Low @ Terminal 5 in 2011 (more by David Andrako)

Tickets for Death Cab For Cutie's upcoming NYC show with Youth Lagoon at Beacon Theater on 4/27 go on AmEx presale at 11am today (1/25). They then go on a Bowery Presents presale on Thursday (1/26) at 11am (password: bowery). General sale begins Friday.

The NYC show is the first one that Youth Lagoon opens on Death Cab's tour which starts 15 days earlier with Low as main support, Maybe Low will add their own NYC show while in the area. For now they just play all the shows that are listed (including Philly on 4/25), below...

Continue reading "Low touring with Death Cab For Cutie (whose NYC show has 2 more presales this week)"

photos by David Andrako

"Iron & wine at T5 was incredible, duh. Full band serves him well. Also, 3 from Woman King!" -davidsankey

Iron & Wine return to Terminal 5 TONIGHT (10/13), after blessing the venue with Low last night as part of their two-night stay. The Low Anthem will do warm 'em duties tonight and tickets are still available for all of you procrastinators. Pictures from last night are in this post.

No word on if Marketa Irglova will join Iron & Wine like she did last night, but we'll let you know if that changes. You CAN catch her at her confirmed appearance on 11/30 at Bowery Ballroom though. Tickets are still available.

More pictures from night one are below.

Continue reading "Iron & Wine played Terminal 5 w/ Low & special guest Marketa Irglova (pics)"

Iron & Wine at MFNW (more by Autumn Andel)

Though this is strictly conjecture, I am guessing that Sam Beam (no relation to Jim) is currently in the air over the Atlantic Ocean, returning to the US from a date in the UK. His first stop on American soil will be NYC where he will front Iron & Wine for the next two nights (10/12 and 10/13) at Terminal 5. As previously mentioned, he plays with a pair of "Low" bands (Low open 10/12 and The Low Anthem open 10/13). Tickets for both 10/12 and 10/13 are still available, and we have a way you can win your way in.

Feeling lucky? We have one Iron & Wine/Low MEGA-prize pack for for someone wanting to go to the 10/12 show! Head below for your chance to win two tickets to the 10/12 show, a poster commemorating the event, 12" vinyl AND a t-shirt from EACH band, and a scarf (for real)!

All tour dates and videos down there too...

Continue reading "Iron & Wine arrive shortly, win a prize pack that includes tix to the Wednesday show with Low"

As many are posting, James Blake told Liz Pelly at the Boston Phoenix that:

"I think the dubstep that has come over to the US, and certain producers-- who I can't even be bothered naming-- have definitely hit upon a sort of frat-boy market where there's this macho-ism being reflected in the sounds and the way the music makes you feel. And to me, that is a million miles away from where dubstep started. It's a million miles away from the ethos of it. It's been influenced so much by electro and rave, into who can make the dirtiest, filthiest bass sound, almost like a pissing competition, and that's not really necessary. And I just think that largely that is not going to appeal to women. I find that whole side of things to be pretty frustrating, because that is a direct misrepresentation of the sound as far as I'm concerned."

Speaking of James Blake, who recently played ACL, didn't win the Mercury Prize, collaborated with Bon Iver, and will be back in NYC soon, I saw him play in a church (the perfect setting for him) at the Way Out West Festival in Sweden back in August with Low (perfect for them too). I posted one picture the next day, and a few more to Facebook, but never the whole set, so here they are. They continue with all dates below...

Continue reading "James Blake talks frat-boy dubstep (aka Skrillex), played in a church in Sweden with Low (belated pics)"

Emmy the Great

Tokyo Police Club @ Sasquach 2011 (more by Josh Darr)

