BROKEN BELLS: BROKEN BELLS
In the wake of their new band’s self titled Columbia Records debut charting at #7 and selling just shy of 50,000 in its first week (and reaching as high as #1 on iTunes), James Mercer, from The Shins and Brian Burton a/k/a Danger Mouse from have confirmed Broken Bells first ever tour. The dates commence May 18 in San Diego and will include stops in 16 North American cities.
In addition to being the year’s highest charting debut album by an alternative/rock band, Broken Bells’ has met with an insanely and unanimously positive critical reception: Rolling Stone has hailed the album as “the year’s coolest left field pop disc” in a 4-star lead review, while Wired described it as “crazy good stuff” and Entertainment Weekly praised it as a “subtly savory sonic morsel.” The mere handful of shows the band has played to date have fared likewise, selling out as quickly as tickets could be processed, and dazzling crowds in Los Angeles, New York, and most recently Austin. Witnessing one of these first few performances, US Weekly likened the Broken Bells live experience to “being at a cozy, intimate underground basement party somewhere in Northern California with the best art rock band on the coast providing the soundtrack.” Broken Bells features Mercer on vocals, guitars and bass while Burton plays organ, drums, piano, synths and bass. The pair play all instruments on the album with the exception of a full string section arranged by Daniele Luppi. Broken Bells was recorded by Todd Monfalcone and Kennie Takahashi at Mondo Studio in Los Angeles and produced by Danger Mouse. Each a long-time fan of the other’s work, Burton and Mercer first met face-to-face backstage at the 2004 Roskilde Festival in Copenhagen. The pair immediately hit it off and kept in touch over the prevailing half decade and in May 2008 seized the opportunity to finally collaborate on original music together. Broken Bells was pared down from more than 20 pieces of new music written and recorded to the 10 songs that coalesced together the most seamlessly.
BROKEN BELLS NORTH AMERICAN TOUR 2010
Tue-May-18-10 San Diego – Humphrey’s Concerts by the Bay
Wed-May-19-10 Los Angeles – Henry Fonda Theatre
Fri-May-21-10 San Francisco – Regency Ballroom
Mon-May-24-10 Portland – Wonder Ballroom
Tue-May-25-10 Seattle – Showbox at the Market
Wed-May-26-10 Vancouver – Commodore Ballroom
Sat-May-29-10 Denver – Gothic Theatre
Mon-May-31-10 Chicago – Vic Theater
Tue-Jun-01-10 Detroit – St. Andrews Hall
Wed-Jun-02-10 Toronto – Queen Elizabeth Theatre
Fri-Jun-04-10 Boston – Royale NightClub
Sat-Jun-05-10 NY – The Fillmore New York at Irving Plaza
Sun-Jun-06-10 Philadelphia – Electric Factory
Mon-Jun-07-10 Washington, DC – 9:30 Club
Thu-Jun-10-10 Atlanta – Center Stage
Fri-Jun-11-10 Athens – 40 Watt Club
Broken Bells on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon 3/11/10:
THE CLOUD IM UNDER: WEREWOLF
The Cloud I’m Under started his musical journey when he got his first guitar at the age of 6. He spent his teen years using cheap samplers, guitars, and whatever noisemakers he could get his hands on to record bedroom 4 track experiments. Now full grown and residing in NY, he takes influences from 80’s Synth Pop, 90’s Power Pop, and Low era Bowie to create ecstatic synth driven Robo -Pop, symphonic beats and lofi acoustic numbers.
You can check out his next batch of free music right here on Discosalt. This time around he’s bringing you 3 new songs jam packed with Werewolf beats and righteous licks.
downloads
1. Werewolf Man With No Time
2. Good Day Sir
3. Interrupt Me
All Previous Released Music is available at
www.thecloudimunder.blogspot.com
MR. BRAINWASH: “ICONS” (EXTENDED)
The somewhat questionable Mr. Brainwash, whose “Icons” exhibit has been on displays in the Meatpacking since Valentine’s Day has been extended through the end of April. Regardless of your thoughts on Mr. Brainwash, the exhibit is worth checking out. Yes, it’s a lame version of Banksy and yes it subsists on the tired and played out icons such as Warhol’s soup cans and Marilyn Monroe portraits, but the vinyl portraits alone are worth checking into and even the Banksy stuff shows that while the underlying ideas aren’t entirely novel, they are fun and display at a minimum the talent of replication and derivation.
