Karikatura: Eyes Wide

At first it may seem that Brooklyn sextet Karikatura is a happy-go-lucky party band who have raided the fridge and took off with a wide variety of musical tidbits. And sure enough, there are plenty good time tunes on their new album Eyes Wide, but the album title is a dead giveaway. This is a band who cares and they can get mad at injustice and broken dreams. NYC Hustle in particular, replete with howling police sirens, will turn some head son the dance floor. This isn't what they expected after being exposed to songs like the joyous Brighton Beach, in which an elderly lady leads the dance proclaiming "undressed democracy". Mind you - this one does mention firetrucks, not as a disaster, but as a slice of Brooklyn life.

Karikatura's music rotates around latin and gypsy grooves, but they throw in soul, hiphop and reggae as well. Summer music with a message, spicing up body and brains.

Karikatura:
Ryan Acquaotta: vocals, percussion
Dima Kay: guitar, backing vocals
Eric Legaspi: bass
Joe Wilson: saxes, glockenspiel
Morgan Greenstreet: drums, percussion, backing vocals
Ric Becker: trombone

Eyes Wide is released on Ropeadope. Release date: June 6.

Tracks:

1. Eyes Wide
2. Someone
3. Brighton Beach
4. Bailarina
5. Stubborn
6. Viennese Doors
7. Get Together
8. NYC Hustle
9. Ashes
10. Honeybee
11. Soy Quien Soy
12. Death Or A Hurricane
13. Ocean Blue

Live dates:

• 06/01 The Bowery Electric, New York, NY
• 06/28 Mehanata Bulgarian Bar, New York, NY
• 07/05 Brooklyn Night Bazaar, Brooklyn, NY
• 07/10 Capital Fringe Fest 2014, Washington, DC
• 07/26 Warwick Summer Arts Festival, Warwick, NY
• 08/15 The Stage @ Rockwells, Pelham, NY
• 08/20 Brooklyn Bowl, Brooklyn, NY
• 08/27 Rockwood Music Hall, New York, NY
• 08/29 The New Deal Cafe, Greenbelt, MD
• 08/30 Asheville Music Hall, Asheville, NC

» karikaturanyc.com

SoundsOfTheWorld: Conheça cinco bandas da Holanda

World domination. A HCTF guest post on Brazilian music blog Som do Som to tie in with the World Cup. Five Dutch acts you must hear: Ensor, Kapok, Bacon Fat Louis, Tim Knol, and The New Earth Group.

Matthew & Me: Golden Charms EP

UK pop quintet Matthew & Me hail from Totnes, Devon, a small town with a sizable arts community. Their music is a mix of folk and orchestral pop. On their new EP Golden Charms singalongs refrains sit comfortably next to restrained piano, organ and pastoral electronics in the title track.

The vocals of Matthew Board and Grace Billings meld together as one in the gentle September, but it's adventurous Letters that will make you sit up and take notice. A bit of prog, muffled drums and beautiful, tinkling single guitar notes that give way to power chords.

Recommended if you like the Beautiful South and Belle and Sebastian.

Matthew & Me:
Matthew Board: lead vocals, electric & acoustic guitar
Grace Billings: keyboards, vocals
Andrew Hopper: guitar
Sam Craigan: bass
Lucy Fawcett: drums

The Golden Charms EP is released via Blanket Records. Release date: June 16th.

Tracks:

1. Golden Charms
2. September
3. Letters
4. Rose To Find

UK live dates:

• 06/20 The Great Hall, Totnes
• 07/10 Hoxton Bar & Kitchen (w/ The Sea & I), London
• 07/11 X & Y Festival (w/ The Family Rain), Liverpool
• 07/18 Larmer Tree Festival, Salisbury
• 07/24 Port Eliot Festival, St. Germans
• 08/03 Lime Wood (w/ Nizlopi, Bird Courage), New Forest
• 08/29 Bicton Festival, Devon
• 09/18 South Devon Arts Centre, Totnes

» matthewandme.co.uk

Mountain Jam: free webcast

All performances of the Tenth Annual Mountain Jam (June 5-8) )in the Catskill Mountains, Hunter Mountain, NY will be webcasted for free. Guitarist Warren Haynes has assembled an impressive grope of acts, with the usual suspects and a quite a few upcoming bands.

Line-up:

• Allman Brothers Band
• Anders Osborne
• Antibalas
• The Avett Brothers
• Beats Antique
• Blitzen Trapper
• Bob Weir and RatDog
• Chris Robinson Brotherhood
• Citizens Band Radio
• Connor Kennedy
• Copius Jones
• Damian Marley
• Dark Star Orchestra
• The Dirty Gems
• The Dough Rollers
• Elijah and the Moon
• The Ghost Of A Saber Tooth Tiger
• Gov't Mule
• Jackie Greene
• Jeff Tweedy
• Jonathan Wilson
• K-JAMM
• Lucius
• Michael Franti & Spearhead
• Moon Taxi
• Paul Green Rock Academy
• Pretty Lights
• Ratboy Jr.
• Reignwolf
• Robert Randolph & The Family Band
• Sean Rowe
• Sister Sparrow & The Dirty Birds
• Tedeschi Trucks Band
• Trampled By Turtles
• Treetop Flyers
• Umphrey's McGee
• Valerie June
• The Weeks

» mountainjam.com

Mike Dillon: "Carly Hates The Dubstep" video

Mike Dillon has released a psychedelic freak-out video for his rant rave-up Carly Hates The Dubstep from his Band of Outsiders album. He is all over the place, shooting daggers at the MDMA loving party crowd, inviting them to lick the molly from his balls. And yes, it's his trombone player Carly Meyers who can't stand the dubstep.

