In these tough economic times, you’ve got to look for those ever-elusive alternate streams of income. Especially when you’ve got a family to support. Just ask the coolest Dads on the planet: Jeff Tweedy and co. Do you think that they’re just sitting around and resigning themselves to the fact that, you know, Spencer Tweedy isn’t going to be able to go to a good University?

Hell no. Instead they’re just cranking out some more merchandise.

First on the docket is a lovely and long-due Wilco concert DVD, titled Ashes of American Flags, which chronicles a couple of February 2008 visits to Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium and Tulsa, Oklahoma’s Cain Ballroom. (Auditorium?? Ballroom?!? Classy!) The footage was assembled by longtime collaborators Brendan Canty (of Fugazi fame) and Christoph Green of Trixie Films, who previously worked on Tweedy’s solo DVD Sunken Treasure and the behind-the-scenes film that accompanied certain editions of Wilco’s 2007 dad-rock opus Sky Blue Sky (TMT Review).

The whole shebang is due in February or March from Nonesuch, cleverly in advance of another fine consumer product: namely, the next Wilco studio album, which currently boasts little more detail than the band’s assurance that they are hitting it hard in the studio at the moment. Still, it never hurts to start the hype early. Will the synths and laptops return? Will Glenn Kotche do that thing where he blows into his drums? Stay tuned!

According to a recent fan newsletter, Wilco will play "a handful of gigs" in the southern U.S. in April, to be followed by an extensive tour of Spain in May and then "the usual summer hijinks with a new record and gigs everywhere imaginable." Meanwhile, Tweedy also has three solo shows on tap in Michigan and Illinois later this month. And while he’s there, you can be sure that he’ll be checking out those Colleges.

Jeff Tweedy:

01.29.09 - Kalamazoo, MI - State Theatre
01.30.09 - Ann Arbor, MI - Hill Auditorium
01.31.09 - Champaign, IL - Foellinger Auditorium

Wilco:

04.25.09 – New Orleans, LA – New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival

Now, bear in mind that this time of the year is historically a “down” time for tour news. So, please don’t write in to complain about the coverage we will be doling out to the likes of Buddy Dunker and the Rox (hosting a blues jam residency down at The Alligator Stomp Swamp) or Double Exposure at Slippery Nips (their cover version of Mr. Big’s “To Be With You” brings the house down three times a night). We don’t enjoy this stooping either, but we have to keep busy and keep our fingertips in fresh form and poised at the ready for the time when the mega tour announcements come a-knockin’. That time might be coming faster than we think because arguably the biggest and most favorite band in the world, Radiohead, has released details of its first shows of 2009.

Radiohead shows are rare. Radiohead shows in Mexico and South America are rarer. Radiohead shows in Mexico and South America with electronic pioneers Kraftwerk opening for them are like tripping over a nest of dodo eggs and discovering plutonium or a funny sitcom script; it’s just too unique and unlikely. But it’s true! Fans of cabeza del radio or cabeça o radia (a little help?) and Kraftwerk (I’m not even going to try) will get to see these two larger-than-life bands together for the March concerts in Mexico, Brazil, Argentine, and Chile listed below. If traveling from far, make sure to use your carbon calculators, ya green weenies!

Radiohead + Kraftwerk = True computer love waits:

03.15.09 - Mexico City, Mexico - Foro Sol
03.16.09 - Mexico City, Mexico - Foro Sol
03.20.09 - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - Praça Da Apoteose
03.22.09 - São Paolo, Brazil - Chácara Do Jockey
03.24.09 - Buenos Aires, Argentina - Club Ciudad
03.26.09 - Santiago, Chile - San Carlos de Apoquindo Stadium
03.27.09 - Santiago, Chile - San Carlos de Apoquindo Stadium

When you think about it, Bill S. Preston, Esq. and Ted “Theodore” Logan probably would have been pretty geeked about Kevin Barnes and his merry crew in of Montreal if that movie franchise had been set here in the early 21st century instead. After all, throughout all of their travails, lowly Bill and Ted had, more or less, one simple aim: they wanted to ACT like they were in the biggest band on the face of planet earth (and, later, in the solar system??), regardless of whether or not they had the chops to back it up.

