UK based The Bees (AKA "A Band of Bees" ) made a little bit of news this week with their split EP with California quartet, The Mother Hips. This is their latest music since their much acclaimed Octopus album (Astralwerks) which vocalist and producer Paul Butler built his own studio with founding friend and Bees member, Aaron Fletcher.
By now you've probably heard "Listening Man", the song that linked over 60 years of music, all combined into one solid, new age, yet timeless track. If not, we suggest you listen to the stream on the band's official site (which is subsequently under contruction for... something new?)
Their Split EP features two fresh tracks, one from each party:
1) The Bees - "Papa Echo"
2) The Mother Hips - "Childish Dreams"
The Bees also got Ashley Beedle to remix their song "Better Days" from their Octopus album. Check it out:
MP3: The Bees - (This Is For The) Better Days (Ashley Beedle Remix) (buy)
Links: Official Site, MySpace and Last.fm
Another indie band signs to a major label and this time around, its Dirty Projectors who made it. A report from Billboard.com says the band will be under the UK-based Domino Records.
Dirty Projectors hail from Brooklyn, NY under the direction of Dave Longstreth, a former Yale student. Their lo-fi sound has given the band a unique sound which has garnered enough of a following to give attention to their biggest success Rise Above, released last year.
Domino has signed many artists whose name would ring familiar, particularly The Notwist, Ulrich Schnauss, Animal Collective, Caribou, The Kills, Lightspeed Champion, Elliott Smith and more recently Silver Jews.
Check them out on MySpace or their Official Site.
MP3: Dirty Projectors - Rise Above (buy)
Upcoming Tour Dates:
Apr 25 2008 8:00P Edinburgh, Scotland
Apr 26 2008 8:00P Glasgow, Scotland
Apr 27 2008 8:00P Aberdeen, Scotland
Apr 30 2008 - whelans Dublin (IR)
May 1 2008 - Roisin Dubh Galway (IR)
May 2 2008 - Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival Belfast (IR)
May 3 2008 - futuresonic festival Manchester (UK)
May 7 2008 - Paradiso Amsterdam (NE)
May 8 2008 - Nouveau Casino Paris (FR)
May 9 2008 - The Dome Kentish Town London (UK)
May 10 2008 - ATP v pitchfork festival Camber Sands, East
May 11 2008 - Les Nuits de Botanique Brussels (BE)
May 12 2008 - De Kreun Kortrijk (BE)
May 14 2008 - astoria w battles London
May 31 2008 - primavera sound Barcelona (ES)
June 6 2008 - Galeria Ze Dos Bois Lisbon (PT)
June 7 2008 - Club Vademecum Vigo (ES)
June 8 2008 - Serralves Em Festa Porto (PT)
Aug 7 2008 - Haldern Pop Rees-Haldern (DE)
Aug 8 2008 - Les Nuits Secrets Festival Aulnoye-Aymeries (FR)
Aug 9 2008 - Field Day London (UK)
Aug 10 2008 - Summer Sundae Weekender Leichester (UK)
While on the road for the Honda Civic Tour, Motion City Soundtrack have announced that they will be releasing their first-ever acoustic EP on May 6, which will feature five songs from their Even If It Kills Me album (9/07).
MSC, which is known best for their live shows with rollercoaster synth sounds and memorable lyrics, previously released Commit This To Memory (2005) and I Am The Movie (2003). They are currently touring with Panic! At the Disco, The Hush Sound and Phantom Planet, all of whom have released albums within the past month and a half. The tour ends June 14. For more tour dates, click here.
Here are the track listings for the Acoustic EP:
1) Fell In Love Without You
2) It Had To Be You
3) Broken Heart
4) Can't Finish What You Started
5) Point Of Extinction
MP3: Motion City Soundtrack - When You're Around (acoutic) (buy)
MP3: Motion City Soundtrack - Sunday Warning (acoustic) (buy)
This edition of RAGGED features cover story “Up In Arms: Kate Nash & the War on Apathy,” a compelling look into the audacity and songwriting of Kate Nash . Other features include a look into life after A Tribe Called Quest with Q-Tip, the records that inspired Switches, the unconventional allure of Grand Ole Party, playing late night favorites with Gran Ronde, the struggles of breaking bilingual barriers with Monte Negro, and a discussion on the inspiration of nature with Thrice.
Along with all the stellar features of artists, a contest to win $500 of American Rag Cie clothing at RAGGED, and the RAGGED blog that offers artist features, tour updates and music news, MUF will be handing out a VIP package on top of all of that.
