THE BESNARD LAKES Share New Single, "Albatross"
THE BESNARD LAKES are offering a preview of their much-anticipated album, The Besnard Lakes Are the Roaring Night, the standout single, "Albatross." The single will also be made available on February 9th (8th in the UK) as a vinyl 12" with the exclusive b-side "Four Long Lines." Download "Albatross" HERE.
The Besnard Lakes' official tour of North America will begin in late April (stay tuned for updates), but the band will be appearing at SXSW this March. Those fans who make the trek to Austin will be handsomely rewarded with Lone Star, sunburns, and Besnard Lakes performances that are the stuff of legend. Back in 2007 The Besnard Lakes wowed audiences and passers by, even bowling over people in line. This year there will not be an official Jagjaguwar showcase, but the Besnard Lakes will be making several appearances that will be listed on our site in the coming weeks.
Confirmed dates for North America and Europe: 3/11/10 Toronto, ON The Horseshoe 3/12/10 Montreal, QC Il Motore 3/25/10 Dublin, IRE Crawdaddy 3/26/10 Bristol, UK Arnoifini 3/27/10 Manchester, UK Deaf Institute 3/28/10 Glasgow, UK Stereo 3/29/10 Leeds, UK Brundell Social Club 3/30/10 Birmingham, UK Hare and Hounds 3/31/10 London, UK Cargo 4/1/10 Brussells, BE Bonatique 4/2/10 Amsterdam, NL Paradiso 4/3/10 Utrecht, NL Ekko 4/19/10 Paris, FR Le Point Emphmere
12/23/09
Enter to Win Tickets to See OKKERVIL RIVER With Levon Helm
On January 7, OKKERVIL RIVER will share the stage with the legendary Levon Helm at New York's Terminal 5. The Village Voice is giving away tickets to the show, and now is your chance to win a pair. Enter the ticket giveaway contest HERE, or go for the sure thing and just buy your tickets HERE.
12/21/09
New Album From the Members of MANISHEVITZ and THE CURIOUS DIGIT
Members of MANISHEVITZ and THE CURIOUS DIGIT have resurfaced under a new name in Adam Busch's latest project, Sonoi. Starting as a collaborative recording project in late 2006 between Busch and Pierce Doerr, the unnamed group was joined by Ryan Hembrey a little less than a year later. Sonoi made its live debut in February 2008 at the Hideout (Chicago). Despite only operating as a live band for a little over a year, Sonoi have already shared the stage with The New Year, Destroyer, avant-folk leading lights MV & EE and legendary Czech rockers The Plastic People of the Universe. Sonoi's self-titled alt./jazz/pop release will be out March 2, 2010 from Low Transit Industries. Read more about the album and order HERE.
12/17/09
Download MOONFACE's Dreamland EP: marimba and shit-drums Now
Spencer Krug, will be releasing his new one-track EP under the moniker of Moonface come January 26th. The release will be available in the vinyl format as well as through digital distribution outlets.
For those who can't wait, Spencer has created a website where you can download the 20 minute track. If you head over to www.moonface.ca you can get a FLAC or MP3 of the Dreamland EP: marimba and shit-drums. While you're there, feel free to make a donation. You can also scratch that voyeuristic itch and read a selection of Spencer's dreams, on which the music was based, or get all exhibitionist up in this shit and post your own dreams.
12/10/09
THE BESNARD LAKES Are the Roaring Night
THE BESNARD LAKES, the Montreal collective fronted by husband-and-wife duo Olga Goreas and Jace Lasek, has returned, crafting a majestic, sprawling vision of guitar bombast and captivating pop experiments. On March 9th of 2010 (March 8th in the UK), Jagjaguwar will release The Besnard Lakes Are the Roaring Night, a twisting chronicle of spies, double agents, novelists and aspiring rock gods turned violent. Loyalty, dishonor, love, and hatred are all seen through the eyes of two spies, communicating through short wave in code and fighting a war that may or may not be real.
The Besnard Lakes Are the Roaring Night was recorded at Lasek's Breakglass Studios with a vintage 1968 Neve germanium mixing console used to record portions of Led Zeppelin's Physical Graffiti. The Besnard Lakes Are The Roaring Night is a dark bliss-out that folds the eerie guitar epics of the band’s breakthrough, The Besnard Lakes Are the Dark Horse, into a wall of affected drones and atmospherics. The toughened immediacy and grit that gives the form a much-needed shove over the cliffs makes for a haunting, provocative swan dive into the crushing tide.
February 9th (February 8th in the UK), a standout song from the new LP, "Albatross," will be released on a vinyl 12" with the gentle and ghostly exclusive b-side, "Four Long Lines." “Albatross” has all the swagger of a Stevie Nicks-led Fleetwood Mac classic or Roy Orbison reimagined as a rollicking, snakeskin-booted Mazzy Star — dousing it all in gas and throwing the match as we hear its tale of Vancouver’s skid row and its inhabitants.
ONEIDA Tops UK Best of 2009 Lists, Releases Cassette Tape
Congratulations to ONEIDA, who seem to be dominating a slew of "best of" lists in the UK as 2009 comes to a close. The Quietus gave Rated O the number six spot on their best of 2009 list, with the following to say about the album: "This is precisely what music in the 21st century should be sounding like, the aural equivalent of the silver suits and food pills that we should be wearing and consuming by now." See the full entry HERE. The album came in at 44 in NME's best of 2009 list (see the full list HERE) and topped the charts as an Album of the Year at Road Records in Dublin. Read more about Road Records staff picks HERE.
And, for the Oneida fan who has everything this holiday? How about a slick new cassette tape featuring a pair of monster improv jams recorded on a European tour in 2003. Scotch Tapes is releasing Oneida's "Fine European Food And Wine" in a limited edition of 100 cassettes, so you better grab one of these while you can. Find more info and order HERE.
12/09/09
LIGHTNING DUST Share Tiny Desk Concert and Holiday Song
LIGHTNING DUST's Tiny Desk Concert surfaced this week on NPR.org, with a performance at host Bob Boilen's desk that featured album tracks "Antonia Jane," "History," and "I Knew." Watch the Tiny Desk Concert below or read the full entry at NPR.org HERE.
In more seasonal news, the band has released a new track, "Ho Ho Ho," for Mental Beast's "Eggnog Experience" holiday compilation CD. Listen to the tune at Pitchfork and read more about the compilation HERE.
12/08/09
Eau Claire Memorial Jazz I Releases Live Concert CD Featuring Justin Vernon of BON IVER
Just in time for the holiday season, Eau Claire Memorial Jazz I is proud to announce the CD release of their A Decade With Duke concert featuring Justin Vernon of BON IVER.
CDs are available for purchase in Eau Claire, Wisconsin only at Brick House Music, Morgan Music, and the offices of Volume One.
A digital version which includes only the second set, featuring Vernon, is also available digitally worldwide at most online music retailers such as iTunes, Amazon, eMusic, etc.
All proceeds from the local CD sales and digital sales will be donated directly to Eau Claire Memorial High School's band and jazz band programs.
The concert was recorded on April 19, 2009, was held as a fund-raider for the jazz band, and was dubbed A Decade With Duke to commemorate Eau Claire Memorial Jazz I's ten-years of involvement in The Essentially Ellington Competition and Festival. Vernon was the guitar player in the first Eau Claire Memorial Jazz Ensemble I to attend the competition, back in 1999.
The 2009 Eau Claire Memorial Jazz Ensemble I went on to be named “One of America’s Best Jazz Bands” by ranking third at Essentially Ellington.
Track list:
First Set 1. Wind Machine 2. Symphony in Riffs 3. Moon Over Cuba 4. Happy Go Lucky Local 5. Portrait Of Louie Armstrong (featuring Bruce Hering) 6. Bye Bye Blackbird
Second Set 1. Lump Sum 2. Rocks In My Bed (featuring Addie Strei) 3. Bewitched 4. Miss Otis Regrets 5. For Emma 6. Lady Is A Tramp 7. Since I Fell For You (featuring Mike Noyce) 8. Satisfied Mind
12/07/09
WOLF PEOPLE Contribute To Monsterism Island Psych Compilation
Jagjaguwar's most recent family members, UK's WOLF PEOPLE, have contributed a jam to a great psych compilation, A Psychedelic Guide to Monsterism Island. The tune, called "Village Strollin'," was posted on the great Aquarium Drunkard site today and has a lovely psych-chooglin' vibe. But, in the words of the great Lamar Burton, you don't have to take my word for it. Check AD's post HERE.
