Carnegie Hall's Family Concerts: Falu plays next weekend (Nov 15)

Despite the years I've spent in New York City, I don't think I've ever been to Carnegie Hall. Considering tickets for the venue can be rather pricey, I've made plenty of excuses to avoid the venue. However, it seems that from time to time Family Concerts pop up. These are reasonably priced (at $9), and next weekend Falu will take to the stage at Zankel Hall in the space at 1PM in the afternoon. Falu has performed in classical music venue like this before, as well as more pop spaces like Highline and Bowery, and even performed with Slumdog Millionaire composer A.R. Rahman at a Time 100 Gala. It's a way to get your culture without breaking the bank. Check out the current Carnegie Hall Family Concerts schedule for the 2009-2010 season after the jump.

Family Concerts at Carnegie Hall 2009-2010 schedule:
Sunday, November 15, 2009: Falu @ Zankel Hall
Saturday, December 19, 2009: New York Pops, The Polar Express @ Stern Auditorium
Saturday, March 27, 2010: Time for Three @ Zankel Hall
Saturday, May 15, 2010: Polygraph Lounge @ Zankel Hall
Saturday, June 5, 2010: Emsemble ACJM @ Zankel Hall

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The Invisible opened up for Dragonette at Santos on Thursday (w/ photos)

The Invisible | Santos Party House | November 5, 2009

The Invisible were originally scheduled to play at 12:30AM before Dragonette's set this Thursday at Santos Party House, but their set time was apparently pushed up, as they were already on stage by the time I arrived. Check out some photos from the performance of the Mercury Prize-nominated band after the jump.

www.myspace.com/theinvisiblethree | www.accidentalrecords.com

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To Do List: Saturday, November 7, 2009

Recommended Show:
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2009
DINOWALRUS
@ SANTOS PARTY HOUSE
DOWNSTAIRS
96 Lafayette Street
Manhattan, NY 10013
$8, 7PM

My first time seeing Dinowalrus was before this blog really got going, back in February. However, it was their CMJ showcases that really brought them to the forefront of buzz bands in my mind. They return to the downstairs of Santos Party House (where we caught them during CMJ) to play a show tonight.

Jookabox @ Bruar Falls
Radical Sons @ Cake Shop
Double Dagger @ Maxwell's
Brother Ali @ The Fillmore
Small Black, @ Market Hotel
Sharon Van Etten @ Union Pool
Osso Quartet @ The Bell House
Skoal Kodiak @ Death by Audio
The XYZ Affair @ Brooklyn Bowl
The Suzan @ Tribeca Grand Hotel
The New Mastersounds @ Bowery Ballroom
The Heavy & Illinois @ 92YTribeca
The Glorytellers & Ida @ Union Hall
Fran Healy and Andy Dunlop @ Joe's Pub
Modeselektor @ Music Hall of Williamsburg
Carsick Cars @ Santos Party House (upstairs)
Crystal Stilts, Grass Widow, & The Beets @ Brooklyn Museum
Emanuel And The Fear, Peasant, Darla Farmer, Boy Crisis, & Das Racist @ 3rd Ward

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These New Puritans set to release new record on Domino in 2010

On February 2 of 2010 (that's Groundhog's Day!), Domino Records will release a brand new These Are Puritans record, Hidden. We're certainly excited over here about the upcoming release! (2010 and the brilliant records it promises is getting so close that we can taste it.) There's no word on much touring in the states here yet for These New Puritans, but we do have a tracklisting for the upcoming record for you after the jump!

Hidden Tracklisting:
1. Time Xone
2. We Want War
3. Three-Thousand
4. Hologram
5. Attack Music
6. Fire–Power
7. Orion
8. Canticle
9. Drum Courts–Where Corals Lie
10. White Chords
11. 5

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The Kenny Rogers Christmas tour!

I might be more surprised than anyone to learn that Kenny Rogers still makes music (you know, as opposed to just roasting chickens). Apparently, his holiday tour is an annual tradition. The Gambler will be returning to the road late this November through December, and, yes, since it is a Christmas tour, he will be performing holiday classics, but rest assured his hits will make it into the set as well. Sadly, I don't think he'll be roasting chicken for fans on the road at all. Tour dates are below.

