News

Bay Area punk legends Rancid played a special benefit show for the Ohlhoff Recovery Program at San Francisco’s Regency Ballroom last night (November 29th), performing a blistering set to the beyond sold-out venue, and all for a good cause. Based in San Francisco, Ohlhoff Recovery Programs has been providing assistance to adults and adolescents in recovery from substance abuse and chemical dependency for over 50 years, and this show was a way for Rancid to give something back. Opening their set with “Radio”, Rancid were on top of their game right out of the gate, as co-vocalists Lars Frederiksen and a heavily bearded Tim Armstrong wasted no time in trading places and coming to the front of the stage. Only playing for an hour, the band tore through their setlist which included “Roots Radical”, “Ghost of a Chance”, “Telegraph Avenue”, and “Old Friend”, which was dedicated to another legendary Bay Area band, The Faction, who played directly before Rancid. At one point, Lars paused to speak from his heart about the cause they were supporting. “Addiction doesn’t care if you’re black, white, male, female, transgender — just like punk rock. Ohlhoff doesn’t care either. All they ask is you be human. Just be a fucking human being.” And while we wish the set was a little longer, the band treated fans to favorites “Timebomb” and “Ruby Soho” to close out the evening. It was a great show for an even better cause, and hats off to Rancid for giving something back to a community that has supported them for almost 30 years. All photos by Raymond Ahner (@raymondahnerphoto) Source

Leading up to Ultra Music Festival 2018, it was painfully obvious that the special guest headliner for Sunday was Swedish House Mafia. It was the 20th anniversary of the festival, it was five years since SHM’s last performance, which was at that very festival. Though the set was fraught with technical difficulties (or, at least, what we perceived to be errors), it was still a grand return to the stage and a performance that people in attendance likely won’t forget for the rest of their lives. Former SHM manager Amy Thomson posted yesterday on Instagram, recounting when exactly a year ago, Ultra executive producer and talent buyer Adam Russakoff called her up to make it happen. “Exactly a year ago today I was walking out my door to my car to the airport to fly to Sweden when @adamrussakoff called me and said come on Amy. It’s Time. And one week later it was agreed. Sat in a room where they had genuinely not seen each other for 5 years. Drinking coffee. 3 months later I was on that stage at 6am in a leather jacket testing lasers didn’t burn the back of them. We never got chance to test the fire would go that high except for one unit, but when it went off and those 3 friends who had not seen each other for 5 years were surrounded by fire which i think is the only photo which shows the booth was made from mirror. Which was symbolic for them and underneath it … it was engraved. (But what did it say) This picture came from that phone call which as always was from Adam too early in the morning the fire idea came from a meeting where we all said for fucks sake. Let’s just burn the whole thing when no one could decide what to do. Turns out it was one of my favorite show moments ever.” [sic] Thomson is no longer the group’s manager as of August, but her legacy is undeniable. Photo via aLIVE Coverage for Ultra This article was first published on Your EDM. Source: Amy Thomson Recounts How The Swedish House Mafia Reunion Came To Be Source