Wolf People's vinyl/digital-only Tidings will be released Feb. 23 on Jagjaguwar. Read about it HERE.
12/04/09
VOLCANO CHOIR Nominated for Best Art Vinyl
Volcano Choir's Unmap has been nominated as one of the best album covers of 2009! Cast your vote in the Best Art Vinyl awards and see the full list of nominated album covers HERE.
12/03/09
OKKERVIL RIVER Release Black Sheep Boy (Definitive Edition) LP
We are happy to announce the Black Sheep Boy (Definitive Edition) is now available as DOUBLE VINYL for the first time, and will be out December 8 on Jagjaguwar. This is the definitive double-album set which brings together OKKERVIL RIVER's ground-breaking Black Sheep Boy project in its entirety - including the original album, the 7-song Black Sheep Boy Appendix EP, and the song "The Next Four Months" (originally released on the "For Real" CD single). Enjoy this panoramic perspective of a modern masterpiece and one of the most critically acclaimed albums of the new millennium.
To celebrate the release, longtime Okkervil River album cover artist Will Schaff (not to be confused with Will Sheff), talked with Pitchfork about his work for the band in the latest edition of Take Cover. Read all about how Schaff helped define the band's visual aesthetic HERE.
The Black Sheep Boy (Definitive Edition) LP is available for order HERE.
12/01/09
Fender Giving Away J MASCIS Custom Built Guitar
Dinosaur Jr. founder J Mascis is considered the modern ambassador of the Fender Jazzmaster, having given new life to the classic instrument with his feedback-drenched and distortion-laden alternative rock. Now, it's your chance to see what you can wrench out of a custom built J Mascis Jazzmaster guitar, autographed by the influential alternative rock power trio. Fender is giving away one guitar, and throwing in Dinosaur Jr.'s latest CD Farm, which Pitchfork deems "energetic, confident and catchy," for 5 second-place finishers.
Take a look at J's custom creation and enter to win HERE.
11/30/09
Jagjaguwar Holiday CD Sale
We're pleased to offer a holiday season CD sale on all of our 2009 full length releases. The sale is running now through Thursday, December 31. For a list of participating independent record stores, click HERE.
11/25/09
LADYHAWK Members Issue LP-Only Release as Sports
Fans of LADYHAWK, take note— band members Ryan Peters and Darcy Hancock have released a new album as the band Sports. Drumheller is out now on Canada's Triple Crown Audio Recordings, with more info available HERE. The Drumheller LP comes with an mp3 download of the entire album, plus a bonus track featuring Jagjaguwar recording artist Amber Webber of LIGHTNING DUST and BLACK MOUNTAIN.
11/17/09
Jagjaguwar Insiders Discuss The Role of the Record Label
Earlier this week Jagjaguwar's own Chris Swanson and Darius Van Arman weighed in on The Role of the Record Label in a roundtable discussion with NPR's Carrie Brownstein. Chris and Darius joined representatives from Matador, Merge, Saddle Creek, and Kill Rock Stars to talk about a record label's role in the changing music industry. Read the conversation HERE.
11/17/09
BON IVER Among 50 Most Important Recordings of the Decade
Congratulations to BON IVER for landing a spot on NPR's 50 Most Important Recordings of the Decade list. All Songs Considered had this to say about For Emma, Forever Ago:
"Bon Iver's Justin Vernon isn't the first heartsick singer-songwriter to chuck it all, disappear into the woods and pour his pain into songs. But Vernon poured his pain into incredible songs -- they're mysterious, evocative, beautiful and surprisingly catchy -- and demonstrated that humble and idiosyncratic bedroom recordings can more than hold their own against the slickest rock ringers. Both influential and great, 2008's For Emma, Forever Ago doesn't seem to age, either, so it's likely to endure long after the next decade ends."
Jagjaguwar Welcomes UK's WOLF PEOPLE, Announces Tidings LP For February Release
Despite its many and varied benefits for we music obsessives, the digital age of music has also made it fairly difficult to merely stumble upon those best-kept-secrets or have a personal experience with as-yet-undiscovered music, even just for a moment. Everything feels discovered, blogged upon and the only thing new about it is you finding out. So, imagine our delight in finding — and now, presenting unto you — UK's WOLF PEOPLE. The music of Wolf People comes direct to you with no precedent or connotation other than the volumes of psych-rock history it illuminates, scrambles and refracts in these mysterious songs.
Tidings (Released Feb. 23 in the US and Feb. 22 in the UK) is the first dark and frenzied offering from London's Wolf People — an alchemistic compendium of English classic rock that has been doused in wine, its pages left red-stained, blurred and melded in the most interesting ways. Listen to album cut "October Fires" HERE.
Tidings serves as an index of possibilities, whetting the appetite for the band's debut LP, which is due for release on Jagjaguwar later in 2010.
11/03/09
DINOSAUR JR. Co-Host Satellite Radio Morning Show
All week long DINOSAUR JR. will be commandeering the satellite airwaves as co-hosts of SIRIUS XMU Mornings. The band will appear on the radio show each day this week from 10 am - 11 am ET to perform live in studio and talk about their recent Jagjaguwar release "Farm" with host Jake Fogelnest. Subscribers and those looking to try a free online trial can listen HERE.
10/21/09
BON IVER on Pitchfork.tv's Daytripping
Pitchfork.tv's Daytripping captured a day in the life of BON IVER at the recent Oya Festival in Oslo, Norway. Watch the band's backstage antics, a clip of "Skinny Love" from their performance at the festival and explore Oslo with the band in this 12 minute feature.
10/20/09
RICHARD YOUNGS' Under Stellar Stream Out Today
RICHARD YOUNGS' Under Stellar Stream is out today on Jagjaguwar. The release is a collection of neodruid hymns and chants for the minutiae of homelife and fatherhood -- poetic transcendance through repetition and a focus on the (seemingly) micro. For more than 20 years, the UK's Richard Youngs has been at the forefront of progressive minimalism, through solo home recording projects; through collaborations with the likes of Simon Wickham-Smith and Makoto Kawabata (of Acid Mothers Temple); and in special live performances playing bass with Jandek. Leaving a very human fingerprint on even the most far-reaching experimentations, Youngs has built a extensive, intriguing catalogue that just begs one to go deep.
Pick up Under Stellar Stream at your local record store or order online HERE.
10/16/09
PINK MOUNTAINTOPS Perform Acoustic Session For They Shoot Music Don't They
When PINK MOUNTAINTOPS were in Vienna, Austria last May they played this acoustic session in the bar before their show at Arena. Viennese blog They Shoot Music Don't They was on hand to record the impromptu performance that included “Vampire," “Plastic Man, You’re The Devil” and “Leslie.”
Pink Mountaintops are long since back from Europe and are apparently well rested. On top of just completing their second US tour behind "Outside Love," the band will be heading out yet again on a stateside tour that includes select dates with label mates Dinosaur Jr.
11/10/09 Vancouver, BC - The Commodore Ballroom w/ Dinosaur Jr. 11/11/09 Victoria, BC - Sugar Nightclub w/ Dinosaur Jr. 11/13/09 Edmonton, AB, CA - Starlite Room w/ Dinosaur Jr. 11/14/09 Calgary, AB, CA - MacEwan Ballroom w/ Dinosaur Jr. 11/16/09 Saskatoon, SK, CA - The Odeon Events Centre w/ Dinosaur Jr. 11/17/09 Winnipeg, MB, CA - Pyramid Cabaret w/ Dinosaur Jr. 11/18/09 Fargo, ND - The Aquarium 11/19/09 St. Paul, MN - Turf Club 11/20/09 Omaha, NE - Slowdown Jr. 11/21/09 Denver, CO - Hi Dive 11/23/09 Salt Lake City, UT - Urban Lounge
10/14/09
Listen to Rosyln, BON IVER's Contribution to the New Moon Soundtrack
You can now stream the entire New Moon Soundtrack on Myspace.com, including BON IVER's collaboration with St. Vincent, entitled Rosyln.
