Orba Squara - The Trouble With Flying

To celebrate the June 23rd release of The Trouble With Flying, Orba Squara took to the road on a first ever 10 day road trip across country. The idea was "...to play some new music, meet some new people and, along the way, see what we've been missing." The entire trip has been beautifully documented as a really fantastic web project (the likes of which none of us here at VivaIndieRock have ever seen!). We highly recommend you check it out. Not only will you feel like you are part of the journey, but you will also get to preview all of the tracks on the new record as you explore.

The Trouble With Flying Web Project




Tags: Orba Squara The Trouble With Flying

Telepathe - Live Concert Footage

The folks over at Grandcrew.com filmed some amazing footage of Telepathe live at the Festival Les Femmes S'en Melent in Paris. In the player we posted you can watch "So Fine", but if you follow the link below, you can watch all 9 tracks of their phenomenal live set.

Telepathe Concert in Its Entirety



Tags:telepathe grandcrew.com

Grizzly Bear - Veckatimest

Out today, Grizzly Bear's latest full length Veckatimest is another triumph for the mellow, inventive indie geniuses. All 12 tracks are well crafted, sincere songs that are truly endearing. Download the free track "Cheerleader." Then make sure to check out the great video for "Two Weeks." Run out and buy this record.

Download Cheerleader MP3!



Tabs: grizzly bear veckatimest two weeks video

Deerhoof - This is God Speaking Video!

Eels - Hombre Lobo/Fresh Blood Video

It's been 4 years since the last Eels release. Since that time Mark Oliver Everett has been working on numerous other projects such as his acclaimed autobiography Things the Grandchildren Should Know and the BBC produced multiple-award winning Parallel Worlds, Parallel Lives documentary film about his life with his quantum physicist father, Hugh Everett III, which was broadcast on PBS’ “Nova” series in the U.S., fall of 2008. Hombre Lobo is due out on June 2nd.

You can preorder it from iTunes here: Hombre Lobo Preorder.



Tags:eels hombre lobo

Caralee McElroy Leaves Xiu Xiu

Sad news for indie rock. Citing personal reasons, Caralee McElroy leaves Xiu Xiu. We will miss you!

Here is the post she left on the Xiu Xiu website:

Thanks for the memories

I have decided to stop playing in Xiu Xiu for personal reasons. Thank you to everyone who has supported me in the last 5 years. Xiu Xiu is an important and amazing band and will continue to be.

Much Love!

Caralee

Tags:caralee mcelroy xiu xiu

WE Fest VIII - May 21st - 25th Wilmington, NC

Taking place over the long Memorial Day weekend, Wilmington, NC's WE Fest is one of the nation's longest running and most entertaining DIY music festivals. The bands span all genres of music. But, it's not only music, there is also film, art, and tons of other interesting events. Perhaps the best part of this festival is it has managed to keep itself clear of corporate interference! There are no major label sponsors. No big time promotion companies hogging all the showcases. None of the stuff that has put a damper on SXSW and CMJ Music Marathon over the years. What's even better is each night of the festival only costs $1 admisison.

The complete schedule is listed below. Indie rock-wise, it seems like opening night is going to be pretty amazing with new wave tinged LA Tool & Die and pop powerhouse The Noises 10 each headlining their specific stages, duking it out at the end of the night. Some other great bands in attendence this year include Atlanta's Today the Moon, Tomorrow the Sun, DC's Olivia & the Housemates, & Wilmington's Ponchos From Peru.


If you live within a few hundred miles and are looking for something fun to do, we strongly urge you to attend.

Most Events At The Soapbox Laundrolounge Unless Otherwise Noted.

Thursday May 21st
Ground Level (Laundro Lounge): Music 3-2
3:00pm - The Blarney Blarney Broughs (Wilmington, NC)
4-5pm - Music TBA
5:00pm - Crys Matthews (Boone, NC)
6:00pm - Fever and the Fallin' Rain (Durham, NC)
7:00pm - Maverick Central (Charlotte, NC)
8:00pm - Hand Grenade (Myrtle Beach, SC)
9:00pm - Politics of Confession (North Carolina)
10:00pm - Low Victor Echo (Wilmington, NC)
11:00pm - Po-et (Wilmington, NC)
12:00am - Some Ambulance (Myrtle Beach, SC)
1:00am - L.A. Tool and Die (Charlotte, NC)

