The Mercury Program are a four-piece instrumental "post-rock" group from Florida, showcasing a shimmering, intricate, precise and expansive sound. After seven years since their last LP, they are ready to release their follow up, Chez Viking.
The band's new label, Lovitt Records, describes Chez Viking as "a twinkling, shimmer album whose strengths of interplay between guitar and vibraphone or Rhodes are anchored by a propulsive and driving rhythm section. It's a fantastic combination that succinctly captures the band's bright intensity."
Release Date: November 24, 2009
Here is an interview with drummer Dave LeBleu, who was drummer #49 of 77 Boadrum:
Last year, XLR8R profiled four "indie" producers and engineers and asked them about their production techniques, studio equipment, and recording philosophies. The following profiles are a great read for anyone interested in the people and processes responsible for translating musical ideas into a final piece of work.
Experimental throwback pop duo Broadcast performed to a sold out crowd at The Troubadour last night. After a solid set by Bradford Cox's Atlas Sound (backed by The Selmanaires), Trish Keenan and James Cargill took the opposite ends of the stage, each manning a table spread with synths, samplers, ring modulators, analog delays and microphones, set between a large projection screen. The set commenced with about fifteen minutes of relatively free-form droning, interlaced with Keenan's echoed vocals and autumnal black and white visuals. Neither Keenan nor Cargill were lit at this point--instead, the focus was on the incredible projections, which Cargill watched intently as he tweaked his synth and samples.
Eventually, Broadcast performed several tracks in a more "traditional" manner with Cargill on bass or guitar and Keenan working center stage, backed by excellent sample-based beats. For as odd and haunting as some of Broadcast's music is, it was obvious they were enjoying themselves and the über-attentive crowd.
Warp Records labelmate Vincent Gallo joined on electric guitar for the main set closer, in addition to helming an acoustic duet encore with Keenan, during which she sang the lyrics from a set of handwritten notes.
This performance was certainly to be appreciated by true Broadcast fans. Here's hoping the act returns to the U.S. before another four years go by.
Mos Def announced today that he will be performing Black On Both Sides in its entirety at The Independent in San Francisco on October 19, 2009. Although the show is sold out, you may be able to wrangle up a ticket tomorrow. Good luck, because this is not a show to miss.
Thanks to Nor Cal Correspondent DJ KRC for the tip.
Watch this video in its entirety to see some of Mos Def's "homecoming" in Japan:
On November 9, 2009, SSM faves LCD Soundsystem will release their first music since 2007's excellent Sound of Silver. "Bye Bye Bayou" is a cover of a song from Suicide's Alan Vega's 1981 debut album. The track is purportedly "8+ minutes of classic LCD Soundsystem, deep soulful grooves that will appeal to fans and non-fans alike and will whet the appetite for fans dying for LCD's upcoming third album to be released in March 2010." Look for the track to be released via DFA Records on 12", complete with an a capella cut. Source.
The Lady Doc and I had the distinct pleasure of seeing Thom Yorke perform on Sunday with his unnamed new band, billed by The Orpheum as "??????". Consisting of Nigel Godrich (keys, computers, guitar, backup vox), Flea (bass), Joey Waronker (drums) and Mauro Refosco (percussion), the band played to a sold-out crowd of 2,000 eager concertgoers.
Touted by Ticketmaster as a "ticketless" concert, we gained entrance after an employee swiped the original purchase card, and a tiny, waist-mounted printer spat out two non-tickets with our seat assignments. We entered the ornate lobby, passed the merch table (stocked only with copies of "Feeling Pulled Apart By Horses"), picked up a bottle of water, rubbed elbows with Cillian Murphy and Anne Hathaway, and made our way to our seats.
After a brief set from L.A.'s veteran experimentalists the Lucky Dragons, Yorke & Co. took the stage to a preemptive standing ovation. Yorke motioned for the crowd to sit, and the band launched into The Eraser in its entirety. For example:
The band blasted through rich, impassioned performances of every track from The Eraser. Yorke stated that they had been rehearsing for three weeks, and it really showed. Their chops were tight and polished, particularly the live percussive elements which easily surpassed the programmed beats on the album. Flea knew his place and precisely when to rock out, and when to exercise restraint. And, as always, Yorke's vocals were second to none. During main set closer "Cymbal Rush", I felt like he was channeling a fractured message from the future, by way of an alien satellite.
Yorke then performed three tracks solo, which felt like he was letting us in on demo versions of future Radiohead songs. The band returned for four more songs. And then, just like that, this truly special performance was over.
Hot off the announcement of two nights at The Orpheum Theater, Thom Yorke, Flea, Nigel Godrich and others have added another show for TONIGHT, this time at the much smaller Echoplex. Per Dead Air Space:
"so yes that band thats doesnt really have a name that im working with at the moment?????? have decided to do a warm-up show on Friday Oct 2nd around 9pm at the Echoplex in Los Angeles Its not that big, it'll be total chaos and its kind of a rehearsal but .. if you are near by.. below is a link to get tickets. hope you get lucky with it.
so ain't no point hanging around if u dont im afraid
After a triumphant performance at the El Rey (review here), neo dream-funk dance machine Friendly Fires will return to L.A. for a November 21, 2009 concert at the Henry Fonda Theater. Tickets available to the general public starting August 29, 2009 here.
In the meantime, their self-titled debut will be re-released on August 31, 2009, chock full of B-sides, remixes and videos, including live tracks from a May 2009 show at The London Forum. Check out the video for forthcoming single "Kiss of Life" below:
Assembly Line is a semi-instrumental hip-hop duo from Perth, Australia. Nathan-J and Luke Pierre have been crafting beats together for a few years now but have only recently delivered their first official release, The Assembly Line EP. The disc contains four tracks of instrumental hiphop "with two tracks being laced with live keys." Self-described as "Polish psych jumpoff" or "a downbeat cosmic carpet ride", this is a solid headnodder that showcases sampled hip-hop at its best. Available now on Cardboard City Records and at selected brick and mortar outlets.
The Mercury Program are a four-piece instrumental "post-rock" group from Florida, showcasing a shimmering, intricate, precise and expansive sound. After seven years since their last LP, they are ready to release their follow up, Chez Viking.
