So, Little Joy is Strokes drummer Fab Moretti's new band with girlfriend Binki Shapiro and Rodrigo Amarante of Los Hermanos, and their self-titled debut disc arrived last week via Rough Trade. Given how much I dug Albert Hammond Jr.'s two solo albums, I was curious to hear what Moretti and co. had to offer as well. And while it hasn't immediately struck as catchy a chord as Hammond Jr.'s stuff did, what's remarkable is how much more it has in common sonically with the Strokes. You wouldn't think a drummer's side-project would resemble his other band as much as a guitarist's, but there it is. I do need to spend more time with it, but after the first few listens, it feels like the post-"First Impressions Of Earth" offshoot albums are 3 for 3 so far. We'll see if bassist Nikolai Fraiture's Nickel Eye project makes it a perfect 4 come January, but our ears have been well served by the Strokes' time off so far.

The LA-based Little Joy kicked off a month-long tour last week in Minnesota, and they'll hit TT the Bears this coming Sunday night, November 16th. I've been given a pair of guest list spots for the show, as well as a copy of that debut disc, to dole out to a couple of 'Nac readers, so if you're interested in either seeing the show or hearing the album, drop an email to giveaways [at] bradleysalmanac [dot] com before 9AM this Friday the 14th. Make the subject "Give Me Joy" and be sure to include the city you live in (anyone in the continental U.S. can take part). I'll pick and notify two winners Friday morning: One in the Boston area for those two Sunday spots on the TT's guest list, and another (local or non-local) for that copy of the album. If you live near here and would prefer the disc to the show, just let me know when you enter.

While you pull together that email, listen to some Little Joy at their MySpace page, and check out the other bands on the bill that night as well: Boston's own Buttercup and former locals The Dead Trees, who picked up and moved to Portland, Oregon last year. To grab tickets of your own, hit up Ticketweb.

Labels: giveaways

posted by brad at 9:20 AM | direct link | rss (1:2) | |

This coming Monday, October 20th, will bring the first-ever Boston appearance by Magnetic Morning, a collaboration between Swervedriver frontman Adam Franklin and Interpol drummer Sam Fogarino, playing at Great Scott the night before their debut full-length gets officially released. They'll be joined by reformed NYC trio Springhouse (featuring Jack Rabid, the man behind my favorite music mag, Big Takeover), who themselves are celebrating a very-long-in-the-making brand new album. Sadly, the planned third band on the bill, DC quartet Julie Ocean (which includes former Velocity Girl drummer Jim Spellman on guitar), has had to cancel their appearance for personal reasons, but in their place we'll be treated to Providence-based quintet The Brother Kite.

Thanks to Great Scott, I've got three pairs of guest list spots to give away to this sucker, so your odds of scoring are far greater than usual. To enter, send an email to giveaways [at] bradleysalmanac [dot] com with your full name and a subject line of "MM!", but make sure you do so before Noon this Sunday, October 19th. I'll pick a winner shortly after, and notify the lucky three that afternoon that they'll be on the guest list at the door (with a +1, of course) on Monday night. Easy enough. And if I was a betting man, I'd put my money on a sellout (yes, even on the weeknight), so pick up tickets if you're not feeling lucky enough to win one of these free pairs.

Some links for you...

Download a Magnetic Morning track over at Stereogum, or stream some stuff at MySpace. As I mentioned above, their debut album "A.M." arrives on shelves next Tuesday, but I'm assuming they'll have some with them at the Great Scott merch table.

Download Springhouse's third album, the just-released "From Now to OK" (their first in 15 years) at their site for however much scratch you see fit, or buy a deluxe limited-edition disc right here. Stream some tracks from it at MySpace as well. Me? I'll be picking one up at the show.

Heads up Swervedriver fans: On January 6th of next year, Hi Speed Soul Records will re-issue the band's first three albums. Fantastic news, which you can read more about here. Also in 2009? The release of the second Bolts of Melody (Adam Franklin's solo project) album.

An additional heads up: The full, uncut transcript of a fantastic 2006 Adam Franklin interview has recently been posted online, and it's more than worth a read. Some great Swervie stories within.

The complete list of remaining Magnetic Morning tourdates...

Oct. 16th, Local 506, Chapel Hill, NC
Oct. 17th, Rock And Roll Hotel, Washington, DC
Oct. 18th, Johnny Brenda's, Philadelphia, PA
Oct. 20th, Great Scott, Allston, MA
Oct. 21st, South Paw, Brooklyn, NY
Oct. 23rd, Horseshoe Tavern, Toronto, ONT
Oct. 24th, The Grog Shop, Cleveland, OH
Oct. 25th, The Catus Club, Milwaukee, WI
Oct. 26th, The Empty Bottle, Chicago, IL
Oct. 27th, 7th Street Entry, Minneapolis, MN
Oct. 30th, Chop Suey, Seattle, WA
Oct. 31st, Doug Fir Lounge, Portland, OR
Nov. 2nd, The Independent, San Fran., CA
Nov. 3rd, The Roxy, L.A., CA
Nov. 4th, Casbah, San Diego, CA
Nov. 7th, House Of Blues, Dallas, TX
Nov. 8th, Waterloo Park, Austin, TX
Nov. 10th, The Earl, Atlanta, GA

Alright, get those contest entry emails on their way, and if I don't see you tonight at Tourfilter DJ Night at River Gods, hopefully you'll join me at Great Scott on Monday.

