By truepanthersounds on Thursday, January 12th, 2012
Brooklyn, NY’s Tanlines will release their debut album, Mixed Emotions, on our imprint True Panther Sounds on March 20th, 2012. It was recorded in various NYC home studios and mixed in Miami by legendary mixing engineer Jimmy Douglass (Timbaland, Aaliyah, Justin Timberlake, Television, Roxy Music). Mixed Emotion’s first taste, “Brothers,” is available for download from their site or direct download below…
Anyone well-versed with New York City’s diverse music scene for the last few years knows Mixed Emotions is a long time coming. Since their first song hit the web in 2008, Tanlines – comprised of Eric Emm (vocals, guitar, keyboards) and Jesse Cohen (drums, keyboards, bass) – have been steadily releasing genius dance singles with labels across the globe, including True Panther, Young Turks and Kitsune. Their live show has taken them worldwide, playing at the likes of The Guggenheim, The Whitney and more in their hometown, as well as an opening slot on Strokes frontman Julian Casablancas’s solo tour in 2009. But it was an ill-fated European tour – filled with some of the most disappointing shows of their respective careers – that ultimately led to Mixed Emotion’s genesis. The band spent long hours driving through Europe, listening to albums by R.E.M., skate punk records from the 80’s, Born in the USA, and more. As Eric explains it, “Listening to them, I became very aware of the lasting resonance of a good song. A good song transcends production trends. That’s what we were missing, and I wanted to start making songs that would have a life of their own.”
The band returned from Europe only to be greeted with a larger problem: making such songs in Emm’s studio, which was not only the place where they created, but the place where they met prior to forming the band, would be impossible; the building that housed his eight year old studio had been sold. It is ultimately this sense of starting over that helps informs some of Mixed Emotion’s most palpable moments.
Mixed Emotions is a testament to the benefits and pitfalls of life’s changes, getting older, and being pushed out of one’s comfort zone. The band that was born out of a studio suddenly had to become, well, a band. Songs were written simply on a guitar, with the band later adding their palette of electronic and organic sounds afterwards. Emm honed his voice, a confident and tranquil baritone, and focused on lyricism, something he had not done seriously in the past. He sings stories about loss, the passage of time, and the lessons and warnings of accumulated knowledge gleaned by someone who has spent an entire lifetime in music. The process stretched the duo – Cohen likened making the album to that of making a film when it was done – and Mixed Emotions is all the better for it.
Sometimes painful, sometimes transcendent, and ultimately a very precise labor of love, Mixed Emotions simply feels vivid. Songs pulse and linger, filled with percussive textures, bright, warm synths and driving kick drums to juxtapose the album’s lyrical melancholia. The record obscures and blurs the lines between synthetic and organic, real and fake, happy and sad. It is the sound of stadium pop in small spaces. And it is one of the most remarkable debut albums you will hear in 2012.
Tanlines will be playing shows across the U.S. this spring. More info to come!
Pre-Order Mixed Emotions HERE (will ship on or before release date)
Check out “Life’s A Beach” from the forthcoming Kurt Vile So Outta Reach EP.
The So Outta Reach 6-song EP will be available on 12″ and digital formats on November 8. This is the same day that the deluxe 2-CD version of Smoke Ring For My Halo (with new color cover) also releases. This deluxe CD will include the So Outta Reach EP on a second disc. (Same price as a regular CD / pre-order here).
And don’t forget, Kurt Vile and the Violators still have MORE DATES in 2011 in the States plus Australia & New Zealand. This includes a few dates supporting the Flaming Lips and some very exciting headline shows at NYC’s Webster Hall and Philly’s Union Transfer. Get yer tix below.
OCTOBER
24th: State Theatre, Portland, ME (w/ The Flaming Lips) tickets
25th: Main Street Armory, Rochester, NY (w/ The Flaming Lips) tickets
27th: The NorVa, Norfolk, VA (w/ The Flaming Lips) tickets
On September 13th, 2011, San Francisco’s Girls will release their second album Father, Son, Holy Ghost on True Panther. Two years after their debut (Album), and one year after the follow-up EP (Broken Dreams Club) it is the natural third entry in Girls’ recorded trinity, and features their most accomplished recordings to date. Both previous releases demonstrated that behind the noise of a back story loud enough to swallow most bands, stood two true rock craftsmen and traditionalists, who convey their own intimate, unique, and troubled visions.
For Father, Son, Holy Ghost Christopher Owens and JR White holed up in a basement recording studio located in San Francisco’s downtown Tenderloin district and “Vomit” is the first offering from those sessions. The juxtaposition of pain and beauty – hope and misery – which lie at the heart of classic rock and gospel music, are at the core of the song and the album.
