Attention locals...the FYF Fest goes down this weekend (September 3rd) in the Los Angles Historic State Park. On the bill are: The Rapture, Panda Bear, the recently reunited Sleep, the not retired Ted Leo & The Pharmacists, !!!, Dead Man’s Bones, Unbroken, Man Man, Delorean, Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti, AA Bondy, The Mountan Goats, Wavves, Best Coast, Abe Vagoda, The Soft Pack, Washed Out, School of Seven Bells, Titus Andronicus, Warpaint, Magic Kids, Let’s Wrestle, and many more.
I put a little mix together of some of my favorite acts.
Barney's Version is an indie dramedy starring Paul Giamatti, Dustin Hoffman, Bruce Greenwood, Rosamund Pike, Minnie Driver, Rachelle Lefevre, Scott Speedman and Saul Rubinek. The film is adapted from Richard J. Lewis bestseller of the same name.
The synopsis for the book goes something like this-
Even Barney Penofsky’s friends tend to agree that he is a wife-abuser, an intellectual fraud, a purveyor of pap, a violent drunk, and probably a murderer. But when his sworn enemy threatens to publish this calumny, Barney is driven to write his own memoirs, selecting and plagiarizing his life.
Look for Barney's Version in select theaters September 15th.
Nice Guy Johnny is the forthcoming indie film from Edward Burns. The film is about a mid 20′s guy who considers giving up the pursuit of his dream job due to pressures from his over bearing fiance. Naturally, he meets a beautiful girl that begins to change his life. The film stars Matt Bush and Kerry Bishe...oh and of course Burns cast himself.
Look for Nice Guy Johnny in select theaters October 26th.
I've had Cotton Jones latest album Tall Hours in the Glowstream on constant rotation lately. My instant favorite is the album opener “Sail Of The Silver Morning”, which has an oldies (think ‘50s) vibe to it complete with crooning and sweet melody.
I recently got my grubby paws on The Clientele's new mini-album Minotaur. The thirty minute mini album features eight new tracks. Physical copies are limited to one thousand copies.
This week only Melbourne Australia's psychedelic indie-electronic outfit Miami Horror are streaming their forthcoming debut album Illumination (out August 24th) over on their website.
I just got this 5 track MP3 bundle (free tracks from the album and other remix/ B-side goodies) from Savoir Adore. Their debut album In the Wooded Forest is out now via Cantora Records.
Aleon Craft's Stargazing Soundtrack hosted by Mick Boogie & Terry Urban have just released The Stargazing Soundtrack for free. The Stargazing Soundtrack combines the Southern-fried hip hop influence of OutKast with spacey funk reminiscent of Parliament Funkadelic and Bootsy Collins.
A US trailer for A Simple Noodle Story (or A Girl, A Gun and a Noodleshop) is indeed a remake of the Coen Brothers neo-noir classic. Director Zhang Yimou adds his flashy wuxia touch (a la his other films Hero or House of Flying Daggers). Even though the plot is licensed from the Coen Brothers the tone is overwhelmed by a feverish pitch of swirling colors and humor. I bet the Coens are were scratching their heads when they saw the trailer for the first time.
A Simple Noodle Story is scheduled for a limited September 3rd release, but I would keep an eye out for this via Netflix.
My Dog Tulip is a bittersweet retrospective account of a man who rescues a German shepard and how the two become fast friends. The film features the voices of Christopher Plummer, Lynn Redgrave, and Isabella Rossellini
No official release date just yet, but when we know more so will you.
The first trailer for Vanishing on 7th Street recently went up online. This is the new film from The Machinist director Brad Anderson about a group of people who wake up to find everyone dead, except for a small group that bands together in a dimly-lit tavern on 7th Street, struggling to survive. The film stars stars Hayden Christensen, Thandie Newton and John Leguizamo.
No official release date just yet, but when we know more so will you.
View the new trailer here or watch the original trailer right here...
