Ottawa’s Bluesfest 2010 kicks off next week
By munroe on Jul 2 2010
The Cisco Ottawa Bluesfest is back again this year with another ridiculously long lineup and duration time. We’re talking nearly two straight weeks of outdoor (and under a tent) music, featuring over 230 artists in what’s normally a sleepy town filled with federal government employees and the occasional shiftless layabout.
Ottawa’s Bluesfest had a humble beginning in 1994, attracting a few thousand people and some notable names from the blues canon, including Clarence Clemons. Over the years, the organizers realized that by adding big names that had only a passing (or non-existent) connection to the blues they could sell more tickets. As a result, Bob Dylan, Built to Spill, Snoop Dogg, Gogol Bordello, Brian Wilson, The White Stripes, Manu Chao, the Handsome Furs (pictured above), and Ornette Coleman have all passed through here at some point. 2010 sees the addition of Carlos Santana, Iron Maiden, Arcade Fire, The Flaming Lips, and RUSH to the evergrowing list. You read that right, goddamned RUSH.
The festival runs from July 6-18 and has added comedy shows to its lineup for the first time. Lewis Black, Louis C.K., and Wayne Brady are the big names, with a slew of other comedians performing every night. Look forward to full coverage from TMT, as both David Nadelle and I will be hoping to take in another brilliant performance by That 1 Guy.
• Cisco Ottawa Bluesfest: http://www.ottawabluesfest.ca
Serena-Maneesh prep split 12-inch with Fucked Up, head out on ultimate summer European party tour!!!!
By Liz Louche on Jul 2 2010
Serena-Maneesh sure are spending a lot of time in France this summer. Hmm… summer European tour, or devious Norwegian plan to annex the country that gave us the Gainsbourg family, striped shirts, and delicious, buttery SNAILS? Okay, probably the former.
Whilst the shoegaze group is rockin’ festivals across the Old World in support of their newish S-M 2: Abyss in B Minor (TMT Review), a very special, newer release is being planned. Literally, the band will release five white doves representing Western civilization’s best hopes for the future.* Okay, no, that’s not true, but what is true is that the band is releasing, come August 12, a split 12-inch with Fucked Up! Norwegian/Canadian label Best of Both Records is pressing only 1,000 of these puppies, with S-M doing a track called “Opium Priest” and Fucked Up doing a saucy little number called “Here Lies Are.” That’s exciting, right? At least five times more exciting than releasing some sad, hostage doves.
* In accordance, the doves have been named Katy Perry, Snooki, Bieber Fever, John McCain, and Stimulus Package.
07.02.10 - Aust-Agder, Norway - Hovefestivalen Tromøya
07.03.10 - Belfort, France - Festival Les Eurockéennes
07.16.10 - Hainaut, Belgium - Dour Festival Dour
07.17.10 - Vestland, Norway - Softelandrock Os
07.24.10 - Riberac, France - Le Grand Souk Festival
07.31.10 - Møre, Norway - Sommerfesten Giske
08.11.10 - Oslo, Norway - Øyafestivalen
08.13.10 - Haldern, Germany - Haldern Pop Festival
08.15.10 - Saint Malo, France - Festival La Route Du Rock
09.04.10 - Helsinki, Finland - Tavastia
09.10.10 - Klub Wytorna, Poland - Soundit Festival
09.16.10 - Norwich, UK - Norwich Arts Center
09.18.10 - Tilburg, Netherlands - Incubate Festival
09.19.10 - Haarlem, Netherlands - Patronaat
• Serena-Maneesh: http://www.serena-maneesh.com
• Best of Both: http://bestofbothrecords.com
Arab on Radar reunite to bring that old noise magic back
By Liz Louche on Jul 2 2010
You know how sometimes a band will reunite and you’ll have that one magical night where you get to see them perform live after many years away? And then they go on, on to the next city, never to return, just out of your life forever in the blink of an eye? Well, Arab on Radar wouldn’t do that to you, girl. Arab on Radar was gone, but baby, please, they are back for good. How do I know this? They’ve got a new album in the works, American tour dates up the wazoo, and a European jaunt planned for 2011. This is what “back and better than ever” feels like… ohhh yeahhhh.
Arab on Tour:
07.02.10 - Easthampton, MA - The Flywheel
07.03.10 - Providence, RI - AS220
07.10.10 - Indianapolis, IN - Dudefest
07.24.10 - Baltimore, MD - Whartscape 2010
07.30.10 - New Haven, CT - Cafe Nine
07.31.10 - New York, NY - The Cake Shop
08.06.10 - Montreal, QC - Lambi
08.07.10 - Toronto, ON - The Garrison
08.08.10 - Rochester, NY - The Bug Jar
09.02.10 - San Francisco, CA - The Eagle Tavern
09.03.10 - Los Angeles, CA - The Sex
09.04.10 - La Jolla, CA - Che Café
09.05.10 - Los Angeles, CA - The Smell
09.06.10 - Mexicali, Mexico - Bar Monaco
• Arab on Radar: http://arabonradar.info
Wavves announces West Coast tour, streams King of the Beach, eats pizza on a skateboard at photographer’s request
By E. Nagurney on Jul 2 2010
Wavves mastermind Nathan Williams has, fearing neither the mighty hands of Neptune or Aquaman, declared himself “King of the Beach.” A bold claim made even bolder by the fact that his newest record will, from now until eternity, bear the title King of the Beach (TMT Review). Surely there will be naysayers, but Mr. Williams plans to prove them wrong by swiftly taking over the beach-rich West Coast by means of an August tour. Here’s hoping he wears a crown.
