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05/07/2008
Radar Bros. will visit Nic Harcourt, host of Morning Becomes Eclectic, in the KCRW studios on Thursday, May 8th at 11:15 am PST / 2:15 pm EST.
Jim Putnam with his brand new band of bros will play 30 minutes of live music and chat with Nic. And don't miss Radar Bros. on tour.
Jim Putnam with his brand new band of bros will play 30 minutes of live music and chat with Nic. And don't miss Radar Bros. on tour.
05/06/2008
It's been nine years since First Imaginary Symphony for Nomad, the first album from The Music Tapes, was released on Merge. The Music Tapes is the recording and performance collective formed by Julian Koster. Julian is perhaps best known as the purveyor of the haunting sounds of the singing saws in Neutral Milk Hotel.
In recent years, Julian has hidden himself away concocting new games, inventing new band members, such as the Orbiting Human Circus Tapdancing Machine, and hosting an occasional magical gathering for those lucky enough to stumble upon his secret invitations.
He has also been working on a story album entitled 2nd Imaginary Symphony for Cloudmaking, narrated by Brian Dewan and accompanied by bowed banjos, singing saws and sound effects. Portions of the story were aired in early 2003 on WNYC in New York, and were met with great enthusiasm by Music Tapes fans longing for new material.
Music Tapes for Clouds and Tornadoes spotlights Julian's songcraft and distinctive vocals, his almost religious devotion to the singing saw, and numerous contributions from other musicians in the Elephant 6 orbit. As on previous efforts, recording was done using an array of antique hardware, giving Music Tapes for Clouds and Tornadoes a timeless, texturally rich sonic palette. It is the sound of Julian's world poking through the curtain surrounding objective reality. In his words, "I just find the imaginary more real than the physical. Magic, the way we find things beautiful, the light behind eyes, kindness, and how we want to serve and protect the things we care about - these things seem like the real foundation of the world to me. I hope that the songs on this record can be more than just postcards from a world, but an invitation to it, to anyone at all who may find such a place comforting and nice."
Julian, Static the Television, the 7 Foot Tall Metronome and a few human friends will perform at Athens Popfest on August 15, 2008, at the 40 Watt Club. This event will involve much more than just a rock show, so make your travel plans now!
Listen: "Majesty" [mp3 stream] from Music Tapes for Clouds and Tornadoes
Watch: "Minister of Longitude" [video stream]
http://www.orbitinghumancircus.org
In recent years, Julian has hidden himself away concocting new games, inventing new band members, such as the Orbiting Human Circus Tapdancing Machine, and hosting an occasional magical gathering for those lucky enough to stumble upon his secret invitations.
He has also been working on a story album entitled 2nd Imaginary Symphony for Cloudmaking, narrated by Brian Dewan and accompanied by bowed banjos, singing saws and sound effects. Portions of the story were aired in early 2003 on WNYC in New York, and were met with great enthusiasm by Music Tapes fans longing for new material.
Music Tapes for Clouds and Tornadoes spotlights Julian's songcraft and distinctive vocals, his almost religious devotion to the singing saw, and numerous contributions from other musicians in the Elephant 6 orbit. As on previous efforts, recording was done using an array of antique hardware, giving Music Tapes for Clouds and Tornadoes a timeless, texturally rich sonic palette. It is the sound of Julian's world poking through the curtain surrounding objective reality. In his words, "I just find the imaginary more real than the physical. Magic, the way we find things beautiful, the light behind eyes, kindness, and how we want to serve and protect the things we care about - these things seem like the real foundation of the world to me. I hope that the songs on this record can be more than just postcards from a world, but an invitation to it, to anyone at all who may find such a place comforting and nice."
Julian, Static the Television, the 7 Foot Tall Metronome and a few human friends will perform at Athens Popfest on August 15, 2008, at the 40 Watt Club. This event will involve much more than just a rock show, so make your travel plans now!
Listen: "Majesty" [mp3 stream] from Music Tapes for Clouds and Tornadoes
Watch: "Minister of Longitude" [video stream]
http://www.orbitinghumancircus.org
05/02/2008
She & Him will appear on NPR's mid-day news and culture show, Day to Day today, May 2 at Noon EST.
