REMEMBER THE CARDIGANS??

Well, Nina Persson (lead singer of The Cardigans) has a solo project called A Camp and this is the official video for "Stronger Than Jesus" the first single from A Camp's new album "Colonia". The video was directed by Amir Chamdin and channels singer Nina Persson's inner 70's pop star.

AND THE WINNER IS...

Nicole Martin is the big winner of our Great Northern giveaway - CONGRATS to you!! Your prize is in the mail!

WIN A ONE-OF-KIND EPIPHONE GUITAR FROM PARCHUTE

Pre-Order Parachute's debut album 'Losing Sleep' NOW and be automatically entered into a contest to WIN a One-of-a-Kind Epiphone Guitar that features artwork from the 'Losing Sleep' album cover. You also have the chance to purchase a limited-edition 'Losing Sleep' T- Shirt, which is ONLY available through the Parachute Official Pre-Order. The album will be released May 19, 2009. Click here for more contest details.

**Pre-order your own copy of 'Losing Sleep' at Amazon.com!

TURNING DOWN WATER...TO TOUR!

JAMES YUILL CONFIRMS
MAY TOUR DATES WITH M83

NORTH AMERICAN DEBUT
TURNING DOWN WATER FOR AIR MAY 26

"There are a myriad of ways to describe British singer/songwriter James Yuill…innovative, refreshing, intricate, quirky, gifted…and no matter what adjective one uses, it still won't touch the joy his debut album Turning Down Water For Air brings.” – Absolute Punk

May 06, 2009 (New York, NY) – With the release of his North American debut TURNING DOWN WATER FOR AIR rapidly approaching, JAMES YUILL will return to the States later this month for a handful of dates supporting M83, starting in Pomona, CA on May 20. He’ll also join School of Seven Bells and Black Moth Super Rainbow for a one-off show in Los Angeles at the Troubadour on May 29; Turning Down Water For Air is out May 26.

Additionally, is confirmed for in-studio performances at two influential radio stations: Seattle’s KEXP on May 26 and Los Angeles’s KCRW on June 1. Yuill paid a short visit to America last month, where he took part in “RadioActive: A Dance Party For KCRW” and won over the packed crowd at the Park Plaza in downtown LA with his unique blend of tender simplicity and dazzling beats.

Turning Down Water For Air is a brilliant fusion of Yuill’s many influences, from the emotional songwriting of artists like Nick Drake, Radiohead and Sufjan Stevens to the dynamic beats of Justice, Chemical Brothers and Aphex Twins. With his debut album, Yuill has managed to create a sound of his very own.

--
Tour Dates w/ M83 and SCHOOL OF SEVEN BELLS

James Yuill with M83:

Wed 5/20 Pomona, CA @ The Glass House

Thu 5/21 Solana Beach, CA @ Belly Up Tavern

Sat 5/23 Portland, OR @ Hawthorne Theater

Mon 5/25 Vancouver, BC @ Commodore Ballroom

Wed 5/27 San Francisco, CA @ Mezzanine

James Yuill with School of Seven Bells and Black Moth Super Rainbow)

Fri 5/29 Los Angeles, CA @ Troubadour
(w/ School of Seven Bells and Black Moth Super Rainbow)

--

KCRW WELCOMES LADYTRON

Ladytron got eclectic when they paid a visit to Morning Becomes Eclectic back in April. If you missed it...check it out!!

WORLD PREMIERE VIDEO - KATY PERRY

Waking Up In Vegas


"Waking Up In Vegas" is the latest single to be released off Katy's hit album ONE OF THE BOYS. "Waking Up In Vegas" music video debuted on iTunes on April 28th as an online one-week exclusive, and zoomed the same day to the No. 1 spot in its best-selling Top Music Videos chart. Living up to the precedent-setting creative standards and unbridled wit of her previous videos, "I Kissed A Girl," "Hot N Cold" and "Ur So Gay," the "Vegas" video was shot on location in two days by MTV Video Music Award and Grammy-winning director Joseph Kahn. Katy's partner in crime in the clip is played by popular young actor Joel David Moore (Bones, House, Avatar, Grandma's Boy).

