It isn’t often Iranian artists visit the United States to perform. The hostility between the two nations has often, and regrettably, prevented cultural exchange (although clearly it is more than that—American musical performers seem distinctly unlikely to be invited to play in the Islamic Republic). Nonetheless Iranian musician/songwriter, Mohsen Namjoo will be in Los Angeles at Walt Disney Concert Hall for one show—June 20, 2010.
Namjoo’s latest album, OY, is currently available.
Namjoo has also been dubbed, the “Bob Dylan of Iran” (presumably by a critic with a very limited imagination at the New York Times…I remember them saying the same thing about Steve Forbert in 1980). His music, to the American ear, seems exotic but remains accessible with Iranian folk music mixing with rock, blues and more. There is something universal and appealing in his music that deserves more than some quit, simple comparison to a nearly 70 year old Western performer who, while clearly great , is also drastically different both musically and lyrically.
But it does say something that the New York Times mentions you at all. And Namjoo earned their interest with an ever-increasing international buzz which included a performance at the Venice International Film Festival (the only artist to do so).
He did the music for a couple of films—one being the documentary Sounds of Silence and the Iranian film, A Few Kilos of Dates For a Funeral.
After the show in L.A. a U.S. tour is in the offing. Details to come.
How To Destroy Angels self titled 6 song ep is now available for pre-order. If you pre-order noe you get one track (The Believers) now and the rest today (June 1). The band consists ofMariqueen Maandig, Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross. You can get find the music at howtodestroyangels.com.
The physical CD comes out on July 6 on Null. There will also apparently be vinyl at some point. The video for “The Space Between” is below.
The physical CD release of the EP will take place July 6 via the Null label. A vinyl version will also be released at a date to be determined.
Moe have been around for 20 years. TWENTY. That is a long time in rock n roll. The band is also basically the same, consisting of Rob Derhak,Chuck Garvey, and Al Schnier and new drummer Vinnie Amico and percussionist and instrumentalist Jim Loughlin.
The band’s own imprint, Fatboy Records, will be releasing their Smash Hits Volume 1. The record is a top to bottom look at the band’s career. They are also offering fans a free MP3 download of Spine of the Dog.
The band is also offering a free download of an acoustic version of the song, Lazarus, for folks who sign up for the moe mailing list. Details on their site somewhere but the press release I got was too confusing for someone with an IQ as low as mine.
The band will also be out on tour starting May 28.
Flyleaf are not only offering a free MP3 to fans it is a free MP3 in a good cause. Set Apart This Dream is an anthemic tune in opposition to human traffic. The band teamed up with World Vision in this endeavor.
The song is on the new Flyleaf CD, Memento. The band were horrified—as all decent people are—at the figures stating that 2 million children are victims. And that number is just the kids.
The band’s tour is entitled , the Unite and Fight Tour because they want people to unite and peacefully oppose this gruesome practice.
You can do more than just download a free song as well. You can donate by text. I have been assured 100 % of the money goes to World Vision to fight human trafficking You can text UNITE to 20222 and $10 is added to your cell phone bill. The money then goes to World Vision to rescue victims of sex slavery.
I always recommend looking into a charity before donating--there have been some issues with World Vision in Liberia. But it doesn't seem there was deliberate malfeasance on their part. Regardless it is a good idea to do some research on your own on any charity before ponying up money. Look to see if they meet your standards and conform to your beliefs. If not, there are lots of other organizations you can donate to to help exploited kids.
Nonetheless the band's heart is certainly in the right place.
Piece, the lastest from Sun Domingo, a five song digital-only ep, will be available June 22, 2010. You can find it at your favorite online music store (most likely). The band will be releasing a studio full-length in September. They don’t have a name for it but it will feature ep songs and more.
Sun Domingo’s break came in 2009 when prog rockers Marillion asked the band to come and open for them at two dates in Montreal. That performance is available as Live In Montreal/Marillion Weekend 09, on Rock Ridge. They also appeared on one of my favorite events I have never been to—Rock Boat, the Sister Hazel-sponsored floating rock n roll show for up and coming bands.
Sun Domingo plan to tour to support both ep and full-length.
For more information head to the Sun Domingo website, www.sundomingo.com
If you are into mystical, world music then there is a reasonable chance you will find the voice of Canadian singer/songstress, Sora, to your liking. She has several new concert dates, the first of these is May 30 at the Lilac Festival in Calgary and it is free. Sora plays at 11:30 at this all day, outdoor event
On June 12 she is in Winnipeg at the Winnipeg Art Gallery. Details to be announced. Finally, on June 26, she will be at the Water Valley Celtic Music Festival.
Riot Fest Records is releasing the latest highly collectible 7 “ from Chicago’s punk rock legends Naked Raygun. The single includes Growing Away and Just For Me. I was slow on the draw here so I gotta tell you….pre-orders are already under way for this June 15 release (it is the second in the ongoing series). You can order either black or violet vinyl at www.riotfest.org/records. A full length will appear next year.
Naked Raygun reformed in 2006 and have been playin ever since. Want more info? Go to their website, www.nakedraygun.com
The Nada Surf video for the song, Electrocution is out and is a psychedelic, freaky deaky, trip worked around the band’s cover of a song by Bill Fox. The song will be on the new Nada Surf album, if I had a hi-fi, which comes out June 8.
For details check out the Nada Surf Website. SO…without further ado watch Nada Surf’s"Electrocution (Bill Fox)" Directed by Eli Stronberg.
Sam Fogarino, drummer for the band Interpol (and his own mesmerizing project Magnetic Morning...which I think might now be defunct regretably) also has a website.
It is a blog site where he muses on drummers, art and the like. None of that "I ate potato salad for lunch" sort of posting you see on a lot of sites. I visit it with some frequency and so should you. The address is samfog.com.
Gold on Gold, released on Plant Music, comes out July 27th. I glean that Clubfeet produce dance music and tour as a three-piece. They have performed at V Fest and Summerdayz and been the opening act for both Art vs. Science and Grafton Primary.
They have also employed their formidable DJ skills worldwide from South Africa, to the UK to Australia. And they are heading to the USA soon.
I suppose I could go with more biography but why should I? You can download the band’s first single from the record, Teenage Suicide, free HERE!
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