Listen: [mp3 stream]
Listen: [mp3 stream]
04/22/2008
Conor Oberst - Conor Oberst - August 5, 2008
This recording was made in Tepoztlán, Morelos, México during the months of January and February 2008. In Tepoztlán, a place known for Aztec Magic and Extra-Terrestrial Sightings, a temporary studio was created in a mountain villa called Valle Místico at the outskirts of town. It was produced by Conor Oberst with much help from engineer and long-time associate Andy LeMaster. A special band was assembled for the recording, known amongst themselves and to friends as The Mystic Valley Band. It was there at Valle Místico that Conor and the band lived and worked for that time in near perfect harmony, often unaware of the hour or the day. The result is his first solo album in thirteen years, following Water (1993), Here’s To Special Treatment (1994) and Soundtrack To My Movie (1995). In that time he has recorded and performed in many bands and musical projects including Commander Venus, Park Ave., Desaparecidos, and most notably Bright Eyes, his main musical vehicle for the past decade.
Conor Oberst and The Mystic Valley Band will be touring in support of this album throughout the summer and have already announced an appearance at September’s Austin City Limits festival.
Track List in full:
1. Cape Cañaveral
2. Sausalito
3. Get-Well-Cards
4. Lenders In The Temple
5. Danny Callahan
6. I Don’t Want To Die (In The Hospital)
7. Eagle On A Pole
8. Moab
9. NYC – Gone, Gone
10. Valle Místico (Ruben's Song)
11. Souled Out!!!
12. Milk Thistle
Live shows for Conor Oberst & The Mystic Valley Band:
8/22 Leeds Festival - England
8/24 Reading Festival - England
8/31 Electric Picnic - County Laois, Ireland
9/27 ACL Music Festival - Austin, TX
This recording was made in Tepoztlán, Morelos, México during the months of January and February 2008. In Tepoztlán, a place known for Aztec Magic and Extra-Terrestrial Sightings, a temporary studio was created in a mountain villa called Valle Místico at the outskirts of town. It was produced by Conor Oberst with much help from engineer and long-time associate Andy LeMaster. A special band was assembled for the recording, known amongst themselves and to friends as The Mystic Valley Band. It was there at Valle Místico that Conor and the band lived and worked for that time in near perfect harmony, often unaware of the hour or the day. The result is his first solo album in thirteen years, following Water (1993), Here’s To Special Treatment (1994) and Soundtrack To My Movie (1995). In that time he has recorded and performed in many bands and musical projects including Commander Venus, Park Ave., Desaparecidos, and most notably Bright Eyes, his main musical vehicle for the past decade.
Conor Oberst and The Mystic Valley Band will be touring in support of this album throughout the summer and have already announced an appearance at September’s Austin City Limits festival.
Track List in full:
1. Cape Cañaveral
2. Sausalito
3. Get-Well-Cards
4. Lenders In The Temple
5. Danny Callahan
6. I Don’t Want To Die (In The Hospital)
7. Eagle On A Pole
8. Moab
9. NYC – Gone, Gone
10. Valle Místico (Ruben's Song)
11. Souled Out!!!
12. Milk Thistle
Live shows for Conor Oberst & The Mystic Valley Band:
8/22 Leeds Festival - England
8/24 Reading Festival - England
8/31 Electric Picnic - County Laois, Ireland
9/27 ACL Music Festival - Austin, TX
04/22/2008
Fresh from a batch of stellar performances at Austin’s SXSW and San Francisco's Noise Pop Festival earlier this month She & Him, the musical collaboration between Zooey Deschanel and M.Ward, announce plans to play in New York and LA in April. They will also return to San Francisco in May.
She & Him will perform on Late Night with Conan O’Brien on Tuesday, April 22nd at 12:35AM ET/PT. Next, they will be on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson on Thursday, May 1 at 12:35AM ET/PT.
Watch: She & Him performing "Why Do You Let Me Stay Here" on the Conan O'Brien Show from the album Volume One
[video stream]
Dates In Full:
4/22/08 New York, NY @ Late Night with Conan O’Brien
4/22/08 New York, NY @ Webster Hall *All tickets from 4/21 @ Hiro Ballroom will be honored!
4/28/08 Los Angeles, CA @ Vista Theater
4/29/08 Los Angeles, CA @ Vista Theater
5/18/08 San Francisco, CA @ Oysterfest
She & Him will perform on Late Night with Conan O’Brien on Tuesday, April 22nd at 12:35AM ET/PT. Next, they will be on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson on Thursday, May 1 at 12:35AM ET/PT.
