Alexander Laurence's Blog, page 1908
March 27, 2017
Phantom's New "Dance" Video Delivers Deep Dose Of Atmospheric Bliss
WATCH/SHARE “
DANCE
”
THE DEEPLY ATMOSPHERIC NEW VIDEO
FROM HELSINKI DARK ELECTRONIC DUO PHANTOM
OFF THE DEBUT LP MMXII
Out Now via Vild Music // Listen via Spotify
"Ghostly electro-pop" - NYLON
"Wonderfully dark electro-pop" - KALTBLUT Magazine
"Dance, a track that underpins their haunted electronic sound" - Clash
“A little bit of the Knife, a smattering of Björk...Thoroughly entranced” - Drowned In Sound
"Think the xx meets School of Seven Bells, with a dash of M83" - ELLE
“Twisted electronic goth” - The Line of Best Fit
Watch / Share “Dance” Music Video
Ft Finnish contemporary dance star Karolina Ginman
*** ELLE ‘Best New Song” Selection ("Dance") /// Read the NYLON Interview ***
Helsinki-based dark-electronic duo Phantom craft cinematic, jazz-influenced trip-hop and experimentalist electronica on the debut album MMXII out now via Vild Music.The album is a letter from aliens to earth, a reflection of the era, of a ten-thousand-year puberty of the human mind, featuring sparkling lead single “ Dance ”(ELLE Best New Track Selection) and the smokily elusive follow-up single “ Lost ”.
Fusing sonics and circuitry, the newlywed duo of poet and classically trained jazz vocalist Hanna Toivonen and tech-futurist sound designer Tommi Koskinen wrap jazz textures in technology. Drawing regular comparisons to Portishead, Morcheeba, & The Knife, the band remain committed to evolving technologies as part of their aural experimentalism. An upcoming Virtual Reality (VR) music video for “ Lost ” is also being created in partnership with Notch One (who have previously worked with Kanye West, Beyonce, Coldplay).
Cover art: Tekla Vály
Press Photo Credit: Andre Pozusis
Phantom: Website // Facebook // SoundCloud // Spotify
THE DEEPLY ATMOSPHERIC NEW VIDEO
FROM HELSINKI DARK ELECTRONIC DUO PHANTOM
OFF THE DEBUT LP MMXII
Out Now via Vild Music // Listen via Spotify
"Ghostly electro-pop" - NYLON
"Wonderfully dark electro-pop" - KALTBLUT Magazine
"Dance, a track that underpins their haunted electronic sound" - Clash
“A little bit of the Knife, a smattering of Björk...Thoroughly entranced” - Drowned In Sound
"Think the xx meets School of Seven Bells, with a dash of M83" - ELLE
“Twisted electronic goth” - The Line of Best Fit
Watch / Share “Dance” Music Video
Ft Finnish contemporary dance star Karolina Ginman
*** ELLE ‘Best New Song” Selection ("Dance") /// Read the NYLON Interview ***
Helsinki-based dark-electronic duo Phantom craft cinematic, jazz-influenced trip-hop and experimentalist electronica on the debut album MMXII out now via Vild Music.The album is a letter from aliens to earth, a reflection of the era, of a ten-thousand-year puberty of the human mind, featuring sparkling lead single “ Dance ”(ELLE Best New Track Selection) and the smokily elusive follow-up single “ Lost ”.
Fusing sonics and circuitry, the newlywed duo of poet and classically trained jazz vocalist Hanna Toivonen and tech-futurist sound designer Tommi Koskinen wrap jazz textures in technology. Drawing regular comparisons to Portishead, Morcheeba, & The Knife, the band remain committed to evolving technologies as part of their aural experimentalism. An upcoming Virtual Reality (VR) music video for “ Lost ” is also being created in partnership with Notch One (who have previously worked with Kanye West, Beyonce, Coldplay).
Cover art: Tekla Vály
Press Photo Credit: Andre Pozusis
Phantom: Website // Facebook // SoundCloud // Spotify
Max's Kansas City: 1976 & Beyond coming May 5th
Max's Kansas City: 1976 & Beyond coming to CD ad Vinyl on May 5th via Jungle Records The original Max's Kansas City 1976 pioneering punk club album, extended with an extra 30 tracks and historical notes
Max's Kansas City is the legendary New York City nightclub that became the focal point for the city's hip artistic community from the late 60's until the early 80's. In its initial period, it was famously often populated by Andy Warhol's Factory crowd, and played host to new artists such as the Velvet Underground, New York Dolls, the Stooges, Bruce Springsteen and countless others. It became a base for jet-setters, glam rockers and celebs, until the scene faded and it shut its doors at the end of 1974.
Reopened in 1975 under new management, Peter Crowley was hired as music director. The new young bands he booked helped spawn, in tandem with CBGBs, the New York City punk scene. In 1976 Peter compiled a studio album of acts associated with the club, Max's Kansas City 1976, to help promote the club. It featured the first released recordings of Suicide, The Fast and Warhol-era veteran Wayne County, whose title-track gave a roll-call of many of the famous acts who'd regularly performed there.
