Citizens Here And Abroad

San Francisco, CA

Somehow I completely missed checking out Waving, Not Drowning from Citizens Here And Abroad in 2006. I'm making up for it now and so should you!

"What Goes On In The Heart"
Citizens Here And Abroad

Harlan

Baton Rouge, LA
If you like this track from Harlan, check out their WOXY Lounge Act here.

"Ballads Of Selective Memory"
Harlan on MySpace

Antelope

Washington, DC
Antelope is the latest addition to the fine Dischord family. They're playing at Warehouse Nextdoor on May 12.

"Mirroring"
Antelope on MySpace

Yacht

Portland, OR
Jona Bechtolt is Yacht and also one-half of The Blow.

"Your Magic Is Real"
Yacht on MySpace

Up The Empire

Brooklyn, NY
Light Rides The Super Major from Up The Empire will be in stores May 8. There are many new tracks and a few polished versions of tracks I loved as demos. All around, it's upbeat and fun!

"Starter Motor"
Up The Empire on MySpace

Enon - Come Into

Marjorie Fair - Waves

Head Of Femur - Percy

The White Stripes - We Are Going To Be Friends

Fredo Viola - The Sad Song

The Jaguar Club

Brooklyn, NY
The Jaguar Club has a new disc called Ceci n'est pas le Club de Jaguar. You can order it here through CD Baby.

"Beat Of My Heart"
The Jaguar Club on MySpace

Tori Amos

Earth
American Doll Posse from Tori Amos is out on Tuesday. From the looks of the promo shots and all the hype surrounding the different characters (alter-egos in the album - Santa, Clyde, Isabel, Tori, and Pip), it seems that she's bringing crazy back. Glad to know it! I don't even know what happened that last record - way too adult contemporary for me. I'm sure this song I'm featuring today will be near the top of my faves for 2007. If you enjoy it too, head over to Trent's page and try to win a copy of American Doll Posse - details here.

"Bouncing Off Clouds"
Tori Amos on MySpace

A Fine Frenzy

Los Angeles, CA
From one fiery-haired songstress to another... A Fine Frenzy is Alison Sudol and I highly recommend her music if you like artists like Sia. The debut full-length One Cell In The Sea will be out sometime this summer. Here's a demo to tide you over.

"Rangers"
A Fine Frenzy on MySpace

Dead Heart Bloom

New York, NY
Check out the Lounge Act from Dead Heart Bloom today at 2:00pm EDT at woxy.com. You definitely won't be disappointed if you're a fan of retro pop like that of The Beatles!

"Wish It Well'
Dead Heart Bloom on MySpace

J Roddy Walston And The Business

Baltimore, MD
After the Dead Heart Bloom performance on woxy.com today, stick around for another Lounge Act at 4:30pm EDT that will feature the Baltimore collective known as J Roddy Walston And The Business.

"Times They Are A Staying"
J Roddy And The Business on MySpace

now available: Volunteer Pioneer EP

It's been a long time coming, but it's finally here - the self-titled, self-released EP from Volunteer Pioneer. It's 7 songs tucked inside a limited edition hand silk-screened jacket. The cost is only $7.00 (+ $1.50 for shipping). To receive a copy via PayPal click the "buy now" button on the Volunteer Pioneer MySpace page. To get your hands on a copy via mail order, please send a check or money order for $8.50 to the address below.

Blankspace
6608 San Pablo Ave.
Oakland, CA 94608

I really don't care how you get it - just get it!

