Pitchfork's Guide to Record Store Day

Tomorrow, April 19, music lovers from Memphis to Melbourne will unite to celebrate a vital global institution: the independent record retailer. Yes, this Saturday marks the inaugural Record Store Day, and with it comes all manner of free swag, contests, red hot exclusive releases, in-store performances, DJ sets, signings, meet-and-greets, and other assorted hoopla.

With so many goodies and so much going down at spots around the world, it may be tricky getting a handle on just what you can expect tomorrow. Keeping that in mind, Pitchfork has assembled a little Record Store Day highlight reel. Read on, friends, and start gathering that allowance/beer/trust fund money. You're going to be buying some records tomorrow! (And, we sure hope, buying records many other days this year too.)

The list of participating stores can be found here.

First, of course, there are the exclusive releases, several of which you've already read about in these pages. Stephen Malkmus and Matador will serve up the "Cold Son" 10", Vampire Weekend whipped up that "A-Punk" 7", and Death Cab for Cutie, R.E.M., Built to Spill, and the Black Keys each have their offerings as well.

What's more, Merge will issue copies of a free split 7" featuring exclusive tracks from Destroyer and Wye Oak to participating stores, and Beggars will also make available a Breeders 7", three Teenagers 7"s, and a special 12" version of that Four Songs by Arthur Russell tribute, featuring Jens Lekman and more.

The Record Store Day faithful can also enter to win a copy of Tompkins Square Records' People Take Warning! box set, autographed by Tom Waits!

And then there are a few events that bear mentioning right up front: You already know about Menomena's foosball challenge at Jackpot Records in Portland and Björk's "Wanderlust" 3-D video screenings at spots all over. Topping even those, perhaps, is Amanda Palmer of the Dresden Dolls, who will "paint in her underwear" at one of Cambridge, Massachusetts' Newbury Comics locations, according to a Record Store Day press release. Oh lordy!

Next up, heaps of live performances:

* Built to Spill's Doug Martsch and Brett Netson at the Record Exchange in Boise, Idaho.
* Jason Molina, Lykke Li, Billy Bragg at Rough Trade East in London.
* The Kills at Piccadilly Records in Manchester, England.
* The Black Angels, the Baptist Generals, Robert Gomez, and John Congleton of the Paper Chase at Good Records in Dallas.
* Regina Spektor (performance and signing) at Sound Fix in Brooklyn.
* Nada Surf at Vintage Vinyl in Fords, New Jersey.
* Home Blitz, Brian Ashby of the Teeth, and members of the Spinto Band at a.k.a. music in Philadelphia.
* Black Rebel Motorcycle Club and the Duke Spirit at CD Central in Lexington, Kentucky.
* Aquaduct and recent Hardly Art signings the Dutchess & the Duke and the Moondoggies at Sonic Boom locations in Seattle.
* Rogue Wave (acoustic performance) at Reckless Records' Milwaukee Ave. location in Chicago.
* The Cave Singers at CD World in Eugene, Oregon.
* Neva Dinova at Homer's Old Market location in Omaha.
* Sybris at Record Breakers in Chicago.
* Rob Swift, Marco Polo at Fat Beats in New York.
* Jesse Sykes & the Sweet Hereafter at Easy Street Records in Seattle.
* Collections of Colonies of Bees at Atomic Records in Milwaukee.
* Kate Nash at Main Street Music in Philadelphia.
* Grand Ole Party at Permanent Records in Chicago.
* Janelle Monae, the Coathangers, and Andy Hull of Manchester Orchestra at Criminal Records in Atlanta.

And then we have some DJ sets:

* Sam Fogarino of Interpol/Magnetic Morning, and members of Grizzly Bear, Deerhunter, the Black Keys, Tapes 'n Tapes, and Dead Meadow at Other Music in New York City.
* The New Pornographers' John Collins at Vintage Vinyl in St. Louis.
* Times New Viking's Adam Elliot at Used Kids Records in Columbus, Ohio.
* Daniel Ash and David J of Bauhaus/Love and Rockets, Peanut Butter Wolf, and the Donnas at Amoeba Music locations in California.
* Rob Crow (Pinback, Goblin Cock, etc.) at Lou's Records in Encinitas, California.
* Flying Lotus, Warp Records DJs at Rough Trade East in London.
* Long Winters' John Roderick at Sonic Boom's Capitol Hill location in Seattle.
* In addition to challenging Jackpot Records patrons to foosball, Menomena will also DJ at the Portland retailer's downtown location.

And finally, a few signings and miscellany:

* Will Oldham, Silver Jews' David Berman, Lambchop's Kurt Wagner, James Jackson Toth (f.k.a. Wooden Wand), and more will do meet-and-greets at Grimey's in Nashville.
* Lupe Fiasco and Metallica will sign stuff at Rasputin Music locations in the Bay Area.
* Jello Biafra will recommend records to customers at Amoeba Music's San Francisco location.
* Jon Langford of the Mekons will be a "special employee" at Laurie's Planet of Sound in Chicago.
* Zaireeka listening party (bring a stereo!) at Permanent Records in Chicago.

