "First Annual 'Diamonds 07 Tour'". We wonder how they'll pull off the second annual Diamonds 07 Tour next year... in 08.

Anyway, this thing's a 19-date club-striking monster. It runs through March 31, with stops at SXSW and Miami's Winter Music Conference along the way. In addition, attendees can expect surprise appearances from a variety of special guests.

Fans can also catch MSTRKRFT at Indio, California's Coachella on April 28, and Digweed at London's Heaven on March 5, as well as Bonnaroo (with perennial partner in crime Sasha), which runs from June 14-17 in Manchester, Tennessee. [MORE...]

Matt Dillon Directs Dinosaur Jr. Video

You, Me and Dupree aside, we have nothing against Matt Dillon. Nonetheless, the actor will have to bring his best stuff to the table for his newest role: music video director. Hot on the heels of Elijah Wood's Apples in Stereo promo, Dillon will helm Dinosaur Jr.'s new clip for "Been There All the Time".

With the forthcoming Beyond-- out May 1 on Fat Possum-- Dinosaur have proven that they can still bring the riffs and the melodies in abundance. Hopefully, Dillon is up to the task of creating a video as awesome as the track itself. In terms of the quality of Mr. Dillon's own oeuvre, we hope it leans closer toward The Outsiders than Herbie Fully Loaded.

Dinosaur Jr., meanwhile, have a world tour in the works for later this year, details forthcoming.

Do you have a news tip for us? Anything crazy happen at a show you attended recently? Do you have inside info on the bands we cover? Is one of your favorite artists (that's not somebody you know personally) releasing a new record you'd like to see covered? You will remain completely anonymous, unless we are given your express permission to reveal your identity. (Please note that publicists, managers, booking agents, and other artist representatives are generally exempt from this rule, but will also be granted anonymity if requested.)