Astari Nite :: Engagement Ceremony (Premiere)

Miami dark wave band Astari Nite sent us their new single "Engagement Ceremony" to premiere for you guys from their upcoming second album Until the End of the Moon which is being released on (lucky) Friday the 13th in May. It's a cool dark atmospheric track with a real nice break around the 3:24 mark.

Check out "Engagement Ceremony" below, and if you're in the South Florida area be sure to check out one of their two album release parties (both featuring a Live Performance). First one's on Saturday May the 7th at Respectable Street in West Palm Beach and the second one's on Friday, May the 13th at Kill Your Idol on South Beach. (The latter of which your humble author will also be DJ'ing at, OTR Represent!!!)



The rest of their tour schedule is as follows ::

UNTIL THE END OF THE MOON - TOUR DATES
May 18th- (Jacksonville, FL.) ASTARI NITE with special guests Ursula Ruffians at Jack Rabbits
May 20th - (Brooklyn, NY.) Astari Nite / Weep / Turbo Goth / Autodrone at The Gateway
May 21st- (Brooklyn, NY.) Dinowalrus / Heaven / Astari Nite / Baby Acid at SUNNYVALE
May 22nd- (Philadelphia, PA.) TBA
May 24th- (Virginia, VA.) TBA
May 25th- (Charlotte, NC.) ASTARI NITE + ASTREA CORP + TENDERLASH + IIOIOIOII @ The Milestone on WEDNESDAY, MAY 25th 2016
May 26th- (Grenville, SC.) Air Wolves w/ Astari Nite and People of Mars at The Radio Room
May 27th- (St.Petersburg, FL.) COMMUNION AFTER DARK presents ASTARI NITE with special guests GHOSTFEEDER & DJ MAUS at THE AMSTERDAM
May 28th- (Orlando, FL.) ASTARI NITE // Ars Phoenix // Ghostfeeder // DJ Nick M // DJ LAVIDICUS at Will's Pub

Amtrac :: Long Nights + Lost in Motion EP

Our buddy Amtrac just released new single "Long Nights" which features him on vocal duty and it is amazing! Great dark dance jam! Who knew he had such a great voice. Hope this trend continues!

Check out that track below, as well as previously released single "Darkest Sound" which is also top notch! They will both be featured on his upcoming EP Lost in Motion that comes out this Friday, 1/29/16 via iTunes. Best get on that!

P.S. He is on tour now. If you are in one of these cities >>> (Tour Dates) be sure to catch a live DJ Set from him. Well worth it! 

Travis :: Where You Stand (Video) + New Album / Tour in 2013

It has been many years since I last heard anything new from Scottish band Travis, 5 years to be exact. I can remember a time when their albums The Man Who (1999) and The Invisible Band (2001) were two of my favorite albums that I would play incessantly.

Well today is a good day, because as I was skimming through our emails I happened to notice their name and the news that they are coming out with a new album Where You Stand on August 19th as well as touring in 2013. That got me real excited, especially after I saw their video for first single "Where You Stand". Gorgeous tune that reminded me why I loved them so much to begin with. Fran Healy still has that amazing voice and the music is as delicate and pretty as ever. Can't wait to check out that new album. I hope it is as amazing as their classic records.

For now check out that new video below and you can check out their US tour dates on their site here.

P.S. As in other Travis videos Fran seems to still get the short end of the stick in this one as well. 

Clear Plastic Masks

Clear Plastic Masks are pissing off my neighbors. I am listening to the few songs I can find online so loud they can only assume I'm a thirteen year old boy who hates their parents. These guys are Nashville based, but let's face it, they're musicians so they are pretty much smelly homeless people, but who cares. They are restoring my faith in rock and roll. Also their self titled LP is only available at shows which is genius. Pretty much says if you want me, come and find me so I can show you I am that good. Their songs are like snake charmers sucking you in with soulful lyrics and explosive musical arrangements. The drums, the guitars, the organs. Try not to like this band, I dare you.

