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Forever Young

Please read more Young Bands and The Young and the Restless.

Read More ZZ Ward Thanks to massive support from local radio station Cities 97, ZZ Ward has consistently sold out all her shows in the Twin Cities. …

THE YOUNG WILD
theyoungwild.com

Fairfax Recordings' new signee The Young Wild is currently touring the country with ZZ Ward. Speaking from seeing ZZ Ward live several times, I can tell you that attendance to her shows are terrific (I believe she sold out every time she played in Minneapolis), thanks to support from radio station Cities 97. Her upcoming Minneapolis show (September 25) sold out, so I believe she's actually added another date (September 26) due to demands.

The Young Wild is Bryan B William (singer/guitarist), Gareth Moore (bassist) and Brandon Zedaker (drums). Look for the California band's debut album sometime in 2016. In the meantime, check out their new single "Not A One", via Soundcloud (available for purchase at the usual online sources like iTunes and Google and Amazon).

The Young Wild Tour Dates with ZZ Ward

09/07/15 Atlanta, GA @ Center Stage Theater
09/08/15 Charleston, SC @ Music Farm
09/09/15 Orlando, FL @ The Beacham
09/11/15 Charlotte, NC @ The Fillmore
09/12/15 Baltimore, MD @ Baltimore Soundstage
09/13/15 Boston, MA @ Royale
09/18/15 New York, NY @ Irving Plaza
09/20/15 Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer
09/22/15 Toronto, ON @ The Opera House
09/23/15 Cleveland, OH @ House Of Blues
09/25/15 Minneapolis, MN @ First Avenue Mainroom
09/26/15 Minneapolis, MN @ First Avenue Mainroom
09/27/15 Chicago, IL @ House Of Blues
09/29/15 St Louis, MO @ The Pageant
09/30/15 Lawrence, KS @ Granda Theater
10/02/15 Denver, CO @ The Fillmore Auditorium
10/03/15 Salt Lake City, UT @ The Depot
10/04/15 Boise, ID @ Knitting Factory
10/07/15 Spokane, WA @ The Knitting Factory
10/08/15 Portland, OR @ Roseland Theater
10/09/15 Seattle, WA @ Neptune Theatre
10/11/15 San Francisco, CA @ The Fillmore
10/16/15 Los Angeles, CA @ El Rey Theatre
10/17/15 Tempe, AZ @ The Marquee Theater
10/18/15 San Diego, CA @ House Of Blues

Read More Jacco Gardner Netherlands' Jacco Gardner at 7th Street Entry, on tour now in support of Hypnophobia (Polyvinyl). Calvin Love to open. Love's latest Super Future will be available on 6/16 on Arts …

YOUNGHUSBAND
facebook.com

London's Younghusband recently shared "Waverly Street," the second single from their upcoming second album Dissolver (ATP Recordings) via CMJ.

The UK band is also currently touring with Jacco Gardner, as well as returning for a UK headline tour in November with support from fellow ATP Recordings artist Grimm Grimm.

Tour with Jacco Gardner:

09/15 @ Brighton, Sticky Mike's
09/16 @ Bristol, Louisiana
09/17 @ Cardiff, Clwb Ifor Bach
09/18 @ Coventry, The Tin Music & Arts
09/19 @ Sheffield, Leadmill
09/20 @ Nottingham, Bodega
09/22 @ Leeds, Brudenell Games Room
09/23 @ Stockton, Georgian Theatre
09/24 @ Glasgow, King Tuts Wah Wah Club

Headlining tour:

11/10 @ Glasgow, The Hug and Pint
11/11 @ York, The Basement
11/12 @ Birmingham, Sunflower Lounge
11/13 @ Leicester, The Cookie Jar
11/14 @ Sheffield, Cornershop
11/15 @ Manchester, Eagle Inn
11/16 @ London, The Moth Club
11/17 @ Cambridge, The Portland Arms

 

WILL YOUNG
willyoung.co.uk

Multi-million selling Brit Award winning singer-songwriter Will Young recently released his new single for "Joy", on Island Records (impact date of September 25th), taken from his fourth #1 album, 85% Proof. I do not believe the album is available in the USA.

Along with the success of 85% Proof, Young has confirmed his long-awaited UK "Love Revolution Tour" – his first nation-wide tour in four years.

