Bat For Lashes Live @ Bowery Ballroom

Before I headed over to see Kate Nash at Joe's Pub I decided at the last minute to see Bat For Lashes at Bowery Ballroom. I think it could have been one of the best decisions I have ever made it my life because I was so blown away.

Natasha Khan goes from one instrument to another with such grace...and that voice! That voice sent shivers down my spine for a straight hour as I watched in awe with silence so golden that a pin could drop and it would sound like a jackhammer.

Mostly everything was played for Fur and Gold and it sounded even better live then it does on album. When Sarah was played Natasha banged a stick on a huge wooden board contraption and combined with the bass drum it made the most magical sound. Even the hand claps when they played "Prescilla" sounded perfect.

I don't think I have ever been so converted in an hour. Welcome to the cult of Natasha Khan


Photo credit: Mediaeater

Likely Looks: Kaiser Chiefs "The Angry Mob"

God bless Kaiser Chiefs for being able to put out almost as many singles as there are songs on the album. This time around, the quasi-title track "The Angry Mob" is getting the singles treatment. The video is a new direction from their slightly silly and puzzling (tennis ball juggler in "Modern Way," anybody?) video track record as they take a more cinematic approach.

This time, the boys play the help (tuxedoed waiters and barkeeps, a fine dining ivory-tickler and one ravishing limo chauffeur) amidst an angry mob of two flocks of fishnet and bunny-eared ladies on hen nights (very Sharks v. Jets) and a restaurant of dapper, upper-middle class twits.

Yeah! Keep it working class, boys! Leeds!

Kaiser Chiefs - The Angry Mob



x, LA Broad

Likely Looks: Babyshambles - French Dog Blues

First Shotter's Nation leaks and now this? It can't get any better. Now if only the U.S. would let Babyshambles tour here...

The Beastie Boys Go Anglo

The Beastie Boys decided to add a little Anglophilia into their lives with their album "The Mix Up." Though currently an instrumental album, the band decided to add vocals to the tracks with a little help from Lily Allen, Jarvis Cocker and M.I.A.

Sounds like some good combinations...

Likely Looks: Kate Nash - Mouthwash

Its all about Kate Nash over in Broads land. Here is the video for her latest single, "Mouthwash".

She's really just darling...

Kate Nash - Mouthwash
Uploaded by chloegc

Also, if you haven't heard Tapedeck's remix of Kate Nash's song "Caroline's A Victim" you can hear it on side 1 of their mixtape

tapedeck - Mixtape Side 1

Babyshambles Album Leaks

So much for keeping the new Babyshambles record from leaking! "Shotter's Nation" is now out and about on the internet for all the world to download.

Yes, I downloaded it. Yes, I will be buying it day of release. Please note: its amazing. The record is downright amazing...it blows my mind that Pete can be as crazy as he is and still manage to make his way into the recording studio to make an album.

Who cares how he does it...just buy the import on October 1st!

Kate Nash Live @ Joe's Pub

Finally after months of raving about Kate Nash I got the opportunity to see her play in New York last night. I missed the 9:30 show (caught Bat For Lashes which was brilliant as well...review to come!) so I caught the 11:30 show with the lovely Chris from Music Snobbery. We grabbed a spot on the couches right in front of Kate which was the absolute best view in the house.

Joe's Pub is quite small and the sound is amazing so it was such a treat to see Kate there. Playing to a seated crowd I could have done without, as there were times I wanted to stand up and dance a bit but it would have been awkward and I would have blocked someone's view. She came out in a little black and gold prom dress-esque number and went right into "Mariella", a track off of her album Made Of Bricks. The crowd was a bit dead except for the guy that screamed through EVERY song which was sweet at first but then you sort of wanted to tell him to shut up...

Kate's coming back early next year when "Made Of Bricks" gets a U.S. release and you MUST see her live. She will definitely be playing bigger venues. She's a great performer and has the charm to make you declare that you want to stick in your pocket and have your own little Nash.

