News: Yo La Tengo in Australia next week!

[click pic to view Nothing To Hide live on French TV]

"Popular Songs is as essential as anything Yo La Tengo have ever released, and perhaps even more so – an album that looks back at where they've been, smiles, and stares resolutely forward to what will come next. It also makes a pretty solid starting point for anyone who hasnʼt yet been seduced by their considerable charms." DROWNED IN SOUND

“Impressive sounds, clever moves, sweet melodies” J MAG

"What better way to celebrate your silver anniversary with a band than striking gold?" Beat

Yo La Tengo hit Australia next week on the back of their latest album 'Popular Songs'. Playful winsome and optimistic, 'Popular Songs' finds Yo La Tengo producing their most rewarding album since their breakthrough effort 'And Then Nothing Turned Itself Inside Out' almost 10 years ago.

As well as treating fans to new material, Yo La Tengo will be performing a few old gems from what's undoubtedly one of the most critically lauded indie back catalogs.

In a first for Australian audiences, Sydney and Melbourne fans will have the opportunity to witness the 'Freewheelin' Yo La Tengo Show' - an intimate affair with the band play semi-acoustic, off the cuff, performing and discussing your requests.

The Freewheelin' requests shows have sold out already so make sure to get your tix to their other shows pronto! Don't miss what will be one of this summers most talked about events.

Thurs Feb 11 Melbourne, Thornbury Theatre
Freewheelin' Yo La Tengo Show
SOLD OUT!
Co-presented by InPress.

Fri Feb 12 Melbourne, The Forum
Tickets $50.40 + bf - some transaction fees may apply from www.ticketek.com.au or phone 132 849.
Co-presented by InPress.

Saturday 13th: Hobart, Moorilla
Tickets $45.00 + bf from Moorilla: 655 Main Rd,
Berriedale, moorilla.com.au or phone (03) 6277 9900

Tuesday 16th: Brisbane, Hi-Fi
Tickets $48.00 + bf from www.feelpresents.com,
Rockinghorse Records or phone 1300-THE HIFI (843 4434)
Co-presented by Rave Magazine

Wednesday 17th: Sydney, Basement - Freewheelin' Yo La Tengo Show

SOLD OUT!

Co-presented by Drum Media

Thursday 18th: Sydney, Metro
Tickets $49.70 + bf - some transaction fees may apply from
www.feelpresents.com, in person at the venue or
phone (02) 9550 3666.
Co-presented by Drum Media

Friday 19th: Adelaide, Fowlers Live
Tickets $47.60 + bf from www.feelpresents.com,
all Moshtix outlets or phone 1300 GET TIX.
Co-presented by dB Magazine.

Saturday 20th: Perth International Arts Festivals, Becks Music Box.
Tickets on PIAF website

Yo La Tengo recently strutted their stuff for the La Blogotheque Takeaway series

Yo La tengo - A Take Away Show - Part 1 from La Blogotheque on Vimeo.

Yo La Tengo - A Take Away Show - Part 2 from La Blogotheque on Vimeo.

Popular Songs is out now through Matador/Remote Control.

News: Yo La Tengo, Jay Reatard, AC Newman, The Mountain Goats and more on Chris Knox tribute album

STROKE Songs For Chris Knox

The Contribute Album

On June 11 last year musician, artist, father, writer, film critic & jandal wearer Chris Knox suffered a life-altering stroke at his home in Grey Lynn.

Everyone wanted to do something to help. So a bunch of his muso mates from NZ and around the world have gotten together to do what they do best to celebrate Chris music by recording versions of his songs.

The resulting album is a chance for Chris many fans and friends to contribute to his future.

The double CD STROKE Songs For Chris Knox is being released in Australia on Friday the 15th of January.

The album will be released on Chris own label - A Major Label & distributed by Rhythm Method. The stunning cover was designed by Chris fellow Tall Dwarf, Alec Bathgate and uses Chris favourite colour combination of yellow & black.

Songs are covered from all of Chris musical career - The Enemy, Toy Love, Tall Dwarfs, solo, & his most recent band The Nothing.

The album features tracks by such artists as Jay Reatard, Shayne Carter, The Mountain Goats, The Verlaines, Boh Runga, David Kilgour, Don McGlashan, Will Oldham and many more 32 tracks in all.


