Dirty on Purpose on Tour

Dirty on Purpose, one of the best undiscovered acts out there right now, is again on tour. Dates are at the bottom of the post.

Their blending of My Bloody Valentine shoegaze and Smashing Pumpkins alternative is frankly better than either at times. Where similar act Silversun Pickups rely on brilliant guitars and heavily-layered melodies, Dirty on Purpose more often than not remain subtle, charming and forlorn. Their LP Hallelujah Sirens is heart-wrenching in some moments and exhilarating at others. Check out the video for "Light Pollution" below.

Tour Dates:

September 29 @ Turf Club (St. Paul, Minnesota)*
September 30 @ High Noon Saloon (Madison, Wisconsin)*
October 1 @ Empty Bottle (Chicago, Illinois)*
October 2 @ Pike Room (Pontiac, Michigan)*
October 3 @ Lee's Palace (Toronto, Ontario)*
October 5 @ La Sala Rossa (Pop Montreal Festival w/ Liam Finn & The Veils; Montreal)
October 9 @ Johnny Brenda's (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)#
October 10 @ Music Hall of Williamsburg (Brooklyn, New York)#
October 11 @ Middle East (Boston, Massachusetts)#
October 12 @ Living Room (Providence, Rhode Island)#

*w/The Wedding Present
#w/The New Year

Dirty on Purpose - "Light Pollution"

Belle and Sebastian: "The BBC Sessions" Out in November

The BBC Sessions, a collection of recordings by Belle and Sebastian from 1996 through 2001, will be released on November 18th through Matador records. The 2-disc album will feature tracks from live radio recordings for Mark Radcliffe, Steve Lamacg, and John Peel.

Four songs for Peel, recorded in 2001, have never been released on CD or vinyl--though they've been constantly bootlegged and are infamous for being the last studio recordings with Isobel Campbell. "The Magic of a Kind Word," "Nothing in the Silence," Shoot the Sexual Athlete," and "(My Girl's Got) Miraculous Technique" will all be officially released for the first time on The BBC Sessions.

Additionally, the compilation contains a live 2001 Belfast Christmas show which features covers such as The Beatles' "Here Comes the Sun," The Velvets' "I'm Waiting for the Man," and Thin Lizzy's "Boys Are Back in Town." Other highlights of the album include alternate versions of "The Wrong Girl" and "Lazy Line Painter Jane."

All in all, "the album tracks the group's development" from 1996 to 2001, and frankly showcases the sheer talent contained within Belle and Sebastian. I'll try to have a review up soon. In the mean time, I will say this: Don't write this off as another manufactured collection of songs the band is trying to sell to you again--this is worth your money. This is big.

Asobi Seksu on Tour, New LP in 2009

Asobi Seksu, the lovable shoegaze-touting Japanese infused New York outfit, has announced both new tour dates and that a new LP is coming in early 2009. The group has been abroad more often-than-not for the past two years, so it's nice to have them back on home turf for some U.S. shows. Tour dates below:

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

The new album, the group's third to date, has been produced by Chris Zane (The Walkmen, Les Savy Fav) who also assisted in the making of the glorious Citrus. To hold us over until 2009, Asobi Seksu will be releasing the first single "Me & Mary" on November 18th here in the U.S. through Polyvinyl. In Europe, the single will be available a day earlier. Reportedly, the song "rolls forth on a bed of drums and glistening guitars, and features a soaring vocal performance from Yuki Chikudate." Sounds decent to me. Check out the video for "Thursday" from their last album Citrus below.

Theresa Andersson: New Video, New Album, New Tour

Theresa Andersson, the kitchen-diva who rocketed to YouTube fame with her multitasking track "Na Na Na" (YouTube video here) has released a new video following on the heels of the release of her album Hummingbird, Go!. The track, titled "Birds Fly Away," is again a kitchen-centered piece with Andersson handling all of the instruments with "functional choreography." Looks like she's accumulated about 200 additional foot-pedals and some higher production techniques, but the track is the same sunshine-washed synth-pop smile-fest that "Na Na Na" was. If you liked the first, you'll love the second. Find it here:

Theresa Andersson - "Birds Fly Away"

FIttingly, her new album Hummingbird, Go! was recorded entirely in her kitchen. "The kitchen sounds amazing, it has wonderful, natural reverb," Andersson explained. “Even the room itself is audible." It tickles me that artists pay thousands of dollars escaping the noises of anything other than their instruments, and here's Andersson willingly seeking out the noises her fridge reverbs back at her. The album was released on September 2 through Basin Street Records and from the looks of things, it's picked up some flattering acclaim. Both "Na Na Na" and "Birds Fly Away" can be found on the album. Mp3 files of both tracks are linked below.