Here is the set list:
* Mariella
* Shit Song
* Stitching Leggings
* Skeleton Song
* Birds
* Nicest Thing
* We Get On
* Mouthwash
* Foundations
* Merry Happy
* Encore: Little Red

(thanks to Music Snobbery for the set list)

and here is an MP3 of Mouthwash for your listening pleasure:
Kate Nash - Mouthwash


Photo credit: ryandombal

Lord Don't Slow Me Down Gets a U.S. Release!

If you weren't able to catch the Oasis documentary for "Lord Don't Slow Me Down" last CMJ then you missed out. It captures Oasis EXACTLY as you want to see them...raw and completely in their element.

The good news is that the DVD will be released Stateside on November 4th. The double disc will also contain footage from the Q and A last CMJ in New York and footage from their homecoming gig at the City of Manchester Stadium.

PLUS it gets better...the single "Lord Don't Slow Me Down" will be released digitally on October 21st.

Ahhh...I love Oasis news. Now its time to count down the days till 2008 and the new album

Kate Nash Plays Luna Lounge For Free TONIGHT!

Kate Nash is finally playing her New York dates tonight and tomorrow.

Kate couldn't get her U.S. work visa so she is playing for free!

Here are the details from the Luna Lounge website:

The Kate Nash show at Luna Lounge is happening on Monday, September 24th. However, as a result of a problem with Kate Nash's U.S. visa application, Kate has agreed to play for free! Here are the details. If you have already paid for your tickets, you must request a refund from TicketWeb. Next, when you come to the show, you must bring ID because we will have your name on our list of people who will be allowed entry into the show. You will receive your refund from TicketWeb in about 10 days. If you have not already purchased tickets, and you would like to attend the show, we will allow an additional 100 people free admission on a first come, first served basis...

GO! Its going to be fantastic

Tonight in NYC: Spank Rock at the Apple Store

Spend your Friday night with Spank Rock and XXXChange uptown at the Apple Store tonight if it tickles your fancy.

Here are the details:

Spank Rock Midnight Mix
TONIGHT, Sept 21
12-2AM
@ the Apple Store
5th Ave. @ 59th St.

Bangers and Cash comes out October 9th.

Enjoy the mix!

Foo Fighters Live at Irving Plaza

Ever since 1995, the Foo Fighters have been a staple of alternative rock music. Dave Grohl pulled away from the drum kit and stepped to the mic to become a front man...who thought it would work? 12 years later the band is still going strong and played their first show of the tour in support of their upcoming release Echoes, Silence, Patience and Grace which is released September 25th.

The band came out and straight away launched into their new single "The Pretender" to a crowd that literally went apeshit. Plowing through a 2 hour set of greatest hits and new tracks, fans were singing along to all the old songs and eager to hear some fresh stuff.

Dave Grohl is still as cool as ever, at one point making his way up to the side of the stage and playing guitar all by himself on top of an elevated balcony. Banging his guitar aggressively on the ledge, the cell phones all came out and lights began flashing everywhere. It was like no one mattered at that moment in time except for Dave Grohl...

I think its time to whip out the old discs because I've rediscovered why I liked the band so much 12 years ago when I first heard "I'll Stick Around" blaring out of my FM radio.

Here is the setlist:

'The Pretender'
'Cheer Up Boys (Your Make Up Is Running)'
'Times Like These'
'I'll Stick Around'
'Long Road To Ruin'
'Learn To Fly'
'Breakout'
'Skin And Bones'
'Marigold'
'My Hero'
'Come Alive'
'But, Honestly'
'Everlong'
'Monkey Wrench'
'Stacked Actors'
'All My Life'

Encore:
'Aurora'
'Let It Die'
'Best Of You'
'Home'

Amy Winehouse Live at the MOBO Awards

Amy Winehouse was a vision in um...nothing at the MOBO Awards on Wednesday in London. She drank a little too much (so I think) and sort of didn't really deliver the performance that she could have.

Here's Amy at the Awards doing Tears Dry On Their Own into Me and Mr Jones:

The Rumble Strips Come Stateside

The Rumble Strips have a been a band that has been buzzed about for some time, of course not on this side of the Atlantic. Finally, they are coming over to play some dates supporting everyone's favorite blogger band, Cold War Kids.

