EZTV: “Pretty Torn Up”

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We told you about the smooth sounds of EZTV back in April when “Lights” was our Friday Fire Track. Their debut, Calling Out, is filled with soft guitar pop and heartbreak which is right in Captured Tracks wheelhouse.

The group has now launched a video for “Pretty Torn Up” in collaboration with New York’s Children’s Museum of the Arts. EZTV is also hitting the road later this month and you can check out the dates below.

EZTV TOUR DATES (new dates in bold):
Wed. Sept. 16 – Brooklyn, NY @ Music Hall of Williamsburg #
Fri. Sept. 25 – Columbus, OH @ Rumba Cafe
Sat. Sept. 26 – Cincinnati, OH @ Midpoint Festival
Sun. Sept. 27 – Detroit, MI @ Elijah’s
Mon. Sept. 28 – Cleveland, OH @ Now That’s Class
Tue. Sept. 29 – Kingston, NY @ BSP
Wed. Sept. 30 – Brooklyn, NY @ Bell House ^
Fri. Oct. 9 – New York, NY @ Music Hall of Williamsburg %

# w/ King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, Michael Rault
% with Luna
^ with Reigning Sound

The Friday Fire Track: Whiskerman – “Cardinal City”

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In the current scene with artists like Father John Misty, Edward Sharpe and Tobias Jesso Jr., Oakland’s Whiskerman fit right in with their sweeping and emotional song “Cardinal City.” The Fire Track today has plenty of infectious moments from the graceful strings playing throughout its background to the soft piano that floats in the undertone … Read more

Thunderbitch: Thunderbitch [Album Review]

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Thunderbitch Thunderbitch Self-Released [2015] Fire Drill Album Review: What a fun record! The Alabama Shakes frontwoman, Brittany Howard, just dropped on us a powerful new rock project perfectly titled Thunderbitch. The record holds to its namesake right from the dynamic opener, “Leather Jacket” to its rock out finale “Heavenly Feeling.” I liked the Shakes latest … Read more

Soldiers Of Fortune ft. members of Oneida, Interpol, Chavez, Spiritualized, Animal Collective

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Soldiers of Fortune started back in August 2004 as an anti-band! The idea was to put together a group, who were never gonna write songs, never gonna practice, never gonna record music, never make any product for public consumption or ever hit the road! Seemed easy unless you have a bunch of talented musicians in … Read more

Viet Cong: “Bunker Buster”

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“Viet Cong’s “Bunker Buster” elicits the images of a nighttime urban hellscape littered with lost souls” or so the description reads! Directed by Yoonha Park, “Bunker Buster” has modern sci-fi flare to it that stands out and is the lastest single of their excellent self-titled debut.

If you have not caught this band yet live, Viet Cong embarks on yet another run around North America over the course of September, this time sharing dates with Toronto’s Greys. You can see the full schedule below.

North American Tour Dates

Fri, Sep 11 : Hudson, NY : Basilica Soundscape
Sat, Sep 12 : Hamilton, ON : Supercrawl
Mon, Sep 14 : Quebec, QC : Le Cercle #
Tue, Sep 15 : Fredericton, NB : Capital Bar #
Wed, Sep 16 : Halifax, NS : Gus’ Pub #
Thu, Sep 17 : Portland, ME : SPACE Gallery #
Fri, Sep 18 : Montreal, QC : Theatre Fairmount #
Sun, Sep 20 : Kingston, ON : Mansion #
Wed, Sep 23 : Milwaukee, WI : Cactus Club #
Thu, Sep 24 : Minneapolis, MI : 7th Street Entry #
Sun, Sep 27 : Fargo ND : The Aquarium
October 10 :: Edmonton, AB, CANADA :: Up & Downtown Music Festival
Wed, Oct 14 : Vancouver, BC : Cobalt
Thur Oct 15 : Vancouver, BC : Cobalt
Fri, Oct 16 : Seattle, WA : Neumos %
Sun, Oct 18 : San Francisco, CA : Treasure Island Festival
Tue, Oct 20 : Portland, OR : Doug Fir Lounge %
Fri, Nov 6 – Sun, Nov 8 : Austin, TX : Fun Fun Fun Fest
Thu, Nov 19 : Groningen, NE : Vera
Fri, Nov 20 : Utrecht, NE : Le Guess Who
Sat, Nov 21 + Sun Nov 22 : Kortrijk, BE : Sonic City
Mon, Nov 23 : Caen FR : Le Cargo
Tue, Nov 24 : Rouen, FR : 106
Wed, Nov 25 : Ramsgate, UK : Ramsgate Music Hall
Fri, Nov 27 + Sat Nov 28 : Pontins, Wales : All Tomorrow’s Parties
Fri, Dec 4 :: Toronto, ON : Lee’s Palace #$
Sat, Dec 5 : Toronto, ON : Lee’s Palace ^

