Alexander Laurence's Blog, page 1777
September 28, 2017
FIRST AID KIT RETURNS WITH NEW SINGLE “IT’S A SHAME”
FIRST AID KIT RETURNS WITH NEW SINGLE
“ IT’S A SHAME ”
U.S. TOUR DATES LAUNCH NEXT WEEK IN
SAN FRANCISCO, AUSTIN, LOS ANGELES, NEW YORK CITY
Swedish duo First Aid Kit—sisters Klara and Johanna Söderberg—have returned with their fantastic new single “It’s A Shame,” which premiered today as a First Play on Zane Lowe’s Beats 1 radio. Recorded in early 2017 and produced by Tucker Martine (My Morning Jacket, Laura Veirs) in Portland, OR, “It’s A Shame” is a plea to live in the moment, because everyone disposes of each other eventually.
Klara and Johanna explain: We went to Los Angeles last spring and spent five weeks there writing. It was a tough time for the both of us. We were in this beautiful sunny place, but mostly felt sad and lonely. "It's a Shame" is a song about the emptiness and desperation you feel after a relationship has come to an end. How you will go to great lengths just to numb the pain and feel less lonely.
To celebrate the release of “It’s A Shame,” First Aid Kit will return to the U.S. next week, with live performances scheduled in San Francisco, Los Angeles and New York, in addition to multiple performances in Austin as part of Austin City Limits Music Festival. See below for all dates.
“It’s A Shame” follows the band’s Columbia Records debut Stay Gold, a lush and ambitious 10-song collection that beautifully captures their vivid storytelling, landing First Aid Kit countless “Best of 2014” accolades. Earlier this spring, the duo also released a stand-alone single on International Women’s Day entitled “You Are The Problem Here.”
Hailing from a southern suburb of Stockholm, Klara and Johanna began composing songs as teenagers in 2007. The sisters released two studio albums with Wichita Records—The Big Black And The Blue in 2010 and The Lion’s Roar in 2012, featuring stand-out single “Emmylou,” which prompted Rolling Stone to name the song one of its “10 Best Singles of 2012,” saying “you may not hear a more beautifully sung record this year.”
Media assets available HERE.
FIRST AID KIT ON TOUR:
10/6 San Francisco, CA Hardly Strictly Bluegrass
10/8 Austin, TX Austin City Limits Music Festival
10/12 Los Angeles, CA Theatre at Ace Hotel w/ Van William
10/14 Austin, TX Stubbs (ACL Side Show w/ Jade Bird)
10/15 Austin, TX Austin City Limits Music Festival
10/18 New York, NY Town Hall w/ J.S. Ondara
FIRST AID KIT
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube
“ IT’S A SHAME ”
U.S. TOUR DATES LAUNCH NEXT WEEK IN
SAN FRANCISCO, AUSTIN, LOS ANGELES, NEW YORK CITY

Swedish duo First Aid Kit—sisters Klara and Johanna Söderberg—have returned with their fantastic new single “It’s A Shame,” which premiered today as a First Play on Zane Lowe’s Beats 1 radio. Recorded in early 2017 and produced by Tucker Martine (My Morning Jacket, Laura Veirs) in Portland, OR, “It’s A Shame” is a plea to live in the moment, because everyone disposes of each other eventually.
Klara and Johanna explain: We went to Los Angeles last spring and spent five weeks there writing. It was a tough time for the both of us. We were in this beautiful sunny place, but mostly felt sad and lonely. "It's a Shame" is a song about the emptiness and desperation you feel after a relationship has come to an end. How you will go to great lengths just to numb the pain and feel less lonely.
To celebrate the release of “It’s A Shame,” First Aid Kit will return to the U.S. next week, with live performances scheduled in San Francisco, Los Angeles and New York, in addition to multiple performances in Austin as part of Austin City Limits Music Festival. See below for all dates.
“It’s A Shame” follows the band’s Columbia Records debut Stay Gold, a lush and ambitious 10-song collection that beautifully captures their vivid storytelling, landing First Aid Kit countless “Best of 2014” accolades. Earlier this spring, the duo also released a stand-alone single on International Women’s Day entitled “You Are The Problem Here.”
Hailing from a southern suburb of Stockholm, Klara and Johanna began composing songs as teenagers in 2007. The sisters released two studio albums with Wichita Records—The Big Black And The Blue in 2010 and The Lion’s Roar in 2012, featuring stand-out single “Emmylou,” which prompted Rolling Stone to name the song one of its “10 Best Singles of 2012,” saying “you may not hear a more beautifully sung record this year.”
Media assets available HERE.
FIRST AID KIT ON TOUR:
10/6 San Francisco, CA Hardly Strictly Bluegrass
10/8 Austin, TX Austin City Limits Music Festival
10/12 Los Angeles, CA Theatre at Ace Hotel w/ Van William
10/14 Austin, TX Stubbs (ACL Side Show w/ Jade Bird)
10/15 Austin, TX Austin City Limits Music Festival
10/18 New York, NY Town Hall w/ J.S. Ondara
FIRST AID KIT
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube
Published on September 28, 2017 10:30
Banks Returns With "Underdog."