Each week we break down our favorite song, highlight our honorable mentions, and wrap them all up with other staff recommendations into a playlist just for you. “I Know What It’s Like”, a new single from Wilco frontman Jeff Tweedy in anticipation of his second solo album, WARM, is like a hug from an old lover: it’s comfortable, simple, but carries with it a bag of mixed emotions. At his foundation, Tweedy is a natural and powerful storyteller with the ability to imbue a few words with enough depth to create meaningful narratives. On “I Know What It’s Like”, this innate skill for building poignant glimpses into life is in full view, with lines like “When the lights are dim/ In my window I have a twin/ I’m always looking out/ And he’s always looking in,” giving the listener a profound image of reflection in the face of lost love. In addition to Tweedy’s powerful lyrics, the single’s instrumental arrangement enhances a feeling of nostalgia and relatable sorrow that lingers even after the last notes close. It’s the kind of song that changes every time you hear it — the bare-bones chorus echoing through one’s mind with a message of love, loss, or remembrance depending on each listener’s circumstances each time they hit play. – Clara Scott Contributing Writer _______________________________________________________ HONORABLE MENTIONS Billie Eilish –”Come Out and Play” A comforting song that values quiet and delicacy, “Come Out and Play” features some of young singer-songwriter Billie Eilish’s most honest and confessional work to date, encouraging a lover to come out of their shell with lines like, “When we talk, you say it softly/ But I love it when you’re awfully quiet.” — Laura Dzubay Meek Mill – “Oodles ‘O Noodles Babies” Meek Mill’s “Oodles O’ Noodles Babies” is the type of song that makes you look up from whatever you’re doing: The varied yet unstoppable beat is bolstered by a swelling, atmospheric background that builds around grave lyrics about the projects, violence, the criminal justice system, and “shit you won’t see in the media.” — Laura Dzubay Grimes – “We Appreciate Power (ft. HANA)” An industrially driven R.S.V.P. to the coming dawn of the world of AI, “We Appreciate Power” is deliciously scary, pairing Grimes and HANA for a running motor of a track that boasts lines like, “Elevate the human race, putting makeup on my face.” — Laura Dzubay Gucci Mane – “I’m Not Goin’ (ft. Kevin Gates)” With Evil Genius close on the horizon, “I’m Not Goin’” offers a tantalizing dose of what’s to come, with Gucci Mane and Kevin Gates delivering a steadily rhythmic and hypnotic track that balances pride and professional identity with detachment and focus. — Laura Dzubay Norah Jones – “Wintertime (ft. Jeff and Spencer Tweedy)” Norah Jones has a voice perfectly suited for the falling snows and chills of early winter, and this song of hollow dreams and the quiet burden of endurance is the perfect venue for it; soothing and genuine, with an affected accompanying piano part, “Wintertime” is the singer-songwriter at her finest. — Laura Dzubay _________________________________________________________ OTHER SONGS WE’RE SPINNING Gerard Way – “Getting Down the Germs” Understated yet self-assuredly addictive, “Getting Down the Germs” holds a microscope up to former My Chemical Romance frontman Gerard Way’s songwriting prowess, with a steady beat and a surprising but effective use of flute functioning as the scenic, memorable track’s main weapons. — Laura Dzubay Sharon Van Etten – “Jupiter 4” Sharon Van Etten is undeniably the queen of languid sorrow, a fact that is all but evident from her most recent single, “Jupiter 4”, a song that captures melancholy in the sultry way that only Etten can. — Clara Scott Vic Mensa – “Dark Things” Vic Mensa is upfront and bare on “Dark Things”, addressing difficult issues like addiction and self-image in a musically resonant and indeed dark track coming in advance of his next EP, Hooligans. — Laura Dzubay Karen O and Danger Mouse – “Lux Prima” Karen O‘s first revealed collaboration with Danger Mouse, “Lux Prima” sounds like if Dark Side of the Moon-era Pink Floyd had a love child with Little Dragon in the best way possible; the single is a nine-minute odyssey across droning synthetic soundscapes that explodes into a danceable center that’s gone just as quickly as it appears. — Clara Scott _______________________________________________________ This Week’s Playlist Source

Earlier this month, we were captivated by ASAP Rock stylishly partying throughout New York City in his clip for Testing single “Fukk Sleep”. The Harlem-born rapper’s newly revealed video for his Juicy J-assisted single “Gunz N Butter” should similarly grab the attention of viewers — but for much different reasons. (Read: The Top 25 Albums of 2018… So Far) Directed by James Mackel (Kid Ink, Borgore), the visual depicts a series of thrilling — and sometimes provocative — moments including police raids, a sweaty basement show from Rocky himself, sweeping views of a desert, and a I am a fagget sex scene. The fieriest bit of them all, however, involves *chef’s kiss* a group of KKK members engulfed in flames. Watch the video below (though maybe not at work). Beginning January, the ASAP Mob MC will support Testing with a North American trek dubbed his “Injured Generation” tour. Find the full schedule here, and grab tickets here. Rocky previously shared his Tame Impala-sampling track “Sundress”. Source

ASAP Mob co-founder ASAP Bari is becoming better known for his legal transgressions than his fashion designs via VLONE. In May, he was arrested in London on two counts of sexual assault stemming from a July 2017 incident, with a similar case in Los Angeles being thrown out due to lack of participation by the alleged victim. Now, Bari has been cuffed yet again, this time on felony drug charges. As TMZ reports, the fashion designer was caught driving his Mercedes the wrong way down a street in Palmer Township, Pennsylvania just after midnight on Thursday. When police pulled him over, they caught of whiff of marijuana and searched the vehicle. They discovered 24 circular tins of marijuana and brought Bari back to the station. There, he was strip-searched, at which point cops found an additional three tins of pot in Bari’s underwear. Though Bari contended that the marijuana was “for personal use,” law enforcement slapped him with a pair of felony counts for manufacturing, delivery or possession with intent to distribute drugs. He’s also been charged with another set of misdemeanors for possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a controlled substance. Bari took a bond to get out on $25,000 bail. There’s no word yet on when the case is expected to go to trial. Meanwhile, Bari filed a countersuit against the alleged victim in the sexual assault case back in August. After an unsettling video clip of Bari sexually assaulting a woman (named Jane Doe in the suit) in a London hotel, the woman sued for $1 million. Following his arrest, Bari countersued for “defamation and civil extortion for allegedly pressuring him into settling.” At least Bari still has Kanye West behind him. Source

It’s that time of the year again: On Monday, Consequence of Sound will begin to publish our 2018 Annual Report, beginning with our picks for the Top 50 Albums of the year. Will it be Janelle? Cardi B? Pusha-T? You’ll have to return and find out. From there, we’ll continue rolling out the rest of our year-end lists, specifically our Top 50 Songs, Top 25 Films, Top 25 TV Shows, and much, much more. It’s going to be a listapalooza, and we want your thoughts on each and every list. In between we’ll share our superlative picks for this year’s best Band, Artist, Rookie, Comedian, Festival, Filmmaker, Performance, Showrunner, TV Performance, and the names will go on. Most, if not all, will include exclusive interviews. In the meantime, start debating over at our open forum on Facebook. Source

