"I make a lot of coffee," James Murphy told NY Mag in an interview after the movie's premiere. "For my birthday, my girlfriend got me a training course with the world champion. That's what I'm going to do when I get back to London."

Most recently done by Bonnie 'Prince' Billy with his limited edition "Bonny Billy Blend" from Kona Rose Coffee (available for purchase via Drag City), Murphy is planning on reiterating the trend with his own espresso blend.

According to Murphy himself, he plans to "just go to a roaster who lives near me and just start tweaking beans and temperatures," for the fun of it.

He loves coffee so much, he's releasing the hits, "Never As Tired As When I'm Waking Up (Without Coffee)", "Disco Percolator", and "Bean Connection."

Well, not really, but James is keeping busy in the art world too. The LCD Soundsystem documentary Shut Up and Play the Hits just premiered at the Sundance Film Festival on January 22. Billboard reports:

The film is reminscent of Martin Scorsese's "The Last Waltz" (1978), about rock group The Band's final show, in that it documents an influential group's guest star-laden final live performance and largely focuses on the frontman (in "Waltz's" case, Robbie Robertson). When asked during a post-screening Q&A about trying to best Waltz, Murphy joked: "I was just like, 'that chump Robbie Roberston, I'm gonna take him --'"

Going into the project, Murphy said he was aware of the thematic similarities with "Waltz." "We all talked about it. Knowing that it is there, you can't not deal with it," he said.

And, "Shut Up and Play the Hits" was just one of two movies Murphy was involved with at Sundance this year. He also stars in The Comedy along with Bonnie Prince Billy's Drag City labelmate Neil Hamburger, Tim Heidecker (of Tim & Eric who also premiered another movie at Sundance), Eric Wareheim (of Tim & Eric who also premiered another movie at Sundance), Matador-signed comedian Jeffrey Jensen, Will Sheff (of Okkervil River), and many more. The film was directed by the Jagjaguwar-signed Rick Alverson, and the indie label is also involved with the film. Check out a clip with James,Tim & Eric below...

Continue reading "like Bonnie Prince Billy, James Murphy is making his own coffee (and he's in 2 new movies too) (1 with Tim & Eric)"

words by Christopher Paragraph, photos by Dana (distortion) Yavin

DOWNLOAD: Bird of Youth - Bombs Away, She Is Here to Stay (MP3)

Sondre Lerche looking sexy as usual @ MHOW Friday night

The Friday night show at Music Hall of Williamsburg featured three very different songwriters who all happen to live within a few blocks of the venue. The same is true for me so, in terms of proximity, the night was a success before it even began.

Bird Of Youth opened with a couple songs from their self-released album "Defender," breezing through them with ease and on-stage confidence that one would usually expect from a more seasoned band. This helped to counteract the darker themes of the songs, perhaps the best example of which was a song that lead singer Beth Wawerna wrote for her father. The unforgettable closing lines, "you watched me as I watched you watch me cry," caught more than a few off-guard. The songs are unique in terms of Wawerna's vocal phrasing. Rather than writing melodies over single chords, the melodies seem to form themselves over the chord changes. It feels like she allows the phrases to emerge from the song, instead of constructing a song around a pre-conceived melody. As a songwriter, Wawerna is doing something special and distinct. Unlike many female-fronted bands of their ilk, the songs don't hide behind her voice; her voice seems to be dragged along by the force of each song. This may present a problem for a pop singer, but for a band like Bird Of Youth, it proves to be a perfect way to articulate emotional, expressive songs. The last song of their short set took a different turn, however, and was significantly more poppy and conventionally structured. Working in a Nada Surf-esque style, the song succeeds in a way that runs counter the aforementioned thoughts in this review. An interesting way to end the set, leaving the audience pleased but just unsure enough to want to hear more.

