Matt Hires’ Take Us To The Start is available now!

As I arrived at the Schubas Tavern on a particularly mild February day, I immediately noticed how busy the the West lakeview venue was. Young and old crowded the Harmony Grill in anticipation for a singer/songwriter who’s been making waves from his sunny Florida hometown. Enter Matt Hires. The 22-year old singer met up with us in between sound checks and some live recordings. Disappearing behind the bar front, Matt took us down to the Tavern’s make-shift green room for a pre-show interview. The walls are littered with colorful vintage posters from many previous Scubas events. This room has seen Kings of Leon, Andrew Bird and Sufjan Stevens before Matt Hires first show at Schubas Tavern. However, this twentysomething is no stranger to the Midwest. He even has a few surprises in store for his fans…

The interview with Matt Hires and photos after the jump. Read the rest of this entry »

Popularity: unranked [?]

Sorry but I have to get this off my chest. So I am at a Super Bowl party last night and as many of you know Queen Latifah opened with “America the Beautiful” and during her performance one of the girls at the party says “When did Queen Latifah start singing?” Are you friggin’ kidding me!?!?!?!? Does no one remember when Queen Latifah used to rap and sing before she started acting? God am I really getting that old, maybe I should just blame it on a generation gap? I rocked out to U.N.I.T.Y on cassette tape! Ok maybe it is my age, but whatever! People should know that she used to sing back in the day. That’s like not knowing Will Smith used to rap before he hit it big on the Fresh Prince of Bell-Air. Comon’ People!

Anyway I thought Queen Latifah did a fabulous job and wish she would make more appearances signing.

Popularity: 1% [?]

The Barenaked Ladies are set to debut their new music video for “You Run Away” within the next few weeks, but until then have posted a few pictures from the shoot on their official website. The photos – some of which show drummer Tyler Stewart dressed as a janitor, keyboardist Kevin Hearn in a 19th century coat and top hat, and bassist Jim Creeggan involved in what appears to be a bicycle accident – will definitely keep fans guessing about the upcoming video’s storyline. Stay tuned to BarenakedLadies.com for information on the “You Run Away” premiere, and for any additional news and updates.

“You Run Away” is the first single from the Barenaked Ladies’s latest album, All In Good Time, due out March 23rd in Canada and March 30th in the US. The song is available now on iTunes. The Ladies also recently announced the dates for their Canadian tour, with US dates coming soon.

Popularity: 1% [?]

At the beginning of this year’s NFL season, hard-core NFL fan Jerry Cantrell of Alice In Chains recruited some fellow heavy metal musicians and friends to take part in his other passion, FANTASY FOOTBALL. Besides Jerry, the league’s lineup consisted of Duff Mckagan of G ‘N’ R and Velvet Revolver, Mike Inez of Alice In Chains, Zakk Wylde of Ozzy Osbourne and Black Label Society, Vinnie Paul of Pantera and Hellyeah, Scott Ian of Anthrax, guitarist Kenny Wayne Shepherd, drummer Kenny Aronoff, former NFL player Matt Willig and ESPN’s Talented Mr. Roto, Matthew Berry. Each participant donated an item for online auction, and all of the proceeds go to the charity chosen by the champion of the fantasy league.

Now, with the Alice In Chains & Friends Fantasy Football Season officially over and Matt Willig declared winner, it is time for each participant’s item to be auctioned off for the benefit of Matt’s chosen charity: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. 100% of the money raised from these auctions will go towards St. Jude, which works to find cures for children with catastrophic illnesses through research and treatment.

Items to win after the jump…

Read the rest of this entry »

Popularity: 1% [?]

“Trinity,” a song from up-and-coming rockers Paper Tongues’ forthcoming debut album, is the background music to a new, fan-generated video chronicling the New Orleans Saints’ road to this year’s Super Bowl. A hard-hitting anthem about surviving against all odds, “Trinity” is the perfect theme song for a team that only five years ago had no home and an uncertain future but are now headed to the NFL Super Bowl game for the first time in franchise history. Watch the video now to get in the spirit for Sunday’s big game, and be sure to check out Paper Tongues’ official MySpace page for more information on this hot new band.

