Rising artist Sleigh Bells puts out new song
Sleigh Bells is rising fast. The two-person act got a lot of favorable press after CMJ and SXSW and scored a middle of the day Sunday slot at Pitchfork, moving ahead of other buzz bands like Surfer Blood and Best Coast.
The abrasive, electronic sound is either exciting or grating (depending on your mood and general attitude toward two-person acts who rely heavily on abrasion and loudness).
Tell ‘Em is off the band’s debut album Treats, which is coming out May 11.
Interpol releases new song ‘Lights’
Interpol needs a strong album to show that it’s still a relevant band. The new single Lights is a decent start.
New song: Crystal Castles’ ‘Celestica’
Crystal Castles has a new album. Here’s the single Celestica to tide you over in the short term.
M.I.A. drops ‘Born Free’ single, video
Check out M.I.A.’s new single Born Free.
To see her powerful, NSFW (and not safe for YouTube?) video for the single, click here.
The video features fascist soldiers rounding up red-headed boys and young men for torture. It’s a reaction to (allegedly) satirical campaigns to beat up red-headed kids, also known as gingers. It’s a brutal video.
New video: Rogue Wave’s ‘Good Morning’
Rogue Wave came out with a video for Good Morning off Permalight some weeks ago. Check it out below.
Kurt Vile promotes EP with new song
Following his excellent ’09 album Childish Prodigy, Kurt Vile plans to put out an EP, Square Shells, next month.
He’s released a new song, Invisibility: Nonexistent, in advance of the EP. It’s a long one at more than 7 1/2 minutes but worth a listen.
Invisibility: Nonexistent – Kurt Vile
There’s no video for the song. So here’s Freak Train off Prodigy.
Beach House releases alternate version of ‘Zebra’
In case you didn’t snag it on Record Store Day, here’s an alternate version of Beach House’s Zebra.
Health gives us single before remix album
Health plans another remix album, Disco2, featuring songs from Get Color.
To promote the album, it put out a new song, USA Boys, off the upcoming release that isn’t a remix. Got it?
And speaking of remixes, what do you know? USA Boys is already getting the treatment. Here’s one version I found on YouTube.
Caribou’s new album ‘Swim’ released today
Caribou put out one of the best singles of the year with Odessa. The full-length album Swim is finally out today.
Spike Jonze does LCD video for ‘Drunk Girls’
Spike Jonze directed the just-released LCD Soundsystem video for Drunk Girls off the upcoming This is Happening album.
The LA Times has a good description of the video: A battalion of creepy fire-extinguisher, duct-tape, champagne-bottle wielding pranksters dressed in white panda suits wreak havoc, turning an LCD recording session into something resembling a World Series locker-room celebration gone a bit awry.
Best Coast, Ronald McDonald make a video
So Best Coast has this new video out for When I’m With You. I like the song (another entry in the surf/60s girl group genre) but I don’t get why Ronald McDonald is the boyfriend in the video. And why do they go to In-N-Out Burger? And will Ronald be at Pitchfork?
Beach Fossils release debut next month
The up-and-coming jangly pop band Beach Fossils is getting some positive buzz after South By Southwest. The Brooklyn band’s self-titled debut is scheduled for release May 25. Check out one of the songs on the album, Youth, below.
Lightning Bolt brings the rawk
One of the heaviest bands scheduled for this year’s Pitchfork fest is Lightning Bolt, which is touring its late ’09 release Earthly Delights.
I have to admit that sometimes I wish more indie bands would bring the rawk. The two-man Lightning Bolt definitely brings it. These guys start their summer tour in D.C. at the end of June and hit Pitchfork in July.
New Hold Steady out Saturday for those who can score
The official release of the Hold Steady’s new album, Heaven Is Whenever, is May 4. Some aggressive fans can score a vinyl version of it Saturday on Record Store Day but it’s not going to be easy. There are only 600 copies available. My local store, Laurie’s Planet of Sound, has only one copy and is going to hold a raffle.
A few of the album’s songs are available on stream or download. So far, the album sounds good. Good luck finding it tomorrow.
The National releases ‘Afraid of Everyone’ single
The National released its second song, Afraid of Everyone, off its upcoming album High Violet. Set for a May 11 release, there will be a limited edition vinyl version of the album at select retailers, including several in Chicago.
MGMT, Tallest Man, Dosh lead new releases
MGMT has been grabbing all the headlines but Swedish folkie Tallest Man on Earth and electronic experimentalist Dosh also are releasing new albums Tuesday.
There’s also a slew of reissues. Check out Largehearted Boy for a rundown.
Black Keys put out ‘Tighten Up’ before album
Music videos featuring dinosaurs are infinitely more interesting than those without. That’s part of the success of the Black Keys’ video for Tighten Up. The song, which is is pretty good, is the first single off Brothers, which is set for release next month.
Japandroids storm Lincoln Hall
The power two-piece Japandroids hits Lincoln Hall Friday night. These two guys have a great big sound. It should be loud.
Racer X (Daytrotter session) – Japandroids
To hear and download the Daytrotter session, click here.
Wolf Parade, Beach House added to Pitchfork
Pitchfork added an impressive roster of additional acts for its July festival here in Chicago, including Wolf Parade, Outkast’s Big Boi and Beach House.
And there’s more: Kurt Vile, Liars, Neon Indian, Surfer Blood and Real Estate. Check out the full list here. Not to gush, but this is pretty freakin’ cool.
Sex Pistols’ manager Malcom McLaren dies
The man who created the Sex Pistols, Malcom McLaren, died of cancer today. He was 64.
As he was assembling the band in the mid-’70s, McLaren surely had no idea what he was about to unleash. The Sex Pistols changed rock music forever.
In a statement, John Lydon said: “For me, Malc was always entertaining, and I hope you remember that. Above all else he was an entertainer and I will miss him, and so should you.”
The xx returns to Chicago
The xx has to be one of the coolest discoveries of last year. The band is playing Lollapalooza, but smart fans who bought tickets early will see these guys Thursday at Lincoln Hall (both shows are sold out).
Blank Dogs spit out new single
Blank Dogs, aka Brooklyn solo artist Mike Sniper, just released a new song, Heat and Depression, off the recently issued EP Phrases. A full-length album is planned this year.
Sniper is touring with two other musicians and wil be at the Empty Bottle Saturday. Blank Dogs’ music should appeal to fans of Joy Division and New Order.
Arcade Fire is Lolla’s saving grace
Maybe I’m underwhelmed by the Lollapalooza lineup because the names of all six headliners were leaked earlier. And now that it’s official, it doesn’t make it any better.
The bands don’t universally suck. Arcade Fire is great and can play to a massive crowd. Phoenix is getting a big break and could very well rise to the occasion. The Strokes are a wild card. They could be great but who knows? These guys haven’t played together for some time.
Now to the other half: Lady Gaga, Green Day and (are you kidding me?) Soundgarden.
Sure there are dozens of worthwhile and even excellent bands playing the earlier slots. But to justify the price (single day tickets usually top $80 and three-day passes are selling for $215), Soundgarden doesn’t add up. And why Lady Gaga? How does she fit in to the fest’s indie or alternative spirit?
Click here for the rest of the lineup (no schedule yet and more on Lolla later).
Thee Oh Sees plan new album, release song
I’m a sucker for nasty-sounding garage rockers and Thee Oh Sees definitely fit the description.
The band just released I Was Denied, the first single off Warm Slime (May 11 release).
