Figurines Announce Fall Tour

Though their new album is already out in their native Denmark, Figurines are preparing for the September 11 North American release of When the Deer Wore Blue (out via the Control Group in the U.S., Paper Bag in Canada), with the announcement of a full-blown North American tour this fall.

The band have also added plenty of September and October European dates, including a ton in Germany. Their full travels now begin September 4 in London. [MORE...]

Sharon Jones Scores Role in Denzel Film, Tours

Ms. Sharon Jones and her fabulous Dap-Kings (who may be the only people on the planet more sick of Amy Winehouse than you and me) have lined up North American tour surrounding the October 2 release of their sure-to-be-smokin' LP3 100 Days, 100 Nights on Daptone. The tour proper doesn't begin until November, but Sharon and the Kings will herald the new album in style with a show at Harlem's world famous Apollo Theater on October 6.

Wonder where Sharon's been while her band's taken over the globe, backing up Ms. Winehouse? Well, aside from kicking it with Lou Reed and guesting with Rufus Wainwright and They Might Be Giants (!), she's been hanging out in Hollywood. Jones will play a small role as a soul singer (quite a stretch) in the forthcoming flick The Great Debaters, directed by and starring Denzel Washington. It's scheduled for a Christmas Day release. And, because Denzel knows on which side his bread is buttered, he's pegged Sharon to contribute a few tracks to the film's soundtrack. [MORE...]

Simian Mobile Disco Beef Up North American Attack

Woo-hoo! You already know Simian Mobile Disco (and Interscope) are bringing party-in-a-jewelcase Attack Decay Sustain Release to North America. But what you didn't know-- until I finish this sentence, that is-- is that the North American ADSR will come with a pair of bonus cuts not available on the original UK release. Yup, after "Scott", prep yourself for "Clock", and "System", and maybe some sweating and palpitations.

Not only that, but a decision's been made not to delay Sustain's release any further; the North American version of the record's been pushed up a week to September 11.

As for other SMD happenings, they're old hat at this point: a huge tour (including a UK leg late this fall with Klaxons), a remix or two (not to mention being remixed themselves), good times at the silhouette booth at the county fair. They did add a few dates in the U.S. and Japan since last we made a list, so you might wanna check and see. [MORE...]

Bottom of the Hudson Update: Benefits, Donations
Drummer now in stable condition

Greg Lytle (R) photo by Mike White

Fans, friends, family, and members of Absolutely Kosher-signed act Bottom of the Hudson are attempting to carry on following a tragic tour van accident Sunday (July 29) which left BOTH bassist Trevor Butler dead and his bandmates injured.

According to Absolutely Kosher, Bottom of the Hudson drummer Greg Lytle-- who fractured his skull and was airlifted to a Chapel Hill hospital-- is now in stable condition.

Absolutely Kosher employees and label owner Cory Brown expressed their sentiments on the imprint's website:

"We didn't have an opportunity to get to know Trevor Butler as well as we would have liked, but he was a great guy and a great musician. He was instrumental in the evolution of the band's sound over the years. In addition to playing in Bottom of the Hudson for the last several years, Trevor also was a founding member in fellow-Philadelphia group Coyote. He was utterly devoted to music and helped many, many bands set-up shows in Philadelphia. We are devastated by his loss and he will be greatly missed. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the band and their families. Thanks to everyone who has sent condolences and well-wishes.

"We are currently accepting donations via Paypal (the address is both@absolutelykosher.com) provided on behalf of Trevor's family and for Greg's medical bills resulting from the accident. Your generosity in this difficult time is appreciated."

You may also donate by clicking the button link here.

Furthermore, Bottom of the Hudson's Philadelphia buddies the A-Sides have decided to turn their August 30 record release show into a benefit for Trevor's family and Greg. The show takes place at Johnny Brenda's and also features performances from the Capitol Years and Bitter Bitter Weeks.

Additional benefit shows are reportedly in the works. UPDATE: Coyote, Mtn.High, and Gang will play a benefit show at Tritone in Philadelphia on Friday, August 3.

According to Bottom of the Hudson's publicist, as quoted in a Fayetteville Observer article today, the remaining members of the band are "trying to get stuff sorted out. They've gone off the radar and would like prayers to go out to Greg."

