Boy Eats Drum Machine "ABQ" video featuring the Rose City Rollers!

Check out the video and then check out "Hoop & Wire", the new album from Boy Eats Drum Machine out next Tuesday on Tender Loving Empire!

METROID METAL'S VARIA SUITE NAMED #1 DOUJIN/ARRANGEMENT ALBUM OF THE YEAR BY ORIGINAL SOUND VERSION! DO YOU HAVE YOUR COPY TO REVIEW?

Holy wow, this is such an honor for Metroid Metal! For those of you who aren't up on the universe that is gaming music, to be named #1 by OSV is a pretty cool thing. They say:

"Metroid is such an epic and special beast, and there are few game series that are as cherished and revered world over. For me, my greatest memories as a child playingMetroid was it’s music, not only because it was so different and utterly amazing, but because I was too dumb to figure what the hell to do, and pretty much ended up using the game as a jukebox. Metroid Metal is a project started by the ever amazing Grant Henry, where he would arrange Metroid music and release on his site. It eventually got so popular and the arrangements were of such high quality that a live band seemed to be the next step, and performing these complicated songs live would be no easy feat. It’s therefor even more impressive to hear Dan Behrens, Mike Molnar, Kevin Lawrence, Dan Taylor and Henry himself blast through these songs like they were making tender love to a mature woman. The CD will remain one of the greatest arrangement albums ever, and it will be a hard one to knock off the throne. Be proud gentlemen, be proud."

That's right, "like they were making tender love to a mature woman." Amazing! If you don't already have your review copy, please do get in touch. The band is available for interviews, and would love to talk to you about their process and the making of the record itself. Let me know!

Visit Metroid Metal's site here: http://www.metroidmetal.com/

Best,
Joan
METROID METAL'S BIO, COVER ART AND MORE: http://www.riotactmedia.com/artist_metroidmetal.php

We're this close to signing the folks behind this amazingness:

Finn Riggins Touring Everywhere!

Finn Riggins heads out on a massive tour of the entire country this week!

After last year's stellar release of Vs. Wilderness on Tender Loving Empire, subsequent tours through every town west of the Rockies and a killer stint opening up for Built To Spill on the West Coast, Finn Riggins heads out on tour again. This time their on their way to SXSW, after that they're pointing their van East. If you're yet to hear Vs. Wilderness, need interview time, or guest list, please do let me know!

Feel free to share these two songs and video!

"Wake (Keep This Town Alive)" - MP3
"Dali" - MP3
"Wake (Keep This Town Alive)" - Video

"Wake (Keep This Town Alive)" acoustic and live - Video

"Finn Riggins uses genre as a stylistic jump rope, dabbling in New Wave synths, odd time signatures, and—especially on songs like lead single “Wake (Keep This Town Alive),” an anthemic stomper and Idahoan cousin to Arcade Fire’s Funeral—plenty of well-placed harmonies." Michael Mannheimer, Willamette Week

"Though you probably wouldn't peg them as recovering hippies after a listen to "Wake," there's no denying that they've carried over the genre's experimentation and energy into something that occasionally wanders into Arcade Fire territory (that is if AF could do what they do with three pieces instead of an indie-rock orchestra)." Chris Kornelis, Seattle Weekly

"This is a band alive, awake and ready to pursue risky territory. Finn's willingness to experiment is central to their appeal." Reyan Ali, City Weekly

FINN RIGGINS ON TOUR:
02.25.10 - Seattle, WA @ Sunset Tavern w/ Boy Eats Drum Machine
02.26.10 - Bellingham, WA @ Jinx Art Space w/ Boy Eats Drum Machine
02.27.10 - Portland, OR @ Doug Fir Lounge for the Boy Eats Drum Machine album release party w/ Brothers Young
02.28.10 - Eugene, OR @ the Muse Lounge w/ Boy Eats Drum Machine

