Anamanaguchi is a boy band made up of hackers and producers born & raised on the Internet, currently living in New York City.

On May 14th, they [released] Endless Fantasy through their own brand new label, dream.hax - their first album since soundtracking Scott Pilgrim vs. The World in 2010.

The "boy band" will celebrate that album with possibly one of their biggest headlining shows to date in their "current" home of NYC at Irving Plaza THIS Friday (5/16) with Pictureplane and Hot Sugar. Tickets are still available. Get 'em while they're hot, sugar.

Meanwhile, you can also catch Anamanaguchi in a slightly more intimate setting at The Space in Hamden, CT tonight (5/16). It's the start of a tour that was recently extended throughout the summer. All dates, many with Chrome Sparks and Kitty Pryde, are listed below.

--
Anamanaguchi @ BV-SXSW 2013 (more by Sarah Frankie Linder)

Anamanaguchi, who we were happy to host for a 2nd time at SXSW in Austin this year (watch their ENTIRE performance below), has also been keeping busy with a very successful Kickstarter related to their new album release. Head over there to add to the $176,317 they've already raised in 13 days and for more info. Head below for more album info, songs and videos to consume, and all tour dates...

Continue reading "Anamanaguchi kicking ass on Kickstarter, released an LP, expand tour (dates)"

Mermaid Parade 2012 (more by Sachyn Mital)

Dear Friends of the Mermaid Parade:

I have two important announcements for you today:

1) Registration for this year's Mermaid Parade is now open. Click here to register.

2) We do not know whether there will be a Mermaid Parade this year.

Don't panic just yet-we have a plan. But first I want you to understand where we are and what we're up against.

Our first parade back in 1983 had more participants than onlookers. It is because of you-whether you've been marching for years or are joining us for your maiden voyage-that the Mermaid Parade has grown into the largest arts parade in the country.

A Free Parade is Expensive

This year we face unprecedented challenges. As the crowds have grown over the past years, the city has begun imposing new regulations and restrictions that have sharply increased the cost of the event. On top of that, Hurricane Sandy, that malevolent sorceress, wreaked havoc on the Coney Island community. We as an organization, like many others, are still recovering from the damage. What this all means is that the Mermaid Parade now has a budget shortfall of $100,000. This is an impossible gap for a tiny non-profit arts organization like ours.

The Plan

On May 7th , we'll be launching a "Save the Mermaid Parade" Kickstarter campaign to raise $100,000 for the Parade. We'll be actively updating our website and sending out news and information as the campaign to "Save the Mermaid Parade" progresses.

Next week you will receive a link to our Kickstarter campaign. Once you have it, please spread the word. If we don't meet our funding goal, there'll be no parade.

Registration this year is more important than ever before, but we also need to ask for even more from you to preserve our beloved cultural institution. Be advocates. This is your parade - get on your bullhorns!

Sincerely,
Dick Zigun
Founder & Artistic Director
Coney Island USA

Here's some April 1 news you may have missed....

Amanda Palmer at T5, NYE 2012 (more by Amanda Hatfield)

Music biz insider Bob Lefsetz reports today that Warner Brothers will fund all new albums on the label via Kickstarter:

Perennially third, the smallest of the three majors saw a need to shake it up, to move ahead of Sony and Universal in the game of music production. Lucian Grainge bought EMI, believing it was all about market share, economies of scale...but that's positively old school. Today you drill down into the niches, you solidify your relationship with your fan base, you grow from the bottom up, not the top down.

Yes, Stephen Cooper has just thrown a curve ball so wide, Doug Morris won't even see it.

Believing it's about radio and retail, septuagenarian Morris is putting himself out to his own pasture. Didn't he get the memo? Newspapers are dying, young people ignore mainstream media, to try to close young people via old media is like insisting baby boomers give up their Lipitor. Raw stupidity. Then again, the music business was always about muscle.

But now it's about data.

The new deal, which includes fan-funded fave Amanda Palmer, ties in Facebook, Amazon Prime and Google.

Speaking of, Google Labs have just released the beta of Google Nose, with an Aromabase of over 15 million "scentibytes."

Boards of Canada

Scottish electronic shoegazers Boards of Canada are finally following up 2005's The Campfire Headphase with a new double album, Quetzalcoatl, reports FACT.

In similar news, legendary metal outfit ISIS have reformed, reports Nefarious Realm. The crew are launching a nationwide tour with Pelican, Converge and Cave In. In what is surely a new world record, they'll be playing all 26 dates on the same day (that would be today).

