Tom Waits will have his songs “Down There By The Train” (from Orphans) and “Lost In The Harbour” (from Alice) featured in the upcoming film “Miral” directed by Julian Schnabel (Before Night Falls). The film will debut September 2010 at the Venice Film Festival and chronicles Hind Husseini’s effort to establish an orphanage in Jerusalem after the 1948 partition of Palestine.

Mavis Staples and Jeff Tweedy talk about working together on Mavis’ upcoming album “You Are Not Alone” out September 14 on Anti-Records

Heathen Child, the new single from Grinderman, will be released through Anti- on September 7, 2010. The first track available from Grinderman’s new studio album Grinderman 2 (due September 14), Heathen Child will be available as a two-track download, accompanied by exclusive track Star Charmer.

A special Heathen Child Limited Edition double A-side 12″ Coloured Vinyl will offer the two single tracks, a poster, plus the bonus track Super Heathen Child — a collaboration between Grinderman and legendary guitarist Robert Fripp.

Limited Edition 12″ Coloured Vinyl w/ poster:

Side A: Heathen Child/ Star Charmer

Side AA: Super Heathen Child (w/ Robert Fripp)

Single Download:

1) Heathen Child

2) Star Charmer

Listen to Heathen Child by clicking here!

The first formal review of the Mavis Staples-Jeff Tweedy collaboration “You Are Not Alone” from the album of the same name due out September 14th.

“On paper, it is a head-scratcher of a partnership: a 70-year-old gospel legend recording material produced — and, in the case of this title track, written — by Jeff Tweedy, the driving force behind avant-pop band Wilco. In practice, however, the undeniably simpatico results are nothing less than transcendent. A more spiritual cousin to Carole King’s “You’ve Got a Friend,” this is so profoundly comforting and heartfelt, you could actually imagine it saving someone’s life. (From You Are Not Alone, out Sept. 14)” – Toronto Star

If you haven’t already, do yourself a favor and listen for yourself  care of Pitchfork by clicking here.

Islands perform a melancholy rendition of their song “Lonely Love” at the studio of KDHX in Saint Louis, MO. this past July 9th.

Chapel Hill orchestral folk collective Lost In The Trees have their Anti-Records debut All Alone In An Empty House featured on NPR’s First Listen Series beginning today and running through the album’s release date of August 10. First Listen, part of NPR’s All Songs Considered programmed by Bob Boilen, is a much sought-after avenue for allowing listeners to preview selected upcoming albums in their entirety.Lost In The Trees is led by songwriter, musician and vocalist Ari Picker, and creates a startlingly original sound merging elements of classical music with the accessibility of American folk and rock.

Bob Boilen explains: “You’re about to listen to my surprise album of the year. I’d never heard of Lost in the Trees, didn’t know what I was in for, but in just one listen I knew I’d found a new friend. Lost in the Trees is the music of Ari Picker, a songwriter from Chapel Hill on a bit of a mission: Take a pinch of the brilliance found in classical music and mix it with his own. Lost in the Trees is orchestral folk where the “orchestral” part isn’t an afterthought. This is mighty potent stuff.”

The album All Alone In An Empty House was co-produced by Scott Solter (St. Vincent, Mountain Goats, Okkervil River) and creates a landscape in which both musical genres seamlessly co-exist to a thrilling and emotionally evocative result. The lyrical content details the moving and dramatic stories within generations of a family – fires consume, babies die young, a painter takes a walk in the woods, and empty rooms wait to be filled.

Listen to All Alone In An Empty House on First Listen by going here.

Lost In The Trees  have also recently announced a series of intimate live performances as well as some dates opening for acclaimed singer-songwriter Neko Case.