03.01.10 - Ashland, OR @ tba w/ Boy Eats Drum Machine
03.02.10 - Arcata, OR @ tba w/ Boy Eats Drum Machine
03.03.10 - San Francisco, CA @ El Rio w/ Boy Eats Drum Machine
03.04.10 - Nevada City, CA @ Chief Crazy Horse Saloon w/ Boy Eats Drum Machine
03.05.10 - Santa Cruz, CA @ The Church w/ Boy Eats Drum Machine 7pm/all ages
03.06.10 - Santa Barbara, CA @Muddy Waters w/ Boy Eats Drum Machine
03.07.10 - Isla Vista, CA @ Biko Garage w/ Boy Eats Drum Machine
03.08.10 - San Diego, CA @ Soda Bar w/ Boy Eats Drum Machine
03.09.10 - Long Beach, CA @ The Prospector w/ Boy Eats Drum Machine
03.10.10 - Los Angeles, CA @ Spaceland w/ Jared Mees and the Grown Children
03.11.10 - Las Vegas, NV @ the Neon Reverb Festival w/ Boy Eats Drum Machine
03.12.10 - Tucson, AZ @ Scrappy’s w/ Boy Eats Drum Machine
03.13.10 - Las Cruces, NM @ El Patio w/ Boy Eats Drum Machine
03.14.10 - Amarillo, TX @ The 806 w/ Boy Eats Drum Machine all ages
03.15.10 - San Angelo, TX @ The Deadhorse w/ Boy Eats Drum Machine
03.16.10 - Austin, TX @ SXSW TBA
03.17.10 - Austin, TX @ SXSW TBAk
03.18.10 - Austin, TX @ SXSW Nail Distribution Showcase
03.18.10 - Houston, TX @ Super Happy Funland Overflow Festival
03.19.10 - Austin, TX @ SXSW Zilker Park
03.20.10 - Austin, TX @ SXSW the Liberty
03.16.10 - Austin, TX @ SXSW TBA
03.21.10 - Tulsa, OK @ Soundpony Lounge
03.22.10 - Fayetteville, AK @ George's Majestic
03.23.10 - Knoxville, TN @ TBA
03.24.10 - Chattanooga, TN @ JJ's Bohemia
03.26.10 - Durham, NC @ the Armarillo Grill
03.26.10 - Raleigh, NC @ Let Feedback Ring Festival - Slim's
03.27.10 - Wilmington, NC @ The Soapbox
03.28.10 - Myrtle Beach, SC @ Drink!
03.29.10 - Charleston, SC @ Outer Space
03.30.10 - Savannah, GA @ TBA
03.31.10 - Orlando, FL @ the Peacock Room

04.01.10 - Miami, FL @ Churchill's Pub
04.02.10 - Gainesville, FL @ the Kickstand
04.03.10 - Jacksonville, FL @ Infintesmal Records BBQ 7 - Lomax Lodge
04.05.10 - Charlotte, NC @ Snug Harbor
04.06.10 - Atlanta, GA @ the Drunken Unicorn
04.07.10 - Athens, GA @ Go Bar
04.08.10 - Asheville, NC @ the Boiler Room
04.10.10 - Blacksburg, VA @ WUVT
04.13.10 - Chapel Hill, NC @ TBA
04.14.10 - Richmond, VA @ the Camel
04.15.10 - Washington, DC @ Sunlight Foundation Fundraiser
04.16.10 - Baltimore, MD @ the Good Son
04.17.10 - Harrisburg, PA @ the Lingerie Room
04.18.10 - Philadelphia, PA @ Danger Danger Gallery
04.21.10 - Boston, MA @ Middle East
04.22.10 - Portland, ME @ TBA
04.23.10 - Northampton, MA @ The Elevens
04.24.10 - Burlington, VT @ The Monkey House
04.25.10 - Montpelier, VT @ the Lamb Abbey
04.27.10 - Waterbury, CT @ Lil Tommy J's Home For Lost Boys
04.28.10 - Manhattan, NY @ the Cake Shop
04.29.10 - Brooklyn, NY @ Cameo Gallery w/ Patrick Bower & the World Without Magic

05.01.10 - Oneonta, NY @ Seen Unseen
05.02.10 - Ithaca, NY @ Castaways
05.03.10 - Cleveland, OH @ Pat's In The Flats
05.04.10 - Middletown, OH @ The Venue
05.05.10 - Idianapolis, IN @ Vollrath Tavern
05.06.10 - Kalamazoo, MI @ the Strut
05.07.10 - Chicago, IL @ TBA
05.08.10 - Sheboygan, WI @ the Green Room
05.09.10 - Iowa City, IA @ Public Space One
05.10.10 - Lawrence, KS @ Jackpot Saloon
05.11.10 - Minneapolis, MN @ the Kitty Cat Klub
05.12.10 - Dickinson, ND @ Evil Olive
05.13.10 - Missoula, MT @ The Palace
05.14.10 - Moscow, ID @ John's Alley
05.15.10 - Boise, ID @ the VAC
05.20.10 - La Grande, OR @ Liquid Lyrics
05.21.10 - Boise, ID @ Boise Bike Week Block Party
05.22.10 - Ketchum, ID @ Whiskey Jacque's
05.28.10 - 05.29.10 - Tumbleweeds, ID @ Ranch Fest 2010!