Kenny Rogers tour dates:
November 27 - Bossier City, LA - Horseshoe Casino Riverdome
November 28 - Biloxi, MS - Imperial Palace Hotel & Casino
November 29 - Fort Pierce, FL - Sunrise Theatre
November 30 - Kissimmee, FL - Silver Spurs Arena
December 01 - St. Petersburg, FL - Mahaffey Theater at Progress Energy Center
December 03 - Red Bank, NJ - Count Basie Theatre
December 05 - Uncasville, CT - Mohegan Sun Casino & Resort - Arena
December 06 - Shippensburg, PA - H. Ric Luhrs Performing Arts Center
December 07 - Verona, NY - Turning Stone Resort Casino - Showroom
December 10 - Sandusky, OH - The Sandusky State Theater
December 11 - Jamestown, NY - Jamestown Savings Bank Ice Arena
December 12 - Elmira, NY - First Arena
December 13 - West Point, NY - Eisenhower Hall Theatre
December 15 - Youngstown, OH - Covelli Centre
December 17 - Bloomington, IL - US Cellular Coliseum
December 18 - Detroit, MI - Fox Theater
December 19 - Johnstown, PA - Cambria County War Memorial
December 20 - Lowell, MA - Lowell Memorial Auditorium
December 22 - Rochester, NY - Auditorium Theatre
December 23 - Westbury, NY - The Capital One Bank Theatre at Westbury

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Zero 7 return to North America (+ play Terminal 5 in NYC)

Zero 7 will be returning to the US for the first time in three years starting later this month. They'll be hitting up the 9:30 Club first in Washington, DC on November 26, but the very next night they'll be here in New York City for a show at the vast and expansive Terminal 5 (November 27). Check out the full list of tour dates for the band after the jump.

Zero 7 tour dates:
Nov 26 - 9:30 Club - Washington, DC
Nov 27 - Terminal 5 - New York, NY
Nov 28 - House of Blues - Boston, MA
Nov 29 - TLA - Philadelphia, PA
Nov 30 - Rams Head Live - Baltimore, MD
Dec 2 - Club Soda - Montreal, QC
Dec 3 - Phoenix - Toronto, ON
Dec 4 - Metro - Chicago, IL
Dec 5 - Epic (The Quest) - Minneapolis, MN
Dec 7 - Ogden Theatre - Denver, CO
Dec 8 - Belly Up Aspen - Aspen, CO
Dec 9 - Depot - Salt Lake City, UT
Dec 11 - Wander Ballroom - Portland, OR
Dec 12 - Showbox at the Market - Seattle, WA
Dec 13 - Commodore Ballroom - Vancouver, BC
Dec 15 - The Warfield Theatre - San Francisco, CA
Dec 16 - The Orpheum - Los Angeles, CA
Dec 17 - House of Blues - San Diego, CA

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Manchester Orchestra "Shake It Out" with video and tour dates

The above video is for Manchester Orchestra's "Shake It Out." I don't fully understand what's going on in the video, but it involves a truck driver in an arm wrestling contest. Always got to love great visuals though, and the video offers that. Also, Manchester Orchestra are sure to "Shake It Out" when they return to the states later this month for a string of shows (mostly holiday and radio station related), check out the full list after the jump.

Manchester Orchestra tour dates:
11/28 - Nassau Coliseum - Uniondale, NY
12/2 - 101.9 RXP Holiday Event, Hammerstein Ballroom - New York, NY
12/3 - WBRU Holiday Bizarre, Lupo's Heartbreak Hotel - Providence, RI
12/5 - WPBZ Buzz Bake Sale 2009, Cruzan Amphitheater - West Palm Beach, FL
12/6 - 97X Next Big Thing, Ford Amphitheater - Tampa, FL
12/12 -KBZT Holiday Hootenanny @ RIMAC, UCSD Campus - La Jolla, CA
12/15 - Q101 Twisted Christmas, House of Blues - Chicago, IL

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Photos from Dragonette's late night set at Santos

Dragonette | Santos Party House | November 5, 2009

Last night was a late night. Dragonette ended up taking the stage after 1AM, but it sort of worked for the vibe of the rocking electronic quartet. The New York date was one of the final shows on the band's all too brief North American tour, which also acted as a bit of a tease for their upcoming release, Fixin To Thrill, which should be out in January of 2010. And even though the entire band makes their mark on stage, the star of the show is lead singer, Martina Sorbara. Her energy and performance quickly makes her the center of attention. Check out photos from last night below.

MP3: Dragonette - "Easy (Buffetlibre Remix)"

www.dragonette.com | www.isurrenderrecords.com

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Album Review: Weezer - Raditude

WEEZER
RADITUDE
(Geffen Records)
www.weezer.com

Why does the release of a new Weezer album create so much excitement? It's almost a given that any new output will never match material from The Blue Album or Pinkerton, but fans still hold out hope. They sort of wish the past decade could just be undone, and that the band will revert to a time long before people were enjoying Pork and Beans in Beverly Hills. With the release of Raditude this week, the anticipation was high. Would this finally be the record of sheer jaw-dropping amazingness of their early work or just another late era endeavor?

