“In the beginning, there was a lot of media attention around our story,” Raam says in a recent interview. “There was this oriental element to it: ‘Oh, look, here’s this band from this theocratic state where we never imagined hearing this kind of rock ‘n’ roll.’ To be honest, I felt like we didn’t deserve a lot of that attention, because when we first came here, our music really sucked.”

Well, Hypernova have been stateside for three years now, and it’s clear from last weeks show that Raam (vocals), Kodi (guitarist), Kami (drummer), and Jam (bass) have spent a lot of that time playing these past few years, because their performance at Parkside was tight, passionate and extremely danceable.

I got to the club a few minutes before nine, thinking the opening bands would be starting soon. I was off by about an hour and a half. When I arrived, Yellow Dogs were just staring their sound check, and the earlier dinner crowd was still in full force. After all the diners and happy hour holdovers were cleared out, I was able to pass the long wait thanks to an iPhone and a love of people watching. As the club filled, I was surprised by the overwhelmingly huge Persian turnout. I think the bartender, the bouncer and I were amongst a handful of folks that didn’t speak Farsi. No matter, we all love rock and roll.

The evening began with a rocking set from The Yellow Dogs. I’m not sure who was more excited – the crowd or the band. Everyone in the audience was incredibly stoked to have two Iranian bands on the bill, and The Yellow Dogs were eager to please the packed house. The set list featured tracks like “Hustler” and “New Century,” a song from the 2009 film, “No One Knows About Persian Cats,” that centers around the Iranian underground music scene both The Yellow Dogs and Hypernova came from.

It wasn’t a long break before Hypernova took the stage. Much to my delight, Raam was wearing his signature Rayban glasses and was also sporting a full head of hair, unlike in the Fairy Tales video. The band had also added a keyboardist to their touring lineup. I don’t remember what they opened with but they nailed some of my favorite tracks like the anthem “Viva la Resistance,” and also the quieter numbers like “Here and Now.” Raam dedicated “Universal” to the Iranian election protesters of 2009, or as he put it, their “friends back in Iran who stood up to the assholes in power.” The highlight of their set was “Fairly Tales.” It’s hard for me to comprehend why this song hasn’t gotten more airplay or blog coverage, but no matter. I’ll just be able to say, “told you so” next time they come back though town at a much larger venue, with much better lighting.

After the Hypernova set, I did a bit more people watching as the band busily cleared the stage, packed their instruments and loaded their van. There’s no backstage at Parkside so all of this takes place in front of the club. There were dozens of eager fans waiting for autographs and cheering on Kodi and Kami each time they brought another load of gear out of the club to the small trailer being pulled by the tour van. The guys were extremely friendly, and took the time to chat, and sign a CD or two for the giggling Persian girls that crowded around Raam. Once the equipment was loaded, Kodi went out of his way to approach me and say “Hello.” He joked that he was worried he’d damaged my ears. After all, I’d been shooting with my fisheye lens quite literally under his nose. I assured him my musicians earplugs had kept my eardrums safe, and I sincerely thanked him for a great evening of rock and roll.

Hypernova’s Through The Chaos is available via Narnack Records.

See the full photoset of Hypernova’s performance on Flickr.

I feel like a bit of a late comer to the whole Ariel Pink thing.  I mean none of my music geek friends were listening to him.  Also, just as there are too many bear (grizzly, in heaven, minus the,) deer (tick, hunter, tracks) and beach (fossils, house – okay, I’m done here) bands, so is the case with the Pinks (mountaintops, the big, vicious.)  It’s hard out there!  But out of the Pink’s I’ve listed here, it looks like Ariel Pink has been around the longest.  And boy am I glad I got into them!

Usually bands tend to play songs from the current album they’re touring for.  I’m always looking forward to my favorite; I’m surprised how often I’m let down.  And even though Haunted Graffiti didn’t play ‘Beverly Kills’ or ‘Revolution’s A Lie,’ two faves from the current album, Before Today, there was no cause for complaint.  In fact, it was a treat to hear so many great songs I hadn’t heard before delivered with passion and humor from a bonafide weirdo (I’ve said it before, that’s a GOOD thing!)  My pal Erik and I have spent the better part of the last week blowing our emusic credits and going record shopping for the Ariel Pink back catalog.  My current favorites include ‘Politely Declined,’ ‘Strange Fires,’ and ‘The List (My Favorite Song)’ just to name a few.

If Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti is coming to your town, I highly recommend going to see them; if only for the pleasure of of being in the same room as Haunted Graffiti band member, the goofily adorable Kenny Garret.  And beware, I love supporting artists at the merch table but that evening’s prices were a little over the top.  I was five bucks short for two records which totaled $45.00 and they wouldn’t take the $40 for them. I ended up with nothing, which I regret; it was hard to pick between the two after all those beers!  Crushes and gripes aside, it was one of the best shows I’ve ever seen.  I’ve got my site set for their upcoming Paramount show with Flaming Lips if I can come up with the dough!

(Pix from San Francisco show at Bimbos.)

Dear Friends,

I’m am happy to announce the first-ever Sea Wolf solo acoustic tour! I will be packing up my suitcase and guitar and traveling to your town to serenade you with Sea Wolf songs (and a few extras) as you’ve never heard them before.

Joining me on the tour will be two of my favorite artists and friends, Sera Cahoone and Patrick Park.

Also, my label will be releasing a 7″ vinyl-and-digital-only single for ‘Turn the Dirt Over’ (from White Water, White Bloom), which will be available during the tour. The 7″ single will include a remix by Broken Social Scene’s Brendan Canning, and the digital version (which you may purchase on it’s own, or will come free with the 7″) will also contain an unreleased Sea Wolf track called: ‘Where the Wind Blows’.

So, friends, please come join Sera and Patrick and I for these extra special shows!

ABC

Sea Wolf (solo acoustic)
w/Sera Cahoone and Patrick Park

09/08/10 San Diego, CA – Soda Bar
09/09/10 Phoenix, AZ – Rhythm Room
09/11/10 Austin, TX – Emo’s Jr
09/12/10 Denton, TX – Hailey’s
09/13/10 Memphis, TN – Hi Tone Café
09/14/10 Birmingham, AB – Bottletree
09/15/10 Atlanta, GA – Eddie’s Attic
09/16/10 Chapel Hill, NC – Nightlight
09/17/10 Baltimore, MD – Metro Gallery
09/18/10 Philadelphia, PA – North Star
09/19/10 New York, NY – Mercury Lounge
09/20/10 Brooklyn, NY – Knitting Factory
09/21/10 Boston, MA – Middle East Upstairs
09/22/10 Montreal, Qc – Il Motore
09/23/10 Clinton, NY – Hamilton College
09/24/10 Pittsburgh, PA – The Altar Bar
09/25/10 Toledo, OH – Mickey Finn’s Pub
09/26/10 Chicago, IL – Lincoln Hall
09/27/10 Minneapolis, MN – Turf Club
09/28/10 Omaha, NE – Waiting Room
09/29/10 Lincoln, NE – Bourbon Theatre
09/30/10 Colorado Springs, NE – Stargazers
10/01/10 Denver, CO – Hi-Dive
10/02/10 Salt Lake City, UT – Kilby Court
10/04/10 Seattle, WA – Tractor
10/05/10 Vancouver, BC – Rickshaw
10/06/10 Portland, OR – Doug Fir
10/07/10 Arcata, CA – Humbolt University
10/08/10 San Francisco, CA – Independent
10/09/10 Fresno, CA – Frank’s

Jon Brion co-produced the album with frontman Kevin Barnes and it features guest appearances from genre spanning “it” girls Janelle Monáe and Solange Knowles. Barnes recorded an initial version of the album at his own Apollinaire Rave studio in Athens, Georgia, then re-recorded, mixed, and engineered it with Brion at Ocean Way Recording in Los Angeles. The album’s song titles are even more “of Montreal-ish” than before – if that’s even possible: “Godly Intersex”, “Sex Karma”, “You Do Mutilate?”.

You can download lead single “Coquet Coquette” from the band’s polyvinyl website, and the LP is also available for pre-order. The beautiful other-worldly album art comes from Apollinaire Rave’s David Barnes (Kevin’s brother) and Gemini Tactics (Kevin’s wife, Nina Barnes).

According to a recent Pitchfork interview, Barnes describes the new album as having a “thick R&B influence”: “There’s a lot of very dancey, very funky songs… We try to have these ‘holy fuck’ moments where you’re really having your mind blown, especially if you’re listening to it on headphones.”

The band has a few shows mapped out. You can see the dates, as well as the album’s tracklist, below.

False Pries Track Listing:

01 I Feel Ya’ Strutter
02 Our Riotous Defects [ft. Janelle Monáe]
03 Coquet Coquette
04 Godly Intersex
05 Enemy Gene [ft. Janelle Monáe]
06 Hydra Fancies
07 Like a Tourist
08 Sex Karma [ft. Solange Knowles]
09 Girl Named Hello
10 Famine Affair
11 Casualty of You
12 Around the Way
13 You Do Mutilate?

