Burial to Craft Next DJ-Kicks Mix

Add this tidbit to the maddeningly short list of things we know about dubstep auteur Burial: he's next in line to craft one of those DJ-Kicks compilations. And he's in good company, as past contributors include Hot Chip, Booka Shade, Four Tet, and Annie.

According to a press release, young B "may treat his dearest dubstep, techno and even r&b tracks with his unique production style before mixing them with exclusive material." Of course, we don't know just what he'll be "treating" at the moment, as the tracklist hasn't been released yet. But that secrecy is in no way surprising considering the source.

The set is due from !K7 on CD and 2LP; it hits European shelves on June 23, and the States July 8.

And, hey, lookee here, Burial's touring! [MORE...]

Nellie McKay Scores Election Musical, Plans Shows

Before there was Election the darkly funny flick starring Reese Witherspoon and Matthew Broderick, there was Election the acclaimed novel, penned by one Tom Perrotta (whose Little Children also became a big film). And after Election the darkly funny flick there will be Election the Broadway musical, also based upon the book and set to feature a score dreamt up by none other than Nellie McKay-- who could probably out-Tracy Flick even Witherspoon when it comes to those gratingly ingratiating smiles (and genuine ones too).

But despite her previous Broadway experience, Nellie won't be starring in the musical (as far as we know), only writing the tunes. Not much else is known about Election the musical at this time other than that, as a press release cheekily puts it, the show will open "before 2050."

Long before 2050, however, McKay will attend to her fans on both coasts with a few live engagements, including a benefit for the Riverkeeper organization with another Broadway songwriter, David Yazbek (The Full Monty, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels). Three guesses where we're hiding the info about those dates. [MORE...]

!!!, Yeasayer, No Age Play Free Yr Radio Series
Also: White Williams, Mudhoney

Did you know that, just like Prodigy and Darko, your radio needs freeing? No Age, Yeasayer, White Williams, !!!, and Mudhoney sure do, as each band will take part in 2008's Free Yr Radio concert series to prove it.

Now in its second year, Free Yr Radio is a campaign put on by Yaris and Urban Outfitters to increase support for independent radio stations. In addition to a compilation that benefits the program's partner stations, as well as Yaris cars being given away for fundraisers, Free Yr Radio will also host a series of free concerts to raise awareness.

10 shows will take place from May through October, mostly at Urban Outfitters locations, featuring the aforementioned artists and others still to be announced. Though each show is free, attendees must present an invite to get in. For invites and the specific details of each show, visit FreeYrRadio.com.

Stations benefiting from Free Yr Radio this year include KEXP in Seattle, KRCL in Salt Lake City, KUSF in San Francisco, OHIO.FM in Columbus, the Current in Minneapolis/St. Paul, WERS in Boston, WPRB in Princeton, New Jersey, and WVUM in Miami.

For the current schedule, make that jump. [MORE...]

Ladyhawk Hit the Road With Neva Dinova

Photo by Scott August

Earlier this year, Vancouver's Ladyhawk issued Shots, their second proper boozy platter, on Jagjaguwar. And what goes best with a platter of Canadian shots, you ask? Mrs. Clinton has her own theories, but for Ladyhawk, it's tour dates, and plenty of 'em.

The band will head to the States beginning tonight (April 22) for the first of a bunch of gigs, many shared with Neva Dinova. They also plan to hit a few homeland haunts in mid-June with Constantines once all that's wrapped up. [MORE...]

The Cinematic Orchestra Deliver Live Album, Plan Gigs

Downtempo electronic/jazz outfit the Cinematic Orchestra released their first live album in the U.S. today (April 22) via Domino.

Live at the Royal Albert Hall chronicles the collective's November 2, 2007 show at the historic titular venue. In addition to the contributions of leader Jason Swinscoe and his regular collaborators, the show featured performances from Heidi Vogel, Lou Rhodes, Grey Reverend, original Orchestra turntablist PC, and the 24-piece Heritage Orchestra, making for a stage filled with upwards of 40 musicians at some points.

The songs on Live at the Royal Albert Hall come from last year's Ma Fleur and 2002's Every Day.

As for current live Cinematic Orchestra engagements, the band has precious few of those on the schedule right now. The next goes down tonight in New York City. [MORE...]

Conor Oberst Cuts Solo Album for Merge Records
Lines up fest dates with the Mystic Valley Band

Photo by Paparazzi by Appointment

For those who recall scouring eBay for $100+ copies of that holy trinity of early Conor Oberst cassettes (not me, I swear)-- 1993's Water, 1994's Here's to Special Treatment, and 1995's The Soundtrack to My Movie-- August 4, 2008 will mark a particularly special occasion. For it is on that special day that the Bright Eye'd troubadour will release a very special album, his first solo offering in some 13 years. That's like half an Oberst lifetime!

The self-titled affair contains a dozen tracks and comes at us courtesy of-- no, not Saddle Creek...nope, not Team Love either...and heavens no, not a major-- but rather Merge Records, home to longtime Oberst buddy M. Ward and something I keep hearing about called the Arcade Fire, whatever that is.