Next was Will Sheff, frontman for the successful Okkervil River, a solo set sandwiched between two bands. It was informative and interesting to see Sheff perform solo. Over the years, Okkervil River has come to be known for their energetic, literate folk pop anthems. But most hear them as simply "a rock band." Sheff's folk influences shined through in this set, making the DNA of Okkervil River more apparent. Hearing these songs strummed and picked on an acoustic guitar made clear the influences of British folk songwriters like Roy Harper and Bill Fay. For audience members not interested in the musical roots behind Okkervil River (which many Sondre Lerche fans probably are not) Sheff provided an honest and emphatic set of complex, lyric-driven songs. It was clear form the entranced crowd that Sheff won over a bunch of new fans. Or at least hooked their curiosity. Sheff's lyrics beg the listener to re-listen. As opposed to the chordally-led phrasing of Beth Wawerna, Sheff's songs are driven by lyrics and melodies that command the chords. It was interesting to see songwriting approached from such different angles back-to-back. It is worth noting at this point that there were many people in the far back of the room who seemed intent on talking louder than the music. One can only assume they were attending to "see" Sondre Lerche and felt completely justified in talking over any other artist performing. Sheff took a moment to point out these people (which of course went right over their heads). This resulted in supportive applause from the majority, who were clearly distracted and annoyed by the loud group in the back.

SIDE NOTE: this raises a question, or at least an interesting debate: Is it "OK" to talk loudly at a concert? If someone pays $15 to see a show, isn't it reasonable to expect them to listen to the songs? And even if they aren't interested in a certain artist, isn't it reasonable to expect the respect and courtesy of keeping one's voice quiet, both in regards to the artists themselves and the fans who might actually be trying to listen? In the event that this occurs, should the artist take the initiative to shush them, or should a fellow audience member? Both? Neither? Discuss.

Back to the show. When Sondre Lerche took the stage, a young cavalcade of girls had pushed their way to the front. As he stepped to the mic the screams were shrill and unexpectedly loud. Lerche introduced himself with a solo number before bringing out the band. Although the synth player and bassist had apparently just joined the band a couple weeks earlier, they played tight and confidently, each member brimming with excitement about the songs, not just following charts. The drummer's incredible precision almost stole the show - he brought the energy of the songs out in ways drummers rarely can, and was single-handedly responsible for many "jaw-drop" moments. The only real way to describe it is that it's fueled by real passion for the songs. It's that special intangible thing you can't fake, and this guy clearly has it. Lerche fired off short gems from throughout his career, never letting go of the stranglehold he had on the crowd from the moment he stepped out. On one level his songs are complex, melding jazz chords with pop melodies a la Steely Dan. On another, he's able to perform simple, quiet ballads, which he did at one point, stepping away and unplugging, treating the silent room to an acoustic rendition of "Dear Laughing Doubters."



There were a handful of particularly special moments, including a performance of "When The River," a song about homesickness featuring a choir of the "people he misses most when he's away." This group included his wife, local songwriter JBM, and actor Christopher Abbott. Will Sheff and Beth Wawerna also joined Sondre on stage to trade verses on a cover of Steely Dan's "Dirty Work."

By the time the show was over, it truly felt like Lerche had turned the room into his own house full of friends. He stood atop a monitor wedge and performed the final encore, harmonizing to the 600+ people taking the lead vocal on "Modern Nature." Lerche has toured for years as a solo artist but seeing him with a band showed that he's not just a one-man show. His music is big and the full-band show proved him to be a full fledged rock n roll guy.

More pictures from the show, setlists included, and a video of Sondre and band on Letterman (from 11/22), below...

Continue reading "Sondre Lerche, Will Sheff & Bird of Youth @ Music Hall of Williamsburg (pics, review, setlist)"

Will Sheff of Okkervil River at Fun Fun Fun Fest (more by Tim Griffin)

Okkervil River have released a new covers EP Golden Opportunities 2, the follow-up to 2007's Golden Opportunities EP. Much like that 2007 release, part deux is FREE, but features songs from Ted Lucas, Jim Sullivan, David McComb, Bill Fay, and others. Get your copy at their site.

Okkervil River have no US dates at the moment, but you can catch frontman Will Sheff at Music Hall of Williamsburg on 12/2 with Sondre Lerche and Bird of Youth. Tickets are still available. Note: though Sondre did just tour with them, Peter Wolf Crier are not also opening the Brooklyn show.

