Longwave '09: Tour with OK Go, Tour with Bloc Party

After finishing off some headlining dates, New York rockers and moisturizing musicians Longwave will take the month of February off before hitting the road again in March. Dates begin in the early part of March supporting OK Go, before meeting up with Bloc Party here in Boston for a half dozen shows.

See Longwave Play.
03.06 Philadelphia, PA @ Theatre of Living Arts*
03.07 Towson, MD @ Recher Theatre*
03.08 Brooklyn, NY @ Music Hall of Williamsburg*
03.10 New Haven, CT @ Toad's Place*
03.11 Northampton, MA @ Pearl Street*
03.13 Portland, ME @ Port City Music Hall*
03.19 Boston, MA @ House of Blues**
03.22 Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club**
03.24 New York, NY @ Terminal 5**
03.25 New York, NY @ Terminal 5**
03.28 Chicago, IL @ Rivera Theater**
03.30 Minneapolis, MN @ First Avenue**
03.31 St. Louis, MO @ The Pageant**
*with OK Go
**with Bloc Party

And for those who didn't pick up on my quip about moisturizing, Longwave's "The Devil and The Liar" from Secrets are Sinister is in a new Lubiderm commercial. And here people thought bands didn't take care of their skin.

Stream: "Sideways Sideways Rain" [MySpace]

The Love Language: "Lalita"

So, I almost forgot to tell you anything about The Love Language.

Last weekend, they were with their Carolina buds The....Rosebuds, yes, and they were playing songs from their freshly printed up self-titled debut that they had for sale with some shirts back at the merch booth. They have this uber awesome lo-fi aesthetic about them, pieced together with some much catchiness that you would think Phil Spector produced Alien Lanes. Buried under the fuzz and mess the listener will find Stu McLamb blending his distinct howl of a voice with sunny melodies that one will never forget. This is very evident in the song "Lalita," the one that I knew would make me enjoy their live shows, the one they tore up the stage with at the end of their set, complete with Kelly Rosebud style dancing with tambourines in the audience by keyboardist Missy Thangs.

This could be the year for the Love Language, because there's always a year for love. The album drops March 17th on Balden County Records.

Download: "Lalita" [mp3]

The Stranded Q&A: Lansdowne

"While their vocals contain less preteen yelping then your used to from today's rock bands, Lansdowne fit into many genres but none simultaneously. Their music features vivid storytelling and a silky-smooth delivery that ranks them among the top unsigned bands out there today" (Absolutepunk.net).

The local Boston band has love for the city, and the city loves them back. Lansdowne was chosen as "One of Boston's Best Bands" by mix 98.5 and have had 12 sold-out Boston shows, most recently the Middle East Downstairs.

They definitely have a few "put-on-repeat" worthy songs, and that's exactly what I've been doing. Check out their music for yourself on their myspace page at www.myspace.com/lansdowne.

1. Hailing from Boston makes us better than all those non-Boston bands because:

"I think every market and region has its fair share of talent, but in Boston we've got an incredibly saturated scene juxtaposed against ever-changing weather. Right from the start Boston bands have to work that much harder to rise to the top and stay there, all the while hauling gear through eight inches of snow or two inches of rain just to get our stuff into the club. We work harder, period."

2. Name at least 3 bands that are still around and touring that you'd love to be on a bill with, and think it fits well:

"I think Kings of Lean, Paramore, and The Black Crowes would be right up there for me. All three have an incredible touring history, and I think we could learn a lot from each of them. I remember when Paramore was still supporting bills at Axis and I just loved their songs and how accessible they were. The new Kings of Leon record is really amazing and they are finally getting the credit they deserve in the US. As far as The Black Crowes go, as a vocalist I look up to Chris Robinson and would love to share a stage with him."

"It would would also be amazing to tour with the Goo Goo Dolls since Dizzy Up The Girl was a record that really defined high school for me and helped me understand why I loved music so much. Between Rob Cavallo's production and Rzeznik's writing, that album had a lot of influence on how I write music."

3. Your favorite Boston venue to perform in is:

"Middle East Downstairs. We sold out the room last year and will be returning this spring to close out our two and a half month national tour, and we just love the raw feel of it. The staff (Kevin, Clay, Kieran, John, Dave, Dick) have been incredibly supportive of us, and the sound is great. Right now, that's our home."

4. Are there any genres that influence your music conceptually, rather than sonically? (In that you can't hear from simply listening to the music, but from getting into the structure or mathematics of song-writing, etc.):

"I think for us it's less about genres and more about the emotion behind the music. I listen to Ray LaMontagne and I can FEEL the heartache in his voice and in his words. His record, Trouble, is completely disarming. Shaun loves Sigur Ros, because the music forces you to give yourself over to it. I think musicians are at their best when they're telling a story, whether it be with words or through raw power of the vocals or the movement of the instrumentation. We want to make sure that our fans are part of the story."

