Sharon Van Etten – Taking Chances

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Sharing the first single from her upcoming album, Sharon Van Etten reveals the plaintive, downtempo track “Taking Chances.” In a departure from her traditional folk sound, the Brooklyn singer-songwriter employs an exquisite blend of electronic drums and layered vocals on the track. Her LP Are We There will be released May 26 via the label Jagjaguwar (Angel Olsen, Bon Iver, Unknown Mortal Orchestra).

 

Sharon has quite the busy agenda this summer:

5/08 Northampton, MA – Iron Horse Music Hall
5/09 Hudson, NY – Helsinki Hudson
5/10 Providence, RI – Columbus Theatre
5/11 Hamden, CT – Ballroom at the Outer Space
5/25 Brussels, Belgium – Le Botanique
5/28 Paris, France – Café de la Danse
5/30 Barcelona, Spain – Primavera Sound Festival
6/01 Cologne, Germany – Studio 672
6/02 Berlin, Germany – Privatclub
6/03 Amsterdam, Netherlands – Bitterzoet
6/05 London, England – KOKO
6/11 Boston, MA – Sinclair
6/12 Brooklyn, NY – Music Hall of Williamsburg (Northside Festival)
6/13-14 New York, NY – Bowery Ballroom
6/17 Washington, DC – 9:30 Club
6/18 Philadelphia, PA – Union Transfer
6/19 Millvale, PA – Mr. Small’s
6/20 Cleveland, OH – Beachland Ballroom
6/21 Nashville, TN – Exit In
6/24 Denver, CO – Bluebird Theater
6/25 Salt Lake City, UT – Urban Lounge
6/28 Los Angeles, CA – El Rey Theatre
6/29-30 San Francisco, CA – The Independent
7/02-03 Portland, OR – Doug Fir
7/05 George, WA – Sasquatch Festival
7/06 Vancouver, British Columbia – Rickshaw Theatre
7/08 Calgary, Alberta – Republik
7/09 Edmonton, Alberta – Starlite Room
7/14 Fargo, ND – Aquarium
7/16 Minneapolis, MN – First Avenue
7/17 Madison, WI – University of Wisconsin
7/18 Chicago, IL – Pitchfork Music Festival
8/14-17 Wales, England – Green Man Festival

Real Estate – Talking Backwards

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I was really late to the Real Estate train, but I’m thoroughly enjoying this song from their latest LP, Atlas released earlier this month. The New Jersey based band have received steady praise for their signature blend of hazy suburban indie rock. Take a listen to their single “Talking Backwards” and check out their tour schedule below. DC folk can catch them at 930 Club April 2nd.

https://soundcloud.com/real-estate-the-band/talking-backwards-1

 

Upcoming Tour Dates:

3/19 Cambridge, MA – The Sinclair
3/20 Cambridge, MA – The Sinclair
3/21 South Burlington, VT – Higher Ground Ballroom
3/22 Montreal, Quebec – II Motore
3/23 Toronto, Ontario – The Opera House
3/25 Madison, WI – Majestic Theatre
3/26 Minneapolis, MN – Fine Line
3/27 Chicago, IL – Metro
3/28 St Louis, MO – Firebird
3/29 Nashville, TN – Exit/In
3/31 Atlanta, GA – Terminal West
4/01 Charlottesville, VA – Jefferson Theater
4/02 Washington, DC – 9:30 Club
4/03 Philadelphia, PA – Union Transfer
4/05 New York, NY – Webster Hall
4/10 Lawrence, KS – Liberty Hall
5/23 Manchester, UK – Dot to Dot Festival
5/24 Bristol, UK – Dot to Dot Festival
5/25 Nottingham, UK – Dot to Dot Festival
5/26 Glasgow, UK – The Classic Grand
5/27 Dublin, Ireland – The Classic Grand
5/29 Barcelona, Spain – Primavera Sound Festival
6/2 Paris, France – Trabendo
6/3 Brussels, Belgium – Botanique – Rotande
6/4 Hamburg, Germany – Indra
6/5 Copenhagen, Denmark – Wasn’t Born To Follow Festival
6/12 – 6/15 Manchester, TN – Bonnaroo Festival
8/14 – 8/17 Wales, UK – Green Man Festival

