NYC

NYC artists to watch: Elaine Lachica plays MET on Dec 12-13

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A musician since the age of 3, Elaine Lachica first knew she wanted to be a singer when she heard Liz Fraser sing “Blue Bell Knoll” by the Cocteau Twins. It was then she started songwriting, and she hasn’t stopped since. "I think I Can See the Ocean" is her third full-length, and her first label-backed one. The release is scheduled for February 23 on Stunning Models On Display Records. Contributing musicians on the album include drummer Mark Stepro (Ben Kweller), bassist Rob Calder (Ari Hest), guitarist Aaron Lee Tasjan (New York Dolls), a string quartet led by violinist Rob Moose (Sufjan Stevens, Antony and the Johnsons) and brass section led by trumpeter Jon Mizrachi (Essie Jain).

NYC

Deer Tick tour Europe + release EP + work on full length

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After finishing a US run with Neko Case, Deer Tick started a three week European tour last week – upon their return to the US on Dec. 13 the band will be entering the studio to put the finishing touches on its as-yet-untitled third album, which will be released in the first half of 2010.  The band will again be touring relentlessly in 2010, to SXSW and beyond. Taken mostly from a month-long recording session in upstate New York nicknamed "The Black Dirt Sessions", More Fuel for the Fire features three new studio tracks as well as a live version of "Straight Into A Storm" (from Born on Flag Day) recorded in Charlotte, NC at the Visulite Theatre.

NYC

Weekly Special #181a: Fiasco

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The guys in Fiasco create the kind of angular, wire-tight bursts of frenetic math-punk that can simultaneously move crowds and impress even the most technically-minded musicians. The songs are a mind-boggling juggling act of interlocking guitar and bass riffs and manic drums, and they always carry an underlying punk influence (Fiasco started out as a punk covers band, after all). Just check out “Oh You Horny Monster” from Native Canadians (or the entertaining A cappella version on Myspace) for a taste of the fun and complexity that makes up the band’s songs. – Read Bill Dvorak’s interview with the band here.

Chicago

CD of The Month: Skybox

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It’s been three years since we last heard new material from Skybox, and the success of Arco Iris and their need to tour and recover is good reason for the wait. However, there is also that fear of a sophomore release not meeting or surpassing the expectation of its predecessor. Yet, just as their live performances have become near legendary, often evolving into spectacles that in the past have included costumes, confetti, dancing girls, snack cakes and the occasional chicken suit, Morning After Cuts will only work to build the legend and respect for this quartet. Tim Ellis and Christian Fields, Mike Holtz and Dan Ingenthron have clearly matured, experienced, and learned over the last three years and have poured every ounce of knowledge and passion into this album. Ellis’ signature falsetto and provocative nature is in full force on each of these danceable tracks. He’s currently channeling a mixture of Bowie and Kevin Barnes (Of Montreal) and Daniel Smith. Recorded with acclaimed producer Sean O’Keefe at Smart Studios in Madison, WI and Chicago’s Black Sheep Music, it’s clear that this album will be an even bigger launching pad, when it is released on January 10th, than its predecessor. To expect a big 2010, with even wilder performances, from the boys of Skybox is not unreasonable. The first single from Morning After Cuts is called “In A Dream” (mp3). Skybox will be a part of Schubas Tomorrow Never Knows Fest on Jan. 17th.

Chicago

Cast Spells New EP

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It doesn’t seem like that long ago that we were talking about the debut ep from Cast Spells, but Dave Davison is at it again. On December 2nd Dave will be releasing a new split ep with tour mates Good Old War via Sargent House. Following the release he will tour the East Coast with Good Old War and then come back home to record session with Daytrotter. If that wasn’t enough Dave, a member of Maps & Atlases, plans to tour this Spring through Europe with another project of his Hey! Tonal. He is busy, but productive. The two songs he contributed to this new split ep are fascinating tales while gentle folk melodies. You can stream and purchase both the split ep and Cast Spells debut, Bright Works And Baton, here.

