[new music] Fleet Foxes - Helplessness Blues

New Record + Tour Dates!

There's the old adage that states good things come to those who wait, and waiting we've patiently done for the follow-up to Fleet Foxes fantastic self-titled '08 album. After a number of studio sessions and creative retreats, Robin Pecknold and Co. have announced the release date of Helplessness Blues as May 3. The 12-song LP was produced by Phil Ek and will release through Sub Pop (you can sample the title track below). The band will later embark on a US/EU tour, making a stop in Seattle at the Moore Theater on the album release date. Should be an amazing show - and if you want a better shot at getting tickets for these shows, go to the Fleet Foxes website (here) tomorrow (Tuesday the 1st) at 10am PST. You have the chance to take part in the limited ticket pre-sale for any of the North American shows listed below. You'll also be able to pre-order the new album along with your ticket if you want to.

Fleet Foxes tour dates:
04-30 - Vancouver, British Columbia - The Vogue Theatre
05-01 - Portland, OR - Crystal Ballroom
05-03 - Seattle, WA - Moore Theatre
05-05 - Oakland, CA - Fox Theater
05-06 - San Diego, CA - Spreckels Theatre
05-07 - Hollywood, CA - Hollywood Palladium
05-08 - Tucson, AZ - Rialto Theatre
05-10 - Austin, TX - Stubbs Waller Creek Amphitheater
05-11 - Dallas, TX - Palladium Ballroom
05-13 - Nashville, TN - Ryman Auditorium
05-14 - Atlanta, GA - The Tabernacle
05-15 - Washington, DC - DAR Constitution Hall
05-17 - Boston, MA - Orpheum Theatre
05-18 - New York, NY - The United Palace Theatre
05-21 - Upper Darby, PA - Tower Theatre
05-25 - Berlin, Germany - Astra
05-26 - Munich, Germany - Dachau Summer of Music
05-28 - Barcelona, Spain - Primavera Sound
05-30 - Paris, France - Bataclan
05-31 - London, England - Hammersmith Apollo

[video] White Denim - Live at Emo's (12-31-2010)

White Denim on New Years Eve

What I find most refreshing about White Denim is their willingness to take risks. So many bands today reproduce their album sound in concert to the point where there's very little difference. Sure it's also about the live experience, and the stage presence adds to the whole aura of the show. But it's very rare these days to see a band constantly tinkering with their sound and song-structure through live improvisation. White Denim is one of those exceptions, and I think fans have become open to the idea of the experience, too, which is why it works so well. Suffice to say, you never get the same show twice, and everyone goes home very happy.

A prime example of this experience was documented by Austin Music Weekly when WD headlined a New Years Eve party at Emo's last month. Definitely check this out - there are new jams showcased in the mix! And since White Denim doesn’t perform songs so much as medleys, in an effort to preserve the live integrity of one of Austin’s most thrilling shows, AMW condensed the audio to reflect that distinction.

[mp3] Plants and Animals - Daytrotter Session

Another fantastic Daytrotter Session

Plants and Animals are about to embark across The Great North for their wintry-chilled tour through Canada. To sample their amazing live performance, head over to Daytrotter and check out their session which was released today. The band showcased two newer jams from La La Land, "Game Shows" and "Celebration," as well as the Parc Avenue classic "Feedback in the Field." Tour dates are posted below - notably, stage support includes Yukon Blonde, the 2010 Polaris Prize winners Karkwa, and Little Scream. It's bound to be a great show.

MP3: Plants and Animals - "Celebration" Daytrotter Session
(go here for the full Daytrotter Session)

Plants and Animals tour dates:
2/18 - The Commodore Ballroom, Vancouver, BC*
2/19 - Sugar Nightclub, Victoria, BC*
2/21 - Hume Hotel’s Spirit Bar, Nelson, BC*
2/23 - Starlite Room, Edmonton, AB*
2/24 - Republik, Calgary, AB*
2/25 - Amigo’s, Saskatoon, SK*~
2/26 - Pyramid Cabaret, Winnipeg, MB*
3/03 - Starlight Social Club, Waterloo, ON#
3/04 - Call the Office, London, ON#
3/05 - Lee’s Palace, Toronto, ON#
3/06 - Casbah, Hamilton, ON#
3/08 - The Red Dog, Peterborough, ON#
3/09 - Zappas Lounge, Kingston, ON#
3/10 - Capital Music Hall, Ottawa, ON#
3/11 - Le National, Montreal, QC^
3/12 - Le Cercle, Quebec, QC^

