Herr Nilsson - Jump Off Video

For those unfamiliar with Herr Nilsson, they are a fantastic band out of Norway comprised of members of Soda Fountain Rag, Love Dance and Casiokids. Check out this terrific track/video for Jump Off. This is a beautiful preview of what is to come from their 4th release due out in early 2013.

Jinja Safari - Peter Pan Video & Tour Dates

 

Amazing Australian band Jinja Safari are releasing their self-titled debut EP on May 29th and are touring North America for the very first time this week! Take a look at the phenomenal video for Peter Pan. Tour dates below. If they are coming to your city, go see them!



Tue, May 22 - Mercury Lounge (NY)
Wed, May 23 – Piano’s (NY)
Thur May 24 - The Rivoli (Toronto)
Fri May 25 - Il Montore (Montreal)
Mon May 28 - The Echo (LA)
Tue May 29 - Satellite (LA)

Zulu Winter - Silver Tongue Video

The new Zulu Winter record Language came out earlier this week. Here's a great video for Silver Tongue!

The Eversons - Could It Ever Get Better Video!

Fantastic video and song from The Eversons debut album, Summer Feeling. The video was made by Trophy Wife Productions using stop motion animation and felt. Buy this album.

Viva Indie Rock Podcast #17

Podcast #17 is available for streaming online or downloading and listening at your leisure! Live broadcast radio shows are 9pm Thursdays (EST) on PMCRadio.org.



Track List:
1) Fang Island  Major  Asunder
2) Parlovr  Kook Soul   General Hell 
3) Like Some Cat From Japan  LSCFJ  Johnny Ramone
4) Birkii  Kitsune Parisien II   Holy War
5) Mile Me Deaf  Eat Skull  Wild At Heart
6) Mojomatics  You Are the Reason For My Troubles  YATRFMT
7) Not Squares   Not Squares  Fall Far
8) Smile  A Flash in the Night  From Time to Time
9) The Tallest Man on Earth  There's No Leaving Now  1904
10) The Lovely Lion  Into the Forest
11) Wallflower  Filled With Flowers  Cure Your Heart
12) The Rest  Seesaw  Always on My Mind
13) All Will Be Quiet  On the First Day  The First Day Pt. 2

Mystery Jets - Someone Purer Video

Mystery Jets' fourth album Radlands will be released on June 5th in North America. If you have been listening to the radio show or podcast, you have heard me play their great single "Greatest Hits." The album was recorded in Austin, Texas and Streatham, London and was co-produced by Mystery Jets and Dan Carey (Hot Chip, Franz Ferdinand, Emiliana Torrini). The band will be touring North America in June, opening for Keane.This song really takes off halfway through!






Tour Dates:

11 June 2012  Brooklyn Bowl   Brooklyn, NY

12 June 2012  House Of Blues  Boston, MA *
14 June 2012  Music Center At Strathmore North Bethesda, MD *
15 June 2012  Beacon Theatre  New York NY *
16 June 2012  Merriam Theater Philadelphia PA *
18 June 2012  Olympia de Montreal     Montreal QC *   
19 June 2012  The Sound Academy       Toronto ON *    
21 June 2012  Marathon Music Works    Nashville TN *
22 June 2012  Vic Theatre     Chicago IL *
23 June 2012  Pabst Theatre   Milwaukee WI *
25 June 2012  Paramount Theatre       Denver CO *
26 June 2012  The Gallivan Center     Salt Lake City UT *
29 June 2012  The Orpheum Theatre   Los Angeles CA *
30 June 2012  The Fox Theatre  Oakland CA *        

* = w/ Keane

7 Silly Questions w/ Cheers Elephant!

If you have been reading the blog or listening to the radio show at all, you know I am a huge fan of Philadelphia band Cheers Elephant. On May 8th they released the fantastic album Like Wind Blows Fire. "Leaves" is one of my favorite tracks from 2012 thus far. Reading over their press materials, I giggle as so many reviewers try to define them as "this" or "that", "x" or "y". The ones that say they are a mixture of "this and that" are maybe a little closer. But the truth is, trying to define Cheers Elephant's sound is a futile exercise. They are so versatile, so wonderfully diverse, that it is best just to sing along and forget trying to pigeon hole them.



