Hey, just a reminder folks that a bunch of great artists (Matt Singer, Casey Shea, Wakey!Wakey!, Pearl and the Beard) on the Family Records label are playing a big show at the Gramercy Theater tonight (July 11). Stay tuned for some photos from the recent Cross-Pollination show I co-curated with Pearl and the Beard and Anni Rossi.

Stream albums from all the artists playing the Family Records show after the jump.

Pearl and the Beard – God Bless Your Weary Soul, Amanda Richardson

Wakey!Wakey! War Sweater EP

Casey Shea ABCs Vol. 6

Matt Singer – The Drought EP

Nine Inch Nails has confirmed ten final dates after which the NIN live experience will go on indefinite hiatus.

As always, a significant percentage of the best tickets for the shows will be reserved for exclusive pre-sale on NIN.com. In this case, NIN.com pre-sale will include every ticket for the most intimate farewell shows at New York’s Bowery Ballroom and Webster Hall and Los Angeles’ Henry Fonda Theater and Echoplex.

NIN.com pre-sales will begin July 17 with general on-sales following July 31.

The Horrors will support the August 22, 23 and 25 New York dates. Mew will support August 28 in Chicago and September 2 and 3 in Los Angeles. Support for the remaining dates will be announced at a later date.

Full “NIN Wave Goodbye” tour schedule after the jump.

NINE INCH NAILS WAVE GOODBYE:
8/22/09 NY, NY Bowery Ballroom *Tickets available exclusively at NIN.com
8/23/09 NY, NY Webster Hall *Tickets available exclusively at NIN.com
8/25/09 NY, NY Terminal 5
8/26/09 NY, NY Terminal 5
8/28/09 Chicago, IL Aragon Ballroom
8/29/09 Chicago, IL Aragon Ballroom
9/2/09 Los Angeles, CA Hollywood Palladium
9/3/09 Los Angeles, CA Henry Fonda Theatre *Tickets available exclusively at NIN.com
9/5/09 Los Angeles, CA The Wiltern
9/6/09 Los Angeles, CA Echoplex *Tickets available exclusively at NIN.com

They Might Be Giants at Celebrate Brooklyn!
Featuring Readings of Keats Stories by Claudia Marshall of WFUV
Saturday, July 11
Prospect Park Bandshell
Gates at 3:00 pm
Note: All shows are rain or shine

Hey folks, don’t miss the former Grandaddy frontman as he makes a stop at Park Slope’s favorite live music venue tonight (July 10). (If you really can’t make it to Union Hall, you can also catch him tomorrow at the much larger Bowery Ballroom.) Also, in case you forgot, Jason’s new album, Yours Truly, The Commuter, came out in May on the Anti- label.

All Jason Lytle tour dates (some of which are with Neko Case) after the jump.

Jason Lytle Tour Dates
Jul 10 2009 Union Hall (headliner show) Brooklyn, NY
Jul 11 2009 Bowery Ballroom (headline show) New York, NY
Jul 13 2009 Le Petit Campus (headliner show) Montreal, QC
Jul 14 2009 Massey Hall (w neko case) Toronto, ON
Jul 15 2009 The Grog Shop (headliner show) Cleveland, OH
Jul 16 2009 Meijer Gardens (w neko case) Grand Rapids, MI
Jul 17 2009 Clowes Hall (w neko case) Indianapolis, IN
Jul 19 2009 The Uptown (w neko case) Kansas City, MO
Jul 22 2009 The Crofoot (w neko case) Pontiac, MI
Jul 23 2009 Thursdays at the Square (w neko case) Buffalo, NY
Jul 25 2009 Ryman (w neko case) Nashville, TN
Jul 26 2009 Cobb (w neko case) Atlanta, GA
Jul 28 2009 Ram’s Head (w neko case) Baltimore, MD
Jul 29 2009 Kimmel Center (w neko case) Philadelphia, PA
Jul 31 2009 Riverplex Amphitheatre (w neko case) Pittsburgh, PA
Aug 01 2009 Vaudeville Mews (headliner show)**Early show Des Moines, IA
Aug 03 2009 Bluebird Theater (headliner show) Denver, CO