Check out some tunes/videos below and check out their tour dates here. 

The Penelopes :: Remixes + Summer Life (Video) + Tour News

French duo The Penelopes that we posted their excellent track "Now Now Now" late last year here are back with some excellent remixes. One is for The Chevin's "Champion" and the other for Figure of 8's "Bittersweet". Digging them both! Real smooth dance remixes. Shows these Frenchies know what they're doing. Check them out below and if you like what you hear they are both free for the taking. In addition below is their latest video for their track "Summer Life" which is just ending, unless you live in Miami, then it's almost a year long affair. Enjoy!

P.S. If you happen to live in Europe The Penelopes are gonna be opening up for synthpop pioneers The Human League in their upcoming tour starting in November. Check out the dates here.

The Chevin - Champion (The Penelopes Remix) by The Chevin

Figure of 8 - Bittersweet (The Penelopes Remix) by Figure Of 8

Mansions on the Moon :: Radio + Tour Dates

LA indie pop trio Mansions on the Moon that we posted about last year here are back with a new track "Radio" that they sent our way. Just like everything we've heard from them this one is another beaut! Check it out below and if you like what you hear it's free for the taking.

Mansions on the Moon-Radio by Mansions on the Moon

MOTM are currently on a US Tour with Cherub. Here's where you can check them out. More dates to be announced soon...

9/11 Iowa City, IA The Mill
9/12 Omaha, NE The Waiting Room
9/14 Atlanta, GA The Compound
9/15 Columbia, MO The Blue Note
9/16 St. Louis, MO The Gramophone
9/18 Lawrence, KS The Bottleneck
9/19 Little Rock, AR Jaunita's
9/20 Dallas, TX The Palladium
9/21 Austin, TX The Belmont
9/22 Houston, TX Fitzgerald's
9/23 New Orleans, LA Maison
9/25 Mobile, AL Alabama Music Box
9/26 Jackson, MS Hal and Mal's
9/27 Houston, TX Warehouse Live

Jonquil :: Mexico (EP)

Oxford, UK band Jonquil recently sent us their new EP Mexico which is really a maxi single. It features their track "Mexico", plus three remixes from the likes of Chad Valley (who is in the band), Fort Romeau & Rush Midnight. Digging the track and all the remixes which all have a different flavor. I'm sure you'll find one that appeals to you. The track is from their latest album 'Point of Go' that was released earlier this year. Digging the lead singers voice and their melodies. You can sample/buy the record on iTunes or Amazon.

Check out the EP/Remixes which are all free for the taking below as well as their video for an earlier single "Run". If you live in Europe they are gonna be starting a little European tour starting in a couple of days. Check out the dates below. 

Jonquil - Mexico EP by Blessing Force


Jonquil European Tour Dates ::

9/8/12 - Santiago, Spain - Cidade da Cultura
9/14/12 - Bergen, Norway - Phono Festival
9/25/12 - Zurich, Switzerland - This is Tigerr
9/27/12 - Barcelona, Spain - Razmatazz
9/28/12 - Madrid, Spain - Moby Dick
11/17/12 - Paris, France - Point Ephemere

Here We Go Magic

Brooklyn Indie pop band Here We Go Magic have just put out this brand new single "How do I Know" which is actually the second single off up coming album A Different Ship due out on May 8. The track, a repetitive and catchy indie pop tune with a dash of that folk rock feel, starts out simply and slowly builds in complexity. Along with next months album release, the band is embarking on a pretty epic Spring/Summer tour schedule that has them bouncing back and forth between Europe and the U.S. Check out the new single below, then check out tour info here.

How Do I Know - Here We Go Magic

Housse De Racket :: Chateau (Remixes/Video/Tour Dates)

One of our faves French electro-pop duo Housse De Racket is currently on a US/Canadian tour that you can check out here. To celebrate they have some new remixes of their latest single "Chateau" by Gemini Club, Hey Champ, Punks Jump Up that are pretty sweet. Check out the stream of the original, plus the remixes which are free for the taking and their video for said track. Merci!

