Passion Pit Joins Muse on Fall Tour

Having turned in an ecstatic singalong sunset performance for an estimated 30,000 revelers on the opening day of this year’s Coachella festival, Passion Pit‘s 2010 tour has been extended through the fall with the addition of a series of arena dates supporting Muse.

Having turned in an ecstatic singalong sunset performance for an estimated 30,000 revelers on the opening day of this year’s Coachella festival, Passion Pit’s 2010 tour has been extended through the fall with the addition of a series of arena dates supporting Muse. The Muse tour will follow Passion Pit’s summer swing through their largest U.S. headline run to date and a handful of festival appearances in Canada, Japan, Australia and the UK.
Originally conceived as a dorm room recording project by Michael Angelakos, Passion Pit currently consists of Angelakos, Ian Hultquist, Ayad Al Adhamy, Nate Donmoyer and Jeff Apruzzese. Its first full length album, Manners, was released in May 2009 to rave reviews and a #51 debut on the Billboard albums chart and was re-released April 13 in a deluxe format featuring multiple bonus tracks. On the strength of the irresistible hooks of “The Reeling,” “Little Secrets” and current single “Sleepyhead,” as well as a rapidly burgeoning live draw, Manners has sold over 160,000 copies since its release last spring and is closing in on a full year on the Top 200.
PASSION PIT ON TOUR 2010

04/22/10 – Chicago, IL – Congress Theater
04/30/10 – Knoxville, TN – World’s Fair Park, University of TN
05/31/10 – Quincy, WA – Sasquatch! Music Festival
06/02/10 – Washington, DC – Rams Head Live!
06/03/10 – Washington, DC – 9:30 Club
06/08/10 – Richmond, VA – The National
06/09/10 – Richmond, VA – The Tabernacle
06/12/10 – Orlando, FL – Club at Firestone
06/13/10 – Miami Beach, FL – The Fillmore
06/14/10 – Tampa, FL – The Ritz Ybor
06/16/10 – New Orleans, LA – House of Blues
06/17/10 – Houston, TX – Warehouse Live
06/18/10 – Austin, TX – Stubb’s
06/19/10 – Austin, TX – Stubb’s
06/21/10 – Dallas, TX – Palladium Ballroom
06/23/10 – St. Louis, MO – The Pageant
06/25/10 – Royal Oak, MI – Royal Oak Music Theater
06/27/10 – Philadelphia, PA – Mann Center for the Performing Arts
06/29/10 – Brooklyn, NY – Prospect Park Bandshell
06/30/10 – New York, NY – Governor’s Island
07/09/10 – Toronto, Canada – Molson Amphitheatre *
07/10/10 – Ottawa, Canada – Ottawa Bluesfest
07/11/10 – Quebec City, Canada – Festival D’ete
07/12/10 – Montreal, Canada – Le National Cabaret
08/01/10 – Brisbane, Australia – Splendour in the Glass
08/07/10 – Tokyo, Japan – Summersonic Festival
08/08/10 – Osaka, Japan – Summersonic Festival
08/21/10 – Chelmsford, UK – V Festival
08/22/10 – Stafford, UK – V Festival
09/22/10 – San Diego, CA – Viejas Arena ^
09/23/10 – Anaheim, CA – Honda Center^
09/25/10 – Los Angeles, CA – Staples Center^
10/01/10 – Albuquerque, NM – Santa Ana Star Center^
10/02/10 – Denver, CO – Pepsi Center^
10/05/10 – Minneapolis, MN – Target Center^
10/06/10 – Milwaukee, WI – Bradley Center^
10/08/10 – Oklahoma City, OK – The Ford Center^

* w/ Metric
^ w/ Muse

Paul McCartney Sets Record For Fastest Selling Show

Mexican promoters for the show Bruce Moran at Live Nation and Memo Parra at OCESA commented:  “Paul McCartney has made history once again!  His upcoming Mexico City show is the fastest sellout in the history of the venue, Foro Sol.  Everyone at Live Nation and OCESA are thrilled and honored that Sir Paul has agreed to return to Mexico, and the public has responded to the news in just an overwhelming fashion.  Only the thrill of seeing Sir Paul McCartney live at Foro Sol will top the excitement in Mexico today!” MACCA’S MEXICAN MAGIC PAUL MCCARTNEY SETS RECORD FOR FASTEST EVER SELLING SHOW FORO SOL STADIUM – MAY 27TH 2010

