A NIGHT TO REMEMBER

Mandy Moore is doing a gig at the Hotel Cafe tonight! I'm kind of excited to see her tonight - she worked with some of my favorite songwriters on her most recent album, so I'm interested to see how's she's gonnna do.

Last night I was able to catch Greg Laswell at the Hotel Cafe, which was a one time bf of Mandy. He has such an amazing voice - I'll have a few pix up soon.

Hotel Cafe
1623 N. Cahuenga Blvd.
Hollywood, CA

9PM TONIGHT
$10

UPDATE: MANDY LEFT THIS MESSAGE ON HER MYSPACE regarding tonight.

So, I'm back from a week and half of not just being ON the East Coast but AWAY from Joni.... It was a good time in Upstate New York with some great friends and my brother, Kyle. Just got back to LA and am going to work out a bunch of new material for the Hotel Cafe show this coming Saturday... wait...THIS Saturday???!!! Yikes! Actually, Mike Viola and I have such a good thing going, it's gonna be a blast regardless of how new and rough some stuff may be. I'm really hoping you all can come out and be the first to hear some new material. We are really in a groove and this is still such a work in progress. But nonetheless, the live thing is still so important and I can't wait any longer to gig - especially at such a great, warm and musical place as Hotel Cafe. Really hoping to see some familiar faces.

Best to you all...hope the Summer has been a good one and that you are enjoying the remains of it...

xo

MM

SONDRE LERCHE TO EMBARK ON STRING OF EXCLUSIVE TOUR DATES

New York- Norwegian singer-songwriter Sondre Lerche is gearing up for an exclusive string of west coast North American tour dates. The dates kick off on August 22nd in San Diego and end with a play at the Bumbershoot Festival on September 1st.

Lerche's most recent work was on the original soundtrack for the film Dan In Real Life. The soundtrack featured 13 tracks recorded exclusively for the movie, including four new songs penned by Lerche and seven cue tracks from the score, which he composed as well.

Lerche, still only in his mid-twenties will be playing tunes from the soundtrack as well as from his vast catalogue, which includes 4 studio albums and several EPs. Entertainment Weekly said his last studio album Phantom Punch "Evokes '80s Britpop at its zenith, with Duran Duran-ish guitars and synths underpinning lyrically self-aware ditties like the title track." To which Lerche says "I didn't want to be subtle this time around, I wanted every song to jump out of the speakers - punchy, concise pop songs, played with restless spirit."

Tickets for the tour are on sale now. Please see below for tour routing:

Sondre Lerche North American Tour Dates
8/22 San Diego, CA Delta Room @ House of Blues
8/23 Los Angeles, CA Troubadour
8/24 Los Angeles, CA Troubadour
8/26 San Francisco, CA Great American Music Hall
8/28 Portland, OR Doug Fir Lounge
8/30 Vancouver, BC St. James Hall
9/01 Seattle, WA Bumbershoot Festival

WE WILL BE AT THE SUNDAY SHOW AT THE TROUBADOUR SO LOOK FOR OUR REVIEW TO FOLLOW!

www.myspace.com/sondrelerche

VIDEO PREMIERE

It's Friday and what a great song to kick off the weekend! Still a couple weeks left of summer and I'm going to enjoy every last minute of it. Actually, living in L.A. summer doesn't really come to an end till Octoberish, but for those of you who only have a few weeks, this is for you...

This is the latest video from The Academy Is... "Summer Hair=Forever Young" from their album FAST TIMES AT BARRINGTON HIGH that was just released this past Tuesday.

Happy Friday!

SURPRISE PARTY!

Bloc Party have joined Radiohead and the Raconteurs as bands that surprise fans with a new album. Intimacy is the name of BP’s third album, and it’s available for pre-order right now at the band’s Website; downloads will be delivered on August 21st.

Physical copies of the album, which aren’t due in stores until October 28th, will feature some tracks that are different from those on the digital release. Fans who pre-order the disc now, however, will receive a download of the digital version for free.

