Category: News

Moon Duo’s new album, “Occult Architecture Vol. 2,” due May 5th.

MOON DUO ANNOUNCE OCCULT ARCHITECTURE VOL. 2,
OUT MAY 5TH ON SACRED BONES

STREAM/WATCH VIDEO FOR NEW SINGLE, “LOST IN LIGHT”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rP-9axxbO4
https://soundcloud.com/sacredbones/moon-duo-lost-in-light/s-WEKtG

(above image of Moon Duo by John Jeffrey, post art by Jasmine Pasquill)
Following the recent release of Occult Architecture Vol. 1, Moon Duo – guitarist Ripley Johnson and keyboardist Sanae Yamada — announce the details of Vol. 2, the second part of their psychedelic opus, set for a May 5th release via Sacred Bones. The announcement comes with a new single, “Lost in Light,” and its accompanying video, which gives a glimpse into the shimmering world that represents the lighter half of this Yin and Yang themed creation – the Yang.

Directed by Micah Buzan, the “Lost In Light” video was created as a counter-reaction to his previous animation for Vol. 1’s “Cold Fear.” He explains: “’Lost In Light’ is the Yang to ‘Cold Fear’s Yin. In ‘Cold Fear’ the aliens ruled the planet in their giant skyscrapers and tortured humanoids. ‘Lost In Light’ continues the story of ‘Cold Fear’ a million years into the future, when the aliens have died off after exhausting the planet’s resources, and nature reclaims the land. Huge flowers grow out of the dead humanoids, aliens, and their buildings. Moon Duo emerge from an alien’s head as a flower and rainbow, becoming one with the planet as the sun absorbs everything into oblivion.”

The Occult Architecture of Moon Duo’s fourth album is an intricately woven hymn to the invisible structures found in the cycle of seasons and the journey of day into night, dark into light. Offering a cosmic glimpse into the hidden patterning embedded in everything, Occult Architecture reflects the harmonious duality of these light and dark energies through the Chinese theory of Yin and Yang. Following the Yin (darkness, night, earth) represented on Vol. 1, Vol. 2 presents the Yang. Yang means “the bright side of the hill” and is associated with the sun, light and the spirit of heaven. As such, Vol. 2 explores the light and airy elements of Moon Duo’s complex psyche.

“In production we referred to Vol. 1 as the fuzz dungeon, and Vol. 2 as the crystal palace,” guitarist Ripley Johnson explains. “The darkness of Vol. 1 gave birth to the light of Vol. 2. We had to have both elements in order to complete the cycle. We’re releasing them separately to allow them their own space, and to ensure clarity of vision. To that end we also mixed Vol. 2 separately, in the height of Portland summer, focusing on its sonic qualities of lightness, air, and sun. Listeners can ultimately use the two volumes individually or together, depending on circumstance or the desired effect.”

Watch Moon Duo’s “Lost in Light” Video –
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rP-9axxbO4

Stream “Lost in Light” –
https://soundcloud.com/sacredbones/moon-duo-lost-in-light/s-WEKtG

Watch/Listen:
Occult Architecture Vol. 1 stream — https://open.spotify.com/album/4AlRpwAsVlD0fuDnt9i3XD
“Cold Fear” video — https://youtu.be/VwZG_jY9gFs
“Creepin’” stream — https://soundcloud.com/sacredbones/moon-duo-creepin/s-4zh7u

Occult Architecture Vol. 2 Tracklisting:
1. New Dawn
2. Mirror’s Edge
3. Sevens
4. Lost in Light
5. The Crystal World

Pre-order Occult Architecture Vol. 2—
http://hyperurl.co/OAVol2

Purchase Occult Architecture Vol. 1 —
Via iTunes – http://hyperurl.co/OAVol1
Via Bandcamp – https://moonduo.bandcamp.com/album/occult-architecture-vol-1