Macca mania has hit the streets of Mexico City!  Paul McCartney’s forthcoming show at the Foro Sol Stadium on Thursday May 27th is set to be a wild night.  The people of Mexico have made it clear to their musical hero that they are desperate to see him and can’t wait to be rocked.   Tickets for the 60,000 capacity stadium sold out in literally a matter of minutes, setting a brand new record!  In fact sources at Ticketmaster Mexico think the tickets could have gone even faster but the technology couldn’t support the overwhelming demand! Since opening in 1993 the Foro Sol Stadium has been host to some of the most iconic names in music.  It’s seen performances from the likes of AC/DC, Aerosmith, Coldplay, David Bowie, Metallica, Red Hot Chili Peppers, U2, The Rolling Stones, The Police and The Killers.  The previous record for fastest selling tickets was set by Radiohead last year and before that Madonna in 2008. Paul’s forthcoming show is part of his all-new ‘Up And Coming Tour’, which kicked off to rave reviews in the US on March 28th. The show on May 27th will be Paul’s first show in Mexico since 2002 when he performed three shows at the Palacio de los Deportes.  Paul’s first visit to Mexico was in 1993 on his ‘New World Tour’. Mexican promoters for the show Bruce Moran at Live Nation and Memo Parra at OCESA commented:  “Paul McCartney has made history once again!  His upcoming Mexico City show is the fastest sellout in the history of the venue, Foro Sol.  Everyone at Live Nation and OCESA are thrilled and honored that Sir Paul has agreed to return to Mexico, and the public has responded to the news in just an overwhelming fashion.  Only the thrill of seeing Sir Paul McCartney live at Foro Sol will top the excitement in Mexico today!” Paul’s ‘Up And Coming Tour’ comes to the UK and Ireland in June with five special dates, culminating with a headline show at Hyde Park’s Hard Rock Calling Festival on Sunday June 27th, which might be the last chance to catch his show this year in the UK. www.paulmccartney.com

A-Ha Hits the US for Farewell Tour

Multi-million selling Norwegian trio a-ha will return to North America next week for 7 shows, before heading back to Europe for the final leg of their year-long world-wide Farewell Tour. The band will perform together for the very last time in Oslo on 4 December 2010. A-ha Tour the U.S. for First Time in Over Twenty Years, Just in Time to Say Goodbye with FAREWELL TOUR 2010 Image by Tonny B Goood via Flickr Multi-million selling Norwegian trio a-ha will return to North America next week for 7 shows, before heading back to Europe for the final leg of their year-long world-wide Farewell Tour. The band will perform together for the very last time in Oslo on 4 December 2010. Following a fantastic international career spanning 25 years and over 35 million albums sold, a-ha’s Morten Harket, Magne Furuholmen and Paul Waaktaar-Savoy will perform their final shows together exactly 25 years after the release of the band’s multi-platinum debut album Hunting High & Low and debut single “Take On Me”, which reached number 1 in 27 countries including the USA. Since that time, “Take On Me” has been played 3 million times on American radio… the equivalent of 375 times a day for 22 years! For a blast from the past, check out the video for “Take On Me” here. In the mid 80’s the Norwegian trio created teenage hysteria and general pandemonium wherever they went. All told, the band has released 9 studio albums in 25 years, and toured the world many times (more than 500 concerts in 33 countries to be exact), including the legendary show at Maracana Stadium, Rio De Janeiro in 1991 which earned a Guinness World Record for the largest-ever audience attendance at a paid concert – 196,000 people (George Michael, Prince and Guns N’ Roses managed to gather only sixty thousand each). In 2006 the band received the ‘Q Inspiration Award’ in honor of their lasting musical influence. The band returned to the UK Top 5 in 2009 with the album Foot Of The Mountain. The video for the title track can be seen here. In recent years the focus has shifted to the musical legacy they will leave behind, inspiring a whole generation of artists such as Coldplay and Keane to Kanye West, Oasis, The Strokes, Robbie Williams and U2. The band would like to thank their fans and everyone who has contributed to their amazing journey and say, “We’ve literally lived the ultimate boy’s adventure tale, through a longer, more rewarding career than anyone could hope for. Doing this now will give us a chance to get more involved in other meaningful aspects of life, be it humanitarian work, politics, or whatever else – and of course through new constellations in the field of art and music. We are retiring as a band, not as individuals. Change is always difficult and it is easy to get set in one’s ways. Now it is time to move on.” In keeping with their interest in humanitarian and global causes, a-ha still own a sizeable part of the Amazon rainforest as part of a 1980′s reforestation/preservation scheme. More Info Available at www.a-ha.com DON’T MISS A-HA’S LAST PERFORMANCES IN NORTH AMERICA! 05/06:  New York, NY @ Nokia Theater Image via Wikipedia 05/07:  New York, NY @ Nokia Theater 05/08:  New York, NY @ Nokia Theater 05/10:  Toronto, ONT @ Massey Hall 05/13:  Chicago, IL @ Riviera Theater 05/15:  Los Angeles, CA @ Club Nokia Live 05/16:  Los Angeles, CA @ Club Nokia Live

