indiePulse

French Kiss signs Young Man

French Kiss Records has signed Young Man. Debut CD will be released on 1012. Several tour are listed below - he will be in Chicago on 7/23

From the recent announcement:

It’s enough to make you stop and say, “What is that?” It being the gorgeous melodies and lean, spellbound guitar lines of Colin Caulfield, an English/French lit major who’s about to change what it means to be a shape-shifting singer-songwriter in the YouTube age. Just ask Bradford Cox. He knows. Why, just a year ago, the Deerhunter frontman stumbled upon Caulfield’s organ-grinding rendition of “Rainwater Cassette Exchange” and said it’s “fantastically superior to the original. It actually sent shivers up my spine, especially during the second verse.” Believe it or not, that chilling cover was just a warmup session. As killer as he is at capturing the very essence of everything from Animal Collective to Ariel Pink, Caulfied’s true talent is in telling his own Young Man stories. The first chapter of which goes by the name Boy, a deceivingly-simple suite of songs about wanting to grow up without  having the slightest idea of what ‘being a man’ actually means.          Now that’s a reason to hit rewind, from the tone-setting tenderness and psych-infused harmonies of “Five” to the restless rhythms (Caulfield was a drummer well before he became a singer/guitarist) and room-engulfing intimacy of “Up So Fast.” Both of which feature some of the most hopeful/haunting choruses you’ll hear all year. And that’s just the beginning, of course. Since Young Man was conceived as a concept project about the passing of time, love, and loss, Caulfield already has two loosely-linked LPs on tap—a faceless collection of fragile characters that could be any one of us, really. “A lot of it’s autobiographical,” explains Caulfield, “but it’s universal at the same time, because everyone goes through these things.” Listen closely. It’ll all make sense soon enough. Trust us.

7/22: Magic Stick. Detroit (w/ Langhorne Slim)

7/23: Lincoln Hall, Chicago (w/ Langhorne Slim)
7/24: Turner Hall, Milwaukee (w/ Langhorne Slim)
7/26: Varsity Theater, Minneapolis (w/ Langhorne Slim)
8/04: Beachland Ballroom, Cleveland (w/ Dawes)
8/09: Gabes Oasis, Iowa City (w/ Dawes)
8/21: The Basement, Nashville (w/ Lou Barlow and Wye Oak)
8/22: Off Broadway, St Louis (w/ Lou Barlow and Wye Oak)

It Takes A Thief - Thievery Corporation's Best

Hard to believe Thievery Corporation has not released a best of collection until now. "It Takes A Thief" comes out on 9/21.

From the recent announcement:

Dynamic DJ duo Thievery Corporation have announced the release of their first ‘best of’ album, It Takes A Thief, coming out on ESL Music on September 21st. The album is a collection of tracks specially selected by Rob Garza and Eric Hilton for longtime fans and for music lovers who have heard of Thievery Corporation but may have never listened to the band.

It Take A Thief features “Lebanese Blonde,” the beautiful song used on the Grammy award-winning Garden State Soundtrack, as well as “Sound the Alarm,” the funk infused track that has become a staple opening track for the band’s live shows. “We’ve always been a little hesitant of putting together a retrospective cd,” Rob Garza said. “But looking back and realizing it’s been almost 15 years since we started, we figured maybe now is the time. These tracks are some of our favorite moments.”

Thievery Corporation has released 5 studio albums to date and has sold over 1.5 million records since 1998. Thievery’s tracks have been licensed for film, tv and advertisements including True Blood, Entourage, Six Feet Under, CSI, Skyy Vodka, Jaguar, Lexus, EA Sports and many others. They have collaborated with a diverse number of artists from The Flaming Lips to Femi Kuti, and remixed a spectrum of artists from the Doors to David Byrne.

Their infectious live show features 15 musicians and a carousel of performers unlike any other live band playing today. In 2009, Thievery Corporation sold out 2 nights at New York’s Terminal 5, and recently finished a 13 date European tour including Morocco, Rome, Athens, Paris, Berlin and Amsterdam. The band is preparing to announce a major US tour for the fall of 2010 and is recording a new album to be released in 2011.

New Pretty Lights EP

A new Pretty Lights EP is coming on July 29. He has a series of festival shows lined up this year and will be in Chicago on September 3.

