Mates of State at FFF Fest 2011 (more by Tim Griffin)

Mates of State are about to announce a set of February dates including at least two in the NYC-area. Those two are happening on February 17 at Le Poisson Rouge and February 18 at Maxwell's. Tickets for the LPR show and the Maxwell's show are on sale now. All currently known dates are listed below...

Continue reading "Mates of State announcing Feb. dates (LPR, Maxwell's on sale)"

SPIN says:

Trey Anastasio is quietly working on a new solo album with help from a formidable cast of indie rockers, SPIN has learned.

Since winding up his fall tour, the Phish guitarist has been making a daily commute from his New York City home to Bridgeport, Connecticut's Tarquin Studios, recording with his band and members of the National and Mates of State for the last month. Peter Katis, who owns the suburban studio and has produced a string of indie rock albums there (Interpol's Turn on the Bright Lights and Antics, The National's Boxer, Mates of State's Rearrange Us), is co-producing the album with Anastasio.

A rep for Anastasio didn't return a request for comment, but early reports out of the studio say the sound is a mix between Anastasio's eclectic, Afro-tinged rock and the kind of experimental indie pop produced by the Philistines Jr., Katis' own recently reformed band. Before entering the studio, Katis told Sonic Scoop that Anastasio "wants to do something totally out of left-field."

Anastasio and Co. are working on about 15 new songs, with recording expected to wrap up in January. They'll take a weeklong break later this month, when Phish hold court for four sold-out shows at Madison Square Garden, including their traditional three-set performance on New Year's Eve.

Continue reading "Furthur playing 8 Beacon Theater shows on Spring Tour -- more than The National who are working with Trey"

photos by Tim Griffin

Fun Fun Fun Fest 2011 came to a close on Sunday night. It was another successful year for the well-rounded music fest, and the end of its first in the larger (and much dustier) Auditorium Shores. And though Ryan Gosling may have been the most talked about artist at the festival (Danzig was a close second), the real star was festival organizer Transmission Enertainment for putting together such a kickass lineup on four stages for three days straight (not to mention a mechanical bull) (and skate and bike ramp and tons of good food and vendors and merch and posters and wrestling) (and Turquoise Jeep).

After Hum and then a quick set of comedy by metal comedian Brian Posehn (he did his Slayer joke and one that involved Pantera), Slayer closed out the large Orange stage on Sunday (the other metal acts played on the slightly smaller Black Stage all weekend, but the Orange was the biggest and actually specially built to Slayer's specs).

Slayer wasn't the only wild headliner of the day though. In fact, that's an understatement. Trash Talk played after Henry Rollins did his set of spoken word in the Yellow Tent because Trash Talk had to miss their originally scheduled set on the Black Stage earlier in the week due to a family emergency. Thanking everyone for missing Slayer to see them (actually not true because it ended up Trash Talk was done before Slayer even started), Trash Talk started their hardcore insanity by pointing out that they were on the only stage with no barricade (the stage comedians usually played). Circle pits, stagediving, stage crowding, grabbing the mic, pumping fists (and skateboards) and just general craziness characterized the next 20 minutes or so.

The always controversial Odd Future drew their own giant and enthusiastic crowd to their headlining set on the Blue Stage, and Blonde Redhead closed out the Black Stage to a more intimate and chilled out audience (in the location that was metal, punk, garage and hardcore the rest of the weekend).

Here is our second set of pictures from the final day of the fest, including Asobi Seksu, the reunited Hum, We Were Promised Jetpacks (who just played NYC and one of our CMJ day parties), Odd Future, G-Side, Austra, Grimes, MNDR, Mates of State, Budos Band, Ted Leo & The Pharmacists, Architecture in Helsinki, Del the Funky Homosapien, Brian Posehn, Flying Lotus, Brody Stevens, Trash Talk, Henry Rollins, and more SLAYERRRR.

We previously posted pictures from both day 1 and day 2, and a second set by BBG day 1, day 2, and day 3

The rest of day 3, below...

Continue reading "Fun Fun Fun Fest 2011 -- Day 3 pics (part 2) -- Henry Rollins, Brian Posehn, Odd Future, Trash Talk & more"

photos by David Andrako

Mates of State

Mates of State (who head out on a big tour in September), Cymbals Eat Guitars (ditto), and Yellow Ostrich (October & November) played a private Barsuk Records showcase at Mercury Lounge in NYC last night (8/24). Here are some pictures from the show. They continue below...