Canadian electro-pop collective Fritz Helder and the Phantoms are playing their first “official NYC showcase” tonight (July 10) at Mr. Black 3 and Canadian pop star Nelly Furtado will be in the house as well*. Fritz Helder’s debut album, the humoursly titled, Greatest Hits (Platinum Edition), dropped on July 7, 2009 on Nelly Furtado’s newly created Nelstar Music label, which appears to be an imprint of Last Gang Records or something like that. To attend the event RSVP to Flylife@Flylifeinc.com.

* OK, sometimes I post events because they are cool and I definitely want to attend them, and sometimes I post them because they are interesting looking but I have no plans on attending, and other times I just want to give a shout out to my Canadian homies. I’ll let you guess what category this one falls into.

The new Peter Katis produced album by The Swell Season entitled “Strict Joy,” will hit store shelves on September 29, 2009 on ANTI- Records. According to the band’s website, a fall US tour will be announced shortly.

Strict Joy track listing and European tour dates after the jump.

Strict Joy Track Listing
1. Low Rising
2. Feeling the Pull
3. In These Arms
4. The Rain
5. Fantasy Man
6. Paper Cup
7. High Horses
8. The Verb
9. I Have Loved You Wrong
10. Love That Conquers
11. Two Tongues
12. Back Broke

Swell Season 2009 Tour Dates
Jul 27 2009 Paramount Theatre – Glen Solo w/ Iron and Wine Austin, TX
Aug 18 2009 Millenium Forum Derry, Northern Ireland w/ Lisa Hannigan
Aug 21 2009 Wexford Opera House Wexford, UK w/ Lisa Hannigan
Aug 23 2009 Cork Everyman Palace Theatre Cork, UK w/ Lisa Hannigan
Aug 24 2009 Glor Theatre Ennis, Clare w/ Lisa Hannigan
Aug 26 2009 National Concert Hall Dublin, IE w/ Lisa Hannigan
Nov 08 2009 Shepherds Bush Empire London, UK
Nov 09 2009 La Bataclan Paris, FR
Nov 11 2009 Ancienne Belgique Brussels, BE
Nov 12 2009 Savoy Theatre Dusseldorf, DE
Nov 13 2009 Passionskirche Berlin, DE
Nov 15 2009 Alter Schlachthof Dresden, DE
Nov 21 2009 Teatro Dal Verme Milan, IT
Nov 23 2009 Palladium Rome, IT
Nov 26 2009 Paradiso Amsterdam, NL
Nov 28 2009 Filadelfiakyrkan Stockholm, SE
Nov 29 2009 Trädgårn Gothenberg, SE
Dec 01 2009 DR Concert House Copenhagen, DK

Backspacer, the much anticipated new album from Pearl Jam will drop on September 20 at “Target and other select retailers.” Oh, Eddie Vedder, remember when you still owned your soul?

The tour’s Sept. 21 kick-off on the band’s Seattle home turf comes the day after the Sept. 20 release of “Backspacer,” the group’s ninth studio album. The group recently announced plans to self-release the set via a direct distribution deal with Target and other retailers.

On July 20, “The Fixer,” the lead-off single from the forthcoming album, will hit radio and digital retailers. The song will be the second cut unveiled to the public; the band debuted a track titled “Got Some” during a June 1 appearance on the debut episode of “The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien.” [LiveDaily.com]

Al Pearl Jam tour dates after the jump. (I imagine a New York date will be added shortly.)

