Scott McDonald

The first time I caught the Nick Jr. show, Yo Gabba Gabba!, I was at a party for my friends' daughter's two-year birthday. Kids were everywhere: munching on pretzels, snacks and organic milk. But once Dad decided to turn on the series, everything in their little world came to a standstill.

The Shins performed an original song for Yo Gabba Gabba! called "It's Okay, Try Again," it airs May 23.


Click here to watch The Shins clip at Videogum!


Hey parents, don't forget to pick up some Yo Gabba Gabba! gear for your next parent-teacher conference:

Sunday looked empty when compared to the thousands of fans who flooded Coachella for last night's Prince extravaganza, but I wasn't worried. Acts like My Morning Jacket, Swervedriver and Autolux all created blissed-out worlds of rock for fans to get lost in, myself included. I also managed to catch stellar performances from Metric, Spiritualized, Stars, Holy F--- and I'm From Barcelona.

Thanks Coachella, you rocked me.



(Click here for Sunday's gallery.)



My Morning Jacket



Swervedriver



Autolux

Every year we seem to encounter Hacky Sack crews that just can't seem to give up on the '80s, and then there's these dudes.


Today's re-cap features legendary punk icon Mick Jones and his band Carbon/Silicon, Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks, Man Man, The Teenagers, and Norway's 120 Days.


Click on any of the photos below to see Saturday's gallery, then check out Panasonicyouth's ridiculously good photo galleries HERE!



Mick Jones - Carbon/Silicon


Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks


Man Man

Trash bags came in handy on Friday, especially for Les Savy Fav's Tim Harrington, Midnight Juggernauts convinced the crowd that pounding electro-rock anthems can be elevated to new heights, and The Verve made their triumphant return after nine years.

Check out Friday's Coachella 2008 festival re-cap of Santogold, The Raconteurs, Diplo, Goldfrapp, The National, The Breeders, Jens Lekman, Dan Deacon, Battles, Sebastian and Red Kross.



Click on any of the photos below to see the rest of the Coachella gallery.


The Verve


The National


Jens Lekman

The Field (Alex Wilner) was scheduled to play Coachella this Sunday at 4 p.m. in the Gobi tent; unfortunately that performance has been canceled. According to a story on Pitchfork, immigration officials didn't allow Wilner's band, or their gear, into the U.S.

Willner offered an apology: "I'm truly sad to inform that my West Coast tour has been cancelled. My band didn't get into the country and I feel that I can't perform as interesting as I need to without them. Hopefully we'll be back on the East Coast pretty soon without any problems and do the new set up that I hope people will appreciate. My biggest apology goes out to all the people that were looking forward as much as us to attend the shows that were planned. Next time."

Field-less:

4.25: Saratoga Springs, NY - Skidmore College
4.27: Indio, CA - Empire Polo Field (Coachella)
4.30: San Francisco, CA - The Independent
5.1: Portland, OR - Holocene
5.2: Seattle, WA - Nectar Lounge
5.3: Vancouver, British Columbia - Open Studios
5.4: Victoria, British Columbia - Red Jacket Lounge
5.18: Minehead, England - Butlins Holiday Centre (Explosions in the Sky - ATP)
5.31: Montreal, Quebec - Mutek Festival
6.3: Cleveland Heights, OH - Grog Shop
6.4: Washington, DC - Rock and Roll Hotel
6.6: Brooklyn, NY - Studio B
6.7: Allston, MA - Great Scott
6.13: Athens, Greece - Synch Festival
6.19-21: Barcelona, Spain - Sonar Festival
7.5: Stevenage, England - Wild in the Country Festival
7.25: Oulu, Finland - Qstock
8.9: London, England - Victoria Park (Field Day)


(Check out the Coachella community page.)

Before I get on my merry way to Coachella, I thought I'd let you know about a certain Japanese metal-trio called Boris. They've been known to rescue torn body parts and return them to fans, but this time they're back on the road supporting Smile — their latest full-length of blistering psych-metal.

Wah-Waaah ...

