Monday, September 29, 2008

Old Tyme Country Music

PURE COUNTRY
THE LEON KAGARISE ARCHIVES:1961-1971

Introduction and Text by Eddie Dean
Foreword by Robert Gordon
(Process Media – December 2)

What Kagarise preserved was something extremely rare...live country music from the ‘50s and ‘60s performed in its most natural setting.
— NPR

Throughout the ‘50s and ‘60s, country music’s most legendary performers played backwoods stages in outdoor music parks, live and unfiltered. It was a time when Johnny

Cash, Patsy Cline and George Jones mingled up close with fans like kin at a mountain family reunion. These dollar-a-carload picnic concerts might have been forgotten if it hadn’t been for Leon Kagarise. An audio engineer by trade, he began recording the live shows on reel-to-reel tape and shot hundreds of candid color slides of the stars and their fans.

Music journalist Eddie Dean spent many hours interviewing Kagarise before his death in early 2008. His introduction and accompanying text tells how an obsession created a view into a lost world that challenges easy assumptions about Country and reveals a secret history of Country music in the ‘60s, when the industry largely turned its back on its rural roots and produced a slick, studio-centric product known as the Nashville Sound.

Forced into commercial exile, traditional country performers scratched out a living in the outdoor-music park circuit, where Kagarise served as their unofficial court photographer. With a meticulous and loving eye, Kagarise captured dozens of classic country and bluegrass artists in their prime, including June Carter, Dolly Parton, Bill Monroe, Hank Snow, The Stanley Brothers, The Stonemans, and many others.

Over a decade, he amassed an archive of over 600 color slides and 4,000 hours of pristine-sounding live performance as well as radio and television recordings, some of the only known surviving documents of the era. Pure Country presents 140 of Kagarise’s stunning color images, most never seen in print, from an archive now considered by historians to be one of the richest discoveries in the history of American music.

Thursday, September 25, 2008

Asobi Seksu - A Modern Shoegaze band?

I love their last album Citrus. I'll upload some for you to hear in the coming week.



Asobi Seksu Announce US Fall Tour

7" Single On Polyvinyl Record Co. Out November 18th
New York’s Asobi Seksu is thrilled to announce its first US tour dates in over a year. With much of the band’s touring schedule taking them abroad for the past two years, they are extra excited to be hitting the road once again in America.

Following their last full-length, the rapturously received Citrus (which spawned the fine singles “Thursday”, “Strawberries” and “Goodbye”, and received glowing notices across the board), Asobi Seksu returns in early 2009 with their fantastic and none-more-assured third LP, which like Citrus was produced by Chris Zane (The Walkmen, Les Savy Fav).

The new record is preceded in November by the swooping, emphatic single “Me & Mary” (backed by non-album B-Side “Breathe Into Glass”), which rolls forth on a bed of drums and glistening guitars, and features a soaring vocal performance from Yuki Chikudate (keyboard, vocals), who along with James Hanna (guitars) form the core of Asobi Seksu.

The single will be released digitally and on 7” vinyl in the US via Polyvinyl and in Europe via One Little Indian on Nov 18 and Nov 17, respectively.

US Tour Dates

10/17 Annandale-on-Hudson, NY @ Bard College - Smog
10/18 Boston, MA @ T.T. the Bear’s
10/19 Montreal, QC @ tba
10/20 Toronto, ON @ Horseshoe
10/21 Cleveland, OH @ Grog Shop
10/22 Chicago, IL @ Empty Bottle
10/24 Denver, CO @ Hi Dive
10/25 Salt Lake City, UT @ Kilby Court
10/27 Seattle, WA @ Nectar
10/28 Vancouver, BC @ Media Club
10/29 Portland, OR @ Holocene
10/30 San Francisco, CA @ Rickshaw Stop
10/31 Los Angeles, CA @ tba


asobiseksu.com
myspace.com/asobiseksu

From The Jam Cancels Their Tour

The following is a press release from the former members of The Jam sans Weller...

"It is with great regret that we announce that the band’s North American tour has been cancelled.

This is with immediate effect and results from the current economic climate with extra costs across the board making our proposed schedule non-viable.

The band has not taken this decision lightly and everything has been done to try to avoid this course of action. We very much hope to reschedule this tour for next year – any new dates will be announced first here.

