Jeffrey Lewis Tours with Akron/Family, Resists Adoption Attempts
By Heidi Vanderslice on Aug 5 2009
A couple of months ago, I caught Jeffrey Lewis and the Junkyard opening for ultra-British talk-rockers Art Brut at the Mercury Lounge in New York, which struck me as unlikely, to say the least. This is a dude who sings in a nasal, simplistic, and subtly brilliant style to narrate his hand-drawn comic books, which he refers to as “low-budget Netflix.” It turns out Art Brut frontman Eddie Argos is quite the comic book enthusiast, so while this makes more sense, it also causes me to wonder what Jeffrey Lewis has in common with his other past tourmates. Do he and John Darnielle of The Mountain Goats both dig re-runs of Magnum, P.I.? Are he and Jarvis Cocker the only remaining fans of the Pet Rock? And now you’re telling me he’s touring with Akron/Family!? I need to know what brings these dudes together. It can’t just be mutual respect for each other’s music and record label agreements and booking companies... Oh, it can? Says you.
It’s a quick stint, but the bandana- and beard-wielding Akron/Family join Jeffrey Lewis and the Junkyard on the road in support of Lewis’ new album, Em Are I, his fifth full-length for Rough Trade. Perhaps he and Seth Olinsky will grow beards of solidarity together and solve my mystery.
Sorry, New York City:
09.10.09 - Baltimore, MD - Talking Head **
09.11.09 - Philadelphia, PA - Johnny Brenda's **
09.14.09 - Hudson, NY - Jason's Upstairs
09.15.09 - Williamsport, PA - Site: B
09.16.09 - Ithaca, NY - Castaways
09.17.09 - Buffalo, NY - Mohawk Place
09.19.09 - Detroit, MI - Magic Stick
09.20.09 - Louisville, KY - 21C Museum Atrium Gallery
** Jeffrey Lewis & The Junkyard only
Men at Work Flute Refrain in Copyright Dispute
By Brom on Aug 5 2009
This really is utterly ridiculous, but hilarious nonetheless!
Last year, Sydney-based Larrikin Music Publishing initiated compensation proceedings against the band Men at Work and their label EMI. Their claim is that the flute refrain from the Australian group’s 1980s hit "Down Under" was copied from the campfire anthem "Kookaburra." This particular song was originally written in the 1930s by Marion Sinclair, “a life-long supporter of the Girl Guide movement.” Larrikin argue that they represent "Kookaburra."
However, the defendants maintain that copyright resides with the Girl Guides Association of Victoria when Sinclair entered the song in a competition. Justice Peter Jacobson disagreed, nevertheless, when he told the court on July 30, "I do not consider that the words in the [contract Ms. Sinclair signed with the Girl Guides] are sufficient to disclose, on an objective consideration, an intention to effect an assignment of copyright." The outcome of the case will be decided at a later date in the Federal Court.
I guess the moral of the story is always keep a close tab on those silly piano lines, guitar riffs, and flute refrains you dreamt up at summer camp. You never know which illustrious bands are out there looking to plagiarize your work.
Radiohead Release New Song in Memory of Harry Patch, Entire Industry Reverts Back to Single Releases, Label Executives Scramble to Sign Harry Patch Tribute Bands
By Mr P on Aug 5 2009
Can't pay what you want, but you can pay £1.00 for a brand new Radiohead song titled "Harry Patch (In Memory of)," a tribute to the former last living WWI veteran. Released today via the band's official website, the track was written by Thom E. Yorkshire after he heard a 2005 BBC Radio 4 interview with Patch. It was recorded coincidentally just a few weeks before Patch's death last month. Proceeds will go to the Royal British Legion. According to Yorke:
Recently the last remaining UK veteran of the 1st world war Harry Patch died at the age of 111.I had heard a very emotional interview with him a few years ago on the Today program on Radio4.
The way he talked about war had a profound effect on me.
It became the inspiration for a song that we happened to record a few weeks before his death.
It was done live in an abbey. The strings were arranged by Jonny.
I very much hope the song does justice to his memory as the last survivor.
It would be very easy for our generation to forget the true horror of war, without the likes of Harry to remind us.
I hope we do not forget.
As Harry himself said
"Irrespective of the uniforms we wore, we were all victims".