4.25: Bielefield, Germany @ AJZ
4.26: Copenhagen, Denmark @ Loppen
4.27: Aarhus, Denmark @ Voxhall
4.28: Gothenburg, Sweden @ Sticky Fingers
4.29: Oslo, Norway @ John Dee
4.30: Stockholm, Sweden @ Kagelbanan Sodra Teatrn
5.2: Helsinki, Finland @ Tavastia
5.3: Turku, Finland @ Klubi
5.6: Leipzig, Germany @ UT Connewitz
5.7: Berlin, Germany @ Magnet Club
5.8: Wroclaw, Poland @ Firlej
5.9: Prague, Czech Republic @ Palace Akropolis
5.10: Budapest, Hungary @ A38
5.11: Vienna, Austria @ Szene
5.12: Munich, Germany @ Feiewerk
5.13: Innsburck, Austria @ PMK
5.14: Milan, Italy @ Garage
5.15: Rome, Italy @ Circolo Degli Artisti Club
5.16: Ravenna, Italy @ Bronson
5.18: Winterthur, Switzerland @ Salzhaus
5.19: Stuttgart, Germany @ Club Schocken
5.20: Brussels, Belgium @ Ancienne Belgique
5.21: Paris, France @ Nouveau Casino
5.22: Nantes, France @ Olympic
5.23: Poitiers, France @ Le Confort Moderne
5.24: Toulouse, France @ Vents du Sud
5.26: Porto, Portugal @ Porto Rio
5.27: Lisbon, Portugal @ Zedobois
5.29: Barcelona, Spain @ Parc del Fòrum (Primavera Sound)
5.30: Clermont, France @ La Cooperative de Mai
5.31: Dudingen, Switzerland @ Kilbi Festival
6.24: San Diego, CA @ Casbah
6.25: Tempe, AZ @ The Clubhouse
6.27: Denton, TX @ Rubber Gloves
6.28: Austin, TX @ The Mohawk
6.29: San Antonio, TX @ White Rabbit
7.1: Baton Rouge, LA @ Spanish Moon
7.2: Gainesville, FL @ Common Grounds
7.3: Orlando, FL @ The Social
7.5: Atlanta, GA @ The Earl
7.6: Carrboro, NC @ Cat's Cradle
7.8: Washington, DC @ Black Cat
7.9: Philadelphia, PA @ First Unitarian Church
7.10: New York, NY @ Webster Hall
7.11: Cambridge, MA @ The Middle East
7.12: Montreal, Quebec @ La Sala Rosa
7.13: Ottawa, Ontario @ Barrymore
7.14: Toronto, Ontario @ Lee's Palace
7.15: Buffalo, NY @ Tralf
7.16: Cleveland, OH @ Grog Shop
7.17: Pittsburgh, PA @ Diesel
7.18: Detroit, MI @ St. Andrews Hall
7.19: Milwaukee, WI @ Turner Hall
7.20: Chicago, IL @ Union Park
7.22: Omaha, NE @ The Waiting Room
7.23: Lawrence, KS @ Granada Theatre
7.25: Denver, CO @ Marquis Theater
7.26: Salt Lake City, UT @ Urban Lounge
7.29: Seattle, WA @ Neumo's

www.southernlord.com/band_BOR.php

The Liverpool quartet has blended more elements of dreamy guitar, hammering synthesizers and upfront vocals since their 2005 breakthrough, Witching Hour. On this brand new single they take their sound even further.

Much like the previously released download, "Black Cat," Ladytron sound huge from the start — lending its support to mountains of keys. Singer-keyboardist Helen Marnie rises to the top with an infectious melody during the chorus. If this is any indication of the group's direction on the forthcoming Velocifero, then please sign me up.


Download: "Ghosts"

In an article from the L.A. Times, the historic Capitol Records building may see a threat to their famous recording studio if a proposed condo project is built next door.

According to the article, "A Marina del Rey developer hopes to construct 93 condominiums, 13,442 square feet of commercial and office space and a 242-space underground parking lot next to the landmark, 13-floor, record-shaped building." The developer disagrees and "denied that the project would harm the reverberation equipment and has pledged to try to limit noise and vibration during construction."

The Les Paul designed studio, which is renown for recording and mixing albums from legends like The Beach Boys, Frank Sinatra, and even Elliott Smith, incorporates eight natural, underground reverb tanks. The chambers were built 30 feet underground — designed for unique vocal and various instrumental reverb effects. Capitol executives want to stop the multimillion-dollar project because they're worried that construction and noise will damage these underground reverb chambers.
 