In somewhat related news, Will's old band Shearwater, who recently signed to Sub Pop, have dates coming up with Sharon Van Etten that bring them to Music Hall of Williamsburg too.

Will Sheff & Beth Wawerna @ Living Room

Tonight, Tuesday, August 24th, marks the third week of the Bird of Youth residency at the Living Room in NYC. Tonight's guest is Charles Bissell of the Wrens, so that should be especially good. The first week's special guest was Will Sheff who played solo, as a duo with (his girlfriend) Beth, and with her band Bird Of Youth who also played without him. Videos of all four situations, including previews of possible new Okkervil River songs, below...

Continue reading "Bird of Youth residency continues with a Wren (tonight), Will Sheff played new songs at the first show (videos) "

DOWNLOAD: Bird of Youth - "Stop Staring" (MP3)

Roky w/ Okkervil River @ Webster Hall in May (more by Kurt Christensen)

Austin songwriter Roky Erickson will be touring again in November. That includes at least two NYC-area shows. Those happen November 10th at the Bell House (tickets on sale Friday at noon) and November 12th at Maxwell's (tickets also on sale Friday at noon). More dates, including Boston, TBA.

Roky's most recent set of shows and album included Okkervil River as his backing band. That won't be the case this time, but you can catch Okkervil frontman Will Sheff when he plays a solo show at the Living Room on Tuesday, August 10th. That show is part of Bird of Youth's Tuesday in August residency at the Living Room. Bird of Youth (the band led by BK musician Beth Wawerna)'s other guests include Charles Bissell of the Wrens and Timothy Bracy's Collection Agency (ex-Mendoza Line). They all, or most of them, also contribute to Bird of Youth's upcoming debut album (MP3 from that above). No advanced tickets. A flyer for the residency is below...

Continue reading "Roky Erickson schedules more shows, Will Sheff & others playing w/ Bird of Youth @ Living Room (Charles Bissell too)"

DOWNLOAD: The New Pornographers - Your Hands Together (MP3)

The New Pornographers are gearing up for their album-supporting shows this summer in Europe and North America.

The new disc, Together, comes out May 4th, and their first show after its release (which comes more than a month before their other North American shows) will happen on May 6th at Woodstock, NY's 250-seat Bearsville Theater (about 2 hour drive north of NYC). Tickets are on sale now.

That show and the others on their tour will feature the band's full eight-member lineup: A.C. Newman, Blaine Thurier (keys), John Collins (bass, etc.), Todd Fancey (guitar), Kurt Dahle (drums), Kathryn Calder (vox, keys), Neko Case (vox) and Dan Bejar (vox, guitar, et).

Their full tour comes to NYC directly on June 19th for a show at Terminal 5 with tourmates The Dodos and The Dutchess and the Duke. Tickets are still on sale.

Neko Case is currently touring as part of Jakob Dylan's band, and they play two nights in NYC starting tonight (4/21). You can catch them on Letterman tonight too.

Together's first single is posted again above. The second, "The Crash Years," is available on iTunes. There's also a series of listening parties in various cities (NYC TBA) for the record coming up. More info on those, all tour dates and a new video with actor Adam Goldberg interviewing members of the band (and album guests Zach Condon, Will Sheff and Daptone's Neal Sugarman) are below...

Continue reading "New Pornographers confirm full band for tour, kick things off w/ a small show upstate, Neko here now, new video & more "

Will Scheff, Roky Erickson, Nardwuar (more by Tim Griffin)

The first Nardwuar interview that I witnessed in person (and helped set up)! Taped after the legendary Roky Erickson and Okkervil River finished playing at our BV/M For Montreal day party, the 10 minute, well-researched interview covers many topics including Austin, Tang and Will's love for cream. Watch that (and a new chat with Snoop Dogg where the rapper microwaves a joint), below...

