Ben Sollee and Daniel Martin Moore Release New Disc "Dear Companion" / All Proceeds Benefit iLoveMountains.org

DOWNLOAD: "Something, Somewhere, Sometime" - Ben Sollee and Daniel Martin Moore

Ben Sollee's new disc, Dear Companion, was released today and here is the copy of the note that Ben sent out earlier this morning:

Just wanted to send a brief note to let you know that my new record, Dear Companion, is just released today. It's a collaborative project between fellow Kentuckian Daniel Martin Moore and myself produced rock-maestro Yim Yames of My Morning Jacket. We've come together to make some music celebrating our cultural ties to Appalachia and to raise awareness about mountain-top removal coal mining. It's an unfortunately efficient means of strip mining to removes to summits of mountains to dig out coal. Daniel and I feel that losing our environmental and cultural heritage is far too big a sacrifice for something as inefficient as coal.

We're donating a portion of the proceeds to the organization Appalachian Voices to help with all the good work they are doing to help raise awareness around the issue and to help amplify the voices of people struggling in the coal fields. You can find out more about what they do at www.ilovemountains.org.

We had a tremendous amount of fun making this record and we hope that will enjoy and make it a part of your listening. We're not trying to change the world with this music. We're just trying to discover our role in it all. I hope you can share with others and spread the good.

Thanks to Sub Pop records for getting beyond this project and recognizing that we're all in this together as a nation.

Take Care,
Ben

The tour kicks off this week and stops at Joe's Pub on March 5th and 6th. Here are the complete tour dates:

2.16 - Louisville, KY - Ear X-tacy (In-Store)
2.17 - Lexington, KY - CD Central (In-Store)
2.19 - Cincinnati, OH - Shake-It Records (In-Store)
2.19 - Cincinnati, OH - Northside Tavern
2.20 - Indianapolis, IN - Radio Radio
2.25 - Nashville, TN - Grimey's (In-Store)
2.25 - Nashville, TN - Mercy Lounge
2.26 - Louisville, KY - Brown Theater
2.27 - Asheville, NC - The Orange Peel
3.01 - Boone, NC - Boone Saloon
3.02 - Carrboro, NC - Carrboro Arts Center
3.04 - Philadelphia, PA - World Cafe Live
3.05 - New York, NY - Joe's Pub
3.06 - New York, NY - Joe's Pub
3.09 - Albany, NY - The Linda
3.11 - Cleveland, OH - Beachland Ballroom
3.12 - Evanston, IL - SPACE
3.13 - Chicago, IL - Schuba's
3.15 - Cedar Rapids, IA - CSPS
3.16 - St. Louis, MO - Old Rock House
3.18 - Austin, TX - SXSW
3.19 - Austin, TX - SXSW
3.26 - Santa Monica, CA - McCabe's
3.27 - San Francisco, CA - Swedish American Hall
3.29 - Portland, OR - Doug Fir Lounge
3.30 - Seattle, WA - The Crocodile
4.02 - Minneapolis, MN - Cedar Cultural Center
4.03 - Madison, WI - Majestic Theater

Links:
Dear Companion
Ben Sollee
Daniel Martin Moore

The Brunettes: Structure and Cosmetics (Sub Pop) CD Review

The Brunettes generated quite a buzz during their multiple tours of US opening for bands like The Shins, Rilo Kiley and Clap Your Hands Say Yeah. I finally caught the band at the CMJ New Zealand Fest (see previous post for pictures and a show review).

"Structure and Cosmetics" is The Brunettes third CD and the first one to be released domestically in the US. The band's songwriting has matured over the last few releases and this disc isn't quite as "sugary" as the previous releases. The music really reminds me of the bands from twee-pop movement that came out Washington, DC in the mid-90's. Tuscadero, Unrest and Velocity Girl are the immediate bands that come to mind. The male/female call-and-response vocals between Jonathan Bree and Heather Mansfield are reminiscent of early Velocity Girl.

There are some great quirky pop songs on this disc and The Brunettes have sort of an offbeat charm that makes songs like "Stereo (Mono Mono)" work where other bands many not have been so successful. ("Stereo (Mono Mono)" starts with Jonathan and Heather, each in separate speakers (mono), lamenting their separation).

