[News] Dot to Dot Festival Preview

Summer is creeping in and with that you'll of noticed a host of Festivals taking place in just about every corner of the globe. Dot to Dot Festival started back in 2005 in Nottingham bringing together some top music acts across a number of venues. Fast forward to 2012 and the event has grown to three cities, all playing host to the chosen bands over a weekend. This years event will take place over the weekend of June 2nd to 4th in Nottingham, Bristol and Manchester. It's sure to be a great way to spend the bank holiday weekend in the UK and some ridiculously good bands will take to the stages over the weekend.

Up at the top you can see some of the line-up which includes, The Drums, Pulled Apart by Horses, Wavves, Willis Earl Beal, Summer Camp, Willy Moon and countless other top artists. Over the next week or so leading up to the event we'll post up some recommendations for bands we'll most definitely be checking out and will be at the Manchester date to report on all the shows we possibly can! Keep your eyes peeled for it but in the mean time for some more info hit up the official site. The full line up can be found here while the venue guide and set times are also up for your perusal here. Tickets can be purchased for the event here so get planning and see you in the pits!

[News] Beck To Release Third Man Records Single

On May 28th Beck will make his debut on Third Man Records by releasing a one-off 7" single, "I Just Started Hating Some People Today" with "Blue Randy" as the b-side. The single will be available on day of release via Third Man Records website, iTunes and the TMR store in Nasvhille. There will be NO pre-orders for this single, so guess who will be stalking the TMR website like a crazy person? Yes, me. Until the 28th rolls around you can head over to the TMR site and hear clips of the two songs.

The tracks were recorded in 2011 while Beck was in Nashville working on new material for his long awaited next album. The songs spontaneously came together at the Third Man studio on Beck's final day in Nashville.

There will be an extremely limited run of 100 Tri Color 7-inches (which were inspired by the title of b-side "Blue Randy) will be available beginning 10am on Saturday June 2nd at Randy's Records. An even scarcer scattering of 50 Tri Colors will be randomly inserted in mail orders for the single placed with Third Man.

We. So. Excited

[News] Former RHCP Guitarist John Frusciante Returns With New Solo EP, Letur-Lefr

You know what's even better than today being friday? Waking up to the news that JOHN FRUSCIANTE IS RELEASING A NEW SOLO RECORD THIS SUMMER!! Sorry, if I could type this whole post in all caps I would but you guys would be annoyed and I'd feel like I was ranting like Kanye. But anyhow, our good friends over at Invisible-Movement.net (The best website for all John Frusciante news) announced earlier today that the former Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist is set to release a new EP titled Letur-Lefr this summer. This marks John's first solo release since 2009's album The Empyrean.

Frusciante fans have been waiting a long time for this news (me especially) after all the rumors from friends around the guitarist like RZA, The Mars Volta's Omar Rodriguez-Lopez (who has an awesome new album out by the way, which he released yesterday) and Share Watson aka Truth Hurts hinted that John was back in the studio working on new music and had about 300-400 unedited songs in the bag. Finally, we get news of a new release is on the way. Ahhhh I'm all over the place with excitement on this one! Like his previous albums, Letur-Lefr is set to be released via Record Collection Music. UPDATE: The new EP will contain five new songs and it will be released the week of July 9th in multiple formats (including cassette!) worldwide.

Tune into Invisible-Movement.net and SKoA for more information as it comes. NOW GO LISTEN TO ANY JOHN FRUSCIANTE SOLO RECORD YOU CAN FIND! I know most of you got Spotify! I recommend listening to To Record Water For Only Ten Days.

[News] Azealia Banks 'FANTASTIC' Mixtape Set to Drop on July 4th

Azealia Banks is looking to dominate the second half of 2012 with the release of her 1991 EP (out May 29th) and her debut full-length (due out in September), as well as a brand new mixtape titled FANTASTIC. Banks has announced on Twitter that the mixtape, which features the track "JUMANJI," will be released on July 4th, so expect her raucous beats to soundtrack your celebration of Independence Day.

Azealia Banks is also set to hit the road this summer, starting on June 3rd for Hot 97's Summer Jam in New Jersey. Check out her full tour itinerary after the jump.

