Alexander Laurence's Blog, page 2061

Guy Blakeslee Brings ENTRANCE Back – Promises EP due 9/16 via New Deal w/ Thrill Jockey

ENTRANCE Lives – Guy Blakeslee Brings ENTRANCE Back via a new Deal with Thrill Jockey – Set to Release Promises EP September 16th with Full-Length Studio Album Due Early 2017 Click the here or the photo above to listen to the radio edit of "Promises"
July 11, 2016 — Guy Blakeslee has resurrected his pioneering solo project ENTRANCEand thanks to a newly minted deal with Thrill Jockey will be releasing a four-song EP –  Promises  on September 16th with a full-length ENTRANCE studio album to follow in early 2017.

Promises is a record about "the interplay and conflict between inwardness and outwardness," says Blakeslee, who underwent a rigorous daily practice of "automatic writing" — waking up and immediately documenting the thoughts running through his head — while working on this new material.   Blakeslee's newest creations are rich, cinematic songs that feature expansive orchestration and imaginative storytelling, putting the main focus on Blakeslee's voice, his words and the feelings they evoke.

Among his fans, Blakeslee counts the likes of Spike Jonze, who featured ENTRANCE's interpretation of Skip James’ “I'm So Glad” in his acclaimed 2013 film  Her .  In 2011 Animal Collective chose Blakeslee to play the All Tomorrow’s Parties they curated and he’s joined Father John Misty, Cat Power,  Spiritualized and Warpaint on the road.

Throughout Blakeslee’s nearly 20 year career as a musician and recording artist he has always been a seeker, exploring a wide range of emotions and states of consciousness;  Promises  sees him discovering a fresh confidence and serves as a bold declaration of a strong new chapter in the story of ENTRANCE.

Blakeslee produced the Promises EP and enlisted LA artist Amanda Charchian to create the cover art.  The four-song set was mixed by David Vandervelde at New Monkey Studios in Van Nuys, CA and mastered at the Mastering Palace in NYC by Sarah Register (Future Islands, The Shins, Moby). PROMISES
1. Promises
2. Answer Within
3. Waking Up
4. Make Believe

Click on cover art to hear the radio edit of “Promises” now on YouTube!

KELSEY LU Releases New Video for 'EMPATHY' - HEADLINE SHOW at THE WAITING ROOM TONIGHT

KELSEY LU RELEASES NEW VIDEO FOR 'EMPATHY'Photo Credit:  Laura Coulson
KELSEY LU'S CHURCH OUT NOW ON TRUE PANTHER SOUNDSWATCH HERE
Church , the debut EP from rising artist and multi-instrumentalist Kelsey Lu, is out now via True Panther Sounds. Get it on iTunes here.
To celebrate the release, Kelsey Lu releases a brand new video for "Empathy". The EP's title comes from its unique recording process—Kelsey Lu recorded live in a single take at the Holy Family Roman Catholic Church in Greenpoint, Brooklyn with her cello, her voice and her loop pedal.
Kelsey Lu recently played a very special Church show June 16 at Holy Family Roman Catholic Church in Brooklyn, where the EP was recorded; opened for Florence + the Machine and Grimes on two nights at Brooklyn's Barclays Center; and played alongside Florence + the Machine, Kendrick Lamar, Kamasi Washington and Jamie xx at London's Hyde Park.
Born in Charlotte, North Carolina, Kelsey Lu left home at 18 to study cello. Now based in New York, she has collaborated with, and contributed to albums from, many of her peers including Blood Orange, Kelela, Wet and Organized Noize.

KELSEY LU LIVEJuly 11                                                       London, U.K.                                           Waiting RoomAugust 31                                                Los Angeles, CA                                    The Troubadour**with Inc.

