Stones Throw embraces cost-efficient digital subscription service, Dunkaroos
Stones Throw kicks off its smelly loafers and leaps into 2012 with the announcement that they’ve gone digital. The home of J Dilla (RIP), Madlib, Peanut Butter Wolf, and Dâm-Funk recently debuted the Stones Throw Digital Discography.
Working in conjunction with Drip.FM, Stones Throw has assembled an offer few will find easy to refuse. For a measly $10 a month (you probably spent more on paper towels this month, you messy freak) you get EVERY single thing Stones Throw releases sent directly to your inbox, as well as free downloading privileges at the Stones Throw website and exclusive swag directly from the Stones Throw coffers… and billing is monthly! Hooray!
Stones Throw also announced a round of new releases that will help birth the digital discography, including a new EP from recent signee Homeboy Sandman, M.E.D.’s Classic Instrumentals LP, and the second volume of The Minimal Wave Tapes. Also upcoming: new J. Rocc EP, a new Jonwayne LP, and new LP from Quakers, a band that includes Geoff Barrow of Portishead and a 35+ member hip-hop group, which would be a saying something if all the members were over 35 years of age rather than just 35+ members. It’s still fairly intriguing, and who can say no to intrigue?
• Stones Throw: http://www.stonesthrow.com
• Stones Throw on Drip.FM: http://drip.fm/stonesthrow
Clark preps Iradelphic for April release — an homage to the neglected people of Iradelphia
I’m trying to think of an appropriate metaphor to describe Chris Clark’s rather unique brand of electronic music… it’s the equivalent of an original Leonardo da Vinci piece covered in dirt. It’s the most pristine bar of soap you can imagine, subsequent to its escape from the layered nether regions of numerous overweight homeless people. To be more straightforward about it: Clark’s music is gritty, but not in a way that’s indicative of an unintentional sacrifice in production value. On the contrary, his previous three albums have been hallmarks of consistency in this regard; the rhythmic roughness persists, but so does his obvious attention to detail. It’s all a part of a conscious attempt to carve out his own sound — in other words, it’s a part of the plan.
Was it a part of the plan for Clark to wait three years after Totems Flare to release his next album? Fans like myself would be inclined to let out a tearful “NO!” alongside exaggerated hand gestures, but a press release suggests otherwise: “Chris Clark has been on a journey. The adventure started three years ago after the release of previous album Totems Flare. He recorded Iradelphic in Australia, Berlin, Wales, Brussels, Cornwall, Norway, and London using a diverse range of tools ranging from the vintage to the cutting edge modern.” Whether this is code for “Clark has had the fortunate ability to vacation for the past three years and spent part of that time intermittently working on a new album” is beside the point; Iradelphic is due out April 3, and judging by the promotional release of the track “Com Touch,” it’s been worth the wait.
Iradelphic tracklisting:
01. Henderson Wrench
02. Com Touch
03. Tooth Moves
04. Skyward Bruise/Descent
05. Open
06. Secret
07. Ghosted
08. Black Stone
09. The Pining pt1
10. The Pining pt2
11. The Pining pt3
12. Broken Kite Footage
• Clark: http://www.facebook.com/throttleclark
• Warp: http://warp.net
Ben Folds Five got back together the other minute, but we’re only rushing to report it because, you know, snuh
Back on January 9, the Music-World-that-existed-on-top-of-the pre-SOPA-Internet went and sucked a bunch of fuck because At The Drive-In announced they were getting back together. We didn’t report it until two days later, because, say it with me now, “meh.” On that same day, mythical Swedish hardcore jimmer-jammers Refused announced they were getting back together. We didn’t report that until a flim-flammering four days later because… well, E. Nagurney wasn’t exactly sure why. But let me tell you, E. You were dead-on: it totally was because of “bwuh.”