Truth be told that I have never been one to think that Weezer's later were all that bad, or maybe I just thought the first two weren't all that great. Still, The Blue Album is probably my favorite record. The best songs on the album are sprinkled from start to finish, alternating with a few duds in there as well. With Raditude, the strongest songs feel pushed to the front of the record.

The whole thing starts off with "(If You're Wondering If I Want You To) I Want You To," which has one of the happiest musical melodies I've heard in a while--and not even just for a song written by Rivers Cuomo but totally all around happy. The album continues with more typical Weezer sounds with two notable exceptions. The fourth track, "Can't Stop Partying," features Lil Wayne, has a slight dance parody feel to it, and may be the band's only effort even close the rap genre. "Love Is the Answer" later utilizes Indian sounds on the intro, mixing strangely with the usual Weezer sound. Though the later songs on the record aren't bad, it's just so easy to want to skip that back button to the first four or five tracks on this record--particularly to "Can't Stop Partying." Maybe the song just parodies modern pop and rap songs so well that it fits in with the pop music scene while making fun of it, and yet it still keeps in tone with the same Weezer feel.

Raditude isn't going to replace The Blue Album as my favorite Weezer record anytime soon, but it is at least as good as The Green Album, which (truth be told) I also seriously love.

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To Do List: Friday, November 6, 2009

Recommended Show:
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2009
ABE VIGODA
@ DEATH BY AUDIO
49 South 2nd Street
Brooklyn, NY 11211
$TBA, 8PM

We're not sure how much Abe Vigoda's show is tonight. (It's at Death by Audio; how much can it be? $7? $8 at most?) We are sure that with the Los Angeles band's appearance, it is sure to be a good night at the DIY venue. But don't worry, because it's not the only option for the evening. Check out a list of shows after the jump.

Mae @ The Fillmore
Jeremy Jay @ Cake Shop
Holy Hail @ Bruar Falls
Amy Milan @ The Bell House
Love as Laughter @ Union Pool
Bill Maher @ Wellmont Theatre
Yeah Yeah Yeahs @ Angel Orensanz
Warren G @ Music Hall of Williamsburg
Girls & Real Estate @ Bowery Ballroom
Fran Healy and Andy Dunlop @ Joe's Pub
Monster of Folk @ United Palace Theatre
Joseph Arthur & Shilpa Ray @ City Winery
Hidden Cameras & Gentleman Reg @ Union Hall
Jones Street Station & Albeta Cross @ Mercury Lounge
The Mary Onettes & Kordan @ The Studio at Webster Hall
The Invisible, Freelance Whales, & Radical Sons @ Pianos
Vivian Girls, Grass Widow, Bitters, & Stupid Party @ Market Hotel
These Are Powers, Soft Circle, Carsick Cars, PK 14, & XIAO HE @ Glasslands

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Indie artists get together to end Malaria

Indie Rocks! A Benefit Album For Malaria No More is coming. As the title suggests, it's a benefit album to help Malaria No More, an organization dedicated to ending Malaria in Africa. It's a noble cause, but the obvious criticism is (of course) whether benefit albums actually work or not. At the very least, we're proud to announce the organization's existence on this site to hopefully spread awareness of the good that the group is doing. More blogs and other media are probably doing the same, so the album really does it's job simply by getting the word out.

I'm not sure if all the artists featured on the disc are all technically "indie," but check it out the tracklisting after the jump. The digital-only release will launch on Amie Street with a four week exclusivity period starting on November 17, 2009. The album will then be available to all participating digital service providers (I'm guessing that means iTunes, Amazon, and so on).

Indie Rocks! Malaria No More tracklisting:
1.) Peter Bjorn & John - Summer Breeze
2.) Juliette Lewis - Fantasy Bar, from Terra Incognita
3.) Jeff The Brotherhood - Bone Jam, from Heavy Days
4.) The Grates - Two Kinds Of Right from Teeth Lost, Hearts Won
5.) Third Eye Blind - Bonfire (Live in NYC)
6.) Dirty Little Rabbits- Hello, from Simon
7.) Wild Light - Adult Nights, from Adult Nights
8.) The Walkmen - Four Provinces, from You & Me
9.) State Radio - Let It Go, from Calling All Crows
10.) Those Darlins - Wild One, from Those Darlins
11.) Great Lake Swimmers - Pulling On A Line, from Lost Channels
12.) Kate Miller Heidke - Politics in Space, from EP Kate Miller-Heidke
13.) Yonder Mountain String Band - Fingerprint, from The Show
14.) Youssou N’Dour - Fight Malaria

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Pierced Arrows sign to Vice Records (+ prep release for 2010)

Though punk band Dead Moon called it quits a few years back, Pierced Arrows have now risen from the ashes. In addition, the Portland-based band have announced today that they've signed with Vice Records, and their album, Descending Shadows will be out on February 2, 2010. What a great Groundhog's Day gift! The album art is to the left, and check out Viceland for a stream of "Paranoia" from the new album. We're looking forward to more information as it comes!