The OC Fair Opens Friday Featuring Performances by Styx and BOSTON

The OC Fair Opens Friday Featuring Performances by
Styx and BOSTON, OC Brew Hee Haw Craft Beer Round-up
plus Motorcycle Events
Featuring 23 Days of Nightly Entertainment, Delicious Eats, Carnival Rides and
All Things OC Fair July 15-August 14

Costa Mesa, Calif. (July 11, 2016) – The 2016 OC Fair wants to see your thrilled, happy and excited Fair faces as part of this year’s theme, “Get Your Fair Face On!” The fun starts Friday, July 15, and lasts through Sunday, August 14 (Wednesday-Sunday). The 23-day event is packed with fun for the whole family including nightly entertainment, unique food, carnival rides and more. Visit ocfair.com for the full list of events. The Fair is closed Monday and Tuesday.Fairgoers can kick off the festivities Friday, July 15 with Free Opening Hour promotion offering a full hour of free admission and parking from Noon – 1 p.m. Opening weekend also features the 3rd Annual OC Brew Hee Haw, a three-day craft beer round-up where guests can enjoy beer tastings, demonstrations and exhibits.Other events for the opening weekend of the 2016 OC Fair (July 15-17) include:Friday, July 15 (Open Noon-Midnight)Styx in the Pacific Amphitheatre (8:15 p.m.)Queen Nation – A Tribute to the Music of Queen in The Hangar (8:30 p.m.)X-Treme Freestyle Moto-X in the Action Sports Arena (7:30 p.m.)Brew Hee Haw Craft Beer Festival (7-10 p.m.)OC Fair Express: Receive a coupon for $3 general admission when using a special route directly to the Fair from 9 different OCTA transit locations ($2 for one-way and $4 for round-trip) Noon - Midnight. Visit ocfairexpress.com for transit locations and times.Saturday, July 16 (Open 10 a.m.-Midnight)BOSTON in the Pacific Amphitheatre (8:15 p.m.)Dead Man’s Party – The Oingo Boingo Tribute in The Hangar (8:30 p.m.)42nd Annual Speedway Fair Derby in the Action Sports Arena (7:30 p.m.)Brew Hee Haw Craft Beer Round-up (1-4 p.m. & 7-10 p.m.)Rise & Shine: $3 general admission (10-11 a.m.)Free Parking & Shuttle Service from the Experian parking structure located off Anton Blvd. off the Bristol St. exit of the northbound 405 freeway. 10 a.m.-1 a.m.OC Fair Express: Receive a coupon for $3 general admission when using a special route directly to the Fair from 9 different OCTA transit locations ($2 for one-way and $4 for round-trip). 10 a.m. - Midnight. Visit ocfairexpress.com for transit locations and times.Sunday, July 17 (Open 10 a.m.-Midnight)The Psychedelic Furs / The Church / The Fixx / DJ Richard Blade in the Pacific Amphitheatre (7 p.m.)Ozomatli in The Hangar (8:30 p.m.)SummerFist 9 – Mixed Martial Arts in the Action Sports Arena (6 p.m.) Brew Hee Haw Craft Beer Round-up (2-5 p.m.)Rise & Shine: $3 general admission (10-11 a.m.)Free Parking & Shuttle Service from the Experian parking structure located off Anton Blvd. off the Bristol St. exit of the northbound 405 freeway. 10 a.m.-1 a.m.OC Fair Express: Receive a coupon for $3 general admission when using a special route directly to the Fair from 9 different OCTA transit locations ($2 for one-way and $4 for round-trip). 10 a.m. – Midnight. Visit ocfairexpress.com for transit locations and times.Throughout the 2016 OC Fair (July 15-August 14), Fairgoers can also enjoy:“Show Us Your Fair Face!” A multi-media presentation shown nightly at The Hangar featuring a fun five-minute video topped off with a pyrotechnics finale. Fairgoers can participate in this exciting interactive mosaic by submitting a photo of their “Fair Face” at ocfair.com/ocfairface or by using #ocfairface hashtag in social media.Military Get in Free: Free admission every day for active U.S. military and veterans with appropriate I.D and may purchase up to 6 general admission tickets for half off.Children 5 & under: Free admission every day for the littlest Fairgoers ages 5 and younger.Read & Ride Program: Children (ages 5-11) who read at least two books and submit a completed OC Fair Read & Ride Book Report Form (available online at ocfair.com/readandride) will receive three free carnival rides.Free Exhibits and Events: Free community entertainment all day, culinary displays in the OC Promenade, Peking Acrobats and Comedy Hypnotist Mark Yuzuik nightly at Heritage Stage, Russell Brothers Family Fun Circus, Dragon Knights, All-Alaskan Racing Pigs, nightly Karaoke Rockstarz, educational exhibits and contests, Explorium: Destination Kids, garden exhibits in the Centennial Farm and more.