The White Stripes Mk2

On a related reformation note, Australian site Beat has this exclusive: Jack White is getting The White Stripes back together, though now with actress Tilda Swinton on drums. It may seem like an unexpected choice, but anyone whose seen her 1992 film, Orlando, knows that Swinton can play anything. The White Stripes new album, Evangelical Trout, is due later this year.

What else? A mere two weeks after SXSW 2013, popular Austin venue Mohawk announces, much like Emo's and Antones, it's moving from it's iconic Red River locale.

In in other sad news, nightlife socialite and white jeans wearer Andrew WK is giving up his signature activity. He tweeted earlier today, "As of today, I've officially decided to never party again."

But in happier partying news, Seth Rogen and James Franco are making a sequel to stone comedy Pineapple Express and you can watch the trailer below.

And finally, here's news we've all been waiting for. My Social List has the scoop that Daft Punk's return to the live stage will happen at Williamsburg DIY space 285 Kent on May 12. No, we don't know what time they're on.

Continue reading "ALSO: Warner Bros goes Kickstarter; White Stripes, Boards of Canada and ISIS reform; Andrew WK takes it easy +++ more"

by Fred Pessaro // BBG

Cobra Commander, with the double invisible oranges

Finally a kickstarter I can get behind! Help Cobra Commander rebuild his "non-profit organization COBRA" and its home base Cobra Island, which was sadly destroyed by the tyrants in GI Joe:

We are COBRA, a worldwide organization devoted to making advancements in science and defense technology.

Recently our home and secret base of operations was destroyed in an attack by the terrorist militia known as GI JOE.

So after discussing a plan of action with my colleagues DESTRO, DR. MINDBENDER, and our business analysts TOMAX and XAMOT, we reached the conclusion that we need $94 billion to fully restore COBRA ISLAND and the COBRA organization.

Thanks,

COBRA COMMANDER

Help anyway you can at their Kickstarter (which isnt live yet), which currently has a goal of $21,474,836. For more details, consult the video below.

Continue reading "Cobra needs YOU! (Launches Kickstarter)"

by Klaus Kinski

Finally, a Kickstarter campaign that gets the coveted Klaus Kinski Seal Of Total Approval and Gold Pass! Photographer Seth Olenick has been on the NYC comedy and music scene since 1997 and has amassed a gigantic and truly astounding portfolio of images of comedians, bands, and famous people. The images span a variety of scenarios; some are portraits that make use of props and environment, some are super in-the-moment live shots from shows, and all are masterfully executed and realized.

Although I've never really met him personally, I know Seth as an all-too-familiar face within the comedy scene. A friend to comedians coast to coast, Seth is entrenched in the comedy mix and comedy-related photographs is where he shines the most. Now, finally, some of his finest shots of funny business will be made available to the public (hopefully) in a Taschen-worthy book called Funny Business:

Funny Business is going to be an 11"x13" portrait-oriented, hardcover coffee table book with approximately 250 pages containing 200 full-color photos on glossy paper. This Kickstarter covers the 1st edition run of 1500 copies, 200 of which will come with a hand-printed special edition slipcase. I'm still finalizing the design that will be printed on the slipcases, and hope to unveil it before the end of this campaign. The book designer is Adriana Garcia, a Brooklyn-based graphic designer with years of experience on magazines, and a couple of books under her belt as well. The digital imaging guru is Jeff Spitery who has nearly 30 years experience with photo preparation for print, and is helping me with the retouching of all of the files as well.

I say "Taschen-worthy" because this book has all the attributes of a top-shelf Taschen art book. I also say "made available to the public (hopefully)" because this book is going to be self-published and requires us, fans of funny things and great photography, to put this sucker into production via Seth's Kickstarter Campaign. The campaign, which ends on March Monday Mar 11, 10:58am (SOON!!) allows potential donors to contribute anything from $1 to $5000 (or more). Each donation starting at $5 and more has assigned to it some pretty flippin' cool rewards as thank-yous for your generosity. For example, donating $2000 gets you the following:

Tim and Seth from Les Savy Fav will write a song about you based on information that you supply us about yourself. We will also make a video for the song, directed by animator/director Edmond Hawkins and myself. You will also get 2 copies of the special edition book, the ebook and the audio book, plus major bragging rights. You also get a double special thanks in the book.

Even a reasonable $150 donation will get you a copy of the book along with a limited edition 8x10 print of Patton Oswalt signed and numbered by Seth. This print is an edition of 25. You will also receive the audio book. Such an awesome book from an awesome local photographer. Get to donating! Every buck helps!