5. Your favorite local bar to hit up when not doing the whole band deal is:

"I love Bill's Bar. Our first sell outs were there and they've taken care of us like family. It's on Lansdowne street, too, and walking that street helps remind me of why I started playing music since we took so much inspiration from the shows at Axis and Avalon."

You can check out Lansdowne at one of their up-coming shows on February 6th at Harpers Ferry, with Eve 6. Doors open at 8pm.

Here's a little preview of what you'll be hearing:
Download: "I'll See You Again" [mp3]

Beep Beep Return to Enchanted Islands

Has it really been five years since Beep Beep came in to my world with the angular pop explosion that is Business Casual? It was Fall 2004, I was in NYC for CMJ and they played the Saddle-Creek showcase and blew me away with their catchy licks and cooky looks.

So here we are, years later. You would think that they Omaha band broke up, but they didn't. Since 2007 they've been in and out of studios, laying down almost two dozen songs, 14 of which make up Enchanted Islands. Due out March 24th on Saddle-Creek, the band looks to reclaim their throne as being a band that everyone should be all about. I know I cannot wait.

Enchanted Islands:
1. I See You!
2. Mermaid Struggle
3. Secrets For The Well
4. Return To Me
5. The Whispering Waves
6. The Lion's Mouth
7. Goodbye Sunshine
8. Wooden Nickels
9. Seppuku
10. I Miss You
11. Mortal Warrior
12. Baby Shoes
13. Two-Spirit
14. Only See Me

To get you ready, the band has posted four songs from Islands on their MySpace for you to check out. Get excited.

Band of the Week: Arthur

I discovered Fleet-based band Arthur in a roundabout way. While nosing around on Elle Milano's message board, I saw that Adam Crisp's new project, Entrepreneurs, had remixed a track from Hannah Shark who also plays in Arthur. The five-piece is about to drop their debut EP, Cinderella Story, which firmly places the band in a quickly-growing crowd of quirky/dark pop bands coming from the south of England. While tunes like "Comatose" may be raw, they signal this band isn't just screwing around -- they have ideas that show excellent potential.

Download: "Comatose" [mp3]

Monday Morning Newsletter (1/26/09)

This is an interesting ploy. In exchange for spamming five of your friends, the band Cactus’s hooks you up with a free download of their new album Tropical Terror. They rock pretty damn hard and are playing SXSW this March. I don’t think the next album will be free. So go git it.

Mark Hoppus recently addressed rumors of a Blink 182 reunion. Hoppus admitted that he and Tom DeLonge have kissed and made up and stated that "The future is wide open, but really you losers need to get over it.”...

Boy George is headed to the big house. Last Friday, a London judge sentenced the former Culture Club singer to 15 months in jail. He was found guilty of imprisoning a male escort at his home in 2007. If you recall he handcuffed and whipped a Norwegian gigolo with a chain in his London apartment.

This week we confirmed the rumor that actor Joaquin Phoenix is preparing to release his first album. Phoenix received accolades for his portrayal of Johnny Cash in the 2005 biopic Walk the Line, but strangely his first release is a hip-hop album apparently to be produced by P. Diddy. I can’t even make this stuff up. It makes Dogstar look good.

Saul Williams has just released a CD version of the Dead Emcee Scrolls. Backed by the Arditti String Quartet, the album has 33 tracks plus both instrumental and a capella versions of each song. You can download the album here.

The will of god was thwarted this week by G. Love and Special Sauce. After being struck down by an acute vocal hemorrhage last fall he lost his voice completely. After vocal chord surgery Mr. Love has decided that he is now able to return to the road in support of their newish album Superhero Brother.

Dead this week is www.fuzz.com. The music networking site will be going dark February 13th. Not a strong company before the economic slump, they’ve become a casualty of high operating costs, and narrow profit margins. Add another name to the long list of things killed by George W. Bush. Damn you W! damn you!

Dead Leaf Echo "Tears"

A few weeks Dead Leaf Echo reached out to us via our Myspace. We finally got around to checking out the band yesterday, and all we can say is "Wow!" These guys do shoegaze right -- slowly building until the song explodes, enveloping you in its wake. I am pissed I did not listen to them sooner.

Anyway, this band is the real deal and I am glad I am finally hooked. Expect to see them on a Stranded in Stereo gig very soon. Those of you in NY, check their MySpace page for dates coming up, and make sure you get their album.

