Coachella - Day Two

Its day two of the Coachella music festival in Indio, California. Again we were not able to catch a flight out west to see some of the amazing acts that were scheduled to hit the stage today to entertain the thousands of fans (and potential fan). We can only wish that we were there experience everything that the music and arts festival has to offer, but it will not stop us from taking a step back and forward to see what some of these great artists that are making the Coachella festival a stop on their current schedule. Yeah Yeah Yeahs :: Karen O. will really get the crowd going when they show themselves on stage with songs such as Gold Lion off their latest CD Show Your Bones which was released late last month. After the show they will be heading home to New York City to tone up for their big trip in Europe. No worries Yeah fans, they will be back on home soil by mid-June for another run around the states. The Magic Numbers :: We were really looking forward to seeing these guys play, but I guess it will have to be another time and another space. Hey Sweden, you have your chance in August to see The Magic Numbers at the Emmaboda Festival, try not to miss this chance. The United Kingdom will also host the band for a number of stops include T in the Park on July 9th. We will just have to keep our eyes and ears wide open to future days in our neck of the woods. Mogwai :: The Glasgow, Scotland band will surely get the crowd going with their guitar-laced tracks and their experimental sounds. Look out for the odd snake getting out during Glasgow Mega Snake. These guys have been around the block a few time already so its good to see that they still have the energy to kick up the odd festival date. After the show its back on the tour bus for a trip around North America... there are too many to mention so check out their latest tour schedule for locations and dates near you. Bloc Party :: We really enjoyed their last album, but ended up playing it out and had to shelf it for the time being. Nevertheless, I am sure the energy that the band will bring to Coachella will be a level all its own... just hope the kids don't wear themselves out during this set before Tool gets on stage at the end of the night. It looks like Bloc Party will be taking a pretty relaxing summer from touring, but we have the honour having the band visit us in Toronto on June 6th. Chicago, Chelmsford and Stafford will also be festival stops for the guys this hot season. Ted Leo and the Pharmacists :: To think that something with a voice to be heard coming out of Washington D.C. which is good is hard to rap your head around. Well cult followers, Ted Leo will provide references of political content in their songs but at least these guys sound good. Anyway, it seems that the Pharmacists will be taking a easy summer too... they have a show scheduled in Chicago, IL on July 29 - Pitchfork Music Festival and a little something in New York at the end of August. Mates of State :: Ah, husband and wife combo Jason Hammel and Kori Gardner, we don't know how you do it but it looks and sounds greate. They are truely pleasing to the ears and will be a great pick-me-up at Coachella. UK fans can expect to see the couple in Mid-May before they are back in North America. We hope to catch up with them in Chicago, IL on August 4th at Lollapalooza in Grant Park. Giant Drag :: Apparently Kevin is Gay and they have High Friends in Places, we wouldn't call it snarky grunge but it sure is indie... and it wouldn't be enjoyed any other way. This California based band has been big favourite of ours lately so lets hope that other feel the same way at Coachella. It looks like the tour bus is only filling up in California because there is a long road ahead for Annie Hardy and Micah Calabrese with a heavy tour schedule on the horizon. Check out their tour schedule around the US of A for details and catch them if you can. Wolf Parade :: These guys are near the top of our play list at the moment will great songs such as I am My Father's Sun and You Are a Runner. The Montreal, QC based band is highly recommend for Coachella goers today. We aren't too sure what the guys are up to after the festival in California but whatever it is we will keep our eye open for new and report in as soon as possible. Metric :: I know Emily Haines said that Metric is number one on her list, but will a solo album on the horizon you just never know how many more Metric shows we will have the opportunity to see/hear. They are off to Germany and the United Kingdom after the festival so lets hope they come back to Toronto, Canada as a band for future dates on this side of the pond. So that is another year of the Coachella music festival in California, USA.

Another Run for Joe Jackson

After 23 years in the music business it doesn't seem that anything is going to slow down the legendary Joe Jackson from hitting the road one more time. Not since the 2003 release of "Volume Four" has there been a reason to tour, but things have changed with the release of a live album "Afterlife" last March (2005). The Joe Jackson band is back and ready to hit the stage starting in June when he and his mates will be carving their way across the United States, hitting major cities along the way. Check out their full list of tour dates and cities and see if they will be performing anywhere near you.

Spot The Music reported a couple of days ago, that Giant Drag had re-released their their debut album Hearts And Unicorns in North America. This time around the album will contain a live cover of "Wicked Game" by Chris Isaac". Singer Annie Hardy has expressed that she is not a happy camper with her label Kickball because of their decision to repackage the ablum in the US with the cover song, Annie has been quoted as saying that "obviously the cover wasn't on the original version of the album because we didn't f#%king want it there." :: more :: In 'who cares' news, Eminem has reportedly split up from his wife, again!! :: more ::

Envelopes are a Swedish-French quartet that just release their debut album entitled "Demon". The simpliest way to describe Envelopes music is to say that its a combining of lo-fi electronic with a hint of pop and 'Scando-folk'. Now that we have you hooked, Demon means "demos" in Swedish and the album is meant as a taster for their first 'proper' album. Here are a few reviews on the album: :: John Burgess, The Guardian :: John Brainlove, Drowned In Sound :: Ryan Gillespie, PopMatters :: Paul M, SoundsXP :: Zoheir Beig, Gigwise :: Herman Snell, Jackson Free Press :: Daniel Levin Becker, dusted Here are three tracks off the album for your listening pleasure (promotional use only) :: Sister In Love :: It Is The Law :: Audrey in The Country

Neko Case :: The American singer-songwriter is best known for her solo career and as a member of the New Pornographers. She is currently on a month tour of North America and Europe to promote her latest CD release "Fox Confessor Brings the Flood" which hit store shelves in March. During her stop over in Toronto, Ontario NOW Magazine's Sarah Liss had the opportunity to meeting with Neko Case for a one on one. :: more ::

Wicked New Release

Los Angeles duo Giant Drag have released their debut album Hearts And Unicorns. This time around the album will contain a live cover of "Wicked Game" by Chris Isaac. As mentioned previously, Giant Dragis about to hit the road with Pretty Girls Make Graves on a cross county tour of the United States. Have a listen to the track here, courtesy of Music Remendy. :: Giant Drag - Wicked Game (Real Medium) :: Giant Drag - Wicked Game (Windows Media Medium). Sam Roberts next album entitled "Chemical City" will be on store shelves as of April 11th, however your one of those fans that would love to have an autographed cd Maple Music has 300 copies of the album available on a first come first gets basis. :: here ::

A Shock to the New Muse Album

• Muse has announced that their much anticipated new album will be released worldwide on July 3rd, while those in North America will have to wait a little longer. Drummer Dominic Howard has been quoted as saying that "the diversity of the album and some of the directions we've discovered and gone for might shock (our fans) in some way".
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• Sub Pop artist The Shins were originally expecting to get their third album on the record store shelves this summer. However, the timeline for release has now changed for the yet to be titled album. You can hopefully see signs of it in October 2006.
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• Seattle's own Pretty Girls Make Graves will be hitting the road starting April 26th in Portland, Oregon to begin promoting their new album "Elan Vital". It will be available starting April 11th (April 3rd for those in Europe). Giant Drag and various other guests will be supporting the quintet across the United States. There has yet to be an announcement if they will make a trip north of the boarder to Canada on the same tour. Their first single off the album called "The Nocturnal House" can be heard on the Matador Records website - :: here ::