Alexander Laurence's Blog, page 2497
March 20, 2014
Farmfestival 2014 Announce New Line Up
Farmfestival
Announces New Line Up for 2014Featuring Public Service Broadcasting, Melt Yourself Down, Ralph Lawson, DJ Food + MoreDownload Farmfest DJ's 'Good Souls' Mix Here http://bit.ly/1kLXM11Friday 1st – Saturday 2nd August 2014 @ Gilcombe Farm, Bruton, SomersetFARMFESTIVAL 2014If you're looking for guaranteed goodness from your festival experience this summer look no further than Farmfest. The scene is classic glorious English countryside, their support of the UK's top emerging acts will tick all your music boxes with a line-up full of burgeoning talent, and the rebelliously reasonable prices will make the fine selection of local craft ciders and ales taste even sweeter. All this and you can relax in the knowledge that the hard work you put in enjoying yourself will benefit good causes such as this year's new main charity, Send a Cow, who aim to help end poverty in Africa with a powerful mix of practical farming, emotional support and a culture of sharing.NEW THIS YEARA new space themed area 'The Milky Way' will be bumping up the good times quota at Farmfest in 2014 with a galaxy full of additional arts, crafts and entertainment including: Drawing Experience by Art Macabre, Space Station Dress-up, Yoga, Healing Zone, Son Cameleon Peddle Power Carnival, Race to Space, Screen Printing workshops, Space Body Art Workshops, Story Telling, Kids Art, Chill Out Planet, Slacklining, and not forgetting Farmfest's famous hat competition! A new late night party area will be seeing the light of day at Farmfest this year ensuring plenty of moonlit dancing, whilst a wide selection of food and drink stalls will be aiding the all important re-fueling!THE STORYIn 2006, a small group of friends native to Somerset made the decision to host an intimate, cost-effective festival for their friends as an alternative to the events dominating the English summer. Farmfestival's subsequent success has seen attendances grow organically through word of mouth, from an initial 400 to its capped 4500 capacity. Year after year, loyal followers and newbies alike make their way down to its countryside home at Gilcombe Farm, Bruton, for the promise of wallet-friendly good times and acts on the cusp of stardom, acts such as Friendly Fires, Ghostpoet, Egyptian Hip Hop, Submotion Orchestra and Man Like Me, all of whom have played previously. The festival remains adamantly sponsor-free, the lo-fi DIY aesthetic combining with the genre busting music policy to create the unique atmosphere. Previously quoted as one of the UK's best kept festival secrets (Dj Vadim / Venue Mag), the cat is slowly being let out of the bag. Confirmed Live Acts:Public Service Broadcasting, Melt Yourself Down + headliner TBA, Alpines, Beaty Heart, Laid Blak, Jus Now Live, Skinny Lister, Emily and The Woods, The Fire Beneath The Sea, Beans on Toast, The Sounds of Harlowe, Gorgeous George, Gemini (Kelle & Borei), Ukes of Hazard, Firewood Island + more guests TBAConfirmed DJs:Ralph Lawson, DJ Food, Channel One Soundsystem, Romare, Leo Zero, The Kelly Twins, Shapes Bristol Djs, COR Djs, Slim Goodgroove, Wholemeal Djs, DJ Louie Louie, Franklin (Freerange Recs), Ways And Means, The Quintessential Soundsystem, Farmfestival Djs, James ‘James Bell’ Bell + more guests TBA
Announces New Line Up for 2014Featuring Public Service Broadcasting, Melt Yourself Down, Ralph Lawson, DJ Food + MoreDownload Farmfest DJ's 'Good Souls' Mix Here http://bit.ly/1kLXM11Friday 1st – Saturday 2nd August 2014 @ Gilcombe Farm, Bruton, SomersetFARMFESTIVAL 2014If you're looking for guaranteed goodness from your festival experience this summer look no further than Farmfest. The scene is classic glorious English countryside, their support of the UK's top emerging acts will tick all your music boxes with a line-up full of burgeoning talent, and the rebelliously reasonable prices will make the fine selection of local craft ciders and ales taste even sweeter. All this and you can relax in the knowledge that the hard work you put in enjoying yourself will benefit good causes such as this year's new main charity, Send a Cow, who aim to help end poverty in Africa with a powerful mix of practical farming, emotional support and a culture of sharing.NEW THIS YEARA new space themed area 'The Milky Way' will be bumping up the good times quota at Farmfest in 2014 with a galaxy full of additional arts, crafts and entertainment including: Drawing Experience by Art Macabre, Space Station Dress-up, Yoga, Healing Zone, Son Cameleon Peddle Power Carnival, Race to Space, Screen Printing workshops, Space Body Art Workshops, Story Telling, Kids Art, Chill Out Planet, Slacklining, and not forgetting Farmfest's famous hat competition! A new late night party area will be seeing the light of day at Farmfest this year ensuring plenty of moonlit dancing, whilst a wide selection of food and drink stalls will be aiding the all important re-fueling!THE STORYIn 2006, a small group of friends native to Somerset made the decision to host an intimate, cost-effective festival for their friends as an alternative to the events dominating the English summer. Farmfestival's subsequent success has seen attendances grow organically through word of mouth, from an initial 400 to its capped 4500 capacity. Year after year, loyal followers and newbies alike make their way down to its countryside home at Gilcombe Farm, Bruton, for the promise of wallet-friendly good times and acts on the cusp of stardom, acts such as Friendly Fires, Ghostpoet, Egyptian Hip Hop, Submotion Orchestra and Man Like Me, all of whom have played previously. The festival remains adamantly sponsor-free, the lo-fi DIY aesthetic combining with the genre busting music policy to create the unique atmosphere. Previously quoted as one of the UK's best kept festival secrets (Dj Vadim / Venue Mag), the cat is slowly being let out of the bag. Confirmed Live Acts:Public Service Broadcasting, Melt Yourself Down + headliner TBA, Alpines, Beaty Heart, Laid Blak, Jus Now Live, Skinny Lister, Emily and The Woods, The Fire Beneath The Sea, Beans on Toast, The Sounds of Harlowe, Gorgeous George, Gemini (Kelle & Borei), Ukes of Hazard, Firewood Island + more guests TBAConfirmed DJs:Ralph Lawson, DJ Food, Channel One Soundsystem, Romare, Leo Zero, The Kelly Twins, Shapes Bristol Djs, COR Djs, Slim Goodgroove, Wholemeal Djs, DJ Louie Louie, Franklin (Freerange Recs), Ways And Means, The Quintessential Soundsystem, Farmfestival Djs, James ‘James Bell’ Bell + more guests TBA
KISHI BASHI PREMIERES NEW VIDEO FOR "PHILOSOPHIZE IN IT!C...
KISHI BASHI PREMIERES NEW VIDEO FOR "PHILOSOPHIZE IN IT!CHEMICALIZE WITH IT!" VIA STEREOGUM
UPCOMING SPRING NORTH AMERICAN HEADLINING TOUR ANNOUNCED
NEW ALBUM, LIGHGHT, NOW AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER
LIGHGHT AVAILABLE IN STORES AND ONLINE VIA JOYFUL NOISE RECORDINGS ON TUESDAY, MAY 13
"Kishi Bashi's delirious melodies, multi-tracked vocals, and soaring violin are capable of producing a sensation very similar to actual chemical intoxication." - Stereogum
WATCH: "PHILOSOPHIZE IN IT! CHEMICALIZE WITH IT!" (via Stereogum)
Multi-instrumentalist, singer and songwriter Kishi Bashi has released the first official music video for "Philosophize In It! Chemicalize With It!," the first single taken from his soon-to-be-released sophomore album titled Lighght . (Joyful Noise Recordings, May 13). Premiering today on Stereogum , the video for the song was directed by Geoff Hoskinson and features a gorgeously whimsical array of animation complimentary to Kishi Bashi's artistic sensibility. Watch the video over at Stereogum HERE .
Additionally, Kishi Bashi has announced his Spring North American headlining tour. Touring in support of the release of Lighght, which is now available for pre-order through Joyful Noise Recordings, the tour will kick off with a performance this weekend at Slingshot Festival in Athens, GA and will extend through the second week of June. The tour will visit additional markets such as Asheville, NC on April 1, Austin, TX on May 9, Los Angeles, CA on May 16, Chicago, IL on May 31, New York, NY on June 4, Brooklyn, NY on June 5, Washington DC on June 8, and will culminate in a performance at Terminal West in Atlanta, GA on Wednesday, June 11. Tickets and information on the upcoming tour can be found via Kishi Bashi's official homepage, http://www.kishibashi.com.