Including current single “Mercury,” the download’s track list numbers 10 songs.

ALWAYS THE BRIDESMAID

The Decemberists will release Always The Bridesmaid: A Singles Series this fall. The three volumes will be available digitally and on 12" vinyl. Volume 1, comprised of "Valerie Plame" and "O New England," will be released on October 14th. The band will give "Valerie Plame" its national television debut on "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" on November 3rd, the eve of the United States presidential election. Written from the point-of-view of one of Plame's inside contacts upon discovering her true identity, the song is an amorous tribute to the onetime CIA operative. The Decemberists will be playing select U.S. dates this November; details will be announced shortly.

Volume II and Volume III of Always The Bridesmaid: A Singles Series will be released on November 4th and December 2nd respectively. (See below for track listings.) The series will be available digitally at DSPs, released by Capitol Records, and on 12" vinyl via The Decemberists' own label, Y.A.B.B. Records/Jealous Butcher Records. Fans who pre-order all three singles through the band's website will receive a limited edition version on colored vinyl; the pre-order begins today at http://www.decemberistsshop.com/. The vinyl will also be available at select independent retail stores (go to http://www.thinkindie.com to find out where). In the U.K., Rough Trade will release the series digitally and on 7" vinyl.

Formed in Portland, Oregon in 2000, The Decemberists weave spellbinding tales rife with atmosphere and an infallible melodic knack. 2006's The Crane Wife - the band's fourth full-length album and its first released by Capitol Records - was hailed by Pitchfork as "an enormous folk-prog monsterpiece" while The New York Times called it "one of the most accomplished albums of its kind this year."

The band is currently in the studio working on a new full-length album with Tucker Martine, who produced Always The Bridesmaid: The Singles Series and co-produced The Crane Wife.

EVERYDAY I WAKE UP...

If you haven't heard the following song - click to listen! I haven't been able to get this happy little tune out of my head since I woke up. It's such a GREAT song to wake up to and begin the day with. It has put me in a really great mood on this AMAZING Thursday afternoon. Then watch this little clip and get to know The Submarines a little better!

Update: I just heard it playing in the iPhone commercial.



It was a warm June evening just north of downtown LA, when Blake Hazard and Jason Dragonetti threw their eclectic Submarine sounds into the wanting hearts of a captivated Gen Art audience. The event, sponsored by Don Julio tequila, introduced this talented duo to a fan base that had surely heard their wildly positive, peppy and increasingly popular tunes, but may never have had the pleasure of hearing their fairy-tale accounts of meeting, falling, and writing in love. So come on and put on a smile! Meet The Submarines, courtesy of Gen Art.

EARLIMART TO TOUR WEST COAST

After returning from a long and grueling tour in support of their critically-acclaimed 2007 album, Mentor Tormentor, Aaron Espinoza and Ariana Murray of Earlimart returned immediately to the studio that had become more or less their home for the past few years.

“We recorded the new album really quickly….we didn’t wanna wait another 3 years to make another record. We just wanna keep makin’ stuff,” says Espinoza. Aaron and Ariana set a four-week deadline to make a record – a restriction that is certainly not evident in the lushness and quality of the end result.

I'M A BIG FAN OF THIS BAND, SO I WAS EXCITED TO SEE THEY ADDED A FEW WEST COAST DATES. CHECK EM OUT IF YOU RESIDE IN ONE OF THE WC CITIES!

September 18 – San Diego, CA @ Casbah

September 19 – Los Angeles, CA @ Troubadour

September 21 – San Francisco, CA @ Great American Music Hall

September 23 – Eugene, OR @ John Henrys

September 24 – Seattle, WA @ Neumos

September 25 – Portland, OR @ Doug Fir Lounge

September 26 – Vancouver, Canada @ Media Club


SeeqPod - Playable Search

LIBERATION DAY

A funny, new video for the single “Liberation Day” by singer-songwriter Ferras starring NYC comedian Greg Johnson running naked across America has been creating buzz online since its August 12th premiere on Myspace.com. The video entitled “Naked Guy Runs Across America” captures Johnson as he makes his way from New York City all the way to Los Angeles wearing only his socks and running shoes, has been viewed over 67,000 times on myspace and youtube.

