Megafaun announce new tour dates

North Carolina folk trio Megafaun are hitting the road next week after months of recording their upcoming album. Playing with acts like Menomena, The Mountain Goats, and close friend Sharon Van Etten, their tour's bound to be a good one. And looks like New Yorkers are in luck: Megafaun are playing not one, not two, but FIVE New York dates. Check out the tour dates:

3/15 Republic - New Orleans, Louisiana (with Menomena)
3/16 Warehouse Live - Austin, Texas (with Menomena)
3/17 The Mohawk - Austin, Texas
3/19 Hometapes Friend Island - Austin, Texas
3/24 The National - Richmond, Virginia (with The Mountain Goats)
3/25 9:30 Club - Washington, D.C. (with The Mountain Goats)
3/26 Strand-Capitol Performing Arts - York, Pennsylvania (with The Mountain Goats)
3/28 Bowery Ballroom - New York, New York (with The Mountain Goats)
3/29 Bowery Ballroom - New York, New York (with The Mountain Goats)
3/30 Bowery Ballroom - New York, New York (with The Mountain Goats)
4/1 Paradise - Boston, Massachusetts (with The Mountain Goats)
4/2 Castaways - Ithaca, New York (with The Mountain Goats)
4/3 Opera House - Toronto, Ontario, Canada (with The Mountain Goats)
4/5 Vic Theatre - Chicago, Illinois (with The Mountain Goats)
4/6 Mercy Lounge - Nashville, Tennessee (with The Mountain Goats)
4/7 Variety Playhouse - Atlanta, Georgia (with The Mountain Goats)
4/8 Cat's Cradle - Carrboro, North Carolina (with The Mountain Goats)
4/10 Grey Eagle - Asheville, North Carolina (with The Mountain Goats)
4/11 Wexner Performing Arts Center - Columbus, Ohio (with The Mountain Goats)
4/12 Mr. Smalls - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (with The Mountain Goats)
4/14 The Ottobar - Baltimore, Maryland (with The Mountain Goats)
4/15 Theater of Living Arts - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (with The Mountain Goats)
4/16 Music Hall of Williamsburg - Brooklyn, New York (with Sharon Van Etten)

The Dodos - No Color (2011)

Beginning with "Black Night", No Color marks The Dodos triumphant return to percussive reliant folk-inspired rock duo. It's surprising how full a song can sound with only two band members and yet The Dodos use every tool at their disposal to create a incredibly diverse sonic palette. No Color is definitely an album worthy of multiple listens. Each track on its first listen seems rather simplistic but is anything but. Repeat listens reveal a little more into the surprisingly complex composition of No Color's song. It's obvious the duo have learned many valuable lessons from previous album Time to Die, keeping in infectiously memorable and aurally pleasing melodic lines afforded them by vibraphonist Keaton Synder previous stint in the band. "Going Under" is the first instance that Neko Case shows up on vocals. I was curious how Case was going to factor into the equation and she's used to wonderfully marvelous effect. She's far from overpowering, allowing the duo's album to remain their own, but her presence is definitely noticed.

No Color crackles with an almost overwhelming amount of energy, at no point letting up. The Dodos are in full control, using their talents with remarkable precision. The album is a technical masterpiece, yet at no point does it seem like it and that is perhaps the band's greatest strength. The rather complex nature of their songs are downplayed by a jam-like aura which make it widely accessible.

No Color is out next week (March 15th) but you can listen to the full streaming album here and pre-order the album at their website here.

Now Streaming: The Dodos - No Color

About a month ago, San Francisco duo The Dodos gave their first preview of their new album No Color with the release of new track "Black Night" and now the whole album is available for full streaming from the lovely folks at NPR. Listen to the album in its entirety here.

Arctic Monkeys release new video and tour details

I'm completely ashamed to admit this but I kind of forgot about The Arctic Monkeys. Nothing to do with them, they just kind of dropped off my radar after the release of their second album and I never heard about them again. So low and behold when I read that their newest song "Brick by Brick" (off their upcoming fourth album) has a music video. The new song is cleaner than I remember the band sounded but still has the appropriate amount of hard rock grit, that fans have come to love. The new song sounds a little like a combination of psychedelic and surf rock so it's no wonder the video features shots of the band on the beach in what would appear to be Los Angeles. The other half of the video is strangely enough just a vinyl record spinning around, along with some quick flashes of the band performing, and some recording equipment. It all makes sense this sort of weird way. Enjoy the video for Arctic Monkey's "Brick by Brick":


They're also plays a small slew of North American tour dates:
5/17 9:30 Club - Washington D.C.
5/18 The Electric Factory - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
5/19 House of Blues - Boston, Massachusetts
5/21 Kool Haus - Toronto, Ontario, Canada
5/22 Olympia de Montreal - Montreal, Quebec, Canada
5/24 Rumsey Playfield (aka Central Park Summerstage) - New York, New York
5/26 Clutch Cargoes - Detroit, Michigan
5/27 The Rave - Milwaukee, Wisconsin
5/28 First Ave - Minneapolis, Minnesota
5/30 The Ogden Theatre - Denver, Colorado
5/31 In The Venue - Salt Lake City, Utah
6/3 Hollywood Palladium - Los Angeles, California

Sondre Lerche release new track, readies North American tour

For those lucky enough to hear about Brooklyn-based Norwegian singer/songwriter Sondre Lerche's 24 hour ticket pre-sale, they were gifted with new track "Ricochet". Now Sondre Lerche, fresh from a two day stint in Jakarta, is previewing another track from his new self titled album (out 6/2). The new track, "Domino" continues with the soft rock vibe established in the album's lead track. You can listen to the new track here.

