Tuesday, April 28, 2009

  RIOT ACT MEDIA.

ALL SMILES. OH FOR THE GETTING AND NOT LETTING GO.

All Smiles is Jim Fairchild (Grandaddy, Modest Mouse), and his triumphant follow-up to 2007’s critically-acclaimed Ten Readings of a Warning full-length (“the most appealing slice of self-effacing poppery since Richard Lloyd first took Tom Verlaine's place at the mic.”), is twofold. 

Both his new full-length, Oh, For The Getting And Not Letting Go, and his simultaneously-created new EP, Fall Never Fell (release date TBA), were recorded in Omaha, Nebraska and Los Angeles, California by co-producers Solon Bixler (Great Northern) and Nik Freitas (Mystic Valley Band). Both Freitas and Bixler lent their multi-instrumental talents to the record, along with drummer/percussionist Joe Plummer (Modest Mouse).

Although Oh For The Getting And Not Letting Go shimmers and pounds with brilliant melodies, expansive guitar sounds from gritty riffage to clean and sweet accents, soaring harmonies, stick-in-your-head hooks sharp enough to catch even the most mild pop fan and danceable beats, the songs are contextually complex; heavy with the weight of the dark places we can find ourselves in, but hopeful, trusting.

Fairchild began creating his new work shortly after he and his longtime love moved to Chicago, IL in the winter of 2007. After years of living in Modesto, Los Angeles, and Portland, and years of being on the road surrounded by friends and fun and constant movement, Fairchild found himself in a new place that was internally quiet, externally frigid and devoid of a familiar social environment. As anyone who has lived there can attest, Chicago can be a harsh and unforgiving place in the wintertime—a hefty monster of a town that roars along despite the ice and snow, inhabitants be damned.

It is also a city that teaches its people innumerable lessons, some of which are harsh, some of which are life-affirming. Fairchild was living in a rough part of the city that illustrated, in his words, “…the fracture and entropy that we're seeing come to fruition somehow. I started thinking a lot  about how weird it was to be broke in a shitty neighborhood, getting record-label financed computers dropped on my doorstep to make songs I couldn’t afford to record without this weird money coming from who knows where, surrounded simultaneously by people like myself whose rent could be paid for months at the cost of shit being left on my doorstep in the snow.”

Despite that, “Being in love and watching opportunity grow from within my relationships was giving me hope.. I was also moving around the notion that without good strong love and relationships and roots, we don't ever have any hope for improvement. That without love, we can't grow.”

Thus, the duality; shit and shine. Bright, smart chord progressions undercut with damning lyrics, all sung with gently assertive aplomb. The smile with your bitter cup of coffee.

OH FOR THE GETTING AND NOT LETTING GO TRACK LISTING:
1. Maps to the Homes of Former Foes
2. I Was Never the One
3. Foxes in the Furnace
4. The Brightest Beyond
5. The Ones I Want to Live
6. Our Final Roles as Birds
7. Words of Wisdom
8. All You Are is a Human Sir
9. Brother I Know My Way
10. It Never Saves Me

 

I WANT TO GET YOU YOUR COPY NOW, DIGITALLY. IF YOU ARE ONE OF THE NICE FOLKS WHO HAS ALREADY RECIEVED IT PHYSICALLY, PLEASE NOTE THAT JIM FAIRCHILD AND HIS AMAZING PARTNER, ARTIST (as in, her work is in museums) NATASHA WHEAT, HAND-DESIGNED, HAND-SCREENED AND HAND-ASSEMBLED EACH AND EVERY PROMO PACKAGE. Thusly, as you can imagine, physical promos = limited.

 

Also, please check out All Smiles' page, WWW.ALLSMILESMUSIC.COM.

 

Jim is available for interviews, and if you have never interviewed him for All Smiles, Grandaddy or Modest Mouse stuff before, please know that he is world-renowned for being the nicest, dopest dude (he says things like "Dope!" and "sick!" all the time) on the face of the planet.

 

 


MURDOCKS JOIN RIOT ACT ROSTER!


That's right! We met & saw Austin, TX's MURDOCKS at a tiny in-store at SXSW this year, and were instantly hooked on their slightly Thermalsesque scene--now, we're super psyched and proud to have the band as part of our roster! MURDOCKS have released two EPs and played a bazillion shows across the country since releasing their last full-length (2005's Surrenderer), and they're gearing up for the release of their new full-length (title TBD) later this year! The band also tells me they'll be touring for something like 30 weeks in support of it, so chances are tops that you'll be able to feel the magic yourself. Chances are also tops that that van will be pretty gross by the end of those 30 weeks. You can listen to new jam "Black Jesus Knocking" here on Austin Sound, and here's the band a couple of years ago playing "Spirit of '95" somewhere super-huge. If you're in Austin, you can catch them on 5/14 at La Zona Rosa.