Azealia Banks 2012 Tour Dates:

06-03 East Rutherford, NJ - Summer Jam at Metlife Stadium
06-22 Madrid, Spain - Matadero Madrid
07-29 Byron Bay, Australia - Splendour in the Grass
08-18 Tokyo, Japan - Summer Sonic 2012
08-19 Osaka, Japan - Summer Sonic 2012
08-25 Reading, England - Reading Festival
08-26 Leeds, England - Leeds Festival
08-28 Mallorca, Spain - Mallorca Rocks
08-29 Ibiza, Portugal - Ibiza Rocks
09-08 Isle of Wight, England - Bestival
09-28 Manchester, England - Manchester Club Academy
09-29 Glasgow, Scotland - O2 ABC Glasgow
10-01 Newcastle, England - O2 Academy Newcastle 
10-02 Liverpool England - O2 Academy Liverpool 
10-03 Leeds, England - Leeds Metropolitan University
10-05 Birmingham, England - Birmingham HMV Library
10-06 Oxford, England - O2 Academy Oxford 
10-07 Norwich, England - O2 Academy Norwich 
10-09 Cambridge, England - Cambridge Junction
10-10 Brighton, England - Brighton Concorde 2
10-12 London, England - O2 Shepherds Bush Empire

[News] Azealia Banks to Release Debut EP '1991' on May 29th

After changing management companies, Azealia Banks' debut EP was unfortunately delayed, but now the EP has a firm release date of May 29th. The result is a four-track effort including the previously released tracks "212" and "Liquorice," as well as two new tracks titled "1991" and "Van Vogue." Check out the official artwork for the EP above, and give her recently released track "JUMANJI," which is set to appear on her upcoming FANTASTIC mixtape, a listen below. As well, you can take a look at the full tracklisting for the EP after the jump.

1991 Tracklist:
01. 1991
02. Van Vogue
03. 212
04. Liquorice

[News] Passion Pit Reveals 'Gossamer' Tracklisting, Artwork

Passion Pit's long awaited sophomore LP Gossamer will finally see release on July 24th, and today the band has unveiled the artwork and tracklisting for the album. Check out the artwork above and the tracklisting after the jump. As well, if you've yet to hear the lead single from the album, "Take A Walk," give it a listen below.

Gossamer, produced by Chris Zane, is out on July 24th via Columbia Records.

Gossamer Tracklist:
01. Take a Walk
02. I’ll Be Alright
03. Carried Away
04. Constant Conversations
05. Mirrored Sea
06. Cry Like a Ghost
07. On My Way
08. Hideaway
09. Two Veils to Hide My Face
10. Love Is Greed
11. Its Not My Fault I’m Happy
12. Where We Belong

[News] We Are Scientists Announce UK Tour

Here's some new to brighten your day if you're a UK reader, We Are Scientists have just announced a string of UK tour dates for this summer. They'll play a handful of dates including Manchester, London and Glasgow along with some Festival appearances in August. Make the jump to check out the dates. We're awaiting news on their fourth studio offering but are assured it's coming. Watch this space. 

We Are Scientists UK Tour 

23/07 - Bristol - Thekla

25/07 - London - The Garage 

26/07 - Portsmouth - Wedgewood Rooms 

27/07 - York - Duchess 

30/07 - Norwich - Arts Centre 

31/07 - Manchester - Deaf Institute

01/08 - Glasgow - King Tuts

Festival Dates:

22/07 - Sheffield - Tramlines

29/07 - Cumbria - Kendal Calling

03/08 - Scotland - Belladrum

04/08 - Stockton - Weekender

05/08 - Derbyshire - Y Not Festival           

[News] Blur Announces UK Shows

Despite his confidence that Blur's upcoming performance for the Olympics' closing ceremony would be the band's final performance, Damon Albarn has become increasingly unsure of that statement. The band has also announced four shows leading up to the Olympic performance, giving the indication that the supposed final performance might not be their last. Take a look at the specific dates and locations for the UK shows after the jump.

Blur 2012 Tour Dates:

08-01 Margate, England - Margate Winter Gardens
08-05 Wolverhampton, England - Wolverhampton Civic Hall
08-06 Wolverhampton, England - Wolverhampton Civic Hall
08-07 Plymouth, England - Plymouth Pavilions
08-08 - 08-11 Skanderborg, Denmark - Smukfest
08-09 - 08-11 Gothenberg, Sweden - Way Out West Festival
08-12 London, England - Hyde Park