John Cale Readies New Record, BAM Appearances (Video)

Around these parts, our love of John Cale has only increased in recent years, as the once-Velvet rocker has expanded his musical vocabulary to all sorts of electronics, and released some of the most pleasing records of his career. As such, we couldn't have been more delighted to learn that Cale has a new record on tap for next month.

Shifty Adventures In Nookie Wood drops on October 1st, and the first taste we've gotten is fantastic. The track "Face To The Sky" is a meditative ballad, with a killer abstract video to go along side. You can check out the video below, and enjoy the loveliness. If the rest of the record follows suit, we're sold.

On top of the new album excitement, Cale is also scheduled to arrive at BAM in January after a fall European tour. Over three nights, he will deliver two performances of his classic solo record Paris 1919, along with a one night tribute to his frequent (and sadly, deceased) collaborator, NICO. It's always good to know there's a highlight in store to make our January a bit less bleak. Excitement abounds!



John Cale Winter 2012-13 US Dates
Wed. Jan. 16 – Brooklyn, NY @ BAM [Life Along The Borderline - tribute to NICO]
Fri. Jan. 18 – Brooklyn, NY @ BAM [When Past & Future Collide: Paris 1919]
Sat. Jan. 19 – Brooklyn, NY @ BAM [When Past & Future Collide: Paris 1919]

Sondre Lerche Drops First Bonus Track From Reissues, Tour Dates

Sondre Lerche @ The Great American Music Hall, from the HAD Archive

It's no secret that we here at HAD are huge vinyl fanatics, so when we heard that Sondre Lerche's first four records were being reissued, and simultaneously would be available on vinyl for the first time, we were very, very, excited. However, our excitement was not to end there.

You see, in addition to all that vinyl-flavored goodness, Lerche is giving us so much more: the reissues are backed with bonus tracks that include demos and unreleased tracks. Stereogum has the first one, a demo of "John, Let Me Go", and if it's any indicator of quality, these are going to be a real treasure trove. What's more, Lerche is also releasing his first live record, Bootlegs, from which you can hear the first track at his website. It is equally killer, and definitely representative of the quality of this live shows.

Which brings us to the final gem: Lerche is headed out on a fall tour in support of the records, and he's covering the bases. He'll be in the East, West, and middle of the US, and provided you're somewhere near a major market, you'll be able to see him. And, let us say, as devotees of his live show since his first US tour for Faces Down, it's one that you don't want to miss.

Sondre Lerche Fall 2012 Dates
9/05 New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom
9/06 Cambridge, MA @ Paradise Rock Club
9/07 Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club
9/10 Philadelphia, PA @ World Café Live
9/11 Pittsburgh, PA @ New Hazlett Theater
9/12 Cleveland, OH @ Beachland Ballroom
9/13 Holland, MI @ Hope College – DeWitt Theatre
9/14 Chicago, IL @ Lincoln Hall
9/15 Minneapolis, MN @ Fine Line Music Café
9/18 Seattle, WA @ The Crocodile
9/19 Portland, OR @ Doug Fir Lounge
9/20 San Francisco, CA @ The Independent
9/21 Santa Ana, CA @ Constellation Room
9/22 Los Angeles, CA @ The Troubadour
9/25 Phoenix, AZ @ Musical Instrument Museum
9/26 Albuquerque, NM @ Low Spirits Bar & Stage
9/27 Dallas, TX @ Club Dada
9/28 Waco, TX @ Common Grounds
9/29 Austin, TX @ Stubbs

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

Lotus Plaza - Spooky Action At A Distance

Given Bradford Cox's prolific output, and penchant for high drama, you wouldn't be blamed for assuming that he was the driving force behind the innovative sounds of Deerhunter, the band which he fronts when he's not performing as Atlas Sound. The fact of the matter, however, is that the band has another, equally important, component in guitarist Lockett Pundt. His outside work, entitled Lotus Plaza, is a window into the other half of Deerhunter's creative output. One listen makes you realize the degree to which the shared band is a creative effort, and how much Pundt has to offer. His latest record with Lotus Plaza is nothing short of a complete win.

As soon as the needle drops in the groove on Spooky Action At Distance, the textures and composition all point to Pundt's contributions to Deerhunter. The sparkling, interleaved guitars, the driving drum beats, and the oddly dry-yet-reverbed sound of the vocals. It is a sonic signature that is tough to imitate, and yet is oddly and deeply tied to Bradford Cox's own solo work.  It's almost as though the artists are travelling a shared path, but Pundt's is the edgier counterpart to Cox's more mellow sibling. While Cox's work can sometimes drift into ethereal bliss, Lotus Plaza stays more grounded in the world of traditional songwriting, with occasional doses of feedback and noise.

And, for what it's worth, that buys the record a lot more repeat listens.  Lotus Plaza has an accessibility and re-listenability that is shared with Deerhunter, and it's largely created by Pundt's fantastic songwriting.  The beats and melodies combine to create a body of work that is fun but complex, and more rewarding with each go round. It is a record that drives you to listen harder, and in turn be rewarded, in a way that only truly great rock records do.

