IN CASE YOU MISSED EM...

I did, cuz I was in Australia... The boys of The Fray were on Ellen performing their latest smash "You Found Me." I love this song!

AUDRYE SESSIONS LIVE

Meet the Oakland quartet Audrye Sessions. Their self-titled debut on Black Seal — available now — is packed with polished, propulsive rock songs and gentle, stripped-down tunes with the kind of ear-grabbing melodies that instantly hard-wire themselves into your brain. Recorded with Andrew Scheps (U2, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Johnny Cash) and Matt Radosevich (The Hives, Taking Back Sunday), the album is anchored by Ryan Karazija's remarkable voice, which is whisper vulnerable one minute, roiling with emotion the next and easily slips into a smooth falsetto.

Right before I left for Australia, I had the amazing opportunity to catch their show at the Troubadour in West Hollywood. I didn't really know what to expect because I wasn't familiar with their music. Well, I got to the Troub to be greeted by a giant line that spread down along Santa Monica Blvd., nearly wrapping around the street. Thankfully, I was able to get right in due to the kindness of a gal named Lauren - BIG SHOUT OUT TO YOU!! As I entered the Troubadour the band began to play. The house was packed with adoring fans, cheering and screaming, and practically singing the entire set for the band. I had no idea this band was so huge, but I now understand why, because I instantly became a fan. They have this huge force that sucked me in. I had to go back and listen to the album again, because I felt that I didn't completely get it until I saw them live.

The show was fantastic, and now I can't seem to get their CD out of my car. It's one of those things I love when I check out an artist I don't know - it's like the chocolate surprise in one of those Drumsticks (ice cream). A treat waiting for you to get to the center and find. Go pick up your copy now - only $5.99 on iTunes!


Audrye Sessions - "Turn Me Off" from Black Seal on Vimeo.

DOVES ANNOUNCE SPRING TOUR

Doves announce a Spring US tour to support the release of their new album called Kingdom of Rust (released April 7 on Astralwerks/Heavenly). Kingdom of Rust is an album that is arguably Doves' most sonically adventurous, intimate, cerebral, rhythmic and most eclectic record to date.

Doves have been recording their follow up for the past 18 months, having ensconced themselves to a farm house-come-studio in Cheshire. In doing so they teamed up with long time Doves collaborator Dan Austin to co produce all but two tracks on Kingdom Of Rust. For the remaining two tracks Doves enlisted producer John Leckie (Stone Roses, Radiohead) to record 'Winter Hill' and '10.03'. Kingdom Of Rust was mixed by Michael Brauer, Dan Austin and the band.

Upon first listening, Kingdom Of Rust sounds unequivocally Doves, maybe it's because it's been conceived with their trademark intensity. That said, Kingdom Of Rust takes Doves into more uncharted and experimental territory than ever before.

Take the first track on the album 'Jetstream', a track Doves gave away last month via www.doves.net, fitted with a kraut motorik, it's a kraftwerk kissed electro pearl. In contrast, eponymous title track 'Kingdom Of Rust', is a broad stroke of Lancastrian spaghetti Western drama. Elsewhere, 'Compulsion' sees Doves achieving a homage to the kind of wonky-leftfield disco that experiments that might have been played out at The Loft or the Paradise Factory in their 80's hey day, While, 'The Outsider' sounds like what may have happened had time allowed Chuck Berry to Jam with Joy Division. Include the Tom Rowlands (The Chemical Brothers) arranged "10.03", and anthems in waiting 'Winter Hill' and 'Greatest Denier' to that list and you have the most expansive and rhythmic Doves record to date.

There will be a ticket pre-sale beginning Wednesday, March 11th. Go to astralwerks.com for more info. The password is: Jetstream

