DOWNLOAD: The Donkeys - Don't Know Who We Are (MP3)

San Diego's The Donkeys (who some might know as Geronimo Jackson) (not to be confused with Fergus & Geronimo) will release their new full-length album, Born With Stripes, via Dead Oceans on April 26th. You can listen to the first single from the 12-track LP for the first time right here. Download the jam, "Don't Know Who We Are" (insert Lost joke here), above. Stream it below.

The album was mixed by Pernice Brothers' Thom Monahan, "whose involvement not only gives us the crispest, warmest Donkeys recordings to date, it also serves to remind us of the band's loose connections to an array of psych-dappled kindred spirits: Vetiver, Papercuts, Brightblack Morning Light, Devendra Banhart," says the label.

The band was last in NYC in July 2009 which was the same year they played a BV party at SXSW. Hopefully they return to both places soon, but for now all they have scheduled are a few California dates.

Those dates, the song stream, album cover art, and tracklisting, below...

Continue reading "The Donkeys announce 'Born With Stripes' (MP3 premiere)"

by Andrew Sacher

DOWNLOAD: Weezer - Memories (MP3)

Weezer @ Williamsburg Waterfront in July (more by Kurt Christensen)

Weezer have recently gone indie again, in the literal sense at least, by signing to Epitaph Records for the release of their eighth full length album Hurley. "I've been a fan of Weezer from the beginning, and I've loved all their records, so it's amazing to find myself working with them on the new one!" says Brett Gurewitz, president and founder of Epitaph Records and also guitarist and songwriter in Bad Religion (who have upcoming tour dates!).

The album comes out September 14th (and features Jorge Garcia, the actor who played Hurley from 'Lost', on the cover) and is available for preorder now. An MP3 of the song "Memories" is available above, and a video of lead vocalist and guitarist Rivers Cuomo talking about the album is below.

In addition to going 'indie', Weezer has also increased their 'cred' by announcing ideas for a possible Blue Album/Pinkerton tour. "We have this really exciting idea to do a tour where we spend two nights in each city, and the first night, we play the entire Blue album, and the second night, we play the entirety of Pinkerton. We're just running it by promoters right now to see if there's sufficient interest in the markets to do something like that, and if they're on board, it's gonna happen," says Rivers Cuomo in an exclusive with MTV News. There are no official dates for the tour right now, which is still just an idea, but according to Cuomo, "the fan response has been incredible so far for the idea, and, if they want to, they can contact their local promoter and tell them to make it happen."

Weezer does also have a few current tour dates listed below and a fall tour is soon to be announced. Also, tonight (8/20), Park Slope's Bar 4 is hosting The LC Tribute to Weezer: The Blue Album Vs Pinkerton. The show will feature various solo acts covering The Blue Album and a full band covering Pinkerton in its entirety (though no specific lineup seems to be announced).

dates and videos below..

Continue reading "indie Weezer releasing new album, may do Blue Album/ Pinkerton tour, NYC bands pay tribute @ Bar 4 (tonight)"

Pontiak

Arboretum

tonight in NYC
* Whiplash @ UCB
* Mike Birbiglia @ Union Hall
* It Is It comedy @ Pianos
* Arboretum, Pontiak, Coconuts @ Santos Party House
* Melissa Auf der Maur @ Housing Works Bookstore Cafe
* Reverend Vince Anderson & His Love Choir @ Union Pool
* Laurel Halo, Corbu, Weed, The Young Friends @ The Cameo
* Netherfriends, Swingset Committee, Huntronik @ Cake Shop
* Mike Bones, Hex Message, Brother, Bubbles @ Studio at Webster Hall
* Clan of The Cave Bear, Vaz, Animal, Holy Sheet, Megachurch @ Shea Stadium
* Teeth Mountain,Larkin Grimm,Prince Rama,Erin Regan,Martin Lawrence @Silent Barn
* Love As Laughter, Neverever, DJ Mr. Jonathan Toubin, Sea Lions @ Bruar Falls

If you missed Laurel Halo at Glasslands earlier this month, or over the weekend at the Eye & Ear Festival, catch her tonight at the Cameo with The Young Friends who you may have missed over the weekend at PopFest..

Speaking of bands you may have missed at PopFest, LA's Neverever, who are signed to Slumberland, play Bruar Falls tonight with Love as Laughter. Neverever's new video for "Coconut Shampoo" is below..

Neverever are not to be confused with Chicago band Netherfriends, who are playing the Pitchfork Festival this summer, and who you can catch at Cake Shop this evening.

Thrill Jockey Records represents tonight at Santos Party House with both Pontiak and Arbouretum on the bill.

Caves are the new Bears. Clan of the Cave Bear (in town from Cleveland) play Shea Stadium tonight with Megachurch (who they are on tour with), Vaz and others..