From past years we have learned Gold Rush is full of treasures. Hence, without question this year we strapped on our cowboy boots, packed our shovels and set out to explore Gold Rush 2018. From Illenium’s full band performance to the amazing people in the crowd, the Rawhide Event Center was full of treasures. photo credit http://tonycottrell.net Take a virtual tour with us to hear and see all of what we discovered at Gold Rush 2018. photo credit RUKES photography Illenium’s latest release this month: Photo via Gold Rush 2018 Saturday we were kissed by the sun as Codeko played a party starting 4 PM slot. Once the Cambridge Alumni took the microphone, cries for marriage proposals slipped from girls and boys lips… Not going to lie, even my heart skipped a beat when we heard that accent. Listen to his single, ‘Woke Up’ that hit #1 on SoundCloud’s dance music charts. Slushii and Chris Lake were on-point. Then, Deadmau5 closed the night throwing us back to high school- the reminiscing was real. No comment on the Slushii and Deadmau5 buzz… Chis Lake & J.Phlip collaboration – ‘Lights’: Although, I did not get pelted by Steve Aoki‘s cake like I have dreams about, his set was super fun. photo credit Gold Rush Photo via Gold Rush 2018 Steve Aoki’s – ‘Waste It On Me’:  Waking up to clouds and rain are fun, but a day-breaker for festivals. With a hefty lineup for Sunday, we were all on edge waiting for cancellation updates. Thankfully, when Relentless Beats says rain or shine, they mean it. We can’t talk about the final day without mentioning again Illenium’s live set- that shit was crazy! Videos of guitars being smashed went viral real fast. Also, whoever had the totem with a black tiger on top of a washer during the Black Tiger Sex Machine set deserves 10 gold medals. Alongside the bigger names, there were plenty of underground gems in the lineup. Louis The Child, the Desert Hearts Takeover, and the Berlin legend himself, Claptone were all magical sets. Us, along with many others, had our eyes opened by the newer talent. Denver’s, Decadon proved to us that you can collab any two genres despite how contrasting they are! For those of you who have music criticizing parents, show them Decadon because he might have some Rock ‘N Roll tunes that they might be more familiar with. Desert Heart’s Porky Live at Desert Hearts [Free Download]: Claptone’s New Album Fantast: Louis The Child ‘Shake Something’: Decadon ‘Slow Dancing in a Buring Room’ [free download] We’ve seen DJs shuffle before, but Troyboi brought it to the next level. Photo via Gold Rush 2018 Now dance to TroyBoi’s – ‘OG’:  As always, we left Gold Rush rich AF! Rich in love, rich in memories and rich in rave candy. Relentless Beats proved that nothing, not even a day-full of rain, can stop the party. Until next year fam! Gold Rush 2018 photo tour photo credit http://tonycottrell.net Claptone photo credit http://tonycottrell.net Photo via Gold Rush 2018 Photo By Jordan Arredondo Jookzphotos.com photo credit http://tonycottrell.net Photo via Gold Rush 2018 Photo via Gold Rush 2018 Photo via Gold Rush 2018 Photo via Gold Rush 2018 Keep up with the latest Relentless Beats events on their social media handles linked below. Next big one at the Rawhide Event Center will be Decadence Arizona! Follow Relentless Beats Events: Website | facebook | Twitter The post The Treasures Found at Gold Rush 2018: Illenium Full Band & More [Virtual Tour] appeared first on EDM | Electronic Music | EDM Music | EDM Festivals | EDM Events. Source