Harlem underground hip hop duo Cannibal Ox made their live return this year at Knitting Factory Brooklyn after a long hiatus, and once again promised they'd finally release a followup to their 2001 debut, which has been delayed multiple times. Now, Can Ox member Vast Aire has taken it one step further and launched a Kickstarter campaign to raise funds for their new record and Iron Galaxy Clik Records, the label that the duo plan to launch and release the new album on. The Kickstarter page reads:

Cannibal Ox is launching their own label Iron Galaxy Clik (IGC) Records and have reunited for their long awaited sophomore album. Cannibal Ox has already completed their first leg of their tour and funding will help us with videos, more US and International touring, the label, our spring 2013 single entitled "GOTHAM {OX CITY}" and most importantly the completion of the album. Instead of complaining about the quality of hip hop, make a change and support a real movement. 100% of your pledges will go to the funding of the sophomore album of Cannibal Ox, new videos, touring support, marketing and promotion, street teams (physical and digital), and production budget for other featured artists on the album. This label and album is 10 years in the making and needs the fans support to bring it to life.

In November, the duo said they were working with producers Bill Cosmiq and Melodious Monk on the album, rather than El-P, who produced their debut and said in 2011 that he'd never produce another Can Ox album. But that was then, and now we're living in a post-apocalyptic time where even new My Bloody Valentine albums get released, so fingers crossed that El-P and Cannibal Ox can work things out.

Head over to Kickstarter to help Cannibal Ox reach their goal, and check out the campaign video below...

Continue reading "Cannibal Ox launch Kickstarter to fund new album & label"

John Vanderslice will release two albums this year: the first is Dagger Beach, an album of all new originals; and a song-for-song cover of David Bowie's Diamond Dogs. (He's done the latter live before.) The records will be released concurrently in May and John has decided to put them out himself. (His last album, 2011's White Wilderness, came out on Dead Oceans.) He also launched a Kickstarter to fund their release (both albums are in the can) which only launched on Tuesday (2/19) but has already more than tripled his goal with 28 days left to go. Here's John on going it alone:

I decided to tour much less (with the exception of house shows, which always feels right to me) and release music on my own label, Tiny Telephone.

For me, the best part of making records and touring was always the friendships I made with fans. Many of you reading this will know exactly what I mean.

There were only two aspects of what I was doing that had to stay: recording my songs and nurturing the relationships with people who have supported my music. That means you.

So you see, it's now just you and me. The label has one employee, and you're looking at him. I'm trying to bring this stuff back to its essence.

Honestly, I'm terrified to put out my own records. For a week after I made the decision, I had intense insomnia and deep regret. Later, I moved to something like terror + incredible excitement. Now, after further reflection, it's clear to me: I was born for this.

Here's a little more on both records:

The Dagger Beach vinyl issue is a 200g pressing from QRP, the best vinyl plant in the country. It sounds HELLA GOOD. I'm really proud of this record, it's dirtier and weirder than anything I've done since Cellar Door.

I've also made a full-length cover of Bowie's amazing Diamond Dogs. A *very* limited run of 200g vinyl records will be available through Kickstarter as well. We've got two new t-shirts (including an updated version of the Library Card), digital downloads, and tons more stuff.

As with all Kickstarters, there are many levels of funding and some of those come with pretty cool rewards, including, "LIMITED EDITION SCREEN PRINTS, I WILL MARRY YOU (to another person), HOUSE SHOWS, I WILL PRODUCE YOUR EP, LISTENING PARTY FOR DAGGER BEACH, TINY TELEPHONE / TAQUERIA TOUR in San Francisco, UNRELEASED RARITIES CD, and ohh so many more." You can check it all out over at John's Kickstarter and watch his pledge video below.

Continue reading "John Vanderslice releasing two Kickstarter-funded albums in 2013, one being a cover of Bowie's 'Diamond Dogs'"

Hunters @ final Dead Herring show, 1/28/2013 (more by Ebru Yildiz)

As you may know, Williamsburg DIY venue Dead Herring hosted its final show on S. 5th street a couple weeks ago. But this herring isn't really dead, it's just moving. And apparently changing names, though they don't say what the new name is going to be. But they say a lot of other stuff on their Kickstarter page where they're looking for help in converting the raw space into a theatre/art gallery/venue. Here's more:

We're just not done making awesome things happen in Williamsburg. And we got SUPER lucky: we found a new space! And while no place could ever replace Dead Herring in our hearts, we have to say, this new building is even better than Dead Herring's old space! Huzzah!

We're all abuzz with the possibilities offered by this new space. Towards the end of our time at Dead Herring, we were just starting to make more theatre and host more variety shows in addition to DH's bread and butter, awesome rock shows. Our new building is perfectly suited to this emphasis on creating original performances and stretching the boundaries of a DIY space for theatre, art, comedy, dance, and music.