Housse De Racket - Chateau by Housse De Racket

Housse De Racket - Chateau (Gemini Club Remix) by Housse De Racket

Housse De Racket - Chateau (Hey Champ Remix) by Housse De Racket

Housse De Racket - Chateau (Punks Jump Up Remix) by Housse De Racket

Avan Lava :: It's Never Over

Avan Lava is a project from NYC ft lead singer TC (Tom Hennes) and producers/musicians Le Chev (Narcisse, Fischerspooner) and Ian Pai (Blue Man Group, Fischerspooner). They sent along their upcoming EP Flex Fantasy scheduled for release February the 21st and I am mightily impressed! A great mixture of soul and nu-disco that is pretty irrisistable and will surely get many booties shaking it on the dance floor. The first single from the EP is "It's Never Over" that you can check out below as well as a little video clip for it. If this one doesn't get you pumped for some weekend dancing, I'm not sure what will. Best part is it's a freebie! Grab that sucker!





Here's a few places you can catch them performing Live if you live in NY and they are gonna be at SXSW ::

2.11.12 - Brooklyn, NY - Glasslands
2.25.12 - New York, NY - Mercury (EP Release Party)
3.XX.12 - Austin, TX - SXSW

Saint Motel :: At Least I Have Nothing (Junk Remix) + Stems / Tour Dates

LA indie pop band Saint Motel that we've posted about a couple of times before, most recently here are getting ready for a Spring Tour starting in Feb. To celebrate they are giving away this excellent dance remix by Junk of their latest track "At Least I Have Nothing". Junk did a great job, really digging the remix! They are also giving away the stems for "At Least I Have Nothing", plus their hit "Puzzle Pieces" for remixes to have a go at it which you can get here. I'm sure there's a few of you out there that can do some damage with those. Enjoy!

SAINT MOTEL - At Least I Have Nothing (Junk Remix) by saintmotelremixes

Tour Dates::

02/08 San Diego, CA, The Casbah
02/14 Los Angeles, CA, TBA
02/17 San Francisco, CA, Brick & Mortar Music Hall
02/18 Fresno, CA, Audie's Olympic
02/25 Scottsdale, AZ, The Roxy Lounge
02/29 New Haven, CT, BAR Nightclub
03/01 New York, NY, Mercury Lounge #
03/02 Brooklyn, NY, Glass Lands #
03/03 Philadelphia, PA, Kung Fu Necktie #
03/05 Rochester, NY, The Bug Jar
03/06 Toronto, ON, Horseshoe Tavern
03/07 Pittsburgh, PA, The Shadow Lounge
03/08 Chicago, IL, The Hideout
03/09 Minneapolis, MN, 7th St. Entry
03/10 Ames, IA, The Maintenance Shop
03/11 St. Louis, MO, The Gramophone
03/13-3/18 Austin, TX, SXSW

# w/ Young Empires

Grimes :: Visions

Montreal via Vancouver electronic shoegaze-pop artist and very rapidly rising star in the indie music world Grimes (aka Claire Boucher) will be releasing her upcoming new album Visions to North America on February 21st and worldwide on March 12th. Here are a few tracks from the upcoming album, of which the stunning track "Genesis" has been made available as a free download!

Grimes - Genesis

Grimes - 'Oblivion'

Also, here is a pretty cool video piece she did last year for her track "Vanessa" to help get you acquainted if you aren't already, as well as her upcoming tour dates below.