The Love Revolution Tour dates in full:

10/29 York Barbican (Sold Out)
10/30 Liverpool Empire
11/01 Plymouth Pavilions
11/02 Brighton Centre
11/04 Birmingham Symphony Hall
11/05 Cambridge Corn Exchange
11/06 Southend Cliffs Pavilion (Sold Out)
11/08 Dublin Olympia Theatre
11/09 Belfast Waterfront
11/11 Newcastle City Hall
11/13 Glasgow Clyde Auditorium
11/14 Blackpool Opera House
11/16 Birmingham Symphony Hall
11/17 Ipswich Regent Theatre (Sold Out)
11/18 Cardiff St David's Hall
11/20-Nov Bristol Colston Hall (Sold Out)
11/21 Llandudno Venue Cymru
11/22 Manchester Apollo
11/24 Oxford New Theatre
11/25 Swindon Oasis
11/26 Nottingham Royal Concert Hall
11/28 Bournemouth BIC
11/29 London Eventim Apollo Hammersmith Haded

YOUNG EMPIRES
youngempires.com

Toronto-based Young Empires just recently released their debut album The Gates (Votiv) last Friday, September 4th.

Typical with a new album, the band will be heading out on tour in support of it. Notable stops includes Los Angeles' The Echo on September 11 and The Empty Bottle in Chicago on September 27.

Tour dates:

09/06/15 Calgary, AB Fort Calgary Historic Park
09/07/15 Los Angeles, CA The Avalon
09/08/15 San Diego, CA - The Casbah
09/09/15 Fullerton, CA - Continental Room
09/11/15 Los Angeles, CA - The Echo
09/12/15 San Francisco, CA - Neck Of The Woods
09/13/15 Washington, D.C. - U Street Music Hall
09/15/15 Portland, OR - Analog Theater
09/16/15 Seattle, WA - Tractor Tavern
09/17/15 Vancouver, BC Fortune Sound Club
09/19/15 Rifflandia Music Festival
09/24/15 Buffalo, NY - Waiting Room
09/26/15 Cincinnati, OH - Midpoint Music Festival
09/27/15 Chicago, IL - Empty Bottle

BRIEFLY:

YOUNGSMITH youngsmith.com.au Australia's Youngsmith will be releasing "Wither" this September 18th, 2015. The 33 year old Brisbane songwriter had this to say about the song, "The song came to me at a point in my life when I was feeling totally powerless. I was trying to hold onto my sanity, my relationship and avoiding all my thoughts and feelings. I kept on waiting for the pain to go away but it wouldn't. So, I put it into this song." Upcoming Show: November 5th - The Triffid, Newstead QLD

CONNER YOUNGBLOOD conneryoungblood.com Nashville by way of Dallas artist Conner Youngblood recently released "Stockholm," his first official release of 2015. The track's release comes in conjunction with the announcement that The Generation of Lift, his sophomore EP, will be out this October. While growing up in Dallas, Connor began playing clarinet and banjo in middle school and eventually started writing and recording songs in his college dorm at Yale. He's influenced by Elliott Smith, Gorillaz, and Sufjan Stevens, etc. We previously saw him with Angus & Julia Stone in 2014.

NEIL YOUNG neilyoung.com Look we love Neil Young. You may know that he thinks MP3s stinks and made an effort to create PonoMusic, the high-resolution music company. PonoMusic and Young recently announced that any music purchased via Ponomusic.com, regardless of its resolution, will be upgraded FREE if a Higher Resolution version becomes available. PonoMusic is the first and only music store offering this feature. I know I'm in the minority, but personally, I can't hear the differences, so asking me to purchase new (expensive) equipment to hear high-res songs is a non-starter for me... at least right now.

YOUNG & SICK youngandsick.com Nick van Hofwegen (aka Young & Sick) teamed up with JD Samson (from MEN/Le Tigre) as a band called Sharer. Their first single "Body Tonight" was released in August 2015, and was remixed by LEFTI and Midnight Magic. Young & Sick talked about his collaboration with JD Samson, "I used to go see JD simply as a fan while living in London. Her live shows were always absolutely fantastic, leaving me a sweaty mess. When the opportunity arose for me to work with her, I jumped at it. A few months later, here is the beginning of our new friendship. I couldn't be more excited to share it."

