Portland’s Rachel Taylor Brown has created an oddity of an album on her fourth release. Expertly entwining geekish novelty with theological/existential ponderings, Brown’s Susan Storm’s Ugly Sister and Other Saints and Superheroes explores and experiments with strange hybrids of both style and substance. The album careens unpredictably from the minimalist folk-industrialism of the title…
Lloyd Dobler Effect, Lloyd Dobler Effect
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With a name like Lloyd Dobler Effect, how can you go wrong? Back it up with some peppy indie-rock anthems, maybe a slow song or two and some clever referential humor occasionally nestled in the lyrics. Perfect, right? Well, I’ve got bad news for you. There’s not so much as a mention of kick boxing…
Wunderbugg, Transgradulate
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Transgradulate is a made up term that roughly means “to graduate into a new phase of life with joy”. The meaning definitely stacks up to the new record as these three musicians combine many different musical elements. The overall sound is quite different yet very fresh. The band is made up of Whidden…
THE LOST FINGERS OFFER “BILLIE JEAN” COVER / AUDIO
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A large part of mourning the loss of a music industry legend is remembering and memorializing their career.
Gilson, Lampiao
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Whether you’re looking to entertain your guests for a dinner party or have a romantic evening with your significant other, Gilson Schachnik has you covered with Lampiao. Gilson brings you the vibrant sounds from Brazil along with heavy doses of jazz, pop and even some funk. Gilson provides elements from traditional Brazilian music…
SICK PUPPIES UNVEIL TRI-POLAR ALBUM ART
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Sick Puppies have just unveiled the album artwork for Tri-Polar, their second major label album, and follow-up to Dressed Up As Life. Tri-Polar will feature the anthemic single, “You’re Going Down,” which is being used as the theme song for the WWE’s Extreme Rules pay-per-view as well as “Street Fighter War.” www.SickPuppies.net
SKOPE EXCLUSIVES: Lexi “Just Another Party”
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We at Skopemag.com get hundreds of exclusive tracks via various vendors on a daily basis. The goal for us is to share with our readers as many tracks that come in. Please note that some of these links expire so you got to get it while it’s hot! Lexi “Just Another Party”: SKOPE IT HERE!
CREEPY VIDEO “TWO WEEKS” FROM GRIZZLY BEAR
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This is pretty creepy. Great song though. Daniel Rosen sounds like a mix of Gene Pitney and Brian Wilson. This is a single off the ‘Veckatimest’ album out now. The video was produced by Karen Lin. “Two Weeks” [youtube tjecYugTbIQ nolink]
CARE BEARS ON FIRE OFFER “SUPERTEEN” MP3
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Care Bears on Fire are offering a free MP3 of their song “Superteen” as a sneak peak of their forthcoming album “Get Over It!” being released by S-Curve on July 14. The song makes the pressures and insecurities of adolescence relatable to both current and former teens.
SONY EXECS REFLECT ON MICHAEL JACKSON
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Michael Jackson, one of the most widely beloved entertainers and profoundly influential artists of all-time, leaves an indelible imprint on popular music and culture. Commenting on his passing, Sir Howard Stringer, Chairman, CEO and President, Sony Corporation, said: “Michael Jackson was a brilliant troubadour for his generation, a genius whose music reflected the passion and…
TRACY CHAPMAN REVEALS SUMMER SCHEDULE
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Elektra recording artist Tracy Chapman has unveiled an extensive slate of summer concert dates, her first full-scale North American itinerary in over three years. The tour — which celebrates the multi-platinum, four-time Grammy-winner’s acclaimed 2008 release, “OUR BRIGHT FUTURE” — will hit the road on July 31st at Boston’s House of Blues. From…
STREAM CLIPS & WIDGET FROM ROB THOMAS LIVE DVD
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The Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado — a legendary venue that has been graced by rock luminaries from The Beatles to U2 — provides the awe-inspiring backdrop for three-time Grammy ® Award-winning artist Rob Thomas in his first-ever live performance DVD.
SKOPE EXCLUSIVES: PHRESH PRINCE “PHRESH PRINCESS”
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We at Skopemag.com get hundreds of exclusive tracks via various vendors on a daily basis. The goal for us is to share with our readers as many tracks that come in. Please note that some of these links expire so you got to get it while it’s hot! PHRESH PRINCE “PHRESH PRINCESS”: SKOPE IT HERE!