Download Leaves MP3 Free! Click Here!

Having previously toured the North East and Mid West exclusively, Cheers Elephant just wrapped up a massive tour expanding everywhere East of the Continental Divide, including SXSW this spring. The band has set their sights on the West Coast and Europe, but in the meantime, they have been keeping themselves busy with tons of shows and events in the Philadelphia area. Thankfully we were able to catch up with bandmates Derek Krzywicki and Jordan del Rosario while on hiatus (Roberto Kingston and Travelin' Mat were too fast for us and escaped) and got them to answer our seriously ridiculous questions.

What's the most embarrassing band you loved as a kid? 
Derek: I liked Meatloaf when I was very young. Aside from that I was into some terrible pop punk bands when that was a new thing in middle school.
Jordan: Chumbawumba

What is the first record you bought? 
Derek: First album I ever bought with my own money was Offspring's Ixnay on the Hombre.
Jordan: Alanis Morissette Jagged Little Pill

What is the funniest thing that has happened to you on the road? 
Derek: There are so many memorable moments that it's hard to pick one. We've recently taken to making video parodies of each other on smart phones. You know, like they do on Conan O’Brien, where you take someone's face and remove the mouth so that you can talk for them? That sort of thing.
Jordan: "Losing" all the merch then finding it under the seat at the end of tour.

Who looks the best in drag? 
Derek: Well, considering the hair, I'd say of Kingsly. However, I think I look pretty good in drag, as you can see on our website.
Jordan: King

Who has the worst van etiquette?
Derek: Kingsly's butt.
Jordan: Andrew

Who is in heavy rotation on your iPod? 
Derek: Don't really own any music. It's mainly Spotify for me. With that said, I've recently been on a Spiritualized kick.
Jordan: Wilco, War on Drugs, Beach Boys

What is the worst argument over nothing that you got into with each other after being road weary and exhausted? 
Derek: Andrew, our manager, and Kingsly fought over a particular commodity I can't speak of. It's probably still a sore topic.
Jordan: Who's keef is in the marajuana grinder?

Explosions in the Sky - Postcard From 1952 Video!

Music video for "Postcard From 1952" by Explosions In The Sky, off their album Take Care, Take Care, Take Care. Directed by Peter Simonite and Annie Gunn.

White Arrows - Dry Land Is Not A Myth

White Arrows is debuting their first album Dry Land Is Not A Myth June 19th on Votiv. Based on the previews they have posted on Soundcloud and their wonderful video for Get Gone, White Arrows is going to make quite a name for themselves. See below for tourdates. If they are coming to your town, I would highly recommend going to their show.