Continue reading "the Nardwuar Roky Erickson/Will Sheff video interview (and a new Snoop Dogg one too) "

Coming on May 4: the new album from The New Pornographers, entitled Together. Their fifth full-length was produced by the band and Phil Palazzolo, and recorded in Vancouver, Brooklyn, Woodstock, and Catskill, NY. The album is comprised of 9 A.C. Newman songs and 3 Dan Bejar numbers, and features the full eight-person lineup of Carl, Dan, John Collins, Neko Case, Kurt Dahle, Kathryn Calder, Todd Fancey and Blaine Thurier. Additional musicians include Annie Clark (St. Vincent), Zach Condon (Beirut), Will Sheff (Okkervil River), and the Dap-Kings Horns, among other talents.

Lead pornographer A.C. Newman appears at The Bell House's Haiti benefit on Wednesday, January 27th. Also at the even will be The Walkmen (they replaced Cold War Kids who had to drop off), Ted Leo, The Wrens, Sondre Lerche, Eugene Mirman, Rhett Miller and Nicole Atkins. Tickets are still on sale.

Roky Erickson @ Maxwell's on January 2nd (schwartzray)

"Roky tore it up again [at Maxwell's on January 2nd], but I noticed he was really, really nervous for this show. He wasn't committing to the final notes or chords on each song and would turn and face the drummer to hide his fear and insecurity during the end of each song. in his defense, the crowd was loud and demanding, the space was small, it was late and freezing outside, and they played a huge set. His vocals were dead on for most songs and his guitar playing overall was pretty good. They played some really amazing cover songs really well, and I was overall very pleased with the night. When they closed with "Don't Slander Me" and left the stage, I swear I saw tears in Roky's eyes. I really hope they were out of happiness because the man has really left a great mark on my soul, and I know I speak on many other's behalf."
[I Must Find Atlantis]

Okkervil River just teamed up with the Levon Helm Band to play Terminal 5 on January 7th (we almost had pics, but then Levon said no cameras were allowed). A few video clips of Okkervil's set closer, "Unless It's Kicks", are below.

Will Sheff & co. will again pair with a legendary rocker. They produce and play on Roky Erickson's new record set to be released by Anti-...

Legendary musician Roky Erickson triumphantly returns on April 20th with the Anti Record's release True Love Cast Out All Evil his first new album in fourteen years. Produced by Will Sheff and featuring his band Okkervil River backing Erickson, the record is comprised largely of unreleased songs that Austin, Texas native Erickson wrote throughout his decades-long career - detailing with heart-breaking candor a harrowing life that has included shock treatment, imprisonment, mental illness, and irreversible loss. With a wisdom that can only be marshaled by someone who has been through all of the this, Erickson also interjects the songs with love, hope, and spiritual grace.

More Roky album info and videos are below...

Continue reading "Roky Erickson played 3 NYC-area shows, releasing new Anti- album w/ Okkervil River (who just opened for Levon Helm)"

Field Music didn't make it, but there was a special reunion set by Pulsars, followed by the super duper Wye Oak who played before special guest Rumours last night at The Bell House in Brooklyn (12/3).

As advertised (at the last minute anyway), Rumours was a Fleetwood Mac cover band. Cover song experts Loser's Lounge made up the band and a rotating cast of singers came to the stage to play individual tunes. Those vocalists included Dave Hill dueting with Erika from Au Revoir Simone, Will Sheff dueting with Beth Wawerna, Matthew Caws, Britta, Sharon Van Etten, Wye Oak, and many more. The show was in honor of Bell House booker Skippy. Well, it was his birthday party, and he even came out to help perform "I Don't Wanna Know" with Mia Riddle. The full setlist (which did not include AC Newman or Eugene Mirman - both must be out of town) with a couple of videos below...

Continue reading "Rumours (indie all-star Fleetwood Mac band) played the Bell House w/ Wye Oak & Pulsars - video & setlist"

Levon Helm

The Levon Helm Band will be departing from their weekly "Midnight Ramble" gig at Helm's Studio in Woodstock for a show at NYC's Terminal 5 on Thursday, January 7th, 2010. Joining them at this show be Okkervil River (currently their only scheduled show). Tickets go on sale Friday, Nov. 6th at noon.