today in NYC
* Fieldwork @ The Stone
* Big Freedia @ The Morgan
* The New Lines @ Bar 4
* SI*SE @ Hiro Ballroom
* Joan Osborne @ City Winery
* Beyonce @ Roseland Ballroom
* Bird of Youth @ The Living Room
* Andrea Havis @ The Manhattan Inn
* Biz Markie (DJ Set) @ Brooklyn Bowl
* The Wave Pictures @ Public Assembly
* Figurines, Monogold @ Mercury Lounge
* Stats, Future By Now, Xaddax @ Bruar Falls
* Yacht Rock Revue @ Rocks Off Concert Cruise
* Mickey Hart Band, Matt Turk @ Brooklyn Bowl
* Johanna Warren, Rock Dove, Sex God @ Zebulon
* Handsome Furs, Thee Satisfaction @ Bowery Ballroom
* Manawi Thorn, Pistola, Beauty Apes @ The Rock Shop
* Cheap Trick, The Rattlers @ Seaside Summer Concerts
* Suckers, Rewards, Matthew Holtzclaw @ Cameo Gallery
* High Places, Soft Circle, Zambri, Driphouse @ Glasslands
* Punch, Loma Prieta, Death First, Grudges @ The Acheron
* Emmy The Great, Joywave @ The Studio at Webster Hall
* Dntel, The One AM Radio, Geotic @ Music Hall of Williamsburg
* KMFDM, Human Factors Lab, Army of the Universe @ Irving Plaza
* Shearing Pinx, Sightings, Whore Paint, The Dreebs @ Death By Audio
* Trophy Wives, Metal Feathers, Risk/Rewards, Bad Dream @ Saint Vitus
* Tommy Stinson, La Dolce Vita, The Liza Colby Sound @ Bowery Electric
* Delicate Steve, The Stepkids, Parlovr @ Mercury Lounge (free)
* Sick of Sarah, Hunter Valentine, Vanity Theft, Mitten @ Knitting Factory
* The Liminanas, The Wrong Words, Gaz Gaz, The Judy Blooms @ Cake Shop
* Brick & Mortar, Abstract Artimus, Dan Friel (Silent Barn Benefit) @ Maxwell's
* Frankenpine, The Doc Marshalls, Alana Amram & The Rough Gems @ Union Hall
* Kreayshawn, Smoke DZA, Phony Ppl, Roach Gigz, Moe Green @ Highline Ballroom
* Tokyo Police Club, Against Me!, Big Freedia, Japanther, Team Robespierre @ House of Vans
* Salo, Hivesmasher, Bloody Phoenix (members of Despise You), Spicoli @ The Charleston
* Palomar, I'm Turning Into, Little Racer, Spanish Prisoners, Vacation, Jeane, Nite Flights @ Shea Stadium

Check out This Week in Indie for more.

High Places didn't leave town after their Tammany Hall show. You can catch them again at Glasslands tonight with Soft Circle, Zambri, and Driphouse.

Low have a new video for "Especially Me." Check it out below.

What else?

Continue reading "What's going on Thursday?"

Low at Radio City in April (more by WInnie Cheung)

Openers have been announced for the Iron and Wine shows at Terminal 5 in October. The first night (8/12) will be opened by their former Sub Pop labelmates Low (who seem to be continuing their trend of opening for huge bands who came after them) and the second night (8/13) by the similarly named but entirely different sounding The Low Anthem who also just announced a big tour. Tickets for both T5 shows are on sale.

Speaking of low bands, Lower Dens are on tour with Cass McCombs and play Music Hall of Williamsburg on Thursday. Tickets are still on sale and we're giving away some at our facebook.

All Low & Low Anthem tour dates (none together) below...

Continue reading "Low & Low Anthem both touring, both opening for Iron & Wine"

photos by Winnie Cheung, words by Klaus Kinski

DOWNLOAD Eluvium - An Accidental Memory In The Case Of Death (MP3)
DOWNLOAD Matthew Cooper - Some Days Are Better Than Others (MP3)

Explosions In The Sky

If it wasn't for BV, I never would have had my first Explosions in the Sky/Eluvium experience on September 2, 2006 at Bowery Ballroom. At that time, a friend told me that the Temporary Residence produced show was absolutely unmissable, and that I should do whatever it took to get my ass into the grotesquely sold out show. Luckily I didn't have to do much because one day a window opened on TicketWeb and BV (the man, not the site) was kind enough to give me a heads up, and I was in. From September 2, 2006 onward, I was officially a batshit crazy fan of Explosions and Eluvium.

Flash-forward to now. I'm a little fatter, a little balder, but I am still that rabid EITS and Eluvium fan that was born on September 2, 2006. When it was announced back in January that EITS would be headlining Radio City Music Hall, I was totally cranked. Best... venue... ever. Then I saw that Eluvium was added as opener, performing solo piano material, and I was beside myself. THEN it was announced that LOW was also going to open the show as well. Trifecta! I am still amazed that people pissed and moaned at the near $60 ticket cost. Three epic bands in New York City's most beautiful venue at that cost is a pittance. I mean, if you saved a dollar a day from when the show was announced, you would have had plenty of dough for a ticket and even a few of RCMH's expensive beers.

