Richard Swift Embraces Science, Technology on New LP
Also tours with Cold War Kids

You know Richard Swift as the genial, barrelhouse piano playing guy with the fuzzy hair and the pretty darn good records. You may also know Swift the filmmaker, as his many audiovisual antics include stepping behind the camera for a number of his own music videos. But do you know Richard Swift, engineer of pulsing, largely instrumental krautrock? Nah, we haven't met that dude either.

But all that should change January 22, when Secretly Canadian releases Music From the Films of R/Swift, the debut full-length from Swift's Instruments of Science & Technology project. Collecting a dozen cuts from the multi-talented Swift's more open-ended side, the disc promises to bewilder and beguile in equal measure.

The Swift we already know and love has a few plans for the near future as well: a forthcoming LP of "60s style" rock tunes, and a more imminent tour with Cold War Kids. I'd go (instru)mental too if I had to endure this every night. [MORE...]

Photos: Black Dice / No Age / Mika Miko [Los Angeles, CA; 11/13/07]

Photos by Akmal Naim

It was an evening of disparate noises at Los Angeles' Echoplex last night, as hometown punks No Age and the equally noisy ladies of Mika Miko opened for sonic scramblers Black Dice, who mished and mashed tunes from their newest LP, Load Blown. Mika Miko, meanwhile, shouted into their telephone mics and looked generally adorable, while No Age's Dean Spunt and Randy Randall took it back to the basics. More photos and tour dates below.

Bonus! Black Dice have shared some photos from their tour (with captions), also yours after the jump. UPDATE: Sorry, those photos had to go bye bye.

BLACK DICE




NO AGE




MIKA MIKO



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White Stripes Nab Beck for "Conquest" B-Sides
Jack White plays bullfighter in "Conquest" video

Photo by Thom Johnston

Mystery solved! All loose ends left untied after that not-exactly-specific message those White Stripes posted on their website some weeks back are now firmly knotted. A message posted on their site yesterday revealed all. Their covert collaborator? Beck. Their super-secret video? It's for "Conquest". And the new tunes? They'll show up on a handful of "Conquest" singles due next month.

The Stripes recently recorded a mess of B-sides with Mr. Beck Hansen in his living room, which they'll splay over a trio of 7" "Conquest" discs and an all-encompassing U.S.-only digital download. In addition to co-producing the sessions, Beck contributed vocals and piano to "It's My Fault for Being Famous" and played a little slide guitar on "Honey, We Can't Afford to Look Cheap". One black, one red, and one white 7" will be issued, each with "Conquest" on the front and a different B-side on the back, due in the U.S. December 18 from Third Man/Warner Bros. and in the UK December 31 on XL.

The Stripes put the "Conquest" video to tape in Artesia, California with director Diane Martel. "Filmed with a visual urgency that brings the song's Spanish themes, frantic horns, and compulsive pounding rhythm to life," their website adds, "the video follows an explosive-- if unconventional-- love story that pits man against bull in the ultimate conquest." To add an air of authenticity to the proceedings, Jack White trained extensively with noted bullfighter Dennis Borba. The clip will hit MTV November 26 and iTunes the following day.

And then, the bonus goodies: "Inspired by the 'Conquest' video, each single will also include a Mondo Toro trading card featuring the legendary, near-mythical matadors El Sloth, El Bianca Rosa and El Perdador. Despite being from early 1900s Spain and Portugal, these bullfighters look strangely familiar. U.S. copies of these singles will also include a different poster with each release." In your conquest over our wallets, you have emerged victorious, White Stripes.

Still no word on any touring plans for our Stripes, but, hey, if Beck invited you over to jam out, you wouldn't really wanna leave the house either, wouldja? [MORE...]

Coyote Reveal Outsides on New Album

The best things come in pairs, don't they? Peanut butter has jelly. Pancakes have syrup. And there are also a few complimentary pairs that don't have to do with food, like Insides and Outsides. That is, Insides, Philly/Brooklyn band Coyote's debut EP, and Outsides, its forthcoming full-length follow-up.

Following the untimely death of member Trevor Butler (also of Bottom of the Hudson) just a few months ago, Coyote now consists solely of Russell Higbee (Man Man, Lewis & Clarke), Jeff Mooridian (Vaz), and Ryan Hamilton. Still, the trio hasn't let unfortunate circumstances stand in their way, as they will issue Outsides via awesomely named label Hot Dog City on November 20.

