Bursting back onto the scene with their slick new single “Since You Went Away”, the multi-award winning collective, So Solid, have returned to reclaim their thrones as UK hip hop royalty. The 11th of January sees this smash hit single released to the airwaves on record label Mega & Co via IMS / Nova.

Buy Music:

So Solid on amazon.co.uk

Exploding into the mainstream with their smash hit single “21 Seconds” in 2001, So Solid were hailed as the Wu Tang of two-step. Their take on UK garage was like nothing else the UK had ever heard.

They released a multi-platinum selling album and were awarded numerous accolades for their groundbreaking music, including Best UK Garage Act at the MOBOs in 2001 and 2002 as well as Best British Video at the BRITS 2002.

Now the collective are back to fill the void left on the UK urban music scene after their 5 year absence. “Since You Went Away” proves that the collective are a force to be reckoned with, moving with ease from their garage roots into an immaculate slice of RnB magic.

Watch “Since You Went Away” video:

During this time the current line-up – Mega, Lisa Maffia and MC Romeo – have all been keeping themselves busy with a wide range of ventures.

Founding member Mega has made various appearances on TV including BBC2’s The Verdict in 2007 and Never Mind The Buzzcocks, but decided to embrace his entrepreneurial skills by creating his own music and publishing company, a clothing line and is setting up a number of charities. Megaman is on the road to becoming highly respected business role model for young Britain.

The ‘First Lady’ of So Solid, Lisa Maffia forged a successful solo career for herself achieving 2 Top 10 singles and a slot supporting Christina Aguilera on her stadium European tour. Lisa gained her very own MOBO award in 2003 for Best UK Garage Act. In 2005 she set up her own independent record label, Maffia Recordz, which became home to artists such as Northstar and fellow So Solid member MC Romeo. In October 2008, Lisa won ITV2’s Celeb Air, and has since made several TV appearances including Never Mind the Buzzcocks.

MC Romeo also embarked on a solo career and achieved UK chart success with the hit singles “Romeo Dunn” and “It’s All Gravy” featuring American R&B songstress Christina Milian. Romeo’s popularity even landed him his own TV game show on Channel 4, ‘Fool Around with Romeo’, in which he was put into a big brother style environment with four girls and had to guess which of them was single. A regular in the pages of GQ, FHM and Glamour, he’s also graced our TV screens with the BBC’s ‘Don’t Tell the Bride’.

Despite all their successes in their solo projects, So Solid are back together and ready to unleash their fresh new sound on the British music scene.

Buy Music:

So Solid on amazon.co.uk

Track listing – Since You Went Away

1. Radio Edit
2. Full Version
3. Funky Mix
4. Electro House Mix
5. 7″ Mix

So Solid MySpace
So Solid website
So Solid – Halemega’s Youtube Channel

Brand New Festive Feast, Released November 30th

Neil Diamond makes a welcome festive return with his wonderful new collection of seasonal hits ‘A Cherry Cherry Christmas’ out in the UK November 30, 2009 on Sony Music.

The 14-track album features three brand new compositions written by Neil Diamond – title song “Cherry Cherry Christmas” is set to become a Christmas staple with its memorable sound and charming lyrical references to many of Diamond’s greatest and most popular hits.

Buy Music:

Neil Diamond on amazon.com

Neil Diamond on amazon.co.uk

Other new works include a “Christmas Dream” and “The Chanukah Song”, an upbeat number based on Adam Sandler’s comedic version and produced by Guns N’ Roses DJ Ashba. Coupled with the abundance of re-mastered Christmas hits, this is an essential seasonal addition.

Neil Diamond’s eclectic and universally beloved songs – as well as his charismatic and openhearted performances continue to make him a force both as a record maker and a live entertainer.

In an impressive musical career that has spanned nearly five decades, he has sold more than 125 million records worldwide. Neil Diamond scored his first ever UK and US No.1 album last year with his acclaimed LP ‘Home Before Dark’.

A Cherry Cherry Christmas Tracklisting:

1. Cherry Cherry Christmas
2. Sleigh Ride
3. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
4. White Christmas
5. Christmas Dream
6. The Christmas Song
7. Deck The Halls/We Wish You A Merry Christmas
8. Jingle Bell Rock
9. You Make It Feel Like Christmas
10. Winter Wonderland
11. Joy To The World
12. Amazing Grace
13. Meditations On A Winter Night (Instrumental)
14. The Chanukah Song

Neil Diamond on Twitter
Neil Diamond Official Website

Album available exclusively at Meijer Stores on November 24th;

CD and album downloads available at www.bobseger.com November 30th

In a nod to his loyal heartland following, GRAMMY® winner and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Bob Seger will make his new album, Early Seger Vol. 1, available to Midwestern fans through Meijer, the Grand Rapids, Mich-based retailer with 190 supercenters located in Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Ohio and Kentucky.

Buy Music:

Bob Seger on amazon.com

The album, which features recently remastered versions of numerous classic Bob Seger songs from the early 1970s and four previously unreleased recordings, will be available at Meijer’s beginning November 24th.

Starting the following Monday, November 30, 2009, fans can purchase the CD or a full album download at the artist’s recently re-launched website, www.bobseger.com, where snippets of each of the 10 songs can currently be heard.

The multi-Platinum rocker comes full circle with the album, returning to the Hideout Records label, which released his early singles and several of his early albums.

In September, Seger entered Kid Rock’s Allen Roadhouse studio and Yessian Studios in suburban Detroit to re-record elements of four previously unreleased tracks for the collection: “Gets Ya Pumpin’,” “Star Tonight,” “Wildfire” and “Days When the Rain Would Come.”

