After their performances at a string of major music festivals in the UK and Europe, Datarock is heading down under for shows in 3 Australian cities, then switches hemispheres again for shows in North America with Kaiser Chiefs. But the 2 weeks on the road with Kaiser Chiefs will miss many major US stops, so the retro rockers went back to the drawing board to drum up some more tour dates. What they came up with is a short but sweet west coast tour that they will headline in October. ([More →])

San Francisco adores the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. No other town loves this band more except maybe New York City. Witnessing a Yeah Yeah Yeahs concert in SF is almost a religious experience. I can feel how much the music means to each person in the crowd: music that reached them in their darkest hour; lyrics that spoke to them directly; or simply a celebration of life and the sparkle that Karen O brings to the room. Whatever the reason, everyone in the room is affected by the music. Tuesday night, August 21, 2007 at the Fillmore in San Francisco was no exception. The floor bowed deeply under the rhythmic jumping of the devoted congregation, and a sea of arms reached out to catch the melodies mid-air. The YYYs have earned this response from the audience with their relentless delivery of stellar shows. Their music and their stage presence isn’t contained on the stage, it imbibes everyone in the room until it feels like we’re actually dancing on stage with the band. If there is one thing the Yeah Yeah Yeahs do well, it’s connecting with each and everyone of their fans in a personal way. ([More →])

It was exactly 40 years ago that Louis Armstrong popularized the tune “What A Wonderful World,” yet it continues to be relevant in today’s social climate. When Louis Armstrong sang it, the world was rife with racial struggles and political upheaval. Now, when Jolie Holland and Booker T. Jones sing it, the world is again struggling with political problems and social collapse. The angelic singer and the tough organist wanted to remind us of how lovely life is, even in the midst of economic and political strife. Their attempt to bring beauty into a world of struggle pairs the equally unusual combination of Jolie Holland’s ethereal voice with Booker T’s earthy organ and piano. ([More →])

We’ve got two grand tours by Ipecac artists: The Melvins with Big Business and Otto Von Schirach with The Locust! The Melvins have announced a jam-packed tour of the US from mid-September to mid-October where they will be screening the new DVD they created with hipster cartoon toy designer Dalek – “Purge of Dissidents” at each show! Big Business will be opening the shows, but first The Melvins play one show with Mudhoney in LA (which will also screen the new DVD). If sludge rock isn’t your mug o’music, but weirdness is, you might want to check out the Otto Von Schirach tour with analog afficionado insectoids The Locust that is winding around Europe! Ahhh, I remember when Otto was just a lad, playing underground warehouse shows in SF and The Locust were scaring kids at The Gilman… ([More →])

Earlier this week I posted an article about how punk music supports the community and can provide new opportunities for disadvantaged youth. Punk – the music and the scene – has always been about community and helping each other survive a brutal reality. Well, hopefully that truth extends beyond cd sales and tours because right now Karl Alvarez needs help. The 43-year old bassist built his career playing thumping riffs for the legendary punk band Descendents as well as the lesser-known but also excellent band ALL. ([More →])

Die-hard punk fans in the US are probably familiar with the record labels Hopeless and Sub City. These 2 labels have consistently released quality, loved-by-the-underground-massive, punk music from bands like Fifteen, Jeff Ott, Mike Park, Thrice, The Weakerthans, Against All Authority, Atom And His Package, Har Mar Superstar, Nobodys and Scared of Chaka. What you may or may not have been aware of, is that both record labels exist to make the world a better place. Little did we know that those Fifteen albums we bought (and still have, despite not listening to them anymore) were actually helping disadvantaged kids get some fresh opportunities! ([More →])

Freakster indie-darlings Les Savy Fav are stepping up their game. Long-time residents of Frenchkiss Records – the label founded and managed by LSF bassist Syd Butler – the new Fav album will be distributed by Sony BMG. ([More →])

Matthew Herbert makes great Bjork sounds. “Hidden Place” is one of my all-time favorite Bjork songs, and it was Herbert who produced the beats. He also produced music for 3 songs on Vespertine and remixes of “Pagan Poetry.” He’s most popular for his experimental electronica bordering on atmospheric noise, similar to Matmos (the found-sound audio collage artists who produced and toured with Bjork on Vespertine). ([More →])

Downtempo electronic folk creator – Maps – has been nominated to compete for the prestigious Mercury Music Prize for We Can Create. The album was released on June 19th and has been so successful that James Chapman, aka Maps, may take home the Mercury Prize when the award show is broadcast live on BBC TV on 4 September. ([More →])

As if Liars and Interpol weren’t incentive enough, Cat Power has been added to their Madison Square Garden concert! Cat Power will then bounce to the opposite coast to play SF and LA, then bouncing again over to Georgia! When does this gal have time for a Spice Girls tour? ([More →])

The Yeah Yeah Yeahs, being the sweethearts that they can’t help but be, have rounded up some exclusive video footage of their performances at Lollapalooza and the V Fest plus an interview to share with their ever-adoring fans. ([More →])

Spinner does this cool thing called MP3 of the Day, and today you can grab Aesop Rock’s “Coffee” featuring John Darnielle for your digital music collection! You can also get “Let’s Go” off of Ministry’s final album – The Last Sucker. ([More →])

Henry Lee White was born on Tuesday August 7th to the proud parents of Jack White and Karen Elson. Jack and Karen were married in June 2005 in a canoe on the Amazon River in Brazil! Talk about far away from paparazzi! ([More →])

Free Concerts! 7 towns will get a free show by one of 7 different bands to help build exposure for Samsung musical mobile phones and AT&T’s recent partnership with eMusic. So, while you get a free show, you’ll probably be herded past their promotion kiosks everytime you go to the bathroom. But maybe it would be worth it for one of these bands. ([More →])

Dave Sitek sounds like a super fun person to work with in the studio. Scarlett Johansson wins points for convincing him to produce her debut album. The spent a full month at the Dockside Studio in Maurice Louisiana recording an album with that features music by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Celebration! ([More →])