Sunday, March 13th, 2011
Jeff Tweedy covers Neil Young
Austin NelsonWilco shows tend to be pretty planned-out affairs – it’s hard to be too spontaneous with song selection with six band members and attendant gear and sound changes – but get frontman Jeff Tweedy out on his own and apparently it’s a much more open-ended affair.
Witness this live solo recording – undated but I suspect it may come from an acoustic 1999 show at Chicago’s now-departed Lounge Ax, confirmation or other info welcome – he indulges some audience requests for a Neil Young cover by going back to 1975’s Zuma, if just to silence them. It will be interesting to see if he’s so patient or obliging when he sets out on a short solo tour next week, kicking off with two nights at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre in Toronto on March 22 and 23. You think anyone in Toronto would want to request some Neil Young?
Wilco are wrapping up work on album number eight, due out later this year. Neil Young is getting ready to tour last year’s Le Noise and while that doesn’t include a T.O. stop, he will be in town on March 27 to pick up a special humanitarian award at this year’s Junos, where he’s also nominated for Artist Of The Year and Adult Alternative Album Of The Year.
MP3: Jeff Tweedy – “Lookin’ For A Love”
Stream: Neil Young – “Lookin’ For A Love”
Saturday, March 12th, 2011
Frank YangWho: Warpaint
What: Los Angeles art-rock quartet who took the buzz around their debut EP Exquisite Corpse and turned into a full-on torrent of praise for last year’s full-length The Fool
Why: Despite an intensive touring regimen that brought them to town three times in ’10, they’re crossing the continent again and remain an unbelievably tight and precise live experience.
When: Saturday, March 26, 2011
Where: Wrongbar in Toronto (19+)
Who else: Also on the bill are Australia’s PVT and Brooklyn’s Family Band
How: Tickets for the show are $15 in advance but courtesy of Embrace, I’ve got two pairs of passes to give away for the show. To enter, email me at contests AT chromewaves.net with “I want to see Warpaint” in the subject line and your full name in the body. Contests closes at midnight, March 21.
What else: The San Francisco Examiner has an interview with bassist Jenny Lee Lindberg.
MP3: Warpaint – “Undertow”
Saturday, March 12th, 2011
Frank YangWho: British Sea Power
What: Eccentric and anthemic British rock outfit who released their fourth album in Valhalla Dancehall earlier this year
Why: Having made it a habit to play in odd and remote locales – they can list The Great Wall of China, Natural History Museum London, the UK’s highest pub and the Arctic Circle in their gigography – they now set their sights on the final frontier of North America
When: Thursday, March 24, 2011
Where: Lee’s Palace in Toronto (19+)
Who else: Canadian-Italian rockers A Classic Education will support
How: Tickets for the show are $18.50 in advance but courtesy of Collective Concerts, I’ve got two pairs of passes to give away for the show. To enter, email me at contests AT chromewaves.net with “I want to see British Sea Power” in the subject line and your full name in the body. Contests closes at midnight, March 21.
What else: The Quietus reports that the band are on board with renewable energy. Good to know.
MP3: British Sea Power – “Who’s In Control?”
MP3: British Sea Power – “Living Is So Easy”
Saturday, March 12th, 2011
markkozelek.comWho: Mark Kozelek
What: Former Red House Painter, current Sun Kil Moon-er and all-around revered singer, songwriter, guitarist and curmudgeon
Why: Sun Kil Moon released Admiral Fell Promises last year and while you’d expect that the band as a whole would tour in support, the Koz only ever seems to come to Canada solo. And that’s when he even comes at all (or doesn’t cancel) so we should take what we can get.
When: Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Where: Lee’s Palace in Toronto (19+)
Who else: The show is billed as “An evening with Mark Kozelek”; note the absence of names that are not Mark Kozelek
How: Tickets for the show are $17.50 in advance but courtesy of Collective Concerts, I’ve got two pairs of passes to give away for the show. To enter, email me at contests AT chromewaves.net with “I want to see Mark Kozelek” in the subject line and your full name in the body. Contests closes at midnight, March 17.