Now the original album is reissued as Max's Kansas City 1976 & Beyond , greatly extended to 40 tracks on a double-CD and a selection of 25 tracks on a double-LP. As well as the aforementioned Suicide, Fast and Wayne County, the new extended album features the New York Dolls, the Stillettos, the Offs, the Senders, Philip Rambow, VON LMO, Iggy Pop, Knots, Roland Alphonso, Cherry Vanilla, Nico, Joy Ryder, Johnny Thunders & the Heartbreakers and Sid Vicious amongst many others. It includes many previously unreleased tracks and rarities. Compiled by Peter Crowley, who also contributes notes detailing the history of the album. Writer, musician and Max's scenester Jimi LaLumia provides historical overview sleeve-notes along with biographies of the artists in a 20-page booklet.
Jimi LaLumia writes:
"Max's Kansas City 1976 as an expanded edition two record vinyl and double CD collection, celebrates the historic first compilation of recordings by bands that were making big noise in New York City, and, thanks to a hyper active UK music press, around the world in a pre internet, truly underground manner. Melody Maker, a British music weekly, was especially keen on the post Velvet Underground / New York Dolls / Alice Cooper / Iggy & The Stooges scene that was inspiring the most unusual creatures to want to be in bands.
The Max's album was my go to album for months; finally, tracks from Wayne County, Cherry Vanilla, and The Fast... Not to mention Suicide and Pere Ubu. I got introduced to Harry Toledo and the John Collins band: I won't go into all the details here, because I wrote extensive detailed liner notes for the Jungle Records UK re issue coming in May, with additional notes from Peter Crowley, which are worth the price of the album, not to mention all the added extra tracks, so I'll simply say that if you think you know everything about the late 70's downtown scene, some additional reading material and bonus tracks are headed your way."
This item can be pre-ordered via MVD Shop or on Amazon
Max's Kansas City is the legendary New York City nightclub that became the focal point for the city's hip artistic community from the late 60's until the early 80's. In its initial period, it was famously often populated by Andy Warhol's Factory crowd, and played host to new artists such as the Velvet Underground, New York Dolls, the Stooges, Bruce Springsteen and countless others. It became a base for jet-setters, glam rockers and celebs, until the scene faded and it shut its doors at the end of 1974.Reopened in 1975 under new management, Peter Crowley was hired as music director. The new young bands he booked helped spawn, in tandem with CBGBs, the New York City punk scene. In 1976 Peter compiled a studio album of acts associated with the club, Max's Kansas City 1976, to help promote the club. It featured the first released recordings of Suicide, The Fast and Warhol-era veteran Wayne County, whose title-track gave a roll-call of many of the famous acts who'd regularly performed there.
Now the original album is reissued as Max's Kansas City 1976 & Beyond , greatly extended to 40 tracks on a double-CD and a selection of 25 tracks on a double-LP. As well as the aforementioned Suicide, Fast and Wayne County, the new extended album features the New York Dolls, the Stillettos, the Offs, the Senders, Philip Rambow, VON LMO, Iggy Pop, Knots, Roland Alphonso, Cherry Vanilla, Nico, Joy Ryder, Johnny Thunders & the Heartbreakers and Sid Vicious amongst many others. It includes many previously unreleased tracks and rarities. Compiled by Peter Crowley, who also contributes notes detailing the history of the album. Writer, musician and Max's scenester Jimi LaLumia provides historical overview sleeve-notes along with biographies of the artists in a 20-page booklet.
Jimi LaLumia writes:
"Max's Kansas City 1976 as an expanded edition two record vinyl and double CD collection, celebrates the historic first compilation of recordings by bands that were making big noise in New York City, and, thanks to a hyper active UK music press, around the world in a pre internet, truly underground manner. Melody Maker, a British music weekly, was especially keen on the post Velvet Underground / New York Dolls / Alice Cooper / Iggy & The Stooges scene that was inspiring the most unusual creatures to want to be in bands.
The Max's album was my go to album for months; finally, tracks from Wayne County, Cherry Vanilla, and The Fast... Not to mention Suicide and Pere Ubu. I got introduced to Harry Toledo and the John Collins band: I won't go into all the details here, because I wrote extensive detailed liner notes for the Jungle Records UK re issue coming in May, with additional notes from Peter Crowley, which are worth the price of the album, not to mention all the added extra tracks, so I'll simply say that if you think you know everything about the late 70's downtown scene, some additional reading material and bonus tracks are headed your way."
