Ronan Conroy: "Tonight" video

NYC singer-songwriter Ronan Conroy will release his new album The Moment Is Gone on May 30th. In trying to find closure for the pain that inspired him to write the songs for his previous release, Blood Dread, he has posted a Tonight, the final track from this EP. "Conroy's signature baritone comes close to breaking into tears, but never becomes sordid. He used his grief to come to terms with himself and the outside world. Blood Dread is a dark journey, but Conroy is finding his a way out of the maze where his demons were closing in upon him."

» ronansconroy.com

HCTF review of Blood Dread.

Pocket Knife Army: "Exhale" acoustic

Dutch electronic pop duo Pocket Knife Army have posted a video for the acoustic version of Exhale, a track from their Forever Counting Sheep album. A quiet and intense version, with crystal clear vocals and a simple but highly effective guitar part.

» Pocket Knife Army on Facebook

HCTF review of The Jungle Of My Thoughts.

Wilco: tour dates

Wilco returns to the road after two year hiatus, with a couple of State side shows (Knoxville and the Solid Sound Festival in North Adams) and an extensive European club tour.

Live dates:

• 06/05 Knoxville, TN @ Bijou Theatre
• 06/06 Knoxville, TN @ Bijou Theatre
• 06/12 Brussels, Belgiium @ Ancienne Belgique
• 06/13 Brussels, Belgiium @ Ancienne Belgique
• 06/15 Amsterdam, Netherlands @ Paradiso
• 06/16 Amsterdam, Netherlands @ Paradiso
• 06/18 Lille, France @ Aeronef Club
• 06/19 Rouen, France @ Le 106
• 06/20 La Rochelle, France @ La Sirene
• 06/22 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain @ Azkena Rock Festival

Ride: new album "This Is Not A Safe Place" 08/16; stream "Future Love"

British shoegaze pioneers Ride will release their new album his Is Not A Safe Place on August 16. They posted the audio for lead single Future Love on YouTube. All the signature guitar flourishes are in place as well as quite a lot of echo on the vocals.

Slim Loris: One Kind of Bull

photo: Alexander Nikolis

Swedish quartet Slim Loris are on the fence between indie rock and pop on their new EP One Kind of Bull. It's easy to point out the huge influence of Crowded House and Big Country on tracks like Space In Your Heart and Beetroot as well as Sixties pop of the Hollies variety in Don't You Tell.

While their melodic approach is decidedly radio-friendly their music is actually more complex, giving the listener plenty of opportunity to find bits and pieces that might have been overlooked at first. They paint in deceptive bright colours, but this is a dead serious band who can sing candidly about matters of the heart.

Tullycraft: "Lost Our Friends to Heavy Metal" video

Watch the new Tullycraft video for Lost Our Friends to Heavy Metal. As per usual they used vintage footage, including some very awkward dancing, Count Dracula, and cartoons.

It's a track from their album The Railway Prince Hotel."(...) filled with upbeat, rambling garage tunes that will get many a listener spin the wrong foot. Is there something wrong with the rhythm? Well, no actually, but it's a kind of free-flowing music, jagged and lo-fi while they take the piss at pretty much anything. Think a mix of XTC, The Velvet Underground, Jonathan Richman and the Decemberists".

» tullycraft.com

HCTF review of The Railway Prince Hotel

Faux Co.: Radio Silence

photo: Dan Jarvis

Chicago indie rockers Faux Co. are heavily influenced by jangling psychedelic Sixties West Coast Pop. Their debut full-length Radio Silence covers all the bases and more - Nineties college rock wiggled in its way as well. Set The Record Straight is slightly ahead of the competition, with its smart use of saxophones and trumpet.

This all killer no-filler release by a band that puts melody first, with an in-the-pocket rhythm section riding shotgun. The old school rock 'n' roll ballad Oh, Mother Night should be released on a 7" and claim its rightful place in a carefully restored jukebox.

HCTF premiere - Yip Man of Scotland: Suffer More

Yip Man of Scotland, alter ego of self-professed sarcastic Al Nero, takes the piss on his new single Suffer More, as a belated answer to Aldous Huxleys statement that an artist need to be decidedly unhappy in order to create something worthwhile. Nero blasts this concept to bits with a joyous one-fingered salute and aloof vocals.

Suffer More will be released via Armellodie Records. Release date: May 31.