DINOSAUR JR DC Show Streaming at NPR
NPR caught up with DINOSAUR JR. for their recent show at the 9:30 Club in Washington D.C. The result? A complete recording of the concert including an opening solo set from Lou Barlow. The set includes selections from the band's latest release, Farm, and a few old favorites. Crank up the speakers and have a listen HERE.
10/13/09
BON IVER Plays Last Show For the Foreseeable Future, Stream It Now
Wrapping up a meteor is a difficult proposition. BON IVER turned the page on this chapter of the story by heading home to Wisconsin, acting as honorary chair for AIDS WALK Wisconsin, and playing one more show before taking a well-deserved break from public performance. You can stream Sunday's performance from Riverside Theatre in Milwaukee HERE.
Stay warm, fellas.
10/07/09
RICHARD YOUNGS' Under Stellar Stream Available for Pre-Order
RICHARD YOUNGS' Under Stellar Stream is now available for pre-order online. The forthcoming release is a collection of neodruid hymns and chants for the minutiae of homelife and fatherhood -- poetic transcendance through repetition and a focus on the (seemingly) micro. For more than 20 years, the UK's Richard Youngs has been at the forefront of progressive minimalism, through solo home recording projects; through collaborations with the likes of Simon Wickham-Smith and Makoto Kawabata (of Acid Mothers Temple); and in special live performances playing bass with Jandek. Leaving a very human fingerprint on even the most far-reaching experimentations, Youngs has built a extensive, intriguing catalogue that just begs one to go deep.
Under Stellar Stream is out on Jagjaguwar October 20. Pre-order the album HERE.
10/07/09
BON IVER's Landmark Jools Holland Performance Featured on New Compilation
BON IVER is among a slew of artists to be featured on an upcoming compilation of live BBC performances. Later Live 2 with Jools Holland includes two discs of 34 tracks, all live takes from the British TV show "Later With Jools Holland". Bon Iver's "Skinny Love" made the album, along with songs from artists like Keane, Muse, MGMT, Radiohead, The Raconteurs, Goldfrapp, and more. See the full track listing HERE. The compilation is out October 12 on Rhino Records.
10/06/09
DINOSAUR JR To Release 7" Single
Those who are going to see DINOSAUR JR. live this fall will be in for a treat. On October 13 the band will release "Pieces" from this summer's Farm album as a 7" single, available on tour only. The single's b-side is "Houses," a cover of Elyse Weinberg's 1968 track that originally featured Neil Young on guitar. (The cover was also included on the deluxe edition of Farm.) Even if you won't catch up with Dino Jr. on the road this fall, not to worry- the single will also be available in digital form to order online. Meanwhile, you can hear the band's cover of "Houses" HERE.
09/30/09
VOLCANO CHOIR Island, IS Video Premiere
Here is the new video for VOLCANO CHOIR'S Island, IS. Hypnotic squares projected onto a bridge sync up beautifully with this track from Bon Iver's Justin Vernon and Wisconsin band Collections of Colonies of Bees aka Volcano Choir. Directed by Michinori Saigo of the Contrarede label.
09/22/09
LIGHTNING DUST Premieres Video for New Single
Yesterday Stereogum premiered the video for "Never Seen," the second single off LIGHTNING DUST'S Infinite Light. Check out the video directed by Zac Rothman below, or read what Stereogum had to say HERE.
09/22/09
VOLCANO CHOIR'S Unmap Out Today, Named Best New Music
VOLCANO CHOIR'S Unmap hits record store shelves today. The album marks the debut full-length from Volcano Choir, the collaboration between Collections of Colonies of Bees and Justin Vernon of Bon Iver. Pick up Unmap in CD or LP format at your local record shop or order HERE.
Fresh out of the gate, Unmap has already garnered a nod from Pitchfork this week with an 8.3 rating and a Best New Music stamp. The album is also streaming on Spinner all week. Have a free listen HERE.
09/21/09
BON IVER's Justin Vernon to Appear at the New Yorker Festival
On October 17, BON IVER's Justin Vernon will appear at the New Yorker Festival where he will talk with pop music critic Sasha Frere-Jones and perform a short set of songs . Frere-Jones, who wrote about Bon Iver earlier this year, will interview Justin about the singer's home state of Wisconsin where he recorded For Emma, Forever Ago in 2007. Tickets to the New Yorker Festival are $25 and available HERE.
09/21/09
DINOSAUR JR's J Mascis Produces New Hush Arbors LP
J Mascis of DINOSAUR JR. produces and guests on Yankee Reality, the new release from Hush Arbors due next month. Mascis contributes to four of the songs, offering up drums, guitar and mellotron. The album comes out October 6 on Ecstatic Peace. Read more about the project and watch the video for first single "The Devil Made You High" HERE.
09/15/09
VOLCANO CHOIR featured on NPR's All Songs Considered
Take a listen to NPR's All Songs Considered, now streaming "Seeplymouth" from VOLCANO CHOIR'S forthcoming album Unmap. In this edition of the program Volcano Choir is featured alongside Cymbals Eat Guitars, Taken By Trees, Headless Heroes, and more. Listen to just the Volcano Choir segment in the player below, or stream the full program of All Songs Considered HERE.
09/15/09
New SIMON JOYNER Album Out Today
Congrats to Jagjaguwar alum SIMON JOYNER, whose twelfth record is out today on Team Love Records. Joyner's latest release, Out Into The Snow, is another challenging and rewarding song-cycle which grows richer from repeated listening. The album includes appearances by Alex McManus (Lambchop, Bright Eyes, The Bruces), Ryan Kennedy, Mike Friedman, Michael Krassner (Boxhead Ensemble), and Chris Deden, as well as background vocals by Sarah Gleason and Pearl Lovejoy Boyd and string arrangements by violinist, Laraine Kaizer. For more info or to order click HERE.
09/11/09
RICHARD YOUNGS Co-headlines Full of Noises Festival in the UK
In October music fans will have the chance to experience RICHARD YOUNGS' sonic artwork when he performs as a headliner at the Full of Noises festival among the shipyards of Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria. The festival, billed as a new international festival of contemporary music and sound art, is about new work, new audiences and new creative partnerships. The festival site in the heart of Barrow’s shipyard offers an ideal setting for site–specific sonic artwork, with the unique layout of the building leading to a blurring of the distinction between workspace and performance space. Youngs headlines on Friday, October 23, but sonic exhibits, art installations and other performances will round out the week. For festival tickets and more information visit the F.O.N. festival site HERE.
09/10/09
Premiere of SUNSET RUBDOWN'S Black Swan Video
We proudly present the video for "Black Swan" by SUNSET RUBDOWN from their release Dragonslayer. Video directed by Throneboogie. Enjoy!
09/10/09
THE BESNARD LAKES Score Mark Ruffalo Directorial Debut, Prep New LP, Play Select Tour Dates
THE BESNARD LAKES came to Mark Ruffalo one night over his headphones during a flu-induced fever dream, and "Because Tonight" gave him a welcomed chill. "It was a perfect piece of music. It has longing and hope and melancholy; a love story gone well and then badly and then lived out...I could see whole films in their songs."
Ruffalo then snatched up all the music from The Besnard Lakes that he could find and asked them to score his new film and directorial debut, Sympathy for Delicious. The film stars both Ruffalo and Orlando Bloom and follows a paralyzed DJ named Delicious's attempts at healing.
"Sympathy For Delicious is a Magic and Agnostic Rock and Roll Revival, and I wanted a score to the film that felt questioning and cinematic. The Besnard Lakes is a perfect match to what we have been trying to achieve with the movie; something rough and not overproduced, not devoid of guts, full of humanity and messy around the edges. Their music is not just a clutch of songs but a cinematic experience that evolves dramatically and carries poetry in the tidy complexity of it's parts. I am very proud to have them. They bring a living, breathing and vibrant quality to the existing story that is rare to find in film scores."
