Youth Group, the Australian four-piece who released their third full-length, The Night Is Ours, this past April, will have barely had time to rest from their three-month North American stint before they’ll head back across the ocean to support emo heroes the Get Up Kids on their 2009 Fall Reunion tour. The fun kicks off in Denver on September 15, after which the two groups (plus Boston trio Pretty & Nice as the first opener) travel through Seattle , Los Angeles, San Diego, Dallas, and Omaha before finishing up together in Iowa City, IA . Youth Group will then continue eastward, headlining shows in Chicago, Columbus, Pittsburgh and Hoboken (with more dates TBA).

Though The Night Is Ours is an album fully comprised of impressively memorable, melodic rock songs, it’s live that the band’s musicianship and tight playing truly becomes more pronounced. Toby Martin’s voice, even clearer and more emotional in person, is complemented by the controlled layers of sound his bandmates put down behind him. There’s a lushness that, even in the sparser, simpler songs, remains, and helps to give Youth Group’s music an even greater resonance.

To celebrate the new tour dates, Youth Group have decided to release “Two Sides,” off The Night Is Ours.

Download “Two Sides” (mp3) here.
Watch the 80s-party-themed video for “Two Sides” here.

YOUTH GROUP FALL 2009 US TOUR DATES

w/the Get Up Kids
Sep 15 Denver, CO @ Marquis Theatre
Sep 16 Salt Lake City, UT @ In The Venue
Sep 18 Seattle, WA @ Neumos
Sep 21 San Francisco, CA @ The Fillmore
Sep 23 Pomona, CA @ Glass House
Sep 24 Hollywood, CA @ Avalon
Sep 25 San Diego, CA @ House of Blues
Sep 26 Las Vegas, CA @ House of Blues
Sep 27 Tempe, AZ @ Clubhouse
Sep 29 San Antonio, TX @ White Rabbit
Sep 30 Dallas, TX @ Granada Theatre
Oct 01 Oklahoma City, OK @ Diamond Ballroom
Oct 02 Omaha, NB @ Slowdown
Oct 03 Iowa City, IA @ The Picador

Headlining
Oct 06 Chicago, IL @ Schubas
Oct 07 Columbus, OH @ The Basement
Oct 09 Pittsburgh, PA @ Club Cafe
Oct 14 Hoboken, NJ @ Maxwell’s

http://www.myspace.com/youthgroupmusic

Tired of the same old Shred?  You deserve new music as mature as you.  And, because we know everyone could use a little extra change for the meter, we’re giving it to you FREE!  What are you waiting for?
Download it HERE

Major Lazer are playing a free show in DC at the Rock and Roll hotel on June 20. Major Lazer is a collaboration between Diplo and Switch: disciples of Jamaican born commando, Major Lazer (who has lasers for arms!). They’ve combined forces to fight evil with their brand of hardcore dancehall grind. Listen up, kiddos: although Diplo is one of the main co-conspirators here, this is NOT a Diplo solo show. There will be an MC, 77 Klash (pronounced Two Sevens Clash), and zombie dancers.

Major Lazer “Zumbie” ft. Andy Milonakis

www.myspace.com/majorlazer

Fools Gold Records has a new monthly podcast series called FOOLCAST launching today.  This month’s installment is from Toronto’s Nacho Lovers, a NY-centric mix of house from the 1990’s.  Check it out below.

http://www.foolsgoldrecs.com/foolcast/
download and subscribe on iTunes here

THE DROP I HOLD EP AVAILABLE MAY 5th EXCLUSIVELY ON iTUNES, FEATURING GZA OF WU-TANG CLAN

VBS PREMIERING NEW VIDEO FOR “THE DROP I HOLD”

SUMMER FESTIVAL PERFORMANCES ANNOUNCED AT NXNE, ATHFEST, PITCHFORK, AND CAPITOL HILL BLOCK PARTY

Black Lips, Atlanta GA’s infamously hard-working band are releasing The Drop I Hold EP, an iTunes exclusive release for their psychedelic ode from 200 Million Thousand.  The EP features the original album track, instumental and video, along with a new version featuring a verse from the legendary Wu-Tang member GZA, who recently collaborated with the band during several live performances at SXSW.  For the first week it’s on iTunes, the EP is only $1.99 and the brand new video for “The Drop I Hold” can be viewed on VBS today at the link below.