Paper Tongues’ debut album, featuring “Trinity” and their first single “Ride to California,” will hit stores on March 30th. They will soon be on the road with Crash Kings before joining back up with Switchfoot as part of the Hello Hurricane tour.

MySpace: www.myspace.com/papertongues

Official Page: www.papertongues.com

Tour Dates w/ Crash Kings
Feb 11 Cain’s Ballroom 2nd Stage Tulsa, Oklahoma
Feb 13 Midland Theatre – KRBZ’s Afentra’s Valentines Party Kansas City, Missouri
Feb 14 The Rave – FM 102.1 Kramp & Adler Missed Connections Mixer Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Feb 17 The Waiting Room – KIWR 89.7 The River Presents Paper Tongues Omaha, Nebraska
Feb 19 McGuffy’s House of Rock – WXEG Presents Paper Tongues Dayton, Ohio

Hello Hurricane Tour w/Switchfoot
Feb 22 Cains Ballroom – Hello Hurricane Tour with Switchfoot Tulsa, Oklahoma
Feb 25 The Black Sheep – Hello Hurricane Tour with Switchfoot Colorado Springs, Colorado
Feb 26 Ogden Theater – Hello Hurricane Tour with Switchfoot Denver, Colorado

May 1 The Bamboozle- Meadowlands Sports Complex East Rutherford, New Jersey

Popularity: 1% [?]

Get in the thick of things on February 23rd as COMEDY CENTRAL Records releases comedian/songwriter NICK THUNE’S Thick Noon CD/DVD.

The Thick Noon CD is a powerhouse hour of live stand-up and songs as well as three studio tracks of Nick Thune’s bizarre and off-center observations and stories. The DVD contains Thunes’s acclaimed “COMEDY CENTRAL Presents” special, “Nick’s Big Show,” Atom Films videos and numerous short films.

Read the rest of this entry »

Popularity: 1% [?]

MATISYAHU SET TO PERFORM DURING
THE 2010 VANCOUVER WINTER OLYMPIC GAMES CELEBRATIONS
Matisyahu to Perform Olympic Campaign Anthem “One Day”
“One Day” Remix Featuring Akon Now Available

Coming off the heels of a very successful partnership with NBC Universal for their “Countdown to Vancouver” Olympic promotional campaign, Grammy nominated artist Matisyahu is set to perform his hopeful and uplifting anthem “One Day” as part of the LiveCity Vancouver! and Canada/ Whistler Village Square Stage outdoor free concert celebrations. NBC Universal has been airing the promotional Olympic spot featuring “One Day” over the past few months across all the networks on NBC Universal (NBC, MSNBC, CNBC, USA, The Weather Channel, Bravo, Oxygen, SyFy, Universal Sports, Universal HD, Chiller, and Sleuth).

As excitement for Matisyahu’s “One Day” continues to build, a very special remix version featuring multi-platinum recording artist Akon is now available for purchase online and has already become an instant fan favorite.

Shows featuring Matisyahu during the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games celebrations:

Read the rest of this entry »

Popularity: 1% [?]

RUSKO TO RELEASE “O.M.G.!” LP THIS MAY ON MAD DECENT
FIRST SINGLE “WOO BOOST” OUT THIS MONTH, NEW PODCAST AVAILABLE NOW

The world may not be ready for the bass-heavy wrath that UK dubstep trailblazer, Rusko, is bringing to domestic soil this spring as he prepares to launch, O.M.G.!, his debut LP on Mad Decent.  As one of the most well recognized names in dubstep and producer du jour to some of the hottest artists around right now, his name will be burning into brains everywhere.  For a teaser taste of what’s to come, Mad Decent has released a new Rusko Podcast, with a preview of sounds, his explanation of the origins of dubstep and what makes California’s weed great – available now!

Rusko, also known as Christopher Mercer, was born in Leeds, UK to a musical family. After graduating from Leeds University with a degree in musical performance, Rusko discovered the world of dubstup through SUB DUB and an appearance from the Digital Mystikz. He moved to London to increase his musical opportunities and most notably co-produced “Cockney Thug”, arguably THE dubstep anthem of the last few years. In 2010, Rusko has teamed up as a member of the Mad Decent crew and collborated with notable artists such as MIA, Diplo, Santigold and Hot Chip among others.   O.M.G.! will feature guest appearances from Gucci Mane, Crookers, Amber Coffman (Dirty Projectors) & more!

