Download “In Our Talons” (from Hymns for a Dark Horse)
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Hymns for a Dark Horse is a superb album from the NC duo (sometimes trio) Bowerbirds. I’ll be posting an album review next week, but don’t forget they’re playing tonight at Bowery Ballroom, they’re scheduled to go on sharp at 8:15 pm. Myspace is streaming.
Download “All That I Know To Have Changed You” (from First Light’s Freeze)
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According to Pitchfork, Sufjan Stevens will perform with fellow Asthmatic Kitty artist Castanets on May 25th. The show is at Monkey Town in Brooklyn. First Light’s Freeze is the second album from Raymond Raposa (aka Castanets), and you can find a feature on Daytrotter.
Download “Af Samme Stof Som Stof” (from Samme Stof Som Stof)
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I’m From Barcelona has added a second Brooklyn date: August 6th at Southpaw (following August 5th at McCarren Pool). And after playing Bowery Ballroom with Friday Hyvönen, Danish band Under Byen is coming back, this time at Knitting Factory on July 9th with Album Leaf.
Download “Stitch Me Up” (from the upcoming My Ion Truss)
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Kansan band Minus Story has announced tour dates to support its fourth album My Ion Truss, recorded mostly live and coming out on June 19th from Jagjaguwar. They will be playing a June 29th show at Southpaw in Brooklyn.
All dates after the jump.
Download “Snjor ljos snjor” (from Kajak)
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An early posting for this week’s favorite tune, and there are several reasons. Iceland’s Benni Hemm Hemm and gang (we hope at least eleven of the seventeen) will be heading to the US for the very first time, including a July 5 stop at Mercury Lounge. Icelandic, even in Sigur Ros’ gibberish installment of it, sounds extremely adorable- we can confirm this is true at least when one doesn’t understand the meaning behind these prancing syllables. The song has a really earthy feel to it, and perhaps it is the quality of Benni’s voice that matches the soft horns. The melodies are repetitious but they add to a tune both jubilant and sorrowful without being too obvious. I think Benni’s good for spring!
“Snjor ljos snjor” is from Benni’s second album Kajak, which was recorded by an ensemble of eleven musicians in four days at the same studio used by Sigur Ros. Morr Music label will put it out in the US on May 22.
Translation of the lyrics after the jump.
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Though Kristin Anna Valtysdottir followed the footsteps of her twin sister Gyoano in parting with Mum, the two founding members, Gunnar and Orvar, have added new friends to turn into a seven-piece. They will release go go smear the poison ivy on September 24th, preceeded by the single they made frogs smoke ’til they exploded on August 27th. After playing a handful of festival dates in Europe, and other yet-to-be-announced shows, they will play New York’s Wordless Music Series on October 9 & 10.
New members are:
Olof Arnalds (violin / viola / guitar / vocals)
Eiríkur Orri (trumpet / pianette / moog / whistling)
Hildur Gudnadottir (cello / vocals)
mr.Silla (Vocals / various)
Samuli Kosminen (drums / percussion)
Dan Deacon will be headlining tonight’s Bikes Rock! free opening night show for The 2007 Bicycle Film Festival. Due to anticipated rain, the venue has been officially moved to Studio B. He’s also over at Pitchfork talking about the goodness of raw dairy and his favorite songs, and he’s got a new video out.
Parts & Labor will be playing, too, with Team Robespierre. Free and for all ages, doors open at 8.
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As previously posted, Beirut, Mum and others will be playing the next season of Wordless Music Series. Some dates have now been listed by Pitchfork:
09-14 Do Make Say Think, TBA
09-24 Beirut, Colleen, TBA
09-25 Beirut, Colleen, TBA
09-26 Beirut, Colleen, TBA
10-09 Mum, TBA
10-10 Mum, TBA
Previously:
Download “Dark Horse” (from upcoming Hymns for a Dark Horse)
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Some new earthy, acoustic music from North Carolina’s Bowerbirds. The husband-wife duo of Phil Moore and Beth Tacular live in an Airstream trailer (pictured) in the woods, and are often joined by friend Mark Paulson on their musical adventures. Hymns for a Dark Horse will come on July 10 from the newly-formed label Burly Time Records. They are embarking on a mini tour that includes a May 24 date at Bowery Ballroom with The Rosebuds and Ladybug Transistor. Advance tickets are $13.
A different kind of show- New York Public Library will a host a night of reading by Miranda July, who wrote and starred in Me and You and Everyone We Know. Her friend Becky Stark of Lavendar Diamond will sing, and though David Byrne has written Arboretum, he will neither perform nor read, but will only ask Miranda questions. I attended her performance of Things We Don’t Understand and Definitely Are Not Going to Talk About at the Kitchen in March, where the adorable Michel Gondry was sitting behind us in the audience, and I truthfully told him Science of Sleep is the best movie ever.
Miranda will be reading from her upcoming book No One Belongs Here More Than You. Tickets are $15.
