Archive for March, 2009

Thursday, March 26th, 2009

SxSW 2009 A/V – The Asteroids Galaxy Tour

Photo By Frank YangFrank YangThe Asteroids Galaxy Tour
Copenhagen, Denmark

Danish dance-funk collective featured in an iPod Touch ad will release their debut album Fruit on May 19
Show review
– interviews at Black Book and Austin 360

Photos: The Asteroids Galaxy Tour @ Emo’s Annex – March 19, 2009
MP3: The Asteroids Galaxy Tour – “The Sun Ain’t Shining No More”
MP3: The Asteroids Galaxy Tour – “The Sun Ain’t Shining No More” (Thomas Gold remix)
Video: The Asteroids Galaxy Tour – “Around The Bend”
Video: The Asteroids Galaxy Tour – “The Sun Ain’t Shining No More”
MySpace: The Asteroids Galaxy Tour

Thursday, March 26th, 2009

SxSW 2009 A/V – A Classic Education

Photo By Frank YangFrank YangA Classic Education
Bologna, Italy

Canadian-fronted Italian rock band with an expansive sound, one EP released and at work on their debut album
Show review
– interview at The 405

Photos: A Classic Education @ Rusty Spurs – March 19, 2009
MP3: A Classic Education – “Stay, Son”
MP3: A Classic Education – “Toi”
Video: A Classic Education – “Toi”
MySpace: A Classic Education

Thursday, March 26th, 2009

SxSW 2009 A/V – The Rural Alberta Advantage

Photo By Frank YangFrank YangThe Rural Alberta Advantage
Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Folk-pop trio released their debut album Hometowns independently last year and are playing some east coast dates with Spinto Band in April
Show review 1
Show review 2
– video interview and session with Paste

Photos: The Rural Alberta Advantage @ The Central Presbyterian Church – March 19, 2009
Photos: The Rural Alberta Advantage @ The Mohawk – March 20, 2009
MP3: The Rural Alberta Advantage – “Don’t Haunt This Place”
MP3: The Rural Alberta Advantage – “Frank, AB”
MySpace: The Rural Alberta Advantage

Thursday, March 26th, 2009

SxSW 2009 A/V – Girls

Photo By Frank YangFrank YangGirls
San Francisco, California, USA

San Francisco jangle/psych-pop group with a sold-out, limited-edition single to their name but at work on their debut album
Show review

Photos: Girls @ The Central Presbyterian Church – March 19, 2009
MP3: Girls – “Lust For Life”
Video: Girls – “Morning Light”
Video: Girls – “Lust For Life”
Video: Girls – “God Damned”
MySpace: Girls

Thursday, March 26th, 2009

Hit The Road

Neil Young sets date for Archives, makes movies and is in a movie

Photo via IndependentThe IndependentThough not a performer, Neil Young’s presence was keenly felt down at SxSW last week. The man himself was in town showing off his LincVolt electric car which is serving as inspiration for his forthcoming album Fork In The Road, due April 7, and for which he continues to crank out many high-quality promo videos. I’m a little bit concerned that the songs are starting to grow on me just a bit.

Director Jonathan Demme was also on hand to talk about Neil Young Truck Show, his forthcoming Neil documentary and second following 2006’s Heart Of Gold. Rolling Stone has details on the deliberately rough and DIY-aesthetic film, which should be finished post-production for a 2009 unveiling.

But the most exciting piece of news revealed last week was the announcement by Neil’s manager Elliott Roberts of an official release date for Archives Volume 1 – June 2. I know many release dates have come and gone over the years but this seems for real. The massive collection will be available as an 8-CD set for $99, a 10-DVD set for $199 and a 10-BluRay set for $299 (suggested prices in US dollars). Needless to say, the more you spend, the more you get. Billboard has details.

Video: Neil Young – “Cough Up The Bucks”
Video: Neil Young – “Light A Candle”
Video: Neil Young – “Johnny Magic” (Magic Sun)
Video: Neil Young – “Johnny Magic” (LincVolt)
Video: Neil Young – “Fork In The Road”
Trailer: Neil Young / Archives Volume 1

Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy talks to GQ about their new album, due out in June, and the Ashes Of American Flags DVD being released April 18. Creative Loafing has an interview with the director of the doc, Brendan Canty.

Spinner has an MP3 from Bob Mould’s new record Life And Times, out April 17.

MP3: Bob Mould – “City Lights (Days Go By)”

Dinosaur Jr have completed work on their new album Farm and will release it on June 23. Pitchfork has more on that.

Ira Kaplan comes clean to The Hartford Advocate about the mysterious relationship between Condo Fucks and Yo La Tengo. Fuckbook is out now and streamable in its entirety.

Stream: Condo Fucks / Fuckbook

Also out now and doing the stream thing is The Decemberists’ latest The Hazards Of Love. Magnet Q&As Colin Meloy about the new record.

Stream: The Decemberists / The Hazards of Love

Pitchfork has an interview with Neko Case, who herself has a new video. She’s at Trinity-St Paul’s on April 17 and 18.

Video: Neko Case – “People Got A Lotta Nerve”

The National Post has an interview with Leonard Cohen, whose Live In London double-album is out next week but which you can stream right now at NPR. He plays Copps Coliseum in Hamilton on May 19.

Stream: Leonard Cohen / Live In London

Magnet plays over-under with R.E.M., selecting their five most over- and underrated songs.

Great Lake Swimmers have released a new video from their forthcoming album Lost Channels, out next Tuesday. They play the Queen Elizabeth Theatre on April 25. Vue has an interview with Tony Dekker.

Video: Great Lake Swimmers – “Pulling On A Line”

Chart and NOW have features on Julie Doiron, who’s playing the Horseshoe tonight in support of her new album I Can Wonder What You Did With Your Day.

And to follow up yesterday’s post, tickets for the first NYC Radio Dept show are on sale and I have one. Travel that weekend has been made easier by the fact that I won’t be attending Primavera Sound the following week – got offered media but NOT a photo pass and I don’t think I could go all that way (and pay all that money) and not be able to shoot. My head would quite literally explode. But hey, word is Jarv will be coming to North America to promote the new record so, worst case, I fly somewhere closer (and less exotic, yes) to see him assuming he doesn’t shaft T.O. again. That’s Toronto. Not Terrell Owens. Though he’s in Buffalo now, so at least that’d be more geographically convenient.

Okay I’m going to shut up now.