The Mountain Goats leader John Darnielle resides in Durham, North Carolina, where indie label Merge is based. Mountain Goats skin-beater Jon Wurster also plays in Merge’sSuperchunk.
And now, after five well-respected LPs on 4AD, the Goats will issue their next full-length through Merge. (All is right in the universe.) The label also signed The Extra Lens (formerly The Extra Glenns), Darnielle‘s collaborative side project with fellow singer-songwriter Franklin Bruno. Extra Lens’ previous long-player, Martial Arts Weekend, dropped in 2002. Its follow-up, Undercard, streets October 19.
Download the largely acoustic “Only Existing Footage,” above. Darnielle lended his voice and some guitar to Undercard, and Bruno arranged the melodies. The pair recorded it in Brooklyn and North Carolina with producers Brian Paulson (Slint, Wilco) and Mitch Rackin (Black Dice, Excepter). The Goats tour a little bit this fall, and Lens will head out near the holiday season.
Antony and the Johnsons
“Thank You for Your Love” MP3
Aug 05, 2010
Antony and the Johnsons will issue their fourth LP, Swanlights, on October 12 in the U.S. via Secretly Canadian. The artsy chamber-pop group will also release a five-song EP entitled Thank You for Your Love on August 24.
The EP’s title track will also show up on Swanlights, and you can stream it through the widget below or at Antony Hegarty’s new site. On the release, Hegarty worked with ambient composer William Basinski for a cover of John Lennon‘s “Imagine,” and collaborated with guitarist Kevin Barker (Currituck Co.) to record a rendition of Bob Dylan‘s 1980 gospel tune, “Pressing On.” Pre-order Swanlights and Thank You for Your Lovehere.
Liverpudlian alt-indie quartet Clinic just released and somewhat creepy clip for first single, “I’m Aware.” The Rankin/Bass-esque vid was helmed by Peter Fowler (the artist behind many of Super Furry Animals’ psychedelic visuals). Trippy stuff, dudes… Watch the fantastical creatures dance to dulcimer, harpsichord, and strings above. It’s quite the change-up from the group’s usual mélange of garage, post-punk, and Krautrock.
Also, check out Clinic when they tour the U.S. this fall. Click here for dates. Sixth LP, Bubblegum, hits store shelves October 5, via Domino. The “I’m Aware” single streets September 20. The band recorded the full-length in Liverpool with Explosions in the Sky/St. Vincent producer John Congleton.
Genre-hopping funk-soul singer Janelle Monáe gets up-close and personal with the camera during this sultry performance clip for second single, “Cold War.” Damn, a girl could melt a dude with those eyes. No need to cry, though. Things are defintely looking up for Ms. Monáe.
Director Wendy Morgan commented on the vid’s concept: “The ‘Cold War’ music video was filmed in the black box auditorium at the Palace of the Dogs sanitarium. This is the complete first take. This performance is unaltered and unencumbered, as those of us in attendance on that day experienced it.” The ArchAndroid is out now via Wondaland Arts Society/Bad Boy Records. This fall she’ll be touring with collaborators of Montreal.
Robyn: “Hang With Me” (Starsmith Remix) MP3
Sweden’s biggest pop star is actually releasing three “mini-albums” this year. (The third one comes at least by Christmas, for all the good indie boys and girls.) Naturally, Body Talk Pt. 2‘s lead single “Hang With Me,” is burning up the blogosphere.
A new remix from U.K. beat-maker Starsmith gets the pulse pounding with some gleaming, 8-bit beats. Robyn’s voice is somewhat buried in the mix, but her sentiment and hooks still shine through all the glitter and glowsticks. Stream below and see upcoming tour dates at Robyn’s MySpace. (Via Prefix Mag.)
Suuns
“Arena” MP3
Aug 04, 2010
Sultry Montréal electro-rockers Suuns signed to Secretly Canadian this summer and its set to release debut LP, Zeroes QC, in the U.S. on October 12 and early 2011 in the U.K. The debut single, “Arena,” is available for download right here. It gives a great taste of Zeroes QC‘s old school electronic moodiness, and builds to a satisfying tumult. The record was recorded at Montréal’s Breakglass Studios with The Besnard Lakes’ Jace Lasek.
Neon Indian‘s Psychic Chasms will get a remix-packed bonus disc this fall. Its single, “Deadbeat Summer,” drops in the U.K. on September 27, and features re-rubs from Le Tigre and Toro Y Moi. This time-signature-shifting cover of “Terminally Chill” from Luke Temple’s indie-pop band Here We Go Magic won’t be on the single, but it’s awesome. See tour dates here. (Via P4k.)
These New Puritans have a slick, black-and-white vid for ”Hologram.” It will be issued as a single on August 9 through Angular. The song comes from the U.K. avant-rock band’s latest LP, Hidden. Check it out below. Upcoming gigs can be found at TNP’s website.