While in the studio, Seger also re-recorded much of “Long Song Comin’” from 1974’s Seven. In addition, Early Seger Vol. 1 includes five remastered tracks – “Someday” and his version of Tim Hardin’s “If I Were A Carpenter” from Smokin’ O.P’s (released in 1972), Seger’s cover of the Allman Brothers Band’s “Midnight Rider” from Back in ‘72 (1973) and “Get Out Of Denver” and “U.M.C. (Upper Middle Class)” from Seven. The three albums preceded Beautiful Loser, his 1975 breakthrough record.

The cover for the new collection features a photo of Seger shot by Tom Weschler, who spent more than 10 years working as tour manager and photographer during Seger’s hard-gigging early days.

The packaging features photos from Weschler’s new book, “Travelin’ Man: On the Road and Behind the Scenes With Bob Seger,” co-authored with award-winning music journalist Gary Graff. The book features Weschler’s photographs, text by Graff, a foreword by John Mellencamp, and an afterword by Kid Rock. The book was released last month and has spent 5 weeks at #1 on the U.S. Public University Presses sales chart.

The track listing for Early Seger Vol. 1 follows below, with historical information noted in parenthesis:

1. Midnight Rider (remastered from original Back in ‘72 tapes)
2. If I Were A Carpenter (remastered from original Smokin’ O.P’s tapes)
3. Get Out Of Denver (remastered from original Seven tapes)
4. Someday (remastered from original Smokin’ O.P.’s tapes)
5. U.M.C. (Upper Middle Class) (remastered from original Seven tapes)
6. Long Song Comin’ (originally appeared on Seven; extensively re-recorded for Early Seger Vol. 1)
7. Star Tonight (Seger recording previously unreleased; first released as a cover by Don Johnson for his 1986 album, Heartbeat)
8. Gets Ya Pumpin’ (previously unreleased; Seger’s earliest version of this song, written in 1973, was entitled “Pumpin’”)
9. Wildfire (previously unreleased)
10. Days When The Rain Would Come (previously unreleased)

Bob Seger Official Website

Tracklist for ‘One Life Stand’ also announced

To herald the release of their new album One Life Stand, Hot Chip will be bringing their explosive live show back to North America in April.

The band will be playing tracks from new album as well as old favorites. The xx will be the band’s special guests on this tour.

Hot Chip have become legendary for their unequivocally exuberant live performances, helping them to become one of the world’s most original and loveable artists. As with their sold-out tour last September, the band will once again feature a live drummer on these dates adding an extra dimension to their already exhilarating shows.

Here’s what some critics have said of their shows last year:

“Hot Chip was hot all right. The English electro-pop act packed the Sahara tent at Coachella on Saturday evening, and then some, blinding the crowd with beats…” – Los Angeles Times

“A non-stop pressure cooker of a performance”- Boston Herald

Tickets will be on sale for the public on November 23, 2009 for the following dates.

Hot Chip April 2010 North American tour dates:

(Dates and information subject to change.)

April 16 – Oakland, CA – Fox Theater
April 19 – Chicago, IL – Riviera Theatre
April 20 – Toronto, ON – Koolhaus
April 22 – New York, NY – Terminal 5
April 24 – Washington, DC – 9:30 Club

As previously announced, One Life Stand will be released on February 9, 2010.

Fans will have the chance to pre-buy the album on amazon.com now.

Buy Music:

Hot Chip on amazon.com

Hot Chip on amazon.co.uk

Check out the Hot Chip artist store at amazon.com in the coming weeks for exclusive streams and webisodes.

The tracklisting for One Life Stand is as follows:

1. Thieves In The Night
2. Hand Me Down Your Love
3. I Feel Better
4. One Life Stand
5. Brothers
6. Slush
7. Alley Cats
8. We Have Love
9. Keep Quiet
10. Take It In

Hot Chip MySpace
Hot Chip on Twitter
Facebook
Hot Chip Official Website

Golden Shoulders is a collective of talented musicians from Nevada City, California, lead by songwriter Adam Kline.

Formed in 2001, the group operates with a constantly rotating lineup with the contributors varying from performance to performance, song to song.

On the band’s recent full length called ‘Get Reasonable’, the music embraces the crescendoing pop opuses of the 70’s, toes tapping and heads bobbing by the end of the first track.

FREE Download: “Mountain” MP3

Golden Shoulders has released three full-length albums to date, Let My Burden Be (2002), Friendship is Deep (2004), and this year’s Get Reasonable (earning a 4-star review from Mojo), as well as two EPs, Bee 17 (2005) and Kin (2006), with all songs written by Adam Kline and arranged by all musicians on the recordings.

The band has toured across the United States several times, performing completely acoustic versions of their songs, without electricity, microphones or amplifiers used. Live arrangements differ from the recorded versions based on the whims of the performers. A true musical brainchild of Kline and his talented counterparts.

Tracklisting:

1 Mountain
2 Let My Burden Be
3 Make No Mistake
4 Golden States
5 Little Nixon
6 Unconcerned Is Not Impressive Anymore
7 Know What I Think
8 Explain Yourself
9 I Was Robbed
10 Patience Darling, Patience
11 Settle Down
12 Listen Closely (I Will Fight You Now Liar)

Golden Shoulders MySpace
Golden Shoulders Official Website

Indie Rocks! A Benefit Album For Malaria No More is comprised of 14 songs from artists including Juliette Lewis, The Walkmen and Youssou N’Dour, in addition to an exclusive unreleased live track from Third Eye Blind, and an exclusive cover track from Peter, Bjorn & John.

