OMFG New York:

Beyonce Serves Pregnant Fierceness: "Countdown" Video

2011-10-08T10:41:00.000-04:00

Get More: Beyoncé, Music, More Music Videos

Are Cassette Tapes The New Vinyl?

2011-10-04T16:40:00.005-04:00

Are cassette tapes really making a come back?

Well, mostly if you're just a hipster. But some indie bands are doing it because it's cheaper and to get it to the audience in a quicker fashion.

As of mid-August, music-related cassette album sales are up 46% from last year at 22,000 units sold, according to Nielsen SoundScan. Last year, they said, cassette album sales were at about 15,000.

But that still doesn't sound like a lot.

Rob Mason of Old Flame Records tries to explain:

"From a musicmaker standpoint, I love it because they are very inexpensive to make. I can make 100 for not a very large investment. Especially compared to making vinyl — it's like a tenth of the cost."

But people are buying vinyl for sound warmth/quality, the nostalgic/retro feel, and hip status, not for the speed in which it's released. The truth of the matter is that digital format is still cheaper and quicker.

So no. Tapes aren't making a comeback, not really. Even the term "cassette tape" was even removed from the Concise Oxford English Dictionary this year. Just wanted to make everyone 25+ feel old :)

New Robyn - "Dancing On My Own" Video

2010-06-10T12:11:00.000-04:00

Body Talk Pt. 1 (of 3) drops June 14, but "Dancing On My Own" was just release as a single June 1. She never disappoints and the fact that she's touring with Kelis AND Dan Black. I think my head's about to explode come August in NYC. Get your tickets now - think they just added a second show at Webster Hall.

Sali – “Toldya” (Feat. M.I.A.)

2010-06-10T08:15:00.000-04:00

Sali just posted their collaboration with M.I.A., a juicy, sample-filled track called “Toldya.” It figures the collective’s singer Sali singing about government conspiracies, a topic dear to M.I.A.’s heart. M.I.A.’s short guest verse includes some pithy advice, but the most interesting thing is how high and playful her voice sounds. The song was co-written and produced for Sali by London’s GoldiLocks. Get the MP3 here.

The Drums - "Forever & Ever Amen" Video

2010-06-10T07:46:00.000-04:00

Another band I'm crazy about right now, The Drums. Their self-titled full length album just came out yesterday. They have a clean, crisp, well-tailored sound - so much so that it's hard to believe that this album was developed within such a short period.

Mystery Jets - Dreaming of Another World Video

2010-06-10T06:29:00.000-04:00

Kind of in love with this band right now. The Mystery Jets' new album Serotonin is out next month (July 13) on Rough Trade. This video was gorgeously shot in a mansion on the outskirts of Paris with a very stunning looking woman. It was directed by Yoann Lemoine, who has worked with the likes of Moby, Yelle, CSS and more.

Also, check out the band's site for a free MP3 of "Flash a Hungry Smile" which is amazingly catchy and full of summery fun.

New Christina - "Not Myself Tonight"

2010-03-31T09:13:00.003-04:00

Just heard the new Christina single - it's definitely about time. She likes to keep us waiting and guessing between albums.

Good electronic beats though and it definitely has its moments. Lyrically, it's a little more rebelious than I would have expected (like a "Dirrty" 2010), but it's definitely a party song that you know will be played in the clubs this weekend. Christina Aguilera's Bionic will hit stores June 8th. Looking forward to it given all of the bands that have also contributed (Le Tigre, Sia, Ladytron, and more).

Kelis - Acapella Video and Santos Show

2010-03-30T11:05:00.006-04:00

Also, yes, this is a full live show with Kelis...Why Santos? Why only $10 tickets? This is what is called an underplay... a small low key gig a big artist does once in a while to generate a bit of buzz before the tour starts, and (often) to play out some tracks from the new album for the first time...Next time around you'll be paying $30 plus 'convenience' fee to see her play at Terminal 5 or somewhere equally as big with questionable sound and a weird crowd, where you have to bring a pair of binoculars to see what color dress the girl is wearing...

So don't delay, buy your ticket today. Seriously. Maluca is also performing

New Gossip - "Pop Goes The World" Video

2010-03-24T15:51:00.002-04:00

Check out the latest video from Gossip for "Pop Goes the World." The video for the band's third single, from Music for Men, was directed by Philip Andelman (Jay-Z, Silversun Pickups, Maxwell).

In other news, Beth Ditto is Paper's covergirl for their 13th Annual "Beautiful People" issue, which is out next monday! Gossip will also play Terminal 5 next month (4/30).

Lady Gaga ft/ Beyonce: "Telephone" Video Premiere

2010-03-11T21:17:00.003-05:00

Amazing! And it's about time. Also in love with the fact that she borrowed the Kill Bill Pussy Wagon. Brilliant. It's great to see an artist that is really working to bring the epic videos back and really bring a song to life.

MGMT Release "Flash Delerium" Free Download Off New Album

2010-03-09T16:20:00.005-05:00

MGMT unveiled this track as a free download on their Who Is MGMT? site today. The adventurous song — MGMT seem to pack four distinct parts into four minutes — is a bit of departure from the band’s Oracular Spectacular songs.

“Some will love it, some will hate it,” Andrew VanWyngarden told Rolling Stone of Congratulations‘ stylistic shift in their Spring Music Preview. “We want to freak people out.” This first song does just that, and it takes multiple listens to grapple with the track’s constant curveballs. “Flash Delirium” ultimately keeps building until it explodes into a rapturous harmony, breaking into full-out thrash in its waning seconds.

The song’s message: “Dance until the heart explodes and we’ll make this place ignite.”

MP3: "Flash Delerium"

Congratulations is out April 13th on Columbia Records.

New Hole - "Skinny Little Bitch"

2010-03-03T12:09:00.002-05:00

Finally, after a million years, some new Hole! I've been waiting and like what I hear. I really, really, missed this sound. The MP3 is free on the Nobody's Daughter site today only, so go get it while you can. Nobody's Daughter is the fourth studio album by Hole and is set for release in April 2010.

MP3: Skinny Little Bitch

New Ke$ha - Blah Blah Blah Video

2010-02-24T21:09:00.002-05:00

A music video for Ke$ha's newest single "Blah Blah Blah" has leaked. Offering a cameo appearance with 3OH!3, the clip follows her as she hits the club and gets annoyed by potential suitors who talk too much when all she really wants is to have sex with them.

"Blah Blah Blah" is the second single from Ke$ha's debut album "Animal". Talking about the song, she explained it "came about when the people that wrote it - me, Benny Blanco, Neon Hitch and [3Oh!3's] Sean Foreman -all got in a room, and they were talking about how chicks talk too much."

"And me and Neon were like, 'No, no, no, guys talk too much..."

First Look: Lady Gaga "Telephone" Video Stills

2010-02-16T11:11:00.003-05:00

A few stills from Lady Gaga's forthcoming "Telephone" video have surfaced. The video is directed by Jonas Ackerlund and reportedly picks up where Gaga's "Paparazzi" video left off, with Gaga in jail, and Beyonce coming to her rescue. A premiere date has not been reported.

MGMT Unveil New Album on SPIN

2010-02-09T11:27:00.003-05:00

(Photo by Josh Cheuse)

Mark your calendars, Blackberries, iPhones, iPads, or just write it on your damn hand -- 'cause now it's officially official: MGMT's second album, Congratulations, will release in the U.S. on April 13.

MGMT's core duo of Andrew Vanwyngarden and Ben Goldwasser recorded the album at studios in Upstate, NY, Brooklyn, and Malibu, CA, with producer Peter Kember, a.k.a. Sonic Boom of shoegaze pioneers Spaceman 3, and their live band -- Matt Asti (bass), Will Berman (drums), and James Richardson (guitar). Royal Trux frontwoman Jennifer Herrema helped with vocals, while knob-twiddler extraordinaire Dave Fridmann (Mercury Rev, Flaming Lips) handled mixing duties.

The release is the group's first since their 2007 breakout debut, the catchy and psychedelic Oracular Spectacular -- which landed MGMT on the cover of SPIN.

"It's definitely going to shock people," Vanwyngarden recently told SPIN.com of the new album's sound. "We dropped any sort of irony that was on the first record, and Congratulations feels true to who we really are."

