Louise Harman is just 23, but already she's had quite a life. By the age of 20, she had scored a Top 10 hit with the Ordinary Boys - Nine2Five - and recorded with the Streets. In 2005, she got a deal with Island Records in the UK, while Jay-Z himself signed her to his Def Jam label in the US...

...Then things started to fall apart. "I went on strike and stopped doing stuff, so Def Jam got the hump with me," Harman shrugs, sipping on a vodka and Red Bull in a pub in Wembley, north London, near where she grew up. Her initial meeting with Jay-Z took place in front of R&B star Usher and producer LA Reid, and was, she remembers, an uncomfortable experience. "All these executives, on the top floor of a high-rise building, all eyes on me. It was like an audition. Jay-Z is a cool guy, but we only hung out properly once - it's not like we were best friends." Her mother was (and still is) seriously ill with a brain tumour. Meanwhile, Def Jam had spent vast amounts marketing her debut album, Public Warning, and saw little chance of profiting from its 300,000 sales. The pressure was on.

The tipping point was a disastrous performance at New York's Studio B in May 2007. Harman told the audience she was broke and bored of performing the same songs; she left the stage after two tracks to a chorus of boos. "I lost the plot a few times. I was cutting myself and stupid things like that. I was tired," she says now. "I felt like it was just push, push, push. I didn't have a chance to record any new stuff, it was the same old songs."

She flew back home. "My manager rang me and said, 'OK, it's definitely over.' And it hit me." She insists that Def Jam didn't drop her; the parting was a mutual decision. "It just had to be done, for their sake, for my sake. It wasn't messy, it was just ... gone."... [Guardian]

Lady Sovereign doesn't kick off her proper North American tour - the one that includes shows at Highline Ballroom and Music Hall of Williamsburg - until May 1st, but she is in NYC now to promote her record, Jigsaw, that came out last week. That promotion included two NJ Hot Topic in-stores (as if you needed another reason not to like her). That promotion also includes a free (with RSVP) show at Tribeca Grand tonight (4/11). Ladytron and (members of) The Faint, who play their second of two shows at Webster Hall tonight, are both DJing. All dates below...

Continue reading "Lady Sovereign (no longer on Def Jam) tour dates (tonight @ Tribeca Grand w/ Ladytron/Faint DJs)"

by Andrew Frisicano

Ida Maria @ Union Hall (more by Kyle Dean Reinford)

I wanted to re-release my album, the way I wanted it to be.

I have designed the artwork, added three new songs, and changed the track listing.

Now it sounds, looks and feels like I want it to feel, and I am so excited again.

The story behind this cover is a story similar to a homebaked applecake.

You take what you have in your kitchen and experiment a little and hold tumbs that no one will notice you kinda forgot the recipe.

And then it turns out tasting good as hell and nobody can ever make it again.

My drummer Olle is a photographer (!) and has shot the genius cover photo in his apartment in Stockholm, with use of just the light that was there. Lamps in the livingroom, and pocket flashlight.

The cover art is designed by my friend Jon Edergren. -[Ida Maria's Myspace blog]

Fortress Round My Heart, Ida Maria's 2008 debut, is coming out in the US, digitally on March 24th and on CD, April 14th, on Universal's Mercury Records. The US release will sport a new cover and re-arranged track list, but won't include the bonus tracks described above (though new song "In the End" will replace previous closer "See Me Through").

Ida Maria is one of the many scheduled to be at SXSW this week. She was/is supposed to play KCRW's Showcase at Buffalo Billiards, a show at Maggie Mae's , and is on the bill of Perez Hilton's "One Night in Austin" party on Saturday.

"One Night in Austin" will feature Yelle, Solange, Lady Sovereign, Margaret Cho, Ladyhawke, Little Boots, Ida Maria and Thunderheist, plus "a very special Surprise Musical Performance." No word on who: "Not Tori Amos [but] one of our FAVORITEST acts of all time!!!!!!" [RSVP for the party].

UPDATE: Ida Maria never made it to her official SXSW showcases...

