Bits and Bobs: Deerhunter, Movie Music Geeks, Kele, Tron

- Deerhunter is gearing up to release their new album Halcyon Digest in September, and they’re already throwing some treats out to their fans. For the street-teamers who printed out the flyers and posted them everywhere, Pitchfork reports that Deerhunter has bestowed the tracklisting, cover art, and now a free download. Visit the album website for more details.

- In other Deerhunter news, Ohmpark is reporting that there is a concert documentary in the works, directed by filmmaker John Albrecht. Check out the trailer below.

deerhunter live – film trailer from John Albrecht on Vimeo.

- In honor of all music geeks, Spinner has a great top-20 list of the greatest movie music geeks.

- Bloc Party’s Kele is looking quite the (very emotional) fittie in his new video for the amazing “Everything You Wanted,” from his solo record The Boxer. It’s like out generation’s “Nothing Compares To You,” with the teary Sinead O’Connor. Check it out on Stereogum.

- We are really starting to wish we were at ComicCon. They just premiered the new trailer for Tron: Legacy, which may or may not look just a wee bit confusing. For folks not massively familiar with the movie, like me, go over to Gawker to check out the trailer and see the break down. The only thing missing from the trailer: the Daft Punk soundtrack. Didn’t sound like any of the robotic duo’s recognizable tunes were there.

Bits and Bobs: Mercury Prize, Andy Hummel, Mark Ronson, Pitchfork Music Festival, Bryan Ferry

- This morning the Mercury Prize nominees were announced in London. Consequence of Sound has the full list, which includes our faves Dizzee Rascal and Paul Weller (and The XX, who I care a little less about). NME has all the records for you to listen to. The winner will be announced on September 7.

- Andy Hummel, the original bassist for Big Star, has passed away at age 59. Spinner has the story.

- Rolling Stone premiered the new video for Bryan Ferry‘s new song “You Can Dance,” from his solo album Olympia, due out October 26. We’d like to be excited about it, since he’s back working with Roxy Music members Phil Manzanera, Andy Mackay and Brian Eno, but it’s all a bit disappointing – the music is pretty uninspiring, and (though we know having sexy ladies everywhere is Ferry’s “thing”) the video is fairly dull too.

- Apparently a little music festival took place in Chicago this past weekend, by some indie blog called Pitchfork. Pretty much everyone and their mother has pics up, so we’ll default to Pitchfork themselves.

- Mark Ronson has released the album art for his upcoming release Record Collection, due out October 5. Since he’s been working a ton with Duran Duran lately, it’s not too surprising that it’s pretty influenced by some of the ’80s band’s own album art. He’s also got a video out for the fab tune “Bang Bang Bang” – it’s all up on Arjan Writes now.

Bits and Bobs: Judi Chicago, Avett Brothers, Facebook, Weapons of Audio, Cookie Cakes

- Travis Thatcher of Judi Chicago is having what looks like a pretty kick-ass yard sale on Saturday. Look, he has a fancy flyer and everything.

- The model whose picture appears on the cover of Vampire Weekend‘s Contra is suing the band’s label XL Recordings and photographer Tod Brody (who sold the picture) for $2 million, saying that her signature was forged. Brooklyn Vegan has done a bit of investigative journalism for those who want the details. … Continue Reading

Q&A with Mikky Ekko; Playing Unplugged in the Park

By Eileen Tilson

True art has the ability to haunt those who expose themselves to it. A truly great album has the ability to stop time, giving its listeners an escape for 45 minutes away from the world, and then haunting your life forever. Jeff Buckley, Sigur Ros, Elliot Smith, all men synonymous with making the sort of great art that seeps into your soul slowly, now must add another to their ranking: Mikky Ekko, the young ingenue from Nashville, who is gracing the stage this Sunday, as part of the Unplugged in the Park series hosted by 99X.

The first time I listened to Grace by Jeff Buckley, I did not understand it. I had to listen to the album over and over, before one day, it hit me, and washed over me, drowning my ears. I had the same experience listening to your music. What do you hope the immediate reaction to your music is?

