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Ladies, ladies, ladies

Read more: Girls, Women, and Ladies and Girls Girls Girls.

Read More Lady Impossible to find on Google, Lady is a soul sister duo (Nicole Wray and Terri Walker), that recently signed to Truth and Soul Records.…

LADY
truthandsoulrecords.com

I've previously mentioned Lady before, and again, I have to stress that it's impossible to look them up online! I tried looking them up on Amazon but all I get is Lady Phat in return. Something needs to be fixed, or perhaps a less common word in their name or album (which, of course, is self-titled). The only thing I can find is that they have a single called "Money" out now.



Lady's Lady album is coming out March 12th, 2013, via Truth & Soul Records.

The soulful sisters (Nicole Wray and Terri Walker) will head out on tour with Lee Fields & The Expressions:

Mar 22 Mobile, AL - Alabama Music Box
Mar 23 New Orleans, LA – Hogs For the Cause
Mar 24 Little Rock, AR - Juanitas Cantina
Mar 26 Springfield, MO - Gillioz Theater
Mar 27 St. Louis, MO - 2720 Cherokee
Mar 28 Chicago, IL - Lincoln Hall
Mar 30 Cincinnati, OH - 20th Century Theatre
Mar 31 Pittsburgh, PA - Rex Theater
Apr 06 Savannah, GA - Savannah Music Festival

LADY LAMB THE BEEKEEPER
ladylambthebeekeeper.com

I've previously mentioned Lady Lamb and the Beekeepers here, which I mentioned their debut album Ripely Pine will be out February 19th, 2013, on Ba Da Bing! Records.

Well the time is almost now, and look-it-here, Aly Spaltro, will be heading out on tour in support of the album:

Sat. Feb. 9 - Philadelphia, PA @ Johnny Brenda's
Tue. Feb. 12 - Washington, DC @ DC9
Fri. Feb. 22 - Cambridge, MA @ T.T. the Bear's
Sat. Feb. 23 - Brooklyn, NY @ Knitting Factory
Sat. March 2 - Portland, ME @ Space

LADY STARLIGHT
ladystarlightnyc.com

Lady Starlight (Colleen Martin) has toured and opened up for Lady Gaga three times - including this current Born This Way tour, happening in 2013.

Lady Starlight is currently on tour with Lady Gaga, but here are her side DJ gigs below… including a special Valentine gig at Berlin Nightclub with Big Dipper in Chicago.

Feb 08 Drake Hotel Toronto, Canada
Feb 14 Berlin Nightclub Chicago, IL
Feb 16 The Shelter Detroit, MI
Feb 17 Club Absinthe Hamilton, Canada
Feb 23 The Gramercy Theatre New York, NY
Feb 25 The Hamilton Washington, DC
Mar 02 Bryce Jordan Center University Park, PA
Mar 10 12th & Porter Nashville, TN
Mar 11 Hard Rock Cafe Atlanta, GA
Mar 16 TBA Miami, FL

Speaking of Gaga, I got an announcement that Ariana & the Rose (the new indie pop project from singer/songwriter Ariana DiLorenzo) will be playing a series of Lady Gaga after parties in New York and Miami. The debut EP, Love Me, Love Me Not, will be out March 13th, 2013.

LADYTRON
ladytron.com

I love Ladytron, I felt that 604 and Light & Magic were the album of choice in the 2000… unfortunately I suppose my music taste changed or something because I was not that impressed with their later offerings (Witching Hour and Velocifero). Sadly, I lost touch and never bothered to pick up their 2011's Gravity the Seducer.

The Liverpool band is currently on hiatus, but meanwhile singer Helen Marnie had her solo album recently funded and recorded in Iceland (to be released in March 2013).

Excerpt from her note on PledgeMusic:

For the past year I’ve been writing more than ever, and I'm so pleased with the results thus far. The album, as yet untitled, is straight from the heart. I can’t put it any other way. It means a lot. It is me, no one else. It is everything around me, my loves, my life, hopes and loss. I wanted to create an electronic album with more of a pop element and pristine vocals.

In other Ladytron news, Reuben Wu will be doing a residency DJing at the Beauty Bar in Chicago all Spring/Summer… including an upcoming special Valentine's Day event on February 14th.

Reuben Wu (DJ Set) @ Beauty Bar - February 14, 2013 at 9:00pm
Reuben Wu (DJ Set) @ Beauty Bar - April 11, 2013
Reuben Wu (DJ Set) @ Beauty Bar - May 9, 2013
Reuben Wu (DJ Set) @ Beauty Bar - June 13, 2013
Reuben Wu (DJ Set) @ Beauty Bar - July 11, 2013

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Girls, Women, and Ladies

Read More Celtic Woman Every day through Christmas, we're unveiling a new holiday song available to download free for a limited time…Dec. 1 - "Ave Maria" by Celtic Woman …

CELTIC WOMAN
celticwoman.com

You know how these things works: Christmas albums will starting dropping from the sky from now until Black Friday (in November.) I suspect, like previous years, that I will be reporting and reviewing my fair share of xmas music.

The first one I have for you is Celtic Woman's Home for Christmas, released last week, October 9th. This is their second holiday album, their first was called A Christmas Celebration from 2006.

If you didn't know, this is an all-female Irish ensemble. As far as I know on Máiréad Nesbitt sings and plays the Celtic violin, everyone else are vocalists.

With Home for Christmas, they sing the standards: "I'll Be Home For Christmas", "Joy To The World", "We Three Kings", "Silent Night", "Winter Wonderland", "Hark the Herald Angels Sing", etc.

Many of these songs are traditional Christmas choirs, so it's really perfect for the angelic vocal harmonies of Celtic Woman.

Expect to catch Celtic Woman (Touring Members: Chloë Agnew, Lisa Lambe, Susan McFadden, Máiréad Nesbitt) on tour under their critically-acclaimed 2012 Christmas Celebration Symphony Tour this December in North America. I am in hibernation for the winter, but Celtic Woman would be the one act that I will brave the snow to see.