Suffice it to say, we highly recommend you add Spooky Action At A Distance to your listening queue, if you haven't already. We're sure the result will be your presence in your local music hall, as Lotus Plaza starts their tour this week. See you out there!

mp3: Lotus Plaza - Strangers


Lotus Plaza Spring 2012 Tour Dates
4/13/2012 - Chicago IL lincoln hall
4/14/2012 - Ann arbor MI yellow barn
4/15/2012 - Toronto ON the garrison
4/16/2012 - Montreal QC casa del popolo
4/17/2012 - Ithaca NY the haunt
4/18/2012 - Albany NY valentine's
4/19/2012 - Brooklyn NY glasslands
4/20/2012 - Philadelphia PA johnny brenda's
4/21/2012 - Raleigh NC king's
4/22/2012 - Knoxville TN the pilot light
4/24/2012 - Atlanta GA the ear
4/25/2012 - Birmingham AL the bottletree
4/27/2012 - Austin TX psych fest
4/28/2012 - Dallas TX club dada
4/29/2012 - Memphis TN hi-tone cafe

Eleanor Friedberger Heads Out On Spring Tour

Eleanor Friedberger at the City Winery, from the HAD Archive

When we saw Eleanor Friedberger at John Wesley Harding's Cabinet of Wonders last fall, we have to say, we were surprised how much we enjoyed.  We had never really been on board with the Fiery Furnaces, but were taken with Eleanor's solo work.  The songs give her voice more focus and melody, and the production is impeccable. It's one of our favorite listens in recent memory.

As such, we couldn't have been more excited to learn that Friedberger has decided to undertake a spring tour in support of her solo record.  The tour will take place over April and May, covering a fair bit of the eastern US, and one stop in Canada.  Friedberger will be touring with a full band, as well as Merge labelmates Hospitality.  If her two songs at the Cabinet Of Wonders were any indication, this isn't one you're going to want to miss!

Eleanor Friedberger Spring 2012 Dates:
Mar 14-18 Austin, TX SXSW Music Festival (solo)
Mar 24 Marfa, TX Crowley Theater (solo)
Apr 18 Brooklyn, NY The Bell House
Apr 19 Washington, DC Black Cat
Apr 20 Durham, NC The Casbah
Apr 21 Atlanta, GA The Basement
Apr 23 Birmingham, AL WorkPlay
Apr 24 New Orleans, LA Circle Bar
Apr 26 Houston, TX Fitzgerald’s
Apr 27 San Antonio, TX Korova
Apr 28 Austin, TX Frank
May 3 Ferndale, MI Magic Bag
May 4 Toronto, ON Garrison
May 5 Montreal, QC Il Motore
May 6 Allston, MA Great Scott


mp3: Eleanor Friedberger - My Mistakes

Plants And Animals Drop Another Track From Forthcoming Record

Plants and Animals at Bowery Ballroom, from the HAD Archive

It goes without saying that we here at HAD are stoked on the forthcoming Plants and Animals record.  The band has been on our "must play" list ever since they dropped their first full length in 2008, and as they've evolved, they've only gotten better.  Case in point: the newest track from their forthcoming The End Of That.

"Song For Love" embraces the more acoustic songwriter-y vibe that was hinted at in "Lightshow", and even more on display when the band played the Rock Shop on a rainy night in early December. But here's the thing: the band manages to embrace this more conventional aesthetic without eschewing the bits that make their music so distinctive and perfectly unique.  They rock out on the choruses, display utterly perfect technical chops, and create arrangements that are as compelling as they are perfect. In short, this record is fast proving to be another perfect step in the evolution of a band that is getting better by the day.


On top of the killer new track, we also managed to stumble over a killer HD vid for the band's cover of Wolf Parade's "I'll Believe Anything", which was the B-Side to "Lightshow".  If you've seen the band live then, as expected, you'll be psyched for this.  If you haven't, well, check the vid above and enjoy the magic.  Once you're done with that, check out the band's North American tour in support of the record, which starts early next month.

Plants and Animals Spring 2012 Tour 
8th Mar Ritual Nightclub Ottawa, ON
9th Mar Le Cercle Quebec, QC
10th Mar Le Cabaret du Mile End Montreal, QC
14th Mar St David's Church (SXSW) Austin, TX
17th Mar Spill Bar (SXSW) Austin, TX
20th Mar Lucky Bar Victoria, BC
21st Mar Rickshaw Theatre Vancouver, BC
22nd Mar The Crocodile Seattle, WA
24th Mar Mississippi Studios Portland, Oregon
27th Mar Starlite Room Edmonton, AB
28th Mar Republik Calgary, AB
Thu 29th Mar Amigos Cantina Saskatoon, Canada
30th Mar West End Cultural Centre Winnipeg, MB
31st Mar 7th Street Entry Minneapolis, MN
4th Apr TT The Bear's Place Cambridge , MA
5th Apr Kung Fu Necktie Philadelphia, PA
6th Apr Red Palace Washington, DC
7th Apr Local 506 Chapel Hill, NC
8th Apr 529 Atlanta, GA
10th Apr Crowbar Tampa, FL
11th Apr The Social Orlando, FL
13th Apr The Bottletree Birmingham, AL
14th Apr Hi-Tone Cafe Memphis, TN
18th Apr Mercury Lounge New York, NY
19th Apr Mohawk Place Buffalo, NY
20th Apr APK Live London , Ontario
21st Apr Lee's Palace Toronto, ON
11th May Schuba's Chicago, IL
12th May The Frequency Madison, WI
15th May Hi-Dive Denver, CO
16th May Kilby Court Salt Lake City, UT
18th May Bottom of The Hill San Francisco, CA
19th May Satellite Club Los Angeles , CA
21st May Casbah San Diego, CA
25th May Lambert's Austin, TX


