Preview Xiu Xiu's Always in Its Entirety!

Xiu Xiu's new album Always is released next Tuesday March 6th on Polyvinyl. This wonderful preview of the album premiered on SPIN yesterday along with a great breakdown of each song by Xiu Xiu's Jamie Stewart. Read the article here.
If this wasn't enough, Xiu Xiu is also releasing a split limited edition 7" on Record Store Day with Dirty Beaches. But wait, there's more! Starting in March, Xiu Xiu is going on an impressive three month tour! See below for tour dates.



Tour Dates:
03-11 Den Bosch, Netherlands - FebriQ Festival
03-12 Bristol, England - The Fleece
03-13 Manchester, England - The Ruby Lounge
03-14 Glasgow, Scotland - The Captain's Rest
03-15 Brighton, England - Sticky Mikes Frog Bar
03-16 London, England - Rich Mix
03-17 Lille, France - La Peniche
03-18 Paris, France - Point Ephemere
03-19 Strasbourg, France - Stimultania
03-21 Bordeaux, France - Le Saint Ex
03-22 San Sebastian, Spain - Lugaritz
03-23 Murcia, Spain - Microsonidos
03-24 Barcelona, Spain - Sala Be Cool
03-25 Santander, Spain - Black Bird
03-27 Madrid, Spain - Teatro Lara
03-28 Valencia, Spain - El Loco
03-29 Seville, Spain - Malandar
03-31 Marseille, France - Grim
04-01 St. Gallen, Switzerland - Grabenhalle
04-02 Bologna, Italy - Locomotiv Club
04-03 Milan, Italy - Salumeria della Musica
04-05 St. Petersburg, Russia - Zal Ozhidaniya Club
04-06 Moscow, Russia - Avant Fest
04-07 Istanbul, Turkey - Salon IKSV
04-09 Vienna, Austria - WUK
04-10 Munich, Germany - Kranhalle
04-11 Berlin, Germany - Festsaal Kreuzberg
04-12 Hamburg, Germany - Kampnagel
04-13 Copenhagen, Denmark - Stengade 30
04-14 Stockholm, Sweden - Strand
04-16 Amsterdam, Netherlands - OT301
04-17 Brussels, Belgium - Botanique
04-18 Ghent, Belgium - Vooruit
05-01 Raleigh, NC - Kings Barcade
05-02 Washington, DC - Rock and Roll Hotel *
05-03 Philadelphia, PA - First Unitarian Church *
05-04 New York, NY - Bowery Ballroom *
05-05 Cambridge, MA - Middle East Downstairs *
05-07 Northampton, MA - Iron Horse *
05-08 Portland, ME - SPACE Gallery *
05-09 Montreal, Quebec - La Sala Rossa *
05-11 Ottawa, Ontario - Mavericks *
05-12 Toronto, Ontario - Lee's Place *
05-14 Pontiac, Michigan - Crofoot Ballroom - Pike Room *
05-15 Grand Rapids, MI - The Pyramid Scheme *
05-17 Chicago, IL - Lincoln Hall *
05-18 Madison, WI - Memorial Union Terrace *
05-19 Minneapolis, MN - Triple Rock Social Club *
05-21 Omaha, NE - Waiting Room *
05-22 Lawrence, KS - The Jackpot Saloon
05-23 Denver, CO - Bluebird Theater *
05-24 Salt Lake City, UT - Urban Lounge *
05-27 Seattle, WA - Neumos (Barboza room) ^
05-28 Vancouver, British Columbia - Biltmore Cabaret ^
05-29 Portland, OR - Doug Fir Lounge ^
05-31 San Francisco, CA - Bottom of the Hill ^
06-01 Los Angeles, CA - Center for the Arts, Eagle Rock ^
06-02 San Diego, CA - Soda Bar ^
06-05 Marfa, TX - Padre's ^
06-06 Austin, TX - The Mohawk ^
06-07 New Orleans, LA - One Eyed Jacks ^
06-08 Birmingham, AL - Bottletree ^
06-09 Atlanta, GA - The Earl ^
*with Dirty Beaches and Father Murphy
^ with Yamantaka // Sonic Titan and Father Murphy