From the recent announcement:

“The bombastic approach to music that Pretty Lights undertakes on the stage has lifted... him to a prestigious pedestal in the electronic music scene that few in their mid-20s could dream of.” 

~ San Francisco Chronicle

US Tour Dates

 15-Jul Camp Bisco Mariaville, New York  

 24-Jul Evolve Festival Nova Scotia, Canada  

 30-Jul Wanderlust Festival Squaw Valley, California  

 7-Aug Red Rocks Amphitheatre Morrison, Colorado  

 14-Aug Outside Lands San Francisco, California  

 3-Sep North Coast Music Festival Chicago, Illinois

4-Sep Electric Zoo Festival New York, New York

 It’s been a busy year for the genre bending producer-extraordinaire Pretty Lights, aka Derek Vincent Smith; he’s carrying out the ambitious goal of releasing three EP’s in 2010, all the while criss-crossing the Atlantic, selling out shows all over the U.S. and Europe.

 Pretty Lights will be making his way to the UK for a few more shows at the end of the month, including a stop at the one-and-only Glastonbury. After he returns Stateside for some gigs Camp Bisco, Wanderlust, Outside Lands, and the North Coast Music Festival, as well as a very special show headlining the world-renowned Red Rocks Amphitheater on August 7^th, to celebrate the release of the second EP! Red Rocks will feature 2 sets from Pretty Lights, including an exclusive downtempo set. The show also has several stellar opening acts; MiMOSA, Zion I, and Emancipator!

The second installment of the 2010 EP trilogy will see release July 29^th (more details to be announced soon!) with the third set for the late fall. Smith self-releases for free all his music through his website, www.PrettyLightsMusic.com, and with over half a million downloads & counting, and sold-out shows nationwide, the world has officially caught on!

Babylon Central

Thievery Corporation's Eric Hilton is about to see his first screenplay come to life. The film, "Babylon Central", will be released on 7/27 and the soundtrack from the film will be available on 7/19.

From a recent announcement:

Eric Hilton of Thievery Corporation and ESL Music announce the July 27^th release of their debut film Babylon Central, available digitally and at your favorite music store.    

Early birds will be able to score a copy of Babylon Central’s Soundtrack on July 19^th through Amazon.com’s “Deal of the Day.” The film will also be available through Amazon’s “Video on Demand” feature.  A preorder of the physical release is available through ESL Music's shop page.

Babylon Central is a fictional story from the mind of Eric Hilton and developed into a screenplay by Hilton and Philip Hawken in 2006, debut for both. The film is about a courier by day and aspiring DJ by night who finds himself in an economic power play with a Saudi Prince after forgetting an important delivery.  

Throughout the fall of 2006 and the first part of 2007 they used HVX cameras, a borrowed truck full of rental gear and called in every favor they could to create the footage for this independent film.  

Over a period of approximately 50 shooting days that included scorching heat in Dupont Circle to freezing temperatures during a nighttime outdoor pool-shoot, the cast and crew of Babylon Central used the backdrop of Washington, DC as a main character in this film.   

Upon the completion of principal shooting and over three terabytes of raw digital footage, Director of Photography Robin Bell worked with Hilton for nearly two years editing to create the final cut of the film.  

The music component is also an unspoken film character. As music has been the driving creative force behind Hilton’s career with Thievery Corporation and ESL Music, he carefully selected 42 different songs for the inclusion in the film score. The result is an incredible 17-song soundtrack that includes rare, vintage, out-of print, and previously unreleased sonic gems selected by Eric Hilton.  

Grooving fluidly across genres, the Babylon Central Soundtrack features must-have classics like “Leaving Babylon,” a smoky reggae excursion by DC hardcore punk luminaries Bad Brains, “Hang On In There,” a socially charged funk and soul epic by 70’s crooner Mike James Kirland, and “Coming From The Top,” the massive horn-punctuated break beat showstopper by Thievery Corporation.  

For more information: www.babyloncentralfilm.com 

Facebook: www.facebook.com/babyloncentral 

MySpace: www.myspace.com/babyloncentral 

Twitter: www.twitter.com/babyloncentral

The Jay Bennett Foundation & New CD

The Jay Bennett Foundation was launched on May 24. The organization was created in memory of Jay and supports music and education. The new CD Kicking at the Perfumed Air will be available to purchase as a CD via the site on July 10, with a percentage of the proceeds going to the Foundation.