5/10 ­ Brighton, UK The Great Escape at Sticky Mike's
5/11 ­ London, UK Club NME, Koko
5/12 Den Hague ­ Walk The Line Festival
5/13 ­ Berlin, Germany Comet Club &
5/14 ­ Munich, Germany Orangehouse &
5/15 Paris, France Nouveau Casino (Neon Gold Popshop Paris)
5/16 ­ Paris, France La Maroquinerie ­ +
5/18 ­ Liverpool, UK Sound City, The Kazimier %
5/19 ­ Glasgow, UK Stag & Dagger, Glasgow at Art School Union
5/21 ­ Bristol, UK Bristol O2 Academy, Bristol ­ %
5/22 ­ London, UK HMV Forum %
5/23 ­ Manchester, UK The Ritz %
5/24 ­ Leeds, UK The Cockpit %
5/26 ­ Brussels AB Club %
5/27 ­ Groningen, Vera %
5/28 ­ Nijmegen, Doornroosje %
5/29 ­ Amsterdam, Melkweg %
6/14 San Francisco, CA Rickshaw Stop (Popscene) #$
6/15 Santa Cruz, CA The Catalyst #$
6/16 Los Angeles, CA Troubadour #$
6/17 San Diego, CA Casbah #$
6/18 Phoenix, AZ Rhythm Room #$
6/19 El Paso, TX Low Brow Palace
6/20 Dallas, TX La Grange #
6/21 Austin, TX Red 7 #
6/22 Houston, TX Fitzgerald's #
6/23 Baton Rouge, LA Spanish Moon #
6/26 Tampa, FL The Orpheum #
6/27 Miami, FL Bardot #
6/28 Orlando, FL Will's Pub #
6/29 Atlanta, GA The Masquerade (Hell's Stage) #
6/30 Raleigh, NC King's Barcade #
7/01 Washington DC DC9 #
7/03 Philadelphia, PA Kung Fu Necktie #
7/04 New Haven, CT BAR Night Club #
7/05 Brooklyn, NY Knitting Factory #*
7/06 Cambridge, MA TT The Bears #*
7/07 Montreal, QC Ill Motore #*
7/08 Toronto, ON Drake Hotel #*
7/10 Pittsburgh, PA Brillobox #*
7/11 Cleveland, OH Grog Shop #*
7/12 Chicago, IL Schubas Tavern #*
7/13 Detroit, MI Majestic Café #*
7/14 Milwaukee, WI The Cactus Club #*
7/15 Minneapolis, MN 7th St Entry #*
7/17 Denver, CO Hi Dive #*
7/18 Salt Lake City, UT Kilby Court #*
7/19 Boise, ID Reef Boise #*
7/20 Portland, OR Bunk Bar
7/21 Seattle, WA Capitol Hill Block Party
7/22 Vancouver, BC Media Club #*
7/28 Sacramento, CA LAUNCH Festival

% = w/ White Denim

& = w/ Oberhofer
+ = w/ Friends 

# = w/ Beat Connection

$ = w/ Mmoths

* = w/ Teen Daze

Viva Indie Rock Podcast #16

Podcast #16 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) The Coathangers  Coathangers/Davila 666 Split 7" Smother
2) Davila 666  Coathangers/Davila 666 Split 7" No Crees Que Ya Cansa
3) The Inner Banks  Wild  Found Holiday
4) Young Man  Vol. 1  Do
5) Heavenly Beat  Talent   Messiah
6) The Spinto Band   Shy Pursuit  Keep Them Alive
7) Mystery Jets  Radlands  Radlands
8) Family Band  Grace & Lies  Night Song
9) Devin  Romancing  New Horrors
10) The Intelligence w/ Kelly Stoltz  7"  The Galaxy
11) Allo Darlin'  Europe   Northern Lights
12) Violens  True  Totally True
13) Gravenhurst  The Ghost in Daylight  The Prize

Stream Craft Spells "Gallery" EP

Craft Spells EP Gallery is coming out May 15th on the Captured Tracks label. They teamed up with DeerLodgeFM to stream the entire EP on Soundcloud. Take a listen! It's pretty darn good.

The Magnetic Fields - Quick Video!

Merge Records released a new video from The Magnetic Fields today. Quick is off the new album Love At the Bottom of the Sea! It's adorable!

Out Today - Cheers Elephant - Like Wind Blows Fire

Great new release out today from Cheers Elephant! The album is called Like Wind Blows Fire and if you have listened to the radio show or the podcast, you know how great these guys really are. We highly recommend checking this record out. Take a look at the video below and download the free MP3! Cheers Elephant should be on everyone's playlist.

DOWNLOAD LEAVES MP3!!!

CocoRosie - We Are On Fire!