"The sound in the studios is one that cannot be replicated anywhere else in the world. The echo chambers are as much a part of the Hollywood history as the Capitol Tower and the Hollywood sign," says senior vice-president Maureen B. Shultz in a letter to City Council members.


I can't disagree with that statement. Do you think the city should allow this construction project to proceed?

"Another Day" is taken from Jim, coming April 29 on Warp:

The last we heard from Beck, the L.A. artist was reportedly working with Danger Mouse on his follow-up to 2006's The Information. Other than that, there were a few surprise gigs in Los Angeles — which featured Radiohead producer-buddy Nigel Godrich — a reissue of Odelay and … that's about it.

The funk returns this summer as Beck just announced several festival appearances and a tour through Europe and the U.S., according to Pitchfork. Check out the dates below — including a show at the Hollywood Bowl with indie elites Spoon and Coachella-bound MGMT.

The Information:

6.25: Arendal, NO @ Hove festival
6.27: Berlin, DE @ Columbiahalle
6.28: St. Gallen, CH @ St. Gallen festival
6.30: Amsterdam, NL @ Melkweg
7.4: London, UK @ Hyde Park (O2 Wireless festival)
7.6: Werchter, BE @ Rock Werchter festival
7.7: Paris, FR @ Olympia
7.9: Madrid, ES @ La Riviera
8.22: San Francisco, CA @ Golden Gate Park (Outside Lands festival)
8.30: Seattle, WA @ Bumbershoot festival
9.20: Los Angeles, CA @ Hollywood Bowl #
9.27: Austin, TX @ Zilker Park (Austin City Limits)

# with Spoon and MGMT

According to a recent press release, shoegaze-king Kevin Shields and punk icon Patti Smith will release their collaborative effort The Coral Sea. The performance is a double-disc set compiling their June 22, 2005 and September 12, 2006 shows at London's Queen Elizabeth Hall. The Coral Sea was based on the 1996 book of the same name and also honors artist, and friend of Smith, Robert Mapplethorpe.

Shields and Smith will release The Coral Sea on July 11 through PASK, a new imprint run by the pair. The performance was described in the press release:

"Intense, layered electronics surged to a discordant climax as Patti Smith read her poem, the words sailing over the noise like an ocean liner, with the black-and-white video showing the ocean, the liner and the grey twilight of grief." Powerful imagery.

Kevin Shields also has a little band called My Bloody Valentine; they're kind of a big deal when it comes to blowing people's minds. Read more about the quartet playing All Tomorrow's Parties, New York this fall.
 

MBV:

6.20: London, UK - The Roundhouse
6.21: London, UK - The Roundhouse
6.22: London, UK - The Roundhouse
6.23: London, UK - The Roundhouse
6.24: London, UK - The Roundhouse
6.28: Manchester, UK - Apollo
6.29: Manchester, UK - Apollo
7.2: Glasgow, UK - Barrowland
7.3: Glasgow, UK - Barrowland
7.5: Roskilde, DK - Roskilde Festival
7.9: Paris, FR - Zenith
7.18: Benicassim, ES - Festival Internacional de Benicassim
7.19: Madrid, ES – Saturday Night Fiber
7.25: Niigata, JP – Fuji Rock Festival
8.8: Oslo, NO - Oya Festival
9.5: Isle of Wight, UK – Bestival
9.19: Monticello, NY – Kutshers Country Club (ATP festival)

Jim Putnam (ex-Medicine, Maids of Gravity) and his Radar Bros. twist Superchunk's classic, "Slack Motherf---er," into straightforward pop — similar to The Apples in Stereo. "Slack" sounds a little tongue-in-cheek at times, thanks to Putnam's subdued delivery, but the song's attention to detail makes it more enjoyable.

Download: "Slack Motherf---er"


The group's latest release, Auditorium, is a hazy dose of sunshine-pop. The band will embark on a West Coast tour next month in support of that release — including a live performance at Nic Harcourt's "Morning Becomes Eclectic" program on KCRW.

5.8: Santa Monica, California @ KCRW
5.13: Merced, CA @ The Partisan    
5.14: San Francisco, CA @ Bottom of the Hill    
5.15: Seattle, WA @ Satellite Lounge    
5.17: Portland, OR @ Someday Lounge    
5.18: Seattle, WA @ Sunset Tavern    
5.20: Sacramento, CA @ Blue Lamp
5.21: San Diego, CA @ Casbah    
5.22: Los Angeles, CA @ Knitting Factory

Last night, Radiohead continued its public support of going "green" by pre-recording this seamless, jazzy version of "House of Cards" at home in England for Late Night. Thom Yorke had a few words to say about carbon emissions before the performance and, "that twat who walked away from the Kyoto agreement, now what was his name again?" Hmm ... I wonder who he's referring to?