» Yip Man on Facebook

I am Oak: Between Worlds

Dutch folk band I am Oak capture self doubt and not knowing where to go next on their new single Between Worlds. Main man Thijs Kuijken always finds a way to write a hypnotic, beautiful song about things that get pushed away in everyday life, supplying a soft spoken voice for those who don't want to keep up with the rat race and need some time for reflection.

Words about music (485): Debbie Harry

Music does not carry you along. You have to carry it along strictly by your ability to really just focus on that little small kernel of emotion or story.

Debbie Harry

De Staat: European club tour in October and November

photo: Pooneh Ghana

After the announcement of the shows in Holland in November Dutch rockers De Staat have now confirmed the dates of a full scale European club tour.

Live dates:

• 10/20 CHez Heinz, Hannover, Germany
• 10/21 Klub Hybrydy, Warsaw, Poland
• 10/23 Nova Cverkovka, Bratislava, Slovakia
• 10/24 A38, Budapest, Hungary
• 10/25 Form Space, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
• 10/26 Club Control, Bucharest, Romania
• 10/27 Sofia Live Club, Sofia, Bulgaria
• 10/29 Culture Factory, Zagreb, Croatia
• 10/30 Club Fleda, Brno-Královo Pol, Czech Republic
• 10/31 Futurum Music Bar, Prague, Czech Republic
• 11/01 Halle 02, Heidelberg, Germany
• 11/08 Trix, Antwerpen, Belgium
• 11/09 The Castle & Falcon, Birmingham, UK
• 11/10 The Mash House, Edinburg, UK
• 11/12 Voodoo, Belfast, Northern Ireland
• 11/13 Academy Green Room, Dublin, Ireland
• 11/15 The Garage, Londen, UK
• 11/21 Muziekgieterij, Maastricht, Netherlands
• 11/22 013, Tilburg, Netherlands
• 11/23 De Oosterpoort, Groningen, Netherlands
• 11/24 TivoliVredenburg, Utrecht, Netherlands
• 11/26 Paard, Den Haag, Netherlands
• 11/27 Doornroosje, Nijmegen, Netherlands
• 11/28 Doornroosje, Nijmegen, Netherlands
• 11/29 Doornroosje, Nijmegen, Netherlands

» destaat.net

HCTF premiere - Rat Fancy: Stay Cool

Stay Cool is the title track the forthcoming first Rat Fancy full-length. The LA indie band have a knack for writing sunny side up tunes with a punk vibe, cheerful lo-fi pleas to stick to your guns and not fall in step with what is considered proper or the right thing to do.

Stay Cool will be released on June 7 via Happy Happy Birthday To Me Records (translucent green vinyl, black vinyl) and Solidarity Club (cassette).

MIS+RESS: Dispellers

Guitarist Brian Wenckebach is on a roll with his solo ambient avant-garde project MIS+RESS. On his new album Dispellers pastoral proggy musings. His crystal clear tone and smart use of echo and loops will appeal to post-rock fans who can handle gentle excursions that dig deep.

With this album Wenckebach's music could be likened to water colour sketches, using the calm perseverance of Matt Stevens and the melodic sensibilities of Mike Oldfield. He can turn a small snippet into something truly memorable and carefully sidesteps all the pitfalls of bubbling New Age fodder.

GURU: Fixation

photo: Harry Sotnick

Brighton based punk rock quartet GURU have embraced syncopation in a big on their new stop and start single Fixation, a brutal yet catchy assault that brings back the anger of The Clash. Note the bass part - that's the engine that moves this song forward.

John Cale: Levitation Festival in Austin, TX

John Cale will be headlining the Levitation Festival in Austin, TX, on November 9.

» John Cale on Facebook
» John Cale tour dates

Cover Me: Havana Affair

Watch Red Hot Chili Peppers tackle the Ramones classic Havana Affair. It can be found on the Live at Slane Castle DVD.

» redhotchilipeppers.com

Chris Robinson Brotherhood: "Chauffeur's Daughter" video

Watch the new Chris Robinson Brotherhood video for Chauffeur's Daughter, a track from their forthcoming album Servants Of The Sun, out on June 16 via Silver Arrow Records. The clip was directed By Jay Blakesberg. They have added an intimate club show in Brooklyn, NY @ Baby's All Right on June 27. Tickets for the show go on-sale Friday, April 26 at 10am local.

