W♥M (Archive)

Beatles Now

Read More The Beatles The Beatles. Really, a giant of rock giants. Unless you've been living under a rock, you know that Apple Records/EMI recently re-released all of the Beatles albums re-mastered this past 9/9/09 ..…

THE BEATLES
thebeatles.com

The Beatles' second film, Help!, is released on Blu-Ray and digitally on iTunes today (June 25). The digitally restored film and 5.1 soundtrack features iTunes Extras including a 30-minute documentary about making of the film - plus an appreciation by Martin Scorsese.

If you are a fan, like I am, you'll want to add this classic to your collection, along with 2012's Blu-Ray releases of Yellow Submarine and Magical Mystery Tour.

I am assuming you get all the bonus features of the iTunes version as you do with the Blu-Ray, so here is a listing of what's included:

• “The Beatles in Help!” – a 30-minute documentary about the making of the film with Richard Lester, the cast and crew, including exclusive behind-the-scenes footage of The Beatles on-set.
• “A Missing Scene” – a film outtake, featuring Wendy Richard
• “The Restoration of Help!” – an in-depth look at the restoration process
• “Memories of Help!” – the cast and crew reminisce
• 1965 Theatrical Trailers – two original U.S. trailers and one original Spanish trailer
• 1965 U.S. Radio Spots (hidden in menus)

Read More Yoko Ono Didn't Kim & Thurston called it quits? They're still on good terms as they've teamed up with Yoko Ono to release YOKOKIMTHURSTON, coming out September 25th, 2012, via Chimera Music ..…

THE SMITH TAPES
thesmithtapes.com

Columnist of the Village Voice "Scenes" and radio personality Howard Smith, is making his original recordings available now for the first time in 40 years (since it was originally aired). This upcoming collection focus on the Beatles, featuring five interviews with John Lennon & Yoko Ono between 1969 to 1972 and George Harrison in 1970.

The Smith Tapes— Collection 7 – John & Yoko & George

Paul is Dead Nov. 1969 / 12min.
As the rumor gains momentum, Smith phones Sandi Morse, the National Director of the Beatles’ fan club to ask her about what’s going on. A distraught Morse is overwhelmed by the frenzy surrounding the rumor and her failed attempts to quell it.

Dave Morrell Jan. 1972 / 27min.
Smith interviews the teenaged, rare recordings collector about the afternoon he spent trading memorabilia with John Lennon. Morrell then plays early rare Beatles’ recordings on the air.

John & Yoko’s Bed-In May 29, 1969 / 36min.
Smith speaks on the phone with John & Yoko, who are in their suite at the Queen Elizabeth Hotel in Montreal for the second of their two Bed-Ins. Among other things, they discuss selling Peace as a commodity, the Activist Movement, and Lennon’s denial of being, nor intention of being, a leader.

John & Yoko at Hawkin’s Ranch Dec. 17, 1969 / 1hour 58min.
Smith traveled to Ronnie Hawkin’s Ranch outside of Toronto to interview John & Yoko. While eating shrimp tempura, they discuss the ins and outs of recording with the Beatles, the band’s uncertain future, Woodstock vs. Altamont, the impact of the Youth Movement.

George Harrison May1, 1970 / 37min.
Just before beginning work on his first solo album, All Things Must Pass, Harrison speaks with Smith about the Beatles breakup, why he thinks they ought to keep recording albums together and his own evolution as a songwriter.

John & Yoko at the Regency Hotel Dec. 12, 1970 / 1hour 27min.
Smith interviews John & Yoko the day after the Plastic Ono Band album release while they are in the midst of shooting 2 art films. They discuss the emotional process of their music, their time in Janov therapy, how about they handle fame, and whether the Beatles will ever get back together.

John & Yoko at the St. Regis Sept. 9, 1971 / 1hour 11min.
Smith interviews John & Yoko on the day Lennon’s album Imagine is released. They discuss Ono’s upcoming retrospective, Paul’s, George’s and Ringo’s individual albums, the media’s criticisms of their relationship, John’s “working class” nature, and future plans.

John & Yoko at Home Jan. 23, 1972 / 1hour 18min.
Smith drops by John & Yoko’s West Village apartment on the day of a WPLJ Beatles marathon. Heard at times in the background, the songs inspire and direct the conversation. They discuss the experience of being a Beatles and their break up, being a Beatle wife, the experience of stage fright and emotional rollercoaster of performing, breakthroughs acquired in Janov therapy, and meeting Black Panthers.

AP Photo/Christie's, Mike Mitchell Read More Henry Grossman This 13-pound book, features over 1,000 photographs of The Beatles and their families and friends, all shot by Henry Grossman. Many of these photographs have never bee ..…

DAFA
davidanthonyfineart.com

"The Beatles are Coming to Taos" is the name of a photographic exhibit at the David Anthony Fine Art (DAFA) in Taos, New Mexico.

The exhibit is happening in the month of August (Aug. 2–30), with an emphasis on Mike Mitchell's photographs of the Beatles during their 1964 performance in Washington, DC (two days after their first appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show).

With the limitation of photographic technology back in that time period, Mitchell was forced to use his instinct in capturing the Beatles without flash and not knowing if any of his photos would turn out without developing the negatives.

Many of the stills used in "The Beatles Illuminated: the Discovered Works of Mike Mitchell" will be featured at the DAFA exhibit.

Details below:

The Annual DAFA Photography Invitational will host an opening reception on August 2, 2013, and the show will run through August 30, 2013. On August 3, Mike Mitchell will give a free talk and take questions in the Arthur Bell Auditorium at the Harwood Museum of Art. David Anthony Fine Art is located at 132 Kit Carson Road, Taos, NM.

vu () ♥ weheartmusic.com

Boy Bands on Tour

Read More Backstreet Boys Sure, they may be men now, but when you think of the best boy band of all time, it's still Backstreet Boys. The band re-united (that's right, Nick Carter, Howie Dorough, Brian Littrell ..…

BACKSTREET BOYS
backstreetboys.com

"Backstreet's Back Alright!"

