Alexander Laurence's Blog, page 2613

Matthew J. Tow Streaming @ ARTISTdirect

Matthew J. Tow Streaming�It�s Gonna Be Alright� On ARTISTdirect

The Way Of Things Available Via Xemu RecordsARTISTdirect is featuring Matthew J. Tow�s new song, �It�s Gonna Be Alright,� in its �New Artist Alert� series. The psychedelic, folk-inspired track appears on the Australian songwriters� debut full-length,  The Way of Things,  out now from label Xemu Records. 

Stream �It�s Gonna Be Alright� here:
http://www.artistdirect.com/entertainment-news/article/new-artist-alert-matthew-j-tow/10609494 

��It�s Gonna Be Alright� is about how we deal with adversity and uncertainty in life� Tow explains to ARTISTdirect about the song�s meaning, a recurring lyrical theme present throughout the album. �For most of us, life usually turns out completely different to how we expected it to be and it�s how we deal with that situation. In many ways, it�s an ode to the downtrodden and the forgotten, but it�s also a song about redemption and ultimately it�s about staying true to yourself and your convictions, through whatever comes your way.� 

Tow has become known for his ability to create condensed melodic rock gems at the drop of a hat during his time fronting The Lovetonesand Drop City. Tow has also released four albums under the guise of Colorsound, taking a much more instrumental and experimental approach than his other projects. His musical endeavors led to him touring with the likes of Morrisey, Stereolab, The Stone Roses,Dead Meadow, Yo La Tengo, Manic Street Preachers, and Brian Jonestown Massacre (a group which Tow served in as a touring guitarist in and a contributing songwriter for the 2003 album  And This Is Our Music. 

For The Way Of Things, Tow enlisted Collin Hegna of The Brian Jonestown Massacre to produce, with Ryan Carlson van Kriedt(guitarist of Icelandic psychedelic outfit, Dead Skeletons) also heavily contributing to the album. �Collin is an amazing producer. He would take time to go through the songs, listen and work out specific arrangements and give great guidance in the studio,� explains Tow of the recording process. �However, the record would not have worked as well if it wasn�t also for Ryan�s input. He was the �X factor� behind a lot of the sounds, textures and finishing touches on the album.� 

Tow will be announcing tour dates in support of The Way of Things shortly. Joining him on the road as part of his live band will be Hegna and van Kreidt, as well as contributing musicians Maria Karlin, Jason Anchondo (The Upside Down), Paul Brainard and Brian Gardiner. 

More info on Matt Tow: http://matthewjtow.com/ 

Purchase The Way Of Things here:
http://www.amazon.com/Way-Things-Matthew-J-Tow/dp/B00CJXYRPK/ref=sr_1_1_title_1_aud?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1371066956&sr=1-1&keywords=Matthew+J+Tow 

CULTURE COLLIDE 2013

We can't wait for another year of FILTER Mag's Culture Collide! This lineup is unbeatable for only $30 and 4 days of music packed madness! Plus there are even more bands getting announced soon!


Tickets are available here and check out this rad video from all the fun festivities last year! See you in October!!

Caveman's Tour With Rogue Wave

Caveman's Tour With Rogue Wave 

Caveman - “In The City” (Feat. Julia Stiles, Fran Kranz and Michael Cavadias) video on YouTube HERE and VEVO HERE CAVEMAN out now via Fat Possum Records - listen on SoundCloud HERE

Caveman Summer Tour:
* w/ Rogue Wave
# co-headline w/ Night Beds


6/18 – Charlotte, VA @ The Southern #
6/19 - Washington, DC @ Black Cat *
6/20 - Cambridge, MA @ the Sinclair *
6/21 - Brooklyn, NY @ Music Hall Of Williamsburg *
6/22 - New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom *
6/23 - Millvale, PA @ Mr. Small's Theatre *
6/25 - Toronto, ON @ the Mod Club *
6/26 - Detroit, MI @ Majestic Theatre *
6/27 - Chicago, IL @ Lincoln Hall *
6/28 - Chicago, IL @ Lincoln Hall *
6/29 - Minneapolis, MN @ Fine Line Music Cafe *
7/01 – Madison, WI @ High Noon Saloon
7/02 – Grand Rapids, MI @ Pyramid Scheme
9/27 – Cincinnati, OH @ Midpoint Music Festival
9/28 – Champaign, IL @ Pygmalion Music Festival