Christmas Celebration Symphony Tour dates are as follows:

12/01 Foxwoods, CT MGM Grand at Foxwoods 12/03 Pittsburgh, PA Heinz Hall 12/04 Pittsburgh, PA Heinz Hall 12/06 Detroit, MI The Fox Theatre 12/07 Minneapolis, MN Convention Center Aud 12/08 Naperville, IL Pfeiffer Hall 12/09 Naperville, IL Pfeiffer Hall 12/11 Costa Mesa, CA Segerstrom Center

12/13 Temecula, CA Pechanga Resort and Casino 12/14 Temecula, CA Pechanga Resort and Casino 12/15 Indio, CA Fantasy Springs 12/16 Tucson, AZ Centennial Hall 12/18 College Station, TX Rudder Auditorium 12/20 Atlanta, GA Symphony Hall 12/21 Anniston, AL Anniston PAC 12/22 Huntsville, AL Von Braun Center

U.S. GIRLS
truthandsoulrecords.com

GEM is the fourth album from singer/songwriter Meghan Remy aka U.S. Girls. The new glam rock-influenced album will be coming out October 23rd on FatCat Records.

U.S. Girls also unveiled a new music video for "North on 45", directed by Remy. The video stars Lulu Hazel Turnbull and was edited by Ross Turnbull.

It's kind of weird; a woman is running in the dark on a gravel road with headlines from the car. It looks like she's chasing the car, even at different angles. I didn't think it had anything to do with creating an "open narrative about a struggle for power", but it's up to you to decide.

Watch video:

LADY
truthandsoulrecords.com

Impossible to find on Google, Lady is a soul sister duo (Nicole Wray and Terri Walker), that recently signed to Truth and Soul Records. They are currently on tour in Europe with Lee Fields (who I previously wrote about).

What makes Lady unique is that they mix soul classics with modern hip-hop and R&B.

October 20th - Bruges, Belgium - Cactus Club
October 22nd - Amsterdam, Holland - MC Theatre
October 23rd - Dordrecht, Holland - Dorhuis
October 24th - Groningen, Holland - De Oosterpoot
October 25th - Nijmegen, Holland - Doornroosje
October 26th - Evreux, France - L'Abordage
October 27th - Paris, France - le Trabendo

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Punkettes: Corin Tucker, Dollyrots, and JAN

Read more Riot Grrrls and Girls Girls Girls.

CORIN TUCKER BAND
corintuckerband.com

I might have jumped the gun when I mentioned The Corin Tucker Band last June. By now, we have the cover artwork and finalized tour dates.

The new album, Kill My Blues, will be out on September 18th on Kill Rock Stars. Pitchfork has a stream of it for those who need to listen now.

All the critics (Rolling Stones, The Time, etc) agreed that Tucker has indeed return to her punk roots.

Tucker notes, "After the past two years playing together, traveling and making music, I think we're more comfortable. We collaborated on every song on this record and no one was shy about their ideas. I think you can hear that sense of joy and abandon in the songs."

The Corin Tucker Band's tour kicks off in Minneapolis!

09/13 7th Street Entry Minneapolis, MN 09/14 Cactus Club Milwaukee, WI 09/15 Hideout Block Party Chicago, IL 09/18 Johnny Brenda’s Philadelphia, PA 09/19 Strange Matter Richmond, VA 09/21 The EARL Atlanta, GA 09/22 The Bottletree Birmingham, AL 09/23 DeLuna Fest Pensacola, FL 09/25 Local 506 Chapel Hill, NC 09/26 Black Cat Backstage Washington, DC 09/27 Mercury Lounge New York, NY 09/28 TT the Bear’s Cambridge, MA

09/29 The Bell House Brooklyn, NY 10/02 Brillobox Pittsburgh, PA 10/03 The Wexner Center Columbus, OH 10/04 Firebird St. Louis, MO 10/05 Record Bar Kansas City, MO 10/06 Hi Dive Denver, CO 10/07 Urban Lounge Salt Lake City, UT 10/09 The Echo Los Angeles, CA 10/10 Café du Nord San Francisco, CA 10/12 Crocodile Café Seattle, WA 10/13 Bunk Bar Portland, OR

THE DOLLYROTS
dollyrots.com

Also coming out September 18th is The Dollyrots' self titled album via Storefront Recordings. The fourth and forthcoming album was made possible by a Kickstarter campaign.

Before the punk band leave for the UK to play with Bowling for Soup, they'll be doing some US dates. All dates with (*) are with Prima Donna.

9/19/12 The Riot Room Kansas City, MO*
9/20/12 The Blue Fugue Columbia, MO*
9/21/12 Bombay Bicycle Club Clive, IA*
9/23/12 The Triple Rock Social Club Minneapolis, MN*
9/24/12 The Crunchy Frog Green Bay, WI*
9/25/12 Township Chicago, IL*
9/26/12 The Crooked I Erie, PA*
9/27/12 31st Street Pub Pittsburgh, PA*
9/28/12 The Comet with Prima Donna Cincinnati, OH*
9/29/12 Buzzbin Canton, OH*
9/30/12 Fed Live Harrisburg, PA*
10/1/12 Kung Fu Necktie Philadelphia, PA*
10/2/12 Knitting Factory Brooklyn Brooklyn, NY*
10/6/12 Chameleon Pittsfield, MA
10/7/12 Roundout Lounge Kingston, NY

JAN
janforthepeople.com

JAN's self-titled debut album will be coming out November 13th. Paper Magazine described her music as shoegaze-y but with a touch of riot grrrl.

A little about JAN (since it was impossible for me to search for her music on Amazon): JAN is also known as Kim Talon and she used to be in a duo called Eagle and Talon (if you haven't guessed, she's the Talon).

What's exciting is when JAN plays live, she gets help from Chloe Saavedra (from Smoosh, she must be at least 13 years old now! Kidding, I love Chloe's voice from her involvement with God Help the Girl) & Melinda Parks (from Har Mar Superstar).

Check out "Work For The City":

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A Trio of Trios: Saint Etienne, Dragonette, and Casket Girls

Read more Duos and Girls Girls Girls.