So: while the crew behind this new venture is the same group of hooligans who brought you Dead Herring, this is a whole new adventure for us.

The "Dead Herring Lives" Kickstarter is currently at $3,982 of its proposed $8000 goal with 25 days to go. You can watch their campaign video below.

Continue reading "Dead Herring launches Kickstarter for new space"

"For 16 years Rooftop Films has screened thousands of new indie films in cool outdoor spaces but we can't continue without your support." Watch their video below...

Continue reading "Rooftop Films raising money with Kickstarter"

Bob Mould at Williamsburg Park, 9/7/2012 (more by Sachyn Mital)

Bob Mould, who ended his Copper Blue tour last month, has announced two NYC shows for next year, which happen at Bowery Ballroom on February 26 and 27. Tickets to those shows go on AmEx presale today (12/12) at noon with the regular on-sale beginning on Friday (12/14) at noon.

In other news, his Kickstarter for the "See a Little Light" concert documentary is about 75% towards its his $95k goal with 10 days left. Of the film, Bob said in a recent Facebook post:

Last night, I watched the rough cut of See A Little Light (The Movie). Fun times. It's shaping up to be a really cool document of a very special evening. There's funny backstage banter with fellow musicians, philosophic ramblings from me, and lots of shots of Jon Wurster singing along from behind the kit. What more could you want?

Bob's only other upcoming dates are in Australia, and his tour schedule is below along with the trailer for the "See a Little Light" movie.

Continue reading "Bob Mould playing two NYC shows in February (dates); Kickstarter campaign for concert DVD still going"

BEAUTIFUL NOISE is an in-depth exploration of a music movement in the late 20th century, a fascinating period when some innovative musicians mixed guitar noise into conventional pop song structures while maintaining a philosophy of letting the music speak for itself.

Although many of the people interviewed are notoriously press shy they have opened up about their music and experiences from over 20 years ago; how they defied the rules and became sonic innovators that have inspired so many.

Currently the documentary is in the final stages for worldwide release, and we need your help to raise the $75,000 to pay for limited run licensing and finishing costs to distribute in Film Festivals and on DVD/Blu-Ray.

This documentary will finally be released only if the fans of this music believe in this project and contribute.

Legendary shoegaze/dream pop bands My Bloody Valentine, Cocteau Twins, and The Jesus and Mary Chain are subject of new documentary, Beautiful Noise, who have launched a Kickstarter campaign to raise enough money for the film to be distributed in film festivals and released on DVD/Blu-Ray (via Pitchfork). In addition to those three bands, the film will feature interviews with/appearances by members of other shoegaze pioneers like Ride, Slowdive, Lush, Curve, Swervedriver, Medicine, Pale Saints, and more, plus appearances by Wayne Coyne, Trent Reznor, Billy Corgan, and Robert Smith, and performance videos (and some interviews) with current bands like Sigur Ros, M83, A Place to Bury Strangers, Grouper, Serena Maneesh, and others. The Kickstarter campaign has reached just over $17,000 of its $75,000 goal as of this post, and is open until December 15. More info and rewards details at the documentary's Kickstarter project page.

This comes shortly after the news that My Bloody Valentine plans to release an album by the end of the year.

Campaign video below...

Continue reading "My Bloody Valentine, JAMC, Cocteau Twins, Ride and more feature in shoegaze doc that launched Kickstarter campaign"

Bob Mould at one of the last Copper Blue shows, FFF 2012 (more by Glen Brown)

After trotting out jams from his Sugar catalog earlier this year, Bob Mould has put the records, in their entirety, to rest

And now it's time to say farewell to Copper Blue. I'm not retiring the songs -- many of them will be in my live sets forever -- but I am putting the "start to finish" reading of Copper Blue to rest after playing it at the El Rey Theater in Los Angeles, CA on October 30 and then at Fun Fun Fun Fest in Austin TX on November 2.

It was wonderful to pay tribute to Copper Blue by opening the 2012 shows with a start to finish reading of the album. By the end of the North American tour it felt a bit predictable. The longtime followers know my restlessness all too well, so my need to shake things up should be no surprise.

Sugar's catalog was recently reiussed by Merge in the US, and will see a UK/EU release via Demon Music Group on December 10th.

It's not that Bob Mould is one of those types of guys who would always rather showcase new material, in fact, he's always been one to celebrate his back catalog. Case and point, his See a Little Light documentary which is currently seeking funding via Kickstarter.