Congratulations' nine songs are "sequenced to flow with sonic and thematic coherence." And according to Vanwyngarden, the album moves from "Lady Dada's Nightmare," a "very nightmare-ish sounding" instrumental track inspired by the "Poker Face" pop star, to "Congratulations," a song written about fame and the "worldwide economic crisis." Through it all, he said, there's one unifying influence: surfing, a sport he picked up while recording in Malibu.

"There's a surfing thread throughout the record," he explained, citing another new song, called "It's Working." "When you're surfing, there's a specific break you're paddling to. And when the waves are really good you say, 'It's working.' The song kind of has a surf-y vibe. It's like surfing on ecstasy!"

The ocean's influence on Congratulations is also evident on MGMT's website, which features an image of a beach with crashing waves and, in the upper left corner, a timer counting down to the album's release date.

Another album track "Siberian Breaks" is a 12-minute-long tune that's "like eight different songs strung together into one, and the general theme is about surfing in the Arctic Circle by Russia," Vanwyngarden explained.

As previously reported, MGMT debuted a pair of songs during their late-night set at Bonnaroo last June -- an untitled piano-led track that recalled the bright psychedelia and flowing arrangements of the Zombies' Odessey and Oracle, and the album's title track, a more standard MGMT fare (catchy synths, sing-along vocals).

Currently, MGMT have only two live concerts scheduled: an April 17 appearance at Coachella and a May 2 gig at New Jersey's Bamboozle fest.
A full tour in support of Congratulations is expected to be announced soon.

Congratulations tracklist:
"It's Working"
"Song for Dan Treacy"
"Someone's Missing"
"Flash Delirium"
"I Found a Whistle"
"Siberian Breaks"
"Brian Eno"
"Lady Dada's Nightmare"
"Congratulations"

New Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Skeletons Video

2010-01-29T14:53:00.001-05:00

Almost a year after we first heard It's Blitz, its "Maps" moment gets lovely video treatment. Karen, Brian, and Nick (dis)appear in the clip as wispy, diaphanous ghosts, or angels, an ethereal effect director Barney Clay achieved by projecting images of the band on plumes of smoke. In its accompanying making-of featurette, Karen tells us she wanted something to fit the vibe of the song, which the band wrote during a snowstorm "so it's very wintry feeling." True to that, it might give you the chills. (via Stereogum)

Justice - "Beginning of the End"

2010-01-26T23:06:00.002-05:00

French electro duo Gaspard Augé and Xavier de Rosnay have an LP out later this year. "Beginning Of The End" is presumably on it. The track's ID3 tag has ✞ in the album field, artwork is above. No other details at this time, but check out the MP3 below :).

MP3: Justice - "Beginning Of The End"

Langhorne Slim's "Be Set Free" Video Premiere

2010-01-25T13:08:00.002-05:00

Over the past few years, Brooklynite Langhorne Slim has patiently developed a cult following, and for a good reason: his rambling folk tunes evoke a nearly forgotten era of songs that are at home either in the bar or while you're stuck at some kind of crossroads. His latest album, last year's Be Set Free, continues with this style, and it might be his best yet as the singer embraces an expanded, focused sound that puts his best qualities on display.

In this clip from director/animator Sami Lill, we get to follow the life of an office drone who is anything but free, taking orders and getting pushed around in his black-and-white world. Slowly, though, we get to see him reach for a bit of real freedom, but I'm not going to spoil how he truly breaks away from the world he knows.

New Goldfrapp - "Rocket"

2010-01-25T12:29:00.003-05:00

"Rocket" will be the opening song from Goldrapp's upcoming fifth studio album Head First, which follows 2008's Seventh Tree. The album is due March 23 in the United States from Mute and a day earlier internationally. A track list has yet to be announced, but the dancefloor-friendly first single, "Rocket," will be released March 9. The track leaked earlier this morning, but has been pulled from YouTube unfortch. Sounds amazing though! Goldfrapp will tour in support of the new album this year, with dates pending.

A surprising detour away from synth-based pop into acoustic-driven folk and ballads, Seventh Tree reached a career-best spot on The Billboard 200. Beyond "Head First," group members Alison Goldfrapp and Will Gregory have also reportedly worked with Christina Aguilera on tracks for her next album.

YouTube Quietly Launches Music Discovery Project “Disco”

2010-01-21T11:00:00.001-05:00

YouTube is taking advantage of their new venture Vevo by introducing a “Music Discovery Project” dubbed “Disco” for short, where searching for an artist generates a playlist of recommended videos. It’s like YouTube’s response to Pandora and Last.fm and is similar to the Genius option on iTunes. Working off the slogan “Find > Mix > Watch,” the site produces a playlist based on the artist search, then users can add and delete videos to create a playlist that is stored in their profile, Tech Crunch reports.

The xx - New "VCR" video

2010-01-21T10:52:00.001-05:00

Great new video for one my favorite songs off of their album. It's a while away, but they'll be playing Webster Hall on March 31st.

The Morning Benders - Big Echo

2010-01-14T11:07:00.001-05:00

The Morning Benders are an indie band from Berkeley, California.

In 2008, they released their debut album Talking Through Tin Cans on +1 Records. The band has toured in support of Grizzly Bear (fall 2009), The Kooks and Death Cab for Cutie (summer 2008), Ra Ra Riot (fall 2008), and has also played with Yo La Tengo, MGMT, Grand Archives, Yeasayer, Two Gallants, The Rosebuds, Au Revoir Simone, We Are Scientists, and White Rabbits

Big Echo, the upcoming album, comes out March 9th.

MP3: "Promises"

Basia Bulat - Heart of My Own

2010-01-14T08:16:00.002-05:00

Feeling adventurous? Baisa Bulat commands the room with her raucously arranged songs, infectious melodies, and a voice that is both exuberant and intimate.

Her latest effort, Heart Of My Own, was born after over a year of touring that took Bulat across Europe, Australia, Canada and the United States several times over. When it came time to move ahead with the new album Basia said goodbye to the road, took the newly penned songs up in her arms and found a home for them on tape. Nearly all the songs on Heart of My Own were written while on the road: traveling between cities, crossing the Canadian prairies, searching for a place to stop in the Nevada desert, trailing through the Smoky Mountains, standing in the bright dusk of a summer night in the Yukon.

Way to make me feel like I don't get out enough, but at least she can help be imagine that I do!
Heart Of My Own is out on January 26th via Rough Trade.

http://www.basiabulat.com/

Elizabeth Frazer "Moses" EP

2010-01-14T07:34:00.001-05:00

Eilzabeth Fraser, the reclusive former frontwoman of the Cocteau Twins, recently broke her silence to The Guardian about the fabled dreampop act’s aborted 2005 reunion in what’s being billed as her first interview since the band split in 1998.

“Moses,” Fraser’s first-ever solo single, released this month as a 12-inch and digital download in tribute to her close friend and musical collaborator, late Echo & The Bunnymen keyboard player Jake Drake-Brockman.

All proceeds from the "Moses" EP go to the family of Jake Drake-Brockman. Jake was tragically killed in a motorcycle accident in September. Elizabeth and Damon feel that the passing of such a wonderful man and great friend cannot go unmarked. Listen to the beautiful track above...

The Joy Formidable - "Austere" Video

2010-01-13T15:43:00.001-05:00

Welsh trio - The Joy Formidable have become a uniquely home-grown affair with the band driving every creative aspect, visually and musically. The band’s bedroom is a chrysalis that mutates daily from sleeping quarters, to studio, to workshop. It was here they recorded the singles "Austere", "Cradle" and "Whirring" from their 8 track CD A Balloon called Moaning - a defiant release of optimism against their own heavy hearts.

In the Summer of 2009 the band sold out their debut UK tour and released new track, "Greyhounds in the Slips" (which features friend, Paul Draper), Autumn tours with Editors and Passion Pit followed, shows in Japan and a jaunt throughout Winter in Europe with The Temper Trap ended the year on a high.

2010 will start out in New York supporting Passion Pit (Teminal 5 last week), a continuation on their European tour with the Temper Trap and a UK tour to coincide with a single release in March. The Joy Formidable’s debut album will be released in June.

MP3s: "Austere" and "Cradle"

El May - Self-titled 2010 Solo Album

2010-01-13T11:46:00.000-05:00

A little more 2010 hotness for you. She rolls with some of my favorite artists, and now she's out on her own.

