Free download from Dananananaykroyd

Having taken a well-earned break and headed to Los Angeles to record their second album with Ross Robinson (At The Drive-in, Blood Brothers, Slipknot) Dananananaykroyd return on absolutely unstoppable form with a free download of brand new track ‘E Numbers’.

Grab it here:

Dananananaykroyd - E Numbers by WorkItMedia

Maybeshewill - 'Critical Distance' video

The mighty Maybeshewill have just released a video for their much anticipated new single 'Critical Distance' which is out on March 07 through Function Records.

Have a gander:

New video from Nicole Atkins

It’s been a tumultuous three years since the release of New Jersey-born Nicole Atkins’ acclaimed 2007 debut, 'Neptune City', and its follow-up, 'Mondo Amore', is a courageous, provocative work, fraught with dramatic tension and sweeping emotion.

'Mondo Amore' has its genesis in a time of extreme turbulence for Atkins, a period which saw her parting ways with her former (major) label, while also dealing with the painful, personal end of “a relationship that should’ve ended two years before it actually did” with her long-term boyfriend.

“Things got weird and dark,” she says. “Writing these songs was my way of trying to work out what was happening. I was breaking up with my boyfriend, my original band, and my label, all at the same time.”

As a taster of what to expect from the new work, check out the video for 'Vultures':

Johnny Foreigner tour news

Alt-pop three-piece Johnny Foreigner continue their endless schedule of touring and recording by announcing full details of their upcoming spring tour of the UK, a new London date at the Camden Crawl, plus details of a new album and further European shows.

Following on from last winter's run of dates in the US and UK, alongside the first fruits of their recording partnership with indie label du jour Alcopop! the Birmingham trio are to embark on another run of shows in April.

Before then, the band are working on their third full length record - with possibly the first sounds from the album to be heard around UK tour time. Details at the moment are being kept strictly under wraps, however.

Johnny Foreigner will follow their April activity with a full run of European shows in May, with dates set to be announced in the next week.

March
7th Birmingham - Custard Factory (Topman CTRL show)
April

2nd Edinburgh - Haddowfest
3rd Edinburgh - Haddowfest
19th Aberdeen - Cafe Drummonds
20th Glasgow - Nice n Sleazy
22nd Nottingham - Bodega Social
23rd Preston - Mad Ferret
24th Milton Keynes - Sno Bar
26th Birmingham - Hare & Hounds
27th Liverpool - The Shipping Forecast
28th Manchester - Night & Day
29th Stoke - Underground
30th Wimbledon - Grove Tavern

May

1st London - Camden Crawl

For further ticket details and news of supports, plus an upcoming London date - check www.johnnyforeignerband.com and www.facebook.com/johnnyforeigner.

Fight Like Apes announce UK tour & new single

Fight Like Apes return to the fray with a new single – 'Jenny Kelly' – ahead of the release of their second long-player and UK tour. The band will play a run of nine dates, beginning in Leeds on April 30, before finishing in London on May 10.

'Jenny Kelly' is a typically Fight Like Apes skewed tribute to a character from the 1990's low-budget Aussie TV sci-fi series 'The Girl From Tomorrow'. The special effects on the show made 'Blake’s 7' look like 'The Fifth Element'; and as such it has been embraced by Fight Like Apes as a trashy touchstone in their motley milieu.

'Jenny Kelly' will be released digitally on Model Citizen Records on April 04 ahead of their UK tour in early May.

The band will play the following shows:

APRIL
30th - Leeds, Live at Leeds, Joseph Well www.seetickets.com/Tour/LIVE-AT-LEEDS 0870 264 3333
MAY

1st - Glasgow, King Tuts www.gigsinscotland.com 08444 999 990
2nd - Sheffield, O2 Academy2 www.ticketweb.co.uk 0844 477 2000
4th - Liverpool O2 Academy2 www.ticketweb.co.uk 0844 477 2000
5th - Manchester Night & Day www.gigsandtours.com/?a=fight+like+apes&site=fightlikeapes 0161 832 1111
6th - Nottingham, Bodega www.alt-tickets.co.uk 0845 413 4444
8th - Birmingham, O2 Academy3 www.ticketweb.co.uk 0844 477 2000
9th - Bristol, O2 Academy2 www.ticketweb.co.uk 0844 477 2000
10th - London KCLSU www.Kclsutickets.com 0870 90709

Alexi Murdoch single release and video

Critically acclaimed singer-songwriter Alexi Murdoch is set to release ‘Some Day Soon’ from his beautiful new album 'Towards the Sun' on March 14 on City Slang.