With our very best wishes to all,
From The Jam"

Monday, September 22, 2008

Listen to the Jack White / Alicia Keys Bond Theme

http://www.thirdmanrecords.com/

I like that he is venturing into new arenas. I admit I am not a well informed Alicia Keys fan (although she is far superior to 90% of modern so called R&B). I really like the track. Although, somehow - it doesn't sound "Bond" enough.

Thursday, September 18, 2008

New Raconteurs Single (yet more Jack White news?)

The Raconteurs 'Many Shades of Black' 7" single (Third Man Records/XL Recordings) is now available through the band's webstore!

Track listing:
1. Many Shades Of Black
2. Many Shades Of Black (Performed by The Raconteurs and Adele)

THE B-52s 'LIVE IT UP ON THE DAY OF THE DEAD'

Picture (Metafile)

THE B-52s 'LIVE IT UP ON THE DAY OF THE DEAD' IN NYC
WITH GUESTS SPECIAL DISCO VERSION AND HERCULES & LOVE AFFAIR

The B-52s will "Live It Up On The Day Of The Dead' in NYC on Saturday, November 1 with a special concert at Manhattan Center's Hammerstein Ballroom. The “Worlds Greatest Party Band,” will celebrate El Día de los Muertos with guests Special Disco Version (featuring James Murphy and Pat Mahoney of LCD Soundsystem) and Hercules & Love Affair. The band will be playing tracks off their new album Funplex, as well as a host of old faves.

2008 has been a wild year for the band. It started in March when they exploded back on the scene with their first studio album in sixteen years, Funplex. With its primal guitar hooks, driving drums and their unmistakable vocal style, the album was instantly recognizable as quintessential and contemporary B-52s and was well received by fans and critics alike. It also brought in a whole new generation of fans who reveled in their unique fusion of dance, punk and vintage rock that has already been acknowledged by everyone from REM to LCD Soundsystem to David Byrne, Interpol, CSS and the Scissor Sisters. Since their 1978 debut single ‘Rock Lobster’, the B-52s have been true originators and Funplex keeps this same spirit alive.

They went on to play a triumphant 13 city sold out US tour before diving straight into the True Colors Festival this summer, and then heading to Europe where they launched their first tour there in 10 years. The tour culminated in a stupendous, sold out show at London’s Roundhouse Theater. Each and every show was a riotous performance of full-throttle electro rock dance pop prompting Rolling Stone to proclaim- “Every time they take a stage, The B-52s prove that there has never been another band remotely like them" They also appeared on just about every TV show on the air including Ellen, The Tonight Show, The Today Show, Live with Regis and Kelly, Late Night with Conan O'Brien, and Extra.

The band recently released the “Juliet of the Spirits” Remix EP which features remixes from some of world’s most sought-after electronic producers - Zoned Out, Dan McKie, Glenn Morrison & Bruce Aisher, and Morgan Page.

There will be a special Pre-Sale starting on Wednesday September 17th at 10:00am and ending on Thursday September 18 at 10:00pm.

Pre-Sale code is: FUNPLEX. Tickets are on sale to the public Friday September 19th at 10:00am. You can purchase tickets via the following links:

http://www.livenation.com/event/getEvent/eventId/337387/

http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/0000412FCB8D81CD?artistid=734479&majorcatid=10001&minorcatid=60

Hammerstein Ballroom
311 West 34th Street – New York City
Saturday, November 1
7:30pm Doors / 8:30pm Show

About Special Disco Version: Forget jumpsuits, Studio 54 and John Travolta. The true heart of disco is deeper, and James Murphy and Pat Mahoney want to take you directly into it. Murphy, the leader of Grammy-nominated dance-rock band LCD Soundsystem, and co-founder of vanguard imprint DFA Records; and Mahoney, LCD’s drummer, continue to showcase their love of the genre, under the moniker Special Disco Version. The project is an extension of their hush-hush, roof-shaking parties that, in the past have taken place at NYC’s APT and currently resides at NYC’s Santos.