Second Floor ArtBox Gallery:
7:00pm - Art Opening
Artists (All 5 evenings):
Joel Fernando: video sculptures, photography, design experimentation (Wilmington, NC)
Agata Zietek: printmaking, thread stitching, (Wilmington, NC)
Alex Vanderfleet: wood-fired pottery, found-object sculpture, recycled metal sculpture, (Greensboro, NC)
Addie Wuensch: Acrylic painting, jewelry (Wilmington, NC)
Seagh Mulligan: Ink, watercolor, acrylic, illustrations, on-site painting (Wilmington, NC)
Nii Narku (Peter Thompson): acrylic (Ghana, Africa)
Cammeron Batanides: Watercolor, charcoal, acrylic, oil, murals, onsite-painting (Wilmington, NC)
Laura Johnson: photography (Wilmington, NC) Keith Ketchum: photography (Wilmington, NC)

9:00pm - DJ NatePhil (Wilmington, NC)
+ Films: Broken Wings Productions

Main Stage (Top Level):
3-6pm - Music TBA
6:00pm - 686 (Wilmington, NC)
9:00pm - Fashion Show
DJ Faith Coleman
Alexa Castillo
Kelsey Gibbs
+ Hair & Makeup by Nsalo Salon (Wilmington, NC)
Music booked by ArtSync Magazine:
10:00pm - Sai Collins and the Getaway Drivers (Wilmington, NC)
11:00pm - Bruce Piephoff (Greensboro, NC)
12:00am - The Noises 10 (Charlotte, NC)

On-Site Art Stage (Top Level):
8:30-10:30 - TBA
10:30-1:30 - Seagh Mulligan, painter

Acoustic Stage/Backbar (Top Level):
10:00pm - Little Miss Sabotage and the Cornflowers (Wilmington, NC)
11:00pm - Rick Perry (Wilmington, NC)
12:00am - Seth Varnem & Faith Coleman (Wilmington, NC)
1:00am - Daniel Wuensch (Wilmington, NC)


Friday May 22nd
Bijou Park:
4-8pm - Street Festival: Out Impact Inc.
4:00pm - Music: Mark Janes
4:00pm - Street Painter: Brittany Lane
6:00pm - Music (drums): Perry

Ground Level (Laundro Lounge):
3:00pm - Ghost Cats of the South (Raleigh, NC)
4:00pm - River City Ransom (Raleigh, NC)
5:00pm - Pistolero (Atlanta, GA)
6:00pm - Analog Daze (Charlotte, NC)
7:00pm - Sketch Comedy/Improv: Guerilla Theatre (Wilmington, NC)
Music booked by Bootleg Magazine:
9:00pm - Dylan Gilbert (Charlotte, NC)
10:00pm - Marionette (Richmond, VA)
11:00pm - Kurt Reifler (New York, NY / Louisville, KY)
12:00am - The Dry Heathens (Durham, NC)
+ live painting by Mat Curran

Second Floor ArtBox Gallery:
6:00pm - Art Opening: (See Thursday listing for artists.)
9:00pm - DJ NatePhil (Wilmington, NC)
+ Films: Broken Wings Productions

Main Stage (Top Level):
3:00pm - Kevin Scanlon Band (Asheville, NC)
4:00pm - Calisus (Baltimore, MD)
5:00pm - Mindcrosser (Wilmington, NC)
7:30pm - Dance: Forward Motion Dance (Wilmington, NC)
8:00pm - Fashion Show
Arrenda's Unique Boutique (Wilmington, NC)
Lula Balou (Wilmington, NC)
+ Hair & Makeup by Nsalo Salon (Wilmington, NC)
9:00pm - The Holly Days (Charlotte, NC)
Americana Showcase booked by Encore Magazine:
10:00pm - Jesse Stockton Trio (Wilmington, NC)
11:00pm - Jackson Ave. (Charleston, SC)
12:00am - The Woolwine Complex (Wilmington, NC)
1:00am - Onward, Soldiers (Wilmington, NC)

On-Site Art Stage (Top Level):
7:30-10:30 - Artist TBA
10:30pm - Artist: Steph Hart
12:30-2am - Artist TBA

