The Maine band news

Phoenix alt-rock band The Maine will release their fourth studio album Forever Halloween worldwide on Tuesday. It was produced by Brendan Benson of The Raconteurs and is the second consecutive self-­funded release.

 

"To be seen and treated as an equal by someone you hold in high regard is a gratifying and refreshing feeling” says frontman John O’Callaghan on working with Benson. “[He] opened his studio doors, did that and much more which helped provide the platform to create an album we can now all stand behind."

 

In support of the new record, The Maine will embark on a US tour in June, headlining alongside A Rocket To The Moon.

 

Stereophonics head to America

It's been quite awhile since we've seen these Welshmen here. I'm looking forward to the new album. 

Stereophonics' new studio release Graffiti on the Train will come out in  America on Aug. 20 via their own Stylus Records.

Released earlier this year in the U.K., it entered the charts at number 3, has remained in the Top 20 there ever since and quickly went gold. 

Written by lead vocalist and guitarist Kelly Jones and produced by Jones and Jim Lowe, Graffiti on the Train loosely tells the story of two friends who flee the country after a tragic accident.

Jones was at the helm of all the videos from this album, which he has both written and directed - including the first U.S. single, "Indian Summer." Upon release in the U.K., "Summer" marked the band's 26th Top 40 hit on the U.K. charts.

North America will see the first tour dates from the band in years starting in September (see below for complete itinerary).

Tour Dates

September 19         Philadelphia - Union Transfer

September 20         Boston - House of Blues

September 21         New York - Terminal 5

September 22         Washington DC - 9.30 Club

September 24         Montreal - Corona Theatre

September 25         Toronto - Danforth Music Hall

September 27         Detroit - St Andrews Hall

September 28         Chicago - Vic Theatre

September 29         Minneapolis - First Ave

October 1                 Denver - Bluebird Theatre

October 4                 Seattle - Showbox

October 5                 Vancouver - Commodore

October 6                 Portland - Wonder Ballroom

October 8                 San Francisco - Fillmore

October 10              Los Angeles - Henry Fonda

October 13              Mexico City - Corona Festival

Graffiti On The Train Tracklisting:

1.We Share The Same Sun

2.Graffiti On The Train

3.Indian Summer

4.Take Me

5.Catacomb

6.Roll The Dice

7.Violins And Tambourines

8.Been Caught Cheating

9.In A Moment

10.No One's Perfect

Status Quo movie soundtrack and more

Veteran UK classic rock band Status Quo will release their new double album, Bula Quo! via earMUSIC/Edel/Eagle Rock Entertainment on July 9.

 

Bula Quo! was inspired by their first feature film of the same title. Disc 1 features 9 new tracks, written as the soundtrack for the duo’s madcap escapades in the movie. Disc 2 contains exclusive reworked studio songs or live versions of 10 classic Quo hits, which are also featured in the film (including a Fijian-style rendition of “Living On An Island”).

 

Status Quo is enjoying an exciting phase in their long and successful career, after the critical acclaim and the support received by their loyal audience for their previous studio album Quid Pro Quo and tour.

 

The 90-minute action movie Bula Quo! features the band as themselves and stars Jon Lovitz, among others. Director Stuart St. Paul has worked on projects ranging from Duran Duran’s seminal “Wild Boys” video, to Aliens, Batman and three James Bond films. The movie will hit the stores and theaters after summer.

 

“Making the film in Fiji was a fantastic experience and we couldn’t help but be inspired by our surroundings,” states vocalist/lead guitarist Francis Rossi. “We had no plans to write and release a new studio album as well as filming our parts for the movie, it just happened.” 

 

Adds singer/rhythm guitarist Rick Parfitt: “We hope that Quo fans will enjoy the film, which is certainly something new for the band, but we know they are going to love the music.”

 

statusquo.co.uk

Jack’s Mannequin concert finale captured live

Andrew McMahon has announced the release of Jack’s Mannequin Live from the El Rey Theatre CD+DVD package, out June 25 through Be Why and Alternative Distribution Alliance.

Filmed on Nov. 11-12, 2012 in Los Angeles at the 3rd annual Dear Jack Foundation Benefit Concert, the two shows mark the final performances from Jack’s Mannequin, wrapping their  acclaimed 7-year run. All net profits from the CD and DVD sales will go to the foundation.  

“With a strong desire to honor the live performances Jack's had become known for, we set out to capture the last two nights of a partnership that spanned seven years, four continents, three full length albums and hundreds of concerts,” said McMahon of the special two evening event.