The exhibit is taking place at 415 W 13th street New York, NY 10014 and is open (and Free) from noon until 9p (Mon-Thurs), 12a (Fri-Sat), or 7p (Sun). Admission is free & cameras and video are being allowed.
For more on MR. BRAINWASH, check out these links from Discosalt:
Banksy Documentary: Exit Through the Gift Shop
Some images from “Icons”
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RECORD STORE DAY: OTHER MUSIC
Other Music is hosting what has to be one of the absolute best Record Store Day parties in the country with a lineup of the eternally cute The Pains of Being Pure at Heart and the equally as cute The Drums with a DJ set from Scott from The National. While we haven’t heard anything entirely official (i.e. from their website), we’ve got this tweet to rely on and as this was sent out on March 31st, there’s no reason to believe we’re talking about an evil April Fool’s joke.
We caught the Pains of Being Pure at Heart when they performed at the Bowery Ballroom last March as well as the recent performance by The National at The Bell House. Unfortunately for us, we missed The Drums at Bowery in January and their sets at Mondo last summer and we’ll be damned if we’re missing this one too. There is more to come for Record Store Day including rumors of a new Crystal Castles 12″ Single. Last year’s releases were amazing (check out what I picked up). Unfortunately several releases seem to be UK only at this stage, but we strongly recommend following Record Store Day on Twitter to see what new releases you can expect to find.
A PLACE TO BURY STRANGERS, THE BIG PINK: LIVE AT WEBSTER HALL
A Place to Bury Strangers:
Brooklyn’s volume knob maximalist trio A Place to Bury Strangers is an experience in noise. They played Webster Hall last night, March 30th and made me believe the hype that they are New York City’s “loudest band.”
MP3: A PLACE TO BURY STRANGERS: EXPLODING HEAD
MP3: A PLACE TO BURY STRANGERS: IN YOUR HEART
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The Big Pink:
Mp3: THE BIG PINK: VELVET
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AM + CHARLOTTE GAINSBOURG
April
11 Vancouver, B.C.- Vogue Theatre
12 Victoria, B.C.- Alix Goolden Hall
14 Seattle, WA – Crocodile Café
15 Los Angeles, CA – Greek Theatre w/ Caetano Veloso **
17 San Francisco, CA – Palace of Fine Arts
21 Chicago, IL – Park West
23 Montreal, QC – Olympia
24 Montreal, QC – Olympia
25 New York, NY – Webster Hall
THE INEVITABLE BACKLASH: GIVES YOU HELL
The Inevitable Backlash are back with a new video, that well, ahem, speaks for itself. After 2009’s My Two Brookes record was released, the band embarked on a cross-country tour to Maine and Back where they were robbed in New York, stayed with nudists in Brooklyn, and drove through a tornado in Texas. Now, the West coast DIY indie band recorded a noise-infused-guitarfucking cover of The All American Rejects single “Gives you Hell”. While not a fan of The Rejects, The Inevitable Backlash put a pretty decent spin on this tune, aided by the beats of Beastie Boys percussionist Alfredo Ortiz to help out on percussion and tracked with Albini-trained Manny Nieto in his all analog digs in East LA. The music video shot by director Carmelo Lopez stars adult film actress Sammie Rhodes and needs little introduction or commentary. Porn stars and gorillas on trampolines. Enjoy.
THE HAPPY HOLLOWS: BIG BAD WOLF
LA art rockers, The Happy Hollows, have released a new video for non-album track, “Big Bad Wolf”. The band has also teamed up with FILTER magazine to give fans the gift of time. To enter, just watch the new video below and answer the three time-stamp questions. One lucky fan who answers all three correctly will win a brand new Vestal Watch, a copy of their rockin’ debut Spells, a 7″ vinyl, a band t-shirt and a Happy Hollows magnet. Good luck!
