Hi Everyone. The  National posted their tour dates and you can find the list here. It looks like they’re playing at the Wiltern on May 21st and 22nd which is a Friday and Saturday. I need to find my way to one of those shows!

A couple of weeks ago the NY Times website had a pretty in-depth article about The National and their whole musical process. It seems to me after reading the story I would fail miserably as a band member. Not only because  I can’t play an instrument, but it seems pretty stressful at times and I’m a pretty no drama type of guy. Highlighting the article was all their songs off of the new High Violet album available for free streaming. I read on another forum that the NY Times took it down, but NPR now has it up, so go to their site and check it out. I believe you’ll find at least one song that you’ll connect with.

And last but not least, Pitchfork has a wonderful series called Castle Rock where bands would play live in abandoned castle that overlooks the Hudson River.  Here are the videos for your viewing pleasure.

Well, it was a sad day to find out The Mary Onettes had canceled their US Tour do to that damn volcano (which I still can not pronounce) that is disrupting the entire globe. How did I found out about this sad news you ask?  I went to the Viper Room website and noticed they weren’t showing The Mary Onettes on the calendar list for April 29th.  I being somewhat neurotic had to find out why and sent and email to their info department.  I honestly didn’t think I was going to receive a reply, but in a matter of seconds I did! I have to give a shout out to Sarah Berkowitz at the Viper Room for her quick response of the sad news, but she did inform me that The Mary Onettes are going to try to reschedule their US Tour in the fall after their European Tour.  Let’s keep our fingers crossed on this one.

In other Swedish Indie news The Radio Dept. is releasing their new album Clinging to a Scheme today! Go get it!

This is going to be short and sweet. The National just released their single “Bloodbuzz Ohio“. You can also download it here for free.   That’s the sweet part. If this single is any indication of what their next album is going to be like, you can count me in.

One more thing, the band is going to be playing at The Wiltern in LA May 21 & 22 (Friday and Saturday night folks!) The new album drops May 11. Can’t wait.

The new Sambassadeur album is out!

I just downloaded the album today and there’s some pretty catchy songs like “Days” that should instantly be a hit with people. Most of the songs that I’ve listened of the album European still has that signature Sambassadeur pop.  It makes me think that I  should be riding a bike or walking around some city in Sweden, or for me Riverside which doesn’t have the same feeling when I think about it now.

I went to the official Sambassadeur website and found out they’re only touring in Sweden so far. I hope they come out to the States, and if they don’t,  The wife and I will take an unexpected trip to Sweden (just let me dream a bit Dear).

Here’s a sample of  “Days”

The Mary Onettes just released their album Islands yesterday and some songs that immediately caught my attention are: “Puzzles”,  “God Knows I had Plans”,  and “Dare”.  For those who do not know, The Mary Onettes is a Swedish Indie Band that has a retro 80’s sound to them.  Echo and the Bunnymen is probably the strongest artist that I can compare them to,  and that’s a good thing my friends.

I’m still listening to the rest of the album to find some gems and I’m hoping they come to the States for a tour. If I find anything, I will definitely let everyone know.

Here’s some vids to keep you busy.

Concerts

First, I’m sad to say that I missed the Band of Horses concert last week in Pomona. I heard from a friend that the show was great and they played a lot of new music from their next album. I guess I’m going to have to wait and hear it.  I also heard from the same source Grand Archives will be releasing a new album as well and I believe the release date is September 15th.

I am going to the Pet Shop Boys concert on September 24th at the Greek, They’re promoting their latest album Yes. What I’ve heard sounded pretty good, at least better than their last album. Oh, and Johnny Marr plays guitar on the album as well (I don’t know any other musician that plays in so many bands, it’s like he’s talented or something).

Other upcoming concerts that I’ll probably be missing are:

The Pains of Being Pure in Heart – Shows are September 19 at The Troubadour  and the 21st at the Casbah in San Diego. Their new EP Higher than the Stars is being release September 22nd and I should being looking forward to that.

Nocturnal Festival – It’s that time of year again and I’ll be skipping out on it this year. The concert is September 26th and it’s going to be at the NOS Events Center again this year. A big Booo! to that one. Last year was just so so and you can read the review here if you wish. I wouldn’t mind seeing Roni Size and Rabbit in the Moon perform live, but I don’t think it’s worth the price. I say move it back to LA and have some more big headliners and make it 18 and over please.  Hopefully next year.

Camera Obscura – The band is coming back to the States around November, but mostly on the east coast. They’re coming back to play the shows that they had to cancel from their previous trip and to make it up to their fans, what a band. I wish I can see them again.

Other Hodgepodge

Sambassadeur – is going to be releasing a new single in November and will be releasing a new album in January.  I can’t wait for that one and I will see them in concert this time. Oh yes, by the power of gray skull I will.

Pitchfork Media - has a few Camera Obscura videos of them performing live on their Cemetery Gates series. Too lazy to find the videos? Don’t worry I got you covered. I believe you don’t have to watch the annoying advertisement in the beginning of the videos, because I embed them in the post. You see, I take care of my peeps. Enjoy.

James

Honey in the Sun

French Navy

As you can see archasung.com has a new look and I’m liking it for now.  A bit darker  I know, but I like to change things up a bit. I wanted more of simpler look and the previous version was looking really dated to me.  A note for all you mobile users out there, I created a version for you which looks pretty much the same except the sidebar is at the bottom of the page. A problem I did notice is that the Audio Player may or may not work depending on what mobile phone you are using. The Audio player is flash, so sorry all you iPhone users out there (me included). However, I will do some research and see if there’s a better way to play audio so everyone can be happy.

Enjoy.

The Legends just released their new album Over and Over today and it has about 12 songs. I haven’t bought it yet, but what I’ve heard it’s not too bad (I know that doesn’t sound good).  Some songs are very distortion heavy and others are more on the regular  indie pop sound. I tend to listen to the songs and come back at another time and listen to songs again and then buy them. I know, I’m weird.

The Radio Dept. released a new single called “David” and I  found it on another music site called Brooklyn Vegan. Here’s the link to the song.  It sounds pretty cool and I hope they tour on the west coast when their album comes out.

Last week I saw Camera Obscura and I’m still not over it yet. For a fix I just watch the video below.

The new album is out so buy it!

Itunes: My Maudlin Career

Amazon: My Maudlin Career

I’m listening to the songs and I haven’t got a bad thing to say about them. I’ll probably discuss more of the album later, but for now I’m just letting it soak in. Good summer time music.

Some good news for Camera Obscura fans. They announced they’ll be releasing their fourth album, My Maudlin Career on the 21st of April in the U.S., and the album is being release by the cool 4AD label.  A good choice by 4AD to add this band to their arsenal.

If you haven’t heard of Camera Obscura, they have a light hearted sound that makes you think of riding a bike around a park during the spring time (maybe not Southern California parks, but more Seattlesque). The band is most notably linked with Belle and Sebastian and is fronted by the soft voiced Tracyanne Campbell. I first heard of this band when looking for music similar to Trembling Blue Stars, but always end up skipping or overlooking them.  I finally took the time to listen, and I’m glad I did. They’re definitely worth it.

I’m looking forward to the release of their next album and hopefuly a North American Tour. Here’s a sample of the self titled track.