The song structures and song complexities pick up toward the middle of the disc with songs like "Credit Card Mail Order" and "Obligatory Road Song". These songs are more 'dark' than the first few track on the disc and highlite the band's long-time Jonathan Richman influence. Clear production across this disc showcases a wide variety of instruments that range from clarinet to melodica, trumpet and steel guitar.

This is a fun album that holds up to repeated listening. It will be interesting to watch how the band and their sound evolve from here.

Links:
The Brunettes' Website
The Brunettes' MySpace page

The Dodos (Meric Long) Play August Shows in Brooklyn and NYC

Psych/folk-duo The Dodos are in town for two shows supporting Jennifer Gentle (Sub*Pop). The shows are August 29th at the Mercury Lounge in Manhattan and August 30th at the Luna Lounge in Brooklyn. After the current East Coast tour, the band is touring the West Coast with Akron Family.

The band has been compared to a wide range of artists but I think the closest comparison is to Nick Drake and/or early Tyrannosaurus Rex (the acoustic duo era). The Dodos' last CD, Beware of the Maniacs, made a number of "Best of the Year" lists for 2006. Check out The Ball and Nerds from this release. I would expect this to be a great show.

Here is what Deli Magazine had to say about the last CD...."When Meric Long released his solo EP 'Dodo Bird' in March of 2006, he attracted a slew of quality-loving indie fans with his songwriting/ guitar/vocal talents. Now, with experimental drummer Logan Kroeber on his side, he is breaking all the rules, and doing it well. On 'Beware of the Maniacs', Long and Kroeber craft each song with full, almost orchestral blends of multiple guitar and drum tracks. Long's classic, raw voice displays raw and deep emotion through his often personal and descriptive lyrics. The almost tribal drums compliment the varied guitar sounds, from heavy chords to intricate finger-picking."

The Dodos have a new release, tentatively entitled "Visiter", scheduled to be released this fall.

Links:
The Dodos/Meric Long's Website
The Dodos/Meric Long's MySpace Page

Earth @ Bowery Ballroom, July 24, 2007

Earth was the second band to play @ the Bowery Ballroom last Tuesday. The band played a nice, long set of low-fi drone music. I suspect many of the tracks played are from Earth's forthcoming CD THE BEE MADE HONEY IN THE LIONS SKULL (which is due out on Southern Lord later this year). I snagged a set list from Don McGreevy and here are the tracks listed:

- Carrion Crow
- Hung From Moon
- Ouroboros (or Coda)
- The Driver
- Bees
- Engine of Runes

Earth Onstage @ Bowery Ballroom
Don McGreevy (w/Adrienne Davies in the background)
Dylan Carlson
Dylan Carlson

Oxford Collapse are Playing Free Fest in Williamsburg on June 21st

This looks like a fun one...

I haven't seen Oxford Collapse but keep reading great reviews. The band is playing a free fest on Bedford Avenue in Williamsburg next Thursday. Also on the bill are Best Fwends and Cheesburger.

Bedford Ave (between 7th and 8th) will be blocked off for this fest and the show runs from 6PM - 10PM.


Here are some details on the Make Music New York festival:

Make Music New York is a new live, free musical celebration across the city that will take place for the first time on June 21, 2007.

For one day, public spaces throughout the five boroughs (sidewalks, parks, community gardens, and more) will become impromptu musical stages, dance floors, and social meeting points. Thousands of amateur musicians, in every genre, will be able to play on the sidewalks for the biggest crowdsof their lives. Professional musicians will be able to attract new audiences, who will come out from under their headphones to hear unfamiliar groups risk-free. And everyone will be invited to sing along and enjoy the first day of summer.

Links:
Oxford Collapse MySpace page (link)

Nate Young's Brother Injured in Fire (Wolf Eyes)

Nate Young posted the following to the Hanson Records mailing list earlier this week. Please donate if you can...

Hey everyone,

On the morning of Feb 24th my brother Peter Young was in a fire. He was injured with 2nd and 3rd degree burns on 30-44% of his body. Neighbors reported seeing him coming out of his apartment unharmed only to see him run back in to save his dog Little John. The smoke and heat over took Pete as soon as he reentered the apartment. Pete was found unconscious and burning by Brighton Police and Fire Department who rushed him over to the U of M hospital. His apartment was completely destroyed and Little John did not make it. Pete has no medical insurance or insurance on his apartment which he owns. He is undergoing surgery for skin grafts and has not been conscious yet. He will be in the hospital for at least 2-3 months.