Taking its title from the one-word poem by minimalist poet Aram Saroyan, Lighght (pronounced "Light") continues and expands the sound of Kishi Bashi's critically acclaimed debut, 151a , which earned him the title of "Best New Artist" for 2012 by NPR . Since the profoundly successful release of151a two years ago, Kishi Bashi has toured relentlessly, captivating audiences across the globe with his loop-based live show, and fostering a groundswell of devotees.
151a was crafted over a four-year period while Kishi Bashi, the pseudonym for artist K. Ishibashi, was touring and recording with Regina Spektor, Sondre Lerche, and of Montreal (where he was a full-time member and co-producer). In late 2012, after the success of 151a, Kishi Bashi decided to focus solely on his own music and began composing the new material, which led to the songs that are featured on Lighght.
Though violin remains his primary instrument and songwriting muse, Kishi Bashi has expanded his palette to include more diverse and nuanced instrumentation on Lighght. Bright and soaring avant-pop songs are prevalent, as are Eastern-tinged arrangements, gentle ballads, Philip Glass-inspired improvisations, and more than a few moments that flirt with '70s prog (in the tradition of ELO or Yes). If this sounds jarringly kaleidoscopic, that's because it is. But it works.
Kishi Bashi will be making the following North American appearances this Spring. Tour dates below.
MARCH
22 - Slingshot Festival - Georgia Theatre - Athens, GA
APRIL
01 - The Grey Eagle - Asheville, NC
02 - Zanzabar - Louisville, KY
03 - Radio Radio - Indianapolis, IN
04 - Mission Creek Festival - The Mill - Iowa City, IA
05 - Middle of the Map Festival - Kansas City, MO
MAY
07 - Spanish Moon - Baton Rouge, LA
08 - Gasa Gasa - New Orleans, LA
09 - Mohawk - Austin, TX
10 - Fitzgerald's Upstairs - Houston, TX
11 - Club Dada - Dallas, TX
13 - The Crescent Ballroom - Phoenix, AZ
14 - 191 Toole - Tucson, AZ
15 - The Irenic - San Diego, CA
16 - The Fonda Theatre - Los Angeles, CA
17 - The Fillmore - San Francisco, CA
19 - Wonder Ballroom - Portland, OR
20 - The Showbox at the Market - Seattle, WA
21 - Fortune Sound Club - Vancouver, BC
23 - Urban Lounge - Salt Lake City, UT
24 - Gothic Theatre - Englewood, CO
25 - Bricktown Music Hall - Oklahoma City, OK
26 - The Waiting Room - Omaha, NE
27 - Ready Room - St. Louis, MO
29 - Memorial Union Terrace - Madison, WI
30 - Fine Line Music Cafe - Minneapolis, MN
31 - Metro - Chicago, IL
UPCOMING SPRING NORTH AMERICAN HEADLINING TOUR ANNOUNCED
NEW ALBUM, LIGHGHT, NOW AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER
LIGHGHT AVAILABLE IN STORES AND ONLINE VIA JOYFUL NOISE RECORDINGS ON TUESDAY, MAY 13
"Kishi Bashi's delirious melodies, multi-tracked vocals, and soaring violin are capable of producing a sensation very similar to actual chemical intoxication." - Stereogum
WATCH: "PHILOSOPHIZE IN IT! CHEMICALIZE WITH IT!" (via Stereogum)
Multi-instrumentalist, singer and songwriter Kishi Bashi has released the first official music video for "Philosophize In It! Chemicalize With It!," the first single taken from his soon-to-be-released sophomore album titled Lighght . (Joyful Noise Recordings, May 13). Premiering today on Stereogum , the video for the song was directed by Geoff Hoskinson and features a gorgeously whimsical array of animation complimentary to Kishi Bashi's artistic sensibility. Watch the video over at Stereogum HERE .
Additionally, Kishi Bashi has announced his Spring North American headlining tour. Touring in support of the release of Lighght, which is now available for pre-order through Joyful Noise Recordings, the tour will kick off with a performance this weekend at Slingshot Festival in Athens, GA and will extend through the second week of June. The tour will visit additional markets such as Asheville, NC on April 1, Austin, TX on May 9, Los Angeles, CA on May 16, Chicago, IL on May 31, New York, NY on June 4, Brooklyn, NY on June 5, Washington DC on June 8, and will culminate in a performance at Terminal West in Atlanta, GA on Wednesday, June 11. Tickets and information on the upcoming tour can be found via Kishi Bashi's official homepage, http://www.kishibashi.com.
Taking its title from the one-word poem by minimalist poet Aram Saroyan, Lighght (pronounced "Light") continues and expands the sound of Kishi Bashi's critically acclaimed debut, 151a , which earned him the title of "Best New Artist" for 2012 by NPR . Since the profoundly successful release of151a two years ago, Kishi Bashi has toured relentlessly, captivating audiences across the globe with his loop-based live show, and fostering a groundswell of devotees.
151a was crafted over a four-year period while Kishi Bashi, the pseudonym for artist K. Ishibashi, was touring and recording with Regina Spektor, Sondre Lerche, and of Montreal (where he was a full-time member and co-producer). In late 2012, after the success of 151a, Kishi Bashi decided to focus solely on his own music and began composing the new material, which led to the songs that are featured on Lighght.
Though violin remains his primary instrument and songwriting muse, Kishi Bashi has expanded his palette to include more diverse and nuanced instrumentation on Lighght. Bright and soaring avant-pop songs are prevalent, as are Eastern-tinged arrangements, gentle ballads, Philip Glass-inspired improvisations, and more than a few moments that flirt with '70s prog (in the tradition of ELO or Yes). If this sounds jarringly kaleidoscopic, that's because it is. But it works.
Kishi Bashi will be making the following North American appearances this Spring. Tour dates below.
MARCH
22 - Slingshot Festival - Georgia Theatre - Athens, GA
APRIL
01 - The Grey Eagle - Asheville, NC
02 - Zanzabar - Louisville, KY
03 - Radio Radio - Indianapolis, IN
04 - Mission Creek Festival - The Mill - Iowa City, IA
05 - Middle of the Map Festival - Kansas City, MO
MAY
07 - Spanish Moon - Baton Rouge, LA
08 - Gasa Gasa - New Orleans, LA
09 - Mohawk - Austin, TX
10 - Fitzgerald's Upstairs - Houston, TX
11 - Club Dada - Dallas, TX
13 - The Crescent Ballroom - Phoenix, AZ
14 - 191 Toole - Tucson, AZ
15 - The Irenic - San Diego, CA
16 - The Fonda Theatre - Los Angeles, CA
17 - The Fillmore - San Francisco, CA
19 - Wonder Ballroom - Portland, OR
20 - The Showbox at the Market - Seattle, WA
21 - Fortune Sound Club - Vancouver, BC
23 - Urban Lounge - Salt Lake City, UT
24 - Gothic Theatre - Englewood, CO
25 - Bricktown Music Hall - Oklahoma City, OK
26 - The Waiting Room - Omaha, NE
27 - Ready Room - St. Louis, MO
29 - Memorial Union Terrace - Madison, WI
30 - Fine Line Music Cafe - Minneapolis, MN
31 - Metro - Chicago, IL
March 19, 2014
Black Bananas announces new album + share single
BLACK BANANAS ANNOUNCES NEW ALBUM AND SHARES SINGLE VIAPITCHFORK
"PHYSICAL EMOTIONS" 7" SINGLE AVAILABLE 4/22 VIA DRAG CITY
ELECTRIC BRICK WALL LP DUE 6/24 VIA DRAG CITY
photo by: Jess HolzworthToday, Jennifer Herrema's Black Bananas is excited to announce a new album entitled Electric Brick Wall and share its first single "Physical Emotions". To be released as a 7" single, "Physical Emotions" will be backed with Hot Chip's remix of "TV Trouble" from the first Black Bananas LP, Rad Times Express IV. The 7" will be available on April 22nd via Drag City, followed Electric Brick Wall on 6/24. Check out a stream of "Physical Emotions" below, along with more information about Black Bananas and full single and album details.
LISTEN: "Physical Emotions" - https://soundcloud.com/drag-city/black-bananas-physical-1/
More about Jennifer Herrema and Black Bananas:
Another year, another jam-packed dance card for Jennifer Herrema, the matriarch of all things that rock as she surveys them from her high perch in Black Bananas, Feathered Fish, and the JJ X denim line. Not only has she got a twisted new heavy music offering from Black Bananas coming in May (you have to hear Electric Brick Wall and even then you probably won't believe it at first, that's okay, just hang in there), but her fashion-and-elsewhere collaboration with Pamela Love is ready to drop another great new thing at the Purple Mag Boutique in April. And then there's the remixes, the photo shoots and the gallery shows that are on the way. 2014's gonna be just fine, thanks....
