The Delta Mirror On Tour

The Delta Mirror have come a long way from starting out as a hip hop two-piece in the late 90s.  Joined by bassist Karrie K, original members Craig Gordon and David Bolt have evolved the band into a showgaze-y project, evident on their most recent release Machines That Listen – and WOW is this album a downer, but musically it’s so, so good.  From their bio:

Each song on this 9 track collection is a story that takes place in a different room of a hospital. Track 2 “and the radio played on” tells of a dying elderly man and his wife’s last moments together, while “hold me down just don’t let me go” is told from the perspective of an ER nurse treating a stab victim. Listening to this record is like walking through the halls of Bellevue or Cedars Sinai listening to a score that is re-written daily.

Reading that and listening to these songs gives me the chills.  But I keep listening.  It kind of reminds me of the song “What Sarah Said” by Death Cab For Cutie – the saddest song, but with the most beautiful line – “Love is watching someone die.”

The Delta Mirror just announced tour dates, with a stop in NYC on August 15th at Cake Shop.  For the rest of the dates, click here.

The Delta Mirror – Going To Town

So proud…

If you haven’t already heard, Hooray For Earth’s EP Momo dropped this week.  And if you haven’t already heard it, you can stream it right now on Spinner HERE.

The boys played the Music Hall of Williamsburg on Tuesday night, opening for The Futureheads, for their record release party.  And it was magic.  Joined by the ladies of Zambri for a few songs, crowd favorites that night were title track “Surrounded By Your Friends” (which we were), “Rolling/Nectarine” (new favorite!) and – OK, all of them.

If you didn’t get to catch them live because you don’t live in NYC, they kick off their tour with The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart and Surfer Blood TONIGHT (dates below).  And if you didn’t get to catch them live but you do live in NYC, do not fret – the boys will be back soon!

Here is some sick ride + puppet friends + outer space visual goodness for you:

“Surrounded By Your Friends” by Hooray For Earth from Johnny Woods on Vimeo.

06-03 Milford, CT – Daniel Street
06-04 Rochester, NY – The German House
06-05 Buffalo, NY – The Tralf
06-06 Cleveland, OH – Beachland Ballroom
06-08 Memphis, TN – Hi Tone Cafe
06-09 Birmingham, AL – Bottletree Cafe
06-10 Tallahassee, FL – The Engine Room
06-11 Orlando, FL – Club at Firestone
06-12 Miami, FL – Grand Central
06-13 Jacksonville, FL – Jack Rabbits
06-15 Carrboro, NC – Cat’s Cradle
06-16 Washington, DC – Black Cat

Pantha du Prince in NYC in June

I was over at a friend’s the other day listening to some vinyl and enjoying some almost summer beers when he threw on Pantha du Prince’s new record Black Noise.  I was immediately hooked – and intrigued.

Their MySpace page says they are from Antarctica, but guess what?  That’s a silly, silly joke.  Pantha du Prince is, in fact, from Germany.  And it’s actually a one man show.  Given name: Hendrick Weber.  Alter egos: Pantha du Prince, Panthel and Glühen 4.  He is an electronic music producer and DJ, who started out in 2002 and was recently added to the Rough Trade roster, through which he put out Black Noise in February.

This is the third studio album under the Pantha du Prince name (there are a few other singles and an album from Glühen 4), and features collaborations with members of Animal Collective and LCD Soundsystem; and he’s remixed Cold Cave and been remixed by Four Tet — so many forthebeat faves.

Pantha du Prince will be in NYC on June 17^th at Santos Party House (only three U.S. dates to speak of but lots of European dates – check here for a full list of tour dates.)

Pantha du Prince – Lay in a Shimmer

Local Natives in Minneapolis

Yes, everyone is in love with Local Natives.

SL was ahead of the curve when she included them on her Le Miel du Mois: Avril Mixtape, but my own love has grown slow and steady, with 100+ repeated listens of their debut album during this long, rainy spring.

Like most other girls in my demographic (single, over 25, maybe gained a little weight recently) their formula (man harmonies + several dudes on drums + facial hair + probable BO) is comforting and attractive.

Lucky for me, their tour brought them right into my backyard, for a sweaty show at Minneapolis’ 400 bar.  With temperatures in the 80s and a broken air conditioner, the only thing hotter than this show was all the sweaty cool kids standing in rapt attention as the band dutifully and passionately ripped through each track off Gorilla Manor.

Local Natives – Who Knows Who Cares

(The) Tony Castles

Who doesn’t like pirates?  No one.  In fact, everyone loves pirates, which is why you’re going to love the song “Pirates” by (The) Tony Castles.

This Brooklyn-based threesome is made up of Paul Sicilian, Willie Miesmer and Gabriel Wurzel.  So, as far as I can tell, there is no one in this band named Tony Castles.  Sadly, I guess this guy isn’t in the mix.

