Music News Net

THE LOW ANTHEM Premieres "Charlie Darwin" Video

2009-11-09T13:47:20-05:00

MUSIC NEWS - RI rock trio The Low Anthem have released a brand new stop-motion video for their lead song, "Charlie Darwin" on their Oh My God, Charlie Darwin album (out now via Nonesuch Records). The band has been touring the USA with Blind Pilot, and after a brief stopover in Europe, will wrap up the year with Josh Ritter in December (see itinerary below).

The video for "Charlie Darwin" was produced by End of the Road Films and can be seen below. Glenn Z Taunton and Simon Taffe, a portion of the design team behind The End of the Road Festival, assembled a small team of painters, carpenters and handymen at a studio in Sussex, England to craft the stop-frame animated video. The crew and designers worked sleepless nights to create a film that captures the hand-made look stop-frame animation is known for. Taffe's End of the Road Records was one of the band's first supporters, putting out The Low Anthem's first release in the UK, a hand-silkscreened 7" single for "Charlie Darwin." The band performed at the festival this year as well, where they earned rave reviews.

THE LOW ANTHEM 2009 Tour Itinerary:

November

9    Carrboro, NC    Cats Cradle*
10 Charlottesville, VA The Southern*
11    Washington, D.C.    The Black Cat*
12    Boston, MA    Paradise*
18    London, UK   The Tabernacle
20 The Hague, NETHERLANDS   Crossing Border
21   Antwerp, NETHERLANDS   Crossing Border
23   London, UK   Union Chapel   Little Noise Sessions
December

1    Washington DC    9:30 Club#
2    Philadelphia, PA    Theatre of Living Arts#
3    Northampton, MA    Calvin Theatre#
4    Burlington, VT    UVM#
8    New York, NY   Concert Hall @ the New York Society for Ethical Culture - WFUV Christmas Cheer

AEROSMITH Working on Separation Plans ???

2009-11-08T20:15:43-05:00

MUSIC NEWS - Prior to Aerosmith's recent show at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, rocker Steven Tyler, 61, told the press he will spend 2010 working on solo projects. "I don’t know what I’m doing yet, but it’s definitely going to be something Steven Tyler: working on the brand of myself – Brand Tyler," he told Classic Rock magazine. He also mysteriously said; "Once the band hit the final note and I walk off stage – then I’ll tell you the whole story."

As MNN previously reported, CR noted that the off-stage "drama" continues and friction between the band exists- for example, no one sees Tyler until they go on stage as his dressing room is located far away from the rest of the group.

Though they are about to reach their 40th Anniversary, Aerosmith will reportedly meet soon to discuss future plans, possibly without Tyler. "I'm not sure how good that would look, it would largely depend on who we could get and who would want to do it. That’s big shoes to fill," guitarist Brad Whitford told Classic Rock, referring to the idea of the group performing with a someone other than Tyler. "Nobody could replace Steven or imitate him – he's one of a kind. But if somebody was willing to do it and the chemistry was right, why not?" Though in Joe Perry's opinion, Tyler has quit the band. He's quoted in the Las Vegas Sun from a phone interview from his home as saying; “Steven quit as far as I can tell,” “I don’t know anymore than you do about it." See more of the LV Sun article.

[Aerosmith]

ECHO AND THE BUNNYMEN Decide to Cancel USA Tour, Thanks to IRS !!!

2009-11-08T19:57:24-05:00

MUSIC NEWS - UK rockers Echo and the Bunnymen have cancelled their US tour 10 days before it was to start over a tax dispute with the IRS. An Internal Revenue Service (IRS) rule states that foreign bands have to pay a fee if they tour in the USA more than once in 30 days. And, you guessed it, that rule applies to EatB as they played a gig in New York City last month.

On their website the group said the cancellation was due to the IRS's "unreasonable demands" and that they would return to tour the US in April 2010. Too bad their management didn't check US tax policies before taking on the previous NYC show !

"It's with the deepest regret that Echo and the Bunnymen have had to cancel their USA November tour," "This is due to unreasonable demands presented by the IRS for the band to enter the USA to tour."

The tour was due to start in Atlanta on November 15 and continue on the east coast at cities including Washington, New York, Boston & Chicago and was to promote their November 10 USA release of The Fountain (out via Ocean Tours Music). Ticketholders should contact the local venue for full refunds.

More @ Bunnymen.om

RINGO STARR (and others) View on God in New Film

2009-11-08T09:46:34-05:00

All over the globe, there’s one question that can never be definitively answered, yet is constantly raised; “What is God?”. In the new documentarty, “Oh My God?” (in theatres November 13 via Mitropoulos Films ) filmmaker Peter Rodger explores the question with Ringo Starr and several others who show their spiritual viewpoint.

