Canon Blue

Canon Blue, the solo project of Daniel James, released his sophomore LP, Rumspringa, today (8/16) via Temporary Residence Limited (and via Efterklang's label Rumraket in Scandinavia) (Rumtaket's last-ever non-Efterklang release). The album is the follow-up to 2007's Colonies, a collaboration with Chris Taylor of Grizzly Bear. It was recorded while he was on a European tour with Efterklang, who Daniel contributes to. Sigur Ros' string section Amiina provided string arrangements on the album (which they recorded in Iceland). Slaraffenland and Efterklang both also contribute to the album. Stream the track "A Native (Madison)" here and check out some video clips of album tracks below. Listen to the whole album at Spinner.

Canon Blue kicks off a tour in support of the album tonight (8/16) at Mercury Lounge. After a couple more East Coast dates, they'll play Glasslands on August 20 and then hit up other US and Canadian venues. Both NYC shows feature support from Atlantic/Pacific (ex-Texas is the Reason). Tickets are on sale now for the Mercury show and the Glasslands show. Canon Blue also tour in November supporting The Boxer Rebellion. Canon Blue are not listed as an opener when The Boxer Rebellion hit NYC on November 18 at Webster Hall but maybe that will change after Canon Blue's NYC shows this week. Tickets for the Webster Hall show are on sale now.

Speaking of Sigur Ros, they recently put a trailer video on their website for the film INNI, which will screen at the Venice Film Festival. The film was directed by Vincent Morisset, who also directed the Arcade Fire film Mirror Noir. Sigur Ros frontman Jonsi is also set to score Cameron Crowe's upcoming film We Bought a Zoo. Cameron and Sigur Ros last worked together when the band contributed music to his 2001 film Vanilla Sky.

All dates, videos, album art and tracklist below...

Continue reading "Sigur Ros doing film stuff, Canon Blue released an album & is playing shows (dates, songs & videos)"

The Sigur Ros presale commenced this morning around 9am. The usual headaches were incurred. Don't worry though, the regular on-sale is still to come.

Sigur Ros didn't play a second encore at the Grand Ballroom show the other day, but they did answer everyone's wild applause by coming back on stage for multiple bows. More pics from that segment of the show below...

Continue reading "Sigur Ros tickets & pics of them bowing @ Grand Ballroom "

with a buzz in our ears we play endlessly

Sigur Rós will be releasing their fifth album, Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust (English translation: with a buzz in our ears we play endlessly), on June 24th, 2008 on XL Recordings. The first track from the album, entitled "Gobbledigook," will be unveiled with a world exclusive first play on England's Radio 1 tonight (May 27th) by Zane Lowe on the Evening Session. The track will then be available worldwide for free download via www.sigurros.com beginning at 2:30 p.m. EST. The video for the song will also premiere on sigurros.com today.

Continue reading "new SIGUR ROS album - MP3, stream, tracklist & (NSFW?) cover art -- Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust..."

Amiina locked away in an Iceland attic

Sigur Ros announced they're coming, just as their Icelandic friends Amiina announced they aren't. Highline Ballroom, Osheaga, and all Amiina's other upcoming shows aren't happening. More below...

Continue reading "Amiina cancel U.S. Tour"