Live dates:

• 05/30 The Bottleneck - Lawrence, KS
• 05/31 Crossroads - Kansas City, MO
• 06/01 Castle Theatre - Bloomington, IL
• 06/02 Mojo's - Columbia, MO
• 06/04 Shrine - Tulsa, OK
• 06/05 VZDs - Oklahoma City, OK
• 06/06 Midtown Billiards - Little Rock, AR
• 06/07 Wakarusa – Ozark, AR
• 06/12 Live Oaks, LA - Monroe, LA
• 06/13 Bears - Shreveport, LA
• 06/14 Elm Street Music & Tatto Festival - Dallas, TX
• 06/22 Fairfest – Fairfield, IA
• 07/05 FarmJammaLamma - Brookville, PA
• 07/06 Beachland Tavern - Cleveland, OH
• 07/07 The Bullfrog - Williamsport, PA
• 07/09 Nietzsche's - Buffalo, NY
• 07/10 Metronome - Burlington, VT
• 07/11 Electric Haze - Wooster, MA ^
• 07/12 The Press Room - Portsmouth, NH ^
• 07/13 Ocean Mist - Narragansett, NH ^
• 07/15 BRYAC - Bridgeport, CT
• 07/16 Mercury Lounge - New York, NY ^
• 07/17 8x10 - Baltimore, MD
• 07/18 Rex Theater - Pittsburgh, PA
• 07/19 The Hot Spot - Waynesboro, VA
• 07/25 DBA - New Orleans, LA
• 08/01 Cervante's Other Side - New Orleans, LA
• 08/08 DiPiazza's Lave Lounge - Long Beach, CA
• 08/09 Zodiac's - Petaluma, CA
• 08/10 Boom Boom Room - San Francisco, CA
• 08/11 Cosmic Family Gathering - Placerville, CA
• 08/20 One Stop - Asheville, NC
• 08/21 Camp Barefoot – Bartow, WV
• 08/22 Boone Saloon - Boone, NC
• 08/23 The Pour House - Raleigh, NC
• 08/28 Pandora's - Grayton Beach, FL
• 08/29 Funky Blues Shack - Destin, FL
• 08/30 Funky Blues Shack - Baytowne, FL

^ w/ Ryan Montbleau

» Mike Dillon on Facebook

HCTF review of Band of Outsiders.

Introducing: Déjà Vega

Jack Fearon (vocals, guitar), Mike Newton (bass) and Tom Webster (drums) are Déjà Vega, a loud alternative rock from North West England. Founded six months ago the trio has been working on a couple of demos, mixing psyche and Krautrock with UK swagger and attitude. Big bass a la Peter Hook, in your face drums and wailing guitar like Echo & the Bunnymen on speed. Someone better bring back Factory Records to release their stuff.

UK live dates:

• 05/30 Prince Alice, Middlesbrough
• 06/03 Sound Control, Manchester
• 06/07 Carpe Diem, Leeds
• 06/19 Carsons, Middleton
• 06/21 Headlander Festival, Stockport
• 07/11 Sound Cafe, Liverpool
• 08/16 Sound Control, Manchester
• 08/18 Ruby Lounge, Manchester

» Déjà Vega on Facebook

Gov't Mule: Bejar (Spain) added to European Summer tour, USA dates

Blues rockers Gov't Mule have added a show in Spain to their European Summer tour. They will perform at the Bejar Blues Festival in Bejar. Their American Summer tour kicks off in Apple Valley on July 18th.

Live dates:

• 07/01 Brooklyn Bowl, London, UK
• 07/02 Brooklyn Bowl, London, UK
• 07/04 Skaanevik Blues, Skaanevik, Norway
• 07/06 Fabrik, Hamburg, Germany
• 07/07 Capitol, Hannover, Germany
• 07/08 Melkweg, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
• 07/10 Monfortinjazz Festival, Monforte d'Alba, Italy
• 07/12 Bejar Blues Festival, Bejar, Spain

USA Summer tour:

• 07/18 Weesner Amphitheatre, Apple Valley, MN (sold out)
• 07/19 Sioux Falls Jazz & Blues Fest, Sioux Falls, SD
• 07/20 CEFCU Amphitheatre, Peoria, IL
• 07/22 Sloss Furnace, Birmingham, AL
• 07/24 Uptown Theatre, Charlotte, NC
• 07/26 Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre, Alpharetta, GA w/ Avett Bros.
• 08/13 Blue Hills Band Pavilion, Boston, MA w/ Blackberry Smoke
• 08/14 Casino Ballroom, Hampton Beach, NH
• 08/16 Peach Festival, Scranton, PA
• 08/20 Innsbrook After Hours, Glen Allen, VA w/ Blackberry Smoke
• 08/23 Southern Brewers Festival, Chattanooga, TN

» mule.net

Secret Colours: "Take It Slow" video

Watch the Secret Colours video for Take It Slow, a track from their EP Positive Distractions Part I. The retro psychedelic quartet from Chicago have released it on vinyl, CD and cassette as a bundle with Positive Distractions Part II.

Live dates:

• 06/28 Milwaukee Ave Arts Festival Chicago, IL
• 07/18 Park Grill, Chicago, IL

» secretcolours.com

HCTF review of Positive Distractions I.
HCTF review of Positive Distractions II.

Tim Knol: "Soldier On" video

Dutch singer-songwriter Tim Knol has released another single from his Soldier On album. He picked up the camera himself for this one, with drummer Bas de Vries as the main character.

Live date:

• 05/28 Empty Fields Festival, Natuurpoort De Peel

» timknol.nl

Triggerfinger: "Perfect Match" @ L'Archiduc in Brussels

Watch power rock trio Triggerfinger perform an acoustic version of Perfect Match @ L'Archiduc in Brussels. Filmed by Bruxelles Ma Belle.

Live dates:

• 05/15 Komplex Klub, Zürich, Switzerland
• 05/29 Dauwpop, Hellendoorn, The Netherlands
• 06/08 Rock Am Ring, Müllenbach, Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany
• 06/09 Rock im Park, Nuremberg, Germany
• 06/28 Rock A Field, Herschesfeld, Germany
• 06/28 TW Classic, Werchter, Belgium
• 07/04 Main Square Festival, Arras, France
• 07/05 Rock Werchter, Werchter, Belgium
• 07/13 Bospop, Weert, The Netherlands
• 07/20 Deichbrand-Festival, Nordholz, Germany
• 08/09 Picture on Festival, Bildein, Austria
• 12/06 Vorst Nationaal, Brussels, Belgium
• 12/12 HMH, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

» triggerfinger.net

Phish: stream "The Line" from "Fuego"

Phish is streaming another track from their new studio album Fuego: The Line. Guitarist Trey Anastasio about this song in Rolling Stone:

Dedicated with much love to the incredible Darius Washington, Jr." because it's "about his experience when he missed those two free throws at the end of the Final Four Michigan State game. We love him, and we can relate.