I am asking for donations to help my family with some of the medical bills and the rebuilding of his apartment. I have set up a paypal account in Pete's name. There are over 1000 members on this board, if everyone donates at least $1 that will be a big help.

Please paypal donations to Peter.B.Young (at) gmail (dot) com
Please try to pay the paypal fee if paying from a credit or debit card.

Pete first introduced me to punk, psychedelic rock and noise - the music that inspired me the most as a kid. He also painted the cover for the first Wolf Eyes album released on Bulb. Without him Wolf Eyes may not have ever existed. I hope you'll help me give him something back.

With much thanks,
Nate Young

The Thermals Are Playing a Todd P Show in Brooklyn on March 5th

Todd P has just announced a Brooklyn show with The Thermals on March 5th at Studio B. This looks like a fun show as the band is playing with The Big Sleep (French Kiss Records) and Meneguar (Troubleman Unlimited). Advance tickets are $12.

Here is how Todd P describes the bands:

[ THE THERMALS ]The Thermals' Hutch Harris and Kathy Foster have been playing together for years. First, after meeting in Maine, they formed the acoustic duo Haelah - then, after moving to Portland, Oregon in the late 90's - they went rock with the Urban Legends - then - back to acoustic, simply, as Hutch and Kathy - and then, finally, in 2002, teaming with one-time drummer Jordan Hudson and (briefly) Ben Barnett (of Kind of Like Spitting) to create the Thermals. Ben left quick, and Jordan would later be replaced on the drum stool by Lorin Coleman, and then also, very recently, with new addition Joel Burrows on 2nd guitar. Through whatever incarnation, Hutch and Kathy churn out absolutely heartfelt, totally crunchy, slightly spazzy, rock and roll anthems. Joyful stuff that'll make you want to learn the words and scream along and jump up and down.
SITE --> http://thethermals.com
MYSPACE --> http://myspace.com/thethermals

[ THE BIG SLEEP ]"The Big Sleep are a trio that plays driving psych-rock that sounds similar to the forever-underrated Turing Machine, or Trans Am back when they were good. This band is extremely tight on the rhythms, creating walls of stunning guitar sound backed by precise percussion. Their songs definitely get a groove going, and you can almost hear each member's pure delight at how well they can rock it with each other. But their jams never cross that common threshold into ostentatious grandstanding. The Big Sleep know less is more, and 4-5 minutes is all they need to completely hook us and reel us right in." - OhMyRockness.com-- MYSPACE --> http://myspace.com/sonofthetig

[ MENEGUAR ]These angry boys jump around and yell and spit out catchy, intricate punk influenced rock songs - conjuring disassembled and disjointed memories of past bands along the lines of as Missions of Burma, Hüsker Dü. One of the best and most unique straight ahead rock bands in New York, for serious. Recent (re)release on Troubleman Unlimited. Shares a member with Wooden Wand and the Vanishing Voice. Killer riffs beneath intense, goosebump inspiring, on-the-edge of their vocal chords 3-part harmonies.
SITE --> http://angelfire.com/clone/sheryls/
MYSPACE / MP3s --> http://myspace.com/Meneguar

The Thermals will be on NBC's Last Call with Carson Daly next Friday (Feb. 16th) performing A Pillar of Salt.

The Shins Hit NYC on Promo Tour for New CD

The Shins new CD/LP Wincing the Night Away is due to be released on Jan. 23rd and the band is making a number of promo stops in NYC to promote the upcoming release.





Here is the current schedule:
- The band is the musical guest on Saturday Night Live next week (Jan 13th)

- The band will be playing live at midnight at Virgin Records in Union Square on Jan. 22nd.

- The band is the musical guest on The Late Show with David Letterman on Jan. 23rd

The band is off on a limited tour right after this (with, unfortunately, no NYC area dates scheduled). Tour dates are:

Feb. 8: Minneapolis (First Avenue)
Feb. 9: Milwaukee (Eagles Ballroom)
Feb. 10: Chicago (Congress Theatre)
Feb. 11: St. Louis (Pageant)
Feb. 12-13: Lawrence, Kan. (Liberty Hall)
Feb. 15: Denver (Fillmore)
Feb. 16: Salt Lake City (In the Venue)
Feb. 20: Seattle (Paramount Theatre)
Feb. 21: Portland, Ore. (Crystal Ballroom)
Feb. 25: London (Astoria)