Christopher shares his own thoughts: “I wrote vomit before Girls was even a band or an idea, this is one of the first songs I ever wrote along with ‘Substance’ and ‘Headache’ what you’re hearing in “Vomit” is someone who is at life’s lowest, seeing the light, and becoming a songwriter.”
Pre-order Father, Son, Holy GhostHERE(and receive a free unreleased track flexi disc w your order)
In about five hours, the stage of the beautiful new World Cafe Live at The Queen in Wilmington, DE (pictured above) will play host to Thurston Moore, playing a set of new material at the annual Non-Commvention. If you are not attending this august gathering of non-commercial radio’s best and brightest, take solace in the fact that you can listen to Thurston’s set on the air and Internetwaves of Philadelphia’s WXPN. If you’re in the area, tune in to 88.5FM. Anywhere else in the world, point your browser at xpn.org. Both of the above should be done at 11:55PM 11:40PM EDT to ensure maximum enjoyment.
So Crazy Eddie’s opened it’s doors 40 years ago (1971 for the math impaired) in Brooklyn, New York. Today, and TODAY ONLY, Amazon MP3 and Ted Leo are offering up his critically lauded and commonly embraced, album from last year, The Brutalist Bricks, for just $3.99. Yes you read that right, $3.99. Coincidence? Probably (thanks Wikipedia), but that really misses the point…YOU’D BE CRAZY NOT TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS. Visit Amazon today for a great deal!
Also for all you West Coasters, remember that Ted’s one man show is headed your way this week. For other parts of the country he’ll see you in April + May.
And we’re also pleased to announce that Ted will be performing at SXSW, solo style, as well:
Sun, 3/13 – The Mohawk – Barbarian Group/Stumble Upon Party
Mon, 3/14 – Venue 222 – Wearcast Party
Wed, 3/16 – The Swan Dive – Brooklyn Vegan Showcase
Thu, 3/17 – French Legation Museum – Other Music Day Party
Fri, 3/18 – The Mohawk – Flower Booking / Onion A.V. Club / Canvas Media Party
It’s that time of the year again…the SPRING TOUR. Tour buses heat up the interstates, amps are cranked to 11, and pasty skinned indie rock fans awake from their winter hibernations. And lucky for us this spring promises another US Tour from The New Pornographers. A scattering of dates criss-crossing the US, anchored by an appearance at Coachella, and shared with a couple of quality bands. Tickets for all shows go on sale this Friday (Feb 4) except for San Francisco (on sale on Sun, Feb 6) and Cleveland + Cincinnati (on sale on Fri, Feb 11). See you in April!
Fans of modern American troubadour Kurt Vile (and we hope that’s a category that includes each and every one of you) aren’t getting a chance to catch their breath this week. Hot on the heels of yesterday’s announcement of Mr. Vile’s forthcoming opus, Smoke Ring For My Halo, comes the news that Kurt will be appearing tonight on Tom Scharpling’s The Best Show On WFMU. Given the Best Show’s well-known connection to Kurt’s hometown of Philadelphia, we can only imagine what will transpire on this broadcast.
On top of that, Andrew Earles of Earles & Jensen fame will also be in the studio with Tom to discuss his recently published book on the legendary Husker Du.
This explosion of star power starts tonight at 9:00PM EST and goes all the way til midnight, so there’s plenty of time for you to tune in at 91.1FM or wfmu.org.
By truepanthersounds on Thursday, August 26th, 2010
This week Magic Kids released their record, played a symphony accompanied show for 500 of their hometown friends and fans, and left for a week-long instore tour. But the news doesn’t stop here. Happy to share this new video for “Superball” directed by Jack Ferry. Evokes some simple classic vids, faces, instruments, soft-focus lights…eternally into it.
Order Magic Kids “Memphis” HERE (and get an instant mp3 download of the album)
Sorry for the blatant Twitterhustle, but gimme a follow at @MatadorPress. I realize you follow all sorts of Matador Twittors, but I promise mine will feature minimal retweets/overtweets/asides, exclusive content, quality links, plus contests, candid photos, and the occasional artist semi-nude (watch your back, Eisold). Plus all followers of a certain date pre-Oct 1 will get a 21st anniversary-related FREE GIFT. Free! Gift! And — scene.
GIRLS‘ latest tour of the states kicked into gear this week. They’re hitting the states, and east coast this week!! Can’t wait to see them with their brand new keyboard player in tow! Conveniently named tour mates Dum Dum Girls are coming along for this trip. should be a helluva show, and plus you can leave the show with a frisbee!