NYC

Lymbic Systym announces tour dates + free mp3

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Living about 1700 miles apart (namely in Austin and Brooklyn) doesn’t prevent brothers Jared and Michael Bell from conjuring up beautiful instrumental music. Ah, the miracles of inspiration (and of the internet)! Apparently though, also the good old telephone played a role in Lymbic Systym‘s latest CD called "Shutter Release". After touring with acclaimed bands like Broken Social Scene, The Books, Crystal Castles, the band is about to embark on a west coast tour, scheduled for early January. Definitely a good time to spend a few days in San Francisco, LA, San Diego, Tucson and Austin… The band also released a free download of the song "Bedroom Anthem" – check it out here.

L.A.

Superlocalgroup Big Whup play Echo Curio on Friday, size of whups TBD

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Good luck trying to pin Big Whup‘s sound down to a scene; we ended up sounding like Gene Shalit if he overdosed on Radio Free Silver Lake. ("It’s as if Win Butler teamed up with Prince’s backup vocalists, and the Talking Heads came over to their lockout and said, ‘Let’s have some ear sex or something.’ ") The group, made up of borrowed members from local bands like Pizza! and Morgan and Her Organs, are as grassroots and who-gives-a-fuck as you can get, so cheek–I mean, check them out at their Echo Curio set this Friday.  Details next to the naked bod below.

Nashville

New Free Weekly Dance Party Opens This Weekend (12/4/09)

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DJ POTAMUS AT FIESTA LOCA EVERY FRIDAY!Hey everyone,

So there are a number of free dance parties in Nashville these days, and they’re all pretty great. We can’t begin to count how many Mondays we’ve stumbled out of the 5 spot at 3 AM or all the cool themed nights at 12th and Porter on Saturdays. But we just have one question: why has nobody done the obvious and put one of them free parties on Friday? Friday is the real party day, and someone needs to provide some free dance outlets for us to start our weekend right. Well apparently someone else had the same idea, because we are pleased to announce yet another FREE weekly dance party! On Friday!

That’s right, La Paz Mexican Restaurant (infamous celebrators of Cinco de Mayo)  is throwing free weekly dance parties called "Fiesta Loca: La Paz Late Nights" on Fridays now, so get ready to throw down at their new location on Elliston EVERY FRIDAY from now on. Just consider it an after-party for everything. Finally, something to do after all the shows are over at the Exit/In or The End. We like what we’re hearing…

Here are the details:

2214 Elliston Place (where that ombi place used to be)
Drink specials from nine to whenever = $3 well, draft, wine, and margaritas, plus $2 PBR tall boys.
DJ Potamus is the house DJ, and this guy rocks. He opened for MSTRKRFT and several other big names throughout the years…Definitely one to watch.

Supposedly there will be a new guest DJ each month too, which will help keep things fresh. This week is DJ Burgers (AKA Steve Cross)! 
21+
NO COVER

Seriously awesome, we could use another free dance party in Nashville. See you on Friday!

L.A.

Crash Kings deliver violent, multi-layered set at El Rey

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Crash Kings have a favorable identity crisis. The rock trio’s El Rey set last Friday as support for Rooney opened with their single "Mountain Man," a heavy, blues rock piece uncommon in local sounds.  But the southern grit seemed to end there.  What followed were high voltage piano-based big beat songs charged with loud, confident and tasteful pop anthems.  Best off, their power pop isn’t precocious.  Aside from proving themselves multifaceted, Crash Kings exhibited an unusually high energy from each member’s trying to topple each other in how severely they could beat the shit out of their instruments. A battle truly worth witnessing. -Hugo Gomez

Austin

A Spoon and a Poll

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Album art from the upcoming Transference by Spoon, about which there is considerable excitement and giddiness. And, there’s a new poll up yonder, take a look; we’ve got five shiny new bands nominated for your perusal. So peruse those mo fos and take a stand.