Last November at the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, some of today's most influential artists gathered to celebrate the music of Bob Mould. Dave Grohl (Foo Fighters), Britt Daniel (Spoon), Ryan Adams, No Age, Craig Finn and Tad Kubler (The Hold Steady), Margaret Cho with Grant Lee Phillips, and Jessica Dobson (The Shins, Deep Sea Diver) all performed songs from Bob's historic catalog... Fortunately, the entire evening was captured in stunning audio and high-quality video quality by filmmaker Justin Mitchell.

Mould is currently around 20% toward his $95k goal, which ends in 37 days. Contribute if you can. Video on the project is below, beside a string of tour dates.

Bob Mould's next date with NYCers goes down on 2/8/13 at Highline Ballroom, where he'll be DJing alongside his Blowoff partner Richard Morel (tickets). Their last Blowoff party at the venue was on 11/9.

While we're on the subject of Kickstarter, Of Montreal is also looking to do a concert film of their own titled Song Dynasties. The band is currently around 1/3 of the way toward their $75,000 goal in 26 days. Contribute here, but first check out their video presentation below. below.

Of Montreal is on tour this fall, and will play NYC at Webster Hall on December 11th as part of a larger tour. All dates are listed again below...

Continue reading "Bob Mould ending 'Copper Blue' run, launches kickstarter for a documentary (Of Montreal did too)"

Another day, another Kickstarter:

New Brooklyn Theater is a 501(c) 3 theater company which is on a mission to purchase and restore the historic theater at 1215 Fulton Street in Bedford-Stuyvesant, NY. New Brooklyn Theater plans to restore the building and turn it into a performing arts center with three stages that will develop the work of Brooklyn artists for Brooklyn audiences.

Our Kickstarter campaign is set at $200,000 which is the total needed for a down payment on the building. The space is an architecturally impressive and historically significant building that needs to be saved before the city of the New York forecloses and it is auctioned off to developers that will tear it down.

We estimate that the complete restoration and rehabilitation of the Slave as a multi-purpose performing arts center will cost between $3.5 and $5 million.

We are deliberately foregoing other more traditional development formulas that would require unnecessary and costly plans. Instead we turn to you to help spark Brooklyn interest in the restoration of this landmark space.

"We are raising the $200,000 down payment in this way because we are willing to put our vision up to a vote of public opinion," says Artistic Director Solari. "When the Kickstarter campaign ends, if we are successful, we will approach our many potential corporate funders and development partners with something quite valuable, a mandate."

Sadly, the Kickstarter is only at $39,000 and it ends on Thursday.

Deakin w/ Animal Collective at Prospect Par in 2011 (more by VIncent Cornelli)

Earlier this week, we mentioned that fans were complaining that Animal Collective member Deakin (aka Josh Dibb) never got any of the rewards they were promised by donating to his Kickstarter campaign in 2009. He's since apologetically spoke to Pitchfork about the issue:

"I feel sad, but I've set up a situation where that could be the perception and I understand that", he said. "There are a couple things that are being misconceived."

The primary misunderstanding, Dibb told me, is the belief that he received any of the $26,000. In reality, all of that money has gone directly to TEMEDT, he says. "I think the [Kickstarter] was up for a day or two before I realized that I felt incredibly uncomfortable about the idea of asking people to fund a trip for me to go to Africa... that's why the project turned into a charity thing."

Still, the question remains as to why Dibb failed to follow through on the merchandise promised to donors. Why not just throw together some photos and notes and send them out? The answer can be interpreted as unsatisfyingly simple or as logical and justifiable.

"The gifts were supposed to be based around the music that I had been writing at that time, and when I came back, I personally felt really dissatisfied with it," he explained, and spoke of the struggles he's experienced in recording his first solo record and sticking to his self-imposed deadlines. "For me, as an artist-- whether or not people can be sympathetic to this or not-- it's just been a much slower process to do things on my own than with the band."

What Dibb seems especially apologetic about is his failure to provide donors with regular updates about the project, and to ensure that all the donors have received his messages. "I haven't been the best at updating people in the last two years," he said.

He also mentioned that he sent an update to his Kickstarter donors in August, but that he wasn't sure who actually received the message. The message reads:

I am writing to you once again to thank you for the tremendous support that you all gave back in December of 2009. I am writing you now to deeply apologize for the amount of time it has taken to come back to you with the rewards of your support. I have heard from a number of you expressing deep disappointment in the way that I have handled this project...

I also want to be clear so that all of you know that none of the money you donated was used for my trip. Nor is it being used to fund the materials that you will all be receiving (yes, you will!). All of these things are things that I have paid for myself or will be paying for myself. All of the money that you donated is being used by TEMEDT to continue their work to change the social dynamic in Mali...