Moon Duo Tour Dates:
Sat. March 11 – Mexico City, MX @ Festival NRMAL
Wed. Mar. 15 – Newcastle, UK @ Northumbria University
Thu. Mar. 16 – Manchester, UK @ Band On The Wall
Fri. Mar. 17 – London, UK @ Heaven
Sat. Mar. 18 – Paris, FR @ Le Trabendo
Sun. Mar. 19 – Nancy, FR @ L’Autre Canal
Mon. Mar. 20 – Zurich, CH @ Plaza
Thu. Mar. 23 – Budapest, HU @ A38
Fri. Mar. 24 – Graz, AT @ Orpheum Extra
Sat. Mar. 25 – Vienna, AT @ Chelsea
Mon. Mar. 27 – Leipzig, DE @ UT Connewitz
Tue. Mar. 28 – Berlin, DE @ Bi Nuu
Wed. Mar. 29 – Copenhagen, DK @ Pumphuset
Thu. Mar. 30 – Oslo, NO @ Bla
Fri. Mar. 31 – Stockholm, SE @ Kagelbanan
Sat. Apr. 1 – Gothenburg, SE @ Pusterviks
Mon. Apr. 3 – Groningen, NL @ Vera Club
Tue. Apr. 4 – Amsterdam, NL @ Paradiso Noord
Wed. Apr. 5 – Eindhoven, NL @ Effenaar
Thu. Apr. 6 – Brighton, UK @ The Haunt
Fri. Apr. 7 – Leeds, UK @ Brudenell Social Club
Sat. Apr. 8 – Glasgow, UK @ Stereo
Fri. Apr. 21 – Chicago, IL @ Empty Bottle
Sat. Apr. 22 – Detroit, MI @ El Club
Sun. Apr. 23 – Toronto, ON @ Horseshoe Tavern
Tue. Apr. 25 – Montreal, QC @ La Sala Rossa
Wed. Apr. 26 – Boston, MA @ Great Scott
Thu. Apr. 27 – Brooklyn, NY @ Rough Trade
Fri. Apr. 28 – Philadelphia, PA @ Johnny Brenda’s
Sat. Apr. 29 – Washington, DC @ DC9
Sun. Apr. 30 – Cleveland, OH @ Beachland Tavern
Thu. June 8 – Ravenna, IT @ Beaches Brew
Sat. June 10 – Barcelona, ES @ Unload Club
Mon. June 12 – Bilboa, ES @ Kafe Antzokia
Tue. June 13 – Madrid, ES @ Caracol
Wed June 14 – Biarritz, FR @ Wheels and Waves Festival
Thu. June 15 – Montpellier, FR @ Le Rockstore
Mon. June 19 – Antwerp, BE @ Trix
Tue. June 20 – Brussels, BE @ Les Ateliers Claus
Sat. June 24 – Sat. July 1 – Roskilde, DK @ Roskilde Festival
Fri Aug. 18 – Parades De Coura, PT @ Parades de Coura

(Occult Architecture Vol. 2 cover art)
Download hi-res album art and press images – www.pitchperfectpr.com/moon-duo/

Partner release new single from upcoming album.

Partner_L-R_Josée-Caron_Lucy-Niles_photoby_Colin-Medley

PARTNER share new single and video “Comfort Zone”

Comfort Zone – YouTube // Clash

Official Statement
“A comfort zone does not have to be a place. A comfort zone is whatever makes you feel at ease. It can be a person, an object, a sensation. No two comfort zones are the same. We recognize that we have had the privilege and good fortune to experience comfort in a way that unfortunately eludes many. We feel that everyone deserves to feel the relief, however fleeting, that is offered by a comfort zone. We recognize that most people spend the majority of their time outside their comfort zones, and with this song we hope to express our belief that everyone deserves to feel comfortable and safe.