This item can be pre-ordered via MVD Shop or on Amazon
New Book from John Prine
In his first official book, John curates a selection of his favorites songs, photographs and stories from his catalogue. THE BOOK INCLUDESOver 100 photographs from John Prine's personal collection Copies of hand-written lyrics showing how the songs evolved Features notes from John about the songs and photographsLyrics and guitar chords for over 60 classic John Prine songs Pre-Order Beyond Words Now - Free U.S. Shipping Thru 4/14
"He did a better job of holding up the mirror of art to the '60s and '70s than any of our official literary poets." - Ted Kooser, US Poet Laureate
"He just has a unique ability to haiku it - it's deceptively insightful. It's at once playing on words and imagery, but expressing something deeper in such a succinct way, in such an exceptional way." Bonnie Raitt
MATCHBOX TWENTY AND COUNTING CROWS JOIN FORCES FOR “A BRIEF HISTORY OF EVERYTHING TOUR 2017”
MATCHBOX TWENTY AND COUNTING CROWSJOIN FORCES FOR“A BRIEF HISTORY OF EVERYTHING TOUR 2017”
KICKING OFF JULY 12TH IN SPOKANE, WA
TICKET PRESALES BEGIN TUESDAY, MARCH 28TH
GENERAL ON-SALE STARTS FRIDAY, MARCH 31ST
Two of music’s most loved bands and biggest hit makers are joining up for an epic summer tour. Multi- platinum selling bands Matchbox Twenty and Counting Crows have announced “A Brief History of Everything Tour 2017”--presented by Live Nation. The tour will get underway July 12th at Spokane, WA’s Spokane Arena and then travel North America through early October.
Presale tickets and VIP packages for “A Brief History of Everything Tour 2017” will be available to members of both bands’ fan clubs beginning Tuesday, March 28th and to the general public starting Friday, March 31st. For complete details, please visitmatchboxtwenty.com and countingcrows.com.
“No matter what I will ever do, nothing feels like home as much as playing these songs with these guys and it never will, “says Matchbox Twenty lead singer-songwriter Rob Thomas. “And I can’t wait to spend another summer out there on the road with the Crows.” Thomas previously teamed with Counting Crows for a hugely successful 2016 summer co-headline tour.
“To be honest, we took a vote after last year and decided to spend every summer with Rob from now on,” says Counting Crows’ Adam Duritz. “Can. Not. Wait.”
This year celebrates the 20th anniversary of Matchbox Twenty and their breakthrough debut album “YOURSELF OR SOMEONE LIKE YOU,” currently certified 12x platinum by the RIAA for sales well in excess of 15 million worldwide. Fueled by such classic singles as “Real World,” “Back 2 Good” and the #1 smash hits “Push” and “3AM,” the album proved a worldwide sensation and instantly established Matchbox as global superstars. Since then Matchbox Twenty has achieved cumulative worldwide album sales over 30 million and earned multiple #1 singles including “Bent”, “Unwell” and “If You’re Gone” along with countless accolades including five GRAMMY® nominations, four American Music Award nods, and the 2004 People’s Choice Award for “Favorite Musical Group.” 2007’s “EXILE ON MAINSTREAM” yielded RIAA-certified Platinum and #1 single “How Far We’ve Come,” while the band’s most recent album “NORTH” exploded into the #1 position on the SoundScan/Billboard 200 upon its 2012 release – Matchbox Twenty’s first-ever chart-topper and #1 debut. Matchbox Twenty is: Rob Thomas, Paul Doucette, Kyle Cook, and Brian Yale.
Counting Crows – Adam Duritz (vocals), Jim Bogios (drums), David Bryson (guitar), Charlie Gillingham (keyboards), David Immergluck (guitar), Millard Powers (bass), and Dan Vickrey (guitar) – have sold more than 20 million albums worldwide after exploding onto the music scene with their multi-platinum breakout album “AUGUST AND EVERYTHING AFTER” in 1993. The band released their seventh studio album, “SOMEWHERE UNDER WONDERLAND,” in September 2014. Known for creating unique and innovative concerts, Counting Crows is recognized as one of the pre-eminent touring live rock bands.