RABID YOUNG rabidyoung.com Las Vegas based rockers Rabid Young recently premiered their first single called "Not Enough" on PopMatters, who noted the bands "grandiose synth pop holds nothing back on its cinematic groove". "Not Enough" is off the bands forthcoming, EP 1, which will be released October 2nd

YOUNG POETS facebook.com Melbourne indie rock band Young Poets (not to be confused with America's Hungry Young Poets or London's Young Poets) recently released their single "Wanna Be Right" on September 4th via Tape Records. The single is taken from their forthcoming Crashes EP.

FINE, IT'S PINK facebook.com "Young Burns" is the new song from Romanian dreamy-psych-rock band Fine, It's Pink. Look for their debut single on September 25, 2015. You can hear "Young Burns" now on Soundcloud.

YOUTH ALLOWANCE facebook.com Australian band Youth Allowance was formed in 2013 (like many of these bands listed here). The Brisbane quartet's latest song is called "Running", taken from their forthcoming EP in October.

vu ([email protected]) ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com/weheartmusic ♥ itunes.apple.com

JD Samson & MEN - Empty Bottle, Chicago 1/31/14

MEN Tour Poster photo: facebook.com Setlist Credit Card Babie$ Club Thang Semenya Who Am I To Feel So Free? (She) Deconstruct Me Simultaneously All the Way Thru Next Making Art -- Encore -- Be Like This Tour Dates 02/03/14 The Frequency, Madison WI 02/04/14 The Basement, Columbus 02/05/14 Comet Ping Pong, Washington DC 02/06/14 Johnny Brenda’s, Philadelphia 02/07/14 Pittsfield, Massachussetts 02/08/14 Great Scott, Boston 02/09/14 Space Gallery, Portland Maine 03/06/14 Bar Pink, San Diego 03/07/14 Bootleg, Los Angeles 03/08/14 The Chapel, San Francisco 03/10/14 Holocene, Portland 03/11/14 The Cobalt, Vancouver 03/12/14 Chop Suey, Seattle Read More JD Samson It’s hard to believe it’s been nearly a decade since the last Le Tigre album (2004’s This Island), and six years since the band with the roller-skate jams went on hiatus. While Kathleen Hannah has been re-exploring her punk roots…

When I took my ex-girlfriend to see Le Tigre back in 2005, she was convinced that JD Samson was a dude. We argued about it for awhile, and then JD started singing. “Ohhhhhhhh, she IS a girl!” This perplexing androgyny is both a blessing and a curse. Serving as an icon to transgendered and queer youth provides JD with a visibility and purpose she probably would not have found if she were more traditional looking, but her unusual appearance also dogs her with a cruel “freakshow” vibe. (“That’s the band led by the chick with the moustache.”) Fortunately, JD is much stronger than her detractors and has blossomed in her lead role in MEN. “Visibility” and “Freedom” are the two principles expressed most often in MEN’s songs, and these concepts came shining through in her joyful, positive performance at the Empty Bottle in Chicago on Friday.

JD Samson in cartoon jeans

After opening sets by Gel Set and Teen Witch Fan Club, JD came onstage wearing the fun cartoon jeans shown on the front cover of their latest album Labor. Wearing such bulky apparel didn’t stop her from creatively dancing her way through the opening songs (she ditched the costume for stretch pants a few songs in), occasionally returning to the keyboard to play a few notes. For the most part, JD stuck to the microphone; the musicianship duties were handled ably by the other two members of MEN, guitarist Michael O’Neill and keyboardist Lorna Dune. JD filled the role of Entertainer. And entertain us, she did! From some quite amazing high leaping kicks in the air to wild hand gestures in time to the music to jumping around energetically with a wide smile on her face, she kept the groove going throughout the 11 song set. And kept the crowd smiling along with her.

JD Samson

Most of the songs were faithful to the recorded versions, and when MEN did veer off script it was with mixed results. A slowed-down opening version of “Credit Card Babie$” had me pining for the dangerously catchy upbeat recorded version. (I say “dangerously” because it’s often unwise to absent-mindedly sing, “I’m gonna f*** my best / I’m gonna f*** my best / I’m gonna f*** my best to make a little tiny baby” in mixed company.) Their most popular track, “Who Am I To Feel So Free?,” also suffered slightly from a spoken word interlude that slowed down the momentum of the song. But these are minor complaints; the crowd didn’t seem to mind, shouting along with the chorus enthusiastically.