Continue reading "Mates of State, Cymbals Eat Guitars & Yellow Ostrich played a Barsuk Records showcase (pics)"

Slayer at Izod Center (photos by Samantha Marble)

Slayer, Thee Oh Sees, Public Enemy, Girls, Danzig Legacy, (Danzig + Doyle von Frankenstein playing Misfits, Samhain & Danzig), Hot Snakes, Diplo, Major Lazer, Henry Rollins, Ted Leo & The Phramacists, Spank Rock, Murder City Devils, Hum, Lykke Li, Passion Pit, Four Tet, Rakim, The Damned, Austra, Purity Ring, and Flynt Flossy are just a few of the acts announced today as part of the Fun Fun Fun Fest 2011 lineup. Another amazing year! Check out the full lineup below and stay tuned for more announcements coming in August and September.

The new additions to the Austin, Texas festival, which takes place from 11/4 - 11/6, are in addition to the the previous "lineup leaks" that included Brian Posehn, Odd Future, Okkervil River, M83, X (performing "Los Angeles"), Reggie Watts, Flying Lotus, Tune-Yards, Ra Ra Riot, Kid Dynamite and others

2011 is the festival's sixth year, but first at its new home Auditorium Shores (no more Waterloo Park). Tickets are on sale now.

Slayer also has a NYC performance coming up with Metallica, Anthrax and Megadeth as part of the "Big Four" show at Yankee Stadium on 9/14. Tickets are still available.

Fun Fun Fun 2011 flyer and almost-full lineup is below.

Continue reading "Fun Fun Fun Fest 2011 lineup (Danzig Legazy, Passion Pit, Slayer, Lykke Li, The Damned, Henry Rollins & much more)"

Mates of State at ACL 2008 (more by Kyle Dean Reinford)

As recently mentioned, Other Lives will hit the road with Bon Iver in September after Bon Iver finishes up their tour with The Rosebuds. After they do so, Other Lives will hook up with Mates of State in October for the rest of Mates of State's headlining tour. That tour ends in NYC on October 12 at Webster Hall. Tickets go on sale Friday (7/8) at noon with an AmEx pre-sale starting Wednesday (7/6) at noon.

Mates of States' tour also includes an appearance at Escape to NY and dates with Suckers and Yawn. Neither of those bands play at the NYC show but Suckers have their own NYC show on August 18 at Cameo Gallery with Rewards and magician Matthew Holtzclaw. Tickets are on sale now.

Mates of State release the LP Mountaintops on September 13 via Barsuk. Check out the video for the single "Maracas," along with the tracklist and all tour dates below...

Continue reading "Mates of State releasing 'Mountaintops', touring w/ Other Lives, Suckers, others (dates & new video)"

Psychedelic Furs at Wellmont in 2009 (more by Tim Griffin)

The Psychedelic Furs recently reissued their sophomore album Talk Talk Talk (home of "Pretty In Pink") in Europe, where they toured the album in its entirety. On Saturday (6/25), they kicked off a tour for the album in America. That tour doesn't hit NYC, but they will come through in October for a traditional show at Irving Plaza on October 3 with Tom Tom Club. Tickets are on sale now.

Both Psychedelic Furs and Tom Tom Club also have festival appearances scheduled in August and both are playing the Hamptons. As mentioned, Tom Tom Club play Music to Know Fest in East Hampton. Psychedelic Furs were added to Escape to New York at the Shinnecock Reservation in Southampton, NY on August 5 - 7. Tickets are still available. Other recently confirmed acts include Of Montreal, Savoir Adore, Reptar, Mates of State, Tiger Love, and Jolly Boys.

Full Escape to NY lineup and all Psychedelic Furs tour dates below...

Continue reading "upcoming Psychedelic Furs gigs, updated Escape to NY lineup"

We are happy to announce some details on our latest recording. The new album is called CRUSHES (THE COVERS MIXTAPE) and will be released this summer. This is our first full length recorded and produced by ourselves, and our longtime collaborator Peter Katis (The National, Swell Season,Interpol, etc.) mixed the record. We've been talking about doing a covers record for a long time. We'd hear a great song at 2 AM while driving the straight line from one part of Texas to the next, and all we'd want to do is play that song as if we had written it. There are so many artists we considered, some for the mere fact that they wrote a perfect song, some for nostalgia's sake, some because more people need to hear them, some for the challenge, and some to shed a whole different light on a song: Our light... make it a duet, more optimistic or maybe less traditional. [Mates of State]

Mates of State go on tour across the US this June and July. During that, they'll play Music Hall of Williamsburg on July 15th and Bowery Ballroom on July 16th. Tickets go on sale Wednesday (4/21) at noon.

