Chairlift Set April Release

After a move from Boulder to Brooklyn in 2007, Caroline Polacheck, Aaron Pfenning and Patrick Wimberly started developing their hypnotic, synth-pop sound. Their first release was an acclaimed 7-inch and digital DL single for "Evident Utensil." The NME called it "a charming pop oddity," Exclaim! gave it "immediate cult status," and RCRDLBL.com deemed it "the best single from a Brooklyn band since like TV on the Radio or something." Comparisons were also made to The Knife, Of Montreal, and Yaz(!). The B-side of this limited 7" was a psyched-out remix by MGMT. - more on this story

SXSW Announce More Panels and Speakers

SXSW reports: The South by Southwest (SXSW) Music Conference and Festival, scheduled to take place Wednesday, March 18 - 22, 2009 in Austin, Texas is pleased to announce an ever evolving and eclectic array of panels and speakers for the 23rd edition of the Conference and Festival. From Miles Davis to Devo to The Hold Steady and from Woodstock to Mendocino, SXSW will delve into the careers of current and classic musicians of every genre.

Woodstock: Untold Story - The performers, filmmakers, and key technicians who helped create the timeless music classic and Oscar-winning Best Documentary gather for a lively discussion. Get a special sneak peek at the new high def picture and sound in Warner Home Video's upcoming historic Blu-ray and DVD release of "WOODSTOCK: 3 Days of Peace & Music" and a first glimpse of the two hours of bonus performances, some of it newly-discovered footage, contained in their 40th Anniversary Ultimate Collector's Edition. Participants include Michael Lang, Stu Cook, Eddie Kramer, Jocko Marcellino, Gregg Rolie, Michael Shrieve, Barbara Kopple, Wavy Gravy and Holly George-Warren.

Kind of Blue at 50 - Miles Davis remains an internationally acclaimed musician and hero to millions. His significant and innovative contribution to music and our culture remains unparalleled and his appeal continues to cross all demographics. 2009 marks the 50th anniversary of his landmark album "Kind Of Blue," still the best-selling jazz album of all time. With a modal approach to improvisation, this record changed the language of modern music. The recent reissue documents the project with previously unheard music and rarely seen footage. Take a look back at the most forward-looking music of 1959 with Ashley Kahn, George Avakian, Erin Davis, David Fricke and Vincent Wilburn Jr. - more on this story

Dolly Parton Inks Store Exclusive

PR reports: Cracker Barrel Old Country Store is pleased and proud to be the exclusive source of a new Collectors' Edition of Dolly Parton's latest CD, Backwoods Barbie.

The album will feature three new tracks that have never been heard before and are available only on this disc, and the CD will also feature brand new photos and artwork. This Collectors' Edition goes on sale exclusively at all Cracker Barrel locations on March 23rd.

The three new songs on this disc, "Rose of My Heart," "Hallelujah Holiday," and "Berry Pie" were selected by Dolly herself from her extensive catalog. "I wanted the songs I chose specifically for this release to reflect how I feel about Cracker Barrel and all the good things you can find there," said Dolly. "I think it's important for there to be an authentic connection to the heritage that Cracker Barrel and I share." - more on this story

Raul Malo Hitting The Road As New CD Hits Stores This Week

PR reports: The long wait for fans of Raul Malo is about to end in a very big way. His highly anticipated new collection, titled Lucky One, produced by Los Lobos' Steve Berlin, has generated early acclaim from appreciative critics and fans alike in advance of its March 3rd release date. The album is Malo's Fantasy Records debut and first recording of new, original material in seven years. That's just the start.

Raul and his great band will hit the road running March 6th in Portland, Oregon, the beginning of an incredible co-headline bill with Shelby Lynne. Along the way he will perform March 11th on the "Tonight Show with Jay Leno" and play two major showcases at South by Southwest (SXSW), the annual music festival in Austin. On Thursday, March 19, he will perform at the Americana Music Association showcase at Antone's as part of an all-star lineup, and on Friday, March 20 he'll play an open-to-the-public show at Auditorium Shores on Austin's Town Lake, sharing a bill with the city's own Arc Angels. - more on this story

Darfur Benefit CD Causes 2 Coming in May

PR reports: Waxploitation Records has confirmed a May 5th release date for Causes 2, the second album in the label's ongoing benefit series for Darfur. 100% of the profits from the release go to Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières, Human Rights Watch and Oxfam America.

