Alexander Laurence's Blog, page 1745

Tropicalia @ Queen Mary early shows

Dia de Los Puercos and Moto stages: Ginuwine, Jorja Smith, Pity Party, Taco Hell

MORRISSEY @ Hollywood Bowl

King Krule @ Tropicalia

Los Angeles Declares Morrissey Day

Los Angeles Declares Morrissey Day
LOS ANGELES - The Los Angeles City Council declared Friday, November 10th "Morrissey Day" in Los Angeles, California. During today's council meeting, Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez introduced the resolution, which includes an official commemorative certificate presentation at the first of two sold-out Hollywood Bowl shows this Friday night.LA marks the fourth city on Morrissey's Fall US tour, which takes him and his band through Boston's Orpheum Theatre on December 7 as they perform new material from forthcoming album 'Low in High School' (out November 17 on Etienne Records/BMG) as well as fan favorites and covers. Full dates below.The "Morrissey Day" declaration is yet another chapter in the Mancunian's long love affair with the City of Los Angeles. Earlier this year, an unknown party changed the Hollywood Bowl exit sign over the 101 Freeway to read "Morrissey." Morrissey plans to host a pop-up shop at 8250 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90048 to celebrate 'Low in High School' on November 17-19.For the first time ever, The Hollywood Bowl will change its menus to all vegetarian when Morrissey performs at his two-sold out shows this weekend."Morrissey Day honors the man who put the 'M' in Moz Angeles, an icon whose music continues to touch and uplift countless people across the globe," said Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez. "Morrissey uses his voice to raise awareness for many social issues while 'in his own strange way,' always staying true to his fans.""Los Angeles embraces individuality, compassion, and creativity, and Morrissey expresses those values in a way that moves Angelenos of all ages," said Mayor Eric Garcetti. "Morrissey Day celebrates an artist whose music has captivated and inspired generations of people who may not always fit in — because they were born to stand out."'Low in High School' is Morrissey's first studio album since 2014 and his debut for BMG. The album sees BMG partnering with Morrissey on the new release and on the launch of his new label, Etienne Records. 'Low in High School' was recorded at La Fabrique Studios in France and in Rome at Ennio Morricone's Forum Studios. The record is produced by Joe Chiccarelli (who has worked with Frank Zappa, The Strokes, Beck and The White Stripes to name a few).Rising to prominence as front man of The Smiths, Morrissey went on to forge an even more successful career as a solo artist, with all ten of his solo efforts landing in the Top 10 on the UK album charts, including 3 entries at the #1 position. Releasing his debut solo album 'Viva Hate' in 1988, he has since released a number of critically acclaimed follow-ups including 'Kill Uncle' and 'Your Arsenal', and hugely successful comeback album 'You Are the Quarry' after a five year hiatus in 2004.In 2013, Morrissey published his record-breaking autobiography on Penguin Classics, immediately topping the best-seller list with literary reviewers hailing it a masterpiece in writing and prose.'Low in High School' Track ListMy Love I'd Do Anything For YouI Wish You LonelyJacky's Only Happy When She's Up On The StageHome Is A Question MarkSpent The Day In BedI Bury The LivingIn Your LapThe Girl From Tel-Aviv Who Wouldn't KneelAll The Young People Must Fall In LoveWhen You Open Your LegsWho Will Protect Us From The Police?Israel
Morrissey Fall 2017 TourFri, Nov 10 - Los Angeles, CA - Hollywood Bowl w/ Billy Idol (SOLD OUT)Sat, Nov 11 - Los Angeles, CA - Hollywood Bowl w/ Billy Idol (SOLD OUT)Thu, Nov 16 - Phoenix, AZ - MarqueeSat, Nov 18 - Salt Lake City, UT - Kingsbury HallMon, Nov 20 - Denver, CO - Paramount TheatreWed, Nov 22 - St. Louis, MO - Peabody Opera HouseSat, Nov 25 - Chicago, IL - Riviera TheaterTue, Nov 28 - Detroit, MI - The Fillmore DetroitThu, Nov 30 - Washington, DC - The AnthemSat, Dec 2 - New York, NY - Theatre at Madison Square GardenMon, Dec 4 - Philadelphia, PA - The FillmoreThu, Dec 7 - Boston, MA - Orpheum Theatre

Nicole Atkins Puts the Soul in “O Holy Night”

Nicole Atkins Puts the Soul in “O Holy Night”
And Bares Her Soul (and Discusses Her Sobriety) in New Rolling Stone Feature



Don’t Miss Tour in Support of New Album Goodnight Rhonda Lee Out Now

Nicole Atkins has announced the release of her soul rendition of “O Holy Night” via Paste . The track appears on Amazon Music’s “Christmas Soul” playlist, which will be available exclusively for streaming on Amazon Music—both Amazon Music Unlimited and Prime Music—beginning on Nov. 24. Listen and share the track here.