Airplane Man: Borderline

photo: Tony Shadman

Daniel Feldman and Tim Sommers of the retro New Wave duo Airplane Man go all-out Eighties on their new single Borderline, a blatantly commercial good time song about feeling down. Besides lifting the title of a Madonna classic there are traces of Depeche Mode and Propaganda after Nintendo's Mario's catch phrase "Here We Go" kicks things off. Riding the coat tails of the film adaptation of the Ernest Cline novel Ready Player One the duo pictures a 64 bits version of a bygone era. Falsetto vocals, escapism from a dystopian world, it's all there and more.

Phish: new archival release 11/11/1998 Van Andel Arena, Grand Rapids, MI

Another archival Phish release is available for streaming and download: 11/11/1998 Van Andel Arena, Grand Rapids, MI.

After some one-off shows at Farm Aid, The Fillmore, and the Bridge School Benefit, Phish celebrated the October 27th release of 'The Story of The Ghost' with TV appearances on Sessions at West 54th and The Late Show with David Letterman before mounting a twenty-two show fall tour. Starting in Los Angeles, Phish hit Las Vegas and West Valley, Utah in an extended Halloween celebration that saw them cover both the Velvet Underground's 'Loaded' and Pink Floyd's ‘The Dark Side of the Moon.' Next came stops in Denver, Madison, and a celebrated 3-night stand in Chicago before the band’s second November 11th show in as many years at Grand Rapids, Michigan’s Van Andel Arena. Beyond the 11/11 date synergy, the return to Van Andel was auspicious as Phish was one of the first bands to play the 12,800 capacity arena (preceded by Neil Diamond and Rush) after it opened in 1996.

The Ego Ritual: "Ten Points For The Red Star" video

Lincoln trio psychedelic rock The Ego Ritual have made a video for Ten Points For The Red Star, a track from their self-titled debut EP, The clip uses vintage footage from the heydays of the space age, a time wherein the USA and the Soviet Union were caught up in a fight for dominance in outer space.

» The Ego Ritual on Facebook

HCTF review of The Ego Ritual EP.

LIJO: Sometimes I Want Rain

Dutch avant-pop singer LIJO has released her debut single Sometimes I Want Rain, an adventurous excursion in the vein of Kate Bush and fellow Dutch musician STASJ. She mixes electronics, rock guitar and vocals that halfway folk and jazz and made an intriguing and highly original first statement. The song is the first part of her My Inner Parts diptych. The video was made by Doron Tempert.

Donna Blue: Donna Blue

Dutch retro-pop duo Donna Blue provide a three-part throwback to the Sixties on their new self-titled EP. Danique van Kesteren and Bart van Dalen channel the sunny French pop sound of France Gall and Francoise Hardy with 1 2 3, try to escape from boredom with the bubblegum ballad Get Away, and wrapping things up with surf and country in the superb Arlene's, a mashup of the Primitives, Ry Cooder, and Johnny Cash. Changes are that this track will inspire lots budding of guitarists trying to figure the effect pedal settings.

Donna Blue created the soundtracks for a trio of short road movies that don't have to be made. They can paint a full picture with their music.

Donna Blue is released on 7" vinyl (300 numbered copies) via Snowstar Records. Release date: May 3. It can be bought exclusively a week before the official release at ‘An Evening With Donna Blue’ at Cinetol, Amsterdam on the 25th of April. The 7 inch can be pre-ordered in the Snowstar Records webshop

Tangerine Dream: "In Search of Hades: The Virgin Recordings 1973 – 1979" box set

The five albums that were released by German experimental electronic group Tangerine Dream when they were signed to Virgin will be released in a new box set: In Search of Hades: The Virgin Recordings 1973 – 1979. The set includes Phaedra (1974), Rubycon (1975), Ricochet (1975), Stratosfear (1976), Encore (1977), Cyclone (1978), and Force Majeure (1979). Comes with a hardcover book and 2 Blu-Rays with previously unreleased audio and video content.

he remastered audio (stereo and 5.1) was mixed by Steven Wilson. The video captures the band at a 1976 German TV performance and BBC Old Grey Whistle Test broadcast of a show at Coventry Cathedral.