Labels: giveaways

posted by brad at 1:15 PM | direct link | rss (1:2) | |

A friendly reminder: Entries for this giveaway must be received by midnight tomorrow, Wednesday, September 10th. Also, fans of the Lymbyc Systym and This Will Destroy you should tune into the internet stream of WERS after the show (1am on Monday the 15th) for a dual interview and a live L.S. performance. Read on for show and contest details...

Tempe, Arizona instrumental duo The Lymbyc Systym just kicked off a two week tour with the mighty This Will Destroy You in TWDY's hometown of Austin, Texas, and their journey will bring them here to Boston on Sunday night, September 14th. Also on the bill at Harper's Ferry that night are Cambridge's own Arms and Sleepers, fresh off their own North American tour, and gearing up for a UK trip later this month.

Courtesy of local promotion/flyering company Extinguish Boston, I've got a pair of spots on the show's guest list to award one fortunate Almanac reader. If you're game, drop an email to giveaways [at] bradleysalmanac [dot] com with your full name, the town you live in, and "LYMBYC!" in the subject line (and yes, spelling counts). Send your entry before midnight this Wednesday, September 10th, and I'll choose and notify the winner Thursday morning. Easy enough.

For your education and listening pleasure...

The Lymbyc Systym: MySpace, Wiki
      Mp3: "Truth Skull"

This Will Destroy You: MySpace
      Mp3: "Threads"

Arms and Sleepers: MySpace, Facebook, Facebook Group, Ecard
      Mp3: "A Mission To Prague"

Last FM Event page

A footnote: Keep eyes and ears out for a recorded pairing of Lymbyc Systym and This Will Destroy You later this year when Magic Bullet Records releases "Field Studies", which will feature three new Lymbyc tracks alongside two new ones from TWDY. Magic Bullet also plans to re-release LS's self-released 2005 EP "Carved By Glaciers" with new artwork and remixes. Good news all around.

Labels: giveaways

posted by brad at 8:32 AM | direct link | rss (1:2) | |

I may not count myself among the legions who enjoy the songwriting style of Jack Johnson, but the man, and his partners at Brushfire Records, have my respect for putting out the music of Neil Halstead and Rogue Wave. Halstead, who earned my everlasting interest with the gorgeous wash of sound he created while in Slowdive, and after that the more clean-cut and countrified Mojave 3, will release his second solo record (and first for Brushfire), "Oh, Mighty Engine" on July 29th. An Mp3 for album track "Paint A Face" has been shared online, as well as on a new 12" vinyl Brushfire sampler, which the label has graciously given me a few copies of to dole out to some Almanac readers. Here's the track list...

Brushfire Records 2008 Sampler

Side one...
1. Neil Halsted - "Paint A Face" [Mp3]
2. Mason Jennings - "Something About Your Love"
3. Jack Johnson - "What You Thought You Need"
4. Matt Costa - "Never Looking Back"

Side two...
5. Money Mark - "Summer Blue"
6. G. Love & Special Sauce - "Crumble"
7. Zach Gill - "Beautiful Reason"
8. Rogue Wave- "Christians In Black"

If you're not a vinyl junkie, each copy includes a unique download code that allows you to grab Mp3s of the songs via the Brushfire site. So if you're up for either the physical or digital version, just drop an email (subject: Brushfire) to giveaways [at] bradleysalmanac [dot] com before noon this Friday, July 11th with your name and the city you live in. Three winners will get picked and notified on Friday afternoon., and while I'll accept entries from anywhere, only U.S. winners will get sent the vinyl -- I'll email international winners a download code. And if you're not among those fortunate few, you can pick buy a copy of the sampler here.

Johnson, touring machine that he is, is bringing Neil and Rogue Wave along with him this summer, including a stop at Great Woods on Wednesday, August 6th [tickets here].

Labels: giveaways

posted by brad at 10:00 AM | direct link | rss (1:2) | |

Well, as far as corporate marketing synergy goes, socialnet site Going.com and the upstart Miller Brewing Company have got it figured out: Team up a much-heralded national band who are back in the spotlight with an almost-out new album (that'd be The Hold Steady, who release "Stay Positive" on July 15th), and a local act whose debut disc caught enough receptive ears to get people hankering for the follow-up (that's our own Aberdeen City), book a night at the Paradise, then make admission to the show completely free. Announce it just one week before it's happening (this coming Thursday, June 26th), and voila, watch the Boston-area music blogs fall in line.

Now, I'm usually resistant to such shenanigans, but if you strip it down to just the bands playing, I can't not do my part to spread the word. Not to mention the fact that, when on a budget, I do occasionally indulge in The Champagne Of Beers. There's that.

So how exactly can I do a giveaway if admission is already free with an email-harvesting RSVP? Well, the organizers have set up some special kind of VIP access, which not only assures your admission to the Paradise that night (no small favor, since the place will probably be jammed), but gets you, and I quote, "complimentary Miller product" at a private reception before the show. And I'm guessing that the "product" is drinkable.