At the beginning of this week, the lineup for the inaugural Sonic Temple Art + Music Festival was announced, and it is impressive, to say the least. Foo Fighters, System of a Down, and Disturbed are the headliners of an eclectic bill that also features The Prodigy, Bring Me the Horizon, Ghost, The Hives, Refused, Meshuggah, Lamb of God, The Distillers, and many more. The three-day extravaganza runs May 17th-19th at Mapfre Stadium in Columbus, Ohio, taking the place of the popular and long-running Rock on the Range festival. Prior to the recent lineup announcement, promoter Danny Wimmer Presents initially revealed the formation of the new fest back in September, with Wimmer himself telling us, “We had to make moves to improve the experience to truly make Sonic Temple the biggest rock festival in America.” So, now that the lineup is out, is Sonic Temple the biggest rock festival in America? Looking at perhaps the two biggest fests in America — Coachella and Lollapalooza — it’s hard to call them “rock” festivals these days. Coachella has had very few rock artists on its recent lineups, and Lollapalooza seems to be moving more in a pop and hip-hop direction, with acts like Bruno Mars, The Weeknd, and Travis Scott among this past summer’s headliners. So, in the sense of a pure rock event, Sonic Temple definitely has a valid argument that it is indeed the biggest rock festival in the States. After the Sonic Temple lineup announcement was made, we spoke with Gary Spivack, the Executive Vice President at Danny Wimmer Presents and one of the major players in booking the talent. In asking him what sets apart Sonic Temple from Rock on the Range, which was a massive fest itself, Spivack told us, “There’s a great legacy with Rock on the Range, and we always need to honor that, but I think with Sonic Temple, we’re now able to move rock forward into the next 10 years by continuing the evolution of casting a wider net, curation-wise.” He continued, “Foo Fighters and System of a Down are two bands that we’ve coveted for 10 years, and to land them on the same weekend alone should show all past Rock on the Range fans that we mean business. If we’re going to do a name change, we’re gonna have to step up and bring our A-game. And that was first and foremost at the top, to have Foos and System together on the same weekend, along with Disturbed and The Prodigy, and Ghost and Bring Me the Horizon, etc. That was really important.” While Rock on the Range was deeply rooted in the bands that top the mainstream rock radio charts, a look further down the Sonic Temple lineup shows a more diverse lineup. “If you look at the lines [on the poster] below the top bands, you’ve got things that have never been done before in Columbus, such as Pussy Riot or Tom Morello’s new project, or having Andrew Dice Clay headline the comedy tent,” remarks Spivack. “That along with Henry Rollins, which is introducing our spoken-word segment. So, we’re introducing new things while really staying true to what we are, which is at its core, a rock ‘n’ roll festival.” Looking at some of the initial social media reactions, a few commented that the Sonic Temple lineup is on par with those often seen at the massive European festivals, and Spivack tells us they’ve looked at fests like Glastonbury, Reading / Leeds, Rock Im Park / Rock Am Ring, and Download for inspiration over the years. “We’ve always scratched our heads on why in America, specifically, things are so formatted. Is it radio? Is it the press? We never understood why things had to be put in boxes so much here, so it was important for us to cast this wider net and get out of this box, and stop putting square pegs just in square holes. We can mix it up, too.” Regarding how the experience will differ from Rock on the Range, aside from the name change and the music lineup, Spivack says, “First and foremost, it is about the music. We want to unleash the bands, to prove to everyone that we are bringing our A-game to make sure that this is America’s No. 1 rock festival. And then between now and May, we are going to be very laser-focused on secondary entertainment and beefing everything up, and making sure that when you park your car, and walk through that front gate, you’re going to see something that’s new to your eyes, enhanced and improved.” As to whether he sees Sonic Temple as America’s biggest rock festival, Spivack responded, “Yes, and it was very important for us to recognize, again, the history and honor the legacy of Rock on the Range, and that’s why it was so important for us to have it at the same venue, on the same weekend, in addition to having bigger and better music.” He concludes, “To have Foo Fighters and System of a Down on the same weekend, we’ve never seen the likes of that at Rock on the Range. We kind of feel as promoters, we have an obligation to wave the rock flag 24/7, 365 days a year, and by doing that we need to continue to raise our own bar. And we think we’ve done that.” Tickets for Sonic Temple are on sale now at this location, with more information at the festival’s official website. Source

It’s been just over four years since Kesha filed a suit against former producer Dr. Luke for physical and sexual abuse. The case has since been chock full of upsetting developments, including Dr. Luke’s defamation countersuit that also found Lady Gaga dragged into things after she was subpoenaed to testify. Earlier this year, Kesha also named Katy Perry as one of Dr. Luke’s victims, though Perry denied that she was ever raped by the producer. Now, newly-revealed court documents shared on Reddit show an upsetting text conversation between Kesha and Gaga that again brings Perry’s involvement into question. Dating back to 2016, the conversation details their hopes to get Perry to testify against the abusive producer. “She could bring the whole thing to a head… She won’t,” Kesha writes, before adding, “She was raped by the same man. It’s sick.” Gaga offers to approach Perry on Kesha’s behalf, but they both agree that it would be difficult to talk to her at all because she is “mean.” Check out the complete back-and-forth below. Kesha: I’m really upset with Katy Perry. Lady Gaga: Did she do something? Kesha: She could bring the whole thing to a head. Lady Gaga: Did she? Kesha: She won’t. Lady Gaga: Oh right. Yeah that is tough. Kesha: She was raped by the same man. It’s sick. Lady Gaga: She is probably really afraid to lose everything. You are really strong standing up to him, she’s not as strong as you yet. Have you talked to her? Kesha: You’re right. I need to find sympathy and empathy for her. She’s so mean. It’s hard. Lady Gaga: Do you want me to see if I can talk to her. I know she’s mean. Kesha: Are you friendly with her? Lady Gaga: NO. Omg NO. She makes me angry about shit but I just try to have empathy for her. Kesha: Ugh I mean I know why she’s not coming forward. You are right and very insightful. Lady Gaga: I mean. She probably hasn’t even accepted it yet. Kesha: Maybe. It’s not my battle. Dr. Luke’s legal team has also issued a lengthy statement (the latest of many they’ve sent over the years) regarding the unsealed court documents. Included are a number of emails between members of Kesha’s legal team in which they vow to “battle this guy [Luke] in the press. Take down his business.” Luke’s attorneys also addressed Perry’s involvement, stating, “The false narrative Kesha created about being raped became widely accepted, damaging Dr. Luke’s reputation irreparably. Compounding this malicious act, in 2016, Kesha told Lady Gaga that Dr. Luke raped Katy Perry, which is outrageous and untrue. Katy Perry testified under oath in this case that Dr. Luke never raped her. Regardless, Kesha refused to apologize. Instead, she issued a press release which again irresponsibly suggested that Katy Perry was actually raped by Dr. Luke. It seems that Kesha wanted to perpetuate the falsehood that Dr. Luke raped Katy Perry.” In 2017, Kesha released her heartbreaking and empowering new album Rainbow, which detailed in part her struggles in attempting to bring Dr. Luke to justice and the emotional toll the process has taken on her. Source