Here are the dates:

November 27-28 - Washington 9:30 Club
29 - Philadelphia TLA
30 - New York Webster Hall

December
5 - Los Angeles Spaceland
6 - San Francisco Popscene

Maximo Park Plan More North American Tour Dates

Maximo Park continue to play the biggest shows on their career in the States and this fall is no exception.

This time around they leave the east coast out and focus on the left coast :(

Here are the upcoming dates:

November
13 - MacEwan Hall, Calgary
14 - Edmonton Event Centre, Edmonton
16 - Centre for the Performing Arts, Vancouver
17 - Moore, Seattle
18 - Crystal Ballroom, Portland
20 - Warfield, San Francisco
21 - Wiltern, Los Angeles
23 - Joint, Las Vegas
24 - House of Blues, Anaheim
25 - Celebrity Theatre, Phoenix
26 - House of Blues, San Diego

Amy Winehouse To Record New Album

You know you thought there was a chance Amy Winehouse was never going to record again and lock herself inside the Hawley Arms forever with her husband. OK, maybe that's pushing it BUT the good news is Amy has confirmed that she is returning to the studio to record the follow up to her worldwide smash "Back To Black".

"I'm writing some new stuff and can't wait to be back on tour", Amy told the Daily Mirror.

Ahhh...now thats some good news as I think I'd go through some Wino withdrawal with Amy retiring.

Likely Looks: Smashing Pumpkins - Thats The Way (My Love Is)

I had my doubts about the Smashing Pumpkins reuniting sans D'Arcy and James Iha. Now, its nowhere near as good as Gish, Siamese Dream or Mellon Colie (opinion right now...but after those records they sort of lost me even though I own them) BUT the new single for "Thats The Way (My Love Is)" has grown on me to the point of adoring the track.

Here is the video:

New Pete Doherty ft. Wolfman Track Discovered

Pete Doherty is a mystery to all and short on a lot of things...but one thing he is some how never short on is music. Here is a new track with Wolfman thats come out courtesy of YouTube called "Darksome Sea".

Pete can actually sport blonde hair and look good. Personal opinion maybe?

Sleeping States Adds Additional U.S. Tour Dates

Sleeping States has added some additional tour dates to his upcoming North American tour! First starting out with The Little Ones and Voxtrot and then moving to play some gigs on his own, this is definitely a must see show if it comes to your area.

Here are the additional dates:

Fri, Oct 5 Chicago The Chapel (located on Lake Forest College's Middle Campus)
Sat, Oct 6 Cleveland Beachland Tavern
Sun, Oct 7 Philadelphia Johnny Brenda's
Mon, Oct 8 New York Mercury Lounge
Tue, Oct 9 Cambridge Middle East Downstairs
Wed, Oct 10 Washington Rock and Roll Hotel
Fri, Oct 12 Norfolk The Boot
Mon, Oct 15 Atlanta Earl
Wed, Oct 17 Austin Mohawk

Likely Listens: Candie Payne

Candie Payne is no stranger to the world of rock and roll considering her brother Howie was the front man of The Stands and her brother Sean is the drummer for The Zutons.

She's taken the solo route and has released a brilliant album entitled "I Wish I Could Have Loved You More" in May. Its got a very 60's vibe (which it seems everything does these days) and her latest single "One More Chance" was produced by Mr. Mark Ronson.

I literally fell in love at first listen...so here is the video for "One More Chance" so you can do the same

CMJ Lineup Updated

The CMJ festival might actually be cool this year for once!

Highlights so far: The Maccabees, Foals, Band of Horses playing Bowery Ballroom


Here is the full lineup:

Adam Green
Adept
The Affair
Air Traffic
Airborne Toxic Event
Alberta Cross
Anathallo
Anna Ternheim
Arise And Ruin
Arizona
Asteroid #4
Aux Raus
The Awkward Stage
Bald Eagle
Bear In Heaven
Beat The Devil
Bella
Beneath The Sky
The Big Sleep
The Bones Of Davey Jones
Bonk
Bound Stems
Brighton, MA
The Broken West
The Brought Low
Cale Parks
Canada
The Capitol Years
The Capstan Shafts
The Caribbean
Carolyn Mark
The Carter Administration
Casper And The Cookies
Catfish Haven
Chairlift
Chris Bathgate
Christopher Denny
Cloud Cult
C-Mon And Kypski
The Color Fred
Colour Revolt
Connan And The Mockasins
The Contrast
Cotton Jones
Craig Wedren
Cut Off Your Hands
Damnation A.D.
Datarock
De Jeugd Van Tegenwoordig
The Dead Trees
The Dear Hunter
Dear Tonight
The Deleted Waveform Gatherings
Die Romantik
Division Day
DragonetteDri
Driver Side Impact
Eagle*Seagull
Farewell To Freeway
FiGO
Fire When Ready
Fishboy
Flying
The Forecast
Foreign Islands
Forget Cassettes
Fourth Of July
Freddy And The Dials
Freya
Get Him Eat Him
The Get Quick
The Giraffes
Grady
Hallelujah The Hills
Head Of Femur
Higgins
High Class Elite
Ho-Ag
Hollywood Holt
Holy Fuck
Holy Hail
Hot Iqs
Hot Springs
House And Parish
The Hugs
Hunter Valentine
Ida
Ida Maria
iLIKETRAINS
Illinois
The Insomniacs
The iOs
Jack
Jay Brannan
The Jealous Girlfriends
Jesse Lacey + Vin Accardi
Joel Plaskett Emergency
John Biz
Keith John Adams
Les Breastfeeders
Little Birdy
The Little Ones
The Loose Salute
M Coast
The Maccabees
Malkovich
Mannequin Men
The Matches
The Mellowmen
MGMT
The Midnight Show
Mixel Pixel
Modico
Mohawk Lodge
Monomen
Moros Eros
Mouser
Mr. Wix
Nakatomi Plaza
The Narrator
National Seashore
Neimo
The New Amsterdams
The New Dress
The Nobility
The Nouvellas
Octoberman
Palomar
Paper Rival
Pattern Is Movement
Paul Duncan
Peachcake
The Peekers
Picastro
Poison Control Center
Polar Bear Club
Polytechnic
Project Jenny/Project Jan
Pterodactyl
Robbers On High Street
Robin Horlock Band
Rock N' Roll
Rockethouse
Roman Numerals
Saves The Day (acoustic)
Scream Hello
Section Quartet
The Shaky Hands
Shock Cinema
Shout Out Out Out Out
Single File
Slaraffenland
The Smittens
So Many Dynamos
Southeast Engine
The Spores
Status Green
The Sterns
Super Monster
Sybris
Team Robespierre
Teenage Prayers
The Three-4-Tens
Tigerbearwolf
Tom Schraeder
Unique Chique
Velcro Stars
We Are Wolves
We Vs. The Shark
The Whip
White Denim
Wild Light
Witch's Hat
Xavier Cafeine

The Cure Reschedule North American Tour Dates

The Cure have finally rescheduled their tour dates which were originally postponed due to the delay of their upcoming album.

The still untitled album will be release around April or May of 2008.

Here are the tour dates:

May 9: Fairfax, Va. (Patriot Center)
May 10: Philadelphia (Wachovia Spectrum)
May 12: Boston (Agganis Arena)
May 14: Montreal (Bell Centre)
May 15: Toronto (Air Canada Centre)
May 17: Chicago (Allstate Arena)
May 19: Kansas City, Mo. (Starlight Theatre)
May 21: Morrison, Colo. (Red Rocks)
May 23: Salt Lake City (E Center)
May 25: George, Wash. (Sasquatch! Music Festival)
May 26: Vancouver (GM Place)
May 29: Santa Barbara, Calif. (Santa Barbara Bowl)
May 31: Los Angeles (Hollywood Bowl)
June 1: San Diego (Cox Arena)
June 4: Phoenix (Dodge Theatre)
June 6: Dallas (American Airlines Center)
June 8: Austin (Austin Music Hall)
June 9: Houston (Toyota Center)
June 11: Tampa, Fla. (St. Pete Times Forum)
June 13: Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. (Bank Atlantic Center)
June 15: Atlanta (Gwinnett Center)
June 16: Charlotte, N.C. (Bobcats Arena)
June 18: Cleveland (TBA)
June 20: New York (Madison Square Garden)

Klaxons Afterparty in NYC!

This one is going to be a big one...



RSVP for guaranteed entry.