Exclusive! Autumn Owls - Acrobatics of a Patchwork Heart Video Premiere

Viva Indie Rock is exceedingly happy to present the video premiere Acrobatics of a Patchwork Heart from fantastic Irish band Autumn Owls. Acrobatics was filmed by Autumn Owls at their Dublin rehearsal space. They worked on the song with famed U2 producer Declan Gaffney in London. This April they head to Chicago to record their debut full length album with producer Brian Deck (Califone, Modest Mouse, Iron & Wine). Also, today they are giving away a free MP3 of Acrobatics on AOL Spinner! Click Here! Their debut album is tentatively titled Between Buildings, Toward the Sea. I really am looking forward to seeing what kind of post-rock masterpiece these fine lads come up with. Autumn Owls is tops on my list of bands to watch in 2012.

Terry Malts Video Premiere - I Do

Terry Malts just released the terrific album Killing Time on Slumberland Records. Here's the video premiere for I Do. Catch the show live in April! Tour dates below.



Tour Dates:
03/09 - San Francisco, CA @ Rickshaw Stop
04/06 - San Diego, CA @ Soda Bar
04/10 - Dallas, TX @ Club Dada
04/11 - Houston, TX @ Mango's
04/12 - Austin, TX @ Mohawk (inside)
04/14 - Atlanta, GA @ Drunken Unicorn
04/15 - Chattanooga, TN @ JJ's Bohemia
04/17 - Durham, NC @ The Pinhook
04/18 - Baltimore, MD @ Golden West Cafe
04/19 - Philadelphia, PA @ Kung Fu Necktie
04/20 - New York City, NY @ Mercury Lounge
04/21 - Brooklyn, NY @ Glasslands
04/24 - Chicago, IL @ Empty Bottle
04/26 - Des Moines, IA @ Vaudeville Mews
04/27 - Lawrence, KS @ Replay Lounge

Bon Iver - Towers Video Debut & Tour Dates

Bon Iver certainly doesn't need help from a tiny little blogger like me. However, this new video for Towers is so beautiful I couldn't not post it. A Towers 12" and digital single will be out on March 6th with John Prine cover Bruised Orange (Chain of Sorrow) as the b-side. The cover was originally recorded for the John Prine tribute album Broken Hearts and Dirty Windows. The 12" is now up for pre-order at SC Distribution.



Tour Dates:
03/03/12 Perth, AU - Perth International Arts Festival @ Red Hill Auditorium
03/06/12 Adelaide, AU - Thebarton Theatre
03/08/12 Melbourne, AU - Sidney Myer Music Bowl
03/10/12 Victoria, AU - Golden Plains Sixxx @ Meredith Supernatural Ampitheatre
03/11/12 Sydney, AU - Sydney Opera House
03/12/12 Sydney, AU - Sydney Opera House
03/13/12 Sydney, Au - Sydney Opera House
03/15/12 Brisbane, AU - Tivoli Theatre - SOLD OUT
03/16/12 Brisbane, AU - Tivoli Theatre - SOLD OUT
03/17/12 Brisbane, AU - Tivoli Theatre - SOLD OUT
04/12/12 Las Vegas, NV - The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel Las Vegas w/All Tiny Creatures
04/14/12 Indio, CA - Coachella Festival
04/17/12 Davis, CA - Freedom Hall at UC Davis w/All Tiny Creatures SOLD OUT
04/19/12 San Francisco, CA - Bill Graham Civic Auditorium w/All Tiny Creatures
04/21/12 Indio, CA - Coachella Festival
04/22/12 Santa Barbara, CA - Santa Barbara Bowl SOLD OUT
04/23/12 Tucson, AZ - TCC Arena w/Feist
04/27/12 New Orleans, LA - New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival
05/21/12 Edmonton, AB - Northern Alberta Jubilee
05/22/12 Calgary, AB - MacEwan Hall
05/25/12 Burnaby, BC - Deer Lake Park
05/27/12 George, WA - Sasquatch Music Festival
05/29/12 Salt Lake City, UT - Red Butte Garden Ampitheater
05/31/12 Morrison, CO - Red Rocks Ampitheatre w/Feist
06/07-10/12 Manchester, TN - Bonnaroo Music Festival
07/07/12 Roskilde, DK - Roskilde Festival
08/08/12 Helsinki, FI - Flow Festival
08/10/12 Goteborg, SE - Way Out West Festival
08/11/12 Oslo, NO - Oya Festival

