BUY TOMS SHOES AND SUPPORT A BAND

To prepare for the upcoming Scene Aesthetic album release of A Type & A Shadow on July 14th TOMS shoes and The Scene Aesthetic have joined forces to support the TOMS Shoe Initiative.

"One for One : For every pair you purchase, TOMS will give a pair of shoes to a child in need. One for One. Using the purchasing power of individuals to benefit the greater good is what we're all about ."

Starting today, for every purchase of TOMS shoes made by a fan of The Scene Aesthetic, TOMS will donate $2 to The Invisible Children Fund , specifically chosen by Eric and Andrew for being a pioneer organization that has the power to change the world for the better.

When you go to purchase your next pair of shoes please enter The Scene Aesthetic checkout code: SceneAesthetic to receive $3 off your purchase. (You can use this code as many times as you want and it is good for a YEAR!)

Just another way the band is thanking you for listening to their music, loving what they do and believing the world could be a better place.

Purchase TOMS Shoes HERE!

(****Don't forget to enter the code; SceneAesthetic at the checkout****)

For more information about The Scene Aesthetic please visit:
www.myspace.com/thesceneaesthetic
http://www.destiny-worldwide.com/
http://www.thesceneaesthetic.com/

MY OLD, FAMILIAR FRIEND

Brendan Benson returns with his fourth solo album, My Old, Familiar Friend, slated for release on ATO Records for August 18 2009.

Taking a break from writing, recording and touring with the Grammy winning Raconteurs, Benson went into the studio in Nashville and London with producer, Gil Norton (Pixies, Maximo Park, Foo Fighters) and mixer Dave Sardy (The Rolling Stones, LCD Soundsystem, Oasis). The result is a timeless, 11-track album.

My Old, Familiar Friend is a marriage of passion and perfectionism and an illustration of all that is special about Brendan Benson. From the seductive glimmer of “Feel Like Taking You Home” to the Motown swoon of “Garbage Day” Benson has shaped his restless-hearted stories into songs that fit together with exquisite neatness. Benson’s musical approach is detailed, craftsman-like and fastidious. Take for instance “A Whole Lot Better,” the first US single, in which harmonies, hand-claps and guitar are layered to produce a work of heart-felt buoyancy- a work that culminates in the sweet, dove-tailing swoop of its refrain: “I fell in love with you/ And out of love with you/ And back in love with you/ All in the same day.” The album is comprised of songs that arrive perfectly formed and immaculate, the sound of a classic singer/songwriter operating at the top of his game.

It is a style he has honed, of course. On 1996’s One Mississippi, the songs came rough-hewn but charged with hooks and with wit; 2002’s Lapalco brought a perfect pop ripeness, and by The Alternative to Love in 2005, there was something quite brilliant and burnished about his songwriting. Along the way he has co-written and recorded two spectacular albums with The Raconteurs, Broken Boy Soldiers and Consolers of the Lonely. For Benson, The Raconteurs was not just an opportunity to play with close friends Jack White (The White Stripes) Jack Lawrence and Patrick Keeler (The Greenhornes) but also a chance to roll around in the rock, psychedelia and blues that has shaped his musical taste.

Through all of Brendan Benson’s songs ribbons a delight in melody. With an undeniably distinctive voice, a knack for writing a timeless tune and a sweet, effortless delivery, Brendan proves to be a singular voice in music today. Watch this space for US summer tour dates.

NEW SINGLE, NEW ALBUM, NEW TOUR

Looks like Ingrid Michaelson is set to release her next album. She wrote her fans a message and included a sample of her upcoming single, "Maybe."




hello people who listen to my music,

i hope this find you well.

the time has come to release some new musical children into the world. i have a new album called EVERYBODY coming out in aug (stay tuned for details) and a new single MAYBE going to radio as we speak. i have added a snippet of MAYBE to my MySpace Player so have a listen.

in support of EVERYBODY, i (and my full band of 5!) will be touring all around the United States and Canada. Those dates will be announced in early july so please join the mailing list (if you haven't already) so you can be kept up to date. you also get free downloads and other fun stuff if you are on the mailing list.

thanks for reading.


hope to see some of you soon on the road.


xim

THIS TORNADO LOVES YOU

Enchanting is the one word that I would use to describe this past Friday's performance by Neko Case and company. Not only was it set at the perfect venue in Los Angeles, The Greek Theater; surrounding you by all the pines from Griffith Park, taking you out of the city and placing you wherever you could imagine yourself to be, but the stage was set so appropriately. It was decorated with a cartoonish screen held by a childlike drawing of a black owl with glowing, yellow eyes...literally. This supersized frame had bookends of tall scrolls with crayon-like drawings of trees. The sun fell down, the seats filled, the lights went off, and then the sound of crickets filled the air, again, literally.