Full track listing:
Stroke - Songs For Chris Knox Album Credits
YELLOW DISC (disc 1)
Track 1 Pull Down The Shades (Bathgate, A./Knox, C./Dooley, M.) Jay Reatard
Track 2 - Rebel (Bathgate/Dooley/Kean/Knox/Walker) - The Checks
Track 3 - Aint It Nice (Knox, C./Dooley/Bathgate/Walker/Kean) - The Bleeding Allstars
Track 4 Dont Catch Fire (Bathgate/Dooley/Dawson/Knox/) - Peter Gutteridge
Track 5 - Luck Or Loveliness (Knox, C./ Bathgate, A.) The Chills
Track 6 - Nothings Going to Happen (Knox, C./ Bathgate, A.) - David Kilgour
Track 7 - All My Hollowness To You (Knox, C./ Bathgate A.) - The Crying Wolfs
Track 8 - Beauty (Knox, C./Bathgate, A.) Stephin Merritt
Track 9 - Nostalgias No Excuse (Chris Knox) - Portastatic
Track 10 - Crush (Knox, C./ Bathgate, A.) The Mint Chicks
Track 11 - Ive Left Memories Behind (Knox, C./ Bathgate, A.) - Jay & Sam Clarkson
Track 12 - Burning Blue (Knox, C./ Bathgate, A.) - Sky Green Leopards
Track 13 - The Slide (Knox, C./ Bathgate, A.) - Shayne Carter
Track 14 - Grand Mal (Chris Knox) Pumice
BONUS TRACK
Track 15 - Knoxed Out (Chris Knox) - Hamish Kilgour

BLACK DISC (disc 2)
Track 1 - Not Given Lightly (Chris Knox) Boh Runga
Track 2 - Bodies (Knox, C./ Bathgate, A) - Red&Zeke featuring Bill Doss and Neil Cleary.
Track 3 - Lapse (Chris Knox) - Bill Callahan
Track 4 Growth Spurt (Chris Knox) Genghis Smith
Track 5 - Coloured (Chris Knox) - Yo La Tengo
Track 6 - Dunno Much about Life But I know How To Breathe (Chris Knox) - AC Newman
Track 7 - Glide (Chris Knox) - Alec Bathgate
Track 8 - Inside Story (Chris Knox) - Don McGlashan
Track 9 - The Outer Skin (Chris Knox) Sean Donnelly
Track 10 - What Goes Up (Knox, C./Bathgate, A.) Lambchop
Track 11- Brave (Chris Knox) The Mountain Goats
Track 12 - Round These Walls (Knox, C./ Bathgate. A.) - The Tokey Tones (and friends)
Track 13 - Just Do It (Knox, C./ Bathgate. A.) - The Bats
Track 14 My Only Friend (Chris Knox) - Will Oldham
Track 15 - Its Love (Chris Knox) The Finn Family
Track 16 - Becoming Something Other (Chris Knox) Jordan Luck
Track 17- Driftwood (Chris Knox) The Verlaines
Track 18 Song of the Tall Poppy (Chris Knox) - Lou Barlow
BONUS TRACKS -
Track 19 Napping In Lapland (Knox C., Martyn R., Neville S., Mulholland J.) - The Nothing
Track 20 Sunday Song (Knox, C./Bathgate, A.) Tall Dwarfs

www.chrisknox.co.nz/

Stroke is out Jan 15 through a major label

Tour News: Yo La Tengo tour announced

Yo La Tengo are not afraid. they walk bravely forward, into the unknown, hand in hand. and 12 (or 14) albums in, they may just be hitting their stride.
NME

"Popular Songs reveals a band sounding as vital as ever 12 albums in."
Rave (Album Of The Week)

"Impressive sounds, clever moves, sweet melodies."
J Mag

"What better way to celebrate your silver anniversary with a band than striking gold?"
Beat

Yes you heard right!
Indie rock pioneers Yo La Tengo are headed our way for a national tour next February.
Drawing material from the stunning new album Popular Songs and their (needless to say) amazing back catalog, Yo La Tengo will be visiting ever major city in Oz (including Hobart for the very first time).

But that's not all, Melbourne and Sydney fans are in for a real treat.
In addition to their live shows, Yo La Tengo will perform their Freewheelin' Yo La Tengo Show' at The Thornbury Theatre in Melbourne and The Basement in Sydney.