I've got a pair of these VIP passes for one 'Nac reader, so if you consider yourself both "very important" and a "person" (one who is also 21 or older), send an email to giveaways [at] bradleysalmanac [dot] com with your full name and a subject of either "Hold Steady!" or "Aberdeen City!" (what, you think I'd go with "Great Taste!" vs. "Less Filling!"?). Get that note to me before noon this Wednesday the 25th and I'll let you know that day if you are, in fact, both lucky and important. And if you are neither, make sure you RSVP and show up extra-early.

Labels: giveaways

posted by brad at 12:40 AM | direct link | rss (1:2) | |

This Friday, June 20th, Shearwater brings their "Rook" tour to the Boston area for a show at TT the Bears in Cambridge's Central Square with openers Frog Eyes, Evangelicals, and a solo set from Carter Tanton of Tulsa. When Matador signed the Austin-based band and re-released their gorgeous "Palo Santo", I'm sure they expected a solid follow-up, but to my ears they went and surpassed any expectations with the release of "Rook" earlier this month. While the band played Boston earlier this spring for an opening slot at the Paradise, it will be a true treat to see these songs on the far-smaller TT's stage.

To make a reader's attendance less costly (and to allow you to spend more money on merch), I've got a couple of guest list spots for this Friday's show to give away. Just email your full name to giveaways [at] bradleysalmanac [dot] com, throw Rook! in the subject line, and send it before 9AM on Thursday. I'll select a random name out of all entrants, and let the winner know that morning that they'll be on the TTs guest list with a +1. Easy as pie.

Labels: giveaways

posted by brad at 5:45 AM | direct link | rss (1:2) | |

The men from Mission of Burma are halfway through a hectic couple of weeks, as they've just returned from a short European tour with Shellac to treat Boston and New York fans to some very special performances. Over two nights in each city, the seminal Boston band will perform the entirety of their 1981 debut EP, "Signals, Calls, and Marches", along with their 1982 full-lengther, "vs.". Each set will be fleshed out with some rarities, and guitarist Roger Miller provides more details on that in the interview responses below, which he and bassist Clint Conley were kind enough to provide during a long drive through Spain a few days back.

Thanks to Fenway Recordings, I've got a pair of tickets for each Boston show (Thursday and Friday at the Paradise) to give away. Details after the interview...

Q: So how did the idea of running through each album over two nights come about? Obviously the recent Matador reissues played a part, but were you all into the idea initially, or was anyone resistant?

Clint Conley: The idea first arose when we were asked to do "vs" at the Pitchfork Fest. That seemed quite an honor, and an idea totally worth stealing and repeating. Seemed to me we were of like-mind on the matter.

Roger Miller: I can't recall exactly, but I think (MoB manager and Fenway Recordings head honcho) Mark Kates suggested it. It's that "Don't Look Back" idea that the ATP festival started, where bands perform their classic albums. It just kind of made sense given the reissues. We certainly would not have done this except that the reissues are coming out. Last fall we hardly performed any of the old stuff, because we were focusing on the new ideas.

Q: If you've had time to run through the seldom-played songs already, are there any that have surprised you (either in a 'Why weren't we playing this one all along?' sort of way, or a 'Uh oh, we're in trouble with this one' kind of way, or anywhere in between)?

CC: There were several songs that required some skullwork to reconstruct, and there are still some transitions, and odd corners, that I am not totally convinced we've got "right." Overall, the recall of songs from almost 30 years ago (!) has been eerily easy. And yes, some of the songs we haven't been playing seem pretty decent, if I say so myself.

RM: Mostly they fell into place pretty quickly. Some were surprising to find how they were structured - they were pretty much all fun to revisit. The most surprising one for me was "Train of Thought", which didn't do much for me "back in the day" but I find quite bracing now. We've run through twelve "resuscitates" (songs we haven't played since 1983), and we're hoping we'll have them together by the time of the shows! We're in Spain right now, and we go over them in soundchecks and incorporate a couple in every show, so we should be OK by the Paradise shows. We just listened to these songs in the van, and found that there were quite a number of little sections we didn't realize were there.

Q: With the albums being relatively short compared to the usual length of your live sets (and one actually being an EP), how are you planning to fill out the rest of each night? And do you plan on sticking to the original "Signals..." track order, or the remastered sequence with the two additional songs? (no worries if you're hoping to keep any of that a surprise, of course).

CC: We are still working out the details of how to present the records/shows. Suffice to say we will be expanding beyond , say, the 6 song "Signals," doing other songs from that period that may or may not have shown up on other releases, such on Taang or Horrible Truth. Same with 'vs'.

RM (from notes he wrote earlier): For the 'Signals...' show, we will play some songs from early on that are not on 'Signals...', but were of that era. We will then play the 4 songs from the Acad/Max session (including the 2 that were just released), then play 'Signals...' start to finish, then play encores, and make sure everyone is happy.

For the 'vs.' Show: We will play the 4 "bonus tracks", 'vs.' start to finish, then play encores, and make sure everyone is happy.