“The two November nights that add up to Live from the El Rey Theatre are a celebration of the strange history and myriad threads woven together to create what I now carry in my heart as Jack's Mannequin.”

 

"The AYA cancer community has largely gone unrecognized over the last 20 years,” stated Dear Jack Foundation Executive Director Steve Smith. “Andrew's personal experience and passion drives us on a daily basis to directly impact the lives of young adults and change the statistics."

The Dear Jack Foundation is a non-profit charity that was founded by McMahon in 2006 after his own battle with leukemia. The organization is dedicated to serving the adolescent and young adult cancer community through collaboration, support, and focused initiatives. 

McMahon will embark on a summer trek with O.A.R. for the Summer of Sounds tour in support of his new solo EP, Pop Underground (routing is below). His new band includes former bandmates Jay McMillan and Mike Wagner.  

O.A.R. Tour Dates:

 

DATE                           CITY                             VENUE           

6/20/13                       St. Louis, MO               The Pageant

6/21/13                       Kansas City, MO          The Crossroads

6/22/13                       Morrison, CO              Red Rocks Amphitheatre

6/25/13                       St. Paul, MN                The Myth

6/28/13                       Chicago, IL                  Charter One Pavilion

6/29/13                       Indianapolis, IN           White River State Park

6/30/13                       Rochester Hills, MI     Meadow Brook Music Festival

7/1/13                         Muskegon, MI             Coast West Music Festival

7/6/13                         Columbus, OH             LC Pavilion

7/7/13                         Cleveland, OH             Jacobs Pavilion at Nautica

7/11/13                       Pittsburgh, PA             Stage AE

7/13/13                       Charlotte, NC              Time Warner Cable Uptown Amphitheatre

7/16/13                       Myrtle Beach, SC        House of Blues

7/17/13                       Charleston, SC             Family Circle Magazine Stadium

7/21/13                       Raleigh, NC                 The Red Hat Amphitheater

7/25/13                       Philadelphia, PA          Festival Pier at Penn's Landing

7/26/13                       Wallingford, CT           Toyota Oakdale Theatre

7/27/13                       Boston, MA                 Bank of America Pavilion

7/28/13                       Saratoga Springs, NY  Saratoga Performing Arts Center

7/31/13                       Chesterfield, VA          Pocahontas Live

8/1/13                         Columbia, MD             Merriweather Post Pavilion

8/3/13                         Holmdel, NJ                 PNC Bank Arts Center

andrewmcmahon.com

Relient K album set for July

I was a big fan of their 2004 and 2007 studio releases and the Christmas album. I can't wait to hear the new material from these Christian pop/rockers. Read on for more details from the press release...

Four years since their last full-length studio album, Relient K returns with their seventh album, Collapsible Lung, on July 2 (Mono Vs. Stereo).

Pre-orders of the album at iTunes get an exclusive track that features Owl City. This will be a digital only release with physical and special edition vinyl copies available at Relient K shows this summer.

 

Relient K is a band that writes from personal experiences and this has paid off with over two million records sold and three RIAA gold-certified albums. As a songwriter, Relient K’s frontman, Matt Thiessen, has had a hand in co-writing Owl City’s 2012 hit “Good Time,” Kelly Clarkson’s “Long Shot” and the award-winning “When Can I See You Again” from the animated film Wreck-It Ralph.

 

On Collapsible Lung, the band co-wrote for the first time with Fernando Garibay (Lady Gaga), Ari Levine (Cee Lo Green, Bruno Mars), Evan Bogart (Beyonce, Rihanna) and Tim Pagnotta (lead singer/writer for Sugarcult).

Paul Moak (Mat Kearney, Lovedrug, Seabird) and Aaron Sprinkle (OneRepublic, Anberlin, The Almost) produced.

 

“This time around, we wanted to have a collection of songs that surprised even us,” states Thiessen. “To do that, we teamed up with several other writers in LA, Nashville, and New York City. This ensured that the new LP would be unpredictable. Each song includes a different combination of authors, yet there is an underlying thread that ties the tunes together thematically.  We took an experimental approach creating the album, and we couldn't be more pleased with the result.”

 

This summer Relient K will be playing the new songs on tour with The Almost and The Rocketboys as well as on select Vans Warped Tour dates. Dates listed below.