Early in 2010 Jagjaguwar will release the follow-up to the Polaris Prize-nominated The Besnard Lakes Are the Dark Horse. Check out their east coast dates for a preview of the new music:
10/2/09: Cambridge, MA - TT The Bears 10/3/09: New York, NY - Mercury Lounge w/Acrylics + Cinnamon Band
08/28/09
Marc Of SUNSET RUBDOWN Survives Lightning Strike
A few weeks ago SUNSET RUBDOWN's Marc Nicol, aka The Nuc, was enjoying a lovely lakeside evening when - BLAMMO - Mother Nature sucker-punched the bassist by sending a cascade of electrical spitfire from the heavens straight into his back.
According to The Nuc: "My heart started back up after the electrical shock. I woke up feeling like I was suffocating and was delirious. Then I passed out for an hour, woke back up and saw the hair singed on my leg. Only then I knew."
Good news is that he's a-ok. Check out the gnarly burn from the ordeal:
Pitchfork.tv Features SUNSET RUBDOWN Special Presentation
Watch SUNSET RUBDOWN play amidst water coolers and coffee pots as they entertain staff writers for this Pitchfork.tv special presentation. An installment of four videos includes performances of tracks from Dragonslayer, Random Spirit Lover and one from the limited edition "Introducing Moonface" 7".
Silver Moon
You Go On Ahead (Trumpet Trumpet II)
Coming to the Dawn
Mending of the Gown
08/25/09
Hear VOLCANO CHOIR on NPR's Song of the Day
Don't miss a chance to hear "Youlogy," the closing track from VOLCANO CHOIR'S forthcoming Unmap. The song is featured HERE as NPR's song of the day.
08/24/09
VOLCANO CHOIR'S Unmap Available for Pre-Order
Early rumblings about VOLCANO CHOIR'S Unmap and reviews of the song "Island, IS" confirm what we believe: this album is awesome. While we are a month away from fans being able to have physical records in their hands, ladies and gentlemen, it's pre-order time!
Pre-orders from participating record stores, online stores and SC Distribution mail order begin today! All orders of the CD or LP version of Unmap will receive a tremendously lovely bonus: an 11" x 17" poster featuring the cover art by Adrienne DeBoer.
OKKERVIL RIVER's Will Sheff Teams Up With Norah Jones
Look for OKKERVIL RIVER's own Will Sheff to show up in the credits on Norah Jones' forthcoming album. Sheff and Ryan Adams co-wrote the new album with Jones, and the songstress says to expect a new sound on this release. The album is due this November on Blue Note Records.
08/20/09
PINK MOUNTAINTOPS Prepare to Hit the Road, Debut New Video
Look for PINK MOUNTAINTOPS this fall as they blaze a trail across Canada and the US in support of their latest release, Outside Love. A few lucky cities will even get a Jagjaguwar two-for-one when the band joins up with label mates Dinosaur Jr. for select dates in November.
09/17/09 Seattle, WA - Crocodile Cafe w/ John Vanderslice 09/18/09 Portland, OR - Doug Fir Lounge 09/20/09 San Francisco, CA - The Independent 09/21/09 Santa Cruz, CA - The Crepe Place 09/22/09 Los Angeles, CA - The Echo 09/25/09 Bellingham, WA - The Wild Buffalo 09/26/09 Victoria, BC, CA - Sugar Nightclub 09/27/09 Vancouver, BC, CA - Rickshaw Theater 11/13/09 Edmonton, AB, CA - Starlite Room w/ Dinosaur Jr. 11/14/09 Calgary, AB, CA - MacEwan Ballroom w/ Dinosaur Jr. 11/16/09 Saskatoon, SK, CA - The Odeon Events Centre w/ Dinosaur Jr. 11/17/09 Winnipeg, MB, CA - Pyramid Cabaret w/ Dinosaur Jr.
And for a preview of Pink Mountaintops' live performance, here is the brand new video for "Execution."
08/17/09
BON IVER T-Shirts Now Available Online
We're pleased to announce that you can now purchase BON IVER t-shirts online. These were formerly available at shows only.
Second Wave of SUNSET RUBDOWN Dates Announced
Rounding out the European and U.S. tour dates announced last week, we are happy to announce that SUNSET RUBDOWN will make five more stops in Japan this fall. Find the full tour HERE.
08/11/09
Jagjaguwar Debuts First Song From Volcano Choir's Unmap, Island, IS
The origins of Unmap, the first collaboration between Justin Vernon of Bon Iver and Milwaukee band Collections of Colonies of Bees, were recorded before For Emma, Forever Ago was mixed and mastered. Justin has credited The Volcano Choir collaborations with inspiring in him the creative courage to produce his much-beloved Bon Iver recordings.
Now more than three years in the making, Volcano Choir's Unmap will be released on September 22 on Jagjaguwar. The first single, "Island, IS" is centrally constructed around the multi-layered loops by guitarist Chris Rosenau and microsecond cuts by Thomas Wincek. Justin, responsible for all of Volcano Choir's vocals, crafted consonant harmonies. Not initially concerned with lyrics, the words that came from the sounds were secondary, but ended up a tremendously meaningful stream-of-consciousness.
Justin's admiration for Collections of Colonies of Bees came from listening to and learning from their experimental processes - throwing and painting with chords, tones and percussion. The resulting collaboration is a genre-blurring musical expression that could not have come otherwise.
SUNSET RUBDOWN Plots Global Touring Assault
Fresh off a North American tour in support of Dragonslayer, SUNSET RUBDOWN have already plotted another string of live dates across Europe and U.S. -- and coming soon, Japan. Check all those dates right HERE. And trust us, do not miss a chance to party with a band at its absolute finest.
07/22/09
New house and techno-inspired RICHARD YOUNGS LP, Like A Neuron, Now Available On Dekorder Label
RICHARD YOUNGS' house and techno-inspired LP, Like A Neuron, is now available through the Dekorder label, which said of the release: "The final outcome sounds like recordings made by aliens who have received transmissions about House Music but never listened to the music itself. The album reminds of the sound of hallways/corridors inbetween large House parties where you can hear the music from several floors collide. While it’s an emulation, interpretation or replica of House Music, it’s still managing to evoke similar feelings even though some might find it difficult to dance to the music."
LIGHTNING DUST'S Infinite Light Streaming On NPR Exclusive First Listen, Now Available For Preorder
Vancouver duo LIGHTNING DUST'S sophomore longplayer, Infinite Light, is now streaming in full as an NPR Exclusive First Listen. Amber Webber and Josh Wells, both core members of Black Mountain, have crafted a spacious, cosmic record that delivers on the intensity we've all come to love from their two projects.
NPR's Robin Hilton said of Infinite Light: "...with more orchestrated songs of love and hope, Infinite Light remains somewhat elusive, with a sound that belongs, unmistakably, to Lightning Dust. The arrangements take on pop forms, but the instrumentation still feels remote and detached from the world. Webber's voice, always the band's most compelling element, still sounds anguished."
Stream Infinite Light as an NPR Exclusive First Listen HERE.
Meanwhile, Infinite Light is now available for pre-order HERE.
07/21/09
AIDS Walk Wisconsin Names Justin Vernon Of BON IVER 2009 Honorary Chair, To Perform And Address Audience During Opening Ceremonies
Justin Vernon will serve as Honorary Chair of the 2009 AIDS Walk Wisconsin.
Additionally, Vernon will perform and address an expected crowd of over 5,000 walkers at the opening ceremony of AIDS Walk Wisconsin on Sunday, October 11 at the Summerfest grounds in Milwaukee. During the summer, Vernon will also promote registration and fundraising activities for AIDS Walk Wisconsin.
This year marks the 20th annual AIDS Walk Wisconsin which is expected to surpass a total of $10 million raised since its inception to support AIDS prevention, care and treatment services in the state. A major beneficiary of AIDS Walk Wisconsin is the ARCW Medical Center, the largest provider of HIV medical, dental and mental health care services in Wisconsin.
Register early for the AIDS Walk at its website aidswalkwis.org or by calling 1-800-348 WALK.
The enthusiasm for Bon Iver and the passion he brings to the fight against AIDS are a tremendous help as we raise funds to assure health care for all HIV patients, regardless of their ability to pay. -Doug Nelson, President and CEO of the AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin (ARCW)
07/21/09
THE SKYGREEN LEOPARDS' Gorgeous Johnny LP Now Available, August Tour
THE SKYGREEN LEOPARDS' latest longplayer, Gorgeous Johnny, is now available in both CD and LP formats at your local independent record stores and through mail order HERE. Go get you some.
