DOWNLOAD: Austra - "Spellwork" (MNDR Nighttime Remix) (MP3)

Austra at Santos (more by Vincent Cornelli)

2011's short list of nominees for Canada's Polaris Music Prize were announced. They include a mix of indie veterans, grammy-winners, a sax player who has played with those grammy winners, and some new kids on the block like the super buzzy The Weeknd whose resume includes working with Drake. Full nominee list is below.

One of the artists, Austra, will release a remix EP to follow-up their latest release Feel it Break. The remix collection, entitled SPARKLE will be released digitally on July 26th and on wax on August 23rd. The release features remix contributions from MNDR, Mark Pistel, and Planningtorock with the digital collection having an additional four bonus remixes. Preorder it at Domino, and download/stream one track, "Spellwork (MNDR Nighttime Remix)" above/below.

Reminder, look for Austra to play a FREE show on July 14th supporting tUnE-yArDs at Pier 54 in NYC. They'll also be on hand to support Cold Cave at Bowery Ballroom on August 6th (tickets). Cold Cave also plays NYC next week, at Knitting Factory with Cult of Youth on July 12th (tickets).

Braids, also nominated, recently announced a ton of tour dates.

Austra song stream and dates and the Polaris Music Prize nominees are below.

Continue reading "Polaris nominees announced, Austra releasing remix EP"

photos by Sara Skolnick

"I saw Hercules and Love Affair this weekend who now have Mark Pistel in the band (founding member of Consolidated) which made me remember about Meat Beat Manifesto and seeing them play live. Fucking great show. They had these dancers with mini crutches, one of whom hit my friend Angy in the head while dancing feverishly on stage. Good times." - waxy yellow buildup

Hercules & Love Affair played two NYC shows over the weekend. Friday night it was at the Gramercy Theatre in Manhattan. Saturday was over the river in Brooklyn at Music Hall of Williamsburg.

As Andy Butler somewhat explained to The Voice, guest vocalists like Antony (who is on the album) and Nomi (who has been a prominent vocalist in the band's live shows) are not permanent members of the band which will continue to change over time. Nomi was not present at the shows where, at Music Hall at least, they played mostly songs from their 2008 self-titled album, and some new stuff too. Jason Kendig opened.

In related news, Andy Butler will be DJing at the upcoming Electric Zoo Festival on Randall's Island, and "Antony and the Johnsons [releasaed] the "Aeon"/"Crazy in Love" double A-side single in the US on August 4th on CD and 7" through Secretly Canadian and on August 3rd in Europe and UK on 7" through Rough Trade."

More pictures from the Brooklyn H&LA show below...

Continue reading "Hercules & Love Affair (w/ Mark Pistel, but not Nomi) played Gramercy Theatre & Music Hall of Williamsburg (pics) "