Toronto/Montreal indie-poppers Stars are back with a new record, their first since 2007’s In Our Bedroom After the War; their fifth studio overall. This on June 22nd. The album, The Five Ghosts, will be released on the band’s own label Soft Revolution, and licensed by Vagrant elsewhere. It would seem that the new album is more of a collaborative effort than those previously, with every member of the band contributing songwriting to the album. Says the band’s co-leader Amy Millan, “We have never written an album with this much cohesion and unity. It is the first time we’ve had the luxury of being together in a huge room writing songs off the floor.” Check out a behind the scenes making-of the album video here, and here is the tracklist: (more…)
The Archives
-
Bits & Pieces
War Child’s Busking for CHANGE Montreal, March 2nd
03.01.10Inspired by Raine Maida of Our Lady Peace, who spent twelve hours busking for charity on the streets of Toronto in October 2007, on March 2nd of this year, musicians including Leif Vollebekk, Winter Gloves, Random Recipe and Amy Millan will take to Montreal’s busiest Metro stations (Berri-Uqam and Place des Arts), the Eaton Centre, and ‘media locales’, to busk and raise money for the War Child charity, which provides humanitarian assistance to children and families affected by war. According to the event website, “You don’t have to be a busker, or even be in Montreal, to help us in our fundraising efforts. Everyone is encouraged to sign up and start getting pledges, or search out your favorite participating artist and make a pledge on their personal page. Or just hit the donation button and help in any way you can.” So if you’re in Montreal, get involved! A full list of the day’s performing artists is available here.
-
Bits & Pieces
Demme Releases 2007 Neil Young Concert Doc
02.26.10Here it is, the trailer for Jonathan Demme’s latest Neil Young film, Neil Young Trunk Show. The director previously directed Young’s 2006 live show movie Heart of Gold, as well as the classic music documentaries Stop Making Sense (Talking Heads) and Storefront Hitchcock (Robyn Hitchcock). Trunk Show features the veteran singer playing two shows at the Tower Theater in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania from his 2007 Chrome Dreams II Tour. Included are a string of fan favorites, notably Mexico, Kansas, The Sultan, Cinnamon Girl, Cowgirl in the Sand, After the Gold Rush, and an epic rendition of No Hidden Path. Enthusiasts will be able to see the whole darn thing when it hits selected theaters across the US on March 19th, before seeing a DVD/Blu-Ray release by Reprise.
-
FROM THE CORNER comes...
The Knux
02.24.10by Canyon
The Knux (short for the knuckle heads) are two brothers originally from New Orleans now relocated in Hollywood courtesy of Hurricane Katrina. They got their first bit of exposure when they were invited to tour with Common on his Finding Forever tour in 2007, creating buzz before even having a song on the market. Their first release came in 2008 after bros Krispy Kream and Rah Al Millio wowed execs at Interscope, and then released Remind Me In 3 Days… which included singles Cappuccino and Bang Bang. They’ve recently offered a free EP to the masses, to keep them good and satisfied while putting together their much anticipated second album. Titled The Fuck You EP, the 5-track sampler offers more of The Knux’s atypical eclectic hip hop sound, from the softer Fruits to old school Fuck You complete with a cover of Jason Derülo’s Watcha Say. You can download the EP here.
Genre: Hip Hop
Latest Album: The Fuck You EP
For Fans Of: Outkast, Juvenile, The Roots
Listen To: The Knux -
Bits & Pieces
Progress Being Made on Kurt Cobain Biopic
02.18.10It is inevitable that film rights to any successful book that tells the story of a much loved star will be sold. Indeed, it’s one of the most lucrative streams of revenue for authors and their agents. So it’s no surprise to find the rights to Charles Cross’s critically acclaimed 2001 Kurt Cobain biography Heavier than Heaven long sold, and the project well underway. Filmmaker Oren Overman, co-writer of Bob Dylan biopic I’m Not There is apparently in talks to write a new draft of the screenplay that writer David Benioff has been working on since 2007, based on the Cross’s original book, but also including new research he himself conducted in conversation with Cobain’s old friends in Aberdeen and Seattle. As far as we know, no date has been set for cameras to begin rolling, nor are there any details on who might play the troubled Nirvana frontman who took his own life in 1994, while the band were at the height of their success. In related news, Courtney Love’s reformed Hole played their first show in over ten years at London’s Shepherd’s Bush Empire on Wednesday, which apparently went quite well according to the Guardian.