Joining the pair on those NYC shows will be Nick Thune. Other shows are opened by Free Energy (who play Bowery Ballroom on May 29th and South Street Seaport on July 23rd), Todd Barry, and Suckers (who have lots of other shows coming up too).

Mates of State tour dates, flyer and tracklist are below...

Continue reading "Mates of State releasing covers, touring (dates) "

Tickets are on sale for the kick-ass Haiti benefit the Bell House is throwing.

UPDATE: Haiti benefit tix were taken off sale. Going back on sale soon.
UPDATE: 2: They are back on sale through the above link, though they technically aren't. I'm confused.
UPDATE 3: the Haiti benefit tix are now also on presale. You need a password to buy them... unless you use the link above. very confusing. That is true about the password, but it's for a different event exactly one month later at the same venue.

Speaking of the Bell House, Mates of State are playing there on February 21st. Tickets are on sale for that too.

Tickets also recently went on sale for Rodrigo y Gabriela, Thermals, Spoon, Trey, Allmans, Shearwater, Midlake, Quasi, Kaki, Box Elders and many others.

Happy Holidays! I take on more than I can handle. That results in a lot of unposted content. In the name of catching up, while also taking it easy during this final week of the year, here's some of that lost material.

Check out that picture of Todd Barry standing in the rain with Nick Thune on rainy Day Two of Fun Fun Fun Fest in Austin this year (he performed at the fest on the same day). If you're in San Francisco, check out Todd Barry "with Greg Behrendt, Doug Benson, Maria Bamford, John Mulaney,Amy Schumer,Chris Porter, and music from the Reigning Monarchs" on New Years Eve, and then, exactly one month later (also in San Fran), with "Jon Benjamin and John Hodgman, Larry Murphy and musical guests Mates of State" at SF Sketchfest. Todd Barry reads the news in the video below...

Continue reading "a picture of Todd Barry (who is performing in San Francisco on New Years Eve) standing in the rain "

photos by Chris La Putt

"Australia's The Grates are set to release their sophomore album Teeth Lost, Hearts Won on September 15th via Thirty Tigers/Dew Process. The 13-song album was produced by Peter Katis (Interpol, The National) at Tarquin Studios in Connecticut and features guest appearances by Kori Gardner of Mates of State (vocals on "Milk Eyes") and Tim Fite (vocals on "Not Today"). [The] album [is a] follow up to their 2006 Interscope Records debut, Gravity Won't Get You High...

"If Teeth Lost, Hearts Won was a beast, I imagine it'd be like something from Where The Wild Things Are," lead singer and front woman Patience says. "They're big and scary, but they've also got this sensitivity, and pick up the little kid and protect him." Drummer Alana adds, "Or maybe like the griffin In Alice In Wonderland. He's like a lion and eagle together, but a really gentle creature."

Continue reading "The Grates played Pianos (pics), releasing new album (with guest appearances from Tim Fite & a Mate of State)"

by Ryan Barkan

Miller Chili or mojitos anyone?

Phone wars 2009 - Verizon vs. AT&T. It is always a battle when these two giants square off with their :60 second spots in tow to prove which company provides the best cellular service and coverage. In recent years, Verizon has enlisted the likes of AC/DC and The Killers. Included in the deal with the Aussie rockers was the right to exclusively offer the band's music digitally. On the other side, AT&T has hammered home their phone offerings and 5-bar messages with a spot including a track from Lupe Fiasco featuring Jill Scott, "Daydreamin", one with Mates Of State, and an Amos Lee commercial, among others. Both have recently gone to the licensing well again to soundtrack new technology and coverage, but with different strategies.

Verizon's new "Hub" decided to go the synergy route, using one of the most popular mainstream tunes of the last year, Jason Mraz's "I'm Yours", in multiple spots showcasing the company's new phone technology.

AT&T meanwhile went with different tunes for each of the new 5-bar spots, matching songs with each commercial's creative direction. In "Backpackers", the sentimental "Falling in Love in a Coffeeshop" by Landon Pigg tells the story of two lovers who met on a brief European backpacking trip. However, because of the quality of the service and technology, they not only can stay in touch with great coverage but end up together again with a touching beachfront reunion. Another boxing themed spot brings to mind Rocky with "Gonna Fly Now." Eighties rockers Journey power this commercial for the symphony. Lastly, an inspirational spot based on Venice, CA, store Tom's Shoes. The store has one premise -- each pair of shoes bought equals one free pair for a child in need. The commercial uses an instrumental version of James Blunt's "Same Mistake." Watch that spot here.