RMX Roundup: Olympic Ayres / Foals vs Booka Shade / Sky Ferreira + Cid Rim

Sky Ferrieira Performs At Scala

For today’s installment of Remix Roundup, we have three completely different but individually stellar tracks in their own right. First off is Sydney duo Olympic Ayres, who dropped the upbeat electro-gem “Take Flight” a few weeks back. While not actually a remix, this electronic original will have you taking flight in no time, and is due out on their forthcoming EP Leisureplex later this year. Next up is the sexy mashup of Foals “My Number” over Booka Shade’s “Charlotte,” by fellow Australian artist RÜFÜS. Grab the free download here, and catch them at U Street Music Hall March 27 if you’re in DC. Last but not least is the latest from Austrian producer Cid Rim, an electric remix of Sky Ferreira’s “You’re Not The One” replete with arpeggios, shiny vocals over a choppy chorus, and a punchy bass line — the stuff good remixes are made of. Stream all three below.

Elbow – New York Morning

NY Morning

Having a strange name for a band, Elbow is an alternative rock group that hails from Manchester. This month they released their sixth studio album, The Take Off and Landing of Everything. Another exquisite song about the capital of the world, “New York Morning” was inspired by Elbow frontman Guy Garvey’s recent time in Brooklyn last year. The accompanying video — detailing the lives of New York City couple and CBGB scenesters Dennis and Lois — is a love sonnet to the city in itself and well worth a viewing.

https://soundcloud.com/mmmusic/elbow-new-york-morning

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Upcoming Tour Dates:

3/31, Birmingham, LG Arena
4/6, Glasgow, SSE Hydro
4/8, Cardiff, Motorpoint Arena
4/9, Manchester, Phones 4U Arena
4/11, Leeds, First Direct Arena
4/12, Liverpool, Echo Arena
4/14, Nottingham, Capital FM Arena
4/16, London, The O2

US Tour:
5/11, Washington, D.C., 930 Club
5/12, Boston, MA., Royale Night Club
5/13, Philadelphia, PA., Electric Factory
5/16, New York, NY., Webster Hall
5/17, Toronto, ON., Danforth Music Hall
5/19, Chicago, IL., House of Blues
5/20, Minneapolis, MN., First Avenue
5/23, Vancouver, BC., Commodore Ballroom
5/24, Portland, OR. Wonder Ballroom
5/25, Quincy, WA., Sasquatch Music Festival
5/27, Oakland, CA., The Fox Theater
5/28, Los Angeles, CA., The Wiltern

NY Morning2

The Preatures – Is This How You Feel?

The-Preatures

Australian band The Preatures burst onto the scene last year in a powerful way with their second EP, Is This How You Feel. Fronted by Isabella Manfredi — whose vocal chops channel the likes of Stevie Nicks — the Preatures’ sound is referential to the rhythmic and tightly-sequenced pop of the 80s that seems to be making a comeback these days (much to my delight).

Take a listen to their ridiculously infectious, feel-good title track below. They’ll be playing a couple of shows in NYC this week, before hitting up SXSW the next and continuing the festival circuit with Coachella and Bonnaroo. AND — to let my DC friends in on a little secret — they’ll be opening for the as-of-yet-unannounced MS MR show at 930 Club in June!!

Wild Ones – Paia // Curse Over Me

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Portland collective Wild Ones are re-releasing their debut album Keep It Safe via Topshelf Records April 1. Informed by a range of musical styles based on the various backgrounds of the members, their synthpop sound is a lush and retro melodic affair that fans of Tennis are sure to appreciate. Check out gems such as “Paia” and “Curse Over Me” below (available for free on Soundcloud), and listen as Danielle Sullivan casts a spell with her warbling vocals hovering effortlessly over the unique arrangements of Thomas Himes.

Take a look at Wild Ones’ extensive Spring tour schedule below.

