Jagjaguwar, Dead Oceans and Secretly Canadian bring the party to this year’s South By Southwest! We’ve got an official showcase jam packed with some serious talent. With two stages and eleven bands, it’s an event not to be missed. We’ve lucked into one of the best venues Austin has to offer- the Mohawk, and it’s all going down Thursday, March 15th. See the full lineup below and all of the additional SXSW performances after the jump!
In honor and memory of Chris Reimer, who passed away February 21st, 2012 due to complications from a heart condition, we invite fans and friends to celebrate his life and work with the band Women. Today at 3pm EST, we invite and encourage fans to listen to both Women albums back to back HERE. It’s a simple gesture in remembrance of our talented and compassionate friend, Chris.
Bon Iver brings us a brilliant new music video for “Towers,” a single off of their Grammy winning album, Bon Iver. Directed by filmmaker Nabil Elderkin, who you’ll recognize as the director for “Holocene,” the video follows one man through a beautiful part of Washington state, home to Indian-preserved land. Elderkin told us, “When Justin sent me a breakdown of what certain parts/lines of the song meant to him I did my best to decode it and curate into something simple, and hopefully the viewer can take from it their own feeling of what the towers represent.” How “simple” could describe such a breathtaking video boggles the mind, but indeed it does. A pure simplicity rings true to the work, with no gimmicks or overt constructionism at play. The video grows organically, breathing additional life into a song that already aurally invokes the senses. Joining the audio now is a stimulating visual experience. Do watch the video above.
Bon Iver also announces a new Towers 12-inch, featuring a cover of John Prine’s “Bruised Orange (Chain of Sorrow)” as the b-side. The single is out March 6th and you can pre-order it HERE.
Lastly, Bon Iver joins Feist at Colorado’s Red Rocks Amphitheatre on May 31st for what is sure to be an amazing show. See full list of dates HERE.
Friday, Parts & Labor celebrate their 10th Anniversary and play their final show before an indefinite hiatus at 285 Kent Ave. in Brooklyn. To celebrate this momentous event Impose Magazine enlisted Parts & Labor to compile a collection of show posters. With commentary by both Dan Friel and BJ Warshaw, this collection illustrates their impressive career and serves as a wonderful snap shot of the Brooklyn/ Williamsburg scene from the early 2000s to the present. Take a look at this AMAZING COLLECTION HERE. The Village Voice also caught up with Parts & Labor this week talking in-depth with Dan, BJ, drummer Joe Wong about their time as a band and what the future holds. You can read that HERE. The show on Friday will feature guest appearances by all four of Parts & Labor’s drummers past and present, and opening sets by former guitarist Sarah Lipstate as Noveller, Oneida and Neptune. It’ll be a night not to be missed.
We’re shocked and saddened to hear about the passing of Women guitarist, Chris Reimer. Chris’ virtuosic playing is one of the many reasons we fell in love with this band in the first place. If you were lucky enough to ever see them play live, you know what we mean. Always calm and collected while shredding. So much fun to watch. All of that aside, Chris was an incredible friend. He was one of the warmest and funniest people we’ve been lucky to know and work with. As sad as this is, it’s hard to not smile when thinking of him. Our love and support goes out to Chris’ family and friends. So so much love for you, Chris.
How S. Carey managed to create an EP throughout the Bon Iver whirlwind is difficult to grasp, but indeed he has. Hoyas is the follow-up to his debut full-length, All We Grow, and is out officially on May 8th. Carey continues his unique mix of classical and electronic throughout the four-track EP, which was created during a two-year span in his attic studio. Working together with fellow musician Ben Lester, who you may know from his work with A.A. Bondy, the two used a lap-top and little else when recording. Hoyas was mixed and produced by the Grammy-award winning duo of Justin Vernon and Brian Joseph of Bon Iver and mastered by Jeff Lipton at Peerless Studios in Boston.
“These songs are for nighttime driving, for long exposures of stars circling overhead, for laying roadside, feeling small, for the cold rocks at Big Falls, for Marfa, that weird and beautiful oasis. These songs are about the ambient sides of life.”
Perhaps you’ve already seen S. Carey and Justin Vernon in their recent 4AD and Jagjaguwar session, but do watch it again. It’s a great testimony to the musicianship and seemingly endless talent of both artists. Carey soars vocally in the session, just as he does on the new EP. View it HERE.