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Paper Route want you to remix "Gutter"

MP3: Kid Cudi - "Day N Nite (Paper Route Remix)"

This was sent as a "cover" of Kid Cudi's "Day N Nite" by Paper Route, but it sounds a little bit more like a remix to me...a very strange and unusual remix, but a remix nonetheless. Speaking of remixes and Paper Route, on the band's Myspace page Paper Route are offering fans a chance to remix their song, "Gutter." Oh, and just in case you missed our posting of Paper Route's tour dates, we've posted them again after the jump.

Paper Route tour dates:
Dates marked * w/ Paramore
Nov 6 - Roy Wilkins Auditorium - St. Paul, MN *
Nov 8 - The Fillmore Auditorium - Denver, CO *
Nov 10 - Warfield Theatre - San Francisco, CA *
Nov 11 - Hollywood Palladium - Los Angeles, CA *
Nov 29 - Old Ice Hall - Helsinki, Finland *
Nov 30 - Arenan - Stockholm, Sweden *
Dec 1 - Vega - Coppenhagen, Denmark *
Dec 3 - Grunspan - Hamburg, Germany *
Dec 4 - Columbia Club - Berlin, Germany *
Dec 6 - Live Music Hall - Cologne, Germany *
Dec 7 - Casino de Paris - Paris, France *
Dec 8 - 013 - Tilburg, Netherlands *
Dec 10 - SECC - Glasgow, UK *
Dec 11 - NIA - Birmingham, UK *
Dec 12 - 02 Point - Dublin, Ireland *
Dec 14 - CIA - Cardiff, UK *
Dec 15 - Water Rats - London, UK *
Dec 16 - MEN - Manchester, UK *
Dec 17 - Centre - Brighton, UK *
Dec 18 - Wembley Arena - London, UK *

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We All Have Hooks for Hands add more tour dates (+ a third NYC date)

We told you about a tour for We All Have Hooks For Hands a little while ago, but now the tour has been extended! A third New York City date has been added (November 16 at Cake Shop) in addition to the two previously announced shows (Novemebr 17 at Trash Bar in Brooklyn and November 18 at Lit Lounge). Check out the new list of shows after the jump.


We All Have Hooks For Hands tour dates:
November 13 - Detroit, MI - The Crofoot
November 15 - Danbury, CT - Heirloom Arts Theatre
November 16 - New York, NY - Cake Shop
November 17 - Brooklyn, NY - Trash Bar
November 18 - New York, NY - Lit Lounge
November 19 - Philadelphia, PA - The Fire
November 22 - Boston, MA - Middle East
November 23 - Arlington, VA - Galaxy Hut
November 25 - Lexington, KY - Al's Bar
November 27 - Des Moines, IA - House of Bricks
November 29 - St. Louis, MO - Firebird
November 30 - Chicago, IL - Abbey Pub
December 01 - Kansas City, KS - Record Bar
December 02 - Columbia, MO - MoJos
December 03 - Englewood, CO - Moe's Gothic Theatre
December 04 - Colorado Springs, CO - The Loft
December 05 - Salt Lake City, UT - The Sho at Murray Theatre
December 08 - Seattle, WA - KEXP In-Studio Performance
December 08 - Seattle, WA - Neumo's
December 15 - Denver, CO - Larimer Lounge
December 17 - Omaha, NE - The Slowdown
December 18 - Des Moines, IA - Vaudeville Mews
December 19 - Minneapolis, MN - Triple Rock Social Club
December 20 - Duluth, MN - Beaner's Central

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Conrad Keely shows off his artwork in Brooklyn

Conrad Keely from ...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead isn't the first artist to display his visual work in a gallery, we reported that Ryan Adams had a show recently, and we've seen a few displays from the likes of Rob Corradetti of Mixel Pixel and many others. However, Keely's artwork will be displayed at the opening of the new PerkStreet Lounge in Brooklyn this Friday, November 6 (that's tomorrow, folks). PerkStreet Lounge is located at 303 Grand Street (between Havermeyer & Roebling) in the Williamsburg neighborhood, so pop onto that L Train and check it out tomorrow!

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Rooney and Tally Hall to hit the road together

Internet video sensation Tally Hall are teaming up with Rooney, who are about to release a limited edition EP entitled Wild Ones, to hit the road starting at the end of November. The two bands will kick it off in Los Angeles, but eventually make it to New York City's Webster Hall on December 11. Check out the full list of tour dates for the two bands after the jump.