Of Montreal:

07-25 Jackson, MI – Land of Nod Experiment
07-30 Montreal, Quebec – Osheaga Festival
07-31 Burlington, VT – Higher Ground
08-01 Asheville, NC – Orange Peel
08-07 Lake Worth, FL – Bryan Park (Lake Worth-It) (Kevin Barnes solo)

Upon cursory inspection, some conflicts that have been discussed seemed resolved here:

The National vs. Getting A Good Spot For Arcade Fire, Edward Shapre vs. Spoon, The Black Keys vs. Hot Chip vs. Jamie Lidell, and long-time Green Day fans can now rock out guilt free for 2 hours and 15 minutes and catch Phoenix at the HoB Sunday.

Of course, now new conflicts arise, namely: all Afershows on Saturday, August 7th. But, if this list doesn’t take some of the weight of your chest, I don’t know what will. Where will you be when the lights go out at Millennium Park?

Tickets for all of the shows go on sale starting Friday, June 25th at 10:00 AM CST at the respective venues. Tickets for the festival itself remain on sale here.

Thursday, August 5th:
Devo w/ Dirty Projectors @ Congress Theater 7:30pm
Slightly Stoopid w/ Collie Buddz @ House of Blues 8pm
New Pornographers w/ Dodos @ Metro 8pm
Big Pink w/ Night Gallery @ Lincoln Hall 8pm
Cymbals Eat Guitars w/ Young Galaxy @ Schubas 8pm

Friday, August 6th:
MGMT @ House of Blues 10pm
Cut Copy w/ Dragonette @ Metro 10pm
The Walkmen w/ Warpaint @ Double Door 10pm
Edward Sharpe & Magnetic Zeros w/ Freelance Whales @ Lincoln Hall 10pm
Wild Beasts – Empty Bottle @ 10pm
Rogue Wave w/ Gamble House @ Schubas 1opm

Saturday, August 7th:
Precision Guided Musicians featuring Hot Chip (Live), Rusko, Steve Porter, Ancient Astronauts, and Perry Farrell @ Congress Theatre 10pm(concelled due to scheduling conflict)
The National w/ Antlers @ House of Blues 10pm
The Black Keys w/ Morning Benders @ Metro – 10pm
Minus the Bear w Miniature Tigers @ Double Door – 10pm
Blitzen Trapper w/ Avi Buffalo @ Lincoln Hall 10pm
Gogol Bordello @ Subterranean – 10pm
Wavves w/ Harlem @ Empty Bottle – 10pm
The Soft Pack w/ Royal Bangs @ Schubas – 10pm

Sunday, August 8th:
Phoenix w/ Toro Y Moi @ House of Blues 10pm
Health @ Reggies Rock Club 10pm

/via consequence of sound

I got the CD from the band and I have to say, I’m impressed that they are still relevant.  The opening track of Tearing Down Paisley Garden, “Only Dreaming” is a pop gem you’ll be adding to your summer play list; the rest of it is great too.  More of a mini album, Tearing Down Paisley Garden clocks in at around 30 minutes.  I love shorter works like this; it makes you kind of want to listen to it over and over again!  Up and coming bands take note; just because you have 80 minutes on a CD doesn’t mean you have to use it.

The Purrs have nailed it.  Frankly, when I turn on the radio I want to hear something like them – not some of the crybaby indie rock which is so popular right now.  The Purrs sound like whiskey, cigarettes and dive bars; they’re a perfect example of why Seattle is known as a no bullshit rock and roll town.

The Purrs are playing The Crocodile (2nd and Blanchard in Belltown) this Thursday with Brent Amaker and Battle Hymns.  Listen to The Purrs here

Reconnected Live is expected sometime in September. 

Listen to the short piece about Vince’s Maine hideaway for his vintage synths and 4 year old kid, plus his mutual love for Howard Stern and Gary “Baba Booey” Dell’Abate. 

For the first time in four years, Belle & Sebastian have announced plans for a North American tour. Currently a nine-date affair, the trek will launch in Brooklyn, New York on September 30th, where the Glasgow outfit will perform with countrymen Teenage Fanclub. After that, they’ll hit Los Angeles on October 3rd for a performance with Jenny and Johnny and then Mexico, Chicago, Toronto, Washington, DC, Boston, and end up in San Francisco for the 4th annual Treasure Island Music Festival.

Belle & Sebasian are also rumored to be performing at Matador at 21. Set to take place from October 1-3, the event will celebrate the Matador Record’s 21st anniversary with a three days of music at the Pearl in Las Vegas, Nevada. Other rumored acts include Matador acts Pavement, Sonic Youth, The New Pornographers, and Fucked Up.