TOUR DATES
5/14 San Diego, CA House of Blues
5/15 Anaheim, CA House of Blues
5/16 Los Angeles, CA The Wiltern
5/18 San Francisco, CA The Fillmore
5/19 Eugene, OR McDonald Theatre
5/21 Vancouver, BC Commodore Ballroom
5/22 Portland, OR Wonder Ballroom
5/23 George, WA Sasquatch! Festival
5/26 Denver, CO Gothic Theatre
5/28 Minneapolis, MN Varsity Theatre
5/29 Chicago, IL Vic Theatre
5/30 Detroit, MI Majestic Theatre
6/01 Toronto, ON Kool Haus
6/02 Montreal, QC Le National
6/04 New York, NY Terminal 5
6/05 Philadelphia, PA The Trocadero
6/06 Washington, DC 9.30 Club
6/07 Boston, MA House of Blues

www.doves.net OR www.myspace.com/dovesmyspace

QUEEN OF THE FORTRESS

Ida Maria will be on tour with Glasvegas and at Coachella and SXSW in the coming months; has been featured as a “Breaking Out” artist on Spin, in Pitchfork top 100 tracks of 2008, and in Paste’s Top 50 of 2008; and the single “I like you so much better when you’re naked” (which peaked at 13 on the UK singles charts) is playing all over college and public radio.

Ida Maria’s Fortress Round My Heart coming digitally 3-24 from Upper 11 Records. Check out her video for "Oh My God"!

ROCCO DELUCA AND THE BURDEN

Rocco DeLuca EPK - Rocco DeLuca

Mercy is the latest album from Rocco DeLuca and the Burden, out now from Ironworks records. Check out five-time Grammy winner Daniel Lanois (US, Bob Dylan, Emmy Lou Harris) in the studio with the band.

Also, check out Rocco performing "Save Yourself" on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.

I'M BACK!

Hooray....I made it back from the land of Oz. Gosh, I don't even know where to begin and how to explain my time in Australia. I must say this was such a fantastic trip, and I'm truly amazed at how beautiful Sydney is. I had such a blast and met such amazing people over the week, people that I'll never forget and that will hopefully remain a part of my life. I wish I could pick up my computer and move, but I can't and now it's time to get back to reality.

The first couple of days were basically spent getting acclimated to the time change and my surroundings. A ton to see, hear, eat, see... I was on sensory overload! I spent most of the time in Australia reflecting on my life. I think when you leave the craziness of your life behind, it's definitely an eye opener and a perfect time to reflect. I am truly blessed and so grateful for the people in my life and the opportunities I have been given. It's so easy to get caught up in the superficial aspects of life and forget why we are really here. I know I have certainly taken things for granite and live life with blinders on. It's just nice to be able to get a clear vision of your life and have the opportunity everyday to make the necessary adjustments.

Australia was just fantastic! I met great people, did a lot of sightseeing, experienced a lot of unique things, and of course heard some great music! One thing I love about Sydney was the style. People of Sydney have amazing style!! Everyone looks so put together and styled in their own unique ways. I was obsessed! I wanna have style like they do in Australia.

I wasn't able to catch any shows; however, I was invited to see the Basement Jaxx one night, but just didnt have enough time to fit the show in. Australia has some great music! I'm really excited to hear more from the land down under. I will talk in detail in an upcoming post about one particular artist that I was mad crazy over. Stay tuned to find out!

I had a great time and I will definitely go back, but there is no place like home...

P.S. Shout out to Cory for the awesome work he did on musicbleep while I was gone! Wasn't he fantastic?

WORLD PREMIERE VIDEO - THE TING TINGS

You must watch the latest creation from The Tings Tings! It's called "We Walk" and it's another outstanding video from this dynamic duo.

How could I...

....be such a fool! So tonight scouring my TiVo, I saw that Ray LaMontagne was on SNL this past, uh, Saturday. I was surprised I did not catch this beforehand, and am truly disappointed I did not report this earlier. But thankfully for the modern technology we have today, I can share with you his performances of 'Best Thing'. At truly amazing performance, but what else could we expect from this one of a kind singer songwriter!

New Razorlight out today!

Today is the day that Razorlight comes out with their new album 'Slipway Fires'. This will be their third full length album since debut in 2004! This UK based band will also be continuing on their US tour before heading to SXSW then down under to Australia before hitting Europe! You can check them out at http://www.razorlight.co.uk/ or their new widget that features song streams, videos and images: http://widget.nabbr.com/razorlight.html
They will also be on David Letterman TONIGHT, so tune in.

Welcome Home Soon....

Although this is not the last time you will be hearing from me, TONY IS COMING BACK TOMORROW!! I'm sure he will have lots of reports on his trip to OZ, and I know for a fact he has lots of great new music news from the land down under!! Happy Monday, you will be hearing from me later!