Tour Dates ::

February:
18 Fortune Sound Club, Vancouver, BC
19 Lucky Bar, Victoria, BC
20 Sunset Tavern, Seattle, WA
21 Holocene, Portland, OR
22 Rickshaw Stop, San Francisco, CA
24 Echo, Los Angeles, CA
25 Soda Bar, San Diego, CA
27 Rhythm Room, Phoenix, AZ
29 Lamberts, Austin, TX

March:
01 Dan’s Silverleaf, Denton, TX
02 LBC Quad (Tulane Univ), New Orleans, LA
03 Cats Purring Dude Ranch, Oxford, MS
05 Drunken Unicorn, Atlanta, GA
06 The Orpheum, Tampa, FL
07 Backbooth, Orlando, FL
08 Bardot Miami, Miami, FL
09 Savannah Stopover Festival, Savannah, GA
13 7th St Entry, Minneapolis, MN
14 Empty Bottle, Chicago, IL
19 Legendary Horseshoe Tavern, Toronto, ON
20 Brillobox, Pittsburgh, PA
21 Str8 Cavin, Baltimore, MD
22 Kung Fu Necktie, Philadelphia, PA
23 Mercury Lounge, New York, NY
24 Glasslands, Brooklyn, NY
26 Great Scott, Boston, MA
31 Cabaret Mile End, Montreal, QB

Walls

London electronic duo Walls who released a critically acclaimed self titled debut album last year that won Mojo's coveted Electronic Album of the Year as well as praise from Pitchfork & NME are getting ready to release album number two 'Coracle' on Sept. 26th. The first single from the new album is called "Sunporch" and it is a sweet ambient electronic track that I'm digging. Check it out via their soundcloud below and be sure to catch them on tour opening up for Battles.

"Sunporch" By Walls by Kompakt

Upcoming Walls Tour Dates:
08/12/11 Dockville Festival, Hamburg GERMANY
08/13/11 Pantiero Festival, Cannes FRANCE
08/26/11 Nowa Musyka, Katowice POLAND
09/17/11 The Arches, Glasgow, SCOTLAND
10/1/11 Cameo Gallery, NYC (headline show)
10/2/11 Royale Nightclub Boston +
10/3/11 Le National Montreal CANADA +
10/5/11 Grog Shop Cleveland +
10/7/11 Vic Theater Chicago +
10/8/11 Fine Line Music Cafe Minneapolis +
10/10/11 Starlite Room Edmonton CANADA +
10/13/11 Wonder Ballroom Portland +
12/10/11 ATP - Nightmare Before Christmas UK =

+ supporting Battles
= supporting Battles & Flying Lotus

The One AM Radio

LA trio The One AM Radio recently contacted us with news of their latest album 'Heaven is Attached By a Slender Thread'. They sent along first single "Sunlight" for posting and it is one lovely down-tempo electro-pop tune. Real pretty track that I can hear over and over. In addition to the track they made a pretty video for it. They are gonna be on tour in August supporting one of our faves DNTEL (aka) Jimmy Tamborello (aka) one half of Postal Service. Now that is gonna be one great tour you guys are gonna wanna check out. Check out the goods below...


MP3: Sunlight - The One AM Radio




TOUR DATES
all dates with Dntel

8/2 - Detroit Bar - Costa Mesa, CA
8/3 - Rickshaw Stop - San Francisco, CA
8/5 - Mississippi Studios- Portland, OR
8/6 - Neumos - Seattle, WA
8/8 - The Urban Lounge - Salt Lake City, UT
8/9 - Hi-Dive - Denver, CO
8/10 - Slowdown - Omaha, NE
8/11 - The Triple Rock Social Club - Minneapolis, MN
8/12 - Lincoln Hall - Chicago, IL
8/13 - Garden Bowl - Detroit, MI
8/14 - The Horseshoe Tavern - Toronto, ON
8/16 - Brighton Music Hall - Allston, MA
8/17 - Johnny Brenda's - Philadelphia, PA
8/18 - Music Hall of Williamsburg - Brooklyn, NY
8/19 - Red Palace - Washington, DC
8/20 - King's Barcade - Raleigh, NC
8/21 - The Earl - Atlanta, GA
8/23 - Emo's - Austin, TX
8/24 - Club Dada - Dallas, TX
8/26 - Bar Smith - Phoenix, AZ
8/27 - The Echo Plex - Los Angeles, CA