Negative Gemini Shares "Nu Hope" via THUMP

NEGATIVE GEMINI SHARES "NU HOPE" VIA THUMP

SOPHOMORE LP 'BODY WORK' - OUT AUGUST 12th
ON 100% ELECTRONICA

300 BLACK VINYL AVAILABLE NOW FOR PREORDER Negative Gemini has shared her latest track "Nu Hope," from her upcoming album  Body Work . It's one of the first tracks Negative Gemini has released sans vocals, showcasing her style and talent as a producer. The club-oriented track features soft, ethereal synths, with an entrancing focus on the deep bassline. French says of the track, "I wanted the sound to envelop the listener and to suggest a floating sensation."   Body Work  will be out August 12th on  100% Electronica . The Album will be available digitally on the date of release, but 300 vinyl copies are available now for  preorder .LISTEN & SHARE: Negative Gemini - "Nu Hope"

"ethereal synths and some seriously deep basslines" - THUMP

LISTEN & SHARE: Negative Gemini - "Don't Worry Bout The Fuck I'm Doing""'Don't Worry Bout The Fuck I'm Doing' is sonically consistent with her futuristic take on electronic pop. Her voice rides the hypnotic beat, but her charged lyrics take front stage" - The FADER

"When French lets loose emotionally, as on ‘You Never Knew’ or last year’s stunning ‘Forget Your Future’, it’s crushing. The shitheads here though only warrant the calm instruction of the title and with it French shows off another facet to her increasingly exciting work." - FACT

"one of our favorite tracks from the record, an emphatic middle finger to the disgusting catcallers she encounters on a daily basis in NYC .. ethereal electronic pop anthem." - Gorilla vs Bear

"A gorgeous, space-y spin on NG's signature, forward-thinking electropop, it's definitely a headbobber." - PAPER Mag

"Your summer anthem is here, courtesy of Negative Gemini. One of our favorite up-and-coming singer/producers ... this synthy indie track induces long summer joyride yearning alongside unforgiving bad bitch vibes." - Nasty Gal
  Body Work - Tracklisting
01. No Rum
02. Rollercoaster
03. Break
04. Body Work
05. You Never Knew
06. Don't Worry Bout the Fuck I'm Doing
07. Nu Hope
08. Real Virtual Unison (break edit)
09. Infinity
10. Ego Death
11. Hold U (Break Your Face Edit)
12. You Only Hate the Ones You Love

300 vinyl out 8/12 on 100% Electronica
preorder here via bandcamp

Dry Diggings Festival w/ Rebelution Announces Second Round of Artists

GENRE GIANT'S REBELUTION HEADLINE the DRY DIGGINGS FESTIVAL IN PLACERVILLE, CA., with NEW ADDITIONS ANNOUNCED for the SECOND ROUND of ARTISTS.22-Bands, 2-Stages and 2-Days of Action Packed Music, Brews, Food, Camping, Games & Fun at the Third Annual Dry Diggings Festival at El Dorado Fairgrounds. Sacramento, CA., July 08. 2016 - North America's most recognized Cali-reggae festival producer Jeff Monser, strikes gold with his third annual Monser Presentation, Dry Diggings Festival. The Labor Day weekend music celebration features Billboard topping genre-giant's Rebelution to headline one evening of the third annual extravaganza, being held in Placerville, California at the El Dorado Fairgrounds from September 2-3. The 22 Band, 2-Stage, 2-Day onsite camping event announced its third round of artists with soulful, pungent acts as Cas Haley, Through The Roots, Dustin Thomas and Elements of Soul, as well as two dynamic female new-comers to the American reggae-rock scene, Brazilian Reggae-Pop artist KELLSA and Jamaican Reggae artist, Jovi Rockwell. Both artists' bring some international flavor to the festival and have combined song features with Capleton, Elephant Man, Mr. Vegas, Major Lazer and Jesse Royal to name a few. Existing acts consist of Rebelution, The Expendables, Fortunate Youth, Passafire, The Movement, HIRIE, The Steppas, Arden Park Roots, E.N. Young, GONZO, Arise Roots, Ethan Tucker and Simple Creation. The third and final round of artists will be announced at months end and will include one more headlining act and a few notables. Monser, founder and co-producer of California Roots Music and Arts Festival, and co-founder/producer of Carolina Sessions is no stranger to the scene. He is a consummate innovator to the Cali-reggae and reggae-rock industry. His company California Roots also has its hands in a number of music festivals produced at Avila Beach. Yet, more recently his company Monser Presents solely founded not only Dry Diggings, yet the all-new Field of Haze Music and Lifestyle Festival held in Oroville, California. Both are a Monser brainchild, which to no surprise are growing in leaps and bounds.