Read the rest of this entry »

Popularity: 1% [?]

JASON BOESEL KICKS OFF FIRST U.S. TOUR WITH DAWES AND CORY CHISEL & THE WANDERING SONS

Photo credit: Scott Dudelson for Blurt

Jason Boesel Supporting his celebrated debut ‘Hustler’s Son’ on Team Love, Jason Boesel kicks off his first U.S. tour with Dawes and Cory Chisel And the Wandering Sons. On February 5, Boesel will take lead on guitar with Dawes onstage as his backing band on all the dates. See below for the full schedule.

Team Love is now giving away a download of Jason’s insatiable jam “I Got The Reason #1″ (click for MP3). The song originally surfaced during his touring days with Conor Oberst & The Mystic Valley Band and quickly became a fan favorite. The album version features Benmont Tench (Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers), Blake Mills, Jonathan Wilson, Nik Freitas, and is now the top selling digital single off ‘Hustler’s Son.’

Just last week, Boesel stepped up front for his first two shows in Los Angeles. The first was a Haiti benefit with Jenny Lewis and friends. The second was with Michael Runion and JJAMZ. David Rawlings was there to play back up with Boesel.

Jason Boesel 2010 Tour Dates After The Jump:

Read the rest of this entry »

Popularity: 1% [?]

“Kiss Me Goodnight” – New B Side From Casper Bangs

Brought to you by The Music Slut, below is the EXCLUSIVE PREMIERE of “Kiss Me Goodnight” the B-Side from Casper Bangs off of The Whitespace EP.

::DOWNLOAD “KISS ME GOODNIGHT” MP3::

::DOWNLOAD “SKYLARK” MP3::

“To be clear, we think DC’s Casper Bangs is f’n great. -Vinyl District

“This song’s catchier than an email virus and it’ll spread around even quicker. (“The Other Half”). – Audioperv

Be sure to catch Casper Bangs during this year’s SXSW Music Conference! More dates to come…In the meantime check out what Casper Bang’s is listening to over at My Secret Playlist. You might be surprised what he finds inspiring! Casper Bang’s upcoming album I Woke Up is vocalist Rob Pierangeli’s debut full-length release and also features Rishi Chakrabarty on guitar, Dennis Mannuel on drums and vocals, Chaim Rubenstein on keyboard and vocals and Wes Garcia on bass. I Woke Up will be released in March, stay tuned for details.

Popularity: 1% [?]

Omaha’s Thunder Power announce a string of tour dates down to Austin for SXSW to debut new tracks from their 4th EP, Hearts Intersect , out on Slumber Party Records on March 9th!

Along with tour dates, Thunder Power reveal the cover art for Hearts Intersect – a split EP with The 1959 Hat Company, engineer Ian Aeillo (Bright Eyes, Cursive, Matthew Sweet) and producer Joel Petersen (The Faint).

Check out the single “Heartifact” HERE!

Thunder Power Tour Dates:

Mar 7- O’Leaver’s Pub – Omaha, NE

Mar 12 – The Replay Lounge – Lawrence, KS

Mar 13 + 14 – NX35 Music Conferette – Denton, TX

Mar 16 – The Parlor – Austin, TX

with more SXSW dates to be announced soon!

Check Out Why The Press Love Thunder Power After The Jump

Read the rest of this entry »

Popularity: 2% [?]

Josh Turner is set to perform on The Late Show With David Letterman this MONDAY, February 8. MCA Nashville will release HAYWIRE, Josh’s fourth album, the following day (2/9).

Josh was also recently featured in Billboard’s Best Bets of 2010 and he is Country Weekly’s cover story hitting stands on February 8.