The Joy Formidable :: A Heavy Abacus Video / Tour

The Joy Formidable that Mike's posted about a couple of times before most recently here have a new video for their latest track "A Heavy Abacus" that is pretty rocking. Totally reminds me of the 90's alt-rock era. Miss those days, glad they're keeping the spirit alive. Speaking of 90's alt-rock they are gonna be going on Tour supporting the Foo Fighters on some gigs. Sure they will make tons of new fans doing those. Check out the vid/tour dates below.



The Joy Formidable Tour Dates ::
Jul 31 Montreal, QC @ Osheaga Music Festival
Aug 3 Cleveland, OH @ Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Aug 5 Kansas City, MO @ Kanrocksas
Aug 7 Chicago, IL @ Lollapalooza Festival
Aug 12 San Francisco, CA @ Outside Lands Festival
Sept 2 Redmond, WA @ ENDFEST
Sept 4 Edmonton, AB @ Sonic Boom Festival
Sept 8 Portland, OR @ Music Fest NW
Sept 22 Cincinnati, OH @ Midpoint Music Festival
Sept 23 Philadelphia, PA @ Popped Festival!
Sept 24 Atlanta, GA @ Music Midtown
Nov 7 Duluth, GA @ Arena of Gwinnett Center*
Nov 8 Charlotte, NC @ Time Warner Cable Arena*
Nov 10 Philadelphia, PA @ Wells Fargo Center*
Nov 14 Newark, NJ @ Prudential Center*
Nov 16 Boston, MA @ TD Garden*

*With The Foo Fighters

ANR :: Big Problem Video

Our friends ANR made this great slasher video for their track "Big Problem" off their new album 'Stay Kids' which premiered on Stereogum. So proud of them. Great video with guest appearance by another Miami favorite Cuci from Afrobeta. Yay for Miami! Check it plus the mp3 for "Big Problem" that they're giving away as a Free Download on Amazon.

P.S. How much does that intro to "Big Problem" remind you of John Carpenter's Halloween theme song. I know MJ's a fan, makes this choice for the video feel that much more appropriate and probably why they did it.



MP3: Big Brother - ANR

If you see them coming to your neck of the woods be sure to check them out. Great band! Here's where they'll be.

ANR Tour Schedule::

04/02 - Washington, DC @ Cherryblast
04/03 – Charlotte, NC @ The Milestone
04/04 – Charlottesville, VA @ Twisted Tea Bazar
04/05 – Philadelphia, PA @ The M Room
04/06 – Brooklyn, NY@ Public Assembly
04/07 – New York, NY @ Tammany Hall (Neon Gold Popshop)
04/08 – Hartford, CT @Trinity College
04/09 – Montreal, QC @ Le Belmont
04/10 – Cambridge, MA @ MIT
04/16 – Chicago, IL @ The Empty Bottle
04/18 – Chapel Hill, NC @ Nightlight
04/19 – Jacksonville, FL @ Jack Rabbits
04/20 – Tampa, FL @ Fly Bar
04/21 - Orlando, FL @ Backbooth
04/29 - Miami, FL @ The Vagabond
05/14 – Brighton, UK @ Great Escape Festival
05/19 – Nottingham, UK @ Rescue Rooms w/ Brother
05/23 – London, UK @ Heaven w/ Brother
05/27 – London, UK @ XFM Xposure Night

Milagres

One of my favorite winter time activities is creating "between the sheets" playlists. There is nothing yummier then a lazy day keeping each other warm and listening to some good tunes. Five Piece Brooklyn band Milagres has made a perfect bedroom jam with the track 'Glowing Mouth'. They're playing a show tonight at Mercury Lounge if you live in NYC and kicking off a Spring Tour of the US. If not just put this song on top volume and enjoy getting sexy with some one (or something).