On November 17, 2009, the digital-only release will launch on Amie Street with a four week exclusivity period. The album will then be available to all participating digital service providers.

RED and Amie Street will be donating 100% of the proceeds to Malaria No More.

Malaria No More is determined to end malaria deaths in Africa by 2015. Malaria kills a child in Africa every 30 seconds, but it doesn’t have to be this way – malaria is a treatable and preventable disease.

Luckily, the world is mobilizing to end the disease. In the past few years, new tools and increased awareness have pumped new energy into the fight against malaria. Individuals all over the world are helping parents keep their children safe from the deadly bite of a malarial mosquito with a simple, $10 mosquito net. Millions of individuals across the globe are helping to make malaria no more once and for all.

Said Bob Morelli, President of RED, “We are very excited to work together with Malaria No More on this fantastic compilation, which has the potential to save thousands of lives.”

Amie Street will also make the compilation available at multiple price points, effectively giving consumers the option to make a donation in the amount of $10, $20, $50 or $100.

“The Indie Rocks! CD is a great way to show how easy it is to help save a life,” said Scott Case, CEO of Malaria No More. “For just $10, music fans receive a one-of-a-kind compilation album and send a mosquito net to help families protect their children from malaria. The generosity of the artists and their fans will have real impact in the lives of children in Africa – showing how music has the power to change the world.”

Indie Rocks! A Benefit Album For Malaria No More features an outstanding line-up of Artists.

Third Eye Blind, which just made an impressive comeback in 2009 by charting at #3 on the Top 200 Billboard Charts with Ursa Major, has generously contributed the exclusive live track “Bonfire.”

Acclaimed Swedish indie rock band Peter, Bjorn, and John donated an incredible exclusive cover track “Summer Breeze,” originally written by Seals & Crofts.

The multi-talented Juliette Lewis came on board with “Fantasy Bar,” off her new album Terra Incognita.

The Walkmen have given the riveting “Four Provinces,” off 2008’s You & Me, which in a similar charitable spirit, was released as an exclusive with Amie Street, with all proceeds for the album going to Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.

The renowned singer, songwriter, composer, cultural icon, and 2005 Grammy Award Winner Youssou N’Dour is one of the most celebrated African musicians in history. Having already worked very closely with Malaria No More, he recorded the song “Fight Malaria,” and allowed this track to be part of Indie Rocks! A Benefit Album For Malaria No More.

In releasing Indie Rocks! A Benefit Album For Malaria No More, RED, Amie Street, and all of the Artists who have generously donated their music will significantly reduce malaria infections and help make malaria-related deaths a thing of the past.

About Malaria No More:

Malaria No More is determined to end malaria deaths in Africa – and we’re helping the world get it done. We use breakthrough communications, global advocacy and smart investments to help us reach our goal: providing universal access to malaria interventions by the end of 2010 and ending deaths by 2015. Every 30 seconds a child dies from malaria, but a simple net can save lives. Find out how you can help at www.MalariaNoMore.org.

Track Listing:

1. Peter Bjorn & John – Summer Breeze (Exclusive)
2. Juliette Lewis – Fantasy Bar, from Terra Incognita
3. Jeff The Brotherhood – Bone Jam, from Heavy Days
4. The Grates – Two Kinds Of Right from Teeth Lost, Hearts Won
5. Third Eye Blind – Bonfire (Exclusive, Live in NYC)
6. Dirty Little Rabbits- Hello, from Simon
7. Wild Light – Adult Nights, from Adult Nights
8. The Walkmen – Four Provinces, from You & Me
9. State Radio – Let It Go, from Calling All Crows
10. Those Darlins – Wild One, from Those Darlins
11. Great Lake Swimmers – Pulling On A Line, from Lost Channels
12. Kate Miller Heidke – Politics in Space, from EP Kate Miller-Heidke
13. Yonder Mountain String Band – Fingerprint, from The Show
14. Youssou N’Dour – Fight Malaria

For more information, go to:

Amie Street Official Website

RED Distribution Official Website

Malaria No More

Soundtrack Released on November 9th

New Ang Lee (Brokeback Mountain) comedy Taking Woodstock, released in the UK on November 13, 2009 vividly captures the unique spirit of the legendary Woodstock music festival and now the film’s much-talked about soundtrack looks set to take music fans of all ages back to the summer of ‘69.

It’s 1969, and Elliot Tiber, a down-on-his-luck interior designer in Greenwich Village, NY, has to move back upstate to help his parents run their dilapidated Catskills motel, the El Monaco. The bank is about to foreclose; his father wants to burn the place down, but hasn’t paid the insurance; and Elliot is still figuring how to come out to his parents. When Elliot hears that a neighbouring town has pulled the permit on a hippie music festival, he calls the producers, thinking he could drum up some much needed business for the motel. Three weeks later, half a million people are on their way to his neighbour’s farm in White Lake, NY, and Elliot finds himself swept up in a generation-defining experience that would change his life, and American culture, forever.

Below is a video from the premiere of Taking Woodstock. The video footage includes a quick interview with director Ang Lee, stars Henry Goodman and Imelda Staunton and screenwriter / producer James Schamus.

Watch video:

Stream video – link

IN CINEMAS NOVEMBER 13TH

Whether you can remember tracks by such seminal Sixties acts as The Grateful Dead, Crosby, Stills and Nash and Jefferson Airplane like it was yesterday or you are discovering their music for the first time, the Taking Woodstock soundtrack provides a sonic time capsule that powerfully evokes the spirit of a time that has passed into musical folklore. It is also a release that marks the 40th anniversary of the iconic event.