There are some more exciting announcements of this sort coming up soon, too!

Monday, April 27, 2009

SCREAMING FEMALES IN THE NY TIMES!


That's right! In this past Sunday's NY Times, legendary critic Jon Pareles says: "Screaming Females, the scrappy New Jersey band, offer partial truth in packaging. There’s only one woman, but she’s the singer and guitarist, Marissa Paternoster, and she works her reedy voice up to screams on the group’s new album, “Power Move” (Don Giovanni). She makes her guitar wail too, in songs that reach back to late-1960s power trios, with fuzzed-out riffs and psychedelic guitar solos full of scurrying lines and wah-wah abuse, tempered with an indie-rock concision that shapes the blare into songs. Everything Ms. Paternoster has on her mind — loyalty, anger, horror-movie mayhem, ambition — arrives in a fervid din."

Thursday, April 23, 2009

WOW, WE GET TO WORK WITH AMAZING BANDS.


It's something I'm thankful for every single day of my life as a publicity lady, and I'm always psyched when people agree with me on the topic of how rad everyone on the Riot Act roster is. To wit:

The Village Voice just ran a rad feature about Screaming Females, saying "The band's new full-length, Power Move, their third, is full of prickly rock and darkly clever tunes that blend angsty yelling, feverish melodies, and guitar-goddess solos in ways that variously recall Sleater-Kinney, Fugazi, and the Gits, with occasional hints of the kind of slinky, dirty blues perfected by the Gossip."

The Life and Times' new rad record, Tragic Boogie, was just named Album of the Week at Treble Zine, and they call it "one of the most engaging rock albums to be released in 2009."

Synthesis just praised Leonard Mynx's new album, Vesper, explaining that "As he tells tale after tale, the background vocals, harmonica, violin, accordion, piano and many more instruments effortlessly support the album's grave tone."

Our bros at Willamette Week just posted about the rad new HD video Hush Records head honcho Chad Crouch shot of Loch Lomond at the recent release show for their new "Blue Lead Fences" 7".

Muzzle of Bees just gave Weinland some major love, saying "I could write an essay on why you need to own all of Weinland’s albums." (I could too, Ryan!)

The amazing Nick Jaina is on tour now, and Pitch Weekly summed up his genius wonderfully: "Nick Jaina sings ornate folk songs with a French Quarter flair, evoking a modern-day Moulin Rouge in a style similar to Beirut and Devotchka. The former New Orleans resident once had the cojones to pen an entire jazz opera about the town's legendary funeral parades."

CMJ just reported on Pocket's new single, "Surround Him With Love (feat. Robyn Hitchcock)", letting everyone know that "In addition to the single and remixes, Jankovitch is placing stems for each single on his website, for fans to remix the tracks themselves. Go ahead, try and show up Moody?"

And there will be SO much more news to tell you about once folks sink their teeth into All Smiles' upcoming full-length, Oh For The Getting And Not Letting Go, Quieting Syrup's upcoming Songs About A Sick Boy (Lovitt Records), Portland Cello Project's upcoming The Thao and Justin Power Sessions album (Kill Rock Stars), and more. Stay tuned, friends, for some exciting announcements about additions to the Riot Act family o' clients. Thanks!

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

HAPPY RELEASE DAY, WEINLAND & LEONARD MYNX!



That's right! Today sees the long-awaited release of Weinland's "Breaks In The Sun" (Badman) and Leonard Mynx's "Vesper" (Wally Uno Music)! Holy moly, what tremendous albums they both are. It ain't just me, the publicity lady, saying that either. Behold:

Entertainment Weekly says of Weinland and "Breaks" in a NEW BAND ALERT piece: "there are true, gripping melodies—ones that stand up to repeated listening." Willamette Week calls Weinland's record "heartbreakingly gorgeous", and The Source Weekly says that Weinland has "a modern take on cerebral folk rock." Congrats, dudes!

Laughing Evergreens says that "Mynx has a talent to enchant his listeners as he leads them through some dark and half familiar paths." Oregon Public Broadcasting calls the album "a gloomy but enthralling collection of songs", and Music Induced Euphoria says "I think I've found my sad album of 2009." Congrats, the Mynx!