Unknown Mortal Orchestra - Strangers Are Strange Video

Hilariously odd video for Strangers are Strange! If you get a chance, check these guys out on tour. Tour dates below video.



02/25 Los Angeles, CA Echoplex*
02/26 Santa Monica, CA The Central*
02/27 San Luis Obispo, CA SLO Brew*
02/28 Visalia, CA Cellar Door*
03/01 Santa Cruz, CA Coconut Grove Ballroom#
03/02 San Diego, CA Birch North Park Theatre#
03/04 Vail, CO Snowball Music Festival
03/05 Albuquerque, NM Launchpad#
03/07 San Antonio, TX White Rabbit#
03/08 Austin, TX La Zona Rosa#
03/09 Dallas, TX Granada Theatre#
03/10 Monterrey, Mexico Festival NRMAL#
03/12 New Orleans, LA One Eyed Jack's#
03/13 Houston, TX Fitzgerald's#
03/14 Austin, TX SXSW
03/16 Denver, CO Gothic Theatre#
03/17 Salt Lake City, UT In The Venue#
03/18 Reno, NV Cargo#
05/26 George, WA Sasquatch Festival
* = w/ White Arrows
# = w/ Girls

7 Silly Questions w/ Honheehonhee

It's really rare that I ever put a band's video up above the story about them. In this case, I wanted to make damn sure that you watched it. Honheehonhee's We Only Go is one of the most wonderful songs and equally wonderful videos I have seen in a long, long time. I kind of had a crush on these charming Canadians since I heard their album Shouts which came out last November. There is a love for life and a real sense of play that comes through in their songwriting. So many bands seem to have lost the idea that music is supposed to be fun. Honheehonhee gets it.


Honestly, I didn't know anything about Honheehonhee coming into this other than they were Canadian, look good naked, and they make great music. So, I set out to corner as many of the bandmates as I could and force them to submit to my ridiculous questions. Three members were too fast for me to catch. Thankfully, multi-instrumentalists and vocalists Greg Halpin and Matt Raudsepp were slow enough for even the most deformed zombie to run down. Here's what they had to say:


Viva: What's the most embarrassing band you loved as a kid?
Matt: The Tony Rich Project
Greg: Probably Hanson but I'm not that embarrassed; it doesn't get much better than when Taylor sings mmmbop.

Viva: What is the first record you bought?
Matt: My first CD was The Tony Rich Project. My first vinyl was the soundtrack from the movie "The Sting", bought at a garage sale.
Greg: I think it was two the same day, Pocket Full of Kryptonite and that 4 Non Blondes record (you know the one).

Viva: Who would win in a fight? Sasquatch... or Bigfoot?
Matt: I'll choose Sasquatch cause it's a cooler name. Bigfoot reminds me of the monster truck.
Greg: That's a tough one, Bigfoot's probably got a big kick but Sasquatch can Sasquash a mother f-er. Then you have to take into account the lay of the land and the rage factor. Who started this fight and why? If Sasquatch stepped on Bigfoot's toe then maybe Bigfoot would have more motivation. My gut tells me Sasquatch would take it but I wouldn't bet on it. Plus aren't they the same person?

