W♥M (Archive)

Rocktober: October 18 - October 19, 2015

Read More The Darkness Now The Darkness is back again with a fourth studio album Last of Our Kind. If you missed them the first time or second time around, you simply have to catch them …

Here are some shows taking place in the Minneapolis/St Paul area from October 18 to October 19, 2015.

Read more Minneapolis Music Guide.

HE IS LEGEND
at Skyway Theatre
Sunday, 10/18/2015, 7pm ($15)
skywaytheater.com

Over at Studio B at the Skyway Theatre will be North Carolina's He Is Legend. The band is currently signed to Tragic Hero Records.

He Is Legend tour dates:

18 Oct 2015 Skyway Theatre, Minneapolis
19 Oct 2015 Subterranean, Chicago, IL
20 Oct 2015 Fubar, St Louis, MO
21 Oct 2015 Riot Room, Kansas City, MO
22 Oct 2015 89th Street, Oklahoma City, OK
23 Oct 2015 Prophet Bar Elm Street, Dallas, TX
24 Oct 2015 Empire Control Room, Austin, TX
25 Oct 2015 Scout Bar, Houston, TX

Also, just a reminder that we are also covering British glam rockers The Darkness on this darkened night. The band is on their "Blast of Our Kind" tour, in support of their Last of Our Kind album, and presented by The Noise. 7pm/$30... Additional details at varsitytheater.org and weheartmusic.com.

Read More Teen Daze Teen Daze started the night off. He's a one-man DJ, playing his music by turning knobs and pushing buttons. Not that interesting to watch, probably why he asked the lights to be turned off …

TEEN DAZE
at 7th Street Entry
Monday, 10/19/2015, 7:30pm ($10)
first-avenue.com

Teen Daze is back with his latest Morning World, available now on Paper Bag Records. Of course, we already mentioned the tour and album in July 2015, and previously saw him in 2012. He also recently launched his drip.com account (drip.com is a subscription service where you can get exclusive content, etc.)

Since we already talked about Teen Daze, let's take a look at the opener: Brooklyn's Heavenly Beat (aka John Felix Peña). Heavenly Beat's latest Designer is the fourth LP since 2011.

Heavenly Beat's tour dates (all dates with Teen Daze):

10/14/2015 - Montreal, QC @ Newspeak
10/15/2015 - Toronto, ON @ The Drake
10/16/2015 - Chicago, IL @ Schuba's
10/17/2015 - Madison, WI @ The Frequency
10/18/2015 - Des Moines, IA @ Vaudeville Mews
10/19/2015 - Minneapolis, MN @ 7th Street Entry
10/20/2015 - Kansas City, KS @ The Riot Room
10/21/2015 - Wichita, KS @ Barleycorn's
10/22/2015 - Denver, CO @ Lost Lake Lounge
10/23/2015 - Salt Lake City, UT @ Kilby Court
10/24/2015 - Boise, ID @ Neurolux

Also, just a reminder that Sneaker Pimps' IAMX will be playing at the Varsity Theater. 7pm, $20. Additional details varsitytheater.org and weheartmusic.com.

Read More Youth Lagoon Youth Lagoon followed Majical Cloudz on the stage, and vocalist Trevor Powers changed up the visuals from the minimalist look that Majical Cloudz had. With a lit back drop and lights flashing and moving about … Moon King We previously mentioned Toronto's Moon King and hinted about their highly anticipated LP in 2015 (with no cover artwork). Now that it is 2015, I can let you know more details about the record ....

YOUTH LAGOON
at First Avenue
Monday, 10/19/2015, 7:30pm ($15)
first-avenue.com

Boise's Youth Lagoon (aka Trevor Powers) is back on tour, this time in support of Savage Hills Ballroom (Fat Possum Records). We previously saw his show at the Fine Line Music Café in May 2013.

Toronto's Moon King (Daniel Benjamin & Maddy Wilde) will open the show. We previously caught the duo earlier in May 2015, which we wrote was their third time in Minneapolis.