Q: You guys have been playing some new stuff recently, so what does the future hold for MoB? Back to the studio for a follow-up to "The Obliterati"? Any other special plans ahead?

CC: We almost never know what we are going to do. If there is a plan, no one's told me.

RM: We're not so good at planning. We do have new material, and once this reissues thing has passed, I'm sure we'll work on more new songs. The only truth to be told is that so far, whenever we've had enough new songs to make an album, we've made one. That may or may not hold true in the future.

Q: I believe you're answering these questions while driving around Europe on a short tour. So what exactly is helping pass the time while on the road? (what music, books, games, etc.?)

CC: We are at this moment following the luxurious Shellac tour van across the high, dry plains of Spain, on our way north to Gijon, a beach town on the Gulf of Vizcaya (Atlantic Ocean). Spain is beautiful to the point of flabbergasm. I was reading Oliver Sacks' "Musicophilia" until it got stolen yesterday along with my laptop in Madrid.

RM: Gazing at the scenery is quite nice. I was in Barcelona with Alloy Orchestra some years ago, but otherwise, this trip is all new stuff to me. Babbling to each other, occasionally listening to music. Listening to Public Enemy (who MoB will play with at P4K in July - ed) coming into Madrid was kind of interesting. I have my laptop with me and writing the Tour Blog for the Burma MySpace site is my little "side project" on this trip. It's hard to say what we do to keep amused - it just happens.

One thing's for sure: Roger's road blogging kept me amused (especially the Burma vs. Shellac scores). Damn shame about Clint's laptop, huh? Add MoB to the long list of victimized touring bands, but hey, at least it wasn't their instruments. Much thanks to Roger and Clint for taking the time to answer those questions.

As I said, I'm glad to be able to give away a pair of tickets to each show, so if you're game, send me an email at giveaways -at- bradleysalmanac -dot- com titled "MoB Thursday" or "MoB Friday", depending on which one you want to try for (no double-dippin'). Make sure I get it before 10AM on Wednesday, and I'll randomly pick one winner for each show who will end up on the guest list with a +1 spot for a friend.

And to get yourself in the mood, I should mention that I uploaded my January recording of MoB's amazing appearance at Great Scott to the Live Music Archive. Have at it.

Labels: giveaways, interviews

posted by brad at 12:44 PM | direct link | rss (1:2) | |

This coming Thursday, June 5th, the Breeders return to Kim's old stomping ground of Boston for a show at the Paradise. The sisters Deal are out in support of their excellent (and more Pod-esque than Splash-y) new album, "Mountain Battles", with rhythm section and tour openers Montana Boys in tow.

By now, you may know the drill: I've got a couple guest list spots to offer up to one 'Nac reader, so if you and a pal want to join me at a packed Paradise on Thursday, just drop a quick email with your full name in it to me here: giveaways [at] bradleysalmanac [dot] com. Throw 'I Can Feeeeeel It!' in the subject line (exact number of e's not required), and send it along before 9am on Wednesday, June 4th. As usual, I'll randomly pick a name to throw on the guest list with an extra spot for a fortunate friend. Whoever wins will be informed on Wednesday morning, so keep your fingers crossed and an eye on those inboxes.

Full Breeders tour dates can be perused here, and tickets of your own for the Paradise show can, and should, be purchased here (update - sold out!), or at the Paradise box office for a hell of a lot less.

And congrats to reader Christine, who was the lucky recipient of two guest list spots for last night's Jeremy Enigk / Damien Jurado / Sydney Wayser show at Great Scott.

Labels: giveaways

posted by brad at 7:52 AM | direct link | rss (1:2) | |

This Saturday, May 31st, the team-up tour of former Sunny Day Real Estate / Fire Theft frontman Jeremy Enigk and his pal Damien Jurado will hit Allston's Great Scott as part of another fine evening brought to you by Fenway Recordings. Sydney Wayser opens up the show, and Fenway's own DJ Crispus Attucks will rock his personal playlist throughout.

If you can make it to the show, and would like a couple spots on the guest list, drop a quick email to me here: giveaways [at] bradleysalmanac [dot] com. Put 'Enigk' in the subject line, get it to me before 9am this Friday, May 30th, and I'll pick one random name to throw on the guest list with a +1 for a friend. The winner will be notified Friday morning, just in time for the weekend.

Enigk's latest solo record is 2007's "The Missing Link", and Jurado will be releasing "Caught In The Trees" on Secretly Canadian later this year. David also has a new blog, where he'll be writing about the full Enigk/Jurado tour (all dates and destinations listed here). Tickets of your own for the Boston show at Great Scott can be obtained here.

Labels: giveaways

posted by brad at 1:32 PM | direct link | rss (1:2) | |

It's been awhile since Atlanta's Snowden hit town, and they return to the Great Scott stage this Sunday, where played an entrancing set a couple years back for their Boston debut. I was blown away then by the tight-as-hell quartet; their remarkable collective stage presence, a totally locked-in rhythm section, artfully angular songs that are as involving as the vocal delivery is detached. Needless to say I'm looking forward to seeing them again, and I've got a couple guest list spots to give away to a reader courtesy of the kind crew at the club.