Theresa Andersson - "Na Na Na"
Theresa Andersson - "Birds Fly Away"

Finally, Andersson -- a Sweden resident herself -- has embarked on a U.S. (and Canadian) tour through November. Joining her are fellow Scandinavians Tobias Fromberg and Ane Brun. Tour dates below:

09/23 - Cincinnati, OH @ 20th Century Theatre
09/25 - Baltimore, MD @ 8 x 10
09/26 - Philadelphia, PA @ World Cafe Live
09/27 - New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom
09/30 - Washington, DC @ DC9
10/02 - New Orleans, LA @ Howlin' Wolf
10/04 - Gretna, LA @ Gretna Heritage Festival
10/21 - Washington, DC @ The Swedish Embassy
10/22 - New York, NY @ Living Room (CMJ)
10/23 - Philadelphia, PA @ Tin Angel
10/24 - Arlington, VA @ IOTA Club & Cafe
10/25 - Norfolk, VA @ Attucks Theatre
10/28 - Nashville, TN @ The Basement
10/29 - Dayton, OH @ Canal Street Tavern
10/30 - Indianapolis, IN @ Rathskeller Restaurant
11/01 - Chicago, IL @ Schubas
11/08 - Montreal, QUE. @ Petit Campus
11/10 - Allston, MA @ Great Scott

Kevin Ayers Releases Track From "What More Can I Say"

Kevin Ayers will release What More Can I Say, an LP of unreleased tracks from the '70s, will be released on November 4th through Reel Recordings. The collection of tunes was found in poet Lady June's London apartment on a set of cassette tapes and features performances from bassists Mike Oldfield and Archie Legget, organist David Bedford, and drummer Robert Wyatt. Download "Crystal Clear" from What More Can I Say below.

Kevin Ayers was the bassist of British psychedelic rock band The Soft Machine during the 1960's, then pursued a solo career after he quit the band in 1968. Known for his somewhat ironic laid-back manner, Ayers became a work-horse of music, releasing a steady stream of albums until the present day. His latest album, Unfairground, hit shelves in 2007 and received high praise (Mojo described the album as "gorgeous").

Kevin Ayers - "Crystal Clear"

Ane Brun Readies U.S. Debut of "Changing of the Seasons," Announces Tour Dates

Norwegian singer/songwriter Ane Brun will be releasing her sophomore U.S. album Changing of the Seasons on October 21st. She's also announced tour dates with Tobias Froeberg and Theresa Andersson. Brun's first U.S. album A Temporary Dive in 2006 was nearly drowned in praise, whether for her surreal melodies of erotic, Bjork-like vocals. Her voice is polarizing--it has a certain waver that drives people nuts, for better or for worse. It's quite sensual really. In any case, Brun is in no way tackling sophomore-slump issues. Changing of the Seasons is her fifth album altogether and was produced by Valgeir Sigurdsson (Björk, Sigur Ros, Múm, Bonnie Prince Billy, Coco Rosie, Maps, and more). So don't be afraid to set your hopes high. Check out the video for "Don't Leave" from the upcoming album below.

Brun has also announced a set of dates for her fall U.S. tour:

10/22 - The Living Room - New York, NY
10/23 - Tin Angel - Philadelphia PA
10/24 - Iota Club and Café - Arlington, VA
10/25 - Attucks Theatre - Norfolk, VA
10/28 - Café Du Nord - San Fransico, CA
10/30 - Hotel Café - Los Angeles, CA
11/01 - Schubas Tavern - Chicago, IL
11/06 - London Music Club - London, ON
11/07 - El Mocambo - Toronto, ONT
11/08 - Lee Saints - Montreal- QUE
11/11 - Great Scott - Boston, MA

Mason Proper New Album, Tour w/Cloud Cult

Michigan's half-post-punk, half-emo indie rockers Mason Proper will release their sophomore album Olly Oxen Free on September 23. Produced both by the band and by Chris Coady (TV on the Radio, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Blonde Redhead), the album reportedly "bristles with a ghostly ambience...[it] beams with otherwordliness and reaches towards transcendence." Quite a lofty description, but I expect good things. Their 2006 debut There Is a Moth in Your Chest was worth the flattering feedback it received, though it wasn't exactly my cup of tea. The descriptions of their coming album play up to my gloomy post-rock tastes though, so perhaps they'll win me over yet. Check out the video for "My My (Bad Fruit)" from There Is a Moth in Your Chest below.