New music from CocoRosie! "We Are On Fire" b/w "Tearz For Animals" 7" and digital single come out June 5 on Touch & Go.  Today the band shares the A-side of the single for the first time! The single was recorded with David Sitek in Los Angeles this past Winter. 

MUST SEE VIDEO - Dan Mangan Post-War Blues

The stunning video for Post-War Blues from Dan Mangan’s 2011 full-length Oh Fortune. Directed by Kevin Eastwood.

Viva Indie Rock Podcast #15

Podcast #15 is available for streaming online or downloading and listening at your leisure! Live broadcast radio shows are 9pm Thursdays (EST) on PMCRadio.org.



Track List:
1) Mystery Jets  Radlands  Greatest Hits
2) Allo Darlin'  Europe  Europe
3) Evans the Death  Evans the Death  I'm So Unclean
4) Deerhoof  Offend Maggie  Basketball
5) The Spinto Band  Shy Pursuit  Father's Office
6) Blues Control  Valley Tangents  Iron Pigs
7) White Woods  Where Did You Go 7"  Paper Cutout
8) Purity Ring  Shrines  Obedear
9) Dope Body  Natural History  Weird Mirror
10) Eternal Summers  Correct Behavior  Millions
11) Light Asylum  Light Asylum  Hour Fortress
12) DNTEL  Aimlessness  Bright Night
13) Campfire Girls  Mood Enhancer EP  Quick Phone Call
14) Is/Is   III  Sun Tsunami

7 Silly Questions w/ Snagglepuss!

Charlotte based psychedelic garage monster Snagglepuss has just released its fourth full length album Doing Music. These legends of the local music scene are having a record release party May 5th at the fantastic NC music venue Snug Harbor, and then, after 13 wonderful years of entertaining crowds in the South East, calling it quits. Snagglepuss is comprised of Hope Nicholls (yes, that Hope Nicholls from Fetchin' Bones, Sugarsmack, and more...) on Vocals and Sax, Charlotte hero Scott Weaver on Vocals and Trumpet, Amy Kay on Guitar, Michael Anderson on Sax, Darrin Grey on Bass, and Aaron Pitkin (Nicholls husband and Fetchin' Bones/Sugarsmack bandmate) on Drums. You will not find a more energetic, fun filled live performance anywhere. We are sad to see them go.





Though busy getting prepared for their farewell show/record release party, we caught up to Snagglepuss bandmates Amy and Darrin and used some fairly offense tactics to get them to talk. Thankfully, they succumbed to the pressure and agreed to answer our highly dubious questions.

What's the most embarrassing band you loved as a kid? 
Amy: The Monkess. I used to wake up early on Saturday mornings and watch their tv show. which came on after this really weird show about alien abductions - which made a nice morning combo. More embarrassing would be the fact that I went to record store to meet them.
Darrin:The Bugaloos. Basically, I loved any kid's show or cartoon that featured a rock band.

What is the first record you bought? 
Amy: It was a mini cassette single of Walk Like an Egyptian by The Bangles. You had to buy a mini cassette player to listen o it. It was the 80's.
Darrin: My Grandmother worked at a music store for a short time, and I bought the single Why Can't We Be Freinds? by War there. Nana was cool.

Sasquatch...or Yeti? Who would win in a fight?
Darrin: Chupacabra would beat them both!
Amy: I'm with Darrin. Chupacabra trumps all mythological creatures.

What is the funniest thing that has happened to you on the road? 
Darrin: I have a notoriously bad sense of direction, and once, it took me and Amy about 4&1/2 hours to get home from a gig in Winston Salem.
Amy: Throwing up at every rest stop between Atlanta and Charlotte on the way home from a show. At least I didn't throw up in the van, which is why I can laugh about it now.That was the last time I drank Jaegermeister.

Who has the worst van etiquette? 
Amy: We are always really excited to go on road trips, so it's always a good time.
Darrin: we are actually quite civilized. As long as Chaka (a.k.a. Scott) has a tub of nacho cheese, he's very docile.