Moon King's US Tour Dates.

10/15: Urban Lounge, Salt Lake*
10/16: Bluebird Theatre, Denver*
10/17: Bottleneck, Lawrence*
10/19: First Ave, Minneapolis*
10/20: Turner Hall, Milwaukee*
10/21: Thalia Hall, Chicago*
10/23: A&R, Columbus*
10/24: Loving Touch, Ferndale*
10/25: Opera House, Toronto*
10/26: Sala Rossa, Montreal*
10/28: Millworks, Harrisburg
10/29: Webster Hall, NYC*
10/30: Paradise, Boston*
10/31: Union Transfer, Philadelphia*
11/01: 9:30 Club, DC*
11/03: Cat's Cradle, Carrboro*
11/04: Terminal West, Atlanta*
11/05: Mercy Lounge, Nashville*
11/06: Proud Larry's, Oxford*
11/07: One Eyed Jacks, New Orleans*
11/09: Warhouse Studio, Houston*
11/10: Club Dada, Dallas*
11/11: Mohawk, Austin*
11/13: Crescent Ballroom, Phoenix*

* = w/ Youth Lagoon

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

Doldrums & Moon King at the 7th St Entry, Minneapolis (08 May 15)

Doldrums Setlist Funeral For Lightning HOTFOOT We Awake Video Hostage Blow Away My Friend Simjen Loops Closer 2 U Read More Doldrums Canadian band Doldrums (lead by Airick Woodhead) should not to be confused with American 90s band Doldrums or the Ariel Pink album. They are on tour in support of their latest .... Moon King We previously mentioned Toronto's Moon King and hinted about their highly anticipated LP in 2015 (with no cover artwork). Now that it is 2015, I can let you know more details about the record ....

The Doldrums / Moon King tour just stopped by the 7th Street Entry in Minneapolis last night. The two Canadian bands will end their North American tour at Chicago's Empty Bottle tonight.

Tender Meat

Opening up at the 7th Street Entry show, a little later than advertised, was local duo Tender Meat. The instrumental electro band sounded something like Bentley Rhythm Ace, complete with a live drummer. Tender Meat's latest album Hello World is out now via Totally Gross National Product.

Doldrums

Doldrums lead by Airick Woodhead, shared his drummer and extra keyboardist from Moon Duo. Keys were handled by Daniel, who also is Airick's brother and lead singer of Moon Duo.

Airick mentioned this was "our third or fourth time here" and thanked anyone who last saw them. They were incredibly happy to get any support for independent artists.

Since the tour was in support of their latest, The Air Conditioned Nightmare, their 40-min set featured some tracks from the new album, including "Funeral For Lightning", "HOTFOOT", "Video Hostage" and their set closer "Closer 2 U" with no encore.

Duo Moon King (Daniel Benjamin & Maddy Wilde) had a full band on this tour. This was their third time in Minneapolis, previously opened for Majical Cloudz in 2013 and Gardens & Villa in 2012.

The majority of their setlist were songs from their latest release Secret Life, including the title track, "Impossible", and set closer "Roswell".

Highlight of their 40-min set was "Medicine", a song that, Daniel said, "we don't usually play it live..." implying that last night's show was special for them.

Secret Life is available in a variety of formats, including limited edition clear vinyl and compact discs (all releases comes with unlimited Bandcamp streaming and digital download).

The Doldrums and Moon King's final stop on their US tour is tonight at the Empty Bottle in Chicago, Illinois.

Moon King at the 7th Street Entry, Minneapolis (08 May 2015)

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

Minneapolis: May 8 - May 10, 2015

Read More Moon King We previously mentioned Toronto's Moon King and hinted about their highly anticipated LP in 2015 (with no cover artwork). Now that it is 2015, I can let you know more details about the record ....

Here are some shows taking place in the Minneapolis/St Paul area for May 8 to May 10, 2015.

Read more Minneapolis Music Guide.