HILLS PICK OF THE WEEK

Though the show may be a fake and bit over the top, there is no denying the great music that soundtracks the show. I'm not embarrassed to admit that I watch the show and have actually discovered some really great music.

Tons of great songs were used during Monday nights short episode (seemed like 15 minutes with all those damn commercials), however, I could only choose one from this episode.

My FIRST Hills pick of the week from season 4 is "Shattered" by O.A.R. It's such a great song and a perfect fit for the show!

Watch the video for "Shattered" below!

www.myspace.com/ofarevolution

IN CASE YOU MISSED EM...

Atmosphere was on Letterman a few weeks back...check it out!

SUNSET JUNCTION - THIS WEEKEND!

In case you were living under a rock (like me), the 28th annual Sunset Junction is this weekend in Silverlake. Click here to see a list of scheduled performers and set time!

P.S. WAS ISAAC HAYES SCHEDULED TO PERFORM?

IN CASE YOU MISSED EM...

• MTV
• Music Videos
• MTV Shows
• Entertainment News

We The Kings performed "Check Yes Juliet" live on FNMTV this past Friday.

SEASON 4 MUSIC FROM THE HILLS

Last season I was getting questions about the music that was featured on The Hills, so I started this weekly music post of music from the show. Last night Season 4 premiered on MTV, so I'm back to bring you my weekly list, followed by my Hills pick of the week.

THE HILLS EPISODE 401 - WE'LL NEVER BE FRIENDS

Vaughan Penn - "Bring On The Day"
Pussycat Dolls - "When I Grow Up"
Lesley Roy - "I'm Gone, I'm Going"
David Condos - "The Last One I Love"
Lady Gaga - "Just Dance"
Estelle (feat. Kanye West) - "American Boy"
Black Eyed Peas - "Don't Funk With My Heart"
O.A.R. - "Shattered"
The Ting Tings - "Shut Up And Let Me Go"
Rihanna - "Disturbia"
Katy Perry - "I Kissed A Girl"
Michelle Featherstone - "You're Not Alone"
Saosin - "Youre Not Alone"
The Mile After - "So Young, So Sick"
Katy Perry - "Box"
Safetysuit - "What If"

SAIL WITH ME

Ima Robot is back with the first song from their fortcoming new album. They posted the new song "Sail With Me" and wrote a bit about it on their myspace page.

Listen Here!

"in case u didnt notice, we posted the first new song from or FORTHCOMING NEW ALBUM a few days ago. thats when we posted it, the album isnt called a few days ago, silly. we are gonna play the song along with most of our new record at THE GREEK THEATER this friday!!! whoooo!! kind of scary in that -ive been waiting in line for this new roller coaster for hours and now im at the front oh shit what will it be like am i ready- sorta way. "

"enjoy SAIL WITH ME and stay tuned. we probably will stop giving away old demos and b-sides for now, so as to cleanse your collectively impeccable palette. this will prepare you for the main course, which will be served soon. its like waiting for guffman, except in this dramady, guffman shows up, except he's not guffman.... hes future funk foie-graaaaaah. yeahhhhhhhhhhhh. that is so tasty. with a side of psychadelically sizzled soy-glazed tilapia. al pastor of course.

RED ALERT!!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 18, 2008

THE RED JUMPSUIT APPARATUS RECORDING
FOLLOW-UP TO BREAKOUT DEBUT

NEW YORK, NY -- Jacksonville, Florida's platinum rockers THE RED JUMPSUIT APPARATUS have been hard at work since early July in the Valley Village, California studio of rock super-producer Howard Benson (Hoobastank, P.O.D., Less Than Jake, Daughtry, Seether, All-American Rejects), recording the follow-up to DON'T YOU FAKE IT, one of the longest-running breakthrough albums in recent rock history.