TOUR DATES

 

JULY 

02        Nashville, TN             Rocketown

03        Noblesville, IN           Klipsch Music Center *WARPED Tour

05        Louisville, KY            Headliners

06        Memphis, TN             New Daisy

07        Chattanooga, TN        Track 29         

08        Jacksonville, FL         Freebird Live  

09        Myrtle Beach, SC       House of Blues

11        Asbury Park, NJ         Stone Pony

12        Poughkeepsie, NY      The Chance

13        Providence, RI            The Met

14        Hartford, CT               The Comcast Theatre *WARPED Tour

15        Philadelphia, PA         TLA

17        Grand Rapids, MI       Intersection

18        Cleveland, OH            Blossom Music Center *WARPED Tour

20        Springfield, MO         Gilloz Theatre

22        Lawrence, KS             Granada Theatre

23        St Louis, MO              Verizon Wireless

24        Omaha, NE                 Slowdown *WARPED Tour

The long-awaited return of Steve Strange's Visage

Seminal new wave act Visage return June 11 with the new album Hearts and Knives.

 

“It has been 29 years since the last Visage album and during that period it often seems like we have all lived through several lifetimes,” comments Steve Strange, the band's creative force and flamboyant leader singer.

 

Visage began in 1978 when Steve Strange and Blitz Club partner-in-crime Rusty Egan joined forces with Midge Ure to create a futuristic, synthesizer-led group where style and fashion were matched by experimental but accessible music. The group was soon augmented with members of Magazine (John McGeoch, Dave Formula and Barry Adamson) and Billy Currie. They recorded their first single "Tar" with Martin Rushent at his Genetic Studio in 1979 (shortly to become the birthplace of the Human League Dare album).

Their breakthrough track “Fade To Grey” became a European hit and reached number 1 in eight countries in 1980. The band then enjoyed a series of hit singles “Mind Of A Toy,” “Night Train” and “The Anvil” coming from a pair genre defying albums, the eponymous Visage in 1980 and The Anvil in 1982. In 1981 Ultravox now led by Midge Ure took off and in 1982 Midge and Billy left to concentrate on what would become one of the biggest bands of the '80s. In 1984 Visage made their third album Beatboy. As the public face of the band Steve Strange shot to stardom throughout Europe he continued to be active in hosting club nights (The Camden Palace, Club For Heroes) and in the fashion world.

In 2010 Steve reconnected with Steve Barnacle and began writing songs once more. Some time later ex-Ultravox guitarist Robin Simon joined the equation, bringing not only a large slice of shared musical DNA (that “Visage sound”) to the project, but also his own distinctive style and ethereal musicianship.

 

Vocalist Lauren Duvall was invited into the fold, adding not only her sultry vocal ability but a slice of the classic Visage glamour too. With the core members in place the picture slowly started forming and the band reached out (once again) to Martin Rushent. He suggested the blueprint for the album and had began working on the first tracks before his untimely death in 2010. The Hearts And Knives album is dedicated to Martin.

The album features collaborations and contributions from Dave Formula (former Visage and Magazine keyboard player), Mick MacNeil (the former keyboard player and creative musical core of Simple Minds), Youth, Rich Mowatt and Logan Sky. The sound of Hearts and Knives is “classic Visage” but with modern songs and style.

 

There is the odd tip of the hat to modern production values but the sound is 1980-1982 Visage. It's Vintage keyboards and synthesizers all the way. There's not software synths on this record. The production by John Bryan and analogue synthesizer collector Sare Havlicek is firmly rooted in the '80s. Many of the tracks are instantly recognizable as Visage (Moogs and the obligatory CR78 drum sound feature on several).

Visage (French for “Face”) has always been one part music to one part style & fashion. In 1980 the explosive combination of then futurist synthesizer music, fashion, make up & gender ambiguity set the blue print for the New Romantic movement and eventually the style template of the 1980s. Visage was one of the bands to evolve out of the famous night club the Blitz Club, created and hosted by Steve Strange and Rusty Egan. Other bands included the infamous Spandau Ballet and Culture Club.

Innovative style, clothing and make-up continue to be central to brand “Steve Strange.” In a series of style looks for the album he has collaborated with designers Haus of Gaga, Sorapol, Mark Fowler and long time collaborator milliner Stephen Jones OBE. The first album cover in 1980 was shot by veteran music photographer Peter Ashworth in the Blitz Club. Peter returns to shoot the cover of the fourth album. The shot references the famous “Fade To Grey” white face & water motif now displayed on a mask created by Lara Himpelmann. The current day Steve Strange bursts through the mask in a blaze of silver & red.

