This Will Destroy You : New Song + Headlining Tour

It is with great pleasure to announce that not only is there a free mp3 available of the new This Will Destroy You track, "Communal Blood," but the Texan four-piece band is headed out on the road soon in a headlining slot. It's been two long years since I last saw them perform in a tiny venue at SXSW, and the performance has never wandered far from the forefront of my memories. TWDY's drummer was after referred to as "a human hammer" by myself and accompanying friend, and the set itself was comparable to Explosions In the Sky and Godspeed's finest moments.

A must-see tour. The band will have a limited pressing (500) of "Communal Blood" on vinyl, and the new full-length, Tunnel Blanket, will be out on...ahh, I have no idea. Will edit when I find out.

Listen: This Will Destroy You - "Communal Blood"

05/26 DENTON, TX @ The Boiler Room
05/27 AUSTIN, TX @ The Mohawk
05/28 SHREVEPORT, LA @Silver Lake Ballroom
05/29 BIRMINGHAM, AL @ Bottletree
05/30 TAMPA, FL @ New World Brewery
06/01 JACKSONVILLE, FL @ Jack Rabbit’s
06/02 ATLANTA, GA @ The Drunken Unicorn
06/03 NEWPORT, KY @ Southgate House
06/04 CHICAGO, IL @ Lincoln Hall
06/05 TORONTO, ON @ Rivoli Cabaret
06/06 MONTREAL, QC @ Petit Campus
06/07 ALISTON, MA @ Great Scott
06/08 BROOKLYN, NY @ Knitting Factory
06/09 NEW YORK, NY @ Mercury Lounge
06/10 WASHINGTON, DC @ DC9
06/11 PHILADELPHIA, PA @ Kung Fu Necktie
06/12 CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA @ Random Row Books
06/13 CHAPEL HILL, NC @ Local 506
06/15 CHARLESTON, SC @ The Oasis
06/16 KNOXVILLE, TN @ Pilot Light
06/17 NASHVILLE, TN @ The End
06/18 NEW ORLEANS, LA @ Saturn Bar
06/19 HOUSTON, TX @ Mango’s

ArpLine @ Death By Audio // 04.22.10

It's been far too long since I've gone to a show to see a band on recommendation in a raw, DIY space that isn't overcrowded with people who've read about the next big thing in Time Out NY. I hardly use MySpace anymore to check out bands because that website consistently fails to stream properly anymore, but it worked enough to give me a taste of ArpLine's sound. Lately, it's hardly bothered me when a band reminds me of those that came before, and there were reminiscent moments of Arcade Fire, the Beatles and the Killers under vocals that wavered between Jack White, Lou Reed and Peter Murphy.

I must have listened to Travel Book, the band's debut, at least 6 times that day before going to Death By Audio. I was completely sucked in and almost shocked by how fast I took to this band and agreed, whole-heartedly, with the press release's comment that the music would fit in perfectly with a John Hughes film were he still alive and active today.

This band could be huge by the time CMJ rolls around, and while I can see them sonically filling out a big venue it was a full pleasure in the concrete confines of S 2nd + Kent. Originally called the Kiss Off, this Brooklyn band has been making waves in everything from KEXP to Brooklyn Vegan. Though the whole album works great in its entirety, "Parts Unknown" is definitely one of their stronger tracks and I highly recommend checking them out if they're playing again in Brooklyn soon.

Download: ArpLine - "Parts Unknown"
Website: ArpLine

Worth the Promise: Kevin Costner Suicide Pact

"The offspring of Boulder, CO favorites Fellow Citizens, The Kevin Costner Suicide Pact explores the realms of the locally unknown and the cosmic familiar. This entrance into drone is far from entry level. End Weekend stems from obsessions with blindfolded exploration in the auditory out lands. KCSP utilizes all of the bands raw talent with an arsenal of new equipment focused on delay and loop. Layers upon layers of mind and face melting ohms makes this a band to watch when this album drops. This album came straight from the studio and is no where near a release. Completely local, underground, and bliss." - KCSP

Yes, I could have jotted down my own thoughts, but really...I couldn't have said it better myself. The name sucked me in, and the surprising, drone-heavy beauty is worth checking out, if at least for the fact that they titled a track "Every Day Is a Daniel Day."