Extra / free to share:
James "Cobra" Carbonetti handcrafts and designs award winning electric guitars from scratch HERE
Stefan Marolachakis’ ESPN column about music and sports called "Caveman with a van" HERE
 

Caveman revealed their video for the track “In The City” last month. Director Philip Di Fiore made a thrilling portrait of a tourist couple visiting New York City for the first time. Head over to VEVO to see what happens when the couple, played by Julia Stiles and Fran Kranz, discover what lies underneath the surface of the playground of the city…
 
Caveman—a five-man vibe collective from NYC—released their first album in 2011. As first albums go,  CoCo Beware  was something akin to a moody statement of intent, a blueprint for a band quickly learning how to create horizon-wide rock songs that were equal parts intimate and expansive. Initially self-released and later snatched up by Fat Possum for re-release in early 2012, the record brims over with four-part harmonies, crystalline guitar lines, and tracks that see-sawed between echoey lullaby (“A Country’s King of Dreams”) to shoegaze-by-way-of classic-FM-radio sprawl (“Old Friend”). The album quickly elevated Caveman from local band to watch to a sizable touring draw and formidable live act, as evidenced by stints on the road with the likes of The War on Drugs, White Rabbits and Built to Spill. Despite being the work of a brand new band, CoCo Beware displayed a kind of Zen-like ease. It was the sound a five friends settling into a nice groove; the music that happens when, for whatever reason, a lot of seemingly disparate elements finally fall into place.
 
The guys holed up in Brooklyn’s Rumpus Room to start recording in earnest with Nick Stumpf (who produced the band’s debut album) and Albert Di Fiore behind the controls. The album is a kind of sonic microcosm—a series of emotional yet tough mini-narratives operating within the same quixotic musical universe.
 
The guitars on  Caveman  are bigger and more expansive, the rhythm section is tighter and more adventurous, the keyboards more opaque and pronounced. Like a marriage between Tangerine Dream, late period Slowdive, and Lindsey Buckingham, tracks like their new single“In the City” and “Ankles” boast synth lines that sound simultaneously retro and futuristic, while “Pricey” and “Never Want to Know” overflow with guitar sounds that could have miraculously floated off an old Cure album. It should be noted that James Carbonetti, the band’s primary guitar player, also happens to be one of the most highly regarded guitar makers in New York City.
 
And while Caveman’s music could certainly operate on the level of dreamy soundscape and still be excellent, the depth of feeling in front man Matthew Iwanusa’s lyrics helps weave the songs deeply into your memory. When Iwanusa sings Where’s the time to waste on someone else’s life? on “Where’s the Time,” it’s hard not to read between the lines. Wonder and regret seem to fuel the record in almost equal measure.
 
“In The City” Music video credits:
Directed by Philip Di Fiore
DP Christopher J. Lytwyn

