EAR FARM’s Three for Free: three EF approved, free and legal MP3s posted each week. This week - three songs from artists on Southern Lord Records. That’s right… METAL. Click on the artist name to go to their site, click on the song name to listen to the song.
Listen:
Boris - “Flower, Sun, Rain”
Wolves in the Throne Room - “I Will Lay Down My Bones Among the Rocks and Roots”
It’s a well established fact: I love making mixes. It’s an art form, it’s a game, it’s like my Sunday crossword puzzle; or, it’s like baking a cake for someone except the cake is made out of ingredients you can listen to. Mmm! Read more…
Online indie superstore Insound has just upped its game considerably, unveiling a sparkling new website (Insound 4.0) along with some refreshingly altruistic news….behold the “Give More! Get More!” campaign:
Every time you buy an MP3 album from Insound (not EPs or singles), Insound will donate $.25 of our take to a touring band. We choose 6 lucky bands that we like, but you get to select the actual artist to earmark your quarter to. Furthermore, should you wish to “tip” additional funds to these great artists, you can add your own tip during checkout. 100% of these funds will do to the band you choose. If you do not choose a specific band, we will distribute the funds equally to all of the bands. We will add new bands 2-4 times each year. All funds are to be used by bands to support the next national tour. In short, their tours will be made possible by you – Insound customers!
Pretty awesome. And the six lucky bands stockpiling your quarters to buy a few ounces of gasoline on the road? Check out the roster (alongside MP3s from each band) after the jump…
- The Big Sleep - “Bad Blood”
- Russian Cirlces - “Death Rides A Horse”
- The Twilight Sad - “And She Would Darken The Memory”
- Headlights - “TV”
- Epsilons - “Snap Crackle Pop!”
- Videohippos - “Bear Fight”
Also worth noting, Insound is instituting a free mixtape program, whereby each digital album order (full albums only, no EPs or singles) gets you a free MP3 sampler of 10-15 hand-selected tracks updated each month. Which just leaves the following questions: a) what do you think about the “new Insound” and b) are such moves the answer to the death of the physical record store? It’s certainly not a bad start…
*above image found HERE
The gents of Sam Champion are not content to simply sew the oats of rock upon a long sold-out Mercury Lounge tonight and never look back. They’re just far too classy for that. Instead, they’re making like the carnies at the Coney Island Cyclone and taking a little snapshot of the occasion…though it should here be made explicit that instead of an embarrassing pic of them shrieking on a rollercoaster we’re referring to the recording of a LIVE ALBUM to immortalize every second of tonight’s rocking goodness!
So, if you find yourself unable to score a ticket tonight, fear not: Sam Champion’s got you covered, and in more ways than one. They’ve also released another exclusive track - the freewheeling “Uncle Drums” - on RCRD LBL last month and are set to drop “Be Mine Everyone”, the first single from their long-awaited sophomore album Heavenly Bender (out July on North Street Records), next Thursday, May 1st. Your party may have been yesterday but the real jam starts tonight…
Listen: “Your Party Was Yesterday?”
See also:
Visit Sam Champion on MySpace.
EAR FARM’s Three for Free: three EF approved, free and legal MP3s posted each week. This week - three songs from 2008 albums that have recently found their way onto the interbahn. Click on the artist name to go to their site, click on the song name to listen to the song. UPDATE: we’ve been asked to remove the My Morning Jacket song, but it can still be found HERE.
Listen:
My Morning Jacket - “Evil Urges” (removed due to request)
In a few short months, it will be Summer and that means the second annual After the Jump Fest! Bigger, better with even more acts and surprise guests, this year the festival takes place along side the city wide music event, Make Music New York (which itself is a part of the worldwide music phenomenon that takes place in 300 cities in 108 countries) on the first day of Summer, June 21st.After the Jump Fest is the effort of 20 New York City music bloggers whose goal is to help new artists gain exposure while raising money for struggling school music programs. This year, After the Jump is teaming up with The Music Hall of Williamsburg and Galapagos Art Space for a festival stretching from noon until last call. In the next few months, After the Jump blogs will be making more announcements about the festival including new artists and pre-parties. Stay tuned and in the mean time, check out AftertheJumpFest.com for information on our past events and mark your calendars! It’s going to be a doozy.