mp3: Plants and Animals - Song For Love

White Rabbits Drop New Record, Milk Famous, In March

It's been a while since White Rabbits dropped their second full length It's Frightening, so when news came over the wire this morning that they had a new one on the way, we were psyched for the news.  The new record, which drops March 6th on TBD Records, is titled Milk Famous.

While it's not produced by Britt Daniel, the band still kept their Spoon association close, and roped in long time band producer Mike McCarthy to produce the record in Austin, Texas. If the lead track ("Heavy Metal", below) is any indication, McCarthy managed to help the band stay true to the sound of It's Frightening, and deliver a record that is a windy maze of synth laden guitar lines and driving, compact beats.

In addition to the new record, the band will be heading out on tour this spring.  This is, as anyone who has seen the band on stage knows, fantastic news.  Their live show surpasses the greatness of the records to be its own beast, and is an absolutely revelatory experience.  The tour includes stops at awesomely intimate venues across the US, including the Independent in San Francisco, The Paradise in Boston, and (alright, not so intimate) Webster Hall in New York. Suffice it to say, White Rabbits deserve a great deal of your attention this spring.

White Rabbits Spring Tour 2012
March 6: Philadelphia, PA / Union Transfer
March 7: Washington D.C. / Black Cat
March 8: Charlottesville, VA / Jefferson Theater
March 9: Raleigh, NC / Lincoln Theatre
March 11: Atlanta, GA / Variety Playhouse
March 12: Birmingham, AL / The Bottletree
March 13: New Orleans, LA / One Eyed Jacks
March 14: Houston, TX / Fitzgeralds
March 19: Denver, CO / Bluebird Theater
March 20: Salt Lake City, UT / Urban Lounge
March 22: Portland, OR / Doug Fir Lounge
March 23: Vancouver, BC / Biltmore Cabaret
March 24: Seattle, WA / Crocodile Cafe
March 26: San Francisco, CA / The Independent
March 28: Los Angeles, CA / El Rey Theatre
March 29: San Diego, CA / The Casbah
March 30: Phoenix, AZ / Crescent Ballroom
March 31: Tucson, AZ / Club Congress
April 3: Lawrence, KS / Jackpot Music Hall
April 4: Columbia, MO / The Blue Note
April 5: St. Louis, MO / Plush
April 6: Madison, WI / High Noon Saloon
April 7: Minneapolis, MN / Triple Rock Social Club
April 8: Chicago, IL / Metro
April 12: New York, NY / Webster Hall
April 13: Northampton, MA / Pearl Street Downtown
April 14: Boston, MA / Paradise Rock Club


mp3: White Rabbits - Heavy Metal

Crooked Fingers - New Record, Fall Tour

It's been three years since Crooked Fingers last delivered a record to the world, so we were delighted when we got the news that a new one was on the way.  Breaks In The Armor marks Eric Bachmann's first post-Archers-reunion output, as well as his return to Merge Records, and we have to say:  the time away certainly hasn't done his songwriting any harm.

From the first notes of "Typoon", it is clear that with this latest record, Bachmann is at the top of his game.  The starkness and folky vibe that has defined Crooked Fingers from the get-go is still firmly in tact, but with a renewed edge and vigor.  More importantly, the beat-centric arrangments that have always been a Bachmann hallmark are all over the record:  songs are defined by their percussives as much as they are by their melody.

And then there's the melody:  this is where it gets really good.  We don't know if it's a result of the Archers' reunion, or simply the result of time away from music, but the result is palatably different from the last few Crooked Fingers discs.  The experimental Eric Bachmann has reemerged, and there is a fierce variation of vocal and guitar styles all over the record.  Which isn't to say there isn't a "classic" Crooked Fingers vibe as well: "The Counterfeiter" throws back to the band's more familiar material.  And yet, the combination of all of these parts serve to underscore the urgency and immediacy of these new recordings.

A good studio record is all well and good, but what really makes it really great is a solid live show; at least that's the way we roll around here.  That's why we were so excited to learn that Crooked Fingers is on tour this fall, and will hit just about every part of the country you can imagine.  From past experience, we can already tell you their live show is killer, and with this new material, well, we're very excited.