Download: "Tears" [mp3]

SIS & Future Sounds Present: Boston (Jan 2k9)

Cheers to the new year 2009 and another exciting event! Future Sounds and Stranded in Stereo are bringing the Rumble to the Boston area on January 27th at Great Scott (1222 Commonwealth Ave, Allston, MA). Our Rumble events present the best up-and-coming indie-rock artists who we think the world should know. This is your chance to catch them before they become huge. At 9 PM, Spectator, This Car Up, and Black Diamond Bay will start playing on stage. You and your friends better be there if you don't want to miss these great bands!

The night will feature the DJ talents of Jay from Clicky Clicky Music Blog.

Spectator
Like Muse, Spectator sounds like a band that would sound even better live. But first of all, I'd like to give credit to what was put into their studio work. Their EP "Your Scars" was recorded with the producers of Coheed & Cambria and King Crimson, and it sounds good. Really good, actually. Each note played is indispensible to the song--in between the power strumming and heavy vocals are riffs that suck you into the song. The album can fill a room. With that idea I'm
anticipating how they would sound live on set--louder, stronger, and more intense.

This Car Up
This Car Up's self-released album is this: moody, depressing, poppy, dreamy, elegant and abrasive. They get comparisons to Death Cab for Cutie and Sonic Youth, and although their photos may seem like laughing candids, their music means business. Their lyrics are catchy, but it doesn't take away from the angst and emotion that is put into them. As to their musical talent, there's no doubt that their riffs, layers, and harmonies are impressive.

Black Diamond Bay
It started as a Patrick Krief solo project while he was still in The Dears. Now a full-fledged band hailing from Montreal, Quebec, Black Diamond Bay are bringing back guitar rock but with their own unique additions. They combine an ominous sounding organ with tribal-like toms banging in the background that hits your body. Or other times, like in the Beatlesque "Blue Mace" they create an epic blend of haunting strings, melodic bass lines, and wailing guitars so beautifully that you want it to go on forever. Black Diamond Bay is a diverse band that can go from a slow-paced emotional plea to a hard rock dance number instantly. They are a must see live act.

Future Sounds and Stranded in Stereo have a deep love and respect for the indie music community. Having produced successful events and promoted emerging indie artists, their collaboration promises to continue a tradition of supporting independent music, while at the same time providing locals with a place to party. Through the reach of an online music publication, indie rock internet radio station, indie retailers and online social networking sites, our connection to the music community is broad.

Annuals Contest: Tickets for Boston + ICA

I guess it's only fair that if we talk about one great NC band, we discuss another.

Also hailing from Raleigh, Annuals hit the road last night in support of their new album, Such Fun. To celebrate that and the fact the album art for is so cool (yes, it is still very cool and very happy little tree guy all the way), and that they are on the road, the band wants to send you and a friend not only to their show on January 27th at the Paradise here in Boston, but also send you to the ICA as well!

If you aren't in Boston, fear not as the band is doing it for every show of their tour, sending you out to see them and to the coolest museum in your town!

Click here to enter to win!

The Rumble Hits NYC Next Week!

Stranded in Stereo celebrates our new partnership with Future Sounds with another night of New York’s monthly concert series The Rumble (originally dubbed SIS Club Nights), featuring the best up-and-coming indie rock artists. This is your chance to catch them before they become huge. January’s Rumble features The Depreciation Guild, Bodega Girls, and Black Diamond Bay, and the DJ talents of Dissensous from Raven Sings The Blues.

THE RUMBLE
Presented by Future Sounds and Stranded in Stereo
Wednesday, January 28th
Fontana’s
105 Eldridge Street, New York NY
(212) 334 – 6740
(B or D to Grand St; F, J, M, Z to Delancey)
Doors 9pm / $5 / 21+

Cymbals Eat Guitars
As a phrase, “cymbals eat guitars” gives off the idea that man and the kit he sits behind finally wins in the ultimate battle of man and recessive instrument versus man and dominant instrument. As the name of a band, Cymbals Eat Guitars gives off the idea that the band is to be as ferocious as the name dictates. This much is true: lead singer Joe Ferocious is not named that because he is tame. And like his last name, ferocity plays an integral piece of the CEG manifesto, dictated on to tape and put together in the form of expressionist art called Why There Are Mountains, their debut album.

The Depreciation Guild
The Depreciation Guild's influences are impressive in the form of being chronologically diverse. Their synth use is somewhat reminiscent of power-punkers Ozma, incorporating Nintendo-esque 16-bit synth lines with an array of resounding guitars, most of which can lend its shoegaze influences to a heavy amount of reverb being featured beside a variety of guitar pedals and effects. To be honest, The Depreciation Guild present one of the most singularly distinctive styles we’ve heard all year. You can download their new album “In Her Gentle” for free by clicking on the yellow strip on their web site.