Too bad they slowed it down when compared to the live versions. The chorus is, well, mainstream. A belated bit for radio play?

Fuego will be available on CD and as a limited pressing 2-LP set on 180g Orange vinyl. Pre-order from Phish Dry Goods.

Phish will perform the "Late Show With David Letterman" On June 24.

Live dates:

• 07/01 Xfinity Center - Mansfield, MA
• 07/03 Saratoga Performing Arts Center - Saratoga Springs, NY
• 07/04 Saratoga Performing Arts Center - Saratoga Springs, NY
• 07/05 Saratoga Performing Arts Center - Saratoga Springs, NY
• 07/08 Mann Center for the Performing Arts - Philadelphia, PA
• 07/09 Mann Center for the Performing Arts - Philadelphia, PA
• 07/11 Randall's Island - New York, NY
• 07/12 Randall's Island - New York, NY
• 07/13 Randall's Island - New York, NY
• 07/15 CMAC Performing Arts Center - Canandaigua, NY
• 07/16 DTE Energy Music Theatre - Clarkston, MI
• 07/18 First Merit Pavilion - Chicago, IL
• 07/19 First Merit Pavilion - Chicago, IL
• 07/20 First Merit Pavilion - Chicago, IL
• 07/25 PNC Music Pavilion - Charlotte, NC
• 07/26 Merriweather Post Pavilion - Columbia, MD
• 07/27 Merriweather Post Pavilion - Columbia, MD
• 07/29 nTelos Music Pavilion - Portsmouth, VA
• 07/30 nTelos Music Pavilion - Portsmouth, VA
• 08/01 Amphitheatre at the Wharf - Orange Beach, AL
• 08/02 Oak Mountain Amphitheatre - Pelham, AL
• 08/30 Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre - Alpharetta, GA
• 08/29 Dick's Sporting Goods Park - Commerce City, CO
• 08/30 Dick's Sporting Goods Park - Commerce City, CO
• 08/31 Dick's Sporting Goods Park - Commerce City, CO

» phish.com

Latimer House: Birdcage Walk b/w Until Then

Anglo-Canadian-Azerbaijani-American indie band Latimer House will release their new single Birdcage Walk b/w Until Then on July 7th through the usual digital outlet. Vinyl lovers will like the very limited run of 7" translucent red vinyl which will be available soon thereafter.

A-side Birdcage Walk is a radio edit of a track from their All The Rage. They shaved off about 25% from its original running time. B-side Until Then is the icing on the cake. A non-album track that is part Bo Diddley, part Ian Dury and even a bit of Bowie with a jazzy trumpet that gives way to a snippet of funk and garage rock guitar.

» latimerhouse.com

HCTF review of All The Rage.

The Velvet Underground: Norman Dolph acetate up for auction again

There she goes again ... The fabled Velvet Underground acetate is up for auction again. It sold for $25,200 in 2006 by which the seller, collector Warren Hill, made a killing. He spotted the acetate at a street sale in New York City in 2002 and bought it for 75 cents.

The acetate contains alternate mixes and takes of nine tracks from the Velvets debut album. The acetate was made by engineer Norman Dolph in 1966. Only two copies have survived. Maureen Tucker has the other one, which was used for an official release on vinyl in 2012 and as part of the 45th anniversary deluxe edition box set. The album will be auctioned off in July through Shuga Records:

The Velvet Underground and Nico acetate is a 'one of a kind' surviving copy of a record that carries an obscure history to match its audio cadence, and this extremely rare album has revived itself again on the market in America.

Recorded in April of 1966 by Norman Dolph at Scepter Studios, the test-press acetate was created after-hours in secret at Columbia records by Dolph himself. Andy Warhol, who was managing the Velvet Underground at the time, exchanged an original painting for Dolph's 'ghost producing' the project.

Initially, Andy Warhol had pitched this completed recording for release to Columbia records. Columbia Records returned the recording, dismissing it with a blatant and bold rejection (a note that said something akin to "do you think we're out of our fucking minds?"). Andy Warhol, John Cale, Norman Dolph, and John Licata could all be considered as contributing producers on the 'Scepter Sessions'. A re-recording was released by Verve Records in 1967, with Tom Wilson as the official producer. The album became a success and remains a success to this day.

In 2002 Warren Hill bought the Scepter Sessions Acetate at a street sale in Chelsea, New York for 75 cents. After giving a closer inspection to this delicate acetate, Warren investigated its history and value further. Once he gathered more details, he listed the acetate on Ebay with full knowledge of its value. The closing bid sat at $155,401 with a winning bidder who failed to finalize the transaction. The acetate was then re-listed and sold at $25,200. A limited edition pressing of 5,000 was released on Black Friday/Record Store Day of 2012, supposedly made from Moe Tucker's copy of the acetate.

Shuga Records, a high quality record merchant that specializes in one-of-a-kind items, based in Chicago, Illinois. They will be hosting the transaction of the item in July of 2014 on behalf of its owner who will remain anonymous.

10% of the sale will be donated to an animal rights charity.

» velvetundergroundacetate.com

High on Stress: Leaving MPLS

Minneapolis alternative country rockers High on Stress have called it quits. Leaving MPLS is their last album. The influence of The Replacements still looms large, and they added quit a bit of Wilco to the equation in tracks like Gimme Truth and Windy City Endings.

With their demise one of the rare garage bands that wasn't afraid to take risks while retaining a consistent high quality of material is no more. Don't be a surprised when a box set with their full back catalog hits the shops in about ten years from now.

High on Stress:
Nick Leet: vocals, guitar
Mark Devaraj: drums
Jim Soule: bass guitar, backing vocals
Chad Wheeling: guitar, organ

Leaving MPLS is a self-released album. Buy it from CD Baby.

Tracks:

1. Chase the Ghost
2. Windy City Endings
3. Quit While We're Behind
4. Gimme Truth
5. Leaving MPLS
6. Two's a Crowd
7. Enjoy the Scenery
8. Broken Cars Under a Red Sky
9. Sunday Morning Somehow
10. What Will Someday Be

» highonstressband.com

HCTF review of Living Is a Dying Art.

Chrissie Hynde: You Or No One

Chrissie Hynde, former leading lady of The Pretenders, shares another track from her debut solo album Stockholm on June 9th. You Or No One is streaming on Soundcloud. It's a ballad and it falls flat when compared with the album's lead single Dark Sunglasses.