Crooked Fingers plays Maxwell's tonight, and Mercury Lounge tomorrow.


mp3: Crooked Fingers - Bad Blood


Crooked Fingers Tour, Fall 2010
Thurs, Nov 3--Hoboken, NJ--Maxwell's
Fri, Nov 4--New York, NY--Mercury Lounge
Sat, Nov 5--Brooklyn, NY--Cameo Gallery
Sun, Nov 6--Cambridge, MA--TT the Bear's
Mon, Nov 7--Montreal, QC--Casa Del Popolo
Tues, Nov 8--Toronto, ON--The Drake Hotel
Wed, Nov 9--Detroit, MI--Magic Stick
Thurs, Nov 10--Cincinnati, OH--MOTR Pub
Fri, Nov 11--Chicago, IL--Schuba's
Sat, Nov 12--Milwaukee, WI--Cactus Club
Sun, Nov 13--Minneapolis, MN--Triple Rock Social Club
Mon, Nov 14--Omaha, NE--Waiting Room
Tues, Nov 15--Denver, CO--Larimer Lounge
Sat, Nov 19--Portland, OR--Mississippi Studios
Sun, Nov 20--Seattle, WA--The Crocodile
Tues, Nov 22--Santa Cruz, CA--The Crepe Place
Wed, Nov 23--San Francisco, CA--Bottom of the Hill
Fri, Nov 25--Los Angeles, CA--The Echo
Sat, Nov 26--San Diego, CA--Casbah
Mon, Nov 28--Tempe, AZ--Club Red
Thurs, Dec 1--Austin, TX--Mohawk
Fri, Dec 2--Houston, TX--Fitzgerald's
Sat, Dec 3--New Orleans, LA--One Eyed Jacks
Sun, Dec 4--Atlanta, GA--The Earl

An Horse Return With New Record and North American Tour

We've been huge fans of An Horse ever since we caught them on tour for their first record, Rearrange Beds.  The band is a two piece that manages to manifest a much fuller sound than just the drum/guitar/vocal combo would indicate.  Through a solid base of guitar/drum interplay, Kate Cooper's vocals are cutting and made up the soul of the band's delivery.  On their latest full length Walls, none of that's changed, and that's very, very, good news.

The band's first record has been one that we've come back to frequently, and as such, we weren't exactly hoping for a boatload of change on their next album.  on Walls, the bulletproof songwriting is still in tact, and wonderfully addictive melodies are ever-present.  The biggest change is a subtlety in production:  the percussion is less in your face, and the arrangements feel slightly more delicate and well considered.  Where Rearrange Beds was the sound of a live band banging out parts in the studio, Walls is a road-tested band making careful choices in the studio.

All of this has us very excited, of course, as the band is mounting a US tour this month, and we'll get a chance to hear how these new, more subtle, tracks work out in a live environment.  The band positively kills it live, and given the strength of the new record, we highly recommend you catch up with them when they're in town.  For us, that means the Highline Ballroom on the 22nd, which suits us just find.  See you there!

An Horse 2011 North American Dates
10/06/11 Los Angeles, CA The Troubadour
10/07/11 San Diego, CA House of Blues
10/08/11 Phoenix, AZ Hard Rock Cafe
10/10/11 Austin, TX Emo’s
10/11/11 Dallas, TX Club Dada
10/12/11 Houston, TX Fitzgerald’s
10/14/11 Atlanta, GA Vinyl
10/15/11 Jacksonville, FL Jack Rabbits
10/16/11 Orlando, FL Will’s Pub
10/17/11 Columbia, SC Manifest Records
10/18/11 Carrboro, NC Cat’s Cradle
10/19/11 Washington, DC Red Palace
10/20/11 Boston, MA Royale
10/21/11 Philadelphia, PA North Star Bar
10/22/11 New York, NY Highline Ballroom
10/23/11 New Haven, CT Toad’s Place


Edit: Removed because it refused not to auto-play.

mp3: An Horse - Walls

Toro y Moi - Freaking Out

Toro Y Moi at Mercury Lounge, from the HAD Archive

HAD faves Toro y Moi are continuing their upward trajectory this fall.  Over the past few months they've been on the road playing progressively bigger venues than ever before.  What's more, the band dropped a new EP last week (cover below) entitled Freaking Out.

The record, which consists of 5 tracks clocking in at just under 20 minutes, largely follows the poppier inclinations of the band's last full length Underneath The Pine.  Amidst boatloads of analog synths, Chaz Bundick delivers the sounds that are getting him so much press (and popularity) as a purveyor of the retro-come-modern fodder for the often-fickle dance scene.

However, the tracks that show the greatest are those that tip their hat to the band's earlier, dreamier work.  The band's first record, Causers Of This, is a semi-ambient groove masterpiece, and while it's certainly fun to hear the band drift to the dance world, they'd be smart not to forget their roots.  Unquestionably, the strongest songs on Freaking Out are "Sweet" and "I Can Get Love", both of which take the band's dancier vibe, and filter it through their earlier, more abstracted work.