Other Notable Commercial Licensing News:

An instant classic commercial from Heineken -- the beer company celebrates responsible drinking (title is called "Let A Stranger Drive You Home") with the help from Biz Markie's "Just A Friend". Watch the spot below.

Beer maker Miller went with San Fran's The Dodos as the music for their new Miller Chill commercial. Watch it below.

"Daylight," a track by Matt & Kim, provides the vibe in a new commercial for Bacardi Mojitos. See it below.

continued below...

Continue reading "This week in Music Licensing (De La Soul, the Dodos, Passion Pit, Black Lips, Matt & Kim, Mates of State & more...) "

Kaki King @ BAM 2/7/09 (more by Natasha Ryan)

Steven Patrick Morrissey is turning 50 on May 22nd. Morrissey himself will be celebrating with a concert in his hometown of Manchester.

Others will be celebrating, that same night, right here in Brooklyn at Glasslands Gallery where Kaki King will play a "special set" at a Morrissey birthday celebration. Beta Beta, the Bodgea Girls and the Stationary Set are also on the bill. Flyer below.

This summer, King will be at Bonnaroo on June 12th and Northern California's music & yoga festival, Wanderlust, on Saturday, July 25th. The lineup for that fest includes Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings, Jenny Lewis, Amanda Palmer, Spoon, Broken Social Scene...and many more big "indie" names. The festival also offers yoga sessions with a full schedule of guest yogis. Both music+yoga tickets and music-only tickets go on sale Tuesday, May 12th.

Kaki King's newest record is her Mexican Teenagers EP, released March 30th by Cooking Vinyl.

Full details of both Morrissey's b-day and Wanderlust Festival, with posters, and Kaki King dates, below...

Continue reading "Morrissey turning 50, Kaki King celebrating @ Glasslands & playing the Wanderlust Festival (full 2009 lineup)"

Tickets go on Am Ex presale (@ noon) for the recently announced Mates of State / Black Kids shows at Webster Hall and Music Hall of Williamsburg.

Tickets are on Am EX presale (@ noon) for the recently added Cursive show at Bowery Ballroom.

Clem Snide is playing Bowery Ballroom on March 18th. Tickets are on Am Ex presale (@ noon).

Tickets are on Am Ex presale (@ noon) for the 2nd Bloc Party show at Terminal 5.

Butch Walker is playing Webster Hall on March 14th. Tickets are on Am Ex presale (@ noon)

Tickets are on Am Ex presale (@ noon) for the Elvis Perkins show at Bowery Ballroom.

The Leonard Cohen presale has been pushed back to 2PM started.

Mates of State @ ACL 2008 (more by Kyle Dean Reinford)

Mates of State and Black Kids are going on tour together, and according to their tour dates, they collectively are doing well enough to play both Music Hall of Williamsburg (4/5) and Webster Hall (4/6). All dates below...

Continue reading "Mates of State & Black Kids - 2009 Tour Dates"

Nic Harcourt's Top Ten Albums of 2008

1. Adele - 19 (XL Recordings/Colombia)
2. Mates Of State - Re-Arrange Us (Barsuk)
3. Coldplay - Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends (Capitol)
4. Ting Tings - We Started Nothing (Columbia)
5. The Raconteurs - Consolers of the Lonely (Warner Bros)
6. The Broken West - Now or Heaven (Merge)
7.Dandy Warhols - Earth to the Dandy Warhols (World's Fair)
8. Duffy - Rockferry (Mercury)
9. Tilly and The Wall - o (Team Love Records)
10.Emiliana Torrini - Me and Armini (Rough Trade)

Los Angeles, Calif., (December 10, 2008) - LA, Los Angeles Times Magazine today announced the selection of Nic Harcourt as Editor at Large, Music & Culture. Beginning February 8, 2009, in LA's January/February double Oscar issue, Harcourt will contribute a monthly column inspired by his love of music and the culture of Southern California.

Harcourt has been hailed as the most influential DJ in America and ultimate music tastemaker because of his uncanny ability to forecast trends and identify emerging talent. His innovative approach will now provide LA readers with unparalleled insight into the always evolving music and culture hemisphere through his monthly "Listen Up" columns, which will feature a hand-selected playlist, his picks for upcoming local concerts, shows and/or events and Q&As with emerging artists...

Adele was on Jimmy Kimmel (in LA) last night. Video below...