Previously seen in the US and Europe, the shows are an off the cuff and intimate affair where the band perform and discuss songs according to audiences requests.

Tickets for ALL Yo La Tengo shows (* excepted) are on-sale Monday 16th November.
Wherever you are, be sure not to miss out!

Thursday 11th: Melbourne, Thornbury Theatre - Freewheelin' Yo La Tengo Show
Tickets $45.00 + bf from www.thethornburytheatre.com only.
Co-presented by InPress.

Friday 12th: Melbourne, The Forum
Tickets $50.40 + bf - from www.ticketek.com.au or phone 132 849.
Co-presented by InPress.

Saturday 13th: Hobart, Moorilla
Tickets $45.00 + bf from Moorilla: moorilla.com.au
or phone (03) 6277 9900

Tuesday 16th: Brisbane, Hi-Fi
Tickets $48.00 + bf from www.feelpresents.com, Rockinghorse Records or phone
1300-THE HIFI (843 4434)
Co-presented by Rave Magazine

Wednesday 17th: Sydney, Basement - Freewheelin' Yo La Tengo Show
Tickets $45.00 + bf from www.feelpresents.com,
in person at the venue or phone: (02) 9251 2797
Co-presented by Drum Media

Thursday 18th: Sydney, Metro
Tickets $49.70 + bf - www.feelpresents.com, in person at the venue or
phone (02) 9550 3666.
Co-presented by Drum Media

Friday 19th: Adelaide, Fowlers Live
Tickets $47.60 + bf from www.feelpresents.com, all Moshtix outlets or phone 1300 GET TIX.
Co-presented by dB Magazine.

* Saturday 20th: Perth International Arts Festivals,
Becks Music Box. - On sale November 9th.
Tickets $40.50 + bf from www.perthfestival.com.au or phone: (08) 94841133 -
on sale November 9th.
Or $37.00 + bf for Friends of the Festival available from
www.perthfestival.com.au or phone: (08) 94841133 -
on sale November 4th.

Yo La Blogotheque

Yo La Tengo perform for La Blogotheque for their series of Take-away Shows.

Yo La Tengo - New video and stream

Check out the dreamy video for When It's Dark.
Yet another track taken from the stunning new album by Yo La Tengo, Popular Songs.



Also well worth a look is a great interview Pitchfork have up with Dario Robleto, the conceptual sculptor responsible for the burnt tape that appears on the album's artwork.

Popular Songs is out now, so be sure to run out and grab a copy.

Those who STILL need further convincing can stream the album in full here.

Now who says we're not good to you?

Yo La Tengo - Avalon Or Someone Very Similar

The third video installement in the 5 week lead up to the release of Yo La Tengo's Popular Songs!



Follow the hyperlink to see previous videos
Here To Fall and Periodically Double Or Triple

Yo La Tengo - Periodically Double Or Triple

Last week when we blogged the video for Yo La Tengo's Here To Fall we told you all about the band's weekly video offering leading up to the release of their 16th (and pretty stunning) album Popular Songs.

It's another week and just as promised, we have another clip for you.

This week's installment is Periodically Double Or Triple, a very fruity and juicy clip directed by John McSwain.

I gotta say, there's nothing quite like close up chin-shots of people devouring melons and bananas...

New Yo La Tengo video Here To Fall

We had a very excited response to our blog of the first sounds from Yo La Tengo's new album Popular Songs. We can now reveal the release date is Sep 4 and share with you both sounds and sights for a second track Here To Fall. This sprawling, ambitious album is Yo La Tengo’s 16th, and marks their 25th anniversary. It is also a new culmination for a career that has been swinging upwards again since 2006’s I Am Not Afraid Of You.

Popular Songs crosses a ton of different styles while marking a musical journey through pop history AND the band’s history. It ranges from the foreboding wah-wah of the opener, “Here To Fall,” to the gorgeous, Georgia-sung “Avalon Or Something Very Similar,” to the concise, Ramones-driven summer anthem “Nothing To Hide,” and then to the three, very long songs that close the album, ending with the 16-minute drone freakout jam, “And The Glitter Is Gone.”

And in lead up to the release of the album, the band are releasing five video clips. Here to Fall is the album's dramatic opening track and kicks off director John McSwain's visual accompaniment to the diverse and arresting sounds of YLT's exceptional new album.

