It's All Happening: Divine Fits Single, Record Release, and Tour

We'll be the first to admit: we've been remiss in covering the emergence of Divine Fits from studio project into real-life band, but now the time has come. Not only has the Daniel/Boeckner supergroup dropped their first legitimate single, but they've also delivered artwork for their full-length (above), and scheduled something of a mini-tour. And, frankly, we couldn't be more excited.

The single, which is available online or as a pretty vinyl 7", is fronted by the Boeckner-sung track "My Love Is Real". While it is sonically similar to Handsome Furs in both vocal approach and it's synth-laden identity, it also features hints of Daniel backing vocals on the chorus, and syncopated beats that are the Spoon frontman's hallmark. The track's b-side, "I Was Born In A Laundromat" is unquestionably a Daniel-led affair, reminiscent of the first two Spoon records in both production quality, and writing style.

In addition to these two tracks, Merge has also delivered the Daniel-fronted album cut "Would That Not Be Nice". It's nearly impossible to hear this tune and not think of Spoon's cover of "Don't You Evah". That being said, it seems that Daniel has taken on some of Boeckner's vocal reverb and synths for the track, as well as a slightly more clean spacious production approach. It definitely works, and it's a clear example of how this collaboration serves both artists' quite well.

In addition to all of this exciting new material, the band has lined up an end-of-summer tour, and is hitting both coasts, as well as a few spots in between. Tickets for the Music Hall Of Williamsburg show go on-sale tomorrow at noon.

While there are, of course, no guarantees in life, we've got a good feeling about this one. And, despite the fact that we've only heard three tracks, they're sounding damn good (stream all below). If they're any indication of what's to come, this is going to be a record, and a tour, to remember.

Divine Fits Summer/Fall 2012 Dates
AUG 03 2012 Montreal, QC at Il Motore
AUG 05 2012 Chicago, IL at Schubas
AUG 06 2012 Columbus, OH at Ace of Cups
AUG 09 2012 Salt Lake City, UT at Twilight Concert Series
AUG 14 2012 Los Angeles, CA at The Bootleg
AUG 30 2012 Seattle, WA at The Crocodile
SEP 05 2012 Toronto, ON at Lee's Palace
SEP 09 2012 Brooklyn, NY at Music Hall of Williamsburg
OCT 14 2012 San Francisco, CA at Treasure Island Music Festival

The Features Mount Spring Tour

We've long been admirers of The Features: their throwback sound is energetic, raucus, and everything we love about rock and roll. Given that, we were psyched to see that the band has decided to mount a spring tour, and find their way up the east coast from Tennessee. In addition to a May 2nd date at Brooklyn Bowl mentioned on their website, the band will also be playing at May 9th gig at Mercury Lounge. These guys can seriously deliver in a live room, and in a nice small space like Mercury Lounge, well, let's just say it's worth your while.

Tickets go on sale tomorrow at 9 AM.

mp3: The Features - The Way It's Meant To Be

Besnard Lakes Coming To Bowery Ballroom In May

The Besnard Lakes at the Independent, from the HAD Archive. Photo by Brian Fong.

We've been singing the praises of The Besnard Lakes, both live and on record, for a while now. So we were pretty psyched to discover that the band is making a quick east coast headlining run in early may. Specifically, they'll be stopping at the Bowery Ballroom on the 13th of May. We're more than a little bit stoked to check out the band, and we suggest you do the same. If you happen to be in Boston or DC, you can check out the band in your hometown as well, at Great Scott and The Black Cat, respectively. See you out there!

Tickets are on sale now.

mp3: The Besnard Lakes - Albatross

J. Mascis and Kurt Vile Coming To Music Hall Of Williamsburg In March

J. Mascis with Dinosaur Jr. in Central Park, from the HAD Archive

Clearly there is a booking agent somewhere with some damned fine taste with regards to rock and roll: J. Mascis be coming to Music Hall of Williamsburg on March 25th, in support of his new record Several Shades Of Why. The record drops on March 15th from Subpop, and if the first track "Never Enough" (below) is any indication, the record will see Mascis taking a more chill path with his solo tunage this time around.