AFTER THE JUMP IS ORGANIZED BY:
themusicslut . batteringroom . disconap . earfarm . ryspace . irockiroll . merryswankster . softcommunication . theunderratedblog . sitdownstandup . watercoolergossip . bumpershine . themodernage . productshopnyc . subinev . punkphoto . poptartssucktoasted . stereoactivenyc . jinners
For press opportunities such as interviews with the organizers or bands, please contact publicity@afterthejumpfest.com
For sponsorship and all requests, contact producer Jennifer Kellas: jkellas@afterthejumpfest.com
BoW alums and ramshackle sorcerers of freaky bliss Drink Up Buttercup continue to dazzle our ears and blow our minds with the unveiling of two new tracks. First up, another full-throttle masterpiece - “Mr. Pie Eyes” - that picks up where the Syd Barrett-esque magic of previous stand-outs “Seasickness Pills” and “Gods and Gentlemen” left off. Then, there’s the breezily melodic sing-along of frontman James Harvey’s solo recording “Everything Else That’s Been”, a charming blend of early Beatles and The Moldy Peaches just in time for the perfect weather here in NYC today. Read more…
Sure, we’ve got iTunes, Amazon, eMusic, and even MySpace now chipping away at the lucrative digital music market. And while these behemoths quibble about presumably “important” selling points such as pricing, audio quality, and DRM-free content, until now another colorful issue has all but been ignored: who’s looking after the synesthetics?
Huh? That’s right, synesthesia - the phenomenon of combining senses so that you can actually hear colors - might be the next dormant cash cow. Or at least one site thinks so. Last week, we stumbled across an article in WIRED detailing the emergence of Guitarati, a new digital music site attempting to revolutionize the way we classify music by organizing downloadable tunes via color.
Still confused? You’re not alone. If ever a site demanded a Frequently Asked Questions page, this would be the one. Our advice is to start by hitting up their FAQ and go from there. After being reassured there that you don’t actually have to be a synesthetic to use the site (yes, that is one of the questions), go forth and click on the color black to get your paws on “War Pigs”! Wait, there’s no Black Sabbath…oh okay…gimme some Black Keys! No? Bummer….Black Crowes? Still nothing? Black Angels, Black Moth Super Rainbow, Black Mountain, Black Kids, Black Francis, Black Tie Revue? Nope.
Oh. So it appears that it’s more for undiscovered artists to submit and sell their music….that’s all well and good but with all the confusion of dealing with a color wheel as a filter, wouldn’t this only ensure that these artists will most likely stay undiscovered? And whose looking out for the colorblind? I guess Meat Loaf is screwed….
*above image found HERE
Listen:
“You in Color” by The Black Angels
A while ago I pointed out the fact that Smashing Pumpkins are pleased to give away live recordings of their shows (dating as far back as 1988) right HERE on their official site. Awesome. Read more…
EAR FARM’s Three for Free: three EF approved, free and legal MP3s posted each week. This week - three from Matthew Dear’s 2007 album Asa Breed (Black Edition). Click on the song name to listen to the song.
Listen:
“Neighborhoods”
“Deserter”
“Don and Sherri (Hot Chip Version)”
Goes Cube recently thundered their way across the States on another successful tour to and from South by Southwest. In the midst of touring, Goes Cube’s David Obuchowski (above, far left) took some time to interview a few of the bands/artists they shared bills with. The results are fantastic - listen below.
Interviews:
- Jaymay talks about her Japan-specific malady - LISTEN
- Aaron from The Giraffes talks about greasy food and crying bros - LISTEN
- The drummer from The Counterlife lived in a van down by the river… NOT - LISTEN
Visit Goes Cube on MySpace.
85,000 miles: the total distance of the daunting global trek currently being undertaken by the Olympic torch bearers. Thanks to China’s egregious record of human rights violations - particularly with regards to Tibet - these bearers have faced far more pressing concerns than blisters or fatigue. As you’re probably well aware, fierce resistance and demonstrations have met the torch along nearly every stop of its global route thus far.
And as the torch descends upon San Francisco today in its only stop in the U.S., these bearers probably should ask themselves if the fleeting glory of running with an iconic symbol is worth being associated with the horrors China has inflicted. Hell, even angry nudists are patiently waiting along the parade’s route to protest a return to the way the ancient Greeks played the games (ie in the buff). Point is, if you’re carrying the torch, you’re unpopular, and probably rightfully so. If you’re in the band Torche, you’re popular, and rightfully so. Especially after listening to “Healer”, the lead single from the band’s new album Meanderthal out now on Hydra Head.