Viva: What is the funniest thing that has happened to you on the road?
Matt: After crossing the U.S. border I accidentally left the trunk of the van open. We didn't even notice, even when a suitcase fell out on the highway. Luckily we stopped for gas right away and a nice old man had followed us to return the bag - my bag. I felt like a grade A moron.
Greg: We usually stay with one of our good friends when we play Toronto and we often invite as many people as possible to party back at her place after the show. Her roommate's a pretty sweet guy and doesn't mind (he usually joins in the festivities) but once he woke up with two strange men in his bed and so the next time the rule was no men can sleep in his bed (a pretty fair rule). Unfortunately for him, the next time we ended up inviting a total stranger from the bar who said he was stuck in Canada waiting on a visa on his way to Mexico. He ended up in the roommate's bed wearing just a t-shirt.

Viva: Who has the worst van etiquette?
Matt: Greg. When we're not touring, he leaves his sweaty gym clothes in the van so that when we next use it it smells like salt and vinegar.
Greg: Matt. He doesn't really like to drive and he stinks.

Viva: Your video for We Only Go shows people playing in the snow naked. Anyone lose a nipple to frostbite?
Matt: The dog. But luckily she has so many nipples that nobody noticed, least of all her.
Greg: No! This was an obvious concern of ours before the shoot so we hired volunteers to blow on our nipples between takes. There were actually twice as many people off screen as there were on - one person per nipple.

Viva: Who is in heavy rotation on your iPod?
Matt: Parlovr
Greg: Parlovr

Viva Indie Rock Podcast #6

Podcast # 6 is available for streaming online or downloading and listening at your leisure! Live broadcast radio shows are 9pm Thursdays (EST) on PMCRadio.org.



Tracklist:
1) La Sera Sees The Light Break My Heart
2) Frankie Rose Interstellar Interstellar
3) The War on Drugs Slave Ambient Baby Missiles
4) Wild Combination Great Expectations ENGLAND
5) Spleen United School of Euphoria Bright Cities Keep Me Awake DENMARK
6) Black Twig Paper Trees Lake Song FINLAND
7) Brodsky Big Echo Death Note RUSSIA
8) Capybara Dave Drusky Neighbor Crimes
9) Cracbooms Copains Soleil @Soleil FRANCE
10) Heike Has the Giggles Crowd Surfing Breakfast ITALY
11) Los Zapping Teoria de la Television y la Radio Cine Mudo PERU
12) Peter Wolf Crier Garden of Arms Right Away
13) Squalloscope Soft Invasions Domino AUSTRIA
14) Okkervil River I Am Very Far Wake And Be Fine
15) Wooden Constructions People Now People Full Brother HOLLAND
16) 7 Silly Questions w/ Andy the Doorbum

The Clean to Tour the US! w/ Times New Viking!!

The Clean have been around and making amazing indie pop music longer than most of us have been alive. Making a rare appearance in the US from their home in New Zealand, The Clean will embark on a few dates around the US with Merge Records label mates Times New Viking! By the way, I am really fucking glad Times New Viking is on Merge and not Matador anymore. I think Matador really screwed them with bizarre recordings of their fantastic music. Anyway, get your tickets early. This one is sure to sell out.





Tour Dates:
May 30 Los Angeles, CA The Echo
June 2 Austin, TX Club De Ville Chaos in Tejas Festival
June 4 Allston, MA Brighton Music %
June 5 New York, NY Le Poisson Rouge %
June 6 Philadelphia, PA Johnny Brenda’s %
June 7 Washington, DC Rock & Roll Hotel %
June 8 Chapel Hill, NC Local 506 %
% = w/ Times New Viking

*Photo by Tim Soter.

Spanish Prisoners - Know No Violence Video & Tour Dates

In 2011, Spanish Prisoners self released an incredible pay what you want album Gold Fools. I highly recommend you go download it. For me, Know No Prisoners was the stand out, so I am really delighted by their video premiere of the track. They are about to kick off a month long tour down to SXSW playing shows along the way with Snowmine, Youth Lagoon, and Real Estate. What's even better, Spanish Prisoners will also be following through on the promise of their recently actualized "Vantasy" Kickstarter campaign, in which they will record a song-a-day in their newly purchased van while on tour.



