TONIGHT IN LA: MASQUERADE BALL AT THE ROOSEVELT

My boy Russell Lissack of BLOC PARTY is spinning records tonight at the Roosevelt Hotel along with the guys from THE RAPTURE and TALIB KWELI. Russell is gearing up for big things in 2008 with his side project, PIN ME DOWN. Masquerade ball, so throw a mask on and come down.

TONIGHT IN NYC FOR NYE: KUDU + MOBY + SLICK RICK

Something pretty large is going down for NYE 2008 tonight, featuring the mighty KUDU, as well as MOBY, SLICK RICK, HOLY GHOST, THE BANGERS, FRANKIE BONES and many more.

NEW SOUNDS: TEAM WATER POLO

A band that just missed the cut for FUTURE SOUNDS 31 (due out in January '08) is an act that is getting tons of buzz and attention from the UK industry, from Preston called TEAM WATER POLO.

Very, very catch music here and according to their Myspace page, the songs I received that are on this EP, it was all made with only a mic, a couple of guitars, and Garageband! Check out 'Letting Go' on their player and if you're a UK reader, check them out everywhere on tour with JOE LEAN & THE JING JANG JONG.

TEAM WATER POLO
MYSPACE

TONIGHT IN LA: RADEMACHER @ THE ECHO

CLUB UNDERGROUND & THE ECHO PRESENT RADEMACHER TONIGHT

We've been big fans of Fresno's RADEMACHER since way, way back (FS21) and it's nice to see them being embraced by the LA indie community for a job well done. Club Underground always delivers a good time and you'll need it if you've been shopping all day.

RADEMACHER
WEB SITE
MYSPACE

NEW SOUNDS: FANTASTIC MAGIC

I was recently turned onto a band from San Diego that really defies description. The closest thing to explaining this band, FANTASTIC MAGIC, is by saying they are the West coast equivalent of BLACK MOTH SUPER RAINBOW. I received their entire output on CD, which consists of the previously released 'Witch Choir' (released on cassette tape, yep, cassette tape) on Abandon Ship Records, as well as nine new songs that have put me under some kind of cosmic spell.
According to Abandon Ship Records, the first EP is "a magical trip on a pegasus through a field of LSD by three wizards". The new songs will put you in a trance, in a dreamlike state, perhaps somethng close to being on a magical trip on a pegasus. The gorgeous "Flowerbeds" is simple and drifts like BEACH HOUSE, and the rest moves from Ummagumma-era PINK FLOYD to CAN to DEVENDRA to YEASAYER. The whole collection is pleasantly haunting and now the question is how can I get them up to Los Angeles to play a show, and then with what band??

They actually are playing tonight for Free at Whistlestop in San Diego - see the flyer below.

TONIGHT IN LA: ARMY NAVY @ THE ECHO

Our friends, ARMY NAVY (FS20), will be giving away some limited edition holiday vinyl tonight at THE ECHO. Get out and support the troops.

TONIGHT IN SAN FRANCISCO: THE BLACKS & SUGAR & GOLD

A show dilemma night in San Francisco this evening, as the choices are tough for your evening out. First up is the TRICYCLE RECORDS HOLIDAY PARTY at Rickshaw Stop tonight. The show features THE BLACKS (FS30) and up-and-comer VEIL VEIL VANISH. The little label that could is celebrating it's first Christmas and gifts will come from everywhere.

Option two is provided by our dear friends at POPSCENE, as they always bring a great night of dancing to your favorites, but also add SUGAR & GOLD (FS30) to their Holiday Gala at 330 Rich. Tonight they have the extended late night license, so it's a great end up.

NEW SOUNDS: GRAND POCKET ORCHESTRA

My scouts in Ireland have been on fire recently, although I'm told it's cold as hell there right now. Someone you'll be hearing plenty about on FUTURE SOUNDS 31 is the Dublin four-piece called GRAND POCKET ORCHESTRA. Compared to PAVEMENT by many, I'm feeling a bit more MODEST MOUSE in there, or perhaps a FS favorite, ILLINOIS. They could be the Irish version of New York's WHITE RABBITS. They had people talking after the HARD WORKING CLASS HEROES FESTIVAL this year and mix it up with our friends, FIGHT LIKE APES, quite often. Check out 'Little Messy'.

GRAND POCKET ORCHESTRA
MYSPACE

TONIGHT IN LA: CASTELDOOR @ BOARDNER'S

It's raining and you won't melt. Get out tonight and see CASTLEDOOR for FREE tonight at Boardner's in Hollywood (Radio Free Silverlake Presents). You might recall Castledoor's 'Dove' on FS30, but they have a stack of strong tracks like 'Burn The Maps' in store with you and up on their Myspace page.