Coyote also have a pair of tour dates scheduled, starting with a show in Philly on November 23. [MORE...]

Cadence Weapon Births Afterparty Babies on New LP

21-year-old "Guitar Hero 2" addict, former Pitchfork scribe, and indie rap star-in-the-making Cadence Weapon (aka Mr. Rollie Pemberton) will release his sophomore full-length via new label Anti-/Epitaph on March 4.

The Breaking Kayfabe follow-up is called Afterparty Babies, because those are the specific children whose conception he wants to soundtrack with the record.

The 14-track, 58-minute Afterparty Babies is a co-release with Canadian label Upper Class Recordings, who have partnered with different labels for the release in different territories: EMI in Canada, Big Dada in the UK and Europe, and the aforementioned Anti-/Epitaph in the U.S.

Cadence Weapon has a handful of dates left this year, starting with a November 15 show in London. [MORE...]

Numero Group Revisits Miami on Latest Soul Comp

We've known for a while that those Numero Group folks are relentless in their pursuit of soul sounds rare, forgotten, and, of course, eccentric. We just didn't know how relentless. But the announcement of Eccentric Soul: The Outskirts of Deep City, the newest compilation in the label's Eccentric Soul series, gives us a slightly better idea.

See, Outskirts is an appendix volume to last year's Eccentric Soul: The Deep City Label, a compilation of tunes from 1960s Miami soul label Deep City. Outskirts takes the first compilation as a springboard into a whole plethora of tracks from other Miami labels, including Reid, Sun Cut, Lloyd, Concho, and Solid Soul. Thus, The Outskirts of Deep City is both a companion piece to the 2006 compilation and a stand-alone testament to the little-known corners of the Miami soulscape in the 60s.

Numero Group will release The Outskirts of Deep City digitally and on CD and double LP on November 20. The vinyl edition comes with three bonus tracks. Eccentric Soul: The Deep City Label will also get its double vinyl release on November 20. It comes with six tracks that did not appear on the original release. Four are by the Deep City Band: "Darling I'll Go (Instrumental)", "Good Lovin'", "I Love You Baby", and "Am I a Good Man (Instrumental)". The other two both feature the Rocketeers: their own "Stay Away From My Johnny (Instrumental)" and Frank Williams & the Rocketeers' "Good Thing Part 2". [MORE...]

Tweedy, Oldham, Deal Sisters Play Second City Benefit
Also Steve Albini, Sally Timms and Jon Langford of the Mekons, Robbie Fulks

Improv comedy: It's not just for telling strangers to act like proctologists anymore! Beginning at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, December 4 and going until 7 p.m. on Wednesday, December 5, the folks at Chicago's famed Second City comedy institution will take to their own e.t.c. stage to perform a full day's worth of improv, with ticket sales going to buy holiday presents for needy children. This is the sixth annual "The Second City That Never Sleeps: Letters to Santa" event, and though the whole thing makes us a little drowsy just thinking about it, it also warms our Grinchian hearts.

We at Pitchfork enjoy a good chuckle now and again, but we especially like our chuckles with a side of music. And indeed, Second City will yet again spike their eggnog with a liberal splash of music, with guest appearances from Jeff Tweedy, Will Oldham, Steve Albini, Kim and Kelley Deal, Mekons Sally Timms and Jon Langford, and (as ever in Chicago) Robbie Fulks. No word on whether or not the musical lot will join in all the improv games, though we'd sure be curious to see Albini do "charming." Just funnin', Smiley!

Gorillaz Documentary Bananaz in the Works

In their ongoing effort to exhaust every possible monkey-related pun ever mustered, Gorillaz-- the Damon Albarn-helmed cartoon band-- will release Bananaz, a feature-length documentary on the animated ape act, according to an NME.com report and confirmed by the primates' publicist. The film will be directed by one Ceri Levy, who knows the guy behind the pen-and-ink well, having produced the 1994 Blur doc Starshaped.

While a few screenings of the film may be held, Bananaz appears to be primarily aimed at the DVD market. A release date has yet to be confirmed, though it's gonna be at least 2008 before you see it: word from Gorillaz's camp is that the film is still in production.