Of the song, Atkins says: ““O Holy Night” has always been my favorite Christmas song. The first time I heard it, I burst into tears because it was so powerful. I think it was the first time I cried from music taking me over. I always wanted to record this song in a style that made it more human in a way that it could bring the message to the angels from the earth rather than the song already residing up in heaven.”

Nicole also recently opened up to writer Jason Newman in this week’s Rolling Stone’s feature, crediting a hip-hop producer she met in rehab for pushing her into soul music. "One day, he's like, 'Play me your stuff.' He said, 'You're really good, but you need to stop fucking around with this indie-rock bullshit. You're a soul singer. Just do what you do.'"

Asked about the titular Rhonda Lee, which "started as my bowling alias, but became my drunken hag alias," Atkins, now sober, explained to Newman why she was ready to say "good night" to that character. "In my element, I could've been the best fucking thing you've ever seen where I'll get us a free limo ride to the party in Brooklyn and free drugs and then we'll go get steak and eggs in the morning, or I'll say horrible things to your wife," she says. "There was no telling."

A vintage soul album inspired legendary artists like Dusty Springfield, Candi Staton, Loretta Lynn and Janis Joplin, Goodnight Rhonda Lee was recorded with Fort Worth, TX's Nile City Sound, a.k.a. producers Austin Jenkins, Josh Block, and Chris Vivion (Leon Bridges), with additional mixing by Ben Tanner (Alabama Shakes).

Atkins is constantly touring; see current tour dates below. For updates and ticket availability, please visit www.nicoleatkins.com/tour.



Nicole Atkins Tour Dates
Nov 10 – London, UK – Rough Trade East
Nov 13 - London, UK - Sebright Arms
Nov 15 - Hamburg, Germany - Mojo Jazz Cafe
Nov 16 - Berlin, Germany - Baumhaus Bar
Nov 18 - Amsterdam, Netherlands - Q Factory
Nov 21 - Madrid, Spain - Sirocco
Nov 22 - Barcelona, Spain - Sidecar
Nov 25 - Asbury Park, NJ - Wonder Bar
Nov 30 - Austin, TX - Antone's
Dec 1 - San Antonio, TX - The Rustic
Dec 2 - Dallas, TX - The Rustic
Dec 5 - San Diego, CA - Soda Bar
Dec 7 - Los Angeles, CA - Bootleg Theater
Dec 8 - San Francisco, CA - Cafe Du Nord
Dec 9 – Arcata, CA – Humboldt Brews
Dec 10 - Portland, OR - Mississippi Studios
Dec 12 - Seattle, WA - Sunset Tavern
Dec 14 - Salt Lake City, UT - The State Room
Dec 15 - Denver, CO - Lost Lake Lounge
Dec 17 - Kansas City, MO - The Riot Room
Dec 22 – Houston, TX - Newport Folk Presents & The Suffers: With A Lil Help From My Friends
April 21- Charleston, SC – High Water Festival


Nicole Atkins Links:
Spotify
Website
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Single Lock Records

UNI, new glam rock group with Kemp Muhl of The GOASTT

UNI, new glam rock group with Kemp Muhl of The GOASTT (Ghost of the Saber Tooth Tiger) 
"Adult Video": bonkers new video premieres viaNYLON.
Monthly NYC shows  Photo Credit: Nathan WestUni (pronounced oo-nee, like the Japanese delicacy made from raw sea urchin gonads) are excited to release their video and single "Adult Video." The video was directed by the band's own Kemp Muhl and was premiered today via  NYLON Magazine  who write, ""a wild, trippy ride into some truly colorfully perverse minds...Prepare to be both comforted and disturbed in the best possible way."
"Harvey Weinstein! Bill O'Reilly! Woody Allen! Kevin Spacey! Louis C.K.! Masturbating into potted plants to fill the headlines. Sexual predators are being named and shamed like never before and the alarm for proper sexual conduct is being sounded nationwide. Except in porn. Vice becomes virtue. The casting couch is exalted. Debasement is paramount. It's an upside down world of morality that is on the rise. Once a part of life that few people talked about now it's simply a part of life. 'Adult Video' is the story of a young person who thrusts themselves crotch first into the pixelated, streamy world of porn. Ejaculating into the orgiastic lifestyle of the id and paying the ultimate price. But, like every classic tragedy, they grip onto the one and only silver lining of being on that silver screen: "I'm the star of the show, in my adult video..." - Kemp Muhl