SAINT ETIENNE
saintetienne.com

We love the British trio Saint Etienne, having written about them a few times.

It's hard to believe that it's been six years since the band was in the USA. The good news is that they are doing just a handful of US dates in support of their new album, Words and Music by Saint Etienne. Unfortunately, it might be a while before I see the beautiful Sarah Cracknell since they're not playing anywhere near me.

Words and Music by Saint Etienne will come in standard and double-disc deluxe set from Universal Music Enterprises.

10/24 Toronto, ON - The Opera House
10/25 Washington, DC - U Street Music Hall
10/26 New York, NY - Webster Hall
10/27 Boston, MA - Paradise
10/29 Chicago, IL - Lincoln Hall
10/31 Portland, OR - Wonder Ballroom
11/01 Seattle, WA - The Showbox
11/02 San Francisco, CA - The Fillmore
11/03 Los Angeles, CA - Fonda Theatre

DRAGONETTE
dragonette.com

Just a reminder that Canadian electropop trio, Dragonette, will be heading out on tour this week (tomorrow!) in support of their third studio album, Bodyparts (the album is coming out September 25th).

If you missed Dragonette's "Let It Go" on Good Morning America, you can see them on abcnews.go.com.

UPDATE: I am a big cover lover of cover artwork, and I love Dragonette's album art for Bodyparts. I couldn't help but poke a little fun at it with a new vuart.

Hopefully, if it all works out, we'll be covering the band at the Minneapolis date. All dates with (*) are with The Knocks, a band that doesn't seem to have a website.

9/11: Buffalo, NY @ Town Ballroom * 9/12: New York, NY @ Webster Hall * 9/13: Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer 9/14: Boston, MA @ Paradise Rock Club * 9/15: Washington, DC @ Black Cat 9/16: Cleveland, OH @ Ingenuity Festival 9/18: Chicago, IL @ Metro * 9/19: Minneapolis, MN @ Triple Rock Social Club *

9/20: Kansas City, MO @ Beaumont Club * 9/21: Denver, CO @ Larimer Lounge* 9/22: Las Vegas, NV @ Hyde at Bellagio Hotel 9/24: San Diego, CA @ Belly Up * 9/25: Los Angeles, CA @ El Rey Theatre * 9/26: San Francisco, CA @ Mezzanine * 9/27: Portland, OR @ Doug Fir * 9/28: Seattle, WA @ Decibal Festival / Neumos *

THE CASKET GIRLS
casketgirls.org

The Savannah trio, The Casket Girls will be releasing their debut album, Sleepwalking, on November 6, 2012, via Graveface Records.

The band consists of Ryan Graveface (from Black Moth Super Rainbow and various other bands) and sisters Elsa and Phaedra Greene.

You can preview the title track, "Sleepwalking," below:

The Casket Girls' live band will include additional music support from bassist Bullsmear (Black Moth Super Rainbow) and drummer Peter Seeba (Dreamend).

Tour information below.

10-27 Savannah, GA - Graveface Fest ^ 10-29 Orlando, FL - The Social ^ 10-30 Miami, FL - The Stage ^ 10-31 Tampa, FL - Crowbar ^ 11-01 Tallahassee, FL - Club Downunder ^ 11-02 New Orleans, LA - One Eyed Jacks ^ 11-03 Austin, TX - The Mohawk ^ 11-06 Dallas, TX - The Loft ^ 11-07 Nashville, TN - Exit/In ^ 11-08 Louisville, KY - Zanzabar ^ 11-09 Columbus, OH - Skullys ^

11-10 Pittsburgh, PA - Mr. Smalls Theatre ^ 11-16 Sacramento, CA - Ace Of Spades & 11-17 San Francisco, CA - Regency Ballroom & 11-20 San Diego, CA - House Of Blues & 11-23 Phoenix, AZ - Crescent Ballroom & 11-24 Las Vegas, NV - House Of Blues & 12-03 Boston, MA - Paradise ^ 12-05 New York, NY - Bowery Ballroom ^ 12-06 Brooklyn, NY - Music Hall Of Williamsburg ^ 12-07 Philadelphia, PA - Union Transfer ^ 12-08 Washington DC - U Street Music Hall ^

^ w/ Black Moth Super Rainbow, & w/ The Faint

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Girls Girls Girls: Sky Ferreira, Amanda Palmer, Laetitia Sadier

This is #12 in the Girls Girls Girls series.

Read More Sky Ferreira That might explained her "Sex Rules" title ? It's actually not what you'd think, it's the rules of nature, not that "it's totally awesome".

SKY FERREIRA
skyferreira.com

Sure, the single, "Red Lips," was released a few months ago (June), but I don't care. I think Sky Ferreira is awesome and we've been following her career since 2010.

"Red Lips" was written by Sky, Greg Kurstin, and … Garbage's Shirley Manson! The song is said to contain a new direction for Sky. Personally, it just sounds more or less in the same attractive pop/dance style, but with more guitars and less lo-fi.

Listening to "Red Lips," you wonder if Sky Ferreira is commenting on some other "little bitch" or on herself. I think you can read it both ways, but if that's the case, then certainly Ferreira know that she's playing that game … and if she's lost, then she'll walk. Then again, two-minute pop songs can't be all that smart, right?

Anyway, Ferreira's been quiet this past month, but expect a new EP from her next month, in September. The debut album, currently with a title of I'm Not Alright (changed from Wild At Heart), is coming out this year.

Check out her sexiest video yet: "Red Lips." The video featured Sky in her undies, lots of red lipsticks, and a lucky Toby the tarantula.

AMANDA PALMER & THE GRAND THEFT ORCHESTRA
amandapalmer.net

You may remember that seeing Amanda Palmer at the Cedar in 2010 was one of the best shows I've ever seen. It was hard to describe, but it wasn't just a regular rock n roll show, it was also part theater and part circus act.

I'm hoping to catch her again, this October at First Avenue. Will it live up to her Evelyn Evelyn show? I'll report back when I see her again. But hearing Palmer explain her latest work as "Rocky-Horror-meets-Scavenger-Hunt-meets-Interactive-Art-Happening," it sounds just as fun. Also, I am hoping to spot her hubby Neil Gaiman at the Minneapolis show.

