Swing South: Annabel

mp3: Annabel -- "Sleeping Lions"

From Kent, Ohio, Annabel is pop-punk with an edge. Been enjoying their stuff for a few months & they kick of their summer tour in the south land including RadFest!!!

Their album, Everyone and Everywhere was released last year by Count Your Lucky Stars.

Here's a vid and the tour dates are after the jump...

Annabel - People & Places from Michael Ormiston on Vimeo.

MAY 13 - Charlotte, NC @ The Milestone ( Beartrap Fest! )
MAY 14 - Wilmington, NC @ Rad Fest
MAY 15 - Wilmington, NC @ Rad Fest
MAY 16 - Atlanta, GA @ Wonderroot
MAY 18 - Fort Worth, TX @ 1919 Hemphill
MAY 19 - Austin, TX @ Red 7
MAY 20 - Las Cruces, NM @ Equinox Music Venue
MAY 21 - Tucson, AZ @ Skrappy’s
MAY 22 - San Diego, CA @ Soda Bar
MAY 23 - Los Angeles, CA @ Dig In
MAY 24 - Los Angeles, CA @ Eastside Cafe
MAY 25 - Stockton, CA @ Plea for Peace Venue
MAY 26 - Eugene, OR @ The Muse Lounge
MAY 27 - Seattle, WA @ The Comet Tavern
MAY 28 - Tacoma, WA @ The Den
MAY 29 - Portland, OR @ Laughing Horse Books
MAY 30 - Boise, ID @ Terrapin Station
JUN 01 - Denver, CO @ Astroland
JUN 02 - Kansas City, MO @ TBA
JUN 03 - St Louis, MO @ Cicero’s
JUN 04 - Columbus, OH @ TBA






More after the jump...

Swing South: American Aquarium cd release and dates

Takes something special for me to post on the weekend. Weekends are for rest and not remembering anything.

But that something special is the release of American Aquarium's new album, Small Town Hymns on Last Chance Records.




CD release party is tonight at The Pour House in Raleigh.

Maybe alt-country, maybe bar rock, maybe your new favorite band. Usually I don't get into stuff like this, but their live set totally wins me over every time.

If you're wondering what Lucero was like before they were LUCERO, then listen to American Aquarium.

All southeast dates after the jump (and there are a bunch of them....)


May 1 2010 10:00P CD RELEASE PARTY @ THE POUR HOUSE Raleigh, North Caro, US
May 2 2010 9:00P New Brookland Tavern w/ Sons of Bill Columbia, South Caro, US
May 3 2010 10:00P The Jinx Savannah, Georgia, US
May 4 2010 9:00P Skippers w/ Sons of Bill Tampa, Florida, US
May 5 2010 9:00P Jack Rabbits w/ Sons of Bill Jacksonville, Florida, US
May 6 2010 9:00P Peachtree Tavern w/ Sons of Bill Atlanta, Georgia, US
May 7 2010 7:00P The Windjammer w/ Sons of Bill Charleston, South Caro, US
May 8 2010 12:15P Beaufort Music Festival Beaufort, North Caro, US
May 8 2010 9:00P Evening Muse w/ Sons of Bill Charlotte, North Caro, US
May 13 2010 9:00P The 8X10 w/ Sons of Bill Baltimore, Maryland, US
May 14 2010 9:00P The Studio at Webster Hall w/ Sons of Bill New York, New York, US
May 15 2010 9:00P The State Theatre w/ Sons of Bill Falls Church, Virginia, US
May 16 2010 10:00P The Triple Richmond, Virginia, US
May 17 2010 9:00P Clementine Cafe Harrisonburg, Virginia, US
May 18 2010 10:00P Rhythm & Brews Chattanooga, Tennessee , US
May 19 2010 9:00P Zydeco w/ Sons of Bill Birmingham, Alabama, US
May 29 2010 7:00P Private Event Elkin, North Caro, US
Jun 1 2010 9:00P The Garage Winston Salem, North Caro, US
Jun 2 2010 9:00P The Blind Tiger Greensboro, North Caro, US
Jun 3 2010 9:00P LOCAL 506 CHAPEL HILL, North Caro, US
Jun 4 2010 9:00P The Soapbox Laundro-Lounge Wilmington, North Caro, US
Jun 5 2010 9:00P Hot Summer Nights Myrtle Beach, South Caro, US
Jun 10 2010 9:00P Sky City Augusta, Georgia , US
Jun 11 2010 9:00P The Hummingbird Macon, Georgia , US
Jun 12 2010 9:00P Rafters St. Simons, Georgia, US
Jun 14 2010 9:00P The Engine Room Tallahassee, Florida, US
Jun 16 2010 9:00P Chelsea’s Baton Rouge, Louisiana, US
Jun 18 2010 9:00P The Boiler Room w/ Roger Clyne & the Peacemakers Denton, Texas,
Jun 19 2010 9:00P LaGrange Dallas, Texas, US
Jun 21 2010 9:00P Woody’s Tupelo, Mississipp, US
Jun 22 2010 9:00P The Blind Pig Oxford, Mississipp, US
Jun 23 2010 9:00P Hi Tone Memphis, Tennessee , US
Jun 24 2010 9:00P White Water Tavern Little Rock, Arkansas , US
Jun 25 2010 9:00P Landry’s Fort Smith, Arkansas , US
Jun 26 2010 9:00P George’s Majestic Fayetteville, Arkansas , US
Jun 27 2010 9:00P Fat Jacks Texarkana, Arkansas , US


More after the jump...