DOLDRUMS
at 7th Street Entry
Friday 05/08/15, 8pm ($12)
first-avenue.com

Canadian band Doldrums (lead by Airick Woodhead) should not to be confused with American 90s band Doldrums or the Ariel Pink album. They are on tour in support of their latest The Air Conditioned Nightmare; available now on Sub Pop. The weird album title was taken by Henry Miller's 1945 collection of essays, after his return to the US after ten years as an expatriate.

Toronto duo Moon King will be opening the show, they are on tour of their debut album Secret Life (which came out two weeks ago). We've been talking about Moon King for a while now, including their recent tour with Alvvays.

Also on the bill is local electronic duo Tender Meat.

Doldrums/Moon King Tour dates:

05/01/15 Costa Mesa, CA Wayfarer
05/02/15 San Francisco, CA Rickshaw Stop
05/04/15 Seattle, WA Sunset Tavern
05/05/15 Portland, OR Holocene
05/08/15 Minneapolis, MN 7th Street Entry
05/09/15 Chicago, IL Empty Bottle

Read More Tyrone Wells Before I get to Tyrone Wells, I'll have to tell you that his audience, based on that night, they seem to all be college girls. If you don't believe me, just look at the picture that's used on his website ...

YOUNG FATHERS
at 7th Street Entry
Saturday 05/09/15, 8pm ($12)
first-avenue.com

Speaking of 'moon', local duo Moon and Pollution (singer Molly Dean and producer Graham O'Brien) will be opening up for New York's Mas Ysa (aka Thomas Arsenault) and headliner Young Fathers from Scotland.

I'm told that this show will likely sell out, so grab your ticket now. The Edinburgh-based rock/pop group, who won the Mercury Prize for their album Dead in 2014, is in the USA in support of their latest album White Men Are Black Men Too on Big Dada.

Tour dates:

May 01 Victoria, BC - Distrikt
May 02 Seattle, WA - Neumos
May 05 Boise, ID - Neurolux
May 06 Salt Lake City, UT - Urban Lounge
May 07 Denver, CO - Larimer Lounge
May 08 Lincoln, NE - Vega
May 09 Minneapolis, MN - 7th St Entry
May 10 Chicago, IL - Lincoln Hall
May 13 St. Louis, MO - Firebird
May 14 Nashville, TN - Exit In
May 15- May 17 Hangout Fest

TYRONE WELLS
at Cedar Cultural Center
Saturday 05/09/15, 7pm ($20)
thecedar.org

Meanwhile, over at the Cedar, Tyrone Wells is back in the Twin Cities. I previously saw his him in 2010. Due to other commitments, I cannot cover his set or Dominic Balli. However, I have agreed to see singer/songwriter Emily Hearn, currently on tour in support of her latest Hourglass.

Hearn's tour dates:

5/1 - Boston, MA - Brighton Music Hall
5/2 - Philadelphia, PA - World Cafe Live
5/3 - New York, NY - City Winery
5/4 - New York, NY - City Winery
5/6 - Indianapolis, IN - Radio Radio
5/7 - Chicago, IL - City Winery
5/8 - Evanston, IL - SPACE
5/9 - Minneapolis, MN - Cedar Cultural Center
5/10 - Iowa City, IA - The Mill
5/12 - Denver, CO - The Soiled Dove
5/13 - Denver, CO - The Soiled Dove
5/14 - Provo, UT - Velour
5/16 - Anaheim, CA - House of Blues

Read More Gear Daddies Night Two is more traditional rock and features Melissa Etheridge, O.A.R., The Rembrandts, Gear Daddies, and The Honeydogs. ...

GEAR DADDIES
at First Avenue
Sunday 05/10/15, 7pm ($20)
first-avenue.com

Local-ish Gear Daddies is celebrating their 25th Anniversary with three First Avenue shows: from May 8th to May 10th.

The final date (May 10th) will feature White Iron Band.

May 9th has The Billy's while May 8th with Six Mile Grove.