About Hercules & Love Affair: Hercules and Love Affair is Andrew Butler with Nomi, Kim Ann, and Antony. Their live shows, complete with a horn section and dancers, have also been garnering raves coast to coast with the Los Angeles Times declaring, “The aspect of vintage disco most worth reviving -- its ability to create gods and goddesses for the night -- was in full effect, and Hercules and Love Affair lived up to its name.” Hercules and Love Affair's self-titled debut album is out now on Mute/DFA.

SPIRITUALIZED LIVE SHOW ON MYSPACE

MySpace announces that one of the most critically acclaimed bands Spiritualized (http://www.myspace.com/spiritualized) will be playing a club show at The Echo in Los Angeles on September 19 as part of MySpace's Secret Show series. Two days prior the band will be playing the massive Hollywood Bowl, and The Echo is by far the most intimate show the band is playing this year. The Secret Show is a free, exclusive performance for the MySpace community.

Spiritualized released their long awaited sixth album, Songs in A & E this past Spring. Serious illness struck Spiritualized frontman and songwriter Jason Pierce - aka J. Spaceman in 2005, and his time spent in intensive care interrupted the completion of the recording, but inevitably perhaps, the setback turned into an inspiration as critics and fans alike have recognized the album not only to be one of the band's best work, but its most personal too. Pitchfork said of the new album that it was "Spiritualized's best work in ten years." Pierce recently wrote and recorded the soundtrack to the new film, Mr. Lonely, directed by Harmony Korine (Julian Donkey-Boy and Gummo).

Spirtualized is recognized as one of the most original bands in the world. The band's 1997 album "Ladies And Gentlemen We Are Floating In Space" was bestowed "Album Of The Year" honors by NME in 1997, beating out Radiohead's "Ok Computer" and The Verve's "Urban Hymns."

MySpace Music has organized more than 150 Secret Shows since the franchise launched in February 2006 with artists like Gnarls Barkley, The Offspring, Neil Diamond, Slayer, Fran Ferdinand, and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs performing in cities around the world. For more information about the artists and upcoming schedule, visit the official MySpace Secret Shows profile at http://www.myspace.com/secretshows

New Juan Maclean "Find A Way"

Enjoy the following download for Juan Maclean "Find A Way" - http://rcrdlbl.com/2008/09/17/exclusive_new_download_the_juan_maclean_find_a_way

09/17: Scottsdale, AZ @ Martini Ranch

09/18: Tucson, AZ @ Club Congress

09/19: Albuquerque, NM @ Launchpad

09/20: Ciudad, Juarez @The Hard Pop

09/22: Austin, TX @ The Mohawk

09/23: Dallas, TX @ Palladium Loft

09/24: New Orleans, LA @ One Eyed Jacks

09/25: Atlanta, GA @ Masquerade, with Ratatat

09/26: Chapel Hill, NC @ Local 506

09/27: Greensboro, NC @ Guilford College

09/28: Baltimore, MD @ Ottobar

09/29: Washington, DC @ Black Cat

09/30: Philadelphia, PA @ Johnny Brendas

10/18: New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom, with Chairlift

10/31: Los Angeles, CA @ Lot 613

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Attention Drummers

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
DRUMMERS UNITE!

Guitar Center Announces Launch of World’s Largest Drum Competition - Guitar Center Drum-Off ‘08

World’s Largest Drum Competition Celebrates 20th Anniversary Offering Grand Prize Worth Over $45,000

For 20 years, Guitar Center has been committed to providing drummers across the country the opportunity to pursue their musical aspirations and achieve their dreams by way of the world’s largest drum competition: Guitar Center Drum-Off. Starting August 1st, drummers can sign up for their chance to win over $45,000 in cash and prizes, joining over 5,000 drummers from across the country to compete for the title of Guitar Center’s Drum-Off Champion ‘08.

Like all Guitar Center music programs, Drum-Off is designed to provide developing artists with support-based opportunities that vastly improve the potential for their success as professional musicians. Drum-Off inspires up-and-coming drummers to further their musical aspirations, while at the same time encouraging the local music community and providing a platform for local musicians to network and be discovered.