Swing South: Local Natives

Local Natives.

Album is Gorilla Manor. Find more stuff here.

A few southeast dates below (I missed most of them)...

Apr 30 2010 8:00P
The Basement Nashville, TN (door sales only)*

May 1 2010 8:00P
Masquerade -Hell Stage Atlanta, GA *

May 4 2010 8:00P
Local 506 Chapel Hill, NC *

May 5 2010 8:00P
Rock and Roll Hotel Washington DC (sold out) *

More after the jump...

Swing South: Toro Y Moi

mp3: Toro Y Moi "Blessa"

Don't know why I keep posting about this guy. He's from Columbia, SC of all places. He's like 23.

Just want the South to be trendy. Daniel Gill told me via his huge email list that Toro Y Moi is taking on a full band. Kudos.

Tour dates after the jump / southeast dates in bold...



04/22 - Durham, NC - Duke Coffeehouse 04/23 - Athens, GA - New Earth Music Hall 04/24 - Charleston, SC - Eye Level Art Gallery
05/03 - Toronto, ON - Phoenix Theatre*
05/04 - Ottawa, ON - Babylon*
05/05 - Montreal, QC - La TuLipe*
05/06 - Cambridge, MA - Middle East Downstairs*
05/07 - Brooklyn, NY - Music Hall of Williamsburg*
05/08 - New York, NY - Bowery Ballroom*
05/09 - Philadelphia, PA - First Unitarian Church*
05/10 - Washington, DC - Rock and Roll Hotel*
05/11 - Charlottesville, VA - Jefferson Theatre* 05/12 - Carrboro, NC - Cat's Cradle* 05/13 - Atlanta, GA - The Earl* 05/14 - Baton Rouge, LA - Spanish Moon*
05/15 - Houston, TX - Warehouse Live*
05/16 - Austin, TX - Emo's Alternative Lounge Outside*
05/18 - Tempe, AZ - The Clubhouse*
05/19 - Los Angeles, CA - El Rey Theatre*
05/20 - San Diego, CA - Casbah*
05/21 - Mexico City, ME - Teatro Fru Fru*
05/22 - Monterrey, NL - Escenica
05/24 - San Francisco, CA - The Independent*
05/26 - Portland, OR - Hawthorne Theater*
05/28 - Victoria, BC - Sugar*
05/29 - Vancouver, BC - The Rickshaw Theatre*
05/31 - Calgary, AB - The Republik*
06/01 - Edmonton, AB - The Starlite Room*
06/02 - Saskatoon, SK - Amigos*
06/03 - Winnipeg, MB - Royal Albert Arms*
06/04 - Minneapolis, MN - 7th Street Entry*
06/05 - Chicago, IL - Empty Bottle
06/06 - Lawrence, KS - The Granada Theatre*
06/07 - St. Louis, MO - Firebird*
06/08 - Louisville, KY - Zanzabar*
06/09 - Cleveland, OH - Grog Shop*
06/10 - Knoxville, TN - Pilot Light 06/11 - Columbia, SC - New Brookland Tavern

* w/ Caribou


More after the jump...

Swing South: The Thermals

Portland's The Thermals are launching their east coast tour today, right smack in Orlando. Past Lives are joining them, whose stuff I've enjoyed recently.

Maybe The Thermals will throw in their new tune, "Separate" into the set list. Listen to it on their MySpace.

That track is featured on a split with The Cribs to be released on Record Store Day, April 20.

The new album is supposed to appear this fall--a project they're working on with Chris Walla.

Tour dates with southeast dates in bold are after the jump...



April 2010 EAST COAST US

07 -- Orlando, FL @ Social #
08 -- Tallahassee, FL @ Club Downunder #
09 -- Gainesville, FL @ University of Florida - Rion Ballroom #
10 -- St Augustine, FL @ Cafe Eleven #
12 -- Wilmington, NC @ The Soapbox Laundrolounge #
13 -- Carrboro, NC @ Cat's Cradle #
14 -- Charlottesville, VA @ The Southern #
15 -- Philadelphia, PA @ First Unitarian Church #
16 -- Baltimore, MD @ Ottobar #
17 -- Hamden, CT @ The Space #
18 -- Cambridge, MA @ The Middle East #
20 -- Brooklyn, NY @ Brooklyn Bowl #
21 -- Brooklyn, NY @ Brooklyn Bowl #



More after the jump...

Swing South: Red Sparowes

mp3: "Giving Birth To Imagined Saviors"

Red Sparowes has a new album out today called The Fear Is Excruciating, But Therein Lies The Answer, out from Sargent House Records. Their tour of rock and roll venues begins tonight in Birmingham, AL.

But cool kids Fang Island don't hit the street with them until Washington, DC.