In a recent, glowing review of Gorgeous Johnny, esteemed music site Dusted said this of the album: "With Gorgeous Johnny, avant-pop, folk, improv etc artists Donaldson and Quinn similarly light down in an imagined reconstruction – this time, of fey ’60s baroque – which, given how hampered underground discourse is by its language of unexamined extremity and drone/noise redundancy, feels pretty wilfully contrary, in a welcome way. But most importantly, all of the songs here are strong enough to be bolstered (rather than swamped) by their rococo touches and period piece flourishes."
To celebrate its release, the Leopards' Donovan Quinn and Glenn Donaldson will be on a North American tour in August, playing with the likes of Woods and Outrageous Cherry. The tour is still taking form, but the most up-to-date list of Skygreen Leopards dates can be found HERE.
07/15/09
ONEIDA Brings The Ocropolis to All Tomorrows Parties Sun., Sept 13, 2009
The Ocropolis is Oneida's multidisciplinary studio/performance space in the basement of Monster Island located in Williamsburg Brooklyn.
Built by Oneida and their friends in 2005, this studio has quickly become a legendary source of recordings by Black Dice, Growing, Sightings, Trans Am, Psychic Ills and of course Oneida - it has also played host some intimate Oneida performances over the past year.
For this special one of a kind all-day event, Oneida is transporting the impetus, spirit and community of the Ocropolis to the Flaming Lips curated All Tomorrows Parties - for a full day of improvisation, collaboration, and recording which the festival attendees can witness first hand. Combined with the astounding Mighty Robot Visuals light crew and a scheduled series of ATP performer guests Oneida aspires to create a full day of collaboration in order to recreate the band's approach to recording and performing usually restricted to the smallest audiences.
The actual recording process and apparatus will be transparent and the focus of the piece will be on the EVENT, the audio/visual collision and fruits of collaboration. This will not be a recording session per se - simply a documented concentration of the experience of Oneida's Ocropolis.
Oneida will perform at a small space on the festival grounds. Oneida will perform continuously throughout the day, sometimes with guests from the rich array of musicians also performing in the festival, sometimes alone and mostly improvised. The door will always be open to the ATP festival goers to experience the Ocropolis.
The performances will be recorded on the fly with a multi-track mobile recording unit by Gang Gang Dance producer and engineer Sean Maffucci. Oneida will then mix, edit and compile the best moments of the day for release as soon as possible. The resultant album will then be made available as an adjunct part of the Thank Your Parents series of releases on a limited basis.
Oneida heartily extends an invitation to all musicians involved with the festival to perform with us at this ongoing experimental audio/visual event.
07/09/09
New Video, MP3 and Performance Footage from JULIE DOIRON
If you weren't afraid of the dentist before, now you will be! In Julie Doiron's new video for "Consolation Prize," Fred Squire plays the frightening dentist pointing sharp objects at Julie Doiron's gums. Luckily, Doiron manages to escape the dentist chair by fending him off with a novelty-sized toothbrush, but not before losing a very magical tooth! The best music video to incorporate dental hygiene, ever.
We are proud to announce a second free mp3 from Doiron's lo-fi masterpiece I Can Wonder What You Did With Your Day, the melodic and optimistic "When Brakes Get Wet." Download HERE.
Jagjaguwar has long known that Julie Doiron is a Canadian National Treasure, but here is proof: June 7th in Bruno, Saskatchewan was declared Julie Doiron Day. The mayor presented her name on a bench, and we are so happy that someone was there to film it.
We have a great video of Doiron performing a solo set at Bob Boilen's desk for a "Tiny Desk Concert" and the staff of National Public Radio. Musicians who want to rock NPR's office have to turn down their amps, and luckily Julie can offer a killer performance at low volumes. Watch (and embed) her Tiny Desk Concert at NPR.
Back in March at SXSW, Julie Doiron and Fred Squire met our friends from the Quad Cities and recorded a Daytrotter session. We encouraged them to rock out as hard as they could for as early in the morning as it was. Results: tremendous. Download it HERE.
Doiron will be performing with in Eric's Trip, with her own band, and with Mt. Eerie at this year's Sappy Fest in Sackville, NB. Lucky Canucks and Brits can find the tour dates HERE.
07/07/09
ONEIDA Release Rated O, Tour US And Europe
It is upon us, the release of Rated 0, a hat trick of radness from the gentlemen of ONEIDA and the second installment in the band's Thank You Parents trilogy. Said music site Dusted Reviews of the album: "...indulgence isn’t a problem; it’s actually essential to another key Oneida quality that I like to call what-the-fuckness. They’re supremely gifted at making something that makes you wonder what they were thinking, and they do it in spades here. The first time I played disc one, I had to check to make sure it was really Oneida on the hi-fi."
As we celebrate this most triumphant release, the band is on a tour of the U.S., with European and UK dates not to far on the horizon. To peep the dates go HERE.
07/02/09
LIGHTNING DUST Plan Tour With The Cave Singers, Share MP3 Of Never Seen from Forthcoming Infinite Light LP
Are you prepared to cross into the Infinite Light? With each passing day, the sophomore release from Vancouver's Lightning Dust draws ever more near, ready to envelop you in its lush arrangements and cosmic wash. With Infintie Light (Released August 4), Amber Webber and Josh Wells (core members of Black Mountain) have crafted a psych-pop journey about losing and rediscovering "the light of inspiration." Now, as they prepare to give Infinite Light unto the world and ready for a September/October tour with spiritual brethren The Cave Singers, Lightning Dust share with you the mp3 for "Never Seen," a moody deep cut from the album, that brings to mind a dark, electro "Hounds of Love."
"Never Seen" recently premiered on Stereogum, which said of the track: "...taking it in a gothy, more theatrical direction, Amber Webber chews into the scenery for 'Never Seen'...and it's last couple minutes are worthy of Siouxsie Sioux (at least in spirit). 'Never Seen' goes in a different, aesthetically linked direction than the Suicide/synth-pop/country anthem overlap of 'I Knew,' which bodes well for the collection on a whole."
In June, Lightning Dust was featured on NPR's tastemaking All Songs Considered, where host Bob Boilen played Infinite Light's closing track "Take It Home," of which Boilen said: "A good number of the songs on the record are piano based, recorded when the duo spent 5 days in a studio with a Steinway; though the arrangements are more lush than their first record. The track I love best is the CDs closing cut, this one feels more like an outtake from an early King Crimson record." Listen to "Take It Home" on All Songs Considered HERE.
And check out the upcoming tour with The Cave Singers HERE.
06/30/09
PINK MOUNTAINTOPS Song Featured On Beck's DJ Mix
It turns out that Beck featured "Can You Do That Dance?" from PINK MOUNTAINTOPS' self titled debut on his "Planned Obsolescence" DJ mix series.
Beck describes the mix, entitled "Autobahn Hologram," in total Beck fashion: "[Autobahn Hologram is] a laminated miasma colliding on the bavarian trans expressway with american analog and voicemail emeritus... alabama nukes, rhineland jukes, pony tailed arch dukes, and the anatomically correct scapegoat..."
DINOSAUR JR. Performs On The Late Show With Jimmy Fallon
DINOSAUR JR. performed on The Late Show With Jimmy Fallon, playing the lead track, "Pieces," from this week's Jagjaguwar release Farm. Also on the show were guests Tiger Woods and Evan Rachel Wood. Find all the info you'll need on the Fallon site HERE.
06/24/09
Introducing VOLCANO CHOIR, The Collaboration Between Collection Of Colonies Of Bees And Justin Vernon of BON IVER
VOLCANO CHOIR is the assembly of Wisconsinites Jon Mueller, Chris Rosenau, Jim Schoenecker, Daniel Spack, Justin Vernon, and Thomas Wincek.
One might find these old friends also frequenting records and stages under the monikers Collections of Colonies of Bees and Bon Iver. The Volcano Choir collaboration predates the meteoric rise of Justin Vernon's Bon Iver project, with original songwriting dating back to the summer of 2005 - right around the time the Bees first toured with Vernon's previous band DeYarmond Edison.