All this will be in support of Belle & Sebastian’s forthcoming seventh studio album, which the band is currently recording in Los Angeles. Look below for a complete list of confirmed dates. Tickets go on sale starting June 4th via Ticketmaster.com.

Belle & Sebastian 2010 Tour Dates:
07/11 – Tuku, FI @ Ruisrock Festival
07/12 – Helsinski, FI @ Tavastia
07/15 – Tonsberg, NO @ Slottsfjell Festival
07/17 – Suffolk, UK @ Latitude Festival
07/23 – Santader, ES @ Santader Music Festival
07/25 – Arezzo, IT @ Play Art Festival
08/01 – Niigata, JP @ Fuji Rock Festival
08/27 – Stockholm, SE @ Eriksdalsbadet
09/30 – Brooklyn, NY @ Williamsburg Waterfront &
10/03 – Los Angeles, CA @ Hollywood Palladium #
10/07 – Guadalajara, MX @ Teatro Estudio Cavaret
10/09 – Mexico City, MX @ TBA
10/11 – Chicago, IL @ Chicago Theatre
10/12 – Toronto, ON @ Massey Hall
10/14 – Washington, DC @ DAR Constitution Hall
10/15 – Boston, MA @ Wang Theatre
10/17 – San Francisco, CA @ treasure Island Music Festival
12/10-12 – Minehead, UK @ The Bowlie Weekender 2

& = w/ Teenage Fanclub
# = w/ Jenny and Johnny

(via/ consequence of sound)

Outside Lands will take place in Golden Gate Park on Aug. 14 and 15 and two-day tickets will go on sale June 2 and single-day dockets will hit the market four days later.

Acts Scheduled to appear at Outside Lands 2010
August 14-15th, Golden Gate Park in San Francisco

Kings of Leon
Further feat. Phil Lesh & Bob Weir
The Strokes
My Morning Jacket
Phoenix
Social Distortion
Al Green
Gogol Bordello
Nas & Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley
The Levon Helm Band
Cat Power
Empire of the Sun
Wolfmother
Bassnectar
Chromeo
Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros
The Temper Trap
Pretty Lights
Janelle Monáe
Amos Lee
The Devil Makes Three
Tokyo Police Club
Beats Antique
Rebirth Brass Band
Wild Beasts
Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars
Daniel Lanois’ Black Dub
The Budos Band
Aterciopelados
Garage A Trois feat. Stanton Moore, Marco Benevento, Skerik & Mike Dillon
Mayer Hawthorne & The County
Langhorne Slim
The Pimps of Joytime
People Under the Stairs
Electric Six
Vieux Farka Touré
Dawes
Nneka
The Soft Pack
The Whigs
Little Wings

The Golden Filter plays Live 105′s pre-BFD party at The Mezzanine this upcoming Saturday.

Interpol will be postponing several headlining shows originally built around its opening stint for U2.

With the exception of stops in Rochester, Buffalo, Pittsburgh, and Allentown, Interpol has postponed all North American dates on its upcoming tour itinerary.

According to a statement from the band, “We lament the change in plans, apologize for the inconvenience, and assure you that we”ll do you right – when the time is right and the light is nice” the band noted on its official website.

Refunds for the canceled dates will be available at the point of purchase. Find Interpol’s upcoming itinerary below.

Interpol 2010 Tour Dates:
06/21 – Rochester, NY @ Water Street Music Hall
06/22 – Buffalo, NY @ Town Ballroom
06/23 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Mr. Small’s Theatre
06/25 – Allentown, PA @ Crocodile Rock Cafe
06/27 – Minneapolis, MN @ TCF Bank Stadium *
06/28 – Des Moines, IA @ People’s Court
06/30 – East Lansing, MI @ Spartan Stadium *
07/01 – Cincinnati, OH @ Bogart’s
07/02 – Cleveland, OH @ House of Blues
07/03 – Toronto, ON @ Rogers Centre *
07/05 – Columbia, MO @ Blue Note
07/06 – Chicago, IL @ Soldier Field *
07/08 – Athens, GA W 40 Watt Club
07/09 – Miami, FL @ Land Shark Stadium *
07/10 – Charleston, SC @ Music Farm
07/12 – Philadelphia, PA @ Lincoln Financial Field *
07/14 – Baltimore, MD @ Rams Head Live!
07/16 – Montreal, QC @ Montreal Hippodrome *
07/17 – Montreal, QC @ Montreal Hippodrome *
07/19 – E. Rutherford, NJ @ New Meadowlands Stadium *
07/21 – New Haven, CT @ Toads Place
09/12 – Paris, FR @ Stade De France *
09/22 – Brussels, BE @ Stade Roi Boudoin *
09/23 – Brussels, BE @ Stade Roi Boudoin *
07/24 – Lancaster, PA @ Chameleon
09/18 – Paris, FR- Stade De France *
09/26 – San Sebastian, ES @ Estadio Anoeta *
09/29 – Seville, ES @ Olympic Stadium *
10/02 – Coimbra, PT @ Estadio Cidade Coimbra *
10/03 – Coimbra, PT @ Estadio Cidade Coimbra *
10/08 – Rome, IT @ Olympic Stadium *

