Arcade Fire will release their new full length CD via Merge on Tuesday. The Suburbs is a remarkable collection of songs that demand to be heard as a whole. In the New York Times, Jon Pareles says “the album doesn’t resolve its own questions; it expands their mystery.” Read more about the band in his article today.
One of our favorite people, Dan Connelly, got to meet the great Vin Scully after winning the silent bidding at the WFUV Gala in May. Mr. Scully, who helped create the Fordham University radio station as an undergrad, was obviously delighted to meet this Twins fan. Dan confided that one of his favorite memories as a child was falling asleep on the ride home from his grandparents’ home to the sonorous voice of Herb Carneal. “Let me tell you, Dan,” Scully replied, “I’ve put half of Southern California to sleep!”
When copies of Arcade Fire’s forthcoming record, The Suburbs, become available in stores, they will feature 8 different album covers. Paste revealed all 8 yesterday. The differences are quite subtle, and identify well with the themes of the new songs. Here’s my favorite:
Proceeds from the sale of Pearl Jam’s new video for “Amongst the Waves” on iTunes will benefit Conservation International’s Ocean Campaign. The video is beautiful and resonates deeply; please feel free to post it to your station’s web site to help spread the word about this worthy cause.
Broken Bells have an intriguing new video for “The Ghost Inside.” It features Mad Men’s Christina Hendricks. Olives have never looked so tempting.
A wonderful unreleased Pearl Jam song called “Better Days” was recently unearthed and leaked. Suspected to be from the sessions for 2002’s Riot Act, the song is rumored to appear on the forthcoming soundtrack for Eat, Pray, Love.
Many of us just returned from Philadelphia and perhaps the best Non-Commvention ever. So many great performances on the stages of World Cafe Live and none better that John Legend and The Roots. They played:
Here’s the classic Gene McDaniels song made famous by Les McCann/Eddie Harris:
and here’s a new version:
I’ve seen and enjoyed many a Black Cab Session, but this recent one featuring Jamie Lidell might do the best job of any of showcasing their potential. This talented man makes a whole lot of music for one person in a backseat.
Jamie Lidell from Black Cab Sessions on Vimeo.
Dr. Dog offers up a soulful, intimate performance of “Jackie Wants a Black Eye” from the confines of a Lower East Side bar booth. If this is what being at a bar with Dr. Dog is like, then the Non-Commvention can’t come fast enough.
We’re beginning to select songs for the Non-Commvention Music Meeting taking place on Saturday, June 5th at WXPN in Philadelphia. Most of you know the drill already but we’ll spell it out briefly for newcomers: we play ten songs that registrants — radio programmers, bloggers, record company personnel, artists, trades, syndicators, independent promoters, waiters and Dan Reed — have not yet heard. The music is discussed and rated in an effort to simulate what goes on in weekly music meetings across the country.
So we want the new stuff. And it has to be great: marquee names, brilliants unknowns, and everything in between. Send us your best candidates digitally or via the mail; please mark clearly that they’re for the Non-Comm Music Meeting and throw in bio and release information. Finally, full albums are always preferred over single songs.
Sean Coakley
Songlines
68 South Moger Avenue
Mt. Kisco, NY 10549
Or, email me.
We need your music before Memorial Day weekend – the cutoff date for submissions is May 28th.
Check your release schedule and cherry-pick the best of June, July and beyond and get your music exposed to this very important group of tastemakers.
Hope to see you in Philly!
The great Dan Reed
