Of Montreal at McCarren Park in June (more by Joe McCabe)

Of Montreal are set to release a rarities compilation called Daughter of Cloud on October 23 via Polyvinyl. The album compiles 17 tracks recorded from 2007 to present, 10 of which were never released and the other seven which were previously issued on limited edition, rare, or out of print releases. You can stream one of the album's tracks, "Sails, Hermaphroditic," and check out the cover art and tracklist below.

Of Montreal will also be going on a North American tour this fall, which brings them back to NYC for a show at Webster Hall on December 11, where they played twice earlier this year. Tickets for that show go on sale Friday, September 14 at noon with an AmEx presale starting Wednesday, September 12 at noon.

In related news, Kevin Barnes' wife Nina Barnes (who has worked with Of Montreal in the past) has teamed up with Orenda Fink of Azure Ray to form the duo Harouki Zombi, who will release their first EP, Objet Petit A, on October 23 via Polyvinyl. The EP includes a track written by Kevin Barnes ("Vacated Hunters") and was produced by Todd Fink of The Faint. You can stream the EP's title track and check out the tracklist below.

A list of all dates, song streams, cover art, and tracklists are below...

Continue reading "Of Montreal releasing rarities comp, touring; Nina Barnes and Orenda Fink formed Harouki Zombi (dates & streams)"

Azure Ray will release their new album, As Above So Below, on September 4 via Saddle Creek. You can stream a track from the album, "Scattered Like Leaves," at the bottom of this post and download it too if you give them your email address. There's a video trailer for the album below as well.

Azure Ray are going on tour in a month, including an NYC stop at City Winery on September 12 and tickets for that show are on sale now. All upcoming Azure Ray tour dates are listed below.

Continue reading "Azure Ray releasing new LP, going on tour (dates)"

photos by Amanda Hatfield

"Maria Taylor and Orenda Fink had gone their separate ways musically speaking in the last couple of years, so to see them again as Azure Ray onstage Saturday night at the Mercury Lounge was certainly a special occasion. With a trio of multi-instrumentalists, the duo brought their intimate and hauntingly beautiful music to a pretty sizable crow. Safe to say Azure Ray did not disappoint. Their set list that covered all of their studio albums from their 2001 self-titled debut through their new album Drawing Down the Moon such as "Displaced" "Raining in Athens," "Safe and Sound," and the new songs, the lovely "Don't Leave My Mind" and the somber and moody "Signs in the Leaves." Taylor and Fink traded on the lead vocals and their harmony singing together was lush and ethereal. Their encore consisted of "The Drinks We Drink Last Night" and "Rise," the latter song featuring background vocals by two lucky audience members invited on the stage." -[David Chiu]

James Husband opened the show and later played as a member of Azure Ray's band at both Mercury Lounge (review above) and Knitting Factory (pictures in this post). Tim Fite also opened both shows and continues on tour with Azure Ray & James Husband through the DC show tonight.

Pictures from Brooklyn and videos from both NYC shows below...

Continue reading "Azure Ray played Knitting Factory & Mercury Lounge w/ Tim Fite & James Husband (pics & video)"

Azure Ray's latest offering is Drawing Down the Moon, released in the middle of September via Saddle Creek Records. It's their first LP in seven years. Get an e-copy from Amazon for a whopping five bones. This duo, aka Maria Taylor and Orenda Fink, is currently on tour promoting the LP and will be in NYC to play Mercury Lounge on Saturday (11/13, tickets) and Knitting Factory on Sunday (11/14,tickets). All dates are with James Husband. Tim Fite is also on the tour and supports on both NYC shows, but leaves after the DC show and is replaced by Dead Fingers for the remaing three.

The Knitting Factory show has a special poster designed by Two Arms Inc, You can see a picture of it below, buy one for $10 at the merch table the night of the show, and WIN ONE along with A PAIR OF TICKETS to the show. Details below.

James Husband is the alter ego of James Huggins, former Of Montreal multi-instrumentalist. His old band is currently on tour, and recently released a new video for "Famine Affair" which is the same song they're currently holding a remix contest for. Check it out below.

All Azure Ray and Of Montreal dates, videos, the poster and contest details, below...

Continue reading "Azure Ray has a new album -on tour w/ Tim Fite & James Husband (2010 dates & a contest) ++ Of Montreal stuff"