Tour Dates:
02/24 Brooklyn, NY- Knitting Factory
03/07 Philadelphia, PA - Kungfu Necktie
03/08 Washington, DC - TBA
03/09 Baltimore, MD - Soft House
03/10 Savannah, GA - Savannah Stopover Festival
03/11 Jacksonville, FL - Burro Bar
03/12 New Orleans, LA - Allways Lounge
03/13 - 03/17 SXSW
03/18 Little Rock, AR - Stickyz
03/19 Conway, AR - Ford Theatre
03/20 Louisville, KY - Uncle Slayton's
03/21 Nashville, TN - the Zombie Shop
03/22 Cincinnati, OH - Mt Carmel Brewing Company
03/23 La Salle, IL - 9th Street Pub
03/24 Chicago, IL - Pancho's
03/25 Columbus, OH - Kafe Kerouac
03/27 Rochester, NY - The Bug Jar
03/29 Boston, MA - Middle East
03/30 Providence, RI - AS220
03/31 New York, NY - Hamilton College
04/01 Brooklyn, NY - Cameo Gallery

7 Silly Questions w/ Andy the Doorbum

Andy the Doorbum is somewhat of a local hero around Charlotte, NC. For years he has been self-releasing astonishingly powerful records and touring the US and Europe pretty much non-stop. Literally a doorbum, Andy is a comforting, familiar face working the door at music venues such as The Milestone and Snug Harbor. The release of his latest album, a fantastic double LP on vinyl titled The Man Killed The Bird, And With The Bird He Killed The Song, And With The Song, Himself, has brought Andy even more attention and well deserved accolades.Andy the Doorbum is so beloved around Charlotte, that in the few minutes before interviewing him (while he was working the door for Snug Harbor) he was asked to sign an autograph and also sold a copy of his new record. Duly impressed, we got down to business and I am pleased to bring you the first ever live recording of a 7 Silly Questions interview. I could not have asked for a better musician and human being to share this with than Andy the Doorbum. Listen below.




Check out these great Andy the Doorbum tunes:




*Some videos courtesy of Muesproductions.

Frankie Rose - Gospel/Grace Video

The Vivian Girls were a force to be reckoned with as a group. Individually, they seem intent on conquering the world. Each has their own amazing projects, but none more lovely and graceful than Frankie Rose's Interstellar which is officially being released tomorrow, Feb 21st on Slumberland Records. Check out the great video Gospel/Grace and be sure to check out the title track on Soundcloud. This record is a must have for even the most casual fans of indie pop.





Frankie Rose on Tour:
Tue-Feb-21 Brooklyn, NY Knitting Factory *
Thu-Apr-05 Philadelphia, PA Northstar Bar *
Fri-Apr-06 Arlington, VA Artisphere / Chickfactor 2012: For The Love of Pop!
Sat-Apr-07 Baltimore, MD Golden West *
Sun-Apr-08 Richmond, VA Strange Matter *
Mon-Apr-09 Chapel Hill, NC Local 506 *
Tue-Apr-10 Atlanta, GA 529 *
Fri-Apr-13 Dallas, TX Club Dada *
Sat-Apr-14 Austin, TX Red 7 *
Mon-Apr-16 Phoenix, AZ Rhythm Room *
Wed-Apr-18 San Diego, CA Soda Bar *
Thu-Apr-19 Los Angeles, CA The Satellite *
Fri-Apr-20 Santa Cruz, CA Crepe Place *
Sat-Apr-21 San Francisco, CA Brick and Mortar Music Hall *
Mon-Apr-23 Portland, OR East End *
Tue-Apr-24 Vancouver, BC The Biltmore *
Wed-Apr-25 Seattle, WA Barboza *
Thu-Apr-26 Missoula, MT The Badlander *
Sat-Apr-28 Fargo, ND The Aquarium *
Sun-Apr-29 Minneapolis, MN 7th St Entry *
Mon-Apr-30 Chicago, IL Township *
Tue-May-01 Detroit, MI Magic Stick *
Wed-May-02 Toronto, ON The Shop under Parts and Labor *
Thu-May-03 Albany, NY Valentine's *
* = w/ DIVE