Live dates:

• 06/01 Rough Trade (instore), New York, NY
• 06/14 Meltdown Festival, London, UK
• 07/17 Latitude Festival, Beccles, UK

» chrissiehynde.com

I am Oak: four shows in NYC

Dutch indie folk band I am Oak bring their intimate songs to New York in June.

Live dates:

• 05/30 PopUp010 (solo w/ Black Oak), Rotterdam, The Netherlands
• 06/08 Oben Air @ Marienburg Zell/Mosel, Pünderich, Germany
• 06/12 Goodbye Blue Monday, New York
• 06/13 Northside Festival @ The Grand Victory New York
• 06/15 Northside Festival @ Williamsburg Music Hall New York
• 06/16 The Delancey, New York
• 06/17 Piano's, New York
• 06/21 Best Kept Secret Hilvarenbeek, The Netherlands
• 07/05 Festival De Beschaving (solo), Utrecht, The Netherlands
• 08/02 Fonnefeesten Lokeren, Belgium
• 08/23 The Brave, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
• 09/21 Incubate (solo w/ Black Oak), Tilburg, The Netherlands

» iamoak.com

HCTF review of Ols Songd

Matt Hannah: Let the Lonely Fade

After relocating to Minneapolis, MN, Matt Hannah reinvented himself as a singer-songwriter, with the acoustic guitar as his main instrument. There is stil hint of the music he made when he fronted NYC indie rockers Escape Key, especially during Sweet Sweet Time, the most upbeat track from his new album Let the Lonely Fade, but overall it is an album that follows the signposted roads of Americana and folk, singing about lengthy road trips and the fairer sex. His voice blends in seamlessly with the pedal steel and dobro.

Hannah sounds older and more at ease than he did during his tenure as a rocker. There is no need to shout and he has transferred his ear for instantly hummable tunes to his new niche. All he needs is more mileage to add a personal touch to the material.

Christopher Paul Stelling: tour dates

Tintype photo: Josh Wool

Singer-songwriter Christopher Paul Stelling is on tour in Europe, performing new material and songs from his latest album False Cities.

Live dates:

• 05/27 Berlin, Germany @ Auster Club
• 05/28 Leipzig, Germany @ Waermehalle Sued
• 05/29 Lenzburg, Switzerland @ Privat
• 05/30 Leeuwarden, The Netherlands @ Gloppe
• 05/31 Puurs, Belgium @ Duvelblues Festival
• 06/01 Breda, The Netherlands @ Mezz
• 06/03 Leiden, The Netherlands @ Q-Bus
• 06/04 Hamburg, Germany @ The Rock Cafe St/ Pauli
• 06/06 Muenster, Germany @ Tante August
• 06/07 Lauterbach, Germany @ School
• 06/08 Wijk aan Zee, The Netherlands @ Timboektoe

» christopherpaulstelling.com

HCTF review of False Cities.

Jake Evans: This Is Life

Guitarist Jake Evans has grown a lot as a vocalist since he stepped up to the mike as member of Bad Lieutenant. This Is Life, his new single, has all the trappings of a power pop anthem.

Evans has been valued member of bands fronted by Paul Weller, Johnny Marr and Jimi Goodwin. As a busy sideman it's no wonder that This Is Life is only his second release as a solo artist.

Pre-order This Is Life from iTunes (release date June 16th).

UK live dates:

• 05/26 Manchester Gorilla (w/ Jimi Goodwin), Manchester
• 06/13 Ruby Lounge (w/ Slydigs, The Relays), Manchester
• 06/14 Queen of Hoxton (w/ Sisteray), London
• 06/20 Hebden Bridge Trades Club, Hebden Bridge
• 06/22 Barnaby Festival (w/ Tim Burgess, Mike Garry), Macclesfield

» jakeevansmusic.com

Vie Jester: Cognisense

Vie Jester are a progressive hard rock trio from Pasadena. They recorded debut EP Cognisense at Revolution 9 Studios in Hollywood with Danny Balistocky behind the mixing desk. Going for a big sound a la Tool and Muse they laid down three tracks. They aim high, mixing elements of math rock and straight up metal.

Focusing on dynamics and well-served in harmonics Cognisense packs a punch. Add top shelf lyrical diversity, ranging from politics to the long-standing hard rock fascination for esoterics and this trio should outgrow the underground pretty damn fast.

Vie Jester:
Kyle Guerrero: vocals, guitar
Cliff Gonway: drums, vocals
Justin Lepisto: bass

Cognisense is a self-released EP. Buy it from iTunes & GooglePlay.

Tracks:

1. Manifest
2. Players of Paradox
3. Humanity

» Vie Jester on Facebook

MK Groove Orchestra: "Jamband Sweet Pt. 1" video (Live at Studio BPM, Vol 2)

Watch the MK Groove Orchestra perform Jamband Sweet Pt. 1. It can be found on their Live at Studio BPM, Vol 2 album, recorded on May 20th, 2012 in NYC.

Live date:

• 05/27 Manderley Bar @ The McKittrick Hotel, New York, NY (free show)

» mkmkmk.com

HCTF review of Live at Studio BPM, Vol 2.

Under A Banner: "Close to the Clouds" PledgeMusic campaign

UK acoustic folk rock band Under A Banner have launched a PledgeMusic campaign to raise funds for their new album Close to the Clouds:

Our second album is here. We’ve poured our hearts, souls and creative sparks into this one …. for you, our fans! This album features songs about mountains, politics, belief (and disbelief), motorbikes, departure, politics, nature in all its fearful magnificence and several more lyrical themes.

In total (for those of you who opt for the bonus track package) we’ve recorded 14 brand new songs. We have heard the final versions and are very proud of what we’ve achieved.

We’ve been as creative with the exclusives we’re offering as we have with the writing and recording of the album. We really hope you approve of it all.

Live date:

• 06/07 The Giffard Arms, Wolverhampton (free show)

» underabanner.co.uk

HCTF review of Free Live Bootleg #1.

Words about music (340): David Byrne

Live in Austin, Texas - 2008/09/26 - photo: David Hill

Ninety percent of all music is always crap, and when too many people decide they're going to have guitar bands, then ninety percent of them are going to be crap. It's just a given law.