In an article from Billboard, the indie vets will perform with Merge label mates the Arcade Fire next week in Superchunk's home state of North Carolina. The gigs will take place on May 1 at the Greensboro Coliseum parking lot and May 2 at the Carrboro Town Commons.

"I don't think I've ever been particularly excited about a presidential candidate," singer-guitarist Mac McCaughan told Billboard.com. "While I've always voted for Democrats, none of them have ever seemed too different from any other politician."
If you haven't registered to vote you can do so at the events. Tickets go on sale tomorrow through the Merge Records Web site.

The first single from My Morning Jacket's forthcoming album, Evil Urges, is finally here. It doesn't matter if you're a morning person, or prefer sensitive sweaters instead of jackets — "Evil Urges" shows the band incorporating glam-rock on the vocals, and picking up where 2005's Z left off.


Download: "Evil Urges"


Don't forget, My Morning Jacket will be performing at Coachella this Sunday — you can view the day-to-day set times over at their official Web site.


Check out Sunday's performers at the Buzznet Coachella gallery.

Spiritualized has finally returned with a sample from its forthcoming full-length, Songs in A&E. While the album won't be available until June 3, you can stream the brand new single — "Soul on Fire" — over at the band's MySpace page. The song's a bit of a sleeper, but once you hear that slight guitar rumble just before the chorus you know Jason Pierce is back in his element.

Have we mentioned that Spiritualized will be performing at Coachella this weekend? Pierce and his Acoustic Mainlines are snuggled between Swervedriver and Sia this Sunday.

Stream: "Soul on Fire"


(Check out the Spiritualized photo gallery.)

(Check out the Coachella page, then go and upload your own Coachella 2008 content this weekend!)__-=end-bn-cut=-__

This fall, All Tomorrow's Parties will throw the most epic party since ... forever. The festival brings out none other than My Bloody Valentine, who has since reunited for a set of other ATP gigs in the U.K. after sixteen years of inactivity.

MBV will co-curate the event with ATP organizers and have already released an initial lineup of amazing talent that includes Shellac, Polvo and Low — it gets even better. Thurston Moore, Built to Spill, Tortoise and Meat Puppets are also on board to play their genre-defining albums. The full lineup will boast thirty bands in total.

ATP New York takes place from September 19-21 at Kutshers Country Club in Monticello, New York — the venue is limited to 3,000 people. Tickets will go on sale this Friday on the ATP Web site, you can also purchase on-site hotel accommodations for the festival. Guess where I'll be that weekend?


ATP New York:

My Bloody Valentine
Built to Spill performing Perfect From Now On
Meat Puppets performing Meat Puppets II
Thurston Moore performing Psychic Hearts
Tortoise performing Millions Now Living Will Never Die
Shellac
Mogwai
Polvo
F--- Buttons
Autolux
The Drones
Low
Wooden Shjips
Edan with Dagha
Thee Silver Mount Zion Orchestra


"Only Shallow," taken from their 1991 masterpiece, Loveless:__-=end-bn-cut=-__

Artist: The Black Angels
Song: "Doves"
Sounds like: Brian Jonestown Massacre, The Velvet Underground

Artist: Islands
Song: "Creeper"
Sounds like: Grandaddy, The Unicorns

Artist: No Age
Song: "Eraser"
Sounds like: Built to Spill, Neutral Milk Hotel

Bret McKenzie and Jemaine Clement took flight with their HBO comedy series last year (I, for one, got hooked). Since the series reportedly won't be returning until January 2009, the duo will return to the road with spring tour dates in support of their forthcoming album, Flight of the Conchords — coming Tuesday on Sub Pop.

As previously reported, Flight of the Conchords are participating in Sub Pop's 20th anniversary event in Seattle. They'll also make an appearance atthe city's Sasquatch! fest next month.

Want to hear a song from the new Flight of the Conchords album? Download "Ladies of the World," and try to contain yourself.

