Frank YangFinal night reminiscences over here.

Donald Glover
– Community star who raps under the guise of Childish Gambino. Will team up with himself for the IAMDONALD comedy/music tour which hits The Opera House on May 16.
Photos: Donald Glover @ Red 7 Patio – March 19, 2011
Video: Childish Gambino – “Freaks & Geeks”

Veronica Falls
– throwback London pop outfit whose retro-pop gets nice and fuzzy around the edge have released a series of singles with an album still to come.
Photos: Veronica Falls @ Latitude 30 – March 19, 2011
MP3: Veronica Falls – “Found Love In A Graveyard”
Video: Veronica Falls – “Beachy Head”
Video: Veronica Falls – “Found Love in A Graveyard”

Intimate Stranger
– Cinematic Anglo-Chilean quartet have two albums out, the latest being 2009’s Under. Their 2007 debut Life Jacket was just remastered and reissued.
Photos: Intimate Stranger @ Maggie Mae’s – March 19, 2011
MP3: Intimate Stranger – “Moments”
MP3: Intimate Stranger – “Nighttime”
MP3: Intimate Stranger – “Under”
MP3: Intimate Stranger – “Beastie Queen”
MP3: Intimate Stranger – “Gone And Buried”
MP3: Intimate Stranger – “Held”
MP3: Intimate Stranger – “In The Black”
MP3: Intimate Stranger – “Five More Minutes”
Video: Intimate Stranger – “Moments”
Video: Intimate Stranger – “Nighttime”
Video: Intimate Stranger – “Under”

Puro Instinct
– Los Angeles sister-fronted combo whose brand of dream-pop apparently appeals to someone, somewhere. Their debut Headbangers In Ecstasy was released earlier this year.
Photos: Puro Instinct @ The PureVolume House – March 19, 2011
MP3: Puro Instinct – “Stilyagi”
Video: Puro Instinct – “Stilyagi”

Owen Pallett
– inaugural Polaris Prize winner and string arranger for pretty much everyone released Heartland, the first album under his own name, early last year. Spinner has an extensive interview with Pallett.
Photos: Owen Pallett @ The PureVolume House – March 19, 2011
MP3: Owen Pallett – “A Man With No Ankles”
MP3: Owen Pallett – “Lewis Takes Off His Shirt”
MP3: Final Fantasy – “The Butcher”
MP3: Final Fantasy – “Ultimatum”
Video: Owen Pallett – “Lewis Takes Off His Shirt”
Video: Final Fantasy – “Horsetail Feathers”
Video: Final Fantasy – “The Butcher”
Video: Final Fantasy – “He Poos Clouds”
Video: Final Fantasy – “This Lamb Sells Condos”

And to wrap up the SxSW coverage, check out this piece at Spinner about the festival’s growth over the past quarter-century (this year was their 25th anniversary) and this video feature at The Guardian about the highs and lows of Summer Camp’s experience. For the record, they were one of the very best acts I saw this year and deserve nothing but rainbows and chocolates.

Frank YangSome notes from the day.

Smith Westerns
– Scrappy/snotty Chicago punks gone glam on their second album Dye It Blonde. NPR is streaming one of their SxSW showcases. They’ll be at The Phoenix on June 7 opening up for Yeasayer.
Photos: Smith Westerns @ The Mohawk Patio – March 19, 2011
MP3: Smith Westerns – “Imagine, Pt 3”
MP3: Smith Westerns – “Be My Girl”
Video: Smith Westerns – “Weekend”

Wild Flag
– Hard-rocking Sleater-Kinney/Helium/Minders supergroup whose debut album is due out around September. Rolling Stone talks to Carrie Brownstein and NPR is streaming one of their SxSW showcases.
Photos: Wild Flag @ The Mohawk Patio – March 19, 2011
MP3: Wild Flag – “Glass Tambourine”

Okkervil River
– Austin folk-rockers gearing up for the release of their new album I Am Very Far on May 10. Spinner has an interview with Will Sheff and NPR has some notes from him on their new video for lead single “Wake And Be Fine”. They play The Phoenix on June 10.
Photos: Okkervil River @ The Mohawk Patio – March 19, 2011
MP3: Okkervil River – “Wake And Be Fine”
MP3: Okkervil River – “Lost Coastlines”
MP3: Okkervil River – “Our Life Is Not A Movie Or Maybe”
MP3: Okkervil River – “The President’s Dead”
MP3: Okkervil River – “No Key, No Plan”
MP3: Okkervil River – “Black”
MP3: Okkervil River – “It Ends With A Fall”
Video: Okkervil River – “Wake And Be Fine”
Video: Okkervil River – “Lost Coastlines”
Video: Okkervil River – “Our Life Is Not A Movie Or Maybe”
Video: Okkervil River – “Girl In Port”
Video: Okkervil River – “For Real”