The Happy Hollows will also embark on a West Coast tour kicking off this May, don’t miss out!
Spells, their rockin’ debut record, is available now courtesy of Autumn Tone Records.
Tour Dates:
May
10 San Francisco, CA – Independent
11 Visalia, CA – The Cellar Door
12 San Diego, CA – Casbah
13 Los Angeles, CA – The Troubadour
14 Tempe, AZ – Sail Inn
15 Tucson, AZ – Plush
MGMT: FLASH DELIRIUM
“Flash Delirium ” is the debut video from MGMT’s flip scripting sophomore album ‘Congratulations.’ The video was directed by Andreas Nilsson (Fever Ray, Goldfrapp, Depeche Mode) and lends a visual clue into the maelstrom and chaos of modern times. Not sure where to begin, but after Ben Goldwasser and Andrew VanWyngarden are welcomed home to a palatial estate of eccentric Clue suspects and military men, they are treated to a ventriloquist/ jazz flute talent show, trumped by Ben’s singing tracheotomy. There is a very trippy retro vibe that feels like the Rocky Horror Picture show, and then an eel is pulled out of Ben’s neck and inserted into another interesting orifice (think David Cronenberg’s puppetry in Naked Lunch). Cue house destruction/dance party. Another interesting, if not peculiar edition to the band’s unique catalog of images and music. You really need to just watch it a few times. ‘Congratulations’ is in stores Tuesday April 13, 2010. Check back with Discosalt for a full album review of ‘Congratulations’, coming soon…
CARINE BRANCOWITZ: ILLUSTRATION
Carine Brancowitz is a French illustrator who began her career as a junior art director in fashion. She uses simple lines and few colors (mostly blue, red and black) to create some really interesting compositions. Check out some of Discosalt’s favorite images from her portfolio:
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DAN BLACK: SYMPHONIES
Dan Black is a British wonky pop artists most known for being the skinny white dude behind “HYPNTZ” a cover of Notorious B.I.G’s “Hypnotize” mashed up with Rihanna’s “Umbrella”. But he was originally a member of the alternative band Servant before they went splitsville in 2008 and has lent his vocals to Italian group Planet Funk as well. His most recent release “Symphonies” like “HYPNTZ” borrows the intro drum sequence from Rhianna’s Umbrella, but switches up the Biggie lyrics with some of his own. At first listen, “Symphonies”, like “HYPNTZ” sounds pretty white bread, but give it a second listen and it sort of becomes a guilty pop pleasure. Also, a great video if you have a font fetish. For more Dan Black, visit his MySpace page or his official website. Symphonies is released on the 29th June and the album ((un)) follows on 6th July. He has also been added to the Julian Casablancas bill.
TEMPER TRAP: SWEET DISPOSITION
March
30 Toronto, ONT @ Mod Club
31 Montreal, QUE @ The Cabaret du Musee Juste Pour Rire
2 New York, NY @ Webster Hall
3 Philadelphia, PA @ Theatre of Living Arts
12 Dallas, TX @ Pontiac Garage at HOB
13 Austin, TX @ Emo’s
15 Tempe, AZ @ Clubhouse
17 Indio, CA @ Coachella
BEAUTIFUL DARLING: US Premiere at New Directors/New Films series
Beautiful Darling, the biopic on Candy Darling (staring Chloë Sevigny) who was amongst the most notorious of the Warhol Superstars behind Edie, is having its US premiere this Thursday and Friday (April 2-3) at the New Directors/New Films series hosted by MOMA and the Film Society of Lincoln Center. Although only 29 at her death, the male-to-female transsexual appeared in Warhol’s Flesh (1968) and Women in Revolt (1971) as well as acting for Tennessee Williams and as muse for Lou Reed in the Velvet Underground’s “Candy Says” and Lou Reed’s “Walk on the Wild Side.” The production team behind Beautiful Darling was also behind last year’s “Con Artist” at the TriBeCa Film Festival about Mark Kostabi and Sundance Award winning, yet depressing “Flow: For Love of Water.” The film was written and directed by James Rasin and it features original footage of Candy and her letters as well as voiceover and reenactments. After a successful premiere at the Berlin International Film Festival, Beautiful Darling is set to takes the hearts of the dreamers by storm.