* w/ Yukon Blonde
# w/ Karkwa
^ w/ Little Scream
~ w/ Daniel Isaiah Schachter

[new music] Tapes 'n Tapes - "Badaboom"

Tapes 'n Tapes set to release Outside

Minneapolis's favorite garage band Tapes 'n Tapes will soon drop their third LP Outside in one week (1-11-2011). To prime fans, the band is now streaming another track from the album, "Badaboom" (listen below). The band has reportedly rekindled sounds from The Loon on this release - I hope they're right. Tapes 'n Tapes are also set to tour the country with yet again awesome stage support. So far, which TnT have come to Seattle, they've brought Cold War Kids, White Denim, and now Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr.! They'll be here March 8 at the Crocodile - don't miss this show.

Tapes 'n Tapes 2011 Tour Dates:

Jan 28 - Madison, WI - High Noon Saloon * Buy Tickets

Jan 29 - Chicago, IL - Lincoln Hall Buy Tickets

Jan 31 - Cleveland, OH - Grog Shop * Buy Tickets

Feb 01 - Ann Arbor, MI - Blind Pig * Buy Tickets

Feb 03 - Boston, MA - Paradise * Buy Tickets

Feb 04 - Brooklyn, NY - Music Hall of Wiliamsburg Buy Tickets

Feb 05 - Philadelphia, PA - Johnny Brenda's * Buy Tickets

Feb 07 - Washington, DC - Rock and Roll Hotel * Buy Tickets

Feb 08 - Charlottesville, VA - Jefferson Theater * Buy Tickets

Feb 09 - Asheville, NC - Grey Eagle * Buy Tickets

Feb 10 - Carrboro, NC - Cat's Cradle * Buy Tickets

Feb 11 - Atlanta, GA - The Earl * Buy Tickets

Feb 12 - Nashville, TN - Mercy Lounge * Buy Tickets

Feb 14 - Birmingham, AL - Bottletree * Buy Tickets

Feb 15 - Hattiesburg, MS - Thirsty Hippo *

Feb 17 - Houston, TX - Fitzgerald's * Buy Tickets

Feb 18 - Austin, TX - Emo's * Buy Tickets

Feb 19 - Dallas, TX - The Loft * Buy Tickets

Feb 21 - Little Rock, AR - Sticky Fingerz * Buy Tickets

Feb 22 - Norman, OK - Opolis * Buy Tickets

Feb 23 - Columbia, MO - Mojo's * Buy Tickets

Feb 24 - Omaha, NE - Waiting Room * Buy Tickets

Feb 25 - Minneapolis, MN - First Avenue * Buy Tickets

Mar 04 - Lawrence, KS - Jackpot Buy Tickets ^

Mar 05 - Boulder, CO - Fox Theater ^ Buy Tickets

Mar 07 - Boise, ID - Neurolux ^ Buy Tickets

Mar 08 - Seattle, WA - Crocodile Café ^ Buy Tickets

Mar 09 - Portland, OR - Doug Fir ^ Buy Tickets

Mar 11 - San Francisco, CA - Bottom of the Hill ^ Buy Tickets

Mar 12 - Los Angeles, CA - Troubadour ^ Buy Tickets

Mar 14 - Visalia, CA - Cellar Door ^ Buy Tickets

Mar 15 - Costa Mesa, CA - Detroit Bar ^ Buy Tickets

Mar 16 - San Diego, CA - Casbah ^ Buy Tickets

* - w/Oberhofer

^ - w/Dale Earnhardt Jr Jr

[sports] Clipboard Jesus Saves Playoff Chances

Seahawks Clinch Playoffs with 7-9 Record

Charlie Whitehurst played a smart and solid game tonight to help the Seattle Seahawks overcome the St. Louis Rams, securing the NFC West title and the 4th Seed in the playoffs. The defense was outstanding, and the 2nd half running game sealed the deal.

Next up, the Seahawks will host the New Orleans Saints at Qwest this Saturday at 1:30 pm. No matter what our record may have been in the regular season, everyone starts 0-0 in the playoffs.