Jennifer's embodiment of the rock n roll life has won her a legion of freaks and fans since the early days of Royal Trux - a time when she first stepped to the front of the stage and did nothing other than stand there for a LONG time before she sang - and still blow away the band, the room, and what seemed to be her mind too! Or was that just a part of the vision that she was putting in our mind?
It's to hard to know....which is why we are telling you. It's on purpose, man. Jennifer understands subliminal and cut-up and misdirection, all that lends weight to the hammer she's swinging. It's a straight-ahead approach that's underscored by the in-between things. Like for instance, Jennifer's highly influenced by television and the switching of channels.....watching old shit in HD and new HD shit on her phone. Flip the script, in her hands it'd work just as well upside down and backwards.
Since those early days riding the Trux all over the place, Jennifer's been sought out by would-be stylemasters from everywhere seeking her vibe to help them profile their work - and eventually, to just have her tell them what to do, since she obviously had such a righteous idea of her own to begin with. After featuring in loads of fashion shoots, she has lately turned to the designing of items to be worn in those shoots, collaborating with Volcom on her JJ X line of denim creations, and working with Playboy to bring her singular styling approach to their centerfolds. Jennifer is currently exhibiting in the group show This Is Our Art, This Is Our Music at the David Risley Gallery in Copenhagan right now. If it isn't art, then it's music - she will be DJ'ing Richard Phillips' "MTV RE:DEFINE" event at the Dallas Contemporary Art Museum in April.
In fact, it starts and ends with music, even while the rest keeps growing. The Black Bananas record is setting up for maximum impact with groove beats standing just as tall as the slabs of power chords, and all of it floating above a buzzing hive of ?!?. Jennifer's working on a 12" extended dance remix of two Electric Brick Wall highlights (there are eleven highlights total), "Physical Emotions" and "Give It To Me." Hot Chip have turned in a remix on "TV Trouble," from the last record. Music is where it's at! But that doesn't mean Jennifer's gonna slack on the fashion side of things or whatever else comes her way.
That's it for today....too much else to do. 2014 is underway, look for Jennifer Herrema, Black Bananas, Feathered Fish and everything else - coming your way.
Black Bananas
Physical Emotions 7"
(Drag City, 4/22/14)
A. Physical Emotions
B. TV Trouble (Hot Chip Remix)
Black Bananas
Electric Brick Wall
(Drag City, 6/24/14)
1. Powder 82. Dope on an Island3. Hey Rockin4. Physical Emotions5. Highway Down6. Eve's Child7. Ride the Chump8. Give it to Me9. Creeping Out of Line10. Old Gold Chains11. Bullshit and Lies
"PHYSICAL EMOTIONS" 7" SINGLE AVAILABLE 4/22 VIA DRAG CITY
ELECTRIC BRICK WALL LP DUE 6/24 VIA DRAG CITY
photo by: Jess HolzworthToday, Jennifer Herrema's Black Bananas is excited to announce a new album entitled Electric Brick Wall and share its first single "Physical Emotions". To be released as a 7" single, "Physical Emotions" will be backed with Hot Chip's remix of "TV Trouble" from the first Black Bananas LP, Rad Times Express IV. The 7" will be available on April 22nd via Drag City, followed Electric Brick Wall on 6/24. Check out a stream of "Physical Emotions" below, along with more information about Black Bananas and full single and album details. LISTEN: "Physical Emotions" - https://soundcloud.com/drag-city/black-bananas-physical-1/
More about Jennifer Herrema and Black Bananas:
Another year, another jam-packed dance card for Jennifer Herrema, the matriarch of all things that rock as she surveys them from her high perch in Black Bananas, Feathered Fish, and the JJ X denim line. Not only has she got a twisted new heavy music offering from Black Bananas coming in May (you have to hear Electric Brick Wall and even then you probably won't believe it at first, that's okay, just hang in there), but her fashion-and-elsewhere collaboration with Pamela Love is ready to drop another great new thing at the Purple Mag Boutique in April. And then there's the remixes, the photo shoots and the gallery shows that are on the way. 2014's gonna be just fine, thanks....
Jennifer's embodiment of the rock n roll life has won her a legion of freaks and fans since the early days of Royal Trux - a time when she first stepped to the front of the stage and did nothing other than stand there for a LONG time before she sang - and still blow away the band, the room, and what seemed to be her mind too! Or was that just a part of the vision that she was putting in our mind?
It's to hard to know....which is why we are telling you. It's on purpose, man. Jennifer understands subliminal and cut-up and misdirection, all that lends weight to the hammer she's swinging. It's a straight-ahead approach that's underscored by the in-between things. Like for instance, Jennifer's highly influenced by television and the switching of channels.....watching old shit in HD and new HD shit on her phone. Flip the script, in her hands it'd work just as well upside down and backwards.
Since those early days riding the Trux all over the place, Jennifer's been sought out by would-be stylemasters from everywhere seeking her vibe to help them profile their work - and eventually, to just have her tell them what to do, since she obviously had such a righteous idea of her own to begin with. After featuring in loads of fashion shoots, she has lately turned to the designing of items to be worn in those shoots, collaborating with Volcom on her JJ X line of denim creations, and working with Playboy to bring her singular styling approach to their centerfolds. Jennifer is currently exhibiting in the group show This Is Our Art, This Is Our Music at the David Risley Gallery in Copenhagan right now. If it isn't art, then it's music - she will be DJ'ing Richard Phillips' "MTV RE:DEFINE" event at the Dallas Contemporary Art Museum in April.
In fact, it starts and ends with music, even while the rest keeps growing. The Black Bananas record is setting up for maximum impact with groove beats standing just as tall as the slabs of power chords, and all of it floating above a buzzing hive of ?!?. Jennifer's working on a 12" extended dance remix of two Electric Brick Wall highlights (there are eleven highlights total), "Physical Emotions" and "Give It To Me." Hot Chip have turned in a remix on "TV Trouble," from the last record. Music is where it's at! But that doesn't mean Jennifer's gonna slack on the fashion side of things or whatever else comes her way.
That's it for today....too much else to do. 2014 is underway, look for Jennifer Herrema, Black Bananas, Feathered Fish and everything else - coming your way.
Black Bananas
Physical Emotions 7"
(Drag City, 4/22/14)
A. Physical Emotions
B. TV Trouble (Hot Chip Remix)
Black Bananas
Electric Brick Wall
(Drag City, 6/24/14)
1. Powder 82. Dope on an Island3. Hey Rockin4. Physical Emotions5. Highway Down6. Eve's Child7. Ride the Chump8. Give it to Me9. Creeping Out of Line10. Old Gold Chains11. Bullshit and Lies
Bob Dylan in the 80s Full-Album Premieres via Wall Street Journal
BOB DYLAN IN THE 80s: VOLUME ONE
EXCLUSIVELY PREMIERESVIA WALL STREET JOURNAL
ALBUM TO BE RELEASED MARCH 25
The fascinating Bob Dylan In The 80s: Volume One (ATO) can now be heard in its entirety on the Wall Street Journal's "Speakeasy" site. Spin recently premiered Reggie Watts' dancehall take on "Brownsville Girl," andStereogum premiered Aaron Freeman from Ween with Slash's off-kilter bluesy version of "Wiggle, Wiggle," but this is the first time the entire album is available for study.
Bob Dylan In The 80s: Volume One will be released on March 25. The brainchild of producers Jesse Lauter (Elvis Perkins, The Low Anthem) and Sean O'Brien (Dawes, PAPA), the mission of Bob Dylan In The 80s: Volume One is to shed new light on a large cache of Bob Dylan songs that have long gone ignored, covering the period starting with 1980's Saved and ending with 1990's Under The Red Sky (including unreleased material -- the "80s Basement Tapes" -- and The Traveling Wilburys). Album contributors include: Built To Spill, Aaron Freeman of Ween & Slash, Glen Hansard, Reggie Watts, Bonnie "Prince" Billy, Lucius, Langhorne Slim, Craig Finn Of The Hold Steady, Deer Tick, Dawn Landes, Blitzen Trapper, Carl Broemel Of My Morning Jacket, Elvis Perkins and more. The album is available for pre-order now.
In the liner notes to this collection, New York Times best-selling author Jonathan Lethem (Motherless Brooklyn, Fortress of Solitude) writes, "In the famously difficult art of going up against Dylan's performance of his own material, a number of these reach the highest threshold. I hope Bob Dylan listens to this record, and plays it for his current touring band."
Lethem continues, "Given the benefit of decades more hindsight, our Dylan was a lot better than anyone knew...Were one to begin compiling instances of greatness in the type of songwriting that defines our esteem for the earlier Dylan - complex, suggestive, glinting, cascading constructions - you'd hit a dozen examples even before the "comeback" of Oh Mercy."