Palmer's last album, Amanda Palmer Goes Down Under, was geared towards Australian, I still found the album to be fun and creative. The forthcoming album, under the Amanda Palma & The Grand Theft Orchestra banner is called Theater is Evil, and it will be out on September 11th on her own label, 8ft Records. You can preview one the song, "The Killing Type," on NPR.

Her tour dates starts September 10th.

09/10: Philadelphia, PA @ Theatre Of Living Arts 09/11: New York, NY @ Webster Hall 09/12: Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club 09/14: Carrboro, NC @ Cat's Cradle 09/15: Atlanta, GA @ Variety Playhouse 09/17: New Orleans, LA @ Tipitina's Uptown 09/18: Houston, TX @ Fitzgerald's Upstairs 09/19: Austin, TX @ Stubbs (Outside) 09/21: Denver, CO @ Gothic Theatre 09/22: Phoenix, AZ @ Crescent Ballroom 09/24: San Diego, CA @ House Of Blues 09/25: Los Angeles, CA @ The Music Box 09/26: San Francisco, CA @ The Fillmore 9/28: Portland, OR @ Wonder Ballroom 09/29: Vancouver, BC @ Commodore Ballroom 09/30: Seattle, WA @ Neptune Ballroom 10/03: Minneapolis, MN @ First Avenue 10/23: London @ Koko

10/24: Manchester @ Cathedral 10/25: Glasgow @ Oran Mor 10/27: Amsterdam @ Melkweg 10/28: Berlin @ Festsaal Kreuzberg 10/29: Prague @ Palac Akropolis 10/30: Zurich @ Abart 11/01: Antwerp @ Trix Club 11/02: Paris @ La Maroquinerie 11/03: Cologne @ Gebaude 9 11/05: Vienna @ Arena 11/09: Toronto, ON @ Phoenix Theatre 11/10: Chicago, IL @ Metro 11/11: Milwaukee, WI @ Turner Hall 11/13: Detroit, MI @ St. Andrews Hall 11/15: Boston, MA @ Paradise Rock Club 11/16: Boston, MA @ Paradise Rock Club 11/17: Boston, MA @ Paradise Rock Club

LÆTITIA SADIER
myspace.com/laetitiasadier

You might know Lætitia Sadier from Stereolab.

Confession: Before the internet, in the early 90s, I thought this band came out of France. Not a surprise because singer Lætitia Sadier is French, however I thought they were French, up to 2008!

Anyway, Lætitia Sadier just released her second solo album, Silencio!, last month (July 24th) on Drag City.

The album is said to be about "the noise" preventing you from society and commercialism and the marketplace … so, yes, buy the album!

Sadier will be heading out on tour this September, along with Orca Team, a band that Lara likes. If it all works out, Lara is reviewing Sadier's show at the 400 Bar this September 30th.

09/15/12 Chicago, IL @ Schuba's 09/16/12 Pontiac, MI @ Pike Room at Crofoot 09/18/12 Toronto, ON @ Drake Hotel 09/19/12 Montreal, QC @ Pop Montreal Festival 09/20/12 Cambridge, MA @ Middle East Cafe 09/21/12 New York, NY @ Mercury Lounge 09/22/12 Brooklyn, NY @ Knitting Factory 09/23/12 Philadelphia, PA @ Johnny Brenda's 09/25/12 Washington, DC @ DC9 09/26/12 Pittsburgh, PA @ Thunderbird Cafe 09/27/12 Cincinnati, OH @ Midpoint Music Fest 09/28/12 Urbana, IL @ Pygmalion Music Fest 09/29/12 Madison, WI @ University of Wisconsin 09/30/12 Minneapolis, MN @ 400 Bar

10/03/12 Seattle, WA @ Barboza 10/04/12 Portland, OR @ Bunk Bar 10/05/12 San Francisco, CA @ Bottom of the Hill 10/06/12 Los Angeles, CA @ Culture Collide Fest 10/10/12 Denver, CO @ Hi-Dive 10/11/12 Lincoln, NE @ Lincoln Calling 11/05/12 Manchester, UK @ Deaf Institute 11/06/12 Glasgow, UK @ Captains Rest 11/07/12 Edinburgh, UK @ Sneaky Pete's 11/09/12 Dublin, IE @ The Workman's Club 11/10/12 Galway, IE @ Roisin Dubh 11/12/12 Cardiff, UK @ The Globe 11/13/12 London, UK @ XOYO 11/14/12 Brighton, UK @ Sticky MIkes

Briefly:

BLONDFIRE facebook.com Blondfire is a brother/sister duo (Bruce and Erica Driscoll), they've been around for a while. They recently announced that they've signed with Warner Bros Records and they are in the middle of mixing and recording new songs for a forthcoming album in 2013. To celebrate, they're giving you a sneak peak at their catchy new song, "Waves," at Soundcloud:

THE HERMIT CRABS myspace.com Scottish indiepop band The Hermit Crabs is back with a new EP called Time Relentless. This mark the first new material since their 2009's Correspondence Course EP. Time Relentless is strictly limited to 1,000 custom minijacket sleeve and available exclusively through Matinée Recordings. Download "Stop This Now" at Soundcloud:

CUUSHE cuushe.net Cuushe is a Japanese singer, and she's back with a THREE new EP Girl, You Know That I am Here, and But the Dream. She's offering a remix by Slow Magic of "You Know That I am Here" via, what else?, soundcloud.

BETH JEAN HOUGHTON bjh.tumblr.com Just quickly, but Beth Jeans Houghton & The Hooves of Destiny has a new music video for "Dodecahedron." The video was directed by Sasha Rainbow, you can catch it on Vevo.com She'll be in Ireland in September: 09/16/12 Cork, Ireland Cyprus Avenue 09/17/12 Dublin, Ireland Whelans

vu () ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ podcast.weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com/weheartmusic ♥ +W♥M

Girl songs

Please read more Girls Girls Girls articles.