But now, because (and only because) our supply of funny-sounding grumblewords is running dangerously low and must be carefully rationed from here on out, we’re totally changing our ways and reporting these reunions when they actually happen! So, to that end, Spin has reported that Ben Folds Five, er, have themselves reported that they are officially in the process of working on a new album together! Hooray! Last night, Folds tweeted this charming photo of the trio doing a bunch of blow in the studio, after which he added: “It’s happening fo sho - Day 1 in studio with Robert [Sledge] and Darren [Jessee] through March #NewBenFoldsFiveRecord,” and “Spring release.” There’s no details other than the untitled record’s “fo sho”-ness right now. So, not quite as detailed as the news of those previous two reunions, I guess. But still, the important thing here is that, for once, TMT is right where it belongs: hot on the scoop of yet another candy-ass 90s band that just won’t fucking go away. And so, dear readers, since we’re so ahead of the curve this time, it gives me tremendous pride to be one of the first among us to say… “bleh.”
• Ben Folds: http://www.benfolds.com
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/BenFolds
Death Cab for Cutie announce US tour that is totally unique, just like you, you little snowflake
Everybody’s a unique snowflake or a leaf or something. At least, that’s what that guy from Fleet Foxes told me in a song about someone telling him that. When I was 17, I totally knew I was totally unique, not like THOSE SHEEPLE who went to high school with me. To prove it, I listened to the most antiauthoritarian band of all time: Death Cab for Cutie. I’ve got no disdain for Death Cab, I mean, somebody had to make us teenage nerds feel like we were special and someone would love us. Besides, they’re about to go on a completely unique tour, the likes of which the world has never seen.
They’re playing a bunch of theaters with an orchestra.
DAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANG. Death Cab, flipping the script on music as a whole! The orchestra accompanying them will consist of members of San Francisco’s Magik*Magik Orchestra. In the past, Magik*Magik have collaborated with folks like John Vanderslice, Mike Patton, The Dodos, The Walkmen, and, hey, Death Cab for Cutie! They played with them on VH1 Storytellers! By the way, VH1 Storytellers, still a show. They also provided the string arrangements for the last Death Cab for Cutie record, Codes and Keys (TMT Review). Finally, we can hear these songs like we’ve already heard them.
Death Cab For Cutie dates:
04.10.12 - Denver, CO - Ellie Caulkins Opera House
04.11.12 - Omaha, NE - Omaha Music Hall
04.13.12 - Louisville, KY - Louisvlle Palace
04.14.12 - Grand Rapids, MI - Covenant Fine Arts Center
04.15.12 - Milwaukee, WI - Riverside Theatre
04.16.12 - Chicago, IL - Chicago Theater
04.19.12 - Toronto, ON - Massey Hall
04.20.12 - Montreal, QC - St. Jean Baptiste Church
04.21.12 - Boston, MA - Citi Performing Arts Center
04.23.12 - Providence, RI - Veteran’s Memorial Auditorium
04.24.12 - Buffalo, NY - Kleinhans Music Hall
04.25.12 - Upper Darby, PA - Tower Theatre
04.27.12 - New York, NY - Beacon Theatre *
04.30.12 - North Bethesda, MD - Strathmore *
05.01.12 - Knoxville, TN - Tennessee Theatre *
05.03.12 - Dallas, TX - McFarlin Memorial Auditorium *
05.04.12 - Austin, TX - ACL Live at the Moody Theater *
05.06.12 - Mesa, AZ - Mesa Arts Center (Ikeda Theater) *
05.07.12 - Los Angeles, CA - Walt Disney Concert Hall *
05.08.12 - Oakland, CA - Fox Theater *
05.11.12 - Portland, OR - Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall *
05.13.12 - Seattle, WA - The Paramount Theatre *
* Youth Lagoon
• Death Cab for Cutie: http://www.deathcabforcutie.com
• Youth Lagoon: http://youthlagoon.blogspot.com
• Magik*Magik Orchestra: http://www.magikmagik.com
Liars recording new album; other liars speaking at GOP debates
The last we’d heard from experimental rock band Liars, vocalist Angus Andrew and percussionist Julian Gross were collaborating on John Wiese’s Seven of Wands (TMT Review). This would prove to be a good indicator of what’s to come next for Liars. With the last releases Liars (TMT Review) and Sisterworld (TMT Review), we found the band taking a more direct approach to straight-forward rock songwriting, thus dodging critics of their more experimental and cryptic work.