I don't think Ida Maria played either Maggie Mae's or Buffalo Billiards. I wanted to see her play while I am down here, but both nights, she was removed from the official sxsw.com website. She was replaced with Zee Avi on wednesday and with Val Emmich yesterday. I hope she actually plays the perez show. Looking forward to seeing her at MHOW regardless" [Ashok]

EW confirms that, "...Zee Avi, a tiny girl with a warm smile filled the lonesome last spot at the KCRW showcase on Wednesday night. It was huge opportunity for the newcomer -- her self-titled debut will be out May 19 -- filling in for Norwegian rocker chick/hype magnet Ida Maria, who was reportedly stuck in U.S. customs."

After the festival (if she makes it at all), Ida Maria is touring with Glasvegas through March, including a March 28th show at Music Hall of Williamsburg (on sale ) and a March 30th one at Webster Hall (on sale). Ida Maria also has a scheduled appearance at Coachella Festival on April 18th.

Ladyhawke visits NYC after SXSW. Little Boots was here in February.

All Ida Maria tour dates and the "Oh My God" video below...

Continue reading "Ida Maria - now on a major label, playing Perez Hilton's SXSW party???, Coachella & other places"

Tickets are on sale (@ noon) for the Grizzly Bear shows at Town Hall.

Tickets are on sale (@ noon) for the Melvins show at Webster Hall.

Tickets are on sale (@ noon) for a May 5th Loney Dear show at Music Hall of Williamsburg.

Tickets are on sale (@ noon) for a May 6th Lady Sovereign show at Music Hall of Williamsburg. Tickets are also on sale (@ noon) for a show at Highline Ballroom one day earlier.

Tickets are on sale (@ noon) for the Fischerspooner shows happening at Webster Hall and Music Hall of Williamsburg.

Tickets are on sale (@ noon) for the Ghost show at Music Hall of Williamsburg.

Tickets are on sale (@ noon) for a May 11th Vivian Girls / Times New Viking show at Bowery Ballroom

Tickets are on sale (@ noon) for the The Pains of Being Pure at Heart show at Bowery Ballroom.

Tickets are on sale (@ noon) for the Ponytail show happening at Music Hall of Williamsburg.

All Lady Sovereign tour dates below...

Continue reading "Grizzly Bear, Melvins, Lady Sovereign, Ghost & other tix"

Loney Dear @ Union Hall (more by Tim Griffin)

Tickets are on Am Ex presale (@ noon) for the Melvins show at Webster Hall.

Tickets are on Am Ex presale (@ noon) for a May 5th Loney Dear show at Music Hall of Williamsburg.

Tickets are on Am Ex presale (@ noon) for a May 6th Lady Sovereign show at Music Hall of Williamsburg.

Tickets are on Am Ex presale (@ noon) for the Fischerspooner shows happening at Webster Hall and Music Hall of Williamsburg.

Tickets are on Am Ex presale (@ noon) for the Ghost show at Music Hall of Williamsburg.

Tickets are on Am Ex presale (@ noon) for a May 11th Vivian Girls / Times New Viking show at Bowery Ballroom

Tickets are on Am Ex presale (@ noon) for a May 12th The Pains of Being Pure at Heart show at Bowery Ballroom

Tickets are on sale for the Cake show happening at Terminal 5.

Van Morrison performs "Astral Weeks" one more time tonight (3/4).

Anathallo plays Mercury Lounge tonight.

The Pains of Being Pure at Heart play live, and a psychic tells Thom Yorke's future, in the videos below...

Continue reading "Melvins, Ghost, Loney Dear, Lady Sovereign, Fischerspooner, Times New Viking & other tickets "

Lady Sovereign @ Pianos last night (Colleen AF Venable)

Wildbirds & Peacedrums @ Webster Hall last night (more by Kyle Dean Reinford)

today in NYC
* DANCE
* Dave Deporis @ Pianos (free)
* The Answer @ Mercury Lounge
* free comedy at Pianos w/ Demetri Martin
* Sonya Kitchell @ Rockwood Music Hall
* Lykke Li & Wildbirds & Peacedrums @ MHOW
* Tibet House Benefit (The National Vampire Weekend, etc) @ Carnegie Hall

"The Wall Street Journal reported this morning that officials were seeking a way out, but now the two sides claim the rights deal for Citi Field will remain in place."

"Welcome to the MTA New York City Transit Lost and Found web page, created so that you can inquire about property you may have lost in the bus or subway system, and find out how to claim it through the Lost Property Unit."