>>>
JAIL WEDDINGS
neuroticyellrecords.com

At one point, Jail Weddings were billed as Los Angeles' "biggest band". Looking over their old photographs, there were at least ten band members. Not quite Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros or I'm From Barcelona, but it's still a good number than the typical rock 'n roll four piece.

Jail Weddings' new single is "(There's Nothing Worse In The World Than A) Crying Girl", from a new EP called Four Future Standards, via the Neurotic Yell label. The CD got released May 21st, while the digital version is coming out June 11th (which sounds a bit backwards).

From my understanding, the band is now stripped down to four key members: Jada Wagensomer (vocals), Hannah Blumenfeld (violin) and Josh Puklavetz (bass) with drums by Mike Shelbourn. I can understand this; I mean it's hard to organize a plan with two people, let alone ten…

Anyway, having seen some large/oversized bands, I have to say that they're best experienced live. Will the new four-piece Jail Weddings live up to that expectation? Let me know, since they're playing nowhere near me.

6.13 San Francisco, CA @ The Hemlock Tavern 6.14 Davis, CA @ Sophia's Thai Kitchen 6.15 Seattle, WA @ Comet Tavern

6.16 Olympia, WA @ Le Voyeur 6.17 Portland, OR @ romtoms 6.28 San Diego, CA @ Soda Bar 6.29 Long Beach, CA @ Alex's Bar

ROYAL HEADACHE
facebook.com

Australia's Royal Headache is coming to the USA in June (they were supposed to be here earlier in late May, but due to visa complications, their first landing is in June 1st in Austin, Texas). They are touring for their self-titled debut album that was released in early May via What's Your Rupture?. They are described as R&B and punk songs, which is quite an interesting mix. See the music video for their song, "Girls", if you need to hear it for yourself.

I think the more exciting news is that they're going to be touring arenas in Australia with the Black Keys in October… so if you're lucky enough to see them at a smaller venue this June - go for it.

06/01/12 Austin, TX @ Scoot Inn (Chaos in Tejas) 06/02/12 Austin, TX @ Club Deville (Chaos in Tejas) 06/06/12 Minneapolis, MN @ House Party 06/07/12 Chicago, IL @ The Burlington 06/08/12 Madison, WI @ University of Wisconsin 06/09/12 Minneapolis, MN @ Triple Rock Social Club 06/13/12 New York, NY @ Cake Shop 06/14/12 New York, NY @ Warsaw (Northside Festival)

06/15/12 Boston, MA @ P.A.'s Lounge 10/21/12 Australia @ Newcastle Entertainment Centre* 10/22/12 Australia @ Sydney Entertainment Centre* 10/26/12 Australia @ Brisbane Entertainment Centre* 10/30/12 Australia @ Adelaide Entertainment Centre* 10/31/12 Australia @ Sidney Myer Music Bowl* * w/ The Black Keys

If things work out, Megan will be making her return to W♥M to cover their appearance at the Triple Rock in Minneapolis.

BRIEFLY:

DAVE EDWARDS & SILVER MEDALLION slavetothecity.com The result of DJ Silver Medallion teamup with Brooklyn producer Dave Edwards is a song called "American Girl". Described as a "huge summer house anthem", which you can hear for yourself on soundcloud.com.

BABY BABY thegospelofrhythmrecordings.com There were no details on this band and I'm too lazy to actually do the research. I am assuming they're from the planet Earth. The problem also is their ungooglable name of Baby Baby. Anyway, their new single is called "Don't Kiss The Merch Girl" which was taken from their debut album, Money, released one year ago in May 2011.

vu () ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ podcast.weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com/weheartmusic ♥ +W♥M

Girls Girls Girls 9

Please read more Girls Girls Girls.

Read More The Lucksmiths This is an interesting cover by one of my favorite band, the Lucksmiths. They covered the Magnetic Fields song (and I have to admit I am more partial to the cover than the original).

ALLO DARLIN'
allodarlin.com

If you thought Allo Darlin's single "Capricornia" was a Battlestar Galactica-thing, singer Elizabeth Morris explains it all:

"Capricornia is the area in Queensland that I'm from. It has imaginary state lines, roughly around the Tropic of Capricorn, which runs directly through my hometown. There's a nice 70s monument that marks the spot where the line passes, out on a lonely dirt road where all the kids learn how to drive. My family have lived in this area for over 6 generations but none of my generation remain. It's a beautiful place."

The indie-jangly-pop song is taken from their album, Europe, which is available on Amazon MP3 , but the physical CD to be available somewhen in May via one of my favorite record label Slumberland Records.

Allo Darlin' is said to compare that to Kirsty MacColl, The Go-Betweens, Lucksmiths and Camera Obscura, so you know I am already in love with the band.

They are currently on tour with The Wave Pictures:

05/01 Austin, TX — Mohawk
05/03 Santa Fe, NM — VFW
05/04 Tucson, AZ — Club Congress
05/05 Los Angeles, CA — Echo
05/06 San Diego, CA — Casbah
05/08 San Francisco, CA — Rickshaw Stop
05/10 Portland, OR — Mississippi Studios
05/11 Seattle, WA — Vera Project
05/14 Minneapolis, MN — 7th St. Entry
05/15 Chicago, IL — Schubas
05/16 Cleveland, OH — Beachland Tavern
05/18 New Haven, CT — Cafe Nine

SARAH JAFFE
sarahjaffe.com

Did you happen to hear Sarah Jaffe's music on NPR's "All Songs Considered"? You can listened to songs from her album, The Body Wins, which was released this week (April 24th) via Kirtland Records.

I did get a chance to listen to her new album, it's actually very good. Reminds me a bit of Florence + The Machine, but electronica, with Jaffe's beautiful voice. I can see why Norah Jones asked her to tour with her in 2010.

I also really liked the album's theme, which, at least to me, sounds like you can't fight nature. Phrases like "the body wins" and theme of unquestionable devotion and love … like it was a disease.

She is doing some dates in her home state:

05/04/12 - Austin, TX at The Parish
05/05/12 - Dallas, TX at Granada Theater

SHARON VON ETTEN
sharonvanetten.com

Sharon Van Etten is relatively new, but she's been on a hot buzz list since her debut album, Because I Was In Love, in 2009.