And here at the dawn of 2009, who is thownin’ down a more studded-up gauntlet of self-aggrandized artistic supremacy than Kevin Barnes? (Certainly not Kanye, now that he’s been properly humbled and all...) Case in point: Even as I write this, Barnes and his raunchy crew are packing their makeup and dry-cleaning their costumes for a winter tour of, yup, The Entire World. From New Zealand, Australia, the American South, and Hawaii and California, to the U.K., mainland Europe, and Japan; of Montreal will be livin’ that loca kind of vida that’s usually only reserved for the likes of key Stallyns influences like KISS and Aerosmith. And just you try to tell Barnes to his face that his band isn’t “big enough” to make rounds around the globe like that, brother! I bet you a slushie from the Circle K that he air-guitars in your face and then drops a big-ass garbage can on your ass!

Either way, Barnes will be in Brooklyn on Wednesday by way of a “List Christee” DJ set to celebrate the release party for that fancy "Cause We Were Virgins to Your Kisses" 7-inch/DVD single, followed by a Thursday stop at the Late Show With David Letterman. Also, recall that producer Jon Brion’s remixes of some key Skeletal Lamping (TMT Review) cuts are due digitally January 6 and January 27 on CD and LP from Polyvinyl. And as for Wyld Stallyns? Well, they’ll probably be in San Dimas for awhile still, trying to build up that crucial hometown fanbase. But between you and me, they’ll never get that triumphant video made until they’ve got Kevin Barnes on lead guitar.

Scattered Remaining U.S. dates:

12.17.08 - Brooklyn, NY - The Bell House (DJ List Christee a.k.a. Kevin Barnes)
12.30.08 - Athens, GA - 40 Watt Club
12.31.08 - Athens, GA - 40 Watt Club
01.03.09 - Nashville, TN - Cannery Ballroom
01.04.09 - Asheville, NC - Grey Eagle

Most-Triumphant World Tour:

01.20.09 - Berlin, Germany - Kesselhaus 01.21.09 - Amsterdam, Netherlands - Paradiso 01.22.09 - Brussels, Belgium - Botanique 01.23.09 - Utrecht, Netherlands - Tivoli 01.24.09 - Brighton, England - Digital 01.26.09 - Glasgow, Scotland - Òran Mó 01.27.09 - Belfast, Northern Ireland - Stiff Kitten 01.28.09 - Dublin, Ireland - Button Factory 01.29.09 - Manchester, England - Club Academy 01.30.09 - Lille, France - Aeronef 01.31.09 - Paris, France - Bataclan 02.01.09 - Strasbourg, France - La Laiterie 02.19.09 - Pomona, CA - The Glasshouse 02.21.09 - Honolulu, HI - Loft Gallery & Lounge 02.25.09 - Auckland, New Zealand - Kings Arms 02.26.09 - Melbourne, Australia - San Francisco Bath House 02.28.09 - Perth, Australia - Perth International Arts Festival 03.03.09 - Sydney, Australia - Manning Bar 03.04.09 - Brisbane, Australia - The Zoo 03.05.09 - Melbourne, Australia - The Hi-Fi 03.07.09 - Golden Plains, Australia - Golden Plains Festival 03.10.09 - Osaka, Japan - Club Quattro 03.12.09 - Tokyo, Japan - Duo Music Exchange 03.15.09 - Singapore, Singapore - Esplanade Theatre

Finally the months spent preparing my annual Christmas wishlist, splurging on the special holiday stamps I put on my letters addressed to the North Pole, and generally denying myself of everything fun in order to be "good" have paid off: One of my greatest Christmas wishes has come true! No, the McDonald’s commercial — where the two women reveal that they actually HATE the alleged elitism of coffeeshops and revel in their ignorance of the geography of South America — is still sadly airing. But perhaps this wish will bring more good to a smaller, more musically-aware amount of people, which I, as a non-McDonalds latte-drinking, Paraguay-aware elitist, would clearly prefer. I am referring, of course, to the upcoming Morrissey album release and tour.