"the music died 50 years ago today. and what do we have to show for it?"

"A one-time only edition of Can You Imagine? at Pianos this Tuesday night (2/3) at 9:30 pm." Demetri Martin and Kumail Nanjani are both performing. This happens after the free Dave Deporis show, and downstairs from the dance party. Lady Sovereign played at the same venue last night.

What else?

Continue reading "What's going on Tuesday? (the Day the Music Died)"

DOWNLOAD: Ferraby Lionheart - Dear Corinne (MP3)

Ferraby Lionheart, the singer with the impossibly imaginary name, whose sweet and earnest voice captured music fans and critics alike, with songs about love, life, fairy tales and more, is re-emerging with promises of a new album. Lionheart released the critically acclaimed debut Catch The Brass Ring in September 2007. Eventually after many months touring and time spent scoring a film (starring Susan Sarandon and Anton Yelchin), Ferraby parted ways with Nettwerk Records, and left his home in LA on a journey through Scandinavia in search of inspiration for a new record, ending up in his childhood home of Nashville, TN. Ferraby has returned to the do it yourself methods that gave him his start, building a studio at home and self-engineering whatever sounds may come from the little red-brick house at the end of Sweetbriar Avenue.

For the month of February, Ferraby will take a break from recording and drive his (newly formed) band up to New York City, pile into a one bedroom Williamsburg apartment, and play Monday nights at Pianos in the Lower East Side. Lionheart and the band will be showcasing some songs from the forthcoming album, as well as old favorites." [PR]

That press releaes summed it up pretty well. Like Doug Gillard before him, Ferraby's four week residency is happening at Pianos. The first show is tonight, February 2nd. Somewhat hilariously, he goes on right after Lady Sovereign whose show was rescheduled to tonight from last week.

Ferraby also added a February 21st show at Music Hall of Williamsburg where he'll be opening for Noah and the Whale. Grab a new track above. All dates below...

Continue reading "Ferraby Lionheart - new MP3, a NYC residency & other dates"

Lady Sovereign's Twitter reads, "Sorry! Just got word that the US secret show dates have been delayed to February cos of Visa issues. Dates R confirmed, but waiting 2share'm". There were three US shows - one in Chicago, one in LA, and one tonight (1/26) in NYC @ Pianos. The new NY date is February 2nd. Tickets for January 26th will be honored.

Lady Sov's new album "Jigsaw" will be released on April 7th via "Midget Records". Back in December she released one of the new tracks for free.

DOWNLOAD: DJ Frampster - Dusbstruction (MP3)

"Very Special one-off performance by Lady Sovereign & DJ Frampster, showcasing material from her new album!" It takes place at Pianos in NYC on January 26th and tickets are on sale.

DOWNLOAD: Lady Sovereign - I Got You Dancing (MP3)

LADY SOVEREIGN IS PUTTING THE FINISHING TOUCHES TO HER SECOND STUDIO ALBUM, THE FOLLOW UP TO THE 300,000 SELLING PUBLIC WARNING. THE NEW ALBUM WILL BE RELEASED IN APRIL 2009. THERE WILL BE NEW TOURS ANNOUNCED VERY SOON, WITH LIVE DATES STARTING IN FEBRUARY 2009.

PLEASE CHECK BACK FOR MORE DETAILS ON THE UPCOMING ALBUM, TOURING NEWS AND INFO ON SOVEREIGN'S NEW RECORD LABEL (MIDGET RECORDS). THERE WILL ALSO BE A NEW TRACK FROM THE ALBUM COMING SOON.... VERY SOON. YOU'LL HEAR EVERYTHING FIRST!! [Lady Sovereign]

Download the new song for free above.

The 10th person to email BVCONTESTS@HOTMAIL.COM (subject: Lady Sov) wins a pair of tickets to see crazy Lady Sovereign @ the Spiegeltent Saturday night(11:30pm).

DAMN
* 77 Drummers drum drum drum drum drum drum drum
* Built to Spill & Cat Power are @ McCarren
* Lady Sovereign plays the Spiegeltent
* PS1 continues w/ Kudu & others
* The Books are playing Bowery Ballroom
* Pumpkins & Police play for the environment
* Cinematic Orchestra are at Central Park Summerstage
* There's a block party on Grand Street
* Benni Hemm Hemm arrives from Iceland
* Simian Mobile Disco play live

Learn more about the Spiegeltent here.