Screenings:
Friday, April 2, 2010, 9:15 pm (at MoMA)
Saturday, April 3, 6:00 pm (at Walter Reade Theater, Lincoln Center)
BICYCLE FILM FESTIVAL 2010 HITS THE WEST COAST
First Rule Collective hosts the San Francisco, CA Bicycle Film Festival Block Party for the second year in a row. They get an entire city street to build ramps, BBQ, and just have some old fashion fun. Some pretty rad riding here too. Check it out. And for more info on the festival click HERE
EARWIG: GIBSON UNDER MOUNTAIN
[rating:3]
Earwig: Gibson Under Mountain
Label: Lizard Family Music, LFM Records
Release Date: May 11, 2010
“Damn, this is really good!” I know. “No, like really, really good.” I know. “This could be on XPN or…” I know. Who are they, anyway?” Earwig. “Oh yeah, I saw them play at Emo’s at SXSW.” No you didn’t. “Wait, no, it was with Margot & Nuclear So&So’s at The Empty Bottle.” No. “No?” No. “I got it! They’re on that Polyvinyl sampler I let you borrow, right?” Sigh.
This is typical of most conversations about Earwig with my music freak friends who don’t live in Columbus, Ohio (and even some who do). Trust me, you don’t know Earwig, but that’s okay. (You don’t have to know every band.)
In my mind and the minds of a lot of Columbus indie/alt/rock fans, Earwig should be universally known like Superchunk, Guided By Voices, Built To Spill and by my count, The Thermals, The Hold Steady and The Replacements. Why? Their live shows are legendary, lead singer/songwriter Lizard McGee (that’s right) is one of the most interesting front men in recent history and now, Earwig’s fourth long player, Gibson Under Mountain has completely trumped its predecessors with 40 minutes of master-crafted powerhouse indie pop that jets, jolts and jangles like the best of its kind should.
Otherworld love buzz ballads (Her Heart, Wicked), stadium ready alt anthems (Trees, Sleepyhead) jagged edge barnburners (Rumplestiltskin) and epic songs about aliens (Star Cross’d) – they’re all here on Earwig’s magnificent new Gibson Under Mountain.
For Columbus’ sake and local music fans’, the city never became “The Next Seattle.” It’s a Midwest original that pulls its inspiration from a variety of sources but also draws heavily from its own – much like Earwig.
-Casey Bowers
Gibson Under Mountain is out now on LFM Records and available for order on iTunes, Bandcamp and at the band’s website, lizardfamily.com.
ANDREW KUYKENDALL: SHE’S A LITTLE BIT COUNTRY, A LITTLE BIT ROCK N’ ROLL
New work from Andrew Kuykendall worth checking out. After getting kicked out of art school in LA, Andrew started working professionally and has been at it for a little over two years now. Based out of LA and New York City, his photos have a washed out, vintage american dessert feel, drawing inspiration from “Egon Schiele, David Lynch, Tom Waits, Eastern Europe, road tips, Sushi, , the California/Nevada desert, Milan Kundera, pugs, hot sauce, Devo Lucien Freud, Henry Miller, vintage clown paintings, Glen Luchford, Scandinavian Black Metal, etc.” Most recently, he has been getting into video projects working with New York stylist, Discosalt friend and secret/not-so-secret Discosalt t-shirt muse Julie Williams. You can also check out more of Julies really sweet fashion styling at Dripbook. Andrew has completed a photo-shoot for Spanish Moss which is entitled ” She’s a little bit country, a little bit rock n’ roll” that you can check out at www.spanishmossvintage.com or peep some images from the shoot below:
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or explore some of Andrew’s other shoots:
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Video projects:
gothic americana from andrew kuykendall on Vimeo.
dramarama. from andrew kuykendall on Vimeo.
