Shearwater - New album & track stream

Shearwater have long been one of our favourite bands here at E&D so whenever we hear they've got new material out there's always a few ripples of excitment around the office.

The album, 'Animal Joy', is out through Sub Pop on February 27 and apprently is going to be 'edgier' than their previous work.

You can judge for yourself with the sneak peak stream of 'Breaking The Yearlings':

Catch them on their EU tour in the spring:

28/03/12 : Bitterzoet – Amsterdam (NL)
29/03/12 : Botanique – Brussels (B)
30/03/12 : The Haunt – Brighton (UK)
31/03/12 : The Deaf Institute – Manchester (UK)
01/04/12 : Stereo – Glasgow (UK)
03/04/12 : Scala – London (UK)
04/04/12 : Le Grand Mix – Tourcoing (F)
05/04/12 : La Maroquinerie – Paris (F)
06/04/12 : Bad Bonn – Düdingen (CH)
08/04/12 : Palace – St.Gallen (CH)
09/04/12 : Bloom – Mezzago (Milan) (I)
10/04/12 : Circolo degli Artisti – Rome (I)
11/04/12 : Bronson – Madonna dell’albero (Ravenna) (I)
12/04/12 : Menza pri Koritu – Ljubljana (Slovenia)
16/04/12 : Groove Station – Dresden (D)
17/04/12 : Prinzenbar – Hamburg (D)
18/04/12 : Comet – Berlin (D)
19/04/12 : Babylon – Istanbul (TR)
21/04/12 : AN Club – Athens (GR)

Rumour Cubes announce new album details

Rumour Cubes have today announced that 'The Narrow State', their debut full lengther, will be released on 27th February 2012.

Just over a year since they grabbed people's attention with the 'We Have Sound Houses Also' EP, Rumour Cubes are now putting the finishing touches to 'The Narrow State', which has been recorded at Cafe Music Studios (Orbital, Brian Eno, King Creosote) in East London.

Rumour Cubes are a six piece instrumental band that fuse violin & viola, guitars, electronics and visual media in to extraordinary cinematic soundscapes. In the past year they have received radio play from BBC 6 Music’s Tom Robinson and appeared alongside Three Trapped Tigers and Her Name Is Calla on Sweeping The Nation and Cheery Wave Collective compilations.

As a taster of what you can expect from the album, listen to lead track 'The Gove Curve' here:
The Gove Curve by Rumour Cubes

Free MP3 from The Lowriders

The Lowriders are giving away an MP3 of their single 'Big Moustache' to accompany the release of their album 'Fury'.

The Lowriders are Colchester based four-piece Dave Garlick (vox), Brian Ware (guitar), Adam Parrot (drums) and Jay Chamberlain (bass) who transformed in to their current guise in 2008, when they collectively decided to turn a new page, leaving their record label behind, renaming the four-piece & creating their own label (Adrenalin Records).

Grab a chunk of their raw and energetic sound here:
The Lowriders - Big Moustache by abadgeoffriendship

Dan Mangan - New album news & free download

Following numerous European jaunts, tours with The Walkmen, The Decemberists and Okkervil River, playing for Wills & Kate on their recent trip to Canada, award nominations and appearances at Glastonbury and End of the Road, Dan Mangan has joined City Slang. The Vancouver-based song smith will be releasing his captivating new album ‘Oh Fortune’ in the UK on December 5th.

As a taster of what to expect, you can download and hear lead track ‘Post War Blues’ here: http://soundcloud.com/cityslang/dan-mangan-post-war-blues

Or just take a listen here:

Matt Stevens releases glorious new album

Loop guitar magician Matt Stevens releases his new album today (26/09) after 11 months of slaving away over a hot pedal board.

It is available now from his Bandcamp site on Digipack CD or Download.

He's also supporting the amazing guitar fella that is Jon Gomm on Wednesday in Islington, London - at time of writing there are 14 tickets left at WeGotTickets

Neon Indian: Brand new album announced, London show next week and free download

Neon Indian is back with his second full-length offering ‘Era Extraña’, to be released on October 10th through Transgressive Records.