New Screaming Females interview up at 'Sup Magazine!

“I wanted to get her autograph or something, but she’s a cat.”
Ladies and Gentlemen, ‘SUP Magazine presents An Evening at Home with Screaming Females.

VISQUEEN IN PDX ON SATURDAY--

Screaming Females set to tour with Ted Leo & the Pharmacists!

This just in, the little band from New Jersey that could has been picked up as main support for Ted Leo & the Pharmacists... pretty amazing news for all parties involved!!

Tour dates here:

03.30.10 - Dallas, TX @ House Of Blues
03.31.10 - Austin, TX @ The Parish
04.02.10 - New Orleans, LA @ One Eyed Jacks
04.03.10 - Tallahasee, FL @ Club Downunder
04.04.10 - Atlanta, GA @ the Masquerade
04.05.10 - Carrboro, NC @ Cat's Cradle
04.08.10 - Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club
04.09.10 - New York, NY @ the Fillmore
04.10.10 - Boston, MA @ Paradise Rock Club

HOLY HAIL, SEA OF BEES, PATRICK BOWER AND THE WORLD WITHOUT MAGIC

Wow, wow, wow. We are beyond thrilled to announce that you'll be hearing from us about three amazing new additions to the Riot Act roster this year--Holy Hail, Sea of Bees, and Patrick Bower and the World Without Magic! We'll be bombarding you with info and news soon, but for now, it's video time....stay tuned for more!

SEA OF BEES: Jules wears a poncho, blows your mind--meanwhile, you want the camera person to stay still:


HOLY HAIL: "KEYMAKERS' SUMMER" (off The Dying Party EP, Rcrd Lbl), radness:


PATRICK BOWER AND THE WORLD WITHOUT MAGIC: @ Pete's Candy Store in Brooklyn. Heavy, man--heavy! The sound is in the red, but the tunes are in the blue darkness.

JUST WANTING TO SHARE: HOSANNAS.

They killed it last night at a Haiti benefit here in PDX w/Minus Five, Blue Giant, Ages and Lewi Longmire. This video is not from that; it's from a show at RonTom's a few weeks ago---new song from their upcoming full-length on Tender Loving Empire this Fall! Get ready to hear news about their Spring 2010 tour soon, which they'll be launching in support of "THEN AND NOW AND THEN", an amazing retrospective being pressed to vinyl on Hush Records. YAY!

SHELLSHAG: RUMORS IN DISGUISE and SCREAMING FEMALES: SINGLES OUT TODAY!

Both bands played to a sold-out (reportedly over 200 people couldn't get in!) Bowery Ballroom in NYC this past weekend for their release shows/the Don Giovanni label showcase; Brooklyn Vegan posted awesome videos and photos HERE. Get in touch for your review copies or to interview either band if you haven't already. These folks have:

WHAT FOLKS ARE SAYING ABOUT RUMORS IN DISGUISE:

"On Feb. 9, the rest of the world will hear Rumors in Disguise and I can finally scream to the goddamn heavens about how great it is."--NY Press

"Rumors In Disguise, their third album, is the band's first for hot gnash-punk label Don Giovanni (home of Screaming Females), and should hopefully shed some light on their skeletal, long-awesome, abrasive sludgepunk."--Village Voice

"The Brooklyn guitar-and-bass duo kicks up the kind of rock'n'roll racket that's so self-contained it's impossible to shoehorn it in to whatever hip, hot movement is supposed to be developing right now. Juggling tiny bits of everything you've come to love in your record collection -- The Pixies, Guided By Voices, Superchunk, The Ramones are the easiest influences to glean off the top -- Shellshag spits out an album overflowing with noisy guitar pop. Remarkably plugged into the underground-rock zeitgeist without stomping on any hallowed ground, Rumors in Disguise digs into those long-buried memories of the days when independent bands formed just to have the chance to rock the fuck out."--Aversion

"...a pop sensibility ("Resilient Bastard") that often makes you sometimes forget that these songs were crafted by a sole guitarist and sole drummer with only half a set of drums."--The End of Irony

WHAT FOLKS ARE SAYING ABOUT SINGLES:

"...on every track of the rambunctious trio's Singles (Don Giovanni), due February 9, guitarist-singer Marissa Paternoster, drummer Jarrett Dougherty, and bassist King Mike whip up a giddy punk rock frenzy...It's just a fun, fun record."--SPIN

"It’s a reminder that to see the band in action is just as gratifying as a listen to any of the albums, and Singles will quickly join that roster. Love or leave New Jersey, but lucky for you, Screaming Females is sticking around."--Death and Taxes

"Few descriptions of the band get beyond a slack-jawed amazement that diminutive woman Marissa Paternoster shreds, and sings in a titanic voice that dips between full-throated shouts and a Grace Slick-like vibrato. Even fewer, though, note the absolute weirdness of the band’s songwriting, a mélange of influences and styles on display in this singles compilation."--Dusted

"Singles is a tasty morsel of a feisty young talent."--PopMatters

EVERYONE THREW DOWN AT THE DON GIOVANNI SHOWCASE @ BOWERY

A great night was had by all this past weekend at the Don Giovanni label showcase--a sold-out Bowery Ballroom was also full of press peeps who are still freaking out about the night!

Check out Prefix's great photos, including this one by Jonathan Lyman!

From the NY PRESS:

"This is rock with all the fat shaved off, just a diminutive woman in a purple dress and her cohorts showing how effective this kind of music can still be when it’s pared down to its raw, bloody essence. Like Jake Orrall, Paternoster feels like a star in the making. The members of Screaming Females are a brutally efficient machine at this stage in the game, and it still feels like their best is yet to come."

about Shellshag, they said:
"The two set up facing each other, with Johnny hidden behind a mop of hair and throwing himself all over the stage, while Jen bashed away at her basic kit and beamed and exchanged high-fives with the crowd. The band’s infectious take on fuzzed-up primal pop harks back to K Records artists like Mecca Normal and Beat Happening, while also recalling long-forgotten New York duo Guv’ner. A cover of Liz Phair’s “Fuck and Run” even sparked the bedraggled crowd into life, pulling off that rare feat of enlivening an audience who were coming to the end of a long, hard but deeply enjoyable night."

"This is a big fucking deal. "--The End of Irony

SPIN: THIS WEEK'S BEST BAND IN THE WORLD: SCREAMING FEMALES

DON GIOVANNI RECORDS IS FUCKING SELLING OUT THE BOWERY, DUDES. And with a packed guest list filled with amazing writers and late night TV bookers, things are just going to get radder. TODAY, SPIN.COM JUST NAMED SCREAMING FEMALES "THIS WEEK'S BEST BAND IN THE WORLD". People's minds are going to be blown by the Females, ShellShag and the whole rest of the bill. Much love, much props.

"New Brunswick, New Jersey's Screaming Females have a terrible band name. I feel vaguely embarrassed whenever I say it out loud, as if I'm talking about a raunchy exploitation flick or something. But a band's name never matters if the music is good enough, and on every track of the rambunctious trio's Singles (Don Giovanni), due February 9, guitarist-singer Marissa Paternoster, drummer Jarrett Dougherty, and bassist King Mike whip up a giddy punk rock frenzy.

Paternoster's guitar playing is the first thing you'll notice. On tracks like the choogling "Arm Over Arm" and head-bobbingly insolent "I Do" she churns out thick chord riffs that nod at classic punk but add a bouncy rhythmic flair. Then she'll stop and pick out a chiming single note passage or spiraling solo. She plays like she's listened to all the best garage rock singles, half-forgotten what she heard, and came up with better stuff when she tried to play the songs back from memory.

Her singing is good too: Strident, with a smartly deployed vibrato and a healthy dash of sneering attitude that makes a line like "I dig on calculus," from "I Do" sound like a warning. And if Dougherty and King Mike don't quite match their frontwoman, they complement her just about perfectly--check out the almost tribal groove they cook up on an almost unrecognizable version of Neil Young's "Cortez the Killer." It's just a fun, fun record. Now about that name."--DAVID MARCHESE, SPIN.

New Shellshag single "1984" available, Rumors In Disguise and Screaming Females Singles out next Tuesday!