Capybara - Neighbor Crime Video & Free MP3

To celebrate the release of their new album Dave Drusky (The Record Machine), Kansas City's Capybara has shared a gorgeous live version of "Neighbor Crimes," shot at the For The Love of Brooklyn house in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. The gents of Capybara Mark Harrison, Jared Horne, Darin Seal, and Joel Wrolstad craft their art with wit and sunshine, illuminating a sound thats both simple and catchy, yet conceptualized and personal.

Capybara will be performing at SXSW in March as well as April's Middle of the Map Festival in Kansas City.

Download Neighbor Crimes MP3!

Viva Indie Rock Podcast #5

Podcast # 5 is available for streaming online or downloading and listening at your leisure! Live broadcast radio shows are 9pm Thursdays (EST) on PMCRadio.org.



Tracklist:
1)Eux Autres Sun is Sunk Right Again
2)Tullycraft City of Subarus 8 Great Ways
3)Moonface With Sinai: Heartbreaking Bravery Teary Eyes & Bloody Lips CANADA
4)Dana Buoy Summer Bodies Call to Be
5)The Eversons The Eversons EP I'm a Conservative NEW ZEALAND
6)Tapes n' Tapes Walk It Off Le Ruse
7)Motel Beds Sunfried Dreams/Tango Boys Tropics of the Sand (w/ Kelley Deal)
8)The Temper Trap Conditions Down River AUSTRALIA
9)Tanlines Mixed Emotions Brothers
10)Bobby Conn Macaroni Underground Vktm
11)Holograms ABC City SWEDEN
12)The Unicorns Who Will Cut Our Hair When We're Gone? I Was Born (A Unicorn) CANADA
13)The Wedding Present Bizarro Kennedy UK
14)Heart-Sick Groans If the Canary Stops Singing SWEDEN
15)Clap Your Hands Say Yeah CYHSY Upon This Tidal Wave of Young Blood

La Sera - Sees The Light - Break My Heart MP3

Vivian Girls' Katy Goodman is back with a second release from her phenomenal solo project La Sera. The album Sees the Light is due out March 27th on Hardly Art Records. Download the great track Break My Heart for free! You would be a complete fool if you didn't!


DOWNLOAD BREAK MY HEART MP3!
Download link courtesy of Stereogum

Lambchop - Gone Tomorrow Video

Mr. M, Lambchop's new record on Merge Records, is due out Feb 21st.

I can't describe this better than they do on the Lambchop website:
"As on past Lambchop records, many of the songs on Mr. M are framed with lush strings, and there’s a restrained undercurrent of distortion and discord. The core of the music remains the cyclical picking of Wagner’s guitar and the soft, warm croaking of his voice. The songs are spacious, even dreamy, as on the Countrypolitan instrumental “Gar,” while the lyrics and titles are rich with allusions, some of them obvious, others seemingly unknowable.

Mr. M is dedicated to the late musician Vic Chesnutt, a friend, fan and collaborator, and a prodigiously gifted musician in his own right. Chesnutt’s influence looms large in Lambchop’s music: in particular, his way with words, and his uncanny ability to wrap them in music that says even more than the lyrics alone can. It makes sense, then, that a mood of loss would hang heavily over these songs."

The fourth side of the Mr. M double LP contains 4 exclusive, vinyl-only tracks, including "Guess I'm Dumb" (Brian Wilson/Glen Campbell) and 3 remixes.

Check out the great video for Gone Tomorrow.