Who is in heavy rotation on your iPod? 
Darrin: The Warlocks, Jonathan Wilson, The Clash
Amy: Roots of Chica and an unknown group of lowland Bolivian musicians that I got from a cab driver there.

What is the worst argument over nothing that you got into with each other after being road weary and exhausted? 
Amy: Taco Bell or McDonalds. That's about the only deviation from happy-go-lucky.
Darrin: Argue with these guys? Not a chance. There's a lot of love in this room...






**Photo by Graham Morrison.

Xiu Xiu - Honeysuckle Video & Tour Dates!

Xiu Xiu's video for Honeysuckle off the new album Always! See below for tour dates!

Tour Dates!
may 01 - Raleigh, NC - King's Barcade

may 02 - Washington, DC - Rock N Roll Hotel (w/ Dirty Beaches, Father Murphy)

may 03 - Philadelphia, PA - First Unitarian Church (w/ Dirty Beaches, Father Murphy)

may 04 - New York, NY - Bowery Ballroom (w/ Dirty Beaches, Father Murphy)

may 05 - Boston, MA - Middle East downstairs (w/ Dirty Beaches, Father Murphy)

may 07 - Northampton, MA - Iron Horse (w/ Dirty Beaches, Father Murphy)

may 08 - Portland, ME - Space Gallery (w/ Dirty Beaches, Father Murphy)

may 10 - Montreal, Canada - La Sala Rosa (w/ Dirty Beaches, Father Murphy)

may 11 - Ottawa, Canada - Mavericks (w/ Dirty Beaches, Father Murphy)

may 12 - Toronto, Canada - Lee's Palace (w/ Dirty Beaches, Father Murphy)

may 14 - Detroit, MI - Crofoot Ballroom - Pike Room (w/ Dirty Beaches, Father Murphy)

may 15 - Grand Rapids, MI - Pyramid Scheme (w/ Dirty Beaches, Father Murphy)

may 17 - Chicago, IL - Lincoln Hall (w/ Dirty Beaches, Father Murphy)

may 18 - Madison, WI - Memorial Union Terrace (w/ Dirty Beaches, Father Murphy)

may 19 - Minneapolis, MN - Triple Rock Social Club (w/ Dirty Beaches, Father Murphy)

may 21 - Omaha, NB - Waiting Room (w/ Dirty Beaches, Father Murphy)

may 22 - Kansas City, KS - Jackpot Saloon (w/ Dirty Beaches, Father Murphy)

may 23 - Denver, CO - Bluebird Theater (w/ Dirty Beaches, Father Murphy)

may 24 - Salt Lake City, UT - Urban Lounge (w/ Dirty Beaches, Father Murphy)

may 27 - Seattle, WA - Neumo's (w/ Yamantaka//Sonic Titan, Father Murphy)

may 28 - Vancouver, Canada - Biltmore Cabaret (w/ Yamantaka//Sonic Titan, Father Murphy)

may 29 - Portland, OR - Doug Fir Lounge (w/ Yamantaka//Sonic Titan, Father Murphy)

may 31 - San Francisco, CA - Bottom of the Hill (w/ Yamantaka//Sonic Titan, Father Murphy)

jun 01 - Los Angeles, CA - Eagle Rock Center of the Arts (w/ Yamantaka//Sonic Titan, Father Murphy)

jun 02 - San Diego, CA - Soda Bar (w/ Yamantaka//Sonic Titan, Father Murphy)

jun 05 - Marfa, TX - Padre's (w/ Yamantaka//Sonic Titan, Father Murphy)

jun 06 - Austin, TX - The Mohawk inside (w/ Yamantaka//Sonic Titan, Father Murphy)

jun 07 - New Orleans, LA - One Eyed Jacks (w/ Yamantaka//Sonic Titan, Father Murphy)

jun 08 - Birmingham, AL - Bottle Tree (w/ Yamantaka//Sonic Titan, Father Murphy)

jun 09 - Atlanta, GA - The Earl (w/ Yamantaka//Sonic Titan, Father Murphy)