In a debatable improvement on 2004’s You are the Quarry album cover, which depicts Morrissey staring ponderously at a gun, his latest, Years of Refusal, features the man toting a baby. The single "I’m Throwing My Arms Around Paris" is set for release February 9, 2009, with the full-length to follow on February 17 via Lost Highway.

Years of Refusal tracklist:

1. Something Is Squeezing My Skull 2. Mama Lay Softly on the Riverbed 3. Black Cloud 4. I’m Throwing My Arms Around Paris 5. All You Need Is Me 6. When Last I Spoke to Carol 7. That’s How People Grow Up 8. One Day Goodbye Will Be Farewell 9. It’s Not Your Birthday Anymore 10. You Were Good in Your Time 11. Sorry Doesn’t Help 12. I’m OK by Myself

02.28.08 - Boca Raton, FL - Mizner Park 03.01.08 - Orlando, FL - Hard Rock Live 03.03.08 - Jacksonville, FL - Florida Theater 03.04.08 - St Petersburg, FL - Jannus Landing 03.06.08 - Myrtle Beach SC - House of Blues 03.07.08 - Atlanta, GA - Variety Playhouse 03.09.08 - Asheville, NC - Orange Peel 03.11.08 - Durham, NC - Durham Performing Arts Center 03.13.08 - Richmond, VA - The National 03.14.08 - Washington, DC - Warner Theater 03.16.08 - Montclair, NJ - Wellmont Theater 03.17.08 - Pittsburgh, PA - Carnegie Music Hall 03.19.08 - Buffalo, NY - University of Buffalo Center for the Arts 03.21.08 - New York, NY - Bowery Ballroom 03.22.08 - Philadelphia, PA - Academy of Music 03.25.08 - New York, NY - Webster Hall 03.26.08 - New York, NY - Carnegie Hall 03.28.08 - Mashantucket, CT - Foxwoods 03.29.08 - Boston, MA - House of Blues 03.31.08 - Ann Arbor, MI - Michigan Theater 04.01.08 - Columbus, OH - Palace Theater 04.03.08 - Milwaukee, WI - Eagles Ballroom 04.04.08 - Chicago, IL - Aragon Ballroom 04.06.08 - Minneapolis, MN - State Theater 04.07.08 - Kansas City, MO - Midland Theater 04.08.08 - St Louis, MO - Pageant Theater 04.10.08 - Dallas, TX - Palladium Ballroom 04.11.08 - Houston, TX - Jesse H Jones Hall 04.12.08 - Austin, TX - Bass Concert Hall 04.14.08 - El Paso, TX - Chavez Theater 04.15.08 - Albuquerque, NM - Sunshine Theater 04.28.08 - Killarney, Ireland - INEC 04.29.08 - Galway, Ireland - Leisureland 05.01.08 - Omagh, Northern Ireland - Leisure Centre 05.02.08 - Belfast, Northern Ireland - Waterfront 05.04.08 - Stirling, Scotland - Albert Hall 05.05.08 - Dundee, Scotland - Caird Hall 05.07.08 - Glasgow, Scotland - Barrowlands 05.08.08 - Glasgow, Scotland - Barrowlands 05.10.08 - Liverpool, England - Empire 05.11.08 - London, England - Royal Albert Hall 05.13.08 - Great Yarmouth, England - Brittania Pier 05.16.08 - Cambridge, England - Corn Exchange 05.19.08 - Hull, England - Hull Arena 05.20.08 - Hartlepool, England - Borough Hall 05.22.08 - Manchester, England - Apollo 05.23.08 - Manchester, England - Apollo 05.25.08 - Salisbury, England - City Hall 05.26.08 - London, England - Troxy Ballroom 05.28.08 - London, England - Brixton Academy 05.29.08 - London, England - Brixton Academy 05.30.08 - London, England - Brixton Academy 06.02.08 - Paris, France - Grand Rex 06.03.08 - Lille, France - Aeronef 06.05.08 - Luxembourg - Rockhal Club 06.06.08 - Rotterdam, Holland - Watt 06.08.08 - Antwerp, Belgium - Elizabeth Hall 06.09.08 - Offenbach, Germany - Capitol 06.11.08 - Cologne, Germany - Palladium 06.12.08 - Berlin, Germany - Columbiahalle 06.14.08 - Bremen, Germany - Pier 2 06.20.08 - Oslo, Norway - Senstrumscene 06.24.08 - Stockholm, Sweden - Hovet 06.30.08 - St. Petersburg, Russia - Maneshe 07.01.08 - Moscow, Russia - B1 Club

After the recent season finale of the smash MTV reality show Paris Hilton’s My New BFF, my nights have been unexpectedly empty and devoid of excitement. What other source has tantalizing glimpses into a world much more fun, much more thrilling than my daily workaday existence? Life had seemed hopelessly dull and whack.