Dana Buoy of Akron/Family to Debut Solo LP

Dana Buoy has spent the better part of the last decade as the percussionist for Akron/Family. Summer Bodies is due out via Lefse Records in May 2012. Buoy is also going out on tour this March w/ Youth Lagoon. See below for tour dates. In the meantime, take a second to download and listen to the terrific free MP3 Call to Be!

DOWNLOAD CALL TO BE MP3!

Tour Dates:
3/10: Urban Lounge, Salt Lake City *
3/11: Larimer Lounge, Denver *
3/12: Jackpot Music Hall, Lawrence *
3/14-3/17: SXSW
3/18: Fitzgerald's, Houston *
3/19: One Eyed Jacks, New Orleans *
3/20: Club Downunder, Tallahassee *
3/21: The Social, Orlando *
3/22: Drunken Unicorn, Atlanta *
3/23: Cat's Cradle, Carrboro *
3/24: Rock N Roll Hotel, Washington DC *
3/26: Union Transfer, Philadelphia *
3/27: Bowery Ballroom, New York *
* = w/ Youth Lagoon

Eux Autres - New Album & Free MP3!

Terrific San Francisco indie pop band Eux Autres is back with a brand new record Sun is Sunk due out February 28th, 2012 on Bon Mots Records. Eux Autres originally consisted of brother and sister Heather and Nicholas Larimer. Heather played drums, Nicholas played guitar, and they both sang. In 2008, Eux Autres added drummer Yoshi Nakamoto (The Aislers Set, Still Flyin’) in order to expand their sound and referee their fights. Check out their free MP3 "Right Again." If you like beautiful, catchy pop tunes, you can't go wrong with Eux Autres.

DOWNLOAD RIGHT AGAIN MP3

7 Silly Questions w/ Allo Darlin'

Very few bands make me go squee anymore. The UK’s Allo Darlin’ is one. Since the first time I heard “My Heart is a Drummer” back in 2010, I was smitten. The great news is Allo Darlin’s new album Europe is due out in April on Slumberland Records in the US and Fortuna POP! in the UK. Even more exciting, Allo Darlin’ will embark on a three and a half week US tour staring on April 24th!



Allo Darlin’ is comprised of Elizabeth Morris (uke, vox), Michael Collins (drums, vox), Paul Rains (guitar, vox), & Bill Botting (bass, vox). Their website says, “They are close friends who found each other and the music they make in London.” And it’s lucky for us they did. I caught up to drummer Mike Collins in a seedy men’s restroom and forced him to answer some seriously dubious questions:

Viva: What is the most embarrassing band you loved as a kid?
MC: I guess the first band I loved, when I was about 2, was the Velvet Underground. Luckily I soon realised how embarrassing that was and quickly bought all the Meatloaf records I could find.

Viva: What was the first album you bought?
MC: The soundtrack to the Jungle Book.

Viva: Unicorns vs. Narwhals? Who would win?
MC: I guess it would be a bit weird if they met because if a Narwhal was on land it'd have some pretty serious asthma issues and vice versa for the Unicorn. My money is on the Narwhal. I love marine wildlife.

Viva: Who smells the worst in the van on tour?
MC: Mike.

Viva: What is the funniest thing that has happened to you on the road?
MC: Paul Ashley Rains having a rant on camera about tall people and how 'boring' we all were in the depths of Italy.

Viva: A wise man told me never to print anything a drummer says. Is this true?
MC: What sort of wise man? Was he a guitarist? No. Drummers are a rare, beautiful breed; modest, witty, charming and yet aloof. Oh wait, I'm the drummer. Yeah print 'SNOTTY COCK' as my answer.

Viva: Who is in heavy rotation on your iPod?
MC: Jim O Rourke 'Eureka' rarely leaves mine, it's one of my favourite records. I think we all actually end up listening to bands that we meet on tour. Now that I've got my record player fixed I've been listening a lot to Eux Autres - our San Franciscan tour buddies.