MySpace: Kevin Costner Suicide Pact

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club @ Webster Hall // 04.08.10

Where do I even begin? The word of summation is disappointment. I wasn't expecting the religious experience that BRMC played that night at the Warsaw in on June 2, 2002. That night was, actually, a "make good" for their unexpectedly cut-off set opening for Spiritualized at the Beacon Theater just a few weeks prior. (To this day, I still have a solid story that leaves me convinced that that their tardiness and that subsequent gig in Brooklyn was my "fault." That is a whole other story...long live the Butterfly Effect!) They'd gone through their entire debut album on Virgin and were still getting used to being adored for having only one release. They were darker than the White Stripes and heavier than the Strokes; better than both...combined...if you asked me.

Last night's performance at Webster Hall had been sold out for weeks, and despite the early timeslot (Rebel were set to go on at 8:30pm, mostly because WH has to clear out in time for their club night), I had a feeling the performance was going to overcome any sort of obstacle. There were issues with us getting in, and I was feeling ill to begin with. The music should have persevered but instead there were unavoidable things that ticked me off. Happy to have heard a transformation in the band from bringing on a new drummer - and a female one, to boot - the older songs fell flat. We walked in on "Red Eyes" and tears, which is perhaps the only BRMC song that cannot sound incredible, but even "Whatever Happened To My Rock 'n Roll" and "Love Burns" - especially, "Love Burns" - lacked enthusiasm from any member.

Of course, "It Ain't Easy" was played since it was not only a single but considered their most memorable song from 2006's 'Howl,' right? I don't know. People bitch and moan about how they went too far up Johnny Cash's ass on that one, but I think the slower, gospel choir-invoking songs with Jesus' name appearing more than once in the lyrics are its best moments. BRMC played at Boston's Avalon (R.I.P.) in 2006 and they played almost everything off of that record with Rob Levon Been spending at least 80% of the set on his black upright piano. This time around, it felt as though the big black box was only on stage for show. And in regards to the new album, well, "Beat the Devil's Tattoo" and "Aya" are its best songs. The first went off well, but it's the album's opener and they have a knack for kicking it off strong. "Aya," though, with its most transcendent chorus, came off boring, only to revive the crowd after enveloping us in their most soulful performance...a cover. Granted, it was Elvis' "Love Me Tender," but really?

My friend commented that the band seemed more enthusiastic than when he'd last seen him, but it's worth mentioning that this was at the House of Blues in Orlando during the 'Howl' tour and it was an opening set for Kings of Leon fans. "...and Kings of Leon fans really SUCK," I added. In a venue that holds 1,000, of course they'd be miserable playing to 30. This was different. We discussed it after and ultimately decided that their special rock 'n roll spirit that captivated us almost a decade ago has been waning progressively over the years. I've gone to see the band play every tour through the Northeast without question, but after last night, I may have had my final fill. I'm a long-time fan and a music writer, sure, but last night I was just an audience member soaking in the atmosphere around me and all of its elements. "It seems like with each tour they just get more and more boring," my friend said, "I don't get it."

Neither do I, but I can only assume that I should keep those fond memories of that exceptionally spiritual experience with the band some eight years ago and call it a day. Sad but true.

autechre // overstepping all boundaries

I can not help but feel that I am listening to history right now. DJs, music writers and industry folk from around the world that I consider anywhere from personal friends to major influences/heroes seem to be all tuned in to this 12-hour worldwide online broadcast provided to you by none other than Autechre. This legendary UK duo was one of the first electronic artists that I'd ever listened to, alongside other important artists from early Warp and Skam records days. Now going for about four hours, the broadcast has been all over the map. If you tune in and you're not feeling it, hold on to the roller coaster because this is genre-bending (as sick as I am over that word) at its very finest.