Oberst laid Conor Oberst to tape in Mexico earlier this year with help from his pal Andy LeMaster (Now It's Overhead) and a "special band" known as the Mystic Valley Band. If that sounds familiar, perhaps you noticed Conor and the Mystic Valley Band among the Austin City Limits elite or caught them live at the tail end of 2007. The new crew has also announced a couple more festival appearances in the months to come, with the promise of a tour "throughout the summer."

Oh boy, can't wait to hear "Souled Out!!!"! [MORE...]

Photos: Sunset Rubdown Polaroids

David Horvitz is at it again, spinning candid snapshot gold from the straw of your Polaroid film. Following his work with Xiu Xiu, Horvitz recently reached out to fans of Sunset Rubdown. A sampling of the results follows, including Spencer Krug demonstrating his fruit juggling skillz, Camilla Wynn Ingr playing with her chewing gum, and Jordan Robson-Cramer doing lord knows what. And don't miss the cameo from Dan Boeckner of Wolf Parade/Handsome Furs!

Many thanks to readers Heather Ziegenmeyer, Davy Andrews, Gabe Stinson, and Rachel Covert for scanning and submitting photos! Additional Polaroid fun can be found here and here.








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Mum Kick Off U.S. Tour

It seems Iceland's Múm just can't stop smearing the Poison Ivy they planted on their so-titled 2007 LP. Starting tonight (April 22) in New York City, the band will Go Go across the U.S. on a week-long tour.

For this tour, founding group Múm-bers Gunnar Örn Tynes and Örvar Póreyjarson Smárason will comprise the core of a still-new seven-piece lineup. However, something tells us not to expect a three-and-a-half-time increase in volume. [MORE...]

The Next Peter Bjorn and John Album: Instrumental!
Peter Morén: “Some songs are African/Brazilian music, then there are a couple of kraut/punk, and some are lounge songs.”

Having conquered the world one whistle at a time, Peter Bjorn and John are doing away with words altogether. According to Billboard magazine's "Inside Track" column, the next offering from the Swedish trio is "an instrumental album" titled Seaside Rock, and it's due this fall.

Peter Morén told Billboard, "Some songs are African/Brazilian music, then there are a couple of kraut/punk, and some are lounge songs."

Almost Gold, the label that put out PB&J's breakthrough Writer's Block album in the U.S., confirms that the band's next album is indeed instrumental, though the title Seaside Rock hasn't been set in stone yet. It also hasn't been decided whether Almost Gold will release the album, or if it will come out on another label. (Morén's solo debut, The Last Tycoon, was released on Quarterstick.)

"Inside Track" also mentions that Peter Bjorn and John are already working on yet another album, which will serve as "the follow-up" to Writer's Block. It will probably include lyrics. [MORE...]

Black Kids Just Keep on Touring

Are the Black Kids the band that you've been dreaming of ever since you were a little girl? Are you a resident of the United Kingdom or certain countries in Europe and Scandinavia? If you answered yes (or aye or ya or whatever you people say), girl, have we got a news item for you. The Black Kids are heading your way this summer. And they're gonna be there for a looong time, jumping back and forth across the Atlantic to their home continent for a festival or two while they're at it.

The Kids' tour with Cut Copy and the Mobius Band launches this weekend, right after Coachella. And then they're pretty much on the road from now until August. Damn.

More kids than a Showbiz Pizza, after the jump. [MORE...]

M.I.A., Goldfrapp, Justice, Hercules Do Sonar Fest
With Matmos, Diplo, Spank Rock, the Field, El Guincho, Neon Neon, Ricardo Villalobos

Like a whale to a, um, Navy submarine, they'll flock: this year's Sónar Festival (ack! that website!) will blast its siren song June 19-21 in the city of Barcelona, Spain, reeling in just about any fan of daring electronic-tinged music within range.

Those sounding the pulse this year include M.I.A., Goldfrapp, Justice, Neon Neon, Matmos, Diplo, Spank Rock, the Field, El Guincho (doing a DJ set), Hercules and Love Affair, DJ Mehdi vs. A-Trak with some help from Kid Sister, Roísín Murphy, Konono No 1, Yellow Swans (playing their final show ever), Quiet Village, Frankie Knuckles, Miss Kittin, Soulwax, Daedelus, the Heavy, Leila, Yelle, Erol Alkan, Boys Noize, Yo Majesty, Ewan Pearson, Kalabrese, Northern State, SebastiAn, Krazy Baldhead, Tender Forever, Madness, Antipop Consortium, Pram, Ben Watt, Shackleton, Flying Lotus, Richie Hawtin, Pantha Du Prince, and even the reunited Yazoo.

Is This Really the New Weezer Album Cover?
Meet the new Village People: The Bartender, the Professor, the Cowboy, and the Biker

According to Spinner, this is the cover of Weezer's "Red Album", out June 24 on on DGC/Interscope. (Thanks to reader Brad for the heads up and the Village People inspiration!)

If that's true, can it get married to this Lil Wayne album cover? And can they have lots of baby album covers featuring unflattering yet TOTALLY AMAZING portraits of the artists? KTHXBI.

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.)