Jagjaguwar will release the first project by Volcano Choir, Unmap, on September 22nd (21st in the UK), worldwide.
While entirely a studio record, the collection doesn't suffer from a digital pile up or over-thinking. Rather, it breathes and convulses in equal measure, radiating an inherent dynamism found only in the voluntary bondage of intimacy. With influences ranging from David Sylvian and Steve Reich to Mahalia Jackson and Tom Waits, it might be more accurate to say the group's influence is music itself. You can hear it in the care and real love generously applied to each moment of Unmap. With the vibe of some intimate backwoods gospel, plus a spirit of patience and thoughtful repetition, the music of Volcano Choir is as dynamic as it is lovely.
Unmap ultimately came together over a weekend in November 2008 in Fall Creek, Wisconsin, at Justin and brother Nate Vernon's recording studio. And while it is at its heart a record about the allure of being with people you need and making something with them, it is also a document created by musicians with rare gifts getting together to exorcise their ideas about beauty. This scaffolding of loops and off grid tempos for choral style vocals offers a state of continual surprise, call it unexpectation.
06/23/09
Spinner Hosts Release Day Listening Party For SUNSET RUBDOWN'S Dragonslayer
Spinner is celebrating today's release of SUNSET RUBDOWN'S Dragonslayer by hosting a listening party for the album. Listen to Dragonslayer in its entirety HERE.
Sunset Rubdown is currently on an exhaustive North American tour, for which all dates can be found right HERE.
06/17/09
Stream DINOSAUR JR.'s Farm Right Now
That's right. You read that correctly. DINOSAUR JR.'S swaggering Jagjaguwar debut, Farm, is now streaming on the band's Myspace page. Keep the stream pumping until the album officially drops June 23. Pull that air guitar out from under your workspace desk and go here HERE.
And keep in mind all those Farm pre-order options that lay before you HERE.
06/16/09
PINK MOUNTAINTOPS And WOMEN Nominated For Polaris Music Prize
Each year The Polaris Music Prize nominates 40 Canadian bands who they believe have released one of the years best records. This year, we're pleased to announce that PINK MOUNTAINTOPS' third full length, Outside Love, and WOMEN's self titled debut have both been nominated in the initial long list. They are joined by the likes of Fucked Up, Handsome Furs, Junior Boys, & Leonard Cohen.
The long list of 40 will be whittled down to 10 bands by a panel of over 180 jurors from the music industry on July 7th. Those bands will then be up to win the $20,000 prize.
For more information, and a full list of nominees, head over to the Polaris site HERE.
06/09/09
NPR Offers Exclusive First Listen Of SUNSET RUBDOWN'S Dragonslayer
National Public Radio is now offering an Exclusive First Listen of SUNSET RUBDOWN'S Dragonslayer leading up to the June 23 release of the album from Krug and crew. Go to the NPR site to hear the album.
NPR's Bob Boilen writes of Dragonslayer: "While so much pop music is full of sweet sound, Sunset Rubdown makes bitter pop music. Nothing goes down easy, but the songs are still contagious. I'd call Dragonslayer a series of vignettes — small stories that sometimes feel like a cross between a whacked-out circus and a fairy tale. It may take a while to sort out the characters and stories in the songs, but they're all so much fun, you'll have plenty of chances to do it."
06/09/09
DINOSAUR JR. Featured On Daytrotter, Premiere Totally Gnarly Video For "Over It"
DINOSAUR JR. made their Daytrotter debut today in what is quite possibly the best headline ever crafted for the Daytrotter site: Ears Still Bleed In The Nosebleed Section.
J, Lou and Murph dipped back into the Dino catalogue for the session, saving back the gems found on the new longplayer Farm (Released June 23). Of Dinosaur Jr. and Farm, Daytrotter's Sean Moeller had these kind words to say: "They have honed their paradise settings and the band’s new album “Farm,” is another installation of the paralyzing ability of the group’s sheer magnitude, a devastating display of rumbling and hissing, of blaring and burning. It’s an example of three guys once again finding themselves getting most interested in making a loud and meaningful racket, something that will send the skin wobbling like the most overwhelming shivers. And it’s all that they can bother themselves to care about – this continuing yearning for loud grandiosity, their kind of beauty. Everything else is just scenery passing them by, flitting by like silence and who gives a shit about silence, they’d ask bluntly. And who gives a shit about keeping anything tame?"
Recently, the band premiered the "extreme" video for Farm cut "Over It," which finds the trio shredding on BMX bikes and skateboards through the streets of American cities included on their Spring tour. Check out the video below:
06/04/09
LIGHTNING DUST Jams Infinite Light Cuts For Radio K In-Studio Performance
During a recent visit to Minneapolis, Lightning Dust visited the Radio K (KUOM) for an in-studio session, during which they premiered tunes from forthcoming album Infinite Light (released Aug. 4). Core members Amber Webber and Joshua Wells (of Black Mountain) were joined in the studio and on tour by Ashley Webber (Amber's sister) singing and playing the bass and Ryan Peters (of Ladyhawk) on drums. Listen to in-studio versions of Infinite Light tracks "I Knew" and "History" on the Radio K site HERE, and ready yourself for a cosmic adventure in the light come Aug. 4.
The good people at Pitchfork did a nice post of the Radio K session on the site's Forkast HERE.
06/01/09
Pre-Order DINOSAUR JR.'S Farm Now, Get Free Poster (First 200 Of Which Are Signed By Band), And Also Get Free Downloads Immediately
DINOSAUR JR.'s Farm is now available for pre-order through Jagjaguwar mailorder. If you're one of the first 200 people to buy it from the Jagjaguwar mailorder page, you receive a SIGNED poster. But that's not all: Every pre-order will include a digital download code for the tour only 7-inch tracks "I Don't Want To Go There" and "Tarpit." All orders following the first 200 will also receive an unsigned Dinosaur Jr. poster.
Also available is the Farm (Deluxe Edition) which features a bonus disc containing four new Dinosaur Jr. tracks, "House," "Whenever You're Ready," "Creepies," and "Show." Only a limited number of the deluxe edition exist, so get it while the getting is good.
Pre-order the album in one (or more!) of three different formats HERE.
05/27/09
LIGHTNING DUST Announce Sophomore LP For Jagjaguwar, Offer Up MP3
We are extremely pleased to present the first glimpse of Lightning Dust's sophomore album for Jagjaguwar, Infinite Light (Released Aug. 4 in the US and Aug. 3 in the UK), an album that ups the ante of the band's minimalist, self-titled debut and lays to waste any "side project" chatter. There is a light on the other side of the black mountain, and it glows in the hearts of Vancouver duo Amber Webber and Joshua Wells. As Lightning Dust, the pair harness a gentler sound than as founding members of Black Mountain, though this sound is no less loaded with tension and an enviable fluency in the most classic of psych-rock.
While Infinite Light is definitely more layered and lush than previous efforts, Lightning Dust's minimal aesthetic works well in the economy of musical theater, an influence for the record, wherein each song's movements aim to be more inspiring than the one before it. And this is suiting in that Infinite Light is a nod to "the light of inspiration" that inspires us to keep dancing, creating and loving in spite of an encroaching darkness. It's a reminder that what makes the mountains so very, very black is a distant light somewhere on the other side.
First mp3 "I Knew" is a shining example of the fuller, charging sounds of Infinite Light. The song is absolutely shot out of a cannon, driven by the ping/thud pulse and crusty keyboards of Suicide and taken to flight by the Fleetwood Mac chorus your heart belts on the drive home after that first, anxious make-out session. It's a blazing, triumph of a song that permanently cauterizes any notion of Lightning Dust as a side project.
The band are at the tail-end of a North American tour, which included some opening dates with Bonnie Prince Billy. Check out the remaining dates HERE.
And be on the lookout for upcoming Lightning Dust tours of North America and Europe in support of Infinite Light.