Acoustic Stage/Backbar (Top Level): booked by Bottega Art & Wine Gallery
10:00pm - Mark Herbert (Wilmington, NC)
11:00pm - Jason Ward (Wilmington, NC)
12:00am - Zeke Roland (Wilmington, NC)
1:00am - The Amazing Bill Saffos (Wilmington, NC)


Saturday May 23rd
Bijou Park: Street Festival
4:00pm - Magician: Chino Leon (Fayetteville, NC)

Ground Level (Laundro Lounge):
3:00pm - Octopus Jones (Myrtle Beach, SC)
4:00pm - Clang Quartet (Stokesdale, NC)
5:00pm - The Cedar Circuit (Wilmington, NC)
6:00pm - The ExMonkeys (Raleigh, NC)
7:00pm - Sketch Comedy/Improv: Guerilla Theatre (Wilmington, NC)
9:00pm - Illicitizen (Charlotte, NC)
10:00pm - The Paper Jets (Minneapolis, NJ)
11:00pm - Puritan Rodeo (Chapel Hill, NC)
12:00am - Whispaz (Wilmington, NC)
1:00am - Olivia and the Housemates (Washington, DC)

Second Floor ArtBox Gallery:
4:00pm - CanvasNC - alternative buying option for artists
7:00pm - Art Opening: (See Thursday listing for artists.)
9:00pm - DJ NatePhil (Wilmington, NC)
+ Films: Broken Wings Productions

Main Stage (Top Level):
3:00pm - Sunlit Coast (Wilmington, NC)
4:00pm - Oceans Over Monuments (Wilmington, NC)
5:00pm - Dare Dukes (Savannah, GA)
7:00pm - Fashion: Sharna Couture
+ Body painting by Grace
+ Hair & Makeup by Nsalo Salon (Wilmington, NC)
7:30pm - Dance: Forward Motion Dance (Wilmington, NC)
8:00pm - Kameshia Rogers (Wilmington, NC) 9:00pm - Chalkine Beauty (Richmond, VA)
Music booked by The Starving Artist Magazine:
10:00pm - Southern Sub-Culture (Wilmington, NC)
11:00pm - The Day We Confess (Wilmington, NC)
12:00am - NitPicknShitKickr (Wilmington, NC)
1:00am - Faith Collapsing (Wilmington, NC)

On-Site Art Stage (Top Level):
8:00pm - Painter: Brittany Lane
10:00pm - Painter: Seagh Mulligan

Acoustic Stage/Backbar (Top Level):
Poetry & Acoustic booked by Ryan David Miller
9:30pm - Gabriel Mortali (acoustic) (Wilmington, NC)
10:15pm - Jon Senna (acoustic) (Wilmington, NC)
11:00pm - Cappavellie The Renegade Black Cherokee (poet) (Wilmington, NC)
11:30pm - Mary Scott Chancey (poet) (Wilmington, NC)
12:00am - Sparks (poet) (Wilmington, NC)
12:30am - Kurt (poet) (Wilmington, NC)
1:00am - Starr Porter (poet) (Wilmington, NC)

Sunday, May 24th
Ground Level (Laundro Lounge):
3:00pm - Gray Young (Raleigh, NC)
4:00pm - Shine River (Charlotte, NC)
5:00pm - Pink Kodiak (Savannah, GA)
6:00pm - Ponchos from Peru (Wilmington, NC)
7:00pm - A Fucking Elephant (Pennington, NJ)
8:00pm - Ivory (Wilmington, NC)
9:00pm - The Amboys (Asbury Park, NJ)
10:00pm - The Pneurotics (Chapel Hill/Durham, NC)
11:00pm - Jimmy Bleeds Black (Wilmington, NC)
12:00am - Western Civ (Chapel Hill, NC)
1:00am - Sean Cox (Brunswick, NJ)

Second Floor ArtBox Gallery:
7:00pm - Art Opening: (See Thursday listing for artists.)
9:00pm - DJ NatePhil (Wilmington, NC)
+ Films running all night!