Does saying that ever get old? No, and it was affectionately covered by SSLYBY and Ha Ha Tonka on their encore, so you know Backstreet Boys are still relevant.

Anyway, as part of the Backstreet Boy's 20th anniversary celebration, they're appearing on all the talk shows, including a stop at The Today Show to talk about their new album A World Like This.

Tour Dates (more to be announced):

08/02 Charter One Pavilion Chicago, IL
08/03 Verizon Wireless St. Louis, MO
08/04 Toledo Zoo Amph Toledo, OH
08/06 Bell Centre Montreal, QB
08/07 Molson Canadian Toronto, ON
08/08 DTE Energy Music Detroit, MI
08/09 PNC Pavilion Cincinnati, OH
08/10 Jacobs Pavilion at Nautica Cleveland, OH
08/12 Bank of America Pavilion Boston, MA
08/13 Nikon at Jones Beach Theater Wantagh, NY
08/15 PNC Bank Arts Center Holmdel, NJ
08/16 Susquehanna Bank Center Camden, NJ
08/17 Farm Bureau Live Virginia Beach, VA
08/20 Time Warner Cable Raleigh, NC
08/21 Verizon Wireless Amph Charlotte, NC
08/22 Chastain Park Amph Atlanta, GA
08/23 Live Nation Amph Tampa, FL
08/25 Cruzan Amphitheatre West Palm Beach, FL
08/28 AT&T Center San Antonio, TX
08/30 Verizon Theatre Dallas, TX
08/31 Cynthia Woods Mitchell Houston, TX
09/05 Comerica Theatre Phoenix, AZ
09/06 Verizon Wireless Amph Irvine, CA
09/07 Mandalay Bay Events Center Las Vegas, NV
09/08 Sleep Train Amph San Francisco, CA

Read More One Direction One Direction became Cosmopolitan's first all male cover in its 40 year history. Some may jokingly suggest there aren't any "men" on the cover. ..…

ONE DIRECTION
onedirectionmusic.com

The hottest boy band on the planet, One Direction, have a new 3D movie called "This is Us" coming out on August 30th, 2013. Fans got a sneak peek of the band's upcoming single, "Best Song Ever", for the new trailer for film.

The band also announced their third studio album will be available available digitally on July 22nd. Hardcore fans will have to wait until August 19th for the physical CD… but we already know they're buying both formats.

One Direction is currently playing stadiums across the country. They're set for at least 70 public appearances, so I'm just listing their North American tour dates:

06/25/13 Philadelphia, PA Wells Fargo Center
06/26/13 Mansfield, MA Comcast Center
06/28/13 Wantagh, NY Nikon At Jones Beach
06/29/13 Wantagh, NY Nikon At Jones Beach
07/02/13 East Rutherford, NJ IZOD Center
07/04/13 Montreal, QC Bell Centre
07/05/13 Hershey, PA Hersheypark Stadium
07/06/13 Hershey, PA Hersheypark Stadium
07/08/13 Pittsburgh, PA Consol Energy Center
07/09/13 Toronto, ON Air Canada Centre
07/10/13 Toronto, ON Air Canada Centre
07/12/13 Auburn Hills, MI Palace Of Auburn Hills
07/13/13 Tinley Park, IL First Midwest Bank
07/14/13 Tinley Park, IL First Midwest Bank
07/18/13 Minneapolis, MN Target Center
07/19/13 Kansas City, MO Sprint Center
07/21/13 Houston, TX Toyota Center
07/22/13 Dallas, TX American Airlines Center
07/24/13 Denver, CO Pepsi Center
07/25/13 Salt Lake City, UT Maverik Center
07/27/13 Vancouver, BC Rogers Arena
07/28/13 Seattle, WA KeyArena At Seattle Center
07/30/13 San Jose, CA HP Pavilion At San Jose
07/31/13 Oakland, CA Oracle Arena
08/02/13 Las Vegas, NV Mandalay Bay
08/03/13 Las Vegas, NV Mandalay Bay
08/04/13 Chula Vista, CA Sleep Train
08/06/13 Chula Vista, CA Sleep Train
08/07/13 Los Angeles, CA Staples Center
08/08/13 Los Angeles, CA Staples Center
08/09/13 Los Angeles, CA Staples Center
08/10/13 Los Angeles, CA Staples Center

Read More NKOTB I am actually not that excited (or surprise) about New Kids on the Block returning, but I know that Courtney is really excited about this and did a live blog on the reunion. ..…

NKOTB
nkotb.com

The boys from Boston are back with 10, named after their 10th album release (including compilation albums). The band is currently on tour with 98 Degrees and Boyz II Men.

06/25/13 Cincinnati, OH U.S. Bank Arena
06/27/13 Houston, TX Toyota Center
06/28/13 Dallas, TX American Airlines Center
06/29/13 Oklahoma City, OK Chesapeake
06/30/13 St. Louis, MO Scottrade Center
07/02/13 Summerfest
07/05/13 Los Angeles, CA Staples Center
07/06/13 Las Vegas, NV Mandalay Bay
07/07/13 San Jose, CA HP Pavilion At San Jose
07/09/13 Tacoma, WA Tacoma Dome
07/10/13 Vancouver, BC Rogers Arena
07/12/13 San Jose, CA HP Pavilion At San Jose
07/13/13 Anaheim, CA Honda Center
07/14/13 Glendale, AZ Jobing.com Arena
07/16/13 Broomfield, CO 1stBank Center
07/17/13 Broomfield, CO 1stBank Center
07/18/13 Rosemont, IL Allstate Arena
07/19/13 Rosemont, IL Allstate Arena
07/20/13 Minneapolis, MN Target Center
07/21/13 Kansas City, MO Sprint Center
07/25/13 Manchester, NH Verizon Wireless Arena
07/26/13 Atlantic City, NJ Mark G. Etess Arena
07/27/13 MixTape Festival
07/28/13 Toronto, ON Air Canada Centre
07/29/13 Mount Pleasant, MI Soaring Eagle
08/01/13 Albany, NY Times Union Center
08/02/13 Buffalo, NY First Niagara Center
08/03/13 Columbus, OH Schottenstein Center
08/04/13 Indianapolis, IN Bankers Life Fieldhouse