MP3: Glowing Mouth - Milagres

James Returns! U.S. Tour Kicks Off in So FL

One of my all time favorite bands James is back in 2010! Releasing not one, but two mini albums this year. First the 'The Night Before' earlier in the year and recently 'The Morning After'. Absolutely loving them both! Tim Booth's vocals/lyrics and music are as beautiful as ever, if not more so now, with the added wisdom of age. The records are a great one-two punch. 'The Night Before' being more upbeat/classic them and 'The Night After' being a more somber affair, but both equally as beautiful! Love the contrast/concept. To make things easier for U.S. audiences they are releasing a cleverly titled 'The Morning After the Night Before' combo of the two albums on September 14th.

The album release is timed to coincide with their upcoming tour of the States in September and October, their first tour of the U.S. in years. The best part is they're gonna be kicking things off in our very own South Florida at Culture Room on September 20th! So excited for this show! I've had my tickets for over a month. Never seen them before and Culture Room is such a small space for such a big band (at least in my eyes). Makes me a little upset thinking they should be playing bigger venues, but at the same time it's nice to be able to see them in such an intimate setting away from the masses. Kinda like I always loved my James, my own little (not so secret) secret. The way I like it.

Although not easy to pick, here's a couple tracks from the album(s) to stream "Tell Her I Said So" and "Porcupine". If you like what you hear I recommend picking this baby up. It'll be available on Amazon Sept 14th here. See you at the show!!!


MP3: Tell Her I Said So - James  (Streaming Only)


MP3: Porcupine - James  (Streaming Only)


Here's a live video of them performing "Waltzing Along" (one of my faves) in Manchester/2006. Gonna be so amazing when people start singing along to hits like "Laid" and "Say Something" at the show. It will definitely be a moment to remember.



James U.S. Tour Dates::

September:
20th – Fort Lauderdale, FL – Culture Room
21st – Lake Buena Vista, FL – House Of Blues
22nd – Atlanta, GA – Variety Playhouse
24th – Philadelphia, PA – The Trocadero Theatre
25th – Boston, MA – Paradise Rock Club
27th – Washington DC – 9:30 Club
28th – New York, NY – Webster Hall
30th – Toronto, CA – Queen Elizabeth Theatre

October:
1st – Royal Oak, MI – Royal Oak Music Theatre
2nd – Chicago, IL – The Vic Theatre
4th – Denver, CO – Bluebird Theatre
5th – Salt Lake City, UT – The Complex
7th – Vancouver, BC – Commodore Ballroom
8th – Portland, OR – Wonder Ballroom
9th – Seattle, WA – Showbox at the Market
11th – San Francisco, CA – The Regency Ballroom
12th – Anaheim, CA – House Of Blues
13th – Los Angeles, CA – The Music Box

OMD Return / FHR Remix

This week French Horn Rebellion released a new remix of new wave legends OMD for their new track "If You Want It" from their upcoming album 'History of Modern' out Sept 6th. Pretty sweet remix! I always thought OMD was a pretty under-rated duo. They've written some amazing pop tracks in their time. Can't wait to hear the new album and see what their sound is like these days. On top of the new album they are hitting the road touring throughout Europe and hopefully in the U.S. at some point as well. Check out their myspace for tour dates.


MP3: If You Want It (French Horn Rebellion Remix) - OMD

Here's their video for "If You Want It". Sounds like classic OMD to me! They still got it!

Freezepop Return

Our good friends Freezepop who we have known for many years are back with new album 'Imaginary Friends' being released November 9th. Before then you can catch them doing a tour of the west coast. You can see the dates on their site I linked above. If you're anywhere near there I recommend you make the trek and go see them. Not only are they super cool people, but they put on really fun live shows. Seems they have also now added two new members to the band so that should make for even more interesting sets.

You can stream the new track "Magnetic" below. If you like what you hear you can download it on their site in exchange for your email or via this widget I posted below. Coolness! Freezepop forever!!!