Kurt Vile at Amnesia, from the HAD Archive

As if that weren't enough, Mascis will be joined by Kurt Vile and The Violators, who will be out in support of their new record as well. Considering Vile's rapidly growing fanbase (and awesomeness), we're not sure he should be put in an "opener" slot. That being said, Mascis is a bit of a legend, so getting twice as much bang for our buck certainly isn't something to complain about.

Tickets go on sale this Friday at noon.

Update: The dates also include an evening at Mercury Lounge. Details:

J. Mascis And Kurt Vile Spring 2011 Dates

Thursday, March 10 – Ithaca, NY – Castaways
Friday, March 11 – Toronto, ONT – The Great Hall (Canadian Music Fest)
Tuesday, March 22 – Battleboro, VT – Headroom Stages
Wednesday, March 23 – Philadelphia, PA – World Cafe Live
Thursday, March 24 – New York, NY – Mercury Lounge
Friday, March 25 – Brooklyn, NY – Music Hall of Williamsburg
Saturday, March 26 – Boston, MA – Brighton Music Hall
Wednesday, March 30 – Cleveland Hts, OH – Grog Shop
Thursday, March 31 – Ann Arbor, MI – Blind Pig
Friday, April 01 – Chicago, IL – Subterranean
Saturday, April 02 – Minneapolis, MN – 7th Street Entry
Thursday, April 07 – Atlanta, GA – The Earl
Friday, April 08 – Athens, GA – Melting Point
Saturday, April 09 – Asheville, NC – Grey Eagle
Sunday, April 10 – Carrboro, NC – Cat’s Cradle

mp3: J. Mascis - Never Enough

mp3: Kurt Vile - Jesus Fever

Suuns Coming To Mercury Lounge And Rock Shop In January

Suuns at Bowery Ballroom, from the HAD Archive

We made no secret of our love for Suuns set when they opened for Land Of Talk at Bowery last fall. So, then, it should come as no surprise that we were stoked to learn that they'll be back in town at the end of January: The band plays The Rock Shop on January 25th and Mercury Lounge on January 27th.

To see the band in these smaller rooms will unquestionably be a treat, and judging by the high crowd enthusiasm at their set at Bowery, we're guessing it may be your last chance to catch them this up close and personal. What's more, the show is part of a set of east coast dates just before Suuns head to Europe for the month of February. We highly recommend you get your dose of their killer live show while they're still stateside.

Suuns East Coast Dates Winter 2010
JAN 20 Quebec, CA Quebec City, Qc, CANADA
JAN 23 Higher Ground South Burlington, Vermont, US
JAN 25 The Rock Shop Brooklyn, NY
JAN 26 Shea Stadium New York, NY 11206
JAN 27 Mercury Lounge New York, NY
JAN 28 Funk N Waffles Syracuse, New York , US
JAN 29 Lee's Palace W/The Besnard Lakes Toronto, ON, CANADA

mp3: Suuns - Gaze

White Rabbits Plot Winter East Coast Tour

White Rabbits at the Independent, from the HAD Archive

We've long championed the awesomeness of White Rabbits' live show, so it follows that we were completely amped to hear that the band has scheduled a quick east coast tour for February. The tour is currently five dates, including the Bowery Ballroom in New York (tickets are on sale now) on February 26th.

Frankly, we're stoked to see the band still playing some manageable-size venues. As they've gotten bigger, and their live show has gotten hype, we were concerned they might drift to some bigger-draw rooms. Thankfully, things are being kept in check, so that you can enjoy the band's awesomeness in nice, intimate setting. We'll see you there.

White Rabbits: Winter 2011 Tour Dates
02/23/11 Hoboken, NJ -Maxwell’s
02/24/11 Boston, MA - Paradise
02/25/11 Williamstown, MA - Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute
02/26/11 New York, NY - Bowery Ballroom
02/27/11 Washington D.C. - Rock and Roll Hotel

mp3: White Rabbits - Rudie Fails

Chocolate Genius Coming To The Bell House

We first heard Chocolate Genius when we were living in Seattle back in the summer of 1999. He was a guest on David Byrne's program Sessions From West 54th, and he blew us away with his distinctive vocals on the heart wrenching "My Mom"(below). Since then, Marc Anthony Thompson has taken the Chocolate Genius moniker through a number of iterations, landing on the current Chocolate Genius Inc.

