Crystal Stilts announce spring tour in support of new album but in violation of international law
By Liz Louche on Mar 25 2011
The enigmatic New Yorkers known as Crystal Stilts are taking the show on the road this spring in support of their upcoming album In Love With Oblivion. (In case you’re wondering why I so frequently refer to acts as “enigmatic,” it’s based on a complicated formula I use to see how much information comprises a band’s Wikipedia page. In the case of Crystal Stilts: not much. Voila! MYSTERY.) Slumberland will release the group’s sophomore album on April 12, and afterward will release Crystal Stilts themselves onto an unsuspecting populace. (Except for you, dear reader. Obviously you now suspect them.)
The band’s most recent single “Shake the Shackles” spent most of the latter end of 2010 blowing up the airways, and will be available on Oblivion, which is a huge relief because it’s been rattling around in my brain like a nicotine craving ever since last fall. The album promises to be an extravaganza of “perfectly chiming guitars, cranky pop organs and the punkest of rhythms.” And in turn, the tour looks to be a no-holds-barred, cross-country rock ‘n’ roll explosion (with a stop at the Austin Psych Fest)!
Dates:
04.16.11 - New York, NY - Le Poisson Rouge *
04.17.11 - Brooklyn, NY - Music Hall of Williamsburg *
04.23.11 - Raleigh, NC - Kings Barcade
04.25.11 - Birmingham, AL - Bottletree
04.26.11 - New Orleans, LA - Circle Bar
04.28.11 - Houston, TX - Fitzgeralds (upstairs)
04.29.11 - Austin, TX - Austin Psych Fest 4 at Seaholm Powerplant
04.30.11 - Dallas, TX - Club Dada
05.03.11 - Phoenix, AZ - Rhythm Room
05.04.11 - San Diego, CA - Casbah
05.05.11 - Santa Barbara, CA - TBD
05.06.11 - Los Angeles, CA - Natural History Museum
05.07.11 - San Francisco, CA - Rickshaw Stop
05.08.11 - Sacramento, CA - The Hub
05.10.11 - Portland, OR - Mississippi Studios
05.11.11 - Seattle, WA - The Crocodile
05.12.11 - Vancouver, BC - Biltmore
05.13.11 - Kennwick, WA - Red Room
05.14.11 - Boise, ID - Colorcube
05.15.11 - Salt Lake City, UT - Urban Lounge
05.16.11 - Denver, CO - Larimer Lounge
05.18.11 - Minneapolis, MN - 7th Street Entry
05.19.11 - Madison, WI - High Noon
05.20.11 - Chicago, IL - Empty Bottle
05.21.11 - Detroit, MI - Magic Stick
05.22.11 - Toronto, ON - Sneaky Dees
* Spectrum
• Crystal Stilts: http://www.myspace.com/crystalstilts
• Slumberland: http://www.slumberlandrecords.com
Marianne Faithfull named Commander of the Arts and Letters in France; an older generation rejoices
By Erika H on Mar 25 2011
Paul McCartney speculated about the many possibilities for a man or woman at age 64 (by that time, he was knighted). Marianne Faithfull, now 64, has received a similar honor across the channel. This week, Frédéric Mitterand (pop quiz! Who is he?*) made dear old Marianne Commandeur de L’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (Commander of the Arts and Letters, in case you couldn’t guess — the highest award in the Order). In a day, she joined the ranks of Stevie Wonder, David Bowie, Dizzy Gillespie, and Sir Michael Caine, all recipients of the award for their contribution to — well, French culture, and specifically, “the enrichment of the French cultural inheritance.”
Marianne Faithfull has certainly done a lot for the French since arriving in 64 and singing for Godard in 66. Just recently, she released Horses & High Heels, her umpteenth album — proving that she and Mick Jagger must indeed have a competition going for most active rocker over 50.
We at TMT are overjoyed for Marianne Faithfull. Check out the sweet pendant she gets to wear (click on “Ordre des Arts et Lettres)!
* French Minister of Culture and Communication… come on, guys!
• Marianne Faithfull: http://www.mariannefaithfull.org.uk
ATP announces Japan benefit show with Squarepusher, Fuck Buttons, and incentives galore
By Liz Louche on Mar 25 2011
Some things — like going to the wedding of a cousin I last saw 20 years ago because my mom wants me to — are the right thing to do. Some things — like tequila shots — are the FUN thing to do. And some things are both! Things like ATP’s Made in Japan benefit show on April 21 at the Forum in London. There’s much to love about this show, not least of which is the lineup. Made in Japan features “a special improv/jam set” from Squarepusher, non-jam sets from Fuck Buttons and LFO, and DJing from the likes of Declan Allen and N>E>D. But that’s not all!