Further evidence concerning whether Williams deserves his controversial title lies in the album itself, available to stream right here, right now. The album is also currently available over at iTunes and only iTunes. Other digital retailers will be selling the record on July 13, while the physical king drops on August 3.
Wavves beach takeover:
08.06.10 - Chicago, IL - Lollapalooza
08.07.10 - Chicago, IL - Empty Bottle (Lollapalooza Afterparty) *
08.12.10 - San Diego, CA - Museum of Contemporary Art
08.13.10 - Pomona, CA - The Glass House #
08.14.10 - Portland, OR - Berbati’s Pan
08.16.10 - Santa Barbara, CA - Soho
08.17.10 - Santa Cruz, CA - Crepe Place
08.18.10 - San Francisco, CA - Rickshaw Stop
08.25.10 - Seattle, WA - Neumos
08.26.10 - Vancouver, BC - Biltmore
08.27.10 - Victoria, BC - Sugar
08.30.10 - Sacramento, CA - Sol Collective
08.31.10 - Visalia, CA - Howie and Sons Pizza
* Harlem, Fergus and Geronimo
# The Cool Kids
• Wavves: http://ghostramp.blogspot.com
• Fat Possum: http://www.fatpossum.com
[Photo: Wavves’ MySpace]
Ra Ra Riot are going on tour, and I am listening to Nirvana: everybody is winning!
By E. Nagurney on Jul 2 2010
Did you know I’ve never really listened to Nirvana? I bet you didn’t, because you (probably) don’t know me. But you do know that I write for the finest music site in the history of fine music sites, so it must seem a little weird that, you know, my entire knowledge of Nirvana extends to some stray singles and approximately one-and-a-half listens of In Utero. It’s all true, though.
Know what else is true? Ra Ra Riot are going on tour this fall. Another true fact: they are also releasing a record called The Orchard on August 24 via Barsuk (TMT News).
Now, you folks go see Ra Ra Riot on their fall tour, I’ll keep listening to Nirvana (why didn’t I ever realize how good In Utero is?), and we’ll all keep winning in our own way.
Ra Ra Riot tourdates:
08.01.10 - Montreal, QC - Osheaga Festival
08.04.10 - Columbus, OH - Columbus State Fair
08.28.10 - Toronto, ON - Molson Amphitheater
09.05.10 - Seattle, WA - Bumbershoot
09.09.10 - Portland, OR - Wonder Ballroom/MFNW
09.12.10 - North Dorset, UK - End of the Road Festival
09.18.10 - Geneva, NY - Cracker Factory (Three Stories Benefit)
09.21.10 - New York, NY - Bowery Ballroom
09.22.10 - New York, NY - Bowery Ballroom
09.23.10 - Brooklyn, NY - Music Hall of Williamsburg
09.24.10 - Brooklyn, NY - Music Hall of Williamsburg
09.27.10 - Northampton, MA - Pearl St.
09.28.10 - New Haven, CT - Toad’s Place
09.29.10 - Providence, RI - The Met
10.01.10 - Boston, MA - Royale
10.02.10 - Philadelphia, PA - Trocadero
10.03.10 - Pittsburg, PA - Diesel
10.04.10 - Ann Arbor, MI - Blind Pig
10.05.10 - Chicago, IL - Metro
10.07.10 - Minneapolis, MN - Varsity Theatre
10.08.10 - Omaha, NE - Waiting Room
10.11.10 - Denver, CO - Bluebird Theatre
10.12.10 - Salt Lake City, UT - In the Venue
10.13.10 - Crystal Bay, NV - Crystal Bay Club
10.19.10 - Pomona, CA - Glass House
10.20.10 - Los Angeles, CA - Henry Fonda Theater (The Music Box)
10.21.10 - San Diego, CA - Belly Up Tavern
10.22.10 - Tempe, AZ - The Clubhouse
10.24.10 - San Antonio, TX - White Rabbits
10.26.10 - Austin, TX - Emo’s
10.27.10 - Houston, TX - Warehouse Live
10.28.10 - Dallas, TX - Granada Theatre
10.29.10 - Little Rock, AR - Rev Room
10.30.10 - Nashville, TN - Exit/In
11.01.10 - Birmingham, AL - Workplay Theatre
11.02.10 - Atlanta, GA - Masquerade-Hell Room
11.03.10 - Asheville, NC - Orange Peel
11.04.10 - Carrboro, NC - Cat’s Cradle
11.05.10 - Washington, DC - 9:30 Club
11.13.10 - Vancouver, BC - The Commodore
11.17.10 - Calgary, AB - MacEwan Hall
11.19.10 - Saskatoon, SK - Louis’ Pub
11.20.10 - Winnipeg, MB - The Garric
• Ra Ra Riot: http://www.rarariot.com
• Barsuk: http://www.barsuk.com
[Photo: Doron Gild]