Black Diamond Bay
It started as a Patrick Krief solo project while he was still in The Dears. Now a full-fledged band hailing from Montreal, Quebec, Black Diamond Bay are bringing back guitar rock but with their own unique additions. They combine an ominous sounding organ with tribal-like toms banging in the background that hits your body. Or other times, they create an epic blend of haunting strings, melodic bass lines, and wailing guitars so beautiful that you want it to go on forever. Black Diamond Bay is a diverse band that can go from a slow-paced emotional plea to a hard rock dance number instantly.

Future Sounds and Stranded in Stereo have a deep love and respect for the indie music community. Having produced successful events and promoted emerging indie artists, their collaboration promises to continue a tradition of supporting independent music, while at the same time providing locals with a place to party. Through the reach of an online music publication, indie rock internet radio station, indie retailers and online social networking sites, our connection to the music community is broad.

SIS At The Club: The Rosebuds

It was the coldest it had been in quite some time in the Boston area this past weekend, but nothing would keep me from seeing The Rosebuds for the seventh time. There could be a blizzard, and so long as Kelly and Ivan Rosebud, along with whoever filled in behind the kit and bass that night would be in a room in my locale, I would be there, too. They are the band you take all of their songs to heart - they are life changers. They are the band you can apply to that old saying about breaking out of jail to see them.

They stepped out on stage past 11:30, minutes later than they were due to. As "Hello Darlin'," the whistling-dixie instrumental from Life Like played over the PA of the Middle East, Ivan took stage first. Kelly would eventually walk out in such a striking number of white dress and was it - leg warmers or just really high white socks - waving to us all like the beauty pageant winner she is. She gave some of us, myself included, a welcoming high five. The only other thing she could have done was blow the crowd kisses.

And where she didn't blow said smooches, the band did with their songs. While "Blue Bird" calmly opened the night, they would eventually launch into the 1-2 punch of "Life Like" and "Cape Fear". Midway through was the sing-along portion of the evening; anyone who has seen the Rosebuds before knows the band utilizes their encore to have a makeshift campfire sing-along. They usually hop off stage, bring their acoustics, and together we sing songs like "Shake Our Tree" and "Nice Fox" together, using our collective voices as one. This night, they just stayed on stage - let's just chalk it up to the Christmas lights strung all around. As people from openers The Love Language were welcomed onstage with a pack of girls from the audience to dance the "Bow To The Middle", Kelly would make up the sans-campfire moment by dancing with us down in front during "Get Up Get Out".

The encore was when they finally dug back, back to 2004, to a time when I first met a young Kelly and Ivan had a dive place blocks from Baltimore's Inner Harbor. "Back To Boston" was obviously welcomed with many a cheer, while Kelly got seductive next to Ivan for "I'd Better Run". They tore up a racous version of Make Out classic "Drunkards Worst Nightmare" before ending the night the same way it started - with another calm number from Birds Make Good Neighbors. After the hyper activity of "Drunkards", it was rather appropriate to segue in to the sedate "Wild Cat" to end the evening.

Kelly was eventually by the merch table. "Oh, you bought one of those!" pointing to my hand where Fun Book #2, their ridiculous Tour EP, was grasped. "I think you're really going to like it." She introduced herself to a friend of mine, and we were quickly cut off by another fan. And that was fine - I've had better nights with the 'Buds anyway, outside of being up front singing along every last syllable of every last song played.


Set List:
Blue Bird / Life Like / Cape Fear / Cemetery Lawn / Hold Hands And Fight / Leaves Do Fall / Shake Our Tree / Nice Fox / Border Guards / In The Backyard / Bow To The Middle / Get Up Get Out / Boxcar // Back To Boston / I'd Better Run / Drunkards Worst Nightmare / Wildcat

Download: "In The Backyard (J YU Remix)" [mp3]

Band of the Week: Situationists

While many bands I like cite Q and Not U and the Dismemberment Plan as influences, more of them should start listing Abba. This Sheffield group has mad love for the world famous Swedish quartet, and while they may not wear that influence on their sleeves, their knack for writing a good hook shines through on their latest EP (out now on Tough Love), Onwards and Upwards. The four songs contained within are amazingly precise pop nuggets, easy to appreciate, yet with enough depth to stay fresh over time.

Download: "Onwards & Upwards" [mp3]

Band to Watch: Wild Light

Wild Light features a repertoire that includes childhood friendships, high school homemade albums on cassette tapes, and early work with Win Butler of Arcade Fire. Now their debut album, Adult Nights, comes out March 3rd with producer Schnapf (Elliott Smith, Beck, Guided By Voices) on board.