See the dates below with the southern dates in bold, of course.




Red Sparowes tour:

04/06 Birmingham, AL @ Bottletree **
04/07 Jacksonville, FL @ Jack Rabbits **
04/08 Orlando, FL @ the Social **
04/09 Atlanta, GA @ the Earl **
04/10 Chapel Hill @ Local 506 **
04/11 Washington DC @ Rock & Roll Hotel ** ^
04/13 New York, NY @ Mercury Lounge **
04/14 New York, NY @ Mercury Lounge **
04/15 Boston, MA @ the Middle East Downstairs ** ^
04/16 Montreal, QC @ La Sala Rossa ** ^
04/17 Toronto, ON @ the Garrison ** ^
04/18 Cleveland, OH @ The Grog Shop # ^
04/19 Indianapolis, IN @ Radio Radio # ^
04/21 Chicago, IL @ Lincoln Hall # ^
04/22 Madison, WI @ High Noon # ^
04/23 Minneapolis, MN @ 400 Bar # ^
04/24 Omaha, NE @ Slowdown Jr. # ^
04/26 Denver, CO @ Larimer Lounge # ^
04/27 Salt Lake City, UT @ Urban Lounge # ^
04/29 Seattle, WA @ Neumo's # ^
04/30 Vancouver, BC @ the Biltmore # ^
05/01 Portland, OR @ the Hawthorne # ^
05/02 Eugene, OR @ WOW Hall # ^
05/04 Sacramento, CA @ Blue Lamp ^
05/05 Santa Cruz, CA @ Crepe Place ^
05/06 Santa Cruz, CA @ Crepe Place ^
05/07 San Francisco, CA @ Great American Music Hall ^
05/08 Los Angeles, CA @ the Echoplex ^
05/09 San Diego, CA @ the Casbah ^

** With Doomriders
# With Caspian
^ With Fang Island

More after the jump...

Swing South: Ruby Suns / Toro Y Moi

Southeast tour dates of the Ruby Suns and the "it" of the moment Toro Y Moi below...

Pssst...did you know Toro Y Moi is from Columbia, SC?

Wild.

mp3: The Ruby Suns "Cranberry"
mp3: Toro Y Moi: "Low Shoulder"


Mar 22 2010 8:00P
Drunken Unicorn w/ Toro Y Moi Atlanta, Georgia

Mar 23 2010 8:00P
Local 506 w/ Toro Y Moi Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Mar 24 2010 8:00P
Black Cat Backstage w/ Toro Y Moi Washington DC, Washington DC

More after the jump...

Swing South: David Bazan / Headlights

Bazan: "Bless This Mess"
Headlights: "Secrets"

You don't need me to tell you who David Bazan is, just when he is coming to town. His new album is called Curse Your Branches. Think he has a live one coming out soon.

He's on tour with Headlights. Their new album is called Wildlife.

Southern tour dates below...

Mar 17, 2010
Exit/In w/ Headlights
Nashville, TN

Mar 18, 2010
Grey Eagle w/ Headlights
Asheville, NC

Mar 19, 2010
New Brookland Tavern w/ Headlights
West Columbia, SC

Mar 20, 2010
Alley Katz w/ Headlights
Richmond, VA

Mar 21, 2010
The Ottobar w/ Headlights
Baltimore, MD


More after the jump...

Friday Five: Sleep Bellum Sonno & the Five Best Ways to Say 'Cool'

Sleep Bellum Sonno: "House of Spades"

New Jersey's Sleep Bellum Sonno are on tour with Rapid Cities promoting their latest release, Judge Us By How We Lived Our Lives Not By How We Made Our Living. Here are the five best things they've heard recently (with southern tour dates following...):

None of us are good at impressions.

Really. I promise! It is in your best interest to never ask us to attempt to mimic an accent. But as terrible as we are, for some reason we all have the bad habit of trying. For the most part it's intentional, we close the van doors and try our hardest to sound like we belong in that city. We add some drawl or over-exaggerate our vowels, but no matter how hard we try we never quite get it right. I guess, in a way, being bad at it is part of what makes it great.

And it is… Until we realize that we can't stop. We'll stop to get gas and forget to drop character. We'll pull over to eat and forget to turn off our lisps before ordering. And in the end we come home with a whole new vernacular.

5 ways to say "Cool"...

WICKED!
WILBRAHAM, MA



It's a cliche, I know. And as often as it gets pointed out you would think people would be overly conscious of using it, but just as we can't deny being New Yawka's, our friends in Black Churches certainly aren't hiding the fact that they live a stones throw from Bawston either.
http://www.myspace.com/blackchurches

BADASS!
KANSAS / KC, MO



When we toured out to the border of Kansas and Missouri this winter it was officially the furthest we had traveled as a band. We didn't know what to expect, but one of the greatest things about music is its ability to create instant friendships, like we did with Texas Instruments and Grizzly J. Berry. Our late night guided tours and drunken views from the roofs of 200 year old hotels were nothing short of, well, Badass.
http://www.myspace.com/texasinstrumentstheband
http://www.myspace.com/grizzlyjberry