Rooney/Tally Hall tour dates:
11/27 - El Rey Theatre - Los Angeles, CA
11/28 - The Glass House - Pomona, CA
11/29 - Slim’s - San Francisco, CA
12/1 - Hawthorne Theatre - Portland, OR
12/2 - El Corazon - Seattle, WA
12/4 - In The Venue, Club Sound - Salt Lake City, UT
12/5 - Bluebird Theatre - Denver, CO
12/7 - Station 4 - St. Paul, MN
12/8 - House of Blues - Chicago, IL
12/9 - Majestic Theatre - Detroit, MI
12/10 - Beachland Ballroom - Cleveland, OH
12/11 - Webster Hall - New York, NY
12/12 - Club Stage - Baltimore, MD
12/13 - Middle East Underground - Cambridge, MA
12/14 - The Note - West Chester, PA
12/16 - The Loft - Atlanta, GA
12/17 - Tipitina’s Uptown - New Orleans, LA
12/18 - Meridian - Houston, TX
12/19 - Emo’s - Austin, TX
12/20 - Granada Theatre - Dallas, TX

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Photos from She Keeps Bees at Bruar Falls on Tuesday night

She Keeps Bees | Bruar Falls | November 3, 2009

Though I missed them last night at Death by Audio, She Keeps Bees took to the stage at Bruar Falls after The Mumlers on Tuesday. A friend mentioned that the band had a sort of PJ Harvey feel to them, and I realized the comparison was quite apt. Check out some photos from the other night below.

www.shekeepsbees.com | www.namesrecords.com

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To Do List: Thursday, November 5, 2009

Recommended Show:
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2009
DRAGONETTE & THE INVISIBLE
@ SANTOS PARTY HOUSE
96 Lafayette Street
Manhattan, NY 10013
$10, 11PM

Be prepared to stay up late tonight. The show at Santos Party House with Dragonette and The Invisible doesn't even get doors open until 11PM. Dragonette (who are headlining) probably won't be on until after 1AM. Trust me, it's worth the late night and hangover the next morning.

BELL @ Knitting Factory
Air Waves @ The Woodser
Amy Milan @ Mercury Lounge
Julie Doiron @ The Bell House
Fucked Up @ Brooklyn Masonic Temple
Sure Juror, The Pastel Group, & Chase Pagan @ Pianos
Islands, Jemina Pearl, & Toro y Moi @ Bowery Ballroom
Child Abuse, Alien Whale, & Starring @ Issue Project Room
Jeremy Jay, The Black Umbrella, & Michael Leviton @ Union Hall
The Abs, Limbs, All Of Them Witches, Look Alike, & Balene @ Bruar Falls
Extra Life, Diamond Rings, Unicornicopia, & Tone Blood Trio @ Cake Shop
Eric Copeland, James Ferraro, Infinity Window, Zaimph, & Luke Perry @ Death By Audio
Gunfight, World Atlas, We Are Country Mice, Frat Dad, & Brown Recluse @ Cameo Gallery

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60 Watt Kid get some "Virtual Plastic Surgery" (+ play 5 LA release parties)

The video above for 60 Watt Kid is noisy and fun. The band recently released a 7 inch with Foot Village, but now the band are gearing up for their own release. The full length We Come From the Bright Side came out on Tuesday via Absolutely Kosher, and 60 Watt Kid are playing five release shows in the Los Angeles area to celebrate. The dates are all below.

60 Watt Kid tour dates:
Nov 6 - Fingerprints Music - Long Beach, CA
Nov 10 - The Echo - Los Angeles, CA
Nov 11 - Synchronicity Space - Los Angeles, CA
Nov 13 - Origami Vinyl - Los Angeles, CA
Nov 14 - The Basement - Long Beach, CA

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Cloud Cult reissuing early albums as a double-disc

Two of Cloud Cult's early albums, 2003's They Live on the Sun and 2004's Aurora Borealis, will be reissued together as a double-disc very soon. The band will be taking pre-orders on their website starting in late November. The band have garnered a lot of praise since the initial release of these two albums. This will actually be the first time either of these albums is available nationwide. That's all we really know about the release right now, but more information is sure to leak!

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The looping violin of Girls in Trouble, Girls in Trouble, Girls in Trouble...

Sure, the looping thing has been done before by the likes of Howie Day, Theresa Andersson, and The Purple Organ, but watching videos or live performances of this sort of thing is still very, very cool. In this case Girls in Trouble is looping her violin in many wonderful ways. I sort of wished she picked up that upright bass next to her at point, but we can always dream. Also, for those interested in actually seeing this live, Girls in Trouble will be playing a record release show at Public Assembly in Brooklyn on November 11.