05/20/09
SUNSET RUBDOWN Offers Pre-Order With Benefits, Plots Coast-to-Coast Summer Tour
The wait is finally over for fans of Sunset Rubdown: starting today, May 20th, Jagjgauwar is offering the upcoming record, Dragonslayer, for pre-order. All pre-orders will be sent a digital download starting tomorrow, May 21st. This download comes more than a month in advance of the June 23rd (22nd in the UK) release date to record stores and online retailers. Click HERE to pre-order Dragonslayer.
No other Jagjaguwar band has fans like Sunset Rubdown. They organize forums, facebook pages, and comment all over blogs shouting the praises of Spencer Krug and his band. After we released the mp3 for the first single from Dragonslayer, "Idiot Heart", we were most impressed by the fan criticism online. Some of our favorites:
"I am literally shitting my pants with excitement. Be glad you're not here." - Armyofwires, Stereogum
"Spencer has matured as a songwriter. For the "fans of Sunset Rubdown's first record [who] might be a little confused/let down," why don't you STFU, because as great as the early stuff was, he's not going back. Shut up and listen." - IA, You Ain't No Picasso
"Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes and did I say yes? How about hell yes?! You can really hear the "live" vibe that Spencer is talking about going for in the new album. I can't believe he is dissatisfied with RSL though, it is a freaking masterpiece! Can't wait to hear the rest!" - Kelly, Oceans Never Listen
Sunset Rubdown will hit both coasts and drive-over states this summer. Go HERE to see the full list of dates.
05/20/09
BON IVER'S For Emma, Forever Ago Goes Gold In The UK
Right now at Jagjaguwar headquarters, we're all gathered around in a love huddle celebrating the official word that BON IVER'S For Emma, Forever Ago has gone gold in the UK. Nice work, brother. Here's to working your tail off, constantly touring, always being available, and making a record for the ages.
05/19/09
OKKERVIL RIVER Tour With Wilco, Plan Taping Of First Austin City Limits Performance
Just off an Australian tour, Okkervil River head home in the midst of the summer festival season to tape their first Austin City Limits performance on June 18. Also in store for this summer is a performance at this year's Bonnaroo Festival, the Ottawa Bluesfest and a number of dates with starry-eyed up-and-comers Wilco, including a performance at the legendary Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado.
New DINOSAUR JR. Single, I Want You To Know, Now Available On Itunes
As the ear plug factories of the world are working double-time in preparation for the eruption of sound that will happen on June 23 when DINOSAUR JR.'S latest album Farm is released on Jagjaguwar, the band has offered a new single, "I Want You To Know," for purchase on Itunes. The track was recently given a coveted "Best New Track" tag by Pitchfork, in which the reviewer said of the song: " Whatever Mascis is going on about underneath this cocksure mess is secondary. The confidence these guys exude sounds so fantastic, it's almost a shame when the solo begins. In this song, the group's got nothing to apologize for."
To purchase "I Want To Know" for just $0.99, go HERE.
And check out all of Dinosaur Jr.'s upcoming tour dates HERE.
05/19/09
ONEIDA Announce Rated O, The Triplest Album Of All Time
Welcome to Rated O, the triple album and second installment of Oneida’s much-anticipated Thank Your Parents triptych of releases. In August of 2008, Oneida released the first installment, Preteen Weaponry, and now, Rated O, the centerpiece of the Thank Your Parents trilogy, has been bestowed upon us. Rated O will be released on Jagjaguwar on July 7th, 2009 (July 13th in the UK).
Today we are not only proud to announce this triple album, but also to share a new podcast in which members of Oneida provide commentary, insight, and explanations into the inner-workings of the O. This podcast, produced by Alex Goldman, contains three songs, "What's Up, Jackal?", "I Will Haunt You", and "Saturday". We know Jagjaguwar hasn't updated ye olde podcaste in a while, but we are making up for it!!! Discover why Rated O is like drinking a 50 gallon drum of molé sauce, how you can figure out when something is "rated O" (hint: you only realize something is "rated O" until "way later"), and under what circumstances Showtime (Shahin Motia of Ex-Models) joined the band.
JULIE DOIRON plays open bar Fader TV at Heather's in NYC
On a recent visit to New York City, JULIE DOIRON dipped mid-afternoon into uber-hip watering hole Heather's as part of Fader's Open Bar feature. Julie performed "Blue" from her latest Jagjaguwar release, I Can Wonder What You Did With Your Day, with drummer Fred Squire. Quoth Fader: "It was something between her old lo-fi power pop and her new heartbreakingly stoic electric folk, and a perfect accompaniment for that glass of red wine just chilling on the bar." See it at the Fader site HERE and watch the video below.
05/07/09
DINOSAUR JR Film Extreme Sports Music Video In Augusta, Ga.
Using body doubles to perform the more complex and limb-risking BMX and skateboard maneuvers, DINOSAUR JR. recently cut across Augusta, Ga., filming a video for "Over It," a tune from the forthcoming album Farm. The Augusta Chronicle was on-hand to report the scene and film a making-of video, which provides solid proof that J Mascis totally knows his way around a rad stick.
Read The Augusta Chronicle news item HERE, and check out the making-of footage below.
05/04/09
Video Premiere: PINK MOUNTAINTOPS "While We Were Dreaming"
04/30/09
DINOSAUR JR. Offers First Glimpse Of New Album With Free MP3 Download
Something wicked awesome this way comes. It's name is Farm, the latest from Massachusetts' rawk goliaths DINOSAUR JR. As those about to rock await Farm's June 23rd release date, the band and Jagaguwar are offering a free digital download of album cut "I Want You To Know." Give the volume dial a couple extra twists to the right and grab the mp3 HERE.
04/28/09
BON IVER Takes Artist Of The Year At The Wisconsin Area Music Industry Awards, Joins Austin City Limits Line Up
As of late BON IVER'S Justin Vernon has been bringing it all back home. On the heels of a magical performance with his former high school's jazz band, Justin was named Artist of the Year on Monday by the Wisconsin Area Music Industry awards - also known as a WAMI.
Over the next few months, Justin will be on the road both stateside and abroad, playing shows with the likes of Jenny Lewis, Elvis Perkins in Dearland and The Indigo Girls. Most recently, Bon Iver was added to the stellar line up at Austin City Limits. Check out the full roster HERE.
JULIE DOIRON Featured On NPR'S Song Of The Day
JULIE DOIRON'S stirring song "Consolation Prize" from the recent release I Can Wonder What You Did With Your Day was recently featured as NPR's Song of the Day.
NPR had these wonderful things to say about how Julie effectively rips the listener's heart out with the tune: "In 'Consolation Prize,' Doiron addresses a man, living in the aftermath of a breakup, who finds that his friends won't let him leave it behind. 'People insisted on telling you what a great couple you had been / They insisted on telling you over again,' she sings over a rumbling bassline. By bringing up the pain wrought from sympathy, she's effectively doing the same thing, but Doiron isn't going for a palliative here. For two short, bruising minutes, she wants listeners to live in the ache of loss."
Holy Triple PINK MOUNTAINTOPS Events: Myspace Streaming Premiere Of New Album, Pitchfork Premiere Of New Song "While We Were Dreaming", And Pre-Order Special (Free MP3s Of The Full Album Available Immediately)
Myspace is now streaming Pink Mountaintops' upcoming release, "Outside Love," in it's entirety on the band's Myspace page.
Head to the Myspace Music page (HERE) or straight to the band's Myspace page (HERE) to give it a listen.
Also, Pitchfork has been kind to premiere a second free mp3 from "Outside Love". The new song is called "While We Were Dreaming", and it features the beautiful vocals of Ashley Webber, also known for her duet with Bonnie Prince Billy on his acclaimed 2008 album "Lie Down In The Light". You can download it HERE.
If you prefer downloading over streaming, good news. You can now pre-order "Outside Love" HERE. After placing your order, the internet gods will grant you with your very own download code to enjoy immediately.
04/20/09
BON IVER Joins Lollapalooza Line-Up, Performs With Alma Mater High School's Jazz Band
For the last year and a half, BON IVER'S Justin Vernon has been on a musical tear across the planet. And this summer finds Bon Iver still blazing that trail, most recently adding Bon Iver's own batch of awesome to an already stellar Lollapalooza 2009 line-up. Find nearly everything you need to know about Lollapalooza HERE.