It's business time:

4.26: Los Angeles, CA @ Amoeba Records
5.5: Philadelphia, PA @ Tower Theatre
5.6: New York, NY @ Town Hall
5.7: New York, NY @ Town Hall
5.9: Washington, DC @ Lisner Auditorium
5.10: Ann Arbor, MI @ Michigan Theatre
5.11: Milwaukee, WI @ Riverside Theatre
5.13: Minneapolis, MN - Orpheum Theatre
5.14: Chicago, IL - Chicago Theatre
5.15: Denver, CO - Ellie Caulkins Opera House
5.26: George, WA - The Gorge (Sasquatch! festival)
5.27: San Francisco, CA - Nob Hill Masonic Auditorium
5.30: Los Angeles, CA - Orpheum Theatre
6.1: Los Angeles, CA - Orpheum Theatre

It's always tough trying to catch all the bands at a music festival without missing your favorites, and coordinating the experience with your friends. So, to make life easier, the folks over at Coachella have created the Coachooser (Coachella + Chooser). It lets you designate which bands you are planning to see on each day, and avoid the ones you don't.

Now that you've got your very own custom schedule, don't forget to join your friends when headliners Jack Johnson, Prince and Pink Floyd's Roger Waters grace the main stage. Let's not forget about some of the other prime-time acts: Portishead, The Verve, Love and Rockets, Kraftwerk, Aphex Twin, Death Cab for Cutie, M.I.A., the Raconteurs and Enter Shikari.

Want to reduce your carbon footprint? Then check this out: You can win V.I.P. tickets FOR LIFE to Coachella, and much more, by carpooling with four or more friends to the festival.

Next, take advantage of the contests Coachella has running on its Web site: There's the Jack Johnson giveaway, where fans can win a pair of three-day passes to the event — and even get to stand on the main stage with Johnson during his set on Friday! Or, if you'd prefer to sample every musician at the festival, enter the CD contest. The winner will get a CD from almost every artist at this year's festival.

You'd better hurry though – the deadline to enter both contests is Sunday.

We hope to see everyone there. The Buzznet crew will be doing interviews with top artists and armed head-to-toe with cameras for photo coverage, so be sure to keep checking back for regular updates.

(Check out our cornucopia of Coachella coverage right here, but don't forget to upload your own content to the Coachella group page.)


Take a look at the Coachella 2008 performers below:



(Coachella 2008 gallery: Friday)



(Coachella 2008 gallery: Saturday)



(Coachella 2008 gallery: Sunday)

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According to U.K. blog Drowned in Sound, David Byrne and Brian Eno have been collaborating on new music that may see the light of day next year. Byrne reportedly spilled the beans at an event in New York: "I'm finishing up a record with Brian Eno, a musician that I worked with 30 years ago," The pair's last effort was 1981's critically adored, My Life in the Bushes with Ghosts.

The news doesn't stop there. According to Eno's booking agency, via the Daily Swarm, the pair are "soliciting offers from a number of different promoters around the United States for Byrne/Eno live shows, promising the set list will consist of at least 40 percent Eno-era, Talking Heads material." Whoa.

David Byrne is typically known for his work as frontman for the Talking Heads, whom Eno produced on three albums. Eno has made a few decent records in his time: He played in Roxy Music, along with Daniel Lanois, has produced U2's The Unforgettable Fire and Achtung Baby, and created some of the most influential albums in Here Come the Warm Jets and the ambient On Land series. Needless to say, this duo are legends in their own right.__-=end-bn-cut=-__

Artist: Natalie Portman's Shaved Head
Song: "Me + Yr Daughter"
Sounds like: Le Tigre, Man Man

M.I.A.'s "Paper Planes" is one of the most intriguing and catchy singles from her critically acclaimed 2007 album, Kala — and she just recently alerted Buzznet to her new live video of that track.

(Watch "Paper Planes"!!!)

The video captures the exuberant hip-hop princess throwing down a fierce performance in Philadelphia, along with her crew and rising star Santogold in tow.

The video starts with massive crowd cheers and the sound of cash registers "cashing in." Santogold and M.I.A. can be seen floating around the stage with their hands in the air, mimicking paper planes onstage. The camera continues to follow M.I.A. closely once she jumps on the mic, pumping up the Philly crowd.

You can cash in your M.I.A. chips over at the Coachella 2008 page – she plays the festival on Saturday – and read about her recent NME Award nomination for Best International Solo Artist.