From start to finish, the show was an absolute triumph. If you balked at the price and missed the show, I instruct you to immediately be overwhelmed and water-boarded with regret. Matthew Cooper aka Eluvium sidled up to a massive grand piano a hair past 8:00pm. Lit only by two bluish spot lights and accompanied by fog that basically transformed the light beams into textured blue cones, Cooper commanded the piano to a room that was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. And, man, was I proud of the audience for that level of quiet. He relied heavily on his piano-centric 2004 release An Accidental Memory in the Case of Death, which was fine with me as it is one of the most beautiful records in my collection. His set was brief, and said not a single word, and left the stage to rousing applause. It was the perfect start to this show.

Low was up next and brought things up to another sonic tier. Playing as a four piece they unleashed a flawless set that was rife with soaring harmonies, anthemic guitar and keyboard arrangements, and a super-bassy back beat that plodded along like the heartbeat of someone at rest. This was my first experience with Low in person and found it to be a perfect complement to Eluvium's quiet, contemplative piano and EITS's bombastic and uber-loud performance. I will definitely check them out again at Bowery Ballroom on April 27. Join me, won't you? I mean not literally. Go to the show, but not with me. Why would you? Whatever.

For me, Radio City Music Hall is the perfect room for Explosions. Most people prefer to see their favorite bands in intimate rooms. But for sheer sonic projection and immersion, RCMH is the perfect room to see and hear EITS. Radio City's massive scalloped, arched ceilings and the sheer cavernous nature of the room really allows the sounds propelling from the speakers to fill up the room and breathe. Actually, I'd give my right arm to see a band like Mogwai there. Their entire set was a work of perfection, but the highlight for me was the second song in, "Birth and Death of the Day". Epic. They did play a pretty lengthy set, but I was disappointed that there was no encore; a non-core if you will. But I guess it makes sense; an EITS performance works best as a 90-minute onslaught. For them to come out to do another song or two would underwhelm and seem weird.

In other Explosions in the Sky and Eluvium News

If you happen to be in Los Angeles on April 23rd, head on over to Hollywood Forever Cemetery (but not in a casket, because that means you're dead meat and will miss everything) for an EITS art and listening event. At the event you will see all tracks from their new record Take Care, Take Care, Take Care interpreted by some artists. That album is set to drop on April 18th in the US.

Matthew Cooper aka Eluvium released the soundtrack to a film called Some Days are Better Than Others as Matthew Cooper. About the film...

The film stars James Mercer (Broken Bells, The Shins) and Carrie Brownstein (Portlandia, Sleater-Kinney) as strangers whose lives occasionally intersect as they navigate their way through the struggles of personal attachment and disconnection.

More pictures and the EITS setlist from Radio City, and tour dates, below...

Continue reading "Explosions in the Sky played Radio City Music Hall w/ Low & Eluvium (pics, setlist & other news)"

by BBG

DOWNLOAD: Low - "Especially Me" (MP3)

"Low recently dropped off their dates for the C'mon tour, and though the RCMH show is listed as their only NYC appearance, the band recently stated otherwise in a Facebook post. Look for the band to "play a headline NYC show a few weeks later", most likely either on April 24th (after Pittsburgh, before Philly) or more likely April 27 and/or 28th (between DC and Boston). We'll keep you posted." - us, February 2nd

Low recently dropped a new track from their forthcoming LP C'Mon, "Especially Me", for free download. Download that above/stream it below. All tour dates down there too...

Continue reading "Low announces headlining NY date (updated dates, new MP3)"

Album art for Low's C'mon

After an appearance at SXSW, Low will prep C'mon, the band's new LP due on April 12th via Sub Pop which is currently up for preorder. Low is currently offering the first MP3 to emerge from the LP, "Try To Sleep", in exchange for your email address.

In between SXSW and the release of C'mon, Low will join Explosions In The Sky when they headline Radio City Music Hall on April 6th with recent addition Eluvium on solo piano. Tickets are still available.

Low recently dropped off ther dates for the C'mon tour, and though the RCMH show is listed as their only NYC appearance, the band recently stated otherwise in a Facebook post. Look for the band to "play a headline NYC show a few weeks later", most likely either on April 24th (after Pittsburgh, before Philly) or more likely April 27 and/or 28th (between DC and Boston). We'll keep you posted.

Explosions In The Sky recently updated their tour dates as well, and you can check out those, as well as the track listing for their new LP Take Care, Take Care, Take Care (due on 4/26 via Temporary Residence Limited) below.

Continue reading "Low announce tour & a new MP3, EITS add dates & stuff too"

Slowcore giants Low will support Explosions In The Sky when the band plays their largest headlining show ever, Radio City Music Hall on April 6th. Tickets go on sale at 11AM.