 

Tour Dates:
3/07 – Phoenix, AZ @ VIVA PHX
3/08 – El Paso, TX @ Lowbrow Palace^
3/09 – Denton, TX @ Dan’s Silverleaf^
3/10 – San Antonio, TX @ Korova^
3/12 – 3/15 – SXSW
3/18 – Carrboro, NC @ Cat’s Cradle%
3/19 – Washington, DC @ 930 Club%
3/20 – Brooklyn, NY @ Baby’s All Right
3/21 – Burlington, VT @ Higher Ground%
3/22 – Boston, MA @ The Sinclair%
3/23 – Boston, MA @ The Sinclair%
3/24 – Portland, ME @ Port City Music Hall%
3/25 – Hamden, CT @ Spaceland Ballroom%
3/26 – Philadelphia, PA @ Boot and Saddle
3/27 – New York, NY @ Webster Hall%
3/29 – Cleveland, OH @ Beachland Ballroom%
3/30 – Cincinnati, OH @ MOTR Pub
3/31 – Louisville, KY @ Headliner’s%
4/02 – Milwaukee, WI @ Turner Hall%
4/03 – Chicago, IL @ Metro%
4/04 – Champaign, IL @ Mike N Molly’s
4/05 – Madison, WI @ UW Madison%
4/06 – Minneapolis, MN @ 7th Street Entry
4/07 – Iowa City, IA @ Blue Moose%
4/08 – Omaha, NE @ Waiting Room%
4/10 – Denver, CO @ Bluebird%
4/11 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Urban Lounge%
4/12 – Boise, ID @ Knitting Factory%
^ = w/ In The Valley Below
% = w/ Typhoon

The Crystal Method – Over It (Bixel Boys Remix)

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It’s not often that I go to post about an artist, only to discover that they are playing in my locale that very night. That is in fact, the case here with the Southern Californian duo Bixel Boys. Bringing their tropical house vibe to DC’s U Street Music Hall tonight, their latest remix of The Crystal Method’s new track “Over It” is a synthy and somehow summery twist on the the classic TCM sound. Stream the infectious retake in preparation for your Saturday night and check out their full tour dates below.

Bixel Boys Spring Tour Dates:

2.22 – D.C @ U Street Music Hall w/ Justin Jay + PillowTalk +option4
2.27 – London, ONT Canada @ London Music Hall w/ WE ARE GTA
2.28 – Toronto, Canada @ UNIUN Nightclub w/ GTA
3.1 – San Diego @ Bang Bang (BIXEL BDAY PARTY)
3.6 – San Diego @ Fluxx Nightclub w/ DJ SNAKE
3.7 – Dallas @ The Globe w/ Amtrac
3.8 – Chicago @ evilOlive w/ Autograf
3.13-15 – Austin @ SXSW
3.22 – Los Angeles @ LURE w/ Boys Noize
3.28 – Miami @ Nikki Beach Miami w/ Tommy Trash
4.4 – Denver, CO @ SnowBall Music Festival

Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. – Hiding

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Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. is the eclectic Detroit duo that produces intelligent pop music wrapped up in quirky packaging. They released their LP The Speed of Things in 2013 and have been running full speed ahead ever since. The album is jam-packed with dancey and electronic indie hits, including tracks like “Hiding” and “Morning Thought” below. Seriously though, they’re all worth sampling, as their songs are laden with fantastic heartwarming hooks and seriously catchy riffs. Paul Simon even helped with production on one of their songs, “War Zone,” which is apparent upon one listen. I’m also digging the DATA Remix of their song “If You Didn’t See Me (Then You Weren’t On The Dancefloor)” — available for streaming below.

DEJJ kicks off their headlining tour tomorrow in Cleveland Heights, Ohio, culminating at NY’s Webster Hall the end of March. Full tour schedule below, but DCers can catch them at 930 Club next month.

 