Okkervil River's last full band show in NYC was January '09 at the then-new-venue Bell House. The band recently appeared on an episode of Austin City Limits with M. Ward. A clip of them performing the song "Unless It's Kicks" from that is posted below.

Okkervil River's Will Sheff is one of the songwriters that collaborated with Norah Jones on her new album, The Fall, out November 17th on Blue Note. The record also includes co-writing contributions from Ryan Adams and frequent Jones partner Jesse Harris, guitarwork from Marc Ribot and Smokey Hormel, and keys from Roots member James Poyser. It's streaming in full at NPR.

The ACL video and all tour dates are below...

Continue reading "Okkervil River playing NYC w/ Levon Helm Band (dates), Will Sheff contributed to new Norah Jones album (streaming)"

Willamette Week's Musicfest NW announces this year's festival line-up which will be held at various venues around the Portland, OR metropolitan area on September 16, 17, 18 & 19. On the heels of the most successful MFNW to date, MFNW 2009 launches with nothing but the hope of a bigger and better festival. MFNW's ultimate aim is to provide Portland with a unique and special musical experience that features all types of acts including nationally renowned artists while still honoring and supporting the special musical scene of the Northwest.

The lineup so far, including the newly-reunited Sunny Day Real Estate, is below...

Continue reading "Musicfest NW in Portland, OR (Sept 16-19) - lineup"

DOWNLOAD: Marissa Nadler - River of Dirt (MP3)

Marissa Nadler in Brest, France, May 17 2008 by Nicolas Ollier

SOUNDFIX SOUND FIX FAQ

Q: What's the price of admission at your in-stores? How can I get tickets?
A: Our in-stores are free to the public and seating is general admission.

Q: Where do the bands play?
A: In the Sound Fix Lounge, behind the record store.

Q: What time should I show up?
A: Please don't call and ask us this. We don't know. Every show is different. Sometimes people show up an hour early to get a good spot, sometimes the place is empty a half hour before showtime. If you really love the band and want a good spot, get here early. That's all we can say.

Q: Is Sound Fix one word or two?
A: Two words! Please do not spell it "Soundfix." It really drives me crazy.

...

Q: Can my band come play at your space?
A: Unlikely. But it can't hurt to ask.

...

Q: Where is Beacon's Closet?
A: A block and a half from the store, down N. 11th St. Please stop asking.

Q: What's the greatest album of all time?
A: Depending on my mood, Neil Young's Tonight's the Night or the Who's Sellout

Marissa Nadler will be the final performer at the Brooklyn venue. It's one day after her show at Greenpoint's Lutheran Church, and a few days before the one she's playing at Joe's Pub.

Some Sound Fix video memories, below...

Continue reading "Marissa Nadler is playing the final Sound Fix instore "

TheRumpus.net is having a launch party at Crash Mansion in NYC tonight (2/5). According to the ticket page, there will be "Music by Will Sheff of Okkervil River, Timothy Bracy of the Mendoza Line and Beth Wawerna of Bird Of Youth" and "Comedy by: Kristen Shaal of Flight of the Conchords, and
Michael Showalter from Comedy Central's Stella" and "Readings from authors: James Frey, Andrew Sean Greer, Jonathan Ames, and This American Life's Starlee Kine".

Also tonight, also comedy: Variety Shac @ UCB with recently added special guest Zach Galifianakis.

Also coming up at UCB: Klaus made a list.

Also comedy with special guests: three editions of Mike Birbiglia's Sleepwalk with Me this month.

Also a show that Kristen Schaal is playing: Flight of the Conchords at Radio City Music Hall (twice)

Also a show that Kristen Schaal is playing: Eugene Mirman's book release party

Also a show Will Sheff is playing: Coachella

Also starring Michael Showalter (and Todd Barry, Paul Rudd, David Wain, Eugene Mirman, Leo Allen, and Superbowl commercial star Jon Benjamin): "The Weekender" video below...

