We mentioned that it's unfortunate that Jon Brion's rare show at Le Poisson Rouge on October 2 coincides with ATP NJ. Those hoping to catch both are now in luck. Jon added a second date at the same venue happening on October 3. Tickets are available for both shows.

In related news,

Two-time Grammy Award-nominated composer Jon Brion has signed to create the original score for LAIKA and Focus Features' animated comedy thriller ParaNorman, currently in production at LAIKA's Oregon studios for nationwide release by Focus on Friday, August 17th, 2012. Following LAIKA and Focus' groundbreaking Academy Award-nominated animated feature Coraline, ParaNorman is only the second stop-motion animated feature to be made in 3D.

Joining the voice cast of ParaNorman are Tucker Albrizzi (Good Luck Charlie), Alex Borstein (Family Guy), and Jodelle Ferland (The Twilight Saga: Eclipse). ParaNorman is being directed by Sam Fell and Chris Butler, from Mr. Butler's original screenplay. Mr. Fell was director of The Tale of Despereaux and Flushed Away. Mr. Butler was storyboard supervisor on Coraline and storyboard artist on Tim Burton's Corpse Bride.

Mr. Brion's original score for Focus' Academy Award-winning Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind earned him a Grammy Award nomination for Best Score Soundtrack Album, among other honors. He was previously a Grammy nominee in the same category for scoring Magnolia. A highly accomplished singer/songwriter, arranger, and conductor, Mr. Brion is renowned for his production work. He holds co-writing credits on albums by such artists as Kanye West, Beck, Aimee Mann, Fiona Apple, Rufus Wainwright, the Eels, and Dido.

Mr. Knight said, "Jon Brion is so prodigiously gifted it's almost unseemly. His virtuoso compositions are at once moody and imaginative, clever and subtle. Jon's inventive, genre-defying musical storytelling will provide the perfect accompaniment to ParaNorman's groundbreaking visuals and emotionally resonant narrative."

Mr. Brion stated, "I've been waiting for the right animation project for some time now. This production and the people at LAIKA and Focus have an inspiring amount of heart. One can't help being swept up in the passion."

In ParaNorman, a small town comes under siege by zombies. Who can it call? Only misunderstood local boy Norman (voiced by Kodi Smit-McPhee), who is able to speak
with the dead. In addition to the zombies, he'll have to take on ghosts, witches and, worst of all, moronic grown-ups, to save his town from a centuries-old curse. But this young ghoul whisperer may find his paranormal activities pushed to their otherworldly limits.

In addition to those actors previously mentioned, the voice cast includes Academy Award nominee Casey Affleck (The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford), Tempestt Bledsoe (The Cosby Show), Jeff Garlin (Toy Story 3), John Goodman (Monsters, Inc.), Bernard Hill (Titanic), Academy Award nominee Anna Kendrick (Up in the Air), Leslie Mann (Rio), Christopher Mintz-Plasse (How to Train Your Dragon), and Tony and Emmy Award winner Elaine Stritch (30 Rock).

Jon is also part of that new "Rave on Buddy Holly" tribute album. He and his old friend Fiona Apple took on "Every Day". Listen to the song and check out the full tracklist below...

Continue reading "Jon Brion scoring ParaNorman, playing TWO shows @ LPR"

The Posies

The Posies will debut new material for the very first time at the Rock Shop in Brooklyn on September 23rd. That show is sold out, but now there are many more chances to see the band, and with Brendan Benson (of solo and Raconteurs fame) to boot. I also have two pairs of tickets to give away to the Brooklyn show. Details below.

After a month-long tour of Europe, The Posies will kick off a trek with Brendan in Milwaukee on November 5th. Their NYC show together will be at Highline Ballroom on November 13th (ticket on-sale date TBA). The Posies are promising a mix of new material and the hits at the shows. All dates below.

The Posies' Blood/Candy is out September 28 on Ryko. Brendan hasn't announced a new record (yet), but he can be found on Margaret Cho's new album which is out Tuesday...

"Can't wait until later this year for more Brendan goodies? Well, we have something to tide you over.

Brendan is making a cameo on Margaret Cho's comedy music album, Cho Dependent, due out on August 24th. You can pre-order the album now HERE and get an instant download of all 13 tracks, including "Baby I'm With the Band," the song Brendan co-wrote and performs on.

Other artists on the album include Andrew Bird, Grant Lee Phillips, Ben Lee, Tegan and Sara, Fiona Apple, Ani DiFranco, Tommy Chong and many more."

All dates below....

Continue reading "The Posies touring (dates) w/ Brendan Benson (who is 1 of many guests on Margaret Cho's new CD) ++ win Rock Shop tix"

by Klaus Kinski

When it rains it pours, and by golly there's a freakin' monsoon happening over at good ole' Chunklet right now. Where to begin.... Well, first off, Chunklet's milestone 20th Issue is done, printed, and on a pallet bound for Chunklet HQ any second now. It's been three years in the making, but this sucker looks well worth the wait. Readers are greeted by another amazing cover designed by Chris Bilheimer who's done the last 9 covers and who, incidentally, is REM's art director. Inside?

.... it promises to be the most brutal issue yet. Featuring interviews with Paul F. Tompkins, Zach Galifianakis, Jon Glaser and Sublime Frequencies. There are also features involving Whirlyball with Arcade Fire, The Shins, Queens of the Stone Age, Black Lips, Deerhunter, Death Cab for Cutie, Mogwai and countless others. Features also on music journalists, drug appreciation, good guys/bad bands and the usual array of Chunklet insanity (or inanity depending on your outlook).

