Phoenix: "Lisztomania", SNL Tonight

Things are starting to heat up in the Phoenix camp as the band ramps up to the release of their new record Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix. For one, the next single, "Lisztomania" has made it's way to the interwebs, and is firmly proving that "1901" was not a fluke in it's awesomeness. The band is currently filming an official video for the tune, but some kind soul has created an 80's movie mashup that you can watch above, if only to hear the new tune. That being said, the vid is pretty awesome as well.

On top of the new tunage, the band is also all set to make an appearance on Saturday Night Live this evening. While we recommend you catch it on TV (this stuff always looks better on the big screen), we can tell you that we'll be digging the vids up ASAP, so don't stress too much. While it's just a guess, we're willing to wager that tonight's tunes will be "1901" and "Lisztomania". That being said, we really wouldn't mind hearing something a bit older as well. No, we wouldn't mind one bit.

In the meantime, if you're bored and half as obsessed with the band as we are, we highly recommend their blog. It's fantastic.

mp3: Phoenix - Lisztomania

We Have An MP3 Feed

We're sure you've noticed that we periodically link to mp3s in our posts. We provide these mp3s so that you, the HAD reader, can sample tunage before you buy. Hopefully this results in you loving the bands, going to see their shows, and buying mp3s.

You may have also noticed that for a while we were using yousendit to host mp3s, and have recently migrated to hosting them on posterous.com. The reasons were numerous, but the most specific was getting around the whole "click through" debacle, and just allowing you, dear reader, direct access to the music.

However, migrating to posterous also garnered an unforseen benefit: HAD now has available for your consumption an MP3 Podcast/Feed. What this means is that if you subscribe to the HAD feed, you'll get all of the mp3s we're posting automagically via your podcast client. In short, it's an even faster, easier, more automated way to get exposed to new music.

So, all you need to do is subscribe to a podcast in your client (in iTunes it's under "Advanced") using this url: http://hippiesaredead.posterous.com/rss.xml After that, you should start getting automated updates as we put sample mp3s up for consumption. Enjoy!

Ben Kweller's Gone a Little Bit Country: New Record, Web Series, Tour Starts Tonight

Let's start by saying this: we're suckers for Ben Kweller. The man has a gift for melody, lyrics that seem genuinely personal, and a production team that knows how to make a solid rock and roll record. All that being said, we weren't too surprised to find ourselves digging his new record. What we were surprised to find is that Kweller has decided to throw down the country music gauntlet.

Changing Horses has all of the Kweller trademarks - his vocals and lyrics are front and center, and all of the songs are driven by his acoustic guitar. Yet he's acquired a host of instruments in his band that firmly push him into country territory. Pedal steel or slide guitar lines many of the tracks, and many of the choruses are full on group singalongs.

Granted, many of Kweller's tunes already had a folk feel that lends itself easily to a country sound. The thing that seems to have changed here is that Kweller seems to have embraced his country side completely. No longer is it the sound of a singer-songwriter trying to rock - it's the sound of a country singer singing country rock music. To be frank, the transition is so smooth that we wouldn't be surprised if this record takes on something of a landmark entry into Kweller's catalog. He has managed to find a niche into which his songwriting soundly fits, and the result is his best record in years.

On top of the new record, Kweller has committed himself to a spring tour, as well as a weekly web series entitled "One Minute Pop Song". The tour runs over February and March, and is staying east of the Mississippi for the most part - you can check out the dates below. The web series is actually in it's second season, and apparently gives "behind the scenes looks" into Kweller's personal life. Indeed.

While we can't say we're that stoked to see where Kweller "first kissed his wife" (on the cheek, right? right????), we can say that the new record is top notch. Kweller passed through a country filter is tasty, catchy, and authentic all in one fell swoop. What's more, it's a nice addition to his already rock-solid catalog of songs - check it out.

Ben Kweller Spring Tour 2009
February
16 - Omaha, NE - Slowdown
17 - Minneapolis, MN - Varsity Theatre
18 - Milwaukee, WI - Turner Hall
21 - Cleveland, OH - Case Western Reserve U
22 - Toronto, ONT - The Mod Club Theatre
24 - Somerville, MA - Somerville Theatre
25 - New York, NY - Town Hall
26 - Washington, DC - 9:30 Club
27 - Philadelphia, PA - TLA
28 - Pittsburgh, PA - Diesel
March
01 - Carrboro, NC - Cat's Cradle
03 - Lousiville, KY - Headliners Music Hall
04 - Nashville, TN - Mercy Lounge
05 - Athens, GA - 40 Watt Club
06 - Birmingham, AL - Workplay Theater

mp3: Ben Kweller - Old Hat

Dear Diary: Ryan Adams Attempts To Reduce Drama By Inducing It

Picture from the HAD Archive

Oh, Ryan Adams, how we love thee. Amazing music, outlandish behavior, and boyish good looks. Is there anything more to be desired in a rockstar?

In this, the latest entry in the Ryan-Adams-loves-but-hates-the-internet-and-blogging-and-music drama journal, Mr. Adams claims to be retiring from music (and blogging!) in attempt to reduce drama and enjoy his life. To be, fair, it really seems like an earnest post, and it appears that Mr. Adams simply has a lot of shit to work through (Not to mention some apparently serious hearing loss issues. Ick.)

Ry, we feel you man: drama's never a good thing. But giving up music? Come on, don't leave us hanging like that - you can enjoy life and make records, no?

Stereogum has the full text of the post.

Broken Social Scene: Winter Tour, Potential San Francisco Date?

Photo from the HAD Archive

Broken Social Scene has set up a handfull of winter tour dates for January, as they continue to support their latest record Something For All Of Us. As we perused the dates, we couldn't help but notice that the band is coming to the West Coast without an announced stop in San Francisco.

Given that the band has yet to make a headlining appearance in the city (Outside Lands is their only appearance in San Francisco since the record's release), we have to admit we're kinda surprised. And then we noticed: a conspicuously open date on Tuesday, February 3rd. Granted this is all speculation and wishful thinking on our part, but wouldn't a stop in the city really make for a good time? Come on guys - please?

While you're contemplating the bands possible (or impossible, you decide) arrival in our fair city, you can check out some behind-the-scenes photo goodness over at the band's tour blog and even enter for a tasty holiday gift pack.

Broken Social Scene Winter 2009 Tour Dates
Friday January 30th, 2009 Dallas, TX House of Blues
Saturday January 31st, 2009 Austin, TX Bass Concerts Hall - University of Texas
Monday February 2nd, 2009 Houston, TX Numbers
Wednesday February 4th, 2009 Portland, OR Wonder Ballroom
Thursday February 5th, 2009 Seattle, WA Showbox SoDo
Friday February 6th, 2009 Vancouver, BC Orpheum Theatre
Friday March 6th, 2009 Miami, FL Langerado Festival

Ryan Adams Has A Blog

Rainy-Face from Ryan Adams on Vimeo.
News has slowly been drifting out about Ryan Adams' new blog, and it does appear to exist, as D. R. Adams Films, Inc. The site is a mishmash of content: pictures, poems, art, and video. While some are claiming it's "Adams going crazy on the internet", we're more prone to think that it's a (welcome) on-line insight to Adams' creative urges. Plus, hey: exclusive interview with Bob Mould! The video above features a new song "Rainy Face", and Adams has mentioned that he actually has an entire album in the can. Good to hear. In the meantime, go and checkout the blog while it's still around! (Make sure you check out the archive section, there's lots to see!)