Neko and friends took their places and she opened the show with 'Maybe Sparrow' from "Fox Confessor Brings the Flood" and followed up with 'Pretty Girls' from her first album "Blacklisted". She graced us with her illustrative and illuminating voice with 'Hold On Hold On', 'This Tornado Loves You', 'Margaret vs Pauline', 'That Teenage Feeling', and to many more to list. Case really knows how to use her voice and the microphone as instruments. She creates such dynamic sound with those tools it gives you goosebumps. The entire show, the band, the singers, the motion illustrations filling the space of the frame, the trees, and of course, Neko was a well built evening of atmospheric proportion.


Story by Cory Radke

SILVERSUN PICKUPS HIT #1 WITH PANIC SWITCH

It’s been 11 years since an independent artist ranked #1 on Billboard’s Hot Modern Rock Songs chart and today, Silversun Pickups are the proud new title-holders.

Lead single “Panic Switch,” from Swoon, has impressively jumped over tracks from Linkin Park and Green Day, which were also in the running. This is truly a triumphant day for Dangerbird and the band, as only three songs by artists on independently distributed labels have reached this position.

The quartet is currently making their way across Europe and will return in August for festival appearances, as well as a string of newly announced tour dates.

SSPU also played Morning Becomes Eclectic earlier this month (June 4). Head to the Morning Becomes Eclectic archives to watch or hear the performance. And don’t miss the band’s performance on Yahoo! Music’s “The New Now."

www.silversunpickups.com

HOREHOUND SET FOR RELEASE

What was initially imagined as a one-off collaboration for a 7” single, turned into a full blown record for The Dead Weather.

Horehound, the debut collaboration between Jack White (White Stripes), Alison Mosshart (The Kills), Jack Lawrence (The Raconteurs) and Dean Fertita, was recorded in just three weeks in White's own Nashville studio. Also produced by White, the band's menacing debut will hit stores on July 14th via his Third Man Records imprint. The Dead Weather will also make their UK broadcast debut on Nigel Godrich's From The Basement on June 22nd.

Catch the live stream here (http://ftblive.com/)

Tour Dates:
June
17 Los Angeles, CA - Roxy Theatre, Los Angeles, CA

July
13 Washington, DC - 9:30 Club
14 Washington, DC - 9:30 Club
16 New York, NY - Terminal 5
17 New York, NY - Terminal 5
18 Boston, MA - House of Blues
19 Ottawa, ONT - Ottawa Blues Festival
21 Montreal, QUE - Olympia De Montreal
22 Toronto, ONT - Kool Haus, Toronto
24 Detroit, MI - The Fillmore
25 Columbus, OH - The LC Pavilion
27 Minneapolis, MN - First Avenue
28 Chicago, IL - Vic Theatre
29 Chicago, IL - Vic Theatre
30 Nashville, TN - War Memorial Auditorium

August
17 Denver, CO - Ogden Theatre
18 Salt Lake City, UT - The Depot
20 Seattle, WA - Paramount Theatre
21 Vancouver, BC - Commodore Ballroom
22 Vancouver, BC - Commodore Ballroom
23 Portland, OR - Roseland Theater
25 Los Angeles, cA - Wiltern Theatre
27 Pomona, CA - Glasshouse
29 San Diego, CA - Street Scene
30 San Francisco, CA - Outside Lands Music & Arts Festival

http://www.thedeadweather.com/

DAYTROTTING WITH ANYA MARINA

Check out Anya Marina on Daytrotter today! The California-based singer/songwriter performs 5 songs from her new album, "Slow & Steady Seduction: Phase II." And best of all, the songs are available to download for free!

Visit http://www.daytrotter.com/dt/anya-marina-oh-yeah-it-s-a-seduction-alright-concert/20030706-3738056.html.

In case you missed it last week, check out Anya's brand new video for her new single "All The Same To Me": http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid340480126?bctid=25074123001.

To purchase "Slow & Steady Seduction: Phase II," visit http://tinyurl.com/nlc8jkm.

