Here at Midcoast Station, we love a good reunion and nothing has had us more excited than the reunion of Guided by Voice’s ‘classic 93-96′ lineup.
Guided by Voices (GBV) began in the 1980s and was influential for its lo-fi aesthetic and production methods. The band was prolific in its releases, but unfortunately, the band stopped touring in 2004. Then, what began as a special treat for Matador Records’ 21st anniversary party in 2010, Guided by Voices reunited its classic lineup and this reunion has since turned into two new albums and new tours for fans.
Currently, Guided by Voices is touring in support of its second new release since the reunion, Class Clown Spots a UFO. You can stream a song from the album and watch the video for the title track below.
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The band will be in Lawrence, Kansas, at the Granada on September 28, 2012. Buy tickets here and join us at the show.
Have you ever wanted to hear Tina Fey (SNL, 30 Rock) rapping? Now’s your chance.
Childish Gambino (aka Donald Glover) just put out “Real Estate” off the Royalty Mixtape. This track features none other than Liz Lemon herself, Tina Fey.
Check it out and let us know what you think in the comments.
When Passion Pit released Manners in 2010, every song got stuck in our heads at one point or another and we’ve been eagerly anticipating their next release. Well good news for fans of the Boston-based, falsetto-loving band: their sophomore release, Gossamer is due out on July 24 and you can now stream a new song, “Take a Walk,” off that album.
“Take a Walk” has a big, stomping instrumental build and of course, Passion Pit’s signature falsetto vocals. The lyrics tell a tale of the American dream: coming to this country to make it big and raise a family (I imagine this is based around a member of the singer’s family such as a grandfather or great grandfather). But monetary strife abounds and the man in the story has to work to keep his dignity and simply provide for his family. Despite how rough life has become, he deals by taking a walk. Though it’s rooted in a more historical and personal story, the song’s chorus is still universal and applicable to today’s generation’s own economical struggles. Stream “Take a Walk” below.
Passion Pit has also announced several summer tour dates, including festival appearances such as the Firefly Music Festival in Delware and Lollapalooza in Chicago. Visit passionpitmusic.com to learn more.
UPCOMING TOUR DATES:
6.2.12 Dallas, TX — Meltdown Music Festival Tickets
6.22.12 Boston, MA — Bank of America Pavilion Tickets
6.23.12 New York, NY — The Governors Ball Tickets
7.15.12 Cincinnati, OH — Bunbury Music Festival Tickets
7.16.12 Nashville, TN — Marathon Music Works Tickets
7.17.12 Knoxville, TN — Valarium Tickets
7.19.12 Charlotte, NC — The Fillmore Tickets
7.20.12 Norfok, VA — The Norva Tickets
7.21.12 Dover, DE — Firefly Music Festival Tickets
8.3.12 Chicago, IL — Lollapalooza Tickets
8.5.12 Montreal, QC — Osheaga Music Festival Tickets
8.7.12 Morrison, CO — Red Rocks Tickets
8.10.12-8.12.12 San Francisco, CA — Outside Lands Music Festival Tickets
8.18.12 Japan — SummerSonic Tickets
8.19.12 Japan — SummerSonic Tickets
8.21.12 Singapore — Esplanade Concert Hall Tickets
8.24.12 Reading, UK — Reading Festival Tickets
8.25.12 Leeds, UK — Leeds Festival Tickets
9.9.12 Los Angeles, CA — Hollywood Bowl Tickets
11.3.12 Columbus, OH — LC Pavilion Tickets
When the Midwest band Josephine Collective broke up, the members didn’t just scatter and disappear into the wind OK. So they scattered (Atlanta, Dallas, etc), but several of them stayed in the Kansas City area and nearly all the former members found new and diverse ways to stay a part of the music scene. We recently learned of a new project from one of the singers: En Route.
Dillon Teague DeVoe is En Route. It’s an electronic, alternative rock act based in Kansas City. Local radio program, Homegrown Buzz, first introduced us to En Route with “Bliss.” A song that sets a rhythm with a repeated electronic effect that sounds like a wave. Guitars soon enter and then Dillon starts to sing. His voice sounds like there might be a very slight reverb or echo effect on it to match that repeated electonic wash sound. It sounds like he has really smoothed out since we last heard from him. About two and a half minutes in, the song explodes into an awesome instrumental solo. Andy Armstrong contributes instrumentation and Jeffrey Hilty joins on bass. Check out “Bliss” below:
You can also download Bliss from The Rondevu here. The Rondevu is “an institute of independent music and art, in all genres.” They’re also helping support and record some other great KC musicians, so take the time to explore their site.
Kenn Jankowski, the lead singer of the Republic Tigers, has a new solo project: ˈjæŋki.
ˈjæŋki is described as a ‘ruckusy kind of rock…obviously with keyboards.” Other than that, there isn’t too much known about ˈjæŋki, but you can get an early taste of what’s to come with a stream of “The Timing and the Spaces.”
“The Timing and the Spaces” is a danceable, uptempo and electronic heavy song. It reminds me a bit of the Republic Tigers if the Tigers dropped their percussion. Listen for yourself:
ˈjæŋki will be performing at this year’s Middle of the Map Fest in Kansas City. You can stay up to date with ˈjæŋki on Facebook.
Jack White is a music-making machine. Between the White Stripes, The Raconteurs, Third Man Records and various random collaborations with everyone from Alicia Keyes to Conan O’Brien, it’s amazing the man has energy for another project. Yet now, Jack White has a solo project.
Jack White’s solo debut album, Blunderbuss, will be out April 24 on Third Man Records/Columbia. The single, “Love Interruption,” is out now digitally, but will also be released February 7 with a a non-LP B-side titled, “Machine Gun Silhouette.”
Joining Jack White on the background vocals for the “Love Interruption” single is Grammy-awarded singer Ruby Amanfu. Musicians Brooke Waggoner and Emily Bowland join on instruments.
Stream the song below and stay up to date with Jack’s solo project at jackwhiteiii.com.
Some quick retweeting has landed fans of the Kooks with a new tune.
On Monday, any tweet that included #junkoftheheart unlocked .01 seconds of a new song from The Kooks. It wasn’t long before “Saboteur” was unlocked in full and #junkoftheheart was trending on topic.
Now the British band is letting fans download the song for free. You can stream it below it nab it for yourself at junkoftheheart.com. Junk of the Heart is the name of the band’s upcoming record due out September 13.
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Junk of The Heart Tracklisting:
1) Junk of the Heart (Happy)
2) How’d You Like That
3) Rosie
4) Taking Pictures Of You
5) Killing Me
6) Fuck The World Off
7) Time Above The Earth
8) Runaway
9) Is It Me
10) Petulia
11) Eskimo Kiss
12) Mr. Nice Guy
