Unbelievably high quality footage of Glasser’s set at the Fader Fort during CMJ last Saturday night. Even more amazing is when the power cut out and she finishes off “Tremel” acapella, totally unfazed (not unphased as some might have it).

(from left to right, Thomas Fisher, Daniel Copeman, Rachel Davies. Photography by Adam Kola)

On the heels of their recent “Marching Song” 12″ EP and first US tour (culminating in tonight’s show at Brooklyn’s Knitting Factory), Esben and the Witch will be releasing their debut full-length LP/CD/digital album on January 31, 2011 (February 8 in North America ). The Brighton trio, recently nominated for a Q Award, found themselves nearly drowning in plaudits following “Marching Song”‘s release “teetering on the edge of explosive emotion”, raved one observer, while the assessment, “thoroughly mesmerizing” came to mind for another.

And while the currently available “Marching Song” 12″ is as impressive as advertised, ‘Violet Cries’, recorded by produced by the band’s Daniel Copeman, easily ranks amongst the more audacious and ambitious debut albums, whether in recent memory or in this label’s very long run. While we’re occupied petitioning retailers to add an “Uneasy Listening” bin card to their sales floor, here’s just a hint of what you’re in for next February ;

“Warpath” [192kbps mp3] (from ‘Violet Cries’, OLE 939)

Esben and the Witch will be touring Europe and North America in early 2011 ; though if you’re based in one of the relevant cities below,  you’ll not want to miss out.

Remaing 2010 Tour dates
26th October – The Knitting Factory, Brooklyn, NY
- – - – - – - – - – - -
4th November – Paris, La Boule Noir
10th November – London, Electrowerkz
11th November – Manchester, Deaf Institute
12th November – Glasgow – Captains Rest
14th November – Leeds - Constellations Festival
27th November – Le Guess Who Festival, Utrecht – Netherlands

So you couldn’t make it out to Vegas, huh? Well it’ll be so much easier to lie to your friends and say you were there with when you’re rocking one of these sexy Matador at 21 shirts. American Apparel printed tees, act quick as limited stock remains!!!!

We have FOUR different shirts to choose from… click below to check em out.
BLACK LOGO
GREY LOGO
BLACK ROCKER
GREY ROCKER

Remember last week when I promised that I’d announce MORE free, solo acoustic Kurt Vile instores? Remember?

More to come… stay tuned…

Broken Dreams Club
Avail. 11/22/10
CD/12″/DS
Pre-order HERE
Rather than us spieling about this record Christopher wrote y’all a letter that sums it all up way better than any of us could. 6 New songs. 30 minutes. Mp3 download below.

click to enlarge

Shanghai hairy crabs are available live from vending machines in China (I don’t know whether this is as cool as the gold bullion vending machines in Abu Dhabi):

JapanProbe dot com
Uploaded by pubjapaned. – More video blogs and vloggers.

(Courtesy of Serious Eats)

As previously reported by our buddies over at ATP you’re in for a treat if you happen to be in London this new years eve as there’s an amazing gig with Sonic Youth headlining a 4-band bill. Make sure to get down there early to see Factory Floor opening the party, followed by The Pop Group and the ‘ATP house band’ Shellac, with Mr Stuart Braithwaite spinning records between sets.

Not a bad start to 2011!

I consider myself a somewhat culturally aware, open-minded person. Heck, I’ve been to Canada a couple of times. And I don’t consider myself to have a knee-jerk, negative reaction when it comes to themes of overt sexualty, demonic imagery or collaborations with Klaus Meine. All of that said, I have NO FUCKING IDEA what is going on with the record cover above.

I am not hear to disparage Ms. Pesch’s impressive musical achievements (even if her website crashed my computer several times while composing this post) but I’m thoroughly baffled by this sleeve. Were the title of the album, ’25 Years In Torn Clothing While Presiding Over A Mass Burial Ground”, I’d have a much easier time with it. In any event, as someone in the music business who recently celebrated an important anniversary, I’m sure I speak on behalf of everyone at Matador in congratulating Doro on hitting the big 2-5.

Some photos from the people who make it all happen here… click on the photos for full-size images.

This is the full Matador and Beggars staff (minus a casualty or two):

BACK ROW: Amy Morgan (just the hair), Julia Willinger, Jeremy Kirkland, Sonya Kolowrat, Michaella Solar-March, Hector Montes, Adam Carroll, Dan Gallo, Blake Thomas, Paul Redding, Gerard Cosloy, Jeremy P. Goldstein, Dave Martin, Stuart Davie, Claire Taylor, Chris Lombardi.

MIDDLE ROW: Lisa Gottheil, Gabe Spierer, Natalie Judge, Brigitte Green, Patrick Amory, Miwa Okumura, Rusty Clarke, Catherine Herrick

FRONT ROW: Mike Venutolo-Mantovani, Todd Netter, Matt Harmon, Nils Bernstein, Steve Glauber, Adam Bohl

And here are the Matador label people specifically:

RobbyMorris, Natalie Judge, Chris Lombardi (in background – Silver Fox), Nils Bernstein, Martin Mills, Patrick Amory, Gerard Cosloy, Stuart Davie.

(NOT SHOWN: Dean Bein)

All photos by the great Reuben Cox.

CMJ attendees…Glasser has declared war on your sleeping life. After the Tamaryn, Frankie Rose & The Outs, Light Asylum show at Coco 66 Friday night, stick around and see a special latenight set from Glasser