Month: June 2012

MENOMENA ALBUM TEASER TRAILER AVAILABLE HERE

Barsuk Records is excited to announce that Menomena will release their new album, Moms, on September 18, 2012. Moms is the Portland-based band’s fifth, and their first as a duo. A teaser trailer for the album is available HERE. In support of Moms, Menomena will embark on a North American headlining tour in the fall,…

WIRE: LEISURE LIFE STREAM NEW SINGLE

Leisure Life is Gentleman Reg’s fifth full-length record. The follow up to his critically acclaimed 2009 lp, Jet Black, which took Reg and his band on tour multiple times through North America, including dates with A Camp, The Hidden Cameras, The Stills, Sarah Harmer, SXSW, Winnipeg Folk Festival and Hillside Festival. Rolling Stone called the…

MATT TOKA SELF-TITLED EP OUT NOW

Punk/pop artist/upstart MATT TOKA’S self-titled EP through Warner Bros. Records is out now. The six-track EP includes the studio versions of previous YouTube-only tracks “666” and “Ode To My Family,” as well as “Say10,” which is currently available via all digital retailers. The EP is available physically and digitally – the digital version includes lyric…

METAPHOR FOR EVERYTHING RELEASE “2012” VIDEO

Metaphor for Everything, will be headlining the Middle East Downstairs in Cambridge, MA on Friday June 22. New single from Boston-based rock band which was written and produced by Metaphor for Everything. [youtube 7YlrE0da6O8] www.soundcloud/metaphorforeverything

James Moore, Your Band Is A Virus!

For the first time ever I am doing my first book review, so I am definitely excited right from the start!   James Moore is the author of “Your Band Is A Virus!” and he is an independent music promoter/CEO of Independent Music Promotions (www.independentmusicpromotions.com).   This book can help Indie artists & bands gain…

PENN JILLETTE NEW VIDEO “CLAY AIKEN”

Talk about life imitating satirical art — Penn Jillette’s magical powers now apparently include the power of ironic timing. “Clay Aiken by Penn Jillette,” the new song and video by the Las Vegas legend which spotlights his recent appearance on “Celebrity Apprentice,” includes phrases about “Apple jobs overseas/Dormitory living/working factories” — all very relevant in…

WIRE: SEAN ROWE TO RELEASE NEW ALBUM

Sean Rowe has a baritone of other worldly power and emotional conviction that demands attention. On his extraordinary new album The Salesman and the Shark, out this August 12th via Anti-records, Rowe follows up his critically heralded full length debut Magic with a work that brilliantly reconfigures classic sounds in support of his intensely observational…

THE DOLLS TO RELEASE 12TH ALBUM

The Dolls’ new album is to be their 12th studio release and features the band’s own brand of comic punk rock that has generated them a dedicated fan-base across the World. Centered around frontman Olga, he has never fallen short of providing the guitar-widdling madness that graces each record as well as his lyrical input…

40LOVE NEW VIDEO “BOUT2BLOOM” + NEW ALBUM IN JULY

San Francisco hip-hop group 40Love, comprised of emcee/vocalist Miss Haze, rapper G-OFF, and DJ/Producers Mikos and The Whooligan, is excited to announce their new album, Dreams Don’t Sleep. The album, which blends and bends hip-hop, electro, and soul, will be released July 24th. Today, to celebrate the album announcement, 40Love is excited to release the…

MIKA “MAKE YOU HAPPY VIDEO” & EXPLANATION

“Here’s the first song I wanted you to hear from my new record, “The Origin of Love.” This is not a single but a song I really love and wanted to share with you. [vimeo 43593102] I commissioned a short film which I felt perfectly captured the sentiment of the track. The film was directed…

A BAD THINK TO RELEASE FOURTH STUDIO ALBUM

Indie-rock band, A Bad Think, has officially announced the release of their fourth studio album, Medicine, set for June 26, 2012. A Bad Think is the project of long time musician and producer, Michael Marquart, who plays most instruments and provides lead vocals on many of the   tracks. According to Marquart, “Medicine allows listeners…

THE TRIBE & BIG CATS! ANNOUNCE NEW ALBUM

The Tribe & Big Cats! announce new album Space to be released on 7/10.   The album was recorded over a two week period at Waterbury Studios in NE Minneapolis.   “P.I.L.L.S,” the first single off of the album, is currently available for free via the band’s website. The duo recently took the stage at…