-
Bits & Pieces
Lil Wayne to Begin Jail Term Late Due to Dental Surgery
02.09.10Let’s face it, we all hated going to the dentist as kids, and some people still do. Lil Wayne, on the other hand, must be thanking his lucky stars for all the Kool Aid he must have drank as a kid. Why? That’s because a trip to the dentist has saved him from a trip to the slammer – or at least it has for now anyway. The rapper has had his sentencing delayed by a New York City court following his guilty plea last October to possession of a loaded 40-caliber semi-automatic gun in July 2007. Due to begin serving the year sentence on Tuesday of this week, Wayne’s lawyer, Stacey Richman, appealed to the court for an adjournment due to his client’s need to finalize a series of dental surgeries. A frustrated Judge, Charles H. Solomon, stated: “I don’t want this to get pushed back anymore…this is the last adjournment.” Wayne will now have the required surgery on February 12th in Miami, allowing a further 10 days to recover. In fact, it would appear that Wayne has quite the checkered dental history, something which formed the subject of the following off the cuff freestyle performed in 2008: “I got a toothache/ The size o’ Virginia/ I got a tooothaaache/ And it hurts like a muh-fucka!” You probably want to lay off the Skittles my man. Perhaps luckily for Wayne, his celebrity status means that he will be housed separately from the rest of the prison population at Ricker’s Island, as – and one can only guess – it’s unlikely that being granted a short reprieve for toothy-ache is likely to do his street-cred with the 13,500 other inmates much good on the inside…
-
Bits & Pieces
Vampire Weekend Cover Rancid for the BBC
02.08.10Perhaps the indie-punk crossover was made slightly more acceptable after Dave Longstreth of the Dirty Projectors cast his eccentric eye over the oeuvre of Black Flag, covering their classic album Rise Above in its entirety in 2007. But Vampire Weekend covering Rancid – that sounds like a collaboration from last week’s GRAMMYs to me. But no, apparently the New Yorkers recorded a cover of Rancid fan favorite Ruby Soho at a BBC Radio 1 session whilst in London last week. Despite VW singer Ezra Koenig recently coming out and saying that he grew up listening to No Doubt and Sublime, it’s still a bit of stretch to imagine him accessorizing his khakis with a wallet chain and a Mohawk. Still, we’re living in a world where Mary J. Blige can cover Led Zeppelin’s Stairway live on television, so anything’s possible I guess… and you know what, it’s a pretty decent cover. Check it out here. No word on what Tim Armstrong thinks of it, although by the looks of things he has his hands full making fairly crappy looking television cop shows for the time being.
-
Bits & Pieces
Indie Bands’ Class Action Against Camel and Rolling Stone Falls at Appeal
02.02.10The application of the US constitution is more often than not a tricky thing, and the judges whose job it is to safeguard it are not about to interpret its terms softly to protect the good name of indie-rock. Or so it would seem, after a class action brought by the bands Fucked Up and Xiu Xiu (on behalf of 186 fellow artists) against the parent company of cigarette manufacturer Camel, and Rolling Stone magazine was dismissed at appeal. The case concerns a four-page fold-out section of a 2007 issue of Rolling Stone, in which a so called “Indie Rock Universe” – that listed a plethora of indie bands – appeared to associate said bands with Camel cigarettes whose advertising appeared interspersed around the text of the article. The aim was apparently to show Camel’s commitment to independent rock, which went down, well, like a lead balloon with those bands whose names appeared in the ad. (more…)
-
Bits & Pieces
Serj Tankian Speaks of Recent Activities, Future of System Of A Down
01.29.10Serj Tankian, best known as lead singer for L.A. hard-rockers System Of A Down, has recently been dabbling in the orchestral, teaming up last year with Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra in New Zealand – where the singer spends part of the year – to reinterpret his 2007 solo debut, Elect the Dead in concert. The recording of said performance is Elect the Dead Symphony, slated for a March 9th release on DVD/CD, with sound mixed by Junkie XL, with an accompanying screening of the concert film seeing a limited release in US-wide screenings beginning February 19th in Portland, Oregon. In further Tankian news, the singer reports he’s also been working on two new projects, the first of which is a solo album, to be titled Music Without Borders. (more…)
-
FROM THE CORNER comes...
Dan Mangan
01.20.10by Canyon
It’s hard to ignore Vancouverite Dan Mangan after the stellar year he’s just experienced. His follow-up album to 2007’s Postcards and Daydreaming, dubbed Nice, Nice, Very Nice was released in August 2009, and promptly rocketed to #1 on iTunes Canada’s Singer/Songwriter Album chart. Then came the news that he had been victorious against other great Canadian acts Alexisonfire, Amos The Transparent, Joel Plaskett and Said The Whale for the title of XM Satellite’s Verge Music Awards Artist Of The Year, complete with a $25,000 cash prize no less. Mangan was also the recipient of two CBC Radio 3 Bucky Awards for Best Song and Best Vocals for his single Robots. “Robots need love too, They want to be loved by you” sings Mangan in his wiser-than-his-years scruffy voice. Throughout his album he blends the rock and country genres seamlessly with the help of many instruments: the trusty acoustic guitar, a piano, some brass, strings and even rhythmic hand clapping all form part of the cohesive mix.