Adult Nights comes out after busy touring with the likes of LCD Soundsystem, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Blonde Redhead, and MGMT at venues including the Hollywood Bowl. The album is equally as successful as their live sets have been. Although not as bold as some of the other bands on StarTime International, their music glows and echoes the work of talented musicians and self-conscious ideas of both childhood and growing older.

Even with your ears underwater while taking a bath and all the lyrics being played are unintelligible and fuzzy, the message of their music song still gets across. Their music is full of tambourines, occasional piano interludes, electric fibers, and post-college blues and aspirations. The New Hampshire band plays like an unavoidable zeitgeist, with textures and moods still emotionally-tangible through resonating and foggy instrumentals.

New Elvis Perkins in Dearland: "Shampoo"

Over the past few years, it seems that every time I go to a different city I see Elvis Perkins in Dearland. First it was in NYC at CMJ '06, then a few months later when I moved to Boston. Even that summer, Perkins and his band were the first act I took it on a hot Friday morning in Chicago at Lollapalooza. I then finished the year of '07 the same way I started it by catching him with some then unknown Bon Iver guy as support. Half the set was made of grand live favorites like "Hey" and "Doomsday", songs that are now set to appear on Elvis Perkins in Dearland the album.

Dearland is Elvis' backing band, hence him being in it and the self-titledness behind their first album together. XL will drop the effort on March 10th of this year. I am sure I will catch him at least four times in that next seven months to celebrate.

Elvis Perkins in Dearland
1. Shampoo
2. Hey
3. Hours Last Stand
4. I Heard Your Voice in Dresden
5. Send My Fond Regards to Lonelyville
6. I'll Be Arriving
7. Chains, Chains, Chains
8. Doomsday
9. 123 Goodbye
10. How's Forever Been Baby

Download: "Shampoo" [mp3]

The Stranded Q & A: Jelani The MC

Wait, you can rap?!?! For Jelani The MC, the answer is yes...

Jelani, a New York native, is currently based in Boston, while attending school at Northeastern University.

Some of you may have heard of him, from his recent digital album release, of Wait, You Can Rap?!?!

If there is one word to describe this kid, it's ferocious. Jelani comes hard on his tracks, great production, great lyrics, and a crazy flow. Check him out for yourself on his MySpace page.

Hailing from Boston makes us better than all those non-Boston bands because:

Access to the Colleges & Universities in the city, there are 150 in the metro area. That's never a bad thing when your trying to get gigs.

Name at least three bands that are still around and touring that you'd love to be on a bill with, and think it fits well:

Kidz In The Hall, Little Brother, MURS, Black Milk, Talib Kweli

Your favorite Boston venue to perform in is:

Paradise

Are there any genres that influence your music conceptually, rather than sonically? (In that you can't hear from simply listening to the music, but from getting into the structure or mathematics of the song-writing, etc.)

Folk music & acoustic singer/songwriter stuff. Because they tap into their personal emotions so well. Most people can only write about the outside world, and not what's going on within.

Your favorite local bar to hit up when not doing the whole band deal is:

Our House East

You can check Jelani out in person at his next gig at Wesleyan University on January 23rd.

Download: "Spotlight" [mp3]

Superdrag Still Giants

In 2007, they got back together. In 2008, they recorded a new album. And now, in 2009, they are ready to share it with the world.

Off the heels of several sold out shows, the original line-up of Superdrag holed up in Lake Fever down in Tennessee with lead singer John Davis behind the board. Now recorded, mixed, mastered and ready for consumption, Industry Giants will see the light of day on March 17th via Superdrag Sound Laboratories/Thirty Tigers. The 12-tracks that make up Giants finds the band honing in their trademark power-pop style ("Live And Breathe", "Filthy & Afraid") while also showing off a somewhat, dare I say, proto-pop/punk move ("Slow To Anger", "Five Minutes Ahead of the Chaos"). And though it was done on the albums Regretfully Yours and Head Trip in Every Key, the band takes turns on lead vocal duties, with bassist Tom Pappas taking command on "Cheap Poltergeists" and guitarist Brandon Fisher letting us know he's "Ready To Go".

It's so good to have them back. Here they are tracking "Cheap Poltergeists":


Industry Giants:
Slow To Anger
Live And Breathe
I Only Want A Place I Can Stay
Everything'll Be Made Right
Cheap Poltergeists
Try
Ready To Go
Filthy & Afraid
You're Alive
Five Minutes Ahead of The Chaos
Aspartame
Deathblow To Your Pride

Can't Stop Spinning: Why There Are Mountains by Cymbals Eat Guitars

Snowy weekends like this past one were made for albums like this. Someday I'll be able to give myself the credit of discovering a band and making them big one year, but not for this one. As much as I would love to take the claim, it was not I who just happened on to them. I mean, I did stumble upon their awesomeness, it was just a message board I frequent that tons of other people do, too.