Tour Dates:

Saturday, August 7, 2010 Santa Monica, CA McCabes Guitar Shop @ 8:00 PM
Monday, August 9, 2010 Los Angeles, CA Spaceland @ 8:00 PM
Tuesday, August 10, 2010 Los Angeles, CA Amoeba Music @ 7:00 PM
Thursday, August 12, 2010 Los Angeles, CA Hotel Cafe @ 7:00 PM
Monday, August 16, 2010 Chicago, IL Millennium Park @ 6:00 PM
Tuesday, August 17, 2010 Nashville, TN James K. Polk Theater @ 7:00 PM ++
Thursday, August 19, 2010 Raleigh, NC North Carolina Museum Of Art @ 7:00 PM++
Friday, August 20, 2010 Charlotte, NC Knight Theater @ 7:00 PM ++
Saturday, August 21, 2010 Charlottesville, VA Jefferson Theater @ 8:00 PM++
Sunday, August 22, 2010 Washington, DC TBD++
Monday, August 23, 2010 New York, NY Mercury Lounge @ 8:00 PM
Thursday, August 26, 2010 Chapel Hill, NC Wallace Plaza @ 7:00 PM
++supporting Neko Case

A little philosophical tidbit care of your good friends at Anti.

Last week The Swell Season packed the historic Hollywood Bowl along with She & Him and the Bird & the Bee for what was, by all accounts a perfect summer evening. The Los Angeles Times raved about the night, offering the following observation:

“In another era, the Swell Season’s performance of “Falling Slowly” at the Hollywood Bowl on Sunday night would have been accompanied by 17,000 Bic lighters glowing in the summer air. The ballad catapulted the Swell Season, the Irish/Czech duo comprised of Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova, into the American mainstream when they won the Academy Award for best original song in the indie film “Once.” It’s a song tailor-made for heavy petting, and on Sunday night it certainly pleased the crowd.”

To read the entire piece, just go here.

Things are going to be really different in the neighborhood now that 58-year-old Marc Abrams, a retired doctor aka the “Silver Lake Walking Guy,” “The Reader Walker,” “Dr. Jogger” and mostly as “The Walking Man,” was found dead in a hot tub this week. Abrams was like clockwork, speed walking through Silver Lake wearing only his shorts and leathery tanned skin while reading the paper. Abrams is featured in several murals around town including this one beside the restaurant Local on Sunset. He has also been the subject of more than a few print profiles.

“I do it to stay in shape,” he said in an interview. “There’s nothing deeper about it. I just walk for the exercise, for the sun, to see my friends, to catch up, to get my newspapers read.”

Walk on….

Dazed Digital has a great interview with Sage Francis discussing the artist’s label Strange Famous, YouTube, announcing his retirement after every gig and his collaboration with the composer Yann Tiersen, of which he says: “Did I know it would work? I never really thought it’d happen. I never listened to a Yann Tiersen song and thought ‘Fuck, I should sample this in one of my songs’. It was something totally separate and I didn’t want to…pollute it. I definitely never thought Yann would compose anything for me so it never crossed my mind. But when he sent through the music to me I knew I could do something with it.” To read this whole in depth interview, just go here.

And further more… There is a great video interview and some live SXSW footage of Sage care of the UK site Rockfeedback here.

Over the weekend the incendiary trio One Day As A Lion fronted by Zack De la Rocha and ex-Mars Volta drummer Jon Theodore, now with ex Locust keyboardist Joey Karam, played a couple of electrifying shows. The Los Angeles Times has a glowing review, saying: The noise the players made was even edgier and more confrontational than their studio material.” To read a full description of the events, just go here.

Earlier this month, Pitchfork premiered the title track off Mavis Staples’ upcoming album You Are Not Alone. The soulful and inspiring song was written by Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy who has produced the album. Thanks to fan site Wilco Club, we can now hear the tune performed solo and acoustic by Tweedy. You can hear and compare both versions of this amazing song care of TwentyFourbit by clicking here.

The new album from Grinderman is coming soon. Trailer directed by John Hillcoat. For more info click here.

The Swell Season, that immensely soulful duo of Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova, will be appearing on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno tonight to perform “The Rain” from their new album Strict Joy.

NPR praised the record as “a lush, lovely, heartfelt gem,” while SPIN simply called it “glorious.” The band’s recent live shows have been earning rave reviews as well, with critics describing them as “cathartic” (Chicago Tribune), “mesmerizing” (Cleveland Plain Dealer), and “magnetic” (Arizona Republic).

The Swell Season will also be performing at the historic Hollywood Bowl this Sunday, July 18the along with She & Him and The Bird and The Bee. Should make for an ideal summer evening! For details click here.