This visual odyssey travels the globe with a revealing lens examining the idea of God through the minds and eyes of various religions and cultures, everyday people, spiritual leaders and celebrities. His goal: to give the viewer the personal, visceral experience of some kind of reasonable, meaningful definition of one of the most used--some might say overused--words in most every language.

Rodger’s quest takes him from the United States to Africa, from the Middle East to the Far East, where such fundamental issues as: “Did God create man or did man create God?, “Is there one God for all religions?” and “If God exists, why does he allow so much suffering?” are explored in candid discussions with the various Christians, Catholics, Muslims, Jews, Hindus, Buddhists and even atheists the filmmaker meets along the way. But maybe it’s former Beatle Ringo Starr who sums it up best here when he simply says, “God is love.”

Rodger would like viewers to come away with a feeling of having an amazing journey - seeing places they would never see normally, hearing music that inspires and words that educate, bringing understanding and tolerance of other individuals that in turn richens their own existence.

“Oh My God?” stars Hugh Jackman, Seal, Ringo Starr, Sir Bob Geldof, Princess Michael of Kent, David Copperfield and Jack Thompson, we look forward to exploring it.

More, including the film's trailer @ omgmovie.com.

SASQUATCH FESTIVAL Announces 2010 Return

2009-11-08T09:28:54-05:00

After their early sellouts and great reviews for the past several years, the Sasquatch! Festival has announced their return for the ninth year- this time on May 29 thru 31 (Memorial Day Weekend), 2010 at the bucolic location at The Gorge in Quincy, WA. And for the first time, a discounted 3-day festival pass will be on sale in time for the holiday gift giving season at sasquatchfestival.com . There are a limited number of discount passes, which are available now through December 31, 2009. The festival’s complete lineup will be announced February 16, 2010.

Festival creator Adam Zacks founded Sasquatch! in 2002 with the goal of constructing an event that catered to the eclectic tastes of voracious music enthusiasts. Zacks personally curates the lineups for each Sasquatch! Festival, hand-picking the diverse array of artists. “It’s our goal each year to present a fresh line up that reflects the independent spirit of the Pacific Northwest, respects the artists and audience, and celebrates the grandeur of The Gorge.”

The Sasquatch! Festival has established a tradition of presenting critically acclaimed emerging indie artists alongside established headliners. Previous lineups have spanned a broad spectrum of genres from rock to hip-hop, electronic to singer-songwriters; past performers include R.E.M. Coldplay, Kanye West, Beastie Boys, Nine Inch Nails, Wilco, The Flaming Lips, The Cure, Björk, and M.I.A. The festival also has a history of incorporating comedy including performances by Flight of The Conchords, Zach Galifianakis, Sarah Silverman, and many more.

More @ SasquatchFestival.com

CARLOS SANTANA Joining Lopez - First Music Guest on New TV Show

2009-11-07T08:34:12-05:00

MUSIC NEWS - TBS has announced that guitarist/songwriter/shoe entrepreneur Carlos Santana will be the first musical performer on their new talk show "Lopez Tonight". The late-night show stars comedian / actor George Lopez will premiere Monday (11pm).

Morissey, Slash, Akon, Marc Anthony, LMFAO, Orianthi, David Guetta and The Bravery are among the other musical artists to perform during the first weeks of the show. There will also be a special Michael Jackson tribute lead by "Lopez Tonight" house band director Michael Bearden during the show's first week on the air (we guess when Orianthi is on). Bearden was MJ's musical director for the concert series Jackson was preparing for when he died lin June. He, and Orianthi, also appears with Jackson in the film "THIS IS IT."

More @ LopezTonight.com

HEATHER GREENE's New "Moon Hangs Fire", Listen

2009-11-06T21:27:19-05:00

MUSIC NEWS - Singer-songwriter and Scotch whiskey expert Heather Greene has offered us the chance to stream her latest single, “Moon Hangs Fire”. Check it out, below, and you'll agree that the smoothness of the tune equals some of the finest Scotch we've enjoyed. Heather continues to display a sultry, yet innocent voice delivered with mellowed surprise.

The single comes from Greene’s latest release, “Sweet Otherwise,” out now on Paved Earth Records. If you're near NYC, you should know that Greene will play at Joe’s Pub in on December 8. Come out, start getting into the holiday spirit and hear what the Boston Globe called “songs that evoke the defiant, giddy energy of musicians associated with John Hughesmovies.”