AMAZING! (or A-maaaaaazing)
ONEONTA, NY



A while back some of our best friends, who helped us start this band, moved a few hours upstate for school. We joked that their wouldn't be anything for them to do, which i realize now is unfair. There wasn't less to do, just less places to do it. So when they met some buddies and started spending all of their time knocking out some hits, it was only a matter of time before their personalities and mannerisms started rubbing off on each other. The exaggerated hand gestures that accompany this one are almost as fun to watch as TIMESHARES are live.
http://www.myspace.com/timesharesmusic


TIGHT! (or ToyT)
ROCKFORD, IL




We have been to Rockford, Illinois a few times now. If there were only one other place in this country that we always feel at home, I might say its Rockford. But as well as we have gotten to know Warren Franklin and the guys in Joie De Vivre I still can't get used to this. Its not really the word itself that gets my attention, or even the pronunciation, it's the quantity! Its nonstop. Which, i guess, in their defense, is understandable: The land of Cheap Trick has a lot of good things going for it right now, and these guys are responsible for a lot of it.
http://www.myspace.com/warrenfranklin
http://www.myspace.com/joiedevivreband


UNREAL (or unREEEEEAL)
LONG ISLAND, NY



If there is any one group of people to blame for our slang, it's Sainthood Reps. A few close friends of ours have put together a new superpower on Long Island. You may not have heard their songs yet, but you can't spend an hour in our town without hearing someone use one of their expressions. I don't know how most of them start, but when they do they catch on and spread quickly; as their music will soon. I'm confident of that.
http://www.myspace.com/sainthoodreps

What's everybody's favorite slang word right now?

Sleep Bellum Sonno w/ Rapid Cities Tour Dates:

March 14
Empire w/ Rapid Cities, Flechette, and In Circles
Richmond, Virginia

Mar 15 2010
8:00P
The Soapbox w/ Rapid Cities
Wilmington, North Carolina

Mar 16 2010
8:00P
Ye Old Shoppe w/ Rapid Cities & We were kids
Rock Hill, South Carolina

Mar 17 2010
8:00P
The Pinhook w/ Rapid Cities
Durham, North Carolina

Mar 18 2010
8:00P
Blue Nile w/ Rapid Cities
Harrisonburg, Virginia



More after the jump...

Harvest of Hope Festival Picks!!! Mar. 12-14th

The annual Harvest of Hope festival is a benefit for migrant farm workers this Friday, Saturday and Sunday in St. Augustine, FL.

In only its second year, the Harvest of Hope festival has pulled together quite an impressive line-up; they're not messing around with this thing.

Dr. Dog, Small Brown Bike, Rogue Wave, Dear Landlord, Anti-Flag, Dead Confederate, Matt Pond PA are just some of the 100 or so bands playing out.

A combination of punk and indie rock, it brings together a couple of scenes that sometimes don't cross paths.

Tickets are $60 for a full weekend pass or $35 per day.

There are five stages (!!!) and here are a few picks after the jump:


Friday, March 12th

Stage 1:
4:40PM - 5:10PM Cymbals Eat Guitars
8:45PM - 9:30PM Rogue Wave
10:00PM - 11:00PM Dr. Dog

Stage 2:
4:10PM - 4:40PM Freelance Whales
5:05PM - 5:35PM Past Lives (still need to review this...)
6:00PM - 6:40PM Japanther

Stage 3:
6:30PM - 6:50PM We Are The Union
7:10PM - 7:30PM New Bruises
7:50PM - 8:10PM Anchor Arms
8:30PM - 8:50PM The Blacklist Royals
9:10PM - 9:30PM How Dare You
9:50PM - 10:15PM Dear Landlord


Saturday, March 13:

Stage 1:
12:15PM - 12:45PM A Wilhelm Scream
2:30PM - 3:15PM Strike Anywhere
3:45PM - 4:30PM Anti-Flag
5:00PM - 5:45PM 7 Seconds

Stage 2:
12:45PM - 1:30PM Fin Fang Foom
2:00PM - 2:45PM Signals
3:15PM - 4:00PM The Mercury Program

Stage 3:
4:50PM - 5:10PM Austin Lucas
5:30PM - 5:50PM Algernon Cadwallader
6:10PM - 6:30PM Look Mexico

Stage 4:
3:10PM - 3:30PM The Measure [SA]
4:30PM - 4:50PM Lemuria
5:50PM - 6:10PM Cheap Girls

Sunday, March 14

Stage 1:
11:10AM - 11:40AM Gringo Star
12:05PM - 12:45PM Danielson
1:15PM - 1:55PM Fruit Bats
2:25PM - 3:10PM Sea Wolf
3:40PM - 4:25PM Matt Pond PA

Stage 2:
12:35PM - 1:15PM Stars of Track & Field
1:45PM - 2:25PM Dead Confederate
2:55PM - 3:40PM Broadway Calls
4:10PM - 4:55PM Off With Their Heads
5:25PM - 6:10PM The Loved Ones
6:40PM - 7:25PM Crime in Stereo
7:55PM - 8:45PM Small Brown Bike

Stage 3:
4:10PM - 4:30PM Spanish Gamble
4:50PM - 5:10PM O Pioneers!
6:10PM - 6:30PM The Wonder Years
6:50PM - 7:10PM The Menzingers

Stage 4:
5:10PM - 5:30PM Bomb The Music Industry!
5:50PM - 6:10PM Andrew Jackson Jihad
7:55PM - 8:20PM Defiance, Ohio

Stage 5:
3:45PM - 4:05PM Greenland is Melting

Full Schedule is here.