Likely Looks: Mark Ronson ft. Amy Winehouse - Valerie

Mark Ronson can pull all the celebrities in for recording tracks but when it comes to music videos it just doesn't happen.

Here is the new video for "Valerie" (of course the fantastic Zutons cover) sans Wino. Taking her place are the "Winettes" and ummm...they definitely don't come close to Amy.

Side note: I miss Ronson on the decks

Kaiser Chiefs Cancel U.S. Tour

Kaiser Chiefs have just announced that they've canceled most of their upcoming North American tour. They still have Mexico City in the works and their NY show (aren't us NYers so blessed).

Here are the canceled (and remaining dates):

14 Sep - Austin, USA - City Limits Festival
16 Sep - Mexico City, Mexico - Salon 21
18 Sep - Dallas, USA - House Of Blues
19 Sep - Houston, USA - Warehouse Live
21 Sep - Nashville, USA - City Hall
22 Sep - Atlanta, USA - The Roxy
24 Sep - Chicago, USA - The Metro
25 Sep - Detroit, USA - Majestic Theatre
26 Sep - Toronto, Canada - Carlu Theatre
29 Sep - New York, USA - Beacon Theatre

Likely Listens: Those Dancing Days

What do you get when you put 5 Swedish girls together and add a little soul? Those Dancing Days!

Hailing straight out of Stockholm, Sweden; Those Dancing Days are a brand new act signed to Wichita Records in the UK. Their adorable, have tunes to kill and are a more soulful version of the Pipettes (sorry for the comparison).

The band's first single, 'Those Dancing Days' / '1000 Words' will be
released in the UK on the 8th of October.

Here's the video for their song "Hitten" on their self titled EP:

Hitten

Hard Fi Top The UK Album Charts

Hard Fi went from relative unknowns to stardom in their own country with their debut album "Stars of CCTV" and semi fame in the US. Now, with the release of their sophomore album "Once Upon A Time In The West" they've hit #1 in the UK and are about to release the album Stateside September 18th.

I sort of chance myself singing the first single "Suburban Knights" at random times. Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

Its catchy and well, a bit hard not to like.

Here is the video for Suburban Knights:

Hard-Fi - 'Suburban Knights'


Soon you'll be singing along too...

Britney Spears at the MTV VMAs

I wouldn't normally post about Britney Spears...but I sort of have a soft spot in my heart for her. She went from being untouchable to now the laughing stock of the entire entertainment industry. Where did she go wrong? Did she purposely try and fail?

She knew she sucked. I figured she would kill it in usual Britney style but she just looked like she didn't want to be there. Also, how do you forget to lip sync the words to your own song. She might as well have just done a dance routine and forgotten about the fucking microphone.

If you missed it, here it is:

Bat For Lashes Announces North American Tour

After losing the Mercury Music Prize to Klaxons, Bat For Lashes has announced a North American fall tour to get over the pain of losing. Well, maybe not...but still its fantastic that they are coming back here again.


Here are the dates:

09.23.07 - Philadelphia, PA (Johnny Brenda's)
09.24.07 - Boston, MA (Great Scott)
09.25.07 - New York, NY (Bowery Ballroom)
09.28.07 - Toronto, ON (El Mocambo)
09.29.07 - Montreal, QC (Petit Campus)
10.01.07 - Columbus, OH (The Basement)
10.02.07 - Chicago, IL (Empty Bottle)
10.03.07 - Minneapolis, MN (Varsity Theatre)
10.05.07 - Denver, CO (Larimer Lounge)
10.08.07 - San Diego, CA (Delta Room at House of Blues)
10.09.07 - Los Angeles, CA (Troubadour)
10.11.07 - San Francisco, CA (Slim's)
10.13.07 - Vancouver, BC (Plaza Club)
10.14.07 - Seattle, WA (Crocodile Café)
10.15.07 - Portland, OR (Doug Fir Lounge)

The Gossip Cancel U.S. Tour

So much for The Gossip and The Long Blondes touring the States together! It was just announced that The Gossip will be canceling their upcoming tour due to the delay of their love album release.

There are no dates as of yet that have been rescheduled nor any plans to reschedule at this point. Ugh.