There's no question that Toro y Moi is continuing to expand their fanbase and their sound.  What remains to be seen if they can do both at the same time.  Chaz Bundick is obviously something of a musical mastermind, and it would be a shame if his talent got watered down to dance grooves alone.  That being said, it's also undeniable that the new grooves the band has discovered are contributing to their growth and sound.  

Perhaps the best place to discover the answer is in the live environ, where they have always more than held their own.  The band continues to be on a near-constant touring schedule, and no doubt this environment offers a boatload of inspiration and rumination for Bundick to bring back to the studio for his next bout with genius.

Toro y Moi Remaining Fall 2011 Dates

09-20 Bloomington, IN - The Bishop
09-22 Champaign, IL - Pygmalion Music Festival
09-23 Cincinnati, OH - Midpoint Music Festival
09-25 Minneapolis, MN - Triple Rock
09-29 Vancouver, British Columbia - Venue
09-30 Portland, OR - Star Theater
10-03 Los Angeles, CA - El Rey Theater
10-06 El Paso, TX - Lowbrow Palace
10-07 Dallas, TX - Club Dada
10-08 Austin, TX - Mohawk
10-09 Houston, TX - Fitzgerald's
10-10 New Orleans, LA - One Eyed Jack's
10-11 Tallahassee, FL - Club Downunder
10-13 Birmingham, AL - Bottletree
10-14 Atlanta, GA - Masquerade
10-28 Asheville, NC - Moogfest
11-05 Sao Paulo, BR - Planeta Terra Festival

mp3: Toro y Moi - Saturday Love

mp3: Toro y Moi - All Alone

Wilco Is Ready To Rock Your World This Fall

Wilco at the Greek Theater, from the HAD Archive

Hot on the heels of the first seven inch from their very own record label (see video below), Wilco have announced that (surprise of the year) the label was not created solely for that lone vinyl release. No, in fact, the band has been hard at work on a brand new record entitled The Whole Love, and will be using their label dBpm Records to deliver it to the world on September 27th.

We'll get to the record in a minute, but first: "I Might". The track is almost a toned-down take on the rock-out Wilco that created "I Am A Wheel". The lyrics are curt and clipped, and the guitars are largely fuzzed out, delivering a basic incendiary rock riff. The rest of the track is fleshed out by percussion that is unquestionably the work of Glenn Kotche, and a collective motion that we associate almost solely with Wilco. While the chilled-out influence of Sky Blue Sky is certainly present, we have to say that it's the most vigor we've heard from the quintet in quite a while.

The record itself (cover above) is comprised of 12 new tracks, and includes "I Might" in addition to 11 others. The band has previewed very little of the material as of yet, aside from a teaser trailer (below) that features snippets of what we assume to be (given the title) the lead track from the record. One has to assume this isn't for wanting to conserve new material, as the band is also issuing a deluxe edition of the disc that will feature three additional new songs, as well as an alternate version of "Black Alone".

True to form, in addition to releasing a serious amount of music, the band intends to back it up by taking their show on the road. If you're paying attention at all to live music, then you know Wilco one of the best bets going, and we can assure you that we've never walked away from a Wilco show doing anything less than grinning ear to ear. Yes, they're that good. This tour will consist mainly of east coast/midwest dates, and will be followed by a European run. We can only assume that the band has a west coast run planned for their return - time will tell.

The Whole Love drops September 27th.

Wilco Fall 2011 US Dates
13 Sep 2011 / Indianapolis, IN / Murat Theatre
16 Sep 2011 / Toronto, ONT / Massey Hall
17 Sep 2011 / Toronto, ONT / Massey Hall
18 Sep 2011 / Montreal, QUE / Métropolis
20 Sep 2011 / Boston, MA / The Wang Theatre
22 Sep 2011 / New York, NY / Rumsey Playfield in Central Park
23 Sep 2011 / New York, NY / Rumsey Playfield in Central Park
25 Sep 2011 / Columbia, MD / Merriweather Post Pavilion
27 Sep 2011 / Raleigh, NC / Raleigh Amphitheater
28 Sep 2011 / Atlanta, GA / Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre
29 Sep 2011 / Atlanta, GA / Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre
01 Oct 2011 / Nashville, TN / The Ryman
02 Oct 2011 / Nashville, TN / The Ryman
04 Oct 2011 / St. Louis, MO / Peabody Opera House
05 Oct 2011 / Madison, WI / Overture Hall

The Whole Love Tracklist

Art of Almost
I Might
Sunloathe
Dawned On Me
Black Moon
Born Alone
Open Mind
Capitol City
Standing O
Rising Red Lung
Whole Love
One Sunday Morning (Song For Jane Smiley’s Boyfriend)

mp3: Wilco - I Might

New Music: WATERS

We've long been fans of Port O'Brien, and despite its always fluid lineup, that band was unquestionably always centered around the songwriting of frontman Van Pierszalowski. Given that, when we discovered that Port O'Brien had called it a day, and Pierszalowski was starting fresh, we were more than a little curious what that might entail. The answer has now been revealed, in the form of a band called WATERS.