At Housing Works tonight: "Melissa Auf der Maur [ex-Hole] hosts a multi-media presentation of her new project, including a film screening, Q&A, comic reading, and live music," from her OOOM (Out Of Our Minds) project. A video is below.

"It Is It", the weekly free 8pm comedy show at Pianos, will have "Matt McCarthy, Hannibal Buress, Paul Mecurio, RG Daniels, Jane Borden and more" tonight.

Whiplash, the weekly late-night comedy show at UCB Theatre, will have Leo Allen, "Kumail Nanjiani, Kamau Bell, & more" tonight.

Speaking of Kumail, he was part of a Lost tribute show at UCB on Saturday night.

Speaking of Lost, the final episode was aired at The Bell House last night along with a performance by Lost episode tribute band Previously on Lost. A video about them is below...

What else?

Continue reading "What's going on Monday?"

by David Andrako

LOST fan Bobby Moynihan @ the UCB Theatre in NYC

"On MAY 22nd at 10PM in NYC and LA the UCB THEATER will time travel to the mysterious island from LOST and transform in a fully operational Dharma Station. This one night only event. Will never be seen again. Your favorite stars from LOST (live and via videotape) will perform alongside your favorite comedians on stage in a night of LOST themed Comedy." [Paul Scheer]

Even before comedian Paul Scheer posted that message to his website (hours before the penultimate episode of LOST aired), fans quickly booked the free reservations for both the NYC and LA shows. Many others showed up to wait in the standby line in hopes of getting into Saturday night's show.

The NYC show was hosted by the three-man improv group, Sidecar (Matt Fisher, Alden Ford & Justin Tyler) and featured comedians Samm Levine, Owen Burke, Anthony Atamanuik, Jon Glaser, Seth Herzog, Bobby Moynihan, Kumail Nanjiani, John Gemberling, Gil Ozeri, Jeff Rubins and Pat Cassels. Though no actual LOST cast members were there, the two hour event started with a pre-recorded video message from LOST executive producers Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse (both recently spotted watching Lost at Knitting Factory) welcoming the crowd to UCB and thanking everyone for supporting the show. Other highlights of the evening included Samm Levine playing a clip of his appearance on LOST as a Mr. Cluck's Chicken Shack cashier, John Gemberling and Gil Ozeri in "Crazy Sayid and Crazy Claire's Crazy Island Giveway" and the final sketch of the evening, Bobby Moynihan's video slide-show documenting his extensive collection of LOST memorabilia and various references to LOST that he worked into several episodes of Saturday Night Live.

More pictures from the night below...

Continue reading "the LOST finale was celebrated @ UCB w/ Bobby Moynihan, Jon Glaser, Samm Levine, Sidecar & other comedians (pics) "

tonight in NYC
* Todd Barry @ Caroline's
* LCD Soundsystem, Holy Ghost! @ Terminal 5
* NY Eye & Ear Fest III @ Knitting Factory Brooklyn
* The Netherlands, White Rhino, Wild Harem @ Cake Shop
* Tyrhombus Rex, Balaclava, Elks, & Mortals @ The Charleston
* Thee Majesty (Genesis Breyer P-Orridge) @ Issue Project Room
* Marc Ribot plays Charlie Chaplin's 'The Kid' @ (Le) Poisson Rouge
* Eric Copeland, DJ Dog Dick, Angels In America, Wizardzz @ Glasslands
* Alert, RazorXFade, Bloodtype, Outlast, Caught in a Crowd @ The Acheron
* The Earthly Frames, I Feel Tractor, The Binary Marketing Show @ Zebulon
* Inquisition, Darkened Nocturn Slaughtercult, Agrath, Dimentianon @ Europa
* Blissed Out, Rabbit Punch, Attached Hands, Dark Sea of Awareness @ Silent Barn
* Lydia Lunch, Mike Edison & the Rocket Train Delta Science Micro Arkestra @ Bowery Electric
* Agnostic Front, Outbreak, Tonguebiter & Everything's Ruined @ The Chance in Poughkeepsie
* Beau Finley, DBCR, Something About Death or Dying, Paranoid Critical Revolution @ Public Assembly
* JP & The Gilberts, Meddlesome Meddlesome Meddlesome Bells, The Nahms, The Little Brothers @ Bruar Falls
* NYC Popfest w/ Santa Monica Swim & Dive Club, For Ex-Lovers Only, The Young Friends, Apple Orchard, Brown Recluse, Bunnygrunt, Sea Lions, Neverever, The Secret History, The Embassy @ Littlefield

The series finale of Lost is on tonight. The Bell House is having a sold out party...