Related articles:

• a-ha’s Magne Furuholmen, the artist (theredradio.typepad.com)

Katzenjammer to Release New Album, Le Pop + MP3

Katzenjammer, which consists of Solveig Heilo, Anne Marit Bergheim, Turid Jørgensen and Marianne Sveen will kick off a US Tour this June in addition to joining the 2010 Lilith Tour, along with artists like Sarah McLachlan, Mary J. Bilge, Norah Jones, Loretta Lynn, Sugarland, Metric, Sia and more! Katzenjammer Le Pop (Nettwerk Records; June 29, 2010) Bringing Their Musical Mayhem On A North American US Tour! “Tea With Cinnamon” MP3 Premiered on SPIN.com! “… like a Norwegian version of the B-52’s, pounding a beat and chirping random phrases in unison… There was no telling what they’d do next, except that it was sure to be deft and charming.” – The New York Times “Four ladies who thrash banjos, pluck fiddles, and bang marching drums, garbage cans, and cookie jars (!) like Appalachian witches drunk on White Lightning.” – Spin.com “… Katzenjammer skillfully fuse the girlish charm of the Ditty Bops and the dark vaudeville vampings of Dresden Dolls with the frenetic gypsy folk energy of Gogol Bordello.” – Venuszine Norwegian all-female foursome Katzenjammer are set to release their debut album Le Pop, June 29 on Nettwerk Records. The quartet first stormed the States with their circus of a live show in Austin at SXSW last year.  Their raucous sets include a rotation of up to 29 instruments on which that the four women are self-taught, including the tuba, the balalaika bass, drums, harmonica, piano, banjo, accordion, mandolin, guitar, melodica and trumpet.  Katzenjammer also caught the attention of David Byrne, who invited them to open his artist-curated stage at 2009’s Bonnaroo, alongside Santigold, the Dirty Projectors, Dave Byrne and Brian Eno, later ending their US run with a stop at Summerfest opening for Elvis Costello. Le Pop, which was produced by Kåre Westrheim and Mike Hartung (Marit Larsen, Superfamily), showcases the ladies eclectic blend of genre influences.  The album earned Katzenjammer a nomination for “Newcomer of the Year” at the Norwegian Grammy Awards, but also the distinct honor of opening the show with their hit single “A Bar In Amsterdam.” Katzenjammer, which consists of Solveig Heilo, Anne Marit Bergheim, Turid Jørgensen and Marianne Sveen will kick off a US Tour this June in addition to joining the 2010 Lilith Tour, along with artists like Sarah McLachlan, Mary J. Bilge, Norah Jones, Loretta Lynn, Sugarland, Metric, Sia and more! For an early taste of what to expect, check out the new “Tea With Cinnamon” MP3 on SPIN.com or HERE! Katzenjammer US Tour Dates 6/22: Los Angeles, CA @ The Viper Room, 8pm 6/23: Seattle, WA @ The Crocodile 6/24: Portland, OR @ Doug Fir Lounge, 10pm 7/1: Chicago, IL. @ Schubas 7/3: Milwaukee, WI @ Summerfest 7/4: Milwaukee, WI @ Summerfest 7/6: New York, NY @ Mercury Lounge 7/8: Boston, MA @ Cafe 939, 9pm 7/9: Philadelphia, PA @ Johnny Brendas 7/10: Arlington, VA @ IOTA Club & Café, 10pm Lilith Tour Dates 8/10: West Palm Beach, FL @ Cruzan Amphitheatre (Lilith Tour) 8/11: Tampa, FL @ Ford Amphitheatre (Lilith Tour) 8/12: Birmingham, AL @ Verizon Wireless Music Center (Lilith Tour) Facebook Twitter MySpace

Related articles:

• new Katzenjammer video + 2010 dates (Lilith Fair, by:larm) (brooklynvegan.com)
• Lilith Fair Announces Tour Dates (lezgetreal.com)

Street Fighter IV (8.7/10)

I’ve been a fan of the Street Fighter franchise since way back in the day when they were still huge draws in the arcades.  (Yes, there were places back in ancient times when you could bring some quarters and play games for hours.)  The arcade battles were as fierce as the on screen counterpart.  In this iPhone rendition of Street Fighter IV, Capcom attempts to pack as much game into a handheld device as possible.