Main Stage (Top Level):
4:00pm - Film screenings: "Shout Out to 1909" - Film with Performance
Local and out-of-town filmmakers include:
Sean Galvin / Airlie Pelletier / Jenn and Will Mullins / Oliver Mellan /
Carl Kruger and Ally Parker / Rocco Taldin
Steve Gibbs / 910 Noise / Eric Everington / Jordan Lernard
Giorgio / Nate Panning / Joel Fernando / Blake M.
Aaron Hock / August Träger & Ryan Lewis / Blake Mccray
9:00pm - Nikki Talley (Asheville, NC)
10:00pm - Dim the Darklit (Wilmington, NC)
11:00pm - Billy (New Brunswick, NJ)
12:00am - Today the Moon, Tomorrow the Sun (Atlanta, GA)
1:00am - Club Awesome (Atlanta, GA)

On-Site Art Stage (Top Level):
9:00pm - Painter: Sarah Blair

Acoustic Stage/Backbar (Top Level):
Poetry & Acoustic Stage booked by Ryan David Miller
9:30pm - Mike Blair (acoustic) (Wilmington, NC)
10:15pm - Scott Urban (poet) (Wilmington, NC)
10:45pm - Jean Jones (poet) (Wilmington, NC)
11:15pm - Joe Miller (poet) (Wilmington, NC)
11:45pm - Luke Mitchem (acoustic) (Virginia)
12:30am - Stacie Fredrich (Virginia)
1:00am - Donny Hue and the Colors (acoustic) (Brooklyn, NY)


Monday May 25th Ground Level (Laundro Lounge): Music 3-2
3-7pm - Music TBA
6:00pm - soultron (Wilmington, NC)
7:00pm - Blue Marble Beat (Cary, NC)
8:00pm - Hearts by Darts (Baltimore, MD)
9:00pm - Battle Rockets (Carrboro, NC)
10:00pm - Terminal Reynaldo (Jersey City, NJ)
11:00pm - The Guruvs (Fayetteville, NC)
12:00am - Sleeps a Genius (Wilmington, NC)
1:00am - Sirens for Sleeping (Wilmington, NC)

On-Site Art Stage (Top Level):
9:00pm - Painter: Kat Fairbank (Southport, NC)

Second Floor ArtBox Gallery:
3-6pm - Film: Broken Wings Productions
7:00pm - Art Opening: (See Thursday listing for artists.)
9:00pm - DJ NatePhil (Wilmington, NC)
Main Stage (Top Level):
8:00pm - Chasing Eden (Wilmington, NC)
Music booked by Animocity Entertainment
9:00pm - Battle Squad (Jacksonville, NC)
10:00pm - 1099 Boys
11:00pm - J. Quinn
12:00am - Apex

Acoustic Stage/Backbar (Top Level):
10:00pm - Greg Koons (Harrisburg, PA)
11:00pm - Ms. Daydream (Wilmington, NC)
11:30pm - Mila Levine (New York, NY)

7 Silly Questions w/ The Emotron!

For those of you unfamiliar, The Emotron is a whirling dervish of high energy, synth-pop/punk songs thrown together in a sequencer and belched out live on stage in one of the most over the top, totally committed, maniacal, one man band performances in the history of music. As insane and frenetic as the The Emotron is on stage, you might be floored if you met the exceptionally friendly, devilishly clever, charming Kyle Knight in person. The two alter-egos are almost polar opposites.


Later this summer, The Emotron will be releasing Vampire Lunch Lady Tits on Slanty Shanty Records, which is his most musically mature, well rounded effort to date. The release date hasn't been set just yet, but there is a preview of some of the songs in the player below. Take a listen. Or better yet, see him live. The Emotron will be travelling all up and down the East coast and Mid-West this summer.

We caught up with The Emotron via the interwebs and persuaded him to answer some highly suspect questions.

Viva: What is the most embarrassing band you loved as a kid?
The Emotron: I really still love those bands. Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Stone Temple Pilots, Soundgarden, all the Shitty Grunge/90 - 95 Alt Rock. I was really into Weezer though. I was very involved with the Fanclub from 95 - 97. It now is kinda embarrassing how hard I was for that band.

Viva: What was the first album you bought?
The Emotron: Nirvana - Nevermind. Metallica - Black

Viva: What’s the funniest thing that has happened to you on the road?
The Emotron: 2007 when I toured for a Month with Mose Giganticus, I got the worst case of hemorrhoids I have ever had. It was so bad they were growing in layers on each other. Matt Mose took pictures of them and we sent them out as Emotron Christmas cards!