Until now!

With the unveiling of the No Fun Fest 2009 lineup, finally there is something to look forward to once more. Hold the commercials, cue the noise. Looks like Merzbow is once again coming back to the U.S. for a set! Also making appearances will be TMT favorites like Emeralds (TMT Review), Black Pus (TMT Review), Pedestrian Deposit (TMT Review), Chris Corsano (TMT Review), Skullflower (TMT Review), Blank Dogs (TMT Review), and C. Spencer Yeh (TMT Review) playing with Trevor Tremaine (TMT Review) and Rafael Toral (TMT Review).

And while Sonic Youth members are always dispersed throughout the fest in various collaborations, this time they’re playing their own set! Also expect Bastard Noise, Axolotl, Bardo Bond, the always uncompromising CON-DOM, and much, much more.

It all goes down May 15-17 at the Music Hall of Williamsburg in Brooklyn. Alas, I hear Hilton is more of a Coachella girl.

05.15.09-05.17.09 - Brooklyn, NY - Music Hall of Williamsburg

Final lineup:

Merzbow Sonic Youth Bastard Noise Grey Wolves Bardo Pond Thrones Blank Dogs Skullflower CON-DOM Conrad Schnitzler’s Con-Cert Xeno and Oaklander Emeralds Raglani Pulse Emitter Black Pus Axolotl Yellow Tears Chris Corsano Rafael Toral with C. Spencer Yeh and Trevor Tremaine Marcus Schmickler/ Peter Rehberg Noveller Pedestrian Deposit Jazzfinger Mattin Carlos Giffoni Cold Cave Sons of God

Tiny Mix Tapes is not Wal-Mart. Granted, there are few things we enjoy more than strutting into town to bankrupt long-standing, independently-run, family businesses, but that’s where the similarities end. When it comes to over-promoting the holiday season, we take a different approach to things. Christmas doesn’t need pimping until the end of November at the very latest, not the minute after Halloween, and January winter fun doesn’t begin until icy cool troubadour Justin Vernon releases new songs. The fun will come, but winter is already here. If you want further proof just look at the new Bon Iver EP cover!

Now that you have retrieved your monitor from outside, repaired your window, and completed the required anger management classes program that that image prompted taking, you can smile, knowing that Bon Iver will indeed be releasing Blood Bank, a new 12-inch/CDEP featuring four new tracks, on Jagjaguwar January 20. Blood Bank will be available for purchase on the current U.S. and upcoming Australian tours, with the vinyl offering a bonus digital download voucher. That’s news that can warm the coldest mood

Blood on these tracks:

1. Blood Bank
2. Beach Baby
3. Babys
4. Woods

Vernon and touring co. will continue on their small tour tonight in Brooklyn after recent dates oversees, a couple of NYC Town Hall shows, and a Late Show performance. Vernon has also designed a t-shirt for the artist-enlisted charity initiative Yellow Bird Project. All proceeds of the Bon Iver model will benefit Toronto’s Interval House. Letterman, t-shirt artiste, time philanthropist... my, how things have changed since Vernon’s days spent as a cabin-dwelling shut-in!