A special one-off London date has also been announced for Tuesday August 9th at Islington’s Electrowerkz venue. NPR exclusively revealed new track ‘Polish Girl'’ which you can hear by going to the Neon Indian Facebook page and clicking ‘Like’.

If that’s not enough, Neon Indian is also riding high in the blogging charts with the first taste of Era Extraña’, 'Fallout' which is online for free download now....

The Voluntary Butler Scheme: Exclusive free track & video ahead of album release

Voluntary Butler Scheme (aka Rob Jones) release their new album 'Grandad Galaxy' on July 18 through Split Records. Ahead of that we've got a video & download of the song 'Yo Yo Star' which, somewhat perversely, doesn't appear on the album.

Get the track here.

...and watch the video below:

Sub Pop's Blitzen Trapper announce new album details

Sub Pop Records is proud to announce the new album from Blitzen Trapper entitled 'American Goldwing'. Set for a September 12 release, fans can get a first glimpse of 'American Goldwing' with this new promo video:



Full of the introspective and striking storytelling that countless critics have fallen in love with, Blitzen Trapper consider subjects ranging from falling in love to drug running good old boys and the final high school dance, 'American Goldwing' is a freewheeling collection that balances the roughness of rock ‘n’ roll with fateful heartfelt loss.

Blitzen Trapper will be coming to the UK soon, so stay tuned for more details.

The Coathangers. new album out today & more exciting news

Atlanta’s riot grrrls The Coathangers release their full-throttle new album ‘Larceny & Old Lace’ TODAY on Suicide Squeeze. Along with it they have confirmed a one off limited edition hand-numbered flexidisc single on X-Ray Recordings, due to be released on August 6th.

The flexidisc includes 2 tracks ‘Hurricaine’ and ‘Johnny’. See the video for ‘Hurricaine’ here:


This recordis the follow up to the quartet's critically acclaimed 2009 album, 'Scramble', also released on Suicide Squeeze. It also follows a hectic touring schedule that’s now notched up over 200 shows, playing with the likes of The Thermals, Japandroids, These Arms Are Snakes, The Strange Boys, Fucked Up, Monotonix and Jay Reatard - whose memory album track Jaybird is dedicated to.

'Larceny & Old Lace' tracklist:

1) Hurricane
2) Trailer Park Boneyard
3) Go Away
4) Sicker
5) Call To Nothing
6) Jaybird
7) Johnny
8) My Baby
9) Chicken: 30
10) Well Alright
11) Tabbacco Rd.

Cats And Cats And Cats new album 'Motherwhale' & tour news

Formed in 2005, Cats and Cats and Cats have been slowly carving out their own musical niche with a satisfying blend of uplifting anthemic, folk inspired pop.

The London four piece, featuring Ben (vocals, guitar), Tom (bass, backing vocals), Doug (drums) and Jamie (guitar) – have shared stages with musical heroes 65 Days of Static, Foals and Blood Red Shoes, as well as performing twice at Glastonbury Festival.

This year sees the band follow on their success with 2nd album 'Motherwhale', described as "Math pop story-telling in a museum of crumbling instruments,” and a slew of UK tour dates:


UK “Motherwhale” Tour Dates:
JUN 04 The Windmill, Brixton, London (Cats all dayer)
JUN 05 Mother’s Ruin, Bristol
JUN 08 Nice and Sleazy’s, Glasgow
JUN 09 Cafe Drummonds, Aberdeen
JUN 10 Kage, Dundee
JUN 11 House Party, Manchester (w/ Nairobi)
JUN 12 Tiger Lounge, Manchester (w/ Nairobi)
JUN 13 Mojo, Liverpool (w/ Nairobi)
JUN 15 Undertone, Cardiff
JUN 16 TBC, Southampton (w/ A Genuine Freakshow)
JUN 17 Casey’s Ale House, Canterbury (w/ Delta Sleep)
JUN 18 TBC, Folkestone (w/ Delta Sleep)
JUN 19 The Vic, Swindon (w/ Delta Sleep)

Sparrow and the Workshop - 'Snakes in the Grass' video taken from new album 'Spitting Daggers'‏

Sparrow and the Workshop will be releasing their new album ‘Spitting Daggers’ on May 23 through Distiller Records. The album was produced and mixed at the new recording studio, The Distillery, by Leo Abrahams (Brian Eno / Sam Amidon). ‘Snakes in the Grass’ will be the first single and is also released on May 23; the album will be available on CD and download.