Neil Young and Phil Baker: new book "To Feel the Music"

Pono, the high end digital audio project by Neil Young, was discontinued in 2017, but he is not giving up. A new book, To Feel the Music, tells the back story and hits the shops in September. Co-author Phil Baker posted a statement on his website:

Neil Young and I coauthored this story about Neil’s single most passionate pursuit: Bringing high-quality audio back to music lovers, who have been forced to settle for compressed, digital files that rob songs of their original warmth. It’s also the story of our efforts to design and market the Pono music player, a low cost product that delivers high quality audio at an affordable price. It’s a book that will find a receptive audience among music fans as well as business people and those interested in product development.

The Brighton Beat: NY State dates

Funky afro-beat big band The Brighton Beat have a couple of dates lined up in their home state New York. They made a video on a boat for their song Changing Elevators while they were on tour in Maine.

Kapok: show in Haarlem

Dutch jazz trio Kapok are back from their hiatus - babies happened and one of its members traveled across the globe. They will blow away the cobwebs and dust with an improv show in Haarlem @ Philharmonie on May 3rd.

Cover Me: I'm a Lonesome Fugitive

Watch Billy Strings and Marcus King perform the Merle Haggard classic I'm a Lonesome Fugitive written by Liz and Casey Anderson. Recorded live @ Carter Vintage Guitars in Nashville, TN.

» billystrings.com
» marcuskingband.com

Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes: End Of Suffering

photo: Daniel Alexander Harris

Starting out an as all out hardcore punk band Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes are now exploring other pastures. Their new album End Of Suffering (the Buddhist term for enlightenment) is very much the wok of an English band, but they also taken cues from bands like Queens of the Stone Age and Soundgarden. The music is still heavy and mostly angry, but they have added more melodic hooks and even some jazzy piano when they say hi to Amy Winehouse by quoting her "Love is losing game". Depression and fear and loathing are clamouring for the upper hand in their lyrics, with lead single Anxiety as a belated addition to the recipe that was perfected by Nirvana.

End Of Suffering is the result of the cross pollination of the band's influences. They do whatever the fuck they want - a punk attitude that can keep them going for many years to come.

Sara Ryan & Steo Wall: Rise Up

Two of Ireland's most promising folk musicians have joined forces to speak out against racism. Sara Ryan and Steo Wall are in different corners - silky and soulful versus harsh and angry, but the tow of them have managed to create a true collaboration with Rise Up, a punch with a velvet glove that hammers home the ugly truths about people wanting shut out outsiders based on unfounded fears, ignorance, and blatant lies.

John Clifton: In The Middle of Nowhere

John Clifton plays a mean harp that fits his Fifties inspired electric blues like a glove. His latest album is called In The Middle of Nowhere, a collection of true-and-tried classics that are delivered with swagger and gusto. And while these songs could be overly familiar to blues buffs, the sheer energy and power of these renditions makes them sound fresh. His vocals have hint of soul and R&B, which makes the anger of the lyrics even more compelling.

Backed by Scott Abeyta (guitar), Jake Finney (bass), Edward Fritz (drums) and Bartek Szopinski (piano), the band that accompanies him during his busy live schedule, In The Middle of Nowhere sounds like a bunch of old school one-take wonders, the perfect anti-dote for feeling down and out.

Words about music (484): Paul Rodgers

I have a lot of analog. I think a lot of people do. There are a lot of people that are re-discovering it. I still have a lot of my old records from back in the day. It's a joy to play things like Junior Wells' 'Hoodoo Man Blues,' and John Mayall & The Blues Breakers with Eric Clapton. There's a warmth that you can still feel.

Paul Rodgers

Joe Ramsey: Stop & Start

Joe Ramsey, a singer/songwriter from Middlesbrough, describes the early stages of a relationship on his new single Stop & Start, wondering if he will be better off alone or going for it. It's an almost shy, but endearing piece of acoustic indie pop with soulful, stacked vocals.

Live dates:

• 04/20 Stockton Calling @ The Vault Stage, Stockton
• 05/05 Hit The North, Newcastle

» Joe Ramsey on Facebookk

The Aristocrats: shows in Salt Lake City, Grand Junction, Denver

Power fusion rock trio The Aristocrats have added three shows to their North American tour: Salt Lake City, Grand Junction, Denver. They will promote their forthcoming fourth studio album: You Know What…?

Redwolves: "Fenris" video

Danish psych rock quartet Redwolves have made a video fro Fenris, a track from their latest album Future Becomes Past. Loud and over the top this song is as close as they ever got to channeling AC/DC.