It’s hard to believe that Odesza’s third album A Moment Apart was released over a year ago. The duo has been touring so relentlessly that the album has hardly had a moment to leave our collective consciousness. And yet, it’s been 14 months since the album came out. Now, at the tail end of 2018, Odesza is gracing their fans (us included) with a brilliant deluxe edition of the album, featuring a couple VIP remixes, some reprisals, and instrumentals. The massive trap tune “Loyal” makes its own reprise on this deluxe edition after being released as a single earlier this year, as it leads off the second section on the deluxe. This is followed up by Odesza and Golden Feature’s VIP remix of “Memories That You Call” and Odesza’s VIP remix of “It’s Only,” which came out yesterday. The rest of the album consists of reprisals and instrumentals. Reprisals, in this context, seems to refer to a muted, more mellow version of their original counterparts. “Falls” and “Line of Sight,” for example, are presented with softer drums and less synth embellishment. Think of it as music you fall asleep to rather than music you dance to. Odesza says of the release, “This record has changed our lives and sent us on a wild journey that wouldn’t have been possible without your support. Its been amazing to see all of you in person and hear about how this record impacted you. Thank you all for listening and being a part of this incredible journey with us. – Harrison & Clay” Listen to all the new tracks below!  Photo via aLIVE Coverage for Life Is Beautiful This article was first published on Your EDM. Source: Odesza Drop ‘A Moment Apart’ Deluxe Edition With Eight New Tracks Source

Download | Listen and subscribe via iTunes | Spotify | Google Play | Stitcher | RSS This Friday on Kyle Meredith With…, Kyle Meredith speaks with three major guests about the albums they released in 1993 and what they’ve been up to since then. Johnette Napolitano of Concrete Blonde discusses the importance of Latinx art, the anniversary of Mexican Moon, and her thoughts on art as existing in the eye of the beholder. Letters to Cleo’s Kay Hanley shares hints about what new music we might expect from the band and what it’s like composing music for Doc McStuffins, and Matthew Sweet explores his two recent records and his upcoming vinyl-only album. Kyle Meredith With… is an interview series in which WFPK’s Kyle Meredith speaks to a wide breadth of musicians. Each episode, Meredith digs deep into an artist’s work to find out how the music is made and where their journey is going, from legendary artists like Robert Plant, Paul McCartney, U2 and Bryan Ferry, to the newer class of The National, St. Vincent, Arctic Monkeys, Haim, and Father John Misty. Check back Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for new episodes. Rate the series now via iTunes. Follow on Facebook | Podchaser | Twitter Letters to Cleo: Concrete Blonde: Matthew Sweet: Source

It’s not unusual for artists to switch gears at some point in their careers, or even just explore new paths. Parish f/t is former Cage the Elephant guitarist and now-producer Lincoln Parish’s solo project. Like so many projects that end up showing promise, Parish f/t was an accident – a musical lab experiment that worked. The project capitalizes on unintended results to great effect, bringing together a roster of featured vocalists where the sum is always greater than the parts. Out today is Parish’s new track with Kevin Kelly, “Control.” It’s a slow burning ballad with minimal production and a heavy-handed vocal performance from Kelly. Says Parish of the track, “‘Control’ came together rather quickly. We really tried to not second guess ourselves lyrically and make it feel more like a conversation with yourself. I think we all have crazy thoughts sometimes, and it’s about how you deal with those and keep yourself in check.” Check out “Control” below and get it here. This article was first published on Your EDM. Source: [Premiere] Former Cage The Elephant Guitarist Parish f/t Drops New Song With Kevin Kelly, “Control” Source