Proceeds from the show go directly to the Japanese Red Cross, which is incredible, but attendees will receive more than a warm, fuzzy feeling for showing their support. Every ticketholder will get a download code for an exclusive new track by Autechre called “6852.” Throughout the night, ATP will be raffling off some pretty awesome prizes, such as guest chalets for the ATP festivals, Spiritualized box sets, and other ATP-related prizes. Musical prizes from Warp, Matador, and EMI will also be available, along with posters for purchase by American pop surrealist artist Tim Biskup. Head here to secure tickets. You see, at ATP’s Made in Japan, everybody wins. Literally! Every ticketholder wins a prize. Just like one of those grade school carnivals, but for a much better cause.
• ATP: http://www.atpfestival.com
Group Doueh mercilessly announce new album Zayna Jumma, effectively bankrupting Sublime Frequencies fans
By Squeo on Mar 24 2011
Time moves slower when you live on the outskirts of the Sahara desert, but while you and I click “Page 11” on another animated GIF Tumblr and suddenly realize it’s almost April, Group Doueh put the finishing touches on yet another album for Sublime Frequencies. No, I’m not talking about Beatte Harab — that came out, what, three weeks ago? Yesterday’s business, madam, leave that one to the historians. The new thing is Zayna Jumma, an eight-track CD-shaped beast that will be set loose on May 24. It is the opinion of many thoughtful Doueh fans that each album they release manages to outdo the previous, so by my calculations Zayna Jumma is going to be four times as mind-bending as 2007’s Guitar Music from the Western Sahara — which is frightening since that one had me doing footwork up a down escalator.
Recorded last year in Dakhla on the very edge of the Western Sahara by longtime Sublime Frequencies compiler/filmmaker Hisham Mayet, the new album inches closer to Western rock territory than ever before with the addition of bandleader Doueh’s eldest sons El Waar and Hamdan on synth and drum kit, respectively. Three female backup singers were also thrown into the mix, positioning the band one saxophone away from re-recording Dylan’s Street-Legal.
Zayna Jumma is being released when it’s being released (May 24) because the Group will be doing the Tuareg shuffle all over the UK and Europe in May. Check below for the updated dates, as some TBAs have now been A’d. Oh, and US tourdates are all but imminent.
Zayna Jumma tracklist:
01. Zayna Jumma
02. Ishhadlak Ya Khey
03. Zaya Koum
04. Met-Ha
05. Jaguar Doueh
06. Aziza
07. Ana Lakweri
08. Wazan Doueh
Updated tourdates:
05.11.11 - Manchester, UK - Islington Mill $
05.11.11 - Reading, UK - South Street Arts Centre
05.13.11 - London, UK - The Barbican
05.14.11 - Minehead, UK - All Tomorrow’s Parties (curators: Animal Collective)
05.16.11 - Eastbourne, UK - Winter Gardens *
05.17.11 - Brussels, Belgium - Acienne Belgique
05.18.11 - Nijmegen, Netherlands - Doornroosje
05.19.11 - Aarhus, Denmark - Atlas
05.20.11 - Copenhagen, Denmark - Global
05.21.11 - Gothenburg, Sweden - Nefertiti Jazz Club
05.23.11 - Helsinki, Finland - Korjaamo (Vaunusali)
05.25.11 - Stockholm, Sweden - Södra Bar, Södra Teatern
05.26.11 - Cologne, Germany - Stadtgarten
05.27.11 - Amsterdam, Netherlands - Paradiso
05.28.11 - Paris, France - Villette Sonique
05.29.11 - Lille, France - Aéronef Club
$ The Brothers Unconnected (Sir Richard and Alan Bishop)
* Animal Collective
• Sublime Frequencies: http://www.sublimefrequencies.com
Radiohead release newspaper called The Universal Sigh, forcing me into deep thought about Universal Studios Orlando
By Mr P on Mar 24 2011
Unless you downloaded The King of Limbs (TMT Review) illegally, you didn’t have the option to get the album for free like you did with In Rainbows (TMT Review) and its pay-what-you-want model. But don’t worry, because you now have the option of getting a free newspaper called The Universal Sigh! On Tuesday, March 29 (Monday, March 29 for those outside the US and Canada), Radiohead will have “accredited vendors” deliver the limited-edition newspaper at various locations all over the world in celebration of the physical release of The King of Limbs.
Worried about the energy you’ll consume to get there? Don’t, because who gives a shit, right? Well, apparently, Radiohead do. According to the fancy website set up for The Universal Sigh, “Radiohead will measure the carbon footprint of this project, and to offset the potential ecological impact we will retire the carbon credits used.”
Click here to find a location near you. Maybe you’ll see me at the Minneapolis Uptown location. I’ll have my balls hanging out of my front zipper so you can easily identify me.
• Radiohead: http://www.radiohead.com
• The Universal Sigh: http://www.theuniversalsigh.com
![ZS - Grain [EP]](http://www.tinymixtapes.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/Thumbnail/1304/zs grain.jpg)