The NYC based band consists of Kemp Muhl (bass), David Strange (guitar) and Nico Fuzz (vocals). The track is taken from their debut single (Chimera Records) on November 17. It follows their previously released video for "What's The Problem," which was also directed by Muhl. Both songs are on the 7" vinyl. 
Uni will be performing monthly NYC shows - dates below.
Acclaim for Uni:"Their sartorial magnificence rises easily to the fabulousness of the music." - Blackbook
"(Uni) blew the mind of everyone who came down early" - Highlark
"One of the best opening sets we've seen this year"  - Pancakes & Whiskey
"Glitter-strewn outer space glam, with afterburners set to Saturn" -  Brooklyn Vegan
Upcoming Tour Dates:11.21.17 - Baby's All Right - Brooklyn, NY *12.28.17 - Elsewhere - Brooklyn, NY1.19.18 - Knitting Factory - Brooklyn, NY **2.6.18 - Rockwood Music Hall - New York, NY 3.14 - 3.18.18 - SXSW - Austin, TX
*w/ Starbenders & YAASSS** w/ Blame Candy
uni-bomber.comfacebook.com/unithebandtwitter.com/unithebandinstagram.com/unitheband

Listen to Walt Wagner’s rendition of My Bloody Valentine’s “I Only Said” from Reworks at Stereogum

Listen to Walt Wagner’s rendition of 
My Bloody Valentine’s “I Only Said” from Reworks, out November 17th 
worldwide from Sub Pop Photo credit: CreativeLivePremiere via Stereogum 
 https://www.stereogum.com/1971201/walt-wagner-i-only-said-my-bloody-valentine-cover/premiere/Sub Pop will release Walt Wagner’s Reworks, an album of renditions popularized by the likes of Band of Horses, Prince, Fleet Foxes, Phoenix and more, next Friday, November 17th, 2018. The veteran pianist recorded the songs live on October 9th, 2016 at the famed Canlis Restaurant in Seattle, Washington [preorder here].

His version of My Bloody Valentine’s “I Only Said” premiered on Stereogum today, who calls the track “a shimmering piano meditation in Wagner’s capable fingers (see November 10th track post).”

Wagner’s cover of “I Only Said” follows Reworks previous offerings of “The Funeral” (Band of Horses)[link here] and ““Building Steam With a Grain of Salt” (DJ Shadow) [link here].

Charles Darwin said it best: adapt or die. Okay, maybe that's not an exact quote, but the great English scientist was definitely on to something. Organisms that respond over time to the ever-changing environment are more likely to survive and thrive.

While you may not find this crazy idea in Junior's textbooks these days, it's audible in every facet of Walt Wagner's Reworks. With its distinctive renditions of songs popularized by DJ Shadow, My Bloody Valentine, Fleet Foxes, and more, this live recording of the beloved pianist's farewell performance shows how three Seattle institutions – Wagner, Canlis restaurant, and Sub Pop Records – have evolved over the years.

When veteran pianist Wagner first landed at Canlis in 1996, the Emerald City's premiere destination for fine dining was in the midst of significant changes: a new chef, new uniforms, modifications to its iconic building overlooking Lake Union. That required a fresh approach to dinner music, too. "I knew what the status quo was, but the owners wanted new energy," recalls Wagner.

Although he started out with a set heavy on the Great American Songbook and the occasional pop tune, that gradually gave way to more adaptations of modern fare. "Increasingly I kept working in more new, edgier music. In the beginning my sets were 90 percent standards. In the last few years, I was mostly playing very contemporary music."

As young staff members recommended new artists and songs, Wagner's repertoire grew deeper and more varied – especially after the next generation of the Canlis family took over in 2003. Yet whether the source material was Pink Floyd, Prince, Metallica, or the Weeknd, the challenge remained the same: "To distill the vibe on a record, the very essence of a song, into solo piano playing." Performances as memorable yet tasteful as the cuisine, interiors, and views of Canlis [read more at Sub Pop].