If you're up for attending, you know the drill: Send an email titled "Snowden" to giveaways [at] bradleysalmanac [dot] com and include your name and the town you live in. Just send it along before this Thursday at midnight, and if I pick your name, I'll drop you a note on Friday to let you know you and a friend are on the door list for the Sunday night, May 18th show. The band says they'll be playing lots of new songs, as they've been working on a follow-up to 2006's excellent "Anti Anti" for quite awhile. Age Rings, The Epochs, and tourmates Colour Revolt round out the bill.

Stream some Snowden at their MySpace page, where you can also download this Zombies cover...

Mp3: Snowden - "Time Of The Season" (Zombies)

Courtesy of the Jade Tree record label, here's the title track off their debut disc...

Mp3: Snowden - "Anti-Anti"

And a live solo version that frontman Jordan Jeffares did for Spinner's Interface...

Mp3: Snowden - "Anti-Anti" (live solo)

You can also stream the album in its entirety here.

Snowden's May tour with Colour Revolt hits Chapel Hill, NC tonight, and finishes up in New Orleans in a few weeks. So get those contest entry emails off to me by Thursday night if you want to attend Sunday's show, or grab your own tickets here.

Labels: giveaways

posted by brad at 7:54 AM | direct link | rss (1:2) | |

Minneapolis quartet Tapes 'n Tapes returns to Boston tomorrow night (4/17) for a show at the Paradise with support from Austin tourmates White Denim. I've got a couple guest list spots to offer up courtesy of Beggars Banquet for one fortunate 'Nac reader and a friend. I'll keep it simple: Drop an email to giveaways (at) bradleysalmanac (dot) com titled "Tapes!", letting me know your full name and the town you live in. Send it in before 9am tomorrow and I'll let you know if you've won by Noon. Hopefully that's enough notice to free up your Thursday night for a little rock.

TnT will be showing off songs from their just-released sophomore disc "Walk It Off", while White Denim has just released an online-only (and absolutely free) EP through the digital RCRD LBL imprint. Head here for those White Denim songs, and have a Tapes n' Tapes track from the new album while you're at it...

Mp3: Tapes 'n Tapes - "Hang Them All"

Alright, start typing. My inbox awaits you.

Labels: giveaways

posted by brad at 10:50 AM | direct link | rss (1:2) | |

A brutal couple of work-weeks has me too burnt-out to blog in my free time lately, so I'm trying to make up for lack of content with some contests. Here's another for tickets to check out a band that I'm very happy to see return to Boston...

I first caught Norway's Syme back in October at TT the Bear's on the strong recommendation of an Almanac reader, and was I ever glad I took his advice. They were on their way to play CMJ at the time, so I was rightly thrilled to learn that they're back so soon, this time en route to South By Southwest.

Unfortunately, their last-minute addition to a three-band bill this coming Wednesday night at the Paradise Lounge has this return under-heralded, and an 8pm start time probably won't help the crowd size much (they're not even listed on the 'Dise schedule yet). They deserve more than a few pairs of ears in that room, but don't just take my word for it - hit up their MySpace page or check out the live mp3s I shared up last fall. I don't know much about the other three bands playing (Modern Skirts, Jukebox the Ghost, Annie Lynch & the Beekeepers), but I'll be changing that in the next few days.

I've got a pair of guest list spots available for the Wednesday, March 5th show, so if you and a friend would like to join me front and center for Syme, drop an email to giveaways [@] bradleysalmanac [.] com with Syme! in the subject line, and include your name and the town you live in. I'll pick a random winner from all entries received before Noon on Tuesday, March 4th, and let the chosen one know that afternoon. And even if you're not that chosen one, remember: Arrive early, applaud often.

After their Boston visit, Syme plays Toronto the next night, back down for four shows in the NYC area over the weekend, and a stop in Philly before hitting Austin's SxSW the following week. Catch 'em if you can.

Labels: giveaways

posted by brad at 10:15 AM | direct link | rss (1:2) | |

Another day, another giveway.

This Saturday night, former Concretes vocalist Victoria Bergsman visits the Museum of Fine Arts here in Boston for a performance by her solo project, Taken By Trees. If you somehow missed out on her many years with the Concretes, you've no doubt heard her voice as the non-whistling counterpart to Peter Moren in Peter, Bjorn, & John's ubiquitous "Young Folks". Boston is one of just a handful of North American cities getting a Victoria visit this time around, and the other fortunate stops include NYC the night before, Montreal next week, and three West Coast shows to wrap it up.

Regular 'Nac visitors know that I regularly rave about seeing shows in the MFA's Remis Auditorium, so I'm very glad to have a couple list spots for this show to bequeath to a random reader. Want 'em? Before Noon on Thursday, drop an email to giveaways [at] bradleysalmanac [dot] com, put "TBT" in the subject line, and let me know your name and the city you live in. I'll pick a winner, let you know that day, and you and a guest will be on the list for Taken By Trees at the MFA on Saturday, that's February 23rd.

Bonus: The chosen one will also get sent a copy of the gorgeously designed, limited edition tour 7" that Victoria is bringing around with her, which includes a cover of "Sweet Child O'Mine" (yes, you read that right) and her own "Above You". Turntablists of the world unite!