Guitar Center’s Drum-Off ‘08 champion will win an impressive package of prizes, including $25,000 cash, a Roland TD-20 kit, and a custom designed drum kit by DW, Pearl, Gretsch, Tama, or Orange Country Drums as well as a drum, stick, cymbal, and drum head endorsement deals, be featured in Modern Drummer magazine, and in a Guitar Center ad campaign, along with a VIP appearance @ NAMM 2009 and shopping sprees with Levi’s, Converse and Guitar Center. A Monster Energy Drink endorsement deal is also part of the prize package, making the total prize package worth over $45,000. In addition, Sabian, Zildjian, Remo, Pro-Mark, Vic Firth, Evans and Rhythm Tech are all proud sponsors of Drum-Off 08.

Several winning alumni from Guitar Center’s previous Drum-Off competitions have gone on to have incredible drumming careers, including Cora “CC” Dunham (Prince; Drum-Off ’02 Champ), Eric Moore (Bobby Brown, Sly and The Family Stone, Infectious Grooves; Drum-Off ‘03 Champ), Tony Royster Jr. (Jay Z; Drum-Off ’95 Champ) and Thomas Pridgen (The Mars Volta), who became the Guitar Center Drum-Off champion in 1993 when he was just 9 years old!

How It Works:
Sign-ups for the preliminary rounds of the Drum-Off competition begin August 1, and run on a “first-come, first-serve” basis, with a maximum of 30 registrants per store. Contestants must sign up with a Guitar Center drum department associate at their local store -- no phone or Internet sign-ups are available.

Local competitions start September 23rd in all 214 Guitar Center locations from nationwide. One winner from each store will be chosen to move up to district competitions (24 locations), followed by regionally hosted semi-finals (6 locations) and culminating in the final championship Drum-Off in Los Angeles in January of 2009 (exact date and venue TBD).

COMPETITION DATES:
STORE PRELIMS: September 23rd, September 30th, and October 7th.
STORE FINALS: October 14th
DISTRICT FINALS: November 4th
REGIONAL FINALS: December 2nd
GRAND FINALS: January 2009

Following the regional finals on December 2, finalists will be headed for Los Angeles in January, where they will perform before a panel of celebrity judges (past judges include, Stewart Copeland (The Police), Travis Barker , ?uestlove (The Roots), Taylor Hawkins (Foo Fighters), Stephen Perkins (Jane’s Addiction), Josh Freese (NIN), Kenny Aronoff, Joey Castillio (Queens of the Stoneage) Vinny Appice (Black Sabbath), Steve Smith (Journey) and Alan White (Yes) in the final Guitar Center Drum-Off competition to see who will become Drum-Off ‘08 CHAMPION.

A Free Movie Download From Michael Moore

A letter from Michael (and the website for download signup is http://slackeruprising.com/):

"Friends,

As you may have heard, I've decided to make my new film, "Slacker Uprising," available for free to everyone in the United States and Canada. It is the first time ever that a major feature-length film is debuting as a free download on the internet -- legally. I am doing this for two reasons:

1. Next year it will be 20 years since my first film, "Roger & Me," so I'd like to give those of you who've supported my work over the years a thank you gift in the form of a brand new movie; and

2. I hope the release and wide distribution of this new movie will help to bring out millions of young and new voters on November 4th.

"Slacker Uprising" takes place in the wake of "Fahrenheit 9/11," during the run-up to the 2004 election, as I traveled for 42 days across America, visiting 62 cities in a failed attempt to remove George W. Bush from office. My goal was to help turn out a record number of young voters and others who had never voted before. (That part was a success. Young adults voted in greater numbers than in any election since 18-year-olds were given the right to vote. And the youth vote was the only age group that John Kerry won.)

What I encountered during the tour and the filming was both inspiring and frightening, so I thought, hey, this might make for a funny and enlightening movie! Each night, thousands would show up to volunteer in the Slacker Army against Bush. This drove local Republicans nuts. In one state they tried to have me arrested. At two colleges, rich donors offered to donate more money to the college if they would ban me from campus. Nearly a half-dozen universities kept the Slacker Uprising tour off their campuses. But there was no stopping this movement. By the time we got to Florida, 16,000 people a night were showing up.

It was clear that young people were the ones who were going to save the day -- just as they are in this year's election.

On Tuesday, September 23rd, you will be able to stream, download, or burn a DVD of "Slacker Uprising," free of charge. The distribution is being organized by Robert Greenwald's Brave New Films (they're the great people behind "OUTFOXED: Rupert Murdoch's War on Journalism" and "WAL-MART: The High Cost of Low Price").

