Death Cab For Cutie

Long known for their ingenious and imaginative videos, Atlantic recording group Death Cab for Cutie are poised to make history with the companion clip for their hugely anticipated new single, You Are A Tourist.

Directed by award-winning filmmaker Tim Nackashi (TV On The Radio, OK Go, Elvis Costello, Radiohead), and conceptualized by frequent collaborator Aaron Stewart-Ahn, You Are A Tourist will be the first ever live, scripted, single-take music video to be broadcast as it is filmed.

You will be able to watch the action unfold before your very eyes at midnight tonight via the streaming device below:

Can't see the stream on your mobile device? Click here.

You Are A Tourist is the first single from Death Cab for Cutie’s eagerly awaited new album, CODES AND KEYS, which is scheduled for release on 30th May.

You can hear the full stream of You Are a Tourist here.

Mick Karn who was born Andonis Michaelides in Cyprus and passed away peacefully in his Chelsea home yesterday surrounded by friends and family.

In June 2010, Mick Karn announced on his website that he had been diagnosed with advanced-stage cancer.

He formed Japan when he was just 15, along Richard Barbieri and brothers David Sylvian and Steve Jansen in 1974.  Originally influenced by the New York Dolls they went on to become popular in the late 1970s and early 1980s before splitting in 1982.

Their debut album Adolescent Sex was released in 1978 but their third album, Quiet Life, released in 1979 saw the band gain more commercial success as their sound erred away from guitar-based rock to a more sophisticated electronic sound.

Japan’s final UK performance came in November 1982, culminating in a six-night sell-out stint at London’s Hammersmith Odeon.

Following Japan, Mick Karn recorded a debut solo album, Titles, and recorded one album as Dali’s Car in 1984 along with Peter Murphy of Bauhaus.  He also played bass and saxophone on Gary Numan’s album, Dance as well as working with other artisits including Kate Bush and Joan Armatrading.

On hearing this tragic news David Sylvian said: ‘May his suffering be at an end, may he find eternal peace.’

Mick Karn (24 July 1958 – 4 January 2011) R.I.P.

Stephen Dale Petit

As well as raising money for the campaign, Stephen Dale Petit’s recent gig at The 100 Club in London on December 1st has brought the new blues pioneer to the attention of many who would otherwise not have heard of him, something which we should all be grateful for.

In his chosen vocation, playing the blues guitar, Petit is already a legend, having performed with all of the modern greats most of whom he can count as personal friends. Such is his personal appeal that he was able to entice the likes of Mick Taylor and Ronnie Wood to join him for the 100 Club gig even before the word ‘charity’ had been mentioned.

He will none the less feel that he has acheived something special over the last month or so, along with the broadsheet press he is responsible for making the public aware of the plight of the 100 Club and whats more he has done something about it.

The gig on December 1st was of course a sell out and attracted plenty of media attention along the way, it has also raised the profile of Stephen Dale Petit which in turn will ensure decent sales of his next single, the proceeds of which will be donated to the 100 Club campaign.

Asked why his feelings run so deep for the club, after the recent show, Petit explained;

“The first gig I went to in the UK was Alexis Korner at The 100 Club. There is no other venue like it on earth – when you walk downstairs it’s like entering a magic portal. I always feel honoured to perform there, and this show was just extra special.”

Stephen Dale Petit Live

Stephen Dale Petit released his second album The Crave earlier this year to huge acclaim, the collection includes some new ferocious blues monsters alongside updated classics by the likes of Robert Johnson, Fleetwood Mac, Little Willie John and Albert King. Number one blues fan Paul Jones of Radio 2 noted upon the release of The Crave, “updates of classic blues songs often don’t work but this one certainly does.”

So what do we know about the man tipped to be the blues guitarist on the tip of every tongue in 2011? Well, quite a bit actually!