The rock quintet comprised of Ronnie Winter (lead vocals), Elias Reidy (guitar, backing vocals), Duke Kitchens (guitar, piano, vocals), Joey Westwood (bass, vocals) and Jon Wilkes (drums, vocals) forged a rare bond of closeness and healing with listeners from their very first single "Face Down," an unsparing, full-throated cry against domestic violence.

The album DON'T YOU FAKE IT charted for 62 weeks on Billboard's Top 200 while "Face Down" stayed atop the Top 20 Modern Rock airplay list until chart rules mandated its retirement after 52 weeks. Additionally, "Face Down" has sold over 1.5 million digital singles and been streamed over 16.6 million times on MySpace. In fact, nearly a year after the July 2006 release of the album, several of the tracks are still going strong, collectively garnering close to 50 million streams on the band's MySpace page. Another track of note "Your Guardian Angel" was adopted as a touchstone anthem of both solemn and festive occasions: in addition to 10.2 million MySpace spins and 455,000 single downloads, thousands of Facebook and YouTube photo flipbooks and videos appeared with the images of loved ones set to the song, not to mention the countless plays received at weddings, school gatherings and proms, while "Damn Regret" and "False Pretense" are both nearing 100,000 single downloads apiece.

The overwhelming response to the band recently prompted RJA to send regrets via their MySpace page to their now-worldwide fanbase that they would not be joining this summer's Warped Tour. Although RJA have been fan favorites for three years running, they assured fans that the time was being well-spent in the studio and even more productive than anticipated with Benson behind the board.

Since the release of DON'T YOU FAKE IT, RJA has also been an active force for a wide array of charitable organizations and social causes, including teen suicide prevention, mental health parity and a strong commitment to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. In addition to these charitable commitments, The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus Guardian Angel Foundation has been formed as an umbrella group to support under funded high school band programs, to promote and enhance student musical development; support individuals affected by domestic violence, to break the cycle of abuse; and contribute to research that focuses on management of acute hyperglycemia in hospitalized patients.

The new CD is slated for release in early 2009.

RED ALERT…keep up with RJA at:
http://www.redjumpsuit.com/
www.myspace.com/redjumpsuit
http://www.redjumpsuitalliance.com/

WEEZER WANTS U!

Weezer are shooting a video for their single 'Troublemaker' on THURSDAY, and need your help if you're in the L.A. area. All you need to do is shoot them an email at weezervideo@gmail.com and, if picked, you'll be mailed back with location, times, what to wear, etc...!

SIGUR ROS LIVE AT MOMA

This hour-long broadcast exclusive was filmed live during a recent sold-out show at New York’s Museum of Modern Art and combines live footage and special behind-the-scenes moments to document an intimate Sigur Rós performance that includes special commentary with the critically acclaimed band.

30 MILLION TO MARS

Virgin/EMI have slapped 30 Seconds to Mars with a $30 million suit for breaching their contract (says Virgin/EMI) or legally terminating their contract (says 30STM’s Jared Leto.) After news of the suit hit, Leto issued a lengthy statement arguing that the band signed its contract with the label nine years ago, but according to California law, “one cannot be bound to a contract for more than seven years.” So the band, looking to take advantage of that loophole despite owing Virgin three more albums, is opting out due to some significant disagreements:

“If you think the fact that we have sold in excess of 2 million records and have never been paid a penny is pretty unbelievable, well, so do we,” Leto writes. “And the fact that EMI informed us that not only aren’t they going to pay us AT ALL but that we are still 1.4 million dollars in debt to them is even crazier.” Plus, there’s more, “like the new regime at EMI firing most of the people we know and love, wanting to place advertisements on our Website, EMI owning 100 percent of the masters of our record… forever, and basically having a revolving door of regimes at the company made it easy to not want to continue as is.”

An EMI spokesperson responded by saying, despite their success with 30STM, “We have been forced to take procedural, legal steps in order to protect EMI’s investment and rights during contract renegotiations initiated by the band and management. We hope to resolve these matters amicably and put them behind us so we can continue working in partnership with the band to take them to even greater levels of success.”