El May is a one-lady show. And that lady is Lara Meyerratken. Part pop bohemian, part indie-rock chanteuse, this Australian native turned LA local has woven tales of trans-coastal yearnings with stories of life, loss and higher love to create her debut album, simply titled El May.

Lara first began writing and recording El May in the summer of 2006 after an eight-year stint as a musical gun-for-hire. In that time, she toured and recorded mostly with indie darling Ben Lee, but also worked with Luna, Nada Surf, Crooked Fingers, Dar Williams, Dean and Britta and Luscious Jackson, among others. Leaving the life of a traveling sideman behind, the singer/songwriter decided to focus her energies on her own project… with a little help from her friends.

El May's self-titled album is available January 19th.

MP3: "Don't You"(featuring Matthew Caws of Nada Surf)

Gil Scott-Heron - I'm New Here

2010-01-13T09:05:00.000-05:00

OK, youth culture aside, older people make music too :). This album would go well with some indoor merlot action on these cold winter days.

Born in Chicago on April 1, 1949, Gil Scott-Heron is one of the most influential and important American singer/songwriters of the late 20th century. In a career spanning five decades he has released over 15 albums and played shows in over 40 countries.

Throughout his career Gil has presented complex issues in direct yet poetic manner and through music of sincerity and integrity. That is why it’s easy for people like Chuck D to credit him in the following manner: "Gil Scott-Heron is the man who made it all possible for me..."

I’m New Here is the first album from Gil Scott-Heron in 15 years. On it Gil continues to throw down the gauntlet to we the people; challenging us to get involved, be informed, retain a sense of humor and do the right thing. You can download the album and the accompanying artwork by clicking on the links above.

XL Recordings will be releasing I’m New Here on February 9th. Check out Mp3: Me and the Devil to get a better idea.

For those of you in NYC, he will be playing two shows (7:30 and 10:30) at SOB’s on January 17 in celebration of Martin Luther King Day.

Sex And The City 2 - Coming Soon...

2009-12-23T10:28:00.002-05:00

I guess we'll learn some rules on how NYC does Dubai this summer. This is coming out sooner than I imagined. Rather than the first installment and worry over holding on to the former glory of the TV series, I think we've now just crossed over into sexy, guilty-pleasure camp. Can't wait! Just wish Pat Field could design clothes for me one day...

Bebel Gilberto & Mark Ronson on "The Real Thing"

2009-11-11T14:52:00.004-05:00

Originally performed by Sergio Mendes and written by Steve Wonder, Bebel Gilberto and Mark Ronson put their spin on "The Real Thing". The original version is an undeniable disco track, but one would never know from this reinterpretation. Bebel's sultry voice and Mark Ronson's killer horns and percussion reintroduce this classic to a new generation of music fans. "The Real Thing" appears on Bebel Gilberto's new album All In One, out now.

MP3: "The Real Thing"

New Patrick Wolf Video - "Damaris"

2009-11-11T14:37:00.001-05:00

So many great new videos are out this week. Check out the artsy, high concept video for "Damaris," the latest single from Patrick's Bachelor LP. Wolf gets a directing credit (along with Director of Photography Rory Broadfoot) and casts himself opposite the actress Gwendoline Christie, who YouTube tells us "can currently be seen playing Holly Go Lightly's glamorous neighbour in the hit West End production of Breakfast at Tiffanys, and also in the Terry Gilliam film The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus."

New Lady Gaga - "Bad Romance" Video

2009-11-10T13:44:00.001-05:00

All I have to say is... BRILLIANT.

New Vampire Weekend - "Horchata"

2009-10-05T14:48:00.002-04:00

Vampire Weekend will unveil the first track from their forthcoming album Contra today. “Horchata” is now available for fans to download from the band’s website.

Vampire Weekend’s second album will be released in the US on January 12th, 2010 via XL Recordings

MP3: "Horchata"

New Lady Gaga Track - "Bad Romance"

2009-10-02T15:56:00.003-04:00

“Bad Romance” is rumored to be among the new songs on the Fame Monster reissue out November 24th, to be performed when she serves as musical guest on tomorrow night’s Saturday Night Live.

Britney's "3" Brings Ménage à Trois to US Radio

2009-09-29T15:15:00.007-04:00

Britney Spears’s new single, 3, which will be included on her new album Britney Spears: The Singles Collection (due out in November) has made it’s debut on US radio for all to hear. It turns out that Brit Brit decided to release a song that champions the wonders of the ménage à trois … or threesome.

Oh no she didn't. Take a listen here. Naughty bad fun and I think I like it.

MGMT - "Art is Everywhere" on Yo Gabba Gabba!

2009-09-24T12:49:00.004-04:00

This post goes out to my little niece Kaylee. At 3 years old, she has turned me on to the show. When I was a little kid, cool bands did not play on Nickelodeon like this. Although I did enjoy Alanis Morissette on "You Can't Do That on Television" back in the day...

Anyway, MGMT has appeared on season two of Nickelodeon's Yo Gabba Gabba! as space Vikings performing a song called "Art Is Everywhere." Some would argue that MGMT basically always make children's music. Whatever your stance, they definitely look comfortable (and stoned?) piloting their avian longboat and making like Abstract Expressionists. (via Stereogum)

Kid Sister - Ultraviolet Album & Tour

2009-09-22T15:48:00.003-04:00

On November 17th, Chicago-based rapper Kid Sister will finally release her debut album Ultraviolet. “Pro Nails,” her hit collaboration with Kanye West, is on the disc, along with first singe “Right Hand Hi.” Ultraviolet finds Kid Sister teaming with Cee-Lo and Estelle as well as producers like A-Trak, Spank Rock’s XXXchange, DJ Gant-Man and more. Kid Sister’s debut LP, originally titled Dream Date, was scheduled for release in fall 2008, but some addition and subtraction of tracks pushed the release back nearly a full year. (Click here to download “Family Reunion” featuring David Banner, a song originally destined for Dream Date but left of Ultraviolet.)

To celebrate the release of her hotly anticipated debut, Kid Sister will hit the road this October with Flosstradamus (the duo’s J2K is Kid Sister’s kid brother). The trek kicks off October 19th in Vancouver, explores the West Coast, visits Chicago and New York and wraps up November 28th in Toronto.

New York, NY @ Webster Hall - November 27th (via RS)

Frankie Negron - English Album and Release Party

2009-09-22T12:39:00.006-04:00

Today, September 22, Frankie Negron's Independence Day is out via Airgo Music. As Frankie's first English-language album, Independence Day not only continues to impress existing fans, but has also caught the ears of many new fans who are not as familiar with Frankie's nine previous albums. Independence Day is a rock record yet it showcases Salsa influences in its composite of natural romanticism and emotionally charged vocals.

MP3: "Holding On To Love"

If you're around tonight, check out the flyer to the left for details on this evening's album release party at The Canal Room.

MGMT, Jay-Z, Yeah Yeah Yeahs Remixes

2009-09-04T11:32:00.004-04:00

Jay-Z, “Hate” [Aziz Ansari Remix] The funniest thing about Ansari’s “remix” of Jay’s track is how convincingly he plays obnoxious DJ. Could it be that every annoying mixtape MC is just a frustrated stand-up comic?

Mayer Hawthorne, “Just Ain’t Gonna Work Out” [Astronote/El Camino Remix]Hawthorne may be the new savior of blue-eyed soul, but he sounds just as comfortable in this remix amid whirring, chirping electronics.

MGMT, “This Must Be the Place (Naive Melody)” [Talking Heads Cover]Somewhere along the line, covering this song became a requirement for all bands hoping to become the next big indie thing. Hear that, Passion Pit? Time to start working on those “Whoaah”s.

Van Halen, “I’ll Wait” [Devo Speed]Some crafty computer-savvy individual managed to speed up Van Halen’s “I’ll Wait” while retaining the song’s original pitch, making it sound like Dave & Co. are, in fact, burning their way through a Devo song. We don’t know how this was done, but then we don’t know how they get the filling inside a Hot Pocket, either, and that doesn’t make them any less delicious.