Whatever, wherever, whoever your comfort zone may be, it is our hope that you are able to access it as often as is necessary. Love and respect” – Partner

QUOTES

“Ontario-by-way-Sackville band Partner is one of the most exciting and brightest hopes for rock and roll in Canada.”
– Noisey

“Inspiring Canadian duo with a fetish for cold truth and hard riffs… ”
– Clash Magazine
RIYL – Weezer, PWR BTTM, Melissa Etheridge, Ween, Beavis & Butthead

Mixed by Grammy award winner Chris Shaw (Weezer, Public Enemy, Sum 41). Video directed by Colin Medley.

Partner is the “mature” effort of small town lesbians Josée Caron and Lucy Niles. Borne of their bizarre and fortuitous friendship, Partner boldly goes where few have even desired to go, moving effortlessly from topics like sex objects and gross secrets to more serious themes like intimacy, friendship, and existential unease.

Partner marries feminism and stadium rock riffage to produce a sound as queer as they are, and their arrival on the scene couldn’t be more timely: “Partner’s music is like what early 00s pop punk would be like if it was mixed with a reverence for classic rock era guitar solos. But unlike that generation’s insistence of straight white dude figureheads that traded a sense of humour for self-righteousness, Partner’s songs are funny as hell.”

After a freakishly productive year of writing, recording and touring, Partner are releasing a first single “Comfort Zone” to kick off 2017. Their enthusiastic and action-packed live set has led to them being named the “best new band in Canada” in the Globe and Mail, and although “Partner hasn’t even released an album yet, [watching] one of their sets, it’s clear right away that they’ve arrived fully formed.” Influenced by acts as varied as Ween, Weezer, Neil Young, and Sum 41, Partner promises to make you question everything you thought you knew about rock ‘n’ roll.

Tour Dates:
March 30 – Tender Trap, Brooklyn NY USA
April 01 – House of Targ, Ottawa ON (Juno Fest)
April 14 – Phog Lounge, Windsor ON
April 20 – The Casbah, Hamilton ON
April 22 – Long Boat Hall at the Great Hall, Toronto ON (CMW)
June 14 – Palais des Congrès, Montréal QC (Mondial de la bière)
June 15 – Saw Gallery, Ottawa ON (Ottawa Explosion)

Partner Links
Website: http://www.partnerband.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/officiallypartners
Bandcamp: https://youvechangedrecords.bandcamp.com/album/comfort-zone
Record Label: http://youvechangedrecords.com/portfolio/partner/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/partner_band

L.A. Takedown announces new album.

L.A. TAKEDOWN ANNOUNCES NEW ALBUM, II, OUT MAY 12TH VIA RIBBON MUSIC

WATCH “NIGHT SKIING” VIDEO AT NPR MUSIC
http://smarturl.it/NightSkiingVideo

On their new album II, L.A. Takedown align the moody grandeur of a film score with the pure melodicism of pop. Led by Los Angeles-based composer/multi-instrumentalist Aaron M. Olson, the seven-piece band delivers a guitar-driven take on synth-pop that’s inspired its own genre. “Bjorn Copeland of Black Dice once described L.A. Takedown to me as ‘Baywatch Krautrock,’” Olson recalls. “I found myself saying, ‘Well, you know…it’s not not that—works for me!” Still, despite any association with oceanic hedonism, II ultimately leaves it to the listener to dream up their own imaginary movie for each beautifully sprawling track to live in. At turns ethereal and frenzied, groove-heavy and narcotic, II is lush with harmonized guitar leads and inspiration from the likes of King Crimson’s Robert Fripp, Japanese composer Tori Kudo, and Nigerian musician King Sunny Adé, giving way to an intricately textured sound laced with jagged beats and serene washes of synth.

Though L.A. Takedown began as a home recording project and experiment in film scoring, Olson eventually assembled a live band that soon took on a life of its own. The follow-up to L.A. Takedown’s 2015 self-titled debut, II is the first release featuring the full band, which includes keyboardists Ryan Adlaf and Jonah Olson, guitarists Miles Wintner (Girlpool) and Stephen Heath (Paul Bergman), drummer Mose Wintner, and bassist Jessica Espeleta (Weird War, Love as Laughter). L.A. Takedown recorded the album at a home studio in Van Nuys with producer Shane Stoneback (Sleigh Bells, Cults, Vampire Weekend), a process that Olson describes as “seven goofballs eating snacks and watching Columbo and making music.”