KEVIN BLACK JOINS GLOBAL MUSIC GROUP AS COO
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Kevin Black has been appointed Chief Operating Officer of, Global Music Group, it was announced today by Roland Turner, CEO, Global Music Group. In his new position, Mr. Black will assume overall responsibility for overseeing the creative vision and brand recognition of the label. “Kevin is one-third owner of Global Music Group along with Mike…
METRO STATION TO OPEN FOR MILEY CYRUS ON HER FALL ARENA TOUR
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The rumors are true! As announced by Miley Cyrus early yesterday morning, the pop superstar will be joined by special guests Metro Station on her upcoming North American tour. The ten-week arena run — launching September 14 in Portland, OR, and running through December 2, in Miami, FL— will mark the first time that Cyrus…
KLEERUP TO RELEASE DEBUT ALBUM ON ASTRALWERKS ON JULY 28, 2009
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There must be something in that icy water that they drink, as Scandinavians seem to have a particularly keen ear for melody and harmony. Sweden, in particular, has given birth to a number of great popular music acts recently; Robyn, The Knife, Peter Bjorn & John, The Concretes, and umm…. Andreas Kleerup. You probably haven’t…
THE MARS VOLTA STREAM “SINCE WE’VE BEEN WRONG”
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Check out “Since We’ve Been Wrong,” a new track from The Mars Volta off of their forthcoming album “Octohedron” due out June 23rd.
SKOPE EXCLUSIVES: Jeremih feat. Benz “Birthday Sex (Remix)”
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We at Skopemag.com get hundreds of exclusive tracks via various vendors on a daily basis. The goal for us is to share with our readers as many tracks that come in. Please note that some of these links expire so you got to get it while it’s hot! Jeremih feat. Benz “Birthday Sex (Remix)”: SKOPE…
POLVO SIGN TO MERGE AND RECORD NEW ALBUM
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Polvo will release their new album, In Prism, September 8th on Merge Records. In Prism is the first studio album from Polvo since 1997’s Shapes. In Prism was recorded at Echo Mountain in Asheville, North Carolina with Brian Paulson in March of 09, with additional recording in Carrboro in May of ’09. Polvo formed in…
LAURA IZIBOR NEW VIDEO “FROM MY HEART TO YOURS”
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“The foundation begins with soul,” explains 21-year-old singer/songwriter/producer Laura Izibor of her passionate, piano-guided songs.
RICHARD SWIFT NEW VIDEO FOR “THE ATLANTIC OCEAN”
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Check out Richard Swift’s brand new video for second single “The Atlantic Ocean” from his album of the same name. Get ready for disco, robot fights and lasers… Richard Swift’s “The Atlantic Ocean” Video: SKOPE IT HERE!
SIRE RECORDS TO RELEASE ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK TO FOX SEARCHLIGHT PICTURES’ (500) DAYS OF SUMMER
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Sire Records will release the original soundtrack to the Fox Searchlight Pictures’ feature film (500) Days of Summer on July 14th. The film received a standing ovation at its debut screening during the 2009 Sundance Film Festival and releases in select theaters on July 17th, 2009. (500) Days of Summer is not a love story.…
SAGE FRANCIS OFFERS MP3 TO “STRANGE FAME”
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Hip hop rabble-rouser Sage Francis is set to add to his underground acclaim with the release of the Sick of Wasting mixtape on June 16th. Part of his hilarious, creative and popular “Sick of…” series — which began in 1999 and has also included Sick of Waiting Tables and Sick of Waging War, among…
BOW WOW CONFIRMS COLUMBIA SPLIT
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Bow Wow took to his official Twitter account to confirm that he is no longer with Columbia Records. The rapper wrote: “Wanna thank them for the release and also thank them 4 err thang. I made all my hits with them.” Bow accomplished ten top ten records with ten-million albums sold worldwide with Columbia. He…
PITBULL HAPPY TO BE SIGNED TO A MAJOR LABEL
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Pitbull’s hit single “I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho)” has been on the Billboard chart for quite some time now. The rapper just got signed to Sony and he says he’s very excited to be on a major label now.