Indie film Wah Do Dem will be available on DVD October 26th from Factory 25. The film stars musicians Sean Bones & Norah Jones, and is directed by Sam Fleischner & Ben Chacethrough.
The story follows Brooklyn musician Max (Sean Bones), who is all set to take his girlfriend (played by Norah Jones) on a Carribean cruise until she dumps him just days before. When his friends flake, the determined Max decides to set sail solo, where, after docking in Jamaica, having all his personal possessions stolen and literally missing the boat, he embarks on a philosophical journey with surprises lurking around every corner. The reggae-infused odyssey features music and appearances by MGMT, Santigold, Sean Bones, The Congos, Yeasayer, and more.
View the new trailer here or watch the original trailer right here...
San Francisco's electro rock group Geographer's have just released Animal Shapes EP (via Tricycle Records) and includes a new remix of "Kites" by The Limousines.
Wild Nothing's album Gemini is perfect hazy summer listening from a Virginia band that draws inspiration from 80's British bands (Cocteau Twins, Tears For Fears, The Smiths, Factory label bands).
Here's the lead track "Live in Dreams" with the infectious hook 'Because our lips won't last forever and that's exactly why/ I'd rather live in dreams and I'd rather die'.
I posted about Ray LaMontagne's forthcoming album God Willin' and the Creek Don't Rise (due Aug. 17th) last week, but I felt compelled to mentioned one of my favorite tracks. As the title would suggest, it's a little more country-tinged than anything he's done prior. There are however, still standouts such as "New York City's Killing Me" and "Old Before Your Time".
I received a link to stream David Gray's new single "A Moment
Changes Everything" from the forthcoming album Foundling
(out August 17th). David Gray is set for a summer co-headlining tour with Ray LaMontagne scheduled to kick off on August 15th. Visit his website for tour dates.
Have a listen to the first single "A Moment Changes Everything" below...
This week you can stream the album over on Spinner
This year's Scion Garage Fest is taking place in Lawrence, KS on October 2, 2010. The Oblivians, The Gories, The Raveonettes, The Greenhornes, The Ponys and King Khan & The Shrines, Cloud Nothings, Best Coast and Thee Oh Sees are amongst the headliners of the FREE festival, being held at a handful of Lawrence venues. The entire festival is free with RSVP (visit www.scion.com/garagefest for more info).
Mercury Prize Nominees Wild Beasts are releasing a 10" featuring "We Still Got The Taste Dancin' On Our Tongues" from their acclaimed sophomore album, Two Dancers (via Domino). The track is b/w a very rare B-side "Through The Iron Gate" (previously only released in Japan), as well as "Two Dancers ii" remixed by label mate Jon Hopkins.
Drake dropped his Young Sweet Jones mixtape last week. The compilation features guest spots from Lil Wayne, Gucci Mane, Sean Garrett, Lloyd, Bun B just to name a few. I would just go straight for "The Resistance" (Remix).
Download the mixtape right here or listen right here...
IFC Films has just debuted the official US release of Gaspar Noé's Enter the Void, a drug-trip film about a brother and sister living in Japan. The brother is killed in a run in with the cops and the POV camera floats around the city following the aftermath, getting trippier by the minute.
Look for Enter the Void in select theaters September 24th.
View the new trailer here or watch the foreign trailer right here...
Magnet has just debuted a second trailer for Gareth Edwards' incredible low-budget alien sci-fi film Monsters. Early reviews suggest that the film is actually the story about two people, and what they go through.
Look for Monsters in select theaters October 29th.
View the new trailer here or watch the original trailer right here...
Paul Haggis' (Crash) forthcoming drama The Next Three Days stars Russell Crowe and Elizabeth Banks as a married couple that go through hell when she is accused of murder. Liam Neeson and Olivia Wilde, the RZA, and Brian Dennehy also star.
Look for The Next Three Days in theaters November 19th.