“We live in a world where we’re so inundated with all these pieces of pop culture that they just become part of us,” OIson says. “I like to try to find new ways to present things that are already familiar to everyone.” Whether tapping into a Tangerine Dream score or a post-rock epic, L.A. Takedown ends up creating inventively arranged pop with a quietly transportive power. Today, L.A. Takedown premiere the video for the album track “Night Skiing” via NPR Music.

WATCH “NIGHT SKIING” VIDEO
http://smarturl.it/NightSkiingVideo
“On its latest song and video, “Night Skiing,” the instrumental rock group L.A. Takedown confirms that the guitar solo is alive and kicking.” – NPR Music
The video, directed by Matt Hewitt, portrays a driver (played by Stephen Heath, one of the band’s three lead guitarists) stranded in the desert after his car has broken down. He wanders the landscape in search of help only to find a dirty man (played by Olson) in a van who gives him a mysterious pill that transports him to an epic desert jam session.

II TRACKLISTING
1. The First Thing…
2. Heatwave
3. L.A. Blue
4. The Valley
5. Bad Night at Black’s Beach
6. City of Glass
7. Blue Skies (on Mars)
8. Dose
9. Us
10. Night Skiing
11. The Most Crucial Game
12. The Last Thing…

L.A. TAKEDOWN TOUR DATES
Wed. May 17 – Oakland, CA @ Starline Social Club
Fri. May 19 – Portland, OR @ Mississippi Studios
Sat. May 20 – Vancouver, BC @ Cobalt
Sun. May 21 – Seattle, WA @ Barboza
Tue. May 23 – San Francisco, CA @ Swedish American Hall
Thu. May 25 – San Diego, CA @ Casbah
Fri. May 26 – Los Angeles, CA @ Bootleg Theater

PRAISE FOR L.A. TAKEDOWN

“Its relentless drive and fascinating sonic architecture lend it depth, and the result is a work that seems to loop through the hills, valleys and grids of Los Angeles.” – Los Angeles Times

“A fully realized symphony written in the language of ’80s thriller soundtracks” – LA Record

II is available to pre-order now on limited edition translucent green vinyl, CD, and digital download:

iTunes: http://smarturl.it/LATakedownIIDL
Ribbon Mart: http://smarturl.it/LATakedownIIRM

Hi-res images and album art: http://pitchperfectpr.com/la-takedown/

L.A. Takedown Online:
http://latakedown.com/
https://twitter.com/latakedownband/
https://www.facebook.com/LATakedown/
https://www.instagram.com/la_takedown/

Chicago’s Mamby on the Beach festival announces 2017 lineup.

Chicago’s third annual Mamby on the Beach festival has released its lineup for 2017.  Just some of the powerhouses scheduled are MGMT, Miike Snow, Flying Lotus, and Cut Copy.

Tickets are still available at decent prices, so don’t wait to snag some.  I have a lot of bands to research before June 24th.

Keep your mind open.

Depeche Mode announces Global Spirit world tour.

Electro legends Depeche Mode have announced a world tour in support of their first album in four years – Spirit (which comes out March 17th).

The tour starts May 5th in Stockholm, Sweden and ends October 27th in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.  It includes many dates in the U.S. that will surely sell out quick, so get your tickets as soon as possible.

Keep your mind open.

Pitchfork Music Festival announces 2017 headliners.

Chicago’s Pitchfork Music Festival has announced its nightly headliners – and they’re a power trio: LCD Soundsystem, A Tribe Called Quest, and Solange.

The festival is July 14-16 in Union Park and will surely sell out, so get your tickets now while you can at a decent price.

Keep your mind open.

Boss Hog set to release first album in 17 years this March.