While WATERS is still rooted firmly in the vocals and songwriting that made Port O'Brien so great, it's also a pretty massive departure. From the two tracks we've heard, it seems that the folkiness has been left behind in favor of a fuzzy, more aggressive rock sound that had been familiar at some of the late Port O'Brien shows. It seems it would be not totally off-base to make a comparison to Neil Young's transition to hard rock in the 70's and 80's.

Given the Pierszalowski's propensity to deliver in a live environment, we feel pretty sure that their live show will be on par with, if not surpass, Port O'Brien's. Combine that with the fact that original Port O'Brien bassist (and Grand Lake frontman) Caleb Nichols is joining WATERS for their fall tour (dates below), and well, count us in.

WATERS is on tour now, Out In The Light drops September 12th September 20th.

WATERS Fall 2011 US Dates
AUG. 19 VANCOUVER, BC BILLMORE CABARET
AUG. 20 SEATTLE, WA CHOP SUEY
AUG. 22 SAN FRANCISCO, CA THE INDEPENDENT
AUG. 24 SALT LAKE CITY, UT KILBY COURT
AUG. 25 DENVER, CO HI DIVE
AUG. 27 LAWRENCE, KS THE BOTTLENECK
AUG. 28 NORMAN, OK OPOLIS
AUG. 29 DENTON, TX HAILEY’S
AUG. 30 AUSTIN, TX THE MOHAWK
AUG. 31 EL PASO, TX LOWBROW PALACE
SEPT. 1 PHOENIX, AZ RHYTHM ROOM
SEPT. 2 SAN DIEGO, CA BAR PINK

mp3: WATERS - O Holy Break Of Day

mp3: WATERS - For The One

Smashing Pumpkins: New Music, Fall Tour

Keeping up with Billy Corgan can be a bit of an exercise is patience and tolerance. His work as a solo artist, producer, and front man for multiple bands can get rather perplexing as one tries to figure out where his heart lies. And yet, it seems that Billy always returns to his roots, and that his heart rests, eventually, with his first band, Smashing Pumpkins.

After a few conflated reboots, it's easy to simply dismiss the Pumpkins as simply a relic of the nineties, that never really had a moment in the sun after their classic Mellon Collie & The Infinite Sadness. To some extent, that's true. Despite Corgan's studio and guitar prowess, the band hasn't realized anything close to it's late 90's success. Moreover, Corgan's attempt to cross genre boundaries has often fallen short, and left even the most devout fans a tad disappointed.

Such was the climate in late 2009 when longtime drummer Jimmy Chamberlin left the band, and Corgan started new once again. Around HAD, we're something of Corgan devotees, so despite our inclination to roll our eyes, we had to stick around and give the new material a taste. And let it be said: we're damn glad we did.

Corgan's new material began to be released in 2010 under the moniker of Teargarden By Kaleidyscope. The release was intended to be a set of 4 EPs, released digitally via the Pumpkins' online store, and then further down the road as limited edition physical releases. This was all well and good, and seemed like a solid fan-centric strategy for the Pumpkins in the wake of a number of fallen-short efforts. Then something interesting happened: the records turned out to be really, really, good.

It's tough to express how enjoyable the first two Teargarden releases are, except to say this: they're as good some of the Pumpkins' best classic moments. Granted, if you're searching for Billy's early 90's pure-shredding style, this is probably less your style. But if you're into the studio experiments and theatrics of Mellon Collie, then you are in for a treat. Across the 8 tracks thus released from Teargarden, Corgan delves into synths, orchestras, straight-ahead rock, and acoustic pop. It is a record as versatile as Mellon Collie, but with a relaxed perspective only heard previously in Corgan's work with Zwan.

Apparently we weren't alone in our perspective on Teargarden: in April Corgan announced that the future EPs would be postponed, and the band would be releasing a new "record within a record" entitled Oceania, and touring in support. Suffice it to say, we're more than a little excited to see and hear where this goes. For once, it seems that Billy Corgan has truly hit his stride, and found somewhere that he feels comfortable making awesome rock and roll. For Smashing Pumpkins fans, that's a very good thing.

Oceania is tentatively targeted for late 2011 digital release.

Tickets for the band's fall tour go on sale this Friday at noon.