Ola Podrida

Brooklyn, NY

"Lost And Found"

Ola Podrida on MySpace

Blood Red Shoes

Brighton, England

"Can't Find The Door"

Blood Red Shoes on MySpace

Maps Of Norway

Minneapolis, MN

"Manners"

Maps Of Norway on MySpace

The Early Tapes

Austin, TX

"Let Me Go"

The Early Tapes on MySpace

McCarthy Trenching

Omaha, NE

"I Am Not Long For This World"

McCarthy Trenching on MySpace

Palomar

Brooklyn, NY

"One Haunt"

Palomar on MySpace

The Rakes

London, England

"Down With Moonlight"

The Rakes on MySpace

Björk

Reykjavik, Iceland

"Earth Intruders"

Björk on MySpace

Noisettes

London, England

"The Count Of Monte Christo"

Noisettes on MySpace

Klaxons

London, England

"Golden Skans"

Klaxons on MySpace

Cloud Cult

Minneapolis, MN

"Please Remain Calm"

Cloud Cult on MySpace

Battles

New York, NY

"Leyendecker"

Battles on MySpace

Odd Modern

Sierra Madre, CA

"Mister BLUME"

Odd Modern on MySpace

Arrah And The Ferns

Muncie, IN

"Preteens"

Arrah And The Ferns on MySpace

The Brother Kite

Providence, RI

"I'm Not The Only One"

The Brother Kite on MySpace

tonight: Bridges And Powerlines at DC9

Hey DC folk! Come out to see the NYC quartet Bridges And Powerlines at DC9 tonight as part of the Six Points Music Festival. I love these guys!

Bridges And Powerlines - All In
Bridges And Powerlines on MySpace

tonight: Headlights at Black Cat

If you're in my neck of the woods, please come out this evening to see my buddies in Headlights. It marks their third performance in DC in the past year but their first show at Black Cat. Also playing with them tonight is Page France, David Vandervelde & The Moonstation House Band, and Richard Swift & The Sons Of National Freedom. Doors are at 8pm.

If you can't make it to the show, you can still enjoy a couple live sets from Headlights. They've made two trips in to the Lounge Act for woxy.com, so check out those sessions here and here.

Headlights - Your Old Street
Headlights on MySpace

new video: Headlights - TV

The Rosebuds

Raleigh, NC
I am loving The Rosebuds on their third full-length more than ever - so dancey! Night Of The Furies is out now from Merge Records, and the band will be here in DC at Rock & Roll Hotel on May 22.

"Hold On To This Coat"
The Rosebuds on MySpace

Thrushes

Baltimore, MD
Sun Come Undone from Thrushes is the CD that is currently on repeat in my car - gorgeous vocals wrapped up in lushful instrumentation, completely consumed with hope. Highly highly recommended!

"Flying"
Thrushes on MySpace

Peel

Austin, TX
If three minute pop songs with a little added kick is what you really like, check out Peel. Their self-titled disc is available now through their hometown label, Peek-A-Boo Records. You can hear the Lounge Act session they did for woxy.com at SXSW by going here.

"Bells"
Peel on MySpace

Elk City

New York, NY

Elk City will appeal to all fans of bands like The Clientele or Camera Obscura. New Believers is out now through Friendly Fire Recordings.

"Cherries In The Snow"
Elk City on MySpace

Warm Morning

Italy
Warm Morning is such a fitting name for this Italian duo with music so pleasant and natural. If folky tunes reminiscent of the 60s is your thing, don't let these guys pass you by.

"Feather"
Warm Morning on MySpace

give away: The Feeling

Who out there wants an autographed copy of The Feeling's Twelve Stops And Home? How about a t-shirt? To enter this contest, just e-mail me at 5ActsBlog@gmail.com. In the subject line, type the title of The Feeling's song that was recently nominated for a Q Award - best song of the year. Winners will be selected at random. Good luck!

Here's a great remix...
The Feeling - Love It When You Call (Lo-Fi-Fnk Remix)

Fields releasing full-length

Everything Last Winter from Fields is set to be released here in the States on May 8. You can preview the album by going here.

The band will be kicking off their tour in America at Coachella on April 28, followed by dates with the always inviting Blonde Redhead.