Jason Lytle and his band-mates in Admiral Radley sing their amazing new California anthem “I Heart California” (”I am California/iced-tea in my hair/drugs fall out of diaper bags/as mid-westerners stare”) on KCRW’s Morning Becomes Eclectic. You can listen to the entire set by going here.

Radio Happy Hour is a live murder mystery / comedy hour done in the style of an old radio program. They do it every couple months at New York’s Le Poisson Rouge. Last month Nick Thorburn (aka Nick Diamonds) from Islands was a guest. He played solo and did three new songs that he said would eventually become Islands songs. They’re called “Shotgun Vision,” “Lonely Love,” and another that we didn’t catch the name of, but it’s about Buddy Holly’s widow.

You can listen to another song here and another here

The lineup has been announced for the annual FYF Fest in Los Angeles. It’s an impressive assortment of acts  including the Cabaret doo-wop styling of Dead Man’s Bones and Viking-vaudeville rockers Man Man.  The event is all ages and will happen on Saturday Sept 4th at the Los Angeles State Historic Park, 1245 N. Spring St.

For the next 48 hours the organizers of this ffair will be offering a limited early bird special for $20 tickets. For early bird tickets go here.

VIP tickets are $65 and allow access to the VIP lounge located where there will be games and drink speci. These ticket holders will also have a separate entrance where they will receive a very special tote bag upon arrival. You can purchase VIP tix here.

Spinner.com is currently premiering a new song from Lost In The Trees. The track “Walk Around The Lake” from the band’s Anti-Record’s debut All Alone In An Empty House (out August 10th) is a simultaneously dramatic and plaintiff work which perfectly captures the unique musical juncture inhabited by this acclaimed new group. To hear  the song, just go here.

Visionary rapper-musician  Sage Francis made an in-studio appearance with DJ Lauren Laverne on her BBC Radio show. Besides chatting about his music, Sage performed two incredible songs live in studio. Sage did an acoustic version of “Hell Of A Year” and another stunning interpretation of his popular new song  “The Best Of Times.” To listen just go here. (Skip to the 1:40.20 mark for Sage) Some pictures of the event here.

The song “I’m Not in Love” by 10cc predates modern ambient music. It also predates sample technology. I think you’ll appreciate the track far more when you see how it was made. And that said, it’s really a pretty haunting and beautiful song. Thanks to everyone who sent me this.

Tuli Kupferberg, poet, activist, artist and founding member of the legendary underground rock and roll band The Fugs died Monday in New York at the age of 86. Kupferberg’s life was an example to us all. He remained a true artist and refused to compromise til the end. If you haven’t heard his music or read his works, you really should.

“I am an artist for art’s sake,” Kupferberg once sang. “It was God who gave me my big break. I was born for a higher reason, and all his angels I am pleasing. I’m an artist for God’s sake.”

Ground-breaking musical collective Lost In The Trees will be joining with celebrated singer-songwriter Neko Case for what will assuredly be some of the summer’s most enthralling tour dates. Lost In The Trees are a genre defying outfit led by visionary songwriter and musician Ari Picker. The group has crafted a delightfully original musical landscape which perfectly combines the emotional command of classical with the accessibility and heartfelt intimacy of American folk and pop. Their striking Anti Records debut All Alone In An Empty House is set for release on August 10th and was co-produced by Scott Solter (St. Vincent, Mountain Goats, Okkervil River) Neko Case is a revered and supremely talented artist whose recent chart topping album Middle Cyclone has garnered her world wide acclaim from critics and music fans alike.

“Don’t be fooled by the lush orchestrations and friendly acoustic guitars of Lost in the Trees. There’s high drama in the band’s self-described campfire arrangements, with tales of heroes and villains and biblical-like imagery of raging fires. Or, to put it in more blunt terms, it’s about fighting with your parents.” – Los Angeles Times

“As its title suggests, “All Alone In An Empty House” takes us to a place that is both quiet and eerie, an audio Twilight Zone where there are few rules and even fewer expectations. Picker creates a montage of voice, acoustic guitars horns and strings informed by the past but wholly in the present.” – American Songwriter

LOST IN THE TREES TOUR DATES:

8/17 – Nashville, TN – James K. Polk Theater w/ Neko Case
8/19 – Raleigh, NC – North Carolina Museum of Art w/ Neko Case
8/20 – Charlotte, NC – Knight Theater w/ Neko Case
8/21 – Charlottesville, VA – The Jefferson w/ Neko Case
8/23 – New York, NY – Mercury Lounge – Headlining
8/26 – Chapel Hill, NC – Wallace Plaza – Headlining

The collaborative, experimental project One Day As A Lion, spearheaded by vocalist Zack de la Rocha (Rage Against The Machine) and drummer Jon Theodore (The Mars Volta), have announced their first US shows. The duo will be joined by Joey Karam (The Locust) on keyboard for shows in Pomona, CA on July 17 and in Los Angeles, CA on July 18 at undisclosed locations. Tickets go on sale Wednesday at 12:00PM PT and will be available via Will Call only. All ticket holders will be emailed the venue information at 8:00AM PT day of the show.

The performances mark the first time the project has ever performed live. One Day As A Lion released their self-titled five-track EP in 2008, which debuted in Billboard’s Top 40 and features the rock radio hit “Wild International.”

One Day As A Lion Tour Dates:

July 17 – Pomona, CA – Buy Tickets Here or at Fingerprints Music in Long Beach and The Glasshouse Record Store in Pomona

July 18 – Los Angeles, CA – Buy Tickets Here or at Origami Vinyl in Los Angeles

Dr. Dog is excited to announce a fall tour in support of their latest album, Shame, Shame. Beginning October 16th in Toronto, this four-week tour follows two sold-out headlining tours and captivating performances at several summer festivals including Bonnaroo and Sasquatch. Hailed as their best album to date by Rolling Stone, NPR, People Magazine, Vanity Fair, Relix, Pitchfork and USA Today, among many more, Shame, Shame, which debuted within the Billboard Top 50, is the work of an inventive and absolutely irresistible band who shows no sign of slowing down.

A Pre-sale for this upcoming tour will begin Tuesday, July 13th and go until July 15th. Just go here. Username: dr.dog Password: tickets

In addition to this tour, Dr. Dog will perform a free show on Governors Island in New York, NY on Sunday, August 15th.

Dr. Dog recently performed their new single Shadow People on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson. Check it out here.

Stay tuned for details on the upcoming Shadow People video!

TOUR DATES:

* With Here We Go Magic
** With Good Old War
*** With Here We Go Magic & Good Old War

October 16 Phoenix Toronto, ON *
October 18 The Town Ballroom Buffalo, NY *
October 19 Beachland Ballroom Cleveland, OH *
October 20 Crofoot Ballroom Pontiac, MI *
October 22 Turner Hall Milwaukee, WI *
October 23 First Ave Minneapolis, MN *
October 25 The Waiting Room Omaha, NE *
October 26 Boulder Theatre Boulder, CO *
October 27 Urban Lounge Salt Lake City, UT *
October 29 Showbox Sodo Seattle, WA ***
October 30 Vogue Theater Vancouver, BC ***
October 31 WOW Hall Eugene, OR **
November 2 Crystal Bay Club Crystal Bay, NV ***
November 3 The Filmore San Francisco, CA ***
November 4 The Filmore San Francisco, CA ***
November 5 The Wiltern Los Angeles, CA **
November 6 Belly Up San Diego, CA ***
November 8 Orpheum Theater Flagstaff, AZ *
November 9 Sunshine Theater Albuquerque, NM *
November 10 ACM Oklahoma City, OK *
November 11 Palladium Showroom Dallas, TX
November 12 Stubbs BBQ Austin, TX
November 13 Wharehouse Live Houston, TX *

The extraordinarily unique musician and activist Xavier Rudd begins his European tour this Sunday. He will be performing on stages across the continent for almost a month in support of his amazing new album Koonyum Sun. Dates are listed below. Well worth checking out.