Watch: She & Him performing "Why Do You Let Me Stay Here" on the Conan O'Brien Show from the album Volume One
[video stream]
Dates In Full:
4/22/08 New York, NY @ Late Night with Conan O’Brien
4/22/08 New York, NY @ Webster Hall *All tickets from 4/21 @ Hiro Ballroom will be honored!
4/28/08 Los Angeles, CA @ Vista Theater
4/29/08 Los Angeles, CA @ Vista Theater
5/18/08 San Francisco, CA @ Oysterfest
04/22/2008
Senator Barack Obama's campaign today announced two concerts to headline the campaign's One-Stop Early Voting drive. Featuring Arcade Fire and Superchunk, the “Change Rocks” concerts in Carrboro and Greensboro will highlight the campaign's effort to encourage One-Stop Early Voting at college campuses and other locations across the state.
Tickets can be picked up in Forsythe, Guilford, Randolph, Alamance, Orange, Durham, and Wake Counties during early voting hours starting Thursday April 24. A list of locations is below.
"This is a defining moment for this country," said Win Butler of Arcade Fire. "We want to encourage people to get up, get out, and go vote."
"People are incredibly excited about this election and this primary," said Mac McCaughan of Superchunk. "Our music is a unique way to get people involved and participating."
Arcade Fire is a high-profile independent band in North America. Their first album, Funeral, and the single "Cold Wind” were nominated for Grammys in the best Alternative Rock Album and Best Song Written for Television, Film, or Other Media categories respectively. Their second album, Neon Bible, also was nominated for the Best Alternative Rock Album Grammy. The group recently came off a worldwide tour.
The band Superchunk was formed in 1989 in Chapel Hill. As one of the most popular independent bands in the country, they have played at concerts and festivals around the world. They have released more than eight albums, written a film score, and headlined benefit concerts.
The Obama campaign is making a statewide push to encourage voters to take advantage of the state's first-ever One Stop Early Voting process, which allows voters who are not registered or who have never voted before to register and vote at the same place, on the same day, all at once. Last week, the campaign announced 1-888-NC EARLY, a hotline that easily gives voters information on their early voting locations. This weekend, voters across North Carolina held more than 100 canvasses to take Senator Obama's message to voters and encourage them to vote early.
CHANGE ROCKS
Early Vote Concerts with Arcade Fire and Superchunk
THURSDAY, MAY 1
Greensboro Coliseum Complex Pavilion Parking Lot
(Rain site: Pavilion)
1921 W Lee Street
Greensboro, NC
Gates open: 1:00 pm
For more information, call 336-332-0028 or visit www.nc.barackobama.com
Tickets are required. Tickets are free, but only one ticket may be picked up person. Space is limited and admission is on a first come, first serve basis. The show is for all ages.
FRIDAY, MAY 2
Carrboro Town Commons
301 W. Main Street
Carrboro, NC
Gates open: 1:00 pm
For more information, call 919-929-3460 or visit www.nc.barackobama.com
* Parking is very limited, so walking, biking, taking public transit or car-pooling to the show are encouraged.
Tickets are required. Tickets are free, but only one ticket may be picked up person. Space is limited and admission is on a first come, first serve basis. The show is for all ages.
Ticket Pick-up Information:
Tickets can be picked up in Forsythe, Guilford, Randolph, Almanace, Orange, Durham, and Wake Counties at the following locations during early voting hours starting Thursday April 24:
For May 1 show Greensboro:
Obama for America Office
8 West 3rd Street
Winston-Salem, NC 28401
M-F 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Greensboro Coliseum
Northside of Pavilion Parking Lot
1921 W. Lee Street
Greensboro, NC 27403
Hours: M-F: 10 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Obama table outside Shaw Building
158 Worth Street
Asheboro, NC 27203
Hours: M-F: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Obama table outside Board of Elections office
505 E. Green Drive
High Point, NC 27260
Hours: M-F: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Obama table outside Courthouse
301 W. Market Street
Greensboro, NC 27401
Hours: M-F: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
For May 2 show in Carrboro:
Obama table outside UNC-Chapel Hill Planetarium
250 E. Franklin Street
Chapel Hill, NC 27599
Hours: M-F: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Balloons and Tunes
208 W. Main Street
Carrboro, NC 27510
Hours: M-F: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Saturday April 26th 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Morning Times Café
10 E. Hargett Street
Raleigh, NC 27601
Hours: M-F: 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m
Saturday April 26th: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Obama table outside of the Old Durham Ball Park
Corporation and Morris
Durham, NC
Hours: M-Sat: 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m
***Additional ticketing locations will be announced on nc.barackobama.com***
Tickets can be picked up in Forsythe, Guilford, Randolph, Alamance, Orange, Durham, and Wake Counties during early voting hours starting Thursday April 24. A list of locations is below.