David Byrne

Dusty Stray: Family Album

Multi-intrumentalist Jonathan Brown carved his own niche with his Dusty Stray project. Brown has travelled far and wide before settling down in Amsterdam. Besides his main weapons of choice, guitar and banjo, he used a wide variety of instruments (raise your hand if you have heard of the bulbul tarang) on his new full-length Family Album, a collection of gentle freak folk songs with pretty dark lyrics.

His songs don't scratch at the surface, they pull you in. Brown is pied piper and a story teller. His tales may be pretty disconcerting sometimes - the howling infant in My Little Baby hammers home unpleasant truths, but he honours the tradition of the 20s and 30s when folk songs brought the news.

The album was mixed and mastered by Kramer (Low, Ween), who carefully balanced the tracks and delivered a crystal clear separation. Headphones recommended.

Family Album is released via Basta Music.

Tracks:

1. Gone
2. Drowning Horses
3. Midwife
4. Away
5. Family Album
6. In Albuquerque
7. I Ran
8. Strange Plane
9. The Real Thing
10. Heaven's Gate
11. My Little Baby
12. No One

» dustystray.com

Billy Moon: Young Adult

photo: Phil Cafik

After their college days were over Hamilton rock duo Billy Moon have set their sights on a career as musicians. On their third EP Young Adult they translate their boredom and ennui into dirty rock 'n' roll, singing about watching porn in Video Girls and growing up wrong in Bad Kids. Graham Caldwell (vocals, guitar, organ and baritone) and Patrick Ryan (drums) manage to sound like a full garage band: lo-fi and fuzzy, but very much alive.

No awards for being inventive, but Young Adult will find its way to suburbia, a solace for kids who are wondering about why their parents hate them, and why sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll have eluded them.

Young Adult is a self-released EP. Buy it (digital and cassette) from their website.

Tracks:

1. Kalashnikov
2. Bad Kids
3. King of the Sun
4. Video Girls
5. The Days Are Just Packed

Live date:

• 05/23 Magpie Taproom, Toronto, ON

» Billy Moon on Facebook

I Pay For Two Persons: Petardi

Italian pop trio I Pay For Two Persons make "naive" music. With their upbeat and catchy as hell tunes there's no need to decipher their lyrics. Covering the middle ground between guitar rock and electronic dance their Petardi EP has Summer written all over it. Nice touch to use a flute as a counter melody.

Don't file them under the dreaded Italo-disco that once polluted the airwaves. This trio isn't all smiles - they aren't afraid show their teeth and change pace mid-song. Stand-out Lacrime di legno with its call-and-response vocals sounds like a lost New Wave gem.

I Pay For Two Persons:
Padre Severino: vocals, bass
Suor Beatrice: vocals, flute
Don Diego: everything else

Petardi is a self-released EP. Free download from Soundcloud.

» I Pay For Two Persons on Facebook

California Breed: The Way

California Breed, a new power trio featuring bass player/singer Glenn Hughes, drummer Jason Bonham and guitar player Andrew Watt have released another video for a track from their self-titled debut album. My Way is a hard hitting modern day classic rock stomper, with Hughes letting rip like there's no tomorrow.

The band will play two showcases to promote the release of the album. A full tour is in the works. Europe should be first in September and the States are next.

Live dates:

• 05/28 Whisky A Go Go, West Hollywood, CA
• 05/31 Gramercy Theatre, New York, NY

» californiabreed.com

St Tropez: "In Pictures" video

Oakland based neo-psychedelic quintet St Tropez have unveiled a video for their debut single In Pictures. Directed by Carlos A. Marulanda the faded colours of the footage manages to capture the melancholic subject matter of the song.

In Pictures is a self-released single. Buy it (pay-what-you-want) from their website.

» sttropezoakland.com

HCTF review of In Pictures.

Jadeite: Setting Sails

Jadeite, a Danish experimental duo from Copenhagen, have released their second single Setting Sails. Niels Henrik Egsgaard and Kim Vinkel throw in a bit of Syd Barrett on this one, with haltingly delivered vocals, straying off pitch when the mood strikes them (which is often). Avant-garde pop with shifting time signatures.

Setting Sails is a self-released single. Free download from Soundcloud. Their debut album is to be released later this year.

» Jadeite on Facebook

HCTF review of Frostbites.

The Computers: European Summer tour dates

UK garage rockers The Computers will be hitting the European Summer festival circuit, playing their stylish angry songs.

Live dates:

• 06/27 Roadrunner's Paradise Race, Eberswalde, Germany
• 07/04 The Victoria InnSwindon, UK
• 07/05-06 Love Supreme Jazz Festival 2014, Lewes, UK
• 07/10–12 2000 Trees 2014, Cheltenham, UK
• 07/18 Somersault 2014, Devon, UK
• 07/19 Rollin Dudes Festival 2014, Graz, Austria
• 07/20 Werfpop 2014, Leiden, The Netherlands
• 07/25 Weserlieder Open Air, Minden, Germany
• 07/26 Das Fest, Karlsruhe, Germany
• 07/27 Eier Mit Speck Festival, Viersen, Germany
• 08/01 Leopallooza 2014, Bude, UK
• 08/02 Westival, Aldershot, UK
• 08/16 Beautiful Days Festival, Ottery St Mary, UK

» thisisthecomputers.com

Spottiswoode & His Enemies: "Dreamer Boy" video

Watch the video for Dreamer Boy by Spottiswoode & His Enemies, a track from their latest album English Dream. They perform before a big screen showing '70s English TV commercials, serving as a visual memory of lead singer's Jonathan Spottiswoode.

Live dates:

• 05/23 Jim Thorpe, PA @ Mauch Chunk Opera House
• 05/24 Philadelphia, PA @ WXPN Presents @ World Cafe Live
• 05/25 Rhinebeck, NY @ Liberty Public House

» spottiswoode.com

HCTF review of English Dream.

Carrie Elkin & Danny Schmidt: For Keeps

photo: Rodney Burseil

Americana folk couple Carrie Elkin and Danny Schmidt have been collaborating for years, but safe for the digital single Together in 2012 didn't record as a duo. With the new album For Keeps they live ot the expectations. They each contributed five songs and Elkin's clear country tone is a nice contrast with Schmidt more down to earth delivery.