In addition to the track release, Lerche has also announced a much anticipated North American tour.

5/31 The Mod Club - Toronto, Ontario, Canada
6/1 Sala Rossa - Montreal, Quebec, Canada
6/2 Paradise Rock Club - Boston, Massachusetts
6/3 World Cafe Live - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
6/4 Bowery Ballroom - New York, New York
6/7 9:30 Club - Washington, D.C.
6/9 Cat's Cradle -Carrboro, North Carolina
6/10 12th & Porter - Nashville, Tennessee
6/11 The Variety - Atlanta, Georgia
6/12 WorkPlay Theatre - Birmingham, Alabama
6/14 Southgate House - Newport, Kentucky
6/15 The Old Rock House - St. Louis, Missouri
6/17 Fine Line Music Cafe - Minneapolis, Minnesota
6/18 Schubas Tavern - Chicago, Illinois
6/19 Lincoln Hall - Chicago, Illinois
6/21 Larimer Lounge - Denver, Colorado
6/22 Urban Lounge - Salt Lake City, Utah
6/24 Biltmore Cabaret - Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
6/25 The Croc - Seattle, Washington
6/26 Doug Fir Lounge - Portland, Oregon
6/28 Great American Music Hall - San Francisco, California
6/29 El Rey - Los Angeles, California
6/30 Belly Up - San Diego, California

Live!: Matthew Bourne's Lord of the Flies at the Theatre Royal

After viewing a production of Matthew Bourne’s emotionally gripping adaptation of Swan Lake this past fall during its NYC season, I knew a transatlantic journey was a definite must. And so on the announcement of his newest work, an adaptation of William Golding’s Lord of the Flies (with an extremely limited run of about 5 days); I was drawn to Glasgow’s Theatre Royal through a sort of siren song and the promise of good theater.

British director/choreographer Matthew Bourne has brilliantly reimagined many a work, from Bizet’s Carmen to Prokofiev’s Cinderella and most famously Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake. His latest creation, Lord of the Flies certainly doesn’t disappoint. The production marks the first work since the start of his company, New Adventures, that wasn’t choreographed by Bourne, instead entrusting veteran company dancer and associate director Scott Ambler to bring his latest vision to life.

With Golding’s Lord of the Flies as the subject matter, there are certainly pitfalls and expectations as to what it would be like which Ambler and Bourne shatter effortlessly. Rather than set the action inside a jungle, they resorted to creative use of the space and an industrial inspired set although several elements of story’s fearsome jungle remain. Ambler, through his use of flowing lines followed by unpredictable hard-hitting choreography, did an incredible job of capturing the primal influence of the jungle- aided most definitely by frequent New Adventures collaborator Terry Davies’ score.

Dominic North’s portrayal as responsible peace-keeper leader Ralph was earnest, sincere, and heartbreaking: most notably in a lovely trio with Tim Bartlett (Simon) and Sam Plant (Piggy) as he questions his continued leadership and at the plays end where he sits dejected, tears streaming after the boys are rescued and the disaster averted. Adam Galbraith, Danny Reubens, and Jack Jones proved to be startlingly convincing as the terrifying violent trio of Jack, Roger, and Maurice while Luke Murphy and Phil Gardner as twins Sam and Eric with their picture perfect symmetry and radiant, bewilderingly charm was a definite highlight of the production and offered much needed comic relief.

Perhaps the ballet’s greatest achievement was in its inclusion of local children (many of whom had never danced before) giving them vigorous and challenging choreography to learn which they performed ably, like born professionals. Ambler’s choreography relying on a lot of repetition and synchronicity, the boys really stepped up to the challenge and tackled the difficult steps to fantastic effect.


Bourne’s Lord of the Flies is a true testament to the trust he has in the company members to bring his vision to life, the high level of talent contained within his company, as well as the effectiveness of his company’s educational branch Re:bourne. Here’s hoping there are plenty more innovative and imaginative collaborations from Bourne and his company. I know as long as there are, I’ll be willing to endure more transatlantic voyages to see them because quite frankly, they’re worth it.

Princeton release video for new track "To the Alps"

Early last month, Los Angeles Princeton made their triumphant return with the release of dance-y track "To The Alps". Now that track has a video. Directed by Sean Barrett, the video is simple, straight forward, and yet amazing. Capitalizing on the track's pure dance-inducing qualities, they add in roller break-dancers of varying skill levels to brilliant effect. Part choreographer roller skate dance, part unadulterated fun, Princeton managed to create a video that'll be sure to merit many repeats. Enjoy "To the Alps":