Gear Daddies writes:

Final plans are coming together for the 25th Anniversary shows on May 8th, May 9th and May 10th. While the Friday and Saturday shows are currently sold out, there are still a very limited number of tickets that remain for the Sunday, May 10th show with special guests White Iron Band. Everyone in attendance will receive an 11x17 poster of the Billy's Live Bait promo photo, with the 25th Anniversary logo.... Thanks for hanging with us for 25 years! See you soon!

25th Anniversary Show dates:

May 08 25th Anniversary Show First Avenue
May 09 25th Anniversary Show First Avenue
May 10 25th Anniversary Show First Avenue

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

Good to be King

Read more It's Good To Be King 2, It's good to be King, and Kings and Princes.

Read More Kaki King Kaki King is a five-foot guitar virtuoso from Georgia, and she has absolutely electric fingers. If you've listened to Tegan & Sara's 'The Con' or Foo Fighter's 'Ballad of the Beaconsfield Miners' (which, as a side note ....

KAKI KING
kakiking.com

It's been a long time since we talked about Kaki King. She recently had a successful Kickstarter project funded to bring her "The Neck Is A Bridge To The Body" project. The show is part light show, part projections (created by Glowing Pictures) and all synchronized to Kaki King's guitar playing. The special show is coming to The Cedar in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Thursday February 12.

Details of the Cedar show:

Cedar Cultural Center
Thursday 02/12/15, 7pm ($15)
thecedar.org

The Neck Is A Bridge To The Body tour:

Jan 30 The Hamilton Washington, DC
Jan 31 World Cafe Philadelphia, PA
Feb 11 Lincoln Hall Chicago, IL
Feb 12 Cedar Cultural Center Minneapolis, MN
Feb 18 Empire Control Room Austin, TX
Feb 19 Granada Theater Dallas, TX
Feb 26 Geary Lane Toronto, Canada
Feb 27 Club Soda Montreal, Canada
Feb 28 SPACE Gallery Portland, ME
Mar 01 Columbus Theater Providence, RI
Mar 03 Brighton Music Hall Boston, MA
Mar 21 Merkin Concert Hall New York, NY
Apr 04 The Masonic Lodge Los Angeles, CA
Apr 06 Triple Door Seattle, WA
Apr 08 Doug Fir Portland, OR
May 21 Rough Trade New York, NY

Read More Moon King Toronto-based Moon King recently announced being signed to Last Gang Records, home to some of Canada's greatest musical exports including Crystal Castles, Death From Above 1979, Ryan Hemsworth and more. .... Alvvays “We’ve never played here before,” Alvvays lead singer and guitarist Molly Rankin said as the band took to the stage. After jokingly testing the crowd’s knowledge of Nova Scotia (where most members are originally from) she thanked fans for stopping …

MOON KING
facebook.com/O.Moon.King.O

We previously mentioned Toronto's Moon King and hinted about their highly anticipated LP in 2015 (with no cover artwork). Now that it is 2015, I can let you know more details about the record: it is called Secret Life, and it is coming out April 15th, 2015, on Last Gang Records.

The duo is out on tour with Alvvays*:

Jan 24 - Glasgow, Scotland @ King Tuts *
Jan 26 - Nottingham, UK @ The Bodega *
Jan 27 - Birmingham @ Hare & Hounds *
Jan 28 - London, UK @ Scala *
Jan 30 - Oxford, UK @ O2 Academy 2 *
Jan 31 - Bristol, UK @ Thekla *
Feb 2 - Antwerp, Belgium @ Trix *
Feb 5 - Oslo, Norway @ John Dee *
Feb 6 - Stockholm, Sweden @ Debaser Strand *
Feb 7 - Copenhagen, Denmark @ Beta *
Feb 9 - Hamburg, DE @ Molotow exil *
Feb 10 - Berlin, DE @ Kantine Am Berghain *
Feb 12 - Vienna, Austria @ B72 *
Feb 13 - Milan, Italy @ Lo Fi *
Feb 14 - Zurich, Switzerland @ Bogen F *