To enter for the VIP package (RAGGED hoodie, CDs from the six artists above, RAGGED magazine), email MusicUnderFire. The contest will run until May 31 and the winner will be notified shortly after. Please include name and email address with each entry. You will not be spammed!
RAGGED includes articles on bands from the up-and-coming underground as well as familiar favorites, continuing FILTER’s renowned tradition of bringing good, unique music to the masses. In addition, American Rag Cie lends its passion and eye for style to the magazine by showcasing its exclusive clothing line on the artists themselves.
The bi-monthly magazine also features avant-garde authors, filmmakers and artists and has established itself as the editorial voice for independent music enthusiasts.
For more info on RAGGED, you can check them out at www.raggedmag.com.
ENTER MUF CONTEST HERE
Please include name and email address with application.
We don't spam.
You know we love our UK rock, and Thirteen Senses have been no secret of ours. Since their release of their album Contact last year, the band has done nothing but stayed focused on the road ahead. We're elated to announce they're working on a new album!
Over the past couple years, Thirteen Senses evolved from their impeccable debut album The Invitation in 2004 leading up to their well-produced sophomore release Contact produced by sound engineer Danton Supple (Coldplay). Their sound has grown larger over the course of the past couple years, but they remain a laid-back rock style, like that of an early Coldplay. Their style is that of a gentler UK rock, including piano and an occasional acoustic guitar. Above all, Thirteen Senses' earnest approach to what they do makes them so permissable to listen to.
From their website:
Hello ladies and gentlemen! We are very pleased to report that the third album recording is progressing very well indeed.
We feel like we are firing on all cylinders at the moment and are producing what we believe to be the best music we've ever written.
The band posted two new demos for their upcoming album on their MySpace page "Imagine Life" and "The Loneliest Star". A release date has not yet been announced for their new album. For more information on the band, go to their MySpace Page or Official Site.
MP3: Thirteen Senses - A Lot of Silence Here (buy)
MP3: Thirteen Senses - Into The Fire (buy)
MP3: Thirteen Senses - Thru The Glass (buy)
Video: Thirteen Senses - All The Love In Your Hands (Contact 2007)
Shout Out Louds arrived this week with Impossible EP featuring their immensely popular song "Impossible". The EP features the radio edit of "Impossible" followed up by a few remixes; the more appealing of the two by Studio and the second by the Stockholm duo, Van Rivers & Subliminal Kid.
My second favorite track from their Our Ill Wills album, "Hard Rain" ("Normandie" was my favorite) is featured live from Haldern Festival, which is a yearly pop festival in the Lower Rhine area in Germany. Its a short trip for the Swedes anyway. "December" is the other track featured on this EP - also worth checking out. I really enjoyed the guitar work in this song.
MP3: Shout Out Louds - Impossible (Possible Remix by Studio) (buy)
Below is a video for the "Impossible Remix by Studio". As you may notice, the video has been modified to differ from the original version. As it was, SOL bassist, Ted Malmros remixed his own video just for this track. For the original, go here.
Video: Shout Out Louds - Impossible (Possible Remix by Studio)
Lots to talk about this week, so let’s get right to it. This week’s flagship album may just be Tokyo Police Club's Elephant Shell. Their album is absolutely top-notch and we give our highest recommendation.
A few surprises before we get into some of the more talked about groups. A Great Big Pile Of Leaves is offering their mellow, yet pulsating album The Firey Works free on their website. After one listen through, I already have a few favorites. If you’re looking for some wonderful shoegaze, we recommend Christopher Bissonnette’s In Between Words; truly beautiful music.
Some groups to pick out of this long list are the legendary Billy Bragg with his album Mr. Love & Justice. The Cinematic Orchestra, whose experimental intrumental music has made a name for themselves, has released their live album, Live at the Royal Albert Hall. The Bees are featured in on a Split Ep with The Mother Hips. Even Blind Melon is somehow back this week with For My Friends introducing their new lead singer Travis Warren.
Cloud Cult is already becoming an indie favorite on the blogsphere garnering lots of attention from many critics, particularly Pitchfork who calls their latest Feel Good Ghosts "Insane genius…”. On the other end of the spectrum is the much-anticipated pop-punk album from Story of the Year, The Black Swan.
We’re not done yet! Make sure to check out Sleepercar’s album West Texas, a must-have for this year. And lastly, don’t forget that one of MUF’s favorite band’s from 2007 released their Impossible EP today. That’s right, we’re talking about the Shout Out Louds! Enjoy all of the new music this week!