IT'S A SAD, SAD DAY IN SEATTLE: THE CROCODILE CAFE CLOSES

What a bummer! Seattle's Crocodile Cafe has closed due to financial difficulties. Employees were left voice mail messages from the owner telling them the unfortunate news. What a great haven for indie bands still playing the 350 person sized venues, basically where it's still fun. I've had so many good nights there, and they served great food in the front section, something memorable for the touring band.

MGMT & YEASAYER HIT THE ROAD TOGETHER IN 2008

YEASAYER

It's like a fantastic Christmas present for music fans, or at least here at FUTURE SOUNDS, as it's been announced that MGMT (FS29) and YEASAYER (FS30) will hit the road together in January through Mid-February in 2008.

01.16.08 - Washington, DC (Black Cat)
01.17.08 - Chapel Hill, NC (Local 506)
01.18.08 - Atlanta, GA (The Earl)
01.19.08 - Baton Rouge, LA (Spanish Moon)
01.20.08 - Houston, TX (Walter's On Washington)
01.21.08 - Dallas, TX (Granada Theater)
01.22.08 - Austin, TX (Emo's Jr)
01.24.08 - Phoenix, AZ (Rhythm Moon)
01.25.08 - San Diego, CA (The Casbah)
01.26.08 - Los Angeles, CA (The Echo)
01.28.08 - San Francisco, CA (Bottom Of The Hill)
01.30.08 - Portland, OR (Holocene)
01.31.08 - Seattle, WA (Neumo's)
02.02.08 - Boise, ID (Neurolux)
02.03.08 - Salt Lake City, UT (Kilby Court)
02.04.08 - Denver, CO (Hi-Dive)
02.06.08 - Omaha, NE (The Slowdown)
02.07.08 - Minneapolis, MN (7th Street Entry)
02.08.08 - Chicago, IL (Schubas)
02.09.08 - Toronto, ON (El Mocambo)
02.10.08 - Montreal, QC (La Salla Rossa)
02.12.08 - Allston, MA (Great Scott)
02.14.08 - Brooklyn, NY (Music Hall of Williamsburg)
02.15.08 - Philadelphia, PA (Johnny Brenda's)

MGMT

INDUSTRY HEROES PROFILE: KEITH JOHNSON (IMRO)

This guy seems pretty normal, but don't let this Irish mug fool ya, he's really a good guy at heart. In fact, he's another one of those people within the music industry that makes it a way of life to do the right thing and at the end of the day, help artists. KEITH JOHNSON works for IMRO, and he's known for setting up all the IMRO Irish showcases each year at CMJ and SXSW, and is personally driving the ship on the Irish Breakfast boat ride in Austin each year. When I used to work with an Irish artist, Keith was the unsung hero, spreading the word all over Ireland, and around the world for that matter, about the music. He puts together samplers of Irish bands and artists, showcases, tours and basically works his ass off so that the people will understand all the great music coming out of this country. IMRO is the ASCAP/BMI of Ireland, so at their core they help musicians, but Keith somehow always takes it that extra mile and always does so with a smile. If you're thinking of doing anything in Ireland, it's more than worth your time to look up Johnson and have a pint.

TONIGHT IN LA: THE SPORES @ THE VIPER ROOM

Another great Indie 103.1 Check-One-Two line up at the Viper Room. This week you get a band I really love, THE SPORES, bringing their 'Doom Pop' to the people, and fresh off a European tour. On top of that, the mighty GREAT NORTHERN and THE HAPPY HALLOWS.

NEW SOUNDS: ALBERTA CROSS

They are probably not anything 'new' to all of those "professional" bloggers out there that have to be first to everything, but to this one, or to me, this act has recently become a very special band in my world. The band is called ALBERTA CROSS.

I had downloaded 'Lucy Rider' off of who knows which blog and I think I just played it on the wrong day, because it just sat there until recently. It was once I downloaded "Old Man Chicago" that made it all click, made me go back to all the songs, and fall in love with this band in the same way I fell for THE AVETT BROTHERS earlier in the year. WOW! I can't even believe this band is from London, it feels like something in the Midwest, has touches of NEIL YOUNG, MY MORNING JACKET and early JAYHAWKS at times. Their full-length, "Thief & Heartbreaker" comes highly recommended from the Future Sounds bunch, it's a creeper and it's got strokes of magic baked in. So better late than never, ALBERTA CROSS.