Yeah Yeah Yeahs, “Little Shadow” [Acoustic]The YYY’s un-digitize this gorgeous It’s Blitz ballad, making it sound stately and proper, suitable for weddings and graduations

Matisyahu - Light & "One Day For Change"

2009-09-02T13:53:00.002-04:00

Always looking to inspire and positively motivate fans - socially conscious Matisyahu has partnered with Kenneth Cole to create an online movement via Twitter and YouTube encouraging people to share ideas to positively change their communities in one day. "One Day for Change" asks fans, as well as celebrities, websites, and musicians, to tweet their "ideas for change" using the #ondaychange.net hash tag. Matisyahu will re-tweet his favorites on his own Twitter (which now has over 720,000 followers) and award a signed copy of Light to one tweeter each day. Participants are also encouraged to upload videos expressing their ideas for change to the "One Day for Change" YouTube page between August 25th and September 18th. Check out "One Day" below, from his third studio album Light, which was just released this past week. Been waiting for this one for a while - his music is always quite moving.

MP3: "One Day"

Kurt Vile - Childish Prodigy

2009-09-02T12:29:00.001-04:00

Childish Prodigy is the new album (and first for Matador) from Philadelphia guitarist/vocalist Kurt Vile. Kurt has started to make a name for himself through his previous album of bedroom recordings, Constant Hitmaker and his live shows, which whether solo or backed by The Violators (2/3 of War On Drugs, who Kurt used to play with) are nothing short of mesmerizing.

He's been busy touring like a maniac, playing alongside acts such as Dungen, Conor Oberst, Tykvek, Woods, Blues Control, Real Estate and Coconuts to name a few. Kurt will be at Mercury Lounge on October 7th and the album is out the day before on October 6th.

The first MP3 from Childish Prodigy is the lovely, haunting “Overnite Religion”:

MP3: "Overnight Religion"

Kid Cudi Debut Album Details...

2009-09-02T09:45:00.003-04:00

The cinema-themed LP is called Man on the Moon: The End of Day and is broken up into five "acts." Also, it's narrated by Common. Check out the incredible lineup in the tracklist below. The album is out on September 15th via Dream On/G.O.O.D./Universal Motown. Some awesome to see this growth. I remember listening to Day & Night, thinking it was amazing before anyone cared, then I had the opportunity to meet Kid Cudi at a show Chester French and Lady Sovereign played a few months back. Success couldn't happen to a cooler guy.

Man on the Moon: The End of Day

Act 1: The End of Day
01 In My Dreams (Cudder Anthem) [produced by Emile]
02 Soundtrack 2 My Life [produced by Emile]
03 Simple As... [produced by Plain Pat]

Act 2: Rise of the Night Terrors
04 Solo Dolo (nightmare) [produced by Emile]
05 Heart of a Lion (KiD CuDi Theme Music) [produced by Free School]
06 My World [ft. Billy Cravens] [produced by Plain Pat and Jeff Bhasker]

Act 3: Taking a Trip
07 Day 'N' Nite (nightmare) [produced by Dot Da Genius]
08 Sky Might Fall [produced by Kanye West and Kid Cudi]
09 Enter Galactic (Love Connection Part 1) [produced by Matt Friedman of ILLFONICS]

Act 4: Stuck
10 Alive (nightmare) [ft. Ratatat] [produced by Ratatat]
11 CuDi Zone [produced by Emile]
12 Make Her Say [ft. Kanye West and Common] [produced by Kanye West]
13 Pursuit of Happiness (nightmare) [ft. MGMT and Ratatat] [produced by Ratatat]

Act 5: A New Beginning
14 Hyyerr [ft. Chip the Ripper] [produced by Crada]
15 Up Up & Away (The Wake & Bake Song) [produced by Free School]

Yo La Tengo - "Popular Songs" Streaming on NPR

2009-09-02T08:59:00.002-04:00

Yo La Tengo’s new album Popular Songs is streaming in its entirety at NPR!!!

The album is out September 8th.

The Drones Play Bell House

2009-09-02T07:22:00.001-04:00

Australian rockers The Drones have added US dates to their Havillah Tour this fall. Support includes LA indie rockers Model/Actress and fellow Aussies Bridezilla. We're talking about dreamy rock, dripping with despondent riffs and far away melodies and performances packed with unmatchable energy. So if you haven't seen The Drones live yet, here's your chance.

The band rose to prominence in the early 2000s, citing a multitude of influences including Neil Young, The Velvet Underground, Bad Brains, Suicide, Green on Red, The Birthday Party, Van Morrison, Bob Dylan and Nina Simone. Their sound has often been described as The Birthday Party kicking the shit out of Neil Young in Hendrix' garage. Their latest album Havilah was released on ATP Recordings in March of 2009.

In an effort to capture their live, raw sound, the band recorded a live album during a show at The Hi Fi in Brisbane, Australia. The record is set to be released later this year. In the meantime, listen to "Nail It Down."

MP3: "Nail It Down (Live)"

The Drones play the Bell House in Brooklyn on September 9th.

Fruit Bats - The Ruminant Band

2009-09-02T07:06:00.000-04:00

In this often reflexive and world-weary era of popular music, there seems little room for unabashed wonder, or joy without suspicion. Some regrettable fear planted within each of us around the 7th grade or thereabouts still makes it hard to dance, hard to hold hands, hard to say “I love you,” at least without a quick caveat or escape route at the ready. Over the course of three records, the last two on Sub Pop (2003’s Mouthfuls and 2005’s Spelled in Bones), Eric D. Johnson’s Fruit Bats have looked for ways to file down the cynical edge of modern life and found many. Using bright melodies, defiantly major-key chord structures, natural imagery mixed with the occasional blazing insight and tender observation, the Fruit Bats have never shied away from darkness, but more uncommon in this day and age, they’ve refused to shy away from light.

With The Ruminant Band, this tradition continues in characteristically rich and involving fashion. Consider the title: it’s no coincidence or shortcut that the name of the second track was plucked to represent the album as a whole. “Band” is the operative word here, as the Fruit Bats lineup has expanded to five, who in turn expand the sonic scope of Johnson’s songs to include the barn-floor stomp of “The Hobo Girl” and the Fleetwood Mac-esque shimmy of the title track. On a recent message to fans on the band’s website, Johnson promised on behalf of the Bats, “We are going to choogle for you.” And while the potential for chooglin’ has always existed in some form all the way back to Johnson’s earliest 4-track experiments, The Ruminant Band sees it flower in full.

Fruit Bats will be rolling into town on Sept 14th to play a show at Music Hall of Williamsburg if you're around.

Noah & The Whale - First Days of Spring

2009-09-02T06:36:00.000-04:00

Just a quick update on Noah & The Whale. The First Days of Spring is out October 6th and "Blue Skies" is now out on iTunes. In the meantime, check out the free track below...

MP3: Death to the Throne (Remix)

Emperor Luke Steele & Jay-Z

2009-09-01T23:40:00.004-04:00

In the eve of Empire Of The Sun's highly anticipated debut live performances at Parklife next month, comes the news that Emperor Luke Steele will appear on the forthcoming new Jay-Z record whilst also celebrating Gold UK album sales for "Walking On A Dream".

Luke Steele joins an elite line-up of r'n'b & hip-hop artists on Jay-Z’s upcoming record "The Blueprint 3" (released Sept 11 through Warner Music) and appears on the first track, titled "What We Talkin' About" - Jay-Z + Luke Steele (of Empire Of The Sun). Other guest performers include Rihanna, Kanye West, Pharrell, Alicia Keys, Kid Cudi, Drake and more.

Project Runway's Jack Mackenroth - Living Positive By Design

2009-09-01T23:36:00.001-04:00

Not music related - but occasionally I do like to post on notable New York happenings and notable New Yorkers, especially involved in the arts. Last year I attended GMHC's Fashion Forward fundraiser where Living Positive By Design was a sponsor. Since then, I've seen the campaign travel across the U.S. and grow in support and notoriety.

Jack Mackenroth, from “Project Runway” season 4, has been part of this national HIV and AIDS education campaign in partnership with HIV and AIDS community organizations across the country. Living Positive By Design is being supported by Merck & Co., Inc. and seeks to help combat the stigma associated with HIV by engaging people in thoughtful conversation about the condition. Check out the newly launched widget above, taking a journey with Jack in Chicago this past spring, engaging in "positive conversations" about the disease.