Find more events on the Record Store Day website, and check out the complete (and very, very long) list of participating stores here.

Ma and pa record dealers, here's to you!

Go-Betweens' Forster Issues First Solo LP in 12 Years

Photo by Stephen Booth

The Evangelist is the fifth solo album from the Go-Betweens' Robert Forster, but in more ways than one, it's the man's first. It's his first solo outing in nearly 12 years, the first since he and Go-Betweens co-founder Grant McLennan reformed their beloved band early on in this decade, and the first we've heard from him since McLennan's death in May, 2006.

Recorded late last year, the disc even features songwriting credits from McLennan on "Demon Days", "Let Your Light In, Babe", and "It Ain't Easy", as well as instrumental contributions from his fellow former Go-Betweens Adele Pickvance and drummer Glenn Thompson. Yep Roc will issue The Evangelist April 29. [MORE...]

Au Return With Verbs, Tour

Let it be known once and for all: Au mastermind Luke Wyland is a man of action. Why else would he and his Portland collective title their sophomore album Verbs?

Aagoo will issue Au's Verbs on CD and vinyl come June 24. Boasting contributions from members of Yellow Swans, Parenthetical Girls, and other PDX luminaries, the set was recorded over three days at the city's Type Foundry studios and subsequently "finished" by Wyland for release. And here we are!

Verbs will be preceded on May 20 by a 7" single for the album's recently Forkcasted "RR vs. D". And between Verbs and that upcoming No Age disc, we can form complete sentences! Sweet!

As for where Au will be, well, they'll be a bunch of places along the West Coast in the coming weeks, joined at many of these places by Parenthetical Girls. [MORE...]

Nachtmystium Plan New Album, EP, Live Excursion

Chicago black metal berserkers Nachtmystium are all set to unleash their fourth official studio album, the punningly titled Assassins: Black Meddle Part I. Who knew these guys had a sense of humor?

The band will issue Assassins in North America on June 10 via Century Media and in Europe on June 23 via Candlelight Records.

Because they apparently had more doomy tunes on hand than they knew what to do with, Nachtmystium have an EP of five songs not featured on Assassins coming out next week. On April 22, they'll release the Worldfall EP to brick-and-mortar stores, though it's already available online through CM Distro and iTunes.

Outside of the studio, Nachtmystium have two straight weeks of European shows in May. [MORE...]

Cajun Dance Party Dish Out Debut LP on XL
Reveal plans to have the follow-up out this year too!

Still-in-school London quintet Cajun Dance Party have an ambition that belies their youth: releasing two albums in what remains of 2008. They'll get off to a running start on April 28 with the UK release of their debut, The Colourful Life, via XL.

The Colourful Life contains CDP's previous limited-edition singles "The Next Untouchable" and "Amylase", plus seven more tracks. One of those, "The Race", arrives in single form a week before the album on April 21.

Details surrounding CDP's next album are much more vague. What we know is that they're writing and recording it now, and they'll do their darnedest to get it out this year. Their dedication to recording is manifest in their almost bare tour schedule, which consists of a handful of dates in July. [MORE...]

David Byrne and Brian Eno Working Together Again

Almost three decades since Brian Eno and David Byrne worked together on Talking Heads records, and 27 years after the original release of My Life in the Bush of Ghosts, the pair are collaborating together again.

After performing with Paul Simon April 9 at a Brooklyn Academy of Music event, Byrne told NME.com his current plans include "finishing up a record with Brian Eno, a musician that I worked with 30 years ago. We did a record together of songs, and that'll come out." He added, "I'm also working on a collaboration with Fatboy Slim, also songs. I don't know when that'll be done, but sometime."

Byrne expounded upon the new collaboration with Eno to the New York Daily News (via the Daily Swarm): "Brian had written a lot of music but needed some words, which I know how to do. What's it sound like? Electronic gospel. That's all I'm saying."

The Daily Swarm reports that the Byrne/Eno album will come out via Nonesuch before the end of 2008. Also, a joint U.S. tour with a setlist of "at least 40% Eno-era Talking Heads material" is in the works.

For now, the only known show from either artist is Byrne's appearance at the Austin City Limits Music Festival in September. Meanwhile, Byrne is busy worrying about the mortgage crisis and Eno is working with U2. Eno also helped out Coldplay on their forthcoming album.

Cat Power Hurts Vocal Cords, Postpones Dates

Photo by Jana Green

Tomorrow may be Record Store Day, but today is Indie Rock Goddess Injury Day, or something. First it was Neko Case, whose ankle suffered a nasty boo-boo, forcing her to opt out of the current New Pornographers tour.