TV On The Radio
– Brooklyn art-&-soul-rock heroes return from side and solo projects for album number four, Nine Types Of Light, which comes out April 12. They play The Sound Academy on April 18.
Photos: TV On The Radio @ The Mohawk Patio – March 19, 2011
MP3: TV On The Radio – “Will Do”
MP3: TV On The Radio – “Dry Drunk Emperor”
MP3: TV On The Radio – “Wolf Like Me”
Video: TV On The Radio – “Will Do”
Video: TV On The Radio – “Golden Age”
Video: TV On The Radio – “Dancing Choose”
Video: TV On The Radio – “Wolf Like Me”
Video: TV On The Radio – “Province”
Video: TV On The Radio – “Staring At The Sun”

Canvas MediaThere’s records that you hear and, regardless of how you personally feel about them, you know that they will be a big thing, that their contents will resonate with the masses and will prove to be game-changers for the artist who created it. Timber Timbre’s 2009 self-titled album was not one of these, or at least I didn’t hear it. Building swampy textures and tempos around Taylor Kirk’s low, drawling Randy Newman-ish vocals, it didn’t seem the sort of record with a lot of crossover appeal and yet it did find an audience beyond lo-fi folk/blues enthusiasts and would be one of the most highly-regarded Torontonian and even Canadian releases of the year. What can I say, I’m wrong a lot. I’m okay with that.

And so I’m not at all surprised that people are rubbing their hands together in anticipation of Timber Timbre’s new record, the marvelously-titled Creep On Creepin’ On, which is out on April 5. It keeps much of the dark, out-of-time atmospherics of its predecessor, but with Kirk’s live band Simon Trottier and Mika Posen now full-fledged members, offers a more dynamic sound with some rather rich-sounding instrumental passages. I already like it more than Timber Timbre, so everyone else is probably going to love it.

Exclaim thinks enough of it to put the band on the cover of their new issue with accompanying feature story. The record is streaming in whole at Spinner and they’ve just released a video from it as well. Months of touring begin in earnest this weekend and include a sold-out hometown show at Trinity-St. Paul’s next Friday night, April 8.

MP3: Timber Timbre – “Black Water”
Video: Timber Timbre – “Woman”
Stream: Timber Timbre / Creep On Creeping On

PS I Love You have released a new video from Meet Me At The Muster Station and support for their April 7 show at The Garrison has been revealed as Matters. Whom you may have known better as The D’Urbervilles. Which you may know as John O’Reagan’s – aka Diamond Rings – rock band. Exclaim has some info on the change in identity, both sides of their new single – which is out next week and already has a video – is streaming at Bandcamp and NOW has a chat with the director of the last Diamond Rings video.

Video: PS I Love You – “Get Over”
Video: Matters – “Get In Or Get Out”
Video: Diamond Rings – “It’s Not My Party”

Creative Loafing and Ca Va Cool check in with The Rural Alberta Advantage, who will be at The Phoenix on April 29.

Spinner and Simcoe.com talk to Tokyo Police Club.

A new MP3 from Sloan’s forthcoming The Double Cross is up for grabs. The record is out May 10.

MP3: Sloan – “Unkind”

Matablog announced that the lead-up to the June 7 release of Fucked Up’s new record David Comes To Life would consist of four digital singles, the first of which is already up for grabs. Exclaim also reports that the band will put out a compilation of fake ’70s-era punk bands as part of Record Store Day on April 16, and are offering a track from that to wrap your head around.

MP3: Fucked Up – “The Other Shoe”

Apparently coming out of SxSW as one of the buzz bands, Austra have scheduled a hometown show at Lee’s Palace for May 19 to go with the May 17 release of Feel It Break. The Guardian declared them “New band of the day” last week.

MP3: Austra – “The Beat & The Pulse”

The Meligrove Band have released a new video from last year’s Shimmering Lights.

Video: The Meligrove Band – “Really Want It”

The National Post chats with Basia Bulat.

Stars have released a new video from last year’s The 5 Ghosts, and congratulations to Amy Millan and Evan Cranley on the birth of their daughter last week.

Video: Stars – “Changes”

PopMatters talks to Natalia Yanchak of The Dears while The Village Voice chats with Murray Lightburn.

NYC Taper is sharing a recording of Godspeed You! Black Emperor’s show in Brooklyn in mid-March. Their sold-out three-night, four-show stand at Lee’s Palace runs April 22 to 24.

Exclaim talks to Little Scream, whose debut The Golden Record arrives April 12. She opens for Antlers at The Mod Club on June 14.

Exclaim has details on Miracle Fortress’ long-awaited second album Was I The Wave?, due out April 26 and previewed impressively (though in the dark) back Canadian Musicfest. A track from the record is available in exchange for your email address.

Ottawa post-pop instrumentalists My Dad Vs. Yours have released a video from their gorgeous new record Little Symphonies. The Link has an interview with guitarist Jose Palacios.

Video: My Dad Vs Yours – “Happy Wanderer / Carry The Weight”

The Take talks with Juno award winner Shad, who by way of thanks is giving away a new track recorded with Skratch Bastid. There’s also a video interview with Shad from the Junos by the Province of Ontario. Our tax dollars at work!