* w/ Alvvays

We previously mentioned Alvvays nearly died driving to Minnesota: "As [lead singer and guitarist Molly] Rankin explained, on their way to St. Paul, the van the band was driving went into a tailspin on the highway and slid off the road. Thankfully, a kind stranger pulled over to help drag the van out of a ditch. It was a dire situation, but Rankin found humor in it, revealing the noises her bandmates were making as the van spun out of control. “It’s devastating to hear how you sound right before you die.” "

Read More SXSW SXSW 2015 is taking place March 17–22, 2015. We love this time of the year, as many bands heading down to Austin will likely stop in Minneapolis before or after the event. Keep up with more SXSW coverage ....

EAST CAMERON FOLKCORE
eastcameronfolkcore.com

Austin's East Cameron Folkcore has been confirmed for several SXSW 2015 shows. They'll likely be playing tracks from their third record, Kingdom of Fear. In fact, after SXSW, you can hear the entire record perform live in its entirety at The Salvage Vanguard Theater. The record comes out April 5th, 2015 (but I'm assuming you can probably purchase it early if you see them live).

A full list of tour dates can be found below with plenty of additional US tour dates to be added in April.

East Cameron Folkcore Tour Dates

02/20 – Houston, TX – Fitzgerald’s
02/21 – Austin, TX – Empire Control Room
03/18 – Austin, TX – ABGBs
03/18 – Austin Texas – The White Horse
03/19 – Austin, TX – Lambert’s
03/20 – Austin, TX – Eye in the Sky
03/21 – Austin, TX – Vortex – Altercation Rec
04/01 - Austin, TX - Salvage Vanguard Theater
04/02- Austin, TX - Salvage Vanguard Theater
04/03 - Austin, TX - Salvage Vanguard Theater
04/04 - Austin, TX - Salvage Vanguard Theater

BRIEFLY

KING MONO kingmono.com King Mono (Little Shalimar and Jeremy Wilms) is a funk, RnB, house, and 70s rock duo. Their debut album, Bump in the Night, will be released March 31st, 2015 on Tummy Touch and features vocals from RnB breakout singer Jesse Boykins III. Update: Cover artwork.

PETITE NOIR facebook.com/petitenoir1 Petite Noir's EP The King Of Anxiety came out digitally this week (January 19th) on Domino Records. The physical CD arrives on March 10th. The petite noir name (singer Yannick Ilunga) is probably taken from a French commune called 'Petit-Noir'.

KING KING kingkingblues.com Multi award-winning, British blues rock band King King will release their third studio album, Reaching For The Light in the UK on Tuesday May 5th, 2015. Look for the band to start their Nationwide UK Tour on February 19th at The Brewery Arts Centre Kendal. Due to phenomenal demand, an album launch show has been added at The London Jazz Cafe on Wednesday May 6th.

NEW KINGSTON newkingstonmusic.com New York-based reggae brotherhood New Kingston will be releasing their new album Kingston City this February 23rd, 2015, on Easy Star Records (in the UK). Update: US release is tomorrow, 27 Jan 2015. The reggae trio (brothers Stephen Suckarie, Courtney Panton, Jr. and Tahir Panton) return with everything you'd expect from a modern reggae album - and a whole lot more.

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

To the Moon and Back

Read more Howling at the Moon, Over the Moon, Blue Moon, Moon River, and The Moon and the Stars.

Read More Moon King What's new with Hey Rosetta! is that they have a new album called Second Sight, which is set for January 27th, 2015... which I'm going to assume they will preview some tracks for us … Alvvays Turf Club with all the feel-good vibes coming out of the speakers and off the patrons’ faces - all thanks to the frenzied gyrations of Baltimore natives Sun Club and the easy-going pop of Toronto quintet Alvvays. …

MOON KING
facebook.com/O.Moon.King.O

Toronto-based Moon King recently announced being signed to Last Gang Records, home to some of Canada's greatest musical exports including Crystal Castles, Death From Above 1979, Ryan Hemsworth and more.