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

NOISE FOR THE NEEDY ANNOUNCES ITS 2009 HEADLINERS (1990s, THE CONSTANTINES, THROW ME THE STATUE, GRAND ARCHIVES, CRYSTAL ANTLERS, ART BRUT AND MORE)


Seattle-based non profit Noise For The Needy, an organization that raises money for charitable causes through the production of live music shows, has announced the lineup for this year’s festival. Headliners include the 1990s (Scotland), Art Brut (UK), The Constantines (Canada), Grand Archives, Crystal Antlers and Throw Me The Statue. This year’s shows will take place at several venues across Seattle June 10th through 14th, will feature over 40 bands, and benefits Transitional Resources, a licensed mental health center and residential program located in West Seattle that offers a full spectrum of optimistic and respectful mental health services to adults with major mental illnesses.

To start things off, Noise For The Needy is holding a Festival Season Kickoff Party at Woodshed Studios (located on the corner of Fairview and East Thomas in Seattle; www.woodshedstudios.com) on Saturday, April 18th that features DJ Chrispo (Studio 66), Truckasaurus, Erik Blood, Exohxo, Origami Ghosts and Solomon Giorgio. The event is 21+, and begins with a free happy hour from 6 PM-9 PM. The show itself starts at 9 PM; tickets are $6. All proceeds from the event will go directly towards Noise For The Needy’s 2009 festival budget.


WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10th:
Neumos: 1990s (Scotland), New Faces, Special Guest. 9PM | 21+ | $10
The Comet: Coulter, This Is A Process of Still Life, Safer, Skeletons With Flesh On Them. 9PM | 21+ | $7

THURSDAY, JUNE 11th:
Tractor Tavern: Throw Me The Statue, Awesome!!!, Velella Velella. 9PM | 21+ | $12
Sunset Tavern: Widower, Painted Hills, Jack Wilson & the Wife Stealers, Shane Tutmarc & the Traveling Mercies. 9PM | 21+ | $8
Conor Byrne: Lucy Bland, Half Light, Trentalange, Cataldo. 9PM | 21+ | $7

FRIDAY, JUNE 12th:
The Crocodile: Grand Archives, See Me River, The Curious Mystery. 9PM | 21+ | $12 ADV/$15 DOS
Underground Events Center @ Belltown: The Whoremoans, Speaker Speaker, The Raggedy Anns, Wallpaper, Special Guest. 9PM | 21+ | $7

SATURDAY, JUNE 13th:
Neumos: Art Brut (UK), Special Guests. 9PM | ALL AGES Bar w/ID| $13
Wildrose: Black Eyes & Neckties, Transliberation Army, Loving Thunder, The Beats, Man. 9PM | 21+ | $7
High Dive: Furniture Girls, Anomie Belle, Hotels, Born Anchors. 9PM | 21+ | $8
The Comet: Brent Amaker & the Rodeo, The Valley, An Invitation to Love, The Beautiful Confusion, The Thoughts. 8PM | 21+ | $8
Chop Suey: Special Guest, Black Whales, The Pica Beats, Grant Olsen (Arthur & Yu). 9PM | 21+ | $10

SUNDAY, JUNE 14th:
Neumos: The Constantines (Toronto), Crystal Antlers, I Was a King (Norway), Hey Marseilles. 9PM | 21+ | $12
The Comet: Reptet, Gravelroad, Purty Mouth, Sam Marshall Trio. 5PM | 21+ | $6

More information about this year’s NFTN festival can be found on the organization’s newly revamped website, www.noisefortheneedy.org. Additional bands playing this year will be announced in the coming weeks.

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

HAPPY RELEASE DAY, THE LIFE AND TIMES & SCREAMING FEMALES!!!



Screaming Females' POWER MOVE is out today on Don Giovanni (buy it HERE), and The Life and Times' TRAGIC BOOGIE is out on Arena Rock (buy it HERE)! Both bands are on TOUR now, and reviews are already a-glowin'.

DONE WAITING says of TRAGIC BOOGIE: "The new album sounds great, a perfect blend of music that sounds both epic and personal at the same time."

PITCH WEEKLY says of TRAGIC BOOGIE: "The album is a study in the parley between spacious noise and focused melody. The climaxes of songs such as "Dull Knives" and "Tragic Boogie" evoke the intensity, range and swooning beauty in the best parts of Radiohead's OK Computer. Even the instrumentals on Boogie — "Pain Don't Hurt" and "Lil' 4 Notes" — are shapely and memorable."