That's the name that Thompson has applied to his collective, and their subsequent work over the past few years. Regardless of what he calls it, we can assure you that Thompson is a singular talent, and well worth your time. Lucky you, then, that he'll be playing at The Bell House on November 2nd. Make sure you're there.

Tickets are on sale now

mp3: Chocolate Genius - My Mom

Badly Drawn Boy Playing Two Nights At Le Poisson Rouge

We'll grant you, it's been a while since we've been pulled in by Badly Drawn Boy's tunes, but when we caught wind of the man playing two nights at Le Poisson Rouge, we took notice. Turns out there's a new album that dropped two weeks back that's actually quite good. Entitled It's What I'm Thinking Pt. 1 - Photographing Snowflakes, the disc is getting some notice for reuniting Damon Gough with longtime collaborator Andy Votel. The lead track, "Too Many Miracles" (below), is a definite return to Gough's early writing, and features a grainy orchestra supplemented by some nice castanets.

New releases aside, there's no denying that Gough is an awesome songwriter, and seeing him the fantastically small room at LPR will definitely be a treat. Granted, if you're planning seeing Tweedy at the Bowery, you'll have to work your schedule: the BDB shows are on 12/3 and 12/4. There's nothing wrong with having a weekend full of awesome songwriting, and it might just be a fantastic way to start off your winter!

Tickets are on-sale now.

mp3: Badly Drawn Boy - Too Many Miracles

James Chance and The Contortions Reuniting At Le Poisson Rouge

Do you like yourself some rock and roll history? Do you like to bathe yourself in the foundation of all those bands touring today that you hold so dear? Yes. Us too. Which is why we're so positively stoked to hear that James Chance & The Contortions are appearing in their original lineup at Le Poisson Rouge on November 13th.

Frenetic, exciting, full of soul, and utterly unique, the band were one of the staples of New York's No Wave scene, and appeared on Brian Eno's seminal compilation record of the same name. We've never seen the band, but we've certainly heard them. If that's any indication, then this is going to be some off the hook, next level shit.

Tickets are on sale now - GA, standing only. Get on it.

Crooked Fingers Coming To Mercury Lounge

Crooked Fingers at Great American Music Hall, from the HAD Archive

It's no secret that we love Crooked Fingers, so when we discovered that Mr. Bachmann will be making his way up the coast in December with a series of small shows, we were understandably psyched. Crooked Fingers unquestionably deliver live, and seeing them in rooms this size will be more than a treat. In New York, that means a show at Mercury Lounge; tickets go on sale this Friday at noon.

Really, that's all we should need to say: be there.

Crooked Fingers December Mini-Tour
Dec. 8-Chapel Hill, NC-Local 506
Dec. 9-Arlington, VA-Iota Bar
Dec. 10-Philadelphia, PA-Johnny Brenda's
Dec. 11-New York, NY-Mercury Lounge
Dec. 12-Boston, MA-TT the Bear's

mp3: Crooked Fingers - Call To Love

Caribou Coming To Webster Hall

Caribou at Bowery Ballroom, from the HAD Archive

If last week's free show on Governor's Island didn't fill your Caribou quota (and really, how could it?), then you're in luck. The band will be returning to New York for the third time this year when they visit Webster Hall on September 22nd. While we'd typically be a little skeptical of so many stops in the big apple in a 6 month span, we're gonna hold our tongues this time. Caribou deliver such a monster live show, we'd probably go see them every week for a year if we had the chance.

Tickets go on sale Friday at noon.

mp3: Caribou - Odessa

Guided By Voices Push Reunion Beyond Matador Fest

You may recall that we mentioned a Guided By Voices reunion at the upcoming Matador fest in Vegas. Well now word has leaked out that the band has reconvened for an entire reunion tour, and it's a doozy. Covering a good portion of the US (although more focused on the East Coast) the tour will see the band hitting the road for the first few weeks in October.