Even if you've never heard her folksy music, I'm sure you've heard of her. She seems to be everywhere, whether having a song on the film "Women's Prison", singing on The Antlers' Hospice, covering Morrissey, playing at the annual SXSW, or recently singing with The National for "Think You Can Wait".

Her third studio album, Tramp, came out earlier this year via Jagjaguwar Records and she's going on the long touring road for it. Check out her massive tour dates below. August is a long way from now, but I am hoping to have Emily cover her show for Minneapolis.

May 3, 2012 : BAM : Brooklyn, NY May 16, 2012 : Scala : London, UK May 17, 2012 : Deaf Institute : Manchester, UK May 18, 2012 : Whelans : Dublin, Ireland May 20, 2012 : Brudenell Social Club : Leeds, UK May 21, 2012 : Komedia : Brighton, UK May 23, 2012 : The AB Club : Brussels, Belgium May 24, 2012 : La Maroquinerie : Paris, France May 26, 2012 : Le Guess Who Festival, Netherlands May 28, 2012 : Big Star Show : Barbican, UK May 29, 2012 : Prinzenbar : Hamburg, Germany May 30, 2012 : Studio 672 : Cologne, Germany June 2, 2012 : Primavera Festival : Barcelona, Spain June 21, 2012 : Union Transfer : Philadelphia, PA July 14, 2012 : Latitude : Southwold, United Kingdom July 17, 2012 : Kilden Supersonic : Kristiansand, Norway

July 28, 2012 : Newport Folk Festival : Newport, RI July 29, 2012 : Helsinki Hudson : Hudson, NY July 31, 2012 : Phoenix : Toronto, Canada August 2, 2012 : Turner Hall Ballroom : Milwaukee, WI August 3, 2012 : Lollapalooza : Chicago, IL August 4, 2012 : First Avenue : Minneapolis, MN August 7, 2012 : Neptune Theater : Seattle, WA August 8, 2012 : The Aladdin Theater : Portland, OR August 10, 2012 : Outside Lands : San Francisco, CA August 12, 2012 : Greek Theatre : Los Angeles, CA August 14, 2012 : Belly Up Tavern : Solana Beach, CA August 15, 2012 : Crescent Ballroom : Phoenix, AZ August 17, 2012 : Urban Lounge : Salt Lake City, UT August 18, 2012 : Jackson Hole Amph : Jackson Hole, WY August 19, 2012 : Fox Theater : Boulder, CO August 20, 2012 : Riot Room : Kansas City, Missouri September 22, 2012 : ATP I'll Be Your Mirror NJ

SALLIE FORD & THE SOUND OUTSIDE
sallieford.com

I saw Sallie Ford last year, which I admitted to "loving her album, Dirty Radio, since I heard it".

Sallie Ford just recently wrapped up her tour with Wanda "Queen of Rockabilly" Jackson for April, and will be coming around to Minneapolis again this year. You should definitely catch her, if you haven't seen her. See why Paste Magazine calls her "a little bit of Bessie Smith and mix it with a dash of Tom Waits."

05.13.12 Denver, CO @ Hi Dive
05.18.12 St. Louis, MO @ Off Broadway
05.19.12 Indianapolis, IN @ White Rabbit Cabaret
05.19.12 Nelsonville, OH@ Nelsonville Music Festival
05.22.12 Chicago, IL @ The Hideout w/ Dark Dark Dark
05.23.12 Milwaukee, WI @ The Cactus Club
05.24.12 Minneapolis, MN @ 7th St. Entry
05.25.12 George, WA @ Sasquatch Festival w/ Beck, Jack White, etc.
09.07.12 Bowling Green, OH @ Black Swamp Arts Festival
09.08.12 Bowling Green, OH @ Black Swamp Arts Festival

AMY RAY
amy-ray.com

Amy Ray is one half of Indigo Girls, a band that was quite popular in the late 80s and early 90s, alongside other Epic acts like Tracy Chapman and Suzanne Vega. When not playing in Indigo Girls, Ray has been putting out solo albums under her own label, Daemon Records.

Her latest album is called Lung of Love, which came out this year in February. She's currently on tour to promote the album. I saw Ray in 2008, and it was one of the best shows I've seen that year because of the Brandi Carlile appearance!

Thu May 3 Greenville, SC - The Handlebar *
Fri May 4 Charlotte, NC - Visulite *
Sat May 5 Savannah, GA - Live Wire *
Tue May 8 Nashville, TN - 3rd and Lindsley *
Thu May 10 Ann Arbor, MI - The Blind Pig *
Fri May 11 Indianapolis, IN - Radio Radio *
Sat May 12 St. Louis, MO - The Old Rock House *
Mon May 14 Milwaukee, WI - Shank Hall *
Tue May 15 Chicago, IL - Lincoln Hall *
Thu May 17 Madison, WI - The Frequency *
Fri May 18 St. Paul, MN - The Turf Club *

* with The Shadowboxers

WILSON PHILLIPS
wilsonphillipsmusic.com

Okay, there's no need to make fun of me, but I have a soft spot for Wilson Phillips. Their self-titled debut album was one of the first cassettes that I've ever purchased. "Some day somebody's gonna make you want to turn around and say goodbye/'Til then, baby, are you going to let them hold you down and make you cry?". LOVE IT.

Their unexpected song appearance at the movie "Bridesmaids" reminded me that the daughters The Beach Boys and The Mamas & the Papas are not forgotten!

I have good news: the band is back with a cover-lover album called Dedicated. Songs covered are entirely by their parents, so expect to hear hits like "California Dreamin'", "Monday Monday", Wouldn't It Be Nice", "God Only Knows", and "Good Vibrations."