"UNDERDOG"
Download/Stream
With three back-to-back sold-out headlining shows in Los Angeles this week, a wildly popular North American headlining tour wrapping-up and European dates on the horizon (dates below), BANKS has unveiled an astonishing new track titled “Underdog,” which premiered this morning on Zane Lowe’s Beats1 radio show. Listen to her interview with Zane HERE.
Available worldwide from today (Harvest Records), “Underdog” continues to affirm BANKS as one of the most compelling American artists around. Always seeking new territories to explore, genres to bend and expectations to defy, BANKS is one of those rare artists who refuses to compromise art over expectations, and today has released a surprisingly upbeat track dedicated to the unassuming, the under-appreciated, the underdogs of the world. Listen to “Underdog” HERE .
Praised by COMPLEX this month, the magazine urged readers pay attention to BANKS as a true force in the pop world, applauding her talent for continually crossing “the ambiguous borders of pop and experimental electronic music” and her stage presence in a live arena, noting “the dramatic theatrics of flashing lights and fog set the mood for live shows where she performs some truly wild choreography flanked by two veiled dancers. It is truly a spectacle to behold.”
This year BANKS has wowed critics and crowds with her incredible new live-set that incorporates choreography, visuals and performance like she has never done before. Touted as one of the major highlights to perform at the likes Coachella, Lollapalooza, and Governor’s Ball, BANKS shows no signs of slowing down. “Underdog” proves to be an early indicator that the brilliant young artist is merely warming us up for what’s to come in 2018.
After her playing three sold-out shows at The Theatre at the Ace Hotel in Downtown Los Angeles this week, she heads to Europe for a string of fall dates, playing in the UK, Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, Italy, France and Spain. For a complete list of tour dates and more information, please visit
BANKS’ current album is “The Altar” is OUT NOW
Get “Underdog” NOW.