Continue reading "Will Sheff, Kristen Schaal & friends playng Crash Mansion, Zach Galifianakis at UCB & other stuff"

photos by Tim Griffin

Okkervil River played a show at The Bell House in Brooklyn last night. (1/6). "Anonymous | January 7, 2009 8:02 AM" writes, "great show. much better than webster hall, although they didn't play westfall. wtf.". Chris Mills opened. More pictures below...

Continue reading "Okkervil River & Chris Mills @ the Bell House, NYC - pics "

DOWNLOAD: USA for Affluence - Cash for Christmas (MP3)

The star-studded video is below...

Continue reading "Beardo Episode 5 - CASH FOR CHRISTMAS (Tim Harrington, Moby, Andrew WK, AC Newman, Will Sheff, etc, etc...)"

Okkervil River @ Austin City Limits (more by Kyle Dean Reinford)

Okkervil River is playing the Bell House in Brooklyn on Jan 6 and tickets are on sale

It was only just now while at JagJaguwar's site looking at the new Bon Iver EP did I realize they were coming out with a 7" called Will Sheff Covers Charles Bissell, Charles Bissell Covers Will Sheff. Will and Charles played a show together last night at Music Hall of Williamsburg, and they'll play another one together, tonight/Friday, at Sound Fix.

Will Sheff - 2008 Tour Dates
Dec 10 - Other Music in-store, NY, NY (8pm)
Dec 11 - Music Hall of Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NY
Dec 12 - Sound Fix Records, Brooklyn, NY (8pm)

All dates below...

Continue reading "Will Sheff - updated 2008 Tour Dates (again) (Sound Fix)"

Okkervil River's Will Sheff added a few shows to his previously mentioned itinerary. That includes an in-store at Other Music in NYC the night before he plays Music Hall in Brooklyn. Listen to Will read at Daytrotter. Check out all the dates below...

Continue reading "Will Sheff - updated 2008 Tour Dates (Other Music)"

DOWNLOAD: AC Newman - There Are Maybe Ten or Twelve (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Okkervil River - Lost Coastlines (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: The Wrens - Surprise, Honeycomb (MP3)

Okkervil River (Will Sheff) @ Lollapalooza 2008 (more by Bao Nguyen)

Okkervil River's Will Sheff will be playing a solo show at Music Hall of Williamsburg in Brooklyn on December 11th. Joining him on the bill is another great indie rock frontman, Charles Bissell of the Wrens, and Bird of Youth who are a Brooklyn band whose debut album (not out yet) was produced by Will (also, according to Wikipedia, "In college, Sheff originally wanted to be a filmmaker. He is currently dating Beth Wawerna of Bird of Youth"). Tickets for the Brooklyn show are on sale (at noon).

Bird of Youth also have another Brooklyn show coming up even sooner, with, ANOTHER indie rock frontman gone solo, The New Pornographers' AC Newman. That one is, as previously annnounced, at the Bell House on November 15th. Bird of Youth posted the info that, "rounding out the b.o.y. line-up for this show is: beth wawerna, clinton newman, johnny north, ira elliot and timothy bracy." Continuing with the frontman theme, you may recognize the name Timothy Bracy. He was the man behind the vocals in The Mendoza Line. And is Clinton Newman related to Carl (AC)?

The AC MP3 above is from AC's new album, Get Guilty, out January 20th on Matador.

There are two videos below. The first is Clinton, Timothy and Beth (aka a trio version of Bird of Youth) performing Okkervil River's "Pop Lie". The second is Will and AC performing Okkervil's "Lost Coastlines" (MP3 for the same song above too). Okkervil and everyone's tour dates down there too..

Continue reading "Will Sheff, Charles Bissell, Bird of Youth, Timothy Bracy, AC Newman & Clinton Newman - shows & videos"

John Vanderslice @ SoundFix, Brooklyn, NY - Aug 17, 2007 (CRED)

Will Sheff (Okkervil River) @ SoundFix, Brooklyn, NY - Aug 18, 2007 (CRED)

* Bunnybrains! played Cake Shop (NSFW)
* Luke Temple is at Joe's Pub
* The Rentals are at Nokia Theatre
* Camera Obscura play a free show at Sound Fix!
* Tiny Vipers play a free show at Sound Fix!
* Adam Franklin & Hopewell are at Cake Shop
* MC Lars & The Aquabats are at BB King's
* Chrisette Michelle & Abby Dobson free @ South Street Seaport!
* The Giraffes, The Sundresses, Bang Lime (Metric), Juiced Elfers (Unicorns) are at Mercury Lounge

What else?