PS, Did you catch the New Kids on the Block's playlist on Rdio?

vu () ♥ weheartmusic.com

Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Maximum Hedrum at First Avenue, Minneapolis (06/24/13)

Setlist Tour Dates 06/28/13 Kansas City, KS Kansas Speedway 06/29/13 Tinley Park, IL - First Midwest* 07/01/13 Toronto, Canada - Echo Beach* 07/14/13 Kinross, UK Balado 07/17/13 Amsterdam, Netherlands Paradiso 07/18/13 Dour, Belgium Festival Grounds 07/20/13 Suffolk, UK Henham Park 07/21/13 Dublin, Ireland Marlay Park * with Maximum Hedrum Read More Yeah Yeah Yeahs Have a ticket to see the sold-out Yeah Yeah Yeahs show this Monday at First Avenue in Minneapolis? I suggest showing up early to get a good spot, and while you're there early, you'll be treated to Maximum Hedrum (a nod to Max Headroom?) …

The Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Maximum Hedrum just stopped by First Avenue in Minneapolis last night, June 24th.

MAXIMUM HEDRUM

"I can tell they're going to be good," was what I overheard when Maximum Hedrum took the stage in their checkered suits; they certainly left a good first impression.

Based on hearing the electro-funk group's songs "PHD (in Sexuality)" back-to-back with "RoboSexual", then "Sunkissed Butterfly", and their last song, "Hugzzz for Everybody", they seem to be all about love. Including a brief song called "Praise Seitan" to animal lovers (Seitan is a vegetarian meat replacement). Of course, looking at the way they sing and dance, they seem to be fun-loving guys having a good time.

Maximum Hedrum were personally asked to do a number of dates with Yeah Yeah Yeahs. They're also playing Milwaukee's Summerfest and Mammoth Live in Kansas.

As for Yeah Yeah Yeahs, please refer to the setlist to see all the songs played. I'll try to fill in the rest. Karen O, has, as always, a bit of a stage presence. She underwent a few jackets and costumes changes throughout their set.

YYY fans are a dedicated bunch who showed up two hours before the doors open. They would rush to the front and sing along to all their songs, including new songs (like "Under The Earth", "Slave", "Despair", and "Sacrilege") from Mosquito, which came out April 16th on Interscope Records.

Encore was interesting, Har Mar Superstar came on stage to sing "Happy Birthday" to YYY's additional live guitarist David Pajo.

Yeah Yeah Yeahs are currently on tour in support of Mosquito, doing some random, mostly festival, tour dates this summer.

Yeah Yeah Yeahs (with Har Mar Superstar) at First Avenue, Minneapolis (06/24/13)

vu () ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ yeahyeahyeahs.com ♥ maximumhedrum.com

Unknown Mortal Orchestra at Cedar Cultural Center, Minneapolis (06/23/13)

Tour Poster Tour Dates 06/24 - Des Moines, IA - Vaudeville Mews 06/26 - Akron, OH - Musica 06/28 - Seaport Music Festival 06/29 - Hamden, CT - The Space 07/04 - 07/07 - Roskilde Festival 07/18 - Dunedin, NZ - ReFuel 07/19 - Auckland, NZ - Kings Arm 07/20 - Wellington, NZ - Bodega 07/23 - Perth, AU - The Rosemount 07/25 - Sydney, AU - The Standard 07/26 - Byron Bay - Splendour in the Grass 07/27 - Melbourne - Corner Hotel 08/03 - Chicago, IL - Lollapalooza 08/09 - Way Out West Festival 08/10 - Oslo, Norway - Oya Festival 08/16 - Pukkelpop Festival 08/17 - Lowlands Festival 08/18 - Wales, UK - Green Man Festival 09/06 - Portland, OR - Branx (Music Fest NW) 09/26 - San Francisco, CA - The Fillmore 09/27 - Los Angeles, CA - Troubadour 09/28 - San Diego, CA - Casbah 09/29 - Phoenix, AZ - Crescent Ballroom 10/02 - Austin, TX - The Mohawk 10/03 - Stickyz RocknRoll Chicken Shack 10/04 - Nashville, TN - Exit In 10/05 - Atlanta, GA - Terminal West 10/06 - Carboro, NC - Cats Cradle 10/08 - Washington, DC - Rock & Roll Hotel 10/09 - Philadelphia, PA - First Unitarian Church 10/14 - Boston, MA - Brighton Music Hall 10/15 - Montreal, Canada - Cabaret Mile End 10/16 - Toronto, Canada - Lee's Palace 10/17 - Detroit, MI - Magic Stick Lounge 10/18 - Columbus, OH - Ace of Cups 10/19 - Pittsburgh, PA - Altar 10/22 - Madison, WI - The Frequency 11/07 - London, UK - Electric Ballroom 11/08 - Manchester, UK - Academy 2 11/10 - Poitiers, France - Confort Moderne 11/12 - Utrecht, Holland - Tivoli Ouderacht 11/13 - Brussels, Belgium - AB Club 11/15 - Prague - Chapeau Rouge 11/16 - Vienna, Austria - B72 11/18 - Budapest, Hungary - A38 Ship 11/20 - Zurich, Switzerland - Rote Fabrik 11/21 - Dudingen, Switzerland - Bad Bonn 11/22 - Carpi, Italy - Mattatoio 11/23 - Rome, Italy - Blackout 11/25 - Montpellier, France - Rockstore 11/26 - Barcelona, Spain - La 2 11/27 - Madrid, Spain - El Sol Read More Unknown Mortal Orchestra Unknown Mortal Orchestra's Summer U.S. tour starts tomorrow, June 14th! The band is touring in support of II, out now via Jagjaguwar. You may remember that we caught the Portland-based band …

Unknown Mortal Orchestra's first headlining show in Minneapolis took place last night at the Cedar Cultural Center, according to singer Ruban Nielson. The Portland-based band previously played with Solid Gold for "Into the Black" (art gallery in Minneapolis) in June 2012, and a month later, returned to the city supporting Liars.

