Monday, July 19, 2010

Music News & Notes

Mightier Than Sword Records Announces In The Hollows/Pala Split 10"/Digital EP

Mightier Than Sword Records has announced the upcoming split 10"/digital EP release from In The Hollows and PALA. The split vinyl is now available in the MTS Webstore and ships immediately. The limited edition vinyl 10" EP is available in three colors: solid black (ltd. 104), maroon with yellow haze (ltd. 199) and brown with black splatter (ltd. 199).

In The Hollows released their debut 7" on Mightier Than Sword in May. PALA's most recent 7" was praised for "[hitting] more styles than your 13-year-old cousin's wardrobe in a year, but rather than sounding forced, it combines into a working amalgamation of heavy and punk-styled music of the last 20 years."

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Arcade Fire Reveal 8 Album Covers

Arcade Fire have revealed their eight different album covers. Featuring the same car, band logo, and slightly different suburban scenes, the covers of The Suburbs have different color schemes, but seem to be saying that everything is pretty much the same in every suburb. Arcade Fire release their album on August 2 (UK) and August 3 (US).







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CRUCIFYRE – Unveil Album Cover Art

Stockholm death metal act CRUCIFYRE, who recently joined the Pulverised Records roster, are pleased to unveil the cover art of their upcoming debut full-length entitled Infernal Earthly Divine. Conceptualized by the band and brought to life by graphic artist Stefan Hansson, the dramatic illustration compliments what the band describes as, “nine tracks of pure oldschool hell!”

Formed in 2006, CRUCIFYRE features the crushing lineup of vocalist Erik Tormentor Sahlström (General Surgery, Maze Of Torment, Serpent Obscene et al), guitarists TG (The Sun, Morbid) and Urban Skytt (Crematory, Regurgitate, Nasum), bassist Henrik Doltz Nilsson (Dobermann Cult) and drummer Yasin Hillborg (Afflicted).

http://www.myspace.com/crucifyre






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THE ETERNAL: 'Under A New Sun' Artwork Unveiled

Here is the cover artwork for "Under A New Sun," the forthcoming fourth full-length album from Melbourne, Australia's dark rockers THE ETERNAL. The band states, "The cover and several images in the booklet are based on photography by fantastic Romanian photographer Felicia Simion. Her photography really touched us and we hope you enjoy it as much as we do."

"Under A New Sun" was recorded at 301 Studios in Byron Bay with acclaimed producer and multi-platinum recording artist Jeff Martin (THE ARMADA, THE TEA PARTY).







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AC/DC Among The World's Top-Earning Musicians

According to Forbes, Australian hard rock legends AC/DC made an estimated $114 million between June 2009 and June 2010, landing at position No. 2 on the magazine's list of Top-Earning Musicians of 2010.

Says the magazine: "This Australian heavy metal group has been shaking audiences all night long since 1973 and shows few signs of stopping. Second only to U2 in band tour earnings, AC/DC grossed a staggering $226 million on a worldwide tour that included 99 dates and brought in more than $2 million a night."

Forbes magazine's list of Top-Earning Musicians of 2010:

1. U2 ($130 million)
2. AC/DC ($114 million)
3. BEYONCE ($87 million)
4. BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN ($70 million)
5. BRITNEY SPEARS ($64 million)
6. JAY-Z ($63 million)
7. LADY GAGA ($62 million)
8. MADONNA ($58 million)
9. KENNY CHESNEY ($50 million)
10. BLACK EYED PEAS, TOBY KEITH and COLDPLAY (tied at $48 million)

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Vampire Weekend Sued for Over $2 Million For 'Contra' Cover Art

Aceshowbiz : A cover girl appearing on the front page of Vampire Weekend's latest album "Contra" files lawsuit against the band, alleging them using her image without her consent.

The woman named Ann Kirsten Kennis filed the legal paper at Los Angeles Superior Court on Wednesday, July 14. In addition to naming Vampire Weekend, Kennis also mentions photographer Tod Brody on the document.

She believes the band obtained a "photographic release" from Brody and claims it contains her forged signature. She blames the band for not bothering to verify the legitimacy of the release. Kennis had the vintage photo, featuring her wearing a yellow Polo shirt, taken back in 1983 when she worked as "a high-fashion model under contract with prestigious agencies in New York City."

She had no idea it was featured on the cover of "Contra" until the band came out promoting it in November 2009. Now, she is seeking more than $2 million in damages for this alleged misappropriation of identity. She argues that "the album design, in which the Photograph is featured prominently, was a substantial factor in generating recognition and buzz for the Contra album, thus increasing sales and profits."

Back in October last year, bassist Chris Baio admitted they haven't met the cover girl and didn't know who she is when asked by MTV. Frontman Ezra Koenig additionally explained what makes the picture of the girl interesting to them, "We just found it very striking.

And part of it is the look on her face. It's not about the color of her hair, or the fact that she's wearing a Polo shirt. What makes it interesting is her face." As of press time, spokesperson for the band hasn't commented on the issue.

Give her a pony and shut her up!

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Deerhunter Release Halcyon Digest Track List, Album Cover

Deerhunter is set to release a new album 'Halcyon Digest' on September 28th, via 4AD. The new Deerhunter album is being supported by a grassroots xerox poster effort by the band, in which they'd like people to download the flyer and post copies around their town on kiosks and light poles.

