The Dead Weather is a super-group based out of Nashville, Tennessee comprised of Alison Mosshart of The Kills, Jack White of The White Stripes and The Raconteurs, Dean Fertita of Queens of the Stone Age, and Jack Lawrence of The Raconteurs. If you didn’t already know all of that, now you know (and you probably now understand that they make damn good rock and roll, which they do). The band performed the fuzzed-out single “Blue Blood Blues” off of their latest record, Sea of Cowards, on The Letterman Show last night and, quite frankly, it demonstrates why the state of the rock genre needs Jack White back center stage.
To many, the break-up of The Libertines six years ago was an overwhelming disappointment and left an immense hole in the then large resurgence in the British indie rock climate. After two instant-classic records, Up The Bracket and The Libertines, the band was making huge strides in the post-punk and garage rock revival scenes. Despite the band’s critical and commercial success, however, tensions between the two frontmen, Carl Barât (vocals/lead guitar) and Pete Doherty (vocals/rhythm guitar) as well as Doherty’s obvious addictions led to their abrupt demise.
Following six years and a slew of solo/side-projects from all four members of the band, The Libertines have decided to make amends and reunite. First on the agenda are highly anticipated special appearances at the Reading and Leeds Festivals. Lets hope Carl and Pete keep it copacetic this time and old Petey stays clean (ha, right).
The South Carolina (by way of Seattle) indie rock band Band of Horses has recently released a new music video for the song “Compliments” in anticipation of their new third full-length album, Infinite Arms. The video, which was directed by Chris Wilson, is a dizzying foray into natural landscapes with surreal effects. More important to note is the band’s now polished songwriting and improved production quality (which may or may not turn off their established fanbase). As Infinite Arms will be available on May 18th through Sub-Pop Records, we can only wait and see if the rest of the record follows suit. Catch them on their tour now!
It’s no surprise that Barcelona-based synthpop band Delorean are garnering great attention with the anticipation of their full-length record Subiza. The Spanish collective made huge waves with their last release, the Ayrton Senna EP, which showcased their unique blend of dreampop and electronica and are currently touring with Miike Snow throughout North America.
Peep the retro-inspired and visually stimulating music video (directed by Weird Days) here:
In commemoration of the Dr. Martens 50-year celebration, Stones Throw’s Dam-Funk has covered “Things That Dreams Are Made Of” by British synth-pop band, The Human League. Director Ace Norton also took the helm in the creation of a visual accompaniment as seen below:
Catch Dam-Funk on his short European trek:
EUROPE TOUR
Apr 01: Dam-Funk in London
Apr 02: Dam-Funk in Paris
Apr 03: Dam-Funk in Bristol
Apr 09: Dam-Funk in Amsterdam
Apr 09: Dam-Funk in Brussels
Apr 10: Dam-Funk in Rotterdam
Apr 11: Dam-Funk in Rome
Apr 15: Dam-Funk in Moscow
Apr 16: Dam-Funk in Moscow
Apr 17: Dam-Funk in Athens
Listen and download the track below (via Stones Throw):
A small teaser video has been posted recently for Parisian producer, Onra, in anticipation of his upcoming record, Long Distance. Presumably, the clips in the video are from the album and if that is true, the release is sure to be one of his strongest and novel yet. The French beatmaker is widely known for his past works including the Chinoiseries and his collaboration with fellow French producer, Quetzal, Tribute.
Check out the video here:
Long Distance is set for release by All City Records in May.
Also, check out one of Onra’s highly lauded beats, “The Anthem” here.
COPYRIGHT CRIMINALS examines the creative and commercial value of musical sampling, including the related debates over artistic expression, copyright law and money. Independent Lens
Debuting tonight on PBS TV’s Independent Lens will be a documentary many around the interweb have been waiting to see. Is sampling a crime? Can anyone really own a sound? I would say no but the film delves into the concept from both perspectives and in fair and honest way.
Copyright Criminals will feature interviews with DJ Q Bert, Mix Master Mike, Pete Rock, Chuck D, George Clinton and the original funky drummer himself Clyde Stubblefield.
For your local listings check HERE and see the trailer below.
Also look into the book Pirate’s Dillema by Matt Mason it touches upon this issue in broader context.
The Revival, an 16 minute documentary directed by lesbian emcee Invincible, showcases live performances from The We B Girlz tour in Europe and touches upon the legacy of the female emcee. Featuring Hip Hop legends Dr. Roxanne Shante and Bahamadia along with newcomers Stacy Epps, Eternia and DJ Shortee. This is undeniably a treat for us in the US who couldn’t attend the show.
This short documentary, a collage of performances and behind the scenes footage, was filmed by Invincible while on the road in Europe as part of We-B Girlz all women independent Hip-Hop tour. The largest all female Hip-Hop tour of its kind, it spanned over three weeks, six countries, and featured dozens of female artists who performed for tens of thousands of supporters. EMERGENCEmusic.net
Michigan’s Buff 1 and LA based DJ Rhettmatic known collectively as Crown Royale give a little gift for fans before year ends with a mix of Buff 1 tunes and two new Crown Royale joints.
It’s A 1derful Life serves not only to showcase Buff’s talents as an emcee, but to further introduce the world to his next endeavor, Crown Royale. Hosted by DJ Rhettmatic of the world famous Beat Junkies, It’s A 1derful Life is a compilation including some of Buff’s guest-appearances as well as exclusive material. Audible Treats
We’ve all heard of the French indie-darlings Phoenix by now. If you don’t think you have, turn on your TV for even half an hour and you’re sure to see a fast-paced urban-inspired car commercial blasting “1901″. Their abrupt rise to fame isn’t a fluke and I highly doubt that even after the proverbial dust surrounding the band’s latest release, “Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix” settles, that we’ve seen the last of these dance-rock veterans.
And now, it’s their turn to share their music without all of the frills of post-production and electric instrumentation, as the celebrated documentary-styled music sessions La Blogotheque covers the band in their home-country of France (more specifically in the streets of Paris). Similar to how the band recorded a fun little video with the skyline of Paris in the digital backdrop of their Mac recording which they had posted to their blog awhile back, the Blogotheque sessions has given the band the chance to do it proper.
The Dead Weather - Blue Blood Blues (Video + Mp3)