Lady Sovereign cut short a PA set in Brooklyn last Friday night at Studio B following her performance supporting Gwen Stefani at PNC Bank Arts Centre, New Jersey. Lady Sovereign cut her performance to just 2 tracks (she was booked to perform 4 tracks). She was only able to get on stage at 3:30am, two hours later than planned due to her tour bus breaking down on the way to Studio B (a fanbelt needed replacing). Following a long day driving from Bristow, VA and having already performed at the PNC Bank Arts Centre that night, tiredness set in and an emotional and short performance followed. Lady Sov says "I know how stupid i must have looked on Friday, I was tired and not in the mood, having a bad day. But that's no excuse for letting fans down, I'm sorry to those that were at Studio B to see me".

Lady Sovereign will return for a highly anticipated New York performance on July 7, at the exclusive opening night celebration of Spiegeltent. We will have the tour bus replaced prior to the event, and a great show is guaranteed.

DOWNLOAD: Caps & Jones + Professor Murder - Mixed Tape (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Professor Murder - Free Stress Test (streetlab remix) (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Lady Sovereign - Love me or Hate Me (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Lady Sovereign - Hoodie (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Lady Sovereign - Hoodie (Spank Rock remix) (MP3)

Professor Murder & Lady Sovereign played a show at Studio B in Brooklyn this weekend, and shortly afterwards the e-mails started pouring in - I mean the Lady Sov part of the show WAS advertised as a mini-set, but this is ridiculous....

Went to go see Lady Sovereign perform at Studio B in Greenpoint. I am not sure what happened, the show started off quite well. She performed two songs and then she got on the Mic and started complaining about how poor she was, and how she had no money and then BAM! she walked off stage, much to the dismay of Studio B.????? and the entire crowd who showed up to see her.

Yo that was pathetic. I can't believe you'd diss youself so hard in Williamsburg. Don't you know that you had a crowd of about 500 tastemakers there just for you? I thought you were someone who mattered. How wrong I was. Go fuck yourself.

Lady, your days are numbered. You just flipped the bird to Williamsburg, the center of the universe. You're over sweety. [Rock Star Diary]

...and by "ridiculous", I of course mean the part about Williamsburg being "the center of the universe". :-) Igor describes the situation like this:

Last night at Studio B in Brooklyn rapper Lady Sovereign completely broke down on stage. As she was waiting to go on stage she started setting this flier on the wall on fire. She got up on stage and the first thing she said was that this was the smallest crowd she had played to in "a long time". This probably had something to do with the fact that people waited two hours for her to go on. She then played Love Me or Hate Me but she didn't sing the choruses. Then she proceeded to say she was just here for the money. She said she was broke and didn't want to go on. She was like "I don't know what I am doing, what song is next?" Then she did another song and just sort of broke down. She said that she had been playing the same songs for two years and that she was sick of it. She told the audience that we couldn't possibly understand. She then was like "fuck this, I don't care if I don't get paid" and walked off the stage after a quick talk with her DJ. It was totally surreal.

Igor also supplsed the pictures on the top of this post, and the following video:

Is she for real, or is it all one big continuing psycho act. Did anyone see her show earlier in the night with Gwen Stefani?

Professor Murder also played the Studio B show. I hope their set was longer. Check out the top of this post for a brand new Professor Morder mixtape that they described to me like this:

we went to the Brothers Studio in Greenpoint and recorded lots and lots of live instrumental jams which we cut up into dozens of loops, which we sent to Caps & Jones, who used them along with other tracks and vocals and everything else to make this mix. The mix also have a preview of our single "Dutch Hex", which will be coming out sometime soon on the new Brothers Label, run out of the Brothers Studio.

Previously
* more Professor Murder posts
* more Lady Sovereign posts

The Spiegeltent is returning to NYC for a second year of unique shows and concerts.

