KCRW WELCOMES THE BIRD AND THE BEE

The Bird and The Bee stopped by KCRW's Morning Becomes Eclectic - check em out!

RECORD STORE DAY

This weekend, celebrate independent record stores that are keeping it real for the true music lovers out there.

If you live near an indie record store you can bet they’ll be celebrating in their own special way.

There will be in-store performances and special promotions running pretty much everywhere…so check out http://recordstoreday.com/ for more detail on what’s going on near you.

I LIKE YOU SO MUCH BETTER NAKED - FREE DOWNLOAD

Ida Maria’s highly critically acclaimed debut album Fortress Round My Heart is out today from Mercury Records!

To celebrate the release, Ida has been selected for Mtv’s “Discover and Download” program and her hit single “I Like You So Much Better When You’re Naked” is free on iTunes this week.

“I Like You So Much Better When You’re Naked” Free on iTunes: http://bit.ly/IdaMariaiTunesFreeSingle

“Fortress Round My Heart” Delxue Edition on iTunes: http://bit.ly/IdaMariaiTunesDeluxe

“Fortress Round My Heart” on Amazon: http://bit.ly/IdaMariaAmazon

Ida Maria on Mtv: http://bit.ly/IdaMTVDiscoverandDownload

JENNY OWEN YOUNGS ANNOUNCES SPRING TOUR

JENNY OWEN YOUNGS ANNOUNCES SPRING TOUR IN SUPPORT OF HER UPCOMING RELEASE, TRANSMITTER FAILURE, DUE MAY 26 ON NETTWERK RECORDS
YOUNGS COLLABORATES WITH TOUR MATES JUKEBOX THE GHOST IN CELEBRATION OF THE TOUR

SNEAK PEAK OF "Good Day"
(Jukebox the Ghost - COVER SONG)
(April 07, 2009) Jenny Owen Youngs is back with her second album, Transmitter Failure due May 26. This record is a bold departure from her 2007 release Batten The Hatches, which thrust Youngs into the spotlight (and won her a record deal with Nettwerk) when her song “Fuck Was I” was featured on the TV show “Weeds”.

Youngs says of the new sound, “I wanted to make something that would move people emotionally, but also move them physically. I did not want to end up touring for another three years on a record that wouldn't offer people the opportunity to move. So. Dan and I set out to make something that was, quite simply, more fun to play live. In the process, my writing took turns I didn't expect.”

Yet throughout it all, Transmitter Failure is unmistakably Jenny: Smart song structures, melodies informed by her love of pop music, and an ability to sting the listener with her candid lyrical insights.

In addition to her upcoming album and tour, Youngs has collaborated with touring buddies, Jukebox The Ghost and have created a split 7” limited edition vinyl and tour poster, both available for purchase only on these tour dates.

Jenny and the Jukebox boys will be working hard to make every night count, joining in during one another's sets, trading off on vocals, banging out a collaborative cover or two, and finishing each other's drinks.

As they prepare for their 23-city tour, both artists have covered a collection of each other’s songs.

Don’t miss Jenny on the road and get a sneak peak of Transmitter Failure.

TOUR DATES:
Apr 30 Chicago, IL Subterranean
May 1 Omaha, NE Slowdown Jr
May 2 Denver, CO Hi Dive
May 3 Salt Lake City, UT Kilby Court
May 5 Seattle, WA Tractor Tavern
May 6 Portland, OR Doug Fir Lounge
May 8 San Francisco, CA Bottom of the Hill
May 9 Los Angeles, CA The Hotel Café
May 10 San Diego, CA The Loft- UCSD
May 12 Tucson, AZ Club Congress
May 14 Austin, TX Stubb’s BBQ Indoors
May 15 Dallas, TX The Prophet Bar
May 16 Little Rock, AR Juanita’s Cantina Ballroom
May 17 Memphis, TN Hi-Tone Café
May 19 Nashville TN 3rd and Lindsley
May 20 Charlotte, NC The Casbah@ Tremont Music Hall
May 21 Carrboro, NC Cat’s Cradle
May 22 Richmond, VA Canal Club Downstairs Lounge
May 23 Washington, DC Rock and Roll Hotel
May 26 Philadelphia, PA Johnny and Brenda’s
May 27 New York, NY Bowery Ballroom
May 28 Boston, MA Café 939
May 29 Portland, ME Empire Dine and Dance
May 30 Westport, CT Toquet Hall
June 1- 8 TBA

TING TINGS FYE CONTEST AND FREE REMIX!!