Deerhunter frontman Bradford Cox came up with the idea, based on the effect that these posters had on him when he was younger.

He said he was "...always being fascinated with the ephemera of 70's – 80's artrock in record stores like Wuxtry in Athens where I hung out as a kid or Wax 'N Facts in Atlanta. You'd see a photocopied faded B-52's flyer next to a poster for Lou Reed or XTC. It was like an artpunk scrapbook on those walls. It made my head spin. Who are these people? Who are the fucking Residents with these weird-ass eyeball faces?"

The band would very much like it if people would email them with pictures and news of where the posters have been hung. In return, the band will share the album's first single with the poster people before anyone else, giving them the first opportunity to hear the music. They'll also give them an exclusive non-album track.

Deerhunter - Halcyon Digest Track List:

01 Earthquake
02 Don't Cry
03 Revival
04 Sailing
05 Memory Boy
06 Desire Lines
07 Basement Scene
08 Helicopter
09 Fountain Stairs
10 Coronado
11 He Would Have Laughed

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Cover Art of Mark Ronson's 'Record Collection' 

An artwork to be featured on the front page of Mark Ronson's new studio project "Record Collection" has been revealed. It features several pictures overlapping each other in such a way that they display a close-up shot of the disc jokey wearing thick-framed sunglasses.

Led by Q-Tip and MNDR-featuring single "Bang Bang Bang" which charted well in U.K., the album is expected to make its way out in United States in October this year. He is going to release it under the moniker Mark Ronson & The Business Intl. Other artists making contribution to this fall release include Ghostface Killah and Boy George.







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"When Pigs Fly" Album Released Online At Pigsflycd.com

WHEN PIGS FLY: Songs You Never Thought You'd Hear, a unique collection of newly recorded covers that mixes both legendary and contemporary artists doing versions of classic hit songs far out of their usual musical genre, will be available online at http://www.pigsflycd.com/  on July 1, 2010 on Xemu Records.

The brainchild of record producer Cevin Soling, WHEN PIGS FLY: Songs You Never Thought You'd Hear, was brought to reality to create an "unforgettable" album. The recordings include Ani DiFranco and film star Jackie Chan doing a re-make of the Natalie Cole classic, Unforgettable; new wave icons Devo performing Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young's Ohio; 80's pop stars, The Fixx, creating their own take on the Nancy Sinatra hit, These Boots Are Made For Walkin'; Lesley Gore singing the AC/DC tune, Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap; and country music legends, TheOak Ridge Boys, recording the Kansas megahit, Carry On My Wayward Son.

The album also features original 60's pop stars The Box Tops (with Alex Chilton) performing their version of Blondie's Call Me; and Herman's Hermits (with Peter Noone) doing their rendition of Billy Idol's White Wedding. Billy Preston covers Duran Duran's Girls On Film; and, the only track previously released, Roy Clark performs Louis Armstrong's classic What A Wonderful World. The CD also includes recordings by The Connells and The Neanderthal Spongecake; and a unique version of Peter Gabriel's Shock The Monkey by Hawaiian legend, Don Ho. The record has already received tremendous attention appearing in Entertainment Weekly, hundreds of major radio stations, The AP Newswire, CNN, Billboard, and many other media outlets.

THE TRACK LISTING:

1- ANI DI FRANCO & JACKIE CHAN: Nat King Cole's UNFORGETTABLE
2- DEVO: Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young's OHIO
3- THE BOX TOPS: Blondie's CALL ME
4- THE CONNELLS: Cypress Hill's INSANE IN THE BRAIN
5- DON HO: Peter Gabriel's SHOCK THE MONKEY
6- ROY CLARK: Louis Armstrong's WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD
7- BILLY PRESTON: Duran Duran's GIRLS ON FILM
8- THE FIXX: Nancy Sinatra's THESE BOOTS ARE MADE FOR WALKIN'
9- THE OAK RIDGE BOYS: Kansas' CARRY ON WAYWARD SON
10- THE NEANDERTHAL SPONGECAKE: T Rex's GET IT ON (BANG A GONG)
11- HERMAN'S HERMITS: Billy Idol's WHITE WEDDING
12- LESLEY GORE: AC/DC's DIRTY DEEDS DONE DIRT CHEAP

Herman's Hermits doing Billy Idol? Amazing.....

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Renaming Chicago Post Office For Steve Goodman Approved By Congress

The Lakeshore Post Office near Wrigley Field in Chicago will soon be known as the Steve Goodman Post Office after the Senate unanimously approved the resolution. The House had previously voted 371-0 in favor. The bill now goes to President Obama for approval.

Goodman, also known as Chicago Shorty, was a singer/songwriter probably best known for writing The City of New Orleans but endeared himself to his hometown fans with the songs Go Cubs Go and A Dying Cub Fans Last Request. In reality, Goodman was one of the most talented performers and songwriters on the folk scene of the 70's and early-80's, filling his concerts with his own songs and amazing covers of music from the 20's forward. Steve battled leukemia for many years and passed away in 1984.

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And finally,  a look at the Steve Miller Band


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