MEN is a dance band at heart

Though MEN is a dance band at heart, their set contained a good mixture of songs both hard and fast and soft and mellow. In fact, two of the highlights for me were the downbeat “Next” (whose lyric, “Never afford a house / Never retire,” hits all-too-close to home in modern America) and the romantic ballad “Simultaneously,” which featured exquisite, delicate guitar by O’Neill. The most interesting song introduction occurred with the single, “Making Art”: “It’s about continuing to make art even though you think it sucks. This is dedicated to all the feminist artists in the crowd.” Naturally, feminism is a frequent theme in MEN’s songs, and a cardboard placard on top of JD’s keyboard contained a drawing of a book with the pun, “Our Bodies, Our Shelves” on it. This, JD’s Semenya t-shirt (referencing androgynous South African runner Mokgadi Caster Semenya, who also inspires a MEN song title), and JD’s custom tampon string hat, which she wore on and off throughout the set, kept gender and feminism in the forefront.

JD referred to this as their “tundra” tour due to the intensely cold, snowy weather, and indicated that this show, which started around midnight, would be shortened so they could try to outrun an incoming snowstorm. Unfortunately, that meant they cut two encore songs off the setlist, presumably including the anthemic “Off Our Backs,” which I was looking forward to hearing. But that was a minor disappointment. As the show ended with the lines, “Nothing is working, not even a little bit” (from “Be Like This”) I thought to myself, look at this crowd, look at their smiling faces, look at them moshing triumphantly in front of you, look at the empowerment you’ve given them. No, I think it’s working very well, JD. Very well, indeed.

JD Samson & MEN at the Empty Bottle, Chicago (01/31/14)

angela ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ menmakemusic.com

Men

Read more Many Manly Men.

Read More JD Samson So is the world. For example, JD Samson (of MEN and Le Tigre), organized a court room statement reading last week. Supporters and readers included Chloë Sevigny …

JD SAMSON & MEN
menmakemusic.com

It’s hard to believe it’s been nearly a decade since the last Le Tigre album (2004’s This Island), and six years since the band with the roller-skate jams went on hiatus. While Kathleen Hannah has been re-exploring her punk roots with The Julie Ruin, JD Samson has continued to mine the dance/electropop vein of late-period Le Tigre with her band MEN, whose sophomore album, Labor, was self-released in October to positive critical reception.

MEN’s latest single is “Making Art” (also available as a remix E.P. because that’s what dance acts do) and butch heartthrob JD Samson has been taking that term to heart by making custom tampon string hats which are available for purchase on their website. If hipster visuals with a feminist bent and a beat you dance to is your thing, come see MEN on their national tour which is currently zig-zagging its way across the country.

Tour dates:

Dec 6 - Second Ward Foundation, Hudson NY
Dec 7- The Flywheel- Easthampton MASS
Dec 8 - Comet Ping Pong, Washington DC
Dec 14- Rough Trade, Brooklyn NY
Jan 25 - Il Motore, Montreal
Jan 26 - The Garrison, Toronto
Jan 28 - Blind Pig, Ann Arbor
Jan 29 - Beachland Tavern, Cleveland
Jan 30 - Radio Radio, Indianapolis
Jan 31 - The Empty Bottle, Chicago
Feb 1 – 7th Street Entry, Minneapolis
Feb 3 - The Frequency, Madison WI
Feb 4 - The Basement, Columbus
Feb 6 - Johnny Brenda’s, Philadelphia
Feb 8 - Great Scott, Boston

OF MICE & MEN
ofmiceandmenofficial.com

Of Mice & Men, a name stolen from John Steinbeck (by the way of William Shakespeare), has announced a third studio album called Restoring Force to be release on January 28th on Rise Records. The album is a follow up to the band's The Flood, which established the California-based band as a 'force' in the modern heavy metal music scene.

Frontman Austin Carlile explains, "What happens after a disaster? What happens after The Flood? You return to normal. You find balance again. That's what we felt like we were doing with this album. We wanted this record to bring equilibrium back to our band and music. We're letting everyone know that we're here to stay. We're Restoring Force."

Also, it's been announced that they will be joining Bring Me The Horizon for 'The American Dream Tour', which kicks off February 3rd in Orlando and ends on March 28th in San Diego.