04/28 Indio, CA - Coachella*
04/30 San Francisco, CA - Cafe Du Nord
05/02 Portland, OR - Berbati's Pan
05/06 Washington, DC - 9:30 Club*
05/08 New York, NY - Webster Hall*
05/09 Boston, MA - Paradise*
05/11 Toronto, ONT - Opera House*
05/12 Montreal, QUE - Club Soda*
05/14 Toronto, ONT - Amp'd Mobile Studio
05/15 Detroit, MI - Lager House
05/16 Chicago, IL - Empty Bottle
05/18 Brooklyn, NY - Union Hall
05/19 New York, NY - Mercury Lounge
*with Blonde Redhead

Fields on MySpace

Exclusive: Annuals Video Diary

Part One of Annuals’ month-long video diary on Purevolume.com is up at: http://www.purevolume.com/videos/annuals/tourdiaryvol1

Each week, Annuals will upload a new video to the page, so check back for new exclusive footage from the road.
This week is On the Road with Annuals: 24 Hour Trek to Seattle.
Catch Annuals on their current tour with Kaiser Chiefs and The Walkmen and later this month with Blonde Redhead!!!

Annuals Tour Dates:
Apr 11 Virgin Megastore Union Sq NYC
Apr 12 Roseland Ballroom NYC (w/ Kaiser Chiefs, The Walkmen)
Apr 13 Century Lounge Providence, RI
Apr 14 Pearl Street (downstairs) Northampton, MA
Apr 17 Spectrum Montreal, Quebec (w/ Kaiser Chiefs, The Walkmen)
Apr 18 Kool Haus Toronto, Ontario (w/ Kaiser Chiefs, The Walkmen)
Apr 21 The Showbox Seattle, WA (w/ Blonde Redhead)
Apr 23 Bimbo's 365 Club San Francisco, CA (w/ Blonde Redhead)
Apr 24 Bimbo's 365 Club San Francisco, CA (w/ Blonde Redhead)
Apr 25 Glasshouse Pomona, CA (w/ Blonde Redhead)
May 1 Granada Dallas, TX (w/ Blonde Redhead)
May 2 Stubb's Austin, TX (w/ Blonde Redhead)
May 4 Variety Playhouse Atlanta, GA (w/ Blonde Redhead)
May 5 Cat's Cradle Carrboro, NC (w/ Blonde Redhead)
Jun 14 Bonnaroo Manchester, TN

Vampire Weekend

New York, NY
Definitely check out Vampire Weekend if you're a big fan of The Walkmen or French Kicks. A friend of mine in NY just saw these guys last week and told me the live show was even better than the recorded versions. Can't wait to see them!

"Mansard Roof"
Vampire Weekend on MySpace

The Indelicates

United Kingdom
Here's a tune as sweet as cotton candy. The Indelicates comes highly recommended if you like bands like The Eames Era.

"Sixteen"
The Indelicates on MySpace

Krief

Montreal, QC
Patrick Krief plays guitar for the Canadian crew The Dears. He's decided to do a little solo material and it's simply irresistable. Take It Or Leave is available now through Maple Music.

"What We Wanted"
Krief on MySpace

Pop Levi

Liverpool, England
Pop Levi will please the ears of anyone who enjoys the ranks of Jeff Buckley.

"(A Style Called) Crying Chic"
Pop Levi on MySpace

Sleeping In The Aviary

Madison, WI
Sleeping In The Aviary is a lot of fun - heavy on the hand clapping and the tambourine thumping. Go out and see these guys live through May while they're touring in support of Oh, This Old Thing?

"Another Girl"
Sleeping In The Aviary on MySpace

video: The Horrors - Count In Fives

The Lisps

Brooklyn, NYMeet your new favorite band - The Lisps. You'll be hooked from the first line of this song, and even more so with the second. The Vain, The Modest, And The Dead is available now at CD Baby, AmpCamp, or Insound (use coupon code lisps15 for 15% off your purchase at Insound).

"Pepper Spray"
The Lisps on MySpace

Illinois

Bucks County, PA
I'm not really sure why I've been sitting on Illinois for so long. I should have posted about these guys a long time ago for two reasons. 1.) I'm from Illinois and 2.) What The Hell Do I Know? is one of the very best EPs I have heard this year. Highly recommended if you love bands like Stars.