# with Greys
% with Grave Babies
$ with Mexican Slang
^ with Weaves, Mimico

Ryan Adams: Heartbreaker [Classic Album Revisit]

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Ryan Adams Heartbreaker Bloodshot Records Released: September 5, 2000 Producer: Ethan Johns Length: 51:57 I remember picking up this record 15 years ago and being really excited as I was already into alt-country at the time and familiar with Whiskeytown, so buying frontman Ryan Adams’ solo record debut seemed like a no-brainer. Then the first … Read more

HeCTA: The Diet [Album Review]

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HeCTA The Diet Merge Records [2015] Fire Note Says: Kurt Wagner follows a new path with his band HeCTA. Album Review: Kurt Wagner tends to duck any fight to establish a legacy as a treasured American songwriter. He’s a considerable talent, but not particularly interested in pushing it on you. Where Lambchop cut a very … Read more

Iron & Wine Announces Archive Series Vol. 2 / Limited Color 7″

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Iron & Wine returns with the second installment in his Archives Series on October 16th via his own Black Cricket Recording Co. A 7″ featuring covers of Neil Young’s “Albuquerque” and The Four Tops’ “It’s The Same Old Song” that were recorded at home on a 4-track, prior to actually calling himself Iron & Wine. … Read more

Frank Turner: “Josephine”

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Frank Turner has just released a video for his new single “Josephine.” “Josephine” is the second single to be taken from the singer-songwriter’s sixth album Positive Songs For Negative People which was released August 7th via Xtra Mile Recordings.

Frank Turner will be hitting the road this month for his US headline tour, dates are below:

Sept 19 Pittsburgh, PA Mr. Smalls
Sept 22 Syracuse, NY Lost Horizon
Sept 23 Burlington, VT Higher Ground
Sept 25 Boston, MA House of Blues
Sept 26 Boston, MA House of Blues
Sept 28 New York, NY Irving Plaza
Sept 29 New York, NY Irving Plaza
Sept 30 New York, NY Irving Plaza
Oct 02 Philadelphia, PA The Fillmore
Oct 04 Washington, DC 9:30 Club
Oct 06 Chicago, IL House of Blues
Oct 07 Minneapolis, MN The Varsity Theater
Oct 09 Denver, CO The Ogden Theatre
Oct 10 Boulder, CO The Boulder Theater
Oct 12 Salt Lake City, UT Urban Lounge
Oct 13 Boise, ID Knitting Factory
Oct 15 Seattle, WA The Neptune
Oct 16 Spokane, WA Knitting Factory
Oct 17 Portland, OR Roseland Theater
Oct 19 Sacramento, CA Ace of Spades
Oct 20 San Francisco, CA The Fillmore
Oct 22 Los Angeles, CA The Mayan
Oct 23 San Diego, CA House of Blues
Oct 25 Phoenix, AZ The Press Room
Oct 27 Austin, TX Emos
Oct 28 Dallas, TX House of Blues
Oct 29 Houston, TX House of Blues

Video Premiere: My Dead Air – “Easy To Believe”

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My Dead Air is the moniker of musician Dan Ballard which was a member and guitarist of the band Until June. The group had success overseas with a #1 hit in Europe but never strummed the right chord here in the US. Ballard would like to change that with My Dead Air as he now is 100% committed to his once side project.