Portions of proceeds from album sales will go to the charity, Pencils of Promise. Pencils of Promise is a non-profit organization that builds schools and increases educational opportunities in the developing world. The charity has built more than 150 schools in Asia, Africa and Latin America. For more information on Pencils of Promise, visit www.pencilsofpromise.org.
COMPLETE TRACK LISTING:
1) Langhorne Slim & The Law - "Got My Mind Made Up"(from Knocked Out Loaded, 1986)2) Built To Spill - "Jokerman" (from Infidels, 1983)3) Reggie Watts - "Brownsville Girl (Reprise)" (from Knocked Out Loaded, 1986)4) Craig Finn (The Hold Steady) - "Sweetheart Like You" (from Infidels, 1983)5) Ivan & Alyosha - "You Changed My Life" (from Shot Of Love outtakes, 1981)6) Deer Tick - "Night After Night" (from Hearts of Fire Soundtrack, 1987)7) Dawn Landes & Bonnie "Prince" Billy - "Dark Eyes" (from Empire Burlesque, 1985)8) Tea Leaf Green - "Waiting To Get Beat" (from Empire Burlesque outtakes, 1985)9) Aaron Freeman of Ween & Slash - "Wiggle Wiggle (from Under The Red Sky, 1990)10) Elvis Perkins - "Congratulations" (from Traveling Wilburys Vol. 1, 1988)11) Hannah Cohen - "Covenant Woman" (from Saved, 1980)12) Marco Benevento - "Every Grain Of Sand" (from Shot Of Love, 1981)13) Yellowbirds - "Series Of Dreams" (from Oh Mercy outtakes, 1989)14) Blitzen Trapper - "Unbelievable" (from Under The Red Sky, 1990)15) Lucius - "When The Night Comes Falling From The Sky" (from Empire Burlesque, 1985)16) Glen Hansard - "Pressing On" (from Saved, 1980)17) Carl Broemel (My Morning Jacket) - "Death Is Not The End" (from Down In The Groove, 1988)
In addition, there will be seven bonus tracks available exclusively via iTunes as a Deluxe Edition and will also be included on the digital download card that accompanies the vinyl. The seven bonus tracks are listed below:
1) Spirit Family Reunion - "Man Of Peace" (from Infidels, 1983)2) Widespread Panic - "Solid Rock" (from Saved, 1980)3) Grayson Capps - "Silvio" (from Down In The Groove, 1988)4) Neal Casal - "Property Of Jesus" (from Shot Of Love, 1981)5) The Low Anthem - "Lenny Bruce" (from Shot Of Love, 1981)6) Jesse Elliott (These United States) - "Handy Dandy" (from Under The Red Sky, 1990)7) Chastity Brown - "Saving Grace" (from Saved, 1980) http://80sdylan.com/
ALBUM TO BE RELEASED MARCH 25
The fascinating Bob Dylan In The 80s: Volume One (ATO) can now be heard in its entirety on the Wall Street Journal's "Speakeasy" site. Spin recently premiered Reggie Watts' dancehall take on "Brownsville Girl," andStereogum premiered Aaron Freeman from Ween with Slash's off-kilter bluesy version of "Wiggle, Wiggle," but this is the first time the entire album is available for study.
Bob Dylan In The 80s: Volume One will be released on March 25. The brainchild of producers Jesse Lauter (Elvis Perkins, The Low Anthem) and Sean O'Brien (Dawes, PAPA), the mission of Bob Dylan In The 80s: Volume One is to shed new light on a large cache of Bob Dylan songs that have long gone ignored, covering the period starting with 1980's Saved and ending with 1990's Under The Red Sky (including unreleased material -- the "80s Basement Tapes" -- and The Traveling Wilburys). Album contributors include: Built To Spill, Aaron Freeman of Ween & Slash, Glen Hansard, Reggie Watts, Bonnie "Prince" Billy, Lucius, Langhorne Slim, Craig Finn Of The Hold Steady, Deer Tick, Dawn Landes, Blitzen Trapper, Carl Broemel Of My Morning Jacket, Elvis Perkins and more. The album is available for pre-order now.
In the liner notes to this collection, New York Times best-selling author Jonathan Lethem (Motherless Brooklyn, Fortress of Solitude) writes, "In the famously difficult art of going up against Dylan's performance of his own material, a number of these reach the highest threshold. I hope Bob Dylan listens to this record, and plays it for his current touring band."
Lethem continues, "Given the benefit of decades more hindsight, our Dylan was a lot better than anyone knew...Were one to begin compiling instances of greatness in the type of songwriting that defines our esteem for the earlier Dylan - complex, suggestive, glinting, cascading constructions - you'd hit a dozen examples even before the "comeback" of Oh Mercy."
Portions of proceeds from album sales will go to the charity, Pencils of Promise. Pencils of Promise is a non-profit organization that builds schools and increases educational opportunities in the developing world. The charity has built more than 150 schools in Asia, Africa and Latin America. For more information on Pencils of Promise, visit www.pencilsofpromise.org.
COMPLETE TRACK LISTING:
1) Langhorne Slim & The Law - "Got My Mind Made Up"(from Knocked Out Loaded, 1986)2) Built To Spill - "Jokerman" (from Infidels, 1983)3) Reggie Watts - "Brownsville Girl (Reprise)" (from Knocked Out Loaded, 1986)4) Craig Finn (The Hold Steady) - "Sweetheart Like You" (from Infidels, 1983)5) Ivan & Alyosha - "You Changed My Life" (from Shot Of Love outtakes, 1981)6) Deer Tick - "Night After Night" (from Hearts of Fire Soundtrack, 1987)7) Dawn Landes & Bonnie "Prince" Billy - "Dark Eyes" (from Empire Burlesque, 1985)8) Tea Leaf Green - "Waiting To Get Beat" (from Empire Burlesque outtakes, 1985)9) Aaron Freeman of Ween & Slash - "Wiggle Wiggle (from Under The Red Sky, 1990)10) Elvis Perkins - "Congratulations" (from Traveling Wilburys Vol. 1, 1988)11) Hannah Cohen - "Covenant Woman" (from Saved, 1980)12) Marco Benevento - "Every Grain Of Sand" (from Shot Of Love, 1981)13) Yellowbirds - "Series Of Dreams" (from Oh Mercy outtakes, 1989)14) Blitzen Trapper - "Unbelievable" (from Under The Red Sky, 1990)15) Lucius - "When The Night Comes Falling From The Sky" (from Empire Burlesque, 1985)16) Glen Hansard - "Pressing On" (from Saved, 1980)17) Carl Broemel (My Morning Jacket) - "Death Is Not The End" (from Down In The Groove, 1988)
In addition, there will be seven bonus tracks available exclusively via iTunes as a Deluxe Edition and will also be included on the digital download card that accompanies the vinyl. The seven bonus tracks are listed below:
1) Spirit Family Reunion - "Man Of Peace" (from Infidels, 1983)2) Widespread Panic - "Solid Rock" (from Saved, 1980)3) Grayson Capps - "Silvio" (from Down In The Groove, 1988)4) Neal Casal - "Property Of Jesus" (from Shot Of Love, 1981)5) The Low Anthem - "Lenny Bruce" (from Shot Of Love, 1981)6) Jesse Elliott (These United States) - "Handy Dandy" (from Under The Red Sky, 1990)7) Chastity Brown - "Saving Grace" (from Saved, 1980) http://80sdylan.com/
Tuxedomoon are back with "Pink Narcissus"
Crammed Discs is pleased to present "Pink Narcissus"by Tuxedomoon
The first new release in 5 years by the legendary US band consists of original music written and recorded in 2011 at the instigation of French film festival L'Etrange Festival, as a new score for the eponymous, scandalous cult film from 1971, directed by James Bidgood. Tuxedomoon performed this soundtrack during a screening of the film in Sept 2011 in Paris.
This 53-minute opus ranks amongs their best instrumental suites ever, and will be released in a limited edition of 1000 copies exclusively on vinyl and digital (each copy of the LP will contain a unique download code). The LP is pressed in 180 gram audiophile vinyl, and the first 750 copies will be numbered.
The band's line-up on this album consists of Steven Brown, Peter Principle, Blaine L. Reininger and Luc van Lieshout.
Release date : April 19 (Record Store Day)
Upcoming live dates :22/03/2014 BE BRUGGE CACTUS CLUB24/03/2014 DE BERLIN K1728/03/2014 CH VEVEY ROCKING CHAIR02/04/2014 IT BOLOGNA DOM LA CUPOLA DEL PILASTRO20/09/2014 FR PARIS CAFE DE LA DANSE
About the band...