Richie Havens who opened the event 40 years ago has recorded a new version of “Freedom” specially for the film and other highlights include the anti-war anthem by County Joe McDonald “I-Feel-Like I’m-Fixin’-To-Die Rag”, and live performances from other Woodstock performers including Arlo Guthrie (Coming Into Los Angeles), The Band (I Shall Be Released) and Melanie (Beautiful People).

So get ready to turn on, tune in and drop out to what is set to be the Soundtrack sensation of the summer – and don’t worry if you can’t remember the 60’s. The Taking Woodstock soundtrack will fill in all the musical gaps!

Buy Music, DVDs:

Taking Woodstock on amazon.com

Taking Woodstock on amazon.co.uk

‘Taking Woodstock’ Soundtrack listing

1. “Freedom (2009)” – Richie Havens
2. “Opening” *
3. “Wooden Ships” – Crosby, Stills & Nash
4. “China Cat Sunflower” (Live) – Grateful Dead
5. “Maggie M’Gill” – The Doors
6. Elliot’s Place*
7. “Coming Into Los Angeles” (Live) – Arlo Guthrie
8. “I-Feel-Like-I’m-Fixin’-To-Die Rag” (Live) – Country Joe McDonald
9. “Going Up The Country” (Live) – Canned Heat
10. “Try (Just A Little Bit Harder)” (Live) – Janis Joplin
11. A Happening (Office #2)*
12. “The Red Telephone” – Love
13. “Beautiful People” (Live) – Melanie
14. “I Shall Be Released” (Live) – The Band
15. “Perspective” *
16. “One More Mile” – The Paul Butterfield Blues Band
17. “Volunteers” – Jefferson Airplane

* Score written and produced by Danny Elfman

Taking Woodstock will be in cinemas November 13th. Find out more at:

Taking Woodstock Official Website

DVD Out November 3rd; Check Out ‘Music From The Drifter’ Playlist

In the summer of 2008, iconic surfer and former Pipe Master, Rob Machado, flew to Indonesia to experience a different kind of surf trip. The journey ultimately took him way beyond his comfort zone, where he was finally alone with his thoughts, desires and the empty perfection of an unnamed Indian Ocean reef. What he discovered was beautifully captured in the autobiographical film, The Drifter.

Be apart of his life changing adventure when the DVD is released on November 3, 2009 courtesy of Hurley and Warner Bros. Records.

In celebration of the upcoming DVD release, Rob and the film’s director, Taylor Steele (Poor Specimen) sat down to give fans a look behind-the-scenes of the film and explained how Hurley teamed up with the Sumba Foundation to bring clean water to a entire village.

Since 2001, The Sumba Foundation has remained deeply committed to lessening the consequences of poverty on the island of Sumba. They provide humanitarian aid by fostering village-based projects that impact health (including services and malaria control), education, water and income-generation, while continuing to preserve and respect the fragile culture and traditions of the Sumbanese people.

Video footage:

Watch The Drifter trailer:

Watch Behind-the-Scenes of The Drifter

Buy Music, DVDs:

The Drifter on amazon.com

Everyone walking out of screenings of The Drifter is talking about the MUSIC….

Now you can hear a selection of the music featured in Rob Machado’s upcoming film!

Listen to songs:

Music From The Drifter Playlist:

Stardeath & White Dwarfs – New Heat
The Black Keys – Same Old Thing
The Black Keys – Strange Desire
The Raconteurs – Carolina Drama
Midlake – Roscoe
Iron & Wine – House By The Sead
Tegan & Sara – Call It Off
Jon and Roy – Dt Stylee
Brett Dennen – So Long Sweet Misery
The Raconteurs – These Stones Will Shout
Bon Iver – Beach Baby
Jose Gonzalez – Heartbeats
MGMT – Pieces of What
Yeasayer – 2080
The Shins – Sleeping Lessons
Jets Overhead – I Should Be Born
The Morning Bends – Waiting For a War
Matt Costa – Behind The Moon
Jets Overhead – Always a First Time

For more information, go to:

The Drifter Official Site
Rob Machado Official Site

Watch unreleased footage on BandWeblogs.com

The Rolling Stones in concert 40th Anniversary Super Deluxe LP Box Edition features three 180 gram audiophile quality vinyl LPs – one side of which features an etched replica of the album’s key art, with signatures from Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts, Bill Wyman and Mick Taylor, 3 CDs that mirror the exact content on the LPs, 1 DVD, a 12 X 12/56-page Collector’s Book and a 12 X 12 replica of the original 1969 tour poster by Grammy Award© winning artist David Byrd, whose works include the commemorative poster from the original Woodstock Festival and the historic Fillmore East posters from 1968 to 1971.

More information:

The first LP is a newly remastered version of the original GET YER YA-YA’S OUT! release.

The second LP features 5 unreleased tracks by The Rolling Stones culled from the November 27 & 28, 1969 Madison Square Garden concert master tapes.

The third LP features 12 never before released tracks by opening acts B.B. King and Ike & Tina Turner.

The DVD features performances by The Rolling Stones from their 2 night concert at Madison Square Garden, backstage footage, scenes of Keith Richards in the studio and footage of the GET YER YA-YA’S OUT! album cover shoot, all shot by Albert and David Maysles.

The 56-page Collector’s Book includes photos and an essay by acclaimed photographer Ethan Russell, an original article by Lester Bangs from Rolling Stone magazine and remembrances from concert-goers.

A limited number of the SUPER DELUXE BOX SETS will also contain an insert with a code to download “I’m Free (Live)” for Guitar Hero 5.