But at the beginning of this year, Liars began a Tumblr page announcing a new record in the works and featuring regular updates on the recording process. If the blog is to be taken as any indicator of what’s to come, it looks like the band will be returning to their more experimental territories. The majority of the updates feature vague or avant-garde imagery, such as Angus Andrew riding a bike or a piece of fruit plugged into a distortion pedal. Hopefully this means we’re in store for a new collection as brilliant as They Were Wrong, So We Drowned (TMT Review) or Drum’s Not Dead (TMT Review).
Liars’ Tumblr also announced they were able to get their “idol” to produce the record and posted a couple of images of the band next to a pixelated mystery figure. I can barely stand all this anticipation!
• Liars: http://liarsliarsliars.com
Grand Duchy (Black Francis + wife) release latest on Sonic Unyon, talk dirty
Man of a thousand band names Black Francis has added another album to his ever-expanding catalog. This one comes courtesy of Grand Duchy, a project featuring the Pixies frontman with his fabulous wife Violet Clark at the helm. In case you missed them, the group released their debut album Petit Fours and did the tour/festival circuit back in 2009, racking up loads of accolades and blogolades along the way. Now, three years later, the hard rockin’ couple is back with a new effort out on Sonic Unyon/Cooking Vinyl called Let the People Speak. It hits stores April 10, but if you’re a Grand Duchy fan, you don’t have to wait till then to hear Clark & Frank talk dirty! Nope, just read on!
“My motto for this record was ‘if Petits Fours was missionary, Let the People Speak needs to be doggy style,’” Clark said. Black Francis agreed. “Let the People Speak has more confidence,” he said. “For Violet, the confidence of finding one’s voice; for me, the confidence to become submissive. This record was definitely more about slamming it in.” It’s also about Warhol, according to Grand Duchy. Clark, who wrote the tracks whilst Black/Francis/uggggh whatever the hell that dude’s name was on tour with the Pixies, is a huge Warhol fan. Shades of the Warhol clique’s infatuation with fame, sex, and art shine through on the album, most explicitly in the Warhol hair-inspired track “Silver Boys.” You can peep that rad track here.
Let the People Speak tracklisting:
01. The Lopsided World of L
02. See-Thru You
03. White Out
04. Where is John Frum
05. Geode
06. Shady
07. Annie Bliss
08. Dark Sparkles and the Beat
09. Two Lies and One Truth
10. Silver Boys
11. Illiterate Lovers
12. Face
13. Esther
14. ROTC
15. Let the People Speak
• Grand Duchy: http://www.myspace.com/grandduchymusic
• Sonic Unyon: http://www.sonicunyon.com
Amen Dunes goes on tour for the benefit of your sinning, coal-black soul
Can I get an Amen (Dunes)! I said, can I get an Amen (Dunes)! What this country needs is a little more live psych folk, people! Get up on your feet! The time has come to hit your local music venue and see Amen Dunes live! Praise be!
It’s true, though — the soul can be healed not through daily prayer and regular church-going, but through a rigorous application of quality live music. Take Amen Dunes into your heart by checking them out on their upcoming US tour and see the true path to enlightenment. Unless you live on the West Coast, of course, then you’re just screwed, but you probably already knew that, you heathen.
Damon McMahon and company will be performing hymns from their 2011 release on Sacred Bones, Through Donkey Jaw (TMT Review, also #26 on TMT’s Favorite Albums of 2011), and should not be missed. Your salvation is at stake here, folks.