• Born by the roadside just outside Joshua Tree, California
• Delivered by a passing black doctor who was also an enthusiastic blues musician
• Weaned on 60’s & early 70s UK Blues-influenced rock
• First guitar – a Gibson SG Special aged 8
• Playing (illegally) and raising Hell in California rock clubs aged 16 alongside Randy Rhoades and co
• Met – and played with – both BB and Albert King
• Descended into drug and alcohol addiction
• Relocated, as a teenager, to his own personal ‘Blues Mecca’ – London – in early 90s
• Fell in with stellar musicians and guitarists – Ringo Starr, Eric Clapton, Mick Jones, Joe Strummer, David Gilmour
• Got clean and sober in UK
• Was first official TfL/Carling London Underground Busker 2003
• Recorded 1st album Guitararama in studio downtime, paid for by busking income
• Sold all of initial 2,000 Guitararama pressings within 6 weeks in London Underground
• Petit progresses from Leicester Sq Tube to selling out London’s 100 Club – the first of eight times in three years!
• Guitararama independent 2007 release through Proper sells out 5,000 repressing
• First of many BBC appearances on BBC Radio 4 Midweek, BBC News and in session on BBC Radio 2 Paul Jones Show
• Guitararama (now picked up and distributed by Universal Music) voted Guitar Magazine’s Album Of The Year 2008
• Guitararama makes HMV Top 10 Blues Album Chart
• Major features/articles Classic Rock; Guitarist; Blues Matters; Guitar; The Independent; Sunday Express; News Of The World
• 2008 eight week College/University Guitar Masterclass and Blues Lecture Tour attracts thousands of new fans
• 2009 major sell-out UK Tour with Special Guest – Rolling Stone Mick Taylor

What others have said about The Crave:

“Petit occupies a stunning middle ground between the fire of Freddie King, the instinct of Jimmy Page and the soul of Eric Clapton”(Classic Rock magazine)

“Petit is sheer class. He’s incredible” (BBC 6 Music)

“The Crave is absolutely the most personal album that has been released this year and possibly the most important – simply brilliant” (Blues Matters Magazine)

“The Crave is a seventeen track masterpiece. This album should see Petit vie for the King of the Blues title” (www.loudhorizon.com)

“Fantastic” (Bob Harris BBC Radio 2)

the thornbills

The Thornbills are Michigan cousins Jim Wigand III and Tamara Finlay, between them they harmonise prose with a unique an saturated aesthetic, the themes addressed in their songwriting deal mainly with issues of perception versus reality and are executed in crystalline folk tunes.

For the Blue Series The Thornbills have chosen two Jack White produced songs, Uncle Andrei is a mysterious ode, reminiscent of a Russian waltz while Square Peg is a driving and charming tune layered with the strum of the guitar and wail of the violin.

wanda jackson

Third Man and Nonsuch Records are proud to produce the latest single from the Queen of Rock and First Lady of Rockabilly, Wanda Jackson who brings the latest taste of her signature style to the label.

On the tracks Thunder on the Mountain and Dust on the Bible, Jackson is joined by new friend, producer and Third Man Records founder Jack White, along with help from Jack Lawrence (The Dead Weather/Raconteurs), Carl Broemel (My Morning Jacket), Patrick Keeler (Raconteurs), Ashley Monroe, Jackson Smith and Karen Elson, to name a few.

Thunder On The Mountain is a particularly exceptional track. Originally penned by Bob Dylan and chosen for Mrs. Jackson by the poet himself – his rockabilly fever dream is given new life by the songstress.

redtrack

Entering into the spirit of Remembrance Day and the upcoming festive period the good boys of indie band Redtrack are giving hundreds of copies of their debut album Whole Town’s Heart to troops serving in Afghanistan.

The band have established themselves as firm favourites of the British forces after playing a gig for the 2nd Battalion Parachute Regiment earlier this year prior to their deployment to Afghanistan.

Last month the band dropped into the BFBS studio’s bfbs-radio.com to perform an acoustic set for the Jessie Aru show and next year the band will perform at the Big H Help for Heroes Festival at The Royal Highland Centre, which is expected to attract up to 30,000 people.

The album has been a huge hit with the music media and the band are passionate in their support of the troops with lead singer Billy Wright saying “Redtrack have always tried to support our boys as much as possible. We are quite close to one of the Para’s bases in Essex so are aware of the sacrifices made by the troops. It’s a great way for us to say thanks to the troops and give them some quality music to listen to when off duty!”

It’s been quite a year for Redtrack who released the album via Club Fandango and have just signed a publishing deal with Peer Music Publishing and have also been snapped up by Mainstage Artists Booking agency following their jaw dropping performance at Leeds / Reading festival on the BBC Introducing stage.

As well as featuring on the cover of this months Artrocker magazine, Redtrack have also been seen on retail screens in Topman and Burtons of all places.

This summer saw them play an exclusive set for Talksport Radio where they were introduced to the legend that is Eric Hall, who promptly presented lead singer Billy with Marc Bolan’s jacket the next day due to the blow away performance in front of Mr Hall.

Following the hectic festival schedule this summer, Redtrack will be touring in Holland later this month and will return with a new single in the New Year.

For further information visit the Redtrack MySpace.

Stephen Dale Petit Live

Having announced that his upcoming gig at London’s legendary 100 Club on December 1st will be a fund raiser for the club itself, Stephen Dale Petit has now announced that proceeds from his next single Need Your Love So Bad will also benefit the Save 100 Club Campaign.