By truepanthersounds on Friday, February 26th, 2010
LOVE IS IN THE AIR
It’s snowing like crazy here in NYC but True Panther Sounds remains bundled up, huddled away and working hard. Taking a few precious moments every day to find good youtube videos, but also putting out a bunch of records. Wanted to give y’all the latest update in the True Panther Universe..
This last Tuesday, 3/23, we released two brand new records.
Hunx and His Punx‘ “Gay Singles”
We initially released a limited vinyl pressing this last year, but after blowing through them we re-pressed it on LP/CD/DA. It now has slightly different cover art, a cd that includes all the videos, better quality vinyl, and a free mp3 download with each record. PLUS it’s cheaper than before. The songs are classic glammy, and gay. They’ve gotten better with each listen. Lookout for national and international tour dates in the next few months.
Order HERE (and get a free Chiphunx CD) U Don’t Like Rock’nRoll (mp3)
This is a limited edition single from one of our favorite new bands. Their record is coming out on Rough Trade, but this first single is all ours! It’s limited and features an exclusive b-side “Oh Annie”, a more plaintive and restrained version of the band. Enjoy!
Order HERE Promises (mp3)
We’re also putting out 3 brand new 12″/digital records on March 9th! New releases from Tanlines, Lemonade, and Janka Nabay. Each record is a totally unique incantation of the dance music spirits- Janka electrified the Bubu dance music of his native Sierra Leone, Lemonade mixed every kind of electronic music from the last 30 years in a big caribbean fruit salad, and Tanlines are making “new music” , coalesced from tropical sounds and restrained house. We’re just going to call it all “Yes Wave”.
Get all three records in a bundle for only $25 and get instant downloads of the singles and a few exclusive remixes. Order HERE
We’re also having a big show to celebrate the release of the 12″s. Hope to see some of you in the New York are there!
That’s it for the update for now. Hope you enjoy the records. We have some great stuff on the burners for the new year, full-lengths from Glasser and Magic Kids. Releases from Teengirl Fantasy, The Bitters, and Real Estate. Stoked!!
Full ticket and (partial) lineup information can be found here. Not sure who else curator Jim Jarmusch has planned for the Sunday, but if the organizers are willing to break the bank, perhaps this legendary combo could be compelled to make an appearance?
By truepanthersounds on Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010
photo by Bao Nguyen
Despite currently soldiering across the country Girls are announcing yet another batch of tour dates. This time, they’re going back to some of our favorite cities, all over the US and Canada, with a stop through Coachella. All American dates are with the excellent Dum Dum Girls. Make all the girl-bandname jokes you want we are just here with the FACTS.
Fun and informative! Pre-order the epic Fucked Up singles comp Couple Tracks: Singles 2002-2009 here. Out January 26.
The band is on tour in February:
Friday 12 Oberlin, OH The �Sco (Dionysus Disco) @ Oberlin College w/Kurt VIle
Saturday 13 Chicago, IL Empty Bottle w/Kurt VIle
Sunday 14 Bloomington, IN Video Saloon w/Kurt VIle
Monday 15 Newport, KY Southgate House w/Kurt VIle
Tuesday 16 Baltimore, MD Ottobar w/Kurt VIle
Wednesday 17 Philadelphia, PA The Barbary w/Kurt VIle
Thursday 18 Hoboken, NJ Maxwell’s w/Kurt VIle
Friday 19 Brooklyn, NY Europa
Saturday 20 Boston, MA Middle East Downstairs w/Kurt VIle
Tuesday 23 St. Catherines, ON L3 Nightclub w/Leatherface, Yesterdays Rising, Orphan Choir
Sunday afternoons, there are just nothing like them. Get a little brunch, listen to some music, and simply relax, forgetting about the worries of your previous week. Well this Sunday should be no different, except well if you’re in San Francisco because then you can also spend it with Yo La Tengo. Yep you read that right, drop by Aquarius Records this Sunday for an intimate, brunch-style in-store appearance by Yo La Tengo. Aquarius Records have been long time supporters of the band, look no further than their recent Record of the Week review (below) of Popular Songs as evidence. Yo La Tengo have equally supported independent record stores throughout the years too. So to us this really sounds like a perfect match, the likes of a bagel and cream cheese or a donut and coffee, and from what we hear, arrive early enough and you’ll have dibs on both. Most important you’ll also get a chance to see Yo La Tengo perform a special, intimate set at Aquarius, and well we can’t imagine anything better than that on a Sunday afternoon!