Dates:
01.28.12 - Denton, TX - Dan’s Silverleaf #
01.29.12 - Oklahoma City, OK - The Conservatory #
01.30.12 - Lawrence, KS - Jackpot Music Saloon #
01.31.12 - St. Louis, MO - The Firebird #
02.01.12 - Chicago, IL - Lincoln Hall #%
02.02.12 - Grand Rapids, MI - Pyramid Scheme #%
02.04.12 - Toronto, ON - Lee’s Palace #%
02.05.12 - Montreal, QC - Casa Del Popolo #%
02.10.12 - Hoboken, NJ - Stevens Institute #%
02.11.12 - Philadelphia, PA - First Unitarian Church #%
02.12.12 - Washington, DC - The Red Palace #%
02.13.12 - Charlottesville, VA - The Southern #%
02.15.12 - Atlanta, GA - The Earl w #%
02.16.12 - Birmingham, AL - The Bottletree #%
02.18.12 - Houston, TX - Warehouse Live #%
# This Will Destroy You
% Mountains
• Amen Dunes: http://www.myspace.com/amendunes
• Sacred Bones: http://www.sacredbonesrecords.com
Prince Rama announce US tour (try to imagine this headline jazzed up with psychedelic colors and whatnot)
A pair of fairly ordinary people walk down a fairly ordinary street. They’re wearing jeans and leather jackets, maybe scarves and hats too, if the wind happens to blow with the possibility of snow. As the pair turns a corner, the sky deepens to a shade of ultramarine, and the clouds harden and then shatter, raining down in bursts of sequin pieces. Balloon animals sprout from cracks in the sidewalk, then float away. The puzzled pedestrians look at each other, but neither can hear anything the other says, because sounds of rumbling drums and clinking wind chimes reverberate around them. Their scarves transform into pythons and slither away.
Obviously, this isn’t actually how psychedelic duo Prince Rama announced their upcoming US tour in support of Trust Now (TMT Review) — Consequence of Sound spread the word. But. What if. Right?
Dates:
02.23.12 - Brooklyn, NY - Glasslands *
03.06.12 - Charlottesville, VA - Twisted Branch Tea Bazaar
03.07.12 - Knoxville, TN - the Pilot Light
03.08.12 - Savannah, GA - Savannah Stopover Festival
03.13-17.12 - Austin, TX - South by Southwest
03.18.12 - Dallas, TX - Club Dada (Bro Fest 2012)
03.19.12 - Hot Springs, AR - Valley of the Vapors Festival #
03.20.12 - Lawrence, KS - Jackpot Music Hall #
03.21.12 - St. Louis, MO - 2720 Cherokee #
03.22.12 - Chicago, IL - Hideout #
03.23.12 - Cleveland, OH - Happy Dog #
03.24.12 - Pittsburgh, PA - Assemble #
04.27-29.12 - Austin, TX - Austin Psych Fest
* Gary War, DJ set by Brian DeGraw (Gang Gang Dance)
# Psychic Ills
• Prince Rama: http://www.myspace.com/princeramaofayodhya
• Paw Tracks: http://www.paw-tracks.com
Mates of State go on a tour of the Northeast, where traveling kitten entertainment is welcomed
Gosh, you know what’s just swell? Kittens. Come to mention it, bunnies are swell, too. And adorable, much like perennially heartwarming indie pop duo Mates of State. Consensus says that if you want to feel like you’re looking at a kitten or a bunny, but you have no kitten or bunny to look at, you should probably listen to Mates of State.
Now, here me out: traveling kitten tour. It’s just like going to any rock ‘n’ roll music show, except instead of some sweaty people, the stage is covered with kittens. You just watch them do their thing for a good hour. Then you go home! It’s a great idea. Science isn’t quite up to snuff yet, though, so we’ll just have to settle for a Mates of State tour. In February, the kitten-and-bunny of indie pop groups will head out on a quick tour of the Northeast. While that’s happening, a video of a kitten and a bunny on YouTube will be approaching 10 million views.