BASS DRUM OF DEATH

Normally Bass Drum of Death is a duo, but for this tour, they added a guitarist, adding some muscle to their sound. As Amy previously written Bass Drum of Death on their last headlining tour, the band had "little to say between songs to keep the intensity and momentum going."

Very same deal here, as they played tracks from GB City, like "Velvet Itch". Not all were old songs, Bass Drum of Death previewed some new tracks, like "Crawling After You" and the set closer "Shattered Me", off an upcoming self-titled album (to be out June 25, 2013, via Innovative Leisure).

Unknown Mortal Orchestra came on a little late, as bassist Jake Portrait commented, "We're missing a third player, he's still pissing." A few minutes of goofing around on stage, and eventually singer/guitarist Ruban Nielson came on stage.

Like Bass Drum, very little talk between songs… most of the songs were extra extended near the end with extra psychedelia as Nielson goes into a trance-like guitar-playing noodling.

Of course, this tour is for their second album, II, so we got those songs in spades, although they did sneak in some songs from their self-titled debut, like "How Can You Luv Me" and "Thought Ballune".

My favorite from the II set is probably the double-whammy at the end with "Swim And Sleep (Like A Shark)", followed by the last song, "So Good At Being In Trouble".

Unknown Mortal Orchestra's latest album, II, is out now on Jagjaguwar. The album got rave reviews from NME and Pitchfork, so if you're interested in checking them out, see them on this tour with Bass Drum of Death.

Unknown Mortal Orchestra at Cedar Cultural Center, Minneapolis (06/23/13)

vu () ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ bassdrumofdeath.com ♥ portugaltheman.com

Portugal. The Man at First Avenue, Minneapolis (06/22/13)

Setlist Tour Dates 06/23 St. Louis, MO - The Pageant 06/25 Dallas, TX - House of Blues 06/26 New Orleans, LA - House of Blues 06/27 Houston, TX - House of Blues 06/28 San Antonio, TX - Josabi's 06/29 El Paso, TX - Tricky Falls 07/02 Santa Fe, NM - Santa Fe Sol 07/03 Telluride, CO - Telluride Conference 07/04 Aspen, CO - Belly Up 07/05 Morrison, CO - Red Rocks Amph 07/06 Park City, UT - Park City Live 07/10 San Diego, CA - House of Blues 07/11 Anaheim, CA - House of Blues 07/12 Los Angeles, CA - The Wiltern 07/13 Oakland, CA - Fox Theater 07/16 Vancouver, BC - Commodore Ballroom 07/17 Seattle, WA - Showbox SoDo 07/18 Portland, OR - Crystal Ballroom 09/26 Montreal, QC - Corona Theatre 09/27 New York, NY - Terminal 5 09/29 Boston, MA - House of Blues 10/01 Silver Springs, MD - The Fillmore 10/02 Charlotte, NC - The Fillmore 10/03 Atlanta, GA - The Tabernacle 10/05 Austin, TX - ACL Music Festival 10/08 Lake Buena Vista, FL - House of Blues 10/09 Ft. Lauderdale, FL - Revolution Live 10/12 Austin, TX - ACL Music Festival 10/13 Mexico City, MX - Corona Capital 2013 10/15 Tulsa, OK - Cain's Ballroom 10/16 Columbia, MO - Mojo's 10/18 Boulder, CO - Boulder Theater 10/19 Denver, CO - Ogden Theatre 10/22 Reno, NV - Knitting Factory 10/23 Ventura, CA - Ventura Theatre 10/26 Las Vegas, NV - Life Is Beautiful Festival Read More Portugal. The Man Portugal. The Man's frontman John Gourley recall working on his seventh album, Evil Friends , as a collaboration with Danger Mouse (aka Brian Burton). According to Gourley, "I walked into his [Danger Mouse] place …

For a show that was reportedly had a pre-sale of 800 tickets, it sure felt really sold out as bodies crushed us in the front at Portugal. The Man's show at First Avenue in Minneapolis on Saturday, June 22nd.

Starting the show was Guards, who we previously covered as Richie Follin in Cults (live band), with Deer Tick in 2011, and, most recently, with Palma Violets in April.

GUARDS

Songs on their set was, as expected, mostly from their album In Guards We Trust released in February via Black Bell Records. They played "Silver Lining" early in, before announcing the band's names and brief introduction to their new album with "Nightmare". According to Follin on stage, their "slowest song" is called "Not Supposed To", even though it didn't feel slow at all.

I think the highlight for me was when Follin asked the lights to be turned off at the start of "Sail It Slow", which actually from their 2011 self-titled EP.

PORTUGAL. THE MAN

By the time Portugal. The Man took the stage to their introductory song The Righteous Brothers' "Unchained Melody", the First Avenue floor was packed. At least it sure felt packed in the front, as bodies crushed us in anticipation for the band to play.

As you can see from the setlist, most of the songs are from the new album, Evil Friends ("Purple Yellow Red and Blue", "Evil Friends", "Atomic Man", "Modern Jesus", "Hip Hop Kids", "Creep In A T-Shirt", and the first encore song "Sea of Air"). From what I've heard live, particularly near the end with "Hip Hop Kids" and "Creep In A T-Shirt" combo, the fans loved dancing to this. This may have something to do with the new record was collaborated with Danger Mouse, who brought a fresh alternative electronic hip hop to their new sound.

Rounding out the rest of the set were odds and ends with the majority of last year's major label Atlantic's In the Mountain in the Cloud ("So American", "Share with Me the Sun", "Got It All (This Can't Be Living Now)", and "Sleep Forever").