11 JULY – Les Ardentes – Liege – BE
12 JULY – Utrecht – Tivoli – NL
13 JULY – Nijmegen – Doornroosjes – NL
15 JULY – Zaragoza – Luna Lunera (support to Ben Harper) – ES
16 JULY – Cruilla BCN – Barcelona – ES
18 JULY – Gurten Festival – Bern – CH
19 JULY – Vienna – W.U.K. – AT
20 JULY – St. Gallen – Kulturfestival – CH
22 JULY – Rome – Villa Ada – IT
23 JULY – Milan – Magnolia – IT
24 JULY – Sesto Al Reghena – Sesto Al Reghena / Abbey Sexto ‘nplugged – IT
27 JULY – Cognac – Cognac Blues Passions – FR
28 JULY – Genova – Guitar Festival – IT
29 JULY – Merano – Merano World Music Festival – IT
31 JULY – Lyon – Les Nuits De Fourviere – FR
02 AUG – Brighton – Concorde 2 – UK
03 AUG – Liverpool – O2 Academy – UK
04 AUG – Birmingham – O2 Academy2 – UK
05 AUG – Bristol – O2 Academy – UK
06 AUG – Newquay – Boardmasters – UK

For you kids who missed Roky Erickson and Okkervil River’s absolutely sublime after school ice cream social in Eagle Rock Californian, the fine folks at Pitchfork TV and the FYF Fest are serving up a  taste with the above video clip.

Well my mom is finally going to hear the phenomenal soul singer Bettye LaVette. Why? Because tonight Bettye is appearing on one of the greatest and smartest talk shows on TV (and one mom watches religiously.) I’m talking about the amazing Tavis Smiley Show. The Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter will be reflecting on people discovering her after all of these years, and talking about her new CD, Interpretations: The British Rock Songbook. The show is on in Los Angeles via KCET at 7pm and 11pm. You can find local listing by entering your zip here.

Boots Riley and Tom Morello’s Street Sweeper Social Club haven been rocking an amped-up version of M.I.A.’s hit single “Paper Planes” during their live show. Now they’re including a version of the song on their new EP The Ghetto Blaster, which is due out on August 10th. “We’ve been playing our rocked out version of ‘Paper Planes’ since we toured with Nine Inch Nails and Jane’s Addiction,” Morello tells Rolling Stone. “I said, ‘Boots! We need a hot cover to slay the goth children!’ He suggested ‘Paper Planes’ and two Justin Bieber songs, so we went with ‘Paper Planes.’”

To listen to the track care of Rolling Stone, click here. To watch a live performance of the song, click here.

The third trailer for the  Grinderman 2 album features the hirsute band engaging in some ultra cool dance moves. The album comes out September 14th in the US on Anti-Records. For more info go here.

In concurrence with her critically lauded new album Interpretations: The British Rock Songbook, acclaimed soul artist Bettye LaVette will be celebrating the music of The Beatles for three nights this weekend at the historic Hollywood Bowl. Lavette will be joined by the famous Hollywood Bowl Orchestra as well other guest performers. For more info go here.

BIG BANG BIG BOOM: an unscientific point of view on the beginning and evolution of life … and how it could probably end. Directed by BLU.

This Thursday the Hammer Museum in Los Angeles presents a free live performance by Admiral Radley – the new super-group featuring Jason Lytle and Aaron Burtch of Grandaddy with Aaron Espinoza and Ariana Murray of Earlimart. The Hammer’s “Also I Like to Rock” series offers free concerts in the Hammer courtyard presented in partnership with KCRW 89.9 FM and curated by Buzz Bands LA which is a great site to learn about new LA music created by ex LA Times music writer and notorious base stealer Kevin Bronson.

Also on the bill is The Happy Hollows and KCRW DJ Anne Litt. Art galleries are open until 9pm. Seating is on a first come, first served basis. For more info go here.

Today, Pitchfork premiered the title track from Mavis Staples’ new album ‘You Are Not Alone’ (September 14, Anti-). Album producer, Jeff Tweedy penned the song that Staples says she “shed some tears singing.” Listen to the “lived-in, old-soul glory” by going here.

“You Are Not Alone” hits iTunes on July 20.

A clip of the incredible Bettye LaVette performing the Paul McCartney song Maybe I’m Amazed recently on Good Morning America. The song is featured on her new album Interpretations: The British Rock Songbook

Acclaimed British singer-songwriter Beth Orton has signed worldwide to Anti-Records. A revered award-winning artist, Beth Orton is renowned for her distinct and intensely expressive voice. Orton’s adroit songwriting and emotionally evocative vocal style – infusing intimate folk reminiscent of Nick Drake and Joni Mitchell with lilting and subtly atmospheric pop flourishes — has continuously evolved, yet always retained an intriguing mix of fragility and transcendence which never fails to move and inspire fans around the world.