Low have completed their follow-up to Drums & Guns. Entitled C'mon, the new album's mastering was completed in November and will be released via Sub Pop. Low's Alan Sparhawk recently offered some details on the LP. It was recorded at Sacred Heart Studios (where the band recorded Trust) and Nels Cline makes an appearance on the record. Song titles include "Especially Me", "You See Everything", "$20", "Al Green", and "Try to Sleep". No word on a release date yet, but to sate your appetite until that effort surfaces, the band has offered the Live at Eindhoven EP for download for the price of your email address.

"Grammy Award winning roots-rock band Los Lobos has decided to cancel their scheduled performance at The Talking Stick Resort on June 10th, 2010. The band has made this decision based on the current call to boycott Arizona in response to SB 1070.

Through their management, Los Lobos issued the following statement: "We support the boycott of Arizona. The new law will inevitably lead to unfair racial profiling and possible abuse of people who just happen to look Latino. As a result, in good conscience, we could not see ourselves performing in Arizona. We regret the inconvenience this may have caused the Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community, Casino Arizona, Talking Stick Resort and our fans, but we feel strongly that it is the right thing to do."

The members of Los Lobos are Steve Berlin, David Hidalgo, Conrad Lozano, Cesar Rosas and Louie Perez."

Well, I can't ignore it. I don't think anyone can not be affected by it. Of course, Mexican-American people are more sensitive to it, but you just turn on the news at 11, I don't care where you live, you're going to know about what's going on.

I didn't set out for the record to be about immigration, but it started to go into that direction. I always go back to my neighborhood when I write songs, and in this case it was tempered by what was going on in the news. I was also thinking of the sacrifices my parents made when they came to the U.S. and the fact that if they hadn't crossed the border, I wouldn't be sitting here talking to you. I wouldn't have a career. I wouldn't have Grammys. I wouldn't have all these things that have happened in the spirit of the American dream.

Robert Plant is also coming out with a new album this year, a David Hidalgo-Louie Pérez song included...

Robert Plant takes an eclectic dive into Americana roots music on Band of Joy, his first new album since 2007's surprise hit, Raising Sand with Allison Krauss. The album was recorded in Nashville with an all-star group of musicians and is due Sept. 14 on Rounder Records.

Band of Joy finds Plant putting his unique stamp on a wide variety of source material, including versions of Los Lobos' "Angel Dance," "Silver Rider" and "Monkey," both by Minnesota indie "slowcore" band Low, and the Kelly Brothers' 1960s soul classic "Falling in Love Again." [The Star]

Continue reading "Los Lobos are releasing an album (Robert Plant too), playing a release show in NYC & other dates (but not in Arizona) "

DOWNLOAD: Retribution Gospel Choir - Hide It Away (MP3)

new album in 2k10? - don't sweat it!

Retribution Gospel Choir are Low's Alan Sparhawk, Low bassist Steve Garrington, and Eric Pollard on drums & co-vox. Last night (12/15), they played Mercury Lounge in NYC. Did anyone catch the show?

In 2010 (January 26th to be exact), the band will put out their second album, titled 2, on Sub Pop. Check a track from that album, "Hide It Away", above. Their self-titled debut was released in 2008 on Mark Kozelek's Caldo Verde Records.

In support of their forthcoming Sub Pop debut, the band has a whole mess of North American tour dates lined up for late-January/February. The band returns to Mercury Lounge for a show on February 1st. Tickets go on sale Friday at noon. They then play a second NYC show the next night (2/2) at Union Hall. Ticket info TBA. They go to Europe after that.

The band posted a 2009 year-that-was update on their website - that and all tour dates are below...

Continue reading "Retribution Gospel Choir releasing album on Sub Pop, played Mercury Lounge, announce 2010 tour (dates) "

DOWNLOAD: The Raveonettes - Come on Santa (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Future Clouds and Radar - Christmas Day 1923 (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: 65daysofstatic - I'm Dreaming of a White Noise Christmas (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: The Bran Flakes - Lovely Sleigh Ride (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Whitman - Hangover Holiday (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Nina Hynes - Twinkle (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Gorgons - Silver Bells (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Charles De Mar - This Christmas (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Secret Machines (Brandon Curtis) - Silent Night (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Coulourmusic - In A Sentimental Mood (MP3)

Merry Christmas everybody. Here's another collection of free Christmas songs - mostly random and found in my email.

Nina Hynes (above), The Cloud Room (not above), and many others appear on "An Indiecater Christmas" album.

The Gorgons and Charles De Mar tracks are from a free comp called "various friends of Silber: Winterizing".

The Secret Machines song features Tamaryn and was released for charity.

More free holiday mixes HERE and HERE.

Low's video for "Santa's Coming Over", below...