What an incredible idea to acknowledge their relevance in the history of music, and simultaneously promote their epic new album, Oversteps, which is out on March 23rd on on Warp Records.

The world is listening!

You can too.

Update 3/4/10: Due to the awesomeness of Percussion Lab, you can now download the set.

Terre Thaemlitz's Deep Thoughts with Resident Advisor's Editor

This particular interview is so interesting and in-depth that I haven't even had the chance to finish watching it. Terre Thaemlitz has been better known, recently, as DJ Sprinkles - the artist who produced the #1 electronic music album of 2009, according to Resident Advisor. I'm not alone in admitting that this album completely passed across my radar until it was dubbed the king of last year, and I immediately fell in love with it. Twenty-ten is the year of deep house as far as I'm concerned, and no matter how prevalent house has been in both New York and electronic music's rich history I regard its currently coined "renaissance" as truth.



The few things I knew about Terre is that he'd been a long-time house producer/DJ in New York for years, and is currently living in Japan. Not Tokyo, but outside in the country in a gorgeous atmosphere that breeds his unique creativity. He's also a transvestite. Or maybe transgendered, but I've not dug that deep. He is highly opinionated and has perspectives on house and music in general that are obscure, different and thought-provoking. Interviewing him here is Todd Burns, the editor of Resident Advisor, whom I believe to be a major reason behind the increased (increasing) quality of RA's content over the last few years.

Basically, if you are a fan of music in any way, shape or form, this video is worth watching.

Metal Essentials: At The Gates 'The Flames of the End' DVD Box Set

The entirety of this past weekend was filled with Unsound moments, but before the mayhem began on Friday evening I attended a screening for what will be part of the forthcoming At The Gates box set. The first disc is comprised of 'Under a Serpent Sun: The Story of At the Gates,' which was filmed and directed by founding member Anders Björler, who was in attendance that afternoon. With a band lifespan that only existed from 1990 to 1996, the documentary was rich with information of the growth of metal in and around Gothenburg in the late 80s. Dropping names like Grotesque (which would later evolve into At the Gates) and Dark Tranquility, members of the band talked about Cascade fanzine and the bus route surrounding Billdal that united all of these factors and formed their underground community.



A great deal of attention is given to Alf Svensson, who left the band in 1993 to open his own tattoo shop. He went on to form Oxiplegatz, which is a music project I'm now in the process of hunting down. There was also mention, towards the end, of twin brothers Anders and Jonas Björler's involvement with The Haunted, which is definitely one of the best bands to come out of the Swedish metal scene. Overall, the screening was just a taste of the box set's entirety, and it looks to be an impressive collector's item for any fan. Though Anders lived through the entire experience, making a documentary years after his band's existence is no small feat and it was well executed because of its constant flow of history and portrayals of each member's down to earth personalities.

From Noisecreep: "The set will be limited to just 300 copies, and will include the forthcoming three-DVD set, 'The Flames of the End,' which boasts a new two-hour documentary and a live DVD of At the Gates' iconic performance at the Wacken Open Air festival in 2008. The set will also feature a collection of rare and archive footage of the band playing around the world from 1991 to 2008."

Definitely worth pre-ordering, which you can do here.

The Exotic Appetizer: Unsound With Vladislav Delay & Sebastian Meissner

Sebastian Meissner

It'd be no surprise to say, two weeks from now, that the New York installment of Poland's Unsound Festival blew my mind. But the fact is that it already did so tonight, and in such an unconventional manner, comes as a shock. Month after month, the Bunker parties as well as my few but favorably attended Wordless Music events have consistently impressed and enlightened me. Unsound's opening reception - featuring Vladislav Delay + visual artist Lillevan as well as Sebastian Meissner leading the Kwartludium quartet - was a deconstruction of established ideas, and left my American mindset feeling completely mindfucked. While it was happening, I couldn't understand, but as both performances came to an end and a few discussions were had, the mission to blow apart expectation, regimentation and perception was coming in to focus.