"The legendary Bell House LOST party is back for one final installment. Watch LOST turned up to 11 and projected on our giant screen while enjoying Lost-inspired snacks and Dharma drink specials, including $4 Dharma Beer and $5 sangria all night.

Come early to secure the best seat and enjoy $2 sangria from 6:30 - 7. Costumes are encouraged and we'll get you started with free leis for everyone. Plus you definitely won't want to miss the EPIC finale of the world-famous LOST recap band Previously on Lost.

This event will be general admission with mixed seated and standing so come early for the best seats. And yes, the volume is loud and people are quiet and you won't miss a thing!"

If you don't have a ticket, but can't resist being at the Bell House, the venue also reports that they are "hosting a FREE viewing party Sunday night in the front lounge. Leis for all + $5 sangria all night!". You can also go to Brooklyn Bowl, Le Poisson Rouge or City Winery.

Tuesday night (NOT tonight), Public Assembly is hosting a burlesque tribute to LOST.

TONIGHT @ BOWERY ELECTRIC: "Lydia Lunch "SICK WITH DESIRE" Spoken Word with special guest: Mike Edison & the Rocket Train Delta Science Micro Arkestra featuring Mickey Finn (Boss Hog, The Miracles) on electric space organ, and Bob Bert (Pussy Galore, Chrome Cranks, etc) on percussion."

A full band list and set times for tonight's NY Eye & Ear Fest III at Knitting Factory Brooklyn is below.

LCD Soundsystem closes out four nights at Terminal 5.

What else?

Continue reading "What's going on Sunday?"

"We saw the band Previously On Lost in Brooklyn tonight. Awesome! Great meeting everybody." - Carlton Cuse

"Just met Jin and hurley @ the knitting factory in brooklyn!
Both still alive!" - Nate Skinner

Knitting Factory employees & Lost cast members - 5/18/2010

Knitting Factory hosts a Lost viewing party every Tuesday night, or I should say "used to host" because last night's 2nd-to-last episode was the venue's final Lost event. Lost tribute band Previously on Lost played a set after the show aired, and as you can see above, actual Lost cast members stopped by to check out the show. Previously on Lost's next show happens at the Lost finale party at the Bell House on Sunday (it is sold out).

UPDATE For those asking, it was in fact "Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse (executive producers/head writers) and Jorge Garcia (Hurley) and Daniel Day Kim (Jin)" that were there. Two more pictures that the venue sent me below...

Spectrum plays the Knitting Factory tonight (5/19).

Continue reading "Lost cast members watched Lost @ Knitting Factory "

Tickets are on sale at 10am for the Wolf Parade show at Terminal 5.

The Clipse are playing Highline Ballroom on May 6th with Ninjasonik. Tickets are on sale.

Tickets go on sale at the same time for a July 22nd "US Air Guitars Finals" show at Irving Plaza.

Tickets are on sale for the Buzzcocks show at Irving Plaza.

Tickets are on sale for the Goldfrapp show at Hammerstein Ballroom.

The final episode of Lost airs Sunday May 23rd. Tickets are on sale if you want to watch it at the Bell House.

Crystal Stilts, The 1990s, and Tanks Amigo plays The Bell House on April 22nd. Tickets are on sale.

The Middle East, Neon Indian, Crystal Castles & Local Natives tickets also went on sale.

Hold Steady & Willie Nelson tickets also went on sale.

Only three tickets left for the Will Johnson & Anders Parker NYC living room show.

by Bill Pearis

DOWNLOAD: Oberhofer - Away FRM U (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Golden Triangle - Neon Noose (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: The Morning Benders - Promises (MP3)

Oberhofer

If you were like me, you spent last night at home puzzling over the LOST premiere (or maybe you went to the Bell House to watch it.) But maybe in an alternate universe I chose instead to go see Oberhofer at Pianos last night. And also in that alternate universe, everyone has health care and I own my own apartment and there is a jukebox in every high school cafeteria. I digress. Luckily for me in this world, Oberhofer are playing again this Friday (2/5) at The Studio @ Webster Hall with Radical Dads.

There's no shortage of bedroom rockers out there hawking their one-man-bands on MySpace, but Oberhofer definitely have something. While there is plenty of every home recording enthusiast's best friends, reverb and distortion, Oberhoffer is not Wavves-style scuzz. The most obvious comparison is probably The Dodos (clattery drums, glockenspiel, whistling), but I even hear a little Real Estate in there too on the track "Away FRM You" which you can download above. You can download a seven-song EP via his MySpace by giving up your email address. While the recordings are just Brad, he's put together an actual band which is what you'll The Studio @ Webster Hall on Friday.