I am hoping to see my beloved Wilson Philips at the Minnesota State Fair:

6/5/12 Austin, TX Long Center for Performing Arts
6/6/12 Dallas TX Winspear Opera House
8/17 & 8/18 San Diego, CASan Diego Symphony
8/31 & 9/1 St. Paul, MN Minnesota State Fair

*more tour dates to follow

BRIEFLY:

SKYLINE PIGEONS facebook.com Skyline Pigeons' are two sisters (Roxanne and Caroline Teti) from California. Their debut full-length album is called House of Mysteries is coming out June 5, 2012. Although their name sounds like it was taken from Elton John, they are described as "Shoegaze-rock/psych-pop". The two sisters have different influences, but it is also what makes their songwriting so diverse and interesting. As Roxanne puts it, "If anything, the fire as well as songwriting has brought me closer to embracing my true identity and working creatively as a musical team made me realize how important community is and the feeling that people are on this earth to help each other. I think our unity is something transcendent in the quality of the music… What really makes this album so special is that every song is so different yet unified by our sound."

STOOSHE stooshe.com Stooshe is described in their press release as "filling a huge gap in the girl band market". I wasn't aware there was one? Isn't TLC going back on tour with a hologram Left Eye? Anyroad, Warner Brothers Records is planning on releasing Stooshe's new single "Black Heart", this June 11th. This is the follow-up to their big top 5 hit single "Love Me". Look for their debut album, Swings and Roundabouts, out later this year. PS, sorry, they didn't send the cover artwork for "Black Heart", so you'll have to put up with their Love Me single.

LETTERIST letteristmusic.com Letterist is an electro-synthpop band from New York. Their singer, Pamela Bell, I believe, is also on their cover artwork. If you end up watching their catchy song, "100mph", you'll see Bell being chased by fellow bandmembers Rammy Yogendra and Alex McCown throughout Brooklyn. Expect to see Letterist's sophomore album, Solace and Gold to be out this year.

THE HALL OF MIRRORS thehallofmirrors.co.uk Not much given on this band. From digging around, it looks like Jessica Winter is the singer and pianist. Their moment of fame was late last year, being played on BBC Tom Robinson (28/08/2011). I did listen to "Love Child", which has a very 60s girl pop sound. You can hear it for yourself at bandcamp.

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Girls Girls Girls 8: The International Edition

Read More Kina Grannis Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter Kina Grannis is giving away a free song called "Valentine"

Yes, if this enough for you, check out more Girls Girls Girls. This is the 8th installment.

>>>
KINA GRANNIS
kinagrannis.com

Kina Grannis is a Japanese/American singer/songwriter who won the Doritos Crash the Super Bowl contest in 2007. I mentioned her in February 2011.

Then, about three months ago, she had a massive viral hit music video for "In Your Arms", off her debut album, Stairwells, with over 5.5 million views as of this writing. If you haven't seen the video, get this: they used 288,000 jelly beans and took 22 months to put together. Talk about commitment.

On the strength of viral video, she's been after selling out dates (sounds familiar, Gotye?) in the UK and S/E Asia and Australia.

Kina Grannis returns to the US this April, below are her confirmed headlining tour dates:

Apr.9th Porter’s Pub San Diego, CA Apr. 10th Martini Ranch Scottsdale, AZ Apr. 13th The Parish Austin, TX Apr. 14th Fitzgerald’s Upstairs Houston, TX Apr. 15th The Kessler Theater Dallas, TX Apr. 17th Variety Playhouse Atlanta, GA Apr. 18th Cat’s Cradle Carrboro, NC Apr. 20th Sound Stage Baltimore, MD Apr. 21st Theatre of the Living Arts Philadelphia Apr. 24th 9:30 Club Washington, DC Apr. 25th Irving Plaza New York, NY Apr. 27th Paradise Rock Club Boston, MA Apr. 28th Corona Theatre Montreal, QC

Apr. 29th Phoenix Concert Theatre Toronto, ON May 1st Park West Chicago, IL May 2nd Beachland Ballroom Cleveland, OH May 3rd Blind Pig Ann Arbor, MI May 4th Univ. of Wisconsin – Madison, WI May 5th Varsity Theater Minneapolis, MN May 7th Bluebird Theater Denver, CO May 11th Aladdin Theater Portland, OR May 12th The Rio Theatre Vancouver, BC May 13th Neptune Theatre Seattle, WA May 17th The Fillmore San Francisco, CA May 18th John Anson Ford Los Angeles, CA May 20th Next Door Honolulu, HI

EVEN MORE:

PEPPER pepperofficial.com Not a whole lot of details given, other than that she just signed to Dirtee Stank Records. She also is based out of London. You can preview "Happy Girl" (Acoustic) via Soundcloud.

AMANDA MAIR facebook.com/amandamairofficial Remember Amanda Mair? Since I last mentioned her, she finally released her debut album (out on Sweden's Labrador Records on February 15th). She's not quite legal, she's 17 years old now. I have to say, I do really like Swedish pop music, and what I've heard of Mair, she's good. Check out the music video for "Sense" on Youtube . UPDATE: Her album will be released internationally on June 5th, 2012.

ANGELINA LAVO angelinalavo.com From Russia, with love… I've always wanted to start with that… although in her biography , she's been living in New York as of 2009. She unveiled her Circus Act in late 2011, which I did look at; it sounds very hip-hoppy. Lavo thinks her single is easily accessible: "My EP is easy-going & fun because everyone has terrible, tough situations, but my music puts all of that away. "

KITTY CLEMENTINE kittyclementine.com Kitty Clementine is from Sally's town, Sydney, Australia. Her self-titled album is coming out March 6th, 2012, via Clumpty Records (New Power Media). You can download a preview track, "Blow That Horn", at Soundcloud . Her biography said that she comes from Sydney's "warehouses and speakeasies" singing jazz ballads, baroque aria, and even screaming noise; all sounding very artsy and poetic… which is hard to place her music.

vu () ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ podcast.weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com/weheartmusic ♥ +W♥M

Girls Girls Girls 7: The Black and White edition

The theme for this article is 'black and white' because these album artwork is mostly in black and white (with soft/faded colors). Do you like girl bands? See more Girls Girls Girls then.

Read More Ladyhawke When Ladyhawke took the stage, she's nervous happy. Between songs, she was at a loss of words, or when she did speak they sound nonsensical to me. However, she did manage to sneak in the story about seeing a man...