IMPOSE says of POWER MOVE: "Their sustained shred and swagger, Paternoster’s punk rock wail that transforms into a robust anthemic instrument one second to the next, these collect into an irresistible riposte to the Guess Who’s 1970 single “American Woman,” another band whose guitars the Females would seem to owe so much to: the whole package is a powerful twist on the 70s dude rock sound in general. This is music that has elements from but is definitely not just a return to either the 70s or the 90s. This is something unique. This is something vibrant. The Screaming Females have at the helm one of the hardest working axe-men in rock, and she roars, too. No one is going to tell them to get away."

POP TARTS SUCK TOASTED say of POWER MOVE: "Kicking off with one of the finest punk songs of the year (last couple years, decade?), the immediate and fantastic "Bell", Power Move serves as an example of a band that play by no rules but their own."

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

WIN A SCREAMING FEMALES CD, 7", POSTER AND SHIRT FROM THE TRIPWIRE!


Our bros at The Tripwire are holding a very special, very rad contest: enter HERE, and you could be the winner of yr very own copy of Screaming Females' POWER MOVE (out next Tuesday on Don Giovanni), plus their s/t 7", plus a poster and shirt. Did you know that Marissa Paternoster does all the band's artwork? YOU DO NOW!

The Tripwire says: "We’ve been raving about about Screaming Females since we first saw the trio perform live. Their brand of blues-inspired, guitar wankering punk rock has left many mouths agape at the ease by which they wield their self-branded “Queer disco on the moon, with pterodactyls and squid fighting satellite dishes.” That is why we put them On The Cover Now, with exactly one week until the release of their Don Giovanni debut Power Move, we’re giving away a whole prize pack dedicated to the band and their powerful LP."

The contest ends on Tuesday, April 14th--enter to win, y'allz!

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

POCKET feat. ROBYN HITCHCOCK: "SURROUND HIM WITH LOVE" ON NBC'S "KINGS"!


You like television? You like Pocket? You are in luck! The new Pocket single featuring Robyn Hitchcock, “Surround Him With Love,” was just featured in the soundtrack of NBC’s “Kings” Episode 3.  If you missed it, you can see it on HULU – (scroll ahead to 23:55 and 34:10 to hear the song!) 
 
Also, people are pumped about the single! CHECK IT!
 
Other Music “…Hitchcock, whose instantly identifiable voice gets layered over loops of synths and guitar and a pulsing beat -- not the kind of sounds you'd normally expect to hear behind the legendary Soft Boys singer, but it's a pretty cool combo.”
 
Things I’d Rather Be Doing “I'm a sucker for things like this, and will definitely be watching this closely.”
 
Three Imaginary Girls “…features vocals by Robyn Hitchcock and is a pumping slab of electronics, dance beats and fiery guitars.”
 
The Voice Of Energy “…the music is a fairly devilish and appealing muddle of deep house beats and razor wire guitar lines, with a lingering dark undercurrent of synthesized brambles.”

Thursday, April 2, 2009

WEINLAND PLAYED IN A TEA KETTLE LAST NIGHT!


I am serious. It was a giant tea kettle. Although you likely won't be able to witness such an event again unless you're a resident of Tacoma, WA and patronize Bob's Java Jive on a night where Weinland happens to be doing a repeat performance, you CAN catch them on tour this month in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. They'll be playing stunning tunes from their brilliant new record, "BREAKS IN THE SUN", which is out 4-21 on Badman. Dates below!

04.03.09 - Bellingham, WA @ WESTERN WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
04.11.09 - Portland, OR @ MISSISSIPPI STUDIOS
04.15.09 - Bend, OR @ OLD ST. FRANCIS SCHOOL
04.16.09 - Portland, OR @ KENNEDY SCHOOL
04.17.09 - Forest Grove, OR @ GRAND LODGE
04.18.09 - Gearhart, OR @ SAND TRAP
04.21.09 - Centralia, WA @ OLYMPIC CLUB
04.23.09 - Troutdale, OR @ EDGEFIELD
04.25.09 - McMinnville, OR @ HOTEL OREGON

E-MAIL SERVER: BACK UP!

HOORAY!

MY EMAIL SERVER IS DOWN.


It is sad, but true. The fine folks at DreamHost are working on the problem, but if you get a bounce-back when you email me, that's why...hopefully, this will be resolved very, very soon. Apparently, they have been experiencing "rolling blackouts" over the last few days, and are working vigilantly to fix it. Apple IIE illustration courtesy of my dear friend and the greatest artist of our time, Derek Erdman.