Graphically, it’s awesome.  Beautiful graphics pop off of the iPhone’s screen, as do the sounds.  However, the game falls quite short in the gameplay category.  Unless you are rocking some unknown, unmade controller, SFIV suffers a bit from the touch screen.  Capcom incorporated as much as possible into the game, but the most glaring strikes against the game lie within the lack of moves and characters.

If you’re a fan of SFIV, you’ll definitely enjoy this game.  Just don’t expect it to stand up to its next gen counterpart.

Fang Island – Self-Titled (8.3/10)

Fang Island, Fang Island…  Your bouncy, fist raise rousing music has infected my iPhone, my car, and everyone within earshot.  Triumphant to the point of hoisting a trophy is a feeling invoked by a listen of Fang Island’s latest self-titled offering.

Fang Island, Fang Island…  Your bouncy, fist raise rousing music has infected my iPhone, my car, and everyone within earshot.  Triumphant to the point of hoisting a trophy is a feeling invoked by a listen of Fang Island’s latest self-titled offering.

Well orchestrated chords which they’ve described as “high fiving everyone,” is in full abundance throughout this excellent album.  “Daisy” is a standout track which had me nodding my head in pure approval upon first (and tenth) listen.

Fang Island, Excelsior salutes you.

Related articles:

• [Video] Fang Island: “Life Coach” (iguessimfloating.blogspot.com)
• New band of the day – No 763: Fang Island (guardian.co.uk)

Watch M.I.A.’s Latest Video “Born Free” (VERY NFSW)

Holy shit.  M.I.A.‘s back with a video for her new song “Born Free,” and it’s pure insanity.  Unadulterated, ultra-graphic, over-the-top, head-scratching and stomach-turning madness.  Simply put, don’t watch this video anywhere near work, children, or anyone with a weak stomach.

The very punk-edged video has U.S. Swat Teams infiltrating an area that, get this… Is a warzone against redheads.  Yes, you read that correctly.  Red heads.  (I always thought that they were kind of evil.. Wasn’t My Buddy a redhead?)  The swat team ransacks an apartment building filled with crack smokers, fat people fucking, and yes, redheads.

I won’t give away the whole video, but the last few minutes of the frantic 9 minute video will have your jaw on the floor.  Amazing work from director Romain Gavras.  (I couldn’t help but think of a very graphic and warzone centric version of Spike Jonze/Beastie Boys’ Sabotage)

This video has already been pulled from YouTube for content which obviously exceeds their content threshold.  So, watch it, and watch it again.

We were sidestage at Bonnaroo when M.I.A. that it would be her “last show ever,” but we sure as hell are glad she’s back.

- Moe

M.I.A, Born Free from ROMAIN-GAVRAS on Vimeo.

Caribou – Swim (6/10)

Had I heard Swim seven years ago I would have loved it, but since I’ve heard 200+ albums over the past couple years that sound exactly like it, I found it unaffectedly boring. – Just another album to listen to while I’m reading.

Caribou – Swim (6 out of 10)

This whole electro-ambient trendy-restaurant-music genre is no longer the exception to the rule, it is the rule (and consequently the genre is rapidly growing more and more annoying).  Had I heard Swim seven years ago I would have loved it, but since I’ve heard 200+ albums over the past couple years that sound exactly like it, I found it unaffectedly boring. – Just another album to listen to while I’m reading.

- B

Related articles:

• Caribou – “Odessa” Video (stereogum.com)
• [MP3] new Caribou: “Cellophane” & “Sea Rea” (iguessimfloating.blogspot.com)
• Caribou Announces World Tour Release Swim 4/20 (jambase.com)

Rogue Wave – Permalight (6/10)

The thing is, Permalight isn’t terrible; in fact, there’s potential, yet, ultimately, it’s still completely forgettable.

Rogue Wave – Permalight (6 out of 10)

Apparently this album is a refreshing change of pace for the usually melancholy Oakland-based band, but I wouldn’t know because I’ve never listened to them before.  So here’s my first impression: it sounds like music ripped straight off of the O.C. or One Tree Hill soundtracks.  And while they border on electro-pop goodness, they never fully commit.  The thing is, Permalight isn’t terrible; in fact, there’s potential, yet, ultimately, it’s still completely forgettable.