Buy Music:

Get Yer Ya-Ya’s Out! 40th Anniversary Super Deluxe on amazon.com

Get Yer Ya-Ya’s Out! 40th Anniversary Super Deluxe on amazon.co.uk

Below are video clips of never before released footage and tracks by the Rolling Stones.

Watch videos:

Gotta Move

Prodigal Son

Under My Thumb

Track Listing:

ORIGINAL RELEASE REMASTERED

Jumpin’ Jack Flash
Carol
Stray Cat Blues
Love In Vain
Midnight Rambler
Sympathy For The Devil
Live With Me
Little Queenie
Honky Tonk Women
Street Fighting Man

UNRELEASED TRACKS

Prodigal Son
You Gotta Move
Under My Thumb
I’m Free
(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction
B.B.KING and IKE & TINA TURNER SETS
Everyday I Have The Blues
How Blue Can You Get
That’s Wrong Little Mama
Why I Sing The Blues
Please Accept My Love
Gimme Some Loving
Sweet Soul Music
Son Of A Preacher Man
Proud Mary
I’ve Been Loving You Too Long
Come Together
Land Of 1000 Dances
Tracks 1 through 5- B.B. King Tracks 6 through 12- Ike & Tina Turner

BONUS DVD

Prodigal Son
You Gotta Move
Under My Thumb
I’m Free
(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction

The Rolling Stones Official Website

Fans of Project Skyward include DJ Sasha, Robin Guthrie from the Cocteau Twins, and leftfield electronic genius Ulrich Schnauss

Project Skyward is primarily the vision of singer/ songwriter/ programmer Ryan Field, aka Skyward.

After obtaining a degree in holistic science and astronomy, Ryan sought to express ideas about the universe and their relation to human experience through music.

Joined by Lana Fia (vocals, synth) Project Skyward have done a number of EPs and a timeless debut album ‘Strange Synchonicities’ which blended spacial guitar ambiences and wispy vocals with minimal electronic beats. The single “Distant Blue” quickly rose to the top 10 of the RPM charts and remained there for several weeks.

Project Skyward’s second album, ‘Moved by Opposing Forces’, contains enough aural alchemy to propel your eardrums heavenward; however, the emotional intensity of the music ensures each wistful, seemingly weightless track remains firmly rooted to human experiences. It is this combination of ethereality and earthly accessibility which gives the music such character. Project Skyward are as much humanists as they are stargazers.

Tracks such as “Sirius the Brightest Star” or “Fairweather Friend” proclaim the innate symmetry and indivisibility of ourselves and the universe around us. We are all in the gutter, and we are all reaching for the stars. Like a chance meeting in space between Flying Saucer Attack and the Cocteau Twins, ‘Moved by Opposing Forces’ is as catchy as it is cosmic. Modulated guitars, sublime electronics and breathy boy/girl harmonies combine to create a boundless soundscape which is radical yet so recognisable, it could only have been hatched on planet earth!

While playing lead guitar in Mahogany, Ryan was joined by Andrew Prinz on bass. Project Skyward did some legendary gigs opening for Ulrich Schnauss in South America, NY and the East coast.

Having been deeply inspired by electronic music of the late 90’s, Project Skyward were also thrilled to gain the attention of dance music mogul DJ Sasha. More recently Ryan has had the pleasure of meeting guitar inspiration Robin Guthrie, who has also become involved with Project Skyward.

Meeting and working alongside such respectable names has clearly been an influence and inspiration, yet Project Skyward continue to define their own unique, innovative and powerful sound.

In addition to the cosmic soundscape and scientific metaphors, Project Skyward are not afraid to write what they feel which often results in great songs that tap into collective experiences. It is this unique approach to music that will give Project Skyward longevity and which will flourish its evolution in years to come.

PROJECT SKYWARD ARE:

Ryan Skyward – vox, guitars, beats, synths
Mike Peluso – guitars, bass

Buy Music:

Project Skyward on amazon.co.uk

TRACKLISTING:

1 – Canis Major
2 – Sirius The Brightest Sound
3 – Means Nothing Today
4 – Superblaster
5 – Hungry Ghost (Album Mix)
6 – Lunacy
7 – Fractured
8 – Memories Just Wash Away
9 – Fairweather Friend
10 – Omniscience (Reprise)

Rocket Girl

Project Skyward Official Website

The Band Select Fave Tracks on Latest Edition of Acclaimed Series

For the 22nd edition of what Uncut Magazine calls “the excellent series of bespoke artist compilations”, Snow Patrol presents the world with an impeccably selected and mixed Late Night Tales, which will see release in the United States on November 3, 2009.

Buy Music:

Snow Patrol on amazon.com

Snow Patrol on amazon.co.uk

If you think you know Snow Patrol, think again. Of course, there’s the band who are capable of outselling the Arctic Monkeys, getting numerous nominations for Brits, and monopolising the upper reaches the charts with alarming regularity with their superior song theory and balladeering.

This Snow Patrol has enjoyed platinum sales of their ‘Eyes Open’ album (in both UK and USA) and musical appearances on everything from Spiderman 3 to Grey’s Anatomy. This Snow Patrol has toured with U2, performed at Live Earth and appeared on Saturday Night Live. It doesn’t get much bigger than that.

There’s also another Snow Patrol about which you may know little. The Snow Patrol that concerns us here are the musical aesthetes with fathom-deep record collections, the broad knowledge of the record obsessive and the deft selection skills of seasoned DJs. They are, of course, all of these things and a few more besides.

The Snow Patrol pair assigned with the task here, Tom Simpson and Gary Lightbody, know their way round their collections and are old hands at that grubby DJing caper. And it shows.