This is an album commanding undivided attention to fully appreciate the embarrassment of riches contained within, lyrically and musically. Whether they reinvent the Schmidt song Company Of Friends (from his Little Grey Sheep album) or go down-home for Elkin's Longing Moves The Ocean, the couple proof that they are a match made in heaven.

Musicians:
Drew Pressman: standup and electric bass
Colin Brooks: electric, steel, and dobro guitars
Matthew Shepherd: drums
Raina Rose: harmony vocals
Chip Dolan: organ and piano
Keith Gary: organ and piano
Johann Wagner: harmonica
Paul Curreri, Devon Sproule, Rebecca Loebe: additional harmony vocals

For Keeps is released on Red House Records.

Tracks:

1. Two White Clouds
2. Echo In The Hills
3. Kiss Me Now
4. Company Of Friends
5. Swing From A Note
6. Took It Like A Man
7. Sky Picked Blue
8. Longing Moves The Ocean
9. If I Need To Know
10. Girl In The Woods

Live dates:

• 05/22 Charlottesville, VA @ The Southern
• 05/23 Kingsport, TN @ Renaissance Center Theater
• 05/24 Columbia, SC @ UU Coffeehouse Concerts

» carrieelkin.com
» dannyschmidt.com

Herculean: Sparks

There are tons of songs about doomed love affairs. For their latest single Sparks Glaswegians Herculean decided to paint with broad strokes. The accompanying video with its dystopian imagery captures the mood of the song rather well. Passionate power pop for sufferers from lovesickness.

Sparks is track from their EP The Falling Thunder.

Herculean:
Stuart McInnes: vocals, guitar
Stuart Edgar: guitar, keyboards
Steven Gerry: bass
Declan O'Kane: drums

UK live dates:

• 05/24 Kilmarnock @ Dirty Weekender Festival
• 05/25 Dundee @ Buskers
• 05/28 London @ The Underbelly
• 05/13 Glasgow @ The Beresford Lounge

» herculeanmusic.com

Bart van der Lee: Waste of Life

A time lapse video that grows on you. Dutch singer-songwriter Bart van der Lee was captured by HOAX singing Waste of Life, a song from his Ballads for the Heathens or Dying album about his Bible-thumping grandfather.

» bartvanderlee.com

HCTF review of Ballads for the Heathens or Dying.

Kids On Bridges: Walls

UK art pop trio Kids On Bridges have the typical Northern English don't fuck with me attitude. They secured a record deal with dance rock label Wall of Sound who will release their debut full-length Kidology this summer.

Lead single Walls takes a bow to the back beat of Depeche Mode's Personal Jesus and that's not a bad thing. However, the guy manning the recording console who decided that it would be cool to mess with Christian Bragg's vocals should have his wrist slapped.

Live dates:

• 05/29 AAA (Under Archangel) Kensington, London
• 05/30 Engine Rooms, Liverpool
• 05/31 Sunflower Lounge, Birmingham

» Kids On Bridges on Facebook

The Wytches: Wire Frame Mattress

UK psychedelic noise rock trio The Wytches have made a video for their new single Wire Frame Mattress, the forerunner for their debut album Annabel Dream Reader (August 25th on Heavenly recordings).

The band recorded the album at the 8-track analogue Toe Rag Studios in Hackney, catching a dirty and warm sound.

UK and The Netherlands tour dates:

• 06/08 London, UK @ Field Day
• 06/21 Hilvarenbeek, The Netherlands @ Best Kept Secret Festival
• 06/23 Birmingham @ The Institute (w/ Parquet Courts)
• 06/25 London, UK @ ULU (w/ Parquet Courts)
• 06/26 Oxford, UK @ 02 Academy 2 (w/ Parquet Courts)

North American tour dates:

• 07/02 Portland, OR @ Hawthorne Theatre
• 07/03 Seattle, WA @ Neumos
• 07/04 Victoria, BC @ Upstairs Cabaret
• 07/05 Vancouver, BC @ Rickshaw
• 07/07 San Francisco, CA @ GAMH
• 07/08 Los Angeles, CA @ Roxy
• 07/09 Los Angeles, CA @ Roxy
• 07/10 Santa Ana, CA @ Constellation Room
• 07/11 San Diego, CA @ Soda Bar
• 07/12 Phoenix, AZ @ Crescent Ballroom
• 07/14 Denver, CO @ Larimer Lounge
• 07/15 Lincoln, NE @ Knickerbockers
• 07/16 Lawrence, KS @ The Granada Theatre
• 07/17 St. Louis, MO @ Luminary Centre For The Arts
• 07/21 Toronto, ON @ Drake Underground
• 07/23 Boston, MA @ Great Scott
• 07/24 New York, NY @ Mercury Lounge
• 07/25 Brooklyn, NY @ Glasslands
• 07/26 Philadelphia, PA @ Boot & Saddle

UK tour dates:

• 08/02 Derbyshire @ Y Not Festival
• 08/29 Dorset @ End of the Road Festival
• 08/31 Yorkshire @ Bingley Music Live
• 09/07 Isle Of Wight @ Bestival

» thewytches.com

Controllar: on tour in Romania, "Kicksin" video

Amsterdam based American/Israeli trio Controllar is doing four club shows in Romania, performing songs from their forthcoming avant-rock album Only Strangers Are Normal. They have a video for Kicksin. The kaleidoscopic effects are in sync with the track's backbeat. Editing must have been a bitch.

Live dates:

• 05/20 Control Club - Bucharest
• 05/21 Bohemian Flow Art&Pub - Sibiu
• 05/22 Club Flex Arad - Arad
• 05/23 The Shelter - Cluj

» controllar.org

HCTF review of Only Strangers Are Normal.

Jessie Kilguss: two shows in Brooklyn

photo: Shervin Lainez

NYC based singer-songwriter Jessie Kilguss is still working on her new album. Expect some new songs at her upcoming shows in Brooklyn.

Live dates:

• 05/20 The Way Station, Brooklyn, NY
• 06/20 Red Hook Bait and Tackle (w/ Susan Hwang and the Realastics), Brooklyn, NY

» jessiekilguss.com

HCTF review of The Sky Road.

Ummagma: Lama Remixes LP

Canadian-Ukrainian shoegaze post-rock duo Ummagma asked their musical friend to do remix of their track Lama. As per usual they go mixed results (pun intended), but most of them could have been created in the Eighties, stretching the vocals, putting they keyboards up front and a healthy dose dry preprogrammed drum loops as the icing on the cake. Recommended if you like Propaganda.