Last Saturday, Justin Vernon made his second appearance on Saturday Night Live. It all happened only two weeks after performing on the show for the very first time. On this occasion, he attended to play for new parents, Beyonce and Jay-Z, as well as their wee little baby, Blue Ivy Carter; this time, Justin Vernon was actually Justin Timberlake in a hilarious spoof. Playing a guitar he himself fashioned out of a canoe, Justin reworks the words to “Holocene” for a Bon Iver lullaby about muggles? Regardless, White Butler loved it enough for all of us. Watch above!
Black Mountain creates original soundtrack to movie? You heard right. It’s all for the post-apocalyptic film Year Zero and can be heard in its entirety come April 3rd. Including both old and new Black Mountain tracks, the soundtrack features nine songs, one of which you can download and stream below. The eight-minute long jam, “Mary Lou”, as Fader says it, “marks the return of Black Mountain.” Check out the Year Zero trailer above!
Straying from the expected, Justin Vernon and S. Carey give us a breathtaking 4AD and Jagjaguwar session. We’ve been accustomed to seeing Bon Iver as a full, seven-plus member band as of late, but now we get the two in an incredibly intimate and up-close setting. Once a church, Air Studio’s Lyndurst Hall plays home to the session and it proves to be fitting in both atmosphere and aesthetics. Justin and Sean are on piano, facing each other for a five-song performance of choice songs that have led us to be endlessly captured and emotionally evoked. “Rather than layer the sound as on ‘Bon Iver, Bon Iver’, the focus is on paring back, in part evoking the minimalist approach of contemporary classical music, while remaining true enough to the source material to retain those elements characteristic of Bon Iver.” It’s a must see. Watch above.
For all you Londoners who missed the bus on getting tickets to see Sharon Van Etten at the now sold out Cargo concert, you’re in serious luck. The burgeoning songstress JUST ADDED A NEW LONDON SHOW AT SCALA. It is her biggest London show to date and it’s all happening on May 16th. She’s also added a handful of other UK shows; see those and links to buy tickets below.
Download Sharon’s Valentine. Made just for you on this special day.
05/16/12 London, UK – Scala BUY TICKETS
05/17/12 Manchester, UK – The Deaf Institute BUY TICKETS
05/18/12 Dublin, IE – Whelans BUY TICKETS
05/20/12 Leeds, UK – Brudenell Social Club BUY TICKETS
05/21/12 Brighton, UK – Komedia BUY TICKETS
Ecstatic. Screams. Happiness. Champagne popping. Rolling on the ground. Falling out of chairs. Pure Bliss. Throw up your J. Smiles. Tears. Pride. All words to describe how we at Jagjaguwar felt and acted last night when it was announced Bon Iver were not one, but two-time Grammy winners. Taking home the award for Best New Artist and Best Alternative Music Album, Justin handled his winnings with grace and we are so incredibly proud of him and all the Bon Iver family. It’s been one hell of a year for the group and we’re only in February. Guess you could say we’re all excited for the future! CONGRATULATIONS BON IVER! Watch video of Justin backstage above!
La Blogothèque delights us with another wonderful Take Away Show. Filmed ealier this year in Paris, Soirée de Poche: Sharon Van Etten is a beautifully intimate video of the songstress, who has managed to encapsulate just about every person who dares take a listen. Joined by Heather Woods Broderick and armed only with her acoustic guitar, Sharon stands in front of a handful of people and delivers another incredibly moving performance. It’s really something you have to watch for yourself.
Just an hour or so ago, Sharon performed live on WXPN 88.5! If you missed it, no worries; NPR has the audio available for streaming. Listen HERE.
Spencer Krug has made another record under the name Moonface, this time with the help of some new friends. The third product of an ongoing series of changing collaborations and approaches to tune-making is called With Siinai: Heartbreaking Bravery (out April 17th).
Much more on Moonface With Siinai: Heartbreaking Bravery, after the jump!
Hey guys! Remember when Bon Iver was on Saturday Night Live last weekend? That was pretty awesome. You know what else is cool though? Justin Vernon performing with The Roots! While he was in New York a few weeks ago, the band asked Justin if he’d stop by for a jammed out version of “Perth.” Check out this stellar video of just that from Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. “Perth” is sounding extra sexy and smooth with Questlove in the mix. Bon Iver has a bunch of live dates coming up, including appearances at Coachella and Sasquatch. Check them out below! More
If you’re going to be in New Zealand or Australia in the next coming months, you’re one of the lucky few who gets to see Pink Mountaintops live in concert! Teaming up with L.A.’s Dead Meadow, the two embark on a 12-show tour with a stop at Boogie Festival included. Presented by Heathen Skulls. Check out the dates below!