WAMPIRE ANNOUNCES TOUR WITH SMITH WESTERNS

WAMPIRE ANNOUNCES TOUR WITH SMITH WESTERNS
SHARES STRFKR'S REMIX OF "ORCHARDS"
CURIOSITY OUT NOW ON POLYVINYL 
Wampire photographed by Andy DeSantis
Following the recently release of their debut LP Curiosity and the close of their tour dates with fellow Portland residents and Polyvinyl label-mates STRFKR, Wampire with new music and a new summer tour. In July, the band will head out on a full US tour with Smith Westerns. To celebrate, they're sharing the remix that STRFKR have done for Curiosity cut "Orchards." They've stripped away the original's haze and replaced it with throbbing synths and an insistent hi-hat that retains the essence of the source material while making their take decidedly more upbeat.STREAM: "Orchards" - https://soundcloud.com/polyvinyl-records/wampire-orchards-strfkr-remix VIDEO: "Orchards" -  http://youtu.be/7wd9W91FEyA TOUR DATES 
07/03 Portland, OR - Holocene07/20 Louisville, KY - Headliners Music Hall *07/21 Nashville, TN - Exit/In *07/23 Washington, DC - Black Cat *07/24 Brooklyn, NY - Music Hall of Williamsburg *07/26 Philadelphia, PA - Union Transfer *07/27 Cambridge, MA - The Sinclair *07/28 Montreal, QC - Cabaret Mile End *07/29 Toronto, ON - Lee's Palace *07/31 Chicago, IL - Lincoln Hall *08/05 Kansas City, MO - The Riot Room *08/06 Denver, CO - Bluebird Theatre *08/07 Salt Lake City, UT - Urban Lounge *08/10 Los Angeles, CA - El Rey Theatre *08/11 Pomona, CA - The Glass House *08/12 San Diego, CA - The Casbah *08/16 Seattle, WA - The Crocodile Cafe *08/17 Vancouver, BC - Electric Owl *
* = w/ Smith Westerns
After forming Wampire, Rocky Tinder and Eric Phipps steadily began to make a name for themselves in the same Portland, OR, scene that has produced labelmates STRFKR as well as Unknown Mortal Orchestra. It makes sense, then, that Wampire came to Polyvinyl's attention when the duo opened for STRFKR at a hometown Portland show and that UMO's bassist Jacob Portrait produced Wampire's debut full-length, Curiosity.
The choice of Portrait was a natural one, with both Tinder and Phipps believing he'd be able to contribute almost as much to the record as they would. And so, in mid-August Tinder and Phipps each brought fragments of song ideas into the studio, before deconstructing, re-arranging, and fitting them back together piece by piece -- at times lyrics and melodies were thrown out, brought back from the dead, or improvised on the spot.
This loosely structured approach made the process truly collaborative, with producer Portrait occasionally chipping in ideas for lyrics, arrangements, and instrumentation. The resulting nine tracks are instantly memorable, while defying easy categorization. Says Phipps, "We realized the record began to stray away from having a 'sound' and gradually became a platter with an assortment of sounds. The record showcases a flavor we haven't quite dug into before."
The album's diverse combination of sounds ultimately helped give birth to its title, Curiosity -- a word that invokes the listener's wonder at what will greet their ears next, while also describing the overall curious tone the record possesses.
First single, "The Hearse" serves as the perfect introduction for those unfamiliar with the band -- its opening notes swelling instantly with electronic organs over a driving drum beat. By the time bass and vocals kick in, you're already hooked. Elsewhere, "Orchards" weaves an infectiously breezy melody on the strength of vocal harmonizing, tuneful whistling, and undulating guitar lines. In some cases, Wampire's unique rhythms are best described by the band members, as with "Trains," a Motown-meets-Strokes track that Tinder perfectly summarizes like so: "It's sexy, sounds huge, and by all means should be blamed for future babies."
The album concludes with the equally sensual "Magic Light," a song centered around a dark seductive bass groove that sets the tone for Tinder's come-hither lyrics. It's the kind of track that draws you ever further into the record's beguiling clutches, leaving a lasting impression that remains well after its final notes have faded out.

Balthazar Getty 's "Be Alright" Video for Solardrive

Balthazar Getty 's "Be Alright" Video for SolardriveWATCH HERE COURTESY OF THE HUFFINGTON POST