Perry continues her sold-out worldwide "Hello Katy" tour through Europe in July, and is scheduled to appear in the popular outdoor concert series of NBC's Today show on July 24th. Calling Perry a "complex and durable" artist, the New York Times review of the New York "Hello Katy" date declared: "in her best moments, she suggested Alanis Morissette with at least some understanding of Liza Minnelli and Wendy O. Williams: inflamed, kooky and dangerous," also noting the set's "devastating ballad, 'Thinking of You'" the album's third single, and her "forceful first-person statements (and) affirmations of self."

LOW VS DIAMOND SHINE ON...ONCE AGAIN!

Just when we thought their last performance was beyond amazing, they shocked us and rocked us with ONE more outstanding set at, yes, the Troubadour. The place was packed and full of energy brought by all of their gracious and loyal fans. Playing almost all of their tracks from their self titled debut, the I never, EVER get tired of listening to,they also graced us with a NEW song, and I have to say, if the rest of their sophomoric album is anything close to their new tune, we definitely have something to look forward to. They have been, and will be, on tour with Aussie's own Ben Lee for a bit longer, but my Musicbleep friends, I have great news! Low Vs Diamond will be playing the famous Hollywood Palladium June 25th!! I know we've talked about these gents quite a bit, considering they are resident artists of musicbleep, but this time around I thought I would give you a little background information on these fine fellows courtesy from their official website www.lowvsdiamond.com

Low vs Diamond is, in every sense of the word, an American band - with all of the members hailing from backgrounds as diverse as their hometown cities themselves… Seattle (vocals-Lucas Field), Chicago (drummer-Howie Diamond), San Francisco (keyboardist-Tad Moore) and Atlantic City (guitar-Anthony Polcino and bass-Jon Pancoast). This melting pot of musicians was established a few short years ago when they formed Low vs Diamond. Upon meeting in college at, Lucas, Howie and Tad found themselves with a common ground; music. Tad remembers, “When Lucas asked me to meet him in LA, I had only heard a few rough demos of his songs. I was like Count me in. I threw away the books and started playing. I never looked back. None of us have.”
Howie agrees, “Looking back would be a waste of time. I’m more interested in driving this band forward.” He does so with his volatile drumming that holds it’s own in power, as well as style.

After moving to Los Angeles, the trio eventually met lead guitarist, Anthony, and bassist, Jonny, two Jersey transplants, who brought their own richly textured styles to the table. “Anthony is much more in the know in terms of what guitars make what noises, and he brought that to the table,” Lucas observes. “And Jon’s bass playing has a driving feel that guides the songs.” With a lineup firmly in place, Low vs Diamond began to hammer out songs that have been described as lush, languorous and beautifully, guided by primary songwriter, Field. For Lucas it’s all about the Big Moment, the place in a song where the music swells in sync with the emotion, and it feels like time—in the space of a few chords—comes to a momentary stop. “Playing live, you get a chill, with everybody singing along,” he recalls. “It’s just this big climatic moment of melodramatic emotion. I can’t get away from those kinds of chord progressions and those kinds of melodies.”

That much is obvious from listening to Low vs Diamond’s self-titled debut, filled with sounds and hooks, putting listeners on notice that this Big Moment-loving band is on the way to bigness itself. Kevin Bronson from the Los Angeles Times explains it best writing that the band “stands precipitously between overwrought melancholy and chimey hopefulness, avoiding both excesses… the band’s music plays to an optimism that stops short of outright glee.”