Savoir Adore

Savoir Adore will play Cake Shop the next three Thursdays. Their debut, In the Wooded Forrest, is loaded with great big pop songs and made my Favorite Albums of 2009 list and they are great live too, so if you've yet to check them out live don't wait any longer. The band has hand-picked the bands for their residency shows, and this Thursday (2/4) is especially good, featuring the very good and fun French Horn Rebellion who you might also see opening for Hot Chip this weekend. The two bands help each other out live (FHR's David Perlick-Molinari plays guitar in Savoir Adore; Savoir's singer Paul Hammer plays drums in FHR) so there should be a good party vibe going on.

Also on the bill are DJ/electronic artist Pocketknife and singer-songwriter Cameron Hull. If you'd like to go I've got a pair of tickets to give away. Just send an email with "Savoir Adore" as the subject to BVCONTESTS@HOTMAIL.COM and a winner will be chosen at random.

Hot Chip's show with French Horn Rebellion happens Saturday night at Music Hall of Williamsburg. It's sold out, but you can also catch Hot Chip one night earlier at Highline Ballroom with Free Energy. The MySpace Secret Show is free - first come, first served.

Twin Sister

There's a lot going on this week. Also Thursday, at Studio @ Webster Hall is another Twin Sister show put on by blog Chocolate Bobka. (Seriously, McGregor puts on shows like some people put on pants [ie fairly often].) I finally got to see Twin Sister last Friday at Bruar Falls and I was pretty blown away by how good they are live. Last year's Vampires with Dreaming Kids EP (downloadable from their website), as good as it is, doesn't really give an accurate picture of what they now sound like. These days, they're combining '80s-back-to-jazz (Sade, Style Council) with more drony/Krautrock type stuff (Notwist, Stereolab). They were just fantastic live, and I haven't come away from a show that excited about a new band in some time. Totally impressed. Twin Sister have a bunch of shows coming up and I do suggest you check them out soon, as I think 2010 is gonna be big for them.

In addition to Twin Sister, the line-up includes Big Troubles -- who I like and have written about them before), as well as Run DMT, Pigeons, and Alice Cohen.

And a few more quick recommendations:

Miniboone have their record release party at Glasslands on Wednesday night (tonight, 2/3) with a few other worthy bands: Shark?, I'm Turning Into and Pet Ghost Project. $8.

The Soft Pack's debt album is out today, well worth buying, and they play a free all-ages show at Cake Shop on Friday (2/5). Doors are at Midnight. One of my favorite live bands of the last two years. if you miss the small venue show, they'll back back in March April to play Maxwell's, Mercury Lounge and Music Hall of Williamsburg (all just went on sale).

Montreal's We Are Wolves are in town this weekend, and play The Studio @ Webster Hall on Friday (2/5) and Brooklyn Bowl on Saturday (2/6). The Saturday show is also the Hot Chip MHOW afterparty with a DJ set by the band.

Golden Triangle's debut for Hardly Art, titled Double Jointer, is out on March 3 and you can download an MP3 from it, "Neon Noose," at the top of this post. The band will be going on tour around that time as well (tour dates below) but play a one-off show this Saturday at Union Pool with the Cramps-y garage of K-Holes. This should be a fairy debauched good time.

Acrylics play twice this weekend: Friday night (2/4) at Brooklyn Bowl with Tanlines as part of BAM's "Sounds Like Brooklyn" Festival. Then they're on a kind of amazing bill the next night (2/5) at Glasslands that is officially the record release party for Class Actress' debut EP. Grizzly Bear's Chris Taylor (who runs Terrible Records that both bands are on) DJs. The show also features Blood Orange (aka Dev of Lightspeed Champion) and The Morning Benders. That's a good show!

An MP3 from The Morning Benders' new album Big Echo (out March 9th on Rough Trade) is above. All of their March and April tour dates in support of the new record are below.

There's a new video for Acrylics' "Molly's Vertigo" after the jump as well, along with tour dates and flyers...

Continue reading "Oberhofer, Twin Sister, Savoir Adore, Golden Triangle, Acrylics, Morning Benders & more in This Week in Indie"

DOWNLOAD: Apollo Sunshine - Singing To The Earth (To Thank Her For You) (MP3)

Apollo Sunshine

Apollo Sunshine aren't just playing Mercury Lounge tonight (Oct 29, 2008).... "just for Halloween, the band will be dressing up as Jimi Hendrix, calling themselves The Apollo Sunshine Experience, and playing plenty of Hendrix songs." Grab the MP3 above off their new album Shall Noise Upon. It's out now. The video for the same song is below..

Also on tonight's NYC bill: Previously on Lost, a band who "will play the best of [Lost] Season 4, full of inflatable palm trees, live hula girl cardboard cutouts, free leis, and big planes." It is their second show ever (or maybe just in NYC). Videos from their first show below.

All dates and videos below...

Continue reading "Apollo Sunshine - tour dates, tonight w/ Previously on Lost"