Smashing Pumpkins Fall 2011 Dates

Oct. 05 - Wiltern Theatre - Los Angeles, CA
Oct. 07 - The Fox Theatre - Oakland, CA
Oct. 08 - Cosmopolitan - Las Vegas, NV
Oct. 10 - Ogdan Theatre - Denver, CO
Oct. 13 - Riverside Theatre - Milwaukee, WI
Oct. 14 – [to be announced] - Chicago, IL
Oct. 15 - The Fillmore - Detroit, MI
Oct. 17 – 9:30 Club - Washington, DC
Oct. 18 - Terminal 5 - New York, NY
Oct. 19 - Lupo's - Providence, RI
Oct. 21 - Orpheum Theatre - Boston, MA
Oct. 22 - Tower Theatre - Philadelphia PA

mp3: Smashing Pumpkins - Owata

Vetiver: New Record, Fall Tour

Vetiver at the Great American Music Hall, from the HAD Archive

We've been fans of Vetiver ever since we stumbled upon To Find Me Gone some 5-odd years ago. Lucky for us, the band is stil going full speed ahead, delivering their own unique brand of pop infused folk (or is it folk infused pop?), and creating records that not only appeal on first listen, but also unquestionably stand the test of time.

Given that, we were a tad embarassed to realize that the band had released a fantastic new record, and it had completely slid under our radar. Entitled The Errant Charm (cover above), the record is the band's poppiest work to date. It takes the easy-going accessibility of Tight Knit, and brings it even closer to "everyone you know will love this record" territory. Not to worry: the band's hallmark mellow-ambient vibe is still firmly in tact. It's simply resting on a bed of even more lushly produced tracks that truly maximize its potential.

In addition to the record, the band has also released a fantastic stop-motiony video for "Wonder Why" (above), and is heading out on tour across the US this fall. After the Outside Lands festival last week, the band will hit the Bumbershoot Festival in Seattle, and then head out through the midwest, down the east coast, and then back home. Given the strength of the new record, we would only stand to double our standing recommendation for Vetiver: get out there. These folks are creating some fantastic tunes, and can represent on a stage. It's well worth your while.

mp3: Vetiver - Wonder Why
mp3: Vetiver - Can't You Tell

Vetiver Fall 2011 Dates
September 3 - Bumbershoot Festival - Seattle
September 6 - First Avenue - Minneapolis, MN
September 7 - The Mill - Iowa City, IA
September 8 - Lincoln Hall - Chicago, IL
September 9 - Southgate House - Newport, KY
September 10 - Mr. Smalls Theater - Pittsburg, PA
September 11 - Tiger Mountain & Truck Festival - Big Indian, NY
September 12 - Middle East - Cambridge, MA
September 13 - Bowery Ballroom - New York, NY
September 14 - First Unitarian Church - Philadelphia, PA
September 15 - Black Cat - Washington DC
September 17 - Motorco - Durham, NC
September 19 - Off Broadway - St. Louis, MO
September 20 - Jackpot - Lawrence, KS
September 22 - Bluebird Theater - Denver, CO
September 24 - Urban Lounge - Salt Lake City, UT
September 26 - Flying M - Nampa, ID
September 27 - The Belltower - Pullman, WA

New Ryan Adams Record On Tap For October

Ryan Adams at the Catalyst, from the HAD Archive

Oh my: this is the news we've been waiting for. Following his solo acoustic tour in Europe, details have emerged regarding Ryan Adams' forthcoming record. Produced by Glyn Johns, and entitled Ashes & Fire, the record is set to drop on October 11th. In addition to releasing the record, Adams will embark on a solo US tour in support, touching down in California and the Pacific Northwest. Aside from that, the only other details we have are the tracklist (below), and the fact that the record will feature guest appearances from Heartbreakers' keyboardist Benmont Tench, and longtime Adams compatriot Norah Jones. Hmm.

Ryan Adams - Ashes & Fire Tracklist

Dirty Rain
Ashes & Fire
Come Home
Rocks
Do I Wait
Chains Of Love
Invisible Riverside
Save Me
Kindness
Lucky Now
I Love You But I Don't Know What To Say

New Music: Appetite

California's Appetite was originally conceived by Teddy Briggs as nothing more than a songwriting project. However, it quickly blossomed and became much, much, more. The band's debut effort Scattered Smothered Covered drops on August 16th, and delivers a consolidated effort of song composition, studio intricasies and delightfully organic feel reminiscent of Feels-era Animal Collective.

The record is being accompanied by a fantastic video for the first single, "Tussy" (above), as well as a quick west coast tour that will see performances in Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, and Los Angeles (below). While we have yet to see the band live, if the record is any indication, this would be a great time to get out there and indulge in their sound. Between the loopy noise tracks, layered vocals, and insistent rhythms, Appetite is creating some of the most creative jams we've heard in a while.

mp3: Appetite - Tussy

Appetite Summer 2011 Dates
08.10- Seattle- The Sunset Tavern
08.11- Portland- Holocene
08.19- Davis, CA- Sophia’s Thai Kitchen
09.09- Sacramento, CA- Bows and Arrows Collective (RECORD RELEASE PARTY)!!!!
09.14- San Francisco- Bottom of the Hill
09.16- Modesto, CA- Deva Cafe-Off The Air Presents!
09.17- Los Angeles- Origami Vinyl In-Store 7pm