While never concealing their nods to current bands ranging from U2, in scope, to the Strokes, in grit… Low vs Diamond are clearly possessed by those that passed before them. It’s these roots that define the essence of what separates this band from the rest. Low vs Diamond achieve something uniquely intimate with their attention paid to songwriting. Real songwriting. You hear the complex song styling of Serge Gainsbourg, Burt Bacharach, and even Broadway. Real songs with real stories. Lyrically, Lucas weaves in themes dealing with family (such as “Actions Are Actions” and “Don’t Forget Sister”,) and stories about saying farewell to love (“Heart Attack” and “Wasted”). Each track on their self titled debut album is as lucid and cinematic in scope.

As a unit, Low vs. Diamond possess that rare abstract quality that says, “If you don’t hold on now, this whole thing may disappear forever,” bassist Jon concludes. “We’re just a band. All we want is to be able to get out there and play this music that we’ve worked so hard on together. We’re very happy to have the chance.”

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT...

Adele performed "Hometown Glory" on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon on Monday night. Check out her AMAZING performance!!

And check out her new music video for "Hometown Glory"! This has to be my favorite songs off her album!

FLY LIKE A BUTTERFLY

BUTTERFLY BOUCHER TO RELEASE HER MUCH ANTICIPATED SOPHOMORE ALBUM, SCARY FRAGILE, JUNE 2ND, 2009

LEAD SINGLE "GUN FOR A TONGUE" OUT MAY 12TH ON ITUNES

CONFIRMED EAST COAST/WEST COAST DATES ANNOUNCED

"I found out I can only be who I am. I won't try to describe the relief."
- Butterfly Boucher

(Los Angeles, CA, May 4th, 2009) After a three-year battle with her label to release her sophomore record, Butterfly Boucher is finally set to release Scary Fragile via her own imprint on June 2nd.

Years of 'suggestions' from a label which simply had no idea who Butterfly was, let alone who they expected her to be, led to the songs on Butterfly's upcoming album to be re-recorded and remixed over two years and in two continents. Now released from her label, Butterfly is elated to finally release her album as it was originally intended.

The 11 tracks on Scary Fragile are the initial recordings by producer David Kahne. The first single "Gun For Tongue" has already rallied support from KCRW and Perez Hilton and is available on iTunes May 12th. The album also features "Bitter Song", a haunting track featured in a pivotal Grey's Anatomy scene last year that drove impatient fans and message board to go wild with anticipation of a new Butterfly record.

Butterfly has been touring in advance of the record including a triumphant three national tours with the Nashville collective Ten out of Tenn. Butterfly is now excited to perform tracks off her forthcoming album in a set of solo shows this May/June.

Upcoming Tour Dates:
May 20 - Rockwood Music Hall, New York, New York
May 21 - Cafe 939, Boston, MA
May 22 - World Cafe Live, Philadelphia, PA
May 23 - Jamin Java, Vienna, VA
Jun 1 - Spaceland, Los Angeles, CA
Jun 3 - Hotel Cafe, Los Angeles, CA
Jun 6 - House of Blues Small Room , San Diego, CA
Jun 7 - Saint Rocke, Hermosa Beach, CA
Jun 10 - Hotel Cafe, Los Angeles, CA
Jun 17 - Hotel Cafe, Los Angeles, CA
Jun 24 - Hotel Cafe, Los Angeles, CA
Jun 29 - Doug Fir Lounge , Portland, Oregon
Jun 30 - 2009 Crocodile, Seattle, Washington

WORLD PREMIERE VIDEO - KASBIAN

Kasabian - Fire from Kasabian on Vimeo.

“West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum”, Kasabian’s third album, will be released on June 9th on RCA Records. Produced by Serge Pizzorno and Dan the Automator (Gorillaz, DJ Shadow), it is a follow up to their second album Empire which debuted at #1 on the UK charts was rewarded 9 of out 10 stars by the NME.