The single is taken from his new album ‘The Crave’ and is now officially titled ‘Need Your Love So Bad (Save The 100 Club)’. Released on December 6th it is expected to sell heavily to a fast-growing and proactive grassroots movement which includes nearly 20,000 Facebook supporters.

The release follows Petit’s December 1st 100 Club benefit gig which will feature former and current Rolling Stones guitarist’s Mick Taylor and Ronnie Wood.

It has now been announced the show will also feature a rare live appearance of British Blues Boom architect, jazz trombonist Chris Barber.

Now in his eighties, Barber was a pioneer of  blues music in the sixties along with blues trailblazers Alexis Korner and John Mayall and was directly responsible for encouraging young hopefuls like Eric Clapton, Peter Green and members of The Rolling Stones.

He helped ferment the British Blues explosion that in turn resulted in the British Blues Invasion exported back to the USA in the mid-late ‘60s.

Organiser Petit enthuses “It’s fantastic that Chris Barber’s coming down to play – he’s one of the Godfathers of modern British music and his connections to the 100 Club are deep and longstanding.”

The single Need Your Love So Bad  (Save The 100 Club) is released on December 6th

The Stephen Dale Petit Save The 100 Club gig will take place on December 1st

The Kerrang! album of the week and much lauded Persistence In This Game was released eary this year picking up great reviews from the music press and was followed by a summer of touring.

The band managed to release three singles from the album during this time, Runaway Now, Loose Change and Say It For Your Sake.

You can catch Straight Lines on their UK tour at the following venues;

HEADLINE TOUR – NOVEMBER 2010
18 Joiners, Southampton
19 HOT DAMN! @ The Purple Turtle, London
21 The Boileroom, Guildford
23 Nottingham, Rock City (Basement)
24 Central Station, Wrexham, Wales
25 The Flapper, Birmingham
26 Corporation, Sheffield
27 York Stereo, York
28 Stereo, Glasgow
29 Sneaky Pete’s, Edinburgh
30 The Well, Leeds

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Jonah Matranga (Far)

Jonah Matranga of Far will be in the UK for a short tour in November, the dates are as follows;

November 2010
10 Brixton, UK – Windmill
11 Newcastle, UK – Trillian’s
12 Manchester, UK – Venue TBC
14 Trier, DE – Exhaus
15 Duisburg, DE – Steinbruch
16 Newport, UK – Le Pub
17 London, UK – Garage (Upstairs)

Far’s ‘At Night We Live’ and Jonah Matranga’s ‘AND’ are out now on Xtra Mile Recordings.

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Dive Dive new single, album and re-issue of back catalogue

Oxford based quartet Dive Dive have stepped out from being Frank Turner’s band bringing singer Jamie Stewart with them for their third self produced album Potential, to be released in January 2011.

The first track to be taken from the album is Liar which will be released on November 29th.

Having had three years with three quarters of the band accompanying folk-rock trailblazer Frank Turner all over the world, their punchy post-hardcore has been refined and fuelled by a renewed desire to play together. As well as the release of ‘Potential’ next year, both of Dive Dive’s previous albums will be available to buy from your favourite digital outlets on 29th November.

Since 2001, Dive Dive have been a growing concern. From their debut in 2005, ‘Tilting At Windmills’ came a barrage of positive press and fan adulation. The Independent, The Fly, Kerrang!, Rock Sound, BBC, NME and John Peel himself all fawned over their initial burst of high-octane energy. Their second album, ‘Revenge of the Mechanical Dog’, released in 2007, built upon their scathing riffs and stop-start dynamics.

They are set to support Frank on his December UK tour – meaning swift diva-like costume changes on the night between sets – which precedes the single release.

December
1st – Lemon Tree, Aberdeen  0844 499 9990
2nd – ABC, Glasgow  0844 499 9990
3rd – 53 Degrees, Preston  01772 893 000
4th – The Plug, Sheffield  SOLD OUT
5th – Regal, Oxford  0871 230 5595
6th – Corn Exchange, Cambridge  01223 578 000
7th – Guildhall, Southampton  0238 063 2601
8th – Lemon Grove, Exeter  01392 263 518
10th – Academy, Leicester  0844 477 2000
11th – O2 Academy, Liverpool  0844 477 2000
12th – Brixton Academy, London  0844 477 2000

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Beans On Toast second album

Beans On Toast will release the follow-up to his two disc 50 track debut ‘Standing On A Chair’ on his birthday, 1st December, eschewing the industry standard of records being released every Monday. It’s called ‘Writing on the Wall’ and it’s 30 minutes of music to celebrate his 30th year on the planet.