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Balthazar Getty has recently released the video for the Solardrive bonus track "Be Alright." The video made it's internet debut accompanied by an interview with Getty about his new project, Solardrive, courtesty of the Huffington Post. Getty describes the song as "Being who you are and being where your from. Its a feeling song."  To capture the introspective nature of the song Getty turned the camera on himself and shot a very minimalistic but extremely powerful video of him "just being and feeling.""Be Alright" is a bonus track off of the Solardrive project that is available exclusively on the Rdio version of the self-titled album. The Solardrive album is a collection of improptu recordings done in Getty's pool house-cum home studio and is the first release from Getty's newly launched record label PURPLEHAUS Music, named for his favorite color Purple and his favorite band Bauhaus. The Solardrive all started  when Getty was gifted a Pro-Tools rig from his wife and their friend Joaquin Phoenix, which lead to the pool house recording sessions with whomever happened to be hanging out at the house. Guests on the record range from Ozomatli vocalist/multi-instrumentalist Asdri Sierra, Mother Tongue bassist David Gould and Rain Phoenix (Joaquin's sister).  "Be Alright" is an special edition to the project, since it is one of the few tracks that features Getty's vocals. 
 “A throwback meets new-age, which is able to playfully tell a heart-wrenching tale. Solardrive feels like The Roots and James Brown had a baby, then amplified it with Massive Attack's hormones.” - VIBE Magazine“It makes you want to keep on listening/repeating.”    Indie Shuffle Solardrive is only the beginning of what promises to be a jam-packed year for Getty and PURPLEHAUS.  Getty is hands on in the creative process for all of the label's releases, creating beats, producing and contributing that everything that comes out under the label's name.  Creating releasing music in something Getty has been involved with for over half of his life, including  wearing the producer/beat-maker hat in the Indie Rock project Ringside who's released their first album on Geffen in 2005 . This year alone the  multi-talent also plans to release the debut album from his hip-hop duo, The Wow, alongside rapper KO The Legend, in addition to another Ringside album.
Be Alright Video (for posting/sharing etc.): http://youtu.be/RNnMIVv1X4k
Full album w/ "Be Alright" Bonus track on Rdio: http://rd.io/x/QFDwPm8zEQ/ iTunes: http://bit.ly/SolardriveiTunes Solardrive Website: http://www.solardriveproject.com/

The Orwell’s Other Voices EP

The Orwell’s Other Voices EP (out June 25th) Available for StreamingTODAY!



 Chicago’s riotous up and comers The Orwells will release their Other Voices EP [East End/Canvasback] on June 25th, 2013. Today, you can listen to it before it is released viaPitchfork Advance.  Following notable and exhilarating performances throughout the last year at CMJ, SXSW and various dates across the US, the band will be heading back out on the road in support of the new release. Known for their extremely energetic live performances, the band will kick off the tour in their hometown at Lollapalooza on 8/4, with FIDLAR support dates through early November. Complete list of dates below.
 
The Orwells are Cousins Mario Cuomo (vocals) and Dominic Corso (guitar), twins Grant (bass) and Henry Brinner (drums), and Matt O’Keefe (guitar).
 
Watch the “Other Voices” video here.
Stream or download the EP title track here.
Pre-order via iTunes.
 
What people are saying about The Orwells:
 
“Something great is happening in Chicago, spearheaded by teenage punks The Orwells… 'Other Voices', produced by Dave Sitek, is perhaps the best thing to emerge from the scene so far. A raucous three-minute take on Stones-y R&B, it's the canny Iggy-gone-crazy vocal that really makes it fly.” – NME
 
“Batten down the hatches, two of the country's more rambunctious young bands -- FIDLARand The Orwells -- will be on tour together this fall.” – Brooklyn Vegan

Other Voices  EP tracklisting:
1. Other Voices
2. Other Voices*
3. Blood Bubbles
4. Head
5. Mallrats (Audiotree Live)
* Produced by Dave Sitek