Boss Hog in New York City on June 5, 2016.

Noise punks Boss Hog are set to release their first album in 17 years, Brood X, next month.  Fronted by Jon Spencer and his wife Christina Martinez, the band’s original lineup is back together and just wrapped up a European tour.  They only have five U.S. dates slated through spring, so don’t miss them if they’re in your town.

You can hear “17” off the upcoming album at the band’s website.  It’s a welcome return of rock and roll.

Keep your mind open.

Bleached release first single, “Flipside,” from upcoming EP.

BLEACHED SHARE “FLIPSIDE,” NEW SONG OFF “CAN YOU DEAL?” EP

http://open.spotify.com/track/1D9CY5ZaXZ5zOnnaVrmnKy
https://soundcloud.com/deadoceans/bleached-flipside-1/s-iIauE

“CAN YOU DEAL?” EP AND ZINE OUT MARCH 3RD VIA DEAD OCEANS

NEW ZINE CONTRIBUTORS ADDED + MORE ZINES BEING PRESSED!

(above image of Bleached by Nicole Anne Robbins)
Los Angeles band Bleached – the punk band lead by sisters Jennifer and Jessica Clavin — are set to release the “Can You Deal?” EP on March 3rd via Dead Oceans. Recorded quickly in the midst of a break between months of touring, the EP captures the raw energy the band had been experiencing on stage. After sharing the title track “Can You Deal?” which dealt with the band’s frustrations with gender being used to define their music and the reductive habit of referring to them and others as “girl bands,” Bleached now present “Flipside,” one of their best songs to date. Jennifer Clavin describes the song below.

“I was thinking about the relationship we have with an album or a song and how we connect them to what is happening in our lives, like falling in love, being fascinated by a new friend, or some kind of pivotal moment in life corresponding with the record I’m listening to. Once the comedown of that time hits I can’t even listen to that record without thinking about that time or that person. Albums are the soundtrack to our lives, and this song is an ode to the nostalgia certain albums bring.”

As previously announced, Jennifer Clavin is publishing the limited edition “Can You Deal?” Zine, a collection of shared experiences on this subject through essay, visual art, poetry, lyrics and more from artists. An additional 500 copies of the zine will be printed as the first 500 sold out in 4 days! Newly added contributors include JD Samson, Bethany Cosentino (Best Coast), Cassie Ramone (Vivian Girls), Suzy Gardner and Donita Sparks (L7), Shannon Funchess (Light Asylum), Jenny Eliscu, and more. For a full list of contributors, visit http://www.canyoudealzine.com/. All net proceeds will go to Planned Parenthood.

Both the “Can You Deal?” EP and Zine are available for pre-order now. Bleached will tour North America supporting The Damned this spring.

Listen to Bleached’s “Flipside” –
http://open.spotify.com/track/1D9CY5ZaXZ5zOnnaVrmnKy
https://soundcloud.com/deadoceans/bleached-flipside-1/s-iIauE

“Can You Deal?” single stream –
https://soundcloud.com/deadoceans/can-you-deal/

Bleached Tour Dates –
Thu. Apr. 6 – Los Angeles, CA @ Echoplex
Fri. Apr. 7 – San Diego, CA @ House of Blues*
Sat. Apr. 8 – Anaheim, CA @ House of Blues*
Sun. Apr. 9 – Las Vegas, NV @ House of Blues*
Tue. Apr. 11 – San Francisco, CA @ The Fillmore*
Wed. Apr. 12 – Sacramento, CA @ Ace of Spades*
Fri. Apr. 14 – Portland, OR @ Crystal Ballroom*
Sat. Apr. 15 – Vancouver, BC @ The Commodore*
Sun. Apr. 16 – Seattle, WA @ The Showbox*
Tue. Apr. 18 – Salt Lake City, UT @ The Depot*
Wed. Apr. 19 – Denver, CO @ Summit Music Hall*
Fri. Apr. 21 – St. Louis, MO @ Delmar Hall*
Sat. Apr. 22 – Minneapolis, MN @ Fine Line*
Sun. Apr. 23 – Chicago, IL @ House of Blues*
Mon. Apr. 24 – Louisville, KY @ Mercury Lounge*
Wed. Apr. 26 – Indianapolis, IN @ Deluxe (Old National Center)*
Thu. Apr. 27 – Cincinnati, OH @ Bogart’s*
Fri. Apr. 28 – Cleveland, OH @ House of Blues*
Sat. Jul. 29 – New York, NY @ Panorama Music Festival