MATCHBOX TWENTY & COUNTING CROWS“A BRIEF HISTORY OF EVERYTHING TOUR 2017” JULY 12 Spokane, WA Spokane Arena14 Edmonton, AB Rogers Place*16 Vancouver, BC Pepsi Live at Rogers Arena*18 Auburn, WA White River Amphitheatre19 Ridgefield, WA Sunlight Supply Amphitheatre21 Mountain View, CA Shoreline Amphitheatre22 Paso Robles, CA California Mid State Fair24 Murphys, CA Ironstone Amphitheatre26 Reno, NV Grand Theatre at Grand Sierra Resort28 Chula Vista, CA Mattress Firm Amphitheatre29 Las Vegas, NV Mandalay Bay Events Center31 Los Angeles, CA The Forum
AUGUST 2 Phoenix, AZ Ak-Chin Pavilion4 Albuquerque, NM Isleta Amphitheatre6 Oklahoma City, OK Zoo Amphitheatre7 Rogers, AR Walmart Arkansas Music Pavilion9 Pelham, AL Oak Mountain Amphitheatre12 Nashville, TN Bridgestone Arena13 Atlanta, GA Lakewood Amphitheatre15 Tampa, FL MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre16 West Palm Beach, FL Perfect Vodka Amphitheatre19 Jacksonville, FL Daily’s Place20 Charlotte, NC PNC Music Pavilion22 Raleigh, NC Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek23 Virginia Beach, VA Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater25 Saratoga Springs, NY Saratoga Performing Arts Center26 Camden, NJ BB&T Pavilion28 Hershey, PA Hersheypark Stadium29 Holmdel, NJ PNC Bank Arts Center31 Wantagh, NY Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater
SEPTEMBER 2 Hartford, CT The Xfinity Theatre3 Bristow, VA Jiffy Lube Live6 Toronto, ON Budweiser Stage*8 Boston, MA Xfinity Center9 Syracuse, NY Lakeview Amphitheater11 Darien Center, NY Darien Lake Amphitheater12 Pittsburgh, PA KeyBank Pavilion14 Mount Pleasant, MI Soaring Eagle Casino Resort16 Welch, MN Treasure Island Resort & Casino17 Chicago, IL Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre20 Cleveland, OH Blossom Music Center21 Cincinnati, OH Riverbend Music Center23 Detroit, MI DTE Energy Music Theatre24 Indianapolis, IN Klipsch Music Center26 St. Louis, MO Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre27 Kansas City, MO Starlight Theater30 Houston, TX Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
OCTOBER 1 Dallas, TX Irving Music Factory
KICKING OFF JULY 12TH IN SPOKANE, WA
TICKET PRESALES BEGIN TUESDAY, MARCH 28TH
GENERAL ON-SALE STARTS FRIDAY, MARCH 31ST
Two of music’s most loved bands and biggest hit makers are joining up for an epic summer tour. Multi- platinum selling bands Matchbox Twenty and Counting Crows have announced “A Brief History of Everything Tour 2017”--presented by Live Nation. The tour will get underway July 12th at Spokane, WA’s Spokane Arena and then travel North America through early October.Presale tickets and VIP packages for “A Brief History of Everything Tour 2017” will be available to members of both bands’ fan clubs beginning Tuesday, March 28th and to the general public starting Friday, March 31st. For complete details, please visitmatchboxtwenty.com and countingcrows.com.
“No matter what I will ever do, nothing feels like home as much as playing these songs with these guys and it never will, “says Matchbox Twenty lead singer-songwriter Rob Thomas. “And I can’t wait to spend another summer out there on the road with the Crows.” Thomas previously teamed with Counting Crows for a hugely successful 2016 summer co-headline tour.
“To be honest, we took a vote after last year and decided to spend every summer with Rob from now on,” says Counting Crows’ Adam Duritz. “Can. Not. Wait.”
This year celebrates the 20th anniversary of Matchbox Twenty and their breakthrough debut album “YOURSELF OR SOMEONE LIKE YOU,” currently certified 12x platinum by the RIAA for sales well in excess of 15 million worldwide. Fueled by such classic singles as “Real World,” “Back 2 Good” and the #1 smash hits “Push” and “3AM,” the album proved a worldwide sensation and instantly established Matchbox as global superstars. Since then Matchbox Twenty has achieved cumulative worldwide album sales over 30 million and earned multiple #1 singles including “Bent”, “Unwell” and “If You’re Gone” along with countless accolades including five GRAMMY® nominations, four American Music Award nods, and the 2004 People’s Choice Award for “Favorite Musical Group.” 2007’s “EXILE ON MAINSTREAM” yielded RIAA-certified Platinum and #1 single “How Far We’ve Come,” while the band’s most recent album “NORTH” exploded into the #1 position on the SoundScan/Billboard 200 upon its 2012 release – Matchbox Twenty’s first-ever chart-topper and #1 debut. Matchbox Twenty is: Rob Thomas, Paul Doucette, Kyle Cook, and Brian Yale.
Counting Crows – Adam Duritz (vocals), Jim Bogios (drums), David Bryson (guitar), Charlie Gillingham (keyboards), David Immergluck (guitar), Millard Powers (bass), and Dan Vickrey (guitar) – have sold more than 20 million albums worldwide after exploding onto the music scene with their multi-platinum breakout album “AUGUST AND EVERYTHING AFTER” in 1993. The band released their seventh studio album, “SOMEWHERE UNDER WONDERLAND,” in September 2014. Known for creating unique and innovative concerts, Counting Crows is recognized as one of the pre-eminent touring live rock bands.