From the announcement:

On May 24, 2009, award-winning multi-instrumentalist and producer Jay Bennett passed away. Although Jay is probably best known for his work in Wilco, he was also a very sought-after producer, collaborator and solo artist, and was the owner of the Champaign, IL-based music studio, Pieholden Suite Sound.

On the one-year anniversary of Jay’s passing, his family and friends announce the creation of The Jay Bennett Foundation—an organization supporting music and education. The foundation is spearheaded by Jay’s brother, Jeff Bennett, and Jay’s mother, Jan — two of Jay’s biggest fans.

The Jay Bennett Foundation will launch on May 24 on JayBennett.org, Facebook (facebook.com/jaybennettfoundation) and Twitter (@JayBennettFdn). On July 10, fans will also be able to support the JBF by downloading the album Jay was completing at the time of his death. The download of Kicking at the Perfumed Air is free, but donations are accepted and will benefit the foundation or one of its partner charities. Kicking at the Perfumed Air will also be available to purchase as a CD via the site on July 10, with a percentage of the proceeds going to the Foundation.

“Those of us who loved Jay lost a son, a brother, a collaborator and a loyal friend. The world lost a gifted musician, thoughtful song-writer and uniquely creative force in the studio who was always working to make music better,” Jeff Bennett said. “This album is part of a larger effort to honor Jay’s memory and enhance his legacy by exposing more people to his music and by supporting charitable efforts to make the world a better place.”

You can download an MP3 from the album here:
http://rockproper.com/jay-bennett/audio/kicking-at-the-perfumed-air/03_twice_a_year.mp3

Best Friends?

 Brad has announced the release date for their new record. "Best Friends" will be available on August 10 through monkeywrench records and Pearl Jam's Ten Club. Satchel's new record is called "Heartache & Honey" and is currently available through the establishment store.

Solo record coming from MMJ guitarist

MMJ guitarist Carl Broemel will release a solo record on 8/31 on the ATO label. I've been a fan of his playing for a long time and look forward to hearing an entire album of his work.

From a recent announcement:

Click HERE to Download MP3 for “Heaven Knows”

 
“It takes a lot of time to know your mind.”  Its a simple statement, yet earnest and profound in its offering.  Sometimes it’s the spaces in between, the subtleties and ambiguities that provide us with the most meaning.
 All Birds Say (ATO Records) is an intimate collection of musings on life from My Morning Jacket guitarist, Carl Broemel.

 Broemel reflects on things as they are with Zen-like contentment, making no judgment on how they should be...he gives pause for introspection but stops short of preaching. The songs are firmly planted between past and present.  It’s in these little fractured moments that the listener bears witness to thoughtful contemplation that give rise to epiphanies on larger themes.

 Broemel could’ve taken the easy road and penned a lyrical triptych to the remarkable journey he’s experienced over the past several years, but instead All Birds Say is an incredibly honest and sincere insight into the artist’s inner-most thoughts as he attempts to reconcile his role in life.
 “Where do you start?  Or where do you stop?  And how do you reconcile the things you do versus the things you don’t?  It’s something I’m constantly thinking about.  I think there’s a lot of trying to be aware of what you’re doing now versus dwelling on things or worrying about what’s gonna happen later.  A lot of the songs are really just me talking to myself, trying to make sense of things in my head.” 


 Deft in its presentation, the songs on the album unfold in a dream-like stream of consciousness with lush and elegant arrangements.  The album’s brilliance is displayed in Broemel’s effortless delivery.  It’s the perfect amalgamation of lazy sophistication…whimsical poise and grace.  The instrumentation serves as the ideal complement to Broemel’s well crafted set of modern-folk standards; complete with pedal steel, dobro, strings, autoharp, clarinet, bassoon, vibraphone, and baritone sax, among others.  Think Ron Sexsmith, Neko Case, Neal Casal, Andrew Bird, Mose Allison, and early Boz Scaggs singing an orchestrated chorus of breezy ballads and waltzes.

 The guitar figure of the instrumental title track that opens the album serves as a natural introduction to “Life Leftover,” an introspective meditation on the importance of being more present in life that’s at the heart of All Birds Say.  The album also afforded him the chance to collaborate with his own father, a former member of the Indianapolis Symphony who provides rich color and depth to the music with clarinet, baritone sax, and bassoon.