They're in the red on the blogdar meter, blogdar being that radar that us bloggers have, that sixth sense about bands that will explode. If these guys aren't the it band at CMJ this coming fall, I'll be in total shock and surprise. I will turn over my blogger license, cut it up in to several pieces.

Think Pavement. Think if Malkmus got the crew back together to make something of grand, epic proportions. Using strings at times and more exotic things like toy pianos and - was that glasses full of water - Cymbals Eat Gutiars even kind of channel Arcade Fire in some sick post-rock/post-hardcore kind of way. Like I mention Luna once did with "Math Wiz", grandiose opener "And The Hazy Sea" just starts already enveloped. Joseph Ferocious screams doo-wop styles over loud guitars, calaminous drums and an overall fracas that is equal parts catchy as it is dissonant. By the time you are in "Indiana", with its massive horn section and upright piano gallloping along, you'd think you've traded in dank club for wild west saloon, until the hemorraging guitars compete with the tickled ivories. "Wild Phoenix" shares this same sentiments, again utilizing the brass, while the centerpiece "Share" is all over the place for most of its seven minute duration. And lest we forget "Cold Spring", a song with a breakdown reminiscent of the best parts of The Lonesome Crowded West.

Did I mention these guys aren't even signed yet? At least not to my knowledge they aren't. But I know that if they catch on to others like they have already caught on to me and other blogs, 2009 will be the year all instruments are in a cannibalistic battle with one another.

Download: "And The Hazy Sea" [mp3]

Band of the Week: Portrait Painters

Swedish group Portrait Painters are like a folk group without a home, wandering aimlessly through genres, making a home at one sound before exploring something else. That's not to say that they are all over the place, it's just that they know how to incorporate disparate sounds without it being clumsy. The band's latest single, "Forgive/Forget" is out now, while they should be starting work on their debut album sometime this month.

Download: "Forgive/Forget" [mp3]

Monday Morning Newsletter (1/12/09)

Dead this week is Betty Freeman. You don’t know her name, but she was a strong supporter of post-modern minimalist music. It’s an arena that does not get by on CD sales, gigs, and T-shirts: they need grants, and philanthropy. Betty carried artists like John Cage, Steve Reich, Pierre Boulez, John Adams, Terry Riley, and Morton Feldman. She died on Saturday of cancer at 87.

Ron Asheton, founding member of The Stooges, was found dead last week at his home. His personal assistant called the police after Asheton went missing for a few days. Initial reports suggest that Asheton had a heart attack. He had a history of high blood pressure but no other major medical problems. He was 60.

Soul singer Ruby Wilson suffered a mild stroke on New Year's Day and is presently hospitalized. Wilson is expected to return to Memphis on Wednesday to begin rehab. The stroke occurred shortly after a performance in Philadelphia, MS. Her agent has stated that Wilson would be performing again as early as February.

Greg Allman was burgled this week. The burglars stole a number of items including collections of silver and gold coins, personal papers, collectible knives, several tapes of unreleased recordings and a handgun. Most of the items have already been recovered but the handgun is still among the missing.

Jihadists have published a list online of targeted Jews in response to the invasion of Gaza. The list was posted on Ummah.com and included Amy Winehouse and British music producer Mark Ronson. On the other hand Salman Rushdie is still alive so take it as you will.

Prince has planned a busy 2009. The artist formerly known as the artist formerly know as Prince will release three albums this year. These albums will be titled: Lotus Flower, MPLSOUND and Elixir. The third is a collaboration with Bria Valente. The Artist has also launched a new Website that seems like it’s earmarked for the influx of new releases: www.lotusflow3r.com.

Flight of the Conchords Giveaway!

In 2006, I was at SXSW and headed over to the Sub Pop showcase early. It was already packed, the crowd going nuts for the fact that two men sat on stools and tuned up their acoustic guitars. I had no idea who they were, all I could think was how boring I feared the next 40 minutes of my life would be. And then they started to play "The Most Beautiful Girl In The Room". By the end of the set, songs like "Jenny" and "Business Time" had brought me to the point of tears from laughing so hard. And this is how I was introduced to Flight of the Conchords.

Since then, the kiwi duo have enjoyed success in the form of a great show on HBO and a studio album released on Sub Pop. Now, FOTC the show returns for its second season on Sunday, January 18th, and we here at Stranded in Stereo are celebrating this joyous occassion by giving you the chance to win some awesome Conchord swag. One person who enters this here contest will win a copy of the first season of the show on DVD, along with a nifty notebook complete with quotes and pictures of Bret and Jermaine, and some guitar picks, postcards and a poster!