Sebastian Meissner's conduction of a four musicians set against a handful of SST classics was far from a cover band. In all honestly, I went into the event believing I had no preconceived notions about how this "modern classical interpretation" was going to unravel. I was wrong...I think. I had expected, perhaps, to hear as much as one riff or one famous vocal line translated through the violin or piano atop a dubby whirl of live samples and loops, but it wasn't the case. This was not an ambient filtering of punk, but a complete deconstruction (there's that word again) of some of the simplest sonic structures. It was best commented on after the event by a friend, who acknowledged the difference between a city of, say, New York and those that make up the cultural backgrounds of Unsound's Eastern European lineup. Poland. Romania. Belarus. Ukraine... These countries are vast and far more ancient than most of North America's development, and their cities and roads were developed on anything but a grid system.

One other amazing comparison made by such friend was that of going to a fine restaurant and trying something new. The chef takes one exotic element and piles one or two other exotic elements on top, but it's so small and you taste it and in an instant it's over and you say, "Well, what the hell was that?!" After about seven or eight courses, though, you begin to understand the purpose of that first course in the big picture, and it all ties together and harmonizes the palette somehow. Ultimately, this could be the genius that lies ahead at the close of the Unsound Festival...let's see.

Unsound Festival Debuts In New York TODAY

My anticipation for the Unsound Festival's premiere in New York has been relatively short, but more intense than any Christmas morning I have ever looked forward to. During the next 10 days, areas of New York City will be saturated with some of the most experimental music in the truest sense of the word. Both Ronin of Wordless Music and Bryan Beyond/The Bunker are two of the handful of talented, significant promoters in America, and they've all paired up with festival founder Mat Schulz, whose been in town planning this massive feat.

"After seven editions in its native Kraków, Poland, Unsound Festival comes to New York for its USA debut. Stationing itself across several venues throughout Manhattan and Brooklyn, this bold, uniquely modern program of music will take in everything from classical music to post-rock, electronica to noise and beyond.

Eastern Promise a cornerstone of the festival will expose a broad range of artists from Poland, Romania, Ukraine and Belarus. The Unsound Warhol series features events dedicated to and inspired by Andy Warhol. Additionally the festival includes a kids-only workshop in electronic music, two "Silence & Noise" nights devoted to post-rock, noise and drone, a Brooklyn electronic music showcase, two Bunker nights featuring the very best in contemporary techno/house and a special Bass Mutations showcase dedicated to dubstep & its variations. Both Festival weekends will also include panels and workshops."

For the most comprehensive breakdown of the festival, please visit its press page at Backspin Promotions.

Artists include: 2562 (Netherlands), ACME (USA), Pavel Ambiont (Belarus), Vince Aletti (USA), Borne (USA), Blondes (USA), Kabir Carter (USA), Eric Cloutier (USA), Carl Craig (USA), Marcin Czubala (Poland), David Daniell (USA), Vladislav Delay (Finland), Ensemble LPR (USA), Falty DL (USA), Groupshow (Jan Jelinek, Andrew Pekler, Hanno Leichtmann) (Germany), Tim Hecker (Canada), Luke Hess (USA), Ezekiel Honig (USA), Mike Huckaby (USA), Petre Inspirescu (Romania), Jacaszek (Poland), Jan Jelinek (Germany), Kadebostan (Germany), Alexander Kaline (USA), Konque (USA), Kwartludium (Poland), Legowelt (Netherlands), Hanno Leichtmann (Germany), Alan Licht (USA), Lillevan (Germany), Sebastian Meissner (Germany), Moritz Von Oswald Trio (Germany), Mountains (USA), Nadja (Canada), Neurotic Drum Band (USA), Newworldaquarium (Netherlands), nsi. (Germany), Joshua Ott (USA), Andrew Pekler (Germany), Tristian Perich (USA), Derek Plaslaiko (USA), Pole (Germany), Barbara Preisinger (Germany), Dave Q (USA), DJ Qu (USA), Radian (Austria), Lee Renaldo (USA), Simon Reynolds (USA), Patrick Russell (USA), Sawako (USA / Japan), Anthony “Shake” Shakir (USA), Sepalcure (USA), Michael J. Schumacher (USA), Mike Servito (USA), Jacek Sienkiewicz (Poland), Spinoza (USA), Asa Stjerna (Sweden), Morton Subotnick (USA), Tape (Sweden), Tobias. (Germany), TRG (Romania), Untold (UK), Levon Vincent (USA), Xavier Van Wersch (Netherlands), Bora Yoon (USA), Zavoloka (Ukraine) and Zenial (Poland)