Best audience reaction (prior to the encore), was probably "People Say", which is a relatively older song from Portugal. The Man.

Encore was "Sea of Air" followed by a medley of "The Devil" and the Beatles' "Helter Skelter".

What can I say? If you like dancing, check out Portugal. The Man on tour. Sadly, if you live in Spain, I don't see them playing in your country this year. Anyway, the Portland-based band is currently out supporting their the new record Evil Friends, out now on Atlantic Records.

Portugal. The Man at First Avenue, Minneapolis (06/22/13)

vu () ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ portugaltheman.com ♥ portugaltheman.com

Ha Ha Tonka and Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin at 7th Street Entry, Minneapolis (06/22/13)

Ha Ha Tonka Setlist Tour Dates 06/24 Schubas Chicago, IL 06/25 RUMBA CAFÉ Columbus, OH 06/26 DC9 Washington, DC 06/27 MilkBoy Philly Philadelphia, PA 06/28 Middle East Cambridge, MA 06/29 Mercury Lounge New York, NY Read More SSLYBY Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin is back and touring once again to promote their upcoming album. Fly By Wire, their fourth album, will be released September 17, 2013 on Polyvinyl. …

Ha Ha Tonka and Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin shared a double headlining tour at 7th St Entry on Saturday.

EZRA FURMAN

Last night's show opened with Ezra Furman. The crowd was sparse to begin with but trickled in throughout the night. Ezra's performance had a raw, garage band feeling to it. His sound reminded me of early White Stripes releases. The clear standout in the set was "Queen of Hearts" off of 2012's The Year of No Returning. See setlist to read all the songs played, including merchandise reminders.

HA HA TONKA

Ha Ha Tonka closed with fantastic harmonies and an interesting mix of twangy country and rock. The band moved the audience to sing and dance along. The set was memorable and well-performed. The band riled the crowd and spoke of an endearing friendship with tourmates Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin (who would later return on stage to help Ha Ha Tonka for their encore, squeezing in a jokey version of Backstreet Boys' "Everybody (Backstreet's Back)").

Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin certainly had the largest crowd of the three bands. The band's performance was lively and high energy. The music tends to veer towards electronic surf-rock. Mid-set the lead vocalist welcomed their videographer to the stage to sing with him. This was fun and unexpected - and kind of charming. Their best song performance of the night was "Yellow Missing Signs" from the album Tape Club.

They also previewed a few news songs, such as "Nightwater Girlfriend" which they played early in their set, from their upcoming album Fly by Wire that will be out September 19, 2013, on PolyVinyl Records. The crowd favorite of the set was "Sink/Let it Sway" from the album Let it Sway. It was a great way to end the night with the crowd singing along and clapping to an upbeat fan-favorite.

Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin at 7th Street Entry, Minneapolis (06/22/13)

holley + vu () ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ ezrafurman.com ♥ sslyby.com ♥ hahatonkamusic.com

Parquet Courts at Triple Rock Social Club, Minneapolis (06/21/13)

Tour Dates 06/23 - Bloomington, IN @ the Bishop 06/24 - Columbus, OH @ Ace of Cups 06/25 - Detroit, MI @ Magic Stick 06/26 - Buffalo, NY @ Tralf Music Hall 06/29 - New York, NY @ South Street Seaport 07/13 - Boston, MA @ TT The Bears 07/14 - Portland, ME @ Space 538 07/15 - Burlington, VT @ Signal Kitchen 07/16 - Montreal, QC @ Il Motore 07/17 - Toronto, ON @ Horseshoe Tavern 07/20 - Chicago, IL @ Pitchfork Music Festival 07/22 - Louisville, KY @ Zanzabar 07/23 - Charlottesville, VA @ Twisted Branch 07/25 - Baltimore, MD @ Ottobar 08/02-08/04 - Happy Valley, OR @ Pickathon Read More Parquet Courts The loud punk-ish rock band Parquet Courts is currently on tour for their debut album, Light Up Gold, out now on What's Your Rupture? Records. The band has received a lot of praises from all the music places…

Friday, June 21, 2013, will not be forgotten quickly. A thunderstorm hit the Twin Cities, knocking out electricity for 250 thousand people. All the power remaining appeared to be filtered directly into the Triple Rock Social Club, in Minneapolis.

STEREO CONFESSION

Stereo Confession was the first band of the evening. These three 16-year-old boys could really rock! They were down a member because he was out climbing a mountain, somewhere. They will be releasing their first LP called First Communion on July 2.

BNLX

BNLX played next. A post punk, psychedelic trio, featuring Ed Ackerson, this local band can really pound. Nice to see a light show considering there was a lightning show going on outside. Electric! Plug in to them and who cares that you lost power at home this night. BNLX do play around the city often, so get out and dig them.

Out of Brooklyn, New York, headliner Parquet Courts, came on at midnight. The Tripe Rock was mobbed by this time. The audience was squeezed together to get close to this old school punk band. So awesome! Lead singer and guitarist, Andrew Savage, commented on the storm they just drove through to get to the Triple Rock, and was afraid that he had been blown into Oz after entering Minneapolis, so surreal it was to the band.

The external thunder could definitely be mistaken for the sound pounding from his band. The audience was blown away and went nuts! Mainly performing songs from their new album, Light Up Gold, Parquet Courts played like a good old, American punk band. The evening will be remembered for years to come, and not just because of the storm.

Parquet Courts at Triple Rock Social Club, Minneapolis (06/21/13)

gretchen ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ stereoconfession.com ♥ bnlx2day.com ♥ parquetcourts.wordpress.com

The Other Simon and Garfunkel

Read More Harper Simon It seems to me that Harper Simon tries his best to not be associated with his father, going so far as saying that he didn't learn how to play music from his dad. Even the way he dresses, the type of music he's making ..…

HARPER SIMON
harpersimon.com

Harper Simon is the son of Paul Simon (of Simon & Garfunkel), but as I previously mentioned, I don't really think he wants the association. That's very understandable; no one wants to be seen as riding on the coattail of others.