MATCHBOX TWENTY & COUNTING CROWS“A BRIEF HISTORY OF EVERYTHING TOUR 2017” JULY 12 Spokane, WA Spokane Arena14 Edmonton, AB Rogers Place*16 Vancouver, BC Pepsi Live at Rogers Arena*18 Auburn, WA White River Amphitheatre19 Ridgefield, WA Sunlight Supply Amphitheatre21 Mountain View, CA Shoreline Amphitheatre22 Paso Robles, CA California Mid State Fair24 Murphys, CA Ironstone Amphitheatre26 Reno, NV Grand Theatre at Grand Sierra Resort28 Chula Vista, CA Mattress Firm Amphitheatre29 Las Vegas, NV Mandalay Bay Events Center31 Los Angeles, CA The Forum
AUGUST 2 Phoenix, AZ Ak-Chin Pavilion4 Albuquerque, NM Isleta Amphitheatre6 Oklahoma City, OK Zoo Amphitheatre7 Rogers, AR Walmart Arkansas Music Pavilion9 Pelham, AL Oak Mountain Amphitheatre12 Nashville, TN Bridgestone Arena13 Atlanta, GA Lakewood Amphitheatre15 Tampa, FL MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre16 West Palm Beach, FL Perfect Vodka Amphitheatre19 Jacksonville, FL Daily’s Place20 Charlotte, NC PNC Music Pavilion22 Raleigh, NC Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek23 Virginia Beach, VA Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater25 Saratoga Springs, NY Saratoga Performing Arts Center26 Camden, NJ BB&T Pavilion28 Hershey, PA Hersheypark Stadium29 Holmdel, NJ PNC Bank Arts Center31 Wantagh, NY Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater
SEPTEMBER 2 Hartford, CT The Xfinity Theatre3 Bristow, VA Jiffy Lube Live6 Toronto, ON Budweiser Stage*8 Boston, MA Xfinity Center9 Syracuse, NY Lakeview Amphitheater11 Darien Center, NY Darien Lake Amphitheater12 Pittsburgh, PA KeyBank Pavilion14 Mount Pleasant, MI Soaring Eagle Casino Resort16 Welch, MN Treasure Island Resort & Casino17 Chicago, IL Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre20 Cleveland, OH Blossom Music Center21 Cincinnati, OH Riverbend Music Center23 Detroit, MI DTE Energy Music Theatre24 Indianapolis, IN Klipsch Music Center26 St. Louis, MO Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre27 Kansas City, MO Starlight Theater30 Houston, TX Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
OCTOBER 1 Dallas, TX Irving Music Factory
Chaz Bundick Meets The Mattson 2 Stream "Star Stuff" Album, Out This Friday
CHAZ BUNDICK MEETS THE MATTSON 2 -
STAR STUFF
STREAM THE FULL ALBUM NOW
OUT THIS FRIDAY ON COMPANY RECORDS
ON TOUR THIS SPRING
STREAM / SHARE: STAR STUFF
Star Stuff, Chaz Bundick of Toro Y Moi's collaborative album with the psych-jazz duo The Mattson 2, is out this Friday on Company Records and streaming in advance today via Hype Machine. The record has been praised as "hypnotic" by Pitchfork and "neo-psychedelic" and "cosmic" by The Fader, and HypeMachine calls it "a sprawling record of retro revivalism. The trio channel the improvisatory work of Sun Ra and Miles Davis, stretching warm, analog instrumentals skyward."
Tickets to Chaz Bundick Meets The Mattson 2's spring tour are selling out fast; catch them at:
Chaz Bundick Meets The Mattson 2 Spring 2017 Tour* w/ Madeline Kenney4/12: New Brookland Tavern - West Columbia, SC*4/13: Duke Coffeehouse - Durham, NC*4/14: U Street Music Hall - Washington, DC*4/15: Johnny Brenda's - Philadelphia, PA* SOLD OUT4/16: Bowery Ballroom - New York, NY*4/18: Once Ballroom - Somerville, MA*4/19: Bar Le Ritz PDB - Montreal, QC*4/20: Canadian Music Week - Toronto, ON4/21: The Loving Touch - Ferndale, MI*4/22: Empty Bottle - Chicago, IL* SOLD OUT4/23: Triple Rock Social Club - Minneapolis, MN*
More praise for Chaz Bundick Meets The Mattson 2: "A bluesy piece of psych-jazz, laid back and mellow like that feeling one gets after returning home from a long, joyful trip." - Consequence of Sound (on "JBS")
"One of those rare psych songs that can pull off the orchestral additions without coming across as over-indulgent; rather, the cinematic flourishes are an extension of his band's rudimental potency." - Fact (on "Star Stuff")
"Somewhere between a George Benson and an Al Green, Bundick's voice comes in with a hushed, wide-eyed presence, gently breaking through the mix with clarity before diving back into a knotted mess of runny solos." - Spin
"Seriously groovy." - Stereogum
BIO:
Given the state of modern music and its fabricated pop icons, what Chaz Bundick Meets The Mattson 2 achieves is a collective music victory in a new era of progressive soundscapes. World-renowned composer/producer extraordinaire Chaz Bundick (Toro Y Moi, Les Sins) has teamed up with the psychedelic-jazz grooves of The Mattson 2 for an album that unifies a trio's creativity into a refreshing project of unhinged sonic originality.
Oddly enough, this collaboration may not have happened if The Mattson 2 hadn't forgotten a drum throne at an Oakland performance in 2014. The twin's longtime friend and photographer, Andrew Paynter, came to the rescue and called his friend Chaz to ask about borrowing the throne. Jonathan, the Mattson drummer (who'd also never met Chaz), accompanied Andrew to Chaz's home in Berkeley where they were greeted by Chaz with a warm smile, a drum stool in hand, and Michael, Chaz's dog (which his Les Sins record Michael is named after).