The American Dream Tour:

Feb 03 Orlando, FL - The Plaza 'Live' Theater Feb 04 Ft. Lauderdale, FL - Revolution Live Feb 05 St. Petersburg, FL - Jannus Live Feb 06 Jacksonville, FL - Brewster's Megaplex Feb 08 Mexico City, DF - Jose Cuervo Salon Feb 10 Tucson, AZ - Rialto Theater Feb 11 Phoenix, AZ - Marquee Theater Feb 12 Albuquerque, NM - Sunshine Theater Feb 13 Denver, CO - The Ogden Feb 14 Kansas City, MO - Uptown Feb 15 Sauget, IL - Pops Feb 17 Minneapolis, MN - Mill City Nights Feb 18 Chicago, IL - House of Blues Feb 21 Plymouth, MI - Compuware Arena Feb 22 Toronto, ON - Sound Academy Feb 24 Montreal, QC - Metropolis Feb 27 Worchester, PA - The Palladium Feb 28 New York, NY - Best Buy

Mar 02 Philadelphia, PA - Electric Factory Mar 03 Silver Springs, MD - Fillmore Silver Mar 04 Clifton Park, NY - Upstate Mar 06 Atlanta, GA - The Tabernacle Mar 07 Nashville, TN - War Memorial Aud Mar 08 Memphis, TN - New Daisy Mar 10 New Orleans, LA - House of Blues Mar 11 Houston, TX - House of Blues Mar 12 Mission, TX - Las Palmas Race Park Mar 13 San Antonio, TX - Backstage Live Mar 14 Austin, TX - SXSW Mar 15 Grand Prairie, TX - Quik Trip Park Mar 16 Oklahoma City, OK - Diamond Mar 18 El Paso, TX - Tricky Falls Mar 21 San Francisco, CA - Regency Grand Mar 24 Seattle, WA - Showbox Mar 25 Vancouver, BC - Vogue Theater Mar 26 Portland, OR - Roseland Theater Mar 28 San Diego, CA - Soma

THE BEST MAN HOLIDAY
best-man.com

Sales of the Universal Pictures' The Best Man Holiday Soundtrack quadrupled over last weekend, landing at #2 and #4 on this week's Billboard Soundtracks and R&B Album Charts, respectively.

Film writer and director, Malcolm D. Lee, commented on why the movie soundtrack is just as important as the film, "I am a firm believer that music is essential to the entirety of a film going experience. The Best Man Holiday soundtrack is no exception. The songs listed here not only make up the fabric of the movie, but many served as inspiration to the creation of the screenplay. With a combination of new R&B tunes and Christmas classics by contemporary artists, this is the soundtrack I heard accompanying this movie. I hope you enjoy it this holiday season and every year."

The Best Man Holiday - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack track listing:

01 Christmastime To Me Jordin Sparks
02 Someday at Christmas Mario
03 What Christmas Means To Me Fantasia
04 I Still Have You Charlie Wilson
05 Christmas I'll Be Steppin' R. Kelly
06 This Christmas Mary J. Blige
07 Shelter John Legend
08 Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas Monica
09 Winter Wonderland Emeli Sandé
10 Can You Stand The Rain New Edition
11 I Want To Come Home for Christmas Ne-Yo
12 O Holy Night Jayda Brown & Jasmine Watkins
13 As Marsha Ambrosius & Anthony Hamilton

QUIET MARAUDER
quietmarauder.co.uk

MEN is the new album from Cardiff anti-folk Quiet Marauder. The album's tagline is, "111 songs. 4 volumes. 5 hours." The album is set for release in England on January the 27th 2014 on Bubblewrap Records.

With 111 songs and spanning over five hours, it made sense that it's some sort of Guinness World Record for longest debut LP in recorded popular music history.

Quiet tour dates:

11/30/13 Rhondda Rocks - Factory - Porth
12/06/13 Circus Punk - Warehouse 54 - Newport
12/08/13 Christmas Cwtch - Gwdihw - Cardiff
12/09/13 Bubblewrap Xmas Party - Four Bars

angela + vu () ♥ weheartmusic.com

Pussy Riot

Putin Lights Up the Fires

PUSSY RIOT
www.freepussyriot.org

I covered musician Viet Khang's unfairly jailed for performing two protest songs; the story was largely ignored by mainstream media. A similar story happened with Russian punk group Pussy Riot being jailed for performing "Virgin Mary, Please Drive Putin Away" song in front of a church. A peaceful demonstration, but the Russian courts deemed necessary to sentence three members of the band (Maria Alekhina, Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, and Ekaterina Samucevich) in jail for two years.