This thriller is based on a true story about a teenager who is kidnapped along with his older sister. They are forced to do something deeply traumatic together then released to figure out how to reconstruct their lives and relationship. The film stars Dario Yazbek Bernal (brother of Gael Garcia Bernal) and Marimar Vega.
Look for Daniel y Ana in select theaters August 27th.
For DR. Martens 50th Anniversary they asked 10 bands to record their version of cult classic tracks that represent the spirit of the brand over the past five decades. N.A.S.A. chose to re-interpret Max Romeo and The Upsetterss classic reggae anthem "I Chase the Devil".
EThe eectro mixmasters N.A.S.A. (North America/South America) have recently released the track “Gifted (Boombotz Remix)” featuring guest vocals from Kanye West, Santigold, Lykki Li and Maximum Hedrum as a free download. The song comes from their new album The Big Bang (released June 30th through Spectrophonic Sound).
Take a look at the number of guest spots on The Big Bang, it's really quite ridiculous.
track listing:
The Big Bang feat Maximum Hedrun
Gifted (Boombotz Remix) feat Kanye West, Santigold, Lykki Li and Maximum Hedrum
Samba Soul (Ape Shit Brothers Remix) feat Del the Funkee Homosapien
I Wanna Be Your Lover feat Max Hedrum and Barbie Hatch
Whachadoin? (Boombotz Remix) feat Spankrock, MIA and Santigold
Gifted (Treasure Fingers Epicwave Remix) feat Kanye West, Santigold & Lykke Li
There’s A Party (Ben Crea Funkgloriusmix) feat George Clinton and Chali 2na
Way Down (Squeak E. Clean Jupiter Remix) feat RZA and Barbie Hatch
A Volta (J.O.B. Remix) feat Sizzla. Amanda Blank & Lovefoxx
Whachadoin? (Villains Remix) feat Spank Rock, MIA, Santigold, Nick Zinner
Money (The Count’s Dungeon Remix) feat David Byrne, Chuck D, Seu George & Ztrip
Gifted (Steve Aoki Remix) feat Kanye West, Santigold & Lykke Li
N.A.S.A. Music (LA Riots Remix) feat Method Man, E40 & DJ Swamp
Bonus Tracks
Electric Flowers (Mario C Remix) feat Nina Persson & RZA
Gifted (The Ashton Shuffle Remix) feat Kanye West, Santigold & Lykke Li
Strange Enough (Mr. Oizo Remix) feat Ol’ Dirty Bastard, Karen O & Fatlip
Whachadoin? (DJ Chernobyl Remix) feat Spank Rock, MIA & Santigold
Dance act The Qemists return with their second album Spirit In The System (out 31st via Ninja Tune). To celebrate they are giving away the Cutline Remix of their brand new single 'Renegade' 'and 'Hurt Less (Hot City's Mega Vocal Bang)' together in one nifty zip file.
Have a listen to pop duo Azure Ray’s first single “Don’t Leave My Mind” (for the price of an email) from their forthcoming album Drawing Down the Moon (out September 14th via Saddle Creek).
I also received a link to a new summer mixtape with Jeuce remixes and also some older
releases (including Daft Punk, Jose Gonzalez, Logistics. Bat For Lashes, The Streets, Plan B an more).
Influenced by Factory Records, DFA and Italians Do It Better - Mirror People the latest project from producer Rui Maia is synth-heavy dark disco. The name 'Mirror People' comes from the song by the 80's band Love & Rockets. Night Impact will be released on the 9th of August on Brilliantine via all your favorite digital stores. The single comes with 4 remixes by Pelifics,CRYSTAL (Institubes), Cosmonaut Grechko and Sweet Track - along with another original 'Diamonds' as a B-side.
Ray LaMontagne's forthcoming album, God Willin' and the Creek Don't Rise (due Aug. 17th), is now streaming over at NPR.
As the title would suggest, it's a little more country-tinged than anything he's done prior. There are still standouts such as "New York City's Killing Me", in which he sings "I was just kicking along the sidewalk / No one looks you in the eyes / No one asks you how you're doing / Don't seem to care if you live or if you die". "Old Before Your Time" finds him contemplating "It's not living your doing if it feels like dying".
