* * M.I.A. has unveiled the Romain Gavras directed video to her new track 'Bad Girls'. Romain Gavras doesn't really do quiet, run of the mill music videos. Instead, the director opts for controversial, provocative clips that often gain more hype and acclaim than the music they feature. Once again teaming up with M.I.A., Romain Gavras took control of the video for her new single 'Bad Girls'. Shot in the desert, the clip has plenty shots of M.I.A. dancing but little of the ginger baiting gore which made 'Born Free' such a viral success. Watch the video below... - - - A quote from M.I.A. - "It was dope to have so many people from so many different backgrounds speaking so many different languages come together to create something that we believed in". “I thought I was gonna die on the shoot when I saw the drifting. It was a four day shoot so everyone was on edge the whole time specifically ME when I had to do bluesteel singing to the camera while the cars did doughnuts on the wet road ten feet away. In my mind I was thinking how I was gonna deliver the video to Vice with no legs." 'Bad Girls' is out now. M.I.A. is currently working on her fourth album, which will be released through Mercury this year. *
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* * James Yorkston & The Athletes is set to release an expanded edition of their debut album 'Moving Up Country'. Has it really been ten years? Emerging from deepest Fife, James Yorkston's debut album 'Moving Up Country' introduced a strong, provocative songwriting voice. Since then, the songwriter has embarked on a multitude of projects, but James Yorkston's debut album still burns bright. Now Domino are planning to release an expanded edition, with the Scottish artist planning two anniversary shows. 'Moving Up Country' will be re-issued on April 23rd, with the new version containing two discs. The original studio album will remain intact, with the second disc contains demos, intitial sketches and the full version of a Peel session originally broadcast on Jan 2nd 2003. Grab the demo version of 'Moving Up Country, Roaring The Gospel' below... - - - Alongside the new version of 'Moving Up Country' James Yorkston & The Athletes are planning to play two shows. Hitting London on May 29th, the band are set to re-visit their debut album at Cecil Sharp House. After this, the collective will travel North for a one off show at Edinburgh venue The Caves on May 31st. Tickets are on sale now. James Yorkston & The Athletes are set to play the following shows: May * 29 London Cecil Sharp House * 31 Edinburgh The Caves Click here to buy tickets for James Yorkston & The Athletes! *
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* * Choir Of Young Believers are set to release their new album 'Rhine Gold' on March 19th. Led by Jannis Noya Makrigiannis, Choir Of Young Believers captured our hearts with their debut album. Released in 2009, 'This Is For The White In Your Eyes' was a stunning blend of vast orchestration and evocative songwriting. Now the band have prepared a follow up. Ghostly International have supplied a base for the Danish collective, with Choir Of Young Believers due to release their new album 'Rhine Gold' on March 19th. Helpfully, the Danish group have also supplied a quick preview. Taken from the new album, 'Nye Nummer Et' picks up where 'This Is For The White In Your Eyes' left off. Vast, ambitious and utterly beautiful 'Nye Nummer Et' is available as a free download in the SoundCloud embed below. - - - Choir Of Young Believers are set to release their new album 'Rhine Gold' on March 19th. *
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* * DELS has pointed fans to a new track, featuring contributions from DOOM, Jneiro Jarel and Dave Sitek. Well this is intriguing... This morning (February 3rd) DELS pointed fans to a new collaboration. 'Cockney Rhyming Slang' features production from Jneiro Jarel and Dave Sitek, while DOOM adds some heavy rhymes. ClashMusic are fresh off the phone to DELS' people, who were rather surprised that the track had arrived so early. More material could be in the pipeline, but Big Dada are reluctant to place a timescale on the project. Stream 'Cockney Rhyming Slang' below... - - - ClashMusic spoke to Jneiro Jarel recently as part of our survey of New Voices In Hip Hop. The producer revealed that he was working with Dave Sitek, although he refused to disclose further details. "Now, I’m kind of just talking amongst a couple of producers and artists, I’m trying to get my lane together right now. I’m definitely going to do more stuff with Dave Sitek. Definitely. We spoke about doing some more stuff so I can speak about that. Some other stuff I won’t speak about, it’s pretty cool. I’m excited about it." Read the full feature HERE. *