Born in 1977, in the heady atmosphere of San Francisco’s postpunk golden age, Tuxedomoon released two seminal albums on The Residents' Ralph Records and, fleeing Reagan's America, moved to Europe in the early 80s.
Their ability to crystallize a certain dark and romantic zeitgeist quickly turned them into one of the most influential bands around, yet their music transcended all genres and included impossibly wide parameters –rock, electronics, minimal music, classical, jazz, Gypsy music and pop were all simultaneously consumed and transmutated into a quasi-prescient blend.
Although the band members are now living very far apart (Mexico, New York, Greece and Belgium), Tuxedomoon have regularly been getting together since 2003, touring as well as recording some of their best work to date. More information here
More information on Tuxedomoon here.
THE CROOKES >> SOAPBOX album out 14 April
THE CROOKESThird album Soapbox out on 14th April via Fierce Panda'Don't Put Your Faith In Me' announced as second single, due 5th May Sheffield's hard-grafting purveyors of incisive indie pop The Crookesare due to release their third album Soapbox on Monday 14th April via fierce panda records on CD, LP and digitally. The second single to be taken from the longplayer will be 'Don't Put Your Faith In Me', issued in the form of a 7" and digitally on 5th May, which follows the BBC 6 Music Rebel Playlist-winning 'Play Dumb' (video below).
The Truth: THE CROOKES consist of George Waite (vocals / bass), Daniel Hopewell (guitar), Tom Dakin (guitar) and Russell Bates (drums). They live in Sheffield and infamously found (most of) each other, bleary of eye and dancing alone, on the indie dancefloor at the city’s Fuzz Club near the close of the previous decade. Five years, 40-odd songs and hundreds of live shows down the line The Crookes are now hardly lacking in fans, followers or worthwhile friends but their new
Soapbox
album still sees them revel in the role of loners.“The most obvious theme that runs through the entire album is the idea of The Outsider,” frets guitarist and lyricist Daniel. “As a band that seems to suit us…never invited inside, but never wanting to be. I can empathise more with the madman standing on his soapbox, slowly gaining an audience by speaking with passion and honesty.”
Taking the role of The Outsider to its logical extreme, Soapbox saw the band forego the studio-related home comforts of South Yorkshire and instead drive their gear and recording facilities to the Alpine wilds of Italy at the start of winter. “We recorded at the very top of a mountain – quite literally in a cloud – in a very old church dedicated to San Antonio,” Daniel beams. “We saw nobody for weeks on end (except for a couple of hunters) and quickly forgot about the outside world. We nearly crashed and died trying to get all the gear up the narrow winding road that took you to Valle di Preone, a road marked with monuments for all the people who had slipped off before. We took a photograph of the church at night and the following day saw that an upside down crucifix had appeared in the picture – although we couldn’t work out how…”
If these pleasures were a wayward distraction then the band's sense of isolation manifested itself in Soapbox , a record which is littered with put downs and push offs, from “Fools like us, we don’t belong” in ‘When You’re Fragile’ to “Don’t you dare compare me to poster boys too thick to see the truth” in angry, twangy lead-off single ‘Play Dumb’ (released on March 3rd). One of these songs is called, simply and cruelly, ‘Don’t Put Your Faith In Me’, while ‘Outsiders’ sees them sigh, “Everyone you love will leave you in the end”.
Yet if this all suggests moping foppishness to a crippling Bridesheadian degree the meaty, chest-beating sound of Soapbox shows there is fire in the eyes lurking behind those floppy fringes. Aside from the sweetly serene ‘Howl’ and a wistful‘Holy Innocents’ Soapbox is packed full of stroppy riffs and emboldened stompings, for these are rebels who barely pause for breath. You may well have been hooked by The Crookes before: on the BBC 6 Music playlist, perhaps. Or maybe supporting Richard Hawley or Little Comets, or at SXSW, or on one of their many gentlemanly excursions around Europe, or in your local local on one of their numerous tours of Blighty.
You certainly couldn’t accuse The Crookes of shirking their tidy shirt-wearing duties: working to an agenda which would cause the shrinking three-gigs-and-out violets of East London palpitations on September 27th 2010 they released the Dreams Of Another Day mini-album; in the spring of 2011 came the Chasing After Ghosts album; the spring of 2012 saw the release of the Hold Fast album. Spring 2013 was relatively quiet – they merely released the ‘Bear’s Blood’ / 'Dance In Colour' standalone single and headlined London’s Scala. But as sure as the daffodils bloom and the cherry blossom blossoms so spring 2014 sees The Crookes deliver this here Soapbox longplayer, thereby become the first band to release three albums on fierce panda since the mighty Death Cab For Cutie a decade ago. You can’t fault their creativity or consistency. Unless you’re an uncaring bastard, of course. Which would make you very unlike The Crookes.
“This is definitely the bravest collection of songs we’ve ever written,” states a steely Daniel. “Musically we’ve definitely grown up (after many years of slaving away). It certainly isn’t a happy, carefree album. But again, the intention has never been to make people like us…but simply to make music that we like.”
'PLAY DUMB' video:
SOAPBOX TRACKLISTING:
1. Play Dumb
2. Don't Put Your Faith in Me
3. Echolalia
4. Before the Night Falls
5. Holy Innocents
6. Outsiders
7. When You're Fragile
8. Marcy
9. Howl
10. Soapbox
TOUR DATES:MARCH 23RD LOS ANGELES The Echo
APRIL 12TH SCUNTHORPE Lincoln Imp
APRIL 15TH NOTTINGHAM Bodega
APRIL 16TH LEEDS The Cockpit
APRIL 17TH NEWCASTLE Cluny 2
APRIL 18TH GLASGOW King Tut's
APRIL 19TH HULL The Adelphi
APRIL 22ND MANCHESTER Sound Control
APRIL 23RD BIRMINGHAM Hare & Hounds
APRIL 24TH STOKE Sugarmill
APRIL 25TH BATH Moles
APRIL 26TH SOUTHAMPTON Lennons
APRIL 27TH BRISTOL Thekla
APRIL 28TH BRIGHTON The Hope
APRIL 29TH LONDON CAMDEN Dingwalls
tUnE-yArDs Unveils Nikki Nack Details
tUnE-yArDs Unveils Nikki Nack DetailsListen To 'Water Fountain'Extensive Tour Dates
Set for release in the week commencing 5th May, tUnE-yArDs have released more details around third album Nikki Nack. Available to pre-order now in both digital and physical formats, Nikki Nack succeeds the critically acclaimed w h o k i l l (2011) and represents tUnE-yArDs' most immediate work to date.Both tUnE-yArDs' own webstore and the 4AD Store will have some special pre-order offers. While supplies last, CD and vinyl purchases will come with a signed print, with the vinyl pre-orders also coming with a limited edition 7" of 'Water Fountain' (backed with the album's 'MegaMix'). That's not all - a limited red coloured version of the LP will be made available as an indie store exclusive and through both stores, again while supplies last.For full album details including track-listing and extensive new tour dates, head here.Pre-order on iTunes here.
Pre-order on Amazon here.
Pre-order from the 4AD Store here.Listen to 'Water Fountain' below:
Set for release in the week commencing 5th May, tUnE-yArDs have released more details around third album Nikki Nack. Available to pre-order now in both digital and physical formats, Nikki Nack succeeds the critically acclaimed w h o k i l l (2011) and represents tUnE-yArDs' most immediate work to date.Both tUnE-yArDs' own webstore and the 4AD Store will have some special pre-order offers. While supplies last, CD and vinyl purchases will come with a signed print, with the vinyl pre-orders also coming with a limited edition 7" of 'Water Fountain' (backed with the album's 'MegaMix'). That's not all - a limited red coloured version of the LP will be made available as an indie store exclusive and through both stores, again while supplies last.For full album details including track-listing and extensive new tour dates, head here.Pre-order on iTunes here.
Pre-order on Amazon here.
Pre-order from the 4AD Store here.Listen to 'Water Fountain' below:
ASTR RELEASES NEW TRACK ‘PART OF ME’
ASTR RELEASES NEW TRACK ‘PART OF ME’
VIA U.K DJ AND TASTEMAKER ANNIE MAC
RELEASES THE CHAINSMOKERS & THE-DRUM ‘OPERATE’ REMIXES
CONFIRM NYC PAINTED BLACK ACT III AND
SWEETLIFE FESTIVAL
NORTH AMERICAN TOUR DATES
03/20 - Painted Black Act III - New York, NY @ Irving Plaza
05/10 - Columbia, MD - Sweetlife Festival - Columbia, MD @ Merriweather Post Pavilion
Just back from a successful inaugural SXSW experience, NYC-based duo ASTR dropped a brand-new studio track, ‘Part of Me,’ via British U.K DJ and international tastemaker Annie Mac. Created exclusively for Annie’sFree Music Monday North American Takeover campaign, ‘Part of Me’ is punctuated by ASTR’s signature blend of electronic pop and sultry R&B. The song is the group's first new official studio recording since the release of their Varsity EP in January. Listen to ‘Part of Me’ here.