12.12.08 - Brooklyn, NY - Music Hall of Williamsburg %
12.14.08 - Boston, MA - The Wilbur Theatre %
12.15.08 - Philadelphia, PA - The Trocadero %
12.17.08 - Louisville, KY - Headliners %
12.18.08 - Chicago, IL - The Vic Theatre %
12.19.08 - Madison, WI - The Barrymore Theatre %
12.22.08 - Eau Claire, WI - State Theatre
01.15.09 - Perth, Australia - Fly By Night
01.17.09 - Brisbane, Australia - The Tivoli
01.18.09 - Melbourne, Australia - The Hi-Fi
01.19.09 - Melbourne, Australia - Forum Theatre
01.20.09 - Sydney, Australia - The Famous Spiegeltent
01.21.09 - Angel Place, Australia - City Recital Hall
01.22.09 - Sydney, Australia - The Famous Spiegeltent
01.23.09 - Sydney, Australia - The Famous Spiegeltent
01.24.09 - Angel Place, Australia - City Recital Hall

% The Tallest Man of Earth

Antony and The Johnsons — not to be confused with Anthony Johnston, my freshman roommate — have confirmed a 15-date tour of the U.S. Just so happens that my bud Anthony Johnston is also a big fan of Anthony and The Johnsons, so this’ll be PERFECT. The group’s new album, The Crying Light, hits stores January 20 via Secretly Canadian, which gives me and Anthony just enough time to memorize all the words before the tour.

Here’s what Antony had to say about the new album:

My new album "The Crying Light" is dedicated to the great dancer Kazuo Ohno. In performance I watched him cast a circle of light upon the stage, and step into that circle, and reveal the dreams and reveries of his heart. He seemed to dance in the eye of something mysterious and creative; with every gesture he embodied the child and the feminine divine. He’s kind of like my art parent.

And here’s what Anthony Johnston had to say:

Why is it only drug dealers and software developers call their clients users? Does the Little Mermaid wear an algebra? Do infants enjoy infancy as much as adults enjoy adultery? If God dropped acid, would he see people? If one synchronized swimmer drowns, do the rest drown too? If you ate pasta and antipasta, would you still be hungry?

Hahaha! Can’t you see why I’m friends with him? Fucking hilarious.

Tourdates (European tourdates coming soon!):

02.02.08 - Glenside, PA - Keswick Theatre 02.03.08 - Washington, DC - Sixth & I Historic Synagogue 02.04.08 - Columbus, OH - Southern Theatre 02.07.08 - Knoxville, TN - Big Ears Festival 02.08.08 - Atlanta, GA - Variety Playhouse 02.12.08 - Chicago, IL - Vic Theatre 02.13.08 - Milwaukee, WI - Pabst Theater 02.14.08 - Minneapolis, MN - Pantages Theatre 02.17.08 - Toronto, ON - Queen Elizabeth Theatre 02.19.08 - New York, NY - Town Hall 02.20.08 - New York, NY - Town Hall 02.22.08 - Boston, MA - Berklee Performance Center 02.24.08 - San Francisco, CA - Nob Hill Masonic Center 02.27.08 - Vancouver, BC - Vogue Theatre 02.28.08 - Seattle, WA - Moore Theatre

When last writing about Mr. Deacon (TMT Review), I submitted my pleas for more information about his forthcoming album, Bromst. Well, it looks like Dan has answered my prayers (or so I would like to believe this was just for me) by announcing that his follow-up to Spiderman of the Rings will be coming our way (relatively) soon — March 24, 2009, to be exact, courtesy of Carpark Records.

Deacon will also be mixing up his famous live show with the addition of a huge-ass band. Featuring a hodgepodge of Baltimore all-stars, the ensemble will be making its debut tonight at the Brooklyn Masonic Temple to help promote Bromst and will later tour in 2009 charged with the same task. The show promises a few solo Deacon songs, sets from Dirty Projectors and So Percussion, and, of course, surprises!

