Ach, the Sun! It Burns! Avert Your Eyes and Gaze at Your Shoes! Sonic Cathedral Compilation to Feature M83, Dean & Britta, School of Seven Bells

by Papaya on 03-18-2009

Tara Jane O'Neil is set to release her fifth solo studio album A Ways Away as an LP May 5 on K Records. Contributions can be expected from should-be-K-alum Jana Hunter and actual K-alum Mirah. The tracklist has also been unveiled:

1. Dig In
2. In Tall Grass
3. Drowning
4. A New Binding
5. Howl
6. Pearl into Sand
7. Beast, Go Along
8. A Vertiginous One
9. Biwa
10. The Drowning Electric

Not that the tracklist really means anything without songs to go along with it. However, use of impressive vocabulary such as “vertiginous” makes the album look particularly promising, IMHO.

Her particularly enigmatic live show can also be witnessed at any of the following locations:
03.18.09 - Austin, TX - SXSW
04.01.09 - Anacortes, WA - The Department of Safety #
04.03.09 - Vancouver, BC - Biltmore Cabaret #
04.04.09 - Portland, OR - Aladdin Theater #
04.05.09 - Arcata, CA - TBA #
04.30.09 - Portland, OR Fontanelle Gallery

# Mirah

by Annapocalypse on 03-17-2009

The last time Devo released a new album (Smooth Noodle Maps in June 1990), the following things were happening:

- George H.W. Bush was president, and he had just signed a treaty with Mikhail Gorbachev to end chemical weapon production.
- Speaking of which, the Soviet Union still existed.
- The first TV show in HDTV aired.
- Universal Studios Florida opened to the public.
- I was five years old and definitely not sitting here celebrating the return of Devo with my dome hat on my head.

Devo’s new album will mark their first new music endeavor since their 2007 single “Watch Us Work It," which was featured in a Dell Computer commercial. They are currently in the studio putting the finishing touches on the as-yet untitled release. According to Rolling Stone, they’ve been contacted by 20 different producers (everyone from Snoop Dogg to Fatboy Slim), and Fall 2009 has been confirmed as a release date.

New Devo tourdates:
03.18.09 - Dallas, TX - The Palladium
03.19.09 - Austin, TX - Keynote Panel at SXSW Convention Center
03.20.09 - Austin, TX -SXSW at Austin Music Hall $
05.06.09 - London, UK - ATP Fest at The Forum/Kentish Town
05.08.09 - Minehead, Somerset UK - ATP Fest at Butlins Holiday Centre
$ Tricky

by Kat Gardiner on 03-17-2009

In mid-May, the two/three droned-out and evocative metal and/or minimalist bands Boris, Sunn O))), and Earth are set to join the ranks of Tom Waits, John Lurie, Iggy Pop, Neil Young, and, of course, RZA, in the secret society known as The Jim Jarmusch Score-Writers Guild. Yes, it's true, Jarmusch, man of style and existential substance, responsible for such theoretical daydreams as Dead Man, Ghost Dog; The Way of the Samurai, and Down By Law has laid his hand on these three bands, bringing them together to help with the music side of his upcoming movie, The Limits of Control, set to be released in the U.S. on May 22.

The official ceremony of induction into the cult is assumably going to be held in an underground gambling hall in a old New Orleans cellar three days before the movie in question/vehicle of music hits the screens. The specifics of the induction are very secretive and are different for each new inductee. Prior to Ghost Dog's release, RZA was said to have Houdinied from a tank of water while Forrest Whittaker whistled the theme to The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly. John Lurie had to spend an entire weekend in a secluded shack with Gary Busie before Stranger Than Paradise and Down By Law, while Tom Waits had to become a caricature of himself prior to the release of Night on Earth. Neil Young refused to participate in the rituals when he scored Dead Man, but is rumored to have been behind them all along.

From the initial reports and speculations, we are expecting Bill Murray and Tilda Swinton, two of the movie's stars, to take in the band's essential essences, though we are not sure of how just yet. Murray was seen last Friday purchasing large amounts of blue body paint, though, and Lurie has said he's planning on taking the whole lot of the new inductees out into the gulf of Mexico to try and catch some wild bluefin tuna, which may or may not have anything to do with the induction rituals. Most likely, not, but you never know. Only time will tell.

Check the trailer here.

by Shelley Su on 03-17-2009

The unconventional rockers of Deerhoof are at it again, and they're spreading the word: Sharing is caring, people. Sharing is caring.

Prior to releasing Offend Maggie (TMT Review) in October 2008, the band provided sheet music to "Fresh Born," allowing and encouraging musically-inclined fans to submit their own versions of the song (TMT News).

Indeed, Deerhoof embraces your artistic talents, and as a follow up to "Fresh Born," these guys are offering you -- that's right, you -- another chance to show your musical chops. This time they've provided everything you need to make your very own "Buck And Judy" track. According to Indaba Music:

The Challenge... In Two Parts

Part 1. Deerhoof's offering a sheet music arrangement of "Buck and Judy", as well as tabs showing exactly how Deerhoof played the two guitar parts and bass part. This way you can play parts of the song yourselves. Replace one of the instruments or add an entirely new one. When you're ready, add your contribution to the tracks section.

Part 2. Deerhoof has already uploaded the drums, bass, two guitars, piano, and vocal from their recording of the song. Use any combination of the uploaded stems (from Deerhoof or any other Indaba member) to create your version of the song. Post the finished version to the mixdown section!

To get your creative juices flowing, I suggest you add the "Buck And Jucky" video to your Saturday morning cartoons. Now, get to writing some music!

Tourdates:
04.22.09 - Helsinki, Finland - Tavastia
04.24.09 - Moscow, Russia - Avant Fest *
04.25.09 - St Petersburg, Russia - Skif Festival
05.12.09 - San Francisco, CA - The Fillmore #
05.13.09 - Santa Cruz, CA - Rio Theater #
05.14.09 - Los Angeles, CA - Mayan Theater #
05.16.09 - Pomona, CA - The Glasshouse #

* Chicken Shampoo

# Cornelius