You can actually hear the entire track on BBC Today, including the original Patch interview that influenced Yorke to write the song. And check out the song's lyrics at Radiohead's official website.
[Photo: Jim Ross]
Circulatory System Change Release Date for Signal Morning to September, Book Tour
By Kat Gardiner on Aug 4 2009
Writing deeply psychedelic musings that run 50 tracks deep, Will Cullen Hart's band Circulatory System is preparing to release its sophomore album. Long awaited, Signal Morning (TMT News) comes eight years after their self-titled debut and nine years after Hart's first band, Olivia Tremor Control, hung up their jacket. Working with many of the same members as OTC, Hart's Circulatory System has continued the tradition of weaving multiple layers of sound, noise, and harmony that take you in and out of chaos.
The record is promised to be a tight 45 minutes and will be released on Cloud Recordings September 8 (not today, as previously scheduled) on CD and digital download. The record version is coming out in October, though they've started taking pre-orders on their site. As of right this second, 150 out of the 300 limited deluxe editions have already sold! These limited packages include another side of music, full of demos and alternate takes and featuring home-spun album covers made by Hart himself.
Oh, and they're also touring.
Dates:
08.15.09 - Asheville, NC - Transfigurations 2009
09.07.09 - Chapel Hill, NC - Nightlight *
09.08.09 - Philadelphia, PA - Kung Fu Necktie *
09.09.09 - New York, NY - Le Poisson Rouge *
09.10.09 - Worcester, MA - The Grind at Clark University *
09.11.09 - Purchase, NY - The Student Center at SUNY Purchase *
09.12.09 - Monticello, NY - All Tomorrow's Parties
09.14.09 - Boston, MA - YMCA Theatre *
09.15.09 - Geneseo, NY - Union Plaza at SUNY Geneseo *
09.16.09 - Cleveland, OH - Grog Shop *
09.17.09 - Pontiac, MI - Pike Room *
09.18.09 - Chicago, IL - Chopin Theatre *
09.19.09 - Lexington, KY - Al's Bar *
09.20.09 - Knoxville, TN - The Pilot Light *
* Pipes You See, Pipes You Don’t and Nesey Gallons
The Mountain Goats and Final Fantasy Nerd Out Together on US Tour
By Elzee on Aug 4 2009
John Darnielle, the man behind The Mountain Goats, is a huge nerd about boxing, grindcore, and the Bible. His band has a new album coming out that is inspired by lessons that Darnielle has learned from the Bible. Owen Pallett, the man behind Final Fantasy, is a huge video game nerd. His band is named after the Final Fantasy video game series, and his last album was inspired by that same game. Put them together and you have two of the nerdiest people in music.
Perhaps in an effort to increase nerdiness in the world, Owen Pallett arranged the strings for The Mountain Goats’ upcoming album, The Life Of the World to Come (TMT News). And now, The Mountain Goats have announced that Final Fantasy will open for them on a comprehensive US tour. As his opening act, Owen Pallett will play audience-selected RPGs for 45 minutes. For their set, Darnielle and bandmate Peter Hughes will act out the Bible stories referenced in Life of the World’s titles. No music will be played at any of the shows. Maybe. Find out for yourself at one of the shows!
This Is the Dream of John and Owen:
11.04.09 - Grand Rapids, MI - Ladies Literary Club (Calvin College)
11.05.09 - Chicago, IL - the Metro
11.06.09 - Madison, WI - High Noon Saloon
11.07.09 - Minneapolis, MN - Cedar Cultural Centre
11.10.09 - Seattle, WA - the Showbox
11.11.09 - Portland, OR - Wonder Ballroom
11.14.09 - San Francisco, CA - the Fillmore
11.15.09 - Los Angeles, CA - Henry Fonda Theater
11.18.09 - Austin, TX - Antones
11.19.09 - Dallas TX - Granada Theater
11.20.09 - Nashville TN - Mercy Lounge
11.21.09 - Atlanta, GA - the Variety Playhouse
11.23.09 - Orlando, FL - the Social
11.24.09 – St. Augustine, FL - Café 11
11.27.09 - Washington, DC - 9:30 Club
11.28.09 - Philadelphia, PA - Theater of Living Arts
11.29.09 - Boston MA - Wilbur Theatre
12.01.09 - New York, NY - Webster Hall
12.02.09 - Brooklyn, NY - Bell House