Earlier this month Kasabian gave fans a sneak peek of their new record by releasing ‘Vlad The Impaler’ – as a free download. Written by Serge Pizzorno and produced by Serge and Dan the Automator, is a turbo-charged rock anthem; a full on rant from start to finish sped along by Tom Meighan’s searing vocal. “Vlad is a total chaos tune,” enthuses Serge. “It’s a call out to all our people, the ones who are tuned into our radio station.” Additionally, “Underdog”, another track off “WRPLA” is currently featured in a worldwide Sony Bravia ad campaign featuring star footballer Kaká.

It was just announced that Kasabian have been confirmed to play on the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury this year on Saturday, June 27th. They are being billed as the “special guests” of headliner Bruce Springsteen.

Kasabian - Serge Pizzorno (Songwriter, Guitar, Vocals), Tom Meighan (Vocals), Chris Edwards (Bass) and Ian Matthews (Drums) will also be spending the summer on a stadium tour in the UK with Oasis, including three sold out nights at the legendary Wembley Stadium.

GET TO KNOW...

Watch more AOL Music videos on AOL Video

Zee Avi is just 23 but she’s an old soul. A huge talent in a petite frame bringing a universal message from the unlikely birthplace of Borneo, an ancient island east of Malaysia which remains an untouched, natural paradise, an apt description of her songs.

How Avi came to record her debut album in L.A., the first joint release from Ian Montone’s Monotone Label and Jack Johnson’s Brushfire Records, is a true 21st century tale of the way the Internet has transformed the music business and shrunk the globe in the process.

Born in the tiny town of Miri in Sarawak on the island of Borneo, Zee grew up near the South China Sea in a liberal, encouraging household where her father owned an energy consultancy. “I was bred to be a lawyer,” she says, but music was in her blood. Her father’s father sang and played double-bass, accordion, violin and guitar in bands.

At age 12, Zee moved from Borneo to Kuala Lumpur where she has been based since. At 17, Zee started locking herself in a room for hours on end to learn to play guitar. Guitar took a back seat for 4 years while she was studying fashion design in London. When she returned to Kuala Lumpur, she picked the instrument back up and began writing songs and performing with a band.

Zee began recording her songs on a webcam and posting them on YouTube for a friend to hear. “I remember getting so excited when there was one new comment from some random person I didn’t know… One read ‘I'm lost for words - I shall favorite it and ponder if that's OK,’ ” which was written by Kris Rowley, a U.K. singer-songwriter with a YouTube following under the name Zzzzzzzzap. He began posting her videos on his site, which began a viral snowball effect.

The day before her 22nd birthday, Zee posted what she intended to be “my last video,” a holiday song, “No Christmas for Me.” By the time she checked her e-mail Avi had almost 3,000 messages including a slew of label offers. One email came from Ian Montone, who had been shown the YouTube clip by Raconteurs’ drummer, Patrick Keeler, prompting Montone to get in touch and offer to release her music on the Monotone Label.

Before she knew it Zee was on a plane to L.A. to record her debut with producer Robert Carranza at Brushfire’s Solar Powered Plastic Plant. “No Christmas for Me” was then featured on the holiday charity album, This Warm December, A Brushfire Holiday, Vol. 1.

With an eclectic pool of influences that range from such eccentrics as Cat Power, Regina Spektor, Leonard Cohen, Tom Waits, Jolie Holland, Daniel Johnston and Chris Garneau, to jazz greats Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald, to classics like Velvet Underground and Led Zeppelin, this self-described “rock lover at heart” captures the dark, bittersweet qualities of romance with a crack left open for hope and optimism.

From the sensuous scat singing on “Honey Bee” to the sultry break-up song, “Is This the End,” recalling the existential longing of Peggy Lee’s “Is That All There Is,” Zee is hopeful of finding love, but equally aware of lurking heartache.

The songs on Zee Avi’s debut are about an outsider’s desire to belong and the tentative hope of moving on, filled with regret and loss, but boasting an impish, worldly wise sensibility.

“I tend to be a loner,” she nods. “ ‘Honey Bee’ is about a romance between two nonconformists who are different from the rest of the hive, and are trying to avoid the pressure to be like everybody else.”