I saw Simon in 2009 and his set was typically on the quieter/folky side of things. That should be interesting to note because for this current tour in support of his new album, Division Street (out now via Tulsi/PIAS), is with the Polyphonic Spree. If you know anything about the Poly-Spree, you know that the band is known for having three million band members on stage and lively show.

I really can't wait to see the contrast of Simon's folk set vs Polyphonic Spree handclapping choir.

Harper Simon Summer Tour Dates

06/25 Columbus, OH @ Newport
06/26 Indianapolis, IN @ Deluxe
06/28 Minneapolis, MN @ Varsity Theater
07/01 Chicago, IL @ Park West
07/05 Philadelphia, PA @ Theatre of Living Arts
07/06 Washington, DC @ Sixth and I
07/08 Boston, MA @ Brighton Music Hall
07/09 Brooklyn, NY @ Music Hall Of Williamsburg
07/10 New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom

All dates w/ The Polyphonic Spree

Read More Simon & Garfunkel This song was co-written by Paul Simon of Simon & Garfunkel. I have included S&G's version of Red Rubber Ball here... although there's never been an official studio recording..…

ART GARFUNKEL
artgarfunkel.com

You know that I love Simon & Garfunkel. There's no doubt about it, if you heard any of their classic hits ("The Sound of Silence", "I Am a Rock", "Scarborough Fair/Canticle", "A Hazy Shade of Winter", "Mrs. Robinson", etc.), that you'll fall in love with the harmonies and melodies.

The duo broke up due to creative differences, but then in 2010, it almost happened: Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel were going to reunite for a World Tour. Unfortunately due to Garfunkel's vocal cord paresis, the tour was canceled. Then in 2011, a Garfunkel solo tour was announced, only to have 16 of the 19 dates canceled.

So it's a bit of a rarity to see Garfunkel play live shows. He's recently booking small, intimate shows, billed as "An Intimate Rehearsal with Art Garfunkel", he's already sold out a few New York dates. I suspect he will sell out all these dates, including the Minneapolis show in July.

06/21 Cinema Arts Centre Huntington, NY
06/22 Cinema Arts Centre Huntington, NY
06/29 Cinema Arts Centre Huntington, NY
06/30 Cinema Arts Centre Huntington, NY
07/06 Cedar Cultural Center, Minneapolis

There are some garfunky restrictions for these shows: you cannot take photos or videos and that "you do not intend to report the details of this event, or submit a review of this event, to any commercial media outlet of any kind." It's the sound of silence tour.

vu () ♥ weheartmusic.com

Vampires

Read More Vampire Weekend Vampire Weekend must be very pleased with themselves. I mean, these guys were on SNL, on the cover of Spin Magazine, and overall huge support from MPR ... so basically these guys are probably the most overhyped band.…

VAMPIRE WEEKEND
vampireweekend.com

Back in 2008, I called Vampire Weekend the most overhyped band, and I think in some ways they still are. The venue they played at obviously sold out, and seeing that they've booked The Orpheum Theater in Minneapolis, which by the definition of the old style theaters have limited seating. I think if they kept ticket prices lower, it would sell out immediately… but we'll see. As of this writing, the cheapest seat I see is $54 (not including other miscellaneous charges) on the balcony. However, you can argue that this is one of the "small" venues on their regular Festivals stops. One thing is for sure, I'm glad I caught them very early in their career.

Anyway, the New York band is back with a third album called Modern Vampires of the City, out now on XL Recordings. The story behind this is that after their Contra album, the band toured and wrote a ton of new material during their time spent at soundchecks. Then everyone got sidetracked … but now after two years, the album is done and done and it debut on the US Billboard 200 selling over 130k copies in the first week… the band's second number-one album.

Yes, expect the new songs from Modern Vampires of the City on their summer tour:

06/23/13 Firefly Music Festival 06/30/13 Glastonbury Festival 07/04/13 Rock Werchter Festival 07/06/13 London Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park 07/12/13 Optimus Alive! Festival 07/13/13 Bilbao BBK Live Festival 07/16/13 Berlin - Tempodrom 07/19/13 Gentlemen Of The Road 07/20/13 Longitude 07/26/13 Ansan Valley Rock Festival 07/28/13 Fuji Rock Festival 08/02/13 Osheaga Festival 08/04/13 Lollapalooza 08/05/13 Minneapolis, MN Orpheum 08/07/13 Calgary, AB S Alberta Jubilee

08/09/13 Squamish Music Festival 08/11/13 Outside Lands Music 09/05/13 Ottawa Folk Festival 09/07/13 Boston Calling 09/15/13 iTunes Festival 09/20/13 Brooklyn, NY Barclays Center 09/28/13 Los Angeles, CA Hollywood Bowl 10/04/13 Austin City Limits Music Festival 10/05/13 Austin City Limits Music Festival 10/06/13 Austin City Limits Music Festival 10/08/13 Kansas City, MO Midland 10/11/13 Austin City Limits Music Festival 10/12/13 Austin City Limits Music Festival 10/13/13 Austin City Limits Music Festival 10/13/13 Corona Capital Festival

Read More Wampire Wampire's "Trains" is the latest single, taken from their album Curiosity (Polyvinyl Records). The strange Portland duo (?) is currently on tour with STRFKR and will be playing their first-ever UK date in London on June 18th. .…

WAMPIRE
wampiremusic.com

Sure, I've already mentioned Wampire here, but did you know they're heading out on tour with Smith Westerns? Now you know!