...The crux of what has held this up is to record the songs that I was working on around that time in a way that I really felt good about. I am sure it seems inexplicable to some of you that that has taken nearly three years. On a personal level I have been coming to terms with my own creative process and some of that has been to accept that things take a long time to work through me.

So despite the fact that I know that I intend now and have always intended to turn this all into something that you all would be psyched about, I know that I have not been good about keeping you up to date and feeling included in the process which you all have the right to feel. I promise that for the rest of year my only two priorities will be to finish this and to be on tour with Animal Collective. I will keep you updated monthly on what is going on. Lastly I would like to speak to all of you directly if that is something that you would like...

Animal Collective will be in NYC soon for their Williamsburg Park show (10/5) with Micachu & the Shapes.

Earlier this week we posted that E Street Band member Steven Van Zandt is working to fund the reunion of fellow Jersey band The Rascals, who haven't played live with their original lineup in 40 years. As of this post, their Kickstarter is just about halfway to its goal with 26 days to go.

At the time we had no idea how quickly the actual shows would be announced, but it has already been revealed that the reunion is set to make its debut in Port Chester, NY with a three-night run at the Capitol Theatre from December 12-15. As mentioned, the shows are dubbed "Once Upon A Dream" and are being produced and directed by Van Zandt with lighting and projections being handled by Mark Brickman (who has done lights for Pink Floyd, Paul McCartney, and more). Tickets for all three shows go on sale today, 9/28, at 11 AM.

You can watch the Kickstarter video below...

Continue reading "The reunited Rascals playing 3 nights at Capitol Theater"

The Rascals' original lineup--Felix Cavaliere, Gene Cornish, Eddie Brigati and Dino Danelli--will reunite for their first public performances in over 40 years with "Once Upon A Dream," a combination concert/theatrical event produced and directed by Steven Van Zandt and lighting/projection wizard Marc Brickman. It's a Rock N Soul dance party meets The Jersey Boys.

In addition to the concert experience, the history of The Rascals, and the history of the '60's through their music, will be dramaticized by a combination of narration, filmed scenes of actors acting out key moments in the band's history, news footage, and archival footage of the band.

There will elements of the staging and light design never seen before just as Marc Brickman has done in his previous groundbreaking work with Bruce Springsteen, Pink Floyd, Paul McCartney, Blue Man Group, the Olympics, and Roger Waters' recent 'The Wall' tour. [Kickstarter].

Steven Van Zandt spent this past weekend with Bruce Springsteen playing shows as part of the E Street Band at Metlife Stadium in NJ. We talked about the first night. How were the second two?

UPDATE Deakin issues an apology, explains situation

Speaking of Kickstarter accountability,

In 2009, Josh Dibb, who performs in the experimental noise-pop band Animal Collective as Deakin, set up a Kickstarter campaign to fund a trip to Mali. He'd been invited to perform at the famous Festival au Désert and wanted to simultaneously work with Malian anti-human-trafficking groups. He promised fans photos, field recordings or a book if they donated, and he raised more than $25,000.

If one looks at the top comments on his Kickstarter campaign site today, however, it's full of fans complaining that they have never received anything for their money. "I backed this as a gift to my boyfriend... good thing we're still dating since 2009!" one wrote. [LA Times]

Animal Collective recently put out a new album and are touring their way to Williamsburg Park.

Real flyer on Grand Ave. 'HIPSTERS ONLY Please!' (via @adelaloconte)

Guy Fieri, Smashmouth frontman Steve Harwell and Sammy Hagar are teaming for what is likely to be the most exclamation-point-filled cookbook of all time. Also, maybe the worst.

Those of a certain age may have fond, fuzzy memories of MTV's sock puppet hosts Sifl & Olly. Well they're back! Reviewing video games? Sort of. Check out a video below.

Speaking of fond MTV memories, you can catch Kurt Loder in the flesh at at the Bell House in Brooklyn tonight (9/20) (with Julie Klausner who has other upcoming gigs too).

Bruce Springsteen plays again in NJ tonight tomorrow. Meanwhile check out his setlist from last night.

Fiona Apple got busted for hash possession at the same Texas checkpoint that got Snoop Dogg and Willie Nelson. She's out on bail, but tonight's ACL Live show is canceled (which means no pictures tonight on the BVAustin Instagram).

Speaking of Austin, Ume is funding a new record via Kickstarter.

Speaking of Kickstarter, Gawker discusses their accountability problem, Amanda Palmer included.