Labels: giveaways

posted by brad at 10:58 AM | direct link | rss (1:2) | |

This coming Friday, newly-signed Merge Records duo Wye Oak make the drive from Baltimore up here to Cambridge, Mass. for a performance upstairs at the Middle East, smack dab in the middle of a bill with Tiger Saw, Appomattox, Sweet Thieves, and Anna Vogelzang.

I was charmed from the moment I heard Wye Oak's "Warning" (Mp3), the first taste from their upcoming "If Children" full-length, due out in April. So I'll be there on Friday, alongside one fortunate winner and their guest, who will be the lucky recipients of two spots on the guest list courtesy of the Merge crew.

To take a shot at winning those two tix to the Friday, February 22nd Wye Oak show at the Middle East, drop an email to giveaways -at- bradleysalmanac -dot- com, with "WO!" in the subject line. Include your full name, the town you live in, and, oh, let's see... the name of a book you're currently reading (or the last one you read). Emails must be received before Noon this Thursday, the 21st, and I'll let the randomly chosen entrant know that afternoon. And if fate doesn't go your way, be sure to pick up tickets of your own.

Not convinced yet by my praise and that track? There are three more Mp3s to be had at the band's new website. Go get 'em.

Labels: giveaways

posted by brad at 3:49 PM | direct link | rss (1:2) | |

There's not a single weak link in the lineup for next Saturday night's show at TT the Bears in Cambridge, what with ex-Pedro the Lion frontman David Bazan being supported by All Smiles (the musical vehicle of Grandaddy's Jim Fairchild), The Soft Drugs (their first area full-band show, and fronted by David's former bandmate TW Walsh), and lead-off hitter Drew O'Doherty (ex-Ivory Coast-er and Pharmacist). A start-to-finish good time, and I've got a couple of guest list spots for one fortunate reader, courtesy of the kind crew at Undertow Music.

Let's see, how to give 'em away? If you're free that night and can make it to the show, send an email with a subject of "BAZAN!" to giveaways(-at-)bradleysalmanac.com with your full name and the town you live in. Enter by the end of the day on Wednesday, October 24th, and I'll pick a random winner the next morning, on Thursday the 25th. That name will wind up on the guestlist at TTs door with a +1 on Saturday, and I'll be there to make sure everything's cool.

Again, the details:
Saturday, October 27th, 2007 @ 9pm sharp
David Bazan, All Smiles, The Soft Drugs, & Drew O'Doherty
at TT the Bears in Cambridge, MA

Given that lineup and the night of the week, a sell-out is likely, so regardless of my little contest, you might wanna grab yourself tickets of your own right here, and be there by 9 o'clock to not miss a single note.

Here are all the dates from the David Bazan / All Smiles tour, which kicks off this Tuesday...

10/23 - Pontiac, MI - The Pike Room #2
10/24 - Cleveland OH - The Grog Shop
10/25 - Pittsburgh PA - Garfield Artworks
10/26 - Buffalo NY - Mohawk Place
10/27 - Cambridge MA - T.T. the Bear's
10/29 - New York NY - Mercury Lounge
10/30 - Brooklyn NY - Southpaw
10/31 - Philadelphia PA - Johnny Brenda's
11/01 - Washington DC - Black Cat
11/03 - Durham NC - Duke Coffeehouse
11/04 - Asheville, NC - The Grey Eagle
11/05 - West Columbia SC - New Brookland Tavern
11/06 - St. Augustine FL - Cafe Eleven
11/07 - Orlando FL - The Social
11/08 - Tallahassee FL - The Moon (with Spoon)
11/09 - Birmingham AL - BottleTree
11/10 - Atlanta GA - The Earl
11/12 - Nashville TN - Exit In
11/13 - Newport KY - Southgate House

After a Thanksgiving break, DB heads back out for another couple weeks in December with J. Tillman. Check out all those dates (with ticket-buying links) right here.

Labels: giveaways

posted by brad at 10:16 AM | direct link | rss (1:2) | |

Ontario, Canada's A Northern Chorus returns to the Boston area this week, with a Wednesday show at the Middle East Upstairs in Cambridge. They'll be appearing with Glaswegians the Twilight Sad, but unfortunately not with planned tourmates Aereogramme, who got hung up in some visa-related snafu and couldn't make it across the ocean in time. Seems they'll be joining the tour in Seattle in a couple weeks, and hopefully re-scheduling some shows later in April to make up for the missed ones.

But any show with A Northern Chorus is reason enough to get yourself out on a weeknight, especially given that they'll be performing songs from their just-released album (and one of my faves so far this year), "The Millions Too Many". Thanks to their fine record label, Sonic Unyon, I've got a pair of tickets to the show to give away to a random lucky reader, as well as a copy of that ace new album.

As I said, the show is this Wednesday night, April 4th at the Middle East Upstairs in Cambridge, and entering, as always, is easy as cake: If you live in the area and are free that night, send an email (subject: ANC!) to giveaways[at]bradleysalmanac[dot]com, with your full name and mailing address before Tuesday, April 3rd at Noon. If I pick your name, I'll email your shortly after to let you know you and a guest will be on the list at the club's door. I'll also pass along your address to Sonic Unyon so they can get your disc in the mail.