And not only is Issue #20 about to hit the streets, but so is a Chunklet limited edition 7" that is sure to become a classic. For Side A, Zach Galifianakis joined up with comedian AD Miles, record producer Jon Brion and Fiona Apple to record the ultra-danceable track "Up In Them Guts". Side B features a studio version of the classic Scharpling and Wurster anthem "Rock'n'Roll Dreams'll Come Through" performed by Ted Leo and The Pharmacists. You can get this bad boy as a picture disc, yellow vinyl, or black vinyl and is only available if you purchase something else from the Chunklet store.

You can hear the original, classic Scharpling and Wurster WFMU version on the CD New Hope for the Ape-Eared. A while back Ted Leo did his own version of this tune on the Tom's show. You can hear that version, set to fan made animation, below. This is also not the first time Fiona and Zach have worked together.

Speaking of Ted Leo, did you know that Ted Leo and the Pharmacists put out a downloadable 4-song EP via Touch and Go Records for charity? It's true. The EP costs $4 and all proceeds go to Democracy Now and Minneapolis Food Not Bombs. Ted has a pretty long and engaging explanation about why he did this and you can read that here.

I am also happy to report that Chunklet is celebrating its 15 Year Anniversary! And what better way to celebrate the life and times of this most iconic music and comedy rag than with some supremely ballsy shows at the 40 Watt in Athens, GA. On October 10th Chunklet has lined up Deerhunter, Twin Tigers, Gentleman Jesse & His Men with comedian Brent Weinbach (TIX). Then on October 11th thrill to the majesty of Mastodon, Brian Posehn, It's Casual, and Brent Weinbach (TIX). That Posehn/Mastodon/Weinbach show is like a dream. I am jealous. That should be a national tour.

And last, but absolutely positively not least, I am thrilled to report that The Rock Bible IS AVAILABLE. Penned by Chunklet founder, DJ, promoter, record producer, tour manager, booking agent, cool dude Henry Owings this 144 page masterpiece is basically a rulebook full of dos and don'ts for musicians, wannabe musicians, and rock fans of all ages. And if there's one person I trust to write a book of this nature, it's Henry. Get it on the cheap here and here.

More pictures of this stuff and video below...

Continue reading "2 new Ted Leo releases, a new Fiona Apple/Galifianakis collaboration, Mastodon & other Chunklet news"

Fiona Apple interviewed @ New Yorker Festival, NYC- Oct 6, 2007 (CRED)

Yo La Tengo @ New Yorker Festival, NYC- Oct 6, 2007 (CRED)

* Be Online B'd
* Tall people took a stand
* Diplo DJ'd at Hiro Ballroom
* Arcade Fire played Randall's Island
* Arcade Fire played in the crown on the Island
* LCD Soundsystem, Blonde Redhead, & Les Savy Fav played too
* Bruce Springsteen was in Philadelphia
* The Melvins played a couple of shows
* Mark Ronson played Webster Hall
* Sigur Ros played three mini shows
* Sharon Jones played the Apollo
* Spoon played Saturday Night Live
* Caribou played Bowery Ballroom
* David Byrne talked about bicycles
* What else went on Saturday & Sunday

Ani Difranco, RZA & Steve Albini @ 2005 New Yorker Festival (CRED)

The eighth annual New Yorker Festival happens in NYC from October 5-7, 2007. Though not completely announced yet, this year's lineup will include all of those you see in the title, and more....

Continue reading "Diplo, Fiona Apple, Sigur Ros, David Byrne, Roseanne Cash, Yo La Tengo & more for the 2007 New Yorker Festival"

Chris Thile & Fiona Apple make a cute couple...

Continue reading "pics from Fiona Apple & Nickel Creek @ Summerstage"

Check out this video of Fiona Apple, Jon Brion, and Chris Thile of Nickel Creek performing 'Fast as You Can' together....

Check out this news.....

Fiona Apple (again) & Nickel Creek are playing Central Park Summerstage in NYC on August 14th, but it gets better (or worse) than that:

The members of Nickel Creek and Apple met several years ago in Los Angeles, and began occasionally working together at the club Largo - an intimate and magnetic music club that has become legendary for stellar lineups and surprise appearances. A loose and friendly musical exchange began with Apple sitting in on Sean and Sara Waktins' ‘anything goes' "Watkins Family Hour," and with either Thile or the Watkins returning the favor whenever possible.

For the August dates, fans will be treated to an expansion of those collaborations developed at Largo. Naturally, material will be pulled from both artists' solo catalogues, but fans can also expect to hear anything from pop standards to country classics to modern rock covers. Apple's presentation will be unique in that she will rely on Nickel Creek for back up during her set.

As you may know, club Largo in LA is also where Jon Brion does his weekly shows - sometimes with Fiona, and some times with Chris. I assume that's where the above video was taken. Jon was just on tour with Nickel Creek. Fiona starts touring with them on August 2nd. Before that Nickel Creek have Glen Phillips opening, and it's important to note that this will be Nickel Creek's farewell-for-now tour. All tour dates below....

Continue reading "Nickel Creek & Fiona Apple - 2007 collaborative & farewell Tour Dates (Summerstage)"