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Annie DJs in Brooklyn (+ SF and LA) to support new album

MP3: Annie - "My Love Is Better (Sunkh Knight Remix)"

We already told you about Annie's new album, Don't Stop. While she hasn't announced any official tour dates yet, she will be stopped by San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Brooklyn for a few DJ gigs to support the release. The Brooklyn appearance is on November 19 at N8 Space in Williamsburg (213 N8th Street). Annie also announced that a five-track bonus EP entitled All Night will be available to purchase with Don’t Stop. Check out the list of dates below and the EP tracklisting.

Annie tour dates:
Nov. 12 -- San Francisco, CA @ Popscene
Nov. 17 -- Los Angeles, CA @ Cinespace
Nov. 19 -- Brooklyn, NY @ N8 Space

All Night EP Tracklisting:
1. All Night (produced by Paul Epworth)
2. I Know Ur Girlfriend Hates Me (produced by Richard X)
3. Anthonio (produced by Richard X)
4. I Can’t Let Go (with Fredrik Saroea from Datarock on guest vocals)
5. Sweet (produced by Brian Higgins/Xenomania)

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Hot Chelle Rae really do like to dance

Modern rock and dance merge with Hot Chelle Rae. The band have recently released their debut album, Lovesick Electric, and the above video the new single from the album, "I Like to Dance." It's fun and catchy. The band are going to be playing a few dates coming up with The Academy Is and The Secret Handshake. Check out the full schedule after the jump.

Hot Chelle Rae tour dates:
All dates w/ The Academy Is & The Secret Handshake
11/17 - Schine Underground - Syracuse, NY (Syracuse University)
11/18 - University of Illinois - Urbana, IL
11/19 - Chubby Rain - Rockford, IL
11/20 - Southgate House - Cincinnati, OH

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DVD Review: P!nk - Funhouse Tour Live in Australia

P!NK
FUNHOUSE TOUR LIVE IN AUSTRALIA (DVD)
(LaFace/Jive Records)
www.pinkspage.com

Which do you suppose was the first artist with the idea of a three ringed album and tour? Was it Britney Spears's "Circus" or P!nk's "Funhouse?" It might speak more to the idea of a zeitgeist in pop music more than anything else. I've never seen either artist live, so I'm not sure how similar the two stage shows may or may not be. However, with the release of P!nk's new CD/DVD combo, Funhouse Tour Live in Australia, I did get my first impression of what one of these live shows just be like.

Though there are points on P!nk's live DVD that are big top oriented, the theme is often passing and takes a back seat to P!nk's sexuality and musical legitimacy. While P!nk is not afraid to showcase her sexuality in revealing outfits (and there is even a crotch shot during "I Touch Myself"), she's the rocker of the pop music world. It's not so much about the glitz and glamor of the circus, but it's actually about the music. In the middle of the performance, all the trappings of the stage aren't even shown as she takes on a few numbers acoustically with her band--sort of like heavier rock bands will do from time to time. The trapeze bits look spectacular crafting amazing bits for the audience when used at select times--particularly in the conclusion of the show. The stage show enhances the performance, but it's simply not all about the stage show.

The one thing that did strike me as weird on this release is the track listing. The DVD has "Funhouse" in the title, and it really concentrates on the recent Funhouse album. A few hits from previous releases ("Just Like a Pill," "Get This Party Started," "U + Ur Hand," and few others) do make it on the DVD, but the bulk of the songs are from the Funhouse album with a few odd covers like "Crazy" by Gnarls Barkley, "Bohemian Rhapsody" by Queen, and "Babe I'm Gonna Leave You" by Led Zeppelin. The latter two make it onto the accompanying CD along with "U + Ur Hand," but the record is mostly made up of simply live versions of tracks from the original Funhouse release. Is a live version of P!nk's latest record really needed only a year after it hit the streets? Probably not. Is it still a fun CD with a visually spectacular DVD worth watching? Yes, absolutely.

P!nk's Funhouse Tour Live in Australia is out now on CD/DVD and will be available on Blu-ray on December 8.