Popular Songs is out Sep 4 through Matador/ Remote Control.

Yo La Tengo - Avalon Or Someone Very Similar

Here comes the third video installment from Yo La Tengo in the lead up to their new album Popular Songs

Avalon Or Someone Very Similar is a bright and summery clip complete with kites, parks and trance-inducing triangles.

Take a look.

Yo La Tengo's much anticiapted album Popular Songs is out September 4th through Matador/Remnote Control.

New Yo La Tengo live footage

As we mentioned last week, Yo La Tengo have a new record coming out this September. It is called 'Popular Songs' and you can hear the first single Periodically Double Or Triple here.

You can watch the band perform another track "Nothing To Hide" from what will be the band's 12th album, on French TV here. It's YLT at their noisy best.



Popular Songs is due out September through Matador/ Remote Control. Can't wait!

New Yo La Tengo mp3 from forthcoming album Popular Songs

(cassette by Dario Robleto)

From the Matablog:

We have an old saying at Matador HQ, “the only thing predictable about Yo La Tengo albums is their high level of excellence and crazy amount of musical ground covered”. Trouble is, even if you believe we really have an old saying that unwieldly, it doesn’t really do justice in this instance. The new Yo La Tengo CD/2XLP/digital album ‘Popular Songs” (OLE 856-1,2) could be the bravest musical statement to date in a career full of ‘em. Recorded in Hoboken and Nashville in early 2009 with longtime associate Roger Mountenot, ‘Popular Songs’ finds the trio of Georgia Hubley, Ira Kaplan and James McNew at the height of their creative powers, fashioning an epic work that’s cooly confident as it is wildly adventurous.

Even for longtime followers of Yo La Tengo, the stylistic range encompassed on ‘Popular Songs’ is startling ; the band aren’t merely conversant with rock & pop subgenres stretching into the double digits, but their unselfconscious mastery of such is simply uncanny. Without absolving you of the sacred responsibility of listening to this album from start to finish (with no commercial interruptions!) , we can say with full confidence there are portions of ‘Popular Songs’ where a cursory needle drop reveals a band that doesn’t sound instantly like Yo La Tengo — or at least how you recognized them prior to now. In the words of Mike Wolf, “Yo La Tengo is not afraid. They walk confidently forward, into the unknown, hand in hand. And 12 (or 14) albums in, they may just be hitting their stride.”

Periodically Double Or Triple [mp3]
is the first MP3 from ‘Popular Songs’. Stay tuned for the release date.

Dark Was The Night compilation out now

Dark Was The Night, the 20th release by the Red Hot Organization to raise funds and awareness for HIV and AIDS, is out now.

Produced by Aaron and Bryce Dessner of The National, DWTN is available on double CD and triple vinyl and features 31 new and exclusive tracks from a vast array of indie's biggest names including Feist, Arcade Fire and Sharon Jones.

Here are just a few tracks from the release:

Dark Was The Night Widget

February 14th will see the release of the 20th Red Hot Charity compilation, Dark Was The Night, curated by The National's Dessner brothers.

Over the past week or so, a different track from the album has been uploaded on the DWTN MySpace page. Already uploaded have been a collaboration between Dirty Projectors + David Byrne (on first single Knotty Pine, downloadable here), as well as songs from Bon Iver, The National, Feist and My Brightest Diamond.

If you missed them the first time around, you can now head over to the DWTN website and make your widget player.



For those unaware, the Red Hot Organisation is an international charity dedicated to raising funds and awareness for HIV and AIDS, using music as a great way of achieving both. Their track record is second-to-none, having worked with many greats in their time (including U2, George Michael, Madonna, Nirvana, Johnny Cash, David Bowie, Dolly Parton, Sonic Youth, My Bloody Valentine, Wu Tang Clan among many, many more) and Dark Was The Night is the next instalment in an already esteemed compilation series.

First single from Dark Was The Night compilation

Dark Was The Night is a 31-track compilation produced for noted AIDS charity The Red Hot Organisation and features a stellar cast of musicians including Cat Power, The Decemberists, Sharon Jones and Arcade Fire. Out February 14th, Dark Was The Night was produced by Aaron and Bryce Dessner from The National with John Carlin (the charity’s founder).

The first single is Knotty Pine, a fantastic collaboration between Dirty Projectors and David Byrne. The 7" is backed with an excellent new track from The National, So Far Around The Bend.