Head over to Halcyon's digital shop, to download a free compilation featuring artists performing at Unsound from February 4th - February 14th.

Self-Titled Mag Gives the Pen Back to the Artist

It's been several years since 'Devil In the Woods' printed its last issue, but the online offspring, 'Self-Titled,' has been thriving wonderfully in the developing Digital Age. The former always teetered along the line between "'zine" and "magazine" because its size was comparable to larger, more lucrative pubs but its style and content were much more authentic and varied in personality like that of the late '90s DIY culture.



Self-Titled publishes its issues online, but also includes a heaping assortment of interesting angles on new (and old/loved) music that is worth keeping up with on a daily basis. One of my favorites is its 2009 In Review feature, which has members of other projects discuss their favorite records. I was pleased to see Ben Frost as a discussion topic because 'By The Throat' is such an odd, odd, odd but intriguing album. It reminds me of Satanstornade. 'Throat' made its way on to Resident Advisor's top albums for 2009 as well.

Also, on a complete side-note, that DJ Sprinkles record, which is up at #1 on that same RA list, is fucking brilliant! Do yourself a favor and get a hold of it immediately. Especially if you are not familiar with house music and watch MTV's Jersey Shore...

Art Basel Miami: Pharell Williams + Kirk Jon

Each December, Miami hosts Art Basel as a sister event to the original convention held in Basel, Switzerland. Artists from around the world and various points on the creative timeline are celebrated with their classic or modern works. And, of course there are always crazy-ass parties.

There are so many things that could be said about the event, but since I've never been I won't pretend to have an all-encompassing understanding of its greatness. There are, however, two things that came from it that are exceptionally intriguing.



For one, Pharrell Williams was recently featured in the New York Times' Magazine blog regarding his furniture pieces (and his adorable socks), which premiered this December. "Inspired by military tanks, Williams created an impressive collection of chairs for Galerie Emmanuel Perrotin, which invited the 35-year-old polyhyphenate to bring his ideas to life."

Also, on the audible side, Kirk Jon contributed the latest podcast for Miami Dance Party, which features his live set from Fusion: Art Basel Edition. Including a few surprises (freestyle classics, anyone?), this live mix has a party vibe that could only exist in a place where winter never exists.

Open Your Wallets and Submerge Yourself

A journalist/DJ recently posed the question: What is your favorite 12" of the last decade? Interesting, since it could encompass an album, single or EP, and immediately piqued the thinker's interest because it waxes nostalgic (wahhhh pun) of, in this digital age, something physically owned and cherished.

His own answer was the "Inspiration / Transition" vinyl from Underground Resistance, which - honestly, to my surprise - is still in stock and for sale. Call me foolish, but I figure UR is hard to find on wax, but then again how often do I shop for physical formats of music? (Sidenote: This past week, I purchased Jawbox: For Your Own Special Sweetheart, Hanne Hukkelberg: Rykestrabe 68 on CD and Function: Variance 3/4, Boards Of Canada: Geogaddi (2 track promo) on vinyl...I guess I am full of shit.)

Anyway, it was a pleasure to find out about Submerge, a place to buy all things Detroit. I hadn't realized it re-opened on East Grand Blvd in 2002. The website is not the best, but it's a great place to start and you can't go wrong with anything on sale here. Need a UR mousepad? Done. How about the Interstellar Transmissions book? Versions 1 and 2 are both available. Plenty of music to empty your wallet and fill your soul, as well.