* = w/ U2

(via/ consequence of sound)

I’ve missed The Shout Out Louds on several occasions, so it made me really happy to finally see them live. Although the volcano did delay their arrival in the US a few days, it didn’t impact their San Francisco show. Almost their entire North American Tour has been sold out, so I felt fortunate to get a ticket last week before they were gone. The band is wonderfully tight and energetic on stage, and seemed genuinely happy to be playing for such an enthusiastic crowd. The feeling was mutual. They covered every single one of my favorites including, Normandie, The Comeback, Impossible, Walls, Fall Hard, You Are Dreaming, Tonight I Have To Leave It, Our Ill Wills, and South America. I kept thinking of the SNL skit, “More Cowbell” as they had plenty of yummy extra percussion with small cowbells, blocks, tambourines, and the like.

Unusual for me, I wasn’t up front for pix. I’d had another commitment earlier in the evening. We got there quite late, and were only able to catch three songs from Freelance Whales, but enjoyed this little bit of the set that we did see.

Truth be told, I usually avoid The Great American Music Hall because the lighting is so poor. Not so last night. Between the fog machine and the wonderfully clear white backlights and spotlights, the ambiance was magical. With the brighter lights, you could really appreciate the old-world beauty of this historic music venue that’s been a fixture of San Francisco since 1907.

I was on cloud nine leaving the show, and even a quintessential San Francisco parking ticket for “failure to curb wheels on greater than a 3% grade” didn’t put me in a foul mood. It was a great night.

If all the legalize in the above patent application link makes your head spin, then head on over to Patently Apple, where they’ve broken things down into more human friendly but still geeky terms. They’ve even got drawings!

“There’s no missing the point that Apple wants to enter the electronic concert and event ticket business via a new application and system simply called “Concert Ticket +.” The system that is laid out in this extraordinarily detailed patent, points to a new iTunes based web service for tickets that will naturally enhance the iTunes music empire. Apple definitely envisions a way to revolutionize the entire current concert ticket process so as to eliminate paper while enhancing the concert or event experience. Today’s patent reviews the basics of this new system as well as review the benefits of such a system which could include the concert goer receiving such things as a live recording of the concert they just attended or access to exclusive artist interviews or refreshments. Surprisingly, the patent goes far beyond concerts as well – so as to cover sporting events, amusement park admissions and rides (think Disney), a wedding invitation system and a lot more. In fact, one of the events that the report covers includes Apple’s World Wide Developer Conference 2010.” via Patently Apple

A statement from Chapterhouse regarding the postponement of the USA tour

Due to the recent volcanic activity in Iceland Chapterhouse have been forced to reschedule their upcoming tour of North America. The disruption to international flights caused by the ash cloud left Stephen stranded in Japan. Although the earliest flight earmarked for his return to the UK was May 3rd, he managed to get a standby ticket and return on monday evening. However, this caused him to miss his interviews at the American Embassy, which means that there is no hope of us getting him a US artist visa in time for the shows.

We are all extremely disappointed that this is our only course of action, but wish to stress that the tour is being postponed, not cancelled. We are currently working hard with the promoters in order to find the best time to reschedule the shows, keeping them at the same venues with the same line ups. Any fans with tickets will be able to use them for the replacement shows. Due to Ashley’s commitments with his other band ‘Tunng’, the new shows are likely to be in the second half of September. We will confirm these dates as soon as possible.

The band are very upset about this turn of events and would like to convey their sympathy and apologies to everyone that will be affected, but on a more positive note, we intend to add a couple of dates to the rescheduled tour. Please bear with us. We look forward to playing in front of you all in a few months time.

Regards,

Andy, Stephen, Simon and Ashley

Chapterhouse was scheduled to play in Seattle May 6th at The Tractor Tavern and in San Francisco on May 8th at the Mezzanine with Ulrich Schnauss and Fan Death.