More @ MySpace.com/HeatherGreene

PIXIES Give Away 4 Live Tunes as They Start USA Tour

2009-11-06T20:29:55-05:00

MUSIC NEWS - To celebrate 20 years since the release "Doolittle" and the start of their USA Doolittle Tour, the PIXIES are giving away four live tracks (Dancing the Mantra Ray, Monkey Gone to Heaven, Crackity Jones and Gouge Away [listen below]) from a recent show in Paris.

More PIXIES news, and info on the tour that started this week in L.A. on our PIXIES Doolittle Tour post .

Gouge Away - Pixies

Key NYC Rock Radio Station Off the Air November 5 thru 18th

2009-11-06T09:08:11-05:00

MUSIC NEWS= One of the NYC area's best rock/pop/folk/indie music stations, WFUV-FM (90.7 FM), is getting an upgrade and will be sporadically off the air from 8am to 4pm weekdays from Thursday, November 5 through Wednesday, November 18. Reception during those times will be limited to areas of upper Manhattan and nearby parts of Queens and New Jersey.

WFUV- FM will (hopefully) resume normal broadcasting through the evening and overnight, from 4pm to 8am on weekdays, and full time during the weekend.

During this period, you can listen to FUV shows as usual online (through these links or in the iTunes Radio Tuner under 'Eclectic'), including their FUV Music and Alternate Side streams.

LIFEHOUSE Returns With "Smoke & Mirrors"

2009-11-06T09:02:02-05:00

MUSIC NEWS - California alt rockers, Lifehouse, has announced the December 8 release of their fifth studio album Smoke & Mirrors (via Geffen Records). The first single Halfway Gone (listen below) off the album was co-written by Lifehouse lead singer Jason Wade, Kevin Rudolf ("Let It Rock") and producer Jude Cole (Rocco Deluca, Beth Orton, MoZella.

With Smoke & Mirrors; lead singer/guitarist Wade, drummer Ricky Woolstenhulme Jr., bassist Bryce Soderberg, producer Cole, and live guitarist Ben Carey have created a set that combines their live sound with great record making. It's said Smoke & Mirrors showcases two sides of Lifehouse; songs like "Smoke & Mirrors," "Wrecking Ball" and "Had Enough" (with guest vocals by Chris Daughtry) have a raw and stage driven feel to them capturing the live, rock side of the band, a sound they've fine tuned after 10 years of touring. While tracks like "All In," "Here Tomorrow Gone Today" and the first single "Halfway Gone" are the type likely to be heard on radio for many years.

The band’s multi-platinum 2000 debut, No Name Face, gave us "Hanging by a Moment," a #1 alternative hit which crossed over to become Top 40’s Most Played Song of 2001, while 2002’s Stanley Climbfall proved the band to be a touring force. Their 2005 self-titled platinum effort yielded "You and Me," a giant hit ballad (Wade, Cole) that set a record by remaining on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart for 60 weeks. 2007’s Who We Are, also produced by the Smoke & Mirrors gang, included the hits "First Time," "Whatever It Takes" and "Broken," which combined sold over 3 million digital downloads. To date Lifehouse has sold over 5 million albums.

Rockers MAE Lose Van and Gear in Philadelphia, Let's Help 'Em Out

2009-11-05T22:46:49-05:00

MUSIC NEWS - After wrapping up a two-night stand in Philadelphia, PA last night, Virginia rock trio MAE woke up to find their van and trailer stolen.

“This morning we woke up to find our van, trailer, all instruments, equipment and merchandise had been stolen from the hotel parking lot. This misfortune has fallen among many of our friends in the past and after touring for 8 years this sort of thing is bound to happen. We have four dates left on our tour and will play the shows with the help of our friends in Deas Vail and Jenny Owen Youngs. It's in these moments that our fans lift us up and remind us why we do what we do. We thank you for the immediate outpouring of love and support.” -- MAE

Despite this unexpected trauma, the trio--DAVE ELKINS (lead vocals/guitars), JACOB MARSHALL (drums) and ZACH GEHRING (guitar), have rented a van to finish the remaining dates of their US (a)fternoon tour, promoting their (m)orning EP. The group is currently accepting fan donations for the loss. Fans can donate here, to the band that has done so much for so many: whatismae.com/donate.