The brand new single from Shellshag "1984" is available to celebrate their new album, Rumors In Disguise, out next tuesday. Also from Don Giovanni Records is the singles collection from Screaming Females aptly titled Singles! Get in touch for either release and please jam "1984" on your site, blog or podcast...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: ARTISTS FELICITY FENTON AND MICHAEL T. HENSLEY DISCUSS SOUL RECOVERY SYSTEMS ON KBOO, ANNOUNCE EXHIBIT OPENING AT P:EAR

PORTLAND, OR., MONDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2010: On Tuesday, February 2nd, artists Felicity Fenton and Michael T. Hensley will appear on KBOO (www.kboo.org)from 11:30 AM to 12 PM to discuss their current project, Soul Recovery Systems, and upcoming opening at the P:EAR Gallery—-their appearance will be available afterwards as an archived stream as well.

Opening Reception: Thursday, February 4th, 6-9pm

On Display: February 4th – February 28th, 2010

Gallery Hours: Tuesday – Thursday, 10-1pm: or by appointment

Gallery Location: 338 NW 6th St. Portland, OR 97229 Corner of 6th & Flanders

Soul Recovery Systems is an interactive, creative and free emotional garbage disposal service providing people with an opportunity to rid themselves of objects that hinder their lives. SRS accepts objects in any form as long as there are sincere emotional connections attached to them. That said, all objects given to SRS must include an Object Release Form, (available on the SRS website, www.soulrecoverysystems.com) where the releaser must enter their reason for desired disposal. Once objects and reasons for disposal have been received, they are put under intense observation for SRS to determine the best possible method of release. In the end, a photograph of each object, reasons for release, and videos of each object release are uploaded to the SRS digital landfill where the less burdened can view their once hindering objects in digital form.

Along with the vibrant works of Evelove Glimorous (Fenton and Hensley's painting collaborative), Soul Recovery Systems will be installing their first depository in the P:EAR gallery from Thursday, February 4th through February 28th. Visitors are encouraged to bring objects and written reasons for disposal for the depository. SRS representatives Fenton and Hensley will be on-site opening night to encourage discourse and participation surrounding the emotional associations and release of objects.

ABOUT P:EAR: p:ear youth are 15-24 year old homeless or transitional young people that attend the educational, artistic and recreational programs at p:ear. They work independently and with guest artists, working with available materials, to create work that is expressive, vibrant and healing. p:ear is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, OR TO INTERVIEW FELICITY FENTON AND MICHAEL T. HENSLEY, CONTACT JOAN HILLER DEPPER AT RIOT ACT MEDIA (JOAN@RIOTACTMEDIA.COM)

Jim Testa weighs in on the epic new Shellshag record!

"This is a truly brilliant record." Jim, we couldn't agree more! If you haven't heard Rumors In Disguise, get in touch now. It's a jawdropper!

TENDER LOVING EMPIRE: STOREFRONT MOVING, YAY!

After almost three years in their current location in the NW 18th & Lovejoy Activspace building, Tender Loving Empire is saying goodbye to its muchl-loved shoebox-sized storefront and relocating to a brand new spot, right in heart of the city.  Their new digs, located at 412 SW 10th Ave., (1 1/2 blocks south of Powell's Books, across from the Ace Hotel Cleaners) will feature expanded retail space, First Thursday events and in-store peformances, more room for gallery-style fine art exhibits, and an expanded local music section.  The space will also function as the Tender Loving Empire Record Label offices/headquarters and provide custom screenprinting services.  What's more, the clientele TLE has built up in the NW will only be a few more blocks away, so the store isn't abandoning them by any means!
 
TLE is excited to be not only in a more accessible location, but next to other like-minded businesses like Reading Frenzy and Radish Underground that do so much to support independent artists.  With Reading Frenzy specializing in independent publishing, comics and zines, and Radish Underground carrying local fashion designers, Tender Loving Empire's emphasis on handmade crafts and local music will add to the two-block radius' reputation as a destination spot for anyone looking to find local flavor and support Portland's grassroots artist community.
 
News regarding the May 6th, 2010 grand opening of Tender Loving Empire's new location will be announced soon! 

ABOUT TENDER LOVING EMPIRE:



Tender Loving Empire was founded in 2005 by Jared and Brianne Mees. They initially conceived TLE as a record label, but quicky realized that opening a storefront and adding local craft, music, fine art and clothing sections would round out and help support and sustain the record label. 5 years later TLE serves as a sort of creative headquarters for the high energy and high quality, art, craft and music community of Portland, OR and beyond. 2010 will also see Tender Loving Empire record label releases by Boy Eats Drum Machine, Typhoon, Hoasannas (formerly Church), Jared Mees and the Grown Children as well as the third installment of the highly succesful Friends and Friends of Friends music compilation."