The Lama Remixes LP is released through Emerald & Doreen Records.

» ummagma.com
» Ummagma on Facebook

HCTF reviews of Antigravity and Ummagma.

Steve Kimock & Billy Goodman: shows in Germany and Switzerland

Guitarists Steve Kimock & Billy Goodman join forces for a mini-tour, playing shows in Germany and Switzerland.

• 07/19 Weisses Ross, Lichtenau, Germany
• 07/26 Falk Lorelei Open Air Festival, Schübelbach, Switzerland
• 07/29 Musiktheater Piano, Dortmund, Germany
• 08/02 Berlin Guitars, Berlin, Germany

» kimock.com
» billygoodman

Ensor: Kicks

Amsterdam indie rock quartet Ensor looked back to the heyday of Nineties college rock for their debut album Kicks, channeling the gritty but cheerful sound of the Pixies and Hüsker Dü, with the melodic sensibiltiies of Dutch predecessors Bettie Serveert riding on top. It's a full-grown album with a dark sense of humor (The Day I Tried To Call You From My Coffin), head-over-heels seductive vocals (Do It) and passive-agressive boredom (U-Talk).

Kicks is a spot-on title for an inspired collection of songs. In years to come it might be considered as the second coming of the Amstel-Wave, that particular variety of six strings sound that dominated alternative radio in Holland twenty years ago.

Ensor:
Bas Jacobs: baritone guitar,vocals
Manue Ornon: guitar,vocals
Marcel de Rooij: bass, guitar
Michiel Verburgh: drums, percussion

Kicks is released thru Off Amsterdam. Release date: May 26. lead single Yeah Yeah Yeah can downloaded for free from their website.

Tracks:

1. The Day I Tried To Call You From My Coffin
2. Yeah Yeah Yeah
3. I Know You
4. Do It
5. A Song To Cut Like A Knife
6. New Deal
7. Clap Clap
8. U-Talk
9. The Magickal Return of Scorpio Scarecrow

Live date:

• 05/31 De Nieuwe Anita, Amsterdam (CD release party)

» ensormusic.nl

Mannequins on 7th Street: Out of Sight

Brussels based electronic pop duo Mannequins on 7th Street are putting the finishing touches to their debut EP. With their latest single Out of Sight Alex (vocals) and Tim (synth, keyboards) have created a dreamy track with a few harsh notes to jack the listeners out of their comfort zone. Promising chilly chill out music.

» Mannequins on 7th Street on Facebook

Cover Me: War Ensemble

Rob Scallon plays all the solos in Slayer's War Ensemble on his Ukulele.

» patreon.com/RobScallon
» Rob Scallon on Facebook

Latimer House: All The Rage

Latimer House is an Anglo-Canadian-Azerbaijani-American indie band whose members share a love for alternative guitar rock, new wave and a bit of funk. Their debut album All The Rage is road map of their varied musical tastes, with lead singer's Joe Cook's aloof vocals keeping it together. They touch base with Nick Lowe, The Clash, The Smiths and The Replacements.

The band flew to Prague and set up shop at Derek Saxenmeyer's studio who also acted engineer. While the album starts off with the upbeat self-explanatory This Is Pop things get darker and musically more interesting with the dark Burn with a dominant cello part and the well-placed dissonants and old school organ lines in Eye Can See.

All The Rage is a multi-faceted album. Red Heart Sequin Blues nods to early Roxy Music and Love's Undermined brings back Ian Dury. Considering geographical odds, it's quite a feat that the band members connected and turned themselves in a such tight but loose quartet.

Latimer House:
Joe Cook: guitars & vocals
Anar Yusofov: keyboards & vocals
George Kominek: drums & percussion
Michael Jetton: bass
Adtyiontal musicians:
Jim Thompson: mandolin & violin
Jan Keller: cello
Tommy Levvechia: trumpet
Justin Lavash: guitar

All The Rage is a self-released album through their own label Honk Records: vinyl in gatefold sleeve, CD and digital. Buy it from their website.

Tracks:

1. This Is Pop
2. Burn
3. Eye Can See
4. Open Your Heart
5. Birdcage Walk
6. Red Heart Sequin Blues
7. Your Love
8. Love's Undermined
9. Splash!
10. Bubblegum

» latimerhouse.com

Bettie Serveert: double bill w/ Hello Venray

photo: Tinca Veerman

Dutch indie veterans Bettie Serveert are playing two shows this month.

Live dates:

• 05/16 't Beest, Goes (w/ Hello Venray)
• 05/29 Nollie Dollie Festival, Diessen

» bettieserveert.com

Deep Purple: "Smoke On The Water" video

At long last: an official video for the Deep Purple classic Smoke On The Water. Features footage from the recording sessions in Montreux and of course the burning down of the casino that was the inspiration for the song.

Phish: new album "Fuego" 06/24

Phish will release Fuego, their first studio album in nearly five years, on JEMP Records on June 24. The album was recorded at Ronnie's Place and Anarchy Studios in Nashville, TN, Fame Recording Studios in Muscle Shoals, AL and at The Barn in Vermont, with veteran Bob Ezrin in the producer's seat. All songs were premiered during their 10/31/2013 Halloween show @ Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City.

Fuego will be available on CD and as a limited pressing 2-LP set on 180g Orange vinyl. Pre-order from Phish Dry Goods.

Tracks:

1. Fuego
2. The Line
3. Devotion To A Dream
4. Halfway To The Moon
5. Winterqueen
6. Sing Monica
7. 555
8. Waiting All Night
9. Wombat
10. Wingsuit

One of the tracks, Waiting All Night, premiered on NPR Music's "All Songs Considered".

Phish will perform the "Late Show With David Letterman" On June 24.