09/28 – The Theatre at the Ace Hotel – Los Angeles, CA
09/29 – The Theatre at the Ace Hotel – Los Angeles, CA
09/30 – The Theatre at the Ace Hotel – Los Angeles, CA
10/22 – Institute – Birmingham, England, UK
10/24 – The Academy – Manchester, England, UK
10/25 – Eventim Apollo – London, England, UK
10/27 – Rockhal – Esch-Sur-Alzette – Luxembourg
10/28 – Huxleys – Berlin, Germany
10/30 – E WERK – Cologne, Germany
10/31 – La Madeleine – Brussels, Belgium
11/02 – Docks – Hamburg, Germany
11/05 – Batschkapp – Frankfurt Am Main, Germany
11/07 – Backstage Werk – Munchen, Germany
11/08 – Kaufleuten – Zurich, Switzerland
11/10 – Estragon – Bologna, Italy
11/11 – Fabrique – Milan, Italy
11/13 – Olympia – Paris, France
11/15 – Apolo – Barcelona, Spain
11/16 – La Riviera – Madrid, SpainOFFICIAL WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | YOUTUBE/VEVO
Published on September 28, 2017 10:29
"BLACK SABBATH: The End of The End" One Night Only Screenings
"BLACK SABBATH: THE END OF THE END" ONE NIGHT ONLY TONIGHT IN CINEMAS WORLDWIDESEPTEMBER 28 2017 ALL ATTENDEES TO RECEIVE FREE DIGITAL EDITIONOF NEW ROCK MAGAZINE PLANET ROCK
FULL LIST OF THEATERS AND TICKETS AVAILABLE
HERE
"The End of The End" chronicles the final tour from the band that spawned the metal genre--BLACK SABBATH. On February, 4 2017,BLACK SABBATH stormed the stage in U.K. in their hometown of Birmingham, to play the 81st and final triumphant gig of "The End" tour. This monumental show brought down the curtain on a career that spanned almost half a century. For one night tonight(September 28 2017), over 1,500 theatres around the world will be showing a specially edited version of "Black Sabbath: The End Of The End." A full list of theaters and tickets can be found here. To celebrate the worldwide release of "The End of the End," all ticket holders will receive a free digital edition of new rock magazine Planet Rock on the night of the screening. Issue Threeof Planet Rock magazine salutes the greatest heavy metal band of all time, BLACK SABBATH, with a special collectors' cover, and an epic 16 page cover story. As the legendary Birmingham band revisit the beginning of their remarkable career with the release of The Ten Year War box set, and celebrate their final tour with new documentary "The End Of The End," guitarist Tony Iommi andPlanet Rock Editor-in-Chief Phil Alexander dig deep into Sabbath history. "The End of The End" brings fans the up close and personal story of the final, emotionally charged concert, as the band perform hits including "Iron Man," "Paranoid," "War Pigs" and many more. BLACK SABBATH are also seen in the studio, as they deliver unique and exclusive performances of some of their favorite songs not played on the tour, and catch an intimate glimpse into the band's world: the music, relationships and banter, alongside personal anecdotes. The film offers viewers the chance to witnessBLACK SABBATH's swansong. As OZZY says, "What a journey we've all had. It's fucking amazing." This is the final word from the greatest heavy metal band of all time. The sold-out performance marked the culmination of a global tour that saw the band play to over one and a half million fans. With their inception in 1968, BLACK SABBATH pioneered a sound that would form the basis of heavy metal, and to this day continues to influence bands the world over. View the official trailer here. The film will be distributed to cinemas worldwide by Trafalgar Releasing on September 28 and will include the historic final gig as well as unprecedented behind the scenes access to the band, filmed by director Dick Carruthers (Led Zeppelin: Celebration Day, Imagine Dragons: Smoke + Mirrors Live). "The End, Live In Birmingham" will be released in various formats later this year.

Published on September 28, 2017 10:22
this december, join sigur rós for norður og niður a festival on top of the world

a festival on top of the worldin icelandic, norður og niður means "north and down", but it’s also an invitation from sigur rós to enjoy their ambitious curation of harpa, reykjavík’s premiere state-of-the-art venue. this december 27-30, performances from the band’s friends, collaborators and heroes, fill the world’s most northerly capital city with music, dance, film, spoken word and art.MOGWAI (SCO)
JARVIS COCKER (UK)
KEVIN SHIELDS (IRE)
STARS OF THE LID (USA)
JÓHANN JÓHANNSSON (ISL)
DAN DEACON (USA)
ALEXIS TAYLOR (UK)
JULIANNA BARWICK (USA)
and many more...
on sale thursday september 28th
click here
tickets are available from tomorrow, thursday september 28th, at 10am icelandic time (gmt) / 11am uk time / 6am est - with a special introductory price of 17.990 isk (valid until monday october 2nd, or until the limited allocation is exhausted) from nordurognidur.is.

Published on September 28, 2017 08:41
LEVITATION Festival Returns To Austin, TX || April 26-29, 2018

LEVITATION FESTIVAL RETURNS TO DOWNTOWN AUSTIN, TX APRIL 26-29, 2018
Internationally renowned event returns to its Downtown Austin roots for year 10.