Here's the video for 'Lucy Rider'
Alberta Cross - 'Lucy Rider'

TONIGHT IN LA: LITTLE RADIO CHRISTMAS PARTY

3 great bands + empanadas? It's a great deal and I'm told the Little Radio warehouse has been transformed into a winter wonderland. See you there!

NEW SOUNDS: CATHY DAVEY & KARIN TATOYAN

This post is all about sugar and spice. Two ladies making incredible music - one so sweet, and the other with some sass.

First up, from Dublin, Ireland, CATHY DAVEY. WOW! A voice like an angel and some spunk and a sense of pure fun for a change. I was instantly taken by "Reuben", a song that can pick up your day if you can turn it up loud enough. Then slide into "Sing For Your Supper" and "Can't Help It" and you'll understand how the entire full length, "Tales of the Silversee" (Parlophone) plays out. She's spent all her time in Ireland and the rest of the UK, and I have to figure out a way to get her to the States.

Here is "Reuben" (mp3) thanks to Carl Sandburg Visits Me In A Dream.

Now for some home cookin', Los Angeles based KARIN TATOYAN. I just was tipped off about and this 23 year old gal with a colorful history has something haunting about her voice. Kind of reminds me of Harriet Wheeler of THE SUNDAYS or like a HOPE SANDOVAL. I have been really playing "Fit In" in heavy rotation off her Stereotype Records EP, "History Of Stains". She's playing the Echo with the RADAR BROTHERS in January (21) and then the Troubadour a few days later (25).

KUDU'S IILVIA FEATURED IN SPANK ROCK & BENNY CASH'S - 'B.O.O.T.A.Y' VIDEO

Proud of you girl!

INDIE 103'S DARREN REVELL FEATURED IN URB MAGAZINE

One of the coolest LA DJ's, DARREN REVELL of INDIE 103.1 FM, is now featured in URB MAGAZINE, where he delivers the "BIG SONIC HEAVEN TOP 10 ALL TIME SHOEGAZE VIDEOS". As the Los Angeles champion of shoegaze, his nightly show highlights the latest Nugazers as well as the classics. Check out the article HERE.

This week's Big Sonic Heaven Currents:
Monday – Thursday Nights On Indie 103-1 Los Angeles
Programmed & Hosted by Darren Revell

For week of 12/10/07
(Weeks On) Artist/Titles Label

(7) Sigur Ros – Hljomalind XL

(9) Radiohead – House Of Cards, All I Need, Nude Radiohead.com

(15) Siouxsie – They Follow You, Sea Of Tranquility Decca/W14

(15) Film School – Two Kinds, Dear Me, Sick Hipster Nursed By Suicide Girl Beggars

(3) Asobi Seksu – Then He Kissed Me, Stay Awake Gigantic Music

(2) Bat For Lashes – Horse And I Caroline

(14) Taken By Trees – Lost And Found Rough Trade

(8) Let’s Go Sailing – Sideways Yardley Pop

(7) The High Violets – Chinese Letter (Ulrich Schnauss Mix) Reverb

(11) Tearwave – Lotus Flower Projekt

MOST REQUESTED:

Sigur Ros
Radiohead
Taken By Trees
Let’s Go Sailing
Asobi Seksu

SONICFLYER SIGNS TO XTRA MILE RECORDINGS (UK)

It's not hard to forget SONICFLYER's "Sun In My Pocket", a track you heard back on FS27, well a congratulations goes out as they'll be giving it a proper release on XTRA MILE RECORDINGS in January of '08. They'll be touring in the UK in January and we're trying to pull them over to next year's SXSW.

TONIGHT IN LA: SCISSORS FOR LEFTY, MOVING UNITS & TIGERCITY

Three former FUTURE SOUNDS bands under one roof - THE ECHOPLEX - TONIGHT!
MOVING UNITS (FS01)
SCISSORS FOR LEFTY (FS19)
TIGERCITY (FS25)

NEW SOUNDS: SPIRAL BEACH

The search for the next FUTURE SOUNDS compilation always leads to hundreds of discoveries and 15 final tracks. Along the way the fun pours in from all my scouts around the world and I'm always floored and reminded that there are great bands hiding out everywhere. SPIRAL BEACH from Toronto are a band I've finally discovered, because their site says that they've been around since 2004, so I'm making up for lost time. This unconventional sounding act that I believe is still in high school, has put out two releases, the self-titled and self-released debut record in 2005 (listen to "Voodoo"), and now, 'Ball', released in October of '07 on Sparks Music. Describing them isn't easy, it's strange, it's all over the place in the way of bands like THE UNICORNS or the THE SLITS, but check out 'Made Of Stone' or 'Kind Of Beast' to get a sampling of a band that should start getting more attention outside of Canada in the coming year. Here's a great article on the band in 'THE NEW POLLUTION'.