In other Gorillaz news, the group's second double-disc b-sides, rarities, and remix compilation D-Sides is out now on both sides of the pond. Meanwhile, the spinoff opera Monkey: Journey to the West swings into Berlin next year. Details here.

Andrew Bird Drops Tour EP, Adds Dates

Photo by Joseph Mohan

On his current European tour, Mr. Andrew Bird has brought along a little something special. Nah, no fiery bowls or mysteriously produced eggs or any of his usual accoutrements. Instead, Bird's got himself Soldier On, an eight track tour EP collecting some choice odds and ends.

Along with a handful of outtakes, alternate mixes, and early versions of Bird classics, the disc sports Andrew's cover of Bob Dylan's "Oh Sister", his contribution to the Janet Reno-curated Songs of America compilation, and a tune from the dance project he cooked up alongside Molly Shanahan/Mad Shak. There's a new track, too, the somewhat improbably titled "The Water Jet Cilice". The disc is currently only available at the Birdman's gigs, but should head into wider availability early next year.

To pass the time until then, Bird's soldiering on on tour, with several more European dates, a return to the States, and an Australian tour (including a stop at the awesome Sydney Fest) in the works. [MORE...]

Tweedy, McGuinn, Some Mekons Play School Benefit

It's been half a century since Chicago's Old Town School of Folk Music set up shop, and they've finally figured out something a lot of Chicagoans already know: Northside rent don't come cheap. To celebrate their birthday-- and to help keep those classes, workshops, and concerts coming-- the school will host a benefit concert at the city's gorgeous Auditorium Theatre December 1.

Jeff Tweedy, former Byrd Roger McGuinn, the Mekons' Sally Timms and Jon Langford (as part of "The Bloodshot Family Band"), one-time Old Town School "dean of teachers" and former Weaver Frank Hamilton, Bela Fleck & Abigail Washburn, Chicago staple Robbie Fulks, bluesman Lonnie Books, David Bromberg, and plenty of other folks (get it?) will perform. Proceeds will go to scholarship funds for Old Town School students, youth outreach programs, and the continued utilization of the Old Town School's performance and practice spaces.

Phil Elverum Cancels Remaining Mount Eerie Dates

Aw shucks. Phil Elverum and his traveling Mount Eerie roadshow/book fair have been forced to shelve any and all forthcoming tour dates. Phil had this to say about the change in plans on his website (emphasis his):

ATTENTION: ALL UPCOMING MOUNT EERIE CONCERTS ARE CANCELLED (due to a family emergency). VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY SORRY EVERYBODY. PLEASE DON'T WORRY. IT MUST BE THIS WAY. WE WILL SURVIVE IT AND THERE WILL BE MORE CONCERTS LATER. thanks for understanding

No, thank you for letting us know! And thanks to several readers for the tip. Take note of the scrapped dates after the jump, and get lost in the pages of Mount Eerie Pts. 6 & 7 in the meantime. [MORE...]

T.I. Speaks Out in Video Statement, Names New LP

"It's not over, and the king ain't dead," Clifford "T.I." Harris notes at the end of a StreetCred.com video statement issued from the Atlanta rapper's home, where he is currently under house arrest stemming from an October gun charge. Thanking his lawyers and his judge, reasserting his innocence, and briefly touching on Paper Trail, the album he's working on while locked up, T.I. had plenty to say in the first of what he promises will be many video blogs (via Idolator).

And according to EW.com, T.I.'s calling the LP Paper Trail due to a resurgence of an old method. Though he wrote out his verses on his 2001 debut I'm Serious, each subsequent LP found the rhymeslinger committing his lines to memory. On Paper Trail, he'll return to longhand as, according to his rep, "he wanted to take more time to really put something down."

Harris, a convicted felon, was charged last month with the purchase of illegal weapons after his bodyguard was caught by ATF agents reportedly buying guns on T.I.'s behalf. His prior convictions make the acquisition of said weapons a federal offense. A search of Harris' home also turned up a number of other weapons, which Harris is also forbidden to posess. According to EW.com, he is currently restricted to his home while awaiting trial, with a limited number of visitors allowed at any given time. A recent proposal which sought permission to allow additional guests to attend a Thanksgiving dinner at Harris' home was withdrawn this week by Harris' attorneys.

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.)