This time his distinctive vocals and battered, half size acoustic guitar is joined by a full band, bringing new dimensions to his core oeuvre of direct, poignant, hilarious tales and observations. Rooted in the confessional and anecdotal, Jay’s (Bean’s On Toast) direct, three-chord approach is this time bolstered by a full array of instruments. They complement the already colourful wordplay and bring a new dimension to the melody of his songs, making his honest yarns of drugs, love and friendship larger-than-life.

To celebrate the release of ‘Writing on the Wall’ Beans on Toast will be holding a special Album Launch Party at The Nest in London on the 2nd December.

Album Launch Party @ The Nest
36 Stoke Newington Road
Dalston
London
N16 7XJ
8pm – 4am / £6

marys meals music

Mary’s Meals Music: Fri 29th October 2010 – Old Fruitmarket, Glasgow

Following a week long visit to Malawi, performing in schools and meeting the children who benefit from the work that the local charity that they support does, two of Scotland’s leading musician’s Colin MacIntyre (Mull Historical Society) and Donald Shaw (Artistic Director of the Celtic Connections festival) return to Scotland to perform at the Mary Meals Music Concert that will take place in Glasgow tomorrow, October 29th.

The two friends have organised the benefit concert at the Old Fruitmarket in Glasgow, to raise funds and awareness for the Argyll-based charity that feeds over 420,000 children worldwide. The line-up includes Jon Fratelli, Colin MacIntyre, Eddi Reader, Tommy Reilly, Roddy Hart & Washington Irving. BBC Introducings’ Vic Galloway will be DJ/MC.

Before leaving for Malawi, Colin MacIntyre said;

“I am delighted to be a part of the concert and to help showcase the incredible work Mary’s Meals do. Going to see their work in action will be a trip of a lifetime. And the concert is a great opportunity for me and band to play tracks from my new album.”

Colin and Donald left for Malawi the day after the launch of the 2011 Celtic Connections music festival. Mary’s Meals Music, which is supported by Celtic Connections, will benefit its projects in 15 countries. Tickets are priced at £18  the average cost for Mary’s Meals to feed two children in school for a year.

Malawi is known as ‘the warm heart of Africa’ and is home to a variety of musical styles including Kwela (involving whistles and a skiffle beat) and Malawian jazz (an acoustic variation, using traditional instruments).You can read Colin  MacIntyre’s account of the trip and his experiences on his personal blog.

Mary’s Meals Music on Friday, October 29th, will feature Jon Fratelli, Colin MacIntyre, Eddi Reader, Roddy Hart, Tommy Reilly and Washington Irving, with the BBC’s Vic Galloway as MC and DJ. Tickets are available from Glasgow Concert Halls on 0141 353 8000 or www.glasgowconcerthalls.com

Colin MacIntyre will introduce songs from his new album at the gig, due out in Spring 2011, as well as MHS favourites. It will be the first major solo appearance for John Fratelli (of the Fratellis) and will feature previously unheard songs from his new album, as well as Fratellis numbers.

IN THE CITY UNSIGNED 2010 – LINE UP REVEALED!
Chosen from thousands of hopefuls by the In The City A&R panel, 30 bands have been picked as the latest in a long line of acts showcased during the event’s successful history. In The City Unsigned has been a significant stepping-stone in the careers of many of todays greatest artists including Radiohead, Smashing pumpkins, Chemical Brothers, The Verve an so many more.