So, obviously, EF’s advice to the torch bearers: you need Torche to get through what’s ahead. It’s going to be a loooong day, and only METAL can help you now.
Listen:
“Healer”
“Fire” (of course we had to post this one given the context)
See also:
Torche @ Red 7 - 14 March 2008 (SXSW Day 3, pics, video/mp3)
*above photo from HERE
Visit Torche on MySpace
EAR FARM’s Three for Free: three EF approved, free and legal MP3s posted each week. This week - three from bands with new records out today. Click on the artist name to go to their site, click on the song name to listen to the song.
For well over 40 years, it’s been THE indispensable question. Volleyed back and forth at cocktail parties, deployed for instant access to the very core of one’s soul, the measure of a man can be wrought by a simple query: are you a Stones person or a Beatles person?
Of course, we have our own answer to this - the Beatles, duh - which has made the last few weeks especially distressing for our kind. See, it appears that so far in 2008 the Rolling Stones have clearly been on top of their game while the Beatles have been, uh, running around with their heads cut off?
For starters, consider the Stones’ recent triumphs:
- Their Martin Scorcese-directed live concert film Shine A Light opened this past weekend to rave reviews from critics. Roger Ebert described the film as “one of the most engaged documentaries you could imagine. The cameras do not simply regard the performances; in a sense, the cameras are performers too[...]Even in their 60s, the Stones are the most physical and exuberant of bands. Compared to them, watching the movements of many new young bands on Leno, Letterman and “SNL” is like watching jerky marionettes.”
- Good ole’ Keef has been making the rounds as well, first granting GQ an incredibly entertaining interview at his SoHo office(?). Among the many highlights here:
At this point, Richards, as he is talking, absentmindedly reaches his hand to his side and draws his shirt and jacket back to scratch himself near his hip bone. It’s then that I notice that wedged against his hip and the top of his trousers is something that looks like the handle of a revolver. “That’s not a gun you’re carrying, is it?” I ask. Keith pauses. “This?” he says, reaching for the handle. “Nah, this is a knife.” At which point he pulls it from his waistband, flips it open, and reveals a shiny blade five inches long. Richards considers the blade for a moment, in silence, then snaps the knife closed and tucks it back into his waistband and explains, “I use it to keep me pants up, because I’ve been losing weight, baby.”
Yes, he carries a knife, and yes, he’s still cooler than all of us. Oh, and he’s also the new “face” of Luis Vuitton luggage as well:
- Finally, and from our perspective perhaps most exciting, the Stones recently made their ENTIRE catalog from 1964-70 available on eMusic. So apparently all those years we’ve lazily dismissed them without giving enough attention to their back catalog have come to an end; there are simply no excuses now. Which is actually pretty damn great….
Meanwhile, what’s been going on with the Beatles?
- Ringo’s been beheaded! According to a BBC News report (see pic above), Liverpool residents were outraged by recent comments from Starr that he missed nothing about his hometown. This most likely led to his topiary likeness - a sculpture of the four that took 18 months to complete and was only unveiled last month - having his head lopped off yesterday while the other three remain untouched.
- Of course, the other remaining Beatle has had the equivalent of a public beheading of late. Thanks to excessive media coverage, Paul’s messy divorce settlement with Heather Mills has seemingly placed him in similar company to Britney Spears and Paris Hilton, subject of endless rumor-mongering and prey to paparazzi anew (though he must have practice in dealing with media attention by now).
And yet, we remain steadfast in our identity as “Beatles people”. Besides, Keith can’t resist the allure of climbing palm trees forever, right?
lead image found HERE
Tons of good news coming your way today. In case you haven’t already seen/heard, Grizzly Bear has just been announced as openers on a handful of Radiohead dates this summer, relieving Liars - another band near and dear to EF’s heart - of opening duties for these shows (all of which are listed after the jump).
Drowned in Sound checked in with Grizzly Bear’s Ed Droste earlier today and got his reaction to the exciting news. However, of most interest to us in this exchange was the following bit of info Ed casually dropped:
“Also we are planning on doing an even HUGER collaboration with Rihanna of ‘Umbrella’ at next year’s Brit Awards. It’s going to fucking blow England’s mind.”
