Hype Williams have been taking over the stereo over here at LSTN since their debut LP Find Out What Happens When People Stop Being Polite, And Start Gettin Reel (released by the consistently satisfying De Stijl). I hope that those unaware of the duo get a sense of the humor and post-modern wanderings that make up the sound taken here. Inga Copeland & Roy Blunt combine lo-fi sensibilities with a mixture of laid back grooves with a dash of nostalgia.

The two also have an equally fascinating video output that matches their recordings. These videos, besides making great creative strides with slow motion, are usually scored by Hype Williams themselves. Though some you'll find to be down right strange for no reason other than a possible critical look into pop culture. Then again by the looks of the video below I might need to take that back.

Stand out track The Throning, from the LP Find Out What Happens, may combine some of the catchiest moments of the band. There's more than a sweet hint of electro New Age smoothness provided here to hold you over until their next release.

hype williams - the throning by dennafrances

Gang Gang Dance have announced their newest full-length Eye Contact to be released May 9th. The LP is the follow up to the group's breakout success Saint Dymphna. It comes after a label switch from The Social Registry to 4AD. Luckily the move sees them continuing with their cinematic vision of what contemporary dance music should always strive for.

The group has seen a radical shift over its years. Those who have been following GGD have seen them evolve from art school no wavers towards the sleek global trotting outfit they are today. According to 4AD their new album Eye Contact was again produced by Chris Coady, who also helped helm the bands previous efforts Saint Dymphna & RAWWAR. Some may also know Coady from his work with Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Beach House, & Zola Jesus. Apparently the album also "features a guest appearance from Alexis Taylor of Hot Chip, whose signature vocals take centre stage on the track ‘Romance Layers’." To top things off there will also be a limited x2 A sided 12" to be released shortly before the alum proper.

In the meantime time you can also purchase Saint Dymphna or other previous GGD releases over at The Social Registry, and for those of you in Europe check out the live dates below.

European Tour

9th Apr - Dazed Live @ Village Underground, London

11th May - Ruby Lounge, Manchester

12th May - Pavillion Theatre @ Great Escape, Brighton

13-15th May - ATP Festival, Minehead

16th May - XOYO, London

17th May - Point Ephemere, Paris

18th May - Rotunde @ Les Nuits Botanique, Brussels

19th May - Melkweg, Amsterdam

21st May - HAU, Berlin

23rd May - Vega, Copenhagen

25th May - Stall 6, Zurich

26th May - Magnolia, Milan

28th May - Primavera, Barcelona

Metal Mountains are a few shows in NYC this March for the release of their debut LP, Golden Trees. The group counts as its members Helen Rush, P.G. Six, & Samara Lubelski. None of whom are strangers due to their involvement in the infamous Tower Recordings, not to mention their own solo outings and other band involvements. That is all but Rush who has been conspicuously quiet up until now, as the press release informs us that Metal Mountains' songs are primarily penned Rush.

The album is being released by Amish records who have a history of putting out some outstanding LPs by some of the best avant-folk/underground artists working today. This includes Hall of Fame, Oakley Hall & Starving Weirdos to name a few.

Above you'll find a video of Metal Mountains performing "Orange/Yellow" at Monster Island Basement Feb. 4th, 2011. A show that saw them share the stage with Ducktails & Woods. While below you'll find live dates for Metal Mountains & Samara Lubelski/Marcia Bassett.

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Live Dates

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Metal Mountains

Mar 3 - Secret Project Robot - NYC (w/ Spectre Folk, Roeenney)
Mar 20 - The Stone - NYC (curated by White Out)

Samara Lubelski/Marcia Bassett Duo

Feb 22nd - Zebulon - NYC (w/ Messages, Eleven Twentynine, Gunn/Truscinski Duo)
March 18th- Church of St. Paul - NYC *Samara solo (w/ Godspeed You Black Emporer)
March 29th - A/V Night at LMAK Series - NYC
Duo April 17th - The Stone - NYC (w/ Helen Rush)

It seems Peter Nolan's solo material as Spectre Folk is consistently understood as a side project in the public eye. After all it's hard to compete when your other band is thee Magik Markers. But maybe things will start to change a little in the near future as Nolan and company prepare for the release of the newest Spectre Folk 12" EP out on Woodsist March 29.

The Blackest Medicine, Vol II as it's called seems to take inspiration from the same pool of acidic stoned folk rock as the previous few Spectre Folk albums. This album sees Nolan joined by Steve Shelley (Sonic Youth) Peter Meehan (The Grey Lady) , & Aaron Mullen (Tall Firs).

Any doubts of the music coming second to such a star studded line up are put to rest by the end the title track The Blackest Medicine. Resembling moments of like minded musicians such as MV & EE, as well as the label's figure heads Woods. But then again Peter has been doing this for some time, before his time with Magik Markers, as Elisa Ambrogio points out in her insightful take on the release.

Peter Nolan is currently touring with Sic Alps, playing in Magik Markers. You can find the dates here.

And if you can check out the previous Spectre Folk release Compass Blanket Lantern Mojo on Nolan's own Arbitrary Signs label.

Thanks to all who came out to the Silk Flowers Record Release last Friday (2/4)! It was a great time. Happy so many people came out for the party and got to check out all the awesome bands. Shea Stadium, our gracious hosts for the evening, recently launched their own website (liveatsheastadium.com) and will hopefully be providing audio of each set in the near future.

...Anyway big thanks to Shea Stadium, Silk Flowers, Soft Circle, Mazing Vids, R.A.F. & all who came out!

On another note...

Some of you may have noticed the changes to the blog. I've decided it best to widen my focus a bit you could say. First of all I've merged my other blog with this one, creating a sole site for everything that myself & LSTN (Last Nights) are up. This includes the random ponderings and whatnot.

I've also been in the habit of booking & promoting more and more show as of late, rather than putting out an endless stream of recordings that few will buy. Still reserving the right for the occasional LSTN release but mainly everything will go the route of shows as far as promotion stuff goes. Hopefully more fun and useful!

Peace

SD