Beth Orton’s early high profile collaborations with William Orbit and The Chemical Brothers, helped pioneer folk-tronica, and heralded the widespread recognition soon to come her way; but it was the release of her breakout album, Trailer Park, which established Beth, beyond a doubt, as a unique and formidable standalone figure on the music scene. Subsequent critically lauded releases Central Reservation, Daybreaker, and Comfort of Strangers have confirmed the stature of Beth’s craft and talent.

Beth Orton’s gifted artistry has been honored in the UK with a trio of BRIT and Mercury Award nominations, including a BRIT win for “Best British Female”. Meanwhile, America has taken Beth on as one of their own. Currently eagerly finishing songs for a new album, Beth reports that she is “excited and happy to be on a label that is home to so many artists in my record collection. I can’t wait to get on and make a new record myself, to bring the songs I’ve been writing over the last couple of years to life.”

Anti- is the perfect label to bring Beth Orton’s special talent and musical vision to full fruition. Anti- Records president Andy Kaulkin comments, “We are thrilled to be working with such a creative and unique artist as Beth Orton. We believe she fits perfectly with the label. After hearing some of her new songs, I think this record could be a defining moment in Beth’s already remarkable career.”

Beth Orton follows up her recent appearance at River to River at NYC’s Battery Park with a series of special selected dates in intimate settings throughout summer. See details after the jump.

Beth Orton Acoustic Dates:
06 -30 NYC, NY River To River, Battery Pk
08-03 Washington, DC Lillith Fair
08-13 Philadelphia, PA, World Cafe Live
08-14 Pittsburgh, PA, Mr. Smalls
08-16 Northampton, MA Iron Horse
08-17 Hoboken, NJ, Maxwells
08-18 Annapolis, MD, Rams Head
08-21 Atlanta, GA, The Variety Playhouse

Dr Dog absolutely rocks their song “Shadow People” on the Late Late Show with Greg Ferguson. Starts out soft and ends with crushing power chords ala The Who.

The Chapel Hill based folk rock orchestra Lost In The Trees will be arriving in Los Angeles for one-of-a-kind showcase performances at several intimate venues. This unique musical ensemble, which deftly combines the emotional intimacy of folk and modern rock with the sonic drama of classical music, has been fine tuning their live act on the road for the last several months, garnering fervent praise from critics and audiences alike. The band was recently profiled by the Los Angeles Times: “Don’t be fooled by the lush orchestrations and friendly acoustic guitars of Lost in the Trees. There’s high drama in the band’s self-described campfire arrangements, with tales of heroes and villains and biblical-like imagery of raging fires.” Lost In The Trees will be arriving in Los Angeles this August in conjunction with the August 10th Anti-Records release of their album All Alone In An Empty House.

Lost In The Trees Los Angeles Dates:
8/7 – McCabe’s Guitar Shop
8/9 – Spaceland
8/10 – Amoeba Records In-Store
8/12 – Hotel Café

Announcing a new remix contest for the Mark Isham & Sage Francis track “Waterline” featured in the film “Pride & Glory” and on Sage’s album Human the Death Dance. Sage and Mark have taken the time to make many stems for the remix, including a hybrid of the album track and the orchestral version included in the film! The contest ends July 23rd, so get to work! There’s some great swag (and potentially an official release) for the winners and runners up. Mark and Sage will choose the winners, and a “Fan’s Choice” will be chosen via poll after the contest ends. We can’t wait to hear what you come up with! Oh, also, it is 90BPM. To hear the original version of the song you can play it on the product page here. To download the stems or ask questions, please email: remix@isham.com

Mazu TV is hosting something called the Video Fight Club where two music videos battle one another for supremacy. Today we have the ever provocative Sage Francis with the  clip for his incredible song The Best Of Times. In the other corner is the Beta Band’s Steve Mason with his track Lost and Found. Though Mason is a formidable foe, it seems obvious that Sage delivers a knock out with his exceptional song detailing the difficult and transcendent moments of his tumultuous life. Now go vote here.