03/28/12 Wellington, NZ – San Francisco Bath House w/ Dead Meadow
03/29/12 Auckland, NZ – The Kings Arms w/ Dead Meadow
03/30/12 Adelaide, AU – Fowlers Live w/ Dead Meadow
03/31/12 Geelong, AU – The National Hotel w/ Dead Meadow
04/01/12 Melbourne, AU – Corner Hotel w/ Dead Meadow BUY TICKETS
04/02/12 Melbourne, AU – The Tote
04/04/12 Canberra, AU – ANU Bar w/ Dead Meadow
04/05/12 Brisbane, AU – The Zoo w/ Dead Meadow
04/06/12 Sydney, AU – Hi Fi Bar w/ Dead Meadow BUY TICKETS
04/07/12 Perth, AU – The Bakery w/ Dead Meadow
04/08/12 Victoria, AU – Boogie Festival w/ Dead Meadow
04/08/12 Melbourne, AU – Cherry Bar w/ Dead Meadow
Sharon Van Etten is hitting the road for some serious touring this Friday, but she’s looking for help from her fans. Wherever possible, the band will be projecting fan-made video and they want you to contribute. It doesn’t need to be anything fancy. All they’re asking is for you to shoot 10 seconds of something you love (a person, a moment, a view). Use a camera or even your phone. Video guidelines and a submission form can be found HERE. The project will be on-going, so start sending in your video and catch Sharon on the road soon!
It’s here! The day we’ve all been anxiously awaiting. Sharon Van Etten’s gorgeous new album Tramp is officially out TODAY! If you haven’t already, you best get on over HERE and buy your copy now. You can also join the listen party over at Spinner and here the whole album there. In addition, Sharon and her band will be hitting the road this Friday to embark on a massive tour around the US and Canada. Buy your tickets soon because they’re going fast. Dates below: More
It seems SNL made the right choice, at least according to Billboard, who writes, “Saturday Night Live righted its musical ship this weekend with a dreamy, horn-filled set from critical darlings Bon Iver.” Dreamy it was! The nine-piece band played grammy-nominated song “Holocene” and slow-jam rocker “Beth/Rest” beautifully. Happen to see a few of those smiles creep across faces on stage? We sure did! Rightfully so, Bon Iver delivered a set to be proud of and proud, we are.
Here’s an answer to what many have asked for: Bon Iver just added dates to their spring tour. After Australia, the gang comes home to a play a handful of west coast shows; Coachella, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and Sasquatch are all on the list! Check out all the stops below! Watch “Holocene” and “Beth/Rest” above! More
The New York Times recently visited Sharon Van Etten in her Brooklyn neighborhood for an intimate look at how she’s living these days and to talk about how exactly it all came to be. With her sophomore album out next Tuesday, February 7th, the buzz surrounding Sharon couldn’t be better. “The difficult past is always present in Van Etten’s music, a mesmerizing catalog that somehow combines the venom of P J Harvey with a choir loft full of Emmylou Harrises singing harmony,” writes NY Times. Indeed, she’s presented us with an album worth getting excited about and the feedback has been tremendous.
Van Etten takes us back to a flower shop by day, speakeasy at night, where she played for one of the first times. NY Times captures another stunning video of Van Etten and bandmate, Heather Woods Broderick, performing “We Are Fine” in the shop; you can watch it above. Sharon is currently touring in support of Tramp and there’s a good chance you’ll be able to see her in your city. Check out her full list of dates HERE.
Two awesome pieces from Lia Ices today! Premiering on Fader earlier this morning, the new video for “Little Marriage” is a whimsical dance through a bevy of faded images. Heidi Petty created the video.
Out on April 4th, the “Wish You Were Here” single is both a moving and refreshing take on one of Pink Floyd’s best known songs. Lia originally recorded the track for Mojo Magazine’s Pink Floyd tribute compilation. The 7-inch also features Lia’s take on Syd Barret’s “Late Night.” You can listen to “Wish You Were Here” below!
