David Lynch, Danger Mouse, Sparklehorse project rumored for summer release

Dark Night of the Soul is an album written by Danger Mouse and Sparklehorse that was planned for release with a book of photos by David Lynch. The book of photos was released in early 2009. Due to disputes with the record label, though, the album was not released with the book of photos — instead a blank CD-R labeled: “For legal reasons, enclosed CD-R contains no music. Use it as you will.”

The album is now rumored for release for Summer 2010. From what we’ve heard of the album so far, this is nothing like the Broken Bells collaboration of Danger Mouse and James Mercer. It has a dark, surreal feeling — full of complex layers of mind-bending sounds and faraway vocals, all quite fitting for a David Lynch art project.

The album features a wide range of artists, including James Mercer, The Flaming Lips, Gruff Rhys of Super Furry Animals, Jason Lytle of Grandaddy, Julian Casablancas of The Strokes, Frank Black of the Pixies, Iggy Pop, Nina Persson of The Cardigans, Suzanne Vega, Vic Chesnutt, David Lynch, Scott Spillane of Neutral Milk Hotel and The Gerbils. (NPR)

The book, Dark Night of the Soul is available for purchase on their official website, www.dnots.com. You can also listen to the entire album at NPR.org/music.

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By Scott Mathews Mar 06, 2010 News, Playlists, Video Comments (0)

Minus the Bear debut track “My Time” for their upcoming album

Minus the Bear

Today Minus the Bear have premiered “My Time,” the first track from their upcoming album, Omni, due May 4, 2010. Immediately noticeable is the lack of guitar playing from Dave Knudson which we hear none of on the first track. Instead, Knudson has integrated a new instrument into their arrangement: the Omnichord. With the introduction of the Omnichord and lack of guitar, Knudson brings a much stronger pop sound to the track than ever before. We’re unsure of what to expect for the rest of the album, but it is likely that we will still hear the guitar on the other tracks based on Dave Knudson’s chat with Spinner.

Minus the Bear will be performing songs from their new album at SXSW Music Festival, as well as Sasquatch! Music Festival. They will also begin their tour starting in April. Tour dates have yet to be announced, but you can keep an eye out for updates on their website, minusthebear.com/tour
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By Scott Mathews Mar 03, 2010 News Comments (0)

Red Sparowes announce tour, release album preview

Red Sparowes

Red Sparowes, Los Angeles post-rock (or, if you will, post-metal) group, have announced plans to set out on tour at the end of March through the first half of May in support of their forthcoming release, The Fear is Excruciating, But Therein Lies the Answer, set to be released April 6, 2010.

 

Red Sparowes — “Giving Birth To Imagined Saviors,” from The Fear is Excruciating, But Therein Lies the Answer

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In anticipation of their third album, the band has released “Giving Birth to Imagined Saviors” for public consumption. Featuring a more nuanced approach than their previous efforts — but lacking none of the bombastic fervor they’ve set out as their own, the latest effort from Red Sparowes is one to watch for.

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By Matthew Montgomery Feb 26, 2010 Downloads, News, Video Comments (0)

Symphony of Science debuts “The Poetry of Reality,” latest in science mashup series

Symphony of Science, the brainchild of electronica musician John Boswell, has released the latest entry in a series of inspiring and geeky music videos: “The Poetry of Reality,” the fifth video in the series, describes the simultaneous beauty and utility of scientific inquiry through snippets from figureheads of science and skepticism.

The Symphony of Science — “The Poetry of Reality” | download

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The video includes lectures and interviews from the widely known — Carl Sagan, Richard Feynman, Stephen Hawking — to some known in more specific circles — PZ Meyers, Brian Greene, Carolyn Porco, Michael Shermer — and represents an engaging cross-section of figures of science advocacy.

Musically, “The Poetry of Reality” is perhaps the strongest piece since the first video, “A Glorious Dawn.” If the Symphony of Science is successful in spreading its very important message, it will be to the benefit of humanity as a whole.