September 28, 2017 - Austin, TX - Levitation returns to its downtown roots for its 10th year. Levitation will be hosted in multiple venues across Austin's Red River Cultural District on April 26-29, 2018 including Stubb's, The Mohawk, Barracuda, Empire, Cheer Up Charlies and more. Levitation will also spread through the city's cafes, galleries and record stores with pop-up performances, art happenings, food events, and more. 2018 will utilize Austin's downtown venues that have helped cultivate the city's unique and legendary music scene - bringing a more intimate experience, with longer sets from headliners alongside all the conveniences of the city.
For the past 10 years, Levitation has attracted travelers from all over the world for its once-in-a-lifetime lineups, with programming spanning continents and decades. Over the years, this independent gathering has grown from a small word-of-mouth event to an internationally acclaimed, full weekend destination.
Through the years, Levitation helped spark a movement, inspiring the creation of Psych fests across the globe. Austin Psych Fest was renamed Levitation in honor of Austin's psychedelic rock pioneers The 13th Floor Elevators, who reunited and performed at the festival in 2015.
Levitation weekend kicks off this year with Ty Segall, Parquet Courts and A Giant Dog at Stubb's on Thursday, April 26, 2018. Tickets for the show are on sale now (here).
Levitation's full lineup and programming for the weekend will be announced Fall 2017. Stay tuned for the announce of the full lineup and follow the festival online for the latest news and updates via Levitation-Austin.com.
We can't wait to see you all again in 2018!
\\\\\\\\//////////////////\\\\\\\\
More on Levitation: Founded in 2008 (as Austin Psych Fest), Levitation has heavily grown from its flagship event in Austin. The independent group has curated Levitation events in France (the 5th annual Levitation France was earlier this September, with sold out crowds for headliners The Black Angels and Slowdive), Chicago and Vancouver, ongoing events in Austin and special events and showcases such as Mexico City's NRMAL, The Netherlands' Le Guess Who and a massive annual Levitation showcase at SXSW. Since 2010, The Reverberation Appreciation Society record label has released records by key bands in the psych scene like Night Beats, Holy Wave, Ringo Deathstarr and many more - with new releases on the horizon.
2016 was heralded by press and fans alike to be another landmark year for Levitation, until severe weather resulted in the cancellation of the Austin festival, resulting in large financial losses for the independent event, and the postponement of the 2017 festival in Austin. The group took a year to restructure, find a way to continue, and rethink the Austin event. Levitation returns in 2018 under new ownership and management, with a new format, while retaining the creative team and vision that launched the festival in 2008.
\\\\\\\\///////// Levitation-Austin.com Facebook Instagram Twitter
/////////\\\\\\\\
Published on September 28, 2017 08:39
SANCTUARY: Puerto Rico Benefit Night w/ Mr Twin Sister, CEP (Caroline Polachek), Juri Onuki + more // Oct 6 @ San Damiano Mission (NYC)
Mr Twin Sister
CEP (Caroline Polachek)
& Juri Onuki to perform for
Puerto Rico Benefit
(Brooklyn)
+
After party at MAGICK CITY w/ DJ sets by:
Andrew VanWyngarden (MGMT)
Noah Prebish & Brother Michael (Psymon Spine)
+ Rory O'Connor (Nitemoves)
BUY TICKETS
SANCTUARY is a benefit show dedicated to help the recovery of friends, families & communities in the Caribbean/Puerto Rico who are currently without power, water, and infrastructure.
~~~
Ticket proceeds will be donated to GlobalGiving in an effort to help friends, family members, and local communities affected by Hurricanes Irma & Maria in the Caribbean/Puerto Rico.Live performance by Mr Twin Sister , ambient sine wave set from CEP (Caroline Polachek), and dance choreography by Juri Onuki
w/ performers: Rebecca Warzer, Jessica Timlin, Jasmin Pasquill.
Doors 7:30pm // Show 8-10pm @ San Damiano Mission
(21 Nassau Ave)
*There will be wine, beer, & kombucha for sale // free food*
~~~
Ticket purchase includes entry to an
after party @ MAGICK CITY (37 Box Street)
DJ sets from: Andrew VanWyngarden (MGMT), Noah Prebish & Brother Michael (Psymon Spine). Rory O'Connor (Nitemoves).
From 11pm-4am, $15 at door
CEP (Caroline Polachek)
& Juri Onuki to perform for
Puerto Rico Benefit
(Brooklyn)
+
After party at MAGICK CITY w/ DJ sets by:
Andrew VanWyngarden (MGMT)
Noah Prebish & Brother Michael (Psymon Spine)
+ Rory O'Connor (Nitemoves)

~~~
Ticket proceeds will be donated to GlobalGiving in an effort to help friends, family members, and local communities affected by Hurricanes Irma & Maria in the Caribbean/Puerto Rico.Live performance by Mr Twin Sister , ambient sine wave set from CEP (Caroline Polachek), and dance choreography by Juri Onuki
w/ performers: Rebecca Warzer, Jessica Timlin, Jasmin Pasquill.
Doors 7:30pm // Show 8-10pm @ San Damiano Mission
(21 Nassau Ave)
*There will be wine, beer, & kombucha for sale // free food*
~~~
Ticket purchase includes entry to an
after party @ MAGICK CITY (37 Box Street)
DJ sets from: Andrew VanWyngarden (MGMT), Noah Prebish & Brother Michael (Psymon Spine). Rory O'Connor (Nitemoves).
From 11pm-4am, $15 at door
Published on September 28, 2017 08:22
Diane Coffee plays Long Beach on Saturday, new Polyvinyl 7" out now