07/03 Portland, OR - Holocene
07/20 Louisville, KY - Headliners Music Hall *
07/21 Nashville, TN - Exit/In *
07/23 Washington, DC - Black Cat *
07/24 Brooklyn, NY - Music Hall of Williamsburg *
07/26 Philadelphia, PA - Union Transfer *
07/27 Cambridge, MA - The Sinclair *
07/28 Montreal, QC - Cabaret Mile End *
07/29 Toronto, ON - Lee's Palace *
07/31 Chicago, IL - Lincoln Hall *
08/05 Kansas City, MO - The Riot Room *
08/06 Denver, CO - Bluebird Theatre *
08/07 Salt Lake City, UT - Urban Lounge *
08/10 Los Angeles, CA - El Rey Theatre *
08/11 Pomona, CA - The Glass House *
08/12 San Diego, CA - The Casbah *
08/16 Seattle, WA - The Crocodile Cafe *
08/17 Vancouver, BC - Electric Owl *

* = w/ Smith Westerns

Read More My Bloody Valentine Amy and I were talking about My Bloody Valentine's Kevin Shields working on a new album? Well, it happened, he's finally released his third My Bloody Valentine album called mbv .…

MY BLOODY VALENTINE
mybloodyvalentine.net

Still riding that nostalgia train, Kevin Shields and company are doing massive festivals this year in support of mbv album … yes the album that had a 22-year gap since Loveless.

At this point, I've come to the conclusion that I will never see MBV, due to expensive ticket prices and locations.

07/07/13 Les Eurockeennes de Belfort
07/13/13 T In The Park
07/26/13 Fuji Rock Festival
07/27/13 Ansan Valley Rock Festival
08/04/13 OFF Festival
08/06/13 Vienna, Austria Arena
08/08/13 Terraneo Festival
08/10/13 Flow Festival
08/16/13 Austin, TX Austin Music Hall
08/17/13 Grand Prairie, TX Verizon Theatre
08/19/13 Denver, CO Ogden Theatre
08/21/13 Seattle, WA WaMu Theater
08/23/13 San Francisco, CA Bill Graham Civic
08/25/13 FYF Festival
08/30/13 Electric Picnic
09/03/13 Brussels, Belgium Ancienne Belgique
09/05/13 Cologne, Germany Live Music Hall
09/07/13 Berlin Festival
09/08/13 Munich, Germany Tonhalle
10/30/13 Luxembourg, Luxembourg Rockhal
10/31/13 Eindhoven, Netherlands Effenaar
11/03/13 Lille, France Aeronef

Read More Surfer Blood Next up was Surfer Blood, who started their set with a vengeful song, "Floating Vibes". I was surprised to learn that the band has been to Minneapolis five times and that they were surprisingly very good. .…

SURFER BLOOD
surferblood.com

You know, I caught Surfer Blood opening up for Foals this year and I have to say - they are quite good! I hope they come back to Minneapolis soon, from what they've said on stage, they must have been here at least five or six times.

Anyway, Surfer Blood's second full-length album Pythons is out now on Warner Bros./Kanine Records. The band is currently on tour in support of the record, see tour dates below:

Jun 21 Hilvarenbeek, IL – Best Kept Secret
July 11 Santa Monica, CA – Santa Monica Pier
July 24 Melbourne, AU – Splendour in the Grass
July 26 Sydney, AU – North Byron Festival
Aug 9-11 San Francisco, CA – Outside Lands
Aug 15 Hasselt, BE – Pukkelpop
Aug 23 Reading, UK – Reading Festival
Aug 24 Leeds, UK – Leeds Festival
Aug 25 Paris, FR – Rock en Seine
Sept 08 Sacramento, CA – Launch Music Festival
Sept 14 Chicago, IL – Riot Fest

Read More Deap Vally Check out Deap Vally on tour, they are promoting their Get Deap! EP, but be sure to check out their song on the "True Blood" soundtrack, also out this month. .…

TRUE BLOOD: MUSIC FROM THE HBO ORIGINAL SERIES VOLUME 4
www.atorecords.com

Did you catch the first episode of Season 6 of HBO's "True Blood"? Season 5 ended on a big cliffhanger, so I'm curious about how they will resolve that naked woman's blood and the hallucinations…

In the meantime, a few weeks ago, the latest True Blood: Music From The HBO Original Series Volume 4 was released courtesy of ATO Records.

If you watch the show, you know that the soundtrack is amazing! As a cover lover, I really dig these modern takes on classic this, like "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood" by Eric Burdon and Jenny Lewis or "(She's a) Wanderer" by Deap Vally.

Also, for the first time ever, the soundtrack was released on vinyl.

Track listing:

1. Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood – Eric Burdon with Jenny Lewis
2. Let’s Boot and Rally – Iggy Pop with Bethany Cosentino
3. What Makes A Good Man? The Heavy
4. Smokestack Lightnin’ – Howlin’ Wolf
5. Pocket Change – Alabama Shakes
6. Authority Song – Bosco Delrey
7. Turn Turn Turn – My Morning Jacket
8. Your Face Can Tell The Future – The Flaming Lips
9. The Sun – The Naked and Famous
10. Undertow – Warpaint
11. I Wanna Be Your Man – Mobley
12. {She’s A) Wanderer – Deap Vally
13. Whatever I Am, You Made Me – Koko Taylor
14. We’ll Meet Again – Los Lobos

Read More The Fruit Bats If you are looking for a laid back collection of summer tracks then I suggest you look no further than The Ruminant Band by the Fruit Bats. Eric D. Johnson, singer, songwriter, guitarist and pianist, led me on a journey to the heart of the summer. . .…

TIMBER! MUSIC FESTIVAL
www.timbermusicfest.com

Timber! Music Festival is taking place this July 26 & 27, 2013 at King County’s Tolt-MacDonald Park in Washington.

Some of the headliners are Helio Sequence, The Fruit Bats, Quasi, Noah Gundersen, Lemolo, Bryan John, etc., full listing below.

According to the press release, ticketholders will enter Timber! through a long suspension bridge … which admittedly, I can only imagine a massive exit through the same bridge!