DOWNLOAD: Sharon Jones - 100 Days 100 Nights (MP3)

Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings (CRED)

As previously posted more than once, Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings have a new album coming out on October 2nd. In the meantime, download the soul-filled title track above. Sharon's next NYC show is October 6th @ The Apollo Theater, and her friends and band-mates in the Budos Band's next previously advertised show is Thursday night at Joe's Pub, but you can also see them FOR FREE TONIGHT (August 7th) @ Sound Fix Records in Brooklyn.

Also upcoming @ Sound Fix, Brooklyn, NYC (free)
Aug 7 - The Budos Band
Aug 9 - Elk City
Aug 12 - JUNIOR SENIOR
Aug 16 - Jennifer O'Connor
Aug 17 - JOHN VANDERSLICE
Aug 18 - OKKERVIL RIVER
Aug 19 - Page France
Aug 24 - White Rabbits

Okkervil River's Will Sheff in Cambridge - July 14, 2007 (CRED)

DOWNLOAD: Shearwater - I Can't Wait (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Shearwater - Red Sea, Black Sea (MP3)

Shearwater @ Mohawk, SXSW 2007 (CRED)

"Shearwater were the only band I saw twice last week and who absolutely killed both times." [Chromewaves]

"Shearwater sounded positively triumphant at the Austin quartet's first SXSW showcase since signing to Matador Records." [Pitchfork]

Shearwater @ Emo's....

And Shearwater even blogged about SXSW themselves.

And from Shearwater's new label Matador:

On April 10, we'll be releasing a new, double-disc (CD and LP) verison of Shearwater's 4th album, 'Palo Santo'. One of 2006's most critically acclaimed long-players is not merely being reissued, but is in fact, reimagined, with 5 re-recorded versions done in December 2006, along with all new art and remastering of the original tracks. This expanded edition comes with an extra disc containing 8 tracks, some are demos of Palo Santo songs, some are previously unknown compositions, all adding up to a stunning companion piece to the album.

Disc one includes newly recorded versions of "La Dame et la Licorne", "Red Sea, Black Sea", "Seventy-Four, Seventy-Five", "Johnny Viola", and "Hail, Mary".

Castle Clinton National Monument, NYC, 2007
Thu 07/05 - Shearwater
Thu 07/12 - Ron Sexsmith
Thu 07/19 - Drive-By Truckers
Thu 08/02 - The Flatlanders

Check HERE for my growing list of free summer concerts in NYC. All Shearwater tour dates below...

Continue reading "Matador's SHEARWATER played SXSW, playing Castle Clinton + other 2007 Tour Dates"

DOWNLOAD (MP3s)
The Blow - Pile of Gold
Vietnam - Welcome to my Room
Jenny Lewis w/ The Watson Twins - Rise up with Fists

THE BLOW & VIETNAM

Jenny Lewis and the Watson Twins are currently on tour with Vietnam and Michael Runion, but when Jenny hits NYC, opening duties will be taken over by Norah Jones' country band The Little Willies. Other tour openers include K Records' The Blow, her boyfriend Jonathan Rice, and Will Sheff of Okkervil River.

Previously signed to VICE Records, Vietnam's new album comes out January 23, 2007 on Kemado. When they're done touring with Jenny, they'll join the Lemonheads for all dates including December 15th at Irving Plaza.

The Blow will be in NYC for CMJ - @ Irving Plaza on November 3rd with Architecture in Helsinki, Apples in Stereo, and Shapes and Sizes. Tickets are on sale.

All tour dates for everyone below...

Continue reading "Norah Jones, Vietnam, Will Sheff, & The Blow opening for Jenny Lewis | Tour Dates"