Artist: Jamie Lidell
Song: "Little Bit of Feel Good"
Sounds like: Jamiroquai, Stevie Wonder

Gnarls Barkley's new album, The Odd Couple, was released digitally three weeks early back on March 18, but the rush to unleash the follow-up to 2006's St. Elsewhere apparently had some adverse effects on the music.

According to a recent press release, the Front-to-Back-Back-to-Front edition of The Odd Couple plays exactly how it reads — in reverse. With all the hoopla surrounding its release, the album went through a drastic transformation and now plays backwards.

Want to hear it for yourself? Front-to-Back-Back-to-Front is being offered as a free download for fans on Gnarls Barkley's Web site. Or just grab it right here!

For over 38 minutes, you can experience the warped vocals of Cee-Lo and the slippery melodies of Danger Mouse as The Odd Couple becomes Elpuocddoeht. After a few plays, I think I like some of the tracks better.

In other Gnarls Barkley news, the duo are scheduled to play KCRW's World festival at the Hollywood Bowl on July 27 along with Deerfhoof and Youssou N'Dour, and are confirmed for Austin City Limits.

In support of his recently released Greatest Hits album, Morrissey will play two consecutive nights on the "Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson." The ex-Smiths icon is scheduled to play two selections from that release: the forthcoming single "All You Need Is Me," and classic banger "Irish Blood, English Heart."

The performances will take place at the end of the month on CBS — April 28 and 29 at 12:30 a.m. Morrissey fans should already know that his Moz-ness doesn't make regular TV appearances, so set your Tivo/DVR!

When Morrissey isn't busy suing for defamation in an English court, the enigmatic frontman has been biding his time by promoting his Greatest Hits collection, which features titles from his impressive 20-year solo career. The disc was recorded with You Are the Quarry producer Jerry Finn.

According to Morrissey's MySpace, he only has one gig scheduled for this year: a headlining performance at London's O2 Wireless Festival on July 4. But The Daily Swarm reports that Moz has been drawing fire for another possible gig in Israel.
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Jane's Addiction bassist Eric Avery will reconvene with his former bandmates when they give their one-off reunion performance at the NME Awards on Tuesday in Los Angeles, it was announced Tuesday.

As previously reported, the legendary alternative-rock band will receive the Godlike Genius Award at the event and play three songs during the ceremony. This will be the first time since 1991 that Perry Farrell, Dave Navarro, Stephen Perkins and Avery have played together on the same stage.

Avery had some thoughts on the reunion, which he shared in a press release:

"I've chosen to reject the prospects of reuniting in the past for personal and philosophical reasons," said the Jane's bassist, who recently released his first solo album, Help Wanted. "I have always considered reunions to be a way to make a quick buck, and it sells short my own experience of it the first time around."

Avery is also an avid blogger. Read more about his thoughts on reuniting with Jane's and his new album at EricAvery.blogspot.com.


(Check out Leah Cevoli's story on Jane's Addiction.)
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Denver's Mile High Music Festival has stretched out its roster to include a smattering of additional artists. They'll join previously announced headliners Dave Matthews Band and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. Read more ...

Artist: Aushua
Song: "No Harm Done"
Sounds like: Cold War Kids, Doves

The Capitol Hill Block Party puts Seattle's South Capitol Hill neighborhood on the map every summer. So, on July 25-26, the 11-year-old outdoor festival will unleash Vampire Weekend, The Hold Steady, Les Savy Fav and more on four stages for a low price.

The festival has teamed up with highly respected, and indie-focused, KEXP radio to broadcast the performances; DJs John Richards, Cheryl Waters and others will cover the two-day event. Capitol Hill festival will also be captured on video courtesy of The Stranger, you'll be able to access video clips from the festival at: lineout.thestranger.com.

Tickets for the Block Party go on sale this Friday at 10 a.m. (PST) and are priced to move at $18 a day and $34 for a two-day pass. Partial proceeds will benefit nonprofits Home Alive, which encourages violence prevention, and The Vera Project, a youth-run all-ages venue and recording studio in Seattle.
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Sub Pop, the legendary indie imprint responsible for introducing Nirvana, Soundgarden, and The Shins is celebrating 20 years by putting together a benefit festival that features some of the label's hottest bands, old and new, with proceeds going to the charities designated by the artists and label.