More after the jump...

Swing South: Dear Landlord / Off With Their Heads

Dear Landlord: "I Live In Hell"
Dear Landlord: "Heartbroken Handshakes"

Need to order this album, because according to respected sources, it is the greatest since sliced bread. Late 90s punk reinvented and reinvigorated. Dear Landlord is from Illinois but on Gainesville's No Idea Records. They end their trip at the Harvest of Hope Fest in St. Augustine, FL which I need to do a bigger write-up on.

Also on the tour is Off With Their Heads from Minnesota. Deeper and darker.

Off With Their Heads - "Keep Falling Down" from Mario Framingheddu on Vimeo.

Both bands hit Atlanta tomorrow. The rest of the southern tour dates are listed below...


Mar 3 2010
8:00P
The Drunken Unicorn w/Off With Their Heads Atlanta, Georgia

Mar 4 2010
8:00P
Transistions Art Gallery w/ Off With Their Heads Tampa, Florida

Mar 5 2010
8:00P
The Atlantic w/ Off With Their Heads Gainesville, Florida

Mar 6 2010
8:00P
Churchills w/ off with their heads Miami, Florida

Mar 7 2010
4:30P
Backbooth w/ Off With Their Heads (early show) Orlando, Florida

Mar 8 2010
8:00P
Filthy McNasty’s w/ off with their heads vero beach, Florida

Mar 12 2010
8:00P
Harvest of Hope Fest St. Augustine, Florida

Mar 13 2010
8:00P
Harvest of Hope Fest St. Augustine, Florida

Mar 14 2010
8:00P
Harvest of Hope Fest St. Augustine, Florida
More after the jump...

Swing South: Look Mexico

Look Mexico "You Stay. I Go. No Following." from Look Mexico HD on Vimeo.

Almost forgot. Look Mexico is going on a blast of a tour for their new album, To Bed To Battle in March from Suburban Home. Couple of shows in the FL will be album release parties before embarking on a longer tour. A few of those shows is with Tallahassee's Only Thieves, which I love as well. All signs point to this album as Look Mexico's "breakout" and "crossover." Rawk. Southern dates after the jump...


Feb 25 2010
8:00P
1982 (To Bed To Battle-CD Release Show) w/Only Thieves & Greenland Is Melting Gainesville,

Feb 26 2010
8:00P
Backbooth (To Bed To Battle-CD Release Show) w/Only Thieves Orlando, Florida

Feb 27 2010
6:00P
EARLY - The Porch (To Bed To Battle-CD Release Show) w/Only Thieves Brandon, Florida
Feb 27 2010
10:00P
LATE - New World Brewery (To Bed To Battle-CD Release Show) w/Only Thieves Tampa,

Feb 28 2010
8:00P
Doozer’s w/Only Thieves (ALL AGES) Jacksonville, Florida

Mar 2 2010
8:00P
Caledonia Lounge Athens, Georgia

Mar 3 2010
8:00P
New Brookland Tavern West Columbia, South Carolina

Mar 4 2010
8:00P
The Casbah at Tremont Music Hall Charlotte, North Carolina

Mar 5 2010
8:00P
Tir Na Nog Raleigh, North Carolina

Mar 6 2010
8:00P
Canal Club Richmond, Virginia

Mar 12 2010
8:00P
The Soapbox Wilmington, North Carolina

Mar 13 2010
8:00P
Harvest of Hope St. Augustine, Florida

Mar 14 2010
8:00P
Harvest of Hope St. Augustine, Florida

Mar 16 2010
8:00P
Vino’s Little Rock, Arkansas


More after the jump...

Swing South: Flashbulb Fires

Flashbulb Fires: "Ambulance"

I'm not usually a fan of sprawling pop, but Denver's Flashbulb Fires takes pensive melodies and extends them to their farthest ends but with a dash of Americana as if Coldplay got serious about analyzing Jeff Tweedy. Their new album Glory is out now. The whole thing is worth it just for the opener "Pyramid Schemes." The Southeast dates are below, including a stop in Nashville for the 7th Anniversary of Rocketown...



Feb. 27 2010 3:50P
Rocketown - Rocketown 7th Anniversary Festival Nashville, Tennessee

Mar 1 2010 9:00P
Cave Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Mar 2 2010 8:00P
The Hideaway Johnson City, Tennessee

Mar 3 2010 8:00P
The Evening Muse Charlotte, North Carolina

Mar 4 2010 8:00P
The Rocket Club Asheville, North Carolina

Mar 6 2010 7:00P
The 567 - The Blueindian.com Presents w/ Ha Ha Tonka, Austin Crane, Amy Godwin Macon,
Georgia

Mar 7 2010 8:00P
The Nick Birmingham, Alabama

Mar 9 2010 10:00P
The Buccaneer Memphis, Tennessee

More after the jump...

