Exclusive: Flaming Lips, DFA on Goldfrapp Remix LP

Goldfrapp love to be played with, manipulated, tweaked, and generally poked and prodded. Over the years, Alison Goldfrapp and Will Gregory have let plenty of musicians put their dirty hands all over their body of work, and soon, they'll reveal the fruits of some of those lascivious unions.

On October 17, in America only, Mute will release We Are Glitter, a collection of Goldfrapp remixes from the likes of the Flaming Lips, the DFA, Alan Braxe & Fred Falke, Múm, and more. All of the originals come from Goldfrapp's latest album, Supernature, except for a re-worked version of "Strict Machine" from 2003's Black Cherry. Goldfrapp themselves have remixed that track, and it will also appear on the Miami Vice soundtrack (as will Mogwai).

Tracklist:

Stream: Goldfrapp: Ooh La La

Emily Haines of Metric Reveals New Song, Dates

Written over four years, in various cities, before and after the death of a parent and during a hectic touring schedule, Knives Don't Have Your Back, the forthcoming solo debut by Metric's Emily Haines, is nothing if not a long time coming.

Though the full-length isn't due out until September 26 on Last Gang Records, fans can temporarily satisfy their appetites with an exclusive stream of the airy, piano-backed "Our Hell" by clicking on the link below.

Before the release of Knives, Haines will play shows in a few select cities, accompanied by a rotating group of musicians dubbed the Soft Skeleton. In Toronto, the Soft Skeleton band will consist of the Tokai String Quartet and a horn section of Jimmy Shaw (Broken Social Scene, Metric), Evan Cranley (Stars, Broken Social Scene), and Chris Seligman (Stars). Elsewhere, Haines will be backed by Sparklehorse drummer Scott Minor and bassist Paul Dillon. [MORE...]

Stream: Emily Haines: Our Hell

Clap Your Hands Say Yeah Announce Fall Tour

Clap Your Hands Say Fall American Tour. Yeah.

That is all.

Must go party now.

See ya at the festival!

[MORE...]

MP3: Clap Your Hands Say Yeah: Upon This Tidal Wave of Young Blood

Art Brut, Pollard Donate Rare Tracks to Charity

Nothing tops wrasslin' for a good cause, and VS. Dobbs, creator of the blog Wrestle the Future to the Fucking Ground, knows it. Dobbs is taking part in a Blogathon, a 24-hour writing marathon in which he will post blog entries every 30 minutes from 9am on Saturday, July 29 until 9am on Sunday, July 30. So while we're all out partying in the hot sun at the Pitchfork Music Festival, he'll be in a nice, air-conditioned room, all alone at the computer.

As is the case in cancer walks, Jump Rope for the Heart, etc., readers can volunteer to sponsor Dobbs, with all donations going to Sweet Relief, a charity that aims to provide financial assistance to musicians dealing with illness, disability, or age-related issues.

Yeah, we all give a big thumbs down to the sickness, but how about some incentive here? Those donating to Sweet Relief will be entered into a raffle, making them eligible for an iPod, a copy of Expression Engine blogging software and Expression Engine Discussion Forum, and a Secretly Canadian/Jagjaguwar Prize pack.

But wait, there's even something for the freeloaders! And here's the good part: Anyone visiting Wrestle the Future to the Fucking Ground after the Blogathon's kickoff can, for the low, low price of $F-R-E-E, download rare tracks from a variety of bands including Art Brut, Akron/Family, Dengue Fever, the Handsome Family, Psycho and the Birds (Robert Pollard), Jana Hunter, Kingsbury Manx, and more. Dobbs approached each artist individually, asking for unavailable tracks (this includes those that have not yet been released, will not be released, or were once released but have since gone out of print-- demos, home recordings, outtakes, remixes, and upcoming jams are all part of the mix).

The artists that complied have supplied Dobbs with one track each, and these tunes will be posted on WTFTTFG this weekend and remain until either a) the artist requests it be taken down or b) Dobbs' blog is out of the picture.

The tracks will be inserted into some of Dobbs' blog entries during the Blogathon and are available for the downloading pleasure for anyone and everyone.

Those interested in sponsoring, donating, or just plain finding out more about the event can check out Dobbs' Frequently Asked Questions section here .

For a list of the featured tracks, see below [MORE...]

Bishop Allen Tour, Star in Movies

Justin Rice, singer/guitarist for the Brooklyn based band Bishop Allen, stars in the indie film Mutual Appreciation, directed by up-and-comer Andrew Bujalski (Funny Ha Ha). Appearing in theatres nationwide starting in late August, the film features Rice playing an um, musician who moves to um, New York after his band calls it quits. There he decides to keep pursuing music and is, of course, met with instant success and a run on the late night talk show circuit.

Ok, just kidding. Actually, he runs into various challenges related to self-promoting his work and his relationships with women. Throughout Mutual Appreciation, Rice plays his own songs, as well as some Bishop Allen ones.

When not acting (Bishop Allen's other lead singer, Christian Rudder, played one of the leads in Funny Ha Ha), the band is putting out a four-track EP for every month of 2006. In addition, they're touring with the Teeth and Chris Mills. [MORE...]

MP3: Bishop Allen: Butterfly Nets

Thom Yorke Readies Single

Thom Yorke's Mercury Prize-nominated solo album, The Eraser, isn't exactly the kind of record you'd expect to launch hit singles. But XL Recordings are giving it a go anyway, with the release of "Harrowdown Hill" on CD, 7" and 12" on August 21. The track's slippery ambience will have a tough time competing with Lily Allen and McFly, but we're not going to underestimate the power of Radiohead fans, oh no.