Hearts and Knives may have been a long time in coming but it is a purposeful statement of just where Steve Strange and Visage are at present. The past has been full of highs and lows but musically & creatively they are at a point where they can confidently present an album containing all the strands of their unique mix of music, fashion and style.

Visage's new album will be available on CD, limited edition vinyl and digtal formats through Pylon Records. Fall 2013 U.S. tour dates to be announced soon.

Hearts and Knives Tracklisting:

 

1 Never Enough
2 Shameless Fashion
3 She's Electric (Coming Around)
4 Hidden Sign
5 On We Go
6 Dreamer I Know
7 Lost In Static
8 I Am Watching
9 Diaries Of A Madman
10 Breathe Life

11 Shameless Fashion - The Extened Mix (Bonus Track Exclusive to U.S. CD)

Elvis Costello and The Roots' joint album due this fall

Elvis Costello and The Roots have announced a collaborative album titled Wise Up Ghost released by Blue Note Records on Sept. 17. 

 

Costello described the record as “the shortest distance between here and there” and containing “both rhythm and what is read.”

The Roots' Ahmir says, “It's a moody, brooding affair, cathartic rhythms and dissonant lullabies. I went stark and dark on the music, Elvis went HAM on some ole Ezra Pound (stuff).”

 

In addition to The Roots crew and friends, it features a guest vocal appearance on “Cinco Minutos Con Vos” from La Marisoul, lead singer of the Los Angeles group, La Santa Cecilia.

 

The album was produced by longtime Roots associate, Steven Mandel together with Elvis Costello, and Ahmir “?uestlove” Thompson.

Sheryl Crow news

Sheryl Crow will release her new album, Feels Like Home, Sept. 10 on Warner Bros. Records. The album is the first country record of her career and features her hit single, “Easy,” which is currently Top 20.

Each track on the album was co-written with another songwriter, which is a first for Crow, including Brad Paisley. Check out Crow’s recent session on Daytrotter where you can hear select songs from Feels Like Home. 

“It wasn’t until I moved here that I realized what an amazing community it is,” said Crow of working on Feels Like Home in Nashville.

“It’s the thing I’ve been missing my whole career, the feeling of being able to sit around with a guitar and have people know each other’s songs and know songs from people who’ve influenced all of us. When I moved here pretty early on Vince Gill started calling me to do guitar pulls, and I thought, gosh, this is just like heaven on earth down here.”

Feels Like Home Track Listing

1. Shotgun

2. Easy

3. Give It To Me

4. Drinking

5. Callin’ Me When I’m Lonely

6. Waterproof Mascara

7. Crazy Ain’t Original

8. Nobody’s Business

9. Homesick

10. Homecoming Queen

11. Best Of Times

12. Stay At Home Mother

True Blood 4 soundtrack out now

True Blood: Music From The HBO Original Series Volume 4 is available with unreleased tracks by My Morning Jacket, Los Lobos, Alabama Shakes as well as the rare “Your Face Can Tell The Future” from The Flaming Lips.

It continues the True Blood soundtrack tradition of uniting legendary rock hall of famers with indie darlings such as Iggy Pop with Bethany Cosentino for “Let’s Boot and Rally” (digital release only) and Eric Burdon with Jenny Lewis for a re-recording of the classic “Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood.”

For the first time, the soundtrack will also be available on vinyl in mid-June.

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

Claremont Folk Festival preview

 

You know a music festival has really made an impact on the community when a large number of people miss its absence. Fortunately, the Claremont Folk Festival will return after a two-year hiatus on June 15 at Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden.

“I can’t tell you the kind of disappointment I have to field when we don’t have it,” says Ellen Chase, festival co-director and manager of the equally revered, long-running Folk Music Center, Museum & Store in Claremont.

Now marking 30 years, the event began in 1970 as the annual Dulcimer Festival at Claremont’s Memorial Park. By 1979, it had transitioned into a non-profit organization and became known as the Claremont Spring Folk Festival. Supported by donations, sponsors and fundraisers, the festival helps the FMC bring unique live music to the area, provide school tours and lend instruments to music teachers.

“It started out tiny with American traditional music and has grown to include all kinds of music,” Chase explains. “This year, we have Henry Rollins (pictured, top) doing spoken word, which I think fits fine, because it’s an anti-commercial philosophy that the festival comes [from]. It is roots and folk in every sense of the word. We’ve got a very eclectic show.”