As you've guessed, the mainstream press and all fellow musicians and activists are extremely upset by the unfairness Pussy Riot suffered at the hands of Vladimir Putin's rule.

Pussy Riot recently shared a new protest song, "Putin Lights Up the Fire," on guardian.co.uk.

Here are the original Russian lyrics:

"Putin Lights Up the Fires" Государство в тюрьме сильнее времени Чем больше арестов - тем больше счастья А каждый арест - с любовью к сексисту Качнувшему щеки, как грудь и живот Но нас нельзя закупорить в ящик Свергай чекистов лучше и чаще Путин зажигает костры революций Ему скучно и страшно с людьми в тишине Что ни казнь у него - то гнилая рябина, Что ни срок в много лет - то предмет для поллюций

Припев. Страна идет, страна идет на улицы с дерзостью Страна идет, страна идет прощаться с режимом, Страна идет, страна идет феминистским клином А Путин идет, Путин идет, прощаться скотом Арестуй по 6 мая весь город 7 лет нам мало, дай 18 Запрети кричать, клеветать и гулять, Возьми себе в жены батьку Лукашенка Припев 2 раза.

JD SAMSON
menmakemusic.com

Yes, of course, I'm pretty upset about this. So is the world. For example, JD Samson (of MEN and Le Tigre), organized a court room statement reading last week. Supporters and readers included Chloë Sevigny, Eileen Myles, Karen Finley, Johanna Fateman, Mx Justin Vivian Bond, and others.

There was also a protest march and rally last Friday. Check out the video march on youtu.be.

Here is a photo from the court room reading.

Chloë Sevigny, photo by Mark Kendall

VIVIAN GIRLS
freewebs.com/viviangirls

Vivian Girls will be playing a benefit show for Pussy Riot at The Smell in Los Angeles on 8/27 (that's this MONDAY.) If you can make it out/if you live in the area, all proceeds from the $10 show will go directly to the Pussy Riot Legal Defense Fund. Joining the all-girls band will be Pangea, Haim and the appropriately-named Kremlin Head.

I don't have any writes based in south California, but I would really love if someone could send me a report and photos of the event.

Free Pussy Riot at the Smell Flyer

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

Many manly men

JD SAMSON & MEN
menmakemusic.com

You and I know who JD Samson is, but if you don't know, she is/was a member of Le Tigre. Since 2007, Samson teamed up with ex-Le Tigre bandmember Johanna Fateman on a project called MEN. Since then, the duo merged Samon's other project, Hirsute, adding in Michael O’Neill, Ginger Brooks Takahashi (displaced by Tami Hart), and artist Emily Roysdon.

TIME EP is the latest release from JD Samson & MEN, the pending release date is May 8th… with these known tour dates:

JD Samson & MEN tour dates (more dates tba):
4/27 – Boulder, CO @ Communikey Festival
5/10 – Los Angeles, CA @ Echoplex
5/11 – San Francisco, CA @ The Rickshaw Stop
5/12 – San Diego, CA @ Bar Pink
5/17 – Honolulu, HI @ Next Door (Acoustic)
5/18 – Honolulu, HI @ Soho

SCOTT LUCAS & THE MARRIED MEN
scottlucasandthemarriedmen.com

If there is anything you should take away from Scott Lucas & the Married Men, is that Scott Lucas is the singer/guitarist from Chicago's Local H.

Their forthcoming album, Blood Half Moon, will be out June 5th via The End Records (I believe this is the same label that released Danzig's last album).

In support of the album, here is their upcoming tour dates:

05/26 - Reverb Music Festival - Waterloo, IA
06/06 - The Aquarium - Fargo, ND *
06/07 - First Ave - Minneapolis, MN *
06/08 - Majestic Theater - Madison, WI *
06/09 - Metro - Chicago, IL *
06/10 - Magic Bag - Detroit, MI *
06/12 - O'Brien's Pub - Allston, MA
06/13 - Red Palace - Washington, DC
06/14 - Mercury Lounge - New York, NY
06/16 - North Star Bar - Philadelphia, PA

* Deer Tick + Turbo Fruits

GENTLEMEN HALL
gentlemenhall.com

Lara is covering Gentlemen Hall at 7th Street in Minneapolis today (April 18th). The band was the winner of Billboard's Battle of the Bands competition, and was featured in an online Microsoft commercial for their song "Gravity Will Break Our Bones" (duh).