Aquarius Records
1055 Valencia St, SF 94110
Sun, Oct 18 / 1-2pm
Aquarius Records / Record of the Week
They never ever disappoint, in fact more often than not, they totally blow us away. And with Popular Songs, Yo La Tengo remind us once again why they are one of the best bands of the last quarter century. From start to finish this is an album with so many different sounds, styles, moods and motifs, yet it’s all so deliciously Yo La Tengo! Like their best albums, the first time you hear this record you know it’s going to be an album that you’ll listen to for the rest of your life. And in this day and age of disposable culture it’s so incredibly refreshing to have YLT, whose music has such a timeless element, and sounds so personal and passionate, and will undoubtedly stand the test of time. YLT never aspired to be the hippest or trendiest or coolest band around. Simply stated, slow and steady wins the race! They’ve definitely won, and continue to win, and in turn so have we. They’ve made their indelible mark by just being themselves, and when it comes to pure substance it just doesn’t get more richly rewarding than YLT.
Popular Songs is like an album that represent the best friend we all wish we could have. Someone you can turn to when it’s time to get deep or vent some bittersweet sadness, someone you can also have fun sleepover parties with and let loose and experience total joy together. These are a set of songs that really do hit at almost the entire spectrum of emotion, and the pacing/sequencing of the album just couldn’t be more perfect. Whether being melted away by one of Georgia Hubley’s beautifully aching drift-away numbers or being swept up in a Motown like fury or rocked by a straight ahead burner, there is such immaculate skill in the crafting of each song.
The album features wonderfully lush string arrangements provided by Richard Evans, the legendary soul pioneer who contributed so much to the amazing ’60s Chicago/Cadet soul scene, who many of you might know and love for his work on the great Afro-Harping album by Dorothy Ashby. So awesome, and yet after taking so many wonderful twist and turns, it is the ending of the album that really leaves us so stunned and in awe.
The last two tracks are very long and mostly instrumental. “The Fireside” is eleven minutes of total shoegaze bliss, that puts most actual ‘shoegaze’ bands to shame, letting the listener get lost in a slow glowing haze. And then the album’s closer “And The Glitter Is Gone”, an almost sixteen minute sonic smolder brimming with a droning and triumphant psychedelic spirit that we could listen to forever.
One of those rare records that is all ‘favorite songs’, every listen, a new song gets stuck in your head and fills your heart, only to be supplanted by another the next time, and on it goes, favorite after favorite after favorite. We think it’s fair to say this is a total masterpiece from one of our favorite groups!
Mission of Burma’s excellent new album, The Sound, The Speed, The Light isn’t out for another week, and some people can’t even wait until Tuesday to hail its brilliance.
Reasons to tune in to Kurt Vile’s interview on WMUC (College Park, MD) tonight at 6pm Eastern:
1. Kurt will be talking about his new album, Childish Prodigy, which is not only better than anything he’s ever done but also better than anything most people have ever done.
2. You’ll have a chance to win a copy of the aforementioned album.
3. You’ll also have a chance to win two tickets to Kurt’s show on November 5th at the Black Cat.
4. There is probably at least one other reason.
88.1 FM if you’re in the vicinity of College Park, www.wmucradio.com if you only know Maryland from watching The Wire.
Oh but there is! Kurt Vile’s excellent Childish Prodigy is out 10/6 (pre-order it here and get the “He’s Alright” 7″ free), and we’ve noticed there’s a wealth of great Kurt video footage floating around these here internets.
Starting today and continuing each day this week we’re going to highlight some choice KV video action for your enjoyment. The first clip comes from our friends at Yours Truly and features Kurt giving it to the kids all acoustic-style on the aformentioned “He’s Alright”, as well as “Breathin’ Out”.
Life in Times New Viking-land, a state-of-mind located the slightest bit north (if at all) of Columbus Ohio, is quite busy these days. And by the look of their newly confirmed tour dates it’s not slowing down anytime soon. More shows will be added so fear not if you don’t see your city listed, it may be added shortly. If your city is listed well then you have no excuse, see you at the show! TNV will be hitting the road with The Axemen, one of their favorite bands from New Zealand, from the San Francisco show (10/29) through the rest of their tour.
Also because everyone around here couldn’t be more excited about TNV’s new album, Born Again Revisited (out 9/22/09), we’ve lined up an extremely generous pre-order package. We’re talking 7″s, a poster, and a great price. But like Cash For Clunkers, this deal won’t last forever. Check out the Matador Store to place your order today!