K’NAAN POSTS “HURT ME TOMORROW” ON YOUTUBE

A few weeks ago K’NAAN released the first official single “Hurt Me Tomorrow” off his upcoming A&M/Octone release Country, God or the Girl. Now we have the un-offical visuals for the track, “The Ballad of Smelly and Petunia,” a lyric video of epic sexual proportions.   Check it out below and please share with your…

ZIPPO LAUNCHES EXCLUSIVE LIVE PERFORMANCE VIDEO SERIES

ZIPPO, an iconic part of the concert-going experience for decades (“Let’s see those lighters!”), has kicked off a series of exclusive live performance and interview videos featuring the best emerging and established talent in Rock. Filmed entirely in HD in front of real fans at real venues, the videos can be viewed at Zippo’s dedicated…

RYAN BINGHAM ANNOUNCES NEW RELEASE

Grammy, Oscar and Golden Globe winning artist Ryan Bingham will release his highly anticipated fourth studio album TOMORROWLAND on September 18th through his own label Axster Bingham Records.   Recorded in Malibu, CA, and co-produced by Bingham and Justin Stanley (Eric Clapton, Sheryl Crow, The Vines), TOMORROWLAND is the long awaited follow up to Bingham’s…

WIRE: THE GHOST INSIDE STREAM NEW RECORD

California’s most dedicated and passionate exponents of hardcore are streaming their new album Get What You Give in full, starting today.   In anticipation of their June 19th release, the band also unleashed a new video for their anthemic single, “Engine 45.” The explosive new track is now available for purchase via iTunes. Fans are…

Rick Shaffer, Idiot Flats

Until the release of his debut solo venture, I had never heard of Rick Shaffer. I am proud to say that ever since that initial review, I’ve never forgotten him and apparently he’s never forgotten me either. So when I was asked to review this latest dose of Rick, I happily obliged. See, to me…

Farehaven, (EP) from the album Upside-down

Have you listened to the Radio lately? Is it me or is something going horribly wrong with today’s music. Do you remember when music actually had real instruments in them with real people playing them? How about good songs written by the artists themselves. How about live performances that where these artists poured their heart…

THE DAY LABORERS “ON THE SIDE” VIDEO

As hinted last month, I.N.F. and Aspect of Long Island’s Day Laborers finally unveil the visuals for their single “On The Side,” in promotion for their album Deep Space Soul which is now available.   Directed by Porter Vision, the video depicts group member I.N.F. as a homeless person panhandling in NYC, and Aspect as…

OBEY THE BRAVE SIGN TO EPITAPH + VIDEO

Canada’s most exciting, adrenaline-charged metalcore band Obey The Brave have officially signed to Epitaph Records with plans to release their album, Young Blood on August 28th. Starting today, fans can pre-order the album by going to www.kingsroadmerch.com. In anticipation of the new record, the band have posted a video about the recent signing and have…

AARON NEVILLE SIGNS WITH BLUE NOTE RECORDS

Iconic soul/R&B vocalist Aaron Neville has announced a deal with EMI’s Blue Note Records and will release a full-length album this Fall. The record, produced by Keith Richards and Blue Note Records President Don Was, is a collection of classic material from the doo-wop era. “Aaron Neville is one of the most expressive and soulful…

CAPITOL RECORDS TO RELEASE 19-YEAR-OLD CONOR MAYNARD IN THE US

EMI Music is pleased to announce that it will be releasing 19-year-old British singer and songwriter Conor Maynard’s debut album Contrast via Capitol Records in the US on September 18th. Conor has already created a buzz in his home country with the debut single “Can’t Say No,” which shot to No. 2 on the UK…

KIMBRA ANNOUNCES FALL HEADLINE TOUR OF NORTH AMERICA

International sensation Kimbra has announced her first-ever headlining tour of the US and Canada. The month-long run kicks off September 25th in Vancouver, BC and runs through to October 27th in Toronto, ON. The Stepkids will support. Ticket on-sales begin Friday, June 15th, visit www.kimbramusic.com for details. The tour will support the release of the…

PUT ON YOUR DANCING SHOES & ENJOY SOME ANGELA EREN

Watch out Lady GaGa, there’s a new dynamo in town with some real moves and her name is Angela Eren!   Angela is making a BIG statement in the world of Dance/Electronica & Pop music.   You will find out about all of her recent achievements, her life as a “rock star mom” and you…