I hope the listener doesn’t just import the record and toss it.  I hope they eventually leave it in their car stereo for eight months.  I’d love to have a listener put at ease just enough to pull out special pieces of the record for a second listen. … Continue Reading

Bits and Bobs: B.O.B., James, Ed Harcourt, Joaquin Phoenix, Live Aid, Guided By Voices, Arcade Fire

- One of England’s best bands, James, will be joining one of England’s best troubadours, Ed Harcourt, for a fall jaunt around the U.S. They will be stopping in Atlanta on September 22 for a show at Variety Playhouse. Tickets go on sale July 16 HERE. Check out the video of a recent performance of James’ classic “Laid,” which shows the band definitely still rocks.

- The BBC is making a film about the relationship between Boomtown Rats’ Bob Geldof and promoter Harvey Goldsmith, the duo who created the legendary benefit concert event Live Aid. According to Spinner, … Continue Reading

Bits and Bobs: Matisyahu, Death on Two Wheels, Helen Mirren, Last Chance Runaround, Dark Night of the Soul

- Matisyahu will be joined by the new reincarnation of Sublime, Sublime with Rome, for a super-mellow night of reggae at The Masquerade on July 23.

- Tickets are now on sale for Kenny Leon’s True Colors 2010-2011 season. And if you order your subscription by July 15, you’ll get two free tickets for the always-popular Langston Hughes’ Black Nativity. The offer expires tomorrow (Thursday, July 15) so get on this now. More information here.

- Local rock ‘n’ roll heroes Death on Two Wheels will be kicking off their summer tour with The Rocketboys at The Masquerade on July 30.

- Our favorite harp-wielding folk rock duo Last Chance Runaround will be playing Decatur’s ace watering hole Twain’s on … Continue Reading

Q&A with Steel Train; Playing Drunken Unicorn with Young Giant and Rachel Goodrich, July 12

By Alec Wooden

It’s often no coincidence when a band releases an eponymous record a few releases deep into its discography (save Weezer. There’s nothing deep there … just a total loss of creativity – wait, did I say that out loud?). It’s also not rocket science unlocking the underlying meaning — a rebirth, a remake, a fresh start, new beginning – choose your metaphor. Steel Train follows this maxim, and for the New Jersey rockers, the shoe fits. Recently split from long time label Drive Thru Records, the quintet is happy on its own, feeling born again and free to explore new musical territory on Steel Train, self-released on June 29. Frontman Jack Antonoff talks to AMG about the band’s transformation, touring habits, and what the future holds for Steel Train.

I’m curious how your outlook on Steel Train’s “sound” has changed over the last six or so years since the release of 1969 EP, an homage to the year that was said to define “your sound.”

The way we felt making [1969 EP] is probably the opposite of how we feel now. At the time, we were younger and just sort of coming up, and it’s really easy to look towards the past. Now, there’s a really exciting round of great bands coming out with new and interesting music — and I’m way more concerned with being a part of something current. It’s a confidence thing. You’ve got to reach some level of confidence personally and also within your career that allows you to say, “Well, maybe my generation isn’t a joke.” I don’t think anyone ever made anything really, really inspiring just by picking up where someone left off. Any band that I listen to right now that sounds like something else, I always just end up putting on an old Beatles record or something because it made me think of that. … Continue Reading

Bits and Bobs: Rosanne Cash, Band of Horses, Scissor Sisters, R.E.M., Big Boi

- Rosanne Cash, country star and daughter of the legend that is Johnny Cash, will be signing her book, Composed, at Agnes Scott College’s Presser Hall on August 14. The event is presented by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Decatur Book Festival (AJC DBF) and Yuengling Beer and is hosted by Agnes Scott and A Cappella Books, and will include a performance by Cash herself. … Continue Reading

Q&A with Rooney: Playing The Loft, July 10

By Alec Wooden

On the surface, Los Angeles-based rock band Rooney has had it rough over the last 12 months. They’ve lost a label (Geffen) and a bass player (Matt Winter), all the while cutting a new record for the first time without benefits of mountains of label aid, engineers and producers. It takes little time talking to guitarist Taylor Locke, however, to figure out that the opposite is quite true. Instead of “losing” a label, they feel freed from one. Winter is gone, but has become no less a friend and avid supporter. And Eureka, the new and aforementioned uphill climb of a record, has left the band energized and excited about controlling their own direction more so than at any time in the past decade. One week into the band’s summer tour, Locke talks about all the reasons why, perhaps now more than ever, Rooney feels right at home within themselves.