2014 TOUR DATES:

2/13 – Clevehand Heights, OH @ Grog Shop
2/14 – Cincinnati, OH @ 20th Century Theatre
2/15 – Indianapolis, IN @  Deluxe at Old National Center
2/16 – St.Louis, MO @  Old Rock House
2/17 – Nashville, TN @  Mercy Lounge
2/18 – Atlanta, GA @  Terminal West at King Plow
2/20 – Dallas, TX @  Trees
2/21 – Houston, TX @  Fitzgerald’s Upstairs
2/22 – Austin, TX @  Emo’s
2/24 – Albuquerque, NM @  Launchpad
2/25 – Tucson, AZ @  Club Congress
2/27 – San Diego, CA @  The Cabash
2/28 – Los Angeles, CA @  El Rey Theater
3/01 – San Francisco, CA @  The Filmore
3/03 – Portland, OR @  Doug Fir Lounge
3/05 – Seattle, WA @  Neumos
3/07 – Salt Lake City, UT @ The State Room
3/08 – Denver, CO @  Bluebird Theater
3/10 – Lawrence, KS @ The Bottleneck
3/12 – Minneapolis, MN @  Fine Line Music Café
3/13 – Milwaukee, WI @ Turner Hall
3/14 – Chicago, IL @ Metro
3/15 – Columbus, OH @ The A&R Music Bar
3/18 – Toronto, ON @  The Hoxton
3/20 – Boston, MA @ Brighton Music Hall
3/21 – Washington D.C. @ 9:30 Club
3/22 – Milvale, PA @ Mr. Smalls Theatre
3/23 – Charlottesville, VA @ Jefferson Theatre
3/24 – Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer
3/26 – New York, NY @ Webster Hall

Nils Frahm – Says

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German musician and composer Nils Frahm has successfully mixed classical piano style with analog synthesizers. Having trained under the pianist Nahum Brodski — a student of the last scholar of Tschaikowski — his skilled composition and exquisite melodies reveal a modern-day mastery of the craft.

Listen and let the sound flow thru to your soul on the stunning single, “Says,” released off his 2013 LP Spaces. To witness the genius in person, check out one of his concerts listed below — including a stop at DC’s Strathmore in March!

 

Upcoming Tour Dates:
1/20/2014 : Pfleghofsaal Tübingen – Tübingen (D)
1/30/2014 : Atelier Babylon – Bratislava (SK)
1/31/14 : Festival Spectaculare – Prague (CZ)
2/22/14 : Societaetstheater – Dresden (D)
3/7/14 : Mutek – Barcelona(ESP)
3/8/14 : 5 Days Off – Amsterdam (NL)
3/9/14 : Schauspiel – Leipzig (D)
3/10/14 : Berliner Philharmonie (Kammermusiksaal) – Berlin (D)
3/15/14 : Bootleg – Los Angeles (US)
3/16/14 : The Independent – San Fransisco (US)
3/18/14 : Triple Door – Seattle (US)
3/19/14 : Mississippi Studios – Portland (US)
3/20/14 : Electric Owl – Vancouver (CAN)
3/21/14 : Constellation – Chicago (US)
3/23/14 : L`Astral – Montreal (CAN)
3/25/14 : Dave Friend Recital Hall – Boston (US)
3/26/14 : Glasslands – Brooklyn/New York (US)
3/27/14 : First Unitarian Church – Philadelphia (US)
3/28/14 : Strathmore – Washington (US)
3/29/14 : Big Ears Festival – Knoxville, TN (USA)
7/20/14 : Latitude Festival – Southwold (UK)
7/25/14 : Jardins Efemeros – Viseu (PT)
8/15-17/14 : Dockville Festival – Hamburg (D)
10/29/14 : Barbican – London (UK)

Blood Orange – You’re Not Good Enough (Holy Ghost! Bootleg)

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Brooklyn-based duo Holy Ghost! have just released a dance-floor bootleg version of Blood Orange‘s hit single “You’re Not Good Enough,” to coincide with the announcement of their upcoming tour dates (see below).

The original track — produced by the talented songwriter Dev Hynes (known as Blood Orange) — is quintessentially 80’s in style. Dev has worked with the likes of Florence and the Machine, Solange (“Losing You”), and Sky Ferreira (“Everything is Embarrassing”), so he clearly knows how to craft a good pop song. The track, which was released on his album Cupid Deluxe last month has been compared to the pop stylings of Prince, but my mind keeps going to Sheila E. What do you guys think?

See for yourself and pick up the free Holy Ghost! bootleg below as well.

 

Upcoming Holy Ghost! Tour Dates:
1/10 New York, NY @ Webster Hall
1/11 Miami, FL @ Bardot
2/07 Philadelphia, PA @ The Dolphin
2/08 Washington, DC @ U Street Music Hall
2/13 Montreal, QC @ Il Motore
2/14 Toronto, ON @ The Hoxton
2/21 Kansas City, MO @ Riot Room
2/22 Chicago, IL @ Smart Bar