Website: Submerge

I don't purchase many books or CDs anymore, and that is due to the fact that I move often. My CD and (later, additionally) books collections have always been very important to me. If I had "all the money in the world" I'd have libraries in my apartments...as I'd purchase several of modest sizes in a handful of my favorite cities.

When I buy a book or CD, it's often a big deal now because I think of it as something that sucks of space - a few more ounces to add to the heavy load I need to carry around or a few more inches of matter I need to fit into some shelf somewhere. Still, there are some things I could never part with, and one is Banned in DC. Now with Grunge coming out, I am as excited as ever to own it, and I will wait to go to my favorite bookstore to get my hands on it, rather than to order it and check the mailbox on a daily basis.

I love everything about American punk and grunge subcultures. I often wish I was just five years older so I would not have been experiencing the height of them all from a sheltered suburban town right after the onset of puberty, but thems the breaks. Either way, there is no real reason why this book shouldn't be purchased, and if you don't want to wait then you can go straight to Amazon and do some damage.

A Look At Teddy Boys

While rockabilly isn't as gentrified into mainstream fashion as punk - as an idea - there are still bits and pieces in so much on the forefront of modern subculture. Over in England, however, there's an interesting twist that's been going on for many years, and more removed from music than what we are most familiar. The "Teddy Boys" are a resurgence of the Edwardian Period, which started in the 1950s and still has a rather strong following. Ben Watts is a photographer who showcases some of the most hardcore of its members. "Some groups of Teds formed gangs and gained notoriety following violent clashes with rival gangs, which were often exaggerated by the popular press." The Wikipedia article continues, "The most notable was the Notting Hill riot of 1958, in which Teddy Boys were present in large numbers and were implicated in attacks on the West Indian community."

Another choice cut: "The early 1990s saw a revival of the original Teddy Boy style by a group of men known as The Edwardian Drape Society (T.E.D.S). Based in the Tottenham area of north London, they were concerned with reclaiming the original style that they felt had become bastardised by pop/glam bands such as Showaddywaddy and Mud in the 1970s. They have been the subject of a short film, The Teddy Boys, by Bruce Weber, which premiered at the Cambridge Film Festival in July 2006."

More from Ben Watts: Teddy Boys

Rough Waters For Wavves

Please let this be an example that hyping bands way too soon, before they even hatch, is a bad idea. We all KNOW this, but the industry pumps it out and the fans continue to consume. Pitchfork, who drove a lot of Wavves hype (also, when did they drop a "v" from their name?) from the get-go, should have known better. Why? Did lo/no-fi need a surge? Was there a lack of "it" genres?

Rather than regurgitate, start here: Wavves Self-Destruct In Barcelona


Also, this is brilliant. I lol'd :D

A touching goodbye from Andrew Gyger

As the well-known brick 'n mortar record store monsters close, one by one, a new era of music commerce has been budding. The Internet is going strong, and I don't think anyone can really say where all of this is going. Print publications and record stores are slowly going out of business, and while I'm thrilled to see some of the most memorable/important American independent record stores thrive, there was definitely some good deeds done by the giants. Andrew Gyger writes a fond farewell, featured below:

Hi Friends,

Today is my last day as a Virgin employee.

It all started when I was three months out of high school in March 1990 at the Pitt Street Megastore in Sydney Australia.

Since then I have worked as a classical sales assistant, buyer, assistant manager, processing manager, assistant warehouse manager and product manager.

I've worked in Sydney, Los Angeles, New York and Orlando. I have worked in 4 stores and done buying for over 20. And been at head office for almost 10 years and had my dream job for almost 3.

I have seen countless bands thanks to my job and have amassed a CD collection that would have made the 18 year old me green with envy.

I got to `work' 8 Coachellas, 5 SXSW's, 3 Winter Music Conferences, 2 Lollapaloozas, 2 V-Fests, an Outside Lands and an All Points West. Awesome. Oh and also that surf thing at Huntington Beach in '95!

