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.