Anyway, there are no EPs or full-lengths to speak of – yet.  (Their debut five-song EP “No Service” will be out soon).  So right now we’re enjoying a bunch of rough demos.  “Pirates” is a six-minute song, and you’ll enjoy every second of this ethereal, rock/pop/and sometimes synth-y tune featuring some very high-pitched vocals.

If you want to check them out, (The) Tony Castles play Mercury Lounge tomorrow night with forthebeat fave Keepaway and buzz band Dom, for the Keepaway EP release party.

The Tony Castles – Pirates

To Check Out This Week: Mon Khmer

I really like this band.  The sound is minimalist yet familiar and meaningful.  Mon Khmer is a Brooklyn-based five-some lead by vocalist/guitarist Hammarsing, who is also fluent in Mon Khmer, a grouping of indigenous Southeast Asian languages.

The songs are edgy yet laid back, slightly aggressive at times but will suddenly slip into short bursts of joy.  They remind me a lot of White Rabbits.

And you have to love a band that has a “devastating secret weapon.”  According to the band’s bio:

Dave Kaye equips Mon Khmer with a devastating secret weapon, by adding his pedal steel touch layering the songs with beautiful sweeping hooking sounds.

Mon Khmer’s self-titled debut, which was released in February, is vinyl-only, 10-song goodness.  The band is playing at Brooklyn Bowl on Thursday with Beach Fossils and Midnight Masses for The Deli’s Best Of NYC Fest.  More details here and take a listen below…

Mon Khmer – Birthplace

Ticket Giveaway: Paper Garden Showcase NYC

Artist SAADI, pictured above, is among the artists playing tomorrow’s Paper Garden benefit concert at Death By Audio in Brooklyn. The show will feature six acts including Peasant, Alcoholic Faith Mission, and SAADI; full line-up below. forthebeat is giving away two tickets to tomorrow’s show! Email us at forthebeat@gmail.com for a chance to win. Include your name, favorite color and of course favorite artist from the line-up below and you miiight just win a chance to see all 6 awesome bands. We will pick a winner by tomorrow at 3 PM.

The lineup for tomorrow is awesome. Set times here:

The City & Horses – 8:00 pm
Peasant – 8:45 pm (*forthebeat favorite)
SAADI – 9:15 pm
Hymns – 10:00 pm
Alcoholic Faith Mission – 10:45 pm (*forthebeat is most excited to see!)
Pet Ghost Project – 11:30 pm

The City & Horses:
The City & Horses – I Love the Girls

Alcoholic Faith Mission:
Alcoholic Faith Mission – My Eyes to See

New Festival Debut: Truck America

Truck America is a 3-day festival that begins today.  Tickets are still available, so if you are thinking: catching some amazing music that you know, added to some amazing music that you may not know this beautiful weekend, do it. Beginning today and ending Sunday (April 30-May 2), the famed festival that began in the UK 13 years ago will be making its U.S. debut in the Catskill Mountains at The Full Moon Resort in Big Indian, New York.

The Dig, Monogold, Natureboy, White Rabbits, The Joy Formidable and many many others are among the acts that will be taking the stage today and over the weekend. forthebeat is catching the Sunday show, and if we could make it today and Saturday, we would.  Go buy tickets at the door or here: TRUCK

An old favorite:

White Rabbits – Percussion Gun

A new favorite:

The Joy Formidable – Whirring (Brahms Remix)

Your new favorite?

The Dig – You’re Already Gone

DeVotchka Surprise Show – Tix Giveaway

DeVotchka is playing a surprise show at Bowery Electric tonight.  Do you want to go?  Well, it’s sold out.  But lucky for you, forthebeat just got its hands on two tickets, and we’re willing to give ‘em away.  But you’ll need to be witty.

The person who comments below with the best haiku about what DeVotchka sounds like wins. If haikus aren’t your thing, tell us what you think DeVotchka should mean if it was an actual word in the dictionary.  (SL and I will pick the winner, and we’re TOUGH).  Just make sure to include an e-mail we can reach you at in the e-mail field.  Doors are at 8 PM tonight and the show starts at 8:30 PM.  (We’ll pick the winner at 5 PM and your name + 1 will be added to the list.)  Good luck!

Devotchka – How It Ends

New Artist: PUNCHES

Punchessssssssssssssssssssss – I just love this name for a DJ group. Punches is Brooklyn based Alan Astor, Dj Never Forget, The Kid Robb and Terry Diabolik.

Their debut gig was this past Saturday at Public Assembly with Moullinex, Xinobi, Justin Faust and others.  Not too bad for a debut gig…

Their remix of Au Revoir Simone’s Only You is so danceably, catchy awesome, you wont want to stop movin and groovin. Listen to it here:

Au Revoir Simone – Only You (Punches Remix)

Want a Punches t-shirt just because they are kind of awesome in an 80’s pac man dance neon tight-pants kind of  way? KC has one and you can too.