By Matthew Montgomery Feb 25, 2010 Downloads, News, Video Comments (0)

Matt Pond PA “Starting” 7-inch available now; new album drops in April

Matt Pond PA, credit: Jeremy Balderson

April 6, 2010, Matt Pond PA, indie-pop all-star band from New York, NY, will be releasing their latest album The Dark Leaves on Altitude Records. Currently, their single “Starting” is available for download on Paste. In November, Matt Pond PA released a limited edition EP showcasing the single. The EP, THREEEP, includes 3 A-side tracks, instrumentals, and 3 additional B-side tracks. Currently, their “Starting” 7″ is available for purchase on Altitude Records. The three song EP includes “Starting” as well as “The Colour Out of Space” and “Stopping.”

In addition to the upcoming release of The Dark Leaves, Matt Pond PA lead man, Matt, and Chris Hansen, guitarist and keyboardist – have composed a motion picture soundtrack for the feature film, Lebanon, premiering Spring 2010 at SXSW Film Festival. See more information about Lebanon here: lebanonpamovie.com.

Matt Pond PA will be performing at SXSW this year, and will be touring with The Wooden Birds through February and March; The Wooden Birds are also appearing at SXSW.

Matt Pond PA — “Starting,” from Starting 7″ (2010) | download

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See below for a video and tour dates from Matt Pond PA.

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By Scott Mathews Feb 24, 2010 Downloads, News, Video Comment (1)

NEWS: SLC record store Slowtrain plans customer appreciation party

Slowtrain, one of Salt Lake City’s few independent record stores, is planning a customer appreciation party for March 28 from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Not the first party of the sort they’ve thrown, the event includes a performance from David Williams and acts as a preface to a live show from Laura Gibson and Ethan Rose.

In other Slowtrain news, the store has placed their Blue Note reissue series LPs for sale online, with each running from $50 to $60. The store is the only outlet selling the LPs in Salt Lake City, and their stock is limited.

Slowtrain is located at 221 E Broadway in Salt Lake City and sells tickets to upcoming shows in the greater Salt Lake City area. Read on for a list of shows Slowtrain is selling tickets to — tickets are only available for cash and include a $1 service fee.

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By Matthew Montgomery Feb 24, 2010 News, Salt Lake City, Utah Comments (0)

NEWS: Minus the Bear set ‘Omni’ release date

Photo Credit: David Belisle

Minus the Bear, widely loved within the indie rock community, announced today the May 4 release of Omni, their fourth full-length album. Produced by Joe Chiccarelli, who has worked with artists as diverse as My Morning Jacket, Frank Zappa, Oingo Boingo, and Counting Crows, and is the man said to have found Tori Amos, Omni promises new ground from Minus the Bear.

Omni is set to be the band’s first release on Dangerbird Records, whose roster includes Silversun Pickups, The One AM Radio, and The Dears. Shortly after the release, the group will set out on a six-week tour of North America.

By Matthew Montgomery Feb 22, 2010 News Comments (0)

NEWS: Cedar City songwriter compilation, Cedar Breaks Out!, hits shelves after release party

Cedar Breaks Out!

Saturday saw the release of the latest project from the home of independent music in Cedar City, Groovacious Records. Cedar Breaks Out!, a 14-track compilation consisting of some of the town’s best singer-songwriters, made its debut last night at the record store, which was nearly bursting at the seams with attention.

The compilation features 14 artists from the Cedar City area, and 11 of those performed at Saturday evening’s celebrations. It serves as a refreshing reminder that not only are Open Mic nights at Groovacious packing a punch with their unique performances and evocative covers, but these musicians can provoke an emotional response with their own music.

The album sees a street release date of Tuesday, when it can be purchased for $9.99 at Groovacious Records. The album is being released on Groovacious Platters, the record label run by Groovacious Records owners Tim and Lisa Cretsinger.

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By Matthew Montgomery Feb 22, 2010 News, Photos, Southern Utah, Video Comments (0)