The next day Andrew and the twins met Chaz at a cafe in Berkeley to return the gear. Over coffee they waxed about music, design, furniture, and skateboarding. After a series of hangs with Chaz in the Bay Area, the crew decided to join forces and schedule studio time for their newfound trio. And the rest, as they say, is intergalactic, mega-creative history.
In February of 2016 the relationship was officially christened the night they finished tracking their new record. And to tie the knot with flare, they scheduled a secret show at the Battery and a historical public show at the Starline Social Club in Oakland, where the trio performed all new music from the project for the first time live.
The group and the album, Chaz Bundick Meets Mattson 2, explores psychedelic, jazz, and improvisatory influences ranging from Afrofuturistic Sun Ra, to electric Miles Davis, to groove-fueled Serge Gainsbourg and The Zombies. Grounding the album are break-beats, synthesizers, acoustic strums, and guitar fuzz reminiscent of David Axelrod and Arthur Verocai. With cosmic structures, timeless influences, rich harmonies, and melodic interplays, the trio brings an intergalactic edge to both their live shows and an album worthy of repeated visits.
mattson2.comfacebook.com/themattson2@themattson2companyrecordlabel.com
STREAM THE FULL ALBUM NOW
OUT THIS FRIDAY ON COMPANY RECORDS
ON TOUR THIS SPRING
STREAM / SHARE: STAR STUFF
Star Stuff, Chaz Bundick of Toro Y Moi's collaborative album with the psych-jazz duo The Mattson 2, is out this Friday on Company Records and streaming in advance today via Hype Machine. The record has been praised as "hypnotic" by Pitchfork and "neo-psychedelic" and "cosmic" by The Fader, and HypeMachine calls it "a sprawling record of retro revivalism. The trio channel the improvisatory work of Sun Ra and Miles Davis, stretching warm, analog instrumentals skyward."
Tickets to Chaz Bundick Meets The Mattson 2's spring tour are selling out fast; catch them at:
Chaz Bundick Meets The Mattson 2 Spring 2017 Tour* w/ Madeline Kenney4/12: New Brookland Tavern - West Columbia, SC*4/13: Duke Coffeehouse - Durham, NC*4/14: U Street Music Hall - Washington, DC*4/15: Johnny Brenda's - Philadelphia, PA* SOLD OUT4/16: Bowery Ballroom - New York, NY*4/18: Once Ballroom - Somerville, MA*4/19: Bar Le Ritz PDB - Montreal, QC*4/20: Canadian Music Week - Toronto, ON4/21: The Loving Touch - Ferndale, MI*4/22: Empty Bottle - Chicago, IL* SOLD OUT4/23: Triple Rock Social Club - Minneapolis, MN*
More praise for Chaz Bundick Meets The Mattson 2: "A bluesy piece of psych-jazz, laid back and mellow like that feeling one gets after returning home from a long, joyful trip." - Consequence of Sound (on "JBS")
"One of those rare psych songs that can pull off the orchestral additions without coming across as over-indulgent; rather, the cinematic flourishes are an extension of his band's rudimental potency." - Fact (on "Star Stuff")
"Somewhere between a George Benson and an Al Green, Bundick's voice comes in with a hushed, wide-eyed presence, gently breaking through the mix with clarity before diving back into a knotted mess of runny solos." - Spin
"Seriously groovy." - Stereogum
BIO:
Given the state of modern music and its fabricated pop icons, what Chaz Bundick Meets The Mattson 2 achieves is a collective music victory in a new era of progressive soundscapes. World-renowned composer/producer extraordinaire Chaz Bundick (Toro Y Moi, Les Sins) has teamed up with the psychedelic-jazz grooves of The Mattson 2 for an album that unifies a trio's creativity into a refreshing project of unhinged sonic originality.
Oddly enough, this collaboration may not have happened if The Mattson 2 hadn't forgotten a drum throne at an Oakland performance in 2014. The twin's longtime friend and photographer, Andrew Paynter, came to the rescue and called his friend Chaz to ask about borrowing the throne. Jonathan, the Mattson drummer (who'd also never met Chaz), accompanied Andrew to Chaz's home in Berkeley where they were greeted by Chaz with a warm smile, a drum stool in hand, and Michael, Chaz's dog (which his Les Sins record Michael is named after).
The next day Andrew and the twins met Chaz at a cafe in Berkeley to return the gear. Over coffee they waxed about music, design, furniture, and skateboarding. After a series of hangs with Chaz in the Bay Area, the crew decided to join forces and schedule studio time for their newfound trio. And the rest, as they say, is intergalactic, mega-creative history.
In February of 2016 the relationship was officially christened the night they finished tracking their new record. And to tie the knot with flare, they scheduled a secret show at the Battery and a historical public show at the Starline Social Club in Oakland, where the trio performed all new music from the project for the first time live.