Calypso - Teen Age

2009-09-01T23:05:00.005-04:00

The band is fronted by brothers Sonny and Michael Kilfoyle who are self-described “New Yorkers/Brooklynites" by way of Boston.” Their intentions are pure, and their music is loud. They’ve got a 4-song EP, Teen Age, out now, digitally. Check out the track below for a taste...

Mp3: "Casually Sad Mercedes"

Calypso is a product of Generation X, the doom generation, the MTV generation. The generation that grew up not knowing where they fit it in, and not caring about it either. You could pigeonhole the sound and the look, the smell and the taste and, you'd be wrong each time, because it doesn't really exist. What exists is the feeling you you got at 17, hearing your best friend's band cover a Minor Threat song, or the time you and your friends drove three hours to some warehouse in some dirty little town just to watch your favorite band play to a crowd of 15 people. Do you remember the day you found out that Kurt Cobain was dead? Of course you do, because it mattered. Music matters. In every basement across america there are great bands turning their amps to "ten", because only at "ten" can you feel the music the way it's meant to be felt. Some of these bands have become the bands you've grown to love, and some of these bands have stayed in the basements, living vicariously through fanzines and posters on the wall. Either way, it doesn't matter because they are putting their life into songs that represent who they are. Calypso is a four piece band from Brooklyn, New York , fronted by brothers, Sonny and Michael Kilfoyle. They've just released a four song EP with the Orchard, entitled Teen Age.

Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Heads Up...

2009-07-14T16:45:00.002-04:00

The "Heads Will Roll" remix EP is out today in the U.S.

Tracklist:

Passion Pit Remix
Tommie Sunshine Remix

Little Vampire (Nick Zinner)

Remix James Iha Remix

Heartbreaking: Farewell MJ

2009-07-07T17:10:00.000-04:00

New Gossip!- Music For Men

2009-06-23T09:05:00.000-04:00

I gasped when this album came into my inbox for review. I've been waiting quite a minute for the next Gossip album. Over the last 2 weeks or so I've been letting it marinate and have what I'll call, my first "five star" album of 2009. It's sick.

Music For Men is the fourth studio album from Gossip, out today and available digitally. It's the first album of new material since Standing In The Way Of Control catapulted the band into public consciousness in 2006. I was a bit worried for this album - afraid that success would, as it often does, drive the band away from the iconic sound that has always made them amazing. Not only does this not disappoint, but I'm probably now like 4x a better fan than I was last month. In fact, I wish I were Beth Ditto. I fail at this while alone at home, but have not yet been caught singing/wailing while standing on the couch with my hands in the air.

According to Gossip guitarist and music creator Brace Paine, the idea of calling the band's new album Music For Men comes straight from Beth Ditto. "It's like a feminist joke," Brace offers by way of wry explanation.

For those of you foolish not to have purchased your Terminal 5 tickets yet, Gossip will spend Summer ’09 touring Europe before returning for a stateside tour to coincide with the U.S. release of Music For Men on October 6. Gossip have toured extensively over the past couple years, covering the major festival circuits in North America, Europe, Australia and Japan. The band's live show has garnered critical acclaim and has cemented Gossip's reputation as one of the most exciting and relevant must-see live bands. I can attest to that per last year's show at Webster Hall.

Seriously - if you don't know this album this summer, you're really missing out on 2009. For real.

New Lily Allen Video - Fuck You

2009-06-23T08:49:00.001-04:00

I heart cheaply made, yet brilliant vids.

The Broken Records - Until The Earth Begins To Part

2009-06-23T07:41:00.003-04:00

The group, who formed in Edinburgh at the end of 2006, have already been tipped for greatness by publications as diverse as NME, Q, The Word, The Sun, The Fly, News Of The World, Clash, The Skinny and Drowned in Sound – a series of three independently released singles released in 2008 led NME to call them “an incredible proposition – set to go stellar as soon as they decide on a lucky label to sign to.”

Until The Earth Begins To Part will be released by 4AD on July 7th. The album features ten tracks and was recorded in Monnow Valley studio in Monmouth with producer Ian Caple.

MP3: "If The News Makes You Sad Don't Watch It"

Simian Mobile Disco - Audacity of Huge

2009-06-19T05:05:00.000-04:00

Simian Mobile Disco's second album Temporary Pleasure includes guest spots from Beth Ditto, Hot Chip's Alexis Taylor, Gruff Rhys, Telepathe, and others. This is the video for the first single "Audacity Of Huge." For the video, shiny eye candy was used in favor of anything not dipped in honey, sugar, or candy apple gloss.

Temporary Pleasure is out 8/18 via Wichita Records.

Hole is Back in the Studio

2009-06-17T17:47:00.000-04:00

After numerous delays and false starts to her solo album Nobody’s Daughter, Courtney Love will resurrect Hole and release the album under the band’s name, Love revealed to the NME during a recent studio visit. Love has recruited guitarist Micko Larkin to join the new Hole, and also said that former bassist Melissa auf der Maur will contribute background vocals at the least and possibly return as Hole’s bassist on a forthcoming tour.

In a video of the studio visit, with Love fittingly surrounded by doll parts, Love said that because the scope of Nobody’s Daughter had changed — it was originally conceived as an introspective “Blood on the Tracks,” but Love now likens it closer to the bombast of Davie Bowie’s Diamond Dogs — that the return of “Rock Courtney” meant the return of Hole. Nobody’s Daughter will still feature some of the tracks that resulted out of Love’s collaborations with both the Smashing Pumpkins’ Billy Corgan and songwriter Linda Perry. The album is finally expected out in late 2009 or early 2010. While we’ve heard estimated release dates in the past, NME reports they’ve heard the entire album and will post a track-by-track of the disc tomorrow. (via RS)

"Get Off" With The Donnas

2009-06-15T15:51:00.004-04:00

This summer is shaping up to be extremely busy for The Donnas. Not only will the Palo Alto quartet venture out with Blondie and Pat Benatar for a joint tour, they’ll also release their eighth LP Greatest Hits Volume 16 on July 7th through their own Purple Feathers label. The disc will feature the Donnas reworking older tracks, unreleased B sides, live versions of their greatest hits and never-before-heard songs from the band’s early days. Check out “Get Off,” one of two brand-new songs recorded for the album below.

MP3: The Donnas "Get Off" [right click to download]

New Gossip Video - "Heavy Cross"

2009-06-15T12:28:00.001-04:00

OMFG, this is great. You can't go wrong w/ glitter in my book.

Santigold at Terminal 5

2009-06-10T08:17:00.007-04:00

Santigold, the artist formerly know as “Santogold”, played Terminal 5 last night, singing her many hits along with some little bonuses from her many remixes. Before last night I realized that I haven’t really heard her speak or be interviewed. She was very sweet to the crowd and you could tell that she was happy to be among her NYC peers. She was a bit heavy on the auto-tune, but every song sounded great. One of my favorite parts of the show were also her awesomely stoic backup dancers. I really think that there needs to be a contest for fans to borrow them for a week. It could really help to spice up some of my day-to-day meetings. I also dragged my friend David Perez aka Gay Conservative Liberal to the event – who spent his morning figuring out what the show we were bringing him to was all about.

Anyway, Terry Urban recently put together a mix called Southerngold, which he describes as "mixing my favorite Southern rap vocals over remixed samples of my favorite Santigold influenced samples and tracks." He intended to post the mix for free on the internet. But earlier this week on the Press Play Show blog, Urban announced that Downtown Music, Santigold's label, hit him with a cease-and-desist letter just as he was uploading it to YouSendIt (via Idolator). Apparently this is news to Santi, who supports the mixtape, but we all know that artists and their labels have different agendas, so who knows. Just don’t want to see her overexposed, spread too thin and then remixed and revisited to death. Let’s at least make it to the second studio album first.

Le Tigre on New Christina Aguilera Record

2009-06-09T11:15:00.002-04:00

Le Tigre have hit the studio with Christina Aguilera, Pitchfork reports. Aguilera has also been collaborating with Sia, Ladytron and Goldfrapp. So curious to see what this album is going to look like. Electro-indie-punk Christina for 2009?

Chester French to Tour with Blink-182

2009-06-08T13:39:00.004-04:00

With continued support from artists such as The Roots, Lady Gaga, Common, and Blink 182, Chester French has been invited to tour with Blink 182 on their reunion tour this Summer. Also, as a fun little extra for fans, for an hour every week, Chester French will open up their cell phone to be called directly ("Office hours" TBA on Twitter www.twitter.com/dachesterfrench).