Pearl Jam 2009 Tour Dates
08/08 – Calgary, Alberta – Virgin Festival
08/21 – Toronto, Ontario – Molson Amphitheater
08/23 – Chicago, IL – United Center
08/24 – Chicago, IL – United Center
08/28 – San Francisco, CA – Outside Lands Music & Arts Festival
09/21 – Seattle, WA – Key Arena
09/22 – Seattle, WA – Key Arena
09/30 – Universal City, CA – Gibson Amphitheatre
10/01 – Universal City, CA – Gibson Amphitheatre
10/04 – Austin, TX – Austin City Limits Festival
10/06 – Universal City, CA – Gibson Amphitheatre
10/07 – Universal City, CA – Gibson Amphitheatre
10/09 – San Diego, CA – Viejas Arena
10/28 – Philadelphia, PA – Spectrum
10/30 – Philadelphia, PA – Spectrum

* Ben Harper and Relentless7 will open all dates, except for the Spectrum shows.

I just got some press information about a new film starring Patton Oswalt called Big Fan. In the movie, Oswalt plays a rabid New York Giant’s fan whose world comes crashing down around him after a chance encounter with the team’s star quarterback. Big Fan was directed by Robert Siegel, who wrote The Wrestler, and based on the trailer along, I’ll say it looks pretty good.

Big Fan will premiere in New York and Philadelphia on August 28th, and then expand afterwards. Check out the trailer after the jump.

This show is tonight, it’s for a good cause.

A circle of Brooklyn-based friends have joined together with Wanduta—a new, national organization designed to support and protect independent musicians—to throw a benefit for beloved, local musician, Jon Wiley. We Are the Wiley: A Benefit Concert for Jon Wiley will feature Adam Green, Lightspeed Champion, DJ Johnny Tropical, and Chairlift at The Shank—an art space and concert venue in Williamsburg, Brooklyn—on Thursday, July 9, 2009 at 8PM.

On March 5, 2009, professional guitarist, bassist, and keyboardist, Jon Wiley awoke without feeling or mobility in his arms and legs. He was subsequently diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and incurred more than $30,000 worth of medical bills for his week-long hospital stay. After a lengthy recovery process, Jon regained most feeling in his limbs and has gone on in recent months to record and perform with Lightspeed Champion, Adam Green, and his solo project, SpaceCamp. However, he is still without the means to afford his own healthcare.

Wanduta will carry the torch beyond Jon’s personal struggle to the greater issue of musicians without healthcare. In addition to other benefits and services, the organization provides a free, unique, concierge-based healthcare service that is available to all Wanduta members. A wide range of healthcare packages are available, starting at $60 per month. Jon’s story highlights the importance of healthcare for every person. Wanduta works to ensure that the next musician in need will not face similar avoidable circumstances.

Join Wanduta and We Are the Wiley to celebrate the extraordinary talent of Jon Wiley, and raise funds to cover the expenses of a musician in need. This is a concrete opportunity to help a friend who, like so many artists and musicians in the United States, lack affordable healthcare.

Thursday, July 9, 2009
We Are the Wiley: A Benefit Concert for Jon Wiley
@The Shank
98 Bayard Street, Williamsburg, Brooklyn
CHAIRLIFT + LIGHTSPEED CHAMPION + ADAM GREEN w/DJ Set by Johnny Tropical
Doors at 8PM (21+)

Tickets $15 – all proceeds go to Wiley’s medical bills.

To make a donation, go here:
http://wearethewiley.blogspot.com/

To learn more about Wanduta, visit:
http://www.wanduta.com/

Thank you for your support!

Fuck this country and its private healthcare system. -ed.

Is This Phish’s 2009 Fall Tour Schedule?

(via Dan Shin)

100% unconfirmed Phish Fall 2009 tour dates after the jump.