Also, have you entered your submission to the Lip Dub Fansterpiece yet? If not, go over to this site and get some instructions from obsessive Conchord fan Mel on how you might just find yourself on HBO.

Click Here to Enter!

The Rumble Hits Los Angeles Tonight!

To start 2009 off the right way, The Owl Mag Future Sounds, and Stranded in Stereo are bringing you another exciting Rumble event in Los Angeles on January 8th at 3 of Clubs (1123 Vine St., Hollywood, CA). As you may know, our Rumble events present the best up-and-coming indie-rock artists who we think the world should know. This is your chance to catch them before they become huge. This time we’ve got the music of Nico Stai, Links and Weird Dreams, who are sure to show you a fun time. So, if you know what’s good for you, bring yourselves and your friends for a great night of live music.

Nico Stai
"Nico Stai has been shaking the trees in LA since the release of his CD Park Los Angeles in 2006, featuring his acoustic work. He's back with a new EP called Dead Pony that features a full band and his salacious growl. It's brooding folk rock with a Pete Yorn-like sound. I think I'm in love. Look for a new full-length from Stai soon." - My Old Kentucky Blog.

Links
A tight and highly committed unit, their music is loud and dirty, a powerful experience that harks back to the 70's and the blues, while remaining unconfined by either one. Every Links show is an event - full of surprise and energy. They have recently released a new set of songs, the culmination of months of writing and recording. They continue to record, they are touring, working new material, playing shows all the time. From their California home, they are making themselves heard. Join them, get to know them, and spread the word (Purevolume.com).

Weird Dreams
Weird Dreams, formerly Low Flying Owls, describe their music as “the space in between day and night when everything seems all right.” While they have only played a handful of shows with this particular lineup, their music is sophisticated, energetic and danceable. Jared Southard’s Lou Reed-esque vocals lure the listener in: they’re relaxed yet full of confidence at the same time. His vocals blend well with the fuzz guitars and funky bass lines. With their interesting song structures and groove-based rock, Weird Dreams are sure to get you on your feet.

The Owl Mag, Future Sounds, and Stranded in Stereo have a deep love and respect for the Bay Area music community. Having produced successful events and promoted emerging indie artists, their collaboration promises to continue a tradition of supporting independent music, while at the same time providing locals with a place to party. Through the reach of an online music publication, indie rock internet radio station, indie retailers and online social networking sites, our connection to the music community is broad.

The Rumble in San Francisco Tonight!

To start 2009 off the right way, The Owl Mag, Future Sounds, and Stranded in Stereo are bringing you another exciting Rumble event in San Francisco on January 7th at The Harlot (46 Minna St., SF, CA). As you may know, our Rumble events present the best up-and-coming indie-rock artists who we think the world should know. This is your chance to catch them before they become huge. This time we’ve got the music of LoveLikeFire and French Miami, who are sure to show you a fun time. So, if you know what’s good for you, bring yourselves and your friends for a great night of live music.

LoveLikeFire
LoveLikeFire’s music has been described as hauntingly beautiful and honest, dark and emotion driven indie rock. They have self booked three national tours, the most recent one being two months across the country and have played shows with the likes of Black Kids, Mates of State, Tilly and the Wall, Dead Confederate, Cloud Cult, The Virgins, Benji Hughes, and the Teenagers.. LA Weekly has said “If this were the U.K., the British Press would be argy-bargying over bragging rights for discovering this irresistible foursome from San Francisco.”

French Miami
Loosely speaking, French Miami is a rock band. Using rock music as a starting point, French Miami use its structures as the glue holding together more abstract musical ideas: dizzying, jagged guitar riffs anchored around pulsing synths, harmo- nized finger-tapping accenting tightly wound grooves, precise stop-start timing. And although part of a lineage of a number of great bands from the Touch and Go/Southern golden era, Jason Heiselmann's melodic, memorable vocals weave the bands more technical ideas into a unique realm which may too gritty for pop, yet too hooky not to be.

The night will also feature the DJ talents of Amplive of Zion 1 and Bagel Ted from Bagel Radio.

The Owl Mag, Future Sounds, and Stranded in Stereo have a deep love and respect for the Bay Area music community. Having produced successful events and promoted emerging indie artists, their collaboration promises to continue a tradition of supporting independent music, while at the same time providing locals with a place to party. Through the reach of an online music publication, indie rock internet radio station, indie retailers and online social networking sites, our connection to the music community is broad.

New Release Tuesday: Animal Collective

Before we go in to the proper write up for this album, I must make my first ever retraction. In the 15 years I have been some sort of journalist (I have been writing for some sort of something since the 5th grade - really), I have never made any sort of retraction of my opinion before. This is a first.