"This is a defining moment for this country," said Win Butler of Arcade Fire. "We want to encourage people to get up, get out, and go vote."
"People are incredibly excited about this election and this primary," said Mac McCaughan of Superchunk. "Our music is a unique way to get people involved and participating."
Arcade Fire is a high-profile independent band in North America. Their first album, Funeral, and the single "Cold Wind” were nominated for Grammys in the best Alternative Rock Album and Best Song Written for Television, Film, or Other Media categories respectively. Their second album, Neon Bible, also was nominated for the Best Alternative Rock Album Grammy. The group recently came off a worldwide tour.
The band Superchunk was formed in 1989 in Chapel Hill. As one of the most popular independent bands in the country, they have played at concerts and festivals around the world. They have released more than eight albums, written a film score, and headlined benefit concerts.
The Obama campaign is making a statewide push to encourage voters to take advantage of the state's first-ever One Stop Early Voting process, which allows voters who are not registered or who have never voted before to register and vote at the same place, on the same day, all at once. Last week, the campaign announced 1-888-NC EARLY, a hotline that easily gives voters information on their early voting locations. This weekend, voters across North Carolina held more than 100 canvasses to take Senator Obama's message to voters and encourage them to vote early.
CHANGE ROCKS
Early Vote Concerts with Arcade Fire and Superchunk
THURSDAY, MAY 1
Greensboro Coliseum Complex Pavilion Parking Lot
(Rain site: Pavilion)
1921 W Lee Street
Greensboro, NC
Gates open: 1:00 pm
For more information, call 336-332-0028 or visit www.nc.barackobama.com
Tickets are required. Tickets are free, but only one ticket may be picked up person. Space is limited and admission is on a first come, first serve basis. The show is for all ages.
FRIDAY, MAY 2
Carrboro Town Commons
301 W. Main Street
Carrboro, NC
Gates open: 1:00 pm
For more information, call 919-929-3460 or visit www.nc.barackobama.com
* Parking is very limited, so walking, biking, taking public transit or car-pooling to the show are encouraged.
Tickets are required. Tickets are free, but only one ticket may be picked up person. Space is limited and admission is on a first come, first serve basis. The show is for all ages.
Ticket Pick-up Information:
Tickets can be picked up in Forsythe, Guilford, Randolph, Almanace, Orange, Durham, and Wake Counties at the following locations during early voting hours starting Thursday April 24:
For May 1 show Greensboro:
Obama for America Office
8 West 3rd Street
Winston-Salem, NC 28401
M-F 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Greensboro Coliseum
Northside of Pavilion Parking Lot
1921 W. Lee Street
Greensboro, NC 27403
Hours: M-F: 10 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Obama table outside Shaw Building
158 Worth Street
Asheboro, NC 27203
Hours: M-F: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Obama table outside Board of Elections office
505 E. Green Drive
High Point, NC 27260
Hours: M-F: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Obama table outside Courthouse
301 W. Market Street
Greensboro, NC 27401
Hours: M-F: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
For May 2 show in Carrboro:
Obama table outside UNC-Chapel Hill Planetarium
250 E. Franklin Street
Chapel Hill, NC 27599
Hours: M-F: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Balloons and Tunes
208 W. Main Street
Carrboro, NC 27510
Hours: M-F: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Saturday April 26th 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Morning Times Café
10 E. Hargett Street
Raleigh, NC 27601
Hours: M-F: 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m
Saturday April 26th: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Obama table outside of the Old Durham Ball Park
Corporation and Morris
Durham, NC
Hours: M-Sat: 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m
***Additional ticketing locations will be announced on nc.barackobama.com***
04/21/2008
After wooing the masses with their SXSW shows and soothing the European crowds, Radar Bros. will return to the west coast for some US dates.
Jim and the Bros. sent us a cover of a song from a band you might have heard of . . . enjoy!