WHITNEY HOUSTON UPDATE
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Whitney Houston has just confirmed her highly anticipated comeback album will be titled I Look To You. Her sixth studio disc will feature contributions and production from Akon, Alica Keys, Swizz Beatz and Diane Warren. You can expect I Look To You to hit stores on September 1st via Arista Records. For more up…
MICHAEL JACKSON DEAD AT AGE 50
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The L-A Times reports that Michael Jackson, the King of Pop, is dead at age 50. On Thursday afternoon, the pop legend was rushed to a hospital in Los Angeles after collapsing at his home. He suffered from cardiac arrest and was not breathing when the paramedics arrived and the EMTs administered CPR in…
Gian Tornatore, Fall
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Soft, smooth and sophisticated, saxophonist and composer Gian Tornatore’s third album, “Fall,” is a delight to listen to. The album, a follow-up to Tornatore’s 2003 debut, “Sink or Swim,” and his 2005 sophomore album, “Blackout,” has a short track listing of only eight songs, however, the quality of each song compensates for the quantity.…
ACE HOOD GETS RUTHLESS ON HIS SECOND ALBUM
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South Florida rapper Ace Hood — named to the “Freshmen of ’09” roster at XXL magazine — heats up the Internet and urban media scene this summer with the release of his second album RUTHLESS, arriving in the physical and digital marketplace on June 30th. Ace Hood was the first artist signed to Terror Squad…
JUSTIN TOWNES EARLE NEW VIDEO “MIDNIGHT AT THE MOVIES”
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“Midnight at the Movies,” the brand new video from Justin Townes Earle. Directed by Ryan Newman, this is the first video of JTE’s latest record, also titled Midnight at the Movies.
JEFF BUCKLEY’s ‘GRACE AROUND THE WORLD’ WIDGET
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Live the experience of Grace Around the World with some of Jeff’s most captivating performances. The CD/DVD compilation chronicles some of his finest work during a globe-treking tour promoting his landmark Grace album. Grace Around The World will also be available in an Deluxe Limited Edition package that includes the bonus DVD Amazing Grace; –…
JETBLUE NOW OFFERS LIVE MUSIC AT JFK AIRPORT TERMINAL
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JetBlue Airways in partnership with Superfly Marketing Group a division of New York-based Superfly Productions, an independent music company with expertise in event production and creative programming today announce Live from T5, a six-month, 12-date live music concert series at the airline’s new Terminal 5 at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). The…
SISSY WISH’S ‘BEAUTIES NEVER DIE’ SET FOR SEPTEMBER 22ND RELEASE
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On September 22nd, Afternoon Records will release Sissy Wish’s Beauties Never Die in North America. The critically acclaimed Norwegian artist will play a special showcase at New York City’s Piano’s on July 20 and July 22. In the meantime, fans can check out the video for the track “Float,” which gives a behind-the-scenes look at…
SKOPE EXCLUSIVES: Jae E “Me 2”
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We at Skopemag.com get hundreds of exclusive tracks via various vendors on a daily basis. The goal for us is to share with our readers as many tracks that come in. Please note that some of these links expire so you got to get it while it’s hot! Jae E “Me 2”: SKOPE IT HERE!
DIANA OLSON INTRODUCES FUTURE ANTIQUES
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Twin Cities based synth-rock band, Future Antiques, has a fresh, yet familiar sound, combining atmospheric elements of Coldplay and Pink Floyd and fusing them with the edginess of bands like Muse and Mute Math.
UNIVERSAL MOTOWN PRESENTS DAYS DIFFERENCE / AUDIO
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Certainly the folks at Universal Motown saw the potential in Days Difference and their ability to connect with a wide audience. The band signed to the label a mere 24 hours after playing a well-attended industry showcase in June 2008.
SKOPE EXCLUSIVES: Devin+88 Keys “The Smoke Break” Mixtape
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We at Skopemag.com get hundreds of exclusive tracks via various vendors on a daily basis. The goal for us is to share with our readers as many tracks that come in. Please note that some of these links expire so you got to get it while it’s hot! Devin+88 Keys “The Smoke Break” Mixtape: SKOPE…
ENTER SHIKARI VIDEO ALBUM TEASER
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UK based Enter Shikari have announced they will release Common Dreads in the United States June 16. The follow up album to the band’s debut, Take To The Skies, will be released digitally through iTunes and Amazon as well as through the band’s merch store. Common Dreads album teaser: [youtube kPS05Fbg84c nolink] www.EnterShikari.com
LIL RU SIGNED TO DEF JAM
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Proof positive that the best way to break into the major ranks of hip-hip playaz is to win your game out on the mean streets first — comes with the signing of South Carolina native Lil RU as the newest addition to the roster of Def Jam Recordings, a division of Island Def Jam Music…
WIN A FREE TRIP TO ALL POINTS WEST FESTIVAL
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Want to see Tool, Beastie Boys, The National, Heartless Bastards, The Ting Tings, Vampire Weekend and much more all in one weekend? Enter to win a trip to the ALL POINTS WEST festival and you can! Some of the best independent music stores have joined together to give you the chance to get to…