Knotty Pine by Dirty Projectors + David Byrne [mp3]


To hear more tracks from Dark Was The Night, head to their MySpace where they are currently uploading a new track each day. The full tracklist can be found here.

New track from Condo Fucks

Condo Fucks are Georgia Condo (drums), Kid Condo (guitar) and James McNew (bass). You might remember them from such bands as Yo La Tengo.

They have a new album coming out in March called Fuckbook. And here's the first single:

What'cha Gonna Do About It [mp3] (160kbps)

Dark Was The Night tracklist revealed

The tracklist for Dark Was The Night, a Red Hot charity compilation curated by The National's Dessner brothers, has been revealed. The release will be available on double CD and triple vinyl on February 14th.

DISC ONE:

1. "Knotty Pine" - Dirty Projectors + David Byrne
2. "Cello Song" - The Books featuring Joses Gonzalez
3. "Train Song" - Feist and Ben Gibbard
4. "Brackett, WI" - Bon Iver
5. "Deep Blue Sea" - Grizzly Bear
6. "So Far Around The Bend" - The National
7. "Tightrope" - Yeasayer
8. "Feeling Good" - My Brightest Diamond
9. "Dark Was The Night" - Kronos Quartet
10. "I Was Young When I Left Home" - Antony with Bryce Dessner
11. "Big Red Machine" - Justin Vernon + Aaron Dessner
12. "Sleepless" - The Decemberists
13. "Die" - Iron & Wine
14. "Service Bell" - Grizzly Bear + Feist
15. "You Are The Blood" - Sufjan Stevens


DISC TWO:

1. "Well-Alright" - Spoon
2. "Lenin" - Arcade Fire
3. "Mimizan" - Beirut
4. "El Caporal" - My Morning Jacket
5. "Inspiration Information" - Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings
6. "With A Girl Like You" - Dave Sitek
7. "Blood Pt. 2" - Buck 65 Remix (featuring Sufjan Stevens and Serengeti)
8. "Hey, Snow White" - The New Pornographers
9. "Gentle Hour" - Yo La Tengo
10. "Amazing Grace" - Cat Power
11. "Happiness" - Riceboy Sleeps
12. "Another Saturday" - Stuart Murdoch
13. "The Giant Of Illinois" - Andrew Bird
14. "Lua" - Conor Oberst with Gillian Welch
15. "When The Road Runs Out" - Blonde Redhead & Devastations
16. "Love Vs. Porn" - Kevin Drew

The National's Dessner brothers curate new Red Hot compilation

In conjunction with WORLD AIDS DAY on Monday December 1, 4AD have announced the official release date, complete list of participating artists and cover art for the upcoming release Dark Was The Night.

Dark Was The Night will be released in Australia on February 14th, 2009. The album is produced by Aaron and Bryce Dessner of The National, and John Carlin - founder of the Red Hot Organization - is the album's executive producer. Dark Was the Night comprises 31 exclusive tracks on double CD/triple vinyl and will benefit the Red Hot Organization - an international charity dedicated to raising funds and awareness for HIV and AIDS. Red Hot was founded on the premise that even without a cure, AIDS remains a preventable disease, and that music is a great vehicle to raise money for and awareness of it. This is the 20th year of Red Hot and Dark Was the Night is the 20th release.

The complete list of artists (in alphabetical order) on the album is:
Andrew Bird
Antony + Bryce Dessner
Arcade Fire
Beirut
Blonde Redhead + Devastations
Bon Iver
Bon Iver & Aaron Dessner
The Books featuring Jose Gonzalez
Buck 65 Remix (featuring Sufjan Stevens and Seregeti)
Cat Power and Dirty Delta Blues
The Decemberists
Dirty Projectors + David Byrne
Kevin Drew
Feist + Ben Gibbard
Grizzly Bear
Grizzly Bear + Feist
Iron & Wine
Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings
Kronos Quartet
Stuart Murdoch
My Brightest Diamond
My Morning Jacket
The National
The New Pornographers
Conor Oberst & Gillian Welch
Riceboy Sleeps
Dave Sitek
Spoon
Sufjan Stevens
Yeasayer
Yo La Tengo

Dark Was The Night will be out through 4AD/ Remote Control on February 14, 2009.