“To me, making records is like alchemy.  It’s something that no one can ever perfect, but you have an insatiable desire to keep doing it and get better at it.  I really believe that everything we experience contributes to what we do next, so this album is really a result of all the records and tours I’ve done so far.“


 The best records always seem to be the ones that slowly reveal themselves like a pleasant surprise and allow the listener to peel through deeper layers upon repeated listen…the kind of records that you grow with and can go back to months later and hear something then that resonates with you in a way that wouldn’t have otherwise.  It’s an interactive process between the listener and the artist, and one to be thankful for.  This is the kind of album that epitomizes the vinyl experience; an instant classic that is sure to stand the test of time.

A little taste of "Sugar"

The Athens, GA-based rock band Dead Confederate will be releasing a new record on August 24. The new album is called "Sugar" and you can get a preview right now on their site DeadConfederate.com. You can download a free mp3 of "Giving It All Away" w/ J. Mascis and there's also a short video on the making of the record.

From a recent announcement:

We have plenty of tourdates in the works. The first tour we have planned is with our friends, Deer Tick. Their new album, The Black Dirt Sessions, is awesome and we suggest you take a listen, if you haven't already. We also have several festival dates lined up. Here's a full list of confirmed tourdates:

07.09.10 - Louisville, KY - Forecastle Festival
07.10.10 - Chattanooga, TN - Rhythm & Brews
07.23.10 - Augusta, GA - Sky City
07.24.10 - Savannah, GA - The Jinx
07.25.10 - Charlotte, NC - Visulite Theatre %
07.27.10 - Orlando, FL - The Social %
07.29.10 - Tampa, FL - Crowbar %
07.30.10 - Tallahassee, FL - Engine Room %
07.31.10 - Atlanta, GA - Buckhead Theater %
08.01.10 - Nashville, TN - Exit/In %
08.03.10 - Oxford, MS - Proud Larry's %
08.04.10 - Memphis, TN - Hi-Tone Cafe %
08.05.10 - St. Louis, MO - Off Broadway %
08.28.10 - Austin, TX - The Mohawk - KUT's Red River on the Rocks Festival
09.05.10 - Seattle, WA - Bumbershoot After Party at Hard Rock $
09.17.10 - Telluride, CO - Telluride Brews & Brews Festival

% - with Deer Tick
$ - with Surfer Blood


www.deadconfederate.com
www.wreckingblahg.com
www.facebook.com/deadconfederate
www.twitter.com/deadconfederate
www.myspace.com/deadconfederate
www.youtube.com/deadconfederate

Upcoming Chicago shows and release dates

Release Dates

Mar 23: 
Bettie Serveert 
She & Him 
Love Is All 
Melissa Auf der Mar

Apr 6: 
Black Francis 
Jakob Dylan 
Harlem 
Elliott Smith

Apr 13: 
MGMT 

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Upcoming Chicago Shows

Mar 21: 
Willie Nelson and Family @ Genesee Theatre

Mar 23:  
Cowboy Junkies @ Space 

Mar 24: 
Bettie Serveert @ Riviera 
Air, AM @ Riviera 
Willie Nelson and Family @ Rialto Square Theatre 
The Besnard Lakes @

Mar 25:  
Vampire Weekend @ Riviera 
Roman Candle @ Schubas

Mar 27:  
DeXter @ Sylvie's Lounge 

Apr 2: 
Sea Bear, Via Tania @ Schubas

Apr 6:   
Dashboard Confessional @ House of Blues 
Julian Casablancas @ the Vic
Jucifer @ Double Door

Upcoming Chicago shows and release dates

Upcoming Releases:

Mar 16: 

Drive-By Truckers 

Gin Wigmore

Mar 23: 
Bettie Serveert 
She & Him 
Love Is All 
Melissa Auf der Mar

Apr 6: 
Black Francis 
Jakob Dylan 
Harlem 
Elliott Smith

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Upcoming Chicago Shows

Mar 14: 
Murder By Death @ Lincoln Hall 

Mar 17: 
The Clientele @ Lincoln Hall

Mar 21: 
Willie Nelson and Family @ Genesee Theatre

Mar 23:  
Cowboy Junkies @ Space 

Mar 24: 
Bettie Serveert @ Riviera 
Air, AM @ Riviera 
Willie Nelson and Family @ Rialto Square Theatre 
The Besnard Lakes @

Mar 25:  
Vampire Weekend @ Riviera 
Roman Candle @ Schubas