Video: Red House Painters – “24”
Friday, March 11th, 2011
Epitonic is back; Wrens, still working on it
Agency GroupA decade ago, before there were really such things blogs but the MP3 existed, there was Epitonic. Easily the best site online for researching, discovering and hearing new and independent acts, it was a treasure trove of great things to hear right up until it was shut down in 2004. By that point there were many other avenues for sampling music via downloadable files – you’re on one right now – but the breadth and organization of Epitonic was missed.
So it’s more than great to see that they’ve returned with the same mandate and they’ve come bearing gifts – including a new track from everyone’s favourite prodigal band, The Wrens. They were last heard from, as far as records go, at about the same time Epitonic went dark so hopefully the site’s return will apply some pressure to them to get the new record – in process for years and years – finished and out. I thought that they were close when they started issuing recording dispatches in early ’09 and even played some shows at SxSW that year, but there’s still been nothing released. Their booking agency says they’re available for Spring and Summer 2011 headlining dates, though, so maybe…? Come on guys, 10 more songs and you can go back to hiding for another decade.
Either way, at least Epitonic is back.
MP3: The Wrens – “As I’ve Known”
The Battles show announced last week in support of new record Gloss Drop will be happening at The Mod Club on April 29, and not The Horseshoe as originally reported. Tickets are $15.
The Felice Brothers will be at Lee’s Palace on May 12, just a couple days after their latest album Celebration, Florida is released, tickets $17.50.
Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings are back in town on May 12 for a show at the Sound Academy. The Pensicola News Journal has an interview with Jones.
Video: Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings – “I Learned The Hard Way”
Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit have set a May 22 date at The Horseshoe Tavern in support of their new record Here We Rest, out April 12. Maria Taylor will support.
MP3: Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit – “Codeine”
MP3: Maria Taylor – “Song Beneath The Song”
Explosions In The Sky have released the first MP3 from their new record Take Care, Take Care, Take Care, due out April 26.
MP3: Explosions In The Sky – “Trembling Hands”
Austinist and Austin 360 chat with Will Sheff of Okkervil River about their new record I Am Very Far, due out May 10. There’s also a video session and interview at Rolling Stone and the first official MP3 from said record is now available. They play The Phoenix on June 10.
MP3: Okkervil River – “Wake And Be Fine”
Fender Guitars has a chat with proud users of their products Ume.
The AV Club talks to Lucinda Williams.
NOW‘s CMW cover story is Janelle Monáe, who headlines The Indies at The Royal York on Saturday night.
The Huffington Post talks to Mike Mills of R.E.M.. Another new video from Collapse Into Now has gone up and as a bonus, an official live studio performance clip is up at Fluxblog.
Video: R.E.M. – “Alligator Aviator Autopilot Antimatter”
Video: R.E.M. – “Every Day Is Yours To Win” (live)
NPR is streaming a World Cafe session with Of Montreal. They’re at The Phoenix on May 3.
The Vinyl District, Rocky Mountain Collegian and NPR talk to Wye Oak about Civilian. They are at The El Mocambo on April 9 and their show in DC tonight will be streamed live on NPR.
Pitchfork reports that The Antlers have set a May 10 release date for their new record, which will bear the title Burst Apart.
The New York Times have a feature piece on The Strokes. Angles is out March 22.
The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart are streaming the whole of their new record Belong on their website, well ahead of its March 29 release.
Stream: The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart / Belong
The National have released a new video from last year’s High Violet, starring Flight Of The Conchords’ Kristen Schall and Mad Men‘s John Slattery. Black Book also has a video session with the band.
Video: The National – “Conversation 16”
Faster Louder meets The Hold Steady.
NPR is streaming a KEXP radio session with The Jayhawks, Denver Westword talks to Mark Olson and Jambands to Gary Louris.
Blurt has a feature piece on DeVotchKa, who are in town at The Mod Club on March 30.
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