Razorlight Maps Fall North American Tour

Razorlight are back in the States fresh from playing the European festival circuit to hundreds of thousands of fans. Even through we ARE a smaller bunch...the venues they play are continuing to grow

Here are the tour dates and on sale information:

November 7: BOSTON Middle East, Cambridge, MA--
Ticketmaster and Middle East
Box Office: www.ticketmaster.com
On Sale 7th September

November 9: NEW YORK The Fillmore, New York, NY--
Ticketmaster and NEXT:
www.ticketmaster.com and www.livenation.com
On Sale 6th September

November 11: TORONTO Phoenix, Toronto, ON--
Ticketmaster:
www.ticketmaster.com
On Sale 8th September

November 13: CHICAGO Metro, Chicago, IL--
Ticketmaster: www.ticketmaster.com
On Sale 22nd September

November 15: SEATTLE Neumo's, Seattle, WA--
Tickets West:
http://ticketswest.rdln.com
On Sale 14th September

November 17: SAN FRANCISCO Mezzanine, San Francisco, CA--
Ticket Web:
http://www.ticketweb.com
On Sale 8th September

November 19: LOS ANGELES Henry Fonda, Los Angeles, CA--
Ticketmaster:
www.ticketmaster.com

The Duke Spirit Stream New EP

Spirit of the desert...

I have had the pleasure of listening to these bluesy, fog-tinged tunes since their debut album Cuts Across the Land came out on import via Loog way back in '05. Then, I got to see them play at SXSW (and tell them where to go at our showcase), which is when I officially fell in love. Liela Moss has the approachable look of a vixen in tomboy's clothing and a cat-scratched voice that is simultaneously eerie, innocent and arrogant.

They spent some time in the California desert this summer with the Desert Session's mastermind Chris Gross producing what will be their new record (can't wait!). The band now have a few tracks from these sessions in an EP that is now streaming at their official site and their MySpace page.

Listen to Ex Voto EP now...



x, LA Broad

Likely Listens: Amy Winehouse Live At The Mercury Music Prize

Amy Winehouse made a triumphant return to the stage to sing an acoustic version of "Love Is A Losing Game". The performance was absolutely mind blowing and she looked gorgeous.



Wow. Thats all.

Klaxons won but Wino stole the show

Patrick Wolf Returns For A Fall U.S. Tour

Patrick Wolf is returning to the U.S. to bring his crazy costume changes and hair colors to bigger stages.

Here are the tour dates:

09-30 Philadelphia, PA - Fillmore
10-01 Washington, DC - Black Cat
10-03 New York, NY - Webster Hall
10-04 Boston, MA - Paradise
10-05 Montreal, Quebec - Cabaret du Musée Juste Pour Rire
10-06 Toronto, Ontario - Lee's Palace
10-08 Detroit, MI - Saint Andrew's Hall
10-09 Chicago, IL - Metro
10-11 Portland, OR - Wonder Ballroom
10-12 Vancouver, British Columbia - The Plaza
10-13 Seattle, WA - Neumos
10-15 San Francisco, CA - Mezzanine
10-16 Los Angeles, CA - El Rey

Klaxons Win Mercury Music Prize

Klaxons beat out some pretty amazing acts to win the coveted Mercury Music Prize for Myths of the Near Future.

We all thought it would be Amy Winehouse or Bat For Lashes...but sometimes things don't always work in the odds favor.

In other news, Amy Winehouse did perform at the awards an acoustic version of "Love Is A Losing Game" and apparently sounded amazing.

Congrats to Klaxons!

Albert Hammond Jr. To Record New Album

So whats going to happen with The Strokes? I think they broke up or are in the process...but that remains to be seen.

Anyway, Albert Hammond Jr has booked some time in New York at Electric Lady Studios to record the follow up to "Yours To Keep".

The footage from the studio will be recorded and shown on Albert's MySpace page.

Bloc Party Back In The Studio

How do Bloc Party do it? Fresh off of touring for their sophomore release "A Weekend In The City", the band have revealed that they are back in the studio and will be working on their third album.

The band also revealed that they would be releasing a single in between both "A Weekend In The City" and the untitled upcoming album.

Then they tour again. and again. and again. BP style.