Unconfirmed Phish Fall 2009 Tour Dates
10/26/09 Cricket Pavilion, Phoenix, AZ
10/27/09 Hollywood Bowl, Los Angeles, CA
10/28/09 The Tonight Show, Universal Studios, Universal City, CA
10/20/09 Save The Date, Empire Polo Grounds, Indio, CA *
10/31/09 Save The Date, Empire Polo Grounds, Indio, CA *
10/01/09 Save The Date, Empire Polo Grounds, Indio, CA *
11/02/09 The Warfield San Francisco, CA
11/04/09 Pepsi Center, Denver, CO
11/05/09 Austin Music Hall, Austin, TX
11/07/09 Phillips Arena, Atlanta, GA
11/08/09 Phillips Arena, Atlanta, GA
11/10/09 Allstate Arena, Rosemont, IL
11/12/09 Hampton Coliseum, Hampton, VA
11/13/09 Wachovia Spectrum, Philadelphia, PA
11/14/09 Wachovia Spectrum, Philadelphia, PA
11/15/09 Wachovia Spectrum, Philadelphia, PA
11/17/09 TD Banknorth Garden, Boston, MA
11/18/09 Times Union Center, Albany, NY
11/21/09 Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
11/22/09 Madison Square Garden, New York, NY

* These dates are confirmed, but the venue is not yet known.

I’m excited to announce that one of my favorite new bands is playing my favorite venue; that’s right, UK darlings Fanfarlo are playing the The Bell House on September 22, 2009 (Buy Tickets). Also, their excellent debut record (which is no longer available for $1) is streaming right now on NPR Music as part of their “First Listen” series. Stay tuned for an interview with Fanfarlo and more US tour dates. Also, for those you not following me on Twitter, Fanfarlo’s September 21 at the Mercury Lounge has been bumped up to the Bowery Ballroom (all tickets will be honored).

The Dead Weather’s new album, Horehound, will be released on July 14, 2009. You can stream it for the next 24 hours on iLike.com (which apparently now requires a Facebook account).

The Dead Weather play Terminal 5 on July 16-17 (Buy Tickets). All Dead Weather tour dates after the jump.

Dead Weather 2009 Tour Dates
07.13.2009 9:30 Club, Washington, DC w/ Screaming Females
07.14.2009 9:30 Club, Washington, DC w/ Screaming Females
07.16.2009 Terminal 5, New York, NY w/ Screaming Females
07.17.2009 Terminal 5, New York, NY w/ Screaming Females
07.18.2009 House of Blues, Boston, MA w/ Screaming Females
07.19.2009 Ottawa Blues Festival (Rogers Stage), Ottawa, Canada
07.21.2009 Olympia De Montreal, Montreal, Canada w/ Screaming Females
07.22.2009 Kool Haus, Toronto, Canada w/ Screaming Females
07.24.2009 The Fillmore, Detroit, MI w/ Screaming Females
07.25.2009 The LC Pavilion, Columbus, OH w/ Screaming Females
07.27.2009 First Avenue, Minneapolis, MN w/ Screaming Females
07.28.2009 Vic Theatre, Chicago, IL w/ Screaming Females
07.29.2009 Vic Theatre, Chicago, IL w/ Screaming Females
07.30.2009 War Memorial Auditorium, Nashville, TN w/ Screaming Females
08.17.2009 Ogden Theatre, Denver, CO
08.18.2009 The Depot, Salt Lake City, UT
08.20.2009 Paramount Theatre, Seattle, WA
08.21.2009 Commodore Ballroom, Vancouver, Canada
08.22.2009 Commodore Ballroom, Vancouver, Canada
08.23.2009 Roseland Theater, Portland, OR
08.25.2009 Wiltern Theatre, Los Angeles, CA
08.27.2009 Glasshouse, Pomona, CA
08.29.2009 Street Scene, San Diego, CA
08.30.2009 Outside Lands Music & Arts Festival, San Francisco, CA
10.2-4.2009 Austin City Limits Music Festival, Austin, TX

Sacha Baron Cohen on the cover of GQ Magazine

In northwest Washington, D.C., Luqman Kolade, a 27-year-old teacher, saw that the magazines had been turned around at his local Safeway. The manager of the Safeway, who declined to give his name because he was not authorized to speak to the press, said that it hadn’t been because of customer complaints and that the store had made the decision on its own. A Hudson News in Chicago also covered up the magazine.