And in case you missed it when I recently shared it, here's the album's title track...


Stream three other songs over at MySpace, listen to the full album through their own site, and buy one for yourself at Sonic Unyon. To make sure you don't miss A Northern Chorus, the Twilight Sad, or Aereogramme if they're playing near you, check out their tour dates.

Labels: giveaways

posted by brad at 9:15 AM | direct link | rss (1:2) | |

Next Thursday, March 29th, Seattle's The Long Winters return to Boston as part of a pretty special triple-bill, sharing a night at Great Scott with LA's The Broken West and Portland's Stars of Track and Field. I've been eager to see both opening acts since I heard their latest records, and am really looking forward to seeing the Long Winters on an even smaller stage than they played here last fall. We'd be fortunate enough to be visited by each band individually, and the fact that we get all three together at one of our better local venues is a real treat.


Thanks to Fenway Recordings, who continue to put together these fine evenings they dub "The Fenway Recordings Sessions", I've got a pair of tickets to give away for this sure-to-sell-out show. If you live in the area, drop an email containing your full name to giveaways[at]bradleysalmanac[dot]com, and put "Long Wintahs" (yes, Boston-style) in the subject line. Send it before Wednesday morning, when I'll pick one random winner who will end up on the guest list with a +1 next Thursday.

To buy tickets of your own, hit up Ticketweb, and be sure to check the list of upcoming Fenway Recordings Sessions, or befriend them on MySpace.

Labels: giveaways

posted by brad at 9:39 AM | direct link | rss (1:2) | |

The Hero Cycle, for my money the most promising band to come outta Vermont in a long while, will be making the interstate drive back down to the Boston area next week for another live appearance. There may come a time, and soon, where places as small as the Abbey Lounge aren't enough to hold them and their bound-to-get-bigger fanbase, so now's when you should take advantage of this contest: A spot on the guest list for one person and a friend to see them play next Wednesday night, March 21st, at the Abbey in Somerville, as well as a free copy of their debut EP. Also on the super-solid bill are Young Leaves, Polyethylene, and Italian Sweater.

Entering is easy: If you're a Boston area resident, or will be in town for the show, just drop me an email at [giveaways [at] bradleysalmanac [dot] com] before this Monday the 19th. Include your full name, be sure to put "HC" in the subject line, and I'll pick one winner Monday morning. On Wednesday, the winner and a fortunate friend will be on the list at the door, and a copy of their new "Lakes and Ponds" EP will be waiting for you at the merch table.

The show stands strong on its own, but is also the perfect alternative for everyone shut out of that night's Explosions in the Sky gig at the Middle East. Even if you don't get this giveaway, be sure to grab a copy of "Lakes and Ponds" (just out on Hidden Shoal Recordings) while you're at the Abbey or via Paypal at THC's page. Say you can't make it to the show, or aren't as addicted to physical discs as I still am, well you can stream and purchase all five songs right here. To seal the deal, here's the excellent first track from the EP...


So start those email entries coming. And here's a heads up for any NYC readers: The Hero Cycle plays the Trash Bar (256 Grand St. in Williamsburg) three days later on Saturday night, March 24th.

Labels: giveaways

posted by brad at 2:00 PM | direct link | rss (1:2) | |

This week marks the bittersweet release of Silkworm's final studio recordings, an EP titled "Chokes!" from the 12xu label. Basic tracks for five of the songs were laid down before the senseless loss of drummer Michael Dahlquist last year, and fittingly, he provides vocals on the EP's closing number, a live cover of Dylan's "Spanish Harlem Incident" by the Crust Brothers (Mike, his SKWM mates Tim and Andy, along with Stephen Malkmus).

12xu was generous enough to send along a couple extra "Chokes!" EPs for giveaway here on the 'Nac when I ordered up my own, and I've also got a few copies of "An Idiot to Not Appreciate Your Time: The Songs of Silkworm", the stellar double-disc Silkworm tribute that came out a few months back (and I wrote up here), courtesy of compilation curator Ike and his Genuflect Records.

To enter, send your snail-mailing address to [giveaways[-at-]bradleysalmanac[-dot-]com] with a subject of "SKWM!" anytime before midnight on Thursday, December 7th. Two randomly-picked winners will get a copy of both the "Chokes!" EP and the Silkworm tribute collection, two others will get the tribute on its own. U.S. and Canada only, unfortunately. Non-North American's would do well to order the discs here and here.

The liner notes for Silkworm's last songs end with these words...

"It was a great, long run. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU."

Right back atcha, guys. For so many great songs, for the never-disappointing live shows, for everything. You were the only band that every inspired me, after a mind-blowing Friday night set here in Boston, to get up the next day, jump in my car, and make a totally unplanned drive down to NYC for a second helping on Saturday night. The power of Silkworm compelled me, and it was worth every mile. So thank you.