'Some Day Soon’ is a delicate and understated track, but what it lacks in mammoth orchestration it more than makes up for in charm. Warm and heartfelt, ‘Some Day Soon’ shows off Murdoch’s talent for creating music that is both refreshing and comfortably familiar.

Check out Alexi performing the song live here:

Architects of Grace release video for 'Reflection'

The debut single from Architects of Grace - 'Reflection' - is due for release through Procession Recordings on April 04 2011. While the single and forthcoming debut album are products of one man's vision, namely Duncan Robert Illing, the band exists as a group for live performances and sessions.

With a punch of reverb-laden guitars, a glorious contrast of guitars stabbing punctuation throughout the verse, a huge chorus, texture and beauty, 'Reflection' is a perfect introduction to the debut album, 'Moments In Time', which is released on April 11 2011.

Gablé give away free mp3 of 'BuNCH'

French art-pop pioneers Gablé have been causing a significant stir of late, captivating audiences with their unique 'luxury DIY'. Having spent the past year experimenting with a bizarre collection of odds and ends lying round their studio and home, they've created the fabulously eccentric and catchy album 'CuTe HoRSe CuT'.

Through their imaginative use of strange sounds and outlandish instruments, Gablé pulverise the barriers between genres with songs held together by melodies that epitomise their pop mastery. Darting from sugary sweet choruses to menacing stabs into darkness, their sound brings images of flute touting punks playing destructive folk songs at one massive electro banquet.

If you don't believe me, have a listen for yourself here.

The Charlatans acoustic tour & EP announced

The Charlatans' vocalist Tim Burgess and guitarist Mark Collins are set to embark on a series of intimate live shows across the UK starting on March 08. To coincide with the tour, stripped-down EP 'Warmer Sounds' will be released on the same day to download and on a limited edition 10" vinyl.

The dates are:

MARCH
8th Wrexham, Central Station (£11)
9th Blackburn, Live Lounge (£16)
10th Newcastle, Riverside (£16)
11th Leeds, Brudenell Social Club (£16)
12th Stockton, Georgian Theatre (£16)
13th Manchester, Deaf Institute (£16)
14th Stoke On Trent, The Underground (£15)
16th London, Union Chapel (£17.50)
17th Brighton, Komedia (TBC)
21st Glasgow, Oran Mor (£12.50)

Nedry release 'Dusk Till Dawn' digital single & give away free mp3

'Dusk Till Dawn' is the new 2-track single on Monotreme Records from London post-dubstep trio Nedry. It is the first taste of new material from the band since 2010's acclaimed full-length debut 'Condors' saw them tipped for greatness by the likes of BBC Radio One and The Guardian, among others. This release will be available firstly as a single-track free download available directly from the band's website and later across all major digital download sites, backed by a remix of the single by Liverpool's leftfield electronic trio Capac.

You can stream the single or grab an mp3 of the a-side for free right now by going to the band's website:

www.nedrymakesmusic.com

Soundgarden release live album

Echoes And Dust absolute fave band in the whole world ever Soundgarden are set to release their first ever official live album ‘Live on I5’ on March 21 through UMe.

The tracks are taken from the 1996 tour of the West Coast of Amarica and feature the likes of 'Spoonman', 'Jesus Christ Pose', 'Rusty Cage', 'Burden In My Hand', and 'Black Hole Sun' and captures the band at the peak of their powers.

Esperi give away new mp3 & video

After the winter masterpiece that was 'Made For Life', velvet voiced multi-instrumentalist Esperi (aka Chris Lee-Marr) has returned with a track that's set to make your soul ache. The aptly named 'My Tear Dissolved The View' was inspired by the idea that there are some places that hold such beauty they can move you to tears. Written over ten years ago, Chris has created a moving instrumental piece that truly captures his initial inspiration.