What are we to expect sonically from Eureka?

Everyone these days uses the word “organic” in every album review … so I’ll try and shy away from that. The record has a polished sound to it, but slightly less so than our past records. Louie [Stephens, keyboardist] played lots of upright piano, which lends a cozy, barroom feel to the songs. I played more slide guitar than usual. Ned [Brower, drums] takes a lead vocal on one track. Matt [Winter, recently departed bassist] played much more active bass lines. However, you’ll still get plenty of synthesizer hooks, and of course, Robert [Schwartzman]’s voice, which are hallmarks of our groups’ sound. … Continue Reading

Bits and Bobs: Harry Potter, Andre 3000 Covering The Beatles, New Of Montreal

- The latest trailer for the new Harry Potter film is now up. Though the last book (number seven, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows) will be split into two films, this trailer is for both films. And it looks epic. Check out the trailer below.

- We now have a full-length version of Andre 3000 covering The Beatles’ “All Together Now,” which first appeared in a Nike/NBA commercial. It’s over on Idolator now.

- Of Montreal will release their 10th album on September 14. False Priest will feature collaborations from the likes of Janelle Monae and Solange Knowles. You can download the first single “Coquet Coquette” on the band’s website.

Shotgun Lover Brings the Rock ‘n’ Roll to Vinyl with Joshua Fletcher and the Six Shot Romance

Nashville will be depositing some serious rock ‘n’ roll in Atlanta on July 2 in the form of Shotgun Lover. Fast, sharp and ballsy with a dash of grit thrown in there, Shotgun Lover are definitely going to please the crowds at Vinyl, where they will be sharing the stage with Joshua Fletcher and the Six Shot Romance. Tickets will be available at the door. … Continue Reading

Bits and Bobs: Pinkberry, ATL Throwdown, Glastonbury, BET Awards and More!

Looks like it was a busy weekend, with a fabulous awards show, an epic U.K. festival and more. Here’s some bits and bobs we think you should know about:

- The famed frozen yogurt company Pinkberry has opened its first Georgia shop on Cobb Parkway. Atlanta Dish was there and has some crazy yummy-looking pics. Just in time to beat this sweltering heat then. … Continue Reading

AMG’s Weekend Guide: Holly Golightly, MC Chris, The New Pornographers, Sting and More!

It’s that marvelous time again, Friday! There’s a ton of great things to look forward to, with some brilliant shows by indie heroes, young rock ‘n’ rollers, local faves and rock legends. Not to mention a few very special World Cup games (USA on Saturday, and England on Sunday!). … Continue Reading

Public Enemy Embark on 20th Anniversary Tour for Fear Of a Black Planet – Tickets On Sale June 26

Hip-hop legends Public Enemy are bringing the Fear Of  A Black Planet: 20th Anniversary Tour to Atlanta’s Center Stage on Tuesday, September 14. Tickets go on sale this Saturday, June 26 – GET TICKETS HERE. … Continue Reading

Aziz Ansari Is Dangerously Delicious, Live at the Tabernacle – September 18

We’re about 99% sure that anyone who has seen Aziz Ansari, loves Aziz Ansari. Whether it be from the two-season MTV skit comedy show “Human Giant,” from his role as Tom Haverford on the NBC comedy “Parks and Recreation,” or even as Raaaaaaaaandy (yes, that’s eight A’s) his “comedian alter-ego” created for the Adam Sandler/Seth Rogen movie Funny People - nobody can deny, Aziz is hilarious.

Ansari, who has gained major cred in the indie-rock community, recently … Continue Reading