The duo (Daniel Benjamin and Maddy Wilde) will be releasing their highly anticipated debut in 2015 with details of the new LP to be released very soon.... In the meantime, they'll be hitting the road with Alvvays as part of their world tour. Emily, who recently caught the band in St Paul, had this to report, "Although the band only has one album, you couldn’t ask for better surf-pop sweetness. Tracks like “Next of Kin” and “Adult Diversion” have the jangly elements of the Smiths and REM, especially in the bright, echo-y notes of lead guitarist Alec O’Hanley.".

Tour Dates

Dec 18 - Montreal, QC @ Sala Rosa
Dec 19 - Kingston, ON @ The Grad Club
Dec 20 - Toronto, ON @ the Opera House
Jan 21 - Manchester, UK @ Deaf Institute
Jan 22 - Leeds, UK @ Brudenell Social Club
Jan 23 - Newcastle, UK @ Think Tank
Jan 24 - Glasgow, Scotland @ King Tuts
Jan 26 - Nottingham, UK @ The Bodega
Jan 27 - Birmingham @ Hare & Hounds
Jan 28 - London, UK @ Scala
Jan 30 - Oxford, UK @ O2 Academy 2
Jan 31 - Bristol, UK @ Thekla
Feb 2 - Antwerp, Belgium @ Trix
Feb 5 - Oslo, Norway @ John Dee
Feb 6 - Stockholm, Sweden @ Debaser Strand
Feb 7 - Copenhagen, Denmark @ Beta
Feb 9 - Hamburg, DE @ Molotow exil
Feb 10 - Berlin, DE @ Kantine Am Berghain
Feb 12 - Vienna, Austria @ B72
Feb 13 - Milan, Italy @ Lo Fi
Feb 14 - Zurich, Switzerland @ Bogen F
Feb 27 - Fargo, ND The Aquarium
Feb 28 - Minneapolis, MN 7th Street Entry
Mar 1 - Milwaukee, WI Cactus Club
Mar 3 - Chicago, IL Empty Bottle
Mar 4 - Detroit, MI PJ's Lager House

KURUPT
kuruptsmoonrock.com

DPG rap veteran Kurupt releases a free project, Kurupt's Moon Rock via mixtape host site DatPiff. The 18 brand new tracks features everyone from Wiz Khalifa to BReal to Too Short to host Julio G, etc.

Also, Kurupt has also ventured out with Dr. Zodiak to develop a specialized strain of medical marijuana called Moon Rock and will be out on a marijuana tour called "Moon Rock Tour".

Remaining Moon Rock tour dates:

12/18 Kennewick, WA @ Roxy Bar
12/20 Newport Beach, CA @ Ten

Moon Rock Mixtape tracklist:

Kurupt Intro: You Mad (produced by Knotch and KGE) Mystic River feat. Benjilino (produced by Battlecat) Julio G Interlude #1 (produced by Knotch) A1 feat. Avlmkr (produced by Ayoo Meco) Real Love feat. Knotch, La'Myia Good, Just10 Skywalker (produced by Battlecat) Hydroponic feat. Wiz Khalifa B Real, Knotch, Mally Mall (produced by Frequency Pusher & co-produced by Knotch) Julie G Interlude #2 (produced by Knotch) The Rain feat. Young LA (produced by Knotch) I'm Gotti Like That (produced by Ayoo Meco) Knotch First Single Interlude What Up (produced by Knotch) Yellow Diamonds feat. Wiz Khalifa, Kev O (produced by Knotch)

Julio G Interlude #3 Hurricane Season (produced by Gee) I Be On (produced by Gee) California feat. Lil Pimpin (produced by Chris T) Expect feat. Too Short (produced by Knotch) Something That Your Not (produced by Knotch) She Like It (produced by Ayoo Meco) How Many Times (produced by What310) Living For Today feat. Camell Marie (produced by QMillions) Moonlight feat. Roscoe, Kid Gotti, Dr. Zodiak, Young LA (produced by What310) Can't Buy My Love feat. Allstar, Amber Spice (produced by Allstar) BONUS: Kendrick Lamar - Kurupted "Deticated To Kurupt" (produced by Terrace Martin)