Let's Eat Grandma Announce First US Shows in New York in September

LET’S EAT GRANDMAAnnounce First US Shows in New YorkI, Gemini LP Out Now Via TransgressivePhoto credit Francesca Allen
Listen to I, Gemini on Spotify Buy I, Gemini on iTunes
Tour DatesSept 20 – Brooklyn, NY – Rough TradeSept 21 – Manhattan, NY – Berlin
Let’s Eat Grandma have just released their highly anticipated debut album  I, Gemini  on Transgressive Records. On the heels of their debut release they have announced New York tour dates at Rough Trade and Berlin on September 20th and 21st respectively.  
I, Gemini, the debut album from Rosa Walton and Jenny Hollingworth, was recorded in the former nuclear bunker turned analog paradise, Old School Studios in Norwich, under the watchful eye of Will Twynham (HandOf Glory Records).
As thick as thieves, as sharp as knives, as like-minded as twins, wildly imaginative multi-instrumentalists and talented putative pop stars Rosa and Jenny, both 17, met aged four in their local infant school in Norwich and have been inseparable ever since.
Let’s Eat Grandma was formed in 2013 when Rosa was given a second hand acoustic guitar for her birthday and Jenny adopted a battered old ukulele. Influenced by playing jazz and classical music both in and out of school and their own desire to explode the pop formula, they started writing a series of uniquely structured compositions. On a month by month basis their repertoire of instruments expanded and expanded to include the saxophone, the piano, mandolin, drums, synthesizers, harmonica, recorders and whistles, even if their audience initially was only each other.
Their bewitching album not only features an epic centrepiece track called ‘Welcome To The Treehouse (I & II)’ but a drawing of one of their tree houses graces the cover art. The sleeve (“it’s designed to sum up our imaginary world”) also features the constellation Gemini in the night sky and the album title refers to the star sign - the sign for twins.
‘Deep Six Textbook’ – their debut single which has already caused a stir on the internet - refers to the old maritime phrase meaning to throw something overboard and sets out LEG’s desire to throw the rulebook away. By their own standards the song is both lush and sepulchral and is intended to be the “calm before the storm” as the opening track. Chocolate Sludge Cake’ and ‘Chimpanzees In Canopies’ both relish in thrusting together seemingly incompatible genres such as R&B with cosmic synth psych; and stark minimalism with freak folk. They reclaim children’s fairy tales back from vacuous “Disneyfication” on ‘Rapunzel’, re-injecting the story with a dark sense of gothic unease. And ‘Sax In The City’ is a dystopian nightmare of people rendered robot slaves by smartphones and tablets - all the more striking for its jaunty lo-fi pop setting. 
The name Let’s Eat Grandma was chosen in a rush the night before their first ever gig, from an old grammatical joke which highlights the usefulness of a well placed comma. The name is ideal for a band that can sound quite sweet and poppy on first listen but who also have deeper, darker undercurrents.
Listen to Wolf Alice Remix of “Eat Shiitake Mushrooms” Watch “Eat Shiitake Mushrooms” Listen to “Rapunzel” on Soundcloud Listen to “Eat Shiitake Mushrooms” on FADER

The Dabbers Premiere Video "Hidden Tins" Via Noisey

The Dabbers Premiere Video "Hidden Tin" Via Noisey"San Diego garage-pop duo The Dabbers are picking up where the Pixies left off—both in their lilting garage pop jams, and, more literally, as the soundtrack to the trailer for Chuck Palahniuk's Fight Club 2 comics collection.

That the author has cosigned the outfit, who are also collaborating with him on the film adaptation of his novel Lullaby, isn't surprising: the pair are something of a creative force to be reckoned with. The song recalls the little personal items and illegal contraband that Shelby and her mom and brother stowed away in their cramped apartment growing up—but it also speaks to a deeper set of feelings. 'When I sing it live, I picture very fuzzy, melancholic details of my childhood,' she explains. 'It's a funny song, really, about associations, misunderstandings, naiveté.'