For a complete list of tour dates, go to www.joshturner.com

About Josh Turner:

One of country music’s fastest rising stars, Josh Turner burst onto the national scene selling more than a million copies of his debut album LONG BLACK TRAIN. His sophomore release, YOUR MAN, is certified double platinum and spawned three number one singles. Josh’s third album from MCA Nashville, EVERYTHING IS FINE produced three Top-20 hits and debuted on the Billboard album charts at #5 POP and #3 COUNTRY. His latest album, HAYWIRE, is set for release February 9, 2010.

Popularity: 1% [?]

On the one year anniversary of the release of The Red Rhythm, Southern boys Winston Audio offer their self released LP up for free download to all!

There’s no stopping them in 2010 as Winston Audio announce even more tour dates for this year – full dates below!What do these fellas do when they’re not on the road? Winston Audio took some time to record tracks live for IndieATL.

Check out the newest video for “Ostrich” HERE, “On My Trail” HERE, and “Hey Ann” HERE! 

Winston Audio 2010 Tour Dates”

Feb 16 – 40 Watt – Athens, GA

Feb 19 – Princess Theatre – Columbus, MS**

Feb 20 – Ole Tavern – Jackson, MS**

Feb 21 – Hayride – Shreveport, LA

Feb 22 – Hey Joes – Cleveland, MS**

Feb 24 – O’Leavers Pub – Omaha, NE

Feb 25 – 400 Bar – Minneapolis, MN

Feb 26 – 400 Bar – Minneapolis, MN

Feb 27 – Elbo Room – Chicago, IL

Feb 28 – Mac’s Bar – Lansing, MI

Mar 2 – Mixtape Cafe – Grand Rapids, MI

Mar 4 – The Wired Cafe – Evansville, IN

Mar 5 – Buster’s – Lexington, KY

Mar 6 – The Basement – Nashville, TN

May 2 – Meadowlands, Bamboozle – East Rutherford, NJ

May 30 – Hayride, Sold on the South Fest – Shreveport, LA

w/ As Tall As Lions
w/ The Weeks**
w/ Death on Two Wheels

Read More About Winston Audio After The Jump!

Read the rest of this entry »

Popularity: 1% [?]

SPOON “WRITTEN IN REVERSE” VIDEO PREMIERE LIVE NOW AT PITCHFORK

Additional U.S. Shows Sell Out

Australian Tour Dates Confirmed

(Friday, February 5) The video for “Written In Reverse,” the first single from Spoon’s recently released seventh album Transference, will be premiered today at Pitchfork.com. The video, directed by Danny Clinch (photographer extraordinaire whose directorial credits include Tom Waits’ “Lie To Me,” Bruce Springsteen’s Devils & Dust DVD and Foo Fighters’ Skin + Bones), documents an actual live performance of the song recorded expressly for the video, expertly rendered in stark black and white.

Tickets recently went on sale for Spoon’s 2010 North American tour, which commences with a March 17 headlining appearance at Stubbs in Austin kicking off the annual South by Southwest conference. The tour’s March 27 show at Boston’s House of Blues and the first of two Minneapolis shows, April 2 at First Avenue, have just sold out, joining a pair of advance sell-outs March 22 and 23 at Washington DC’s 9:30 Club.

Spoon has also announced a run of Australian dates following the conclusion of the current run April 17 at the Coachella festival. The Australian tour kicks off April 30 in Melbourne.

SPOON 2010 TOUR DATES AFTER THE JUMP!

Read the rest of this entry »

Popularity: 1% [?]

Alice in Chains have teamed up with guitar tab site Ultimate-Guitar to offer fans a chance to win an Alice in Chains prize pack that includes a pair of tickets to a North American show of the winners choice. The rest of the prize pack includes a signed copy of Bass Player Magazine signed by and featuring Mike Inez on the cover, a signed copy of Black Gives Way to Blue, and an Alice in Chains t-shirt.

Alice in Chains’ North American tour starts February 2nd in Vancouver and ends on March 21st in Minneapolis. Nearly all the dates are sold out, so head over to Ultimate-Guitar for a chance to win!

The band will also be starting its Fuse TV tour diary today (2/3) at Noon, which will be updated daily and can be previewed here.

Tour Dates after the jump…

Read the rest of this entry »

Popularity: 1% [?]