That said, we're sure Owen Pallett, like many others, was happy to hear that Amanda is now paying all musicians.

Meanwhile, if you're looking for backers for your Kickstarter, Forbes listed the 400 richest Americans, Oprah Winfrey, David Geffen, Steven Spielberg, and George Lucas included.

Speaking of money, Iggy Pop, Wayne Coyne, Ben Folds, Black Keys drummer Patrick Carney and more will appear as guests on Ke$ha's new album, Warrior.

Speaking of Patrick Carney, congrats to him and his now-wife Emily Ward on their recent wedding. Will Forte officiated. Shaun White was arrested.

The first track from Neurosis's new LP Honor Found in Decay has slipped out. Stream "At The Well" at NPR now.

more stuff below...

Continue reading "ALSO: Sifl & Olly are back, Smashmouth/Guy Fieri cookbook, Little Pete vs Lindsay Lohan, Patrick Carney, Neurosis & more"

Amanda Palmer's Kickstarter is up to $683,225 which is about $250,000 more than last time we mentioned it which was before her upcoming Brooklyn show quickly sold out. One person spent $10,000 which gets them dinner with Amanda who will also paint them naked (if they want) (they get naked, not her) (well, you never know).

Punk Island isn't doing so well. The free, multi-stage Governors Island fest has only raised $20 so far on their Kickstarter. Both $10 backers will receive a 1 inch button. That said, the fest is also raising money for itself via other means.

In related news, Amanda appears on the new "Music For Occupy" album that Michael Moore also sings on.

Amanda Palmer and the Grand Theft Orchestra (Michael McQuilken, Chad Raines, and Jherek Bischoff) are prepping their new album, which they recorded with producer/engineer John Congleton (St. Vincent, Modest Mouse, Xiu Xiu). In addition, she's releasing an art book with art for the new album. On April 30, Amanda put the project up for funding on Kickstarter and already gained almost four times her goal. As of this post she is at over $400,000. $150,000 ago she wrote this to Bob Lefsetz:

hey bob

don't know if you've noticed, but yesterday i launched the 30-day kickstarter for my new album, "amanda palmer & the grand theft orchestra".

at the moment i'm writing this, we've reached over $250,000 after only one day of being live. go look:

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/amandapalmer/amanda-palmer-the-new-record-art-book-and-tour

that's about $50k MORE than the scheduled recording budget i wouldn't have been given if i'd stayed on roadrunner...AND WE'RE ONLY ON THE FIRST DAY.

i hope we reach $600k or more by the time we're done. or a million. who knows? sky's the limit.

The video for the Kickstarter project is below.

Amanda will be going on a tour in support of the album this summer. In each city that she hits, she'll put on an art show with art from the album and an acoustic set, followed by a full band rock show. That tour includes Brooklyn, where she'll put on her live show at June 27 at Music Hall of Williamsburg and her art show on June 28 at Momenta Art. Tickets for the MHOW show go on sale Friday, 5/11 at noon with an AmEx presale starting Wednesday, 5/9 at noon.

All dates and the video below...

Continue reading "Amanda Palmer kicking ass on Kickstarter, announces art & live show tour"

photos by Amanda Hatfield, words by BBG

Freshkills @ Hotel Vegan

Grant Hart played SXSW and has other upcoming shows scheduled including one in Philadelphia this Tuesday, one at Cake Shop on April 6th, and one in Brooklyn at Union Pool on April 7th alongside NYC's own post-punk crew Freshkills. Tickets for the NYC show are on sale. All dates are listed below.

Freshkills, who played a record release show at Pianos earlier this month, is also coming off of a tour down to SXSW, where they played the BBG stage on Wed (3/14) at Hotel Vegan. Some pictures from their set are in this post.

Grant Hart will (hopefully) be the subject of an upcoming documentary...

With Grant Hart as the only interview subject, EVERY EVERYTHING will tell the story of his life, from his beginnings, through his days in Hüsker Dü, and up to the present. In this feature-length documentary you'll learn his influences, his obsessions, his loves, his passions, his art, his music, and everything in between, leaving no stone unturned. For the first time ever, you'll hear everything about Grant Hart as told by Grant Hart -- the good, the bad, and the ugly. Think of it as a rock 'n' roll FOG OF WAR!

The documentary is currently seeking funding via Kickstarter - contribute if you can. Video for the Kickstarter, other dates & the Freshkills pics, below....

