The Sounds at Santos in 2009 (more by Chris La Putt)

The Sounds have announced their new LP Something To Die For (out March 22, but available for pre-order), and along with it the first song "Better Off Dead" (with a contest for its b-side) which is available now. Listen to it below.

The Swedes will help promote that release by visiting Texas, NYC, Mexico & California in March. You can catch them on March 15th, one night before SXSW Music starts, at the Syndicate's first-annual pre-SXSW 'Conflict of Interest' party (the same party that's been happening on CMJ-eve for years). All details and the full lineup for that free show are below.

After Austin the band hits Brooklyn for a show at Music Hall of Williamsburg on 3/21 (less than a month away and one day before the album comes out). Tickets go on AmEx presale Wednesday at noon (3/2), and regular sale on Friday. After NY they head to Mexico and then LA and then San Francisco.

All tour dates, new songs & stuff, below...

Continue reading "The Sounds releasing LP, playing NYC, SXSW, LA, other dates"

words & photos by David Andrako

Nada Surf headlined The Syndicate's 12th Annual Pre-CMJ "Conflict of Interest" Party at Rebel NYC on Monday night (10/18). The free show, hosted by Allison Hagendorf also featured performances from Kitten, Oh Land, Bo Burnham, Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr., Reggie Watts..

The club filled to capacity early in the evening as concert-goers took full advantage of drink specials, numerous giveaways and bags of free swag. Los Angeles band, Kitten kicked things off with a loud, noisy set that showcased lead singer Chloe Chaidez, who at just 16 years old, has a commanding stage presence. Oh Land aka Nanna Fabricius, the Brooklyn by way of Denmark electronic artist gave the second performance of the night. Nanna sang and played a six padded drum machine that was hooked up to a band of LED lights and topped off with balloons that had videos projected on them.

Bo Burnham, the 20 year old Youtube sensation who's first Comedy Central special aired last weekend "Words Words Words", greeted the audience with bags of candy and a 20 minute set of songs, poems and prerecorded bits. Burnham who calls himself "the best rapper in the world" has a cd/dvd of his special hit stores on the 19th of this month.

White-hot band of the moment, Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. (playing the first of 7 shows this week) took to the stage in their standard NASCAR Racing Suits and large JR JR light up letters behind them on stage. The Detroit based duo performed songs from their Horse Power EP as well as a pair of covers, Gil Scott Heron's "We Almost Lost Detroit" and The Beach Boy's "God Always Knows." Their brief set was a highlight of the evening.

Reggie Watts followed with his trademark looping, improvised, rapping, singing set to a welcoming crowd that included members of Nada Surf who were enjoying his performance from the soundboard area. Reggie managed to name check Oh Land and also made a point of mentioning the passing of Minneapolis rapper Micheal Larsen, aka Eyedea.

Headliners Nada Surf took to the stage just after midnight and lead singer Matthew Caws laughed that he and bassist Daniel Lorca held their first practice as a band in a rehearsal space upstairs at the club. The band was joined by Guided By Voices guitarist, Doug Gillard who played with the band for their entire 15 song, close-to-90 minute set.

More pictures from Rebel NYC, and the Nada Surf setlist from last night, are below.

Continue reading "Nada Surf, Reggie Watts, Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. Bo Burnham & friends played 'Conflict of Interest' (pics, setlist)"

DOWNLOAD: Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. - Nothing But Our Love (MP3)

Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr.

Nada Surf are one of the bigger (more popular) artists playing CMJ this year, and their sole official show is a headlining slot in a venue too small for them as part of showcase for their booking agent. Good thing for those that can't get in, there are more chances to see the band this week (at least one anyway).

The first of those chances happens Monday night, October 18th, at Rebel where Nada Surf will headline Syndicate's annual pre-CMJ 'Conflict of Interest' party. It is FREE with RSVP. Reggie Watts, Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr., Bo Burnham, Oh Land and Kitten are also on the bill (Dale play the Mercury Lounge show with Nada Surf too).

Technically there are no more chances after that to see Nada Surf, but there's a rumor that they're also playing a TBA SPIN show, but not the same SPIN show Titus Andronicus is rumored to be playing.

Back to Dale: Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. (I wasn't a fan of their name, but it's growing on me) are actually playing at least seven times during CMJ. In addition to the two mentioned above, they're playing the previously mentioned Stereogum/PopGun show, a show at Cake Shop, a show at Bruar Falls, a show at The Studio with Jaill, and the BrooklynVegan day party happening at Public Assembly on Saturday, October 23rd (set time and more details TBA). Stream some of their sweet tunes at MySpace, grab their DayTrotter sesssion, and get a free track at their Facebook..

All dates and some videos below...

Continue reading "Nada Surf play Conflict of Interest party, Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. playing a bunch of CMJ shows (dates, MP3, videos & stuff) "