Custard Flux: Helium Bonus digital release

Helium Bonus, the outtakes of the Helium album of the new acoustic psychedelic prog project Custard Flux led by Gregory Curvey, gets a separate digital release. Previously only available on CD as part of the deluxe version of the album housed in a handmade hinged wooden box. It will also be included on the forthcoming 2LP set.

It's Record Store Day

Get off your ass and buy yourself some music today at your favorite indie retailer with their knowledgeable, friendly staff. Tons of "today only" special (vinyl!) items. It's Record Store Day.

» recordstoreday.com

Abrasive Pheasants: live @ The Trades Club video

The set that was played by the Abrasive Pheasants, consisting of members of the avant-garde community, as part of the Mike Wast Memorial @ The Trades Club in Hebdden Bridge on April 3 was captured on video. Over half an hour of free-flwoing improv and stil some members of the audience manged to dance it. Slim Verhoef from Beastfish shot the film and Gareth Babb provided the desk recording.

Abrasive Pheasants:
Andrew Daley: alto sax
Andy Duncan: synthesizer
Steve Lacey-Marsden: fretless bass and stories
Colin Robinson: guitar
Teal: drums

Amber Kamminga: Name Of Love

photo: Pieter Pennings

Dutch country singer Amber Kamminga released a superb debut EP in 2017. Her new single Name Of Love is more pop-oriented, with lush backing vocals and crunchy keyboards. Her voice is her weapon of choice, powerful with just a hint of twang to appease the early adapters.

Kamminga is expanding her musical palette, emboldened by her regular trips to Nashville, playing live and hooking up with like-minded musicians to work on new songs as a team. Country remains the core, bug it can 't hurt to wander off to other genres that fit her phrasing. It might get her a bigger audience, something she really deserves.

Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds: free stream of "‘DISTANT SKY - Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds Live in Copenhagen'"

Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds offer a free stream of DISTANT SKY - Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds Live in Copenhagen (April 19-22). Sign up to be to watch the show at nickcave.com/distantsky.

Kaki King & Giorgia Lupi: "BRUISES: The Data We Don’t See" exhibition in NYC

BRUISES: The Data We Don’t See, the installation created by guitarist Kaki King and visual data designer Giorgia Lupi, will be shown at the Cooper Hewitt Museum in New York City as part of their Design Triennial. On view from May 10 until January 20 next yaar, the installation tells the story of a being a parent whose child is diagnosed of suffering from Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura, an auto-immune disease.

Propaganda: "The Eight Testaments of Propaganda" for Record Store Day

German synth pop Propaganda were a one-album hit wonder. A Secret Wish, originally released in 1985, spawned a few hitsingles and an endless stream of remixes, covers, outtakes and live tracks on 12", EP, 7" and whatnot. The Eight Testaments of Propaganda. a comprehensive 4LP box set rounds most of this up for a special release on Record Store Day.

Cover Me: Dear Prudence

Watch the original Siouxsie and the Banshees clip for their cover of Dear Prudence. Their version of the Beatles classic was released as a stand-alone single in 1983. It did not end up on the all covers album Through the Looking Glass (1987) and finally resurfaced on the 2001 2CD/DVD compilation The Best of Siouxsie and the Banshees.

» Siouxsie and the Banshees on Wikipedia

Iron Maiden, Slayer, Judas Priest and Motörhead puzzles

Jigsaw puzzles are not new when it comes to hawking music merch, but it's a first for a dozen of classic heavy metal and hard rock album covers. From Loudwire::

As the world of heavy metal merch continues to expand, U.K.'s Zee Productions will be launching a new serious of jigsaw puzzles, spotlighting classic albums from Iron Maiden, Slayer, Judas Priest and Motörhead.

40 Shillings on the Drum: "Mean Streets (Born in the Same Gutter)" video

Brighton band 40 Shillings on the Drum have made a video for their latest single Mean Streets (Born in the Same Gutter): "Quite refreshing, with hints of The Clash in their prime, bookended by two suprisingly gentle piano bits. Somewhere Pete Shelley and John Peel are hearing this and are high-fiving each other."

Jeff Tweedy: "Warmer" for Record Store Day

Wilco frontman Jeff Tweedy will release ten previously unavailable studio recordings on Warmer for Record Store day. It's a companion for his latest solo album Warm.

“At some point I separated the songs from the WARM/WARMER session into two records with individual character, but still tried to keep the overall tone and texture of the combined session consistent,” Tweedy stated. “In a lot of ways these two records could have been released as a double LP. WARMER means as much to me as WARM and might just as easily have been released as the first record of the pair.

