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 “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.
Download “Kool Shades” (from upcoming Unbeast the Leash)
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There’s more where Dan Deacon comes from. Baltimore’s duo Videohippos are members of the collective Wham City!, which also includes bands like Ponytail and Beach House (and, of course, Deacon). Kevin O’Meare and Jim Triplett will begin touring with Dan Deacon 25th of May, which means they won’t be in New York for the May 12th date at Mercury Lounge. A New York date, however, is in the works. They will be here with a giant screen and all.
Unbeast the Leash will come out in June from Monitor Records.
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.
Download “Alone/Alive” (from the upcoming Split Lips, Winning Hips, A Shiner)
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Sunday: Asthmatic Kitty’s Unusual Animals Series will host a release party for Canada’s Shapes and Sizes on May 13th at Union Hall. The album is Split Lips, Winning Hips, A Shiner, which comes out on May 22. They will head out on a North American tour with the National in June, and are stopping by for one more NY date at the Cake Shop on May 11th.
Saturday: A terrible conflict of interest: YACHT plays w/ LCD Soundsystem at Studio B. Dan Deacon plays Mercury Lounge ($8).
Friday: Banjo-loving Illinois play w/ the Kooks at Filmore at New York Irving Plaza, currently sold out. Or head to Sound Fix Records to see a free Mountain Goats show or the previously-mentioned Shapes and Sizes at Cake Shop.
Download “Wake Up” (from ryspace.com, live at Judson Memorial Church)
or listen to this live track recorded by Ryan
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As I prepare for two Arcade Fire shows this week, writes Washington Post’s J. Freedom du Lac:
A ticket to an Arcade Fire show represents the possibility, if not the probability, of being transported — of transcendence. It’s the reason tickets to the 3,700-seat venue sold out in less than an hour. It’s also why the band is becoming increasingly known as one of the most vital live acts in contemporary popular music — a sort of modern-day art-rock answer to Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, whose galloping music was echoed in Arcade Fire’s superlative set-closer, “Keep the Car Running.” (The Talking Heads are another important touchstone.)
Hmm. Full article.
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How to save hip-hop: mash it up with the best of indie!
Back when the Hot 97 / Tsunami controversy was at its peak, I was in a room filled with disgruntled hip-hoppers and fans shaking their heads over the state of mainstream hip hop. I would’ve raised my hand and announced, “Behold! Not to worry my dear friends!” if I had only known how excitingly well mash-ups of indie rock and mainstream hip-hop could work. These, of course, would hardly ever satisfy those fighting against the MTV / Hot 97 brand of their art, but I’m here to announce how good of a job DJ’s at the Hood Internet have done.
My absolute favorite is “Absorb the Lip Gloss” that features Marnie Stern’s “Absorb the Numbers” and Lil Mama’s “Lip Gloss,” one of the many mixes listed on their website. Since I’ve yet to listen to all of them, my second favorite for now is “That’s That Whirlwind” featuring Architecture In Helsinki’s “Do That Whirlwind” and Snoop Dogg’s “That’s That.”
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All tracks are downloadable from the Hood Internet website.
Download “Rain” (from the upcoming The Broken String)
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Prepare to embrace the summer with Bishop Allen’s fresh sound. “Rain” is all open-arms and uplifting, and the musical chemistry amongst the members is sounding tight. The band’s sophomore album, The Broken String, will be the first release since they signed with Dead Oceans in early 2007 after self-releasing an EP every month of the previous year. It’s scheduled for a July 24 release, and if “Rain” is any indication, I can hardly wait.