GQ’s editor in chief, Jim Nelson, said he didn’t mind: “You always want newsstands to put the magazine out front and center. If people can’t see it, they can’t buy it. Then again, you also want people to talk about your magazine, and a little controversy is never a bad thing.” [NYTimes.com]

Bruno is coming to a theater near you on July 10, 2009.

This Wednesday, Live Nation is adding a new wrinkle to its “No Service Fee” promotion, and offering concert goers a “one price” deal on all lawn tickets at Live Nation ticketed amphitheaters.

“Now fans have asked that we take it one step further and give a truly all-in price and so this week we’re offering a $29.99, one price deal that includes the ticket, parking, all fees and a concert meal.”

In other news, the very same Live Nation is being sued by a New Jersey resident over its so-called “No Service Fee” Wednesday’s promotion:

A Freehold concertgoer is the lead plaintiff in a class action lawsuit against Live Nation that accuses the company, which manages the PNC Bank Arts Center, of violating state consumer protection laws by padding ticket prices for events at the Holmdel amphitheater.

The lawsuit, filed in Superior Court in Mercer County last week, claims Live Nation uses deceptive pricing practices, including charging a mandatory parking fee (typically $6 a ticket) regardless of the ticket holder’s intent to park a car at the venue, and a “charity fee” of between 25 cents and $1.25 without identifying any organization benefiting from the fee. NJ.com

Locally, the new “all-in $29.99 concert experience” would include tickets for shows at Jones Beach and the PNC Bank Arts Center. Tickets for this week’s installment of “No Service Fee Wednesday” go on sale at 12:01 a.m. local time on July 8, 2009 at LiveNation.com. See some of the artists you might find at these shows after the jump.

This all-in $29.99 concert experience is available only at Live Nation amphitheaters in the U.S. and Canada for concerts including, but not limited to artists like:

311
Aerosmith
The Allman Brothers Band
Blazed & Confused Tour / Slightly Stoopid – Snoop Dogg
blink-182
Brad Paisley with Dierks Bentley
Coldplay
Creed
Crosby Stills & Nash
Crue Fest 2
Def Leppard with Poison and Cheap Trick
Depeche Mode
The Fray
George Strait with Blake Shelton and Julianne Hough
Incubus
Jason Mraz
Kid Rock & Lynyrd Skynyrd
The Killers
New Kids on the Block
Nickelback
No Doubt
O.A.R.
Rascal Flatts with Darius Rucker
REO Speedwagon & Styx
Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival featuring Marilyn Manson & Slayer
Rod Stewart
Toby Keith with Trace Adkins

*Subject to availability. Participating shows. Does not include any shipping costs. General admission or reserved seats where applicable. Serving size may vary per venue.

Well, whaddya know, looks like New York will have a Jazz Festival after all next year. CareFusion Corp, a medical technology company, is picking up where flagship sponsor JVC left off and sponsoring events in Newport, Chicago, Monterey, Sydney, Paris and NYC. Hey, what goes better together than medical technology and jazz?

NEW YORK – A new sponsor has emerged to resurrect New York’s flagship jazz festival and help support some of the country’s largest and oldest jazz events, organizers said Tuesday.

CareFusion Corp, a medical technology firm being spun off from Cardinal Health, will be the festival’s new corporate sponsor for an event next summer.

This year the curtain fell on the JVC Jazz Festival New York after the Japanese electronics company said it would not be sponsoring any jazz events in 2009.

But jazz impresario George Wein, who arranged the 1984 JVC sponsorship, said he plans to produce a festival at Carnegie Hall and other venues the last two weeks of June 2010 thanks to a new deal.
…
CareFusion also will sponsor this year’s Aug. 7-9 jazz festival in Newport, Rhode Island, which will feature Tony Bennett, Branford Marsalis, Dave Brubeck and Etta James, among others. [AP/Yahoo! News]