NEW SLIPKNOT ALBUM JULY 24

For their millions of fans around the world, Slipknot are as much a culture and a way of life as they are a band. To completely engage with all of the perseverance, ingenuity, artistic integrity and holistic vision of Slipknot’s creative output in all of its forms, is to fully embrace every facet, and to…

WIRE: THE DROWNING MEN PREMIERE FIRST SINGLE “LOST IN A LULLABY”

Oceanside, CA indie rock band THE DROWNING MEN have premiered the first single, “Lost In A Lullaby” from their upcoming album All of the Unknown (out July 17, 2012 via Borstal Beat Records) on FILTER and made it available as a free download. Available at http://bit.ly/KgbqVd, FILTER has also debuted the album’s cover art and…

CHAD GILBERT WORKS WITH BRIDGE NINE ON SOLO EFFORT

What’s Eating Gilbert, the side project of New Found Glory guitarist Chad Gilbert, will be releasing a new CD and 7inch on Bridge Nine Records on July 31st.   Titled Cheap Shots, this five-song EP features sleek 50’s-style pop with a nod to the punk sound Gilbert has become known for from his work in…

TWO WOUNDED BIRDS VIDEO PREMIERE

As we begin to ride the waves of summer, the music of Two Wounded Birds will soundtrack the montage of memories of the season’s lively days, warm nights and romances. The band now shows us a mischievous side of the the season with the new video for “If Only We Remain,” the second single of…

WIRE: MAN FOREVER RELEASES “UR ETERINITY” VIDEO

Man Forever is pleased to unveil the video for “Ur Eternity” from their recentlyreleased their sophomore full-length, Pansophical Cataract via Thrill Jockey Records. The 17-minute piece portrays exactly what Man Forever has become: a collaborative long-form performance project. The video is a collaboration between Man Forever, painter Sto and director Nick Chatfield-Taylor. Sto asked Chatfield-Taylor…

EASY LOVER DEBUT EP JULY 10

Easy Lover is set to release their eponymously titled debut EP on July 10.   The three song introduction to the Brooklyn-based duo of multi-instrumentalist Jeremy Wimmer and singer Kali Holloway (The Affair, Day For Night) — who Pitchfork says “has the kind of voice that sounds like it emanates from her entire body” —…

SONJA PERENDA: “ROCK-PERA?”

Genre blending is nothing new to the music industry. Myriad of new genres have come from the innovative melding of facets from differing musical styles into one sound. Uncle Tupelo comes to mind as they arguably gave birth to the Alt Country music scene. But some genres appear completely mutually exclusive and seem to defy…

The Daydreamers, With Your Love

The Daydreamers put you in a trance with their latest release, “With Your Love”.   This eclectic band stands out above your regular radio norms. They set new standards for refreshing and different. They have created a genre of music that should be labeled simply, “really good!” There is a smooth groove that starts your…

Derek Stroker, Love and Colour

Derek Stroker’s new release, “Love and Colour” is a new kind of vibe. It awakens your senses and makes you feel like you have an extra sense no one else does. It tickles your ears with such style and grace and sets a calm sobering mood. Derek’s voice is smooth and engaging.   He has…

Fiona Joy Hawkins, Sensual Journeys

The first time I heard pianist/composer/vocalist Fiona Joy Hawkins was back in 2009 when I reviewed her album ‘Blue Dream’ (http://skopemag.com/2009/01/23/fiona-joy-hawkins-blue-dream).   Fiona’s classy approach at the piano continues to stand out on this new release.   Hawkins plays with such elegance and her compositions hold much feeling. Fiona says herself that “Sensual Journeys is…

BIRDS IN ROW “PILORI” VIDEO

“You, Me, & The Violence” is the latest masterpiece from Birds In Row. The album explodes out of the gates with “Pilori”, a sonic crash and bang statement of personal independence among with society’s faults and fractures. Birds In Row then continue down this road, expressing disdain and struggle in songs like “Cages”, “Guillotine”, and…

ANIMETAL USA ANNOUNCE STATESIDE LIVE DEBUT AND RELEASE DATE FOR DEBUT ALBUM

Already a gold-certified sensation in Japan, the all-star metal group, Animetal USA is setting their sights next on America – with the impending release of their debut album and a just-announced show. Comprised of singer Mike Vescera (OBSESSION/ex-LOUDNESS) starring as METAL-RIDER, bassist Rudy Sarzo (BLUE OYSTER CULT, ex-OZZY OSBOURNE, QUIET RIOT, WHITESNAKE, DIO) as STORMBRINGER,…