Back in the ‘80s, Rollins fronted the influential LA hardcore punk group Black Flag and later, a self-named alternative metal band through the mid-2000s. In the interim, he became a respected author, activist, TV personality and spoken word artist. Currently, Rollins hosts a radio show on KCRW-FM and writes a regular column for LA Weekly.

 

Another major headliner on the festival bill is David Lindley (pictured, above).

A veteran multi-instrumentalist and San Marino native, his extensive resume includes session work with Jackson Browne (his vocals are heard amid their hit cover of Maurice Williams & the Zodiacs’ “Stay” during Running on Empty), Linda Ronstadt, Graham Nash, Emmylou Harris, Rod Stewart, Warren Zevon and many more since the 1970s.

Even Chase’s Grammy-winning musician son Ben Harper has utilized Lindley’s talents on albums and cited him as an influence.

Chase calls Lindley a “quintessential musician” and notes he will be playing solo with several instruments. “He’s brilliant and one of the most tasteful players I’ve heard in my life; he’s also a personable entertainer. It’s been about 30 years since he played in Claremont.”

Then there’s the gypsy jazz of Janet Klein & Her Parlor Boys. “They do a fun type of naughty ‘90s ukulele [thing],” she says.

Leon Mobley & Da Lion make a return appearance to the festival (Mobley plays drums for Harper’s backing band The Innocent Criminals and a West African Djimbe ensemble). Additionally, several performers will conduct music workshops in the garden.

For Chase, the festival’s primary goal is “to bring folk music to the community” and have them learn about it. “We get people from all over Orange County, the Inland Empire and LA.”

A venue switch from Sycamore Elementary School - where the festival was held in 2010 - to the expansive garden allows for more activities (self-guided tours, nature workshops geared toward children) and flexibility. Local artists are expected to sell art and musical instruments while gourmet food trucks, local micro-breweries and caterers offer food.

“We’re going to have a beer garden, which we’ve never had before,” notes Chase. “Everybody is excited because the botanic garden and Folk Music Center are two venerable non-profit institutions here. I like the fact that we’re combining with nature. I think it’s a good fit for folk music; it’s going to be beautiful.”

EVENT INFO

 

Claremont Folk Festival, featuring performances by David Lindley, Henry Rollins, Janet Klein & Her Parlor Boys, Leon Mobley and Da Lion, Moira Smiley and Voco, Round Mountain, Gonzalo Bergara Quartet, Black Tongued Bells, Tremoloco, Ross Altman, Peter Harper, Phoebe Bridgers.

 

Workshops held in African drumming, songwriting, European and American folk songs, Gypsy guitar , ukulele, Mosaic making studio, drum circle, slide guitar, printmaking, puppetry, Didgeridoo, harmonica and protest songs.

 

10:00 a.m. June 15, Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden, 1500 North College Avenue, Claremont. $25 general, $100 VIP (includes preferred seating and festival t-shirt), children 12 and under, free. Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden members can receive 20 percent off admission by contacting: development@rsabg.org or (909) 625-8767, ext. 221 in advance.

 

www.folkmusiccenter.com/folk-festival or www.rsabg.org; 909-624-2928

Matt Nathanson news

Matt Nathanson’s ninth studio album, Last of the Great Pretenders, will be released on July 16 (see track listing below).

Produced by Nathanson with Mike Viola and Jake Sinclair, the album's first single is "Mission Bells" - already #12 on the Triple A radio chart. He describes “Mission Bells” as “a love story via a street fight.” Set against a San Francisco backdrop, the city serves as the locale for several songs on the new album.

The video for “Mission Bells" is now on Vevo and pays homage to Alfred Hitchcock. 

Also based in San Francisco, Nathanson's 2007 album Some Mad Hope (his first for Vanguard) yielded the hit single “Come On Get Higher,” which has sold more than 2 million copies, as well as subsequent hits “Car Crash,” “Falling Apart” and “All We Are.”

Modern Love, his previous studio album, debuted at #17 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart and topped the iTunes Pop Chart. It featured the hit singles “Faster” and “Run” – the latter featuring Sugarland’s Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush. 

Track listing:

Earthquake Weather
Mission Bells
Last Days of Summer in San Francisco
Kinks Shirt
Sky High Honey
Annie’s Always Waiting (For The Next One To Leave)
Kill The Lights
Heart Starts
Birthday Girl
Sunday New York Times Farewell, December 

mattnathanson.com