Earthless, Entrance, RTX Play Tee Pee Fest

Tee Pee Records owner Tony Presedo (T.P.? Get it?) couldn't figure out just why every band he was signing hailed from California. Is it the permanent sunshine, the tasty waves, or the relative ubiquity of hydroponically-grown marijuana that forces all the heaviness into the Golden State's rock?

Who knows, dude, but a whole lot of California stoners and their crews will converge on Los Angeles's Safari Sam's August 3 for Manifest Destiny, a throwback megashow organized by Tee Pee and featuring Earthless, Titan, RTX, Entrance, the Assemble Head in Sunburst Sound, Astra, and Magic Lantern. So basically a whole bunch of dope-rockers will spend a whole day dropping D, fuzzing their bass, and hotboxing. Hotboxing what, you ask? Well, whatcha got?

M. Ward, Johnston, MasterCard = All Good

Our questions about the M. Ward/Daniel Johnston vs. MasterCard issue were diffused today, when we received an email from reader Derek L. McDaniel.

After reading our story about MasterCard's potentially shady use of an M. Ward soundalike to record another version of Daniel Johnston's "To Go Home", McDaniel-- a Daniel Johnston admirer-- took the liberty of contacting Johnston's brother Dick to see what was up.

Dick responded by saying, "We are aware of the commercial, and they did pay Daniel for use of the song... M. Ward was reluctant to sign up another recording from his album fearing it would look like he was 'selling out'-- so we had another band record it and that's what they used. But Daniel was compensated for use of the song."

So there you go: crisis averted. M. Ward's not a sell-out, and Daniel Johnston now has some well-deserved compensation for his song. Also, MasterCard are dealing on the up-and-up, which is definitely nice to hear about a corporation.

Thanks, Derek!

Art in Manila Prep Debut, Tour With Rilo Kiley
Orenda Fink plays in Rilo Kiley's live band

Although Azure Ray appear to have parted ways, both of the act's constituent songwriters are still trucking in earnest-- and both have career trajectories that have, amusingly, led them straight to emo.

Maria Taylor's off cavorting with Jimmy Eat World, as you may know, while Orenda Fink linked up with some Omaha pals and Adrianne Verhoeven-- formerly of synth-shouty emo advocates the Anniversary-- to form Art in Manila.

Wearing their hearts on their sleeves, Art in Manila (briefly/formerly known as Art Bell) will soon unveil their debut LP, Set the Woods on Fire. Saddle Creek, always a kindly home to its own, delivers the disc on August 7. It includes that cover of Les Savy Fav's "The Sweat Descends" and 10 more abundantly pretty compositions.

Okay, album out, what next? Touring, of course! Art in Manila play an Omaha gig August 3, take a long, deep breath, and then plunge headlong into the throes of a 10-date stint with Rilo Kiley. Fink herself better take two breaths-- she'll also be playing in Rilo's band, contributing trumpet, vocals, and more across the entirety of the former Saddle Creekers' U.S. jaunt. [MORE...]

Cass McCombs Dropping the Writ for Domino

Former Baltimorean and current Chicagoan Cass McCombs will return from a two-and-a-half-year recording absence with the release of his third album and Domino debut, Dropping the Writ, on October 9.

The follow-up to 2005's PREfection, Dropping the Writ features McCombs playing most of the instruments on the album himself with a little help from Luke Top on bass and Garrett Ray on drums.

Lead single "That's That" will precede the full-length's release on September 11, and it will come backed with exclusive B-sides "Everything Has to Be Just-So" and "Healing" (a solo piano tune).

McCombs is planning a fuller tour with a new band for the fall, but he has two shows with Peter Bjorn and John planned for the immediate future, the first of which is tonight (July 31) in Los Angeles. [MORE...]

Kanye Asks Peter Bjorn & John to Be His Backing Band
PB&J launch American tour today, reissue "Young Folks"

Indie bands, here's how you know you've made it: Kanye West not only rhymes over your song, but asks you to be his backing band. That's just what has happened to Peter Bjorn and John, as the Louis Vuitton Don has invited PBJ to accompany him when he plays Gothenburg, Sweden's Way Out West Festival August 11 (which, surprise surprise, they're also playing). No word on whether they've accepted, but if they do, think they'll play "Young Folks"?

