Friends (more by Amanda Hatfield)

The BBC's list of 15 bands who will make up the "Sound of 2012" is below...

Continue reading "BBC lists the 'Sound of 2012' (Friends included)"

If you're wondering what James Blake meant when he tweeted "24th August 2011 - James Blake & Bon Iver "Fall Creek Boys Choir,"" it looks like we'll find out now. He just took to twitter again, saying, "James Blake & Bon Iver "Fall Creek Boys Choir" tonight BBC Radio 1. 7:30pm (ish)." If he means UK time (which he does), that's in less than 20 minutes (2:30pm EST). Listen HERE.

UPDATE: "Fall Creek Boys Choir" is the name of a song. They played it. Listen to it HERE.

Meanwhile also check out a new Bon Iver-approved unofficial video for "Holocene" to accompany the recently released official video, below...

Continue reading "BBC to reveal James Blake/Bon Iver thing today"

by Andrew Sacher

London dubstep producer James Blake is a classically trained pianist who studied popular music at Goldsmiths University in London. He began his music career under the moniker Harmonimix, creating remixes of pop songs. The first and only release under the Harmonimix moniker was a single in January 2010 with a remix of Destiny's Child's "Bills Bills Bills" b/w a remix of Lil Wayne's "A Millie." He spent the rest of 2010 gaining attention with the release of three EPs under his own name, and performing as the third member of Mount Kimbie's live show, which cemented him as a strong force in the dubstep scene.

His self titled debut full length drops February 7 on ATLAS/A&M in the UK. A US release date has not been announced yet, but Blake just signed to American major label Universal Republic (UPDATE: Universal will release the album digitally on February 8). The album blends the dubstep elements he experimented with on his EPs with a range of indie rock and R&B influences, and also for the first time features James Blake on lead vocals. He often includes manipulated vocal samples, but only samples of his own voice. James Blake falls somewhere between a more minimalist version of Burial fronted by the vocal layerings of Bon Iver's "Woods," while not failing to showcase his talent as a pianist. And arguably as interesting as what you hear on this album, is what you don't hear. The album's sparse passages with little to no sound leave you listening as intently as the hypnotic vocal loops.

In addition to ten original songs, James Blake also includes a cover of Feist's "Limit To Your Love." Listen to that below. A music video was also recently released for the album's second track, "The Wilhelm Scream." You can watch that video below too. He recently performed a live session for BBC Radio (after placing second in BBC's Sound of 2011) and videos of three songs are available. Below is the video for "Wilhelm Scream." On BBC's site two other videos are available; "Lindisfarne" and his Feist cover.

Blake has been confirmed for this year's SXSW lineup, currently his only confirmed US appearance, but there are plenty of upcoming chances for those in the UK to catch him - both live and as a DJ. Mount Kimbie however is playing Le Poisson Rouge on March 24th (though I assume without James?).

We'll obviously let you know if any more US JB dates are announced. Meanwhile, all currently announced dates, videos, the album's tracklist and more stuff below...

Continue reading "James Blake"

by Bill Pearis

DOWNLOAD: Yuck - Rubber (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Yuck - Georgia (MP3)

The BBC recently published its Sound of 2011 list, its annual picks of artists they think will be hot next year. A few of these you might have read about already: The Vaccines (playing here in January), Anna Calvi (playing here in March), Australia's The Naked and the Famous (maybe you saw them at Brooklyn Bowl in November), Esben and the Witch (been here a couple times), and Warpaint (already kinda big over here). There's also dubstep wizkid James Blake, hotshot producers Nero and more.

The list was determined via "160 influential UK tastemakers," and the artists selected must not have had a UK top 20 single or album by 14 November 2010, and must not already be famous (aka contender for TV talent competition, etc). You can see the whole list at the bottom of this post and the top five from the initial list of 15 will be revealed first week of the new year. Last year's list was topped by Ellie Goulding and also included The Drums, Marina & the Diamonds and, uh, Owl City.

Another of the band on the Beeb's list is Yuck who have scheduled and then cancelled U.S. shows twice this year already, but are now really coming -- they pinkie swear -- for two shows next month: January 25 at Mercury Lounge (on-sale 12/17 at noon) and Jan. 26 at Glasslands (tickets are on sale). Immediately after their NYC shows, Yuck heads out for a North American tour with their Fat Possum labelmates Smith Westerns. Yuck's debut album, loaded with warm and fuzzy indie rock a la early Teenage Fanclub or Yo La Tengo, will be out February 15. You can check out "Rubber" from the album above (and watch its NSFW video further down), as well as previously-released, super-catchy "Georgia."

Mona

Also on the Sound of 2011 list and also here in January are Nashville-via-Ohio band Mona, who play The Rock Shop on January 12, Mercury Lounge on January 13 and Union Pool on January 15. The BBC describes thusly:

The myth of the last gang in town is an enduring one in rock music. A small town, some big ideas and four kids who've grown up and grown so close that they finish each others sentences. Mona are those tender souls, hoping to outgrow the story that's been written for them. Says frontman/guitarist Nick Brown of their debut single Trouble On The Way. Nick: "It's pretty self-explanatory - there's a sound on the horizon and the volume's gonna grow."

The majority of this Nashville-based four-piece were raised in the church and learned their craft playing to the congregation: Nick and drummer Vince Gard as Pentecostalists and bass player Zach Lindsey in by Southern Baptist. Guitarist Jordan Young is the token heathen. For those within the faith, secular music was banned. Vince's mother would play him Creedence Clearwater Revival records and make him promise not to let on to his father - rock and roll as illicit, secret thrill.