The group and the album, Chaz Bundick Meets Mattson 2, explores psychedelic, jazz, and improvisatory influences ranging from Afrofuturistic Sun Ra, to electric Miles Davis, to groove-fueled Serge Gainsbourg and The Zombies. Grounding the album are break-beats, synthesizers, acoustic strums, and guitar fuzz reminiscent of David Axelrod and Arthur Verocai. With cosmic structures, timeless influences, rich harmonies, and melodic interplays, the trio brings an intergalactic edge to both their live shows and an album worthy of repeated visits.
mattson2.comfacebook.com/themattson2@themattson2companyrecordlabel.com
Hovvdy release "Problem" video, share tour dates with Pinegrove
HOVVDY RELEASE "PROBLEM" VIDEO
SHARE TOUR DATES WITH PINEGROVE
TASTER REISSUE OUT 4/28 VIA DOUBLE DOUBLE WHAMMY
Photo Credit: Bronwyn Walls
Austin, TX's Hovvdy have released a video for "Problem," a cut from their debut, Taster, which is being reissued by Double Double Whammy on April 28th. The FADER , who premiered the video, are saying " the song's reverb-heavy chords provide a fitting soundtrack for the atmospheric haze" of the song. Taster is available for pre-order now.
Hovvdy have also announced an east coast tour that includes dates with Pinegrove and Fog Lake. All dates below.
WATCH THE "PROBLEM" VIDEO
TOUR DATES:4/14 - Austin, TX @ Hotel Vegas4/15 - Dallas, TX @ Good Records (Afternoon)4/15 - Dallas, TX @ Snail Shack4/16 - Denton, TX @ Yellow Sub4/18 - Oxford, MS @ Rose Room4/19 - St Louis, MO @ The Nest4/20 - Bloomington, IN @ Uel Zing4/21 - Chicago, IL @ Metro4/22 - Grand Rapids, MI @ Witch House4/23 - Toronto, ON @ Smiling Buddha ^4/24 - Montreal, QC @ Bar Le Ritz ^4/25 - Annandale-On-Hudson, NY @ The Root Cellar (Bard College)4/26 - Boston, MA @ The Sinclair *4/27 - New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom *4/28 - Philadelphia, PA @ First Unitarian Church *4/29 - Washington, DC @ Rock & Roll Hotel *4/30 - Brooklyn, NY @ Music Hall of Williamsburg *5/1 - Richmond, VA @ Underground Orchard5/2 - Atlanta, GA @ Murmur
* w/ Pinegrove^ Fog Lake
SHARE TOUR DATES WITH PINEGROVE
TASTER REISSUE OUT 4/28 VIA DOUBLE DOUBLE WHAMMY
Photo Credit: Bronwyn WallsAustin, TX's Hovvdy have released a video for "Problem," a cut from their debut, Taster, which is being reissued by Double Double Whammy on April 28th. The FADER , who premiered the video, are saying " the song's reverb-heavy chords provide a fitting soundtrack for the atmospheric haze" of the song. Taster is available for pre-order now.
Hovvdy have also announced an east coast tour that includes dates with Pinegrove and Fog Lake. All dates below.
WATCH THE "PROBLEM" VIDEO
TOUR DATES:4/14 - Austin, TX @ Hotel Vegas4/15 - Dallas, TX @ Good Records (Afternoon)4/15 - Dallas, TX @ Snail Shack4/16 - Denton, TX @ Yellow Sub4/18 - Oxford, MS @ Rose Room4/19 - St Louis, MO @ The Nest4/20 - Bloomington, IN @ Uel Zing4/21 - Chicago, IL @ Metro4/22 - Grand Rapids, MI @ Witch House4/23 - Toronto, ON @ Smiling Buddha ^4/24 - Montreal, QC @ Bar Le Ritz ^4/25 - Annandale-On-Hudson, NY @ The Root Cellar (Bard College)4/26 - Boston, MA @ The Sinclair *4/27 - New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom *4/28 - Philadelphia, PA @ First Unitarian Church *4/29 - Washington, DC @ Rock & Roll Hotel *4/30 - Brooklyn, NY @ Music Hall of Williamsburg *5/1 - Richmond, VA @ Underground Orchard5/2 - Atlanta, GA @ Murmur
* w/ Pinegrove^ Fog Lake
March 25, 2017
FOXYGEN the tour continues 2017
"Upon A Hill" is an excerpt from our new musical experience, ‘Hang’. It features a performance by Sam, shot on 16mm film by the director Alessandra Lichtenfeld. The rest of the cast is made up of the circuit-bent nightmare babydoll creations of Yuliya Lanina.Experience 'Hang' live when our North American tour begins later this month!
Full dates and tickets below...