Their current single is called "All Our Love" and you can watch the music video at youtube.com. If you like what you heard, you can download a free EP, When We All Disappear at gentlemenhall.com

Here is what's left of their tour dates:

April 18 - Minneapolis, MN - 7th Street Entry
April 19 - Ames, IA - The Maintenance Shop
April 21 - Cincinnati, OH - Bogart's Front Room

The Night Was On To Me (demo)

KAIA
jealousbutcher.com

You can't have women without 'men'. Ok, technically this doesn't below here, but I love Team Dresch and the Butchies (see Riot Grrrls), that I wanted to include Kaia Wilson.

Her album, Two Adult Women In Love, will be out May 22nd (Morrissey's birthday) via Jealous Butcher Records. She's currently wrapping up her tour with Amy Ray (who I saw in 2008 with Wilson on guitars).

KAIA WILSON TOUR DATES W/AMY RAY (Indigo Girls)
4/18 - Brighton Music Hall - Cambridge, MA
4/20 - The Saint - Asbury Park, NJ
4/21 - The Casbah - Durham, NC

THE MEN
wearethemen.blogspot.com/

It's not even May, but already the band, The Men, have played nearly sixty shows in 2012. They are a glutton for punishment, because they have announced their West Coast tour for June.

Their latest release will be called, Todo Muere Vol. 2, coming out April 21st via Sacred Bones Records. This is a special sampler for Record Store Day. You can get a sneak preview of one of their song, "A Minor" via Pitchfork. The song is described as an eight minute "slow-burning jam", however The Men have been known to play anything from hardcore punk to shoegaze to black metal.

Their massive upcoming 2012 tour:

5-16 New York, NY - Webster Hall ! 5-30 - Dublin, Ireland @ Whelan's 6-1 - Barcelona, Spain @ Primavera Festival 6-2 - London, UK @ Field Day Festival 6-3 - London, UK @ Shacklewell Arms 6-13 Ottawa, ON - Club Saw 6-14 Toronto, ON - The Garrison ^ 6-15 West Toronto, ON - Wrongbar [NXNE] 6-16 Grand Rapids, MI - Pyramid 6-18 Minneapolis, MN - 7th Street Entry 6-19 Fargo, ND - The Aquarium 6-21 Spokane, WA - Mootsy's 6-22 Seattle, WA - Barboza 6-23 Portland, OR - Mississippi Studios $ 6-24 San Francisco, CA - Bottom of the Hill

6-25 Santa Cruz, CA - 105 Pioneer St. 6-26 Los Angeles, CA - The Smell 6-28 Phoenix, AZ - Rhythm Room 6-29 El Paso, TX - Lips Lounge 6-30 Austin, TX - Red 7 7-1 Beaumont, TX - Victoria House 7-2 Jackson, MS - Hal & Mals 7-3 Atlanta, GA - 529 % 7-4 Belmont, NC - Haunted Mill 7-5 Washington, DC - DC 9 7-15 Chicago, IL - Pitchfork Festival ! w/ Ty Segall, White Fence, The Strange Boys ^ w/ Black Belles, Mac Demarco & more $ w/ Hurry Up % w/ Womyn Pryson

BRIEFLY:

OF MONSTERS AND MEN ofmonstersandmen.is You might remember that I saw Iceland's Of Monsters and Men last month. Well, Universal Republic released their debut album My Head Is An Animal April 3rd in America, with a different US cover artwork. They are doing some North American dates below: May 25 - The Gorge, WA @ Sasquatch July 29 - Newport, RI @ Newport Folk Festival August 3-5 Montreal, QC @ Osheaga Festival

BRAVE CHANDELIERS bravechandeliers.com/ Brave Chandeliers' video premier for the track "Madmen" is available now via youtube.com. The song is taken from their album, 11 Escapes, which comes out April 24th. About the video: the band shot the video during Portland's rush hour traffic and later edited the clips into the music video. The song and video is meant to reflect the rat race that the band was stuck in… and they mean to "escape".

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