Watch The Mynabirds on NPR's Tiny Desk feat. The Umoja Refugee Choir + Announce West Coast Tour

Don’t Miss The Mynabirds on Tiny Desk Today, 
Featuring the Umoja Refugee Choir

 Band Announces West Coast Tour Dates;
Launch Fundraiser for Umoja Refugee Choir



Watch The NPR Tiny Desk Concert Here

New Album BE HERE NOW Out Now

The Mynabirds have announced West Coast tour dates in support of their new album BE HERE NOW , out now via Saddle Creek. Additionally, The Mynabirds recorded a NPR Tiny Desk concert, which was released today. Watch and share here.
 
The Tiny Desk concert features Laura singing with a “People’s Choir,” which includes producer Patrick Damphier, singer Jessica Lea Mayfield and members of the Umoja Refugee Choir of Omaha, Nebraska, who sang on “Hold On,” the song on BE HERE NOW singer Laura Burhenn wrote for refugees. “In an era when the current administration seems to be working to roll back protections and erode rights of LGBTQ folks, ignore our country's deeply harmful systemic racism, and shut our doors to immigrants and refugees (the very rich foundation of America), I wanted to amplify these voices, put them front and center, to show my support and let those watching know that they're not alone,” Burhenn says. “It felt especially poignant to sing and ‘shout at the dark’ with refugees, queer and gay friends, and some new and first-generation Americans so close to the White House. I was especially thankful to Bob Boilen and NPR for letting us exorcise that catharsis.”

In an additional act of amplifying important voices, Burhenn has also launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise money so that the Umoja Choir record their very first album. The money raised will go directly to funding the production of the choir’s first album of original songs, and will also contribute to the communities in Omaha and beyond that the Umoja Choir inspires, supports, and elevates through song. Read more about the Umoja choir and their important community work, and share the fundraiserhere.

  

BE HERE NOW  features 9 songs written and recorded in just 2 weeks in January 2017 following the Inauguration and the Women’s March. The album is the result of a spontaneous effort to document the news and people’s emotional reactions to it in real time. No stranger to politics in her songwriting, Laura Burhenn aimed to speak from the voice of the collective consciousness in a work of “Emotional Journalism,” singing the heartbreak, anger, exhaustion and resolute hope she witnessed during the Muslim travel ban, the final stand at Standing Rock, and every other news story that rattled America in that period. The album vacillates in style and feel to reflect a frayed nation, featuring a Burundian refugee choir on one song, and a cacophony of dissonant saxophones in a new national anthem on another. It is the last recording made in that space. BE HERE NOW was released as 3 digital EPs over 3 months to emphasize the immediacy of the songs.
 

Photo credit: Alysse Gafkjen
 
The Mynabirds Tour Dates
Nov 12 - San Luis Obispo, CA @ SLO Brew*
Nov 13 - San Francisco, CA @ The Independent*
Nov 14 - Fresno, CA @ Strummer’s*
Dec 16- Los Angeles, CA @ Bootleg - Far Out Fundraiser - Haiti Benefit, featuring BUZZY LEE, Lola Kirke, Kate Berlant
Jan 18 - Portland, OR @ Mississippi Studios+
Jan 20 - Seattle, WA @ Barboza+
Jan 21 - Spokane, WA @ Big Dipper+
Jan 23 - Santa Cruz, CA @ The Catalyst Atrium++
Jan 25 - San Francisco, CA @ Café du Nord++
Jan 26 - Los Angeles, CA @ Moroccan Lounge++
* - with Electric Guest
+ - with Lenore
++ - with Doe Paoro
 
 
The Mynabirds Links
Website
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
 