Today’s video premiere is for the track “Easy To Believe” which is off of his new self-released album The Thief Who Knows My Name. As you will see, the live in the studio video works for My Dead Air’s soft delivery as the laid back track shows his influences that include My Morning Jacket, Harry Nilsson, Glen Campbell and Bon Iver.

“Easy To Believe” really is the perfect beginning of a late night soundtrack that comes complete with low lighting and the occasional out of focus camera shot. Ballard’s effortless playing here is highlighted by his hypnotic vocal and the top end quality of musicians he has surrounded himself with as each individual artist here has a small solo moment within the song.

The Thief Who Knows My Name already hit the streets on August 14th so if you like what you hear (and see) make sure to support My Dead Air with an album purchase!

My Dead Air Website
My Dead Air Facebook

Radkey: Dark Black Makeup [Album Review]

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Radkey Dark Black Makeup +180 Records [2015] Fire Note Says: Radkey’s full-length debut is fast and furious. Album Review: Beware the speed when listening to Radkey’s debut album, Dark Black Makeup. I found this out the hard way when recently traveling down the highway. The album was blaring in my car and within seconds I … Read more

Ricked Wicky (Robert Pollard) 3rd LP on Limited Coke Clear w/ Opaque Blue

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Hey Kids! The third Ricked Wicky from Robert Pollard, Swimmer to a Liquid Armchair, is due out September 25th and it was pressed on a very cool looking Coke Clear with Opaque Blue. The album is limited to 1000 copies worldwide so hurry over and snag a copy while they last. You can still order … Read more

Cayucas: “Hella”

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Twin brothers Zach and Ben Yudin released their sophomore album, Dancing at the Blue Lagoon, as Cayucas earlier this summer via Secretly Canadian. Here is the catchy second single “Hella.” The video for this song, was directed by Owen Schwartzbard. You can catch Cayucas live at the dates below.

CAYUCAS TOUR DATES:
Mon. Sept. 14 – London, UK @ Sebright Arms
Tue. Sept 15 – Liile, FR @ Peniche
Wed. Sept. 16 – Paris, FR @ Pop Up Du Label
Thu. Sept. 17 – Amsterdam, NL @ Paradiso
Fri. Sept. 18 – Tilburg, NL @ Incubate
Sat. Sept. 19 – Hamburg, DE @ Kleiner Donner
Mon. Sept. 21 – Leipzig, DE @ Taubchental – Club
Tue. Sept. 22 – Berlin, DE @ Privatclub
Wed. Sept. 23 – Dusseldorf, DE @ Forum Freies
Thu. Sept. 24 – Antwerp, BE @ Trix

Drive-By Truckers Reveal “Girls Who Smoke” Live Version, November Tour Dates Announced

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In anticipation of their concert album release of It’s Great To Be Alive!, the Drive-By Truckers have released the live version of “Girls Who Smoke” for you to check out. Two versions of the release will be made available; It’s Great To Be Alive! is the full 35-track record as a five vinyl / three … Read more

Beach Slang / BSM UK Pressing – 300 Purple w/ Black and White Splatter

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If you were too late on the clear early bird variant at Polyvinyl then you should spend a few more bucks and jump on this pressing from Big Scary Monsters while it is still available. It also is more limited than the 800 eary bird variant. Beach Slang’s official debut LP, The Things We Do … Read more

Barrence Whitfield & The Savages: Under The Savage Sky [Album Review]

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Barrence Whitfield & The Savages Under The Savage Sky Bloodshot Records [2015] Fire Drill Album Review: Many of us were not around for the early Barrence Whitfield era back in the 80’s but all you really need to know is that his punk rock soul is pure. On his sophomore release for Bloodshot, Under The … Read more