Labels: giveaways

posted by brad at 1:40 PM | direct link | rss (1:2) | |

Athens, Georgia-based Now It's Overhead come to town next Tuesday, November 7th, as part of a stellar triple-bill with The Album Leaf and The Lymbyc System at the Middle East Downstairs in Cambridge. While I'm a longtime Album Leaf fan, my recent fascination with NIO's just-released third album, "Dark Light Daybreak", has me all the more excited for the show. Top that off with an emailed heads-up from a discerning Almanac reader that The Lymbyc System (who release their own full-length, "Love Your Abuser" on Mush Records in January) are a solid "do not miss", and there's no doubt I'll be there from the first note to the last.

Saddle Creek Records, who have released all three of Now It's Overhead's records, have generously offered up some some freebies for me to dole out ahead of the show. Here's the deets...

1st place: An autographed copy of Now It's Overhead's "Dark Light Daybreak", an autographed poster, and 2 tickets to the show at the Middle East next Tuesday.

2nd: An autographed disc and poster.

3rd: An autographed poster

To enter, just drop an email to [giveaways-at-bradleysalmanac-dot-com], write "NIO" in the subject line, and let me know your mailing address. Anyone can enter, although I'll randomly choose from Boston-area readers for the 1st place prize.

I'll take entries through Thursday evening, November 2nd, and announce the winners on Friday morning.

Until then, here's some related links for ya...

Hit up Now It's Overhead's audio page at Saddle Creek to stream the entirety of "Dark Light Daybreak" and grab a few mp3s, their MySpace page for a download and four streams, or grab a couple here...

Mp3s: Now It's Overhead - "Walls" / "Let Up"

NIO's Wikipedia entry.

Listen to some Album Leaf and Lymbyc Systym at their MySpace pages, or check out these tracks...

Mp3: The Album Leaf - "Always For You"
Mp3: The Lymbyc Systym - "Truth Skull"

Now It's Overhead is in the midst of an extensive U.S. tour, and they'll be heading over the Atlantic in January, so keep an eye out, wherever you may be.

The Album Leaf and The Lymbyc System continue on their fall tour through the end of November, and they'll be joined by Dirty on Purpose for most dates after the Boston show.

Labels: giveaways

posted by brad at 1:35 PM | direct link | rss (1:2) | |

Mac McCaughan's Portastatic comes to town next week for an October 12th show at Allston's Great Scott, just a couple days after their excellent new disc, "Be Still Please", arrives in record stores and online outlets. Mac's Superchunk bandmate Jim Wilber Aaron Oliva will be along for the ride on bass, joining guitarist Jeff Clarke on 2nd guitar, multi-instrumentalist Margaret White, and Mac's brother Matt McCaughan on drums.

Merge Records was kind enough to get me an early copy of "Be Still Please", which I'm more than happy to pass along to an Almanac reader (I pre-ordered up my own to get the limited disc of demos, which should also be available at live shows). And thanks to the Boston-based Fenway Recordings (who are behind some of the finest shows at Great Scott), I've also got admission for two to the Portastatic show next Thursday.

So here's the deal: In the comments for this post, write the title of what you believe to be the most underrated album Merge has ever released. Y'know, a record or disc you adore that you feel deserves far more attention than it got or is currently getting. Your personal "must own". Make sure you also write the name of the town you're writing from, and use your correct email address so I can contact you. I'll pick one Boston-area reader for the guest-list spots, and one out-of-towner will get the Portastatic disc sent right to them (U.S. & Canada only). And while I, of course, think there's just one best answer, I'll still make my choices relatively random. Comments must be entered by 9am on Monday, October 9th, and the winners will be contacted shortly after.

Stream: The entirety of "Be Still Please" from the Merge homepage
Mp3: Lead-off track "Sour Shores" via Toolshed Media.

This Boston date is the second stop on a nine-show tour with opener Jennifer O'Connor and her band that takes them down the East Coast, winding up in Georgia on October 21st. A just-announced November jaunt takes them a little further inland, so check those dates as well. Oh, and arrive early for the Boston show to catch confidence man Jake Brennan, who kicks off the evening.

Labels: giveaways

posted by brad at 11:04 AM | direct link | rss (1:2) | |

S'always nice to be able to give tickets away to a show I'm already excited about: The Futureheads return to North America this week for an 11-date tour with The French Kicks, and it finishes up on a Saturday night, July 1st, right here in Boston. This brief road trip promotes their new sophomore disc, 'New & Tributes', which arrives in stores tomorrow.

For a pair of tickets to The Futureheads' July 1st appearance at the Paradise in Boston, drop me an email at the link in the left hand column with the answer to this question: Aside from Kate Bush's 'House of Love', what Oscar Wilde-ish song have they been known to cover?

Emails must be received by the end of the day on Thursday, June 15th, and I'll announce the randomly-chosen winner of the tickets on Friday morning.

Some A/V from 'News & Tributes' for you, courtesy of Vagrant Records...

Mp3: Skip to the End

Quicktime Video: Skip to the End

Mp3: Worry About It Later

Stream: An ecard with four songs from the album

If The Futureheads don't hit your city this time around, they'll be back at the end of July for another couple weeks in the States. Click here for the full itinerary. In the meantime, check out their newly-revised (and not quite finished) website.

Labels: giveaways

posted by brad at 9:58 AM | direct link | rss (1:2) | |