A sneak preview of the video is available here. Looks like it's footage of stuff falling/diving into water. Coooool. The whole thing will premiere on Monday, July 31.  Tracklists: [MORE...]

Video: Thom Yorke: The Clock (live on the Henry Rollins Show)

Beirut Tours, Preps New EP

Zach Condon is picking up some serious speed with this whole music thing. Better known as Beirut or "The Second Coming of Jeff Mangum", Condon continues to take on more and more stage time with no apparent intention of slowing down.

His updated tour itinerary includes shows with Deerhoof, Calexico, and buddy and recording partner Jeremy Barnes. Barnes will serve as part of Beirut's backing band for his October North American dates and all scheduled UK appearances. In addition, he's lined up to play a free event in Moscow, Russia with Calla, Buck 65, and Dengue Fever tonight, and two back-to-back NYC gigs at the Bowery Ballroom in late November.

The ball is rolling on a new Beirut release as well. Condon's band has started recording songs for an EP, a one-sided limited edition 12" due this fall. According to his label, Ba Da Bing!, its tracks, many of which are live staples already, depart from Gulag Orkestar's Balkan folk sound. The EP will be the first official recording featuring Condon's live band.

May we mention once more that Condon is just twenty years old? Don't worry about that pain in your stomach-- it's just the agony of defeat. [MORE...]

MP3: Beirut: Postcards From Italy

Exclusive: Minus the Bear Remix Album

Minus the Bear's Menos el Oso is set to get remezclado. According to Babelfish, that's "remixed" in Spanish. Can't be sure if that's correct, but it sure sounds neat.

Dälek, Tyondai Braxton, Weird Science (aka Steve Aoki of Dim Mak Records), P.O.S., Fog, Pretty Girls Make Graves' Jay Clark, Dark Baby, IQU, and the slew of yet-to-be confirmed artists will remix Minus the Bear's 2005 album in its entirety. The remix disc, currently untitled, is due February 20, 2007 on Suicide Squeeze.

P.O.S. and Minus the Bear will join forces on the road as well. The two, plus Russian Circles and the Velvet Teen, have scheduled a lengthy fall U.S. tour. Don't Minus the Bear ever get homesick for those cold, damp, hibernation-worthy caves? [MORE...]

Video: Minus the Bear: Pachuca Sunrise

Boris to Tour U.S., Collaborate With Sunn 0)))

Someone still loves you, Boris. In fact, a whole lotta people (us included) continue to spin the Japanese trio's 8.7-scoring Pink on a regular basis. Or when we're in the market for a serious brain-melting, anyway.

We'll soon be able to melt our brains in public, in the company of other people, as Boris have announced a fall American tour.

Dates out West and Northwest are in the works, but for now:

09-05 Birmingham, AL - Bottletree *
09-06 Athens, GA - Calendonia Lounge *
09-07 Atlanta, GA - Earl *
09-08 Asheville, NC - Orange Peel *
09-09 Chapel Hill, NC - Local 506 *
09-10 Baltimore, MD - TBA *
09-11 Brooklyn, NY - North Six *
09-12 New York, NY - Knitting Factory *
09-13 Boston, MA - TBA *
10-20 Los Angeles, CA - EchoPlex (ArthurNIGHTS Festival)

* with Pearls and Brass

MP3: Boris: Farewell

Clipse's Hell Hath No Fury Actually Being Released

Starting this year, October 31 will no longer be known as Halloween. No, from now on, it will go down in history as the day that Clipse's long-overdue, highly anticipated, potentially earth-shattering second album, Hell Hath No Fury, is finally going to be released. At least that's what Jive Records is telling us right now. But you know how things go with hip-hop release dates.

A couple of lucky Pitchfork staffers heard Hell Hath No Fury, which was produced completely by the Neptunes, this week. They say there's "nothing close to filler" and it's "the best rap album of the year." That's all we're allowed to say about it right now, though.

Get familiar!

Stream: Clipse: Wamp Wamp (What It Do) feat. Slim Thug

Photos: Beauty Pill [Empty Bottle; 07/24/06]

Chicagoans turned out to the Empty Bottle in earnest-- on a Monday night, no less-- to catch the return of Dischord sons and daughters Beauty Pill. Now a sextet with several new members, the Chad Clark-fronted act was at its best when performing fleshed-out renditions of fractured pop favorites like "The Cigarette Girl From the Future". More intricate and understated numbers featuring semi-new recruit Jean Cook on vocals fell a bit flat against the barroom din, but gee does the demo of that new tune "Ann the Word" sound good on MySpace.

Speaking of the 'Space, in a recent blog post (current mood = cheerful), Clark proclaimed he has "the most lovely bandmates"-- watching him exchange smiles with them throughout the set, one couldn't help but believe he means it, and smile right along. Also, he is one tall dude.

Photos and remaining tour dates: [MORE...]

Tapes 'n Tapes Set Fall Tour

The hardest working band in Minnesnow-business is hitting the road again. That's right, Tapes ‘n Tapes have announced a fall tour. No dates in Harvard Square just yet, but they are playing our very own Pitchfork Music Festival this Sunday, July 30. Don't forget to come early, because they're playing at 1:00 p.m.

The band just re-released The Loon Tuesday on XL-- the same day they played David Letterman-- so they should have plenty of copies at the merch table. [MORE...]

Video: Tapes 'n Tapes: Insistor

Do you have a news tip for us? Anything crazy happen at a show you attended recently? Do you have inside info on the bands we cover? Is one of your favorite artists (that's not somebody you know personally) releasing a new record you'd like to see covered? You will remain completely anonymous, unless we are given your express permission to reveal your identity. (Please note that publicists, managers, booking agents, and other artist representatives are generally exempt from this rule, but will also be granted anonymity if requested.)