Ah, to fly around the world on the strength of a song. The recently famous Swedish popsters (who, it should be noted, have three whole albums worth of songs practically as good as "Young Folks") will re-issue the single for their Victoria Bergsman-assisted unlikely megasmash Setepmber 17 in the UK on Wichita Recordings. The multiformat single will spread remixes from Diplo, Phones, and Beyond the Wizards around its three versions, and stick "Ancient Curse" (which can be found in the U.S. on the Almost Gold-issued expanded edition of Writer's Block) on the back of its 7".

Peter Bjorn and John are presently on the road, where they'll stay for quite some time. Tonight they kick off their latest American tour, which hits Lollapalooza and the Virgin Festival this weekend. [MORE...]

Au Tour
Brevity still soul of wit

Is it some kind of mantra? The chemical name for gold? Astronomical unit? Or some kind of Au Pairs homage? Whatever the provenance, Portland's Au is taking the time-honored tradition of difficult-to-Google, monosyllabic band names to new heights.

The inventive project of PDX0r Luke Wyland and some of his BFFs, Au recently hit us with a shimmering self-titled album. Tonight (July 31), Wyland and co. will set off on a quest to bring their sonic wares straight to you. Well, sorta. Baby steps really, this jaunt just dips into California and jets to NYC for a one-off before Au scamper back home to the City of Roses. [MORE...]

Shins, Cornelius, Biz Markie, Smoosh Do Nick Jr. Show
Remember, kids: Caring is creepy

Cue the cartoon face mouth-trumpeting a fanfare! On August 20, Nickelodeon's young children's annex Nick Jr. will premiere "Yo Gabba Gabba!", a music series with an formidable slew of tuneful guest stars. The Shins, Cornelius, Smoosh, the Postmarks (as previously-reported), Rahzel, R&B stars Mya and Sean Kingston, and a mess of others will, according to a press release, help teach "simple life lessons for preschoolers." Non-musical guest stars include Elijah Wood, Laila Ali,and Tony Hawk.

Each episode will feature Biz Markie in a recurring instructional segment entitled "Biz's Beat of the Day", and Devo's Mark Mothersbaugh will also contribute a feature dubbed "Mark's Magic Pictures". Sub Pop singer-songwriter Chad VanGaalen is one of the show's featured animators.

Additionally, "musical character segments on the premiere episode feature songs 'Party in My Tummy', 'Snacky Snack Snack', and 'Try It, You'll Like It' which teach viewers that it is fun to eat healthy foods, and 'Clean It Up', which shows preschoolers how to have fun while cleaning up a mess." All I ever learned from "Sesame Street" was some damn thing about how many nuts there are in peanut butter. No duh.

Videos from the show will be airing on various Nickelodeon channels and their website in the run-up to the August 20 premiere.

Metric Log More Kilometers on the Road
Many with Crystal Castles!

Perhaps we got a wee bit ahead of ourselves last time we reported on camp Metric. Recall all those conspicuous gaps between their U.S. dates? You didn't think Emily Haines would spend that time shopping for shoes, did you?? Hells no. Gal's going to kick it onstage, and you'd best be there to bear witness. In short: Metric have added a bunch of dates to their tour.

The recently annexed appearances fall between those already sketched out for September and early October and kick off September 19 in Philly (following a special Toronto gig the week before). Even awesomer: Metric's Canadian countrymen and countrywomen and recent Last Gang Records signing Crystal Castles will open most of the shows. And heck, Emily may very well go shoe shopping in August, when Bang Lime, a new act comprised of Metric's rhythm section, steps into the, er, limelight.

While this U.S. jaunt will afford Metric the opportunity to road-test a bunch of new tunes-- set to appear on the Live It Out follow-up, which the band will record upon its homecoming-- Metric's Jimmy Shaw has also stated (in a press release) that he hopes "to make this tour a little more interactive than normal by inviting fans to write our set lists and get in on some other ideas we're dreaming up." See, fans? Metric cares about you. No word on precisely how one "gets in on" this, but one suspects the Metric website is a good place to start. [MORE...]

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.)