Timber! Music Festival Full Artistic Lineup

Helio Sequence
Fruit Bats
Quasi
Noah Gundersen
Lemolo
Bryan John Appleby
Zoe Muth & The Lost High Rollers
Kithkin
Hobosexual (Vu's notes: hahahahahaha)
River Giant
Baltic Cousins
S (Jenn Ghetto)
Avians Alight
Vikesh Kapoor
Pablo Trucker
Ten Speed Music
Passenger String Quartet
Jacob Miller & The Bridge City Crooners
Ben Fisher
Nu Klezmer Army

HOODED FANG
hoodedfang.com

Toronto's Hooded Fang is currently in America doing some dates for the month of June in support of their album, Gravez, which was released in late May on Full Time Hobby Records.

Check out "Bye Bye Land", which was probably the song they sang leaving Canada.



Talking about the influences on recording Gravez, bassist April Aliermo reveals, they've eaten "crocodile balls". No need to elaborate… but she continues with "…slept on floors and couches, watched TV and movies, and looked out the window in between. All this steady instability must have influenced Gravez."

What is left of their tour:

06/21 Los Angeles, CA -Viper Room
06/23 San Diego, CA - Soda Bar

COFFINS
coffins.jp

Japan's COFFINS has a new album called The Fleshland, coming out July 9, 2013, on Relapse Records.

The album is available in a variety of formats, like CD, double LP, and deluxe edition only available through Relapse mailorder (cover artwork is a black and white).

The doom metal band is currently on tour:

6/22/2013 Urga - Tokyo, Japan
7/28/2013 Earthdom - Tokyo, Japan
8/07/2013 Cassiopeia - Berlin, Germany
8/08/2013 Brutal Assault Festival - Josefov, CZ
8/09/2013 Party San Metal Open Air
8/10/2013 Leperfest - Leper, Belgium
8/11/2013 Bleh Fest @ Unicorn Camden
8/12/2013 La Miroiterie - Paris, France
8/14/2013 Winston - Amsterdam, Netherlands
8/15/2013 Kødboderne 18 - Copenhagen
8/16/2013 Pussy A Go Go - Stockholm, Sweden
8/23/2013 Akihabara Ongakukan - Tokyo, Japan
11/01/2013 Kurawood/Asakusa - Tokyo, Japan
11/02/2013 Earthdom - Tokyo, Japan
11/03/2013 Huck Finn/Imaike - Nagoya, Japan
11/04/2013 Conpass/Unagidani - Osaka, Japan

WISE BLOOD
chrislaufman.com

Wise Blood is basically Pittsburgh's Christopher Laufman, who made a splash in 2011 via music blogs ( Pitchfork, The Fader, Stereogum, just to name a few), and now is back with a debut album called id, coming out this June 25th on Dovecote Records. The album release party is listed below:

6/25 - Brooklyn, NY - Glasslands

Check out "Alarm" track via Soundcloud.



Audio not your thing? No problem, check out his video for "Rat" on Youtube.

vu () ♥ weheartmusic.com

Dust to Dust to Dust

ALICE RUSSELL
alicerussell.com

British soul singer Alice Russell has a new album called To Dust, which came out on April 30, 2013 via Tru Thoughts. This is her first album in five years!

Russell was recently in America doing some promotion and live dates, including a special performance at Bonobo's Los Angeles show, she hung with ?uestlove in New York and had David Byrne attend her Le Poisson Rouge performance.

The U.S. appearance prompted Rolling Stone to say, "Adele, watch your back".

Russell is back in the UK to do some festival dates:

06/28/13 Glastonbury Festival
06/30/13 Solidays
07/06/13 Au Foin de la Rue
07/07/13 Cognac Blues Passions Festival

LIGHTNING DUST
lightningdust.com

Lightning Dust (Amber Webber and Josh Wells of Black Mountain) has a new album is called Fantasy, and it's next Tuesday (June 25th) on Jagjaguwar

The duo will be on tour at the end of June, here's the confirmed dates:

07/24/13 Calgary, AB - Palomino Smokehouse
07/25/13 Edmonton, AB - Brixx
08/01/13 Seattle, WA - The Crocodile
08/02/13 Happy Valley, OR - Pickathon
08/04/13 Happy Valley, OR - Pickathon
08/06/13 San Francisco, CA - Brick & Mortar
08/07/13 Santa Ana, CA - Constellation Room
08/08/13 Los Angeles, CA - The Echo
08/09/13 San Diego, CA - Casbah

LONDON GRAMMAR
londongrammar.com

London Grammar is Hannah Reid, Dot Major and Dan Rothman, and their new EP is called Metal & Dust, coming to America on June 25th via Columbia Records. The EP collects their latest singles, "Wasting My Young Years" as well as "Hey Now", "Metal & Dust" and "Hey Now" (Dot Major remix) .

The trio will be on tour this year:

06/22: London @ Night + Day, Hatfield
06/29: Pilton @ Glastonbury
07/04: London @ Soho House
07/05: Winchester @ Blissfields
07/13: Warlingham @ Leefest
07/19: Grafenhainichen @ Melt
07/21: Dublin @ Longitude Festival
07/27: Kendal @ Kendal Calling
07/28: Huntingdon @ Secret Garden Party
08/02: Dorset @ Camp Bestival
08/04: Standon @ Standon Calling
08/07: Ibiza @ Ibiza Rocks
08/09: Cornbury @ Wilderness Festival
08/24: Katowice @ Tauron Nows Muzyka
09/06: Isle of Wight @ Bestival
10/15: Norwich @ Norwich Open
10/16: Brighton @ Brighton Haunt
10/18: Brixton @ Brixton Electric
10/19: Oxford @ Oxford Gathering
10/20: Bristol @ Bristol The Fleece
10/22: Nottingham @ Nottingham Rescue Rooms
10/23: Birmingham @ Birmingham Academy 3
10/24: Leeds @ Leeds Cockpit
10/26: Manchester @ Manchester Soundcontrol
10/27: Glasgow @ Glasgow Broadcast
10/28: Newcastle @ Newcastle Cluny