MP3: Sleepercar – A Broken Promise (buy)
MP3: A Great Big Pile of Leaves – Users Guide To A Coloring Book (buy)
MP3: Tokyo Police Club – In A Cave (buy)
A Great Big Pile of Leaves - The Fiery Works II (Official) (MySpace) (free downloads I II)
A Little Affair - Find Your Light (MySpace)
Amelia - A Long, Lovely List of Repairs (Official) (MySpace)
Ashlee Simpson - Bittersweet World (Official)
Atmosphere - When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint that Shit Gold (Official) (MySpace)
Barry Adamson - Back to the Cat (Official) (MySpace)
Beans - Thorns (MySpace)
Beat Union - Disconnected (MySpace)
Ben Reynolds - Two Wings (Official)
Billy Bragg - Mr. Love & Justice (Official) (MySpace)
Black Francis - SVN FNGRS (Official) (MySpace)
Black Tambourine - Complete Recordings (Official) (MySpace)
Blank Dogs - On Two Sides (Official) (MySpace)
Blind Melon - For My Friends (Official) (MySpace)
Blues Control - Puff (Official) (MySpace)
Boredoms - Super Roots (MySpace)
Cancer Bats - Hail Destroyer (Official) (MySpace)
Christopher Bissonnette - In Between Words (Official) (MySpace)
Cloud Cult - Feel Good Ghosts (Tea-Partying Through Tornadoes) (Official) (MySpace)
Colour Revolt - Plunder, Beg and Curse (Official) (MySpace)
Dead Raven Choir - Cask Strength Black Metal (Official) (MySpace)
Dr. Dog - We All Belong (Official) (MySpace)
Elbow - The Seldom Seen Kid (Official) (MySpace)
Eliot Lipp - The Outside (Official) (MySpace)
Elvis Costello - Momofuku (Official)
Fancey - Schmancey (Official) (MySpace)
Flight Of The Conchords - Flight Of The Conchords (Official) (MySpace)
Foot Village - Friendship Nation (Official) (MySpace)
Goldfinger - Hello Destiny (Official) (MySpace)
Gossip - Live in Liverpool (MySpace)
Grouper - Wide (Official)
Guillemots - Red (Official) (MySpace)
In the Audience - Natural Satellites EP (MySpace)
Jack Rose - Kensington Blues (Official) (MySpace)
Jim Noir - Jim Noir (Official) (MySpace)
Lyrics Born - Everywhere At Once (Official) (MySpace)
Monotonix - Body Language EP (Official) (MySpace)
Naked on the Vague - The Blood Pressure Sessions (MySpace)
Negative Space - Storylines (Official) (MySpace)
Neva Dinova - You May Already Be Dreaming (MySpace)
Night Marchers - See You In Magic (Official) (MySpace)
Phil Vassar - Prayer Of A Common Man (Official) (MySpace)
Prodigy - H.N.I.C. Pt. 2 (Official)
Religious Knives - It's After Dark (Official) (MySpace)
Santogold - Creator L.E.S. Artistes (MySpace)
Sarandon - Kill Twee Pop! (Official) (MySpace)
Scritti Politti - Early (MySpace)
Shout Out Louds - Impossible EP (Official) (MySpace)
Sleepercar - West Texas (MySpace)
Sonic Youth - J'Accuse Ted Hughes (Official) (MySpace)
Story of the Year - The Black Swan (Official) (MySpace)
The Bees / The Mother Hips - Split EP (Official)
The Cinematic Orchestra - Live at the Royal Albert Hall (Official) (MySpace)
The Death Set - Worldwide (Official) (MySpace)
The Jealous Girlfriends - The Jealous Girlfriends' (Official) (MySpace)
The Muslims - The Muslims (MySpace)
The Old Haunts - Poisonous Times (Official) (MySpace)
The Plastic Constellations - We Appreciate You (Official) (MySpace)
The Song Corporation - Pirates! (Official) (MySpace)
The White Tie Affair - Walk This Way (Official) (MySpace)
Tokyo Police Club - Elephant Shell (Official) (MySpace)
Torche - Meanderthal (Official) (MySpace)
Trentemoller - Miss You (Official) (MySpace)
Whitesnake - Good To Be Bad (Official) (MySpace)
Wildlife - Six (MySpace)
Wye Oak - If Children (Official) (MySpace)
Young Knives - Superabundance (Official) (MySpace)