Black Lips’ live show has long since been the stuff of legend, and they’re going big this summer at a handful of festivals throughout North America.

Tour Dates:
6/18/09    TORONTO, ON    NXNE
6/19/09    BALTIMORE, MD    SONAR
6/26/09    ATHENS, GA        ATHFEST
7/2/09        ATLANTA, GA        THE EARL
7/18/09    CHICAGO, IL        PITCHFORK FESTIVAL
7/23/09    VANCOUVER, BC    COMMODORE BALLROOM
7/24/09    SEATTLE, WA    CAPITOL HILL BLOCK PARTY

Download “The Drop I Hold” feat. GZA here: (mp3)

The Drop I Hold EP on iTunes: (link)
The Drop I Hold video on VBS: (link)

THE COOL KIDS RELEASE NEW MIXTAPE GONE FISHING TODAY FOR FREE!

18 ALL NEW STUDIO TRACKS PRODUCED BY DON CANNON & THE COOL KIDS

Because summer’s almost here and wouldn’t be complete without the mixtape to rival all mixtapes, Chicago’s favorite duo of MCs, The Cool Kids, are releasing an album’s worth of new tracks on Gone Fishing (Cake Recordings) for free today! Gone Fishing includes 18 all new, unreleased studio tracks produced by The Cool Kids and mixed by legendary ATL DJ, producer and Gangsta Grillz host, Don Cannon. The mixtape, the official prelude to the upcoming LP, When Fish Ride Bicycles, features appearances from Ryan Leslie, GLC, Ludacris, Bun B and newcomers Tennille and Jahda. A limited run of hard copy CDs with art will be pressed and sold exclusively at specialty retail outlets with the purchase of a Cool Kid’s limited edition t-shirt or fitted cap.

DOWNLOAD THE FREE MIXTAPE, GONE FISHING, NOW! www.coolxkids.com

GONE FISHING TRACKLISTING

1. Introduction to Ice Fishing
2. Hammer Brothers
3. Champions
4. Gold Links
5. Cinnamon
6. Premium Blends
7. Step Back
8. Jump Rope feat. Tennille
9. The Last Stretch feat. Jahda
10. The Art of Noise (interlude)
11. The Light Company
12. Popcorn
13. Wise Words by GLC -Told by GLC
14. Pennies (the updated rosters) Remix feat. Ludacris & Bun B
15. Broadcasting Live
16. Takin’ a Break
17. Tune Up
18. Weekend Girls feat. Ryan Leslie
19. Summer Vacations
20. Words of Wisdom by GLC - Told by GLC
21. Knocked Down

Everyone’s favorite Montrealer, Tiga, is releasing his upcoming
full-length, Ciao!, on May 26. To celebrate, he’ll be touring
North America, starting with a date at New York’s Webster Hall,
then hitting up Chicago, Detroit (for DEMF!), San Francisco,
Los Angeles, and Denver, before heading to his home turf with
shows in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver.

May 22 New York, NY @ Webster Hall
May 23 Chicago, IL @ Congress Theater
May 25 Detroit, MI @ Detroit Electronic Music Festival
May 28 San Francisco, CA @ The Independent
May 29 Los Angeles, CA @ Avalon
May 30 Denver, CO @ Beta
Jun 05 Toronto, ON @ Circa
Jun 06 Montreal, QC @ Neon
Aug 07 Vancouver, BC @ Celebrities
Aug 08 Los Angeles, CA @ HARD Summer Festival

Video Shoes

Download Shoes

Tiga Official Site

black lips gza

One of the defining moments of this year’s SXSW was the pair of surprise collaborations between Atlanta garage rock rabble-rousers The Black Lips and Wu Tang impresario GZA. This first took place off the beaten path at The Compound for Dickies Battle of the Bands, inspiring the unlikely pair to enter into a whole new chamber together. Soon thereafter, rumblings shot down 6th Street that the unlikely collabo might occur again at The Vice Records Showcase later that night at Emo’s. Sure enough, immediately after the band took the stage, GZA emerged to a roomful of cheers and slack jaws. The following week, the web was atwitter with reports from both events and a grainy MTV video documented a piece of the experience.