Swing South: Surfer Blood/Holiday Shores/Turbo Fruits

Surfer Blood: "Swim"
Holiday Shores: "Phones Don't Feud"
Turbo Fruits: "Know Too Much"

Stepping into the hype machine is Surfer Blood. Perhaps the best thing of their HIT "Swim" is that instead of careening off on its own experimental fuzzed-off axis, it keeps the guitar melody sharp, allowing the vox to instead be all analog-sounding fuzz. There's of course, a lot of this going on--anywhere from Japandroids to Black Lips to Times New Viking, but for a penchant of fun they throw in that "afro-pop" vibe in a few places, allowing them to capitalize on the convergence of multiple trends at once. Just like any good band-of-the-moment.

Dang, there's even a "Twin Peaks" song.

I'm not saying Surfer Blood will fade, I hope the West Palm kids have got in them for the long haul. And Tallahassee's Holiday Shores aren't so shabby either, emphasizing more of the loosey-goosey rhythmic parts though....different boats for different coasts.

And oh, snap! Nashville's Turbo Fruits may blow both of them out of the water. All in all, this would be a fun show to attend, very buzz worthy, alt-cred will skyrocket.

Southern tour dates below....


Feb 16 2010
8:00P
Backbooth w/Holiday Shores + Turbo Fruits Orlando, Florida

Feb 17 2010
8:00P
DaVinci w/Holiday Shores + Turbo Fruits Deland, Florida

Feb 18 2010
8:00P
Engine Room w/Holiday Shores + Turbo Fruits Tallahassee, Florida

Feb 19 2010
7:00P
Criminal Records (instore) Atlanta, Georgia

Feb 19 2010
8:00P
Drunken Unicorn w/Holiday Shores Atlanta, Georgia
Feb 20 2010
5:00P
Grimey’s (Instore) Nashville, Tennessee

Feb 20 2010
8:00P
The End w/Holiday Shores + Turbo Fruits Nashville, Tennessee
(***this show is too big for this place, will crumble under the weight of Pitchfork)

Feb 22 2010
8:00P
Snug Harbor w/Holiday Shores + Turbo Fruits Charlotte, North Carolina

More after the jump...

Swing South: Generationals

It's Mardi Gras time and the Generationals are on tour bringing the NOLA love across the south. If you haven't heard of this band, you haven't been reading--Generationals' 2009 release Con Law was one of our faves from 2009.

Punchy soul-inflected dance rock. Southern tour dates (in Nashville tonight!) w/ Hacienda and Floating Action after the jump...


Feb 15 2010
8:00
The Basement w/ Hacienda and Floating Action Nashville, Tennessee

Feb 16 2010
8:00P
The Earl w/ Hacienda and Floating Action Atlanta, Georgia

Feb 17 2010
8:00P
The Charleston Pourhouse w/ Hacienda and Floating Action Charleston, SC, South Carolina

Feb 18 2010
8:00P
The Casbah at Tremont Music Hall w/ Hacienda and Floating Action Charlotte, North Carolina

Feb 19 2010
8:00P
Hub-Bub at The Showroom w/ Hacienda and Floating Action Spartanburg, South Carolina

Feb 21 2010
8:00P
Cider House w/ Hacienda and Floating Action Knoxville, Tennessee

Feb 22 2010
8:00P
The Broad Street Cafe w/ Hacienda and Floating Action Durham, North Carolina

Feb 23 2010
8:00P
The Grey Eagle *w/ Hacienda and Floating Action Asheville, North Carolina

More after the jump...

Swing South: Lucero/Glossary

You know about Lucero. You know about 1372 Overton Park. That it's a homage to Memphis. That there are horns on it. You know the song above is not new, but it's a classic.



Glossary: "The Natural State"
Glossary: "Pretty Things"

But now you should know Glossary. That they are fellow Tennesseans but from further down the road (a ways east) in Murfreesboro . They have a bit softer alt-country sound than Lucero, perhaps poppier, but all their stuff is great. Their new album is Feral Fire. It came out 2 wks ago. Find it. Tour dates for Lucero and Glossary after the jump...