Diane Coffee (aka Shaun Fleming) -- the "finest arbiters of retro rock realness" (BUST) -- just released "Poor Man Dan," one of two new singles from the PEEL 7" out October 20th, 2017 on Polyvinyl. It's the follow-up to 2015's acclaimed 'Everybody's A Good Dog' LP (Western Vinyl), which saw the Bloomington, IN-based musician make his debut on NPR Music's Tiny Desk Concert and Comedy Bang Bang, and earn praise from WXPN, Stereogum, Interview Magazine, Nerdist, and more.
Listen to "Poor Man Dan" here: https://youtu.be/3khOgkDt6tw
Diane Coffee's first new single in two years arrives after surprise dropping an orchestral live cover of Pink Floyd's "Eclipse" ( Dark Side of the Moon ) during the rare solar eclipse on August 21st: https://youtu.be/jQ3RgJiAX30
Revisit the Tiny Desk: http://www.npr.org/event/music/453159054/diane-coffee-tiny-desk-concert
Often described as "psychedelic Motown" and "R&B Through Bowie" (Village Voice), Shaun Fleming's music has caught the attention from the likes of Run the Jewels (which sampled Diane Coffee on "Crown"), to Pitchfork, SPIN, Uncut, Magnet, and more. Diane Coffee's debut LP My Friend Fish was called "a revelation" (NME) and "superb" (Q). Even before he released a note of music as Diane Coffee, Shaun Fleming had quite a portfolio of work -- as former Foxygen drummer, child actor, and semi-professional skateboarder.
The band is on tour now. Go here for more info: http://conta.cc/2fe3HA5
Published on September 28, 2017 08:06
September 27, 2017
The Pains of Being Pure at Heart @ Teragram Ballroom 9/27
Published on September 27, 2017 23:12
MADONNA LAUNCHES MDNA SKIN IN THE US AT BARNEYS NEW YORK
MADONNA LAUNCHES MDNA SKIN IN THE US AT BARNEYS NEW YORK


Madonna yesterday hosted a meet and greet at Barneys New York to celebrate the US launch of MDNA SKIN, applying product to select VIP fans and taking photos with customers. The line was co-developed by Madonna and MDNA SKIN's Japanese parent company MTG. Dr. Paul Jarrod Frank, Madonna's dermatologist of two years, is also on board as MDNA SKIN's brand consultant. The hero product, The Chrome Clay Mask, is comprised of clay that comes from Montecatini, Italy, where MDNA Skin was granted permission to use the city's thermal waters and fango clay. Every product in the range is formulated with M.T. PARCA, a proprietary ingredient derived from four natural springs in Montecatini. The restorative, mineral-rich water is the base for the line's products including a Face Wash, Face Serum, Eye Serum, Eye Masks and Rose Mist. Looking ahead, a Finishing Cream will join the lineup in the US in November, followed by a Reinvention Cream and an Onyx Black Beauty Roller next year.
http://www.madonna.com/