So a quick list of memories/factoids:

The album that came out the week I started at Virgin – March 1990 – Sinead O'Connor – I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got

The album that came out the week I started at Virgin in the US – September 1994 – R.E.M. – Monster

The album that came out my final week – May 2009 – Grizzly Bear – Veckatimest

Best Stuff I got to do because of my job – Go to Acapulco on a label's dime to see a DJ, go to Live 8 in London, live in New York for six months with a per diem (drinking money), traveling all over the country to do store visits and go to events.

Now on to the important stuff- the people.

(blogger's note: names have been removed from this post)

If I have forgotten someone (kind of inevitable) I am sorry.

19 years is a long time and I wouldn't have lasted this long without phenomenal people to work with…and a lot of luck. It didn't end the way any of us wanted but I am, and everyone else should be, incredibly proud of their Virgin life.

I am leaving this job the way I came into it, a complete and utter music junkie. I have been incredibly lucky to have worked in a job that I was passionate about for this long and I hope that whatever is next has music involved in it somehow!

As for what is next…who knows. A trip to show Australia to my son, and then the next chapter.

In the words of Jeff Fenech (Australia's Mike Tyson) – I love youse all.

Andrew Gyger
Senior Music Product Manager – Virgin Megastores

First of all, this is fucking ridiculous.

Secondly, you might remember when Bitch was in the dumps back in September.



Well the guillotine is upon Paste Magazine, truly one of the best pubs in the music industry. I would be rightly sad to see this magazine go. My time as a publicist was spent very close to this company - especially due to the personal connections I used to have to Atlanta/Decatur.

"The global recession has taken its toll on Paste as advertisers have slashed their spending. We are turning to our readers to help bridge the gap. Even a small contribution can make a big difference."

Just like Bitch is essential to the feminist community in America, Paste is a key player in independent rock music. Their coverage has been top-notch. I often wonder if I have ADD because I am constantly falling asleep or getting fidgety when I try to read long articles and books (many tell me I'm just too busy for my own good), but Paste is a magnet. An eyeball magnet.

Please help the cause. This is very important.

The Campaign To Save PASTE

Pink Mountain

Sam Coomes of Quasi has another project called Pink Mountain. A noisier Nirvana with hardly any vocals and way more synths, I am definitely a fan. This is not their first record, but I expect the new one to garner much more attention. Sputnik Music manages to be exceedingly eloquent in their review of the record in comparison to what I might have to say about it. Alarm also has a great short interview with the band here.

MySpace: Pink Mountain

Thanks [for putting up with my shit], Mom

Mother's Day is fast approaching (May 10th) and I'm not entirely sure what to do. I am as broke as most of my friends, and fresh out of ideas. More than anything, I know that my mother just wants my company, but there is the big Frodus show at Death By Audio that night in Brooklyn. See a great band, or honor the woman who put up with your shit when you were a goth teenager? I think the choice is clear!

eMusic has a sweet feature called "Indie Moms Sound Off!" which features the maternal praise from the people who really birthed these bands: Beach House, Cut Copy, The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart and others.

eMusic: Indie Moms Sound Off!

p.s. that's not my mom. my mom is way hotter.

Speaking In Code

This is a long time coming. For years now, I've been hearing about what I'd already declared my favorite film of all time. Having been fortunate enough to see a raw screening several months ago with 4 other people, Speaking In Code - a film by Amy Grill that features David Day, Philip Sherburne and a vast array of genius within the techno genre in the last 15 years - surpassed all expectations. I wanted a film that would be an absolute apex of what electronic music means to me as well as everyone else. That inexplicable element of unity that surges through everyone a part of passionate music scenes (be it punk, techno and others) is indescribable, but Amy Grill has been able to capture enough and encapsulate it into a full-length documentary; an incredible story.

After the film, we will be partying our asses off at the Middlesex Lounge where Make It New - the greatest party on the planet Earth - will commence 'til 2am. After that, who knows? :)

For more information on the world premiere later today, and how to get tickets and attend, please check out the Facebook page here.