The song's Grant Reinero-directed music video, which we're pleased to premiere below, pits the two up against stark framing and slo-mo distortion as they pummel through a live performance of the song. There are some cool Twin Peaks-style Black Lodge drapery thrown in, too."Check out the article here!

SHURA'S DEBUT 'NOTHING'S REAL' OUT TODAY! + NEW TOURIST REMIX

SHURA'S DEBUT ALBUM NOTHING'S REAL OUT TODAY!
NEW TOURIST REMIX FOR "WHAT'S IT GONNA BE?": https://soundcloud.com/shura/whats-it-gonna-be-tourist
SUPPORTING TEGAN & SARA AND M83 ON NORTH AMERICAN TOURS THIS FALL
Photo credit: Andrew Whitton
UK singer/songwriter/producer Shura has positioned herself as a new reigning pop star with her debut album  Nothing's Real  out today via Interscope. The album received glowing reviews from The New York Times, The Guardian, MTV and Stereogum, which gave it Album of the Week and said, "It all sounds spectacular." In celebration, she shares a special Tourist remix of her "What's It Gonna Be?" that's available for purchase here: http://smarturl.it/WIGBrmx.
Shura will also be joining Tegan & Sara and M83 on various legs of their separate expansive North American tours this fall, making it her first ever proper US run. The trek kicks off in Saskatoon, SKon September 9th and wraps on October 21st in Minneaepolis, MN - full tour dates below. For ticket info visit: http://weareshura.com/live.


PRESS ON SHURA & NOTHING'S REAL:

"something like perfection" - NEW YORK TIMES

"This isn't an emo album. It's pop music - quintessentially British, beautifully subdued, produced with a grand sense of sweep to the sonics." - STEREOGUM

"Shura's debut gives us romance that is unpretentious and human, and honors the awkward realities of opening your heart to a stranger." - MTV

"Shura's music exists at the intersection of '80s pop and R&B" - THE FADER

"23-year-old Londoner Aleksandra Denton-aka Shura-sings for that soul-searing moment when hearts are not breaking but broken." - PITCHFORK

"An essential alt-pop heroine" - DAZED & CONFUSED


BUY NOTHING'S REAL: http://smarturl.it/NothingsReal_Shura

WATCH "WHAT'S IT GONNA BE?": https://youtu.be/nJ4uBdmnKds

WATCH "TOUCH" VIDEO: https://youtu.be/x2AOjb9HW2E

WATCH "TOUCH" FEATURING TALIB KWELI: https://youtu.be/hJjj_kJIdT0

WATCH "WHITE LIGHT" VIDEO: https://youtu.be/U-MTZ4bF-0c

WATCH THREE YEARS SHORT FILM: https://youtu.be/zTWrMp_tYx8

WATCH "2SHY" VIDEO: https://youtu.be/8gtREooYQ9w

WATCH "INDECISION" VIDEO: https://youtu.be/zpZCRfrVI48





TOUR DATES:
9/7 Alston, MA @ Great Scott *
9/9 Saskatoon, SK @ TCU Place #
9/10 Winnipeg, MB @ Centennial Concert Hall #
9/12 Minneapolis, MN @ State Theater #
9/13 Kansas City, MO @ Arvest Bank Theatre at the Midland
9/15 Dallas, TX @ The Majestic Theatre #
9/16 Houston, TX @ Warehouse Live - Ballroom #
9/17 Austin, TX @ Stubbs Waller Creek Outdoor Amphitheater #
9/19 Tulsa, OK @ Cain's Ballroom #
9/21 Denver, CO @ Ogden #
9/22 Salt Lake City, UT @ In The Venue #
9/25 San Diego, CA @ Observatory North Park #
9/26 West Hollywood, CA @ The Roxy *
9/28 Santa Ana, CA @ The Observatory #
9/29 Los Angeles, CA @ Wiltern #
9/30 Los Angeles, CA @ Orpheum #
10/01 Oakland, CA @ Fox Theatre #
10/03 Portland, OR @ Roseland Theatre #
10/04 Seattle, WA @ Moore Theater #
10/05 Vancouver, BC @ Queen Elizabeth Theatre #
10/07 Calgary, AB @ BMO Centre #
10/08 Edmonton, AB @ Shaw Conference Centre #
10/10 Atlanta, GA @ Tabernacle ^
10/11 Knoxville, TN @ Mill & Mine ^
10/12 Washington DC@ Black Cat *
10/13 Philadelphia, PA @ The Fillmore Philadelphia ^
10/14 New York, NY @ Terminal 5 ^
10/15 New York, NY @ Terminal 5 ^
10/17 Toronto, ON @ Sound Academy ^
10/19 Milwaukee, WI @ Riverside Theatre ^
10/20 Chicago, IL @ Aragon Ballroom ^
10/21 Minneapolis, MN @ Skyway Theatre ^