Dan Deacon Live Ensemble Talent Detail:

 Percussion:

Eric Beach (So Percussion)
Denny Bowen (Double Dagger, Smarthgrowth)
Jeremy Hyman (Ponytail, Ultimate Reality)
Kevin O’Meara (Videohippos, Ultimate Reality)
Rich O’Meara (ko’mm)
Josh Quillen (So Percussion)
Adam Sliwinski (So Percussion)
Jason Treuting (So Percussion)

 Synthesizers, Keyboards and Electronics:

Benny Boeldt (Adventure)
William Cashion (Future Islands)
Dan Deacon
Chester Gwazda (Nuclear Power Pants)
Gerrit Welmers (Future Islands)

 Guitar:

Matt Papiach (Ecstatic Sunshine/White Williams)
Ken Seeno (Ponytail)

...And Dan Deacon Tourdates:

12.11.08 -Brooklyn, NY - Brooklyn Masonic Temple # 12.13.08 - Denver, CO - Rhinoceropolis 12.19.08 - Baltimore, MD - Sonar + 12.29.08 - Las Vegas, NV - House of Blues * 02.19.08 - New Zeland - TBA 02.26.08 - Sydney, AUS - TBA 02.27.08 - Sydney, AUS - Summer Tones @ Oxford Art Factory 02.28.08 - Melbourne, AUS - Summer Tones @ The Espy 03.05.08 - Melbourne, AUS - The Tote 03.06.08 - Brisbane, AUS - Summer Tones @ The Zoo 03.07.08 - Victoria, AUS - Golden Plains Festival 03.08.08 - Perth, AUS - Perth Festival Closing Party

# Dirty Projectors, So Percussion
* Girl Talk
+ Baltimore Round Robin Show

It was October 20. Ottawa, Ontario. It was a dark, windy night. And a little chilly. The kind of weather best suited for a nice cashmere sweater and a scarf, perhaps a late-afternoon hot chocolate. Not a star was in sight, unless of course you count music act Stars at the Scotiabank Place arena.

Having released the Sad Robots EP back in September, Stars were clearly excited to be performing live again. This show would mark their first of a 12-date tour of their home country Canada.

But, as excited as they were to perform, Stars were in fact more excited to be sharing the stage with the Best Band in the World, Coldplay. The show was a one-off before both bands would say their goodbyes and head on their respective Canadian tours, so Stars knew this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Eager to watch Coldplay perform, Stars quickly ran through their set, playing most of their songs at least 25% faster than normal. Coldplay’s fans cheered loudly, but it was clear to everyone — including Stars — that the Real Deal was about to perform and that any warm-up act is but a slight breath of fleeting hot air.

After their set, Stars quickly found a comfortable spot from which to watch Coldplay’s set.

At 8:30 PM, Coldplay finally hit the stage. Like Gods. One minute into their opening song "Yellow," the members of Stars fell to their knees and started weeping. "This is the best thing that’s ever happened to me!" yelled vocalist Torquil Campbell, in between weeps. "Yeah I know. I will never forget this moment for as long as I live," replied keyboardist Chris Seligman, hands pointed toward the ceiling, as if reaching for the heavens. Judging by how things were going so far, it wouldn’t have surprised anyone if he did find himself in heaven by the end of the night.

Two hours later, Coldplay finished their third encore and were preparing their goodbyes. The audience, exhausted from crying throughout the set due to the ineffable beauty of Coldplay’s music, started cheering so loudly, in such a deafening manner, that Coldplay began to cry too. The members of Stars looked at each other in excited approval. They knew too that this was The Moment, the kind of experience that would forever shape their lives.

When everyone thought things couldn’t get any better, Coldplay did what everyone knew had to happen: they launched into "Yellow" again. The crowd went nuts; Coldplay looked as energetic as ever; and each member of Stars closed their eyes and sang along: "Look at the stars/ Look how they shine for you!" The night felt like it could last forever.

It’s a shame these dates are without Coldplay:

12.11.08 - Toronto, ON - Queen Elizabeth Theatre 12.12.08 - Toronto, ON - Queen Elizabeth Theatre 12.13.08 - Toronto, ON - Queen Elizabeth Theatre 12.31.08 - Victoria, Australia - The Pyramid Rock Festival 01.02.09 - Melbourne, Australia - The Corner 01.03.09 - Sydney, Australia - The Factory Theatre 01.04.09 - Brisbane, Australia - The Zoo 01.07.09 - Singapore, Singapore - Esplanade - Theatre On The Bay 01.09.09 - Osaka, Japan - Club Quattro 01.10.09 - Tokyo, Japan - Club Quattro 01.13.09 - Taipei City, Taiwan - The Wall Live House

 ATP NY 2009 official website
 The Flaming Lips official website