Discovering Discovery (Vampire Weekend + Ra Ra Riot)

2009-06-08T13:14:00.005-04:00

Discovery is Rostam from Vampire Weekend and Wes from Ra Ra Riot. Their debut album is called LP and it comes out on July 7th on XL Recordings. The two friends began recording together in the summer of '05, and continued to record together even after the successes of their respective bands kept them busy. The project is many things: it’s partly an attempt to realize Wes’s concept of a band where everyone plays synthesizers, and of Rostam’s concept for an album where handclaps keep the backbeat instead of snare drums. It’s an embrace and also a commentary on the pop music of the past decade, of booming 808 bass and jittery sixteenth note high-hats.

The album features Rostam and Wes each singing half the songs and guest vocals from Ezra Koenig of Vampire Weekend and Angel Deradoorian from Dirty Projectors. This album is very summery and danceable so click the download below and get shaking!

MP3: "Orange Shirt"

OMFG New York on Twitter

2009-06-08T12:02:00.002-04:00

Hey - so this weekend, I have officially entered the Twitter universe. Giving this thing a try for a bit...

http://twitter.com/jaymwilliams

Sonic Youth at Soho Apple Store

2009-06-08T11:17:00.002-04:00

Sonic Youth will celebrate the release of their new record The Eternal by giving a special free live performance Tuesday, June 9th at at the Apple Store, Soho in NYC . Doors are at 7:30 and the performance is at 9:00. They will also have a show at the United Palace on July 3rd if you can't make this set.

MP3: Sonic Youth - Sacred Trickster

New Peaches - "Lose You" Video

2009-06-08T10:52:00.003-04:00

Lose You from the album was produced by Simian Mobile Disco. It’s like a craigslist menage a trois situation or something like that. You know Peaches, everything is about sex in the end.

Chairlift - "Bruises" Video

2009-06-05T16:35:00.004-04:00

Up until today, Apple's ads served perfectly well as the unofficial video for"Bruises", but months later, we now have something official on the breakout track from Does You Inspire You. This video features lots of Caroline writhing near TV screens while the guys hold handicams. Hot.

The Gossip - Dimestore Diamond

2009-06-04T13:56:00.003-04:00

Just a little more Gossip gossip. Hype Machine is hosting a track off of their new album Music For Men to be released on June 22nd. Take a listen...

The Gossip - Dimestore Diamond

New MGMT Video - Kids

2009-06-04T08:13:00.000-04:00

Beth VS. Katy: Round 1

2009-06-01T17:49:00.001-04:00

Beth Ditto graces the cover of the new issue of Attitude magazine and inside, the singer has a few bones to pick with Katy perry.

Ditto calls I Kissed A Girl a "boner dyke" anthem for "straight girls who like to turn guys on by making out or like faking gay".

Beth righteously adds, "I hate Katy Perry! She's offensive to gay culture, I'm so offended. She's just riding on the backs of our culture, without having to pay any of the dues and not being actually lesbian or anything at all. She's on the cover of a fucking gay magazine." She goes on to say that she would like to incite a "band feud" with the singer. [via PH]

New Lady Gaga - Paparazzi Vid

2009-06-01T16:57:00.004-04:00

In case you haven't seen - here is the new Lady Gaga video for the "Paparazzi" single. Things I love about this: Alexander Skarsgård from True Blood, beautiful dead models and... the part where LG rocks the metal cyborg costume from George Michael's "Too Funky" video. Remember that one? I NEVER forget. I was wearing my "oh no she didn't" face when I saw that.

Lovely, epic video. Brings me back to the the days when videos really went out of their way to tell stories that sell the song (i.e. Thriller, Like a Prayer, etc.) I miss that format. Anyway - enjoy. Puss Puss ;)

Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Heads Will Roll Video

2009-05-26T15:01:00.002-04:00

Yay! I was waiting for this one - my favorite new single off of "It's Blitz".

Chester French, Lady Sovereign at Highline

2009-05-06T10:43:00.015-04:00

What a good time last night. Last night is exactly what I love about NYC, being able to go out to a nice intimate venue, see the bands you love, have a good time and support the arts. I've been a huge Chester French fan ever since "She Loves Everybody" can into my world. Being an Ivy League prepster as well, they are doing what I wish my degree allowed me to do.

But about the show: Chester French puts on a great performance, sounding as good live as they do on their new record, Love The Future. They also played some tracks from the brilliantly titled Jacques Jams, which, by the way, is a free download on their site and is probably one of the best free albums I've ever gotten, for real. They have some really great guest appearances on that album as well (Solange, Pharrell, Janelle Monae, Cassie).

Definitely support this band -- I personally picked up the vinyl 'cause I'm into those collector items - but to each his own. At the end of the day, a very chill band, with clever writing, that everyone should check out.

Lady Sov was headlining that night as well, spitting new tracks off of Jigsaw. She is my favorite kind of lady. She's adorable, but I'm a little scared of her at the same time. People have been giving her mixed feedback for this album - a little more genre mixing than most expected, but I respect the versatility and some really great songs have come out of it. Check out "Pennies" to start - which I think should be the third single. "Random" is still one of my personal favorites - she is insane on that, showcasing what many others can't do.

The SOV commanded the stage and treated us all to free sprays of Heineken amidst chants of swine flu and repeated tit grabbing. Kid Cudi, beside me checking out the show as well, was doused at one point - posing below in his soaking threads. His track "Day n' Nite" has been rising on iTunes like crazy. Good shit.

New Music from The Sounds - "Dorchester Hotel"

2009-04-29T11:04:00.003-04:00

From the upcoming album, Crossing the Rubicon, out on June 2nd.

Peaches - I Feel Cream - Stream

2009-04-29T10:03:00.013-04:00

Check out the full stream of the new Peaches album! It's due out May 5th and she will also be supporting this record in May/June with a tour through Europe and the US that includes a stop at Webster Hall on Saturday, May 16.

The last time I saw Peaches was November of 2006 and it was absolutely amazing. She is as fun and engaging live as she is on her tracks - and having listened to "I Feel Cream" religiously over the last few weeks - I can say that she's back and better than ever. This record was produced on the most part by James Ford from Simian Mobile Disco and is my favorite brand of genderfucking electroclash thump-a-thump. The more I've listened to Peaches, album after album, the more I realize how brilliant her writing is. It's not just provocative for the sake of being provocative - a common misconception.

Back in the day, Peaches was actually an elementary school teacher - so the teaches of Peaches... it's kind of true. She knows how to get me to sit down and pay attention, that's for sure.

No Doubt "Delivers" New Single

2009-04-08T08:30:00.003-04:00

No Doubt are back and ready for a brand new US tour which starts this May. To promote the tour they've dropped a brand new single titled "Stand & Deliver". Check it out below. I've heard that this is the Adam & The Ants, 80s cover that they will perform on Gossip Girl this season, on May 11th.

MP3:No Doubt - Stand & Deliver

Franz Ferdinand Covers "Womanizer"

2009-04-08T08:24:00.000-04:00

Following in Lily Allen's footsteps, another cute, clever cover of "Womanizer". Love it.

Green Day - "Know Your Enemy"

2009-04-06T16:31:00.002-04:00

Green Day have posted a 30-second sneak peek of “Know Your Enemy,” the first single off 21st Century Breakdown, on their official Website. The LP, due out May 15th, is the band’s follow-up to their Grammy-winning, soon-to-be-musical, American Idiot. ‘Know Your Enemy’ is a straight-ahead rock song with a chanty ‘oh-way-oh-way’ refrain. Opening powerfully like an AC/DC track, Tre Cool drums furiously as Armstrong sings ‘Silence is the enemy so give me revolution.’ [RS]

Se7en - "Girls" ft/ Lil' Kim

2009-04-06T14:15:00.003-04:00

Catchy, catchy, catchy. I've been really into this track for the past few weeks. I've never seen a combination like this before and can't help but think that Lil' Kim would destroy Se7en if she were actually a girl he was able to get...

Fun video though. Hot Asian male R&B superstar in the U.S.? Maybe this will open some new doors in Obamaland - aka New America.

