A FINE FRENZY’S DARING SOPHOMORE ALBUM

On September 8, 2009, A FINE FRENZY—led by Alison Sudol—will release Bomb in a Birdcage on Virgin Records, the follow-up to 2007’s critically acclaimed One Cell in the Sea. While the debut established Sudol as one of the most talented young singers and songwriters around, the new album reveals another side of A Fine Frenzy.

INTERACTIVE COLD WAR KIDS VIDEO

MTVMusic.com will be the exclusive home for the debut of the Cold War Kids' hyper-interactive new video, "I've Seen Enough," on May 20. The video, directed by Tool of North America's Sam Jones, (Wilco's I Am Trying to Break Your Heart), was designed specifically to be presented in parallel parts online and then remixed by fans, even mid-play - and is being released solely for the Web. It is the latest video premiere for MTV's digital properties, following Eminem's "We Made You" and Green Day's "Know Your Enemy" in April.

Music fans can visit http://www.mtvmusic.com/artist/coldwarkids.jhtml to experience the video, whose core feature is the four distinctly different versions of the song played by the band's four members. Each member was filmed on a darkly lit stage, playing their parts on vibraphone, guitar, bass, keyboard, standup bass, and more. These versions were recorded so the parts can be mixed together or played on their own.

Every change the fan makes happens in real time, including every stop, start, or mid-stream instrument change. Without skipping a beat, a fan can silence everything but the vocals and bring in the drums, or start with the full band, pull the keyboard and add the xylophone, or sweep away the standup bass at the last minute and cue the bass guitar for the song's closing notes. The remix possibilities are endless. The video is experienced in a more "full-screen" environment, truly allowing the viewer controlling the action from "inside" the studio, and it will be seamlessly weaved into the look and feel of the MTVMusic.com fabric.

"The idea was that fans would be able to create an interesting new variation of the track every time, a new listening experience," says director Sam Jones, of Tool. "Plus, it's just fun to play with - there are so many ways to mix the instruments and vocals, and so many chances to get creative."

"We're thrilled to host the debut of the Cold War Kids' 'I've Seen Enough' on MTVMusic.com," said Amy Doyle, EVP, Music & Talent, MTV. "This is a great example of how musicians can be innovative - and make their music truly interactive - on the Web, and fits right into the simple browse, search and discover user experience that we're looking to deliver to the site's visitors."

IN CASE YOU MISSED EM...

Did you see Airborne Toxic Event on Last Call with Carson Daily last night? They performed "Something Around Midnight" - check it out!

BACK IN THE STUDIO WITH RADIOHEAD

Radiohead are back in the studio with longtime producer Nigel Godrich to begin work on the follow-up of 2007’s In Rainbows.

“It was very noisy and chaotic and really fun,” bassist Colin Greenwood told BBC’s 6 Music of the band’s recording session. “It’s at the stage where we’ve got the big Lego box out and we’ve tipped it out on the floor and we’re just looking at all the bits and thinking ‘What’s next?’ I’m very impressed and grateful for Nigel our producer and his ability to make it all sound vaguely plausible.”

THIS IS IT

I don't normally talk about MJ or his type of music on here, but I am making an exception for this one. Michael Jackson is about to embark on his "This Is It" tour, and it just so happens my buddy Shannon is one of the dancers!

I'm so proud of him and excited that he gets to experience such a HUGE moment like this. I just hope that MJ can make it through the entire 50 shows in London without canceling. I HOPE he make it to the first show in London.

Anyhoo...this is a promo of MJ's final show, featuring my friend Shannon. Congrats Shannon!!

WORLD PREMIERE VIDEO - MODEST MOUSE

Satellite Skin


Here is the latest video from Modest Mouse for their single "Satellite Skin." Single on iTunes May 26th

NEW MUSIC SPOTLIGHT

As always, Tuesday brings us great new music! Tori Amos, Kate Voegele, Carbon Leaf and many more including breakout star, Zee Avi.

Zee Avi was discovered on YouTube.com by Raconteurs drummer, Patrick Keeler, who brought music to the attention of his manager Ian Montone (The Shins, The White Stripes, Autolux) and he was blown away. Zee is based in Malaysia and was immediately flown out to begin recording.

Her debut, self-titled album was released yesterday!

KCRW WELCOMES OTHER LIVES

Yesterday, Other Lives stopped by KCRW to perform songs off their current album, including my favorite song "Black Tables." They also opened up for The Decemberists at the Hollywood Palladium. We will have a review of the show shortly! In the meantime, check out their performance on Morning Becomes Eclectic.

IN THE ROUND WITH CARINA....

Last Wednesday at the Hotel Cafe, Musicbleep and many, many others, had the opportunity to celebrate the release of Carina Round's brand new, self released EP "Things You Should Know." We have followed Carina for quite some time, whether it be a a show at the Viper Room backed up by her band, or a quiet, intimate solo performance at Mountain Bar. She is a true artist with passion, energy, and grace. Now that she is self releasing her music, she has an endless horizon of creative opportunities, to be self indulgent and the freedom to express herself the way she wants to. This night also marked the start of her residency at the Hotel Cafe, playing every Wednesday until June 3rd, SO GO AND SEE HER! That night, not only did we get to see a truly outstanding performance, we got to sit down with this British beauty and talk with her about "Things You Should Know", The UK, and deep-sea diving.


MB: Do you prefer playing by yourself or with a band?

