Recommended Release: The Mercury Program - Chez Viking

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:

Links: XLR8R Producer Profiles

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.

John Vanderslice - Spoon, Deerhoof, Cex

Efrim Menuck - Arcade Fire, Wolf Parade, Land of Kush

Chris Coady - Blonde Redhead, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, TV On the Radio

Brett Allen - Dan Deacon, Matmos, Death Cab For Cutie

Live Review: Broadcast [with Vincent Gallo] @ The Troubadour - 11/4/09

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.