To sign up for the download of "Slacker Uprising," click here. You have my blanket permission to share the movie with your friends, to set up screenings in your communities or theaters, to show it on your campuses -- all at no charge. I encourage you to rally voters with it, to raise funds for your favorite candidates, to air it on your local cable access channels or web broadcasts. You can also click here to request a free DVD of "Slacker Uprising" for your school or university library.

As I said, this is a movie for you, my fans -- a little 97-minute digital treat that I think you'll really enjoy. I hope you'll check out SlackerUprising.com and download it a week from today, next Tuesday, September 23rd.

Thanks again for coming to my movies all these years. It's meant a lot to me. I feel very privileged and blessed, and I am honored to be in this "virtual" community with you as we try to reclaim our beloved country.

Yours,

Michael Moore
MMFlint@aol.com
MichaelMoore.com

P.S. The world premiere of "Slacker Uprising" will take place in one of the great slacker capitals of this country, Ann Arbor, Michigan, this Thursday at 5pm at the historic Michigan Theater. Admission is free on a first-come, first-served basis. If you're in the neighborhood, hope to see you there!

P.P.S. If you live outside the U.S. and Canada, I'm sorry that I don't own the rights to make this film available to you for free. But it will be coming to a theater, video store or television network near you soon."

The Kids Sure Like A Cursive Memory

Sep 20 – Carson, CA @ Home Depot Center (Pre-Game Concert for LA Galaxy)
Oct 1 – Anaheim, CA @ Chain Reaction
Oct 2 – Orangevale, CA @ Boardwalk
Oct 3 – Portland, OR @ Satyricon
Oct 4 – Seattle, WA @ El Corazon
Oct 6 – Salt Lake City @ Kilby Court
Oct 7 – Denver, CO @ Marquis Theater
Oct 8 – Wichita, KS @ Oz Café
Oct 9 – Des Moines, IA @ House of Bricks
Oct 10 – Minneapolis, MN @ Varsity
Oct 11 – Milwaukee, WI @ Eagles Club
Oct 12 – Chicago, IL @ Subterranean
Oct 14 – DeKalb, IL @ House Café
Oct 15 – Lansing, MI @ Mac’s Bar
Oct 16 – Akron, OH @ Musica
Oct 17 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Diesel
Oct 18 – Altoona, PA @ Jaggard UMC
Oct 19 – Buffalo, NY @ Xtreme Wheels
Oct 21 – Lancaster, PA @ Lizard Lounge at Chameleon Club
Oct 22 – Wilton, CT @ Trackside
Oct 23 – Providence, RI @ The Living Room
Oct 24 – South Hackensack, NJ @ School of Rock
Oct 25 – Farmingdale, NY @ Crazy Donkey
Oct 26 – Philadelphia, PA @ The Trocadero- Balcony
Oct 27 – Baltimore, MD @ Ottobar
Oct 28 – Richmond, VA @ Canal Club
Oct 30 – Raleigh, NC @ The Brewery
Oct 31 – Columbia, SC @ New Brookland Tavern
Nov 1 – Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade
Nov 2 – Jacksonville, FL @ Jack Rabbits
Nov 4 – Orlando, FL @ The Social
Nov 5 – Tampa, FL @ Orpheum
Nov 6 – Tallahassee, FL @ Beta Bar
Nov 7 – Nashville, TN @ Rocketown
Nov 8 – Little Rock, AR @ The Village
Nov 9 – Tulsa, OK @ The Marquee
Nov 10 – Houston, TX @ Warehouse Studio
Nov 11 – Plano, TX @ The Door
Nov 12 – San Antonio, TX @ Rock Bottom
Nov 14 – Phoenix, AZ @ The Phix
Nov 15 – San Diego, CA @ Epicentre
Nov 16 – West Hollywood, CA @ Troubadour

www.acursivememory.com
www.myspace.com/acursivememory

RE: Jack White and Alicia Keys

Original news posting regarding this project was on this blog in July.

Jack White is apparently not pleased that the new Bond theme he penned (reportedly titled)"Another Way To Die" premiered via a Coca Cola commercial for their product Coke 007. The official statement reads as follows "Jack White was commissioned by Sony Pictures to write a theme song for the James Bond film 'Quantum Of Solace', not for Coca Cola," and "Any other use of the song is based on decisions made by others, not by Jack White." "We are disappointed that you first heard the song in a co-promotion for Coke Zero, rather than in its entirety."

