Dandy Warhols To Release New-Old Album

We're huge fans of The Dandy Warhols, but we'd be lying if we didn't admit that 13 Tales Of Urban Bohemia was really a high point for the band. While we dug Welcome To The Monkeyhouse, somehow it didn't seem like a legit follow up to such a masterpiece, and we simply accepted that fact that perhaps the band had hit some magic sweet spot that they haven't been able to reproduce. Turns out, that may have not been the case.

Apparently the original tapes for Monkeyhouse were entitled The Dandy Warhols ARE Sound, and were turned down by Capital Records upon submission. Rather than take the Wilco route, and risk being dropped, the band allowed the label to remix/remaster the album, and the result was released as the band's next album. This revelation is particularly poignant because Monkeyhouse is such a poppy gem, when compared to the relatively experimental and epic scope of Urban Bohemia. Discovering it's the product of a record company's taste, rather than the band's, makes a whole lot more sense.

Fast forward seven years, and the Dandies are now on their own label and free to do as they please. As such, The Dandy Warhols ARE Sound will now see its first official release on July 14th via the band's own label, Beat The World Records. While we have no idea what the record will actually sound like (we've never heard it, even as a bootleg), we have to say that we are very, very curious.

While you're waiting for the record to drop, there's plenty to keep you occupied: the band has released remix ep's from last year's Earth To The Dandy Warhols, and is lining up so Los Angeles area dates, notably at the Playboy Mansion and Pomona's Glass House. Head to the Dandies' web page to check it all out.

Okkervil River To Join Wilco On Tour

Picture from the HAD Archive

As though you needed more incentive to go see Wilco in June at the Greek: Between the band's stellar live show, and the awesomeness of the new record, it's going to be amazing. Well, now it's going to be even more amazing. We've just gotten a heads up that Okkervil River will be joining Wilco for their late June/early July dates, and that includes the Greek. Killer.

We haven't seen Okkervil River live since 2007, but that was certainly enough to win us over to their sound. Not only is the band a rock solid instrumental unit, but lead singer Will Scheff's persona takes heart-on-the-sleeve to a new level. Given their own level of enthusiasm, it'll be interesting to see what the do with the "opener" slot. Frankly, we'd be lying if we said we weren't hoping for a guest appearance on some Wilco tunes...here's hoping.

Okkervil River Dates Summer 2009
June 14 Manchester, TN Bonnaroo- The Other Tent
June 25 Los Angeles, CA Wiltern Theatre w/ Wilco
June 26 Saratoga, CA The Mountain Winery w/ Wilco
June 27 Berkeley, CA Greek Theatre w/ Wilco
June 28 Stateline, NV Lake Tahoe Outdoor Arena w/Wilco
June 30 Jacksonville, OR Britt Pavilion w/ Wilco
July 03 Morrison, CO Red Rocks Amphitheatre w/ Wilco
July 10 Ottawa, ON Ottawa Bluesfest
July 11 Winnipeg, MB Winnipeg Folk Festival

Dirty Projectors Playing Independent In July, Tickets On Sale Thursday

Picture from the HAD Archive

If you couldn't manage to get yourself a ticket to this weekend's TV On The Radio/Dirty Projectors show at the Fox Theater, or if you just love the Projectors as much as we do, then you'll be psyched to know that the band is planning a headlining tour after they get off the road with TVOTR.

While we haven't been able to discern all of the dates yet, we have gotten word that the San Francisco show will be at The Independent on July 7th. Combine that with the awesomeness of Bitte Orca being released on June 9th, and well, you've got a recipe for a summer of Dirty Projectors goodness.

Tickets go on sale Thursday at 10 AM. Psyched.

mp3: Dirty Projectors - Stillness Is The Move

Ryan Adams: "Magick" Home Demo

Picture from the HAD Archive

We're huge fans of the tune "Magick" off of Cardinology - it's the biggest dose of real ROCK on the whole record. So, we were psyched to see Ryan Adams drop the home demo on his twitter feed this morning. Tasty. Head here to have a listen.