Tour Dates:
5/13/08 Merced, CA The Partisan
5/14/08 San Francisco, CA Bottom of the Hill
5/15/08 Reno, NV Satellite Lounge
5/17/08 Portland, OR Someday Lounge
5/18/08 Seattle, WA Sunset Tavern
5/20/08 Sacramento, CA Blue Lamp
5/21/08 San Diego, CA The Casbah
5/22/08 Los Angeles, CA Knitting Factory
Jim and the Bros. sent us a cover of a song from a band you might have heard of . . . enjoy!
Tour Dates:
5/13/08 Merced, CA The Partisan
5/14/08 San Francisco, CA Bottom of the Hill
5/15/08 Reno, NV Satellite Lounge
5/17/08 Portland, OR Someday Lounge
5/18/08 Seattle, WA Sunset Tavern
5/20/08 Sacramento, CA Blue Lamp
5/21/08 San Diego, CA The Casbah
5/22/08 Los Angeles, CA Knitting Factory
On Tour
American Music Club [+]
| May | ||
| 16 | Los Angeles, CA | Echo Club |
| Jun | ||
| 29 | Chicago, IL | Belmont Ave Music & Arts Summer Festival |
The Broken West [+]
| Jun | ||
| 19 | San Diego, CA | The Casbah |
| 21 | Los Angeles, CA | Spaceland |
| 22 | San Francisco, CA | Bottom of the Hill |
| 23 | Portland, OR | Doug Fir Lounge |
| 24 | Seattle, WA | Neumos |
| [see all] | ||
Caribou [+]
| Jul | ||
| 20 | Chicago, IL | Pitchfork Music Festival |
Destroyer [+]
| May | ||
| 16 | Salt Lake City, UT | Urban Lounge |
| 17 | Las Vegas, NV | Beauty Bar |
| 18 | Phoenix, AZ | Rhythm Room |
| 19 | Los Angeles, CA | Troubadour |
| 20 | San Diego, CA | Casbah |
| [see all] | ||
The Ladybug Transistor [+]
| May | ||
| 31 | Brooklyn, NY | Brooklyn Public Library Plaza |
The Music Tapes [+]
| Aug | ||
| 15 | Athens, GA | 40 Watt Club |
Oakley Hall [+]
| Jun | ||
| 03 | Chapel Hill, NC | Local 506 |
| 04 | Charleston, SC | Village Tavern |
| 05 | Atlanta, GA | Lenny's |
| 09 | Baltimore, MD | Ottobar |
| Jul | ||
| 19 | New London, CT | Hygienic Arts Park |
Portastatic [+]
| Jun | ||
| 22 | Durham, NC | Duke Gardens - Summer Series |
| 27 | Calgary, AB | Sled Island |
Radar Bros. [+]
| May | ||
| 17 | Portland, OR | Someday Lounge |
| 18 | Seattle, WA | Sunset Tavern |
| 20 | Sacramento, CA | Blue Lamp |
| 21 | San Diego, CA | Casbah |
| 22 | Los Angeles, CA | Knitting Factory |
The Rosebuds [+]
| May | ||
| 16 | Toronto, ON | Lee's Palace |
| 17 | Buffalo, NY | The Tralf |
| 18 | Pittsburgh, PA | Mr. Small's Theatre |
She & Him [+]
| May | ||
| 18 | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco Oyster Festival |
| Aug | ||
| 02 | Newport, RI | Newport Folk Festival |
Spoon [+]
| Jun | ||
| 13 | Troutdale, OR | Edgefield Amphitheater |
| Jul | ||
| 15 | Brooklyn, NY | Prospect Park Bandshell |
| 19 | Commerce City, CO | Dick's Sporting Goods Park |
| 20 | Chicago, IL | Pitchfork Music Festival |
| Sep | ||
| 20 | Los Angeles, CA | Hollywood Bowl |
| [see all] | ||
M. Ward [+]
| Jul | ||
| 20 | Chicago, IL | Pitchfork Music Festival |
| Aug | ||
| 23 | San Francisco, CA | Outside Lands Music & Arts Festival |
| 30 | Seattle, WA | Bumbershoot |
| Sep | ||
| 26 | Austin, TX | Austin City Limits Festival |
Wye Oak [+]
| May | ||
| 19 | Washington, DC | Black Cat |
| Jun | ||
| 07 | Philadelphia, PA | The Marvelous! Music |
| 08 | Winooski, VT | Monkey House |
| 12 | Windsor, ON | Chanosos |
| 13 | Indianapolis, IN | Sam's Saloon |
| [see all] | ||
Merge Radio
Stream full-length songs (at random) from our entire catalog.

