It’s AUGUST! The last month of Summer 2008! AND WE HAVE A BRAND NEW, FRESHLY-REDESIGNED WEBSITE launching 8/6, thanks to web genius Matthew Kopel, AKA Doctor Sandwich. Our new logo, that nice owl with teeth designed by brilliant NYC artist Lauren Asta? His name is Ernie. In alphabetical order by band, the news starts now:

ALL GIRL SUMMER FUN BAND’s forthcoming full-length, “Looking Into It”, is out on the band’s label, AGSFB music, next month, on 9/23! It’s not only a stunning pop album filled with the band’s signature crunch-fuzz guitars and dead-on melodic sense, but lyrically, AGSFB bravely confronts issues such as greed, death, getting fired, relationship dynamics, and new love. Get ready for it September 23rd.

ALINA SIMONE continues to blow up! Alina will be releasing her second LP, 'Everyone Is Crying Out To Me, Beware' August 5th, and the critical praise has already started to come in. Just before launching her US tour, Alina was featured on NPRs Second Stage http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=92677536 and SPIN featured Alina as Buzz Of The Day http://www.spin.com/articles/catch-buzz-alina-simone Time Out Chicago said "The words may be in Russian, but the emotions need no translation" while notable online LargeHeartedBoy called it "the most impressive record I have heard all year." Even Hilary Clinton's Communications Director Howard Wolfson noted Aline Simone as the artist he is listening to now in his recent interview with NY Magazine! Be sure to catch Alina on tour now and get one of her beautiful tour-only limited edition copies of 'Everyone.'

Seattle politico-rockers AT THE SPINE are gearing up to tour in support of their newest release, “Vita”, on Global Seepej, The record is bananas; it was mostly written during singer Mike Toschi’s time living and teaching in Europe, where he was jumped by five males and felt the burden of being an American trying to escape the Bush administration. Keep yr eyes on our tour page!

BRIGHTON, MA has finished their new full-length, “Amateur Lovers”, which’ll be out on Loose Tooth Records this November! It’s an expansive thing, drawing from singer Matthew Kerstein’s past. Keep your eyes peeled for BMA dates…

CHUNKLET PRESENTS: HENRY OWINGS’ ROCK BIBLE is out on Quirk Books this October, and word is already spreading that the book is brilliant and hilarious. “The Rock Bible” is gorgeous to hold, too—it’s leather bound, and looks like, err, a Bible, complete with bookmarker ribbon. VICE says, “every single sentence in it is 100% dead on.” It’s THE word on rock music and culture from an insider’s perspective, going waaaaay above and beyond those drummer jokes we all know and love. Order your copy now—not from us, from Quirk or yr rad local book/magazine/comics store. (www.quirkbooks.com)

THE COAST have more hot US dates coming up in support of their forthcoming debut! 'Expatriate' isn't out for a few wks yet, but The Coast keep US audiences warmed up with dates showcasing album tracks and the release of the Tightrope 7" with bside remix by Tokyo Police Club, with whom they'll share upcoming shows... Plus dates with Born Ruffians. We just love these guys and soon you'll also know why MTV calls The Coast "Canada's Best Kept Secret!"

We’ve just started working with genius Christian acoustic folk comedy duo GOD’S POTTERY; if you haven’t seen them on Last Comic Standing or on Comedy Central, perhaps watch this YouTube clip of “Jesus I Need A Drink” (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4fzgVP3OgY), or, better yet, if you live in LA, see them at Spaceland on August 9th.

GOOD OLD WAR, featuring former Days Away members Keith Goodwin and Tim Arnold with Daniel Schwartz of Unlikely Cowboy, have their awesome debut LP, 'Only Way To Be Alone', ready for release! Recorded with Rick Parker (Black Rebel Motorcycle Club), longtime friends Anthony Green of Circa Survive and Dave Davison from Maps & Atlases are also featured on the album. The result is a beautiful, back-to-basics affair that's sure to satisfy Days Away fans who have been anxious for this new band formation. At the Bamboozle Festival, the huge crowd that had gathered for GOW's set sang along to every word. Don't miss them on tour now! Many of the shows are sold-out, so be sure to get your tix so you're not left out!

GROK is a band we’ve just now started to work with, and boy, are we lucky to. Grok are from London, and are a band with no songs. Every time they perform, they hit the stage with no ideas except for a list of images and the Wheel of Chordal Destiny (no joke, an audience or band member spins said wheel, which determines the key the song is to be played in.) It is risky and there is the potential for it to all go badly wrong, but that is part of the fun, creating something on the spur of the moment. They have an amazing record, also all recorded off the cuff, called “Ruined Music For Everyone”, and they are coming to the States soon—look out for dates, and in the meantime, listen here: http://www.myspace.com/grokmusic.

Last weekend, THE HARD LESSONS played the holy heck out of their record release show! It was a culmination of a year of touring, an explosive celebration, a complete Who's Who of Detroit rockdom with guests on stage and a venue packed with fans when they played the entirety of 'B&G Sides' front to back at the Crofoot Ballroom. Available now, the beautiful B&G Sides' box set of The Hard Lessons singles is a collector's item to be sure--it fits together like a big puzzle to display a poster-sized piece of art when all four volumes are laid out together. They even made a fun little video to show it off: http://www.thehardlessons.com/index2.php?sec=bandgsides Also available on limited edition hand-stamped vinyl. Lots more touring for THL, so visit the tour dates page!

Matt Embree’s been on the road with punk/dub/rock outfit RX Bandits, but his debut release under the moniker LOVE YOU MOON is out now on Sargent House, and the throngs of Matt’s fans are sure to double-triple freak. “Waxwane” is Embree at his purest and best. Get it!

MAPS AND ATLASES continue to tour their behinds off in support of their new EP, “You And Me And The Mountain”; their tour with Portugal The Man and Sargent House labelmates RX Bandits ends August 10th, but then they’re going out on their very own headlining tour with labelmates NURSES that kicks off with two shows (early and late, same night) at Schuba’s in Chicago on September 6th. After that tour, they’re heading to Europe to tour with Foals! See ‘em now!

MISS TK AND THE REVENGE are riding high on their single, “No Biterz”, and have dates coming up soon—keep your eyes on the tours page, as you know you love neon pink, sick beats and party confetti.

Watch this space for MUSEE MECHANIQUE tour dates! They have announced a Portland record release show, so mark your calendars for Sept 25 @ Holoscene and stayed tuned for more! 'Hold This Ghost' is out Sept 30 on Frog Stand Records.

And, as mentioned before, NURSES are touring with Maps and Atlases, but they’re also going out after that with Born Ruffians and Plants and Animals, which will equal Super Fun Times. They’ve also been recording new jams—don’t miss these folks when they come through; you will be bummed if you do.

SAY HI is going on tour in further support of “The Wishes And The Glitch”, and you do not not not want to miss ‘em if they’re anywhere near you. Eric Elbogen jumps up and down when they play now, and you will, too. Check the tour page, as dates keep getting added!

And finally, we are so thrilled to work with WOMEN, whose eponymous debut full-length is out October 7th on Jagjaguwar. The band's debut was recorded by Sub Pop and Flemish Eye artist Chad VanGaalen over four months on ghettoblasters and old tape machines in his basement, an outdoor culvert and a crawlspace, and it is mindblowing. Tour news soon!

xo Joan & Sheila