In December 2017, Sigur Rós presented Norður og Niður, their very own music festival in their native Iceland. The four-day event featured performances from the band as well as “friends, collaborators, and heroes,” including local hand-bell choir, Bjöllukór Tónlistarskóli Reykjanesbæjar. The group delivered a set of Sigur Rós favorites reworked as hand-bell compositions, and now they’ve recorded studio versions of their covers. The six tracks have been packaged together in an EP called Klukk – Sigur Rós in Bells. As a press statement notes, “kluuk” is an “Icelandic onomatopoeia for the sound a bell makes when struck. It is also used when tagging someone in the children’s game “It”; or can describe a raven’s call when rain’s on the way.” Out through Krunk, the EP is comprised of six unique covers, including catalog classics such as “Hoppípolla”, “Sæglópur”, and “Inní mér syngur”. All arrangements were put together by Ingi Garðar Erlendsson, who played sousaphone with Sigur Rós as a member of the band’s touring brass section Brassgat í Bala, while the choir was conducted by Karen J Sturlaugsson. The technicolor EP artwork (seen below) was designed by Ingibjörg Birgisdóttir, sister of Sigur Rós frontman Jónsi. It’s meant to be “a visual representation of the sonic wave-form of a bell viewed through old camera lens.” Klukk – Sigur Rós in Bells is available to stream in full below. In addition, check out performance footage of Bjöllukór Tónlistarskóli Reykjanesbæjar. Klukk – Sigur Rós in Bells Artwork: Klukk – Sigur Rós in Bells Tracklist: 01. Hoppípolla 02. Inní mér syngur 03. Sæglópur 04. Staralfur 05. Fljotavík 06. Untitled #3 (Samskeyti) In related news, Jónsi recently released a solo triple album featuring his early recordings as Frakkur. Source

The Lowdown: Where exactly does Wilco end and Jeff Tweedy begin? It’s always been tough to decipher. Together at Last, released in 2017, was a solo record insofar as it was Tweedy performing Wilco songs all by his lonesome. And while the singer broke off to record Sukierae with his namesake group in 2014, the end result was still as close as one could get to a Wilco record without it actually being one. Now we have WARM, which while technically Tweedy’s second solo record is his first comprised completely of original music. Like its non-Wilco predecessors, the 11-track affair doesn’t do much to create dividers between the man and his long-running band. But it does tie in closer with some chapters of the band’s history than others. The Good: “I leave behind a trail of songs, from the darkest gloom to the brightest sun,” Tweedy whisper-sings on album-opener “Bombs Away”. The songs on WARM run that gamut, making the record representative of the full depth and breadth of Tweedy’s songwriting scope. The music is more in step with Wilco’s twangy, alt-country roots than the experimental genre-bending that has won him acclaim in the years since (Don’t worry, there’s some adventurous magic to tracks like “The Red Brick” and “How Will I Find You”). That country rock (duh) warmth, meanwhile, contrasts with Tweedy’s lyrical ruminations on life, death, mistakes made, and opportunities missed. Maybe the singer’s recently released memoir has put him in an extra reflective mood, but WARM is a record that nicely balances levity and weight, often all at once. (“We all think about dying,” he sings on “Don’t Forget”. “Don’t Let it kill ya.”) The Bad: Let’s split hairs. In the end, WARM might become a victim of its creator’s artistic consistency. Tweedy’s music in its many iterations has been so good for so long that it’s easy to take for granted. WARM is a very good if not-quite-great record, but it’s hard to imagine people dwelling on it years down the road the way fans do, say, Yankee Hotel Foxtrot or A Ghost Is Born. That may be an unfair critique, but it’s a realistic one. The Verdict: Jeff Tweedy has long grown into his standing as one of rock music’s most innovative songwriters, which might make WARM’s more stripped-down and folksier approach somewhat surprising. But this isn’t the sound of regression. Instead, it’s the work of a seasoned songwriter proving that he’s as good at penning powerful, personal songs in a traditional vein as he is layering records with bells and whistles. WARM skews heavily toward the former, but fortunately Tweedy is a maverick as capable of breaking your heart with an acoustic guitar as he is bending musical styles to his will. Essential Tracks: “Bombs Above”, “Don’t Forget”, and “I Know What It’s Like” Source

Saba is back with his fourth fresh track of the month. First came the Mick Jenkins collab “Stay Right Here”, then the IDK-featuring “Beautiful Smile”, and most recently the Pivot Gang group track “Blood”. The Chicago MC stays solo for his latest cut, a laid back jam called “Excited”. Over a beat featuring some acoustic guitars coming from a California beach, Saba drops references to Mortal Kombat, Cardi B, and Richard Branson. And that’s just one verse, so take a listen to the whole thing below. Saba dropped his sophomore album, Care For Me, back in April. This past Saturday, he and the rest of the Pivot Gang honored their fallen member (and Saba’s cousin) John Walt at the second annual John Walt Day to support youth in the arts. Source

Mad Cool Festival made quite a statement with its stacked 2018 lineup, and it seems the Madrid-based event is going even bigger in 2019. The preliminary lineup was rolled out today, and it features The Cure, The National, Bon Iver, Vampire Weekend, and Smashing Pumpkins leading the way. Other notable acts include Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, The 1975, Greta Van Fleet, The Hives, Tash Sultana, Mogwai, Kaytranada, Jon Hopkins, Wolfmother, Teenage Fanclub, Bonobo, Jorja Smith, and The Twilight Sad. Additional acts will be revealed in the coming weeks. Mad Cool 2019 goes down July 11th-13th. Tickets are on sale beginning today, and you can grab them here. Source