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The Mumlers played Bruar Falls last night (w/ photos), continue on tour tonight

The Mumlers | Bruar Falls | November 3, 2009

The Mumlers have probably had it pretty easy over the past few weeks. Touring with Black Heart Procession, the sound systems were probably always top notch and could handle anything. Now that they're continuing on tour without a larger band, they're playing smaller places like Bruar Falls with sounds systems that are a bit more temperamental. Feedback started to be a problem for the band last night, and it seemed to frustrate the lead singer. However, it also provided a fun, unique experience with members abandoning their microphones and moving into the crowd. Though last night was the band's last of three New York City area shows, they continue on tour in Portland, ME tonight at SPACE Gallery.

www.themumlers.com | www.galaxia-platform.com/











The Mumlers tour dates:
Nov 4 - Space Gallery - Portland, ME
Nov 5 - Monkey House - Winooski, VT
Nov 6 - P.A.’s Lounge - Boston, MA
Nov 8 - Heirloom Arts Theatre - Danbury, CT
Nov 10 - Derby City Espresso - Louisville, KY
Nov 11 - Pop’s Blue Moon - St. Louis, MO
Nov 12 - The Beat Kitchen - Chicago, IL
Nov 13 - Huckleberry’s Pizza Parlor - Rock Island, IL
Nov 14 - The PS Collective - Omaha, NE
Nov 15 - 400 Bar - Minneapolis, MN
Nov 22 - The Rickshaw Stop - San Francisco, CA

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Audion (Matthew Dear) tours North America

MP3: Audion - "Instant in You"

Audion is apparently another pseudonym for Matthew Dear, and under this moniker, the electronic musician will be touring many of the major cities in the US and Canada. It starts in San Francisco this week on November 6 at Mighty and ends on November 28 at Le Poisson Rouge in New York. Don't expect a solid month of touring, however, these dates are pretty spread out over the course of the month. Check out the full schedule after the jump.

Audion tour dates:
11.06 - San Francisco, CA @ Mighty
11.07 - Los Angeles, CA @ Avalon Hollywood
11.12 - Montreal, QC @ Karma
11.14 - Vancouver, BC @ Lotus Sound Lounge
11.16 - Seattle, WA @ Triple Door
11.19 - Washington, DC @ Muse
11.20 - Chicago, IL @ Smart Bar
11.21 - Toronto, ON @ Footwork
11.28 - New York, NY @ Le Poisson Rouge

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To Do List: Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Recommended Show:
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2009
NOAH AND THE WHALE
@ MERCURY LOUNGE
217 East Houston Street
Manhattan, NY 10002
$15, 7:30PM

We've been holding off recommending Noah and the Whale as they played three nights at Mercury Lounge. This is the last of their three nights with Robert Francis at the Lower East Side venue. Though tonight also joining the bill will be Sharon Van Etten, which totally makes this show worth the $15 cover price.

The Mary Onettes @ Union Hall
The Invisible @ Brooklyn Bowl
She Keeps Bees @ Death By Audio
Hidden Cameras @ Le Poisson Rouge
Zombie Nation @ Santos Party House
Angel Ocana & Ivana XL @ Monkey Town
The Fiery Furnaces, Cryptacize, & Dent May @ Maxwell's
Liam Finn, Eliza Jane, & Miracle Fortress @ The Bell House
Noah And The Whale, Robert Francis, & Sharon Van Etten @ Mercury Lounge
Thao With The Get Down Stay Down & Portland Cello Project @ Bowery Ballroom

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It's true, Bishop Allen has a new video

Check out the video above for Bishop Allen's "True or False" in all its black and white glory, complete with dancing girls too! Check out after the jump for the band's tour dates.

Bishop Allen tour dates:
11/03/09 - Omaha, NE - Slowdown
11/06/09 - Vancouver, BC - The Media Club
11/07/09 - Seattle, WA - Chop Suey
11/08/09 - Portland, OR - Doug Fir Lounge
11/09/09 - San Francisco, CA - The Rickshaw Shop
11/10/09 - Los Angeles, CA - El Rey Theatre
11/11/09 - Phoenix, AZ - Modified Arts
11/13/09 - Austin, TX - Mohawk
11/14/09 - Ft Worth, TX - Lola's
11/15/09 - Little Rock, - AR- Sticky Fingerz Chicken Shack
11/17/09 - Newport, KY - Southgate House
11/18/09 - Philadelphia, PA - Johnny Brenda's
11/19/09 - Washington, DC - Black Cat - Backstage
11/20/09 - Brooklyn, NY - Union Hall
11/21/09 - Brooklyn, NY - Bell House

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A Sunny Day in Glasgow go on tour (+ play two NYC dates in December)

A Sunny Day in Glasgow released their most recent album, Ashes Grammar, on September 15, and now the Philadelphia band are taking to the road in support of the release. The tour kicks off next week starting in Winooski, VT at the Monkey House on November 12. The band will hit up almost everywhere else before they finally make it to New York City for two shows. The first is at Union Hall in Brooklyn on December 12, and the other is the next night at Le Poisson Rouge in Manhattan. Check out the full list of dates after the jump.