The Sea and Cake Set To Tour In November

The Sea and Cake at GAMH in 2008, from the HAD Archive

Oh, how we love The Sea and Cake. Their records are endlessly addictive additions to our home catalog, and their latest, The Moonlight Butterfly, is no exception. However, if there's one thing the band does better than making records, it's playing live. Their live sets are immaculate presentations of their distinctive, jazz influenced rock sound. Luckily, the band has decided to tour in support of their latest, with a full US tour in November. If you miss this, you're silly, and we certainly won't be making excuses for your absence.

mp3: The Sea And Cake - Up On The North Shore

The Sea and Cake - 2011 Tour Dates
Fri 11/04/11 Magic Stick Detroit MI
Sat 11/05/11 Lees Palace Toronto ON
Sun 11/06/11 La Sala Rossa Montreal PQ
Mon 11/07/11 Brighton Music Hall Boston MA
Tue 11/08/11 Bowery Ballroom New York NY
Wed 11/09/11 Union Transfer Philadelphia PA
Thu 11/10/11 Black Cat Washington DC
Fri 11/11/11 Local 506 Chapel Hill NC
Sat 11/12/11 Headliners Music Hall Louisville KY
Fri 12/02/11 The Crocodile Seattle WA
Sat 12/03/11 Doug Fir Lounge Portland OR
Sun 12/04/11 Jambalaya Arcata CA
Mon 12/05/11 Great American Music Hall San Francisco CA
Tue 12/06/11 Troubadour Los Angeles CA
Wed 12/07/11 Casbah San Diego CA
Thu 12/08/11 The Mohawk Austin TX
Sat 12/10/11 Voila Acoustique Mexico City Mexico

SUUNS Set To Tour With Handsome Furs, Videos From Both

We were already stoked on the arrival of Handsome Furs' latest, Sound Kapital, so you can imagine how we took it when we discovered that the band will be joined on tour by HAD favorites, SUUNS. The Montreal four-piece have been slated to join their Canadian compatriots for their US tour in the month of September.

Having seen SUUNS in action live twice before, we can assure you that theirs is a set worth arriving early for. Combine that with the fact that Handsome Furs are delivering some of the most aggressive, danceable grooves out there, and, well, this is a tour you're not going to want to miss. Check the dates at the bottom of this post.

In the meantime, you can check two new vids from both bands, Handsome Furs' "What About Us" (above), and SUUNS "Gaze" (below). Happy viewing!

Handsome Furs / SUUNS US Tour Dates

08/30 Santa Fe, NM - Corazon w/ Handsome Furs

08/31 Tucson, AZ- Club Congress w/ Handsome Furs

09/01 San Diego, CA- Casbah w/ Handsome Furs

09/02 Los Angeles, CA- Echoplex w/ Handsome Furs

09/03 San Francisco, CA- Slims w/ Handsome Furs

09/04 Sacramento, CA- Townhouse Lounge w/ Handsome Furs

09/06 Boise, ID- Neurolux Lounge w/ Handsome Furs

09/08 Portland, OR- Music Fest NW

09/09 Victoria, BC- Club 9ONE9 w/ Handsome Furs

09/10 Seattle, WA- Neumos w/ Handsome Furs

Beady Eye Schedule Fall Dates

Hot on the heels of Noel Gallagher's solo project announcement, Beady Eye have returned with some news of their own. The band will be returning to the states for a winter tour in December, and have a new single on the way for next week. You can check the video for "The Beat Goes On" above, and when you're done, the tour dates are below. As we mentioned after seeing the band a few weeks back, the Beady Eye live show is well worth your while.

Beady Eye Fall 2011 US Dates
November 29 Vancouver, BC @ Commodore Ballroom
November 30 Seattle, WA @ Showbox Market
December 2 San Francisco, CA @ The Warfield
December 3 Los Angeles, CA @ Wiltern Theatre
December 5 Minneapolis, MN @ First Avenue
December 6 Milwaukee, WI @ The Rave Ballroom
December 8 Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club
December 9 New York, NY @ Terminal 5

Grooms Set To Deliver Sophomore Effort Proms

You may recall that last fall we were digging quite a bit on the debut effort from New York's own Grooms. As such, we were psyched to discover that the band has a new record on the way, entitled Proms. So far two tracks have dropped from the record.

The first, "Tiger Trees", you can download below, while the second "Prom", is currently streaming over at MTV. Both tracks are decidedly tasty, and continue the awesome blend of cacophony and melody that gave their debut such a unique vibe.

The band has a small tour lined up around the album release, including the Northside Festival this weekend, and a July 9th record release at Death By Audio. Check the rest of the dates below!

Grooms Summer 2011 Tour Dates
June 17 – Northside Festival - Kanine Records Showcase @ Knitting Factory - Brooklyn, NY
June 21 – Embassy Vinyl - Scranton, PA
June 22 - Mercury Lounge - New York, NY
June 23 – Knitting Factory - Brooklyn, NY
June 24 – M Room - Philadelphia, PA
June 25 – Golden West Cafe - Baltimore, MD
June 26 – Strange Matter - Richmond, VA
July 9 - Record Release Party @ Death By Audio - Brooklyn, NY

Proms drops July 12th

mp3: Grooms - Tiger Trees