Remember awhile back when Animal Collective announced their new album was going to be called Merriweather Post Pavilion and I took to the blog to just shoot excrement all over the idea that they named it after a venue in Columbia, Maryland that I frequented much as a child. I also took out my anger on them because I just didn't get the hype, even though "Brothersport" was a song that I hated to admit I enjoyed, a guilty pleasure trapped in my head. And then one day a few weeks ago, I took a gamble and just started playing their albums from start to finish. And this brings me to say I am sorry. Like the great Damn Jinx Short told me this morning: "You are a big man, Rusty, to admit when you are wrong."

It was a hipster Christmas miracle, when many message boards had posted that MPP had leaked. After falling in love with the pulse-inducing trance that was "Brothersport", "My Girls" was the next song the world was given a chance to preview, and it wasn't catching me as quickly. But over time, as "In The Flowers" opens the ninth Collective record and segues in to "Girls", it completes the trifecta that is the highlight of the album.

I remember saying in the abovementioned diss piece that I do enjoy Panda Bear's Person Pitch. Maybe that is why songs like "My Girls" and "Brothersport" are so good since he is the vocal force behind them, if not even more. But that doesn't mean songs where Avery Tare take the mic, like "Flowers" and "Summertime Clothes" aren't something to miss. And I guess I would be ignorant to not mention the other member, Geologist, and his ability to make a good portion of the music exist. And after familiarizing myself with the majority of the band's catalog, from the immaculate Campfire Songs through Merriweather, you see that everything before this was building up to this exact moment. Merriweather is the band picking the favorite pieces of their catalog and piecing it together for an original album full of their greatest hits. I wouldn't mind if they would strip it down and get back to something more akin to Sung Tongs eventually.

I have only made it through the album front to back but once, but plan on spending more time with Side B in the future. Again, my bad, I'm sorry, I was a bad journalist/blogger. Ever care to forgive me?

Buy: Merriweather Post Pavilion [here]

Abe Vigoda Revive for '09

Where we end one year, we pick up with the same topic for another.

While most of you were out drinking egg nog and exchange Christmas cheer, SIS Album of the Year 2008 winners Abe Vigoda unleashed the news to the world that there is new material already on the way. The EP, entitled Reviver, will be released on 12" vinyl and the CD format February 17th. The five songs find the band exploring new territories making Michael Vidal's vocals ever the more clear atop Juan Valesquez's gritty sprawling guitar. Lead off track "Don't Lie" was one playe frequently on the road, and one I caught first hand last summer and shows them playing in their comfort zone.

Rounding out the EP is a demo or variation of Skeleton track "Endless Sleeper" and a cover of Stevie Nicks' "Wild Heart". Yes. I am not kidding. I'm also trying to figure out if "The Reaper" is the song they closed with when I saw them last summer, then labeled "Jammer" on the set list. Perhaps. Either way, it's still good.

Stream: "Don't Lie" [here]

Monday Morning Newsletter

The band Mt. Cooper is making their EP Teenager available as a free download. Free. Can't beat that.

John Byrne, former lead vocalist for garage-rock band Count Five has died. Their song “Psychotic Reaction” was listed among the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s 500 Songs That Shaped Rock & Roll. He was 61. If you're too young to remember go listen dammit.

The long tragic saga of DMX is over. This week, X cut a deal and plead guilty one misdemeanor count of animal cruelty, one felony count of theft, and one count each of felony possession of marijuana and a narcotic drug. He no longer can own any animals, not even a hamster. On the other hand he does not have to go to prison for 10 years. Give a little take a little.

The rising tide of the recession has cooled rapper Jay-Z's plans. The entrepreneurial had plans to build a hotel in New York City are on hold because his developer, Charles Blaichman, is unable to get the necessary $370 million in loans. Blaichman said "Even the banks who want to give us money can't." Damn you Paulson!

Stephen Bier, better known as Madonna Wayne Gacy, is suing Marilyn Manson for $20 million dollars. He claims that Manson spent millions of dollars of band revenue on drugs, Nazi paraphernalia, a stuffed grizzly bear and the skeleton of a 4-year-old Chinese girl. Will Trent Reznor rat him out on the stand? Will ex-wife Dita Von Teese hand over the goods? Find out when the trial starts February 2nd.

Legendary jazz trumpeter Freddie Hubbard died yesterday. Hubbbard gained fame playing on several iconic albums including John Coltrane’s Ascension and Ornette Coleman’s Free Jazz. He had been ailing following a heart attack in late November. He was 70.

Bjork is getting into banking. The Icelandic eclectic has partnered with Audur Capital, a Reykjavik-based venture capital firm to establish a socially and environmentally responsible mutual fund. Audur Capital, has put down an initial investment of 100 million Iceland Kronur which is approximately ($826,000 USD). Investments are scheduled to close by March.