Viva: Your live show is a frenetic, high energy whirlwind of music that is highly dependent on your sequencer holding up its part of thebargain. Does your technology ever betray you?
The Emotron: Oh Yes, that thing has shit out on me a few times. I got piss/beer on it/in it a few times and had to put it in the shop. Recently it shitted out on me with about 3 shows left on the tour so I did a shitty Stand Up/Ventriloquist routine as the Emotron character with a picture of one of my friends that was glued to a stick.

Viva: How much of your own life do you put into your songs?
The Emotron: A. If you mean Life as in How Much Time do I work on Music = I do spend a lot of time writing songs on guitar/piano and sequencing them out, and experimenting with the sounds on the sequencer.
B. If you mean how much of my lyrical content is about my real life, I would say the new Album Vampire Lunch Lady Tits is 100% true life events that have mostly happened on tour. A lot of inside jokes that only a few would get.

Viva: Who would win in a fight? Bigfoot....or Sasquatch?
The Emotron: Trying to trick the Old Emotron, huh? Both of these dudes are the same... Its kinda like saying who would win in a fight - Don Freeman or Don Freeman?

Viva: Who’s in heavy rotation on your iPod?
The Emotron: Recently I have been rockin out to Lady Gaga and the First Hum Album.

Check out these great Emotron Videos!

The Emotron - 80's Nightmare

The Emotron on The Gin Blossoms



Photos by: Top Kerinewton.com. Middle Shutter16.com. Bottom Uncredited.
Tags: The Emotron Vampire Lunch Lady Tits

Telekinesis - Awkward Kisser Video + US Tour Dates!

"Awkward Kisser" is the latest video off Telekinesis self titled album out now on Merge Records. Also, today is the launch of their US Tour! If you get a chance, go out and see them live!



05.15.2009 Portland, OR Doug Fir Lounge w/ Margot & The Nuclear So & So's
05.16.2009 San Francisco, CA Great American Music Hall w/ Margot & The Nuclear So & So's
05.18.2009 Los Angeles, CA Troubadour w/ Margot & The Nuclear So & So's
05.19.2009 Costa Mesa, CA Detroit Bar w/ Margot & The Nuclear So & So's
05.20.2009 Phoenix, AZ Rhythm Room w/ Margot & The Nuclear So & So's
05.22.2009 Denton, TX Hailey's w/ Margot & The Nuclear So & So's
05.23.2009 Austin, TX The Mohawk w/ Margot & The Nuclear So & So's
05.24.2009 Norman, OK The Opolis
06.07.2009 Chicago, IL Schubas w/ An Horse
06.08.2009 Pontiac, MI The Pike Room at The Crofoot w/ An Horse
06.10.2009 Toronto, ON Canada Horseshoe Tavern w/ An Horse
06.11.2009 Montreal, Club Lambi w/ An Horse
06.12.2009 Northampton, MA Iron Horse w/ An Horse
06.13.2009 Brooklyn, NY Union Hall w/ An Horse
06.14.2009 New York, NY Mercury Lounge w/ An Horse
06.16.2009 Philadelphia, PA Kungfu Necktie w/ An Horse
06.17.2009 Washington , DC Black Cat Backstage w/ An Horse
06.18.2009 Chapel Hill, NC Local 506 w/ An Horse
06.19.2009 Atlanta, GA The Earl w/ An Horse
06.20.2009 Nashville, TN The End w/ An Horse
06.21.2009 St. Louis, MO Off Broadway w/ An Horse
06.22.2009 Omaha, NE Slowdown Jr. w/ An Horse
06.23.2009 Denver, CO Hi Dive w/ An Horse
06.27.2009 Los Angeles, CA The Echoplex
06.28.2009 San Francisco, CA Bottom of the Hill

Tags: telekinesis awkward kisser video

NYC Popfest - This Weekend!

If you live anywhere near NYC, go out to the NYC Popfest! The line-up is incredible!

Thurs May 14th @ Cake Shop
all NYC showcase!

Knight School (nyc)
Soft City (nyc)
Dream Bitches (nyc)
The Metric Mile (nyc)
My Teenage Stride (nyc)
The Ballet (nyc)

Fri May 15th @ Don Hills

Don Lennon (nyc)
The Tartans (ca)
The Radio Dept. (sweden)
Liechtenstein (sweden)
Cats On Fire (finland)
+ mondo indie dance party

Saturday May 16th @ Cake Shop
afternoon free show!