You can check out a couple Mona videos below. The band have already played Later with Jules Holland, which seems to make them one of these American bands that England likes first. (Other examples: The Killers.) Apart from their three NYC shows next month, most of their 2011 plans seem to be focused in the UK.

Videos for Yuck and Mona, plus the entire BBC Sound of 2011, after the jump.

Continue reading "the BBC's Sound of 2011 list, new Yuck tour dates, Mona shows & more"

"If 2007's Neon Bible was supposed to be Arcade Fire's difficult second album, it didn't show. Top marks from a cavalcade of critical tomes saw the Montreal septet's sequel to their breakthrough debut long-player of 2004, Funeral, received with just as much reverence as its predecessor. So what of The Suburbs, arriving after another three-year period which saw its makers record in both their hometown and New York?...

...The Suburbs is their most thrillingly engrossing chapter yet; a complex, captivating work that, several cycles down the line, retains the magic and mystery of that first tentative encounter. You could call it their OK Computer. But it's arguably better than that." [BBC] (thx Hiro)

All eight cover variations for the new Arcade Fire album are pictured above, and below...

Continue reading "Arcade Fire's new album better than OK Computer according to BBC, has eight different covers "

Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett stated in an interview with CBC News on 17 September 2008 that they will be doing another Gorillaz album. Hewlett says that from their work on Monkey, "we just learned more about what we do, musically and artistically. That's a great place to come at when we come to another Gorillaz album. It doesn't have to be animation and music." Hewlett also expressed annoyance at having to draw the band members again, "I'm so fucking bored of drawing those characters. But then we had a moment where we had a new angle on it... I'm gonna adapt them." In a later interview Hewlett said, "they'll be the same characters, but a little bit older and told in a different way." An article by the Toronto Star stated that the duo hope to begin work on the album in January 2009. Albarn also said that he wants "to work with an incredibly eclectic, surprising cast of people." On January 14, 2009, Damon Albarn made an appearance as a guest DJ on BBC Radio 1, premiering demos of new Gorillaz songs.

Thighs Wide Shut is streaming the three new tracks.

In related news, Damon's other band, Blur, is also keeping busy again.

DOWNLOAD: Belle & Sebastian - a short interview with Stevie and Chris (MP3)

To mark the release of the BBC Sessions album on Monday 17th November (in the UK) and Tuesday 18th (USA) we have a short interview with Stevie and Chris, with their recollections of the various trips to Manchester and London.

Download the MP3 above. Check out the BBC Sessions tracklist below...

Continue reading "Belle & Sebastian - new BBC Sessions CD, interview MP3"

Speaking to the BBC's One Show about racial attitudes, Lydon said: "My grandchildren are Jamaican right."

"This is an absolute offence to them and me when I read stories like that, that are allowed to go to print absolutely unfounded and have the liberty to take liberties with a man like me and call me a racist when my entire life has proved exactly the opposite." When asked if he was a racist, Lydon replied: "Absolutely not. And any bugger that dares say so is going to have their day in court with me - you understand this?"

During his interview, Lydon also reaffirmed comments made in his initial response to Okereke's allegations that stressed the Sex Pistols' multi-racial appeal.

"It's the most wonderful thing ever, playing to our multi-racial audiences, which they always have been," he said. "And not only that, multi-gender, multi-everything-you-like, we are open to all. Our whole message in life has been to eliminate the barriers that separate us."

He added that the Sex Pistols "only true enemy in life is governments". "And politicians, and, low and behold, the British press," he added. [GigWise]

PREVIOUSLY: three Foals injured in Sex Pistols-Bloc Party fight

Dizzee Rascal & Annie Mac (BBC Radio 1)

Dizzee Rascal & Annie Clark (St Vincent) are playing the Plug Awards at Terminal 5 on March 6th. Dizzee is also playing Southpaw on March 11th, SXSW not long after that, and Philly on MAY 9th. I assume more dates will be announced soon. In the meantime watch this video of Dizzee Rascal & Annie Mac (BBC Radio 1)....

Continue reading "Dizzee Rascal also playing Brooklyn & Philly"

DOWNLOAD: Les Savy Fav - The Equestrian (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Les Savy Fav - What Would Wolves Do (MP3)

There's a pre-sale going on now for four upcoming Les Savy Fav shows including the one on New Years Eve at Bowery Ballroom in NYC (2am doors). Head over to hearsay to get four MP3s from a live-session Les Savy did on BBC Radio 1 in October. Find out what albums Michael Patrick loved this year. Get Let's Stay Friends and the above poster for just $10.49. All tour dates below....

Continue reading "LES SAVY FAV presale, MP3s, & someone's favorite albums"

Annie is also a talented club DJ and is booked regularly to play the UKs most credible clubs. Her 'Annie Mac Presents' club night is well established all over the UK and she plays all over the world. You can often hear her across Radio 1, covering for Jo Whiley or Zane Lowe or JK and Joel and she is a regular contributor to BBC2's The Culture show. She has just brought out her first compilation, The A-Z Of Annie Mac. [BBC]

Stream Annie's radio show @ The BBC.

See Annie DJ while she's here in NYC for the first time, for CMJ - tonight (Oct 16) @ Hiro Ballroom with LCD Soundsystem's James Murphy, and then tomorrow (Oct 17) in the front bar of Pianos from 4-5pm (part of the free BrooklynVegan day party).