For New Yorkers that means a tour-closer at Terminal 5, while San Francisco will see a show at The Warfield early on in the tour. Big-ish venues, yes. Most of these shows go on sale this week (dates and some passwords below), and they're sure to sell like hotcakes, so get on it!

Guided By Voices Reunion Tour 2010
9/30 | East Side Drive | Austin, TX | On Sale 7/16 at 12pm
10/3 | Pearl Theatre | Las Vegas, NV
10/4 | Wiltern | Los Angeles, CA | Pre-sale date TBA
10/5 | Warfield | San Francisco, CA | On sale 7/23 10am-10pm password “bee thousand”
10/7 | Crystal Ballroom | Portland, OR | On sale 7/20
10/9 | Showbox So Do | Seattle, WA | On Sale 7/26 at 10am
10/12 | First Avenue | Minneapolis, MN | On Sale 7/16 at 12pm
10/13 | The Vic | Chicago, IL | On Sale 7/24 at 10am
10/15 | Southgate House | Newport, KY | On Sale 7/16 at 10am
10/16 | Outlands Live | Columbus, OH | On Sale 7/16 10am
10/21 | 9:30 Club | Washington, D.C. | On Sale 7/17 at 10am
10/22 | Cat’s Cradle | Carrboro, NC | On Sale 7/16 at 10am
10/23 | Buckhead Theater | Atlanta, GA | On Sale 7/24 at 10am
11/4 | Late Night with Jimmy Fallon
11/5 | Paradise | Boston MA | On Sale 7/17 at 12pm
11/6 | Trocadero | Philadelphia PA | On Sale 7/17 at 12pm
11/7 | Terminal 5 | New York City, NY | On Sale 7/23 at 12pm

Land Of Talk Headlining At Bowery In November, New Video

Land of Talk at Mercury Lounge, from the HAD Archive

Kids, never say we didn't warn you: Land Of Talk are straight blowing up. The band keeps playing bigger rooms every time they're in New York, and this fall is no exception. They'll be the sole headliner at The Bowery Ballroom on November 6th, and we sure as hell recommend you make yourself present and accounted for.

Not only to Lizzie Powell & Co. have some amazing records, but they also deliver a live set that will completely blow you away. Clearly this is something that the world at large is becoming aware of, and the show is sure to be mobbed. No word on when tickets go on sale, so keep an eye out.

In the meantime, enjoy the sweet vid of the band playing a killer version of "Some Are Lakes" from our friends over at yourstru.ly.

Frightened Rabbit and Plants And Animals Coming To Terminal 5 In October

Plants and Animals at Bowery Ballroom, from the HAD Archive

As recently as last week, we mentioned that Plants and Animals were destined to play bigger and bigger rooms, and it seems we were right on target. In what is looking to be a live rendition of our Top Records of 2008, the band will be joining Frightened Rabbit at Terminal 5 on October 30th.

While we can't say we're exactly stoked that these bands will be in what is probably New York's most sonically vacuous concert hall, we can say that we think it will be a massively exciting bill to catch live. Both bands are incredibly passionate in the live environ, and to have them on the same stage, well, it should be one to write home about.

Tickets go on sale this Friday at noon.

A Few Thoughts Arcade Fire, Spoon, and Madison Square Garden

If the recent sellouts of Radio City by the likes of The National, Vampire Weekend, and Spoon weren't enough to convince you that indie had gone mainstream, this is sure to be the straw that breaks the camel's back. By now you've almost certainly caught wind of what is promising to be the summer's "must see" indie show: Merge Records has taken their two most chart-conquering acts, and for one week in August will send Arcade Fire out into the world with Spoon to play a series of what can only be called very large venues.

For New Yorkers, this means a night at Madison Square Garden; perhaps the most "you've really made it" venue in the world. The gig falls in the middle of a week of shows down the east coast, and is perhaps the closest we've seen an indie gig ever getting to being part-of-the-mainstream. Never mind the vacuous size of the venue, the show also sports a $60 ticket face value, an American Express presale, and all the wonders of dealing with the monstrosity that is Ticketmaster.