7 Silly Questions w/ Wonder Villains!

Hailing from Derry, North Ireland, Wonder Villains are Eimear Coyle, Cheylene Murphy, Ryan McGroarty and Kieran Coyle. Though fresh out of high school, these remarkable youngsters make the kind of energetic synth pop most indie rock veterans go their whole lives wishing they could create. Wonder Villains brand of pop is so infectious and so joyous that I can't seem to stop myself from hitting the repeat button so I can hear it over and over and over again.




During the past year or so, Wonder Villains have won the NI Music awards 'Contenders' title, received play nationally on BBC Radio 1 (Daytime & Specialist), Radio 2, 6 Music, XFM, Q, Absolute Radio and they bagged their debut national TV performance on ESPN's Talk Of The Terrace show, played at SXSW, shared the bill with tons of great indie bands, and have arranged for multiple singles to be released in 2012. How they found time to answer our ridiculous questions is a complete mystery, but we are thrilled they did.

What's the most embarrassing band you loved as a kid?

Eimear: Well me and Cheylene were obviously massive Spice Girls fans but we still think they’re great!

Cheylene: Yeah, awesome!

Kieran: I’m pretty sure we had every Now! Compilation from about Now 40 through 50. Some great and embarrassing bands on there.

Eimear: Now 44 was the best!

What is the first record you bought?

Eimear: Ooh! This is a really good story!

Cheylene: Amazingly, me and Eimear both bought the same single as our first ever record even though we didn’t know each other at the time.

Eimear: It was Girls Aloud’s Sound of the Underground.

Ryan: Kiss – Love Gun. Still lethal!

Kieran: When I started playing in my first band I didn’t have one CD to my name so the guys took me out to buy one. I got Greenday’s International Superhits on their recommendation and loved it.

Unicorns...or Narwhals? Who would win in a fight?

Eimear: Well we thought about it a lot and we can’t decide.

Cheylene: We think narwhals would have the edge attacking from the water but unicorns have blood that keeps you alive.

Eimear: It’s a tough call. Probably the Narwhals you know. And Mr. Narwhal is great in Elf.

 What is the funniest thing that has happened to you on the road?

Eimear: The trailer story is bad. We were driving down to a big show in Dublin, which is about a 3 hour drive for us. When we got there we realized we left behind the keys to the trailer which had all our gear locked in it.

Kieran: We had hammers and axes and saws trying to get it opened.

Eimear: And running and shouting and screaming. But we did it!

Kieran: I’d say we were a pretty funny sight. Luckily it was on Dublin back street so I don’t think anyone saw the drama.

Who has the worst van etiquette?

Eimear: I don’t think we’re too bad in the van. We all live together at the minute and we’re much better behaved in the van than at home.

Cheylene: Because we have a driver keeping an eye on us!

Kieran: Although, we’ve only been on a few short tours so far. Maybe ask us again in a year’s time!

 Who is in heavy rotation on your iPod?

Eimear: It’s dangerous when I click on Weezer when I’m making a playlist. Every song makes the cut.

Cheylene: Same with me for Beyoncé!

Kieran: Ash

Ryan: To be honest, I’ve been listening to Chic flat-out. I don’t know what to think about that!

What is the worst argument over nothing that you got into with each other after being road weary and exhausted?

Eimear: There was that time Cheylene got really annoyed with me because she was really hungover in the van and I kept trying to film it for the podcast.

Cheylene: I stand by getting annoyed, you kept poking me!

Eimear: It would have made really good footage! haha

Spiritualized - Hey Jane Video

So, Spiritualized certianly doesn't need my help getting word out about Sweet Heart, Sweet Light, but the Hey Jane video is so amazing, I couldn't not post it! Enjoy!