RIOT ACT MEDIA: SEPTEMBER 2008

Greetings and Salutations, friends and compatriots! It's September (where did the summer go??), and as per always, we've got tons of news to report from across the roster, detailed below. Plus, we'd love to introduce our newest roster additions, Polite Sleeper, The Seabellies and boutique plush company Intimidnation! Check the Riot Act Blog for even more news--and please note that the Seattle office has now moved to Portland, Oregon!

Those Philly gents in GOOD OLD WAR continue their trek across the States selling out shows all over the place. 'Only Way To Be Alone' debuted in the top 75 in digital sales, the video for the album's first single "Coney Island" is hitting MTV2, MTVu and FUSE. Not to get ahead of ourselves, but last week they shot a video for "Weak Man" which features friend/fan/ tourmate Anthony Green on the record and in the video. You can pick up a copy of 'Only Way To Be Alone' at the show, online, and after Sept 16 you can pick it up in indie stores. Contact sheila [at] riotactmedia.com

Good news, West Coast! ALINA SIMONE is heading your way next month! Rest of the world, the gorgeous vinyl version of 'Everyone Is Crying Out To Me, Beware' will be available Sept 19 via Austin based label Topple Records. Adorned with stunning original artwork by Vladimir Zimakov with gatefold and includes bonus track not found on the cd. Also, look for her Daytrotter session on Sept. 9th! Contact sheila [at] riotactmedia.com.

Seattle's AT THE SPINE are working hard, gearing up for their CD release show for 'Vita' on October 10th at the Sunset in Seattle! The band's headlining the Reverb Fest, and is prepping for a string of dates later this fall. 'Vita', out on Global Seepej, documents singer Mike Toschi's time living and teaching in Europe, where he was assaulted by five males and felt the burden of being an American abroad during the Bush administration. Contact joan [at] riotactmedia.com

ALL GIRL SUMMER FUN BAND's 'Looking Into It' comes out on September 23rd, and boy, have they been getting the love! This is the band's first self-released full-length (it's self-recorded, too!), as well as their most ambitious and, dare we say, lyrically darker record. Still full of AGSFB jams at their rawest, 'Looking Into It' deals with themes of greed, death, getting fired, relationship dynamics and new love. Contact joan [at] riotactmedia.com

BRIGHTON, MA is a band from Chicago led by the magnificent songwriting of Matt Kerstein. They have a record release show happening at The Metro on Oct 11 and a debut lp called 'Amateur Lovers' hitting shelves on Oct 28. Check our tour page for all their dates which includes a stop at CMJ. In the meantime, you'll hear their music on the upcoming Limewire Chicago sampler and if you are an IGO car driver, you'll hear Brighton MA in their stereos alongside Neko Case and Wilco. Contact sheila [at] riotactmedia.com.

We are psyched to work with POLITE SLEEPER, a post-folk mess with a live reputation that shakes like Elvis. From folk to country and the proud scars of punk, the band turns soft lullabies and the occasional sing-a-long into a spectacle no one ever expects from an acoustic trio.

Imagine if John Darnielle of the Mountain Goats fronted Xiu Xiu. Imagine if your next pub fight came with three-part harmonies and jazz precision. It's what happens when a bedroom side-project from former punks develops on the road and in the moment in classic DIY fashion. And with only a keyboard, banjo and pedal steel to round out each record, the Brooklyn-based trio fills up the space with personality alone. It's authentic and honest, emotional and fun. The band has spent most of their touring lives in Europe, but look for them here soon. We'll keep you posted. Contact joan [at] riotactmedia.com

Portland's Musée Mécanique -not to be confused with SF's Musee Mecanique which is not a band- are also looking to the Fall as they map out shows in support of their gorgeous debut lp 'Hold This Ghost' including a record release show Sept 25 @ Holoscene. Early reviews are in and there is a lot of love out there for Musee! The lp drops next month, watch this space for tour dates! Contact sheila [at] riotactmedia.com.

THE INTERIORS just can't stop! They didn't let a thing like a bit of a missing finger stop 'em the day after they signed up to release their LP, and they sure aren't going to stop rockin' like there is no tomorrow! They joined fellow Chicagoans BRIGHTON, MA and Matt & Kim on a bill earlier this month and Rolling Stone was there to capture all of its furious glory. The Interiors are heading back out on tour and you need to go see them and then let us know how only three people can fill a stage with so much sound! Contact sheila [at] riotactmedia.com.

GROK is a band from London 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. Contact joan [at] riotactmedia.com

On tour now in support of the amazing, just-released-in-the-US lp 'Expatriate', THE COAST continue to tear it up onstage on the radio where they are charting in the Top Ten across the States! But it's not all business for this Toronto band who were named by MTV as Canada's Best Kept Secret. Just ask them about playing Rock Band til the wee hours in a hotel parking lot in Des Moines, finding out what mayhem lurks in Denver around the DNC, or hitting the casinos in Vegas with their hard earned per diems. The Coast will continue touring all Fall including CMJ and Europe. Contact sheila [at] riotactmedia.com.

MAPS AND ATLASES continue to tour their behinds off in support of their new EP, "You And Me And The Mountain"; 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! Contact joan [at] riotactmedia.com

LA folks are psyched, because LOVE YOU MOON, aka Matt Embree of The Sound of Animals Fighting and RX Bandits, has a rad in-store scheduled for September 10th at Fingerprints. The band's debut, 'Waxwane', is out September 9th on Sargent House, and it's dubby, sociopolitically informed, and stripped-down to just Matt and his guitar. Contact joan [at] riotactmedia.com

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! Contact joan [at] riotactmedia.com

MISS TK AND THE REVENGE are set to play some shows in the northeastern US in support of their "No Biterz" single; they'll be rippin' up the stage wherever they go, so stay tuned! Also, listen for the band's music on ABC's Samurai Girl September 5th. Contact joan [at] riotactmedia.com

Astounding Jajaguwar artists WOMEN are getting ready for the release of their eponymous debut, out October 7th. 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! Contact joan [at] riotactmedia.com

New band alert!! The Seabellies are planning to hit US shores in October so take note! This New South Wales six piece has been burning up stages across Australia and are looking forward to bringing their Scandinavian stylings to CMJ and beyond. You are destined to hear more from The Seabellies once they are Stateside, but for a head start on this sensational group, head here! Contact sheila [at] riotactmedia.com

Awesome boutique plush company alert!! Intimidnation, founded by Chicago-based plush artist Laura Granlund, is the vehicle through which Granlund has introduced her main creation, an adorably hirsute creature named Mr. Beardsley, amongst others. You may have recently seen her dolls of Portland band The Thermals featured on Pitchfork, or her Dinosaur, Jr. Dinosaur's adventures elsewhere on the interwebs. We're psyched to spread the word, and about her show at Schmancy in Seattle on October 10th! Contact joan [at] riotactmedia.com

Much Love, Joan & Sheila