02/15/10	Columbia, SC	New Brookland Tavern 122 State St. Columbia, SC 29169	Tickets: $15.00 Ages: 16+	Other Acts: Glossary
02/17/10	Greenville, SC	The Handlebar 304 E Stone Ave Greenville, SC 29605	Tickets: $14.00 Ages: 18+	Other Acts: Glossary
02/18/10	Wilmington, NC	The Soapbox Laundro-Lounge 255 North Front St. Wilmington NC 28401	Tickets: $15.00 (Adv) $17.00 (Day of Show) All Ages	Other Acts: Glossary
02/19/10	HighPoint, NC	Aquarius Music Hall 400 English Rd. HighPoint, NC 27262	Tickets: $15.00 All Ages	Other Acts: Glossary
02/20/10	Charlottesville VA	Jefferson Theatre 110 E. Main Street Charlottesville VA 22902	Tickets: $15.00 (Adv) $18.00 (Day of Show) All Ages	Other Acts: Glossary
02/21/10	Charleston, WV	Cultural Center Theater - Mountain SGtraegeenbrier & Washington Street Charleston, WV	Tickets: $12.50 (Adv) $18.00 (Day of Show)	Other Acts:
02/23/10	Charlotte, NC	Visulite Theater 1615 Elizabeth Avenue Charlotte, NC	Tickets: $16.00 Ages: 16+	Other Acts: Glossary
02/24/10	Charleston, SC	The Pour House 1977 Maybank Hwy Charleston, SC 29412	Tickets: $13.00 (Adv) $15.00 (Day of Show) Ages: 18+	Other Acts: Glossary
02/25/10	Augusta, GA	Sky City 1157 Broad Street Augusta, GA	Tickets: $10.00 (Adv) $15.00 (Day of Show) Ages: 21+	Other Acts: Glossary
02/26/10	Macon, GA	The Hummingbird 430 Cherry Street Macon, GA 31201	Tickets: $15.00	Other Acts: Glossary
02/27/10	Auburn, AL	The Strutting Duck 124 Tichenor Ave Auburn, AL	Tickets: $15.00 All Ages	Other Acts: Amelia
03/05/10	Jackson, MS	Ole Tavern 416 George St. Jackson, MS	Tickets: $15.00 Ages:21+	Other Acts: TBA
03/06/10	Huntsville , AL	Crossroads Cafe 115 Clinton Ave East Huntsville , AL.	Tickets: $10.00 (Adv) $15.00 (Day of Show) Ages: 19+	Other Acts: TBA
03/11/10	Chattanooga , TN	Rhythm and Brews 221 Market Street Chattanooga , TN. 37402	Tickets: $12.00 (Adv) $14.00 (Day of Show) Ages: 19+	Other Acts: The Bohannons
03/12/10 & 03/13/10	Nashville, TN	Mercury Lounge One Cannery Row Nashville, TN 37203	Tickets: $15.00 Ages: 18+	Other Acts: TBA
03/17/0	Hot Springs National Park, AR	Low Key Arts 118 Arbor Hot Springs National Park, AR 71901	Tickets: $15.00 All Ages	Other Acts: Various
03/26/10	Knoxville , TN	Barley's Taproom 200 East Jackson Knoxville , TN. 37915	Tickets: $13.00 (Adv) $15.00 (Day of Show) Ages: 18+	Other Acts:
03/27/10	Asheville , NC	Grey Eagle Tavern & Music Hall 185 Clingman Ave. Asheville , NC. 28801	Tickets: $14.00 (Adv) $16.00 (Day of Show) All Ages	Other Acts:

More after the jump...

Swing South: Cold Cave/Nite Jewel

(Ed. note: Cold Cave cancelled their show in Chapel Hill the other night & is canceling their show in Tampa & in Atlanta & I would assume Orlando..I'm not sure about the other southern dates...I think Nite Jewel is still playing...but this letter still stands...)




Mr. Eisold of Cold Cave,

I know that you sued Fall Out Boy, played in a cool hardcore band on Bridge Nine and even started a literary press. Considering what we cover on this site, you should be my hero. But I can't stand Cold Cave, I don't get it, I don't like it. I do listen to some "electronic" music, but this is too much of a new wave-ish ripoff for me.

I guess you knew you would "lose" your old fans, good thing you got Pitchfork & Stereogum to lead you to more.

Anyway, people seem to like your new release, Love Comes Close. I'm just not one of them.

I don't blame you, I don't think you're "selling out" or anything like that. You're doing what you want to do, I hope. Best wishes, I guess we part from here. I might pick up some of your Heartworm zines, though.

Sincerely,
Your pals at Deckfight

P.S. Actually I like Nite Jewel better. This video is supposed to be funny, right?....right?



Rest of the southern dates for Nite Jewel after the jump...

Feb 9 2010 8:00P
at Backbooth ORLANDO

Feb 10 2010 8:00P
at Crowbar TAMPA

Feb 11 2010 8:00P
at 529 ATLANTA

Feb 12 2010 8:00P
at Calendonia Lounge w/ NITE JEWEL ATHENS

Feb 13 2010 8:00P
at STUDIO B GREENSBORO

More after the jump...

Swing South: Mount Righteous

Mount Righteous: "Sing to Me, Tiffany"

Got a penchant for big, bombastic bands. I like some Anathallo, Sufjan, Architecture in Helsinki, etc.

Grapevine, TX's Mount Righteous is of those ilks, except not as electrically plugged in and a little gaudier with their cheese and optimism. Really reminded me of early Anathallo, but now they've gone mostly mopey whereas Mount Righteous keeps the big bass drum, tuba and trumpet rocking all the time.

Good interview w/ Splice Mag.

And go see them because all their merch got stolen yesterday, according to their website. Southern dates below.