The 30 bands selected to appear this year are:
2:54 – Sinister and moody shoegaze two-piece
Andrew Davie – understated singer-songwriter with a songbook of Autumnal tales
Beaty Heart – Lush, percussion-heavy art school hypnotics
Big Deal - Loose, summery pop, joining the dots between Mazzy Star and Tennis.
Brown Brogues – Six strings and two drums-worth of stomping, bluesy garage.
Catfish & The Bottlemen – Wide-eyed rock four-piece
Chad Valley – Jonquil frontman’s disco dreampop solo project
D/R/U/G/S - Soaring, post-dubstep anthemics from Manchester
Dead Models – 50s and 60s-indebted smoky songwriters.
Eagulls - Explosive, bloody-nosed slacker punk from Leeds
Fanzine – breezy, bright-eyed slacker pop from blog darlings
Films of Colour – Swooning, layered epic indie.
Fixers - Tom Tom Club-esque surf-dance quintet
Foreign Office - Infectious synth-flecked new wave
Frontiers - Midlands-based post-punk and shoegaze quartet
Labyrinth Ear – Much hyped boy/girl duo, new to the live circuit
Les Cadets – Latin and electronic-influenced indie-pop.
Milk Maid – Lo-fi grunge pop from Manchester
Misty Miller – Teenage ukulele player with an amazing voice
Monument Valley – London singer-songwriter, with echoes of Nick Drake.
Oberhofer – Much blogged youthful exuberance from New York.
Picture Book – Insistent, dancefloor-driven electro pop
Samuel Diamond – Brooding, Hyperdub-influenced lo-freq. electronica
Sissy & The Blisters – Primal, inventive krautrock from Egyptian Hip-Hop labelmates.
Slow Motion Shoes – Lamacq-approved fizzy neon pop
Smatka – Broad-brush, multi-faceted pop, from innocent to disturbing
Sophie-Rose - Florence and Mystery Jets-approved pop
The Car Is On Fire – Infectious and experimental Polish psychedelia.
The Kill Van Kulls – a four-piece dealing in gloriously harmonious synth-soaked pop
Thomas J Speight – Sweet and wistful folk-inflected songer-songwriter

FURTHER NEW ADDITIONS... Dutch Uncles, Flats, Tribes, ExLovers, Stricken City, The Neat, Youth, Vondelpark, Planet Earth, Egyptrixx, Advances In Mathematics, This Many Boyfriends, Ana Free, Nikki Garnett, Easter, From The Kites Of San Quentin, Holden, Rook and the Ravens, The Horn The Hunt, 1913, Berlin Berlin, Hey Zeus, The Hidden Revolution.

For further information visit the In The City website

Following the release of their latest highly acclaimed album Blood/Candy, which received five star ratings from Mojo, Uncut and Sunday Express, The Posies will be performing a one of gig at The Garage, in London tomorrow night, October 5th.

Sublime with Rome

Having announced their return earlier this year with new frontman Rome, Sublime will be making their first ever appearance in the UK this week.

The band will play two live dates, the first in Manchester at the O2 Academy2 on October 7th, followed by the O2 Shepherds Bush Empire on October 8th.

21 year old Rome was introduced to the band in 2008 and following jam sessions the trio first performed together at an impromptu gig in Nevada to a packed house.

One of the most notable and successful ska-punk bands of all time, Sublime has sold over 17 million albums worldwide with the group’s music remaining in constant radio rotation across the USA. Influential Los Angeles rock radio station KROQ has listed Sublime as the #3 act in their annual “biggest bands” list for the last six years in a row with the single ‘Date Rape’ ranking as the all-time most requested song at the station.

Formed in Long Beach in 1988, Sublime’s final performance was in the spring of 1996.

October 7   O2 Academy 2 Manchester
October 8   O2 Shepherds Bush Empire London

Seerauber Jenny

Following the release of the top single Push It Away/Waste Of Time, Seerauber Jenny performed at The Borderline in London on September 30th and have announced another addition to their regional tour at the Bull & Gate on October 19th as part of the Club Panda showcase.

October 8th – Brighton Live – Brighton -
October 13th – Band on the Wall (BBC Introducing event @ In The City) – Manchester -
October 19th – Club Panda @ The Bull & Gate – London

Mudhoney

Seattles grunge, garage rock, punksters Mudhoney arrive in Newcastle tonight, following gigs in the Republic of Ireland and Belfast over the last few days.

Mudhoney will play four more venues in England before two dates in Scotland in Aberdeen and Glasgow on their latest Uk tour.

04-Oct UK Newcastle Northumbira Uni
05-Oct UK Brighton Concorde 2
06-Oct UK London Electric Ballroom
07-Oct UK Leeds Uni Stylus
08-Oct UK Aberdeen Tunnels
09-Oct UK Glasgow Arches

Male Bonding

Beach Boys on speed grunge rock surfers Male Bonding play in Brighton tonight as they continue their current European tour.

Male Bonding will be joined by Blood Red Shoes on their dates in Manchester and London on October 6th and 7th respectively.

04-Oct UK Brighton Audio  with No Age
05-Oct UK Bristol Start The Bus  with No Age // NEW SHOW
06-Oct UK Manchester Club Academy  with Blood Red Shoes
07-Oct UK London Electric Ballroom with Blood Red Shoes
08-Oct UK Sheffield Rollerpalooza @ SkateCentral with No Age
09-Oct UK Glasgow Stereo  with No Age
10-Oct UK Dublin Whelans / Unamed Festival
12-Oct UK Leeds Brudenell  with No Age
13-Oct UK Manchester In The City @ Night and Day
14-Oct UK London XOYO  with No Age