Published on September 27, 2017 17:20
Valerie June Launches 2018 'Astral Plane' Headline Tour - Upcoming Performances at Austin City Limits 2017
VALERIE JUNE LAUNCHES 2018 'ASTRAL PLANE' HEADLINE TOUR
UPCOMING PERFORMANCES AT AUSTIN CITY LIMITSOCTOBER 6th AND OCTOBER 13th, 2017

Memphis singer-songwriter Valerie June will set out on a 19-date headlining run in February 2018. Tickets for the 'Astral Plane Tour' go on sale on October 29th at 10am local time. The soft-seater tour will see June performing special rooms including a night at the Carnegie Hall Concert series in New York, the legendary Queen Elizabeth Theatre in Toronto, and a special collaboration with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra.Next month, June will bring her smoking stage presence to Austin City Limits. She will perform both weekends on Oct 6th and Oct 13th at 2:30pm on the Tito's Vodka Stage. "Watching her songs come to life on stage is like watching Dolly Parton, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, and David Bowie perform together through one woman," CMT recently asserted in a live review. This fall June will make appearances in Australia, Japan, Hawaii, and across the west coast of the US. Full tour dates below.
Jill Soloway, creator of hit TV show Transparent, included Valerie among Neil Young and Bob Dylan in a playlist curated for Paste Magazine. Hear 2 of June's tracks in the new season of Transparent streaming now via Amazon Prime.
June released a digital EP titled LIVE at KCRW on September 8, 2017. The genuine and candid session features 7 tracks and an interview. The sessions perfectly capture June's soulful energy with her full band performing raw stripped down versions of her unique compositions. Stream the live session via Spotify, Apple Music, andGooglePlay now.
June's full-length LP The Order of Time was released earlier this year to major critical acclaim. Listen to it here.
TOUR DATES (New Dates in Bold)
Sep 28 @ The Tivoli - Brisbane, AUSep 30 @ Caloundra Music Festival - Kings Beach, AUOct 1 @ Forum Theatre - Melbourne, AUOct 3 @ Enmore Theatre - Newtown, AUOct 6 @ Austin City Limits Festival - Austin, TXOct 13 @ Austin City Limits Festival - Austin, TXOct 20 @ Outpost in the Burbs - Montclair, NJNov 16 @ Blue Note - Tokyo, JAPANNov 27 @ Blue Note - Tokyo, JAPANNov 20 @ The Republik - Honolulu,HINov 30 @ California Center for the Arts - Escondido, CADec 1 @ The Regent Theatre - Los Angeles, CADec 2 @ The Fremont Theater - San Luis Obispo, CADec 3 @ Rio Theatre - Santa Cruz, CA
Dec 4 @ The Fillmore - San Francisco, CADec 5 @ Harlow's - Sacramento, CADec 7 @ The Showbox - Seattle, WADec 8 @ Aladdin Theater - Portland, ORDec 9 @ Aladdin Theater - Portland, ORDec 15 @ Levon Helm Studios - Woodstock, NY (SOLO)Feb 5 @ Langston Hughes Auditorium - New York, NY (*Carnegie HallNeighborhood Concert Series - solo show)Feb 6 @ Academy of Music Theatre - Northampton, MAFeb 7 @ Hart Theatre at The Egg - Albany, NYFeb 9 @ Gesu - Montreal, QCFeb 10 @ The 27 Club - Ottawa, ONFeb 11 @ Queen Elizabeth Theatre - Toronto, ONFeb 13 @ Majestic Theatre - Detroit, MIFeb 14 @ The Ladies Literary Club - Grand Rapids, MIFeb 15 @ Vic Theatre - Chicago, ILFeb 16 @ Pabst Theatre - Milwaukee, WIFeb 17 @ First Avenue - Minneapolis, MNFeb 19 @ The Englert Theatre - Iowa City, IAFeb 21 @ Memorial Hall - Cincinnati, OHFeb 22 @ Davidson Theatre - Columbus, OHFeb 23 @ Beachland Ballroom - Cleveland, OHFeb 24 @ Hangar Theatre - Ithaca, NYMar 22 @ Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall - Baltimore, MD (*Valerie June with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra)
More info on Valerie June: Valeriejune.com Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube Tumblr
Published on September 27, 2017 11:35