Download it from his Soundcloud.
My Tear Dissolved The View by Esperi

Or watch the video:

Ra Ra Riot return with new album, single & video

New York’s Ra Ra Riot are set to return with a new album, single and accompanying video.

It’s been two years but this Spring sees the band’s return to the UK bringing with them their own brand of sun-spattered orchestral pop and new album ‘The Orchard’.

‘Boy’ is the first single from the new record, released on the March 28, with album ‘The Orchard’ following later on May 16. Both releases will be through the band’s UK label, independent newcomer Brine and Barnacles Records.

You can listen to a stream of the new single here:
Ra Ra Riot 'Boy' by createspark

And if that's not enough for you, watch the video here:

Meet Love Inks, new band from Austin, Texas

Austin, Texas three-piece Love Inks are set to surprise and seduce music fans and critics across the board this Spring, with the release of their debut album along with their highly infectious, dreamy pop gem and debut single 'Blackeye'. The single will be released on limited edition 7” vinyl on March 28 through Italian record label Hell, Yes! (Dum Dum Girls, Crocodiles, SISU), with the album to follow soon after. In the meantime, you can have a preview listen to the single:

LOVE INKS "Blackeye" by HellYes

Exlovers new video & tour dates

London's Exlovers have a new single out 'Blowing Kisses', and you can see the video here:



The guys are out and about playing shows for the rest of this month and in to next:
February:
Thursday 17th Manchester Fallowfield Trof
Friday 18th Leeds Verve
Sunday 20th Southampton Joiners
Tuesday 22nd Nottingham Bodega
Wednesday 23rd Bristol Louisiana
Thursday 24th Bath Moles
Saturday 26th Brighton Jam
Monday 28th London The Lexington
March:
Wednesday 2nd Birmingham HMV Institute
Thursday 3rd Glasgow King Tut’s
Saturday 5th Oxford The Cella

Vessels announce tour dates & live video

The Leeds-based Vessels have just released a stunning live rendition of 'The Trap' from their rather splendid forthcoming album 'Helioscope', out on March 21 through Cuckundoo Records, so you can get an idea of what to expect live. See the video here:

Vessels - The Trap live at Abbey Lodge from Vessels Band on Vimeo.

If you like what you see, you can catch the guys in all their glory at these dates:

Sun 20 February - The Duchess, YORK (with Stuart Warwick)
Mon 21 February - The Captain’s Rest, GLASGOW (with Stuart Warwick)
Tue 22 February - The Lemon Tree, ABERDEEN (with Stuart Warwick & Debutant)
Wed 23 February - Hustlers, DUNDEE
Thu 24 February - Speakeasy, BELFAST (with Casper Rosa Midnight)
Fri 25 February - The Workman’s Club, DUBLIN, Ireland (with Stuart Warwick & Enemies)
Sat 26 February - The Quad, CORK, Ireland (with Stuart Warwick)
Mon 28 February - The Harley, SHEFFIELD (with Stuart Warwick and Emphemetry)
Tue 1 March - Academy 3, MANCHESTER (with Stuart Warwick)
Wed 2 March - The Borderline, LONDON (with Stuart Warwick)
Thu 3 March - Jam, BRIGHTON (with Stuart Warwick)
Fri 4 March - The Haymakers, CAMBRIDGE
Sat 5 March - British Wildlife Festival, Brudenell Social Club, LEEDS (with Kong & Three Trapped Tigers)

Arbouretum - European Tour dates & video for 'Destroying To Save'

E&D absolute faves, Arbouretum hit the road next month for an extensive European tour to promote their stunning new album The Gathering which came out on February 14 through Thrill Jockey. Combining fuzzy, psychedelic rock with English folk music, the Baltimore five-piece create a dazzlingly epic and resonant sound.

Check it out here:

Arbouretum - Destroying to Save from Thrill Jockey Records on Vimeo.

And if you like it, download it here.