SPRING TOUR SCHEDULE:
04/24 New York, NY Mercury Lounge
04/25 Philadelphia, PA Kung Fu Necktie
04/26 Washington, DC Black Cat Backstage
04/27 Chapel Hill, NC Local 506
04/28 Atlanta, GA 529
04/30 Baton Rouge, LA Spanish Moon
05/01 Austin, TX Mohawk
05/03 Santa Fe, NM VFW
05/04 Tucson, AZ Club Congress
05/05 Los Angeles, CA Echo
05/06 San Diego, CA Casbah
05/08 San Francisco, CA Rickshaw Stop
05/10 Portland, OR Mississippi Studios
05/11 Seattle, WA Vera Project
05/14 Minneapolis, MN 7th St. Entry
05/15 Chicago, IL Schubas
05/16 Cleveland, OH Beachland Tavern
05/18 New Haven, CT Cafe Nine




*Photos by Niklas Vestberg.

Viva Indie Rock Podcast #4

Podcast # 4 is available for streaming online or downloading and listening at your leisure! Live broadcast radio shows are 9pm Thursdays (EST) on PMCRadio.org.



Tracklist:
1) KIDS KIDS My Sincerest Apologies SWEDEN
2) Toro Y Moi June 2009 Dead Pontoon
3) Concrete Knives You Cant Blame the Youth Brand New Start FRANCE
4) Love & Hates Love & Hates Party Trash Japan
5) Fevers Passion is Dead Passion is Dead (Long Live Fashion) CANADA
6) Nelson Can Apple Pie Denmark
7) HonheeHonhee Shouts We Only Go CANADA
8) Beach Fossils Shallow 7” Shallow
9) The Bland Band Palsboda Jam SWEDEN
10) Miracles of Modern Science Dog Year Friends of the Animals
11) Prinzhorn Dance School Clay Class Happy in Bits UK
12) The Big Pink Future This Give it Up
13) The Hairs I’ve Been Working Out 7” I’ve Been Working Out
14) Pop Terror Dom släpper nog in dig SWEDEN

KIDS - My Sincerest Apologies Video & Free EP!

Kontroll Recordings is giving away a fantastic EP from Swedish duo KIDS. The band consists of Jonas Linngård and Maria Pettersson. The songs were recorded in living room studios in Stockholm, Alfta and Hiboviken. To be honest, I have not been able to get My Sincerest Apologies out of my head since I first heard it. The guitar tone on the riff is so wet and nasty and fantastic that I fell in love immediately.

Download the enitre EP here: Kontroll Recordings

Bonnie Prince Billy - Black Cab Sessions - Black Captain

Black Cab Sessions is a great tv show in the UK that features musicians performing in the back seat of a moving taxi. It's coming to the US soon, too!

Magnetic Fields - Andrew in Drag Video & Tour Dates!

Catch Magnetic Fields on Tour!

Mar 6 Hudson, NY Helsinki Hudson
Mar 7 Philadelphia, PA Union Transfer
Mar 11 Minehead, UK All Tomorrow’s Parties
Mar 14, 15, 16 Austin, TX SXSW
Mar 18 Vancouver, BC The Vogue
Mar 19 Seattle, WA Neptune Theater
Mar 20 Seattle, WA Neptune Theater
Mar 21 Portland, OR Roseland Theater
Mar 23 Los Angeles, CA Orpheum Theater
Mar 24 Oakland, CA Fox Theater
Mar 26 Chicago, IL Vic Theater
Mar 27 Chicago, IL Vic Theater
Mar 28 Iowa City, IA Englert Theater
Mar 30 Toronto, ON Sound Academy
Mar 31 Montreal, QC Le National
Apr 3 New York, NY Beacon Theater
Apr 6 Boston, MA Berklee Performance Center
Apr 7 Boston, MA Berklee Performance Center
Apr 9 Washington, DC 9:30 Club
Apr 11 Carrboro, NC Cat’s Cradle
Apr 12 Carrboro, NC Cat’s Cradle
Apr 14 Atlanta, GA Variety Playhouse

You can pre-order Love At the Bottom of the Sea on CD or LP here: Merge Store