Feb 5 2010
w/ GIANT PRINCESS+ GHOST MOUNTAIN @ 1816 Calumet HOUSTON, Texas

Feb 6 2010
the BLIND MULE MOBILE, Alabama

Feb 8 2010
w/JOSH LONER +NOEL STEPHEN +LITTLE TYBEE @ Wonder Root Performance Space ATLANTA,

Feb 10 2010
w/ONE WOLF @ The Soap Box Laundro Lounge WILMINGTON, North Carolina

Feb 11 2010
the WIND UP BALTIMORE, Maryland


More after the jump...

Swing South: American Aquarium

American Aquarium: "City Lights"

Just really getting into Raleigh's American Aquarium. Got some Lucero stuff going on, for sure, but American Aquarium is a bit breezier, a tad poppier without sucking at it. Don't mind the organ either, really. Also, BJ Barham might be the coolest name in the history of cool alt-country names.

They seem to be on tour all the time and this time looks just as intense. Going to the Show in Wilmington with Annuals and Lonnie Walker. What a blast.

Dances For The Lonely is their album. Try and get it. Tour dates through Feb. after the jump...


Jan 14 2010 9:00P
The Soapbox Laundro-Lounge w/ The Annuals Wilmington, North Carolina

Jan 15 2010 11:00P
Home Team BBQ (West Ashley) Charleston, South Carolina

Jan 16 2010 11:00P
The Jinx Savannah, Georgia

Jan 17 2010 9:00P
Jack Rabbits Jacksonville, Florida

Jan 18 2010 9:00P
Will’s Pub Orlando, Florida

Jan 19 2010 9:00P
New World Brewery Tampa, Florida

Jan 20 2010 9:00P
Backstage Lounge Gainesville, Florida

Jan 21 2010 9:00P
DaVinci’s Deland, Florida

Jan 22 2010 9:00P
The Hummingbird Macon, Georgia

Jan 23 2010 10:00P
Mellow Mushroom Tuscaloosa, Alabama

Jan 24 2010 9:00P
Smith’s Olde Bar Atlanta, Georgia

Jan 25 2010 10:00P
Barley’s Taproom Knoxville, Tennessee

Jan 26 2010 10:00P
The Basement Nashville, Tennessee

Jan 27 2010 10:00P
Tremont Tavern Chattanooga, Tennessee

Jan 28 2010 8:00P
Crossroads w/ Drive By Truckers Huntsville, Alabama

Jan 29 2010 9:00P
The Pour House Raleigh, North Carolina

Jan 30 2010 9:00P
Evening Muse Charlotte, North Carolina

Jan 31 2010 9:00P
New Brookland Tavern Columbia, South Carolina

Feb 1 2010 10:00P
Speakeasy Birmingham, Alabama

Feb 2 2010 9:00P
Woody’s Tupelo, Mississippi

Feb 3 2010 9:00P
Hi Tone Memphis, Tennessee

Feb 4 2010 9:00P
Ole Tavern on George Street Jackson, Mississippi

Feb 5 2010 10:00P
Mugshots Hattiesburg, Mississippi

Feb 6 2010 9:00P
Old Town Tavern Sheffield, Alabama

Feb 11 2010 9:00P
The Garage Winston Salem, North Carolina

Feb 12 2010 9:00P
Pantana Bob’s w/ Corey Smith Greenville, North Carolina

Feb 13 2010 9:00P
The National w/ Corey Smith Richmond, Virginia

Feb 17 2010 9:00P
Local 506 Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Feb 18 2010 7:00P
Pisgah Brewery Black Mountain, North Carolina

Feb 19 2010 8:00P
Martin’s Roanoke, Virginia

Feb 20 2010 10:00P
The Green Lantern Lexington, Kentucky

Feb 22 2010 10:00P
The Rumba Cafe Columbus, Ohio

Feb 24 2010 9:00P
Mojo’s Columbia, Missouri

Feb 25 2010 9:30P
The Riot Room Kansas City, Missouri

Feb 26 2010 9:00P
White Water Tavern Little Rock, Arkansas

Feb 27 2010 9:00P
George’s Majestic Fayetteville, Arkansas

Feb 28 2010 9:00P
Club Next Texarkana, Arkansas



More after the jump...

Swing South: Paper Operator

Paper The Operator: "The Pendulum"

Oh man. Sometimes I get random stuff. Sometimes I open it, sometimes I don't. But oh man, I'm glad I opened Paper The Operator.

Stream their new album, Goodbye God, here.

Paper The Operator has all the vox up front, with a little spacey-melody backing up the singer/songwriter anxieties (listen to "Left Lucy") and then hopeful grunge turned quick shoegaze (listen to "Rock Dreams). Very simple, but excellent. I want to say the Paper The Operator is like The Rocket Summer for some reason, but I have no compunction to make fun of Paper The Operator.

Again, stream the new one here. Definitely will have to work a review.

Still a few GA/Carolina dates left, after the jump...


Jan 5, 2010 8:00P Wonderroot Atlanta, GA
Jan 6, 2010 9:00P Oasis Charleston, SC
Jan 7, 2010 8:00P New Brookland Tavern Columbia, SC
Jan 8, 2010 9:30P Tipsy Teapot Greenville, NC

More after the jump...