hooves on the turf

Download Beirut’s KEXP SXSW session (from NPR)

(Pictured: Iceland’s Múm)

Yes, in other Wordless Music news, I am psyched for its second season that begins in September. Beirut will play three nights, though dates are yet to be confirmed- or if they have been, they haven’t been announced yet. The season will also feature Jonny Greenwood of Radiohead in addition to Múm, Do Make Say Think, Max Richter, Bing & Ruth, Valgeir Sigurdsson, Nico Muhly, etc.

Nick Zammuto and Paul de Jong

The Books played at New York Society of Ethical Culture as part of the Wordless Music Series. The set was similar to the one at Webster Hall (read my review), with the noteworthy exception of a new song. In “8 Frames,” the 8-beat or 4-beat loops in the video that accompanies it serve as the rhythm.

“That Right Ain’t Shit”

(More photos and videos after the jump)

Get a new needle and buy one today! So says Sounds Familyre, whose website is sporting a brand new green look. They are re-issuing Sufjan Stevens’ Seven Swans (2004) on 140g vinyl for $15. This will include a 7″ with two songs from the Swans sessions not available in any other format, and the LP cover in matte. Hurray for matte, that’s what we say, and hurray for heavy vinyl. Why I’ll be getting it: “In the Devil’s Territory.” Listen and go buy.

Download “So Post All ‘Em” (from forthcoming I Believe in You. Your Magic Is Real.)

or listen

And this is happening too, yes it is! YACHT’s coming back to New York w/ LCD Soundsystem. Studio B on May 12 and Webster Hall on May 14. The terrible news is that if you don’t already have tickets, both shows are sold out online. There might be some for Studio B at the door.

Full list of shows after the jump:

Yes, it is happening: Not only are Apostle of Hustle coming to town, they’re coming for 5 dates including one at Summerstage. Tickets aren’t on sale yet.

June 11- Mercury Lounge
June 17 - Union Hall, Brooklyn
June 18 - Mercury Lounge
June 24 - Central Park Summerstage
June 25 - Mercury Lounge

The National Anthem of Nowhere is a pretty good album, but I’ve also been really enjoying their Stars mix of “One More Night.” But for now here’s the opening track “My Sword Hand’s Anger,” a nice Apostle-flavored bite.

Download “Towards the Bare Hill” (from Under Giant Trees EP)

or listen first:

Much like the sound of Mum, Efterklang’s “Towards the Bare Hill” is filled with forlorn percussive enchantments accompanied by moody accordian moans. Unlike Mum, however, the chorus here is a booming masculine one, like that of sailors. Meanwhile, 1-20 of their numbered 1200 vinyl copies of Under the Trees were stolen during production, so they are offering 10 remaining ones of personal copies on ebay. These will be labeled by the following Danish letters: d, i, j, q, u, w, x, z, ø and å,  and proceeds will be put towards a fund to purchase a piece of an untouched rainforest in order to preserve it. The EP comes out in the US on May 7.