Spiegeltent @ The Fulton Fish Market, NYC, 2007
7/07: Lady Sovereign (also playing Studio B)
7/16: Shout Out Louds
7/17: Weimar NY: The Spiegel Sessions
7/19: Shout Out Louds
7/24: DeVotchKa (2nd year in a row)
7/25: DeVotchKa
7/31: Ute Lemper: ‘Voyages’
8/07: Lila Downs
8/08: Lila Downs
8/13: Badly Drawn Boy
8/14: Badly Drawn Boy
8/21: José González
8/28: Weimar NY: The Spiegel Sessions
8/26: O’Death (2nd year in a row)
9/05: An Albatross
9/11: Penny Arcade’s “Bitch! Dyke! Faghag! Whore!”
9/18: Weimar NY: The Spiegel Sessions
9/22: Dan Zanes and Friends: Sea Music!

Tickets are on sale at Ticket Central. Photo via here. More details below....

Continue reading "Spiegeltent returns to NYC - initial 2007 schedule"

As previously reported, Lady Sovereign is touring with Gwen Stefani. They play the PNC Bank Arts Center in New Jersey on May 18th. Later that night Lady Sov will make an appearance at Studio B in Brooklyn with Professor Murder and The Glass. Tickets are on sale.

Tour dates below...

Continue reading "Lady Sovereign to play Brooklyn while out with Gwen Stefani"

Lily & Karl Lagerfeld, Paris Fashion Week - March 2, 2007

(Karl gets around)

Lily Allen wrote on February 22nd...

Dear Lady Sovereign

In response to Miss sovereigns comments , I've spoken to my Dad and he says he'd be happy to adopt you if you think it will give you a leg up .

The 21-year-old rapper - who is enjoying chart success in the US - thinks it is unfair she is attacked in Britain for her sense of style, while Lily is lauded for her quirky dress sense.
Lady Sovereign told the Observer Music Monthly magazine: 'I'm not appreciated. You get some of the media hating people like me 'cause they're chavish but Lily is the biggest chav going and everyone seems to love her.' The 'Public Warning' singer insists she doesn't hate Lily, but thinks she has had it easy, because she is the daughter of successful comic actor Keith Allen.
She added: 'I'm not hating on her but someone like Lily Allen, just 'cause her dad's famous, doesn't have to work as hard as someone like me.' The Wembley-born MC also claims her next album is going to be so controversial, her record label Def Jam will 's**t themselves'.
The rapper - who can count Nas and LL Cool J as her label mates - said: 'If they think my current album is irregular the next one's going to be pretty f**ked up. I've got so many things to say. They're going to s**t themselves.'

Lily is playing Irving Plaza in NYC on April 11th. No tickets yet. All tour dates below....

Continue reading "Lily Allen (+Karl Lagerfeld & vs Lady Sovereign) 2007 Tour Dates"

DOWNLOAD: Lady Sovereign - Hoodie (Spank Rock remix) (MP3)

I was lucky enough to accidentally be standing next to Lady Sovereign for about ten minutes before she took the stage to introduce Gym Class Heroes. It was while they were announcing that she lost the "Most Original Artist" award to Gnarls Barkley, but I don't think she noticed.

My favorite performance of the night was just listening to her talk to everyone around us. Her "backstage" banter included a diss of Imogen Heap (who was also nominated in her category), and a lot of threats to the guy whose shoulders she was sitting/climbing on. On stage she refused to read from the teleprompter and claimed to be drunk.

Continue reading "Lady Sovereign @ The 2006 mtvU Awards, Roseland Ballroom, NYC | pics"

Lady Sovereign is touring the U.S. this Fall.

Oct 29th - Bowery Ballroom, New York City
Oct 30th - Bowery Ballroom, New York City

The 30th (CMJ-eve) is the same night as the Rapture at Webster Hall. All tour dates below...

Continue reading "Lady Sovereign | Fall 2006 Tour Dates"

Gatheration (new MP3)

The above MP3 is from Lady Sov's upcoming album (out in October). On June 27, 2006 she's playing Plumm (246 W. 14 St. bet 7 and 8 aves, NYC) AFTER she plays her sold out show at Webster Hall with the Streets and a few days before her July 30th show at Summerstage.

MORE MP3s
Hoodie
Chi Ching - XXXChange Remix
Mizz Beats Ft Lady Sovereign - Adidas Hoodie Remix
Nine to Five (JoolsMF Remix)

Previously
UPDATE: Lady Sovereign playing w/ The Streets & Summerstage too
Tricia Rom & Lady Sov - BFF | Winter Music Conference

1) Lady Sovereign is opening for the Streets at every one of those shows.