Enter to win Bonnaroo tickets and a chance to win a $1,000 FYE shopping spree! Just for entering you’ll get the LA Riots’ remix of ‘That’s Not My Name’

THE HAZARDS OF LOVE

I know it has been a while since it's release (March 24th), but I had to just finally sit down and talk about this album. Just when I when I though that they could not get any better, the Portland based band proved me wrong. With their 5th full length, "The Hazards of Love", these genius musicians have reinvented themselves, while maintaining the Decemberist's sound that we all love. They are one of the few bands around that definitely have a distinct sound, both lyrically and musically and are not afraid to take risks. Just like their last album "The Crane Wife", they have produced almost a rock opera, storytelling narrative throughout the entire album. For those that are familiar with "The Neutral Milk Hotel", you would understand what I am talking about. They keep with the same theme for the duration of this one solid track-full length, always coming back to the chorus of the title track "The Hazards of Love". Without skipping a beat or emotion, the album takes you on an emotional roller coaster of vocals and instruments, that only the Decemberist's could get away with. As odd as it may sound, I picked up on some rock and roll references like Heart and even, and please forgive me, Bon Jovi, don't ask, but it's there. I look forward to their upcoming tour and their stop in Hollywood on May 19th @ the newly renovated Hollywood Palladium! Check them out at www.myspace.com/thedecemberists or at www.thedecemberists.com

IN CASE YOU MISSED EM...

Yeah Yeah Yeah's were the musical guest on SNL over the weekend. Catch em now and catch em next week at Coachella.

AUDRYE SESSIONS ON THE DAILY HABIT

Audrye Sessions stopped by FuelTV recently and performed for the show, “The Daily Habit.”

SINKING INTO RACHAEL

Last weekend I headed out with some friends to catch two of my favorite Hotel Cafe alum. Rachael Yamagata and Greg Laswell dazzled us with their skillzzzz at the Troubadour in West Hollywood.

Ok...let me just travel back in time for a sec and give you a bit of history. I first heard of Rachael Yamagata at my very first music job in Los Angeles. This girl I worked with handed me Rachael's first EP and told me to listen. As soon as I heard the CD the first time through, I knew this girl had something special. Not only did she sing her face off, but she wrote these amazingly powerful lyrics that captured me. Rachael spoke to me and I felt a connection to her lyrics like I never felt before. I think for me it was the first time I had a real understanding for music.


Rachael has seriously been one of my favorites for like 5 years now. I remember my friend Tina and I hitting every Rachael show around LA trying to make peace with the breakups we were going through (not together). Rachael must have been through some major breakups, because she pens the best breakup songs EVER! I can remember just popping her CD in my car and just driving around boohooing, relating to what she was singing. It was like she wrote those songs for me - powerful I must say. Rachael was great therapy during that time in my life.



Anyhoo...I can go on and on, but basically I'm a huge fan and I love me some Rachael Yamagata. This was the first time I have seen her in years, and since the release of her latest record, Elephants...Teeth Sinking Into Heart. Her new album is as brillz as ever, so it was great to see her perform new material live. She was FANTASTIC!! With the addition of her band, her show was way more intensified than her days at the Hotel Cafe. Although she has maintained her singer songwriter roots, she has definitely proven she has what it takes to be a rock and roll goddess.

HAPPY EASTER!!

Wishing you all a Happy Easter!