I think the decision to distance himself from this event has more to do with the way he chooses to control the releases of his music rather than an anti commercialism stance in general. You might recall that among upholsterer and other resume fillers that he has already written and performed a Coke jingle.





And this from Rolling Stone:

Jack White and Alicia Keys: Bond's New Duo
Inside the recording of the theme song to "Quantum of Solace"

BRIAN HIATTPosted Oct 02, 2008 2:30 PM


In the van between early White Stripes gigs, Jack White liked to play composer John Barry's James Bond soundtracks — the theme from On Her Majesty's Secret Service, with its dramatic horns and strings, was a particular favorite. So White, a lifelong Bond fan, didn't hesitate when producers of the latest 007 film, Quantum of Solace (out November 14th), approached him to write and produce a theme song for Alicia Keys to sing. "You're definitely taking on a responsibility — there's a tradition of powerful music in all these films," says White, who duets with Keys on his song, "Another Way to Die." "But that's why I'm involved creatively with music — for challenges like this. That's what I live for."

It helped that Keys and White already admired each other's work. "I like that she sneaks odd-sounding things into pop music that shouldn't be there," says White. Adds Keys, "I love Jack and the White Stripes, the rawness of their style. 'Seven Nation Army' obviously is crazy. And 'Icky Thump' — the intro to that is off the chain."

With input from phone discussions with Keys, White wrote the song after reading the film's script, picking up on its themes of mistrust and paranoia: "Someone that you think you can trust is just another way to die," the chorus goes. He came up with a dramatic, lushly arranged tune that's very much in the tradition of past theme songs such as Paul McCartney's "Live and Let Die." "I didn't want to imitate anything or be retro," White says. "It just had to feel like Bond." He recorded the basic track with Raconteurs bassist Jack Lawrence before bringing Keys into a Nashville studio to record vocals. Keys plays some piano on the track, and White shows off his own surprisingly accomplished drum skills. White mixed the track while watching animated title sequences from past Bond films.

White and Keys have shot a video for the song and plan to perform it live several times, likely beginning at a special premiere in England, with the royal family in attendance. And the two hope to work together again in the future. "I would love to rock with him on my next album," says Keys.

[From Issue 1062 — October 2, 2008]

From The Jam DVD



From The Jam to tour US
New Live CD/DVD out soon!

“…these guys [still] played like a bunch of young musicians who haven’t been worn down by years of being on the road…Every song totally possessed the crowded room…” –New York Press

"It really was a return to 1977-78 -- like being caught up in a swaying crowd at the City Ground...And when Foxton's bass boomed out the intro to In The City, the decades rolled back and we all started singing in a 'mockney' accent." –BBC News

Founding members of seminal punk band The Jam, Bruce Foxton and Rick Buckler, are bringing their energetic mod-rock back to the US this fall with a string of live dates. The rock legends are joined by Russell Hastings on lead vocals and guitar to complete the trio’s line-up as From The Jam. Fans will be able to enjoy the band’s brilliant hits, including “This is the Modern World,” “The Eton Rifles,” “’A’ Bomb in Wardour Street,” and Going Underground,” brought back to the stage with vigor by the scissor-kicking Foxton and crew.

Drawing inspiration from The Who and the Sex Pistols, The Jam fused a punk-rock sensibility with the classic mod sound and became one of the most influential acts to come out of the UK. During the band’s five-year span, The Jam’s moody lyrics connected with disenfranchised youth in songs like “Down in the Tube Station” and “In The City.” The power trio kicked off the late 70’s mod revival and inspired a legion of British rock bands from The Smiths to Oasis. Current acts like the Kaiser Chiefs, The Futureheads and Supergrass prove just how relevant The Jam remains.

From The Jam completed successful UK and US tours in late 2007/early 2008, playing to sold-out crowds across Europe and North America. While on tour, the band filmed a live DVD titled, “A First Class Return” to be released later this year on Invisible Hands Music. The deluxe two-disc set was captured at From The Jam’s spectacular Kentish Town Forum concert in London and features in-depth interviews with each member of the band.