Whoa. Belated April Fools Joke or real intel? If you’ll recall Ed’s interview with EF some months back, he did profess his love for Rihanna’s music, so it wouldn’t be that much of a stretch.
In the meantime, remember that Grizzly Bear will be playing with Paul Simon at BAM from April 23-27.
Also tangentially related to the tour announcement is the launch of Pitchfork.tv today…oh and why is that? Because, the first ever video for the site features Radiohead performing In Rainbows‘ disc 2 rocker “Bangers & Mash” in Nigel Godrich’s basement. Go check it out at Pitchfork.tv
Complete Radiohead tour dates:
05 May - West Palm Beach, FL @ Cruzan Amphitheatre w/Liars
06 May - Tampa, FL @ Ford Amphitheatre w/Liars
08 May - Atlanta, GA @ Lakewood Amphitheatre w/Liars
09 May - Charlotte, NC @ Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre w/Liars
11 May - Bristow, VA @ Nissan Pavilion at Stone Ridge w/Liars
14 May - St. Louis, MO @ Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre w/Liars
17 May - Houston, TX @ Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion w/Liars
18 May - Dallas, TX @ Superpages.com Center w/Liars
06 June - Dublin, Ireland @ Malahide w/Bat for Lashes
07 June - Dublin, Ireland @ Malahide w/Bat for Lashes
09 June - Paris, France @ Bercy w/Bat for Lashes
10 June - Paris, France @ Bercy w/Bat for Lashes
12 June - Barcelona, Spain @ Parc del Fòrum (Daydream Festival) w/Liars, Bat for Lashes
14 June - Nimes, France @ Arenes w/Bat For Lashes
15 June - Nimes, France @ Arenes w/Bat For Lashes
17 June - Milan, Italy @ Civica Arena w/Bat for Lashes
18 June - Milan, Italy @ Civica Arena w/Bat for Lashes
20 June - Neuhausen ob Eck, Germany @ Southside Festival
22 June - Scheeßel, Germany @ Hurricane Festival
24 June - London, England @ Victoria Park w/Bat for Lashes
25 June - London, England @ Victoria Park w/Bat for Lashes
27 June - Glasgow, Scotland @ Glasgow Green w/Bat for Lashes
29 June - Manchester, England @ Lancashire County Cricket Club w/Bat for Lashes
01 July - Amsterdam, Netherlands @ Westerpark w/Bat For Lashes
03 July - Roskilde, Denmark @ Roskilde Festival
05 July - Werchter, Belgium @ Rock Werchter Festival
06 July - Arras, France @ Main Square Festival
08 July - Berlin, Germany @ Wuhlheide
01 Aug - Chicago, IL @ Grant Park (Lollapalooza)
03 Aug - Indianapolis, IN - Verizon Wireless Music Center w/Grizzly Bear
04 Aug - Cleveland, OH - Blossom Music Center w/Grizzly Bear
06 Aug - Montreal, Quebec - Parc Jean-Drapeau w/Grizzly Bear
08 Aug - Jersey City, NJ - Liberty State Park (All Points West Festival)
09 Aug - Jersey City, NJ - Liberty State Park (All Points West Festival)
12 Aug - Camden, NJ - Susquehanna Bank Center w/Grizzly Bear
13 Aug - Mansfield, MA - Tweeter Center w/Grizzly Bear
15 Aug - Toronto, Ontario - Molson Amphitheatre w/Grizzly Bear
19 Aug - Vancouver, British Columbia - Thunderbird Stadium w/Liars
20 Aug - Auburn, WA - White River Amphitheatre w/Liars
22 Aug - San Francisco, CA - Golden Gate Park (Outside Lands Festival)
24 Aug - Los Angeles, CA - Hollywood Bowl w/Liars
25 Aug - Los Angeles, CA - Hollywood Bowl w/Liars
27 Aug - Chula Vista, CA - Cricket Wireless Amphitheatre w/Liars
28 Aug - Santa Barbara, CA - Santa Barbara Bowl w/Liars
04 Oct - Tokyo, Japan - Saitama Super Arena
05 Oct - Tokyo, Japan - Saitama Super Arena
Listen: “Bangers & Mash” - Live from The Theater @ Madison Square Garden 14 June 2006 (originally posted HERE, courtesy of NYC Taper)