Additionally, the band will be on a quick tour this fall--including some dates with Minneapolis experimental outfit Cloud Cult. Dates below.

09/25: Ann Arbor, MI @ The Blind Pig (CD Release Party)
10/21: New York, NY @ Rehab (Dovecote Records CMJ Showcase)
10/31: Mt. Pleasant, MI @ Rubbles Bar
11/01: East Lansing, MI @ Small Planet
11/10: Washington, DC @ Black Cat*
11/11: New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom*
11/12: Danbury, CT @ Herloom Arts Theater*
11/13: Cambridge, MA @ Middle East Downstairs*
11/15: Rochester, NY @ Bug Jar

*Dates with Cloud Cult

Review: My Majestic Star's "Too Late, The Day"

Most post-rock you come across nowadays are filled with a certain dramatic gloom that so well lends itself to heavily layered, massive attacks of guitars. Explosions in the Sky, This Will Destroy You, A Place to Bury Strangers, all exude an attitude of negative energy to some extent. Not that their songs are depressing or pessimistic, but it’s characteristically difficult to pull off a “happy” post-rock track.

While perhaps My Majestic Star don’t achieve “happy,” their songs in Too Late, The Day are certainly more sunny and optimistic than some of their instrumental brethren. The follow-up to 2006’s Ideas Are the Answer, Too Late uses the theme of a quickly passing day well. The title track, which leads off the album, is short-lived and dramatic like most days—if albeit in a slowly developing sort of way. Unlike most days however, “Too Late, The Day” is enjoyably atmospheric and worthy of being repeated.

The most-used musical theme however, is that found within “On Afternoons.” Cheerful instrumentals hold back any darkly-layered guitars, spiraling into enjoyable sonic chaos before giving way to a daydreamy Sonic Youth guitar riff. The track, as well as others such as “Defects in Sunsets” and “Forget Idaho,” is filled with distracted attentions, perhaps trying to capture an afternoon spent on your back, watching clouds dance across the sky.

My Majestic Star exudes warmth in its instrumentation where others deliver only frigidity. In fact, the biggest drawback of Too Late, The Day is that My Majestic Star relaxes you into forgetting that you’re listening to music. Concentration is difficult on this lazy summer afternoon of an album. My Majestic Star craft a graceful collection of delicate melodies that move at a natural pace—seemingly no faster than the pace of a flower growing, or the sun moving across the sky. A wonderful find for all fans of post-rock, shoegaze, or beautiful music.

My Majestic Star - "Defects in Sunsets"

(Published at MusicEmissions.com)

The Juan Maclean - "Find a Way"

Hello! Been a while. The Juan Maclean -- the electro-infused persona of John Maclean -- is embarking on a U.S. tour this fall. To kick off the tour, the New Hampshire resident has released "Find a Way" available as a free download at RCRD LBL.

First off, if you haven't heard of RCRD LBL, it's truly one of the best things to happen to music and one of the best uses of the Internet (and of course, this crazy record label-less world it has created). Bands as diverse as Tokyo Police Club, The Chemical Brothers, Foals and Caribou have published singles, remixes, or B-side tracks to the site where you can download them all for free! It's a pretty cool operation, and definitely worth some of your time.

Anyways, "Find a Way" is a groovy dance-floor/trance/electronica/whatever cut that throws in some jazzy influences (the piano part in the intro is one of my favorite elements). Fans of Cut Copy (who Maclean recently toured with) should take to The Juan Maclean instantly. Watch for the act's new album The Future Will Come early next year. Tour dates below.

The Juan Maclean - "Find a Way" (via RCRD LBL)

The Juan Maclean will be joined by Nick Millhiser (!!!), Gerry Fuchs (Turing Machine) and Nancy Whang (LCD Soundsystem) on tour.

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

RedEye ChiTunes: Bully in the Hallway

A new article of mine on Chicago punk-rock act Bully in the Hallway was published in the Chicago Tribune's RedEye. The quintet pours a variety of styles into their music, which helps them stand out from the ridiculously crowded field of semi-punk bands in Chicago. They have a debut album coming out soon, nine months in the making, while they already have enough songs penned for a second release. Serious songwriting machine. Find the article -- and their song "The Bored" -- at the link below.

ChiTunes: Bully in the Hallway