3/26 Philadelphia, PA - Union Transfer3/28 Toronto, ON - Opera House3/30 Columbus, OH - Newport Music Hall3/31 Chicago, IL - Vic Theatre4/1 Madison, WI - Majestic Theatre4/2 Minneapolis, MN - First Avenue4/4 Denver, CO - Gothic Theatre4/5 Salt Lake City, UT - The State Room4/7 San Francisco, CA - The Independent4/8 Los Angeles, CA - Fonda Theatre4/9 Santa Ana, CA - When We Were Young Festival4/11 Phoenix, AZ - Crescent Ballroom4/13 Dallas, TX - Trees4/14 Austin, TX - The Mohawk4/15 Houston, TX - White Oak Music Hall4/17 New Orleans, LA - One Eyed Jacks4/18 Atlanta, GA - Terminal West4/19 Asheville, NC - The Orange Peel4/20 Carrboro, NC - Cat's Cradle5/23 Boise, ID - Knitting Factory Concert House5/24 Portland, OR - Wonder Ballroom5/25 Vancouver, BC - Rickshaw Theatre5/26 George, WA - Sasquatch! Festival6/3 Wichita, KS - Wichita River Fest7/14 - 7/16 Louisville, KY - Forecastle Festival7/28 New York, NY - Panorama Festival8/2 Milwaukee, WI Turner Hall8/4 - 8/6 Montreal, QC - Osheaga Festival8/4 - 8/5 St. Charles, IA - Hinterland Music FestivalTickets, and new album 'Hang' here... http://bit.ly/2fkUZPR
RADIOHEAD CONFIRM DUDU TASSA & THE KUWAITIS AS U.S. SUPPORT
RADIOHEADCONFIRM DUDU TASSA & THE KUWAITIS AS U.S. SUPPORTRadiohead has confirmed Dudu Tassa & the Kuwaitis as support on all of the band’s forthcoming US headline dates, which begin March 30 in Miami. Dudu Tassa & the Kuwaitis are a cross-cultural joint Jewish-Arabic project that revives the music of the Al-Kuwaiti Brothers–composers of some of the most popular Iraqi songs from the early 20th century. Further information and music can be found at https://www.reverbnation.com/dudutassathekuwaitis.Radiohead’s Jonny Greenwood previously collaborated with Dudu Tassa on the latter’s track “Eize Yom” in 2009.As previously announced, Radiohead’s U.S dates are as follows:MarchThu 30 – American Airlines Arena, Miami, FL (SOLD OUT)AprilSat 1 – Philips Arena, Atlanta, GA (SOLD OUT)
Mon 3 -Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, LA (SOLD OUT)
Wed 5 – Sprint Center, Kansas City, MO (SOLD OUT)
Sat 8 – Key Arena, Seattle, WA (SOLD OUT)
Sun 9 – Moda Center, Portland, OR (SOLD OUT)
Tue 11 – Santa Barbara Bowl, Santa Barbara, CA (SOLD OUT)
Fri 14 – Coachella, Indio, CA (SOLD OUT)
Mon 17 – Greek Theatre, Berkeley, CA (SOLD OUT)
Tue 18 – Greek Theatre, Berkeley, CA (SOLD OUT)
Fri 21 – Coachella, Indio, CA (SOLD OUT)In addition to the U.S. tour, Radiohead will also be supported by Dudu Tassa & the Kuwaitis in the latter’s home country of Israel, at Hayarkon Park in Tel Aviv on July 19th.
WIRE DRILL : LA March 30 - April 2
Stream: “Short Elevated Period” via NPR or Soundcloud
Musical pioneers WIRE will release their 15th studio album Silver/Lead on March 31, the eve of their 40th anniversary. However this is an album with its sights firmly set on the future. On April 1, 2017, the anniversary of the band’s first gig as the “classic 4 piece” at the Roxy Club. London, WIRE will be giving a headline performance at the Los Angeles edition of the band’s boutique city festival DRILL : LA, a unique festival to mark “40 years of not looking back.”
DRILL : LA
March 30 - April 2 at the Echo & Echoplex, Los Angeles, CA
WIREBob Mould * Julia Holter * Mild High Club, * Laetitia Sadier FITTED (Bob Lee, Graham Lewis, Matthew Simms, Mike Watt)Part Time Punks * HowardAmb, * Once and Future Band * Chasms * Noveller * Immersion * SLOWS+ the pinkflag guitar orchestra
More Special Guests To Be Announced Soon
Since 2013, WIRE have been curating a series of international city festivals with the name DRILL. The idea being to bring together the best overview of both classic left field artists and new and emerging cutting edge talent.
There will be several more DRILL : FESTIVALS taking place this spring, each featuring unique line ups. Details of the festivals will be announced shortly.
Updated info can be found at www.drillfestival.com
POPTONE Live 2017 west coast tour
MORE POPTONES Dates:April 20: Swing House Studios, Los Angeles, CA (sold out)
April 21: Swing House Studios, Los Angeles, CA (sold out)May 11: The Marquee, Tempe, AZMay 12: Brooklyn Bowl, Las Vegas, NV
May 15: House of Blues, Anaheim, CAMay 17: House of Blues, San Diego, CA
May 19th: Teragram, LA, CA
May 20th: Glasshouse, Pomona, CAMay 30: Rio Theatre, Santa Cruz, CAMay 31: Strummer’s, Fresno, CAJune 2: Neptune, Theatre, Seattle, WAJune 3: Wonder Ballroom, Portland, OR
June 4th: Rickshaw, Vancouver, BCJune 6: Ace of Spades, Sacramento, CA
June 7: Regency Ballroom, San Francisco, CA