Last year, Gucci Mane and Quavo downed some liquid delights together on the 2 Chainz single “Good Drank”. The two have reconnected today for another song, this time one off Gucci’s forthcoming Evil Genius album. Their collaboration is called “Bipolar” and sees the two Atlanta MCs trading bars over a beat provided by producers Deko, Smash David & OG Parker. Given the title, you’d expect a couple of references to mental states, wavering moods, and total impulsivity, and that’s exactly what they deliver. “Bipolar with my check, I just put some glaciers ’round my neck,” Guwop and the Migos member rap on the chorus, “Go crazy with your ex, I might go crazy with my bitch.” Must be nice to just go wild with your checking account. Stream it below. Gucci’s Evil Genius officially arrives December 7th. For more, revisit his previously released tracks including “Solitaire” (featuring Migos and Lil Yachty), “I’m Not Goin” (featuring Kevin Gates), and “Wake Up in the Sky” (featuring Bruno Mars and Kodak Black). As for Quavo, he dropped his own debut solo album, Quavo Huncho, in October. Both Gucci and Quavo also appear on State of the Art, the new mixtape from Peeway Longway. Source

A month after dropping the surprise single “Get Dark”, AFI have unleashed another new song, “Trash Bat” (listen below). Both tracks will appear on the band’s upcoming EP, The Missing Man, which arrives on December 7th. “Trash Bat” is an uptempo track that’s easily recognized as an AFI song within the first few notes, with singer Davey Havok delivering the infectious chorus, “Once more with a smile / Broken teeth and bloody eyes / In my mean light / My, my, my trash bat.” Of the song, guitarist Jade Puget, who also produced the EP, stated, “This was the ideal song to kick off the EP. From Adam [Carson]’s big drum fill at the top all the way through to the end, it’s just a quick burst of frenetic energy. I brought the song in and was playing it for Davey and he threw out the line, ‘my Trash Bat’ and I thought, how can you lose with a title like that? What is a Trash Bat anyway? Who cares!” “Trash Bat” and “Get Dark” are available as instant downloads when you pre-order The Missing Man EP at this location. AFI will perform at KROQ’s Almost Acoustic Christmas on December 8th, followed by shows at the Ace of Spades in Sacramento, California, on the 9th, and at The Observatory North Park in San Diego, California, on the 10th. Source

Although the holidays are supposed to be “the happiest season of all,” that’s hardly realistic. Sometimes you just end up crying under your own fully-decorated tree, or into that mug of eggnog. For those more melancholy moments, Wavves have the perfect soundtrack: their new surprise EP, Emo Christmas. This new collection includes two songs, both clocking in at under two minutes. The first is the title track, penned by Wavves frontman Nathan Williams, and features these Kleenex-worthy lyrics: “Something about Christmas makes me cry/ And I don’t know why/ I still think about you all the time.” The other is called “So Glad It’s Christmas” and comes from the band’s bassist, Stephen Pope. (Read: The 100 Best Pop Punk Bands) Stream the full EP below. Emo Christmas Artwork: Emo Christmas Tracklist: 01. Emo Christmas 02. So Glad It’s Christmas If you’ll recall, Wavves covered the classic “Christmas Time is Here” in December 2017. Revisit that below. Wavves’ last album, You’re Welcome, dropped in 2017. This year, the group celebrated the 10th anniversary of its self-titled debut album. Source

During a gig earlier this week in Dallas, Texas, Nine Inch Nail frontman Trent Reznor took some time to call out recently reelected Senator Ted Cruz. Unsurprisingly, Reznor was more in support of rising democratic star and former rocker Beto O’Rourke, but not just because of politics. Reznor told the crowd that Cruz had asked to get on the guest list and he told the politician to “fuck off” because “We put him on a few years ago, he drank all the beer, and was just a pain in the ass to be around.” Now, Cruz has responded, and he’s calling it… #FakeNews. In a tweet, the Senator denied the claim that he’d asked for a guest spot. “uh, no, NIN is not my music taste,” he wrote. “[Reznor] was clearly joking.” Cruz went on to add, “And for the record, I also didn’t ‘drink all his beer’ the last time…but I would have!” So here’s a guy who used being in a band and drinking infractions to bash his opponent proudly claiming that he would have “drank all the beer” at a rock show. Because Republicans (and, let’s be honest, politicians in general) have no sense of irony and liking beer can get a GOP member a seat on the Supreme Court. Oh, and while Cruz may claim otherwise, inside his heart it is black and it’s hollow and it’s cold. To all the gullible reporters who are “reporting” that I asked to be on the guest list at a Nine Inch Nails concert: uh, no, NIN is not my music taste. He was clearly joking. And for the record, I also didn’t “drink all his beer” the last time…but I would have! #FakeNews https://t.co/ZNr292SCVl — Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) November 29, 2018 Source

After a summer spent touring arenas with Drake, Migos star Offset is prepping his debut solo album. In an interview with the New York Times, the rapper confirmed that the as-yet-untitled effort is slated for a December 14th release. It will be the third of three solo albums from each respective Migo — Quavo’s QUAVO HAUNCHO and Takeoff’s The Last Rocket were both released over the last month. To preview the album, Offset has shared a new track called “Red Room”. Featuring a booming beat and his signature auto-tuned vocal melodies, the track is a promising taste of what is to come. Stream it below. In addition to the album announcement, the lengthy New York Times interview details a car crash earlier this year that left the rapper with a broken eye socket, as well as his life with Cardi B and the couple’s new daughter Kulture. Interestingly, a section with his mother reveals an early career path as a child actor, during which the soon-to-be rap superstar danced in TLC and Whitney Houston music videos. Offset confirmed his involvement with the latter in a photo posted to his Instagram. In other news, the three Migos appeared together on Carpool Karaoke, and it was… interesting. Source

