Archive for the ‘News’ Category

Sub Pop hits 20, shares anniversary with Microsoft’s Zune

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August 14, 2008 by Matthew Montgomery

So, Sub Pop, the infamous record label from Seattle, has hit 20 years old; to celebrate, they’ve released a number of exclusive items to the Zune Marketplace. Now, I don’t necessarily endorse the Zune (nor do I necessarily endorse the iPod,) but the content’s worth checking out if you’ve already got one of those neat devices. Plus, you can get $2 off each album from Sub Pop (for a limited time, of course) — so if you’ve been waiting to grab the latest from The Jesus and Mary Chain, wait no longer. Check out the video after the jump for a nice look at Sub Pop at 20.

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Flagstaff Local Music

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August 13, 2008 by Jared Montgomery

Jared Montgomery is MusicGeek.org’s Flagstaff, Arizona correspondent and the head of the new MusicGeek.org regional project for the area.

Here at MusicGeek.org, we are dedicated to bringing you independent music reviews, interviews news and downloads. Well, I’ve recently found myself relocated to the beautiful town of Flagstaff, Arizona, and I realized how much local talent this city has to offer. This has prompted me to start this regional chapter of MusicGeek.org. From now on, you will see posts about your local Flagstaff music scene about as fast as we can get them up. In the next few weeks, you should be seeing more and more local coverage. Hope to see all you Flagstaff locals here, checking out what’s happening in your local scene!

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Announcing Regional MusicGeek.org, new features

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August 13, 2008 by Matthew Montgomery

Oh, faithful readers, whoever you may be: It is with some pleasure I can now reveal our “grand plans.” The launch of Regional MusicGeek.org is here; our first region is Flagstaff, Arizona, where my brother — a writer here — has moved and is the head of the effort in the city. In the future, we will bring more regional coverage.

As always, if you’re interested in writing for MusicGeek.org, don’t be shy.

In the new features department, maybe you’ve noticed that we’re more colorful now. Thoughts? Leave a comment!

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Bright Eyes release awarded with Grammy for art direction

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February 10, 2008 by Matthew Montgomery

Bright Eyes — <em>Cassadaga</em>Bright Eyes, the brainchild, if you will, of Conor Oberst, was awarded with a Grammy today in the category of “Best Recording Package” for Cassadaga. The release, designed by Saddle Creek graphic artist Zack Nipper, beat out Portland indie rockers Menomena’s Friend and Foe, Black Sabbath’s The Dio Years, The Fold’s Secrets Make You Tick, and GTS’s White Horse for the prize. The 50th Grammy Awards took place tonight in Los Angeles, Calif. The Flaming Lips, while nominated for “Best Surround Sound Album” for At War With the Mystics failed to pick up the prize; Wilco were nominated for “Best Rock Album” for Sky Blue Sky but likewise failed to net the “prestigious” awarding.

Bright Eyes — “Four Winds” | download

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Kara Keith to release solo EP

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February 7, 2008 by Matthew Montgomery

Kara Keith / Courtesy of Killbeat MusicKara Keith, from Calgary, Alberta and previously of Falconhawk, will release her self-titled solo debut EP on Saved By Radio on Feb. 12. The EP can be purchased in the Saved By Radio online store. “Kick This City,” from the release and posted below, is an engaging, driving track that makes its name with synthesizers and keys, but is also home to smooth vocals from Kara Keith. With talent of this nature, it’s hard to believe that this singer and songwriter won’t go anywhere.

Kara Keith — “Kick This City” | download

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Kara Keith on MySpace

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Opeth announce new album name, tracklisting

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February 5, 2008 by Matthew Montgomery

Opeth / Courtesy of Roadrunner Records, photo by Michael JohannsonMikael Åkerfeldt, vocalist and guitarist for Swedish progressive metal darlings Opeth, announced today on his MySpace blog that the band, who have released eight full-length albums, are planning to release their ninth effort, titled Watershed in late-May or early-June in 2008 on Roadrunner Records. The track titles, also released by the Swedish giant, are posted below. Also posted below is a “special edit” of “The Grand Conjuration” released for some television show, Headbanger’s Ball, and a compilation they released. It’s a nice introduction to Opeth’s harder sound, but not the best introduction to their melodic side, which I often prefer. Unfortunately, the edit is also shorter, so take that as you will.

Opeth — “The Grand Conjuration” | download

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Spotlight: Dawn Landes | Female folk artist to embark on month-long tour

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February 2, 2008 by Matthew Montgomery

Dawn Landes / Courtesy of Sneak Attack MediaDawn Landes, a Louisville, Kentucky native, performs a certain seductive bluegrass-inflected folk-indie style. Her second album, Fireproof, is set to be released on March 4 via Cooking Vinyl. Landes will be embarking on a month-long tour of the eastern United States starting Feb. 6. Dates are posted after the jump.

“Bodyguard,” posted below, is a nice introduction to the style being exercised by Landes; holding up against the influx of female indie artists doesn’t seem something this musician will find much trouble with.

Dawn Landes — “Bodyguard” | download

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White Hinterland begins North American tour tomorrow

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February 1, 2008 by Matthew Montgomery

Winter Hinderland / Courtesy of Dead Oceans, photo by Tod Seelie Casey Dienel — the 22-year old performing a unique combination of jazz and indie as White Hinterland and the subject of a previous MusicGeek.org spotlight — is set to embark on her North American tour tomorrow, kicking off with a performance in Boston. The tour ends with a three-day stint at SXSW, but the final regular tour date, March 4, will see the release of Phylactery Factory on Dead Oceans. Dienel is touring with Taken By Trees, with whom Victoria Bergsman, previously of indie-popsters The Concretes, has been performing.

Winter Hinterland - “Dreaming of the Plum Trees” | download

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Read after the jump for tour dates.

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Spotlight: American Music Club | Veteran group readies album, North American tour

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February 1, 2008 by Matthew Montgomery

American Music Club / Courtesy of Merge RecordsAmerican Music Club, who released their first album in 1985, are preparing to release their ninth full length album, The Golden Age, on Merge Records. The album is set to be released on Feb. 19 in the US and Feb. 4 in the UK, on Cooking Vinyl. Posted below is “All the Lost Souls Welcome You To San Francisco,” an exquisitely crafted indie pop track that holds a certain amount of energy beneath its mellow demeanor.

American Music Club — “All The Lost Souls Welcome You To San Francisco” | download

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Read after the jump for purchase links and North America tour dates beginning in April.

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Kaki King announces U.S. tour dates

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January 28, 2008 by Matthew Montgomery

Kaki KingKaki King, the previous subject of a MusicGeek.org spotlight, announced 2008 U.S. tour dates, detailed below. Her entire catalog is essentially made of gold; it’s certainly worth of more than a few listens.

Kaki King — 2 O’Clock | download

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Last.fm announces artist royalties, on-demand tracks, subscription service

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January 25, 2008 by Matthew Montgomery

Last.fm quietly announced a new subscription service today after announcing on-demand track streaming.Music discovery service Last.fm, after announcing the addition of on-demand streaming of full-length tracks and albums Thursday, announced today that they would be adding a system by which artists and labels would be paid directly for plays through their system.

According to the site’s blog, blog.last.fm, artists will be able to upload their music for play and will receive royalties in the form of a share of advertising revenue.

More quietly, Last.fm announced a “soon-to-be announced” subscription service they will be deploying. Until the service is active, a track may be played three times, then a preview of the subscription service will be advertised, according to the blog.

The only details offered of the subscription service in the post consisted of “unlimited plays and some other useful things.”

Speculation, at this point, is hasty, but it would seem Last.fm is rethinking their business strategy.

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