DOWNLOAD: Jeff Hanson - Hiding Behind the Moon (MP3)

Jeff Hanson 1978-2009

We are deeply shocked and saddened to report that Kill Rock Stars artist Jeff Hanson passed away on June 5, 2009 in his home, a victim of a terrible accident. Jeff has been a part of the KRS family since 2003 when he became the first artist signed to the label from an unsolicited demo.

Jeff Hanson was an amazing artist, a riotously funny person, and a good friend. Everyone at Kill Rock Stars feels that we were privileged to put out his records. We will miss him tremendously. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this time.
-Kill Rock Stars

According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Hanson "likely died from a fall or other accident at the concrete-floored apartment, which he had just moved into days earlier, said his sister, Sara Hanson". Sara Hanson also pointed out that "her brother never had any trouble with substance abuse".

This is so sad. The first time I ever saw Jeff play was at the Knitting Factory in NYC in May of 2003. I actually went to the show to see Jeff, but stayed to see his new label-mates The Decemberists. It was their first-ever NYC show. It was probably his first NYC show too. I've continued to follow both of them since. Jeff's most recent album, Madam Owl, was released on Kill Rock Stars in 2008.

Two things that usually come to mind when first listening to Jeff's music: his female-sounding voice, and the similarities to his label-mate Elliott Smith. Jeff was just 31 when he died. Elliott was 34. Past Jeff posts HERE. Videos below....

Continue reading "Jeff Hanson, RIP (1978-2009)"

DOWNLOAD: Jeff Hanson - If I Only Knew (MP3)

I was about to do a post about the two shows (Pianos and Southpaw) Jeff Hanson was scheduled to play in NYC this weekend, but then I found out they are now both cancelled because Jeff has strep throat. That sucks! Jeff's new album, Madam Owl, is out now on Kill Rock Stars.

DOWNLOAD: This Time It Will (MP3)

Jeff Hanson, one of my favorite Elliott Smith-esque often-mistaken-for-a-girl Kill Rock Stars singer-songwriters, is coming out with a new album (January 2007) and touring with Southerly in September. They'll hit Northsix and Knitting Factory. All dates and album info. below...

Continue reading "Jeff Hanson | 2006 Tour Dates (& new album)"

Shugo Tokumaru

I like the album Shugo Tokumaru put out in 2004. I've been meaning to check out, and talk about, the one he put out in 2005.

I also like Jeff Hanson. Besides good music, I can thank him for getting me to the Decemberists' first ever NYC show at Knitting Factory. It was May 2003. Jeff Hanson and the Decemberists were opening for Mary Lou Lord to a pretty small crowd. It was the few Jeff Hanson tracks I heard that got me to the show (pre-blogging). I never stopped liking Jeff, and I've obsessed over the Decemberists ever since.

Pitchfork pointed out today that Jeff Hanson is touring with Shugo Tokumaru. They don't seem to visiting the NYC area though. Wah.

Huge fans of Shugo they are, Cokemachineglow Interviewed Shugo and said his album from 2005 was the 24th best of the year (2 worse than the Decemberists, one better than Jamie Lidell).

Previously
Shugo Tokumaru | Night Piece
Buy Jeff Hanson
Saw Jeff Hanson recently @ ML, but didn't post pics

Insound asked me to submit a list of recommended albums for their newsletter this week. I called it "Brooklynvegan's 10 Recent Albums You Should Own in Addition to Clap Your Hands, Sufjan, M.I.A., and Bloc Party." For this site I'll add "...that are available at Insound." (they don't sell Cloud Cult for instance)

Here's my list:
("The following albums are 15% off until August 9th. No coupon needed.")
* Andrew Bird, Andrew Bird & the Mysterious Production of Eggs
* Jeff Hanson, Jeff Hanson
* M Ward, Transistor Radio
* Antony and the Johnsons, I Am a Bird Now
* Annie, Anniemal
* Stars, Set Yourself on Fire
* Feist, Let It Die
* Thunderbirds Are Now!, Justamoustache
* Magneta Lane, The Constant Lover
* Kimya Dawson, Hidden Vagenda

And one more, for good measure:
* Chin Up Chin Up, We Should Never Have Lived Like We Were Skyscrapers

* Read the newsletter. They called me a a hipster.
* And don't forget all new customers still get 25% off any order.

You'll find some stuff in my Gothamist post today that I haven't had a chance to talk about here yet. The big one is Caribou, and the tickets still available for those shows. The other one is Jeff Hanson, and the fact that he's playing at 7:30 PM at Mercury Lounge on Saturday.

Read the post.

Stream an old Caribou performance

Get some Jeff Hanson MP3's

Here's music for before and after the Half-Time show...

Stream the Bright Eyes, Tilly & The Wall, and CocoRosie concert from Washington DC at NPR.

Here's one I've been patiently waiting for since I got over my addiction to Son in 2003. Singer-Songwriter, Jeff Hanson, has a new album coming out on Feb. 22nd. Kill Rock Stars released a track for download off the self-titled album. Download 'This Time it Will.' Older songs also available at his website.

Tori Amos is coming out with a new album on Feb. 22nd. She's posting some songs for preview each week until the album is released. Week one is here. Tori will be signing her new book at Barnes & Noble on 17th St. in NYC on Feb 23rd. Then on Feb. 24th, she'll be participating in "An Evening in Conversation with Tori Amos and Ann Powers at New York's 92 St. Y." More info on all this at her official site.

Check out the new Regina Spektor video for "Us." Win | Quicktime

Watch Death Cab For Cutie's new video for "Title and Registration" in this DCFC E-Card.

Arjan brings us new videos from Daft Punk and Fischerspooner. The entire new Daft Punk album has leaked, and One Louder gives their first impressions.

Stream the entire new Mercury Rev album. Read Pitchfork's 2 cents and a more positive review at the Guardian.

Torr's got some Keane for download including a DJ Shadow remix. Download the Shadow remix, along with other tracks, here too.

Torr also points us to a B-Side by Delays. NME has a video.

Download a whole bunch of The Dears. (via LargeHearted Boy)

Watch a video by the Rheostatics. More on this band at For the 'records.'

Chromewaves points you to tracks off Low's latest album. Low just got finished playing two shows at Bowery Ballroom in NYC. Central Village left early.

KCRW has a streaming interview with Paul Reubens (aka Pee Wee Herman)

Did you catch the Sage Francis track I posted earlier? Here's more from Music for Robots.