MP3: Shad & Skratch Bastid – “Give You All I Can”
Video: Shad & Skratch Bastid – “Give You All I Can”

eye, The Chicago Tribune, The Riverfront Times and Austinist talk to Dan Bejar of Destroyer, who are playing a sold-out show at Lee’s Palace tonight.

Frank YangWriteup of the evening over here.

Lower Dens
– Baltimore psych-pop quartet led by Jana Hunter released their debut Twin Hand Movement last year and released a new non-album single entitled “Batman” back in January.
Photos: Lower Dens @ Klub Krucial – March 18, 2011
MP3: Lower Dens – “Hospice Gates”

Noah & The Whale
– London folk-rockers gone synth-rockers with their third album, the just-released Last Night On Earth. Spinner, Chart and DIY have feature pieces on the band.
Photos: Noah & The Whale @ Lustre Pearl – March 18, 2011
MP3: Noah & The Whale – “The First Days Of Spring”
Video: Noah & The Whale – “L.I.F.E.G.O.E.S.O.N.”
Video: Noah & The Whale – “Love Of An Orchestra”
Video: Noah & The Whale – “Blue Skies”
Video: Noah & The Whale – “Five Years Time”
Video: Noah & The Whale – “2 Bodies 1 Heart”
Video: Noah & The Whale – “Shape Of My Heart”

Lanterns On The Lake
– Orchestral dream-pop from the north of England newly signed to Bella Union should have their debut album out this year.
Photos: Lanterns On The Lake @ The Central Presbyterian Church – March 18, 2011
MP3: Lanterns On The Lake – “I Will Lay You Down”
MP3: Lanterns On The Lake – “Caught On The Way”
MP3: Lanterns On The Lake – “Under Stars”
MP3: Lanterns On The Lake – “This Year”
MP3: Lanterns On The Lake – “I Always Knew”
MP3: Lanterns On The Lake – “Lonely Sail”

Revolver
– French pop outfit with a taste for rockabilly rhythms and cellos released Music For A While back in 2009. Aux.tv has a video session with the band.
Photos: Revolver @ Easy Tiger Patio – March 18, 2011
MP3: Revolver – “Get Around Town”
Video: Revolver – “Get Around Town”
Video: Revolver – “Leave Me Alone”
Video: Revolver – “Balulalow”

Frank YangHow the day was spent in words.

No Joy
– Montreal-based garage-gaze duo released their debut Ghost Blonde last year.
Photos: No Joy @ The Mohawk – March 18, 2011
MP3: No Joy – “Hawaii”
Video: No Joy – “Hawaii”

Erland & The Carnival
– Pairing ex-Verve guitarist Simon Tong with folk singer Erland Cooper has yielded a new album in the just-released Nightingale. Tong fills out a questionnaire for JamBase.
Photos: Erland & The Carnival @ Dirty Dog Bar – March 18, 2011
MP3: Erland & The Carnival – “Nightingale”
MP3: Erland & The Carnival – “Trouble In Mind”
Video: Erland & The Carnival – “Map Of An Englishman”
Video: Erland & The Carnival – “Trouble In Mind”
Video: Erland & The Carnival – “You Don’t Have To Be Lonely”

The White Wires
– Ottawa trio who released their latest blast of pure and simple punk-pop last year in WWII just want to rock out and have a good time.
Photos: The White Wires @ Shangri-La – March 18, 2011
MP3: The White Wires – “Be True To Your School (Until You Get Kicked Out)”
Video: The White Wires – “Let’s Go To The Beach”
Video: The White Wires – “Girly Girly Girly”
Video: The White Wires – “In My Bed”

Edwyn Collins
– legendary new-wave/post-punk pioneer who has recovered from a 2005 cerebral hemorrhage enough to not only record and release a new album in Losing Sleep, but perform it live. Spinner has an interview with Collins.
Photos: Edwyn Collins @ The East Side Drive-In Stage One – March 18, 2011
Video: Edwyn Collins – “Losing Sleep”
Video: Edwyn Collins – “You’ll Never Know”
Video: Edwyn Collins – “A Girl Like You”
Video: Edwyn Collins – “Everything & You”
Video: Orange Juice – “Blue Boy”

Dum Dum Girls
– Smart and sexy Los Angeles retro-rockers who’ve just followed up their 2010 debut I Will Be with the He Gets Me High EP. Pitchfork has a Tunnelvision video session with the band while AV Club Undercover invites them to cover Big Star.
Photos: Dum Dum Girls @ Lustre Pearl – March 18, 2011
MP3: Dum Dum Girls – “He Gets Me High”
MP3: Dum Dum Girls – “Bhang Bhang I’m A Burnout”
MP3: Dum Dum Girls – “D.A.L.”
MP3: Dum Dum Girls – “Jail La La”
Video: Dum Dum Girls – “He Gets Me High”
Video: Dum Dum Girls – “Bhang Bhang I’m A Burnout”
Video: Dum Dum Girls – “Jail La La”