Wed-Oct-14 Columbus, OH The Summit
Thu-Oct-15 Chicago, IL Empty Bottle
Fri-Oct-16 Urbana, IL The Courtyard Café
Sat-Oct-17 Grinnell, IA Grinnell College
Sun-Oct-18 Minneapolis, MN 7th St Entry
Mon-Oct-19 Fargo, ND The Aquarium
Thu-Oct-22 Seattle, WA Vera Project
Fri-Oct-23 Olympia, WA The Northern
Sat-Oct-24 Portland, OR Berbati’s Pan
Thu-Oct-29 San Francisco, CA Bottom of the Hill
Fri-Oct-30 Santa Cruz, CA Crepe Place
Sun-Nov-01 Los Angeles, CA Echoplex (Part Time Punks)
Tue-Nov-03 Phoenix, AZ Modified Arts
Fri-Nov-06 Dallas, TX The Lounge on Elm St.
Sat-Nov-07 Austin, TX Fun Fun Fun Fest
Mon-Nov-09 Memphis, TN Hi-Tone
Wed-Nov-11 Birmingham, AL Bottletree
Thu-Nov-12 Atlanta, GA Star Bar
Fri-Nov-13 Chapel Hill, NC Local 506
Sat-Nov-14 Baltimore, MD Sonar
Sun-Nov-15 Philadelphia, PA Kung Fu Necktie
Wed-Nov-18 New York, NY Mercury Lounge
Thu-Nov-19 Brooklyn, NY Union Pool
Fri-Nov-20 Hoboken, NJ Maxwell’s
Sat-Nov-21 Boston, MA Great Scott
We have an old saying around Matador that “if loving Indie Retail is right, well then we don’t want to be bothered”…wait I’m not sure that’s actually the official company line. It’s early, I may have that wrong.
What I do have right though is that The Cave Singers will be in Bellingham, WA today. At one of our favorite indie record shops, Everyday Music, to continue celebrating the release of their new album Welcome Joy. So if you’re in Bellingham today swing by for an early evening jam session that is sure to send you into the weekend on the right note.
Anyone looking for their own copy of Welcome Joy should definitely check out the Matador Store to order a CD or LP!
On Friday, September 25, Julian Plenti will play his first show since 2001. It will take place at the Guggenheim Museum in New York, the second in the “It Came From Brooklyn series,” which starts tomorrow with The Walkmen. Plenti will be backed by a full band plus strings and horns.
Doors open at 8 PM and the event goes until midnight. Additional guests and ticket info to follow.
And if you haven’t done so already, check out the video for “Games For Days,” directed by Javier Aguilera and featuring the acting talents of Emily Haines:
So what has already shaped up as the Summer of Jay Reatard (a documentary, a new album, and a free + all ages in-store tour to name a few major things) is quickly becoming the Autumn of Reatard as well. Perhaps we should simply declare 2009, the year of Jay Reatard?
What can’t be debated is that Jay has put together an allstar line-up to celebrate his own label, Shattered Records. This fall Jay and his friends take to the road for a run of memoriable shows, packed full of unique and terrific bands, headlined each night by Jay himself.
For more about this tour continue to check JayReatard.com for details.
While on their recent US tour, Mogwai’s Barry Burns had a chance to pop into a few places to flex his DJing muscles. He made it over to Viva-Radio’s Brooklyn studio on the day of the one of the band’s Music Hall show to record a DJ set and have a chat with Ted Shumaker. The results can be heard in all their glory next week.
As if a Live Pavement LP, a Sonic Youth/Jay Reatard 7″ AND a Sonic Youth/Beck 7″ weren’t enough, we’re spreading the love with some live instore performances. If you live in or around Memphis or Columbus, be sure to check out Jay Reatard or Times New Viking kicking it RSD style.
(Picture taken from http://jp917.blogspot.com/)
Jay Reatard Live Instore
Saturday April 18 (known aliases: Record Store Day)
Goner Records 5:30pm
2152 Young Avenue in Memphis, Tennessee
(Picture taken from http://wexarts.org/wexblog/?m=200702)
Times New Viking Live Instore
Saturday April 18 (known to his friends and loved ones as Record Store Day)
Anna Ives is the very young, very adorable daughter of Zac and Amy Ives. Zac is co-owner of Goner Records, the singer for Final Solutions, and a flat-out great guy. The Goner Records BBS is currently holding an auction while Zac, Amy, and Anna are in Boston, where the latter is receiving specialized radiation treatment. The auction is to help offset the Ives’ mounting hospital bills. I’m here to encourage Matablog readers to either bid on some of the great finds that have made it to the block, and to offer their own donated items for auction. All of the needed information, including Anna’s story, can be found HERE.
Remember that contest we ran over the holidays? The one where you could win every 7″ in our Jay Reatard Singles Series plus an autographed copy of the Beck split? For most it was a minor waste of time- but one randomly selected person actually won this thing!
Congratulations to Matt Elliot of Newfoundland, Canada! Enjoy the records!
Photo by 