Through the summer, Justin Vernon and Bon Iver will perform at festivals both European and stateside. A full list of Bon Iver and Justin Vernon tour dates can be found HERE.
Meanwhile, this past weekend, Justin performed a set of Bon Iver jammers and jazz standards with the Eau Claire Memorial High School Jazz Band - of which he was once a member not all that long ago. It's an amazing thing to think about and read about, yes. But watching these young musicians solidly back Justin in an amazing rendition of "For Emma, Forever Ago," is its own magic altogether. Please enjoy.
04/17/09
SUNSET RUBDOWN Provide First Aural Peak Into New Album, Announce North American Tour Dates, Embark On European Tour
The first aural peek into SUNSET RUBDOWN's new album, Dragonslayer, is the dynamic "Idiot Heart". It is now available for download and posting. Dragonslayer, their most cohesive and natural sounding album to date, will be released by Jagjaguwar on June 23rd (June 22nd in the U.K.).
The band's European tour begins tomorrow night in Paris and will carry through the end of April. Shortly after they will embark on a full US tour in support of Dragonslayer.
For a full list of Sunset Rubdown dates, head HERE.
04/14/09
PINK MOUNTAINTOPS Hang Up Their Robes And Tour Europe and North America; Free Download Of The Song "Vampire" Offers First Glimpse Of New Album
Oh hello, internet. It's us, Jagjaguwar. We've been hanging out down by the fire, sipping brandy and anticipating sharing some Outside Love with you. The new song is called "Vampire", and we think it'll send shivers under your dress. Just don't take our word for it. Download here and post at your leisure. We love leisure.
You can't kill the heart of Steve McBean's love, and you can't stop him from touring. Creatures of the night, come out! Come out to the show!
PINK MOUNTAINTOPS, AKA Stephen McBean, will be touring Europe starting on May 5, and then will hit the roads of North America in early June. For the North American tour, the band will include Black Mountain bandmate Matthew Camirand as well as Sophie Trudeau, Sar Friedman, Chad Ross, and Mike Maxymuik.
See a listing of Pink Mountaintops tour dates HERE.
Outside Love hits shelves May 5th. (May 4 in the UK).
04/07/09
Justin Vernon Of BON IVER To Play With High School Jazz Band
Justin Vernon and the rest of the guys in BON IVER had quite a busy year in 2008, so they've been taking a well deserved break as of recently. To gear up for a summer full of festival dates, Justin will play with his alma mater's Jazz Ensemble at Memorial High School on April 19th.
The night will be Duke Ellington themed, with Justin singing jazz standards and the ensemble playing back up on a few Bon Iver songs.
All proceeds from the show will help the jazz band attend this year's "Essentially Ellington" competition in New York, which Justin attended with the ensemble back in 1999.
For more information on the show, head HERE. For a full list of Spring & Summer shows, head HERE.
04/05/09
ODAWAS Plots West Coast Tour, Talks Shop With MOKB and Premieres Video For Harmless Lovers Discourse
Very patiently, ODAWAS' ethereal and sexy The Blue Depths has been winning over a good many serious fans of music. As Odawas plots several live dates up and down the West Coast, some influential music sites have recently been singing the praises of the San Francisco duo.
First, My Old Kentucky Blog's John Moulder did an in-depth interview with Odawas' Michael Tapscott and Isaac Edwards, who discuss their mutual love for film scores and Phil Collins. Introducing the band, Moulder wrote that with the release of The Blue Depths, Odawas "have given us yet another subtle masterpiece that's as creepy as it is beautiful. Full disclosure warning: it's the best record I've heard that's been released this year." Read the full interview HERE.
And last week, our good friends at Stereogum premiered the video for "Harmless Lovers Discourse," which Stereogum called "the set's signature piece, pathos and nostalgia deep in Michael Tapscott's voice as he sings "this could be the last day on earth," bottling up a Big Moment in a touching four-minute pop elegy." See the video produced by the team at Elephant below.
See a full listing of Odawas' upcoming tour dates HERE.
03/30/09
OKKERVIL RIVER'S Will Sheff Teaches Songwriting At Austin Non-Profit
Following some rollicking appearances at SXSW, OKKERVIL RIVER'S Will Sheff recently gave a lesson in songcraft to the young minds of Austin's The Bat Cave, a non-profit writing and tutoring center. laid down an intimate performance of "Our Life Is Not a Movie or Maybe" with fellow Okkervil members Travis Nelsen and Lauren Gurgiolo. Watch the performance below.
SUNSET RUBDOWN Ready Dragonslayer For June 23 Release
SUNSET RUBDOWN was once the moniker under which Spencer Krug released low fidelity solo recordings. The project has long since evolved into a full band, and Dragonslayer is the third full-length recorded by the whole group.
Dragonslayer was recorded in the fall of 2008. Sunset Rubdown hope that the true strength of this new album is a hidden complexity that emerges slowly from within the straight production and raw musicianship, and from what sounds at first to be an only slightly skewed approach to pop. They hope it's like that one friend of yours who looks unassuming and normal, but once you get to know him it's obvious he's basically crazy.
Sunset Rubdown embark shortly on a brief European tour. To see a complete listing of live dates, go HERE.
03/26/09
DINOSAUR JR To Release New Album Farm On June 23
The worry about the reunion of the original Dinosaur Jr. line-up, more than 20 years after their formation and legendary dissolution, was that these guys were just flogging the back catalog as a marketing gimmick. With the release of Beyond, in 2007, the band gave a hearty Marshall-driven "F**K YOU!" answer to those inquiring ears. Restoring the sound established by the opening hat-trick gambit of Dinosaur, You're Living All Over Me, and Bug, the Beyond record continued the band's march into rock greatness by making old ears smile and new ears bleed afresh. And now comes Farm, the fifth full length record by the original line-up-J Mascis, Lou Barlow, and Murph--set to release on their new label home Jagjaguwar on June 23rd.
If Beyond was Dinosaur Jr.'s return to form, Farm is proof that this band continues to deliver that which makes rock worth cranking to 11. At times wholly 70's guitar-epic, at times perfect for sitting by a babbling brook with Joni and Neil, Farm encompasses Dinosaur Jr.'s signature palette - soaring and distorted guitar, unshakable hooks, honey-rich melodies - songs that get into your head and, bouncing around happily, stay there. The ear-catching "Plans" is nearly 7 minutes of classic whipped-topping rock dessert, while "I Don't Wanna Go There" is a meat-and-potatoes main dish, mixing unapologetic lead guitar with straight-ahead delivery a la James Gang or Humble Pie. These two tunes round out twelve tracks propelled by the unique energy of one of America's greatest living rock bands hitting their stride.
Farm was recorded in J Mascis' Bisquiteen studio in Amherst, Massachusetts, and was produced by Mascis.
After some air-guitar-inspiring gigs at SXSW, Dino will soon embark in a full-on tour in support of Farm, supported by the likes of Mike Watt and Awesome Color. To see a complete listing of live dates, go HERE.
03/24/09
JAGJAGUWAR Teams With YouTube To Capture SXSW Magic
At SXSW 2009, Jagjaguwar, Dead Oceans and Secretly Canadian partnered with YouTube to capture the many stunning performances at their Thursday showcase blowout at The Mohawk. To peep all the videos, go to http://www.youtube.com/sxsw and click on the "Musical Performances" option. Check back daily as new performances are posted
03/23/09
SUNSET RUBDOWN Announce European Tour Dates.
SUNSET RUBDOWN will be heading overseas for a string of dates. Europe, be prepared to hear some old favorites as well as some newer material. Most of the dates are as below:
04/18/09 Paris, France - La Maronquinerie 04/20/09 Haarlem, NL - Patronaat 04/21/09 Wetzlar, Germany - KuZ 04/22/09 Stuttgart, Germany - Manufaktur 04/23/09 Prague, CZ - 007 04/24/09 Krems, AT - Danube Festival 04/25/09 Moscow, Russia - Avant Festival 04/27/09 Zagreb, HR - Teatar & TD 04/29/09 Krakow, PL - Manggha 04/30/09 Warsaw, PL - Hydrozagadka 05/02/09 Aarhus, Denmark - Pop Revo Festival
For up-to-date tour-dates (including any last minute additions), check HERE.