Live dates:

• 07/01 Xfinity Center - Mansfield, MA
• 07/03 Saratoga Performing Arts Center - Saratoga Springs, NY
• 07/04 Saratoga Performing Arts Center - Saratoga Springs, NY
• 07/05 Saratoga Performing Arts Center - Saratoga Springs, NY
• 07/08 Mann Center for the Performing Arts - Philadelphia, PA
• 07/09 Mann Center for the Performing Arts - Philadelphia, PA
• 07/11 Randall's Island - New York, NY
• 07/12 Randall's Island - New York, NY
• 07/13 Randall's Island - New York, NY
• 07/15 CMAC Performing Arts Center - Canandaigua, NY
• 07/16 DTE Energy Music Theatre - Clarkston, MI
• 07/18 First Merit Pavilion - Chicago, IL
• 07/19 First Merit Pavilion - Chicago, IL
• 07/20 First Merit Pavilion - Chicago, IL
• 07/25 PNC Music Pavilion - Charlotte, NC
• 07/26 Merriweather Post Pavilion - Columbia, MD
• 07/27 Merriweather Post Pavilion - Columbia, MD
• 07/29 nTelos Music Pavilion - Portsmouth, VA
• 07/30 nTelos Music Pavilion - Portsmouth, VA
• 08/01 Amphitheatre at the Wharf - Orange Beach, AL
• 08/02 Oak Mountain Amphitheatre - Pelham, AL
• 08/30 Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre - Alpharetta, GA
• 08/29 Dick's Sporting Goods Park - Commerce City, CO
• 08/30 Dick's Sporting Goods Park - Commerce City, CO
• 08/31 Dick's Sporting Goods Park - Commerce City, CO

» phish.com

Kapok: "Day of the Tentacle" video

Dutch unusual jazz trio Kapok have unveiled their first video. Day of the Tentacle was made by Studio Airport. They used a huge zoetrope.

Live dates:

• 05/29 Jazzy Huiskamers, Den Bosch, The Netherlands
• 05/25 Restaurant de Salentein, Nijkerk, The Netherlands
• 06/07 Music Meeting ft. KO Brass. Nijmegen, The Netherlands
• 07/11 Noth Sea Jazz Festival, Rotterdam, The Netherlands

» kapokmusic.com

HCTF review of Kapok.

David Byrne: "From The Archives: Music" opens with "Sympathy For The Devil"

David Byrne has a huge archive and his Todomundo! archivist Jasper Berg has dug a cover of the Rolling Stones' Sympathy For The Devil, Montreal 1992 for the initial installment of From The Archives: Music. The track was recorded in Montreal, during the Uh-Oh tour of 1992.

I covered Sympathy For The Devil on a tour I did in '92 with a large latin funk band. It was a late addition to the set list. This mix sounds like a board mix or maybe a monitor mix. Why did we do this? Because we could! We had a band lineup that could rock this tune... so why not? We did it as an encore number, which is where these oddball unexpected covers sometimes land. The lyrics (I had to research the real lyrics) are sometimes absolutely brilliant, sometimes silly (the Stones playing at being bad boys) and sometimes completely nonsensical. I covered Keith's guitar solo as best I could. You can hear the audience doing the "woo wooh's" in the 1st verse!

You'll notice I go into a "funny" voice about two-thirds through for certain lines. I was trying to sing like Goofy, the Disney character. Why? Well, there actually was a reason, though maybe not one good enough to justify how weird this sounds. I have long believed that the devil, should one exist, would not be some scary guy, but someone who sweetly perverts our better natures by more surreptitious means... and for me, Disney is the perfect example of that, with maybe the Olsen Twins as his consorts. So, following that logic, Goofy (the "harmless" clown minion) would be the perfect one to suggest we have some "sympathy" for the devil.

David
NYC 2014

» davidbyrne.com

The Asteroids Galaxy Tour: Summer tour dates

Danish dance pop band The Asteroids Galaxy Tour hits the European Summer festival circuit, playing their cheerful brand of mainstream music.

Live dates:

• 06/20 Southside Festival, Neuhausen Ob Eck, Germany
• 06/20 Hurricane Festival, Scheessel, Germany
• 07/04 Urban Art Forms, Graz, Austria
• 07/18 Colours Of Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic
• 07/19 Cultura Inquieta Festival, Madrid, Spain
• 07/25 Campus, Debrecen, Hungary
• 07/26 Q Stock, Oulu, Finland
• 08/01 Festival Arenal Sound, Burriana, Spain
• 08/02 Festival Arenal Sound, Burriana, Spain
• 08/15 Lowlands Festival, Biddinghuizen, The Netherlands
• 08/16 Rock 'Oz Arenes, Avenches, Switzerland

» theasteroidsgalaxytour.com

HCTF review of Out Of Frequency.

Little Matador: Reasons

UK rock band Little Matador comes out swinging with the video for their new single Reasons, in which lead signer Nathan Connolly picks a fight with professional boxer Lisa Anderson. He flees, he fights and he goes down, but the song itself stands tall. Plenty of swagger and hooks galore. The video was made by Pickle Jar Films.

Reasons is released on Fiction Records. Release date: June 16.

UK live date:

• 06/28 Royal Hospital, Dublin (supporting Biffy Clyro)
• 07/04 Sonipshere, Hertfordshire
• 07/11 T in the Park, Kinross
• 07/13 Wakestock, Abersoch
• 08/17 Belsonic, Belfast (supporting Biffy Clyro)

» littlematadorband.com

St Tropez: In Pictures

Psychedelic pop with an electronic twist. In Pictures debut single by Oakland based quintet St Tropez sounds like a lost gem from the Sixties after treatment with a dash of modern day electronics. Dreampop vocals and wavering guitar lines on top of a catchy back beat. Recommended if you like Jacco Gardner and Tame Impala.

In Pictures is a self-released single. Buy it (pay-what-you-want) from their website.

The band's full length will be released this fall.

» sttropezoakland.com

The Peach Kings: Mojo Thunder

Paige McClain Wood (vocals) and Steven Trezevant Dies are The Peach Kings, a LA based duo who are into sexy, bluesy alternative rock. Think The Mynabirds without the politics. Thuer new EP Mojo Thunder has written late-night listening written all over it, with the whispered vocals of Say What and Hold On. The title track Mojo Thunder is served in two flavors. The original with its fuzzy feedback guitar pisses all over the rather bland Kent Rockafeller remix.

Mojo Thunder is a self-released EP. Buy it from their website. Release date: June 3.

Tracks:

1. Mojo Thunder
2. Hold On
3. Be Around
4. Say What
5. Mojo Thunder (Kent Rockafeller Remix)

Live date:

• 05/15 LA Weekly's ARTOPIA 2014, Los Angeles, CA

» thepeachkings.com