Sure, it's always great to see fantastic bands make it big, but at the same time, it's a shame to see their success translated into membership in the all-to-ubiquitous clear channel machine. Don't get us wrong, we love the new Spoon record, and if the white label 12" that dropped a while back is any indication, the new one from Arcade Fire promises to be a gem as well. That being said, we sure wouldn't mind if someone in their management would take a hint from The Clash and realize that doing 17 nights at a small venue with reasonable ticket prices is by far preferable to one night in an enormous room.

Arcade Fire and Spoon Summer 2010 Dates

Aug 1 BANK OF AMERICA PAVILLION BOSTON, Massachusetts
Aug 2 Mann Centre for the Performing Arts Philadelphia, PA
Aug 4 Madison Square Garden New York, NY
Aug 6 MERRIWEATHER POST PAVILLION Columbia, Maryland
Aug 8 Lollapalooza Chicago, IL
Aug 9 Ryman Auditorium Nashville, TN
Aug 11 Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre Atlanta, GA

Tickets to the New York show go on sale Saturday

Pixies Announce London Shows, Release Live Version Of "La La Love You"

Aw, those irresistable Pixies: the band have just announced a pair of off-the-cuff London dates on June 3rd and 4th at Troxy in London. The shows are on sale, and available exclusively through the band's own site. Take that Steve Jobs!

What's more, the band has released a new live version of "La La Love You" in both video (above) and audio (below) form.

Now that's a nice way to start the week, eh?

mp3: Pixies - La La Love You (Live 2009)

Land Of Talk Coming To Bowery In May

Land Of Talk at Mercury Lounge, from the HAD Archive

You may recall how stoked we were at Land Of Talk's sold out show at the Mercury Lounge back in November. Well, apparently we weren't alone: the band will be back at the end of May (the 28th to be exact) to play a double bill with The Besnard Lakes at Bowery Ballroom. Granted, it's a bigger room, but we're pretty confident they'll do a damn good job at filling it.

Tickets are on-sale now.

Broken Social Scene Add Central Park Date

Broken Social Scene at Outside Lands, from the HAD Archive

If you weren't lucky enough to get in on the Webster Hall awesomeness, you're in luck: Broken Social Scene will be back this fall on September 18th to play a date at Rumsey Playfield. The venue (which earlier in the year is host to Summer Stage) is significantly large, but also offers up the opportunity to see the band in the great outdoors, which is pretty damn awesome. Combine that with a sparkling new album, and you've got yourself a winner.

Tickets go on sale this Friday.

mp3: Broken Social Scene - World Sick

Julian Casablancas Adds Irving Plaza Date

If the two night double-decker at Terminal 5 wasn't enough for you, you're in luck: Julian Casablancas has added another New York date to his tour in support of Phrazes For The Young. On March 24th, JC will grace the stage at Irving Plaza (Fillmore east? What?) for one more night with his hometown crowd before he heads out to cross the country on his way to Coachella. Given that Irving Plaza is notably smaller and more intimate than Terminal 5, we're guessing this'll be a good one.

The show is 16+, and tickets go on sale Friday.

mp3: Julian Casablancas - 11th Dimension

Flaming Lips Coming To Central Park, Conquering Dark Side Of The Moon

Flaming Lips at Treasure Island Festival, from the HAD Archive. Photo by Brian Fong.

After the already-monumentous news that Pavement will be there at the end of the season, it is with great anticipation and glee that we came upon the news that none other than the Flaming Lips will be gracing this year's Central Park Summerstage. Backed by the awesomeness of their latest record Embryonic, there is frankly nowhere we would rather see Oklahoma City's favorite sons than under the stars on a beautiful summer evening.

On top of that, the band has taken their iTunes-only version of Pink Floyd's Dark Side Of The Moon live, with a New Year's Eve performance last month, and now the announcement of a similar gig at this year's Bonnaroo. While there's no news yet as to whether the Central Park gig will be Floyd-homage or otherwise, we can pretty much guarantee you it'll be an awesome show, and that you'd be a fool to miss it.

Tickets go on sale Friday at noon.

mp3: Flaming Lips - Money (Pink Floyd Cover)