Genre: Folk
Latest Album: Nice, Nice, Very Nice
For Fans Of: Damien Rice, Joseph Arthur, Monsters of Folk
Listen To: Dan Mangan -
Bits & Pieces
Wyclef Jean Hosts Press Conference to Deny Accusations of Financial Misdealings
01.18.10Haitian born rapper and former Fugees, Wyclef Jean has been forced to defend Yele Haiti, the foundation that he established in 2005 to come to the aid of those in need in the country of his birth, against accusations leveled on the The Smoking Gun. The site claims funds from the organization had only recently filed tax returns for the years 2005, 2006 and 2007, despite having been a company for several years before. More specifically, it claims that payments had been made from Yele Haiti’s coffers into Jean’s private businesses, including $100,000 to his recording studio in New York and $250,000 to a production company in Haiti. These claims were today strenuously denied by the musician, addressing a press conference in New York, admitting that “We made mistakes, yes” but that at no point had he ever used any of Yele Haiti’s funds “for personal benefit,” adding that the company’s books are open and transparent having been given “clean bill of health by an external auditor every year since started.” Jean is due to continue with the fundraising efforts he began soon after last Tuesday’s devastating earthquake with a visit the island, first in a telethon with George Clooney and Anderson Cooper of CNN, followed by a return to Port-au-Prince, which saw the epicenter of the earthquake. He hopes to continue helping efforts to uncover those still trapped under fallen buildings and those who have been left without shelter or water.
-
Bits & Pieces
MGMT to Auction Off puppets From Kids Video for charity
01.13.10Ebay recommends for you the perfect gift for your baby sister’s birthday. Maybe. Apparently, the charitable lads in MGMT have donated the freaky puppets used in the making of the video for Kids, 2008’s ubiquitous dance floor filler and end-of-DJ-set staple. All proceeds from the sale of the props from the video are to go to the New York charity Children Art Foundation, a non-profit organization working to bring music to underprivileged kids in the Five Boroughs. Notably, the band settled a legal dispute with French president Nicolas Sarkozy after the same song was played at several of his UMP party’s political rallies in 2008. The French premier had generously offered 1(EUR) in compensation, although eventually settled for 30,0000(EUR). MGMT have also spoken of their upcoming album, revealing a few of the song titles, which include an instrumental cut entitled Lady Dada’s Nightmare, to feature on the follow-up to 2007’s Oracular Spectacular, slated for a spring release.
-
Bits & Pieces
UNKLE Recruits Mark Lanegan for New Record
01.11.10UNKLE, the London based electronic group, is set to collaborate with legendary vocalist and grunge survivor Mark Lanegan. The group’s co-founder and Mo’ Wax label boss, James Lavelle, said the collaboration was “a dream come true” for him, after his original attempts to secure Lanegan’s services for UNKLE’s last album, due to “various reasons”, hadn’t worked out. Undeterred, Lavelle approached him again, this time to feature on the group’s new album, with Lanegan recording the vocals to a track that will feature on War Stories, an album to be released later this year. According to Lavelle, the album is also set to mark a return to more electronic ground for UNKLE, after 2007’s End Titles… Stories for Film garnered generally poor reviews. Washington native Lanegan’s post-Screaming Trees career has seen him do stints in Queens of The Stone Age as well as collaborate with former Belle and Sebastian cellist Isobel Campbell, and former The Afghan Whigs vocalist Greg Dulli with whom he has released one album as The Gutter Twins. UNKLE began in 1994 as the project of Mo’ Wax records’ James Lavelle and DFA’s Tim Goldsworthy, and, although originally touted by the North American music press as part of the British trip-hop movement, the group’s popularity waned after the success of 1998’s Psyence Fiction.
-
Bits & Pieces
Ryan Adams & The Cardinals Bassist Passes Away
12.16.09According to a report released by the Lost Highway Records , bassist for the former Ryan Adams & The Cardinals has passed away at 42. Chris “Spacewolf” Feinstein died in the wee hours of the morning on Monday Dec.14th at his Manhattan home, although the cause of death is still unknown to the public. The thick string plucker spent 2 albums with Adams’ outfit, appearing on 2007’s Easy Tiger and 2008’s Cardinology, while also having spent some creative time with Jack Ingram, The Strokes guitarist Albert Hammond Jr., and just prior to his death, Gin Wigmore. Feinstein’s family has erected a memorial fund in the musician’s honor, which can be donated to by emailing feinstein.memorial@gmail.com. R.I.P “Spacewolf”.