The band comprises of Belfast born, Chicago-raised Jill O’Sullivan (vocals/guitar/violin), Welshman Nick Packer (guitar/bass) and Scotsman Gregor Donaldson (drums/vocals.) Jill's voice has developed into a powerhouse of flexibility, allowing her to soar from keening Sandy Denny-esque tones to sensual peaks you're more likely to expect from PJ Harvey. With Gregor providing vocal harmonies alongside drumming and percussion duties, and Nick playing guitar and bass and an instrument combining the two affectionately referred to as the 'basstard'.

Check the video here:

True Widow video for 'Skull Eyes' & album release date

Leading up to the release of their stunning new LP on May 02, True Widow have unveiled the music video for its lead track ‘Skull Eyes’.

Having recently signed to Kemado for this release, the band have already received an excellent reaction stateside from the likes of Pitchfork, Village Voice and Stereogum. Combining the slow-core of Low and Codeine, the Shoegaze textures of My Bloody Valentine and the heavier sounds associated with label mates The Sword and Xasthur, True Widow have forged a niche all of their own.

Architects Of Grace debut album "Moments In Time" digital release today

Architects Of Grace's debut album, 'Moments In Time', is available digitally today ahead of the physical release on May 30 2011. Written and recorded largely by Duncan Robert Illing, it demonstrates strength and substance, a soundtrack to a rollercoaster of experiences. The record also shows a determination to succeed totally independently. 'Moments In Time' is an accomplished debut and demands your ears.
While the album is mostly self-produced, Duncan was honoured to work with the legendary producer Dave M Allen (The Cure, Psychedelic Furs, The Chameleons, Sisters Of Mercy) on 'Oceans Of The Heart' and 'Tonight' and Phil English (Biffy Clyro) on the guitar assault of 'Hot White Sun'. These producers can now add Architects Of Grace to their impressive portfolio.

'Moments In Time' is released via Procession Recordings today (April 11). It is available via the Architects Of Grace official site for £8.99.

You can download 'Oceans Of The Heart' for free from the Architects Of Grace official site or watch the video below:

EMA - UK live shows & new video

Having introduced herself as a solo artist with the epically rocking seven minute single ‘Grey Ship’ backed with a slowly rambunctious and flailing sixteen minute cover of the Robert Johnson blues staple, ‘Kind Heart’, EMA invites you deeper into her world with her debut album, 'Past Life Martyred Saints' due on May 09 through Souterrain Transmissions.

She has now unveiled her new DIY video for album track ‘California’ as well as a string of UK live shows.



And see EMA live at these dates:

11 May London The Macbeth
12 May London Cargo (supporting Scout Niblett)
13 May Manchester FutureEverything @ Islington Mill (supporting Scout Niblett)
14 May Brighton The Great Escape @ NME Radar Stage (Horatios)

Starfucker announce UK tour, release new album & free mixtape

US electronic pop band Starfucker have confirmed details of a UK tour, coinciding with the release of their sophomore album ‘Reptilians’ today (March 28) through Polyvinyl in the UK. Full details of the May dates are below, including a performance at The Great Escape.

UK + European Live dates:

Tue 10 May UK London Madame JoJo's
Wed 11 May UK Leeds Milo
Thu 12 May UK Bristol Start the Bus
Sat 14 May UK Brighton The Great Escape Festival
Wed 18 May France Paris Fleche D'Or
Thu 19 May Belgium Brussells Les Nuits
Sat 21 May Switzerland Winterthur Albani
Sun 22 May Switzerland Bern Bee-Flat

In addition, Starfucker have made an album mixtape for ‘Reptilians’, fusing their own tracks with the likes of 50 Cent. Hear it here.

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:

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

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