But now anyone who missed the display of hip-hop and gutter-rock allegiance has a chance to get in on the action. Indeed, the Lips are releasing an iTunes EP including 200 Million Thousand fave “Drop I Hold,” along with a never-before-heard version of the song featuring verses from the Genius himself, GZA. In addition, the release will feature an instrumental version of the track and the video for the album-version of “Drop.” All this, for a whopping $1.99 during its first week of availability, beginning next Tuesday, May 5th. Earlier yesterday, AOL Spinner and AOL Boombox jointly premiered the genre-defying collaboration, recorded at Werewolf Heart Studios under the watchful eye of engineer Filip Nikolic. Hear for yourself below.
AOL Spinner & AOL Boombox Joint Premiere:

Download and Share The Black Lips Ft. GZA “Drop I Hold” From The Drop I Hold EP [May 5th; Vice Records]

http://www.myspace.com/theblacklips

The four track EP is the first new material of 2009 for the band and includes the lead track ‘Run You Down’, the title track ‘Luna”, the epic ‘Molten Minds’ and the closer ‘Monument’. After disbanding to family homes over Christmas they set about writing and recording new ideas on their return to ‘Traps HQ’, and under the watchful eye of lead guitarist and producer (chief knob twiddler) James Minhas these fruitful home recordings grew legs and a plan was hatched for a free release to re-launch their label Speech Fewapy Records. The idea behind the release is that it is totally free for anyone interested in getting hold of a copy.

To Download the “Luna” EP for FREE! - All four tracks, the video for “Run You Down” & Album Artwork:
http://www.the-traps.com/luna/

The Traps MySpace Page:
http://www.myspace.com/thetrapsofficial

Ivy League; March 24, 2009

Download “Get Out,” off Melodia, here

It was the cover of Rolling Stone, on September 19, 2002, that first introduced the Vines to America. “Meet the Vines,” it announced. “Rock is Back.”

Six years later, the same thing could still be said. In an age of synths, ornate string arrangements, and electronic embellishments, the Vines continue to play straight-forward, no frills rock & roll on Melodia, their fourth full-length, which comes out March 24. Singer and guitarist Craig Nicholls snarls and scowls his way through tracks like “Braindead,” “Scream,” and “Get Out,” the hook-driven opener, like only a man who’s known the crowd-fueled, fist-pumping energy of a packed concert hall can. These are songs that ignite, full of the unabashedly snotty garage-rock-meets-post-grunge glory that sent the Vines’ stunning debut, Highly Evolved, rocketing up the charts.

There’s nothing superfluous about Melodia: few of the album’s 14 tracks go beyond the two-and-a-half-minute mark. These are tight, tuneful songs – loud and fast rock & roll, pure and simple, the kind that propelled the Vines into international acclaim. Bassist Brad Heald’s aggressive bass lines drive songs like “Manger,” while it’s the swagger in Nicholls’ voice alone that brings life to “Merrygoround” and “He’s A Rocker.” But these tracks are tempered by the more introspective pieces, written by a man who’s clearly been as inspired by Brian Wilson, John Lennon, and Ray Davies as he has Kurt Cobain. “Kara Jayne,” for example, is a pretty, harmony-filled love song, and “A Girl I Knew,” in which he sings, “There are things I couldn’t say/There are times I feel ashamed/Marriage was a thing we had/Hurt so much that it made me mad,” shows a man unafraid express emotion and admit to his own mistakes.

Melodia is a record by a band who’ve seen a lot since they broke into the public’s consciousness, and it’s a record that reflects those changes without forgetting what won them so many fans in the first place. Even as Nicholls now copes with the Asperger’s Syndrome he was diagnosed with in 2004, which has unfortunately deteriorated enough that as of late last year, all touring had to be cancelled, the songs on Melodia ring as a testament to the band’s talent and focus, and most of all, their dedication to making the kind of rock & roll that sticks to your ribs and stays in your head long past the actual notes have stopped ringing.

Download “Get Out”