SPIRAL BEACH
WEB SITE
MYSPACE

Check out the video for 'Made of Stone' below...

TONIGHT IN SAN DIEGO: FILM SCHOOL PLAY THE SD MUSEUM OF ART

Tonight FM 94/9 is teaming up with the San Diego Museum of Art for the third evening of an on-going series called Sights + Sounds and focuses on SDMA’s special exhibition Animated Painting. Sights + Sounds will include a live performance by FILM SCHOOL. A collaboration with The Visual Underground, a local group who specializes in video projection and feature films. A collaboration with Ancient Gallery, a local artist, who will design the visual effect of the museum’s auditorium.

TONIGHT IN LA: VOXHAUL BROADCAST + MORNING BENDERS

Wednesday, December 12 - SIlverlake Lounge - $8

THE ROSEWOOD THIEVES 10:30pm
EUGENE 9:40pm
EYES IN ELEGANCE 11:30pm
VOXHAUL BROADCAST 8:50pm
MORNING BENDERS 8pm

Looks like a great line up tonight in Silverlake. VOXHAUL BROADCAST are like a runaway train right now, and we've been fans of San Francisco's MORNING BENDERS since FS26, but I was recently delivered their full-length, set for 2008 release, and this record is going to be on the favorites list of many. People seem to love THE ROSEWOOD THIEVES, and I've yet to see them live but am told it's worth it, as well as EUGENE that seems to have promise. Worth the ticket price for this much music.

PIN ME DOWN SHOWS UP IN THE NME & ON KITSUNE COMP

In the latest NME.......

Kitsune Maison Compilation 5

Pin Me Down's 'Cryptic' will be featured on the new compilation put out by très chic French label, Kitsuné Music: the 'Kitsuné Maison 5 Gold' compilation, out on CD/LP/digital December 10th (next week) in Japan and February in Europe (details to come).

01 - Fischerspooner - The Best Revenge
02 - Late Of The Pier - Broken (Fairy Lights Mix)
03 - Alan Braxe - Addicted
04 - David E. Sugar - To Yourself
05 - Pin Me Down - Cryptic
06 - M.I.A. - XR2 (Silverlink V Kicks Like A Mule Aka 92juk)
07 - The Teenagers - Homecoming (Gentelmen Drivers Rave Mix)
08 - AutoKratz - Pardon Garçon
09 - Digitalism - Pogo (Digitalism's Robotic Remix)
10 - DatA - Aerius Light (Kitsune DJ Friendly Edit)
11 - Does It Offend You, Yeah? - Let's Make Out (Extended Mix)
12 - Rex The Dog - Circulate
13 - Bitchee Bitchee Ya Ya Ya - Fuck Friend (CSS Remix)
14 - Friendly Fires - On Board
15 - Big Face - I Wanna Be A Style Crusader (DatA Remix)
16 - KID - I'll Never Know
17 - Cazals / Yelle - To Cut A Long Story Short (Vicarious Bliss Mellotron Mix) / A Cause Des Garçons (Tepr Remix)

LED ZEPPELIN IS BACK - PLAY STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN

Too bad I'm not loaded like those Metallica guys, because I would've done about anything to be there for the first show in forever by LED ZEPPELIN in London yesterday. Take a look at this set list and then tell me you're not jealous!!

Led Zeppelin
02 Arena, London, England
12.10.07

“Good Times Bad Times”
“Ramble On”
“Black Dog”
“In My Time Of Dying”
“For Your Life” (1st time played live)
“Trampled Under Foot”
“Nobody’s Fault But Mine”
“No Quarter”
“Since I’ve Been Loving You”
“Dazed And Confused”
“Stairway To Heaven”
“The Song Remains The Same”
“Misty Mountain Hop”
“Kashmir”

Encore:

“Whole Lotta Love”
“Rock And Roll”

TONIGHT IN LA: TWO GREAT SHOWS

Decisions, decisions, Monday night's in LA seem to always cause a dilemma with all the free residency nights all over, and all the talented bands on the scene these days. Tonight is no different, here are just two of many that I'd recommend attending.

ESKIMOHUNTER + BLACK KITES @ VIPER ROOM

Bronson turned me onto BLACK KITES and all their luscious and gazin' glory. The guy/girl combo of Evelyn Reyes and Alan Petherick make for that VU/NICO thing, that DEAN & BRITTA vibe, something dreamy and sonic. I've yet to see them live, but tonight may be my night. Their EP, 'All Wrong', will drop soon on Filthy Little Angels. Check out 'Glass Parade' or 'All Wrong' on their Myspace page. The headliner is the wily veteran, ESKIMOHUNTER, and all their SPIRITUALIZED glory. Former LASSIE FOUNDATION members making beautiful noise.