With six SXSW festival shows, ASTR drew packed houses to intimate venues (Naked Grape, Nylon at Malverde, Blackheart) and grand stages alike (Doritos, CUSP Launch, Dickie’s Roadhouse), where crowds of supporters, fueled by the band’s infectious energy, sang and danced along with their favorite tracks. Named as one of The Huffington Post’s “30 Acts About to Break” and Get Festy’s “Best of Electronic Music at SXSW 2014,” ASTR is certainly “a duo everyone has been talking about,” observes Nylon Guys , adding “after seeing them light up the party we can see why.” The pair was also featured as part of Vanity Fair’s exclusive “Street Style” guide.
This Thursday, ASTR will perform at MATTE’s Painted Black Act III at Irving Plaza with Ryan Hemsworth and Glass Gang. To celebrate the upcoming event, the duo created an exclusive playlist for Pigeons & Planes.
ASTR has also just confirmed an appearance at the Sweetlife Festival in Columbia, MD - just outside of Washington, DC - at the iconic Merriweather Post Pavilion.
Remixes of the duos’ hit ‘Operate’ by The Chainsmokers and The-Drum are available beginning today onSpotify, iTunes and Google Play. Their live ‘Operate’ Absolut Encore Session, which was filmed at ASTR’sGrammy weekend performance in Los Angeles, is available here. The Absolut Encore Session’s party was named one of “The Top 10 Grammy Parties” by the Hollywood Reporter, and included guests Daft Punk, Jessica Alba, Rita Ora, Sky Ferreira, among others.
VIA U.K DJ AND TASTEMAKER ANNIE MAC
RELEASES THE CHAINSMOKERS & THE-DRUM ‘OPERATE’ REMIXES
CONFIRM NYC PAINTED BLACK ACT III AND
SWEETLIFE FESTIVAL
NORTH AMERICAN TOUR DATES
03/20 - Painted Black Act III - New York, NY @ Irving Plaza
05/10 - Columbia, MD - Sweetlife Festival - Columbia, MD @ Merriweather Post Pavilion
Just back from a successful inaugural SXSW experience, NYC-based duo ASTR dropped a brand-new studio track, ‘Part of Me,’ via British U.K DJ and international tastemaker Annie Mac. Created exclusively for Annie’sFree Music Monday North American Takeover campaign, ‘Part of Me’ is punctuated by ASTR’s signature blend of electronic pop and sultry R&B. The song is the group's first new official studio recording since the release of their Varsity EP in January. Listen to ‘Part of Me’ here.
With six SXSW festival shows, ASTR drew packed houses to intimate venues (Naked Grape, Nylon at Malverde, Blackheart) and grand stages alike (Doritos, CUSP Launch, Dickie’s Roadhouse), where crowds of supporters, fueled by the band’s infectious energy, sang and danced along with their favorite tracks. Named as one of The Huffington Post’s “30 Acts About to Break” and Get Festy’s “Best of Electronic Music at SXSW 2014,” ASTR is certainly “a duo everyone has been talking about,” observes Nylon Guys , adding “after seeing them light up the party we can see why.” The pair was also featured as part of Vanity Fair’s exclusive “Street Style” guide.
This Thursday, ASTR will perform at MATTE’s Painted Black Act III at Irving Plaza with Ryan Hemsworth and Glass Gang. To celebrate the upcoming event, the duo created an exclusive playlist for Pigeons & Planes.
ASTR has also just confirmed an appearance at the Sweetlife Festival in Columbia, MD - just outside of Washington, DC - at the iconic Merriweather Post Pavilion.
Remixes of the duos’ hit ‘Operate’ by The Chainsmokers and The-Drum are available beginning today onSpotify, iTunes and Google Play. Their live ‘Operate’ Absolut Encore Session, which was filmed at ASTR’sGrammy weekend performance in Los Angeles, is available here. The Absolut Encore Session’s party was named one of “The Top 10 Grammy Parties” by the Hollywood Reporter, and included guests Daft Punk, Jessica Alba, Rita Ora, Sky Ferreira, among others.
CLASSIC ROCK PREMIERES THE STOOGES' JAMES WILLIAMSON
THE STOOGES' JAMES WILLIAMSON TO RELEASE HIS NEW
EXCLUSIVE
RECORD STORE DAY VINYL SINGLE "OPEN UP AND BLEED"/"GIMME SOME SKIN" ON APRIL 19TH!
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN T
O THE PREMIERE OF THE IGGY POP/JAMES WILLIAMSON-PENNED TRACK "GIMME SOME SKIN" W/ TEXAS BLUES SINGER & GUITARIST CAROLYN WONDERLAND VIA CLASSIC ROCK MAGAZINE
JAMES WILLIAMSON RELEASES A STATEMENT ON THE PASSING OF HIS FRIEND & LEGENDARY STOOGES DRUMMER SCOTT ASHETON
CLICK THE IMAGE ABOVE TO WATCH THE VIDEO TEASER FOR "GIMME SOME SKIN" While on a break from touring this year, the members of the live touring version of The Stooges got together and recorded songs that were originally penned by Iggy Pop and James Williamson in 1973/74. These songs were never properly recorded since the band didn't have a record deal at the time. James Williamson always wanted to revisit these songs and has done so with a powerhouse lineup of singers who don’t disappoint on his forthcoming album entitled
Re-Licked
. "Open Up & Bleed"/"Gimme Some Skin" is the first single from Re-Licked, which will be out later this year. The Stooges' James Williamson, Steve Mackay,Mike Watt & drummer Toby Dammit are joined on both tracks by Texas blues singer & guitarist Carolyn Wonderland, who adds her own forceful and soul-drenching takes on these two rarely heard gems.
Re-Licked will also feature other lesser-known Stooges tracks properly recorded and mixed for the first time. Songs such as "I Gotta Right," "Rubber Legs," "She Creatures of the Hollywood Hills," "Wild Love" and others will be fronted by a wealth of talented vocalists such as Jello Biafra, Mark Lanegan, Ariel Pink, Lisa Kekuala (The BellRays) and others to be announced soon.
James Williamson & Carolyn Wonderland's new limited vinyl single "Open Up & Bleed"/"Gimme Some Skin" will be available at independent record stores worldwide on Record Store Day, April 19th.
Following the recent and unfortunate passing of The Stooges' legendary drummer Scott Asheton, James Williamson released this statement..."To all my friends, Thank you so much for your kind words and thoughts around the passing of our friend and bandmate Scott Asheton last night. My only comfort is that he reached out to me in an email about a week or two ago saying that he was thinking of me and the good times we had together and that he would like to make some music with me. I responded but he never got back to me again. I guess that was his way of saying goodbye for now…. Anyway, my heart goes out to his immediate family Liz, Leanna Raquel Asheton and Kathleen Asheton. He was one of the good guys and a friend of mine."
James Williamson (photo: Tanya Alexis)
FOR MORE INFO ON JAMES WILLIAMSON:
http://straightjameswilliamson.com
CLICK THE IMAGE ABOVE TO WATCH THE VIDEO TEASER FOR "GIMME SOME SKIN" While on a break from touring this year, the members of the live touring version of The Stooges got together and recorded songs that were originally penned by Iggy Pop and James Williamson in 1973/74. These songs were never properly recorded since the band didn't have a record deal at the time. James Williamson always wanted to revisit these songs and has done so with a powerhouse lineup of singers who don’t disappoint on his forthcoming album entitled
Re-Licked
. "Open Up & Bleed"/"Gimme Some Skin" is the first single from Re-Licked, which will be out later this year. The Stooges' James Williamson, Steve Mackay,Mike Watt & drummer Toby Dammit are joined on both tracks by Texas blues singer & guitarist Carolyn Wonderland, who adds her own forceful and soul-drenching takes on these two rarely heard gems.Re-Licked will also feature other lesser-known Stooges tracks properly recorded and mixed for the first time. Songs such as "I Gotta Right," "Rubber Legs," "She Creatures of the Hollywood Hills," "Wild Love" and others will be fronted by a wealth of talented vocalists such as Jello Biafra, Mark Lanegan, Ariel Pink, Lisa Kekuala (The BellRays) and others to be announced soon.