Sleigh Bells Mini-LP 'Kid Kruschev' Out Today

OUT TODAY:SLEIGH BELLSKID KRUSCHEV
VIDEO FOR “AND SAINTS”NOW AVAILABLE EVERYWHERESleigh Bells' highly anticipated mini-LP, Kid Kruschev is out today. The Brooklyn-based duo, comprised of vocalist Alexis Krauss and producer/guitarist Derek Miller, release the follow-up to critically praised Jessica Rabbit on their own label, Torn Clean. Historically adored for sharp, disruptive melodies and delightfully frenetic lyricism, Sleigh Bells' latest boasts evolution, bringing relevant narrative where due.
STREAM KID KRUSCHEV
"Like everyone else, Sleigh Bells are feeling the weight of the world in 2017. Their lean new mini-album has more thematic cohesion than their previous releases and also a surprising tenderness." - Pitchfork
"The key thing to take away is that they’re not much interested in wasting your time." -Vulture
The band's familiar darkness remains in a new video for "And Saints," co-directed by Sleigh Bells’ own Derek Miller, and Mimi Cave, released widely today. Sleigh Bellswill embark on a massive North American tour this winter, with support from Sunflower Bean on multiple dates. Full list is below. Tour dates are:Tue/Jan-23-18 Brooklyn, NY Rough Trade (SOLD OUT)Wed/Jan-24-18 Boston, MA ParadiseFri/Jan-26-18 Portland, ME AuraSat/Jan-27-18 Montreal, QC L'AstralSun/Jan-28-18 Toronto, ON Mod ClubTue/Jan-30-18 Detroit, MI El ClubWed/Jan-31-18 Chicago, IL Metro *Thu/Feb-01-18 Nashville, TN The Basement East *Sat/Feb-03-18 Austin, TX Mohawk *Mon/Feb-05-18 San Antonio, TX Paper Tiger *Tue/Feb-06-18 Dallas, TX Granada *Wed/Feb-07-18 Houston, TX White Oak Music Hall *Fri/Feb-09-18 New Orleans, LA Republic *Sat/Feb-10-18 Athens, GA 40 Watt *Sun/Feb-11-18 Raleigh, NC Lincoln Theatre *Tue/Feb-13-18 Brooklyn, NY Brooklyn Steel *Wed/Feb-14-18 Washington, DC 9:30 Club *
* w/ Sunflower Bean^ w/ Dream Wife

Slothrust Share Covers EP On Brooklyn Vegan | 'Show Me How You Want It To Be' Out Today On Dangerbird

SLOTHRUST SHARE COVERS EP ON BROOKLYN VEGAN

'SHOW ME HOW YOU WANT IT TO BE' OUT TODAY
ON DANGERBIRD RECORDS

 CALIFORNIA SHOWS THIS MONTHLISTEN & SHARE: Slothrust - 'Show Me How You Want It To Be' EP
LISTEN & SHARE: Slothrust - "...Baby One More Time" (Britney Spears)
LISTEN & SHARE: Slothrust - "Sex And Candy" (Marcy Playground)
"The track comes storming in with that familiar note riff — not on piano as in the original, but on flaming guitars. That burn leads into a smoldering rendition that finds Leah Wellbaum practically crooning the lyrics like a brokenhearted and seductive lounge singer. This is not a song for an innocent school girl anymore, unless that school girl was into dark jeans and black lipstick."
- Consequence Of Sound (On "...Baby One More Time")

"Slothrust impressed us last year with their album Everyone Else...today, they’ve shared their rendition of Marcy Playground’s nonsensical 1997 hit “Sex And Candy,” turning it into a hard-charging, fuzzed-out rocker complete with a blistering classic-rock guitar solo."
- StereogumBrooklyn Vegan has shared Slothrust's new covers EP entitled 'Show Me How You Want It To Be'. Prior to the EP stream Consequence Of Sound shared the band's cover of Britney Spears "...Baby One More Time". Along with the new single, the site interviewed the band on ten things they love about Britney. Stereogum also premiered Slothrust's cover of Marcy Playground's hit single "Sex And Candy". 'Show Me How You Want It To Be' is out today on Dangerbird Records.

Slothrust toured North America this summer, including a performance at Lollapalooza.  The band's most recent album 'Everyone Else' is out now on Dangerbird Records and the band has released a wealth of visual material to accompany it. Music videos for "Pigpen", "Sleep Eater", "Horseshoe Crab", "Rotten Pumpkin" and "Like A Child Hiding Behind Your Tombstone", as well as live videos for "Rotten Pumpkin", "Horseshoe Crab", "Pigpen", and the Louis Armstrong classic "What a Wonderful World".  The band also just wrapped up a EU & UK tour with Manchester Orchestra, and have an upcoming California headline run:  

California Dates:
11/30/2017 San Francisco, CA @ Bottom of the Hill
12/01/2017 Los Angeles, CA @ The Echo
12/03/2017 Santa Ana, CA @ Constellation Room
12/09/2017 San Diego, CA @ Space