TAYLOR & MARIE
taylorandmarie.wordpress.com

Jodie Marie and Samuel Taylor are Taylor & Marie, two people who bonded over their love for Johnny Cash & June Carter, Bob Dylan & Joan Baez... and apparently Credence Clearwater Revival, with their cover of "Bad Moon Rising".

Samuel talked about the song, "When we recorded it in the studio it instantly felt right, like we had found our sound. The harmonica, the banjo, the voices, something really good started to happen...."

"Bad Moon Rising" is taken from their debut EP Tilt The Moon, available now.

The duo recently wrapped up their tour with Nerina Pallot, but will be doing some small, intimate Christmas shows to close out the year.

Tour dates:

12/19/14 Druidstone, Pembrokeshire – Xmas Show
12/22/14 Greystones, Sheffield – Xmas Show

BRIEFLY

ALLAN MOON allanmoon.com Israel's Allan Moon (by the way of Canada) released his second studio Children of the Call album in April 6, 2014, with the help of Israel's top indie musicians, including Kutiman (Thru You), members of Balkan Beat Box, and Boom Pam. From my understanding, I think he recently employed various people $5 per job via Fiverr.com to compile their clips for his latest music video.

VENUS AND THE MOON venusandthemoon.net We previously mentioned Los Angeles' Venus and The Moon earlier this October 2014, when they went on tour with Cat Power in the UK. The duo (Rain Phoenix and Frally Hynes) is back with a new video for "Hungry Ghost", available to stream on NYLON.com. In celebration of the video release, the band will be kicking off a dance contest inspired by the “Hungry Ghost” video. Fans will need to post their own, one shot videos (minimum of 15 seconds) dancing to the track on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram with the hashtag #VATMHungryGhost.

MOON OF MARS moonsofmars.net Los Angeles' Moons of Mars will be releasing a 4 tracks of the EP called Free to Fly in January 2015. The cover artwork was not provided to me.... but the image I'm using is at least timely: sibling duo (brothers Giovan & Mario Polanco) will be on We Found New Music on KX 93.5 FM for an interview and live performance Friday night 12/19 at 11pm.

MOON DUO moonduo.org We've previously mentioned Moon Duo in 2012, so this is just a brief mention that the psychedelic duo (Ripley Johnson and Sanae Yamada) will be releasing their third full-length LP called Shadow of the Sun. Shadow of the Sun is available for pre-order now. iTunes' pre-orders come with an instant download of lead single, "Animal."

THE SOFT MOON thesoftmoon.com Oakland's The Soft Moon (the stagename for Luis Vasquez) is back with a third album Deeper, due out March 31st, 2015, on Captured Tracks. The record was a result of Vasquez moving to Venice, Italy, in 2013 and finding himself in 'deep' reflection. The upcoming album is described as Vasquez's most emotional record yet.

MATING RITUAL facebook.com Born out of the amicable ashes of sibling project Pacific Air (who we previously wrote about), Los Angeles' Mating Ritual have recently released a funky new electro track called "Moonlight", available on Soundcloud. Look for Mating Ritual's live debut this January 12th, 2015 at Bardot as part of School Night.

TAPES & TUBES tapesandtubes.com Philadelphia's Tapes & Tubes (aka Austin Potter) recently released his third release called Moon & Stars. They didn't send a whole lot of details, but I can tell you that the three-track EP came out in November and is available in a "handmade and numbered lathe-cut vinyl".

SUPERMOON facebook.com/supermoonuk Scottish indie rock band Meursault's Neil Pennycook has formed a new band called Supermoon. Look for Supermoon to release demos every Friday in his series "a Month of Black Fridays," via their Soundcloud.

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