THE MOVIES + THAILAND @ SAFARI SAM'S

Now who doesn't love rockin' for a good cause? Over at Safari Sam's tonight is a benefit for Huntington's Disease and it has a batch of great bands performing, like one of my favorites, THE MOVIES, as well as former Future Sounds band,THAILAND (FS26). The Movies are built around the man they call Timothy James, and his flare for dark, post-punk sound, and their album 'American Oil' ' was one I played until it wore out and their first release, 'In One Era Out the Other', even more. Go to the way back machine and listen to the track, “Scary Footsteps".

NEW SOUNDS: HERE HERE

It had to happen, and it seems to be happening more and more frequently, but ever since THE ARCADE FIRE came out of nowhere and scorched earth with their uplifting and downright spiritual brand of music, young bands everywhere (YEASAYER, BODIES OF WATER) have started popping up following their cinematic lead.

San Francisco's HERE HERE is the latest, a young band with nothing but their whole career ahead of them, and out of the starting gates they're already getting a good push by Live 105's Aaron Axelson. I just caught them last week at the Mezzanine, where they opened up for FILM SCHOOL and A PLACE TO BURY STRANGERS, and after maybe four total shows, they are selling their own shows out in the Bay Area and have that 'buzz'.

Their 'Boy With An Orange EP' is gorgeous and has depth and even though it's self-released, it is available on Itunes and Emusic. I'll tell you right now, this is a band that many will be talking about in 2008.

SATURDAY NIGHT @ THE DETROIT BAR: LEMON SUN + THE WILDBIRDS

They're back.....LEMON SUN is ready to get things rolling again after slaving away on a full length that is being mixed right now and ready for January 2008. This is their first show in awhile, and they'll be debuting some of the new songs that will be on the album.

Lemon Sun will be supporting THE WILDBIRDS (FS26), one of our favorites from the past at the Detroit Bar in Costa Mesa, a little place we've had our share of TankFarm Future Sounds nights at in 2007.

IT'S ON TONIGHT IN SAN FRANCISCO: FUTURE SOUNDS + THE RUMBLE + FILM SCHOOL

A triple threat up in the Bay area tonight:

1. THE RUMBLE @ HARLOT - our SF monthly indie rock night with THE OWL, BAGEL RADIO, SONICLIVING & ATLAS. DJ Omar of POPSCENE will also be in the mix.
Starts at 9PM tonight.

2. FILM SCHOOL @ MEZZANINE - Just a few blocks away, Film School plays with A PLACE TO BURY STRANGERS and local buzz band, HERE HERE. The after party is back at THE RUMBLE.

3. FUTURE SOUNDS, the music video show, comes to life at The Rumble. We'll be filming episode one live at the party.

You'd better be a die-hard 'Project Runway' fan to not get out of the house tonight and mix it up.

TONIGHT IN LA: MISS YOUR FACE PARTY

Haven't seen VOXHAUL BROADCAST yet??? How many more great articles in the LA Times do you need before you get out and see them? Get out there tonight to THE AIRLINER, that freaky venue way out there in a place you don't go very often, where kids still have fun and aren't just standing with their arms crossed. Last time I was there I loved seeing all the kids making out, getting drunk and dancing everywhere, almost felt like a town with a youth culture. The ladies behind MISS YOUR FACE know how to throw a good party. Only $3 (unless you're under 21).

LOS ANGELES TONIGHT: POOR RICHARDS PRESS - A PLACE TO BURY STRANGERS

Mr two time Future Sounds, POOR RICHARDS PRESS (FS25 and FS27) is performing tonight at the Hotel Cafe at 9PM.

Going head to head over at the Viper Room is a very strong line up of A PLACE TO BURY STRANGERS, EULOGIES and IN WAVES. A PLACE TO BURY STRANGERS are the self-proclaimed "loudest band in New York", so put your ear plugs in and check out this shoegaze/sonic act.

COCO B'S 'MODERN LOVERS' REMIX

Future Sounds loves the Southern CA band, COCO B'S, and are enjoying watching the word spread about them everywhere (NME, The Hills, KROQ) since first discovering them for FS26. I just got a remixed version of the song we were able to place on the CD of 'Modern Lovers', done by HALF TIGER, and here it is.

DOWNLOAD IT HERE. (mp3)