A Sunny Day is Glasgow tour dates:
November 12 - The Monkey House, Winooski, VT
November 13 - Ecclectic House @ Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT
November 14 - ArtSpace, New Haven, CT
November 15 - Wildfire Lounge, Ithaca, NY
November 16 - Horn Gallery @ Kenyon College, Gambier, OH
November 17 - The Pike Room, Pontiac, MI
November 18 - The Bishop, Bloomington, IN
November 19 - Bottom Lounge, Chicago, IL
November 20 - University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI
November 21 - Eclipse Records, St. Paul, MN
November 22 - Public Space One, Iowa City, IA
November 23 - Waiting Room, Omaha, NE
November 24 - Replay Lounge, Lawrence, KS
November 25 - The Cavern, Dallas, TX
November 27 - Ghost Room, Austin, TX
November 29 - AllWays Lounge, New Orleans, LA
December 2 - Basement, Nashville, TN
December 3 - 529, Atlanta, GA
December 4 - Secret Squirrel, Athens, GA
December 6 - Sentient Bean, Savannah, GA
December 7 - Bobo Gallery, Asheville, NC
December 8 - The Cave, Chapel Hill, NC
December 9 - Twisted Branch Tea Bazaar, Charlottesville, VA
December 10 - The Red & the Black, Washington, DC
December 11 - Metro Gallery, Baltimore, MD
December 12 - Union Hall, Brooklyn, NY
December 13 - Le Poisson Rouge, New York, NY
December 15 - Johnny Brenda’s, Philadelphia, PA

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Wild Yaks new album out today, playing a bunch of NYC shows

Wild Yaks are one of those bands that the blogs rave about; it helped garner them a deal with Ernest Jenning Record Co., who will be putting out the band's album today. It's called 10 Ships (Don't Die Yet), and the band don't yet have firm plans to tour to support the record. They will be playing around NYC over the next few weeks, as well as a show in Cambridge, MA. Check out the full schedule after the jump, and pick up the record at the label's website.

Wild Yaks tour dates:
Nov 10th - The Middle East Downstairs - Cambridge, MA
Nov 13th - Starr Space - Brooklyn, NY
Nov 20th - Shea Stadium - Brooklyn, NY
Nov 28th - Hex Fest at The Living Room - New York, NY

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Anya Marina debuts new video, goes on tour with the New Moon cast

Remember how we were telling you about Anya Marina's new video for "Satellite Heart" from The Twilight Saga: New Moon soundtrack? Well, the video has now premiered, check it out above. Also check out Marina's tour dates after the jump. She's on The Twilight Saga: New Moon cast tour, which should be interesting.

Anya Marina tour dates:
Performing on The Twilight Saga: New Moon cast tour.
November 6 - Los Angeles, CA - Hollywood & Highland
November 10 - Chicago, IL - Westfield Fox Valley
November 11 - Minneapolis, MN - Mall of America
November 12 - Seattle, WA - Westfield Southcenter
November 14 - Salt Lake City, UT - Fashion Place

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More photos from the Mercury Lounge on Sunday night with White Circle (Josh Wise of the French Kicks)

White Circle | Mercury Lounge | November 1, 2009

When I entered the Mercury Lounge on Sunday night, Josh Wise of the French Kicks was on stage, performing under the name White Circle. I snapped a few pictures, and he was off rather quickly, making the way for Julianna Barwick. Figured I'd post some photos that I got though. Check them out below.

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Photos from Julianna Barwick opening for Doveman

Julianna Barwick | Mercury Lounge | November 1, 2009

It's true that we just posted photos from Julianna Barwick's CMJ performance, but she also just opened up for Doveman and Ghost of a Sabre Toothed Tiger at Mercury Lounge the other night. Her performance generally focuses on her voice, which goes through a bunch of pedals in front of her. There may be some slight electronics, but they take a side stage to her wonderful vocals.

www.juliannabarwick.com

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The Weezer Snuggie

Okay, now we know why Weezer's Raditude was pushed back a week (to be released today, actually), the band needed time for their own branded Snuggie. Yep, you heard me: a Snuggie with the Weezer logo. The Weezer Snuggie does come with a copy of Raditude, soat $30, you get a pretty good deal. The Weezer Snuggie comes in three colors: blue, red, or green. You know, to correspond with the three different colored self-titled Weezer albums, I suppose. Weezer's latest tour dates are listed after the jump as well, just in case you missed them the other day...


Weezer tour dates:
12/1 - Chicago, IL - Aragon Ballroom
12/3 - Milwaukee, WI - Eagles Ballroom
12/5 - Toronto, ON - Air Canada Center
12/7 - Boston, MA - Agganis Arena
12/9 - Baltimore, MD - UMBC Fieldhouse
12/10 - Philadelphia, PA - Susquehanna Center

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