Spock’s Beard: The Oblivion Particle [Album Review]

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Spock’s Beard The Oblivion Particle Inside Out Music[2015] Fire Note Says: Album number twelve finds Spock’s Beard finally settling into their own skin. Album Review: Since Prog legend Neal Morse left Spock’s Beard in 2002 they have been struggling to find an identity. For four albums after that major defection, drummer Nick D’Virgilio, in true … Read more

Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats: Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats [Album Review]

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Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats Stax Records [2015] Fire Note Says: Rateliff and The Night Sweats will make your soul shake it. Album Review: If you heard the simple folk on Nathaniel Rateliff’s 2010 solo debut, In Memory Of Loss, and last year’s Falling Faster Than You Can … Read more

Say Hi releases new track “It’s A Hunger” + New album ‘Bleeder Digest’ out 9/18

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Barsuk Records just launched the new track from Say Hi, “It’s A Hunger,” from the forthcoming Bleeders Digest (out September 18th.) Say Hi is Eric Elbogen. He lives in Seattle, WA and has been making records since 2002. His ninth, Bleeders Digest, is a record about vampires and the sequel to Say Hi To Your … Read more

Sugar Ray: Lemonade and Brownies 20th Anniversary Edition

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Here is one Sugar Ray record that I have always liked. Lemonade and Brownies was released in 1995, and it showcases Sugar Ray in their most youthful and idealistic phase. Their major-label debut is a mixed set of Alternative Funk/Metal, highlighted by “Mean Machine.” The first vinyl release for the album will feature: black wax, … Read more

The Dead Weather: “I Feel Love (Every Million Miles)”

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The Dead Weather have released an explosive live performance video of their first single, “I Feel Love (Every Million Miles)” from the new record, Dodge and Burn, due out September 25. The clip was shot at Third Man Records and edited by Brad Holland and Jack White.

Dodge and Burn – the band’s third album and first full-length release in five years – is available for pre-order now, with all digital pre-orders receiving an instant grat download of “I Feel Love (Every Million Miles).” The track is also now on sale at digital retailers worldwide.

Iron Maiden: The Book Of Souls [Album Review]

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Iron Maiden The Book Of Souls BMG Records [2015] Fire Note Says: The unapologetic British metal legends return with a vengeance. Album Review: I’ve always been quite fond of Iron Maiden. They were one of the very few bands that helped me get through that dismal musical wasteland of the eighties. Although the nineties were … Read more

The Friday Fire Track: Yonatan Gat & Gal Lazer – “0”

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Typically you will always grab me when you say – “recorded by Steve Albini.” He has such a stellar history in the recording/producer world that his name alone can sell records. So what happens when you put the eclectic Monotonix frontman Yonatan Gat and drummer Gal Lazer together with the legend for an almost 7 … Read more

Lou Barlow: Brace The Wave [Album Review]

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Lou Barlow Brace The Wave Joyful Noise Recordings [2015] Fire Note Says: Lou gives you plenty of acoustic intensity on his first solo LP in six years. Album Review: Having seen Lou Barlow last month with the very loud Dinosaur Jr., I was ready for some more alt rock from the veteran when I put … Read more

Car Seat Headrest: “Something Soon”

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Matador Records has announced that it has signed Car Seat Headrest and will release Teens of Style on October 30, with Teens of Denial to follow soon after in 2016. This prolific artist (né Will Toledo) comes to Matador having already crafted an 11-album catalog of staggering depth, all self-released on Bandcamp, which has gained him an obsessive following and over 25,000 downloads.

Car Seat Headrest has also dropped its first-ever official video for single “Something Soon,” directed by Jason Reid. The video features Toledo and his bandmates in an abandoned house on Bainbridge Island, WA, acting out variety of skewed domestic scenes: lightbulb microphones, destruction of household appliances, bathtub nudity, and the burning of a cargo box coffin.