MAE Tour w/ Jenny Owen Youngs and Deas Vail-

November

6 New York, NY The Fillmore at Irving Plaza

7 S. Hackensack, NJ School of Rock

8 Washington, DC Black Cat

14 Metro Mannila, Philippines Mall of Asia Concert Grounds

24 Tokyo, JP Club Quattro

25 Osaka, JP Club Quattro

26 Nagoya, JP Club Quattro

28 Honolulu, HI Pipeline Café

Harmonica Ace NORTON BUFFALO, Dead at 58

2009-11-05T22:26:54-05:00

MUSIC NEWS - Norton Buffalo, the harmonica maestro who appeared on recordings with the Steve Miller Band, Bonnie Raitt, Doobie Brothers, so many and most recently with Kenny Loggins and Hawaiian slack key guitarist George Kahumoku Jr. died Friday (10/30) at a hospital near his home in Paradise, CA. Buffalo, 58, was best known for his work with the Steve Miller Band, had been diagnosed with lung and brain cancer in September.

He was born in Oakland, CA on September 28, 1951 and had been a member of Miller's legendary platinum-selling band for 34 years, appearing on such hit Miller records as 1977's "Book of Dreams," which gave us Steve Miller Band classics "Jet Airliner" and "Jungle Love."

"There are some people who pass through this world who are so unique and special they defy description and Norton Buffalo was one of those people," Miller said in a post on his web site.

Buffalo also placed his distinctive harmonica riffs to many other high-profile albums, including the Doobie Brothers' 1978 Grammy winner "Minute By Minute." He also had his own band, the Stampede, in the late '70s and recorded a pair of albums released on Capitol Records. In 1992, he received a Best Country Instrumental Performance Grammy nominee for "Song for Jessica," a track from his 1991 duet CD with his longtime friend and collaborator, guitarist Roy Rogers, released on San Francisco's Blind Pig Records. Buffalo also formed and played with such bands as Norton Buffalo and the Knockouts and Norton Buffalo and Friends.

Buffalo is survived by his wife of eight years, Lisa Flores, a guitarist with whom he also performed.

Fans and musicians plan to honor Buffalo at a concert in early 2010. "A Celebration of Life: A Tribute to Norton Buffalo". The event will feature the Steve Miller Band, the Doobie Brothers, Bonnie Raitt, Huey Lewis and others that worked with him over the years. The concert will take place January 23 at the Fox Theater in Oakland. CA. More information @ apeconcerts.com

JOHN FOGERTY Starts Up National Tour

2009-11-04T22:52:25-05:00

MUSIC NEWS - Rock & Roll Hall of Famer John Fogerty is on a roll since the recent release of his wonderful new album, 'The Blue Ridge Rangers Rides Again' (out via Fortunate Son/Verve Forecast).

Last week in NYC, he was a surprise guest performer at the 25th Anniversary Rock & Roll Hall of Fame celebration at Madison Sqaure Garden, blasting out two Fogerty classics; "Fortunate Son" and "Proud Mary", and a revved-up take on Roy Orbison's "Oh, Pretty Woman" with Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band.

This week, Fortunate Son/Verve Forecast released the Fogerty live performance DVD 'Comin' Down The Road: The Concert At Royal Albert Hall' (order below thru MNN) and next week, November 7th, John Fogerty will appear on the PBS debut of the award-winning show Live By Request. Fogerty will perform music requested by the show's viewers. The Live By Request website is live at pbs.org/livebyrequest. Also next week, November 10th, John Fogerty will visit with Conan O'Brien and The Tonight Show gang to perform a song from 'Blue Ridge Rangers Ride Again'.

And lucky for us, his 12 date national tour starts next week - November 12, at the Kodak Theater in L.A. (full itinerary below). Fogerty's joined with Kenny Aronoff (drums) Billy Burnette (guitar) Jason Mowery (fiddle/mandolin) Matt Nolen (keyboards/guitar) Hunter Perrin (guitar) David Santos (bass) and James Pennebaker (pedal steel) for the tour.

John Fogerty Fall 2009 US Tour Dates:

November

12 Los Angeles Kodak Theater
14 Primm, NV Primm Valley Resort
16 Denver, CO Temple Hoyne Buell Theater
18 Minneapolis, MN Orpheum Theater
19 Milwaukee, WI Riverside Theater
21 Chicago, IL Auditorium Theater
22 Nashville, TN Ryman Auditorium
24 New York City, NY Beacon Theatre
25 Newark, NJ NJPAC
27 Mashantucket, CT MGM Grand at Foxwoods
28 Philadelphia, PA Tower Theater
29 Boston, MA Orpheum Theater

[Amazon]

JOHN MAYER Announces "Battle Studies" Tour 2010 Details

2009-11-04T19:31:39-05:00

MUSIC NEWS - JOHN MAYER has already announced a November 17 gig at the Beacon Theatre in NYC (in part to premiere the release of his new album, BATTLE STUDIES, out the same day). He's now confirmed that his North American 2010 tour will include another NYC stop, this time at Madison Square Garden on February 25 and feature special guests, Michael Franti & Spearhead . The anticipated "Battle Studies" tour starts in February and runs thru April with tickets going on sale to the general public November 21. Of course, there are many pre-sales dates, check with your local venue, or American Express for their cardholder advance deal, which runs November 16 thru 20.