Carina: I prefer both, it’s like two different things

MB:Anything you miss being on a label?

CR: NO! well…free CD’s (laughs)

MB: Do you ever get nervous before performing?

CR:Yeah, I’m kinda nervous now, actually

MB: Is your family musical?

CR: Not in my immediate family are at all musical, but, um, my grandfather was very musical, and I heard that my great, great grandmother used to play the piano in silent movie theaters.

MB:Are you close to your family?

CR:Um, im really close to my mother, as close as one can be

MB: Is she really supportive of what you are doing?

CR: Yeah, ridiculously. Too much!

MB: You went home for a while, you were here in LA for a while and then did you move back to the UK and came back?

CR: No I just went home for 6 weeks and I thought about moving back, then I was like ‘what am I thinking?” I love the uK, but in small doses. It’s the same with anywhere really. If I stay anywhere long enough, I’ll start to get panic attacks (laughs) LA can get under your skin as well even though it’s really accommodating, so it’s really hard to let go once you’ve bitten the apple.

MB: What was the first instrument that you learned how to play?

CR: I never really learned how to play properly, but guitar

MB: So what was the first song you learned to play?

CR: I think I learned Neil Young’s “Like a Hurricane”

MB: Other than powedering your beautiful face, like you are doing now, do you have any pre-show “rituals” that you do before performing?

CR: It used to be drink as much as I can before I go on stage so I don’t get nervous (laughs), it was a key essential (laughs). Now, not really. I just like everyone to be in a serious mind space, not take themselves too seriously, but take the music seriously and just be focused, um, it’s a really important moment for me, being on stage.

MB: We’ve heard the EP, but how would you compare your new sound to your last album, ‘Slow Motion Addict’?

CR: I don’t know, a lot of people have said ‘that new sound thing’ but I feel that my lyrics are a lot better now. I’ve gotten a chance to express myself without answering to certain things that I don’t feel that need or should be painted into music. The whole thing to me is the journey. It was important for me to create the dynamics that I wanted to create with the music. I think that it’s no secret that I felt a little constrained by the situation when I was doing “Slow Motion Addict” as much as I appreciate who I was, what I learned, and what I gained out of it, but I really wanted it to be distilled, pure expression.

MB: What artists do you admire or are influenced by or inspire you?

CR: I mean it’s really cliché to say these days, but Radiohead is like the best band ever. They are really inspiring, really, every time I hear them, no matter what state of mind I’m in, completely sober, wasted, stoned, devastated, full of joy, anything, it just reaches me, and it’s incredible. Also early stuff like early Roxy Music, Nina Simone, Aretha Frankln, Tom Waits, Leornard Cohen, Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Kate Bush. They are all my favorites. I dunno I get inspired a lot.

MB:Who are you listening to right now?

CR: The new Neko Case album is amazing, it blew my mind. And the new Decemberists is amazing too. I love that it’s an opera, and the girl from My Brightest Diamond just kills it.

MB: What was your songwriting process for you EP and also your new album?

CR: I think for this EP, it was triggered by certain experiences that were so meaningful to me that I just needed to talked about it. And that is why I made it an EP, it’s like a little snapshot of that whole thing, you know?

MB: So will you be holding a residency at the Hotel Café?

CR: Yes, every Wednesday until the 3rd of June. I love it, pretty lucky to have it.

MB: Thank God you are a musician, but if you we not, what would you be doing?

CR: A cook. Or a deep sea diver, or something like that. (Laughs)

MB: Is there anything else that you would like to share to your fans?

CR: Fast once a week, you’ll live longer. (Laughs)

PHOTOS: JOSH SHAEDELL
STORY: CORY RADKE
INTERVIEW: CORY RADKE & TONY CRAGO

DOWNLOAD THE NEW LIVE COLDPLAY FOR FREE!!

Coldplay is offering a FREE download of their latest live record, LEFT RIGHT LEFT RIGHT. This is for all their fans that have supported them throughout the years - a thank you to the fans!

Download your copy here!

WORLD PREMIERE VIDEO - THE KILLERS

Check out the latest video from The Killers. "The World We Live In" is the third single of their latest album.

IN CASE YOU MISSED EM...

KOL performed "Use Somebody" on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on Friday night! Also, this past weekend Kings of Leon performed at KROQ's Weenie Roast in Los Angeles.

IN CASE YOU MISSED EM...

"The Wanting Comes In Waves" was performed by The Decemberists on Leno the other night! This is one of my favorite songs off their latest album, THE HAZZARDS OF LOVE. We will be at their show Tuesday night, so check back for a review & photos. In the meantime, check out this killer performance!

WAKING UP WITH KATY PERRY

Go behind-the-scenes with Katy Perry on her latest music video, "Waking Up In Vegas."

Katy Perry - MTV Shows

IN STUDIO WITH AUDRYE SESSIONS

Audrye Sessions - Subterranean - New Music - More Music Videos

Audrye Sessions gave the world a tour of their recording studio for MTV2’s Subterranean. When you are finished watching that, check out their video for "Turn Me Off."

Audrye Sessions - Subterranean - New Music - More Music Videos

KCREW WELCOMES THE DECEMBERISTS

The Decemberists stopped by KCRW's Morning Becomes Eclectic to give the world a taste of their latest masterpiece, HAZARDS OF LOVE.

The Decemberists will be at the newly vamped Hollywood Palladium tomorrow with another great band, Other Lives.