The mix is bookended by a pair of beauties, beginning with the unusually ethereal “Observatory Crest” by Captain Beefheart with its chiming guitars and Rhodes-drenched backing track. The end is signaled by John Martyn’s “Sweet Little Mystery” from the big man’s 1980 LP ‘Grace & Danger’. A fitting tribute for a fallen comrade.

But this is not a mix about DJ trickery. There are naturally some grooves in there (A Tribe Called Quest, DJ Food and Holy Ghost! all make appearances along the way), but really this is about song appreciation. The songs are groovy, natch, but it’s the feeling that’s important here whether we’re falling in love with Jim Noir’s daffy lyrics or wondering from which planet Arthur Russell may have landed.

And, as this is Late Night Tales, they always but always have something special for you in the comely form of a newly recorded cover version, this time their own homage to Antipodean heroes INXS with “New Sensation”. As Gary himself queries of their remake: “Why bother if you’re just palely imitating the true form?”

Following his spoken word appearance on Groove Armada’s last Late Night Tales outing, Will Self returns with the second part of his story ‘The Happy Detective’. Adding to the literary bonuses, Gary Lightbody recalls the first time he and Tom Simpson met – via Marlena Shaw – in a short story within the CD booklet.

Snow Patrol’s Late Night Tales, Track Listing:

1. “Observatory Crest” Captain Beefheart
2. “Midnight” A Tribe Called Quest
3. “Dark Lady” DJ Food
4. “I Walk the Earth” King Biscuit Time
5. “Canal Song” Iain Archer
6. “Ordinary Joe” Terry Callier
7. “It’s All Gone Quiet” The Week That Was and Field Music
8. “Last Train” Allen Toussaint
9. “Fancy” Bobby Gentry
10. “That’s Us/Wild Combination” Arthur Russell
11. “Eanie Meany” Jim Noir
12. “Half Asleep” School of Seven Bells
13. “Family Tree” TV on the Radio
14. “Hold On” Holy Ghost!
15. “Download” Super Furry Animals
16. “New Sensation” (INXS cover) Snow Patrol
17. “Next Train” Miracle Fortress
18. “Sweet Little Mystery” John Martyn
19. “The Happy Detective (Part 2)” Will Self

“A stunning DJ mix with scope and appeal. Narrated with a wit and a knowledge of musical styles, this is a great addition to an impressive collection” – MUSIC WEEK

“A superbly educated selection… will satisfy your ears in a variety of moods.” – FUTURE MUSIC

“A quality headphone session” – CLASH MAGAZINE

“Inventive mixing… perfect for late nights”- MIXMAG

Buy Music:

Snow Patrol on amazon.com

Snow Patrol on amazon.co.uk

Late Night Tales

Snow Patrol Official Website

Amazing footage of Nirvana performing “School” at the 1992 Reading Festival was recently made available for fans.

The video comes from the CD + DVD Nirvana Live At Reading which hits stores November 17, 2009, with the CD only version arriving on November 3rd.

Often heralded as one of the greatest Nirvana performances of all time, the gig featured front man Kurt Cobain rocking out in a hospital gown.

Fans can now own a color-corrected video from the original film with audio sourced from the original multi-track masters.

Watch School LIVE video:

Ranked #1 in Kerrang Magazine’s “100 Gigs That Shook The World” and voted as “Nirvana’s #1 Greatest Moment” by fans in an NME poll, Nirvana’s historic August 30, 1992 headlining appearance at the UK’s Reading Festival is one of the most bootlegged concerts in the annals of rock n roll.

Now, fans will have an opportunity to own a pristine copy of that entire performance — color-corrected video from the original film with audio sourced from the original multi-track masters. Nirvana Live At Reading will be issued in a limited edition CD + DVD Deluxe Edition as well as DVD-only, CD-only configurations on November 3, 2009, followed by a 2LP version on November 17, 2009.

While the show’s centerpiece was a performance of nearly the entire Nevermind tracklist, also noteworthy were early performances of three as yet unrecorded songs which wouldn’t be released until 2 years later on In Utero: “All Apologies,” “Dumb,” and in its first ever public performance, “Tourettes.”

The career-spanning setlist also reached back to the band’s 1989 Sub Pop debut album, Bleach, for “Blew,” “About A Girl,” “School,” “Negative Creep” and first single “Love Buzz,” and even further back to the mid-’80s for “Spank Thru.”

Other songs from the Reading set would appear in studio form on the Incesticide compilation later in the year: “Aneurysm,” “Been A Son” and “Sliver.”

Additionally, the band played a pair of beloved covers by two bands that helped shape the formative Nirvana sound – “The Money Will Roll Right In” by Fang and “D-7″ by The Wipers.

Only 2 of the 25 performances on the DVD have ever been released before.

Buy Music, DVDs:

Nirvana Live At Reading on amazon.com

Nirvana Live At Reading on amazon.co.uk

Nirvana Live At Reading DVD:

1. Breed
2. Drain You
3. Aneurysm
4. School
5. Sliver
6. In Bloom
7. Come As You Are
8. Lithium
9. About A Girl
10. Tourette’s
11. Polly
12. Lounge Act
13. Smells Like Teen Spirit
14. On A Plain
15. Negative Creep
16. Been A Son
17. All Apologies
18. Blew
19. Dumb
20. Stay Away
21. Spank Thru
22. Love Buzz*
23. The Money Will Roll Right In
24. D-7
25. Territorial Pissings
* not included on CD/LP

School Live video link

“Nirvana headlining at Reading in 1992 was something you had to see, and if you didn’t see it then it was something you pretended you saw.” – Kerrang (October 2003)

“The staggering energy and intensity radiating from the stage never let up… Cobain’s ravaged pop songs coming off like some dream marriage of the Sex Pistols and the Beatles, borne on bracing waves of distorted guitar noise.” – Rolling Stone (October 29, 1992)

The go-to keyboard player for Ben Harper, Natalie Merchant (Tigerlily), Macy Gray, Mazzy Star, Michael Franti, G. Love and others has just released his self-titled album via Vapor Records.