Speculation about the possible reunions are going to clog up the blogosphere this week (Sunny Day? Afghan Whigs?), but the first confirmed reunion is Green River, an early grunge band whose lineup included Pearl Jam guitarist Stone Gossard and bassist Jeff Ament, plus Mudhoney singer/guitarist Mark Arm and guitarist Steve Turner. Other confirmed reunions are L.A.'s Beachwood Sparks, former Califone-affiliated band Red Red Meat and Seaweed. Current artists like Flight of the Conchords, Iron and Wine, Wolf Parade and many more are also on board.




The festival, dubbed SP20, will take place July 12-13 at Marymoor Park in Redmond, Washington, with a comedy version happening a day earlier at Moore Theatre. Comedians confirmed to appear at the latter event are Patton Oswalt, Eugene Mirman and Todd Barry and more

The fun doesn't stop there. Sub Pop will be releasing a series of classic reissues, starting with Mudhoney's Superfuzz Bigmuff: Deluxe Edition on May 28 and a limited run of its famous Sub Pop Singles Club. Attendees can also expect a half-pipe featuring skaters from Nike and Girl + Chocolate.
 
Discounted $30 single-day or $50 two-day passes to the SP20 festival go on sale April 26 at 12 p.m. (PST) at SubPop.com



(Read about Sub Pop artist Wolf Parade and their new 'Ritual'.)
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The Black Angels – the Austin, Texas, psych-rockers who recently toured with Black Rebel Motorcycle Club – are back with their their sophomore effort, Directions to See a Ghost. The follow-up to 2006's Passover hits stores May 13 but, in the meantime, can be streamed for free over at imeem:

(Stream The Black Angels' Directions to See a Ghost.)

The news doesn't stop there. The quintet also has a hefty tour schedule lined up, and plans to bring its heavy, repetitive sounds and drifting guitars to All Tomorrow's Parties in the U.K. and the previously mentioned Record Store Day and All Points West festival.


The Black Angels on tour:

4.19: Dallas, TX @ Good Records (Record Store Day)    
5.9: Paris, FR @ La Maroquinerie    
5.10: Camber Sands, U.K. @ All Tomorrow’s Parties    
5.12: Birmingham, U.K. @ Bar Academy    
5.13: Glasgow, U.K. @ Nice 'n Sleazy’s    
5.14: Nottingham, U.K. @ Bodega Social
5.15: London, U.K. @ ICA    
5.16: Brighton, U.K. @ Great Escape Festival    
5.18: Bristol, U.K. @ Fleece    
5.19: Leeds, U.K. @ Brudenell    
5.20: Sheffield, U.K. @ Leadmill    
5.21: Manchester, U.K. @ Roadhouse    
5.29: Dallas, TX @ Granada Theater    
5.30: Austin, TX @ Emo’s    
6.3: San Diego, CA @ the Casbah*
6.5: Los Angeles, CA @ the Troubadour*
6.6: Long Beach, CA @ Ink-n-Iron festival
6.7: San Francisco, CA @ the Independent*
6.9: Portland, OR @ Doug Fir Lounge*
6.10: Vancouver, BC @ Richards on Richards*
6.11: Seattle, WA @ Neumo’s*
6.13: Salt Lake City, UT @ Urban Lounge*
6.14: Denver, CO @ The Bluebird Theatre* 
6.15: Rapid City, SD @ The Imperial Inn*
6.18: Minnewapolis, MN @ The Turf Club*
8.9: Liberty State Park, NJ @ All Points West festival

* with The Warlocks
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Austin City Limits has done it again, putting together one of the most extensive and diverse festival lineups of the year so far. A flyer for the festival has 116 artists, by my count, with the roster covering a wide variety of genres that include Beck, The Foo Fighters, The Mars Volta and N.E.R.D. The list continues to amaze with indie buzz-bands Hot Chip, Vampire Weekend, Band of Horses and legendary space-rockers Spiritualized. That's plenty of solid talent for even the most discriminating music fan.

As previously reported, all 130 artists will be announced well before the festival. It all goes down August 26-28 at Zilker Park in Austin, Texas. Get your ticket and full lineup info at the Austin City Limits Web site, click on the poster below:



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If you just can't get enough of '80s new-wavers like Human League and Wang Chung, then you're going to love M83's new album, Saturdays=Youth. Read the review ...