Tour dates:
EU dates so far:
16/03/11 : Botanique - Brussel (B)
17/03/11 : Paradiso - Amsterdam (NL)
18/03/11 : Jam - Brighton (UK)
19/03/11 : Miss Peapod's - Penryn/Cornwall (UK)
20/03/11 : The Deaf Institute - Manchester (UK)
21/03/11 : Captains Rest - Glasgow (UK)
22/03/11 : The Cluny - Newcastle (UK)
23/03/11 : Hare & Hounds - Birmingham (UK)
24/03/11 : The Borderline - Club Uncut - London (UK)
26/03/11 : Rockpalast @ Crossroads club festival - Bonn (D)
27/03/11 : Ekko - Utrecht (NL)
28/03/11 : La Maroquinerie - Paris (F)
29/03/11 : Queen Kong Club - Neuchatel (CH)
30/03/11 : Manufaktur - Schorndorf (D)
31/03/11 : Tap Tab - Schaffhausen (CH)
01/04/11 : Unwound - Padova (I)
02/04/11 : Circolo degli Artisti - Rome (I)
03/04/11 : Monospazio - Pescara (I)
04/04/11 : Arena - Vienna (A)
05/04/11 : Beatpol - Dresden (D)
06/04/11 : White Trash - Berlin (D)
07/04/11 : Hafenklang - Hamburg (D)
08/04/11 : Eureka - Zwolle (NL)
09/04/11 : Cactus - Brugge (B)

Vivian Girls release video for ‘I Heard You Say’

Following on from the news about their forthcoming third album, Vivian Girls have released the new video to lead track ‘I Heard You Say’.

Watch this potent, fiery promo clip, directed by Timothy Fiore:



If you like the tune you can download it in exchange for nothing more than you email address here.

Asobi Seksu announce UK headline shows & video for ‘Trails’

Brooklyn dream poppers Asobi Seksu have announced further UK live dates, this time confirming some headline shows in April. Including London’s XOYO on the April 19, the new shows follow on from the previously announced tour supporting Austin rockers And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead and Rival Schools.

Here are the new run of UK dates in full:

Fri 15-Apr London Electric Ballroom
Sat 16-Apr Manchester Academy 2
Sun 17-Apr Glasgow Garage
Mon 18-Apr Birmingham O2 Academy 2
Tues 19-Apri London XOYO – headline show – get tickets
Thu 21 Apr UK Brighton Audio – headline show – get tickets

And if that wasn't enough, they have also released a video for the song 'Trails' which you can see here:

Two free mp3s from Thrill Jockey

Those lovely & generous people at Thrill Jockey are offering up not one but two completely free mp3s today.

The first is from Chicago's legendary Eleventh Dream Day and comes from their new album 'Riot Now!' and features singer/guitarist Rick Rizzo, Freakwater's Janet Beveridge Bean, Tortoise's Doug McCombs and Mark Greenberg of The Coctails, this is their first album since 2006.

Eleventh Dream Day - Satellite

The second also features the aforementioned Mr Rizzo, this time along side Tara Key of the New York band Antietam and is taken from their rather gorgeous album 'Double Star'.

Rick Rizzo and Tara Key - Hungry

Enjoy!

KJ's remix new single from Benjamin Francis Leftwich

KJs (the artists formerly known as Knob Jockeys) have produced a rather splendid dubstep type remix of Benjamin Francis Leftwich's beautiful forthcoming single 'Pictures'.

Listen to it here:
Benjamin Francis Leftwich - Pictures (KJs dubstep remix) by KJs (aka Knob Jockeys)

Norman Palm releases 'Sleeper' single today

Norman Palm’s beautiful single ‘Sleeper’ is out today on City Slang (Arcade Fire, Caribou, Broken Social Scene). Slipping comfortably into the recently-revived folk scene, the vibrant, summery feel of ‘Sleeper’ is an endearing antidote to the current winter gloom and is released ahead of his album ‘Shore to Shore’ on March 14.

Norman Palm - Sleeper by WorkItMedia

Mi Ami - new video and tour announcement

Mi Ami have announced their April European tour, where they will show-off their brand new sound as featured on their forthcoming limited edition EP 'Dolphins' (out on March 14 through Thrill Jockey). Now a duo, Mi Ami dispense with guitars and replace them with samplers and a 707 drum machine, creating an intense, uplifting listening experience with dark synth sounds.