-
Bits & Pieces
White Stripes Release Live Box Set To Die For
12.10.09As previously reported The White Stripes have completed a live film dubbed Under Great White Northern Lights, documenting their 2007 full Canadian tour. The film was debuted at the Toronto International Film Festival and has now made its way to the public blood stream as it finds its way to shelves March 16th as a wicked live box set. In a true Jack White manner the package will include an obscene amount of goodies, each with a better flair than the last. The Under Great White Northern Lights box set will boast a DVD of the film itself, a disk of White Stripes’ 10th anniversary show, a 16-track White Stripes live album provided on 180 gram vinyl and CD, a live 7″, a 208-page book filled with tour photos taken by Autumn de Wilde, and in case that list doesn’t cut the mustard, Jack’s even tossing in a silk screen print. Reserve the set prior to January 1st and you’ll score yourself a holiday card as well as live versions of Hotel Yorba, Hello Operator, and A Martyr for My Love for You! Awww… Santa Jack!
-
Bits & Pieces
Strokes Announce First Live Gig Since 2007
11.30.09Only a week ago we were happy to report that The Strokes were heading back into the studio to kick off a new album. Now comes news that The Strokes are booked over in Newport, England to headline the Isle of Wight Festival on June 12th. The show will mark the first time the band has played together on stage since 2007. Joining The Strokes in the UK will be Blondie, Pink, Orbital, and Squeeze, all on the 12th. The other headliner of the June 11-13th affair will be Jay-Z. If The Strokes are really building momentum, I suspect we will be hearing about a few more dates in the near future.
-
Bits & Pieces
Interpol New Album to Revisit Reverb Roots
11.19.09Unbeknownst to us, Interpol has been putting the finishing touches on a new album over at Electric Lady Studios in New York. Word is that the release will drop early in the New Year. If this news makes you a little nervous, it might be because most listeners gave Interpol’s last offering, 2007’s Our Love to Admire, a lukewarm reception. Well, in an effort to assuage the fears of the listening public, drummer Sam Fogarino is saying that this time around their sound harkens back to their revered debut album Turn on the Bright Lights. “The new record falls back towards the first. In trying to move forward, there was an unspoken realization that you can’t let go of your sonic-defining tag. There was an effort in Daniel [Kessler]’s guitar tone; he rediscovered it playing in his loft space for a year without anybody. The quality of that tone, played in a big room, is just beautiful. It creates an atmosphere… That big wash of reverb? It’s back,” Fogarino says. The percussionist isn’t shying away from talking about the shortcomings of Our Love to Remember, acknowledging that “[the album] was not our most cohesive moment… It was when reality kicked in as to where we were and where we were never going back to.” I find that kind of admission refreshing.
-
Bits & Pieces
Alan Moore And The Gorillaz Collaborated On Opera
11.10.09While many fans are looking forward to the next Gorillaz album, working title Plastic Beach, I am far more excited by the band’s plans to collaborate with legendary author Alan Moore. For those who don’t know, Alan Moore wrote the groundbreaking graphic novels that were eventually fashioned into the films From Hell, V for Vendetta, and most recently Watchmen. Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett, the names responsible for 2007’s Monkey Journey To The West, are throwing in with the notoriously eccentric writer on a new opera. Moore said, in an interview with Mustard; “We’re planning for me to do the libretto on their next opera project.” He also went on to say that the Gorillaz are planning on getting their hands on a few pages from Moore’s new magazine Dodgem Logic.
-
CD Reviews
Say Anything – Say Anything
11.07.09Nothing says reboot, reinvention, or any of the other ‘re’ words associated with pop music quite like the mid-career self-titled album. The Beatles did it. Fleetwood Mac did it. Metallica did it. Heck, Weezer can’t stop doing it. And now, L.A.’s Say Anything has gone ahead and done it. (more…)
-
Bits & Pieces
Lil Wayne Pleads Guilty, Faces One Year In The Clink
10.22.09Pleading guilty this morning in NYC to an attempted gun possession charge dating back to 2007, Lil Wayne will now face one year in jail following his sentencing due to take place in February 2010. This incident occurred in Manhattan in 2K7 when police searched Wayne’s tour bus upon smelling marijuana, and witnessed the rap star attempting to ditch a bag containing a loaded .40 caliber semi-automatic weapon. Is this news or a story that feels so familiar it may have already occurred? Ah well… Don’t drop the soap.