The tour kicks off February 8 in North Charleston, SC at the No. Charleston Coliseum then stopd in at Birmingham, AL for a gig at the BJCC Arena, then February 10 brings the trucks and busses to Nashville for a Sommet Center gig. Other nights include Auburn Hills (Detroit), Toronto, Montreal, Boston, Philadelphia, Dallas, Memphis, NYC, Seattle, L.A., Atlanta and New Orleans. The final night is on April 10 in Chicago at the United Center (full itinerary below).

Kicking off the album release week, Fuse today announced that their “Fuse Presents: John Mayer Live from the Beacon Theatre,” broadcast will now be broadcast overseas to USA troops and their families by AFN, The Armed Forces Network, to reach those stationed in 175 countries and on 140 USA Navy ships at sea. Fuse, Madison Square Garden’s national music television network and Madison Square Garden Entertainment have teamed up with the American Forces Network (AFN) – now Mayer’s performance will air live on Fuse, in HD and SD, on November 17th at 9pm ET in the U.S. and will be simulcast live that night via AFN Radio. Additionally, AFN Television’s “Spectrum” channel will air the concert on December 6, 2009 at 8pm and on New Year’s Eve.

In addition to an intimate performance by Mayer of his current single, "Who Says" on the Today Show on Thursday, November 19, Mayer has another special event up his sleeve with The Late Show with David Letterman. Mayer will perform as Letterman’s musical guest, and then take over the studio for an extended concert for fans that will be webcast on Letterman’s website. On November 19, Mayer will appear on The Late Show as a both a sit-in artist with Paul Shaffer and the CBS Orchestra and as the show’s musical guest before performing a post-show fan concert, which will stream live and remain online through the beginning of the Battle Studies Tour. Other television appearances and special announcements are planned for December, including The Ellen DeGeneres Show, The Jay Leno Show and Larry King Live.

Battle Studies is the fourth studio album from the seven-time Grammy Award winning singer/songwriter/guitar player/producer and incorporates the warmth, melodies and simplicity of 70's and 80's California rock and pop. Battle Studies is said to be a confessional, relaxed and liberated album recorded in a private home in California where Mayer lived and worked over the course of six months before wrapping at the famed Capitol Studios in Los Angeles. The album was co-produced by John Mayer and Steve Jordan and will be released on November 17th, 2009 on Columbia Records.

Further information on all things John Mayer @ JohnMayer.com.

John Mayer BATTLE STUDIES 2010 Tour Itinerary-

February

8 Charleston, SC North Charleston Coliseum
9 Birmingham, AL BJCC Arena
10 Nashville, TN Sommet Center
12 Auburn Hills , MI The Palace of Auburn Hills
13 Toronto, ON Air Canada Centre
16 Ottawa, ON Scotiabank Place
17 Montreal, QC Bell Centre
19 Uncasville, CT Mohegan Sun
20 Washington, DC Verizon Center
21 Philadelphia, PA Wachovia Center
24 Boston, MA TD Garden
25 New York, NY Madison Square Garden
28 Grand Rapids, MI Van Andel Arena

March

1 Milwaukee, WI Bradley Center
2 St. Paul, MN Xcel Energy Center
4 Omaha, NE Qwest Center
5 Oklahoma City, OK Ford Center
6 Houston, TX Toyota Center
8 Austin, TX Frank Erwin Center
9 Dallas, TX American Airlines Center
10 New Orleans, LA New Orleans Arena
12 Columbus, OH Nationwide Arena
13 Louisville, KY Freedom Hall
15 Greensboro, NC Greensboro Coliseum Complex
16 Charlottesville, VA John Paul Jones Arena
17 Atlanta, GA Philips Arena
19 Memphis, TN Fed Ex Forum
20 St Louis, MO Scottrade Center
22 Kansas City, MO Sprint Center
23 Denver, CO Pepsi Center
25 Los Angeles, CA Staples Center
26 San Jose, CA HP Pavilion
30 Portland, OR Rose Garden
31 Seattle, WA KeyArena

April

1 Vancouver, BC General Motors Place
3 Calgary, AB Pengrowth Saddledome
4 Edmonton, AB Rexall Place
6 Saskatoon, SK Credit Union Centre
7 Winnipeg, MB MTS Centre
8 Fargo, ND FargoDome
10 Chicago, IL United Center

[Amazon]