It might be the rich experience with these other artists, it might be personal influences, or it might be an old soul, but in combination, they have led to a new collection of songs from Jason Yates that truly represent his artistic voice, a voice that is reflective, vulnerable and earnest.

FREE Download: “My Way Out” MP3

The sound of the songs on Jason Yates has elements of the best soul music from the ’60s and early ’70s – easy and fluid – but with the clarity and smooth edges of modern production.

Yates’ Hammond B3 organ has a timeless sound, full of the swells and fills that make the instrument so distinctive.

Yates called on his L.A-based nucleus of Mark Lightcap (Acetone, Matmos), Oliver Charles (Ben Harper & Relentless7, Common, De La Soul) and Gary Mallaber (Van Morrison, Bruce Springsteen, Steve Miller Band) to play on the sessions, with C.C. White (Ryan Adams, Edwin McCain, Ben Harper & Relentless7) on guest vocals and Marc Ford (The Black Crowes, Ben Harper, Gov’t Mule) on guitar. They recorded live with virtually no overdubs at Manuel Nieto’s Estudio in East Los Angeles.

The five years working with Ben Harper as a part of the seminal Innocent Criminals line-up taught him the finer points of songwriting, plus, it gave him a confidence in his own music.

From songs like “My Way Out” and “To Chance” that recall the songwriting effervescence of Van Morrison and Warren Zevon to the rich Gospel feel of “Nobody so Far,” to the emotional honesty of “Paper Tents” and “Teardrops,” Jason Yates is a deep album that sounds like someone just returning from a fantastic journey, and starting over back home.

“When we finished, and all listened back, we knew we’d done what we set out to do,” Yates says proudly. “I spent a long time thinking about this and trying to find a way to do what I wanted. And I finally did.”

Yates is currently on tour playing keyboards with Citizen Cope through the end of 2009.

Buy Music:

Jason Yates on amazon.com

Jason Yates tracklisting

1. My Way Out (co-written with Leon Mobley)
2. Nobody so Far
3. Comin’ On Back
4. Paper Tents
5. I Run
6. To Reason
7. To Chance
8. Tear Drops
9. Sing For You (co-written with Marc Ford)

Vapor Records Official Website

Jason Yates MySpace

Hellbillies rejoice, the Master of monster mayhem, Rob Zombie, is returning with exactly what you’ve been waiting for, HELLBILLY DELUXE 2!

The follow up to the 1998 triple platinum smash Hellbilly Deluxe will be the latest masterpiece from Zombie which is set to hit stores November 17, 2009.

The album, produced by Rob Zombie himself, features the first single “WHAT?” which has just been made available for fans to check out.

In support of the new album Zombie will blast off on tour in Phoenix, AZ on October 29th, Las Vegas, NV on the 30th, and a very special Halloween event on the 31st in Hollywood, CA hosted by Uncle Seymour Coffins also seen recently in HALLOWEEN 2.

Rob Zombie will be accompanied by his longtime band mates – guitarist John 5, bassist Piggy D, and drummer Tommy Clufetos. This is the first headline tour since 2007 and will have other ghoulish delights in tow including openers Nekromantix and Captain Clegg & the Night Creatures last seen rocking Haddonfield and Michael Myers in Zombie’s new film HALLOWEEN 2.

The tour will usher in Zombie’s forthcoming album Hellbilly Deluxe 2 – Noble Jackals, Penny Dreadfuls and the Systematic Dehumanization of Cool (Geffen), a companion to 1998 original.

Selling over fifteen million albums worldwide, Zombie is one of Geffen Record’s top selling and the longest running artists on the label. He has written and directed five feature length films, directed dozens of high profile music videos, contributed recordings to multiple soundtracks, and authored several comic books.

HALLOWEEN 2 (2009) took hold of the box office recently, following-up his record breaking blockbuster re-imagining of HALLOWEEN in 2007.

In 2005, Zombie assaulted the film world with the critically-acclaimed THE DEVIL’S REJECTS (Lionsgate), the follow-up to his already cult classic HOUSE OF 1,000 CORPSES (Lionsgate 2004).

TRACK LISTING:

1. Jesus Frankenstein
2. Sick Bubblegum
3. What?
4. Mars Needs Women
5. Werewolf, Baby!
6. Virgin Witch
7. Death and Destiny Inside The Dream Factory
8. Burn
9. Cease to Exist
10. Werewolf Women of the SS
11. The Man Who Laughs

Rob Zombie October/November/December 2009 tour dates:

(Dates and information subject to change.)