Tegan & Sara #
M83 ^
Headlining *

THE STROKES City of Angels Benefit Concert on sale today

Hello:

We’re stoked to be playing The Wiltern in LA on July 25th for the inaugural City of Angels Benefit Concert. We’ve made the tickets more expensive than usual and wanted to explain why to those of you who might not be able to afford them.

In doing a show for the charities – Waste Not Want Not Now, The Center in Hollywood, and Downtown Women’s Center – our responsibility is to keep costs down and to ensure as much of the money goes to those in need. 100% of net proceeds of this show will be going to the charities.

Similarly, we have to acknowledge many tickets will appear on secondary sites within minutes of going on sale which means that anyone can flip a ticket and make a $50, $75, $100++ profit. None of that additional money would go to any of the charities but to scalpers, and it will happen at a regularly priced show.
For those of you who might not be able to afford tickets and are disappointed we’re sorry but in this instance we made a decision to help the charities and prevent as much money being siphoned away from the people in need as we could.

Thanks for understanding. Hope to see you there!

Tickets go on sale today at noon PDT / 3pm EST HERE.

Boss Hog Are Back! West Coast Dates Start On Monday

THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH YOUR STEREO...

BOSS HOG NEEDS THE POWER OF YOUR MIND!

NEW MAXI-DISCO 12-INCH EP “BROOD STAR” AVAILABLE NOW ON IN THE RED WEST COAST SHOWS BEGIN JULY 11TH

LIVE ON KEXP JULY 12TH AT NOON PT 
Photo: Angel Zayas "....gritty, assertive, pushy, and erotic; like hooking up with a carny in a pile of cigarette butts behind the sideshow." Bust

  "...reclaiming their old ass-ripping moves." The Stranger

Listen to 'Wichita Grey' on Pitchfork

New York City’s most dangerous rock’n’roll band, Boss Hog, is back with BROOD STAR, a four song Maxi-Disco 12-inch, distilled, vivisected, surgically altered, bound, spindled, remixed and mutilated into a tantalizing amuse-bouche for their forthcoming full-length album, BROOD X.

BOSS HOG has traveled to the edge of the physical realm and the far side of human comprehension to bring back an unprecedented listening experience.

BROOD STAR is a scalding hot treat, broiled by cosmic rays, and ripped from the furthest reaches of the audible universe.

BROOD STAR swarms like prehistoric insects rising out of deep hibernation.

BROOD STAR is primitive, raw, punk rock’n’roll, re-imagined for a New World.

AND THE ONLY THING MISSING... IS THE POWER OF YOUR MIND.

BOSS HOG NEEDS YOUR IMAGINATION TO COMPLETE THIS RECORD.

ARE YOU BRAVE ENOUGH TO JOIN BOSS HOG, and become part of the BROOD STAR?

Listen to WICHITA GREY from BROOD STAR now. Feel it unfold inside of your brain.
Succumb to your future.

A world without war.

A world without pain.

Do not attempt to adjust your stereo.

WARNING: BOSS HOG IS COMING SOON, TO A TOWN NEAR YOU... 

LIVE SHOWS:

July 11  - Seattle, WA - The Crocodile
July 12 - Portland, OR - Doug Fir Lounge
July 13 - Eugene, OR - HiFi Music Hall LoungeJuly 14 - San Francisco, CA  - Slim's
July 15 - Los Angeles, CA - The Echo (In The Red 25th Anniversary)
July 16 - San Diego CA - Casbah