Barry Munday is a dark comedy about a man that wakes up after being attacked only to realize that he's missing his family jewels. To make matters worse, he learns he's facing a paternity lawsuit filed by a woman he can't remember having sex with.
The film stars: Patrick Wilson, Judy Greer, and Chloë Sevigny.
Look for Barry Munday in select theaters October 1st.
This is the story of a young couple moves into an old schoolhouse on a desolate stretch of farm country, when a dark chain of events unfold that will alter the lives of everyone around them.
Look for The Afterlight in select theaters September 10th.
Colin Fitz Lives! is a 1997 Independent film directed by Robert Bella. The film received many film festival awards, however it was never released to theatres. In August 2010, IFC Films released a newly remastered version of the film as part of its Video On Demand
This film has just released via Video On Demand (Aug. 4th).
View the trailer (and see how many faces you recognize) right here
I've been enjoying this collection of tunes from Dean Wareham (former Galaxie 500 frontman) and his wife Britta Wareham (former Luna bandmate), inspired by Andy Warhol's short film series, Screen Tests. The two-disc set includes covers of Bob Dylan's "I'll Keep It With Mine" and the Velvet Underground's "I'm Not a Young Man Anymore". Some work great as stand alone tracks, others (like some below) seem more interesting with the visual.
Aussie ance/rockers Cut Copy have been finishing their third album (due in January). In celebration, they debuted a brand new song last month (why am I barely finding out about this) called "Where I'm Going" (available for the price of an email address).
A US trailer for French director Pascal Chaumeil's new film Heartbreaker starring Romain Duris and Vanessa Paradis (Johnny Depp's ladyfriend) has surfaced online. It's a romantic comedy (lord knows it's so hard to do a good one), but this looks like it might be some fun.
Look for Heartbreaker in select theaters September 10th.
The Bang Bang Club is an action-drama based on the true story of four combat photographers in South Africa shooting the final days of apartheid. The film stars Ryan Phillippe, Taylor Kitsch, Malin Akerman, and Frank Rautenbach.
This film will be looking for a distributor at the Toronto Film Festival. When we know more so will you.
A teaser trailer for Guillermo del Toro and Troy Nixey's horror remake of the seventies classic Don't Be Afraid of the Dark recently popped up online. The film stars: Guy Pearce, Katie Holmes, and Bailee Madison.
Look for Don't Be Afraid of the Dark in theaters January 1st 2011.
Scottish folk pop band Stornoway make accessible tunes that fans of The Decemberists or Mumford & Sons would likely fall for! Their debut album came out in the UK back in May, but now it's got a stateside release (August 10th via 4AD).
Here's the lead track, which I think highlights their best...
I can't get enough of Wild Nothing's new album Gemini. Perfect hazy summer listening from a Virginia band that draws inspiration from 80's British bands (Cocteau Twins, Tears For Fears, The Smiths, Factory label bands).
Here's the lead track "Live in Dreams" with the infectious hook 'Because our lips won't last forever and that's exactly why/ I'd rather live in dreams and I'd rather die'.
Chicago indie rock veteran/guitar virtuoso Victor Villarreal (Cap'n Jazz, Owls, Ghosts and Vodka) and DeKalb, IL's math rock wunderkids Loose Lips Sink Ships are gearing up for the pressing of a split 7" record, entitled Eating Happens. The album is set for release August 27th on Chicago newcomers Whaleplane Records.
David Schwimmer's next directorial effort stars Clive Owen, Catherine Keener and Viola Davis.
In the drama Owen and Keener are the parents to a 14 year old (newcomer Liana Liberato) who is assaulted and then stalked by a man who posed as a teenage boy online to lure her in. The script was penned by Andy Bellin and Robert Festinger, the latter of whom seems to be working in the same tone as In the Bedroom, which he co-wrote.