Woodstock 40th Anniversary

2009-04-06T14:08:00.003-04:00

The 40th Anniversary of Woodstock is upon us, and there's been talk of bringing the concert to New York City. It seems one of the original organizers (and Bensonhurst native), Michael Lang, wants Prospect Park's Long Meadow to be the Brooklyn substitute for Max Yasgur's 600-acre farm when the anniversary concert takes place later this year. The Daily News reports that he's currently looking for enough sponsor support, and he told the paper, "It's big, it's convenient. There's public transportation - and Brooklyn's cool. I'd love to do it. But it's been a very tough year." The show would be free, and he would need around $10 million to make it happen.

If Lang gets miracle'd with his sponsor money, he's expecting up to 150,000 people to fill up the nearly 90-acres of Long Meadow. Some of the acts he's interested in booking include Crosby, Stills and Nash, along with Neil Young, as well as what the Daily News calls "newer bands" like Phish (who have only been around a paltry 26 years). Lang noted that the infamous 1999 riot-laden Woodstock was "more of an MTV event. The music was much too angry for me." [via Gothamist]

Original photo via pjcoleman's flickr.

Metric, New Single & Leak Update

2009-03-16T12:05:00.005-04:00

The Metric website has been updated and on it the new album is said to be out in early 2009. The website so far also gives tour dates and some details, along with a video in which Emily explains some of her writing processes for the new album.

"Help, I'm Alive" was officially released as a single on iTunes on December 23, 2008 in Canada and January 1, 2009 around the rest of the world.

It has recently been announced by Rolling Stone that the new album, due out April 7, 2009, will be titled Fantasies. The album will be released on Last Gang Records in Canada, Arts & Crafts in Mexico, and independently around the rest of the world. Fantasies will feature ten tracks. The song "Black Sheep", which was played often by the band on tours, will not be included. However, the Rolling Stone article claims that the song will be featured in the upcoming film Scott Pilgrim vs. the World. The album was leaked to the internet via the torrent site mininova on Sunday, March 8, 2009. And though the Limited Deluxe Edition Pre-sale is sold out, you are unique enough if you have "Gimme Sympathy"s chorus typed by Emily signed by her and Jimmy...

MP3: "Help I'm Alive" - Metric

New Patrick Wolf Single, "Vulture"

2009-03-16T11:45:00.006-04:00

Patrick began work on his next album, initially titled Battle, immediately after The Magic Position tour ended. The album was originally conceived as a political album. The focus then shifted to the depression experienced by Wolf during the tour. However, before entering the studio, he fell in love, changing the direction of the album again, and eventually providing enough material for two releases.

He parted ways with Universal Records, and in December, announced to NME his plan to sell £10 shares of the album on bandstocks.com: "Basically, you can invest in the finishing of the album and the production of it, and you get a share in the album. So you almost become part of the record company, like a co-owner of the album."

Last month he announced that the two discs would be titled The Bachelor and The Conqueror, with the first single being "Vulture". One other future single has been announced by Wolf so far, at his first secret Bandstocks gig, entitled "Hard Times".

The Bachelor is due out on 6/1.

MGMT at Prospect Park This Summer

2009-03-10T13:45:00.003-04:00

MGMT are playing the Prospect Park Bandshell in Brooklyn on Wedneday, July 1st. $30 tickets go on sale Friday at noon.

This and TV on the Radio are now the two big not-free summer NYC park shows announced so far.

Peaches & Cream

2009-03-09T15:55:00.003-04:00

Singer/electronic artist Peaches is releasing a new album. I Feel Cream is her first since 2006's Impeach My Bush. It's out Tuesday, May 5th on XL Recordings.

Peaches will support the record in May/June with a tour through Europe and the US that includes a stop at Webster Hall on Saturday, May 15. Tickets for that NYC show go on sale Wednesday, 3/11, at noon.Drums of Death, who will be supporting Peaches on tour and contributed to her forthcoming record, remixed a bunch of Peaches songs and made a mixtape that includes the new track "I Feel Cream". The artist (artists?) describes it as "nearly 40mins...a nasty stew of screwed-up clunk beats, bass noise, electro freakbeat and more unlicensed samples than you can shake your copyright stick at." [via Brooklyn Vegan]

MP3: Drums of Death "Peaches" mixtape (feat. "I Feel Cream") (MP3)

Yeah Yeah Yeahs - "Zero" Video

2009-03-09T15:41:00.002-04:00

Yeah Yeah Yeahs' "Zero" establishes the disco-fied atmosphere for the rest of the band's third album, It's Blitz, as Karen O. sings about being yourself at all costs, even if that means dancing like a fool and dressing in leather. Karen does just that in "Zero"'s video--the clip begins with the band getting ready for a show (Nick Zinner reads a flying saucer magazine), but when the curtains are pushed aside, Karen is just walking down a street by herself, and proceeds to dance around New York. The band makes an appearance in an alley later, and then help Karen cut loose on a shopping cart and in a music store.

It's Blitz is out tomorrow digitally, and in stores on March 31. You can stream the album right now at the band's MySpace. [Spinner]

Chromeo Lathers Up on Yo Gabba Gabba

2009-02-27T17:46:00.001-05:00

Having already courted baby boomers and college-bounders, the only demo left untapped for Dave 1 and P-Thugg are little children. And thanks to Nickolodeon, Chromeo may now tap your children. The duo wrote a little ditty for hip tot program Yo Gabba Gabba! in an effort to convince children of all ages to lather up all good and nice (as in when coming home from the playground, stop being gross). Cute to see how naturally Chromeo's electrofunk lends itself to broadcasting nurturing messages to children. Chalk it up to a mixture of personality and adorable use of talkbox. [via Stereogum]

MoMA Clash with "Poster Boy"

2009-02-26T15:04:00.007-05:00

As of Tuesday, Doug Jaeger of HappyCorp was cleverly wording his comments about his and Poster Boy's involvement in the alteration of MoMA's subway ad campaign in Brooklyn, which he developed. According to Jaeger, he met Poster Boy, who he says is more than one person, and that he and some others were in the subway system the night the ads were deconstructed.

The NY Post, not a fan of Poster Boy's work in the past, chimes in today saying that Jaeger has "admitted his responsibility in the bizarre publicity stunt," refused to pin any of it on Poster Boy (who is already facing charges), and allegedly didn't have MoMA's permission to carry out the vandalism. In a statement released yesterday MoMA said, "The museum deplores any kind of vandalism and we are distressed that this happened, did not condone or authorize it and hope it doesn't happen again." (In other words, they love it, it's drawn even more attention to their campaign, but they can't say that because it's totally illegal.)

The museum is keeping mum about their current relationship with HappyCorp, and the fact that they haven't severed ties with them has the MTA "furious," according to the Post. While we haven't heard back from Jaeger about the latest developments, we talked to Jeremy Soffin at the MTA, who told us that even if MoMA and HappyCorp altered their own ads it is still illegal, and that "designing an ad doesn't give him any more right to vandalize than anyone else." The MTA's contractor CBS Outdoor is currently in contact with both parties on the organization's behalf.

While it seems pretty evident that this was the plan all along, the Village Voice is still questioning why the HappyCorp folks went from being so proud of the installation to vandalizing it. Maybe they were just tired of seeing Starry Night? The subway station isn't a dorm room, after all.

[via Gothamist]

MGMT Sues President of France!

2009-02-26T14:59:00.003-05:00

From Stereogum -

Turns out there's still hope of getting paychecks in indie rock, just be cool with getting low-balled by French heads of state. The Wesleyan boys are seeking damages for President Sarkozy using "Kids," as his campaign soundtrack and in two web videos, without just compensation. The administration did pay 53 euros to license the track, but MGMT's lawyer claims that isn't enough to cover the additional internet usage. Sarkozy's counter offer: a sizable 1 (i.e. one) euro. Le you-got-served, MGMT. Actually, Sarkozy got served. With a lawsuit. Because that is statutory rape of his artist-fee obligations. (I'm a civil law expert, don't worry about it.) Worth noting: French government is in the midst of pushing through extensive anti-piracy and file-sharing legislation (i.e. vague irony). Sorry Sarkozy, MGMT are a very sexy duo who can sue for real.

And all this after MGMT taught Paris the meaning of Thanksgiving. More of this at BBC.