Soul songstress extraordinaire Bettye LaVette will be appearing this morning on Good Morning America. Besides being interviewed she will perform the Paul McCartney song “Maybe I’m Amazed which will be televised and the Traffic song “No Time To Live” which can be seen at the show’s website here. Bettye will be appearing at the Hollywood Bowl for the Beatles Celebration on July 9th and July 10th.  She will also be joining legendary rock and roll singer Robert Plant on tour from July 20th to July 31st.

Care of NPR Music’s Song of the Day comes the first single from Admiral Radley. The project is a fusion of Grandaddy and Earlimart, and mixes aspects of both great bands. The first song, “I Heart California” from the album of the same name, is a great fuzzed out sardonic anthem for the golden state with ex Grandaddy front man turned solo artist Jason Lytle offering a list of what makes California the way it is: drugs in diaper bags, fake tits at the symphony and more. To read more  at NPR go here.

Attention all pinball wizards! The Pacific Pinball Museum in Alameda California will be holding the world’s largest pinball expo this October 1-3, 2010, at the Marin County Civic Center outside of San Francisco.  Besides over 400 beautifully blinking pinball machines, the expo will feature exhibits on the history, science and physics as well as seminars on how to become a pinball wizard! Proceeds go to the Pacific Pinball Museum, a non-profit dedicated to the preservation of this great pastimes. For more info go here.

The amazing rock band Dr. Dog will be on the radio in Southern California today on the popular show Morning Becomes Eclectic with Jason Bentley at 11:15 AM on radion station KCRW which is 89.9 on your FM dial. Make sure to tune in or if you’re not currently basking in the LA sunshine, check the station’s website for a podcast of the festivities here.

According to news accounts, the legendary hip-hop and graffiti artist Rammellzee has passed away. A cause of death is not yet known. Rammellzee was an undeniably unique and visionary pioneer in the hip hop community. In addition to his music, Rammellzee was also an artist whose works were based on the theory of  something her termed “Gothic Futurism.” To read more on this fascinating artist go here.

Legendary hepcat Mose Allison will be in Europe this coming weekend bringing his mix of jazz-blues-and poetry to two festival dates. If you’re anywhere in the area, you should catch this influential and vital artist:
• July 3, Jazz House, Copenhagen Jazz Festival, Copenhagen, Denmark
• July 4, Park Jazz Festival, Kortrijik, Belgium

There is also an incredibly cool detailed interview with Allsion in the
current issue of Record Collector ( the UK’s longest-running monthly music magazine) To take a look, just click here!

A clip of the charismatic Nick Diamonds from the phenomenal rock band Islands doing a cover of Iggy Pop’s song ” Success” on Our Show With Elliot Aronow. Our Show is a Variety Show shot live at Santo’s Party House in New York City – “the Ed Sullivan Show for the underground” as the producers say. For more on this strange phenomenon, click here.

And catch Islands on tour now, for dates click here!

There’s a imaginative video about the artist Chris Roberts-Antieaum featuring her animated artwork singing along to Tom Waits’ timeless classic “I Don’t Want To Grow Up.” Roberts-Antieau is known for her “fabric paintings” which can be described as tapestry collages. She sent Tom and his wife Kathleen a great monkey quilt.

To watch the clip, just go here.

The amazing Jolie Holland will be performing this Friday with the ever popular duo She & Him (Zooey Deschanel & M. Ward) in Philadelphia. This is a truly amazing bill, it would be so even if it was just Jolie playing, but the two of them make it a must see event for fans of quality music. This event will occur at The Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing, Chestnut Street & Columbus. It is an all ages show so you can be really old and still go. Enjoy!

A second trailer for the new Grinderman album, this one directed by John Hillcoat (The Road, Red Dead Redemption) as well. The album Grinderman 2 will be released on September 14th in the US. The first single “Heathen Child” will be released on 8/31 in the US.The band will be touring the UK and Europe in September/October 2010. For a full list of dates go here.

Ryan Gosling and Zach Shields’ Gothic doo-wop ensemble Dead Man’s Bones recently played a two night stint in the city of Eagle Rock along with darkly eccentric Magician (and dear friend) Rob Zabrecky in what the duo hope will become an ongoing series of vaudeville-style special events featuring a rotating cast of characters, music and supernatural art forms. The LA Times recently profiled this unique event and you can read the story here.