"Alone Again"
Illinois on MySpace

Good Shoes

London, England
Whenever I compare UK bands to other UK bands on here, I get all these e-mails from random Brits freaking their cooter pants, telling me I don't know what the hell I'm talking about. And maybe I don't. So with Good Shoes, I'm not going to tell you about how they remind me of bands like The Futureheads. Instead, just take the almighty word of Pitchfuck, who gave them a nice review yesterday.

"The Photos On My Wall"
Good Shoes on MySpace

Witch Hats

Melbourne, Australia

Witch Hats is for those of you who'd like to start your weekend off with some upbeat Australian rock. And just take a look at that picture of them. I bet these guys are a lot of fun live!

"Heartaches"
Witch Hats on MySpace

Kinetic Stereokids

Chicago, IL / Flint, MI

I'm always intrigued to find a group who doesn't fit into any sort of cookie cutter genre of music. Kinetic Stereokids mix sounds as varied as that of the likes of Sonic Youth to early Beastie Boys.

"Explosions Were Heard"
Kinetic Stereokids on MySpace

new video: Birdmonster - Only One

I love love love me some Birdmonster!

And if you are in the Bay Area (sadly I am not)....

KCRW Presents:
Birdmonster at the Independent
with the Cribs and Illinois
628 Divisadero
San Francsico, CA

Tickets available here.

tonight: CFTPA / Shearwater / Xiu Xiu

If you live around the DC area, please join me and my friends tonight at the Rock & Roll Hotel for what will be a spectacular show. Xiu Xiu will be headlining, with Casiotone For the Painfully Alone and Shearwater opening. I think we'll be getting quite the musical diversity with this lineup. I haven't seen CFTPA since living in Illinois and I missed Shearwater when they were in DC the last time around. Xiu Xiu is always a joy to experience live, and I haven't seen them play since the release of The Air Force or since they've become a trio. The doors open at 8:30 and the show starts at 9:30. Tickets are $10 in advance, $12 at the door. I can't wait!

Casiotone For The Painfully Alone - Scattered PearlsCFTPA on MySpace

Shearwater - Johnny Viola

Shearwater on MySpace

Xiu Xiu - I Broke Up (SJ)

Xiu Xiu on MySpace

Exclusive: Bloc Party EP from URGE

I make it no secret that Bloc Party is at the very top of my favorite bands list. Love everything they've ever put out and the live set is even more impressive. Today URGE has unveiled an exclusive EP entitled Live At Stubbs. Bloc Party recorded this one at the Urge-sponsored SXSW showcase in Austin, and it includes songs from both of their critically-acclaimed albums. If you’ve never had the joy of attending a Bloc Party concert, Live at Stubbs gives listeners an ample taste of Bloc Party’s incendiary live show.

Tracklisting:
1. The Prayer
2. I Still Remember
3. So Here We Are
4. Banquet
5. Helicopter

URGE

Sarah Shannon

Seattle, WA
Who remembers Veloctiy Girl? If not, then I must be way old. Sarah Shannon was the lead singer and she's put her latest solo record out through Minty Fresh. I think you'll definitely enjoy this music if you like old school pop songstresses like Carly Simon or Carol King.

"Near And Far"
Sarah Shannon on MySpace

Gruff Rhys

Haverfordwest, Wales
I was never a huge fan of Super Furry Animals, but I'm really enjoying many of the tracks on the latest solo effort from Gruff Rhys. I suggest checking Candylion out if you're really in to acoustic pop.

"Cycle Of Violence"
Gruff Rhys on MySpace

Aereogramme

Glasgow, Scotland
The new album from Aereogramme is entitled My Heart Has A Wish That You Would Not Go and it's available now through Sonic Unyon.

"A Life Worth Living"
Aereogramme on MySpace