William Steffey: Reality Jockey

William Steffey is one of those rare musicians who can switch between genres without getting lost in the process. Try pigeonholing his latest album Reality Jockey and find that it can't be done. The Chicago based a songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist, can play gnarly instrumentals like Lamppost on Sawyer and Rise, and a pop song like Rookie of the Year and Stay Up Later that could have been Hall & Oates singles. Jazzy crooning? Try Decidedly Blue or Goodbye Cassiopeia. Last but least: demented heavy art rock gets an outing with the title track.

Steffey is a PR manager's worst nightmare, who will be lost for words in search for all inclusive catch phrase. Reality Jockey is an album by an artist who does what he pleases. Dive in with open ears or get out.

Jeffrey Halford & The Healers: new album "West Towards South"

photo: Adam Ross

Jeffrey Halford & The Healers are releasing their new album West Towards South on April 17. They kept the raw Americana feel intact for this collection of songs about travel, trouble and crime.

R.E.M. / Bingo Hand Job: "Live at The Borderline" for Record Store Day

In 1991 R.E.M. performed two shows at The Borderline in London, flying under the radar as Bingo Hand Job. The March 15 show was recorded and made available soon afterwards on bootlegs. It gets its first official released as a 2LP For Record Store Day. The show is mainly acoustic and they were joined on stage by Billy Bragg, Robyn Hitchcock and Peter Holsapple.

Rat Fancy: new album " Stay Cool, June 7 + stream "Making Trouble"

photo: Joey Tobin

LA indie band Rat Fancy will release their first full-length Stay Cool on June 7 via Happy Happy Birthday To Me Records (translucent green vinyl) and Solidarity Club (cassette). They made a video for lead single Making Trouble. Rambling lo-fi goodness with an earworm hook as and added bonus.

"Doctor Who – Destiny Of The Daleks" for Record Store Day

A longtime favourite among fans of the Doctor Who series, the classic four-part Destiny Of The Daleks, will be released as a 2LP (2500 copies) for Record Store Day:

Presented across 2 x Heavyweight 180g pieces of Red with Blue Splatter Vinyl, this narrated TV soundtrack evokes a classic Doctor Who adventure in all its aural magnificence. From the eerie sonics of Ron Grainer & Delia Derbyshire’s theme tune, and the familiar ‘wheezing, groaning’ of the TARDIS, through to the bass thrum of the Daleks’ headquarters, and their clamorous shriek of “Exterminate! Exterminate!” the story is alive with weird and wonderful sound.

Subterranean Street Society: "Leftover Wine" live @ Moon Music Studios

Watch Amsterdam based Danish singer-songwriter Louis Puggaard-Müller - perform his Leftover Wine EP in full with Subterranean Street Society project @ Moon Music Studios in Roermond.

All that was needed were two acoustic guitars, a harmonica, some decent recording gear and a film crew who know their stuff to capture this intimate and compelling performance. Basically it's three songs linked into one long storytelling piece. It's available on cassette.

HCTF premiere - Red Hearted Vibrations: The Day You Tried To Save Me

Glaswegian rock band Red Hearted Vibrations are back with a new single The Day You Tried To Save Me, a carefully structured rock ballad, wherein ambiguity and commitment are having a tug of war for getting the upper hand. This tension between romance and reality works like a charm. It's a happy sad excursion that should be entered into great songbook of Scottish folk rock post-haste.

The Aristocrats: new studio album "You Know What…?"

Power fusion rock trio The Aristocrats have unveiled the title of their fourth studio album: You Know What…?. An extensive North American tour is being planned up to promote the release, with the Travis Larson Band added to the bill as the support act. More dates TBA.

The Royal Concept: Up All Night

Swedish pop quartet The Royal Concept keep it smooth and mainstream on their new single Up All Night. With a title like that expectations for a wild nigh might be in order, but this tune is more fitting for all-night game of Monopoly or another time-consuming board game. Risk free radio stations will love them.

More of the same on their upcoming album The Man Without Qualities.

Frank Zappa: "The Guitar World According To Frank Zappa" for Record Store Day

Frank Zappa fans will like this: The Guitar World According To Frank Zappa comes to vinyl for Record Store Day. The cassette only release has been out of print since 1987.