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* * Lana Del Rey is racing to number one on the UK charts with her debut album 'Born To Die'. It's one of the most unlikely chart face offs you can imagine. In one corner, Lana Del Rey: a perfectly sculpted pop princess whose expert control of web based hype turned her into one of 2011's most high profile newcomers. In the other corner: Leonard Cohen. The legendary Canadian songwriter returned with his new album 'Old Ideas' this week, proving that the seven years since his previous album 'Dear Heather' have been well spent. Widely hailed by fans and critics as yet another milestone in a rightly celebrated career, Leonard Cohen is set to make a big impression on this week's charts. 'Old Ideas' currently sits at number two, with the Official Chart Company placing Lana Del Rey in pole position. 'Born To Die' looks set to grab the number one slot, with pre-order sales pushing Lana Del Rey into the lead. If Leonard Cohen were to over-take the singer, 'Old Ideas' would become his first UK number one. Meanwhile, Lana Del Rey's first label boss has moved to dismiss suggestions that the singer is being bankrolled by her millionaire father. Five Points Records head David Nichtern first hooked up with the singer in 2007, and worked on her debut album - which was removed from iTunes soon after its release. "Her father never had anything to do financially with supporting her creativity," the label head told MTV. "I don't know if he was lending her money to live off, but at least when she was with us, not a penny. I don't know if he's rich or not; I met him and he seemed like a pretty ordinary guy." "But that whole thing that she was backed by her millionaire dad is a bunch of crap, basically. Certain facts about the record she did with us are completely misshapen." The mid week positions on the UK album chart: 1. Lana Del Rey - Born To Die * 2. Leonard Cohen - Old Ideas * 3. Ed Sheeran - + * 4. Coldplay - Mylo Xyloto * 5. Adele - 21 * 6. Jessie J - Who You Are * 7. Rizzle Kicks - Stereo Typical * 8. Bruno Mars - Doo Wops & Hooligans * 9. Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds - Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds * 10. Christina Perri - Lovestrong *
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* * Seminal doom metal outfit SUNN O))) have confirmed plans to play a European tour later this year. SUNN O))) are a truly transcendental live experience. The band are loosely tagged as 'doom metal' but in reality their output shreds through musical genres on a near second-by-second basis. Live, these influences are teased out into spiralling grooves that demolish any preconceptions you might have about what is left to achieve in guitar music. They're pretty special. So news that SUNN O))) are to play a European tour this summer has caused a stir in the ClashMusic office. Stephen O'Malley and Greg Anderson will take their live show to the continent this summer, with only two British dates organised thus far. Opening in Manchester on June 11th, SUNN 0))) are due to perform at The Ritz. Shifting down to London, the seminal duo will kick out the jams at KOKO on June 12th. Nurse With Wound are set to play support in London, while Aluk Todolo will accompany SUNN 0))) on selected European shows. Here's a SUNN 0))) live clip from 2006 to soak up, while the full list of European shows can be found after the jump. - - - SUNN 0))) are due to play the following shows: June * 11 Manchester Ritz * 12 London KOKO (Nurse With Wound supporting) * 14 Amsterdam Melkweg (Aluk Todolo supporting) * 15 Hoboken Fort 8 (Aluk Todolo supporting) * 16 Paris Gaite Lyrique (Aluk Todolo supporting) * 17 Clisson Hellfest Click here to buy tickets for SUNN O))) *
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* * Black Keys singer Dan Auerbach has overseen Dr John's new album 'Locked Down'. A pivotal - and utterly unique - figure in American music, Dr John's career could be set to take another unexpected turn. Black Keys frontman Dan Auerbach coaxed the iconic musician into a live performance last year, and it seems that this has snowballed into a full album project. Recorded in Nashville's Easy Eye Sound studio, 'Locked Down' matches Dr John (real name Mac Rebennack) with a group of young musicians handpicked by Dan Auerbach. The project was kicked off by the Black Keys singer, who apparently tracked down the legendary New Orleans musician with the promise to produce "the best record you've made in a long time." Nonesuch Records are due to handle the release, with 'Locked Down' set to drop on April 2nd. A quote from Dr John: "It was way cool cutting this record with Dan and the crew he put together for it. It's reel HIP." And the response from Dan Auerbach: "Mac inspired me every single day we were in the studio together – musically, spiritually, cosmically... something special seemed to be happening and everyone involved could sense it. For my money, Mac's one of the greatest who ever was and who ever will be... I'm so honored to have had this opportunity to work with him." Running alongside the release, Dr John is set to lead a three week residency titled 'Dr. John: Insides Out' at the Brooklyn Academy of Music in Brooklyn, New York, from March 29th through to April 14th. Sitting at the centre of the residency is a three night run from Dr John himself, in which Dan Auerbach will join Dr. John and a handpicked band to premiere new music from the album at the BAM Howard Gilman Opera House (April 5th - 7th). 'Locked Down' is due to be released on April 2nd. *