The album includes rare and exclusive songs from some of the most compelling artists in the indie and alternative worlds: Black Moth Super Rainbow, The Decemberists, Devendra Banhart, Diplo, Federico Aubele, Gnarls Barkley, LCD Soundsystem, My Morning Jacket, Matthew Dear, Mum, Neon Neon, RJD2, and Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings, as well as a contribution from Adult Swim's Tim & Eric.

"It's easy for fatigue to set in when a crisis goes on for a number of years, but no one has given up hope that things can change for the better in Darfur" says Waxploitation founder Jeff Antebi, who executive produced the album. "There are untold numbers of people committed to changing the outcome. It takes humanitarian assistance, tenacity and political will." - more on this story

The Lonely Forest Set Release For New CD With a Cheesy Title

PR reports: Stretching out from the Great Northwest comes a group with the independent vibe of a heady garage band and the fully developed character of pop-rock veterans; The Lonely Forest. This foursome is ready to release their latest venture, We Sing The Body Electric!. The album is set to debut on April 21 through Burning Buildings Recordings.

The Lonely Forest broke onto the Northwest music scene in 2006 as winners of the EMP Sound Off! Competition, and haven't stopped since. New songs like "We Sing in Time" have the makings of a pop anthem for the next generation. They have played with a long list of admired acts such as The Velvet Teen, The Thermals, Karl Blau, and Starflyer 59. The Lonely Forest has also been honored with performance spots at multiple music festivals including Bumbershoot, and played benefits such as the recent global awareness event at the famed Troubador in L.A.

The Lonely Forest is John Van Deusen (lead guitar, vocals, piano), Braydn Krueger (drums), Eric Sturgeon (bass), and Tony Ruland (guitar). Armed with previous guidance from production great Jack Endino (Nirvana, Mudhoney, Hot Hot Heat). - more on this story

RIAA Settling Suit Against Internet Illiterate Parent's Children

AP reports: Lawyers have reached a tentative settlement in a music piracy lawsuit filed by the recording industry against the children of one of its best-known opponents, both sides said Friday.

Once the settlement is finalized, it would end a long battle between the industry and the family of Patti Santangelo, who was sued in 2005 for pirating music through file-sharing computer networks.

Santangelo, of Wappingers Falls, N.Y., denied the charge, saying she couldn't have downloaded or distributed music because she didn't know how. A federal judge described her as an "Internet-illiterate parent, who does not know Kazaa from kazoo." - more on this story

Emily Wells Offering Dirty Preview

PR reports: Emily Wells, a standout on last fall's sold-out Hotel Café tour, will preview material from Dirty, her upcoming EP, on a March tour that includes two shows at SXSW and supporting slots for Meiko and The Tallest Man on Earth.

Dirty - which will be released on May 26th via Well's own label, creative control - follows her acclaimed 2008 album, The Symphonies: Dreams Memories & Parties.

"I love the studio," says Wells, who performs live as a trio, bringing drummer Sam Halterman and bassist Joey Reina along with her. "So I do a lot of live sampling and looping in an attempt to bring the studio to the stage. All the live looping is like a sporting event, or keeping the first take of every recording. I could fall off the balance beam...which makes it all so much more exciting." - more on this story

Wanna Get ShipRocked?

PR reports: So you want to go on a Caribbean cruise with your favorite rock bands, but need a little economic stimulus? Well, ShipRocked is here to help! From now through June 1st, 2009, you can win a FREE ocean view balcony cabin for two on-board ShipRocked: the ultimate rock and roll vacation and backstage pass! Simply create a custom MySpace profile layout or theme to help promote ShipRocked and enter to win!

ShipRocked is slated to sail November 15-20, 2009 aboard the beautiful MSC Poesia, and will feature on-board performances by Queensryche, Tesla, Skid Row, Broken Teeth, EndeverafteR, Lynam, Stereoside, StoneRider and more!

ShipRocked pushes away from port in Fort Lauderdale and won't return you to the real world for five days. Along the way, you'll get to see Jamaica and Grand Cayman and party like rock stars, in port and on deck. Passengers will mingle with the artists and take part in activities not commonly offered on traditional cruises. Your grandma's cruise might not feature Guitar Hero competitions or a night of heavy metal karaoke - but ShipRocked does! Best of all, you can go on this vacation of a lifetime - FOR FREE. - more on this story

. U2 Month: Boy

To celebrate the release of U2's new album, Zane will be giving us a comprehensive look at U2's entire recording career this month. He kicks things off today with their debut album "Boy" and how it set the stage for U2 legendary career. (4 stars) - Read the full U2 Month: Boy review

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