Anya Marina on tour:
7/15 - Slim's - San Francisco, CA (w/ Eric Hutchinson)
7/16 - The Catalyst - Santa Cruz, CA (w/ Eric Hutchinson)
7/17 - The Boardwalk - Sacramento, CA (w/ Eric Hutchinson)
7/19 - House of Blues - San Diego, CA (w/ Eric Hutchinson)
7/21 - Velvet Jones - Santa Barbara, CA (w/ Eric Hutchinson)
7/22 - House of Blues - Anaheim, CA (w/ Eric Hutchinson)
7/23 - El Rey - Los Angeles, CA (w/ Eric Hutchinson)
8/13 - Cabaret du Musee Pour Ri - Montreal (w/ Emiliana Torrini)
8/14 - Highline Ballroom - New York, NY (w/ Emiliana Torrini)
8/15 - Paradise - Boston, MA (w/ Emiliana Torrini)
8/17 - Crocodile Cafe - Seattle, WA (w/ Emiliana Torrini)
8/28 - Street Scene 2009 - San Diego, CA

BFL AT THE EL REY IN LA

I am so sad that I missed Bat For Lashes last night at the El Rey. I heard the show was fantastic! Check out a few clips from last nights show in Los Angeles.

A DATE WITH KATE

Tonight, I am going to check out an Australian artist who's been creating buzz here in the US. Her name is Kate Miller-Heidke.

Kate is one of Australia's most beloved pop artists, a multiple ARIA nominee, and is a phenomenal, compelling singer/songwriter. This is her first tour in the USA.

You can listen to her winning song at http://www.songwritingcompetition.com/winners.htm and find out more information about Kate Miller-Heidke at http://www.myspace.com/katemillerheidke.

You know I'm in love with the Aussies, so I'm super excited to have been invited to see Kate tonight. I will have a review after the show!

LISTEN TO REGINA SPEKTOR'S NEW ALBUM

Regina Spektor's new album, far, is streaming in its entirety on her MySpace page...check it out:www.myspace.com/reginaspektor.

Enjoy!

far is out on Sire on June 23

KCRW WELCOMES BAT FOR LASHES

Bat For Lashes has been making their rounds while in Los Angeles. On Sunday they performed in a more intimate setting in Santa Monica @ the Lucky Brand store on the Promenade.

On Monday they stopped by KCRW's Morning Becomes Eclectic - and tonight YOU can catch em at the El Rey in Los Angeles.

If you don't have tickets to tonights SOLD OUT show, you can also catch BFL in August when they return to L.A.

IN THE STUDIO WITH EULOGIES

Eulogies - "Bad Connection" - HearYa Live Session 5/13/09 from HearYa.com on Vimeo.

Eulogies performs "Bad Connection" live in-studio for HearYa.com.

Recently Dangerbird’s Eulogies stopped by HearYa.com and performed "Bad Connection" off their most recent release Here Anonymous. The session was recorded in downtown Chicago at Shirk Music on May 13th. Backed by lush instrumentals featuring Drew Phillips on guitar, Chris Reynolds on drums and incredible bass lines courtesy of Garrett Deloian, this session will quickly become one of your favorite videos to revisit and share.

WORLD PREMIERE VIDEO - WAR TAPES

The new video for "Dreaming Of You" from the War Tapes has just been released. It's such an amazing song - I like it!

War Tapes also just performed two songs on the season finale of GREEK on ABC Family in support of their new album, The Continental Divide.

iTunes: http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?id=316647684&s=143441

MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/wartapes

GREEN DAY GETS ROCKED

Green Day has inked an exclusive deal, lending three new tracks, 21 Guns, Know Your Enemy and East Jesus Nowhere to Rock Band. This is the first time the band has lent any of their works to a participatory music game. Previously fans have been forced to create hacked versions of Green Day songs to add them to versions of Rock Band and Guitar Hero, a practice that is not encouraged by gamers, developers and copyright owners.Other new and classic Green Day tracks will be announced over the coming months. Green Day Rock Band is due to be released in the US July 7 on Xbox and Playstation consoles.

rockband.com

OPEN UP FOR THIRD EYE BLIND

3EB is looking for an opening act. You think you got what it takes? Bands can apply for the contest by emailing their Myspace pages to: openfor3eb@gmail.com.

Deadline for bands to submit for the contest is by 10 AM (EST) on Sunday, June 14th. The winner will be announced on Sunday, June 14th at 11:50 PM (EST).

BILLY JOE ARRESTED FOR DUI

Green Day singer Billie Joe Armstrong was arrested early Sunday in Berkeley, California, for driving under the influence.

The punk-rocker was pulled over just before 1 a.m. after authorities spotted his black BMW convertible speeding, according to Berkeley Police spokesperson Mary Kusmiss.

After Armstrong failed sobriety and Breathalyzer tests, he was taken to jail and booked for misdemeanor drunk driving. He was released later that morning on $1,200 bail and will be arraigned later this month.

WORLD PREMIERE VIDEO - BUTCH WALKER

Check out a new video from Butch Walker for "Here Comes The..." (feat. Pink), the second single from his recent album Sycamore Meadows.