Hidden Ghost Balloon Ship (mi)
The 1959 Hat Company (oh)
Strega (nyc)
Springfactory (sweden)

Saturday May 16th @ The Bell House

Computer Perfection (mi)
Eux Autres (ca)
The Secret History (nyc)
Pants Yell! (ma)
The Radio Dept. (sweden)
+ indiepop dance party

Sunday May 17th @ Cake Shop
sunday all-dayer!

Steve Goldberg (pa)
Boy Genius (nyc)
A Faulty Chromosome (tx)
Very Truly Yours (il)
The Smittens (vt)
Rose Melberg (canada)
Afternoon Naps (oh)
The Drums (fl)
The Icicles (mi)
Casper and the Cookies (ga)
Burning Hearts (finland)
Suburban Kids w. Biblical Names (sweden)

Tags:NYC Pop Festival

Apostle of Hustle - Eats Darkness

Apostle of Hustle is kind of a a supergroup made from various Arts & Crafts bands. The trio consists of Andrew Whiteman (lead guitarist of Broken Social Scene), bassist Julian Brown (Feist), and Dean Stone (Sarah Harmer, Amy Millan) on drums. Their latest album Eats Darkness is due out May 19th. All 13 tracks on the release are a challenging, interesting listen as they push the envelope of musical convention in their own unique way. But, in the end, it is rewarding. You feel like you have actually heard something a bit different than the standard indie fare and certainly not mundane. This definitely won't be for everyone and it is certainly less accessible then their previous efforts. But, for those who like it a little strange, this is a must have.

Download Perfect Fit MP3 (courtesy of Stereogum)!

Tags: apostle of hustle eats darkness

Liechtenstein - Survival Strategies In A Modern World

Slumberland Records is releasing Swedish all girl trio Liechtenstein's debut album Survival Strategies in a Modern World on June 2nd. Liechtenstein has an fun, interesting take on early 80s new wave/post punk. Download the free MP3 "Roses in the Park" and take a look at the video for the track "Security By Design" (the B-side to last year's Apathy 7"). All nine tracks on this release are fairly entertaining. These gals are worth a few moments of your time.

Download Roses in the Park MP3!



Tags: Liechtenstein Survival Strategies In A Modern World

A Camp - Stronger Than Jesus Video

Nina Persson formerly of The Cardigans is back and better than ever with her new band A Camp. On April 28th they released Colonia, 12 wonderful songs that invoke the carefree, easy going vibes of summertime in the 70s. Take a look at the Stronger Than Jesus video. It will tell you everything you need to know.




Tags: a camp stronger than jesus

The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart - Young Adult Friction Video & MP3!

The Pains of Being Pure At Heart just released a new video and MP3 from their self-titled release that came out earlier this year. If you get a chance to see these guys live, you owe it to yourself to do so. Check em out!

Download Young Adult Friction MP3!



Apr 28 2009 Lee's Palace Toronto, Ontario %
Apr 29 2009 The Pike Room at Crofoot Pontiac, Michigan %
Apr 30 2009 Beachland Tavern - All Ages Cleveland, Ohio %
May 1 2009 The Summit Columbus, Ohio %
May 2 2009 The End Nashville, Tennessee %
May 3 2009 The Earl Atlanta, Georgia %
May 4 2009 Local 506 Chapel Hill, North Carolina %
May 5 2009 Talking Head Club Baltimore, Maryland %
May 6 2009 The Barbary (Early Show) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania%
May 7 2009 Champion Ship Lemoyne, Pennsylvania
May 12 2009 Bowery Ballroom New York, New York %
Jun 18 2009 Cake Shop New York, New York #
July 10 2009 South Street Seaport New York, New York % (FREE)
July 18 2009 Pitchfork Fest Chicago, Illinois
July 20 2009 The Echo Los Angeles, California *
July 21 2009 The Rickshaw Stop San Fransisco, California *
July 23 2009 Backspace Portland, Oregon *
July 24 2009 Biltmore Cabaret Vancouver, BC *
July 25 2009 Capital Hill Block Party Seattle, Washington
% = w/ Zaza
# = w/ Crystal Stilts
* = w/ Girls

Tags:The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart Young Adult Friction

Blank Dogs - Setting Fire To Your House Video

Blank Dogs have released a video and free MP3 download from their upcoming album Under and Under on In The Red records. The album is available in both CD and double LP format. For now, take a look at the video for "Setting Fire To Your House", it's pretty f'in entertaining.