Continue reading "Freshkills played Hotel Vegan (pics), playing Union Pool w/ Grant Hart (who may be the subject of new documentary)"

Emeralds with Alan Howarth at UNSOUND 2011 (more by Erez Avissar)

While we await full details on Unsound NYC 2012, the festival is working to ensure funding for its "LABS" by putting up a Kickstarter. The say;

In 2012, we are working to expand UNSOUND LABS, both within the context of the festival and with further related events to be presented throughout the city during the rest of the year. During UNSOUND FESTIVAL NEW YORK 2012, we will be presenting more special collaborations between musicians from the U.S. and Europe, with a special focus on New York, Eastern Europe, and Scandinavia. Concerts presented under the banner of LABS will be free and open to all. We will also be recording all UNSOUND LABS concerts for distribution via a free digital compilation to be available for download after the festival.

Likewise, all talks, presentations, and tours presented as part of LABS will be free and open to all. That has always been the case in the past, and it is important to us to continue in a similarly accessible vein. Your support will allow us to help cover LABS-related costs not supported directly by the cultural institutes we work with to make the festival come together as a whole. It will allow us to continue to present new and interesting work and ideas and part of LABS--and keep things free.

Pledges get you anything from a "sincere thanks and a cryptic missive via email" to "VIP access + 3-night accommodation at the 10th anniversary of UNSOUND KRAKOW in October 2012." Full details are at Kickstarter and in the video below. The festival runs from April 18th - 22nd at multiple venues across NYC.

Continue reading "UNSOUND LABS seeking funding via Kickstarter"

"A few months ago, the term cassette tape was taken out of the Oxford English Dictionary.

It may seem ironic, then, that the cassette has experienced a quiet comeback over the last few years, as independent labels issuing tape-only releases have begun popping up around the world.

What better excuse to take a look back at this beloved musical format?

As recorded sound continues its love affair with the downloadable, ethereal digital file, the tangible artefact is quickly becoming a thing of the past.

Help us celebrate the A Side, the B Side, the mixtape, and the whole of cassette culture by supporting Cassette: A Documentary. We'll look at all parts of popular culture influenced by the cassette, including hip-hop and B-Boy culture, indie rock, home recording, and beyond."

Zack Taylor and Seth Smoot are trying to raise $$$ via Kickstarter to make Cassette: A Documentary. They're currently at 1/3 of their goal.

For more details, head to their kickstarter page and check out a video trailer below.

Continue reading "cassettes making a comeback; help fund the documentary"

by BBG

Dylan Carlson (left) with Earth at LPR (more by Greg Cristman)

Dylan Carlson is creating his first major solo project outside of earth.There will be a limited edition lp/dvd/book and cd/dvd/book(500 of each format) and a special pressing of 150 copies(lp only) with personalized ex libris by Simon Fowler (Who will also do the cover and end papers). The illustrations will be by Kiyo Lappalainen. The limited edition books will be pop-up style. There will also be an open edition with regular flat printing in a cd booklet and flat lp printing. The recording will combine field recordings from various megalithic and other sites of human/fairy encounters across the UK, also the use of ritual and folkloric magical practices. The expedition will be filmed by Clyde Petersen. These recordings will be layered with Dylan's interpretations of classic Scotch-English ballads about human/fairy encounters from early modern England and Scotland(15th-18th century). It will also feature guest vocalists to sing the songs....The field recordings will be accomplished in April-May of 2012. The rest of the recording/mastering will be finished in summer and early fall, the artwork is an ongoing process, already begun. Dylan is planning to have it all done for a May 2013 release.

The above description details Dylan Carlson of Earth's solo project, which he's currently funding via Kickstarter (currently at about 10% of its $30,000 goal). It ends in 27 days. Contribute if you can/if interested.

In related news, Carlson is also preparing to release his new LP with Earth, Angels of Darkness, Demons of Light II, a continuation of the similarly named LP from a year ago. Look for the second installment on Southern Lord on 2/11, and stream a new song at Spin.

Devotchka @ Bonnaroo 2011 (more by Dana (Distortion) Yavin)

I was surprised to see that Devotchka were going to be in the area this weekend. The occasion is that they're opening for the Avett Brothers at PNC Bank Arts Center in NJ on Friday night (9/23). Tickets are still on sale. All dates for both bands are listed below.

In related news, somebody in Devotchka also plays trumpet in Denver party/marching band Boba Fett and the Americans. The "15 Musicians and 1 Bounty Hunter" want to represent their home state at CMJ in NYC in October, but they need money for airfare, and "it'd be cool to have somewhere to sleep as well." That quote comes from their Kickstarter page where they've already raised almost $6000. You can watch their Kickstarter video below...

Continue reading "Devotchka on tour w/ the Avett Brothers, trumpet player raising money to get his other band to CMJ (all 15 of them)"