Continue reading "Merry Christmas! Here are some more free Xmas songs..."

today in NYC
* DANCE
* Thanksgiving day parade
* Tina Turner @ the Prudential Center
* Dr. Lonnie Smith Trip @ Iridium Jazz Club (2 shows)
* Youssou N'dour's Great African Ball @ Nokia Theatre

What is your favorite album of 2008? What is the most disappointing?

Today you're supposed to listen to Alice's Restaurant.

ATP NY announced the initial lineup. The Jesus Lizard is reuniting for ATP UK.

Two fun tours are hitting NYC this weekend: Marnie Stern/Gang Gang Dance (yes, I know they live here) and King Khan & BBQ Show. One of the two Marnie Stern shows also has 18th Dye on the bill.

Bill just saw King Khan & BBQ's friends Red Mass.

Voting is still open for Stereogum's Gummy Awards. Tickets are still on sale for the ceremony/Deerhunter show.

Mr. Brownstone played Letterman. Friday night they play Irving Plaza with Satanicide.

Catch up with This Week In Metal.

Christmas will be everywhere after today (if it's not already). Check out Low's new video for "Santa's Coming Over" below...

Continue reading "What's going on Thursday? (Thanksgiving)"

photos by Zach Dilgard

watching Low @ Kutscher's

Low play one very intimate and one formerly-very intimate (but still intimate) show in NYC tonight and tomorrow. Tickets are still on sale for the second one AND tickets are back on sale for the first. This past weekend they played a set at the ATP festival at Kutscher's. More pictures from that below....

Continue reading "Low - more ATP pics, NYC shows Monday & Tuesday (tix)"

photos by Zach Dilgard, words by Black Bubblegum

British experimentalist Alexander Tucker kicked off ATP day two (9/20) with looping pedals and acoustic instruments (cello, guitar). A very interesting artist to start my day with and worth further investigation.

Next came ATP's own Apse and their triple guitar attack. They had some truly soaring moments.

Growing and their effects-laden noise drones sounded great on stage two, though sometimes I find it hard to watch a knob-twiddling live show.

Probably my biggest surprise of the day was The Drones who were urgent, angular, and punky. I was familiar with some of their work through a certain Vegan pal of mine. I will be familiar with more and won't miss them next time they make it to NYC (Philly, Richmond & DC have the chance over the next three days).

The Drones

continued below...

Continue reading "ATP NY day 2 - Om, Drones, Apse, Low, Lightning Bolt, more"

Low's Tuesday, sold out Union Hall show was moved to the bigger Bell House, the new Brooklyn venue that Union Hall shares an owner with. Tickets are back on sale. Low play ATP today (9/20) and Mercury Lounge on Monday. All dates below...

Continue reading "Low - Brooklyn show moved to Bell House, other tour dates "

Tickets are on sale for the Sprititualized show at Music Hall of Williamsburg.

Tickets are on sale for the Carcass show at Nokia Theater.

Tickets are on sale for the Low shows: Union Hall & Mercury Lounge

Tickets are on sale for the Of Montreal show at Roseland.

See what went on sale yesterday.

Win Dungen tickets.

Check the free show calendar for free stuff.

Low are playing the small Mercury Lounge on September 22nd and the also-small Union Hall in Brooklyn on the very next day. Tickets go on sale for both on Friday (Union Hall) (Merc). All dates below...

Continue reading "Low - 2008 Tour Dates (Union Hall, Mercury Lounge)"

I've mentioned these shows here and there, but never posted the tour dates. Alan Sparhawk of Low's other band Retribution Gospel Choir is on tour and now in NYC. Tonight's (June 17) show at Union Hall is with Ida. Tomorrow is at Mercury Lounge with Thalia Zadek. All dates and ticket info below....

Continue reading "Retribution Gospel Choir (Low) - 2008 Tour Dates (tonight)"

Sub Pop is now confirming a lot of the rumors and then some.....

Continue reading "Sub Pop Anniversary Festival - SP20 initial lineup announced"

I missed them when they opened for Wilco the other day....

Continue reading "VIDEO: Low - 'Breaker' (animated version)"

This week in shows-that-have-already,-or-will-sell-out-very-quickly news....

* Low touring with Wilco
* Pumpkins Plan Residencies In Asheville, San Fran

Smashing Pumpkins' only scheduled NYC-area show is still Live Earth.

Earlier this year Billy Corgan was seen hanging out with his friend Courtney Love who was definitely looking very plastic-surgeryey....

Continue reading "SMASHING PUMPKINS playing 17 residency shows, LOW opening for WILCO"