The Orwells on Tour:
8/3 Chicago, IL @Lollapalooza Aftershow @ Schubas
8/4  Chicago, IL @ Lollapalooza
8/25  Los Angeles, CA @ FYF FEst
9/20   Santa Barbara, CA @ Velvet Jones*
9/23   Tucson, AZ @ Club Congress*
9/24   Phoenix, AZ @ The Crescent Club*
9/26   Denver, CO @ Larimer Lounge*
9/27   Kansas City, MO @ Czar Bar*
9/28   St. Louis, MO @ Firebird*
9/30   Columbia, MO @ Mojo’s*
10/2   Atlanta, GA @ Drunken Unicorn*
10/7   New Orleans, LA @ One Eyed Jacks*
10/8   Baton Rouge, LA @ Spanish Moon*
10/14 Nashville, TN @ Exit/In*
10/16 Columbus, OH @ The Basement*
10/17 Detroit, MI @ Magic Stick Lounge
10/18 Toronto ON @ Hard Luck*
10/19 Montreal QB @ Il Motore*
10/23 Cambridge, MA @ The Sinclair*
10/24 NYC @ Bowery Ballroom*
10/25 Philadelphia, PA @ First Unitarian Church*
10/26 Washington DC @ Rock and Roll Hotel*
10/28 Pittsburgh, PA @ The Smiling Moose*
10/29 Cleveland Heights, OH @ Grog Shop*
10/31 Chicago, IL @ Subterranean*
11/1   Madison, WI @ High Noon Saloon*
11/2   Minneapolis, MN @ 7th Street Entry*
*with FIDLAR

FOALS "Bad Habit"

Foals have released the Nabil Elderkin-directed video for their song "Bad Habit." 
Watch here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khQG7t9pzmo&feature=youtu.be

The UK five-piece just wrapped a largely sold-out US headline tour that included stops at  Sasquatch, Governors Ball, Orion Festival and Bonnaroo. They'll be back in the states in August for Lollapalooza, Outside Lands and more headline shows.

  

Sam Amidon @ Johnny Brendas tonight

Sam Amidon + Alessi's Ark @ Johnny Brendas tonight

Alessi's Ark east coast tour

Alessi's Ark returns to the east coast this week. She has a new album THE STILL LIFE
which came out in April. After a UK tour and some festivals Alessi graces the US
stages for the first time since Fall 2011. The reviews have been great and this year we
should be seeing the ARK more often. East Coast dates are below.

Alessi's Ark US Tour 2013


June 15th: Alessi’s Ark @ Rockwood Music Hall 
June 16th: Alessi’s Ark @ Johnny Brendas w/ sam amidon
June 18th: Alessi’s Ark @ Next Stage Putney VT w/ sam amidon
June 19th: Alessi’s Ark @ TT and the Bears Cambridge w/ sam amidon
June 20th: Alessi’s Ark @ One Longfellow Square ME w/ sam amidon

GET A TASTE OF ANDY AND HIS GRANDMOTHER

GET A TASTE OF ANDY AND HIS GRANDMOTHER, ANDY KAUFMAN'S FIRST-EVER COMEDY RECORD, OUT 7/16 ON DRAG CITY/PROCESS MEDIA
LISTEN TO A TEASER FEATURING EXCERPTS AND NON-ALBUM MOMENTS!
  
When news broke near to Andy Kaufman's birthday that an album of unreleased material was going to be released by Drag City on July 16th, the word spread like wildfire. Everyone from The New York Times to The AV Club to Pitchfork to Paste covered the news with the excitement of an unhinged Latka Gravas. It's no small coincidence that a flurry of new rumors concerning Andy being alive and well and living in ambiguity in Albuquerque, New Mexico surfaced shortly thereafter. These things happen every few years accompanying the release of any new Andy-related news. We will neither confirm nor deny any such claims (if we were ever in any place to comment on them in the first place). However, we are very excited to share a snippet of audio from the 82 hours of micro-cassette recordings Andy made between 1977-79. This sneak peek, premiered today onDangerous Minds, features moments both on the record and off, created by Vernon Chatman(Wonder Showzen, South Park, Louie, The Chris Rock Show) the same mastermind behind the creation of the whole record (along with the help of editor Rodney Ascher, director of acclaimed documentary Room 237). With liner notes by Kaufman co-conspirator Bob Zmuda, and narration bySaturday Night Live's Bill Hader,  Andy And His Grandmother , out July 16th on Drag City/Process Media, promises to be a true work of comedy for our times - one that was performed over thirty years ago. 
LISTEN TO A TEASER FOR ANDY AND HIS GRANDMOTHER HERE : http://bit.ly/144q25H