Dates:
02.16.12 - Philadelphia, PA - Union Transfer
02.17.12 - New York, NY - Le Poisson Rouge
02.18.12 - Hoboken, NJ - Maxwell’s
02.20.12 - Richmond, VA - Canal Club
02.21.12 - Virginia Beach, VA - The Jewish Mother
02.22.12 - Durham, NC - Casbah
02.24.12 - New Haven, CT - TBA
02.25.12 - Vestal, NY - Binghamton University
• Mates of State: http://www.matesofstate.com
M. Ward releasing solo album in April. Will I mention his “honeyed croon”?? Find out within!
Oh man, M. Ward. What HAPPENED?
Remember when this dude was awesome? Like, Transfiguration of Vincent-awesome? I mean, even right up through Post-War, I was right there with him; that shit sounded legit. Then he just kinda… got all cartoony on us. Didn’t he?! I mean, 2009’s Hold Time was “meh” if you ask me. And hooking up with Zooey Whatshername to do that cheeky She & Him nonsense and legitimately trying to put good songs into that abysmal Monsters of Folk thing?? Come on, man. Shouldn’t Mac and Laura be getting on the phone with him and being like “dude…”??? What’s up, Mac and Laura??? Oh well, maybe in brighter economic times, they would.
Buy hey, speaking of Mac and Laura, Merge is all set to release Ward’s sixth album, entitled A Wasteland Companion, on April 10, after which he’ll be hitting the road in North America for a while. The album features a whole Kanye-load of guests — eighteen musicians in all, including Deschanel, Mike Mogis, and Steve Shelley(!). It was also recorded in eight studios in and around Portland, Omaha, New York City, Los Angeles, Austin, and Bristol UK, so you know it’s gonna sound awesome. As for the title and any thematic/lyrical significance that you might want to keep in mind when his voice is accosting you in Starbucks this spring, Ward elaborates, “between now and when I made Hold Time there has been a lot of traveling which requires a lot of reckoning with what to leave behind and what to carry — material and otherwise — and thinking about what I want versus what I need, creatively and otherwise. I wanted to get a reflection of that on the album. It was a process of stripping away my security blanket, which is the same four walls I always record in.” See? A lean, taut, solitary, eighteen-player, eight-studio travel album. Makes total sense. Lord, he was born a ramblin’ man, etc.
A Wasteland Companion tracklisting:
01. Clean Slate (For Alex & El Goodo)
02. Primitive Girl
03. Me and My Shadow
04. Sweetheart
05. I Get Ideas
06. The First Time I Ran Away
07. A Wasteland Companion
08. Watch the Show
09. There’s a Key
10. Crawl After You
11. Wild Goose
12. Pure Joy
Tourdates:
02.02.12 - Los Angeles, CA - Masonic Lodge at Hollywood Forever Cemetery
04.11.12 - San Francisco, CA - The Fillmore
04.12.12 - Santa Cruz, CA - The Cocoanut Grove Ballroom *
04.13.12 - Indio, CA - Coachella
04.14.12 - Santa Barbara, CA - SoHO
04.16.12 - San Diego, CA - Belly Up *
04.17.12 - Phoenix, AZ - Crescent Ballroom *
04.18.12 - Flagstaff, AZ - The Orpheum *
04.20.12 - Indio, CA - Coachella
05.05.12 - Portland, ME - State Theatre #
05.06.12 - Burlington, VT - Higher Ground #
05.07.12 - New Haven, CT - Toads Place #
05.08.12 - Boston, MA - House of Blues #
05.11.12 - New York, NY - Webster Hall #
05.12.12 - Philadelphia, PA -Union Transfer #
05.13.12 - Washington, DC - 9:30 Club #
05.15.12 - Durham, NC - Duke Performances at Page Auditorium #
05.16.12 - Athens, GA - Georgia Theatre #
05.17.12 - Atlanta, GA - Buckhead Theatre #
05.22.12 - Chicago, IL - Vic Theatre #
05.24.12 - Minneapolis, MN - First Avenue #
* fIREHOSE
# Lee Ranaldo Band
• M. Ward: http://mwardmusic.com
• Merge: http://www.mergerecords.com