- B

Related articles:

• Interviews at Stubb’s: Rogue Wave (spin.com)

Keller Williams’ Cover Album – “Thief”

Keller Williams releases his first-ever all-covers collection, amusingly titled Thief, on May 25, 2010. Recorded with the Keels—husband and wife duo Larry and Jenny Keel—Thief includes songs originally written and recorded by as wildly diverse an assemblage as anyone’s ever likely to dream up.

Keller is on tour this summer – at solo shows, with The Keels, and even for a run of gigs as vocalist/guitarist in The Rhythm Devils, the project by Grateful Dead drummer Bill Kreutzmann and his partner percussionist Mickey Hart. Keller’s complete list of currently confirmed tour dates is included below.

Thief offers up Keller-versions of songs by an [almost] unthinkable collection of artists: from Amy Winehou

se (“Rehab”) to the Grateful Dead (“Mountains of the Moon”), the Butthole Surfers (“Pepper”) to Kris Kristofferson (“Don’t Cuss That Fiddle,” which opens the album, and “The Year 2003 Minus 25,” which closes the album). The set is filled out with tunes by Ryan Adams, the Presidents of the United States of America, the Raconteurs, Patterson Hood, Danny Barnes, Cracker, the Yonder Mountain String Band and Marcy Playground. All over the place, indeed, but that’s the way Williams likes it. And in his hands it all makes sense—like everything he’s ever touched, whether from his own pen or someone else’s, it all becomes Keller Williams’ music. Fans are encouraged to stay tuned to http://www.kellerwilliams.net for a big Thief pre-sale and contest announcement coming soon.

Keller’s thirst for music of all kinds has also led him to the world of radio. For the past seven years he has hosted Keller’s Cellar, a weekly syndicated program available on over 40 terrestrial stations and online at http://www.kellerwilliams.net. Williams describes the show as “a self-indulgent, hour-long narrated mix tape of stuff I’m into. It’s rule-less except for what the FCC says we can’t do. I don’t play contemporary country music. I don’t play contemporary Christian music—however, there is possibly some old gospel. I don’t play opera. Everything else is fair game. World music from all around—African music from all the countries, jazz, funk, reggae, techno, chill, lounge, lounge singers, rub-a-dub, dancehall. I pretty much stay away from smooth jazz. It’s definitely a fun outlet for me.”

Long considered one of the most unique and prolific performers in all of rock, the Fredericksburg, Virginia native is known for flying by the seat of his pants on stage, utilizing an unorthodox approach that centers around an Echoplex Digital Pro looping unit, which allows Keller to alternate between several instruments on stage.

Keller Williams’ Current Tour Dates:
Friday, April 16 Biltmore Cabaret Vancouver BC
Sunday, April 18 World Ski Festival Whistler BC
Thursday, April 22 WorkPlay Theatre Birmingham AL
Friday, April 23 Floyd’s Tallahassee FL
Saturday, April 24 Freebird Live Jacksonville FL
Friday, April 30 Handle Bar Greenville SC
Thursday, May 13 Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden Richmond VA
Sunday, May 16 The Hangout Music Festival Gulf Shores AL
Saturday, May 22 SmileFest – Deerfields Amphitheater Pinnacle NC
Friday, May 28 Bella Madre Music Festival Geneva MN
Saturday, May 29 Summercamp Chillicothe IL
Sunday, May 30 Delfest Cumberland MD Keller Williams and Friends
featuring Jeff Austin and Keith Moseley
Thursday, June 17 Telluride Bluegrass Festival Telluride CO
Saturday, June 19 Clearwater Festival – Croton Point Park Westchester NY
Friday, July 2 Nateva Music & Arts Festival – Oxford Fairgrounds Oxford ME
Sunday, July 11 All Good Music Festival Masontown WV
Saturday, July 17 YMSB String Summit North Plains OR RHYTHM DEVILS
Sunday, July 18 Britt Festival Jacksonville OR RHYTHM DEVILS
Saturday, July 24 The Spud Drive In Driggs ID RHYTHM DEVILS
Sunday, July 25 Red Butte Garden Salt Lake City UT RHYTHM DEVILS
Saturday, July 31 Gathering of the Vibes Bridgeport CT RHYTHM DEVILS
Saturday, August 14 Mile High Music and Arts Festival Denver CO
Saturday, August 21 Hoxeyville Festival Cadillac MI

http://www.kellerwilliams.net
http://www.myspace.com/kellerwilliams

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