Check it out in this video for the track 'Hard Up':

Mi Ami - Hard Up from Not Not Fun on Vimeo.

The tour dates are as follows:

MI AMI EU DATES
12/04/2011 FR Lille Aeronef
14/04/2011 UK London Corsica Studios (Upset the Rhythm)
15/04/2011 UK Liverpool Mello Mello
16/04/2011 IE Dublin Button Factory
20/04/2011 UK Glasgow Arts School
22/04/2011 NL Den Haag Paard *
23/04/2011 NL Amsterdam OCCI *
24/04/2011 DE Koln Genau *
25/04/2011 DE Trier Exhaus *
26/04/2011 DE Leipzig Conne Island *
27/04/2011 DE Berlin Leevee *

Joan As Police Woman new single details

On April 11 Joan As Police Woman releases a new single from her rapturously received third album 'The Deep Field' (Play It Again Sam).
New single, 'Nervous' concerns what Joan calls "the freedom to admit you're vulnerable and anxious," in a new-found relationship, rather than just projecting bravado. Some artists play a part, act stuff out, and like to hide behind imagery. That's fine, but it's not for everyone. Some, like Joan, want to communicate direct, to tell the truth, and share the honesty. To honour themselves and their audience. It may be cliché to read about it but wonderful to experience.

Single news from A Badge Of Friendship

A couple of pieces of singles news from the lovely people over at A Badge Of Friendship.

The first is Wayter, based in London but hailing from Argentina, Spain, Devon and Berkshire this four piece create a 60's psyche tinged sound with a muscular edge that has been compared to such luminaries as Slint and Fugazi. So, no pressure then lads!

'Twenty' is out on February 21:
Wayter - Twenty by abadgeoffriendship

This is followed a week later by 'Teenage Eyes' courtesy of Ex Libras. 'Teenage Eyes' follows on from the success of their debut album, 'Suite(s)' and its' counterpart EP, 'Cut(s)', which saw the lads re-imagining a selection of tracks from their first release into a hauntingly produced, and genuinely beautiful, musical masterpiece. The single is taken from the EP, and is representative of their stripped down, acoustic approach to the production process.

Ex Libras - Teenage Eyes by abadgeoffriendship

J Mascis announces 'Several Shades of Why' - 1st ever solo album

The legend and veritable god of the six strings that is Mr J Mascis has today announced details of his first ever (no, I couldn't believe it either) solo album.

‘Several Shades of Why’ is out on March 14 through Sub Pop and is apparently an 'intimate collection of acoustic songs that finds J in a rare state of peace, crafting a beautiful and delicate record filled with classic Mascis songwriting' - should be interesting.

In celebration of this release, Mascis is offering a free download of album track ‘Is It Done’, available for your listening pleasure direct from the Sub Pop website.

Moon Duo announce new album

Moon Duo, comprising of Wooden Shijps guitarist Ripley Johnson and his partner, Sanae Yamada, have announced plans to follow up their two highly acclaimed EPs ('Killing Time' & 'Escape') with their début 'Mazes' which is out on April 18 through Souterrain Transmissions (Zola Jesus, Marnie Stern, Tweak Bird).

As a taster of what to expect, they have made the album's title track available on Soundcloud:

Moon Duo - Mazes by souterraintransmissions

Sound Of Guns single & tour news

Sound of Guns are releasing their new single 'Breakwater' on April 04 through Distiller Records but have announced they are putting it out for free download which everyone can grab by going here: www.soundofguns.com

In addition to this give-away, they’re playing dates with Miles Kane on his tour that begins THIS WEEK as well as some headline dates of their own:

February
Thurs 10 Newcastle Cluny (with Miles Kane)
Fri 11 Sunderland 7even (with Miles Kane)
Sat 12 Glasgow King Tuts (with Miles Kane)
Sun 13 London Barfly (HMV Next Big Thing)
Mon 14 Nottingham Bodega (with Miles Kane)
Tues 15 Bristol Fleece (with Miles Kane)
Thurs 17 Coventry Kasbah
Fri 18 Wrexham Central Station (with Miles Kane)
Sat 19 Birmingham Academy 3 (with Miles Kane)
Mon 21 Crewe Squareone (with Miles Kane)
Tues 22 Leicester Musician (with Miles Kane)
Wed 23 Leeds Cockpit
Thurs 24 Manchester Deaf Institute (with Miles Kane)
Sat 26 Sheffield Leadmill (with Miles Kane)
Mon 28 Southampton Joiners

March
Tue 1 Bristol Louisiana
Wed 2 Nottingham Bodega
Thurs 3 London XOYO
Fri 4 Grimsby I Bar

May
21 St Georges Hall (Sound City Festival)

New album details from Sleepingdog

Sleepingdog, who feature members of Stars of the Lid & True Bypass, will release thier first album in almost three years on April 25 through Gizeh Records. Entitled 'With Our Heads in the Clouds and Our Hearts in the Fields' this record follows up on the beautiful 'Polar Life' from 2008.

Full details:

DATE: April 25th 2011
LABEL: Gizeh Records
CAT NO: GZH31
FORMAT: CD (digipak) / LP / DOWNLOAD * the first 250 LP’s are limited edition clear vinyl*
DISTRIBUTION: Kompakt (Worldwide - excluding Benelux)
PRESS ENQUIRIES: rich@gizehrecords.com
BOOKING ENQUIRIES: rich@sleepsoundagency.com

TRACKLISTING:
1. Untitled Ballad of You and Me
2. It Leaves Us Silent
3. Polish Love Song
4. Kitten Plays the Harmony Rocket
5. He Loved to See the World Through His Camera
6. From where It Was
7. Horse Lullaby
8. Scary Movie

TOUR DATES:
UK / EU | May - tba
UK / EU | October/November - tba

ESSENTIAL TRACKS:
1. Untitled Ballad of You and Me // 5. He Loved to See the World Through His Camera // 8. Scary Movie

LINKS:
www.sleepingdog.be
www.gizehrecords.com
www.sleepsoundagency.com
www.kompakt.fm

Eternal Tapestry - 'Galactic Derelict' Video

Eternal Tapestry are a Psych rock 5-piece from Portland, Oregon and sound right up our little street. Their new album 'Beyond the 4th Door' is due out on March 14 2011 through Thrill Jockey.

As a taster, here's the video for 'Galactic Direct':

Eternal Tapestry - Galactic Derelict from Thrill Jockey Records on Vimeo.

Video for 'Do You Want To Give $$' by Sic Alps

Following the free MP3 we gave away a few weeks ago, we now have a video from Sic Alps to give away for the track 1Do You Want To Give $$'. This is one of a series of four videos that the band are making for songs from their new album 'Napa Asylum' which was out on January 24 through Drag City.

Disappears to play London date

The rather cool & groovy Disappears are coming over to play their first ever London gig in support of their new album 'Guider'.

The live line-up will include Steve Shelley (Sonic Youth) on drums and support comes from The Oscillation.

DATE: Tuesday 31st May
VENUE: The Borderline, Orange Yard, London, W1D 4JB
DOORS/TICKETS: 7PM, £10

Cut Copy offer free pre-release album stream to Tweeters

Hear Cut Copy's forthcoming album, ‘Zonoscope’ streamed in full ahead of it’s UK release on Monday. All you need to do is head over here and help spread the word by sharing the link on Twitter.

The player will unlock and the stream will go live.

‘Zonoscope’ is out on 7th February in the UK and Europe, and 8th February
in North America through Modular.

Vivian Girls announce new album ‘Share The Joy’ & free download

Brooklyn's Vivian Girls have announced details of new album ‘Share The Joy’. Their third album (and first for new label Polyvinyl) will be released on the April 11 in the UK.

As a taster of what to expect from the new record they are giving away brand new track ‘I Heard You Say', click to download this for free here.

Amazing video for 'The Day I Die' 'by South Central

South Central are releasing their new single ‘The Day I Die’ on March 14 and have unleashed the video for the track online. It certainly holds nothing back, with a sniper taking out anyone unlucky enough to get in their sights.