James Williamson & Carolyn Wonderland's new limited vinyl single "Open Up & Bleed"/"Gimme Some Skin" will be available at independent record stores worldwide on Record Store Day, April 19th.
Following the recent and unfortunate passing of The Stooges' legendary drummer Scott Asheton, James Williamson released this statement..."To all my friends, Thank you so much for your kind words and thoughts around the passing of our friend and bandmate Scott Asheton last night. My only comfort is that he reached out to me in an email about a week or two ago saying that he was thinking of me and the good times we had together and that he would like to make some music with me. I responded but he never got back to me again. I guess that was his way of saying goodbye for now…. Anyway, my heart goes out to his immediate family Liz, Leanna Raquel Asheton and Kathleen Asheton. He was one of the good guys and a friend of mine."
James Williamson (photo: Tanya Alexis)FOR MORE INFO ON JAMES WILLIAMSON:
http://straightjameswilliamson.com
Anthony Braxton premieres new opera, Trillium J
ANTHONY BRAXTON CONTINUES 69TH BIRTHDAY SEASON WITH PREMIERE OF LATEST OPERA:TRILLIUM J (THE NON-UNCONFESSIONABLES)
Photo credit: Michael Weintrob, michaelweintrob.com
Esteemed American composer, musician, educator, recording artist and philosopher Anthony Braxton continues his 69th birthday season with the premiere of his latest multimedia opera,Trillium J (The Non-Unconfessionables) at Roulette in Brooklyn April 17–19. The semi-staged, four-act opera is being presented as part of the two-weekend Tri-Centric Music Festival produced by Braxton’s Tri-Centric Foundation, where audiences—or “friendly-experiencers,” as the prolific MacArthur Fellow, Doris Duke Performing Artist and recently-named NEA Jazz Master likes to refer to his listeners—will have the option of experiencing two acts at a time on two separate evenings, or attending a full day with the first two acts presented as a matinee and the second two acts presented that same evening. Please see below for full cast and performance details.
Crucial to the mission of Braxton’s Tri-Centric Foundation is the cultivation of a vibrant community of creative musicians, of which Trillium J—with its cast of 12 vocalists, 12 instrumental soloists, two dancers and 37-piece orchestra—is a shining example. Led by a team that includes Braxton (composer, librettist, conductor), Acushla Bastible (director), Chris Jonas (video director) and Taylor Ho Bynum (producer), the production brings together over 60 artists to explore new ideas of opera and performance. The work clearly demonstrates the technical rigor and improvisational magic for which Braxton is famed, but also features broad humor, sly satire and a broad appreciation of the unexpected. Philosophical insight is balanced with moments of absurdist surprise—offering multiple levels of appreciation to listeners both familiar with Braxton’s canon and those new to his work.
Following the premiere the project will move into the studio to be recorded and released as a CD/DVD box set in the spring of 2015. The set will incorporate both live video and animation in order to fully document this massive work.
Braxton has identified the Trillium opera cycle as the ongoing project closest to his heart. Once complete, he envisions an interlinked “opera complex” of 36 acts where each chapter also exists as a stand-alone opera. Three have been performed so far: Trillium A (one act, fully staged in San Diego in 1985), Trillium M (two acts, in a concert performance in London in 1994) and Trillium R (four acts, fully staged in NYC in 1996). The performances of Trillium Mand Trillium R both resulted in CD releases, and the four-act Trillium E was recorded in the studio in 2010 and commercially released the following year. Braxton is currently in the final stages of Trillium X (four acts), which will bring him more than halfway to his ultimate goal.
The settings of the various acts of the Trillium cycle range from corporate board meetings to interplanetary space travel. Trillium J includes portrayals of the completion of the intercontinental railroad, a garden of anthropomorphized animals accused of corruption and fraud, a murder mystery in a haunted house and two trials—one by gangsters and one by jury. Each act occurs within these specific dramatic contexts, but there is no overarching narrative structure; rather, the interest is in how the characters interact within the parameters of these situations. However, the “apparent story” is just one of three levels; underlying each act are the “philosophical” and “mystical” dynamics that so deeply inform Braxton’s libretto and music.
“Events in this sound world attempt to act out a given central concept from many different points of view,” Braxton explains. “There is no single story line in Trillium because there is no point of focus being generated. Instead the audience is given a multi-level event state that fulfills vertical and horizontal strategies (objectives). The wonder of this approach brings a fresh vitality to the music and will allow for a broad range of interpretations. I believe that the medium of opera is directly relevant to cultural alignment and evolution.”
Taking a cue from Braxton’s “Tri-Axium” philosophical writings exploring the “partials” of his life’s work—music (sound logic) systems, thought (philosophical) systems, and ritual and ceremonial (belief) systems—the decision to publicly celebrate his 69th birthday (a number divisible by three) is a natural one. The season continues through the fall of 2014 with the release of a series of CD box sets of new material: Trio (New Haven) 2013 , a 4-CD set of Braxton performing with two of contemporary improvisation’s leading drummers, Tom Raineyand Tomas Fujiwara; 12 Duets (DCWM) 2012 , a 12-CD set presenting Braxton in dialogue with three distinctive duet partners: violinist Erica Dicker, vocalist Kyoko Kitamura and bassoonist Katherine Young; and 3 Compositions (EEMHM) 2011 , a 3-CD set documenting Braxton’s newest composition system, Echo Echo Mirror House Music, featuring Braxton’s long-running septet with Taylor Ho Bynum (brass), Jessica Pavone (viola), Mary Halvorson (guitar), Jay Rozen (tuba), Carl Testa (bass) and Aaron Siegel (percussion). More information on these recordings is available separately.
PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE
Thursday, April 17
Anthony Braxton: Trillium J (The Non-Unconfessionables) (Acts I & II)8 p.m. at Roulette
http://roulette.org/events/anthony-braxtons-trillium-j-the-non-unconfessionables-acts-i-ii/
Friday, April 18
Anthony Braxton: Trillium J (The Non-Unconfessionables) (Acts III & IV)8 p.m. at Roulette
http://roulette.org/events/anthony-braxtons-trillium-j-the-non-unconfessionables-acts-iii-iv/
Saturday, April 19
Anthony Braxton: Trillium J (The Non-Unconfessionables) (Acts I & II)3 p.m. at Roulette
http://roulette.org/events/anthony-braxtons-trillium-j-the-non-unconfessionables-acts-i-ii-2/
Saturday, April 19
Anthony Braxton: Trillium J (The Non-Unconfessionables) (Acts III & IV)8 p.m. at Roulette
http://roulette.org/events/anthony-braxtons-trillium-j-the-non-unconfessionables-acts-iii-iv-2/
COMPLETE PERSONNEL
Cast:
Zakko—Roland Burks, bass
Ashmenton—Kelvin Chan, baritone
Joreo—Tomas Cruz, tenor
Helena—Lucy Dhegrae, soprano
Bubba John Jack—Chris DiMeglio, baritone
Alva—Kristin Fung, mezzo-soprano
David—Nick Hallett, tenor
Ntzockie—Kyoko Kitamura, soprano
Sundance—Kamala Sankaram, soprano
Kim—Elizabeth Saunders, mezzo-soprano
Shala—Jen Shyu, soprano
Ojuwain—Vince Vincent, tenor
Instrumental Soloists:
Vincent Chancey, French horn
Domenica Fossati, flute
Jacob Garchik, baritone horn
Jim Hobbs, alto saxophone
Ingrid Laubrock, soprano saxophone
Oscar Noriega, clarinet
Dan Peck, tuba
Reut Regev, trombone
Stephanie Richards, trumpet
Katie Scheele, English horn
Josh Sinton, bass clarinet
Libby Van Cleve, oboe
Dancers:
Rachel Bernsen
Melanie Maar
Orchestra:
Violin
Erica Dicker (concertmaster)
Renee Baker
Sam Bardfeld
Sarah Bernstein
Julianne Carney
Jason Hwang
Mazz Swift
Scott Tixier
Viola
Amy Cimini
Jessica Pavone
Erin Wight
Cello
Marika Hughes
Tomeka Reid
Tomas Ulrich
Bass
Ken Filiano
Mark Helias
Flute
Leah Paul
Domenica FossatiOboe/English horn
Kathy Halvorson
Katie Scheele
Libby Van CleveClarinet/saxophone
Mike McGinnis
Jim Hobbs
Ingrid Laubrock
Oscar Noriega
Josh Sinton
Bassoon
Sara Schoenbeck
Katherine YoungFrench horn
Nathan Koci
Vincent Chancey
Trumpet
Gareth Flowers
Stephanie RichardsTrombone
Jacob Garchik
Reut Regev
Tuba
Dan PeckPercussion
David Shively
Harp
Jacqui Kerrod
Production:
Anthony Braxton, Conductor/Composer/Librettist
Taylor Ho Bynum, Producer/Assistant Conductor
Acushla Bastible, Director
Louisa Proske, Associate Director
Chris Jonas, Video Director
Dylan McLaughlin, Associate Video Director
Rachel Bernsen, Choreographer
Amy Crawford, Sound Design
Kyoko Kitamura, Assistant Producer
Tyler Rai, Production Assistant
Yi Zhao, Lighting designer
Nikki Delhomme, Costume Designer
Desiree Alejandro, Stage Manager
Photo credit: Michael Weintrob, michaelweintrob.comEsteemed American composer, musician, educator, recording artist and philosopher Anthony Braxton continues his 69th birthday season with the premiere of his latest multimedia opera,Trillium J (The Non-Unconfessionables) at Roulette in Brooklyn April 17–19. The semi-staged, four-act opera is being presented as part of the two-weekend Tri-Centric Music Festival produced by Braxton’s Tri-Centric Foundation, where audiences—or “friendly-experiencers,” as the prolific MacArthur Fellow, Doris Duke Performing Artist and recently-named NEA Jazz Master likes to refer to his listeners—will have the option of experiencing two acts at a time on two separate evenings, or attending a full day with the first two acts presented as a matinee and the second two acts presented that same evening. Please see below for full cast and performance details.