“Just You and Me,” the first song she wrote on ukulele, has a ‘20s New Orleans swing jazz vibe.

“I get my melodic feel from the simplicity of classic jazz, people singing what they felt with straightforward lyrics and not too many harmonies,” Zee says. “Just a lot of honesty. I’m a girl of simple pleasures.

The elemental acoustic guitar of “Story of…” is enhanced with an Eno-like ambience that add to its shimmering quality, while “Poppy” is autobiographical “with a little bit of poetic license” that looks back at the demise of a two-year relationship.

“My stuff is pretty dark,” Zee admits. “Most of my songs are about the reality side of romance, outlets to vent my emotions.”

While her live experience amounts to playing gigs in Kuala Lumpur, Zee appeared this January on From the Basement, the U.K. TV webcast/broadcast that has featured Radiohead’s Thom Yorke, Damien Rice, the White Stripes and the Shins. From the Basement will also air on the U.S.’s IFC Channel.

From Malaysia to Los Angeles, Zee Avi is enjoying the ride and ready to take on passengers. “I’m still pinching myself” she gushes. “My parents always told me it’s important to keep yourself grounded. I’m thankful, but at the same time, I just want to jump through the roof. It’s been a pretty amazing journey, getting to work with some really wonderful people, a blessing, really.”

Zee Avi’s Monotone/Brushfire Records debut returns that blessing…and then some.

Monotone Records is owned by Ian Montone, whose Monotone, Inc. manages the White Stripes, M.I.A., The Shins, Vampire Weekend, the Raconteurs, Against Me!, Cold War Kids, Crookers, among others.

Brushfire Records is owned by Jack Johnson and his manager Emmett Malloy and is home to artists like Rogue Wave, Matt Costa, Neil Halstead, Money Mark, G. Love, Mason Jennings, ALO and Zach Gill.

www.myspace.com/zeeavi

THE WEENIE ROAST IS COMING

PLAY GUITAR HERO WORLD TOUR WITH SILVERSUN PICKUPS

Fans can play the band on Xbox LIVE in Guitar Hero World Tour on Thursday, 5/14.

If you're an Xbox LIVE Gold Member (if not, upgrade now!), and you want a chance to play with Silversun Pickups, send a friend request to the Gamertag "Silversun GWF" and be online half an hour before (9:30 p.m. EST) the Game with Fame session starts on Thursday, May 14, 10:00 p.m. EST.

Queue the Guitar Hero World Tour Silversun Pickups Track Pack for download here from Xbox LIVE Marketplace:
http://marketplace.xbox.com/en-US/games/offers/0ccf008e-0000-4000-8000-00004156081a

Silversun Pickups stunned the world with their fuzz-laden debut album Carnavas in 2006. It's been a long wait for their newest release, but finally, Swoon has hit the shelves and has cemented the band's reputation. The band consists of neighborhood friends Brian Aubert (vocals), Nikki Monninger (bass), Joseph Lester (keyboards), and Christopher Guanlao (drums). After Carnavas became such a hit, the band went on an extended tour to support the album, but things weren't all rosy when they returned. Aubert says, "It was a dark time when we got back. We had to water the relationships that we had neglected over those two years, and I think this darkness came out on our new record." They rebuilt those relationships to create another successful record. "It can be lonely here, because the city is so disconnected," Aubert explains, "but here you can also escape the noise of the city into your own house, your own private place. But we're all connected by community."

If you want a taste of Silversun Pickups' music, there are four great music video downloads from Xbox LIVE Marketplace: http://tinyurl.com/XboxSSPU

If you get a chance to play with Silversun Pickups, Xbox wants to hear about it! Send an e-mail to with the subject: "GWF - Silversun Pickups." Be sure to include your Gamertag and hometown.