Meanwhile, Mr. Adams second book of poetry, Hello Sunshine, is available for preorder now. We had to look up what a "chap book" was - just sayin'.

Stream: Ryan Adams - Magick (Home Demo)

Doves Played The Fillmore - Pictures, Review, Setlist

On Monday night, Doves dropped in at the Fillmore. San Francisco showed them the love, and they showed it right back. Over the course of an hour and a half, the UK trio (joined by a fourth on keyboards) delivered an energetic set that clearly left both the band and the crowd more than a little enthusiastic. The set drew from all over the band's catalog, from the opener "Jetstream" to the closer "There Goes The Fear". As well as being highly entertaining, it was also a testament to just what a great body of work the band has amassed over the past ten years.

Seeing Doves live is something of an eye opening experience if you're only familiar with the records. The band's studio recordings tend to be highly manicured, layered affairs that seem largely devoid of a "personal" side. Put differently, the band's records can seem a bit icy at times. By stark contrast, the live experience is so full of vitality that you might be shocked if it was your first time seeing the band in person. They so clearly enjoy playing and interacting with the audience, it's a wonder they don't tour more often. On Monday night, it was obvious that the smiles and enthusiasm on both sides of the stage were as genuine as they come.

Obviously, however, enthusiasm can only take you so far, and at some point you need to match it with technical skill. Lucky for them, Doves has it in spades. It's enough of a miracle that the band can reproduce their sound live, but that they can do it so dynamically and accurately, and then add a layer newness on top is simply stunning. The band are all multi-instrumentalists, with everyone singing, adding percussion, and generally working together to create a massive soundscape. To see the trio all singing, while at the same time laying down blistering bass, guitar, and drum parts was a sight (and sound) to behold.

Despite not having a big American chart presence, Doves have manage to carve out a solid American fan base, and it's frankly easy to see why. Their records are carefully crafted and released as they see fit, and then backed by tours that emphasize the strengths of the record so strongly that it's impossible not to find yourself clamoring for more. To be frank, our only complaint is that the band doesn't make their way across the Atlantic more often - we'd love to see them again soon.

Setlist
--
Jetstream
Snowden
Winter Hill
Rise
Pounding
Almost Forgot
10:03
Compulsion
Words
Denier
Kingdom Of Rust
Ambition
Black And White World
The Outsiders
Caught By The River
--
Firesuite
Here It Comes
Last Broadcast
There Goes The Fear

Many more pictures at the HAD Archive

Wooden Birds Release Debut LP, Coming To Rickshaw

While it tends to definitely be on the super-chilled out side of our listening stratosphere, we will readily admit that we've definitely found some pleasure in digging into the records of American Analog Set. That being the case, we were interested to see and hear as blog hype has gradually formed around AAS frontman Andrew Kenny's new project The Wooden Birds.

The last time we saw Kenny, he was keyboarding it up for Broken Social Scene, so it's nice to hear that he's back in the swing of things with his own work as well. We've been listening to The Wooden Birds debut record Magnolia, and digging it quite a bit. That being said, it'd be tough to say it has much distance from the sounds of American Analog Set. Everything down to the percussion and guitar tones pretty much syncs up with AAS's sound - and that's not a bad thing. It's just curious that Kenny has decided to retitle the project given the similarities. Nonetheless, the record is a solid songwriting effort and definitely lives up to the notoriety of Kenny's previous work.

If you give a listen and you find yourself hankering for a live taste, you're in luck. The band has plotted out a tour in support of the record, and will be hitting the US for most of June. In San Francisco, the show will be at the always-intimate Rickshaw Stop, and presented by our buddies over at ipickmynose. Seeing the band in such a small room should definitely be rewarding, and by all accounts their live show is solid as a rock. See you there!