2) Lady Sovereign is playing Central Park Summerstage on July 30, 2006. Summer post updated.(thx Eddy)

more lady dates below...

Continue reading "UPDATE: Lady Sovereign playing w/ The Streets & Summerstage too"

Continue reading "Lady Sovereign on the streets of Austin | SXSW 2006"

"...and oh wait again! THURSDAY! THE ANNEX! STOLEN TRANSMISSION! once again, i can only give you sketchy details (im starting to think we should change the name of the party to "SECRET SHOW")... but a certain little lady in a tracksuit from the U of K is gonna be coming to hang out this thursday (MARCH 9) and word from her camp is that if she "likes the vibe" she just may grab a mic and give us all an impromptu performance. all im sayin. come make the good vibe!!!!!!" [Karen Plus One]

Lady Sovereign is hitting SXSW, M3 & Coachella in 2006.

2006 TOUR DATES
15 Mar - SXSW
16 Mar - SXSW
17 Mar - SXSW
18 Mar - SXSW
24 Mar - M3 Summit
25 Mar - M3 Summit
29 Apr - Coachella
30 Apr - Coachella

Other confirmed Coachella acts are Depeche Mode, Wolf Parade, Giant Drag, The Duke Spirit, Imogen Heap, Paul Oakenfold, Underworld, and Amadou & Mariam.

Previously
Lady Sovereign Fiasco in Philadelphia
Lady Sovereign @ Knitting Factory, NYC | pics

The first time Lady Sovereign played Knitting Factory in NYC, she was supposedly suffering from McDonalds food poisoning. This time around she played a successful show and joked that she only eats Burger King now. The next night at Silk City in Philly didn't go so well. The sound wasn't working properly so she walked off the stage after only playing one song. The sold-out crowd was not happy at all.

Not Happy, Not Happy, and Not Happy.

Lady Sov sent a message to fans via a message board:

To all the fans who attended....
We want to clarify something about Sov's show last night in Philadelphia...the promoter has issued a public apology and refunds to anyone that wants them. He takes full responsibility for what happened as far as the show went. Basically, he had gotten the equipment from a place he had never rented from before, and it ended up being stotally ub-standard. She literally could not hear herself on stage. An example of the problems is we had taken all the DJ equipment from the UK and the promoter hadn't even provided a transistor for transferring the equipment to a US power supply, so equipment was blowing out on stage, you cannot perform under such circumstances. All the equipment had been agreed weeks before with the promoter and should never have been a problem supplying.

Sov asked me to post a message from her: " last night was a massive disappointment, I was well excited to be laying Philadelphia for the first time. The equipment in the club was shit, I could not hear anything on stage and even though I tried to roll with it by doing 2 tracks it just got worse and worse to the point I couldn't continue like that, it's not fair i was well up for it".

Sov will come back to Philadelphia soon, and perform again, next time hopefully without any of these problems.

I'd be pissed too.

I finally caught Lady Sovereign at Knitting Factory Wednesday night (Nov 30, 2005). I'm happy I did.

FADER has a good review, "For the rest of her mini US tour behind the Vertically Challenged EP, Sov will just be rapping while DJ Frampster plays the tracks, as she's always done. But for this NYC date, she was backed by a band. And not just any band, but some full-on rap rockers, replete with dreadlocked 7-string slinger and a bassist with a brimmed watch cap..."

Ja Rule was there.

Continue reading "Lady Sovereign @ Knitting Factory, NYC | pics"

Tonight (Nov 30, 2005) Lady Sovereign returns to Knitting Factory in NYC, this time as a Def Jam recording artist. Last night she played Boston's Middle East. According to the Boston Herald, she was wearing a bright red sweat suit and a gold chain.

The afterparty for the Knitting Factory show is at Joe's Pub, or you can go to Nouveau!.

All LS tour dates at Pitchfork.

Previously
New Lady Sovereign Tour Dates | Tix
SPIN 20th Anniversary Party Reviews
Lady Sovereign played CMJ 3 Times?
Jay-Z backs Kanye and Lady Sovereign
Lady Sovereign @ Knitting Factory, NYC | Reviews