"The Guitar World According To Frank Zappa" - the 1987 guitar compilation by Frank Zappa was originally available on cassette only through Guitar World magazine and Barfko-Swill mail order, and will be reissued for the first time on 180g clear audiophile vinyl. The album was mastered by Chris Bellman at Bernie Grundman Mastering.

Stephen Stanley & Chris Bennett: live @ Sellers & Newel Books & Speakeasy in Toronto

Watch Stephen Stanley & Chris Bennett perform an intimate set Sellers & Newel Books & Speakeasy in Toronto. They played stripped down material from their roots rock band The Stephen Stanley Band. The video was shot by Sean Ryan.

The duo wil return to the venue on May 16.

Courtney Barnett: "Everybody Here Hates You" for Record Store Day

Aussie singer-songwriter Courtney Barnett releases the brand new song Everybody Here Hates You as the A-side of 12" single for Record Store Day. The B-side Small Talk was recorded during the recording sessions for her Tell Me How You Really Feel album and was released on the 10 Years of Mom+Pop compilation last year. She drew the cover for the single herself.

Band of Skulls: Love Is All You Love

English rock act Band of Skulls are down to a duo since their drummer called it Matt Hayward quits. Foe their new album Love Is All You Love Russell Marsden (guitar, vocals) and Emma Richardson (bass, vocals) enlisted the services for Eagles Of Death Metal drummer Julian Dorio and it worked out swimmingly. Dorio brought an extra bit of hard rock as part of the equation. Producer Richard X urged them to play live as the tapes rolled.

Their upbeat brand of fuzzy garage rock has evolved into a more melodic approach over the years and Sound of You is as close as they ever got in trying to write a power ballad. Fans of their loud and sexy side will enjoy the call-response in Not The Kind Of Nothing and Cool Your Battles.

Elvis Costello & The Imposters and Blondie: USA tour dates

Two legendary acts from the punk and New Wave era team up for a co-headlining tour. Elvis Costello & The Imposters and Blondie wil be on tour in the States in July and August.

Live dates:

• 07/20 Bethel, NY @ Bethel Woods Center for the Arts
• 07/21 Uncasville, CT @ Mohegan Sun Arena
• 07/23 Boston, MA @ Rockland Trust Bank Pavilion
• 07/24 Forest Hills, NY @ Forest Hills Stadium
• 07/26 Washington DC @ The Anthem
• 07/27 Camden, NJ @ BB&T Pavilion
• 08/01 Las Vegas, NV @ The Pearl Theater At The Palms
• 08/02 Temecula, CA @ Pechanga Summit
• 08/04 Irvine, CA @ FivePoint Amphitheatre
• 08/05 Los Angeles, CA @ Greek Theatre
• 08/07 Santa Barbara, CA @ Santa Barbara Bowl
• 08/08 San Francisco, CA @ Concord Pavilion
• 08/10 Seattle, WA @ Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery

» elviscostello.com
» blondie.net

Heavy Heart: Dowsabel

photo: Chiara Ceccaioni

London based quartet Heavy Heart are into carefully crafted melodic rock. Their latest single Dowsabel, an obsolete word for sweetheart, harks back to the heyday of the bands on the 4AD label in the early Eighties, with an orchestral coda to top it off.

Pocket Knife Army: "The Jungle Of My Thoughts" live in the studio

Dutch electronic pop duo Pocket Knife Army have posted a live video of their new song The Jungle Of My Thoughts, the third of the "one new song each month" series.Desirée Coumans and Erwin Tuijl are in full Eighties mode for this one, with a harsh but catchy rave up New Wave dance tube about saying goodbye. Filmed in their recording studio by Jesse Immanuel Bom.

» Pocket Knife Army on Facebook

HCTF review of The Weight.

Johnny Dowd: "Dream On" video

Truus de Groot made a video for Dream On, a track from the latest Johnny Dowd album Family Picnic. It's a demented love story, so it makes perfect sense that it is told by mannequins.

Gong : "Live Au Bataclan 1973" for Record Store Day

Live Au Bataclan 1973, an album by the cult progressive space rock band Gong, wil be back in print as a 2LP for Record Store Day. Originally released in 1990 the concert captures the band in the midst of The Radio Gnome Invisible trilogy period.

Words about music (483): Dave Stewart

Most artists can concentrate for about three minutes in a business meeting before they’re doodling or writing song lyrics in the corner of the paper.

Dave Stewart