Crucial to the mission of Braxton’s Tri-Centric Foundation is the cultivation of a vibrant community of creative musicians, of which Trillium J—with its cast of 12 vocalists, 12 instrumental soloists, two dancers and 37-piece orchestra—is a shining example. Led by a team that includes Braxton (composer, librettist, conductor), Acushla Bastible (director), Chris Jonas (video director) and Taylor Ho Bynum (producer), the production brings together over 60 artists to explore new ideas of opera and performance. The work clearly demonstrates the technical rigor and improvisational magic for which Braxton is famed, but also features broad humor, sly satire and a broad appreciation of the unexpected. Philosophical insight is balanced with moments of absurdist surprise—offering multiple levels of appreciation to listeners both familiar with Braxton’s canon and those new to his work.
Following the premiere the project will move into the studio to be recorded and released as a CD/DVD box set in the spring of 2015. The set will incorporate both live video and animation in order to fully document this massive work.
Braxton has identified the Trillium opera cycle as the ongoing project closest to his heart. Once complete, he envisions an interlinked “opera complex” of 36 acts where each chapter also exists as a stand-alone opera. Three have been performed so far: Trillium A (one act, fully staged in San Diego in 1985), Trillium M (two acts, in a concert performance in London in 1994) and Trillium R (four acts, fully staged in NYC in 1996). The performances of Trillium Mand Trillium R both resulted in CD releases, and the four-act Trillium E was recorded in the studio in 2010 and commercially released the following year. Braxton is currently in the final stages of Trillium X (four acts), which will bring him more than halfway to his ultimate goal.
The settings of the various acts of the Trillium cycle range from corporate board meetings to interplanetary space travel. Trillium J includes portrayals of the completion of the intercontinental railroad, a garden of anthropomorphized animals accused of corruption and fraud, a murder mystery in a haunted house and two trials—one by gangsters and one by jury. Each act occurs within these specific dramatic contexts, but there is no overarching narrative structure; rather, the interest is in how the characters interact within the parameters of these situations. However, the “apparent story” is just one of three levels; underlying each act are the “philosophical” and “mystical” dynamics that so deeply inform Braxton’s libretto and music.
“Events in this sound world attempt to act out a given central concept from many different points of view,” Braxton explains. “There is no single story line in Trillium because there is no point of focus being generated. Instead the audience is given a multi-level event state that fulfills vertical and horizontal strategies (objectives). The wonder of this approach brings a fresh vitality to the music and will allow for a broad range of interpretations. I believe that the medium of opera is directly relevant to cultural alignment and evolution.”
Taking a cue from Braxton’s “Tri-Axium” philosophical writings exploring the “partials” of his life’s work—music (sound logic) systems, thought (philosophical) systems, and ritual and ceremonial (belief) systems—the decision to publicly celebrate his 69th birthday (a number divisible by three) is a natural one. The season continues through the fall of 2014 with the release of a series of CD box sets of new material: Trio (New Haven) 2013 , a 4-CD set of Braxton performing with two of contemporary improvisation’s leading drummers, Tom Raineyand Tomas Fujiwara; 12 Duets (DCWM) 2012 , a 12-CD set presenting Braxton in dialogue with three distinctive duet partners: violinist Erica Dicker, vocalist Kyoko Kitamura and bassoonist Katherine Young; and 3 Compositions (EEMHM) 2011 , a 3-CD set documenting Braxton’s newest composition system, Echo Echo Mirror House Music, featuring Braxton’s long-running septet with Taylor Ho Bynum (brass), Jessica Pavone (viola), Mary Halvorson (guitar), Jay Rozen (tuba), Carl Testa (bass) and Aaron Siegel (percussion). More information on these recordings is available separately.
PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE
Thursday, April 17
Anthony Braxton: Trillium J (The Non-Unconfessionables) (Acts I & II)8 p.m. at Roulette
http://roulette.org/events/anthony-braxtons-trillium-j-the-non-unconfessionables-acts-i-ii/
Friday, April 18
Anthony Braxton: Trillium J (The Non-Unconfessionables) (Acts III & IV)8 p.m. at Roulette
http://roulette.org/events/anthony-braxtons-trillium-j-the-non-unconfessionables-acts-iii-iv/
Saturday, April 19
Anthony Braxton: Trillium J (The Non-Unconfessionables) (Acts I & II)3 p.m. at Roulette
http://roulette.org/events/anthony-braxtons-trillium-j-the-non-unconfessionables-acts-i-ii-2/
Saturday, April 19
Anthony Braxton: Trillium J (The Non-Unconfessionables) (Acts III & IV)8 p.m. at Roulette
http://roulette.org/events/anthony-braxtons-trillium-j-the-non-unconfessionables-acts-iii-iv-2/
COMPLETE PERSONNEL
Cast:
Zakko—Roland Burks, bass
Ashmenton—Kelvin Chan, baritone
Joreo—Tomas Cruz, tenor
Helena—Lucy Dhegrae, soprano
Bubba John Jack—Chris DiMeglio, baritone
Alva—Kristin Fung, mezzo-soprano
David—Nick Hallett, tenor
Ntzockie—Kyoko Kitamura, soprano
Sundance—Kamala Sankaram, soprano
Kim—Elizabeth Saunders, mezzo-soprano
Shala—Jen Shyu, soprano
Ojuwain—Vince Vincent, tenor
Instrumental Soloists:
Vincent Chancey, French horn
Domenica Fossati, flute
Jacob Garchik, baritone horn
Jim Hobbs, alto saxophone
Ingrid Laubrock, soprano saxophone
Oscar Noriega, clarinet
Dan Peck, tuba
Reut Regev, trombone
Stephanie Richards, trumpet
Katie Scheele, English horn
Josh Sinton, bass clarinet
Libby Van Cleve, oboe
Dancers:
Rachel Bernsen
Melanie Maar
Orchestra:
Violin
Erica Dicker (concertmaster)
Renee Baker
Sam Bardfeld
Sarah Bernstein
Julianne Carney
Jason Hwang
Mazz Swift
Scott Tixier
Viola
Amy Cimini
Jessica Pavone
Erin Wight
Cello
Marika Hughes
Tomeka Reid
Tomas Ulrich
Bass
Ken Filiano
Mark Helias
Flute
Leah Paul
Domenica FossatiOboe/English horn
Kathy Halvorson
Katie Scheele
Libby Van CleveClarinet/saxophone
Mike McGinnis
Jim Hobbs
Ingrid Laubrock
Oscar Noriega
Josh Sinton
Bassoon
Sara Schoenbeck
Katherine YoungFrench horn
Nathan Koci
Vincent Chancey
Trumpet
Gareth Flowers
Stephanie RichardsTrombone
Jacob Garchik
Reut Regev
Tuba
Dan PeckPercussion
David Shively
Harp
Jacqui Kerrod
Production:
Anthony Braxton, Conductor/Composer/Librettist
Taylor Ho Bynum, Producer/Assistant Conductor
Acushla Bastible, Director
Louisa Proske, Associate Director
Chris Jonas, Video Director
Dylan McLaughlin, Associate Video Director
Rachel Bernsen, Choreographer
Amy Crawford, Sound Design
Kyoko Kitamura, Assistant Producer
Tyler Rai, Production Assistant
Yi Zhao, Lighting designer
Nikki Delhomme, Costume Designer
Desiree Alejandro, Stage Manager