mp3: The Wooden Birds - The Other One

Wooden Birds Spring 2009 Dates
May 27, 2009 : Phoenix, AZ @ Modified
May 28, 2009 : Los Angeles, CA @ Spaceland
May 29, 2009 : San Diego, CA @ Bar Pink
May 30, 2009 : Visala, CA @ Cellar Door
May 31, 2009 : San Fransisco, CA @ Rickshaw Stop
June 2, 2009 : Vancouver, BC @ Media Club
June 3, 2009 : Portland, OR @ Doug Fir Lounge
June 4, 2009 : Seattle, WA @ Chop Suey
June 6, 2009 : Salt Lake City, UT @ Kilby Court
June 7, 2009 : Denver, CO @ Larimer Lounge
June 18, 2009 : Lawrence, KS @ Jackpot Saloon
June 19, 2009 : Minneapolis, MN @ 7th Street Entry
June 20, 2009 : Chicago, IL @ Schubas
June 21, 2009 : Clevland, OH @ Beachland
June 23, 2009 : Cambridge, MA @ TT The Bears
June 24, 2009 : Brooklyn, NY @ The Bell House
June 25, 2009 : Philadelphia, PA @ North Star
June 29, 2009 : Atlanta, GA @ The Earl
July 2, 2009 : Houston, TX @ Walters on Washington

Coldplay Releases Free Live Record

Despite not making its way into our top records of the year, we have to admit that Coldplay delivered more than we expected with last year's Viva La Vida. The record was a significant upgrade from X and Y, and more importantly gave us faith that the band still has some creative juice left in the old noggin.

Now the band has gone and released a live record sourced from the Viva La Vida tour, and released it for free over the web. Entitled Left Right Left Right Left, the album is up and ready for download as we speak. Granted, it's only nine tracks, but you can't really argue with a free release that's intended as a thank you to the fans. What's more, it's nice to hear the Eno-clean of the studio jostled a bit by Chris Martin's notorious live performance.

Head here to grab the album, for the price of your email address.

mp3: Coldplay - Viva La Vida (Live)

Some New Phoenix Vids For Your Enjoyment

Well, it's Monday morning, and almost a week has passed sinced Phoenix's latest record Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix hit the digital domain. As such, the already busy band has kicked the PR machine into high gear, with the beginning of touring (after some unfortunate cancellations) and online "appearances".

The first is a studio session with Stereogum where the band delivered acoustic versions of two numbers: "Lisztomania" off the new record, and "Playground Mania", from the Virgin Suicides soundtrack. You can check out the "Lisztomania" video above, and click here to to see "Playground Love".

The second vid is a semi-official video for the first single off of the new record, "1901". The vid was apparently co-commissioned by Dazed Digital and MTV. It's definitely worth checking out, and if we do say so ourselves: the disjointed neon vibe of the vid suits the song perfectly. Click here and scroll to the bottom of the page to check it out.

Phoenix is on tour now and plays the Regency Grand on June 27th.

David Byrne Releases Live EP For Amnesty International

Picture from the HAD Archive

It's still a little over a month until David Byrne graces the Bay Area with some shows, and we can't wait. Thankfully, Byrne has released a little something to tide us over in the meantime.

In conjunction with Amnesty International, Byrne has put together a 4 track live EP, culled from this tour for Everything That Happens Will Happen Today. Entitled Everything That Happens Will Happen On This Tour, the EP consists of live versions of "Strange Overtones", "Help Me Somebody", "One Fine Day", and "I Feel My Stuff".

While it's not exactly the same as catching a live show, we have to say the EP does a pretty damn good job at capturing the fantastic feel of these live tunes. Pile on the fact that it's a benefit for charity, and that you can "try before you buy", and it's pretty much a no brainer. You can stream and order the EP here.

Stream: David Byrne - Everything That Happens Will Happen On This Tour

Iron And Wine Played Aquarius - Pictures, Review

Prior to a more lengthy set at the Swedish American later in the day, Iron and Wine played a set to a full house at Aquarius Records in the Mission. The show was unquestionably solid, and Sam Beam delivered as only he knows how. Obviously, the venue was ridiculously intimate, and it was really nice to see such a grass roots show from a guy as popular as Beam. Head over to ipickmynose for some solid coverage of the Swedish American show.