LADYHAWKE
ladyhawkemusic.com

It's no secret, I'm in love with Ladyhawke. Her song made my top 2008 list, and I was lucky enough to catch her on tour a few years ago.

Her new album is called Anxiety and will be out in the US on March 27th via Casablanca Records (if you know Spanish, that means White House).

Look for the world premiere of her song "Black White & Blue" on Radio 1 (UK) with Zane Lowe at 7pm GMT on Monday Jan 23rd (2pm EST) (also available simultaneously on Australia's Triple J).

ANXIETY ALBUM TRACKLIST
1. Girl Like Me
2. Sunday Drive
3. Black White & Blue
4. Vaccine
5. Blue Eyes
6. Vanity
7. The Quick & The Dead
8. Anxiety
9. Cellophane
10. Gone Gone Gone

EMELI SANDÉ
emelisande.com

Scottish-born singer and songwriter Emeli Sandé will be making her North American debut with a handful of selective dates (including one in Minneapolis!). The mini-tour will preview of the songs from Sandé's upcoming debut album, Our Version Of Events (out on Capitol Records in June 2012).

She's already established in the UK, with Q Magazine calling her album: "passionate, powerful and possessed of real star quality."

With that, Sandé won the Critics Choice Award at the Brit Awards for 2012 (other past winners include Adele and Florence + the Machine). Since Adele and Flo were some of the breakout success of 2011, expect a similar embrace for Sandé in 2012.

Emeli Sandé's upcoming tour dates:

02/27 New York, NY The Box (private showcase)
03/01 Los Angeles, CA Hollywood Forever Cemetery
03/02 San Francisco, CA Café du Nord
03/05 Minneapolis, MN Dakota
03/07 Toronto, ON The Drake

Check out the warehouse-ish video for Next to Me.

CATE LE BON
catelebon.com

Cate Le Bon's been busy, after supporting St Vincent in the USA, Annie Clark asked Le Bon to join her band as backup vocals on her European tour dates.

With that, last Tuesday (January 17th) saw the release of her second album, CYRK, via the Control Group. If you want to listen to it, you can do it right now via Paste Magazine or KCRW Radio.

I have already asked Lara to cover Veronica Falls, so we'll be reviewing Cate Le Bon's show at the 7th Street in Minneapolis:

Weds Feb. 8 - Cambridge, MA @ TT The Bears
Thu Feb. 9 - New York, NY @ Mercury Lounge
Fri Feb. 10 - Hoboken, NJ @ Maxwell's
Sat Feb. 11 - Philadelphia, PA @ KungFu Necktie
Sun Feb. 12 - Washington, DC @ DC9
Tue Feb. 14 - Chicago, IL @ Shuba's
Thu Feb. 16 - Madison, WI @ Frequency
Fri Feb. 17 - Minneapolis, MN @ 7th Street Entry
Wed Feb. 22 - Seattle, WA @ Crocodile
Thu Feb. 23 - Portland, OR @ Mississippi Studios
Fri Feb. 25 - San Francisco, CA @ The Independent (Noise Pop) *
Sun Feb. 26 - Santa Monica, CA @ McCabe's Guitar Shop
Mon Feb. 27 - Los Angeles, CA @ Bardot Hollywood ("School Night")

* = w/ Surfer Blood

vu () ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ podcast.weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com/weheartmusic ♥ +W♥M

Girls Girls Girls 6

Like this? Read more Girls Girls Girls articles.

V V BROWN
vvbrown.com

I honestly really loved V V Brown's debut album, Travelling Like the Light, and every once in a while, her song, "Leave!" comes up on my iPod and I just can't help but tap my foot to it.

She's hoping that her latest single, "Children", will inspire a singalong too, you can check out the video at vevo.com (officially released on VH1's "Big Morning Buzz Live").

What can I say? It's catchy, I love the ice-cream van song.

The song will probably be featured on her second LP, Lollipops & Politics to be released February 7th, 2012 on Capitol Records.

Catch V V live:

November 4 Washington, DC DC9
November 7 Los Angeles, CA Bardot *
November 8 San Francisco, CA Rickshaw Shop
November 9 Los Angeles, CA Hotel Café
November 10 Seattle, WA Nectar Lounge

THE BANDANA SPLITS
facebook.com/thebandanasplits

You know I love The Smiths/Morrissey, so I'm always game to hear people's interpretation of their songs.

We've previously featured this 50s doo-wop band, The Bandana Splits, on our Freebies section, but I wanted to spotlight their cover of Morrissey's "Everyday is Like Sunday" here.

The song was recorded as a special gift to fans for reaching 1,000 "likes" on their facebook. I did listen to it, it's very harmonizing and acoustic and, er, harmless.

Maybe they'll play it at their upcoming show?

11/12 - Brooklyn, NY @ Branded Saloon - 7:00pm - RSVP

PARENTHETICAL GIRLS
twitter.com/pgrrrls

Speaking of cover lovers, Parenthetical Girls covered Kate Bush on their new release Privilege 12" released yesterday (November 1st). You can listen for yourself on soundcloud.

Okay, so the singer isn't a girl, but I never said you had to be an XX to fit in this "Girls Girls Girls" series.

Well, it looks like the 'Rent-Girls will be doing some dates:

Nov 5 Portland, OR: Backspace
Dec 1 Brooklyn, NY: GLASSLANDS *
Dec 2 Purchase, NY: SUNY PURCHASE
Dec 8 Annandale-on-Hudson, NY: SMOG (Bard College)

RACHAEL YAMAGATA
rachaelyamagata.com

Just briefly, but I wanted to pass this along: Rachael Yamagata has been invited to tour the White House to participate in an official White House "tweet up meeting" today (Wednesday) at 4:30pm EST.

I have re-tweeted her message:

Going to the White House tmrw any ?'s/ topics you guys have u want me to relay? Tweet to @rachaelyamagata @JonCarson44 and @whitehouse

We have previously mentioned her current tour dates. Rachael will be stopping by the Fine Line Cafe in Minneapolis on 11/11/11.

vu () ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ podcast.weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com/weheartmusic