Artist: Tokyo Police Club
Song: "Juno"
Sounds like: Death Cab For Cutie, Bloc Party

Wolf Parade unleashed their new single, "Call It a Ritual," today on Stereogum. The song is the first taste from the Canadian indie-rockers' forthcoming, untitled album, due June 17 on Sub Pop. The effort marks the return of the band, which has devoted the last two and a half years to side projects Handsome Furs, Sunset Rubdown, Frog Eyes and Swan Lake. After a few listens of its marching piano melody with Spencer Krugs' unique vibrato, I can safely say that fans won't be disappointed.

According to Stereogum, the rumored album title was reportedly Kissing the Beehive, but that's not confirmed. That title would make sense; just check out the track list:

"Soldier's Grin"
"Call It A Ritual"
"Language City"
"Bang Your Drum"
"California Dreamer"
"The Grey Estates"
"Fine Young Cannibals"
"An Animal In Your Care"
"Kissing The Beehive"
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The recently reunited British rock quartet just added Coachella to its previously reported reunion tour. Find out which day …

Greg Dulli was rushed to the hospital after falling seriously ill during a performance in Belgium on Friday night. Will the band reconvene? Find out more…

Artist: Evan Voytas
Song: "The Yellow World of '83"
Sounds like: Autolux, Radar Bros.

The indie-rockers joined the Tibetan Buddhist leader in Seattle to play a handful of songs, and Ben Gibbard interpreted Jack Kerouac in a magazine article. All hail the Cab ...

Artist: Radiohead
Song: "Nude (Holy F--- remix)"
Sounds like: Massive Attack, Seefeel

LOS ANGELES – San Francisco folk-rocker Thao Nguyen, along with her band the Get Down Stay Down, delivered an electric set of indie jams to a full house on Friday night at the Echo. Check out the review.

Artist: White Denim
Song: "Paint Silver Gold"
Sounds like: The White Stripes, The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion

Portishead are one of the big names on this year's Coachella festival, and the band has revealed exclusively to Buzznet that it will perform an exclusive rehearsal show in L.A. prior to the main event. Read more!

Along with her five Juno Awards, Feist can now add "Sesame Street," and a Kenny Rogers/Dolly Parton cover to her resume. What could be more appropriate for an educational show than a sing-along of "1, 2, 3, 4?" Get the details...

The quartet's new album now has official song titles and a release date, but the album title is still super-weird. Check out the titles…

Artist: Pretty Good Dance Moves
Song: "Demons Dancing"
Sounds like: Postal Service, Taken by Trees

French techno sensations Justice have teamed up with designers Surface to Air to create a collection of jeans and jackets. Their clothing may or may not give you better rhythm. Take a look at these threads ...

Björk's latest video, "Wanderlust," is an eye-popping wonder of music and imagination. To show her support for Record Store Day, the video will screen in record stores across the country. Find out where…

Artist: Blackstrap
Song: "Repulsion"
Sounds like: Lush, Bettie Serveert

The Ting Tings, who tore it up last month at South by Southwest, are ready to unleash their debut album and live assault on North American audiences. Check out the Ting Tings…

STP, who announced their reunion with a performance and press conference at Harry Houdini's mansion in L.A. on Monday night, will join Beck, Neko Case and more at this year's Bumbershoot Music & Arts Festival in Seattle. Read more…

Some of indie music's most talked-about bands have been nominated for NME Awards, the British rock magazine announced Wednesday. The nominees include some bands you've read a lot about here on Buzznet. Check out who was nominated...

Grab your "Rasberry Beret," hop in your "Little Red Corvette" and drive down to get those remaining Coachella tickets. Prince has been confirmed to headline Saturday night at the Indio, California, festival, it was announced Wednesday. His Purpleness will join Portishead, Jack Johnson, the Raconteurs, Death Cab for Cutie and other big names. Find out more...

Artist: The Teenagers
Song: "No Love (Delorean remix)"
Sounds like: New Order, Cut Copy

Sea Wolf will embark on their first headlining tour of North America this spring. Alex Church, former bassist for L.A. indie-rockers Irving, is also pushing his latest single. Get the dates…

The world-renowned Austin City Limits festival is announcing 29 out of the 130 bands confirmed to play this year, but there's some detective work involved to decipher who else will show up. Who has been announced so far?