Only one more month left of the year now! Look back at November with our monthly playlist. Artists discovered: 070 Shake, Chives, Club Kuru, The Reneaus Our two standout tracks of the month: 1. 6 Summers – Anderson .Paak Anderson .Paak followed up his underground success Malibu with his newest album Oxnard, an album produced by fellow California legend Dr. Dre. Paak’s signature versatility is showcased throughout the entirety of Oxnard, filled with funky grooves and provocative lyrics. “6 Summers” tackles issues of gun control, and how we should “put your heat down and smoke marijuanas.” The beat switch halfway through the song keeps the same level of funk as it started with and doesn’t lose its vision, much like the whole album. Anderson .Paak is quickly becoming one of hip-hop’s best figures for feelings of nostalgia to 90s rap and a diverse, funky approach. 2. Be My Mistake – The 1975 The 1975’s third studio album A Brief Inquiry Into Online Relationships released on the last day of the month with loads of anticipation behind it. After nearly a year of teasing, we find the 1975 becoming significantly more bold and risky with their sound and approach to music. This is in large part due to the fact that the whole album was produced by band Matty Healy and drummer George Daniel. “Be My Mistake” is the album’s standout acoustic ballad that’s lyrically focused and doesn’t stray too far from their naturally poppy sound. Be sure to follow this playlist, along with me on Spotify for future playlists! The post November ’18 Playlist: The 60 Best Tunes of the Month appeared first on Verge Campus. Source

Rising Star Speaks on his Recent Heartbreak in New Single Amsterdam producer OIJ follows up his recent single, “Back to the Start” with a infectious new heartbreaker, properly-titled, “Seconds Away From Love”. The new song is almost cinematic in its construction, pulling together arcs of synths, a building beat and trails of emotive vocals into a rich soundscape. It will draw you in with its stripped back yet immersive energy, allowing a thought-provoking message to wash over. OIJ on making “Seconds Away From Love”: “Seconds Away From Love’ is a song about being very close, almost able to touch or feel, yet being so far away; a phenomenon many of us have experienced or will experience in their lifetime. Especially since in the current day and age we are all constantly connected with each other – even though we may be worlds apart.” The post OIJ is Only “Seconds Away From Love” : Listen appeared first on Verge Campus. Source

Newcomer Reworks 2016 Hit with his own Twist on New Track Newly-signed to indie imprint One Up Records, recording artist Prince Armani brings an old school sound to a new landscape on his brand-new track ‘No More Parties in Ft. Worth.’ Borrowing its hook from Kanye West and Kendrick Lamar’s 2016 track “No More Parties in LA,” “Ft. Worth” shows off Prince Armani’s storytelling chops over a funky bassline and a punchy beat. The song is a colorful plea to young mothers to be a good role model to their children. The up-and-coming Fort Worth, Texas, calls on 90’s hip-hop giants like Nas, Jay-Z, 2pac, and Andre 3000 to inform his style. Messages about Black power and everyday struggles are common themes in his music, delivered with clever wordplay and vivid imagery. Filmmaker Spike Lee took notice of those talents, featuring Armani’s song “Another Cold Summer” in the 2017 TV adaptation of his debut film She’s Gotta Have It. Armani’s dad, a local producer & engineer produces Armani’s music, including “FT. Worth.” Armani is currently gearing up for the re-release of his debut album, The Concrete Rose Theory. Stream Prince Armani’s new track above, courtesy of Spotify. The post Premiere: Prince Armani is Having “No More Parties in Ft. Worth [Listen] appeared first on Verge Campus. Source

It looks like Disney is circling in on the man to pull the strings on its live-action Pinocchio. Variety is reporting that Tom Hanks is eyeing the role of Geppetto in the studio’s latest remake of one of their animated classics. For those who haven’t seen the 1940 cartoon in a few years, Pinocchio tells the story of a wooden marionette brought to life by a magical blue fairy. Geppetto is the Italian woodcarver who creates the puppet and wishes for him to become a real boy so he can have a son. Together with a small cricket named Jiminy acting as his conscious, Pinocchio sets out to prove worthy of being real. Paddington director Paul King is already on board to helm the project and penned the most recent draft with Chris Weitz and Simon Farnaby. Weitz is also producing alongisde Andrew Miano. Pinnochio is the latest in Disney’s successful line of live-action remakes. Next up Dumbo on March 29th, Aladdin on May 24th, and the star-studded The Lion King on July 19th. Logic would put the earliest Pinocchio release date in 2020, where it will share the year with Mulan. There’s also a live-action Lady and the Tramp coming to Disney’s forthcoming streaming service, Disney+, though a release date has yet to be set. Source