Continue reading "Adele lover Nic Harcourt, leaves KCRW, gets job @ bankrupt Tribune's LA Times ++ Kimmel video"

photos by Kyle Dean Reinford

a member of What Made Milwaukee Famous pouring What Made San Antonio Famous over his head

It was just announced that the dates of the 2009 Austin City Limits festival will be October 2-4. More pictures from day one (September 26) of this year's festival, below...

Continue reading "ACL - the 2009 dates, more pictures from 2008 (day one)"

Mates of State @ Mercury Lounge (more by Bao Nguyen)

The Mates of State and Metric show at Highline Ballroom on August 7th is now the Mates of State show (9pm, August 7th, w/ Telepathique, $15) and the Metric show (August 8th, midnight, $15). "Tickets purchased prior to July 23 are valid to both the 8/7 and 8/8 shows or may be refunded at point of purchase."

Metric @ Coachella 2008 (more by Ryan Muir)

Tickets go on sale Friday for a Thursday August 7th Metric & Mates of State show at Highline Ballroom in NYC. Both bands are then playing the All Points West festival in Jersey City that weekend. All dates below....

Continue reading "Metric & Mates of State add NYC show, tour dates"

photos by Chris Graham

OK, let's get this 2008 Sasquatch Festival coverage over with. You've seen R.E.M., The National and Modest Mouse and other pictures from day one. On day three there was Flaming Lips and naked ladies, The Mars Volta and everything else. The festival offered comedy and even more comedy. And then there was day two which included The Cure, Death Cab & Rogue Wave, and (almost*) everything you see below....

Continue reading "Sasquatch 2008 - day 2 in pictures (Sunday May 25)"

photos by Bao Nguyen

Mates of State played a semi-private, early show (7:02 on the dot) at Mercury Lounge in NYC last night (May 21). The show was in honor of their new album that came out on Barsuk one day earlier - the same reason they appeared on Conan O'Brien the night before. The show was crowded, but not packed - probably at lesat in part because of the unclear age limit. The free tickets given out at record stores didn't come with a 21+ disclaimer. Kori Gardner mentioned being tired, and being excited to have a guitar player (who was one of two backing band members). They played a mix of old and new songs and a cover of Nico's "These Days". More pictures below...

Continue reading "Mates of State @ Mercury Lounge, NYC - pics"

Mates of State play Mercury Lounge tonight (May 21). Were you able to get tickets? Last night they played on TV. Video below... .

Continue reading "Mates of State played Conan (video) -- Mercury tonight"

DOWNLOAD: Mates of State - My Only Offer (MP3)

Mates of State have a new record coming out via Barsuk this week, and they'll be playing a special show in its honor at Mercury Lounge on Wedensday....

Mates of State's new record Re-Arrange Us is coming out next week (May 20th) and to celebrate the band is playing a show in Manhattan at 7pm on Wednesday, May 21st at a secret location. Sound Fix has 25 pairs of tickets to give away to the first 25 people that purchase the record. The location will be printed on the ticket but cannot be announced ahead of time. This is a small show and tickets will not be for sale to the public, so make sure to get into the store Tuesday!

Continue reading "Mates of State - new album, MP3, secret show & tour dates"

Lollapalooza 2008 headliners confirmed
Lollapalooza's Austin, Texas-based promoters C3 Presents are not scheduled to make their official announcement of the acts performing at this year's weekend-long music festival in Grant Park until Monday, but the Sun-Times has confirmed through industry sources all of the major artists.

Art-rock giants Radiohead and Nine Inch Nails, the reunited Rage Against the Machine, Jack White's side project the Raconteurs and hometown heroes Wilco and Kanye West will headline the main stages on Aug. 1-3.

The Raconteurs, Wilco and West will each be making their second appearance at the reinvented destination festival. Other repeaters among the more than 100 acts on this year's bill are Gnarls Barkley, the Black Keys, Broken Social Scene, G. Love & Special Sauce, Blues Traveler and Mates of State.

Quite a few of the other acts -- including many of the most promising -- have earlier performed at Chicago's two independently produced music festivals, Pitchfork and Intonation. These include Bloc Party, Cat Power, Stephen Malkmus, Girl Talk, Kid Sister, Office, the Cool Kids, Battles, the Go! Team, Jamie Lidell and Grizzly Bear.

Advance three-day passes are now on sale for a limited time for $190 (after which the price increases to $205) at www.lollapalooza.com. [Chicago Sun Times] (thx Hiro)

Who do you recognize....

Continue reading "VIDEO: Feist & friends (the orgy) on Letterman"