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* * Justin Vernon has discussed the possibility of new Bon Iver material - admitting that it could take a while to arrive. Bon Iver continue to evolve. The band's second album dropped last year, and saw Justin Vernon moving beyond his lone-artist-in-the-woods persona. Recently overseeing the new album from Kathleen Edwards, Justin Vernon is continuing to branch out. Chatting with USA Today recently, the songwriter revealed that he has begun to sketch out the new Bon Iver album - although it could take a while to arrive. "I don't have any songs written yet" he admitted. "I'm guessing three years. But it could be five. It could be only one more. It just depends when the songs come about. I sort of have to wait till they reveal themselves." Continuing, Justin Vernon explained that Bon Iver is "more of a project than it is a solo project or a band. It could be anywhere from three to 10 people. It's going to change; it's going to ebb and flow." Reflecting on his own career, Vernon admitted to day dreaming about new projects. "I have a big idea to do an American songbook of the greatest women singers. There are so many: Casey (Dienel) from White Hinterland, Bonnie Raitt, Alicia." A more pressing concern for Bon Iver are the upcoming Grammy awards. A lavish ceremony, Justin Vernon caused a stir before Christmas when the New York Times printed comments which poured scorn on the institution. "And who is that award given by? It’s like they think it’s literally handed down by the musical-history gods. And I don’t know who the voters are. Like, I have a friend who’s a voter who was like, 'I had to be a voter because I don’t trust the other voters.' And I was like, 'Me either!' And it’s just not important and people spend too much time thinking about it." The Grammy Awards take place on February 12th. *
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* * The Black Sabbath re-union is in doubt, after Bill Ward threatened to pull out of the project. Are Black Sabbath cursed? The band's long threatened re-union finally came to fruition last year, but almost immediately after announcing their return problems set in. Guitarist Tony Iommi has been diagnosed with cancer, and now it seems that drummer Bill Ward is on the verge of pulling out of the project. Posting a lengthy note on Facebook, the drummer revealed that he has serious issues with the way the re-union has been conducted. "At this time, I would love nothing more than to be able to proceed with the Black Sabbath album and tour" he wrote. "However, I am unable to continue unless a "signable" contract is drawn up; a contract that reflects some dignity and respect toward me as an original member of the band. Last year, I worked diligently in good faith with Tony, Ozzy and Geezer. And on 11/11/11, again in good faith, I participated in the L.A. press conference. Several days ago, after nearly a year of trying to negotiate, another “unsignable” contract was handed to me." Continuing, Bill Ward explained his contradictory feelings over going public on the matter. "The place I'm in feels lousy and lonely because as much as I want to play and participate, Ialso have to stand for something and not sign on" he wrote. "If I sign as-is, I stand to lose my rights, dignity and respectability as a rock musician. I believe in freedom and freedom of speech. I grew up in a hard rock/metal band. We stood for something then, and we played from the heart with honesty and sincerity. I am in the spirit of integrity, far from the corporate malady, I am real and honest, fair and compassionate." Finishing, the drummer insisted that he was not motivated by money. "My position is not greed-driven. I'm not holding out for a "big piece" of the action (money) like some kind of blackmail deal. I’d like something that recognizes and is reflective of my contributions to the band, including the reunions that started fourteen years ago. After the last tour I vowed to never again sign on to an unreasonable contract. I want a contract that shows some respect to me and my family, a contract that will honor all that I've brought to Black Sabbath since its beginning." Read the full note HERE. Black Sabbath have yet to respond. *
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* * Tickets for the upcoming British tour from Factory legends New Order went on sale this morning (February 3rd). In virtually every area of British music, New Order's legacy can be felt. Matching a knowledge of dance music with rock song structures and a pop touch, the Manchester band's output remains vital. Reforming last year, the group decided to operate without original bass player Peter Hook. A controversial choice, but New Order have been able to play a series of live shows on the continent and beyond. Announcing plans for a full UK tour, tickets for the upcoming shows went on sale this morning (February 3rd). Opening on April 26th, the band will play a no doubt emotional show at Manchester's O2 Apollo. Continuing, the tour hits Birmingham on April 29th, before veering into the Brixton Academy on May 2nd. Finishing on April 5th, New Order will bring the tour to a halt in Glasgow at the O2 Academy. Tickets are now on sale, but better act quick - demand is expected to be huge. Here's an archive clip to whet your appetite... - - - New Order will play the following shows: April * 26 Manchester Apollo * 29 Birmingham Ballroom May * 2 Brixton O2 Academy * 5 Glasgow O2 Academy Click here to buy tickets for New Order! *
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