Quick Details
Who: Silversun Pickups
Date: Thursday, May 14, 2009
Time: 10:00 p.m. - Midnight EST (7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. PST)
Game: Guitar Hero World Tour
Gamertag: Silversun GwF
Session info: http://www.xbox.com/en-US/community/calendar/gamewithfame/2009/0514-silversunpickups.htm
Twitter: http://twitter.com/gamewithfame
SSPU videos: http://tinyurl.com/XboxSSPU
SSPU GH Track Pack: http://marketplace.xbox.com/en-US/games/offers/0ccf008e-0000-4000-8000-00004156081a

WORLD PREMIERE VIDEO - CHRIS CORNELL

Watch the new video for “Long Gone” with Howard Benson and Chris Cornell collaborating on this non-album version.

Chris Cornell performs on Letterman on Friday, May 8.

THEY WILL FIX YOU

Coldplay has confirmed that they will be giving away a live album to everyone who comes and sees them play live. LeftRightLeftRightLeft, a live album given away for free to ticket holders from their Viva La Vida tour.

“It’s a way of saying thank you,” Martin said when the record was originally announced. “It’s a tough economy and people are paying a lot of money for tickets.” Indeed.

Here’s what you can get on May 15:
1. Glass Of Water
2. 42
3. Clocks
4. Strawberry Swing
5. The Hardest Part/Postcards From Far Away
6. Viva La Vida
7. Death Will Never Conquer
8. Fix You
9. Death And All His Friends

KASBIAN TO RELEASE FIRST SINGLE OFF NEW ALBUM

KASABIAN TO RELEASE “FIRE” THE FIRST SINGLE OFF THEIR UPCOMING RECORD TO RADIO THIS MONTH

VIDEO FOR “FIRE”, DIRECTED BY W.I.Z. (OASIS, KASABIAN, MASSIVE ATTACK) IS AVAILABLE NOW AT WWW.KASABIAN.CO.UK

KASABIAN TO PLAY GLASTONBURY ON SATURDAY, JUNE 27TH

KASABIAN TO RELEASE THIRD RECORD WEST RYDER PAUPER LUNATIC ASYLUM ON JUNE 9TH

(New York – NY) – “Fire”, the first US single off of Kasabian’s highly anticipated third album will be released to college and specialty radio in late April and alternative radio in May 2009. The video for “Fire,” directed by acclaimed british director W.I.Z. (Oasis, Kasabian, Massive Attack), is available now at www.Kasabian.co.uk.

“West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum”, their third album, will be released on June 9th on RCA Records. Produced by Serge Pizzorno and Dan the Automator (Gorillaz, DJ Shadow), it is a follow up to their second album Empire which debuted at #1 on the UK charts was rewarded 9 of out 10 stars by the NME.

Earlier this month Kasabian gave fans a sneak peek of their new record by releasing ‘Vlad The Impaler’ – as a free download. Written by Serge Pizzorno and produced by Serge and Dan the Automator, is a turbo-charged rock anthem; a full on rant from start to finish sped along by Tom Meighan’s searing vocal. “Vlad is a total chaos tune,” enthuses Serge. “It’s a call out to all our people, the ones who are tuned into our radio station.”

Additionally, “Underdog”, another track off “WRPLA” is currently featured in a worldwide Sony Bravia ad campaign featuring star footballer Kaká.

It was just announced that Kasabian have been confirmed to play on the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury this year on Saturday, June 27th. They are being billed as the “special guests” of headliner Bruce Springsteen.

Kasabian - Serge Pizzorno (Songwriter, Guitar, Vocals), Tom Meighan (Vocals), Chris Edwards (Bass) and Ian Matthews (Drums) will be spending the summer on a stadium tour in the UK with Oasis, including three sold out nights at the legendary Wembley Stadium.

WORLD PREMIERE VIDEO - LOW VS DIAMOND

YOU MUST watch the new music video for Low vs Diamond's new single, "Don't Forget Sister". Self-Titled Album in stores now.

We saw them for like the 15th time last Thursday at the Troubadour with Ben Lee. I will have photos & review up shortly!!