*w/ The Damned

Pre-order “Can You Deal?” EP –
https://bleached.lnk.to/canyoudeal

Pre-order “Can You Deal?” Zine —
http://www.canyoudealzine.com/

[“Can You Deal?” Album art]

[“Can You Deal?” Zine cover art]

Midnight Oil announce first world tour in over 20 years.

How’s this for a bombshell?  Australian rock legends Midnight Oil announced not long ago that they had some big news coming soon.  Most of us figured it would be a new album, but they’ve announced a globe-spanning world tour instead.

The Great Circle tour is going to be a celebration of the band’s work and will start and end in their home country.  The band will play everywhere from Brazil to the Czech Republic in-between those dates, so catch them if you can.  I plan to catch them in Chicago.

Keep your mind open.

Burger Boogaloo 2017 announces lineup with John Waters returning as host.

BURGER BOOGALOO, JULY 1-2 IN OAKLAND, ANNOUNCE 2017 LINE-UP!

IGGY POP, JOHN WATERS, X, BUZZCOCKS, GUITAR WOLF, AND MORE!

“I’ve been a punk at heart even before there was such a thing and hosting Burger Boogaloo always ups my street cred. I’m the oldest juvenile delinquent there.”
– John Waters

Today, Oakland’s favorite music festival (as voted by the readers of the East Bay Express), Burger Boogaloo, which happens July 1st & 2nd at Mosswood Park, announces its line-up for 2017, and whoo-boy it’s a doozy. The most ambitious lineup yet, Burger Boogaloo is celebrating its 5th year at Mosswood by announcing Iggy Pop, Buzzcocks, X, Guitar Wolf, and many more will be joining this year’s festivities. And naturally, the event will be hosted by the inimitable John Waters yet again (his third year as host! If that’s not a seal of approval, we don’t know what is!). Every year the Burger Boogaloo surprises the audience with its unique, over-the-top stage sets and productions. Last year the Mummies drove in to the park in their 1966 Pontiac Bonneville Mummies Mobile, and played their headlining set on top of the car. What surprises are in store this year? Who the hell knows?

Because Mosswood Park has always been so generous to the Boogaloo, this year, the festival donated 100% of the first week of early bird ticket sales to the park to help rebuild their recreation center, which burned down last year. If you’d like to contribute to Mosswood Park’s Rec Center fund, you can do so here. Burger Boogaloo would like to thank all who purchased those tickets for their donations to Mosswood.

Tickets go on sale at 10 AM PST/1PM EST, with 2-day general admission passes for $129 and VIP 2-day passes for $199 (includes a swag bag with mixtape, a college diploma, and more, as well as unlimited exit/reentry privileges!). Single-day tickets can be purchased for Saturday and Sunday at $99 and $69, respectively. Tickets can be purchased here: http://burgerboogaloo.com/.

 SATURDAY, JULY 1ST
Iggy Pop
Guitar Wolf
NoBunny
Baby Shakes
Bloodshot Bill
Personal & The Pizzas
Wounded Lion
Car Crash

SUNDAY, JULY 2ND
Buzzcocks
X
NRBQ
Roy Loney (Flamin’ Groovies)
Shannon & The Clams
Quintron & Ms. Pussycat
La Luz
Jacuzzi Boys
Glitter Wizard

Burger Boogaloo Online:
http://burgerboogaloo.com/