Camera Obscura in a church @ SXSW (Miss Lady Lee)

tonight in NYC
* Arkells @ Pianos
* Dept of Eagles @ MoMA
* Zee Avi @ Mercury Lounge
* Black Acid @ Santos Party House
* Jay Jay Pistolet @ Sidewalk Cafe
* Bloc Party, Longwave @ Terminal 5
* Micachu & The Shapes @ Death By Audio
* Camera Obscura, Laura Cantrell @ The Bell House
* LadyHawke, Heartsrevolution @ Bowery Ballroom
* Golden Triangle, Garotas Suecas @ Mercury Lounge
* Grapevine, Apollo Heights, Cale Parks, Autodrone @ Public Assembly

"Suitably bloated from our free BBQ and free drinks, some guy from Canadian Radio assured us that Arkells were one of the best upcoming bands from Canada." [Strangeglue]

What else?

Ladyhawke @ Perez Hilton's 2009 SXSW party Saturday night (SchnappyStar)

"New Zealand Eighties revivalist Ladyhawke ran through an extremely polished set of tightly arranged synth-rock. Opener "Dusk Till Dawn" shimmered with Scissor Sisters boogie, "Magic" throbbed with the power of propulsive but eerie disco and "Another Runaway" recalled both Donna Summer and Pat Benatar with its anthemic yet glittery vibe. Singer Pip Brown stood anchored center-stage strumming her guitar while warm washes of keyboards saturated the night sky and her tight band pulsed along. Picking out the '80s tunes the group was referencing was a popular exercise (the theme from "Fame"! The opening of Van Halen's "Jump"!). Wrapping with a three-song whammy of "Back in the Van," "Paris Is Burning" and the big, bold single "My Delirium," Ladyhawke definitely brought the party, though the tunes could have used a bit more build-up-and-break-down dynamics. "My Delirium" got a few hands in the air -- and what looked like a flying saucer in the sky -- as Ladyhawke made a fairly strong case for herself as the indie rock Lady Gaga. The sound may be familiar, but it sure is fun." [Rolling Stone @ SXSW]

Ladyhawke's US trip continues with two shows in NYC this week. Tonight (3/24) at Bowery Ballroom is sold out, but tickets are still available for the Thursday show at Studio B.

Also here from overseas and SXSW, Camera Obscura kick off their two-night, both-sold-out, NYC run at The Bell House tonight (3/24).

"You really had to feel for Camera Obscura. The Scottish indie pop sextet's first U.S. performance in a long while had them practically begging audience members to stick around. Of course, while the crowd hemorrhaged members, that had nothing to do with the band -- they were the final act in a long night and after a full day of partying most in the audience were tired, hungry and ready to head out. By the time lead singer Tracyanne Campbell belted out the final song, a rollicking, enthused "If Looks Could Kill," from 2006's "Let's Get Out of This Country," the venue was only at about one-third capacity." [Austin 360]

That's the problem sometimes with the semi-random and long bills that get put together at SXSW. Anni Rossi and Shelley Green open tomorrow's Camera Obscura show at Mercury Lounge. Laura Cantrell opens tonight at the Bell House where Victoria Bergsman (Taken by Trees, the Concretes) will also be acting as DJ.

Not at SXSW, Bloc Party also kick off a two-night run in NYC tonight. Longwave are opening both sold-out shows at Terminal 5.

DOWNLOAD: Camera Obscura - My Maudlin Career (MP3)

Camera Obscura announce a new single, the forthcoming album release of My Maudlin Career (out on April 21st, 2009) and tour dates in both the UK and US. They are also making the title track available to download (above)...

...Their last album, Let's Get Out Of This Country (2006), was to prove pivotal for the band, taking them out of the shadows and to long-deserved new heights. "You might not find heartache as enchanting as this anywhere else," stated All Music Guide in a familiar glowing review.

Nearly three years on from that release and Camera Obscura are ready to release the follow-up, My Maudlin Career; their first for their new label (the legendary indie, 4AD) and fourth overall. After his successful touches on their last record, they returned to Sweden to work again with Swedish producer Jari Haapalainen (Ed Harcourt, Peter, Bjorn & John, The Concretes). His wonderful understanding with the band continues to flourish, again fully realizing not just the potential of Tracyanne Campbell's songs and remarkable voice, but also the ensemble musicianship of the group as a whole.

Speaking for the first time about My Maudlin Career, lead singer Tracyanne Campbell commented, "Some people who have heard it say it's intense and quite dark. I suppose it is in a way. We were even more open and brave when making it than we were with the last record. I've never been so brutal when its come to writing lyrics. I wouldn't even call them lyrics. Just documentation of what was going on with me for a while. I truly believe it's the best we've done so far."

Camera Obscura's March 24th show at the Bell House is close to being sold out, so they added a 2nd one one day later at the intimate Mercury Lounge in Manhattan. Tickets for the new show go on sale at noon. All dates, and the new album tracklist, below...

Continue reading "Camera Obscura add 2nd NYC show, post new MP3"

Show me you love me- Exclusive New Shows!

good afternoon
today was every shade of grey but thankfully there is some light at the end of the duvet.
I just wanted to tell you about some shows we've got coming up, first proper airing of the new songs...

London, The Lexington, March 16
Brooklyn NY, The Bell House, March 24

These are going to be pretty small, intimate sort of warm up shows. All cuddling and forgiveness. So if you want tickets you should probably
act soon. Also we are making the trip to SXSW and will let you know more details about that really soon.

Am being sad about John Updike and happy with Hanif Kuresihi's Something to Tell You, even if the cover is too embarrassingly bad to take out in public. Or maybe I just need therapy or something.

take care
Carey x

That message comes from Camera Obscura (thx Edie)

DOWNLOAD: Pela - Lost to the Lonesome (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Elk City - Cherries in the Snow (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Elk City - Los Cruzados (MP3)

Camera Obscura @ South Street Seaport, NYC - Aug 24, 2007 (CRED)

* 826NYC
* After the Jump
* A free show at Governor's Island
* Papercuts is playing at Sound Fix
* Luke Pritchard of the Kooks is playing Sound Fix
* Pela is headlining Bowery Ballroom w/ Elk City
* Beachhouse & Papercuts are playing Mercury Lounge
* Ex-Models, Deathset, & Titus Andronicus are playing Silent Barn CANCELLED
* The Fiery Furnaces are playing for free @ Socrates Sculpture Park

What else?

DOWNLOAD: Tiny Vipers - Shipwreck (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Tiny Vipers - On This Side (MP3)

Tiny Vipers is Jesy Fortino, the 24-year-old Seattle singer/songwriter and former burrito employee who finds making music under a different name allows her audience to put distance between her and her songs. The lovely soundscapes of Hands Across the Void, Tiny Vipers' studio debut and first release for the Sub Pop label, hit store shelves late last month. [SPIN]

Not only is Tiny Vipers playing a free Sound Fix in-store in Brooklyn on August 23rd with Camera Obscura, she's also on the Papercuts / Beach House bill at Union Hall on the 24th (and tickets are still available). Camera Obscura (as you know) is also playing on the 24th - for free at South Street Seaport. All tour dates below...

Continue reading "Tiny Vipers - MP3s & 2007 Tour Dates +++ Camera Obscura"

Do they mean the Apollo in London, Chicago or New York City?...

Continue reading "VIDEO: Camera Obscura - Tears for Affairs"