Oct 29 Dodge Theater – Phoenix, Arizona
Oct 30 The Pearl – Palms Concert Theater – Las Vegas, Nevada
Oct 31 Hollywood Palladium – Los Angeles, California
Nov 1 The Grove – Anaheim, California
Nov 3 San Jose Events Center – San Jose, California
Nov 5 The Great Salt Air – Magna, Utah
Nov 6 The Fillmore Auditorium – Denver, Colorado
Nov 8 The Brady Theater – Tulsa, Oklahoma
Nov 10 Austin Music Hall – Austin, Texas
Nov 11 Verizon Wireless Theater – Houston, Texas
Nov 13 Palladium Ballroom – Dallas, Texas
Nov 14 Uptown Theatre – Kansas City, Missouri
Nov 15 The Pageant – St. Louis, Missouri
Nov 16 Murat Theater – Indianapolis, Indiana
Nov 17 Akron Civic Center – Akron, Ohio
Nov 19 Eagles Ballroom – Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Nov 20 Roy Wilkins Auditorium – St. Paul, Minnesota
Nov 21 Val Air Ballroom – Des Moines, Iowa
Nov 22 Aragon Ballroom – Chicago, Illinois
Nov 24 Broadbent Arena – Louisville, Kentucky
Nov 25 The LC Pavilion – Columbus, Ohio
Nov 27 The Fillmore Detroit – Detroit, Michigan
Nov 28 The Sound Academy – Toronto, Ontario
Nov 29 Metropolis – Montreal, Quebec
Dec 1 Hammerstein Ballroom – New York, New York
Dec 2 House Of Blues – Boston, Massachusetts
Dec 3 Mohegan Sun Arena – Uncasville, Connecticut
Dec 4 Electric Factory – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Dec 5 9:30 Club – WASHINGTON, Washington DC

Buy Music:

Rob Zombie on amazon.com

Rob Zombie on amazon.co.uk

“What?” audio link at imeem

For more information go to:

Rob Zombie MySpace
Rob Zombie Official Website

He’s toured relentlessly, performing to sold-out audiences around the world. His 9th studio album, Years Of Refusal, saw Morrissey tie his highest US chart debut on the Billboard 200, and he’s overseen upgraded and remastered versions of his ‘90s works Southpaw Grammar and Maladjusted.

Crowning what is undoubtedly his most productive year since his solo career began in 1988, SWORDS compiles 18 select songs released as b-sides of his 13 hit singles from his last four albums.

As an artist who has always ensured his b-sides are of as outstanding quality as his singles and album tracks, Swords features some of Morrissey’s finest material. 12 songs are collaborations with guitarist Alain Whyte, the rest co-written with guitarists Boz Boorer and Jesse Tobias, and former keyboardist Michael Farrell.

In keeping with the three remarkable studio albums covered in his period – 2004’s You Are The Quarry, 2006’s Ringleader Of The Tormentors and Years Of Refusal – the music is powerful and adventurous. The richness and expression of Morrissey’s voice has never been greater. With unmatchable style, wit and insight, truths beneath the surface are laid bare.

There are moments of personal reflection; “Munich Air Disaster 1958,” for example, is a heartrending lament for the Manchester United players who died in the infamous plane crash, and for those who were left behind.

The live cover version of David Bowie’s 1973 song “Drive-In Saturday” reveals a little more of Morrissey’s own teenage self, with its lyrics of amorous confusion modified to rhapsodize over The New York Dolls rather than the Rolling Stones.

Chrissie Hynde makes a rare appearance, singing backing vocals on “Shame is the Name.”

The album was compiled by Morrissey who is surely in the rudest of creative health. They’re subtly assembled and sequenced – the feeling of approaching extinction in the beautiful “The Never-Played Symphonies” followed by a promise of a reunion in the afterlife on “Sweetie-Pie.” As Morrissey said of the Tour Of Refusal in March, “all of our answers will be in our songs.”

Initial quantities of Swords will come with a bonus disc featuring eight superb live performances recorded in Warsaw in July this year. This will include songs from Morrissey’s last two albums and 1994’s Vauxhall And I, plus The Smiths’ “You Just Haven’t Earned It Yet, Baby,” first heard on the group’s 1986 b-side collection The World Won’t Listen.

In October and November 2009, Morrissey and his band will also tour the UK and Europe, with new American dates scheduled for later in the year.

SWORDS will be released in the UK on October 26th and November 3rd in the US.

Buy Music:

Morrissey on amazon.com

Morrissey on amazon.co.uk

“Here’s a guy with a plan. Ever since the 1980s, he’s always known what he wants to sing about.” – The New York Times

“Articulate, broodingly charismatic…” – Rolling Stone

“Bitter, witty, hypocritical, contradictory, self-aware, sardonic, and nostalgic, Morrissey’s persona — in person, or in song — is never one-dimensional or quickly read.” – Pitchfork

SWORDS Tracklist:

Good Looking Man About Town
Don’t Make Fun Of Daddy’s Voice
If You Don’t Like Me, Don’t Look At Me
Ganglord
My Dearest Love
The Never-Played Symphonies
Sweetie-Pie
Christian Dior
Shame Is The Name
Munich Air Disaster 1958
I Knew I Was Next
It’s Hard To Walk Tall When You’re Small
Teenage Dad On His Estate
Children In Pieces
Friday Mourning
My Life Is A Succession Of People Saying Goodbye
Drive-In Saturday
Because Of My Poor Education

Limited edition bonus disc:

Black Cloud
I’m Throwing My Arms Around Paris
I Just Want To See The Boy Happy
Why Don’t You Find Out For Yourself
One Day Goodbye Will Be Farewell
You Just Haven’t Earned It Yet, Baby
Life Is A Pigsty
I’m OK By Myself

Swords November/December West Coast 2009 Tour Dates:

(Dates and information subject to change.)

11/29: Seattle, WA @ Paramount
11/30: Portland, OR @ Roseland Theatre
12/2: Oakland, CA @ Paramount
12/4: Indio, CA @ Fantasy Springs
12/5: Las Vegas, NV @ The Joint
12/7: Pomona, CA @ Fox Theatre
12/8: San Diego, CA @ Copley Symphony Hall
12/10: Los Angeles, CA @ Gibson Amphitheatre
12/11: Ventura, CA @ Ventura Theatre

Morrissey MySpace
Morrissey Official Website