Now it's Cat Power, who had to cancel a gig last night (April 17) in Tempe, Arizona and six more upcoming engagements. The reason? Chan Marshall has damaged her vocal chords, and her doctor has ordered her to lay off the singing thing for a couple weeks. Oh no!

According to Matador, Chan's doctor will reassess her vocal cord situation after this little time-out and decide whether she needs to rest further. There are also plans afoot to reschedule the cancelled dates for later this year. Phew.

You'll find what's still on for now and what's not below. Thanks to reader Kevin Murphy for the tip, and feel better soon, Chan! [MORE...]

Slaraffenland, Efterklang Do Joint North American Tour

Parades and a Private Cinema? This Efterklang and Slaraffenland tour sounds pretty nice already! It's a match made in post-rock heaven-- or simply Copenhagen, Denmark, the hometown of both bands in question.

The joint tour will take our intrepid Danes on a month-long journey through North America, beginning May 6 in Denver. For Efterklang, it's a very special occasion: their very first U.S. tour. Each band has a handful of gigs outside the transatlantic voyage too, with Efterklang even playing a show on a ferry out on the open sea.

And speaking of the sea, Lost Sailor is the debut EP from Efterklang live band member Anna Brømsted, aka Our Broken Garden. She'll release it in the UK April 28 via Bella Union. [MORE...]

White Rabbits Tour With Miles Benjamin Anthony...
...Robinson

White Rabbits and Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson are two acts with mighty famous friends, at least in our little corner of the internet. White Rabbits recently became U.S. labelmates with Radiohead, and Robinson's forthcoming self-titled debut features contributions from members of Grizzly Bear and TV on the Radio.

Now these socially active artists are set to do a little more mingling-- with each other! Miles and the Rabbits will team up for a tour, taking them across the U.S. in late May and early June. First those Rabbits must wrap their sizable chunk of European dates, while Robinson does a pair of NYC shows.

Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson comes out July 1 on Say Hey Records. White Rabbits plan to release their Fort Nightly follow-up and TBD debut early next year. [MORE...]

Thalia Zedek Expands Backing Band for New Album

Photo by Damon Vrettos

Could it be that Thalia Zedek is collecting bands? Hey, better her than Travis Barker or somebody!

The onetime member of Come, Live Skull, White Women, Uzi, and Dangerous Birds has forged yet another musical unit for her Liars and Prayers LP, due April 22 on Thrill Jockey.

Consisting of Zedek's recent touring unit of Daniel Coughlin and David Michael Curry, and further bolstered by Winston Braman and Mel Lederman, the new configuration is said to give Zedek's tunes plenty of opportunity to run the emotional gamut. And, seeing as this is a Thalia Zedek record, that's some heavy shit, man.

The newly expanded crew has a date late next month in Cambridge, Massachusetts, but Thalia and company won't get going proper-like until June. [MORE...]

Neil Hamburger Sings Country Winners on Tour

With the Drag City release of his Sings Country Winners album on April 22, Neil Hamburger will make the transition from sadistically awkward stand-up comic to full-blown (albeit humorous) country western crooner. True to its title, the record consists of honest-to-goodness honky tonkin' music.

To complete the metamorphosis, Hamburger will play a series of West Coast shows in May and June where he'll be joined by the band that plays on the record. Those players include Rachel Haden, Prairie Prince, Dave Gleason, Atom Ellis, and Joe Goldmark, and between them, they've worked with the likes of George Harrison, John Fogerty, Weezer, Link Wray, and...the New Cars. Well, you win some, you lose some.

Hamburger also has two solo shows coming up on the East Coast April 19 and 20. The latter is also the date of Sings Country Winners listening parties at Chicago's Rainbo Club and NYC's Knitting Factory. [MORE...]

Neko Case Hurts Foot, Leaves New Pornographers Tour

Photo by Kathryn Yu

Even the toughest of Challengers face insurmountable obstacles on the road. Such is the case with the New Pornographers, who have suffered the loss of über-talented vocalist Neko Case from the rest of their tour with Okkervil River.

According to a missive from the band itself, "Neko had a really bad fall in Washington, DC, which resulted in a fractured ankle (which also did some damage to her ligaments), and will be leaving the tour today. She was really trying to be a trooper and stayed on as long as she could through Richmond and Athens, but it has gotten to the point where she must return home to have her ankle taken care of and to recuperate. She's very upset about having to leave. It's been super fun having her on tour and around again, but she just had to go to avoid doing some real permanent damage to herself.

"We hope that you understand, Nashville, St. Louis, Chicago, Madison, and Cleveland."


The sad news aside (get better Neko!), the New Pornographers still have a summer scattered with festivals after they wrap up the current tour. And remember, a brand new song by Case and head Porno Carl Newman is featured on the compilation CD accompanying the latest issue of ESOPUS. [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.)