No Doubt Announces 2009 Tour

2009-02-25T10:26:00.003-05:00

2009 Tour Announcement (Feb 24, 2009)

6/19/2009 Darien Center, NY - Darien Lake Performing Arts Center

6/27/2009 Wantagh, NY - Nikon at Jones Beach Theater

Even More New Yeah Yeah Yeahs ...

2009-02-23T10:14:00.008-05:00

The second track off of the upcoming It's Blitz! LP, "Heads Will Roll". I could not be more excited for the new album. By far, YYYs have the best show I have ever seen live, and they just make really great choices.

This track is a little different, but still them. Dancier than most of what I've heard them do, but so beautiful and emotional. Karen O. really has a way of making you feel the writing with her voice, and the ethereal musical meanderings still have the YYY stamp, while remaining so fresh.

Love it.

MP3: "Heads Will Roll"

LP track listing will be:

1. Zero

2. Heads Will Roll

3. Soft Shock

4. Skeletons

5. Dull Life

6. Shame and Fortune

7. Runaway

8. Dragon Queen

9. Hysteric

10. Little Shadow

Shugo Tokumaru new video for "Clocca"

2009-02-20T11:43:00.000-05:00

Check out Shugo Tokumaru's new video for "Clocca" directed by Masako Noda.

Jack Mackenroth - NYC Fashion Week Blog

2009-02-19T11:22:00.008-05:00

Jack Mackenroth LOGO Fashion Week Blog

Hi all - my buddy Jack has a great blog for what's happening with Fashion Week in the city this week via LOGO. Pay the link a visit if you're curious. It's very honest, hands-on coverage. Lots of great photos and celebrity interviews.

Jack is quite busy and will also be at the Academy of Friends Annual 2009 HIV Charity Gala in San Francisco this coming Sunday, in support of Living Positive By Design, an educational campaign to help fight the stigma of HIV and AIDS through engaging people in thoughtful converstation about the disease.

New Peaches - "I Feel Cream"

2009-02-19T07:17:00.000-05:00

Peaches' long-awaited, brand-spanking new album - I Feel Cream - hits stores in North America May 5th.

But…

You can hit download a new 40 minute Peaches mixtape, which includes sneak peeks of some of her new tracks. Click here to get that.

M.I.A. Has a Baby Boy

2009-02-17T10:48:00.003-05:00

M.I.A. gave birth to a baby boy on February 11th, the Kala rapper revealed on her MySpace blog. “He is healthy, fine, beautiful and the most amzing [sic] thing ever on this planet,” the enthusiastic new mother told fans. M.I.A. also writes that her early stage labor kicked in after her performance at Grammys on February 8th.

New Yeah Yeah Yeahs!!! "Zero"

2009-02-17T10:09:00.003-05:00

This next YYYs LP was bound to be one of the year's most anticipated, regardless. Because the trio are true rock stars in a time where the "rock star" is a relic, because they are serious players, because Show Your Bones proved they were, at least, unafraid to be stylistically adventurous. But that's bolstered by the unexpected sweat and sexy, jagged swagger of the excellent Is Is EP, which hinted they still had their Feverish roots beneath the increasing L.A. gloss. It's Blitz!'s central sound has remained a question mark (that queer as yolk album art gave little hint), although careful readers have noted Nick Zinner's coming "to the party with a pile of vintage synthesizers." You don't need to be a careful listener to hear them here. "Zero" is It's Blitz!'s first single, a building, billowing synth-pop anthem with a little Blondie and a big crowd-baiting hook. It sorta splits the difference between Is Is's brawn and Show Your Bones's glitz. It's Blitz! [via Stereogum]

New McCarren Park Pool Renderings

2009-02-12T08:00:00.001-05:00

Everyone is abuzz about the new renderings of McCarren Park Pool unveiled at the CB1 meeting last night, except they look exactly the same as the ones unveiled a year ago! Okay, close your eyes and picture McCarren Park Pool...now add some aquamarine-toned blue water courtesy of your mind's Photoshop, and that's pretty much what it's going to look like (for the imaginationally challenged, this is also represented in the rendering above).

NY1 has some new details from the meeting, however, reporting back that "the pool will not be as large as the original. Instead, it will be reconfigured to a u-shaped design accommodating 2,500 people. The middle will be a beach area in the summer and turn into an ice staking rink in the winter. Outdoor pavilions will be added on site to serve as changing stations," and the main buildings will house both a gym and a recreational/community center. A beach volleyball court and a rooftop cafe (atop the Landmark) are also a possibility—but don't bust out the sunscreen just yet, you won't be able to dip your feet in the water until at least 2011. [via Gothamist]

The Artist Formerly Known as Santogold...

2009-02-12T07:47:00.000-05:00

Santogold was Santi White, the Brooklyn-based pop singer who made one of last year's best albums and who is just now starting to pop up on A-list rap songs. Santo Gold, on the other hand, is Santo Rigatuso, the Baltimore-based jeweler/filmmaker/huckster who made this infomercial and the no-budget 1985 aliens-fighting-wrestlers movie Blood Circus. You can see how just about anyone would get these two confused, right? I mean, they're basically the same person.

Well, apparently the world isn't big enough for two Santogolds. And now the Santogold you've heard of has changed her stage name. According to a press release, Santi White is now Santigold. She already has a new MySpace page that reflects the change, and the old one has already been taken down. As of right now, her website is still up. But according to her publicist, that her website will soon reflect the change, as will all future pressings of her albums and singles.

The Brooklyn Santogold hasn't yet revealed why she's changed her name, but connect the dots la la la. Last year, Stereogum reported that Santo Rigatuso, who had been calling himself Santo Gold since 1983, had filed a lawsuit against Santogold and her record labels, Downtown Music and Lizard King Records, for the use of the name. On his website, the Baltimore Santo Gold also reports that he's in the process of recording an album called I Am the Real Santo Gold, and he's already posted the title track on YouTube. Sample lyrics: "I don't like my name being stoled / Spent millions on my name, Santo Gold." So there you go. He's spent millions on his name. [via Pitchfork]

OMFGNY New Logo

2009-02-11T23:41:00.002-05:00

New logo, thanks to New York artist and photographer, Daniel van Flyman!

http://www.vanflymen.com/

New Chairlift Video, "Evident Utensil"

2009-02-10T12:58:00.000-05:00

2009 Grammy's Recap: M.I.A., Radiohead, Kanye

2009-02-09T09:58:00.003-05:00

The big winners at the Grammys last night were Coldplay (calling uncle here, I'm finally starting to like some of those songs-- they won rock album of the year and song of the year), Robert Plant and Alison Krauss (they really cleaned up-- record of the year for Raising Sand and a few others) and Lil Wayne (he took home the prize for rap album). Performances ranged from mind-meltingly awful (Kid Rock) to good, with highlights including the rumored Radiohead and the USC Marching Band on "15 Step", an All-Star "Rap Pack" (that's how they billed it-- had something to do with Dean Martin, and it was shown in black and white) led by the M.I.A., easily the most pregnant woman to ever perform on an awards show, and U2 flogging their new one with a high-tech video display. Kanye and Estelle doing "American Boy" is also below. A few Pitchforkers clowned about all this stuff as it happened on Twitter, but no one was as funny as Diplo and ?uestlove. [via Pitchfork, Mark Richardson]

Chester French - She Loves Everybody Video

2009-02-03T14:00:00.004-05:00

Yes! Finally a proper video for this song after several months.

Though the official track-list for "Love The Future" hasn't been released yet, songs believed to be on the album include "She Loves Everybody," "Jimmy Choos," "Bebe Buell," "Beneath the Veil" and recently leaked song "C'Mon (On My Own)."

The Love The Future album (Spring 2009) will mix sensibilities equally drawing on Motown and power-pop. “Beneath the Veil” throws country twists into hip-hop aesthetics. Neal has echoes of swing, hip-hop and rock – with a guitar break paying tribute to the genius and magic fingers of Les Paul.

Boss In Drama - "Your Favorite" EP

2009-01-30T14:26:00.003-05:00

Check out Boss in Drama's "Your Favorite” EP, available as a free download from the MySpace page. The EP is a nice collection showcasing Boss in Drama’s range of style — this is the proof that he is at the front of the pack of Brazilian up and comers. If you like Chromeo...

MP3: "Your Favorite" EP