Download Tin Birds MP3

Tags: blank dogs setting fire to your house

Photons - Glory! EP

I had not heard of 8 member San Francisco band Photons until the band sent me an email asking me to take a listen to their upcoming Glory! EP (due out May 12th ). Frankly, I was a little worried at first when they noted in their press materials that other critics were comparing them to Bloc Party and The Strokes. Thankfully, such correlations clearly come from small minded bloggers with limited musical knowledge. In truth, Glory! is a great 4 song release full of interesting instrumentation, charming arrangements, and some entertaining call and response. Take a listen to their free MP3 download "Where Were You Last Night." Photons are worth a few moments of your time.

Photons Myspace
Download Where Were You Last Night MP3

Tags: Photons Glory EP

7 Silly Questions w/ The Preakness!

The first time I saw The Preakness live I was completely blown away. The guitar work of Brandon Arnold is so intricate, so inspired, and so effortless it makes you want to quit playing your own instrument because there is absolutely no way you could ever be that graceful and intuitive. Throw in multi-instrumentalist/co-vocalist Tracy Clark and inventive drummer Matt Glagola and you have what is perhaps the best live act Atlanta has to offer.


Their debut album A Class Act In A Bad Situation just came out on Two Sheds Music. All 13 tracks are extremely well crafted, intelligent delights. The dual vocals take the recordings from merely excellent to incredible. There are too many great songs on the album to point to one or two tracks as standouts. However, their cover of Smog's "A Hit" is pretty special. Take a listen to the songs in the player below. It's worth your time.

We caught up to The Preakness via the interwebs. Thankfully, they gave us a few moments of their time to answer some highly suspicious questions:

Viva: What is the most embarrassing band you loved as a kid?
BRANDON: I had a picture of Cindy Lauper on my Trapper Keeper but she's not a band, so I'll just say Dokken
MATT: Phil Collins
TRACY: Missing Persons, but that did not stop me from buying the album for a dollar recently.

Viva: Who has the worst practice ethic?
BRANDON: Mark Crifasi
MATT: Nobody, we love that stuff!
TRACY: We have champagne jams …and no one can fight when champagne is involved

Viva: Who would win in a fight, Falcor....or Mr. Snuffaluffagus?
BRANDON: A street fight, or something more organized like a boxing match? I think Snuff does better when it's no holds barred.
MATT: I believe they would settle their differences in a gentlemanly manner.
TRACY: Falcor obviously - he's REAL...duurrr.

Viva: What is the funniest thing that happened to you at a show?
BRANDON: A tree fell on my car. Oh wait, that wasn't funny. Probably the time my pants fell down mid song. Oh wait, that didn't happen. Maybe the tampon joke. Yeah...the tampon joke is the funniest thing.
MATT: Twinkies were hurled at us violently
TRACY: A gorilla came up on stage and tried to play my bass while it was still attached to me. Also, someone sharpied on our email list “may God have mercy on you SWINE” – I don’t know what we did but, it’s really great to know we’re reaching out to people and making a difference.

Viva: What's the worst song you have covered live?
BRANDON: I once covered Baby's Got Back with another band. Our cover songs have been pretty rad.
MATT: All songs I've covered are awesome.
TRACY: Good song that we covered badly: we mutilated "Yeah, Oh Yeah" by Magnetic Fields. Bad song that we covered awesomely: is yet to come and I believe it will be by REO speedwagon.

Viva: Who's in heavy rotation on your iPod?
BRANDON: A lot of old soul music and metal right now.
MATT: Smog/ the Joggers
TRACY: Bird and the Bee, Motorhead, Heartless Bastards, Alexander Robotnick, A Date with John Waters (album), Joy Division.

Viva: What is the worst fight you have gotten into with each other?
BRANDON: I think it was over toothpaste brands. I still say Aquafresh...I mean, it's three in one protection for Christ's sake.
MATT: I've only played with these guys for a few months now. So far, so good. No fighting yet but I can be pushed only so far and then I snap. We'll see.
TRACY: Since the guys don’t wear eyeliner, we are argument-free


Visit the Preakness Online:
The Preakness Myspace



Tags: the preakness a class act in a bad situation